Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon

I'm such a liar, omg. I promised I would have this posted by Monday, about 2-ish and here I am on Tuesday at 10-ish finally posting this. Well, I have a valid excuse. I had a paper to write, math to do, 2 modules for Human Anatomy- and no time to simply write my author's note and post this, because I'm really busy and I didn't want to half-ass my author's note, since this is the last chapter and it's really (as cheesy as it sounds) important to me, because this is the first story I've ever finished.

I wrote this on August 24th of last year, and finished it on October 6th of this year. It took me awhile, and there was a lot of procrastination, but I persevered and actually wrote something I could finish. This makes me really happy, and I think this story will hold a special place in my heart.

Okay, so this is important.. You can expect the first chapter of this story's sequel most likely December to early January. So maybe 2016, I'm not sure yet. I apply for clinicals in February and most of my time is going to be dedicated to keeping my GPA up, because becoming a nurse is very important to me. I also want to mold this into CT nicely, and I want the sequel to be great- so it may take some time.

The sequel will explore NQS and King Endymion raising Small Lady, so it's going to be more connected than this one- most likely with an actual plot than just cute drabbles, because the sequel will include The Black Moon. So prepare for more angst, sorry.

In this last chapter, I tried to prelude towards Usagi ascending towards her role as NQS.

Enough talking now :)

Usagi felt really.. warm. It was a very comforting, considering she had felt rather cold there for a bit. After everything went black, she was overcome with this feeling of sudden coolness- and then warmth. The heaviness she felt was replaced with a sensation she could only describe as floating. Although, her heart felt heavy. She wasn't stupid and she had become familiar of this feeling after being Sailor Moon for so many years.

She could have laughed, if she could open her eyes or move her face. How ironic that she would die this way, with only a glimpse of her newborn daughter. She could only hope that Mamoru would take good care of her, and that they could survive whatever evils were thrown at them.

She felt a bit angry if she was completely honest. Setsuna hadn't warned her of this future, she had only reassured her that the one she had seen was a happy one. Maybe Pluto could be wrong this once.. Usagi shouldn't be so angry after all. She was only a fallible human being.

But to fight evil for so many years and to survive so many triumphs, only to die in childbirth.

That was enough to make her want to scream..

If she could say anything at all.

The darkness surrounding her was suddenly broken by a blinding light. She looked on in defeat as it came towards her. Wasn't she supposed to choose to go into the white light? Isn't that how dying happened? Her experiences in death were nothing like this, as the white light engulfed her.

She didn't want to die yet.

When she woke up, she wasn't in the hospital bed. She was lying on a hard floor, staring up at a beautiful ceiling- decorated with small intricate designs. She blinked a couple times, her eyes still heavy from being closed for so long. After awhile, she found the strength to actually stand up, her hands leaving the cold marble floors and finding their way to her face.

Was she in heaven? Is that what this was?

She looked down and her eyes widened at the sight of the white dress she was wearing. She was familiar with it, from her days as princess Serenity- and from the countless battles she had won adorned in the same gown. Her hands went down the dress, taking in the gold accessories.

Her hands stopped at her stomach, which was now flat. As flat as it had been before she was pregnant. She frowned, even though the pain was gone- and she felt energized.. She was away from her baby, and from Mamoru. What was life without those two, without her beautiful friends?

She looked around, and was taken aback by the sight before her. The sight of the earth stood out against the dark sky. She knew this view from long ago, and she realized quickly she wasn't dead..

She was on the moon.

"Welcome home, Princess." A gentle voice said from behind her.

Usagi turned around quickly. Queen Serenity stood, adorned in the white glow she always seemed to carry with her. The Queen held her arms out expectantly, and Usagi hurried to her feet- and to her mother from the past. She surprised the elder Serenity with a hug- and the woman laughed in response, holding her cool arms around her daughter.

"Am I dead?" Usagi asked, pulling away and looking up at the woman.

She shook her head, but a frown stayed on her face. "No, Princess, you are not dead. But I'm afraid that you are in a critical situation on Earth, and whether you live or die depends solely on you."

"Doesn't it always?" Usagi said sardonically.

Queen Serenity didn't seem to catch her comment, or she chose to ignore Usagi's choice of words all together. She looked behind her daughter, at Earth, with an expression of worry and sadness.

"In a about a months time, Earth will be attacked by an ecological disaster." The Queen told her daughter. "It's time for you to embrace the power of your future self, Neo-Queen Serenity."

"I'm going to stop being Usagi?" She whispered, more to herself than to the woman in front of her.

Serenity looked down at her daughter, and closed her eyes- and Usagi knew her answer immediately. "I'm afraid, that when you become Neo-Queen Serenity, you will lose your life as Usagi Tsukino. Your life will belong to the people of Earth, the same way mine belonged to the people of the Moon."

That's right. She could never simply be a mother to her daughter, or a wife to her husband. When she was born on the Earth she was already given a destiny that she had never chose for herself...

"Will I still have my memories, my personality.. or will I be a totally different person." Usagi asked.

"You will stay yourself, but you will have the powers of the sovereign of Earth, and the name as well." She explained. "As for your memories, you will still keep them.. but I'm afraid, after awhile they will fade. Just like everyone's does eventually with age."

"What if I said 'no'?" Usagi whispered, looking up at Serenity. "What if I said I didn't want to be the Sovereign of Earth. What if I said that I just want to live out the remainder of my days with my husband and my daughter."

Queen Serenity's face grew sad once more and she shook her head. "I'm afraid, you will not survive. If you embrace your destiny you will receive the power of your future self, healing yourself on Earth, you can call upon that power when you finally need to. If you do not embrace that power, Princess.."

"..You will die."

Usagi nodded, tears finally threatening to fall down her face from the finality of it all. So this is the bleak future that Setsuna had spoke of, one where she didn't survive. A world where she forced the others to carry on without her. How could she ever be so selfish? She could never let her daughter live without a mother.

"If I choose to embrace my destiny, I will be healed.. I'll get to spend time with my family as Usagi for a bit longer?" Usagi asked finally, after a short period of silence.

"You will officially become Neo-Queen Serenity when the time comes to call on that power." The Queen explained. "When you wake up, you will be no different."

"You mean I'll still look like myself, and act like myself?" Usagi clarified. "I'll be able to be Tsukino Usagi for just a little while longer?" She couldn't stop the hopefulness from making it's way into her voice.

"Princess, you act like becoming Queen will be the end of your life.." Her mother said gently, a sad smile on her face. "Please believe me when I say it's only the beginning. You will still be the same woman you are today. The power to save the Earth.. Darling you've always held that inside of you ever since you were born to your parents."

"Will my parents- will they live?" Usagi asked.

Serenity frowned. "I'm afraid- just like Sailor Pluto- I can not tell you everything."

Usagi nodded even though it did nothing to heal the ache in her chest. This was a lot to take in, and she couldn't help but feel like she had no other choice. She had never realized that it would begin this soon.

"You'll make a wonderful Queen, I can tell you that." Serenity smiled. "Fair and loyal, and merciful. Everyone will look up to you, especially the newest Princess who is waiting for you on Earth. She's waiting for her mother's embrace."

Oh, that's right Usagi hadn't even had the chance to hold her yet.

"I'll do it." Usagi nodded, looking at the Queen in front of her. "I'll become Neo-Queen Serenity, and I'll be the Sovereign of Earth like I'm destined to be. I'll do my best."

Queen Serenity smiled. "Close your eyes, Princess. This will be quick- and before you know it you will be back on Earth with your Prince and your little girl."

Usagi complied, closing her eyes as she felt Queen Serenity place a finger on her forehead. Almost right away, Usagi felt her forehead grow warm- and her body become overcome with a feeling of power, of strength. She subconsciously wrapped her arms around her body as the power spread from her forehead to her toes, destroying any last feeling of cold that was still settled in her body.

And just like that.. Everything was black again.

But this time, she could still hear Serenity's voice.

"Remember, Tsukino Usagi, you were born onto this Earth to be happy.."

She opened her eyes with a gasp. It took her a moment to realize that she was staring at the ceiling of her hospital room. She attempted to lift up a hand, but found that her bones still felt heavy- and every movement caused an ache to run through her body. She realized, with a bit of disappointment, when Queen Serenity had said that she would still be the same- the pain from giving birth was still in that equation. She had only healed her body enough to keep her from dying. The pain was still very much there..

Especially in her legs and stomach. She tilted her head down slightly in order to look down at her body. She had a blanket over her legs, but her right foot stuck out just enough for her to wiggle her toes. It took some effort, but she was finally able to move her foot, just a bit.

When she was finally able to bring a hand to her face, she discovered that there was an oxygen mask over her mouth- that had given her the curiosity to turn her head to the right and find the oxygen tank- and that's when she saw Mamoru.

His hand was still holding on to her limp one, and he was lying his head just by her hip. A pang of guilt went through her, when she took notice to his messy hair, worried face, and tears still making their way down his cheeks. She had left him and Chibi-Usa all alone, and for a man who had been all alone his entire life- she had unknowingly broken his heart.

She tried to close her weak hand around his, and she did- just enough to make him squeeze her hand back. Usagi turned her head away- to stare straight ahead. That's when she noticed the small bassinet just at the end of the bed. It was adorned with balloons and presents, and Usagi knew just inside was her daughter.

"B-Baby.." She whispered, although it came out more like a slur- and almost impossible to hear due to the mask that was still on her face.

The monitor that was keeping track of her heartbeat made a noise. Indicating that her hear was speeding up just the slightest. Unbeknownst to her, that was just enough to wake Mamoru up.

"U-Usa-ko?" He whispered, sitting up and staring down at her like he couldn't believe she had opened her eyes.

She smiled weakly, and moved her hand over slightly until it was over his. Her other hand attempted to take the oxygen mask off of her face, but Mamoru stopped her-gently guiding her hand back to the bed. He took the oxygen mask off of her gently, placing it beside her.

"You scared me.." He whispered.

She shook her head, frowning. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to.."

"Don't be sorry." He said quickly, bending down and placing a kiss on her forehead. "I was just so scared, Usa-ko. I was so scared to think that our daughter may have to live in a world without you."

At the mention of Chibi-Usa, Usagi turned her head to the bassinet in front of her. Mamoru seemed to notice, and a large smile spread across his face- despite his tears. Usagi watched as he got up, and walked to where their child was. Her face automatically lit up when she saw the tiny bundle Mamoru lifted in his arms.

He walked back to her slowly, careful of the baby in his arms. Usagi could hear the small whines already coming from the fussy newborn. She still held her arms out expectantly, and her heart skipped a beat as the small bundle was placed into her waiting arms, and the baby automatically grew calm when she focused up on her mother.

Usagi thought, in her completely biased opinion, that her daughter was the cutest baby she had ever seen. She was in complete awe by just how beautiful she was. Her crimson eyes stared into Usagi's blue ones, trying to focus up on the face she instinctively knew to be her mother's. Her small lips formed an 'o', and Usagi ran a finger through the tuffs of strawberry hair.

Usagi smiled, letting out a watery giggle. "She's so beautiful.."

"I'm going to go tell the other's that you're awake, they'll be very happy." Mamoru said, leaning down to kiss Usagi's forehead- and then his daughter's cheek. "So I'll leave you two alone for a little bit."

Usagi nodded, eyes never leaving the newborn's. She spent a couple more minutes staring down at the baby when Mamoru left, not able to find words to say to the child who had been inside of her for what seemed like forever.

"You.. kicked me a lot." Usagi said lamely, but the gentle smile never left her face. "I think I'll miss that feeling but it's so much better to have you here in my arms."

Chibi-Usa opened and closed her mouth, waving her chubby arms in response. Usagi ran a hand down her cheek. "I have known you for years, and you've only truly known me for about fifteen minutes."

"It's not like you'll remember, but you will one day.." Usagi explained. "But back then I saw you more as a little sister. Now- Now you're my child. I promise that I'll protect you."

Chibi-Usa's eyes were so focused on her's that she almost felt like the child understood her. "The truth is, soon things are going to change and you're going to become a princess- not that you aren't already one. But things are going to change for both of us, but as long as we have each other.. We'll be just fine."

She smiled, tears falling down her face. "Sometimes you might feel lonely, but I promise that I'll make sure you're never alone."

"-We're going to be fine." She repeated again.

She looked up when she heard the door open, and she smiled at the sight of her teary-eyed friends crowding the doorway, and Mamoru leaning back against the door.

"Took you guys long enough." Usagi giggled.

It was Rei who reacted first, hurrying over and wrapping her arms around Usagi, careful of the baby- and cradling the blonde's head to her chest. It took Usagi a minute to realize that the raven-haired girl was crying, quiet sniffles muffled by the top of Usagi's head. She looked up at Rei.

"Rei-chan.." Usagi whispered.

"Don't ever scare me like that again.." Rei said, shaking her head. "Ever."

"Let's not be sad anymore," Usagi smiled, changing the subject. She lifted her arms up slightly, to show off Chibi-Usa who was now dozing off in her mother's arms. "See, we have a reason to celebrate."

Rei nodded, and smiled through her tears- the other girls walking up behind her, and wiping their own tears. They stared in awe at the new baby, whose large eyes were still fixed on her mother's face, although it was clear by the newborn's drooping eyes she was ready to fall asleep.

"So this is Chibi-Usa," Minako smiled, placing a hand on Usagi's shoulder. "You did good Usagi-chan."

"Hey, Mamoru-san had something to do with it." Makoto laughed, pointing at Mamoru who was on the other side of the bed now, settling back in his chair and watching his new family.

"I did most of the work." Usagi said, sending Makoto a pointed look.

"How are you feeling?" Ami asked, and Usagi could see the concern etched on her face.

It was more than odd that she made such a quick recovery. Usagi looked around at the other's who were still cooing over the now sleeping baby. She decided that she would tell them about her meeting with Queen Serenity in the morning, and the future that lay ahead of them. For right now, she would allow them to celebrate.

"I'm feeling good, tired but good.." Usagi smiled, and it was true. She felt happy, and it was her smile that had calmed Ami's concerns, and the young doctor smiled back- turning her attention to Chibi-Usa.

Yeah, the future could wait for just a bit longer.

Mamoru watched as Usagi tried to keep her eyes open, still cradling their daughter in her arms. After the senshi left, her parents and Shingo had visited her briefly, realizing how tired she was, and promising her that they would return in the morning. Something about the way Usagi had begged them to stay, saying she wasn't tired, made Mamoru's heart hurt. It was like she was holding onto what precious time she had left with them.

He looked over, and she had dozed off once more, head against the pillow.

He laughed and stood up. "Okay, I'm taking her from you, Usa-ko." He said, gently retrieving their sleeping daughter from her arms. "You need to rest, you've had a long day."

She made a whining sound, when he gently took the baby in his arms. "M' not tired.." She mumbled, yawning and proving herself wrong. "I'm wide awake."

"Did you hear that, Usa, your mom is a liar." Mamoru whispered to the baby, whose large crimson eyes opened slowly. "You know we're going to have to call her by her real name eventually, she wasn't Chibi-Usa until she came to the past, from the future."

Usagi nodded. "We're going to have to call her Usa.. Until, Crystal Tokyo then it will be Small Lady."

Mamoru nodded, and they both grew quiet. Mamoru looked down at his daughter's angelic face, and he was sure Usagi had fallen asleep until she spoke once more.

"Mamo-chan?" Usagi whispered.

"Yeah?"

"The future is coming sooner than we think." She sighed.

He looked up at her, their eyes meeting. He nodded. "I know, Usa-ko."

"But I'm not afraid, not anymore.." She smiled, her eyes falling shut. "I'll protect everyone, like I always do."

Mamoru didn't respond until she was fast asleep, and then he reached over and ran a hand down her cheek- smoothing a stray hair behind her ear.

"I'm not afraid either.."

Outside, on June 30th, it began to snow.

Okay, that's it! I can hit the complete button, and I hope you enjoyed.

I'm so very proud I finished this, and I'm satisfied, and I hope you all are as well.