Last One Standing
Sailor Soul
The wind blew softly through the trees. The stillness would be most unnerving
to most, but in these times of uncertainty, it was a nice and welcomed change. The
rustling grew and sank with the pattern of the wind. Below, a sweet whistling could be
heard from the wind whipping past the crystal buildings. It was a rare treat to leave the
stress of governing, and she was determined to enjoy it.
?Amazing, isn?t it?? Sailorjupiter asked, seating herself beside her. ?I knew it
would be beautiful, but I didn?t really appreciate until it was actually created.?
Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. ?I know. The first time we were here, it just
seemed like a nice dream. Now I understand how astounding this place really is.?
Crystal Tokyo was a far cry from the Tokyo of the 20th century. Instead of
darkness broken by a few neon lights, the entire city was a spectacular sight of
prosperity. All remnants of a crime-ridden city were gone, leaving only historical
places. Serenity loved to return to this hill, close her eyes, and remember. That was
all she held on to lately, her memories. Ever since Luna had died, she no longer had
any real advisors. The Senshi still stood beside her, but they were learning along with
her, and not able to give advice from experience. Artemis had long since succumbed
to his pain and longing for Luna, and retired into his own world of fantasy and
memories. Now, she imitated him, using her blurry memories of the Silver Millennium
to guide her. She hadn?t seen her mother since before the creation of the new era,
and didn?t plan on seeing her again. As much as it had eased the longing in her heart
for family, the love of an apparition could only hold so much satisfaction.
She eventually learned to rule without distant memories, as experience taught
her well. Her Senshi Elders came to be known as the greatest body ever to help
govern a populace, as well it should have. They lost their young look and vibrant
ever-increasing energy, and focused their tired minds on the training of their children
and successors. They survived the Black Moon War, and fought against countless
other enemies. Sailormoon became a legend, as Serenity could not longer transform,
for a reason unknown to her. She still fought beside her friends as she always had,
though all of her other advisors were strongly opposed to such acts of ?rashness.?
Two thousand years of living finally began to take their toll on the original
senshi. They lost not only their youthful looks and energy, but also their want to rule
and fight. Mercury became increasingly ill; she had never been the strongest of them
physically. Venus, though thrust into battle often because of her position as the
Commander of Forces for Crystal Tokyo, began to lose her edge as the strongest
warrior. Mars retreated to the preserved Hikawi Shrine often, and honed her psychic
ability to near-perfection. Jupiter, with few hobbies other than cooking and training,
became closer with Serenity, Endymion, and the teenage Princess Serenity. Attitudes
toward the monarchy of old changed as the first generation of citizens of Crystal Tokyo
died and the children assumed their roles. Many felt that the original senshi no longer
were capable to rule and advise, and that they should step down and allow their more
modern children to ascend to power. The Elders, however, refused to succumb to the
new movements, and instead tried to return to the peace they once knew in the Silver
Millennium. Time and time over their decisions proved well-founded, but they
influenced the thinking under a time restraint; no one is immortal.
* * *
Serenity laid an elegant hand on Mercury?s shoulder. The old woman looked at
her Queen, eyes filled with love. The Senshi were required to remain transformed at
the insistence of a Congress. Though they were well adjusted to the fukus, the Senshi
still found them more uncomfortable than their civilian forms.
?Ami-chan, I give you permission to detransform,? Serenity stated softly. ?You
have served your duty.?
Ami closed her eyes, savoring moments she knew would be her last as Sailor
Mercury. Slowly, piece by piece, her sailor fuku was replace with jeans and a button-
down shirt. She painfully reached beside her to give Serenity her transformation pen.
?I want you to have this,? she said quietly. Ami closed her hand over it, feeling
the familiar clean metal pulse with power. Power she once held and controlled like no
other could. She tried to memorize every detail, but found she already had. Slowly,
hesitantly, she gave it her best friend, her savior. As she handed it to her, she felt as if
a part of her was going with it. Sailormercury had been a part of her for so long she
didn?t remember how not to be her.
Memories washed over her in a flood, something she had grown accustomed
to, but not in this magnitude. So many memories, from all the way back to the Silver
Millennium, resurfaced. ?Not now. Please, not now,? she begged, so soft it was barely
audible. Her last memory was of Usagi, befriending her, saving her.
Princess Ami of Mercury died in the battle against Queen Beryl, trying
desperately to save her Princess. Mizuno Ami, a world renowned doctor and close
friend of many, died as she chose her duty over her own freedom of the future. Sailor
Mercury, the Soldier of Knowledge and Reason, died of a cancer she had researched
for two hundred years trying to find a cure. Ami-chan, Usagi?s protector, advisor,
friend, and her first comrade in battle, died. Usagi didn?t care what the cause.
* * *
Sailormars assumed many of the duties Sailormercury left behind. The
scientific world?s progress noticeably slowed, due to the loss of one of the most
intelligent beings in the universe. She was buried in a beautiful secluded clearing on
the grounds of the Hikawi Shrine. Neo-Queen Serenity wept bitterly for months after
her death, but eventually came to terms with her pain; after all, no one is immortal.
* * *
Sailorjupiter tried desperately to restrain Serenity. Though much larger in
size, she had trouble. The screen in front of them showed Mars as she fought her way
to the downed Venus. Serenity cried and screamed as she tried to break free of
Jupiter so she could join them. Endymion quickly stepped up to help. The three
watched on helplessly as Mars cradled Venus?s head in her lap and began to cry
softly. Though the projection was soundless, they could hear every word said.
Venus?s blond hair turned red as the blood from her wound soaked over her entire
body. Serenity choked out a sob as Venus?s hand fell limply beside her. On the
screen, Sailormars screamed silently.
Princess Minako of Venus died in the battle against Queen Beryl, trying
desperately to save her Princess. Aino Minako, the famous Sailor V model and close
friend of many, died as she chose her duty over her own freedom of the future. Sailor
Venus, the Soldier of Love and Beauty, died in a war as she tried to restore peace and
happiness to people. Minako-chan, Usagi?s protector, advisor, friend, and second in
command, died. Usagi didn?t care what the cause.
* * *
Sailorjupiter assumed the position as Commander of Forces. The military
world suffered the loss of one of the greatest generals ever to walk the planet. Neo-
Queen Serenity stepped down as Queen, and her daughter ascended the role. Sailor
Mars spent much time with her, and the Queen Mother?s mental deterioration began
to show. Sailorjupiter spent more time with her few remaining old friends, trying to
relive the joy of the past. Sailorvenus was buried next to her comrade, Sailor
Mercury, at the Hikawi Shrine. Neo-Queen Serenity gradually overcame her grief;
after all, no one is immortal.
* * *
Sailormars gave a contented sigh. Above her, Serenity cried over and over for
a medic, but Mars knew none would save her, not this time. The assassin was killed,
but not before it had done the damage. Mars had no regrets, she always had said she
would die for Serenity, and the way she saw it, she was just proving her point. She
never could lose an argument.
Actually, the only thing she did regret was that she would be leaving Serenity.
She thought her friend still needed her. The death of the King, Endymion, was still
fresh in her mind, and still haunted her dreams. But Serenity was strong, and would
live on. She smiled as Jupiter knelt down beside her.
?Oh, Rei-chan,? she sobbed, ?what are we ever going to do without you??
Rei smiled. ?You?ll live, and laugh, and remember. Please, please remember.?
?How could we ever forget??
?I love you, Usagi-chan, Mako-chan.?
The mighty, fiery Sailormars closed her eyes for the last time.
Princess Rei of Mars died in the battle against Queen Beryl, trying desperately
to save her Princess. Rei Hino, spiritual advisor and close friend of many, died as she
chose her duty over her own freedom of the future. Sailormars, the Soldier of the
Spirits and Justice, died protecting the person she loved most in the world. Rei-chan,
Usagi?s protector, advisor, friend, and her most trusted mentor, died. Usagi didn?t care
what the cause.
* * *
Neo-Queen Serenity fell into a deep depression. Sailorjupiter, the last active
Sailor Senshi of the original team, did not take any of her comrades responsibilities.
She even gave up her own to stay with her Princess. Serenity still advised her
daughter, but on a rare occasion. Jupiter stayed by her side through everything, as
always the loyal follower. Sailormars was buried next to her grandfather at the Hikawi
Shrine, her home of old. Serenity never stopped grieving, but she did emerge from
her depression. The way she thought of it, no one is immortal.
* * *
Serenity and Makoto returned to the hill they had so often sat on to admire their
work. The city below still gleamed in prosperity, but it had changed much since its
creation. This was where Makoto had chosen to die, for she knew it was coming.
Serenity had agreed, and they had left alone, and Makoto was going to die with only
Serenity there. She faced it bravely, though she was terrified. A true warrior to the
end, she would not run from the inevitable.
?Usagi-chan, will you be alright?? she asked.
?No,? Serenity said. ?But I?ll deal.?
?Good. I don?t want you to be too sad.?
Serenity snorted. ?But you do want me to be sad??
?No, but well...a little would be kinda nice,? Makoto said with a smile.
They passed hours like that, with only small talk, remembering the times past
when they had fought together. She died, eventually, and peaceful death. Serenity
was happy for her, she could now be with the others. But she was also a little sad, just
like Makoto had wanted.
Princess Makoto of Jupiter died in the battle against Queen Beryl, trying
desperately to save her Princess. Kino Makoto, one of the strongest fighters ever and
close friend of many, died as she chose her duty over her own freedom of the future.
Sailorjupiter, the Soldier of Loyalty and Strength, died peacefully of old age. Mako-
chan, Usagi?s protector, advisor, and friend, died. Usagi didn?t care what the cause.
* * *
Sailorjupiter was buried with the other Sailor Senshi at the Hikawi Shrine.
Serenity mourned the death of her friends, but did not grieve. They were lucky, they
were together. Soon, she would be too.
Her mental state deteriorated rapidly, probably from old age and an
overwhelming power. She spent her time playing with her grandchildren, reading
them books, and just enjoying her old age.
Public view of her crashed, though. Her influence over her daughter was still
strong, and some saw that as a threat because they believed she was not capable of
rational thought. Revolts sprung up throughout the kingdom, not against the monarchy
but against her. The Queen stopped informing her of them, though, because she
never responded. The once-mighty Neo-Queen Serenity had been reduced to
nothing.
She sat staring out a window, and suddenly a strange feeling overcame her.
?Chibi-Usa,? she whispered, bolting to her feet. Her nurse, put in charge to make sure
she did not hurt herself, asked what was wrong. Before she responded, Serenity
teleported to outside the palace.
In front of her was a large crowd, roaring and cheering as the Queen was
pushed and shoved. The guards sent to protect her lay strewn at the top of the
staircase, where Serenity stood. It took a few minutes for the crowd to notice she was
there.
?The Queen Mother!? one shouted. The crowd surged forward, only to be
stopped by an invisible barrier.
?What is the meaning of this?? she demanded. A man walked forward,
obviously a leader.
?You, actually,? he said. ?We don?t want you in power anymore.?
?Well, you don?t have to worry about that,? she exclaimed. ?I gave up my
position as Queen years ago. And who would listen to a crazy old lady??
The crowd snickered at her sarcasm. ?This is a dispute between the public and
me. Leave my daughter out of it,? she added, more venomously.
?Then who will we deal with?? he asked. ?You? You are an insane old woman.
You probably don?t even understand what is going on.?
?Trust me, I do. I may be old, but I?m not as senile as I am thought. I am quite
capable of rational thought,? she retorted. ?Now release my daughter.? Reluctantly,
the crowd did so. The Queen joined her mother at the top of the staircase. A chatter
swept through them, and shortly, all of their energy was renewed to enforce their
cause.
?You are our ruin!? someone yelled. The crowd surged forward again, but were
stopped. This time, though, the barrier was not of magic, but the Queen Mother
herself.
?I am the last of the Senshi!? she bellowed. ?I am Neo-Queen Serenity! And by
the Gods, I am Sailormoon!? Her power emanated from all around her, aweing the
people. They bowed to the last of the Senshi, their rightful Queen, for the last time.
After all, no one is immortal.
The End.
*************
Okay! That?s it! This was just a quick little side project I decided to do in the middle of
the night. I hope everyone liked it. The end was kinda bad, but then again, it?s also
three in the morning when I finished it. Email me and let me know your comments at
alliezorn@yahoo.com and visit my site, www.geocities.com/sailor_soul_99
Allie Zorn
(
geocities.com/sailor_soul_99)