My apologies for the absence. I got a new job this week and ended up working from 4am in the morning to about 5pm every day so I've been rather worn out. This is one of the last few chapters I have left in this story. I really like this chapter but I will have a disclaimer; this story's ending is rather dark. I am sorry in advance, but it was the easiest way for me to portray everything that I wanted with this story by making it as dark as it is. I'm rather inspired to write this weekend so I am hoping to have another chapter up in a few days. Keep an eye out for the updates and thanks for following my story!

As soon as the eruption rocketed the palace, chaos ensued. People began running all over the ballroom trying to get to safety by any means. The Lunarian guards that were surrounding the room as protection, ran out the door as soon as the explosion and left all the planetary royals to fend for themselves while they went to try and eradicate the threat. The panicked people were throwing themselves into each other and eventually separated all four princesses from their betrothed. Outside, the sky could be seen darkening into a blood red abyss that was engulfing the once peaceful starry night sky of the moon.

Somehow, Princess Minako ended up standing right next to the window and she was currently transfixed on the gloomy sky with terror written across her face. The maddening sound of screaming was cut off from her ears as she was trying to sink in her own fear from watching the invasion happen. She could see hundreds, maybe thousands of soldiers advancing across the moon terrain to near the palace as well as a floating woman in the sky with a dark maroon dress and red hair the color of blood surrounding her body. She was so focused on the scene of the invasion, she never noticed that General Kunzite was advancing to her position with determination on his face and only her in his sights.

"Minako!" Kunzite yelled to try and get her attention, but to no avail. Her frightened face was making his heart race as he could not yet see the scene she was watching.

After what seemed like forever, Kunzite reached her and touched her shoulder while speaking her name much more forcefully. Suddenly, the Venusian princess began to scream and throw her hands to defend herself from the threat she saw Kunzite as.

"Minako, calm down. It's only me; Kunzite."

Minako momentarily stopped thrashing as she finally looked at who it was behind her and began crying when he recognized him. Kunzite held Minako in his arms as he stroked her hair, focusing on just her and not the mob trying to push them apart.

"Minako, I'm so glad you're safe."

Kunzite stroked her hair and sighed his relief while he held her to him tightly. Pulling her away slightly, he lifted her chin and kissed her soft lips. Once contact of their lips were made, both of them felt a sharp bolt of electric energy surge through them and parted instantly. Unsure of what that was, they both just ignored it and Kunzite pulled her behind him to try and take her to a hiding place, safe from the war raging outside.

In a faraway place stood a single soldier, dressed in a strange outfit that covered her skin with a short black skirt and black knee high boots. Her top was white with a dark burgundy bow in the center of her chest and her arms were covered with elbow length gloves. In her hand was a staff as tall as she was, while her long, green hair was floating around like a cape. A strange mist surrounded her and whirled just slightly around her body while she intently stared into a strange river in front of her feet.

Her maroon eyes narrowed slightly as the scene in the river clearly depicted the events currently happening on the moon. Suddenly, she raised her staff in the air slightly and then brought it back to hit the floor, causing a vibrant sound to resonate around the empty space as the staff made contact with the floor upon which she stood. As the contact happened, the river's scene changed. The scene clearly fashioned a tall crystal structure protruding above a bustling city scape with a glowing white orb hanging in the sky, illuminating the crystal.

Waving her hand over the river in front of her, the scene narrowed in on the palace residents. Upon seeing the people, a small smile lifted the corners of the lonely soldier's mouth. Snapping her fingers, the time river went dull and empty while she turned on her heel and began to walk away from the scenes of the true future coming to fruition.

The dark sky, that seemed to have taken the form of a face, could be heard laughing as it took in the scene of the moon lying in ruins. Queen Metallia was finally having her dream realized and all it took was the brainwashing of Beryl to finally have it all happen. As she looked down from the sky, she couldn't see Beryl anywhere when suddenly, she heard a silent prayer come from the ambitious woman requesting more power.

"More power? It is yours, kill all resistance."

Metallia began to laugh and all of the people on the moon heard the sinister sound and they cringed. Evil had taken over the moon and they were all about to die.

Princess Makoto ran through the halls at full speed. She had been thoroughly trained in the art of battle, but fear still shook her body. However, Makoto was far from a coward and she was determined to find a weapon she could use to defend herself. The princesses were never aware of any type of royal armory or weapons chamber, but she knew even the moon palace couldn't be without one. Finally, after running for what seemed like an hour but was mere minutes, Princess Makoto found a few battle weapons littering the floor in the middle of a hallway. The wall was blown out and the ominous sky was right in front of Makoto, making her fear escalate.

Upon further inspection, she noticed there were multiple bodies throwing into a room opposite the outside wall and they were all bloody and marred beyond recognition. Makoto staggered back and tripped over her green dress, causing her to fall to the floor. Trying to reign in her fear, she bit her finger to stifle the scream in her throat. Her other hand was bracing her up and her fingers made contact with the cold steel of a battle sword, momentarily taking her attention from the fallen men.

Wrapping her delicate hand around the sword handle, she was startled by the weight of the object, but steeled her will and lifted it above her head. Lifting herself off the ground, Princess Makoto closed her eyes and wrapped both hands around the handle. Whispering a silent prayer to her ancestors of Jupiter, she sought protection and strength. The sword in her hands began to glow an emerald green, much richer than her dress color, and a flash of lightning struck the weapon in her hands, causing her to open her eyes in surprise.

Unwrapping her hands around the handle, the weapon remained floating in the air before her and seemed to morph into a smaller object she could fit into the palm of her hand. Realizing she had just lost her weapon, she inspected the small object and realized it was the pen Ami had given her before they found Princess Serenity. Makoto lifted one hand and gingerly touched it with her fingertips and when she did, she felt her body fill with power. Unable to explain the change, she swiped the object and held it into the air.

Filled with a newfound strength, Princess Makoto recited the only words she could hear in her mind, "Jupiter Power!"

With a flash of green, the young princess had forgone her ballroom dress in exchange for an outfit that was foreign to her. Taking in her high heeled green boots and short skirt, she noticed she had the gift from the queen wrapped around her waist in the form of a chain. Softly touching the potpourri shard that was in the center of her skirt, she nodded, knowing this was her destiny. She would defend the Silver Millennium with her life. Turning on her heel, she took her leave of the palace through the broken wall in search of the enemy.

"Ami!"

Princess Ami turned when she heard her voice. She was currently hiding behind the ornate door that separated the halls from the ballroom. When she saw who had called her name, she reached her hand out and grasped the hand of Princess Rei.

"Rei, it's so good to see you're safe. Do you have any idea what's going on?"

Princess Rei had a lost look on her face as she stared into the room that was mostly cleared out at this point. She nodded her head and gripped Ami's hand tighter in her own.

"Destiny. That's what is happening right now."

Princess Ami looked at Rei in confusion and was about to ask her what was the meaning behind her words, when suddenly the glass shattered in the grand window in front of them. Both girls hid behind the door to try and shield their bodies from taking any damage from the flying glass. Rei slowly peered around the door handle to see what happened and her eyes witnessed a sight that made her blood run cold. Hundreds of soldiers were jumping into the room from the window and what few citizens were around were being brutally murdered at the hands of the Earth men.

Pushing Ami with her hand, Rei pushed back behind the door further to hide both of them to try and escape the killing spree.

"Ami, be very quiet. There's soldiers that just invaded the palace. We need to stay here so that we can be safe."

Ami nodded, scared that her beating heart could be heard as loud to the men as it was in her own ears. After a few moments, the men's voices began to grow louder as they neared the door they were behind. Both princesses grabbed each other's hands and prayed. They prayed with all their heart for their safety. As the door was pushed away from their bodies, the men realized the two women were there and were about to seize them when a force pushed them away.

Floating in front of both women were the pens Ami made and they instantly reached out and took ahold of them.

"Mars Power!"

"Mercury Power!"

A blue light that looked like ice, wrapped around Ami's body, while a red flame engulfed Rei. Foregoing their gowns just like Makoto, they stood in a similar outfit with a large bow in the center and a short skirt. Ami's outfit portrayed her with a blue bow and skirt with knee high boots and Rei stood with a burgundy bow and a red skirt that accented her red high heels.

Ami was renewed with a sense of purpose and power and raised her hand that held her harp and yelled, "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

Her harp magically produced an ice substance that hit the soldiers and froze them in their spot. Turning to Rei, they both had a shocked and bewildered look but smiled as they felt the relief of being able to defend themselves. Both of them ran through the room and jumped out of the window. As soon as both of their feet hit the ground, another explosion ripped them both apart from each other, separating them completely.