Chapter 3

Why did I believe in her; the Princess that wasted the lives of men and allowed the enemy to be victorious? I've been asking myself this for a while now. I took an oath and she was the reason that it was broken. I remember feeling so much sadness eclipsed by anger. What kind of person gives up when there is still hope? Part of me knows that I will never forgive her. Love is not worth throwing your life away for. Her and I are completely different, but she will always be my responsibility.

There's a sense of calm within me now. I can feel my heart racing louder than it has ever before. Three wounds rest emblazoned on my skin. Each has their own story to tell. I cut my palm the day I ascended to the throne. It was a symbol of Jupiter's power. The wound on my face was inflicted by an enemy; a reminder of my mortality. And finally, the cut on my left arm; given to me by the man I cared for. It just goes to show you that trust can easily be misplaced.

Everywhere I walk, there is a remnant of some battle, and while the palace itself rests unscathed, the grounds look as if they have been torn to shreds. The storm is gone now and yet I can still feel its presence in my veins. I'm walking, but I don't know where to. My blood drips to the ground. Right now it feels both foreign and familiar.

I drop onto the damp grass just beyond the gardens. Why am I going this way? I should be with my Queen. "But is she really my Queen?" I shake my head. "Of course she is… damn what's wrong with me…"

I touch the ground and watch as the grass grows rapidly beneath my hand. These are the powers I hadn't learned in the past. I smile, it's like the plants can hear me. Nature really is on my side.

"Was there ever a doubt in your mind? You are a descendent of Jove after all." The voice is in my head. I know it is, but I still look around for it's owner.

I push off the ground and stand. I've wasted enough time as it is. The others might need my help. I make my way through the palace. Several guards watch as I pass, but I ignore them. The only thought in my mind is to get to Serenity and Endymion. I can hear voices up ahead. Several delegates hurry by with an escort of guards. There's fear in their eyes. I suppose I don't blame them. This place isn't safe anymore.

"Jupiter…" My name is spoken just above a whisper. Venus stands just outside the doors with her eyes wider than I think I had ever seen them before.

"Mina."

She doesn't say anything for a moment. "Your face… it's…"

"I know."

She follows the trail of blood down my arm. "You're bleeding all over. Here, I'll take you to the infirmary."

"I'm fine-"

"Like hell you are." A wave of pain rips through my chest again as my knees start to buckle. Venus catches me just as my legs start to give out. "Amara, I need some help!"

Uranus comes running out of the room. Before I have the time to protest, I feel myself being supported from both sides. They exchange words, but I don't hear them. My eyes grow heavy but the pain of my wounds has left me. I hate it when people worry about me, and this moment is no different.

"Shino, how many are there to the East?"

He turns. "Scouts count only a thousand."

I nod. "Alright, take a division and finish them quickly. The rest of the army will march to the north and meet the enemy head on."

"Is that wise? We should ride on ahead until we can flank them on the west side."

I shake my head. "No, there's a village in the way."

"We'll lose more men."

I smile. "Are you questioning me, Shino?"

He bows. "Forgive me Princess."

"It's alright just take the men and go. We need to end this swiftly before they can regroup."

I can feel the end drawing near. These wars are pointless, and yet they are fought just the same. The storm echoes overhead. To win a battle one needs more than strength; they need courage.

Distant memories are so familiar to me. I've practically lived a thousand years. I wake up only to feel a light sting on my arm. Mercury stands over me with a bandage in her hand. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you."

I lean back. "How long have I been here?"

"About a day. You lost a lot of blood." I reach up with my right hand and feel the cut on my face. "I don't know how you managed that one. Any closer and you would have lost your eye."

I did know that. "Where's Serenity?"

She smiles. "She's with Venus and Mars. Don't worry, she's fine."

"We were attacked."

She nods. "I suppose it was inevitable. We knew that the Black Moon would attack us ever since Rini first went to the past."

"Is she still here?"

"As far as I know. That only means that the worst is yet to come." I push myself to sit up. "Hey, come on. You shouldn't be moving around too much."

I sigh. "My wounds are bandaged. I'm fine now."

Mercury looks around as if to call someone to help her, but we're the only two in the room. "Lita, please…"

"Amy, I'm fine." I swing my legs out of bed.

"Alright, but just slow down. There's something else that I was meaning to ask you."

I nod. "Go ahead."

She turns slightly. "Where did you get those marks?"

"Sorry?"

"The ones on your wrists-"

She stops, not just for a moment or a second, but indefinitely. It's not just her words, but her breathing as well. I stand and walk around her, but her eyes don't follow me. What is this?

"You need to choose your next words carefully."

I turn to the window and see Pluto looking out at the courtyard. "What are you doing?"

"Maintaining order."

I smile. "So you stopped time just to tell me to be careful?"

"That and other things." She pushes off the wall. "I've spoken to Cronos about everything that has happened, but he's never been one to give straight answers."

"Like father like daughter."

She smiles. "I suppose so."

"What did he say?"

"He said that the storm never stopped raging."

I smile. "You're right. I'm not going to get a straight answer."

There's a part of me that wishes for closure in some way, shape or form. Pluto looks to me as if trying to search for another answer, but we both know that some things in this world just can't be explained. "I'm going to have to go back to the gates."

I nod. "Don't worry, I'll figure this out myself."

"I'm not worried about you; I'm worried about the time stream."

"Well that's reassuring."

She closes her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"There is no reason for you to be sorry. It's been this way since back in the Silver Millennium. I don't blame you for doing your duty."

"But I blame myself."

"Setsuna…"

She bows. "I think you understand that you're not human anymore."

There's no shock in my eyes. "I never was human to begin with. This body… maybe, but I have and will always be Jovian."

She smiles. "That is Makoto talking."

I ignore her comment. "I can't hide this anymore."

She nods. "I know. I've seen what is to come."

For a single moment I fall back to my memories. Wars are hardly fought without casualties of some kind. I think back to the days when the alliance was strongest, but the truth is that it was never as strong as it seemed. I close my eyes. "Setsuna… why do you believe in her?"

She can sense the change in tone. "I suppose you are talking about Serenity." I nod. "I believe in her because she is this planet's future. Do you not agree?"

I turn. "I believed in her once because she was everything that I wasn't. She had a future away from violence, and she had someone that cared for her, but now I can feel that there is a part of me that hates her for what she did. I know I shouldn't…"

Pluto puts her hand on my shoulder. "This life is different from the last. If you let your memories govern your judgment then all this might fall apart."

"She's still young and naïve. She's just better at hiding it now. Whether I like it or not, the past has made me who I am now."

"I can't tell you what to do, but I trust that it will be the right thing."

I nod. "You always speak to me as if this is the last time we'll see each other."

She turns. "That is because there is only so much that even I can see."

We all have ghosts that hide in our pasts. Pluto is no different. "Alright then."

She bows. "Goodbye, Jupiter."

And with those words, her hold on time fades away. Mercury never completes her sentence; instead she frantically stares at the empty space in front of her. "What in the-"

"Amy."

She turns. "How did you-"

"We should all meet and discuss our counterattack."

"Just wait a second."

I turn. "There isn't time to wait. It's already been a day. They probably have a second plan ready."

She steps forward. "You're in no condition to be putting anymore strain on your body, especially when you can't transform."

"What?"

She sighs. "Your henshin stick. Saturn found it after you were brought here."

"I don't need it."

"So what you're just going to pound the enemy with your fists."

I turn. "I don't expect you to understand."

"I would like to, if you would tell me." There's anger in her eyes. It's such a strange look on her, even in the past.

"Amy… I'm sorry."

She shakes her head. "What's wrong with you, Lita? It's like you're a completely different person."

I close my eyes. "Everything has just… changed that's all. It's me, not you alright?"

She doesn't say anything. I don't know what I was expecting. I know I should feel bad about what I said, but I don't. It's like there's a barrier between us now. I go to leave and she doesn't stop me. Instead she turns away as I walk out. The air is calm, but the light smell of battle is still present. Something has to be done.

I walk through the halls of the Crystal Palace with little conviction. Voices seem to be screaming in my head. Part of me wonders if I'm just imagining all of this. I waste no time in making my way to my quarters. It's darker than usual. I pull open my dresser and throw some clothes onto the bed. That is when a knock echoes from the doorway.

"Lita?"

I turn in time to see both Uranus and Neptune. "Is there something you need?"

Neptune seems taken back by my words. "Neo-Queen Serenity has summoned all of us. Mercury wanted us to make sure you're coming."

Mercury… of course she would. "Let me get changed first."

"Alright."

Both of them turn away. They stand like guards at my door. I can't help but feel a little threatened. Moments pass as I quickly change. I hate walking through the halls in this casual attire, but I don't have a choice. In this moment, I miss the armor that use to fit so perfectly.

"You two don't have to be my escorts."

Uranus shrugs. "We're all going to the same place anyway."

Perhaps her words were meant to sound reassuring, but they were far from it. We walk on in silence. I can feel their eyes on me. It's as if they are studying my movements. When we finally reach the throne room, I quickly realize that we are the last to arrive. Sitting on the King's right is his four Shitennou, all of which stare on in amazement. Nephrite turns away. I can see the confusion flowing through him as I take my seat.

The room is filled with so many separate emotions, and yet I can still feel the rising tension over them all. No one says anything and that is what is the most disconcerting. Pluto's empty seat is the only thought in my mind. Now is when it begins.

"Jupiter."

I turn to the Queen. Her eyes are still filled with the innocence of a child. "Your majesty."

"I believe we all have some things to discuss."

"I assume that is why we're here." The tone in my voice shifts. This isn't the time to be gentle. Our enemy has a distinct advantage and that is never good. I sit straight with my hands folded in my lap just waiting for someone else to speak.

From here on I realize that I'm sitting in a room full of strangers. Across the way are four men that look at me with both recognition and fear. They know who I was and they know who I am now. The five of us seem to have developed a silent understanding. Nephrite still can't look at me and I don't care. There is little stopping me from striking him down this very second. Neither of us trust each other and that is fine with me.

All those years ago, Saturn told me that my soul was always crying. I didn't know what she meant until this moment. My soul doesn't cry out of sadness, but out of anger. I am the senshi of courage and protection; the Queen amongst Princesses. To grant others blissful ignorance, I let go of all sympathy. This moment is no different. Here I take all the horrors of the past onto my shoulders. Lita, Makoto… it doesn't matter what they call me. Jove is my guardian, and I am the last daughter of Jupiter.