Act 10: Never Ending

"The third rule," Queen Serenity spoke seriously, "Is the most important rule. Are you paying attention, Pluto?"

"Of course, Queen," Sailor Pluto said nervously.

"The third rule is thus: you must never stop time."

Sailor Pluto gulped, "I can stop time?"

"With this Garnet Orb you can. It is a very powerful talisman I have given you, and you must use it fairly. No matter what happens, you must never stop time. If you do break this rule..."

King Endymion had braced himself for the very sudden and destructive end of the world, but nothing happened. He opened one eye to see the most bizarre sight he had ever witnessed.

Everything was perfectly frozen. The hypnotized Tuxedo Kamen's cape had been billowing in the wind, as was Black Lady's long hair as she was rushing toward Prince Diamond. But they were both extremely still. Most importantly, Prince Diamond was also frozen. The Silver Crystals were less than an inch apart, but not touching at all. King Endymion walked over to the enemy carefully, staring in amazement at the frozen tableau.

Then he heard movement. Someone was breathing heavily. He turned to see Pluto heaving as she held her Garnet Orb high above her head. He said quietly, "Oh Pluto, you didn't."

Luna and Artemis, who had also been bracing for the end, also hesitantly opened their eyes and looked around. Usagi groaned, and she and the other four soldiers made their way to their feet.

"What's going on?" Mercury asked, "I can breathe again, but the air is different. It's so still."

"Oh my God," Jupiter gasped, "What's happening?"

Usagi looked up at Nemesis, which was perfectly still. The concept came over her slowly, "Time stopped."

Tuxedo Kamen let out an audible gasp for air, and he blinked in confusion. The blue in his eyes had returned, and he seemed dazed, as if waking up from a long sleep. He finally settled his gaze on Usagi and smiled, "Usako, there you are."

Black Lady twitched, and tumbled to the ground, landing hard on her knees.

Pluto finally wavered, and drew one more deep breath before collapsing on her side. Everyone except Black Lady rushed to her side in concern. Usagi knelt to her and placed Pluto's head in her lap, "Pluto! Are you alright? Are you awake?"

King Endymion seemed frantic, "I can't believe she did that. It's a taboo to stop time."

Sailor Mercury gasped, "Pluto did what?"

"She stopped time," Endymion answered, "She broke the most important law."

"What law?" Usagi asked worriedly. Pluto grunted and began to violently cough in Usagi's lap.

Sailor Venus spoke up, "What do you mean, the most important law? What's going to happen to Pluto?"

"Queen Serenity..." Sailor Pluto grunted, "She told me, long ago... if I break this rule..."

"Pluto," Queen Serenity nodded, "If you ever violate that law, you will end your life."

Usagi only heard Pluto quietly whisper this memory, and she let it sink in. Pluto gave her life to stop time. She was going to die.

"Sailor Moon," Pluto was struggling to speak, and she was wheezing between words, "This won't... last for long... the time stop... carefully go and... get the two crystals... from Prince Diamond."

"But Pluto, you're hurt," Usagi said tenderly, not wanting to leave her friend's side. But Pluto just grabbed Usagi's wrist and tried to shove her away, "Hurry!"

"Here," Jupiter took Pluto into her strong arms, and Usagi gingerly walked to the frozen Prince Diamond. His manic expression was eerily still on his face. Usagi carefully reached into his hands and plucked the Silver Crystals from him. Black Lady just watched her, feeling weak and out of breath and defeated.

Usagi held up the crystals in front of Pluto, "Look, I got the crystals back."

Pluto smiled, "Good."

"It's all thanks to you though, Pluto. We couldn't have won without you."

Pluto tried to sit up a little as she spoke, "I wanted... to fight with... you, always, Sailor Moon... the future queen... it was a lifelong... dream of mine... so thank you... but Small Lady... you have to save her now," she began to cough harder than ever.

Black Lady stared wide eyed at Pluto.

King Endymion knelt down beside Pluto, "Stay with us, please Pluto. Just a little longer. Maybe you can get through this."

"Oh King," she smiled up at him, "I committed a crime... I must atone... pay the price... I need Diana," she reached for the Garnet Orb and gave it a tight squeeze. The orb lit up, and suddenly Diana appeared in a tiny red transport sphere. She landed safely on the ground and meowed at her friend, "Pluto! What happened?"

"Diana," Pluto reached for the kitten and gave her a final cuddle, "Thank you... for watching the door... for me."

"Oh Pluto," Diana wept, "You can't die! Hold on!"

"I held my position with honor," Pluto struggled to say with as much dignity as possible. She turned to her king and said, "I could never tell... you this."

He leaned in close, "What is it, Pluto?"

Her eyes smiled at him, "Your face looks so sad. But still... like always... you look wonderful... in your lavender suit... the beautiful colors of the sunset... my King..."

"Pluto, what are you trying to say?"

"Never mind, I can't," she whispered, "But this... this is more important. I'm so sorry, King. I can't protect Small Lady. Small Lady..."

Pluto looked toward Black Lady, who was staring back at her with worry. The dying soldier held out her hand, which contained Chibiusa's key. Her hand shook, and the key fell to the ground. Pluto relaxed, closed her eyes, and died quietly.

"No, Pluto!" Usagi screamed, "You can't be dead! Open your eyes! No! PLUTO!"

Black Lady stared at Sailor Pluto's peaceful face. Her last words had been toward her. Her last words had been her name, and she died while returning the key she had accidentally dropped. She had to remind herself that her name was now Black Lady, who had no friends, and was all alone.

She couldn't help but remember when she stole that very key from Pluto. It had been right after the attack from Black Moon. She had burst into the door of time, rushed toward Sailor Pluto, and bounced Luna-P in front of her. Her toy let out a huge cloud of pink smoke, which blinded Pluto and made her cough. In the confusion, she had yanked a key off of Pluto's belt and made a run for it.

Now she regretted it. Just looking at that key made her remember all the times they had laughed together, or played games and sang songs. She remembered when she told Pluto that she was her only friend, and Pluto had hugged her and gave her the biggest kiss on her cheek. There was the time when she came to Pluto crying, because she was afraid her mother hated her, "Pluto, Mom found out I was coming to see you, and she got upset. I'm a failure, I bet she doesn't even love me," and Pluto just scooped her up and reassured her that her mother loved her more than anyone, except maybe Sailor Pluto. She had held Small Lady's face in her hands and explained, "Just because someone doesn't hold you and kiss you all time, it doesn't mean they don't love you. There are different kinds of love. Like watching over someone from afar, that is a beautiful kind of love." And she had stared at Small Lady almost wistfully, as if longing to say something but holding it in.

She would never get to say what it was. Sailor Pluto would never speak again. She was dead. Black Lady was surprised to find tears flowing down her cheeks. She wiped them away and said out loud, "What is this feeling? It's so overwhelming. And why am I crying? Pluto... she was my only friend, my most important friend... no no no... PLUTO!"

Her black crystal earrings shattered, and one of her tears suddenly lit up with a brilliant light. Usagi gasped, remembering this scenario, and was shocked to look down at her hands and find only one Silver Crystal: her own. The other appeared in front of Chibiusa as a crystallized tear, and glowed brilliantly and surrounded her in light.

Time began to resume. Prince Diamond stumbled, and stared at his hands in confusion. Nemesis began to swirl and move again, and Wiseman's deep voice said, "What is this powerful light? It's blinding!"

All that could be seen was beautiful, pure white light. Chibiusa emerged from it, a child once again, but in a completely different outfit. She was in a sailor soldier uniform, with pink skirt, boots, bow and collar. She had the same barrettes and hair medallions as Sailor Moon, except the medallions were pointy to match Chibiusa's hairdo. Chibiusa stared down at herself in shock.

As the light dissipated, Neo Queen Serenity opened her eyes.

"Small Lady!" King Endymion gasped in surprised, "Look at you! You transformed at last!"

"Chibiusa!" Usagi cheered, "You're back to normal!"

Mamoru beamed proudly at her, "It's the birth of a new sailor soldier, the heiress of Sailor Moon."

Chibiusa was basking in the praise, and she turned to her best friend, "Pluto, look! It finally happened! I transformed!"

Pluto remained still and dead.

Chibiusa knelt next to her, her tears returning, "Pluto, no. It's not fair. I finally transformed, and you're dead. It's not supposed to be like this. Wake up already, please!"

Usagi couldn't stand to see this little girl cry. She was finally feeling angry over Pluto's death, and she turned toward Nemesis, "You manipulate good people and toy with them. You drag in people who don't even want to fight. I can't allow you to commit this evil anymore!"

She held up the Silver Crystal and cried out, "Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!" Sailor Moon put her hands on her hips and called out, "I am Sailor Moon, and in the name of the moon, I will punish you, Nemesis!"

Sailor Moon held out her hands and sent her purifying power out as far as she could, cleansing the city of the evil aura.

"Here we go," Nemesis chuckled, "Now you're really ready to fight me."

"Nobody else is going to die in this conflict!" Sailor Moon declared, "Nemesis, you're not going to have your way with this planet anymore."

"Is that so?" Nemesis retorted, "It's too bad that you are already under my complete control, little sailor soldiers."

The ground began to twist and morph, as it had done at Usagi's house before the battle. While they stumbled to find their footing, Prince Diamond had one last moment of mania, "I have to do it now! If Wiseman couldn't do it then I must!" and he charged at Sailor Moon.

"Usako!" Mamoru jumped in front of Usagi, protecting her. She reached out for his hand, and she grabbed the same one that was still clutching the Moon Rod. The weapon began to glow, and they pointed it at Prince Diamond. He was quickly ripped apart in the powerful beam.

"Oh Prince Diamond," Nemesis chuckled, "Poor, stupid Prince Diamond. I waited centuries to finally unleash my power. Then I find someone who wants to rewrite history, and I entrust my power on him and his foolish friends. What a mistake that was."

Usagi lost her footing in the warped space. Soon everything was black, and she was floating in it, and she completely lost concept of what was up or down. She looked below her feet and saw some sort of strange tower with a large, black crystal on top of it. Surrounding it was a huge specter of a skull. A black moon was between its eye sockets.

"Is that you, Wiseman?" Usagi called out.

"My name is Death Phantom," it answered, "After my exile, I became the solitary king of darkness. But I became the planet Nemesis itself, and fused my will with the black crystals growing on the surface. I became the most powerful object in this galaxy! I can do anything!"

Usagi screamed, "I won't let you take my planet!" and pointed the Moon Rod at Death Phantom. The brilliant light shone from it again, and after giving her all to the attack, the white light swallowed everything. Nemesis exploded, sending a tremor across Earth, and quiet settled on Crystal Tokyo once again.

Everyone was back on their feet, as if nothing had happened. King Endymion looked around, pleased that the evil had finally left the city, until he heard his daughter cry out, "Where is Sailor Moon?"

"Sailor Moon!" Venus cried out. But their leader was gone.

"Oh no," the King said sullenly, "She couldn't have..."

"Couldn't have what?" Sailor Jupiter asked.

"She couldn't have been pulled into Nemesis when she attacked, could she? What if she was destroyed along with the planet?"

"No!" Chibiusa cried out, hugging herself and looking up at the sky where Nemesis had been.

"That can't be what happened," Tuxedo Kamen said determinedly, "Usako can't be dead. She just can't be!" he squeezed his fists, wishing with all his might that he could trade places with her, or be where she was right now. A small warmth seeped into his hands, and slowly spread across his body. He glowed with a sharp light, and very suddenly vanished.

"Where did he go?" Sailor Mars asked, "What's going on?"

Neo Queen Serenity rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and surveyed her surroundings. She seemed to be encased in some sort of protective crystal. She closed her eyes and held out her hands, meditating on her power, and the crystal around her vanished.

The palace was oddly quiet and empty. She walked through her halls, looking for her loved ones. She found the room where her four guardians were still asleep. She smiled and nodded at them, knowing that they would very soon awaken as well. Then she found her husband, King Endymion, and she instinctively rushed to his side. Remembering all the hundreds of years that he kissed her awake each morning, she gently placed her lips against his cold ones. She sent her power into him through her kiss, urging him to wake up.

Outside, King Endymion's form vanished in front of the bewildered sailor soldiers, and he awoke in his own body. His wife was smiling at his side. She held his hand and helped him sit up. The two of them smiled at each other for a while, happy to be reunited. After nearly a thousand years of marriage, words were rarely needed anymore.

They emerged from the palace hand in hand. She smiled at the four teenage soldiers that were staring at her with their mouths open. Even though the days where she fought alongside them were practically ancient history, somehow it still felt like only yesterday. But then she saw her daughter in her own sailor soldier outfit, and her grin grew even larger.

"Mommy!" Chibiusa rushed to her mother. Neo Queen Serenity sank to her knees and held out her arms, embracing her daughter in a huge hug. Chibiusa cried against her mother's shoulder, "Mommy, Mommy, are you alright?"

"Yes Small Lady," Neo Queen Serenity rubbed her daughter's back, reassuring her, "I am alright. You were the one who woke me up. It happened when your powers awakened. The power inside of you is so strong, Princess, that it overpowered the Black Crystal."

"I'm really sorry, Mom," Chibiusa took a step back to look into her mother's face, "All of this was my fault. I wanted to have power like you. So I took the Silver Crystal from your room... I didn't mean for this to happen. I failed you Mom, and this planet... and Pluto died because of it."

Neo Queen Serenity wiped away her daughter's tears, "None of this is your fault, love. Don't speak so harshly about yourself. You've had a very difficult ordeal, and you handled it like an adult. Everything is fine now, especially now that you've awakened. We can combine our powers to protect this planet now, Small Lady."

"Really?" Chibiusa fidgeted with the new brooch at her chest, "I always thought that you didn't need me."

"Of course I need you," Neo Queen Serenity smiled, "You're my daughter, my only child. I always need you." She kissed Chibiusa's cheek, and stood to address the soldiers, "Sailor Venus, Mars, Mercury and Jupiter. Once I became queen, I lost my ability to transform, and nearly all of my powers I gained as a soldier. Therefore, it was very difficult for me to defeat that madman, Death Phantom. I will always regret my decision, as it resulted in the death of a very dear friend," she looked down at Pluto, "Sailor Pluto will spend her eternal sleep in the Crystal Palace, where she can be at peace."

There was a brief moment of silence before King Endymion spoke, "Sailor Moon did not share Pluto's fate. She was pulled in by the power of the Black Crystal, and it is highly likely that she is trapped once again on that planet, or in its orbit."

"Right," Neo Queen Serenity nodded, "And Tuxedo Kamen as well. He was drawn toward her. They will finish the battle, but they need help," she looked down at her daughter.

"Me?" Chibiusa said hesitantly.

"You are the only one who can help her now, Small Lady. You will rescue Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen and help them finish the fight against Death Phantom. This time there will be victory. Are you up for it, Small Lady? Maybe this can help," she held up her long staff, and with a wave of her hand it shrank to the size of the Moon Rod. The two wands were practically identical. She handed it to Chibiusa, and she accepted it carefully.

Chibiusa's time key began to glow, and she instinctively held it up. With a flash of light she was transported away.

"What about us, Queen?" Venus asked, "Should we..."

Neo Queen Serenity interrupted her by placing a finger in her lips and smiling, "We will wait for them," and she turned her back to everyone and stared out at the ruined city and the dark sky above, preparing to wait.

When Usagi opened her eyes, all she saw was darkness. There was no sound at all either. Her eyes adjusted, and all she could make out were small spots in her vision. It slowly came over her that they weren't spots, but stars, reaching out as far as she could see. Her heart beat faster, realizing that she was in outer space.

Her body was warm, and she realized that she wasn't alone at all. She was safe in Tuxedo Kamen's arms. He smiled down at her, "Usako, you're awake."

"Mamo-chan! Where are we?"

"In a transport sphere in space," he explained, "Look, we're in orbit."

She looked where he was pointing and spotted Nemesis not too far away from them. She got a chill, "Nemesis is still here?"

He nodded, "It seems the planet that came to Earth wasn't real. It must have been another illusion."

The warped surface of the planet contorted, and soon it made the shape of Death Phantom's skeletal face. It laughed and spoke to them, "Welcome to your grave, Sailor Moon. You're being pulled in by my orbit, and you will never escape this planet. I will absorb your Silver Crystal, and become truly unstoppable! I can rule Earth, the galaxy... even the entire universe! Nothing can stop me now!"

Usagi closed her eyes and leaned up against Mamoru, "Even if we defeat him, more wars are going to start because of this crystal, aren't they? How many more people are going to die over this stone? How many more battles are we going to endure? Maybe Sapphire and Prince Diamond were right. Maybe this crystal is the cause of all the misery in the world, and it should be destroyed."

Mamoru cupped his hand against Usagi's cheek, "And how many years of peace did it bring to the world and Crystal Tokyo? How long was the era of peace in the Silver Millennium all those years ago? That magical crystal brings peace and love and all the good of the world. It brought us back together, didn't it? You can defeat Death Phantom and any other enemy that will come our way, because love is more powerful than anything. You can do this, Sailor Moon. I know you can."

"And what about the course of history?"

Mamoru smiled, "That power is far above us, Usako. We just have to follow the path we were born into. And I was born for you. It was your power that brought me here just now. I may not have as much power as you, but I will give all of it to you. I'll fight Death Phantom alongside you. I live to make you stronger, Usako."

Usagi finally grinned, "It will be like last time, won't it? The first time I used to the true power of the crystal, you were next to me. With you, I am myself. I really am one with you," and she kissed him as hard as she could, feeling their power surge between them. His arms were warm, she felt more safe than ever, and her confidence was mightier than ever before. He held her tightly against him and pressed his head on top of hers. Their hands intertwined, and for a moment they savored each other, feeling more in love than they ever had.

Usagi's chest suddenly felt very warm, almost hot. She backed away to see a bright light shining between the two of them. They separated, and the light grew until it was large enough for Chibiusa to emerge from. She smiled at the two of them, "Sailor Moon! Tuxedo Kamen! You'll never believe this, but Neo Queen Serenity is back!"

"She is?" Usagi gasped.

"Yeah! And she sent me here to fight with you!"

Nemesis laughed, "Pathetic. The all powerful queen sends a child to fight her battle." Chibiusa stared at the mocking planet and trembled a little.

"Don't listen to him," Usagi said determinedly, "What does he know anyway? Believe in your power, Chibiusa. Focus every ounce of power you have on that planet. Then send that energy of the Silver Crystal straight at him. Are you ready?"

In response, Chibiusa closed her eyes and pointed her Moon Rod at Nemesis, obeying Sailor Moon's instructions. Sailor Moon followed suit, and when they felt powered up they both called out with the power of two Silver Crystals, "MOON PRINCESS HALATION!"

The energy lit up space. The planet erupted, and the shock wave sent the three of them flying backwards. Usagi's brooch shattered, along with the two Moon Rods.

Neo Queen Serenity's staff reappeared in her hands. She smiled, knowing that the mission was accomplished. She waved her staff toward the city, and the soldiers were amazed to see the citizens appear, healthy and whole, and the buildings slowly repair themselves. Within a few minutes, Crystal Tokyo was restored to its former glory. It was as if an attack had never happened, and the people continued on with their lives.

"You did it!" Sailor Venus smiled at the queen, "You used your power to fix the city!"

"No, not my power," she nodded at her staff, "Just some leftover from Sailor Moon, Small Lady and Tuxedo Kamen. Nemesis has been destroyed, or else I wouldn't have received that small bit of their power."

The four soldiers sighed with relief, knowing that this fight was finally over.

"Come forward," Neo Queen Serenity ordered, "I will grant you your new planet powers, and name you official guardians of Sailor Moon."

They knelt to one knee, and Neo Queen Serenity knighted them, "Sailor Mars, soldier of war. Sailor Mercury, soldier of wisdom. Sailor Jupiter, soldier of protection. Sailor Venus, soldier of love. May you always fight alongside Sailor Moon and protect her and this planet. Now rise. Time is going to begin its normal flow, so you should get back to the gate of time as soon as possible."

"But what about Sailor Moon?" Sailor Venus looked up at the sky, as if Sailor Moon was going to drop out of it at any moment, "Are you going to give her new powers too?"

Neo Queen Serenity smiled sadly, "I cannot meet my past self. It is forbidden. I shall return to the castle before she arrives. But..." she held her staff up to the sky, "I can give her power from here. Sailor Moon, soldier of mystery. In order to protect the Silver Crystal, I bestow upon her a new compact with cosmic power. May you always fight with a strong heart."

"Sailor Moon! Sailor Moon!"

Usagi woke up to see who was calling out her name, and saw it was Chibiusa. The pink haired girl was happily smiling over her, and Tuxedo Kamen was at her side.

"What... Nemesis is gone, right? What happened to us?" she felt her body to make sure she was alright, and her hand brushed over her new brooch. It was red and heart-shaped, with a white crescent moon in the middle, the symbol of the Silver Millennium, "Where are we?"

"Crystal Tokyo!" she heard Sailor Mercury answer, and she turned around and smiled at her four friends.

"Look at everything!" Sailor Mars gestured toward the bustling city, "It's all back to normal, thanks to you and the Queen."

"Wow," Sailor Moon got to her feet, "Where is the Queen?"

Sailor Venus nodded toward the castle, "In there. Her and King Endymion went back inside. We should get back home too; time is flowing normally again."

"Come on!" Chibiusa took out her time key, "I'm an expert at going to the past now. I'll lead you in place of Pluto."

Sailor Moon stared longingly at the Crystal Palace, wondering what it would be like to meet her future self. She remembered what happened the last time she had stayed too long near Neo Queen Serenity, and didn't want that to happen again. But she still wanted to meet her, even if it would be just for a minute. Her heart felt a little heavy, and she didn't want to go back to the past just yet.

Neo Queen Serenity was pacing in a hallway. She debated whether or not to go back outside and meet Sailor Moon. She knew it shouldn't happen, but she still desperately wanted to. She sighed, and weighed her heart over her responsibility. As usual, her heart won, and she grinned as she picked up her long dress and ran for the front doors.

Sailor Moon looked back at Chibiusa, who was waving for her to follow, and decided against it. She rushed for the castle doors, and stopped in her tracks when Neo Queen Serenity ran right up to her as well.

The two of them stared at each other for a minute, lost in amazement. Then they both erupted in an identical laugh.

Neo Queen Serenity nodded, "Sailor Moon. It's been quite a while since I've seen you."

"Queen," Sailor Moon spoke hesitantly, "You look amazing. You really do. I can't believe it."

There were tears in the queens eyes, "I just want to say thank you. For everything."

"No, thank you," Usagi was starting to cry as well, "Really, I mean it. There's just so much I want to say but... I don't know what to say at all."

King Endymion appeared at his wife's side, and soon the four adult guardian soldiers stood next to their queen. Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako gasped at seeing their own selves as well.

"Don't worry, Sailor Moon," the queen grinned, "You'll get to ask it someday. Until we meet again?"

They all nodded.

"Farewell."

Usagi blinked, and stared up at the ceiling of her bedroom. She was in her pajamas, curled up in her bed. The sun was rising and the birds were singing. She sat for a moment, wondering if everything had just been a dream after all, until her bedroom door opened and Chibiusa popped her head inside, "Are you awake, Usagi? It's time to get ready for school!"

Usagi smiled. She was thrilled that her adventure wasn't a dream after all. Now, life without Chibiusa was a little hard to imagine, "Yeah, I'll be right there!"

Chibiusa dashed out the front door while Usagi was still putting her shoes on, and she chased the little girl halfway down the street. Chibiusa giggled when Usagi grabbed her.

"No way, Chibiusa-chan, I'm never letting you run off on your own again! And what' up with your backpack? It's heavy."

Chibiusa adjusted the straps on her back, and her pack rustled. It was bulging, "It's nothing, don't worry about it."

"Chibiusa, you can't bring all that stuff to school, you're gonna get in trouble."

The small girl pouted a little, and said quietly, "I'm going back to the future after school today. So I packed all my stuff to take with me."

Usagi felt stiff. Chibiusa was going to leave her. It didn't seem quite right that she finally got used to this girl and fell in love with her, and now she would be leaving forever, "Oh. Right. That makes sense. Um," she wiped her eyes, "Hey, I left something at home. You go on without me, okay?" and she rushed back into her house.

Chibiusa followed her, and found that Usagi had flung herself on her bed and buried her face in her pillow, "Usagi? I'm sorry, don't be mad. I really want to stay here with you. But... aren't you always annoyed with me when I'm around?"

Usagi sat up and practically yelled at her, "That's not it! You're just being selfish again! You don't care about my feelings at all! You can't just always do what you want without thinking what other people are gonna feel!"

Tears welled up in Chibiusa's eyes, "Stop crying!"

"You stop crying!"

Chibiusa ran up to Usagi and jumped into her arms. The two of them hugged tightly and cried on each other.

"I'm gonna miss you when you're gone," Usagi said between sobs, "Don't you realize that? Don't leave me. We just got used to each other. I want you to stay," she took a deep breath and sat Chibiusa next to her on her bed, "I'm sorry, I really shouldn't be crying, should I? It's best that you go back to where you belong. I'll come see you off, okay?"

Chibiusa nodded, wiping her red face.

Usagi looked around Ichinohashi Park, remembering what happened the last time she was here. This was where she was kissing Mamoru, and Chibiusa had fallen on top of her. It felt almost like it happened years ago. So much had changed since then, but it was a welcoming change.

Mamoru was waiting for them, and the two girls were surprised to see him. He knelt down to Chibiusa, "You're leaving today, aren't you? I had a feeling."

Chibiusa nodded. She didn't want to tell Mamoru she was leaving. She didn't have the guts to say it.

He handed her the Tuxedo Kamen doll, "You forgot something."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she hugged her doll. Mamoru pulled her into a close hug, "Don't cry, little bunny."

"Mamo-chan," she gave him a little kiss on his cheek, "You're always gonna be my prince."

Luna-P beeped from inside her bag, and she took it off her back to fish through it, "Mom and Dad are calling me. It's time for me to leave. But I have something for you Usagi," she pulled out a new rod, which had even more jewels on it and a large, sparking heart on the top, "This is for you, from Mommy."

"Chibiusa, I..." Usagi accepted it, not knowing what to say.

Chibiusa just giggled, "I like that nickname. It's way better than Small Lady. Thank you for taking care of me, both of you. I love you. It was really fun living with you family, Usagi, and being with everyone. But I should really go now."

"Wait, Chibiusa," Usagi didn't want her to go just yet, but she didn't know what to say to make her stay longer.

"Bye Mamo-chan! Bye Usagi! Usagi," she smiled wide as she held up her key and the light appeared, "No matter what you thought before, I always loved you the most."

As she turned to rush into the light of time, Usagi called out one more time, "Chibiusa!" before she vanished into thin air. Usagi buried her face in her hands, "Why is she always running away from us, no matter what we do?"

"It's okay," Mamoru wrapped an arm around her, "It's not like we're never going to see her again, right? She's our daughter. We'll see her again."

"Right," Usagi said, "Someday."

Kotono rushed up to Rei, "You're back! You're back! Are you feeling alright? You were absent for such a long time!"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Rei said, "Don't worry about me. Kotono-chan, are you crying?"

She was, "I was just so scared that you had spontaneously combusted!"

Rei laughed, "No, of course not. I may be a little on fire sometimes though."

Asanuma had rushed toward Makoto when he saw her enter the fruit parlor and wrapped his arms around her, "Mako-chan! You're alright!"

"Yeah, Asanuma-chan," she laughed, "You've never called me that before."

"Did you win?" he asked eagerly, "Did you defeat the enemy?"

"We always do," Makoto smiled at him.

Next door, Motoki was practically in tears when he saw Minako and Ami enter the arcade, "You're back! I'm so relieved! I got super worried for a while that the arcade's biggest celebrity would never return!"

Minako laughed, "Sailor V always saves the day! You know that, Furu-chan!"

Motoki grabbed Ami into a tight hug, "And I'm glad you're safe too, Ami-chan! This arcade was so lonely without you!"

Ami blushed brighter than she ever had, "R-r-really?"

Usagi and Mamoru stayed at the park, watching the sun set while sitting on a bench. Usagi had her face in her hands as she looked up at the sky, "It feels like one long dream, doesn't it? It's all such a rush, like a roller coaster, and when its over it feels like it didn't really happen at all."

"But it wasn't a dream," he replied, "It all just happened so quickly. I bet that future will be here before we know it. And we're going to rule the Earth together."

Usagi stared down at the new weapon in her lap, "Do you think I will ever need to use this scepter? Is another battle about to start soon?"

"I hope not," Mamoru said, "I could sure use a break from fighting."

"I guess it doesn't matter," Usagi smiled at him, "No matter what battles are coming our way, we already know the outcome. A lot of things are going to happen between now and the future. But you'll always be with me through all of it. Right?"

"Of course I will," he said as he leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. They were so absorbed in each other that they didn't notice a light sparkling above their heads. Mamoru knew something was about to happen when he felt Luna-P bounce on his head once again.

A second later, a pink haired girl crash landed on Usagi. Before she could get her bearings, Chibiusa grabbed Usagi's pig-tails and announced, "I'm back!"

"What is going on?" Usagi shrieked.

"Here," Chibiusa handed Mamoru a letter.

He opened it and read aloud, "Greetings. Would you please help Small Lady train to become a soldier? It would be so very kind of you. Please take care of our daughter. Thanks. Kisses and hugs, Serenity."

"What?" Usagi grabbed the letter and read it.

"I get to stay with you again Usagi!" Chibiusa happily announced, "My room is still all set up, right?"

"This is fake!" Usagi announced, "You wrote this letter just so you can come back and bug me again!"

"It's not fake," Mamoru said quietly, "That's your handwriting, Usako. Your spelling and handwriting hasn't improved at all."

"Chibiusa!" Usagi tried to swat Chibiusa with the letter, and the two Usagis chased each other around the park.

Mamoru just laughed and smiled, "So this is what peace is like."

Author's Note: I hope you've been enjoying my version of the original Sailor Moon! I've been having tons of fun writing it. The next part will hopefully be up around the end of this month, or in early September, hopefully before the manga starts to rerelease. I would really appreciate comments, suggestions, or anything that's on your mind! Again, this was written for the fans as well as people who have never heard of Sailor Moon, so if you want to get your friends or family involved in the Sailor Moon love, this is a great way to introduce them to the series.

While you're waiting for the next chapters to be uploaded, you can always check out my fictionpress account (same username) where I have all my original writings. Almost all of my stories have some Sailor Moon homages in them :) Also you can tweet me anytime sallyslytherin, I answer every reply I get. I am always on the lookout for betas, so if you're interested, send me a message on here or on Twitter.

Peace, love, and moon power!,

Jenn