Hello readers! I do apologize for the delay of the next chapter but I've had some problems arise in my life with my boyfriend so things aren't very positive for me. However, I was able to come out of my rut and finish Mina/Matt's chapter no this is not itand I wanted to get Lita's out before the night ended. Do know that this is a long chapter, not as long as say ch.2 but it is long compared to the others in this sections. I just had a whim and wanted to put as much as possible in for these two since not much interaction has been had between them. I do hope that you like it and please do send reviews. Whether they are good or bad! Enjoy the story
P.S. Oh everything in italics is their dream world. Yes they are sharing the same dreams.
From Betrayal to Redemption Ch.13
Pulling her car into the complex garage Lita got out and made her way to the ground floor elevator. Hearing a strange noise outside of the garage she stopped and looked in that direction. "What in the world?" she asked herself as she made her way towards the noise. When she looked around the property she didn't see anything so she turned back around to the garage but was stopped by another crashing sound. She looked up to the skies and saw an electrical storm in the clouds. "That's so strange. I don't remember hearing anything about a storm."
The lightning bolts shooting through the skies did not appear to be flowing a normal vertical pattern, but instead were going horizontally between stars with a different tint. 'I have to be really tired because I couldn't have seen colored lightning,' she thought. Shaking her head she walked back to the garage and took the elevator upstairs.
Nathan had just laid his head down on his pillow when a flash of lightning went past his window. He looked in its direction and watched as four more looking to be the shade of green hit ground on all four points around his room. 'I have to be going crazy,' he thought. 'Or either what Luna said is happening.'
He went to the window and climbed out to the balcony. He saw that the streets below looked normal and nothing seemed out of place, but when he looked to the skies it was a different story. Like Lita he saw the electrical storm being generated around the clouds. He saw each bolt strike between the star-lines and worriment covered his features. 'That shouldn't be happening. What is going on here?' he asked himself. Thinking that he had to have just been imagining things he went back to bed to lie down. When he closed his eyes, the energy that had been circling the house sent him straight into a dream-filled sleep.
Nephrite walked in to the training room to see Sailor Jupiter practicing her dodging skills with balls of electricity and another guard. Noticing his intrusion the guard stopped and looked in his direction giving Sailor Jupiter enough time to send him down to the floor. "Malcolm you know that you won't get anywhere if you pay attention to outside forces and not your opponent."
"Sorry Jupiter. I got distracted by the Earth General's intrusion."
"Intrusions cannot take precedence over your tasks. Yes, be aware of them because it may be someone trying to attack you from a vulnerable position but always keep your mind on the battle at hand. Never take your eyes off your opponent."
"She's right about that Malcolm. Your opponent is always looking for a chance to-"
"I do believe that this is my lesson General. I don't need you adding in any of your Earthling nonsense."
"Most warriors take another's advice thankfully. Especially when they themselves do not know as much as the other."
"Are you insulting me General Nephrite?" Jupiter said as she advanced towards him.
"Sailor Jupiter I think we should continue with the lesson, don't you? I know that Queen Serenity wanted to meet with you and the other Scouts before the evening run," Malcolm stated worriedly.
"Well then don't let me keep you from your duties Sailor Jupiter. Take what I said to heart will you? I'm available if you need some assistance with your lessons," Nephrite said and was heading out when he felt a ball of electricity hit his head and send a shock done his spine.
"Perhaps you should take your own advice General."
SCENE CHANGELita was startled out of her late night walk by clattering noises. She turned to investigate and deducted that they were coming from the kitchen, but didn't want to transform unless it was absolutely necessary. When she peeked through the kitchen windows she saw General Nephrite trying to cook but just causing an even larger catastrophe. Not being able to watch this destruction any longer she busted in saying, "Are you out of your mind? What the hell were you trying to do demolish the place?"
"Lita, what are you doing up?" Nephrite asked as he tried wiping his face clean.
"Never mind that! What are you doing in the kitchen at this hour? And making a mess at that rate."
"I got hungry and wanted a snack so I decided to make something."
"Whatever you were trying to make you failed," she said and laughed. "There are snacks left over each night in this fridge and cupboard for reasons like this," she finished and showed him the food stored there. "For a General you sure don't investigate things first hand."
"I did see that, but nothing struck interest for me. I wanted some regular food."
"Regular food? What is this un-regular food?" she asked feeling insulted.
"No that's not what I meant. I was just saying that I wanted something from home."
"Why didn't you just say so?" Lita said with a grin. Since cooking was a deep-rooted passion for her, she had no problem with making him something that reminded him from home. "But before we get to any creating in here this place has to be cleaned."
"We can't call the servants in at this hour just to clean a kitchen. That would be ridiculous."
"Right you are General. So here's a mop and a bucket: fill it up with water and some soap and run it back and forth along the floor. Not the bucket, the mop after its been dipped in the bucket."
"I've mopped a floor before Princess. What surprises me is that you have."
Clearing off the counters and placing dirty dishes and pans in the dishwashers, she said, "I spent a lot of my time with my father growing up and ended up not acquiring many lady like skills. My mother had passed away before she could rein it out of me so that task was left up to Queen Serenity and my palace cook. She taught me everything she knew when it came to cooking. I ended up having a natural knack for it and fell in love instantly. We've been married since I was seven."
Laughing at her joke he said, "Do you still have room in that heart for a man to love?"
"Why so curious?" she asked and looked at him. Only offering a smile he continued to mop the floor.
With the dishes going through the washer Lita questioned Nephrite on what from Earth he missed. As he spoke of his home, the palace, the people, the familiar smells and life itself she prepared a dish of Turkish delight. When she began to fill the dough with the fruit preserves she started laughing at what Nephrite was showing her and accidentally spilled some onto his shirt. Laughing at what she did she coughed out an apology but continued to laugh at the mess on him. Knowing it was an accident but thinking it only fair since she was laughing, he picked some up and wiped it on her cheek. Shocked by his direct move she picked up the powder sugar and sprinkled some onto his head. Before she could really get any out he snatched it back and did to her as she had planned to do him. Laughing at their predicament they tried to help one another get the food off their face.
When Nephrite looked into Lita's eyes he saw something that he thought was familiar but he couldn't place it. He shook it off as her being someone he could really connect with as a friend and maybe even more. Lita starred up at Nephrite with laughter in her eyes and thought, 'Such beautiful eyes. A girl could get lost if she wasn't careful. I never really was one for carefulness though.' And with that last fleeting thought she reached her hand up to touch his cheek. Leaning into her hand he turned his face back to hers and placed a delicate kiss upon her lips.
SCENE CHANGE"Lets move it gentleman!" Jupiter shouted to the Moon Army as she ran ahead of them on the grounds. Mina had had an impromptu meeting with her mother and brother that morning so assisting with training was not an option. Not wanting to leave the men in a lurch Jupiter had agreed to help.
"Come on Jupiter, we've ran around the entire perimeter of the palace twice, can't we get a-" a guard began.
"A shorter distance to run for a cool off?" Malcolm finished and shot daggers at the younger guard.
"Good idea and save Malcolm. Inform your fellow man of the rules and we will do just that," Jupiter stated.
Nephrite watched as Malcolm whispered to a couple of the guys how Jupiter did not take break requests. She looks at training as preparing for the real thing and in war you don't take water or rest breaks.
"Mind if I join you?" Nephrite asked when the group ran past where he was sitting.
"If you can keep up," Jupiter replied. She starred as he came to run next to her and hid her smile. The night before he had stayed up talking with her as Lita about every star with its alignment and what they meant. She knew that she was developing feelings for him and fast, but it was well worth it. "Men we're going to take a run through the Silver Forest. Try not to become distracted by the Princess' friends or anything else that happens to come across you."
"What does that mean?"
"You'll see," she said and led them into the forest.
As they ran through the trees Nephrite noticed things moving around them. "Are there animals living here?"
"It is a forest so I would assume so. Serenity lets them roam the grounds at night but during the day most of them tend to stay within."
"Isn't that dangerous?"
"Only if you attack them. Serenity would never keep dangerous animals on the grounds. Although there aren't many animals she finds to be dangerous. She'll take in practically anything given the chance."
"Her mother approves of that?"
"As long as the Princess is happy and healthy the Queen has no complaints on what Serenity takes in. Okay gentleman we're going to round the bin and head back out through the west exit," she said as she turned around and ran backwards. As she looked through the crowd to make sure each man was still doing okay she noticed a white tiger come out from behind them. "Keep moving gentleman."
"Is that really a white tiger?" Nephrite asked her.
Realizing that the tiger would provide a good tactic of distraction she let out a high whistle and watched as the movement in the trees became more frequent. "Gentlemen, I'd be wary of the attention you've drawn. Wouldn't want any of you losing a limb before exiting the forest."
Nephrite watched as Sailor Jupiter continued her run and how some of the men became frantic over being cornered by so many animals while others decided to pace around them or take alternate routes. A fair few however took the initiative and moved swiftly through the packs and followed Jupiter out of the forest. When he had reached the exit he saw Jupiter leaning against a tree with a smirk on her face.
"Why on Earth or Jupiter for that matter would you do that to them?"
"Being distracted is not an option when you are in battle. These men need to realize that the smallest thing cannot get in their way or it may mean their death. Those animals in there are harmless unless they see Serenity being hurt, but few men know that."
"Except for us. Great thinking Jupiter," a man said when he came out of the forest.
"I see you didn't let the others know did you?"
"They'll figure it out sooner or later."
"You're seriously just going to leave your men in there?" Nephrite asked.
"If they don't have the sense to follow their fellow man who is obviously getting out of the situation then they don't belong in this army anyway. It seems harsh to you and to other people, but this Alliance cannot afford to have slackers or senseless men. You're an Earthling and had enough logic to follow after me and not let your mind be distracted or overwhelmed. If these men cannot pursue that same task then they have no business here."
He looked at this woman before him and couldn't help but smile. She really was more than he had realized.
SCENE CHANGE"Where's Serenity?" Mercury shouted over the commotion.
"Endymion took her back inside the palace with the Queen," Jupiter said.
"Can we really trust him?" Mars asked as she moved closer to them.
"We have no choice," Venus stated and brought her sword down on one of Beryl's minions. "Mercury can you get a scan on who is evil or just brainwashed? It be better if we didn't shed useless blood."
"I can't! I gave it to Zoicite before they left for Earth," she shouted as she dodged energy balls. "Mercury Bubbles Blast!"
"Sailors! Sailors!" a guard shouted as he came to stand next to them.
"Get the army back into lines! We'll distract them for as long as-" Venus began.
"No Sailor Venus, listen to me! The Earth Generals are back but something-"
"WHAT?" Mars asked after she let loose her Firebird on men advancing towards them.
"Nephrite's here?" Jupiter asked.
"At your service Jupiter," Nephrite said when he stepped through the fog and ran his sword through the guard. Looking at him in shock she lost her boundaries and was hit from the side by one of Beryl's followers.
"He's evil now," Mars whispered to Jupiter.
"Then that must mean the others are too. Spread out!" Venus commanded.
Jupiter regained her footing and circled the man who she gave her heart to and yet had not. He was no longer her Nephrite but she knew that he was still there somewhere.
"Weren't you the one who always said to never take your eyes off of your opponent? You can never be vulnerable to outside forces."
"Nephrite, listen to me. I don't want to hurt you but I will if I have to."
"Hurt me? You make it sound like you could," he said and slashed his sword at her. She dodged it quickly and moved to the other side of him. Nephrite anticipated her move and used the butt of his sword to send her to the ground. "The puny Sailor Scout finally meets her defeat. And to think that all of this will belong to my Queen."
"Beryl isn't your Queen Nephrite. She brainwashed you. This isn't you."
"Brainwashed."
"Try to remember me Nephrite. Please try."
"Remember."
"It's me Lita."
"Lita."
Walking closer to him she said, "I know you can do it. Just keep trying. Remember that day in the gardens when you told me you loved me? That night in the kitchen?"
Looking at her with a distant look he shook his head and said, "You can't trick me Sailor!" He said and threw a ball of energy at her.
Moving in the opposite direction she powered up and said, "Jupiter Thunderbolt Crash!" and sent electrical shocks through his body. When the electricity faded he still remained standing and whispered, "Lita? Lita help me."
Thinking that her jolt her worked she rushed over to him and said, "Nephrite I'm here. It's going to be okay. We just gotta get you in the palace."
"No, there's something I have to do first," he said as turned his body to hers.
"What?" she asked and felt cold steel go through her body.
"This." Laughing as he saw her face go from shock to fear, back again and then to the realization of what had happened he jammed his sword in further. "Did you actually think that I remembered something for you? You mean nothing to me and I have made my Queen proud by killing the great Sailor Jupiter!" he shouted and twisted his sword once more into her gut before pulling it back out.
Nathan woke abruptly from his sleep sweating and breathing in hard. Getting his breath back under control he replayed the events of his dream and tried to understand them. He could remember that night like yesterday and hated himself for. 'Lita's face and those men…this must have been what Jason meant about dream portals,' he thought and looked at the clock. 'Almost six. Maybe the stars have an answer,' and got up to go downstairs.
Lita gasped for breaths when she awoke from her dream. She could still feel the cold steel entering her body and the look of glee on Nephrite's face. 'They were turned evil. But…why and for what?' she asked herself.
"This makes no sense!" she shouted and threw her covers off. She had decided that a run would be best to clear her head and think things out.
End of chapter! I do hope you liked it and please remember to send lots of reviews. It does put a smile on my face when I see them Bless it be
Selene Grace