It was gone.

It wasn't like someone turning a light off. There's always a moment in the movement, the twilight pause between half-on and half-off that makes a soft nearly inaudible click that you can't hear, but you can feel. It isn't much, but it is enough of a warning to prepare yourself, to blink at the right moment and shield one's self from the sudden contrast.

Now? Now it was simply gone. Sailor Merope stood on the table, frozen as someone dressed in dark clothing simply vanished, taking with them... What was it? His olive eyes slid from the empty place to the cake, which seemed in itself to slump in defeat.

Someone yelled.
Someone began laughing.
Someone kicked the table, nearly knocking him off if he didn't crouch down to grab onto it in time. He was too tired to cry out against her or spare her any sort of Look. No, he really wished he had a table he could kick too.

He dropped the piece of cake and began coughing, slowly getting off the table (on the opposite side of Sailor Tablekicker) and leaned into it, shoulders slumped. He could hear the other senshi call out for their teammates. Atlas? Alcyone? He saw them earlier. Orion had disappeared – was he okay? The boy didn't know.

He had failed for the second time in a row. First in the maze, now here... He wanted to run, to hide. He wanted –

Do not despair.


Sailor Merope, Senshi of Rogue Waves looked up. Was it moonlight? No – moonlight didn't make his heart skip a beat, nor did it ease his forming bruises and stings. Nor did it ever make him feel like someone had an arm around his shoulder, telling him chin up, it's okay to fall once in awhile – you're learning, after all. The more you practice, the less you'll fall.

"You have not been defeated yet. The Negaverse may have taken this one light away from you, but the presence of this one means there are others. So do not despair. Stand tall and be proud, Sailor Senshi from across the galaxy... stand tall, and let your light shine."

Find the lights that wait for you...

Find them, and find hope.


Was... was it even possible, after all that they went through? The boy closed his eyes and took a slow, shuddering breath. He curled his hands into fists. His lips trembled before he took another slow breath, pushing his lips into a firm line. I can't... I can't give up! He thought, letting the breath out sharply. He was Sailor Merope, Senshi of Rogue Waves of the Pleiades Cluster, leader of Team Pleiades!

“Next time,” he whispered, looking to where their Moon Princess stood. “Next time, I...” He trailed off. He couldn't promise that he'd do it. Promising to do better wasn't enough. Nor was it enough to try. He swallowed, looking down before jerking his chin up again. No! He would not cower. Even if he was scared, he will stand his ground. He will be Sailor Merope. No, he is Sailor Merope! Fear be damned! “Next time I'll show them! I'll be brave and prove it!”