Chapter 339

There they stood, the scouts, staring at the figure that was Queen Beryl. The evil villain grinned slightly.

"How I've waited for this day," Beryl said building her energy. She could have attacked the scouts then and there, but she wouldn't destroy them, she needed to draw energy into her to do that. It swirled around her. She started letting it flow from the world itself. She laughed.

The scouts all watched, weakly.

"She's gaining energy by the second," Sailor Mercury said.

"Come on, we need to finish this," Sailor Moon said. "Everyone, put your power into it."

She could hardly stand, but she did and held out her scepter. The other scouts followed.

Beryl sighed.

"So you're going to try again are you?" she muttered. "Fine, see if I care," She said.

The scouts grimaced.

"I can't let you do this," Sailor Moon said.

"You can't stop me either," Beryl said.

"We did before," Sailor Moon said. Suddenly she was surrounded in energy and her uniform was replaced by a princess' dress.

"This'll do it," Guardian Neptune said.

"Why?" Guardian Venus asked.

"She always gets the dress when she's really going to kick butt.." Neptune said.

The Sailor Scouts all nodded.

"Changing your clothes isn't going to help!" Beryl said hurriedly drawing in more energy, what she would need to finish the scouts off.

"Besides, if you did destroy me, what would you think would happen to the boy inside me?"

"Oh.." Sailor Moon said. "I hadn't thought of that..."

"Sailor Moon we have no choice!" Sailor Uranus said.

"We have to chance it!" Sailor Pluto said. "He could just as well survive."

"Yes, that is true," Sailor Earth said. "We cannot risk the alternative."

"I...guess...you're right..besides he's a scout he can be revived..." Sailor Moon said.

"That's correct," Sailor Earth said.

"Then let's go," Sailor Moon said. The group built up their energy again.

"Foolish," Beryl said.

"Perhaps not.." came a voice.

Appearing in front of them in a mist was Queen Serenity.

"Your highness!" Sailor Pluto said.

"Indeed.." Queen Serenity said. "Your evil must end here."

Queen Beryl laughed.

"You're just a ghost."

"As were you just minutes ago," Serenity said. "You should shed your evil self."

"It's all that's left!" Beryl shouted.

"I can't believe that," Serenity said.

Beryl shook.

"What..no..stop it!" she shouted.

Beryl glowed with energy and suddenly out from her flew a white form. It landed on the ground and stood face to face with the evil force. She was clothed in a majestic white gown with purple and gold trim. Her hair was dark blue trailing behind her.

"The true Beryl," Serenity said.

The scouts were all mystified.

"She's back," Sailor Earth said.

"The evil is gone then?" Guardian Earth said.

"No it's just over here," the evil Beryl said. "I have all the power I need!"

Queen Serenity shot a blast of energy from her hands.

"You can't stop me like that!" Beryl shouted and fired back. Queen Serenity's attack slammed into Beryl and through the evil queen back. Guardian Moon literally fell out of her.

"You!" Beryl shouted unleashing another barrage at Queen Serenity.

"You can't kill me Beryl," Serenity said. The attack passed through her.

Sailor Earth and Guardian Earth raced forward and pulled Guardian Moon to safety.

"Queen Beryl is gaining a massive amount of energy still!" Sailor Mercury said. "We really have to do something about this!"

"Queen Serenity, can you stop her?" Sailor Moon asked.

"No Sailor Moon, I have done all I can...you all must stop her now.." Serenity said.

"Then we will," Sailor Moon said.

"I will give you the strength," Queen Serenity said. The scouts all stood up and got ready.

"I feel energized," Sailor Pluto said.

"Yeah, this is good," Guardian Mars said. "We can beat her!"

"I'm having trouble comprehending all this," Guardian Jupiter said.

"Just go with it," Sailor Mercury stated bluntly.

"I'll help," the good Beryl said.

"All right," Sailor Moon said. "It's time to end this!"

Evil Beryl drew in more energy, the cavern surged and began to glow.

Good Beryl drew on her own energy supply. Tuxedo Mask held a rose and let it full of his own powers. The Earth warriors did the same.

"Neptune Star Power!"

"Uranus Star Power!"

"Pluto Star Power!"

"Saturn Star Power!"

"Venus Star Power!"

"Mars Star Power!"

"Jupiter Star Power!"

"Supreme Moon Power!" Guardian Moon shouted.

"Galactic Earth Power!" Sailor Earth shouted.

"Galactic Earth Power!" Guardian Earth shouted.

"Neptune Crystal Power!"

"Pluto Crystal Power!"

"Uranus Crystal Power!"

"Mars Crystal Power!"

"Venus Crystal Power!"

"Mercury Crystal Power!"

"Jupiter Crystal Power!"

"Galactic Moon Power!"

The attacks surged from all of the scouts and flew right at Beryl. She was hit with a massive array of energy. She launched her own attacks, but it was smashed through. The energy blew through her. She let out a screech.

"I won't let this happen again!" the evil Beryl shouted. There was a massive explosion rippling through the cavern. The scouts all watched in shock. But that Beryl was gone. The cave was going to collapse.

"We don't have time to get back out.." Sailor Neptune said with concern.

"Teleport now.." Sailor Pluto said.

"Do we have the strength?" Uranus asked.

"You will," Queen Serenity said. "All of you can go."

The group, which at this point was massive all held hands, energy swirled around them and they disappeared. The cave collapsed and imploded, the last bits of negaenergy present exploded.

The scouts arrived back where they started. Luna and Artemas looked in surprise at the scene of the whole group landing and practically collapsing of exhaustion.

"I bet there's a story behind this one," Luna said.

Artemas just grinned.

The skies cleared.

"I think they did it," Luna said.

"But what did they do?" Artemas said.

"Saved the world, like they always do," Queen Serenity said as her image floated in front of them.

The two cats looked in surprise.

"I must go now.." Serenity said. "My strength is gone, every bit of it I had.. I must pass into the realm of the afterlife forever now."

"Oh..Queen Serenity," Luna said sorrowfully.

"It was only delaying the inevitable anyway.." Serenity said.

The two cats teared up.

"Queen Serenity," Beryl said approaching her. "Thank you for saving me."

"You deserved to live," Serenity said.

"Please..Queen, let me repay you by taking your place," Beryl said. "You need someone to run the moon kingdom, what exists now...please.."

"It is an eternal guardianship," Serenity said.

"I will accept it," Beryl said. "You sacrificed yourself in part for me..and I caused your death, I destroyed the moon kingdom, let me help maintain it. I must accept responsibility."

Serenity smiled.

"Very well," Serenity said. "Come forward.."

Beryl did. Serenity placed her hand on Beryl, she was surrounded in energy.

"Thank you Queen Serenity," Beryl said.

"I must go," Serenity said. "Tell my daughter I love her."

The cats could say nothing more. Queen Serenity faded from view for the last time.

"Now what to do about all this," Beryl said.

"Can't you make them stop fighting?" Luna asked still upset.

"No..but I can at least separate them for now," Beryl said with a wave of her hand. The rogues disappeared.

"I will be around when needed," she said and vanished.

"What a day.." Artemas said.

Serena woke up in what had become her room in the A.P.T. house to find Luna asleep near her.

"Luna," she said.

"Yes Serena," Luna muttered exhausted over the day.

"I dreamed about Queen Serenity last night."

"Oh..."

"Guess she's really gone huh?"

"Yes, Serena, but she's has left you all with so much."

"Yeah," Serena said. "Well..time to get up..lots to do."

"Just what do you have to do?" Luna asked.

"Have fun of course."

"Aren't you worried about the rogues?"

"Not today," Serena said.

"How do you know they won't attack, or some other enemy?"

"How do I know that any day Luna?" Serena said with a grin.

"You're bordering on reckless behavior."

"Sorry Luna, I can't live my life without living it," Serena said.

"Uh..so you can't."

Downstairs.

"Look what came in the mail yesterday," Amy said.

"Looks big," Greg said.

"I haven't opened it yet."

"Who's it from?"

"Chief Ozaki."

"Oh..why?"

"Uh we had a run in so to speak," Amy said.

"Did it work well or not," Greg said.

"I don't know," Amy said. "That's why I've been afraid to open it."

"Oh.." Greg said. "Is it ticking?"

"No."

"Hmm..they don't have to I guess."

"What are you two doing?" Serena asked wandering in.

"I got a package," Amy said.

"So open it," Serena said.

"I'm not sure I should," Amy said.

"Then I will," Serena said and lunging forward.

"Uh..Serena," Amy said.

"Hey..I want to know," Serena said opening it.

"No boom," Greg said.

"Astute observation," Amy said.

Serena opened the top of the box.

"Wow..." She said. "Look at it."

"What is it?" Amy asked.

"We hope it's not a horse's head," Greg said.

She pulled out an aquamarine statue of what seemed to be a Greek goddess, but it could have been any one of them as far as she could tell. There were really no definitive markings.

"Impressive," Greg said.

"Uh..I guess," Amy said. "What does it mean though?"

"You got me," Serena said. "There's a card though."

Amy took it.

"Thank you for snapping an old man out of his funk, and getting his daughter back," Amy read.

"Looks like he's very appreciative," Serena said. "But what did you do Amy?"

"Well..uh.." Amy said. "Really nothing."

Greg and Serena looked at her curiously.

"I don't like to talk about these sorts of things," Amy said.

The two smiled.

Hours later.

"So.." Seiya said. "Let's talk about Steve."

"What about him?" Lita asked.

"Is there something between you two?"

"No, no, why would you think that?"

"He seems to think so."

"He does? No, couldn't be, sure we see each other and all, but we're good friends."

"You sure?"

"Seiya, we dated a while ago, it didn't work out, but we've stayed close."

"Maybe too close," Seiya replied sharply.

"Seiya, what are you getting at?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to know," Seiya said. "He seemed to be nervous around you lately, when you've been with me."

"Seiya, I don't know what that means," Lita said. "But Steve and I are very close, and he may be confused."

"All right," Seiya said. "Fair enough. Besides, I can understand, who wouldn't want you as a girlfriend."

"Well, I know a guy, but he has his own problems," Lita said.

Seiya grinned slightly.

"Would you like to go on a balloon ride," Seiya asked.

"What?"

"Well would you?"

"How?"

"I know a place."

"Just like that?" Lita asked.

"Sure," Seiya said.

"How about in an hour?"

"An hour..all right," Seiya said. "Why the wait."

"I got some things to do."

"Okay," Seiya said.

"See you in an hour!" Lita said and hurried off.

Wonder what she's up to? He thought.

Elsewhere.

"Just what are your intentions towards Mina anyway?" Yaten asked.

"We're just friends," Mike said calmly.

"I've heard that before," Yaten said.

"Seriously, we haven't discussed romantic involvement, even while you were gone, which is surprising coming from Mina's end."

"Don't insult her like that," Yaten said.

"It's hardly an insult," Mike said.

"I see it that way."

"Well good for you," Mike said. "What are you so worried about?"

"I call it as I see it," Yaten said.

"Well you're seeing it wrong, Mina's a complex person, but she's not interested it seems."

"So you have pursued it?"

"I can tell," Mike said. "We don't need to discuss it openly."

"I see," Yaten said. "I'm not sure, you seem just like the type who would two time."

"Oh..fancy that," Mike said and laughed.

"What's so funny," Yaten said.

"Look who you're talking to buddy!" Mike said with more laughter.

Yaten sighed.

"Just what are you two doing?" Mina asked walking up.

"Talking," The two replied.

"Oh.." Mina said. "Talking..well come on I've got something to show both of you."

"Both of us?" The two asked.

"Sure," Mina said. "Come on..."

Yaten and Mike glanced at each other.

"What..." Mina said. "Can't you two tolerate each other?"

"Sure," Yaten said.

"I'm good," Mike said.

Mina glanced at both of them.

"Then let's go!" she said hurrying down the street.

"If something goes wrong it's your fault," Yaten said pausing before following.

"That's most likely going to be the case..yes," Mike said also in no hurry to follow.

"Did you miss your medication today?"

"Medication? Oh..yeah..turns out... I don't need any."

"Get a second opinion."

"Hah..how would you like me to medicate your..."

"Guys!" Mina snapped.

"We're coming!" the two said.

"What an eventful few weeks," Setsuna said.

"I hardly think the ride is over," Haruka said.

"No, but at least there's a little bit of a break," Setsuna said.

"Which could end at any time," Michiru said walking into the room.

"Yes, but I've decided to enjoy this one," Setsuna said.

"I'll take what I can get," Haruka said.

"Haruka, can I ask you something? It really has been at the back of my mind," Michiru said. "But you remember the prom this year?"

"Oh don't bring that up," Haruka said.

"Well..I'm curious, just how good of a date was Steve anyway?"

"You waited this long to ask?"

"I've been known to do such things," Michiru said.

"Steve was courteous, we shared some interests, that's all, in fact I'm sure we could have good discussions."

"And.."

"Nothing," Haruka said. "We were friends we went together. That's a far cry from anything more than that. Didn't you say the same thing about Greg?"

"Sure," Michiru said. "I was just curious that's all. No need to get all defensive."

"I do get defensive. I don't have time for romance you know."

"You should make the time Haruka, you're selling yourself short," Michiru said.

"It's not like you're doing much either," Haruka said.

"I have high standards," Michiru said. "Takes a long time to find mister right."

"Romance," Setsuna muttered. "Good luck."

She then headed out of the room.

"Did we go somewhere we shouldn't have?" Michiru asked.

"Seems that way," Haruka said.

"Well, hard to know sometimes," Michiru said.

"Uh huh." Haruka said.

"Let me show you around to some people."

"No."

"Aw. Come on..it'll be fun."

"Michiru.." Haruka said and sighed.

"Oh..you're not as fun as you used to be," Michiru said.

"Sure nag, see where that gets us," Haruka said.

"Fine then," Michiru said. "I'm going out."

"Michiru wait..where are you going?"

"Oh now you're interested," Michiru said.

"Don't play games," Haruka muttered.

"Sorry.."Michiru said with a grin. "Secret."

She then headed off.

Haruka sighed.

At the Cherry Hill Temple.

"You know I should really try and talk to my father again," Rick said.

"Are you ready to do that?" Raye asked.

"I've got to," Rick said. "But I'm not about to turn this into a choice between my family or you Raye."

"I know," Raye said. "I never would want something like this to happen."

"Yeah. Well..I'm going to go...hopefully I'll be back soon."

"I'll wait for you," Raye said.

Rick smiled and headed down the temple steps.

"He is very strong," Motoki said walking up alongside her.

"Yeah," Raye said lost in thought.

"My opinion is that you're never too old for stuffed animals," Serena said.

"Glad you think so," Darrien said.

Serena starred at a wall of them.

"So..I got myself back into the space program, they've moved off the whole negaenergy thing, but they thought I was so creative they needed me back," Darrien said.

"That's great news," Serena said happily. "So that means you've got more money right?"

"No," Darrien said. "At least not for buying stuffed animals."

"They put them to sleep if they're not bought though!" Serena said.

Darrien burst out laughing.

"That's your most creative one yet!" he said. "All right I'll bite."

"Uh oh," Serena said.

"What?" Darrien said.

"Communicator."

Serena ducked behind a display. She pressed receive. To her shock Guardian Moon appeared.

"Ah.." she said.

"Sorry to startle you," he said. "One week, we will settle things then. The fields on the plateau of Akatayama Hill. Until then, enjoy yourself."

"A truce, no tricks?"

"Yes, but when we meet, it will be all seriousness."

"But why do you still want to fight?"

"I'll let you know then.." Guardian Moon said and vanished off the screen.

With a great degree of trepidation Rick approached his family's recently repaired house. He hesitated several times before finally walking up to the front door.

He sighed. I hope he's changed a little.

Rick knocked

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