Sparks Fly
Ken stared in wonder as Sailor Moon transformed the evil woman, Twister, into human form. He had been watching the battle from afar and was eagerly wishing to join in. He would have, if it hadn't been for the girl... The girl...
His gaze shifted back to the tall form beneath him. Her face was pale and etched with pain. Her fists were clenched in her sleep and her breathing was labored. He worked quickly, tearing pieces of his shirt away to bind her wounds. He wasn't worried about his clothes now. He knew when his next transformation occurred his uniform would be whole again. The girl suddenly cried out in pain as he touched her side. He bent down for a closer look and found she had been cut there by one of the demon's claws. The wound wasn't very deep and not bleeding hard, but the place around it was turning an awful purple color, as if it was bleeding from within. She needed help, and badly. He took her hand and for a moment she relaxed. Her eyes suddenly opened and he gasped!
'She really does look like Lita!' He thought, gazing into her eyes. 'Those eyes, they look just like hers...' He smiled at her and reached down to pull her close. He suddenly stopped. What was he doing? He loved Lita, not Sailor Jupiter! Why did he have this amazing attraction to a girl he didn't even know? She was lovely, but so was Lita... It was as if in one night this girl had become more important to him than his best friend...
'But you and Lita are not meant to be...' he thought sadly. 'Best friends can't be lovers. Maybe it is time to let go of my infatuation with Lita and embrace this new one. This just feels so right, like holding this girl in my arms is my destiny.' He felt a new resolve and pain in these thoughts. He'd have to let go of Lita now, for they were never meant to be. He would have to follow his destiny in this new girl, Sailor Jupiter, though she may not know her fate as he did.
"Who are you? I mean, who are you really?" Sailor Jupiter whispered.
"I am Jupiter Knight my lady, and that is all I can tell you now. But I will leave you with this- a small token of the love I have come to feel for you." He murmured softly.
He suddenly leaned down and placed his lips on hers softly. She gasped and closed her eyes, responding to his kiss immediately. Visions of the past swept through her, followed by memories of Ken. Last of all were thoughts of this new love that felt so right, but somehow hurt so badly. She opened her eyes to see her own pain reflected in the man's dark eyes. She inhaled deeply and smiled at him, before collapsing into his arms.
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Sailor Venus picked herself up from the wreckage of the car slowly. She groaned as the pain returned. Even the smallest movements hurt terribly. Her body was bruised badly, but she would live. Sailor Venus suddenly hitched in a breath as she caught a glimpse of her wonderful knight, who was crouched next to the tree he had been thrown into. He was holding a piece of his shirt to his bleeding head.
"Anthony! Are you all right?" Mina cried, racing to his side, ignoring the protests of her aching body.
"I'm fine Sailor Venus. It hurts, but I'll heal. I don't feel groggy, so I don't think I have a concussion." Anthony said, attempting a smile. Mina gazed at him worriedly. Jupiter Knight interrupted them, holding the now limp Sailor Jupiter in his arms.
"Hey you guys? I need a little help over here." He called, nodding to the unconscious girl.
Sailor Venus jumped to her feet immediately and ran to Sailor Jupiter's side, grimacing at her wounds.
"Oh Sailor Jupiter... God what have they done to you?" She whispered softly, tears forming in her eyes. She took Lita from the knight's arms, though he gave her up reluctantly.
"Take care of her." He said to Sailor Venus, who nodded at him dumbly. "I'll see you again." He whispered to Sailor Jupiter, caressing her cheek softly.
Sailor Venus watched the young man run away, nimble as a deer, and gasped as he suddenly disappeared in a flash of green light. She looked again at Lita, who lay limply in her arms, agony apparent in her face. She shook Lita gently. She didn't know how hurt Lita was, and it probably wasn't a good idea to let her sleep. Lita opened her eyes and smiled as Mina came into focus.
"Wow Mina!" She croaked. "You look almost as awful as I feel." She said laughing. Her laughter suddenly caught in her throat and turned to coughs. Lita tried to laugh again but burst into tears instead.
"Oh Lita! It'll be all right. We'll get you some help. You'll be just fine, okay? You just rest now- but don't go to sleep, you have to stay conscious for me." Mina cried, looking around.
Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune were picking themselves off of the ground, brushing off their scout uniforms. Mercury Knight was helping Sailor Mercury to her feet while Sailor Mars and Mars Knight were helping Venus Knight to his own. Sailor Moon was still hovered over Twister, who was still groggy because of her transformation. Twister's outfit had changed, Mina noticed, although at the moment she didn't know the reason why Serena was helping her. Twister now bore a resemblance to the four sisters of Nemesis and Mina guessed Sailor Moon had transformed her. However, they weren't important now. Lita needed help the most. It had been a while since a scout had gotten this beat up.
"Hey guys! Lita needs help! Someone give me a hand!" Mina called. Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune came to her side immediately.
"Oh God, Lita... Oh she looks awful." Uranus said, taking the girl into her arms, holding her gently.
"I'll call an ambulance." Neptune spoke up, racing for a pay phone.
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Ken helped Lita out of the hospital, holding tightly onto her arm and hailing a cab at the same time. They didn't speak- both wrapped up in their own thoughts, neither knowing how to feel. Lita stared at Ken, who gazed out the window of the cab. 'He's so handsome,' she thought. 'I love him so much, why doesn't he love me back?'
She turned away from him, and looked out her own window. It had taken a lot of lying to convince Ken how she had achieved her injuries. She had ended up him that the people had trampled her and monsters had later attacked her inside the mansion. He had believed the lie easily and she couldn't help but feel guilty about how she had to hide a part of her life from him. Being a scout was the only secret she had ever kept from him.
She shuddered as she remembered the events of the ball. She didn't like to think of that night, of all that pain- but there was one memory she was quite fond of.
She touched her lips softly. Had she imagined it? Had Jupiter Knight kissed her? Yes, she was sure he had. Those lips were unforgettable and had been filled with a passion she could only recognize as love. It hurt to think of him, to think of the love she felt for him. Now she felt as if she was betraying someone. Someone who was very close to her and she wished was ever closer. She didn't want to betray Ken, not when she may still have a chance.
'That's it,' she thought finally. 'I must confess my love for Ken. If I do and he refuses my love, then I know I'll be ready for Jupiter Knight. I just have to give Ken and I a chance. After all, I fell in love with him first. I couldn't live with myself if I let go of my feelings for him so easily.' She bit her lip, frowning. 'But what if he doesn't love me back?' Her mind asked sadly. She shook her head. 'If he doesn't love me, I'll be hurt- but the boundaries between us will be set. I will know my love for Jupiter Knight is meant to be.' She nodded softly to these revelations. It was going to be difficult to tell him, but she had found resolve in her decision.
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Ken gazed out the window, wishing he could change his feelings about Sailor Jupiter, but knowing he couldn't. Kissing her had just felt so right. He glanced at Lita, who sat staring out the window, the sunlight accenting her lovely auburn hair. Why did she have to be so beautiful? Who would've thought that time could change her so much? She was seventeen now, like him, and she only became more beautiful every day. 'I love her so much...' he thought sadly. 'But she is my best friend, and best friends can't be lovers.'
'I must let go of my love for Lita. It can never work out, and this Sailor Jupiter haunts me. There was something about her, some kind of powerful connection between us. I wonder who she is?' He asked himself, frowning softly. 'It doesn't matter who she is,' he decided. 'All I know is I must find her and tell her I love her, no matter what the cost. I have a feeling I can trust the Sailor Scouts now, and I've been drawn towards the knights since the beginning. It will be nice not to keep a secret as big as this anymore.'
The car suddenly stopped and he turned to get out when Lita suddenly stopped him.
"No Ken. I want to talk to you, somewhere private, but open. I feel well enough to walk and I've been dying for some fresh air." Lita said, and before Ken could protest, she turned to the driver. "Driver, take us to the park, please."
"But Lita..." Ken started.
"Stop Ken," Lita said softly, putting a finger to his lips. "This is important."
He nodded silently and buckled himself back in. The driver turned for a moment, then shrugged, and pulled away from the curb towards the park.
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The Negaverse-
Kitara screamed into the glass orb as she watched the battle of the Sailor Soldiers and Twister again. She gave a disgusted cry and almost threw it to the ground as she watched Twister give up her powers to Sailor Moon and become human. She was stopped as a voice spoke to her. She turned the ball over in her hand to reveal Queen Malice in the orb's glass.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A wickedly soft voice murmured.
"Queen Malice! I'm sorry I lost control. Those wretched Sailor Scouts are beginning to become a problem!" Kitara said through gritted teeth.
"Patience Kitara, patience. I have good news. I have found a way to set me free." The Queen said. Kitara could hear a smile in her voice.
"You have? Oh Majesty what is it? How can I help?" Kitara asked eagerly. If she assisted Queen Malice now, she would receive a power-up and she could destroy the scouts herself.
"There was an energy collected in your last battle, a very powerful energy. Leveler held it for a moment and gave me the chance to test its power. It is the energy of the powerful soldier Sailor Jupiter. It was then I realized the Scouts' own energy could release me. I have a new mission for you Kitara. Are you willing to take it?" Queen Malice asked.
"Of course Majesty. What do you wish me to do?" Kitara asked.
"I wish you to collect a sufficient amount of energy from all of the Sailor Soldiers, I doubt I will need their knights. You will not destroy them, however. That pleasure will be mine. Do you understand your mission?" Queen Malice demanded.
"Yes Majesty, but how will I know the identities of the Scouts?" Kitara wondered.
"Ah, you can thank Twister for that. It is a shame we lost her, but she served her purpose. She has found the identities of the Sailor Scouts and their Knights- with the exception of Jupiter Knight. He seems to be hiding, but he won't stay hidden for long." Queen Malice sneered.
"Wonderful! Where do I start?" Kitara asked eagerly, this was the first battle she was allowed to participate in for weeks.
"Unfortunately we only received a taste of Sailor Jupiter's energy. She is your first target." Queen Malice stated.
"Who is she?" Kitara asked.
The picture in the crystal ball suddenly shifted, showing a tall brunette in a brown school uniform. The name Lita Kino was printed at the bottom.
"So that is Sailor Jupiter." Kitara sneered. "Doesn't look that powerful to me." The picture shifted again and revealed Queen Malice once more. Kitara had one more question. "Queen Malice, how much energy must I take from these scouts?"
Suddenly a small crystal tube appeared before her. It was topped with a cork and looked sort of ridiculous for an item that was to contain pure life energy. Kitara suppressed a giggle.
"You will take just enough to fill this container. Do not spill the energy once it is captured, or you will have to wait a few hours for the scout to recover. Taking too much at a time can be fatal, and I want to fight them myself." Queen Malice warned.
"Yes my queen. Thank you. I will fulfill my first mission now." She said, bowing low and transporting to the planet Earth, to attack the first target, Sailor Jupiter.
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Lita and Ken strolled through the park, both lost in their own thoughts. Lita suddenly turned into the playground and stopped under the gazebo. She gazed out at the picturesque scene, and after a moment of silence, she spoke.
"Ken, do you remember this place?" She asked softly.
Ken looked at her nervously and nodded. "Of course I do. This is where you and Freddie broke up. Why?" He asked, looking at her hard, wishing she could turn around so he could see her face. Lita ignored the question and went on.
"We were always together weren't we Ken? Two peas in a pod- that was us. I used to wonder what kept us apart romantically, but by then it hadn't mattered. We were perfect friends, knew everything about each other, and we were always there for one another." Lita said, feeling a lump begin to form in her throat. Ken stared at her.
"You were always there for me Ken, no matter what time it was, or how busy you were. The day Freddie dumped me was one of the worst days of my life. I had never felt so used or so rejected, I had never felt so ugly before." Lita said, sobbing a little. She turned around and Ken could see the tears brimming in her eyes.
"Lita... Why am I really here?" Ken asked, but almost afraid to know. Lita smiled weakly.
"Don't you see? You were my rescuer Ken. You were my guardian... the one who was always there for me when I needed you. That day my feelings changed for you, Ken. You suddenly became more special to me than anyone else in the world. When you moved away it broke my heart. I pushed those feelings away for a while, and when you came back, they returned with you." Lita said, the tears threatening to fall.
"Lita... Please... Don't..." Ken murmured, wanting to run, not wanting to hear the rest, he couldn't hurt her now. But Lita ignored his soft pleas.
"So don't you see Ken? I love you. I've loved you for three years now and I'll love you more everyday. You are so special to me, but I was afraid if I didn't tell you soon, it would be too late. Ken, is it too late?" Lita whispered.
Ken gaped at her. She loved him... SHE LOVED HIM! Why hadn't she told him before? Why did she have to tell him now? They weren't supposed to be together. He was meant for someone else, someone who had a past as mysterious as his own. And before he knew it, he was uttering the words he'd never in his wildest dreams thought he'd say.
"Lita, I can't love you. I love someone else. This person has become very special to me as of late, and I can't forget about her. You are my best friend and I would prefer us to remain that way." He said softly turning away. He heard Lita groan softly behind him. He turned around again and felt pain tear through his heart.
Lita was smiling at him still, as if she couldn't believe his words, but somehow expected it. Her eyes suddenly cleared and her smile faded. Pain filled them and the tears that had threatened suddenly cascaded down her cheeks like twin waterfalls. She nodded weakly at Ken and spoke again.
"O-Okay..." She stuttered, sobs choking her voice. "I can do that... I'm not hurt, really." Her voice broke suddenly and the sobs escaped. "I-I gotta go. I'll see you later." She managed, and turned away, running from his pity-filled eyes.
Ken watched her go, feeling a part of himself go with her. He clenched his fist to his chest and felt the tears rise for the friend he had loved more than he should. 'And she returned my love!' His mind screamed. 'How could she? Right when I thought I had my mind made up she forced me to doubt it!' His anger dissipated quickly. 'Oh Lita, I never meant to hurt you... If only you could've told me sooner, I do love you.'
He looked towards the direction where she had fled from him. 'You idiot,' he chided himself, 'you just hurt her more than Freddie ever could, and you don't even try to comfort her! Go after her and be her best friend!' He nodded to himself and began to run, ready to be the friend she could always trust.
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Lita ran and ran, and didn't stop even when her legs grew weak beneath her and her lungs gasped for air. Her tears blinded her way and her hair had become loose in her flight. She wrenched the ponytail free and let her auburn hair fly. She suddenly stumbled over a crack and fell to the ground. She cried out as the wound in her side from the battle jolted with pain. She lifted herself into a sitting position and wept into her hands.
'I was so stupid! What ever gave me the idea that Ken could love me? Why do I always just end up hurting myself?' Lita thought angrily. 'How could he love someone else? Why didn't he tell me? He tells me everything and he left out the most important information he ever could!' Her anger for Ken stopped as the tears came again, along with the familiar feeling of rejection. 'It doesn't matter,' she thought. 'I can't change the way he feels, just as he can't change the way I feel. He can't, but I can. Oh please let it be possible for me to love someone else...'
Her thoughts were suddenly broken by Ken's voice. "Lita! Lita are you all right?" He shouted, running to her side.
"I'm fine." Lita answered softly, casting her eyes to the ground.
"Lita..." Ken whispered, lifting her head up so she could look into his eyes. "I'm flattered by what you told me, but it can't change the way I feel about this person. There's a part of my life Lita that you couldn't possibly understand. It's the only part that I can't share with you. This girl, is part of that life... You are my best friend, and everything you said back there didn't change what we have now for me... I can only hope it didn't for you either." Ken said, looking at her.
Lita smiled a little and nodded. "Of course not. You're still my best friend." Lita said quietly.
Ken beamed at her and held out his hand. Lita took it and allowed him to help her up. She kept her eyes down, still embarrassed because he didn't love her, but it felt a little easier to be with him now. Her confession had taken a lot of pressure from her shoulders. Ken took her hand and started leading her home when a wicked laugh interrupted their tender moment. Ken and Lita looked up to find a beautiful woman hanging in the air above them. She had black hair and burning purple eyes.
"So Sailor Jupiter. We meet at last." Kitara laughed, gazing down at the girl below her.
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"So girl, we should probably get this over with. Get ready to fight," Kitara said, coming down to the ground.
Lita glared at the woman, then glanced back worriedly at Ken. She had to get him out of here, or he would get hurt.
"Ken, get out of here." She said turning to him.
"What?" Ken asked, taken a bit by surprise. Why was Lita ordering him to leave? This woman was obviously from the Negaverse and he was about to make her leave... and what did this woman just call her?
"No Lita, you leave. I'm staying." He said finally.
"Ken, I'm serious, this is no joke. Get out of here now. You have no idea what you're dealing with. Now go!" Lita screamed, pushing him back.
"No! You tell me what's going on! Right now Lita! What are you doing with the Negaverse? What are you hiding? You shouldn't hide stuff from me!" Ken shouted right back.
"Ken, you are the last person to tell me what I should and shouldn't hide! Now get out of here! I don't know how you found out about the Negaverse, but if you're going to hide stuff from me, I should be able to hide stuff from you!" Lita said angrily. She shoved him again. "Now get out of here before you get hurt."
Ken glared at her angrily and shook his head. Kitara watched them with a mixture of amusement and awe. She had never seen anybody show such emotion before. She watched as Sailor Jupiter/ Lita shoved the boy again. Finally Lita gave up.
"Have it your way Ken." Lita said softly and before Ken could react she hit him in the jaw.
Ken felt his teeth click together hard and felt the explosion of pain before he fell to his knees, semi-conscious. He heard Lita apologize to him, saying something about secrets, through his fuzziness. He shook his head, trying to clear it and felt the pain shoot through it again. He heard Lita above him, addressing the woman from the Negaverse.
"Okay Nega-creep. I don't know who you are or what you want, but believe me you won't leave here today without a fight. I'm sick of dealing with you! Now who are you and what do you want?" Lita shouted angrily.
Ken opened his eyes for a moment and they slowly focused. He tried to lift his head but it swam and he nearly fainted. Lita had really clocked him good. He heard the woman laugh over his ringing ears.
"I am Kitara, the leader of Queen Malice's army. What I want is simple... I want the energy of you and your friends, so be prepared to give it to me!" Kitara snarled.
Kitara lifted her hand quickly and released a dark energy blast straight at Lita. Lita was caught off guard and was hit by it. She skidded backwards till she was almost to Ken's side. Ken grimaced and tried to get up, but fell back.
'Damn it Lita!' He thought angrily. 'Why did you have to hit me? Now I can't help you!' He turned towards Lita who was looking at him nervously. She knew he was still awake. 'Oh please don't let her hit me again!' His mind pleaded. Then he wondered what in the world could she be hiding that's so important?
Lita stared at Ken. He was awake. She hadn't hit him hard enough. It didn't matter, she couldn't fight Kitara as herself, she knew she had to transform. She had to reveal the secret to Ken she had kept for so long. She nodded to herself and rose to her feet, clutching her wand in her fist.
"JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER!" She screamed suddenly. She heard the gasp from Ken's mouth even as the crackling electricity swept through her. She arose out of her transformation the champion warrior, Sailor Jupiter.
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Ken gaped at Lita! She was Sailor Jupiter? It was impossible! How could she be Sailor Jupiter? She was his best friend and she had kept this from him? Then it hit him like a tidal wave of freezing water. 'Of course!' His mind screamed. 'Why didn't I see it before? The blinking watch at our first encounter, the striking resemblance between the two, and her wounds! How could I have been so stupid? She was right there in front of me the whole time! I chose not to see it, to ignore the obvious.'
He grimaced as Lita was hit again by Kitara and suddenly felt a jolt of pain go through him. Lita was on the ground, clutching her side, at the exact place where his own ached! He was feeling her pain! He had to help her soon for she was weakening quickly. He tried to get to his feet and managed, even though it made his head throb. He screamed Lita's name and staggered towards her. Lita turned.
"Ken! Stay back! I mean it!" Lita screamed, waving him away. Pain was etched on her face. She should've called the scouts.
"No Lita! You don't understand. I can help you!" Ken said. Lita gasped as he pulled out a large green stone.
"No." She whispered. "It can't be..."
Ken raised his arms above his head and screamed...
"JUPITER POWER!"
Lita gazed at him in amazement. She watched as the stone rose in the air above him and shot out a transparent green light. It enveloped him in a green prism, with crackling electricity inside. The electric currents swirled around him as his regular clothes were replaced with a shiny suit of armor. The prism suddenly shattered with the explosion of the electricity inside, letting loose a deafening clap of thunder. Lita wanted to hug him, to hold him to her, but she was suddenly pulled into a black force field.
She screamed as the dark energy hit her, but was silenced as Kitara formed a black crystal, trapping her inside. Kitara laughed at Jupiter Knight's useless efforts to break the barrier surrounding herself and Sailor Jupiter. She turned back to Sailor Jupiter and held up the bottle. She loosened the cork and placed the tube against the surface of the black crystal. Sailor Jupiter opened her eyes and began to scream as her pure energy was sucked from her body. She gaped at Kitara with horror-stricken eyes that slowly began to droop as her energy poured out of her. Kitara laughed wickedly as the bottle filled to the brim with a bright green liquid that bubbled with the thunderous energy of her planet. She quickly placed the cork over the bottle and released the girl.
Sailor Jupiter tumbled to the ground in a heap as Kitara rose into the air and disappeared with her precious life energy. Ken ran to her side, kicking himself for not getting to her sooner. He pulled her into his arms and felt for a pulse. It was there, very faint and weak. He clutched Lita to him.
"Oh please. Please Lita, hold on. Hold on! You can't leave me now!" He cried, rocking her back and forth.
As he began to cry, a rain began to fall softly from the storm clouds above him. He looked up at the rain and let the water mix with his salty tears before placing his head back against Lita's body. He held her close, praying for her safety.
"Oh Lita you can't go now. I love you Lita. Stay with me... stay with me forever." He whispered.
And that was how the scouts found him. Holding their limp friend in his arms and whispering his sweet love for her through the pouring rain. They tried to pull Lita from him but he refused to let her go.
"Jupiter Knight! We have to help Sailor Jupiter. She has had her energy drained and the best thing for her now would be rest." Sailor Moon said, touching his arm softly.
"All right, but I'm going with you. I have to talk to her... And to you." He complied, and lifted himself off the ground, with her still in his arms. "Where will we go?"
"To my place." Sailor Mars said, and stepped forward. "Although as soon as you get there you will know who I am. We have to know your identity first, before you know ours."
Jupiter Knight nodded and closed his eyes. The scouts gasped as the suit of armor faded away and revealed Ken. Ken was Jupiter Knight!
"O-Okay. You are welcome to come to my house. It's me Ken, Raye." Sailor Mars said softly.
Ken did a double take. Of course! Now it made sense! All of Lita's friends were the Sailor Scouts and the Planetary Knights! He would've slapped his head if Lita hadn't been in his arms. He nodded dumbly and motioned them to lead the way to Cherry Hill Temple.
Ken stared in wonder as Sailor Moon transformed the evil woman, Twister, into human form. He had been watching the battle from afar and was eagerly wishing to join in. He would have, if it hadn't been for the girl... The girl...
His gaze shifted back to the tall form beneath him. Her face was pale and etched with pain. Her fists were clenched in her sleep and her breathing was labored. He worked quickly, tearing pieces of his shirt away to bind her wounds. He wasn't worried about his clothes now. He knew when his next transformation occurred his uniform would be whole again. The girl suddenly cried out in pain as he touched her side. He bent down for a closer look and found she had been cut there by one of the demon's claws. The wound wasn't very deep and not bleeding hard, but the place around it was turning an awful purple color, as if it was bleeding from within. She needed help, and badly. He took her hand and for a moment she relaxed. Her eyes suddenly opened and he gasped!
'She really does look like Lita!' He thought, gazing into her eyes. 'Those eyes, they look just like hers...' He smiled at her and reached down to pull her close. He suddenly stopped. What was he doing? He loved Lita, not Sailor Jupiter! Why did he have this amazing attraction to a girl he didn't even know? She was lovely, but so was Lita... It was as if in one night this girl had become more important to him than his best friend...
'But you and Lita are not meant to be...' he thought sadly. 'Best friends can't be lovers. Maybe it is time to let go of my infatuation with Lita and embrace this new one. This just feels so right, like holding this girl in my arms is my destiny.' He felt a new resolve and pain in these thoughts. He'd have to let go of Lita now, for they were never meant to be. He would have to follow his destiny in this new girl, Sailor Jupiter, though she may not know her fate as he did.
"Who are you? I mean, who are you really?" Sailor Jupiter whispered.
"I am Jupiter Knight my lady, and that is all I can tell you now. But I will leave you with this- a small token of the love I have come to feel for you." He murmured softly.
He suddenly leaned down and placed his lips on hers softly. She gasped and closed her eyes, responding to his kiss immediately. Visions of the past swept through her, followed by memories of Ken. Last of all were thoughts of this new love that felt so right, but somehow hurt so badly. She opened her eyes to see her own pain reflected in the man's dark eyes. She inhaled deeply and smiled at him, before collapsing into his arms.
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Sailor Venus picked herself up from the wreckage of the car slowly. She groaned as the pain returned. Even the smallest movements hurt terribly. Her body was bruised badly, but she would live. Sailor Venus suddenly hitched in a breath as she caught a glimpse of her wonderful knight, who was crouched next to the tree he had been thrown into. He was holding a piece of his shirt to his bleeding head.
"Anthony! Are you all right?" Mina cried, racing to his side, ignoring the protests of her aching body.
"I'm fine Sailor Venus. It hurts, but I'll heal. I don't feel groggy, so I don't think I have a concussion." Anthony said, attempting a smile. Mina gazed at him worriedly. Jupiter Knight interrupted them, holding the now limp Sailor Jupiter in his arms.
"Hey you guys? I need a little help over here." He called, nodding to the unconscious girl.
Sailor Venus jumped to her feet immediately and ran to Sailor Jupiter's side, grimacing at her wounds.
"Oh Sailor Jupiter... God what have they done to you?" She whispered softly, tears forming in her eyes. She took Lita from the knight's arms, though he gave her up reluctantly.
"Take care of her." He said to Sailor Venus, who nodded at him dumbly. "I'll see you again." He whispered to Sailor Jupiter, caressing her cheek softly.
Sailor Venus watched the young man run away, nimble as a deer, and gasped as he suddenly disappeared in a flash of green light. She looked again at Lita, who lay limply in her arms, agony apparent in her face. She shook Lita gently. She didn't know how hurt Lita was, and it probably wasn't a good idea to let her sleep. Lita opened her eyes and smiled as Mina came into focus.
"Wow Mina!" She croaked. "You look almost as awful as I feel." She said laughing. Her laughter suddenly caught in her throat and turned to coughs. Lita tried to laugh again but burst into tears instead.
"Oh Lita! It'll be all right. We'll get you some help. You'll be just fine, okay? You just rest now- but don't go to sleep, you have to stay conscious for me." Mina cried, looking around.
Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune were picking themselves off of the ground, brushing off their scout uniforms. Mercury Knight was helping Sailor Mercury to her feet while Sailor Mars and Mars Knight were helping Venus Knight to his own. Sailor Moon was still hovered over Twister, who was still groggy because of her transformation. Twister's outfit had changed, Mina noticed, although at the moment she didn't know the reason why Serena was helping her. Twister now bore a resemblance to the four sisters of Nemesis and Mina guessed Sailor Moon had transformed her. However, they weren't important now. Lita needed help the most. It had been a while since a scout had gotten this beat up.
"Hey guys! Lita needs help! Someone give me a hand!" Mina called. Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune came to her side immediately.
"Oh God, Lita... Oh she looks awful." Uranus said, taking the girl into her arms, holding her gently.
"I'll call an ambulance." Neptune spoke up, racing for a pay phone.
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Ken helped Lita out of the hospital, holding tightly onto her arm and hailing a cab at the same time. They didn't speak- both wrapped up in their own thoughts, neither knowing how to feel. Lita stared at Ken, who gazed out the window of the cab. 'He's so handsome,' she thought. 'I love him so much, why doesn't he love me back?'
She turned away from him, and looked out her own window. It had taken a lot of lying to convince Ken how she had achieved her injuries. She had ended up him that the people had trampled her and monsters had later attacked her inside the mansion. He had believed the lie easily and she couldn't help but feel guilty about how she had to hide a part of her life from him. Being a scout was the only secret she had ever kept from him.
She shuddered as she remembered the events of the ball. She didn't like to think of that night, of all that pain- but there was one memory she was quite fond of.
She touched her lips softly. Had she imagined it? Had Jupiter Knight kissed her? Yes, she was sure he had. Those lips were unforgettable and had been filled with a passion she could only recognize as love. It hurt to think of him, to think of the love she felt for him. Now she felt as if she was betraying someone. Someone who was very close to her and she wished was ever closer. She didn't want to betray Ken, not when she may still have a chance.
'That's it,' she thought finally. 'I must confess my love for Ken. If I do and he refuses my love, then I know I'll be ready for Jupiter Knight. I just have to give Ken and I a chance. After all, I fell in love with him first. I couldn't live with myself if I let go of my feelings for him so easily.' She bit her lip, frowning. 'But what if he doesn't love me back?' Her mind asked sadly. She shook her head. 'If he doesn't love me, I'll be hurt- but the boundaries between us will be set. I will know my love for Jupiter Knight is meant to be.' She nodded softly to these revelations. It was going to be difficult to tell him, but she had found resolve in her decision.
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Ken gazed out the window, wishing he could change his feelings about Sailor Jupiter, but knowing he couldn't. Kissing her had just felt so right. He glanced at Lita, who sat staring out the window, the sunlight accenting her lovely auburn hair. Why did she have to be so beautiful? Who would've thought that time could change her so much? She was seventeen now, like him, and she only became more beautiful every day. 'I love her so much...' he thought sadly. 'But she is my best friend, and best friends can't be lovers.'
'I must let go of my love for Lita. It can never work out, and this Sailor Jupiter haunts me. There was something about her, some kind of powerful connection between us. I wonder who she is?' He asked himself, frowning softly. 'It doesn't matter who she is,' he decided. 'All I know is I must find her and tell her I love her, no matter what the cost. I have a feeling I can trust the Sailor Scouts now, and I've been drawn towards the knights since the beginning. It will be nice not to keep a secret as big as this anymore.'
The car suddenly stopped and he turned to get out when Lita suddenly stopped him.
"No Ken. I want to talk to you, somewhere private, but open. I feel well enough to walk and I've been dying for some fresh air." Lita said, and before Ken could protest, she turned to the driver. "Driver, take us to the park, please."
"But Lita..." Ken started.
"Stop Ken," Lita said softly, putting a finger to his lips. "This is important."
He nodded silently and buckled himself back in. The driver turned for a moment, then shrugged, and pulled away from the curb towards the park.
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The Negaverse-
Kitara screamed into the glass orb as she watched the battle of the Sailor Soldiers and Twister again. She gave a disgusted cry and almost threw it to the ground as she watched Twister give up her powers to Sailor Moon and become human. She was stopped as a voice spoke to her. She turned the ball over in her hand to reveal Queen Malice in the orb's glass.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A wickedly soft voice murmured.
"Queen Malice! I'm sorry I lost control. Those wretched Sailor Scouts are beginning to become a problem!" Kitara said through gritted teeth.
"Patience Kitara, patience. I have good news. I have found a way to set me free." The Queen said. Kitara could hear a smile in her voice.
"You have? Oh Majesty what is it? How can I help?" Kitara asked eagerly. If she assisted Queen Malice now, she would receive a power-up and she could destroy the scouts herself.
"There was an energy collected in your last battle, a very powerful energy. Leveler held it for a moment and gave me the chance to test its power. It is the energy of the powerful soldier Sailor Jupiter. It was then I realized the Scouts' own energy could release me. I have a new mission for you Kitara. Are you willing to take it?" Queen Malice asked.
"Of course Majesty. What do you wish me to do?" Kitara asked.
"I wish you to collect a sufficient amount of energy from all of the Sailor Soldiers, I doubt I will need their knights. You will not destroy them, however. That pleasure will be mine. Do you understand your mission?" Queen Malice demanded.
"Yes Majesty, but how will I know the identities of the Scouts?" Kitara wondered.
"Ah, you can thank Twister for that. It is a shame we lost her, but she served her purpose. She has found the identities of the Sailor Scouts and their Knights- with the exception of Jupiter Knight. He seems to be hiding, but he won't stay hidden for long." Queen Malice sneered.
"Wonderful! Where do I start?" Kitara asked eagerly, this was the first battle she was allowed to participate in for weeks.
"Unfortunately we only received a taste of Sailor Jupiter's energy. She is your first target." Queen Malice stated.
"Who is she?" Kitara asked.
The picture in the crystal ball suddenly shifted, showing a tall brunette in a brown school uniform. The name Lita Kino was printed at the bottom.
"So that is Sailor Jupiter." Kitara sneered. "Doesn't look that powerful to me." The picture shifted again and revealed Queen Malice once more. Kitara had one more question. "Queen Malice, how much energy must I take from these scouts?"
Suddenly a small crystal tube appeared before her. It was topped with a cork and looked sort of ridiculous for an item that was to contain pure life energy. Kitara suppressed a giggle.
"You will take just enough to fill this container. Do not spill the energy once it is captured, or you will have to wait a few hours for the scout to recover. Taking too much at a time can be fatal, and I want to fight them myself." Queen Malice warned.
"Yes my queen. Thank you. I will fulfill my first mission now." She said, bowing low and transporting to the planet Earth, to attack the first target, Sailor Jupiter.
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Lita and Ken strolled through the park, both lost in their own thoughts. Lita suddenly turned into the playground and stopped under the gazebo. She gazed out at the picturesque scene, and after a moment of silence, she spoke.
"Ken, do you remember this place?" She asked softly.
Ken looked at her nervously and nodded. "Of course I do. This is where you and Freddie broke up. Why?" He asked, looking at her hard, wishing she could turn around so he could see her face. Lita ignored the question and went on.
"We were always together weren't we Ken? Two peas in a pod- that was us. I used to wonder what kept us apart romantically, but by then it hadn't mattered. We were perfect friends, knew everything about each other, and we were always there for one another." Lita said, feeling a lump begin to form in her throat. Ken stared at her.
"You were always there for me Ken, no matter what time it was, or how busy you were. The day Freddie dumped me was one of the worst days of my life. I had never felt so used or so rejected, I had never felt so ugly before." Lita said, sobbing a little. She turned around and Ken could see the tears brimming in her eyes.
"Lita... Why am I really here?" Ken asked, but almost afraid to know. Lita smiled weakly.
"Don't you see? You were my rescuer Ken. You were my guardian... the one who was always there for me when I needed you. That day my feelings changed for you, Ken. You suddenly became more special to me than anyone else in the world. When you moved away it broke my heart. I pushed those feelings away for a while, and when you came back, they returned with you." Lita said, the tears threatening to fall.
"Lita... Please... Don't..." Ken murmured, wanting to run, not wanting to hear the rest, he couldn't hurt her now. But Lita ignored his soft pleas.
"So don't you see Ken? I love you. I've loved you for three years now and I'll love you more everyday. You are so special to me, but I was afraid if I didn't tell you soon, it would be too late. Ken, is it too late?" Lita whispered.
Ken gaped at her. She loved him... SHE LOVED HIM! Why hadn't she told him before? Why did she have to tell him now? They weren't supposed to be together. He was meant for someone else, someone who had a past as mysterious as his own. And before he knew it, he was uttering the words he'd never in his wildest dreams thought he'd say.
"Lita, I can't love you. I love someone else. This person has become very special to me as of late, and I can't forget about her. You are my best friend and I would prefer us to remain that way." He said softly turning away. He heard Lita groan softly behind him. He turned around again and felt pain tear through his heart.
Lita was smiling at him still, as if she couldn't believe his words, but somehow expected it. Her eyes suddenly cleared and her smile faded. Pain filled them and the tears that had threatened suddenly cascaded down her cheeks like twin waterfalls. She nodded weakly at Ken and spoke again.
"O-Okay..." She stuttered, sobs choking her voice. "I can do that... I'm not hurt, really." Her voice broke suddenly and the sobs escaped. "I-I gotta go. I'll see you later." She managed, and turned away, running from his pity-filled eyes.
Ken watched her go, feeling a part of himself go with her. He clenched his fist to his chest and felt the tears rise for the friend he had loved more than he should. 'And she returned my love!' His mind screamed. 'How could she? Right when I thought I had my mind made up she forced me to doubt it!' His anger dissipated quickly. 'Oh Lita, I never meant to hurt you... If only you could've told me sooner, I do love you.'
He looked towards the direction where she had fled from him. 'You idiot,' he chided himself, 'you just hurt her more than Freddie ever could, and you don't even try to comfort her! Go after her and be her best friend!' He nodded to himself and began to run, ready to be the friend she could always trust.
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Lita ran and ran, and didn't stop even when her legs grew weak beneath her and her lungs gasped for air. Her tears blinded her way and her hair had become loose in her flight. She wrenched the ponytail free and let her auburn hair fly. She suddenly stumbled over a crack and fell to the ground. She cried out as the wound in her side from the battle jolted with pain. She lifted herself into a sitting position and wept into her hands.
'I was so stupid! What ever gave me the idea that Ken could love me? Why do I always just end up hurting myself?' Lita thought angrily. 'How could he love someone else? Why didn't he tell me? He tells me everything and he left out the most important information he ever could!' Her anger for Ken stopped as the tears came again, along with the familiar feeling of rejection. 'It doesn't matter,' she thought. 'I can't change the way he feels, just as he can't change the way I feel. He can't, but I can. Oh please let it be possible for me to love someone else...'
Her thoughts were suddenly broken by Ken's voice. "Lita! Lita are you all right?" He shouted, running to her side.
"I'm fine." Lita answered softly, casting her eyes to the ground.
"Lita..." Ken whispered, lifting her head up so she could look into his eyes. "I'm flattered by what you told me, but it can't change the way I feel about this person. There's a part of my life Lita that you couldn't possibly understand. It's the only part that I can't share with you. This girl, is part of that life... You are my best friend, and everything you said back there didn't change what we have now for me... I can only hope it didn't for you either." Ken said, looking at her.
Lita smiled a little and nodded. "Of course not. You're still my best friend." Lita said quietly.
Ken beamed at her and held out his hand. Lita took it and allowed him to help her up. She kept her eyes down, still embarrassed because he didn't love her, but it felt a little easier to be with him now. Her confession had taken a lot of pressure from her shoulders. Ken took her hand and started leading her home when a wicked laugh interrupted their tender moment. Ken and Lita looked up to find a beautiful woman hanging in the air above them. She had black hair and burning purple eyes.
"So Sailor Jupiter. We meet at last." Kitara laughed, gazing down at the girl below her.
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"So girl, we should probably get this over with. Get ready to fight," Kitara said, coming down to the ground.
Lita glared at the woman, then glanced back worriedly at Ken. She had to get him out of here, or he would get hurt.
"Ken, get out of here." She said turning to him.
"What?" Ken asked, taken a bit by surprise. Why was Lita ordering him to leave? This woman was obviously from the Negaverse and he was about to make her leave... and what did this woman just call her?
"No Lita, you leave. I'm staying." He said finally.
"Ken, I'm serious, this is no joke. Get out of here now. You have no idea what you're dealing with. Now go!" Lita screamed, pushing him back.
"No! You tell me what's going on! Right now Lita! What are you doing with the Negaverse? What are you hiding? You shouldn't hide stuff from me!" Ken shouted right back.
"Ken, you are the last person to tell me what I should and shouldn't hide! Now get out of here! I don't know how you found out about the Negaverse, but if you're going to hide stuff from me, I should be able to hide stuff from you!" Lita said angrily. She shoved him again. "Now get out of here before you get hurt."
Ken glared at her angrily and shook his head. Kitara watched them with a mixture of amusement and awe. She had never seen anybody show such emotion before. She watched as Sailor Jupiter/ Lita shoved the boy again. Finally Lita gave up.
"Have it your way Ken." Lita said softly and before Ken could react she hit him in the jaw.
Ken felt his teeth click together hard and felt the explosion of pain before he fell to his knees, semi-conscious. He heard Lita apologize to him, saying something about secrets, through his fuzziness. He shook his head, trying to clear it and felt the pain shoot through it again. He heard Lita above him, addressing the woman from the Negaverse.
"Okay Nega-creep. I don't know who you are or what you want, but believe me you won't leave here today without a fight. I'm sick of dealing with you! Now who are you and what do you want?" Lita shouted angrily.
Ken opened his eyes for a moment and they slowly focused. He tried to lift his head but it swam and he nearly fainted. Lita had really clocked him good. He heard the woman laugh over his ringing ears.
"I am Kitara, the leader of Queen Malice's army. What I want is simple... I want the energy of you and your friends, so be prepared to give it to me!" Kitara snarled.
Kitara lifted her hand quickly and released a dark energy blast straight at Lita. Lita was caught off guard and was hit by it. She skidded backwards till she was almost to Ken's side. Ken grimaced and tried to get up, but fell back.
'Damn it Lita!' He thought angrily. 'Why did you have to hit me? Now I can't help you!' He turned towards Lita who was looking at him nervously. She knew he was still awake. 'Oh please don't let her hit me again!' His mind pleaded. Then he wondered what in the world could she be hiding that's so important?
Lita stared at Ken. He was awake. She hadn't hit him hard enough. It didn't matter, she couldn't fight Kitara as herself, she knew she had to transform. She had to reveal the secret to Ken she had kept for so long. She nodded to herself and rose to her feet, clutching her wand in her fist.
"JUPITER CRYSTAL POWER!" She screamed suddenly. She heard the gasp from Ken's mouth even as the crackling electricity swept through her. She arose out of her transformation the champion warrior, Sailor Jupiter.
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Ken gaped at Lita! She was Sailor Jupiter? It was impossible! How could she be Sailor Jupiter? She was his best friend and she had kept this from him? Then it hit him like a tidal wave of freezing water. 'Of course!' His mind screamed. 'Why didn't I see it before? The blinking watch at our first encounter, the striking resemblance between the two, and her wounds! How could I have been so stupid? She was right there in front of me the whole time! I chose not to see it, to ignore the obvious.'
He grimaced as Lita was hit again by Kitara and suddenly felt a jolt of pain go through him. Lita was on the ground, clutching her side, at the exact place where his own ached! He was feeling her pain! He had to help her soon for she was weakening quickly. He tried to get to his feet and managed, even though it made his head throb. He screamed Lita's name and staggered towards her. Lita turned.
"Ken! Stay back! I mean it!" Lita screamed, waving him away. Pain was etched on her face. She should've called the scouts.
"No Lita! You don't understand. I can help you!" Ken said. Lita gasped as he pulled out a large green stone.
"No." She whispered. "It can't be..."
Ken raised his arms above his head and screamed...
"JUPITER POWER!"
Lita gazed at him in amazement. She watched as the stone rose in the air above him and shot out a transparent green light. It enveloped him in a green prism, with crackling electricity inside. The electric currents swirled around him as his regular clothes were replaced with a shiny suit of armor. The prism suddenly shattered with the explosion of the electricity inside, letting loose a deafening clap of thunder. Lita wanted to hug him, to hold him to her, but she was suddenly pulled into a black force field.
She screamed as the dark energy hit her, but was silenced as Kitara formed a black crystal, trapping her inside. Kitara laughed at Jupiter Knight's useless efforts to break the barrier surrounding herself and Sailor Jupiter. She turned back to Sailor Jupiter and held up the bottle. She loosened the cork and placed the tube against the surface of the black crystal. Sailor Jupiter opened her eyes and began to scream as her pure energy was sucked from her body. She gaped at Kitara with horror-stricken eyes that slowly began to droop as her energy poured out of her. Kitara laughed wickedly as the bottle filled to the brim with a bright green liquid that bubbled with the thunderous energy of her planet. She quickly placed the cork over the bottle and released the girl.
Sailor Jupiter tumbled to the ground in a heap as Kitara rose into the air and disappeared with her precious life energy. Ken ran to her side, kicking himself for not getting to her sooner. He pulled her into his arms and felt for a pulse. It was there, very faint and weak. He clutched Lita to him.
"Oh please. Please Lita, hold on. Hold on! You can't leave me now!" He cried, rocking her back and forth.
As he began to cry, a rain began to fall softly from the storm clouds above him. He looked up at the rain and let the water mix with his salty tears before placing his head back against Lita's body. He held her close, praying for her safety.
"Oh Lita you can't go now. I love you Lita. Stay with me... stay with me forever." He whispered.
And that was how the scouts found him. Holding their limp friend in his arms and whispering his sweet love for her through the pouring rain. They tried to pull Lita from him but he refused to let her go.
"Jupiter Knight! We have to help Sailor Jupiter. She has had her energy drained and the best thing for her now would be rest." Sailor Moon said, touching his arm softly.
"All right, but I'm going with you. I have to talk to her... And to you." He complied, and lifted himself off the ground, with her still in his arms. "Where will we go?"
"To my place." Sailor Mars said, and stepped forward. "Although as soon as you get there you will know who I am. We have to know your identity first, before you know ours."
Jupiter Knight nodded and closed his eyes. The scouts gasped as the suit of armor faded away and revealed Ken. Ken was Jupiter Knight!
"O-Okay. You are welcome to come to my house. It's me Ken, Raye." Sailor Mars said softly.
Ken did a double take. Of course! Now it made sense! All of Lita's friends were the Sailor Scouts and the Planetary Knights! He would've slapped his head if Lita hadn't been in his arms. He nodded dumbly and motioned them to lead the way to Cherry Hill Temple.