Part II: Chapter 19
The First Meeting
"Amy!" Raye screamed over the crowd as she caught sight of her friend disembarking the newest ship to arrive to Neptune.
Amy whipped her head around at the sound of her name. Her arm was looped around Zoisite's, who was dressed in his traditional uniform of Earth. He pointed towards the south part of the dock where Raye and Jadeite were standing.
Raye waved to Amy, beckoning her to join them as the crowd split, going in various directions.
"You made it!" Amy said with a grin as she and Raye embraced. "Any luck?" She whispered in her ear.
"We may have some headway with Uranus." Raye confirmed as they broke their embrace. Their eyes locked and Raye hinted as best she could, that there was much more news to share.
"We should go inside and talk more." Amy said, noting the size of the crowd around them, not all of them familiar.
"Serena and Darien are to meet us soon in Earth's suite. Lita and Nephrite have yet to arrive." Raye replied as she gestured to the buildings behind her. "Come, we must hurry."
"Very well." Amy said as she took her long skirts in her hands, lifting them above the white stone walkway which was crowded still with the newest arrivals.
"How many people come to these things?" Jadeite asked out loud as they pushed past various groups of people, all dressed in various types of clothing.
"Each planet usually sends a member of the royal family then there are the satellites, moons, if you wish to call them, they send their own representatives as well. Almost every guest tends to bring a delegation with them so expect there to be thousands squished onto this island." Amy explained as she nodded politely to the delegation from Oberon, a moon of Uranus.
"How long will this grand council meeting take?" Zoisite inquired as his eyes scanned the bustling crowd. "I don't like being off planet. I especially don't like us split like this with such a large crowd of strangers all around us."
"The meetings begin tonight." Raye said as she glanced over her shoulder at him. "They'll last three days and then we can depart. We must keep our guard up while we're here. The entire galaxy knows of this meeting." She said carefully as her eyes flickered to those around them. Many eyes followed their movements, it was too difficult who was watching them out of curiosity or malice.
"Noted." Jadeite replied as he locked eyes with a guard from Saturn. He had been part of the same training camp that he and the other generals attended on Earth. In fact, he recognized many of the guards with nearby delegations, having trained with them all at some point. They nodded to each other politely and continued on their way.
Zoisite whistled as they left the docks and followed a stone path uphill to a semi-circle of stone buildings. "Well, these are impressive." About a dozen structures were before them, all made of a different colored stone but standing about five stories high. Large balconies littered the outside of each structure, fashioned with black iron railings and bustling with activity. It appeared many council members had already arrived.
"Up here." Raye directed as they reached the first building, a large structure made of white stone. The cliffs were just on the other side, and the sound of the raging sea filled the air. Sprays of water appeared behind the structure as the waves pelted the cliffs. The island was small but full of activity.
"A storm brews." Amy remarked as she noted the dark clouds closing in on them. She looked around, noting how close the sea was to all of the stone structures. "You don't think this island… floods, do you?"
"Let's hope not." Jadeite remarked as he held the door open for them. "King Endymion's suite is on the top floor. Let's get inside."
Raye led Amy, Zoisite and Jadeite inside and up a large, polished oak staircase. The dwelling was eerily quiet, even with the bustle of newcomers outside, all running as the rain began to fall. It seemed as if few others were staying in the same white stone structure as most of them fled to the other buildings across the field. They reached the top floor, only one door was present, flanked by two guards all dressed in the less formal dark gray uniforms of Earth. They bowed to Amy and Raye, nodded politely to Zoisite and Jadeite, and opened the doors to the suite.
As soon as the doors shut behind them, Darien and Serena appeared, walking arm and arm across the large living room. Serena was dressed in a light white dress that flowed as she walked, hugging her curves without revealing too much. Darien was dressed in black pants and a button-down shirt that was partially untucked. The two of them hardly noticed their visitors as Darien spun Serena around once before pulling her into his arms.
Zoisite coughed abruptly, catching their attention.
"You're late." Darien said as he released Serena and gestured to the plush sofas that dotted the living room. "We don't have much time before tonight's meeting."
"There's a storm." Amy said uncomfortably as she settled onto a sofa beside Zoisite. "It could complicate things."
"Calm down." Raye said with a roll of her eyes. "Lita and Nephrite haven't arrived either."
"That I'm worried about." Serena admitted as she perched herself onto the arm of a sofa. "They should've arrived hours ago… I don't have a good feeling about this council meeting. None of us attended the last one, only Amy…"
"And it was highly uneventful." Amy said as she crossed her arms. "Although I don't remember the weather being this volatile."
"Nothing is happening as it did before, we can't count on the events of the last meeting to repeat themselves. Barrick knows we will all be here, so does Raven and everyone else that could be an enemy. We have to stay on our guard. We don't go anywhere alone." Darien advised as he glanced outside the window. The storm was in full swing now as water sprayed the windows. The waves had grown to a ferocious height and were spilling past the cliffs, battering the ground and the side of the building they were in. "And the sooner we leave the better."
"What about the outer scouts? Has anyone heard from them?" Raye asked.
"Amara and Michelle are here. We saw them this morning." Serena said with a nod. "Trista won't be far, she'll come when needed."
"Mina?" Amy asked as she ran a hand through her hair.
Serena and Darien exchanged an uncomfortable look as Darien finally sat down next to her.
"She won't be here. She's on the Moon with Kunzite." Serena said after a long pause.
"What happened?" Raye asked as she glanced at Darien then Serena and back again. "What aren't you saying?"
"Mina and her father had a disagreement." Darien said carefully as he gave Serena another long look. "She's keeping out of sight for now, until things calm down." He said with a shrug.
"She chose Kunzite." Jadeite said with a grin. "It must've been some disagreement. I bet the king didn't like that—"
"We're losing focus." Darien said. "We only have two hours before we have to appear in the council chamber. We need to make sure we have a plan. Raye, Jed… what did you uncover?"
"We can count on Mars and Uranus." Jadeite confirmed as he grabbed Raye's hand. "Though let it be known, we still haven't had our proper honeymoon."
"Noted." Darien said as he looked to Raye. "What about Neptune and Pluto?"
"They wouldn't receive us." Raye said she met his eyes. "Neptune said we could wait for the meeting. Pluto has closed their borders. I fear we may be too late for them."
"Trista has no pull with her mother?" Zoisite asked quizzically as he looked at Darien.
"They've always had a… difficult relationship." Darien replied, knowing full well just how difficult his was with his own mother. He didn't judge Trista on her issues with her mother. It seemed family drama wasn't just unique to the inner planets.
"We have to at least try." Serena said as she glanced at Darien. "Let me talk to Pluto. Queen Adelaide has been a good friend of my mother's. She'll meet with me."
"Alright." Darien agreed as he shifted his attention to Amy and Zoisite. "What happened on Jupiter? Didn't you go to the planet with Lita and Nephrite?"
"We had to turn around and go back to Mercury. Father has fully recovered though he wants me to keep up appearances until he can get back on his feet." Amy said with a smile, relieved that her father was healthy again. "We tried to contact Lita several times but its storm season on Jupiter, it's difficult to get anything communications through."
"That may also be why they're delayed." Raye said with a shrug.
"We can't trust that they're safe." Darien replied as his jaw set firmly. "Barrick has been impersonating Lita's uncle. Who knows what power he has gathered in her absence."
"Should we go after them?" Zoisite asked Darien.
"Not right now, we need to focus on the Council Meeting right now." Darien instructed as he began to pace the room. "I just don't like it. Something doesn't feel right."
"Correct." A voice said from the corner of the room.
Everyone jumped as a spinning portal opened and Sailor Pluto emerged, her garnet rod firmly in her hands.
"What can you tell us?" Raye asked as she drew closer to Jadeite.
"This Council Meeting is anything but ordinary." Pluto answered as her dark red eyes settled on Serena's. "Do not count on those who you believe are allies. Dark influences have already engulfed many of the planets and be on your guard. Barrick will take advantage of the division."
"What can we do?" Serena asked as she stood.
Pluto's intensive gaze shifted to Serena as the portal once again opened behind her. "Go see my mother as planned but don't bring me up in the conversation." She put one foot inside the portal as she turned her attention to the others in the room. Her eyes lingered on Raye the longest as a look of pity seemed to overcome her. "And the rest of you, remain together as a team, and be prepared to fight."
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Lita put her hands on the wall, her fingers trickling over the worn tapestry. She pressed here and there, her forehead bent in concentration.
"What are you doing?" Nephrite asked from the floor where he lay. His head was against the polished wooden planks that lined the floor of the Steward's study. "Barrick's barricaded us in. We aren't going anywhere."
"There's a door here... somewhere." Lita said as she continued to press against the tapestry. "I remember my father used it..."
"And then what? We're still stuck here." Nephrite said as he gestured to the raging storm just outside their window.
"At least I'm doing something!" Lita snapped as she gripped another tapestry and yanked it down, revealing the wooden walls of the study behind it. "All you're doing is griping."
"The Negaverse isn't here yet, I can't blast us out... give me another few months." Nephrite said as he shut his eyes. "Then again, this time around the fight may be even more one-sided once Barrick gets done with the galaxy."
"Why are you so calm right now?!" Lita shouted as she ripped down another tapestry. "And why the hell are there so many of these?!"
"You know, maybe we're looking at this the wrong way." Nephrite said as he sat up, finally looking at a disgruntled Lita. "Your uncle was a bad guy, there's no questioning that. He killed off Barrick's family, we know that, the Shadow Warriors admit he hired them. We also know he never wanted you to come back into power and let's be honest, he probably had something to do with your parents demise as well. Maybe it isn't such a bad thing that he's not around right now. You know as well as I, the rumors of the atrocities he did during those two years he was in power. He tortured, he killed, he did everything but join the Negaverse, though by the sound of it, they would've welcomed him with open arms."
Lita paused at the mention of her parents. Why was it that she had to be an orphan across two lifetimes? Her parents had perished two years before the Negaverse attacked in the Silver Millennium, the victims of a particularly lethal storm on Jupiter that caused a fire in their ship. Her uncle had given her the news himself and pledged to be only the Steward until she came of age, promising to make sure she was ready before giving her back her throne. "What's your point Nephrite?" Lita asked bitterly.
"My point is, Barrick is now in control, and he hasn't done half of the things your uncle was accused of by now." Nephrite explained as he got to his feet. "I'm not saying Barrick is a good guy either, he trapped us here for a reason, but you saw what happened out there, he could've done much worse. And his goal isn't destroying this universe like the Negaverse wanted. He just wants his revenge on those that wronged him."
"So what do you want Nephrite? You want me to go out there and thank him? This is now the second time I've been trapped against my will!" Lita shouted as she banged on the last panel.
The two fell silent as a click followed the force of her hand and the panel popped open, revealing a narrow corridor.
"I knew it was somewhere." She muttered as she gathered her skirts and headed for the corridor. "Are you coming or are you waiting for Barrick?" She asked as she paused at the door, stopping only long enough to glance at a stoic Nephrite.
"Wait." Nephrite said as he looked around the room. "We need to think this through. What are you going to do once we get out?"
Lita turned to face him as her hands, which had been balled into two tight fists, glowed an electric blue. "Did you forget I'm Sailor Jupiter? Do you not hear that storm raging outside?" Her gaze intensified as the storm outside picked up. "Friend or not, I'm done being pushed around. Barrick thinks this is his show, but these are MY people and this is MY home. I think it's time he gets the hell of my planet and goes home."
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"I call this meeting to order." The King Theodore of Neptune bellowed as his gavel pounded, silencing the whispers in the hall. "Who is in attendance?"
The room fell into a complete silence as the king's eyes settled on those below his high platform. The floor of the chamber resembled a half circle with a series of tables and seats in an arch, spanning several rows, all facing him. The delegations inside the chamber were but a sample of the larger ones that had arrived, no more than five or six people clustered at each table. Only the planets were in attendance for the first meeting and each with a guard to announce the arrival of their respective royals.
"Mercury has sent Princess Amy—"
"Venus has sent King Rupert—"
"Earth has sent King Endymion—"
"The Moon has sent Princess Serenity—"
"Mars has sent King Derrick and Queen Alexa—"
"Jupiter's delegation is delayed—"
"Saturn has sent King Albert—"
"Uranus has sent King Marcus and Queen Tara—"
"Representing Neptune is Princess Michelle—"
"Pluto has sent Queen Adelaide—"
"Presiding over this initial meeting is King Theodore and Queen Leonora of Neptune."
"Now that everyone has announced their presence, we may begin." King Theodore said as he pounded the gavel one more time. "Now, the first item up for today is the renegotiation of our alliance. As you all may know, this year marks three hundred years of the new order of the Grand Council and to ensure another three hundred, we must revisit our original agreement—"
"I must interject." King Albert said as he rose from his seat, catching King Theodore off guard. "But before we get to our official matters, we must discuss the elephant in the room—"
"To what are you referring Albert?" Theodore asked, his brow perked curiously as a ripple of whispers broke out within the chamber. "We have an order to follow. Items for discussion are visited last—"
"Queen Serenity is my concern." Albert said as he gestured to the delegation from the moon. "She hasn't been seen in a month. A long time for a sovereign to be missing and not declared dead." His eyes slide over to the Moon's table, all of whom were watching him intently.
Serena stood, taking a deep breath as she rose, aware of all eyes upon her. "My mother is missing however despite the rumor, there is no confirmation that she has died. It is curious that you are the one bringing the matter to the council's attention as it was YOUR planet she disappeared on!"
"Serenity never made it to Saturn." King Albert said as his cold glare grew harsher. "Or are you accusing me of murder princess?"
"I never made that accusation Albert though it is very strange you are the one concerned about her." Serena insisted. "You have offered no assistance in locating her, no word that she arrived or didn't to your planet, and in fact, you've ignored all attempts at communication with your planet."
"The only reason I am concerned princess is because of him." Albert said as he pointed at a bewildered Darien. "It is no secret you and Earth's new king want to marry. It is also no secret that such an arrangement is forbidden by the agreement in the Grand Council. You cannot rule both the moon and Earth." He said as he crossed his arms. "I think it is Princess Serena and King Endymion that are hiding something. With Serenity gone, they can do as they wish, that is, if they receive our approval."
"Is this true King Endymion?" King Theodore asked as his attention shifted to a silent Darien.
"Are you accusing me of murdering Queen Serenity?" Darien asked as he rose from his table. "Or are you deflecting from that fact that the queen went missing on your planet?"
King Albert's eyes narrowed sharply. "I already told you, she never arrived."
"According to you." Serena said as her hands went to her hips. "My mother made sure to send us word that she did in fact arrive… which makes you a liar King Albert."
"And possibly a murderer…" Darien finished for her. "Or do you know where she is?"
"Enough!" King Theodore said as he pounded his gavel, breaking the tension that had mounted in the room. "I shall disperse several search parties to locate Queen Serenity on Saturn or the Moon. If she is on either, she will be found…"
"Our borders are closed." King Albert said firmly. "We are allowing no one in."
"Then you will open them or face the consequences of the Council." Queen Lenora said simply as she laid a hand on her husband's forearm. "And you had better pray that Princess Serenity and King Endymion are incorrect. IF we find out that Serenity did indeed make it to Saturn, then the consequences will be dire, not just for you, but for the entire planet as well."
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"Are you tired of all of these balls?" Jadeite asked Darien as he tugged at the high collar of his general's uniform. "I've never worn this thing so much."
"You're a prince now." Darien chuckled as he shrugged on his tuxedo jacket. "Get used to it."
The first night of the Grand Council meeting was underway which meant a ball was planned, giving everyone ample time to mingle while dressed in their richest finery. Already many of the other delegations from the planets were passing Darien and Jadeite as they entered the ballroom, some nodding politely as they passed and others, ignoring them completely.
Zoisite grumbled as he joined the two in the grand foyer of the main hall. He too seemed less than pleased to be dressed once again in his formal uniform as well. "How much longer?" He asked as he straightened his coat.
"Easy you too, this is the life you chose." Darien said as he gestured to the fine marble lobby around them. "You both married princesses, get used to it, especially if we get stuck here. Balls, parties, formal engagements, bowing, scraping, its all part of the deal."
Jadeite snorted as he ran a gloved hand through his hair. "I'd rather be back on Earth. I liked the modern age. There was air conditioning."
"I miss that too." Darien admitted as he fixed the bright red sash that crossed his broad chest. He paused as the crowd before him seemed to part. His dark blue eyes caught sight of a swirl of white silk, floating across the foyer to him.
Serena approached, flanked by Luna and Artemis and other members of her delegation. She was dressed in a stunning gown of white silk, lined with silver beading. The skirts flowed around her hips and grazed the top of the floor as she moved. The sleeves fell elegantly off her shoulders, hugging her arms all the way to her wrists. The bodice was fitted to her slender torso and covered with thousands of tiny silver beads that glinted in the firelight. Her long blonde hair was up, all pinned and braided onto her head beneath her diamond tiara.
"But this..." He whispered to Jadeite and Zoisite, never once taking his eyes off Serena. "I'll never miss seeing her this beautiful." He said as he left them, opening his arms to his fiance, who fell against him gracefully. Their lips met in a sweet kiss.
"You look stunning." Darien said to her as their lips parted. "I'll be the envy of every man inside."
"And you look so handsome." Serena replied as she laid a hand on his cheek as she blushed. "I shall be the envy of every woman."
"Come on you two, let's get inside, save the sap for later." Artemis grumbled as he glanced at the quickly emptying foyer. "We'll miss the beginning of the ball."
Darien offered Serena his arm which she took gleefully. Together they entered the ballroom, followed by their delegations.
Jadeite hung back as he watched Darien enter with the princess. He was waiting still for Raye, who had yet to show.
Zoisite hesitated at the door, glancing over his shoulder at him. Amy and the delegation from Mercury were already inside. "You coming?"
"I've got to wait for Raye." Jadeite replied with a huff. "You go inside."
Zoisite nodded to his friend and followed Darien inside, the doors shutting behind him.
Jadeite paced the empty foyer as he could hear the music of the ball beginning behind him. He could feel his nerves on edge as each minute passed. His boots pounded the marble floor as he walked back and forth, his eyes flickering towards the doors that led outside where Raye would hopefully arrive through soon.
As each song ended and a new one began, Jadeite couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong. He glanced back at the ballroom door, torn between his duty as a general to his king and also, as a husband to his new wife. Sighing, he pushed open the doors and ran down the path back to the residence where he had left Raye.
A soft rain had began to fall and saturated his face as he ran across the large field to the white stone building. He didn't care in that moment if he looked like a drowned rat, he didn't like the anxious feeling that was quickly curling around his abdomen. As he burst through the doors to the residence and looked up the desolate staircase the feeling intensified. No sound greeted his ears. Just an hour earlier he heard the bustle of the delegation from Mars, all of them getting ready for the ball.
Instantly his hand went to his sword as he climbed the stairs. Each landing was abandoned and quiet. Bodies littered the floor, all of them dressed for the ball they would never attend. Jadeite immedaitely drew his sword as he sprinted up to Raye's floor, fighting to urge to call out for her. He could feel his heart pounding against his chest as his mind prepared for the worst.
He reached the third floor and slowly approached the doors of the room he shared with Raye. The door was slighly ajar. A ribbon of light from the bedroom reached the dimly lit hallway, giving no indication of the occupants inside. He pushed his wet hair from his face as he reached the door and pushed it open.
The room was in tatters. The bed had been sliced in two, the furniture covered with scorch marks, and glass littered the floor. His eyes quickly scanned the room. Raye's ruby ball gown was on the floor in shreds before the fireplace.
"Raye?!" Jadeite yelled as he rushed inside, fearing the worst. "RAYE!"
"She's not here." A voice replied quietly behind him.
Jadeite spun around just as the door to the room shut behind him, revealing a very smug looking Barrick. He folded his arms across his chest as his eyes settled upon Jadeite.
"What have you done with her?" Jadeite asked as he pointed his sword at him. "Where is she?!"
"I didn't harm your princess." Barrick replied. "Quite the opposite in fact. If it weren't for me, she'd be in the clutches of Saturn with her parents."
"What happened here? Where is my wife?!" Jadeite hollared as he took a step closer to Barrick. "No games Barrick, answer me before I rip you into pieces."
"Saturn attacked." Barrick said as his expression turned grim. "He got the king and queen of Mars, but I stopped him before he got Raye. He fled with those he managed to capture. Raye tried to follow him, I had to stop her before she did anything stupid. She's there, beside the bed..."
Jadeite dropped his sword as his eyes flickered over to the bed. Sure enough Raye was next to it, hidden from the doorway but dressed in her skirt and corset as if she had been readying for the ball. Her long ebony hair was combed and pinned to one side with a diamond clip set with scattered rubies that glinted hauntingly. He fell to his knees beside her and gathered her in his arms as she slowly came to.
"Raye! Raye... wake up... wake up!" Jadeite urged as he shook her.
Raye groaned as her forehead wrinkled and one hand went to her ear which was bloody. She grimaced as she opened her eyes, her dark pupils shrunk in the bright light. "Jed... Jed he took them..."
"Are you okay?" Jadeite asked as he craddled her. "Are you hurt?"
"Barrick..." Raye said as she caught sight of him standing still by the door. "Where did he take them?"
"Back to Saturn I suppose." Barrick said simply as he reached down and grabbed Jadeite's sword. "Though it matters not, he won't keep them long. Albert doesn't keep prisoners, even royal ones. Your parents will meet their demise soon, just as Princess Lita's did... and Queen Serenity." He pointed the sword back at Jadeite. "Though I didn't come to save you princess. I came for him."
Jadeite released Raye as he stood, blocking her from Barrick's view as a vein snaked across his temple. "What do you want Barrick?"
"Simple. A life for a life." Barrick swung the blade once, cutting through the air with a loud whip. "I want you to feel the same grief as I did princess." His eyes flickered over to Raye. "The grief of having someone you love cut down before you."
"NO!" Raye screamed as tears filled her eyes. "We aren't your enemies Barrick! We didn't do anything to you or your family!"
Jadeite's jaw set tightly as he grabbed his dagger from his belt, the only weapon he had left. He remained before Raye, shielding her from the madman before them, but he knew well enough that the small blade would not be enough to protect them against a sword.
"You didn't... but Endymion and his generals did." Barrick said as he swung the blade again, this time coming into contact with Jadeite's dagger. He pressed against him, causing the dagger to fall from Jadeite's grasp. "Mars denied my family shelter when they needed it. As far as I'm concerned Saturn can eradicate your entire planet but you... Jadeite... I will kill you myself."
"STOP!" Raye screamed as Barrick swung the blade again but this time it cut right into Jadeite's side. She watched helplessly as Jadeite fell to his knees before her, dark red blood saturating the side of his general's uniform.
"NOOOOOOOOO!" She screamed as tears filled her eyes and Jadeite crumbled before her.
Barrick merely grinned as he tossed Jadeite's sword back to him. A dark portal opened behind him, dancing just along the wall. "Now you feel my pain princess... enjoy your last moments with your husband and know that I only saved you so you could watch him die." He stepped through the portal and disappeared.
Raye screamed again as she fell to her knees beside Jadeite who was now on the floor, looking up at her. She quickly grabbed her ruined ball gown and pressed it against his side, hoping to slow the blood that was quickly seeping from his wound as tears streamed down her cheeks. "No Jadeite... you're not leaving me! Not like this!"
He weakly lifted his hand and settled it onto her cheek as he gave her a sad smile. "You look so beautiful." He whispered. "We did it this time... we were finally together."
She shook her head as she put her hand over his. "No... this isn't the end... it's not... we are supposed to have a long life together. We deserve it!"
He smiled again as he brought her down to his lips. "You will." He whispered into her ear as his hand fell from her cheek.
Raye screamed as she felt him go limp before her. She fell against him, crying as she could hear a loud crash behind her. She didn't even turn to see who it was, she merely clung to Jadeite as her tears soaked the front of his uniform.
"Stop your crying princess." A voice said to her.
Raye immedaitely froze as she lifted her head.
Nikko and Fabian stood in the doorway, watching her with dark expressions. They too were dressed in tuxedos with their royal sashes in red and blue, crossing their chests.
"What do you want?" She asked in between sobs. "You're too late!"
"No." Fabian said as he crossed the room and looked down at Jadeite's body. "Do you want us to save him or not?"
"What are you talking about? He's gone!" Raye said as she sat up, glancing at Fabian then back to Nikko.
Nikko walked towards her, his expression turning, if possible, even darker. "You heard him. Do you want us to save him or not?"
Raye took a moment, her tears finally slowing as she looked back down at Jadeite, now pale as the white sheets of the bed. His fingers were still pressed against hers though they were quickly losing their warmth. "Y...yes..."
"Stand back." Fabian ordered as he took hold of her arm and pulled her back against the wall.
"I told you we should've left earlier." Nikko said to his brother as he held his hands out over Jadeite's body. "Now this complicates things." He said as a dark cloud of energy emerged from his hands, trickling down to cover Jadeite's body.
"That's dark energy! What are you doing?!" Raye screamed as her eyes widened.
"You wanted us to save him." Fabian said to her as he held her back. "The darkness saved him before, it will do so again."
Raye could feel her blood run cold as she saw the dark cloud sink into Jadeite's body. The blood that had escaped his body evaporated and his wound glowed a brilliant green as it healed. His color slowly returned as his hands balled into two fists.
"No, this is much worse." Raye whispered as she realized what she had done. "He won't remember me, he won't be the same."
"It's the price to pay." Nikko said simply as he stepped away from Jadeite.
Raye held her breath as his eyes popped open. The soft green irises had changed to black. He looked at her as he sat up, his eyes no longer reflecting the kindness he always showed to her.
That wasn't her Jadeite. It was someone else. The look in his eyes was the same she saw when he was at Beryl's side.
Jadeite was gone.