Selenia struggled with her mother.

This can't happen! It won't!

Selenia began to realize that Bavmorda was indeed winning.

"Serena! Please! Forgive me. I-."

Her throat closed up as her sword slowly plunged into the heart of Darien. Selenia screamed with a burning rage.

NO!

Serena stared at the lifeless Darien in a stunned terrified silence.

This isn't happening. This isn't real.

Bavmorda forced Selenia to take a step towards Serena, bloody sword looming in front of her. Serena ignored her, and tore a piece of cloth from her dress, trying to stop the flow of blood of Darien. Serena cried aloud as Darien began to convulsing, and in one final moment, he stopped. He stopped breathing; he stopped living. Serena screamed into the light of day and she screamed at the dark of night. Only one word swam through her mind,

No!

Her heart-breaking mourning was interrupted by a new voice in her head.

Give me the Moon of the Earth and he will live, prompted Bavmorda.

Almost mechanically, Serena reached for the Moon of the Earth. Selenia cried out,

"No! Don't! Whatever she is telling you, it's a lie! She's a liar Serena! You've got to listen to me!"

Serena replied, her wet face shining in the light of the moon,

"No. She is telling the truth. You said so yourself only moments earlier that the Moon of the Earth is nothing without both Darien and I. She will have to revive him. She must bring my love back to me!"

………………………………………………………………………………………

Helplessly watching, the four scouts cried out as they watched Darien die. As they saw the controlled Selenia reach for the Moon of the Earth and their Princess extend her hand to give it to her, they too begged her to stay strong. Even though Serena couldn't hear them, they knew she understood.

…………………………………………………………………………………….

Using her mind, Selenia could see her mother, standing on the Aquarius, her hand resting on her scepter. Bavmorda stood still, waiting for Serena to finish making her move. Selenia took a step forward on her own, and immediately Bavmorda did as well.

It has an adverse effect! She does what I do, just as I must do the same. There…is one way to end this…

………………………………………………………………………………………

Alarm ran through Bavmorda's blood, as she suddenly took a step forward without her consent.

What in the world?

………………………………………………………………………………………

Serena still held the Moon of the Earth. As she began to hand it to Selenia's outstretched hand, she thought carefully about everything.

Oh Darien. Despite everything I do wrong, you still loved me.

She looked blankly at the scouts.

My friends. If I do this, you will all die.

Finally, Serena remembered Neo Queen Serenity's final words to her.

Don't make my mistake! Things must forever change.

Princess Serenity hesitantly pulled her hand back.

………………………………………………………………………………………

Bavmorda realized that the Moon of the Earth wasn't going to be in her possession. She reached for Selenia's sword once more.

"You will pay!"

………………………………………………………………………………………

As Selenia held her life-taking sword once more, she repeated to herself,

The only way to end this…

………………………………………………………………………………………

Bavmorda raised Selenia's sword wielding hand in an attempt to kill Serena.

………………………………………………………………………………………

Selenia plunged the sword into the heart of Bavmorda, her mother. As she felt the stabbing pain in her chest, she knew she had been victorious.

………………………………………………………………………………………

Bavmorda fell to the ground, gasping for air. As she lay in a pool of her own blood, she thought to herself,

It's over. I am defeated.

………………………………………………………………………………………

Selenia crumpled to the ground. Serena screamed and reached for her, but she couldn't…wouldn't leave Darien's side. Breathing slowly and heavily, Selenia said,

"I wish…I realized sooner. Friends forever?"

Through her ongoing tears, Serena shakily nodded her head,

"Friends forever."

Selenia smiled, and drew her final breath of life. As she died, so too did Bavmorda. When Selenia died, the barrier around them disintegrated. Serena cried and laid her head on Darien's blood-soaked chest. She pounded the ground with her balled up fists. The Sailor Scouts rushed in to comfort their Princess, and mourn their lost Prince. Each one had tears covering their faces. Serena still held the Moon of the Earth.

He's gone, and this…this is useless.

Serena set the Moon of the Earth over the heart of Darien. She laid her head down once more on Darien's chest. She gasped with each sob that left her body. Her eyes drifted over the Moon of the Earth. When Darien had been struck down by Bavmorda, the glow of the rose on the center of the Moon of the Earth had dimmed. Serena jolted up as she saw a faint glow emanating from the rose.

What? Darien?

Serena yelped as both she and Darien were lifted by an invisible force and transported to the forgotten Moon Kingdom. They both were laid upon the ground, side by side when Serena passed out.

………………………………………………………………………………………

The Scouts stared in horror as their Princess and Prince were seemingly captured.

………………………………………………………………………………………

Serena awoke to see Darien lying by her side. Tears pooled in her eyes as she remembered he was dead. Then, alarm and curiosity ran through her mind as she remembered where she and Darien were. Crying out loud, Serena said,

"The Moon of the Earth! Where is it?"

She franticly searched, and nearly screamed with joy as Darien weakly raised his hand and gave it to her.

"My Prince! My love! I feared you were dead! You…were."

Serena quickly unbuttoned Darien's shirt and searched for the fatal stab wound. Her eyes met with a muscular chest, but no marking; not even a scar. Elation lit up her face and she passionately kissed Darien. Darien sat her in his lap and held her close to him. Serena glanced around at the fallen buildings of the Moon Kingdom surrounding them.

"Darien…what's going on? You…died. The Moon of the Earth died. My soul died. How is everything suddenly repaired? And what are we doing on the moon?"

The voice that spoke to Darien and Serena at the awakening of the Moon of the Earth now spoke again.

"My daughter. You have won! The Moon of the Earth is forever safe. Because of your love for Darien, the Moon of the Earth has revived his lost spirit. You both have succeeded darling. And look! I have someone here is ever so anxious to say goodbye."
Next to the deceased Queen Serenity, Princess Serenity's mother, appeared Selenia. She waved to the royal couple.

"Thank you my friends. You have done so much for me. I'll always be with you."

………………………………………………………………………………………

Serena smiled and opened her eyes. She was back on Earth in Rei's apartment. Her four soldiers were staring back at her; no her four friends.

"Hey! Ol' meatball head's awake!"

Serena bolted up and said,

"It…was a dream? Darien…is he still dead?"

Oh no! I can't do this again. Please, no!

Serena let out a cry of relief as she saw Darien in the walking from the doorway. He lifted her into his arms and walked her away from the Scouts. He bent his head and gently kissed her lips.

"You saved me Serena. Again."

His voice took on a more humorous tone then.

"You know, not many people get to die three times. Not many people have lived two different lives either. I feel honored."

Serena laughed with glee.

"Oh Darien. Three times is enough. Don't you dare ever leave me again. You here me?"

Serena kissed him this time, but she wasn't as gentle.

"Don't worry Serena. I wouldn't dream of it."

……………………………………………………………………………………..

Two weeks later, they all were living their normal lives once more. Just two days after everything had happened, they had their own ceremony for Selenia. Dressed as Sailor Moon, she, Tuxedo Mask, and Sailor Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter each mourned for their lost friend and ally.

Friends Forever.

Since then, Serena hadn't let Darien out of her site, although they still had not had a date alone. For their first lone date, Darien decided to surprise Serena. He blindfolded her, and once more carried her. As they rode an elevator up the Starlight Tower, Serena obnoxiously pestered Darien.

"Please? Tell me where we are?"

Darien laughed.

"No Serena. Just wait!"

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Serena clamped her mouth shut. Stepping out of the elevator, Darien lightly set Serena down/ H gently pulled off the blindfold and Serena took in her surroundings.

"The Starlight Tower? Darien, this is where we found out isn't it? What's going on?"

Darien smiled and nodded his head.

"Yep. This is where our identities were revealed. This is also where I feel in love with you. Again."

Serena frowned.

"What's going on Darien. Usually I'm the sentimental one."

Lifting his hand, which held the Moon of the Earth, Darien ignored her question and said,

"Ami told me that in order to open this, we had to be together, each touching it. Want to see what's inside?"

Serena too, forgot her question and laid her hand upon the Moon of the Earth, as did Darien. The top popped open easily. Inside, they found a photograph of Neo Queen Serenity, King Endymion, and Rini, who was still an infant. On the back of the photo was a note. It was clearly written by Neo Queen Serenity; it had Serena's trademark scribbles. The note read:

This is so you know your love will always have a future.

Serena and Darien smiled at one another. The silence was soon broken when Darien asked something that caught Serena off guard.

"Serena, lets start our future today. Will…you, the only love of my life, marry me?"

Serena stared at Darien, wide eyed.

"What the heck do you think?"

She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. Darien smiled, and through her kisses, he managed to slip an engagement ring on her finger. It had a silver band, and the reddest of rubies was set in the middle.

Roses are Red, and the Moon is Silver.

True Love lies in the Heart

The Heart Lies in the Soul

The Soul Lies in the Passion

And the Passion Lies in the Love