* * *
Michiru sat with Haruka, looking into the Aqua Mirror as Wu Fei lay entranced on the bed of their room. Michiru was busy exploring Wu Fei?s memory, trying to find some kind of hint as to the whereabouts of the Star Destroyer?s headquarters.
?Anything yet?? Haruka asked impatiently.
?Of course not,? Michiru replied for the thousandth time. ?Most of his memory would have been protected in case of something like this happening. I?m not a miracle worker, Haruka, so just sit there and be patient!?
Haruka ?humphed? in frustration and resigned herself to a large cushioned chair, trying to wait for the results. After thirty seconds, she jumped out of the chair, unable to take the waiting any longer, and left the room. Michiru rolled her eyes and went back to searching Wu Fei?s mind.
Haruka picked up speed, bolting out the main door of the badly injured building to the parking garage next to the main complex. Grabbing the first motorcycle she saw, Haruka sped off. I used to try to escape before. Just give me this one last time. Gomen nasai minna. Moments later, Trowa walked into the garage, only to notice that his bike was gone. Looking around, he quickly realized that Haruka?s bike was still there. Putting two and two together, he cautiously started for Haruka?s bike, then thought better of it, realizing that Haruka was more of a man than most men he knew. Defeated, he sulked back into the mansion.
Trowa decided it would be best if he were to spend some quality time with Quatre, since no one seemed to know what would happen in the events to come. On the way back to his room, he passed Treize and Zechs, sitting in the drawing room, talking quietly. He stopped for a moment when his keen ears picked up the intonations of sadness coming from Zechs?s voice.
?I just don?t know what will happen,? Zechs said softly. ?History is a total blur now. I don?t know what?s real and what isn?t. The girl that Noin has become is someone I don?t know. Lucrezia is just gone.?
Treize gave an appreciative chuckle. ?Well, think of it this way, at least she didn?t turn into some giant Amazon lesbian!?
Zechs smiled. ?Well, this is Lady Une we?re talking about?? Treize shot him a dirty look. Zechs pretended not to notice. He paused for a moment. ?But you?re lucky. The world thinks you?re dead.?
?In a way, I am.?
Trowa thought about that for a minute. I guess I?m fortunate. History didn?t totally change for me. Resuming his course, Trowa headed back to his room.
Setsuna heard Trowa walk quickly by the room where she and Hotaru were attempting to retain some semblance of sanity. Being the only ones not affected in any way by the time shift, they were the only ones without duplicate memories. Setsuna and Hotaru sat quietly watching the sky.
?It?s strange to know that while the world has changed so much for everyone else, we?re not affected at all,? Hotaru remarked.
?We?re not totally unaffected Hotaru,? Setsuna reminded her. ?We have to make sure that we play the roles we were destined to play now. Take a look at the Knights for example. Our duty this time is to train them and prepare them for the coming millennium.?
?True. Most of the Knights aren?t even accepted yet. Only Mars and Saturn have gone through the tests. And Earth, well, let?s not even go there?? Hotaru grimaced as she remembered who the Knight of Earth was this time around.
Pluto stared at the sky, watching some invisible point drift through the clouds.
?What are you thinking Setsuna-mama?? Hotaru asked after a thoughtful pause.
Setsuna smiled slightly. ?This battle is the most important, and worst of all, I don?t know what the outcome will be. It?s a point in history where things could go any number of ways. It all will depend on what we choose to do.?
?DEATH WAVE!? Duo screamed in the distance.
?At least the Knights are taking this seriously,? Hotaru commented.
Setsuna strained her eyes to get a better view of the Knights in practice. Heero, Duo, Yuuichiro and Beryl were fighting in an open field near the mansion.
?Good try Duo! But remember, you have to VARY your moves!? Beryl taunted. She stopped for a moment, put her hand to her head, closed her eyes and then flung Duo away with a push of her mind. Beryl leapt at Duo, lashing out with a series of blows, being sure to keep him off his feet. She was just about to pin him by his neck, when Yuuichiro charged from behind and hit Beryl with his hammer. She fell forward, landing on Duo, Yuuichiro poised to deliver the final blow to both of them.
?Ha! Try that!? Yuuichiro said triumphantly.
?But you all have failed. You forget that there is a FOURTH member in this fray,? Heero said in his monotone. ?ICE STORM!? Obviously the Knights were learning how to channel their energies when attacking, because Heero?s attack was a simple chill wind, not a full out storm. Heero slung his sword over his shoulder, gave a smug smile and walked away. The other three Knights looked up and blinked at him, then they all charged him and tackled him to the ground.
?Where do you think YOU?RE going Yuy!? Duo shouted, slide tackling Heero?s legs, sending him crashing to the ground. Instantly the other Knights were wrestling on the ground, having the time of their lives.
Usagi watched the wrestling quartet from her window. She giggled to herself as she watched them. ?Mamo-chan! Look at this!? she said pointing out the window. The sight of the four Knights tugging on each other?s hair and biting each other was quiet amusing. Mamoru laughed with Usagi as Chibi-Usa played on the floor with her toys.
?What?s so funny mama?? Chibi-Usa asked.
?Nothing sweetie.? Usagi looked from Chibi-Usa to Mamoru, worried about the battle she would have to face. Mamoru squeezed Usagi?s hand, reassuring her he?d be there. ?It?s so strange. I have memories of a war that didn?t happen.?
?Usako? It?s okay,? Mamoru said thoughtfully. ?That time is over. We?ve been installed as the leaders of the Earth.?
?But that was just one battle. The real war isn?t over and now I fear it never will be,? Usagi said quietly.
?What do you mean?? Mamoru knew that something was wrong with his young wife?s tone, but he didn?t know what she was hinting at.
Usagi thought back to the fateful final battle with Chaos when she met Sailor Cosmos for the first time. ?There will not be an end to fighting. It will go on forever. That is why you must end it here, to save the galaxy?s future. Sailor Moon, with your last powers, you must destroy the Chaos and the Cauldron to end it all.? What if I did the wrong thing? What if there really is no end to the fighting because I didn?t destroy the Cauldron? Was I right to try and seal Chaos?
?Nothing.? Usagi smiled at Mamoru, then turned back to Chibi-Usa. Usagi scooped up her daughter and held her for a while, thinking of the future they would leave for her.
?What are you hugging me for mama??
?To remind you how much I love you. Always remember that Chibi-Usa.? Usagi stroked her daughter?s hair lovingly. As Usagi released her daughter, there was a knock at the door.
?Usagi-chan, I?ve found something!? Michiru said happily opening the door.
?Great! Let?s get everyone together and show us what you have.?
?Sure thing. But have you seen Haruka anywhere??
?I heard a motorcycle wheeling away a little bit ago,? Mamoru interjected.
Michiru rolled her eyes, sighed and closed the door.
?I guess this is it?? Mamoru said to Usagi. ?Here we go.?
* * *
Once Haruka returned and all the Senshi were gathered, the little bits of the Star Destroyer base that remained in Wu Fei?s memory were shared. Michiru held up the Aqua Mirror and sent its images to all present. Brief images of huge black rock pillars and cracking walls were all that could be clearly defined. A face or two, very blurred, here and there showed that there was life wherever Wu Fei had been. Slowly the imaged became fuzzier and harder to define, but the last few haunting images were very clear and distinct. There was a woman in a jet-black robe standing on a ledge that jutted out over a vast expanse of light that flared and bubbled. The woman was chanting a strange mantra, ancient and menacing. Suddenly, the view changed to a shot hovering above whatever the woman was standing over. It was like looking into a well of space, stars glowing inside. They twinkled, calling the viewer forward, inviting yet forbidden at the same time. The vision sank deeper and deeper into the vastness of space, then suddenly imaged went sailing by, as if being shoved at incredible speed through a door. The last vision was of a huge gate, one giant crystal installed above it, dimly shining. Instantly, Usagi recognized it.
That?s Sagittarius Zero Star! That?s the Cauldron!! ?I know what we?re seeing!? she cried.
The vision abruptly ended. Shaking herself out of it, Makoto asked, ?How do you know? You?ve never seen that before.?
?Yes I have. That?s Sagittarius Zero Star, the home of the Galaxy Cauldron. It?s the place where stars are born. That was where I held the final battle with Galaxia and Chaos,? Usagi said firmly.
?But why??? Minako asked.
?Chaos? They intend to free Chaos!? Rei gasped. ?That?s the only explanation!?
?Then why try to destroy the Star Seeds? Why attack us?? Makoto asked.
?Because like Galaxia, they want to make sure they are the most powerful force! If we?re still alive, then there?s no hope that they will succeed. They hope to remove us from the picture so they can safely revive Chaos!? Ami said, quickly fitting the pieces together.
?But we don?t even know if they?re using the Cauldron for that purpose. Maybe the enemy doesn?t know about Chaos,? Haruka suggested.
?No, that can?t be. They MUST know of Chaos because they ARE Chaos,? Usagi said.
?But how is that? I don?t understand?? Haruka replied.
Usagi thought about it for a minute before responding. ?They are a part of Chaos just like we are a part of Balance. Light and Dark, Balance and Chaos. It?s all part of the same whole. It all comes from the Cauldron. All the enemies we have ever faced, Pharo 90 and Nehelenia, the Death Phantom and?? she paused to regard Beryl for a second, ?Metallia, were all part of Chaos. Even Galaxia and this new enemy are part of that. They might not know it consciously, but they are called by the Cauldron to ensure Chaos, just as we are called to preserve Balance. All heavenly bodies have a Star Seed, as well as a Chaos Seed. We are all part of the greater whole.?
?But why the Cauldron?? Minako asked.
?They are drawn to it like we are drawn to each other. We are all a single star. A single, lonely star. We all want the same thing; to not be alone.?
?How did they managed to move the whole Cauldron? Wasn?t it immense when we were there?? Michiru asked.
?They moved more than the Cauldron. All of Sagittarius Zero Star appears to have been transferred into their own dimension. We probably never sensed them because they are hidden in a fold in space-time,? Setsuna said.
A strange silence fell over the room as the group digested what their queen had just told them. In that one moment, Usagi had established that she was the one who was fit to ascend to the throne. No one doubted that she was ready to be Neo-Queen Serenity. No one that is, except her.
I hope I?m doing this right. If what Cosmos said is true, then this is not nearly the last battle. Even after the Black Moon there will be more battles. I?m so tired of fighting. I want it all to end?
?Then all we have to do is strike!? Zechs exclaimed. ?One final battle and all will be done!?
Setsuna shook her head. ?It?s not that easy. There is still one more Star Destroyer besides the woman you saw. Malore I believe his name is. And you have not truly awakened as Knights.?
?What do you mean?? Quatre asked. ?We have our weapons. We have been united with the Sailor Senshi. What more is there??
?You must discover how to channel your powers in this life. You are using the attacks for your past lives. In each life you live, you must discover your full potential. It is at that point that you are given your Relic and truly accepted as Knights,? Setsuna explained. ?However, because there is no time to truly initiate you as Knights in the old fashion, you will have to learn how to use your full powers on your own.?
?And just when do you expect us to do this? There?s a war going on!? Duo shouted.
?Calm thy self. You will find the time,? Hotaru said gently.
?What about Chibi-Usa? We can?t leave her here alone,? Beryl interjected.
?We could take her to the King?s tomb. She?d be safe there,? Quatre suggested.
?Good idea. There really isn?t much else we can do with her,? Usagi agreed. ?Please be careful with my daughter. The rest of us will figure out how the Star Destroyers managed to move Sagittarius Zero Star and hide it. When you return, we will make our move.?
* * *
?The Knights are on the move and alone. They are leaving the Senshi unguarded?? Malore thought to himself. He smiled at his new Darkling. ?I have a plan?? Malore took his Darkling?s claw and broke of a chip. ?This should do well,? he said, grinning evily at the pure white splinter. ?White is the snow. So shall the Knight?s graves be!?
* * *
The Knights found themselves making the trek back across the frozen expanse of the North Pole, trying to find the entrance to the King?s Tomb. The snow beat down mercilessly, as if to keep the Knights from achieving their goal. The bleak snow field stretched on in all directions, the door nowhere in sight. The howling wind played tricks on the ears of the Knights, siren sounds attempting to lure them off to a cold death. Slowly the group pressed on, trying to ignore the racking cold that bit at their ears and noses. Soon there were visible footprints in the snow, made recently by the same people on their way to the Tomb the first time. Following the footprints, the Knights began tracing their way back to the tunnel that lead to the Tomb. Treize carried Chibi-Usa on his back, trying to shield her from the cold with as much wrapping as he could find and carry. The little girl shook and shivered.
?You okay back there?? Treize asked her. ?Are you too cold??
?I?m fine,? she protested.
?Alright. We?ll be there in a little bit,? he told her. She reminds me so of my daughter. I wish I could have seen her grown up.
The wind blew louder and louder, becoming more shrill with each gust. Then voices, not the false calls from before, but real voices, began calling out to the Knights.
?Come with us?. Leave the child?.? they whispered.
?This wind is not natural!? Treize shouted over the voices. ?Something is here!?
Quatre stopped quickly, his eyes growing in fear. ?I can feel it! Hatred everywhere! Hatred and abandonment! It?s coming from every direction! It?s? it?s overwhelming me?? he stammered as he collapsed, his hand on his heart. Trowa rushed to catch Quatre, breaking his fall into the snow.
?What?s going on?! Where are you?? Beryl screamed into the storm. She concentrated her thoughts and sent out small shock waves in all directions. Suddenly something rushed her and sent her crashing to the ground. It giggled and flitted away.
?Okay, this is bad,? Duo said.
?Everyone get ready!? Zechs commanded. The Knights formed a circle, Treize putting Chibi-Usa in the middle. They all drew their weapons.
?I, Master of Storms, command this unholy storm to cease!? Treize shouted. ?RAGE WIND!!!? Treize raised his spear over his head and twirled it faster and faster until a great cyclone rushed up around him and whipped away the snow from around the Knights. The raging winds kept the unnatural wind out, creating a massive calm spot in the middle of the storm. As the cyclone increased in size, it pushed the storm back farther, exposing flying white figures that looked like large patches of snow.
?So you think that little trick will help?? one of the creatures taunted. ?Validaria has given us more power than you realize!? With a flick of the wrist, the ice creature sent its brethren forward, pushing its storm against Treize?s.
?This is it!? Yuuichiro shouted. ?FLAMING CRUSH!? With a mighty blow of his hammer, Yuuichiro melted several of the ice Darklings. He swung at more, forcing them back. The creatures just giggled and blew a stream of freezing air at Yuuichiro, freezing his hammer. The cold forced him to drop his weapon and two more creatures rushed him.
?Silly human. Don?t fight ice with fire!?
?Then try this!? Heero swung his sword at the creatures, shattering them. ?Can?t freeze a sword that?s already frozen.?
?OCEAN FURY!? Wu Fei let loose a gush of salt water, melting several more of the Darklings.
?Hehehehehe? That?s all you have?? the leading ice creature taunted. All the Darklings gathered together, shifting and cracking apart, then molding together into one huge ice creature. It blinked at Treize and then the storm rushed in, tearing apart Treize?s tornado. ?NOW YOU DIE!!? The ice creature grabbed for Chibi-Usa, freezing air whooshing in around the child.
?NO!!? Zechs charged for the girl, grabbing her and sliding out of the way of the giant hand. Zechs spun back around and swung at the arm with his staff, shattering it just above the wrist. The Darkling reeled back, then watched in amusement as its hand regrew.
?TRY AGAIN,? it roared.
?CUPID?S STING!!?
?BEAST SLASH!?
?DEATH ARC!? The three attacks converged on the huge being at once, shattering the Darkling and turning it into swirling snowflakes. ?Ha! Try that on for size!? Duo jeered.
The snowflakes separated, then swirled back together, forming an even bigger creature. ?BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!!? it bellowed.
?Is there ANY way to beat this thing?? Wu Fei shouted.
?We have to increase our powers!!? Beryl shouted back.
?HOW?!? Yuuichiro screamed over the roar of the wind.
?We have to find our new attacks!? Beryl replied. If only I knew how to do that! Our future relies on our success. We MUST protect the future queen! I must protect the future queen! To make amends for all I have done, I will help save the future of the kingdom I once destroyed!! Beryl looked up into the eyes of the swelling beast and was filled with a fiery rage. The cold no longer bothered her. In fact, she was nearly sweating. A familiar rage, much like she had felt when she caught Endymion with Serenity, filled her body. But this time, the rage was to the great demon attempting to destroy her future. THIS IS MY LIFE!! ?THIS IS MY FUTURE AND I?LL BE DAMNED IF YOU TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME!! I WILL GIVE MY LIFE TO PROTECT THIS CHILD AND HER KINGDOM!!!? The rage that burned inside Beryl exploded outward, but instead of burning away her soul, she felt her soul flare brighter than ever! Beryl could feel the fire crystallize in her hand, forming a beautiful wand of dark oak topped with a large cut emerald. Feathers, tied near the emerald tip, hung down from strips of leather. The Wand of Earth! My weapon! Beryl instantly knew that her redemption had come in full. ?Now for my attack! PSYCHIC CRUNCH!!!? She pointed the wand at the huge monster, grabbing it with her mind. The creature instantly froze in place, unable to resist Beryl?s telekinetic hold on it. Beryl grimaced, visibly increasing the pressure on the Darkling. With a mighty roar, booming over the storm, Beryl and the Darkling screamed in unison as she smashed the creature with her hold, breaking it back into its individual pieces.
The other Knights looked on in awe at Beryl?s sudden desperation to survive. It seemed as if the whole Earth shook with the force of her mind. Chibi-Usa screamed in fear as she watched the battle between the woman who seemed so determined to save her and the monster that seemed so set to destroy her. Chibi-Usa couldn?t understand why a woman, so powerful and noble, could ever be an enemy to her family. ?Help her!? she cried.
The voice of the little girl reached down into the hearts of the other Knights, surging the memories of wars they all remembered. Flashes of battles, surges of pain, bitter heartache, lost youth; it all flowed through them, reminding them of their pasts and showing them the power of their future. The Knights felt the change coming, forceful yet yielding, like a mighty, unstoppable river, flowing over them. The power came with the great flow of the eternal river. In an instant, the Knights? weapons were filled with new energy, the energy of their new lives.
?ANGELIC STING!? Quatre let loose a gleaming arrow, destroying two of the snow creatures.
?ANIMAL RAGE!? Trowa swung his axe, letting a burning wave of green energy. Two more Darklings flew apart under the attack.
?CRYSTAL LASER!? Zechs cried, shooting out a beam of pure white light.
?DEEP TSUNAMI!? Wu Fei blasted out a funnel of water, meeting Zech?s beam and melting a few more Darklings.
?Waaa!? Yuuichirou cried as a Darkling flew in from behind him and carried him up into the air. Without thinking, he drew his weapon and swung it. ?VOLCANIC SMASH!? Melting the Darkling in midair with a huge explosion of fire, he quickly realized that there was nothing to catch him and he began to fall to the Earth.
?WEST WIND!? Treize summoned up a funnel of air to catch Yuuichirou and set him gently on the ground.
?DEATH WAVE!? Duo lashed out with one last great blow, a huge purple-black wave destroying the last of the snow monsters.
The Knights paused for a moment, knowing that they were moving onward to meet their destiny. ?Quick, let?s get the kid into the tomb,? Duo said. The Knights escorted Chibi-Usa down the shaft and into the tomb. The whole tomb was made of brilliant crystal with a single purple satin-covered bed set into the middle of the tomb. Laying Chibi-Usa down, the Knights turned to leave. Beryl took one last look around, proud that she had finally set something straight, but just before she exited the tomb, a voice boomed through her head.
?What are you doing here you witch?!?
I know that voice? It can?t be?
Answer me! Why have you come to this holy place?
?I am try to make amends for the crimes I committed against you and your prince,? Beryl said telepathically.
If you truly wish to make amends then take us back to our master so we can decide your punishment.
?Of course.? Beryl quickly looked around and, seeing what she needed, grabbed a few stones and quickly rejoined the others.
* * *
Malore has failed at stopping the Knights? This will make his next challenge even harder! Validaria closed her eyes and leaned back in her throne. The Cauldron pulsated in time with the beat of her heart. Soon?
* * *
Duo wildly described the battle that had taken place, flailing his arms and jumping up and down. ?And there was this HUUUUUGEEE monster and it was like, ?GAAAAAAARRRR!? And Beryl was all, ?Not on my time bitch!? and she blew the thing to pieces! It was SOOOO COOL!?
?Duo, sit down,? Heero said as he grabbed Duo?s fly arm and pulled him down.
?Thank you Duo, that was, ummm?? Michiru looked sideways at Haruka for the proper word.
?Lively??? Hotaru replied, looking up at her parent figures.
?Dangerous is what I?d say,? Ami interjected. ?This means the Star Destroyers are watching us and know what we?re doing. We need to be careful.?
?No! We need to act!? Makoto shouted, jumping to her feet.
?In the name of freedom and boyfriends everywhere!? Minako added. Everyone face-faulted, but they got the point.
?This is true. The Knights have achieved their new levels of power. The time is at hand. We must act quickly?? Setsuna looked at the group with a grave certainty on her face. ?I will inform the Queen.? With a quick nod, the group dispersed to ready for the coming battle. Setsuna walked through the palace, looking one last time at the now badly beaten building. All this will be gone soon? The grandeur of Crystal Tokyo will rise and this will all be but a dream? Setsuna regarded the door to the royal bedroom for a long moment, then raised her hand to knock. She paused as she heard muffled voices arguing with each other. Endymion?s and? Beryl?s? What?s she doing here? Setsuna closed her eyes and pressed her ear to the door to listen better.
?Beryl, I thank you for what you did to help my daughter, but I don?t know if I will have Serenity?s forgiveness? And now you approach me in my room? Why would you come here?? Endymion demanded.
?I told you, I have something very important that you left behind,? Beryl told him.
?Don?t play with me??
?Mamo-chan, please, be kind to her,? Usagi said.
?I need to give you these.? There was a pause Setsuna went into her mind to try and see what was going on at this point in time. She saw Beryl open her hand to reveal four gemstones. Setsuna gasped at the recollection of what they were. ?As my final atonement, I return your bodyguards to you.? Endymion looked at Beryl, stunned into silence. ?Well? Are you going to take them??
Endymion reached out his hand and gently took the stones. He turned them over in his hand, feeling the warmth and strength that each radiated. He was bathed in their presence, reveling in their simple existence. The verbal exchange stopped.
Master, Beryl has tried to make amends for what she has done. She was willing to lay down her life to protect this kingdom?s future.
Please, bring this to an end. You have a bigger fight ahead of you than what you left behind you. It is the start of a new cycle.
You are right, Endymion told the voices. She returned you to me. And she saved my daughter with her strength and integrity. This is a new era and I welcome you to be a part of it Beryl.
With that, Setsuna knocked on the door. ?We?re ready to begin.?
?Thank you Setsuna. We?ll be right there.?
When everyone was gathered together again in the garden behind the palace, they readied themselves to move onward. ?As we know, we?re returning to Sagittarius Zero Star. This will be our most difficult fight yet. And remember, there are still two leaders left, the Queen Validaria and Malore,? Michiru said. ?But have faith. We can do this,? she said, smiling softly. She raised her hand into the air, shouting out the magic words; ?NEPTUNE CRYSTAL POWER MAKE-UP!!!? The rest followed suit.
?URANUS CRYSTAL POWER MAKE-UP!!!?
?PLUTO CRYSTAL POWER MAKE-UP!!!?
?SATURN CRYSTAL POWER MAKE-UP!!!?
?MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER MAKE-UP!!!?
?MARS CRYSTAL POWER MAKE-UP!!!?
?JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER MAKE-UP!!!?
?VENUS CRYSTAL POWER MAKE-UP!!!?
?COSMOS POWER MAKE-UP!!!?
The energy given off by the transformation was seemingly enough to light the entire world. Instantly the Knights shifted forms, fully armored and ready for battle. The Senshi called out, ?SAILOR TELEPORT!? and all the warriors vanished.
* * *
They approach? Fine. I?m ready for them. Malore closed his eyes and reveled in his new strength.
* * *
When the warriors finally touched down again, they found themselves at the huge gate that once stood at the entrance to the center of the galaxy. However, this time, the gate was black and broken off its hinges, the bars twisted every which way. On top of that, the entire thing was now entombed in some black rock cavern that ended just behind where the Senshi now stood. Looking forward through the gate, they could see only darkness. The large group took a quick look around to make sure they were all there, then moved on into the ominous cavern ahead. It wasn?t long before Rei called suddenly for everyone to get down.
?There?s a very evil living force here? WATCH OUT!? she cried as a huge fireball came flashing through the cave. Everyone hit the ground in time for the fireball to barely miss, but when they looked up, they saw the biggest, ugliest creation they had ever seen. The beast was easily 15? tall, two enormous dark orange bull horns growing from the side of its head. The monster had thick purple hide that was covered in parts by greasy black hair. It stood on two cloven hooves like a satyr. Its snout was short but filled with jagged teeth, each the size of a small hand.
?Do you like my child?? Malore asked, stepping out of the darkness. He had grown visibly more deranged, his mind warped by something sinister. ?He?s beautiful. Everything you?ve faced until now is nothing compared to him. Child?s play. Welcome to your end, Sailor Senshi!? Malore transported the warriors to the graveyard just before the heart of Sagittarius Zero Star. ?Come and play!? he taunted from the shoulder of his monster. The Darkling bellowed an unholy roar and started at the Senshi.
Heero reacted first, grabbing Mercury and pulling her to her feet. ?Create a wall of water!? he shouted. She nodded, summoning a sheet of water in front of the charging beast, which Heero froze and the monster ran headlong into. The wall shattered on impact, but the Darkling was stunned long enough for the Senshi to scatter into the graveyard. The Darkling glared around itself, staring each warrior in the eye. Malore grinned evilly, raising his hands to his head, letting lose a shockwave of energy, knocking the warriors to the ground.
?That little ice trick wasn?t very nice of you,? Malore sneered. The monster stomped up to Heero and Mercury, raising its fist into the air and brought it down into the ground, barely leaving time for the two fighters to roll out of the way. Quickly the beast brought down a second hand and grabbed Mercury, raising her to eye level with Malore. ?Now you will DIE!!? he shouted, preparing to attack.
?ANGELIC FURY!!? Quatre let loose an arrow that hit Malore in the shoulder. Knocked off guard, Malore roared in pain, clutching his shoulder. To everyone?s surprise, the Darkling dropped Mercury and mimicked Malore?s action. Running for cover, Mercury drove behind a tombstone, pulling out her mini computer, analyzing like mad.
?So THAT?S how we?re gonna play it eh?? The Darkling charged Quatre, who unfolded his wings and lifted into the air. ?Oh, now that?s not fair!? The Darkling ripped up a tombstone and flung it at the retreating Knight. Not quite skilled with his wings, Quatre was unable to dodge the flying stone, getting hit hard and sent spiraling to the ground. Trowa ran to check on Quatre, checking to make sure he was still breathing.
?Quatre, are you okay?? he whispered.
?Yeah, I?m ? TROWA LOOK OUT!? Quatre yelled, seeing the blazing fireball that Malore hurled at them. Trowa shielded Quatre with his body, taking the full force of the attack. Clinging to consciousness, Trowa slumped next to Quatre.
?Take him out!? Trowa yelled to Cosmos.
Cosmos nodded in response, raising her staff above her head. ?COSMOS STAR SEED WAVE KISS!!? White light flooded through the graveyard, washing over Malore and the Darkling. When the light faded, the creature was injured but still standing.
Pluto looked from Uranus to Neptune and back again. The three nodded at each other, brandishing their talismans to attack. ?CRONOS CYCLONE!!?
?SPACE TURBULANCE!!?
?SUBMARINE VIOLIN TIDE!!? The three attacks collided on their target, sending the monster reeling and knocking Malore from its shoulder. Malore rolled across the ground, hitting a tombstone. Venus and Jupiter jumped up and grabbed Malore, pinning him to the ground.
Beryl made a fist with her hand, slamming a psychic lock on the Darkling. ?That should hold you?? She closed her eyes and concentrated on maintaining her lock, but flashes of old memories and visions of horrid events started blinking through her mind. Seeing images of her time as Queen of the Dark Kingdom, Beryl slowly begins to lose her grip on her victim. Just as Beryl lost her hold and the monster began to rampage, Mercury?s voice came piercing through the noise.
?Let it go! The Darkling is tied to a bunch of different energy sources! The biggest of which is Malore? Somehow their minds have been linked! Any mental attempt to control either would be a BAD idea!? Mercury shouted. The Darkling roared and started to attack anything it could, trying to find Malore.
?What do we do?!?? Duo asked angrily, trying to keep the monster distracted. He swung his gleaming scythe, keeping attention on himself.
?SILENCE GLAIVE SURPRISE!!? Saturn brought down the Glaive, letting loose a huge explosion to keep the monster off guard.
Zechs pointed his staff at the monster and fired, hitting it full on. The monster stopped, wrapped its arms around itself, pulling dark energy close to its body. Within seconds, it had completely healed its wounds and was ready to fight on. Zechs looked around the graveyard, seeing that they were getting beaten badly. ?What is it connected to Mercury??
?The entire area is flooded with energy from the Cauldron! It?s drawing power from the Cauldron itself!!? she replied frantically. ?Wait! There might be a way to stop it! If we can somehow cut off the flow of power to it, we might be able to destroy it in one final attack!? Mercury suggested.
There has to be a way that we can contain it? Maybe? Zechs called out to the Knights. ?We have one chance! Link your powers!! If we focus on it, maybe we can make a barrier that will cut the Darkling off from the Cauldron and trap it!? Zechs raised his staff into the air, looking more regal than he had ever seemed before. ?KNIGHT SHIELD!!! By the power of the planets, UNITE!? His staff dissolved into a pillar of white light around him.
One by one, the Knights rose to their feet, raising their weapons into the air, Wu Fei and Beryl first, then Heero, Treize, Duo, Trowa, Yuuichirou and finally Quatre. Their weapons dissolved and their power shot out from the Knights, forming a solid globe of light around the giant Darkling. Malore suddenly seized and locked up, completely stiff. The Darkling roared and thrashed about, trying to break its way out of the bubble as hard as it could. Each time that it slammed into the barrier, the Knights struggled to keep up their forcefield.
We have to keep the shield up! This is the only way! Zechs telepathed to the other Knights. Bring the barrier in! We?ll fold the shield in on the Darkling and crush it!! Struggling step by step, the Knights closed in on the Darkling until they could reach each other. Linking hands, they reinforced the barrier, paralyzing the Darkling. It?s not working! The barrier isn?t enough to destroy it! Zechs said.
There?s one option left! If we send out one final surge of power, it should destroy the Darkling! But in order to make a blast of that magnitude, it will take all our power. It will be our end, Beryl warned.
It is our only option. We must do it, Wu Fei agreed.
Yes. Now this ends! Quatre chimed in. The Knights forced out more and more energy, focusing it into the field. The shield began to blazed brightly, shaking and becoming unstable. It bit into the ground, ripping up the chunk the Darkling was standing on, the sphere lifting into the air.
?What are they doing?!? cried Mars. ?They won?t survive!? she said frantically. ?YUUICHIROU!!?
?It is their destiny,? Pluto said solemnly. ?They have accepted their fate. We must as well. Leave them be.?
In one final wave, the Knight forced out the last of their energy, collapsing the shield and ripping the Darkling apart. Erupting in a final explosion, consuming the bodies of the Knights, the shield faded away into nothingness.
?They?re gone?? Cosmos said in disbelief. ?They saved us. We can?t let this chance go. Let?s move on,? she said firmly. The other Senshi nodded in reply and pressed on towards the Cauldron and the heart of Sagittarius Zero Star.
* * *
?Malore has failed? Just as I expected. That Link was unfortunate for him? I warned him to be careful. But what will I do now? The Sailor Senshi are on their way and I have no Star Seeds with which to revive Chaos!!? Validaria wailed.
?That?s just what you think?? a voice whispered to her. The Dark Queen looked around the enormous space that house the now colossal cauldron.
?What are you to be here?? she challenged the voice.
?I am what you have always wanted? Join me?? Suddenly Validaria knew what was talking to her and smiled.
* * *
The Senshi entered into the Cathedral to find that the entire inside had been destroyed, leaving only a small rock ledge jutting out over the Cauldron. Standing on the end of the ledge was a beautiful woman, darkness shrouding her body.
?I have been waiting for you,? she said evilly to the Senshi. ?This Cauldron will be your death. This galaxy is mine!!!?
?You must be Validaria,? Mars replied harshly.
?And you?re a master of the obvious!? she retorted. Mars moved to attack, but the others held her back. ?Oh, a little hurt are we? Come on,? she taunted, egging Mars on. ?Come get me.?
?Your corruption of the Cauldron is over,? Sailor Cosmos said. The Senshi lined up and began to march toward Validaria, determination written across their faces.
?That?s right! Come on!!? Validaria shouted. ?Come and ge- AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!? A giant black hand leapt out of the Cauldron, swiping at Validaria, knocking her off balance and pulling her off the ledge over the Cauldron. Screaming, she fell plummeting into the great Cauldron, disappearing into its depths. Suddenly, new stars began to flow out of the Cauldron, turning black and dying as they poured forth. Darkness spewed out of the Cauldron, filling the Cathedral and drowning out the light. Rumbling shook the entire building and a giant black form emerged from the Cauldron. Two shining black stars glittered in it face, the only distinguishable facial feature. It laughed deeply and with such force that it sent shivers down the Senshi?s spine.
?Chaos?? Cosmos stammered.
?YES...? it bellowed. ?I AM SAILOR CHAOS!! YOUR FATES ARE SEALED!?
?No! We will not let you win! There is no way you can beat us!? Cosmos shouted defiantly. ?WE WILL DESTROY YOU!!?
Chaos laughed hysterically as it blasted the Senshi with an energy stronger than any they had ever felt before. Much greater than their own power, the attack sent the Senshi flying, Saturn, Venus and Endymion falling off the ledge and into the Cauldron. ?WHAT WILL YOU DO NOW?!? it challenged.
Cosmos struggled to get up, realizing that she was truly no match for such power. Why?! WHY am I so weak?! Then it hit her. She had been clouded by doubt. Her power and that of the Senshi was inhibited by what she had been told at this very place nearly a millennia ago. As she fought her way to her feet, Chaos hit them with another fatal blast. Mercury, Jupiter and Mars clung to life as best they could, but their wounds were too great and they collapsed, their Star Seeds fleeing into the now corrupted Cauldron.
?YOU ARE DOOMED!!!? Chaos roared.
Cosmos looked down at the three others that remained. Neptune was quickly dying, Uranus cradling her in her arms, trying to keep her alive. Setsuna lay on the ground, lucky enough to have been behind everyone else when the blasts hit. Tears filled her eyes as she realized that this would be the end. She had not been wise enough to destroy the Cauldron in the past and she was not strong enough to do it now.
?DO SOMETHING!!!? Uranus screamed. Cosmos cried uncontrollably, knowing that this was the end. ?DO YOU HEAR ME?! HELP!!? Uranus held Neptune?s hand, giving what little comfort she could. ?I?m sorry Michiru? Our future has died??
At hearing the word ?future,? Cosmos looked up with a sudden hope. There is one chance? She looked at Setsuna who smiled with her usual mystery.
?You know what to do?? she whispered. With her last breath, Setsuna opened the Gate of Time and Cosmos, ribbons trailing behind her, turned and fled into time.
Uranus became hysterical, crying and laughing at the same time. Only one phrase came to her mind.
?USAGI YOU COWARD!!!?
