The Return of the Negaverse

by The Lady Silver

It has been several years since the last of Earth's enemies were defeated by the Sailor Scouts. A new threat has pulled them together again and challenged what they thought they knew about their past lives with the re-emergence of the Shitennou. Can they remain a team and defeat their new enemies? Part 2 focuses on the Silver Millennium. Reviews appreciated.

59. Chapter 59

Part II: Chapter 29

The Last Battle

"Are you sure now is the time for this? I'm still not sure you don't have a concussion." Darien asked as he hastily followed Serena down the main hall of the Moon Palace. All around them soldiers were running, grabbing weapons and racing to join the ranks of their allies.

"It's now or never." Serena said to him as she pushed past a group of soldiers from Saturn, many of them bandaged but still rushing towards the front lines. "We're nearly out of time. The last of our reinforcements have taken the field. Serenity will send us out soon and Metaria is only growing stronger."

Darien bit his lip as they finally reached the transportation room. Serena threw open the door of the device and stepped in, Darien quietly following her. She messed with a dial for a moment before shutting the door. "Serena, if they reach the palace while we are away, we won't be able to get back—"

"Then we'll have to hurry." She said as she took his hand in hers. The room around them brightened and shook, transporting them across the galaxy in a flash of brilliant light.

"Let's go." Serena said to him as she threw the door open. The room had changed. They were no longer in the Moon Palace. The bright, white marble floor had disappeared and transformed to a roughly cut stone floor, dark and battered with age. The bright lights had diminished and instead were replaced with dark candelabras, set with flickering candles that created long shadows across the ground.

"I was wondering when you'd come." A dark voice said from across the room. "Though I must admit, I expected you earlier."

Serena and Darien stepped out of the transportation device and quietly walked across the stone floor to the edge of a raised platform. Darien bowed while Serena swept into a graceful curtsy beside him.

"Queen Adelaide." Serena said as she rose. "We seek your help. Mars has already fallen at the hands of Queen Metaria, who seeks to take over the galaxy. The Moon is now under attack. The Grand Council forces were destroyed on Mars, leaving only the soldiers on each planet to stand against the darkness that threatens us all. We ask that Pluto send aid—"

"No." Queen Adelaide said abruptly as she rose from the shadows, stepping into the dim candlelight. She was a tall, slender woman with rich onyx hair, holding the same emerald hue of her daughter's. She wore a gray dress, cut elegantly to her thin frame that moved with the fluidity of water as she descended the platform.

"My queen, the Moon needs every ally it can gather." Darien said as he watched her move. "If the Moon falls, then with it the entire galaxy."

"You didn't come here for our soldiers. Trista has already gathered them, as have the other outer scouts." Adelaide said as she came to a stop before them. "You seek something else…"

"You're right." Serena said as she met Adelaide's harsh gaze. "We seek information."

"I'm no longer the keeper of time." Adelaide replied with a sigh. "That duty has been passed to my daughter, a fact you are well aware of. I cannot help you."

"Your eye remains." Serena insisted as she held her stance. "You can still see."

"I see many things princess, all of them troubling." Adelaide said as she ripped her gaze from Serena with a sigh. "You came to me instead of Trista because I have much less to risk than she."

"She said you could help." Serena replied as Darien took her hand. "Was she wrong?"

Adelaide emitted a long, deep sigh as she shook her head, keeping her back to the two royals behind her. "I watched the door of time for a millennium before Trista took over. I saw many things, good and bad. Still, I never intervened." She paused for a moment, collecting her thoughts as Serena and Darien waited quietly.

"When Trista did what she did… I couldn't believe it. I took over the time gate while she was punished and watched all of you in your last life, following your journey to this very moment. I knew you would come, I know what I will say but what is unclear to me, is what path you will chose to take with the information I have for you." She said finally as she turned back to face them.

"Please help us." Serena asked as she dropped Darien's hand and approached the older woman. "Help us win."

"Goodness never wins just as darkness never wins." Adelaide said solemnly. "The fight between good and evil has stretched for eons and will continue long past your deaths. There'll always be darkness in this world… all we can hope for is moments of peace."

"Then help us achieve peace." Darien said firmly as he met Adelaide's eye. "The world deserves it."

"Indeed." Adelaide agreed as she met Serena's eye. "The two of you must know by now… how special your bond is."

"Yes." Serena whispered as she felt Darien's hand clutch hers again. She clung to him, unsure of what to expect. "We belong together. That's the only thing that has ever felt right in this life, and the last… and the last."

"Love prevails through even the greatest trials we face." Adelaide said as her eyes grew misty. "There's power in the heart that is unrivaled, even by the darkness we face." She remarked as her voice dropped to a whisper. "Though power never comes without sacrifice."

"We've sacrificed much." Darien added as he watched the queen before him. "We all have."

"A fact I won't dispute." Adelaide said as she emitted another long sigh. "And yet there lies our problem. Your choices today, and those of your allies, will impact the future we all face."

"What do you mean?" Serena asked as she shot Darien a glance.

"My foolish daughter caused a rift in time, a rift that has spawned a new path for all of you." She paused for a moment as she mulled over her next words. "Things have changed… and will continue to change until the course is corrected which, if I'm being honest, is more unlikely with each passing day." She turned away from them again and went to the dark window beside a flickering candelabra. She gazed into the darkness, as if she were looking for the answers to her own questions within the night. "You must forge your own path, completely blind… and follow your instincts. But know this, the path must be corrected or we risk plunging completely into the unknown."

"Queen Adelaide." Serena whispered as she cautiously approached the older woman. "What are you not telling us?"

Adelaide turned back to them slowly, her movement as fluid as water. "The Silver Millennium once again draws to a close. Be prepared for anything." She shifted her attention to Darien and nodded once towards him. "Stay together, protect her, and maybe, just maybe… you'll all live to see another day."

"I promise I will." Darien said as Adelaide moved closer, her eyes settling onto Serena.

"And you princess… you'll know when your moment comes. You'll have three choices, and each with its own consequences. The only thing you can do is what feels right."

Serena felt as if she were plunged into a bucket of ice water as Adelaide spoke. She could feel her eyes barreling into hers as her knees began to shake and tremble beneath her weight. "What do you mean?"

"Either you stay… you go… or you reset." Adelaide whispered as she tore her gaze from Serena. The floor beneath them shook as a brilliant flash of red light filled the sky beyond her.

"We need to get back." Serena whispered as the red light cascaded an eerie glow into the dark room.

"Wait." Darien said as he looked from Serena to Adelaide. "Can you do one thing for us first?"

Queen Adelaide stared at him for a moment as Darien dug around in his pocket. He withdrew the shining diamond that Serena had returned to him, twice. "Marry us."

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"Is this the end?" Raye asked Jadeite as the palace shook again. She could hear the shouts outside, knowing that the soldiers were still arriving from around the galaxy, the remnants of what had been large armies. She and other scouts were under orders from Queen Serenity to rest until dawn, to give their bodies time to recover and their powers to recharge for the battle before them.

Jadeite sat across from Raye, his dagger in one hand and a sharpening stone in the other. He carefully sharpened the blade though at the sound of Raye's voice he stopped, his eyes flickering over to hers. "Have you not been reborn twice?"

"It's not the same this time." Raye whispered as she leaned back against her plush chair, drawing her knees up against her chest. "We aren't guaranteed another life. What if… what if this is the end. What if today we all perish and there is no tomorrow?"

"Then I hope you're happy with the life you lived." Jadeite replied bluntly as he set back to sharpening his dagger. "Be happy, most people only get one life."

"I was." Raye whispered bitterly as she watched him. "I was happy with you."

Jadeite's movements slowed as she spoke though he was careful to keep his gaze from meeting hers. "I told you before, you mean nothing to me."

"That's not what it seemed like out there." Raye replied as her feet slipped off her seat and found the floor. "You saved my life."

"We're allies, nothing more." Jadeite said as he set the sharpening stone down and tucked his dagger back into his boot.

"You didn't save anyone else." Raye said as she leaned forward, just inches from him. "In fact, no matter where I went, you were never far—"

"What is it you want from me?" Jadeite asked cruelly as he turned to face her, his eyes wide. "You want me to pretend to be a loving husband? You want me to pretend I still care about you? Look where that got Kunzite, Nephrite, Zoisite… and even me."

"They all died saving the women they love…" Raye whispered as she felt tears come to her eyes. "Even you."

"Have any of you died for us?" Jadeite questioned as Raye's eyebrows lifted in alarm.

She bit her lip as his eyes searched hers.

"No, I'm better off without you. I'll live much longer." Jadeite said sharply.

"We love each other." Raye said as her voice broke. "That counts for a lot."

"I don't love you." Jadeite said coldly as his eyes narrowed. "And I won't give my life to save yours. Keeping an enemy's blade from slicing you in half is all I can promise."

"I don't expect you to." Raye whispered as she pulled a silver chain off her neck. She handed it to him, her hand shaking as she set the chain onto his palm.

"What's this?" Jadeite asked as he looked down at a single pendant on the chain. It was an image of three oak leaf trees surrounded by a flame. The silver was aged and worn but still caught the glint of the firelight that lit the room.

"It was yours." Raye said as she watched him. "You gave it to me for our engagement. It was a family heirloom. I thought it should return to you."

Jadeite ran his thumb over the silver, feeling each leaf of the oak tree beneath his skin. He studied it for several moments as the door to the study opened and the rest of the scouts filtered in, all of them preparing for the rising sun, and with it, their final battle.

"I love you Jadeite." Raye whispered as she stood, fighting the tears that were stinging her eyes. "I always will… even if you hate me or you ignore me or we never see each other again. Just know that there is a princess from Mars who fell in love with a soldier from Earth and she swore to love that soldier until her last breath. And I intend to keep that promise." She whispered as finally the tears broke free, trickling down her shaking cheeks. She turned to leave but Jadeite caught her wrist.

She froze, her gaze falling to him but he kept his head down, his eyes still on the pendant she had given him. Slowly he stood, still holding her wrist as his eyes lifted to meet hers. "Keep this." He said to her as he placed the pendant back into her palm. "It was a gift."

Her shoulders trembled as he released her wrist but his hand rose, lifting to her saturated cheek. He brushed aside one tear as their eyes met. She could feel his gaze soften as his emerald eyes shimmered for a moment, just as they always did when he regarded her. His hand lingered on her cheek as Raye felt herself drawn to him, moving closer until they were only inches apart.

"Be careful out there." Jadeite whispered to her, the bite in his voice diminished. He kept his hold on her just a moment longer before he tore his gaze from hers and hurriedly left the room, leaving her heaving.

A crash on the other side of the white screen jerked Raye back to reality as the other scouts rushed to the end of the study.

Amy thrust aside the white screen to reveal the bed where Mina had been resting but it was now empty. Beryl stood beside it, her hands still grasping for a bowl that had slipped from her grasp and crashed to the floor, dousing the bottom of her dress with water.

"Where is she?" Amy asked a stoic Beryl as she pulled back the blankets, finding the bed still warm.

"She's gone." Beryl said as she looked at the bed numbly, her eyes wide with fear. "She was just here… I just brought in some water to clean her cuts—"

"Damn." Raye whispered as she glanced from the bed to Amy's pale face. "I think we both know where she is headed."

"She wouldn't…" Lita whispered as she cast a worried glance at Nikko who merely shrugged.

"Your scouts are all suicidal." Nikko remarked as he shoved his hands into his coat pockets. "I'm sure she's gone off to look for Fabian so he can kill her a second time."

"What do we do?" Raye asked Amy and Lita who looked just as alarmed and confused as she.

"We've gathered our armies." Amy replied softly as she turned from the bed to face her friends. "Metaria is waiting outside, we promised Serenity we would only wait until the dawn—"

"Where is Serena?" Amara asked as she, Trista, Michelle and Hotaru walked into the room, already transformed into their sailor uniforms. "The sun is rising. We need to get to the field."

"Here." Serena said as she and Darien walked in behind them, their hands linked. Darien brought her hand to his lips, their hands still clasped, as her diamond ring twinkled for all of them to see.

Lita's eyes went to Serena's left hand and she emitted a sigh. "Finally, it took the two of you long enough."

Amy smiled sadly as she moved forward and gave her friend a warm hug. "Congrats Serena…"

"Thanks." Serena said, finally feeling her features curve into a smile for the first time in days.

"Did Queen Adelaide tell you anything helpful?" Raye asked as she glanced at a solemn faced Trista.

"She only said what she could." Serena said as she felt Darien's grip on her tighten. "But things don't look good out there. It's up to us how this all ends."

Amara pulled out the Space Sword, the blade glimmering hauntingly in the low light of the morning. She turned to the other scouts as the palace gave another shake. "Then let's get out there and finish this."

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"We found her trying to get past the southern line." A red-eyed soldier said as he thrust a cloaked figure before a large, open red tent.

Fabian was seated beneath the tent, watching the battle before him surrounded by higher ranking officers of the armies Metaria had corrupted. As soon as the soldier approached him with the figure, he sat up in his chair, intrigued by the brazenness of their enemies.

"What have you brought me?" He asked as he rose from his seat and left the comforts of the tent.

"You need to see it with your own eye sir." The soldier said as he bowed and immediately backed away.

Fabian calmly bent as his fingers ran down the length of the hood of the cloak and threw it back. A wave of golden hair spilled out. A sinister grin rippled across his features as the soldiers around him chuckled.

"Princess Mina." Fabian said as he stood, crossing his arms, not even attempting to shield his surprise. "I must admit, it's refreshing to see you survived. I certainly didn't expect to see you this soon."

"Is that concern I hear?" Mina said with a scoff as she pushed her hair out of her face and slowly got to her feet, fighting the curling pain that radiated still from her abdomen. Serenity may have healed her wound but the pain still lingered, as if her body was still dealing with the trauma of the puncture.

"Still healing I see." Fabian remarked as he watched her rise, fighting the grimace that crept along her face. "Tell me, where is the rest of your team? Why haven't they shown their faces yet?" His eyes scanned the battlefield before him, as if he could see them amongst the carnage.

"It's just me." Mina said as she lifted her head up, all traces of pain gone from her face. "I don't know what the others are planning or where they are. I left on my own."

"And just what is it you thought you could accomplish?" Fabian asked as his dark green eyes turned menacing. "Did you think you could prompt a change of heart within me? Did you think sweet words and a charming smile would convince me to spare your friends and the galaxy?"

"Maybe." Mina said softly as her eyes settled on his.

"You're wasting your time." Fabian said coldly as his eyes narrowed. "I've never been more fulfilled than I am now. The darkness is where I belong. I'm thriving, finally making my mark on this galaxy without standing in my brother's shadow."

"Killing people." Mina asked as she felt everyone's eyes fall on her. "That's all you've done. You're a murderer. You've only allowed the goodness in this world to perish at the hand of darkness. You haven't made a name for yourself, all you are is Metaria's pawn."

Fabians arm shot out as he gripped Mina around the neck. "I am no one's pawn."

Mina froze, fighting the urge to push him off as her eyes remained locked on his. "Doesn't seem like it to me." She gasped as his grip only tightened.

"You're foolish Mina. That hasn't changed." Fabian said as he pushed her to the ground.

Mina gasped for air the second he released her as she fell to the ground, wincing at the pain that shot through her side. "You loved me once Fabian." She said to him as he turned his back to her. "You crossed the galaxy for me. You dropped everything, your life as a prince, your work with the Shadow Warriors, even left your brother's side to be with me."

"You say that like it's a good thing." Fabian replied sharply as he glowered at her. "I gave up much for you princess, but the sentiments weren't returned."

"I loved you Fabian…" Mina whispered as she felt tears stinging her eyes. "Just not how you wanted. I'm sorry… I'm sorry I hurt you and made you think that we could be together, but I need you to know that I did try."

"You came all this way to apologize?" Fabian asked with a laugh. "You think I want an apology from you?"

"I think you need a connection to someone who cares for you." Mina said as she held his gaze. "I think all you've ever wanted was that connection. Your brother could only offer so much. You needed affection, you needed someone devoted to you. No one ever talks about how cold and unloving Charon is, even if you are a royal. You were different and that's what made you such a great person. Despite everything that happened to you in your life, you were still capable of loving someone. You loved me…"

"And look what happened to me." Fabian snapped as he turned his back to her, shaking his head. "I really do need to thank you Mina. You showed me that feelings only make you weak and useless." He spun back around to face her. "I won't be weak ever again. Today I plan on defeating you, your sailor scouts and Queen Serenity. Today will be the end for all of you. The darkness will triumph."

"And what about you?" Mina asked as she shakily rose. "What will happen to you?"

"I'll have complete control." Fabian said as his eyes followed her rise. "I will be king of the galaxy."

"Metaria doesn't share." Mina whispered. "And you know that."

"I haven't time for this." Fabian said as his eyes flickered back to the battlefield before them. "General… step forward."

Mina took a quick step back as a man walked forward, wearing a sharp black uniform. His white blond hair was neatly combed and brushed back from his face. His lavender eyes were not red like his comrades but held the same malicious glint that lingered in Fabian's. Instantly a wave of nausea settled into the pit of her stomach as his eyes settled onto hers.

"General Kunzite… take our captive to the holding tent. Make sure she isn't too comfortable." Fabian said as his eyes shimmered hauntingly. "See what information you can draw out of her. We need to know the sailor scouts next move."

"What… what have you done?" Mina asked as the tears that had built up in her eyes finally broke free and rushed down her pale cheeks. "Kunzite…"

"Improvements." Fabian said as his grin returned. "You won't enjoy this as much as I will princess."

Mina screamed as Kunzite rushed forward and grabbed her shoulders. She fought against his grasp but he ripped her arm above her head and dragged her, screaming to the tent behind them.

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"Your majesty." Luna said as she and Artemis approached Serenity's throne. Luna swept into a curtsey as Artemis bowed low. Behind them the windows of the hall rattled as the battle outside continued to rage, drawing ever closer to the white walls of the great Moon Palace.

Serenity's solemnly regarded them as she rose from her throne, her long white skirts swishing elegantly around her ankles as she went to the window, peering outside. The once rich navy sky had turned a dull red, clouded with smoke and fire as the land around them burned. She took several moments, her eyes taking everything in as her breathing grew ragged. "Is it time?"

"Just about." Artemis replied darkly as he watched her. "Though it must be said, we gave the Negaverse a much better fight this time around."

"But still, it wasn't enough." Serenity remarked as she saw a crash of lightning outside. She could see the edge of Sailor Jupiter's rich emerald skirts amongst the sea of soldiers, fade in and out as she and the other scouts battled the growing darkness.

"Was it ever going to be?" Luna questioned. "Both sides had knowledge they didn't before. Our advantage was lost the moment Fabian went dark and relayed all he knew."

"You fought bravely. The scouts are trained well, they're stronger and work together better." Queen Adelaide's dark voice said as she entered the room, her heels clicking hauntingly on the marble floor. She wore a rich purple gown that clung to her thin frame and dragged behind her on the floor. Her long flowing hair was down, hanging around her shoulders like a waterfall of ebony tresses.

"Thank you for coming." Serenity said as she went to Adelaide and the two embraced.

"I could think of nowhere better to be." Adelaide said warmly as she pulled from her.

"Why such long faces?" Queen Raven remarked as she and King Albert entered the room, both dressed in their usual dark colors. "Aren't you going to send all the children to the future again?"

"How many times will we reset their lives?" King Albert questioned as he glanced out the window. "Because this is the definition of insanity."

The went silent as Serenity walked back over to the window to watch the fight below. "If only we had more time."

"That's the story of the universe." Adelaide sighed as she watched her. "There's never enough time."

"I can't send them to the future again." Serenity confessed as she turned towards Luna and Artemis. "I haven't the strength. My powers haven't been the same since I was captured. Healing Mina also took a lot out of me."

"What?" Raven asked as she glanced worriedly at Albert. "You have to save my son!"

"Things never happen the same way twice." Adelaide said softly. "Serenity, even if you had the power, it wouldn't have worked the same way."

"What do we do then?" Serenity asked as she felt tears stinging her eyes. "Our children deserve a future. They deserve to be happy."

"What makes you think they aren't?" Luna asked as she went to her queen. "They've found happiness, each of them, in some way."

"But not complete happiness. They haven't had the lives they wanted or the time they've needed." Serenity sighed as she hastily brushed her tears away. "They deserve a chance."

"We don't always get second chances." Albert said gruffly.

"Or second, or third or fourth." Adelaide said darkly again as the sky began to turn a vibrant red.

"She's here." Serenity whispered as the palace shook again, this time every window cracked, splitting down the middle in a jagged line.

"What do we do?" Raven asked desperately as the candles that had lit the room extinguished, shrouding them in dark shadows with only the red light from outside filtering in.

"Father." Hotaru spoke as she walked into the room, directing everyone's attention to her.

"Hotaru, I told you to go home!" Albert said urgently as he rushed forward.

"Stop." She said as she whipped her staff, the Silence Glaive before him, halting his movement. "I'm no longer under your control."

"Where did you get that? I had it destroyed!" Albert shouted, his eyes wild with fear.

"You always underestimated me father." Hotaru said coldly as she held her staff firmly. "Always thinking I was a child, incapable of thinking and acting for myself."

"This is not the time or place for this!" Albert snapped as his forehead bent with rage.

"This is the only time." Hotaru remarked as she righted her staff though her eyes never left his. "You've done all you could to control my life. I make my own decisions now, I've earned it."

"I did it to protect you." Albert said as his voice broke. "I lost you once… I can't watch you harm yourself to save those that don't deserve it!"

"It's my choice father." Hotaru said as she adjusted her grip on her staff and turned to Serenity. "Queen Serenity, I can end all of this. I can save them and seal the Negaverse away."

"No one can ask that of you." Serenity replied solemnly as her wide eyes settled on Hotaru's. "It would be the ultimate sacrifice."

"Everything comes with a price, even peace." Hotaru said as she glanced at every face in the room. "I will be the sacrifice so our galaxy can continue, free of darkness, even if it is only for a short while."

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"Tell me what Queen Serenity is planning." Kunzite bellowed as he struck Mina across the face, sending her flying against the side of the tent.

Mina cried out as she felt his hand on her cheek, adding to the bruises and cuts that already lined her skin from his previous questions. She sank against the vibrant red fabric of the tent, taking in the sweet smell of the grass outside. It was a comfort to her, something to focus on to take away the searing pain that rippled across her cheek.

"Did I ever tell you about the first time we met?" Mina panted as she clutched her cheek beneath her unruly hair. "You were one of Endymion's generals…" She whispered as she heard him walking across the tent towards her. "You were just as cold as you are now but the second we were alone, you changed. Your eyes softened, you were gentle and kind—"

She felt his hands on her again, gripping the back of her uniform as he dragged her to back to the wooden chair that was in the middle of the room. She didn't fight him as he pushed her onto it, his hands taking a firm hold of her shoulders as his cold, lavender eyes focused on hers.

"TELL ME NOW!" He bellowed as he shook her shoulders.

"You only ever let your guard down with me." Mina panted as she dared to look at him from beneath strands of her hair. "And we fell in love. You gave me the ring that sits on my finger." She said as she held up her left hand, showing him the simple diamond set in gold that he had given her. "Right out there in the Moon Palace… we married that night—"

"Shut up!" Kunzite bellowed as he took hold of her hair, jerking her head to the side, causing her to cry out in pain.

Mina's hands went to his, gripping them as he pulled her to her feet. Her knees shook dangerously as he released her hair and his hands went to grip her shoulders.

"Just give up! Aren't you tired?" Kunzite asked as his cold eyes barreled into hers.

"You promised to always love and protect me." She said as her voice quivered. "And I promised to love you forever…I was your girl."

Kunzite hesitated for a moment, the cold glower in his eyes retreating only for a brief moment before a rustling behind him grasped his attention.

"Why did you stop?" Fabian questioned as he stepped into the tent, his arms crossed.

"She only speaks nonsense." Kunzite said as he tightened his grip on her, his fingers digging into her bruised skin. "I'm growing tired of pushing her around."

"Then dispose of her." Fabian said coldly as he glanced at Mina as casually as if she were nothing. "She's useless to us know. This battle ends today."

"Yes, sir." Kunzite muttered as Fabian regarded Mina for only a moment longer, his cruel smile returning to his lips. "I'm sorry princess, it seems your story is to end here." He said as he nodded to Kunzite.

Kunzite's hands instantly went to Mina's throat. She didn't fight him as she felt the air catching in her chest as her throat was clenched. Instead, her fingers trickled up to Kunzite's face as she felt his fingers tighten.

"Kunzite…" Mina whispered as her eyes began to sting. She brushed a strand of hair out of his face as her face turned purple. "It's okay..." She gasped as their eyes locked.

"STOP!" He yelled at her as he gave her a violent shake, his hold still firmly on her neck.

Mina's hands slipped from his face as her body shuddered. Her eyes turned red and bloodshot as she gave him one last glance. "I love you." She mouthed as her world went black.

Kunzite watched as he let Mina fall from his grasp to the hard floor. She didn't move as she rolled onto her back, her limbs limp. He looked down at her, his jaw clenched tightly as silence fell over the tent.

"One down, eight more to go." Fabian said darkly as he turned towards the flap of the tent. He cast one last look over his shoulder at Mina on the floor as he reached into his pocket. "We draw ever closer to Sailor Moon and her scouts. They will make their last stand, and soon. Clean yourself up then get outside." He ordered as he exited the tent.

Kunzite waited a moment longer as his hands began to shake. He waited until the sound of Fabian's boots faded away before he dared to speak. "Mina?" He whispered as he fell to his knees next to her, his hands gently brushing her hair back from her face. "Mina!" He said, his voice tinged with desperation as he took hold of her shoulders and shook her. "Wake up… please wake up…"

"Kunzite." Mina groaned as her eyes fluttered open and she gasped for air. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the low light where Kunzite hovered before her. Terrified, she put her hands on the ground and scurried away from him, backing up to the edge of the tent.

"I won't hurt you." Kunzite said as he lifted his hands up, keeping a careful distance from her. "Not anymore."

"You nearly killed me." Mina croaked as her hands went to her throbbing neck. "I blacked out…"

"I had to make him think I killed you." Kunzite said as he carefully approached. "I'm sorry…"

"Have you been okay this entire time?" Mina asked as she looked up at him, her breathing finally returning to normal. Her dark blue eyes rose to his, unsure if this was a trick of the darkness or if her Kunzite had finally returned to her. The coldness that had lingered in his eyes had diminished and the rich, lavender hue had returned.

"Each time darkness grips me, it's a little looser than before." Kunzite said as he came to a stop before her. "You always bring me back in the end…"

She wanted to believe him. She hadn't been able to convince Fabian, but then again, this was the first time he had been truly corrupted by darkness. Still cautious, she closed the gap between them, still on her knees. She raised her hand, letting it settle onto Kunzite's right cheek as she studied him. "Tell me something only you would know."

"Earlier… you told me about when we married." Kunzite said as he leaned into her touch. "You were the one who proposed to me, the morning after you gave up your claim to Venus."

Mina felt tears stinging her eyes as he spoke. His hand lifted to cover hers as she allowed herself to lean against his chest, finally giving into the sobs she had kept bottled up since he dragged her to the tent. "I thought… I thought I'd lost you…"

"Not this time." Kunzite whispered as he took her into his arms, holding her closely to his chest.

"Did you need to hit me so hard though?" Mina asked as she pulled back just far enough to see him.

"I'm sorry." Kunzite whispered as he brushed her tears away with his thumbs, careful of the various cuts on her cheeks. "I could see you in front of me, my arms were moving and my lips were moving but I couldn't control any of it… not until the end." He dared to lean forward and press his lips against hers.

"I love you." She whispered as their lips broke and a shaky sob escaped her lips.

"I love you." He echoed as he brought her back into his arms.

"Kunzite, I have to get back out there. My friends need me. I have to stop Fabian." Mina said shakily as she glanced at the flap of the tent.

"We need to hurry… Fabian won't be unprotected for long." Kunzite said as he felt the ground beneath them tremble. "Metaria won't let him go easily."

"Metaria's hold on him is too strong." Mina said as she sat up, holding her side as she winced from the sudden movement. "I can't break it… not alone." She thought of Femi's words, still haunting her even now. Femi had said she had to stop Fabian alone, but she didn't see any other way to get him alone, not with the battle raging outside.

"I think I may have an idea." Kunzite said as he stood and helped her to her feet. He glanced through the flap of the tent. "I can get you close."

"Close enough for what?" Mina asked as she stood, shaking beside him.

"To use this." Kunzite said as he drew a dagger from his boot, pressing it into her hands. "It's forged with dark magic. It can pierce anything…"

"You want me to… to kill him?" Mina asked as she felt her body shiver, feeling as if she had just been plunged into a tub of ice. The dagger felt cold and harsh in her hands. She glanced down at the metal which felt as if it were burning her skin.

"It's the only way now." Kunzite whispered as the sky outside grew a darker red. "We're out of time."

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

"Keep pushing." Lita urged a very weary Raye as she helped the shorter girl back to her feet.

Raye grimaced as she put her weight on her right leg, a nasty gash visible on her left. She leaned on Lita for a moment as she pushed her sweaty hair out of her face, trying to keep her focus on the battle around them and the warm stream of blood that was working down her leg.

"I haven't got much left." Raye admitted as she felt her knees shake dangerously. "I don't know how much longer—"

"You've got to find the strength within you." Lita urged as she went to one knee and ripped off the pink ribbon of her skirt. She bound Raye's wound as best she could, knowing that she'd need stitches later

Raye's eyes scanned the field around them. The other scouts weren't far. Amara and Michelle were beside them, holding the line as best they could. To their right, Amy and Trista were side by side, covering each other's backs as they kept the enemy before them. There were hardly any soldiers left beside them all, most of them fallen or corrupted to join the darkness. They were the last ones, that last line of protection for the Moon Palace.

"There's too many of them." Idra breathed as she and Rhea joined their sides, both of them panting heavily. "Line after line… it's like Fabian's taunting us. Keeping us busy but not sending enough soldiers to properly finish us off."

"We don't have any more reinforcements." Rhea said as she gazed around them. The fallen soldiers bore the emblems of Earth, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto. "The next line could overpower us."

"Venus." Serena whispered as she and Darien joined the line. "Will they not come?"

"They won't." Amara said bitterly as she pushed off another soldier and plunged her sword into his chest. He crumbled before her, falling to the earth, the last of the soldiers… at least for now. "Daddy is still angry with this daughter. The old bastard didn't even come when we sent word she was injured."

"Then they'll be the last to fall." Lita said bitterly as she took several deep breaths, falling to the ground as the weariness in her limbs caught up with her.

"It won't be the Moon this time." Darien said as he looked at Serena. "At least there's some comfort there." Together they went to the ground, settling onto the worn stone path that led to the palace. The original line had started across the great fields before the Moon Palace, now that the sun had set and the sky had turned red, they had finally reached the gates of the palace. There was nowhere left to run.

Serena nodded grimly as she laced her fingers with his and rested her cheek against his shoulder. The field before them had gone silent, quiet for the moment as their enemy pondered their next move. Their final blow.

"I hope Mina is safe." Serena whispered as she glanced at the dark tents beyond the field, knowing that the longer her friend was unaccounted for, the less likely it seemed she was alive.

"Mina is the least of our worries." Barrick remarked as he joined the group, sheathing his sword. Nikko, Rhea, Idra and Jadeite approached from behind, moving significantly slower than when they first arrived. "If we can't stop Fabian or Metaria, we're finished." Barrick said as he collapsed onto the ground.

"We already tried to stop Fabian." Nikko said as he settled down beside Lita, grimacing as he caught his breath. "He's too far gone."

"What else can we do?" Michelle asked as she glanced at a stone-faced Trista.

The entire group shifted to look at Sailor Pluto who slowly rose to her feet. She studied the field before them, littered with the bodies of their allies and enemies. "Saturn." She whispered and glanced over her shoulder at the palace. "SATURN!" She said a little louder.

"You don't have to shout." Hotaru said as she joined them, her Silence Glaive firmly held in her hands. "I haven't been far."

The scouts jumped as Hotaru appeared seemingly out of thin air. She turned to face them, her eyes meeting each one of theirs as she studied their worn and tired faces. "Metaria stirs, our time is nearly here."

"We need to rest." Michelle muttered as she tended to a cut on her arm that had bled all over her uniform. "We're running low on energy."

"It's over Hotaru." Raye said as she settled beside a weary Amy. "We did all we could."

"Not everything." Hotaru replied as she stood before them. "I stood back and saved my energy while you all fought. I didn't join you because I had to save every ounce of my strength—"

"Hotaru… no." Amara said as she jumped to her feet. "You can't—"

"No." Michelle said firmly as she joined her, her dark eyes wide with fear. "You mustn't."

"What is it?" Nikko asked as he opened one weary eye, noticing the tension that had built between the scouts. "What is she talking about?"

Barrick got to his feet, his face hard as he crossed his arms. "You're talking about wiping us all out, including yourself and starting all over… again."

"Hotaru, if we don't kill Metaria… then she'll be reborn too." Amy said softly.

"Then we'd better make sure we kill that witch." Nikko said gruffly as he stood, brushing off his pants. "Cause I'm tired of fighting her."

Serena shook her head fearfully as she glanced across the field. "Maybe mother can—"

"Serenity can't save us this time." Hotaru remarked as she stood before her team, all of them now on their feet. "I must be the one to do it. I have the power. I can give all of you another chance."

"It's not worth it." Serena said quickly as she walked forward, her blue eyes shining with tears.
"Your rebirth to Tokyo in the modern age was because of your mother's sacrifice." Hotaru said as she glanced sadly at Serena. "But she can't… not this time."

"So we go back to Tokyo and start over as children?"

"This will give you all a chance to hopefully, have the lives you wanted and deserve." Hotaru spoke as she nodded to their allies. "Though please, don't spend it doing horrible things… like you did in this life… and the last."

Barrick scoffed as he felt several eyes on him. He crossed his arms, half a smile tugging at his mouth. "I'll try, that's all I can promise."

"No more killing." Rhea promised as she and her sister linked arms, both of them giving Barrick a nod.

"And you." Hotaru said as she wheeled on a stoic Nikko. "Try to repair things with your brother."

"I'll do my best." Nikko said, pausing as the ground beneath them gave a violent shake. "That is… if we make it…"

"Be ready." Serena said as she grabbed her Crescent staff, twirling it before her to light up the night. "We can't wait for the next attack, we have to go… now and catch them off guard. We need to get to Metaria."

"Keep them off of me." Hotaru said as she held her staff a little closer. "They'll do everything they can to stop me, Metaria knows all of our powers. She'll know what we will do."

"Leave that to us." Queen Raven said as she emerged from the Moon Palace with King Albert, Queen Serenity and Queen Adelaide, each of them, dressed for battle.

"Alright." Darien said as he unsheathed his sword, his strength renewed. "What are we waiting for?"

*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Mina pulled her black cloak tighter around herself. All around her soldiers were preparing for the next wave. She could see their red eyes, glowing but dead focused only on readying their weapons. There was no chatter or any sign of life amongst them. Their minds were completely warped, programmed only to follow the world of their master.

Fabian.

Mina stopped as she came to the large black tent, shrouded with red hangings in the midst of the red tents. Fabian would be inside, preparing to lead the final charge himself. At least, that was what Kunzite had told her. Her deep blue eyes flickered before her where Kunzite's broad shoulders weaved in and out amongst the sea of soldiers before them, leading the way to the tent. He stopped at the entrance, nodding to another guard.

Mina held her gasp as she saw a tall, slender man dressed in the same black uniform as Kunzite. His long, wavy auburn hair rippled past his shoulders as his light blue eyes, hard with distrust settled on Kunzite. The two men exchanged a few words before Nephrite took off, walking through the soldiers that lingered before them while Kunzite took his post.

Mina waited a moment, watching as Nephrite's shoulders disappeared from sight. She took another deep breath and went to the front of the tent, fighting the shaking in her hands as Kunzite nodded, letting her pass through. She pushed the red hangings out of the way, and entered, her heart pounding uncontrollably. She could see a fire cackling in the middle of the tent, a bed situated on the side, unoccupied for the moment. In the opposite corner she saw a table with a stone basin, full of water. Fabian stood before it, washing his face as he prepared for battle.

The second she entered he stopped and stood, grabbing a towel beside him as he turned to face her. He didn't seem as surprised as she thought he'd be to see her as his features transformed to a slight grin.

"Mina… you're alive." Fabian said simply as he dried his face.

"You don't seem relieved… or surprised for that matter." Mina said harshly as she drew closer.

"Perhaps it was too much to believe Kunzite could kill you." Fabian said as he crossed his arms.

"But you had no problem doing it." Mina said directly as she stopped, not trusting Fabian's tone or casual demeanor.

"I didn't kill you Mina, at least not directly." Fabian remarked. "I didn't cause the accident that hurt you…"

"You were ready to kill me." Mina snapped. "You almost did."

"But I didn't." Fabian said as his voice broke and his expression turned solemn. "Now please… go home."

"Go… home?" Mina asked, not sure if she heard him right. "What?"

"It's not a coincidence Venus was spared." Fabian said with a sigh. "I at least managed to do that for you."

"Fabian." Mina whispered as she glanced at the flap of the tent, as if Metaria herself was about to barge towards her. "I don't understand…"

"Mina…" Fabian finally looked her in the eye and she could see his own were bloodshot, as if he had been crying. "I couldn't kill you. I tried. I really did but I couldn't quite bring myself to do it."

"So you made Kunzite do it?!" Mina shouted as she felt her eyes stinging. "My husband?!"

"Don't be foolish." Fabian said with snort. "I knew he wouldn't be able to do it either. I knew that Metaria's power wasn't as strong as it was last time. She attacked too quickly. She didn't gather the energy she had last time. So I knew whatever spell she had over him was weak and I had hoped that you could break it. I certainly didn't expect him to choke you to death."

"But you stood by and let it happen!" Mina said as angry tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I thought maybe it was for the best." Fabian sighed. "Because in the end, no one can defeat Metaria… even weakened, she's still too strong. Either you died at Kunzite's hands… or hers… but I wanted to be sure it wasn't going to be mine. Cause I wouldn't be able to live with myself…"

"Fabian…" Mina whispered as she brushed her tears out of her face. "I… I…"

"Don't say anything Mina, please." Fabian said as he shrugged on his coat and sheathed his sword. "There's time for feelings later. Right now we've got to end this."

"How?" Mina asked as she glanced back at the tent flap.

"We need a distraction, I think your scouts can take care of that. Metaria will materialize when she thinks her victory is near… or if Saturn powers up for her attack." Fabian explained just as he heard the soldiers outside shouting and running past them.

"I think they're here." Mina remarked as Kunzite stuck his head in, his eyebrows lifting in surprise.

"You… you okay?" Kunzite asked as he glanced at Fabian.

"She's fine." Fabian said curtly as he rushed past them. "What's happening?"

Mina gave Kunzite a nod as he watched Fabian. "The scouts have made their final attack. They're out there now."

"Excellent." Fabian remarked as his grin grew. "Let's go…" He pushed the flaps of the tent out of the way as he stepped out.

"Wait… what's our plan?" Mina asked as she ran after Fabian, Kunzite on her heels.

"We don't have time for that." Fabian said as he stopped them at the edge of the tents. He could see the lines of scouts, blasting their way through the clusters of soldiers who were quickly falling before them, caught off guard by their brazen attack. Beyond the line stood Sailor Saturn, her Silence Glaive in her hands. She lifted it to the ruby red sky as her hands began to glow.

"Oh god." Mina breathed as she saw her powering up. "She's doing it…"

"Metaria." Fabian said quickly as a loud roar took over the field, shaking the ground again. The sky grew a deep red as the wind picked up around them and a form began to materialize just beyond the field, close to Saturn.

"Go…. Protect Saturn." Fabian said as he grabbed a sword from a fallen soldier near him and handed it to Mina. "I'll take care of Metaria."

"No… Fabian…." Mina whispered as her eyes widened. "She'll kill you."

"It's okay." Fabian said to her as he stopped, their eyes locking. "I owe all of you at least this. I gave her the power, I took the darkness into me. This is my doing and I have to fix it."

"Don't." Mina pleaded as she grabbed his wrist. "There has to be another way—"

"There isn't." Fabian snapped as the coldness returned to his eyes but he softened at Mina's touch. He took a moment and pulled her to him, his hand gripping her waist. He pressed his forehead against hers as the ground beneath them shook again. "Mina… live for me, for both of us. Have a happy life, have babies, do everything you've ever dreamed of. You deserve it." He whispered as his lips grazed her cheek. "Just don't forget me." He added as he gave her one last glance and took off, running for Metaria.

"FABIAN NO!" Mina screamed as Kunzite grabbed her around the middle, holding her from following Fabian.

"Mina stop! He's made his choice. Let's go… we need to protect Saturn." Kunzite said as he swung her around so she could face the hill where Saturn was steadily glowing brighter, gathering her energy for her final attack.

Mina hesitated, her eyes flickering from Saturn to Fabian. She felt Kunzite dragging her away as she watched Fabian, wanting to rush after him but knowing that he had made his choice.

"Mina!" Serena yelled as they approached. "Oh, thank goodness." She threw her arms around her as the ground before them shook.

"Hurry!" Michelle shouted as Metaria roared again and lifted her hands to the sky, sending down a wave of energy at them.

Serena lifted her Crescent Staff into the air, the Silver Crystal illuminating the area around them. She shut her eyes and swung the staff, sending a wall of pure white light around them. "I won't be able to hold it long." Serena shouted as the light created a dome around them, deflecting Metaria's attack.

Mina's attention turned to the field before them where Metaria was sending another pulse of energy. Seemingly out of nowhere Fabian emerged, tackling Metaria and falling to the ground on top of her as another roar filled the air.

"Now Saturn!" Amara yelled as she watched Fabian plunge his sword into her chest, prompting the ground to shake again.

Darien rushed forward to hold Serena steady as Mina fell to the ground beside Kunzite. She watched as Fabian stepped away, his eyes on them. She could see him smile, giving her a nod before he fell to his knees, blood pouring from his mouth.

"FABIAN!" Mina screamed as tears filled her eyes.

"SATURN!" Trista yelled as the ground began to shake uncontrollably.

"DEATH REBORN REVOLUTION!" Saturn screamed as she pointed her Silence Glaive at Materia's shaking body, sending forth a wave of brilliant purple light.

Metaria screamed as she felt the pulse of energy rip into her body, shattering her into pieces.

Saturn didn't waste any time. She swung her staff again, this time bringing it crashing to the ground. The Glaive pierced the earth, sending forth a ripple beneath the surface that sank into the Moon's core. She screamed as a hole opened up beneath her, swallowing her whole as the energy rippled outwards, headed straight for the scouts.

Mina shut her eyes as she felt Kunzite draw her to his chest. "I love you Mina." He whispered as the Moon crumbled around them.

"I love you." Mina replied as she felt the ripple of power rush over their bodies.

Serena turned to Darien, watching the power coming for them. She saw Jadeite take Raye into his arms as they too were swallowed. Beside them Amy, Lita and Trista held each other as Amara and Michelle clenched hands, shutting their eyes as they too were swallowed.

Serena looked to Darien whose focus had been on her from the start. He brushed her hair out of her face as he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against him. "I'll find you again." He promised.

"I know you will." She said as she glanced at the Silver Crystal, still shining within the staff. She pulled it out and held it in her hands, feeling it's power radiating into her skin. They had only seconds left. She couldn't stop Saturn's power but she had just enough time for one last wish.

"Let us live in peace. Let us not return to the past. All of us… in Crystal Tokyo."