Author's notes: Well here it is, the final chapter, it
is a little long, but I didn't want to break it up. If you read
this far, I thank you, and please send me your comments.
Of course you all know that Sailor Moon and it's characters
belong to Takeuchi Naoko, Kodansha, and many other large
miscellaneous companies. Any other characters in this story
(there aren't that many) belong to me, and if you want to use
them, please let me know.
As always, any and all comments please send them
to <OTAKU9@aol.com>
On with the story.
Wrong Choices
Chapter 5
Mamoru drove to the Hikawa Shrine to locate the girls as
Serenity had requested. When he arrived at the shrine he
found the three girls and the two cats waiting for him.
"We know about Ami-chan," said Rei as he walked up to them.
"Serenity asked me to come get you to meet her at the
hospital."
"When did you see Serenity again?" Makoto asked.
"It's a long story. I'll tell it to you on the way there."
Mamoru walked back to his car with the remaining senshi
following behind him. His heart began to beat faster, and he
clutched his chest and doubled over. Rei ran up to him and placed
a hand on his back.
"What is it, Mamoru-san?" she asked him.
"Serenity," he whispered, "she's in trouble. I have to find her.
Go ahead to the hospital, take my car, and Serenity and I
will meet you there. Don't worry, I'll protect her," he handed
the keys to a worried Rei, transformed into Tuxedo Kamen and
disappeared into the darkness to find his love.
*****
Serenity ran through the park oblivious to the ominous presence
ahead of her. She turned a corner and found herself face to
chest with a very large man. She backed away in fear.
"What do you want?" she asked in a shaky voice.
"Well, we can start with that diamond sitting on your head,
and then," he paused groping her with his eyes, "we'll see
what we can come up with." Serenity turned and started to
run, but the thug was already too close and had grabbed her
by the wrist. He pulled her roughly towards him and placed
the tip of a knife to her throat.
"Now," he said as he pushed her towards a more hidden area of
the park, "we can do it the easy way or the hard way." They
kept walking until she was pushed up against a wall and they
were hidden behind shrubbery. Serenity's eyes became wild and
she tried to strike him with her free hand. The man caught
her hand and pulled both her arms above her head pinning them
to the wall with his left hand. Sensing that she would try
to attack him next with her legs he pinned her feet to the ground
with his own feet.
"Please, don't do this," Serenity begged through her tears.
She watched in horror as the man waved the knife in front of
her eyes.
"Hey, you're the one who wanted this the hard way," he said
menacingly as he placed the tip of his knife to her neck. He
traced a slow line down the middle of her body. "You scream
and I'll kill you. I can enjoy this whether you're dead or
alive, it makes no difference to me. Besides, nobody's going
to hear you scream." He had the knife right above her stomach
as he leaned towards her to kiss her. She struggled against
his grip, but was startled as a look of pain washed over his
face, and suddenly darkness enveloped her as she felt something
carve into her side.
*****
Tuxedo Kamen rushed to where he felt Serenity was. He finally
sensed her in the middle of a park. He gasped in horror as he
turned a corner and found her pinned to the wall by a very
large man. The man was hidden in shadows, but he knew that
Serenity was there. Her heart screamed out at him to protect
her. He grabbed one of his roses and threw it with all his
might to the middle of the man's back. The rose hit its mark
and the man fell forward and was pushed sideways by Serenity
who had slipped to the floor. He saw Serenity as she finally
moved her hands grasping her side. As he rushed toward her,
he heard her scream in pain and drop something to the ground.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, he reached her. She
had collapsed to her knees and she clutched her side. He knelt
next to her and held her in his arms. She was alive. He looked
at the man laying next to them, and something caught his eye.
Next to Serenity lay a bloody knife. He pushed Serenity away
and studied her pale face. She opened her eyes, and she began
to reach for his face. He looked at her hand and was shocked
to discover that it was drenched in blood.
"Thank you, Tuxedo Kamen. Please help me get up," she said as
she began to push herself up.
"Serenity," he said returning to his normal form, "you're hurt."
He helped her to her feet and panic claimed his features. He
still hadn't seen the wound, but her pale face was all he needed
to know that she was in pain.
"Yes," she said finally standing, "you'll have to help me get
to the hospital."
"Yes, you need medical attention."
"No, Ami-chan needs me more. Besides, the ginzuishou is healing
me. It will just take some time." She hated to lie to him,
but if she used the ginzuishou, she wouldn't be able to save
Ami. Maybe after Ami was alive and well, her mother, Queen
Serenity, would grant her the wish of life.
Mamoru lifted her gently into his arms and he ran to the hospital.
Serenity felt safe in his arms, and the thought of dying in the
warm caress of his body appealed to her. She had to fight the
darkness that seduced her mind with visions of peace. "No more
pain, no more sorrow, no more loneliness," the darkness whispered.
A brief memory of Ami smiling invaded her mind, followed by
memories of the other senshi; finally a memory of Endymion and
Chibi-Usa, like a ray of light, pushed the darkness away. Her
eyes fluttered open and she stared at Endymion's profile. His
features were contorted in worry, but he was as handsome as
she remembered. She wanted to reach up to touch his face, but
she lacked the strength.
They reached the hospital quickly, and Mamoru, believing she
was already healed, placed her gently down on the tile floor.
When he looked down, the floor around her feet was sprinkled
in blood.
"I thought you said that the ginzuishou had healed you," Mamoru
said turning her gently to face him. He looked down and took
her hands in his pulling them away from her side. Tuxedo
Kamen gasped at the sigh of the huge gash in her side. Serenity
returned her hands to the wound, pushing it closed to slow the
bleeding, and her pale face turned upward. The determined look
on her face tortured Mamoru's heart, for he knew what she meant to do.
"If I heal myself, Ami-chan doesn't have a chance. I won't
have enough strength to heal her. I need to heal her, Endymion.
She's about to die."
"So are you," Mamoru whispered the words as his heart tore in two.
"Maybe, but she's more important. She's not a coward like me.
She fell in battle and she fell bravely. I ran away from my
problems and abandoned the senshi. She deserves to live."
"So do you, my love," Mamoru said taking her into his arms.
"It is good to hear you say that, Endy- Mamo-chan. Please help
me get to her room, because I don't think I can walk." She
smiled briefly at him as he reluctantly let her step away from
the safety of the circle of his arms and pulled her to his side.
They walked in silence side by side to Ami's room. Serenity
huddled to his body clutching her side, and Mamoru supporting
her with his arm.
*****
Tim rushed to the room of the girl Mr. Lester had told him about.
The senshi were there when Tim arrived. They looked at the
American and wondered who he was. Tim searched his memory for
a phrase in Japanese that he could use, but he couldn't come
up with one. Minako, noticing his distress spoke up in near
perfect English.
"Can we help you?" she asked. Timothy looked relieved as
he smiled gratefully at Minako.
"Yes, I'm looking for Serenity. I was told that she would be
here to see her friend Ami"
"I am here, Timothy." They all turned to see a pale Serenity
at the door held up by Mamoru. Timothy walked over to her
and finally noticed the pain in her eyes. He traced the pain
to her blood-soaked hands at her side and a large blood stain
painting the white costume. His eyes went wide in horror as
he dashed to her side.
"Usagi, what happened? You need a doctor. What happened,
Chiba-san? How could you let this happen to her?" Timothy
was too blinded by rage for the man with his arm around Usagi
to be rational. He grabbed Mamoru by the shirt and pushed
him back against the door and away from Serenity. Serenity,
who had been leaning on him collapsed on the ground, new pain
making her gasp. Rei and Mina rushed to help her stand while
Makoto pulled Tim away from Mamoru. Fear was evident in all
their eyes as they held the weak Serenity. Serenity looked
up at her friends. She found the strength to pull herself
up and walked to stand by the hospital bed.
Feeling Ami slipping away again, Serenity began the healing
process. The ginzuishou's light surrounded her. The senshi
transformed and stood around the bed as well. Venus at
Serenity's side close to Ami's head, Jupiter facing Venus on
the opposite side of the bed, and Mars next to Jupiter.
Serenity turned to look at the two men standing at the
doorway. One stared at her with fear and wonder in his
eyes, while the other, with the rumpled shirt, stared at
her with recognition and love in his eyes. When she spoke,
she spoke in English so that the American could understand.
"Come, Prince Endymion, we need you," she reached out her
hand and the ginzuishou's power touched Mamoru. His rumpled
clothes were replaced by his armor as he walked toward his love.
He took her in his arms one last time before taking her place
by the bed. Serenity walked towards the awestruck Tim, and as
she did so her blood-soaked costume was replaced by her princess
gown. Her face was calm and her hands were no longer stained
red. She smiled sadly at him as the crescent moon appeared on
her head. When he opened his mouth to ask her all the questions
that buzzed in his head, she placed two fingers on his lips.
From her back, two angelic wings sprouted and extended as
feathers fell around her feet. Tim stared in wonder at the
sight of his angel before him. She finally stepped away from
him dropping her arm to her side.
"Timothy, this does not concern you. Please know that there
are things not even I understand about myself. I am sure that I
will lose my life tonight, so this is a final farewell. Thank
you for always being there for me when I needed you. Now I must
join the others. Good-bye Tim." She turned away from him and
began walking toward the foot of the bed.
"But, I love you," Tim whispered with tears in his eyes.
"I shall always be with you," she said as she turned and pointed
an index finger to his heart, the power of the ginzuishou reaching
out to him. Tim felt her then, in his heart, in his mind, and
knew that she would always be there. He understood that she
wasn't his and that she was saying good-bye to him. He still
didn't understand her transformation or the transformation of
the others now standing around the bed in sailor outfits. But
he did understand that she was a princess of some kind, and
Chiba-san was a prince, HER prince. He remembered the shocked
look on Chiba-san's face when he handed him her photo. In
retrospect, he understood his reaction. She belonged to him, to
her prince.
His selfish heart almost smiled thinking that she wouldn't be
Chiba-san's either. She would be erased from this world, giving
up her own life for another. He pushed back the selfish thought
as the truth finally sunk in. She's performing the greatest
sacrifice, and he didn't even know why. He fell to his knees,
his eyes tracing her every move as she reached the foot of the
bed. He wanted to run to her, to pull her away from the brink
of death, to hold her back, but his body would not respond.
Instead he opened his mouth to scream, but found he had no voice
to protest. He felt helpless, rooted to the ground watching
the woman he loved relinquish her life.
Serenity stood at the foot of the bed, ignoring the pain in her
side and the teary eyes of those around her. She stared at Ami's
almost lifeless body and she began. She took the crown from her
head and gently removed the ginzuishou, holding it in her cupped
hands. The crown clattered loudly on the floor. Serenity took
a deep breath and stared at the ginzuishou in her palms.
She looked up once more to say goodbye to her friends and lover.
Her eyes rested on Mars who was on her left. Rei held fear in her
eyes, a fear that Serenity never believed could sully her
courageous soul. Mars understood the good bye and dropped her
eyes to hide the tears that flowed over her cheeks.
Serenity looked at Jupiter next who stared sadly into her eyes.
Jupiter let the tears flow freely, without shame, as she nodded
slightly her good bye. Serenity's eyes paused briefly on Ami's
pale face before resting on Venus' face. Her face was so much
like her own, yet now it was twisted in sadness. Minako could
not, or would not meet her eyes for she understood that Serenity
was saying goodbye, and she didn't want to say goodbye.
Serenity's eyes finally rested on her prince. His face was a
mask of courage, but in his eyes he held the empty sadness she
felt in her heart. She wanted to tell him that she would be
alright, that they would be together after this; but she could
not lie to herself and least of all to him. Their eyes locked
and in their hearts, they embraced as they had done in the past.
Nothing needed to be said. Their love for each other was so
strong that it was almost tangible. He stared at her with
loving eyes, trying to memorize her every feature.
His eyes told her of his undying love for her. She let a tear
escape as she told Endymion with her eyes that she would always
love him. The tear on his cheek trailed the same path as he
closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly.
Raising her arms, the ginzuishou cradled in her hands, she
shouted the words that would seal their fates. "Moon Princess
Healing Escalation" The power of the ginzuishou filled the
room with light and surrounded them as it drained Serenity's
energy and healed their dying friend. The pain in Serenity's
side intensified. Her body beginning to weaken, she began to
lower her arms. She felt her strength return suddenly as two
hands covered her own. She looked up to find Endymion towering
behind her supporting her hands and the ginzuishou. The senshi
each held a hand above Ami's body acting as conduits for the raw
power of the ginzuishou.
"Mars Healing" whispered Rei as the power of the ginzuishou
passed through her body and into the palm of her hand.
"Jupiter Healing" whispered Makoto feeling the power of the
ginzuishou in her clenched fist suspended above Ami's chest.
"Venus Healing" whispered Minako releasing the power of the
ginzuishou onto Ami's forehead.
"Earth Healing" whispered Endymion adding his own power to the
ginzuishou.
"Moon Princess Healing Escalation!" Serenity whispered as the
last of her remaining strength evaporated. Mizuno Ami frowned
slightly as the sign of Mercury appeared on her forehead. The
power the senshi felt dwindled.
Serenity grasped the ginzuishou to her chest and lowered her head.
They had done it. The pain in her side subsided as the light
around her dimmed and suddenly became darkness. Serenity's
knees buckled and she collapsed backwards against Endymion's body,
her wings disappearing upon impact in a flurry of feathers. Her
princess dress dissolved to her stained costume, the blood
continued to trickle steadily out of the wound on her side.
The feathers floated down around her feet, sticking to her
spilled blood on the tiled floor. Serenity welcomed darkness
and smiled slightly; she was happy.
*****
As Serenity fell into the arms of her lover and detransformed,
Tim was free from the invisible shackles that held him in place.
Endymion knelt on the floor holding on to Serenity's still body,
tears streaming down his cheeks. The senshi stood behind him,
crying. Tim rushed to the side of the fallen angel, but stopped
short next to Endymion when he saw her pale, almost lifeless form.
He fell to his knees at her feet. She opened her eyes and willed
her stained hand to Endymion's face.
"I love you Mamochan," she said as her hand slipped away before
reaching its intended target. He pulled her to him and kissed
her lips. When he pulled away she smiled and dropped her head
backwards, her eyes blank and lifeless. The senshi sobbed as
Endymion rejected her death with a heart wrenching scream.
Tim wanted to run away from the pain that filled the room, and
the pain in his heart. He backed up on his knees and almost ran
into a teenager standing behind him. She was dressed much like
the other girls, except she wore a pink sailor outfit, and had
pink hair in the same style as Usagi's. She pushed by him and
ran to the grieving group. The words that came out of her mouth
leaving his heart cold, for he understood the borrowed words.
"Papa," she said as she reached Mamoru. He turned in amazement
to stare at his daughter who had aged as they had. How can she
be here, he thought. Usagi is dead. There must still be hope.
Chibi-Usa finally noticed her mother's body in his arms.
"Mama," she exclaimed happily, walking around Mamoru to hug her
mother. She backed up in horror when she noticed her mother's
lifeless eyes staring into nothingness. "No, Mama...."
She finally realized the reason why the senshi and her father
were crying. Princess Serenity was dead. Neo Queen Serenity
was dead. Her mother was dead. She reached forward to close
her mother's eyes, touching her cooling skin. She pulled her
hand away, and she began to cry, collapsing to the floor.
She sobbed into her hands, but surprisingly, as a tear fell a
crystal formed and landed on her lap. Chibi-Usa stared in awe
at the ginzuishou on her lap, and instantly knew what she had to
do. She stood, raising the ginzuishou high above her head. Her
sailor fuku dissolved into her princess gown and a crescent moon
adorned her forehead.
"Chibi-Moon Princess Halation," she screamed through her tears
and once more the power of the ginzuishou enveloped them as
it healed Serenity's wounds. The ginzuishou Serenity still held
in her hand began to glow and her fingers twitched around it.
Serenity felt a distant pain calling her back. Her side
miraculously healed itself, her skin pulled itself together, her
hands were no longer stained, her blood began rushing in her body,
her heart began to beat softly. Chibi-Moon stopped, too tired
to go on, but the ginzuishou in Serenity's hands continued to glow.
Serenity's life had been restored returning power to the ginzuishou. Serenity's eyes opened slowly and stared up at her lover's face.
"Mamochan..." she whispered as he brought his head closer to
brush her lips with his.
Tim felt his heart soar when she stirred, but as she spoke and
kissed her love he felt it break. She lived, but Usagi, the
woman, was dead to him. Their friendship was all he could ever
hope to have.
He had nothing to do there anymore. She no longer needed him.
She had her prince, and apparently a daughter. He had to
escape the overwhelming desire to take her in his arms and run
away from that prince and the rest of the strange women in
front of him. Instead, Tim walked quietly out of the room in
defeat. No one noticed him leave. He leaned against the window
of the hospital room staring longingly at the happy reunion inside.
Now he understood the meaning of the words that had escaped her
lips as he had kissed Serenity just a few days before. Mamochan
wasn't a thing, it was a person. It was a man and an undying love.
He needed to know the entire story. He needed to know who they
were in reality, how she had a pre-teen daughter if she was only
twenty, and what happened in that hospital room. But now was not
the time. No, now he had to put the pieces of his broken heart
back together.
*****
Mizuno Ami sat up in the hospital bed and looked around the room.
She saw her friends huddled at the foot of the bed. They looked
older than she remembered. How long had she been sleeping anyway?
She cocked her head to her right and was surprised when she
felt hair caressing the side of her arm. She blinked in surprise
when she ran a hand through her once short hair and discovered that
it now reached well below her shoulders. Her friends were still
oblivious to her presence, obviously concerned about something on
the floor. Ami crawled to the foot of the bed and stuck her face
in the circle of friends.
"Hey, what did I miss?" she asked cheerfully. Six pairs of
startled eyes were fixed on her as her smile disappeared. "What
did I say?"
The senshi jumped on the bed to embrace their friend, while
Endymion gently lifted Serenity off the floor and cradled her in
his arms. He knew that she was healed to her full strength, but
his protective nature hid the fact that he just wanted to hold
her close.
"Welcome back, Ami-chan," Serenity said happily from the safety
of her prince's arms. The senshi began the story of the events
that had transpired as Ami sat in shock and disbelief. Serenity
smiled up at Endymion to discover that he was staring intently
at her. He smiled pulling her closer to his body and she placed
her head over his heart, her hands still holding the ginzuishou.
She drifted off to sleep to the lullaby of the happy voices
of her friends and the rhythm of her lover's heart.
*****
After a quick, confusing explanation to baffled doctors and
a phone call to her mother, Mizuno Ami went home. On the drive
home, sitting next to her mother, she pondered what the others
had told her earlier. How she was hurt in one of their first
fights without Sailor Moon. She had been comatose ever since
that day. She had lost six years of her life, but finding
her friends beside her as she awoke filled her with joy.
She held no grudges against the others. How could she?
Usagi - no Serenity - gave up her life to save her.
She still could not believe what the others told her about
Serenity. She was the princess now. She smiled as she
remembered the clumsy baby that Usagi was, but Usagi was
gone. Usagi had taken the next step towards her destiny; Usagi
had grown into Princess Serenity.
*****
Serenity opened her eyes the next morning and found herself
lying on her side, her forehead resting on the chest of her
sleeping prince. She still wore the torn, stained costume
and slippers. Endymion held her close to his body, much the
same way she used to hold her stuffed rabbit when she was a
child. She smiled at the silly thought. When she looked up she
was staring into his eyes. Their eyes locked and they smiled
at each other. They were finally together. Nothing could keep
them apart now. She reached up with her lips as he met her
half way. They were lost in each other's lips when a pink
haired girl burst into his room.
"GOOD MORNING!" she yelled happily as she threw the door open.
She ran to them and jumped on the bed separating them.
Chibi-Usa gave Serenity a smug look as she waited for the
tirade of insults and angry remarks from Usagi. Instead,
Serenity smiled at her daughter, kissed her on the forehead
and stood. She needed to get out of her stained costume.
Endymion followed her with his eyes as she gracefully took
one of his shirts from his closet and slipped into the
bathroom. Chibi-Usa smiled up at Endymion.
"Mama sure is different," she said proudly.
"Yes Chibi-Usa, she is different, but she'll always be my
Usako," Endymion said smiling.
Chibi-Usa followed her father as he stood and walked out of
the room to give Serenity some privacy. They walked to the
kitchen and he poured his daughter a glass of milk as he began
making coffee.
*****
Serenity showered to rid herself of the night's memories.
She examined her side looking for a nonexistent wound before
slipping on Endymion's shirt. The wound disappeared off her
body without a trace, but the ginzuishou, powerful as it was,
could not erase the memories of her attacker. She could still
picture the man's face as he leaned forward to kiss her. She
shuddered and wrapped her arms around her body breathing in the
scent of Endymion's shirt. Wearing his shirt was almost like
having him near her, caressing her body. She smiled at the
thought as she began to knot her silver hair, forgetting all
about her attacker.
She walked out minutes later, Endymion's shirt grazing her knees.
Endymion smiled lovingly at Serenity as she made her way to
them. Serenity stood by Endymion's side and he put an arm
around her, kissing the top of her head. Looking at her mother
and father happy together, Chibi-Usa became homesick. Her job
in the past was done, and she wanted to return to her home. She
stood and cleared her throat. When she was sure that she had
her parents' attention she began.
"Mama, Papa, please love each other. I disappeared all those
years ago because you were separated. It was only the strength
of your love that brought me back to save Mama, Papa. When you
cried out in pain over losing her, her soul heard you and reached
out to me. Please love one another. There may be more tests
ahead, and you need to be strong and always remember that the
future is not in your hands, but in your hearts.
"You both made wrong choices six years ago, but somehow you
set things right. I'm living proof of that. We all must make
choices on a daily basis; but remember that the choices you make,
whether right or wrong, will determine the future." Chibi-Usa
was solemn as she spoke, sounding wiser than she appeared.
Her parents smiled proudly at her as she spoke the wise words
that Neo Queen Serenity had told her to say.
"The choice that you have to make is easy," she continued.
"Stay together, love each other, and let nothing separate you.
I'm sure you can do that," she smiled and gave them a knowing
look reverting to her usual character. She pulled out her
time key and walked over to her parents to say good-bye. She
hugged Endymion first and then turned to her mother with tears
in her eyes. Serenity looked at Chibi-Usa and felt a mother's
love. She wasn't the annoying little pest who was in love with
her boyfriend anymore. She was her future daughter who had
brought with her the gift of life. She smiled at the paradox.
She will give birth to this wonderful child in the future, but
Chibi-Usa would give her life first in her past.
Chibi-Usa threw her arms around Serenity, knowing that she
wasn't hugging Usagi. This was Princess Serenity, and future
Neo Queen Serenity, her mother. The love and respect she held
for Usagi so hidden within her heart and behind her haughty
attitude years ago was apparent now. She broke away from
her mother's embrace wiping tears from her eyes as she opened
the portal that would take her home. She waved goodbye to
her mother and father, and curtsied. Prince Endymion and
Princess Serenity held on to each other as their daughter
walked through the portal into the future.
*****
Tim began packing a suitcase when he returned to Motoki's
place that morning. He had wondered around unknown streets
all night, not really caring about his safety. The events of
the night before filling his mind. When he arrived that morning,
the house was empty. Reika had gone into labor so she and
Motoki were at the hospital. That was good. He needed to
pack and catch the next plane to America. Carrying the suitcase,
he walked out of the room and turned off the light. He had to
write Motoki a note.
Looking for paper and a pen he walked into Motoki's study. He
sat at his desk writing his thanks on a piece of paper. Looking
up he noticed a framed picture. Usagi and Chiba Mamoru sat
there staring happily at the camera, his arms wrapped
protectively around her, Motoki and Reika stood behind them.
This picture must have been taken right before she went to
America. Her blond hair was tied up in the usual buns and
she was wearing an evening dress. The childish Usagi looked
as beautiful then as she did now, except her eyes were full of
joy in the picture. That was the only thing Usagi did not
have in all the years they were together. Her smile never
reached her eyes...until last night. Tim replaced the picture
and walked out of the room leaving the note on Motoki's desk.
There was a knock at the door and Tim rushed to open it
thinking it was Motoki. Opening the door, he found a man
standing behind a silver headed woman, his arms wrapped around
her waist. Serenity and Endymion blinked when they saw the
disheveled Tim answer the door. Endymion quickly dropped his
arms out of respect for Tim's feelings.
"Tim," Serenity began, "what are you doing here?"
"Motoki is the friend I was staying with."
"Oh," she said softly.
"If you're looking for Motoki, he's at the hospital with Reika."
"What happened?" Endymion asked worried.
"Reika went into labor."
"We have to go," Endymion told Serenity urgently.
"You go ahead. I'll meet you there. I have to talk to
Timothy." Endymion nodded and squeezed her hand as he rushed
off. He understood that things needed to be explained to
Timothy, and that only she could do it. The two watched him
drive off. Serenity turned to Tim.
"Would you like to come to the park with me?" she asked him.
"There is a lot that I need to explain to you. Tim nodded and
locked the door behind him following Serenity.
When they reached the nearby park, the two sat on a bench.
Serenity had her hands folded in her lap, while Tim tapped
his thighs nervously with his fingers. Serenity looked at him.
"I don't even know where to start," she said truthfully.
"You don't have to tell me anything," Tim said as he watched
the children play in the distance.
"Tim, look at me." Tim turned to face her. "Don't you see,
I have to explain everything to you. I know that the scene
from last night seemed like a dream, that it couldn't be real,
and the explanation will seem even harder to believe. You see,
I am the reincarnation of the Moon Princess of the Silver
Millennium. I know how farfetched this sounds, it was
difficult for me to believe it too. You see, long ago there
was a kingdom on the moon. I was Princess Serenity, daughter
and heir of Queen Serenity. Four soldiers, each princesses
of their respective planets, were appointed to guard me. You see,
the four girls that were in the room were those soldiers.
Sailor Mercury, lay comatose in the hospital, Sailor Mars in
the red uniform, Sailor Jupiter in the green uniform, and Sailor
Venus in the gold uniform. I was Sailor Moon, that is until I
went to America."
"What about Chiba-san?" he asked her, the pain obvious in his eyes.
"Yes, Endymion. You see, I fell in love with the prince of Earth,
Prince Endymion, and he fell in love with me. Chiba Mamoru is
the reincarnation of Prince Endymion of Earth. He and I will
always love each other, it is our destiny.
"I left for America all those years ago because he told me he
didn't love me anymore. You see, he was having nightmares about
the future. Dreams in which I would die if we were together.
He pushed me away, and I let him. I ran away from him, like
a coward. I abandoned my friends and my family and everything
I had ever known to be away from the pain he caused me."
"Who is the pink haired teenager that called you 'mama'
and 'papa'?"
"That is our future daughter, and the future princess.
Chibi-Usa is the child that Endymion and I will have in the
future. She came from the future to save me." Tim put his
head in his hands.
"This all just seems so unbelievable. If I hadn't seen it with
my own eyes I would never believe it."
"I understand, Tim." Tim looked up again into her eyes.
"Explain what happened last night. Your transformation,
that diamond and why you were giving up your life for one
of your protectors."
"That was not a diamond, it was the ginzuishou. The silver
moon crystal. It has incredible powers, but only the members
of the moon's royal bloodline can control it fully. When I use
it, I transform into my princess form. Actually, I have
already become Serenity. That is why my royal symbol of a
crescent moon appears on my forehead, and why my hair is silver.
The ginzuishou brought out my full power though. I've never
had wings before until last night. That's how powerful the
ginzuishou is.
"The ginzuishou's power is immense, but it comes at a price.
The ginzuishou's power drains me of my life, so when I use it
I run the risk of dying. I had already lost a lot of blood
because of my attack in the park, so I was in bad shape when I
used the ginzuishou. I knew that I was going to die. I just
needed to return Ami-chan's life. It was my fault that she
was injured to begin with. If I hadn't run away, she wouldn't
have been hurt." Serenity looked down. Tim lifted her face
with an index finger under her chin.
"That wasn't your fault, Usagi. You must realize that not
everything is your fault. They are your protectors, not the
other way around. I know that you love your friends, but
remember that everything happens for a reason. You don't know
what would have happened if you stayed. Perhaps Ami wouldn't
have been hurt, but then you may have been killed. Don't blame
yourself for others' misfortunes. I'm sure Ami doesn't blame
you." Serenity smiled.
"You are such a wonderful friend, Tim. I don't know what I would
have done without you in America. You were the one who gave
me the strength to come back."
"You're not going back with us, right?" It was his turn to look
down. Serenity placed her right hand below his chin and lifted
his head.
"I can't, Tim. My place is here, it's where I belong. My uncle
knew this, that's why he brought me back by force. I must
fulfill my destiny. Endymion and I have to follow the hands
of fate that have guided our lives for so long. I'm sorry,
Tim. You must understand that our love has survived countless
centuries, and will survive for countless more. Please forgive me,
I didn't mean to hurt you."
"There's nothing to forgive, Usagi. I understand. I just
wished that things could have been different. I'm leaving
for America today." He stood suddenly. Serenity stood and
placed a hand on his shoulder.
"The dance company leaves next week. Please stay until then.
I can show you my country." She began walking ahead of him
towards Motoki's house. Throwing him a look over her shoulder
she said, "Besides, I have four beautiful best friends who'd
love it if you stayed." Tim smiled and followed Serenity back
to Motoki's house.
*****
A week later the senshi, Serenity and Endymion, and Timothy
joined the dance company in a big cast party. The party was
held in a large hall complete with balconies and a marvelous
view. Serenity and Endymion, who sat at their table talking
softly, holding hands, were inseparable as always. Minako and
Tim talked enthusiastically sharing stories. Minako, who spoke
English very well, was delighted in the stories of Tim's
adolescence. Ami, with a new haircut, was enjoying a
conversation with Robert Lester, Jr. about new medical advances.
Makoto was busy taste-testing the dishes of the buffet table.
Rei seemed to be building up her courage as she walked towards
Serenity and Endymion. She reached them and visibly gulped.
"Prince, Princess I have something to say," she said looking
down at the floor.
"Go on Rei-chan," Serenity said.
"I just wanted to say that I'm glad that you two finally
worked things out. I don't mean disrespect, Princess, but
frankly I was beginning to doubt that you two would get
together. When you disappeared, six years ago, I blamed
Mamoru-san. I still blame your disappearance on him, but
seeing you so happy with him makes me forgive and forget
the past. I realize that I may have been cruel in my words
to Mamoru-san those years ago and in my treatment of him
in the years that followed. However, I did so out of love
for the princess. I do hope, Prince Endymion, that you make
the princess happy and don't hurt her again or you will have
to answer to the sailor senshi." Rei crossed her arms and
threw Endymion a look of defiance, but when he smiled the look
melted into a smile. She bowed slightly and walked away hastily.
"Apology accepted, Rei" Endymion said loud enough for her
to hear. Rei winced and stopped suddenly, but continued walking
without a look back. Serenity and Endymion laughed. Endymion
stood and placed his hand in front of Serenity.
"Would you like to go outside?" he asked as she took his hand.
"I'd love to," Serenity said as she stood, following him as he
led her out to one of the balconies. They stood at the balcony
staring up at the full moon. "It seems like a dream."
"A dream I never want to wake from," Endymion added. She smiled
up at him and he leaned forward to kiss her awaiting lips.
When he finally pulled away she rested her head on his chest
and listened to his heartbeat. "Serenity, I've wanted to have
you in my arms, just like this for so long. I've waited for
you all my life." Suddenly, he took her hands from around
his waist and stepped away from her. She looked up, her
worried eyes searching his handsome face.
"What is it, Endymion?" she asked
"I need you to make another choice. Hopefully this one won't
be another wrong choice like the ones we seem to be making
recently." She cocked her head to the side and gave him a
worried look.
"What is it?" she asked curiously. She watched as he pulled
a small box out of his pocket and held it in his palm. She
gasped when he opened the box to reveal a beautiful ring in
the shape of a heart. In the middle of the heart lay a small
diamond. The precious stone reflected the light of the moon,
causing awkward patches of light to dance upon Serenity's
incredulous face. Her eyes filled with tears.
"Do you accept this ring as a symbol of my love?" Serenity
stood speechless. Endymion got down on one knee, took the ring,
and slipped it on the ring finger of her left hand. "Tsukino
Usagi, Serenity, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"
Serenity nodded and knelt on the ground as she threw her arms
around Endymion's neck.
"Oh, Endymion, I thought this day would never come," she
whispered in his ear. "I'd love to share the rest of my life
with you. That is the easiest choice I've had to make. I promise
to always love you as I do this moment."
"I promise to never doubt the strength of our love again, and
to make you the happiest woman on Earth" he whispered in her
ear, a solitary tear tracing his cheek. His lips found hers
and they kissed, finally sealing their promise of love forever.
The End.
Well, what did you think? Please let me know. Send all your
comments, questions, flames to <OTAKU9@aol.com>
Hope you enjoyed it.