CHAPTER 25 "How did they die the first time, Serenity?" questioned Cosmo Eos as she surveyed the wrecked room. "They...I thought they blasted themselves into oblivion." "Hmm...." Sailor Pluto nudged Pikurol's battered wand. "But they blamed you for their disfigurement." Neo Queen Serenity nodded as she gaze regretfully at where the twins had vanished. "No use in bringing up old issues." said Endymion, he now stood at a newly opened door. "Do not forget, we still have an important appointment." "Let's go then." ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` "How's you shoulder, Cosmo Eos?" inquired Serenity anxiously when she noticed Cosmo Eos absently rubbing it. "It's fine..We're here..." A distant look appeared in Sailor Cosmo Eos' eyes as she materialized her staff, an elongated golden rod with two phoenixes embracing a luminiscent orb. She silently clasped hands with her friends. "Whatever happens...I'm glad to meet you all..." "Sailor Cosmo Eos...don't say that...." Sailor Cosmo Eos only smiled sadly and pushed the ebony doors opened. A faint breeze blew past, causing her pale hair to wispily frame her face. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Welcome, sailor senshi....I congratulate you on your apparent stubborn survival." greeted the Shadow King. They had entered a large dimensional arena. Ebony stalactites grew from the ceiling and the tips glowed red. In the middle of the arena stood the Shadow King and Queen, both dressed in navy-blue armour. The Shadow King held a crooked brown staff carved into the likeness of a winged demon. "Hahaha...Why so silent...oh so great Queen?" The Shadow Queen laughed as Sailor Cosmo Eos stiffened. "Sounds familiar? We both have the memories of the former inhabitants of these bodies." She half-leaned on her husband. "You are too evil!" exclaimed Serenity. "I'll not allow you to bring another storm of destruction! ROYAL MOON BENEDICTION!" But the Shadows suddenly vanished. Serenity only had a split second of shock before she was flung against the wall. "SERENITY!" "YOUR MAJESTY!" Both Pluto and Endymion gasped in surprise, before they too were blasted crushingly into the opposing wall. Sailor Cosmo Eos watched all this dispassionately at the corner of her eye. She remained standing where she was, silently monitoring the approach of her enemy. Suddenly, she vanished as the ground below her exploded. She appeared floating above the ground, zipping here and there as she parried with the Shadow King, their movements too swift for the human eye to follow. "Kuso! Tuxedo La Smoking Bomber!" Endymion released his attack towards a smirking Shadow Queen. She vanished once again and appeared half a foot away. "Why, Endymion, you'd harm your own sister?" inquired the Shadow Queen mockingly. "Shut up!" he threw a barrage of roses towards her smirking form. The Shadow Queen deftly avoided it and blocked Pluto's staff. "Royal Moon Benediction!" Neo Queen Serenity quickly took her chance and blasted her attack. The Shadow Queen's eyes widen in shock as she desperately tried to evade Pluto's and Endymion's attack. Quickly, she caught hold of Pluto by her collar and flung her towards the incoming pink energy. "PLUTO!!" gasped Serenity. Pluto gasped as the energy went through her, then she fell into a dead faint. "Sayonara...Sailormoon." said the Shadow Queen as she appeared behind Serenity, quickly stabbing her through the heart. Serenity only gurgled as blood flowed into her lungs. "NOO!!" Endymion raced forward and slashed at the Shadow Queen with his cane. He caught Serenity in his arms. "Usako...." "Mamoru.....I feel...so..cold..." gasped out Serenity as she blew out her last breath. Her cold hand fell lifelessly onto the floor as Endymion hugged her in grief. "Now it's your turn, King Endymion." said the Shadow Queen, raising her blade above Endymion. Instantly, another blue energy hit her square on her back, flinging her against the wall, where she landed with a sickening crunch. Sailor Cosmo Eos gaped in surprise at the Shadow King. He had thrown the attack. But now....he was doubled up, grimly clutching his right hand. He raised his head and Cosmo Eos gasped. His left red eye glared at her...but his right eye was blue...the same blue that she had once so lovingly gaze into.... "Zakros..." she whispered. The commotion behind her interupted her thoughts. Turning, she felt a sharp pang when she say Serenity's lifeless form. Endymion now was forcing his glowing energy onto the Shadow Queen, who retaliated by releasing a stream of energy. Their battle caused debris to swirl around them, creating a airtight dimension. But most shocking, was Endymion's grim and determined face. He continued to increase his output of power, ignoring the stabbing pain as his body strained to contain that energy...his mind was filled with bloodlust and revenge. "Your Majesty...stop.." Sailor Pluto struggled to get up from the floor. "Your body would self-destruct...." She turned imploringly to a Sailor Cosmo Eos. "Stop him.... please...his mind is close to all except revenge.." Yet Sailor Cosmo Eos shook her head. "Do not interfere, Sailor Pluto. Your Queen is already dead. He too is already beyond any communication..." "What...you..." Pluto gazed helplessly at Endymion, his body already starting to break apart. "Then..I'll stop him...myself...Time..." "Setsuna-mama!" A sweet girlish voice interrupted her. Pluto turned and stare at Hotaru's ghostly form. "Hotaru...is that you?" "It's me..mama." Hotaru shimmered slightly. "But only you can see me...I'm still alive. But I'm in somewhere dark.." "Hotaru! Where are you?" shouted Sailor Pluto as Hotaru vanished suddenly. At the same moment, both Endymion, the Shdaow Queen, the Shadow King let out an anguished howl. Both Endymion and the Shadow Queen exploded, their flesh and blood spattering onto the stony ground. The Shadow King groaned as a blue astral form separated from his body. The shape shimmered and revealed a serious dark-haired man with sky-blue eyes. "ZAKROS!!!" exclaimed Sailor Cosmo Eos.