Chapter Twenty-Two: What is Going On?

AN: Hey, sorry I was gone for so long. I promise I won't do that anymore. Well only two more chapters to go. Plus I know what's going to happen! I was really struggling to find the perfect ending and I think I did. Although I had to go back through the whole Sailor Moon series to help me out. Had to make it where in the end it was something that Serena would do. Here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Drip... Drip...Drip.. An icy sensation overcame the blood as drops of water fell on top of her head and slide down the side of her face. Her hair was damp and scattered (morning hair), some strands sticking to her face. Crystal blue eyes opened and was face to face with complete darkness. Her head ached as well as her arms. The blonde took hold of some sense to know that she was sitting on the floor. It was wet, muddle, and freezing, as well as the wall she was propped up on. Serena attempted to adjust her eyes to the lack of light. The only source she found came from a torch on a hall way wall. It was then she noticed that she was beside bars. Now realizing she was in a cage or more like a jail cell. The reason her arms hurt so much was the fact that they were in chains and help above her head. Her clothes were torn up and soaked with the water that was above her hand, mixed with the blood from her head wound. She couldn't tell how long she had been there, but the marks that the chains left on her wrist told her more than enough. Her stomach was sore and she felt like she hadn't eaten in days. Serena didn't know if she was alone or not. Maybe someone, a guard, was looking out after her. Making sure she didn't escape. Only one way to find out, she thought. She opened her mouth as if to scream out, but nothing came out. Her voice was out, not completely, but enough to sound scratchy. That was another indication that led her to believe she had been in the hell hole for some time. Serena cleared her throat several times before she regained her voice.

"Hello! Is any one out there? Hello! Can anyone hear me?"

No one answered. She feared that Red Beard had deserted her here all alone. No way to get out, and no food to live off of. That way she would die slowly and in agonizing pain. Great, just the way I wanted to die. Alone. Slowly. In pain. This should be interesting. She said to herself in a monotone, sarcastic voice. Wait, if she was alone, they why was she talking to herself? It's not like anyone would hear her. It was then that she heard a thump and then a large door unlocking. Serena turned her head towards the bard opening and looked out.

"Hello! Who's there?"

There was light foot steps approaching, almost unheard. The person walked down the long hall of the prison cell until it stopped dead at Serena. The figure was hooded in a black cloak. Serena saw that the hidden person was small and scrawny. The person was about the same size as she was when she was a teenager. Was this person a teenager. It didn't move for a long time. Just stared at her. There were more thumps and bangs where it had come from. Then men grunting. The person glanced down the hall and then nodded to whoever was at the other end. Serena raised an eye brow as the hooded figure unlocked her cage and came forth.

"Put this on. It will cover you." the voice was low and soft. A female's voice.

The hooded girl threw down an exact look-alike cloak on her lap. She bent over and unlocked Serena's chains. The sudden relief feeling rushed through Serena's hands and she sighed. Serena rubbed at her wrist which she knew was sore and red. The figure watched down the hall then looked back at the still sitting Serena.

"Well come on. We haven't all day." It said in a hushed, anxious voice.

The blond stood as quickly as she could and placed the black cloth over her shoulders. She fastened the large button at her neck and raised the hood. She, too, was now covered. Serena cautiously walked out of her cell and looked around to make sure it was safe. The person beside her grabbed her hand and rushed her through the prison hall. Serena followed, thank full for the person who was going to lead her to safety. Once out of the prison hall and through the large door, they were greeted by another hooded figure. This one was slightly taller than the two who held hands. She could make out that it was also a woman. The two unknown figures looked at each other and nodded. The other person grabbed Serena's empty hand, as they all ran. The blonde couldn't make out where they were, it was so dark. Hall after hall, they ran and it seemed like an endless maze. Serena was breathing heavy now and felt very dizzy.

As if seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, Serena saw the last of the halls they had to go through. It was almost over, they just had to make it through here. Noise was heard behind them as soldiers started behind them. The three ran faster, as to not get caught. Outside, the taller figure handed her a sword that Serena recognized as hers. The men flooded out of the large building with their own weapons held high. All three women fought against the men. Swords clashing with each other and the grunts of those who died before hitting the ground. Serena was finding it hard to keep up with some of them because she had lost her strength. The only thing that kept her going was the thought that it would all be over...just a little more.

A large gust of wind blew from above their heads and Serena's hood came off. She had finished killing off another soldier before looking up at a cruiser landing about five miles from them. The other two finished off another killing before they grabbed Serena's hands once more. They all started to run for the cruiser when more soldiers came out. She wanted to stop right there, but the hooded women urged her on. She was so tired and only wanted this to end. They leapt into the ship just as it started to lift off the ground. It's door shut automatically and the women helped Serena to her feet. They walked to the small control room. She plopped down on one of the chairs and caught her breath. The cruiser lifted more into the air, the person flying the ship began using its bombs. Dropping it on the little planet. Serena could hear screams of the remaining soldiers and closed her eyes. She hated the sound of pain, no matter who it was coming from. She opened her eyes and sat up straight.

"Tell me, who are you?"

The hooded women lowered their hoods with smiling faces. Serena went wide eye, even more so when the pilot turned around. She couldn't believe who she was seeing. To her right, the small teenage girl was none other than Sailor Saturn. The other woman who rescued her was Sailor Neptune. The short blonde headed woman put the ship on auto pilot and walked back to Serena. Sailor Uranus.

"Oh I have missed you all!"

She stood and greeted them all with warm hugs. They, in return, laughed and hugged her back. She almost started to cry, but a spell of dizziness came over her and she had to sit down. Sailor Uranus brushed back some strands of her hair, as Saturn held onto her hand.

"We're sorry it took so long to get to you, your highness." Sailor Uranus started.

" It has been hard for us to track you down without our powers." Neptune continued.

"Why are you not allowed to have your powers?" Serena asked.

The three looked at each other and then back at her. Neptune suggested that she used the back rooms to shower and clean up. Uranus said that things would be discussed after she had plenty of rest and food. Saturn led her to the shower and said she would prepare the food. After about two hours, Serena had cleaned up and had been fed a good meal. Her strength was now returning and she felt like her old self. The four women sat down in one of the departments of the ship and had held a discussion for some time.

"Neptune was able to get a vision with her mirror. In it we saw parts of the future and also who was behind it." Uranus informed.

"We took off and hid, so that we fell off any radar. Through out the years we have been gathering information." Neptune said.

"We tried to warn you in the beginning, although it wasn't very good. Tried to inform you of a traitor among us." Saturn explained.

Serena thought back to anything that she could remember of some warning. The only thing that had came to mind was after the first fight. On top of the building. Serena raised her eye brow at Uranus.

"The wind? That was you?"

Sailor Uranus smiled and nodded, proud that her princess was able to figure it out. With some advance powers, she was able to send a message through the wind. The three talked over what had happened after that. Finally it came down to what was important. Serena got serious and sighed.

"So Sailor Pluto is behind all this. She is the traitor?"

Sailor Neptune shook her head no and Serena got confused. "It is Sailor Pluto, but at the same time it is not."

It was Sailor Saturn who spoke up now. "It is Chaos. Apparently you did not destroy him as we thought. He some how took Pluto as a host and has been feeding on her. She was able to get a hold of Red Beard and started this whole event. With her powers, and his, she has been helping the barbarian take over."

Serena was in awe to hear of the old foe. Although, thinking of the events that took place, she felt foolish that she hadn't seen it coming. How could she have not seen it? It was the battle with Galaxia all over again. Only this time, the bad guys were winning. Then she remembered all her battles like this and groaned. Geez, how many times do I have to die?

"Okay, so we're dealing with Chaos again..and he's got a hold of two really powerful people. Red Bead. No heart. Pluto. Sees the future. Oh good, were screwed."

The three scouts chuckled at her comment and shook their heads. It was certainly not the first time they had to encounter a problem like this. They had faith in their princess though. She would risk her neck for the people she loved and survive to tell the tale.

"So are we heading for earth?" she finally asked, anxious to warn the others.