Part II: Chapter 27
The Battle for Mars
"The first attack is underway." Pluto said as she stepped out of a spinning portal into the Moon Palace's grand hall.
Sailor Neptune and Uranus stood just in front of a white-faced Serenity. They turned as she approached, their expressions as equally as grim.
"We have to help." Uranus said as she glanced at Serenity.
"I need you to do something else." Serenity said as she crossed the hall to a window, overlooking the massive Moon gardens. She glanced at the sky above, focusing instead on the glowing red orb in the sky… Mars.
"What could be more important than fighting Metaria?" Neptune asked as she shot a quizzical look at Pluto.
Pluto returned her look, her jaw set firm, not daring to speak just yet.
"Albert is with Raven on Mars." Serenity said as she turned to them. "He left Hotaru on the planet."
Neptune and Uranus shared a long glance as Serenity approached.
"What are you thinking Queen Serenity?" Pluto asked as she crossed her arms.
"We need her." Serenity replied as she came to a stop before them. "We need the power of the Silence Glaive… we need her power."
"She's been corrupted." Neptune said nervously. "Raven got to her before any of us did. You weren't on Neptune for the council meeting. You didn't see how she was. She was dark and cruel. What's worse is Albert wanted her that way."
"You need to break his hold on her." Serenity instructed them as suddenly the glow from Mars grew greater in the night sky. "And quickly."
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"Something's wrong..." Raye whispered as they stepped out of the teleportation room on Mars.
The palace was eerily quiet, unnaturally so. The royal palace on Mars had always been flooded with nobles and dignitaries, all conducting their business in the vast trading markets that dotted the land. The palace was the main transportation hub for their work but the usual chatter and overflow of visitors were absent.
The halls were completely barren. Every light was extinguished save for the trickle of sunlight through the grand windows. The air was stale and heavy, creating a feeling amongst the scouts that they had just entered a tomb.
"Stay alert." Nikko advised as he came to a stop before a heap of ash. "There's death all around us."
"What is that?" Mina asked as noticed dozens of similar heaps along the main hallway of the palace.
"It was a person." Kunzite answered for her as he unsheathed his sword, holding it ready. "Now it's not."
Lita screeched as she nearly stepped on a pile of ash but Nephrite was fast.
He caught her around the middle and lifted her up, over the heap and set her down beside him. He held her steady, his dark eyes locking onto hers as she caught her breath. "It's okay, stay with me." He told her as he took her hand.
Lita nodded and followed him as they left the transportation room for the main hallway, following the rest of the scouts and generals.
Raye carefully pressed forward as they walked down the long stone floor hallway to the main wing of the palace. She glanced at the paintings that lined the walls, all depicting her deceased relatives, their eyes watching them as they passed. She could feel Jadeite's presence beside her, watching her back as she moved. "Need something?" She asked.
"Aren't you a princess?" Jadeite asked as his cruel smile returned. "Seems like your soldiers couldn't hold up against a real threat. There aren't hardly enough piles of ash here as there should be. I bet most of them ran for their lives."
"You don't remember how savage the Negaverse was." Raye said as she passed another pile. "It was like nothing anyone had ever seen. They destroyed everything and everyone just to gather more power."
"Sounds like I'm on the wrong side then." Jadeite said casually. "Especially now that Nikko has decided to join the light."
"You don't want to rejoin their side." Raye said bitterly as she remembered all the horrors they had faced against Metaria and Beryl. "They killed you… twice."
Jadeite's expression turned to mild surprise. "My power didn't save me?"
"No." Raye said as she pointed to Serena who was several steps in front of them. "She did. She saved us all."
"Why would she save me if I wasn't on her side?" Jadeite asked as he stopped. He examined the back of Serena's head, as if the answer would be plastered amongst her golden hair. "Why would anyone save someone that didn't matter?"
"Because that's what families do." Raye said as she stopped beside him, her dark amethyst eyes locking with his rich green eyes. "Evil or not Jed… you're family. You were my lover then, you're my husband now." She whispered. "You're important to me, so you're important to the scouts."
For a moment, Jadeite's expression softened as he looked at her. He opened his mouth to speak but for the first time since they'd left Neptune, he didn't know what to say.
Raye took a shaky breath as she could see a glimmer of the real Jadeite beneath his hard exterior. She could feel him close, as if the man he used to be was lingering behind a curtain. Could she bring him back?
Before she could stop herself she closed the gap between them and put one hand on his shoulder as her heart beat painfully fast against her chest.
He didn't cringe from her touch but rather kept his gaze on hers as his breathing grew uneven.
She could feel his confusion as she leaned forward and gently brushed her lips against his. It only lasted five seconds but he didn't push her off or stop her, in fact, she could feel his lips press back against hers.
Slowly she pulled from him, her heart racing still.
"Why did you do that?" Jadeite asked her as their eyes met again.
"Because I love you… and I always will." Raye whispered, holding his gaze just a moment longer before she turned away, following her friends down the hall.
"You know, we were never truly lost." Kunzite said to Mina as they followed Raye and Jadeite down the length of the hall, both of them having witnessed the kiss. "Even when we were with Beryl, there were moments that I could feel something pulling at my hand, like it was trying to keep me from harming you. I ignored it at first… but each time I saw you that urge grew stronger and stronger. I realized you were that force inside of me." He said as he took her hand in his. "You always managed to bring me back Mina."
Mina smiled and paused, turning against his chest. His hands went to her hips, pulling her closer as their lips met in a sweet kiss.
"I love you." She whispered to him as their lips broke.
"Cut it out love birds." Nikko said as he passed them in the hallway. "Stay focused, we're walking into a snake pit."
Mina rolled her eyes at Nikko as he passed but Kunzite merely grinned. "Come on." He told her as he took up her hand again and followed him down the hall. "You'd think he'd be more sentimental, look at all the things he's done just to be with Serena."
Serena glanced over her shoulder at Raye, Jadeite, Mina and Kunzite, feeling her own rush of emotions as she saw them together, deepening their bonds, even if they didn't know it. She couldn't help but think about the mess she was in herself. Darien passed by her, his sword ready in his hand but his gaze was focused on the hall before him. He looked right past her, never even acknowledging her presence.
He was still angry, and she couldn't blame him. After everything they had gone through together, she had to make the decision neither of them wanted to. How much longer could they repeat the same cycle through each life: fighting to be with each other, being ripped apart and dying just to stay together? Would anything ever change that way? Maybe… to stop the cycle, one of them had to make a sacrifice.
She would be that sacrifice.
Serena could see Nikko just before her, looking over his shoulder to make sure she was near. She felt a lump grow in her throat as he stopped and reached for her hand. Was he her future? The child that grew in her belly could be his, but it could also be Darien's. With no modern technology, she wasn't so sure she would ever know. If Nikko was to be her fate, her child, if Darien's… would be the only thing she'd have left of the man she loved.
"Stay close to me Serena." Nikko said as he took her hand in his own though she did not reach for his. "I still don't like you being here."
"I belong with my team." Serena insisted as she pulled her hand away. "And I can take care of myself."
"Don't tell me that Serena, I've seen how many times you were taken in this life and the last…" Nikko said as he grabbed her elbow.
"Let her go Nikko." Darien said firmly as he whipped around to face him.
"This isn't Earth Endymion, I don't have to listen you. No one has to listen to you. You have no power here." Nikko said as his eyes narrowed. "Serena chose me."
"No she didn't… you took advantage of her." Darien said as he pointed his sword directly at Nikko. "And I don't need a crown on my head to beat the hell out of you—"
"Stop." Serena said as she got between them, glaring at both of them. "We don't have time for this right now."
"The princess is correct for once." Barrick's cool voice said from before him.
Instantly Nikko and Darien whipped around their swords ready as Nephrite, Jadeite and Kunzite went to their sides, creating a wall between him and the scouts.
"You can put those away." Barrick said as Rhea and Idra, their staffs held before them, moved to his side. "We're allies aren't we?"
"You don't know the meaning of the word." Darien said through clenched teeth as he kept his sword pointed at Barrick's chest. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help." Barrick said simply.
Darien scoffed as he kept his sword up. "I doubt that."
"You just killed hundreds of people on Neptune and suddenly you want to help?" Amy asked as she shook her head. "You're a murderer—"
"Then let me do what I do best. You don't have to like me, you just need to hate Queen Metaria more." Barrick said as a cruel grin crossed his features. "And I promise you… she's worse."
"We could use your help." Serena said as she stepped forward, moving towards Barrick.
"Curious request as he took your mother." Queen Raven said as she walked into view, appearing on the balcony of the second floor. Behind her King Albert, Queen Alexa and King Derrick appeared, stone-faced.
"What are you doing here?" Darien asked as he locked eyes with his mother.
"Here to help you of course." Raven said as she descended the stairs. "It seems that a foe like the Negaverse is more concerning than the squabbles between us. We must unite if we are to survive."
"Have you lost your mind?!" Raye shouted as she faced Lita, Raye, Mina and Serena. "After everything Barrick did? And Raven?! How can we trust them?"
"Barrick saved my life on the moon." Serena said as she gave Darien an apologetic glance. "When Queen Raven—" she shot her a look. "Sent an assassin to kill me in my sleep."
Raven reached the first floor, her silky black skirts swirling around her ankles as she walked. "I may not like you little princess, but I certainly wouldn't stoop so low as to send an assassin in the dead of night." She said with a sneer. "I want to see the life leave your eyes and know that I stopped you from ruining my son's life."
"Well you don't have to worry about that mother." Darien said bitterly. "We aren't getting married."
For the first time in weeks, Raven smiled. "What a shame."
"Wait." Serena said as she glanced, bewildered, at Barrick. "If you didn't send the assassin, who did?"
Silence fell over the hall as no one replied.
"The soldier had a uniform of Saturn on." Kunzite remarked as he glanced at Barrick.
"And he said he was sent by you." Serena replied as one hand went to her neck. She could still feel the force of the soldier's hands around her neck, crushing her windpipe.
"I assure you, no one has been off Saturn until the Grand Council meeting." Albert said dryly. "The planet's borders have been closed."
"Where's Pluto when you need her?" Mina asked out loud as a boom of thunder shook the palace, rattling the windows. "She'd know."
Lita shivered as she drew closer to Nephrite. "We need to find out what happened here on Mars first—"
"What happened is Mars is riddled with death." Raven said as she approached. "You know what happens when a pure source of evil steals all of your energy?" She asked as she pointed to the piles of ash. "You become nothing."
"She sucked the planet dry." Queen Alexa whispered, her eyes full of tears. "Those who could, fled to Jupiter and Earth."
"They were but a fraction of the planet's population." King Albert commented as he crossed his arms. "Though you are quite lucky not all your people perished." He said as he looked directly at Raye.
"Where's Metaria?" Serena asked him as she clutched her Crescent staff closer to her chest, knowing that Metaria wouldn't linger on Mars much longer.
"The Temple of Kuya, up the mountain." Queen Alexa said as she went to Raye, taking her daughter into her arms. "I do believe we are expected."
"So what's our plan?" Barrick asked as he went to Serena's side. "Storm the temple? Lure her out with snacks? Offer her a sacrifice?"
"We talk to our brother." Nikko said as he stepped forward, looking Barrick directly in the eye. "You and me."
"What?" Almost everyone in the room spoke at the same time as all eyes went to them.
"Fabian is up there with Metaria." Nikko said as he turned to Serena and the other scouts. "King Albert told me on the Moon, and I didn't want to believe it. I left my brother in charge of the kingdom. Charon was finally his. I know he never cared to be king but I didn't realize that when I left… how broken he was."
"And Metaria likes broken." Barrick said as he glanced at a stunned Serena. "Once he was king, he became a prime target."
"He joined her." Nikko said, shaking his head as he turned away. "And only we can bring him back."
"Just how do you expect us to do that?" Barrick scoffed. "He doesn't like me… and I have a good suspicion he won't want to see you either."
"Wait, wait..." Serena said, stepping between Nikko and Barrick. "You're... brothers?"
"Yes." Nikko admitted as he met her eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me that?" She asked, her voice in the edge of a whisper. "How could you keep that from me?"
"It didn't seem important." Nikko replied with a casual shrug as Barrick snorted behind him.
"Not important?!" Serena screamed. "I was with Barrick for three years. I almost married him!"
"Serena, stop—" Mina said as she walked forward, grabbing her friend's arm to keep her from charging at Nikko. Her dark blue eyes settled on Nikko's as she fought the tears clogging her throat. "You said Fabian is with Metaria... why would he join her? He knows what she's capable of. He knows how deceitful she is!"
"You know why Mina." Nikko said softly as he looked away.
Mina lifted one horrified hand to her lips as she shook her head in disbelief. "No..."
"He gave up a lot for you." Nikko said bitterly over his shoulder. "And you didn't do the same for him."
Mina felt all eyes in the room focus on her as she choked back a sob. She could feel Kunzite put one hand in her shoulder as her mind raced through the reasons why Fabian would choose the darkness over the light. She knew she'd hurt him, more than she'd ever know and she'd left the planet with Nikko, his only anchor in the darkness.
"I'm going with you too." Mina announced as she shrugged off Kunzite's hand.
"Absolutely not!" Kunzite yelled as he spun her around. "You can't Mina! He's been corrupted by darkness—"
"You told me yourself that even when the darkness had you, there was still a piece of you in there!" Mina said as she yanked away from him. "If Nikko and Barrick can't bring him back, maybe I can."
"It's not a bad plan." Serena said, butting in. "But it shouldn't be our first plan. We have to get Nikko and Barrick to Fabian. We all know that he won't be waiting at the temple doors for us. "
"There will be warriors all around him." Raven acknowledged. "And don't be surprised if he corrupted some of your soldiers." She said with a glance at the king and queen of Mars.
Thunder rumbled in the distance again, this time louder.
"Great." Raye grumbled as rain began to splatter the side of the palace. "Now there'll be mud too—"
"Worried about dirtying your dress princess?" Idra asked with a cold smile. Beside her Rhea chuckled. "Palace living has made you soft."
Raye's eyes narrowed and she made a jump for Idra but Lita caught her elbow. "Easy Raye, allies remember?"
"Prepare yourselves." Serena said to the room as she held her staff directly before her. "The journey up the mountain will be long and arduous." She said as she glanced at all the faces before her. "And most likely, full of enemies."
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Amy silent trudged up the winding stone steps from the palace to the worn path that she and others had embarked upon just a few weeks ago. How different things were now. She had made the journey on Zoisite's arm, elated that they had more time together than they did before… now he was gone. Had Barrick killed him? Had Raven?
This journey would be entirely different from the last. There was no joy in her step, no twinkle in her eye. She would make the journey with her team, alongside an army of foes who suddenly had become friends… but she had never been more alone. She felt foreign and strange amongst them.
She felt a tear come to her eye as she saw Kunzite and Mina, walking together, their arms looped. She could see Nephrite and Lita following close behind them, his hand on her back. Jadeite followed closely to Raye though they didn't speak. Even Serena was beside Nikko though her eye continually wandered to a stone-faced Darien who kept as much distance as possible between him and his mother.
"You're wondering where he is." King Albert said as he walked up behind Amy.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Amy replied softly as she turned her attention elsewhere.
"He's safe." King Albert said casually as he fiddled with the cuff of his shirt. "Though, I must admit, I'd hate to see him fall once he faces Metaria. Shame to waste such talent."
"Where is he?" Amy asked as she reeled on him, her pale cheeks turning bright red. "What have you done to him?"
"We saved your husband." Raven commented as she gathered her long skirts in her hands and lifted them to begin the climb. "You should be thankful… though he does have a debt to repay"
"Where is he?!" Amy repeated, screaming this time.
"See for yourself." Raven said as she gestured to the path behind them, the beginning of the dirt path that snaked up the mountain, along the palace and to the top where the temple waited for them.
Amy turned, looking down the length of the path and took a sharp breath as a sea of soldiers, all dressed in the dark purple uniforms of Saturn waited, ready to join their king on the climb to the summit of the mountain. They stretched as far as she could see but at the very front of the brigade, perched on a large black horse, was a man in a dark gray uniform, his bright blond hair setting him apart from his darker colored comrades.
"Zoi." She whispered as she took off, running down the hill. "Zoisite!" She screamed as she ran past an alarmed Serena, screaming at her to stop.
"AMY!" Serena yelled as she took off after her, Raye, Lita and Mina all following her.
Amy ran down the length of the palace, headed straight for Zoisite who dismounted his horse at the sound of his name. He stood, stoically silent as Amy rushed to him and threw her arms around his neck.
"You're alive! Zoi… you're okay… did they hurt you? What happened? What did they do?" She asked as tears flooded her eyes.
Zoisite went rigid as she grabbed him, his eyes growing in size as the remainder of the scouts came to a stop behind them. "Please unhand me." He said to her as he glanced at Queen Raven and King Albert, both of whom were watching him intensely.
"Zoisite?" Amy asked as she pulled from him, hastily wiping away her tears.
"I am bound to my lady Queen Raven and the King of Saturn, King Albert." Zoisite told her as he straightened the front of his jacket. "I am the commander of their army, sent to vanquish the evil that has overcome this planet. Only then will I be released." He said to her.
"He doesn't know you." Raven said as she walked towards Amy, her smug smile only growing. "I may have wiped his memories when I revived him. I didn't care much for my son's friends but I do remember their savagery and their combat skills. Zoisite has made an excellent addition to our cause and he won't be burdened with you, not anymore."
"You cold heartless bitch—" Amy said to her as she lunged, slapping Raven across the face.
The scouts immediately rushed forward, pulling Amy away from a rabid Raven who took a swing at Amy but barely missed as King Albert grabbed her arm.
"Enough!" King Albert commanded as he pushed Raven away from the scouts with more force than necessary. "We don't have time to fight with each other. We need to get up that mountain before dark."
"He's right." Serena agreed as she glanced at Amy who was still shaking with rage. "Let's move."
Raven sent another glare at Amy but took her skirts and stomped up the path, back up the mountain as Zoisite got back onto his horse. He gave Amy one last glance before he took off, leading the soldiers behind him up the mountain.
"Nice move Amy." Lita grinned as she took Amy's arm. "We've all been wanting to do that."
"Especially me." Serena gripped as she joined them. "You just beat me to it."
"Something tells me we'll get another chance." Raye muttered bitterly as they climbed the mountain. "Does this feel like the Hunger Games to anyone else? The second we get rid of Metaria we'll all be enemies again, and they'll try to wipe us out. Raven will go back to trying to kill you Serena and Barrick will continue his onslaught of the Galaxy…"
"I've been thinking about that." Mina whispered. "I may have a plan—"
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"Are you ready?" Kunzite asked Mina as they neared the top of the mountain. The sun was beginning to drop behind them and above, the two moons of Mars, Phobos and Deimos were making their ascent into the sky.
Mina glanced at the two moons, snorting to herself at the irony of the moment. "Back on Earth there is a myth about the god of war Ares, whom this planet was named after. Those two moons were meant to embody fear and terror. And here we are… marching possibly to our deaths but what will most certainly be a bloody and terrifying battle." She whispered as she felt her shoulders tremble. "And I'm scared Kunzite…"
"Hey." He stopped her, letting the long line of soldiers pass them as he guided her to the edge of the wood. "We'll look out for each other okay? I'm not about to let anything happen to you."
Mina nodded, knowing that his words were sincere but she still couldn't chase away the sense of dread that had settled into the pit of her stomach. "Raye lost Jadeite, Amy just lost Zoisite. Are we next?" She asked as her voice broke.
Kunzite took her into his arms, pulling her close to his chest as she emitted a soft sob. "No." He whispered. "We're finally together as we should be."
Mina clung to him as a child would, her shoulders shaking with each ragged breath she took. "So were they."
"STOP!" Zoisite's voice rang out as the long line of soldiers halted, stopping just before the path melted to the stone steps of the temple. "They're here." He said as he jumped from his horse and drew his sword.
The soldiers behind him followed, the sound of metal on metal filling the air as their swords were unsheathed, thirsty for their first kill.
Serena, Raye, Lita and Amy gathered together, already transformed into their sailor uniforms. Nikko, Jadeite, Nephrite and Darien were close by, their swords drawn and ready as a crow appeared above them, emitting a lazy caw as it flew overhead.
"It's just a bird." King Derrick remarked as he sheathed his sword, casting a glance at his wife, Queen Alexa who was beside an alarmed Raven. "Nothing to worry—"
He froze as a single arrow pierced his chest, cutting him off mid-sentence.
Queen Alexa screamed as her husband fell to the ground in a pool of his own blood.
"Father!" Raye screamed as she rushed towards him but Lita stopped her.
"No Raye!" Lita said with a shake of her head. "We have to fight!"
"They're all around us!" Zoisite yelled as the air suddenly became electric. "Swords ready!"
Mina pulled from Kunzite just as the ground beneath them began to shake, the mountain itself seemingly emitting an earsplitting growl.
"It's her." Kunzite whispered to Mina as he held her steady. "Metaria's here…"
"Mina look out!" Serena screamed as she pointed her Crescent staff behind her, lighting up the tree line.
Mina jumped out of the way, narrowly missing a blast by a red-eyed Martian soldier. Zoisite was right, they had been surrounded and didn't even know it.
Immediately the Saturn's soldiers spread out, engaging with Metaria's minions as the scouts powered up.
"Venus Love and Beauty Shock—"
"Mercury Mirage Wave—"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution—
"Mars Snake Fire—"
Serena watched as the first wave of soldiers fell before them but instantly another group charged, jumping over their fallen comrades and rushing towards the scouts.
"There's too many." Serena breathed as she swung her staff, meeting a soldier's sword. "Spread out—"
King Albert appeared beside her, throwing a bag onto the ground between the scouts. "Take a weapon and fight, you won't have enough energy to use your powers against them all."
"What are they?" Mina asked as she bent down and withdrew a black bow and quiver full of dark arrows with glittering red tips.
"They're enhanced with magic." King Albert explained. "They're the only weapons we can use against them that will work as effectively as the power you five possess."
Lita immediately bent down and grabbed a dagger, grinning as she saw the dark glint of the blade. "Let's see how good they are." She let it fly at the nearest soldier. As soon as the blade hit the soldier's flesh he disintegrated before her, crumbling to a pile of ash.
"Grab a weapon and move!" Serena ordered as another group of soldiers rushed towards them.
Mina took the bow and instantly let an arrow fly at an approaching soldier, slicing through him, sending down a rain of ash.
Raye grabbed a short sword, the cool metal feeling oddly foreign in her hands. Unlike the others she had limited skills in weaponry, her skills better with the bow that Mina had already claimed. Before she could linger on the thought any longer, she felt a hand grasp her shoulder, throwing her to the ground.
She cried out as she fell on her back, a blade narrowly missing her head as she rolled away from the soldier that grabbed her. She felt the sword leave her hands as she moved, desperately trying to keep away from the swings of the soldier but not having enough time to get to her feet.
She screamed as she reached the body of a fallen soldier from Saturn, stopping her escape. She could hear the last, deadly swing of the Martian's soldier's sword, waiting to cut through her flesh. She cringed and shut her eyes, waiting to feel the blow but it never came. She waited two long seconds before daring to open her eyes.
She could see Jadeite standing above her, his left hand around the throat of the soldier that had chased her. She could see his deep green eyes flash dangerously as he lifted the soldier up with ease, crushing his neck and tossing his lifeless body to the side.
Raye took a moment, her chest heaving with each shaky breath she drew into her lungs. Jadeite glanced down at her, the cruelness that had lingered in his features disappeared as he locked eyes with her. He extended his hand down, grasping hers and lifted her up with ease.
"Why did you do that?" She asked him, remembering his warning that he wouldn't save her.
Jadeite stared at her for a moment, as if he were carefully evaluating his response but his lips remained pursed together, silent.
Raye nodded, knowing that somewhere, the Jadeite she had loved had emerged, even if it was only for a moment. "Thank you." She whispered as she bent down and grabbed her sword.
He nodded to her and rushed off, engaging with another soldier, leaving her alone.
Across the field Barrick hit Nikko on the shoulder. "We doing this?" He asked as he sliced his sword through an oncoming soldier. "I'll bet my life he's in that temple. We don't have time to stop all these soldiers before he gets away."
"Let's go." Nikko said as he glanced at Serena. He could see her engaged with one soldier, her staff clobbering his head just hard enough to knock him out. He emitted a shaky sigh, as if he were dreading his next words. "Endymion!" He shouted.
Darien whipped around, his face slick with sweat as he pushed off a solider. "What?"
"Keep an eye on her." Nikko said to him firmly, his brow furrowed so tightly it seemed as if it pained him even to say it.
"I'll protect her. You just go stop your brother." Darien said with a nod as he rushed to Serena's side, his sword cutting through two more soldiers.
"We've got your back." Idra said as she and Rhea appeared, both of them sweaty and their staffs slick with blood that clearly wasn't theirs.
"Onwards." Barrick said with a nod as he pushed back his dark, chestnut hair. He sprinted for the temple, his sword moving with deadly precision, cutting all those in his path.
Nikko was just as lethal, his sword moved with a dancer's grace, each kill more impressive than the last. Unlike the Sailor Scouts, he lived for the kill. Each time he cut down an enemy, his sword grew stronger, his lust for blood nearly suffocating. The life of an assassin had been more than just a career for him, it was a drug, an addiction that hadn't been satisfied.
The two men came to a stop just before the great wooden doors of the temple. While the sounds of the battle raging below flooded their ears, the grounds of the temple were silent and barren. A heavy fog lingered around their ankles and swirled before them, obscuring their full view of the temple as the sun sank lower and lower behind them.
"We'll wait here." Idra said as they saw the doors. "I don't trust Metaria to play fair."
Barrick nodded once to her and Rhea, adjusted his grip on his sword, and put one hand on the door. He glanced at Nikko. "What would dad say if he could see us now?" He asked with a cruel smile.
"I doubt you'd care." Nikko replied bitterly. "You killed him."
"You're right about that. I don't care." Barrick said as he kicked the door open, revealing the great flames of the temple before them.
Fabian stood inside, relatively close to the ceremonial fire that took up half the temple. He was dressed head to toe in black save for a deep green cloak that was fixed to his broad shoulders. His dark hair was loose, hanging just above his shoulders, but his deep green eyes had lost their usual shimmer. His expression was cold and hard as Nikko and Barrick approached, their swords ready.
"My brothers." He whispered. "I didn't expect the two of you to join forces."
"Well, we didn't expect a blond to make you lose your mind." Barrick replied bitterly. "Or for you to join the Negaverse."
"Mina?" Fabian asked with half a laugh. "You think she did this to me? You think she was the one who pushed me to find my true destiny?"
"This isn't your destiny Fabian. Charon was and still is. Our family is." Nikko said as his deep amethyst eyes settled on his brother's.
"No Nikko, Charon was yours." Fabian replied curtly as he slowly approached, his heavy black boots echoing through the large temple with each step he took. "Father groomed you to be king. I was an afterthought… insurance, in case his fair-haired son couldn't live up to his legacy. I followed you everywhere, did everything you ever asked me to simply because I had only ever known living in your shadow." Fabian said darkly as he came to a stop before Nikko. "I deserve more than your hand me downs. I deserve more than always being second. I was second for Charon, I was second for father, hell I was even second for Mina… but not anymore"
"You're my brother Fabian." Nikko said firmly as he put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "You were never second to me."
"Touching, but not true." Fabian replied as he pushed his hand off. "You left me and your responsibilities behind for the Moon princess."
"Grow up Fabian. You don't need me." Nikko said bitterly. "You need to find your own path and your own destiny. You didn't live in my shadow, you chose to stay in it rather than be your own man."
"Is this really helping?" Barrick asked sarcastically as he took a cautious step back from the flames in the great fire pit that were steadily growing.
"You're right." Fabian said with a nod. "I did need to find my own path… and I have." He raised his hands into the air, sending the flames of the fire up to lick the rafters of the temple. "Darkness was always my calling, just like it was yours… only I'll succeed where you failed brother. I won't need Charon when I've got the entire galaxy at my feet."
"Damnit." Barrick muttered as he ran around the length of the temple, diving from the flames that suddenly jetted outwards, heading straight for him and Nikko.
Nikko hesitated, his sword just inches from Fabian's throat as his brother gathered more power, his eyes glowing a brilliant green as he grinned. He could take him out with one swift cut, a motion he'd done a thousand times before and had ended the lives of hundreds. His hands shook as he adjusted his grip, feeling the heat of the flames as they grew closer to him.
"Do it." Fabian dared him as their eyes met.
Nikko took a shaky breath, his hands immobile as the flames rushed towards him. He felt his feet leave him as flew to the ground, Barrick's hand around his ankle.
"That's the last time I save your life!" Barrick shouted at him, his eyes wild with anger. "Get your crap together and figure out how we're going to stop him!"
"I can't kill him." Nikko admitted as he leaned against the metal base of the fire, waiting for the trail of flames to find them. "I can't do it—"
Barrick rolled his eyes as he sheathed his sword. "Do I have to do everything here? Am I the only one who doesn't want to die at the hands of the same witch twice?!" He shouted as he rolled away from the base of the fire, his hands glowing a brilliant blue. He sent a ball of energy at Fabian who ducked away just in time to avoid the blast. The ball burst through the wall of the temple, giving the flames a new outlet as they purged outwards, catching the edges of the broken wood and setting the temple ablaze.
"Good job!" Nikko yelled as he watched the roof of the temple catch fire. "Now we'll just burn to death."
"Move!" Barrick yelled as he blasted another hole through the opposite wall.
Nikko didn't need any encouragement. He got to his feet and charged through the hole, his lungs screaming for fresh air.
Barrick watched him leave, a cold smile crossing his face as he stood. The flames licked his pants and the edges of his cloak but didn't catch fire. Instead he glowed a brilliant blue as he locked eyes with Fabian. "Your brother always underestimated you." He commented.
"He did." Fabian said as he slowly approached Barrick. "Just as you did."
"There's only one problem with your plan to take over the galaxy." Barrick said as he withdrew his sword.
"What is that?" Fabian asked with a scoff.
"Me." Barrick said as he brought his sword up, the tip glowing a brilliant blue as he threw his weight behind his swing. Before he could bring it down an arrow cut through his hand, sending the blade flying in the opposite direction.
Barrick shouted in anger as he ripped the arrow from his hand, wheeling around to see where it had originated.
There in the hole that Nikko had just left, stood Mina, the bow that King Albert had given her in her hands. She had another arrow pressed against her cheek, aimed and ready to fly at Barrick, not Fabian. "Step away Barrick." She said in a low, deadly whisper. "Or I won't miss again."
"I wasn't expecting to be betrayed by you princess… and certainly not to save a minion of the Negaverse." Barrick said carefully as he held his bleeding hand against his chest.
"You were a fool to think we'd all believe you were an ally." Mina said coolly. "I know better."
"I see." Barrick said as he took a step backwards. "Ally or not, I was about to end this pawn's life."
"No Barrick, he was about to end yours." Mina said, nodding towards a dagger hidden behind Fabian's back.
"Well then…" Barrick said, his eyebrows lifted in surprise as he took several steps towards the door. "Till we meet again … brother." He said and opened a portal behind him, quickly slipping through.
Mina lowered her bow as the flames from within the temple settled back into the pit, leaving a cloud of smoke in their wake. She could feel Fabian turn his attention towards her, his expression blank and emotionless. She realized then that they were alone, the sounds of the battle outside still raging behind her.
"Mina." Fabian said as he took a step in her direction.
"Stay right there." Mina said as she drew the arrow again.
"You can't kill me Mina." Fabian said darkly as he pushed her bow out of the way, sending it flying against the opposite wall. "You wouldn't."
Mina trembled before him as she backed up hitting the wall that was still warm from the heat of the fire. She looked into Fabian's green eyes, not seeing the same man within that she had spent that past several weeks with. The man she traveled the galaxy with… the man she had come to love. "What happened to you?" She whispered as she lifted one shaking hand to his cheek. "What has she done to you?"
"This is me Mina, as I was intended to be." Fabian said coldly as he pushed her hand off his face. "Though I'm glad you've come. I've been waiting for you…"
"What are you talking about?" Mina asked as her brow furrowed.
"Don't you know what that is?" Fabian asked as he gestured to the flames behind him, crackling merrily. "Last time we were here, every kingdom fed an item to those flames. They were symbolic… precious items… they meant something to the kingdom that they represented. The fire ceremony is important for many reasons. The gods and goddesses aren't real but power is and it doesn't come without sacrifice." He said as he took a step back.
Mina watched silently as he went to the edge of the fire, gazing at it for a moment before he continued.
"The ceremony was sacrificial in nature Mina… but alas, it wasn't successfully completed. A vision came to Mars instead, a warning that was all by means, useless." He finally came to a stop as his dark green eyes glowered at her. "I can't have all the power I need to fulfill my calling unless I too feed the flames. I.. King Fabian of Charon and soon to be, King of the galaxy, have chosen my sacrifice for the flames. A sacrifice that is meaningful and powerful. A symbol of the life I once had but no longer need." His eyes settled on hers as they glinted dangerously. "You."
Mina felt her breath catch in her throat as Fabian lifted his hands, sending her flying into the air. She screamed as she was dragged, straight for the fire that was steadily growing in size again.
"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER!" Kunzite shouted as he charged Fabian, taking him off guard. The two men fell onto the ground, sending a flurry of punches at each other as Mina fell back to the floor, crashing against the post around the fire.
Mina groaned as she rolled onto her back, trying to catch her breath. She could feel something in her side, making her breathing labored and difficult but she didn't dare look to see what it was.
"Mina!" Lita screamed as she rushed to her friend. She could see a piece of broken metal lodged in Mina's side but she wasn't sure how deep it went. She went to her knees at her side, ripping off a portion of her skirt to stop the bleeding. "Hold still… I can't take it out… I don't know how deep it is."
"Help Kunzite." Mina urged as her eyes flickered over to Fabian and Kunzite. They both had gotten to their feet but Fabian sent a blast at Kunzite's feet that sent him flying against the wall.
"I'll go." Nephrite said as he appeared, his brow covered with sweat and blood.
"Nephrite…" Lita said, her voice growing desperate as she saw Fabian send another blast at Kunzite. "He's too powerful…"
"It'll be okay." Nephrite told her though he carefully avoided her gaze. He charged at Fabian who sent a blast his way, knocking him against Kunzite.
"NO!" Lita screamed as she watched Nephrite fall into a heap beside his friend, neither of them moving. She got to her feet, her hands reaching for Nephrite's fallen sword but Mina grabbed her skirt, pulling her back.
"Don't Lita! He's too strong!" Mina pleaded as she pulled, not caring about the searing pain in her side.
"If I can't have a princess… I suppose two traitors will have to do." Fabian said coldly as he lifted his hands and brought Kunzite and Nephrite's bodies into the air.
"NO!" Mina and Lita screamed at the same time as Fabian gave them a cruel smile.
"This is what happens when you betray the Negaverse." Fabian said coldly and in one fluid movement, he sent Kunzite and Nephrite's bodies into the flames.