This is it lovelies. We are in the home stretch now. One chapter remains after this one. It has been fun, really. I find I get a bit nostalgic at the end of projects like this one. I am so glad to have had the pleasure of entertaining you all. But enough with the sadness right? I still got on more chapter to do all that!

The Truth About Tragedy

Ch. 20

" There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." - Washington Irving

She rolled over to her side and coughed the strange liquid out of her lungs again. Pushing herself up from the floor she looked around to see the other Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen not too far from her. Each of them laid unconscious but breathing. She took in their new surroundings, finding it was like a cave, damp and dark. A cackle echoed off the walls, surrounding them. Beryl appeared before her still laughing like a mad woman.

"Welcome welcome. You have the pleasure of watching as I release Queen Metalia!"

"Who the hell is Queen Metalia?"

"Why, she is why you are all here. She is the one that gave me the power to bring about the destruction of the Moon Kingdom. She is the almighty power that will once again end your lives and rule the world!"

The cave began to shake and tremble knocking bits of rock down upon them. It wouldn't be long before the entire cave collapsed on them all. Venus was the closest to her and she could see her brooch tucked away in her fuku. With a shaky hand she reached over and clasped it in her hands. The familiarity of it's round heavy shape dispelled some of her fears. Thrusting it into the air, light and ribbons engulfed her. The power that surged within her was like an old friend she hadn't seen in years, warm and welcomed. As Sailor Moon, she channeled her energy and once again formed a protective bubble around the Senshi and Mamoru. She struggled as she forced the bubble to rise and shot it towards the entrance of the cave. Beryl stood close behind her, laughing the entire time.

"You really think you can save them?"

It was the voice from her memories, the one that promised revenge as she slid the sword into Beryl's abdomen all those years ago. It was then that she realised that the person before her was no longer Beryl.

"Metallia?"

"Ah well at least you are not as dumb as you seem. Now prepare yourself as I swallow you and your energy whole!"

"You killed my family and everyone I loved once before. Now we have all been given a second chance and all you want to do is cause pain and suffering once again! In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"

"Your too late moon brat. My awakening has begun."

The shaking of the cave became even more violent as Metallia pushed at her barriors, trying to rip through them.

"I won't allow you to awaken!"

Her Moon wand appeared before her and with all the strength she could muster, she sent all her energy towards the beast in front of her. Metalllia just chuckled at her attempt.

"Try all you want, all you're doing is giving me even more energy!"

Large pieces of rock fell around her, shattering at her feet. She hoped that the girls and Mamoru had made it safely out of the cave. The ground split beneath her feet forcing her to jump closer to the growling mass that was Metallia. Before she could react, a hand-made of darkness grabbed her, pulling her into the swarming mass that was Metallia's body.

It sounded like a horrible storm outside, thunder and swift winds were trying to interrupt her little nap. But all she wanted to do was sleep for just a little while longer. Was that too much to ask? The howling wind only grew in agitation, forcing her to open her eyes to the world around her. Though, when she opened her eyes, she was sure she was stuck in a nightmare. A thick glass surrounded her like a jail cell cutting her off from the outside world. The thought of being imprisoned were enough to shake her to the core, but what was outside her clear prison was much worse. It was like she was inside a tornado. The wind whipped around harshly dark clouds. Pulling up large chunks of snow and ice as it went.

Flashes of light caught her attention but she couldn't make out a thing. What had happen to her, to the girls, to Mamoru? She couldn't see anything past the furious storm and the walls of her prison where thick and jagged. There was no way for her to break free. When her hand traced along its walls, it shimmered and shifted slightly causing her to recoil.

Closing her eyes in fear and sadness, lights formed in her mind's eye. It was the Senshi and Tuxedo Mask. They were not far from her on the edge of Metallia. She watched as they all danced around, moving from side to side. Then to her horror, she watched as they stopped and came together. Their lights grew brighter and brighter than disappeared. The only light left was Tuxedo Kamens and it stood completely still. Her Senshi had fallen. They were dead.

She pounded her fist on the crystal walls and screamed in agony. Her sisters in battle had fallen and she was powerless to stop it. Was she to just stand by and watch as it happened? Just like at the fall of the Moon Kingdom? She had to get out of this prison, she had to find a way to beat Metallia. As soon as the thoughts came into her mind, the crystal walls began to glow and shift. A light engulfed her so bright she had to close her eyes. The light dissipated and when she opened her eyes she was outside of Metallia looking at the corpses of her friends.

A scream erupted from her lips as she ran to their lifeless bodies, but before she could reach them arms encircled her, pulling her up and stopping her.

"Shh shh Usagi don't. It's a trap."

He brushed away her tears while he spoke, calming her, "They are dead?"

"...Yes. I'm sorry. I tried to stop them. We thought you were dead Usagi."

"What happened?"

"They sacrificed their life force to stop Metallia. They used all their energy attempting to stop her but it only made her stronger."

All four of them had used every drop of their energy and still couldn't stop her. How was she suppose to stop her? Especially without their help. They had died trying to save this world and she wouldn't let the die in vain. Releasing Tuxedo Kamen's hold on her, she began to walk up to the large mass of negative energy. A hand quickly grabbed her, stopping her.

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to beat her."

With that, he took her hand in his and together they walked towards their destiny. As soon as his hand took hers, the crystal that was still around her neck began to glow. It's light grew in strength and began to pull on its chain. She took it up in her free hand, feeling its energy pulsing within it. She looked to find Tuxedo Kamen's eyes on her as he watched the crystal regain it's power.

"You have the missing piece inside you. That is how I saved you."

He gave her a nod and they both faced Metallia again.

"Hahahaha, so the little princess wants to play? You will give me all your power and the power of th silver crystal!"

The crystal folded and shifted till it was in the shape of a rose and power flowed from it. She pulsed the energy towards Metallia, but it seemed as if her crystal was only making her stronger. She begged her body to give the crystal more power but no matter what she did, it only made Metallia bigger. The Senshi, Luna, no one was there to support her. Tears fell down her face till Mamoru gripped her chin.

"I will stand beside you Serenity. I will lend you my strength in your friend's place."

He was always there for her when she needed him. Filling her up and making her so strong, so sure. Calling upon her moon wand, it appeared in front of her and the silver crystal placed itself in the curve of the crescent. As soon as the crystal touch the wand, it extended turning the wand into a staff. She took hold of the staff and the power exploded from the crystal. Mamoru held her in his arms from behind and added his strength, doubling her power like he did in her dream. She leaned into him, savoring his support and warmth. He let her go and the silver crystal's light flooded towards the creäture but it still had no affect. She had to wish it in her heart just like when she wanted to save Mamoru.

"I won't let you have this planet Metallia. I Sailor Moon will punish you in the name of the Moon!"

She called out to the moon in prayer. Awaken Moon and help me send this creäture away for good. Help me protect this planet and all its people! A glow flooded over them. Looking up, she could see the moon, glowing as bright as the sun, giving her its strength. She watched as Metallia tried to move towards the light, trying to consume it. But she was trapped by it instead.

Metallia let out one last scream before the light swallowed her up. She was gone for good thanks to the power from the moon. Tired, she turned to see Tuxedo Kamen crouched to the ground pressing one hand against it. Very weak from the battle, she made her way to him on wobbly legs and grabbed his shoulder. Before he could shake her hand off, she saw what he saw. The world was dead. Millions of dead and bloodied faces flashed before her eyes.

A gasp escaped her lips as she stared at Tuxedo Kamen. She never knew Tuxedo Kamen had this power, but as the Prince of Earth it made sense. He was able to see all the pain of the Earth, see into the Earth's soul. She couldn't just stand there, she had to do something. She could see that he was able to read her thoughts like a book, moving to try and stop her. But before he could voice his concerns or grab her, she turned from him and lifted the crystal once more. Please crystal, help me save the people of this planet. Awaken my fallen brethren. Light once again flooded from both the crystal and the moon. She could feel it filling up the world. She could feel the people of Earth, awakening like they had only been asleep. In the distance, she could see her Senshi begin to move and rise from the frozen ground making her heart soar. A smile creased her face before she heard a loud pop and all the world went black.