Earth Castle, two months later
"Prince!" Jadeite's voice rang through the pristine hall of the Earth Castle as he followed an annoyed Prince Endymion.
"Why won't you just stop Jadeite? I won't do it." Prince Endymion snapped.
"But what Beryl says makes sense!" Jadeite insisted, "She is a member of the royal family, she won't do something that's not beneficial to us." Prince Endymion whirled around and glared at the blonde haired general.
"For the last time, I will not betray the moon kingdom! And I better not find you doing the same either, and that's final!" Jadeite sighed as the prince slammed the door to the room in his face, preventing him from any more nagging.
"Told you it wouldn't be that easy." Kunzite's voice came from around the corner, and Jadeite grit his teeth in frustration as the silver haired general stepped out from his hiding place.
"We'll convince him somehow. Come on, Beryl-sama is calling for us." Jadeite followed his fellow general to Beryl's room, but what greeted him there wasn't what he expected.
"What is this?" He stared in shock at the dark cloud that was floating in front of Beryl. The red haired woman turned and glared at the four of them.
"Do not be rude! Hurry and greet your ruler, Queen Metallia!" Jadeite and Zoicite exchanged confused glances.
"I don't understand." Nephrite voiced their concerns for them, "The prince is our ruler. You are simply helping us to overtake the Moon Kingdom for the sake of our prince, aren't you?" Beryl laughed and shot them another murderous glare.
"Don't be ridiculous! Once the Moon Kingdom has fallen, Queen Metallia will be our supreme ruler!" Zoicite frowned.
"We can't do that!" He protested. Beryl laughed again.
"Foolish generals. Don't you realize what power I could give you if we win? You four could be so much more than you are now! If you don't ally with me, you'll only be weak generals forever!" Her dark eyes flashed.
"Don't you want to work for the ultimate ruler of the universe?" As she spoke, Jadeite felt something telling him to leave, but his mind was quickly becoming clouded. Power…yes…it was what he wanted! With power, he could be with Rei forever! As long as the Moon Kingdom dominated over the Earth, they could never do that! No…who cared about Princess Rei? She would only stand in his way to power! What's more, she was also a protector of the Moon Kingdom! Four knees bowed to Beryl and Queen Metallia.
"We are your loyal servants forever."
Martian Palace, a week later
"Princess! Princess Rei-sama!" Rei looked up in curiosity as Phobos came bursting into the room, followed closely by her twin sister Deimos.
"Phobos, Deimos, what is it that warrants such behavior?" She chastised, "It looks bad on you!" Phobos was out of breath as she gasped.
"It's happened!" Rei frowned.
"What happened?" She demanded, "Speak clearly Phobos." Deimos quickly took over.
"The people of Earth have allied with that witch Beryl! They're going to attack the moon!" Rei's eyes widened.
"They wouldn't!" She cried, her heart jumping into her throat. Phobos shook her head.
"It's happened Mistress. They're on their way as we speak!" Rei's heart pounded in her chest as she asked the next question.
"What of the Prince and his generals?" Deimos exchanged an uneasy glance with Phobos before both stared down at the ground silently. Rei stamped her foot.
"Answer me!" Phobos looked up warily before quietly replying.
"The Prince has gone to protect the Princess Serenity, but the generals…" She trailed off, and Deimos picked up the sentence.
"The four generals have allied with Beryl." Rei's jaw dropped and her hand flew to her chest.
"It can't be!" Her love, her fiancée Jadeite, was allied with the rebels against the Silver Millennium?
"Are you sure?" She demanded, refusing to believe it, "They are extremely loyal to the prince! They wouldn't do such a thing!" The twins shook their heads.
"It's true Mistress. The Prince said it himself." They said quietly. Rei staggered as the shock of the situation settled in, her legs giving out and sending her falling to her knees as a sob rose in her throat.
"Why?" She whispered, "Why Jadeite?" Phobos and Deimos gently helped her up and brought her to the bed.
"Princess?" They asked warily. Rei closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she pushed her tears back. Now was not the time to cry.
"I'm going to the Moon. I have to be there for Serenity."
Moon Palace
"Princess Rei of Mars!" The footman at the palace door announced Rei's arrival as she swept by in a cloud of red fabric.
"Rei-chan!" Princess Serenity ran over to the fire princess, grabbing her hands and urgently tugging her down the hallway.
"How's the situation?" Rei demanded, "Are the others here?" Serenity nodded, her pretty face troubled.
"Oh Rei, do you think they'll actually attack?" She asked anxiously. Rei thought of Jadeite and swallowed hard.
"It's difficult to say Serenity. But I know for sure that Endymion will stand on our side if it happens." She assured her.
"How do you know?" Serenity asked, her eyes wet with troubled tears. Rei stopped and gently cupped the younger girl's cheek in her hand.
"Believe in him Serenity. He loves you too much to turn against you." What does that mean about Jadeite? A voice nagged in her head, but Rei pushed it down. Until the moment she saw Jadeite against her, she would believe in him until the end.
"Is the ball still on for tonight?" She changed the subject as they headed for Serenity's rooms. The moon princess brightened a little at the thought of the dance and nodded.
"Mama says she doesn't want to alarm the people yet, so we will continue on as if nothing is wrong. We will still have to be prepared for the worst though." Rei guided her into the room and sat her down in front of the mirror.
"In that case, we better get Minako over here and doll you up. Don't want you looking bad in front of Prince Endymion."
Moon Castle, 2 hours later
Rei's gaze was calm but watchful as she stood by a corner of the ballroom, her eyes scanning the area for potential threats. There was a festive air in the palace, the people happily chatting away to each other and dancing the night away. However, Rei was not about to be fooled. She was starting to feel uneasy about the peaceful night; it was just too peaceful for her liking.
The calm before the storm. Makoto's voice came through their telepathy, sounding as troubled as Rei felt.
Yeah. The question is, when is the storm going to hit? Ami questioned.
Whenever it is, I don't think we have to wait long. Minako replied, and Rei met the blonde haired princess's blue eyes across the room.
Where's Serenity? Ami asked.
Dancing over there with Endymion. They've both got their heads in the clouds. Rei replied. The two lovers were standing as close to each other as possible, their hands locked and looking seconds away from kissing. A soft sigh escaped Rei's lips. She was sure the whole world could be falling down any second and the two would still be acting the way they were.
Leave them be Rei-chan. Makoto chided as she saw Rei's reaction, there isn't much more time left for them to be this way. Rei picked up on the sadness tinged in her friend's voice, and sighed again. She knew what Makoto and the other two guardians were thinking: if only the same could be said for the generals. From what Prince Endymion had said, the four generals had disappeared from the palace, and Rei could only imagine the grim reality of where they had gone. Her fingers played with her dress, her teeth biting down on her lower lip. Her muscles were tense and she felt high strung, as if the smallest thing would set her off. It was far too calm!
Calm down a bit Rei. Minako's gentle voice came through to her, You're going to make Serenity worry if she sees you.
I can't help it, Rei replied, It's just too calm. I feel like we're gonna be taken offguard. Everyone's happy and whatnot, but I just feel like something is-
She was cut off as there was a crash and a screeching sound outside. The four guardians immediately tensed, Rei and Minako immediately heading for Serenity.
"What's going on?" She cried as she clung to Endymion.
"Come Princess, you must get to safety." Minako pulled Serenity away from the prince.
"I want to stay with Endymion!" Serenity protested, fighting against the blonde guardian's grasp.
"Please Serenity, it's dangerous here!" Rei coaxed. Luna and Artemis came dashing into the ballroom.
"We're under attack! We're under attack!" Luna cried.
"Everyone to the armory!" Artemis called. Endymion pulled away from Serenity.
"Go with them Serenity. I will definitely protect you and your kingdom."
"Come princess." Rei and Minako led the crying princess away from the ballroom and away from the rising noise coming from outside.
"I can't believe they've actually attacked!" Minako said as they began to run, "They have some nerve!"
"Beryl must have a backing. She wouldn't have dared to do it otherwise." Rei replied, "Her ultimate goal has to be the Silver Imperium Crystal." The Silver Imperium Crystal was the symbol of power in the Solar System; with it, Beryl could be the most powerful woman in the universe. Minako's face was grim.
"Queen Serenity will work things out. She always does."
Moon Palace, Princess's rooms
"One of us has to stay here to guard her." Minako said to Rei as they sat Serenity down on her bed.
"I'll stay." Rei replied, "You're our leader Minako. They need you out there." Minako nodded.
"Be careful Rei."
Moon Palace, 2 hours since attack
"Where's Endymion?" Serenity whimpered. Rei sat down next to her and patted her hand.
"He's out there protecting us. Don't worry, he'll be fine." She replied.
"That's right, he's outside." A male voice startled both princesses, and Rei jumped up to see the tall figure of a man standing in the doorway, his face hidden by the darkness of the room. Alarm bells were going off in her head as her demon senses went off; this was a youma she was looking at. Rei stood in front of Serenity.
"Who are you?" She demanded.
"Why, I'm insulted. Have you forgotten me already, Rei?" Rei felt her heart sink as she finally recognized the speaker's voice. His voice had become colder, the usual warmth gone from what she was used to, but it was still him.
"Jadeite." She breathed, a lump rising in her throat. Jadeite flicked on the lights to Princess Serenity's room as he stepped in.
"Your resistance is futile, really. The moon defenses are falling like flies." A sneer coated his voice.
"I'm a bit disappointed, really. This was easier than I thought. Now all that's left to do is take care of you, Moon Princess." Rei held out her transformation pen.
"You won't touch her. Mars Crystal Power!" As her transformation washed over her, she felt tears rise to her eyes. Never had she thought that she would have to face Jadeite like this. She held out a hand and a fiery sword appeared in her grasp. Her eyes bore angrily into Jadeite's as she raised the sword.
"As long as I live, you won't be able to touch her Jadeite." Jadeite smirked.
"Come Rei, don't be so difficult. You do love me, don't you?" He held out a white gloved hand.
"Come with me, and we can be together, happy in the Negaverse. I'm sure Queen Beryl wouldn't mind you joining." Rei's eyes narrowed.
"Thanks, but no thanks Jadeite. My loyalty lies with the Moon Princess, and nowhere else."
"Rei…" Serenity whispered fearfully. Rei's eyes never left Jadeite's as she pushed Serenity back.
"There's a backdoor in your room over there. Get out of here."
"But-!" Serenity protested. Rei gave her a light shove backwards.
"Go! I'll join you later." As Serenity ran, Rei held her sword level to Jadeite. He smirked at her efforts to defend.
"You know you can't defeat me, Rei."
"Shut up." Rei snarled, "My name isn't for the likes of you to use." Jadeite smirked again.
"Funny, I thought you loved me." He cooed. Rei's eyes narrowed.
"The man I loved wasn't you. He was gentle and kind, and he wasn't a member of the negative forces." Jadeite laughed.
"Oh Rei, I'm insulted. To think that we spent so much time together, and you don't understand why I'm doing this?" He held out his hand to her again.
"I'm doing this only for you. Beryl-sama has promised us great power, and once we take over the Moon Kingdom nobody will ever look down on us again! We can be together without anyone laughing at my status! Don't you want that?" It sounded tempting, but Rei knew better.
"Don't be ridiculous." She hissed, "That won't move me Jadeite." She ran at him, her sword poised to run him through, but he dodged at the last second, dark power flying from his hand to knock her aside. Rei gasped for breath as the dark energy faded, her breath knocked out of her as she landed. Jadeite tsked disapprovingly at her.
"I thought you were a smart girl Guardian Mars. Can't you make the right choice for once?" Rei glared up at him.
"I thought I had made the right choice when I chose you Jadeite." She said, her voice dangerously low, "But I guess I was wrong." Her hand balled up in front of her as her eyes met his.
"Burning Mandala!" Her heart screamed in agony as she watched him writhe on the floor, the fireballs burning into his uniform.
"It doesn't have to be this way Jadeite." She said quietly. Jadeite shot her a dark look before throwing another ball of dark energy at her.
"It does!" He stood, "You will not take my hand, and so you are my enemy! Stupid girl, I should have always known you were a nuisance." Tears sprang to Rei's eyes at his words, even though she knew he was only saying it because the dark energy was controlling him.
"My personal army is waiting just outside." Jadeite informed her, "You cannot beat me Mars. You might as well just lead me to the princess." The doors to the Princess's chambers opened again, and Rei saw a horde of youma waiting for Jadeite's command; without turning she already knew that more were waiting just outside the windows. She sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation as she acknowledged that there was no way she could defeat them all on her own…except through one way.
"Now, be a good girl and show me the way to the Moon Princess." Jadeite said, his voice disgustingly like his previous one. If Rei hadn't looked, she would have thought it was her fiancée that she was listening to, but when she opened her eyes to look at him, his blue eyes no longer danced with the same happiness they used to, and the demon army behind him betrayed his intentions instantly.
"Sorry Jadeite." Her hands reached up and cupped around the center of the bow on her uniform, a red crystal coming forth at her command. Her violet eyes rose to meet Jadeite's startled blue as she felt the heavy burden of defeat coming to rest around her shoulders.
"I can't do that quite yet." Red light burst forth from the crystal, dazzling and clear as it blinded Jadeite, sending him reeling backwards with a pained cry.
"What are you doing?" He cried. Rei smirked grimly, triumphant in having caught him offguard.
"Don't you know what this is Jadeite? I would have thought with all the time that you spent with me, you would have known this already. This is my star seed, the inner core of my being. It is the very embodiment of my power and my existence." She smiled grimly.
"And it is also my path to your defeat."
"Fool!" Jadeite yelled, "Don't you know that using that would kill you as well?" Rei's gaze was calm as she looked back at him unwaveringly.
"Of course I do. But if it will stop you and your army, I am willing to take this risk." At her command, the red light flared brighter, a burst of flame cupped between her white gloved hands.
"My life belongs to the Silver Millennium. If giving it up now will protect my Princess for even just a little longer, I don't mind."
"Stupid girl!" Jadeite yelled, "You only need to take my hand Rei!" Rei shook her head.
"Did you know Jadeite? Once, long ago, I took a vow of chastity to Queen Serenity. You know what that means? It means I will never in love, nor will I ever hold a man as my husband and lifelong partner. But for you, I broke that vow time and time again." A tear trickled down her cheek.
"This, is my penance for breaking my vow."
"I can't believe you are willing to kill the man you said you loved!" Jadeite snapped, "Are you this heartless?" Rei laughed bitterly.
"Kill you? I think you have the wrong idea, this is quite the contrary." She held the crystal out in front of her.
"I am setting you free." Red light shone around her as her tiara disappeared and the symbol of Mars glowed bright as the sun on her forehead.
"Mars Planet Power!" Red light engulfed her and everyone around her, Jadeite and his youma included. Jadeite's pained cry echoed through the room, and Rei reached forward for him as he fell.
"I…I can't believe you actually went through with it." He gasped. Rei held him close to her, savoring his warmth as she leaned in to kiss him one more time.
"Let us sleep now Jadeite. I am tired, and I'm sure you are too."
Goodbye Jadeite, my eternal love. Let us meet again elsewhere. Perhaps we will be happy the second time.
In the 20th year of Queen Serenity's rule of the Moon Kingdom, Princess Rei, the last of the House of Mars, died in the service of the Silver Millennium in the battle against the Negaverse.