Author's Note: Sailor Moon and all related characters are the property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation and DIC. All references to Vulcan are the province of Gene Roddenberry and Paramount Studios. So, please, don't sue me because I haven't any money. I do this strictly for entertainment purposes, not copyright infringement.
The Witches Of Philadelphia
by Jeffrey C. Branch
Epilogue
Rating: PG-13
The Scouts, Charlotte McCoy and Samantha Cho stood at ground zero as Veterans Stadium begun crumbling all around them with an ear numbing roar.
"Dear God! The stadium's collapsing!" cried a horrified Sailor Mercury, scanning the building with her VR visor. "The battle damaged it beyond repair! Thousands will die! And there's nothing we can do about it!"
"Yes there is!" said Sailor Moon, making a mad dash over to where the Darkhold lay. Picking up the book, Moon felt it's vile and hideous evil, but she wasn't interested in that, only in it's power. Cradling the book in the crook of her left arm, Moon extended her right arm, her palm face up and concentrated. A moment later, the Imperium Silver Crystal appeared in a flash of silver light, floating over her open palm.
"Sailor Moon! What are you doing?" a worried Sailor Mars demanded.
"What I was born to do! Save people!" said Moon. "Keep back! All of you!"
Moon closed her eyes and concentrated, drawing on two unique, though opposite brands of power, the power of good from the crystal, and the power of evil from the Darkhold. Moon knew that only the magic of the book, fortified by the crystal could prevent a horrific catastrophe, and Moon was determined not to let that disaster happen.
"It's time for you to do good," hissed Moon at the book, her body surrounded by a silver aura which in turn was encased in ominously crackling, jet black energy. "Strata....Mutatis....RESTORIUM!"
As Moon shouted those words, monstrously huge waves of intertwined silver and black energy exploded from her, encompassing the entire stadium as the power of the crystal and the power of the Darkhold joined together at Moon's command, repairing all the fatal damage to the structure while disintergrating the debris that blocked the exits. The Scouts, McCoy and Samantha looked on in awe and shock as Moon performed what could only be termed as a miracle.
In a matter of seconds, the stadium was good as new and the panic quelled. With the danger over, the twin auras faded from Moon and she dropped the book like it was a hot coal. As the crystal retuned to it's customary place inside her brooch, Moon smiled at her friends.
"See, guys? I told you I'd save everyone." Moon's eyes rolled back in her head and, with a sigh, she collapsed.
The women rushed to the side of their fallen friend. Mercury quickly examined Moon with her VR visor.
"She's okay. Just exhausted," the Water Scout told everyone.
"Let's make sure she's okay," said a scowling McCoy. "Vulcan, let's look inside her mind. Make sure Susie's really gone."
Sailor Vulcan nodded, then placed the fingers of her right hand on Moon's forehead to scan Moon's subconscious for any trace of the malevolent sorceress while McCoy used her telepathic powers to do a search of her mind. As McCoy did her sweep, she subtly eliminated Moon's memories of her experience inside the Darkhold from her brain. Vulcan noticed what McCoy had done and was concerned.
Charlie. What did you just do, Vulcan asked.
Saved Serena's soul. Her worst nightmare came true while trapped in the book. Trust me, Tal, it's for the best, McCoy replied. I'll spill the beans to you later. Provided you keep your mouth shut about what I tell you. Capish?
I....understand.
A moment later, the two telepaths finished their business. McCoy faced the others. "The news is all good, kids. Susie's gone."
"That's a relief. In the meantime, at the risk of sounding even more ignorant than I usually am, could someone please explain what Moon did?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
"It would appear that Sailor Moon used the power of both the crystal and the Darkhold to repair the damage done to the stadium," Vulcan replied.
"I didn't know she could do that," said an awed Sailor Venus.
"I don't think any of us did. Including her," said Mars.
"Uh, maybe we should get out of here," Samantha suggested.
"A good idea," said Mercury. "Mercury Bubbles....BLAST!"
At her command, a large, thick and freezing fog descended on the field, giving the Scouts, McCoy and Samantha the cover they needed to depart, leaving the crowd in the stands and the players on the field to wonder what had happened. Answers would be long in coming.
Philadelphia International Airport, two days later....
In the Northwest Airlines waiting area, the girls bid McCoy and Father Thomas O'Neill goodbye. The girls had grown to like the feisty black woman and it hurt them to part from her.
"It was great knowing you, Charlie," said Serena. "Even if you like mooching my food!"
"We all have our weaknesses, kid," said McCoy, returning Serena's embrace, her eyes moist.
"It's a shame Jeannie and Sabrina couldn't have been saved," said O'Neill.
McCoy nodded. "I know. Susie sucked them completely dry when she stole their powers and their lifeforce. A damn shame."
"What about Blair? What happened to her?" asked Raye.
"Her spirit was placed inside the book when Martin took over her body. Just like with Serena. However, with Blair's body destroyed, she's trapped there. More than likely forever, what with Satan's protection spell still in place."
O'Neill shook his head ruefully. "A terrible fate indeed."
"Regarding the Darkhold, what about that?" Talia wanted to know.
"Well, even though Susie's gone, the book's power isn't. We saw that for ourselves when Sailor Moon used it to repair the Vet, meaning it's still one hell of a danger to mankind," said McCoy. "Right now, it's in a locked trunk so no one can come in contact with it. Fortunately, I know a good place to take it where it'll be protected from prying eyes and bad guys."
"Where's that?" Lita asked.
McCoy smirked. "The Vatican. I did some pro-bono work for the Pope three years ago when one of his high ranking assistants botched an exorcism and wound up possessed. John Paul owes me a favor, and I'm calling in my marker. It'll be safe there."
"I've already arranged through Cardinal Bevilacqua for Charlie to see the Pontiff. Once at the Vatican, the book will be studied by the world's leading Theologians. Hopefully, a way can be found to....defuse it, and free Blair's spirit," said O'Neill. "Girls, don't let what happened on Sunday depress you. Blair, Jeannie and Sabrina decided on their own to follow the path of evil, and paid for that choice with their lives. The important thing was that you saved the human race. Be proud of that accomplishment."
"And we are, sir," said Talia. Sunday night, McCoy told her about Serena's experiences inside the Darkhold, and why she eliminated those memories from Serena's mind. Talia understood McCoy's motives and promised never to reveal what she was told to Serena or anyone else.
"Besides, not everyone was lost," said McCoy, motioning with her head several feet away where Amy and Samantha sat talking in private.
Samantha's face was long from guilt and sadness. "Amy, I'm so sorry for the way I acted. Even though I tried to kill you, that didn't stop you from saving my life. I'm not worthy of your compassion."
"Nonsense. Of course you are. You're my friend," said Amy with a kind smile as she held Samantha's hand in hers. "You were under the influence of evil and it took over your mind. I don't hold that against you."
The Korean girl's eyes filled up and she smiled weakly at Amy. "Thanks. I appreciate that. I....I wish you didn't have to leave. With Jeannie and Sabrina dead and Blair trapped in the book, I'm all alone."
"No you're not. I'm sure you'll find new friends eventually. And I'm only an email away. We can still chat about books and computers anytime you want."
"I'd like that. Will I ever see you again?"
Amy shrugged. "To be perfectly honest, I don't know. But you'll always be in my thoughts."
Samantha nodded. "And you in mine."
Over the loudspeakers, the school group's flight back to Japan was announced. Amy and Samantha stood and embraced. When they parted, both girls were weeping.
"I love you, Sam."
"I love you, Amy. Have a safe trip home. And don't forget to write!"
"Don't worry. I won't. Goodbye."
Amy wiped her eyes as she walked up to the girls. "You okay, Ames?" a concerned Serena asked.
"Yes, I am, Serena. It was good working with you, Charlie, Father O'Neill," Amy replied.
"Ditto, whiz kid." Reaching into the breast pocket of her leather jacket, the black woman handed Serena a business card. "In case you lost the one I gave you on Saturday, Sere. If you guys ever teleport into L.A., look me up. I'll show you a good time. Take care, my friends."
"You too! And don't read any naughty minds!" joked Mina, giving McCoy a wink.
McCoy laughed out loud. "I'll remember that, honey!"
Once the girls left with the rest of their group from Crossroads High, O'Neill smiled. "My, such nice girls. it's hard to believe they're superheroes."
"Yeah, tell me about it," said a grinning McCoy. After popping some honey roasted peanuts into her mouth from a ziploc bag in her pocket, she checked her watch. "Well, Father, I've got two hours to kill before my flight to Rome. Let's see if we can find a decent steak in this dump. My treat."
O'Neill chuckled. Like the girls, he had come like the parapsychologist. "If you insist, Charlie. Lead the way."
Inside the Darkhold....
Blair Witasick, dressed in late 17th century women's clothing looked up at a sign that read:
WELCOME TO SALEM
The redhead couldn't remember how she got here, or anything about her life before waking up on a grassy knoll two hours ago. That puzzled her greatly, wondering what had happened to her. But then, Blair figured that her past couldn't have been all that important if she couldn't remember it.
"Pardon me, sister. Art thou lost?" came a voice from behind Blair. She turned to face a tall, attractive woman dressed similarly to her with long, thick, dark hair that fell below her shoulders and piercing, bright blue eyes.
"Uh, yes, I am. I'm afraid I don't know how I got here," Blair replied haltingly. "Could you help me, please?"
Susannah Martin smiled broadly at the stranger. "I'd be happy to help thee, sister. What be thy name?"
"Blair." She couldn't remember her last name. The redhead held out her hand to the woman. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Blair," said Susannah, clasping Blair's hand. "Mine name is Susannah. Art thou hungry?"
"Famished."
"Good. I would be truly honored to have you as mine guest. I just made a pot of beef stew. Doth thou like stew?"
Blair grinned. "I love stew."
"Wonderful, Blair. Follow me. My home is not far away. Methinks this might well be the start of a beautiful friendship."
"I think so too, Susannah," Blair replied. As she followed Susannah, Blair felt more and more at ease with her surroundings. The redhead couldn't stop smiling, nor could she explain why she felt so happy. But for the very first time in her life, Blair felt like she had finally come home.
THE END
Author's Notes: Well, there you have it, folks, my magical girls versus magical girls story. It was something I'd been dying to do for quite some time, so I hope you enjoyed it. When I originally conceived "Witches", I figured it'd be fun to name my antagonists after famous fictional witches. In case you're not up on things, Sabrina came from "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", Samantha from "Bewitched", Jeannie from "I Dream of Jeannie" and Blair from "The Blair Witch Project". As for Charlotte McCoy, originally she was going to be a male, but then I decided to make all the main characters in my story, including my feisty parapsychologist female. Hell, if it weren't for the fact that women aren't allowed to be priests, Father Thomas O'Neill would have been Thomasina O'Neill instead. Lastly, the bound to be controversial topic of Serena's marriage to another man and the child she gave birth to in chapter nine. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if that shocks, even angers some readers, but remember, it was all an elaborate illusion created by Susannah Martin while Serena's spirit was trapped inside the Darkhold. Still, I'm sure that might spark some comments and opinions from readers. Take care and have a great day, everyone!
Jeffrey C. Branch
April 7, 2002