Title: The Thirteenth Year

Summary: When All-American girl Serena Warren turns thirteen, weird things start happening. Every night she dreams of the life of a Moon Princess and as time progresses, her dreams become more and more real, so that finally, she cannot distinguish between the life she leads in her dreams and the one she is trying to live during the day.

Author: Silver Sparklze

Reason for Writing: A challenge, issued by Sage: The Dark Dryad

Author's Notes: Words written in bold will be translated at the end of the chapter. This is the last chapter of this story, so I've made it the longest, compounding the last three eps of Sailor Moon here.

~Computer #2, Magickal Bean Coffee Shop/Internet Café, 132 West Street South, New York City~

Serena typed furiously, trying to get the story finished. She groaned as she felt a headache pulse behind her eyes.

"Are you ok, Rini?" Marnie asked concerned.

"Atama kizu da." Serena muttered.

"Go lie down in the back room on the sofa. You'll feel better in a moment." The waitress instructed, assuming that Serena was in pain.

"'K." Serena headed for the back room in a daze, and lay down on the couch, falling asleep almost immediately…

~Dream Sequence, Serena's bedroom, Tsukino Uchi, Tokyo.~

"No…" Serena moaned, reaching out towards Tuxedo Mask, who turned away, sneering.

"Why do you think I like you, Sailor Moon?" He asked scornfully, "You're a whiny crybaby. A klutz. A coward. And stupid to boot. You'd run out on your friends in a moment just to save your own arse."

"No I wouldn't" Serena cried. "I'd never do that! Yes, I'm a klutz and a crybaby and a coward. And yes I whine a lot, and I have no brain to speak of. But I love my friends and I'd never desert them. And I love you! I love you, Tuxedo Mask!"

"Serena." Tuxedo Mask snapped, "Wake up. We've found the location of the entrance to the Dark Kingdom. Serena!"

Serena's eyes snapped open, and she realised that it was Luna talking, not Tuxedo Mask. And she burst into tears when she realised that once again her love had been taken away from her. Every time she dreamt about him it hurt to wake up. It hurt to realise that he wasn't the person she loved anymore. He was evil. And she would have to kill him. And she knew that she could never do that, she'd rather kill herself.

"Did you say that Mina and Artemis have found the entrance to the Dark Kingdom?" She asked.

"Yes." Luna replied. Serena got up and changed rather dreamily.

"Well what are we waiting for?" The blonde said, "Let's go."

Moments later they reached the Game Centre. There was a tunnel beneath it. Sailor Moon and the other Scouts followed Luna and Artemis cautiously. They walked down the dark tunnel, until suddenly a glob of energy formed in front of them. The energy turned into Malachite, who stood barring the way.

"You cannot proceed to the Dark Kingdom." He snarled. "And I will have the Silver Crystal. Now!"

"Don't even think about it!" Sailor Jupiter yelled. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" Malachite dodged the attack and threw some dark energy at the Scouts. They were all knocked off their feet, and Sailor Moon lost hold of the Crescent Moon Wand. Malachite grabbed at it, and missed as well, but when he touched it the Silver Crystal erupted in energy.

Sailor Moon and the rest of the Scouts fell through a vortex, screaming. There was another blast of energy and…

~Back Room, Magickal Bean Coffee Shop/Internet Café, 132 West Street South, New York City~

Serena woke up with a start. She grabbed her head, wincing at the pounding headache that had only gotten worse.

"Shit." She muttered, before lying back down and falling asleep.

~Dream Sequence, Unknown…that's all I know ^_^~

Sailor Moon woke up slowly.

"Uh," She groaned, "Remind me never to do that again." She looked around, and saw that the rest of the Scouts were still unconscious. And…what was that?! There was a strange glowing sphere…and it was coming towards her!! It hovered in front of her, and, try as she might, Sailor Moon could not take her eyes off the glowing orb. Suddenly, it changed into a small lady, with silver odangos and silver-blue eyes. She smiled kindly at Sailor Moon.

"Hello, Serena," She said.

"Who are you?" Sailor Moon asked.

"I am the spirit of Queen Selenity." The lady answered. "And now that the other princesses are awake, I will tell you a story…

"These ruins are all that is left of the Moon Kingdom. Once, it was a beautiful place where a peaceful people lived.

"In the era known as the Silver Millennium, three planets of the inner solar system and five planets of the outer solar system were chosen to be guardians of the Moon Kingdom. The outermost planets: Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto would protect the entire universe beyond the edge of our own system. The four innermost planets: Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter, would watch over the Lunar empire, keeping trouble from harming the Royal Moon family.

"Four young princesses were chosen to take on this responsibility. The Princess Ami of Mercury, the Princess Mina of Venus, the Princess Rei of Mars, and the Princess Lita of Jupiter. Each were sworn to protect the Princess Serenity and to defend the Moon Kingdom against foes.

"One planet remained separate from the others. That planet was Earth. The Moon's sole purpose for existing. The Lunar Kingdom's assignment was to watch over the Earth, to look down and keep darkness from covering the fair land. Due to this task, Lunars were not allowed to communicate or meet with Earthlings. Against the judgement of her Senshi, the Princess Serenity had fallen in love with the Prince of Earth, of whom she was forbidden to love. Destiny has a way of bending and twisting rules to the snapping point. It was easily seen that the love they shared couldn't be kept apart.

"For many years there was a blissful time. All was well in the Moon Kingdom. People were happy and the land was full of extravagant parties and lovely picnics on the Sea of Serenity. In this time, the nine princesses forgot of their guardian duties and were simply starry-eyed teenage girls.

"But not everyone joined in this peaceful state. Living on the Earth was a very lovely young lady. Beautiful in face, yet dark in heart. This titian-haired lady's name was Beryl. For long she had pined after the handsome Prince of the Earth, Prince Darien. At a ball in the palace, a heartbroken girl witnessed her love embrace another. But not just any other, the Princess of the Moon. A legendary love had sparked that night, and Beryl was there to witness it all.

"Instead of crying, instead of mourning over the loss of her love, instead of finding someone else to whom to give her heart, Beryl chose to seek revenge. Metallia, a powerful swarm of energy fallen from an evil sunspot, was the one who promised her that chance. Together, Beryl and Metallia worked to destroy the Terran dynasty. Gathering rebels from the Earth, they struck out with a force of jealousy and anger. Becoming aware that this rebellion was taking place, Prince Darien sent word to the other planets and the finest warriors were sent to protect the Moon.

"A brutal war would soon be set on the Moon. The Lunars last battle in the Silver Millennium. Desperately the Senshi tried to protect their princess, fighting Beryl's minions with a fiery passion. Through all their bravery, something horrible occurred. Darien was sucked into a tornado of power. But he was not alone. Princess Serenity reached for him, and was pulled in too. I tried to save them, but was too late. Beryl struck the final blow, and killed my daughter and her love.

"Knowing that there was no hope that peace would regain its status on the Moon Kingdom, I used the last of my powers to seal Metallia with the Silver Crystal and send the Senshi to be reborn on Earth. But things didn't turn out as peacefully as I had anticipated.

"That is why you are here now. I sensed your resolve was fading, and soon you would refuse to fight, daughter. So I brought you here. Look around you. This was once a great empire, the finest in the galaxy. But it was destroyed by hate and jealousy. You can bring it back to its former greatness, Serena. All you have to do is trust in yourself, and in Princess Rei, Princess Lita, Princess Mina, and Princess Ami. They will help you. As your court, it is their duty, and as your friends, their wish."

Sailor Moon gazed at the woman who had once been her mother, searching her face. There are similarities, plenty of them. In fact, they could have been twins. Serena knew she looked nothing like her parents, but she looked plenty like this woman.

Suddenly, they were falling through the vortex again, and they landed back in the tunnel. In some strange way, Sailor Moon felt like her role had been defined, like she was now the disreputably the Princess of the Moon, and that the other Scouts were her protectors. It gave her a strange sense of relief.

Just then there was a scream for help. Sailor Moon and the rest of the Scouts ran down the tunnel, hardly able to believe their eyes at what they saw. Artemis was vainly trying to protect Luna from Malachite, and it was obvious that he was getting nowhere.

Malachite seemed surprised to see them, but quickly recovered, throwing two knives at Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon tried to block them, but they sliced her arms. Reacting quickly, the Sailor Scouts invoked their powers and formed a barrier to protect Sailor Moon. They couldn't hold against the knives that came again and again.

Sailor Moon glared at Malachite, angry that he was hurting her friends.

"Moon Healing Activation!" She yelled, holding up the Crescent Moon Wand. Malachite resisted against the power of Sailor Moon, a power so strong that Sailor Moon could see her arms glowing with it. Malachite sent an energy knife at her, and Sailor Moon knocked it away with the Wand, causing it to hit him instead.

"I'm coming, Zoisite!" Was all that Malachite said before he died. Sailor Moon slumped to the ground on her knees, looking tenderly at the black cat before her.

"Let's go home," She said, "The Dark Kingdom can wait until Luna and Artemis are better."

~The Back Room, Magickal Bean Coffee Shop/Internet Café, 132 West Street South, New York City~

Serena yawned, and sat up slowly, blinking tiredly.

"Omigod, Serena, are you alright?!" Matty's horrified voice asked.

"Nande?" Serena said drowsily. "Wakarimasen…"

"Look at your arms! How did you do that?!" Serena looked at her arms, and gasped. There was blood running down them from two long vertical slits.

"I…I have no idea…" Serena said slowly; "My arms were fine before I went to sleep."

"It was a Dream, then wasn't it." Matty said slowly.

"Hai." Serena nodded. "There's a first aid kit back here somewhere…" She felt as though she was moving through treacle as she searched for the kit. Suddenly, the world receded as blackness overtook her…

~Dream Sequence, Hikawa Shrine, Tokyo~

Serena met her friends at Rei's temple. They were all feeling rather nervous, so they teased one another to help rid the air of tension. Serena was teasing Ami about her boyfriend, Greg, when Artemis walked over with a grave look.

"Let's break it up now. Time to transform." The girls nodded, suddenly serious.

"MOON PRISM POWER!"

"MERCURY POWER!"

"MARS POWER!"

"JUPITER POWER!"

"VENUS POWER!"

"SCOUT POWER!" The girls transformed, and held hands. "SAILOR TELEPORT!"

Sailor Moon shivered as the snow fell down.

"Why does the entrance to the Dark Kingdom have to be in the North Pole?" She complained. "I'm cold."

"Shut up, Sailor Moon." Rei snapped, "You're such a whiner." Sailor Moon fell silent, remembering the dream about Darien…and what he had said. They moved towards the entrance in silence.

After a while the storm stopped and the weather cleared. Sailor Moon blinked. No…it could not be…

"Tuxedo Mask!" Sailor Moon called, rushing towards her love. The other Scouts grabbed her, and pulled her to the ground. "Oof!" Sailor Moon got a mouthful of snow.

"Don't, Sailor Moon, it's a monster from the Nega Verse." Sailor Jupiter was getting ready to destroy it when it suddenly changed into Andrew. She hesitated, and four tentacles reached out and grabbed her. The tentacles zapped her with electricity, and she cried out. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!" She yelled directly afterwards, killing two of the Nega-Monsters. Her body fell to the ground.

"No!!!! Sailor Jupiter!!!!" Sailor Moon cried, running to her.

"I know you can do it, Serena," Sailor Jupiter whispered, "You can defeat Metallia. Believe in yourself." She shuddered, and died.

"No, Lita, please don't die," Sailor Moon whispered, cradling Sailor Jupiter's head in her lap, "You can't die. Don't leave me like everyone else does. Please, I need you." Finally, she got up, and threw the Crescent Moon Wand to the ground. "Take it, you can HAVE THE BLOODY CRYSTAL!" She shrieked, "JUST LEAVE MY FRIENDS ALONE!"

"Sailor Moon, stop it!" Sailor Mercury cried, as Sailor Mars and Venus grabbed the hysterical blonde and stopped her from running off. But still Sailor Moon struggled. Finally, Sailor Mercury slapped her. Sailor Moon stopped, surprised, and Sailor Mercury looked horrified. "Oh, Serena, I'm so sorry." She whispered. Sailor Mars grabbed the Wand and handed it back to Sailor Moon. "Lita died fighting for justice, she died so that others wouldn't have to, are you going to let her death be in vain?" Sailor Mercury then asked.

"No…" Sailor Moon whispered.

"My computer is telling me that the other three Nega-Monsters have regrouped, and they're heading our way. I've got a plan. I'll be a decoy, and lead them away."

"No, Ami, you can't!" Sailor Moon cried.

"It's better if I do it, since I'm the least powerful of all of you. I just hope I can buy you enough time to get in." Sailor Mercury nodded to Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus, and, to Sailor Moon's surprise, they grabbed her firmly under the arms and dragged her away. Serena continued to look back at Mercury until she could no longer see her.

About ten minutes later, Sailor Moon sensed Sailor Mercury's death.

"I will always believe in you…Serena…" Ami's voice trailed off.

"Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!! Amiiiiiii!!!!!!!" Serena wailed. "Ami! Please! No!" She turned to Venus and Mars, tears falling from eyes that had only just dried. "How can you be so unfeeling?! Ami is dead! Dead!!" She collapsed on the ice, sobbing. Quite suddenly, Sailor Venus grabbed her, and pushed her out of the way, only to be dragged underground. Moments later, Sailor Moon heard Mina screaming. "STOP!!" She yelled, "I'll GIVE you the Silver Crystal!!!" Suddenly, the ice exploded, and when it cleared, Sailor Venus' lifeless body was lying on top. "Stay strong, Serena…" Mina's voice sighed.

"No!!!!!! Mina!!!!!!!!" Sailor Moon called out, as Sailor Mars dragged her away. The two remaining Nega-Monsters appeared, and Sailor Mars stepped forward. Sailor Moon grabbed her arm. "Please, Sailor Mars, don't fight, I couldn't bear it if I lost you too." She begged.

"Don't be silly, Sailor Moon," Sailor Mars said cheerfully, "I'm the most powerful of us all, so there's no way I'm going to die. Mars Fire…"

The two monsters dove under the earth, and appeared behind Sailor Mars, encasing her in an ice mountain. Then the monsters go to attack Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon was too shocked to do anything but stare at them blankly.

A fireball burst out of the side of the mountain and destroyed the attacking monster. The last monster went inside the ice mountain. The screaming went on for a long time… finally, the monster came out carrying Mars' body. Putting Mars down, the monster prepared to finish Sailor Moon, bur Sailor Mars grabbed one of its tentacles.

"Mars Fire Ignite…" She whispered, killing them both. "Don't lose hope, Serena, fight for what you believe in." Was all she said.

Sailor Moon sat down in the snow, shocked beyond all belief.

"Gone," She whispered, "All gone." Is this the price that has to be paid? She wondered, The price of my freedom? The lives of my friends?

"Don't give up, Serena." Lita's voice said.

"Yeah, we're counting on you." Ami added.

"Be strong, we know you can do it." Mina encouraged.

"Fight for what's right, Serena, don't let anyone get in your way." Rei coached. Sailor Moon stood up.

"They're right." She said firmly, "I have to fight for what I believe in. My friends are depending on me, and so is the rest of the world." She raced off, running to meet the Dark Kingdom, and Darien…Queen Beryl is waiting…

~ New York Base Hospital, Casualty Ward, Room 4~

"Unhh…" Serena groaned, waking up slowly.

"Genki da?"

"Mina?" Serena squinted. "No…you can't be…Mina's dead…all the Scouts are…" She began to cry.

"Oh, Sere-chan…" Serena was gathered into warm arms and rocked gently. "I'm sorry."

"Machigatte iru to omoima. Soso atama kizu da!"

"Shh…naruhodo, naruhodo." Sobbing, Serena fell asleep, still smelling the warm tropical scent of Matty's hair…

~Dream Sequence, Entrance to the Dark Kingdom, Tokyo~

Sailor Moon had just reached the entrance when a strange energy hit her and brought her inside. She watched as a light revealed the presence of her arch-nemesis, Queen Beryl.

"Welcome to my kingdom, 'Princess'." Queen Beryl said, laughing. "Allow me to introduce you to my most loyal servant. Prince Darien?" Prince Darien came forward, and Sailor Moon caught her breath. The time had come, the time she'd always dreaded, and, just as she'd known then, she knew now. She couldn't kill him, not for anything in the world.

Prince Darien attacked her with one of his roses. Sailor Moon dodged.

"Moon Healing Activation!" She cried, trying to restore Darien's memory like she had before. But it didn't work!

"Fool!" Queen Beryl gloated, "Metallia never makes the same mistakes twice! Prince Darien's memory has been cleansed completely."

"Shine, Sailor Moon." Prince Darien said carelessly, tossing a black rose at her. The stem expanded, and tied Sailor Moon up, trying to fry her. Sailor Moon screamed.

"Darien!!!!" She cried. The rose disintegrated and Sailor Moon fell to the ground. Prince Darien then picked her up by the neck and proceeded to blast her with energy. I'm sorry, guys. She thought wearily, as her strength deteriorated, I failed you.

"Enough." Queen Beryl said. Prince Darien threw Sailor Moon aside, and, by chance, she landed right next to her Wand. But Sailor Moon no longer had the strength, or the will, to grab it.

'Try, Sailor Moon.' A soft voice encouraged. Sailor Moon suddenly had an idea. Weakly, she grabbed her tiara.

"Kill her." Queen Beryl commanded.

"Moon Tiara Magic." She whispered, throwing the tiara with all her strength. It hit Prince Darien in his midsection, and he collapsed. Suddenly, a black aura surrounded him, and he was raised to his feet, sword in hand. But he had given Sailor Moon just enough time to launch her final attack. She slipped her locket off her neck, and held it out to him, eyes full of tears. Slowly, Prince Darien touched it. Sailor Moon saw the memories flooding through his mind, including one that she herself had forgotten.

Serena was in the hospital to see her mama, she had a new baby brother, and daddy had given her some red roses to present to him, when she heard someone crying. She walked into a hospital room, and was confronted with a boy a couple of years older than her, who was crying.

"Don't cry," She said. "What's wrong?"

"I'm sad." Was all he said in reply. Serena held out a rose to him.

"Here," She said, "Maybe this will make you feel better." The boy smiled.

"Thanks. My name's Darien, what's yours?"

"Serena."

"Serena…" Darien said. Sailor Moon smiled, realising that he had his memory back.

"No!" Queen Beryl cried, sending a rock spear to destroy them both. Without looking, Darien threw a red rose, and the spear shattered, a piece going into Darien's back. The rose hit Queen Beryl, and she retreated.

"Run, Sailor Moon," Darien said weakly, "Run before the cavern falls apart." He reached up and touched her cheek with a quivering hand, "I love you, Odango Atama."

"No!!! Darien!!! Not again!" Sailor Moon began to cry, but suddenly stood up, her fact the picture of determination. "I will get you for this, Metallia." She vowed, "If it's the last thing I do." She strode towards the entrance of the Dark Kingdom, where she got ready for her final battle…

Shock rocked through Sailor Moon's system as Metallia sent a wave of dark energy that caught her head on. The attack formed an ice mound rather like those serving as markers for the other Scouts, and this thought angered Sailor Moon so much that she blew the top of the tower open in her rage, and felt herself change into Princess Serenity at the same time. 'No, Sere-chan, don't do it!' Luna's voice filled her mind, but Princess Serenity ignored it, having no idea what the cat meant anyway.

The two combatants faced each other. Then Princess Serenity activated the power of the Silver Crystal. Queen Metallia attacked, and the power of the Crystal held her off. Queen Metallia intensified her attack and the protective bubble started shrinking. Princess Serenity couldn't hold on by herself, but she got help…

The spirits of the deceased Sailor Scouts joined Princess Serenity and each invoked their power: "Mercury Power!...Mars Power!...Jupiter Power!...Venus Power!...Moon Prism Power!" The Silver Crystal threw an energy ball at Queen Metallia, completely consuming her. Serenity faded away and Sailor Moon collapsed. Sailor Moon stared up at the sky and whispered her thanks...then she died...

~New York Base Hospital, Casualty Ward, Room 4~

"Iie!!!!!!!!!!!" Serena awoke screaming the words, tears running down her cheeks.

"Sere-chan!" Matty said, jerking awake, "Genki da? Machigatte iru to omoimasuka?"

"I died…I'm dead…" Serena whispered, "I'm dead…"

"No you're not, don't be silly, Sere-chan. Shine-janai-kata. Shhh…just relax…go to sleep, there's a good girl." Slowly, Serena fell asleep again, soothed by her friend's calm voice.

~Three Weeks Later, The Kitchen, Planet Orphanage, New York~

"Serena, Serena!" Matty came tearing into the kitchen, where Serena was washing up with one of the girls from the Luna dorm.

"What's wrong?" She asked, concerned. She and Matty were closer than ever now that Serena told Matty everything.

"You've got a letter! From the company that sponsored the Manga Contest!"

"Really?!" Serena grabbed the letter, and read it quickly.

'Dear Miss Warren,

We are sad to inform you that you did not win the Manga contest. While your story was good, it was too farfetched. However, we would love to read more of your work, if you feel like sending it to us.

Signed

Kimiko Nasumi

Ryoko Atama

Senjai Yokomi'

"Well?" Matty asked.

"I didn't win, thank god." Serena said.

"What? You didn't want to win?"

"Nah. The minute I posted it I had second thoughts. I just want to finish school before I do anything else. Oh, wanna know why they didn't accept?"

"Why?"

"My story was 'too farfetched'." Matty and Serena giggled…

Fin (for real this time ^.^)

Atama kizu da: my head hurts. (informal)

Uchi: house

Nande: what

Wakarimasen: I don't understand. (informal)

Hai: yes

Genki da: are you ok

Sere-chan: Serena (affectionate. Used between family, close friends, and lovers.)

Machigatte iru to omoima. Soso atama kizu da: This is wrong. And my head still hurts!

Naruhodo, naruhodo: I know, I know.

Shine: die

Odango Atama: Meatball Head

Genki da? Machigatte iru to omoimasuka: Are you ok? What's wrong?

Shine-janai-kata: You aren't dead.

Did you know? The human Beryl embraced Queen Metallia's evil force because she wanted Prince Endymion to love her and was jealous of Princess Serenity's relationship with him. As Queen Beryl died in the manga, she admitted this and admitted spying on them when the Princess snuck away to Earth to be with Endymion.

The deaths of Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion at the end of the Silver Millennium were very different in the manga. When Queen Beryl attacked the two of them, Prince Endymion shielded Princess Serenity and was killed by the blast. Princess Serenity was so grief-stricken that she took his sword and she killed herself.

When she saw the dead couple, Queen Serenity thought, "I felt this love affair end sadly. A love between the Earth and the Moon could never be. I'll seal it away...that demon and this Moon...and give you to the future! This time...you'll be born on the same planet and you'll find happiness there." That was the reason why she sent them all to Earth.

Attention!! Important Quote/Announcement!!! There will be a rain dance Friday night, weather permitting. ^.^