The Last Four:

Part Six: The Healing

Corundum sat atop his ash grey charger watching the battle below. The new Dark Kingdom's army was growing by the minute he thought to himself. Soon they would be thousands strong. He smiled slightly as he watched the city below being blown to bits. Of course they could have surrendered and pledged allegiance to the Dark Kingdom and its new ruler Azurite but they had been willful and now they were being punished. The army was moving ever closer to their goal Crystal Tokyo. Maganite rode up beside reigning on his roan stallion. Of course they could have had more modern transportation but they preferred flesh and blood over cold metal.

" The battle goes well," Maganite commented. " Soon it will be the spires of Crystal Tokyo burning."

" It won't be easy to defeat them," Corundum said.

" It was easy enough before," Maganite retorted.

" We had the element of surprise before," Corundum shot back.

" This is treacherous talk brother. Are you saying we won't be able to defeat them? If I were you I would watch what I say. What is wrong with you anyway?"

" Nothing I'm fine," Corundum said motioning for his horse to go forward. He couldn't tell his brother what was really wrong with him. He couldn't tell him that he had been having dreams. Dreams of amethyst eyes and a girl with a pixie like beauty. He knew he should know her but he didn't. She always came to him tears running down her face. She was so sad it almost made his heart ache but he had no heart. It always ended the same way with her doubled over in pain blood seeping through her beautiful purple dress her hand clinched over her stomach. Corundum quickly shook his head and reigned in his horse. The battle was over Azurite would want to see them for debriefing. He quickly made his way towards their encampment.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

" Well we obviously have to stop them," Rei said banging her fist on the table in anger. " We can't let them get away with this."

" We could send a diplomatic team…" Ami trailed off as she realized the idea was useless.

" No that would be completely fruitless to stop them we'll have to use force," Endymion said. " Plus Serenity going anywhere is completely out of the question."

" Excuse me. When was this decided," Serenity said defiance leaping in her eyes. " How are you supposed to defeat them without me?"

" Serenity you know what using the crystal does to you. It will kill you if you use it to its full extent. I won't let you take that chance again and now you have to think about the baby."

" Of course Endy. You're right for once," Serenity said getting her retort in but a with a teasing glint in her eyes. The glint left as she once again realized what they were facing.

" What if they attack Crystal Tokyo while we're gone. We can't all go," Makoto said.

" It's quite possible they will attack Crystal Tokyo. It might be better if we all stayed here and waited for them to come to us," Zoicite said.

" And let them wreak havoc on the countryside until they get here! No," Serenity said quietly but with force.

" What if half of us go and half of us stay here. That way we'll know what's going on in the North and be prepared fight them there and we'll also have a measure of defense here also," Kunzite said.

" That just might work," Ami said standing up and walking over to a control panel. A holographic image sprung up of Crystal Tokyo and the North countries. Jadeite said, " If half of us position ourselves here and the rest stay here. It would be an almost impenetrable shield."

" Now the only question is of who's going and who's going to stay here," Endymion said looking at his wife.

" Don't you mean who's going to be left behind?" said Serenity gazing back at her husband.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

" We move closer to Crystal Tokyo everyday. It is safe to say that they know about us by now and the element of surprise is not an option any longer," Cassorite said brushing his obsidian hair out of his eyes. >P> " I estimate that should send out a force to stop us very shortly," Rubellite said gazing at the map spread out before him.

" What are our orders sir," Maganite said to the figure seated at the head of the table.

" We wait."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next morning dawned bright and clear. An envoy prepared to leave the Crystal Palace. Endymion kissed his sleeping wife on the forward about to walk out the door. He didn't want to wake her. He didn't think he could go if he did. He jumped as a hand reached out to grab is retreating arm. " Mamo-chan." Endymion smiled slightly as she used that name. To her he was still Mamoru a young college student in his green blazer and to him she was still the odango atama the lovable school girl that had stolen his heart the first day he had been hit by her flying test paper.

" Yes Usako."

" Come back."

He knelt down next to the bed and looked up into her endless blue eyes. The eyes that had always loved him. The eyes that were now brimming with unshed tears. " I swear I will come back my Usako. My Serenity. I love you with all my soul and I will come back." He leaned forward to kiss her but she stopped him with a finger to his lips.

" I love you my Mamo-chan. My Endymion. I will wait for you. I love you more then life itself." She stood up and pulled him up with her. She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck standing on her tiptoes and staring into his cobalt eyes. He leaned forward and this time she did not stop him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hotaru threw her dark purple cape around her shoulders. She pulled the hood on half hiding her face in the dark shadow. She looked around her at the happy couples saying good-bye. She had been like that once. Completely in love. She had volunteered for this mission because she had to see him. She didn't care if he was evil. She didn't care that he had killed her. She just knew that he was one of the only people who had ever loved her ever excepted her for who she really was. He had always made her laugh and told her how beautiful she was. She could still remember his eyes. The way they always lit up when she came into the room. Oh God she missed him. Before it was like there was a part of her missing. A part she couldn't remember at all. But now the hole in her soul was filled. He was alive albeit evil but alive. She knew she could heal him. She just had to see him. She swung up onto her pale horse her dark cloaking shrouding her. She watched as Endymion came out of the castle and looked up. Serenity was standing on a balcony looking down. She watched as Jadeite gave Rei one last kiss before he went to join Endymion. Zoicite was coming also and she saw him whispering something in Ami's ear before her left also. Haruka was already mounted staring off into space. Michiru was nowhere to be seen. She hadn't said much since yesterday. She had opted to stay behind and protect the palace. Makoto was saddling her horse and Nephrite helped her. Kunzite climbed onto his steel grey horse and leaned down to kiss Minako one last time.

Endymion, Jediete, Zoicite, Makoto, Haruka, Kunzite, and Hotaru left the confines of the Crystal Palace heading north with half the palace guard at their heals.

After two weeks of traveling they reached their destination. They could have gotten there in two seconds if they had used a teleport but they had decided to conserve their power for the battle they knew that was coming. Endymion made camp on top of a small hill immeadietly erecting watchtowers and sending scouts out. The scouts came back saying that they had seen nothing. " What are your orders your Majesty?" said a man with the rank of commander.

" We wait."

Hotaru slipped out of the command tent unnoticed once again pulling her hood over her face. She threw one leg over her horse secured her cloak once more. She needed air.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Azurite tapped his fingers leisurely against the arm of his chair. He would have what he wanted. Very soon. He would be dead. That incompetent fool. It still burned after all these years. He had taken his woman and then beaten him in battle. Soon Serenity would be his and Endymion would be dead. But first he would make them suffer. He motioned to a servant cowering in the corner. " Summon the Generals. I want them in here in fifteen minutes. Tell them I don't care what they're doing. Drop it." He watched as the girl left. She must be new probably captured from the last city. He made a mental note to watch her and then went back to planning his revenge.

The young girl walked through the camp summoning three more servants to go to the other generals. She pushed aside a tent flap walking into the dim light. She saw him sitting there studying a map by candlelight. It was already twilight the sun going down behind the rolling hills. She pulled the hood of her cloak around her face tighter as her heart began to beat faster out of fear. " General Corundum."

" What," he snapped not looking up. The girl flinched.

" General Azurite has sent for you," she whispered.

" Tell him I'm busy."

" He said to be there in fifteen minutes."

" Damn it all! I can't get one moment of piece in this place," he shouted slamming his hand down on the table. She stepped back. He finally looked up. She gasped aloud. His eyes were different. They were empty holding no emotion whatsoever. She took another step back almost crying out when her hood fell from her face. Purple black hair swished around the girl's shoulders.

" It's you. The girl from my dreams… You're not real. I'm asleep again."

" You must be mistaken Sir. I am but a civilian from the city that was taken last week. I don't know what you're talking about…I," the girl stuttered pulling the hood back over her face.

Corundum got up and walked over to her cupping her face in his hand staring hard at her face. Brown eyes stared back out of a pale face. " No you're not her," he said dismissing the girl with one more glance.

" The General…"

" Out!" The girl hesitated once more then fled. Corundum walked out of his tent cursing under his breath the last thing he wanted was to go to a meeting with that pompous fool who called himself a High General. He was only centered on revenge not around rebuilding the Dark Kingdom. Ever since Beryl had been defeated he had declared himself the chosen one of Metallia. Saying that part of her still lived in him. It could be true he conceded to himself. When she was defeated she could have sent some of her power into Azurite but he was more likely to bet on him just being full of BS. He caught sight of Cassorite coming out of his tent and together they walked in silence.

" So glad you two could make it," Azurite said sarcastically as the two very late Generals walked in. They mumbled their apologies then sat down. " As you all know we are a good month's march from Crystal Tokyo. I have it on good authority that Crystal Tokyo has sent out a force to stop us. They are encamped two weeks march outside of Crystal Tokyo. We march in one week to meet them. Prepare your legions."

" Why don't we just teleport?" said Rubellite his ruby colored eye's glinting in the firelight.

" Are you questioning my judgement General?" said Azurite.

" No sir I…"

" Then shut-up. We move in one week," Azurite said dismissing the others.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The Dark Kingdom's army advanced. A month rolled by without even a hint of the ensuing battle. It was winter now and steadily growing colder. The Dark Kingdom made camp approximately two weeks outside Crystal Tokyo. Both sides' scouts immediately caught sight of each other's camps. Time seemed to freeze each side preparing for battle. Each side equally matched. Snow already covered the rolling hills seeming to freeze everything in place. On a cold overcast morning with the weather threatening snow the battle ensued.

Miles away in Crystal Tokyo Serenity sat in front of a warm fire staring into the blaze unblinking. Something was happening. She knew it and she was scared. She shook her head silly girl nothings going to happen. Endy knows what he's doing. He promised he'd come back so he'll come back she chided herself. Heaving a great sigh she lifted herself out of the chair taking comfort in the life inside of her. She walked out onto the balcony oblivious to the cold. The hair on her arms seemed to stand on end and she couldn't shake the feeling that something horrible was happening. She looked over the country now white with snow. It started to snow. Not a heavy snow but a light perfect snow. Serenity cried out as a searing pain shot across her chest bringing her to her knees. She griped the banister rail as her world faded. " ENDYMION!"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

* The Battle*

The two armies collided with the sound of metal clashing. Human and non-human screams rose up into the air and the peace of early morning was broken. Bodies collapsed into the snow. Saturn wielded her glaive skillfully keeping the emotions from playing over her face. Uranus and Jupiter were close at her side. The Senshi were keeping together looking for there main targets. Somehow they got separated losing each other in the fray. Now Saturn fought alone cutting down youma after youma using power when necessary.

The youma stared at the fighting girl's back and let out a low laugh. A child. She had to be no more then eighteen in human years. They were letting children fight their battles! She would be easy to defeat. It walked up behind her raising one of its claw like arms. It cried out in pain as it felt something slice into its own back. It sank into the snow as it felt its life seep out of its body. It watched as the girl turned and he saw the absolute power in its eyes and shivered a humanlike shudder. It turned around wanting a good glance at the being that had killed it. It died in shock.

Saturn stared at the man who had saved her placing her glaive at her side. " I finally meet the Senshi of Saturn. A worthy enemy. Oh wait I seem to remembers meeting you before yes the last time I believe I killed you," a man said wiping his bloody sword on the sparse clothing of the dead youma.

He finally looked up at the women taking in her appearance. She was quite good looking with purple black hair, which contrasted her pale skin. Her slight form was clothed in the usual uniform of the Senshi. Her glaive towered above her a true weapon of power and her eyes… her eyes were a perfect amethyst accented with flecks of silver. They reminded him of… no if ever he needed his full wit about him it was now.

Saturn fought to regain control. She would not let her emotion overcome her. " Yes I remember. General Corundum. It seems that last time you had the element of surprise. This time you are not so lucky." Inside her heart was screaming that she could never hurt him never cause him pain. She rose her glaive preparing for what she knew she had to do.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Uranus let the heat of battle take her in. She had been separated from Saturn and Jupiter some time ago. She really couldn't tell when. She just knew that she didn't what to face him. It wasn't that she was cowardly or afraid for that matter it was just that…she didn't know why. Her feelings were so jumbled. She wasn't used to not having complete hold on her feelings. She hadn't felt so confused since…since the last day on the Moon Kingdom. All these thoughts flew through her head as she cut down the enemy around her. She world blocking the blow that came down behind her straight for her back. Her eyes widened as she saw whom it was. " Sailor Uranus. It is time that I finished what I started," a man with ruby eyes stated. Haruka crouched into her battle stance brushing a lock of pale blonde hair out of sapphire eyes. The fight began.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Sailor Pluto watched the battle her dark green whipping in the wind. She singled him out of the battle. He looked the same she noticed white hair and pale green eyes. Why did she always have to be content to watch? She wanted nothing more then to confront him. She made up her mind and walked into the battle. Searching. " Maganite."

The man turned around. " Sailor Pluto. We meet again. I really hate to kill you."

" It doesn't have to be this way," Pluto said her face an unreadable mask.

" Oh I think it does,"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Michiru sat in the hall of Neptune, which was an exact replica of the one in the old palace of the Moon Kingdom. She closed her eyes shutting out the guilt. She should have gone. She shouldn't have stayed behind. She should have confronted him. The truth was she was scared. She knew she couldn't kill him and she also knew that she couldn't kill him then he would most definitely kill her. She was a Senshi! She didn't get scared. She was a protector. But she didn't want to die not now not after she had finally remembered that she was capable of love and that she had had love. A single tear ran down her cheek as she was once again swept up in the memories.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Two swords met with a clash of unearthly sparks. Two men were locked in an uncompromising battle. Cobalt eyes gazed into dark blue eyes with a threatening ferocity. They circled around each other each trying to get past each other's defenses. A sword jabbed for the abdomen puncturing the soft flesh and Azurite smiled as he looked up at the man who had killed him. " It's not over Prince," the man gasped for breath, " or should I say…King Endymion."

" Let go Azurite. It's over. It should have been over long ago," Endymion said staring down at the man who was now crumpled on the ground. Azurite smiled again slightly.

" Endymion where are you? Endymion help me. I need you."

Endymion whirled around. That was Serenity. What was she doing here? It wasn't possible. He caught a glimpse of silver through the battle and turned to follow it. He stopped mid step this was wrong. She wasn't here. She couldn't be. He turned back around to face his enemy one second to late. A tear slipped down his cheek as he felt the blade pierce his chest.

Azurite smiled down. He was victorious. " You weak moron. Look what love has done to you. You used to be a warrior now you are just a lovesick puppy dog who follows it's mistress sniffing her skirts for any scraps of food she might drop you," Azurite opened his mouth to continue but crumpled over in pain as his last strength left him. No one heard his last scream.

" Serenity. I'm sorry my Usako. I love you. I'll always love you," Endymion said as he took his last breath.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The battle came to a halt as an echoing wail ripped across the battlefield. The cry of Serenity morning for her Endymion brought tears to the eyes of the enemy and the ally. A bright white light erupted enveloping everyone. The battle was over and one side was victorious.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hotaru rubbed her head as she sat up trying to comprehend what had happened. She had been about to begin battle and then " Serenity," she said as she sat straight up and then groaned again placing her hand on her head. What had happened? She looked around. A thick mist covered the whole area but she could see well enough to see that the ground was strewn with bodies. Some of them waking up and some whose eyes would never again open. She struggled to her feet brushing the dirt of her fuku. She bent down to pick up her glaive and she saw something out of the corner of her eye. Corundum. He was lying on the ground completely unconscious. He looked so peaceful eyes shut and mouth parted slightly like a sleepy six-year-old who had too much ice cream. Her heart reached out to him and she slowly knelt down next to him ignoring the obvious danger. A tear slowly rolled down her cheek plopping on to his. Blue eyes opened. Blue eyes with no trace of evil just utter confusion. " Hotaru? What are you doing here? You're supposed to be on the Moon."

She couldn't take it any more. Hotaru broke down into sobs throwing herself into his arms. " Cor don't ever leave me again. I love you so much."

Corundum sat in shock holding the woman that he loved racking his brain for a reason why she might be crying. He pulled away cupping her delicate chin in his hand and looking deep into her eyes. They were so old so full of sadness. It was still her but she had grown up so much. She wasn't the nineteen-year-old girl he had left on the Moon Kingdom. The fog suddenly cleared from his mind and he remembered. Remembered everything. And he held on tighter to the women he loved. And they just held each other.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Endymion awoke to find himself engulfed in light. A light so pure and white that it hurt his eyes. Voices seemed to be echoing around him just low enough that couldn't grasp the meaning of their words. He placed a hand to his chest shocked at what he found. There was no wound. There wasn't any sign of the blood that had once poured from his chest. He couldn't be dead. Serenity needed him. No he needed Serenity. He looked up as he saw a figure moving slowly toward him. Her brown hair tumbled to her shoulders and a gold circlet encircled her head. " Mother?"

" Endymion. I'm so proud of you. You've saved so many," the Queen of Earth Eleiana said approvingly.

" Mother why am I here?"

" I love you Endymion."

" No Mother don't leave," Endymion shouted at the figure of his retreating mother as he ran to catch up to her. Another figure stepped out of the light. " Father? Where's mother?"

" Where we all go when we die. Endymion I came to tell you I'm sorry and that I'm proud of you and that…that I love you,"

" I love you too Father," and with those last words his father was gone. Endymion fell to his knees. What was going on? Where was he? Where was Serenity?

" King Endymion. It is not yet your time nor will it be for a very long time," a gentle voice said. Endymion looked up to see Queen Serenity walking towards him. She looked no different then she had so many years ago. Light purple hair swirled around her shoulders and large blue eyes looked out at him from a delicate face. A pair of translucent wings spread from her back and her white gown flowed to the floor. Beauty radiated from her every pore. Endymion bowed before her lowering his gaze to stare at his feet and he felt a light hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see a pair of crystal blue eyes staring down at him. Eyes that he knew so well. They weren't Queen Serenity's but his Serenity's. He gave out a small sob wrapping his arms around her waist and burying his head in her soft stomach.

" Come back to me my love," she whispered and kissed him on the head. Then the world seemed to split as the light receded from Endymion leaving him cold. He awoke to see three concerned faces staring down at him.

" My King are you all right," Jadeite said concern embedded in his voice.

Endymion groggily sat up again placing his hand to his chest felling no blood he let put a sigh of relief struggling to stand up. " Gather the remaining forces and any prisoners. Find the rest of the Senshi. We head for home immediately," Endymion ordered. He then stopped himself and looked around at his closest friends. " I'm glad you all are still intact," he said flashing a smile. The smile faded as he looked to see a couple staggering out of the mist. Uranus and Rubellite slowly walked out of the mist. A large gash was evident on Rubellite's head. He had one arm placed around Uranus' shoulders.

" Your Majesty," Rubellite said bowing when they reached the small group. " I have come to ask you forgiveness and to receive punishment."

Endymion put a hand on his shoulder. " Get up my friend. I realized months ago that I had forgiven all of you a long time ago. You are welcome in this camp as well as at my home." No sooner had he said this then five more figures walked towards them. Saturn, Corundum, Maganite, Pluto, and Cassorite all came towards the King. " Rubellite, Magnaite, Corundum, and Cassorite you are all hear by pardoned from all crimes done in the past and let it be none to all you are again escalated to you ranks as High Generals of Earth along with Jadeite, Nephrite, Kunzite, and Zoicite," King Endymion announced. " We head for home tomorrow!" Endymion announcement was met with great cheers from all the over the camp. The battle was over and Crystal Tokyo was victorious.