Kathy then knelt down on the ground and wiped away some dirt. She then traced a crescent moon in the sand with her finger. At the same time, a silver crescent moon appeared on her forehead. The same silver moon appeared in the dirt and started to glow. In the middle of the moon was a hole. Kathy stuck the crystal key in the hole and the group of them began to shimmer. Serenity felt the golden crescent moon on her head appear and it began to shine. All of them felt a tingly feeling and they all started to disappear. Serenity gave a worried look to Kathy who said, "Don't worry! Everything is ok! This is normal." All of the scouts nodded. Tuxedo Mask took Serenity in his arms, and he could feel her fear. "You heard her," he said. "Everything's ok." "I know," said Serenity. "I guess I just need to keep hearing that." All of them vanished.

When Serenity opened her eyes, she was in a magnificent place. It was a silver room with many people in it, and they all looked up at her. As soon as they saw her, one of them shouted, "Members of the Imperial Moon Senate, rejoice! Our redemption has arrived! Princess Serenity, Sailor Scouts, we thank you!" All of them got down on their hands and knees and bowed respectfully before the scouts. Kathy gave a warm smile, joined her people and did the same. There was but one man standing in all of his shortness. Fr. Hino stood staring at them. He couldn't believe it! His own granddaughter had been keeping this from him all this time. And of all people, Serena Tsukino was the moon princess! That same girl who managed to trip up and down the temple steps every time she visited, was the moon's only hope. 'My God,' he thought. 'We're in BIG trouble!'

"Ray," he said. "You're Sailor Mars. The legendary worrier of fire. I should've known. And the rest of you, too. And Serena even! Well, you've certainly given me a surprise." The scouts just looked at him with a mixture of relief, pain, and anger in their eyes. Fr. Hino gave a sigh and then said, "I suppose you'd like me to explain. Ray, your highness, please come with me." Before Serenity moved, she motioned for the people to rise, and they obeyed. Sailor Mars followed Serenity and her grandfather with her head in her hands. Her heart was screaming! 'How could this be? How could he just abandon me?' she thought. They followed him into another room and he sat them down. Sailor Mars refused to sit.

"How could you do this to me?" she screamed inside, but maintained her outer temper, and kept it to a dull roar. "You must listen to me Ray. You know I love you, but I had to do what I did, there was no other option. Please allow me to explain." Ray stared at him and then sat down. "I'll listen," she said. "It will have to be really good for me to forgive you though." Ray crossed her arms and pouted slightly.

He began, "I was young when it first happened. You weren't even born yet. Your father had just died and your mother was two months pregnant with you. I was mourning the loss of my son when a woman appeared to me. She was like an angel. Her name was Serenity. She looked at me, and I was very frightened. She explained who she was and told me that she needed me to look after her people until her daughter could take over. I was mad at the world for the loss of my son, and in my anger, I refused the pleading Serenity. She excepted defeat and left me with my anger, alone. My wife walked in and held me. Later, Serenity came back, and pleaded with me again. I once again refused, so she told me that my wife was going to become ill, and she would do all she could to save her if I agreed. I refused to believe her words, and didn't except the offer. I did take heed to her warning however, and kept a close eye on my wife's health. Seven months later, your mother died in child birth with you, and when your grandmother heard the news, she literally had a heart attack. She survived, but she was never the same. She couldn't walk and she had several strokes after that. After about a month, she was completely brain dead and was on life support. I made the decision to end her suffering. I was then left with medical bills, a baby and a temple to run. Queen Serenity came to me again in my mourning. I was going to say no, but she hushed me and told me that if I agreed, she would allow me to see my son, daughter-in-law, and my wife one more time. I thought about this carefully, and I nodded. She used what looked like all of her strength to bring back my family. I saw them before me and we talked. They told me they were ok, and I got a chance to say goodbye, and your parents got a chance to see you. She let them go and collapsed, gagging and holding her throat. I went to help her, but she stood and told me she was all right. I then realized that I got a chance to do something that not many people get the chance to do when their loved ones were dying, say goodbye. I was grateful for her never ending kindness, and I agreed to help her. I sent my spiritual self up to the moon using the sacred flames, which is where I was when I went into retreat every week. Well, everything was running smoothly until two weeks ago when we had a major attack. One of our senators was killed trying to go see his wife and kids, and there was a small war. I did all I could to help, but I wasn't of much use because my time was limited. I decided that they needed me full time, so I killed myself so that I could stay here. I knew that I had to repay Serenity for her kindness to me, and for showing me that I could wipe away my tears and go on with my life. She showed me that life was good, and my family still loved and remembered me."

Serenity and Sailor Mars sat silent. "So let me get this straight." said Serenity standing up and walking up to Fr. Hino. "You protected my people, searched for me, then let yourself die and left Ray behind all to save MY people?" "Yes." Serenity's eyes filled with tears and she fell to her knees and hugged him. "Thank you!" she whispered. "Princess," he replied. "I owed your mother my life, and it was an honor to give it for her." Serenity left Ray and her grandfather to talk privately.

In the dilapidated Moon Palace where Queen Serenity once lived, King Fiyero now dwelled in all of his hatred and evil. He wore all black and had an upside-down black crescent moon on his forehead to show that he was from Nemisis. His son entered the room panting and gasping for air. "Father," he said. "I saw Queen Serenity back from the dead!" "No my son," he replied. "She is the Queen's daughter, though they do share a name. Tell me Irji, did you kill off that new bunch that I sentenced yesterday?" Irji looked at his feet in shame. "I see." said King Fiyero. "Perhaps I should produce a new heir to the throne, one that's more confident than you! Oh well, no matter. Don't worry son, if we kill that princess of theirs than they'll have no reason to fight anymore, so that's what we'll do!"

"Father," said Irji. "I only didn't kill one of them. I'd killed the other two, all but this one woman. When I was about to finish her off, that princess came and stopped me. I thought that I should tell you before I did anything else. She was pointing a glowing rock at me and..."

"Wait a minute!" King Fiyero interrupted. "She had the silver crystal?" Irji nodded. "Well then, we mustn't destroy her just yet, for then the crystal would be destroyed also. We must get the crystal, instill our evil power within it, and then you may do whatever you'd like with Princess Serenity." (*GASP!*)

Meanwhile at the main hiding place, Serenity made a decision. "I have to go and fight them." "Serenity," said Tuxedo Mask. "I won't let you go alone. My guts are telling me that it's not a good idea. As your husband and your guardian, I will go with you, and so will the Sailor Scouts." She looked at her comrades as each one of them nodded in agreement. "All right then," she said. "But all of you have to be really careful." They set out on their journey.

After walking in the cold for an hour, they reached what once was the Moon Palace. Memories flooded into Serenity's mind, ones of the good times and of that horrible night when everything and everyone she loved died and left her alone. She would hold back those feelings, however, so that she could do her duty as the Moon Princess. She would have to risk everything for her people, but she was ready and willing to do so. They carefully and quietly entered the front gates and walked into the entrance hall. It was moldy and old now, but it still gave Serenity the feeling of home. When the Sailor Scouts looked ahead of them, they saw a figure in the dark.

"Welcome!" he said. "King Fiyero I presume." said Serenity. Tuxedo Mask immediately transformed into his prince form and stood in front of his wife. She once again felt that feeling of loss and Fr. Hino stood beside him. "I'm flattered you've heard of me." said King Fiyero. "Serenity, please come and join me. We can rule the moon together, side by side, with the silver crystal. The moon will finally go back to its days of glory!" "Never!" said Serenity. She put her hands in front of her and lit the silver crystal. She aimed it at him and said, "Bow before your superiors!" King Fiyero slowly got onto one knee and put his hands on the ground. His black moon began to glow a black light.

They looked at him bewildered, when Sailor Jupiter looked down at Serenity's feet. "PRINCESS SERENITY," she yelled. "LOOK OUT!" Just as Serenity looked down, black vines popped out of the ground and twined around her neck and feet. They tied her arms behind her back and her feet together. They lifted her off of the ground. Endymion took his sword and started cutting at the vines, but they electrocuted him every time. "No, my dearest Endymion, stop!" Serenity whispered. She had become weak and a black hole appeared under her feet. She slowly began to descend into it, but Endymion held on tight, despite the pain he felt. King Fiyero looked up at Endymion, his eyes red. "I'd let go if I were you!" Just then, the vines began to electrocute Serenity and she let out a painful scream. "Unless you'd like to see her in pain."

Serenity freed one of her hands and grabbed Endymion's cape when he was about to let go. "Please," she pleaded with him. "Please don't leave me!" With that, he got a stronger grip and broke the vines. When he did, King Fiyero stood up and screamed. The vines backfired and were electrocuting him. Prince Irji ran to him. "Father, are you all right?" King Fiyero was outraged and in his anger, he pulled out his sword and sleighed his own son. The blood poured onto the floor, and King Fiyero drank it to show his barbaric manner. He pulled a sceptor from the air, and started charging it.

"Your highness," said Fr. Hino. "It's time to use the silver crystal!" She nodded and stood up. Endymion put his hands on her shoulders and concentrated his energy. The scouts knelt on one knee and held hands, concentrating their energies as well. Fr. Hino stood on the oposite side of the princess that Endymion was standing and focused. At the same time, Fiyero and Serenity shot their weapons, causing the powers to colide. They were using every last bit of energy that they had to keep going. King Fiyero didn't have people backing him up like Serenity did, but he was so evil, that it made up for the lack of assistance.

"Give it up!" shouted Fiyero over the sounds of their energies clashing. "You can never defeat me! Give up now, and I'll make sure that your friends don't suffer too much in their death! Ha! Ha! Ha!" Serenity began to let go, when Fr. Hino grabbed her hand. "Keep going Princess Serenity," he said. "We believe in you!" Serenity closed her eyes and remembered what her mother had taught her in that very hall thousands of years ago.

FLASHBACK:

"Now remeber," Queen Serenity told her daughter before they entered the ball room. "A lot of the people here are just snoty old politicians. So just do your best. We all love you and believe in you."

"Yes mother," the princess replied. "I will do my very best." When they were about to enter, the queen stopped her daughter and said, "No matter what happens in there, keep fighting. No matter what anyone says or does, just do what your heart tells you." The princess nodded and they entered the ball room.

END OF FLASHBACK

Serenity found that her strength was revitalized, and she sent one big surge of power through the crystal. This time, her powers defeated his and shot right at him. He let out a painful scream and died on the spot. Instead of fainting from the crystal's intense power as she usaully did, Serenity turned around towards the doors of the ball room and said, "Thank you mother." She then transformed back into Sailor Moon and walked out of the Moon Palace.

Sailor Moon had Fr. Hino gathered all of the people. They bowed on all fours and praised their princess. "People of the moon," she began. "Fear no longer, for the enemy is dead!" The people cheered loudly and danced. They crowned Serena as the new queen, and everyone rejoiced in the festivities.

It's almost over, I promise! Hang
in there, you are doing just fine!
Don't forget to e-mail me the feedback,
it's how I live!

~Neo Queen Tori~