Sailormoon Zodiac: #8 - O-Hime-sama // The Princess
By: Janelle Jimenez (miaka@bishounen.org)
Official Webpage: http://www.sailormoon-millennia.net/ [http://bishounen.org/smmillennia/]


Note: Haruka-tachi refers to Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna. The 
Sailor Senshi are prone to calling the group Haruka-tachi or
Uranus-tachi which sort of translates as: Haruka and the rest

Note 2: 'Gomen nasai' means "I'm sorry" or "please forgive me"	

Commentary: I've gotten several emails from people who complain that the
Zodiac characters are not like them. They feel that since they are a Capricorn,
then it must be like them. News flash kiddos, not all Capricorns act the same
way. Zodiac 'personalities' are so open-ended that almost anyone can fit into
it. I'm an absolute stereotypical Libra (except for a few things) and I
found that I can fit into every Zodiac sign, some more than others. 
When Takeuchi Naoko wrote Sailormoon, she made each Senshi a stereotype of
their respective Zodiac signs. It shows. However, I feel that Sailorpluto
isn't purely a Scorpio, Hotaru is too extreme a Capricorn, Minako is not anything
like a Libra, except for the funloving part. The point is not to make a character
exactly as the sign describes, but to highlight the parts which are most noteworthy
of a certain sign. IE, Leo's are notoriously arrogant. Anyone who has emailed me
talking about how they are nothing like Sailorleo and the character should be
changed to mirror them pretty much fits the bill (and it has happened twice.)
So, please stop emailing me about how I did characters wrong. I researched this
subject very thoroughly before I went on with writing the character's personalities.
I don't consider them to be wrong, just different.  Why should you be offended that
the Zodiac Senshi of your sign is not like you?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"It's too sunny outside for the day of a funeral." Mako-chan
commented to her friends. She sighed heavily and glanced around, no one
was in the mood to talk. They had just returned from a beautiful, though
rather tension filled, memorial service for their fallen comrade Tomoe Hotaru.
	"She'll be back, ne? She's the Senshi of Rebirth, ne?" Usagi suggested,
she was trying to lighten the somber mood. The death shocked her greatly--and 
it also made her realize that with everything that had happened in Hotaru's
life, her's was nowhere near as bad. Her bitterness towards the Outer Senshi was
erased once again. Usagi realized her hatred towards the Outer Senshi was rooted
in hurt pride and slight jealousy. Usagi felt guilty and horrible that the last
feelings she had felt towards Hotaru were contempt. 
If I had been Hotaru and gone through the life she had gone through, the madness 
would have gotten me before Scorpia even hit, Usagi thought.
	"I hope Haruka-tachi feels the same way. I doubt it though. They
were much closer to Hotaru-chan than we were...and what about poor Tomoe-san?
Setsuna took Hotaru away from him...and he never got to see her before she
died." Mako-chan sighed.
	"I know he hates me." Ami whispered, "They all detest me. Did you see
the looks they were giving me during the service?" she asked. "They blame it
on me, it is all my fault..."
	"No one blames it on you, Ami-chan." Minako said slowly, she was struggling
internally on deciding who to blame, I can't blame Ami, Minako thought, but I
can't help but feel that she shouldn't have interfered.
	"If I had just let Saturn kill Scorpia--" Ami protested,
	"No. That was not an option. Don't try and justify murder, Ami, you
did the right thing. It wasn't you that killed Hotaru, it was Scorpia that
killed Hotaru..." Rei said firmly.
	"Still...it wasn't my business to get into. I distracted Saturn from her
duty..." Ami sighed. No one argued with her. What she had said was fact, whether
or not her actions had any effect on whether or not Saturn would have killed
herself was irrelevant.
	"But wasn't her death...almost beautiful?" Mako-chan asked, she was eager
to change the subject. "The way she sort of....faded away?"
	"Yea, that was. It was...gentle. Do you think that'll happen to us also?"
Minako asked. Rei looked up at Minako and gave her a face,
	"Let's hope we never have to find out."

		*		*		*		*

	Tenshi stared at Jessica, hoping inside her mind that Jessica wouldn't
catch her looking. This beautiful girl is the ruthless Sailorleo, Tenshi thought.
She had discovered their identities that horrid day when one of the famous
Sailor Senshi had killed herself. Ever since that day, she found herself always
with these group of girls, as if she felt like she were apart of them. Yet...
she knew she wasn't.
	Jessica was 'fun' to look at, Tenshi thought. Jessica was truly one of
the most beautiful people Tenshi had ever seen, she had rather a classic beauty
about her--one that all ages, all races, could find attractive. However, by some
odd twist of fate, she had one of the ugliest personalities Tenshi felt she had
ever come across. Tenshi found Jessica's personality so horrible that she almost
hated being around her. 
	Then there was Zan Tien-Lei, whom Tenshi liked very much.
Tien-Lei was athletic, popular, extroverted--everything Tenshi was not, but Tien-Lei
never held any of those things above Tenshi. She liked that, she was tired of
being treated poorly by people who believed that popularity determined the worth of
a person.
	Tenshi shifted her gaze over to Nakayama Ameko, who was humming to herself
as she read a manga. Tenshi smiled, she thought Ameko was absolutely adorable--and
also the most eccentric person she had ever met. Tenshi noticed almost the first time
she met Ameko that her eyes held the look of loneliness and sadness. It was usually 
well-hidden behind a veil of happiness. Tenshi had a feeling that Ameko was happy
to be part of a group, any group, as long as she wasn't alone.
	"Okay, Estrella, what is your idea?" Jessica asked, the commanding tone
of voice broke Tenshi's daze as she quickly focused her attention on the current
events.
	Estrella, that strange talking cat of Jessica's, hopped down off her desk.
It dropped a scroll it had been holding in her mouth onto the floor. Joanna, who
was on the floor, unrolled the scroll and set it down.
	"This is the perfect time to get our hands on the other Talisman, the
Sailor Senshi are mourning and won't expect a thing." Estrella said.
	"We can't do that! Can't we have a little respect for the dead?" Ameko
asked, her face was contorted into a look of horror.
	"I agree with Ameko-san, we definitely cannot do such a terrible thing."
Mihana said, nodding her head slowly. Tenshi glanced at Mihana, another interesting
person. She was rather quiet, only saying things when she felt it to be necessary.
She was one of those people who was easy going and didn't mind compromising...as
long as it wasn't one of her deep-rooted beliefs.
	"Well, I disagree. Estrella's plan is brilliant. She's a true military
genius. We can't defeat the Black Star Galaxy if we don't have the Golden Key."
Jessica said firmly. Tien-Lei sighed heavily, she and the rest of the girls knew
very well that there was no point in arguing with Jessica--there was no way
they could win. Cruel as she may be, they all recognized her as the leader, and
a great one at that. Though a leader is only good for as long as it has followers.
	"Alright..." Tien-Lei said with another sigh, "What do you want us to
do?"

		*		*		*		*

	Ami backed up slowly, but she was already against a wall.
	"No, please don't come any closer..." she whispered as she held her hands
out. She couldn't transform. She had no weapons. She was trapped. "Hotaru..."
	Hotaru smiled cruelly, her eyes cold. She was reborn, perfect.
	"Ami-chaaan..." Hotaru sang, her mocking her name, "You killed me. It's
your fault I'm dead."
	"I'm so sorry Hotaru, I should have let you kill her..." Ami said, she began
to cry as fear filled her body. Hotaru cocked her head and smiled brighter,
	"It's too late to be sorry, ne?" 
	Hotaru raised her right hand and the Silence Glaive appeared, she held the 
cold blade against Ami's neck,
	"It is time for your redemption." Hotaru whispered, she raised the Glaive--
	Then Ami woke up, her body drenched with sweat, her face streaked with tears.
	"Just...a dream..." she said, letting her head fall back onto the pillow.
She brought her hand up to her heart, it was racing. She turned her head and looked
on her nightstand, she kept pictures of all her friends on it. She carefully reached
out and touched the picture of Hotaru, Haruka, Setsuna, and Michiru. Her finger
lingered over Hotaru's smiling face momentarily before she turned her head forward
again. She pulled her covers to her chin, her eyes on the ceiling. She sighed.
	"Gomen nasai, Hotaru-chan."

		*		*		*		*

	Arseniru smirked as he stared into the watching glass. He saw a replay of
Scorpia's mistakes and also her triumphs. He was greatly amused.
	"The wench destroyed one of the Talisman, she's made obtaining the Seven
Stars much more difficult." he commented to himself. He did not realize that he
was not alone. Leadan had walked into the room while Arseniru was watching to 
recording of events, he was standing several feet behind him.
	"She has done a great deal more than you ever have or ever will." he replied.
Arseniru's eyes darkened,
	"Why do you always defend that girl? You allow your passion for her to
cloud your judgment--and to also contradict your own flesh and blood." he spat.
	"My *love* for Scorpia has hardly clouded my judgement. Unlike yourself,
you who has allowed your insatiable lust for power and women to control your life." 
Leadan replied calmly. He turned around, his cape flying in Arseniru's face and 
walked out of the hall. Arseniru stared at him as he left, then returned his 
attention to the watching glass. The profile of Scorpia was now on the screen.
Arseniru gazed at her image, then without warning punched the screen. His head
fell forward and touched the glass,
	"You've shattered my relationship with my brother...ever since you came to
the Black Star Galaxy..." Arseniru whispered, he pulled back and watched the screen.
It changed to showing footage of Scorpia during her training. Arseniru smirked
and crossed his arms as he watched her dodge and decapitate opponents with grace
and ease,
	"Poor Scorpia. You've ruined my life, so I shall ruin yours. I'll make
sure my dear brother will never love you again..."

		*		*		*		*

	"Are you sure this will bring the Sailor Senshi here?" Sailorcapricorn
asked as she tapped her foot on the ground. She shivered slightly and yawned.
It was late, or actually, it was very early. In the far horizon she could see
the sky preparing for the coming of the sun by replacing its black tapestry with 
deep purples, violets, and pinks.
	"Without a doubt." Sailorleo said as she created a ball of fire in her
hands and threw it up into the air. The orb shined brightly, blinding Sailortaurus
momentarily. She quickly looked away, then she saw something...someone out of the
corner of her eye. Fear gripped her body. But she's dead, she thought to herself.
She turned around slowly, hoping that she would not see the girl with the glaive
standing behind her. Sailortaurus sighed with relief when she saw that there
was no one. Only my imagination, she thought. She smiled slightly and looked at
Sailoraquarius, ready to tell her what she had just seen...but Aquarius looked
pale, as if she had seen a ghost.
	"Ameko...what's wrong?" Taurus whispered.
	"I saw her...Sailorsaturn..." Aquarius said, her lower lip trembling.
	"I thought I did too, but...she's dead, she can't be here." Taurus
replied, but she didn't feel very sure of herself. Aquarius began to shake
as she took a step backwards, her brilliant blue eyes wide with fear.
	"I felt her...I can still feel here, she's watching us."

		*		*		*		*

	"Hotaru!" Setsuna cried as she woke up with a start. She was alive,
she knew it, she could feel her presence. Setsuna looked around her room
wildly, but there was no one there. Disappointment filled her body as she
slowly got out of bed. She didn't feel the least bit tired, even if her
clock read that it was at the very earliest of hours. She pulled away
her velvet curtains and gazed outside. It was much brighter than it should
be. Her eyes focused on a giant glowing ball maybe half a mile away from
her, in Aoyama Park. Anger filled her body,
	"Zodiac Senshi." she said as she narrowed her eyes, she was determined
to make them pay. Even if Scorpia was not a Zodiac Senshi, Setsuna couldn't
help but feel that they were at fault in her death. She walked over to Haruka's
bedroom and rapped on the door, knowing it probably didn't wake her--Haruka was
a deep sleeper.
	"I'm leaving." she said quietly. Setsuna wordlessly walked out the
front door and walked rapidly, yet calmly to Aoyama Park. She stopped at the
entrance and looked about, seeing no was around, she transformed. She closed
her eyes and held out the Time Staff,
	"Dead...Scream..." she whispered and sent the ball of energy before
her to the Zodiac Senshi who were deeper in the park. She quickly ran after the
orb, but found herself in a clearing near a fountain--with no one around. Above
her she could see the giant ball of fire hovering several hundred feet in the air.
	"Who's here?" she said quietly and looked about. She shivered as she felt
a cold chill in the air,
	"Hotaru?" she whispered as she turned around quickly, thinking she saw
a flash of purple.
	"You are right, Sailorpluto, someone is here...but it isn't your precious
Hotaru." whispered a voice from above. Five blurs jumped down from the trees, Pluto 
was suddenly surrounded by Zodiac Senshi. Pluto seemed undaunted,
	"I will destroy you all." she said coldly. Sailoraquarius shifted her weight
nervously and glanced over to Sailorleo who remained stoic,
	"We wouldn't have to fight if you would just concede and give us what
we are looking for." Leo said after a moment.
	"The Sailor Senshi would never bow to an enemy, especially one who is 
inferior." Pluto replied icily, she leapt into the air suddenly, the Staff poised 
to strike Leo.
	"Sun Lion Destroy!" Leo shouted, a silhouette of a lion made of fire leapt 
from her hands and bounded towards Sailorpluto.
	"Shining Aqua Illusion!" cried a voice from behind Sailorpluto, all of a
sudden a wave of ice struck the Sun Lion, neutralizing the attack.
	"The Sailor Senshi!" Sailorsagittarius exclaimed, I guess the plan did work,
she thought.
	"Nature Entangle!" Sailortaurus cried, pink vines made of energy grew up
from the ground and tied themselves around the Sailor Senshi' legs,
	"Sun Lion Destroy!" Sailorleo shouted, the lion of fire erupting from her
hands once again. The lion began to run towards the trapped Sailor Senshi,
	"LEO!" Aquarius screamed, "What are you doing? You'll kill them!"
	Suddenly.
	A red rose.
	"The beautiful dawn is not the time for War." Tuxedo Kamen replied, he
was standing atop a lamp-post several yards away from them. He opened his mouth
to speak again, but the Earth suddenly began to shake violently.
	"Capricorn, what are you doing?!" Leo demanded in anger,
	"It's not me!" Capricorn cried out as she fell over,
	"Hotaru..." Sailormars whispered, she stared at the Zodiac Senshi. The Earth
was not shaking where the Sailor Senshi stood--they were only a few feet away 
from them. Tuxedo Kamen jumped down from his post and stepped behind Sailormoon
protectingly. Suddenly, the Earth released a huge surge of violent energy which 
surrounded the Zodiac Senshi. They all began to scream in pain as the energy 
seemed to burn them.
	"Yamete! [Stop!]" Sailormoon cried out, "Yamete, Hotaru...YAMETE!"
	"It's too horrible..." Sailormercury whispered as she turned her head away,
there was nothing they could do to stop their suffering. But nothing needed to be
done, the burning energy quickly faded away and a cool wind blew over all of them.
	"I'm sorry..." whispered a voice, a figure began to materialize before them,
it was Sailorsaturn. Her image was cloaked with purple light, translucent, much like
how Sailorcharon had appeared before them.
	"Princess, I'm sorry." Saturn said, turning to Moon.
	"Princess..." Moon murmured, "Saturn...you're here..."
	"Yes, don't be so surprised." Sailorsaturn said, a small smile breaking upon
her face. Her figure turned and looked upon the Zodiac Senshi, half in disgust and
half in pity.
	"You who have lost your way, seek the Truth." Saturn murmured, she then returned
her attention to Sailormoon, "There is an evil which you must defeat, but the only way
for you to do so is to be your true self, Princess."
	"My true self?" Sailormoon repeated, she knew that this had to mean she had
a form besides her Super form, which she and the other Sailor Senshi were currently in.
	"The zenith of your power can only be attained in your true form, your
ultimate form." Sailorsaturn explained, "Only you can defeat it. But do not think that
this evil affects only you. The Zodiac Senshi will also be greatly affected by this evil,
but they will not see the Truth."
	"See the truth..." Sailortaurus murmured, see the truth about what? she thought,
now that you have warned me about failing to see the truth...I will seek to find it.
	"How do I attain my true self?" Sailormoon asked seriously,
	"To do so, you must concentrate and focus your energy into the Silver Crystal,
also everyone must give you their energy." Saturn said slowly, she glanced carefully
around the group.
	"You can't use the Silver Crystal, Sailormoon, it's dangerous!" Venus exclaimed,
	"We can't allow ourselves to be so vulnerable..." Sailoruranus whispered to
Sailorneptune.
	"You must have complete faith for this to work." Sailorpluto said speaking up,
she placed her right hand upon Sailormoon's shoulder,
	"I truly believe in you, my Princess." she whispered and closed her eyes. A
mauve aura surrounded her and drifted towards the brooch in Sailormoon's chest.
	"For the sake of the Future..." Sailormars whispered, "Mars Crystal Power!"
	"Mercury Crystal Power!"
	"Venus Crystal Power!"
	"Jupiter Crystal Power!"
	"Neptune Crystal Power!"
	"Uranus Crystal Power!"
	The ghost of Sailorsaturn smiled gently as she began to fade away, the purple
energy which was surrounded her drifted towards the Silver Crystal, mixing with the
mauve, red, blue, yellow, green, gold, and aquamarine energies.
	Sailormoon closed her eyes as the energy surrounded her began to encase her
in a wonderful brilliance...but it was still incomplete. Tuxedo Kamen took a step
forward, his eyes gazing lovingly at Sailormoon,
	"Sailormoon...how can I help?" he asked, he looked thoughtful for a moment,
and realized what the last ingredient was, "And...you have my love." he murmured.
A beam of white energy radiated from him and drifted into the great swirl of energy
surrounding Sailormoon. The Holy Grail began to rise up from within Sailormoon, it hovered
before her. Sailormoon opened her eyes slowly and reached for the chalice, she brought
it slowly to her lips and drank from it. The Grail disappeared as her body filled with
light and the Silver Crystal transformed into a beautiful crystal brooch in the shape of
the moon with a small golden crown encircling it. It was set on a golden backing, 
surrounded by the signs of the Sailor Senshi. 
	"Say 'Moon Princess Power'..." whispered the voice of Sailorsaturn from within
Moon's head.
	"Moon Princess Power, Make Up!" she shouted, she turned slowly in the air, the
white energy which surrounded her folded around her body and waist transforming into
the white gown of the Silver Millennium. Transparent wings appeared on her back, folded 
over her chest, then re-extended themselves on her back. The skirt of the long white dress
was lifted into the air, forming a bell-shape. The skirt shrank and shortened until her
skirt was short and tiered over a longer, golden skirt. The wings on her back turned into
beautiful golden ribbons and her collar changed to match. Finally, her tiara disappeared
from her forehead and was replaced with a golden moon.
	"Serenity.." Tuxedo Kamen whispered and dropped to his knees. The Senshi were 
all equally as shocked. All were silent, all gazing at the beauty of Princess Sailormoon,
who radiated purity and light--so much so that it was awe-inspiring. But then, suddenly,
in a moment of darkness and violence, the enchantment broke and there were screams in the
air. 
	"NO!" Sailorjupiter screamed suddenly, her voice filled with such negativity
and fear. The sensitive bond between the Silver Crystal and Sailormoon shattered
instantaneously and the Crystal exploded with a display of glitter and dust. 
Sailormoon's eyes went dead as her Princess form melted away from her. 
	"Usagi-chan!!" Jupiter cried, her transformation also melted away as she rushed
to Usagi.
	Sailorleo backed away slowly, in her hands she held Sailorjupiter's henshin wand.
She had seen the opportunity as the perfect time to seize it.
	"Sun, Rise!" she shouted, the golden bubble appeared, engulfed the Zodiac Senshi,
and whisked them away.
	"CHIKUSO!" Sailoruranus screamed, rage filling her body. She punched the ground
violently and repeatedly,
	"Haruka..." Sailorneptune whispered, she placed her hand upon Uranus' shoulder
in attempts to placate her.
	"Usagi...Usagi-chan, wake up..." Sailormars whispered as tears filled her eyes,
it was deja vu to her all over again, "Usagi! Wake up, please! We need you!" she said,
her voice rising. Sailormercury shook her head sadly and tried to pull Mars off of Moon,
	"Please, Rei-chan...it won't help..." she whispered, but Rei didn't heed her.
	"USAGI!" she screamed as she sobbed, she shook Usagi's shoulders roughly and 
lifted her head off the ground. Usagi's head fell back lifelessly. Rei continued to
plead, but Usagi's body remained still and lifeless.