The Crow is copyrighted to James O'Barr and Kitchen Sink.  
Sailor Moon is copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi and 
Kodansya.  This story is a new telling of the downfall 
of the Moon Kingdom, using the myth of The Crow.  Thank
you for reading!
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"People once believed that when a person died,
A crow carried their soul to the land of the dead.
But sometimes, something so bad happens that a terrible
sadness is carried with it; and the soul can't rest.
Then sometimes, just sometimes, the crow can bring that 
soul back to make the wrong things right."
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THE CROW: SERENITY  ACT THREE
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Reflections.
Endymion stands again in the ruins of the grand 
ballroom.  Shadows dance across the crumbling walls.
The crow flies to a fallen pillar and lands, its eyes
intent on an object below.  A flash of gold catches
Endymion's eye.  He walks over and falls to his knees.
Amid the dirt and ash there is a tiny circle of gold, a
ring of promise.
Her ring.
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They sit together, amid the flowers, under the star
filled sky.  He takes her hand and slips on the ring,
and promises.
"Oh, Endymion," she replies softly and goes into his
arms.  He holds her and promises her.  Forever.
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He holds the promise in his hand and rage fills him.
He screams; echoes fill the lifeless hall.  The crow
takes flight...
In an ebony castle, far from the domain of the people,
the evil Queen sits.  She frowns as her Generals drag in
the bloodied body of their comrade.
"Queen Beryl," Kunzite begins, "we just found Jadeite, 
dead, near the edge of the forest."
"Who has done this?"  she asks without remorse.
"We don't know," replies Zoisite in a shaky voice.  
"But...but there was an outline of a bird...drawn next
to him...in...in his own blood."
"Nephrite has gone to investigate, your Majesty,"
Kunzite informs her.  The Queen waves her hand and the
two drag the body away.  
Someone is daring to interfere in her domain.  She is
not pleased...
Nephrite curses under his breath as he approaches the
ruins of the Moon Palace.  This is the last place he has
to check before heading back.  He will surely be
punished for coming back empty handed.
As he walks carefully among the debris, a faint noise
catches his ear.  He senses someone there.  
Laughter fills the air.
"Show yourself," Nephrite demands.
The crow flies out past Nephrite and lands on a fallen
column.
"A crow?"  Nephrite asks aloud.
"One is for sadness.  Two is for joy."
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"I'll never be unhappy again," she says, "now that you
are here.  You are my happiness, my joy."
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"Three for a girl."
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She smiles at him and takes his hand.
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"Four for a boy."
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He holds her tightly in his arms.
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"Six is for silver.  Seven is for gold.  Eight is for
a secret, never to be told."
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He promises her.  Forever.  Only forever?  Forever and
ever.
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The blade cuts into Nephrite's shoulder before he sees
the sword.  He cries out and pulls away, grasping at
the wound as his blood pours forth.  His eyes grow wide
as he sees him standing there.  It can't be him.
"She--she killed you!  You're dead!"
Endymion smiles.  "I was dead.  Perhaps I still am.  But
more importantly, you soon will be."
Nephrite lunges at him and their swords clash.  Endymion
forces him back and the General stumbles.  The sword
finds its mark in a flash, the blade sinks deep into
Nephrite's arm.  Painful, but not fatal.  Very painful.
Endymion pushes Nephrite towards a wall and pins him
there.  Nephrite clecnches his teeth and looks at him
with fearful eyes.
"I want you to deliver a message for me," Endymion
instructs.  "Tell Beryl and the others that death is
coming for them."  With these words he pulls his sword
out.  Nephrite falls to his knees and clutches his arm.
"Go."  Endymion points into the night and the General
scurries off, leaving a trail of blood...
Endymion begins to climb the ruins of the Palace.  The
crow circles around as he makes his way to the part of
the roof that still stands.  He looks out into the
darkness and throws his head up to the sky.
"Serenity!  I'm coming home!"  The words echo throughout
the night.
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"Forever."
"Only forever?"
"And ever."
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