“I think you’re useful,” the girl said quietly. Jedite stopped and turned around slowly.
“What did you say?”
“I’m sorry,” the girl said, “I should have warned you I had telepathy.”
“You have telepathy?” he asked curiously. “Do all the Scouts?”
“No, only I do. I have psychic abilities. I see visions and if I concentrate I can hear what people are thinking.” She chuckled quietly. “During the meeting, I read each one of you generals, but the Queen seemed to have some sort of ward. The most interesting was Nephrite. He’s uh, quite a character.”
“I’m surprised you caught on so quickly,” Jedite laughed. “Most don’t notice his arrogance for at least a couple weeks. We all laugh at him behind his back, he’s so oblivious!”
“It was hard to keep from laughing when he bowed,” Rei giggled. “What a idiot!” Jedite smiled. Maybe she wouldn’t be so bad to watch after all.
“Well Miss Rei, I have to tell you it feels pretty strange talking friendly to one of you Sailor Scouts.” The girl's face turned white at the mention of them.
“To tell you the truth, Jedite-san,” She looked into his dark eyes. “I can’t believe I’m here. I still haven’t adjusted. It all feels like a dream. I expect to wake up lying in bed, but I know that’s not going to happen. I just figure that you guys are much too powerful to fight or try to escape, so I have no choice but to cooperate, or wait for Sailor Moon and the others to find me. But that’s not going to happen, is it?”
“No, they will never find you.” He grinned. “You’re stuck with us. But don’t worry, I’ll never hide anything from you. The only person the Queen ever tells anything to is Kunzite. I’m the little lowly general, I never get to hear anything.” He smirked. “I guess that’s why I got stuck with baby-sitting duty.” Rei sniffed and crossed her arms.
“I don’t need a baby-sitter. I’m 14 years old and I can take care of myself.”
Jedite sighed. It was going to be a long night.
Why did this girl mean so much? The Queen seemed nearly obsessed with winning her soul to the Negaverse. Perhaps she was seeing things in her crystal ball again. But the Queen had been uneasy lately. Could she be afraid of this girl? That was hardly conceivable, but it was the only possible explanation for the Queen’s strange behavior. Her usual serenity had been shattered, and he could practically read her thoughts. And this absurd plan! Perhaps it would work, but…the risk!
Sweeping past Jedite’s chambers, he paused. Jedite had always been weak. Certainly, he was the fifth most powerful person in the Negaverse, but he was far below the rest of the generals. The only way he ever won a training match was if he used Illusions. He did not have much tangible strength, only his Illusions and his wits. He was quite intelligent, but he never applied himself. If the Queen’s plan failed…he would miss Jedite, indeed.
He had been here for 3 weeks now. The Negaverse had started on the Outer planets, breaking through the lines of the mystical Outer guardians with ease. Eventually they overtook Jupiter, capturing General Nephrite along with that planet. He had been visiting his sweetheart Lita, the princess of Jupiter, when the attack had come. Next they struck at Mars, taking Jedite, who had been courting Rei, the princess of Mars.
Skipping the powerful planet of Earth and the Moon that circled it, the Negaverse next struck Venus. A ray of hope had been born when the Negaverse was turned back at Venus, unable to defeat Kunzite, the most powerful General. He escaped, and managed to protect his love Minako, the princess of Venus. Mina and Kunzite escaped to the Moon, but the Negaverse was far from finished. Next it took planet Mercury, capturing himself and his love Ami. Ami…at least she was safe. Several days ago, Prince Darien had come with the army of Earth and had freed all the Sailor Soldiers, but Nephrite, Jedite, and himself were too well guarded to set free. The next day Kunzite arrived, half-alive and mumbling about the princess of Venus. He still had not awoken.
So here they were, alone and helpless in a dark jail cell, as the Negaverse destroyed their home planet Earth. He could only pray they could not defeat the Moon…surely Queen Serenity and the Imperium Silver Crystal could hold that witch Queen Beryl back! Shivering, he fell into a dreamless sleep…
“I’m telling you the truth, Darien! They attacked me!”
“Nicolas, there is no way my own Generals would have turned against us!”
“My Prince, there is always the chance that the Negaverse could have…altered…their state of mind.”
“Brainwashing, you mean?” Prince Darien sighed. “If that is true, we are in more trouble than you know. They are the best warriors in the galaxy, trained by my father himself! If they are against us…we cannot win this war.”
Sailor Venus searched the oncoming horde. This was the final battle, this would forever determine their fates. If only Kunzite were here, to give her strength, as he always did. All the Generals, mysteriously vanished. There were the rumors that they had joined the Negaverse, but of course that was impossible.
She straightened. With or without Kunzite, they were going to win this battle. It was her duty as the leader of the Inner Sailor Soldiers to defeat this scum, and protect Princess Serenity. She ran her mind though all her training. She knew all of her attacks and their uses by heart. And the leadership tricks that…Kunzite…had taught her. Never look like you are afraid, or everyone who looks to you will also be afraid. Be strong, good will always prevail over evil. She could almost hear his voice…
“Sailor Venus! Are you ready to die?” Kunzite’s cold voice floated to her from across the battlefield.
She gasped with horror. All the generals, staring at her from the head of the hordes of demons and yomas! It couldn’t be possible! Impulsive Lita ran to Nephrite, blindly refusing to believe the truth.
“Nephrite, Nephrite, at last you’ve come back!” She threw her arms around him eagerly.
Sailor Venus flinched and looked away as Nephrite hit Lita hard against her cheek. Lita’s eyes filled with tears, and then turned dark.
“Let’s get ‘em, guys!” Venus cried to the Scouts.
And so the armies of the Negaverse destroyed the Moon Kingdom.
“Cosmic Moon Power!” and Queen Serenity breathed her last, as the spirits of the Sailor Scouts went to planet Earth to continue the battle against the Negaverse…and their lovers, the Generals of Earth.
Rei awoke in a cold sweat as the vision completed. Was it possible? The Generals once fought for Prince Darien? And that means…Serena’s idiot friend Darien must be somehow connected to them. He couldn’t be a Sailor Scout of course, but maybe some sort of protector? And he and Serena would fall in love? Doubtful someone so cute would fall for a meatball head like Serena. And Serena, the Moon Princess they had looked so long for? Princess Serenity, the heir to the throne of the Moon Kingdom? No wonder the Moon had fallen to the Negaverse.
But more importantly, the Generals were once good. And if they were once good…they could be turned pure again. Silently, she made a promise to herself. No matter what I go though, no matter what happens, I will free the generals…and I will return to protect Serena…Princess Serenity. I promise.
