DISCLAIMERS:
All canon characters are (C) 1992 - whatever year it is Naoko Takeuchi and all other related parties. The Shadow senshi are (C) Wild Nature 2006 - 2007. This is a fanfic based upon the anime version and all written work that this consists of is (C) 2006 - 2007 Wild Nature.

Chapter Fourteen: The Choices One Makes; The Sacrifice Needed

The world swam in front of Eizou. In one moment, she had died and stood in limbo, where the air was hot, the light was too bright, and she heard so many things in her ears, so many voices.

Then it cleared, a soft lullaby being sung as Eizou moved forward. Once more, she faced the legendary Queen, Nehellenia wrapping her arms around her. Eizou couldn▓t think, couldn▓t breath. She knew about something, nibbling on the back of her mind.

▒This isn▓t right...▓

▒...zou...Eizou...▓ A soft, gentle voice came from Nehellenia. Her lips moved, words unheard but they echoed in her head, a gentle twinkling of bells. ▒It▓s all right..▓

▒I.. I don▓t want... to be dead..▓ Her mind was weak, the thought barely registered.

▒Now is not the time..▓ Nehellenia▓s hand brushed her tear stained cheek. A soft skin, clear version of a perfect hand, Eizou watched it fall in pieces to fully form back into a whole version at her side.

▒Why... why do I see you?▓ Eizou thought painfully.

▒We are the same.. the blood between us, between our people. We are linked by a chain of events that become history. Blessed by the White Moon, saved by the Princess, I could not save my own people yet. It is not my task to do so. The true Heir of the Dead Moon Realm, that which will bring life and salvation and day, it lies all in you.▓

▒They didn▓t ask... Usagi.. Princess Serenity swore...▓ Eizou▓s eyes squinted close, tears falling again. ▒I can▓t. It can▓t be me..▓

▒Only you have the power within to be. You hold the Triad Moon Piece, the Solar Cross into one. You can help Void, you can help the Dead Moon Realm AND Earth.▓

▒Too.. much...▓

She heard it, a soft laughter. ▒But Eizou.. you▓re not alone.▓

Eizou blinked, looking around her. The people were misting, becoming air particles floating upward. ▒Why these people? Why you? Are you trapped here?▓

▒We live on in our people, our family, lovers, and children. Deep within the hearts and memories, each time one sees something that reminds them of us, we thrive. We are those that will never be forgotten. You▓ve never met us before then, you never knew we lay in your heart. We are you and you are us. We are all one and the same..▓

She was pulling back, the trains of her dress turning to white first, drifting up her body as her eyes shone. ▒We come when needed, in times of peril. We give hope and love to those who need it most. Do not be afraid of the future, it▓s not all set in stone. We are all guided by the fate of destiny that we can control.▓

▒Eizou.. oh dear Eizou! That fateful day, those beautiful children cast into the pillars of fire. None of them suffered for they were saved and promised another chance, another life in order to return to fulfill their paths. You are the Shadows, born of the Elements. Though your purpose hides you from the world, those who know of you will protect you and care for you and you will be accepted. Don▓t forget this, believe in all others, believe in your heart and you will be the true Heir, the Princess of the Dead Moon Realm!▓

And she came to, her eyes blinking slowly as Jaro stood over her, in the front with a stiff back. In her hands was the Solar Cross and her fingers tightened as she struggled up. She stared at the newcomer with a strange gaze.

⌠Apple?■ She whispered finally.

He gave a slow nod. The white heavy robe, with red flares across his chest, brought out his pale skin. The back of the robe fell down heavily, the insides a dull red versus the bright slashes across his chest. His pants sloped down his thighs and calves, hiding his heavy black ankle boots. ⌠It is time.■

He raised a hand and the world once more fluctuated. It was a hidden world, where the sun blazed, and crystal pillars of the rainbow shown, dotted around the plane.

⌠The place of the Elements, the hidden world that keeps the Elements alive,■ Apple offered as a simple explanation.

They stood together, Apple the lone figure.

⌠Apple..■ Eizou began only to watch Jaro lunge. ⌠No! Wait!■

The two clashed, both fighting for a role that only one could fill. But if Jaro filled it, then she would lose him. If Apple filled it, he would never be able to love at all. Was it better to have loved and lost then to never had loved in the first place?

But she couldn▓t let either one of them be Void. It was too great a sacrifice, too much to lose and nearly nothing to gain. What right did this element have that it couldn▓t be taken in spades?

Because the seed of Nothingness existed already in the hearts of Man. But did it lay in the heart of a Beast? One untouched by anything save instinct, loyalty, and a fierce dedication to serve and protect?

Eizou looked down at the Solar Cross. A symbol of love and light, of the Day casting away the Night. Only to be held in the hands of the one that they would follow.

She was nothing more than a girl, born on Earth and a Sailor Senshi. Nearly all which was probably looked down upon in that world upon the dark side of the moon, the thought echoed in her mind.

A hand reached out, the red gloved hand as Sailor Moon looked at her. ⌠Eizou.. we▓re not alone in this destiny,■ She spoke clearly, gently. ⌠I know that this must feel like the world has ended. But..■ She hesitated. ⌠Doubts and fears are normal. But we▓re not alone..■ She pressed her arm in a arc, taking in the entire two teams. ⌠We are Sailor Senshi, destined to protect. We aren▓t alone. We have each other, as allies and friends. We are one and the same..■

Eizou turned toward the two men. ⌠Why.. Why did Apple chose this?■ She asked painfully. She began to move. ⌠Apple.. Apple.. APPLE!■

She felt herself fly at him, arms swinging around his neck, holding him close, as the look of surprise filled his face. ⌠Eizou?■

⌠Why? Why would you want to be Void?■ Eizou asked thickly. ⌠You must know the pain that exists! Why do you want to be Void?■

He looked down at her, his eyes unreasonable. ⌠Apple?■

⌠Eizou... do you know.. I watched you from afar,■ Apple said gently. ⌠From the wealth of stars, I was never strong enough to come until... until I learned to become my own.■

He looked up at Jaro. ⌠Seeing you.. through his eyes. I felt his pain, his sorrow, his longing. The feelings of being torn. He had truly believed that it would be him and he would die alone, taking you with him in a long, frightening loneliness.■

His fingers tightened on her shoulders. ⌠Eizou.. Eizou.. I cannot let you both down. I must be Void. For if I am Void, you won▓t have to hide from your hearts. You won▓t have to give up this precious life and love that grows even as we speak. I have seen, through his eyes, what you mean to him and how much it hurts.■

⌠I became my own for this cause only. Born a beast, to free me from all other unnecessary emotions, nonetheless, I have grown.. attached to you and all,■ he brushed back her bangs lovingly. ⌠I am not alone, I am loved. I do not need anything more.■

Eizou hugged him tightly. ⌠Apple.. oh Apple..■ She swallowed noisily to face Jaro.

⌠I... I can▓t let you be Void,■ She told him, her voice shallow. ⌠Not for any grand reasons, it▓s for all selfish reasons. I can▓t let you go. I won▓t, Jaro. You and I... our child... we saw a glimpse of a future that we both wanted. Why did you want to be Void?■ She asked then, in a near whisper, her hands clasped to her breasts.

⌠For ages.. long, long ages, I drifted. I failed each time to be Void. I always thought it was what I was destined for. To travel to this galaxy, I lost everything. My family and friends. I was allowed into the Dead Moon realm and the Silver Millennium alike, a useful mage. I created new dreams but each time, my heart was just too empty,■ his voice cast in the wind, a hesitant explanation.

He closed his eyes. ⌠I wanted to be Void.. to at least be a part of something. That same loneliness, had become so familiar that even though I knew what I really wanted, I was so afraid. I wandered this universe, I gained in so much in everything but what I am. But you... you make me whole. My heart aches in a good way, I▓m not so lonely but after so long believing this was the path I cast out.. I never realized that my heart would create that second path for me.■ He pulled her close. ⌠My Eizou.. I cannot be Void.■

They all turned to Apple, who watched them with a passive face. He pulled back then, each pillar, reaching high into the Heavens, lit up, shimmering with atoms of energy that flowed in arcs to forge into Apple.

His eyes turned white, his body alighting as the world became brighter.

⌠With this Oath, with this words, I will be the Void to the Elements, protecting all that is and existing to keep the balances. I will never be anything more, forever cast in the chains of Void..■

His hands reached out, bent at the elbows close to his sides. The wind carried around him, his eyes closing. ⌠I am the Void of world, of the galaxy, of the universe. I serve for the balances of light and darkness, to bring forth the way of life that has already been. I pledge this and only this.■

And the light faded, melting off him as his eyes glittered, a slow smile upon his lips before he turned to a shadow, reformatting as his canine self. ⌠I knew everything would turn out well. That▓s the thing about animals, we know that what happens was supposed to happen.■

And his body gave a bright hue of energy as the entire group found themselves in the Dead Moon realm, deep within the recesses of the castle.

Surprisingly, Duchess Nerthus was there with Njord, both looking startled to say the least.

Then Duchess Nerthus gave a cry of relief, seeing the beloved item in Eizou▓s hand. ⌠You found it? Oh, I knew it wouldn▓t be far from you!■

Eizou moved hesitantly. ⌠We should put this back,■ she said, rather unnecessary.