They had been taken suddenly and with large numbers. The battle had been going for weeks, with little reprise. Many of the Youma were killed, but many of the warriors of Jupiter and it's moons were killed. Dera faced it gravely, ignoring her own pains in the fights till the armies were pressed back for a brief period.
What made it worse was the knowledge of why this siege was so much more bloody than the previous in the history of the war. Beryl wanted Dera's head, and she was going to make her suffer while she went for it. Dera, as Gallilean, fought the hardest, and the scouts backed her, including Oberon, who was still not speaking much with her.
"This is mostly your fault Dera. You took away her sister." Oberon had scoffed in anger one day.
The final day of the battle raged and Gallilean found herself pressed back. Then out of no where a bolt of lightning shot the Youma away from her and a tall scout stood tall, her emerald eyes glaring at the Youma.
"In the name of my guardian planet, Jupiter. I will punish you for desecrating it! For I am Sailor Jupiter."
Gallilean and Jupiter had fought them of side by side, tearing through the armies with ease. Jupiter using thunderball attacks and Gallilean using her Europa energy. Suddenly a loose arrow was shot and it hit Jupiter in the abdomen.
Gallilean turned to help, but a blow to the back made her stumble to the ground. Jupiter pulled the arrow from herself, staring at the blood in a trance and then looked at the Youma with rage.
"Lita, don't!" exclaimed Gallilean as lightning gathered into Jupiter's hand.
Lita had cast a single look at her bleeding cousin and then turned her face to the Youma.
"This is something I must do."
Gallilean watched as Jupiter leaped into the Youma and then screamed as the earth in the area exploded.

"NO!" screamed Dera as she bolted upright.
Immediately Violette, Janus, Ancelin, Ketta, and Kameon's eyes were open and they looked at Dera in alarm.
"What happened?" asked Violette, looking around.
Dera's face flushed and she shook her head, "Another nightmare."
Violette frowned and laid back down while the others looked at her sympathetically.
"You guys go back to sleep." said Dera, getting out of the sleeping mat and going to their tent's flap. "I'm going out a bit."
Janus, Ancelin, and Kameon didn't argue and settled back down, but Ketta got up and followed Dera out of the tent and to the cliff that overlooked the sea on the planet Athena.
"What happened this time?" asked Ketta, standing next to Dera.
"The usual." said Dera, her voice low. "Beryl's army swarmed us, we didn't have a chance. Then Beryl appeared and killed Makoto and I was unable to stop her."
Ketta looked at Dera carefully and sighed, "There's more."
Dera didn't look surprised and nodded, "I heard Oberon's voice blaming me for what happened. And it was right."
"You two have never gotten along have you." said Ketta, pushing a hand through her short blond hair.
Dera sighed, "I've tried to be her friend, but she just pushes me away. She does that with the others to, but more so with me."
"Did you know she was the leader before you came?" asked Ketta.
"I found out when we came here." said Dera. "I was talking with Hotaru about her planet when I found out it was Oberon's guidance that allowed Saturn to hold back Beryl's armies so long."
"And now you are doubting you leadership." said a new voice.
Dera and Ketta looked back to see Aresa come walking out of the darkness of the night like a phantom with her un identical twin sister Katsumi. Both were the rulers of Athena and it's moon Apollo, the only planet and moon that didn't have a monarchy in place, but a type of republic/democracy.
"A rule of leadership is to never loose faith in your own abilities." said Katsumi.
"And a second is to have faith in your friends." said Aresa.
"The road of a leader is the least pleasant, and hardest." said Katsumi, her green eyes reflecting the starlight above. "And in time of war it is even harder."
Dera smiled appreciatively and Ketta nodded.
"All leaders must make a choice in their life," she said carefully. "And in your case, the time is drawing closer."

In the morning Janus began to yell out in surprise. Violette opened her eyes and looked around and saw white stands running back forth all over the tent. Ancelin sat upright, and ended up tangled within the strands and began gave a small shout of exclamation.
Then Kameon sat upright, but said nothing as she encountered the sting, though she did look slightly startled. Dera opened the tent flap her covered her mouth to hide a smile. Behind her Ketta, Aresa, and Katsumi peered into the tent and chuckled.
"Who's idea was this?" fumed Violette.
Aresa began to laugh harder and disappeared from view and Katsumi rolled her eyes. Janus began to giggle and she crawled out of the tent, avoiding the string followed by Violette, Ancelin, and Kameon.
"Well?" asked Violette seeking an answer.
Ketta shook her head, "It wasn't Dera or myself. We were talking together all night."
Violette looked at Katsumi and she raised her hands in protest, "It wasn't me."
"That means..." started Janus and fell silent as Aresa appeared from the trees, looking too innocent. "No way.."
"Aresa-sama." said Katsumi in a disapproving voice.
Aresa looked at her sister in a cool manor, and raised a single eye brow. Violette smirked and Kameon and Ancelin exchanged a look.
"Aresa, did you do this to our tent?" asked Janus boldly.
"And if I did?" asked Aresa looking at Janus.
Janus took in a breath as Aresa stepped towards her. Dera and Ketta began to laugh and then Katsumi had an idea.
"My defense here on Athena reported to me this morning. There is no current activity going on in the Negaverse. There is some sort of holiday occurring that is supposed to last a number of weeks."
"The festival of the merger." said Violette informatively.
Katsumi nodded, not phased by Violette's knowledge.
"Therefore, I suggest we do some training." she said.
"What kind?" asked Dera, interested.
"Basically training. All but one of us go to places to hide in the area. Then a person must go and find them and battle with them individually."
Violette looked interested in the idea and Dera looked at the scouts.
"Sounds ok with me, any objections?" asked Dera.
None were voiced and she turned to Katsumi.
"It's unanimous."
Katsumi nodded, pleased and Aresa nodded.
"So who wants to go first?" Aresa asked, her eyes containing a glimmer of amusement.
Once again there was silence and Aresa rubbed her hands, "Good. That means I can choose."
Janus looked worried as Aresa gazed at her and smiled.
"I think we should let the youngest go first." she said slyly.
"No, I'll go." said Dera seeing Janus's pleading look.
Janus looked at Dera with gratitude and Aresa shrugged and headed off into the forest.
"Where is she going?" asked Ancelin.
"The game has started. Dera, wait ten minutes and then come after us." instructed Katsumi and ran off into the trees followed by Ketta, Janus, Violette, Kameon and Ancelin.

Dera, now Sailor Gallilean sloshed trough a swampy area. She'd beaten Nereid and Athena and Titan with little trouble, Solaris and Charon and Apollo with more, and only had to find Oberon.
"About time you showed up." said a cocky voice.
Oberon appeared in a tree above, leaning back her legs crossed with a smile on her face.
"You ready to fight?" asked Gallilean.
Oberon leapt down and landed gracefully, "Of course."
Gallilean raised her arms in defense as Oberon began to circle in the damp ground.
"I guess we'll see what kind of fighter and leader you are." said Oberon, her ice blue eyes looking at her in a challenging way. "Are you going to be strong or are you going to be a complete.."
Gallilean shot her foot forward and Oberon blocked it. She raised an eyebrow, impressed at the strength in the kick.
"Not bad." she said as she shot a fist out.
Gallilean blocked it with the palm of her hand, "Same to you."
The pace picked up as they traded of kicks and punches and added their comments to each other till they both moved away from each other.
"Io Cinder!" shouted Gallilean and waved her hand around her body. Dust and ash kicked up around her and began to cloud upwards gaining more.
"CONFUSION!" exclaimed Gallilean.
The cloud burst outwards hiding Gallilean from view and surrounding Oberon. She looked around in confusion her eyes trying to find Gallilean, but Gallilean came up from behind and put Oberon in a headlock. Oberon struggled, but Gallilean held firm.
"Do you give up?" asked Gallilean.
"No." growled Oberon, upset that Gallilean had snuck up on her.
Gallilean didn't move and Oberon continued to struggle in her grip till finally she sagged.
"You win." she said venomously.
Gallilean released her and Oberon began to stalked off towards the tents.
"What is with the attitude!" exclaimed Gallilean behind her. "You've been at my throat since we met!"
Oberon didn't answer and Gallilean's hands clenched into fists as she struggled to fight off a desire to pound into Oberon.
"You're lucky they need you. If you weren't a scout I'd...." started Oberon darkly.
Gallilean moved forward suddenly and spun Oberon around to face her, her brown eyes filled with silent fury.
" You've been against me from the start. We became allies and you're still against me! I'm the leader of the Guardian Scouts now and I demand that you start sulking about it like a child!"
Oberon's fist shot out, but Gallilean caught it and twisted Oberon's arm behind her back.
"Violette, I challenge you to a fight without our scout powers. If I win you'll submit to my leadership." she hissed.
Oberon's eyes narrowed as Gallilean shoved her away, "And if I win?"
"I'll let you lead." said Gallilean simply.
Oberon and Gallilean both returned to normal cloths at the same time in flashes of violet and red. Violette looked Dera over, noting that she was wearing some type of leather outfit worn by the soldiers of Callisto. Dera noted that Violette was in a gray jump suit similar to those worn by the Negaverse generals.
Dera let out a sudden cry and Violette started in surprise. Dera attacked, catching Violette off guard and they went sailing into some mud. Violette pushed Dera away with her natural strength and Dera landed a few feet away only to quickly get up and sling a handful of mud through the air.
Violette wiped the glob of mud off her forehead and stood to her feet with her own glob of mud.

"It's been too long." said Janus as she and Aresa made their way through the trees.
"If there is such as strain between them it definitely is." agreed Aresa and stopped Janus with a hand.
Janus stopped and looked at her questioningly and Aresa gave her a tight smile while holding a finger over her lips. Aresa was silent and soon heard what Janus already had.
'Laughter?' she wondered.
Aresa started walking quietly towards the sound with Janus trailing behind her as quiet as possible.
"Nice one!" exclaimed Dera's voice in laughter.
"Thank..." started Violette but was cut off.
"I'll get you for that Dera!" exclaimed Violette's voice filled with laughter instead of the anger she usually held.
"In your dreams V!"
It was quiet again and suddenly Dera began shrieking in laughter. Aresa and Janus found their way to some bushes and peered out. Janus clamped a hand over her mouth as a giggle tried to escape her. Aresa began to chuckle.
Two figures, bathed in mud were wrestling and laughing.
"We were wondering what had happened to you two." said Aresa standing up.
Violette and Dera jumped to their feet and looked at each other and at Aresa in embarrassment. Janus stood next, keeping her smile hidden under her hand.
"What were all of you spying?" asked Violette.
"No, just us." said Aresa. "The others sent us to find you two."
Dera leaned over and whispered something to Violette and Violette got a cattish grin on her face.
"Janus, pull back." whispered Aresa as a rush of realization came over her.
"Wh...?" started Janus but a ball of mud hit her in the chest cutting her off.
"Hey!" exclaimed Janus looking at the two older girls. "What.... EEP!"
Aresa yanked Janus off her feet and ran for cover as Violette and Dera began to sling balls of mud at them.
"This calls for strategy." said Aresa, grinning.
"You're nuts." said Titan.
Aresa chuckled, "Maybe I am."
Janus slowly smiled, "Alright. What's the plan?"

Later in the evening Ketta and Ancelin saw four dark figures coming towards the camp.
"Friend or foe?" called Ketta.
"Friends!" exclaimed Dera.
The four came into the light of the camp fire.
"You guys are covered in mud!" exclaimed Ancelin, abhorred.
Kameon came out of a tent and didn't blink at the sight.
"I trust you had fun." she said simply before heading off into the darkness.
Katsumi's soft laughter was heard and then she appeared from a tent with a very familiar girl.
"Hotaru!" exclaimed Janus running to her cousin.
Hotaru gasped in surprise as a mud-girl flung her arms about her.
"Janus, you're covered in mud." said Hotaru, mystified.
Janus laughed, "We were playing."
"In the mud?" asked Hotaru incredulously.
Janus giggled, "Come with me and I'll tell you what happened."
The older girls watched as Janus led her cousin off, talking rapidly about what had been going on that day. When she was out of sight Katsumi folded her arms and looked at Aresa.
"Alright Aresa, what were you guys up to?" she demanded of her muddy twin.

Katsumi, Aresa, Ketta, and Ancelin sat around the small fire, the others all gone to bed for the night.
"Athena and Apollo used to be a Monarchy." said Ketta. "Why was that changed?"
"You know of the history of our planet and moon, yes?" inquired Aresa gravely.
"Not really." said Ketta, shaking her head. "I don't think I know much about many of the planets. And what I do know is often recent news."
"Over forty years ago a monarch came into power that tried to break away from the Moon Kingdom's control. They blatantly rebelled and went against every moral law. Queen Serenity's mother, Queen Constance was ruler then, and she led an army and defeated the uprising. Then the last surviving member of the house of Apollo proposed that the planet be ruled by it's people. Constance approved and we've elected rulers since then." said Aresa.
"What happened to the descendents of the last surviving member of the house of Apollo?" asked Ancelin.
"No one really knows. Some say they Lord Shin took his wife, Lady Natsuti to a different system. Others sat that they went into hiding and had children." said Katsumi.
"What do you both think?" asked Ketta curious.
Aresa and Katsumi were silent for a moment.
"We like to thin they went away to live a peaceful life where they wouldn't have been bothered." said Katsumi. "They weren't well liked by both sides. One for being part of the family that was disloyal and the other for giving up."
"How did you two come to be rulers?" inquired Ancelin.
Aresa smirked, "How did you come to rule Nereid?"
Ancelin blushed slightly.
"In all seriousness. Age isn't what counts here, but maturity and wisdom." said Katsumi, casting a disapproving glance at her twin.
"I see." said Ancelin.
"So, what is your life like Ketta-san?" asked Katsumi. "You're the only one who claims a star as a home."
Ketta smiled, "My life is full of mysteries and my home is not so great as many think."
"I don't understand." said Ancelin, tilting her head slightly. "Are you speaking about your life in the Sailor Wars?"
Ketta smiled with a sad reminiscent smile and nodded, "I am."
Aresa sat forward slightly, "Please, what was it like?"
"Can you tell us about some of the things you saw?" asked Katsumi, anxiously.
Ketta shifted slightly, but nodded, "I will tell you some things. But there are things that I do not want to remember."

I had just turned thirteen and become the new Scout for the system...

"How old are you?" asked Ancelin suddenly.
Ketta grinned, "In Star-Years I am eighteen."
"In Solar Years?" inquired Katsumi, interested.
Ketta's eyes were bright, "In Solar Years I am an old maid of over fifty."
The three listeners's eyes widened.
"You're kidding!"
"Does that mean that Larana..." started Ancelin but was cut off by a chuckle and nod from Ketta.
"Yes, by one year."
"Amazing." said Aresa in awe. "So you.."
"You want me to continue?" asked Ketta, grinning playfully.
Aresa, Katsumi, and Ancelin each blushed slightly.

I was going about my duties when a dark force came into the Milky Way's boundaries. I instantly went to the defenses and found the entity called Chaos drawing energy from Illandria, the twelfth planet...

"There was a twelfth? I thought Xanthia was the last." said Ancelin in surprise.
"It is now, but there was an Illandria. It was a planet ruled by the night."
"I think I remember it being mentioned in a history book in the archives of the Lunar Palace." said Katsumi thoughtfully. "It said that Illandria was destroyed and when Solaris, Keep of the Milky Way went after the being responsible, Queen Constance constructed a gate in Xanthia's realm to protect her kingdom from further harm."
Ketta nodded and continued her tale.

Illandria was gone by the time I reached it. Chaos was sluggish, after devouring the planet, and it allowed me to drive him past the border of the Milky Way. I continued after it, the battle going on for weeks, while I waited for any help to arrive.
I was nearly spent when I sent out a finally call for help. Sailor Guiding Light appeared and saved me from death. Sailor Cosmos, Galaxia, Starfire, and Infinity appeared soon after.
We defeated Chaos, but Sailor Guiding Light was wounded badly and died. Disappearing in the light of the stars, but leaving us each with something special. A hope of a bright future.

"Did you have any more adventures?" asked Katsumi, when Ketta had grown silent.
"Many more. Chaos had died, but we still had to fish out it's followers." said Ketta and she stood. "I'm sorry, but I need to be alone for a bit."
The three watched as Ketta left into the darkness and then looked to one another.
"I'm going to bed now. Sleep well." said Ancelin as she stood.
"You too." said Katsumi.
Ancelin walked to her tent and left the twins in the firelight alone to brood over what they'd heard.

Solaris sighed as she used her Spit Fire to destroy a number of Negaverse Youma.
'We are being overwhelmed again' she thought as she fought. 'Why must we always fight. Why can't I ever find peace. First the Sailor Wars, and now this.'
"Being a Sailor Scout is a curse."
"We must live with it." said Athena who fought along side her.
Solaris blinked. She hadn't realized she'd spoken aloud.
"You've been through a lot." said Athena between a number of kicks and punches to some Youma. "But you must continue fighting as you always have. Never give up. Keep your hope alive!"
Solaris looked at Athena in starlement and Athena smiled faintly before fighting again.
"What is your dream Ketta?" asked Athena as she fought.
Solaris took out a Youma, "I dream of a time of peace, where I can once again bring light to my system. I dream of having a daughter of my own."
Athena smiled as Solaris attacked more stronger with each word, the hopes building her strength.
"And you Katsumi?" called Solaris.
"I dream of being married, of becoming the best singer in the system. I dream of bringing peace and love to the sad and lonely. I dream of the knowledge that I have yet to gain." called out Athena.
Solaris smiled, realizing what Athena had encouraged her in and fought with a passion she hadn't felt since her first run in with Chaos. She felt almost carefree. She looked to Athena who was preparing an attack.
"Athenian Confusion!" Athena whispered, placing her hands against her temples.
The Youma surrounding them began to glow and beads of sweat appeared on Athena's forehead as she concentrated. A moment later one of the Youma exploded, followed by two more, and finally three more. Athena blinked and stumbled back slightly.
"Athena watch out!" screamed Solaris seeing a Youma still up and raising a clawed hand at Athena's back.
Athena turned in time to have her front side slashed. She screamed in agony and fell to the ground.
"Solaris.." shouted Solaris, holding her hands before her in a firing position. "Flare," she continued warm energy gathering at her fingertips.
"Spitfire!" she concluded and fired a blast of sunfire at the Youma. It didn't have a chance as the flame went straight through the Youma and disintegrated it.
"Katsumi." murmured Solaris, moving to the lovely girl's side. "Don't die."
Athena detransformed into her dress she'd been wearing before the attack.
"Sorry, I don't think I can avoid it." she said with an apologetic smile. "You'll tell Aresa goodbye for me?"
"Don't talk like that. I'll get Hotaru and she can fix you up." said Solaris urgently.
Katsumi coughed up some blood and then smiled softly, "No... too late. Don't be bitter about my death. We'll meet again. Tell my sister, I know she can do it."
"Katsumi.." whispered Solaris."Your dreams..."
Katsumi didn't answer, her eyes vacant. Tears slowly fell from Solaris's eyes and she gently used her hand to close Katsumi's eyes.

"No!" exclaimed Apollo, stumbling.
Nereid caught her and helped steady the tall black haired girl with concern. Charon glanced at them, but continued to hold up the wall she'd created to keep them safe for the moment.
"What's wrong?" asked Nereid.
"My sister..." gasped Apollo, clutching her chest. "She's gone."

"Hah, you missed!" exclaimed Oberon.
Gallilean frowned, "One can't be perfect all the time."
She watched as Oberon used her teleport attack to make a number of Youma vanish.
"Where'd you send them?" she asked seeing Oberon finish.
Oberon smiled slyly, "Do you really want to know?"
Gallilean shook her head, "Nevermind."
There was a small explosion and both looked to the north.
"That's where Saturn and Titan are." said Gallilean.
Suddenly the largest of all explosions made so far went off.
"What was that!?" exclaimed Oberon.
"Lets go!" shouted Gallilean running for the place.
Oberon didn't argue, running after Gallilean.

"We need help!" exclaimed Saturn.
"I know, but no one's close enough." said Titan.
"Titan Dark Extermination!" shouted Titan a second later, and took out a Youma with an explosion.
"Silence Glaive Surprise!" shouted Saturn, taking another out.
The ought amidst the Youma taking hits, but dealing them back just as quickly. Saturn faired better then her cousin, using her glaive to cut the Youma down before they could actually get to her and harm her. Suddenly the Youma fell back and formed a tight line before them.
"So you are the scouts of death and life." said a cold voice.
"Who.." started Titan but faded off as Beryl herself appeared.
"Greetings Princess Hotaru and Lady Janus." she said with an evil smirk.
"What do you want?" demanded Saturn, raising her glaive before her.
"You." said Beryl simply. "With you I can destroy and rebuild earth."
"Forget it!" exclaimed Saturn.
"Yeah you witch!" shouted Titan. "TITAN DARK EXTERMINATION!"
Beryl shouted in slight pain and surprise as she was hit by the ball thrown by Titan. She glared at the two scouts and then looked to her Youma.
"I want them alive, but they can be damaged." she said in anger.
She vanished and Titan and Saturn attacked.

Apollo stood in the remains of the dozens of Youma, her eyes filled with tears. Charon and Nereid stood off in the shield created by Charon's staff.
"What happened?" shouted Gallilean appearing atop on of the gutted buildings.
Oberon appeared and both got their answer as Solaris appeared carrying Katsumi's limp body. Apollo ran to them and took Katsumi out of Solaris's arms.
"Why?" she whispered sinking to the ground, still cradling her beloved sister.
The four other scouts moved to Solaris and Apollo and Gallilean got to her knees beside Apollo.
"She was a great fighter." said Gallilean. "Make her proud by defeating the Negaverse."
Apollo looked at Gallilean, in a sad expression, "Katsumi was my anchor Dera. I don't think..."
"Aresa, she asked me to tell you something." said Solaris.
Apollo looked at Solaris, as if she was her life rope.
"She said to tell you she has faith in you." said Solaris.
There was silent and a final tear ran down Apollo's face, landing softly at the corner of Katsumi's eye and rolling down as if it had been Katsumi's own.
"Go fight. I'll join you soon." she said quietly.
The five scouts quickly left without saying a word.

"No!" exclaimed Titan as she saw Saturn flung into a wall.
She tried to run after her cousin but was cut off by Youma. Things were looking to familiar. Suddenly green light came under the wall of Youma and shot up, vaporizing them.
"Gallilean!" shouted Titan in surprise seeing the blue haired scout.
"No time! Get to Saturn and help her!" shouted Gallilean from where she stood on a roof.
Oberon, Charon, Nereid, and Solaris were there too, fighting dangerously.
"Hotaru, are you alright?" asked Titan coming up to the scout.
"Yes, although a little breathless." said Saturn, breathing heavily.
"Don't worry, the others are here to help us." said Titan
"We need to move away. I need to rest."
Saturn nodded and both scouts moved away from the battle.

"Where'd they go?" asked Solaris, her voice showing none of the strain she'd undergone that day.
Gallilean shook her head, "I don't know. They were together when we showed up."
The remains of the Youma lay strewn about in piles of dust, and only the five scouts remained standing. Suddenly Oberon gasped.
"What is it?" asked Charon turning to her.
"It's the vision.." said Oberon.
"What?!" exclaimed Nereid.
"No time. Solaris, get everyone out of here, I'll find Saturn and Titan." said Oberon and prepared to run when Gallilean stopped her.
"We're not leaving!"
"We have no choice." said Charon, surprising them. "Saturn will destroy this planet."
Oberon shoved Gallilean off her arm and began to run, but was cut off by Apollo who suddenly grabbed Oberon.
"She's going to destroy Athena and Apollo?!" she asked incredulously.
Oberon refused to look Apollo in the eye, "Yes."
"Show me." was all Apollo said and placed her hand over Oberon's forehead.
Oberon gasped lightly and images of the past flew through her mind as Apollo's mind entered hers. A moment later Apollo released Oberon who fell to the ground unconscious. Then she turned and ran.
"Violette!" gasped Gallilean running to Oberon's side and lifting her.
"Apollo knows what must happen now. For now, we must get to safety." said Charon approaching with Nereid and Solaris.
"No!" exclaimed Gallilean and Solaris.
"You don't understand." said Nereid. "We'll die if we remain."
"Only if we give up!" said Solaris. "We can't leave!"
Charon sighed and lifted her staff, "I have no choice."
Her staff flashed and she and the scouts vanished.

"There's nowhere you can hide." said a cracking voice.
Saturn and Titan looked back in surprise to see a green haired general and a number of Youma coming towards them.
"Run!" shouted Titan, grabbing Saturn's hand.
Saturn didn't have a chance to protest as she was yanked forward into a run with Titan. They ran quickly the small army following them, and throwing sharp objects after them. Suddenly both girls found themselves in an open area surrounded by Youma.
"Oh no." said Titan, with a groan.
"Oh yes." said a voice above.
The girls looked up to see Beryl sitting on a throne.
"You like this place? It was once the filed where the ex-rulers Aresa and Katsumi ruled from." asked Beryl with a wicked smile. "They were kind enough to give it to me."
Saturn and Titan pressed up against each other, back to back, as the Youma moved restlessly.
"This is my home Beryl, and you can't have it!" shouted an angry voice.
All eyes turned to the dark figure standing up on a column decorated with murals of past monarchies.
"You've disgraced my people and your own Beryl. You've disgraced everything you've touched. Sa-Ta-Ka-Ra!"
Suddenly the area trembled and came to life as vines shot from the ground and wrapped over everything but the two scouts at its center.
"Aresa!" shouted a voice in the distance.
"People of Athena-Apollo all them be reborn, in time's circle of life, *******!" continued Sailor Apollo, not seeing or hearing anything else.
"What did she say?" whispered Saturn.
Titan shrugged, "I didn't catch it."
Suddenly the sunlight grew brighter and blinding. Saturn and Titan shielded their eyes and then lowered their hands when the light died back down. Beryl screamed with rage suddenly and ripped free of the vines holding her.
She pointed a hand at Apollo and a shot of dark energy hurled at her.
"Mache-tache-rachna!" shouted Apollo, raising a hand.
The shot reached Apollo, and exploded in a cloud of darkness. It cleared, and Apollo was gone.
"No!" shouted Titan, in sorrow.
Saturn's eyes became hard and determined and she raised her glaive upright, holding it between her eyes.
"DEATH" she spoke determinedly her glaive beginning to glow with a purple energy. "REBORN"
Titan turned, her eyes filled with horror. It was the vision coming true right before them.
"Saturn, not now." murmured Titan.
The other didn't respond, but continued gathering energy. Beryl's eyes widened as she realized what was happening. Suddenly Apollo appeared and ran forward, catching Titan into her arms.
"No! screamed Titan reaching for the rapidly vanishing Sailor Saturn.
"Bles-Tock-Toah!" exclaimed Apollo and she and Titan teleported off.

The energy was gathered.
"REVOLUTION!" exclaimed Saturn.
Energy exploded from her glaive, spilling over the Youma and generals. Beryl vanished with a scream. A single tear slipped from Saturn's eye.
"Goodbye Janus.." she whispered before the planet exploded, and the moon with it.

The next day Aresa and Janus sat in one of meditative gardens of Mars, both silent. Aresa had very little memory of what she'd done. All she could really remember was that when she melded with Violette's mind, trying to discover how Saturn could destroy her planet, she'd taken Violette's consciousness from her and into herself for a brief time. Violette had then used her to go after the two girls and fight.
Janus was too depressed to really say anything. She knew what was going to happen, but she didn't like it. She wished there had been some other way.
"You want to talk about it?" asked Aresa suddenly. "I'm a good listener."
Janus looked up from the ground she'd been staring at and stared at Aresa a long time before nodding yes. Aresa waited patiently for Janus to begin, not pushing the girl.
"I guess it began when Hotaru and I went into the Garden in the palace to see the three scouts that had come..."
Aresa listed quietly as Janus told her everything that she'd seen since becoming a scout, from her simple actions, to her most intimate thoughts. Finally she began to cry as she came to the death of her cousin.
"It's not easy, I know." said Aresa hugging the young child close to her. "Burying a loved one never is."
"How do you handle it?" asked Janus tearfully.
"With hope. My sister wouldn't want me to give up. So no matter how much it hurts here," said Aresa, patting Janus were her heart was, "We must continue to fight. We have to think about all those other people who don't have a chance to fight back."
Janus nodded mutely, and continued to cling to Aresa.

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