Astralix

The Warrior ✦ Sailor Aries/Tsunobue Aya ⇢✶ Commander of the Zodiac Senshi. (Bio)

The Shieldmaiden ✦ Sailor Taurus/Amano Sakurasou “Sakura” ⇢✶ The Second Zodiac Senshi and uses earth attacks. (Bio)

The Technician ✦ Sailor Gemini/Haruno Yumeko “Yume” ⇢✶ The Third Zodiac Senshi along with her sister, uses force and runic magic.

The Wordsmith ✦ Sailor Didymoi/Haruno Nijiko “Niji” ⇢✶ The Third Zodiac Senshi along with her sister, uses force and runic magic.

The Ice ✦ Sailor Cancer/Himura Umiko “Umi” ⇢✶ The Fourth Zodiac Senshi and uses ice attacks.

The Fire ✦ Sailor Leo/Tategami Hikaru ⇢✶ The Fifth Zodiac Senshi and uses fire attacks.

The Recordkeeper ✦ Sailor Virgo/Teien Emiko “Emi” ⇢✶ The Sixth Zodiac Senshi and uses plant and wood-based attacks.

The Judge ✦ Sailor Libra/Fujiwara Yuuga ⇢✶ The Seventh Zodiac Senshi and uses metal attacks.

The Death ✦ Sailor Scorpio/Kishi Sasori ⇢✶ The Eighth Zodiac Senshi and uses death or venom attacks.

The Archer ✦ Sailor Sagittarius/Igarashi Mikoto “Miko” ⇢✶ The Ninth Zodiac Senshi and uses lightning attacks.

The Assassin ✦ Sailor Capricorn/Koyano Kyoumi ⇢✶ The Tenth Zodiac Senshi and uses gravity or time attacks.

The Void ✦ Sailor Aquarius/Hoshino Izumi ⇢✶ The Eleventh Zodiac Senshi and uses void and wind attacks. 

The Ocean ✦  Sailor Pisces/Enkai Maiko “Mai” ⇢✶ The Twelfth Zodiac Senshi and uses water based attacks.

The Wraith ✦ Pisces Senshi/Enkai Mika ⇢✶ The ghost of Mai’s twin sister.

The Hope ✦ Sailor Ophiuchus/Madoka Sabik ⇢✶ The Doctor of the Zodiac Senshi.

The Sun ✦ Sailor Phoenix/Nakano Tenmei “Mei” ⇢✶ The Sun of the Zodiac Senshi.

✦✶✦

This is the end Hold your breath and count to ten Feel the Earth move, and then Hear my heart burst again For this is the end I’ve drowned and dreamt this moment So overdue, I owe them Swept away, I’m stolen

✦✶✦

  She was determined to face the end.  There was no leaping into the Cauldron like Sailor Moon probably did.  She would accept Sailor Moon’s decision, and continue to fight.  When she is tired, she will leap into the Cauldron and hope her wishes to end the battle reaches Sailor Moon.  Then, should Sailor Moon accept, perhaps she will take the mantle as Sailor Cosmos and defeat Sailor Chaos for the final time.

Another universe will spring forth from a new Cauldron after another has ended.

Sailor Phoenix stared down at the very Cauldron’s depths.

Was it still worth doing that if another universe sprung forth?  Both good and evil existed for one could not exist without the other.  Much like light and darkness.  There was darkness in all of the Sailor Senshi and the Knight Senshi.  She placed a hand over her chest and clasped it with the other.  She closed her eyes and prayed.

A staff appeared in front of her, just as the other she dropped into the Cauldron.  What was destroyed would be reborn.  She reached for the staff and grasped it in her hands.

Perhaps with this she could end Chaos incarnation?

Perhaps with this she could save her friends who have all perished again.

Perhaps with this she could resurrect them again.

But it was tiring.

Tears stung her eyes.  She twirled her new staff and walked out of the Cauldron’s Keep within the Sagittarius constellation.

She could see the ghosts of everyone standing around her.  Enemies from older battles.  She clenched her free hand into a fist, determined to end the incarnation.

“It’s time to bring the dawn,” she called.  She summoned the Star Ruby of the Phoenix Empire.  “With me!  It ends here!”

One by one the Sailor Senshi summoned their own crystals and powers.  Phoenix pointed her staff at the enemy.  It turned into a sword.  

She jumped up to slice the darkness that manifested and its current vessel.

✦✶✦

Du scheinst dunkler als die Nacht Du bist älter als das Licht Du bist unsichtbar gemacht hast keine Hülle, kein Gesicht Und schauerlich versteckst du dich seit ewiglich, schwarze Sonne

You appear darker than the night You are older than the light You are created invisible You have no body no face And nightmarish You are hiding Since the beginning of time Black sun

✦✶✦

  Her eyes turned bright, flaming red in the darkness of her room.  Her hair lengthened and braided.  Her gloves and bodice turned a matted block.  Her Sailor Suit changed to a small, deep colored dress.  The gloves receded showing off her fingertips.  Her fingernails lengthened.  Makeup darkened on her skin along with the inkling of her symbol.

She scrunched up into a ball from the pain of very dark, flaming wings burning out of her body.  She screamed, horrified by the deep orange and red beam of light that burned through the ceiling of her roof penthouse.  Her last moments as herself were frightening her.  She tried to reach for her wand again but her other hand pushed it out of her way.  She crawled, her fingertips searing into the rug and leaving burns.  Her couch caught on fire.

“What… is… happening to me?” she asked, tears stinging her eyes as she pushed herself up off the floor.  Tears fell to the floor but they melted through the tiled flooring.  “I’m… I’m destroying everything?!”

“Why yes, you are,” a voice spoke up from the flaming couch.  “But that’s alright, sweetheart.  You’re just eclipsing.”

“Eclipsing?” Mei asked as she turned towards the flames.

“It’s when you turn to Chaos, my dear,” the flames purred.

“I… I don’t want to!”  Mei was horrified.

“You have to,” the flames purred again, as the flames expanded.  Mei screamed in pain from the flames overcoming her.  She crumpled to the ground.  Turning her over to their side.

“A beautiful dark sunrise for you, my dear child,” the flames purred as Mei stood up again.

✦✶✦

Go all the wayHave your fun, have it allSo take it downGet through the daysDo your thing, do it wellSo take it down

✦✶✦

  “When you see how your kind has treated us, you’ll know you’re no better,” he spat at the red-orange haired young woman.  He was ordered away by the red clad Senshi next to her.  

The Phoenix Senshi wanted to speak up and wanted to know more, but it wasn’t the way.  Aries Senshi shook her head.  It was not worth it.  The man already knows one thing, but not the gestalt.  There was still much to do to better the chances of the new Empire surviving.

“Are we really no better?” Mei asked Aya, as they filed all the papers of those who had risen against the Empire.

“We’re just doing our best so the Empire lives on,” Aya said.  “There may be a dark history, but we can only hope we can improve upon those when we do know more about how the previous Empress ruled.  We need to remember that this Empire ruled millennia ago, and we’re just picking up where it left off.  You are a new Empress and should not be judged for what your predecessor has done or achieved.”

Mei nodded.  “Right,” she said, as she shelved another set of paperwork.

What if we aren’t better?  Mei thought.  What if I’m not as good as my predecessor but worse?  What if I cannot keep the dawn but make it night again, metaphorically?  Do I even have the right to rule at all?  Aren’t all empires bad?

“Mei-chan… Mei-chan!”  Aya called.

Mei blinked out of her stare towards nothingness and looked up at a kindly old man with warm light brown eyes.

“I want to tell you how good you have been doing for us, but we are facing a problem.  We lost a great deal of our crops and livestock, so we cannot pay you what we needed last year and this one.”

Mei offered her hand, and he shook it.  She placed a hand over his.  She concentrated and healed what she could of his arthritic hand.  Light brown eyes widened.

“Your Majesty?” he inquired.

She looked up at him with a smile.  “I might be terrible with agriculture, but I’ll be sure to check with my advisors, Sailor Virgo and Sailor Taurus.  I’m sorry about your crops.  It will take some time to get them to grow again I’m sure.  We can set up a financial plan for you to get you back on your feet.  However, while you do owe interest, we’ll try our hand at making it easier for you.  I can also talk with Sailor Ophiuchus who supervises the doctors, and have them figure out a treatment plan as I can only do so much for your hands, sir.”

“A plan to pay in installments?  I’ve never heard of that before,” the old man said.

Mei smiled.  “It’s probably an terrestrial thing on planet Earth, but we can introduce this in the hopes of getting back on our feet!  Without the agriculturists we wouldn’t have food.  We’ll also have Sailor Pisces to look at the irrigation system and see if it needs renovations as it has been left to the elements.”

“Oh, thank you, Your Majesty!” the old man said.

“With that being said, I’ve done some paperwork,” Emiko stated.  “I’ll help you fill it out.  Sailor Cancer is figuring out the rations for food, and Sailor Taurus is out surveying the soil with some of the locals.  Please follow me.”

The kindly man followed Emiko.  He looked at Mei.  “Thank you again, Your Majesty.”

Mei smiled.  “We’ll do our best,” she said.  “There’s still a great deal of things to do.”

✦✶✦

It’s the fear The fear of the dark It’s growing inside of me They won, they will come to life  Have to save Save my beloved There is no escaping ‘Cause my fate is horror and doom

✦✶✦

  It was a stormy night, and two twins were in their bed.  They were going over different discussions they received in the daytime from mysterious figures.  The window signaled the bright onslaught of lightning, following the thunder.  The rain poured and tapped against the glass against their bedroom windows in their respective rooms.

  Nijiko or Sailor Didymos struggled against the pain in her heart.  The unmistakable pain of heartbreak when her sister kissed her crush in front of her.  Her sister was unmistakably prettier than her for sure, but for once Nijiko just hoped the guy did not like her sister.  For once, let her show her up!  She curled up into a fetal position in her light colored bedroom.

Later in the day a figure came up to her and asked her weird questions about her twin sister.  And she was angry at them for even mentioning her sister at a time she was mad at her.  She had lashed out, but the figure only smiled as if knowing something would befall Nijiko later.

She had caught onto something about being “eclipsed” and that it was only a “matter of time”.

Nijiko struggled with the pain in her chest, letting out a pained cry into her pillow.

  Yumeko or Sailor Gemini struggled against the pain in her head.  The unmistakable pain of guild when she kissed her sister’s crush in front of her sister.  Her sister was mad at her for sure, but for once Yumeko wanted to prove to her sister a point.  For once, she wanted to show her up.  Somehow.  She curled up into a fetal position in her light colored bedroom.

As the day progressed, a figure came up to her and asked her weird questions about her twin sister.  It annoyed her and weirded her out, even if she was mad at her sister, she still wanted to protect her.  She had lashed out, but the figure only smiled as if knowing something would befall Yumeko later.

She was able to catch something about being “eclipsed” and that it was only a “matter of time”.  She would be “easily malleable against her sister and against the Senshi”.  She was horrified and tried to fight the pain in her head.

However, she could only let out a pained cry into her pillow.

✦✶✦

I’ll believeAll your liesJust pretend you love meMake believeClose your eyesI’ll be anything for youI’ll be anything for you

✦✶✦

  It was exhausting trying to be their perfect child.  It was exhausting trying to be part of their perfect family as a perfect little girl following in her older sister’s footsteps.  It was exhausting trying to be part of their perfect home keeping regimen.  It was hard to balance it out with studying for tests in school.  Especially the standard entrance exams for middle school, high school and now college.

Emiko was about to have a mental breakdown.  Her grades had been subpar, and she was sinking toward number four at Juuban high school.  It was always the transfer students that would show her up.  She had to understand it was also her work as a Senshi that was lowering her grades too.  She wanted to get into an IVY league school.  She wanted to leave Japan for a little while and hoped she would catch a break from her sister.

Maybe she wanted to get away from it all.  The fighting, the sacrificing, and the sorrow.  However, she just could not stand to leave her job as one of the Senshi.  Even if she was losing what little humanity she now had left.  She tried not to yell at the other Senshi over little mistakes that could almost cost them their lives.  She tried not to yell when Mei did not listen to her lectures on etiquette and what it means to be regal.

Emiko opened her report card and stared at the majority of B-grades rather than A-grades.  She needed to reserve more attention towards herself instead of fussing over others, but it was one of her major flaws.

She stopped in front of her house which was a mix of muted green painted siding, metal and deep color stained wood.  Her hand rested on the gate lock as she scanned at the comments of her report card.  She had such perfect scores, but now she needed to reevaluate her time with her friends.  Great.  Her parents would hang to every word if she showed them this.

She felt her cell phone vibrate and she picked it up.  She found Mei was on the other side of the call.

“Hey, Emi-chan, are you coming by to study?” Mei chirped.  She seemed to be in a good mood.  Unfortunately, Emiko would ruin it.  Emiko cursed inwardly.

“I’m sorry, I can’t make it,” Emiko said.

“Oh,” Mei commented, sounding disappointed.  “Entrance exams are coming up soon, so when you get a chance, please study!  I’m really worried, you know?  You’ve done so much for us as it is.”

Emiko’s eyes widened.  She sounded disappointed a moment ago, but now she was cheering her on.  It was like the girl read her mind.

“By the way, we’re all attending cram school starting next week.  So, the study group will be on a hiatus.  It’s the same one you’re attending.  Don’t tell the others I told you, but I know you hate surprises.  Just pretend you are.  Okay?”

Emiko smiled.  “We could potentially grab something to eat on the way home once a week, barring this week.  I know my parents will be upset with my report card,” she said.

“That stinks, but they’re pretty traditional, huh?” Mei asked.

“Yeah,” Emiko said, sadly.

“Well, if you want to do some review for cram school, we could meet on Sundays.  I think your parents would like that too,” Mei said.  “Saturday, the Crown will be a zoo with a bunch of kids.  So, why don’t we try the cafe?  I know it’s expensive but…”

Emiko smiled.  “I’d like that, I’m sure my parents won’t mind, but again not this week.”

Mei grinned.  “You don’t have to be perfect for us.  You’re already perfect as it is.”

Tears stung Emiko’s eyes.  “That… that makes me really happy.  More than you know.  Thank you, Mei-chan.  No matter what, I’ll text you with more information on my impending grounding.”

“Alright!  And I’ll text you with more information about the Sunday cram school review group.”

“Thank you!”

“See you in the morning.”

They both hung up.

✦✶✦

And it doesn’t matter how you feel nowAnything at allSeems to be your only way, so viciousHeavenly apartWhen your envy’s on a piece of paperLet me sweetly smileYou’re devouring all the crumbs I’m leavingCaught up in your lies

✦✶✦

  He said she could receive power.  

She was not very sure.

He said she could protect herself with that power.  However, she needed to promise to him she would be loyal and collect energy.  For one whole day she could wield the power he would promise her, and if she came back she would need to collect energy for him if she kept those powers.

She felt very weak, but with those powers she felt very strong.  Like she could do anything she put her mind to.  She could protect herself from anyone else that wanted to use her.  However, she needed to do something for him.  And that was to collect energy.

Mikoto “Miko” Igarashi became War.

  He said she could achieve safety.

She was not very sure.

He said she could protect herself with the power she was given.  Again, she needed to promise to him she would remain loyal and collect energy.  She was given the power for one day like Miko promised.  She needed to return to him with the answer he hoped for, and she agreed to the requirements.

She felt very weak before she received the powers.  Her sister had protected her all these years, but she had no way of returning the favor.  With the powers, she could do anything she put her mind to, but she had to ignore her sister’s warnings.  She agreed to collect energy for the man she was warning her against.

Maiko “Mai” Enkai became Famine.

  He said she could achieve a family.

She was not very sure.

He said she could find her family members with her power.  However, she needed to promise she would remain loyal to him and collect energy.  She was given the power for one day like Mai and Miko were promised.  She needed to return to him to tell him the answer he hoped for and that she agreed to the terms.

She felt very weak before she received the powers.  She felt very unsafe with her immediate family, but safe around her friends.  Her brothers were no longer friendly, but hostile.  Her mother and father were hostile towards her as well.  She broke things off with them and moved in with her kind uncle’s family for a while.  However, she needed to beef up the amount of money to pay for rent and to fight for her emancipation from her immediate family.  With her powers she could do anything she put her mind to.  She agreed to the man’s terms.

Kyoumi Koyano became Death.

  He said she could keep her friends safe.

She was not very sure.

He said she could have the power to keep her friends safe from harm if she promised she would remain loyal to him and collect energy.  Her friends were Miko, Mai, and Kyoumi.  No one else was brave enough to be her friend.  She was given the power for one day like her friends were promised.  She needed to return to him to tell the answer he hoped for.  Needless to say, she agreed to the terms immediately.

She had felt weak before she received the powers.  She had tried warning each of her friends about the man they made promises towards.  So, she had to take matters into her own hands.  She needed to protect her precious friends while indebted to the man she warned them against.  With her powers, she thought she could do anything she put her mind to.  She agreed to the man’s terms.

✦✶✦

I’ve been drowning inside you While my love, it just pours out I’ve been running behind you But enough is enough

✦✶✦

Tears fell from both their eyes as she held both of her lover’s hands in hers.  There was nothing more to say.  There was nothing more to listen to.  There was nothing more they could work on in this relationship.  They went all the way they could with this relationship and there now it was nothing more than embers in the sand.

Dark red and teal locks of hair waved in the wind as they shared one last kiss.  One last embrace and they were done with the relationship.

Sasori and Izumi’s relationship ended on this day.  There was nothing to do.  Nothing to say.  Nothing to listen to anymore.  They were friends now.  Simply friends now.  They cared about one another, but that was it.

This was it.

Sasori let go of her now ex-lover’s hands as did Izumi.  They looked at one another.

“Friends?” Sasori asked, hopefully.

“Friends.” Izumi answered, hoping they could remain friends after this.

“I’m sorry,” Sasori apologized.

“I’m sorry too,” Izumi also apologized.  But there was nothing they could do.  Nothing more they could say and nothing more to teach in this kind of relationship.  They had more to teach as friends.

✦✶✦

Boy, we’ve had a real good time And I wish you the best on your way, eh-eh I didn’t mean to hurt you I never thought we’d fall out of place, eh-eh, hey

✦✶✦

“There’s really nothing else to tell you,” adds Mai as she tells a blue-haired male.  She explained Emiko had been distancing herself from the blue-haired male ever since she learned he was taken.  When he was not, he ran into Mai just today to ask Emiko out on a date.  “Whatever happened to the blond you were with?” she questions Ikki.

Ikki’s face fell as he looked down at the cars from the crossing bridge they were on.  “Things fell through, I guess,” he said.  “I was wondering if Emiko was up for coffee or something like that.”

“You’re a little late for that,” Mai answered.  “She’s already got a boyfriend now.”

She could see the poor guy reeling from the news, but she was not sure if she felt for the guy.  He really played with Emiko’s heart before revealing he was already in a relationship with someone else.  Mai was probably the best he could run into, considering she was happy even around people she did not particularly like.

“What is he like?” Ikki asked.

“For one thing, he doesn’t play with people’s hearts,” Mai replied, picking up another star-shaped candy out of her bag and eating it.  She watched Ikki’s face before he had the gall to defend himself.  “You should have told her you were going out with someone else before you tried anything with her before.  That guy she’s with now?  Kagaho?  He really takes care of her.  And was able to tell her beforehand he isn’t sure how far the relationship will go because he had a duty as well.  A duty to someone he loves as a younger brother.”  Mai pointed out.  “She was not hurt.  She had a duty to someone as well.  So, it worked out.”  She took another few star-shaped candy out.

“Does she know who the guy works for?!” Ikki asked, incredulously.

“Yes,” Mai answered.  “At least she’s not up in your business like you in hers.”  Mai started walking away from the blue-haired male.  “Bye, Ikki-kun, there’s nothing else I can tell you.  She’s happy now and it’s not with you.  But I’ll give her your regards.”

If she really cares what he thinks now, Mai thought, walking down the steps on the other side.

✦✶✦

Oh, how I wish For soothing rain All I wish is to dream again My loving heart Lost in the dark For hope I’d give my everything

✦✶✦

She stayed there like she was told for many years.  Millennia had passed and still she was looking into the direction of the Cauldron.  The very Cauldron that gave birth to all the stars, planets and satellites.  She pulled back a braided strand of hair as she held the Caduceus close to her.  Everyone had gone on to reincarnate somewhere else.  And here she was keeping her position for years on end.

Left alone.

Abandoned.

Tears stung her eyes as they welled within her eyelids.  She was the only one the enemy did not know nor touched.  Was she unimportant to the enemy?  No, she was just as important as the others in the Empire’s alliance.  The previous Empress gave her an important duty as their Guardian of Hope.  If she could only remember the Empress’ words, the voice, and the warm eyes that pleaded with her to protect her next of kin.

Ophiuchus placed a hand over her heart and closed her eyes.  Her red-violet eyes opened after a while, knowing what she must do.  Wings sprouted from her Sailor Suit and she jumped into the sparkling and dangerous void.  She glided through the deep canvas of space towards the middle of the universe.  She was able to withstand the temptation of throwing herself into the Cauldron.  She was the only one besides Sailor Aquarius to have been, but now Sailor Aquarius was light years away leaving Sailor Ophiuchus to do this duty alone.

Left alone.

Abandoned.

But was she?

She lifted her Caduceus and both metallic snakes hissed and their eyes glowed.  They slithered off the Caduceus and glided through the air around her.  They were protective and represented the constellation of Serpens which Asclepios tamed.  The son of the Sun god who offered the elixir to humanity and was punished.  Ophiuchus closed her eyes again to listen to the voices within the Cauldron.  Some of the voices sounded kind but others snickered.

“Alone, abandoned?  C’mon, jump in,” the rest have said.

“Left alone, little one?  They flew off towards the Moon Kingdom,” the kind ones proclaimed.

“Moon Kingdom, where will that be exactly?” Ophiuchus’ head tilted.

She ignored the snickering voices, while the kind ones started to speak again.  “The Moon Kingdom is in the Solar System.  It is the satellite Kingdom of Earth, and watches over the Terrestrials.  You must hurry, the others will be facing Queen Metallia!”

Red-violet eyes widened.  “Again?”

“Yes.  You must hurry.”

Left alone.

Abandoned.

But was she?

No.  They needed to flee, but they were not prepared for a rematch against Queen Metallia!  Ophiuchus thanked the voices within the Cauldron.  The metallic serpents wrapped around the Caduceus again, and their eyes dimmed.  Ophiuchus outstretched her wings for the longest journey of her life.  She gave a running start before she took off into the spangled void again.

“Will she make it?” The kind ones wondered at the snickering voices within the Cauldron.

✦✶✦

What I mean is , all I need is,Just a little emotion‘Cause all I see is you not feelingAnd you’re giving me nothing niceI tried to do you right, why’d you have to go and turn to ice(Ice)

✦✶✦

  It was the girl she disliked in Home and Economics.  Umiko Himura sighed and muttered under her breath an “oh great”.  The girl put laxatives in her brownies that made the entire class and Umiko have the runs.  Umiko had gotten back at the girl for sneaking the ingredient into her brownies.  She told the girl the wrong ingredients on purpose.

The cake she made came out saltier than intended and the teacher gave the girl a failing grade.  Umiko wanted to smirk but she had to keep a low profile.  She was next to present her cake to the teacher.  It was pristine and decorated as best as she could.  Umiko had watched many cake decorating videos the last couple of days on her computer and television.  Umiko was a little scared about the taste testing portion of the class, but was relieved the teacher loved her cake.  She smiled and bowed her head in thanks for the grade she received.

As she returned to her seat with the sliced cake, the Cancer Senshi enjoyed a slice of her own cake.  The next classmate was called to present her cake to the teacher.

The girl Umiko greatly disliked came up to her and folded her arms over her chest.

“How come your cake got a better review than mine did?  You must have given me the wrong amount for ingredients!” the girl said.  Her name was Eri.

Umiko’s bangs covered her eyes as she sniffled.  “Gosh, I’m really sorry, Eri-chan!” she said as she looked up at Eri.  Her tears fell from her eyes.  “I didn’t know I gave you the wrong ingredients until I double-checked last night.  By then it was too late to call you.  I could bake you a nice cake next time just to make up for my mistake.”

Eri growled.  “You did this on purpose, didn’t you, Himura?” She accused Umiko.

“That’s so mean, Eri-chan!  Why would I do something so mean to you?” Umiko sobbed.  “I apologized, didn’t I?”  Umiko turned to Eri who just stomped off.  Some other girls who did not like Eri snickered at her.

“She’ll get back at you,” Yuuga told Umiko as she came back from presenting her own cake.

  It was dangerous to enter, but they did not have a choice.  There had been a house or a manor that appeared in front of them while running from the enemies.  Both Sailors Sagittarius and Leo were determined to get out of danger and try to regroup with the other Senshi.  The doors were unusually heavy but Sagittarius and Leo managed to close the double front doors to the manor and lock them.  They tried to catch their breath but Sagittarius immediately felt something was wrong.

“Tategami-san, we’re not safe,” Sagittarius said, while a droplet of sweat ran down her cheek and fell onto the floor mat.

“Even in this house?” Leo questioned.

Sagittarius nodded, trying to continue to catch her breath.  She stayed silent as a talisman materialized between her fingers.  She silently chanted as she focused on the potential threat.

Leo’s eyes widened when she saw the enemy behind Sagittarius.

“Behind you!” she called.

Sagittarius tilted a brow and threw a talisman after she finished her chant.  It surged with electrical energy rather than flame energy.  Leo jumped out of the way as the talisman was thrown in her direction, and it landed on the door.  The talisman completely burned to ash once it hit the door, but the door also burned to ash from the electrical energy Sagittarius inserted into the talisman.

“Great, now they can get in,” Sagittarius growled.  Leo lifted her head from her spot on the floor nearby.  Both were tense.

✦✶✦

The sacrifice was much to high Our greed just made us all go blind We tried to hide what we feared inside Today is the end of tomorrow

As the sea started risin’ The land we conquered just washed away Although we all tried to turn back the tide It was all in vain

✦✶✦

“Spare me your monologues and soliloquies,” an injured Sailor Leo struggled against the rune binding her hands.  She spat at the enemy in further defiance.  She was only kicked again and again in the abdomen.

“Why do you make it harder for yourself, when you could just tell us where your Empress is?”  The enemy’s interrogator spoke up.

“I’ll never do it,” Sailor Leo struggled, her vision blurring from the constant kicking.  Blood trickled down the corner of her lip.  She grunted in pain as the enemy kicked her again.  “And… I think it’s hilarious that she outsmar–”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence!” The enemy shouted and kicked her again.

“Are you the body double of the Empress?” The enemy’s interrogator was calm in the midst of his boss losing his shit.

“Yes,” Sailor Leo grinned.

The enemy’s interrogator looked at his boss for the next action to take.

“Kill her,” the enemy ordered.  “We’ll make an example of her to the public.”

Sailor Leo’s eyes widened, but she smiled.  She had one more trick up her sleeve.  She would rather go down fighting, than let someone else choose what they do to her.  What was it that Madoka and Bennu told her about breaking out of a runic seal?  She smirked as she felt herself being picked up.

✦✶✦

I’d hold you close And shout the words I only whispered before For one more chance (one more chance) For one last dance There’s not a thing that I would not endure

✦✶✦

“No, you mustn’t Virgo!” She could hear Sailor Ophiuchus’ voice ring out to her.  “You’ll both burn!  She has a better chance at surviving the impact back to Earth!”  Sailor Virgo stopped which relieved Sailor Ophiuchus.  However, Sailor Virgo took a few paces back before leaping off the rock.

I am not afraid, Emiko Teien or Sailor Virgo thought defiantly.  She was determined to save Sailor Phoenix even if it was the last thing she did alive.  She sacrificed herself for everyone, and all they were doing now was watching Sailor Phoenix fall victim to burning up in the Earth’s atmosphere.  Cowards!  She thought.  Tears pricked her eyes as she made sure to tuck her arms into her chest in a dive towards Sailor Phoenix.

When she finally caught up to Sailor Phoenix, she watched the girl’s red-orange eyes widened.  She wanted to say something but she could not hear herself shout due to her popping ears and the rapidly roaring winds.  Neither could Sailor Virgo, her ears popping to as they made their descent.  Virgo reached her arm out.  She stared into the shorter girl’s eyes determined to figure out her answer.

Phoenix grasped the taller girl’s hand in hers and brought her closer.  Tears fell from her eyes and the first thing Virgo realized was the smaller’s fear.

Virgo tried to reassure Phoenix with a smile, but she was better off wrapping her arms around the smaller.  Phoenix had tear-stained cheeks and she was visibly shaking from fear.

“Why are you doing this?” Virgo could read Phoenix’s lips.

“Are you serious?” Virgo answered with another question.  Unbelievable!

“Why are you doing this, Virgo?” Phoenix asked again, using Emiko’s Sailor name.

“I’m doing this because you’re scared,” Virgo replied, angrily.  “We’re scared for you and want you to survive.  Don’t you dare try to sacrifice yourself for us again!”

Phoenix’s eyes widened and tears fell.  Virgo’s eyes teared up as well.

“We are meant to protect you,” Virgo lectured.

“And I’m not allowed to want to protect you all either?” Phoenix asked.

Green eyes widened.  Virgo watched Phoenix’s face and noticed the smaller female’s determination.

“You are,  but you’re not doing this alone,” Virgo continued to hold Phoenix as they pierced through the Earth’s atmosphere.  “You are never alone.”  Virgo Crystal Power, make up!  A green aura surrounded them both.  Virgo looked at Phoenix, expectantly.  “Let’s survive this, Mei-chan!”

Phoenix gasped.  Her face changed to that of determination and soon enough she nodded to Virgo.  “Right!” She agreed.  Phoenix Stellar Power, make up!  A red-orange aura surrounded them both.

✦✶✦

(One) Here comes the Sun (Two) Here comes the Sun (Three) It is the brightest star of them all. (Four) Here comes the Sun. (Five) Here comes the Sun. (Six) Here comes the Sun. (Seven) It is the brightest star of them all. (Eight)(Nine) Here comes the Sun.

✦✶✦

“We believe in you, always,” she could practically see a phantom figure of Sailor Pisces, or Maiko Enkai, smiling at her.  Her twin sister was likely nearby, but Mei could never hear or see her until today as she saw the phantoms.  Both had identical, light blue hair and matching blue-green eyes.  She saw the place where Mai had died.  Tears pricked her eyes cause she could see the water still imprisoning her enemy and herself in a waterspout.  She could still see it in the distance as she turned her head to look over her shoulder.

Next was the phantom figure of Sailor Aquarius, or Izumi Hoshino, with a stern look on her face.  She narrowed her indigo eyes and regarded the pig-tailed Phoenix Senshi with scathing glare.  “You better not lose. For once I’m betting on you,” she said.  Mei knew better than to pierce through the tough exterior of the teal-haired Senshi.  Mei continued with a smile on her face, but other than this phantasmal figure there was little to no trace left of the Senshi.

“Don’t worry, she’s more than betting on you,” Sailor Scorpio’s voice piped up.  The dark-red haired Senshi gave Mei a grin.  “Go get them.”  Sasori Kishi was a dear friend to her, once one gets past the delinquent exterior.  She had quit smoking too just so she could confess to the Aquarius Senshi.  It was sad, Sasori would never be able to go on a date with Izumi.  All because of Mei.  Mei acknowledged the lack of a trace left from the Scorpio Senshi.  She wondered if they both died together.  

Mei continued to walk.

“We will never let you down, so don’t ever go back on your word,” Sailor Sagittarius’s voice was heard as another stern Senshi crossed her arms over her chest.  The blonde priestess pointed at Mei’s forehead.  A wave of unease overcame Mei before purple sparkles eased her fears and a calm blossomed within Mei’s chest.  It was scary how the Shinto-priest-in-training knew Mei was scared.  Mei wanted to ask where she died, but no words entered her lips.  Instead, she was troubled by the lack of presence of the Sagittarius Senshi.  She had been accompanied by Sailor Leo.

“It’s a shame we’ll never play together again on the same stage,” Sailor Leo grieved.  Mei teared up at her supposed body double.  Hikaru Tategami was another good friend of hers.  They both enjoyed music and Hikaru even got to play a violin solo during one of Mei’s songs.  Both of them ruled the stage and at the same time both Hikaru and Mei were happy their collaboration worked out.  They were excited about future collaborations, but that will never happen again.  Mei was troubled by the lack of presence of Leo Senshi.  She had accompanied Sailor Sagittarius in death.  “Chin up, Mei-chan.  Don’t cry.  We’re always here for you.”

Mei sobbed as she continued her walk.  The spirits of the Senshi summoned a shield as the enemy sent their strongest attacks at their Empress.  Mei thought to look over her shoulder, but Aquarius shouted to her not to and to continue her journey.  Even in death they were always protecting her.  Mei felt so pathetic and useless, but she forced herself to continue no matter the pain.  The stars have fallen for Mei, but even if there was simply darkness, she still had to shine a ray of hope.

“Even if you’re cast in darkness, you still need to be the light of hope,” said a familiar voice.  Mei had to look around to see Madoka Sabik or Sailor Ophiuchus looking at her with a small smile.  “You must not give up, Sailor Phoenix.  You are our sun.  Bring the dawn.”  Mei could not help but smile as well.  “Never regret your time before, there’s always tomorrow.”  Mei balled her gloved hands into fists.  She started to walk with confidence, after thanking Sailor Ophiuchus for everything.  Ophiuchus pointed to Mei’s hand and her Caduceus disappeared and reappeared in Mei’s hand.  Eyes widened, but she understood.  Ophiuchus had always wanted her to use the Caduceus in conjunction with Mei’s power to vanquish the darkness.

Mei kept walking, holding the Caduceus in both hands as she looked over at Sailor Libra or Yuuga Fujiwara.  Mei tried to understand the Libra Senshi, but it seemed Yuuga was in another world.  She wondered if there were any words Yuuga could tell her.  “Justice won’t act on its own, you are needed,” Yuuga said cryptically.  “I better not have sacrificed myself in vain, Phoenix.”  Mei nodded.  She looked at the Caduceus Staff in her hands.

“You haven’t,” Mei said with a small smile.  It earned her a rare smile from the Libra Senshi.  She continued onward.

“Our wishes for peace are with you,” Sailor Virgo spoke up and smiled at Sailor Phoenix.  Sailor Phoenix smiled back.  The phantom outstretched her hand and bound an enemy with a briarwood vine.  The thorns cut into him.  Mei wanted to cry again because Virgo had used her own flowers on herself to kill the enemy’s henchman.  It was far in the distance, but she knew where Virgo’s body rested.  She wished she did not have to go to such lengths, but Virgo, or Emiko Teien was always a fighter.  Mei thanked her, and continued her journey towards her final destination.

The final five joined her around the circle.  They were specters too, but she recognized each of them as Sailors Cancer, Didymos, Gemini, Taurus and Aries.  Sailor Cancer brought the cold air and Sailor Phoenix could swear her tears were freezing on her eyelashes.  The petite Senshi had killed another henchman while encasing herself in ice.  Sailor Gemini and Didymos brought the winds, and Sailor Phoenix tried to keep from getting swept away.  The Gemini Senshi sisters have died together and their bodies cast aside.  Sailor Taurus brought the fresh earth smell and sweet scented flower petals.  She had died while standing up to a henchman.  Sailor Aries had the oddest power of them all.  The power over war and brutality of war in the form of blood.  She had bled out in order to defeat a henchman.  All of them smiled sadly at Sailor Phoenix.  Sailor Phoenix smiled at them back.

“Thank you for always protecting me,” Phoenix said, bringing her Caduceus to her forehead.  “It’s time we end this, as falling stars.”  She held up the Caduceus Staff and started praying.  An orb of multi-colored light surrounded the group and expanded over the land.

✦✶✦

In my darkest hours, I could not foresee That the tide could turn so fast to this degree Can’t believe my eyes, how can you be so blind? Is the heart of stone, no empathy inside? Time keeps on slipping away and we haven’t learned So in the end now what have we gained?

✦✶✦

  “Mai-chan!” a voice whispered a young, light blue haired girl awake.  Her eyes turned to see a phantom version of herself looking worried.

“Mika-chan, you’re real?” Mai questioned the ghostly version of herself.

Mika nodded.  “It’s not about that right now, quick, get into the closet!”

“Oh, okay,” Mai said as she slipped out of bed with her shark plushie and quietly stepped into the closet and shut the door.  “What now, Mika-chan?”

Mika went in as well.  She turned to Mai and held her hand.  “We stay quiet.  No matter what we see.  Promise?” Mika asked.

“Right,” Mai says, getting a little scared.  She clasped onto Mika’s hand and her shark plushie.  She sat still as she could.  Her eyes widened when she heard a crashing, and a scream.  She recognized the scream.  It was her father’s cry when he got badly hurt.  Tears pricked her eyes.

She wanted to help.  She wanted to see what it was that was attacking her parents, but Mika shook her head and held her hand.

There was a beastly cry.  Mai hoped it was not perceiving her mother at that moment.  She hugged the plushie to herself, tears falling down her cheeks.  Daddy… Mommy… I hope you both are okay, she thought.  To her misfortune, she heard her mother’s cry and hurried down the hallway to her baby’s room.  Her mother threw something heavy at whatever it was attacking the home.  

She could see her mother one more time!  She was covered in a red substance, though.  She boarded up the room.  “Mai-chan, are you here?” she asked.

“Yes, Mommy,” Mai said, tearfully.  “Mika-chan’s with me too.  W-what’s happening?”

“You have to stay quiet no matter what you see or hear, okay?” her mother said instead.  “Your father and I love you very much, remember that,” Mai’s eyes widened.  She wanted to call her mother, but Mika covered her mouth and shook her head.

“I…love you too,” her voice was muffled.  She saw her mother smile, but immediately a claw crashed through the wall and grabbed her mother by the neck.

Mommy!  Mai wanted to shout at her, but Mika kept her quiet.

No matter what we see we stay quiet.  She could hear Mika’s voice in her mind.  Mai averted her eyes but it was too late for her mother.  Her mother’s energy was siphoned into the monster.  It threw her mother to the floor and turned its glance towards the closet.  Its golden eyes narrowed as it licked its lips.  Mika glanced over towards the monster.

Hold my hand.  Don’t let go.  Mika’s voice appeared in her mind again.  Mai looks into Mika’s identical blue eyes.

Mai held Mika’s hand.

Let out your resentment for the beast.  He killed our parents.  He must pay!  Mika says.  Repeat after me, Pisces Power, make up!

“Pisces Power, make up!” Mai said as they glowed a bright blue.  She continued holding her phantom sister’s hand.  The beast growled and attacked, but its arm disintegrated into dust.  It assumed another stance and rushed at the sisters where it disintegrated to dust.  The bright blue light dissipated and Mai fell to her knees.  Mika floated into the shark plushie.  

Mai was discovered to be safe.  She snuggled up to her shark plushie.  The house burned around the girl as soon as she assumed power.  Her parents' remains were never found.

An older Mai touched the headlines that her orphanage’s head caretaker was kind enough to cut out for her.  It has aged a great deal since then.  Mai ran a finger over her parent’s faces, but she could not remember them either after all these years.

✦✶✦

Her feeling she hides, her dreams she can’t find She’s losing her mind, she’s fallen behind She can’t find her place, she’s losin’ her faith She’s fallen from grace, she’s all over the place Yeah

✦✶✦

  The last time she had to come to this place was because she could not pay her rent.  She had done all she could and this was the last resort.  She did not get the money on time, and she had to be evicted from her apartment.  She was told she was not part of the family anymore so why was she there?  She should lean on her uncle and the job she had.  However, the money was not enough and she felt she overstayed her welcome with her uncle’s family.

It was not until her uncle found her living on the streets again that she asked to stay as a tenant in the apartment above his restaurant.  She could hardly believe it.  She was happy and cried.  She asked her uncle if he was sure, and he told her he was positive.  He also needed someone living in there to make sure the doors and windows were locked in the restaurant.  She had covered her mouth.

“I … overstayed my welcome, Uncle.  How could I repay you?”

“Think nothing of it, Kyou-chan.  I need someone to make sure the doors, windows and lights are tended to in the restaurant below.  It’s a mutual trade.”

Kyoumi had beamed.

However, today, she was not sure what to do.  A monster had gotten into the apartment after taking the crystal belonging to her uncle.  Her friends were suddenly switching over to the other side in a process called “eclipsing”.  It was strange and she needed to talk to someone about how she was feeling.  How scared she was.  She missed her brothers before they became bullies to her.

She knocked on the door.  At first, there was no answer.  She knocked again and heard a shout to quit the knocking.  She stopped as she heard footsteps stomp on the floor.  Kyoumi exhaled in relief when she saw the older brother she wanted to see.

Equally dark colored eyes widened when he saw her.  “Kyou … mi… what are you doing over here?” he asked, shocked.  “You don’t live here anymore.”

“I know I don’t, but… I really need to talk.  I …”  She looked down, fumbled with her fingers before she looked back at her brother.  “I’m in a lot of stress lately.  I know we don’t talk anymore, but I can’t reach our Uncle.”

“That’s strange and I’m sorry to hear that, but you don’t really come back here anymore when we’re in dire straits…” her brother answered.  “You don’t call us.  You don’t ask us how we’re doing or feeling.  And yet you come back here and…”  He stopped when he saw her eyes well up with tears.  “Goddammit, Kyoumi.”

“It’s just… I … need a drive over t–” Kyoumi said.

“No, Kyoumi.  You wanted emancipation from our parents and you got it.  What more do you want from us?  You already begged for money.”  Her brother stated.

“I didn’t get any money.  I didn’t get anything.  All I got was abuse from all of you, so don’t start with me saying how it’s my fault I ruined everything,” Kyoumi said.  “The least you could do is help me for once like when we were little kids.  Before you started bullying me like Mom and Dad!  I count pennies.  I go hungry for a period of time.  I’m grateful for the roof over my head, but well a monster is sitting in it so I have nowhere to stay.  And my friends are all acting weird because of this monster.”

“Now that’s just crazy talk!” her brother called.  “You came over here to tell me something like when we were kids how you saw fairies and stuff?”

Kyoumi found an image in her phone to show her brother.  “This is the monster that is in my home!  This is the monster that told me it took Uncle and his family away.  It gave them to its master.”  It was an ominous creature with elongated arms and wings.  It looked like a stereotypical demon.

Eyes widened, but all her brother did was go back into the house and slam the door shut.

“Damn it, Daizou!” She knocked on the door again.  “Are you going to help me or not?”

No answer.  All she heard was her brother deadbolting the door.  Great, now he was going to tell her other brother she was crazy too.  Her eyes pricked with tears again as she kicked the door a few times and stormed off.

What a coward, she thought.  For once he was given the opportunity to do good by her for once after all these years.  Some man he was going to be.  What was he going to do if he had to check around the house in the middle of the night for these things?

“Whatever, I don’t care anymore,” Kyoumi growled as she made it to the bus stop.  It was getting closer to the time she was supposed to get there to save her Uncle and his family.  Tears rolled down her cheeks.  She waited for a bus that was going to be late, and would have to stop at every block to get to where she needed to go.  She cursed under her breath.

  It was getting closer and closer to the time when she was supposed to meet to rescue her Uncle.  She wiped away some tears just as a convertible turned.  Will she be able to save her Uncle in time?  She was not sure.

“You look like you need assistance,” a voice spoke up.  It sounded like it was coming a few feet from her.  She looked up to see a sports convertible in front of her.  The voice sounded masculine, but it came from an androgynous looking driver.  Next to them was a beautiful woman with marine green hair.

“I do,” Kyoumi spoke up.  She showed the coordinates to the handsome stranger and their beautiful passenger.  “I need to get to this spot.”

The handsome stranger’s eyes narrowed, strangely.  “Are you prepared?” they asked.  “The sky is most turbulent over there.”

“And the seas are restless,” the beautiful passenger added, concerned.

Kyoumi blinked at the sudden question.  She nodded.  “I am.  I can’t tell you how, but I promise you I am,” she said.

The handsome stranger smirked and gestured to the back of the car.  “Get in the car, we’ll take you there, and be careful of Michi’s sketchbook.”

Kyoumi nodded.  “Thank you,” she said.  “My name is Koyano Kyoumi.  And you both?”

“Tenou Haruka, and this is,” the handsome stranger introduced.  

“Kaiou Michiru, a pleasure,” the beautiful passenger finished.

Kyoumi nodded.  Once Kyoumi was ready and fastened her seat, Haruka drove off.

Kyoumi acknowledged they were going fast.  Just a little bit above the speed limit.  Michiru stayed calm, her locks of hair waving in the wind.  It was as if the two were on a mere stroll.  Kyoumi wondered if she could be as carefree one day.  However, she wondered about what Haruka and Michiru said about the place she needed to go to.  Could they be…?

“I’m trying to rescue family,” she admitted.

“Is that so?” Michiru looked down.  She smiled gently. “I’m sure you can do it.”

Kyoumi looked down at her own hands in her lap before she looked back at Michiru.  “You think I could?”

“Positive,” Michiru said.  She wanted to say something else but turned around to look out the front of the car past the hood.

I hope so, Kyoumi thought, as they drove through a tunnel.  She stared at the cars as they passed them by.  She turned back towards Haruka and Michiru.  Her eyes widened when she saw Eternal Sailor Uranus and Eternal Sailor Neptune instead, but just for a split second.  Haruka looked in the rearview mirror and chuckled.

“I knew it,” Haruka said.

“That I was a Senshi?” Kyoumi offered, surprised.

“Yes,” Michiru chuckled.  “You are more determined and mature than your age group.  May I ask your Sailor Senshi identity?”

Kyoumi nodded, solemnly.  “Sailor Capricorn,” she said.

Michiru’s eyes slightly widened.  “I’m sorry.”

That was all she said, and Kyoumi wondered why.  She continued to look as they weaved through traffic until they were outside of the tunnel.  Haruka pulled over to a stop.

“Thank you, I wish I could do something in return,” Kyoumi spoke up.

Michiru smiled.  “We’re happy to help even if we are retired for now,” she said.

Haruka nodded.  “Go get them, Koyano-san,” they said.

Kyoumi smiled back.  She felt strength inside her heart.  She was going to take care of this matter.  “Thank you again,” she said, as she ran up the steps.  She transformed into Sailor Capricorn as she raced towards her destination.

She may not have gotten help from anyone close to her, but she managed to find unlikely heroes to take her to the place where she was going to rescue her Uncle and his family!  Materializing her scythe, she twirled it around and aimed the curve of the blade at the monsters that surrounded her.