Mars

The sun never came to show us the warmth of fire. I choked back the tears that welled up inside of me. There was no stopping the inevitable. With both my princess and my leader with me I could only hope that we would survive. It was dark as we crept through the catacombs underneath the palace. The battle had started earlier than expected. Jupiter's cries to battle echoed in the storm that raged above the palace. I only hoped that she was alright.

"Where do we go now?" My words trembled between my lips as Venus answered.

"Go left. It should take us back through the archives. We'll meet up with Ami then go on to the teleportation pad." It was then that our princess spoke.

"What about Jupiter and Endymion?"

Venus glanced over to warn me to say nothing. "They will have to meet us later. Right now we must get you somewhere safe."

I pulled the bow off my shoulder as I heard light footsteps up ahead. Venus held the Princess back and drew her sword. I soon realized that the steps were echoes of those above us. We continued on until I came to a ladder. Venus told me that it came through in the open center of the archive hall. That was where Ami would be.

"Mars go get Mercury. We'll wait here." I nodded and climbed up as fast as I could with an arrow ready.

I gently lifted the grate to allow a huge drop in temperature to whisk by me. This was strange, I could see my breath. I poked my head up for a few moments to see the archives covered in ice crystals. That is when I got a glimpse of the scene. Mercury's body was pierced in the chest. Her eyes were open and lifeless. I swallowed my anger as I slid back down to meet the others.

"Where's Mercury?"

I looked straight to Minako. "She wasn't there." The tone of my voice gave Venus the silent message.

"Then let's move on."

But the princess protested. "We're not just going to leave her are we?"

I shook my head. "We have to go princess." Her silence told us that she understood.

We trekked on for several minutes before I lifted the grate to the final ladder and stepped up onto the ridge of an open field. We were so far away from the actual battle. As we all came up my instincts went wild. Out of reaction I forced the two of them down to the ground while I looked over the ridge with an arrow tucked on the string of my bow. That is when I saw them.

My heart sank as I saw Jadeite on horseback with Kunzite. They were surrounded by several soldiers. I aimed and pulled back the string, but even though the shot was perfect I couldn't bring myself to let go. Mina sensed my hesitation and looked over the ridge.

"I know this is hard Rei, but you need to take the shot."

I froze. "But is Kunzite is there as well. Do you feel anything Minako?"

She then sighed as she looked into my eyes. "They are not the men we thought they were. This is our duty now. That is all we have left. The Princess is our only responsibility." That is when the Princess screamed.

I looked up to see what had caught her attention. She crawled up beside us and saw Endymion tied up and struggling as he was being dragged towards Kunzite's horse. While I understand that she was hurt by the sight her scream just gave away our position. Jadeite's eyes were now fixed on me. I had no choice but to let the arrow fly. I looked away as he fell to the ground.

"See, now your princess can watch you die." Endymion struggled as one of Kunzite's men attached a rope to his ankles.

I readied my bow again and aimed for Kunzite, but the shot wasn't clear. At that moment Venus dragged the princess back as soldiers began approaching. I dropped my weapons and closed my eyes. Flames surged from my skin as I let them all burn. Their screams only frightened Serenity. I wanted to stop so bad but I didn't. This rage just felt so good.

I walked towards Kunzite, ignoring Venus' protests along the way. His eyes were filled with satisfaction as an army of archers stood behind him and readied their bows. I looked death in the eye and unleashed the inferno, even as the arrows pierced my broken body.

"A daughter of Mars falls today. Kill them all Kunzite, every last one of them." My vision blurred, but the voice was clear in my mind. Beryl… I struggled to speak as she approached Venus.

"Mina…" But my voice ended as my soul was set free.