Beryl nodded in satisfaction. "I'm glad you agree. The best way to confront them is to lure them out, and then appear all at once." Her red eyes glistened with hatred and a thirst for revenge. "There's no escape for those girls, this time. Gather the others. We teleport in twenty-five minutes."
"Yes, my Queen," repeated Kunzite. "Twenty-five minutes." He bowed out and proceeded to walk swiftly to Jadeite's quarters, where he and Aragonite were awaiting him. He had confided his revelation about the general's memories to the two, and as he suspected, they were more than willing to help him put a plan into action to overthrow the Queen. Her sudden move to attack the sailor soldiers was a perfect opportunity to catch her vulnerable and out of her element. Nephrite, unfortunately, could not be trusted, and had been left out of the scheme. Without proof, he would run to the Queen and divulge their plan without batting an eye. All the three conspirators could do was hope that when the time came, he would join them.
Making sure Nephrite or the Queen were not in sight, Kunzite slipped quietly into Jadeite's quarters. As soon as he entered, he realized that he had chosen a bad time.
Aragonite's cheeks were flushed with crimson, and she barely paused to acknowledge Kunzite's entrance before continuing to lecture Jadeite with heated words. The general ran his hands through his golden locks, looking to Kunzite for help.
"You can't just give up on him, Jeddy!" Aragonite shouted. "I thought you remembered everything! What about Mako-chan? What is the princess of Jupiter going to do if Nephrite refuses to turn? I can't believe you're willing to dismiss his life so easily!"
"Aragonite, we've been through this before," Jadeite said, as calmly as he could manage. "It's not worth the risk that he won't believe us! What if he goes running to the Queen and tattles when we are so close? Better we destroy Beryl and lose two generals than for her to destroy us all!"
"Do you understand nothing?" Aragonite asked, her voice softening. "That's what friendship is. It's fighting for your friends no matter what the consequences to your own life may be!" Jadeite, frustrated, sank into a nearby chair. "Feaniel, please don't do this..."
Aragonite's eyes flashed with anger once more. "Don't you dare call me that. We may have been lovers in the past, but nobody said anything about being lovers now." With that, she stormed out of the room, throwing a fiery glance at Kunzite. "What are you looking at? You shouldn't have intruded in the first place!"
"Twenty minutes!" Kunzite called after her. Turning to Jadeite, he did his best to offer a smile. He still found it unnatural. "She'll calm down, Jadeite. She didn't mean that."
The general of illusions sighed. "No, she did mean it. She's made it clear enough over the past few days that she wants nothing to do with our previous lives. She practically despises me. Have I changed so much, Kunzite?"
"Well, you have been brainwashed for the last thousand years," said the platinum haired man with another cold smile. "Give her time. She'll come around." He cleared his throat. "Enough of that. The Queen has called. You remember the plan?"
"Of course."
With a firm handshake and a nod, the two men walked into the corridor, beginning the battle for their new destiny.
They arrived in the Juban district of Tokyo in the wee hours of the morning. Aragonite tried not to appear as exhausted as she truly was. If it were not for Jadeite's presence, and the knowledge that she had already rescued two of the generals, she might have collapsed. Her previous injuries from Zoicite, added to her conflicting thoughts about meeting the senshi, were more than she could bear. But here they were. The entire force of the Dark Kingdom was gathered on the rooftop of a large building. Here we come, Usagi, she thought quietly to herself. You had better realize what Kunzite, Jeddy, and I are up to.
Nephrite nodded to the others, ready to begin his part in the battle. He was to lure the senshi to the area by a series of quick attacks on individual citizens. He did his work well, and in several minutes, the ground was littered with unconscious bodies.
"Yes," hissed Beryl, who was standing to the left of Aragonite. "More energy for Metallia. Come on, sailor soldiers, show yourselves!"
At her words, Usagi's small form appeared on the misty ground below them, pigtails swaying. Aragonite inhaled quickly, and Jadeite squeezed her hand. "Stay strong," his rich voice encouraged.
"How dare you make an attack in the middle of the night? That's unforgiveable!" Sailor Moon turned to face Nephrite, unaware of the army on the rooftop above her. "I'm sleepy and don't want to fight. However, that doesn't mean I won't Sailor Kick your tail back to the Dark Kingdom! In the name of the Moon, I'll punish you!"
"That goes for us, too!" Three more girls appeared out of the fog.
"The night is when I study best! For intellect and knowledge, I, Sailor Mercury, cannot forgive you!" At Mercury's familiar figure, Aragonite bit her lip to keep her tears from spilling. Ami-chan...please understand what we are doing, Aragonite silently pleaded. Please catch on quickly...
"How can you attack innocent citizens? On behalf of strength and valor, I, Jupiter, cannot forgive you!" Makoto, the familiar girl from Aragonite's vision, stepped out of the fog. Aragonite glanced at Nephrite, hoping Jupiter would trigger some memory, but saw no change in his dark eyes.
"The night is the time for lovers to roam," called an unfamiliar voice. "For all those who dream of love, I, Sailor Venus, cannot forgive you!" A beautiful blonde stepped boldly out of the fog, and Aragonite could see the adoration in Kunzite's eyes. She nodded firmly. We can do this. No more tears!
Focusing her eyes back onto the scene below her, she could see Nephrite laughing darkly. "I, Nephrite, need no opening speech. Meet the Dark Kingdom, sailor soldiers!" He gestured toward the building above him, and the four girls looked up with wide eyes at the army arrayed before them.
Aragonite stepped to the front, gesturing frantically to the girls. "USAGI! AMI!! HELP ME!" Jadeite, also stepping out from the mob, roughly grabbed her and threw her to the ground.
"NOW!" called Queen Beryl.
Before the senshi had time to react, everyone had vanished.
"Well done, Aragonite and Jadeite," nodded Queen Beryl. "Mercury is locating our position as we speak on that ridiculous mini-computer. This island is not far off the mainland, but remote enough that we should not be disturbed. The sailor soldiers should be here shortly - and significantly weakened from using Sailor Teleport."
"Of course, my Queen," answered Aragonite smoothly. "You prediction was correct. They would not have followed our army under typical conditions, but are willing to risk anything to rescue me. Even facing the entire Dark Kingdom." Softening her voice, she whispered angrily to Jadeite. "That's what friendship is."
"Now is not the time to argue," he said, his voice steady and strong. "Here they come. Remember your task!" Aragonite nodded, and they turned to see the sailor senshi arrive. They appeared in a cirle of misty colors - yellow, green, and blue. She tried not to notice the absence of bright red she remembered from her days at the Moon Kingdom. Now it's your turn, thought the raven haired general. Let's show Beryl what you're made of.
"Greetings, sailor soldiers!" Aragonite called out, as loudly and clearly as she could manage. "So, you fell for our little trap, huh? Did you really think I'd want to hang out with brats like you after I'd experienced the power of the Dark Kingdom?" She glanced quickly at Beryl, and was glad to see surprise on the witch's face. Beryl had to fully believe that Aragonite had turned, or else their plans would fail. See, Beryl? I'm on your side, she urged her Queen silently. Believe it!
"Mars!" cried Usagi. "I know you don't mean that!"
"Oh, I do!" retorted Aragonite. "Take this!" She threw fiery rings at the four girls, laughing as they were thrown from their feet. The other generals and yoma took advantage of the senshi's lapse in defense, and proceeded attack also.
The battle for the fate of the generals, and the protection of the Earth, had begun.
TO BE CONTINUED...