Chapter Nine

For great is truth and shall prevail.
-Thomas Brooks

Minako left the meeting in a very sour mood. Three hours of discussion and still no solution. Speculating about what the Enemy might do came to no good, especially when Kai was unable to offer any fresh insights. Instead of being comforted by the fact that they were trying, talking about Usagi made her miss her friend more. She missed Usagi's laughter and eternal optimism, her unfaltering faith in others, even when they gave her little reason. Kai's descriptions of her behavior with Boss did nothing to her calm her nerves, and made Mamoru paler than he had been in days.

And then there was Kai himself. Minako did believe he had the best intentions in coming to help them, and that he cared about Makoto as much as he claimed… so why did her stomach twist in knots when she thought of them together? When he and Makoto had returned holding hands, Minako had felt very odd. She, being the self-proclaimed goddess of love, should have been thrilled… but she wasn't. It was something about the way they smiled, the way he whispered in her ear, the way she looked happier than she had in weeks…

Not that Minako envied her friend's happiness! She just felt more alone than ever. She and Makoto had joked about being the sexiest singles in Tokyo, but somehow it wasn't funny now that she was the only one. Who would she laugh with now? Her other friends didn't care, Ami with her books and Rei with her ambitions. They prized love below these things.

But for Minako, it had always been number one, and when she saw Kai and Makoto together, she had felt it more strongly than before. This was something she should have. Maybe a small part of herself did resent her friend for finding love while she was still searching… but only a small part.

Minako was lost in these thoughts when the screams began. Blood rushed to her face. "Oh no you don't," she whispered, anger making her shake. "Don't you dare! Venus Crystal Power, make up!"

A golden wind rushed around her body as the transformation took place, and several seconds later Super Sailorvenus struck a pose and stepped away from the mist. She tilted her head and listened: the screams were coming from ahead, perhaps a block or two. Gritting her teeth, she ran. Didn't these creatures have anything better to do? Couldn't they take a break for one day, especially when it was one of Minako's Worst Days Ever?

The screams continued. Obviously not.

Venus rounded the last corner and glimpsed a girl - it was always a girl - struggling with the man with strawberry blond hair. Instinct told her to call for backup, but suddenly she didn't care. She was in the mood for a fight and wanted the man all to herself.

"Hey, wartface!" she called, knowing it was a childish insult, "didn't your mother teach you how to treat a lady?" The man whirled around and Venus felt her eyes widen. She hadn't noticed before, that night in the dark, but he was not at all a wartface. In fact, if he hadn't been attacking someone, her heart would have been racing.

So what? her mind chided. What Enemies have you met that weren't beautiful? How does the Devil steal so many souls without being handsome enough to charm his victims? Evil is often good-looking, so stop gawking and get him!

Venus lifted her chin confidently. "Look what I can do," she said casually. "Venus Love-Me Chain!" Her chain whipped out, but instead of hurtling it towards him, she let it swing around her head like a lasso. The man lifted his eyes and watched, hypnotized, and the girl started to edge away as his hands loosened around her throat.

"Go!" Venus yelled and the terrified girl took off without another suggestion. This broke the trance and the man started after her with a snarl, but Venus let the chain lose and it hit him in the back with a sizzle of electricity. His body shook with the power, but an instant later he turned and glowered at her, with a singed uniform as the only sign he had been hit.

"I remember you," he said simply. "You're the bitch who hit me in the park."

"You were a perfect target."

"Mmm. Super Sailorvenus, I presume." His voice all business, and his grey eyes gave her a thorough once over. "Love chain, was it? Simply adorable. I wish I was impressed."

"And you're Alexandrite. Ka…" She stopped abruptly. She had been about to say that Kai had described him, but remembered they were going to keep Kyanite's defection a secret. "I mean… drop dead," she finished lamely and he laughed, a sound that sent chills down her spine, of a curiously different nature than fear.

"Now that we're acquainted, we should get to know each other. Would you care to dance?"

"More than you know," she said through gritted teeth, and shot out a foot to kick him in the jaw, but he avoided her blow by leaping into the air and doing a flip over her head. Venus swung around with a gasp and saw him leaning against a candy store window, clapping sarcastically.

"Bravo," he said dryly. "I give that a 4 on a scale of 10. Now I am impressed."

"Yeah? Judge this! Crescent Beam!" Venus pointed and a beam of light shot from her hands. Alexandrite responded with a black lightning bolt of his own and the two attacks crashed together and dissolved.

"Stop doing that!" she growled.

"Well, it is my life on the line," he reminded her with narrowed eyes. "I intend to take every precaution possible."

She raised her eyebrows innocently. "Well, you're not doing so hot on the offensive." She tried Crescent Beam again, but he easily blocked it and flipped back over her head. Venus was getting annoyed. They should be fighting to the death, not chatting and exchanging half-hearted tricks. What was his problem? He actually looked like he was enjoying himself.

"This is a pleasure," he said and bowed. "I've always wanted to fight you."

Venus rolled her eyes. "So do it," she suggested, "unless you can't."

"Ladies first," he offered gallantly with a tilt of his head.

"Well, if you're that eager to die…" Venus backed up a few steps. "Venus Love and Beauty Shock!" She put her fingers to her lips and blew him a burning orange heart, but just at the moment it should have hit him, he caught it with a swift motion and threw it back at her.

Venus screamed as she was hit with the searing heat of her own attack. She was thrust through the air with sickening speed and hit the brick wall behind her with a thud. For a dizzying moment, the air was knocked out of her lungs. She felt herself slipping but forced herself to stand when she saw Alexandrite's smirk. Her skin tingled and burned like she'd been standing too close to a fire, and she wanted nothing more than to collapse, but refused to show him weakness.

"That was refreshing, wasn't it?" he asked, and lifted a blackened strand of hair from her shoulder, letting it fall to the ground. With her last effort, Venus spit at him.

Alexandrite's face twisted in disgust, and when his eyes lifted next, they were burning like coals in Hell. "Not very smart, my beauty, no," he said in a maddening calm. "You have guts. I respect that. So I'm going to make this really easy and kill you quickly." In response, Venus kicked him in the kneecaps. Alexandrite yelped and glared at her, hopping and swearing.

"Bitch!" he roared and raised an arm to strike her. Venus turned her head and squeezed her eyes shut to prepare for the blow… but it never came.

It's a trick, she thought, panic building inside. He's setting up for something worse. But when she opened one eye cautiously, she saw his arm still positioned in the air. Only his expression was different. He wasn't smiling; he wasn't angry. He simply looked at her, frozen in an almost comical way. Bewildered, Venus found herself gazing back, none of the hatred she had felt minutes before shining in her eyes.

He really is handsome, she thought and her heart pounded like a drum. And he's trying to kill you, another voice shot coolly, but somehow that didn't seem so bad. One of them was going to die, and it seemed a shame to waste his beauty. Alexandrite was apparently having similar thoughts, for he was breathing heavily as if he'd just run a marathon… funny, because she could hardly breathe at all.

He tried to smirk and failed. "What is this spell you hold over me, little Aphrodite?" he asked softly, and she blinked, not knowing what to say. He shook his head and just when she thought he had decided to kill her, he took a step back.

"Leave," he ordered quietly and when she didn't move, yelled, "Go now!"

Venus shifted slightly on the wall, but stayed where she was. Seeing her resolve, he turned away.

"Fine, I'll leave. And you had better thank me, little girl, because next time I may not be in such a good mood." He waved his hand and a black vortex appeared behind him.

"Wait, Alexei!" Venus cried, unaware that she had modified his name. He was startled, but recovered within seconds and smiled at her with something like pity.

"You'd stop playing the hero if you had any brains. Get out while you can," he advised, slowly backing towards the flashing vortex. "We will win, and there's no reason you have to die."

"Why do you care?" Venus demanded, and realized with a start that the moisture on her cheeks was not sweat, but tears. Alexandrite didn't answer, and shot her one last searching look before turning and leaping into the vortex. The air around him sizzled and danced before the portal closed, and the lonely warrior was left alone to cry in the street.

0 0 0

The next few days were filled with large-scale attacks on the public with Usagi attending each one. The senshi would have gladly killed the laughing Boss and his posse, but every time one of them aimed an attack, Usagi would shield the intended victim and the senshi were forced to call off their attacks before they hit her as well. Boss knew their weakness too well, for none of them were willing to hurt her, and they couldn't destroy the others without harming her as well. The media had begun speculating that the senshi had gone bad since they only stood by and watched as Boss took life force from civilian after civilian.

"I'm going crazy!" Minako yelled at one of their useless meetings. "This is insane… there is nothing we can do!"

"Yes, there is," Luna said and when the others turned to her with eager eyes, she ducked her head and added, "Of course it would involve hurting or even killing Usagi-chan. You must be prepared - you may have to do it."

"I thought it was Serena now," Mamoru said bitterly, and Nick, who hadn't left the apartment despite the loud and frequent hints from the senshi, gave him a sympathetic look.

"It's all your fault," Minako told Mamoru with contempt, feeling a need to take her frustration out on someone. "If it hadn't been for you and your little fling, she would never have turned to them in the first place!"

"Huh?" Mamoru looked genuinely confused and Minako gave him an oh-come-on look.

"We caught you. Don't deny it! You were with a girl and you kissed her! Well, it was her hand, but it was the way you did it. Usagi-chan saw, and that apparently sent her over the edge. Nice going, Don Juan."

"You mean…" Mamoru trailed off. "Akina? She thinks I'm having an affair with Kina-chan?"

"I don't know, how many dark-haired chicks have you been seeing? Mako-chan can vouch for me, right?" Minako stopped glaring at Mamoru and turned imploring eyes towards Makoto. Her gaze briefly landed on Kai's arm around her friend's shoulder.

Makoto looked embarrassed and glanced at Kai before turning to Mamoru. "We did see you that day," she admitted, "but, Minako-chan, he hasn't had a chance to explain."

"He doesn't need to explain! He's having an affair, and I know it!" Minako was annoyed by the way Kai and Makoto looked at each other. She was increasingly on edge that day and it didn't help that every time she blinked she saw Alexandrite's farewell look, watching her as he disappeared into the void.

"No, I'm not," Mamoru said firmly and she looked at him in surprise. He didn't seem angry about her accusation, but his eyes were begging her to understand. "I love Usako and would never hurt her like that. If I'd known she felt that way…" He broke off and shook his head.

Minako met his gaze for three seconds before turning away in shame. She didn't accuse him of lying, but she didn't apologize either. She glanced around the room in distraction and found Kai's violet eyes locked on her. She blushed under the intensity of his stare, and was relieved when he turned to smile at Makoto.

"I have to go," he announced and Minako saw her friend whiten and clutch his hand protectively.

"Why? Where?"

"I'm going to talk to Averill… and Alexandrite. I think I may be able to convince them to join us."

"Why Alexandrite?" Minako snapped and Kai looked at her again. Knowingly… but how could he? She flushed further and lowered her eyes.

"No." Makoto's voice was calm, but firm. "It's too dangerous. They must know by now that you've betrayed them, and if you return they'll kill you! I'm going with you."

"If you do, they will kill us both! Don't you see? If I go alone, I can play along, but if they see you, the game is over."

"No." Makoto kept shaking her head. "I won't let you."

"You won't let me?" Kai looked amused. "Sweet, I love you and would gladly do anything you ask, but this is bigger than us. I have to go. I'm doing it for you, for us."

"You think I'm going to care about that when you're dead?" she asked grumpily, but dropped his hands with a sigh. "Fine. Go. Do as you will. It doesn't matter to me."

"Yes it does," Kai said warmly and she glanced back at him. Her lips curved into a smile.

Minako, however, felt an ill sinking in her middle. She felt even more alone.

0 0 0

Kyanite returned to a state of chaos. In other words, everything was exactly as he remembered. He stepped further into the room and leaned against the stone wall with an ironic smile. No one seemed to have noticed his absence.

Calcite and Azurite were engaged in their weekly fight, probably over who was more beautiful or something equally trivial. Boss was sitting on his jeweled throne with Usagi perched daintily in his lap. They were snickering together over a private joke, and Averill stood several feet away, watching angrily. Alexandrite was sitting alone in a corner, glaring moodily at the wall.

Kyanite did nothing to announce his presence, and it was several minutes before Boss looked up with narrowed eyes. "Kyanite, I thank you for joining us," he said dryly. Averill looked over with surprise, but quickly recovered and frowned with the rest.

Kyanite stepped away from the wall and glided towards his former master. "I went out for a stroll," he said, trying to keep his voice lazy and casual.

"For five days?"

"Yes." Kyanite returned Boss' chilled look with purple icicles of his own. "Do you have a problem with that?" Thankfully, he felt so much contempt for Boss that he was able to display his usual coldness without trouble, even though his heart had warmed with Makoto's kiss.

Usagi ran her pointer finger along Boss' cheek and gently turned him to face her. Almost immediately, he relaxed and give her a compliant smile. Kyanite let nothing shine through his eyes, but secretly he felt relief so great his knees were shaking.

"Fine," Boss drawled, not turning from Usagi's expressive face. "Don't do it again." The request was so half-hearted that Kyanite didn't bother promising. He planned to leave again that night.

Watching Usagi and Boss, he made a mental note to thank the girl as soon as Boss was dead. If it wasn't for her, Boss wouldn't be so off his guard, and Kyanite might surely be dead. He stood around for another few minutes, waiting, and when Alexandrite got up to leave, he casually followed him down the dark corridor to the rooms where they slept.

"Alexandrite, may I have a word?" he asked once they were out of sight from the others.

Alexandrite didn't hesitate. "No, you may not," he muttered and continued forward. Kyanite had to run to intercept his path.

"Listen, Alexei…" he started, but the grey-eyed man moved to push him out of the way, and looked mildly surprised when he failed.

"You're being sociable tonight," Alexandrite commented and raised an eyebrow. "Tell me what you want and go away. I'm not in a chatty mood."

"Fine, but it's more to your benefit than mine. You'll want to hear me out."

Alexandrite stopped fidgeting and looked at the shorter man suspiciously. "Is that so?" Kyanite looked around carefully and then pulled him into the nearest room. Once the door was shut, he swung around to find a very confused Alexandrite.

Kyanite took a deep breath. "Okay, I don't know how else to say this but in one shot. The reason I haven't been around these last few days is because I've joined with the senshi. I've fallen in love with Sailorjupiter, and she with me. It's strange… since then my head's cleared, and I remember our past. I loved her then as I do now. Just as you loved Sailorvenus. You've seen her, haven't you? You must know what I mean."

If this resonated with Alexandrite, he made no sign. Kyanite swallowed and continued. "I came back to convince you to help us. Please, will you join our side? I think she still feels something for you. At least, she's been acting strangely. And you could be a valuable asset, and… and…"

Kyanite stopped babbling and panted for breath, glancing sideways at Alexandrite. He half expected the older general to go crazy, to yell and shout and dash from the room to tell Boss, or even try physical violence.

He didn't expect Alexandrite to throw back his strawberry-gold head and laugh.

Kyanite eyed the laughing figure warily. Had he really said something so amusing? Patiently, he stood until Alexandrite sobered and gave Kyanite such a chilling smile that the temperature in the room nearly dropped.

"Our side?" Alexandrite questioned, that wry smile on his lips. "Are you really so far gone?"

Kyanite sighed. "Yes, and spare me the talk on the loyalty we should feel for Boss. He betrayed us long ago, and if you don't believe that, you're dumber than I thought." This provoked another dry laugh from Alexandrite, but this one was forced.

"You're a wreck, aren't you?" Kyanite asked suddenly and Alexandrite blinked, surprise breaking through his eyes. "You can't stop thinking about her."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Alexandrite said coolly and shot a warning look, which Kyanite, wisely or not, ignored.

"Venus. You know I speak the truth."

Alexandrite became very quiet. Kyanite watched him hopefully and was dismayed when a minute later that reddish-gold head rose and the eyes that met his were carefully holding back anger.

"I still don't know what you're talking about and I'm sorry they have poisoned your mind. For old times sake, I suggest you leave and never return. I won't tell Boss about our conversation and will disregard your words myself. Go now before I change my mind." Alexandrite swiftly turned his back and Kyanite was left staring after him with disappointment. He had honestly believed he could recruit him.

"She did love you," he told the stubborn blond, but received no response. Kyanite didn't bother saying goodbye. He turned and stalked out, praying he'd have better luck with Averill. His head was lowered as he walked down the hall, thinking about what to say to his prince, when he bumped into the very person he wanted to see.

Kyanite jumped back with a gasp as Averill grinned at him. "Careful, sport. We have eyes for a reason."

"Yes." Kyanite was glad there wasn't any animosity in Averill's eyes.

Averill glanced over his shoulder. "Having a chat with Alexandrite?"

"Oh." Kyanite's shoulders slumped. "Yes. For all the good that did." Something about this confrontation made him feel nervous and so much younger than his prince. How could he ask? Averill was sure to turn him down as well, or worse.

"Averill, you know I'm with the senshi now," he started carefully and Averill didn't so much as raise an eyebrow. "And, well… Usagi is different than you want her to be. We both… at least I do… know that Boss is cheating us, so…"

Averill laughed and waved a hand for Kyanite to shut up. He obeyed and glanced meekly at the laughing boy. Of course he would have the same reaction as Alexandrite. Kyanite wished he could melt into the floor and escape.

But when Averill spoke next, they were not the words he'd expected.

"Don't waste your breath, Kai. I'm coming with you."

0 0 0

Wisely, Kai had warned Mamoru that he was bringing Averill to their meeting that night, and in response Mamoru had spent the day preparing himself with breathing exercises and little pep talks before the bathroom mirror. Overall, he was amazed at how calm he felt facing the encounter. But when his blond-haired, green-eyed nemesis actually strolled through the door that evening, nothing could stop the rage that bubbled inside like hot magma moments before eruption.

"You!" he hissed pointing like an Irish Setter. "It's your fault!"

"Mamo…" Nick reprimanded lightly from the sofa, but his roommate paid no attention. Shaking, he strode towards Averill, who stood silent and straight, without visible reaction to Mamoru's anger. Seeing his blank expression made Mamoru more furious.

"You're a spy!" he jeered. "Do you expect me to trust you after you betrayed Usagi? I can't forgive what you did to her just because you've suddenly seen the light and come to 'help us.' I hate you."

Mamoru stood panting and glaring in a way that made his words seem mild. With clenched fists, he waited for Averill to strike him. He hoped he would - he wanted to rid himself of the adrenaline pumping through his system, and an old-fashioned brawl was the perfect opportunity.

But instead of throwing the first punch or responding with hateful words of his own, Averill stepped forward and hugged him. Stunned, Mamoru's mouth flew open in a comical manner and he stood stiffly in the embrace until Averill released him and stood back with a frown.

"Strange," he said sadly, "because I've always loved you."

That did it. Mamoru was suddenly overcome by a wave of dizziness and groped behind him for something to steady his balance. When Averill tried to assist, he swatted his hands away and spun around to join Nick and the senshi in the living room. They were watching the scene, mouths gaping open with surprise as great as his.

Averill and Kai followed silently and watched as Mamoru sank onto the couch next to Nick. After a moment, he looked up and tried to send Averill an acidic look, but it quickly melted into confusion.

"You must be a pervert," he said finally and Averill cocked his head to the side, smiling.

"Not the first time I've heard that," he said laughing. "Especially from you."

"From me?" This time Mamoru couldn't camouflage his look with contempt. He was genuinely puzzled.

Averill nodded. "Brothers like to name-call, especially baby brothers. You've always been especially good at insulting me."

Mamoru opened his mouth but then quickly shut it again. He remembered the visions he'd had in the park - not tricks, but memories? It made sense to him somewhere inside… especially considering how he didn't really hate Averill, no matter how hard he tried to convince himself he did.

Even though he didn't need to ask the question, Rei did. "Brothers? Real brothers?" she asked and everyone stared at her. She glared back challengingly until she met Averill's green eyes and sat back with a gulp. Something about his presence was very commanding.

"Yes, real brothers," Averill said a little mockingly, and his eyes wandered to the back of the room where a girl sat, very white. "Hello, Makoto."

Makoto couldn't manage a 'hi' back and continued staring at him with wide eyes. Kai realized the problem and sat beside her, but she was watching Averill and didn't respond to his hand on her arm. This clearly annoyed him and he gave Averill a warning look, but Averill shrugged as if to say 'hey, it's not my fault your girlfriend still has a thing for me,' and looked back at Mamoru, who was also very pale.

"I've missed you," he said a little warily and Mamoru laughed dryly.

"So, we're brothers, huh? Well, brothers don't steal their brothers' girlfriends."

Averill's eyes narrowed then and Mamoru stared back without flinching. "Same to you," he said bitterly and his younger brother's eyebrows raised to the sky.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"She was mine long before she was yours!" Averill shot back and folded his arms. The senshi watched the scene intently, as if viewing a soap opera with the usual 'she's mine!' spat between the two muscle-bound heroes. Ami coughed a hint from the back of the room, but that didn't break the electrical stare-down.

Surprisingly, Averill was the first to yield. He tore his gaze away and looked at the floor with a strange expression - a cross between guilt and loneliness. "But I lost her," he said softly, surprising Mamoru. "She chose you. You and Usagi were meant to be together. I know that now. She doesn't love me: she loves you. Perhaps she always has, despite what she made me believe. I'm not trying to be sore. I know when I've lost… I'm sorry for everything, Mamoru. I really am."

Mamoru was stunned. Another mind game? But no, it didn't seem to be. Averill looked truly sorry and Mamoru felt himself softening despite his will.

"I suppose you want to know the story. I've only recently regained my memories. When Boss' spirit left my body, his control over me vanished and I've slowly come back to myself. I think I've pieced together everything I need. I, uh…" Averill's gaze landed on Nick, who suddenly looked uncomfortable.

"He's with us," Ami assured him, and Averill nodded, still watching Nick.

"Only the necessary parts," Kai said, a warning note in his voice. "They don't need to know anything that hasn't… surfaced in the present time." Although everyone else was puzzled, Averill nodded and glanced again at Nick.

"Okay. I didn't lie to Usagi. I didn't," he added fiercely at Mamoru's incredulous snort. "I loved her, whether the rest of you believe me or not. We met at a ball and I immediately knew she was different from the other girls I'd met. I thought it was love at first sight. She felt it too, and we were together all the time after that. My visit was extended much longer than intended."

He broke off with a laugh but when he realized no one was sharing the humor, cleared his throat. "I asked for her hand and she accepted. Our parents were thrilled. It was seen as a peace ceremony - relations between Earth and the Moon weren't the best - and our wedding was planned with enthusiasm. As for you and Ser… Usagi, you seemed to hate each other. You were always fighting and I had to literally tear you apart at times."

Averill smiled in memory. "Not on the best terms at all. But it must have been…" - here his smile drooped - "…pent up passion, or something. I should have seen it, but I was a fool. It happened when I insisted she visit me on Earth. Our parents had recently died and I was to be crowned king. I needed her there to help me deal with the stress. She came immediately with…"

Averill broke off as Kai cleared his throat and smiled sheepishly. "Well, she came. I was relieved to have her there. She was my best friend. But business left me with little time to myself and I knew my guest was bored, so I asked you…" He glared at Mamoru, "…to entertain her. I didn't know how much you would. The more time you spent together, the more you realized your true feelings. I caught you one day… I was so upset that I ran away without thinking.

"I wandered. I don't know for how long - I wasn't myself. I ended up in a forgotten wing of the palace and came upon a room I had always been forbidden to enter. I was upset and stubborn, and figured no limitations applied to me if I was about to be crowned king, so I went in. I wish I'd known the room's secret. Lord Ahriman was banished into a hand mirror for committing an unforgivable crime. But I had been busy with my own concerns and knew nothing of this.

"On the way, I had been thinking and decided that you two should be together. I loved you both and wanted you to be happy, even if I couldn't be. I had known for a while that something was dying between my Serena and I, but hadn't been able to consciously admit it to myself. With the loss of my parents and my love, I didn't know who I was.

"My hand found the mirror. I picked it up and gazed at my reflection. I remember frustration filling me as I looked at my pathetic face, so I smashed the mirror. And unknowingly, I set Lord Ahriman free. His presence flooded the room and entered my body. I don't remember feeling anything but hatred for a long time after that. He controlled me until it was too late to stop him."

The room held a silence so deep that music could be heard drifting up from the streets. Kai was watching Averill with sympathy.

"Why don't you tell them about the prophecy?"

"The… oh." Averill sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I was born during a solar eclipse, and a prophetess told my parents that this meant I would be someone very important, but my future was uncertain. I would either be the greatest ruler and peacemaker the universe had ever known… or the destroyer of all if I fell in love and was betrayed."

Averill looked Mamoru solemnly in the eyes. "And because you and Usagi couldn't keep your hands off each other, I destroyed the Silver Millennium."

No one in the room, not even Nick, dared move or make the slightest sound. Mamoru stared at his older brother, his breathing quick and jagged. He swallowed several times as if he were ill before gathering his composure. "But you didn't mean to," he said quietly and Averill's eyes widened. "That Lord… Ahriman, was it?… made you do it. You wouldn't have done it on your own. You're not evil."

"Are you sure, brother?" Averill asked, his green eyes intense. "I did some terrible things."

"Under the influence of Lord Ahriman," Mamoru argued and narrowed his eyes. "It wasn't your fault." They had another stare-down before Averill broke the moment with a laugh.

"You amaze me," he mused. "Fifteen minutes ago you hated me and wouldn't have minded me dead, and now you're trying to convince me that I didn't destroy the universe."

"Not the universe, only the Silver Millennium," Mamoru replied calmly and the boys smiled at each other.

"So…?" Rei prompted and Averill tossed a careless grin her way.

"The next day I ordered Usagi to leave, and several days later I tried to kill him." Averill threw Mamoru an apologetic glance. "That was the most horrible thing I did. I tried to murder my own brother. Whether it was Lord Ahriman's fault or not, I should have had the willpower to stop. But I was weak…

"I didn't succeed. Someone helped you escape and fought me instead. That person almost died saving you, but got away at the last minute. I didn't pursue him because at the time I wasn't interested in anyone but you. You made it to the Moon Kingdom to warn them, and in the meantime, Lord Ahriman was taking over Earth. He took control of my six loyal bodyguards as well."

Averill frowned at Kai, who simply shrugged. It didn't matter to him now, as long as he was himself again and with the one he had always loved.

"After Earth was conquered, we moved on to the Moon. Lord Ahriman knew of someone there, also trapped, who could help him. But unlike the room I came across, this one was heavily covered with locks, and only the Moon family… and the senshi… had keys."

Averill looked quickly at Makoto. "One thing I'll tell you is that this guy loved you from the moment he saw you." Makoto smiled at Kai and he winked at her before turning to Averill with a pleading look, but his prince shook his head.

"No," he said. "She has a right to know."

He left Mamoru's side and went to kneel before Makoto. "He loved you, but you only thought of him as a friend, and would talk his ear off about how much you wanted me."

Makoto didn't look surprised. The only sign she gave that this affected her was squeezing Kai's hand more tightly.

Averill sighed. "And I took advantage of you. I used your innocence and love for me to get you to open that room. I'm sorry."

Makoto stared at him with wide green eyes. "Who was in there?"

"Must you ask? Queen Metallia… a relative of his. She possessed Beryl just like Lord Ahriman had taken over me and together they plotted to destroy the Moon Kingdom and take energy from its people to open the portals of Hell. That's what he's trying to do again. Ten thousand years and the man still doesn't have a better plan." Averill looked like he wanted to laugh, but decided against it.

Makoto was shaking her head, her eyes unfocused. "So, I am the reason the Silver Millennium collapsed. If I hadn't given you that key you couldn't have done it, right?"

"Mako…" Kai started and tried to put an arm around her, but she shook him off.

"Am I right?" she repeated. Averill looked at her, his face stony.

"Right," he answered shortly and Makoto put her head in her hands.

"Great," she muttered. "Something else to feel special about. The learning never stops." Her hands were shaking.

"Stop it," Kai growled and pulled Makoto back to a sitting position. She didn't object, and slumped against the couch, staring miserably at the coffee table. "It wasn't your fault. What this guy neglected to mention was that he was as charming as the Devil, and could easily convince anyone to do what he wished. You were confused and in love, and this bastard used that against you! It wasn't your fault."

The bastard looked at Makoto with apology in his eyes. "I am truly sorry. Will you forgive me?"

Makoto took a deep breath and managed a smile. "Of course. If I loved you then, there must have been something good in you." Kai's eyes shone at the past tense and Averill nodded his acceptance.

"So, what do we do?" she asked with more confidence and straightened.

Averill looked at Mamoru. "I'm going back for Usagi. If you trust me to return, I promise to bring her."

Mamoru nodded and the corners of his mouth twitched. "I suppose I have to trust you. We are family." They smiled at each other and it was clear that the broken bond between them was starting to heal.

"Now that you've heard my story, are there any questions?" Averill asked and looked around the room.

"Uh, yeah…" The hesitant, shaky voice came from Minako. "So… back at your hideout or whatever… did Alexei mention me?"

A thousand apologies for taking so long on this one! I was never a big fan of this chapter, and that made me delay editing it. But if all goes well, I'll have more this weekend. Good times are a'comin'. :)

Thanks again for reading!