"Princess Serenity, remember this. The Phantom Silver Crystal depends entirely on your heart."+
+++
"You…!"
"Beryl!" Venus shouted. “Impossible!”
"Ah, I have changed, but you can still recognize me. I’m touched. Metallia and I are one being now, fused together from the well of time and nourished by our deep hatred of this world and its protectors. I allowed her to use my body, and in return, she gave me her powers. And our power has grown unchecked, right beneath your feet, and we've been waiting for the perfect moment to rise again."
"How is this possible?" Jupiter said.
"Serenity destroyed you, and I killed you. There should have been nothing left of either of you!" Venus yelled, stepping out from the group.
Beryl narrowed her eyes. "Yes you are correct," she replied as she carefully made her way down toward them, her eyes full of sinister playfulness, "But your beloved Serenity failed as had her predecessor, too. The seal was imperfect."
"But-"
"Lunarians and their emotions," she scoffed, continuing her descent towards them. She focused her eyes dangerously on Mamoru, and he shifted uneasily beneath her gaze. "She kept a part of the crystal to herself, ridiculously trying to keep her lover alive through such an ill-conceived act of selfishness. In the end, love is just a curse, isn't it? You of all people should know that, Venus."
Venus let her mouth hang open in shock before stubbornly shutting it tight, and looked away from the dark queen. They stood in silent surprise, each remembering their first battle, the start of it all in this lifetime. Beryl snickered at their silence. Beryl stopped finally, and stood before them.
"Too shocked to speak? I don't blame you. It's not every day you are surprised by your past, is it? Of course, you've been getting a lot of that lately from what I see." She turned her eyes to the Shitennou. "I'm happy to see you were resurrected by the princess' wish as well."
"You know of it?" Nephrite asked.
"Oh yes, but that silly princess has no idea what she is doing with that crystal yet, does she? It's a shame only her bloodline can wield it."
"Do not speak of her like that!" Uranus erupted.
"Hmm," Beryl shrugged indifferently. "It is her doing that I stand here before you – you know."
"We will not let you get away with anything, Beryl," Venus said, confidently stepping forward. "We are stronger, and we are many, and this time we will finish the job."
Beryl laughed loudly, a large, ugly smile creeping over her face. "What makes you think I am fighting alone?"
A strange vibration moved through the air, and a vortex spun into view, from which the four figures of Beryl’s henchmen emerged. Those that recognized the people with warped insignias etched of their faces from the past and present could not believe their eyes. They had seen them before, not in some ancient kingdom, but in this life as well—and thought they saw the last of them for awhile to come. And more soldiers had come to join Beryl’s ranks. Four women stood behind their colleagues, the same dark markings on their foreheads.
"It can't be!" Mamoru whispered.
"Yes, so I thought as well," Beryl, said in triumph. "I could not find them during my previous stay; they were cloaked well by your lovely queen’s wish. But I did not have to locate them this time, they graciously came to me.”
"Of course. I remember now," Mercury spoke up. "They were there, long ago. In the Silver Millennium."
"And you have your gracious princess to thank for all this. Would you like to offer your praises now?" Beryl questioned.
"What are you talking-?"
"Bring her out!" Beryl shouted over Mamoru, and they watched as Umino escorted Usagi towards them, uncaring as he cast her to the ground.
"Usako!" Mamoru cried and raced to her side. Beryl only smiled as he ran into her hidden shield of electric, dark power. He pounded his fists against it, cursing Beryl’s name. Usagi glanced at the people around her, her surprised eyes touching each of them.
"What's-- going on?" she breathed out.
"Thank you, my child," Beryl approached Umino, running a long nailed finger down his cheek. "You did your job perfectly." He ignored her, and looked down at Usagi sadly.
"Umino, why...?"
"I promised him I would set his friend free if he did what I asked," the witch queen answered.
"It's Naru," Umino whispered.
"Naru…?" Usagi repeated confusion in her eyes before she finally remembered. "I had forgotten. How could I have allowed this to happen? She was there, too, long ago."
Beryl clicked her tongue. "You see, even in the end your friends will betray you."
Usagi only smiled. "It’s okay, Umino. I forgive you; I understand why you would do this now."
"Lunarian bitch!" A hard crack echoed off the remaining buildings as Beryl's hand slapped Usagi’s pale cheek. "You are a fool to be so naïve after all this time."
"How dare you touch her…!" Venus yelled, pounding against the barrier. Beryl abruptly materialized in front of the soldier in gold in a heartbeat, her eyes searing with hatred.
"You will have your turn as well. Do not think I have forgotten what you did to this body. I will repay you shortly enough." A tall shadow swept across Beryl's face as someone stepped close to Venus. For a moment, Beryl was startled by this appearance, but then only laughed.
"So good to see you again, Kunzite. Are you ready to join me once more?"
"We will never do such a thing," he swore.
Beryl huffed. "Do not be so sure." She turned her back on them and they watched as their adversaries gathered behind the barrier. As Beryl turned back to face them once more, her red eyes glowed vibrantly and they could feel another shift in the air. It didn’t bring them a shocking new discovery of old enemies, but brought a sense of dread and death that clung to their hearts with malice.
"So here we are, once again,” Beryl said, standing there for her arms placed on her shapely hips. “Fate seems to enjoy driving us together. We destroyed this world once, can we do it again?"
"We will stop you, once and for all," Mamoru declared.
She threw him a smug smile. "Then let it begin." They could feel the barrier between their factions drop and watched as a long staff appeared in Beryl's hand. It was sleek and black, a twisted fine with dangerous thorns making their way to a spiraled top surrounding a dark, garnet orb. She waved the long rod and out of the ground ten youma appeared-- re-animated visions of past enemies.
"Well, should we show them what they're up against this time?" Mars suggested.
"Yes, I think it's time to test out our new powers -- me first...! Jupiter Dragon Storm!" Jupiter brought her hands over her head as they crackled with electric power. They watched as three beams shot forth, crossing the distance between Jupiter and her intended targets. The lightening quickly turning into heads of terrifying dragons snarling at their enemies. They swarmed around their prey until all at once they engulfed the youma, who disintegrated in mere seconds.
"Wow Jupiter, I want one of those!" Venus said excitedly.
"Hm, I see. I guess we'll have to even the odds a little." Beryl once again waved her staff, and soon the rubble around them was covered in a blanket of slimy youma.
"This is more like it. Let's go!" Uranus shouted enthusiastically, and together she and Neptune lashed out at the enemies nearest them.
"Neptune Hurricane Collision...!" Wind and water combined to rip through the youma, shearing their bodies apart with its tremendous turbulence.
"Uranus Supernova Strike...!" At that moment, Youma were sucked helplessly into the enormous orange energy whirlpool that Uranus had produced. When it could hold no more, it imploded, destroying the youma within, sending a great shockwave of energy through the ranks of the surrounding youma.
"Mars Promethean Wave...!" A great tidal wave of lava poured forth from Mars' hands and washed its way through countless youma, leaving only a few trying to put out the flames quickly engulfing them.
Mars watched as Mercury's Glacial Freeze rained down a shower of dangerous sharp spears of ice that tore through their targets without reprieve. "Hey Mercury, I've got an idea!" They conversed for a few seconds as a great number of youma fast approached.
"All right, let's do it!" Mercury nodded. Both knelt upon the ground and placed their hands together upon the earth.
"Torrid Surprise!" they yelled in unison. The ground beneath the youma suddenly shook, and they stopped and looked down in confusion. Without warning, the earth beneath them erupted, water, fire blending to produce dangerous geysers, and in seconds, vaporized their targets.
"Awesome!" The two Senshi laughed, celebrating their achievement.
From the sidelines, Usagi watched as her Senshi stormed through their opponents with frightening ease. Mamoru, the Shitennou and Venus had come to stand with her, mesmerized by what they saw.
"They're so powerful now," Usagi marveled.
"Are you sure you're all right, Usagi?" Venus turned to her.
"Yes, Umino didn't hurt me all that much."
"How could he do such a thing?" Venus said, clenching her fists.
"Beryl brainwashed him," her princess answered.
"She's very good at that," Jadeite snarled. "Look at her standing up there. I want nothing more than to ram my sword through her repulsive face."
"I can't believe she's back, I don't understand what happened…and they're here, too! How is that possible?" Usagi all but demanded.
"Beryl said you were using part of the crystal to keep the prince alive when you sealed them away," Zoicite answered.
Usagi remembered the day that seemed so long ago—almost seeming to be another lifetime. "So, it's entirely my fault..." Usagi whispered.
"No Usagi, don't think that. You did what your heart told you to do, and when has that ever been wrong? So don't blame yourself, okay?"
Usagi nodded at Venus. "Okay."
"Hey guys watch out!" At Jupiter's warning, they looked up suddenly; noticing a group of youma headed their way. The Shitennou and Mamoru readied their swords while Venus stood in front of them.
"Oh no you don't! Venus Raptured Haze!" A quick, golden mist flew over the group, and as the youma inhaled, they stopped dead in their tracks as if stunned. They looked around in confusion before suddenly attacking those next to them, forgetting about the soldiers around their pack.
"Get them Jupiter!" Jupiter unleashed her attack and the youma were vanquished before they knew what hit them. "That's a cool trick, Minako," she said.
"Look out Makoto!" Usagi suddenly screamed. Jupiter had little time to react at the approaching youma from her back, but she needn’t have worried as Venus launched her devastating attack. "Venus Love Chain Ache!" She twirled her love chain and they watched as imprints of the hearts flew off in all directions, encircling every single youma, crushing them to dust.
"What! You have two new attacks? That's not fair!" Jupiter shook her head.
Venus flashed her V symbol with a smile. "I'm the leader!"
"Who wants to finish off the rest of them?" Uranus asked.
"Let me," Saturn's small voice answered. She stepped forward and raised her glaive. "Saturn Silence Plague." A dark, black energy hit the closest youma, coming out of Saturn’s weapon like a deadly fog, and the witless minion could only watch as Saturn’s attack settled on its body. It braced itself for a harsh impact, but everyone was surprised to find it still standing when the haze cleared.
"Hotaru-"
"Watch...." The youma were ready to attack when suddenly its eyes grew large, and dark, purple spots quickly began to take over every part of its skin. It ruptured into a thousand pieces, and purple spores landed on the nearby youma. A chain reaction raced through their ranks like a fatal disease until none remained.
"Eeks, Saturn. Make sure I'm never your enemy," Mars cringed.
With that, the battlefield once littered with youma was empty once again, and though winded, the Senshi stood victorious before their rivals.
"Impressive," Beryl drawled.
"Are you done getting your gooneys to fight for you, coward?" Uranus called out.
"’Know thine enemies’," Beryl quoted. "I will admit I was foolish in my last attempt to overthrow this world. But I have waited, and I have planned, much better than that foolish Death Phantom, and your dear princess has given me the perfect opportunity. If you think I am going to waste this chance by being careless as you have, you are greatly mistaken."
"Careless…?" Uranus repeated.
"You have shown me the limits of your new powers. Face your fear now, Sailor Senshi." Once more, the self-proclaimed queen waved her staff, and the ground shook violently this time, uprooting trees and cracking the damaged pavement around them. The Senshi fell to the ground, holding onto whatever they could. They could feel the energy coming from somewhere deeper, somewhere forgotten and evil. More youma ascended from the subterranean pit, but this time they were taller, stronger, their faces hideous with evil and anger. They were not the mindless followers anymore; these were Beryl’s warriors.
The Senshi were quick to get back on their feet, and didn’t let their apprehension at these new enemies show. Mars was the first to step forward. "Promethean Wave!" The lava rushed over them, but the Senshi gasped when they resurfaced unscathed from the powerful rush of power.
"Oh no!" Usagi muttered.
"Somehow she's been able to level up her youma with us. She must have a great store of dark energy somewhere!" Mercury said as she scanned the advancing throng.
"Venus, you must help them now. I'll protect her," Mamoru urged and without a second thought, she nodded.
"Right," she agreed and ran towards the others. "We have to work together now. Don't let them separate us!"
Usagi watched as her friends braced themselves against the onslaught. Bright colors of every shade lit up her face as her friends fought for their future, her future. However, Usagi's hope that they might yet be victorious was slipping away as the battle continued. Few too many youma were falling as the result of their attacks, and soon some of the Senshi were fighting hand to hand with these advanced foes. Usagi grasped the fabric of her dirty pants tightly, a frustrated cry coming from her pale lips as Mars was hit across the stomach and sent flying backwards.
"Rei!" She moved forward, but Mamoru firmly grasped her hand.
"We should help them!" Nephrite said as his eyes focused on the fallen red suited soldier.
"We can't leave the prince and princess. We are their only defense if this battle is lost," Kunzite reasoned, but even he forcefully removed his strong grip from his katana.
"Rei, are you okay?" Venus gently helped her sister up.
Jupiter grunted as she deflected a shot in their direction. "Mars?"
"Yes I'm fine," Mars growled, eyeing down the youma responsible.
"Promethean Wave!" She directed the wave solely at it, and it could not withstand the energy this time.
"That's it!" Mercury shouted. "We need to concentrate our powers, a more direct beam!"
"Good idea! Hurricane Collision!" The concentrated tunnel of power shot through the mass, leaving a clean line where youma had been only moments before.
"They have grown since our last encounter. Even stronger than the first time we met so long ago," Beryl reflected as she stood behind her youma.
"Do you believe they will win this battle?" the closest of her followers probed.
"Yes."
"Will you make another army then?"
"No, they will be ready for you," Beryl answered.
"Good," the woman smiled.
"First…." Beryl withdrew her eyes from the battle, and focused them towards her newest prey. "I must level the playing field."
+++
"Look, they're winning!" Zoisite exclaimed as Saturn's Silence Plague destroyed a pack of youma without mercy.
"And then, a tragic plot twist befalls them all." At the sight of Beryl, each of the Shitennou instantly drew their swords to the level of her throat. The twisted monarch only smiled softly.
"Get away from here you witch," Nephrite sneered. "We will kill you if you come any closer."
"I'm tempted to not wait until then," Jadeite glowered at her.
"So you do not wish to join me?" she asked.
"We would rather die again than have anything to do with your filth," Kunzite answered.
"Is this any way to speak to your leader?" she pouted.
"You were never our leader!"
Her eyes flashed brilliantly. "You're right. I was your master!"
With a flick of her wrist, Mamoru and Usagi were pushed back, only stopping as a broken brick wall halted their flight. Mamoru protected his wife, receiving the brunt of the impact for her, but both fell to the concrete dazed.
"No!" Kunzite turned to go after them, but found himself unable to move.
"What is this?" Zoicite exclaimed, as he and the others found their feet rooted to the ground as well. Some energy was holding them in place relentlessly, invisible but as strong as steel bars.
Beryl chuckled. "Foolish men, you will always be mine. You offered your souls to me, and as long as I contain life, that spell will never be broken. Come to me, my precious Shitennou." She held out her staff, and from the distorted orb came a mist of dark energy, which encircled them all in its embrace.
"No!" Jadeite gritted his teeth as her dark energy poured into him, going through his skin and turning it a sickening color as it was absorbed. He cried out in dismay, letting a frustrated tear escape his fading eyes. “No…”
"Are you okay Usako?" Mamoru groaned as he sat up straight.
"Yes, are you?"
"I'll be fine."
"Oh no, Mamo-chan-- look...!" Mamoru followed the line of her slim index finger and his eyes widened at the scene. His generals pulsed with a dark energy as Beryl stood by, watching, gloating. He found Kunzite's eyes in the group, and could see the pain and regret in them, and at that moment knew exactly what was happening again to his friends.
"No…no!" Mamoru yelled.
+++
Quickly, she slid the sword from her opponent's chest, and with a loud thump, the last youma fell to the ground, lifeless. Uranus' shoulders heaved as she struggled for breath while she gazed down at her bloody space sword. The Senshi around her faired no better, each suffering from an assortment of wounds but thankfully were still in one piece.
"Is everyone all right?" Venus questioned.
"We're still standing," Neptune, answered wryly. "Are you okay Hotaru?" A bloody gash ran above the teenager's right eye, but she nodded.
"It's not as bad as it looks," Saturn answered.
"Where's Usa-No!" They followed Venus as she raced towards Usagi and Mamoru, who had stumbled to their feet.
"Usagi!" Mars shouted.
"Are you okay?" questioned Mercury.
"We're fine," Mamoru, answered.
"Where are the Shitennou?" Venus asked.
"She took them." Venus looked at Mamoru, a surprised look on her weary face.
"Look…!"
A burst of lightning crashed, revealing the dark line of silhouettes now facing them. "No more of these games," Beryl's voice flowed towards them. Without a break, the Senshi did their best to catch their ragged breaths and stepped in front of their prince and princess bravely.
"Everyone..." Usagi whispered as she sensed the world around them continuing to grow dim. Mamoru could feel it in his soul as well, as the Earth pitched at the darkness coming to life within its bowels.
The great warriors faced each other as a great storm raged above them, breaking the sky apart. In their hearts, the Senshi tried to steel themselves against the familiar faces of betraying friends that had plagued them across the spectrum of time. The Shitennou now stood behind Beryl with her other followers, a familiar but heart wrenching scene.
"I can't believe it's come to this. It all seems like a bad dream," Mars protested.
"I can remember it came down to this once before. History is repeating itself. Instead of a future, our past is what we are fighting," Mercury said solemnly.
"It's our fault. We let the past resurface," Jupiter said.
"Is it Earth's time to fall again?" Saturn whispered into the wind.
"No, we have to fight. We have to win; we can't let this world down again." Venus stood firm among them, her voice steady and strong.
"It is time for evil to reign," Beryl declared triumphantly. "Are you ready, Sailor Senshi?"
"We are not afraid!" Uranus retorted.
Beryl sneered. "Get them."
The first to attack were those they were most surprised to see in this century again. The Senshi had defeated them once already, but these seemed like darker time, and now they doubted themselves. Slowly a group of the traitors walked towards them, confident smiles on their smug faces. Only three moved forward, while their leader, a self proclaimed prince, stood dazzling in his white suit against the dark away with the remaining group to seemingly watch.
"Beryl has spoken of what you did to us, or rather, what you will do to us in this world," their leader said from afar, his black crescent moon mark seeming to lustfully absorb the evil around him. "We will make sure you don't get the chance."
"Nothing you didn't deserve," Jupiter shook her head. "Demando."
"We shall see. We will finish what we started millennia ago, and destroy this empire from the inside out, as with the Moon Kingdom. No one ever saw it coming; why would any Lunarian wish the destruction of our empire? But I saw the flaws in our system, and wanted freedom and my chance for power. And now, I will get what I want." He looked passed the Senshi, and Usagi blushed at his intense stare.
"How could we have been so stupid?" Mercury said. "If they existed in the future, of course they would've existed now."
"We didn't have our memories, Ami," Mars replied. "We always assumed they were from Nemesis. Now we know the truth, they're-"
"From the White Moon herself. Surely it couldn't harbor such evil plans," Esmeraude laughed, flipping her green hair over her shoulder. The others laughed as well, and Rubeus pointed to the corrupted black moon on his forehead mockingly. “You really are so naive, aren’t you?”
"Saviors of the world indeed. Handicapped by their own memories," Rubeus leered.
"Enough of these useless words," Kunzite uttered, quickly approaching with his own force in tow. The Shitennou stood opposite the Inner Senshi, and Venus looked away from Kunzite’s striking face as he stared in her direction. "Let's finish this," he continued.
Demando looked at the general with distaste for a moment. "Yes," he drawled. "Let's. Get them my Black Moons."
"So, which one do you want, Nephrite?" Jadeite asked as they unsheathed their swords.
"What do we want to go for; a blast from the past, or try something new? Didn't you kill Mars last time?"
"Yes, but I did enjoy it. She has such a fire within her. I enjoyed watching it die out within those beautiful eyes of hers."
"Jupiter is not an easy kill. Perhaps you would enjoy the game," Nephrite suggested.
"Yes, go and take all my fun and have the pretty Martian," Jadeite said as he raised his sword. "Either way, there will be blood to bask in tonight."
Powerless, Usagi watched as her dearest friends clashed with the ghosts of their past and future, each fighting to preserve the present. She was beginning to feel the weight of her wish, and she realized the huge mistake she had made might take all their lives. It seemed they were destined to fight the same old battles over and over again, and with each passing moment she feared they would not prevail this time. She held Mamoru's hand tightly to her chest, praying with all her might that her friends would be saved, that somehow everything would be all right again.
As tired as they were, the Senshi held their own, fighting with all the courage and love they felt for this world. They pushed the pain of seeing their former friends become enemies again, but the Outer Senshi had no qualms with engaging the Dark Moon betrayers. They had little ties to the group of crooked politicians and alchemists before them now.
Uranus' sword clashed with Rubeus', their dance sending golden sparks into the air. Her tired feet did their best to be one move ahead, but the queen of the wind was slowly falling out of step. They were all beaten down from the struggle against the youma, and it was quite evident Beryl’s forces held the upper hand in this battle.
On the opposing sidelines, Demando watched critically as the battle continued on, and his patience dwindled. The Shitennou were playing with their prey, and he knew his own were too wrapped up in Metallia's power to think clearly. She had given them strength beyond that bestowed upon them in the past, and he could feel the power course through his veins. The battle would not be won until a critical move was made, and he desperately wanted to taste sweet victory.
“Petz,” he called, and the ivory skinned woman was at his side in an instant. A dangerous sword materialized in his hand, made of bones, blood and something horribly unnamable, and he casually held it out to her. “Do something about this,” he uttered, nodding toward his chosen victim for her.
She smiled ruthlessly, taking the weapon. “Of course.”
Petz appeared suddenly behind Uranus as she fought with her fiery foe, and she gasped as the pain shot through her abdomen. Without prejudice, Petz forcefully removed the sword from the Sailor Senshi, and watched as blood splattered from the corner of the mighty soldier’s mouth. Uranus’ green eyes found blue ones on the battlefield, and immediately a piercing scream racked through them all.
"Haruka!"
"Cut her down Esmeraude!" The emerald haired seductress willingly carried out her prince’s command, raising her fan high above her head. A pointed edge snapped from its base, and with all her might, she pushed it into Neptune's back.
"No!" Usagi screamed, watching as two of her friends fell.
A righteous anger filled the Senshi, and they renewed their dying fervor. They struck out against their attackers with blind rage. Their past selves stirred within them, demanding retribution once more. Their vengeance gave them the strength they need to push on, but now freed from their single battles, Rubeus and Esmeraude joined with the Shitennou and now the deadly Sisters, descending relentlessly on the remaining Senshi.
Usagi watched as one by one, her friends were brutally cut down. As each fell a piece of her heart chipped away, the pain of it causing her hand to grip the front fabric of her shirt. Against more than two hundred youma, the Senshi had prevailed, but they could not fight against Metallia's true power alone.
"It's my fault, all of it. I’m responsible!" she cried, and Mamoru could do nothing but hold her close.
+++
Venus looked at her fallen comrades as life slowly drained from them. Her enemies circled around her like vultures, but she paid them no mind. She had only eyes for her fallen friends. She watched as Michiru and Haruka reached out their shaking hands to the unconscious form of Hotaru, their bodies wracked with sobs of grief and despair.
Makoto held her broken arm carefully, ignoring the red gash that seeped drops of ruby-red onto the cold ground beneath her broken body. Rei and Ami lay still on the pavement, their bodies twisted in unnatural positions.
She looked behind her at the huddled forms of Usagi and Mamoru, and could faintly hear her princess calling out in a frantic voice.
'I'm the last thing between them. Be strong Minako. If you must go out, take one of them with you!' As before, sparks flew as she pulled the legendary sword from its slumber. Only the lesser of Beryl’s minions hesitated at seeing that weapon again, but the others were unmoved by her sudden strength. Finally, she faced her enemies, their faces and bodies grim with the blood of her friends.
"One princess left," Rubeus counted.
"Give up now and we shall give you an easy death," Esmeraude said.
"It is no use, you've lost," Zoisite whispered.
"Drop your sword, Minako." Her breath caught as his deep voice called to her. He stepped forward, his bright eyes shimmering as darkness crept closer in around them.
"Kunzite..."
"Drop your sword and join us, Minako. Join me," he said.
"You've said this before!" she screamed, pointing the sword at him. "You betrayed me then, and you'll betray me now! Kunzite, how can you do this again?"
"I do not want to be your enemy." She let a cry escape her mouth at his soft words, and faltered as her grip on the sword loosened a little. Her heart wrenched, but she could feel Usagi's eyes staring at the back of her head, and knew what she had to do.
"No Kunzite, I will not betray them. I know you can hear me, and I will fight for our duty until my last dying breath! Love Chain Ache!"
The shower of hearts was enough to distract the rest, but Kunzite alone was able to lunge after her. As they had done on the rooftops of Tokyo, their swords clashed violently. But this time, there would be only one victor. He was quicker from having much more rest than his opponent, and Venus’ frustrated tears were ruining her judgment no matter how hard she tried to forget this time. She was meeting each of his attacks, but barely, and she could see her defeat in his strangely lit eyes.
“Just give up Minako, I know that you’re tired,” he breathed into her ear.
She shouted with rage and grief, lounging out at him blindly. “Shut up!” Venus cried out again as Kunzite slashed her right arm, cutting deep to the bone. The sword fell from her hand, clanging to the ground, announcing the last dying hope with its morbid clarity. Defeated, she bowed her head. Venus' body jerked with the fear she felt inside, but she would not let it show as she gazed into his eyes. She would die strong and proud, a true warrior. He did not strike out at her though and finish what he had started; he stared at her oddly, as if he was fighting with something deep inside.
"Minako no!" she heard Usagi screech, and a single tear rolled down the Senshi of love's cheek.
"I'm sorry, Usagi," she whispered, bowing her head.
"Venus." She turned as her name was called. She barely had her eyes adjusted when the staff's sharpened end rammed through her chest. She cried out in surprise and pain, and with wide eyes stared into Beryl's smirking face.
"I never forget," Beryl muttered as she ripped her staff from Venus' chest. The world around the Princess of Venus became foggy, as sound and time seemed to blur together. She watched the world twist up, the dark sky looming before her in all its horrendous glory. Soon, she felt the cold pavement against her back, its chill quickly sweeping over her body. One face shone clear through all the distortion, and sadly, she smiled at him.
"I'm-I'm glad it wasn't you, for your sake. Kunzite."
+++
Silence fell over the battlefield as those remaining gazed at the carnage. Some delighted in its perverseness, while others stared at the fallen through blurry eyes. Usagi had seen her friends fall in battle before, but this time it was harder to envision things would be all right in the end. Hope had left this land, chased away by the angry darkness biting at its heels. This land was dying. How could she save it now?
"Poor Princess Serenity. It always seems you are left alone," Beryl mocked her, and slowly they approached, a tide of smiling foes in her gloriously dark wake.
"She is not alone," Mamoru voiced and stood protectively in front of her.
"She soon will be," Beryl corrected.
"Why are you doing this?" Usagi cried out.
"It's what I was born to do."
"Metallia might have started out evil, but you didn't, Beryl."
She stopped at this and looked at Usagi strangely. "What?"
"Long ago, you were a regular person like the rest of us, Beryl. So why…why are you doing this! There has to be some good left in you somewhere!"
For a moment, Beryl's red eyes flashed to their clear amber color, and Usagi and Mamoru held their breaths. But the ground shook tremendously beneath their feet, and junks of the disintegrated pavement shot up into the air, landing around them like angry meteors. Black smoke rose from the holes they left, curling around the hot and foul smelling air around them.
"Your mind tricks will not work on me, Princess. There is nothing left to save. Face your end!" Beryl pointed her staff at Usagi. The black smoke around them spiraled toward Beryl’s weapon, coalescing to form an evil power that made its way quickly towards the two remaining protectors of Earth. Before Usagi could react, Mamoru was standing before her, his sword poised before his face. The energy collided against the blade of his sword in a fuming ball as Mamoru used his power to keep it contained, like he had caught it in a glass jar.
"Mamo-chan!" Usagi cried worriedly as he was slowly pushed back, the energy fighting to break free of his grip. Beryl growled and pushed more energy through her staff. It was enough to break free from Mamoru's power.
"Usako run-Ah!" Mamoru cried out as the dark energy struck him directly, the edges of his cape burning and tearing as it ripped through him.
"Mamo-chan…no!" Usagi screeched as her lover fell down at her feet, his armor and clothing scorched and smoking.
"Loyal to the end," Beryl laughed. "It's a shame really."
"How could you!" Usagi cried as she knelt down, gently cradling Mamoru in her arms. Usagi looked down at his face through her blinding tears as the world lamented around her. She wished to fight, wished to avenge her friends, but she could not bring herself to risk the life growing inside her by raising all her power against them. Everything seemed hopeless, no matter what she did. "Mamo-chan, everyone, no! No. I don't understand. It can’t end this way. I don't believe it."
"All things must come to an end," Beryl simply stated and she walked towards her last enemy, and lowered her staff to Usagi's face.
Usagi shut her eyes.
+++
End Pandora Arc
Please read this author’s note!
“What the heck is this? What happened to Usagi, dangit! I hate you and your cliffhangers!”
Yes, I’m sure that’s going through your head right now. But, as I explained in my opening author’s notes, this story is divided into three arcs. The Hubris Arc, the next arc of this story, takes place almost 1,000 years later from this arc’s ending. So remember just this as you continue: The past is a mysterious puzzle, and the chapters ahead are pieces to reveal what was lost.
