A/N: So so so sorry about the long wait! I had almost finished this chapter when my PC decided it was a good time to kill itself... So it took some time, but I eventually got a lap top rewrote the chapter. I hope you enjoy it and again, sorry for the long wait.

Chapter 19

Blood dripped down Sol's left arm and he had to keep adjusting his grip on the hilt of his katana. His fingers tightened around the hilt once again, squeezing out his own blood. His main concern was losing his weapon while swinging, and he knew it wouldn't take much now. That spiky headed bastard! After he had cut the thing at the knee, it lurched forward and tried to impale him with one of its spikes, but he had dodged enough to avoid a fatal blow. Instead the spike had gouged out a deep gash into his shoulder which continued to pour blood down his arm. I'll have to resort to using just one hand if the wound doesn't close soon.

His muscles ached and his breathing was heavy. Sol was beginning to think they wouldn't be able to hold them off. The Forsaken had quickly realized Sol and Tuxedo Kamen had the advantage when they were able to fight together, and were now attempting to separate them. The Forsaken would try and lure them out from one side, and then have a few approach from the rear in the hopes of drawing one away from the other. Sol and Tuxedo Kamen stood back to back, waiting for the next assault.

"Hey Sol, how's your arm?" Tuxedo Kamen asked while they had some time.

"It's just a scratch." Sol lied. In truth whenever he moved his arm, the wound burned and more blood poured out. The harder his heart beat from fighting, the quicker the blood flowed. "Are you missing your top hat right about now?" Sol asked in return. Tuxedo Kamen let out a short laugh.

"I can always get another one." A tall skinny Forsaken had almost taken Tuxedo Kamen's head clean off, tearing his top hat to shreds. That had seemed to bother him more than almost being killed and he lashed out viciously against the monster. Three more Forsaken broke off from the main group and approached the two lone defenders slowly from Tuxedo Kamen's front. "Are you ready Sol?" The well dressed man asked him. They had decided it was best for one person to remain looking to the rear while closing the distance, and then they would both strike, defeating their foes fast enough before the enemy could counter.

"Let's do this." Sol replied tiredly. They hadn't been fighting long, but Sol was already beginning to feel weak. His left arm especially throbbed with pain. Tuxedo Kamen began slowly, Sol keeping his back pressed against his ally, watching for any signs of an incoming attack from his side. They began to pick up speed like they had done multiple times already. Luckily Tuxedo Kamen was a bit of a strategist and had realized they needed to fight together in order to survive. This was all his idea, and Sol had yet to be disappointed with the results. On Tuxedo Kamen's mark, Sol would turn and they would attack like they had before, Sol taking one side Tuxedo Kamen taking the other, defeating each Forsaken before the one in the middle had a chance to single out one or the other. So far they had had only success, but Sol doubted these beasts were completely mindless. They'll catch on sooner or later.

"Now Sol!" He heard Tuxedo Kamen bark. Sol pivoted on his foot, and just before he had turned all the way around, he spotted two Forsaken break off from the large circle and sprint towards the open palace doors.

"Mamoru!" Was all he could get out, breaking off from their small formation and chasing after the two clever Forsaken.

"Sol no!" It was already too late. He hadn't gone far from Tuxedo Kamen when the Forsaken turned their attention back to him. One crouched low and leapt forward in Sol's direction. He knew he had to, at the very least, disable them before turning back to Tuxedo Kamen. He heard one of the creatures wail out in pain behind him as he confronted his assailant to the front. The beast was hurdling towards him using its hands as another pair of legs, breaking away from its partner. Sol readied his katana, lowering the tip to the ground as he sped forward.

The black Forsaken took a final leap, outstretching its arms revealing sharp claws at the ends of its finger tips. Couldn't just one of them have stumps instead of claws? His thought seemed to bounce across his consciousness as he jumped high into the high, the larger Forsaken slamming into the ground where he had just been standing. His momentum carried him down the length of the creatures' body, and he slashed out across the backs of its heels, severing its Achilles' tendon, leaving it unable to walk or run. Sol Had enough time in the air to see the next beast right behind the first and raised his sword to counter, but was too late.

Razor sharp teeth buried deep into Sol's left shoulder, he felt his collar bone crack under the pressure as he threw his head back and screamed out in pain. His left arm went limp as hot blood poured out of the wound, soaking his clothes. Katana still in hand, he tried to plunge the end into the monsters head, but felt in iron grip squeeze his wrist, holding his sword hand in place. He struggled to push his arm further, willing it to overcome this Forsaken's strength but it only tightened its grip as the powerful jaws clamped down even further. Sol screamed again under the pain as its long teeth ripped through his shoulder.

His arm holding the blade felt weak, the weight of the sword too much. He felt the hilt slip from his grip, falling silently onto the grass beneath. Sol's vision began to blur, his ears started to ring. The jaws that held him in place released their grip and he felt himself fall to his knees. He couldn't keep his eyes from closing, falling face down into the lush green grass . It felt so comfortable to just rest. Yes, rest for a little while. I can help Mamoru after I rest. Help Mamoru. Help him with what? I need to rest now. Sol closed his eyes, faintly hearing Tuxedo Kamen call out to him before being pulled into the familiar darkness.

"It's him, it's really him Tom!" Sol's eyes were still closed but that voice sounded so familiar. Sol fought the urge to go back into his unconscious state, struggling to open his eyes. Eye lids fluttered open, and he expected a blinding light but only found a soft dim light instead. He tried to focus his eyes, but couldn't make out the faces of the two people in front of him.

"Sol?" That sounds like my father's voice. "Sol, it's me, your dad." Sol blinked again. His father's smiling face finally came into focus. Stubble across his chin and cheeks, his dad always shaving late in the day, was a common sight. He looks happy right now. His eye's slid of his father's face and found his mother standing close beside him, holding his hand as she smiled back.

"Our son has returned to us Tom." She said cheerfully, tears beginning to fill her eyes. Sol sat up and tensed, expecting pain to shoot through him, but nothing happened. He looked down at his hands and there was no blood. He tried to get his bearing and looked around. The light seemed to come from nowhere, illuminating them only. Darkness stretched out beyond the light for what seemed infinity. Sol turned his attention back to his parent before him.

"Where are we?" He asked. He couldn't remember anything. How did I get here? What is this place?

"What does that matter" his mom replied, extending her hand out to him. "You're here with us now. Like you should be. Together, as a family." She's right Sol though. I should be with them. They are my family. But I was doing something. What was I doing?

"C'mon Sol" his dad said, holding his hand out to him. Sol looked at his parent's faces one at a time. They look so happy to see me. But there is something I have to do first.

"What was I doing before I came here?" Sol asked. His mother looked at his father and they seemed confused by the question. She turned back to face Sol, eye brows furrowed.

"Sol, just come with us and everything will be alright." She explained calmly. Yeah, she's right. If I go with them, everything will be alright. They are my family Sol nodded. He stood up and approached his parents, a large smile on his face. His dad patted him on the left shoulder and pain shot through his entire body, Sol wincing back from his hand.

"What's wrong son?" His dad asked, concern all over his face now. He looked down at his shoulder which was throbbing with pain now, and was horrified to see his clothes were now soaked in blood. What the hell is this?!

"If you go with them, you won't ever return." An unfamiliar voice said behind him. Sol turned to see another couple, standing close to one another. The man was about the same height as Sol, with dark brown hair and soft brown eyes. His face was round and friendly, but he looked deadly serious right now. The woman standing beside him was considerably shorter. Chest-nut brown hair flowed down her back, a few strands falling beside her face, framing it like a picture. She was looking down when Sol's gaze passed to her, but she looked up now, sparkling green eyes meeting his hazel ones. Those eyes, I've seen those eyes before. The memory of those eyes tugged at something, but he couldn't remember.

"We know you love our daughter" the woman spoke, her soft voice breaking the silence. "If you go with your parents now, you won't ever get to see her again." Their daughter? What are they talking about? Where have I seen those eyes before?

"I'm sorry, but I've never met you before." Sol replied with honesty.

"No you haven't" the man said in return. "But you have met our daughter. Her name is-"

"This is our son and he belongs with us!" His mother interrupted suddenly. Sol turned to look at his mother, her face distraught with fear. "He belongs with us! We've been searching for him because he is our son!"

"Mom calm down, I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere." Sol soothed, but she didn't relax.

"You were there with me! But you disappeared! I couldn't find you or Tom! I was here alone! Alone and scared in the dark! But then, Tom appeared, and we... We've been looking for you ever since." She stammered. "We finally found you, now please Sol just come with us. Please." His mother begged. Tears were now flowing down her face. Sol wanted to reach out and hold her; he wanted to go with her and his dad. It felt like he hadn't seen either of them for so long. But those eyes...

"You're dead." The unknown man said. Sol spun quickly, eyes going wide with shock.

"Dead?" He whispered.

"Not you, but your parents are. They just don't know it yet. They haven't been dead for very long, so they still wander in limbo. They'll find their way eventually. You're not dead yet Sol. The longer you stay here, the closer you are to death." My parents are... Dead?

"No! We're not dead, we're standing right here in-"

"He's right." Sol interrupted his dad quietly. Memories began to form, vaguely inside his head.

"What did you say Sol?" His father asked

"He's right. You're dead. Both of you." The haze that was draped on Sol's memory was beginning to lift.

"We're not dead Sol" his mother pleaded. "Just come with us and-"

"I watched you die. Both of you." He turned his attention back to the short woman who hadn't said much. Her brilliant green eyes stared back, silently pleading with him to remember. "I watched you both die. I was afraid. Afraid and hurt. But I saw you both die. I began to fight, fight back against monsters" images of facing off against Forsaken began to flood back into his memory. "I fought because I was scared, because I wanted to die. I wanted one of them to kill me. But then" he looked at those green eyes, the green eyes that had become his salvation "I met her."

"Met who Sol? What are you talking about?" his mother asked.

"Makoto" her name crossed her lips and everything came flooding back to him. Everything he had forgotten, all the fighting, came back to him. He looked at the blood that stained his clothes and remembered Tuxedo Kamen. He needed his help, him and all the Senshi. Tuxedo Kamen's words echoed in his head, Makoto is behind us. That's right! He needed to get back, back to defending the palace.

The dim light that surrounded them grew brighter, kept getting brighter until it was blinding. Sol shielded his eyes with his hands. The light's intensity began to whistle in his ears, quickly growing in strength. The roar was becoming deafening, but he heard the short woman's voice through all the crashing around them.

"Please protect her. She needs you just as much as you need her." Her voice was soft, and humble. Sol didn't know how he could have heard her voice through the thunder around them, but he promised her silently that he would protect Makoto with his life.

Pain began to spread from his left shoulder, quickly intensifying. His body began to feel heavy from exhaustion, muscles ached and joints throbbed. He felt his like a ton of bricks was on his chest. The light died off suddenly and his eyes sprung open. The Forsaken that had bit into his shoulder held its arm high, ready to crush Sol with a devastating blow. The other hand placed firmly on top of his chest held him in place. A streak of red suddenly hit the black beast in the face and it recoiled in pain. Not wasting the opening, Sol reached over and grabbed the katana that had fallen from his grip earlier and swung just above the knees. Thick black blood gushed from the two wounds, soaking Sol's already blood stained clothes even more. He rolled back, mangled left arm screaming in pain as he did, and got to his feet. A vibrant red rose protruded from the Forsaken's face just below the eye.

Tuxedo Kamen's rose! That's when he remembered he had fled from his friend, leaving him to face off against three monsters, alone. Sol spun around and was relieved to see Tuxedo Kamen on his feet. His relief was quickly washed away when he noticed a deep ugly gash running down the length of his upper thigh. Sol opened his mouth to ask if he was alright when a deafening crack thundered from inside the palace. A wide black beam of dark energy shot into the sky, spreading quickly, turning the cloudless blue into a deep crushing black. It soon covered the sun and the day turned to night.

Forsaken around Sol and Tuxedo Kamen began to wail and yelp into the air, announcing their victory to the world. Koji is doing it, he's turning the world to darkness! Sol thought as he got beside the injured Tuxedo Kamen.

"What do we do now?" Sol asked, eyes wild and voice cracking. He looked at the other man before him who only smiled. How can he smile at a time like this? We've lost and he's smiling? Anger began to build up inside of him. He was on the verge of death and had been brought back by Makoto's parents, only to lose? Now Tuxedo Kamen was smiling at their grave situation? Tuxedo Kamen placed a dirtied white gloved hand on Sol's shoulder, noticing his anger.

"Do you still believe in Makoto and the others?"

"Of course I do!" Sol spat, unable to control his anger anymore.

"Than remember that. I won't accept defeat until it comes at the hand of one of my enemies. Sailor Moon and the Senshi will continue to fight, and so will I. Remember Sol, fight with love in the battlefield. Fight for Makoto." It took a few seconds for the words to get through. In his anger Sol was having a hard time making sense of what the other man just said, but suddenly it was like a light clicked on in his head. He's right, they haven't lost yet, and neither have we. He remembered his training with Mamoru, remembered the different techniques he had acquired from the book Mamoru had given him. He remembered Makoto's smiling face and her sparkling green eyes. Those eye's that burned into his soul, the eye's that would watch him forever now. He remembered Makoto's mother words. Please protect her. They echoed inside his head over and over again.

The darkness around him seemed to get a little brighter. He could smell the grass beneath his feet now. The pain in his shoulder began to ease quickly. He could taste the iron in the air from all the spilled blood. Sol focused his eyes on the Forsaken in front of them. They had to be at least 50 meters away, but he could see them clearly like he was standing before them. This is it. He looked down at the gleaming metal of his sword. This is the feeling I first had after Sailor Moon had awakened everyone. His hazel eyes locked with Tuxedo Kamen's.

"So you finally understand now." Was all the taller man said. Sol nodded slowly, he could hear the air go past his ears from the slight movement. Sol gripped the hilt tighter and pointed sharp tip towards the cheering Forsaken.

"What do you think about going on the offensive?"

"I thought you would never ask."

-/-*-\-

"She's getting tired the longer we fight" Sailor Venus noted to Sailor Jupiter. She narrowed her eyes, and focused on the tall black haired woman across the foyer and saw she was indeed tired. The other woman looked exhausted. Leaning against the crystal pillar that she had once hid behind, inhaling deeply, she didn't look like much of an opponent. If it weren't for that damn shadow creature, we could have finished this a long time ago! A frustrated Sailor Jupiter thought to herself.

A second tremor rocked the palace and Sailor Jupiter faced Sailor Venus. They both knew they had to finish this now, or else Koji would defeat the other three Senshi.

"You know, this is all going according to our plan." Aksuna yelled across the empty crystal space, anticipating what they were thinking. "We knew if we could separate you from each other, we would have the upper hand." She slid down the pillar slightly, but regained some composure, standing up straight again. "Honestly, I didn't think you two would be able to handle me, but I commend you for fighting so valiantly. Unfortunately for you, this is the end." Aksuna raised her right hand and called forth another shadow creature. Sailor Jupiter could see the strain it was causing her and wondered if she really could finish them off in this state.

Sailor Venus pointed her index finger at the small black creature and readied her next attack. The golden glow coming from the end of her finger emitted a faint light, but instead of attacking she addressed the other woman. "I know you're not like him. I can see it in your eyes. Tell me, do you trust Koji?" The black being in front of them shimmered slightly, like it was going out of focus. "You're afraid of him aren't you!" Sailor Venus pressed. The creature turned and faced Aksuna this time. What is she doing?

Suddenly Aksuna collapsed to the ground. They both expected the little black thing in front of them to disappear, but it stayed right where it stood. It crouched low, like it was going to attack. Not like, it is going to attack! The thought had barely formed when Sailor Jupiter jumped into action. She sprinted forward, not entirely sure why she rushing to save this other woman's life. Perhaps it was because she couldn't defend herself, or maybe it was because that's what Usagi would do. The reason didn't matter at the moment though. The only thing that did matter was getting to it before it got to her.

"Venus Love Me Chain!" Sailor Jupiter heard her friend call out as she closed the distance. Good Mina-chan! She thought. The gold heart shaped links rushed past her towards the creatures' midsection, wrapping around it tightly. Sailor Venus pulled hard, cinching the chain up but the small black shadow didn't seem to care. Instead it just reached down and effortlessly loosened the chain with one hand and prepared to strike.

It burst forward away from Sailor Jupiter with incredible speed, raising one clawed hand above its head, ready to kill Aksuna with a single blow. NO! Sailor Jupiter's legs pumped harder as her vision narrowed in on her target. She wasn't going to make it in time, the thing was too fast. It was on top of Aksuna now, a menacing smile flashed sharp teeth inside its mouth. I need to be faster! Sailor Jupiter thought. Its clawed black hand came rushing down, whistling through the air with murderous intent when time suddenly stopped. Its hand rested just inches away from the back of Aksuna's head. Sailor Jupiter knew what was happening and looked down at her hands as they were engulfed in electricity. The tendrils quickly spread over her body and she dashed out with a clap of thunder. In an instant she was beside the creature as it was frozen in time. With her body still surrounded by the powerful lighting of her guardian Jupiter, she swung her arm at the things midsection, chopping through the solid shadow with ease. Its upper body separated from its legs as she followed through with her attack and time started over again.

The upper body of the shadow creature went flying across the room as a loud boom rattled the quick chamber. The legs began to dematerialize, the bits of shadow disintegrating into the air. Sailor Jupiter looked across the room at Sailor Venus. The other girl was in shock, her mouth hanging open.

"Why?" She heard a whisper from below. Sailor Jupiter crouched low and helped Aksuna sit up against the crystal pillar.

"What do you mean why? It was going to kill you." Sailor Venus' high heels echoed in the large empty room as she approached the two women.

"I wanted it to kill me. I'm as good as dead now." Aksuna breathed tiredly. Sailor Jupiter furrowed her brow in confusion and Aksuna noticed so she continued. "Koji said if I couldn't stop you he would kill me. After expending so much energy to bring down the shield, I knew it was only a matter of time before you defeated me. Our plan was to separate you from the beginning. If I couldn`t do that, he would have killed me on the spot. Now instead of giving me the death I chose, you`ve sealed my fate and handed me a slow one instead. Why would you save me anyway? We're enemies, showing mercy is a weakness."

Sailor Venus crouched down and looked Aksuna in the eye, her features calm and compassionate. "We saved you because that's what Sailor Moon would have wanted. She doesn't want to see anyone die, not even her enemies and she'll do everything she can to prevent it from happening. We wouldn't be very good followers if we couldn't act on her behalf now could we?" She finished with a smile. Aksuna's tired eyes began to fill with life again, tears forming inside of them.

"I don't deserve this kind of kindness for the sins I've committed" she choked out. Sailor Jupiter rested her hand softly on Akuna's shoulder.

"We can help you. We'll defeat Koji and Sailor Moon can cleanse you of the darkness inside of you." Sailor Jupiter noticed something change in her then, something that had been missing from her lifeless stare before. Hope. She had been living her life under Koji's rule, always fearing for her life, and now the people that Koji had commanded her to kill were giving her a way out. It was too much for her to comprehend and she broke down, wailing and sobbing as tears flowed from her eyes.

"You're too good to me!" She managed to get out between sobs. "You're too good to me!" She repeated, wrapping her long arms tightly around Sailor Jupiter, holding on to the only life line she was being offered.

"Aksuna!" Sailor Venus barked suddenly "We need to know where they are, we need to go help Sailor Moon. Like you said, you wanted to separate us, but now we need to get to our friends." Aksuna let go of Sailor Jupiter and whipped the tears from her eyes, nodding quickly.

"He went to the chamber that you used to awaken the planet. He plans on using that to cover the world in darkness and-" The pinkish hue that covered all the walls and floor distorted and began to grow dark. A black cloud swirled under their feet as the light was shut out.

"Oh no." Aksuna whispered, eyes wide with fear. "It's too late, he's already-"

"Jupiter!" Sailor Venus barked as she took off down the corridor Sailor Moon and the others had gone only a few minutes before. Sailor Jupiter gave Aksuna one more reassuring nod before getting up and following her friend. Get ready Koji, the cavalry is on the way!

-/-*-\-

Sailor Moon was still in staring at her broken wand when the monster that used to be Koji turned its back to the three girls and wrapped its giant fingers around the small pillar they had used to awaken the world. Sailor Mars suddenly filled her field of vision and grabbed her by the shoulders.

"Snap out of it Usagi!" She screamed "You need to do something!"

"But my wand... He broke it... What can I do now?" She whispered. "Everyone... Everyone is going to die because I wasn't able to do anything." The room quickly went dark, a black energy coming off of Koji's body was being channeled into the small pillar on the floor. A black beam of energy shot into the sky as dark energy filled the walls of the Crystal Palace.

Without warning, everything went back to the way it was, the black replaced by the pinkish hue of the Silver Crystal's power. Sailor Moon blinked. Have I lost my mind? But then she heard the light clicking of fingers on a keyboard and she turned to see Sailor Mercury furiously pressing buttons on her small hand held.

"Mercury...?" Sailor Moon mumbled.

"I removed the pillar that harnesses the energy and converts it into the palace. If I can create a rift in the floor I think you can direct it Koji, like when his hand broke through. Theoretically, it should be able to be directed with the Silver Crystal in your broach Sailor Moon, but I need more time." The blue haired girl explained quickly.

The monster that was Koji quickly figured out who was behind this, and turned its massive body towards them. Sailor Mars stood her ground between them, and spread her arms out protectively. Koji's monstrous hand lurched out.

"Burning Mandela!" Eight burning discs formed around Sailor Mars and shot into Koji's palm, hissing as they went in. He howled in pain and pulled his large hand back. "I'll do what I can to buy you more time!" the black haired girl yelled over her shoulder just before she took off towards the hideous creature in front of them. Sailor Mercury continued to press buttons, eyes focused on the screen in front of her. Sailor Moon began to feel that they might be able to pull this off, but Sailor Mars couldn't do it alone. She needed help.

Sailor Moon began to stand up and give whatever aid she could to her friend, when she felt Sailor Mercury tug her back down.

"You can't afford to take any hits from Koji. The amount of energy that is going to pass through you has a very good chance of killing you, even if you're not injured. You just have to trust that she can do it." Sailor Mercury's face was set with determination, not an ounce of giving up was showing through her blue eyes.

"But-"

"Usagi!" Sailor Mercury yelled at her friend. "We need you to finish him off, we don't have the power too. It has to be you. Trust Rei-chan to do her best." Sailor Moons eyes went towards the battle that was being fought in front of them. It was all Sailor Mars could do to stay alive, jumping and ducking from Koji's relentless attacks. Sailor Moon caught a look at her face as she dodged and rolled the vicious attacks. There wasn't any fear or doubt on her face, only determination. Koji swiped his large hand at Sailor Mars and she ducked then quickly rolled under his spread legs. He turned , expecting to find her on the other side, but she had stayed under him, moving as he moved, keeping his attention while Sailor Mercury continued to input commands.

The giant beast realized the ploy she was using and jumped back as he swung his monstrous hand down, grabbing hold of Sailor Mars by the torso. A hideous sound escaped its gaping mouth, what could only be described as a laugh of triumph. He began to squeeze his powerful fingers, wanting to crush the life out of her. Sailor Mars screamed in pain and thrashed trying to free her arms. Sailor Moons heart skipped a beat as she gasped in fear for her friend. But what can I do to help her?! Sailor Mars' face went from a deep red top a dark blue. He was crushing her to death.

"Crescent Beam!" A golden ray shot out from behind them, connecting with the wrist that held Sailor Mars. The explosion knocked Sailor Mars free, her limp body falling to the hard crystal floor beneath. Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter were standing beside them now, looking ready to fight.

"Keep Koji busy as long as you can" Sailor Mercury instructed without looking up from the screen. The two girls nodded and took off, side by side. Koji pulled one arm back and threw it down with incredible force, but they both jumped to either side of it, avoiding the deadly blow. Sailor Moon watched as they rolled and dodged like Sailor Mars had, avoiding his attacks. They continue to fight, even though they know they can't beat him. Just as she was having that thought, a pillar began to rise out of the floor in front of her. It looked like the pillar that had been in the room previously, but now it had a handle on the top of it. Sailor Moon looked at Sailor Mercury, confused.

"Just grab the handle and the energy stored inside the palace will begin to flow into you. You need to direct it at Koji. If we can beat him we can-" Whatever she was going to say was cut off. Sailor Venus' body slammed into Sailor Mercury and the two went sprawling out across the crystal floor. Sailor Moon turned her attention from the her two knocked out friends to Koji and Sailor Jupiter. The green eyed girl was staring in her direction and didn't notice Koji readying another attack, his giant fist already whistling through the air towards his prey.

"Mako-chan!" Sailor Moon screamed, trying to warn her friend. But it was too late, his fist slammed into the stunned girl, crushing her into the wall. Cracks spread out from where he had impacted her into the crystal, the whole room vibrated from the blow. He pulled his hand away slowly and an unconscious Sailor Jupiter slid off his fist and onto the floor. Now it was only her and him. Good versus evil. Life or death. Everything was up to Sailor Moon now.

She looked around the room. Rei, Ami, Mina, Mako. You all fought knowing you couldn't beat him. You all fought believing I could win. Koji's lifeless black eyes stared at her. How many times have I tripped, trying to find my path through the darkness? Her hand trembled above the pillar, this was for her friends. How many tears have I shed? Koji took a lumbering step forward, he seemed to sense her fear. No! I won't let my doubts and fears control me any longer! She gripped the handle and immediately felt the rush of power course into her. You blame us for your suffering, so I do this for you now! The intensity was like nothing else she had ever felt before, it was taking most of her strength just to keep from passing out. When I have my friends with me, there isn't anything I can't do! She began to feel the flow of this energy, began to direct it to the Silver Crystal inside her broach. Her eyes found Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars laying on the ground, motionless and tears started to fill her big blue eyes. I'll stand and fight though my sorrow. I'll pick up our dreams and face tomorrow! The Silver Crystal was glowing now. Everyone, help my unwind this curse, help me turn our fate into a chance to hope! Koji had sensed the change in her and was now closing the distance quickly. I'm trusting I'm braver, but nothing is greater than our friendship! His large black hand was about to wrap itself around her when she released the energy from the Silver Crystal. For love and for honor, I carry the future! Intense energy burst from Sailor Moons chest, plunging into the giant beast in front of her, Koji wailed a horrible sound, reeling back from the impact, but she didn't let up. If I fall, I'll get up again until I end this nightmare! She held nothing back now, she could no longer contain the power coursing through her veins. Memories of Ami, Rei, Makoto, Minako, Mamoru and Sol played out in her head. This is the oath I swear to you, and everyone else! The light was too bright to see anything, the only thing she could hear was the rush of power passing through her body. She needed to hold on, just a little longer, hold on for just a few more seconds.

-/-*-\-

The blackness that had spread through the sky had suddenly stopped while Sol and Tuxedo Kamen had fought their way through the hoard of Forsaken. Now things didn't look too good for them. Sol was on his back, sword gripped in a Forsaken's iron jaw, holding it back with the little strength he had left when a beam of pink energy shot into the sky and spread out with incredible speed. The monster on top of him pulled back in what he could only describe as fear. The pink light crashed down to the earth like a wave, spreading out faster than anything Sol had ever seen before. The Forsaken around him wailed and screamed. Some disappeared entirely; others were changed back to their human form. The pink light had no effect of Sol and Tuxedo Kamen, it passed over them like a shadow. Just as quickly as it came, it was gone. Sol sat up and looked to where Tuxedo Kamen stood.

He had been surrounded by five Forsaken a second ago, now only two men were laying in grass at his feet.

"What was that?" Sol asked. Maybe he was really dead this time. Tuxedo Kamen looked to the sky, a large smile spreading his face.

"She did. We've won. It's over Sol. It's finally over."

A/N: I hope everyone has been watching the new episodes of Sailor Moon Crystal. In case you haven't figured it out, my favourite is Makoto, and I was thrilled for her episode! Let me know what you think, and again, sorry for the terribly long wait.