Ki Ai Sky
Hey, guys! I'm writing my first Sailor Moon fic! Cool, right? So this is ShitennouxSenshi, because I've come to like the idea a lot. This chapter will be the longest, and is not technically chapter one. You've all heard how the Senshi and Shitennou were said to be in love and how they betrayed them and took Beryl's side? Well here's what happened before that.
I don't own the characters or much of the dialogue or storyline, but the way it happens is purely mine.
It all took place over one thousand years ago on a Kingdom on the Moon…
She was standing in a beautiful palace surrounded by tall white columns and brightly shinning stars. The date was set thousands of years in the past. She stood on the balcony in a long, elegant white dress, her bright blue eyes stayed fixed on the far away planet where her lover called home. She was beautiful.
"Dearest Endymion, how I long to see you once again," Princess Serenity of the Moon whispered wistfully to the planet Earth. Her long silver-blond hair hung down past her waist and gently fluttered in the winds of space. Below a wondrous party was commencing, with people from all over the Milky Way. Princesses and Nobles were dancing to the soft music of the Celestial Choir and Orchestra. Her mother, Queen Serenity, longed for her to find a husband soon, but she was in love with the prince from Earth.
An older woman with flowing white hair in the same style as Princess Serenity made her way through the tall doors that led to the balcony. She frowned when she saw he daughter bent over the ledge of the balcony, gazing at the blue planet across the way.
"Darling, Serenity. Please come down stairs and join the party!" Queen Serenity of the Moon pleaded with her daughter. "Staring at Earth will not bring Prince Endymion to the Moon Kingdom. He is promised to another woman, and you need to find a husband. Now come down to the Ball Room." The Queen knew that the Prince was not far, but she wanted her daughter to join them before it was too late.
Princess Serenity turned around to face her mother. "Oh Mother, how could he be engaged, when it is I whom he loves? We are destined to be together!" She paused biting her lip. She was on the brink of tears when a knock came from the doors of the marble balcony. Her Prince Endymion of Earth loved her greatly, but things were not to be as they had dreamed. He was engaged, and his Princess of the Moon would soon be as well.
"Serenity… Come in." Queen Serenity said as she turned to the doors. A Noble from the planet Saturn came through the door. He was called Gideon of Visio. Visio was a large village on the home planet of Saturn. He was quiet handsome, but much too old for the Princess.
He bowed as a sign of respect to the royals of the moon. "Queen Serenity, you must come back down to your party. As well as you, Princess Serenity," he smiled. His dark eyes were fixed on the Princess.
"Yes, of course, Gideon. Now Serenity now is not the time to be depressed! It is a party," Queen Serenity took Princess Serenity's hand and dragged her trough the doors.
In the large marble Ball Room of the Moon Kingdom, over one hundred people danced happily in couples. Dancing with the tall, dark-haired Prince of Earth was a short, red-headed girl. She was known as Avani, Daughter of Damek, a nobel of eastern Earth lands. There was just one thing wrong with the whole scenario; Avani wasn't smiling, but she had a look that she was thinking of other things. Princess Serenity knew the feeling. She knew that Avani would never love Endymion as she did, and she knew he would never love the red-head the same.
Other princesses and Nobles were dancing too; Princess Minako of Venus and Darius Duke of Mercury, Princess Makoto of Jupiter and a Nobleman of Pluto, and so on…
Finally, Princess Serenity and Queen Serenity entered the room. The music stopped and everyone turned around to view the Queen of the Moon speaking. "My dear friends! We are gathered on the Moon Kingdom for a ball. Not just any ball, but the Sepctra Ball. Every twenty years, at this time, on this day, the leaders of each planet bring forth their gifts to be combined and brought together in tradition.
"Now let us come together to present these gifts before the setting of the sun," Serenity gestured for the representatives to come foreword. Princess Serenity, Princess Minako, Princess Makoto, Princess Rei, Princess Ami, Princess Hotaru, Princess Haruka, Princess Michiru, Princess Setsuna, and Avani of Earth all came foreword. "Let us view the symbol of our peaceful allegiance, the Silver Sun!"
The first princess stepped foreword and onto a blue pedestal. "The Frigid Chalice of Mercury," Princess Ami of Mercury called into the sky as she took her position on the pedestal with her planet's symbol on it. The held the goblet of ice up in the palms of her hands. She stood nervously, her pale blue dress blew in the winds of space with her short dark blue hair framing her face.
A second princess stepped foreword and onto the bright orange pedestal. "The Love-Me Chain of Venus," Princess Minako of Venus shouted at the blazing sun over head; in her hands she held the golden chains that were a powerful weapon to those on Venus. She was standing on her planet's symbol in a short, bright orange dress. Her long blonde hair was swept up and away from her face. She wasn't the slightest bit nervous, but was confident and full of pride.
The next young woman walked onto the golden yellow pedestal. "The Rose of Life," Avani spoke shakily. She wore a sea-foam colored dress that contrasted her long, bright red hair. In her hand, she held a beautiful white rose. A rose was simple, but it was a great symbol of everlasting life. Although she wasn't the princess of Earth, she was betrothed to its prince. She was probably the same height as the Princess of the Moon.
A princess with long, black hair stepped onto the red pedestal. "The Celestial Fire Crossbow of Mars," Princess Rei of Mars said dreamily to the stars. In her arms she held a red crossbow that held arrows of fire. Her simple, silky red dress complimented her curvy, skinny figure. She was used to speaking to crowds and standing in front of them from all of the appearances her father had made her make. She held her bow comfortably, unlike most would, seeing as she used it in one of her most powerful offensive attacks.
A slightly taller, brown-haired princess made her way to the green pedestal. "The Bolt of Zeus of Jupiter," Princess Makoto of Jupiter announced before the crowd around her. She held up a glowing bolt of lightning. It was a strange sight to see, considering that she was holding it in her bare hand. She was tall and elegant, but strong and brave. She was not afraid of the crowd around her in the least. The lightning hummed steadily in her palms, handled by the Jovian princess easily.
A tiny, short-haired girl made her way to the violet colored pedestal. "The Silence Glaive of Saturn," Princess Hotaru of Saturn spoke softly, so softly that most couldn't hear her. She held a tall weapon in her left hand. It stood at least two feet taller than Hotaru herself. She was the youngest of the princesses, and the most feared. When she became Sailor Saturn, she would have the power to destroy whole planets.
A tall, blonde princess stepped onto the dark blue pedestal. "The Space Sword of Uranus," Princess Haruka of Uranus said in a deep voice. She was the least feminine, but the strongest in many ways. She held a golden, jeweled sheathed dagger that had been passed down throughout the ages. She wore a golden dress that went down to her shins and made her look even taller than she was.
The next princess with teal colored hair stepped onto the teal pedestal that matched her hair. "The Deep Aqua Mirror of Neptune," Princess Michiru of Neptune spoke with a beautiful voice. She was gifted in music and adored it. The held up a turquoise colored mirror that had the symbol of Neptune on the backside. She felt strangely excited and nerved about something that had been troubling her since she'd received notice of the Spectra Ball.
The eldest princess stepped onto a dark green pedestal the again matched her long dark hair. "The Garnet Orb of Pluto," Princess Setsuna of Pluto shouted as she held up the top piece of her staff to the Gates of Time. Her long black dress silhouetted her mysterious personality and past. She was very lonely, but was actually very kind and friendly.
The final princess made her way to her white pedestal in the center of the others. "The Imperial Silver Crystal of the Moon," Princess Serenity of the Moon said, her emotions unreadable. She held up a crescent moon shaped pink and gold wand that held a crystal in the center of the moon.
As she held up the wand, all ten of the gifts of the planets began to glow. Princess Serena of the Moon chanted the power phrase that enchanted the Silver Crystal. "Moon Crystal Power." She continually repeated the phrase as the others joined in one by one.
"Mercury Star Power"
"Venus Star Power"
"Earth Crystal Power"
"Mars Star Power"
"Jupiter Star Power"
"Saturn Planet Power"
"Uranus Planet Power"
"Neptune Planet Power"
"Pluto Planet Power"
They all joined in saying: "Planet Star Crystal Power". The ceremony of all ages could not be stopped. The sky was glowing as the sun was shinning in all the silver energy that the relics of the planets had donated to it. Each reflected a silver light that met with the light of the Silver Crystal. The light continually went up to the sun. In a matter of seconds, the sun's color had changed from golden orange to silver, reflecting all of the colors of the spectrum. It was a truly beautiful sight to behold.
Everyone was awestruck. But there were uninvited guests that had yet to make their appearance. Towards the back of the room where none could see, Prince Endymion and his Shitennou, who were not invited, watched in wonder as the women created such a wondrous event. Each of the Shitennou watched a different woman, caught in her motions, and captured by their undoubting grace. None of the men, other than Endymion, had ever set foot on the moon and the sights that they saw were astounding.
Kunzite was the leader of the Shitennou, who were sworn to serve and protect their Prince, just as the inner Senshi were to their Princess. He had long silver hair and eyes to match. He was followed by the taller man with brown locks that went to his shoulders who was Nephrite, his second in command. Then, Jadeite was third, who had the shortest hair, was blonde and a complete flirt, also a bit of a pervert. Last, fourth, was Zoisite who was not as skilled in any of the art, but healing. He had longer blonde hair pulled back into a long ponytail.
The Spectra Ball was wondrous for the entire Silver Millennium. It originated many thousands of years ago and now happened once every two decades. This was each of the Princesses' first time being representative and seeing the Silver Sun. It was a tradition that occurred to signify the alliance of the planets of the Milky Way. The Moon was the center of that alliance. The Ball brought together all of the planets elements to one. For the entirety of their allegiance, one planet at a time had been added, seeking shelter or aid from the onslaught of attacks the planets of good energy had received. The first being the planet of love, Venus, was soon followed by Mars, and Mercury, and Jupiter, and Earth, and Uranus, and Neptune, and Pluto, and finally the planet of Silence and Death Saturn.
The light glimmered from the bright Silver Sun for a full ten minutes, lighting the entire Moon Kingdom with a warmth and light. In the Princesses and Avani, their pure heart crystals, dream mirrors, and starseeds (with the exception of the Earthling) were all visible to the on viewers who were all stunned. There was something not right about this Ball, everyone knew it was the red-headed girl who was neither a Princess, or a senshi. There was no way that the Queen of Earth could step in, seeing as she'd already borne her child. Endymion could not do, seeing as he was male, and not female as all representative were to be. That was also the reason that Earth did not have a Senshi. He did hold their planet's starseed, he did not have the powers of the Princesses.
The Silver Sun changed to neon red fire that reflected in the eyes of the Princess of Mars. She smiled, feeling her element so close so close to her made her feel more comfortable than ever. The now red Sun led a single trail of fire towards fire's Mistress. The trail caressed her cheek lightly, letting her know that their bond was as strong as ever. Rei smiled, holding her head high as the trail faded away. That declared that the Silver Sun was finished and the ball could then continue with all the fun and dancing.
Queen Serenity stood in front of the crowd once more clapping her hands. "That was wondrous!" All of the Princesses turned to face the crowd and curtseyed, politely. "Well done, ladies. You've done spectacularly. Now let the first official dance of the evening being. Princesses, pleas chose your partners for the Moon Waltz," the silver-haired queen held her arms open in a friendly gesture. No one missed how she said 'Princesses' and left out the strange Avani.
Princess Serenity knew who her obvious choice was, and she needed to speak to him. The sapphire-eyed boy came towards the Princess he loved. He bowed in respect, taking her left hand in his as she curtseyed. They shared a bond together that was strong enough to last centuries. The Moon Queen knew about it, and she supported her daughter fully, it was just the Terrain Royalty that didn't approve. Bonds among themselves were better than bonds across distance.
"Princess Serenity, you know how I feel about you and how I feel about her. I will love you until the ends of time, after this life. I say this before the passed Silver Sun; we will find a way to be together. I will not let her get in out way," Prince Endymion promised in his Princess's ear, knowing that he meant every word.
"Oh, Endymion…" Serenity sighed in his ear. She loved him more than her life. They began to dance the Waltz of the Moon that made them feel light as air.
-
The Princess of Mercury, Ami, wasn't sure of her choice. There were many men before her, but none seemed like they were right for her. She sought someone who was smart, yet not pompous or unkind, but somewhat sensitive. Her eyes scanned quickly over the people. Suddenly, her looking stopped, with her gazing into one set of green eyes that she was positive she'd seen once before. He knew what she was thinking and walked forward to take the hand of the Princess.
She curtseyed for the gentleman, as he bowed to her. "Hello, Princess, I am Zoisite of the Shitennou," he said nervously. He wasn't invited to the Spectra Ball, but had come to watch anyways. He hoped that she wouldn't be upset and send him back. But that wasn't why he was nervous. She is beautiful, he thought to himself, studying her sharp features, and so smart too. "May I be so lucky, as to have this dance? I dance quite well, I think. I spent enough time studying them."
Ami could only nod her head. He was exactly what she was looking for.
-
Princess Minako of Venus knew that there were many men out there who would love to have the honor of dancing with such a beautiful woman, but she was only walking toward one man. He was tall and he was gleaming with silvery perfection. He was young, only a few years older than Minako, and he was the person of silver. She couldn't seem to stop herself from going right up to him, all the way in the back as soon as the Queen said the words. People cleared out of her way as she swiftly walked.
"I am Princess Minako of Venus. Sir, would you care to dance with this Princess?" she asked, curtseying for him. He cocked a smug smile and bowed in return. This was new for him. He'd never had the attraction towards women like this one, who was literally a goddess, none the less the Goddess of Love. She was lovely and sexy, everything he could ever think of in his ideal woman.
"Of course, Your Highness. I am General Kunzite of the Shitennou. I would be honored to dance with you," he took her hand.
-
Princess Rei felt the warmth from the fire, but that wasn't all she felt. She felt eyes glazing over her being and she turned so that her violet ones could find out, but she didn't think that she'd end up doing the same thing. He was young, perhaps a little older than she, and he was a lovely looking blonde.
She's practically glowing, she's so hot, the blonde thought aggressively. He knew she could play with fire, and fire liked her, probably as much as he did. He wanted her badly, and he wasn't quite sure how to go about it. He decided on a blunt approach and took his fast strides towards her.
"Princess Rei of Mars, is it? The name suits you, seeing as you're hotter than the fire you know so well," he said boldly. He wondered for a moment if he was in danger of being burned, but forgot about it. "I am Jadeite of the Shitennou, and I think you're, well, hot." He shrugged, continuing. "You're almost on fire, you're smoking! So, would you care to dance?"
He could tell that Rei was getting mad, and that she was. How dare he, she thought bitterly, although she wasn't as mad as she appeared. Before she could answer, he grabbed her hand and bowed to her quickly. She wasn't even allowed the honor of curtseying! He took her almost into his arms and they were dancing gracefully.
-
Nephrite thought she was striking, like lightning. Her features were delicate though, and she was tall, but not taller than him. She looked unsure of herself, from his point of view, and he couldn't understand how such elegant perfection could be so. He couldn't take looking at her like that. He saw the other generals getting picked off one by one by the senshi, or was it the other way around? He paced his way foreword steadily.
"Why so sad, beautiful angel?" he asked softly, reaching out to grab her hand. He gave the smaller hand a delicate kiss.
Is he for real? Makoto thought to herself. He's a real gentleman, not like my last beau. "Hello, Sir, I am Princess Makoto of the planet Jupiter. I'm afraid that I have no one to dance with." She sighed, hoping he would take the bait she'd laid out so temptingly for him. She twirled a few strands of her hair in her finger, trying to look cute and in need of saving. When of course Makoto was very skilled in martial arts and could take care of herself, but a girl liked to be a damsel who was in dire need of her prince in shinning armor.
Nephrite took the bait alright. This poor beautiful woman! He was full of pity for the Princess. "My angel, I would be so honored as to dance with you, if I may? I am Nephrite of the Shitennou who serve Prince Endymion of Earth." Makoto nodded her head enthusiastically and Nephrite took her hand once more and bowed to her as she curtseyed back. They began to dance the Dance of the Moon.
-
Each of the inner Senshi including their Princess were dancing gracefully around the vast Moon Kingdom Ballroom, and the outer Senshi danced with dukes except for Haruka and Michiru, who danced with each other. Everyone could tell they were in love, and no one disapproved of an inner tie between the two planets of Uranus and Neptune. Even the youngest Senshi of Saturn had found a young earl-to-be from one of Jupiter's moons.
Endymion took a quick glance around to see his Shitennou dancing with Serenity's Senshi, all of whom looked completely serene. It was a peaceful time in the Silver Millennium, and even the Soldiers found love.
-
Rei fumed about the flattering, yet perverted, comments that Jadeite made to her about how she looked, and hissed under her breath. But that didn't stop the General from continuing. She wondered if he did that on purpose to test her fiery temper. He liked the challenge, and she liked his persistence.
Ami and Zoisite discussed different stellar constellations and their different scientific views about various topics. They got into a minuscule spat about the effects of human life on Earth. Ami loved his views, even if they contrasted some of her own, and Zoisite loved how her eyes seemed to light up whenever he said something she didn't agree with.
Kunzite and Minako both seemed lost in each other's beauty, his silvery perfection and her blonde sexiness. They did talk, but it seemed to be all Minako. Kunzite answered her questions and made comments to her talk, but he didn't ask anything of her. This bothered Minako. "Don't you ever talk? All I do is talk, and you just… sit there." Kunzite smiled a flawless white shine, and started holding his own in the conversation, which seemed to suffice for Minako.
Nephrite and Makoto shared stories and jokes, a few of whom were rather inappropriate at that. Makoto told him her passion- cooking- and he told her his- eating. They were a match, even if Nephrite was joking. She thought he was sweet and he thought she was lovely. They had much in common, and both loved how they weren't towering over each other- Makoto was a few inches shorter than Nephrite.
Serenity and Endymion said very little but remained in their warm embrace. They already knew everything there was about each other. They knew they were watched by the King and Queen of Earth, who were watching an irritated gaze. The pair didn't care. They only wanted to feel the comfort of each other, and they were all they needed.
Queen Serenity could sense this was all heading for the worst, but she couldn't tell when. She'd been such a fool to plan the Spectra Ball when the Silver Millennium was at stake of war breaking out. She should have known better than to throw the Ball and have the leaders of all the planets in one room. It was like she was asking for whoever was threatening them to come and massacre them all in one fail swoop. She didn't show it in the least, but she was practically twitching in anticipation. She didn't tell them, not a single person, not even her two advisors: the tall black-haired Luna and her husband the even taller white-haired Artemis.
She could feel them watching her, waiting to attack. She wondered why they didn't get it over with. There were good things to having all of the leaders in the room: their representing items, their Senshi's most powerful weapons. Even the Chalice and Rose were weapons of great power. The Frigid Chalice was made of the coldest material in the universe and called upon that, while the Rose of Life had amazing healing powers, stronger than those of Sailor Saturn. It was even rumored that it could bring people back to life.
The Moon Waltz ended and the pairs bowed and curtseyed as their endings. The Inner Senshi and the Shitennou didn't part, just like Serenity and Endymion. Their feelings were strong, but not those of the Prince and Princess. All of them could feel that something wasn't right, especially Rei. She could sense the dark aura that lurked nearby.
The moment they finished their partings, the attack began. Metaria and Beryl attacked full force, and Queen Serenity knew what needed to be done.
"Senshi, transform!" she screamed to the girls who were already moving. "Shitennou, help them!" The Senshi all transformed, and the Prince and Princess fled to try to find safety. The Shitennou conjured their battle wear along with their weapons. Each of the Senshi already had their planetary weapons, and Queen Serenity held the Moon Wand and Silver Crystal, ready to fight.
"Love-Me Chain! Love and Beauty Shock!" the transformed Princess of Venus, now Sailor Venus, called summoning her attacks at the same time. The threw it at the storm that was Metaria, hoping to cause damage. It struck, but didn't appear to do anything.
"Mars Flame Sniper!" Sailor Mars called, stringing her bow and fireing one of her fire arrows. Again, it had the same effect as Venus's, which was none.
Neither of them had thought that their attacks would ever be used against them, but they thought wrong. The golden and flame-red energy and fire came pouring back towards them, barreling them over in pain as a loud evil and deep laugh came from above. Lightning thundered above and hit the Moon Kingdom shaking it so that the pillars began to fall one by one. The people of the Moon screamed in terror and pain as some of them were hit with the falling rock, some injured and some killed.
There was one girl who was frozen in fear, and that was Avani. She had no magical powers or guardian to protect her. All she had was the single rose, but that rose had gifts. It could also grant wishes, and it could heal. She wished with all her heart to be taken home, to be saved from all of this. The Rose of Life granted her wish, and sent her back to Earth, but not anywhere she wanted to be. She landed in a small, but deep pool of water, where she ultimately died, because she couldn't swim, and downed. She didn't know that using the Rose of Life had its consequences.
Kunzite and Jadeite both shouted in rage as they watched their loves fall to the ground, not moving. They didn't know they were still alive, but knocked unconscious for a few moments. Mars and Venus woke just to see the two men run towards Beryl with Nephrite and Zoisite quickly behind them.
Beryl smiled, she had a plan in her mind for the Shitennou. She stopped them with her powers, freezing them still. "Ah, gentlemen, you will join me. You will, or you will watch me kill your precious Senshi."
All of the men stared at her wide eyed. Watch her kill their Senshi? Never would they; they would never allow such things to happen. She would surely kill them and then go after the Princesses if they didn't succumb to her demands.
Kunzite spoke for all of them. "If we join you, we are already sworn to protect our Prince. We cannot go against him. If it means you won't harm the Senshi, we will join you."
"And it was done," Beryl laughed, and touched all of their hands with her index finger. Gone were their memories, and gone were the promises they had made. They were her slaves. "You will kill your senshi, while I take care of the Princess and make Prince Endymion mine."
"Yes, my Queen," the Shitennou said in unison, nodding. They all walked back to their Senshi in a row.
The Senshi were all back on their feet, and the Outer Senshi had gone to find the Queen and aid her. They felt suddenly better, like their worry had vanished, when they say their boys walk back into view, except for Mars, she could feel that something was not right. She could see that their auras were darker now, and there was something strange and wrong about them. They walked like soldiers, almost marching.
Mercury was the first to run to Zoisite, with her arms held out wide as if she were going to embrace him. "Mercury, no!" Mars called, but it was far too late, because the rest of the Shitennou were closing in on the remaining Inners. Mercury was in Zoisite's arms with a long sharp black crystal going straight through her torso. A choking cough came from Mercury as the blood began to fun down her fuku.
She was not dead yet though. Her anger lent her strength as she brought the Frigid Chalice of Mercury from the dimension-pocket where she kept her henshin pen. "Space Rain Storm!" she called out, using the last of her strength to use an attack with the aid of the Chalice. Drops of what appeared to be liquid nitrogen began to appear on his skin and body. He was going to freeze to death. As he was slowly dying and Mercury bled to death in his arms he regained consciousness.
"My Ami, I have done such a wrong. I can only hope that you will forgive me when we meet again," he said, his lips turning blue and trembling. "I will love you, and we will meet again in a better time. Forgive me, my love." Ami pressed her lips to his nearly dead and frozen ones as the last breaths left their bodies.
-
Jupiter wasn't sure what to do, she'd heard Mars's warning, but she felt so drawn to Nephrite. She stood still unsure what to do, run away or go to him. "Come to me, angel." His voice sounded the same, but Mars knew what she was talking about. She remained still. He came to her, step by step. Soon she was in his shadow, which was the biggest mistake she could make.
She couldn't move, or do anything for that matter. Nephrite's deadly Shadow had possessed the Jovian princess, and she was going to die. She could feel her elbow break, and then the other one. She screamed in pain. Her wrists cracked loudly. Her screaming grew louder and hysterical. Then her right ankle snapped sharply, bringing her down to her knees, which became dislocated. Jupiter lay there on the ground helpless, nearly passed out in exhaustion from the pain. She had earlier wanted to be his damsel in distress, but not like this, never like this.
He was going to break her neck next, she knew it. She had only one chance left. "Bolt of Zeus Thunder Shot Strike!" she cried as the glowing bolt of lightning appeared from the sky. It was thick, like a sword. Everything around them became unbearably bright and neither could see. Then Nephrite felt the jolt go though his left shoulder sending a searing pain through his entire body. Like Zoisite, as be was dying everything became painfully clear. He no longer had control of his Shadow, it was still taken by Beryl and was slowly breaking his love's ribs one by one.
"Makoto, you will never believe me if I told you I would never hurt you," his legs too had begun to fail him and he crashed to his knees, blood running steadily into a puddle under him. "We will be together again, my angel."
Nephrite fell, dead, only a moment before his Shadow could break Jupiter's neck. And, just as quickly as they'd fallen for each other, they were dead.
-
Venus didn't have time to react. Her Venusian heart was telling her to run to her lover, but her warrior instincts told her to get the hell out of there. Kunzite came at her, leaping up high above her whipping out a massive gleaming silver sword. All Venus could do to keep the sword from killing her was to hold up her Love-Me Chain to block the blow. Kunzite was strong, very at that and Venus was shaking under his sheer might.
"Kunzite, no. Please don't do this. I love you," Venus cried, hoping to reach his heart underneath whatever force was causing him to turn on her. He paused for a moment after that. Venus had managed to touch the feelings that he had for her, and the struggle against her lessened.
"I love you too, sweet Minako. Our love was meant for a different time." Kunzite said, tears rising in his eyes. Neither knew if his words were said truly, even if the feelings were.
Then before Sailor Venus could blink, Kunzite's care had vanished and the force was back on. She wasn't ready for it and the sharp edge dug into her shoulder, she winced in pain and she began to feel the warm red blood begin to ooze down her shoulder. She twisted her Chain and wrapped it tightly around the sword that had a red glimmer on one end of the blade. She turned and used all of her might to rip the sword from Kunzite's grasp. It flew only a few yards, and she quickly called her most powerful attack that was sure to overly drain her energy.
"Rapid Crescent Shot!" She spun the Love-Me Chain over her head and it began to glow as she called out each word. She wrapped it quickly around her right arm and held her hands to make the hand sign for a gun. She'd done this all in a few milliseconds. She pressed her thumbs down, as if to press a trigger, in 'rapid' motion, sending smaller blasts of her Crescent Beam at all different places on Kunzites body. As she did the trigger pulling, Kunzite bent his middle and index fingers, summoning his airborne sword back to him, and through Venus's body. He felt the small shots tear into his body like acid.
They both fell to the ground, their hands landing one on top of each other.
-
All that was left were Mars and Jadeite.
Mars tried to keep her distance from the blonde. If he didn't get close enough to attack her, then she wouldn't have to hurt him. She felt the other Senshi fall, one after another, and she knew she would have to fight Jadeite for them. She took a number of her sutra and blessed them, praying they hit their target.
"Evil Spirit Disperse!" Mars flung her sutras at Jadeite, but he was faster than they were, dodging them, coming closer to the raven hair girl. She took hold of her Crossbow and attacked calling, "Mars Flame Sniper!" she shot her fire arrow.
It was a direct hit, square in the chest, going straight into his left lung. The smell of burning flesh pierced the air and made Mars gag. She was sickened, by the smell and by what she'd done. The arrow faded into nothing and Jadeite was left with a hole in his chest. Blood was surging into his lungs, and he looked up at his woman with a wide grin on his face.
"You're killing me," he laughed, freed from whatever Beryl had used to possess him. "I wondered if it would be your beauty or your temper that killed me first, but it looks like I did myself in. I couldn't even get in you and your beautiful dress, only under your skin. Be well, my Firebird, I'm not finished with you yet."
The blood had filled his lungs and he was drowning in his own blood. He struggled for his very last breaths, the blood gurgling in his throat. Rei ran to him, she could see that he was free from whatever told the Shitennou to kill the Senshi and his aura was clean again. She pressed her lips to his before he left. He felt the fire in her burn his lips, and she felt his ruby red blood touch her lips. His body went limp in her arms.
She set him down gently on the ground and bent her body over his. She brushed his blonde hair out of his eyes so that she could see his face once more. She paused, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. In that pause, Beryl made her move on the Senshi of Fire. She shot a ray of dark energy that hit the unsuspecting Mars straight on in the back. She was dead in an instant.
-
The Outer Senshi, except for Pluto, were already dead. Pluto was saved by a greater power than those of Beryl or Metaria as was trapped in the Gates of Time, but safe. The only ones left alive on the Moon, were Queen Serenity, Luna, Artemis, Princess Serenity, Prince Endymion, Beryl and Metaria. The Prince and Princess hid, Serenity in his arms trembling as she heard the screams of the people who died. Endymion could tell that his Shitennou had left his side and were now dead.
They appeared to him as phantoms that only he could see and hear. All of them were there, smiling in full battle uniform. He could tell that they were loyal to him once more. Kunzite spoke.
"Prince Endymion, we are forever sorry. She said she was going to kill them if we didn't join her, we didn't think that her plan was for us to kill the Senshi. She took away our minds, and we would freely give us to you to kill if it weren't already too late. We will never leave your side. We will protect you, even from the grave. We will find you again, when you rule. Goodbye, my friend," Kunzite said, nodding his head as he spoke the last words. The rest of the Shitennou nodded their goodbyes and faded away into the winds.
Serenity didn't see her Senshi again, but she felt them all slip away into death, the last being her close friend Rei, or Sailor Mars.
-
Beryl let out an evil moan (or was it a laugh?). She was closing in on the remaining survivors, taking pleasure in their deaths. She wanted the Silver Crystal, and she would stop at nothing to get it. She would take down the Princess, and then attack the Queen as she grieved for her dead daughter. Once Queen Serenity was dead, she would take the Silver Crystal from her cold dead hands. And then, Prince Endymion would be all hers.
She called off her troops and began her hunt for the Princess and Prince. She stalked through the ruins of the Moon Palace, searching for her prey. Her dark heels clicked against the marble and around bodies. She smirked as she saw the bodies of Kunzite and Sailor Venus, the leaders of the Senshi and Shitennou. She had turned them against each other so easily, with only a twist of her words.
She found them, hiding on a far off, hidden balcony. She used her powers to levitate herself over the surrounding walls to their location. She saw Endymion holding his Princess, and hovered some twenty yards away.
"Well if it isn't the little Moon Princess and her Prince?" Beryl hissed, getting their attention. "It looks like you two are all dressed with only her funeral to attend," she used one of her powers to fling Endymion into a wall as she lunged for Serenity. Her talon-like nails were mere inches from her soft pale face when a ruby red rose struck her hand, forcing her away from the Princess.
"You will not use your evil to hurt her. I have sworn my life and love to her and you will not harm her," Endymion snarled at Beryl, placing him between the two of them. He lifted his left arm to shield Serenity away from her.
"Prince Endymion, you had great promise, but you turn away from the greatness I promise," she said, disgusted. She gave up her dreams of making him her own, he was far too daft for her. "Serenity clings to you like a virus clings to its host, and soon she will suck the life right out of you. I give you once last chance, come taste the joy of winning, Endymion. We could rule together."
"Never," Endymion refused, hissing back at the woman. "Joining forces with you would be turning my back on everything I love. You are practically green with envy, like a leper envies life."
Beryl roared in rage. "No one will speak to Queen Beryl like that!" As she screamed, Metaria howled in the background and summoned a tornado of death to destroy what was still standing of the Moon Kingdom. It sucked Prince Endymion into its vortex easily, ripping him away from Princess Serenity. He screamed in protest, but he was trapped.
"Endymion," Serenity cried after him, not listening to his calls and pleas for her to run. She ran to him. "I want to be with you when I die." She launched herself into the tornado at Endymion, getting caught in its pull, which brought her straight up to him.
Their hands met one last time. Metaria blasted them with the same ray of death that killed Sailor Mars. It hit them dead on.
"Serenity," Endymion cried out in his last breath at the same time she called out "Endymion."
Queen Serenity watched it all with Luna and Artemis, her advisors, at her side. She ran out into the open with tears in her eyes, crying out, "Serenity, no! Oh, she's taken everything I have!" Her silver white hair was splayed all around her as she ran in the wind.
Luna too, a few tears ran down her pale cheeks. "Not, Serenity. Not our Princess."
They could hear Beryl laughing manically. She was pleased with the damage she had caused and was now waiting for the Queen of the Moon to come into her view to come to her daughter's dead body, which she kept floating in the air close to her. "Perfect! This is all miserably perfect! The Pitiful Princess and her Prince are gone! Ahaha! And the leper prevails! I will rule the universe!"
"NO! Serenity!" Queen Serenity screamed out, loud enough for Beryl to hear her, falling to her knees, dirtying her white dress. "It can't be! Don't worry, darling. I won't let it end this way," she cried, sobbing. "I won't let them take away your future."
She held the Crescent Moon Wand in her hand and pulled a small object out of no where. She placed the Silver Crystal in the Crescent Moon Wand, and it brightly glowed pink. The glow caused Luna and Artemis to turn.
"Queen Serenity, if you use the Silver Crystal you will die!" Luna cried. She couldn't have the Queen die too.
"Please don't Queen Serenity," Artemis begged.
"It's the only way, my friends. I must sacrifice my Kingdom and my life therefore to regain the peace once more," Queen Serenity explained. There was a new light in her eyes that spelled determination. She would do everything she could to make things right again. If she hadn't have gone through with the Spectra Ball, perhaps aid would have been easier and able to come instead of lining everyone up to be killed.
She held the Crescent Moon Wand over her head, calling out "Cosmic Moon Power!"
Pink light came from the Silver Crystal and began to make the air glimmer. Energy manifested itself in the form of pink dust that began to cover Beryl, Metaria, and their troops. All cried out in alarm. Metaria was the first to be deteriorated by the dust, crying out in pain. Then Beryl and her troops began to melt. They screamed in pain and terror as they vanished.
Then it was over, the pink energy dust covered the sky for only a moment longer and then it was clear. Silence was all that remained. Queen Serenity was still breathing and conscious, but laying sprawled out on a fallen pillar panting heavily.
"Your Majesty, you've done it!" Luna cried out, shocked to see that her queen was still breathing.
"They've gone! You won the battle," Artemis commented, also surprised to see the state of his queen.
She held up the Silver Crystal in her left hand, it glowing silver. "I've trapped them all, yes. If I had destroyed them, I would have destroyed Serenity and the others as well," she closed her hand around the Crystal and held it against her chest. Then she held the hand around the Silver Crystal up above her, opening her hand. "Now they're all in the power of the Crystal. And now I must send them to a new future on Earth," she began to sob once more.
"You saved them," Luna pointed out, confused, "yet you cry?"
"None of them will remember anything about this time or this place, nothing. And I'll never see my darling sweet Serenity again, or you two for that matter. But this is the only way," she continued, holding the Crescent Moon Wand above her without the crystal in the center, "for any of you to survive. I have only enough energy to send everything that would be needed to the future on Earth. Serenity and her court will need your help if Metaria and Beryl ever return to threaten this peace."
Luna and Artemis nodded, tears streaming their faces at the realization as to what was happening.
"All of you will be reborn on Earth, with absolutely no memory of the Moon Kingdom or the Silver Millennium. But, if necessary, you two will have to know what to do. I have to change you so that you can help them. I'm sorry for what I'm going to do."
She traced the shape of a circle in the air with the Wand. As she did do, a trace of silver was left in the air and moved over on top of the man and woman. It fell on them, covering them with a silver coating. It was warm and felt wet. The next thing they knew the world around them was getting bigger, or they were shrinking. They fell to their knees with their hands on the ground in pain as they finished their painful transformation. Their clothing had disappeared and they realized they were naked, but didn't need clothing.
"Cats, so you will be able to fit in and watch over everyone," she explained. Luna was now a small black cat with the same crescent moon symbol on her forehead, and Artemis was a slightly larger white cat with the same symbol on his forehead. "I truly am sorry. A time will come when you may find that there will be new aid on Earth if it is needed."
Queen Serenity of the Moon was fading fast. "Farewell, all of you. Good luck," the Silver Crystal began to float away from her hand. "Goodbye Serenity, you're in my heart always." It drifted up slowly. When it was barely a speck of glowing light, it glowed brighter and larger orbs appeared around it. There were hundreds of the golden orbs. Inside the orbs were the people who had died on the Moon. The Silver Crystal floated farther away.
"Be happy," the queen whispered. "On behalf of the Moon, I swear you will be free again." She watched the golden orbs quickly grow smaller and into nothing. She smiled one last time as a single tear drop fell from her eye. She left out a small groan and cough before she died. The Wand fell from her hand and glowed brightly, encasing the new cats in similar orbs.
"Queen Serenity," they cried before they lost consciousness and joined the other orbs millions of miles away.
The Moon lay in ruins of crushed rock and glass. Queen Serenity's body remained there for the next thousand years untouched and as perfect as the moment she died. Even the tear remained on her face, giving the illusion that she was not dead.
And that was all those years ago…
Please review! This took a lot of my time. By the way, this isn't over. Not by far.
-Ki