Author's Notes: Approaching the two-year anniversary of this, my first widely-posted fanfiction, is truly a strange experience. Has it really been that long since I was an unknown, just another strange name on the ASMR New Stories page hoping for a few reviews in a world full of strangers? Since then, I've written a lot and accomplished even more, although I know I still have a long way to go and a lot more to offer the fandom. Looking back on this story in its original form brings a mixture of pride at its power and embarrassment at my naivete and unpolished skills. I still get reviews on this every now and then, and as my first tale it still holds a special place in my heart, and so I've decided it deserves a bit more polish with all that the past two years can offer. As before, I'll say right up front that this is a songfic about the final deaths of Usagi and Mamoru, set in the distant future after they have ruled Crystal Tokyo for a good long time. It shows two possiblities presented as parallel universes. The story is interwoven with "As In Autumn" by Margot Wagner. If you haven't heard her music, I strongly recommend it. The lyrics are rather depressing on their own but the song is absolutely beautiful. I hope you enjoy my work. -Dejana 7/16/2005 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Bittersweet Surrender ("As In Autumn," Revised) A Sailormoon Fanfiction by dejanatalis@aol.com with lyrics from "As In Autumn" by Margot Wagner ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ As in autumn we did fall as leaves Crashing downward with the pull of time Now I see how worn we have become Draining ourselves colorful and fine ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ --{{ The air was still, nearly stale in its motionless state. Nothing stirred in the chamber, the large room dimmed by heavy drapes over the tall windows that shut out most of the light, but the atmosphere was more peaceful than lifeless. The silence was broken only by the soft whisper of a young woman breathing. The curtains of the four-poster bed were drawn back. Even without her husband beside her, the princess unconsciously kept to her usual side of the mattress, her long hair covering the sheets in silk that spilled over the edge of the bed. Despite the calm of the room, it was obvious this was no peaceful night's slumber. The princess lay not swaddled within her blankets but sprawled atop them, fully clothed in her long white dress, her shoes lying discarded nearby. Her eyelashes fluttered fitfully against her pale cheeks, the golden crescent moon on her forehead shifting as her face twitched with unease even in sleep. Neo-Queen Serenity lingered beside the bed for a moment, still and silent as the air. Gentle blue eyes gazed down at the younger woman as she slept, their usual clarity shadowed by a melancholy weariness. The queen's everlasting cheer was legendary among her people, but today her usual smile was invisible among the worry lines that creased her face. Slowly she reached out a thin hand and lightly brushed a strand of rosy hair from the cheek of her sleeping daughter, her greatest treasure. Small Lady was not so small anymore. She was an adult now, her pink cotton-candy hair long enough to reach her toes, her face a mirror of how Neo-Queen Serenity herself had looked at that age. The word of the princess was not yet law, but she was well on her way to commanding the respect of the people, and she had been married to her own chosen prince for many years. With their separate lives amid the forest of pressing matters of state, mother and daughter had seen less and less of one another as the years wore on. Often, they preferred it that way. The princess was no longer the innocent little girl she once had been. Yet, in the embrace of sleep, all the discord and old disputes faded away and she once again became a vulnerable, restless child in need of comfort. In such moments Serenity could not resist the opportunity to be close to her daughter, to caress her again with a motherly hand. At times she hesitated to touch the princess, as her creased and roughened flesh was undoubtedly harsh against the younger woman's tender skin, but Lady Serenity calmed beneath her mother's caress and the shadow of a smile flitted across her lips. After only a moment of maternal attention the princess lay quietly, her breathing softened, her sleep undisturbed. ~Chibi-Usa-chan.~ Memories of a more innocent time threatened to flood the aged ruler's mind in the wake of the now-ancient nickname, but at the moment she could not afford herself the freedom to reminisce. All was no longer well in Crystal Tokyo. For the past few weeks, the princess had been fighting alongside the Sailor Quartet as Sailor Moon, trying to prevent the invaders from penetrating the city. What had been her mother's duty was now Lady Serenity's all- consuming mission, the focus of all her efforts day and night. It had taken quite a lot of work on the part of her parents to convince her to sleep for a while. Who would have thought such a dedicated warrior would spring from a mother whose childhood passions were napping and snacking? ~I am proud of you, daughter,~ Neo-Queen Serenity thought fondly as she stepped silently away from the bedside. As the queen carefully slipped out into the corridor and closed the door to her daughter's suite, she could again hear the distant explosions from the battlefield. There had been a seemingly endless time of peace and glory ever since the defeat of Nemesis. Now, those perfect years were over. The lazy days that had once seemed so monotonous had become an all too brief dream of security Serenity longed desperately to return to. Slowly she walked back toward the throne room, now a chamber of war, headquarters of the defense. Age hindered the queen's steps as well as a reluctance to return to the reality of today. Her long white dress brushing the smooth crystalline floor, Serenity's mind flew back to happier times despite her need to focus on current events. Always, she and her friends had repelled evil and emerged victorious, a unified immortal team, even through death. This time, however, the outcome would be different. Neo-Queen Serenity could no longer ignore the dreams and visions that had plagued her ever since the Shinmosei attacked, ill omens she had kept secret from her court out of concern for their peace of mind. Serenity had been a beacon of undying hope for centuries, the only one who never gave up, and she did not want that perception to change...but this time, there would be no return to the life that Crystal Tokyo had always known. There would be loss. She bore the burden of this knowledge silently, a last gift to her friends and family. Walking through the silent, empty corridors, the queen's uneven steps were heavy as her thoughts turned to the many people that should have filled these halls. Most of them were out on the battlefield now, many of them lying motionless, never to rise again. At least their families had something to mourn over. Crystal Tokyo would never know what had happened to Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune, the first line of defense against alien invasion. Serenity lifted her hands, cradling the pink henshin locket she had taken from her daughter's room. There was nothing she could do for any of the fallen now. In her heart she knew what was coming, and that there was only one choice remaining to her. At least her precious child would be safe. As she approached the throne room Neo-Queen Serenity lowered her hands to hide the locket between the folds of her flowing gown. When she arrived, she found the headquarters bustling with frantic activity. People were running, commanders were shouting orders, and King Endymion was standing right in the thick of it upon the raised dais that held the thrones aloft. Their son-in-law Helios was standing beside him, helping the king to issue his instructions. To the casual eye the two men looked as solid and confident as ever, but the queen had learned long ago to recognize this ruse. She saw the droop of her husband's shoulders as he struggled to hold his head high, and noticed the repeated flash of the golden horn that graced Helios' forehead as he turned his head from side to side uneasily. Even without the shouts of alarm that surrounded her Serenity would have known the news from the front was not good. The crowd parted before the Queen as she glided toward the dais. When she reached the summit, instead of heading directly toward the two men she edged toward the curtain that covered the wall behind the thrones. Slipping her hand out from the folds of her dress, Serenity slid the locket behind the curtain and let it fall. It would be found eventually, but not soon enough for her daughter to interfere in what Serenity knew to be her own destiny. Her covert mission completed, the Neo-Queen moved to stand beside her beloved husband. Muttered words in her ear soon confirmed what was being shouted around the room. The Shinmosei had penetrated Crystal Tokyo and were rapidly progressing through the city. There was no doubt that they would reach the palace soon. }}-- ~~[[ Sunlight streamed in the windows of the royal suite, filling the elegant rooms with a golden glow. It was already mid-morning, but the large bed with the ornate headboard was still occupied. The bedcurtains were drawn, but the light still filtered through enough to brighten the face of Neo-Queen Serenity. Lying beside her, his head propped up on one arm, King Endymion gazed fondly upon his soulmate. A faint smile gave life to his cheeks as he watched Serenity sleep, his charcoal eyes tracing every detail of her pale face. Her long eyelashes rested gently upon her cheeks, her lips pursed slightly, rosy in the sunlight. Her skin was no longer as soft as it had once been, and she carried a few wrinkles to mark a long life full of smiles, but Endymion still thought her as beautiful as she had been when they first met. Her blonde hair, now streaked with silver, was free of its usual buns and covered her side of the bed they shared. Delicately, Serenity's eyes fluttered open, still the vibrant blue they had always been. Just like every morning since the day they were married, she smiled up at her husband, the face that greeted her now thinner and careworn with crow's feet beside its warm eyes. Despite the silver intermingled with his black hair, Serenity was still enchanted by her husband's handsome strong visage. "Aishiteru, Usako." "Aishiteru, Mamo-chan." The king bent his head to his queen and their lips met, the kiss still sending sparks through both of their souls even after all these years. Every morning it was the same. Endymion would wake first and watch Serenity sleep, and their first words to each other would be "I love you." For the rest of the day they would have to refer to each other as Endymion and Serenity, bound by expectation to wrap the mantle of regal maturity around themselves as king and queen. Only here in their bedroom could they be their true selves, in this sanctuary where they were still the young lovers from many years ago. Not rulers, or even soldiers, but simply Mamoru and Usagi. Their days were no longer as full as they used to be. The princess and her husband had taken over most of the day-to-day running of Crystal Tokyo, and the aging royal couple's lives were now made up mostly of formal audiences and public appearances. However, they still held court each day in the throne room, the princess and prince taking lower seats for that task. It was in that place that Endymion finally realized that his world would not remain whole forever. When the court session ended, the pair rose from their thrones to wave to the assembled nobility, as usual. Today, however, the queen looked unusually pale. When she turned to descend from the dais, she swayed, her hands clutched at the empty air, and she sank to her knees on the crystalline platform. Endymion was at her side in an instant, lifting his love in his arms as she smiled up at him weakly. A cold nausea settled in the pit of his stomach when he found she could not even bring her arms to his shoulders, but he smiled as he raised her from the floor and told her she would be all right. Several courtiers and servants tried to persuade the elderly king to let them bring his wife to the medical wing of the palace, including Helios, but Endymion stubbornly refused. He knew he was aging, but he had strength enough to carry his precious Serenity. The healers told the king that Serenity's heart was weakening. Even Sailor Mercury agreed, although she could not meet his eyes when she said so. It was a natural consequence of age, inevitable. ~Inevitable.~ The word echoed endlessly in Endymion's head as he carried his wife back to their bedroom. ~Inevitable.~ Serenity seemed stronger now, but her husband refused to allow her to walk on her own. As she lay her golden head upon his chest, her long white skirts resting against the lavender fabric of his tuxedo, the king put every ounce of effort into holding his arms steady beneath her weight. He was her protector, her knight in shining armor. He would not allow age to weaken his beloved's faith in his strength. The royal couple spent the rest of the day in their suite, seeing visitors and taking care of the little official business they still handled in Endymion's study. In the evening they played several brief games of chess; Serenity had never managed to learn the game properly. In their final game she succeeded in putting up a stronger fight, and it took Endymion a few more moves than usual to capture her queen. Instead of placing the piece beside the others he had taken, he smiled at his wife and slipped it into his breast pocket. "What are you doing?" Serenity asked, a puzzled look creasing her thinned face more deeply. "I'm placing my queen where she belongs," Endymion replied, "right beside my heart. I will never let her go." Neo-Queen Serenity's lips curved upward in a rosy smile, and she stretched her hand across the chessboard to mingle her fingers with those of her king. As the night deepened, Endymion carried his wife to their bed, undressed her, and laid her gently beneath the luxurious bedclothes. She was as beautiful as ever, her face shining with love for him. After removing his own clothing he slid between the sheets beside her, holding out his arms for her to slip into his embrace. Serenity remained where she lay, lifting one hand to trace Endymion's jawline with her thinned fingers. "Make love to me, Mamo-chan." Despite her illness, Endymion found it quite impossible to resist her. It had been quite some time since their last experience, as their energy was no longer what it once was, but the passion was still there, honed into a glittering diamond of emotion after years of life together. As they writhed in unison, Endymion gazed into the bright blue eyes of his soulmate. Serenity's gaze was fixed upon him, her face shining in ecstasy as he moved within her, her mouth open and her cheeks glowing with a rosy color they had not held in years. Within those eyes Endymion found the youth and life that he had fallen in love with, that he still loved with all his heart. Even when their throats and intertwined bodies released their passion they kept their eyes locked within each other's gaze, both of them reclaiming a piece of their souls in that instant. This was a fire that could never die. "Aishiteru, Mamo-chan." "Aishiteru, Usako." ]]~~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Come fall by me and wither in my hands Come lay by me and crumble in my arms ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ --{{ Neo-Queen Serenity stood tall and proud in front of the main entrance to the palace, her wisdom-lined face set in an expression of grim determination. Around her, the four legendary Sailor Senshi were grouped at the top of the crystal staircase, looking much younger than the friend they had grown up with. The princess's team of soldiers had gathered in front of them. Despite the presence of the Sailor Quartet, Neo-Queen Serenity's own guardians were leading the defense. The princess' team could never hope to match the older soldiers' centuries of experience. As long as the purpose of their existence still drew breath, the warriors of the four nearest planets would remain firmly in eternal middle-age, forever fit for battle. Since the queen's duty as a soldier had been passed to her daughter, the same was not true for Serenity. "Please go inside, Neo-Queen," Sailor Venus begged. "We can protect you much easier if you're inside the palace." With weary eyes Serenity gazed upon the woman who had been one of her dearest friends throughout their complicated lives. "No. My place is here, defending my people." The noises of the approaching army grew louder and louder, punctured here and there by the sounds of a brief skirmish between the remaining soldiers and the Shinmosei. There were screams among the towering buildings of the city, and mournful wailing. The utopia had become a living nightmare of death and fear. "We will defend the kingdom for you, Neo- Queen," Sailor Jupiter argued desperately. "Please..." "No, Jupiter," the Queen replied firmly. "I will stay." Such formality, even in what could be their final moments. What had happened to the familiar closeness the five women had once shared? The group whirled around, startled, as the doors behind them flew open with a bang. King Endymion rushed out, flanked by his closest advisors, their daughter's prince among them. "Serenity!" the king cried in alarm, limping slightly on his aging legs. "I didn't see you go, I was so worried..." His faded eyes narrowed in confusion beneath the thin white mask. "What are you doing out here? Hurry, come back inside with me," he urged her. The queen shook her head gently. "I must stay here and help protect our people from our enemies, Endymion. That duty is still mine." Endymion looked about to protest, but after centuries of marriage he knew well when she could not be persuaded. He considered for a moment. "Then I will stay, too." Serenity opened her mouth to protest, but he held up a hand to stop her. "My place is at your side. I trust you will not begrudge me my own eternal duty," he added with a faint and bitter smile. "No, that is wrong," he amended. "Protecting you was never a duty. It was always a pleasure." As the king stepped forward to stand at Serenity's side, the front lines of the invading army rounded the corner into the palace courtyard. What sunlight shone through the rolling clouds glinted on row after row of shiny black armor. The king's advisors rushed to surround the royal couple on the staircase. Helios looked around for a moment with a puzzled expression, then whirled around and dashed into the crystal structure that loomed behind them. "All of you, go back into the palace," The queen commanded, sweeping her hand to indicate the advisors and anyone else present who was not a Sailor Soldier. "That is not a request," she added in her strongest tone when they hesitated. Serenity then turned to the Sailor Quartet. "You four, circle around through the city and attack the enemy from behind," she directed in the same firm voice. Accepting that the Neo- Queen clearly had some sort of plan, the younger soldiers nodded smartly as one body. A moment later, only the king, queen, and the four original Sailor Soldiers remained, forming a living barrier between the invaders and the shining palace. The Shinmosei were flooding into the courtyard now. Leading the charge were a dozen enormous youma, vicious wild creatures whose plainly visible energy auras betrayed the fact that they held greater power than the group had ever faced before. It was undoubtedly these that had been laying waste to Crystal Tokyo's armies. Queen Serenity took a deep breath. "My friends-" "Don't, Usagi-chan," Mars interrupted with a smile, startling Serenity into silence with the use of a tender nickname she had not heard in what seemed like forever. "We won't leave you," Sailor Jupiter declared, her eyes hard with determination beneath her tiara. "We are soldiers. Our destiny is to fight." "You wouldn't permit us to deny you your duty," Venus reminded her friend and ruler. "Well, ours is to stand with you against the enemy, no matter what happens." "If that means our story is finally at an end, then so be it," the blue-suited soldier said with quiet resolve. Sailor Mercury's computer and visor were nowhere to be seen; she was making no attempt to search for weak points. Neo-Queen Serenity was not the only one who had accepted that there would be loss on this day. As the army approached, the four Sailor Senshi hurtled down the staircase and sprang into action. }}-- ~~[[ Sunlight streamed in the windows of the royal suite, filling the elegant rooms with a golden glow. It was already mid-morning, but the large bed with the ornate headboard was still occupied. The bedcurtains were drawn but the light still filtered through, once again falling upon the pale face of Neo-Queen Serenity. King Endymion awoke, having slept later than usual. After hours of nightmares of watching his Serenity falling into a great abyss, her long hair streaming into darkness, his mind had finally quieted enough to allow him to sleep. As his dark eyes opened to face another day he realized the bed seemed unusually cold. He turned his head, and his gaze fell upon the still form of his beloved wife. "Iie," he breathed. ~No.~ As always, the sunlight brought a golden hue to her fair skin and set her hair alight. As always, her loose hair covered her side of the bed they had shared for many years. As always, her long eyelashes lay gently upon her cheeks, and her lips were slightly pursed and curved just barely into a sweet, peaceful smile. Everything was the same as it had been every other morning throughout the existence of Crystal Tokyo, with one exception. There was no movement, no fluttering eyelashes, no rise and fall of her chest. Serenity's sleep had become eternal. He didn't dare touch her. She had been ill; perhaps she was simply more tired than usual. She looked so calm, so peaceful, so restful. Perhaps she was indeed merely sleeping. If he touched her, he'd have the answer. He didn't want to know. She had to open her eyes. He couldn't start the day without seeing those perfect pools of blue, the cool water that drew him in and held him enveloped in her love. He needed it as much as he needed the sunlight and the morning air. Any moment now, she might wake and banish this cold emptiness that was growing in his soul and everything would be normal again. He couldn't move, couldn't leave his vigil without seeing her smile. She had to open her eyes. Endymion lay there through the morning and into the afternoon, just gazing upon her, his wife's face whiter and thinner than it had ever been. The minutes and hours slipped by and still he waited patiently to see the bright blue eyes that would never again open. She was beautiful, as she always was to her husband's eyes, and her face now shone with an eternal peace that had sprung from a moment of happiness that would somehow last until the end of time, captured within a mind that was now forever silent. "Aishiteru, Usako. Aishiteru." ]]~~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The frost comes quickly to steal our morning breath And paint pure memories thin across our bones Fear not the snow's cold blanket in the night It cannot chill the blood we do not own ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ --{{ For the briefest of moments, chaos reigned in Crystal Tokyo. The air was filled with the four key elements, a raging tempest of power that clashed against a wall of cruel destruction. It was a war unto itself, an epic battle between good and evil that deserved a far more legendary lengthy struggle than it was given. This fight was far from evenly matched. The numbers - a dozen to four. The odds - far lower than a more gentle fate would have allowed. Sailor Mercury, a whirlwind of ice crystals and frigid liquid, launched a frozen storm against the nearest of the monsters, freezing it and one of its companions to the flagstones at the base of the staircase. Two more youma leapt out from behind the immobilized creatures and sent streams of black and crimson lightning upward toward the soldier in blue. With a strangled shriek as her entire body convulsed, Mercury collapsed on the crystal and lay still. Smoke curled faintly from the charred edges of her uniform. Flexing their gigantic muscles, the pair of frozen youma shattered their ice prisons and walked free. A dozen to three. Sailor Mars swept down the staircase toward the enemy, a growing inferno swirling around her as she shouted a summons to all the power she possessed. After a dozen steps she flung her arms forward, blasting the closest of the youma with the strongest blaze she could muster. The creatures continued their advance through the flame as if it were mere wind, emerging unscathed when the soldier's fire finally died. Mars went down beneath a crush of claws and fangs and snarling bulk. When they left her, it was hard to discern the torn red fabric of her uniform from the blood. A dozen to two. Sailor Jupiter flung her arms out to her sides as the antenna rose from her tiara and climbed toward the sky. Letting out a cry of challenge, the green-suited soldier called to her element and lightning rained down on the approaching youma. The hulking creatures extended their own arms and absorbed it. Jupiter charged forward with a roar, fists flying, but her strength was no match for the three monsters who surrounded her and turned her own element into their weapon. After beating the soldier so soundly with handfuls of thunder that there were scarcely any unbroken bones left, one of the youma kicked her high into the air. Jupiter crashed down heavily on the stairs in a heap, her limp body contorted into impossible angles. A dozen to one. Sailor Venus sent a chain of golden hearts toward one of the youma in an attempt to entangle and immobilize it. Instead, the creature seized the shining links in one gigantic hand and yanked, pulling the soldier off the staircase and into its grasp with one tug. She struggled with all her strength, but it was like kicking at a rock. Her captor held her by the wrists as another of the youma seized her streaming blonde hair and snapped her neck like a twig. Venus crumpled to the ground like a rag doll, where the advancing monsters trod on her motionless body as if it were dirt. There was a moment of silence that seemed to last longer than the battle itself. Neo-Queen Serenity was still standing at the top of the palace staircase with King Endymion by her side, but the two of them were very much alone. The Shinmosei army had paused in their advance, filling the rear half of the courtyard and the street behind it. The youma regrouped at the base of the grand staircase, as vicious and menacing as ever. There were still twelve of them. Shaking from head to toe, Serenity took a slow step forward. The lifeless bodies of the four Sailor Senshi, her lifelong friends, lay scattered about on the crystalline stairs, their blood staining the clear surface. King Endymion was frozen to the ground, numb with shock. The body of Sailor Mercury was closest. She had not even taken a step onto the staircase when her end had reached her. Nearly stumbling, the queen took the few strides forward and fell to her knees beside the body of her old friend. Mercury had been the first; Serenity's first companion on the long hard road they had had to face together, the first to assure a frightened young girl facing a daunting destiny that she would not have to do so alone. Broken and burned, her short blue hair singed, her eyes closed, the woman who had been with Serenity from the very beginning was gone. Serenity's withered arms reached out to the soldier's prone form. An almost animal sound burst from her throat as her fingers curled around lifeless flesh. After a moment Endymion realized she was wailing, sobbing a fountain of tears as she had when she was a little girl, rocking back and forth on her aged knees as she clutched the burned body of Sailor Mercury to her chest. It was a sound he hadn't heard for ages and it chilled him to the core. A rousing cheer of triumph erupted from the assembled Shinmosei army, filling the courtyard with its deafening sound, drowning Serenity's sorrow and reveling in it. Snapping out of his frozen state, the King rushed forward and seized his wife's arm. "Serenity. Serenity!" The Queen was startled from her mourning state at Endymion's touch, and reality came rushing back to her. Reverently laying Mercury on the ground, she climbed to her feet. She had known this would happen, but she could never have been prepared to see it become real. "Their deaths can not be in vain," she muttered numbly. "I must protect our people, Endymion." Serenity returned to the top of the stairs, but she could not turn her back on the still and silent forms of her dearest friends. The souls of the four warriors, scarred and tattered from countless years of battle, pain, and struggle, had finally reached eternal peace. Their ancient princess, however, still had one more task to perform. }}-- ~~[[ There was a full state funeral, with all the trimmings and honors that could be had in the entirety of Crystal Tokyo. For an entire day the body of Neo-Queen Serenity lay in the entrance hall of the palace in a clear crystal coffin. King Endymion had insisted that the people be allowed to pay their respects, and the line of citizens waiting for their final glimpse of their beloved queen extended through the courtyard from sunrise to sunset. The funeral services themselves were private, for courtiers and personal friends only. Throughout the ceremony the four Sailor Senshi, in full uniform, stood in a row behind the coffin. They had been her guardians throughout her life, and they would see her through this final journey. The body of the queen was to be cremated on a pyre built in a private garden within the palace walls. The Sailor Senshi were the pallbearers, and together they carried the crystal coffin through the corridors of the palace toward Serenity's final destination. They walked silently, serious expressions set firmly in stone, but all four faces were streaked with tears. The coffin was set upon a platform in the center of the pile of logs and kindling that had been prepared, and the walls and top of the crystal case were removed. A gentle breeze was swirling through the garden, carrying the scent of fresh flowers to the solemn mourners. A few wisps of golden hair were caught by the wind, floating around the angelic face of the queen. Before the fire was set, Serenity's family and closest friends were permitted one final chance to say farewell. The Senshi were as professional as possible given the circumstances. They had known this day was coming for a long time. When it was Lady Serenity's turn, however, she flung herself upon the body of her mother, sobbing uncontrollably. Every heart present was sickened at the sight of young Usagi lying across the queen's lifeless form, the princess's hands gripping her mother's shoulders so tightly they shook. Her entire body quaked as the tears flowed out of her soul, soaking the dress her mother was to be burned in. Eventually Sailor Mercury approached and gently separated the princess from the body of the queen. The last person to look down upon the face of Neo-Queen Serenity was King Endymion. For a moment he stood motionless, gazing down upon the pale face of his soulmate as he had all those mornings they lay together in bed. She was still so perfect, still so beautiful despite the wrinkles that creased her thin face. Endymion's eyes hungrily drank in the image of his beloved wife, knowing this would be the last time he would see her. A choking lump rose in his throat and the image blurred as his midnight eyes filled with tears. The king clenched his fists and swallowed the lump, but he did not blink the tears away. Slowly his eyes overflowed and two teardrops slipped down his aged cheeks. Something was missing, something that was needed to complete the final memory he wanted so desperately to preserve. Taking a deep breath, Endymion raised one hand in front of his chest, and removed his white glove. Closing his eyes, the king reached deep inside himself, searching for powers he had not used in ages. The energy was sluggish, and he grunted with effort as he forced the power out of his soul and into his fingers. Squeezing his eyes shut tightly, his face screwed up with the struggle, Endymion drew the energy out and focused it in the palm of his hand. He opened his eyes. He had created one perfect, long-stemmed, blood-red rose. Breathing heavily, his body weakened by his efforts, the king leaned forward and reverently laid the rose upon his love's bosom. Before he released the stem, he squeezed a thorn between his fingers. The sharp point bit through the skin, and a drop of blood welled up on his fingertip. His breath hurt in his chest. He was getting too old for this; he needed to rest, but he would not give up until everything was perfect. Gently, Endymion traced his wife's lips with his bloodied fingertip. Her mouth was still soft, even in death, and his blood lent the rosy color of life to the lips that had so often been pressed against his own. With her frozen lips now filled with a blush of color, she looked almost alive, as if she were merely sleeping. The painful lump choked Endymion again as he leaned over the lifeless body and touched his warm lips to her cold mouth for one final kiss. With his heart he begged her to respond, to yield beneath his passion and raise her arms to encircle his neck, to open her beautiful blue eyes once more, but she lay forever still. "Aishiteru, Usako." At last, the king stepped back from the funeral pyre. There was a moment of silence as everyone assembled drowned themselves in their own private thoughts. Then Endymion forced himself to give Sailor Mars a small nod. Stepping forward, Mars raised one hand and closed her eyes. With a small effort of concentration, a flame burst to life within her fingers. When Mars opened her eyes again, tears were once again streaming down her cheeks. "Sayonara, Usagi-chan." Mars extended her arm, and the flickering flame darted from her white gloved hand to the tinder spread around the body of Neo-Queen Serenity. It soon became an inferno, consuming the white dress, blushing soft lips, and pale creased skin. Somehow, the red rose resisted the heat until the end, shining as a witness to an eternal promise, bursting into flame only when the pyre burned so high that the body upon it could no longer be seen. ]]~~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Come fall by me and wither in my hands Come lay by me and crumble in my arms ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Sunlight streamed in the windows of the apartment, filling the modest rooms with a golden glow. It was already mid-morning, and the king-sized bed with the simple wooden headboard was still occupied. The curtains on the windows were drawn, but the light still filtered through enough to brighten the face of the young woman known as Tsukino Usagi. She was Chiba Usagi now. As the sun warmed the bedroom, Usagi stirred beneath the covers. Bright blue eyes fluttered open, shining in the light. A pair of cobalt eyes were gazing down at her. "How long have you been awake?" the golden-haired woman mumbled, stifling a yawn behind a slender hand. "A while now." Mamoru's youthful face was smiling at his precious new wife, his skin nearly glowing with the happiness that reigned within his heart. Usagi blushed, the color of roses rising in her cheeks. "Have you been watching me sleep?" "Of course," Mamoru replied. "I can't think of anything in the world I'd rather be doing, or anything more beautiful to look at." A smile slowly spread across Usagi's face, and she bit her lower lip shyly. She was radiant. Mamoru gazed into her eyes as he spoke the words that would begin a lifelong tradition. "Aishiteru, Usako." "Aishiteru, Mamo-chan." Wriggling her body beneath the covers, Usagi snuggled up to her new husband, who wrapped his strong warm arms around her. "Well, Mamo-chan," she mumbled brightly, her face against his chest, "we've had the happiest day of our lives. What comes next?" "Isn't it obvious, Usako?" he replied, burying his fingers in the long tresses of shimmering golden hair. "We live happily ever after." With every milestone of their lives the bond between them grew stronger, drawing the two closer and closer together. The trials were many, each of them cruel and painful, each one threatening to undo the lovers forever. In the darkest times, instead of flickering out the light of love burned ever brighter within their hearts and souls, and from the very beginning they knew they would reach their destiny together despite it all. Through countless years, through countless memories, the pair stood proudly beside each other until their very souls became intertwined. In the end they lived as one, as the single heart they were meant to be. The march of time, however, is a foe not even love can overcome. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ If I should fall without you sometime in this night And lose myself before I reach the ground I won't be sad - I know you'd be all right I'd wait a thousand years or more for you to come ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ --{{ Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion stared at each other for a moment, both of their eyes shining with tears. Rivers of sorrow streaked Serenity's cheeks, but Endymion's tears remained unshed. He forced himself to stand firm, to hold in his tears, trying to support his wife as best he could in the task she now faced. They both knew what had to be done to save their people and the world they were sworn to defend. The dozen youma were still gathered at the bottom of the staircase, waiting, and the entire army watched to see what Serenity would do. They expected her to surrender; after all, she and the king were the only remaining barrier between the invaders and the palace. Once again, the royal couple was startled as the doors flew open, crashing into the walls. Pink hair streaming, Lady Serenity stormed out of the gates to her mother's side, followed closely by Helios. Young Usagi's crimson eyes widened as she took in the scene; the gathered army, the growling youma, the bodies of the Sailor Senshi sprawled across the crystal stairs. Weakly the princess clutched at her mother's arm, swaying in shock. Her mouth opened and closed several times, but no sound emerged. The entire invading army burst out into a fresh wave of laughter and cheers, filling the courtyard with the deafening roar of jeers and victory cries. Lady Serenity's fingers tightened on the queen's thin arm. "Where are the Sailor Quartet?" she asked weakly, her voice shaking as if she dreaded the answer. "I sent them through the city to attack the Shinmosei from behind," Neo-Queen Serenity assured her daughter. "There are no youma at the rear of the army. The Sailor Quartet are safe." Although her eyes filled with tears at the scene before her, the princess tore her gaze away from the lifeless planetary soldiers and dragged her mind back to the task at hand. "Why did you not wake me?" she demanded sharply. "If Helios had not come for me, I would still be asleep!" Turning to look at her daughter's smooth, youthful face, the Neo-Queen gave her a gentle smile. ~She is like I was in so many ways, yet so unique. Her father's vigor is strong in her.~ Aloud she said, "Perhaps it would have been better if you had remained asleep." The eyes of the princess narrowed and she scowled at her mother. "That's ridiculous," she protested. "You need every Senshi you can get." As these words passed her lips, Usagi remembered her other urgent matter. "Mother, I can't find my henshin locket! It's not in my room!" The queen turned her face back toward the enemy, away from her daughter's sight. "I know." Lady Serenity paused for a moment, and then her young strong hands tightened on her mother's arm again. "What have you done? Where is it?" "This enemy is too strong," Neo-Queen Serenity said quietly. "There is only one path to victory remaining." Despite the roar of the crowd, the queen's words still reached her daughter's ears as clearly as if they were alone. "Mother, you can't!" she cried in disbelief. "There must be another way!" The queen shook her head solemnly, her silver- streaked twin streams of hair rippling as she moved. "This is the only way. You have seen that the Sailor Senshi are not strong enough to rid the world of this evil. I will purify the city once more. The people will need a leader when it is all over." "I won't let you!" the Princess shouted, her voice breaking. "Crystal Tokyo needs you!" Serenity turned back to her panicked daughter again, her vibrant blue eyes meeting tear- filled crimson. "My time is over, Chibi-Usa," she said fondly. "My story is finally coming to an end. You, Helios, and the Sailor Quartet must rebuild our kingdom and return peace to the people. It is your turn now." Shaking with emotion, her pink hair quivering to its tips, the princess tried to find words that would sway her mother from her chosen path, but in her heart she knew the Neo-Queen was right. Not even the four legendary soldiers together had been able to stand against the Shinmosei. They could not defeat the enemy without the power of the Silver Crystal. A bright smile curved the queen's lips suddenly, its familiar brilliance strange in the face of the hardship that plagued the city. "When I am gone, you will be able to have the child you have wanted so badly," she said warmly. Young Usagi gulped, and the tears began freely pouring down her face. "I believe the Silver Crystal will also be reborn within you, now fully in your control. I am proud of you, daughter," Neo-Queen Serenity added, glad to have had the chance to say these things to her child's face. "You are ready to be the queen you have always been destined to become." Choking on her sobs, the princess flung her arms around her mother's neck, weeping uncontrollably into her shoulder. Her waves of pink hair mingled momentarily with the gold and silver tresses of the present queen. "Mother..." In the courtyard, the triumphant noise had died down. The enemy army was losing its patience, tiring of waiting for the royal couple to make their next futile move. At the base of the staircase, one of the youma began to climb the crystal stairs. The queen and princess separated. "Now," Serenity instructed her daughter, "retreat inside the palace with Helios. You will be safe there." Unable to say another word, Lady Serenity nodded. Helios took her arm, and together they entered the main doors of the crystal structure. Neo-Queen Serenity turned to watch her precious child disappear as the palace doors closed firmly behind them. She did not see the youma approaching behind her as it reached the center of the staircase and formed a brilliant bolt of deadly energy in its enormous hand. She only heard the electric snapping sound as the lightning of death was released, and swiftly she turned her head. It was already too late. In front of her, between the queen and the monsterous youma, stood the king. Energy crackled and buzzed as the lightning flowed from the youma's hand and into the king's chest. As he had so many times before, King Endymion had thrown his own body in harm's way, to protect his eternal love by sacrificing his own life. Serenity shrieked in shock and pain as Endymion's agony echoed into her heart through the bond they shared. In this feeling she found his final wish; that she survive long enough to use the Silver Crystal to save their daughter's kingdom. If she did not do this, all would be lost, and so he became a willing martyr for that cause. For what seemed like an eternity the attack continued, and still Endymion somehow held his ground, refusing to crumple until Serenity's safety was assured. His age-worn body jerked and convulsed on its feet as the energy shock pummeled him mercilessly, and despite his best efforts, a cry of pain escaped his lips. Serenity stood frozen to the ground behind him as he was surrounded by a corona of electric death, her throat raw and burning from her ceaseless cries. She could not stop screaming. She knew this was as it should be, this was the destiny that had been preordained for them, but she could not stop screaming. Her very heart and soul were being extinguished. The liquid pain flowed out of her core and through her voice, refusing to be silenced. At last the barrage ended, the youma momentarily drained. Serenity's cry ended with a hollow whimper, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. For a moment the king's body, now an empty shell, hovered on its feet as a final testament to Endymion's love. Then, he fell. For the queen, time nearly stood still, the pounding of her own heart roaring in her ears as her knight tilted slowly backwards, his hair floating around his paled face. Gently the king's knees crumpled, and Endymion slipped past Serenity's frozen form, collapsing lifeless to the crystal floor. As if in a trance, the queen turned and looked down upon her husband. She did not need to bend down to him to know that he was no longer living. She felt it within herself, as if her heart had been torn asunder. Her lungs forgot to breathe. Her pulse forgot to beat. Beneath his dark hair Endymion's eyes were closed in an eternal sleep. Unlike the blast that felled Mercury, this attack had assaulted the man's body internally, leaving his clothing undamaged. The king had fallen upon his right side, his right arm extended in front of him as if reaching out for something, his left limply dangling across his abdomen. His soft hair was in disarray, the strands lying at random. He had made the ultimate sacrifice for the woman who shared his soul. With a violent shudder, Neo-Queen Serenity forced air back into her lungs. Time came rushing back. Her heartbeat surged into a fresh frenzy. There was no time for mourning. The other eleven youma were charging up the staircase toward the queen, who now stood completely alone among the empty shells of her lifelong companions, the only remaining relic of a forgotten age. Nearly alone. As she tore her gaze away from her fallen husband and raised her head, her eyes fell upon a familiar violet-suited soldier standing in front of the closed palace doors, still as stone. Despite the roaring of the army behind Serenity, time seemed to stand still. There was only one reason why this particular prodigal soldier would return at a time like this, and the queen knew it well. "Hotaru-chan." "Usagi-chan." "If I fail..." "If you fail." Sailor Saturn's white-gloved hands tightened around the tall shaft of the Silence Glaive, its tall curved blade flashing in the sunlight. It seemed today was a day that called to everyone's sense of duty. There was grief in the soldier's eyes, but also resolve. Over the course of their shared history the Neo-Queen had taught Saturn to love life, but there were times when duty overruled all else regardless of how anyone might wish it. The soldier gave her queen a tight-lipped smile of hope beyond all hope. "Ganbatte." Serenity nodded and allowed herself one last warm smile. Something hardened within her eyes then and she turned to face her attackers, her last few tears flying clear of her cheeks. She drew herself up to full height, her face seeming chiseled in stone, fury and pain radiating from her expression. Swiftly she raised her hands in front of her chest and summoned the Silver Crystal. The gem flashed into existence, sparkling with impossible light from within, the last hope in a world of increasing darkness. In one fluid motion, Neo-Queen Serenity thrust her arms high above her head, the crystal floating between her palms. As the youma reached the top of the stairs, a brilliant white light of utmost purity burst from the depths of the Silver Crystal and flooded the courtyard. }}-- ~~[[ Sunlight streamed in the windows of the royal suite, filling the elegant rooms with a golden glow. It was already mid-morning, but the large bed with the ornate headboard was still occupied. The bedcurtains were drawn but the light still filtered through. To the sole occupant of the bed, however, the light was meaningless. The light of his life was gone. For many mornings King Endymion lay motionless in bed for hours, the days slipping away as he gazed upon the emptiness where the curving form of his golden-haired wife should have been. Sometimes he cried, but most often he just lay there and stared, his eyes empty and lifeless. His heart was as empty as his bed. There was no longer a sweet blue-eyed face to wake up to, to enjoy the day with, to live for. All that remained for him was to wait for his own death. They were soulmates, joined more intimately than any lovers of legend. Surely it would not be long. Each day around noon, one of the Sailor Senshi would arrive to tend to the king's needs. Every day the chosen caretaker would try to convince Endymion to eat something, and every day he would take only a few bites of food before returning to his endless vigil. A few weeks had passed before one of the Senshi finally had enough. Despite visiting out of uniform, as a friend rather than a guardian, Rei's attempt to coax Endymion into eating a full meal was once again unsuccessful. This time she did not leave the king in peace as she and her friends usually did. For a while she stood at his bedside, indecisive, and finally she took a deep, bracing breath. "King," she began, trying to attract his attention. Endymion did not respond. Furrowing her brow, Rei set her face in a determined expression, braving the risk of developing wrinkles in her skin. Now that the queen was gone, the four elder Sailor Senshi had lost their purpose in existence and their powers as soldiers were finally fading. The princess had been crowned Queen Serenity III and had taken over all the responsibilities of ruling Crystal Tokyo, and the Sailor Quartet were her only destined guardians. For the remaining children of 20th century Earth, all they had left was each other. Rei was not about to let another one go. Boldly the violet-haired woman stepped right up to the side of the bed that had been Serenity's, placing herself firmly in Endymion's line of vision. Looking down on him, Rei was grateful for the ability to keep her emotions in check. Despite his age, Endymion had always seemed so strong when Serenity was alive. It had been so easy to forget how old he really was, how old they all were. The entirety of Crystal Tokyo had trusted him with its well-being without a second thought. Now, lying listless in his large empty bed, he looked little more than a fragile old man long past his prime. Serenity would have been horrified to see him like this. Rei had to do something. "King," she repeated, louder this time. Something flickered in the emptiness of the king's eyes. He blinked, slowly, and sluggishly approached the plane of reality. His body remained motionless but his dark, dead eyes rolled up to look at Rei. "What is it?" The soldier of Mars took another deep breath. "We are very concerned about you, Ki-" The man made a slight throat-clearing sound, and Rei stopped. "Please, no more formality. Helios is king now. My name is Endymion." Rei allowed herself a slight smile. At least in death Serenity had been able to restore some of the closeness among them. "Endymion," she began again, choosing her words carefully, "we miss your presence in the palace. Please, won't you join us for dinner this evening?" The king's eyes rolled back toward the bed, becoming empty again. "Why?" he asked softly. "There is no reason for me to ever rise again. There is no more light in the world for me. The darkness of this room is the same as any other." Desperately Rei dropped to her knees beside the bed, meeting Endymion's gaze again. This was more than the old king had ever said in the days since the funeral; if she let him go now, he might never return. "I can not pretend to know how you feel," she said softly, "but our lives have become empty as well, in a way we never expected. I cannot say we have not all yearned for our own ends at one point or another." Tears clouded her vision as the yawning emptiness inside her raged up once more, but she blinked them away. "Despite that, we continue our lives, not for ourselves, but for the others who have grown to love us." Gripping the edge of the bed with her fingers, Rei leaned forward. "If not for yourself, please, do it for Chibi-Usa." "Chibi...usa?" Endymion pronounced the words as if they were a foreign language, his lips barely moving in his mask-like face. "She puts on a happy face because she has to," Rei informed him. "The people are depending on her to make sure everything will remain the way it has always been. Underneath, she is torn by grief. She is in constant pain, and not even Helios can comfort her. She feels as if she has lost both of her parents at once. It's not fair, Endymion, to leave her with such responsibility and such misery at the same time." Again, something moved within Endymion's blank eyes. He blinked again, and at last he focused on Rei's anxious face. "Chibi-Usa," he said again, more clearly, something in his mind awakening from its slumber. "Yes. She needs you, Endymion." The deep violet pools of her eyes bored into the old man's gaze. "There is still someone for you to protect." Only the pain of his daughter was able to separate the king from his living death. He began to rise and dress in the afternoon, and soon he was moving within the castle again, although slower and more solemn than he had ever been. The newly crowned Queen Serenity III was greatly comforted to have her father's presence back in her life, even if he would never again be the same person he had been. Gradually she began to overcome her own grief. Endymion began eating again, and was even able to offer Lady Serenity some advice on issues that arose. When he was not with his daughter the former king spent much of his time in the palace gardens, wandering endlessly and aimlessly through the flowers that had been gathered from every corner of the world. Time and time again he found himself in the rose garden area, surrounding himself with the symbol of the love he had once known. In the center a life-sized white marble statue of Neo-Queen Serenity had been erected, close to the place where Sailor Mars' flame had sent her body to the sky. Endymion spent countless hours standing in this garden, gazing up at the stone likeness of his wife. None of the Senshi had the heart to try to convince him to avoid this place. Endymion had been more comfortable when his mind had been numbed, before Rei had awoken him to his daughter's needs. Now his mind worked constantly, filled with painful thoughts and memories of what he had lost. Before either of them were aware of their royal blood, Endymion had been his lover's knight and protector through countless battles. He had come to her rescue so many times, defending her from a wide range of terrors that nearly defied imagination. Yet, he had not been able to protect her from the most deadly of assassins. In the end, he had failed. This wasn't the way it was supposed to be. He, Endymion, was supposed to die before his precious princess, defending her to the last. Now she was gone, forever out of his reach, and he was still alive. It didn't make sense. Weren't their souls joined? Didn't their hearts beat as one? Why had his own breath not ceased in harmony with hers? Standing before the marble statue of his wife he pulled a small object from the breast pocket of his shirt, where it had been since his final evening with Serenity. The chess piece was worn and tarnished from hours of mournful handling, but it was still clearly the white queen. Endymion had promised his own white queen that he would never lose her. He had broken that promise. Now all he had was this useless trinket. "Why am I still here?" he moaned, dropping to his knees in front of the marble statue of his wife. His body trembled, and thin tears began to flow from his tortured eyes, dripping with soft splashes on the stones of the walkway. He knew with every inch of his being that somewhere she was waiting for him, but he could not go to her. Truly this was destiny's greatest injustice. ]]~~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Come fall by me and wither in my hands Come lay by me and crumble... ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ --{{ Pure white light flowed outward from the stone that was Neo-Queen Serenity's heart and soul. The youma that had nearly reached her was thrown backward with a yell, tumbling heavily to the bottom of the staircase. An ethereal wind sprung up from nowhere to surround the queen, sending her strands of gold and silver hair streaming behind her as she held the crystal aloft. Her dress billowed in the storm of pure power as she drew more energy from within the core of her being. The light of the Silver Crystal grew brighter and brighter until it became blinding, but the queen was still able to see as clearly as if it were mere daylight. The tempest of light roared through the courtyard, growing stronger every instant. The Shinmosei youma charged the staircase again and again, but each time they were thrown back when they had only ascended halfway. Shining like the sun, Serenity concentrated on drawing the life energy from every particle of her body. She would need it all to complete her final task as queen. She felt herself growing weaker, and soon she had reached that barrier beyond which there was no turning back. The crystal offered a reserve of energy that would keep her alive if she held it for herself. Instead, Serenity seized this last chance and wove it into the growing force that was concentrated within the gem that was her heart. This process was both familiar and strange. She had stood in this posture before, hair and white gown flowing behind her in the storm of energy, draining her life to save her loved ones, but this time it was unique. This time, there would be no reincarnation. In this moment, Serenity finally understood how her ancient mother's sacrifice had felt. Previously, when Serenity had been a princess, a mere shadow of the Silver Millenium, this act had been frightening, even hesitant. There had always been the knowledge that there was still a future to be lived, a hidden voice whispering ~I don't want to die.~ Now, there was only a sense of growing peace. Serenity was becoming lightheaded, her breath weakening as she poured everything she was into the Silver Crystal, glowing and pulsing above her head. This time, the planet was secure. Her daughter would be there to uphold the time of peace she and King Endymion had created. There was no need for the woman once known as Tsukino Usagi to remain. Her friends and her beloved were gone; there was nothing left for her now except to protect her daughter's future. It was time for the long story of Serenity to reach its completion. And then... Then there would be no more war, no more fighting, no more pain and struggle. At last, she would be free. }}-- ~~[[ King Endymion was once again attending court, although he took a lesser seat to the side of the dais as Queen Serenity III and King Helios now filled the thrones with their regal presence. Since gaining control over the power of the Silver Crystal Lady Serenity had become as radiant as her mother, her rosy hair and eyes shining with life. She missed her mother terribly, but with her father's help she had been able to survive the mourning process with her sanity intact and had the running of Crystal Tokyo well in hand. The former king was now the one who wore a false happy face. To all the world he presented a facade of solemn contentment, seeming to all eyes a man who had made peace with his demons. In reality, they still raged within him, threatening to tear him asunder at any moment. Endymion was chained to a life that no longer needed him far from the comfort of his soul's companion. One day, when court ended, he too stumbled in weakness as he left his seat. The world swam around his eyes and he lay helplessly on the crystalline floor until the healers could transport him to the medical wing of the palace. Although his daughter's face was filled with fear as she crouched at his side, and his illness was so severe that he could not smile, secretly Endymion's heart was gladdened. At last it was happening to him. Soon he would be with his Serenity again. The high arches of the palace ceiling rushed overhead as he was taken to the medical facilities, the healers that surrounded him administering a mixture of herbs and magic to his aging body in transit. The dizzying display soon darkened into oblivion, all details of the palace fading into nothingness. All became quiet and empty, devoid of any light or sound. Suddenly there was fire. Bright orange and red flames blazed all around Endymion, but he felt no pain. He moved forward through the inferno, the tongues of flame strangely soft against his skin. He passed his hands through them and they became flowers, velvet-smooth rose petals rising around him in clouds. Surrounded by a storm of roses he headed toward a distant brightness that resolved into something solid. He looked up into a face of flawless marble that he knew well, accurate as life except devoid of color. It was the statue of Neo-Queen Serenity from the palace garden. It moved. Endymion was struck breathless as the statue came to life, lips and cheeks filling with rouge and hair taking on the color of the sun. The surface of the marble softened and became pale skin, slender arms lifting away from a dress that now rippled in a mysterious breeze and reaching toward the man who loved her. Endymion hurried forward; her lips were smiling, her eyelashes fluttering, soon she would wake and open her beautiful eyes... Serenity vanished in a sudden burst of light. Endymion blinked as the sea of rose petals became satin sheets and the canopy of the familiar four-poster bed resolved above him. It was mid-morning, and the sunlight was shining on his bewildered face as his eyes opened and focused. Reaching out in all directions, he searched for his beloved, who only moments ago had been an arm's length in front of him. After a minute of confusion he had to face the truth. He was still alone. He was still alive. It had all been a dream. The palace healers had saved him. His heart broke so hard he doubled over from the pain. Endymion buried his face in his wife's pillows, breathed what faint traces remained of her scent, and sobbed. ]]~~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ I won't be sad, I won't 'cause I know you'd be all right I'd wait a thousand years Or more for you to come ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ --{{ As her body raised the alarm that it was nearing its end, that soon she would lose consciousness, Neo-Queen Serenity released one final burst of effort. Every ounce of remaining energy she possessed flooded the Silver Crystal. The power concentrated itself within the gem, and then burst free. A blinding wave of crackling energy exploded from the depths of the crystal and rolled outward, sweeping through the courtyard, through the palace, through all the structures of Crystal Tokyo and beyond. It was pure light, pure love, pure devotion to the pursuit of peace, born of a flawless desire to defend. Where the wave encountered a heart of evil, the creature that possessed it was destroyed. Where it encountered a heart that was fundamentally good, it passed by without doing harm. The blast of energy swept throughout the city in all directions, with the Crystal at the epicenter, and flooded out into the countryside. Some Shinmosei were spared. Some citizens of Crystal Tokyo were obliterated. It would be the new queen's task to decide what should be done with the Shinmosei whose inherent, hidden goodness had been their salvation. As the essence of Serenity swept across the entire planet, purifying the entire population of the world, the Silver Crystal became as fragile as glass in the absence of the energy needed to sustain it. The gem shattered. Darkness closed in on the queen's vision. The world around her spun uncontrollably. In the center of the growing fog hovered an indistinct figure, swimming in the ether. Gently the figure became clearer as the darkness grew in Serenity's mind. It was Endymion, her eternal knight. His arms were open to embrace her, and he was smiling, waiting to congratulate her on a task well done. Surrounding him were four young women whose faces Serenity knew very well, each of them alight with smiles and expressions of joy. Summoning up her last breath, Serenity's lips were barely able to form the last words they would ever speak before she surrendered to the darkness and released herself from Crystal Tokyo forever. They were less a farewell than a greeting. "Aishiteru, Mamo-chan." Serenity's eyes lost their sparkle, becoming deep and empty. Her arms dropped to her sides as she began to fall. Slowly she drifted, her white royal dress fluttering around her, graceful tresses of gold and silver hovering in the air. Gently the Queen fell backward, her eyes closing, her lifeless body pulling dress and hair and trailing hands down to the ground, where she fell upon the outstretched arms of her fallen knight. Her head resting beside that of her husband, her slender form lying across his extended arm, Neo-Queen Serenity entered her eternal rest in the arms of the man who had supported her faithfully since the time of the Silver Millenium. They would lie together for the rest of eternity, never again separated. }}-- ~~[[ Time dragged on for King Endymion. He was beginning to fear that his misery would never come to an end when at last destiny smiled upon him once more. As he wandered the palace gardens one afternoon, the world began to tilt beneath his feet. Endymion's head swam, and suddenly the sky was in front of his face. He lay flat on his back, his head spinning. He could not seem to get enough air into his lungs. Above him there were faces, blurred faces, and strange, panicked voices. Somewhere in the mess he discovered a string of words. "Someone fetch the healers, quickly!" Summoning all his strength, Endymion raised one hand in protest. "No," he commanded, his voice surprisingly firm. The motion in the air stilled. "No. Not this time." He could not bear another near-reunion with his missing half. His body felt cold and heavy. Surely it was finally his turn. He would not have his chance taken away from him again. A drop of liquid burst on Endymion's pale face. Trying to focus, he managed to make out the hovering image of his daughter, her bright hair crowning her beautiful face. She was crying, and calling out his name. With only a little effort, Endymion smiled. "Do not cry, Chibi-Usa," he said softly. "My time in this place is over. It is time for you to write your own story, daughter. Be strong." Turning his head back toward the sky, Endymion gazed at the white shapes that hovered above his face. The clouds moved and danced, their pure whiteness bringing an image of a flowing white dress to his spinning mind. Endymion's eyes narrowed as he tried to make the world stop shifting around him. The image began to coalesce, and suddenly it was her. Serenity, his wife, his soulmate, was standing there in all her beauty, only a short distance from him and surrounded by light. For a moment Endymion was afraid; would she no longer want him after he failed to keep her safe? Ah, no, she was smiling, she still loved him, she had forgiven him. His weary heart was as lightened by relief as her eyes were brightened by joy in seeing him. Her eyes. Her beautiful blue eyes were open, glowing, shining; a bright blue sky after a long storm. He basked in her gaze again and again and reveled in it. The golden-haired angel held out her arms to Endymion, beckoning him into her embrace. Her brilliant smile was setting her face alight, and her eyes were a more vibrant blue than ever. Her skin glowed with radiance. She was young again, in the prime of her life, and something about her dress was different. After a moment, he realized the change. She had been transformed once again into Princess Serenity, his dearest love, heir to the Moon Kingdom of the Silver Millenium. In the world of the living, Queen Serenity III knelt beside her father's fading life. Although she desperately wanted him to stay with her, in her heart she knew that this was the end of his time, that this was what he wanted. Slowly her father's arm lifted from the ground, and he raised his hand toward the sky, reaching for something. Lady Serenity leaned forward to take his hand in her own, but something made her hesitate. Endymion's eyes were not fixed on her. "Usako," the former king whispered weakly. Shuddering, Lady Serenity gulped back her tears, clutching her hands to her own chest. If she were to touch him now she would only hinder his journey, tying him to the world of the living. She struggled to keep her voice steady as she leaned close to her father's ear. "Go to her, Father," she whispered, her voice breaking despite her will. "Please, tell Mother that I love her." For one final moment Endymion's mind hovered between two worlds. "Thank you, Chibi-Usa," he murmured. "I will tell her." His arm extending as far as it could reach toward the sky, two more words escaped Endymion's whitened lips. "Aishiteru, Usako." As darkness began to fill Endymion's vision he was suddenly floating, rising into the air. The ground dropped away beneath him and the pain began to fade away as he sailed toward the outstretched arms of Princess Serenity. Could this be just another cruel dream? The cold emptiness that had settled within his soul was filling with a sudden abundance of warmth, the chill vanishing as if it had never existed. This was real. She was so beautiful, her face shining with love for him, her mouth open as she called his name and her cheeks glowing with a rosy color they had not held in years. Here was the youth and life that Endymion had fallen in love with, that he still loved with all his heart. At last he was at her side, she gathered him into her loving embrace, and they were gone. ]]~~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ So come fall by me and wither in my hands Come lay by me and crumble in my arms ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ~Well, Mamo-chan, we've had "happily ever after." What comes next?~ ~We shall see, Usako. We shall see.~ ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ -the final end- -the eternal peace- ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ As In Autumn fanfiction copyright 2003 by dejanatalis@aol.com Bittersweet Surrender revision copyright 2005 by dejanatalis@aol.com With lyrics to "As In Autumn," by Margot Wagner Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon and its associated characters and canon belong to Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. The text of this creative work, with the exception of the song lyrics, was created by dejanatalis@aol.com and is her exclusive property. Not to be used without permission. Sailor Moon Says: Don't steal! ^.^