Chapter 45

Death of the Sailor Guardians: The Tragic Final Battle

"The dark spots on the sun continue to spread at an unusual pace. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other catastrophes believed to be caused by this phenomenon continue to occur throughout the world. The national weather bureau is calling this an unprecedented atmospheric event, and has released a statement…" the anchorman said.

"We'll have to act quickly, said Artemis.

At Usagi's house, Sora sat with Usagi's mother, father, and brother, as she tried to make a special dinner for them. Despite her poor attempts, she did her best.

"Dinner's ready, hope you're all really hungry. Tonight's special menu is my very special curry," She said.

"We're thrilled you made such an effort to make such an excellent dinner tonight, Usagi," replied her father.

"Oh, dad you make it sound like this is such a big deal," Usagi said sheepishly.

"Yeah, Hakuna Matata," added Sora.

"Well okay, shall we dig in everyone?" he asked.

"Is it really edible?" asked Shingo.

"It'll be fine Shingo," assured Sora.

"Meat doesn't look great, but it will sure taste great when you eat it," added Usagi.

Though she ate the poorly cooked meal, everyone saw that she was crying.

"Is something the matter Usagi, what's wrong?" asked Kenji.

"It's hot!" she cried.

"See, I knew it," muttered Shingo.

A short while later, Sora and Usagi met up with their friends at the Hikawa Shrine.

"Is everyone ready?" asked Minako.

"Yeah, let's do this!" answered Makoto.

"Well, there's no turning back now," said Ami.

"I know, Ami. but I do have one question for all of you. I don't expect you to answer it right away, but I'll understand if you don't," explained Sora.

Everyone looked at Sora, who stood with his hand over his chest, and his eyes shut.

"What is it that you wish to fight for?" he asked.

"We fight for family," said Rei, placing her hand in front of her.

"For family," added Minako, placing her hand on Rei's

"For family," said Makoto, placing her hand on theirs.

"For family," said Ami.

"For family," said Usagi.

"For family," said Riku.

"For family," said Kairi.

"For family," said Mickey.

"For family," said Axel.

"For family," said Terra.

"For family," said Roxas.

"For family," said Namine.

"For family," said Xion.

"For family," said Aqua.

"For family," said Ventus.

"For family," said Goofy.

"For Daisy, and for family," finished Donald.

"Then whatever happens to us, remember that we'll always be in each other's hearts, no matter what. Queen Metalia and Queen Beryl are the Dark Kingdom's final survivors, and it's up to us to take the fight to them, and emerge victorious. Not only is Queen Serenity depending on us to avenge the Moon Kingdom, but I promise you, that if we die, we die with honor. That is the promise of one person to all the people around him. So let's march forth and take the fight to Queen Beryl!" said Sora.

"That's right, from now on there will be no more what ifs," agreed Minako.

"I agree, when this is all over, I intend to get out there and experience all the love I can," added Makoto.

"It's decided then. As your new knights Usagi, I say we all go out with a bang," replied Sora.

"Love, huh? I'd like that," said Ami.

"I know, Ami. And I know that Ryo Urawa is out there somewhere, cheering us on with all his heart," smiled Sora.

Ami smiled, and gave Sora a friendly hug.

"Thank you, Sora, for knowing that Ryo believes in me. In all of us," she said, as Sora gently hugged her back.

"That was a very good speech, Sora, but the time has come," said Artemis.

"Let's go everyone! Transform!" added Luna.

"Moon Prism Power!" cried Usagi.

"Mercury Power!" called Ami.

"Mars Power!" chanted Rei

"Jupiter Power!" shouted Makoto.

"Venus Power!" yelled Minako.

"MAKE UP!" they called to the heavens.

Soon all five of them became Sailors Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter.

"All of you need to get to the D-point at the Arctic Circle at once," said Luna.

"But how?" asked Usagi.

"By putting all your powers together and teleporting yourselves," answered Artemis.

"Since we're both injured, we'd only get in your way. So we're going to stay here, but all of you, handle it, right?" added Luna.

"If everyone of you combine all of your powers, There's no doubt you will defeat Queen Beryl," said Artemis.

"I'll go too, and settle my feud with Sephiroth, for good," added Cloud who joined them, on Fenrir.

The two cats watched as the strange group of 19 people stood together. When the moon appeared from behind a black cloud, it shone it's light on them.

"SAILOR TELEPORT!" cried the two cats.

Power surged into them, and soon they vanished in a flash of light, leaving Luna, Artemis, Hikawa Shrine, and Juban behind.

"Good luck, everyone," Artemis whispered softly.

Luna glanced up at the moon, hoping that everyone would come back safely to their side.

"Guys it's freezing. How come all of you aren't shivering in this cold?" asked a shivering Sailor Moon

"Yeah, any of you have a winter coat on you I could borrow?" asked Sora who was shivering as well.

"Pull yourself together and you'll ignore the cold!" snapped Sailor Mars, who felt all warm and toasty thanks to her mastery of flames.

"Hey, Islander, remember?" Sora asked casually, making everyone laugh at him.

"Yeah, you tell her, Sora!" added Sailor Moon, whose teeth were chattering.

"What do you have Sailor Mercury?" asked Aqua, even though she knew they didn't have a good start.

"Hey I found it! There's a strong evil Aura that's coming from that direction!" she said, pointing ahead of them.

"All right, lead the way Sailor Mercury," replied Sora.

Inside the throne room of her dark citadel, Queen Beryl noticed the strange group walking towards her.

"Very soon now, Queen Metalia will be fully resurrected. I'll make sure of it. Whoever thinks they can eliminate these foolish interlopers, step forward!" she said.

"The DD Girls will finish them. Leave the task to us," said a voice.

There standing before them were the five DD Girls.

"Very well, I will join you on this endeavour. Queen Beryl, will remain here to oversee Metalia's return to power," said Maleficent.

Outside, on the arctic circle, everyone bravely marched forward.

"Wait!" said Sailor Mercury.

"What is it, Sailor Mercury?" asked Riku.

"The evil aura's getting much stronger," she replied.

The blizzard stopped, and the world around them changed, becoming dark and misty.

"Here they come," warned Sailor Jupiter.

"All right, keep on your toes everybody," added Sora, as they prepared themselves.

Then Sailor Moon noticed Tuxedo Mask right in front of her, bound in chains.

"Tuxedo Mask. It's Tuxedo Mask!" she cried.

"Wait, it could be a trap!" warned Sailor Mercury.

"As much as I hate to admit it, the obvious seems pretty strong at the moment," added Sora.

"I'll see to it," said Riku, bravely stepping forward.

He summoned his Keyblade, and walked right up to him.

"You're not the true Tuxedo Mask. Your scent is different. The Tuxedo Mask that Sailor Moon knows is much more different from yours. In other words, I've been able to use my ability to sense darkness through your facade," he said, unflinchingly.

The false Tuxedo Mask glared at him, then several tendrils surged towards him, as he jumped back away from him.

"Didn't see that coming," admitted Sora.

"Neither did I," agreed Sailor Mars.

The illusion vanished revealing the five DD Girls.

"So, you guys were the ones trying to play on our fears with your projections! And seeing as your illusionists, I'm what monsters Fear!" cried Riku.

"Wait, how did Riku know it was a trick?" asked Sailor Moon.

"During his time with Maleficent, he was granted the power to control the darkness, until Xehanort took control of him by playing on his weakness. But now, that weakness has now become his strength," explained Sora.

"You fools don't stand a chance against us, not while you're here in the D-point," the first DD girl said.

"Trick us if you can!" replied Riku.

They attempted to do so again, by trying to trick Sailor Moon again, but Riku cut through the projection, forcing them to take even drastic measures.

"Well, well, seems that we've underestimated you," said the first DD Girl.

Riku jumped back as Sailor Jupiter took his place.

"Good work Riku. now let me take over," she said.

They tried to do the same with Sailor Jupiter by projecting Motoki in Tuxedo Mask's place but Makoto shook his head.

"Sorry, but that won't work on me, thanks to Riku's Dark Sense!" she cried out.

But it was too late, they had all managed to catch her off guard, and hold her prisoner.

"We gotta help her!" said Xion.

But they were all stopped by the Heartless, as the four DD Girls emerged holding their captive high in the air, leaving them no choice but to fight them off.

"Darn those Heartless, they're trying to slow us down!" snapped Sailor Mars.

"Never mind me, you've gotta make your move to go stop Queen Beryl!" cried Sailor Jupiter.

"Got it!" replied Sora, as he and the others watched.

"Allow me to give you girls a taste of what real thunder feels like!" she said furiously to the DD Girls.

Gathering whatever strength she had she soon unleashed a max power, Supreme Thunder attack, destroying two of the DD Girls. The resulting explosion made them all brace themselves, as Makoto disappeared in a brilliant burst of power, forcing the three DD Girls to retreat.

"She did it," said Sora.

Although Sailor Moon knew he was right, they all saw Makoto suspended on an icy stalactite before them.

"JUPITER!" they cried.

"Hey guys," she said weakly.

"I'm coming!" called Sailor Moon.

"I'm not gonna make it. So, go get her. Get Queen Beryl… hurry, leave me here… " Makoto gasped.

"I know we don't want to, but your spirit will always be with us. But I promise, that when this is done, you'll get all the love you can get, no matter what. I know that now, when you saw how different I was from the man who hurt you, and left a scar upon your heart," replied Sora.

"Thank you Sora. Now go, and protect the princess…" she said breathing her last.

"I will," Sora said, his eyes filled with determination.

"NO! MAKO! YOU CAN'T DIE!" screamed Usagi.

Poor Usagi wept, as Riku went to her side.

"She's gone, Mako's gone, and it's all my fault!" she cried.

"No, Queen Beryl did this! She's the one to blame, not you, Sailor Moon! We swear it on the crest Queen Serenity gave us!" Riku said fiercely.

"He's right, there's nothing more we can do here. We need to go. Come on Sailor Moon," added Minako.

"I know you're sad that this happened again, but like Queen Serenity said, giving Queen Beryl the Silver Crystal means you've disgraced her memory, and allowed her to destroy everything you hold dear," finished Sora.

"Shut up! That's what we should have done in the first place!" snapped Sailor Moon.

"She began running towards them, but was stopped by Sailors Mercury and Mars as she called to her that she'd hand the Silver Crystal to her.

"STOP IT! SAILOR MOON!" shouted Axel.

"Get out of my way, that Crystal is why Mako-!" yelled Sailor Moon.

"Sailor Moon, STOP IT!" screamed Sora, swinging his keyblade down.

Sailor moon turned towards Sora, seeing a firm glare on his face.

"Mako is in our hearts! And she's saying that you can't disgrace Queen Serenity's memory," he said.

"Sora's right, we can't let her sacrifice be in vain," agreed Sailor Mercury.

There was a brief silence, until her computer started beeping again.

"They're coming," she said.

"Okay, we'll go on ahead, Sailor Mercury. And be sure to give 'em one from us, for Makoto. But remember that your sacrifice won't diminish our strength, it will make us stronger," replied Sora.

"Okay, good luck everyone, and may your hearts be your guiding key," smiled Ami, as she exchanged one final hug with him.

"Okay, we'll go on ahead," said Riku.

"Thanks for everything guys, and remember, I'll always be with you," replied Ami.

"Do you promise?" asked Sailor Moon.

Sailor Mercury nodded, and the group walked on ahead, leaving Sailor Mercury behind to buy them time. Her eyes filled with determination as the three DD Girls charged towards her.

"Come and get me," she said.

They showed her a projection of Ryo Urawa, but Ami brushed it off. Suddenly the ground burst in front of her, forcing her to use her bubble spray to stop the lava. The three DD Girls burst out, and struck back furiously, but she dodged out of the way. Now that she knew that one of the DD Girls had a jewel that could create illusions, she allowed the fireball to come towards her, as she used her Bubble Spray to defend herself, but she was caught by them.

"Now you'll roast like a pig," said the first DD Girl.

"I'm no pig," argued Sailor Mercury.

"How about a baked potato?" asked the second DD Girl.

They began torturing her even more, but Sailor Mercury used the last of her strength to smash the jewel on the second DD Girl's forehead. The sound of shattering glass echoed in the air.

"You did the best you could, Sailor Mercury. But we know that you're with us, no matter what," whispered Sora.

"Curse her! Now I can't create my illusions anymore!" snapped the Second DD Girl, as she and the other two flew off.

Sailor Moon now knew that Sora was right, Ami had fallen. Dropping to her knees, she cried out in anguish at her friend's demise.

"Crying over everything won't help us!" Rei said, her eyes stinging with tears.

"As long as they're after us, they won't stop until they strike us all down," added Cloud.

"But… but I'd never thought it'd turn out like this," replied Sailor Moon.

Suddenly, Sailor Venus, spotted a glowing light under and pushed her out of the way. But a large group of Tendrils caught her instead.

"No, MINAKO!" cried Sailor Moon.

"Let her go!" shouted Sora.

"Stop it now! I'll give you the Silver Crystal, if you just let Minako go!" pleaded Sailor Moon.

"If you do that, I'll never forgive you!" snapped Minako.

She was soon pulled down underneath.

"You mortals are fools, begging for your teammate's life! That Silver Crystal will be ours, but only after we destroy every last one of you!" said the third DD Girl, as she began torturing Minako.

"Minako!" cried Sora and Usagi.

But Sailor Mars quickly pulled them back, as Minako's screams echoed. Finally Minako gathered all of her strength, and fired a Crescent Beam right at the third DD Girl at point blank range, taking her along with it. There was a loud scream, a massive explosion, and then silence. Minako Aino, was no more. Usagi wept for her as they got to safety.

"You know what?" asked Rei.

"What?" Usagi replied through choked sobs.

"I'm glad I got to know you guys, through all the times we've had," she said.

"Hold on, Rei. Why'd you say that all of sudden?" asked Sora.

"I thought I'd tell you in case something bad happens," replied Rei.

"Heh, guess that's no joke, Rei. sure you and I can get a bit hot-headed from time to time, but still, no matter what happens, you'll always be in our hearts," smirked Axel.

"Stop it, this isn't the time to be joking!" cried Usagi.

But they soon saw the last two DD Girls approaching them from ahead, as Rei boldly stepped forward.

"Rei, give 'em one for Ami, Makoto, and Minako, while we help Sailor Moon beat Queen Beryl," said Sora.

"No, I can handle the rest of what needs to be done here! I'll defeat them and Queen Beryl, and then I'll come home! So please Rei, just go home! I don't want you to die!" sobbed Usagi.

"She's doing what her heart commands. We can't interfere," Mickey said firmly.

'Thank you, King Mickey, for understanding my decision. Sailor Moon needs to save her strength for the bigger battle," replied Rei.

Sailor Moon glanced up tearfully at her friend.

"Besides, you've never seen anyone come close to beating me. Give me two minutes and we'll go finish Queen Beryl together!" she said bravely.

"Go get 'em, Sailor Mars!" cheered Sora.

The two DD Girls soon charged at her, but they quickly disappeared underground, before she could unleash her Fire Soul attack.

"They're fast,'' she said.

The ground suddenly burst out from underneath her, as Usagi called to her friend. Then it swallowed her, leaving Sailor Moon in a trance.

"What happened?" she asked.

She was about to approach, when one of the DD Girls burst out from behind her, and prepared to strike her down, when a burst of fire erupted from the mound, and incinerated the DD Girl in an instant.

"She's alive!" cried Sailor Moon.

"Not for long," murmured Sora.

And he was right, they could hear Rei's tortured screams inside, until the final DD Girl emerged from the rubble.

'Well now, that leaves you and your knights, princess," she said.

"Rei no!" cried Usagi.

But the DD Girl respectfully set her down.

"Now it's your turn!" the final DD Girl cried out.

"Better think again," said Sora.

Using the last of her strength, Sailor Mars grabbed hold of the tendril.

"I'm not done yet," she said, her resolve unwavingering.

The DD Girl was horrified, until she was incinerated by Sailor Mars' Fire Soul attack. With a loud cry the final DD Girl was no more.

"Usagi, turns out Sora was right, about family. Tell him thanks for reminding me," she said weakly.

But in the end, Rei Hino was gone. Poor Usagi sat alone with Sora and her friends at her side, knowing that Rei, Ami, MInako, and Makoto were no longer with her.

"Mako, Minako, Rei, Ami. They're gone, all of them. All my strength came from them. And now that I'm alone, I'm nothing. We've lost. It's over. I am Sailor Dead Weight," sniffled Usagi.

But she suddenly felt something touch her shoulder, making her turn around. There standing behind her were the spirits of her friends.

"Hey now, don't call yourself that," said Makoto.

"Be strong, Usagi," added Ami.

"Don't you ever give up hope," assured Minako.

"Now get up, Usagi," said Rei.

Usagi did as she was told, and glanced back.

"We will always be here with you," finished the Fire Guardian.

"Never forget that, Sailor Moon. As long as they're in your heart, they will give you all the power you need to win, no matter what," added Master Eraqus who emerged from Sora's heart.

"Master Eraqus," he said.

"Sora, stay at her side, so that she has someone to help her win," the Keyblade Master said in a tone of voice that seemed firm but gentle.

"Yes, now go," added Rei.

Usagi nodded, but noticed a massive battalion of Heartless coming towards her and the others.

"Sora, go with her. We'll take care of them," said Riku.

The others nodded and readied their weapons, ready for the massive Heartless swarm that was coming towards them.

"Okay, give 'em one from us," said Sora.

He then turned to Sailor Moon.

"Sailor Moon, let's go together," he said.

Then together the two of them raced off into the distance, as Sailor Moon that she was never truly alone. But as she and Sora ran, they didn't know that Endymion had awakened, and was now infused with the power of Queen Metallia's darkness.