The Betrayals

Venus was thrown to the ground letting out a loud grunt while the clang of her swords rung in the distance, she braced her hands on the floor and pulled her self-back up into a crouching position. In the distance, Malachite smiled and let out a loud laugh. "You're holding back Venus" he said with a hint of amusement.

"Why are you doing this, what have you to gain?" she asked wiping the blood from her lip and standing to her full height.

"It's our time" he simply said

"Our?" she said skeptically

"The Moon kingdom has been allowed to reign free for too long, flaunting their superiority flaunting their power but no more it's time for the Sun to shine bright" he said eyes growing colder with each word he spoke, the amusement was gone, and he once again was poised to strike her down. In that instant Venus extended her hand out and one of her Dao swords flew to her grasp. She dodged Malachite's attack but just barely and cut a gnash in his upper left arm.

"This isn't you Malachite I know you; we grew up together" she said to him blocking his word with her own, they stood at a standstill

"Maybe you don't know me as well as you think" he told her, and they broke apart.

Twist and parry they continued they're dance for what seemed like hours and in that time, she saw it, they boy she loved was gone and was replaced with nothing but darkness, his soul destroyed by the Lady Beryl so in that moment she decided, she tossed him back and he fell to the ground once again laughing his head off.

"There she is, there is the fire, there is the Venus I was hoping to encounter, the warrior not the love-sick schoolgirl with a crush" he said with a faint echo of another voice in his words.

"Metaria" she simply said

Malachite laughed again and Venus summoned her whip to strike him down. He dodged the first few strikes but on the fourth she made impact, her whip wrapped around his sword hand burning him right through his skin and melting the bone, finally his hand disintegrated to nothingness, and he lay on his back panting, his left hand around the stump of what was left if his right hand.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you" she told him and clutched her sword in her hand. Malachite continued to smile out of breath.

"You may have defeated me, but my Queen will rise, and she will destroy everything you hold dear" he told her.

"No, she won't you will lose, and the Moon will rise again and shine brighter that ever" she told him and then she closed her eyes and did what she had too.

Venus walked down the road and collapsed on the street her tears streaked down her cheeks as she let out an agonizing scream. She could still see it Malachite laughing till the last moment as her sword collided with his neck the blood sprayed and landed on the cobble stone floor and the sound of faded laughter in the distance "Metaria" she said, and right then she made a vow to destroy the evil demigoddess no matter how long it took, but first she had to help her friends if they were visited by their respective lovers would they have the strength to do as she did. She took her Dao swords in her hands and sheathed them at her back and stood up on shaking legs, but it was no use she collapsed back in the ground and emptied the contents of her stomach on the street and cried. The memories were almost too much, sun filled days running along the empty fields of Solaris, sitting under an old oak tree and eating fruit, playing pranks on the local baker. She was broken from her thoughts by the sound of footsteps on the ground she turned around and saw that there were dark knights coming her way and in that second sadness was replaced by blinding fury.

Venus stood back up and summoned her whip again as the dark knights drew closer and closer.

"There she is" cried one of them

"Get her!" cried another and then Venus called out

"You are all going to die!" and unleashed her anger. Venus' whip wrapped around one of the dark knights eviscerating him on the very spot where he stood. It took several minutes and one by one they all fell by her hand one of the knights had cowered in fear at the sight and hid behind cart parked in the street, once sure it was over, he looked out over the side and saw that she was gone. Breathing a sigh of relief, he stood and was just about ready to run down the street when a hand grabbed him by the neck and then he felt a sharp pain run through him. He tried to cry out, but it was no use the knight lay on the ground dead at Venus' feet.

Another tear ran down her face when she heard it, a sound coming from one of the rooftops "Mercury" she whispered and ran to her friend's aid.

Palace grounds…

"Brother" called out a voice from the distance, Prince Diamond turned his head looking for that familiar cloud of ebony hair finally spotting him approach from the North. Sapphire rode up on his horse and stood next to Diamond letting out a long drawn on sigh.

"Spill it" said Diamond "What is on your mind brother?"

"What makes you think there is something on my mind?" asked Sapphire

"Your sighed" responded Diamond

"It's just… are you sure we can trust Beryl?" said Sapphire concerned

"No, but right now we need her if we hope to take over the Moon kingdom" said Diamond dismissing his brother's concern and ordering his horse forward. Sapphire followed close behind.

"Brother, it's just I'm concerned, what do we really know about her? Where does she draw her power? Brother, I get the feeling that we are dealing with forces that we have yet to understand. And how is it that she managed to sway all of these people to her side including the Solarian King?" Sapphire continued voicing his concerns, but they all fell on deaf ears Diamond was so sure that he would get what he wanted the most he couldn't see beyond the narrow passage of his vision. All he could see was her "Serena" that one word escaped his lips in a soft whisper barely audible to Sapphire's ears.

"What?" asked Sapphire "What are you thinking?" he asked again but there was no answer from the prince. Neither one off the brothers noticed the large black bird looking down at them, sitting on its peach, it let out a loud squawk and that's when Sapphire looked up, he noticed the bird, just as it was flying away into the distance. Sapphire continued to argue with his brother trying to get him to listen to reason but it was no use his mind was made up he would have to all, the princess, the moon kingdom and all its power prince Diamond smiled up into the night sky it was dark devoid of the moon and stars.

That very Moment in the ballroom…

The Black bird came flying in through the doorway to the Lady Beryl side, she was sitting on the Lunarian throne looking down at the carnage below on the dance floor. Bodies were piled up to the dozens party guest and Lunarian soldiers alike, Beryl smiled as she stroked the bird's feathers.

"So, Prince Sapphire is having a little trust issue, is he, well I think that Prince Sapphire has outlived his usefulness" she told the bird and snapped her fingers summoning a dark knight.

"Yes, milady it seems that there is a traitor in out mist take care of it now" she told the dark knight "Yes my Queen" said the knight and took off out the main doors Beryl smiled again "All the children of the night will pay and that includes our beloved prince" she said in a childish tone and laughed out loud.

Out in the grounds…

Queen Serenity cut through as many soldiers as she could, but it was getting to be tiresome she ran behind a pillar and hid when she noticed a dozen or more dark knights heading her way when she suddenly felt something brush up against her leg, the Queen startled looking around for the intruder.

"Your Majesty, thank goodness your still alive" said the voice from the floor

"Yeah, we thought you were a goner" said another voice

"Luna, Artemis you're alright" stated the queen

"Benefits of being so small your majesty and immortal," said Artemis

"This way my Queen" said Luna running down the hall with Artemis following close behind. The Queen opened a small pocket door on the north side of the wall that led to the kitchens luckily, they were abandoned the Queen took a seat in one of the many stools lining up the counter. Out of breath she placed her sword on the countertop.

"Your majesty are you alright?" asked Luna

"Yes, just a little out of practice I guess," said the Queen

"There's so many of them how are we going to get out of this?" asked Artemis

"I have a plan," said the Queen

"What is it?" asked Luna

The Queen looked at her feline companion somberly. "I never thought I'd have to do this" she said, and it suddenly dawned on them what she was planning to do.

"No, your majesty you can't," said Luna

"Yes, I can," said the Queen

"But you'll die," said Luna

"I know, take care of my little star Luna. I trust you to do right by her" said the Queen as tears sprang in the felines eyes "Yes your majesty" Luna and Artemis bowed their heads to their Queen as she grabbed her sword and made her way up the stairs that led back into the empty hall.

In That Moment…

"Father?!" called out the prince "Father are you alright" asked Darien but the King only smiled he remained that way for a good 2 minutes before the king let out a strange eerie high-pitched laugh and started advancing towards them sword in hand.

"Darien!" Serena screamed at the prince who was standing still as a statue "Darien! Darien!" The King had almost reached his son, sword held high above his head ready to strike when Serena held him at bay still calling out to the stunned prince. Darien came too, Serena still calling his name and, in that moment, he saw she was struggling to keep her guard up, Serena blocked another attack from the king and for a slight moment she was distracted and that's when the king saw his opportunity, he disarmed the princess in one swift movement sending her sword sliding across the ground the puppet king was poised to deliver the fatal blow when he was blocked by another sword. The King looked to his right only to find his son with his sword in his hand. King Hyperion smiled and withdrew circling his son and the princess.

"I'll hold him of, you go and find your mother" he said. Serena looked at him like he was crazy but nevertheless did as she was told and made a run for it. The King tried to stop her, but the prince was on to him and blocked his path, Serena grabbed her sword from the floor and disappeared into the darkness.

"Father, you need to listen to me this isn't you, you're under some kind of spell, all of you are under some kind of spell" and for a brief second the prince thought he saw recognition in his father's eyes but in that same instant it was gone, and his eyes went dark with malice.

Then he struck bur the prince was too fast for him, on and on they came at each other relentlessly swords clanging loudly in the distance. The king swung in an arc, the prince nearly missing the blow the king swung again as the prince deployed a head block not noticing the king was wielding a dagger in his left hand. King Hyperion stabbed the prince in his lower right abdomen Darien cried out in pain and collapsed on one knee still holding his sword above his head with his left hand and covering his wound with the right.

The Throne Room…

Prince Sapphire walked behind one of Beryl knights through the double doors. "My Queen," said the knight.

"Thank you" was all she said

"You wanted to see me" said prince Sapphire

"Yes, Sapphire I understand that you have some concerns"

"Concerns?" said the prince with a quizzical look on his face what was she up to? he wondered.

"Yes, you seem troubled prince Sapphire please allow me to alleviate your concerns" and with that she sent blast of dark energy from her staff towards the prince. Sapphire let out a loud scream just as prince Diamond was walking towards the throne room.

"Sapphire" he said taking off at a run. When he made it to the double doors, he saw his brother's lifeless body lying on the ground.

"What have you done!" he shouted

"What I had to," said Beryl

Diamond let a single tear drop onto his brother cheeks as he cradled him to his chest. "Why?!" he said in anger.

"He was going to betray you my lord, I did what I thought was best for the Clan," said Beryl.

"You bitch!" he screamed as he stood to his full height "I'll kill you!" he continued screaming as he ran to the dais with his sword in his hand, but Beryl merely used her staff to knock him back down and lifting him up in the air.

"If I didn't absolutely need you, I'd kill you on the spot" she said bringing him closer until they were face to face "Now go do your job" she told him, and dropped him down to the floor two of the knights grabbed him by the arms and dragged him out while he stared at his brother's corpse still lying on the ground. Prince Diamond managed to get himself free of the knights and calmly walked down the corridor and it was then that he decided Beryl would pay for this betrayal no matter the cost.

In the City Streets…

Venus had made her way to the rooftop where she had last seen Mercury fight, but she wasn't there, she looked out over the horizon and saw the fog heading into the center square she recognized it as Mercury and the faint silhouette of Uranus on her horse. She made her way to the next roof top and saw that both of her friends were talking before Uranus pulled Mercury onto her warhorse and took off. She noticed a Minotaur charging towards them with his head bowed in a ramming position, Uranus had taken out her sword and stabbed the beast in the skull once passed him. She turned her horse around and dismounted to retrieve her sword once she took it back, she sheathed it and mounted her horse again and took off. She also noticed the storm clouds over head but no lighting, "Jupiter" she said and climbed back down to the street. She followed their trail to the Millers farm and saw them hunched over a pile of hay. "What's going on?" asked Venus.

"Jupiter…" said Mercury

"Is she alright, is she…" she couldn't bring herself to finish the question on her mind luckily Uranus intervened.

"No, she's just asleep sandmen must have taken her out of play when they discovered she could destroy them," said Uranus

"No this has to be the Shitennou" said Venus "I was attacked by Malachite"

"Me too, I was attacked by Zoisite on the roof of a building," said Mercury

"You were attacked by your boyfriends" said Uranus and both Venus and Mercury nodded their heads in affirmation. "This is getting intense" she said.

"If Mina and I were attacked by Malachite and Zoisite that means that this could have been done to her by Nephrite and it also means that Rei may be in danger" said Mercury looking over at Venus.

"Where is she?" asked Venus "has anyone seen her?"

Up high above the city…

"Jadeite" was all Rei could say.

Jadeite laughed "what's the matter? cat got your tongue? you know you won't make it out of here alive, don't you?"

She smiled at his boldness "Maybe it will be you who won't make it, Jadeite"

"Is that any way to speak to your love" he said in a harsh tone

"You are not the man I love" she told him still pointing her arrow at his chest "You are nothing more than an empty vessel devoid of human feelings" and at that he laughed and then lunged at her. He missed the first arrow but the second logged in his shoulder and burned his left arm. She took her bow with both hands and knocked him across the face rendering him unconscious, when she looked back up, she saw two archers running her way.

"My lady are you alright?" said one of the archers.

" Secure the prisoner, I have a war to win" she said and then transformed into a phoenix and took off.

Millers Farm…

"Help me get her on my horse" said Uranus lifting Lita by her arms.

"How long will she remain asleep?" asked Venus

"Could be hours" said Mercury "I thought I saw dragons earlier"

"You thought right" said a voice in the distance the sound of a staff hitting the cobble stone floor. "Pluto, it was you?" said Mercury

"I thought we could use a little help with the sandmen" she said smiling "Or haven't you noticed their fewer in number"

"You know, we've been a little busy with the battle and all" said Uranus loading the unconscious Jupiter on her horse. "Come on we need to get her back to the temple it's the safest place for her"

"Fine, but we need to hurry their coming" said Venus looking over her left shoulder at three soldiers coming their way.

"I'll get to the temple; you hold them off" said Uranus mounting her horse and riding off. Pluto held her staff in her hands and aimed, there was a burst of energy, and everything stopped. "Come on we don't have time for this" said Pluto walking past the frozen soldiers with Venus and Mercury close behind.

Inside the temple...

Uranus carried Jupiter and placed her on the chaise lounge in the corner of the room. She heard footsteps and turned to face the intruder she was relieved to see it was just Pluto. "That was fast" said Uranus to her comrade

"It always is," said Pluto

"Where are Mercury and Venus" she asked

"Palace grounds fighting," said Pluto

"Shall we join them?" said Uranus

"Let's" responded Pluto "What about Jupiter?"

"There is nothing we can do for her now" said Uranus "Let's go" and they walked out of the doors and down to the palace grounds.