Chapter 10

I could sense Pluto's presence the moment we arrived at where the Princess was last seen. If anything it was like a faint echo still ringing in the air. Mercury stands in front of the grand hall with her visor down and her computer in front of her. She's frustrated, I can tell by how hard she's typing. She hasn't acknowledged my presence, and I don't think that will change.

I turn to Nephrite. "I wouldn't worry about this."

He steps forward. "Are you sure-"

"What do you mean we shouldn't worry?" Neo-Queen Serenity walks in, heels scraping the ground, with Uranus and Neptune behind her. This is the most animated I have seen her since I returned.

I pause. "What I sense from this area is not dark energy."

"Then what is it?"

Mercury closes her computer. "It's temporal."

The Queen shakes her head. "What does that mean?"

I sigh. "It's safe to say that Pluto was here."

Neptune summons her mirror. "If that is the case then we should speak to her."

Saturn steps forward. "Setsuna probably has a good reason for this. It would be best to let time flow in its natural course."

Mars turns. "Who's Setsuna?"

I pause. "Setsuna, was Pluto's name during the Silver Millennium."

"Hotaru?" Uranus turns away. "So now you've changed too?"

I step forward. "Amara..."

She turns away. "No, I get that you have changed, but don't think I can take this."

Silence fills the room for a moment. Both Hotaru and I exchange matching looks. We don't have time to explain everything. "No, we haven't changed. We have just woken up from a long sleep."

Venus steps forward. "What are you talking about?"

Saturn grips her glaive. "Jupiter, Pluto and I were the only senshi to survive the End of Days."

I know exactly what I want to do, but Hotaru doesn't agree with me. Regardless, she herself sees no other option. In my eyes there is only one way to fight this war, and that is to find Nemesis. Neo-Queen Serenity sits on her cracked throne with her senshi debating around her. There is little that I have to say. I excuse myself and start to prepare. I don't care if Serenity protests or not. Saturn has handled every question with the utmost logic. I know that I couldn't do that. She always says so much in so little. My thoughts are solely on Neptune. In the past, she was the only one to escape Nemesis with conscious memories of what she saw. If only she could remember.

Nephrite stands beside me with a map in his hands. "We should attack now."

I nod. "I agree, but Neo-Queen Serenity will not give her senshi her blessing."

He turns. "Makoto, is it wise to go against a descendent of the moon?"

I shrug. "The moon is not what forced time to start over. I refuse to live my life a third time. Besides, as far as Serenity is concerned, I am no longer one of her senshi. Now, gather the rest of the Shitennou and meet me in the grand hall with the rest of the soldiers."

He bows and hurries off leaving me to stand alone facing the wall. Many people are afraid, I can see it by the way they carry themselves, but for me it's different. I see a battle that can be won through strategy. We are outnumbered but that means nothing in war. It is only a disadvantage if you let it be.

"Lita, what are you doing?" Venus approached from the palace.

"Getting ready."

Venus steps forward. "We need a definite plan before we do anything."

I nod. "Confronting the enemy out in the open would force them to move, and take their attention away from Crystal Tokyo. Whether I want to admit it or not, Serenity's life is still part of my duty."

"And what about us?"

I sigh. "Your place is beside the Queen. She has ordered that the senshi stay, don't break her trust like I have."

She shakes her head. "So you think I'm just going to let you fight this for us?"

"No, I would never ask that, but for us to win we must play this smart. Saturn will take Serenity and all of you to the moon. There are tunnels and passages that have probably survived the war."

She turns. "I'm not running away."

"I know that, but there is a strong chance that this will backfire, and that the enemy will follow. That is why the rest of you will go with Saturn."

I smile. "Don't worry about me, just take care of yourself."

"Lita." Before I know what's happening she steps forward and pulls me into a hug. "I hate it when you're like this?"

"Like what?"

She closes her eyes. "A stubborn old mule."

I laugh. "I guess I am getting old."

Neither of us move for several moments. I see the irony right in front of me. The Princess of Venus, and I are comrades, but for the longest time I never thought we could be friends. Time does strange things. I wonder if Pluto ever saw this coming.

I step back. "At the very least I know that there are weapons still hidden amongst the ruins. Your sword should be there."

"What are you talking about?"

I smile. "The means to defend yourselves will be right in front of you. Trust me."

"Alright."

"Why are you sending us with them?" Both Kunzite and Zoicite exchange looks of confusion.

I turn to the barrier. "Just in case something happens." I cannot ignore the memories that still course through my mind. "And if something happens to them, I won't hesitate to hunt you down."

They both nod. "Understood."

I watch as they return to the main palace, back to the senshi and their Queen. Only Jadeite and Nephrite stand with me in front of a handful of soldiers. "We're going to take the fight to them. There are people scattered around Tokyo, scared of the Black Moon. They're hiding out of fear. I don't want them to have to do that any longer."

"But what of our Queen?"

I turn to the soldier who spoke. "She will be taken to a safe place with her senshi at her side. Until then we have two objectives. Fight the enemy, and find Endymion."

Nephrite senses what I have, the morale is low. These men need inspiration or they won't last. "I have seen our victory written in the stars. As long as we have faith in our general, we cannot lose." He's such a liar, but even at that moment the mood seemed to shift. "Today we fight for Jupiter."

For some reason, his last words hit home. I had forgotten this feeling. It had been so long since I had felt this rush of excitement. The storm will protect us. Jadeite turns and starts distributing the men while Nephrite stands and looks only to me. I turn away, but that doesn't stop him from walking up to my side.

"Makoto, I just want-"

I close my eyes. "Nephrite..."

He nods. "Yes, your majesty?"

I step forward. "Watch your left side. You expose it every time you lunge."

And with those words I slowly take the first steps towards the door. Nephrite watches me; I know he does, but I won't let this happen again. Last time I killed him and it was like ripping a piece of me away. I won't do that again.

"He still loves you." The voice whispers in my ear.

I close my eyes. "No, he's in love with the past."

"So do you deny that you still care for him?"

I clench my fists. "I can't."

"Jupiter?" Footsteps halt behind me.

I turn and see Jadeite standing with his bow carefully resting over his shoulder. "Is there something you needed?"

For a moment he just stands in silence. "Who were you talking to?"

"No one, just myself."

Am I losing my mind? No, I have to stay focused. Jadeite steps forward. "You look distressed."

I go to speak but stop once I hear the sounds of footsteps behind me. Left, right, left... there are two of them, and they are walking in perfect unison. I turn away from Jadeite towards two people that I used to look up to in this life. "You two should be with Serenity."

Jadeite watches as both Uranus and Neptune stop. "The inner guardians are with her. We're the first line of defense, remember?"

I pause. "They will need your help."

Uranus clenches her fists. "Not if we stop them here."

"This isn't a game."

Neptune steps forward. "We all understand that. Our place is on the front lines. We're not that good at just standing by."

Uranus sighs. "Don't fight with us on this. I've had enough of this philosophical bull-"

Michelle gently places her hand on Amara's shoulder. "We know what we're doing."

I remember the past all too well. In the back of my mind I see both Uranus and Neptune as they were in the final days. Yes, they were strong, but sometimes even strength isn't enough. I can sense the determination in their voices. I suppose that is one thing that hasn't changed.

"Fine, but we're doing this my way. No reckless charging and no questioning the positions that I give out. We stick to a strategy and we'll win."

Both of them just stood there for a long moment. Until Uranus steps forward. "So what do we do?"

I turn towards the men. "Michelle, you should go with Jadeite and cover the vantage points. Amara will accompany Nephrite on the ground."

"Just two teams?"

I shake my head. "Three."

Nephrite steps forward. "We're ready."

I nod. "Take Uranus with you."

Uranus pauses. "Wait a second-"

But I have already turned back towards the barrier. I hear her words, but they are muffled to what I hear in the storm over head. "Nephrite. Tell Hotaru to drop the barrier once the others are safely through the portal."

"Lita." Uranus starts walking but stops as Nephrite intercepts.

"Makoto is a brilliant strategist. She knows what she's doing."

Uranus shakes her head. "You keep calling her Makoto, her name is Lita, and I've known her a hell of a lot longer than you have."

Neptune intervenes. "Amara, just let it go."

I pause before placing my hand on the barrier. I can feel the stares of the audience behind me. In my mind I know that shouldn't look back but I do. I smile as I step through. This will work, I know it.

My steps are slow at first, but the storm still rages wildly over my head. It's quiet, but I know that the silence won't last for long. I stand with sparks dancing around my finger tips. There's this light pulsing emanating from beneath my feet. The energy is different than anything I had felt before.

"Is this an insult to my position? You overestimate your abilities, Jupiter." Wiseman appears in front of me with both Diamond and Sapphire on either side of him.

"No, if anything all I want is to meet my opponents with honour. I don't underestimate anyone. I've seen some extraordinary things through the ages."

After several moments, both Rubeus and Emerald appear behind me. "Wiseman, allow me to strike first."

Wiseman laughs. "Rubeus, you have already had multiple opportunities to fight the Jovian Queen. Do not embarrass yourself further."

I feel the large surge of energy, just as everyone else had. The eyes of my enemies are drawn not to me, but to the palace barrier that has fallen. Sapphire steps forward. "What is this?"

I smile. "You attacked this place, now we fight back."

I barely finish speaking when Wiseman lunges towards me. His actions seem to surprise everyone around. I feel his fist making contact with my cheek. I stumble back and throw a handful of lightning. He pulls down his hood. "You know, Jupiter. You caught me on the edge of insanity last time we fought. This time I'll do more than mark your pretty face."

"World Shaking!"

I hear Uranus' attack echo through the wind. There's a flash of light as Emerald flies past Rubeus into an adjacent building.

"Deep Submerge!"

Sapphire jumps to the side, but Neptune's attack still clips his shoulder.

Jadeite's arrows seem to cut through the air as they arc towards Rubeus.

The Black Moon clan looks around for their opponents, but there is no one in sight. Prince Diamond steps forward and readies himself when I hear that distinct battle cry. Nephrite charges with several men behind him.

Wiseman still does nothing but smile. "I think I'll be taking my dagger back."

He's referring to the Jovian blade tucked into the back of my belt. I summon the thunder overhead and ready myself. "Just try and take it from me."