Chapter 10: The Final Confrontation

“My, I believe you do have an identity crisis, my dear,” Nadomus greeted, standing in the center of the room. “What am I to call you now?”

She approached the outer edge of the gray circle and stopped, fighting the compulsion to enter it. Her halt caused a look of surprise to cross his face, but it was quickly replaced with annoyance.

“I am Sailor Jupiter Moon, guardian of Jupiter and her satellites. I fight for honor, justice, and love. And for my loved ones, I WILL DESTROY YOU!”

“Pretty speech. Can to back up your words?” His icy tone put her on guard.

To justify her hunch, a black ball of energy flew at Jupiter. Due to her stance, she easily dodged it, retreating away from the circle of gray light.

She still had Ganymede’s star in her hand, safely clenched in her fist. The words of a new attack echoed in her mind. “For you, Paul,” she whispered.

The star floated at the tips of her extended two fingers. She raised her hand above her head, posing for the attack. “Ganymede Love Strike!” The star flew at Nadomus, attaching to his shoulder. There was a flash and an exclamation of pain. She saw that Nadomus was now clutching a bloody shoulder.

“That was foolish, my dear.” His eyes were slits in anger. “Very foolish.” Nadomus produced a whip and lashed at Jupiter. The whip encircled her, pinning her arms to her body. She was unable to send an attack. The whip began to crackle with energy. Summoning her strength, Jupiter broke the whip and the pieces disappeared.

Nadomus gaped at her in surprise. “You are stronger than your mother,” he remarked, smiling the expression of shocked horror on her face. “That trick weakened her considerably. We shall see just how much stronger you are.”

He sent a large ball of negative energy. Dodging nimbly, she sent her next attack. “Jupiter Moon Thunder Tornado!” A swirling tunnel of white energy surrounded Nadomus.

Suddenly, it began to shrink. His cries of pain echoed off the walls, creating a roar in the room. The attack vanished, leaving Nadomus swaying weakly for a moment. Quickly he steadied himself.

“You will pay for that!!” Any hint of smugness was gone. Plain hatred radiated from his body. Before he could strike, Jupiter sent another attack.

“Electrical Earth Eruption!”

A furious series of black energy strikes pounded at her. She yelped in pain as one caught her in the ankle, slowing her down. She had to attack Nadomus before he could attack her.

“Jupiter Moon Thunder Tsunami!!”

The attack found its target, inflicting more burns. Roaring in pain, Nadomus threw all the energy he could summon at her. Realizing that she could not dodge this attack, Jupiter closed her eyes and braced herself for the blow.

After a few seconds, she opened her eyes. At the end of her outstretched arms, a sphere of green light was halting the attack. She saw that her uniform was gone and replaced by a soft green formal gown. The Jupiter Moon Crystal was hovering in front of her palms, warding off the attack.

She was the Princess of Jupiter. She saw that Nadomus was gaping in disbelief, shocked that his attack had been blocked. He no longer had any power over her. She was now in control.

“For all those I loved who suffered because of you, I call upon the power of Jupiter and her satellites to destroy you! Jupiter Moon Crystal Attack!!”

The crystal flared with emerald light, causing her to lower her head. The sphere of verdant light grew larger and larger. Nadomus had only an instant to protest before the sphere engulfed him. A blast shook the room. Then everything dimmed.

* * * * *

She blinked her eyes several times before they became accustomed to room’s gray light. The Jupiter Moon Crystal hovered above her hands, glowing with rich emerald light. The battle had been won. Yet, it was not over.

She turned toward the doorway. She had to find the others and send them all home. She gasped as she saw the figure at the threshold.

“Paul?” She crossed the vast expanse of the room. Her eyes swelled with tears as she realized that he was actually standing before her.

“Your Highness,” he whispered, awed by her transformation. He dropped to his knees, bowing his head to the new monarch. She touched his shoulder gently with one hand before raising his face to hers.

“Never to me, Paul. Never to me.”

He took her hand and kissed it out of respect and love. Slowly, he stood up, continuing to gaze at her. She was still the Leda he had known most of his life. Yet, something had changed. There was a new air of wisdom and maturity about her.

“Then it’s over. Nadomus has been defeated.”

“Nadomus has been defeated,” she answered. “But it will not be over until we are all safely home.” She smiled at him. For the first time in the many months since her mother’s disappearance, there was peace. “Come. I need to wake the others.”

* * * * *

The courtyard was deathly quiet and partially covered by an ethereal mist. She entered the courtyard, closely followed by Paul. She halted, conjuring up a new possibility to her present task. She turned to Paul.

“Whatever happens,” she warned Paul, “do not let Sailor Europa use her powers on me. Promise me that.”

He looked at her, questioning the need for such a request. Reluctantly he agreed. “I promise.”

“I will revive them, using the crystal,” she explained. “Then I will send us home, but no one will have any memories of what happened here.”

“No one but you.” He glared at her, but she did not refute the statement. “How can that be fair?”

“It is the way it has to be, Paul. It is for the best.”

“I don’t want to forget what happened here, Leda. What happened between us. Please, don’t make me forget.”

She shook her head, averting her eyes for a moment. “We shall see, Paul,” she answered, facing him once more. “That is all that I can promise.”

He bit his lip to stop any further argument. He had to accept that for now. “Okay. But if I forget all that has happened here, I will still love you.”

“And I will always love you.” She turned to the courtyard where her sisters laid. “It’s time.”

Paul watched as she entered the courtyard. She continued until she had reached the center. She paused, taking a deep breath before raising her outstretched hands above her head. The crystal floated above her hands, bathing her in emerald light.

“Jupiter Moon Crystal Power--Healing!!”

The floor of the courtyard gradually began to glow with a green light. The glow grew stronger. As the light became brighter, the mist receded, exposing the Sailors.

The burns and cuts were healing as the light grew stronger. At the light’s zenith, the pavement appeared to be made of emeralds, rather than ordinary stones. The glow held for a moment, then vanished.

Paul ran to the center of the courtyard. She was sitting on the pavement, clutching the crystal in one hand. She shook her head slowly, trying to fight the urge to surrender to the blackness.

Paul gently helped her to her feet. She surveyed the area, her smile broadening. The Sailors were waking and seemed fine.

“They are waking up!” She was almost giddy. “They’re okay!”

“I am very happy,” he said, smiling back at her for a moment. His smile darkened, becoming concerned. “Leda, should you use the crystal anymore?”

“Have faith, Paul. Everything will be fine.” She saw that all the Sailors were waking. “It’s time to go home.” She smiled tenderly at him for a moment with a hint of sadness in her eyes. “I will always love you.”

Before he could answer, she raised the crystal above her head once more. “Jupiter Moon Crystal Teleport!” Then, the courtyard, and Charon, were empty.


The Final Confrontation “My, I believe you do have an identity crisis, my dear,” Nadomus greeted, standing in the center of the room. “What am I to call you now?” She approached the outer edge of the gray circle and stopped, fighting the compulsion to enter it. Her halt caused a look of surprise to cross his face, but it was quickly replaced with annoyance. “I am Sailor Jupiter Moon, guardian of Jupiter and her satellites. I fight for honor, justice, and love. And for my loved ones, I WILL DESTROY YOU!” “Pretty speech. Can to back up your words?” His icy tone put her on guard. To justify her hunch, a black ball of energy flew at Jupiter. Due to her stance, she easily dodged it, retreating away from the circle of gray light. She still had Ganymede’s star in her hand, safely clenched in her fist. The words of a new attack echoed in her mind. “For you, Paul,” she whispered. The star floated at the tips of her extended two fingers. She raised her hand above her head, posing for the attack. “Ganymede Love Strike!” The star flew at Nadomus, attaching to his shoulder. There was a flash and an exclamation of pain. She saw that Nadomus was now clutching a bloody shoulder. “That was foolish, my dear.” His eyes were slits in anger. “Very foolish.” Nadomus produced a whip and lashed at Jupiter. The whip encircled her, pinning her arms to her body. She was unable to send an attack. The whip began to crackle with energy. Summoning her strength, Jupiter broke the whip and the pieces disappeared. Nadomus gaped at her in surprise. “You are stronger than your mother,” he remarked, smiling the expression of shocked horror on her face. “That trick weakened her considerably. We shall see just how much stronger you are.” He sent a large ball of negative energy. Dodging nimbly, she sent her next attack. “Jupiter Moon Thunder Tornado!” A swirling tunnel of white energy surrounded Nadomus. Suddenly, it began to shrink. His cries of pain echoed off the walls, creating a roar in the room. The attack vanished, leaving Nadomus swaying weakly for a moment. Quickly he steadied himself. “You will pay for that!!” Any hint of smugness was gone. Plain hatred radiated from his body. Before he could strike, Jupiter sent another attack. “Electrical Earth Eruption!” A furious series of black energy strikes pounded at her. She yelped in pain as one caught her in the ankle, slowing her down. She had to attack Nadomus before he could attack her. “Jupiter Moon Thunder Tsunami!!” The attack found its target, inflicting more burns. Roaring in pain, Nadomus threw all the energy he could summon at her. Realizing that she could not dodge this attack, Jupiter closed her eyes and braced herself for the blow. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes. At the end of her outstretched arms, a sphere of green light was halting the attack. She saw that her uniform was gone and replaced by a soft green formal gown. The Jupiter Moon Crystal was hovering in front of her palms, warding off the attack. She was the Princess of Jupiter. She saw that Nadomus was gaping in disbelief, shocked that his attack had been blocked. He no longer had any power over her. She was now in control. “For all those I loved who suffered because of you, I call upon the power of Jupiter and her satellites to destroy you! Jupiter Moon Crystal Attack!!” The crystal flared with emerald light, causing her to lower her head. The sphere of verdant light grew larger and larger. Nadomus had only an instant to protest before the sphere engulfed him. A blast shook the room. Then everything dimmed. * * * * * She blinked her eyes several times before they became accustomed to room’s gray light. The Jupiter Moon Crystal hovered above her hands, glowing with rich emerald light. The battle had been won. Yet, it was not over. She turned toward the doorway. She had to find the others and send them all home. She gasped as she saw the figure at the threshold. “Paul?” She crossed the vast expanse of the room. Her eyes swelled with tears as she realized that he was actually standing before her. “Your Highness,” he whispered, awed by her transformation. He dropped to his knees, bowing his head to the new monarch. She touched his shoulder gently with one hand before raising his face to hers. “Never to me, Paul. Never to me.” He took her hand and kissed it out of respect and love. Slowly, he stood up, continuing to gaze at her. She was still the Leda he had known most of his life. Yet, something had changed. There was a new air of wisdom and maturity about her. “Then it’s over. Nadomus has been defeated.” “Nadomus has been defeated,” she answered. “But it will not be over until we are all safely home.” She smiled at him. For the first time in the many months since her mother’s disappearance, there was peace. “Come. I need to wake the others.” * * * * * The courtyard was deathly quiet and partially covered by an ethereal mist. She entered the courtyard, closely followed by Paul. She halted, conjuring up a new possibility to her present task. She turned to Paul. “Whatever happens,” she warned Paul, “do not let Sailor Europa use her powers on me. Promise me that.” He looked at her, questioning the need for such a request. Reluctantly he agreed. “I promise.” “I will revive them, using the crystal,” she explained. “Then I will send us home, but no one will have any memories of what happened here.” “No one but you.” He glared at her, but she did not refute the statement. “How can that be fair?” “It is the way it has to be, Paul. It is for the best.” “I don’t want to forget what happened here, Leda. What happened between us. Please, don’t make me forget.” She shook her head, averting her eyes for a moment. “We shall see, Paul,” she answered, facing him once more. “That is all that I can promise.” He bit his lip to stop any further argument. He had to accept that for now. “Okay. But if I forget all that has happened here, I will still love you.” “And I will always love you.” She turned to the courtyard where her sisters laid. “It’s time.” Paul watched as she entered the courtyard. She continued until she had reached the center. She paused, taking a deep breath before raising her outstretched hands above her head. The crystal floated above her hands, bathing her in emerald light. “Jupiter Moon Crystal Power--Healing!!” The floor of the courtyard gradually began to glow with a green light. The glow grew stronger. As the light became brighter, the mist receded, exposing the Sailors. The burns and cuts were healing as the light grew stronger. At the light’s zenith, the pavement appeared to be made of emeralds, rather than ordinary stones. The glow held for a moment, then vanished. Paul ran to the center of the courtyard. She was sitting on the pavement, clutching the crystal in one hand. She shook her head slowly, trying to fight the urge to surrender to the blackness. Paul gently helped her to her feet. She surveyed the area, her smile broadening. The Sailors were waking and seemed fine. “They are waking up!” She was almost giddy. “They’re okay!” “I am very happy,” he said, smiling back at her for a moment. His smile darkened, becoming concerned. “Leda, should you use the crystal anymore?” “Have faith, Paul. Everything will be fine.” She saw that all the Sailors were waking. “It’s time to go home.” She smiled tenderly at him for a moment with a hint of sadness in her eyes. “I will always love you.” Before he could answer, she raised the crystal above her head once more. “Jupiter Moon Crystal Teleport!” Then, the courtyard, and Charon, were empty.


Jupiter's Gone