Chapter 2: Betrayal

Sakura awoke to the sound of her windows opening. She sat up quickly and slipped from the bed as a man came into the room. He was dressed in the black uniform of Beryl's men and stood a good eight inches taller than her five feet four inches. She quickly grabbed the crystal dagger she kept on her nightstand and crouched, ready to attack. "What are you doing here," She demanded, "How did you get passed the guards?"

The man looked up, startled, "I woke you...," he stated, sounding bewildered.

"Thank the stars I am a light sleeper." She knew that voice...

The man came closer "I came to warn you...your cousin is even now telling the Queen..."

"My cousin is telling the Queen what?" She asked, lowering her weapon. She remembered that voice now, "Solan? What is he telling the Queen?"

Solan stepped forward, a ball of white-gold flame forming in his hand "Beryl is attacking tonight." He lifted her chin, looking into her eyes "I was hoping she would wait a while longer..." He sighed and held out his hand "Give me the universe crystal and run far from here. I don't want you to end up hurt.

She stepped closer to him and looked him right in the eyes "You were telling the truth earlier?" He nodded, "And you are telling the truth now?" He nodded again. "I cannot give you the crystal."

He glared at her "You must...if you fight you'll die!"

She smiled at him "Then I die fighting for what my parents belie..."

A sudden explosion nearly knocked them both to their knees. She glared at him before turning to run out the door.

The ground rocked under her feet as another explosion shook the palace. She could see blasts from the other scouts. A passing guard nearly knocked her over, she grabbed his arm "Where is Princess Serenity?" She demanded.

The guard trembled in her grip "Don't you know m'lady?" She shook her head "She and your cousin, Prince Endymion of Earth, were the first to feel Beryl's wrath. Jealous she was. Tried to take Endymion from Serenity, but the Princess held tightly to him, jumped off the balcony to try to go with him. Beryl killed them both."

Sakura felt sick. She had met Beryl five years ago...

The ground bucked under her, the marble cracking. She felt arms around her waist holding her up. She turned to Solan, "I must go...even if I will die...I must avenge my family."

Solan kissed her softly. "Then know my love is with you and has been since that day five years ago when I first laid eyes upon you."

Sakura smiled sorrowfully before running out into the mayhem.

She stepped into the courtyard just as Jupiter fell. Lita, dear sweet Lita. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Lita was the only true friend she had ever had...and now...and now... "Beryl!" The cry was torn from her lungs.

The red-haired Queen turned to her "Ah, Ameriana's little brat." She sneered "I was wondering when we would meet again." She extended one clawed hand "Now give me the crystal!"

Sakura grasped the crystal tightly "Never!" She closed her eyes "You killed my family, my friends, my home, ruined my life..." She began to glow and her eyes snapped open, glaring violet lightening "Now you will pay!" She tore the chain from her neck and raised it above her head "Universe Crystal POWER!"

A bright silver-white light engulfed the courtyard, where the Princess once stood now stood a silver clad woman. She raised her staff high "Universe Star Shower!" Beams of light shot towards Beryl, destroying all in their path.

Sailor Universe ran to Jupiter, "Lita? Lita, Speak to me!" She cried.

Sailor Jupiter wearily opened her eyes "Y...you...shouldn't'...be...here..." she gasped. "It...It's all...useless."

Universe gripped her best friend's hand "I cannot just sit back and watch!" She stood as she heard Beryl's roar, her staff ready "Now, for the last of my power..."

Solan felt the energy gathering and knew the attack would kill the Queen as well as the warrior. He ran to intercept it.

Universe raised her staff and twirled it "Universe...Super...Nova!" The red blaze shot towards Beryl...but something got in the way...or rather someone.

"Solan!" She called as she fell, her fuku and the crystal slowly dissolving into her body "Why...?"