Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Love and Lament ❯ Chapter 14

 

PinaPoe's Notes:: Well, Here is my Final Merci focused chapter. Most of it is action, I am uncertain on how it turned out, but the next two chapters will be plenty full of it as well so if this did not turn out very well I get a couple more lashes at it. And I may get inspired to add to it later, but that would be after this book is done. I figured I shouldn't keep this chpt. Up any longer.

 

As far as telling about Hivial and WaterLilly too soon. Well, I figured it was a foregone conclusion as to what happened to the Silver Millennium, and I needed that bit of dialog to happen before the next chpt. For reasons that will become obvious.

 

One more side note, I am watching all of the PGSM right now and am loving it. Expect to see heavy influence in many of the char. Especially Minako, Mamoru, Kunzite, and Zoicyte.

 

Love & Lament

 

Chapter fourteen

 

“Aaaaah” Ami screamed as she pushed herself away from Grandpa Hino. Both of them were quite shaken from the explosion and even though they were not actually there, they shielded their bodies as if they were about to be crushed.

 

“Blessed Gods!” Ami panted as her heart beat slowly returned to normal. Hino had quickly composed himself and returned to his seat.

 

“I did not know that the Four Heavenly Kings were involved in the initial attack. I knew that they led the armies on the attack of the moon, but I never believed that Nephrite in particular would stoop to such a cowardly attempt at assassination.” Hino wiped a bead of sweat from his head as he contemplated this development.

 

“Grandpa… JiJi?” Ami started a question. Hino looked up at her as she referred to him by his true name. He found for a moment that he was hurt by this. Laughing to himself at what had to be the onset of senility; Hino just raised a bushy eyebrow at his young friend so she would continue.

 

Ami swallowed nervously, feeling that she had insulted the old priest, but feeling that she was justified in doing so. He was a demon after all and woe to her if she were ever to forget that.

 

“If I am, or was Lady Merci, and Miss. Hino was Revian, does that mean that Miss. Tsukino was Vileal?” Ami reddened slightly both embarrassed and angry. “Was I; was Merci in love with the woman who killed Juni?”

 

Ami's emotions became conflicted, as she did not know what to make of this. So distraught was she that she did not even realize that she just revealed Sailor Moon's identity to Grandpa Hino. He had already known of course, but Ami did not know that.

 

“It appears that way.” Hino answered plainly. “I was not privy to the personal interactions of your past lives beyond what Revian shared with me. The only reason I had known of your, of Merci's separation with Hyperion, was that I spoke with him and Revian, when she asked for me to arrange lodgings and several potential wives or husbands for him. She wished him to become her second when she one day took control of our tribe.”

 

“Husband?” Ami asked, confused. “But I thought that even though Hyperion's body was a woman's, he was a man.”

 

“Mmm,” Hino muttered as he formed his response. True Hyperion and Merci were long dead, but he did promise to keep this confidence. “I only tell you this now, because all party's involved are two thousand years gone. Apparently, like all men of the time, Hyperion wanted an heir. More to the point, he wanted an heir of his own blood. Now I have no doubt, had Merci remained faithful, he would have brought this up to her, but when they parted ways he decided to go ahead with this dream of his.”

 

“But, with a man? Why not use artificial insemination?” Ami found herself getting mad, as if Merci's jealousy was being channeled through her.

 

Hino chuckled to himself, much to Ami's annoyance. “Ha, we were an extremely advanced society at the time, but we had not yet come to that. I suppose it could have been done magically, but I think that Hyperion preferred to be with someone who would father the child and help raise it, but nothing more.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Hyperion, I believe, was a Martian trapped in a Jupiterion's body. He held true to the same Ideals and loves that we Martians did, honor, battle, and love. Despite what happened he probably still loved you, err loved Merci. That is why I think he would have preferred a husband; he would not fall in love with him. I believe that Merci held, and would always hold Hyperion's heart.” Hino rubbed the back of his neck. “But I am speaking from what I would have done and thought in his place. There is no way I could know for sure what was going on in his mind.

 

“If Hyperion was able to ask you for this it had to be before he found out about Vileal.” Ami puzzled the timeline in her mind. JiJi would have already been turned if Hyperion had contacted him that final night. Again she felt the pangs of Merci's emotions deep within her.

 

“Mmm.” Hino acknowledged with a nod “This was something he was planning if he could not reconcile with Lady Merci before your duty as the Planetary Guard was over.

“It's getting near eight.” Hino announced, though Ami could not figure out how he could tell that. “Perhaps it is time we called it a night?”

 

Ami was conflicted over what she thought of Usagi now, and what her past life thought of Vileal. Even though she wasn't Merci, she swore she could somehow feel the long dead Mecurian's thoughts and emotions stirring within her.

 

“No,” Ami held Hino back as he started to stand. “Please, just another hour; I want to know more.”

 

Hino sighed, he wasn't weary, but something had been bothering him for the last couple hours and he could not pinpoint it. Putting his discomfort aside, he clasped Ami's hands as he once again took her into her past, into her memories.

 

 

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“Uhhhh.” Merci was hurt. Her whole body was in pain, and it felt as if she were being crushed. She choked when she tried to draw in a deep breath; the dust of the ruble surrounding her was thick in the air. Voices drifted in and out of her consciousness, though she was too disoriented to be able to differentiate them from each other.

 

“Merci! Merci! Blessed Serenity, Merci, where are you!!” Merci's mind latched to the voice calling her name, but she could not quite identify it yet.

 

Another loud explosion sounded followed by someone calling for their daughter, Serenity. Merci figured that to be the Queen's voice. Her shouts were followed by those of Bruuna's and General Mox's as they apparently converged on her.

 

“Damn it, how could I have let my guard down? I'm so sorry my Queen. This disaster is my fault, I left us open for an attack.” Merci recognized General Mox's voice and the Queen's reassurances that she shouldn't blame herself.

 

“My Queen.” Bruuna interrupted. Everyone's voices were muffled, but Merci focused on them to try and regain her senses and clear the fog from her mind. “It was Endimiyon's entourage; they staged an attack on you and the princess while General Kunzite detonated some kind of super weapon inside the ball room. Revian is alive and searching for survivors, but she has yet to find any.”

 

“Has anyone seen my daughter?” The queen pleaded, but was interrupted by Hyperion's strong voice.

 

“Queen Serenity,” Merci realized that it was Hyperion's voice that was calling to her moments earlier. She might have found comfort in the fact had the moon not just been attacked. Hyperion continued to speak quickly while gasping for air. “The entire galaxy is under attack. I was in the oracle chambers when the attacks started. I saw my brother killed and I fear that the Great Tree of Life has been felled.”

 

“How could this have happened?” Serenity's voice sounded choked up, as if she were fighting off tears.

 

A crystal clear voice suddenly filled Merci's mind; she recognized Radiance's voice and noted with some wonderment that she was speaking to everyone telepathically. “This is Radiance; I am with Princess Serenity and Endymion.”

 

Merci noticed a hitch in the telepathic voice and realized that Radiance was crying. “Vileal took the blade meant for the princess, she did not survive.”

 

Merci's mind began to buzz at what Radiance had just said. The telepathic voice suddenly increased in volume, and it was easy to detect a hint of apprehension. “I can see the enemy regrouping. There are demons teleporting in from everywhere, I need help and I need it fast!”

 

Radiance's voice cut off as Merci's mind abruptly regained focus as the minutes before the first explosion returned to her.

 

“VILEAL!” Merci's screamed as she lashed out unthinkingly with the magic of her ring. A massive Ice spear ripped up from around her throwing away much of the debris that had her pinned down. Merci lashed out with a cry of anger and pain as power surged within her. The purity of her emotion and the intensity of her focus had unintentionally awakened the true force of her ring.

 

Merci's body temperature bottomed out and the air around her began to crackle as moisture froze and cracked. The ring's power had fully transferred to within her. Merci could feel the power of her element flowing through her. Though the ring could be used for a future soldier and was fused with her essence, Merci no longer needed it to call forth or control her powers. Only Radiance had ever been able to accomplished an awakening like this.

 

With a strength and speed she did not know she possessed, Merci threw the remaining rubble from her body and leapt from the debris desperately trying to make her way to where she last remembered seeing Vileal.

 

As she pushed forward through the massive hunks of stone and debris that blocked her path, Merci faintly registered the voices of the others calling out to her.

 

“Lord Hyperion, take Bruuna and follow Merci to my daughter. Find Lady Revian if you can. Once you find them, take my daughter to the safety bunkers as quickly as possible.

 

“General Mox, get together as many soldiers as you can find and do what you can to hold back the invaders. I am going to the temple to prepare our defenses. Tell Lady Radiance to come to me as soon as you find her. Now go! And may the gods watch over you.”

 

Merci could hear the chorus of responses and soon felt the presence of her ex-husband and childhood friend by her side. No one spoke as they started to climb over and blast aside any debris that blocked their way. Once the sounds of explosions and inhuman screams started to be heard everyone pushed themselves as hard as they could to reach their friend's side.

 

Five minutes later, they managed to blast through a massive wall of stone and bodies that blocked their way. The three of them barely had time to absorb the situation before jumping into the fray. Radiance and Endymion fought side to side, while protecting Princess Serenity. Serenity was crouched to the ground holding Vileal's still body.

 

Merci screamed in rage as she sent a freezing mist into the remaining attackers. Already, Radiance and Endymion had killed over three dozen of the enemy, yet at least twice that many still remained. Bruuna and Hyperion took advantage of Merci's freezing mist, with a fierce determination they wadded through the enemy, ending their demonic lives with sword and trident.

 

Merci focused her energies to freeze the airborne moisture to form a sword and buckler of solid ice. Ignoring her companions, she fought her way through the sluggish enemies, slowly making her way toward Princess Serenity, and Vileal.

 

Two hulking brutes moved to block Merci's path. Through her fury, Merci absently recognized that their coloring and features strongly resembled that of a demonic looking Martian. Ignoring that trivial thought, Merci focused her newly awakened powers to send a shower of ice missiles toward the creatures that blocked her path.

 

The demonic warriors, obviously skilled, moved their blades to cut the projectiles from the air. Merci entertained a second of satisfaction as their weapons froze and shattered. The demon's had no time to react as the remaining missiles slammed into their bodies freezing and shattering plate sized holes wherever they hit.

 

Merci continued to fight her way forward, undaunted by whatever stood in her path. Were she in a more stable frame of mind she would have been drawn to consider her new abilities. As it was, Merci hardly noticed anything save the body of her friend she was fighting her way to. Before she knew it, Merci was fighting side by side with Radiance and the Earthling Endymion. In the seconds she stood by them, Radiance killed no less than fifteen enemy soldiers, while Endymion fought bravely against three monsters at least twice his size.

 

Merci lessened the prince's burden by two before she cast aside her weapons and ran to the Princess and to her fallen friend. Merci felt her eyes tear up, and ice over. Her body had cooled in response to her overuse of her powers; small patches of ice started to coat her skin though she did not notice. Merci's ring's power came from the elements of water and ice, when she inadvertently transferred it's essence into herself she became one with the elements as well.

 

Merci, unaware of the changes in herself or of the battle raging around her froze in place as she stared at the Princess Serenity. The young princess cradled her step-sister, weeping openly. Merci fell to her knees as she looked upon the still and pale body of her best friend, her new love.

 

Vileal's eyes were closed, obviously the princess's doing; her gentle lips were parted slightly allowing a trickle of blood to dribble down the side of her cheek. Merci fought to control the overwhelming emotions welling up within her. When her eyes, against her will, trailed to the open wound that pierced Vileal's innocent heart, Merci broke down.

 

Without realizing what she was doing, Merci moved to Serenity's side, and collapsed upon her lifeless friend. Heavy sobs wracked her body as she clung tightly to Vileal. Her body temperature dropped to such an extreme level that Vileal began to freeze in her embrace. Princess Serenity tried to reach out to comfort her, but pulled back from the intensity the cold. Merci did not notice, nor did she hear the princess's renewed wailing at the loss of her sister. Time became meaningless, and the sounds of battle faded into nothing.

 

 

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“Merci honey, this is no good. We need to get moving, the enemy will be upon us shortly.” Feeling a cleansing warmth spread through her body, Merci wearily looked up to see Radiance standing beside her.

 

Radiance's hand firmly grasping her shoulder and was the source of the purifying warmth. The healing touch of the Goddess tamed the raging powers within Merci. Had Radiance not interfered Merci risked freezing herself completely. As her body warmed and she regained her equilibrium, Merci looked up to her friend and former lover. Radiance looked upon her with concern and compassion. She truly looked like a Golden Goddess, as her skin glowed brightly from her battle fervor.

 

Looking around in a fading daze, Merci saw that for the time being, her friends had managed to route the first wave of attackers. Prince Endymion of Earth stood to the side, holding his princess. Bruuna was moving through the fallen enemies, killing any survivors with brutal efficiency. Hyperion looked upon her briefly. Merci thought for a moment that he was going to come to her, but Revian, who seemed to have caught up with the battle, took his arm, whispering something harshly in his ear. Hyperion nodded once before turning away from Merci.

 

“C'mon honey.” Radiance cooed as she gently pried Merci from Vileal and helped her to her feet.

 

“Sorry to seem insensitive.” Bruuna called out from amiss the bodies of the fallen. “But we got a shit load of those demons forming up over the rise about two hundred yards from us.”

 

“Lady Radiance.” Hyperion spoke as he moved to stand beside the Goddess and his ex-wife.

 

“Queen Serenity bade us inform you to meet her in the temple immediately.” Hyperion motioned toward the princess. “The rest of us are to get her highness to safety.”

 

“What of my friend?” Merci sniffled into Radiances shoulder.

 

“I'm sorry,” Radiance spoke gently as she ran a hand down Merci's back. We can't take her.”

 

Merci looked to Vileal's body, lying motionless amiss the rubble. The tears in her eyes cleared and her face hardened as she turned back to her friend. “If I used my power's to entomb her, can I will it to be permanent?”

 

“Whatever you're doing, I suggest you do it quickly!” Bruuna shouted again from her position a dozen yards from the rest. “The army looks like it's ready to make its move.”

 

“If you entomb her in ice now, I will make it permanent.” Radiance spoke quickly. “But, you have to hurry dear.”

 

“Wait!” Princess Serenity shouted as she pulled away from Endimiyon's embrace. The young Princess knelt beside her sister, and removed her planetary ring and slipping it upon her own finger. Serenity placed a gentle kiss upon her sister's forehead and whispered something unintelligible before returning to her Prince's side.”

 

“They're coming” Bruuna shouted.

 

“Hurry Merci, do it!” Radiance demanded as Hyperion and Revian rushed to Bruuna's side, preparing for the onslaught.

 

Merci took a deep breath before focusing her concentration to the task at hand. Seconds later a massive column of ice ripped from the Moon, entombing Vileal's body within its center. Her body and the air around her began to cool rapidly again. Radiance whispered a few arcane words, and with a wave of her hand, the icy tomb began to glow.

 

“It's done.” Radiance whispered before turning to the approaching armies.

 

“Bruuna, Hyperion, Revian, MOVE!” The Goddess's voice brooked no argument; all three soldiers jumped out of the way as she strode past them toward the quickly approaching army.

 

Radiance raised her right had to the sky as her skin glowed and ignited in a golden flame. Energy coursed through her body causing her uniform and hair to blow about as if she were buffeted by the strongest winds. The flame's intensity increased ten fold as she screamed. “Venus Meteorite, Armageddon!!”

 

Everyone's eyes widened in horrified wonderment. The sky above their enemy ignited in a blinding flash and a deafening roar. Within seconds the sky had ripped open spewing forth hundreds of flaming boulders. Screams filled the air as the enemy was crushed and burned alive. The demons caught in the rain of death had no chance. The attack continued until no less then one thousand enemy soldiers lay dead or dying. The cries of the wounded were deafening, and the stench of freshly burnt flesh became nearly overwhelming.

 

As Radiance walked back to her companions, everyone moved out of her way. If there was any doubt to her divinity, it was now forever gone. Radiance continued to walk away from her friends, the devastating attack had her body glowing so brilliantly, had anyone looked directly upon her they would have been blinded instantly.

 

“Get to the shelter.” Radiance called out before she disappeared into the ruins of the ballroom. “If you can't make it there, meet us at the temple. GO!”

 

“Blessed Serenity.” Everyone turned to look at Bruuna who pointed out to where Radiance had just leveled the enemy. Once the rip in the sky vanished a colossal shadow began to darken the lunar sky. Everyone looked upon the blackness, their feeling of dread intensified with every star the shadow blotted out.

 

Once the darkness had blanketed half the sky, two slits opened within it. They were eyes, massive crimson eyes. “How could anything be that big?” Merci wondered aloud.

 

The eyes turned to look upon the Inner Planetary warriors, the Senshi. Once it's gazed locked, the shadow opened its mouth and a dreadful laugh shook the moon. Thousands upon thousands of portals began to open up as far as the eye could see. From each of the portals stepped one of the demonic creatures that vaguely resembled a Martian.

 

In the center of the growing army another, much larger portal opened. From its center, hundreds of human soldiers emerged. They were lead by two of the Shitennou, the feared general, Jadeite, and the traitorous Nephrite. The two sat atop giant black steeds. The demonic mounts hovered above the ground, scraping at the air with flaming hooves. Plumes of black smoke and soot billowed from their nostrils, becoming illuminated by the glowing of their crimson eyes. Both men raised their blades to the sky in a salute toward their enemies before sounding a charge.

 

“What direction are the shelters?” Bruuna screamed over the deafening boom of the charging army.

 

“This way!” Hyperion called out as he lifted the Princess onto his back and took off in a dead run. Endymion stayed at his side, as the rest of the remaining soldiers quickly followed behind.

 

Every fiber of Merci's being called for her to turn around, to charge the Earthling who murdered sweet Vileal. Reason, thankfully, remained with her; she knew that a charge against the dread general would get her killed far before she reached him. For now she would have to follow her comrades and hope for a chance at his head.

 

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“It's no use, they know where we are headed and are herding us away from it.” Prince Endymion finally gave voice to what everyone knew to be true.

 

The remaining Senshi had been trying to outrun the growing armies, but the giant shadow always found them and sent more troops. They were close to the magically protected bunkers, but it was becoming evident that they would not reach them without facing the full brunt of the shadow's army.

 

“Look, there!” Bruuna pointed toward the ever increasing ruins. Seemingly stepping from thin air appeared hundreds of Lunarian and Venusian knights lead by General Lunari Elusiian Mox. The Senshi's spirits rose as Mox's knights charged the enemies flank. The Knights fought bravely and seemed to have the upper hand. The enemy was caught off guard and fell by the hundreds to the surprise flanking attack. The Senshi's spirits were renewed as demon after demon fell before Mox's warriors.

 

The great shadow's eyes began to cringe. A thunderous bellow emitted from the shadow, as the Senshi looked up seven flaming spheres spewed from its mouth. The spheres rocketed toward the knights, exploding amidst them. The explosions left many dead and wounded, but that was not the extent of the Shadow's attack. From each of the craters left by the explosion a shadow warrior rose.

 

Each of the shadow warriors were unique to one another save for the apparent leader. This hulking beast looked similar to the enemy hordes, but doubled nearly everyone in size. He had mottled red skin and a brilliant white mane of hair that was adorned with the Martian symbols of Royalty.

 

“Revian, that giant one, what do you make of that?” Hyperion shouted over the sounds of battle. Even with their continued flight, they were only a hundred yards separated from the carnage.

 

“It's a perverse mockery of my people!” Revian snarled.

 

The seven warriors proved to be beyond the skill of General Mox's army. Any who dared to engage them were cut down with ease. The Senshi could do naught but witness the seven warriors, the seven deadly shadow warriors, massacre the brave lunar knights.

 

“They won't last long enough for us to make it to the bunker.” Revian mumbled. Taking three strides away from her comrades the Martian warrior ripped her furs off her top and traced her scimitar across her exposed flesh.

 

Hyperion recognized immediately what the Martian warlord had planned. He turned to stop her, but held back, knowing that doing so would be an unforgivable insult.

 

Staring straight ahead Revian began to speak. “By my blood and the blood of my ancestors none of these warriors will get to you without killing me first.

 

“Farewell brother of my heart, guard the princess and fulfill your duty.” Revian's parting words were for Hyperion alone. As she started to charge the clashing armies, Revian raised her sword and let out a final cry. “I'll meet you in the next life!”

 

Hyperion stood rooted in place, feeling the grief that Merci had felt when Vileal was slain. Hyperion knew that his friend would not survive this. Hyperion grimaced holding back a tear. Quickly regaining his control he saluted Revian, acknowledging her sacrifice.

 

“Come on people, let's move!” Hyperion shouted as he started to once again push toward the bunkers. Revian's unexpected charge pulled everyone from their stupor and renewed their will to fight their way toward the bunkers.

 

“Wait.” Bruuna stopped Merci as she was about to follow behind Hyperion and Endymion. The scarred Mecurian locked gazes with her former mistress and childhood companion. A tear fell from Merci's eye as Bruuna traced a calloused hand down her cheek. She could see in her eyes what she planned to do.

 

“I love you my Lady. I always have and I always will.” Bruuna confessed for the first time. Merci looked upon her lifelong friend in stunned silence.

 

Bruuna withdrew her hand and turned to Hyperion. “I know you still love her. The future looks grim, now is the time to forgive the past.” Bruuna removed the family trident from the holster along her back before turning toward the battle.

 

“Take care of her my lord, or you will regret it for eternity.” Bruuna called out while running after Revian to join her in a last stand fighting alongside her men.

 

“No, wait! Bruuna!” Merci called out to her departing friend. She had a terrible feeling that she would not see her alive again, and she had already lost too much.

 

Merci gasped as a familiar hand grasped her shoulder. “Let's go my Lady…”

 

Merci stood her ground, watching as first Revian, and then Bruuna tore into the enemy ranks, before quickly being swallowed by the chaos.

 

Hyperion wavered for a moment and his eyes misted slightly with tears. “My wife… We need to get the Princess to safety. We cannot not let our friends die in vain.”

 

Hyperion's sincerity broke through to Merci. She was able to look away from the battle and risk looking into his eyes. She had known that when he released her from their marriage he had still loved her. She also knew that it would not be likely that they would live to see the morning. Hyperion seemed to take Bruuna's words to heart. Merci had already buried a lover and watched a life-long friend charge off to certain death, she did not want to die alone.

 

Merci caressed Hyperion's hand and squeezed it tightly. Looking into his eyes she spoke from her heart. “I am sorry for the pain I caused you. For you to call me wife again means everything to me. And if we are destined to die this day, then let's die fighting side by side, as husband and wife.”

 

Hyperion nodded before kissing Merci's hand, still holding it, he turned to run after Endymion who was already making his way with his love toward the safety bunkers.

 

 

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The four remaining companion's had fought hard on their approach to the bunkers. Demonic soldiers and shadowed assassin's seemed to leap out at them from every hidden nook and darkened shadow. Merci and Endymion took on the brunt of the fighting while Hyperion focused on defending the Princess, who clung to his back. Regardless of the threats against them, they pressed on.

 

“There!” Hyperion shouted as they almost passed the bunkers. The bunkers, were used only in dire emergencies, the magic surrounding them would protect their occupants from nearly anything. The companions had nearly missed them. The twin bunkers were camouflaged in the rubble of the two towers that had stood at their side. “Wife, Prince Endymion, try to find a way in.”

 

Hyperion felt useless as the minutes passed with him unable to do anything but watch as his wife and the princess's lover desperately tried to uncover the entrance to the safety bunkers. Having only one useable arm did not give him the proper leverage to be able to safely shift through rubble.

 

“Princess I am going to set you down and make sure we are secure. Will you be alright for a moment?” Hyperion had been carrying the princess on his back, as she was too short and too week to keep up with them. Endymion had volunteered, but Hyperion was larger, and much stronger.

 

Princess Serenity nodded in the affirmative and crawled off her guardian's back. “Stay by the others I will be right back…” Hyperion staggered a step, as his hand shot up to cradle his head. Merci and Endymion, who were returning from finding the entrance, did the same.

 

“Endymion.” A chilling, voice tore at the inside of everyone's minds. The intrusion was harsh and forceful. When Radiance had spoken to them through their minds, it was a warm, comforting, this was agony. “If only you had chosen me, things would have never come to this.”

 

“Beryl? You`re behind this?” Endymion hissed through the pain in his mind. “…Why?”

 

Merci recognized the name as the Earth Prince's step mother and childhood friend. Endymion, Beryl and Kunzite had been the best of friends since youth, but at the age of thirteen, Beryl was chosen to replace Endimiyon's late mother as his father's bride.

 

 

“I offered you a choice my love. Your father was on his deathbed, you were to be king. I was nothing but a trophy to him, and I have always loved you. Why did you have to pick her, why couldn't you join with me?”

 

Merci, grasped at her head as the voice increased in intensity. The voice was pained and broken, the missive of a broke heart. The sorrow in the voice was evident, and for a second the pain abated. Merci tried to look up, to see where the voice was emanating from. She lifted her head for a moment, but doubled over again when the voice continued. This time the voice was accusatory, it was angry.

 

“Your uncle prophesized that a union between the kingdoms of the moon and the earth would result in the destruction of both, and yet you still chose her.”

 

“You…You cannot choose who you love.” Endymion choked as he struggled to form words through the pain of the mental onslaught. “You… You were my friend, but I never loved you… Not, not the way you loved me.”

 

The voice remained silent as Endymion struggled to continue. Even though the voice was mute, feelings of sadness, anger, and jealousy could still be felt in everyone's mind. “Serenity had my heart the moment I met her. I could not… could not allow myself to believe in my uncle's vision.”

 

“Despite what you wish, Nephrite's visions are absolute. You cannot fight destiny.”

 

The pain in their minds increased, Merci and Hyperion tumbled to the ground, unable to move. Despite the pain, Endymion was somehow able to remain on his feet. Merci looked upon the noble prince. His love and devotion toward Princess Serenity gave him the strength to defy the powers that were enough to paralyze Hyperion and herself.

 

Once he knew he could fight through the pain, Endymion seemed to regain his strength. “Serenity is my heart, I would face any danger any threat… You say destiny is my enemy? I would fight Death herself to remain by Serenity's side!”

 

“So be it…” The voice, cold and hollow, sounded once again after a nerve wrenching moment of silence.

 

“Aaaaiiee!” Merci and Hyperion screamed as an indescribable, unyielding pain devastated their minds. Neither heard or knew where the Princess was, nor could their pain wracked minds focus enough to care.

 

The pain increased until it felt as if their minds would be destroyed. Merci cried out trying to find Hyperion, when suddenly, the pain faded. Merci was crumpled on her side, unable to move. As her senses slowly returned, she could feel Hyperion's arm along her leg. He had somehow managed to fight through the pain enough to move to her side.

 

Merci struggled to turn her head, in an attempt to locate the Princess and her Prince. Her eyes widened in panic and she tried to cry out a warning as the air beside Endymion began to shimmer, and take form. A hauntingly beautiful woman with cascading red hair and pale white skin now stood by his side. Merci knew this must be Beryl, the woman who sold out a kingdom because of a broken heart.

 

“If I can't have you…” The voice was physical now. Without the pain of it tearing through her mind, Merci could hear the melodic beauty of it.

 

“Endymion!” Merci heard the princess scream as Beryl withdrew a dagger from beneath her robes. Merci and Hyperion fought to get to their feet. They had to help the prince, but it was no use. Neither they nor the prince had the strength to save themselves.

 

“Then no one can!” Merci winced and turned away as Beryl's dagger plunged deep into Endimiyon's chest.

 

Serenity's wailing cry pierced the sky, followed by Hyperion's panicked warning. “Princess!”

 

Merci turned to see the princess, in spite of the pain she must be feeling, rush to her lover's side. Beryl seemed stunned by what she had just done. She did not have the presence of mind to defend herself from Princess Serenity's sudden, unexpected attack. Acting out of the desperation of a broken heart, Serenity had willed herself to her slain lover's side. Without a second's hesitation she took up his blade and ended the life of his murderer.

 

Beryl's body fell heavily to the lunar floor, dead before she hit the ground. Serenity turned toward her guardians with a look of desolation in her eyes. Merci and Hyperion doubled their efforts to get to their feet as the heir to the moon kingdom turned the blade upon herself.

 

“Princess Serenity!” Merci and Hyperion cried out in unison as Princess Serenity fell upon Endimiyon's sword, piercing her heart. The sight of their princess taking her own life finally gave them the strength to move, it was too little too late.

 

“Serenity, why?” Hyperion cried out. Merci knelt by her husband's side as her cradled the dead princess in his lap. “In Saturn's name, WHY!?!”

 

Hyperion began to sob. Merci wrapped her arms around him, holding him from behind. By taking her own life, Serenity had ensured the end of the Silver Millennium. She had also made the deaths of all their family and friends meaningless.

 

“M… Master!”

 

“Queen Beryl!”

 

Merci leapt to her feet, the voices were close, and came out of nowhere. In a panic she instantaneously created another blade of jagged ice. Hyperion gently set aside the body of Princess Serenity before reclaiming his sword and standing by his wife's side.

 

The traitorous General Kunzite and Endimiyon's body guard Zoicyte stepped from portals formed in the shadows. Kunzite glanced briefly at the three bodies before turning his attention to the two who could still stand. Zoicyte, with one look upon his former master dropped to his knees and crawled to Endimiyon's side.

 

“Master…” No one moved as Zoicyte cradled the Earth prince's body to his own. Zoicyte looked calm for just a moment.

 

“MASTER!” Endimiyon's body guard and servant screamed out. He sobbed and screeched as he buried his face into Endimiyon's ruined chest. Zoicyte's wild wailings were those of the broken hearted. He would be no threat this day; his soul was shattered.

 

Kunzite looked briefly upon the two men before drawing his weapon and facing Hyperion and Merci. Kunzite was a handsome man of average height, he had a noble face and his dark hair was pulled back into a topknot, like Vileal`s. He waved his long sword once in front of him and removed a shield from his back.

 

“Beryl may be defeated, but Metallia is God. Metallia's glory will reward the faithful; all we have to do is make sure that none stand in the way.”

 

Kunzite leapt forward with unnatural speed, Hyperion was caught off guard, but Merci managed to raise her blade of Ice to block his downward stroke. Gathering his wits, Hyperion lashed out, but his strike was deflected off the General's shield.

 

The three combatants traded blows without wavering for ten straight minutes. Merci had tried several times to use her new found powers, but the General had a dark power of his own that always negated her attacks. The battle had to be won by the blade. Normally Merci would have thought Hyperion could have taken anyone in single combat, but Kunzite seemed inhuman, powers not his own were fueling him.

 

Merci was no master swordsman; she could not attack, and could only focus on defense. Regardless of failure, she continued to try her magical assaults, until her body was covered with a thin sheet of ice and she began to slow. Kunzite's speed was easily getting the better of her, and Hyperion had to use precious moments to defend her as well as press his own attack.

 

“Why do you continue?” Kunzite taunted as his shield smashed into Merci's face, shattering the icy coating and breaking her nose. Merci fell back and fell to the ground. Hyperion, no longer having to defend them both pushed his attack. Kunzite grew more serious, but did not seem concerned.

 

“The princess is dead, the Silver Millennium will fall.” Kunzite parried Hyperion's overhand swing, forcing his arm aside and leaving him open. Merci heard Hyperion grunt, but could not see through the haze in her vision. Regardless, she could feel that Hyperion was in danger and struggled to her feet.

 

“First blood is mine.” Kunzite spoke without arrogance. Hyperion stumbled back, his bad hand pressed against the gash on the side of his gut.

 

“Why don't you join us? With your skill you could be of great use to us.” Kunzite stopped his attack, allowing Hyperion and Merci to regain their bearings. No one spoke as they seemed to study each other. Only Zoicyte's wailings, which had reduced to frantic gasps, could be heard.

 

Merci and Hyperion moved closer to each other, battered and bloodied, they knew that they were overmatched. Kunzite waited patiently for an answer.

 

“Join the shadow, in its dark kingdom you have nothing to fear, not even death herself.” Kunzite motioned his blade to where Zoicite mourned Endymion. Merci snuck a quick glance, thinking it was a distraction, but unable to resist.

 

::Gasp:: “Beryl, she… she's alive!” Merci looked on, horrified as Beryl's corpse stirred and tried to stand. The body managed to stand upright, even though its stomach was torn open and its innards were spilling to the ground entangling its feet.

 

Kunzite too stared upon the animated corpse. “Soon, she will be healed body and soul. Our God is good to us!”

 

Kunzite laughed as he raised his arms to the air in praise of the great shadow that blotted out the sky. To Hyperion and Merci it was obvious that he was beyond fanatical. The man that must have once inhabited his body was gone, or changed. If this is what became of the shadow's favored they were determined to die before they allowed it to corrupt any more souls.

 

“Never!” Hyperion called out as he swung at Kunzite's exposed torso. Merci struck high, hoping to block his defense. Suddenly, Merci stopped as a high pitched howl sounded from where she knew Beryl's corpse to be standing.

 

The corpse's wail sent a deathly chill throughout her body. Merci panicked as her movement's slowed then stopped, whatever it had done, it had frozen her in place Her body was held fast, try as she might she could do nothing but watch as Kunzite slammed his shield down upon Hyperion's sword arm, before bringing down his own sword to sever it. Without stopping he flipped his sword and drove it deep into Hyperion's back.

 

As much as Merci wanted to scream, attack, anything, she could not. Panic, fear, and sorrow wracked her mind as she watched Kunzite clean his blade while the ghastly Beryl shambled towards her.

 

“Wait!” Kunzite demanded of the corpse as he turned to look upon Merci. The General's eyes wavered as he reached out to touch her. Merci wanted to cringe as the man's eyes locked upon her and his trembling hand cupped the side of her cheek.

 

“Such, beauty…” Before the General could finish his thought, he was shoved aside by an unseen force.

 

Kunzite grunted as the force hit him and he was hurled through the air. He hit the ground with a heavy thud, and cursed as he struggled to his feet. “Damn you Beryl, leave her be. The fight is over!”

 

Beryl, ignoring the wounded General, shambled over to Merci and gently caressed her cheek. A searing pain trailed the ghoulish woman's touch. Merci was helpless; she could not even scream as a dark flame ignited her body.

 

“Beryl no!” Kunzite's voice was barely heard as the pain increased.

 

Merci thought of her sister Tetisu and Bruuna, she reminisced fondly on her times spent with Radiance and finally to the two people who held her heart. ::Vileal… Husband… I love…::

 

The pain of being burned alive was unbearable. Despite the pain, Merci was determined to have her last thought's be of Vileal and her husband, but a sudden light, pure and all encompassing, pulled her from her memories. Before her eyes burnt away, she watched as the radiant light enveloped Kunzite and Beryl. Kunzite's startled cry and Beryl's inhuman screech ushered Merci to her death.