A Sailor Moon Fanfiction: The Pledge of the Sun.

Chapter 131

Everyone was over at the hospital. After Hotaru's sudden transformation and taking her Silver Crystal, Usagi and the others had to retreat to get Chibiusa some help. However, when the doctor looked at the girl, he had terrible news.

"I'm sorry, but... her heart is no longer beating," the doctor spoke solemnly. "She's gone."

Usagi and the others were shocked, unable to speak as the doctor and nurse silently left the room.

The ordango blonde couldn't help but start to cry. "No... It's not true," Usagi denied tearfully. "She can't be..."

Then, Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna appeared in the doorway.

"Her soul got taken," said Haruka quietly. "That's most likely why the doctor couldn't do anything."

"You mean Hotaru, or rather Sailor Saturn killed her when she took her Silver Crystal?" asked Usagi.

"That wasn't Sailor Saturn," spoke Setsuna. "If it were, then the three talismans would have activated, and so far, they haven't."

"And as for Chibiusa, there is a way to save her," said Haruka. "But..."

Usagi immediately stood up. "How? What can we do? How can we save her?" she demanded, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. "Please tell us!"

"We must kill Hotaru," replied Haruka. "That girl, or rather that being we saw, isn't Hotaru anymore. She's become a vessel for the Death Busters, while Chibiusa's soul and her Legendary Silver Crystal are in her hands. We must get them back to save her, which means destroying our enemy. And while Sailor Saturn may not be awake yet, the Earth is finished if we don't act now. So the three of us are going not only for Chibiusa, but to also save all of humankind."

Usagi and the others didn't know what to say, remaining silent. The three Outer Guardians then silently left the room without another word. Usagi knew that Haruka was right about the situation, but she still couldn't help but feel conflicted, not wanting anyone else to get hurt. She gently held her future daughter's hand only to notice that her skin had grown cold and clammy, which made her all the more worried that she was gone.

Mamoru then spoke up. "Her heart's stopped, and her blood isn't circulating," he said grimly. "Even if we were able to get back her soul, we won't be able to revive her, not if we leave her here in a place like this."

Usagi looked up at him. "What do you mean, Mamo?" she asked.

"Her body is dying, and we're running out of time," said Mamoru. "If we don't get Chibiusa's soul back soon, she could be gone forever. However, I may have an idea to keep Chibiusa alive until we get her soul back in her."

Usagi and the other girls looked up in surprise.

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Meanwhile, Harusuke was standing outside the hospital, feeling and looking very miserable. As he stood there, replaying what had happened in his mind, who knows how many times, he couldn't help but blame himself for what had happened to Chibiusa. If only he were faster. If only he could have gotten there sooner. Those were the thoughts that were racing through his mind as he stood there. Not only that, but he was still wondering what happened to Hotaru after she changed.

Just then, Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna came walking out of the hospital, which caught his attention.

"Hey. Is Chibiusa okay?" asked Harusuke.

The three stood there in silence. Then, Michiru spoke up.

"For the time being, Chibiusa's in a comatose state because of Hotaru... or rather that Death Buster taking her soul away from her," she explained. "We believe she'll return to normal if we return her soul to her. However..."