Part II: Chapter 28
Unraveled
"Serena!" Darien shouted as he locked blades with a Martian soldier. His brow was cut, sending a trickle of blood down the side of his face. His sweaty black hair fell into his face as he whipped around, kicking the soldier free and slashing his chest on the way down. His eyes scanned the battlefield around him, having lost sight of the woman he had died to protect, the woman he would die for again if she only asked. Though the pain of her leaving him for Nikko was still fresh, he had promised to watch her while Nikko fought his brother, but already he had lost sight of her.
"SERENA!" Darien shouted again as another soldier charged. He easily cut through him, followed by another and another as he pressed forward, heading towards the direction of the temple.
Serena had fallen beside the cobblestone path of the temple, a nasty cut on her arm was bleeding profusely all over her sailor uniform. Her legs had given out, one knee incredibly swollen from the force of her fall just moments ago when she had defeated her last enemy. She had taken out several soldiers with her last attack but they had drawn her away from the other scouts and Darien. A move, that now that she thought about it, was intentional.
Her head snapped up as she heard Darien calling for her. She could see him across the field, racing towards her but even closer, she could see three Martian soldiers rushing towards her. Their swords were drawn and their red eyes were large with the promise of an easy kill. Darien wouldn't make it. He was close, but not close enough. She could hear his boots clobbering the ground as he ran, carrying him towards her as quickly as he was able, but the soldiers were quickly closing in.
She knew she had only moments. Quickly her hands went to her staff and she lifted it up as she got to her feet, wincing at the pain in her knee. All around her she could see their allies falling, the soldiers from Saturn were well trained but their numbers were not as great as the Martians around them. "Mother… give me your strength… lend me your power…" She whispered as she shut her eyes and put forth the last of her energy. "MOON HEALING ESCALATION!"
Darien stopped as a blinding white light spread out from Serena's Crescent Staff, flooding the field around him. He could hear screams of agony behind him as the soldiers fell to their knees, clutching their eyes as their swords fell from their hands. The light pulsed from her staff for several seconds before dissipating, leaving behind a field of death and stunned soldiers.
Darien watched as Serena slowly let her staff fall back to her side, her chest heaving with each breath. He could see her brilliant blue eyes, as rich as the deepest blue of Earth's seas, fill with tears. Their eyes locked as the dust around them settled. He watched as her chest trembled and her legs gave out from beneath her.
"Serena!" He screamed as his feet battered the ground, carrying him towards her. He watched as she fell to the ground. "Serena no!" He shouted as he drew closer. He willed his feet to move faster, ignoring the pain in his chest, the throbbing in his head or even the shouts of their allies behind them.
Her eyes remained on his as she took several shaky breaths, struggling to keep conscious as he finally reached her. She fell into his arms as the last of her strength left her and he lifted her up, cradling her against his chest.
"Did we… did we win?" She whispered as her chest heaved.
Darien briefly glanced around them. He could see the Martian soldiers that remained had returned to normal, their glowing red eyes had diminished back to their original hues of blue, green, black and brown. "You stopped them." He told her as he drew his attention back to her. "But we need to get you back to the Moon. You're nearly out of energy. Serenity can heal you—"
"Stay with me for just a moment longer." Serena whispered as she clutched at his arm, her eyes still full of tears.
"Serena." Darien whispered as his voice broke. He brought her closer to his chest as a wave of guilt washed over him. This was the woman he should marry, but she had left him for Nikko, the father of her unborn child. The thought only stirred anger within him. Serena belonged with him, not Nikko. Had he been stronger, he could've prevented Nikko from swooping in and stealing the woman he loved.
"I don't care what Barrick wants." Serena whispered between deep breaths. "I can't marry Nikko… I belong with you. I love you."
"Barrick?" Darien asked as his eyebrows raised. "What does he have to do with this—"
"We need to get out. NOW!" Nikko shouted as he ran across the field from the temple. The roof had caught fire and the flames were quickly spreading outwards. He had left Barrick behind, though he tried not to think of what his brother would do once he got past him.
Darien looked over his shoulder. Nikko was covered in ash, his white blond hair nearly black from the smoke. "Open a portal to the Moon!" Darien shouted as he looked at Serena who was growing paler by the minute.
Nikko nodded and opened a large portal before them. "Let's go!" He shouted.
Darien cradled Serena in his arms and stood, running towards the portal as Serena clung weakly to him. As they passed through an angry roar filled the air.
"Metaria." Queen Raven whispered as she gathered her skirts. "Everyone. RUN!" She shouted as the ground beneath them began to shake.
Nikko watched as the soldiers from Mars and Saturn rushed forward, racing through the portal. King Albert and Queen Raven weren't far behind, jumping through themselves as the stampede grew.
"Where's Mina?!" Raye shouted as she caught Jadeite's eye.
"She's inside." Amy said as she glanced at the fiery temple behind them. "She went after Fabian—"
"We can't leave without her!" Raye shouted but Jadeite had grabbed her around the middle as the roar sounded again.
"YES WE ARE!" Jadeite said as he ran forward, jumping through the portal with a screaming Raye.
Amy glanced at Nikko, who was struggling to keep the portal open. "Lita? Was she in there too?"
Nikko nodded grimly. "I don't know how long I can keep it open. Fabian will come…. I can't save everyone." He said as the soldiers continued to race through.
"I'll go…" Amy said as she glanced at the temple.
"It's suicide." Rhea and Idra said at the same time as they ran towards the portal, stopping beside Amy.
"They're my friends. We're family!" Amy protested as she lifted one foot to start running but paused as she saw Lita emerge from the temple, holding Mina in her arms.
"MINA!" Amy shouted as she ran towards them.
"GO!" Lita shouted as she ran. Behind her the flames that enveloped the temple grew in size, racing up towards the sky as the ground beneath them began to shake more violently.
"She's going to blow up the entire planet!" Idra shouted as she took Rhea's hand, pulling her towards the portal. "LET'S GO!"
Amy waited until Lita reached her and together they ran for the portal.
Nikko urged them forward as the last of the soldiers made it through. As soon as they were in, he jumped in himself. He watched the planet fade as he fell, the skies turning a brilliant purple with a menacing face in the clouds, cruelly smiling at him as the portal closed.
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"They've left the planet." A cold voice spoke as Fabian watched the portal his brother conjured, close.
"They'll go to the Moon." Fabian said as he stepped out of the burning temple, the flames harmlessly licking his shoulders. "They'll regroup, they'll tend to their wounded and be ready to fight tomorrow."
"They're weak." The cold voice said, louder this time.
"And only growing weaker. The alliance between planets is dead. There is no more Grand Council to unite them. They're alone." Fabian said as his dark green eyes scanned the field before him. The planet was truly deserted now. He could feel it. Only death remained. A sense of calm settled over him just for a moment as he looked down at the floor and saw a strip of a golden orange fabric. He bent and picked it up, feeling something deep within him stir as his eyes focused on a blood stain at the edge of the fabric.
"We must strike, hard… and soon." The voice said as Fabian turned back to the temple, the fabric still in his hands. He lifted his other hand into the air and instantly the fire died away, leaving nothing but the charred remnants of the temple. He walked over to the metal grate and glanced down at the remains of the two generals from Earth. Amazingly their bodies were intact. Only soot and ash covered their features.
"We don't waste." The voice said as the generals' eyes opened but instead of the rich color they originally possessed, their eyes were black. "They will make a nice addition to our forces."
"We are strong enough." Fabian said as a twinge of annoyance crossed his features. "They are disposable."
"I will decide who is disposable." The voice said, louder this time. "You remember that."
"There is much I remember." Fabian muttered as he turned away and flicked his wrist, opening a spinning dark portal. The planet began to shake again as an eerie roar filled the air.
"Collect more energy." The voice commanded. "Go to the Moon… kill the princess… kill Endymion…and kill your brothers. Their deaths are the next phase of our plan."
"Yes, my queen." Fabian's eyes flashed as he walked through the portal, leaving the crumbling planet behind him.
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The Great Hall of the Moon was ablaze with activity. It had been turned into a makeshift hospital within the span of an hour. All around them Moon soldiers and doctors were running around tending to the wounded soldiers that had flooded the palace from Mars. The scouts had gathered in the queen's private study, just off the great hall where their own hospital had been erected.
A series of white dividers were set up, separating a series of beds. Amy helped Mina into one of them, who was whiter than the sheets around her. Another physician joined her as a nurse moved one of the screens to give them more privacy.
Darien quickly laid Serena down on one of the beds and was instantly surrounded by nurses. He pulled off his dirty uniform coat and instantly set his hands in a bowl, washing them furiously.
"What are you doing?" Amy asked as she watched him scrub his arms and hands.
"I'm a surgeon." Darien said through clenched teeth as he poured hot water over his hands. "I can save Mina."
"You don't have the same tools here Darien! This is different." Amy said worriedly as she glanced at a pale Mina. "She looks really bad…We aren't trained like these doctors are."
"I can do it!" Darien remarked as he turned back to Mina and pushed a nurse out of the way. "I need more warm water and clean towels!" He barked at them.
"Darien…" Idra whispered as she and Rhea approached. "She looks… dead…"
"She's breathing still." Darien whispered as he ripped open off the bottom of Mina's uniform to get to the metal shard. "She's lost a lot of blood, but if I can stop the bleeding…."
"Go find Serenity." Serena said to Raye worriedly as she used what little energy she had to lift her head. "She can help."
Raye didn't need any further encouragement. She took off running down the hall, shouting for the queen while Darien worked on Mina with Amy by his side.
"How are you going to check for internal damage?" Amy asked as she scrubbed her hands clean to help him. "She's losing a lot of blood, it'll be impossible to see—"
"Step aside." A firm voice told them.
Darien and Amy's heads snapped up as a woman approached with fiery red hair and chilling yellow eyes.
"Oh my goodness…" Amy whispered to Darien as the woman, dressed in a white doctor's robe came to the table and examined Mina. "Is that…?"
"Yes." Darien said, fighting the annoyance in his own voice. "Beryl, we can handle this."
"I'm not sure why you think you could." Beryl replied as she pushed aside his hands and examined the metal shard. "This piece goes deep. We had better hope it didn't puncture any organs—"
"Shouldn't you be on Earth?" Darien asked as he felt himself being pushed even further away.
"You left your cousin Edmund as regent in your absence." Beryl explained as she continued to examine the shard. "As soon as he heard about the attack on Mars he sent doctors and soldiers to the Moon, knowing that would be where any survivors would go."
Amy sent Darien a puzzled glance but he ignored her. "Can you save her?" Amy asked as Beryl went to the physicians table and grabbed several vials of different liquids and herbs.
"I'll do my best." Beryl said as she glanced at Amy and Endymion. "Though I'll need your help… and someone should probably send a message to the king of Venus." Beryl said as her expression darkened. Her fingers curled around the metal shard. "The odds are against the princess."
Behind her, a nurse moved one of the white screens, blocking the others from seeing Mina's surgery leaving them in a stunned silence.
"She'll be okay." Serena said with more confidence than she felt. "She's strong."
"I shouldn't have left you." Nikko whispered as he went to Serena's side, taking her hand in his. "You could've lost the baby."
Serena froze, her thoughts had never been on the child she carried. What if she had overexerted herself? She had taken many risks on that battlefield, more than she probably should have. Was her baby okay? Nikko's hand felt foreign in hers and suddenly she realized that she couldn't be with him, baby or not. "Nikko… we need to talk—"22
"Princess, let us examine you." One of the nurses beside her said as she gently pushed her back against the pillow. "You used much of your energy, perhaps too much."
Serena nodded, her eyes locking with Nikko's as a team of nurses surrounded her. She saw one of them had a blue band around her arm. Nurses gifted with healing magic only wore those. She watched as the nurse bent over her, rubbing her hands together to create a soft pink light. She ran her hands over Serena's body, quickly noting that both the princess and Nikko were watching her.
"I am not as gifted as your mother." The nurse said sheepishly as her cheeks turned red. "But I can manage minor healing."
"What do you see?" Nikko asked as he moved a little closer to Serena.
The nurse stopped over Serena's stomach. Her brow furrowed as she concentrated, shutting her eyes to heighten her power. "Strange…"
"What is it?" Serena asked, her blue eyes widening as the nurse turned towards her.
"There is a foreign substance here… I'm not sure what it is." She explained.
"It's a baby." Nikko said as a flicker of annoyance rippled across his face. "Your doctors are dense—"
"I assure you… there is no child in your womb." The nurse said carefully as her eyes opened and settled on Serena's. "I do not believe there ever was. Whatever this substance is… it is tricking your body to think you are with child."
"Barrick." Serena whispered as her cheeks reddened. "Where is he?"
"You think he did this?" Nikko asked, bewildered.
"I think he had a lot to gain from me being pregnant." Serena said, careful not to reveal too much.
"I'll find him." Nikko said as he pushed aside the white divider of Serena's bed and got a full view of the room. Barrick was standing in the corner beside Rhea and Idra, speaking in hushed tones.
"Barrick!" Nikko bellowed, causing the room to fall into a stunned silence.
"What?" Barrick asked as he walked towards the middle of the room, his eyes narrowed at Nikko. "What do you have to say to me? Actually, better yet, you owe everyone in this room an apology for not killing your brother." Barrick said coldly as he crossed his arms. "Had you been stronger, none of this would've happened. You had the chance!"
"Watch it." Jadeite told him, his voice tinged with alarm. He moved to block Barrick's view of Nikko as his fingers curled tightly around his sword. "That's close enough."
"Nikko?" Serena asked as her dark blue eyes settled on his. "Is that true?"
"I couldn't do it." Nikko admitted as he ran his hands through his dirty hair. "I had the chance to stop him… my hand was there on my sword… he was just inches from me… and I couldn't… I couldn't…"
"No one expects you to kill your own brother." Serena said sharply as she glanced at Barrick. "Did you not also have a shot?" She asked him.
The color in Barrick's face drained as he felt everyone's eyes, even Darien's from beyond the screen, on him. "He had a better one, and he didn't take it." He said quickly.
"They're… they're dead." Lita said finally from the floor. She had sunk against the wall, lost amongst all of the chaos that had spread out around them. Her emerald eyes were on her boots, full of tears that hadn't fallen yet. "Fabian killed them… he killed Kunzite… he killed Nephrite." She whispered.
"What?" Serena asked as she shared an alarmed glance with Nikko. She pushed the nurses off her as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and got to her feet. She swayed dangerously but Nikko caught her elbow and held her firm. She crossed the room with his help and sank beside her friend. Cautiously, she put a hand on Lita's forearm. "Lita… Lita look at me."
"He's gone." Lita whispered as she kept her gaze on her boots. "He saved me…He was only there to protect me." She ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing back the strands that had fallen from her ponytail. "It was like he knew… he knew…"
"She's in shock." Serena whispered as she looked up at the others. "Lita…" Serena turned back to her friend. "It'll be okay. You and I both know this isn't the end. It can't be."
"We don't ever get our happy ending." Lita whispered as she glanced at the yellow diamond on her finger. "We get close, we get a taste of true happiness… then it's taken from us, like some cruel joke the universe keeps playing… over and over and over again."
"We will defeat Metaria." Serena told her as she squeezed her arm. "We have the power this time to finish her off for good. We'll triumph—"
"And then what?" Lita asked as she turned her attention to Serena. Her eyes were bloodshot, still full of tears that refused to budge. "We live out the rest of our lives here? Tokyo? Does time reset? Will we wake up fourteen with no memories and start everything over again?"
Serena bit her lip, not sure of what she could say to quell her friend's doubts. If she were being honest, she harbored the same ones though she didn't dare agree with her now. "We have to trust that we will be rewarded for protecting our homes, our planets, our friends." She finally uttered. "All we want is to be with the ones we love."
"All I want is Nephrite." Lita whispered as her voice broke again. She brought her knees up to her chest and crossed her arms over them, hiding her face against them as the tears finally broke free.
"Jadeite… stay with her." Serena instructed as she stood and her attention turned back to Barrick. "I need to speak with you." She said to him.
Jadeite's eyebrows lifted in alarm as he looked around him, sighing as he didn't see any other sailor scouts to take over the job. "Me?" He asked, dumbfounded but Serena had already gotten back to her feet with Nikko's help.
"Go." Nikko ordered as he turned back to Serena. "I've got to stay with Serena."
"What do you need to tell me dear princess?" Barrick scoffed as he crossed his arms, Idra and Rhea still behind him. "I can't bring the dead back to life so don't ask."
Serena took a moment as she felt her jaw harden. Her hands began to burn and sting as a newfound strength rippled across her body. Before she realized it, her fist shot forward and connected with Barrick's nose with a sickening crunch.
"OW!" Barrick cried as he stumbled backwards, both hands going to cover his bloodied nose. "What was that for?!" He shouted as Idra steadied him, her dark eyes narrowed at Serena.
"Nice." Jadeite grinned from the floor. "Get his jaw next time."
"For lying to me." Serena said as her eyes narrowed. "You've been playing with me Barrick, ever since I first met you. It all makes sense now. Our meeting in Chicago wasn't a coincidence, neither was our relationship or you following me to Tokyo or you, playing with my life here in the Silver Millennium. It's all been a game to you, some sick game to make me miserable and to do… who knows what. I won't be your pawn anymore."
"Pawn?" Barrick laughed as he removed his hand from his nose. "You're no pawn Serena… you're the grand prize." He smiled, even though blood was still trickling down his face. "Don't pretend you didn't enjoy Chicago. You liked being with me."
Serena took half a step back as Nikko straightened and put his arm in front of her. "You should leave Barrick. Now."
"I'm not done yet." Barrick said as he wiped his nose on the back of his sleeve. Idra lifted her staff, holding it ready as Nikko's hand went to his sword.
Jadeite jumped up, his hand going to his sword too as silence fell over the room again.
"I think it's time you leave Barrick, and that's not a request." Darien said as he drew his sword, pointing it directly at Barrick. He had left Mina's side at the sound of Barrick's shout and now had crept up behind him. The tip of his blade just inches from his chin.
"Ah, the king finally speaks." Barrick said as his eyes narrowed. "Ready to take control of the Earth and the Moon aren't you? And people say I'm power hungry… I did you a favor. Serena doesn't belong with you anymore than she belongs with Nikko."
"Shut up Barrick." Darien said as he moved just a little closer. "That's enough out of you."
"You used me… you've used us all!" Serena shouted as tears filled her eyes.
"Don't be so quick to blame all your problems on me princess." Barrick bristled cruelly. "You jumped at the chance to leave your precious Endymion for a second time. I saved you from a marriage you didn't want."
"That is a lie!" Serena screamed as she made a start for Barrick but Nikko grabbed her arm.
"That's not true. Serena and I belong together." Nikko said with a glare.
Darien wheeled on Nikko, his sword switching directions. "Let her go Nikko, she doesn't have to be with you either—"
"She's MY fiancé!" Nikko shouted as he drew his sword out.
"Not anymore!" Darien shouted.
"Well, then why don't we just settle this like gentlemen?" Barrick asked as he too drew his sword. "And put an end to this madness."
"STOP!" Rhea shouted as she whipped her staff around, knocking the swords out of Nikko, Darien and Barrick's hands. "Just stop…"
"Rhea." Idra said carefully as her eyes flickered over to Barrick. Out of all the men in the room, she feared him the most and it showed as her voice shook. "Stay out of this."
"No…" Rhea said with a sigh as she stood up straight and put the tip of her staff on the ground. "I'm the reason we're here… I'm the reason everyone is fighting."
"You?" Barrick scoffed as he laughed. "You're as insignificant as your sister."
"You've been playing Serena against Nikko and Darien, causing chaos, taking over Jupiter, leaving a trail of destruction behind you. All of it to find your brother…." Rhea said coldly as she turned towards Barrick. "But I killed him."
"What?" Barrick asked as the color in his face drained.
The room went silent again as everyone, even the nurses, turned to look at a stone-faced Rhea.
"I killed your brother." Rhea said again, louder this time. "Years ago, when your family first was targeted. The Shadow Warriors spared him but I remembered the evilness of your family. My sister and I suffered for years at the hands of your greedy grandfather. I wasn't about to let anyone else suffer as we did. I went back and my staff did the rest." She said as she lifted her staff and tapped it on the ground. "And I don't regret it."
"You bitch." Barrick said as he charged at Rhea with a bestial yell.
"STOP!" Idra yelled as she rushed forward, bringing her staff down to connect with Barrick's spine.
He spun off of Rhea, crying out in pain. "Idra! Stay out of my business!"
"My sister is MY business." Idra shouted as she stood in front of Rhea, her staff ready in her hands. "And you won't harm her."
"Enough." Serenity said as she appeared in the doorway, Raye behind her. "Put those weapons away. We don't have time for this."
"Mother." Serena said as she breathed a sigh of relief. "Hurry, Mina needs help."
"We all need help." Serenity replied as her eyes caught her daughters. The room quieted as Serenity moved forward, all but gliding over the floor. "Metaria is coming."
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"This isn't good." Queen Raven said as she paced, King Albert watching her. They were on the balcony of the Great Hall, watching the scene below. "We've lost half our forces. How are we supposed to get rid of that witch now?!"
"We'll get more men." Albert said with a shrug. "We have a fair amount of soldiers from Mars… I'm certain Jupiter, Mercury and Uranus will send us soldiers as well. Venus will need some persuasion as will Pluto. If we can get both of the princesses up and moving, they can be useful in solidifying those alliances."
"If." Queen Raven stressed as she pushed her hair back. "You know, I've been praying that little brat would meet her end… but even I must admit, the timing is terrible."
"I thought you'd rejoice she almost died." Albert said as he crossed his arms, watching her. "Pity those soldiers didn't reach her."
"It wasn't my doing." Raven huffed. "And to top it off, my son is down there, I'm sure, plastered to her side and waiting on her hand and foot."
"Oh, but it was." Albert said as his grin turned sinister. "Those Martian soldiers had a very clear and easy path towards her… one that looked awfully suspicious. In fact, I think you're so sour because the battle didn't end there like you thought it would. I told you before, you put too much faith in people. If you want something done, you do it yourself."
"I should've known that sniveling boy wouldn't be able to kill his own brother." Raven said as her hands went to her hips. "And Barrick isn't as shrewd as the rumors led me to believe. Fabian should've been defeated today."
"And yet another fault of yours…" Albert sighed. "Believing rumors."
"I've heard plenty about you." Raven said as her eyes narrowed. "Especially about your daughter."
"She's no concern of yours." Albert said as he straightened up, his arms falling to his sides. "And you'd do well to leave her out of your plans."
"Oh I have, but I assure you the sailor scouts won't." Raven said as she glanced at the scene below. "Did you not notice they were short some team members? Three actually?"
Albert's eyebrows lifted in alarm as he glanced back at the room. "Damn…" He muttered. "They've gone after her."
"I trust you kept her well hidden." Raven said as she turned from him, her tone more cheerful than before. "If not, well, I'd say your back up plan is as poorly planned as your first."
"I must go." Albert said quickly as he straightened his coat.
"That'll be awfully suspicious." Raven said as she walked to the staircase. "Especially since Serenity is making her way to the scouts as we speak."
Albert paused mid-step as he whipped around. "What?"
"See for yourself." Raven said as she pointed below.
Albert's gaze following her finger, glancing down at the sea of white doctors and dark clad soldiers below. A woman in a white gown was running, following Sailor Mars, through the sea of soldiers to the study beyond. "Impossible." He whispered.
"Finally, we agree." Raven said as she crossed her arms. "As we both killed her."
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"Where am I?" Mina asked as she walked down the length of a dimly lit hall. Her heels clicked hauntingly on the stone floor, echoing throughout the endless hallway. She could see an open door before her, emitting a ribbon of moonlight down the hallway, cascading over her features.
As she drew closer to the room she could see more around her. The hallway was full of aging portraits, depicting royals of a family that was not one she was acquainted with. She could see different features of their faces: some blond, some blue eyed but many were brown, all of them wore the same tiaras and crowns on their heads. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she reached the last painting. A woman was long, flowing golden hair and rich, blue eyes. She wore a golden dress, cut modestly to her torso with a low neckline. Beside her stood a man with jet black hair, striking emerald green eyes and a strong jawline. She drew a little closer to the painting, her eyes straining to see the rest of the details in the low light of the night. A bundle of blankets were in the woman's arms, elegantly falling down her arm and pooling on the floor beside her. It was a baby. Bright eyed and smiling. She took another look at the man as the moonlight grew stronger. He looked remarkably like Fabian and the woman… the woman…
"It's you." A girlish voice said to her, breaking the silence.
Mina jumped as she turned to see a figure in the doorway. It was a woman in a black dress that hugged her curves but stopped at her ankles. She had brilliant, bright blond hair and eyes that locked right onto hers.
"F…Femi?" Mina whispered, not sure if her eyes were deceiving her for a second time.
"Glad you remember." Femi said as she moved aside and gestured for her to enter the room. "Come, we don't have much time."
Mina took one last glance at the painting before following Femi into the room. The door closed with a thud behind her. She took a deep breath as she looked around them. The walls were full of floor length windows, giving them a perfect view of the starry and moonlit night around them. Several plush chairs dotted the floor and to their right, two balcony doors were open, letting in the cool night breeze. "Where are we?" She asked.
"Nowhere in particular." Femi said as she settled down onto one of the plush chairs. "It's just a room… in a place that doesn't exist. At least, not in your world."
"What are you talking about?" Mina asked as she sank onto a chair beside her.
"We're dead Mina." Femi whispered as she took Mina's hands in her own.
"WHAT?!" Mina shouted, pulling her hands from hers as she got back to her feet.
"Take it easy." Femi said as she leaned back against her chair. "You won't be staying long."
"What happened?" Mina asked as she suddenly remembered the temple, the fire, Fabian's wild eyes and the piece of the metal grate in her side. Instantly her hands went to her side but there was nothing there, no scar or anything to suggest she had been impaled. She felt her knees tremble as she thought about the last thing she had seen… Kunzite, falling into the flames at Fabian's hand. She felt her knees shake dangerously as tears flooded her eyes and ran down her cheeks. "Kunzite… oh Kunzite… it was all my fault."
"Stop crying." Femi said coldly. "Jeez, all you sailor scouts do is cry. Crying gets you nothing, not even pity. Crying doesn't stop the world from spinning or evil from killing everything in sight. It certainly doesn't bring back the ones we've lost. All it does it make you look weak." She sneered.
"Crying is mourning!" Mina shouted as she angrily lifted her head. "I'm allowed to mourn my husband! I loved him! He sacrificed himself for me!"
"Then his problems are over." Femi said frankly as she stood, towering over Mina. "Yours are very much still present. You need to be strong, you need to fight. I think it's no secret now that you are the only one who can stop Fabian."
Mina froze at the mention of his name. "I don't want to talk about Fabian right now."
"You'd rather cry about your Kunzite instead?" Femi asked with a scoff. "Dry your cheeks and get back onto your feet. That man gave up his life to save yours. Don't repay him with your pathetic tears, pay him back by living and defeating the evil that is about to kill everyone you've ever known, including yourself."
Mina glanced up at Femi. She could see her jaw was tight, her teeth clenched. Her eyes barreled into Mina's, full of nothing but loathing. Slowly, Mina stood, fighting the tremble in her jaw. "What can I do?"
"Fight." Femi said as her eyes narrowed. "You need to put aside your fears and do what the rest of them can't: Bring Fabian back. The real Fabian."
"I tried. I failed." Mina said with a shake of her head. "He tried to kill me. Actually… I think he did." Her voice faded as she thought about Fabian, so changed and corrupted by evil. Never would she believe that he was capable of harming her. He had never lifted a finger against her, even when they had been enemies in Tokyo. Metaria had changed that.
"That's not why you're here." Femi sighed. "You're here because it's you, not Serena or Serenity, that will stop the darkness this time. At least, not fully. You've got to stop Fabian. You. Alone."
"How?" Mina asked as she took a cautious step back from Femi. "We don't belong together. Kunzite is the man I belong with. I love him…"
"But you love Fabian too." Femi finished for her as she crossed her arms. "There's no law that says you can only love one man."
"With Fabian… it's different." Mina said with a shake of her head. "I can't give him what he wants. I belong with Kunzite."
"You have a connection to him that no one else has." Femi said as her dark eyes settled on Mina's. "If anyone can break Metaria's hold on him, it's you."
"Why are you telling me all this?" Mina asked as she shakily got back to her feet.
"I know we weren't friends, not even close. That's why I had to be the one to talk to you. Everyone else around you would only tell you what you want to hear, not what you need to." Femi said with a sigh as she brushed back her hair from her face. "But Nikko, Rhea and Fabian… they're all the family I've got. Family takes care of each other. If Fabian takes over the galaxy then Metaria will kill him and everyone else to take control. He's her puppet, only useful to her until she doesn't need him anymore."
Mina nodded grimly as she glanced back at the moon which was quickly sinking out of sight. She could see the shadows in the room grow larger and larger. "What's happening?"
"You've got to go back." Femi said as she glanced behind her. "Stay away from Raven and Albert. Work alone. Get Fabian back, do whatever you need to. No matter the cost… we all have to sacrifice something." Femi whispered as her body began to fade.
"I'll do my best." Mina whispered as the last of the moonlight trickled out of the room, shrouding her in darkness.
*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/
"What happened here?" Serenity asked as she looked over Mina's frail body. Beryl had removed the metal shard and did her best to stitch her up but given the solemn faces of everyone standing around them, it wouldn't be enough.
Mina's chest heaved up and down with each ragged breath she drew into her lungs but her breathing was labored and shallow.
"Mina's hurt bad." Amy said as her head snapped up. "She's lost too much blood and there's internal damage we can't fix."
Darien joined them, his arms crossed as he glanced apologetically at Mina's pale face. "We don't have the tools we need… Serenity, we need you to heal her."
"I will try." Serenity said as she made a start for Mina but was stopped by Raven's cold voice.
"Who are you?" Queen Raven asked as she appeared in the doorway. "Queen Serenity died on Saturn…"
"What?" Serena asked as Nikko helped her sit up. "What are you talking about? That's my mother!"
"No." King Albert said as he joined Raven's side. "It's not. Raven's right. Serenity died on Saturn…"
"I am Queen Serenity." Serenity said as she glanced at Serena. "But Albert and Raven are right. Sailor Pluto aided my escape on Saturn. We left only my image behind so that if and when an attempt was made on my life, those who tried to harm me would think themselves successful."
"WHAT?!" Serena screamed as she attempted to leave the bed Nikko and Darien had forced her to return to but was held still by Nikko's firm hands.
"It was not my time to pass." Serenity said as she glanced at Serena. "Sailor Pluto has allowed me to remain, to fulfill my purpose. When Barrick came to Saturn I left with him, safely returning to Jupiter and finally, the Moon."
"How is that possible?" Darien asked as he looked at Serena then Serenity. "She's not supposed to interfere."
"Magic is not interference." Serenity said calmly as she crossed the room and rubbed her hands together, emitting a soft, glowing white light. "You'll find the Moon possess much magic, as does Pluto." She laid her hands over Mina's side, her eyes shutting as she concentrated. "We manipulate time, even jump to the future…" She looked at the scouts. "But we can't do everything."
The room went silent as everyone watched the light coming from Serenity's hands grow brighter and brighter.
A crash sounded in the hallway as suddenly the ground began to shake.
"Mother?" Serena asked as she gipped the edges of her bed. The books that lined the shelves around them fell from their places, hitting the ground as the shaking intensified.
"It's not me." Serenity whispered as her eyes opened. The blinding light sank back into her hands as she whipped around. "She's here…."
"Who?" Nikko asked as he glanced at Serena.
"Metaria." Serenity said as the shaking finally stopped.
"My queen!" A solider shouted as he ran into the study, his eyes wide in alarm. "We're under attack!"
"Quickly. Gather our soldiers." Serenity told him. "Find every able-bodied man in the great hall and have them join our ranks. Then send a message to our allies to send help. We will need it."
Instantly the soldier bowed to her and rushed off, shouting for everyone to gather as he ran.
Serenity looked over at a pale Mina. "She'll live." She told Amy and Darien. "But I need your help now."
"We're not ready for another fight." Darien said as he glanced at a still weak Mina and Serena. "Our team isn't ready."
"That's what Metaria is counting on." Serenity said quickly as she looked to Nikko and Barrick. "But I need all of you right now. Whatever problems you all have with each other don't matter right now. If Metaria succeeds, there will be no rebirth, there will be no future. We'll all die and that'll be the end."
Barrick nodded grimly as he looked to Rhea and Idra. "I think it's time we ended this fight. I can bring Jupiter's soldiers."
"No." Lita said firmly as she got to her feet. She glared at Barrick. "You won't step foot on Jupiter again. I will bring my soldiers."
"Then do it." Serenity said with a nod as she looked to Amy. "What of Mercury?"
"They'll be here. I'll gather them." She said as the shaking finally stopped. "Will you be okay until we get back?" She asked worriedly.
"We'll be here." Sailor Uranus said as she, Sailor Neptune and Sailor Pluto walked into the room. "I think we can hold them off."
"And we've brought some help." Sailor Pluto said as she side-stepped and revealed a short girl with shoulder length black hair and striking, violet eyes.
"Hotaru." Lita whispered as the girl walked into the room, locking eyes with her father who suddenly turned white.
Hotaru's expression was blank, unwavering, even as she held her father's gaze. "Hi daddy."