SAILOR MOON ETERNAL
The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga
By Haruka Kou
Part Four
Sailor Moon is the property of Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation and DIC
Now clad in their new official looking (but still debonair) soldier uniforms, the three men walk down the long hallway of the palace. Since their time spent on earth, all three had become accustomed to their male forms, actually quite preferring that way, for they always had felt a certain masculinity, even before when they were females. When they had arrived on earth in search of the Princess, and somehow, by fate or by choice, they had been transformed into men, Sayer and Terry were both very pleased. Robin had a harder time accepting it, not caring one way or the other, his mind totally focused on his absent Princess. But they soon came to discover that, though as the chosen sailor of their respective planets, their true souls were those of men.
Their souls had always been male and so destiny had righted itself, changing their female bodies into male. It was no longer a disguise, no longer a choice. It was who they were now, their new natural forms. And they liked it that way. Even Robin (though he'd never admit it).
Entering the throne room, they exchange nods with the vigilant soldiers stationed at the entrances, ever ready to protect their beloved Princess at a moment's notice. And there, perched high on her throne in her lovely ebony and crimson dress, her fiery red hair looped majestically around her head, the kind Princess Fireball waves for the three of them to approach her.
"What news, my dears, I can clearly see that something has occurred, it's etched on your faces," she smiles pleasantly.
"My Princess, you are correct as usual," Terry bows respectfully as he steps forward.
"We've received a message from Earth," Robin adds in a trancelike state.
"Nothing amiss, I hope, Healer," she asks.
"Oh no, the opposite in fact, your majesty. We've been invited to a wedding," Terry offers gladly, but then his eyes dart over to Sayer, his concern evident.
"Oh yes, Maker, a joyous occasion. The Moon Princess and the Prince of Earth?" she queries. Terry and Robin nod as Sayer lowers his eyes.
"I have noticed the stars in that galaxy shining especially brightly of late." She smiles sweetly. Then she notices Sayer's unusual silence.
"Don't you agree, Fighter?", she pries.
When he lifts his eyes, she understands all at once. The confusion, the pain, the caring, the love, all reflect the conflict in his soul. Yes, she remembers, there was something between him and the Princess of the Moon.
"Yes, my Princess," Sayer finally answers after a long pause.
She smiles, as much as she wanted to ask him what was wrong, to take him under her wing, as she always had, for in his immaturity at times, Sayer had always been her especial pet, needing her most caring attentions and dotings. But she realizes that he was old enough now to resolve these things for himself, to make his own decisions. She had noticed this unhappiness lately, more and more, not only in Sayer, but in Terry and Robin as well. They were not the same as before, when they were all on Kinmoku, and not just because they were now men. (And quite attractive men at that she smiles at herself.) It was simply because they were growing up. She had many soldiers now to protect her, armies of devoted followers, but these three were always special to her. Not only because they were the ones who gave her people back their freedom, but because they were her family, she grew up with them, she loved each of them dearly. And it was so hard to let go.
"Then you may have my permission to leave," she holds back the tears, now welling up in her lovely eyes, for, suddenly, she knew that this was truly good-bye. That her beloved friends would not return to Janus, that the happiness that has eluded them here awaited them on the Earth. They were not even aware of it themselves, but she felt something from each of them, a longing to return to that place that they had called home for only a short time. A longing for what they could not find here. She went to them, hugged each one warmly, kissed them each on the cheek, then returned to her throne.
"Good-bye, my dearests. I will miss you," as she blinks back her tears, her gaze lingers on Sayer, giving them the power to go.
"Good-bye", they answer in unison, unaware she meant forever, as their bodies transform into three flashes of light that zoom out the window, into the endless night.
"Good luck," she collapses weeping uncontrollably on the floor, as a silent figure watches from the shadows.