The non-original characters in this fanfiction are copyrighted to Naoko Takeuchi and Toei where applicable. Any original characters are considered the intellectual property of Danny Lilithborne and may NOT be used without permission.
You may want to read "The Golden Queen of Shadow Galactica" as it is something of a prelude to this fiction.
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Every culture has its own theory of the end of the world. For some, it is something to be feared, something dreaded as it draws closer and closer. For others, it is a blessing, the end of an existence that is mundane and self-perpetuating and an entrance into a new life of happiness and blessing. And a small minority, growing in number, realize the truth of its inevitability and what it means.
Once the world ends, you, I, everything, ends. With no one to tell the tale, it will all be done.
I rush towards this end in peace. I have accomplished all that I could do to protect love and justice, and failed. Now, a boy wishes to destroy the universe simply so that he could say that he is the one who did it. And who will he brag about this vile deed to? Himself, for all eternity. If only I had the will to stop him...
He will end my life. But what of the world he will create? A foolish, stupid one. This I cannot abide.
My name is Sailor Galaxia. On that name, I will survive until you arrive, Sailor Moon, and tell you the truth of your own story. Of the enemies that you faced, who smiled a hidden smile in their hearts as you ended their lives with the power of your love.
And I will tell you of the final enemy, the one who corrupts your heart even now with the inability to forgive. So come quickly, Sailor Moon, before he knocks down the final piece and you truly lose everything you were fighting for...
--
SAILOR MOON: CHAOS THEORY
STRING 10 – Moon Prism Power! The Birth of a New Legend.
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"Sailor Galaxia... star child..."
"I knew you would interfere with my teleportation."
"I'm not getting in your way anymore. The time for this world is over, Galaxia. You know what has to be done."
"I'm not fighting for you, Metalia, Chaos or anyone. I'm fighting to protect this world that I love. And if that ends my destiny, so be it."
"Galaxia, we knew in the end that your will would be the strongest. That is why God chose you. Now, you must protect Sailor Moon on her future journey. You and her will stand alone against Prometheus."
"What are you saying...?"
--
The man calling himself Tuxedo Mask rushed Princess Serenity wielding his staff. But he stopped short of attacking her. She looked him in the eyes, beyond the mask shielding his identity from her.
"I know who you are, Prince Endymion," she said. "I know you can't hurt me."
"This is serious," the man replied. "We've run out of time. You've got to get stronger."
"No... I know what will happen," she said with a shake of her head, and held the compact. "And I know what I have to do, to free us from this fate of disaster and war."
She opened the compact, and then the Prince smiled from behind the mask. "So you finally understand how far we would go to protect you."
"I'll see you in our next lives, I think," the Princess said as a tear fell from her eye. "I didn't think I'd be the strong one this time around."
"You silly dumpling head," the Prince laughed, as the Princess opened the compact.
I understand everything, even if you don't, she thought to no one in particular. The destiny of Sailor Moon is to love the unlovable, to redeem the irredeemable, and to give birth to all that have died, so that they might one day find the light of hope in their own hearts. Everyone! Lend me the power of your shining hearts! Cease your pointless combat! I need your belief!
Somewhere in sub-space, Sailor Mercury was analyzing Zoisite's combat method when they both heard that voice.
Sailor Moon, they both thought in unison. A light shone on Mercury's forehead as Zoisite's body started to shimmer with a strange light...
Jupiter and Nephrite were fighting blow for blow and laughing at each other when they also heard the voice of Princess Serenity.
Sailor Moon, they both had the unified thought as well. Jupiter's forehead gleamed with a similar light as Nephrite had the strange image of meeting a girl in moonlight...
"You've finally got the upper hand, Sailor Venus," Kunzite said as his body was defenseless against Venus' oncoming attack. But they both stopped when they heard the voice.
Sailor Moon, again at once. Venus clenched her fists in determination as the light glowed on her own brow. Kunzite gazed in wonder as he felt his consciousness slip into a different space...
Mars had created a giant wall of fire. Jadeite was trying to figure out how to get past it when he noticed that Mars was generating this fire with great pain to herself. Just then, they both heard the Princess' voice.
We can't win like this, Mars thought breathlessly as the fire wall died. You're too sweet, Princess... you need to be strong.
Sailor Mars... I am asking you to be my strength, the voice echoed. Maybe you think that you alone are not enough, but no one is enough alone. You and Jadeite, together, can give me the courage I need to face the new nightmare, along with everyone else. I need to be reborn... as Sailor Moon.
Sailor Moon... as Mars' thoughts dwelled on the name, she also felt a great spiritual energy swell up from deep within. Before her mind faded from the battle scene, she noticed that Jadeite had disappeared. She felt a strange sense of goodbye in her heart without a voice, and surrendered her will to the Princess. They would win for certain.
Pluto and Saturn, somewhere in the Void, heard the call.
"What do you think, Sailor Pluto?" Saturn asked her.
"The cycle will still continue," Pluto said. "But perhaps next time, there does not need to be as much pain."
"I do not believe it is a case of 'perhaps' this time," Saturn said. "Our Princess will win without fail."
Pluto looked down at the Space Sword that Prince Endymion had given her. Prometheus left behind the Deep Aqua Mirror because it was not useful for fighting, she thought to herself. As this existence ends, so will this Sword's and that Mirror's, along with my Orb. I wonder, if we'll see them again...
Their commitment to Sailor Moon did not require any words as they faded away.
Beryl and Metalia looked at each other and nodded.
"We don't have lights to give," Metalia said.
"But we have our own power," Beryl completed that thought, as the two merged into one fire which engulfed the light. The fire and light, once again, merged into a warm brilliance, an embracing radiance which drew all who witnessed it helplessly into the heart of its love.
Now the shine of the Mystical Silver Crystal hidden within the compact Pluto had given the Princess was almost complete. It needed just one more light before it could break through the new moon's nightmare.
"Princess," the Prince said. "You remember now, the day we met, right?"
"Yes," the Princess replied. "It was never a dream. I was just afraid of admitting to breaking the rules. I'm sorry I put the Earth through so much with my deception."
"But next time, I'll be fighting by your side, and protecting you," the Prince said. "I look forward to that day."
The Princess nodded. "It's not the end, for sure," she said as more tears fell from her eyes.
"Don't cry," the Prince said.
"I can't stop the tears from coming!" the Princess laughed. "I'm trying!"
"You know the words."
The Princess nodded and raised the compact. The light of the Mystical Silver Crystal glowed at full strength. . The words had always been right there, within her heart, but she had been afraid to speak them. That fear was her touchstone. That fear told her that the time was right. Now was the right time to say them.
All who live in the Kingdom of Serenity, the voice of the Queen echoed within the Void, and outward into the world of the moon where everyone was asleep. It is time to fulfill our destinies, what we were born to do, to give our lives in the path of sacrifice. Our small, tiny and insignificant fragment of a rock has enough love in it now to be a planet. A planet worthy of a Sailor Soldier to protect it! Give her your lives! Give her your power! Give her your love, my people! We have dreamed of this day, and it is here!
Princess Serenity couldn't help herself and wept as she felt the souls of everyone within the Kingdom cry out with joy. Their lives are ending and yet they are happy. It is just as Mother said... they never wanted to live forever. I will take your hopes and ride with them to victory!
"Moon Prism Power... make-up!"
--
"You've come a long way, princess of the white moon."
"Who's there?"
"This is Nehellenia... the Queen of the New Moon and the eternal soul of your mother, Queen Serenity. We will meet again. I shall stand guard against the new nightmare, and warn you of its return."
"What do I have to do now?"
"The residents of the Moon Kingdom, and all those who serve you... they've all given their souls and spirits to you. They live within you, as the power of their love, Sailor Moon. Now you must fight with your own power!"
"That... that doesn't answer my question."
"I thought you would have figured that out by now, dear one. Go to the ruins of the Kingdom. The one you must face will be there, along with your eternal allies."
"Eternal allies?"
"Go. There's no time to think anymore. Do what you feel."
"Right."
--
Sailor Galaxia had somehow managed to arrive on the Kingdom of Serenity before Prometheus. As she wandered the halls of the castle, she noticed something strange.
Everyone is gone. The usual night watchmen are not here, she thought to herself. Without an atmosphere, it always appeared to be night on the moon; they defined night as the time when most Lunarians slept.
"Galaxia? Is that... is that you?"
Two people ran towards Galaxia, one male and one female. They backed off when they saw her altered appearance. Galaxia recognized the female as the one accompanying Queen Serenity when she had returned the Princess to her; Luna of Mau.
"I'm not here to hurt you," Galaxia said, although her voice still sounded distorted. "What happened? Who are you?"
"I am Artemis of Mau, and this is Luna," the man said. "We were told to keep watch over this place while the Sailor Soldiers went to Elysion when suddenly, everyone turned into light and vanished."
"Why are you still here, then?" Galaxia shuddered violently and gripped her head. "You have to go back to your home planet, now!"
"You told us yourself before, didn't you?" Luna said. "Don't believe anything you say!"
"You should listen to her," a voice chuckled from behind them. It was Prometheus.
Luna felt a shudder coming from somewhre deep inside. "This hateful energy... even I can feel it. Is this Prometheus?"
"That's a human?" Artemis said in disbelief. "How can he survive on the moon?"
"You two look like strong spirits," Prometheus said. "If I kill you, I'll gain even more strength!"
"No, you won't touch them," Galaxia shouted, and gathered energy into her Bracelets for her ultimate attack, the one that Metalia had prevented her from performing before. "Luna! Artemis! Go back to your planets, now!"
"We... we don't have the energy to move," Luna gasped as she dropped to the ground.
"Prometheus is somehow draining our powers," Artemis added as he struggled to clench his fists.
"You want to perform that Galactica Magnum, don't you?" Prometheus chuckled.
"How did you know the name of my ultimate attack?" Galaxia gasped. "I've never had the chance to perform it against you!"
"My power is beyond human intelligence now!" Prometheus laughed. "You thought that by killing time against me, you'd stopped me from gaining new abilities, but you were wrong! How do you think I knew where you'd be?"
"Don't stop gathering energy, Galaxia!" Luna cried.
"If that attack can stop Prometheus, do it," Artemis said, trying to resist Prometheus stealing as his energy continued to be drained. "It doesn't matter if our lives end here... we have a commitment to this Kingdom as well!"
Prometheus laughed. "You two don't get it!" he scoffed. "Galaxia doesn't want you to suffer! Even now, with the power of Chaos running through her veins, the motivation of her soul remains untainted by darkness! The only reason she doesn't take your Star Seeds is because Chaos won't allow that!"
"You're wrong, Prometheus," Galaxia said as she continued to gather energy, the power becoming visible, resembling a rainbow. "I made mistakes in the past that I will not make now. The people that you killed... I will not forget them. And I will make sure you are a mere footnote in history, after I obliterate you! Luna and Artemis will give their lives here in the names of love and justice, and you will die, a mere man!"
"But you don't have your Sword of Sealing!" Prometheus shouted as the energy started to resonate with a humming sound. "Even if you knock me down here, without that Sword, I'll just wake up!"
"How do you think I got here?" Galaxia said, sounding out of breath. "Chaos isn't holding me back anymore. You will be unconscious long enough for me to teleport to the Earth and back, and slay you."
"No!" Prometheus shouted. "You wouldn't!"
"Or perhaps I will just dismember you to demonstrate your weakness?" Galaxia gave a grin that could only be described as evil. "You can read my mind, can't you? You can see how much I relish the idea of killing you? Once I do, the ruin I started will finally end, and I will live on. So that when the warriors return, I will be here so that they will not forget. So that they won't forget their strength from their past. So that they'll use that strength to create a new future. A future free of the likes of you, who only gather strength for its own sake!"
The energy was gathered. The attack was ready.
"GALACTICA MAG..."
"Hold it right there!" a voice in the distance commanded.
The energy fell away from Galaxia as she, the Mauans and Prometheus turned. In the distance, on a tower, stood a figure, silhouetted by the Earth. Could it be? Galaxia thought to herself. A Sailor Soldier? But it has Princess Serenity's hair... and I sense the same aura. Then her eyes widened in realization. Oh no!
"You brought pain to the planet Earth so that you could be the strongest! I won't forgive you!" she went on.
"Princess Serenity...?" Luna asked, as a sudden gust of wind rushed through the atmosphere.
Artemis gasped also as his hair rustled in the strong breeze. "There's no wind on the Moon," he said. "What's going on?"
"For love and justice, the sailor-suited pretty soldier will appear... I am Sailor Moon!"
The figure calling herself Sailor Moon leapt from her position atop the tower, making herself visible. She then dramatically pointed at Prometheus.
"In the name of the moon, I will punish you!" she finally said.
Prometheus stood, arms folded, with an evil grin on his face, and threw an energy bolt towards Galaxia, Luna and Artemis. But the Mauans were already gone, and Galaxia reflexively dodged the energy bolt without much effort. "What?" he muttered in disbelief.
Sailor Moon had grabbed Luna and Artemis quicker than a flash, and brought them to safety.
"Princess Serenity?" Luna asked. "Is that really you?"
The figure of the Princess smiled at Luna. "I know that one day you'll watch over me again," she said cryptically.
Luna looked confused, but Sailor Moon continued smiling knowingly. I had a dream that I would die here protecting the Princess, she thought to herself. Perhaps that's what the dream means. With all that's happened...
"The people of the Moon gave their lives so I wouldn't have to suffer during this battle," Sailor Moon went on, and her gaze affixed upon Prometheus. "Luna, Artemis, you should return to Mau."
"Where are the others?" Artemis asked. "Where's Sailor Venus?"
"Even if I won this battle, what kind of future would be left for the Solar System?" Sailor Moon said, ignoring the question. "The Earth is in ruins, and the other planets only exist as Star Seeds of the remaining Sailor Soldiers. But it's not too late for your planet. You can recover. Go, hurry!"
"No way," Luna said. "We're not cowards. We swore an oath to the Queen. We'll die here to protect you if we have you."
"I hate to interrupt this lively reunion you have going on," Prometheus said. "But we have a little battle to finish!" He then summoned a tremendous amount of energy and in an instant unleashed it from a corona that enveloped him.
"No!" Sailor Moon felt the intense power within that blast and tried to protect Luna and Artemis. But the Mauans were already covering her. "No!" Sailor Moon cried again.
A flash of light blinded Sailor Moon and she screamed.
When she opened her eyes, a shocking sight met her gaze. The entire structure of the Castle where the Kingdom of Serenity once laid had been shattered into pieces. Her home was gone, obliterated... as were the Mauans who had covered for her.
"What... what is this?"
Don't cry, Sailor Moon, familiar voices resounded from within her heart. We knew this would happen, and we were ready.
Sailor Moon got to her feet. At the speed that the battle was moving, she didn't have time to be sad. Luna and Artemis are still alive... I've heard the voices of my other friends... but I haven't heard Uranus and Neptune yet. And now, I don't even have a home to protect. I knew I'd give my life in this battle. So why am I sad?
"So, you saw two of your stupid warrior friends die in front of you, and you think dressing up like them and doing cute dances would avenge them?" Prometheus said as the mist of the destruction cleared, revealing his form. "Or perhaps you thought you'd appeal to my hormones? Nice try, little girl."
He then pointed his clenched fist at her. "I didn't kill you then because you weren't a soldier. But now, you are my enemy, and for that, I'll destroy you for sure!" He pulled his fist towards his body, regarding it in thought. "That crystal that you're carrying... My power would be unstoppable if I made it mine!"
He didn't waste any more time. "You're already dead, Sailor Moon!" he said with a laugh as he rushed her. Sailor Moon just stared in shock as he prepared to throw a punch at her face...
Until Galaxia ran in and blocked it with her bracelet.
The jewel on the bracelet shattered, and the bracelet itself began to fall off, as a great energy rumbled through the ruins of the Moon Kingdom. Galaxia grunted as a wound opened in her arm, and blood started to flow.
"Sailor Galaxia!" Sailor Moon shouted.
"I don't know what happened to you in Elysion," Galaxia muttered. "But you sure have matured in a hurry."
"But... your bracelet..."
Galaxia laughed madly as the bracelet reformed on her wrist, healing her wound as well. "I'm a corpse, Princess," she said. "I'm only alive because Chaos wills it. It is too late for you to do anything for me. Now, all I can do is protect you with my power, and remember these events."
"Galaxia," Prometheus spat. "Even now you'll get in my way? What is this girl to you?"
"She's the Light of Hope for this world!" Galaxia retorted. "I don't want to see a world without that Light! For her sake, I will live on! Even with my immortality and my regret!"
"You can't even protect yourself!" Prometheus laughed scornfully. "I know your heart is in deep sorrow witnessing the ruins of the Kingdom of Serenity... of all the people who surrendered their peaceful lives, who live within Sailor Moon now! But most of all, you're sad for your destiny!"
Galaxia met his reply with equal mirth. "I'm sad for the ruin, and at the loss of life, yes. But I'm not sad for my destiny anymore. If I can oppose you and the people who follow in your footsteps, I'll be fine. As long as there are evil people I can kill, I can justify my own existence."
"And who decides what's evil? You? You're evil itself!"
"Galactica Super String!" Galaxia shouted, and effortlessly blasted Prometheus away.
"Mother told me you sealed Chaos within yourself, and then sealed yourself away at the top of the Earth," Sailor Moon said, standing at Galaxia's side. "But you're here now."
"I finally gave in and died, but Chaos resurrected my body," Galaxia told Sailor Moon. "But my soul had gotten its control back when you embraced me... Sailor Moon! You're the one of whom the legends spoke. I know you can survive this battle."
"Galaxia, what are we fighting for?" Sailor Moon sighed. "The earth is in ruins, and the Kingdom of Serenity is gone. Before I came here, I felt like I could see my friends again, but now I'm not so sure."
"You all went to Elysion, right? But only you came back," Galaxia said. "That means the others are still there, watching over you. Don't get caught up in your own sadness now. Listen to their voices."
"How do you know all this?"
Galaxia looked down. "I used to have dreams, once," she sighed. "Now I only have memories... but those memories guide me in battle. Let your own memories guide you, and you can do no wrong."
Prometheus chuckled as he recovered from Galaxia's blast. "You want to go all out?" he asked, and laughed madly. "Sure, let's go for it! With all the energy we release, we just might destroy this moon! Wouldn't that be fun, Galaxia?"
"You've gone completely mad, Prometheus," Galaxia said. "Look at yourself! Weren't you someone who wanted to protect the honor of your family once? What would they think if they saw you now?"
"What do I care about that? They're dead!" Prometheus said and chuckled. "All that time I wasted on 'honor' when all I really wanted was power. You should know, Galaxia. Doesn't the power feel good? Power to do whatever you want?"
"Power is to protect other people!" Sailor Moon cried. "It serves no other purpose! When we fight, people get hurt!"
"Nobody asked for your opinion!" Prometheus bellowed and tried to rush Sailor Moon, but was stopped by a kick to the gut from Galaxia.
"I myself won't forgive a rude person like you," Galaxia said after kicking Prometheus away. She then dropped to one knee and gasped for breath.
"Galaxia, are you all right?" Sailor Moon said, rushing to Galaxia's side worriedly.
"Even Chaos' power has limits," Galaxia said, as she clenched her gut. "I don't even know if I have the energy left to teleport to Earth to get my Sword of Sealing. Sailor Moon, you haven't learned the teleport move yet, have you?"
Sailor Moon shook her head.
"Then it looks like it's us against him." Galaxia chuckled. "The ultimate battle for the fate of the universe. I hoped it would be more interesting than this. The first order of business is to keep him here. If he's able to go to Earth, we've lost."
"Galaxia, you can't fight anymore," Sailor Moon protested. "Let me fight alone!"
"No, we're fighting together," Galaxia said as she struggled to her feet. "This is my fight, too! I won't let Chaos beat me here!"
Sailor Moon gasped as a memory from her dream came back to her. Of course... the true fight will take place within her own heart, just like mine.
"If I can burn away my life in this battle, it will be worth it," Galaxia went on. "You'll live. Never forget the battle, Sailor Moon. The truth can only be found there. Live on, and tell that truth to others. Otherwise, people like Prometheus, to whom the truth means nothing, will deceive the world by their own devices. Look at him! A capricious man, who can't even keep his faith in one thing. Not even the memories of his parents mean anything to him."
"I can't keep up with your words," Sailor Moon admitted. "But I think I understand."
"This is why God made Sailor Soldiers women," Galaxia said breathlessly as Prometheus got to his feet.
"God?" Sailor Moon shook her head. "No, there's no such thing as God."
Galaxia shook her head. "No, He exists," she said with confidence. "I know that better than anyone. My true name... I finally remember it. My true name is Hawwa. Because of my mistakes, this was my fate. And He chose to hide Himself back then, up to this point... to see if people could rediscover Love on their own. Your mother was one of those who did."
She then focused her mind, and the Sword of Sealing appeared in her hand.
"You... Galaxia!" Sailor Moon gasped in awe.
"I feel some power coming back now that my memories are recovered," Galaxia said. "Thank you, Sailor Moon. You've saved me once again. Now, let me repay you for all you've done for me. Let's fight together."
Sailor Moon nodded. "Yes!"
Prometheus rose to his feet and laughed. It seemed like his common response to everything now. "You silly women!" he said. "You talk about God like you know something! I'm a man! God created us to be the strongest... you should know that, Eve!"
"My name is Sailor Galaxia," Galaxia muttered. "You do not have the right to call me by any other name, until you can defeat me."
"If you would spread a lie and call it the truth, then I am your enemy, too," Sailor Moon said. "There's still time to stop this, Prometheus. You can end the battle now."
"No..." Prometheus chuckled. "No. I'm going to get my revenge on you two on behalf of men. For too long, women have ruled over us by manipulating our desires! All we do is what you tell us to do, but no more! Now, finally, the world will be as it should be... after I eliminate you both and take the Silver Crystal for myself! Oh, my only wish is that I could witness my own victory!"
Galaxia rolled her eyes. "You see, Princess?" she said. "Talking is useless."
"Then we have no choice," Sailor Moon replied with a nod.
The Sailor Soldiers stared at their opponent as another wind, the wind of the foreboding battle, blew. In this place, there would be no other witnesses.
And so the outcome of this battle will forever be a mystery.
--
END OF STRING 10
--
Now the stage is set. Sailors Moon and Galaxia on one side, Prometheus on the other. Love is their ally, anger his. The final battle begins. However, will this truly be the battle to end all battles? Or will there be others? Fnd out next time on the Final String — Alpha and Omega! The Armageddon Scenario.
