Chapter Six: Fallen



The two groups faced each other in silence for a moment, advantages and disadvantages being weighed in for the impending battle. The senshi obviously had confidence in numbers but it didn't seal the ending to this fight. The battle hadn't begun yet because neither side knew if they could win without heavy losses. Finally Dark Shadow Mercury looked blankly at the clones of the senshi and smirked, "I see the Omega Master has fixed your raspy voices."

"Obviously well enough to fool you."

Sailor Mercury's clone smiled as she mused and eyed the lines of battle slowly. Sailor Jupiter's clone crossed her arms over her chest and grinned as well, obviously amused by something, "Not to mention Sailor Moon."

That didn't sit well with Eternal Sailor Moon and she huffed loudly at the insult, "So what? Just because you fooled me doesn't mean you will do it again!"

This presented an opportunity for Kumo and a plan began to brew in his altered mind. Appearing to be amused at her anger he stepped forward and tilted his head lightly, "Sailor Moon, you're the most pathetic warrior I have ever seen. If not for the other senshi, you would be the Master's lapdog by now."

She was visibly hurt by this remark and bit her lip in silence by it. She wouldn't go undefended as Super Sailor Uranus stepped forward with a frown on her face, "That's not true. Who was it that sealed the Omega Master back in the Dark Prism?"

"True, she did get lucky but we'll see how she does on her own." Fukai sneered and gave the Shadow senshi a smug glance, "Isn't that right, guys?" The comment made all four of them blink, obviously lost on the meaning. Then it was Shadow Mars who understood where he was going with this and returned a dark glare at him.

"Don't push that button, Fukai. You won't like what it gets you."

The subject brought curiosity on the face of the Sailor senshi and slowly the rest of the Shadow senshi figured it out as well. It did make Sailor Moon curious enough to give Shadow Mars a questioning glance, "What? What is he talking about?"

"Rubbish from our dimension."

"Rubbish? I thought you four believed in the prophecy."

This all started to become even more interesting and Sailor Moon turned her full attention on Shadow Mars now, "What prophecy?"

"Enough of this! I'm gonna get this fight going right now!" Shadow Jupiter yelled out and started towards the other group with determination in his eyes. The way they were all avoiding the subject made a bad feeling sweep over Sailor Moon and she just watched Shadow Mars for some kind of clue as to what they were hiding.

Kumo was very intrigued by this now and tried to look an innocently surprised as he could, "Oh, they haven't told you about the prophecy?"

"Apparently not if we're asking." Sailor Venus quipped and was as eager to hear about this as anyone else. Kumo slowly slid into his fighting stance and the move made Shadow Jupiter stop where he was. He lingered a moment and tried to anticipate what he would do. To his displeasure he just kept talking.

"There was a prophecy in our dimension about the end of the Omega Master. When the Organization started to demolish the earth, a wise man said that there was only one person that could defeat the Omega Master.....a child of the moon. We always assumed this meant Sentaku....or Shadow Moon. After he was killed, however, this left little threat against the Omega Master. He reveled in his invincibility. Unfortunately, we have another child of the moon now."

This brought a shade of hope on Sailor Moon's face and she suddenly felt a bit more confident. With a giddy laugh she puffed her chest out and acted the part that was just subscribed to her, "See? That means I can beat the Omega Master!"

Although it did strike as truth with the others, Shadow Mars narrowed his eyes a bit and waited for other shoe to drop. Kumo continued with his little story and released the shoestrings, "True, there is that small chance. However, that wasn't all of the prophecy. The second part is what might concern you."

"What is it?"

"Mindless ramblings of an old man. They're only telling you this to knock you off your guard, Sailor Moon." Shadow Mars warned and looked at her out of the corner of his eye. She blinked as she looked back and wondered how he could ask her to dismiss a prophecy in which she could defeat the Omega Master. The lines it was drawing within the senshi made Kumo smile darkly and finish.

"Although there's a small chance she could defeat the Master, there is one catch. To do it, she will lose everyone she loves. The prophecy states that no other senshi will survive the battle with the Master. So, if by some miracle she does destroy the Master, all of you," An accusing finger was pointed up at all of the other senshi and that dark smile twisted even more, "Will die."

The last part of the prophecy didn't go over as well as the first and Sailor Moon suddenly felt her heart stop, if only for a moment, "No. That isn't true."

He had known that was where it was headed all along and Shadow Mars didn't like it at all. However it was Shadow Mercury who offered a small glimmer of hope for her, "He's quite right, but he's also omitting another part. The prophecy specifically states that no Shadow senshi would survive. It says nothing about Sailor senshi."

This subject suddenly brought a wry smile on the face of Sailor Mar's clone. Her eyes still gazed forcefully onto Shadow Mars and this was the perfect opportunity to take what she wanted, "Let's test that then." A small circle of flames appeared in the palm of her hand and was quick to through her hand forward. A very thin beam of light escaped her hand and threaded deep into the group of senshi. Everyone turned in horror as Sailor Mars carefully grasped her chest and blinked slowly. Stains of red started to creep from under her hands and her body suddenly became very weak under her own weight. Utter surprise was all that reflected in her dimming eyes.

"Sailor Moon?"

Just as the words left her mouth she fell backwards and was caught by Sailor Jupiter. She quickly knelt down and lowered her to the ground, pure fear filling her chest. As the other Inner senshi gathered around her in shock Sailor Moon rushed over quickly and dropped next to her in a panic, "Rei! Rei! No....don't close your eyes!" As she tried desperately to comfort the fallen senshi, the rest of them just watched in silence reprise.

The dark eyes of Shadow Mars were wide as they just stayed on her fallen body and a welling of emotion seemed to tug at his rigid lips. What had happened so quickly now was tearing away at him very slowly. As a cool breeze lifted his white hair away from his face his lips parted in a single word, "Rei...."

"Poor Yamito. If it makes you feel better I'll take you back." Sailor Mars's clone cooed and looked at him with a wide grin on her face. She didn't get a reaction from him but she still managed to laugh at his loss. Then the dark glare moved to her and it caused her laugh to trail away. It was obvious she had struck something deep inside of him and foreboding flames burned silently in his eyes. Suddenly there was flash of light and the smug grin was wiped off her face. All of the others slowly looked to the clone and found a breathless look on her face. Her eyes slowly started to glass over and become empty as a lone figure stood behind her. Shadow Mars faced away from them all and held his hand up slightly, something clutched in the confines of it. The incredible speed he had employed simply took everyone by surprise and she slowly managed to get some words out, "I...can't.....this is impossi......." As quickly as she had mortally wounded Sailor Mars, the clone's own eyes become void and she fell forward onto her face. Her body was quick to disperse into a vapor that quickly swirled around and disappeared into Sailor Mars's body.

All eyes slowly moved back to Shadow Mars and his head turned a little so he could glance over at the rest of the clones, "The information was correct. It seems that these clones," His fingers slowly opened from around the object he held and revealed a very unusual Star Seed in his hand, "Possess a their own star seed, as it were." As quickly as he had moved to strike the clone he disappeared and suddenly was next to Sailor Moon. Those two blue eyes were full of fear as they gazed up at him and away from her friend. What she found was a deep emotion burning in his dark eyes, giving a glimpse into the furthest confines of his being. He stood a moment and just stared at Sailor Mars's weak face, then slowly held out the star seed to Sailor Moon, "See if this will help."

Sailor Moon could only nod lightly and take the star seed into her hand. Very quickly she held it over Sailor Mars and bit her lip in anticipation. The rest of the senshi were breathless as an eternity seemed to pass. Then, just as everyone was giving up on it, the seed began to glow lightly. Sailor Moon pulled her hand away slowly and seed began to spin, sending beams of light in the body of Sailor Mars. Then the seed disappeared and left a darkness above it. However, Sailor Mars slowly stirred and opened her eyes to her friends, a weak feeling still sweeping over her body.

"Why are all of you looking so sad?"

"Oh Rei!" Sailor Moon weeped and hugged her tightly. The rest of the senshi breathed a sigh of relief and watched in silence. The Shadow senshi were keeping out of it altogether and keeping the enemies at bay, except for Shadow Mars. A smile creeped over his cold face and he let out a short breath. Then he turned from the scene and went back to face the others, returning to his apathetic demeanor. However, a voice behind him made him stop.

"Yami?"

He instantly knew who it was and turned his head slightly, letting Sailor Mars come into his view. She could only look at him with a weak laugh and looked down a bit, "Uhm, nevermind."

Her attempt made him smile once more and turn back to the enemies, "Later, Sailor Mars." The statement was lost on everyone else but Sailor Mars just nodded in agreement. Soon the rest of the senshi were back to face against the forces of the Omega Master, or what was left of them.

"You'll pay for doing that, Shadow senshi."

The threat from Sailor Jupiter's clone came off as idle at best and didn't even make Shadow Mars bat an eye. However the rest of the clones and the other two were gearing up for their last offensive. Despite heavy odds and less power, Kumo still seemed confident, "We won't fall as easily as a clone."

"I hope not. I want some fun before we go off to wipe the floor with the Omega wanker."

Shadow Venus's enthusiasm gave the rest of the senshi a good tone to set by but proved to anger the others. Fukai was obviously annoyed by it all and raised his hand above his head, "I wouldn't plan on it, Suteki." A swirling ball of energy appeared and lingered a moment above his head, then was hurled at the senshi with a loud yell. Although the blast was slow, it packed a punch. The senshi quickly leapt out of the way but the explosion scattered them all away from each other. With that, the evil forces soon disappeared as well.

"I can take you all!"


Sailor Jupiter's clone seemed very confident as she faced off against three opponents. Sailor Jupiter was at the front of the others and waiting for her chance to settle with her clone. Shadow Mars idly watched as he stood next to Shadow Mercury and they both knew who would win this battle. A quick look from Shadow Mars made Shadow Mercury blink and look to him. Those dark eyes moved away slightly and then back and the order was well received. Both of them disappeared into thin air and left Sailor Jupiter alone with her clone. Them leaving didn't sit well with her clone, "Hey, come back here!"

"Hmph, like you can get past me." The two faced against each other and a silence passed between them. The clone's body suddenly tensed up and she was about ready to attack when another voice filled the air.

"Well, this will be an interesting fight. I almost hate to get involved." The two looked over to Shadow Jupiter and he stood to their sides with his arms crossed over his chest. A calm smile was on his face but, oddly enough, it caused both of the girls to snarl at him.

"Then don't get involved! I can beat her myself."

"Huh! When I'm through with her, I'll come wipe that smug look off your face!"

The outburst caused him to blink and grin sheepishly. Their reaction shouldn't have come as a surprise to him but he just rubbed the back of his head and waved a bit with his hand, "Okay, okay, have it your way. I won't get involved." With that the two were left to battle it out and that's exactly what happened. While under the watchful eyes of Shadow Jupiter, Sailor Jupiter charged forward and came to blows with her clone. The talent was obvious as both employed great skill in fighting the other. It was also obvious who would win this in the end.

"Hah! Is this all you have?" Sailor Jupiter called out as she caught a weak punch from her clone. The clone was putting forth all her effort to win this but coming up short. It was beginning to make her angry.

"I'm still full of surprises!"

Her foot slid back and she suddenly kicked upwards with her opposite one, trying to catch Sailor Jupiter across the face. She was wise to the move, however, and tilted her head to the side to avoid it. In a technical move she kicked her own foot behind the only foot of her clone that was on the ground and stepped forward, knocking her clone to the ground hard. Then she punched down forcefully to finish her but only met the rock. Cracks filled the rock under her punch and she quickly looked up around for her clone. Where she found her was standing casually a little bit away with a grin on her face. Sailor Jupiter slowly stood back up and clenched her fist triumphantly, "Why are you running away? Scared?"

"No, I just wanted to show you something."

"And what would that be?"

"This." The clone raised up her hand and held a single object in it. Unfortunately, it was a familiar object.

A wave of anger came of Shadow Jupiter's face as he saw it also and lowered his arms to the side, "You scum. Where did you get that?"

The green eyes of the clone moved over the ring in her hand and an evil smile came over her face, "You know where. Your little friend put up a good fight. It was sad I had to kill him for it.....he was kinda cute." That statement made him even more angry and a few sparks of electricity ran through his white hair. His henshin ring provided an Achilles heel to his ability and he could only guess how this would be used against him. Sailor Jupiter just watched with the same anger in her eyes and stepped forward a bit. Her clone quickly turned to her, "Ah ah, not too close.....or else...."

Suddenly she closed her hand around the ring and it started to glow in a dark energy. At the same time Shadow Jupiter fell to his knees in pain as the same energy surrounded him as well. Sailor Jupiter quickly looked to him and gasped in terror, "Kage!" The clone enjoyed every moment of this and clenched her fist tighter around the ring, making him yell out even louder. Sailor Jupiter quickly looked back to her and held her hand out desperately, "Stop! Please stop!"

"After how he treated me? How he dismissed me like I was some thing!? We look the exact same and.....and he chose you!"

The energy began to glow even brighter and Sailor Jupiter looked from her clone to her lover. Her emerald green eyes were wide in fear and she couldn't help but do what she did, "Stop it! I'll do anything you want! Just leave him alone!" The idea struck interest in her clone and she looked at her mirror image for a moment. However, she wouldn't have time to act on it.

Suddenly the ring in her hand started to glow brighter than her and she quickly looked to it. Bolts of lightning started to creep out from between her fingers and she started to wince in pain. Both of them looked quickly over to a very determined, but also a very weakened Shadow Jupiter glaring at the clone, "You think I'll let you manipulate her by threatening me? Sorry, it doesn't work that way!" The energy started to become greater than the clone could handle and she started to yell out in pain.

"What are you doing!?"

Sailor Jupiter watched breathlessly and felt her heart stop when he spoke again, "Makoto....finish her off. I can't do it alone.....you have to."

"But your ring.....won't it....."

"Forget about the ring! You have to finish off the Omega Master even if I can't! To do that, you have to kill your clone!"

"I.....I can't....."

Suddenly his face became tighter as the clone started to fight back desperately. Only Sailor Jupiter was left untouched but felt a pain all her own as she watched him. The look she received from him, however, testified to his determination, "My ring will be destroyed either way! If you don't do it....she will! Now do it!" No matter how hard his words were, she knew they were true. A moment of reluctance came over her and she watched him with fear welling up in her. Then she pressed her eyes closed and faced her clone, "Jupiter Oak Revolution!" The razor sharp leaves of energy pierced and cut the body of her clone as they flew all around her. Coupled with the energy from Shadow Jupiter's ring, her clone was quick to scream out and fade into a mass of vapor. The vapor soon returned to her body like a warm mist. All that was left where she stood was the ring that was glowing. Then, it faded away and disappeared into the air. A moment of relief came over Sailor Jupiter as she stood there, but then her eyes moved quickly over to Shadow Jupiter. His eyes were closed and his face was relaxed and she feared the worst. Just as she began to run towards him his body began to lift into the air a bit and a white glow illuminated his chest. Sailor Jupiter's legs carried her as fast as she could towards him but she couldn't reach him in time. Just as her gloved hand reached out to touch his face, his body disappeared in a flash of white light. She was left standing where he was with a horrified gasp on her face.


"Jupiter...."

Shadow Mercury's attentions were elsewhere as he looked off in the direction of the fading energy. A blank look came across his face and everything around him seemed a bit distant at the passing of his friend. His distraction left him wide open for attack and Sailor Mercury's clone would certainly take advantage of it. Her figure suddenly landed right next to him and caught him unguarded. A quick blast of energy, much like Sailor Mercury's Aqua Rhapsody, was slammed into his stomach and caused his breath to be taken from him. His eyes went wide and he fell to one knee before her, much to her delight, "My apologies, Kurai. I didn't want to hit you when you weren't looking." The smile on her face made him sneer a bit and hold his hand across his stomach deviously. In a quick motion he rolled away from her and spun around, throwing his arm out and sending his triad at her. His maneuver did catch her by surprise but she was quick enough to reach out and grab the triad from the air. This time he was surprised and she slowly looked back to him with it in her hand, "Do you really think this little toy will stop the Master?"

"Perhaps not, but it will stop you."

That proposal made the clone smile widely and a dull glow appeared in her eyes, "That is doubtful." Without warning she ran right at him and slices the triad through the air at him. Although her managed to avoid the first, the second came back across and put a long cut down his arm. His reaction to the cut was enough to let her use her energy attack once more at point blank range. Not only did the blast send him flying across the ground, it also knocked her back away from it as well. Though he took the brunt of it and was still struggling to get up, she was a little sore from it as well and glared at him, "Now to finish you. This is for ignoring me as a lover!"

As her attack formed one more time identical energy came from the side and struck her harshly. She was knocked to the ground and disoriented for a moment, though never let go of what she held in her hand. Her attentions moved up to the figure that was walking towards her and her eyes narrowed, "Sailor Mercury. Don't you get tired of saving this Shadow senshi?"

"I would never stand by and let anyone be hurt, especially Kurai and especially by you."

Sailor Mercury stood determined to protect Shadow Mercury and watched as her clone struggled to her feet. The clone held her hand behind her back and looked at her other form with anger in her eyes, "What about yourself? Who will protect you!?" With a flick of her arm the triad was sent towards her at an incredible speed. Sailor Mercury winced as she waited to dodge the blades, not quite sure if she was up the task. She wouldn't have the chance see. Shadow Mercury suddenly leaped in front of her and caught the triad. His body curled up around it and he rolled out of the way, catching both of them by surprise.

"Take her now, Ami!"

With a quick nod Sailor Mercury used her Aqua Rhapsody attack once more on her weakened clone. The clone tried to avoid the blast was instantly consumed by the energy. With a loud shriek her body was turned into vapor that quickly returned to Sailor Mercury. Seeing her clone abolished made Sailor Mercury smile and turn to Shadow Mercury. He was still curled up on the ground where he caught his triad and she walked over to him with a blink in her eyes, "Kurai?" Kneeling down she set her hand on his shoulder and felt a wave of tension fill her body. As she rolled him over her eyes widened in terror and she couldn't find the words to scream. Shadow Mercury stared up into the sky with tired eyes and held his hands over the triad, all while it stabbed into his chest. Although giving his life to save her wasn't the problem, the look on her face when he looked over to her broke his heart.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I've died once before...."

"Just.....don't say anything! We can get you help!" She cried out and tried to press on the wound, though the triad was just in the way. Even though he winced at her attempts to help, the light smile never left his face as he looked at her.

"It's too late for that."

"How can you be so calm! You're bleeding!"

"Perhaps it would have been wiser to catch it in my hand. Yes.....I think that was my mistake."

"I don't want you to die.....not again!"

For a long time he just watched her shed tears over his wound. It was calming and also disturbing at the same time. His hand suddenly brought her attention from the wound to his face and he ran his fingers along her cheek softly, "Do you realize how much I care about you?" His question made her heart race but the light touch of his fingers also made her chest rise in a slow breath. To answer his question, she only nodded. It was enough to make him let out a long breath and smile, all the while his icy blue eyes closed, "Then I have no regrets." Suddenly her face was illuminated by a white light from inside his chest and she desperately tried to hold onto him. In the end, however, his body faded away in a flash of white light and left her to hold empty air.


Fukai looked more annoyed than anything as he faced off against the beautiful Sailor Neptune. Although he had considered himself far more powerful than she, he had yet to make a significant hit on her. The main reason of this was, perhaps, Sailor Pluto. The both of them had been making short work of the fallen Shadow senshi and Fukai didn't seem happy at all for this.

"You two are sorely overestimating your chances!"

The threat came off as weak and Sailor Neptune lightly hugged herself, all the while letting a placid look come over her. Sailor Pluto held her Garnet Orb staff in front of her and looked at him with much the same look. Their silence made Fukai even more angry and caused him to charge wildly at them. Jagged lines of energy trailed across his arms and he began to lose his cool demeanor. At once he punched at the two but only found the rock bed as they both jumped away. His attack, however, shattered the rock and proved he wasn't holding anything back. The two senshi were almost toying with him now and Sailor Neptune quickly countered with a precise energy attack.

"Neptune Deep Submerge!"

The attack sped along and Fukai barely managed to avoid it. However as soon as he got his bearing again, a Dead Scream was approaching from the other side. This time the attack barely grazed him as he once again managed to miss. When he came back around this time Sailor Neptune was right in front of him with her Deep Submerge ready once more. Sensing the end, Fukai yelled out with wide eyes, "Wait!"

In a moment of mercy, the two stopped a moment and Sailor Neptune waited for some kind of sly deal proposal or threat once more, "What is it?" What she got surprised even her even more.

"Tell me something, Sailor Neptune. Do you and Sailor Uranus have an intimate connection?"

The question dropped her guard and she stared at him in silence. Much to her surprise, he didn't attack her. The two just looked at each other for a moment and a soft smile came over the face of Fukai, "I see. I can see the answer in your eyes. Perhaps...." His hand slowly moved up to the collar around his neck and an idle glance was made to the area in which Kumo was at, "It is our time now. I once thought I could cheat time and spend eternity with my love."

"Time is something nobody can cheat."

The soft words from Sailor Pluto made Fukai smile even more and close his eyes slowly. Suddenly Sailor Neptune's eyes widened and she watched his hand tighten around the collar, "You....know what that will do to you?"

Soft hues of Aqua Green reflected her image as he opened his eyes and looked at her with deep regret, "I do. I see I will not win this fight. But maybe if you care for your Uranus....as I cared for mine.....it won't be so bad." Without another word he ripped the collar from his neck and dropped it at his side. Both of the senshi stared as his body filled with a light glow and his eyes pressed closed once more. Then, just like that, his body disappeared and left a dark Star Seed in his place. It glowed there in powerful isolation and showed the Omega Master's abilities. However, a Deep Submerge quickly destroyed it and let its host be free.

Sailor Uranus warded off Kumo with a threat from her Space Sword but smiled with great pride. She had been winning this fight since it started and made sure not forget who gave her the finer points of his fighting style.

"Remind me to thank Kage for his help. Without him, this would be much harder."

The subject of that taunt made Kumo glare at her and his fists balled up at his sides, "Do you have any idea how hard it is to deal with that guy? Look at you....a pretty girl bats her eyes a few times at him and he practically gives you his respect. Figures."

That statement made Sailor Uranus blink slowly as a realization came to her. Suddenly she laughed softly and looked at him with a wide grin on her face, "You think Kage and I......he would fall over laughing if he heard that. Let's say that he's not my type and leave it at that." The whole tone of the fight had degenerated into what Kumo saw before him, being teased by this Sailor senshi. His hand ran through his blonde hair and he once again got ready to attack.

"It doesn't matter now. He's dead anyway." That made the smile disappear off her face and she regarded that as another ploy to drop her guard. However the look in his eyes made her wince and a feeling of dread washed over her. It seemed to amuse Kumo, "Even if you don't care for him like that, it's obvious you do care. If you don't believe me, find Sailor Jupiter. I'm sure she'll be crying." Against her better judgment she looked off to the side to find the familiar figure of Shadow Jupiter. She was getting the distinct feeling that he wasn't lying and she could feel her stomach churning. That was when he attacked. A powerful blast knocked her skidding to ground and her Space Sword was lost to her. She came to a stop near a gathering of rocks and stirred a bit painfully on the ground. Then his voice filled the air as he charged her with another powerful blast gathering in his hands. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked up just in time to find him with the blast raised above his head. His eyes were flashing wildly and he laughed at the thought of it.

"Tell him hello when you see him!"

Quick thinking prevailed as Sailor Uranus suddenly felt something near her fingers. The gathering of rocks suddenly burst apart as another sword was brought up in her hand. Shadow Jupiter's blade momentarily reflected the look of surprise on Kumo's face before the blade pierced his stomach. His blast slowly faded from his hands and he stepped back in shock, a labored breath escaping his lips. As he stumbled she rose to her feet and slowly let the blade go, "Kani will rest well knowing it was this sword that ended you." Kumo just closed his eyes around the blade and fell to his knees, gasping weakly. A long silence followed as he slowly felt his life draining away. Then his hand left the handle of the sword and he reached up around his neck. Sailor Uranus watched at he ripped the collar from his neck and accepted a fate the same as Fukai. The sword hit the ground with a clang and only left the Prayer Star Seed floating above it slowly. Sailor Uranus watched it carelessly but started to rub her wrists lightly. Then a flash of lightning from the sword turned the seed into a flash of sparkles, then nothing more.


Next Chapter: Costly Victory