+++++
"There is always hope and rebirth."+
+++++


			   The Dawn of Serenity

			      Chapter Thirty


	At first, the light hurt his eyes. A world of darkness 
engulfed by pure energy became his burning sanctuary. The white light 
encircled his limbs like ethereal smoke and trailed into his lungs, 
bones and soul. It filled him with a peace as it washed out the 
blackness in his heart and broke the chains holding him through many 
lifetimes. He breathed out and a smile came to his lips. He was free.
He was finally free. In his mind he was laughing louder and stronger 
than he ever had, his hands upraised to embrace the light. He had 
never known such happiness.

	After awhile the white world faded and it took some time for 
him to realize what had happened. This world was dark, but a different
shade, not that of evil. The shattered, black ground turned a dark 
green under a clear, starry sky. He glanced up at the blue expanse, 
his heart beating excitedly. The stars seemed to shine brighter, as 
if celebrating the Earth’s release from darkness.

	A wind, fresh and alive, tugged at him from behind. It felt
good against his skin and hair. A warm hand touched his shoulder and 
urged him to turn around. He found familiar faces with looks of awe 
and release on each. 

	Zoicite stood closest to him, his hand on his shoulder. 
“Jadeite,” he whispered, smiling happily, as he always once did.

	Jadeite looked around at the circle of faces, finding Nephrite
with Irinushka close by. Their prince, their king, was holding his 
wife, but his gaze traveled over the whole group in wonder. The Sailor
Senshi stood proud and strong once more, some surrounding their 
leader while a few stared at the men before them. The soldiers of 
wind and water did not look pleased to see them, but Jadeite hardly 
cared at this moment. 

	The horizon changed, burning softly like a growing fire. 
Jadeite could already feel its warmth against his back, but something 
else caught his eye as light revealed it -- the palace remained. But 
as the darkness was taken from his heart, so too was it taken from the
monument. The clear crystal caught the light, casting rainbows of 
color on its multi-faceted surface.

	“Look,” Zoicite said beside him, indicating with a jerk of his 
head to look behind him.

	Everyone fell into a hush as the sun spilled over the horizon.
It cast the sky in different colors he had almost forgotten. The stars
disappeared to dream as the sun woke the hope in all of them. The 
cold, dead world was forgotten as warmth once again bathed land, 
mountains and seas reborn from the power of love. The world before 
them was fresh and vibrant, waiting for them with open arms. It was
the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Pushing his pride aside, a 
single tear escaped his green eyes. Jadeite did not wipe it away; he
did not care who saw right now. He was free. 

	He closed his eyes and tilted his head upwards, soaking in the
moment…the dawn of hope and freedom, the dawn of serenity.

+++++

	While it was a new beginning for some, for Demando it seemed a
horrible twilight. He watched with the rest of his family as Beryl was
defeated, and Usagi’s power washed over the Earth. For a moment, it 
shone like a pearl in space, bright and perfect with the purity of her 
power. As it faded, Demando found himself looking upon a familiar 
sight, and sighed heavily. The blue and green marble, splendid in all 
its glory, had returned once more. 

	“It’s beautiful,” Cooan said, and he angrily jerked his head 
and glared in her direction. She shied away, but her eldest sister was
quick to defend.

	“She’s right, and it should’ve been ours, too. We should’ve 
struck at Beryl a lot earlier than this. Now we’ve lost our chance,” 
Petz said.

	Demando turned away, reaching out to touch the glass before 
him. A panel appeared in blue and purple lines etched into the 
surface. It was similar to the panel outside the Senshi's prison, 
just one of the many contributions he and his family created to 
support their former monarch's reign. The irony not lost on him that 
his family's hard work was now helping another ruler besides himself. 
He pressed a few buttons, and the scene before them changed. They 
could see the Crystal Palace shining in the new dawn.

	“We should attack them!” Rubeus said.

	Demando shook his head. “It’s too late, they have all the
power now…all the power of long life and beauty.”

	“It doesn’t have to be so,” a strange voice said behind them 
and they spun around to find a ghostly apparition floating in the 
middle of the command bridge of their ship. It was cloaked and 
shadowed, floating off the deck with its legs crossed.

	“Who are you?” Saphir demanded.

	“Young traitors,” the entity whispered. “If you desire power, 
go to Nemesis. If you want to have everything...Get the Evil Black 
Crystal.”+

	And with that, he disappeared like smoke dissipating upon a 
soft breeze. The Black Moon Clan stood silent and still for a few long
moments until all looked to their ivory leader. He stood with his 
arms crossed, a dark intent taking over his eyes.
	
	“To Nemesis.”

+++++
"Will the future you know, really come?"+
+++++

	After tears and laughter were shed, there was much to be done.
A civilization needed to be rebuilt, yet there were questions Usagi 
and her friends needed answered before they could move forward. There
was much to be said, after all. 

	Their entourage congregated in the Crystal Hall, which was not
the same as it once was. The pillars and high ceiling beams had soft 
edges, and the chandelier glistened with a thousand tiny crystals. 
Crystal sconces lined the walls, illuminating them in a soft, golden 
light. This place embraced the new modern Silver Millennium, even if 
its rulers were hesitant to do so at first. 

	For the past hour Luna, Artemis and Helios brought the Sailor
Senshi up to speed on all that had happened while they were 
immobilized. They spoke of the Starlights, Elysian and their grand 
plan to free mankind. They listened quietly, and only every once in 
awhile, Ami or Haruka would ask for elaboration. Everyone else 
maintained their silence, staring either at their feet, or at various 
objects set about the room. But mostly, at the men standing across 
from them. 

	By their intent looks, Zoicite knew the world might have been 
restored, but it would take much more than a crystal to repair the 
relationship between the two guardian forces. He could tell they were 
suffering from the desire to rejoice and express their pent up rage, 
and were so far finding a shaky balance between the two. He could not 
blame them. He was suffering from disbelief at all the things he had 
done as well. The first time Beryl had ensnared them long ago, they 
had been aware of all they were doing, though they had no control. 

	It had been a nightmare, but no less than waking from one as 
they did the last two times she reigned over them. The moment before 
Usagi’s comforting power washed over him, Zoicite had felt an immense 
sensation of guilt and sadness as he realized all the awful things he 
had done. Having no consciousness of these happenings at the time 
didn’t make them any less dangerous to his heart, either. He 
remembered them now, even though his will and Usagi’s power did their
best to help him cope. 

	“So much has happened,” he heard Makoto sigh.

	“-And much more to do,” Helios interjected. “The world has 
need of its population, but that population has the need of somewhere 
to dwell. There are approximately five thousand people living in 
Elysian right now, but they cannot, and should not, stay there forever. 
The palace machines can provide food for us, as well as Elysian, but 
we cannot depend on those forces solely if we are to grow. Also, the 
palace may be high tech, but our average person is not. Beryl kept 
them in The Middle Ages. They know nothing of technology and see it 
the same as magic, except for those in close proximity to it everyday.”

	“So there’s little food, no shelter, and an ignorant 
population. Sounds like a utopia to me,” Haruka drawled.

	“Stop,” Hotaru said, her usually calm voice strong and filled 
with conviction. “We have a chance to build the world we’ve always 
dreamed of, with no past to hold us down. It won’t be easy, but we 
have the promise of hope now. Don’t ruin this moment for us, or for 
the queen.”

	Haruka held her tongue, and everyone glanced at Usagi in turn.
She stood there with Chibi-Usa tightly bundled up in her arms, a quiet
smile on her face. 

	“Hotaru’s right. I will be a journey for us, for all of us, 
and only time will heal our many wounds from the past, but they don’t 
have to hold us down anymore. Dark times are bound to happen again,
but…we are more together than ever, I feel it even now, and we can 
face whatever is going to occur—together. It will just take time, all 
we need is time.”

	Zoicite could feel the group finally relaxing at those words.
For a moment they held no suspicions or doubts and could smile and 
dream of the future they would build together. Zoicite began thinking 
about all the things he could contribute, of how he could put his 
knowledge to good use after all these years. It would be exciting 
teaching a new population as well, and one Sailor Senshi he knew he 
could work with well on that subject came to mind. He looked at Ami, 
finding her standing next to Makoto. He had a mind to cross bravely 
the bridge between the line of Shitennou and Senshi, but a silky voice
stopped him in his tracks.

	“Is time on our side?” Michiru suddenly asked, freezing all 
conversation. “What’s happened to Setsuna?”

	This silenced everyone. Some seemed ashamed that they had 
forgotten about the solitary soldier in all the confusion, and most 
were unqualified to answer. 

	“She told Mamoru that they would be enemies next time they 
met…” Makoto ventured.

	“She would never betray any of us,” Haruka replied and turned 
to the Shitennou. “Was Setsuna part of your organization?”

	“No,” Kunzite answered. “We could not locate Sailor Pluto 
after the victory a thousand years ago. Eventually, Beryl gave up 
looking for her when Pluto made no motion to stop her. She assumed 
her dead or cowardly.”

	“Is this true?” Haruka asked of Endymion.

	“Yes.”

	“I don’t believe that she would just let us rot for a thousand
years and do nothing about it,” Haruka growled, shoving her hands 
through her hair. “Something must have happened to her.”

	“What can we do about it?” Michiru asked. For the second time,
all eyes turned to Usagi, and her placid smile wavered.

	“I don’t know,” she said hesitantly.

	The group became subdued again, and all hope seemed as if it
were sucked away from the conversation. 

	“We will think of something,” Luna spoke up, stepping in 
between the groups. “Until then, we should press on with things we 
can control. We should convene as a group on everything, but we each 
have specific skills after all this time. Let’s decide what we’re 
going to tackle first. Come, let’s sit down somewhere and discuss 
everything.” 

	“We won’t forget about Pluto, we cannot,” Artemis said, and 
everyone found themselves agreeing, even if for different reasons.
Mamoru held his wife close as they began to file out of the Crystal 
Hall, but all he could think about was the mysterious soldier in black
whose eyes haunted him even now.
	
	They deliberated for some time, even though not every plan 
could be established in just one day. Half of the Shitennou, Haruka
and Michiru were placed in charge of building their new home with 
Usagi and Mamoru. They knew it would be important for the Shitennou 
to work closely with the people if they were ever going to be loved 
and trusted. Makoto, Ami, Hotaru, Zoicite and Jadeite would put their 
skills to use and become teachers after such a time when everyone was 
settled. For now, they were to prepare and investigate the whereabouts
of their missing comrade.

	And the others were left to keep the peace between everyone, 
and together with Mamoru and Usagi, decide what their new world would 
be like. There were many cultures, religions, and ideas lost to the 
cold ice of Beryl’s dominion that needed to be remembered. Having a 
steady past to rely on would help them greatly in the future. There 
were also new cultures to explore and if they were going to lead them,
the Sailor Senshi needed to know them.

	They discussed Demando and his family as well. The white 
prince had all but disappeared during the last moments of Beryl’s 
reign, even though they knew where he had flown off to regardless. 
They knew they shouldn’t wait for him to destroy their empire, but the
urgent need to build their society had to come first. It would be a 
long time before they had to deal with him. 

	The sun was well into its descent by the time they adjourned, 
and each began to go their separate ways. Zoicite watched as Ami 
exited the room and lingered outside with Makoto. They were talking 
quietly, and Zoicite knew he would get no better chance than this. He 
sucked in a deep breath and strode up towards the two women.

	“Ami,” he said, catching both their attention. Makoto moved
closer to her friend in response, while Ami only stared at him with 
those dark blue eyes.

	“Yes?”

	“There’s…there’s something I’d like to show you,” he revealed.
She hesitated, glancing at Makoto for support. “She can come too, of 
course. Please, Ami...please.”

	“Well, all right. Lead the way.”

	He couldn’t help the smile blooming on his lips at her reply,
and excitedly led them down the halls to his sanctuaries. He was 
grateful the doors still worked for him as he placed his hand on the 
scanner and watched, as Ami’s eyes grew wide at what lay inside. Even 
Makoto marveled at all the trinkets Zoicite managed to save long ago. 
She brushed her hand over a restored car reverently as Ami looked at a
blue kite with scrappy edges. Zoicite smiled at the picture, finally 
realizing who he had really saved all this for. He reached out and 
touched her fingers with his own. She did not shrink from his touch, 
but looked up with sparkling eyes.
	
	“There’s more,” he said.

	He led them into the next room just as a peacock’s voice rang 
out, startling the two Senshi.

	“Zoicite…!” Ami exclaimed as her eyes swept over all the 
animals in the room.

	“Beryl didn’t bother to preserve any life forms that were not 
valuable to her. But…I collected DNA from as many animals and plants 
as I could for the first hundred years until decay and the ice made 
it impossible to search anymore. After awhile I was able to use that 
DNA and recreate the animals you see before you.”

	“That’s amazing,” Makoto admitted.

	“It took a lot of work, and a lot of bribery to convince Beryl
to let me continue my work. She let me keep a few specimens and then 
demanded I destroy the rest, but…” 

	He moved passed them and to the far wall. As he approached a 
few boxes stacked atop each other, he began to remove them, and as he 
did, a hidden door revealed itself. He pushed the last box out of the 
way and reached down to the floor, pressing on an unmarked tile. The 
door moved with a soft whoosh and he urged them to follow. Motion 
sensor lights activated as they entered and descended a spiraling 
staircase down into the depths of the palace. They came to a vast room
that housed shelves upon shelves of green-lighted cylinders no bigger
than a pop can. Ami approached, touching some delicately.

	“Tursiops aduncus…Tursiops truncatus-”Abruptly she turned to 
him, her eyes wide. “These are Dolphins! Is this all DNA…?”
	
	Zoicite nodded. “I found many samples in zoos, labs. Many 
species were easy enough to find, except of course the tiniest of 
animals, and tricky locations such as the Amazon and the ocean. I 
tried my best, but I fear many species will be lost forever.”

	“Zoicite, do you realize what you’ve done? We would be lost 
without all the technology you’ve created and things you have done.” 
Ami approached him, a broad smile on her face. “Usagi cleansed the 
world but Hotaru was not there to restart it like she did during the 
Silver Millennium. I was planning for a completely artificial world 
but…with all this you’ve changed that.”
	
	“I did it for you,” he admitted, and her eyes grew wide. “I 
didn’t realize it at first but…I was saving all this for someone 
special and now, I know who it was. I knew you would appreciate this 
more than anyone, even if I couldn’t remember that at the time. Beryl
may have controlled us, but…after so many years and memories it wasn’t
completely enough at the time.”

	“Oh Zoicite…” He was surprised when she reached out and hugged
him suddenly, laughing as she did so. “It’s wonderful! I can’t wait to
get started on everything and let the others know!”

	Zoicite returned the embrace, relieved, and even noticed 
Makoto seemed to be pleased. And for the very first time, Zoicite 
felt real hope again.

+++++
"That reminds me, you've been falling in love with people 
since way back then!"+
+++++

	He watched the sky turn dark shades of rouge and violet as 
the sun set over the horizon. It was warm against his face, but it 
could not melt his cool exterior. His years of learning to control 
his emotions were his only defense now. He really wanted to scream 
and cry, but those were things Kunzite could not do. So he stood there 
with hands clenched at his sides, and lost himself in the sunset.

	Tonight they pushed through many problems, but there was much 
left to be said. The ‘Elders’ left out an important detail in their 
history lesson, yet he could not blame them. In truth, the story of 
Serenitas’ golden mole was a tragedy they didn’t need on their 
shoulders at the moment. He knew, though, that he couldn’t rest until 
he knew everything about the woman who rescued him and perhaps the 
world too. He did not even know her true name.

	“Kunzite.”

	He closed his eyes in momentary dismay before turning around 
to face the one person he thought he’d never see again. Minako stood 
there watching him, the lights from the palace giving her an 
otherworldly glow as they ignited her hair and cast shadows over her 
features, but he could still see her blue eyes gazing intensely at 
him. They stood there in silence for a moment, and he began to feel a 
little uncomfortable.

	After Minako’s double passed away and Kunzite remembered 
himself, the first thing he wanted to do was to find his prince and 
make sure he was safe. But even then, he couldn’t stop thinking about 
Minako. She was a part of him, no matter what destiny threw at them. 
He didn’t know what she wanted of him now, but he was glad she wasn’t
completely ignoring him. Even if she screamed, yelled, and cursed him,
it would be better than silence from the Senshi of passion. 

	Before he knew it, she was wrapped around him, holding him 
desperately tight. He was startled for only a moment before he 
enveloped her and buried his face in her hair. The familiar scent of 
vanilla and spice filled his lungs. This was the woman he remembered; 
how could he have ever forgotten? 
	
	The last thing he expected her to do was this, but he welcomed
it nonetheless. There was surely one thing Minako and her understudy 
had in common: they were both unpredictable and he would always 
cherish both of them because of it. He held her closer, and did not 
know how long it was until they parted again. Her eyes were shining 
with tears either happy or sad, he could not tell, but he hoped for 
the former.

	“I don’t understand…why?” he found himself asking of the same 
blue eyes.

	She smirked as if she held some clever secret. “Because I 
don’t want to spend this life being your enemy.”

	He smiled, forgetting himself enough to reach out and touch 
her hair, rubbing its soft tresses  between his fingers. “Minako…” It 
felt odd saying her name again. It brought up the image of her unknown
twin, which of course, led him to see Minako’s face. His head hurt 
from thinking about the two women who were, until recently, the same 
in his mind. 

	“Kunzite…” she bit her lip nervously, and knew instantly that 
it would be something important. She always tried to be so strong 
around him. “When I was imprisoned all these years past, two things 
kept me sane; I knew that Usagi would save us somehow. She always does. 
And, I thought about you. I remember everything now. Everyday I spent 
on Venus, the day I left for the Moon, even my favorite dress, and 
most of all I remember you. I didn’t so much before all this happened,
I think, because I tried pushing it away, but it’s all so clear now. 
I spent so long putting up all these boundaries…I just want to be free
again. I just want to be with you.”

	“And our duties, and your curse?”

	“Our duties are the same now, they won’t keep us apart. No 
ruling governments are going to force us to hide in shadows. Usagi and
Mamoru are our friends, and this is a new world. And my curse…” she 
reached inside her long skirt, pulling something slim and rectangular
out. She held the playing card up for him to see, the light shining 
against the ace of hearts. “Artemis gave this to me, and told me about
Dan…Adonis. Either he was being very sincere or very cruel. It doesn’t
matter; the curse is over and it’s my decision now. I know what I’ve 
decided, what will you? I’ll still think about you. And I know, if it 
comes down to Usagi or you, it’ll be the most awful moment of my life,
but I will choose her. Mamoru and Usagi are more important than any of
us, and I know that. But in peacetime, when enemies aren’t threatening
us…why can’t we be together Kunzite? Why?”

	How could he explain to her what he felt? He had spent weeks 
falling for her over again, only to find out that it was a clever 
mirage. She would have no idea what it had felt like to think she was 
the one dying in his arms up in that tower and how now, he felt guilty
about being thankful it wasn’t, for that woman was braver than most. 
Emotions he so long trained to keep at bay were surging over the brim 
of his sanity every time he saw her now. Deep down he wanted nothing
more than to be with her and protect their rulers together, but he 
didn’t know if he could accomplish that right now. He didn’t even know
if he deserved such a thing, or could put Minako through such pain. 
The Queen was right; it would take time, but how much time would be 
enough?

	Two flashes caught their attention, and Minako retreated as 
she saw Asa and Sera bound into sight. She gasped as the wolves came 
up to her, even though they wagged shaggy tails happily at seeing her.

	“Kunzite…!” she said, alarmed.

	“It’s all right, they won’t harm you,” he replied, stepping up
to brush his hand between Sera’s ears.

	“They act like, like they know me,” she said, extending a 
tentative hand to Asa. He sniffed it and then paused, and Kunzite 
could see he was puzzled. Asa dropped his ears and backtracked, 
whining quietly.

	“In a way, they do,” Kunzite revealed.

	“What…?”

	Kunzite sighed deeply. He knew he should let Artemis and the 
others tell Minako about their clever spy, but all he could see was 
the woman he thought he once cared for dying, and asking him to tell 
Minako himself. He had promised, and no matter how painful it would 
be, he could not break his promise.

	Gently, he reached out and took Minako by the hand. “There’s 
something I need to tell you.”

++++
"Light and dark are always accompanied by each other. If 
you're frightened even a little by the dark, and show it your tears, 
the dark will become great and come after you, and it will swallow the
light. Serenity, to resist the spirit of the darkness, always make the
star in your heart shine. That is your most precious mission."+
++++

	Two days later, they buried her beneath a dark sky. Five 
thousand people, the whole of their civilization, congregated around 
the massive crystal and stone tomb to pay their respects. Her tomb was
placed in front of the palace and would greet all that came up its 
long path. The base was grey stone, plain and unmarked. Atop its 
rectangular surface, rested the crystal. It was one continuous strain, 
but it twisted and curved, turning on, under and over itself. Inside 
the crystal ran a cacophony of different colors, swirling and changing 
with no rhyme or reason. The pulsations, fading in and out, but never 
did they cease. The lights would continue to burn forever, even when 
everyone and everything around it had long disappeared. Usagi made 
sure of that. 

	This tomb, this monument represented more than one woman lost 
at the hands of evil. It represented all the sacrifices of building 
this world, all the worlds Chaos and his children had decimated, all
the families broken and destroyed, all the beauty torn away from 
the universe. This was their Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, but to 
Kunzite, it would always be something more. 

	He stood obediently to his king’s left, as did the other 
Shitennou. He could feel the bitter eyes of five thousand former 
slaves upon him, but he pushed his shoulders back and stood next to 
his true master proudly. He knew his king felt them too, but with the 
white mask, it was easily missed. King Endymion stood close to his 
wife, his baby daughter in his arms. Neo-Queen Serenity’s arm looped
through that of the Senshi of Love, Sailor Venus. The golden senshi 
was supported by all her friends, as if only Minako suffered greatly 
from this loss. And perhaps she did.

	Kunzite would never forget the look on her face when he had 
finished his tale. She seemed unwilling or unable to understand at
first, and unceremoniously dragged him to Luna and Artemis for 
confirmation. The two had confirmed hesitantly while eyeing Kunzite 
with reproach. Minako stood there speechless, which was a feat in and 
of itself. Then she did what Kunzite had feared she would; she asked
to see the body. Artemis resisted, but it was hard to resist her when 
she was adamant. So they descended into the solemn depths of the 
palace and Minako came face to face with her counterpart. 

	She looked much the same, save for the flower that took her 
life mercifully missing. Minako approached carefully, her eyes wide 
and unbelieving. She stood there for awhile, simply staring. They gave
her all the time she needed, yet were not ready for the question they 
knew she would inevitably ask, even though Kunzite needed to hear it
as well.

	‘What was her real name?’ she finally asked.

	Artemis answered after a long, unwilling pause. ‘Katarina.’

	Minako’s head snapped up, and she looked at him with a look of
hurt and surprise. Kunzite did not completely understand it, but the 
name held more meaning for Minako than he could comprehend.

	‘It’s…it’s not her, Minako,’ Artemis continued quickly.

	‘It doesn’t matter! How could you do this…?’

	‘We had no choice,’ Luna defended their actions quietly.

	‘Usagi would have found a better way…’

	‘Usagi wasn’t there, Minako. We had hoped…it wouldn’t end 
like this for her. We...’ Luna sighed, wrapping her arms around 
herself as she stared at the prone body. Artemis touched her shoulder 
supportively, though he was no less affected. ‘We’re sorry, Minako…so 
very sorry.’

	‘Why me…? Why couldn’t you find someone else, someone that 
looked like Makoto, or Ami or anyone else!’ she asked.

	The two cats looked up at Kunzite, and instantly Minako seemed
to realize the answer to her own question. She turned to Kunzite as if
he suddenly appeared out of thin air, and her face went pale. It 
reminded him of Katarina’s still features, and inside he grew sick. 

	‘You really believed she was me,’ she whispered, backing away 
from them all. ‘She…that’s why you’re pushing me away.’

	‘Minako,’ he uttered, although he didn’t know what else he 
could possibly say now.

	The sign of Venus suddenly appeared on her forehead, and 
unannounced, her transformation took hold. She stood there, her arms 
shaking from how hard her fists clenched while hot, angry tears 
gathered in her eyes, before she turned and fled from the room.

	She had not approached him since, nor was she speaking to 
Artemis at the moment. The former leaders of Serenitas stood opposite 
their king and queen with the army of Serenitas in their finest dress
uniforms. Both Luna and Artemis looked grieved, and he could understand 
their feelings. The world cannot always be perfect, and every leader 
soon learns that. Some decisions are necessary, even if they don’t 
always seem right. Yet, he understood Minako’s fury as well. Learning 
someone had died posing as you, knowing that someone had given up 
their life so they could all live was a heavy burden to bear, 
especially if that person spent their life pretending to be you. 

	She was masking her emotions well, standing there stoically 
between the queen and Mars. He didn’t know where she had disappeared 
to after transforming, or what she had done. No one knew. He could 
only imagine she was venting her frustrations in some fashion. A part
of him wished it had been different, that she had come to him for 
comfort, but this was for the best. Lies had ruined everything for 
them in the past, and if the truth could do no better, then it was 
never really meant to be. He cared for her, but he would not hold her
back any longer. This was a new life. 

	Thunder rumbled aloft, such a sound so familiar to him and the
slaves. But this time, it was different. It didn’t bring the horrid 
ice storms or the wretched, green lightning. It brought the rain. It 
fell down and touched the skin like soft kisses, and the former slaves
gasped at such a thing. It never rained before when the world was dark
and dying. It was new and foreign to them, but the warm liquid 
delighted them. They marveled at it, while the Senshi and royals 
looked around with curious glances. As it came down harder, he could 
hear some children and adults laughing, as others lifted their hands 
into the air to catch it. Soon Kunzite could smell the fresh scent of 
it in his lungs, the sweet fragrance of renewal and life. 

	He tilted his head back and let the water rush over his face. 

	Yet Kunzite and Minako were not the only ones drastically 
affected. As the rain came down, Shing stood staring at the woman who 
resembled his friend…or apparently, whom his friend resembled. He had 
cried when he heard the terrible news of Minako's death. But to see 
her standing in front of him now, this  was doing more damage to his 
small heart and growing mind than he could take. Even knowing the 
whole truth of who his friend had truly been did not make matters any
easier to bear. It made him sadder. Her life was a tragedy, growing 
up and  living her life as someone else only to be betrayed by 
everything she had ever known. The queen had rescued their world, but 
it was Minako that had saved it for them all. Without her, everything 
would've been different. 

	'No, her name wasn't Minako. It was Katarina,' he told 
himself, but it was hard to remember. Yet he owed her the truth; she 
deserved to be who she really was beneath it all.

	He continued to stand there in the rain, even after the crowd 
dispersed, and shook off Irinushka's hand. She left him slowly, but he
knew she would be watching from somewhere not far away. She always
took care of him, yet she could not save him from this melancholy. The
lukewarm water dripped into his eyes and masked the silent tears he 
was shedding. He stood there like the stone monument before him. 
Inside, his feelings were swarming like the eternal lights within the 
crystal memorial. 

	He didn't know how long it was he stood like that until he 
felt a presence beside him. He looked to his left, finding a 
soldier in white and gold standing awkwardly at his side. Her long 
hair had turned dark blonde from the rain, and was matted to her 
forehead. She made no move to wipe it away, either. The rain exploding
against the stone beneath their feet was the only sound as they stood
motionless in the downpour. His knees were shaking at having her here,
and the rain was beginning to make him cold, but he did not move as 
long as she didn't either.

	"I'm sorry," she finally said, and he stood there thinking it 
was odd hearing another voice coming from such a familiar face. But he
could tell she was sincere, and for the first time, he realized how 
hard it must be on this soldier to know someone died for her, having 
taken her place. "I'll...I'll never get to tell her thank you, or how
sorry I am."

	"I never told her how much she meant to me," Shing whispered, 
finding his voice finally. She looked down at him, those bright eyes 
he had fallen in love with shining. She smiled, sad and understanding 
all at the same time. 

	"She knew," she whispered and for some reason, he believed her. 

	No other words passed between them for as long as they 
remained out there in the rain, but there was no need. The Earth spoke
for them -- the dark clouds and rain representing their grief and the 
swirling wind, their confusion. It would last for a long time, but 
there was one thing they could both cling to; no storm lasts forever.    

+++++
“If a guy gets seduced by a ghost that’s his fault! I don’t 
trust guys.”+
+++++

	After the funeral, most disappeared, going back to their homes
in Elysian, while the royals and the guards ventured into the palace. 
Nephrite walked down the halls by himself, marveling at the difference
now. The cold, claw-like pillars were replaced by soft edges, the dark
atmosphere gone, now alight with golden chandeliers, and wall sconces
set into the crystal. Even without looking, he knew things had changed. 
Everything felt different -- in the air, in the ground beneath their 
feet, and even within his bones. 

	He turned a corner and paused, happening upon a familiar room.
The Crystal Chamber’s doors still loomed large and ominous to his 
left. For a moment, he stood there gazing at their burnished surface
before reaching forward to push them open. Now, the room was 
completely bare. The scarlet walls were pristine white with no shadows
lurking in dark corners. There was no haunting light coming from the 
center, from a crystal beautiful, as it was tragic. There was simply 
nothing at all. 

	“The slate has been wiped clean,” a voice said behind him, and
he grinned. Mars came to stand behind him and he could smell the 
fragrance of ginger as she approached. 

	“I guess we’ll have to be careful which chalk we use this 
time,” he jested. Silence followed, and nervously he sucked in a few 
breaths before continuing. “I was never good at these things. About 
everything…”

	“I’ve been in your mind for a millennium. You do not need to 
explain yourself,” she said, being his redeeming feature once more.

	“I know that! But I should be able to relay how I feel, and 
how much I appreciate you haunting me. I might not have at the time, 
but without you, I would have done horrible things and hurt important 
people in my life. You were always helping me, even when you couldn’t
help yourself. I can’t say any of that because I’m a stubborn jack 
ass.”

	Mars laughed quietly, reaching out to touch his shoulder. ‘I 
think that will do,’ her voice whispered in his mind. ‘We have a 
guest.’

	They looked, finding Irinushka standing on the threshold in a 
scarlet dress of lace. She paused for only a moment before confidently
walking towards them. Once there, she bowed to Mars before taking her
place at Nephrite’s side.

	“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Sailor Mars,” Irinushka 
greeted.

	“And you, Irinushka. I’ve heard so much about you,” Mars said 
as she shared a smile with Nephrite in their minds. ‘She’s beautiful,’
she whispered to his mind.

	‘Not as beautiful as you,’ he replied. 

	‘But you’ve finally made a choice?’ she asked, and for a 
moment he did not answer.

	‘Yes, I suppose I have,’ he replied.

	“It was very brave of you to remain here and stay with those 
that needed you,” Mars said to the woman before her. “Such courage and
strength in such a dark world seems rare.”

	“Thank you, but I wasn’t alone,” Irinushka said and moved 
closer to Nephrite. Mars smiled, even though for a moment Nephrite 
thought he saw sadness flash across her violet eyes, but it was almost
too quick to register.

	“I’m glad. I must be off to find Sailor Venus, for we have 
much work to do. It was nice finally meeting you. Have a good rest of 
the day.” she bowed to them before turning to leave. ‘She loves you, 
it is obvious. Prove to me you deserve it.’

	“I will,” Nephrite, answered out loud before she disappeared 
from sight. 

+++++
Mamoru drops to his knees, tears in his eyes, "Usa...Usako...!
Only you kept me alive... And I couldn't protect you...!"+
+++++

	He looked at himself in the mirror, a simple enough act when 
waking up in the morning. He saw more than a handsome face looking 
back at him, however. He found disappointment, evil and hate, no 
matter how many times he tried to wash it away.

	Looking away from his reflection, he donned his vest, slipping
ornate buttons through their respective holes. His dusky colored 
overcoat followed next, with medals and ornaments he felt he didn't 
deserve. Light filtered in through the translucent draperies, birthing
miniscule rainbows as sunbeams to dance across the shining metal.

	He grabbed the last of his attire and felt its soft fabric  
between his fingertips, the familiar texture bringing back a lifetime 
of memories. It was a time when he was a dashing hero in the eyes of 
an entire city. No matter how turbulent his life or dreams, he could 
become someone else, someone strong with all the right moves and all 
the right words -- a mysterious soldier who could do no wrong. 

	He wore it now to feel like that again. But also, because he 
felt he could not face this world without it. The world he betrayed, 
this world he should have protected. Reason and his loved-ones 
disagreed with his quiet self-loathing. However, he knew he had their
support, and some small part of him knew they were right. But no 
matter what he did, he couldn’t escape the nightmare of his past
transgressions.

	And it pained him that she was the most understanding. She 
behaved as if nothing had changed, as if he had not sinned against 
her for a thousand years. He broke down yesterday, yelling at her for 
loving him despite everything that had happened. She only smiled, and 
reached for his hand.

	'I'll be here for you always, no matter what,' she had 
whispered, knowing exactly what he needed to hear without asking. She 
always did somehow, especially now. There was a peace about her, a 
spirit that better resembled her namesake. He could not resist her, 
and when he felt down, just having her near made him feel better. She
was his saving grace, and she always would be. He knew he could trust
her and believe in the power of hope and love that guided her to help 
him become the man he dreamed of being for so long. She had given them 
all a new beginning; he would try not to waste it.

	But for now, he pulled the mask up to his face, covering his
guilt with the simple silk piece, and a king went out to face his 
world the only way he could.

+++++
"I am the watcher of the space-time door, the guardian of the 
underworld. I am Sailor Pluto! And I will eliminate those who violate 
the law."
+++++

	While half their force pressed on with the future, the others 
were tasked with figuring out exactly where the Senshi of time had 
gone. When they could, Ami and Zoicite helped Hotaru and Jadeite, but 
the recent discovery Zoicite had unlocked kept them busy. Mamoru would
join them as well, although he kept his personal reasons to himself. 
Unfortunately, so far their efforts were only met with soul defeating 
failure in respect to Pluto’s whereabouts. The Time Gate was a 
fortress, as Beryl had once found out, and could not be reached 
without a favor from its guardian. Without a Time Key, they had no 
present means of reaching that mysterious place. Chibi-Usa once spoke 
of a door within the palace, but there was no such thing as yet. They 
had a feeling that without the keeper of time, there never would be, 
either.

	Attempting to reach her through a communicator only resulted 
in static, and both Usagi and Mamoru’s crystals couldn’t break into 
that plain of existence as well. For now, they could do nothing to 
bring their last Senshi back home. They knew it could not end this 
way. There had to be a way to reach the Time Gate in case something 
of this nature was to happen. But ironically, it was a memory they 
could not recall, or a fact they never knew to begin with. The 
Princess of Pluto kept many secrets. 

	Mamoru tried to hold his temper in check whenever they were 
faced with defeat. But sometimes, it was near impossible, and he would
storm out of the room when he could no longer deal with such failures.
He needed to find her, to understand what she meant before he could 
move on completely. He couldn't forget watching Pluto die after 
stopping time either, watching his future self shed a tear for the 
fallen soldier. And he couldn't forget how happy Chibi-Usa was to see 
the mysterious soldier as well, or how well Setsuna had raised the 
small soldier of death. She deserved to be found, she deserved not to
be forgotten, but he deserved his answers, too. It would take many 
sleepless nights and dead ends, but they would find their friend 
somehow, no matter what.

	…even if she didn’t wish it. 

+++++
"Always... Everyone is shining on me, leading me...When I'm about to 
be crushed, I always remember. I'm carrying a light in my heart too. 
That's the spirit of all of us, in one. Just believe."+
+++++

	She sat upon the crest of the hill and watched the sun come up
slowly. It was a special time for her. Whenever duties didn’t keep her
up late at night and she could afford to lose some sleep, she would 
venture out into the still dark night, right before the world woke up 
around her. A lifetime ago, she would have never been seen before the 
break of day and sometimes before noon if she could help it. She was a
different person now though, and finally thankful for it.

	For so many years, she had been missing out. She had taken 
life for granted, never thinking that the world around her could 
change and tomorrow would never come. But there came a day when 
tomorrow actually hadn’t, and she would never squander another day 
again because of it. There was so much beauty abounding this 
time of day. Everything was new and fresh, the impossibilities of the 
previous day forgotten and irrelevant. It was a new day with endless 
dreams. After everything, she’d also learned one thing; hope comes 
with the sunrise.

	She had carried that with her as days turned into weeks, those
weeks into months, and months into years. There were days when she 
felt discouraged, that the tasks before them were too great, but she 
pressed on, knowing that another day laden with worry was better than 
no day at all. She stayed as positive as she could; knowing herself 
and her friends had faced grandiose problems in the past and overcome 
them.

	So many things had to be done these five years past, and much 
more to be accomplished. Their people had places to live and a stable 
government system, yet continued to survive with the help of Elysian 
and artificial means. Even though the two brightest minds had given 
them trees, plants and gardens again, it was not yet enough to 
completely sustain their needs. Yet slowly but surely, life was 
returning to the surface of the Earth. Behind her, a four-year-old oak
sapling climbed towards the sky and in the meadow below daffodils were 
raising their faces to greet the morning sun. 

	Off in the distance she could hear a bird singing a song of 
waking to the dawn. It spoke of their many accomplishments too, thanks
to one compulsive Shitennou. It would take a very long time before 
this world was swarming with the life it once held, and even then, it 
may never reach its former state again, but she looked forward to the 
day when she could look somewhere and see life abound. It made her 
smile to think of it. 

	“Usako.”

	But of course, many things did. She stood up, brushing the 
grass and dew off her simple blue gown. She turned, finding him 
standing there in modest attire as well. One more thing she liked 
about this time of day was the fact they were no different from anyone
else in the quiet shadows before the sun completely pulled free of the
horizon. Even though they loved to help their people and took pride 
in their reign, it was still nice to escape to normality every once 
in awhile. 

	He stood beside her, wrapping a strong arm around her slim 
waist. She leaned against his shoulder, sighing contentedly. “It’s 
beautiful, isn’t it?”

	“I’ve seen better.”

	She laughed, playfully hitting him. “Mamo-chan…”

	“Now that you’ve seen it, I think we should both return to 
bed. We have a few more hours still before anything needs to be 
addressed.”

	“I don’t know if I can go back to sleep,” she said, and he 
bent down to whisper something in her ear that made her giggle and 
blush. “Mamo-chan!”

	“Come now, what better way to celebrate a beautiful day…?” he
toyed, smirking down at her. 

	She continued to laugh and raced ahead, running through the 
fields of blue and yellow flowers like the carefree teenager she used 
to be. The wind was sweet against her face, and the sun warm against 
her back. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting her arms out as if
she were flying. And with that, she knew this was going to be a 
special day.

+++++
"I just had a dream," says Usagi. "Just before I woke up, you asked me 
what my dream was. My dream is to protect this planet, so that 
everyone can live in happiness. To do it with you, Mamo-chan. What's 
your dream?"+
+++++

	Time flew by easily and calmly for the city of Crystal Tokyo 
that spring day, but most days did for the mass population. While 
children learned and played, their parents worked on restoring and 
building their society. But for the first time, they did not begrudge 
their workload. They were building a future, their future. It was not 
to say challenges hadn’t presented themselves, things went wrong, as 
they were inevitably meant to, and not all wounds from the past were 
healed. 

	Before Usagi knew it, her sunrise was quickly replaced by its
nightly counterpart. She sat on a small patio within the ever-expanding 
gardens with Chibi-Usa playing quietly at her feet. Across the table,
Mamoru was getting into a book while a handful of Senshi and Shitennou
mingled and milled about doing various things. 

	Ami, Makoto and Zoicite sat on the grass with a game the former 
slaves had invented. It was good to see them smile and laugh after all
the hard work each had been doing. Kunzite stood far off to Mamoru’s 
left, almost hidden by the shadows of the palace. And then there was 
Minako, sitting silently a few yards away. The blonde was as bubbly as
ever, but Usagi caught her in a few rare moments like these. She would
sit there with her eyes looking far off into some world with a somber 
expression that didn’t seem to fit her all that well. Then someone 
would call her name and the chatty, smiling woman would return in a 
flash. 

	Usagi knew what plagued her friend, but there was nothing she 
could do. It made Usagi’s heart sink to see her like this, or to know 
any of her friends or loved ones were suffering. She glanced slightly 
at Mamoru, watching as his blue eyes read the line of text quickly. 
Some days, he had the exact same expression Minako was wearing at that
moment, and it hurt her to know he was keeping something from her for 
these last five years, although deep down she had an idea what it was.
Yet she knew she couldn’t push either of them, that they would find 
their peace on their own path. The only thing she could do was to love
them both, and give them all the time they needed.

	Time --- another scar refusing to fade. She couldn’t believe, 
after all this time, they hadn’t yet found their final member. No 
matter what they did, the Time Gate refused them on every occasion. 
She was sure some of her Senshi had given up on ever finding her, but
Usagi would never believe that. She knew Setsuna was alive, somewhere.
She was connected to them all, and could always tell when one of them 
had been severed from the group. Pluto was out there, alone, possibly 
afraid and vulnerable. 

	Yet something plagued her hopes. Those occasions she used the 
Ginzuishou in an attempt to reach the Time Gate, another power seemed 
to be keeping her at bay aside from that of the Time Gate’s own 
protective force. It was strong, stronger than perhaps a Sailor Senshi, 
but she felt Pluto’s presence nonetheless. Then, there were the 
haunting words Setsuna had whispered to Mamoru the night Usagi found 
out she was pregnant. Sometimes she thought more had taken place on 
that day, but Mamoru was not one so easily inclined to share his 
personal demons. 

	She just wanted to be happy with all her friends, and live in 
peace. It was her one, unending wish. Yet she knew she was being 
childish. Peace and happiness are not always created overnight. She 
knew, deep in her heart, they were all working towards that goal. But 
sometimes, she felt impatient and frustrated. She only wanted to be
happy, but couldn’t sit still and wait for time to give her that 
assurance. The distant princess and daydreaming girl she once was 
shared the same hope and the same bane. She knew she had to control 
it, or else it would ruin this life for her as well. 

	“Momma…?”

	“Yes Sweetie?”

	“Look at the pretty lights. Are they stars?”

	Usagi followed her daughter’s small finger to the heavens. In 
the darkening sky above twilight, bright white lights were shining, 
much closer and brighter than any star around them. They were 
beautiful, but their strange twinkling filled her heart with dread. 

	She reached across the table, grabbing Mamoru’s arm. 
“Mamo-chan.”

	He looked up and soon his book was forgotten. He stood up and 
instantly Kunzite was at his side. They drew the attention of the 
others.

	“What are they…?” Makoto asked as they came to the patio. Ami 
touched her ear, evoking her visor with a touch. “Shooting stars?”

	“They’re getting closer,” Minako observed and indeed the 
lights had grown brighter and larger as they fell from the sky. “Maybe
we should-”

	They were startled when Ami gasped. “It’s energy!”

	They had little time to respond before the energy was upon 
them, and all Usagi could do was dive to cover Chibi-Usa before 
everything around them turned white. She didn’t know what was 
happening, but when nothing happened, she became confused. Opening her
eyes tentatively, she found a shocking scene. 

	A sphere of golden light was surrounding them all as the white
light surged against it. Mamoru stood tall with his staff before him. 
The Golden Crystal shone bright and proud and Usagi could feel its 
power. He only released the shield when the assailing power was gone, 
and cautiously they looked around. The grass was singed around them,
and they could see damage to the city where other lights had crashed 
to the Earth. It was the person hovering before them that was the
greatest surprise.

	“Demando,” Makoto muttered and instantly transformed with Ami 
and Minako not far behind.

	He was not alone. More than fifty droids haunted the air, some
even familiar to them from the battle with time long ago. There were 
other beings though; humans that weren’t quite human anymore, but they
all had black crescents upon their foreheads. The sky aloft had grown 
dark, unnatural even at this time of day. Something abysmal was 
approaching, a swirling mass that brought back memories as well. 

	“What are you doing here?” Venus demanded.

	He laughed mockingly. “Ahead of schedule, you mean? It isn’t a
very logical idea to plan my surprise attack when you wouldn’t be 
surprised, now would it? You may recognize my new benefactor,” he 
said, motioning above them.

	“Wiseman,” Mercury deduced.

	“Yes. He was so very accommodating, and that rock where you 
sent him was spectacular. I came on ahead of him for one purpose, to 
offer you a way out from this upcoming massacre. Give me what I want 
and I will spare your beautiful new planet. I guarantee he will 
decimate this place if allowed, and I don’t want that if it can be 
helped.”
	
	“What do you want?” Mamoru asked.

	“Everything I was promised…a kingdom, and a queen.”

	“Give it up Demando, you’re pathetic!” Jupiter yelled.

	“You’ll never get what you want, Demando. Not while I’m still 
here,” Mamoru spoke.

	Demando’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Save me the queen, kill 
the others...and leave the little king to me.”

	The droids gladly obeyed while the shadowy humanoids lingered.
The monsters began to surround them, swirling like a ghastly vortex.

	“Protect the royal family!” Venus shouted, and they circled 
around Mamoru and Usagi. Venus pulled out her communicator and soon 
Mars’ face appeared on the screen. “We’re under attack!”

	“No really? There’s droids all over the city! Uranus, Neptune 
and I are face to face with Saphir right now and it’s not very 
pleasant,” Mars informed her fellow Senshi.

	“Try to get back to the palace Rei, we need to stick 
together!”

	“Dragon Storm!” Jupiter shouted beside Venus, incinerating a 
few of the approaching enemy. “Ha! I have to admit, I missed that part.”

	“Well, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do it today,” 
Venus said before taking aim herself. The droids were easy enough to 
defeat, but there were many of them, and Demando still had half of his
forces hovering in the sky with him. Wiseman drew closer with every 
moment, and every moment they spent battling worthless droids 
distracted them from the real enemy. 

	“We don’t have time for this… Raptured Haze!” Venus shouted, 
and all the droids halted their advance in confusion as her golden 
mist settled over them. “Now! Love Chain Ache!”

	“Glacial Freeze!”

	“Dragon Storm!”

	Their three powerful attacks combined and ripped through the 
lines of droids, destroying the remaining enemy vanguard. When it was 
done, they turned to face Demando again, and found him smiling. 
Without a word, his remaining forces advanced much faster than the 
droids. They seemed more aware and dangerous as were Demando’s first 
wave, and proved it as one slammed into Venus, sending her flying 
across the courtyard.

	“Minako!” Usagi yelled.

	Everyone seemed to explode into action after that. Mercury 
and Jupiter were forced into the maelstrom of activity, taking the 
fight away from Usagi and leaving the Shitennou to defend them. 
		
	“We need the others,” Zoicite said.

	“Concentrate, you are a soldier Zoicite,” Kunzite told him as
he slashed an enemy in half with his crystal sword. After that, the 
strange beings were more cautious, swarming around the valiant 
Shitennou, just out of reach. 

	“United at last with your master, how romantic,” a voice 
taunted overhead. Demando floated nearby, a strange white sword in his
grasp. He held it up, twisting the blade in his hand. It was a 
powerful sword, one that he should never have been given. “Do you 
remember this sword, Endymion?”

	Mamoru did not reply vocally. He placed his staff across both 
hands and it transformed into his ancient sword, only now, lines like 
ivy shown in gold lattices that rippled up and down the blade. 
	
	“Good to know you do. Let’s finish what we started long ago,” 
Demando challenged.

	Mamoru cast a glance back at Usagi, seeing her standing there 
cradling a crying Chibi-Usa in her arms. She had a look of dismay on 
her face, but it soon softened, as she understood the look in his eyes. 
With a small smile, she nodded, and Mamoru stepped forward to face his
challenger. 

	Yet Kunzite was not too keen on the idea. “Endymion-”

	“Do not get involved, Kunzite. This is my battle,” Mamoru 
interrupted before leaping into the sky. He charged at Demando, even 
when a greater evil was threatening to destroy them all. He did not 
fear Wiseman. He was defeated before, and he knew that they were much 
stronger than ever. A personal fire had consumed him, however, as soon
as he had seen Demando again. All the devils of their past had been 
defeated, except for one. This battle would not be about survival. 
This battle was about retribution.

	Their magical swords clashed, sending a horrid shockwave 
through the air so Kunzite was almost pushed back from where he stood 
far below. They were fast; moving about in the air like someone was 
pulling their strings in an elegant dance of death. 

	“This time you won’t be so lucky. Your precious harlot won’t 
save you now,” Demando taunted. “How did it feel to know you slept 
with her for a thousand years while your wife was imprisoned not so 
far away? You’re weak, you always have been. You don’t deserve her.”

	Mamoru ignored him, pressing on with a steel resolve. He 
wouldn’t be swayed, not now. He was not a Senshi, but he could still 
fight. Once, he had been a feared and respected warrior, who united a 
world…but also destroyed it. He wouldn’t make that mistake again, but 
he wouldn’t hide either. He had spent a lifetime hiding in the shadows, 
afraid of his powers. He was the King of Earth, the heir to Elysian,
and the bearer of the Golden Crystal. He would not be ashamed of a 
past he couldn’t change, nor was he afraid of who now confronted them. 
For the first time in a long time, Mamoru knew he deserved her -- he 
deserved to be loved. 

	He put all his might behind his sword, and came down upon 
Demando. The white prince shielded himself, but it would not protect 
him now. Demando’s sword shattered into a hundred pieces, and most of 
the shards buried themselves into its bearer. Demando screamed, 
dropping the broken blade and grabbing his face in pain. He plummeted 
to the ground, and his small army stopped to stare at their writhing 
leader. Mamoru stared down at him, his eyes shining through the white
mask on his face. He reached up and removed it, looking down at it 
with a strange expression. Slowly, he opened his fingers, and let it 
fall to the ground below like a wandering leaf in fall. It landed in
the grass next to Demando.

	Mamoru turned to face Usagi, finding her smiling proudly. He 
could only smile back and extended his hand to her. Usagi handed 
Chibi-Usa to an uncomfortable Kunzite before her feet gracefully 
lifted off the ground to join her king. When she reached him, she 
hugged him fiercely and Mamoru chuckled as he ran a hand through her 
hair.

	“Let’s finish this, Usako,” he whispered.

	She nodded. “Right.” In her hand, her staff appeared and 
Mamoru’s sword returned to its peaceful state. They held them out, 
crossing them and aiming for the sky. The tips started to glow, power 
swirling around them like a small circle of cyclones. The two powers 
combined, shooting towards Wiseman in a whirlwind of gold and white 
power. He was entering their atmosphere, but he would get no further. 
The power of Earth and Moon collided with him, and a painful groan 
echoed above their heads. The ground seemed to shake as the powers of 
good and evil tussled with one another. The Senshi and Shitennou, 
Elders and civilians of Earth looked on as their leaders fought for 
them, but also for themselves.

	They looked at each other and locked hands, and upon Usagi’s 
forehead, her crescent began to burn bright. A great surge of power 
abruptly came from their crystals, so strong that everyone below soon 
looked away, or covered their eyes as the power consumed everything 
evil around it. The night sky resembled daylight, and even carried 
warmth with it. It washed over the horde of Demando’s fighters, and 
over the broken parts of the city destroyed by their enemy’s intent. 
Then it finally hit its target, and Wiseman seemed to shatter like a 
broken mirror before he became completely engulfed by the surge. 

	Night settled over Crystal Tokyo once more as Usagi and Mamoru
floated back to Earth. They could only smile at each other, reaching 
out to caress each other’s faces, for without words, they knew 
everything was different.

	Not too far away, Mercury and Jupiter climbed to their feet 
and dusted themselves off, and with surprise, gazed at the people 
around them. Those that had been enemies were simply humans now, men 
and women with golden crescent moons on their foreheads. Zoicite stood
amongst them, looking around in awe.

	“Beryl sent the Lunarians Serenity had awoken to Nemesis. 
These must be their descendants. It’s a miracle they survived at all,”
he said, awestruck.

	Jupiter glanced over at Usagi and offered a smile. “You’d be
surprised how often miracles happen to these people.”

	“Are you all right…?”

	Venus glanced up, finding Kunzite’s sharp eyes gazing down at 
her. She blushed, swatting away his proffered hand and stood up 
herself, straightening her fuku out stubbornly. “Of course I am.”

	“From the looks of it, you were having a bit of trouble. I 
was worried,” he said, warmly.

	“Well you know what they say, ‘Looks can be disarming.’”

	For a moment, he could only stare before a wide grin took hold
of the corners of his mouth, and a deep sound came from his throat. It
startled Venus for a moment before she realized exactly what he was 
doing. He was laughing.

	“What?” she demanded, crossing her arms in a huff. “You’re 
scaring me, stop it!”

	She was even more surprised when he grabbed her and pulled 
her to his chest. For a second, she could only stand there, stunned, 
before she relaxed, a relieved and happy smile taking hold of her face
as she returned the gesture. 

	Usagi watched them and giggled, happy for her friends. “It’ll
be okay, won’t it Mamo-chan?”

	“Of course,” he said, reaching for her hand. 

	“Look out!” they heard Mercury scream, and turned to find 
Demando approaching quickly. He was bleeding profusely from his deep 
cuts, and one hand covered half his broken face while the other held a
large part of his broken sword. He was charging at them, and they had 
little time to move away. Mamoru bravely grabbed Usagi, turning his 
back to Demando to protect her and shut his eyes, ready for the 
painful impact.

	“Dead Scream.”

	Mamoru gasped, eyes opening wide at the familiar whisper that 
carried heavily on the wind. He could feel the energy on his back and 
turned, finding Demando trapped in an amethyst sphere. For a moment, 
he seemed weightless, stuck in the orb with eyes full of confusion and
fear. He glanced up at Mamoru before the power finally took him over, 
consuming everything that he was. The only thing left of him, as the 
power dissolved, was a fading scream that bounced off the nearby 
palace walls. 

	In its wake, they stood stunned, unsure of what just occurred.
But he felt Usagi stiffen in his embrace and take in a sharp breath 
of air. 

	“Mamo-chan…” she whispered, and slowly he followed her gaze 
to find the one person he thought he would never see again.

+++++

	I plan on writing an Author’s Notes with the Epilogue, so if 
anyone has any questions about the story up to this point, I will 
include them in my notes. If not, I’ll just answer questions I think 
you’re thinking anyways. ;) My email is jessicapendragon@hotmail.com.
Now, moving on…

	Another cliffhanger?! I know, how dare I! Well, it’s the last
one, and I thought it would be better to give you guys this chapter 
than to wait another week for it and the epilogue, because it’s been
awhile since my last update, and for that I’m sorry. I had a bit of 
trouble with this chapter, trying to make it as perfect as I could, 
and I think I succeeded…or at least I hope! ? It was hard trying to 
tie up all the side stories that have been running rampant through 
this piece since the very beginning, Mamoru’s self-doubt being one. 
Hopefully he’ll have confidence in himself now. ^_^ I wanted to 
include it because it seemed weird to me that he STILL wore that 
blasted mask when he was even king, and that was my reason for it.

	A couple more notes about this chapter I would like to mention
are the quotes separating each section. They’re all from various parts
of the actual manga, and I thought that would be a nice and neat way
to make this chapter, since I’ve been using quotes throughout DoS as 
well. The only one that isn’t from the SM manga is the one involving 
Minako and Kunzite is from Code Name V, but I thought it was more 
appropriate as Danburite/Adonis says it. ;)

	Also, the name Katarina is significant to Minako because that 
was one of her friends in London. I do believe she’s one of the daily 
victims in the regular series as well. She was a close friend to 
Minako, and even though her double wasn’t actually her, it still 
affected her. I do love angst sometimes. XD

	And last chapter I may have made it sound like Irinushka WAS
Rei. I was trying to say something and it just...didn't work out
well, so I've revised the last chapter, and put that scene in here so
no one would be confused.