Chapter Twenty-One

I

The silence was the only thing warning the defenders had before the horde of demons swept down on them. Sheets of flames rose up around Titian Castle as giant balls lighting ripped from the ground as gale force winds blew away the first wave of attackers. Eros had said to let the Accursed One enter the castle; however, they would not gain their entrance so easily.

No were near the black blasted castle were the invaders safe from the Senshi magic. Strong icy winds drove the Accursed One's forces back into the dubious safety of the ghastly polar trees away from the tree line where a cloud of acid sulfuric gas acted as a barrier.

But the trees for all their terror was offered limited protect—at least that was what Sapphire had thought, that was before he heard the first warbling strains being played on some hellish violin.

It was here among the trees that Xanthe played.

The lively melody was that of bright jig. Its quick tune that would cause you grab a pretty young thing and twirl her to the dance floor while others cheered or drank in a spirit of bon homme and those were the very reasons for the hair rising on the back of Sapphire's neck. Such happiness in this forest of doom was worst than the wails that once filled the place, for even the condemned spirits locked away in the poplars had not uttered sound once the music began.

Ananke envied those that moved away from the sound. Truly only a fool would dare to face Xanthe in this wicked mood. Templum profundum was a magnificent instrument and in the hands of a mischievous Xanthe, it was a most fearsome weapon.

Near the rear with her commanders and two captives, Ananke blistered the air with a string of violent curses as she ordered everyone back, knowing all efforts were futile as long as they were in range of the sound. As long as Uranus kept the winds at the current speed and direction, they would not escape Templum's swell.

For Chaos this was a moment of dark revelations. She had become complacent due Ananke's strategies when facing the warriors of Silver Millennium. Ananke had brought about the end of foul Selene's line and forced Helios back beyond the gate to Nirvana. She engineered the fall of the revived Silver Alliance and delivered to she her sister.

The small victories of Cosmos's warriors were easily glossed over therefore ignored in the grande scheme, yet she could not understand this sudden change of events.

It was imperative that they reached the castle. She would not allow this opposition to continue. The old gods would face her all will be returned to great void and the spirit of Chaos would had finally have the peace she craved.

So why did victory elude her now?

Suddenly without warning, the tempo of the strange music changed and the screaming began. The music was faster and lighter that reminded Ananke of the terran composer Mozart's The Magic Flute, it whipped around the listener like a blade or a chain and pulled and tugged, surging forward rapidly until…

Ananke paled as she recognized the tune, she remembered watching a young Xanthe struggle to compose her first piece she would play before the Queen and the Imperial Court.

"Ode to Oceanus," Ananke hissed.

Chaos looked at the warriors around her and noted the steady stream of tears and sweat rolling off them all revealed just how dangerous the strange melody was. Sailor Neptune was calling the water to her through her song.

A frown marred Chaos's lovely face as she raised her sharply deformed left arm to her dimming eyes. It was like a cloud of mist surrounding the limb. Sharp eyes narrowed as the flesh of the ever-changing limb was shriveling before her very eyes. Her mawkish face turned towards Ananke when she heard the sound trickling water coming from Ananke's direction. The ripe smell of urine and feces suddenly filled the air, Chaos stepped away from Ananke when her bladder released. To her great shock, Chaos felt own her bladder release accompanying a sudden seizing in her muscles caused the Greater Senshi to cry out in pain.

She heard Ananke's panicked shout of, "Master, we need to leave this place!"

Although she did not understand the music or the different changes in the tempo and meter that had redoubled Ananke's alarm, the Accursed One understood power. What she could feel gathering around Neptune was more dangerous than anything the water witch had done thus far.

Ananke grabbed Chaos's arm and crone from the site while shouting for her followers to retreat. Chaos looked back to see a wall of magically enhanced water, as tall as the trees rise above them. The melody broke and the tower of water bore down on them like an avalanche.

As waters receded, the Accursed One could see the crater left in the wave's wake. She did not know that she was trembling as undisguised fear as Ananke pulled her away from edges of were the water and those who had been touched by water. Chaos did not question Ananke's actions, for Ananke knew that was the first part of the Neptune's Ode.

The second was far worst for those who had been unfortunate enough to having been touched by just a bit of spray of that mystical water now lay on the ground screaming in torment as the corrosive water ate at their armor and burned away their vulnerable flesh. The area that had bore the impact of tidal wave was now been brunt out marker, miles long of destruction and devastation. Nothing was alive in the patch of forest what was alive as the waters receded was dissolved and absorbed into the water that killed them to be used in a second attack.

Chaos had every right to wonder about the sudden change in her sister's Senshi.

It had only been a terran solar year since the Senshi invaded her Handmaiden's fortress and obliterated Vanity thereby ending the Occupation of Terra. It was less than three months since Ananke and the Senshi of Uranus died in combat on one of Jupiter's moons. From that day forth, Chaos could only watch all that she done and every advantage she had gain come undone or mercilessly crushed as her sister's warriors prevailed in each contest against Chaos's own followers. Only to have her attention diverted to this end.

The invasion of Charon had cost Chaos her last foothold in the Silver Alliance. All of her attempts to assassinate the Queen of Silver Millennium had failed with the last one resulting in the lost of Envy and the terran god Baldur. The attempt to reclaim Terra and finally overthrow Helios's spawn had ended with the lost of her most able commanders in the three little Senshi from the future and the Four Sisters. Yet was the lost of Nephrenia, who was the vessel of the Sin Pride that had truly unsettled Chaos.

Yet in the final minutes of her life, Nephrenia had regained control over her soul and had overwhelmed Pride. Chaos had felt Pride's confusion as it the mortal's fear of her own impending death overrode Pride's spell over Nephrenia's mind.

Chaos could only watch helplessly as Pride was killed by Scathach along with her host.

This confused the Great Senshi and confusion was not something Chaos understood very well. It unsettled her delicate psyche and that made her paranoid. However, this time her paranoia brought relief to her chaotic mind.

Constantly changing eyes settled on the Plutonian warrior as she stormed through the small clearing, cursing her generals who seemed helpless against the Senshi of Neptune and the Saturian warriors.

To all, Ananke appeared properly frustrated by the change of events. She ranted on how her strategies were flawless, how she had out maneuvered the greatest of Senshi and the most brilliant of tacticians for eons only to be routed by eight insignificant whelps!

And if she cursed with more verbosity and ire, Chaos was certain that her followers would continue to believe Ananke. Had her mind not been in the fragile state of disorder, she would have believed the act as well.

The trap she had led the avatar of Chaos was a well made. Ananke's successor had completely unraveled Nemesis, thus closing off their last avenue for escape, if the situation called for it. The planets of Uranus, Neptune, and Jupiter had sent out their armadas to form an effective blockade that destroyed all of her ships. And now they were on Saturn, in a forest of death, with the Senshi closing in on them from all sides as they hurried towards the black fortress…

"My Lord," Ananke's voice broke through Chaos's thoughts. A slight frown appeared on Ananke's face as Chaos met her gaze, "Are you alright?"

…after all these millennia, eons of service, never had Chaos would have thought that she would be one to betray her…

Chaos nodded to show that all was well with her since she did not trust her vocal cords keep to the hushed atmosphere.

"Then we should hurry forward," Ananke bowed her head respectfully before turning on her heel once again assuming command of the field. The pendulum had stopped. Time was no longer theirs to rule as death close in around them on silent wings.

Ananke rushed forward and Chaos followed.

_____________

As soon as they arrived in Titan Castle, command of the war was handed over to Eros.

Leuce snapped orders and crystalline monitors appeared before the Venusian even as she brought of the speed on every front. Observers reported what was currently happening on Pluto. The Solar System had stopped fighting Dirae and the Guardian of Time was now undoing Nemesis.

From space, Lord Admiral Parthenopeus, Commander of Uranus Imperial Navy had declared victory against the Accursed One's Armada. They had accepted no surrender (not that the one of the enemy had offered to surrender), the enemy had fought to the last, but after three days of intense battle, the Alliance could claim this most as one of their most significant victories since the Battle of Charon.

Cheering could be heard outside of the Council Chambers as large burning pieces of the enemy ships rained down through Saturn's atmosphere.

For Eros this was the best weapon any general could want. The psychological damage of this victory would demoralize if not Chaos, it would affect her soldiers and even some the Greater Senshi's leadership.

Chaos was finally out numbered, her warships were destroyed, and her only gateway out of the system was being pulled apart like a ball of string.

Stepping out of the castle and into the courtyard, Eros felt overcome by an emotion that she would not normally have when victory was in her grasp—Dread.

Golden eyes looked beyond the many worlds that separated them. She found Kris's eyes trained on her and with a start, Eros knew that he could see her.

Sudden anger rose up within her as Eros hissed, "Endymion, what have you done?"

It was far too late for them to reverse what had been done. Eros wanted to curse herself a thousand times for being a fool in trusting the terran King.

She could feel them now the nine dimensions were swung open and were made into one. From the cries that arose from the courtyard, Eros suspected that Chaos felt it as well.

It was too late to think of what could have been or how stop what had been done. The new gods of Terra would need to feel the spirits of the ancient Gods and the blessing of theirs avatars as they were anointed as terran representatives of those ancient beings.

"Lady Venus," she heard Leuce cry out, "The Accursed One broken away from Ananke and is storming the castle."

It felt as if a giant pendulum rested over their heads had come to a sudden stop.

It was too late to change course, but Eros would try. Chaos would not enter the castle. They would hold her at bay until Cosmos arrived no matter the sacrifice.

Chaos would not enter Elysium.

__________________

Their strategy had been to lure Chaos into the Thanatos, the realm of the dead and allow the two titans to battle it out there. The flash of power that opened a riff in the entire dimension allowed Chaos to escape their trap and run unfettered to where she wanted to be. Elysium.

It had been too late to adjust their battle plans. Chaos had used the blessing of the Four Kings and open portal in Titan Castle to slip through the realms and fall into Helios's sanctuary.

The Senshi had been nearly helpless to stop the Accursed One. Chaos cut a wide swath through those who stood in her way, including her own warriors.

Ananke had chased her down soon after releasing Cosmos from her prison. She called to Eros for help as she raced through the dimensions after the great evil. Eros with Nike and Bellona followed the Plutonian into the land of the dead and immediately entered Chronos and Demeter where Persephone had engaged the Accursed One only for the agent of disorder to escape by slicing off Persephone's right arm.

The dimension shuddered as an entity as great as Chaos moved through it, and Nike had been forced to stay and stabilize her realm. Eros could not allow the Accursed One enter another realm least the fabric of reality rend itself apart. Bellona called over to her that they needed to open the Gates. It was only away to save everything, even if it placed Elysium in immediate danger.

But they had no other option left.

The power of the nine realms heralded Eros call. Chaos was so far ahead of them and Cosmos was so far away…

They would need faith to see the end of this. Faith in their Princess to do what was impossible---

"Serenity, Sailor Moon, Sailor Cosmos!" she prayed before she redirected the energies of the nine realms and opened the Outer Gate.

She felt gossamer wings gently brush past her face as the Senshi of Order flew past them and fell on Chaos. Eros opened eyes she didn't remember closing to see ribbons of silvered blonde and pristine white grappling with the other as they fell into the abyss that led into Elysium.

Σελήνη

The King of Terra was a bloody fool.

Enraged beyond all reasoning, Artemis stormed through the Golden Palace in search of the mini tyrant that most likely destroyed them all.

It was decided the only safe place for Cosmos to battle Chaos, without destroying a star system, was in one of the nine dimensions. The only realm that could survive an epic clash between the two titans was the Thanatos, the Realm of Death.

With that decided, Eros dispatched teams of the strongest Beta level planetary warriors to the eight realms under Apollo command, and he was positioned at the Outer Gates with the Outer Senshi's Talismans and Queen Serenity's Chalice. They stood ready to seal Thanatos and trap Chaos in one of the seven hells if Cosmos fell.

Artemis and his commanders had strategized with the Senshi and had counter actions planed for every possible contingency to ensure their success. There was to be no failure, Chaos would be stopped.

It was damned shame they all forgot about Endymion.

When he found his charges, Artemis was going to kill them.

Another quick turn at another corridor, the guards fell back in the face of the seething Arms Master who did nothing to rein in his temper thus making it difficult for anyone to breath in his presence. The awful stench of sulfuric acid filled the hallways forcing people to run ahead of the Venusian least anyone wanted to loose control of over their stomachs and bowels while suffocating on Artemis's potent rage.

Of all of the irresponsible, arrogant, out-right stupid stunts Endymion had ever pulled (his latest attempt to arrest the Queen of Silver Millennium was not a stellar moment for the terran Monarch) this was utter madness! What had the boy been thinking—had he been thinking at all when he decided to making his brother and friends gods?

The seething Arms Master was trying his best to rein his rising temper. Beside him, Umino was trying to remind Artemis that Endymion was a sovereign monarch and now the ruler of the universe and that he had a right to—

One withering look from those burning golden eyes made Umino paused to rethink the few words in his mouth before he wisely took a step back away from the enraged man. It would never do one any good to forget that the tall, slightly build blond haired man was also one the most dangerous men in the universe. Even Terran knew when to tread lightly when Artemis was angry and it took a lot to frighten Terran.

So Umino wanting to save his neck did not say another word as Artemis did an about face and continued his furious march towards the queen's chamber/prison.

When he arrived at the Queen's door, Artemis discovered that he was not the only sane person left in the palace. Endymion's uncle had reached the wayward king first and was talking some sense into him via a twisted right ear and his left arm pulled up in an awkward angle behind his back.

David Edwards was the only person besides Artemis to use a suppression hold on the young King, and not be killed by Terran or arrested, especially when Terran or the others though the boy's ego became too big for his britches.

"Uncle, his ear is turning purple," Kris tried again to save his brother's dignity.

It was a wonder that Endy's ear had not fallen off after all the years of abuse it had suffered at the loving hands of Endy's guardian. David was determined to bring Endymion up as the son his cousin George would have been proud to call her son but he was hard to do with the either world bending over to kiss the brat's feet. Unfortunately the boy had more pride than commonsense and his pride mixed in some twisted way with his long standing grief that wanted some kind of retribution from the former ruler of the Universe.

"…idiot," David was shouting into his nephew's purple ear causing the boy to yelp painfully. "You were there when Bellona stated the reason closing the pathways to their own dimensions. What the hell could you have possibly though would have happened when you opened the bloody Gates of Nirvana? What?" he shrieked in the cringing boy's ear. "I guess you though no one would notice, right? You assumed that with everyone's focus being fixed on Titian you put your little plan into action with no none the wiser?" His hold tightened causing Endy to yelp as the boy tried to squirm away.

"Never mind, I know that you could have not possibly been thinking, for had you, then this stupidly, dangerous scheme never would have crossed your cotton filled mind. Right, Endymion? With the blasted creature that wants to destroy this universe as well as kill the Old Gods looking for a way into Elysium, you wouldn't deliberately create a bridge through the nine realms that would allow it to do so, right. Oh, I forgot who I was talking to. Of course you would, Endymion. Because sticking it to the Senshi is more important to you than protecting your people." The hold on Endy's ear tightened when David remembered what he had seen just before he went charging into Gaia's temple. "I expected something like this from your father, because Helios is an idiot." David voice lowered, it was thick with derision. "But I expected better from you, Endymion. I expected you to do what was right for your people—"

Endy glared at his uncle over his shoulder. "I always have Terra's best interest at heart. I will not let my people or my actions be ruled by outside forces---" He broke off with a sharp yelp as David dug his blunt nails into Endy's ear.

"You are no longer just the King of Terra, brat. The entire universe is now your domain." David practically snarled. Disgusted with his nephew, David pushed Endymion away before he did something more than twisting the boy's ear. "You honestly have no idea of what you have done." He demanded wearily. Endy's response was a look of defiance. David had to wonder were had he gone wrong with him. "What you and your idiot father have done has put us all in danger."

"Melodrama does not suit you, Uncle." Endy retorted sourly as he rubbed his abused ear. "And besides, what was done was done."

Only Artemis sudden presences stopped David from slapping the boy upside his hard head. "The doorway into Valhalla was now standing wide open and the lines between the realities have blurred," David voice had dropped to icy decibel. "The Senshi were to lead the Accursed One into the Realm of Death to battle Cosmos. What do you think happen once Chaos felt the Gate of Nirvana open?"

It was then he felt the consequences of his actions. Endy looked to Artemis and he knew that the ancient warrior felt the same thing.

"When she felt the nine realms connect, Chaos stormed Titian and broke through the barrier that been originally set up to contain her in Thanatos and enter Chronos and Demeter. They were destabilized by her presence. To keep them and the other dimensions from collapsing, Eros opened a gate directly to Elysium that Cosmos and Chaos have just fallen into." Artemis said coldly.

The dawning look of horror that appeared on the young monarch's face reminded Artemis of just how young Endymion was as well as how different the boy was to his past self. Helios had no true concept of time or of life and death.

For the Eternal, the realities did not exist, all was continuous without a defiant end. In Helios's perception his son never died, he had moved through the realities until returning to his original realm. Artemis knew that Helios never recognized Caroline as Endymion's mother. He never acknowledged the boy's given name in this lifetime. For Helios, Darien Shields never existed, it was why David, Terran, and he referred to the boy as Endymion and the boy only knew himself by his past. But the pendulum over Helios's grand scheme was coming to a halt.

"The universe was falling apart," David told him. "Eros did the only thing she could to save it."

"But to send Chaos to Elysium what purpose does that serve?" Kris demanded.

"Where else could they have gone?" Artemis countered. When none could answer, Artemis continued. "When Endymion opened Nirvana to make you all gods, he bridged all the realms making them one. The problem with that is the nine realms even united are still fragmented because each realm has avatar on the planets and the moons. It's an intricate web that connects all the people and gods to the Ancient Gods."

"An entity like Chaos would have overloaded the entire network making it unstable and causing it to crash." Umino dared to speak up. He looked at both men nervously. "So that is what happened. Everything would have ceased to exist had Lady Venus not thrown Chaos and the Princess into Elysium?"

This Endymion lacked the knowledge and understanding Helios took for granted in his son previous life. Prince Endymion would have understood the ramifications opening the Gates of Nirvana when all the nine realms needed to remain closed would mean to them all.

"Shit!" Endy had turned on his heel and started running towards the garden entrance. He needed to get to Elysium, he had to make this right otherwise he stood to lose everything he had worked so hard for.

Endy reached the gardens in record time. He did not notice the others following him until he stood outside Gaia's Temple locked outside of his father's lands.

He could feel it now, the disturbance moving through the realities and the Senshi were fighting to keep the barriers up in the dimensions. Cosmos and Chaos in Elysium and the nine realms shuddered with every step they took.

Endy dropped to his knees as he stared helplessly at the ravaged battlefield as the two warriors grappled in their deadly contest.

They should not have been there. All could be lost if either entered his father's temple, the heart of Elysium would reject them and it would fight back to protect itself from their corrupt presences. The Gates of Nirvana would open and then all holy hell would break loose as the Ancient Gods would come forth and they would put an end to this war and everything.

A lump of cold dread settled heavily in his stomach as the consequences of his actions were laid bare before him at the altar of his vanity. If Cosmos fell, they faced annihilation from Chaos or the old Gods. Either way they were screwed.

Endy started when Serena was thrown against the barrier right before him. Without thinking, Endy rushed towards her only to be thrown back when he reached the barrier. Kris was at his brother's side immediately while David and Artemis went to examine the barrier.

Slowly, Serena pulled herself from the ground. One of her wings hung awkwardly on her back and she had several deep cuts and gouaches along her back and waist. She shook off her dizzy spell then threw herself back at Chaos.

The ground beneath their feet trembled when the two warriors collided. Endy quickly created another barrier to lay over one his father's priest had created. Endy pushed himself up, being careful not to disturb the gold crystal hovering over his outstretched hand.

Artemis and the others looked at with a sense of macabre awe. It had been a very long time sense Endy had summoned the Golden Crystal or called on it's power. It was somewhat disheartening for his guardians to realize that in this moment of crisis Endymion accepted the consequences of his ambitions. Also gave them hope and faith in him. Endymion, had ruined Cosmos's well-though scheme by his own mistrust and arrogance and he placed not only Elysium in danger, Endy may have killed his Princess. But there was still a chance that all would not perish this day.

The pendulum slowed to a stop…

"Serena," Endy stared desperately at the Senshi, "Forgive me."

…and fell from it's chain.

II

The laws regulating the separation of the nine realms had only one true purpose: To act as a veil that separated the divine from the eyes of mortals. They were physical barriers guarded heavily on each side by senshi who stood in both realms acting as either guards or avatars for the divine.

Sailor Leuce had been one such senshi standing firm on both sides of reality. Leuce had been many things for her Queen: the faithful steward watching over the lands ruled by Saturn, and attended to all of her Persephone's duties without fail just as loyal retainer was meant to do and so much more. Leuce was a soldier that was ready to lay down her life without question or fear if meant serving her Queen and the Alliance. She was ever thing her people and Queen could ask for in a regent…

Violet eyes cloudy with a potent sedative and grief gazed the expanse of green hills and distant mountains beyond the crystalline walls of Helios's temple before turning back to the pristine blue skies above the basilica. Persephone could not find it within herself to feel anything. The draught the priestesses had forced down her throat left her lethargic and her body numb so she did not disturb the priests working to repair her body.

Persephone grimaced as two nuns set the bone in her right thigh. They had managed to stem the blood flow in what remained of her left arm. Regeneration was needed to restore the limb that she hand lost when she attacked Chaos head on.

Not far from where she lay, Persephone could see High Priest of Elysium, Phoebus two cots over trying in vain to save the last of the Asteroid Senshi, Sailor Pallas. His once pristine robes were covered in blood and other body fluids, his hands deep in the Pallas chest, Persephone could feel him pouring his magic into her body, but again it was in vain.

Around them his priests were running about trying to assist with caring for the wounded that were dragged in from the battlefield and comforting those who were facing their deaths. Their world was crashing down around them, but the priests of Elysium executed their duties flawlessly. This comforted Persephone greatly as sharp pang of grief suddenly tore through her heart.

A wet, strangled gasp was the last sound to come from the Palla's body. Phoebus was grief stricken. The girl had not yet been born and now she was dead.

Persephone would not cry for the fallen. She would not cry for her friends who would forever live with the knowledge of their children's deaths, no more than she would mourn for her own fallen.

In her current state, Persephone did not blame Endymion. She blamed no one for this…Cosmos was fighting to save the universe. To save all of this, and she could not…

A priestess knelt beside her and touched a gentle hand to the stump of her ruined right arm. "Your Highness, I come with sad news," the woman said quietly. Persephone could feel the healing magic as it flowed into her body. It was very soothing, just like this place—it would be so easy for her to surrender to the dreamless sleep that was calling to her. "My Lady, your daughter Princess Hecate, Sailor Leuce is dead."

The tears gathering in the corners of her eyes were the only signs that Persephone heard her. The priestess touched her healing arm before she touched her brow sending Persephone in a dreamless sleep.

______________________

Ami moved Bunny further behind her and gave her unknown rescuer her most Imperial glare, knowing it to freeze some in their tracks. But this did not seem fazed this strange man.

"Who are you?" She demanded crisply.

"Darien Shields," he said offering his right hand in greeting.

From the moment she met him in this reincarnated life, Athena Diana knew that Endymion was dangerous. Serenity, for all intents and purposes, still refused to trust the man even though she accepted him as her intended.

She had shared her feelings this with Athena Diana in their last meeting. Her princess had been concerned. Endymion's actions in the days before Serena had been around him were erratic and it was more than obvious that he was hiding something.

Whatever it was, Serena had said, it had to be terribly important. And considering his near blind hatred of Queen Serenity and Silver Millennium, Serena was afraid for her mother.

Despite her positions in regards to Endymion, Serena was still a princess and the former heir to the empire that was the Silver Alliance; she did not want to see Endymion as ruler of the Silver Alliance. Having been born into the position that she held and reared in the deep political intrigue of the Court, Serena had never been oblivious to Endymion schemes and manipulations. She had played her own game that kept her out Endymion's clutches while she tried to restore her kingdom's honour.

Then Chaos attacked.

Had it only been nine days since they gave away their kingdom and overthrew their Queen?

Had it only been seven days since Serena took her friend aside and confessed her fears about Endymion.

Had it been four short days since they learned the truth about Ananke and their own parents sacrifice?

Everything was moving too fast. It all happened faster than they had anticipated until now they and universe they wanted to protect stood on the brink of destruction.

Nine days would seem insignificant in the larger scheme of things except when it rock the very foundation on which all you knew and trusted in was dependant upon? It was startling to recall that on twenty days had passed since that Atalanta betrayed their oath again and they had though they had killed both traitors who sided with the Accursed One.

Was it really just two days ago that the truth about Ananke's involvement with the Fall became known. Their sister had served their kingdom in a manner that no other Senshi would have dared and subjected herself to.

Yet it was only nine days ago that the Senshi, as the rulers of the planets and proxies, killed the light of Silver Alliance and in one voice restored the Golden Alliance.

Only with eyes clear of the urgency of the situation, Athena Diana could see the irrationality of their decisions and actions. It was so clear how easily Endymion and his men had manipulated them, twisting the situations that would in end have they, the Princes of the Universe overthrow their Queen and surrendered their Princess to that man.

It was perversely simple in how they were coached and toyed with to reveal truths that long been buried and not recall the treaties signed by Lord Helios and Queen Selene. Helios willing abdicated his rights as ruler of the universe thereby making Sol a subject of Silver Millennium under the Articles of the Confederation that was signed in the Treaty of Miranda. The very things that created the Silver Alliance.

Serena spent hours in Athena's towers, combing over the Imperial Archives in desperation for answers that would keep her mother in power. She would fight with her last breath to keep Silver Millennium out of Terra's hands as it was the only was she could protect her mother and her friends from Endymion blind hatred.

Her search had finally unearthed the Treaty of Miranda when Atalanta and Xanthe attacked Terra. Silver Millennium had to respond or face the wraith of the vengeful planets while dealing with Endymion's threats of war. For her Senshi, Serena risked her freedom to come to Terra. From the moment she stood on Terra's soil, Serena life began to spiral out of her hands as destiny as a Greater Senshi and her duties to Order crashed into her leaving her helpless in the face of the tide that gave Endymion the Silver Alliance on a silver platter.

In her final moments before she surrendered to Fate, Serena made one last attempt to end Endymion's ambition towards her mother's throne only to fail. She could only sit by in silently watch her Senshi the Empire thus leaving their Queen and Princess with no other choice than to obey their will or be viewed as obstructionist.

And for their faith and on their Princess's honour, their trust in Endymion was thrown back into their faces.

Endymion was aware of their battle strategies. He had personally sat in on several of the key meeting therefore he had to know—no, he had to have understood what the results of opening the Gates of Nirvana.

Blast and hell, he had to know. Athena Diana choked back a sob that threatened to leave her lips as she though about all they lost this day.

Eros was dead. The first of them fall after Cosmos had been ambushed by the Priests of Elysium on Endymion's twisted order that Serenity be protected. Chaos used their confusion to quickly overpower and disarm Eros then slay the golden warrior with her own sword.

Eros went down without a sound. Her hands gone to grab at her slippery entrails as they poured from the gapping wound in her belly.

Bellona, Persephone, Leuce, and Ananke attacked, Athena was bringing up the rear with Cosmos and Xanthe only to stop and stare in horror as Chaos easily dispatched the four warriors. One swing took Bella legs. A quick stab to the right and Eros's sword was buried deep in Ananke's chest. The rough jerk on the hilt pulled the sword from Ananke's body with a high arc just as blood exploded from Ananke's wounds as Bellona screams of pain started to feel the air, the poisonous blade cut deep into Leuce's unguarded neck before the Chaos severed Persephone's right arm from her shoulder.

It was only then that Cosmos was able to interfere. Her raised forearm stopped the blow mid-swing. Time seemed to still as the two warriors faced each other for the first time. Xanthe grabbed Persephone and Athena only had enough time to erect a barrier over Bellona when Cosmos first blow struck Chaos.

Cosmos lashed out, her left leg swung out high hitting Chaos in the waist at the same time her right hand grasped her sister's left hand over the hilt of Eros's sword. She turned Chaos's wrist down sharply forcing her to drop the sword. Chaos retaliated by pulling Cosmos off her feet and slamming her left arm down on the back her neck.

With each hit Elysium shook and trembled. Miniature earthquakes rolled beneath the ground at ever step they took. The priests came running from the temple in the hopes of trying to stabilize the gate. From her downed position, Athena could see Endymion and the others outside the barrier the High Priest quickly put up to protect the realms and to keep the world outside safe.

Endymion could not get in. He could only watch that his selfishness had wrought.

Athena wished it had not been so. She wanted him, suffered and dying with them. She wanted him to feel a tenth of the pain he had caused her friends. She wanted him to die. Because as long as she drew breath, Athena swore she would never forgive him.

III

Time was moving erratically for them. There were stops, false starts, then strange accelerations that kept the others off balance which made whatever they were seeing to nothing more than illusions as the dimensions were trying to right themselves with the two fighting here.

Cosmos had felt herself dying as well as deliver the killing blow against her sister. She grunted as she took the brunt of one kicks to her chest. She retaliated quickly by grabbing the extended limb and ramming her knee in to the back of Chaos's leg. Using her sister's body weight against her, Cosmos pulled the falling Senshi into her to fire off three quick body shots into Chaos's abdomen and chest.

Reaching up, she grabbed Chaos behind the neck and slammed her shoulder into her sister's neck. A half choked cry escaped Chaos's bloodied lips as her trachea was effectively crushed.

Still this was not enough. It would never be enough. They had killed each other a hundred times and they would continue to slaughter each other long after the universe had healed. For this was their curse as the Guardians of Order and Anarchy, they were now destined to battle unending for all eternity.

A stalemate was unacceptable to the Gods. One of them had to fall and the other had to be the victor. But in their current forms they were the same. She would need to change and her sister would have to awaken again.

By silent agreement the two Greater Senshi stepped away from each other and lowered their arms.

This time there were no champions to call. The universe would not witness this clash nor would their Senshi stand at their sides.

They would stand alone before each other with only themselves as witnesses.

The ground stopped shaking, the wind calmed itself as odd peace fell over the land. Those still alive turned their eyes to the place where the two titans once stood to see two girls standing alone on the field.

It was as if they had come out dreams to realize they had been sleeping all their lives.

She wanted to go back to her dreams.

One had long blonde hair pulled up into pig-tails and twin buns that loose hair cascade over her small shoulders. The other girl was had short curly red hair with part of it pulled back and tied with a ribbon. Both wore white blouses with large collars and long pleated blue skirts and patent leather mary janes.

Bunny Tsukino smiled sadly at her childhood best friend, a girl she felt closer to than anyone else in the world.

"I am sorry, Molly." She said softly. "I though that this time we could live together."

Molly Osaka returned the smile. "It is fate—we…" She trailed off to see what kept her from her peace. What had caused her to awaken from her long slumber. "As long as the Ancients exist we must war against each other."

Bunny lowered her eyes to the gold broach in her hands. The bringer of the end of her dreams. "The me I see in my dreams said that this will not change anything."

"Does it matter why we fight?" Molly countered.

A thousand 'If-Only's' ran through her head. Bunny closed her fingers over the broach as she met Molly's eyes. "It never does." She closed her eyes and willed her transformation. "Good-bye, my dearest, dear friend."

"May we find each other in another life." Molly whispered in a dazed voice as her friend became Sailor Moon and she Chaos. "Good-bye, Bunny."

* * *

Two little girls chased each other across an open field. Dressed in the ancient arms of those who came before them, shedding their faces to become the legends destiny foresaw them.

Bunny Tsukino lost her humanity. A crystal tear brighten the horizon, a golden cup spilled forth, a crystal heart bloomed as the cosmos sang as the young warrior reached for Eternity.

Golden armor reflected warm sunlight as Chaos darted through the trees even though Cosmos kept up with the unrelenting pace. She sped towards the temple only to be rebuked by the High Priest wards. Quickly the Accursed One returned to grove. Eternal Sailor Moon soon followed, moving off to the side to avoid her sister's traps only to be impaled on Chaos's sword when she turned at a bend.

A sharp pain ripped through her side as she spun off the blade, dropping the Sword of Selene, before falling to floor, her body doubled over in pain. Leaning heavily against a tree stood Chaos, tired and wounded, but she was still alert, ready to continue this as it was almost done.

Chaos sword came down sharply towards Cosmos's head, but Senshi in white rolled out of the way. The sword ripped the air again, just missing Moon's back just as the other dove for her sword. Cosmos jerked to left throwing her body several feet as the sword again sliced through the air and again missing her prey.

A frustrated roar ripped from Chaos's lips as she charged Sailor Moon with her sword arm posed to strike. Sailor Moon quickly side-step Chaos, her sword made three vertical slashes through the air before the Senshi turned away from her sister.

In one moment it was over. There was no sense of accomplishment, there was no relief that battle was over, because it would never be over, not as long as the Ancient Gods hid behind their barrier demanding a falsehood in the place of reality.

She felt like a fool.

Her best friend laid face down a forest floor dead by her own hand yet she could not find it in herself to feel anything other than her own pain…

The silver sword fell from her hands and she fell to forest floor, her gloved hand trying to staunch the blood pouring from her bloody. The pain overwhelmed her completely that she did not hear someone approach her until gentle hands were easing her onto her back before drifting down to her torn open side.

Eyes she didn't remember closing opened and fixed on the blurry shape over her. The face was dark, due to the long hair that spilled over the shoulders. She wanted her mother. She wanted to go home, but person above her was saying something…Saying that it was not over…she had so much more to do.

"Wake up, Sailor Moon," the deep, soft voice pulled her back from the darkness. "Your friends needs you, Princess. Just one more miracle from the Silver Crystal."

That voice, she knew it from her dreams. A sad, pained little smile graced the girl's lips as she raised her hand towards his friend's face. "Setsuna…"

"We are all waiting, Sailor Moon." Setsuna Meiou, Ananke, Sailor Pluto smiled warmly as she helped the girl to her feet. "The Silver Millennium needed you."

Just one more miracle.

Σελήνη

"Get back!" Artemis ordered as he shoved the King of Terra out of the way for the light that shattered the Phoebus's barrier. It shot forth, not a beam but in waves upon waves of shimmering bright, racing forward past the golden palace expanding to the heavens and the planets beyond.

To Artemis, this was a young power. It was limitless in its strength, it knew no barriers, it transcended the nine realms as touched the nine planets and her fallen warriors. It was peace granted to them by the indomitable will of a small child who did not yet know her place in the future other than what she had been asked to do.

She was the living embodiment of her name and Artemis was humbled in her presence.

From her place within the Golden Palace, Queen Serenity added her own will to her daughters. The light pouring out of her great body illuminated every corner of the place, making it shine with her purity, cleansing away the death and hatred that had corroded Terra's heart at the injustice of her daughter's death. Erda Danu opened her arms to Queen of Silver Millennium and her Princess and accepted their healing. For this is the way it should have always been. The Golden Kingdom protected Elysium from within Terra and Silver Millennium guarded them both with the nine planets standing behind the White Moon, her supporters and defenders, all the champions of Elysium.

On Saturn, the Keres reached the clearing just as Princess Serenity opened her eyes.

In Tartarus, the Princess Hebe and Lady Cassandra were rushed from the land of the dead by Sailor Uranus and Sailor Jupiter as the dimensions began to stabilized, the two Alpha warriors did not want to be trapped within them once the gates were closed.

"Mother," Hebe buried her face in rose coloured hair before drifted back to sleep.

"Shh, little one, I have you now." The goddess whispered.

Outside Titan Castle, the Senshi of Anarchy stirred for the first time in over a thousand years. Aine Sigrun opened her eyes, but the nightmare would never leave her. The balance was starting to break within her mind. For now, the darkness faded away as the young Commander focused on the energy of her senshi. They were all alive and they would go home, together.

Eros came awake with startled cry. Near her, Sailor Leuce was being helped up and demanding information about her mother. Eros was tempted to tell the little brat to shut the hell up when something caught her eye. The white and red of Bellona's robes fluttering as the Senshi of Mars ran towards a stand of trees told that whatever this magic was the source would be found there.

Quickly, Eros pushed herself to her feet chasing after her senshi. When she was almost upon Bella, Eros noted that Xanthe, Athena Diana, and Persephone were already at there but they made no move to get closer. When Eros reached them, she made to ask what was going on but the breath seemed to rush from her body when she spotted the girl standing among the trees.

"Is that…" she heard herself say.

Xanthe nodded, tears were streaming openly down her face. "It is Sailor Moon."

"This is our Princess doing," Persephone dried her own wet eyes. "She saved us all."

The End