From the moment she'd awoken, Mars knew she'd die today. The fire had shown her demise, the last moments of this lifetime. A heavy sense of finality had settled over her, pressing down with each breath, as though the very air was laden with the weight of her fate. There was no way to escape it. No path to take that would lead anywhere else.
She'd known this time was coming since that first vision that heralded disaster. The end of the guardians. The end of the Moon Kingdom. The death of Queen Serenity. The death of Princess Serenity. Each premonition had etched itself into her soul, a relentless reminder of the doom that awaited them all. A disaster that couldn't be avoided.
Now, she could only wait until the vision came to pass. The waiting, though, was the hardest part. She glanced around at her friends, her comrades, her sisters-in-arms. Venus's resolute determination, Mercury's quiet intelligence, Jupiter's unyielding strength. And Serenity—her light, her hope, her reason to fight.
A lump formed in her throat, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She would miss them. She would miss their laughter, their shared dreams, the warmth of their friendship. Each moment spent with them was a treasure, a fleeting joy that she clung to desperately in these final hours.
She thought of Jadeite, his face now twisted by the darkness, a painful contrast to the warmth she once saw in his eyes. The betrayal cut deeper than any sword, but in these last moments, she chose to remember the man he once was, not the monster he had become.
They'd gathered in the Solarium Chamber once again, the moonlight glinting off the crystal walls and reflecting a kaleidoscopic of color across the pristine floor. The air was tense, coiled expectantly, as if waiting for something. She sat perched on the edge of her seat, unable to rest, unable to relent.
"What's wrong, Mars?" Venus asked, her voice soft.
Heat prickled behind her eyes. "Just thinking about everything. We're on the edge of a precipice, and I'm afraid."
Jupiter gripped her shoulders, the warmth of her friend's hands offering some comfort. "Don't be afraid! You know what they say, 'bitches who slay together, stay together.'"
"We work well together," Mercury said with a broad grin.
Mars couldn't help but laugh through her tears, the tension in her chest easing. "Yeah, you're right. We've got this."
Just then, Serenity swept into the room, her pearlescent dress shimmering in the moonlight. The atmosphere instantly changed. The moonbeams sparkled as they lit on her, singing the praises of its goddess. Close behind her, Endymion entered.
They'd been almost inseparable since he'd arrived, and a pang of jealous struck Mars. If only it had been Jadeite. If only he'd been by her side this entire time, then today wouldn't seem as hard. Or would it be more difficult? Having her love close by only to be yanked away.
She shoved the thought aside, unwilling to think of the consequences.
"Good morning, guardians," Serenity said. "I thought you all deserved some extra treats. So I had Cookie make you some extra delicious moontarts!"
"She didn't even eat them all, either," Endymion added with a grin.
Serenity blushed and motioned for the attendant to set the tray down. The freshly baked delights smelled like heaven itself, with soft rolls of steam rising gracefully off, only to vanish into the air. Venus squeaked and snagged two, quickly shoving one in her mouth before grabbing another.
"Thank you, Princess," Mercury said, taking one and nibbling on the corner.
"Boom!" Jupiter dove forward and took several.
Mars wasn't in the mood. The dread lingering in her chest made the idea of eating unappetizing. Yet, if she refused, Serenity would know something was wrong. Then she'd ask, and Mars couldn't lie to her princess. Not when that lie could be the last thing she'd say.
"Just what we need," Mars said, taking one.
Serenity perched herself gracefully on the edge of a seat and took a moontart, her presence a calming influence. Endymion stayed behind her, his eyes vigilant, hand poised over the hilt of his sword. Perhaps he'd felt it too—the whisper of violence in the air, the impending disaster about to unfold.
Conversation flowed naturally between Serenity and the others, the warmth of their bond evident in their words and laughter. They reminisced about simpler times, shared jokes, and offered each other small comforts.
Mars watched, a knot of dread tightening in her chest. She wanted to join in, to laugh and share in these final moments of peace, but the weight of her vision pressed heavily on her. Her mind kept drifting to the image of her own end, of the battle to come.
She forced herself to take a bite of the moontart, the sweetness almost unbearable against the bitterness of her thoughts. She glanced at Endymion, noting the tension in his posture. His eyes met hers for a brief moment, and she wondered if he sensed the same foreboding.
Serenity's laughter rang out, a sound so pure and beautiful that it momentarily chased away Mars's fears. She looked at her princess, the embodiment of light and hope, and felt a surge of sadness. In the coming days, they'd be no more.
Everything froze as a sudden shudder ran through the Solarium Chamber. A low rumble echoed through the palace foundations. The moonlight seemed to pause and dim before flaring brightly.
Endymion was the first to react, his hand flying to the hilt of his sword as he shielded Serenity.
Jupiter was already on her feet, her electric sword buzzing in her hand. "That sounded like an explosion."
"The Dark Kingdom," Serenity said, her voice a whisper of fear and resolve. "The Dark Kingdom is here!"
Mars sucked in a breath. So this was it. The moment she'd been waiting for and dreading. The familiar fire ignited within her, the flames reacting to both the emotions swirling inside and the scent of evil in the air.
"Let's move," Venus said, discarding the remaining moontarts.
Serenity stood, her shoulders trembling. "Be careful, all of you."
Endymion looked at Serenity, a mix of determination and sorrow in his eyes. Together, they rushed from the room, giving the guardians the space they needed. The guardians moved as one, leaving the Solarium Chamber and heading towards the source of the disturbance.
With each step, Mars felt the weight of her fate pressing down on her. She wasn't just marching toward her death, but toward the end of the Moon Kingdom itself. Her visions had shown her glimpses of the future, revealing the doom that awaited them. And this was it. Casting quick glances at her friends, she whispered silent farewells to each of them. Perhaps, in another lifetime, they would meet again, share another era of joy and laughter.
Endymion caught up with them, his face a grim mask of determination against the coming violence. She gave him a silent nod, an unspoken thanks for making Serenity's last moments ones to treasure. His presence was a bittersweet comfort, a reminder of what they fought for and what they stood to lose.
When they emerged from the palace, the sounds of battle grew. Clashing swords tainted the silence. Shouts of pain marred the landscape. The unmistakable hum of dark energy polluted the light.
Electricity sparked off Jupiter. Bubbles of blue mist rolled off Mercury. Sparks of golden orange burst from Venus. Flames of red erupted from her.
Then they emerged from the courtyard.
The lunar landscape stretched out before them, a vast expanse of silvery-gray dust and rocks, bathed in the soft, ethereal glow of the moonlight. The ground was uneven, dotted with craters and jagged rocks that cast long, eerie shadows. In the distance, the crystal spires of the Moon Palace rose majestically, their surfaces catching and reflecting the light in a dazzling display of colors.
Above, the sky was a deep, inky black, studded with countless stars that twinkled like distant diamonds. Earth hung in the sky, dark and corrupted by the darkness that had infected it. The air was still, almost otherworldly, as if holding its breath in anticipation of the battle to come.
Before them was a seat of white and black, ebbing and flowing like rocks caught in the tide. White Moon Kingdom guards battled with the shadows of the Dark Kingdom. A mesmerizing display of color flowing on the monotone battlefield.
Mars could feel the moon's mourning. This sacred space had so far avoided direct bloodshed, but now the fight was here. The very ground seemed to tremble in sorrow, and the air grew heavy with a palpable sense of impending doom.
Venus grinned. "Whoever ends the most dark minions gets dibs at dinner tonight!"
"I'll win!" Jupiter jumped into action, sending a bolt of white lightning slicing across the battlefield. Soon she disappeared into the fray, leaving only the white burst of electricity as evidence of her presence.
Mercury gave a quick nod and followed, her movements precise and calculated. "Aqua Veil!" A wave of dense fog enveloped the immediate area. Her form vanished into the mist, bursts of blue flickering like a beacon in the white.
Venus cast a last glance at Mars and smiled at her. "Crescent Moon!" She unleashed a series of dazzling light attacks, each one aimed with unerring accuracy. Her golden chains whipped through the air, entangling enemies and sending them flying away. Moments later, she'd vanished into the throng, her bright light mingling with the darkness of the battlefield.
Endymion was close behind, his sword already drawn. He moved with lethal grace, each swing of his blade a precise strike against the advancing minions. The moonlight glinted off the metal of his sword, shimmering in vibrant bursts of white. As if trying to protect him, the moon's essence wrapped itself around him, making him glow.
Mars found herself strangely reluctant. Not that she feared death, but because she didn't want her life to end like this. Dying in battle seemed too grand for her. Instead, she wanted to be taken by fire. But it seemed like fate had a different idea for her.
"Burning Moon!" She launched herself into the fight, her fire cutting through the darkness. This was her last stand, but she would make every moment count.
A group of soldiers approached, their darkness a menacing slice through the moonlight. Summoning more flames, a vibrant bow burst into life in her hands. Praying to the fire, she aimed the arrow and shot rapidly. One by one, they fell, a shower of embers accompanying them in their fall.
Mars nocked another flaming arrow, the heat searing her fingertips as she drew back the bowstring. Fire danced along the shaft, casting flickering shadows across her face. Holding her breath, she let it go.
With each release, a trail of embers followed the arrow's path, illuminating the darkness before exploding into a burst of flames on impact. With each minion that fell, a burst of bittersweet satisfaction spread across her chest.
"Burn!"
Her movements were fluid and precise, each shot finding its mark with deadly accuracy. The surrounding air shimmered with heat, the scent of smoke and ash mingling with the acrid stench of dark energy. Still, the weight of fate pressed down on her. This was her final act, her last gift to her princess and kingdom.
As the new wave of enemies surged towards her, Mars felt the heat of battle coursing through her veins. The familiar weight of her bow vanished, leaving her momentarily vulnerable. In that fleeting second, fear gripped her heart—not for herself, but for her friends, for Serenity, for the fate of the Moon Kingdom.
With a primal cry, Mars summoned her inner fire. The flames answered, erupting from her very soul. They coalesced in her hand, forming a shimmering Katana of pure fire. The transition was more than seamless—it was an extension of her being, her spirit made manifest.
The sword pulsed with raw power, each heartbeat sending waves of scorching heat through her arm. The blade crackled and hissed, hungry for battle. Sparks danced along its edge, casting eerie shadows across her face. The comforting warmth enveloped her, a final embrace from her element.
"If you play with fire," Mars snarled, her voice low and dangerous, "you're going to get burned."
She charged forward, her movements fueled by desperation and resolve. The fiery Katana cut through the air with a searing hiss, leaving a trail of embers in its wake. As it cleaved through the first enemy, Mars felt the resistance, the momentary give before the blade burned through shadow and substance alike.
The acrid smell of burning darkness filled her nostrils, mixing with the metallic tang of blood and the suffocating miasma of evil. Each swing illuminated the chaos around her, brief flashes revealing the grimacing faces of friends and foes alike.
With every strike, every parry, every dodge, Mars poured her emotions into her blade. Her fear, her anger, her love—all of it fueled the inferno of her attacks. She fought not just for survival, but for every moment of joy, every shared laugh, every precious memory with her friends and her princess.
And with each fallen enemy, a piece of her hope died too, knowing that this magnificent stand was ultimately futile. Yet she fought on, her blade a beacon in the encroaching darkness, defiant to the very end.
Mars faltered when a sudden surge of dark minions surrounded her. Unable to block all the flashing blades, several nicked her arms. She grimaced, fighting to ignore the sparks of pain dancing along her spine. But this didn't feel like the end. It almost was like fate was teasing her. Danging her death.
Her aura was depleted, her movements slower.
It was then that she felt it—a familiar presence, but twisted by darkness. Unwilling to, but unable to avoid it, she turned.
Jadeite.
Her entire soul cried out for him. Everything she contained yearned to have him again. But his once warm eyes were cold and empty. That gaze that she'd loved was hard and unyielding.
This was it. The moment she'd foreseen. The end of her journey.
"Hello, Mars," he said. The darkness infected even his voice. What she wouldn't give to hear him call her Princess once more. "Are you ready for your end?"
Mars raised her sword, ignoring the trembling in her arms. "Yes," she agreed, her voice barely a whisper. "I am."
They circled each other, the chaos of battle fading away into nothing. The world narrowed to the two of them—fated souls, destined for tragedy.
"Jadeite," she breathed, her voice catching. "This isn't you. Fight it! Please, for me. For us!"
A cruel smile twisted on his lips. "On, but it is me, Mars."
Her heart twisted, both incredibly happy and horrible sad he hadn't called her Princess. Without warning, he lunged at her, his blade singing through the air. Mars parried, the clash of their swords sending sparks flying into the night. Each strike felt like a blow to her heart. Memories of their shared moments flashed before her eyes.
Sitting together before the sacred fire.
Preparing for a ritual.
Being held in his arms.
The flash of flirtatious mischief crossing his eyes.
"Remember us," she pleaded, ducking under a vicious swipe. "Remember our bond!"
For a fleeting moment, something flickered in Jadeite's eyes—a ghost of the man he once was. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by nothing but malice.
Their dance continued, a brutal waltz of steel and fire. Her strength began to wan, each movement more labored than the last. Yet, even as they fought, she couldn't help but admire the grace of his movements, the strength she'd once found comfort in. One day, they'd be together forever.
"Fate can't be so cruel," Mars cried out, her fire sword leaving a trail of embers as she attacked. "We can't end up like this!"
Jadeite laughed, a hollow sound that chilled her to the bone. "Fate is nothing compared to the Dark Kingdom, to Queen Beryl."
His blade found an opening, slicing across her side. Mars grasped, stumbling back. The pain was sharp, but the agony in her heart was worse. As she struggled to regain her footing, Mars saw a vision of what could have been—stolen moments of peace, shared laughter, a love that defied the cosmos.
Tears streamed down her face, evaporating in the heat of her fading fire.
"I love you," she whispered, her words carried on a breath of smoke. "I always will."
Jadeite hesitated, his blade poised for the final strike. For one heartbeat, Mars saw a flicker of recognition, of anguish, in his eyes.
But it wasn't enough.
The sword plunged forward, finding its mark. Mars felt the cold steel pierce her chest, and it felt like betrayal.
As she fell, her eyes locked with his, and in that final moment, she saw a glimmer of the man she'd loved.
Perhaps someday, in another life, they'd find each other again, free from the chains of gods and fate that had bound them to this tragic end.
As the muck and mire cooled her skin, a brilliant red light burst from her chest. Her star seed, now free from its mortal vessel, shot skyward in a blazing streak. Chaos faded away, replaced by the vast expanse of the cosmos.
It hurtled through the void, drawn inexorably toward a swirling maelstrom of light and color. The Galaxy Cauldron loomed, a comic maw of creation and destruction.
Tendrils of iridescent energy reached out, enveloping her. Everything exploded in a kaleidoscope of sensations. Colors never seen before danced before her. Boundaries of being blurred and shifted, expanding to touch the very edges of the universe before contracting into a single point of light.
Scorching heat of a thousand suns and the icy chill of the void between galaxies burst across her in the same instant. The Cauldron's energies pulsed, each wave sending shockwaves of memory through her essence. Flashes of her life, her loves, her battles, all mixed and melded with the experiences of countless other souls.
She saw Jadeite as who he once was, of who he would be. She saw the warmth of Serenity's smile, of what it would be. Heard the laughter of her fellow guardians of what it would become. Every possibility and every future.
Deeper she plunged into the cosmic womb, everything began to unravel, her very essence breaking down to its most fundamental particles. Yet there was no fear, only a sense of returning home, of becoming one with the universe itself.
Then, in a final blinding flash of creation, Mars ceased to be—and in that exact same moment, became everything. She touched every corner of existence before compressing into a tiny spark of potential, waiting to be born anew.
The Galaxy Cauldron churned in a cosmic combination of past and future, of death and rebirth, ending and beginning all at once. And somewhere within its swirling depths, the essence that was once Mars waited, dormant, but alive, for the moment she could once again take form and rejoin the eternal dance of life.