Episode 9: A Final Performance

Note: Translations of most words at the bottom.


	I slowly opened my eyes. For a moment I saw nothing. Then I saw 
Usagi. Tristan. Merlyn. The Sailor Senshi. Luna and Artemis. 
	Then I burst into tears. 
	"Oh, please!" I sobbed, on my knees. "I remember it all! I remember 
everything!" I choked, unable to say more. Hearing another noise, I looked 
up to see Usagi?s tear-streaked face. 
	My eyes widened in shock and realization. "Sere-chan?" I said 
tremulously. She nodded once, tears coursing down her cheeks, and held out 
her arms. We embraced as long lost sisters, and I began crying anew.  After 
a few moments, I turned to Merlyn, sitting on the floor, looking beyond 
shaken. She looked up at me, her eyes haunted. 
	"Thalassa-Moon..." She murmured, tears flowing from her eyes as 
well. I tumbled to the floor, embracing my old friend, and we cried together. 
	"Oh, Sunny!" she sobbed. "I remember that night! I remember 
fighting, and... dying!" 
	I held her a little longer. We had remembered our past, memories of 
our lives in the Silver Millennium. Usagi had the memories too, I could 
tell. Through her and the Ginzuishou, a part of that time, the Hanazuishou, 
and our memories had been revealed. 
	I paused, taking a deep, shaky breath. Releasing Merlyn, I sat up 
and turned to look at Tristan. For a moment neither of us could say 
anything, then I did. 
	"Everyone, could we be alone for a minute, please...?" 
	No translation was needed. Everyone took one look at Tristan and me 
and knew what was necessary. Soon it was just us. 
	Tristan spread his arms, and I flew into them, no questions asked. I 
forced him away, to look at him, to be sure it was him, and not some ghost. 
Once I was sure, I collapsed into his arms, crying again. 
	He wrapped his arms around me tightly, and I hoped he?d never let 
go. I sobbed as quietly as possible, trying to get a handle on myself. After 
all, I?d just discovered that my boyfriend of only a few weeks had once 
asked me to marry him, and then we?d come to this life together. He stroked 
my hair softly, but I could feel him shaking. 
	I finally looked up. His eyes were shiny with unshed tears. He 
smiled unsteadily, pulling my face to his to kiss away the tears. 
	"I thought I?d lost you," he said, emotion choking his voice. 
"But we were safe; we never left each other." 
	"I know, I know, Tristan," I murmured back. I looked up, my heart 
feeling about to burst and fly at the same time. "I love you... I always 
loved you." 
	He smiled down, and one of the held-back tears coursed down his 
cheek. "I love you, my Princess." He pulled me close again and kissed me, 
and I knew he meant it. 

***

	Merlyn, the Senshi, and the cats stood quietly outside Sunny?s room. 
Luna spoke quietly to Merlyn. 
	"You remember about the Silver Millennium, don?t you?" Luna asked. 
	"Yes," Merlyn answered. "I was a princess, of the satellite Titania, 
and my name was Luna Alyse. I was Princess Thalassa-Moon?s protector. There 
were others too. And Prince Oceanus-Moon." She paused. "And I remember you,
and all the Senshi." 
	Luna nodded. "I thought it might be so. Usagi-chan remembers some 
parts of the Silver Millennium, but not all. She, Artemis, and I are 
remembering bits and pieces, one at a time. The Senshi do not know yet, but 
what we?ve told them.  What did you see?" 
	Merlyn shuddered. "The night the Dark Kingdom destroyed the Moon. 
There was a great battle, and all the Senshi were there. We.. we..." She 
couldn?t finish. 

***

	I peered out into the hallway. Everyone was out there, and looked 
over at me. 
	"Hi, guys," I said, sort of embarrassed. I waved everyone back in. 
Once we were all settled again, Luna began to speak. 
	"Sunny-chan, what you saw was our past, the Silver Millennium. The 
reason you are here now is because Queen Serenity, who we now know to be 
your aunt, sent all of us to the future on Earth, to be reborn. The sending 
was successful, but as the Satellite Kingdom was located far from the Moon, 
so too are you located far from Tokyo." 
	I nodded. "I understand. But now what? What?s next?" 
	Minako looked up. "We came because we knew something was going to 
happen. And it probably will, soon. No one knew this, the memory return, 
would happen. We still have to be prepared for the real battle." 
	I sighed. It was time to prepare for a great battle, maybe the final 
one. But I didn?t want to fight, not after those memories. I?d lost so badly 
then, how could we expect to win now? I was afraid. 
	Tristan took my hand. I looked up at him, my love of two lives now. 
	"We can do it, Sun. I know we can. We won?t let them hurt anyone 
again." 
	I smiled and nodded. "Ok." 

***

	Amythite and Kunzite watched over the city. Their plan was beginning 
to take effect. No youma had been used this time. Amythite, posing as always 
as Ms. Amy Stone, had drawn people into the excitement for the beginning 
four day weekend. A concert. 
	The whole community and surrounding communities had been steadily 
fed a line about a new group. Dark Star. The subtle influence of dark power 
underlying the rumors and plans announced gave everyone who heard an 
overwhelming sense of need to go see this concert. 
	And it was working. 

***

	Usagi and I were sitting at a table in the ?Vine, sipping at iced 
cappuccinos. I?d realized, even through our language barrier, that we were 
very similar. Even though she was a clutz and a cry baby. But I was that way 
myself, albeit a little more subtle. She was a lot like I remembered 
Sere-chan being; kind, sweet, always cheerful, loyal, accepting. 
	Ami and Merlyn had gone to Merlyn?s dance class together. Something 
drew them together. Usagi told me that Ami was a genius, very smart, and at 
the top of her class. Merlyn was intelligent and responsible, maybe not a 
genius, but I could see two level-headed girls such as them being friends. 
	Tristan went off alone for a while, very pensive, even for him. I 
hoped he wasn?t hurt. I realized that day that I was very much in love with 
him. It was a strange, frightening, and exhilarating feeling to care that 
much about someone and know that they feel the same. 

	Sleeping arrangements that night were a little tough, but ok. Usagi, 
Minako, and Makoto were going to stay with me, and Ami and Rei were going to 
stay with Merlyn. The night promised to be interesting. 
	My three guests tried to give me a crash course in Japanese, which 
didn?t work very well, but did prove to be amusing. 
	"Well," I said, noting the late hour. "We?d better get to bed. I 
think we have a big day tomorrow." 
	Everyone nodded after Minako had translated, and I took Minako and 
Makoto to the hide-a-bed. After they were settled in, I returned to my own 
room and my guest, Usagi. She was already nearly asleep. 
	I couldn?t help smiling. "Oyasuminasai, Usagi-chan," I whispered as 
I turned out the light. 
	"Good night, Sunny-chan," She murmured back, from her sleep. 

***

	I awoke to bright Saturday morning sunlight in my face. I sat up, 
and realized I was on the floor. "Huh?" I frowned and shook my head, 
remembering the previous day. "Oh, yeah..." 
	I looked over to the bed, where Usagi was sprawled, and giggled. She 
was draped half on-half off the bed, covers on the floor, and pillow under 
her feet. It was a sight. 
	"Usagi," I called softly, giggling. "Wakey-wakey..." 
	The girl mumbled something incoherent, turned over, and pointedly 
ignored me. I stifled a giggle and decided to try a new tactic.
	"Usagi... Breakfast..." I whispered in a sing-song like fashion. I 
was not surprised when she sat straight up, wide awake, chattering away in 
Japanese. 
	I started laughing and tumbled back to the floor with Usagi looking 
down at me. "Funny?" she asked, in English. Not bad for this early in the 
morning. 
	"Hai, very funny, Usagi-chan," I giggled, sitting up. She took a 
better look and me and started giggling herself. 
	"What?" I questioned. 
	Usagi pointed to my hair. I blinked, standing and peering in the 
mirror. 
	"I?m a mess!" I laughed. My dark blonde hair, undone from my usual 
pigtails, spilled everywhere in a fall of tangles and waves. I got a brush 
and started smoothing out the mess, and looked up at Usagi. A wicked smile 
spread across my face. 
	"Take your hair down, Usagi-chan, I have an idea." I pointed to her 
?odango? as they were apparently called by the others, and pulled on a lock 
of my own hair. She got the message, undoing the little balls and pigtails 
and letting her golden hair all free like mine. 
	I handed her the brush to let her comb the kinks and tangles out, 
and when she was finished we grinned wickedly at each other. It was like 
looking in a mirror, save our eyes. 
	Suddenly, Usagi jumped up and grabbed my hand, pulling me into the 
spare bedroom where Minako and Makoto were sleeping. She opened the door 
quietly and stood next to the bed. 
	"Good morning, Minako-chan. Good morning, Mako-chan," she called in 
careful, only slightly accented English. I grinned and caught on. 
	"Ohayo, Minako-chan! Ohayo, Mako-chan!" I suppressed a giggle. I did 
remember a few of the words last night. 
	The girls sat up slowly, blinking and yawning. "Ohayo, Usagi-chan," 
Minako said to me. "Good morning, Sunny-chan." Usagi giggled next to me. 
	Makoto got a rather odd look on her face, as did Minako a few 
moments later. Usagi started giggling, and in a few moments we were all 
sprawled on the bed in gales of laughter. 
	"Fooled you!" I giggled. "Gotcha, Minako-chan, Mako-chan!" Usagi was 
chattering something as well. Both of us were promptly beaned with pillows. 

	"Did you have any trouble with your mom last night?" I asked Merlyn 
when she arrived with her two companions later that morning. 
	"Not too much," Merlyn answered, "I just told her they were friends 
from school." She shrugged. Rei sighed tolerantly. 
	I glanced at Rei, then at Merlyn. "What?" 
	"Oh, nothing," Merlyn replied innocently while Rei muttered 
something under her breath. Minako smiled gleefully. 
	"One o?clock!" she announced. "Ami-chan has once again proven her 
night owl skills, much to Rei-chan?s dismay!" 
	"Well," Merlyn and Ami blushed slightly. "We were comparing 
computers and stuff after Rei-chan fell asleep. We didn?t mean to wake her," 
Merlyn explained. 
	Everyone burst into good natured laughter, including Rei. There was 
only a slight quieting of the room as the phone rang. 
	"Hello!" I giggled. "Grand Central Station- Oh, Amberle!" She 
sounded awfully strange, and my face must have showed it, for everyone 
suddenly quieted. 
	"Hey! Where were you yesterday? You said you were gonna call me 
about the Dark Star concert!" Amberle said, clearly disappointed. A shiver 
went through me at the mention of the name. I remembered hearing about the 
concert, and being ardent in my need to see it. Amberle clearly still was. 
However, with the distraction of the previous day, I?d forgotten all about 
the upcoming concert. 
	"Oh, Amberle, I?m sorry. Something came up. We had some company come 
in from out of town, and I couldn?t do it." 
	"Well, ok," she said, grudgingly. "But you are coming, aren?t you? 
Aren?t you?" Her voice was insistent, borderlining on frantic. 
	"Uh, sure, of course. Talk to you later, Amberle." I slowly hung up 
the phone, frowning. Something was terribly wrong here... 
	"Doushita, Sunny-chan?" Usagi asked, a hand on my shoulder. I turned. 
	"Something bad is happening," I answered, understanding the concern 
in the girl?s voice. "I think I know when the attack is coming." 

	We decided to get to Stellar Park as soon as possible, after Tristan 
was called and told to be there as well. In a matter of less than fifteen 
minutes, all were present, including the cats. 
	"Everyone, I think I know what?s going to happen. I think I know 
where the attack will be!" I stopped to take a breath, attempting to still 
my worry. Everyone looked on expectantly. 
	"There is a concert tonight. The group is called Dark Star. There?s 
been a frenzy over it since the news got out, and it?s only been getting 
progressively worse. I think that?s what the Dark Kingdom was planning, a 
mass attack and energy drain there! Tonight!" 
	Minako translated, and everyone nodded their understanding and 
agreement. Tristan, Merlyn and I remembered hearing about that Dark Star 
concert. It was a mad rush for everyone to get to go, and we didn?t realize 
that we had been absorbing dark power the whole time. Ami theorized that the 
Inner Senshi?s arrival and the memory return was what broke the hold of the 
dark power on my friends and I. 
	"Now what do we do?" Merlyn asked. 
	Minako spoke up. "We go to this concert. And we save your friends." 

	Together we traveled to the community center and staked out the 
large building. No one was there yet, just a few janitors and other assorted 
people. Luna gathered us all just before heading toward the auditorium. 
	"We don?t know what?s going to happen, everyone. Best be prepared." 
She nodded and looked to Minako. 
	"Ok, guys, party time! Transform! Minna, henshin-yo!" Minako raised 
a hand. 
	"Venus Power!"
	"Jupiter Power!"
	"Mars Power!"
	"Mercury Power!"
	"Dance Power!"
	"Moon Prism Power!"
	"Flower Prism Power!"
	"MAKE UP!" 
	And the heat was on. 

	Sailor Moon and I arrived, entering stage right, at the head of the 
group. We looked rapidly over the stage area, but there was no activity. All 
the musical equipment was set up and ready. But the stage was quiet. 
	"This can?t be right," I muttered. "I thought..." 
	"Matte!" Sailor Mars shouted, freezing in her tracks. The priestess 
nodded her head and closed her eyes, clearly concentrating. Suddenly her 
head shot up and she whispered something harshly. 
	"Mars says we?re being watched!" Sailor Venus called, stepping 
forward. "Minna, keep your eyes open! Mercury, get your visor!" 
	I turned to look at Mercury, who understood immediately and touched 
an earring. A clear blue visor slid over her eyes. She gasped immediately. 
	"Sunny-chan! Usagi-chan!" she cried. 
	"Wha-!" I was cut off as a powerful burst of violet light slammed 
into Sailor Moon and me, knocking us back into the curtains. I couldn?t move 
for a moment as the other Senshi assembled in front of us, forming a 
protective barrier. I groaned and sat up once I could move and crawled over 
to Sailor Moon. 
	"Are you ok, Sailor Moon?" I asked, touching her shoulder. She 
looked in little better shape than me. 
	"Ok, Sunny-chan," she muttered, looking rather dazed. 
	"Come on, we?ve got to get up and help the others." I stood and 
pulled Sailor Moon up after me. The others were standing before us, focused 
on a glowing point in the center of the auditorium. Without fanfare, two 
forms appeared from the light. 
	"So, little Sailor Senshi, is this going to be your last 
performance?" the raven-haired one laughed. It was Amythite! I remembered 
her from the first attack. But there was something else... 
	"Ms. Amy?" I cried in shock. 
	"Oh, what a terrible pun," Minako commented. She looked to the 
other. "Kunzite!" 
	"That?s right, Venus. Amythite needed some help, and I was just the 
one to do it." He turned to Tuxedo Rose. "And I brought a playmate for you 
as well. Meet Tuxedo Kamen, or should I say Prince Endymion." A dark armored 
form appeared several feet away. 
	"Mamoru!" Sailor Moon screamed from beside me. 
	"Mamoru-san!" Tuxedo Rose gasped. "No! Endymion!" 
	"Ah, Oceanus-Moon... I hardly expected to see you again." He 
sneered. "I don?t suppose it?ll be for very long." He glanced at Sailor 
Moon, telling her something about the Ginzuishou. She looked surprised. 
	"Anyway, my true business here is to take care of you while Kunzite 
and Amythite take care of them," he said, nodding to the senshi and me. He 
leaped high into the air, pulling out a sword and aiming it for Tuxedo 
Rose?s head. Tuxedo Rose easily dodged it, but his battle was far from 
over. 
	Amythite appeared before me, hands on hips. "Hand over the 
Hanazuishou and I?ll kill you quickly," she sneered. 
	"In your dreams!" I cried, a protective hand flying to my locket. 
	"Iie!" Sailor Moon cried, stepping in front of me and spreading her 
arms wide. 
	Amythite smirked. "Well, a little mirror image protector, hm? You 
can?t save her, Sailor Moon." Amythite gestured and a violet blast slammed 
Sailor Moon out of the way. 
	"Sailor Moon!" I cried, reaching out for her. Amythite grabbed my 
wrist. 
	"Give up, flowerchild, you can?t win. Give me the Hanazuishou!" 
Amythite screamed at me. I shook my head, silent. Her iron grip on my wrist 
was starting to hurt. Suddenly, something snapped in me, and my head shot up 
to glare at her. 
	"No! Leave me alone!" I cried, a blast of power coming from 
somewhere in me to sweep Amythite back. I stood, my hair swirling about me 
as rainbow streaked light surrounded me. Then everything went white. 

	"Thalassa-Moon..." 
	"Who are you...? Mother!" 
	"Don?t give in to them, my daughter. You have the strength. Your 
friends are here with you, and so am I. Take this." 
	"What is it?" 
	"The Flower Stick. Use it and the Hanazuishou to drive the evil ones 
away. You have the power! Go!" 

***

	Everyone turned to stare in shock as Sailor FlowerPower?s small form 
exploded in a wash of rainbow colored light. Amythite, on her knees, watched 
from a few feet away, one arm held before her to shield her eyes. Even 
Tuxedo Rose and Endymion stopped their battle to see what was happening on 
the stage. 
	"Sunny!" Tuxedo Rose and Sailor Stardance cried. 
	"Sunny-chan!" The Inner Senshi and the cats cried. 
	There was a simultaneous gasp of surprise as Sailor FlowerPower?s 
sailor suit shimmered and melted, forming a white and rainbow colored dress. 
The flower signet glowed brightly on her forehead. Her hands stretched out 
and a crescent moon wand bearing the flower signet appeared in them. Her 
brooch opened, and the Hanazuishou placed itself in the crescent of the wand. 
	Watching from above, Kunzite frowned worriedly and disappeared. 
	"It?s Thalassa-Moon!" Stardance cried. 

***

	"Stop! I am the pretty soldier of love and peace and justice, Sailor 
FlowerPower! I am the princess of Thalassa, moon of Neptune, Princess 
Thalassa-Moon! On behalf of Thalassa, my friends, and the people of this 
earth, I shall punish you!" I thrust the Flower Stick and Hanazuishou at 
Amythite. "Flower Crystal Power!" A rainbow stream hurled itself at the 
raven haired woman. 
	Amythite laughed, standing, and cast a blast of no longer violet, 
but now black energy at me. Metallia was powering her directly now. Our two 
blasts met and stayed, neither gaining ground. 
	"You can?t win, little princess! The dark power is stronger than 
you!" She laughed wickedly and pushed the black beam harder at me, forcing 
my beam back. 
	"No..." I thought. "She?s gaining on me..." I started to feel tired. 
	"See?" she cried. "You weaken! Give up!" 
	"Please no..." I closed my eyes. "Everyone, I need you! Please help 
me!" 

***

	The heads of Sunny?s friends raised one by one. They heard the 
mental plea, and responded. Tuxedo Rose and Sailor Stardance approached 
Princess Thalassa-Moon?s side, and each reached out a hand to touch hers. 
The Inner Senshi gathered and joined hands. 
	"Onegai, minna..." 
	"Please, everyone..." 
	Something strange began to happen to Tuxedo Rose and Stardance. The 
rainbow light surrounded them, and their clothes melted and reformed to 
those of their royalty. Stardance had become Princess Luna Alyse and Tuxedo 
Rose became Prince Oceanus-Moon. They joined their power with their princess, just 
as the Inner Senshi did. 
	And then it was all in her hands. 

***

	I screamed once, silently, as the rainbow stream turned white with 
the combined powers of all my friends. I felt Amythite recoil in fear, then 
cry someone?s name as the beam overcame her, and she faded away. And then I 
did. 

	"Sunny!" 
	"Someone get some water!" 
	"Minna!" 
	"Sunny-chan!" 
	"Here, look out!" 
	"Wait, I think..." 
	I squinted and squeezed my eyes shut. 
	"Will you guys please shut up?" I mumbled. "I have a terrible 
headache." 
	Then I got smothered in a group hug. Wonderful... 

	I sighed. Some ?relaxing? weekend that had been. The four days were 
nearly up, and Usagi and company were heading home. 
	I was fine, being the only one really out of it after our battle. 
Apparently after Amythite?s destruction, everyone forgot about the concert, 
though there was some amount of confusion at the community center as to the 
musical equipment. 
	The school had not yet found out about the disappearance of Ms. Amy 
Stone. But we were all fairly sure that they would when we went back. 
	As for us, the Inner Senshi had their own homes and lives to get 
back to. We stood gathered in Stellar Park, where we?d first met. 
	"Well..." I offered. We all looked at the grass. Usagi, Ami, Rei, 
Makoto, and Minako stood in a line before us. Tristan stood close to me, and 
Merlyn to my right. 
	I looked up, feeling the tears in my eyes. "I-" 
	"Atashi-" Usagi began. The two of us burst into tears and fell into 
a sisterly hug, the rest following suit in a matter of seconds. 
	"I?m gonna miss you guys," I choked. Everyone nodded, a silent 
understanding. 
	"Me too, Sunny-chan," Usagi responded, hiccuping quietly. We parted 
after a few moments. 
	"We?ve gotta quit staying up so late, Ami-chan," Merlyn joked, 
rubbing at her face. Ami smiled through her tears and nodded. 
	Usagi looked up at me through shining blue eyes. "Remember, 
Sunny-chan. Remember us." 
	I nodded. "Omoidasu, minna. I will." 
	Everyone smiled, and the Inner Senshi made their circle, joining 
hands, with the cats in the middle. 
	"Sailor-" 
	"Teleport!" 
	And they were gone. 
	"Sayonara," I whispered, hugging tight to Tristan. "Omoidasu..." 

***

	A few weeks later there was a report of a large earthquake somewhere 
in the northern latitudes. Sunny and her companions didn?t find anything 
mysterious about it. But five girls in Tokyo, Japan had forgotten all about 
them. Sunny, Merlyn, and Tristan had no worries and were free from their 
duties as Senshi for several months. But a new threat came, as it always 
does... 


Translations
Oyasuminasai - Good night
Hai - Yes
Ohayo - Good morning
Doushita? - What?s wrong?
Minna, henshin-yo - Everyone, transform!
Matte! - Wait!
Iie - No
Onegai - Please
Atashi - I (Feminine, masculine is boku.)
Omoidasu - Remember
Sayonara - Good bye


Ep. 9 - http://eternal.dreamhost.com/fanfics/ss9.txt
Beverly "Usagi" Alliss - beverly@magicalgirls.net
Merlyn "Ami" Baker - yumesan@yahoo.com
First Written, 1998.  Recent Editing, May 2000.

Tsuki no Yume
http://eternal.dreamhost.com/fanfics/