Epilogue: Is it Destiny or is it Duty?

AN: I decided to write this little bit to clear up any thing that wasn't clear in the story. Plus I needed a better ending than that last chapter. Enjoy the finale!

Serena woke up in the hospital, the sunlight burning her eyes. She placed her arm over her eyes and squinted to see her surroundings. There was an annoying beeping sound beside her. Her heart monitor. Her body was covering in needles, IV bags, wires, a thin sheet for clothing, and light blankets that covered her waist on down. She heard movement within her room and moved her arm to see that her friends were all there. Darien was right beside her, holding on to her other hand. Master Ajax was at the door, all smiling as she awoke fully. "What happened?" she said groggy and sat up from bed.

The blood rushed to her head and she felt as if her whole body had been through hell. Well, to be more realistic..it felt like someone beat her to a pulp, then ran over her many times with a really big truck. Darien placed an arm around her back to steady her on the bed. "You finished off Red Beard and stopped the final war. On top of that, you completely destroyed Chaos. Lived to tell the tale." Mina spoke up cheerfully. Serena blinked and looked around at their faces each nodding. Then her eye brows furrowed as her face scrunched up in thought. "How could I though? I was suppose to die."

Master Ajax stepped forward with his hands clasped in front. "The warrior who fought him, was to have nothing to look forward to in life..except death." The older man came forward again. He placed one hand on Serena's back as did Darien only moments before, the other one on her stomach. His hand touched ever so slightly, as of afraid to hurt her. "You, my dear, have EVERYTHING to look forward to. Especially a life." Serena looked down at her stomach, both of her hands clasping over Master Ajaxs'. She wondered what he meant and then suddenly glanced up at a smogged Darien. "How long?"

Darien stood up and kissed her forehead. "Only a month." Serena's eyes watered.

"...So he didn't leave me after all..." Serena looked passed Darien, out her window into the morning light. The bright sun shining at her with all its wonderful colors. Bringing on a newfound joy within her. A though nagged at the back of her brain and Serena narrowed her eyes. She turned to the others.

"Wait. If I wasn't the one...then who was?"

Master Ajax sighed and shook his head. "Isn't it obvious? Your son. Miki. You see he never really existed. He was stripped of his parents at birth. Raised with no knowledge of who you truly were. No one ever knew he was ever born. Miki was ERASED from history itself. He took on the position as Royal Guard...something no man has ever done since the birth of the Scouts. So you could say he became a 'new kind of warrior'. Then, in an instant, the people he loved and cared for was dead. He had nothing. Nothing but his last mission...and death."

Serena was still confused, nothing really clicking, probably because of the medicine she was intoxicated with. She pushed forward for more answers. "But why?" Master Ajax leaned on his cane (he had to have it after the big battle). She knew he was getting frustrated that she hadn't quite grasped the concept of what was going. But give her a break, she has been in a light coma for the past two weeks. The older man began to speak, realizing what she did almost a second ago.

"In order to defeat Chaos there had to be someone who wanted to change the future because it was the right thing to do. NOT because of revenge . . . that would only lead him to more evil. He had to truly want to change for the better. Do whatever to do it too. Even if it meant that he might not exist to see this new life. "

Serena smiled at the new found information. She leaned back on her bed and stared up at the ceiling in a dream-like state.

"I see. So my son is a hero?" she said more of a statement then a question. "Why did I have to get involved. I mean why did everyone think it was me the whole time?"

Rei stepped forward this time and smiled all knowing at her princess. She crossed her hands in front of her and laced her fingers together. "..to make sure Miki kept on the right path. Lead him to his destiny..lead him to you...so that you could get things right before Crystal Tokyo."

Lita stepped forward and placed her arm on Rei's should, as if using her to rest on. "In other words you were just a silly mindless little pawn used for a bigger picture." The group all began to laugh at the image. Serena quieted down and looked over at Master Ajax.

"So its over? It won't repeat again?"

Master Ajax nodded happily. "Time has been set right. You will be able to raise your son." Serena's smile grew wider and she sighed. Her eyes closed as she imagined the life growing inside of her. Her son. Her little hero. Serena opened her eyes and looked over at a smug Darien. He squeezed her hand, thinking the same thoughts. In the end Serena discovered that you can't choose one or another. Your Destiny is your Duty...and your Duty is to your Heart. Serena vowed from that day forward that she would always follow her heart. It's done her good so far.

Life couldn't get better than this.

AN: THE END! WOOHOO ITS FINALLY OVER! AREN'T YOU ALL GLAD? Hope you all enjoyed reading this fanfic as I did writing it! THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS AND THE SUPPORT! I don't think I could of finished it without all your encouragement. Maybe I'll write another one..would ya'll read it?