The Fall of the Silver Alliance Chapter 2: The Fall of Mars, a sailor moon fanfic

FADING EMBERS

The Fall of Mars

Princess Rei was sitting in her fire room. She had just seen what had befallen her friend and cousin's home. Mercury was completely gone or will be soon. She had no way of knowing whether this was the future or the past she had seen. It would be days before conformation could be made. Rei sighed and left the fire room. It was very early in the morning still. The sun had not yet risen.

Rei walked to her bedroom to get ready for the day. She was to teach her little sister how to read the fire today. She would miss them so much when she had to leave to take up her duty as Sailor Mars and the protector of Princess Serenity. Rei fingered a silver charm around her neck. It was a silver heart with a fire crystal set inside. It was a gift from her princess when she turned sixteen. That was two years ago.

Rei put on a deep red dress with straps made out of rubies. The sweetheart neckline revealed just enough to still be proper. It clung to her curves very nicely. It had two slits up either side of the dress ending just before they became indecent. Her black hair flowed freely down her back with glittering rubies hung throughout her raven locks. She was the picture perfect Martian princess.

She thought of the family she would be leaving behind when she left. Her father King Ares had the same raven hair as her. He held the same fiery spirit as Rei. They would often sit together and do fire readings. Her mother, Queen Hestia, was calmer than Rei. Her violet eyes, which Rei had inherited, saw through people into their souls. She had flame red hair with streaks of silver gray that suited her grace and beauty. Rei was the eldest of three children. Her younger brother, Quirinus, had the red hair of his mother and the same fire of his father and his sister. He was, however, quick to anger and very protective of his sisters. He was two years younger than Rei. Their thirteen-year-old sister, Bellona, was a blend of both her parents. She had raven hair streaked with red and violet eyes. She looked up to her older sister and wanted to be just like her.

Rei was going to miss them all. Once she left for the Moon, she would only be able to come home once a year and that was only with the Princess and the rest of the Senshi. It would be hard but she did not regret that she was chosen to be the Senshi of her planet. There would be a ceremony in two days where she would officially give her claim to the throne to her brother. She would still be a princess, but she would not be queen. It did not bother her too much. There was a soft knock on her door interrupting her thoughts.

"Come in," Rei called.

"Good morning sis," Bellona greeted.

She was wearing a pale red dress with a white bodice. The skirt had red roses embroidered along the hem. Along the seam where the white fabric met the pale red there were rubies. She had long white sleeves that swept the ground. She wore a golden rose necklace.

"Good morning," Rei replied. "Are you ready?"

"Of course. I can't wait to learn how to read fires," Bellona chirped happily.

OoO

The fire room they were in was rather plain. It was a soothing pale red. The fire burned brightly in the middle of the room. There were two red kneeling pillows in front of the fire.

"This will be your fire reading room," Rei told her sister. "It used to be our great-grandmother's."

"You mean Grandma Primrose?" Bellona asked.

"Yes," Rei replied pointing out the tiny red roses that bordered the room. "Now we shall begin."

Rei and Bellona knelt in front of the fire. Rei went over how to begin. They cleared their minds and relaxed. Rei started the chanting and hand movements. The fire roared and unveiled some of the future to the two sisters.

OoO

Rei saw herself on the Moon. She was with the other Senshi. They were wearing fancy ball gowns each in the color of their home planet. They were looking for someone, the Princess most likely. People were running around everywhere. The vision ended.

OoO

Bellona saw panic in the palace of Mars. Everyone was screaming and running for her life. Rain fell to quench their fire attacks. She saw a red haired lady in a tight purple dress, which was close to being indecent. The lady was gloating over her sister and then everything went blank.

OoO

Rei and Bellona snapped out of their trances. The fire began to crackle softly. They left the room and decided to walk in the gardens of Mars. There were many roses. Their great-great-grandmother Asphodel was in love with roses and even named her two daughters after them, Primrose and Rosa.

Rei thought of her proud heritage. Rosa married Ferdinand of Mercury, thus relating fire and ice forever. Primrose went on to rule Mars. She had two daughters, Belladona and Rachel. While Belladona married Quester and ruled Mars, Rachel decided to marry an Earthling. Later it was found out that the Earthling was actually the king. So now Mars and Earth shared a link even though Earth was not part of the Silver Alliance. The Royal Martians denied relation to Earth because of that reason.

Soon that would not matter though. Rei would leave her home to fulfill her destiny. Destiny. She could not believe in destiny. She would have already been married and training to rule her home if it was not for destiny. She loved the Moon Princess, but she wanted a life of her own. She looked at her sister and thought how lucky she was to be able to choose her own path in life.

Bellona caught Rei looking at her, "Rei why are you looking at me like that?"

"Hmm?" Rei snapped out of her thoughts. "I was just wondering what you thought of your first fire reading."

"Oh," Bellona shuddered at the thought. "I don't like it that much. I saw some scary things."

"What did you see?"

"I saw a scary lady with red hair. She was wearing a purple dress. I thought she had fangs even. She laughing about something then everything went black."

"Don't worry about it. Usually the first time you use the fire it clouds the vision."

"It lies to you?"

"Not exactly, see you need to learn how to see the truth in the visions. You became intimidated by the fire so you were unable to bend it to your will."

"No I wasn't! The vision was real!"

"Well it wasn't what I saw, so it couldn't have been what you saw."

"Why won't you believe me? I may not be as skilled as you, but I know what I saw."

Bellona ran out of the gardens and into the palace. Rei sighed and sat down on a nearby bench. Two ravens flew overhead and landed next to her.

"Phoebus, Demos what am I going to do? Bellona was so happy and now she's upset with me. She's been doing that a lot. I think she is mad that I'm leaving. She is young and can't understand why I have to do this. I have no choice."

Rei sighed and began to walk to her favorite part of the gardens. It was her sanctuary. Hardly anyone else came there. It was a small grove of chamomiles that was hidden behind a veil of ivy and surrounded by wall moss covered black marble. The white flowers stood out against this dark background. In the center there was a small fountain shaped as a crane. Water flowed from its beak into the ivory basin.

Rei closed her eyes and let the wind flow over her. Raven hair whipped around her. She soaked in the peacefulness of her surroundings. Some would call it meditation; she would call it her escape. In her mind she could be anyone she wanted to be. She did not have to be a princess or Sailor Mars. She could just be herself. It was a part of her she had been hiding for so long. No one, not even her sister, ever saw her true self. Her duties came first and that is how it would always have to be.

A twig snapped behind her. Rei's instincts kicked in and she turned striking her leg at the intruder. There was a sharp intake of breath then a loud thump. Her heel found its mark.

"Who are you? Why were you spying on me?" Rei demanded.

"I'm sorry miss, I was just taking a walk. I heard the fountain and decided to take a look at it when I was greeted by you ever so nicely," the man replied from the ground.

"Who are you?" Rei had not let her defensive stance.

"My apologies. I am Riordon, but you may call me Rio. And you are?" the man introduced himself.

Rei was shocked. He did not know who she was. Everyone knew who she was.

"You may call me Rei," she replied with the name reserved only for her family and close friends others knew her simply as Lady Mars as she was Sailor Mars.

"Nice to meet you Lady Rei," Rio replied bowing low.

"No just Rei," she replied curtsying.

"Very well Rei. That was some kick you have there."

Rei blushed, "Thank you."

She studied Rio. He was handsome. He had short black hair that fell slightly in his azure eyes. His muscular body could be seen under his loose fitting white tunic. He wore brown pants with tan boots. He did not look like he was native to Mars.

"Rio, where are you from?"

"I'm from everywhere. My family has moved around a lot."

"Oh I see."

"So what about you Rei. Do you live in Verill?"

Verill was the town that housed the palace.

Rei tensed a little then relaxed, "Yes."

"I'm staying at the Phoenix Inn maybe we could have lunch there later today," Rio suggested.

"No!" Rei almost screamed.

"What?"

"I mean why don't we have a picnic instead. I could pack a small lunch and we could meet here in this garden at about noon."

"Very well, but leave the lunch to me. I will see you then Rei."

Rio turned and left the garden. Rei released the breath that she did not know she held and a smile spread across her face. She actually felt somewhat normal. She did not know who this man was that had made her feel like this and she loved him for it. It was her dream to be normal and now she could be at least for an afternoon anyways. She had to keep it a secret though. She could tell anyone about this. Technically she should not have been alone with him since he was not a suitor.

OoO

It was almost noon; Rei had pretended to be in meditation so her family did not bother her for lunch. She sat on the edge of the fountain looking into its mirrored surface.

'I wonder why I feel like this. No man has ever captured my thoughts before, so why him? I only just met him, but I can't get him out of my mind.' Rei thought as she drew circles in the water.

A shadow covered her, "I'm sorry I'm late Rei."

Rei slightly jumped, "Don't you know never to sneak up on a lady? Anyways you're right on time."

"I'm sorry I scared you," Rio laid out a blanket he had brought with and placed a variety of food upon it.

"What did you bring?" Rei asked.

"Let's see, we have sandwiches and cherries and as a special treat I brought some champaign and chocolate covered strawberries."

"Wow what did I do to deserve this?"

"A beautiful lady such as yourself deserves only the best."

Rei blushed, "Thank you."

They laughed and chatted about anything and everything. However, when the subject of their pasts came up they sidestepped the questions and changed the subject. Rei did not want to reveal that she was a princess and a Senshi. She was happy to pretend to be an ordinary girl for once without any worries.

"So you live in Verill, what do you do for a living? Aren't girls your age usually married by now?"

"Well yes, girls are usually married by age but see in the palace," Rei's hand flew to cover her mouth. She let something she did not want to tell him slip.

"You live in the palace! That's amazing! What's it like? I hear the royal family is extremely gifted in fire reading, but are a bit hot headed. What are they really like?"

"Huh?" Rei was confused. She thought he would not like her because she lived in the palace.

"I always wanted to live in a palace. What's it like?"

"Well, it's decorated in mostly shades of red with small roses around the borders. The Fire Reading rooms are the grandest of all though. They are simple, but elegant. Some have gold inlaid roses."

"What do you do in the palace?"

"Well I," Rei's mind raced. 'What should I tell him?' "I am a, I'm a maid to the princess."

"Oh I see. That's explains why you are not yet married. How did you get away from your duties to have lunch with me?"

"Oh Lady Mars is meditating and no one is allowed to bother her."

They finished their meal and Rei heard her sister calling in the distance.

"I have to go Rio. I had a wonderful time I wish we could do this again."

"Why can't we?"

"Well I . . ."

"How about tomorrow?"

"But I . . ."

"Good I'll meet you here at ten in the morning. Dress comfortably."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Well I . . ."

"Good see you tomorrow. Bye."

Rio turned to leave.

"Wait!" Rei called after him.

Rio turned and waved. Rei sighed. Her heart was beating fast. What was he doing to her?

"Rei!" Bellona was calling from the other side of the garden.

Rei stepped out of her secret sanctuary and called, "Over here sister!"

Bellona came running over, "There you are! Mother and Father were worried. Quirinus went to look for you in your Fire Room and you weren't there. We practically tore apart every room in the palace looking for you."

"I was here. After my meditation I needed some fresh air. I'm sorry I worried you all."

"There you are!" a male voice called.

"Quirinus," Rei greeted.

"You had us so worried," he told her.

"So Bellona said, but why? I've missed meals before."

"Rei," her brother started. "Mother and Father are worried. There have been several spies found in the palace and more and more uprisings have been taking place. They think that there may soon be a war."

"That's impossible!" Bellona exclaimed.

"Shush sister," Rei chided. "Remember my vision? I believe it will happen, but I don't know when."

"Just keep your eyes open and be careful," Quirinus replied.

"We will," Bellona and Rei said together.

They walked back to the palace in silence.

OoO

Rei met Rio at ten the next morning. She was dressed in a casual red tunic with tan pants and dark brown boots. Her hair was pulled off of her face in a low bun. Rio appeared moments after her. He dressed similarly.

"Come on. Let's go," he said dragging Rei out of the gardens.

"Where are we going?"

"You'll see."

They continued on down a pathway that was hidden from normal eyes. They passed through a dense patch of trees and came out in a small field. Wild flowers grew in every direction. There was also a small waterfall with a pair swans swimming in the small pool.

"This is beautiful!" Rei exclaimed.

"Not as beautiful as you," Rio replied.

Rei blushed, "You're just saying that."

"Don't be so modest you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

"Oh Rio."

Rio pulled Rei in for a kiss. She resisted at first, but gave into her desire and pleasure.

'Wait! What am I doing?' Rei's thoughts interrupted her heart. 'I'm a princess and Sailor Mars. I can't give in to these primitive instincts.'

She pulled away from Rio. "We can't. We shouldn't."

"Why?"

"It's not allowed."

"Why? We're just two regular people."

"No," Rei whispered. "I'm not. I'd like to be, but I'm not."

Rei ran away from Rio. Tears were rolling down her cheeks.

"Rei! Wait!" Rio yelled trying to follow her, but she was just too fast for him so he went to the one place he hoped to be: her garden.

OoO

'Why do I feel like this?' Rei's mind raced. 'I never wanted to give up my duties before. Why now? Why can't I be normal for once? Do I like him?' Rei stopped running when she was near her garden. She dried her tears and entered the garden.

"What are you doing here?" Rei asked.

"Rei we should talk. What's the matter? I like you. I like you a lot and I thought you liked me."

"I do," Rei replied putting away her fear. "But I'm leaving soon."

"So I'll leave with you. I have no real ties here, except you."

"But we just met."

"Sometimes that's all it takes."

"Rio, I have my duties to the crown."

"I'm sure the princess wouldn't mind if you snuck off a bit. She meditates a lot so we'll meet then."

"But . . ."

Rei never finished because Rio enveloped her in a loving hug and kissed her passionately. Any misgivings she had were removed from her mind. She let her feelings take control of her mind and body. She was lost in the passion of the kiss.

OoO

It was dinnertime in the palace. Rei had been gone all day. Quirinus was worried and Bellona looked ready to cry.

"I hope she's alright," Bellona said. "She's never been gone this long before."

"She's fine," her mother said.

"I'm going to go look for her," Quirinus got up to go look for her when the doors opened.

"I'm sorry I'm late," Rei came running in. "I was meditating."

This calmed the family down.

"We need to talk about tomorrow's ceremony," their father said. "We will treat it as any other ceremony. First Bellona and Quirinus will enter. Then your mother and I will. We will make an announcement and Rei will enter. We then will take care of the ceremonial aspects. Finally everyone can say farewell to their princess. We will escort you to the ship and say our farewells. Finally you will board the ship and be off. Any questions?"

"No father," the three children said.

OoO

"Hey Rei, can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure Quirinus."

"I'm worried about you."

"Why?"

"You've been acting strange the past few days. Your meditations never took that long before. You snapped at Bellona. I know it's a stressful time with you about to start a new life, but you can't take it out on the family. Mother and Father have enough to worry about with the threat of war. They can't be babysitting you."

"What are you talking about? I'm eighteen, I don't need anyone to baby sit me and after tomorrow you won't have to worry about me."

"Rei why are you getting so upset?"

"Oh Quirinus. You wouldn't understand."

"Why not?"

"All of my life I've been treated as an outsider, even in our family. I was always destined to be Sailor Mars. I never was just Rei. I feel like I missed out on so much and now everyone's trying to get rid of me and forget I existed."

"That's not true. You'll always be my sister and I love you. We're royalty we're always going to be treated differently. I'm sorry you have the extra burden of being Sailor Mars, but the Senshi are your friends. It won't be that bad."

Quirinus hugged his sister, "Thanks brother. I'm going to bed maybe things will be brighter in the morning."

"I hope so. It is after all when the sun's out."

Rei laughed, "Good night."

"Good night, Rei."

OoO

The next morning the palace was bustling. Decorators were decorating the halls and caterers were busy cooking up a departing feast. Everyone was running around trying to make Lady Mars' last day perfect. The King and Queen were making arrangements for their daughter's ship. Rei was in the fire room with her sister, giving her one last lesson in fire reading.

"Relax and breathe, Bellona. You will not be able to correctly use the fire if you don't calm down."

"Rei, I can do this myself. Don't worry."

"I know. You don't need me any more."

"REI!!!"

Rei ran out of the room and out of the palace, tears starting to form in her eyes. She ran to her garden it was the one place she could be alone.

'Why am I like this? I was fine with leaving a week ago. What changed? I don't want to leave. Do I want to give up my duty to Serenity? Do I want to forsake my destiny? Why?'

"What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing that I can see," a voice said from behind.

"Rio!"

"You're perfect in everyway."

"Oh Rio," Rei buried her face in his shoulder. "I wish it were true."

"It is."

"No it's not. I lied to you about everything."

"You're incapable of lying."

"How would you know? We've only known each other a few days."

"I love you. That's how I know. You're the gentlest person I've ever met."

"You love me?"

"Of course."

"Why?"

"You're the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on."

"Is that it? You love me because of my looks? So if I was ugly, you wouldn't even care about me?"

"Of course not. Your beauty might have attracted me, but your personality made me stay."

"Huh?" Rei lifted her head.

"You're special Rei. You made me feel loved and as if I finally belonged somewhere."

"I feel the same way about you that's why I have to tell you the truth. I . . ."

"REI!!" Bellona's call interrupted them.

"Oh no. I've got to go."

"What were you going to tell me?"

"Come to the farewell ceremony for Lady Mars tonight. I'll tell you then."

"Very well. Until then."

Rei turned to run to her sister, "Oh Rio, I love you too."

OoO

"Rei are you alright?" Bellona asked.

"I feel fine."

"Good, mother said we have to get dressed."

"Do you need help?"

"Sure."

Rei followed Bellona to her room. On the bed was Bellona's dress. It was a pale red dress with sheer butterfly sleeves. Rei helped her sister get dressed. The dress hugged her maturing body. It flared at the hips and just lightly brushed the floor. She wore ruby slippers on her feet.

"Now we just have to do your hair."

Rei pulled Bellona's hair into a high bun leaving some pieces to still hang down. She took those pieces and curled them. Tiny red roses were then placed around the bun instead of her formal crown. Next, Rei did her sister's make up. She did her eyes in a light red with a dusting of shimmer. Her lips were a light rose color.

"There it's done."

Bellona looked into her mirror, "Rei I love it! I look so much older. Thank you so much. Now it's your turn."

Rei and Bellona went to Rei's room.

"Where's your dress?"

"It's in the closet."

"Can I see it?"

"Sure."

Rei went into her closet and came out wearing her dress. It was a longer version of her senshi uniform. It had a ruby red ball gown skirt. The white body suit hugged her every curve. She had a red bow on her back that touched the floor and another violet bow on her chest. The front bow held a ruby locket. She also wore a red cape that was held in place by the bow on her chest. The cape had two white lines running along the edge. She wore gloves that ended at her elbows with strips of red fabric around the top. On her neck was a red choker. She wore star earrings made of rubies.

"You're beautiful."

"Thank you."

"You're just missing one thing."

"What's that?"

"This," Bellona went to Rei's vanity and pulled out a golden tiara with a ruby in it.

"My first tiara."

"I think it matches perfectly."

"Thank you sister."

"We have to go. Mother wanted to see us as soon as we were ready."

Rei and Bellona walked to their mother's room. They found her sitting by the window staring at the moon in tears.

"Mother?" Bellona asked.

Their mother turned, "My two little girls. You both look so beautiful and grown up. I can't believe that you'll be leaving us Rei and Bellona soon you'll get married and leave too."

"We'll always be your little girls no matter what happens," Bellona replied.

"I'll come home to visit whenever I can. Serenity will understand," Rei added.

"Today is your day Rei. Let's go to the ceremony," their Mother said.

OoO

The hall was exquisite. It was filled with every shade of red imaginable. It seemed as if the guests were standing in fire. A bell began to ring and the grand doors opened. Bellona and Quirinus entered. Quirinus wearing a matching pale red tuxedo and a red cape held on by rubies. The King and Queen entered next. The Queen was wearing a simple black dress that had a cluster of red roses at the hips. The King wore a black suit with a black cape lined in red satin. The cape was held in place by rubies carved to look like roses. The doors closed shut behind them.

"Today," the King began. "We see our oldest child off to complete a much greater destiny. Lady Mars goes forth to the Moon Kingdom to protect the High Princess Serenity . . ."

OoO

'Where is he?' Rei thought to herself as opened the door ever so slightly and looked over the crowd.

"You look stunning," a voice said from behind.

"Rio!!" Rei launched herself into Rio's waiting arms.

"As much as I like this welcoming, what did you need to tell me?"

"Well, I'm not who you think I am."

"You're not Rei?"

"No. I mean yes. But I'm also . . ."

"Lady Mars!" she heard her father's voice announce.

The doors began to open. Rei pushed Rio out of view.

"Meet me by the ship."

"You're Lady Mars?"

"Please meet me there."

"Alright."

Rei proceeded through the doors and down the stairs. She did not see Rio's smirk.

OoO

"Goodbye Lady Mars!"

"We'll miss you!"

"You were the best Princess!"

"Hey!"

"Oh sorry Bellona. You're great too. Honest."

Rei heard none of this. She was too busy scanning the crowd for a face. Finally she spotted it by the ship. He was talking to someone. Rei did not see their face. When she reached him the other person was gone.

"Rio!"

"Rei! You're Lady Mars?"

"Can you ever forgive me for not telling you?"

"Of course, Rei. I love you."

"That makes me so happy!" Rei yelled hugging him. "Come away with me."

"Huh?"

"Come with me to the Moon. We can be happy. Serenity won't mind."

Rio looked puzzled, but then his face changed to a warm smile, "Of course I'll go. We must leave right away though."

"Why? We still have to tell my family and say goodbye to them. See here they come."

"We must leave now!"

"What's your hurry?"

"I well . . .I . . . see . . . we just have to."

"Don't be silly. Mom! Dad! Quirinus! Bellona!"

They came over to Rei and Rio. Hugs and kisses followed between Rei and her family. Then Quirinus noticed Rio.

"Who are you?" Quirinus said. "I don't ever remember seeing you before."

"Oh!" Rei replied. "This is my friend Rio. He's going to come with me to the Moon. I love him."

"Sweetie that's great," her mother said.

No more could be said on it however. A great shadow everything. An evil, snake like laughter filled the area.

"What's going on!" Bellona screamed hiding behind her brother.

"All the women and children get inside!" the king yelled instructions. "Warriors prepare for battle!"

"Dad! I'm going to fight!"

"No Rei! It's too dangerous!"

"It's my destiny!"

There was a loud explosion. The Palace of Mars began to crumble. Rei's eyes widened in horror. Her mother and sister were in there, along with most of her kingdom.

"Mom! Bellona!" Rei and Quirinus screamed.

"Rei get on the ship!" her father ordered.

"No I will not leave you!"

"I will not see you die today too! Leave!" her father yelled as stone fell around them.

Quirinus was hit by one of the stones. Rei ran over to him. Her tears fell on his face.

"Brother!"

"Sweet sister. Do as father said. Leave," Quirinus closed his eyes and slipped into darkness.

"No!"

Strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her into a hug.

"Clam down Rei. Let's get you out of here," Rio soothed her.

They stopped in front of the ship. Rio looked around took a deep breath and began to usher her aboard.

"Good work, Rio," an evil voice hissed. "You've done well. Bring her to me."

"Rio, what's going on?"

"Dear Princess, haven't you figured it out. Rio's working for me. He helped bring down your kingdom and family," the evil figure appeared and shot energy at Rei's father causing him to fall down dead.

"Dad! Rio is this true?"

"It was at first, but I changed. I tried to tell Beryl that it was over I didn't want to hurt you that I fell in love with you. She wouldn't listen. Rei you have to believe me."

Rei looked deep into his eyes and saw truth behind them, "I do!"

"Too bad for you Princess you won't get to spend any time together."

It happened all so fast. Beryl shot dark energy at Rei. She was too petrified to move. Rio jumped in font of her and pushed her onto the ship. He slammed the door shut as he was hit by the energy. He mouthed 'Go! I love you.' to Rei before he too died. Tears consumed Rei as the ship left her kingdom. She had abandoned her home and all those she loved. She landed in the Moon Kingdom a little while later. She was placed into a nice soft bed and allowed to sleep and regain strength.

OoO

"Wake up Rei!" a voice that sounded like the tinkling of bells said.

Rei opened her eyes. They were red and puffy from all of her crying.

"Oh Serenity," was all Rei said before she unleashed more tears.

"It's okay Rei. You just let it out."

"She's right," Ami said as she walked into the room.

"Ami! So is it true? Has Mercury fallen as well as Mars?"

"Yes Rei," Ami cast her eyes at the floor. It was still too new for her to discuss.

"We have to get Beryl, Serenity. Before she kills anyone else we love," Rei told her princess.

"I know sweet Rei, I know."

"I will never love anyone as much as I loved him."

"Who Rei?" Ami asked.

Rei did not answer. She vowed to herself that no one would ever replace Rio in her heart. She would make Beryl pay for taking her family and love from her.

OoO

AN: There you go. It's 20 pages long. We hope you like it. Please review and tell us what you think.

KoKo Belle and Dream Sovereign