Here it is, the action-packed chapter four

Here it is, the action-packed chapter four. (At least I think it's four. I've lost count) J Thank you all for your continuing interest in my bizarre story. Reviews are heavenly!!! THANK YOU ALL who bothered to make me feel loved and appreciated, and by chance a half-decent author. THANK YOU! I cannot say that enough. THANK YOU! Now then, onward! All for one and one for all!

Disclaimer: You should know by now that these wondrous characters are not my own. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi, Pioneer, Lucasfilm Ltd, and Berkley Jam Books. I have only five dollars, which I was planning to use in order to rent the next installment of the Sailor Stars series. So please don't sue! I absolutely have to know what happens!!!!!

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With the grace of a panther, Usagi moved to the microphone and raised it to her garnet-stained lips.

"Good evening, everyone. I trust you are all enjoying yourselves?" The excited roar reaching her ears caused Usagi to laugh with amusement.

"I'll take that as a yes. I want to thank you all for taking the time to be here. It's doubtless that Shralei and my paycheck appreciate it," she said, still laughing good-naturedly.

"Well," she said, as the band behind her began to play,

"I've heard this song before, and I like it. I hope you can all appreciate it as much as I enjoy singing it."

"When I'm lost...in the rain...In your eyes I know I'll find the light, to light my way..."

"Wow," Jaina murmured, "I never knew she could sing like that."

Selene nodded softly, a twinge of sadness and guilt on her features.

"Yes, it has always been a talent for her. One I should have let her indulge more in, along with other things..."

Luke gently laid a hand on Selene's. The twins exchanged a glance; they now knew the history between the two.

"You can't change the past, Selene, but you can work toward a better future."

Selenity sighed. "You're right."

"When I'm scared... Losing ground... When my world is going crazy, you can turn it all around. And when I'm down you're there pushing me to the top. You're always there giving me all you've got!" Usagi's voice resounded through the tavern and within the now silent and awed audience's ears, reaching a fever and passion with the words.

Luke, Selene, and the young Jedi Knights sat there, staring open-mouthed, Tenel Ka the only exception. She watched Usagi as she sang, only a faint smile on her lips. Even Em-Teedee had not taken his electronic gaze off of the garnet-clad woman.

"For a shield, from the storm...For a friend, for a love to keep me safe and warm...I turn to you. For the strength, to be strong... For the will to carry on, for everything you do, for everything that's true...I turn to you."

As she scanned the faces rapt with attention, Usagi noticed a few shockingly familiar ones. Her mother, her father, her friends were here! She met Luke's eyes, and he gave her a small smile, part apology, part silent support. And she returned it with a warm grin.

"When I lose the will to win... I just reach for you and I can reach the sky again! I can do... anything! 'Cuz your love is so amazing... 'Cuz your love inspires me... And when I need a friend, you're always on my side...Giving me faith, taking me through the night!"

Usagi's voice resounded clearly throughout the tavern, forcefully and powerfully hitting each note and mesmerizing all who could listen.

"For a shield, from the storm...For a friend, For a love to keep me safe and warm, I turn to you. For the strength, to be strong, for the will to carry on...

"For everything you do, for everything that's true, I turn to you.

"For the arms to be my shelter through all the rain; For truth that will never change; for someone to lean on! For a heart I can rely on through anything...For the one I can run to!

"For a shield from the storm, for a friend, for a love to keep me safe and warm, I turn to you. For the strength to be strong, for the will to carry on, For everything you do, for everything that's true,

"For everything you do, for everything that's true, I turn to you." Her voice hit that last note with a sensitivity and passion as it reverberated throughout the halls, settling itself in the hearts and souls of every creature, human and alien, in the tavern.

Then suddenly, every being in that hall stood and gave Usagi a standing ovation. Smiling shyly, she did a small bow and walked off through the back entrance. She did a loop-around and came over to her family's and friends' table and sat down exhaustedly. Her legs ached from the effort of her singing, and she was breathing hard. Without preamble, she nodded apology and grabbed her mother's water and drank thirstily.

"Thirsty?" Jacen asked with raised eyebrow.

Usagi felt the flush as it crept up her neck and burned her ears. She suddenly became very interested in an insect crawling around the floor as she felt the eyes of all she had left behind watching her closely.

"Why, Usagi?" Selene asked, in a voice that sounded heartbroken.

Usagi looked up, the fire back in her eye.

"You well know why, Mother," she said, her voice tinged with ferocity.

"I'm sorry I lied to you all these years, I should have told you the truth..." Selene was using all her strength to hold back the tears.

"We all make mistakes, Mother," Usagi said, and her voice was firm and gentle, understanding and forgiving.

"She has absorbed more from her Jedi training besides resourcefulness," Luke thought.

"And, in reality, that wasn't what bothered me. What bothered me, and still does to an extent, was how you knew, you knew how Apollo treated me, and you did nothing. You were too wrapped up in your own misery to stop and notice anyone else's." When Luke watched his daughter speak of the bitterness of her past, he saw that same determined, fiery look in her features she had worn when she first came to his academy.

"That is not true. That is completely, totally unfair." Selene growled at her daughter. "I was teaching you. Teaching you to be a queen."

"By ignoring me?! By letting that man who masqueraded as my father humiliate and belittle me? I don't believe it!" Luke turned his gaze away at his daughter's outburst of pent-up fury.

"He loved you! He was doing the same as I, trying to prepare you for your destiny as Queen!" Selene's voice was as loud and angry as Usagi's.

"Loved me? Hah! As if he even knew the meaning of the word! In his eyes, I was nothing but the mistake that never should have happened. And as he so often informed me, that even if I absolutely had to be born, I should have been a boy because only a prince can properly rule a kingdom!"

"He never said such a thing!"

"Look at yourself! Look how you defend him! And I thought you hated him because he took you away from the life, the man you would have chosen for your future! You never stop to consider what he might have done to me, how much he hated me, because even now you're too self-absorbed!"

The young Jedi Knights and Luke Skywalker were trying to look away and leave the pair to their discussion, but to little avail. Jaina noticed with a pang of her heart the tear that slid unbidden down her best friend's cheek as she faced her mother.

"How dare you! I love you, I only wanted to protect you! Why do you think I sent you to Luke's academy?"

"Protect me from what? What's the real reason you never allowed me to go anywhere, the real reason I was sixteen before I had the nerve to run away and see Earth?"

"Because," Selene said softly, as the tears poured down her cheeks, "I didn't want what happened to me to happen to you. You have a duty, Usagi. It's best you accept it early and come back with me, rather than face the hard choices I had to make."

"Too late, Mother. I ran away from the Jedi academy because I'm tired of having my life lived for me. I am a free person, and will make my own choices."

"But you are a princess, Usagi. You have a duty to uphold!"

"Let Mars or Venus be heir. They've trained for it as well as I, and they won't fight you."

"But Usagi, it's in your blood. It's your birthright."

"So is the Force. And from now on I am making my own choices. I will not be a pawn any longer. You, nor Apollo, nor anyone else will so much as decide how I wear my hair, and much less who and when I marry."

"But Usagi..."

"Usagi..." Luke's voice was low, "Think this over. Don't make any hasty decisions."

"Don't any of you understand?! I have thought this through! I have thought it through for eight years! I am in love, Mother!"

Selene's jaw dropped, and she gazed at Luke with a despairing look.

"You used to know what that meant. If you truly love me, and want me to be happy, let me be free. I've been a caged animal far too long. I'll never be happy trapped inside that marble prison you call a palace, and I never have been.

"Please, Mother," Usagi said, turning her ocean-blue eyes to Selene's, all her anger abated, "I'm not a child anymore. You used to trust me, now I ask that you trust me once more. Trust me to make the right choices, or at least try. And, perhaps, in time, what you want and what I want will become the same."

"Oh, Usagi." Selene reached up and held her daughter firmly while the others looked on.

"Hey, wanna hear a joke?" Jacen asked. He waggled his eyebrows comically, hopefully. Lowie groaned. Jaina sighed. Luke gazed at him hopelessly.

Jacen raised his arms in defense. "Hey! They aren't all that bad. "What did the deranged stormtrooper say to his leader after a battle with the New Republic?" He paused, then said, "I'm all cracked up! Get it? All cracked up?" Silence permeated the atmosphere.

"You people are hopeless when it comes to humor," he grumbled.

"Hey," Usagi said, breaking the silence, "I'm going to change. This dress is killing me."

"I just noticed," Jaina said, an expression of slight puzzlement on her features, "You've cut your hair."

Usagi smiled, her garnet-red lips glittering in the artificial light.

"Yeah," said Jacen, "It's a lot shorter than it used to be."

"This is a fact," stated Tenel Ka. Lowie emitted a gruff woof. "Master Lowbacca wishes to say that although it is most definitely unusual, Mistress Usagi's haircut is indeed pleasing." Em-Teedee translated.

Usagi did a small twirl for those seated at the table. She flashed her mother and friends a mischievous grin.

"I told you I was going to have it cut off," she said to Jaina.

"When you said you were gonna chop it off, you really meant it," her friend replied.

"Oh, I definitely meant it. And I also meant it when I said I was going to change, but that was fifteen minutes ago," Usagi laughed. "I'll be right back." She turned and left her mother and the Jedi behind as she walked out of the tavern's main room, the deep red dress swirling around her as she moved.

Once she had changed the dress for a turquoise shirt and black pants, Usagi glanced at where her family and friends were gathered, watching the next performer; a droid who was juggling tankards of ale while emitting a high-pitched whine which Usagi supposed to be song. The crowd revolted. Food flew, alcoholic beverages spewed, the tavern became chaos. Rowdy and noisy as any common space bar. This Shralei would not tolerate. His was a classier institution. He would not allow for such childish behavior.

She strode to where she had left Luke and the others, but was intercepted by a young man with long dark hair tied neatly at his neck and glittering emerald eyes.

"Hello," Usagi said cheerfully.

"I saw your performance," Zekk said, his voice low. Usagi watched him uncomfortably, her senses acutely aware of the warnings she felt through the Force. There was definitely something wrong here; she would have to get away as quickly as possible.

"You're not going anywhere, princess." Zekk sneered. Usagi felt the waistband of her pants, mentally cursing herself for being so stupid as to forget her lightsaber.

"Did you forget your lightsaber, princess? Don't worry, I brought mine," Zekk's voice was lingering and dangerous in her ear. Suddenly she felt something cold and metallic against her midriff. Zekk's lightsaber.

"Don't move, or I turn it on. You and I both know what will happen then," he snarled. "Now, walk with me." He roughly grabbed her arm and led her outside, to where a small lake glittered in the distance. A portal, swirling and sickeningly black opened for the Dark Jedi and his hostage. Still holding her roughly, he pushed her through and stepped in himself. Beryl would be pleased.

Meanwhile, at the table, all the Jedi jerked to attention. They had all felt it; that surge of Dark power running throughout the tavern. It was unmistakable; a Dark Jedi had been here. As one they stood, senses tuned to the Force to sense from which the evil had come. Selene, too, stood, glancing between them with a look of utmost worry on her features.

"What's the matter, Luke?" she asked, urgency in her voice.

"I'm not sure," the Jedi Master replied, "but there was a Dark presence here. Of that I am certain."

"Queen Selenity!" Selene whirled around to see the Senshi, Endymion, and Helios running up to her.

"Kami-sama! What are you all doing here? How on Earth did you find me?!" Selene asked incredulously.

"Where is the princess?" Uranus asked harshly.

"We're too late..." Neptune moaned.

"What do you mean, too late?" Luke asked fiercely. "What is wrong with Usagi?"

"Who are you?" Mars said snootily.

"I am Luke Skywalker. I could ask the same of you,"

Selene intervened. "These are the Senshi, Luke. Sublime warriors of the Milky Way. Why are you searching for my daughter?" Selene asked Venus.

"The princess is in grave danger. Beryl, Dark and despicable Queen of the Negaverse has escaped confinement. She intends to exact her revenge on the Moon Kingdom, beginning with Usa-chan." Venus said solemnly.

"Beryl has escaped?!" Selene cupped a hand to her mouth.

"Who is Beryl?" Luke asked his old lover.

"Beryl is the Queen of all Darkness. She presides over the Negaverse, where the Darkness originated. Not only does she command the Dark Jedi, including the old Emperor Palpatine, but she also has an army of immensely powerful warriors bred to her service within the Negaverse's realm." Selene finished, her face paler than Luke had ever seen it.

"If she is after Usagi...Luke, we must save our daughter!" He nodded. The Senshi, who had watched the entire scene, exchanged confused glances.

"Senshi," she said to her soldiers, "you know what we must do." They nodded. From within the folds of her khaki pants, Selene withdrew the Imperium Silver Crystal, held snugly within the crescent of the Crescent Moon Wand. She gripped its smooth pink handle tightly as she said,

"Cosmic Moon Power!" At once, a mist of shimmering silver light erupted from the crystal, engulfing Selene to the spectators' awe. Her outfit changed in a burst of pink ribbons to the white gown of Queen Selenity.

When it was complete, her feet gently touched the floor of Shralei's tavern once more and she opened her azure eyes to gaze around at the confused people surrounding her.

"We must join together if we are to save my daughter. The power of the Ginzuishou will transport us to Beryl's realm. Grasp hands, everyone," The queen held her arms out to those surrounding her, and they all, Senshi, Jedi, and prince, clasped hands to form a giant circle. Selene concentrated deeply in the crystal, felt its mystical power, and they were transported to the bleak and dark world of the Negaverse.

Usagi landed with a hard thud on the icy floor of Beryl's throne room. The evil woman smiled cruelly at the satisfying snap of bone as the girl's left ankle turned in an angle it had never been meant to do.

"So glad you could join us, princess." Beryl's tone was silky. Her hands moved continuously over a dark ball of crystal, her long red hair flowing behind her very tight violet dress.

"Who are you?" Usagi asked, as her entire body tingled with the warnings of the Force. This was truly a Dark place.

"Where am I?"

"Me?" Beryl laughed. Beside her, Jedite and Zekk smiled coldly at the form of the moon princess.

"Zekk, where are our manners? Help the princess to her feet," ordered Beryl. Zekk walked calmly forward, and jerked Usagi upright. She bit back an outcry as she was forced to stand upon her broken ankle. Beryl gave a malicious smile at the princess's obvious pain and discomfort.

"I am Beryl, mighty Queen of all darkness! Welcome to my Negaverse, princess. Here soon, when your beloved mother comes to your rescue, I shall claim the Ginzuishou and reign as proper ruler of all the Universe!"

"You're insane. My mother would never give you the Ginzuishou!" Usagi hissed, both in pain and in anger. But she pushed the anger aside. No, she could not afford to be angry. Anger led to the Dark side. That she could not allow.

Instead, a wave of calm flowed through her, strengthening her with the power and cool clarity of the Force. She wished again that she had not been so foolish as to forget her weapon.

Tendrils of crackling black energy issued from Beryl's claw-like fingers, and shot towards Usagi. Using the Force, she managed to avoid them, but fell helplessly back on her injured ankle. A grin of satisfaction turned the Dark Queen's lips as another jet of the dark power surged towards the White Moon Princess.

Usagi felt it when Beryl's power hit her. Pain like she had never thought possible burned her entire body. She couldn't move, couldn't do anything but feel the pain. Her mind screamed in physical anguish, and it took all her strength to keep her mouth and voice from doing the same.

"Does it hurt, White Moon Princess? Do you feel the pain?" Beryl whispered. Even through all her suffering, Usagi managed to look up at the Dark Queen with a look of pity in her eyes.

"I pity you," she breathed. Her sapphire eyes locked unflinchingly into the Dark One's own.

Beryl laughed. "You, who I shall kill myself, you pity me?" Her voice was full of condescending mockery.

"Poor little princess. Save your pity for yourself. You'll need it," she added menacingly.

"Yes, I pity you. You, who have never known the joy of love or how wonderful it is to love someone." Usagi stood, shakily at first, but gradually stronger to face Beryl. The evil queen's face contorted with fury and hate as she gazed down at the figure of Usagi.

In the doorway, the Senshi and the young Jedi Knights along with Luke Skywalker, Endymion, and Helios appeared. Each of the Jedi had lightsabers drawn, prepared to face Beryl and rescue their friend.

"Usagi!" Jacen called. The golden-haired princess turned to her cousin as he threw something for her to catch. Catch it she did, running her fingers along its smooth, black surface made of polished onyx. Engraved at its hilt were the symbols for the planets of her solar system, link to her heritage as its princess. Her lightsaber.

With a soft hum she ignited it, finding strength within its energy blade, as iridescent in color as the moonstone which powered it. Rainbow flecks of color ran through the blade as she brought it down in front of her, prepared to confront her greatest enemy.

"My, my, now this is an interesting turn of events. Zekk," Beryl said to the Dark Jedi at her side, "please take care of these young Jedi upstarts.

"Ah, Queen Selenity." Beryl said with a look of Dark satisfaction. "At last we meet." With a mere wave of her hand, crystals of ice rose from the floor of her cavern to surround and capture each of the Senshi.

"Uranus World Shaking!"

"Neptune Deep Submerge!"

"Mars flame ignite!"

"Venus crescent beam smash!"

"Jupiter thunder crash!"

"Mercury bubbles blast!"

But the Senshi's attacks were no match for the Dark Queen's Negaforce. Each was enveloped within the icy shroud of the crystals.

"Senshi! NO!!!" Usagi yelled. The look of horror in her sapphire eyes was mirrored in her mother's.

"What have you done to them, fiend?!" Selene roared angrily. Beryl smiled smugly.

"Oh, nothing unlike what I shall do to you," She waved her hand again, and the same crystals encased Queen Selenity.

"Mother!!" Usagi cried, despair in her voice as her left ankle once again refused to hold her weight. She quickly turned off the lightsaber before she once more hit the icy floor. Seeing her on the ground, Beryl no longer paid any attention to the princess. Instead, her gaze was fastened on her dark Jedi. Seizing her opportunity, Usagi scrambled to where her mother had fallen and snatched up quickly the Ginzuishou before Beryl noticed. She fell again, this time not bothering to bite back the pain shooting through her broken ankle.

"Usako!" Endymion yelled, as he raced past the Negaverse guards and Zekk to reach his beloved.

"Mamo-chan!" Usagi breathed, her voice choking with the pain. Gently, Endymion scooped the princess into his arms, holding her snugly.

"Don't worry, Usako. We'll find a way out of this, I'm sure of it." He attempted a reassuring smile, which did not help her in the least.

Meanwhile, Zekk was facing off against his old friends once and for all. Momentarily stunned when Selene had been captured, Luke dived in front of his students in an effort to protect them from the Dark powers the other Jedi wielded.

"Master Skywalker," Zekk whispered, his throat tight with physical exertion, "It shall be a pleasure eliminating you for my Queen, once and for all."

"Don't bet on it yet, Zekk," The Jedi Master said as his emerald blade locked and sizzled against Zekk's scarlet.

"So you are that blasted Jedi Master who foiled dear old Palpatine?" Beryl said, her voice smooth and silky with victory. "The father to the pretty little princess who set the trap for dear Queen Selenity?"

Luke glanced between the crystal-encased form of Selene and the evil queen Beryl, hatred blazing in his ice-blue eyes.

"Hate me for what I did to your love? Don't worry, you can join her." Beryl was brimming with evil pleasure as she sent the crystal to encase Luke, who dodged it using the Force and his lightsaber. A type of bored power was displayed on the wicked woman's features as the crystals continued to surround the Jedi Master until he was encased within them and could fight no more, consciousness lost in stasis.

"Uncle Luke!" Jaina and Jacen yelled simultaneously.

"Master Skywalker!" Tenel Ka shouted.

Lowbacca roared in outrage.

"Yes Master Lowbacca! This is horrendous!" Em-Teedee cried.

"Father..." Usagi whispered, before the pain and suffering Beryl had inflicted upon her took over and she drooped, unconscious, on Endymion's shoulder.

"I can't believe you, Zekk," Jaina said, her tone heartbroken.

"Believe it, Jaina. I told you on Kashyyyk that my allegiance was to the Second Imperium and the Darkness. I almost killed you during that raid, but I decided to spare you on account of the friendship we once had. Now, I will not do the same." He brought his scarlet lightsaber blade in front of him, its glow eerily lighting his features. "Don't try for your lightsaber, Jaina," he warned, twitching the blade side to side.

"And I told you on that day on Kashyyyk; I will not raise a weapon against you, Zekk." Jaina stared at him coolly, her fingers never straying to the black handle of her lightsaber clipped to her belt. "And I still don't believe that you would kill me, either," she added, her voice carrying much more courage than she felt.

"Don't test my loyalties, Jaina. You've lost; Queen Selenity and her pathetic Senshi have already been captured, and so has the great Master Skywalker." He sneered.

"We have to go! We can fight later!" Helios yelled at Jaina, who was still locked in a deadly standstill with the Dark Jedi Zekk.

"Come on! Let's get out of here while we still can!" yelled Endymion, Usagi still cradled in his arms.

Reluctantly, the other young Jedi Knights turned and followed the prince and the keeper of dreams out of a twisting pathway as it led back to the safety of the Universe, away from the dark and treacherous realm of the Negaverse, Beryl's condescending laughter in their ears.

"Run away, little ones! You've lost! The Keeper of the Ginzuishou is at my mercy. You shall all die in due time, starting with your pretty little princess." Beryl snarled, her voice laced with the happiness of victory.

Once back within the realm of the New Republic, the young Jedi Knights and their guests came to rest once more at the Jedi Academy on Yavin 4. They were all resting, licking their wounds and preparing for the next attack of Beryl's despicable Negaverse.

A few hours within the bacta tank had healed all of Usagi's physical injuries. The mental ones, however, left deeper scars.

"It's all my fault." She said one day, as they were all seated together. Tears were threatening to overflow her sapphire eyes as she faced her friends.

"No its not, Usagi." Jaina said kindly, "Beryl had been planning this for centuries. You just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time."

"If I hadn't run away..." Usagi sobbed. With an arm, Endymion pulled her into him to let her head rest on his chest.

"You did what you thought was right. No one can blame you that," he said, his tone comforting.

"Assigning blame will get us nowhere." Han Solo and his wife Leia had joined the small band of battered Jedi. Together they were working as how to free those trapped within Beryl's icy realm.

"Yes," said Leia, as she watched the forms of her children and their friends.

Suddenly, Usagi sat straight up, breaking free of Endymion's embrace and looked at them all with realization in her eyes.

"What is it, Usako?" Jaina asked.

"The day I first came here, all those years ago, I had a vision. I had just touched the walls of the temple and the ancient Massassi carvings, when I saw a flash of a woman being manhandled by someone. I didn't know it at first, but that woman was Mother." Usagi finished.

"Wow. Really?" asked Jacen.

"Yes. I am positive of it."

"Well, if you could get a vision of the future from one of those old carvings, do you suppose you get a larger one from an ancient untouched temple?" Han asked his niece.

"Possibly, but I don't know what good it'll do. Not with them still trapped down there."

"Vision or no vision, we need to figure out a plan. We can't simply barge into the Negaverse and expect to free Luke and the others," Leia said firmly.

"Yeah, last time we got our butts kicked." Jacen said quietly.

"I'm not game for any butt-kicking this time," Han said, and flashed a lopsided grin at his son.

"I have what Beryl is after," said Usagi softly. Every face gathered turned to hers, appraising her and wondering what she could possibly be protecting.

"What is it, Usagi?" asked Leia kindly.

Usagi sighed. "The Ginzuishou. I managed to grab it when my mother dropped it, before she..."

"You have the Ginzuishou? Is that what Selene was protecting?" Leia said, her eyes wide.

"Yes." Usagi reached inside a pocket of her academy jumpsuit and pulled out a giant silver crystal. She showed it to Leia.

"This is the Ginzuishou. This is the power that Beryl would kill to obtain. This is the power she must not be allowed to have, for surely it would mean the end for the Universe as we know it."

"May I see it?" Leia said, in her voice a tone of awe. Usagi nodded and deposited it inside the former Princess of Alderaan's hand. Leia turned it over, inspecting it, feeling the hum of life within its silver casing.

"This is the Ginzuishou..." she said, still marveling at the crystal she held.

"Yes," Usagi said, her voice strong. "With this, and our teamwork, Beryl will not stand a chance. I will not rest until those I love are safe once again."

The people gathered exchanged glances, surprised by the conviction and strength the young princess was exhibiting. Surely she didn't mean for them to simply return to the depths of the Negaverse without any further plan?

"The longer we wait, the less chance they are still alive. We must act now, while the element of surprise is still in our grasp. It will not be long before Beryl realizes that she did not capture the Ginzuishou when she captured my mother." She gave them each a fiery glare that strongly reminded Leia of her twin.

"All right, Usagi. We'll go. But do you have any idea how we can get there?" Han said, as he assessed the girl in front of him.

"Yes. The same way my mother got you there; I shall access the Ginzuishou."

"Are you sure you can do that?" Helios asked.


"Yes. I am of the royal family of the Moon Kingdom. Now join hands," she instructed, "as we leave once more for the Negaverse."

Every person there, amid nervous glances and several quick Jedi relaxation techniques, carefully joined hands as Serena lifted the Ginzuishou high over her head.

"Cosmic Moon Power," she said softly, every fiber of her being in harmony with the crystal, and the Force. She felt it sing through her, these two different sources of power, and she no longer felt any qualms about who she was. She was here to protect her loved ones, that was her destiny. Taking in a deep breath, she opened her eyes as the light of the crystal engulfed them all and they were transported to Beryl's realm.

It was like stepping out of a dream, the way the young Jedi and Han and Leia felt when the light of the crystal disappeared and they were safe on the icy black floor of one of the Negaverse's caverns.

Usagi opened her eyes again, as she gently laid the crystal back inside her pocket. All the others were watching her, as if waiting for instruction. But she was unsure. How could she make decisions for them, decisions that could mean life or death?

Luckily, for her anyway, Han rightly interpreted her hesitation, as he took charge. The rest of the Jedi Knights did not mind the leadership of the great General of the New Republic.

"Come on. Usagi," he addressed the princess, "where is Beryl's central chamber?"

"Just ahead of you, Han Solo," said a sneering, familiar voice from the shadows. In a flash of scarlet, Zekk leapt from one of the top rocks of the cavern to face the young Jedi and their allies.

"Zekk." Tenel Ka said, an intense dislike evident in her features.

"You remember me. How touching," he sneered. With a soft hum he ignited his scarlet lightsaber as he prepared to defend Beryl and her realm from the intruders.

One by one, all the young Jedi Knights with the exception of Jaina and Usagi lit their lightsabers and prepared to do battle with the dark-haired Jedi of the Shadow Academy. Jaina pointedly refused to ignite her weapon, and Usagi was concentrating on finding a way past him and into Beryl's inner chambers.

"Mercury made this look so easy," she grumbled as she punched buttons on the small handheld computer that belonged to the kind blue-haired Senshi of water and ice.

"Oh, but Jaina," Zekk said, his voice teasing, "Why will you not fight me? Would you rather run? Are you afraid of me, Jaina?" He aimed his lightsaber in her direction, only to have it swiftly turned aside by a lightening blow from Lowie's bronze-coloured blade.

"Oh? Are you to fight me, Wookiee?" he laughed, as he deftly turned aside every forceful blow from Lowie.

"Aha! Got it," Usagi whispered to herself, as she stored the computer inside another pocket of her jumpsuit. Looking up, she noticed the fight ensuing between the lanky ginger-furred Wookiee and Zekk completely for the first time.

"Stop!" she commanded, her voice full of authority and ringing with power.

The combatants stopped, and turned their gazes to the tiny young woman who was bold enough to make upon them an order.

"It's the pretty little princess. Pitiful little princess Usagi." Zekk's voice was cold, tinged with evil malice.

As if in response to his taunts, Usagi pulled from her jumpsuit once more the Ginzuishou.

"Usagi, no! Please," Jaina said, a sob catching in her throat. Usagi turned her ocean-blue eyes to Jaina's brown, a look of understanding and empathy on her features, but Usagi the young Jedi Knight was gone, the Usagi who was Jaina's best friend was gone, replaced by the steely princess who knew she had a duty.

She raised the Ginzuishou high above her head, feeling the power surging through her. Her head flipped backward, her golden hair streaming behind her; with her eyes closed she looked quite ethereal.

"Zekk..." Jaina whispered.

"Please, Ginzuishou," Princess Serenity thought, her life entwined within the crystal's, "Jaina cares for him so. Take the strength from me, help him to be healed, for her sake."

As if in response to the wishes of its princess, a bright white light erupted from within the crystal. It shone throughout the dark cavern, and all who saw it became entranced in awe and wonder. The light settled itself around Zekk, who, bewildered, felt his body leave the ground to float in the air. His crimson-lined cape, the gift of Brakiss for being the Shadow Academy's best and Darkest Knight, was shredded and disappeared into nothingness. He writhed for a moment, before the light set him back upon the rocky floor.

He was on his knees as Jaina rushed to him, her lightsaber lying forgotten on the stone slab. She checked him for wounds, and he grasped her hand in his, as a tear ran down his face.

"I'm so sorry, Jaina..." he said, guilt evident all over him.

Princess Serenity, too, floated softly to the floor, the light leaving the Ginzuishou as it deposited itself, not within her pocket, but within the brooch of the Moon Prism on her chest. She opened her eyes and stared at it for a moment, disbelieving, before she turned her gaze to where her friends were gathered around the newly healed Zekk.

"What did you do?" Leia asked her niece, still shocked by what she had seen.

"Nothing he did not want. I only helped him do what he had wanted to do all along, but found he could not." said Princess Serenity.

"Thank you, Princess." Zekk said, standing and bowing his head in her direction. She smiled regally, as if she knew the secrets of the cosmos.

"You're quite welcome, Zekk," she said, and then turned to the others, "We must hurry. I have found the entrance to Beryl's main audience chamber, but there is no telling what she has done to Mother and the others."

They each nodded, pulling out respective lightsabers. Jacen tossed his sister's to her, as he walked up to where she stood with Zekk.

"Come on, sis." Jaina gave a laugh that was part sob, part cough as she said, "Of course. What are we waiting for?"

Han looked down the chamber, where Usagi was already running with Lowbacca and Tenel Ka close behind. With a wave of his hand, he indicated the others to follow them, which they did, pelting down the cavernous tunnels dug deep within the icy rock.

"Princess Serena! You managed to find my lair, all by yourself," Beryl laughed. "Do you really think you will be able to free your parents and the Senshi?"

Usagi walked forward, exuding confidence and power. The young Jedi Knights were behind her, lightsabers ignited, prepared to defend both her and each other no matter the cost.

"Oh, and you managed to convince the Jedi brats to come back!" Beryl laughed even harder.

"Don't underestimate us, Beryl. We are a formidable team," Jaina said, her voice cold and hard with dislike.

"Zekk..." said Beryl silkily. "You didn't manage to eliminate these pests last time they annoyed me, so now I'm counting on you to finish the job."

Zekk shook his head, his face set in an angry scowl of determination.

"No," he spat, "I will never harm any of these people. Not at your bidding, nor anyone else's."

"What's this? Traitor!" Beryl snapped. "You'll pay for your treachery! Kalcite!" she howled into the darkness. The young Jedi stood their ground, as an older man with dark brown hair and tanned skin walked calmly out of the shadows.

The only one to falter, the only one to become unsure, was Princess Serenity, for the man who was emerging, Kalcite, was none other than Apollo, who had tormented her childhood years.

"Yes, girl, it is me. Pity your mother loved you, that she would be worried enough over your miserable being to risk her life for yours. How does it feel, girl, knowing that you have caused your mother's death, and the destruction of the Universe!" He cried in elation, as he pointed at the still-crystallized form of Selene as she gripped tightly the Crescent Moon Wand. "She died with the Ginzuishou! Now there is not a power one to defeat the realm of the mighty Negaforce! Queen Beryl shall rightfully rule over your pathetic lands!"

"Apollo..." Serenity growled, her entire body shaking with anger, rage, and betrayal.

"Don't listen to him, Usako! It isn't your fault!" Jaina cried.

"You can defeat him, and her both!" Tenel Ka yelled to her friend.

"You have the Ginzuishou. You have the power," Leia said, "use it."

"She has the Ginzuishou?!" Beryl cried in outrage.

"This pathetic runt of a girl is controlling the greatest known power in the Universe?! As if she could possibly defeat me!"

Beryl launched a torrent of black Negaforce energy at Serenity, who deflected it with the rainbow blade of her lightsaber, all the colors of the planets of the Silver Millennium intertwined. The energy ricocheted off of her energy blade and hit the crystals encasing Selene and Luke, shattering them to pieces. The queen and her Jedi fell to the floor, and awakened from the stasis. Offering his arm to Selene, Luke pulled them both to their feet.

"Just who do you think you are?!!" Beryl roared.

"Me?" Usagi said lightly, all fear and doubt gone from her mind. Luke and Selene joined the others as they watched, open-mouthed, the power flowing through their daughter.

"I am Usagi Tsukino, princess of the Silver Millennium and the Moon Kingdom, and also Jedi Knight-in-training on Yavin 4. I am the daughter of two worlds, magical and material, joined together through the power of love. And it is this power of love which shall defeat you and your evil, once and for all."

"Big words, little girl," Apollo snarled, "but can you back them up?" He lunged at Usagi, a blade of Dark Negaforce energy in his hand.

"Usagi, look out!" Jaina cried, as both Luke and Zekk leapt forward, at the same time, back to back fighting off the general.

"Nice to see us fighting on the same side, Zekk," Luke said, as he deflected a blow from Apollo's energy.

"You bet, Master Skywalker." Zekk said as he slashed at Apollo's blade, defending Serenity as she prepared to use the power locked deep within her.

"Let's see if you can control that power, little princess," Beryl hissed, as she sent a huge discharge of crackling black energy from the Negaforce at the girl.

She repelled the attack once more using her lightsaber, aiming it at the crystals encasing the Senshi. It ricocheted among the crystals, cracking them open and releasing their prisoners.

Shakily, the Senshi stood and walked over to where their queen and the young Jedi Knights were fighting against different youma.

"Mars Fireballs Charge!" Rings of fire erupted from Sailor Mars, surrounding one youma and annihilating it.

"You bastard!" Selene said angrily at Apollo, as she saw him battling with Luke and Zekk.

"Selene, get back!" Luke commanded, locked in a swordfight with Beryl's general.

"How dare you rip apart my family!" She yelled, and grabbed one of the sharp Negaverse crystals from the icy floor and plunged it through Apollo's heart. As one, Luke and Zekk leapt back as the wicked general writhed in pain, and disappeared in a breeze of cherry blossoms.

Selene was shaking, surprised at her own bravado. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Luke disengaged his lightsaber and walked over to her, his eyes trained on the form of his daughter, high above him, where she faced the Dark Queen of the Negaverse.

"They have killed my warrior Kalcite! They shall pay," she roared at Serena. "Starting with the death of their princess!" This time, a surge of the Dark power charged at Serena, too much to deflect with her lightsaber. Instead, she pulled from her brooch the Ginzuishou, only to have it knocked from her hands at the deluge of Dark power. It swept over her, knocking her off the high rock to the ground below.

"Usagi!!" Selene cried as she saw her daughter fall.

"Usako!" Endymion yelled, bringing his sword back from the depths of a youma. Blaster fire ricocheted everywhere from Han's blaster as he shot at the youma which was attacking Leia.

Lowie saw her fall first, and was the first to react. He leapt forward and caught her in his strong, hairy arms as she shivered with the dark power coursing through her body. The Ginzuishou fell through the air at Selene's feet and she grabbed it quickly and held it tightly.

"You shall pay, little princess!" Beryl sent another flood of Nega-energy at Usagi, who, out of Lowie's arms, was unable to deflect it. Endymion saw the danger coming to his beloved, and leapt in front to protect her, only to have the energy hit him instead.

"Endymion!" Serena cried as he was caught within the surge of Dark energy. With a mighty leap, she soared through the air and grasped his hand tightly.

"Usagi!" Jaina screamed.

"Usagi!" Luke yelled.

"Perfect!" roared Beryl as the princess and her prince both went limp, the life having left their bodies.

"The pretty twit and her prince are dead! And I survive!"

"I won't let it end like this!" Selene cried.

"Not the princess..." Luna sobbed, for she had followed Usagi as she left the academy.

"Usagi..." Jacen said, as the dead form of his friend and cousin floated peaceably in the air before him.

Lowie let out a Wookiee roar of anger, and a howl of mourning as he saw his friend die.

"Oh, Master Lowbacca, this is awful!" said the synthesized voice of Em-Teedee. "Poor Mistress Usagi!"

"Oh, darling, I won't let them take away your future!" She ripped the Ginzuishou from her Crescent Moon Wand and raised it above her.

"Cosmic Moon Power!" she yelled, as the light surrounded the form of Beryl and her Negaverse guards and her generals, the dead forms of the Senshi who had died at the hands of Jedite, and lastly around Endymion and her beloved daughter.

All at once, they disappeared, and Selene fell to the floor, utterly exhausted.

"You did it!" Jacen cried.

Luke went to her, and knelt down beside her.

"No," she said, her voice weak, "I merely trapped them inside the crystal. Had I killed them I would have destroyed Serena and the others as well. They will be reborn, on Earth..." Her hand dropped limply to her side, and Luke knew she was dying. "Luke," she said, turning to him, "you missed watching our daughter grow up, and I will give you this chance. The others will be reborn on Earth, for the Moon Kingdom and the Silver Millennium are no more. But, if you would wish, Usagi can be raised with you..." Her voice weakened by the moment and her breathing grew heavy, labored.

"Of course, Selene. Anything," he said, her hand grasped firmly within his.

"But, there is one thing; you will know when the time comes for her to return to Earth to complete her destiny. Promise me you will take her," she whispered.

"Yes, Selene."

"Luna, Artemis," she addressed the cats at her feet, "I will send you to the future to be their guardians, and to reunite them should the Negaverse return. I am counting on you," she waved the arm holding the crystal, and the two cats were encased in time capsules, asleep. In a second, they had disappeared. The crystal shattered into individual crystals, each crystal guarding one of the precious souls to be reborn, and disappeared.

"Goodbye, Luke..."she whispered, as he bent and kissed her softly. As soon as he had arisen, he knew that she was dead.

He stood, terribly shaken from what had happened that day, and gathered his students and family around him and led them out of the dark and dreary world of Beryl's. And as they left, Selene's body disappeared in a breeze of glitter and rose petals.

With one last look behind him, Luke turned and left Beryl's realm, never to return.

* * * *

Oh, by the way, the song Usagi sings is by Christina Aguilera. I needed something for her to sing that I could find the words to, and I was too lazy to create my own, so I stole my sister's c.d. This is definitely, and I repeat, DEFINITELY NOT the end of this. It gets sweeter, lighter. I don't know. You can treat the rest as a sequel, or part of the same story. I'm adding it on as chapters. Well, as always, e-mails and reviews keep me running. So if you want more, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!!!!! Thanx,

Lady Pluto