Thank you for the reviews…and as promised, here is the chapter in which many things happen.

AN: So, some clarifications as we go into this most important of chapters. In case you didn't pick up on things, the past couple of chapters have been heavily influenced by the manga for Sailor Moon. Most notably, Sailor StarsS #4 and Sailor Moon #10 (the end of the arc where Saturn awakes and ends the world).

The Starlights sort of happened on accident, but to save the world from the Nazis, I figured they should probably make an appearance. All that being said, if you are lucky enough to own the manga, give it a review and it will help you be in the place I was when I wrote.

I also have to give mad props to princessserenity (dot) net. The site has a lot of the transformations and attacks to view and it helped me a lot with this chapter.

In the edited version, I have significantly added to this entire chapter. Like the project as a while, it needed a bit of work!

I do not own the characters.

Chapter 12: It's The End of the World As We Know It

"The walls start breathing,
My mind's unweaving,
Maybe it's best you leave me alone.
A weight is lifted,
On this evening
I give the final blow...

When darkness turns to light,
It ends tonight
It ends tonight."

- It Ends Tonight, All American Rejects

The small caravan drove all day and night, of which Serena bumped in and out of consciousness - she knew the Crystal was in the car ahead, but had no way of reaching it. When they finally arrived, she sensed that miraculously, they were on Ginzuberg soil. As the Queen of the country, she felt that there was some power she could access from the land itself, a connection that her captors were probably not even aware of. Although she was bound, she was glad for the infusion of strength.

One of the soldiers commented sarcastically, "Here's your palace, Princess."

Serena was thrown roughly to the dirty ground floor of a small building, and collapsed in tears.

Jake was also relieved when the contingent finally neared their destination. As they slowed down, Jake quickly awoke the cats, "We're here, guys."

Stretching gracefully, Luna blinked her eyes at him. Art said, "We'll find Serena and one of us will try and report back to you."

Jake nodded, "If not me, then get word out to the others. They are close by, I can feel it."

Luna needed nothing but instinct to find her former mistress. Artemis was having a difficult time keeping up with the black cat in front of him. She darted through the grounds and arrived promptly at a hovel of a building. Guards were posted at the front, but in the early morning, no one seemed to notice two small cats.

With their sleek bodies, Artemis and Luna were able to sneak into the building and through the bars holding Serena hostage. Their Queen was slumped over…her formerly beautiful white and silver dress was in tatters and no reflection of its former glory. Luna jumped up and began licking Serena's dirty face with her rough tongue.

Serena cracked one silver blue eye and a ghost of a smile came across her features, "Luna?"

"Princess! You remember me?"

"So tired…"

"You must stay awake."

Serena's eye was already closing and she was mumbling, "Another…evil…Wiseman."

Purring gently, Luna curled herself around Serena and told Artemis, "Find out who this Wiseman is and report to Darien. Hurry!"

Artemis snuck back out into the camp, wishing he was any color but white. Seeing a nearby puddle of mud, he quickly rolled in it, creating the illusion that he was nothing more than a dirty, mangy cat, rather than a proud, silver tom.

Amidst the controlled chaos on the grounds, General Steig barked out commands, "We will be housed in those barracks. See that multiple soldiers are posted to Serena's building at all hours."

"We're in the middle of nowhere, sir and she's--"

The soldier stopped cold at General Steig's cold stare in his direction.

"Anything is possible."

Jake was more than relieved when he was chosen to be part of the first watch. Unsure exactly how exactly he was going to make Serena aware of his presence, he figured it would come to him when he saw her. He quickly tossed his belongings in the barracks and walked over to the small building where Serena was being housed. Nothing had prepared him for just how large this camp was or what the combined power of the many troops would do. With his military expertise, Jake imagined this place was staging area, but for what, he didn't know.

I hope you guys are out there... I hope you're close by...

On a cliff above, the small contingent of freedom fighters were finally within striking distance of the immense grounds where the Nazis had taken over. In the early dawn light, they could see there were easily hundreds of soldiers. Venus asked Mercury, "Do a quick scan and tell us if there is anything out of the ordinary."

Mercury immediately dropped her visor and began scanning the grounds and buildings below her. Nick already had his binoculars out and was reviewing the area. It was difficult to see, but they were looking into a natural canyon. There had obviously been a lot of recent activity. Whistling low, he said, "Of course - why didn't we pick up on this before? They're going to use Ginzuberg's location as a place to launch additional attacks. They must've been stockpiling firearms and weapons here since the first day of the invaision."

Jupiter hit a fist in her hand, "The fog! We're still near enough to the coast that this region almost always has a heavy cover. It's no wonder no reconnaissance has picked up on this."

Mars spat, "How dare they defile our land like this?"

Darien put a calming hand on the senshi's shoulders and said, "We cannot do anything about the past. We can only move forward. All of you know we have one chance to get this right. Serena's strength is waning, and if we don't get to her soon, there will be no one for us to save. It's time to put all of our training together."

Flipping her visor up, Mercury's voice rose alarmingly as she said, "Unknown life element - incoming!"

Jupiter's antenna was already dropping down for a lightning strike when, Venus exclaimed, "Artemis!"

Darien held out his arms and the cat sprang into them, "Do you have anything to report?"

Artemis replied, "We made contact with Jake and the Queen."

"How is she?"

His whiskers drooped and he said sadly, "Not good. Luna is with her now."

Star Healer confirmed, "It is as we thought. She has been separated from the Crystal for too long."

Artemis looked up, took the new senshi in stride, and continued, "Furthermore, it appears as though we're dealing with not one, but two evil entities. Serena recognized Nephrenia. The former rival of Serena's mother is holding the Crystal and using its strength to command everyone here. Apparently, she's going to create some sort of super weapon that will basically make her the ruler of the entire world."

Jupiter, with emerald green eyes flashing, asked, "And the other?"

"He goes by a title only, The Wiseman. It's difficult to tell if he working with Nephrenia or if they are both after the Crystal. All I can tell is he is definitely not good news."

Darien clenched his fist. Mercury made a sound of disbelief. All heads turned to look at the blue haired senshi. Zach asked softly, "What's wrong?"

Mercury gazed out of the grounds in front of them, "There is a very strange and negative energy here. I don't believe it is of this world. They are concentrated in two separated places." She pointed, "There, in that building is Nephrenia with the Crystal, there, near the entrance to the camp, is, what must be the Wiseman. Also, I see where they are keeping Serena. Her aura is weak, but she is in that building."

Venus quickly made a decision and called out commands, "Outer Senshi, follow Uranus and take care of that man…thing. Inners, follow me. We're going after that bitch to get back what's rightfully ours. Darien and Shitennou, how about rescuing our Princess?"

On the nods of everyone, Venus quirked a small smile and asked politely, "Who would like the honors of creating a distraction to get things started? There's no use trying to hide any longer. We're here and we're not leaving without Serena."

Two figures landed softly in front of the collected senshi.

"I am Sailor Star Fighter."

"I am Sailor Star Maker."

Healer smiled at the missing parts of the trio, and with wings sweeping low, replied, "We would be honored to provide the distraction."

A number of eyes blinked slowly. Venus cracked her Chain loudly, "Are there any more senshi that I should know about?! 'Cause this is getting seriously annoying!"

Seiya smiled, and commented, "Well, Venusian senshi, that is difficult to answer. There are the other senshi who are currently residing on this planet, but their mission is different than ours."

Uranus asked, "Our Princess is in danger, we can have a getting to know you party later. Can we assume you're on our side?"

Taiki nodded, "It will take our combined efforts to return the Crystal back to its rightful and true heir, the Neo-Queen Serenity."

For the first time since Jadeite's disappearance, Mars smiled and said, "That's good enough for me."

Healer returned the smile, "Then, consider the forces about to be distracted. If you'll all be so kind as to take a step back?"

On a cue from Seiya, three attacks were instantly called out.

"Star Serious Laser!"

"Star Gentle Uterus!"

"Star Sensitive Inferno!"

In unison, a ring of stars appeared and concentrated into an intense ball of energy, a transparent ball of lightning crackling angrily, and multiple balloons of energy were created. The women focused intently and shot all three attacks at once, landing direct hits on a number of soldiers and weapons and creating mass panic on the ground below. The forces had come so heavily, the forces on the gound had no way of knowing the direction they were being attacked.

Cerulean eyes widened, then narrowed, "Mercury - can you please provide some cover for us to get down their safely?"

Merucry focused and yelled, "Shabon SPRAY!"

Instantly, a large and dense cloudbank filled the canyon. Malcolm nodded, and warned the group, "Remember, they can't see us - but bullets still have no trouble penetrating this fog - above all, stay low and be careful!"

Splitting up, the Outer senshi quickly were down the hill and faced with a number of armed soldiers blocking their path. Through the dense fog, the Germans shouted, trying to determine if they were friendly or foe. Their threats grew and they were almost at the point of being fired on, when Uranus nodded, "Neptune, darling?"

The aqua haired senshi pulled a bright blue ball of energy above her head and shouted, "DEEP SUBMERGE!"

The ensuing flood that followed allowed the Outer senshi to quickly run through camp. Pluto cautiously opened the door to the building Amy had pointed out to them. Inside, it was completely dark. Sensing a presence, she crouched in an en garde stance, her scepter ready for action, when she heard laughing in a corner of the room.

"Foolish girl, do you actually think that will work against me?"

The room suddenly flared in light and the quartet saw a cloak floating, with no face, only two brightly shining eyes.

Using techniques from basic, Darien and his men safely and quickly made progress into the camp. They had purposely worn some of the stolen Nazi uniforms, so they were better camoflaged and passed by soldiers undetected. Following the lead of Captain Shields, they found themselves near the small building where Serena was housed. The men had true orders, in the case of an emergency, the forces covering the former Princess of Ginzuberg had easily doubled.

Darien whispered, "Whatever happens, men, it's been an honor to serve with you."

Zach returned the comment quietly, "We will continue to serve at your side, Prince."

Nodding, Darien said, "On 3 - 1, 2, 3...."

The quartet charged around the corner, only to run face to face with…themselves, including one very shocked Jake, who couldn't control the smile on his face upon being reuinted with his friends. Darien looked at his men, and Malcolm shook his head, his gray eyes flashing bravely, "You go ahead! Find Serena! You don't need us."

Captain Shields took a deep breath and shouted back, "No - she has plenty of support - and I promised you I would make things right in this life. This ends now!"

Pulling out the golden crystal, he closed his eyes, focused deeply and let his true self come through. In a matter of seconds, he was complete with a full suit of magnificent armor, complete with flowing cape and a finely edged sword. In the midst of the attacks and skirmishes around them, all of the soldiers present - American and German - instantly kneeled to the ground.

Malcolm whispered, "My liege..."

Regally, Darien announced, "Princess Selenity gave us all another chance at peace, freedom, and love in this life. Kunzite, Zoiscite, and Nephrite, I release you from your limbo and send you forward into the great cauldron."

The Germans watched in awe, tears openly streaming down their faces, as the golden crystal flew up and was followed by three other gemstones. The four circled around each other and created a large circle of bright, healing light - easy enough for a man to walk through. In a trance, one by one, they each stepped into the unknown. As they entered, the stone corresponding would pulse, grow bright, and then dim. When all had passed through, Darien raised his hands and retrieved the crystals.

"May they find all they were searching for..."

The golden orb flashed again and the Generals were restored to their former Earth Kingdom uniforms. His men nodded and blinked, speechless at what had transpired, then arose from their kneeling positions. Jake was the first to recover his voice, and announced casually, "I'm sure I'll hear the story later. Still, it's good to see you."

After brief, but powerful, reunion, the five men sorted themselves and Nick announced, "Shall we go find your bride?"

Jake opened the door to the small structure, "I was going to..."

"I know you were," Darien interrupted, not quite able to keep the emotion from his voice. In no time, they had unlocked the ancient cell, and the former Prince of the earth dropped to his young wife's side, absently petting both Artemis and Luna who had joined her there, doing their best to keep her going.

As if in a dream, Serena opened her eyes and looked up into the worried, but very familiar face...

Darien…Endymion…am I dead?

Darien had tears in his eyes as he said gently, "Serena, it's me, come back to me."

He picked her up carefully in his arms and Serena was aware that he wasn't alone, his Generals - the soldiers - were beside him. The white blonde Princess smiled peacefully, "You're together again."

Darien nodded, "The senshi are retrieving your Crystal. Shall we go and help them?"

In Darien's arms, Serena felt her strength renewed. She looked up into his handsome face, "Yes. The girls...we must find them..."

"Say no more, my love."

Under the cover of the generals weapons, and with two cats stuck firmly at their feet, they snuck through the wrecked camp. The men surrounded Serena and Darien, creating a living shield around their regents.

Listening to the chaos that was occuring outside, a woman smiled tightly. She had put too much time and energy into her plans, and would do anything to ensure their success.

…So they think they can stop me?…

Nephrenia stood in the sterile room and connected the Crystal to the device. She held it aloft, laughing evilly.

You're too late!

With the work of the Starlights clearing their way, the Inner senshi quickly made through the camp and to the building that housed the Silver Millennium's most powerful weapon. A score of heavily armed soldiers stood in their way, and Venus briefly wondered if would've been wiser to have some modern weapons also at their disposal. Mercury had been keeping up a steady stream of fog in the area, and showed no signs of slowing down.

"Jupiter! Mars!"

Hearing her voice, as the men took aim, clicking their weapons, the Martian and Jovian senshi nodded.

"Mars Fire SOUL!"

"Jupiter Thunder CRASH!"

The combined attack was too much and the soldiers were quickly overwhelmed in an explosion of lightning and flame, retreating to behind one of the buildings.

"Mercury? A little direction?"

With her visor down, the Mercurian senshi scanned the building, "Follow me!"

The Inner Senshi burst in through the door and quickly appraised the situation. Venus screamed, "We're too late! She's got the Crystal!"

The dark haired woman waved the scepter and suddenly a dozen mirrors appeared, Venus yelled out quickly, "Venus Crescent BEAM!" at the image of Nephrenia, but it was only an image in the mirror, which shattered and bounced in the room. Narrowly missing one of the reflected beams, Mars tackled Venus out of the way as a beam shot past them, "Better stick to the sword for this fight."

Venus looked around and couldn't see the actual room anymore, "It's like we're trapped inside a mirror."

Mercury scanned the crazy surroundings they were now inside of, "I'm not sure what this place is."

From a nearby building, the voice from the corner of the room continued laughing, "I am the spirit of destruction!"

Uranus answered seriously, "Not for long, WORLD SHAKING!"

The Wiseman disappeared a moment before the ball of energy hit him. Uranus cursed as the building they were standing in came down around them from the power of her attack, "Damnit!"

Pluto said wisely, "I bet he's joined up with Nephrenia."

Saturn said, "Let's find the other senshi!"

Venus looked around at her fellow Inner senshi, "C'mon girls – we have to combine our energies. It's our only chance to get out of here!"

Mercury typed quickly into her small computer, and pointed at one of the mirrors, "Concentrate your energy there! I think it's our best shot!"

Venus kissed her fingers and shouted, "Love and Beauty Shock!"

Mercury strummed an imaginary harp and yelled, "Aqua Rhapsody!"

Mars drew her hands as if drawing a bow and screamed, "Flame Sniper!"

Jupiter twirled quickly and exclaimed, "Oak Evolution!"

Four aims struck true and the senshi watched as the mirror shattered in front of them, revealing Darien, his men, and a very pale Serena. They were all looking up, transfixed at what was occuring around them.

With possession of the Silver Imperium Crystal, Nephrenia had grown to monstrous proportions and was looking at Serena, certain death in her eyes. She screamed in a deafening voice, "I am the master of ultimate power! I am now the true and only ruler of the universe!"

The evil entity shot out a blast of energy knocking Serena roughly from Darien's arms.

Rage filled her eyes and Venus charged Nephrenia, Sword drawn in one hand and Love Chain cracking in the other, "AHHHHH!"

Mars, Jupiter, Mercury and the Shitennou followed her suit. Malcolm called out behind him, "Find her, keep her safe!"

Separated from Darien and the Crystal, Serena was crawling along the floor with the last of her strength. She was searching for Darien and watching her senshi give their last energy to protect her. More voices joined the fighting, voices that she instantly recognized…

Pluto, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune! You're here?

"Space Sword BLASTER!"

"Submarine REFLECTION!"

"Dead SCREAM!"

Words suddenly floated through the air…

"…You must always keep the star in your heart shining strong to defeat the dark and evil souls…"

Her mother's words from another lifetime rang true in this one. Serena was filled with power and stood up proudly. Through the crazy reflections and smoke, Darien saw his Princess and began running to her side. As he ran, Nephrenia spotted the former Princess and shot out at her. A rose appeared in Darien's hand and he quickly threw it at the shot directed at Serena, deflecting it. As reached his Princess, he quickly put his arms around her, and she whispered, "We're much stronger than this nightmare."

Darien nodded and Serena felt a heat in her chest and was surprised to look down and see another Crystal appear, and the one in front of the monster Nephrenia had become disappeared.

With the senshi and shittenou in various forms of recovery on the ground, Nephrenia shook her massive head, "Impossible! Power cannot be created, it must be taken!"

With the appearance of the Crystal, Serena's tattered Silver Millennium dress was replaced with a senshi's fuku. She yelled a the evil entity in front of her, "I'll show you what power is made of!"

The wave of power that followed Serena's comment took them all off guard. The senshi's fuku was replaced by their royal Princess dresses from the time of the Silver Millennium and they were instantly aware of their full power. Artemis and Luna quickly grew into their human forms. Serena looked at her collected team and nodded to each one of them. In a heartbeat, the senshi knew what they had to do.

"Marina Castle of my mother star Merucry…"

"Phobos Deimos Castle of Mars…"

"Io Castle of Jupiter…"

"Magellan Castle of Venus…"

"Miranda Castle of my star Uranus …"

"Triton Castle of my star Neptune…"

"Charon Castle of my star Pluto…"

"Titon Castle of my star Saturn…"

Sailor Moon felt their collective energies flow through her and shouted, "Your power to the Holy Grail! All of our power right here!"

Before them, a mystical red and gold object appeared, a grail, and there was a blinding light. When light cleared, Mercury whispered, "Eternal Sailor Moon!"

Serena was clad in a newer version of her fuku, complete with two downy, white wings. The grail, which was shining brightly, suddenly transformed into a scepter. Eternal Sailor Moon nodded silently. Gathering up the scepter she wielded it proudly and shouted, "Star light, protect us! Gather thy power in this Eternal Rod! Silver Moon Crystal Power!"

An immense amount of energy shot out from Sailor Moon's hands, holding her arms aloft, her Eternal Sailor Moon fuku sent forth a stream of ribbons and was replaced by her former Princess of the Moon dress, and Darien joined her, elegent in his armor and cape.

Darien knew what he had to do... If I do have the Golden Crystal power within me…it will take everything I have. Thinking of everything he loved about his planet, his parents, his country, the possiblities, he stood up strongly and said, "Power to Eternal Sailor Moon!"

Venus looked down again and her Princess dress had been replaced by a new fuku, one that she had never seen before. This was the true power of Eternal Sailor Moon.

Eternal Sailor Moon shouted, "Starlight Therapy Honeymoon Kiss!"

A bolt of pure energy shot straight at Nephrenia, who couldn't handle the sheer power of the attack. She reached out towards Darien and faded slowly, only to be replaced by Wiseman. He laughed, "She was pathetic. I have double the amount of power that she does! Nephrenia was thinking too small, I'm going to inhabit this entire planet!"

A symbol flared on Saturn's head, and she whispered to herself, "I remember. My purpose. My power."

Floating upwards, and with clouds gathering forcefully around him in the skies, Wiseman continued, "You will all die!"

While everyone looked hesitantly and a bit worried at each other, Saturn said sternly, "No, we won't. Uranus, Neptune, Pluto...you know what you have to do! You understand now why the talismans have been collected again."

Eternal Sailor Moon made a move towards the diminutive senshi, "No!"

Saturn shook her head, "You only wish you had that power. I thought I had extinguished all the evil, but to find I missed a spot..."

The remaining Outer senshi collected and placed their talismans together, which resonated loudly, shaking the remains of the structure.

The violet clad senshi kneeled in front of Eternal Sailor Moon, "My apologies. I am only seeing right what I failed to do in my past life. This ends here."

Eternal Sailor Moon pleaded, her eyes welled with tears, "Sailor Saturn…don't...I'm sure there is another way."

Before anyone could reach her, Saturn silently, but forcefully, dropped her Glaive, "Death Reborn REVOLUTION!"

From the tip of the Glaive a concentrated ball of energy appeared, and at once, began pulling all of the evil energy and power into it. Lightning flashed, and winds swirled around, forcing everyone to take cover. The entity that was Wiseman looked at himself and realized he was being pulled into the door that had led both he and Nephrenia into this dimension, "Nooo!"

Strangely enough, he was not the only thing being sucked into the darkness. Saturn nodded and looked intensely, her purple eyes flashing at Serena, "Sailor Moon, because you released the Legendary Holy Grail and the Silver Imperium Crystal, this planet can be saved. I am the Scout who brings death and destruction necessary for rebirth," she glared at Sailor Pluto, "Close forever this road to another dimension! DO IT NOW!"

Wiping tears aside, Pluto knelt on the ground, then slammed her garnet orbed scepter in the ground, "My Father Chronos guardian of time and space, lend me your power! Close the breached door! DARK DOOM CLOSE!"

The last image the collected senshi and shitennou had of Sailor Saturn, was one of her gracefully allowing herself to be incorporated into the fierce black hole. It closed, completely, and the glaive merely disappeared, leaving nothing but the wind whistling through the trees.

Eternal Sailor Moon nodded serenely, "Always with the end comes hope and rebirth. It is done."

Fluttering from above put everyone on alert again, but they relaxed as they recognized the new senshi. The trio bowed low to Eternal Sailor Moon, and said, "We have rid this area of the soldiers, your highness. What would you command us to do next?"

Standing proudly, Darien and Serena looked at each other, and Eternal Sailor Moon answered, "Together, with our combined strengths, we have rid the planet of two major evils, however, there is still help we need to provide. My country and people around the world are living in terror. As its guardians, we need to right this wrong."

Malcolm coughed gently, and spoke up, "I know we do not have the superior power you ladies have, but I'd like to volunteer the Shitennou for this duty. I know we've come a long way from our former grievances, but I think this would truly set things straight. The assassination of the Nazi's leader is something only we are trained to do. We could get close, and no country would have to take responsibility for our actions."

Venus also stepped forward, and gripping the soldiers's hand, said, "It will take more than killing one man to end this war. With your permission, highnesses, the Inner senshi would take the next months to aid in destroying factories and eliminating officiers within the Nazi ranks."

Pluto nodded her head, and added sadly, "To Saturn's sacrifice...we need to create a world she would've been proud of. I pledge my scepter..."

"My sword..."

"My mirror..." Uranus and Neptune echoed.

"...may we work in unison to help make the world a better place." Pluto finished.

Darien sighed deeply and answered, "So must it be. Serena and I, with the help of the Starlights, will undertake the task of helping to rebuild and rid Ginzuberg of the Germans. We will go through political channels to ensure everything is handled diplomatically. In one year's time, we will all gather for our official coronation in the Palace. Do we have an accord?"

There were nods around the deserted and destroyed building.

Serena pressed the scepter more firmly into the earth and said, "Then go. Now. After our battle here today, may you find mortal enemies easier to handle. Ask assistance if needed. Make us proud."

Quietly, the groups parted, fully intent on ridding the world of its final evils.

Across the Atlantic, Jonathan and Eleanor Shields woke up in the middle of the night. Eleanor bolted from bed, down the hall to the nusery, and was shocked to find a baby in Darien's old bassinet. Cooing softly, Darien's mother picked up the delicate baby with large violet eyes and rocked her gently.

She was followed immediately by the four guardians, who each looked at each other.

"Saturn..."

AN: It's not exactly tied up in a perfect bow just yet. The dialogue at the end is translated directly from Stars #4 and SM #10, because in the end Naoko Takeuchi can say it infinitely better than I ever could. And, after all, these are her characters.

BTW, if you were ever going to review a chapter – this would be the one. I really put a lot into it.