Sailor Moon: Destiny of the Stars

Epilogue:

In her mind, Tanya slowly opened her eyes and looked around. Her heart nearly stopped beating at what she saw; it was all black space with tiny stars twinkling around her. She looked down at herself and saw soft, white light surrounding her nude body. Oh man, not again! she thought. She hugged herself and began to shiver at the loneliness and open space about her. "H..hello? Is anyone out there?" she shouted. Her voice echoed throughout the strange place.

"Princess," said a deep voice. Tanya's head jerked up in surprise, and she looked around wildly, trying to find the person to whom the voice belonged to.

"Who's there?" she asked, her heart started to pound wildly. She looked everywhere and still she found no one with her.

"I'm the one who's been with you through your battles, Princess. I am the Sirius Emerald Star Stone. Finally, after so long, I am able to link my mind with yours. You've been through much, my Mistress, and now, the people of this planet can live in peace with those they love."

"You're...the Sirius Emerald Star Stone?" Bewilderment was in Tanya's voice and face. She looked around her once more and hugged herself harder. "Wait a minute. Did I...die?" Panic began setting in her heart.

"No Princess, you are very much alive. It's just that your consciousness is inside me. I was finally able to be strong enough to link with you, as I said before, and I only wanted to ensure that your body and mind wasn't damaged with the amount of energy we used together." The voice paused for a moment, as if considering its next words before speaking again. "Tell me, Princess, what is your greatest wish, right now?"

Tears filled Tanya's eyes as she thought about the question, her heart beating hard, "I...I just wish to go home," the dark-skinned girl said after a moment. "I want to be with my friends, with my dad, and just be a normal girl again. I wish to be like I was! Before all of...this!" A sob escaped Tanya's throat before she could help it, and with a shudder, tears fell down her dark cheeks as she cried softly. "I...I want Marco to yell at me that it's time to get up for school. I want to run as fast as I can to school with Usagi so I won't be late. I...want my dad to scold me for daydreaming too much. I want to become a famous writer one day because I love reading so much! I want Haruka onee-san to hug me and call me her kawaii neko-chan....her cute kitten. That's...that's my life, and I want it back!"

The girl sobbed loudly again, unable to go on. Memories of being with Usagi, Rei, Minako, and all the other senshi and having fun filled her mind, as well as memories of her growing up in her country of Libya and the time she spent with her cousin Anna in New York City.

There was a long silence as the voice seemed to be thinking, then it spoke again, this time more softly and considerate. "Then it is that wish that I will grant for you. You are very brave, Princess, and you have proven that to me and others many times. Now, it is time for you to return home. Go Princess, and live in peace."

"But what about the future? Is everything alright now?" interrupted Tanya, remembering the two Vishtri soldiers that were left.

"All is well here," replied a new voice, which after a moment, Tanya recognized as Neo-Queen Felicity's. "The remaining Vishtri soldiers have been rounded up and removed from the planet. They will be dealt with according to our laws," The voice turned much softer. "Thank you, Sailor Sirius...no, Tanya, for your help and bravery in defeating this threat. I am ever grateful. Goodbye, and may you and your friends live in peace from now on!"

"Th..thank you," whispered Tanya. She didn't know what else to say to her future self, and wiped away a tear that fell down her cheek. Suddenly, a child's giggling was heard, and Tanya smiled as she recognized who it belonged to.

"Bye bye, Tanya-chan! I love you, and I'll see you soon!" the little girl said. Tanya chuckled, but before she could answer Tilly back, there was a bright flash, and when it dissipated, she was gone.

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"Sailor Sirius, come on, wake up!" cried Sailor Moon, shaking Sirius's body. "Please, you can't leave us like this, PLEASE!" She laid her head on the smaller senshi's chest for a few seconds, then straightened up and turned to Tuxedo Kamen and the other senshi, panic and tears in her eyes. "Oh my God, she's not breathing! SHE'S NOT BREATHING!"

"Oh no, Sailor Sirius!" whispered Sailor Venus, tears running down her eyes.

Star Healer immediately dropped down to his knees and gathered Sirius's body in his strong arms. His large, green eyes were wide with alarm. "Ti, it's me! Please, you have to come back! Please don't leave me!" the Starlight Warrior whispered in desperation. Tenderly, he held his love closer to his chest as a tear fell down his pale cheek and landed on the Sirius's serene face. There was no way she was gone! Not after everything they've been through! How could he go on if she wasn't in his life?

Yaten had never allowed himself to believe in a thing called "love" before, but ever since he met Tanya, he now knew it was real, very real, and it would be hell going on without her. It was too painful to think about, and he choked back a sob with great difficulty. Then, when all seemed lost, Sailor Sirius's body stirred, and she jerked up as she opened her mouth and took in a huge gulp of air. The Star senshi's body was then wracked with strong coughs as Star Healer continued to hold her, trying to calm her down. All the senshi looked on with worry and anxiousness.

Sirius stopped coughing after a moment and slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the sunlight above. She looked up at the worried faces staring down at her, then looked into the eyes of her love. "Y..Yaten-chan?" she breathed out, her voice raspy.

Sailor Star Healer's eyes widened, and he breathed out in relief to see that indeed, Sirius had awakened. He grinned widely and was about to lean down to give her a kiss when the other senshi gave out a yell of joy and rushed forward to give hugs and kisses to Sirius, nearly pushing the Star Light out the way.

"Where are we? Did we make it back home?" Sirius asked once the cries of joy and kisses stopped.

"Yes, we're home again!" said Sailor Mercury, her intelligent blue eyes now filled with happiness. "Somehow, we managed to cross time again, and we woke up back here."

Sirius sat up from Healer's arms and looked cautiously around. Sure enough, there were right back were they were, in the parking lot of the Music Hall where they fought.

"I believe Sailor Pluto had a hand in that," said Sailor Mars, smiling at Jupiter beside her.

"Good, because there's nothing I'd like better than to just go home." said Sailor Sirius. She gave a soft sigh. With the help Sailor Star Healer, she shakily stood on her feet.

"Are you sure you're okay?" asked Sailor Uranus, standing between Neptune and Saturn.

Sailor Sirius nodded to calm Uranus's fears. "Yeah, I'm fine," she replied. Sirius looked at everyone around her with tearful eyes. "Minna-san...everyone, I just want to thank you all, for everything. I mean, if it weren't for you..." A lump of emotion formed in her throat, and Sailor Sirius couldn't find the words to express what she felt for her friends then.

Sailor Moon put a gentle arm around her waist, and nodded in understanding, she gave her a soft smile. The others also smiled and nodded, knowing that right now, no words were needed. Police sirens interrupted the emotional scene then, and with quick movements the Sailor Senshi exited the parking lot.

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Three weeks later:

Tanya dashed down the sidewalk and around the corner to Juuban High School, her feet pounding against the hard pavement, her thick black hair streaming behind her. She couldn't be late, not for this! After returning home that day from the future, Tanya was tearfully reunited with her father and Marco, and life pretty much returned to normal. Then right after school yesterday, Yaten announced that he was giving a small concert that week-end, in honor of his new CD and the time he spent as a Three Lights member. From ever since then, Tanya was filled with excitement. She had always loved watching him perform with The Three Lights, and now as a single performer, she was filled with anticipation with what he had in store.

The afternoon sun was bright in her eyes and her thoughts elsewhere, so Tanya didn't see the figure that was turning the corner and stepping out in front of her. She was so engrossed in her thoughts, that before she could help herself, she plowed right into the tall figure, nearly knocking her down. Tanya herself fell ungracefully on the sidewalk.

Tanya straightened herself up from the ground and blushed harshly. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I truly didn't mean to do that! Are you alright? I must be so blind to not see you there!" the girl babbled, brushing herself off.

"Don't worry, I'm fine," the woman chuckled, "Though to tell you the truth, I suspect I'm the only blind one here." The woman bent down and searched for her walking stick. She located it a moment later and picked it up with long, delicate fingers.

Tanya looked in surprised at the person before her; she was very beautiful and tall...so tall in fact, that Tanya nearly had to crane her neck up to look into her face. The most striking feature of the tall woman was that she had beautiful, silvery white hair that blew softly in the early October wind. Her eyes were a soft shade of grey, but they looked vacant, and it was then that Tanya knew; she was blind.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't know...I'm sorry if I offended you," Tanya said softly as she blushed hard again. "I'm Tanya, and I was trying to be somewhere on time..." Before she could continue, a beautiful, golden-haired dog stepped out into view, and he looked at Tanya with curious eyes.

"Oh wow, what a nice looking dog! He looks so much like my Marco!" Tanya exclaimed happily. She reached down to pet the dog, but then glanced at the watch on her wrist. When Tanya saw what time it was, she gasped and turned to the woman, "I'm so sorry, I have to go! Um, sorry again for bumping into you, BYE!" With that, Tanya waved and hurried off.

The woman smiled softly to herself and shook her head. "She's so much like the Princess, it's almost uncanny!" she whispered to herself. She sighed and patted the golden dog on his head, then took hold of his harness. "Come on old friend, time for us to be going." The two walked calmly down the street, the sun shining at their backs and casting a long shadow before them.

Meanwhile, Tanya stopped running and looked behind her at the woman walking away. Memories then flooded into her mind; it was kind of shaky, but she vaguely remembered Usagi and the others tell her about a blind friend they had. Her name was Shin...something, and she also remembered them telling her about another sailor senshi...what was it, Sailor...Orion or something? Could it be her? Tanya blinked her eyes as she tried to remember, then shrugged and continued running, deciding to ask them about it some other time.

Tanya ran into the High School backyard and pushed her way through the large crowd of girls that stood in front of a high stage filled with lights and large speakers. Yaten was onstage, finishing up a song with a soft and melodic voice. Tanya pushed forward and finally found Usagi, Minako, and the rest of the group of friends near the front. Tanya smiled when she saw who they were with. Asai gently held Minako close to him, his dark brown hair shining in the sun. Rei had her hand on the shoulder of Yuuichiro as the young man smiled in admiration at the singer. Beside Ami, Urawa Ryo was contently listening, holding the young blue-haired girl's hand. Makoto had her hands gently wrapped around Shinozaki's waist, a wistful smile on her lips. Naru and Umino stood to the side, looking on in excitement as Unazuki and Motoki stood with them. "Did...did I miss much?" Tanya asked, wiping the sweat from her brow as she came up next Usagi and Mamoru.

"Not really, this is his first song!" replied Usagi, whispering as everyone was listening to the song. Beside her, Rei and the others stood transfixed as they listened to the ending of Yaten's beautiful song: