"It's great to be back." Lasairian smiled. "There is a reason you brought me back, am I correct?" Everything on the Sun was golden to reflect the light coming from the lava. Whatever cool wind blew was still hot with sand particles floating in it.

"Let's take a walk, shall we?" Serena smiled as she stood and then, quickly realized she didn't know where she was going. "Er- maybe you should lead."

Lasairian laughed, "You know I've been watching Kessem this whole time. The afterlife is very interesting. It's almost as if you are still living and moving around except you are behind this invisible wall. You- you can't touch anything or anyone on the other side of it." His green eyes were distant, hollow, as if something was missing. "I don't like being away from her like this."

Lasairian

"You know her as Ataxia. But she has other names. Kessem – Kessem was my nickname for her. The way her eyes lit up when she saw magic being done filled anyone she knew with joy. Her parents, desperate to keep her happy, gave her a magic instructor. We had grown up together in the palace. We were childhood friends. So, as we got older, it was not a surprise that we would start dating. Her parents became antsy when her powers started to go awry so they attempted to marry her of to a calm headed soldier. But when that did not work, they saw no other method to calming her powers than to kill me. But they realized too late that her growing power was not threatening anyone. Her powers only started to go out of control when I died. I've known her forever; but, that was the first I've ever seen her like that. And it was so frustrating to not be able to do anything! I was just watching!" Lasairian turned his back to Serena. She could recall everything about the prophecy because of her link to Rei; she could see some of Ataxia's memories as if they were her own.

"What happened after you died?" Serena asked tentatively. Lasairian dark skin shone ever so brightly. The ends of his black crew cut hair blew ever so slightly in the wind.

"What would to do if Seiya was killed?" Serena flinched at his words.

"I would-"

"Go for whoever killed him? That's what Kessem did. She killed her parents. But Kessem was still angry and she had no one to point her aggression towards, so she started to blame the people of the Sun for the prophecy. She killed everyone. But if you looked into those eyes- Y'know her eyes show her emotions, right? But her eyes were black. When you grow up seeing blue, green, pink, red, yellow, orange, every color imaginable inn those irises, seeing black chills you to the bone. It was like she was in a trance. A demonic possession that would- could only be stopped once she had seen all the bodies of our people pilled on top of each other." Lasairian turned away. "When she woke up from the trance, her eyes were blue. But she woke up to find her people slaughtered by her own hands." Lasairian paused as he looked at the ground. It was almost as if he were still seeing the bodies. He stopped at the lavashore in front of the palace. "It was here that she dropped her crystal into the lava." He inspected his hands and saw ashes staining his brown skin black. He submerged his hands into the lava. A shiver ran through him. "The people of the sun are not immune to the heat of lava, we grow accustomed to it. New parents toss their newborns into the lava to bathe them. Those babes become black and charred but after a few minutes, they are good as new."

"My scouts are waiting –" Serena started.

"It's okay. Everything I am telling you now is important. The lava doesn't just bathe their bodies it cleans their souls. Your son, Natsume – "

"How do you- "

"Your scouts are waiting, remember?" Lasairian smiled. "He said what his soul sees determines his morality when he is born. Well the people of the sun hold the same belief. The lava, how should I phrase this… erases the soul's memories. You princesses link your souls to your crystals, right?"

Serena thought of Rini, "Yes."

"The part of Kessem's soul in her crystal was clean; it made her innocent again. Happy again." Lasairian took a transparent crystal from his pocket.

"I'm confused. Didn't her parents want her to be happy? To prevent the prophecy?"

"Yes, they feared anything would set her off. So while you and your comrades have played together as children, she was isolated in the castle. I was her only friend. Sometimes my company would soothe her but sometimes it only reminded her how isolated she was. This crystal began to darken. When she noticed, she hid it but I could see it. Apart of me knew I needed to protect her when I died, so I used the last of my power to get this crystal while Kessem destroyed galaxies. You started to awaken me Darien, when died. And when he did, this crystal started to call out to Kessem. She started to regain her emotions. But she was also forced to acknowledge everything she did. She couldn't take it and fell back into despair and hatred. She's afraid that if she regains her emotions, her anger will take over again."

"But how can we defeat her?"

"I'm not asking you to defeat her. I'm asking you to cleanse her soul. Only you will know how to. But please – just- don't hurt her. And next you see her. Tell her I still love her. Tell her I miss her and I will be waiting. Y'know everything is always changing. Tell her that nothing lasts forever, everything is always changing."

"You aren't coming with?" Serena moved closer.

He shook his head, "Talking to you like this is already bending the rules. I dare not stay longer than necessary. Go to your friends."

"But-" He extended the hand with the Sun crystal in it.

" Your scouts are waiting, right?" With that, an unusually large tide rose and swallowed Lasairian. When it went down. Lasairian was gone. All that remained was the transparent crystal. Serena picked it up.

…

Rei was shooting arrows around like a madwoman when Serena returned. Surprisingly, all arrows met their targets. Saturn and Mercury were running toward Ataxia as Jupiter and Venus held her down.

"Stop. Everyone stop!" Everyone did, not out of obedience but merely out of surprise. At least, everyone did except Seiya who moved away from the youkai and moved toward Serena.

"I know what you are thinking and-"

"Then you know that I have to be the one to end this."

"No! You don't!"

"I do! I understand her. After seeing Darien and Rei together I felt anger and animosity like never before. I felt completely and utterly alone. I felt cornered, trapped. I know what it's like to destroy thousands without thinking about it. I can't even count how many youkai I've killed. You didn't leave me to suffer by myself, so why should I do that to her?"

"Because of all she's done! Doesn't she deserve some punishment? For God's sake, she killed Darien and Rini!" Seiya took a step closer and gripped Serena's shoulder.

"And she will be punished severely, but not to avenge Darien, only to avenge the galaxies and people who are no longer alive to meet her. Knowing that, why would you stop me?"

"Because she killed them! And she will kill you!" Seiya roughly grabbed Serena into a tight embrace. "I'm not losing you. I almost did before. I can't go through that again. I won't go through that again. Serena-" Serena covered Seiya's lips with hers as he whispered, "I love you, Serena."

"She will be punished." Serena turned around to shockingly unhenshined.

"Ataxia, did you know that name means destruction and pain. It just doesn't feel right, so, may I call you Kessem?" Serena took a step forward. There was about a yard's distance between Ataxia and her."

"Don't call me that." Ataxia growled and summoned ball of fire to her hand.

"Okay, I won't" Serena took note of the orange fear in her eyes that never wavered. "Because you know we have more in common than you may think." Serena in her blue and white-stripped dress inched toward Ataxia slowly. " Do you want to hear how? I have to tell you everything: how I came to Earth, how I learned about my powers, how I controlled them. Do you want me to tell you?"

Ataxia lifted her chin. It was a half nod but she made it look as if she was better than Serena, superior. But she was intrigued. It was undeniable. Anyone could see it by the lightening of the orange in her eyes, the dimple on her cheek, the heightening of her brows. But Serena could see her doubt as well. Serena took a deep breath, swallowing her fear and her own doubt. Then she spoke. Serena just let her heart talk, she shut off her brain, stopped thinking. She spoke of Darien, her mother, Luna, Beryl. She told her about Nehellenia, Galaxia, Seiya, Helios, and Rini. She turned over every stone in her memory. All the while she continued moving, every so slowly, toward Ataxia. Her legs hurt, and her body ached, her mouth had never been so dry. But when she finished she stood half an arms length in front of Ataxia. Serena ignored the antsy feeling seeping from her friends.

"Do you see, now, how we are the same? Kiyoko." Serena looked into Ataxia's eyes as the light orange fear tuned deep, almost brown. The name was not a question or a guess; it was a confirmation. Ataxia released the fire she was holding and it hit Serena squarely in the stomach. Serena doubled over in coughs. "Kessem was a nickname Lasairian gave you, right? Ataxia was given to you from the prophet meaning destruction. But your parents gave you Kiyoko meaning-"

"Shut up!"

"Pure one."

"I said shut up! We are not the same and shall never be." Ataxia stood her eyes blue. Her shaking hand held her obsidian sword, whose tip was plunged in Serena's chest, pinning her to the ground. Blood spilled from Serena's mouth.

"Serena!" Seiya ran forward.

"Stay away!" Serena choked.

Seiya ignored her and kept running. Rei stopped him, grabbing his wrist.

"What are you doing?" He whipped around.

"We need to trust Serena!" Rei's purple eyes scorched into Seiya's mind.

"Serena is dying!" Seiya yelled.

"No! No this time. This time, she knows what's going on. She knew this would happen. This is her call."

"Says the bitch who had an affair with Serena's fiancée at their wedding - "

"This isn't about any dispute I've had with Serena! I've since reinstated my oath. We need to trust Serena knows what she's doing."

"This happened before and Serena almost died!"

"And now she has everyone here to back her up. Look at Serena, right now, and tell me you can't say that she has never looked more determination and in control.

Seiya yanked is wrist away, "Fine, but if Serena doesn't make it. I will hold you accountable for stopping me. "

"I will happily take the blame." Rei turned back to watch the battle

Serena

"Yukiko! You remember Yukiko. Her light side is in you. That is the spirit of the white moon. I am a child of the same moon. A part of me is in you, we are the same." Serena touched the hand that held the sword.

Suddenly, she felt a wet drop on her cheek. Ataxia was crying. "I didn't mean to! I – I just lost control and before I knew it, she was split." More tears fell on Serena, sliding down the blonde's cheeks. Ataxia fell to the ground. " My parents – Lasairian – they killed him. I loved him! And they killed him! He was my friend. He was my only friend. I don't know what to do anymore."

" I talked to him. He wanted to tell you he loves you. He misses you too and he is waiting." Serena choked.

"I don't believe you! You are just trying to trick me! Who could love me after all I've done."

Serena took out the sunstone, "Lasairian does."

Ataxia automatically recognized the stone. "Lasairian – is he okay? Where is he?

"Let me give you the chance to be happy through the right means."

"But I'll forget - forget everything including Lasairian." Serena could hear the scouts didn't understand what was going on. However, she continued to give her complete attention to Ataxia.

"Don't worry. You will meet him again. " Ataxia smiled weakly as she nodded and pulled her sword.

"You should have this. When Yukiko split into two, I got this. " Holding her hand to her chest a platinum crystal appeared. The second moon crystal. Serenity turned into Cosmos. Her silver crystal melded with the platinum one and the platinum coloring sealed the cracks. Any blood on Serena disappeared and her hair turned white like Yukiko's once was.

"Are you ready? A seed of doubt rose in Serena as Ataxia's eyes turned orange again.

"Wait, doesn't it work?"

"It will, it –"

"Has to? You have no guarantee do you?"

"But-"

"You don't know! You don't know." This time Ataxia said it more to herself. " How am I supposed to believe you, if you don't even know if it works? Do not toy with me! Fine, you are unsure of your strategy but I am sure of mine. I know killing and destroying planets works. You won't stop me!" Ataxia charged at Cosmos. The moon crystal turned into a sword. Cosmos blocked. Then, she slammed the butt into Ataxia's ribs. The impact caused Ataxia to spit out blood. Black mist started to flow out of Ataxia. Cosmos turned around.

"Scout's give me your power!"

"Mercury Astral Power!"

"Venus Astral Power!"

"Mars Astral Power!"

"Jupiter Astral Power!"

"Saturn Astral Power!"

"Uranus Astral Power!"

"Neptune Astral Power!"

"Pluto Astral Power!"

"Astral Moon Power!" A platinum beam shot at Ataxia.

"Obsidian death!" Ataxia fired a beam of her own that met Cosmos's squarely. The scouts held hand and fell to one knee in concentration. Seiya wrapped his arms around his lovers waist, "I love you Serena. Forever and always."

"Forever and always." Cosmos smiled, then turned, grabbed her sword and charged at Ataxia as Seiya yelled, "Earth Astral Power!"

Once she got close enough Cosmos could hear her foe crying, " I don't want to be alone. Why am I always alone?" She looked at Ataxia.

"Look at me."

"I don't want to be alone!"

"Listen to me!" Ataxia stopped wide-eyed. Cosmos had clenched her hand close so her mist could no longer spew out.

Ataxia

Everything hurt: her body, her mind her soul. She had lost everything and yet all she could think of is being alone. Just like all those days she spent alone in closet. And her Serenity was till trying to save her. Cosmos was haggard looking. Her skin was deathly pale due to this mist. Her white hair was the color of dead leaves, due to the mist. Her uniform was torn and her heels were barely staying on. "Listen to me! You are not alone and you will never be alone as long as I live."

"You can't promise that!" Ataxia felt the words leak from her mouth before she could stop them.

Serena released Ataxia's hand and Lasairian's half the Sun crystal. Cosmos watched as the crystal slowly disappeared into Ataxia then she transformed into Queen Serenity. "As long as I have this we will never be apart. We will make an oath to each other, okay?"

"I don't know – I've never –"

Serena

"As Astral Queen Serenity protector and ruler of crystal Earth and Crystal Moon, I promise to support, guide and accompany the heir to the Sun for as long as I live."

"I can't; I wont." Ataxia's eyes turned red. Serenity could feel the impulse run cold through her bones as soon as she made her oath. But the oath wasn't enough to compel Serena to do what she knew she had to do. Tears started to flow freely from her eyes. She wasn't sure if the pain she felt was because she knew Ataxia would continue to hurt herself or because it was only a matter of time fore the Sun princess moved in on someone else Serena loved. She couldn't allow that to happen.

"Why would you try to trick me with this bullshit! You are nothing like me. You can never be anything like me until you understand what it feels for the most important person in your world to die before your eyes."

"There are other things to have in common than just that. I mean –"

"If you truly want to compare yourself to me you need to feel that." Ataxia's dark skin shone and her black hair spun in the wind effortlessly. The woman took a step to Serenity and a cold shiver ran down the Moon queen's back as Ataxia lifted her sword so that it was held just below her chin. Serena could feel the cold metal pinch her throat. "Fine. I will make us more alike."

Without a moment's notice, Ataxia whipped around and charged at Seiya. It was then that Serena understood. This woman wasn't like Galaxia. She was like no foe she's ever fought before. There was no healing her. There was nothing wrong with her. Ataxia was at peace with what she was doing because there was no one for her to return to, no one to protect her from further harm. Serena could "heal" her, but whom would Ataxia turn to then? Ataxia would just be pushed into despair again and become the woman who she is now once more.

Something in Serena became hyperaware. Ataxia was moving faster than the scouts could comprehend. The one thing Serena knew for sure was that Ataxia would not be harming anyone else this time. Serena gripped her sword tighter.

Rei

Before anyone could react Ataxia was in front of Seiya. The whole interaction was silent. But the shock was electric. It was like Rei was dunked in a cold bath. If Seiya died, Serena would not make it through. Through out this whole show down, all the scouts could see the fear, the struggle, the pain Serena felt plastered on her face. Rei knew her queen was only able to handle Rini's death by not thinking about it. But here Seiya was about to snatched from her.

Rei ran, faster than she ever had before. She ran until she was right in front of Seiya.

"Rei! Don't do this! You have nothing to prove." Mercury shouted. How did the blue- haired girl understand her? Rei had reinstated her oath but she still felt like she owed more the Serena to the scouts. She needed to prove herself some how.

"Rei! Get out of the way!" Seiya moved to push her, but Ataxia was already before them.

Rei brought up her hands to cover her face and waited for the pain to stab through her body. But it never came.

"AH!" Ataxia screamed. Venus gasped. And Serena gave a grunt of effort all at the same time. When Rei looked through her fingers, she was shocked at what she saw.

Setsuna

She saw Yaten and Taiki run up to Seiya making sure he was okay. Of course he was. Seiya had Rei blocking the before him. Furthermore, he had Serena's sword plunged into Ataxia.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry." The second time Serena said that, it was barely a whisper. "I just can't let you hurt anyone else."

Setsuna was completely blindsided. She had been looking into the future the entire time. It was a power she didn't often tap into but she was nervous: the swordfights, Serena being stabbed. She had vowed to not just stand around like she did with Rini. Whether it was right or not she would protect Serena. Setsuna had seen that the Sun princess was going to charge Seiya but she didn't see Serena stabbing the woman. It was not predicted. It was an impulse. It was Serena's first moment as a queen. She has officially made her first split decision that would harm or protect her people. Now, Setsuna could only watch the aftermath.

Hotaru

She never felt the presence of death in Rei or Seiya. Never once did the cold and slightly comforting feeling of people falling unconscious, forever, wash over Hotaru. Serena was never going to let any of the scouts or the Starlights die. Hotaru just stood wide-eyed as her princess pulled her sword out of Ataxia's chest. Ataxia plummeted to the ground.

"You will never be rid of me. I will just reincarnate and come back into your lives." Ataxia swore as bloody spittle dribbled from her mouth.

"That's what I am counting on. I want you to come back. I want you to be happy and then I can see colors in your eyes, other than blue and orange. And then we can rebuild the Sun together. Okay?" Before an answer slipped her lips, Hotaru felt the familiar feeling of death drift through her. Hotaru knew Ataxia was almost dead.

Ataxia

She refused to close her eyes. She wanted to memorize the woman before. But she could feel herself slipping away. And the feeling of dread and guilt that she has felt since Lasairian's death was finally lifted from her. Her memories of everything in her life seemed to vanish. Suddenly a feeling of joy and, ironically, vitality swept through her. She could no longer remember why happiness would be unfamiliar.

Serena

She could see Ataxia's being slip away and fall back into the innocence she once had as a child. She was no longer Ataxia or Kessem. Serena saw the woman's eyes turned orange to yellow and settle. Lasairian was right, seeing such bright eyes makes one forget how black could even drown out that light.

"Goodbye." For the first time Serena could see a smile, not a smirk or a condescending glance, but an actual smile grace the lips of her dying foe.

"Till next time, Kiyoko." Serena smiled back.

Seiya

He could see the sun brighten and the clouds above them vanish. A beam of light seemed to move around the group until it graced Ataxia. When the beam dimmed into nothing, so did Ataxia like she was never there.

Seiya watched his lover turn to the youkai army and say, "Your princess has moved on and you all may leave as well." Slowly each youkai turned into the people they once were. All of them shared the same characteristics: brown skin, black hair, and a smile. These were the people of the Sun. "Your princess thanks you for your service." Then, almost immediately, they all disappeared.

Seiya could feel the tension in the air evaporate and he knew the battle was over. Serena could feel it too. He could see it by the way her shoulders began to sag and the determination in her eyes began to waver. But nothing sent the message more than when she collapsed to the ground. Her eyes were hollow; her clothes tattered. Seiya watched at Serena sat there and let out a long wail, a cry of pain for those that she had lost and he realized she looked just as broken, just as vulnerable that first day on the balcony.

The scouts huddled together and looked down at their fallen queen with worried eyes. Seiya made his way to Serena. He fell by her side and drew her head to his chest. He felt her willingly lean in and hold on to the arms that were wrapped around her as if she were afraid they would leave her side forever.

Serena

It was all over. She should be happy. Ataxia was dead and she saved Seiya. But she wasn't happy. All she felt was sadness for Rini, and Darien, and all the youkai whom she had fought, who were actual people, and most of all for Ataxia because she had no guarantee the woman would come back, ever. Ataxia might never be able to live as just Kiyoko, as just a girl who wanted a bright future and love. There was an ache in her heart just knowing she failed to keep her promise to Lasairian, she failed to return Ataxia to him, and she failed to cleanse Ataxia.

No POV

"This is wrong!" Serena stood as she yelled.

"Serena, which sword did you kill her with?" Rei stepped forward.

"What does it matter, she's already –"

"Which sword!"

"M-mine! Why would I use another? "

"And the sword was formed by the Moon Crystal?"

"Yes."

"Check it again."

"Why would I check it again? I used my sword. It's over. She is de-"

"Serena, I am making you do this for your peace of mind. Check it again. "

Serena picked up her sword and swung it around, like Sailor Moon once did with her staff. The sword glowed and turned into a clear azalea shaped crystal with golden creases. "This- this is the entire moon crystal with the part Ataxia gave me. See?"

"Serena when a crystal is inside a person for that long it takes the characteristics of that person as well. So the part Ataxia gave you is linked to the Sun crystal. You stabbed her with a sword that may as well have been her own."

Serena looked up suddenly with a hesitant smile on her face, "Do that mean-?"

"That she will reincarnate? Yes, that's exactly what it means. Ataxia will return." Rei smiled back. Serena sprung up and hugged Setsuna.

"How did you know?"

"I used to study about the scouts remember?" Serena hugged Rei tighter. At the same moment they realized what they were doing and separated. "Serena, I realized that I've never apologized to you. And I want you to know what I so sorry. Yes, it was wrong what I did and I have no excuses. I only hope you can forgive me."

Serena smiled gently, "You were in love. " Serena shrugged, "I have long since forgiven you. " Serena turned to the rest of the scouts. "And I want to apologize as well for not supporting you all as well as I should have. Over the years, we have slowly grown apart and it did not help that I was too absorbed in my relationship with Darien realize it. But I hope from now on we can be best friends again."

Mina started to cry as she smiled. She wiped away a tear and ran to Rei and Serena and trapped them in a hug. "I love you guys!" One by one the others joined the group hug: Lita dragging Ami, who was already on her way over, Haruka and Michiru laughing, Setsuna and Hotaru smiling gently.

Serena turned around and waved her hand to signal that Yaten, Taiki, and Seiya should join. After a while of joyful merrymaking the everyone started walking homebound in pairs: Rei and Ami together, Lita and Mina jokingly bickering, Haruka and Michiru walking hand in hand, Hotaru on Setsuna's shoulders, Yaten and Taiki actually bickering, and in the very back was Serena and Seiya standing together hand in hand looking at their friends.

For once everyone was at peace. There was no more stress of protecting everything around them because now was time for them to build, to recreate the moon kingdom, to rebuild the Sun, and to rebuild the friendships that were once so strong. The past was the past, and the future looked bright, but all Serena could think of, now, was the present and how she was going to make it the best it could possibly be. Lasairian was right. Everything is always changing. Serena had hit rock bottom and though it was a long way up, that's the only direction to move in and she moving fast.

Now, all she had to do was hang on.

AN: So! That's the ending. I really did try to make this ending as not cheesy and as satisfying as possible. I also tried to maintain Serena's personality but I think I failed at that so I'm sorry about that. So to tackle some questions/ important topics. 1. This chapter was super late because while I was at camp my brother broke my laptop charger so I spent these past weeks begging my mother to buy a new charger. Long story short I had to part with $81.03 :( 2. I joined the last three chapter because it helped to build the angst. And really after reading this in the current format would anyone want three chapters with the first ending after Serena returned, and the second after Ataxia stabbed Serena for the second time. 3. Thank you for the birthday wishes :) :) 4. I hate endings. So as my final goodbye to this fanfic is to post the epilogue. I will be posting it sometime this week or next week. And this time I mean it. After all that has happened there is nothing that could possibly impede me from posting this next chapter. (I hope I didn't jinx myself). Thank you everyone who followed and favorited my story. When I first wrote this I never expected to have so many :) You all are amazing! (Seriously you all survived and interpreted my spelling and grammatical errors. ) I can't thank you all enough :) But for the final time, thank you all and goodbye. This was awesome :) :)

-Loveofanime1324 :3 :3 :3