Original Author's Note (10-6-18): After a lot of nail biting and frustrated worry, I came to the decision (with a little help) that I should probably write an epilogue to this story. So, without further ado, here is the final portion to this tale.

Updated Author's Note (5-9-19): I bet you thought I was done with this story back in October. I certainly did. But upon re-reading it and having added some hefty changes to my OC's list, and to my pairings, I knew I had to come back to update this and other stories. This story has gone through a major rewrite. I hope you like the changes.

The Prison
Epilogue
Ever After

It was sunny and warm in Tokyo as Mamoru and Usagi walked slowly through the park close to the Crystal Palace. Many people were smiling and laughing, new shops had opened up, damaged buildings and parks had been repaired, and music filled the air. The summer was nearly over, but people were looking forward to the fall and winter months, and all the new joys they would bring.

It had been nearly two months since the Crystalline Palace had appeared in a park near the Azabu Juuban Shopping District, and while it was rare for people to see the Royal Couple, it wasn't unheard of. People swarmed to the park, hopeful of catching even a glimpse, and though no one knew precisely who they were, it was known that they had defeated the hated 'Queen' Beryl and her monster Metalia with the aid of the Senshi, the Shitennou, and the Hogosha.

Much had changed in just a few short months. Several hundred missing people, including children, had been located and returned home. The fields of dead around the prison had become a memorial with beautiful trees and shrubs, flowers, and a tall plinth that held the names of the dead. Places for mourning and speaking to their spirits had been erected. Though none knew who was buried where, not a single person was forgotten. Mamoru was still sad over his recent trip to the memorial. In Japan, one did not just leave a person untended in an unmarked grave.

Aid had been given to people, all through the Royal Couple and their adoring guards. At least one of the famous Warriors was guarding the palace at all times. People had favorites. They all did their guard duty in pairs. Especially Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen. When those two were visible, they were always together. It was whispered throughout Tokyo that they were the closest to the Royals, though no one would bother them with gossip.

Recently, hired guards had begun to appear, after the rulers of Japan learned what the Royals had done, and the love the people held for them. It was the worst kept secret of all that the Prince had died in the attempt to fight Beryl, and the Princess, in her grief, had built the Palace as their tomb. Most said it was the Golden Crystal that had proved he was still alive. All the Golden scroll work and the intricate rose designs inlaid in the Silver Crystal structure were a sign of his rebirth and his love, they said.

Chiba Mamoru smiled at that. He was currently out and holding tightly to Usagi's hand as they walked. They had re-enrolled in school. Her old high school had taken her back, and he was starting college courses. His area of study had changed though. No longer was he determined to be a doctor. He had other ways to save people. Now his focus was on diplomacy and government, and foreign affairs. Usagi was doing the same, though she grumbled through the process of learning long-dead names of famous rulers.

Motoki had been found, his family and his girlfriend had hidden with him until it was safe to return. Ikuko and Akiko had moved back to Tokyo and had taken Naru and Umino into their home alongside Shingo and Haruki. Usagi now lived with Mamoru, as they had indeed married the day after the battle in a small ceremony attended by only family and friends. They were happy together.

The rule of Beryl still had effects however, and not just on them. It could be seen in the destruction of the imperial palace as well as historical landmarks throughout the city. It could be seen in the sad faces of those who had lost loved ones. Mostly however, it could be seen in the terrified eyes of those who had survived the prison.

Walking through the park with his little blonde wife, Mamoru watched people for signs that they were getting better, returning to normal. They had set up funds to provide counseling and medical care, but the true judge was watching those around them begin to enjoy life again.

Usagi let out a small giggle as she watched a little girl climb onto the shoulders of a young man, who was obviously her father by their identical faces. Such things could always bring his princess joy. He had found an apartment for the two of them, shortly after they married. They didn't get as much privacy as he would have liked, but looking at her joy in the little girl, he began to wonder if that might not be a good thing. After all, one day soon, they might have children of their own, and having a gaggle of built in aunts and uncles around wouldn't hurt.

He was proud of the work they had done. As Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon the two of them had taken a hand in clearing the rest of the Youma out of the city and surrounding country. As NKE and NQS, in his mind he always abbreviated their royal titles, they had worked to bring Tokyo back to the law of Japan and restore the city. He had plenty of money, and somehow Ami had made sure any that Beryl had stashed away had gone to help people find their way home, or to repair shops and buildings and homes alike, to build the memorial, and to aid with food and medicine.

They had not yet faced their new enemy, for which he was grateful. In his mind, people needed time to heal. Time to mourn. And they had gone a long way towards that goal. He and Usagi had personally destroyed the prison. That had felt more like a temper tantrum than anything, but it was better to let their rage out on a building than anyone else. The Inner Senshi and the Shitennou had helped of course, having been trapped inside the horrid place with them.

The healing had begun when former prisoners had begun to appear around them and had begun taking each stone away, to use in building something much more important. A new hospital was going up, very close to the Crystal Palace. It overjoyed him. People needed the help. The effects of Beryl's rule were disappearing, but there was still lingering pain. And there were still some who would never fully recover.

He looked down at the tiny blonde beside him, who was smiling at a pretty bunch of flowers that had grown the edges of the sidewalk. He held back a sigh. Some hurts could not be fixed with bandages alone. Hers, in fact, were often so deep she had terrible nightmares. She would wake, screaming his name, and it would take him several long minutes to convince her that she was awake, and that he was safe and whole.

Real life wasn't exactly like an anime after all. When the commercials started, or the episode ended, the characters could go into peaceful slumber until the next episode aired. In real life, the moments between the action were sometimes just as difficult. School and work existed for all of them, and things weren't always happy and pretty. But they were real.

They made their way into another of Tokyo's beautiful parks, hand in hand, and walked along the water's edge. He caught a glimpse of the sunlight, reflecting off Usagi's beautiful long hair. He wasn't about to tell her it was starting to turn silver. He wasn't a stupid man. He grinned and turned her towards him. "You know, my little Odango," he said, his voice soft. "It's been nearly twenty minutes since I've had a kiss." He gave a pout and she giggled.

Stepping up onto the tips of her toes she leaned in and gave him a chaste kiss on the mouth. 'Now that just won't do,' he thought with a smile. And he pulled her close and kissed her with all the passion in him, holding her tightly. They stayed locked together for several minutes...

... until a flash of light, and a short scream erupted over their heads and a little bundle fell into their arms. It was a small girl, perhaps five years old, with red eyes and pink hair. She looked at Mamoru first, and then turned to Usagi, then back. Then she grumpily pushed him away and wrapped her arms around his princess. "Go away!" she yelled, sticking her tongue out at him.

He laughed, thinking of the warning he had received. Apparently something about the future had changed. A small hand tugged at his pocket and he looked down to see a young boy with purple hair and eyes looking up at him. He bent to say hello, but the child threw his arms around Mamoru's neck and held tight, his little body shaking. Lifting the child into his arms he turned and stared at Usagi's whose eyes were wide as she held a weeping, and rather grumpy, little girl.

It occurred to Mamoru that their battles were only just beginning.

Original Epilogue Reviews - Note (all reviews listed under chapter 8 are actually for the epilogue as a new chapter was added)

SerenityxEndymion chapter 8 . Oct 7, 2018
I love this story. Hope you can make a sequel for it in the near future. I wanna know what the heck changed in the future. I guess the warning in Mamoru's letter was changed since a certain pink haired child was being rude to him instead. Love your story, sad and sweet. Great work.

phillynz chapter 8 . Oct 7, 2018
Ow cute i like how chibi was mean to mamoru. Hope it wasn't a bad change in the future

Sailor MH chapter 8 . Oct 7, 2018
Is Sailor Senshe and Shitennoune having children who take care of Chibiusa?

JFVM chapter 8 . Oct 12, 2018
Can't wait to read the next sequel

Godschildtweety chapter 8 . Nov 14, 2018
Really good

MirrorFlower and DarkWind chapter 8 . Feb 5
Hahaha I love tha go Rini that ending had me smiling loved it

karinori chapter 8 . Apr 14
I like the twist at the end where Chibiusa actually clings to Usagi rather than Mamo! So cute! Thank you for writing, I enjoyed this as much as the other fanfic you have wrote.