Fuel for the feeding end
The cries of battle were heard from inside the hall before the guests noticed a ball of fire erupt from the largest terran ship, followed by the flaming destruction of it's smaller counterparts. A strange almost eerie silence cleared the room before chaos erupted. Women and men discarded their drinks as well as their poised position and began pushing and pulling to safety. People avoided the outer entrance as the battle out at port grew closer to them. This only caused the guests to collide into each other as they frantically pushed against the double doors of the entrance to the Palace. Proditor had done well and try as they might, they could not leave the frantic hall.
Like well trained soldiers and already tense men, the terran and lunar soldiers were quick to engage despite the crowd of innocent people around them. Shouts and spouts of blood filled the once white and elegant ballroom where swords and spears were being launched haphazardly. Tables were overturned, shattered glasses collapsed at every corner and feet trampled on anything and anyone in search for protection. Such a commotion did not stop candles and torches falling onto preciously adorning fabric.
The Generals reacted in such a way that even the wary Maiestas went unsaved. He was first to be butted in the face by Kunzite's sword. His peers were not so quick and were quickly engaged by terran soldiers. Still, the poor soldiers were caught off guard when the four Generals took a very different transformation. The pale and indifferent faces of the men turned to gruesome grins; their empty eyes were now red, glowing with hate at every life they took.
"The Queen! The Queen!" was the loudest cry of all in the dim of battle but in the midst of such confusion no one knew or could even concentrate on their surroundings. Only to few, too entrusted to see anything else, like the four princesses and Saeko, was there a sign of their ruler. What happened next was extraordinary.
A shout rose in Serenity's throat, but before she could even utter it Endymion had already pulled Usagi into a tight grasp with his slick sword, pushing it against her pale and screaming neck. A sudden and smart move could not be made, the path to the captured princess was growing thicker with battling soldiers and flames engulfing the place from the extravagant amount of candles and torches which had lit the hall and were now burning it.
"The Crystal, you majesty! The Crystal!" Luna cried desperately as she quickly held on to Serenity who was fighting to reach her daughter.
Without a word or flinch, the Lunar Queen summoned the beautiful jewel from her chest. Knowing she was overwhelmed and confused, like everyone else, she did not hesitate to cry out as the fascinating object glowed powerfully in her outstretched, open hand. The light and effect was so momentariness and strong that no one flinched. A single and time defying wave clashed into the limits of the hall and caused the dozens of long windows to crash into millions of pieces, out and in of the ballroom. The power did not stop the fighting, fire or Endymion's threat but the smoke from the flames, which had already fainted many people, was clearing out. Unfortunately, those who were still awake and trying to survive, were not capable of jumping through the thick shards still sticking out of the window's ledges.
The effect continued as the men battling out by the port had moved into the hall, the terrans eager to kill the kingdom's royalty. The ghost rider had disappeared having killed many crazed terrans and avoided lunar attacks as well. Still, his presence was missed since the blue and black clad men had managed to outnumber their enemies and enter freely into the flaming and falling hall. Guests who ventured to leave to the port were quickly met with grave or mortal injuries from the soldiers entering or defending the entrance.
The princesses, despite their hesitance, were taken into the darkness of under the stairway where Ami and Rei had planned to escape. Artemis was keen on keeping them away as well as a feeble handful of guards and a desperate Maiestas who, very stupidly, continued to try to open the hidden door. The fire consuming the hall was reaching them very quickly, they could barely seen through the battle of flames as Serenity continued to fight against Luna and Saeko, trying to keep her safe from risking her life without thinking for her daughter who was still at the hands of Endymion at the very far end.
Very small opportunities came in such chaos and Minako took the one she first felt. She took her full force and slammed straight through Artemis and the scared soldiers in front of her. Luck kissed her passionately as she missed being hit by falling blocks of flaming wood and random swings of swords. With such exhilaration and purpose in her mind, something she had never felt so strongly, her mind drove itself towards the metal double doors leading to the palace; still filled with weak people and soldiers trying to get out.
Minako felt the burning sensation on her forehead, one she had felt before on Venus, and realized how powerful her body felt. She could hear people screaming her name, the heat of the fire so close to her, the clangs of swords colliding, a fierce rainstorm that could not contain the burning and then...everything disappeared.
A wave of elation yet sickening power overrode the blonde standing dead center of the massacre. Everything that could ever happen was happening around her but she could only feel and touch the unbreakable walls that trapped those around her. Yet, despite the heaviness and power the metal was, she felt it was like gold liquid pouring through her hand.
She could easily be brave, her parents taught her to be. She couldn't be scared of her element, her power. She had to embrace it, like everything that made her. A Venusian was all but hesitant or cowardly, this, her parents taught her well. She was born with a gift. She could fight and she could love. And what she was feeling was...love.
Minako, with a carefree and calm hand, opened her closed eyes and felt, watched and knew when she raised her hands that the metal double doors would open. Her beautiful symbol on her forehead, which burned incredibly, lit until even the men fighting around her were distracted, much to their dismay. She cried out in pain but summoned her planet in sheer pride and tears.
"Help me make you proud!" Venus shouted before a golden arc surrounded her powerful body. The image stopped a few, those who could not fight, but the burning battle continued. A grand explosion erupted as the entrance to the palace, metal double doors, flew open sending many who were still there into the turned tables nearest to them. Like magic, which was probably the explanation, the innocent guests who were still slightly conscious stood despite their apparent injuries and ran out. Immediately, people on the other side, mainly maids, servants and the odd guard, who had been locked out, ran in and dragged those closest to them away from the calamity.
Minako was transfixed by what she had done. Her amazing glow and power was done but she still watched and could still not fully accept her reality. A burning feeling on her arm lingered but it didn't register very quickly. Again, she heard her name being shouted out but the daze was still tingling in her mind. She felt a push, one too dangerous to lose, and noticed a black haired woman with a beautiful red silk dress standing in front of her.
"Stay with me!" the voice, slowly becoming familiar called as she regained a sense of reality, one very horrible due to the burning around her. She noticed, surrounded by an even but very high fire, was Rei defending her from Kunzite who held a threatening sword towards the priestess.
"Get away from her!" Minako demanded as she tried to force her way to the man, Rei was quick to stop her. The fire around them was growing, even Kunzite was avoiding the flames on his cape until he finally threw it off and fed the flames.
"Give me the girl!" the General demanded as the fire was slowly burning him into ash.
Rei, her inspired mind working quickly, closed a painful fist and cried out as it burst into flames. She looked at the crazed man before launching the small ball of fire to the chest. Kunzite collapsed into a fit before completely turning into a pile ash but no before a crying spirit flew through the battle and out of the hall to the port.
A grossly destruction of the ball continued for much to long. Luckily, Jadeite and Zoisite had already been taken out by brave lunar soldiers. Their endurance made it clear these were not the real Generals and indeed there had been treachery. Killed terrans were being turned into ash and then their evil souls liberated into...wherever. Serenity had been taken to the higher part of the stairway where, fire had already reached them and she only stood because of her daughter who was stilled held hostage closest to the port entrance where the fire was a least concern, due to the rain and wind blowing in. Still, the fire was unstoppable with it's blue flames. Saeko was freezing the walls which continued to melt and cause the battling men to slip and fall.
At the safest part of the hall, where the most terran guards were, Endymion licked the line of blood streaming down Usagi's neck as she cried hysterically.
"You know, it was difficult to portray your loving prince. How can a being resist you with such patience?" the prince whispered into Usagi's burning ear.
The blonde tried to hold a tear but couldn't "You're not Endymion!" she yelled trying to release herself - "Whatever you are, I wish you really knew what Prince Endymion felt!" she cried before spitting in his face which caused the knife at the throat to inch a little bit deeper.
The remark made the thing or man press harder into the wall, distracted only by a few pieces of glass falling on them both. It went ignored since the strong thunderstorm was already blowing rain and filth into the hall, from both long lower windows and arced one's at the top. The thing laughed "Queen Beryl said you were stupid and naive, I didn't think you'd realize so quickly that I am not you lover..." - the thing, man, demon slithered into her ear - "But I could be..." he added as he placed his freezing cold hand, despite his gloves, over Usagi's untouched body.
She shouted. A pile of more broken glass fell over them. There was a sudden grunt as Usagi was pushed forward and landed painfully into scattered pieces of glass which cut her palms, for a moment she was stuck. But despite the disgusting injuries she was fast to turn and see the most incredible and strangest thing.
The thing, man or demon was bursting into an unbearable cry as Endymion was behind him, his royal sword plunged into the impostor's neck. The soldier, her lover, cried until the weapon was as deep as its hinge could reach. The demon made a horrible sound, much like a dying bear, before it quickly turned to ash but not before leaving a trail of purple smoke which flew into the stormy night.
The pieces of glass piercing her palms went ignored as Usagi quickly stood and threw herself at the real Endymion who seemed weakened and hurt but grateful to be with the one he loved. They embraced, both crying and fought the urge to stand and fight. Endymion was bleeding and hurt but he least concerned himself with that as he gave his princess a passionate kiss.
"I wish it wasn't like this..." the prince said as he broke the kiss, a lone tear falling from his eye.
"Then why was it? I need to know..." Usagi asked filled with tears.
Before Endymion could answer, a large piece of burning wood almost over them. The man panicked and looked around only to see, between flames and debris, Serenity nodding towards the broken window behind him. He nodded back.
"Come on, trust me" Endymion said to Usagi as he took her in his arms and with a great leap jumped over the sharp window pane closest to them. He landed on his back, protecting his lover, into a cluster of burnt bushes.
Though many were not saved, plenty were still trapped. The fire continued to grow fiercer and fiercer despite the showering rainstorm overhead. The foundations of the ceiling continued to blaze and fall heavily down on those who were not spared before the raging fire reached every exit of the room. Rei and Minako were being forcefully backed into a circle of fire by the double doors that were also now restricted by the heat. Ami and Makoto stayed by the stairway where the brunette was adamant about reaching the nearest window without bursting into flames, the task was impossible since they too were being consumed by the fire.
A sudden blast of intense energy made the miko and blonde further away from the surrounding circle around them. The threat had increased and there was no way up or down to avoid the deadly element. Also, many pieces of burning foundation were falling from the ceiling which made it harder to avoid being injured. Rei, as usual, was calm while Minako clung onto her desperately. The distracting sweat, burning eyes and painful disorientation made the blonde begin to cry into her companions unmoving arm.
Feeling her own element backfire and Minako cling and cry so intensely on her created a force in Rei she had already used that evening. Of course, such a thing like getting them out of a mess like this was close to impossible. She could only, maybe avoid Minako dying a less painful death but that could only be all. Rei tried for a moment, trying to concentrate despite everything but only achieved a slight movement of the fire closest to her feet. Something changed very quickly.
"Rei-chan, please. I don't want to die like this" Minako's frighteningly scared voice whispered closely into the priestess's ear, the breath so incredibly that she could not resist the tingling in her back and the ear pounding of her heart.
A disturbing cry rang into the mess of the place, defeating the destructing sounds of the palace. Rei almost vomited at the pain she suddenly felt in her forehead, her veins burning with acid didn't help. The vengeance was destroying her from inside as she summoned her element, the one which was causing such horror. Minako released her, feeling the burning in her skin and soul. She backed away as possible, noticing the fire burning at the hem of her gown. Rei was roaring in pain as her arms were held out, the flames around her and the blonde were slowly driven away as if scared. This continued as the priestess continued howling in agony.
Ami and Makoto were the only one's left still standing under the detonating stairway. Maiestas had left running when Minako had managed to open the palace entrance and the guards were either dead or fighting at the port where the battle had moved to since the hall was practically empty and aflame.
"Come on!" Makoto was first to react, seeing the closest window to them and without so much burning wood. She took Ami's hand and pulled her the closest window. Though the flames were licking at their clothes and hair, they jumped across a wall of fire to the closest open space. They landed abruptly into a wall next to a very shard filled window but still too close to the flames.
"Grab onto to me and I'll jump" the brunette huffed as she took the smaller girl around the waist and began to heave her against the frame of the dangerous window.
Ami pulled back as far as she could due to the fire "No! You'll hurt yourself or die! We need to get through that door!" she urged, pointing at her escape under the stairway.
"It's locked! I can't break it down! Perhaps Minako-chan...! " Makoto panicked as she watched Rei's powers defeat the burning aura around her, taking down the last General with her as he approached the force. She looked at the priestess and her pain and then at how Minako looked at her protector. She needed to act and fast, her life depended on it, even if she died.
"You're right! Take me!" the tallest guardian confirmed as she looked down at Ami with a confidant smile. The smaller girl touched her wooden ring again before taking Makoto's hand and with a courageous leap she jumped the wall of fire. Before the could take the next step, the crackling of broken wood crashed and the hot sense of danger fell upon them.
There was always a deadly corruption in Makoto which made her act and not think. She wasn't stupid, she was just impulsive. So when Ami and her jumped and sensed something amiss, Makoto was quick to push her genius friend away from whatever. A very large piece of burning wood fell on the brunette's back as she denied her friend to receive it. Not even her sharp, manly jacket could protect her from the blazing object which tore through fabric and skin. She bit her lip, held her tongue and hoped her ash face would cover the tears freely falling from her eyes.
"Mako-chan! Mako-chan!" Ami cried hysterically from her semi-safe place near the hidden door. The girl was about to jump back but was stopped by a strangely tranquilizing gesture.
Makoto got up, her legs almost giving out from the pain, and smiled with lips beginning to bleed from biting them "I'm fine! Let's go!" she managed to scream before jumping to Ami and grinning between tears.
"Mako-chan! Are you alright?" the smaller asked fearing the worst from her suddenly pale faced friend.
Mako suddenly perked up, despite the pain, as the stairway they are under is beginning to deteriorate. Another long piece of foundation falls in front of them, causing no another escape.
"We have to go!"
Ami, feeling the fumes of the fire concentrating in her area, is struck by the image of the Rei's continued force and use of energy. As hard as she can, the smoke is making her weaker and weaker. She can see the tall figure of the Jovian but it doesn't make sense through the impaired elements.
"Come on then" a husky, familiar voice says as Ami is lifted into one arm into a higher and less smoky atmosphere. The genius regains her senses and notices Makoto is holding her, with one arm! up along the last remaining railing of the stairway. The strong girl jumps each inch with arm while holding Ami. The fire is reaching them slowly as they almost reach the top.
The stairway collapses from the bottom, making both girls shake and break as they almost reach the top. Suddenly, with palms wet with sweat and blood, Ami lets go of Makoto's hand.
Review! It's fun and weird! More then anything I'd like to know if it's confusing!