" Rei. Rei, are you all right? Answer me, please, " pleaded Usagi as she
gently shook the other girl.
" Yeah, I'm fine, but wh-where did they go? " Rei managed to sit up and look around with Usagi's help.
" They managed to get Sailor Eclipse. I think they took her to Beryl, " explained a very agitated Makoto. She was just itching to get her hands on those two!
" I just don't understand it. " Luriel said softly looking at the others, " That General Kunzite knows who Khamiya is, but I can't figure out how. We have never been anywhere outside of our galaxy. There is no plausible explanation for him recognizing her. "
" I think that's the least of our worries right now. Mayoko is still unconscious, and so is Tuxedo Kamen. The enemy has captured our only hope, and we are totally helpless inside of this prison. "
" Do we really need a run down of all the bad things we have going against us right now, Keridwen? "
The dark haired young woman glared at Minako, " I'm only being realistic. As it stands at this moment, we don't have a hope in hell of making it out if this place alive. "
" We have to have hope, " Makoto pointed out, " if not, we may as well lay down and die. "
" It's probably better than what they have planned for us, " Keridwen shot back.
" Will everyone please stop it! " exclaimed Usagi, " I know that things don't look good right now, but Makoto is right, we have to keep hope. There must be something we can do to get out of here. "
Luriel took a deep breath trying to ignore the dull, burning pain still radiating from her wound, " I will say a prayer to the Gods to send help. Hino Rei, will you join me? "
" Of course, " the Shinto priestess replied, drawing herself slowly to a kneeling position.
Keridwen sighed, " Minako, Makoto, I'm sorry that I snapped at you. " Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she bowed her head, hoping that no one would notice. She hated to admit that she was wrong, but under the circumstances, she knew that an apology was more than called for. Keridwen had allowed her fear and frustration to overwhelm her sensibility.
" That's all right, " smiled Minako, " I forgive you. "
" Yeah, " Makoto chimed in, " we totally understand. "
" Now, isn't this sweet? Friends to the end, ne? " Zoisite laughed coldly from the doorway. " But I suppose that it is better for you to make your amends now. In just a few short hours, you have an appointment with Queen Beryl, and then it will be too late. "
" Leave us alone! " Usagi demanded fearful that he would harm yet another of her friends. Never had she met anyone so cold and calculating as General Zoisite and General Kunzite. Jedite and Nephlyte hadn't shown even a fraction of the brutality that those two had.
" You don't frighten me, little girl. What are you going to do, annoy me to death? I can't believe you even managed to live as long as you have against our armies. I see nothing in you but a weak, whining child, and your friends are no better. "
" How dare you! " Usagi leapt to her feet and shook a fist at the general, " You speak so bravely from the other side of this cage, but you wouldn't be so bold if I could transform! You are the weak one who hides behind your minions and destroys the lives of those who can not defend themselves! You have no honor.no true strength! "
The other girls stared in amazement at their friend. No matter what happened from this moment, none would ever forget the image of Tsukino Usagi, so often called a klutz and a crybaby, standing up boldly against the Negaverse general.
Zoisite regarded her silently for a long moment. Finally he spoke, " You may not be as worthless as I originally thought. It would be in your best interest to consider joining us. It is possible that you could prove to be an asset. "
" Never! "
" I'm sorry you feel that way. I guess we'll just have to kill you with the others. "
" How can you do this? " Nara asked bitterly, speaking for the first time since they'd been brought to the Dark Kingdom, " Nephlyte and Jedite tried to tell you the truth. Why won't you listen? "
" Because they lie, " he hissed, " I don't know what you brats did to them, but I'll be damned if I'll allow you to brainwash me. "
" I know that you have some good left in your heart. I saw it in you. If you search deep down, you'll realize that this Queen Beryl is only using you! She's the one who has you brainwashed! "
Emerald eyes narrowed dangerously, " I should kill you for saying such a thing. " He took a step forward, raising one hand slowly, his attention fully intent on his purpose. " I'm certain that my sovereign will understand my reasoning. "
" Stop! "
Zoisite spun around at the sound of General Kunzite's command, " This brat has dishonored the name of our Queen! Certainly she will not disapprove of a swift and harsh punishment of the Senshi. "
" On the contrary, Queen Beryl is expecting visitors, and she needs all of the Senshi present and accounted for.especially the outsiders. "
A deep frown creased Zoisite's brow, and he made no attempt to hide his disappointment, " You are fortunate, " he growled not bothering to look at Nara again.
" Zoisite, go prepare for the arrival of the prince and his entourage. I will tend to the prisoners. "
Without any further discussion, General Zoisite vanished. Kunzite turned slowly towards cage, " Had I arrived a mere second later, you would be dead, " he said nonchalantly to Nara.
She stared at him without a word. Though she was trying hard to be brave, Nara found that she was shaking visibly and could not meet his gaze.
" I do expect some form of reciprocation for saving your life. "
" No one owes you anything! " shouted Rei.
" I beg to differ, " he moved to stand directly beside their prison, " and what I expect is information. "
" You can't possibly be stupid enough to think that we're going to tell you anything. "
Kunzite shifted his gaze to Keridwen, " Perhaps you are experiencing some delusions regarding your situation, Senshi. Your lives are subject to my whims now, and I am willing to suffer the consequences of one or two of your deaths. "
" What could you possibly want to know? " Ami asked, " You already have all of us here. "
" What can you tell me about Sailor Eclipse? "
There was silence as the girls looked at one another. It seemed like a strange question, and there was an unidentifiable tone underlying the question.
" Her name is Khamiya Yamari, and she hails from the Phamerian moon of Shiari. Her parents died when she was very young, and my aunt adopted her. When she was thirteen, it was discovered that she was the Senshi of Balance. Khamiya was the second of our group to be found. I do not know the details of her discovery.
I confess that I do not know much else about her. Despite the fact that we were raised closely, Khamiya has always remained distant. "
The general was nodding thoughtfully as he listened to her. " And that is all you know of her past? "
" I am afraid so. But you know something more, don't you, General Kunzite? "
He disregarded her question with a wave of his hand, " I want to know what you did to Nephlyte and Jedite."
" It was simple really. They were not truly evil, and we proceeded to rid them of the dark influence that had been clouding their minds. "
He looked to the two men who were hanging, unconscious, on the wall. Could it be? Was it possible that these brats were telling the truth? Did Queen Beryl really have them brainwashed or was it just a trick meant to save their lives?
" Deep down, I truly believe that you already know the answer. "
" Yeah, I'm fine, but wh-where did they go? " Rei managed to sit up and look around with Usagi's help.
" They managed to get Sailor Eclipse. I think they took her to Beryl, " explained a very agitated Makoto. She was just itching to get her hands on those two!
" I just don't understand it. " Luriel said softly looking at the others, " That General Kunzite knows who Khamiya is, but I can't figure out how. We have never been anywhere outside of our galaxy. There is no plausible explanation for him recognizing her. "
" I think that's the least of our worries right now. Mayoko is still unconscious, and so is Tuxedo Kamen. The enemy has captured our only hope, and we are totally helpless inside of this prison. "
" Do we really need a run down of all the bad things we have going against us right now, Keridwen? "
The dark haired young woman glared at Minako, " I'm only being realistic. As it stands at this moment, we don't have a hope in hell of making it out if this place alive. "
" We have to have hope, " Makoto pointed out, " if not, we may as well lay down and die. "
" It's probably better than what they have planned for us, " Keridwen shot back.
" Will everyone please stop it! " exclaimed Usagi, " I know that things don't look good right now, but Makoto is right, we have to keep hope. There must be something we can do to get out of here. "
Luriel took a deep breath trying to ignore the dull, burning pain still radiating from her wound, " I will say a prayer to the Gods to send help. Hino Rei, will you join me? "
" Of course, " the Shinto priestess replied, drawing herself slowly to a kneeling position.
Keridwen sighed, " Minako, Makoto, I'm sorry that I snapped at you. " Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she bowed her head, hoping that no one would notice. She hated to admit that she was wrong, but under the circumstances, she knew that an apology was more than called for. Keridwen had allowed her fear and frustration to overwhelm her sensibility.
" That's all right, " smiled Minako, " I forgive you. "
" Yeah, " Makoto chimed in, " we totally understand. "
" Now, isn't this sweet? Friends to the end, ne? " Zoisite laughed coldly from the doorway. " But I suppose that it is better for you to make your amends now. In just a few short hours, you have an appointment with Queen Beryl, and then it will be too late. "
" Leave us alone! " Usagi demanded fearful that he would harm yet another of her friends. Never had she met anyone so cold and calculating as General Zoisite and General Kunzite. Jedite and Nephlyte hadn't shown even a fraction of the brutality that those two had.
" You don't frighten me, little girl. What are you going to do, annoy me to death? I can't believe you even managed to live as long as you have against our armies. I see nothing in you but a weak, whining child, and your friends are no better. "
" How dare you! " Usagi leapt to her feet and shook a fist at the general, " You speak so bravely from the other side of this cage, but you wouldn't be so bold if I could transform! You are the weak one who hides behind your minions and destroys the lives of those who can not defend themselves! You have no honor.no true strength! "
The other girls stared in amazement at their friend. No matter what happened from this moment, none would ever forget the image of Tsukino Usagi, so often called a klutz and a crybaby, standing up boldly against the Negaverse general.
Zoisite regarded her silently for a long moment. Finally he spoke, " You may not be as worthless as I originally thought. It would be in your best interest to consider joining us. It is possible that you could prove to be an asset. "
" Never! "
" I'm sorry you feel that way. I guess we'll just have to kill you with the others. "
" How can you do this? " Nara asked bitterly, speaking for the first time since they'd been brought to the Dark Kingdom, " Nephlyte and Jedite tried to tell you the truth. Why won't you listen? "
" Because they lie, " he hissed, " I don't know what you brats did to them, but I'll be damned if I'll allow you to brainwash me. "
" I know that you have some good left in your heart. I saw it in you. If you search deep down, you'll realize that this Queen Beryl is only using you! She's the one who has you brainwashed! "
Emerald eyes narrowed dangerously, " I should kill you for saying such a thing. " He took a step forward, raising one hand slowly, his attention fully intent on his purpose. " I'm certain that my sovereign will understand my reasoning. "
" Stop! "
Zoisite spun around at the sound of General Kunzite's command, " This brat has dishonored the name of our Queen! Certainly she will not disapprove of a swift and harsh punishment of the Senshi. "
" On the contrary, Queen Beryl is expecting visitors, and she needs all of the Senshi present and accounted for.especially the outsiders. "
A deep frown creased Zoisite's brow, and he made no attempt to hide his disappointment, " You are fortunate, " he growled not bothering to look at Nara again.
" Zoisite, go prepare for the arrival of the prince and his entourage. I will tend to the prisoners. "
Without any further discussion, General Zoisite vanished. Kunzite turned slowly towards cage, " Had I arrived a mere second later, you would be dead, " he said nonchalantly to Nara.
She stared at him without a word. Though she was trying hard to be brave, Nara found that she was shaking visibly and could not meet his gaze.
" I do expect some form of reciprocation for saving your life. "
" No one owes you anything! " shouted Rei.
" I beg to differ, " he moved to stand directly beside their prison, " and what I expect is information. "
" You can't possibly be stupid enough to think that we're going to tell you anything. "
Kunzite shifted his gaze to Keridwen, " Perhaps you are experiencing some delusions regarding your situation, Senshi. Your lives are subject to my whims now, and I am willing to suffer the consequences of one or two of your deaths. "
" What could you possibly want to know? " Ami asked, " You already have all of us here. "
" What can you tell me about Sailor Eclipse? "
There was silence as the girls looked at one another. It seemed like a strange question, and there was an unidentifiable tone underlying the question.
" Her name is Khamiya Yamari, and she hails from the Phamerian moon of Shiari. Her parents died when she was very young, and my aunt adopted her. When she was thirteen, it was discovered that she was the Senshi of Balance. Khamiya was the second of our group to be found. I do not know the details of her discovery.
I confess that I do not know much else about her. Despite the fact that we were raised closely, Khamiya has always remained distant. "
The general was nodding thoughtfully as he listened to her. " And that is all you know of her past? "
" I am afraid so. But you know something more, don't you, General Kunzite? "
He disregarded her question with a wave of his hand, " I want to know what you did to Nephlyte and Jedite."
" It was simple really. They were not truly evil, and we proceeded to rid them of the dark influence that had been clouding their minds. "
He looked to the two men who were hanging, unconscious, on the wall. Could it be? Was it possible that these brats were telling the truth? Did Queen Beryl really have them brainwashed or was it just a trick meant to save their lives?
" Deep down, I truly believe that you already know the answer. "