Chapter 6

Jovians have always lived to conquer. There is history etched into the armor that I wear. I can't tell you how many battles it has seen, but I'm taking it into another one. It's amazing how light it feels over my body, each plate rests sectioned on top of the other. I wonder if my mother is watching me now. I find myself thinking of her often.

The storm still rages overhead, and yet the sky is still as black as night. I'm not one for fighting in the dark, but it can't be helped. The sparks dance around my fingers. It's both calming and powerful at the same time. The Shitennou stand behind me, each with their swords drawn, watching for enemy movement. It's been quiet, and that bothers me.

I press my hand against the barrier and close my eyes. I feel the the storm surging through my veins. With each passing second I push harder until I feel the pressure lessen. Pretty soon all I feel is the open air. Still, I can't let up. The barrier will bounce back the moment I let go.

"Alright boys, get in." Zoicite jumps through first, followed by Jadeite. That's when an explosion echoes in the distance. "Now!"

Kunzite dives through with Nephrite close behind. I can't help but feel that my breathing has gotten heavier. This is harder than I thought it would be. "Come on." Nephrite grabs my hand and pulls me through. The barrier closes instantly. He lets go the moment I regain my balance. Neither of us say a word.

Kunzite steps forward. "They're probably in the tower."

I nod. "We shouldn't waste time." However the moment I step forward, a wall of fire surrounds us. "This is ridiculous."

Jadeite turns. "Mars! Stop this. It is only us."

The sound of clicking heels is so distinct. Without warning the fire disperses. I look up at the woman that I recognize as the Princess of Mars, but she's weaker than I remember. The determination is absent from her eyes. "How did you get in?"

Jadeite bows. "That would be Jupiter's doing."

Her eyes meet mine for a short second. I watch as she clenches her fists. "If she can breech the barrier than it is only a matter of time before the enemy breaks through..." She pauses for a moment. Her eyes trace the etchings of my sectioned armor.

I step forward. "Where's Serenity?"

"Why do you care?"

She's hurt, I can hear it in her voice. "Because whether I like it or not, she is still important to this world."

Mars is studying me. "Only her senshi are allowed in the tower right now. Those were her last words."

"Then where are the guards?"

"In the main palace."

I nod and turn to the Shitennou. "Gather what men you can find. I will meet you once I have spoken to the Queen."

Mars shakes her head. "Now wait a second-"

"I don't have time to argue with you. We need to move."

Kunzite and Zoicite hurry off to the palace, but neither Jadeite nor Nephrite move. "We'll go with you."

I sigh. "That isn't necessary."

Jadeite bows. "It will keep the peace."

Mars turns. "You can't just walk in there like nothing happened. As far as she's concerned you aren't one of her senshi. What the hell are you wearing?"

I start walking. "I don't have time to explain this. The enemy is at our doorstep."

"Now just wait a-"

I brush past her. "You can try to stop me if you want."

"Jupiter..." But I just carry on.

I don't pay any attention to the others. The sparks never stop. Jadeite and Nephrite remain about three paces behind me. I'm comfortable with that. If anything were to happen, I would still have time to react. As we come to the main staircase, both Uranus and Neptune stand in front of us with their arms crossed.

"I need to see Neo-Queen Serenity."

Uranus shakes her head. "I'm sorry Lita-"

"Don't call me that."

She seems taken back. "What the hell is your problem?"

"We're wasting time in a dented cage."

Neptune steps forward. "Let's not start a fight."

I nod. "Then let me pass."

Behind her echo a familiar set of steps. "No one is allowed to see her. Not even us."

I sigh. "Venus. Is this how the senshi want to defend this planet? Have you seen what it looks like outside?"

"There's nothing we can do, at least, not without Serenity's permission."

I shake my head. "And where is Rini?"

"With Mercury in the main hall."

My eyes widen. "Why is she not here with her mother?"

Mars steps forward. "Jupiter, calm down."

"Don't tell me to calm down." I look to Jadeite. "Stay with Rini. From now on she's your responsibility."

He bows. "I understand."

Venus shakes her head. "So what is this? First you hate them and now you use them as slaves?"

I turn my attention back to the stairs. "We understand what it is at stake."

"You hypocrite."

Nephrite draws his sword. "We don't have time for this."

"I agree." I continue on without hesitation.

Still, Uranus and Neptune stand in my way. "We have orders-"

I allow the electricity to dance around my body. "Then change them. I know you all think I've gone insane. Believe me that is the furthest from the truth. There are things that none of you understand." Uranus pulls out her space sword. I pause and draw my own blades. "You think you would win? I don't need to transform for my powers. I'd rather not draw your blood, Haruka."

She pauses. "What did you call me?"

I close my eyes and summon the power that lay beneath us. Roots rise and wrap themselves around her body. Neptune reacts with her mirror, but Nephrite meets her strike with his own. He understands that we aren't fighting to injure. His kick sends her to the ground.

"The senshi of the past were much stronger than this."

I take one step forward before feeling my arm jerk backwards. Venus' chain rests securely around my wrist. She wraps the end around her arm. "I would let go. If I wanted to hurt you right now, I would." She knows that I'm right. I feel the tension in the chain lessen until it falls to the ground.

"Makoto, we should continue on." Nephrite's words are Jovian.

"Yes, they shouldn't cause anymore trouble." We walk together past the stunned faces of people that I used to know. I sheath my swords and retract the roots back into the ground. Uranus does nothing but stare.

"I need you to go find Saturn."

"Should I not stay with you while you speak with Serenity?"

I shake my head. "No, right now Hotaru is the only one keeping the barrier up. At the very least I need to know where she is."

He turns. "As you wish."

I watch as he leaves without so much as a look back. There's a dimming light in the room ahead of me. Each step I take echoes in the hall. When I reach the door, I don't sense any movement inside. I let out a deep breath and turn the handle. What I see, does nothing more than bring all my anger surging back. She can't seem to hear the storm closing in on her.

"Please don't wander off again. You'll make my duty harder than it needs to be."

I turn to leave when the Princess grabs my hand. "Makoto."

"What is it Princess?"

"Could we talk a little?"

I nod. "If that is what you wish."

She sits down on her bed and motions for me to do the same. Her hesitation piques my curiosity. "Does love really exist?"

She's on her knees.

"And you are?"

He bows. "My name is Prince Endymion."

I step towards him, causing the tension to rise. The silver haired man behind him grips the hilt of his sword. "Endymion? I've never heard of a Prince with such a name."

Serenity pulls my arm. "Mako don't-"

"I demand you tell me where we are."

He nods. "Of course, this is my father's Kingdom on the planet Earth."

The sun grows dimmer as the clouds circle over our heads. The Prince takes a step back as the crack of thunder bellows through the skies. "I suggest you explain everything or I'll bring this planet's greatest storm down on your head."

I step forward. The edge of my gauntlets rest tight against my fingers.

"But Mako…"

"Is something bothering you?"

She pauses; the water starts to form in her eyes. "Why didn't you tell us?"

Her question is sincere. I step towards the window and look out to the stars. Even in daylight they are beautiful. "Because it is not my way."

I can hear her sobs.

"Serenity."

"Makoto."

"By Jove, what have you done? We have all risked our lives for you and you go and do this!"

"A world without Endymion is nothing to me."

"You selfish brat. How dare you? We've bled for nothing!"

"Mako… please…"

"Get up."

She turns slightly. "Jupiter?"

I walk forward and force her to stand. "I said get up."

"He's gone."

I see the tears rolling down her cheeks. "Then you should be fighting to get him back. Your people need you to be strong."

She sighs. "I'm not strong."

"You can't let them know that."

She wipes the tears from her face. "And why not? I am just as vulnerable as they are. Who cares if they see me like this?"

I shake my head. "You are a Queen-"

"You think I don't know that? This isn't what I wanted. Peace. That is what I wanted. This is hopeless."

I don't know what happened. My body just seemed to run on autopilot. Before I knew what was happening, I had my armored hand around her throat. Even in this time I tower over her. Her eyes meet mine for a second, but she struggles to look away. I force her to look at me. "Now you listen to me. I was Jupiter's Queen long before this life ever began. This is not how a Queen behaves. Your mother would be ashamed if she saw what you have done and what you are doing now. This is cowardly! You're still the same selfish Princess that never once thought about the sacrifices that others have made for her!"

"Jup... I can't..."

"I'm not done!" I drop her to the ground and turn towards the window. "Do you know how many people I have killed for your family?"

Silence.

"I've been your senshi for so long, and I have lost all faith in you. The end of days. I know you don't remember it. We fought Nemesis then, and you let them win."

"I would never-"

"Just like you are doing now." I turn back. "Neo-Queen Serenity, I have respect for your title, but if you ever put your duty to your people in jeopardy... I will kill you myself."

She stands. "How dare you speak to me like a child."

"You are a child."

"Lita, this isn't you talking."

"I assure you that it is only me talking. Men had bled for you, and you threw their lives away. I don't care how much you love Endymion. It is not worth dying over!"

She raises her hand as if to slap me across the face. "You're a monster."

I catch her hand. "I'm the Queen of Jupiter."

Her eyes widen as the sparks dance around my body. A rush of footsteps echo behind me. "Let go of me."

"Nemesis, was the fault of your ancestors. Your mother told me herself-"

"Jupiter, stop!" Venus stands behind me with her chain in hand. Still I don't cease.

"My mother gave us this life! She killed the darkness. Beryl-"

"I killed Beryl. Not her. She hesitated when we needed to act. As a result no one was prepared." The room goes silent as I turn to the others at the door. "Don't ever think that the Silver Millennium was perfect." Neo-Queen Serenity falls to her knees again. Her sobs continue to fill the room. "Why won't you get up?"

"I...can't..." Her words linger just above a whisper.

"Damn you, Serenity." My temper gets the best of me. As a result, my fist flies into the wall. I hear that unmistakable crunch. Serenity watches as I pull my hand back. The pain isn't nearly as strong as it should be.

"Jupiter..." Now she stands.

I slowly remove the armored glove. My knuckles are shattered, I can tell by the colour of my skin. "The day you died was when I failed you." She doesn't say anything as my injury heals in front of her. "The duty of a Queen is to look after her people. If you can't do that then why are you here?"

She never answers me.

Venus rushes between us. "I think you should leave."

I nod. "For once I agree."

"She's in the main courtyard."

I sigh. "Nephrite?"

He bows. "Is there something else you need?"

"No, but thank you."

He puts on a face of duty, but I know better. We both know better. The past will always stand between us. "You should cut out his heart." The voice. I don't respond to it. Instead I carry on as if nothing was said.

There aren't nearly enough soldiers to fight a full fledged war. Just like in the past, we're not prepared. I find Hotaru standing tall facing the north with her glaive tight in her hands. She doesn't seem to notice me. For some reason I imagine standing on the moon. The atmosphere is almost as it was back then.

"Jupiter?"

I step forward. "How long have you been holding this barrier?"

"I don't know."

I close my eyes. "This isn't right."

"The barrier won't fall."

"But you're pushing yourself to your limit."

She turns slightly. I can see the shift in her eyes. A single tear rolls down her cheek. "I'm so sorry…"

She drops to her knees and I rush forward. "What are you talking about?"

"I told you it would all be over… so we wouldn't have to suffer…"

I wrap my arms around her. It feels like that is all I can do. "Hotaru…"

"The silence… it will come again." My eyes widen, but I don't say a word. All I can do is comfort her. "Mako…" She says my name and I don't move. I'm not weak but I don't know what's going to happen next. She clings to me as if I'm the only one that can do anything for her.

Nephrite stands behind us. I don't know if he is aware that I knew he was watching. No tears fell from my eyes, but I could hear the light drops of his slide to the surface of the earth. He turns away, probably an attempt to regain his composure. There's no way that he can recall the end of days, but his guilt is still present. War… it always changes, but the principles are the same. It's an ugly mirror that brings out both the best and worst of all of us.

That is when I see him. His dark shroud blends perfectly with the sky, but his eyes are as red as Mars' fire. Wiseman. I don't know how I knew it was him, but I did. He looks so different from how I remember him in the past. He touches the wall with a pale hand. I watch as he slowly pushes through like a ghost. My eyes widen. The moment I go to react, he pulls it back then disappears. His hood may hide his face, but his message was as clear as ever. He's toying with us, but I can't help the frantic thoughts going through my mind. The barrier is nothing to him. We've trapped ourselves in a cage with loose bars. I don't think Nephrite or Hotaru saw him.

I'm not one to back down. I accept his challenge with both swords in hand. Now is the time to move.