To say that I was in shock would be an understatement. "Haruka has pur her life on the line for many years," Seiya said, "She has proven herself over and over again, and you can't give Michiru the Life Stone?!" "I can not." Mercury said sadly. "I don't understand." I whispered, sinking to my knees, "Why?" "It has to be a nobel cause. Unfortunately the life of your lover is not good enough." "Not good enough!" I exclaimed angrily, rising to my feet, "Not good enough! Haruka and I have fought side by side for years! We protected the Moon Kingdom of old, and we have always protected Princess Serenity, now Queen Serenity. We have sacrificed our lives for the better cause, and this isn't good enough! How dare you." Rage filled me, I could not control my emotions. My hand struck out, and slapped Mercury across the face. "Michiru!" Seiya grabbed me around the waist, holding me back. "Oh!" I gasped, startled. I looked at Mercury, who was holding a hand to her now red cheek, "Forgive me." I said softly, "I was not thinking. But I would give my life for Haruka." "If that is the case, then an arrangement can be made." Mercury said. "What?" I asked, breaking away from Seiya. "If you love Haruka as much as you say, then perhaps I shall give her life." "I do!" I said quickly. "You don't know what you are saying!" Seiya exclaimed, "If you die so Haruka can live, then what will she think? She'll have to live alone, forever. . ." "My life has no meaning any more." I said bitterly, "Hotaru is dead, Haruka is dying, I have to save her! Maybe someday we will meet again." I turned to Mercury, "Whatever it takes, I shall do it." "Everything Seiya said is true." Mercury said quietly, "Are you sure?" "Absolutely." I confirmed. "Then follow me."
I was Sailor Neptune once again, but in my uniform of old. Somehow, it seemed to suit the situation. Mercury had me lay down upon a smooth, flat, stone slab. Above me, the Life Stone glowed brightly. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Mercury asked. "For Haruka I would do anything." I said, a tear falling from my eye. {cue: Musicbox} Mercury instructed Seiya to leave the room, and he regretfully followed her wishes. She pulled out her old transformation wand and threw it at the Life Stone. They met, and a brillant light filled the room. In the light I could see Haruka, still inside that glass prism, silently waiting for life to fill her. "Michiru." Mercury said, looking at me, "This will be painless, I assure you. But do you want to go through with it?" "Damn it! How many times must I say it?!" I exclaimed. "Just making sure." Mercury said sadly, walking over to me. At her command the stone slab raised into the air. "Just a little longer Haruka." I whispered, "Just a little longer. . ." A strange sensation filled my body, as I closed my eyes. I felt weak, a weak that filled my soul. I did not feel physical pain, but emotional pain came rushing over me like my own attack. Faces flew past, the young Usagi, the tough yet caring Rei, even the gentle Ami. Makoto and Minako were crying, as if they knew my pain. Mamoru and Chibiusa, Setsuna, Hotaru. . . oh! Haruka! I saw her whole body stand before me, her ams open. Happily I ran into them, holding her close. She stroked my hair, and gently whispered my name. "Michiru. . . Michiru. . ." "Haruka?" I gasped, opening my eyes. I was now aware of my surroundings. I was lying upon the stone slab, but it was cracked in half. The room was barely lit, and was completely trashed. Shelves were upon the ground, the ceiling itself was barely in tact. Seiya was whispering my name. "You're alright." He said, releived. "What happened?" I asked. "Your love." Mercury said, limping forward. She had got the worst of it, her skin was cut and bleeding, her face bruised. Hair tousled, dress ripped, she continued to walk toward me, and placed her hand upon my shoulder, "Your love and devotion to Haruka was so strong that the Life Stone did not take all your life. You and Haruka are still alive, but you will always be a bit weaker." Mercury suddenly gasped and fell to the ground. "Mercury!" I exlcaimed, carefully lifting her body. "Never forget what love is." She whispered, "For love will never die." And with that, Lady Mercury changed in my arms. She glowed dimly, a blue color, and was the young Ami-chan I remembered from hundreds of years ago. She smiled at me, and vanished.
When Ami died, Seiya and I also vanished. We seemed to be soaring through a mass of blue and white light. "What in the world?" I gasped. Ground approached me, all to quickly. I braced myself for impact, but instead of hitting hard ground, I landed in strong arms. I looked up, opening my eyes. Haruka smiled at me. "You sure know how to make an entrance!" She laughed. "Haruka?" I said, my voice quivering, "Oh Haruka!" I wrapped my arms around her neck, and cried once more. "Michiru-san?" A voice called. "Hmmm?" I muttered, as Haruka put me down. I turned around, and saw Hotaru standing before me. She ran into my arms, and I hugger her tightly. "Come on." Haruka said, placing her arm on Hotaru, "We have a whole new planet to explore!" {cue: Outer Senshi make up} "Right!" I exclaimed happily. "Uranus Crystal Power-" Haruka held my hand. "Neptune Crystal Power-" I held her tightly. "Saturn Planet Power-" Hotaru smiled and held onto my arm. "Make up!" We shouted. The three of us shared a transformation, each appearing in our new and improved Sailor Senshi uniforms. Haruka is right, we have a whole new planet to explore, and all eternity to love.