Chapter 1 - Prologue

"Sun, Moon, Sky, Earth, Fire, Air, Water, Rock, Stars!" Deep in meditation, Rei chanted the familiar words, hoping the fire could reveal a way to defeat Jadeite. They were meeting him at an airport for battle later that night. Closing her violet eyes, she prepared to question the fire. A bead of sweat dripped from her smooth forehead, and flames licked her raven hair. Concentrating all of her energy, she focused on the image of her golden-haired enemy. The fire surged, reaching out for the girl as if trying desperately trying to speak to her.

"Sacred fire, how can we defeat Jadeite? What is his weakness?" Another thought surfaced, deep in the recesses of her mind. Despite her close proximity to the flame, she was chilled. "And why," she whispered, "Why does awake this unfamiliar feeling?" A blast of wind shook her, and in the fire a ancient scene flashed before her eyes.

A beautiful white palace shone in the mid-afternoon sun. Rei stood on the steps, looking out into the distance at an approaching figure. His golden hair, kissed by the sun, made his identity undeniable. As he neared, he drew Rei into his arms and kissed her. He was clad in a soldiers uniform, regal and imposing, with a misty grey cloak spilling from his shoulders. Tiny medals shone from the left pocket, and they clinked together as he took Rei's hands in his own. "I've come to say goodbye," he said, his voice rich and soothing. "There is trouble on Earth...Nephrite has been taken to the enemy camp, and it's not certain whether or not he still lives." His brilliant blue eyes misted, betraying the struggle he waged for composure. He shut his eyes and pulled Rei closer. When they next opened, they were once again clear pools of blue. "Lord Endymion has called us into battle once more. My princess, this time I will not return. The Dark Kingdom is too strong. There is no way we can hold them back..."

Rei's eyes opened with a start as her wrist comlink beeped. Irritated, she flipped it open. Ami popped onto the screen, looking worried.

"Rei, it's time to go. It's almost 7:00. We're meeting at Usagi's house to head over to the airport."

Rei nodded. "Right. I'll be there in a flash." Clicking her comlink off, she sat quietly and pondered the vision. She and Jadeite had once been lovers? How was that possible? Shaking her head, she resolved to dismiss the vision. Whatever might have happened in the past, Jadeite was now her enemy. And duty would always come before love. She had no need for men. Rising, she looked into the fire once more with a distant look in her violet eyes before turning to the door.

~*~