Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Celestial Moon ❯ Chapter Thirteen: Final Assault; Kunzite's Betrayal ( Chapter 13 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Celestial Moon
by: BWANDER

Chapter Thirteen: Final Assault; Kunzite's Betrayal

The senshi appeared in a burst of light. An immediate survey showed they
were in the same cave as when they had staged Usagi's rescue. They each
went into their battle stances and began to move forward. They quickly
reached the open area where Usagi's sacrifice had been planned. As they
looked up at the skull formation a twinkle caught their eyes just a moment
too late.

The explosion threw each of them in different directions. When they picked
themselves up Kunzite was floating above them with a smirk. "My, how the
mighty have fallen," he laughed.

"Move aside Kunzite," Endymion commanded. "Our fight is with Beryl and
Metallia, not you."

"I'm afraid I can't do that, your highness," Kunzite sneered. "I am Beryl's
protector and general, after all."

Endymion looked at the senshi. "Go, I'll handle him."

They each nodded and began to walk forward. Kunzite's smile grew at the
gesture. Another explosion stopped the girls in their tracks. "I suppose
I should have told you, there are some guests who have been dying to see
you again," he said.

Next to Kunzite the other three generals appeared. The senshi let out a
collective gasp. "But you three are dead! I saw it with my own eyes,"
Usagi said.

"Don't always believe your eyes, princess," Zoicite claimed. "As you
can see, all three of us are here now and just as beautiful as ever."

"We'll see about that! I helped take you down once, I can do it again!"
Jupiter shouted as she gathered her energy. "Jupiter Oak Evolution!"

The electrified leaves flew towards Zoicite but stopped inches from his
body by a barrier. "You didn't think it would be that simple this time,
now did you Jupiter?" he asked. "I still have a few tricks up my sleeves.
Frozen Hatred!"

The ice daggers flew back toward the senshi with near lightning speed.
Saturn quickly threw up her silent wall and stopped the shards from harming
anyone. Jupiter looked at Zoicite then back at Usagi. "Usagi, you have to
get to Metallia and stop her! Go, we'll handle these nuisances," she said.

Usagi nodded and began to run towards the skull. The generals threw several
attacks toward her, but each was intercepted by the senshi. As Usagi made it
through the base an explosion blocked the entrance.

Jadeite smiled at the senshi. "I was looking forward to burning her to death,
but I suppose it is only fitting for Beryl-sama to destroy her. I suppose
I'll have to settle for killing you instead," he said.

"Not on your life! I still owe you for our first encounter," Mars retorted.
Fire leapt to life around Mars and began to take shape. "Mars Flame Sniper!"

The arrow flew quickly and landed on his barrier. After a moment, though, a
bit of the flame entered the barrier and scored a hit on the general. Pluto
stepped up next to Mars and put a hand on her shoulder. "Something isn't
right. The real Jadeite absorbed a lot more than that before," she said.

Mars nodded in agreement. "Who are you?" she shot up to Jadeite.

"It seems that we've been found out brothers," Jadeite said. "Perhaps we
should show them with whom they are truly dealing."

The three fallen generals began to contort. When their forms finished
changing the senshi all gasped. Jadeite had become a true demon, Nephrite
had become his shadow again, and Zoicite appeared to be made of ice. "So
these are your true forms," Pluto said.

"Yes, we were merged with the generals by Metallia's glorious power. Now
you will all die!" Zoicite declared.

~~~~~~~

Endymion stared up at Kuzite. With a small thought the Earth prince flew
up to his former general. "I see you still retain your powers Endymion,"
Kunzite noticed.

"Yes, I do. Serenity healed my body, no thanks to you, but left me alone
otherwise. I suppose it had something to do with my protecting her,"
Endymion replied. "There is one thing I wish to ask you, though. I always
assumed you had been coerced to the Dark Kingdom, but the more I think about
it, the more I begin to doubt it. Everything you do has always been very
calculated and your loyalty is one of your prized qualities. However, the
war on Earth was a losing one, and I am not too proud to admit that. I
suppose my question to you is did you betray me, or did they truly turn you
with the same technique as the others?"

Kunzite let a grin spread across his face. "How astute of you to notice.
Although I have admitted to owing you nothing I suppose I do owe you some-
thing after all," Kunzite said. "As you stated the war was not going
well for us all those years ago. I came to a realization through that
time: I wanted power, namely yours. I had several meetings with Beryl and
Metallia in secret and offered my services in exchange for this planet.

"At first Beryl was very much against me, but when Metallia offered her the
Moon and other planets she began to back me. However, I still had obstacles
in my way, namely you and the other generals. If you remember I began to
request the aid of the other generals at key battles. In those battles I
would get the other general alone and take them to Metallia. She used her
powers to merge one of her minions with the general, thus creating Beryl's
generals. After all three had been turned I was given position as her
top general. That was when we kidnapped you and had you turned to our side."

Endymion shook his head in disgust. "All this time, foolishly wasted. I
thought that Beryl had simply overwhelmed you. I never imagined you could
have betrayed me this badly," Endymion spat. "For your crimes against this
planet you deserve to die and I will be the one to do it!"

Before Endymion could let loose a blast three gems floated to Kunzite and
placed themselves by his neck. Kuzite smiled at Endymion. "It seems Beryl
has granted me the powers of the other three. Fate is on my side Endymion,
your time is over! Hellfire!"

~~~~~~~

Usagi looked back at the sealed entrance. "Be safe my friends," she whis-
pered.

She turned and began to run forward. The corridor led to a staircase that
spiralled upwards. After several minutes Usagi reached the top. As she
stepped off the last stair she looked around at the grand room she was
in. Her gaze slowly settled at the end of the room where Beryl sat, grinning
wickedly. She strode to the evil queen and stopped a few yards away.

"So, the mouse has come to the snake," Beryl glowered.

"Beryl, give up this madness. Though you have commited horrible acts I
still believe there is some good in you. I can heal you and help you to
integrate back into society," Usagi pleaded.

"Serenity, save your breath. It is my destiny to rule this world and the
entire solar system. Your mother's seal was just a set back, and your
senshi are just pests. If I had truly known what Endymion brought back
with him I would have killed you on the spot. That was my mistake, but
it won't happen again," Beryl replied.

She stood and walked over to Usagi. "It is a shame you must die, though.
You really are quite lovely and would make a fine addition to Metallia,"
she remarked before slapping Usagi with the back of her hand. "I just
fear you would do as Endymion and turn against us."

With a quick gesture Usagi was bound by Beryl's power. She let out a
wicked laugh. She placed Usagi to look out at the battle. "Before I
destroy you, though, I shall let you watch as your beloved and your
senshi are killed," she sneered.