Nine worlds in all but soon only one,

I don't own Sailor Moon, etc, etc. Warning: there are two poems (the prophecies) in here and since I'm not a poet please be tolerant of their shortcomings. Hope you enjoy.

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Nine worlds in all but soon only one,

A darkness will thrive and the worlds overrun.

The third world alone will endure the war,

Surviving alone through centuries and more.

But the Shadows survive and will threaten again

Until Earth's Heir frees the Shadow Bane.

The Prince of the Rose alone can entreat

The aid of the angels for darkness defeat.

And flourish again will the worlds, all nine

When Earth's Heir discovers the power divine.

Prince Endymion scowled as he paced in the chamber adjoining the throne room. He ignored Mars' glare as he completed another circuit of the room.

"Why is it taking so long?" he growled

"If you would stop counting every passing second it might not seem so bad Highness" Sailor Mars growled back at him.

He continued to ignore her and began another round of pacing. I should be more patient but I can't understand how she does it. We've lost contact with the planets beyond the asteroid belt over a fortnight ago and Mars and Venus three days later. The Guard hasn't contacted me in a week and I'm afraid that I've been called to attend father because of the rumours that Mercury has lost contact with us. It's as if the prophesised Shadows have finally come-

"You shouldn't be so worried Endy," Sailor Jupiter said from behind him.

Endymion whirled to face her and raised one eyebrow. "Oh?" he asked sharply, "It's as if the other planets have disappeared and the Guard along with them. I'm not supposed to worry because?"

"Highness the Guard are formidable warriors... for men. They are almost as good as the Scouts. There is probably some kind of cosmic storm that has nullified the System's communications. Kunzite has probably already led the others to the Belt's Space Station and assigned Zoicyte to correcting the problem." Mars explained levelly, obviously restraining her temper.

Endymion relaxed for a moment considering the words of the Martian Scout. Maybe she's right it's not impossible after all, the four of them have accomplished harder tasks. Hmph, Zoi would snicker to hear Mars talk about her as if she's male. Jupiter's obviously kept her word to Nephrite that she wouldn't tell anyone. Thank the goddess it wasn't Venus who found out, the secret would have been around the court in no time and Zoicyte would be discharged from the Guard, maybe even branded in punishment. That's the first thing I'm going to fix when I become king, the male only rule for the Guard is just idiocy. But if Mars is so sure then why is she so edgy?

He was about to ask what was wrong when Jupiter spoke again.

"Yeah Endy. In a few hours we'll have Jadeite's ugly mug on the com screen telling us it was just some dust in the circuits and Nephrite in the background saying he could have told us that a week ago because it was written in the stars." the tall scout in green stopped for a moment and grinned broadly before continuing, "If you ask me it's a bloody good thing that they've all gone off for a while. Things were getting really icy between Venus and Zoi. I wonder what it is about Zoicyte that rubs Venus the wrong way. You'd almost think that the Scout of Love was in competition with the Unicorn General for something but what on Earth could it be?"

Endymion rolled his eyes, he knew that Sailor Jupiter was very well aware of the affair between Zoicyte and Kunzite and the whole court knew that Venus had a thing for the aloof Dragon General. He ignored her dig and turned back to Sailor Mars.

"Do you agree Mars?" he asked intently and as she opened her mouth he added, "As Sailor Mars, seer and priestess of the Eternal Flame, do you honestly think that everything's going to be all right?"

She closed her mouth and stared into space for a moment before answering, "The path has been set and events will proceed as they must."

Endymion's expression didn't change but Jupiter paled and breath hissed between her teeth.

"Goddess, Mars, you're starting to freak me out. Next you'll be telling us that the time of the prophecy has come and that the Shadows have destroyed all the planets except for Terra..." her voice trailed off under Mars' steady stare and she shook herself when she started to get goose bumps. "Oh for Thunder's sake. If the Shadows have come they wouldn't have left Terra until last. After all if Earth survives then the Shadows can be destroyed and they'd want to get it out of the way."

"Unless they wanted to make sure they had no distractions," Mars replied implacably.

"What happened to 'everything'll be OK?' Eh Mars?" Endymion retorted dryly.

The Martian Scout's lips twisted wryly and she shot back, "You wouldn't listen to me when I tried to soothe you and you complain when I tell you the truth. There is no pleasing you Prince Endymion. Highness, whatever has begun cannot be stopped now, it must be played out. Trust in Sailor Pluto to guide events to their proper conclusion, for there is naught else we can do."

"I thank you for your confidence in my abilities Sailor Mars and I pray that it is not misplaced." a tall, dark scout in black stood in the doorway to the throne room and spoke softly, though clearly, "Highness, his Majesty requests you attend him now."

Endymion nodded and followed her as she returned to the throne room. The large room was usually crowed whenever court was in session and that day was no exception. Nobles and courtiers milled around but opened a corridor towards the raised dais on which the throne was placed when they noticed the enigmatic Scout for Pluto followed by the Prince. He felt rather than saw Mars and Jupiter fall into step behind him and he considered their words as he strode towards the throne.

The prophecy, I've always thought it to be just a bad poem. When I was younger all it meant was that I would have a lot of pretty women guarding me but now that I've outgrown my adolescent hormones I find that it's not the bonus I used to believe. Between the Guard and the Scouts I have three people guarding me every minute of the day, I never get time to be alone. And if the Shadows are rising then people are going to expect miracles from me just because I'm the Terran prince, the Heir to Earth. They're going to claim I'm the Rose Prince and then they'll hang me when I can't pull the 'power divine' out of my pocket.

If the shadows have come and if they are leaving Terra until last. Mars said that it might be because they want to manage Terra with no distractions, could that be because of the Moon? Our Strange, mysterious and beautiful moon? There are legends of the Moon that go back centuries and Sailor Mercury always states that there's something up there that confuses her readings. It's the only moon in the solar system that hasn't been explored, it's the only moon that hasn't been named.

He noted those thoughts for later consideration and turned his attention to the figure on the throne. Endymion reached the foot of the dais and stepped up. Jupiter and Mars remained below bowing briefly, where a courtier would kneel, before joining their fellow Scouts who flanked the dais while he approached his father. Two steps below the throne Endymion stopped and bowed respectfully. His father motioned for him to stand next to him. Taking his place at his father-King's right hand Endymion noticed the court's restlessness. What on Earth is going on?

The crowd began murmuring and movement could be seen at the back.

The King drew his son's attention with a quick tap on the elbow and whispered softly "The Guard has returned and demanded an audience. They insisted that it be in public and refused to report beforehand."

Endymion kept his confusion and worry from his expression by way of experience. What is Kunzite up to? Does he want to start a panic? Then again maybe he has good news... but if so why didn't he tell Father before?

The crowd suddenly parted and five figures strode through pathway that had been cleared. Endymion breathed a sigh of relief when he confirmed that the first four were indeed his Guard but something about them made him wary. He saw the Scouts below him moving suspiciously and examined the newcomers a second time. They've changed, their uniforms are the wrong colour but that's not all. They've always been dangerous but before they hid it to keep from frightening people, now it's more like they're trying to rub our noses in it... but why? The Scouts sense it too, something's not right.

Endymion watched as the four generals halted a few steps from the dais but did not kneel. He did not need to turn to know that his father was frowning besides him. Before the King could speak Kunzite began.

"Hail Majesty," mutterings could be heard at the general's derisive tone but the speaker ignored them, "You commanded us to investigate the silence of the other worlds,"

Worlds, Kunzite? When have you ever called the other planets anything other than planets or insignificant balls of dirt?

"But our involvement was not necessary to determine that the Time of Prophecy is upon us. After all has not the Prince of the Rose lived these twenty-seven years past?"

Kunzite stopped and Jadeite continued, "Is not the current Guard the most powerful such assemblage recorded?"

Goddess Jade, your humility under whelms me

"For the first time in two millennia has not the role of Saturnian Scout been assigned?" the smallest general continued.

She's only been Saturn for two months Zoi.

"You had the chance to prepare, O King, but you idled it away, now the time of the Shadows has come. Eight worlds have fallen and Earth will be no different, thus it is written in the stars." as Nephrite finished the King lurched to his feet.

Endymion didn't hear what his father roared, he had glanced at Sailor Pluto by accident and her expression had caught his attention. I've never seen her so sad... I haven't seen her display that much of any emotion since I was a child. What does she know? As he examined her face her eyes met his and he almost flinched at the sorrow in them. A sudden scream of rage from the foot of the dais called the prince back to reality.

He turned to find Sailors Mercury, Venus and Neptune trying to restrain Sailor Uranus and Mars and Saturn performing the same duty for Jupiter, the two Scouts enraged by the site of something in the crowd. He looked back to the generals and saw that the fifth figure had revealed herself. Her long red hair was unmistakable as was the viciousness on her face.

Beryl? You haven't changed in the six years since Father exiled you. What are you doing here now? You must realise that none of the Scouts will tolerate your presence. You betrayed them, you defiled the appointment of Sailor Terra... you tried to kill me.

At that moment the woman turned on the prince, forgetting the King, "Well Endymion, we meet again. I don't suppose you've reconsidered my proposal? Marry me and we'll rule the Solar System... what's left of it, together."

"NO!" he spat out in disgust without thinking.

Her eyes narrowed and she smiled cruelly, "So be it! Kunzite, attack,"

Endymion's eyes widened in horror as the general motioned for his fellows to follow him as he launched himself towards the dais. He watched as the Scouts fell back in shock and as Nephrite impaled Jupiter on his sword. For a moment the general paused his face white as he looked at the woman dying before him then it twisted in pain. Jupiter had grabbed the sword that pierced her in both hands and called down lightning. A tear shocked the prince by rolling down his cheek. It's been years since I've cried but then I've haven't felt the need of it in years either. Nephrite suicided, I'm sure of it. He knew Jupiter's power, he would have known to withdraw or release the sword immediately but he didn't. I always knew that he cared more for her than he would admit, he would never have done such a thing willingly. Somehow Beryl's controlling them but how? And how do I free them?

The prince drew his sword and stood in front of his father, joined by Sailor Pluto. He scanned the court but could see no one other than the generals or Beryl who might pose a threat. Why would they attack alone? It's suicide! Kunzite and Zoicyte were fighting side by side, somehow managing to keep the furious Scouts from passing them. Jadeite opposed the arriving guards and in the melee no one noticed Beryl malicious chant. Endymion's eyes snapped to her as she shrieked and from out of her open mouth boiled dozens of Shadows.

Endymion growled in fury. You… witch! All right you want it to be the Time of Prophecy? So be it, I'll give you Rose Prince! Until then his ability to create roses out of thin air had just been an amusement, a source of good-natured ribbing from the Scouts and Guard about the prophecy. At that moment it became more. Six years before the officeholder of Sailor Terra had disgraced her post and been stripped of her power, leaving the position empty. In six years no woman or girl had claimed the power of Earth and watching as the traitor brought forth ruin the Terran Prince took that power for his own.

The steel tipped rose ripped through the sorceress' shields, lodging itself in her throat and halting the flow of Shadows. Beryl's eyes widened in shock and then narrowed in rage as she clawed the rose from her throat but the damage had been done. No new flood of Shadows began and the Scouts began to take a toll on those existing. Endymion watched as Jadeite fell in a wall of flame sent by Mars and saw her fall in turn when overwhelmed by Shadows. Even as he sent more of his deadly roses into the fray the prince saw Mercury cut down by Kunzite as Zoicyte was entombed within a pillar of ice.

Only Venus and Pluto remained of the Scouts and the guards finished shepherding the panicked civilians out of the court and turned their energy to the Shadows. Venus stepped in front of Kunzite, holding her bleeding side with one hand, the Love-me chain in the other and a pleading expression on her face.

Oh Venus he won't step aside for you, no matter what you might have wanted he was never yours to sway. Now that Zoi's dead there'll be no stopping him until he joins her.

Shadows began to dive at Pluto and the King and Endymion slashed at them. As the last was felled the prince was hurled to the side. He watched from a few metres away, dazed from his fall, as Kunzite approached his father and Pluto. He watched Pluto turn to the King, he watched his father kiss her long and lingeringly and he watched as she stepped aside and let Kunzite run the King through. For a moment he drowned in darkness and returned to consciousness to find himself being held up by Kunzite. A shrill voice in the background registered as Beryl's but the words didn't sink in as he stared into Kunzite's eyes.

You're my friend. I don't know what she's done to you but I know it's not you who wish this. I forgive you.

As the Dragon General pierced the prince's heart, Endymion could read his friend's eyes. As clearly as if he'd spoken the words aloud Kunzite's eyes replied, "You may forgive me but I never will."

He was released abruptly and hit the floor hard. Darkness crept into his vision, time seemingly slowing down. He stared at the ceiling of the chamber as his consciousness faded and saw a large gap where stone should have been. Through it could be seen Terra's moon, shining brightly. Strange, I always though that you'd save us. Why didn't you? That was his last thought as his being was engulfed in white light.

***

When bonds of soul defeat the Wall of the Ban,

When protectors are full eight and strong four,

When immortality is sacrificed yet never lost,

Then heralded prophecy has begun.

When those of terrestrial beginnings become beings of heaven,

When redemption is found for unforgivable acts,

When oath of silver is stronger than oath of steel,

Then a Shadowy future is not ensured.

When death retreats of the Reaper's free will,

When Gold dances to Silver's beat,

When the Earth revolves around the Moon,

Then will the host be free once more.

Serenity the twelfth, Queen of the Moon watched her daughter from the entrance to the scrying room. The princess, named Serenity after her mother but known about their realm as Serena, watched the silver pool intently, whatever images her magic had called to its crystal surface holding her focus like glue. Serenity held back her tears as her daughter flinched at something she had scried. The time she had prayed would never come had arrived and with it the imminent loss of her daughter. A loss she had expected ever since Serena's magic had somehow pierced the Wall of the Ban allowing her to see into the universe beyond. An event that was the first herald that the Time of Prophecy had begun.

Serenity drew in a ragged breath and the princess' head whirled to face her. Crystalline tears poured down her face and her anguish shone forth from her eyes.

"Beryl returned to Earth and released the Shadows into the Earth King's court. The Guard has been enslaved and fights at her bidding. The Scouts are battling but their numbers are falling, and the prince stands as his father's shield" the young woman's voice was steady but her mother heard her pain and fear.

Serenity stepped into the room and moved beside her child. She looked into the silver pool but the magical aid, so dependable when she farsaw her own realm, would never reveal the universe beyond the Wall to any but her daughter. She reached to her throat where a small crystal hung from a golden chain. With an expert twist the crystal fell from the chain and into her palm. She handed the crystal to her daughter and commanded, "Show me."

Serena gathered the crystal from her mother's hand and lightly held it over the still waters of the scrying pool. The crystal lit up with radiance and as the princess lowered it into the clear liquid the cool light spread into the water around it. The light faded and revealed a scene from the Queen's own nightmares as unspeakable evil caused devastation among defenceless souls.

The image displayed the heartrending scene in full detail. The Earth's strongest warriors fighting with its enemy. The greatest warriors in the solar system falling before the wave of darkness. A woman cruelly spurring the Shadows onwards. Serenity focused on the figure she recognised as Beryl, the disgraced Sailor Terra, from her daughter's description. From the woman's open mouth the horde of Shadows poured and instead of weakening their conduit they strengthened her.

"Metallia." Serenity's voice was flat, devoid of emotion.

Her daughter looked at her with wide eyes and a strong hand rested itself reassuringly on her shoulder. The Queen turned to see the sad face of Michael, the first of her protectors. Behind him were his sword-mates, Rafael, his wife Gabriel and Liriel, daughter of Uriel who had died trying to save the King from Metallia. The four of them served as her guards and advisors and Michael had become much more. When Metallia had attacked them, eons before by the reckoning of the planets, Serenity's husband, Serena's father, had died attempting to halt her legions of Shadows. He was unsuccessful but had done enough that his wife was able to lock Metallia and her minions away from the true universe but it was at a cost.

When the war was over the Lunari found that they too had been separated from the universe and the worlds they loved by a barrier they called the Wall of the Ban. The only hope they had of ever rejoining the outside universe was a prophecy the Queen had uttered as she had collapsed in grief. Michael had been her protector and then her lover, a father to her young daughter. While millennia had passed in the outside universe the Lunari remained unchanging, births and deaths almost forgotten events. Until twenty-seven years ago and then time gained meaning once more.

For the first time since the Shadow War a Lunarian's othersight pierced the Wall. Princess Serenity, who had remained a child throughout the ages, witnessed the birth of the son of the Terran King. In the years following she shared in the growth of the infant as he changed from a child into a warrior. She laughed with him as his friendships grew, she hurt with him as he was betrayed and she aged. Slowly, to be sure, but definitely the eternal nine-year-old girl changed and developed into an adult.

Now the price for that miracle would be demanded. Her protectors joined her in ringing the scrying pool and watching the bloodshed that was occurring on the planet below them. A woman in a uniform Serenity recognised as being derived from that of the Venusian avatar of millennia ago fought with a pale haired warrior.

"That's Sailor Venus, right Princess?" Liriel asked as she examined the scene.

Serena's eyes flicked over the two figures quickly and she nodded absently, "Yes, Venus became a Scout five years ago and is the unofficial leader of the inner Scouts. The man fighting her is Kunzite, the Dragon General, the prince's best friend." The young woman's eyes returned to another group of figures surrounded by Shadows.

Her mother saw the three figures battling their attacks valiantly and identified the Prince and King of Earth and the Scout of Pluto. She watched as the Prince was hurled aside and Kunzite stalked the King. She saw realisation seep into the King's eyes as he kissed Sailor Pluto and accepted the blow that killed him. Beside her Serenity felt Michael press closer and saw Liriel doing the same to Serena as they witnessed the confrontation between the Prince of Earth and his General.

Michael murmured, "I remember the day you had Serena show us the oath taking of the Guard. The one with the ponytail-"

"Zoicyte." Serena whispered.

"- Zoicyte looked so proud and so nervous,"

"Jadeite looked like he was about to choke through most of the ceremony," Raphael added.

"I'll wager he thought they were having a fine joke on the King when Zoicyte was sworn in as the fourth 'man'," Gabriel's voice was soft.

"'Is not the current Guard the most powerful such assemblage recorded?'" Serena murmured.

"What was that Princess?" Liriel asked

"I think that might have been what Jadeite said at the start of this, the Guard has never been stronger."

"Full eight and strong four... but what does the full eight stand for?" Michael muttered.

"Eight Scouts since Saturn appeared, never nine again because of Beryl and - ENDYMION!"

The princess' shriek drew everyone's attention back to the battle and they saw Kunzite's sword sheathing itself in the Endymion's flesh. Even as he dropped the prince's body he turned and awaited the blow from the Garnet Staff of Sailor Pluto.

Serena was sobbing and as the last General died she turned to her mother, "He thought we would save them, the last thing he asked was why didn't we help them. Mama we have to stop this, we can't just sit by and let it happen."

"Rena there's no sound, there's never anything but images in scrying, and even if there were there is no way that we can help" Raphael argued

"I heard him. Mama, you know what to do!"

"Little One are you sure?" Serenity whispered.

"Do it Mama," the princess, a girl no more, ordered.

In sudden resolution Serenity placed her hand over her daughter's where it held the crystal in the water. Her fingers laced with her daughter's and as her skin touched the cool surface of the crystal Serenity summoned the full power of the Imperium Silver Crystal and channelled it through her daughter. She felt her protectors' panic as her body and that of her daughter slumped as she used her daughter's link with the Earth to send their spirits to the battleground.

The courtroom was engulfed in silver light as Queen and Princess manifested themselves as a single shining form, sharing their strength to face Beryl. Serenity opened their conjured eyes and took in the scene before her. Sailor Pluto alone remained standing, facing off against the witch who had conjured the Shadows forth. The bodies of the Scouts, King, generals and many civilians littered the ground. Serenity felt her daughter's grief as her eyes passed over the form of the dead prince lying beside that of his general. The howling of Shadows informed mother and daughter that the rampage of Darkness continued, wreaking havoc on the planet and causing a chaos that would take humanity centuries to correct.

Women's voices reached the ears of Queen and daughter and they turned back to where the remaining combatants faced off.

"So Pluto, you have decided to join me? After what you and those pathetic excuses for Scouts forced me to endure, what you stole from me, you expect me to forgive? Maybe I will, the thought of seeing the enigmatic Sailor Pluto, acknowledged leman of the weak Terran King, bowing down before my mistress positively excites." Beryl's voice cut through the air, insanity clawing at the edges.

*she's mad!**she's not Metallia to call upon shadows at will, even with the aid of the Queen of Darkness herself the girl's grip on reality will fade, leaving her nothing more than a shell**a shell Metallia could fill?**...yes**that'll free her... the Earthlings... the universe, we were right Mama, we have no other choice**I know little one but I had hoped...**so had I Mama* The mental exchange occurred in less than a second and Serenity turned her concentration to Pluto's answer.

"Do not delude yourself Beryl. What I have done here today was necessary and is not something you will thank me for in times to come."

"Hah! Earth's Heir is dead and soon so will be the rest of the planet!"

Pluto stared at the woman impassively and before the enraged witch could continue Serenity stepped into sight. She watched with amusement as Pluto's eyes widened and the tall dark scout knelt as she approached. Serenity stopped before the last Scout and her intangible hand slid through the woman's green-black hair moving the strands as if a breeze were playing with them. Pluto looked up, Serenity conveyed her understanding in a glance and watched as some of the guilt in the woman's eyes faded.

Seeing this Serenity turned to the madwoman who stared at her open mouthed and asked softly, "Child, I wonder where you intend to rule. For if you kill this world as you have the others in this star system what is there left?"

The woman regained her composure and sneered but both mother and daughter sensed her discomfort.

"Left? You of all people need to ask that? Left is you, your people, your realm, and your power. With the planets dead you are doomed,"

"Child, are you aware of how many of those words are yours? How much of what you think is actually Metallia?"

"You speak nonsense! I am Queen Beryl, ruler of the solar system and soon to be mistress of the universe-"

"No Child, you are a pawn," Serenity's voice was suddenly implacable as she continued, "You are alone now, those you enslaved have found freedom in death, your Shadows will soon be banished back to the realm they came from and you will join them. Your personality is eroding from your tampering with forces beyond your comprehension. Metallia is encroaching on your mind and will take it and your body for her own. I pity thee, Child, for the fate you have brought upon yourself."

The woman's face twisted and she lunged at Serenity's ghostly shape. Serenity moved in front of Sailor Pluto, to shield her, and called forth the power of the Imperium Silver Crystal. Darkness was met with light and two titanic forces battled for supremacy. Serenity felt her daughter straining to hold the link, felt the girl's strength fading and felt the bond harden with her daughter's life force. Serenity accepted the knowledge of her daughter's initiation of the spell that was the reason their bloodline ruled. In a time of great need a woman of the royal bloodline could convert her energy into magical strength but only at the cost of her life, the rush of power that her daughter sent her foretold the girl's death.

Anger and grief at the cruel hand fate had dealt her daughter strengthened the Queen for a moment and for the merest instant calm reigned as the two powers matched each other exactly and cancelled each other out. In that moment the joined minds of Queen and Princess faced their opponent and saw her clearly. The red head's personality was overshadowed by another, darker mind, one which knew the Queen of old.

"Full circle Serenity, now you will know the torment I have endured over the ages as I strip you of everything you ever cared for. The Imperium Silver Crystal, your throne, everything will be mine for the hell you trapped me in." Metallia hissed, twisting the voice of host.

"If have done nothing to you that you have not done to me Metallia. You were imprisoned with your people and so was I-"

"But you are free now, but I will be soon and then you will know pain."

"Free? No not yet, you have no idea of the cost I must pay for my interference here."

"It is not enough! I will force you to watch as I give your daughter to my Shadows-"

Grief and rage returned to Serenity, her vision reddened but her daughter's calm presence forced the darkness back.

"You understand nothing, not me nor my daughter nor even yourself. You will fail" with that Serenity broke the instant of stalemate, withdrawing to force Metallia and Beryl to lose their balance and then striking harder. She fought with determination and even as Metallia rallied four more presences joined Serenity through her daughter. The Lunarian Queen recognised her protectors and felt their wordless support. Together they struck a last time and even as Michael and the others returned to their bodies on the moon Metallia retreated and Beryl fell.

For a time Serenity did nothing more than exist, holding her daughter's soul close to her own knowing their time remaining together was to be short. It was Serena who came back to herself first and at her urging Serenity returned her attention to the ruin courtroom. Sailor Pluto stood before her deferentially, patiently awaiting Serenity's attention. Seeing her standing there, restraining herself from prostrating herself, Serenity smiled sadly.

"You have no reason to hold me in so much awe Sailor Pluto,"

"Who you are, your wisdom, what you have done in the past, what you have accomplished here, they are all reasons for me to hold you in reverence-"

"What I've done is not enough and we both know that or you wouldn't have allowed events to proceed as they have. Metallia is not vanquished and though she'll never find another tool as perfect for her needs as Beryl there will be others. That is why I have not finished here yet, but you already know that."

Pluto smiled and shrugged, slightly chagrined. Serenity returned the smile and called upon her power yet again. She felt her daughter's strength nearing its end but she still had time. Together they searched out the departed souls of the Scouts, gathering them together. Serenity felt her daughter's excitement as they located Endymion's soul and rejoined him with his guards. Together mother and daughter cast the souls forward, beginning a cycle of reincarnation that would end when they were born to a time when they would be needed again.

Serenity sighed as she relaxed her hold on the threads of magic but did not release them.

"I have done all I can but even so it will not be enough. I have sent them into the future to be reincarnated but more is required, someone must endure eons so that they may awaken the defenders when they are needed. Guardian of the Time Gate are you prepared to spend what may be as long as ten thousand years alone to await the return of the Shadows and prepare the Prince of the Rose?"

"He is the world's only hope and my prince but more than that he is the son of my King and for him alone I would endure a fate a thousand time harsher."

"I pray that the task you have does not prove to be as difficult as that and more but I fear that the next time I meet you will understand the true burden of time. My blessings child of Chronos, 'til next we meet."

The dark Scout nodded and saluted, hand to her heart before disappearing to what the Queen knew would be a long and lonely vigil at the Gate of Time.

Serenity sighed soundlessly and briefly glance around the devastated throne room. The destruction and loss of life had been massive. If the rest of the Terran palace was in a similar state then it would probably have to be abandoned. As she inspected the chamber something nagged at her subconscious, demanding attention. She frowned but it was her daughter that understood first.

*Mama, Beryl's body, it's not breathing**Surely not- oh!**I can't feel her spirit either**reach out as far as you can, we must find her, she's too dangerous to allow to run loose. The price we must pay for the day's work is enormous and I will not have her make it all for nothing*

Both mother and daughter reached out into the aether once more desperately searching for the spirit of the dead sorceress. Serenity strained with all her strength but withdrew as she felt her daughter start to fade.

*cease Little One, we will not find her**but she has nothing to stop her from possessing some innocent**it is too late, I believe she travelled with your prince and his protectors into the future**the future?! But with her there they won't stand a chance**I know**How could she?**at one time she too was a Scout, I believe she disguised herself with Metallia's help when we gathered the Scouts. I think she may have joined the other souls we sent forward without us knowing**the prince, his Scouts, they can't fight the Shadows if it is Beryl who calls them.**I know Little One Metallia will never find a better host than a Scout stripped of her power**Mama we cannot let things end like this**how should we change it? I cannot even warn Pluto and as you fade my influence on Earth does as well**what about me? Why don't you send me to the future to help them?**... even you cannot change the odds, especially you. As long as our people are trapped behind the Wall of the Ban you will never have full power anywhere except on the Moon. If you were reborn then you would be confined to a human form, bound-**I know mama but if I can help them..**you would risk the perils of a mortal death rather than the ascension you will otherwise gain this day?**gladly*

Serenity suddenly threw back her ghostly head and keened, sorrowing at the loss that was greater than she had expected. The ethereal sound reverberated through the room and spread to the planet beyond. For several moments the wail of heartrending grief was heard across the battered planet, expressing the heartache that all of the surviving Earthlings experienced. It was her daughter's shock that briefly stabbed into her mind that stopped the Queen. Serenity looked back down and saw what had so surprised her daughter, four ghostly shapes kept the Queen and Princess company.

Though intangible the four generals looked much as they did in life and though death had bought them their freedom from Beryl it had not brought them peace. Once the Phoenix General, Jadeite, had been renowned for his humour but now that smile had vanished as his remnant surveyed, with anguish, the dead he had slain. Nephrite, General of the Gryphon, tried in vain to hold the body of Sailor Jupiter, his hands merely passing through her form. Zoicyte stood beside the kneeling form of Kunzite, both of them keeping vigil for the body at their feet, protecting their prince in death as they had been unable to do in life.

Hope kindled in Serenity's heart and she drew the awareness of the despairing souls. A brief snatch of power riveted the Guard's attention to herself. Kunzite rose and stepped before his prince, as if to shield the body. His fellow generals moved to his side and together they faced a being they could not have known other than as a myth. She saw awareness arrive first in the eyes of Nephrite and he dropped to one knee is supplication. His sword mates looked at him, perplexed.

"Selene," was all that the auburn haired warrior hissed but his friends, all familiar with the myth of the Moon Goddess from long association with their prince. Instantly his three companions joined Nephrite on their knees.

"Holiness," Kunzite rasped.

Serenity smiled at the quartet sadly. "Greetings to you, Dragon General, I am pleased to at last meet you and you should no call me Holiness. I am I am not a god, I am merely Serenity and I am afraid that I have a request for you."

"Name it," he answered without hesitation.

"Beryl and Metallia have not been destroyed, they will return and when they do your Prince and the Sailor Scouts will be there to fight. But alone they cannot succeed-"

"You want us to-?" Jadeite stuttered.

"After what we've done?" Zoicyte burst out.

Serenity reached out to them earnestly, her hand lightly brushing Zoicyte's cheek. The woman started and then leaned into the touch, revelling in the warmth and love that the silver being before her radiated.

"Children not even you could have expected to withstand the Queen of Darkness, for that is who enslaved you. Not Beryl, she was merely a pawn of Metallia. Even the combined strength of my people was only barely sufficient to match her."

"That doesn't matter, we still performed unforgivable acts and are beyond redemption."

Serenity felt her daughter's mental urging and relinquished control their body to her. The generals gasped as the glowing form changed subtly resulting in a younger version of Serenity.

"He forgave you, all of you, you know that. He would never blame you for what Beryl forced you to do. The guilt lies upon her and Metallia alone, none upon you."

"Who-?"

"Endymion of course Silly! Oops you mean me?" Serena blushed and smiled enchantingly and even Kunzite's cool thawed slightly. "I am Serenity... but everyone just calls me Serena. Please for Endy's sake at least consider what my mother asks of you."

"Endy? How do you know Endy?" Jadeite asked quickly.

At that moment Serena's being quivered, and control of their body snapped back to Serenity. She gasped and doubled over. Kunzite and Jadeite rushed to her side and offered her their arms. Serenity gratefully accepted their support, her form tangible to them and vice versa.

"My Lady, are you all right?" Kunzite anxiously asked.

Tears threatened but the Queen swallowed them back. "We do not have much time. My daughter is fading even as we speak, my interference here has cost her life and she would sacrifice her afterlife for you and your worlds as well."

"We don't understand," Zoicyte whispered.

"My people and I have been imprisoned, there is no way for us to interact with you of the outside universe. Or there was not until your prince was born. On that day Serena learned to see outside of our realm, for some reason Endymion's existence allowed her access where no other Lunarian can follow. Only because of her could I penetrate the Wall of the Ban and that act, along with her devotion to goodness, has fated her to be taken from me. When we die all that we are ascends, we become beings of pure light. My daughter knows that the measures taken to oppose the Shadows in the future are not enough. She wishes to sacrifice her ascension to aid Earth in the war against the Shadows. You may think that what we have is immortality but it is not it is merely that our natural spans are longer than yours. We are not gods but after ascension a soul is as close to such a state as possible.

"When she allows herself to be reborn Serena is not only losing eternity she is also going to be confined to the limitations of a human. The power and abilities that are hers will be drastically reduced; as long as the Wall of the Ban stands then she will never again be able to reach the full potential of her soul. And she will be alone. There will be no way for her to communicate with our people or me; she must accomplish her task without aid. Yet she will still make that sacrifice for what she believes to be a just cause. What I ask of you is that you stay with her, guard her, love her, give her the strength that she will need. The task she means to attempt is impossible yet without her your world truly is doomed." The generals stood there, speechless and Serenity turned and stared beseechingly into the pale haired Dragon General's eyes, "Please, must I beg. Protect my child, don't let her be totally alone in a world that is not hers."

"You would trust us with your daughter?" Kunzite choked out.

"Oh Children," and Serenity included all four Generals in her reply, "Neither one of us would have any one else. She has watched you, all of you, as have I, through her eyes. Trust us if you will not trust yourselves."

"I would be honoured Holiness," Nephrite was the first to speak.

"As would I," Jadeite seconded

Serenity turned again to Kunzite and he released her and stepped back to Zoicyte. Without words he projected his support for his subordinate. With Kunzite at her back Zoicyte gathered the courage and began to speak. Serenity saw that she clearly thought her words would deprive her of her second chance and wondered what it could be.

"Before you trust your daughter to me you must know... I kept this from the King and I failed him-"

"We all failed him Zoi," Kunzite interrupted.

"Yes but I'm the one that should not be a member of the Guard, I'm female My Lady. Maybe if I hadn't been there the guys would've been able to resist, maybe it's like the priests say, women are bad luck in battle-"

"That's pure nonsense Zoi!" Kunzite barked

"'Fraid I'll have to agree with our fearless leader Zoi, I mean look at the Scouts, they're not second to anyone. Even I have trouble keeping up with them." Jadeite quipped.

"The Scouts are different, the power they have can only be wielded by females but they're the exception-"

"Please forgive me for interrupting but time is escaping us," Serenity interjected softly, "But your only reservation about becoming my daughter's protector is that you're female?"

"No, I thought that you-" Zoicyte began, hope returning.

"That I would object to having a woman guard my daughter? Two of my own protectors are female and Serena will have to be a warrior in her own right. As much as I admire Earth and her sister planets, many of your customs seem foolish to me. Please do not let them mire you down. Female or not you hold your own among your fellows, if you didn't they would not accept you. Please?"

Zoicyte fell to her knees before Serenity and the other three were only instants slower. They opened their mouths to pledge their loyalty but Serenity stopped them before a sound passed their lips. She saw their faces fall and she raised Jadeite from where he knelt at her side.

"Children, it is not to I that your loyalties will lie nor to whom you will pledge. I have my own protectors who serve me as I require. I would have you do the same for my daughter, I would have you accept guardianship... Do you, O' Chosen Guardians of the Magic of Earth, accept the charge I offer you, will you give her your hearts as she will give you hers? Do you swear to stay by her side, to hold her as precious as do her people? All oaths you swore in life are now void, leaving you free to pledge yourselves to her the entirety of your beings Will you do this?"

The four generals paused and then spoke simultaneously, "By our Swords we swear,"

"I'm afraid that will not be enough children, swords rust and this oath must last longer than a few mere centuries, it must transcend death."

"Then by the Light of thine own Moon we do swear," Kunzite declared echoed by his sword-mates, "By the silver light that though it may fade will always return, our loyalty will always shine as strongly as does the full Moon."

"SO BE IT!" Serenity proclaimed in a ringing voice that echoed across the planet, "Now take my hand, we do not have much time."

The four generals stood quickly and Zoicyte and Kunzite clasped her right hand, Nephrite and Jadeite at her left. Serenity began to pour energy into her daughter's faltering soul even as she began to speak once more.

"As our link is broken I will return to the Moon and you and my daughter will be sent to the future to be reborn. Beryl's magical awakening will be the trigger that initiates your rebirth. I cannot promise you that any of you will remember, and I am certain that the trauma will erase Serena's memories. But you must seek her out and together unite to face Metallia, for she, not Beryl, is your true enemy. Now I freely give an angel into your keeping." With those words the Queen of the Moon pulled away from the Guard but their hands remained entwined with those of another form. They moved to support the weak figure as she collapsed. The four of them gladly beginning their warding of a being they knew to be the angel her mother had named her.

As both they and the Queen faded they heard her final words, "Go with my blessings Children and never lose faith. As long as Serenity's light shines you will be free, she is the light that will save your world. Serena to succeed you must free the host, then you will know what it is to truly be free, and only then will you defeat Metallia. We will meet again when Earth revolves around the Moon... 'til then."

The Queen's form disappeared from the view of the generals and they looked to the frail form they held. The princess opened her eyes wearily and whispered, "As you are mine, I am yours, remember. Even if I forget, you will remember and then you will find me." The warriors felt themselves embraced by her, her spirit generous with its warmth and light. That was how time took them, holding each other, the bond between them deepening so that it would survive, death, darkness and even rebirth.