Third Time's the Charm
By Bashfulglowfly
Chapter Eight
The last Army of Earth was defeated.
More than defeated. Annihilated.
Small groups of soldiers were scattered about the battlefield fighting desperately against the witch's demons but one by one they fell…torn apart by the vicious claws.
General Huna, King Terran's most trusted and experienced general lay on the ground. Bloody sword still in her hand…but her hand wasn't attached to her body. In fact, that hand was the only thing left of her that was recognizably human.
Not far from the remains of the General, Endymion and the Shitennou fought back to back with swords and with magic. But they were beginning to weaken from the long fight and from the fact that all five were wounded. Endymion was hurt the worst, with a wound in his side, draining him of blood and strength.
The four Shitennou managed to look at each other. They were in agreement as to what needed to be done. Nephrite plunged his sword into the ground and quickly raised his hands, casting a spell that flung the demons surrounding them several yards backwards.
Kunzite spun around and, with the hilt of his sword, hit Endymion over the head. Even though he was rapidly losing consciousness, Endymion managed a weak question, "Why?"
"Because we love you, my prince." Kunzite looked into Endymion's eyes. "Never doubt that we are your faithful guardians and friends." Kunzite along with Zoicite and Jadeite joined their powers and sent Endymion to the perilous safety of the Moon.
Weakened further by the spells they had just performed, the Shitennou were swarmed under by the demons of the witch known as Beryl.
It had been three long and horribly painful days since the witch had captured them. They had not been allowed to sleep nor had they been given any food or water. Instead either Beryl herself, who was angry over the fact that they had sent Endymion away or her torturers, tortured them hourly.
Zoicite looked at his brothers, tears in his eyes "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." He ripped one hand from the manacle chaining him to the wall. Flesh scraped off clear to the bone, he grabbed a dagger that lay on a nearby table. "Forgive me, my brothers. Forgive me, my beautiful Nymph!" With that he stabbed the dagger up under his chin, through his mouth and into his brain. Immediately his body sagged, dangling by the one arm still chained to the wall, blood dripping down to pool on the floor.
The three remaining Shitennou grieved for their brother.
Two days later, Beryl was again torturing them. Cursing them for sending Endymion away. Jadeite grinned at her and laughed madly. "Serenity's probably riding him like a stallion at this very moment! Endymion's arching beneath her, his cock deep in her womb, spreading his seed, begging her to let him suck at her breasts! Not only that but Serenity…"
Beryl screamed with rage and snatched up the same dagger that Zoicite used to kill himself and repeatedly stabbed Jadeite in the chest. He coughed, blood coming out of his mouth. He managed to choke out despite the blood "Firebird…" His body sagged in the chains.
The two remaining Shitennou mourned their brother while Beryl raged, blaming Jadeite for her killing him.
Three days later, they weren't being tortured but Nephrite turns his head to Kunzite. "I have to go. Jupiter needs me." Nephrite's eyes rolled back into his head, and then the formally strong body collapsed. The only thing keeping him from being completely on the floor of the dungeon were the manacles binding his hands.
The last of the Shitennou lamented the loss of his brother.
Two days later Beryl stood before Kunzite. Her blood red lips curved into a hideous smile in her pale face. "I'm going to make you watch. Watch and suffer as no man has ever suffered before. You will pay for keeping Endymion away from me."
She cast a spell then plunged her knife deep into Kunzite's chest. He could only scream as the knife cut through his ribs. Beryl reached out and pulled back the severed bones like she was opening a cabinet door. Therein lay Kunzite's heart. He could only watch helplessly as her hand, tipped with blood-red claw-like nails, wrapped around his still beating heart and began to pull it out from his chest.
Queen Serenity wept as she placed Kunzite's soul next to his brothers. She knew that the deaths of the Shitennou hurt Serenity, Endymion and the Senshi deeply but she couldn't tell them what she had done. She just prayed that in the future her daughter and the other girls would understand.
Beryl cackled to herself as she stared down at the bodies of the Shitennou. She didn't know how but their souls had slipped through her grasp but she had the next best thing…their bodies.
She turned to the four demons standing behind her and with a quick twist of her hands and a spell, she wrenched from their bodies what passed for a soul. Quickly she crammed the foul souls into the bodies before her and waited.
One by one the bodies began to twitch and the eyes opened.
Her new Generals were awake and ready to destroy…everything!
Her laughter echoed madly throughout her castle and both demons and the few surviving humans shuddered at the sound.
The witch's army destroyed the planets of the Silver Alliance one by one until only the Moon was left.
Mages tried to block the army from invading but failed. Mercury cried out in horror when she realized what Beryl had done to the bodies of the Shitennou. The Senshi wept at the foul deed that was done to their lovers but went forth with the Army of the Moon to defend what was left of their people and their princess.
But they also failed. One by one the Senshi died at the hands of the witch's foul Generals. First Mercury, then Jupiter, followed by Mars and lastly Venus.
Beryl tried to kill the Princess but her evil spell was blocked by Endymion who died at the feet of the woman he loved more than anything.
Serenity went…mad. She ignored the rantings of the witch as she cast a spell bringing her Senshi back to her. She laid them gently next to her beloved Endymion while casting another spell restoring their bodies to perfection.
"I will not be your puppet." Was the last thing uttered by Serenity before she plunged Endymion's sword into her breast
Serenity and the Ginzuishou forced the Senshi to continue to watch as the near past unfolded before their eyes:
Watching young Kazuya hiding in a cupboard as his mother and uncle argue. Leaving with his uncle to a new life and family.
Watching Kazuya's meeting with Queen Serenity and remembering his past and learning about his future.
Watching Kunzite meeting the young boy he once knew as Jadeite.
Watching Kunzite holding baby Usagi in his arms for the first time and knowing one day she will rule the world with Endymion by her side.
Watching the lives of Nephrite, Jadeite and Zoicite before they awakened to their True Selves.
Watching as Usagi awakened to being Sailor Moon and seeing the Shitennou help her accept her role now and what her role in the future would be.
Watching as the Shitennou met Artemis and dealing with the frustration that they couldn't openly help the young girls who had been their lovers and were now defending Tokyo from evil.
Watching as the Shitennou went with Sailor Moon to the place where the witch hid in this time, following behind the Senshi who died once again one by one but without knowing their princess. The Shitennou killing the ones who killed the women they could only love and protect from afar. Carrying their bodies with them as they strode through the witch's castle. One by one falling, defending their Prince's Princess until she was standing alone before the witch and the brainwashed Endymion.
Watching as Sailor Moon eliminated the witch's hold on Endymion only to, once again, lose him to the witch's attack.
Watching as the wounded witch retreated to the safety of her master.
Watching as Sailor Moon transforming into Serenity. Casting a spell bringing her dead Senshi to the side of her beloved Endymion…only this time, they were joined by the bodies of the Shitennou.
Watching Serenity walking away from those she loved the most to fight Metallia who had consumed Beryl.
Watching the spirits of the Senshi, the Shitennou and Endymion join with Serenity and the Ginzuishou to defeat Metallia only to have Serenity die from the power overload.
Watching as Usagi remembered her past and awakening the Shitennou, who once again watched over the Senshi when they were awakened by Luna and Artemis to meet the new threat of the Black Moon Clan.
Watching as Usagi and her little brother survived the Earthquake and rejoin their parents only to have the Tsunami overwhelm them.
Watching Sailor Moon try to save her entire family…and failing.
Watching as the Shitennou transported themselves to Sendai, and using their powers recklessly, searching for Usagi and her family. Finding Sailor Moon shielding her brother but weakening rapidly. Their parents not far away.
Watching as Kunzite held his younger siblings, crying over the loss of their parents. His brothers standing guard, protecting them in their grief.
Watching as Kunzite and Zoicite carried the unconcious Usagi and injured Shingo while Jadeite and Nephrite carried the bodies of Ikuko and Kenji, walked through the remains of the city they once called home.