Chapter 9
"That insolent FOOL!" Beryl shouted at the three remaining shitennou.
"He will be made to suffer my queen," Kunzite said with a bow.
"That he will," Beryl said as she looked at the glowing orb, "Meteria will not be pleased with this."
"My Queen?" Nephrite stepped up, "What is it?"
"LEAVE ME NOW!" Beryl commanded.
The three men rushed out of the hall at Beryl's command. She stared deeper into the depth of the orb. If all else fails, I will use your powers Metalia, Beryl thought as a searing pain shot through her chest, This battle will not be easy, this new power is taking a bigger toll on me than I expected. Beryl stood clutching her chest for a moment before leaving the throne room to retire, after all Kunzite had already planned the battle, and the dragons were at her command. As Beryl got closer to her rooms, she could see Kunzite leaning on the wall beside her door.
"Queen Beryl," Kunzite said standing tall as she approached, "Are you certain about tomorrows battle?"
"Don't you DARE question me Kunzite!" Beryl snapped.
"I'm not questioning you, I'm worried," Kunzite replied.
"Then prepare for battle and leave me!" Beryl sneered, "NOW!"
"Fine," Kunzite turned to walk down the hall when Beryl gasped loudly behind him. He turned to see her doubled over on the floor clutching her chest. "BERYL!"
"Just help me to my room and leave," she gasped.
"This war will destroy everything," Kunzite muttered under his breath quiet enough that Beryl couldn't here as he bent down and lifted her up.
"This is an unfortunate event," the Dovahkin told Endymion, "It seems this Queen Beryl has assumed control of the dragons, or alliance."
"Yes," Endymion sighed rubbing his aching temples, "And she seems to have more power than we have estimated."
"Then prepare your soldiers to battle the dovah," the man said standing to leave, "They will be the more difficult battle, if, as you yourself said, the other warriors can be shifted to fight along our side."
The man left, leaving behind Endymion and Serenity sitting exhausted in the map room. Serenity stood, wrapping her arms around Endymion from behind. "This will all be fine," she assured him kissing him softly on the top of the head. He was silent for a while, sitting and staring at the strategic map, now marked with various battle plans. One in particular made him worry, if there were only dragons in the battle, the Senshi had no chance, even with the Dovahkin. The outlook was grim.
"Endymion?" Serenity asked after a moment of silence, "You know that they will remember, more than likely during the battle, you don't have to worry."
"I know Serenity, but," Endymion stood too look at his wife, "I don't want to chance the lives of the Senshi, or the shitennou."
"I know Endymion," Serenity said, walking around the chair to get closer to him, "But it's all gonna be alright!"
"I hope you're right Serenity," he said wrapping his arms around her thin waist, "But for now, the only thing that we can do is wait for the battle."
"I know," Serenity stretched up to kiss him on the lips, "So, let's head to bed."
The next morning came quickly, the sun filling the landscape like a white fire as Kunzite stepped out of the Dark Kingdom's castle. The battle would be soon, the dragons were assembled, though there were only four of them, he knew that the Senshi would be in for quite a battle. My confidence in Beryl is fading, Kunzite thought just as Nephrite and Jedite walked up behind him.
"General, preparations are finished," Nephrite said, "We're ready to advance."
"Are the dragons ready?" Kunzite asked.
"Yes," Jedite replied, "And Beryl has approved our advancements."
"Then we'll be off," Kunzite resolved.
With a flash of light, the three men, and six beasts, disappeared from the Dark Kingdom, some for their last time.
Minako stood in the middle of the large field that was destined to be bathed in blood by sunset. "It's brighter then bell out here," she commented shading her eyes.
"You mean 'brighter than hell' Minako," Ami said from behind her.
"Whatever," Minako shrugged, "Ami, can we REALLY trust Ziosite?"
"The King and Queen seem fine with him," Ami said, "And, from what I know, he might have been brain washed, but, I can't say for sure."
"Then be careful around him," Minako said, "Is everything ready?"
"Yes," Makoto said from behind, "We're all ready, the Dragonborn is ready too."
"Good," Minako said, "Everyone get in position, this is going to start soon."
The bright flash light the battle field as the three Shitennou and their dragon partners appeared on the field. Minako and the Senshi took their stances, standing in a strategic triangle, Minako standing at the point, Ami and Makoto in the line to Minako's right, and Ziosite and Rei to her left. The Dragonborn was the first to advance, pushing into battle with two of the beasts. The remaining dragons made their advances, as dual teams, Makoto and Ami, and Rei and Ziosite pushed the two beasts back attacking with everything they had in them. Jedite and Nephrite though, advanced to flank Minako.
Jedite swung at Minako from the right, but his blow was parried by Endymion who stepped onto the battle field moments before, hoping that his involvement would awaken the shitennou. Nephrite was stopped by a harsh kick to the face by Serenity, whose sole purpose was to keep the Senshi safe, and perhaps spare the shitennou in the process.
"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!" Endymion shouted at Minako, who stood there in awe of the actions of her King and Queen.
Minako snapped out of her wonder in time to catch Kunzites advance on her. His blade slicing shallowly at her exposed arms. Minako winced but countered his attack with an arching swing of her own blade that caught the side of his sculpted cheek. "You stupid bitch" he hissed as he swung again, this time only hitting the steel blade of Minako's sword. As time passed, neither Minako, nor Kunzite could gain an advantage over the other.
Makoto and Ami looked up from their defeated prey that was slowly melting into ash. All they could see was the battle between Kunzite and Minako; it was almost as if the other battles weren't even on the same field.
"There's something familiar about their battle," Ami said watching the two.
"You're right, but," Makoto looked away, "I think we need to help the others now."
"Agreed," Ami said running beside Makoto to assist Rei and Ziosite who seemed to struggling against the odds of battle.
Ignoring the battles raging around them, Kunzite and Minako's only focus was defeating the other. Their swordsmanship was equally matched, every blow blocked, and every attempted to gain more ground was parried. Sweat dripped from Kunzite's brow, falling into his eyes and blurring his vision. Minako saw his stance falter as he tried to wipe the sweat out of his eyes. She stepped back a pace, swinging her blade low clipping his shin deeply causing him to fall to his knees.
Minako moved quick, kicking his blade away from his reach, and knocking him flat on his back, holding her blade to his exposed throat. She looked down at the man at the end of her blade, his cool gray eyes staring at up at her. There was something familiar about that face that was frozen in fear and pain.
"Haven't we battled before?" he asked, his voice cracking.
"What?" Minako yelled, creatures and humans shouted behind her.
"This seems familiar," He answered as he watched Minako's eyes grow uncertain.
"It does, but… but why?" Minako's hand started shaking and her stance faltered.
Kunzite took the opportunity to try to turn the table. He reached up and grabbed Minako's wrist pulling down hoping that she'll fight back helping him pull himself off the ground. Though, instead of Minako fighting back, she let him pull her down, knowing that fighting would help him more than stop him.
As Minako fell she rolled letting herself land beside him rather than on his chest. As she landed, the world around them seemed to fade revealing two dark shadows walking toward them.
"Lord Kunzite! Lady Minako!" The shadows said in unison, "Remember who you are!"
Their surroundings shifted showing a palace Training field. Kunzite and Minako were in a one on one duel, laughing playfully.
"Kunzite!" Minako squealed ducking under his high swing.
"Oh come on Minako, why are you stopping in the middle of a battle!" Kunzite laughed putting his sword back in its sheath.
"Why do you have to be so mean," Minako complained stomping her feet on the ground.
"You know well enough that when you duel you can't stop and complain when it's not fair," Kunzite told her placing his callused hand on her shoulder.
"But YOU should be nice to me," Minako whined, "You should be nice and You should give me a break."
"But Minako, none of the other men you'll fight will be me," Kunzite laughed, moving his hand from her shoulder the back of her neck.
"But you ARE you," Minako pouted.
"Hehe, fine," Kunzite laughed as he leaned in to kiss her sweetly on the lips.
"Kunzite," Minako whispered as she pulled away, "Promise me we'll never have to fight."
"I promise," Kunzite said wrapping his arms around her waist pulling her close to him, "We will never fight, I love you too much to ever fight you for real."
The battle field reappeared in front of them. Minako sat knees to her chest crying while Kunzite sat propped up on his elbows staring blankly ahead of him. Both sat in silence letting the memories and emotions settle in their minds.
"Minako," Kunzite said quietly, "Will you ever forgive me?"
"There's nothing to forgive," Minako sobbed.
"Minako, I'm so sorry," Kunzite said dragging himself closer to her.
"Kunzite!" Minako gasped throwing her arms around his broad shoulders, "I'm so sorry Kunzite! I never meant to hurt you!"
"I know Minako," Kunzite whispered returning her embrace.
Minako let herself cry on his shoulder, she sat remembering all the times they'd spent together, and trying to forget that the deep gash in Kunzites leg, the blood, the pain; she'd done all of that. She sat shaking for a moment, blocking the sounds of the battle around her and listening to Kunzite breath.
"You need to help Endymion and Serenity," Kunzite said, taking her tear and blood stained face in his hand, "I'll stay here, once Nephrite and Jedite see that I've fallen, they'll flee and the battle will end for the day."
"Ok," Minako nodded looking into his cool gray eyes; she leaned in and kissed him before jumping to her feel, "It's all gonna be better!"
Kunzite watched the bright blond dash toward her leader before collapsing of exhaustion and blood loss. He watched as Nephrite and Jedite cowered from the battle, he watched as the last dragon turned to ash, and watched the joyous faces of Ziosite and Rei as they embraced after the fight. The last things he saw and hear was Minako running to him yelling his name, as his eyes closed and he succumbed to the darkness, he could hear her panicked voice calling his name, demanding that he woke up, but he couldn't find the strength.
A/N: Long chapter with a cliff hanger! Please leave your review.