Hiya, readers. I know it's been a while since I've updated, but here is the next chapter.
This is the chapter where almost all is resolved. So enjoy!


Crash and Burn

Chapter 29: Good and Evil

A shudder went through Jay's stone-cold body. It traveled from his arms, to his legs and then to his chest.

And then I suspected.

The telltale thud began with a jolt. Rei screamed.

And suddenly, a light sound came from the body. I looked at Mamoru who was staring at Jay in wonder.

"Hahahaha"

The pool of immortality, it seemed, had a unique effect on souls.

"You die…or live…and the first thing you do is laugh!?" Rei screamed down at Jay.

Jay opened his eyes dazedly, blinking at Rei, "Have I ever told you that you're beautiful"
"Now, that's a little bit better" she said, leaning down and kissing him deeply.

"It'll give us life!" Ami shouted, "Get to the water!"

"WHAT!?" Chaos roared, turning on her, "All of you will stay away from my pool!"

His sword shot at her, but I had jumped up, seizing the sword from Mamoru's slacked fingers. I roared angrily, clashing my sword with his, inches away from Ami's chest, "Get OVER there, Ami" I said, looking deep in Chaos's eyes, I smirked.

She went running.

"What do you know?" I said to Chaos, "It turned out to be just us again"
"I will destroy you, Cosmos," he hissed, his eyes burning in coldness, "You think you can destroy me?"

"I don't think," I sneered, parrying a blow that came at me, striking back with my own, "I know"

And my sword sliced his chest, sending him retreating away from me.

Born back into this life, I threw myself at Chaos with a roar of inspiration.

My skills hadn't increased, but my passion certainly had. I drove each swing of the sword with a new determination. My friends were going to LIVE! Chaos, despite his dexterity, was struggling to keep up. I kept backing him up, as he attempted to keep his footing.

"This is how you thank me?" he demanded, looking scared but scandalized. His hair was a mess; hanging down to his shoulders. His pale face shone with sweat and fear. "I give your friends life, daughter, and you repay me with slaughter? What kind of girl of Light are you?"

"The kind you fear at this moment" I said as I blocked another blow. Suddenly Chaos swung around, Shingo stood in the corner, a few feet away from him. I had unknowingly backed him up into the precise corner where he was hiding!

"NO!" I screamed, but Chaos snapped his fingers and Shingo was dragged into Chaos's arms. Chaos pressed the sword against Shingo's throat with an evil sneer, "Drop the sword"

It fell easily from my hands. Shingo was shaking in Chaos's hands, showing his fear with his light blue eyes.

"Shingo…" I moaned

Suddenly three forms slammed into Chaos, sending him reeling unexpectedly. Shingo stumbled out of his grasp. Mr. Parker, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Morrison were currently ganging up on Chaos. They went flying off of him in seconds as he stood up, his body emanating dark power.

I picked up the sword again and threw myself back at him, he managed in the last second to dodge it. Swinging the sword over him, he crashed it down on me. It slammed against my sword and as I struggled to push it back, he chucked power at me. I went tottering backwards, managing to keep a hold on the sword.

"SAILOR PLANET SHITENNOU ATTACK!" screamed around me and I saw a big ball of gold light fly at Chaos, slamming into him before he could block it. He fell to his knees.

I approached him, he was below me, glaring up at me.

He stood up again, holding his sword in defensive position. Swinging it at me, he crashed it against my sword.

With a sudden burst of understanding, I knew what I had to do. I threw off his sword one last time, then pulling the sword in front of me, I allowed him to slam his down on top of it, the black sword shattered the silver sword into pieces. He looked at me, a leer on his face, "Were you saying something, Cos-?"

I let the silver sword float in midair, as it began to give off a shine. Chaos was staring down at it, fear in his eyes as it suddenly began to morph into a body.

Queen Selenity floated in front of us, eyes closed peacefully, "You did it, Cal" her voice whispered around us, "You defeated me"

Chaos's eyes widened as I'd never seen them widen before. He fell to his knees, "No" he moaned, "No. I-I didn't mean to!"

The sword clattered from his hands, landing on the floor beside him, "No, Selenity…"

"Who knew," I said then, watching him, "That you could actually kill the one you love?"

"I…I DIDN'T!" he roared up at me, "I didn't…" he said in a low voice.

The body floated away, "You know what to do, Serenity" she whispered as she morphed into light which dissipated.

He looked up at me, and I could see a hint of sorrow, of heartbreak, "I…wouldn't" he whispered, "You know that"

I shook my head, "No. I don't"

He looked down, an evil glare set in his face and his hand grasped his sword, he stood up, shuddering.

"The end, dear Cosmos" he said, shaking slightly, "You thought you could defeat me, you were wrong"

"Usagi!" Mamoru cried, his sword was flying at me; I caught it with my hand just in time to stop the strike Chaos had thrown.

"You will pay," he hissed, "For making me destroy her"

"I didn't make you do anything" I said, throwing off his sword, "I don't seem to remember forcing you to break the sword, that was all you"

He roared in anger, attacking me with vigor. I struggled to keep up, but knowing I couldn't. He backed me up against a pillar, I held up the sword in front of me, shaking.

He glared down at me, raising his sword to swing it through me.

A moment of hesitation and it was over.

The black sword clattered to the ground as Chaos stumbled forward -spearing himself on my sword. My eyes widened in surprise at the same time his did as we realized what had happened. The sword slipped from my hand as Chaos fell to his knees, the sword straight through his chest.

He looked up at me, "You did it, daughter" he whispered. I fell to my knees in front of him, my eyes still wide in surprise, "I-"

"Don't be sorry" he whispered, looking at me, I saw a faint light coming from his eyes, shining through the black, "You did the right thing"

"But…you weren't going to do it" I responded, tears in my eyes.

He grimaced, looking at the sword gutting him, "I would have done it eventually…it's better this way"

"But…"

"I'm happy you were the one, daughter," he whispered, breathing hard, "I wouldn't have it any other way"

"Father…"

He gave me a smile, his eyes closing and reopening, "You really are a girl of Light. No one else could have destroyed me. You're your mother's daughter" there was pride in his eyes, "In the end, I'm happy you didn't go after me"

"I'm sorry"

He shook his head slowly, "It was good. I'm glad you did it. I can go…in peace now to Selenity"

"You loved her" I breathed, "More than anything"

"Except one thing" he whispered, "Except our daughter, our Serenity"

He fell onto his back, his eyes closed forever. The second he died, he burst into thick black vapor, disintegrating into thin air.

I looked up, realizing that Chaos had not stumbled, he had been pushed by my baby brother, after Sapphire had somehow made him drop his sword.

Shingo looked down at me, worry in his eyes as he saw my tears, "Usa…I thought he was…"

I made my decision then. Chaos- no, my father, Cal, hadn't had any hard feelings- and in the end, the right thing had been done. The only way to reawaken Cal had been to kill his evil self, effectively saving the world as well. Ultimately, I had saved him.

"That was…incredible, Shingo" I said, standing up

He beamed at me, "And another bites the dust!" Then his expression faltered, "Wait. That was lame. The only time I'll ever get to save the day and I ruin it with my stupid pun"

"Shingo…you were amazing" I cried, hugging him with all my life.

I felt people approach me and I smiled.

"I missed you guys so much" I said, beaming at Ami and Zach who were leading the way to me.

"Being dead sucks" Jay cried, "And that Chaos dude, yea, really evil"

I hugged him dearly, "Aw, Jay, I missed you and your jokes"

"Yeah we heard that your life pretty much sucked when we dropped out of it" Makoto said, grinning at me, "Guess you need us more than we need you"

"I always knew that," I said, pouting at them, "You were the ones who never believed me"

Mamoru came up from around them and I grinned at him, "I don't think I've ever been happier that you were in your past life than I am now"

He gave me a deep kiss, "What about when I nearly kicked Chaos's butt with your sword?"

"Dude, nearly kicked his butt actually means getting hits in" Kevin said, cracking up

Mamoru scowled at him, "You try hitting the guy who's the evilest thing ever, we'll see how well you do"

"Boys, boys," Minako said, "Let's not ruin the winning moment with a kiddie fight"

Motoki joined us, giving me a hug, "Did we do good?"

"You were all great" I said, laughing, "This turned out a lot better than I thought it would"

"Since you're not dead?" Sapphire asked quietly from behind me.

"That certainly helps" I cried, turning around and giving him a hug, "Thank you so much for all your help! I never would have made it-"

"So, all together again?" came a sneer from behind Sapphire. We all turned towards a Diamond who was now on his feet and looked recuperated now that his torturer had been dusted.

"Oh, c'mon!" Nick cried, "Can't you leave us alone for like five minutes to celebrate our victory"

"Technically, it's not ours," Rei pointed out, "Usagi did most of the work"

"I helped!" Shingo cried

"A lot" I agreed

"Does it look like I care?" Diamond spat, looking more enraged than I had ever seen him.

"Diamond…just let it go" Sapphire said quietly, "There's no way you're winning this"

"He's right, son" Mr. Ford said, stepping from behind us. He looked as he always had. But now he looked worriless and happy. Maybe getting his son's and his life back had a little something to do with that. Mr. Shaw, Mr. Morrison and Mr. Parker surrounded him, all looking like splitting images of their sons.

"It's sixteen against one, Torii" Mamoru said, eyes narrowed at him, "You don't stand a chance"

Diamond chuckled heatedly, "Like I couldn't handle 9 pathetic Senshi/ Shitennou, five pathetic mortals, a little traitor of a brother and a stupid bitch"

Oh hell no. He did not just say that.

Shingo inflated with anger on my behalf, "Hey!" he shouted warningly, "Don't you dare talk to Usagi like that!"

Diamond was past anger and he was past caring. He wanted it all over.

Which was why he unleashed a roaring wind at us- I was the only one who remained unaffected. The others went flying backwards. I could hear Makoto and Rei screaming indignantly. I turned to go help them, only to discover that they were all sealed off by a wall of fire.

"What are you doing!?" I screamed at him, fury running through me, "I saved you!"

"That changes nothing," he responded, advancing on me. I stumbled backward uncertainly. "We're going to end this now, Usagi. I'm sick and tired of it. I want it over. And I want you out of my head"

He was unraveling in front of my eyes. His eyes smoldered with bitterness.

"I'm not holding back anymore," he said, "No guns, either. Like I could kill you with a gun…"

I glanced in anxiety back at everyone, but they were all walled off tight. Looking back at Diamond, I stuttered out my words, "It c-can be o-over, Diamond, if we w-work together. We can make it so that no one has to get hurt, and that the game finishes once and for all," I chanced a step towards him, "We can-"

He slapped me hard right across the cheek and I staggered, surprised, holding my cheek tight.

"Shut up," he spat, "Just shut up, Usagi. I've had enough of your self-righteous bullshit. You can't make this world any better. Just because you're so blessed with this 'Light' shit," he made sarcastic air quotes at the word 'Light', "No one else is. People aren't good. There isn't a soul mate for every single person out there, there isn't a chicken in every pot. There is no silver lining. This world is dark, and I'm sick of you pretending you can make everything all right, that you're so much better than me…" he shook his head, revolted, "Who needs the Corruptor, when we're all out for ourselves anyway? And as much as I'd love to show you these things, how selfish and exhausting we all are, I can't, because I have to finish this stupid game"

At the last word, he seized my arms, his nails digging in the skin. I hissed in pain. I didn't know what to do. If I'd had any plan to save myself and end this game, I would have been all for it, but there wasn't any way.

How could I defeat this paradox?

How could I kill him without killing him?

I went to reply but he threw me onto the ground, and spat on me. Blinking in disgust, I wiped the saliva off my face. He took a step away from me, his glare unwavering, "I've never wanted you more dead than I do now…"

I couldn't just stay sprawled on the ground like this, and wait for him to kill me in all the ways he pleased. I needed to do something. What was more important? Saving my own life by ending his, or ending the game completely? What if he killed me first and I never got the chance?

But…I couldn't kill him. I wouldn't let this game turn me into a murderer, nor would I let it happen to anyone else.

I refused.

I want you out of my head, he'd said.

He just moved past delusions that he's in love with you and moved onto trying to kill you, Mamoru had said to me.

"Why don't you just kill me!" I had cried
He froze above me, his eyes softening, "…I can't"

Who needs the Corruptor, he'd said

I was the daughter of the Corruptor and Selenity. That was why I had these powers. The powers that were a slice of God's. And I could use them.

…I smiled.

Diamond, jarred by my reaction, rearranged his face into a confused expression, "Why are you smiling?"

I stood up.

"Because," I said, still smiling, "I figured it out"

"Figured out what?" he asked, still slightly confused but his anger was returning.

I continued to smile. It couldn't be that hard. Why had it taken me so long to figure it out? I mean, sure, I wasn't entirely sure how I was going to do this, but the plan was forming slowly in my mind. I managed a laugh of disbelief. I wasn't sure what amazed me more – that I had been this clever, or that it had taken me this long to figure it out.

"What!?" he yelled in my face. He was pissed off by my happy reaction. He went to strike me but I lithely eluded him, smiling serenely. And then I was standing before him, my hands cupping his face.

Whatever he had been expecting- it hadn't been this. He was frozen, hypnotized.

And then I plunged into his mind, one last time…

I'd been in Diamond Torii's mind on two separate occasions. The first had been an accident and I had seen some insight on why he was like he was…which had made it a little harder to hate Diamond as I was…supposed to. The second had been intentional, as I had needed it to get to my crystal, and in it I had seen the moment when he had finally decided to kill me.

Now was different.

The place where I had ended up was an extremely creepy setting. Around me, thick fog hung limply in the air drifting eerily across a ghostly playground and burnt down house. It was cold and dead. There was no moon, no stars…just emptiness. I shivered in the imaginary cold. And then a soft repetitive creak made me swallow nervously.

I turned slowly to find a young child sitting on a swing, slowly swinging.

He looked like a normal small child, not younger than 7, but his long white hair and cold violet eyes told me instantly who he was.

Spotting me, he turned to me, "Play with me" he ordered. I complied, seeing no other choice and joined him, sitting on the swing beside him.

I realized then that I was still in my Sailor Moon form. Maybe I could actually win this?

The swing creaked under my weight, as he stared at me curiously. He didn't find it strange that he was in a creepy, abandoned burnt-down house and playground.

I frowned, "What is this place?"

He blinked and looked around, as if it was the first time he was seeing it, "It's home. I don't like it but he won't let me leave"

This response scared me, but I asked the obvious question, "Who is it? Who won't?"

He raised his arm and pointed past me. My mind screamed to know what he was pointing at and before I could stop myself I was whirling around. I saw myself staring at a dark, lean silhouette sitting on the remnants of a stairway. Leaving the boy, I made my way to him. Upon my approach, he twitched and looked down at me, misery in his eyes.

The first thing I noticed was that his shirt was sliced open, revealing scars. I stepped slowly up the stairs, slightly afraid they would collapse, but more afraid of what the person was doing. He stood up, still one step on top of me. I was face to face with his chest and I couldn't help but wince at the markings.

He ignored my reaction, "What are you doing here?" he demanded softly

I blinked, my eyes only seeing the scars. My hand lifted, almost at it's own accord, to trace the long slashes.

The slashes had a meaning, they messily spelt the word "EVIL"

I gasped, "What happened to you?"

He winced from the contact but didn't pull away, seeming to enjoy my hand on his abdomen. Seeming to regain his sense, he flinched away and attempted to close his shirt. I pressed my hand against his to stop him. His eyes closed wearily, making no attempt to answer.

"Diamond?" I asked softly, "Who did this to you?"

"I did" he replied coldly, he went around me and down the stairs.

"Why?" I asked, following him down

His brow furrowed as he turned away from me once more, "Because" he whispered, then as his voice gained power, "It's what I am. It's what they said I would be"

"Who is this they?"

He didn't respond. Instead, the young boy came to stand beside his elder, glaring up at him.

He looked at me, "He gets like this all the time" he said sourly, his nose wrinkling in contempt. He looked at me, smirking, "He's just weak"

I didn't know how to react, but apparently Diamond did. His eyes snapped open, shooting the boy a look of fury, "I am not weak" he spat, seizing the child by the throat and hoisting him up in the air.

Shocked, I rushed forward, since I wouldn't want Diamond throttling me either, but before I could do anything, the younger boy smirked and teleported from his grip, appearing behind me and shielding himself. Diamond attempted to lunge at him, but seeing me in front of him, stopping himself.

"He won't hurt me" the boy sneered confidently, his tiny hands clutching at my skirt "Not with you protecting me"

I stiffened, twisting my head to look at the little parasite that clung to me; that I was protecting. He just smiled up at me, in a way that no one could ever call innocent. I looked back at Diamond, shaking my head at the scars. "Do you know why I'm here, Diamond?" I whispered

Still looking hatefully at the little boy behind me, he growled, "It doesn't matter. None of it matters anymore. You should have just let me kill you, Usagi"

"He wanted to," the little boy piped in haughtily, "He told me so"

I ignored the brat. "It does matter, Diamond. It matters because we don't have to die, neither of us"

The child snorted a laugh, a condescending one, "She still thinks this can end happily, she's more stupid than you, Diamond" He slid his hand in mine, turning me towards him, his eyes glittering hatefully, he was so young…yet…so….

"You still don't get the game, Usako" he said, giggling slightly

My nostrils flared, but I ignored the name, "On the contrary" I said coldly, "I understand it better than you think. You see, Diamond told me that the key for not having to kill me was to turn me evil. So it only makes sense if not having to kill him involves turning him-"

"You still don't want to kill him?" the child asked, looking offended, "After everything he's done to you? I was there" he said, giving a quick glance to Diamond, "When he first took you. So don't lie to me and trivialize exactly how much pain he caused you that night. Or the time after that…or after that-"

"Stop it" I hissed, yanking my arm away. A child talking about rape so casually was simply chilling. He bit his lips, hiding a grin that was forming. He gave another glance to Diamond, who was glaring at him hatefully.

"Who is he?" I asked, moving slightly away from the child instinctively

Diamond's gaze shifted to me, and the hate softened slightly upon meeting my eyes, "He and I are one. But two"

"That- I mean, he's you?" I asked a little disgustedly

Diamond nodded, looking annoyed at having that be the answer. "Don't try and turn me good, Usagi" he said coldly, "I'm too far gone for your charity, and I don't want it. I just want this over with. Now get the hell out of here so we can end this"
I shook my head, "I won't kill you, Diamond"

He laughed chillingly, "What makes you think you'll get that far?" he balled his fists threateningly, "I've been ready to kill you for some time now"

"Not going to happen, Diamond," I said softly

The child was watching eagerly, his smile widening as he saw Diamond's increasing fury, "Go on, Diamond," he goaded, "Hurt her. Hurt her for me…"

Diamond's eyes narrowed in detestation.

I took a step away. I couldn't lose this fast, could I? I hadn't even tried to manipulate the situation yet. But with little mini-evil-me waving the pompoms of death, Diamond would easily chop off my head if it shut him up.

"So, he's your… 'evil,' then?" I mused.

The child looked stunned at this, definitely flattered, giggling, "I'm just here to get things done" he said, shrugging humbly, "The second you die, I'm free, he's free, we're free"

My eyes locked on Diamond's.

"Diamond, you have to try and fight him, he's not-"

In a sudden jerky movement, Diamond had me pinned against the slide behind me. Breathless from the tackle, I attempted to twist from his grasp, but it only tightened.

His face, lined with misery and pain was hard and cold, "You really want to save me…?" he chuckled harshly, "Even now…when I could so easily backtrack on our little deal, and make you feel like you want to die?"

His threat was made even more serious as his knee wedged between my legs hotly, one of his hands seizing my hair. I tried to breathe calmly

"You can't hurt me here" I said when I finally could speak

"I can't kill you," he corrected, "I can hurt you all I want"

"But you don't want to" I responded

"Want to bet?" he challenged, his hand releasing mine quickly, and smoothing against my back, dragging me against him. "Anything to touch you is fine with me, Usa. Anything to hear your voice, even if it is a scream"

"Hurt her" the child whined

His breath was cold against my face, the fog making him shiver, he went to rip my shirt slowly. A bubble of power swelled inside of me, and I shot it at him, sending him reeling into the swings

"Leave!" the little boy spat in anger, glaring at me with what looked like fear. It was as if it was clear that I was a threat now.

So I had my powers in here. Did I also have the much-sought-after powers in here too? The ones that Chaos was so determined I had? The ones that Diamond had lusted after?

Diamond groaned as he got to his feet. He looked weary, tired of fighting, but that didn't mean he was going to stop.

I jammed my eyes shut, remembering what I was here for. Looking, and searching, memories came at me full force, but I struggled to find one that would help my cause. Unable to take all the memories, I stumbled forward, landing face-first in one.

"But why can't I go to school?" the young boy whined. He had a hood over his face, making me sure that it was Sapphire within the large sweatshirt.

"Because" a voice answered coldly, from behind me, making me jump, the boy as well, "You're not normal. You're ugly. People will make fun of you"

"Diamond…stop it" said a disapproving voice, coming from a chair beside the fire, obviously belonging to Rubeus Torii, "Sapphire, you're special, that's why we're teaching you at home"

"Yea, special to have no skin" Diamond snarled, "I don't get why you're telling him all that shit" he scowled at the back of the chair, "You're just making him think he's all that, when in truth…he's nothing, he's a bug. People will never accept him, no one will"

Sapphire flinched, and I could see the tears rolling down his face.

"Diamond Torii!" the man exclaimed loudly, "Go to your room!"

"That kid really is the most pointless thing I've ever met," said a voice beside me. It turned out to be the young boy from before, "Diamond should have just done away with him"

I glared at the child, "Sapphire Torii is an amazing human being"

"You think anything that moves is good" the child scowled

The memory flickered and formed into another one. It was the Torii living room, a moment that would forever be branded in my mind. I sat sobbing over Zach, clinging to him. Then I made my way slowly to Ami.

Diamond walked into the room, speaking hurtful, evil words.

"He almost didn't go through with the ritual," the boy said from beside me

"Which ritual?" I asked as the two figures fought, my eyes following their movements precisely. It felt so surreal to watch from a distinct point of view.

"The one to get his powers back"

"What?" I asked, surprised, I turned to look at the child. There had been a moment when he hadn't wanted his powers? It wasn't possible. He was obsessed with them.

"Because" the boy rolled his eyes, "He knew that if he got them back, there'd be consequences. The game would have to be played out, he had hoped he could escape it, a nice delusion for him" he looked up at me, disgust in his eyes, "But he didn't want to let you go- because he couldn't let you go. I don't understand…why he's so connected with you. You're just a girl…"

Before me, Diamond jerked the girl straight, staring at her-me- with a lust for dominance in his eyes.

Then, on the other side of me, I felt another presence – Diamond. It was the one with the scars on his chest who looked sadly at what he had become.

"I didn't want any of it," he muttered softly, almost to himself

"It doesn't have to be this way" I responded lightly, trying to reassure him

"This is exactly how it has to be!" the child cried, turning on the Diamond beside me, "Don't listen to her, Diamond. She knows nothing!"

The scene flashed and now we were in a white porcelain bathroom. A shaking Sapphire was approaching the bathtub. He didn't say anything, just stared at his brother who stood before him, allowing the water to drip into the tub. Sapphire went, without a fight, as if he had always known it would end this way.

"She's going to win…" Sapphire said as Diamond raised the knife to Sapphire's wrists

"You chose her, how could you? You chose her over your own flesh and blood" Diamond spat at him, his arm shaking

"The flesh and blood that made my life miserable? Of course I chose her over you" Sapphire said condescendingly to his older brother

Diamond's eyes hardened, his hand lowered to the main vein, "Don't do this. Come back to my side"

Sapphire shook his head.

Diamond's face, for an instant, looked more pained than I had ever seen it before he sliced Sapphire's wrists.

I stared, aghast at the scene before me, "You didn't want to kill him…" I breathed to the Diamond beside me.

Diamond shook, turning away from the scene just as the Diamond in the memory transported away, "I had to"

Turning away from the memory fiercely, I seized his shoulders, "No, you thought you had to. And even then, you didn't want to." I allowed anger to enter into my voice, "You were branded with the name 'Evil'- and you thought you had to fulfill the name! You were forced into this role, but it isn't you. Are you telling me you enjoyed doing those things? Trying to kill Sapphire- hurting me?"

He blinked beyond me, his face turned toward the darkness.

"…no" he said finally

"Diamond!" the boy snarled, yanking me away from his elder, "Don't listen to her, she's trying to trick you!"

I pulled away from the child's grasp and seized Diamond's head, cupping his face and making sure I was all he could see.

"Diamond, you've done horrible things. We both know that. But you didn't want it- you told me this yourself! You were doing all this because you thought you had to- because you didn't think there was a way to avoid it! But there is! If you change- the way you wanted me to- if you defeated the evil within" I glared at the boy accusingly, "Then we might be able to stop this"

"I raped you…" he murmured, "That was…evil. And I didn't do it for the game"

The scene instantly sprang to life before us, the glittering candles, the putrid smell of flowers surrounding the two figures, one gasping numbly with wide, broken eyes beneath the other, crawling over her in a predatory way. I flinched, turning away.

"How can you say I can ever be good?" Diamond asked sadly, still watching the scene

"I'm saying you don't have to be evil" I flinched again as a scream tore through the room, trying to disregard it, I continued, "It's not black and white. Far from it. It's all shades of gray, Diamond. Just because you're supposed to represent something doesn't mean it defines you. Even I've been a large shade of gray, the daughter of the Corruptor….What you did…if you try to fight this, even if you try- I might- I could forgive you"

"She can never forget who you are, Diamond!" the child spat, standing between us. Diamond looked between us, confused as to which he should side with.

The figures on the bed continued, the girl still beneath her abuser. She cried softly as he panted. This only angered him, and he forced harder…

"Diamond…" I breathed, looking past what I saw, "You…you were bad, yes…but I was bad too"

The memory formed into the one that had occurred to what felt a little more recent. I was eager to leave this one behind and looked eagerly at the newly formed one. A girl –me- stood, shaking, a shard of glass rose before her eyes.

"He knows what he is" the boy said, nodding at the Diamond at my side, "And he knows what you are"

"He's right, Usa" Diamond breathed, "To do evil, is to be evil. You never went through with it. But I did. I killed Morrison, Ford, Shaw, Kino-"

"I know you did" I said, interrupting him, I took his hands, "Yet, I'm still willing to forgive you- if you try- for me, Diamond"

He winced, his eyes widening in misery as he looked from me to the boy.

"Don't do it, Diamond!" the boy snarled, "She'll never forget what you are, she can't. Remember what happens to us if we lose. We die slowly, painfully…you know we can't take that"
Diamond's eyes determinedly hardened and he nodded, ripping his hands away from me, "I won't let that happen to me"

"You tried to give her everything" the boy goaded, "But she threw it back in your face"

Diamond took a step toward me, "I will hurt you until you leave my mind, Usagi. Then I will kill you"

I raised my arms, "Go ahead" I said simply

This stunned him and he froze, staring at me.

"Pathetic" the boy spat at Diamond before he turned to me. And before I knew it, he had leapt at me, sending me reeling back as if a car had hit me.

The world surrounding us shook, then shattered, returning us all to the deserted playground as before.
I attempted to push the child away, but before I knew it, shallow cuts were drenching my skin with blood. Diamond watched with a stony face.

I managed to push the child off, jumping away from him. The boy grinned up at me, his eyes flashing black. That was when I felt fire spread inside of me, roaring pain that burned me from the inside. I shrieked shrilly as I searched for power- anything- to defend myself. Finally finding it, I released as much as I could upon the boy, making him shriek in agony. I scrambled away, staring at the both of them.

"You could have killed me millions of times before this!" I said to Diamond, "Why didn't you?"

And around me, thousands of voices burst and chorused loudly. He looked just as shocked as the boy on the floor.

Why would I want to kill what I loved? His voices, brokenly moaned in agony. The playground and house shook with it's volume, She's so pure. I want to bask in that purity…let it save me.

"Let me save you," I said softly to Diamond, begging, "I'll try, I promise"

"KILL HER!" the boy roared, his eyes flashing again and Diamond grunted in pain at the attack that the boy had thrown at him.

Please…I don't want this…I need to be good…please, let me be-

"You can be" I cried, "You can be good and so much more, Diamond. I believe that. I believe in you. Be better than you are!"

"If you won't" the boy scowled, "then I will!"

At which point he lunged at Diamond, his soul infusing with Diamond's body. With burning black eyes, he came at me. I ran from him, my heart beating wildly.

With a sick crack, his hand collided with the side of my face, and everything flashed white. I would have fallen, but he pulled me back up, his arms tight against me.

"You're nothing" he spat, squeezing his arms around me even tighter. I screamed at the pain. "And I will love removing you from this world, Tsukino Usagi"

"Who are you kidding?" I laughed coldly, "I'm your everything"

"Shut up" he snapped, his hand slapping my face.

I writhed in his grip, "You can't kill me" I told him, "You've been trying all this time- but I still breathe"

At this I let my mind pull us out of this place. I crashed hard against the cold ground in Chaos's lair. Diamond crawled over me, and I let him do it.

His hands found my throat easily. Yet he did not constrict.

"Go ahead" I goaded, "Do it"

"I will" he swore, his hand tightening slightly around my throat.

"Kill me, and you'll never suffer life. You'll never see me again; happy with Mamoru…I won't plague your mind. I'll be out of your life, out of your head. The game will be over and you'll still never be happy-"

He began squeezing, not to kill me- but to silence me. After three seconds he let go, crying out, staring at his hands.

"Never again," I swore, "You'll never get to see me laughing, crying- nothing"

"I swear, I'll-" he sputtered, unable to continue, "I'm going to-"

And without warning for either him or myself, I'd pulled him down against me, kissing him deeply. He fell on top of me completely, dragging me into him like he would never let go. His hands roamed in their desperation to cling to me. Shielded by the flames, the sixteen prisoners lay clueless as to what was going on beyond their inferno. The fire continued to climb as Diamond clung to me.

"I love you," he breathed against my lips, "I love you so much it tears me-"

The fire roared, the room began cracking at the heat and I could hear screams coming from beyond me. At my will, the reflection pool water rose tremendously, hovering over all the fire. It dropped, drenching the area with the water.

Diamond's body froze, his expression blank above me. From his fingertips a blue light began flickering-

"What-" he gasped

"Kill me, and you never see me again, except in your dreams, in your thoughts, haunting you…" I breathed, "You'll never forgive yourself. You couldn't live without me, Diamond. And you know it"

The blue light began growing inside of him, "No!" he shrieked, "Kill her!"

Instantly he rebuffed himself, "No. I can't. I never could"

Somehow, I'd split him. My trip to his mind was paying off.

He cried shrilly as he fell off of me, seizing against the floor, looking as though he was attacking himself.

Diamond's eyes found mine, "Usagi…what did you do…?" he moaned, "What have you done to me?" he asked angrily and forcefully this time

"Just gave you some things to think about" I whispered, watching him

"You!" he roared, he stood, shaking and came at me again, but fell back, "No" he whispered, "Not you. Me"

"You," I repeated, "It's all up to you, Diamond. You can end this. Save me"

He whimpered, falling to his knees, his hands buried in his face.

"You can do it, Diamond!" came a cry from behind me. We looked up to see Sapphire running towards us. He collapsed to the floor beside Diamond. "You can do it, brother" he whispered

Diamond rose his hand wordlessly, his hands touching the scars on Sapphire's face, but the instant the skin touched, a bright blue light gushed from his hand. Diamond screamed, pulling it away, but both of our eyes were drawn directly back to Sapphire. He was moaning, his face reforming…scars were disappearing…skin appearing.

"You can be good, Diamond" I whispered, watching the blue light cracking beneath his skin.

"Do it for us, Diamond" Sapphire whispered, our eyes drew back to his. His face was smoothed, the scars had gone, leaving clear skin. Diamond's eyes widened.

"I…" Diamond was saying, his eyes were wild.

"Look what you did to me, Diamond" Sapphire said softly, his hands touching the skin, his face breaking into a smile, "You fixed me"

"I did that in the first place!" he spat

"You're not evil, Diamond!" Sapphire replied back, "You did some bad things, but we all did. That's how life is"

"Do this, Diamond" I whispered, "And all is forgiven"

He looked back at me, his eyes turned hard, "No! You're lying!" he spat, he scrambled away from me.

Tons of dark power burst from him at me, I stood shock still, unable to do anything to escape it.

"NO!" came a cry, a sob almost and suddenly with a crack, a body pushed me out of the way, tons of power directly collided with the form, sending him flying backwards towards me.

My eyes widened as I realized who it was.

Diamond Torii lay at my feet, his head bloodied from his collide against the floor.

"No!" I cried, falling to my feet. I checked his pulse. It was weakening.

"Sapphire!" I cried. He was at my side in an instant. One look at my face, which was still staring horrified at Diamond, and he had seized Diamond's hand and they teleported away.

I was still staring down at the blood spots beside me weakly when arms encircled around me, pulling me away from there.
"What did I do…?" I moaned, asking no one, yet everyone

"You did it, Usagi" Ami breathed, she blocked my view, her blue eyes sparkled, "You figured it out"

"Thank god, you're okay" Shingo breathed from beside me

"Diamond's not…" I muttered, "…I don't…I…" I moaned horribly

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Jay asked quietly

"N-no! I didn't want to- I never meant to-"

"To what, Usa?" Mr. Morrison asked, "You didn't kill him"

"No…" Zach said, "She went farther than that. She made him…split"

"You couldn't have done a finer job, Usagi" Ami said, her eyes still deep in mine, trying to reassure me, "How'd you do it?"

"I…I entered his mind" I whispered, "and made him choose…between life and me"

"Must have loved you" Kevin breathed, "If he did that…"

I moaned.

Mamoru drew me against him, his chest shielding me from all the coldness around me.

"You did good, Usako,"

"And you didn't kill him" Tom breathed, "So that means…"

"That the game is over. Light won" Mr. Ford finished

Then why did I feel so terrible?

"Let's get out of here," Mr. Shaw suggested quietly, looking worriedly at me.

"Right, Ami, I and Mamoru can teleport back," Zach said, "Grab someone and let's go"

Hands reached around and before we knew it we were back within the guys' house.

"Wow. I'm happy that you got us to stop our packing" Mr. Ford said, smiling at me.

I didn't respond, shaking as I looked at my hands.

"I made a mess of everything…" I whimpered, my eyes burning.

Mamoru's eyes softened and he kissed my forehead, "No, Usagi. You did all you could do. You achieved everything we set out to do. You are amazing, Usako"

"But what…I made-I did to him…" I sighed miserably

"Usagi" a voice called me from beyond Mamoru and I turned to face Ami.

"You gave him a choice, Usagi. And he chose you, over it all, he chose you. He made the choice, not you" she said.

"After all that crap he pulled on us," Minako said, sighing, walking to where Ami stood in my vision, "He still did the right thing"

"You didn't do anything wrong, Usagi" Rei breathed, "You saved him from being evil too"

"We know you wanted to save him, Usa" Motoki said, "Despite everything he's done to you…"

"Your goodness has still survived" Tom Parker said, "And you gave him some too," smiling at me kindly

"You did your best, Usako" Mamoru breathed, his hands tightening around me

How they were saying this, I didn't know. If I hadn't needed to hear this, they probably would be shouting with joy and satisfaction.

But they weren't.

They were consoling me. Even after all he had done to them, they were proud of me for helping him become good.

Finally, I nodded wearily.

"You're not a killer," Nick said

"Not even close" Makoto finished for him

"Okay…" I whispered

A hug encompassed me, it was Shingo. He smiled at me, a beam on his face, "You did it, Usagi. Just like I said you would"

A twitch of a smile came to my face.

"Hey!" Jay cried, "Stop taking my job, I make Usagi laugh and smile!"

"You've been replaced," Shingo snapped back at Jay.

"I couldn't ever, ever, replace any of you," I breathed, "I love-"

"Drake?" a voice gasped out, making all of us jump

A figure was standing within the doorway of the kitchen. Tears were streaking down her face and she looked like she hadn't slept in ages. She looked beautiful.

"Harumi" Mr. Ford breathed

Not a second had passed before they were running at each other. We all turned away, not wanting to intrude. I saw a twitch of a smile on Mr. Shaw's face

I saw Kevin blushing brightly, obviously weirded out by his parent's display of love.

"Dad" Zach said, looking at Mr. Morrison

"Zach" Mr. Morrison blinked and gulped, he looked so nervous, "I-"

"It's okay, I forgive you" Zach said, interrupting Mr. Morrison before he even got a chance to talk

"Oh, Zach!" Mr. Morrison cried and he was soon hugging Zach like crazy.

All was forgiven tonight. It was a new day.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------C&B--------------------------------------------------------------------------

All that's left now is all the loose ends to be tied together which will happen in the next and LAST chapter.

I know I've slowed down tremendously with my updates compared to how fast I was in the beginning but things have been crazy.
But I will promise to finish this before New Years. Consider it a New Year's Present.
I don't know how much earlier it'll be, but I'll do my best!

I love all of the reviewers and readers who have stuck with me throughout this story!
I really should leave before I get all sentimental- that's for the next chapter!
:D

Thank you guys!