Author Notes: Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update, I've been busy with the surprises life throws at me. Hopefully this chapter will be up to par. In response to people's reviews I have tried to make this chapter a bit longer. I hope you guys like it as I've had a lot of thinking to do as I wrote this. There should be only two chapters left so I hope everyone is excited as I am. And please review. I love reading them as they provide motivation to continue this lovely story. Oh and sadly I don't own Sailor Moon.

Chapter 7: The Final Showdown

Darien woke up feeling horrible. He shook his head, trying to dispel all of his nightmares. Darien looked at the mirror as he got dressed, feeling as though the world weighed down upon him.

'Serena, is Sailor Moon, and she doesn't want to help us, or be with us.' Darien thought. "Or me." He added aloud.

Raye, Mina, Lita and Amy were waiting by the benches in the courtyard. Darien had called them late last night after the battle saying that he had to say something very important but he had to do it in person. They watched him as he walked towards them. He had the most painful expression on his face as he reached them.

"I know who Sailor Moon is." He said as the girls gasped. They all crowded around him as he proceeded to tell them of last night's events.

Serena barely made it to school. She ran into first period and sat next to Lita, trying to get her attention but Lita ignored her. As the bell rang she tried to catch up as Lita disappeared into the crowd. All of her classes were the same. Mina, Raye Amy and Lita all ignored her, as if she were invisible. It hit her then, like a ton of bricks. At break she nearly screamed in anguish as she realized who the girls were. Of course if Darien was Tuxedo Mask, the girls had to be the Sailor Scouts.

At lunch she tried to say something to them, but all she got was cruel words. Serena sat at her new hiding spot remembering what had happened only a few minutes before.

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"Serena, you can't sit with us anymore." The usually quiet Amy said her face full of pain.

"Yeah we don't want to associate with liars." Lita said threatingly

"Or enemies." Mina put in

"So why don't you run off and do your own thing." Raye finished.

Serena would have laughed if the situation wasn't so serious. The girls had basically confirmed her suspicions. Darien stood quietly the whole time. He never made eye contact with her at all.

She was so upset that she did laugh.

" Nice going Sailor Blabber mouths!" She said before running away.

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Everyone watched in horror as Serena had revealed that she knew who they were as well.

"How did she know?" Raye nearly screeched

Darien hushed the chattering girls.

"Enough. We just need to worry about the next crystal." He replied his voice having a dark tone.

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Serena made it home safely as Luna had met her halfway. Luna saw that she had tears in her eyes again. Luna purred softly as Serena told her all about her day. They were about to turn the corner to go home when the Moon Wand began to go off. Serena looked up to see Raye's grandpa fighting off Zoicite near the backside of the temple.

"Go Sailor Moon!" Luna cried as she jumped off her shoulders.

"Moon Prism Power!"

Sailor Moon ran towards the battle as Grandpa began to look tired.

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"Grandpa!" Raye cried out suddenly. The entire Arcade went silent. The girls looked up at her, as their friend had the most terrified expression on her face.

"Zoicite is attacking Grandpa!" She whispered, before running off. The girls quickly threw money on the table and followed her.

Darien declined the girls offer to hang out at the Arcade. He had a lot of thinking to do. He was passing the temple when he heard the familiar speech.

"How dare you attack an old man Zoicite! I stand for love! I stand for justice! And in the name of the Moon I will punish you!" He heard Sailor Moon say.

Darien quickly transformed into Tuxedo Mask as he made his way to the Temple.

Zoicite shook with anger!

"Brat! Give me that crystal!" She screamed.

"Never! It's my mission to collect and I will not let you stand in my way." Sailor Moon replied. Anger fueled her words. She was so mad that Zoicite had attacked the same day her friends, and Scouts had turned on her. She glanced to her left to see the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask standing there.

'Great just my luck.' She thought.

"Moon Healing Activation!"

Sailor Mars almost cried out as the Shadow Warrior turned back into her Grandpa. She turned her anger against Sailor Moon.

"Mars Fire Ignite!"

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!"

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"

Sailor Moon cried out in frustration as the attacks were aimed at her. Adrenline coursed through her body as she successfully dodged all of the attacks. She was breathing hard but felt alright. Zoicite laughed watching the spectacle below her.

The Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask surrounded Sailor Moon.

"Just give up the Crystals you have Sailor Moon, and you won't be harmed." Tuxedo Mask said.

Sailor Moon smiled. "Yeah sure, and Zoicite will invite us all over for tea." She replied.

Zoicite floated over head as the Sailor Scouts attacked again. This time a part of Mars' fire singed Sailor Moon's arm. Sailor Moon gasped and dropped to the floor in pain.

"Sailor Moon, is this how you let your Scouts treat you? You would be better respected and treated if you joined the Dark Kingdom. Queen Beryl would love to have a new General." Zoicite lied.

"Screw you Zoicite!" Sailor Moon replied as she prepared a new attack. Luna ran to her worry showing on her face.

"You can't your Highness! It will kill you!" She said as she leapt onto Sailor Moon's shoulder. No one except Zoicite caught the cat's remark.

'Highness? Is that fur-ball insinuating that this pathetic girl is the Serenity?' She thought.

"Luna I will be ok. I have another Rainbow Crystal, and that means more power." Sailor Moon said as she began to do a series of movements. Luna held on for dear life as she prayed to the Moon Goddess that Sailor Moon would kill herself with this attack.

"Shadow Moon Eclipse!"

Zoicite watched in horror and recognition as Sailor Moon had disappeared into the shadows of the night. Zoicite began to laugh hysterically as she had her trump card for the next battle with Sailor Moon.

'I'll be seeing you soon Princess Serenity!' She thought disappearing.

The Scouts looked in vain for Sailor Moon before giving up.

"We'll get her tomorrow at school." Lita said as she walked home with Amy and Mina. Raye had taken her grandpa into the temple to heal. The other two girls nodded silently.

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Serena fell to the floor of her room as the shadows had transported her there. It was her most dangerous attack as the user would lose a lot of energy. Serena could not climb onto her bed as sweat dripped down from her forehead. Luna worried as always pulled and pushed Serena into a sitting position.

"I told you, Princess Serenity that it was too dangerous to do. But no you wouldn't listen to me." Luna said angrily. Serena smiled weakly as the guardian tried to get her a cool cloth. She heard a yowl as water splashed onto Luna.

"Take this and put it on your head." Luna said before scolding her again. "Serena, you could have died tonight using that attack. You know your mother had told you that you can only use the Shadow Moon Eclipse when you have the Silver Crystal."

Serena nodded. "Goodnight Luna." She said as she fell asleep on the floor. Luna smiled warily.

"You just can't deal with stubborn Lunarian royalty." She said pulling a blanked over her Princess.

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The next day of school was hell. And that was putting it mildly. The day passed in a blur for Serena as she was still a little tired from the Shadow Moon Eclipse attack the night before. At lunch she didn't realize until it was too late that the Scouts had her cornered.

"We want those Rainbow Crystals Serena." Raye said. Lita looked at her menacingly. Serena sighed.

"Sure tell everyone that you're a Sailor Scout real smart move there fire ball." Serena quipped. The girls made a tighter semi circle around where Serena was sitting. She looked up at the girls knowing that she made a mistake. Serena stood up startling them. They took a step back as Serena looked at them with tears in her eyes.

"Well at least we haven't turned our back on our mission, like the Sailor Traitor you are!" Raye replied heatedly.

That was the last straw for Serena. The tears flowed as she spoke.

"I was just trying to protect you!" She said running from them. The other girls did not expect that. It took them a minute to realize that Serena was getting away. Lita, the fastest, almost caught up to her as Serena gracefully vaulted over the fence. Lita watched in amazement as the small blonde sped away.

"We'll get you and the last crystal!" Lita said slamming her fist into the fence.

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Serena kept running until she reached the park. There she saw Zoicite harassing a poor cat. 'Ok, time to vent out my anger!' Serena thought furiously.

"Moon Prism Power!"

Meanwhile Zoicite began to turn the cat into that Shadow Warrior. Luna leapt in as the cat fully transformed. She grabbed the crystal and ran it back to Sailor Moon.

"I know that cat! You have to help him!" She said breathlessly.

"Of course I will. Using animals to fight your battles eh Zoicite? That's low. I, Sailor Moon the champion of Love and Justice shall stop you!"

"Moon Healing Activation!"

The cat returned to normal and ran off into the bushes.

Zoicite rolled her eyes.

"Spare me your little speech. How about we make a deal? You and I fight for each other's crystals and the winner can challenge the Sailor Scouts."

Sailor Moon shook her head. "No deal! I wouldn't fight the Sailor Scouts willingly. Now if you excuse me, I have to plan stealing the other crystals from you and them." Sailor Moon replied.

Zoicite smiled.

"Of course Princess Serenity, you wouldn't want to hurt you own guardians." She said in a cruel voice.

Sailor Moon's jaw dropped. 'How could she know?'

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus were the first two Sailor Scouts to arrive at the battle. Venus had planned to wait out the verbal battle between Sailor Moon and Zoicite to steal the crystals from the one attacked. At Zoicite's statement they almost fainted.

"She can't be the Moon Princess! She would have helped us! Besides its Serena for gods sakes!" Sailor Jupiter said furiously. Venus however was unsure. She was remembering earlier that day when Serena had shouted at them in frustration, "I was just trying to protect you!"

"I don't know Jupiter. Let's wait for her response." Venus replied. Jupiter rolled her eyes but stayed quiet.

"What did we miss?" Sailor Mercury's voice came to them. They turned to see Sailor Mercury, Sailor Mars, and Tuxedo Mask.

Sailor Jupiter told them everything and watched their own dubious expressions.

"That brat can't be the Moon Princess!" Sailor Mars said loudly. They all shushed her but Zoicite and Sailor Moon were too busy talking to listen to them.

"You are sadly mistaken, Zoicite. I am a guardian for the Moon Princess. I just wish not to hurt my fellow guardians." Sailor Moon replied calmly.

Zoicite laughed. "Princess, I was there when Queen Beryl attacked the Moon Palace, over a thousand years ago. I saw you use the Shadow Moon Eclipse to get to your precious prince!" Zoicite said with an evil smile.

Sailor Moon smiled back, though her expression was a little more forced, and had traces of pain in it. "I'm sorry that wasn't me. The Moon Princess taught me that move, so I could better protect her when I found her."

"It looks like I have to force the answer out of you. ZOI!" Zoicite cried out as sharp flower petals flew at Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon tried to cover herself but the sharp petals tore into her skin. She screamed. The Sailor Scouts jumped up revealing their position. Zoicite stopped the attack and smiled.

"Uh oh Sailor Moon! Looks like the Sailor Scouts have come to finish you off!" Zoicite said. She floated closer, suddenly getting an idea to make the Moon Princess reveal herself.

"Well then I guess I can eliminate the Sailor Scouts now." Zoicite said as she used her dark crystal to trap the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask. Still using the crystal Zoicite made spears and placed them in front of her prisoners.

"Ok Moon brat. If you don't want to admit that you're the Moon Princess, then I will kill off a Scout every time you deny it." Zoicite replied. "Starting with Sailor Venus."

Sailor Moon cringed. She waited to see if Zoicite would make good on her threat.

"Are you the Moon Princess?" She asked.

Sailor Moon hesitated.

"Suit yourself!" Zoicite replied as the spear began to move towards Sailor Venus' chest.

"WAIT!"Sailor Moon cried out.

Zoicite smiled and stopped the crystal spear. It was gently touching Sailor Venus at her bow. She breathed a sigh of relief.

"So?" Zoicite prodded.

A white light covered Sailor Moon from head to foot. As she was covered she said, "I am Princess Serenity, daughter of Queen Selenity and heir to the Moon Kingdom." The light disappeared revealing the Moon Princess in the exact spot Sailor Moon was standing. Instead of the Sailor Moon uniform, Princess Serenity wore a white flowing gown. And instead of a tiara, only a crescent moon adorned her forehead.

"Happy? Now let them go." Princess Serenity said with authority. Zoicite threw her prisoners into the bushes nearby.

The Sailor Scouts looked at each other in surprise.

"So she's the Moon Princess?" Sailor Jupiter asked.

"Why didn't she tell us?" Sailor Mercury questioned.

"I'm in so much trouble for insulting her!" Sailor Mars cried.

"So she never lied about being the Leader of the Scouts." Sailor Venus said.

"How about we help her out and then ask her why the hell she kept us in the dark?" Tuxedo Mask said as he shot up and started to run towards Serenity.

Serenity saw the Scouts go flying. She immediately changed back to Sailor Moon.

"Alright Zoicite, you have your answer. Now give me those crystals!" Sailor Moon said as she charged at Zoicite.

Zoicite scoffed as she blocked Sailor Moon's flying kick. She sent the Sailor Scout flying into a nearby tree.

"You want a fight? How about this!" Zoicite said before disappearing into thin air. She appeared behind Sailor Moon and knocked her into the ground. Zoicite had her knee into Sailor Moon's neck.

"Say goodbye Princess!"

"Venus Crescent Beam!"

Zoicite was knocked backwards as Sailor Venus' attack smacked her into chest.

"Come on Sailor Moon, we need to get you out of here." Sailor Jupiter said into Sailor Moon's ear. She nodded weakly as the bigger girl picked her up and ran her towards a safer area.

Sailor Moon was beginning to see spots when Zoicite had pressed her knee into her neck. Those spots were starting to clear up.

"Jupiter! I'm sorry-" Sailor Moon began.

"Don't be. After this you're spilling everything." Sailor Jupiter replied.

"Yes, I owe you all that." Sailor Moon said as she saw Sailor Mercury get hit.

Sailor Moon ran back into battle to help her Sailor Scouts. Sailor Jupiter followed her. Tuxedo Mask was fighting Zoicite after Sailor Mercury had gotten blasted away. He had wondered about Sailor Moon, or rather the Princess's safety but he couldn't afford to be distracted.

"Goodbye Cape Boy." Zoicite said as she tripped him.

"Moon Tiara Action!"

The spinning disk of light hit Zoicite directly. She fell back onto the ground and didn't move.

"Yes!" Sailor Venus said flashing the V for victory sign. Sailor Moon nodded. She was tired from transforming into Princess Serenity. Without the Silver Imperial Crystal, she couldn't hold the transformation for long, and it would take most of her energy. The Sailor Scouts gathered around her.

"I'm sorry I withheld information from you guys," Sailor Moon started slightly out of breath.

"Why did you?" Sailor Mercury said

"I wanted you guys to live." Sailor Moon replied looking down. Tuxedo Mask came to stand next to Sailor Moon.

"What do you mean?" He said his voice.

"You all don't have your memories back huh?" Sailor Moon asked her vision going spotty again. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

"No" Came the unison reply.

Sailor Moon laughed at their solid reply.

"Ok. We are going to have to talk about this somewhere I can sit down? This is going to be a long story." Sailor Moon said looking around. She noticed movement where she had struck down Zoicite. Zoicite was moving to throw a spear at Tuxedo Mask's back. A flash of red covered Sailor Moon's vision, as she had promised herself that she would not let her friends, nor her Prince get hurt.

"Look out!" Sailor Moon said trying to shove the caped man out of the way. He didn't budge, confused by her actions. Sailor Moon growled as she spun around to catch the spear. However she didn't account for her lack of energy and instead of catching the spear in her hands, she caught it in her stomach.

Sailor Moon started to fall to ground as she heard the attacks from her Sailor Scouts. She thought that she was going to hit the ground hard, when a pair of strong arms caught her. She looked up at the man who had caught her.

"I'm sorry! I should have moved. I should have se-" Tuxedo Mask said as he tried to stop the bleeding.

"Endymion, don't be sorry! I love you and I am glad I was the one to save you this time around."Sailor Moon said as she lost both blood and energy. She de-transformed into Serena, and was starting to lose her vision.

Tuxedo Mask watched the girl in his arms started to fade away. "Serena? Serena! Don't go!"

The Sailor Scouts fueled by their anger attacked as one. They watched as their attack made a direct impact on Scouts attack had killed Zoicite, and her body just lay there in the park path. They turned back to hear Tuxedo Mask's cries. His hat was gone, lost in the fight against Zoicite, but his mask remained. The Scouts could see the tears in his eyes. They ran over, followed by Luna. She took one look at her Princess and ran towards Zoicite trying to get the Rainbow Crystals.

"Help me!" She yelled at Sailor Mars.

Sailor Mars ran over and pulled out the remaining Rainbow Crystals. She took them to Serena. She gave a crystal to each Sailor Scout and to Tuxedo Mask, and to each cat guardian. They held their breath for a minute expecting something to happen.

"What's going on? Where's that damn silver crystal?" Sailor Jupiter raged. The other scouts looked to Sailor Mercury, as Serena's breathing was slowing down.

"I think we have to put our energy behind each Rainbow crystal to call forth the Silver Imperial Crystal." She replied.

One by one they all closed their eyes and focused on the power and energy they received from their planets. Sailor Mars was the first to notice the building aura around them all. She opened her eyes and gasped. Everyone was glowing. She looked at herself and saw that she was glowing red. Sailor Mercury was glowing blue, Sailor Jupiter glowed green, Sailor Venus glowed orange, and Tuxedo Mask glowed silver. She was surprised at his color, but kept concentrating on her power. The others heard her gasp and opened their eyes. All except Tuxedo Mask. He let his power and love for Serena pour though. He didn't know exactly when he started loving her, all he knew was that he could not let his Princess die.

A circle of light formed around them as their energy was taken and brought to rest two feet above Serena and Tuxedo Mask. The light flashed brightly as the Silver Imperial Crystal appeared. The scouts looked to see that Serena was once again Princess Serenity and now Tuxedo Mask was dressed like a prince as he was wearing light battle armor, a cape, and a sword at his hip. They all didn't comment as they were drawn to the Silver Imperial Crystal. It floated down to Serenity's chest and within seconds the wound and blood disappeared. Everyone flinched when they heard Serenity draw in a deep breath. She opened her eyes and glanced up at Prince Endymion.

"Hello. I guess I should have a good explanation for lying to you all." She said softly. Endymion smiled.

"Yes you better have. But you need to rest now. When you wake up, you can tell us about all of this subterfuge and why it was necessary." Endymion said as he cradled the Princess in his arms. Princess Serenity nodded and fell asleep. The Scouts look at Prince Endymion.

" Ok so Serena is Princess Serenity and Darien is Prince Endymion. Now what?" Sailor Jupiter said.

"Well according to my calculations, with the appearance of the Silver Imperial Crystal, we should be getting our memories back from our past lives as well." Sailor Mercury replied.

Seeing that Prince Endymion looked exhausted as well, they decided to all stay at the Temple as it was the closest to them.

Endymion made sure to set Serenity down gently before he passed out. Sailor Jupiter caught him and set him down as well. The Scouts de-transformed and thought about what had happened. They still did not have their memories back. It was something that was making Raye extremely mad.

"I want to know what happened!" She whispered furiously. "And why Serena had to lie to us." She looked back at the sleeping couple as they had de-transformed a few minutes after the scouts had.

"We will find out. For now let's just think up a good apology to offer her. We were pretty terrible to her the last few days." Mina said was a sad look on her face. All of the girls nodded and were quiet. They spoke quietly about the battle and what they were to do next, for an hour. As there was a lull in the conversation they heard the soft voice of the recently unconscious friend.

"Ok, I'm ready now." Serena said as she stood in the doorway, Darien standing behind her.