Hotaru's Love
Hotaru slept uneasily during the night, and I had no sleep. Hotaru transformed again, and refused to de-transform. However, she feels helpless as Sailor Saturn, and as Hotaru. As for myself, I am still trying to discover the new power inside of me. I had de-transformed for the night, for we had found a small town and a nice Inn. Rhiana and Jiah had sent word, so our room was free. I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. So, I decided to just make an all nighter.
When Hotaru awoke, we set out. Jiah had said that the Life Stone was kept in some kind of temple, but it is upon Fire Mountain. Supposedly, this mountain has really earned it's name, and I am a bit nervous about climbing it. But anything is worth it for Haruka.
"Michiru-san." Saturn said, "Are you going to transform?"
"Of course." I replied, raising my wand, "Neptune Crystal Power, make up!" I raised my arms, as the waters of Neptune filled me. Somehow, I felt different when I had finished.
"Neptune!" Saturn gasped.
"What?" I asked.
"You're so different. . ."
"Huh?" I raced over to a small pond of water and looked at my reflection. My sailor uniform had been modified, quite a bit. The white suit was still white, but the collar was outlined in silver, and the skirt was shortened, like Eternal Sailor Moon's, and layered with aqua and silver. My choker was still green but had a silver star upon it. The ribbon on my skirt was longer. My hair was flowing loose, but my earings were silver symbols of Neptune, along with a crescent moon attached at the top. My brooch was still in a heart shape, however the symbol of Neptune was upon it.
"You look beautiful." Saturn said.
"How did this happen?" I asked, "It must have been with that new power. . ."
"Neptune." Saturn said, "Can we go?"
"Of course." I replied, going to her side, "Let's get that stone."
***
Fire Mountain was actually made up of several mountains, all deep red in color. Cooled lava surrounded them, with red hot lava flowing from the top.
"We'll have to steer clear of the lava, but we should be able to reach the Temple." I said.
"The Temple is atop the steepest mountain." Saturn reminded me.
"Which looks like that one." I saod, pointing ahead.
"Let's go then!" Saturn exclaimed.
And so we began our climb. Saturn used her glaive as a walking staff, which helped her a lot. I had to trust my luck and follow Saturn. The mountain throbbed with energy, and lava flowed around us. The mountain had the tendency to shake slightly, which cause Saturn and I to fall back momentarily.
"This is taking forever!" I exclaimed.
"We'll get there." Saturn sighed, wiping swear from her brow, "Soon enough."
"Let's rest for a minute." I suggested. Saturn agreed quickly. Our rest was very brief, for a sudden thundering came from the top of the mountain. Lava gushed out from a side, and quickly began waving toward us.
"Saturn, let's move!" I exclaimed, grabbing her arm. We began to descend as quickly as we could, but I lost my grip and went tumbeling down, landing on a small grove in the mountain side.
"Michiru-san!" Saturn cried. She looked at the lava, and cried, "Saturn Crystal Power, make up!" She rose into the sky, her uniform changing to match mine. Saturn spun around and landed before me, holding her glaive high, "Saturn Glaive Life Shield!" A brilliant light came from the glaive, surrounding us. I shielded my eyes quickly.
When I opened my eyes, the lava before us had split in half, creating a path, "Hotaru! That was brilliant!" I exclaimed happily, turning around, "Hotaru?" {cue: Violin, you know what that means} Saturn was lying behind me, her uniform ripped to ribbons. The Glaive lay at her side.
"Michiru-san." She whispered.
"No." I gasped, holding her, "Not you too! Hotaru no! I can't loose both of you."
"I knew the shield would kill me." She said, "But I did it for you and Haruka-san. Please. . . don't let me have died in vain. Save Sailor Uranus." And with those words, her body went limp in my arms. I thought all my tears were gone when Haruka nearly died, but they came gushing down my face.
***
I remained there for the night. Hotaru's body had vanished in my arms, her heart crystal glowing. The only thing left of her was her glaive, and that vanished when I touched it.
"Farewell my daughter." I whispered to the moon, "May you find happiness with Serenity." I smiled, "Watch over me from up there."
Next chapter: Alone
[Index]