A/N: I don't own it, so don't sue:)

A Kingdom Shattered
Chapter Six

Everyone retired to his or her quarters to get ready for the ball that evening. Lita decided to try to take a nap before getting ready, but couldn't fall asleep. Her mind had too many questions. She walked over to the window that looked out on the courtyard. So much had changed in the past few days.

Lita noticed Nephlyte walking toward the castle. As if sensing her, he looked up and smiled. Lita's good spirits returned. Maybe drastic change wasn't such a bad thing.

Lita stepped into the bath, quickly immersing herself in the lavender bubbles. She felt completely relaxed. Bubble baths had always been able to ease her tension. She efficiently washed her hair, and then rinsed it and her body. She adorned her robe, and walked into her room.

Time to get ready. She was going to knock Nephlyte's socks off tonight.

She put on the dress, a beautiful silk concoction that was the emerald in color. It was floor length, with a scooping neckline and open back. It showed off her tiny waist and long legs.

Next, hair, she thought to herself. She finished towel-drying it, and then combed the long brown locks. Deciding that she would look more sophisticated with it up, she wrapped it around her crown, creating a startling effect. She did indeed look older.

Lita was looking at her efforts in the mirror when Mina knocked on the door. "Enter," she called out.

"Wow, Lita. You look gorgeous."

"So do you." Mina was covered in orange chiffon, really showing off her figure. "What can I do for you?"

"I came to help you out, actually. I had a feeling you'd forget your make-up."

"Well, I didn't exactly forget it. All I have is this lip stick…"

Mina grinned. "That's why I'm here." Mina sat Lita down. She quickly applied eyeliner, eye shadow, mascara, blush, powder, and lipstick. Lita looked at herself in the mirror and hardly recognized herself. Mina stepped back to survey her work, the grinned. "There, you look gorgeous." Lita felt gorgeous.

"Okay, I've got to finish getting myself ready. I'll see 'ya downstairs. Oh, don't forget your mask. They don't call it a masquerade for nothing!" she said as she left. Lita's heart fell. She had forgotten about that. What if Nephlyte didn't recognize her?

Deciding that she wasn't even going to consider that option, she finished getting ready. She placed her feet in the dress's matching pumps, put on her pearl necklace and rose earrings, and gathered up her purse. She looked at herself once again in the mirror. The earrings, a gift from her father, were the perfect fit. Pink rose petals, elegantly crafted to hold a pearl. Yes, she looked sophisticated.

The give girls all met in the hallway. They all grinned at each other's nervousness. "Wow, I really feel like a giddy teenager," Mina commented. That broke the ice, just what all of them needed.

"Okay, now for the big question. Do we go down one at a time or as a big group?" Ami asked.

"I say we all go down together. Show off to the men in all of our glory!" Raye said with a grin. So the girls started making their way to the ballroom, ascending the long and elegant staircase.

"Now if only klutzoid here can avoid falling down the stairs," Raye commented.

"Hey, Raye! That's not fair!" Serena practically shrieked.

"Well, it's something you would do!" Raye argued.

The two continued to squabble as they made their way to the ballroom. The gentlemen all stood at the bottom of the stairs, awaiting their arrival. Each smiled as they saw the group coming. A more beautiful group of women, you'd never see.

Nephlyte met Lita at the base of the stairs, quickly offering his arm. "Princess, may I have this dance?"

Lita curtsied and accepted his arm, following him on to the dance floor. The band played a slow waltz as the two danced around the room.

How dreamy is this? Lita thought to herself. I'm dancing with a gorgeous guy who likes me. What more could a girl ask for? Lita closed her eyes and followed Nephlyte's lead as he led her across the room.

Suddenly, there came a shake. It felt like an earthquake. Serenity calmed everyone down quickly while Darien went outside to investigate. The band started up again, and people's curiosity quickly dropped the incident. Everyone, that is, but the Scouts and the generals from Earth.

Darien walked back into the ballroom. Something's wrong, Darien thought to himself. He motioned to his generals. The soldiers made their excuses, then followed Darien back outside.

The girls all huddled together.

"What do you think is going on?" Serena asked worriedly.

"I don't know, but it isn't good," Ami said.

"I'm getting a really bad vibe," Raye said. "I know it…something evil is close by."

"Then we'd better be ready," Lita replied.

"Oh, why'd it have to be tonight?" Serena pouted.

The five men came back in. Nephlyte walked up to Lita. "Princess, we need to talk," he whispered into her ear. She could tell by the look on his face that whatever it is he wanted to talk about was very serious. She led him to the veranda where the two found a spot semi-excluded from everyone else.

"What's wrong?"

Nephlyte sighed. "Whatever it is that is taking over Earth is not contained. It's on its way here. It will be arriving shortly."

"Oh my God…"

"Princess, you have to protect Serena and the Silver Crystal."

"What about Queen Serenity?"

"You parents will help protect her. I have to say goodbye now. I must go."

"Nephlyte, please don't go. You'll get hurt!" Lita cried as she grabbed his arm.

"I won't, Princess." He lifted her chin up and have her a kiss. Lita poured everything she had into it, fearing that she's never see him again.

"Please don't go," she pleaded.

"I must," he stated again. He slowly released her. "I love you Lita. I will be back for you. I promise."

He slowly turned and walked away. Not now! Don't leave me now! Come back to me! she silently pleaded. Knowing that she was being selfish, that her job was just as dangerous, she held back her tears and watched him walk away. Come back to me in one piece!

The ground started shaking again, leaving Lita no more time to wrestle with her emotions. She quickly raced inside to find Serena and the other girls. She spotted Serena on the balcony, staring up at the stars.

"Serena," Mina said hesitantly. Serena slowly turned around, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Oh, Serena," Lita exclaimed as she hugged her friend. "It'll be okay. Now come on. We've got to get you out of here."

The girls made their way to the throne room.

"This is the safest place," Raye stated as they walked into the room. The ground shook again, this time the rumble didn't seem to stop. It was if the entire moon was falling apart. It suddenly turned very dark, as if a huge shadow had eclipsed the moon.

"Okay, it's show time," Raye shouted. The girls nodded.

"Mercury Star Power!"

"Mars Star Power!"

"Jupiter Star Power!"

Venus Star Power!"

"Moon Prism Power!"

The five scouts watched through the windows as the Moon Kingdom was slowly being destroyed.

I might actually finish this one soon! Yay! Only one more chapter to go:)