Oh gosh did that take me forever to do! It's really bad in the beginning let me tell you, but it gets better as you go along. I really love how my ending come out. It's wicked cute! I bet you'll love it Jade-chan! Enjoy! The Rewriting of a Legend By Rain Ayo ( stardreamer@white-star.com ) Episode 10 The Black Tower loomed before them as they exited the forest. The huge black tower shined like obsidian in the unnatural light. It was perfectly round and met at a point at the top. The only visible opening, the great black marble door before them. Usagi frowned and went to push the door open. It slowly opened without her touching it and Beryl's voice filled the air. "Very good Princess. Enter and meet your doom," she said. Her laughter faded around them as they entered the tower. Usagi gripped Mamoru's hand, determined not to loose him in the dark tower. She felt her nervousness returning, but she pushed it down deeper. She couldn't get scared. Not with everyone depending on her as strongly as they were. She would not let them all down. Usagi's warm hand was the only warm thing about her then. He could barely feel anything from her, but her anger. He moved closer to her as they walked around the strange, unlit room. Usagi was leading them through the room as if she could see in the dark. They hadn't come across anything, not even a wall. "What's that?" Mamoru asked softly. Not far away from them a small light flickered. "It's probably a trap," Usagi answered softly. "Perhaps we should avoid it." "And do what instead? Even if it is a trap, there's light somewhere over there," Mamoru said. Usagi couldn't argue with his logic, so she quietly lead him towards the light. The light grew brighter and larger as they drew nearer. Then as they were almost on top of it, the light vanished. Usagi reached out frantically trying to find something. He hand grazed a wall and then a knob. 'It's a door!' she thought. Quickly grabbing hold of the knob, she turned it and pushed the door open. The other side was just as dark as the one they were on, but Usagi pulled them through it none the less. The door behind them shut loudly, and Usagi held back her surprise. "I don't know how you did it Princess, but since you've found me we shall end this," Beryl's voice cried through the darkness. The room was quickly alit with black flamed torches, covering the room with an eerie dull glow. Beryl sat on a black throne that seemed to come out of the ground in a huge black and gray mass. In front of her rested a huge clawed staff with a huge orb in its claw. Her purple dress clung to her was tight and revealing. Her wild auburn hair went all around her head, like a flame. Her black eyes bore into Usagi's skull, sending shivers down her spine. "You're right. This is where it shall end," Usagi said. She quickly transformed into Sailor Moon. Mamoru stayed close by her side, a bright red rose in his hand. "You have hurt too many people. Destroyed too many wonderful things. I won't allow you to do this ever again." Beryl stood and waved her hands over the orb. "No one can stop me. Our Queen shall be released," she said. She cackled loudly as her hair began to raise into the air, with the power that was slowly gathering around her. Sailor Moon's arms were covered in goosebumps. She powered up her tiara to attack. Both waiting to see who would make the first move. Usagi's impatience got to her and she called out, "Moon Tiara Frisbee!" Her tiara went flying towards Beryl who simply stood there with a smirk on her face. The tiara came within inches of her face, before it smashed into an invisible barrier and clattered to the ground. The golden tiara lay dented from the impact. Beryl laughed. "Little Miss Moon, its time you learned what true power is," she said. She created an orb of black energy and sent it rocketing towards Usagi. She gasped and held her breath, eyes wide with fear. Mamoru flung himself onto Sailor Moon. A translucent wall of light formed around them. He held onto her tightly as the orb smashed into the shield and splattered into flashes of black light. Out of the corner of her eye, Sailor Moon could see Mamoru was staring at Beryl with such hatred. She began shaking with the force of his emotions that vibrated along their link. 'Shh...its all right Mamoru...please calm down...its all right...shh...' she thought silently hoping to sooth him. He glanced at her and relaxed his grip on her. He sighed silently, but returned to glaring at Beryl. Beryl began to laugh again. "You need a mortal to protect you. How the might Serenity's have fallen," she said. "Allow me to rid you of this distraction." Another orb rocketed towards them, this time aimed at Mamoru. Usagi panicked and pushed him out of the way, leaving herself open for the full brunt of the attack. Pain ripped through her with a blinding white light. She held back her screams of pain and tears. 'He's safe. He's safe,' was all she knew or cared about. When energy had been spent and the blinding light around her was gone, Mamoru looked at her, frozen in fear. Sailor Moon stood slowly. Her fuku was torn and ripped all over from the blast. Her tiaraless forehead shone brightly with a golden light from a small crescent moon. A long white gown quickly replaced her damaged fuku. Sailor Moon no longer stood there, all that remained was the Princess of the Moon. "You have destroyed my beautiful kingdom. You want to take Earth down with it," the Princess said calmly. "You've eternally hurt those close to me and warped the minds of those they love. Now you wish to destroy the last thing I have. I will not allow this! I call upon the power of the bright lady, Selene. Moon Goddess, help me to defeat that which destroyed our home." Serenity closed her eyes and arched her back a little. A silver light escaped her chest and formed a small crystal. Mamoru stared in awe at the sight before him. The beautiful princess of his dreams, and there floating just slightly above her was the mythical Silver Crystal they had been searching for. It was inside the Princess all along. Serenity opened her eyes slowly and stood up straight. She cupped the crystal in her hands and raised it above her head. "In the name of Selene, I shall destroy you," she said calmly still. Blinding white light left the crystal and shot towards Beryl. Beryl was dumbfounded for a moment, before sending her own attack at the white light. It seemed that Beryl might have the upper hand for a moment and Serenity stepped back a bit. Mamoru jumped up and rushed to Serenity's side. 'I won't let her win,' he thought. 'I am here for you Serenity, till my dying breath.' He placed an arm around her waist and came around to her other side. As he did so, his clothing vanished to reveal a finely crafted suit of armor and a sheathed sword by his side. Neither noticed the change in apparel as he began to feed his own energy into the Silver Crystal. 'Take my energy. Destroy Beryl.' Serenity nodded slowly. Tears coursed down her smiling face. She gathered as much energy as she could for a final blast. 'This is the end,' she thought. "Cosmic Moon Power!" The energy gathered at her raised hands and for a split second, Beryl's energy was able to move straight through the white light and towards Serenity. It was not enough time to do anything. The white light from the Silver Crystal mixed with faint blue and green. This light sped towards Beryl, going straight through Beryl's black energy and connected with her. She screamed in rage and pain. "This is not over Serenity. The Queen...she is release!" she cried. One last screech and Beryl was no more then dust. Serenity smiled broader and finally the shock of using that much power hit her and she collapsed against Endymion. He caught her and carefully lowered her to the floor. "She's gone," Serenity said softly. "Thank you Endymion...thank you..." She drifted off as her eyes slowly closed. "I...love you." Endymion gasped and he could feel her slipping towards oblivion. "No! Serenity don't leave me. I've just found you. You can't leave me!" he cried. Serenity didn't respond. Her fate seemed sealed. Endymion couldn't stop the tears that formed in his eyes as he pulled her close, rocking her slight form. A faint laughter filled the room. "I am free," a cold voice said. "Beware Serenity...you shall learn never to do such foolish things to me." A shadow slowly circled around them. Endymion hardly took notice, his grief was too great to take notice of something that was seemingly harmless. The laughter grew louder slowly and the shadow circled closer all the while. "You shall be my new slave," the voice said again with its cold tone. The shadow rushed at Serenity and before Endymion could act, it seeped into her body and he was forced away from her body with some strong force. "Serenity!" he exclaimed in shock, but it was too late. *** Just float. That's all she could do. That's all she wanted to do. It was rather peaceful, and there weren't any responsibilities or problems knocking on her door. She was free to just float. This was contentment. a small voice said. 'Anything else I want. I've always wanted to be able to quit school all together. Just have the knowledge shoved into my brain at one quick moment and then never go back to that awful place again,' she thought with a little smile. 'To be able to hang out with my friends all the time would be wonderful too. I'm always too busy with something to be with them often. It's always been all work and no play for us. I think it's time we get to play for a change. 'I wanna be with someone who really loves me. To be able to know that no matter what happens, no matter what stupid things I may do, no matter what I may say, I'll always have someone who will never leave my side. This is my ultimate dream. This is what I want.' the voice said. The darkness around her was cooling slowly and she hardly took notice. Off in the distance a small white light appeared. It was warm and the change in temperature suddenly became more obvious. She shivered slightly and pushed herself towards the light. the voice asked. Usagi paused a moment. The offer was quite tempting. She wanted all those things so badly. Perhaps not so much the school bit, but the others she wanted more then anything. If she didn't say yes, would she never have those things. *You will have those things,* a new voice said. the first voice said. *Have faith in those you love. Do not loose hope,* the second voice said. Usagi was puzzled by the conflicting voices. It was like the devil was on one shoulder and an angel on the other, but which was which. 'Who do I listen to?' she thought. *What does you're heart say?* the second voice asked in response to her unspoken question. It was extremely cold now and Usagi huddled in a ball. She shivered and closed her eyes trying to block out the voices. They rambled on, both arguing with her and each other. 'What can I do? Why is it so cold here now? It got cold when the light came, or was it cold before that and I never noticed? There's something wrong with all of this? Why am I here? What happened to me? Why aren't I with my friends, doing what we do? What do we do? Why is it I don't remember? The first voice, did it make me forget? This is all so confusing. I want to go home. I want to see my friends again. I want to be in love again. Somebody please get me out of here!' she cried out desperately. *The light. Fly with it to the Moon,* the second voice said urgently. *Hurry...its almost too late.* Usagi didn't respond, but knew that she had to follow the orders. She rushed towards the light and didn't look back. A rage filled scream behind her was the only sign that she was now safe. *** Usagi blinked her eyes open and looked about at the splendor around her. It was just a huge garden. Lilies of the valley all over, and great birch trees and willows, and dozens of rose bushes and roses of every color in the rainbow. She'd never seen anything so beautiful before. She seemed to stand in the center of the garden with a small gazebo off to her right. She stared out at the flowers mesmerized by everything around her. She shifted her gaze finally to the gazebo and saw a woman standing there watching her with a small smile. The woman was breathtakingly beautiful with her long silver mane grazing the backs of her knees in a tight braid. She wore a sleeveless dress of shining silver material that could have just as well have been moonbeams. Her eyes were unreal with the silver glow that they held. Everything about her shone like a full moon. Usagi gulped and stepped forward a bit, hoping this wasn't just an illusion. "Who are you?" she asked softly, almost afraid to scare her away. The woman giggled. It was strange to watch her giggle, someone who looked to be past the age of giggling. Despite that the sound seemed just right and perfect for her. "Do not fret. You won't scare me away little one," she said. Her voice tinkled like bells. That voice. It was so familiar. The darkness. It had been there in the darkness. Trying to talk to her. Telling her to go to the light. "Yes that was me. I had to help you quickly, before Metallia could get you. If you were taken then all would be lost and the Negaverse's growing leader would have succeeded," the woman said. 'Huh?' was all she could think. It didn't make much sense at first, but as she began to remember everything again it all clicked. 'Beryl said the queen was free. That was the other voice? She was trying to brainwash me like the generals,' she thought. 'If she's free, then what is going on? Mamoru...Mamoru is still there!' "Oh no. Mamoru!" she cried out. The woman rushed to her side before she could begin to cry. "Hush little one. Hush. It's all right. He's all right, for now. You can still save him and everyone. I brought you here to explain," she said. "There are things you must know before you leave here." The woman lead Usagi over to the gazebo and they sat down on one of the benches in the gazebo. "I want you to know who you really are," she said. She pulled Usagi close in a motherly embrace and Usagi couldn't help but allow her. "One thousand years ago a beautiful kingdom lived on the Moon. Queen Serenity it's kindly ruler. Princess Serenity her beautiful heir. Today there lives a bright and wonderful young girl with the powers of the Moon, the reborn Princess of the Moon, Tsukino Usagi. Tsukino Usagi is the Princess her mother always wanted her to be. Despite her faults, she is kind, strong, brave, and loyal to her loved ones. A true Senshi of the Moon. Sailor Moon is just a mask for her. She will one day be able to go without the mask and allow the world to see her true self and her true powers. "Usagi-lovely, do not loose faith in yourself. There will be many battles ahead of you, but one thing shall always remain. You're loved ones will always be by your side, in whatever shape they can take. Never will you be alone and never will you hurt them. Do not forget that," she said. Usagi looked up at her shining silver eyes and she almost thought she could see a pair of azure eyes, much like her own, shining through. 'Mother...,' she thought faintly. "Thank you. I won't forget that. Never," she said. "Just like the day you were born, I kiss you on the forehead," the woman said softly. She kissed her forehead and the golden crescent appeared glowing brightly on her forehead. "You are my child now as you were before. A Serenity like those before you." "Who are you?" she asked the woman again. "I am Selene, the goddess of the Moon," she said. Usagi's eyes grew wide in awe. There was so many questions floating in her head. So much she wished to ask this youthful silver woman. "How will I stop Metallia? I used the crystal to a breaking point, like my mother had, to defeat Beryl," she said. "I will give you the power. Only through that will you stop the demigoddess, Metallia," Selene said. "I will need you to be my channel." Usagi nodded. "Of course. Anything to save them all," she said. The woman smiled. Usagi was so willing to give herself to better another. She was a rare light in the universe of darkness. Perhaps the most powerful Serenity yet, but she made no sign to tell her so. "Then prepare to go. I shall be with you by your side," Selene said. Usagi nodded. She stood and her clothes faded to reveal the long regal dress Princess Serenity wore. Serenity stood tall and ready, the kind words Selene had bestowed on her still clear in her memory. "I'm ready. Let's go save everyone!" Selene stood beside her and kissed her forehead once again, Serenity's crescent glowed in response. "Brave Princess, you will be a great ruler like your mother one day," she said smiling warmly at her. "Let us go." Once again the familiar light from before appeared and blocked out all sight. She felt herself floating in the light and once again returning to her own body. *** Endymion charged once again at the invisible wall that surrounded Serenity. This time he prepared himself to hit the wall, only to be pushed away by something else. A rage filled scream filled the room and he covered his ears at the sound. "Enough Metallia. Its time you return to the darkness," a strong voice said over the screaming. Endymion looked over at Serenity. She was standing tall, shining brightly with a silvery glow. His heart soared with happiness. 'She's alive!' was all he could think. "You wear a child like it will be enough to stop me. How foolish are you Selene?" the cold voice once again said once the screaming stopped. "Do not underestimate me, Metallia" the warmer voice said. Endymion stared in shock as he watched the words, that were not her own, slip from Serenity's mouth. "No you will not underestimate me," the shadowy Metallia said. The shadow that had circled around them only a few minutes before, shot a black flame towards Serenity. A glistening white wall blacked the attack. Endymion wanted to rush to her side, but watching the magnitude of the fight made him feel inadequate. His powers seemed a mere trickle compared to the mammoth ocean of power before him. It was so strong the creatures seemed to shine like a sun with their prospective lights. Serenity sent out her own attack, a shining beam of light, that closely resembled stars. The shadow laughed as it was sucked inside of it. Serenity's stern expression did not waver for a moment. Serenity, herself, could do nothing but stare in awe at what was going on around her. Her body tingled all over from the power that Selene pumped into her. It was like one big high. She felt like she was a super nova waiting to explode. That thought probably wasn't to far off, except she didn't like the exploding part. She stretched herself to be able to see Endymion. He looked so helpless, so shocked by the events. A small part of her wanted to laugh at the look on his face, but that wouldn't be very appropriate at that moment. Most of all she was over joyed to see him alive and well. Metallia mustn't have paid much attention to him while she was busy trying to invade her mind. Thank the gods for that. That look of shock and almost horror stuck in her mind and she felt frantic. 'It's still me. Please don't look at me like that,' she thought. All her joy vanished in an instant as she continued to watch his worried face. The powers she channeled began to falter with her sadness. This left an opening wide enough for Metallia's blast to break through. Serenity was flung back and smashed into the wall. Metallia laughed viciously and hovered over the Princess's body. "Such a fool. Such a fool. Your puny little world is mine now!" she said cruelly. Tears coursed down Serenity's face. She stared ahead unseeing and locked herself up in her sorrow. 'He's afraid of me. Why...why...Endymion please...Endymion...!' she thought desperately. She flung open their link and poured her heart out to him. He stumbled to the ground with the force of her emotions. 'Oh gods...Serenity...I'm here...I'm sorry...please...let me help you...' he cried to her. He rushed to her side just as Metallia sent another blast at Serenity. Pain ripped through his body as blocked Serenity's body from the attack. He stared at the wide-eyed beauty before him knowing he'd at least saved her life. That was enough. He couldn't tell if he was slipping away. The pain was the only thing he could register. Serenity stroked his cheek and kissed him over and over, despite the pain. Everything he felt echoed in her, but she couldn't let go of him now. She needed him and the world needed her. 'I won't let you go. We'll win this together,' she told him silently. She pulled him close, his head resting on her chest. 'Selene please help me again,' she thought softly. She closed her eyes and Selene's power once again ran through her veins. She let it collect inside her till it reached a breaking point. In blinding flash all of the power she'd collected rushed out aimed at the one dark spot in the room, Metallia. The sudden blast was a surprise to Metallia as she screamed in shock. She felt herself being ripped apart and the smaller pieces of her being ripped into smaller pieces. She was being torn apart all the way down to the molecule, till there was nothing left of her but fading black energy. Serenity slumped down and leaned against Endymion. "It's done," she said softly. "Thank you Selene. Thank you for this second chance." Her dress faded into her fuku and then down to the shorts and tee shirt she'd been wearing before this whole thing started. Endymion's armor faded down to the ratty shirt and sweats he'd been wearing for their practice session. "You did well, Usagi," Selene said softly beside her. Usagi looked up at the smiling woman who knelt beside her. Tears of gratitude formed in her eyes and she nodded slowly. "There is only one thing left to do. Take this. You know what to do." Floating just above the palm of Selene's hand, was a perfectly round crystal. Usagi's eyes widened as she recognized it. "My mother's crystal," she gasped. Selene nodded. "You must set everything right again," she said. "Farewell Princess. We will meet again some day." She slowly faded away leaving the crystal floating in front of Usagi. Usagi stared at it for a moment, finally remembering those last moments of her old life. Such pain all around her. Death, the stench of filled the air like nothing she'd every experienced before. The worst of all was seeing Endmyion, dead from an attack by Beryl. That was the greatest pain anyone could have experienced. So she felt nothing as the tip of the blade was shoved viscously into her stomach. 'It was all over for us mother, yet you gave your life so we could live. Will I ever be able to sacrifice myself like that? I will try to make your proud mother. I will do everything in my power to do so,' she thought as she reached out for the crystal. As she touched it, the crystal gave off a bright light. The light seeped into her body and then Mamoru's. The light continued to spread covering the forest outside the tower and continuing on into the Universe heading straight for Earth. On Earth life sprung up everywhere. It was like a miracle to see all that had been destroyed by or inadvertently by the Negaverse returned to its normal splendor. Several recent victims of youma attacks recovered from their injuries at a miraculous rate. Plant life flourished with renewed beauty as a whole park was revived. The events were unexplainable, but wonderful and appreciated none the less. Usagi closed her heavy lids, exhausted from the whole battle. Mamoru stirred and lifted his head to see the half-asleep Usagi. He hugged her tighter and smiled widely. He carefully stood and picked her up. He walked over to the doorway that appeared in the now white-walled tower. The crystal having also transformed this dark world into a bright peaceful haven. Outside the doorway stood their eight friends. Smiling and quite alive. Minako stepped forward a bit and said, "Let's go home." A faint aura surrounded the eight guardians and then they vanished from the world of their enemy. *** Usagi slowly opened her eyes and took in her surroundings. She was in Rei's temple. Rei was dozing in a chair off in the corner of the room. A tray sat on the ground beside her, with a pitcher of tea and two glasses. The tea was still steaming, so she guessed that Rei had just dozed off. She got out of her borrowed bed and poured herself some of the tea. She took a sip and then moved closer to Rei. She smiled at her friend and lightly kissed her cheek. She deserved the rest. She'd probably been watching over her since she'd arrived. She walked out of the room and then out of the temple. It appeared to be mid-afternoon. It was warm and a breeze danced in the air. She took a deep breath and smiled up at the blinding sun. A slight rustled made her turn quickly to spot the intruder. "Gomen, Usagi," Jedite said as he moved closer to her. "I didn't mean to disturb you." "Of course not Jedite. It's all right," she said, smiling at him. "I just wanted to say thank you," he said. "I appreciate everything you have done for me and Rei. It's not very often two lovers get a *THIRD* chance like this." He smiled at her broadly. "She may not seem like it at times, but I know that Rei feels the exact same way." Usagi nodded. "You don't have to say thank you. You should know that I would do anything for those that I care about. You guys and Mamoru are the most important things in my life," she said. "Thank you anyway, Usagi," Jedite said. He bowed to her deeply with a little smirk. She giggled at his false formality. "Ah well. I was never one for formalities such as that. I'll leave you to your tea. You know where you can find us should you need us." Usagi nodded as he walked away. Turning back to the area around the temple, she took another sip of her cooling tea. 'This temple is so beautiful. I guess I never really noticed with all of our Sailor business. These are the things I wanted to save. Saving my friends was very important, but I also wanted to save all this beauty. There's so much we've yet to do, haven't seen yet. I don't want to see something like this destroyed in an instant. What a horrible waste it would be,' she thought. Finishing her tea, Usagi quietly left the glass by the temple entrance. She wanted to go and find everyone else. To see them all, and confirm what she knew she had done. Jedite and Rei were a happy couple now, but what of her friends? She decided now would be the best time to find out. With a small lilt to her step, she headed out into Tokyo to find her friends. Perhaps they didn't know one another as well as they'd like, but it wasn't hard for Usagi to figure out where they could all possibly be. A short distance away from the temple was Makoto's apartment. She guessed that Makoto at least would be there. She glanced up at Makoto's balcony to see both Makoto and Nephrite out on the balcony. They were holding hands and laughing at something one or the other said. They glanced down to see Usagi below them and they waved at her. Usagi smiled and waved back, before continuing on her way. Minako loved the idea of romantic walks in the park. She was the Senshi of Love, and certainly could come up with some romantic ways to be with her one and only. Usagi guessed she'd pick some cozy little spot and just be there with Kunzite. So that was where she headed to next. She'd certainly picked a picturesque little spot, too. The pair sat on the edge of a water fountain surrounded by the blooming cherry blossoms. Minako leaned on Kunzite as they held hands and talked quietly. Usagi smiled at the cute sight they made and sneaked out before she could disturb their peace. With only Ami and Zoicite left she felt a little worried. Things had not been quite as pleasant for these two of her friends. There had been some sort of argument and she wasn't sure what was wrong. They had been too worried about Beryl's emanate attack to talk much. Usagi quickly headed for the library near Ami's house knowing if she'd be anywhere it would be there. She found her inside leaning over a book with another stack beside her. The stack of books seemed to all have a common theme, miracle healing. So she was still curious about that. She seemed to be cramming as much information as she could into her head. Usagi looked closer and saw that the determined look on her face really hid sorrowful eyes. Her heart ached for her friend and she wanted to go and ask her what was wrong. She held herself back knowing that when Ami was ready to talk about it she'd come to them. Just as she was about to leave she spotted another familiar face trying to remain hidden. It seemed someone else had the same idea as she did. Zoicite hid behind a bookshelf and watched Ami. His sadness was clear on his face and Usagi felt that ache again in her heart. What ever it was that was bothering them, she was sure that they would find away to get passed this rock in the road. She turned slowly and left the library. The breeze danced through her hair and she shook her head in hopes of getting the few stray strands out of her face. She wrapped her arms around herself and looked out at the Tokyo skyline around her. Her home. Her friends. Everything about this place was wonderful and she felt as if her whole life finally slid into its proper place. She'd done what she needed to do to make all this beauty remain and allow her friends the happiness she'd found. Everything was perfect. Except of course someone was missing. As if on cue familiar arms wrapped around her and she turned her head to see Mamoru standing there behind her. He said nothing, because it wasn't necessary to say anything. He knew everything already. She knew everything about him already. Their hearts, minds and souls were one. "Shall we my love?" he asked. Usagi nodded. Mamoru lead her to his car and opened the door for her. Once she was in, he shut the door and went over to the driver's side door. The car roared and they drove off. Usagi glanced at her companion with a smile and placed a hand over the one that held the stick shift. He looked down at her and smiled. Everything was perfect.