File found...
Name: Kunzite
Birth name: Unknown
Age: 21 at time of capture
Eyes: Gray
Hair: Platinum
Planet: Earth
Betrothed: Aino Minako
Access memories? Y/N
Y
Loading memories...
Memories loaded.
Kunzite staggered back as his memories completed. Falling to his knees, he fought back nausea as the vision invoked every kind of feeling in his cold form. He had been emotionless so long, and now he was completely overwhelmed.
Minako...forgive me, Minako... He remembered. Her beautiful golden hair, always tied with that silly red bow, her constant cheerfulness, and her bright smile. Minako, I'm so sorry...He could feel her soft kisses lingering on his neck. He could also feel her blood spatter on his face as he thrust his sword into her chest. The last day of the Silver Millennium...the generals had destroyed the senshi. He had felt so triumphant, then. Now he knew they had destroyed their lovers. And Minako, you knew it was I...even as you felt the cold steel in your flesh, you loved me. Beryl. This was all Beryl's doing! I will destroy her! Overwhelmed by hatred, he stormed out of the room, headed for Beryl's chamber.
Halfway there, he slowed. Would it not be better to wait until she was vulnerable? He stood no chance here, when she was surrounded by her faithful minions. No...he would wait until she least expected it. Turning instead to his quarters, he began to plan. Can I trust the other generals? Jadeite, perhaps. But Nephrite will need to see proof...it's too dangerous to smuggle him into the room with the secret files. I will have to wait and hope he trusts us. And Zoicite...it is too late for you, my friend. If only I had discovered this days earlier. He tightened his fist, realizing that Ami would now be alone.
You will pay, witch
Aragonite's eyes opened slowly. She was vaguely aware that she had been floating in and out of consciousness for some time. She could remember Nephrite and Jadeite's conversation from several hours ago, but it was the only distinct memory she had from the haze of the last few days. I must be getting better, she thought. She sat up stiffly and stretched her limbs. Everything seemed to be working. Shakily, she stood up and took a few steps. Good, she thought. I can finally get out of this bed. I hate slumbering here uselessly. Suddenly, her knee buckled and she began to fall. Strong arms caught her, and she looked up in surprise at Jadeite. She hadn't realized he was there.
"Careful now," warned the general. "You're very weak. In a few days, you'll be back to your old self. But for now, you need rest."
"I don't need any rest," grumbled Aragonite. "And I certainly don't need your help." Stubbornly, she took a few tiny steps, only to end up falling once more into Jadeite's arms. He sighed, seeing that she would not be dissuaded.
"Try again." Putting aside his self consciousness, he wrapped his arm around her waist. "There, you won't fall now. Come on, Aragonite, you can do this. One step at a time."
Aragonite smiled, remembering his conversation with Nephrite. Somehow, she had won Jadeite to her side. Perhaps there was a chance to save the Generals. Now was the perfect time to act. "Jadeite," she whispered. "I have a story to tell you..."
"I know, my Lady," soothed the general. "I have remembered everything."
Queen Beryl curtsied deeply as she entered Queen Metallia's chambers. She straightened her violet gown apprehensively. She was always nervous before visiting the Dark Force. Perhaps, Metallia had summoned her to congratulate her on the clever decision to destroy Zoicite, thus giving the Dark Force a huge amount of dark energy. But Metallia was as unpredictable as she was powerful. Beryl considered herself lucky whe she escaped these encounters alive.
Metallia could only be described as a mass of churning, vibrant energy. She was what was truly behind the Dark Kingdom. She surged at the Queen's entrance, her energy mass swelling. She cracked with bolts of electricity and power. "Beryl.." she hissed. "My energy is overflowing. My strength is renewed!"
Beryl's mouth curved into a vicious smile. She had not heard Metallia speak so clearly in ages. Perhaps ever. She paused only slightly during her sentences, and her voice carried with power and precision. Beryl's plan had succeeded.
Metallia cackled knowingly. "Yessss, Beryl...you are right. Zoicite's death fed all of his energy, training, knowledge, and power into me. Added to the energy your other generals have collected, I now have enough to return." The voice paused, and two dark eyes appeared from the mists of energy. "When Aragonite exceeded Zoicite's skills, I knew my chance of returning had finally come. Zoicite's sacrifice has enabled me to assume a tangible form once more. The time has come to take our revenge."
Beryl was filled with the desire for action. No one on Earth would listen to me when I told them that the Moon was dangerous. Especially Endymion...after falling for that ridiculous Princess, nothing I had to say mattered. Now, my time has come to destroy them all! And the whole Earth! Because of that Queen Serenity, the senshi were reborn. But this time, she's not here to protect them! She cackled wickedly and violently. Indeed, Zoicite's life had not been sacrified in vain. "What would you have me do, my Queen?"
Dark laughter spilled from the misty black energy mass as Metallia explained her plan. Beryl's eyes narrowed with understanding as her duty became clear. They didn't have time to wait for Jadeite to sway Rei, and now, none of that mattered. With this much power, they could attack the senshi directly. No more conniving, petty plans, no more hiding from those schoolgirls. This time, we will face them head on. And the Dark Kingdom will prevail.
Nephrite ran his gloved hands through his auburn hair, pondering his conversation with Jadeite. The Queen had summoned them all to her chambers, for a meeting of some sort. "All", of course, except for Zoicite. He felt a surge of anger as he thought back to the fire duel. What a waste of life! Zoicite had so much to offer the Dark Kingdom, yet the Queen tossed him aside like a soiled rag when a replacement surfaced. What if she had captured a senshi of the stars? Would he have been destroyed as well?
Furthermore, there was a strange feeling in the Dark Kingdom as of late. He felt very alone. Jadeite spent all of his time helping that ridiculous girl to recooperate, and Kunzite had been even more brooding and isolated than usual. The empty halls held only ominous silence, devoid of Zoicite's piercing laugh. Worst of all, in the back of his mind, Jadeite's words still echoed. What if she hides the past because you once fought on the side of good?
He stood up straighter as Kunzite, Jadeite, and Aragonite entered, talking rapidly in hushed voices. Kunzite's eyes held a fire Nephrite had never seen in his typically cold gaze, and Jadeite looked even more unsettled than when Nephrite had seen him the night before. Aragonite was pale, but her cheeks were flushed with an unnatural crimson as she spoke excitedly. They slowed as soon as they saw him, their conversation fading into awkward silence. Has the world gone mad? The general of the stars shifted uneasily, hoping the Queen would arrive soon.
He didn't have long to wait. Moments later, Beryl swept into her throne room, looking every bit as awakened and passionate as her generals had. She seated herself on her throne, straightening her violet gown. She acknowledged her audience with a small nod, and in return each general bowed deeply.
"My warriors," she cooed, rich hatred dripping from each word, "The time has come to take our revenge. Zoicite's death gave Queen Metallia the burst of energy she needed to return to Earth. Tomorrow, we will attack in full force on the city of Tokyo, drawing out the senshi. Every yoma, all four generals, and myself. We will destroy the senshi first, and then proceed to destroy all life in the city. Once it is clear, we will open the gate for Metallia to return, and she can set up our reign on Earth. We stake everything on this battle. Is everything clear to you?" She paused, reading the look on each general's face.
Nephrite looked emboldened and ready to attack, hungry to destroy the senshi he had battled so many times. Kunzite's face was unreadable, but that was typical. His icy gaze rarely changed. Aragonite's violet eyes sparkled with sincere determination. Jadeite, never a fine actor, looked like he might vomit. She sighed. He had always been weak.
"That is all. Please be prepared to leave for Tokyo tomorrow evening. Jadeite, make sure Aragonite is ready to fight. Two more days is plenty for her to recover. You are all dismissed."
TO BE CONTINUED...