-Renee Markowicz
<flare@udel.edu>

Disclaimer: Hello again!  Whew!  This was one doozy of a part to write.
48 KB!  Do you believe it?  Anyway, the Sailor Scouts are not my
creations, nor are the Generals or Queens Serenity and Beryl.  Maggy and
Zafir _are_ my creations and anyone else that isn't from the TV
series/manga/etc. is too.  Please don't use my characters unless you ask
me and I say you can.  If you, for some reason, want to put my story up on
your page, feel free to do so - just let me know.  :)

I'm sorry that it took me so long to get this part out - finals have a way
of slowing everything down.  :)  I finally sat down and cranked this out -
so I'm sorry if the second half is a little rough.  I may not have access
to my e-mail over the summer, so I wanted to get this finished before
tomorrow - when I go home!!  Happy.  :) :D

Well, enough of my babbling.  You came here to read Part 2, not listen to
me talk.  :)  Don't forget to let me know what you think!  :)

Generals' Hour
Part 2 - Shattered
------------------

	While Maggy was busy tearing into Malachite, a grief-stricken 
Nephlyte was collapsed in his room in the palace.  A keen ear might have
picked out the sound of his weeping through the closed doors, but none
were available to do so.  He sat in a corner, with his head in one hand
and his knees drawn to his heaving chest.  In his other hand, he clutched
The Ring.  The only sound, other than his steady crying, was a low moan,
"Lita..."
	He started rocking slowly back and forth, as if subconsciously
trying to calm himself down.  It didn't work - there was a hole in his
mind where Lita's steady presence had once been.  It felt as if he could
almost touch her, if he drew deep enough into that hole.  He felt himself
sinking and abruptly pulled back.  She wasn't his to claim.  Not anymore.
With that thought, his sobbing resumed.

	Sailor Mars walked slowly down the corridor absorbed in her own
thoughts.  She had just met with Princess Serenity and the news was
disturbing.  *I can't believe that we're _actually_ going to go through
with this.*  The most disturbing thing of all was that she didn't know if
Serenity was right.  Usually, Mars followed her Princess without question
- after all, what does one little Sailor Scout know?  She shook her head.
*I wish I dared ask my Planet God.  Surely Mars would know if this were
really wrong.*  Yet, she knew she wouldn't ask.  She already knew what
Mars' answer would be and she dreaded hearing it put into words.  Her soul
told her to follow Serenity, no matter what her heart's opinion on the
matter was.
	She slowly became aware of a sound penetrating her tangled web of
thoughts.  She couldn't be certain, but it sounded like someone crying!
Worried, she followed the sound to its source.  Upon reaching it, she took
stock of where she was - *The Generals' wing.  How odd.*  She was even
more surprised when she realized that _this_ door belonged to General
Nephlyte.  She didn't want to intrude, but her empathic and mystical 
powers were screaming at her to do something.  She made up her mind.  *He
may turn out to be the enemy tomorrow, but right now, he's a soul in
anguish.  He needs my help.*  She opened the door...
	...and gasped in shock.  She couldn't help it.  The room was a
disaster area.  The furniture was overturned, everything that had been on
the furniture lay broken on the floor, the closet had been torn open, the
clothing thrown over everything...in short - it looked like a tornado had
hit.  Then she saw Nephlyte.  Her heart spasmed.  "Oh Great Mars, what
happened here?" she whispered.  Nephlyte didn't even look up.  
	Mars worked her way over to him, unconsciously shifting her
clothing as she approached.  It was not Sailor Mars or even Rei, that
knelt by Nephlyte's side, but a High Priestess in the robes of the High
Temple of Mars.  She placed a hand on Nephlyte's back and whispered his
name.  There was no response.  He was in shock.  Rei arranged herself more
comfortably on the floor and pulled him to her, slowly rocking him back
and forth while he wept.  His arms went around her as a drowning man would
grab onto a piece of driftwood in the ocean - clinging for dear life.  She
murmured quiet reassurances, while she frantically tried to figure out
what could have happened.
	When Nephlyte finally drifted off to sleep in her lap, she looked
down at his hand.  It had fallen open, dropping an emerald encased diamond
ring onto the lap of her robes.  She picked it up and examined it.  Having
spent some time on Earth, she recognized it immediately, *An engagement
ring.*  She glanced back at Nephlyte.  *Did Lita turn him down?  Is
_that_ what this is about?*  She touched her hand to Nephlyte's head and
sent forth a small probe.  She was quickly sucked into a whirling mass of
grief.  She fortified herself and aimed for the source.  After battling
for nearly an hour, she reached it and tapped into the memory.  The
sunrise, his proposal, her acceptance, Malachite's appearance, Jupiter
bolting, Serena,... Mars almost lost herself in the whirlwind again.  She
pulled out of his mind as quickly as she could.  She closed her eyes, *Oh
Serena, what have you done?  What made you think you had the right to try 
to break up a Lifebond?*  She had known the Princess was capable of this
in the abstract, but it was a different thing to actually see definitive
proof...
	She eased Nephlyte off of her lap and stood up.  She started
looking for somewhere to put him.  Except for the pile of broken glass and
tattered clothing, the bed was untouched.  She wiped all of that off and
changed the sheets, so he wouldn't get cut by the bits of glass.  She
picked him up, *Having a Scout's enhanced strength can be useful at
times...*, and lay him in bed.  She covered him with a heavy blanket and
sat next to him, waiting for him to wake up.

	Elsewhere in the palace, Malachite and a now recovered Jadeite,
headed for the Generals' Conference Room.  They had a lot to do to prepare
for the ceremony.  When they arrived, most of the Captains and their 
Lieutenants were already there.  Nephlyte was not.
	Jadeite was the one that said it, "Nephlyte isn't here."
	Malachite had a worried expression on his face as he answered, "I
know.  This must have hit him harder than I thought it would.  Maybe I
should have followed him this morning..."
	Jadeite shook his head, "Malachite, don't.  If you keep spending
so much time agonizing over might-have-beens, you'll tear _yourself_ 
apart, too.  I'm sure Nephlyte will pull together.  It's not as if we
can't handle tonight without him if he needs the time to recover.  Just
hand out assignments assuming that he won't be there.  That way, if he
isn't, we won't have to panic."
	Malachite looked skeptical at Jadeite's practical solution and
self-assured manner.  Suddenly something caught his eye - a General's
uniform.  He moved closer, expecting to see Nephlyte.  It wasn't him.
*What the...?*  Jadeite leaned close to him and said, "That's Zoisite.
She's the ever elusive fourth - uh, make that _third_ - General."  At
Malachite's questioning look he explained, "She got her commission before
I did."  Malachite said "Ah," and nodded.  "How come I've never seen her
before?"
	Jadeite looked shocked.  "You've never met her before?"
	"No."
	"Well, on second thought, I guess that makes sense.  She's almost
never here."
	"Where is she normally?"
	"In Healer Hall," at Malachite's wide-eyed expression he said,
"I'm doing this badly.  Let me explain.  Zoisite is a very strong natural
Healer.  You know how the Healers normally have Apprentices, Journeyman,
and Masters?" At Malachite's nod he continued, "Well, there _is_ a fourth
level of power - much stronger than the other three.  Zoisite's an
_Adept_."
	Malachite's jaw dropped, "I've heard of Healer-Adepts.  I didn't
think that there were any currently alive..." he shook his head in awe, "And 
she's a _General_, too?!?"
	Jadeite smiled, "Yup.  When all the problems started back home,
she applied to the Army and was accepted for officers training.  When she
got through, they made her a Lieutenant.  She had such a head for strategy
and tactics that she was promoted to Captain and given her own command
within two months.  Not long after, she progressed to General - I guess
the upper echelons decided that she was too much of an asset to risk on
the field every day."
	"I guess she's not much of a fighter - being a Healer and all."
	"Actually, that's not true.  Put a sword in her hands and she's a
hellcat.  Heck, even _without_ a sword in her hands she's deadly.  I know
_I_ wouldn't want to face her.  I don't know anyone that's ever beaten  
her in a fair combat.  She doesn't enjoy killing, but she must've 
recognized long ago that it was part of the job.  She wouldn't have
applied to the Army, otherwise."
	As their conversation was winding down, the rest of the Captains
and Lieutenants filed in.  Malachite called the meeting to order.  "All
right, ladies and gentlemen, we're gonna have a pretty rough night on our
hands.  I'm sure that you've all heard the rumors running through the 
rumor mill about the Princess," various heads bobbed, "Well, I hate to add
credibility to the gossip-mongers, but as far as the current intelligence  
goes, these rumors are true," everyone started mumbling to each other and
Malachite raised his voice to be heard over the din, "_But_, we don't know
_anything_ for certain.  All we do know is that Princess Serenity may try
something tonight.  The tamer reports say that all she wants is to start
her rule a little early.  The more extreme ones have her making an
alliance with Beryl to kill the Queen.  Then there's every variation in
between.  All I can say is _Keep Your Eyes Open_.  Don't let yourselves or
your troops get distracted.  We may need to break up the ceremony and get
the Queen out at a moment's notice.  Keep your communicators tuned to the
emergency frequency.  I'll be prowling around keeping an eye on everyone.
Just do your best.  The fate of the Moon Kingdom may well rest in our
hands tonight.  General Jadeite has your individual assignments.  May the
Gods of the Planets watch over you all and keep you safe.  Dismissed."
	The Captains went up to Jadeite to get their assignments and
Malachite sunk slowly down into a chair.  He heard a low, melodious voice
behind him, "So the rumors are true.  I hadn't thought that she'd have the
nerve."
	Malachite started, he hadn't heard anyone approach.  Sitting next
to him on the table was General Zoisite.  *Say something, damnit!*  "The
exaggerations of your stealth abilities seem to hold a grain of truth to
them."  She laughed, "Appearances can be deceiving.  It wasn't that hard
to slip over here - you were pretty out of it," she paused, "This must
have you pretty worried."  
	He shook his head, "You have _no_ idea.  It's as if the entire
universe has come crashing down around me.  I have no idea how to prepare
for this.  There is no precedent whatsoever.  This is the Moon Kingdom.
They've had total peace for so long, it's sickening."
	Zoisite laughed again.  *For a General, she laughs pretty
readily.*  He made a mental note to try to make her do it as often as
possible.  *Such a distinctive laugh, too.*  Out loud he said, "So how is
it that I've never met you before?  There are only four of us.  You'd
think I would've run into you at least once..." he trailed off as he saw
her shaking her head.  
	"Not necessarily," she said, "You and Nephlyte see each other
because you want to.  That's understandable, you're practically brothers.
Jadeite sees you both because he wants to.  He hangs on your every word,"
she smiled, "Now _me_, I'm never in the palace proper - much less the
Generals' wing of it.  Healer Hall is clear on the other side of the
palace grounds.  I spend practically all of my time there.  Come to think
of it - I usually sleep there, too.  It's more convenient."
	Malachite thought for a minute, "That makes some amount of
sense..."  Zoisite interrupted him, then blushed when she realized that
she had, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt you, but I noticed earlier
that Nephlyte isn't here.  I would have thought that he'd be here.  I'm
concerned - is he feeling OK?"
	Malachite didn't know what to tell this woman, who - even though
she was a General - was nearly a stranger.  He was saved from having to
answer by Jadeite's approach.  "Everyone has their assignments, sir.  We
should get to our posts and set up."  Malachite and Zoisite rose.
Malachite said, "General Zoisite, do you know your position?"  She nodded,
suddenly militaristic, "Yes, sir.  I'm posted at the foot of the dais,
near the Queen.  If you don't mind, I'll go take up my post, now."  She
spun on her heel and left the room.
	Malachite let out his breath.  Jadeite smiled at him, "See
something you like, sir?"
	He nodded.  Despite the light mood, Malachite couldn't stop his
mind from worrying about Nephlyte.  He looked out the window and saw the
sun starting to set.  *Duty calls.*  "We'd better go.  They'll probably
start soon."  They both left the room.

	Nephlyte slowly fought his way back to consciousness, while trying
to remember what had happened.  He thought he remembered seeing one of
Mars' priestesses, but he wasn't sure.  He came very abruptly awake when
he saw said priestess sitting on his floor, and recognized her as Sailor
Mars.  He looked around his room, *Gulp.  Did _I_ do all of this?  Oh man,
I hope not.*  Mars saw that he was awake and turned to face him.  He was
startled to see tear tracks running down her face.  *And she's still
crying,* he noted with wonder.
	She stood and approached his bed.  She sat down.  "I'm sorry I
intruded, but I felt..." she stopped, "I felt that you were in pain.  I
couldn't leave you like that..." she trailed off and lowered her eyes, as
if embarrassed to have witnessed his moment of weakness.  When he finally
spoke, his voice sounded hollow, even to him, "Thank you.  I didn't even
know you were there.  I just..."  He stopped talking, unsure of how much
he should say.  Mars whispered, "Does Lita know?  How much you love her?"
	"I don't know.  I thought she did, but now..." he looked over at
the ring on his night-table, "Now, I'm not so sure."  He looked up at Mars
and said, "Rei.  I don't mean to be rude, but I have to get dressed for
tonight, and clean up, and..."  She nodded, understanding, "I'll go.  I
have to get ready, too," she paused in the doorway and turned back as if
reluctant to leave him in such a state, "I hope you find peace, Nephlyte,
I really do."  She left.  Nephlyte shook his head, wondering why even his
soon-to-be-enemy found the need to pity him.  After a moment of quiet
contemplation, he left it alone and got on to a more pressing problem -
finding a uniform which was still presentable enough to wear to the
ceremony.

	Malachite was restless.  He had just made his first rounds.
Everything seemed in order in the Great Hall.  The Queen's Dais looked
secure.  The security appeared to be adequate.  *Seems, Looks, Appears -
nothing _is_!  This is ridiculous.  We have no way to prepare for an
attack from within - if Serena decides to do something, she won't even
have to _get_ to the dais, she'll already be up there!  The Scouts know
this palace far better than we do - they grew up in it, for crying out
loud!*  He silently fumed for a few more moments.  He decided to check the
more secure rooms in the palace, like the War Room and the Shield Room.
*I wish Nephlyte were here.  Then maybe I wouldn't feel so jumpy.*
	As he left the room, he heard the trumpets begin to play.  *Damn.*
He walked back in just long enough to catch Zoisite's eye.  She nodded,
understanding the unspoken order - she was in charge until Malachite
returned.  Malachite left.  After searching room after room and finding
nothing, Malachite began to doubt.  *What if I was wrong?  What if Serena
_isn't_ planning to betray the Queen?*  An inner prompting told him to go
back to the Shield Room _that instant_.  He bolted.  When he reached the
Shield Room, he finally found the sign of betrayal he'd been looking for.
He yelled, "Sailor Mercury, what are you doing?"  *Oh, brilliant.  Any
child could see what she's doing.  She's lowering the Shields!*  It was
too late to stop her.  She entered one last command and turned to face
him.  Her eyes were cold, "I'm sorry, General.  We never wanted it to go
this far."  He reached for the Shield controls, "Don't bother trying to
put them back up.  I've destroyed the pathways.  You'll have to rebuild
the whole system to get the Shield back up, now," with that last comment,
she dissipated her visor and ran.  Malachite was in such a state of shock
that he didn't even bother to follow.
	He shook himself.  *You knew this could happen!  Well, it did!
Now, snap out of it and _do_ something about it!* he berated himself.  He
pulled out his communicator and contacted the other Generals.  To his
surprise, all three of them answered his hail.  His voice was shaking,
"All right guys, this is it.  We were right.  Serena _is_ going to betray
the Queen.  I just saw Mercury drop the Palace Shields.  Zoisite, get the
Queen out of there.  Nephlyte and Jadeite, get the troops together.  We're
gonna have Beryl breathing down our necks any minute, now.  If you see any
of the Scouts, assume they're with the Princess and arrest them, if you
can.  The clock is ticking people, let's move."  He cut the transmission
and raced back to the Ball Room.  *I knew there was a reason I hated this
place,* he thought in disgust.

	While Malachite desperately tried to reach the Ball Room, Mercury
was engaged in a mad rush of her own, *I have to get to the Princess
before Malachite calls the Generals.  Damn!  Why'd he have to be lurking
around the Shield Room?  This could have been handled quietly, now there's
going to be a fight...Damn!*  In her haste to reach the Ball Room, Mercury
wasn't watching where she was going.  She slammed full force into Sailor
Venus, who was running the other way.
	"Damnit, Mercury!  Watch where you're going!" she yelled.
	Mercury cringed, it wouldn't do to upset the Princess' right-hand
Scout, "I'm sorry, Venus.  It won't happen again."
	"It better not!  Where were you going in such a hurry, anyway?"
	"General Malachite saw me in the Shield Room.  He knows what we're
up to!  I have to warn the Princess."
	Venus frowned, "She already knows.  I think she felt it when you
saw Malachite.  I was on my way to find you, just now," she hung her head,
"As if we didn't have enough problems.  Damn.  All right, go find Mars.
If you can find Jupiter, bring her, too.  I'll meet you back at the Ball
Room.  We'll make our move from there.  Hopefully, the Princess has a
back-up plan."
	The two Scouts stood up and went their separate ways - Mercury to
find Mars, and Venus to try to find Malachite before he got to the Ball
Room.

	He was too late.  Malachite stared at the wreckage that had once
been the Great Hall, and felt a tear slip down his cheek.  He slowly
picked his way to the dais.  It was as empty as the rest of the room.  He
heard a voice in the Ball Room.  "Damn!  I thought we told everyone to
evacuate!" he muttered.  He looked out the window and saw the signs of a
fight beginning.  It would be a nearly impossible one to win.  The
Princess was a formidable enemy.  Combined with the power of Queen Beryl
and the Negaverse, he didn't see how she could be stopped.  Malachite 
swore and headed into the Ball Room.  The sight that met his eyes was not
a pleasant one.
	Queen Serenity was sitting on the floor, clutching the Silver
Crystal and shaking her head.  General Zoisite was standing over her,
begging her to come to safety.  Malachite walked over, "What's going on 
here?"
	Zoisite sighed in relief, "I don't know, sir.  When we got your
message, the Princess went stiff - she knew, somehow.  She looked over at
Venus, nodded, and turned back to the crowd.  She cut her mother off when
she tried to say something.  She looked at me and smiled.  Sent shivers up
my spine."
	Malachite put an hand on her arm sympathetically.  He knew what it
was like to be the sole receiver of Princess Serenity's gaze.  He urged 
her to continue, "And...?"
	Zoisite cleared her throat, "She turned back to the people and
said, 'My people,' she laughed, 'Yes, I do mean _my_ people.  I can now
proudly inform you that you are the subjects of Queen Metallia.  I have
waited years for this moment,' she turned to the Queen, 'Don't look so
surprised Mother.  You should have seen this coming.  If none of you 
resist, I will see that you are not harmed.  I can't vouch for what will
happen if any of you _do_ resist, though.'  She suddenly looked out the
window and swore.  'It's not time, yet!  We're not secure, here!  What the
_hell_ does Beryl think she's doing?'  She yelled at Venus, 'Go find
Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter.  Obviously, Beryl feels its her right and 
privilege to muck up my plans.  I'll have to make sure she doesn't totally
ruin this.'  Venus left, and by then all the people had fled."
	"The Princess took one look at her mother and held up a dagger.
She yelled, 'Dark Moon Dagger Transform!'  The dagger elongated into a
sword and the Princess was enveloped in what appeared to be a black hole.
When I could look at her again, she was in all black.  It was plain black,
skin-tight body armor.  Her hair was swept back into a long braid held by
a black velvet band.  She looked straight at me and laughed, 'Like my new
toy, Zoie?  I thought you might appreciate it.  'Til later!'  She aimed
the sword at the window and the window shattered.  She ran out to the
fight."
	Malachite shook her, to stop the endless narrative.  That was
shock talking, he could see it in her eyes.  She stared at him, "We've
been friends since we were kids!  I heard the rumors, but in my heart, I
didn't believe them!  How could I have misjudged her so terribly?"
	Malachite was slow to respond, "I don't know.  I think we were all
a bit blind where the Princess was concerned.  None of us wanted to see 
what she really was," suddenly he remembered the Queen.  He knelt down 
next to her, "Your Majesty, I understand that you're in shock.  It's
understandable, but right now we have to leave.  It isn't safe here."  She
shook her head violently, her silver ponytails whipping about wildly.
	Malachite's communicator whistled.  He pulled it out.  It was
General Jadeite, "Jadeite, what's wrong?"  Jadeite answered in a rush,
"We're gonna lose this, sir!  We need you and Zoisite out here, _now_!  We
can't do this without you!"
	Malachite said, "Easy, Jadeite, easy.  We'll be out as soon as we
can."
	"That's not good enough!  We need you _now_!"
	Malachite looked at the Queen and said, quietly, "All right
Jadeite.  We're coming."
	Zoisite moved to protest and Malachite cut her off, "Not now.  We
have to win this first."  She nodded and they pulled their weapons, ready 
to do battle.  They left the Queen where she sat, murmuring to the
Crystal.
	When they got outside, Malachite sent Zoisite off to her troops
and he went to find Zafir - his head Captain.  He didn't get far.  Sailor
Venus intercepted him after three steps.  She grinned and said, "Leaving
so soon, General?"
	Malachite brandished his sword and said, "I don't have time for
this, Venus."
	Venus threw back her head and laughed, "You don't get it, do you?
You've already lost!  There's no way you can win this!  The Princess is
already on her way to get the Crystal.  You've lost, Malachite.  Accept
it," she moved a step closer to him, "You know, I've always respected you,
Malachite.  We're so alike, you and I.  If you come along quietly, I'll
see that you get a quick death.  Come now, isn't that a fair offer?"
	Malachite growled, "Hardly."
	Venus laughed again, "So talkative these days!  Well, have it your
way.  I've always wanted to test myself against you."  With that last
comment, she pulled a sword from her interdimensional pocket, "Always knew
this would come in handy someday!"
	Seconds later, their swords clashed.

	At one of the other exits to the Ball Room, Mercury and Mars were
slowly emerging onto the field of battle.  They stared at the carnage
around them, trying to find a rhyme or reason to it.  Finally they noticed
Serena's black clad figure approaching.  Serena stared at them, "It's
about freaking time!  Where's Jupiter?"
	Mercury and Mars cringed,  "We couldn't f-find her," Mercury
stuttered.  Serena rested her sword arm on her hip and said, "Oh, never
mind!  I've been looking for you all over!  I need your fog."
	Mercury gulped, "Uh.  Sure.  Okay."
	Serena looked at her a minute more, "Are you coming?"
	Mercury gulped again, "Uh-huh.  Okay."
	Serena exploded, "Then will you stop saying 'OK' and come with
me, already!!??"  Mercury opened her mouth and Serena put up her hand,
"And if you say 'OK' again, I'll blast you."
	Mercury only nodded, terrified.  Serena mumbled, "There's got to
be a better way of providing distractions than her fog - maybe I can
reproduce it," she glared at Mercury, "She's practically useless in a
fight.  If she didn't have those computer skills...  I should've offed her
years ago."  She grabbed Mercury's arm and said, "Let's go."
	Mars, suddenly alarmed, said, "What should _I_ do?"
	Serena turned back to her and shrugged, "Go fight something - just
stay out of my hair!"
	Mars jumped.  When Serena had finally left she turned back to the
fight.  *Fight something, she says.  Sheesh!  Fight what?*  She started to
walk onto the battlefield.  Every once in a while she would stop and throw
a 'Mars Fire Ignite' to part the crowd, all the while looking for someone
to fight - someone who would be worth killing.  She spotted General
Nephlyte.
	He was busy fighting off five of Beryl's youma, and to Mars'
surprise, he was winning.  She soon realized that she had the advantage of
surprise here.  Nephlyte had no idea that she was behind him - she could
get rid of him with one sword thrust.  He'd never even know who had killed
him.  She drew her sword.  Part of her, the part that had been so closely
tied to the God Mars, was screaming, *NO!  What are you doing?  You're a
Priestess!  You're an Empath!  By all that's Holy, you can't do this!
Rei, NO!!*  She dimly heard an echo of the words from the great God Mars
himself, but for once paid him no heed.  She had a job to do - and in the
name of the Moon Princess, she would do it.  She raised her sword.

	The foundations of the palace shook.  Lita, who had been moping in
her room, fell off the bed.  *What the hell are they doing out there?*
She picked herself up off the floor and looked out the window.  She
thought she saw Beryl's flagship just over the horizon.  *That's not
possible!  I'm imagining things.*  She felt a small, fuzzy thought begin
at the back of her mind and jumped.  The thought grew, and Lita recognized
it as the beginning of a contact with her God.  She opened herself to the
contact.
	~It's about time!~ was all He had to say.
	Lita cringed, "I'm sorry, Jupiter."
	~Sorry doesn't cut it!  Do you have any idea what's going on out
there?  I've been trying to contact you for nearly an hour!~ He growled.
	Lita stood up, "Well I'm _sorry_, mister high-and-mighty!  I just
had a really rough morning and I needed time to think!  I didn't need any
of your smart-ass comments!"
	Jupiter chuckled, ~So, that's what it was.  Well, now that you're
thinking again - go take another look outside.  There's a major battle
going on, and I think you'll want to take part in it.~
	Lita ran to the window.  What she saw this time took her breath
away.
	~See?  They need you out there.~
	"Oh no!  I have to get out there!  The Princess-"
	~Is the one responsible for this,~ Jupiter interrupted, quietly.
	Lita shook her head, "No!  That can't be!  That would mean-"
	~That Malachite was right, and you broke Nephlyte's heart for
nothing?~
	Jupiter had a way of cutting right to the heart of a matter that
was completely unnerving, "Yeah."
	~Well, now that you feel completely rotten and lower than the
lowest scum in the kingdom, are you ready to _do_ something about this?~
He paused, ~I assume that you're not going to join Princess Serenity?~  He
sounded unsure of himself.
	"Right," for a moment Lita entertained the thought, *She is my
Princess.  My duty to protect her...* she looked up in sudden realization,
"My duty to protect her _ended_ the moment she betrayed her kingdom.  My
duty is to the Moon Kingdom, now - not her," she tilted her head, "Right?"
	She felt Jupiter's approval shine on her, ~Yes, Little One,
exactly so.  I have a gift for you, if you would accept it?  I think you
need it, now.~
	Lita nodded and she felt Jupiter envelop her in his presence.  It
filled her and completed her - like when she was transforming.  She looked
down at herself and saw that it was no longer Princess Lita that stood
looking out the window, but Sailor Jupiter.  A greatly changed Sailor
Jupiter.  She no longer wore the leotard and mini-skirt ensemble that had
always made up her uniform.  Her white leotard had lost it's poofs at her
shoulders and now ended at her wrists in green sparkles.  The green skirt
had become a pair of green leggings and a green leotard that was layered
over the white.  It was belted at the waist by her sword belt, which now
had the symbol of Jupiter on the buckle.  Her gloves were gone, showing 
the green nail polish that now grace her nails.  The bows were gone, as
well.  They had been replaced by the sword belt and a necklace upon which
hung a star-shaped emerald - with the symbol of Jupiter shining within it.
Her tiara still graced her brow, yet her boots now extended to her knees
over the leggings.  Her sword felt heavier than usual.  And on top of it
all, the very core of her power felt different.  _She_ felt different.
	~You are, Little One.  You do not have an easy task before you -
one Scout against 6 Scouts and the Princess needs an extra edge.~
	"Six?  Don't you mean seven?"
	~No.  Sailor Pluto has decided to remain neutral in this fight.
Her responsibility is to protect Time and the Great Balance.  She will not
take sides unless it is absolutely necessary.  It is not her place to do
so.~
	"I see.  Now what were you saying about an 'extra edge'?"
	She felt his smile, ~You are no longer the Sailor Scout that you
were.  You are no longer an Inner Scout - You are an _Upper Scout_.  For
the longest time, there were two sets of Scouts - the Uppers and the
Youngers.  The Youngers consisted of the Inner and Outer Scouts that you
already know.  The Uppers consisted of their predecessors - their
mothers.~
	Sailor Jupiter was confused.  ~Yes, I know.  In your lifetime and
for many generations past, there have been no Upper Scouts.  They have
taken to retiring as soon as new Scouts are available - and as a result,
they never reach their full potential.  You are the first Upper Scout in
ten generations.~
	Sailor Jupiter still looked unsure, "So what's so different about
being an Upper Scout?  Other than the cool new uniform, that is?"  *Have
to admit - losing that mini-skirt was _definitely_ a step in the right
direction.*
	Jupiter chuckled at his Scout's train of thought, ~The levels of
power available to you are greatly increased.  The Younger Scouts rely on
their own personal power to create their attacks.  The attack phrases that
we provide gives them a way to focus their power and produce the desired
result.  _You_ no longer have to do that.  The power for your attacks
will come directly from me.  You can still use your own power, but now you
don't have to.  You are no longer confined to the attack phrases that I
think you can handle.  You can still use attack phrases if you want, but
as long as you have a mental picture of what you want to do with the
power, it'll work.  In other words, you won't need to waste time
and energy focusing your power into set patterns of _my_ choosing - you
can focus it into whatever shape you want, and you'll get the power in
greater quantities than you have until now.~
	*Long-winded speech,* Sailor Jupiter thought, "So what's with the
sword?"
	~Ah yes.  The Star Sword - your other legacy as an Upper Scout.
There is one for every Upper Scout - the sword will soul-bond to you, in a
less powerful manner than I have, though.  It will increase your power
even more - just think of it as the absolute, _perfect_ weapon.  That's
enough to know for now.  You can discover the rest of its secrets later -
you have to help your friends.~
	At her confused look, Jupiter added sadly, ~Not the Scouts - the 
Generals.~
	Sailor Jupiter nodded and ran out into the hallway.  When she saw 
the Great Clock, she was shocked to discover that that whole business
hadn't taken more than 3 minutes.  *That isn't important now.  I need to
get outside and find Nephlyte - and pray that he can forgive me.*  A small
thought forced its way into her brain, *And pray that he's still alive to
do so...*
	Jupiter ran down the halls at breakneck speed.  Nothing dared get
in her way.  She smashed through the outer palace door and sprinted onto
the field of battle.  She didn't slow her breakneck pace - her heart
wouldn't let her slow until she found Nephlyte.  She rounded a corner, and
the sight that met her eyes brought her up short.  She skidded to a stop,
trying to take it in - Malachite and Venus were engaged in such a
concentrated swordfight that she didn't think they saw her.  To her
dismay, she was wrong.  Malachite had seen a flash of green to his left
and made the mistake of looking - Venus yelled in triumph, and drove her
sword through his stomach, leaving him sprawled on the ground.  Jupiter
swore - somehow she knew that she didn't have time to stop and help.
	Her link to Nephlyte - which she now recognized for the Lifebond
it was - was screaming at her that Nephlyte needed her.  She sent up a
soft prayer and apology for Malachite and resumed her sprint.  That scene
had driven home the point that her God had been trying to make - Princess
Serenity was _Evil_, and had been all along.  A burning hatred and
determination filled her being.  *If anything has happened to Nephlyte,
I'll kill her.*
	For the second time, the sight of something ended her mad rush.
She gasped in horror - Sailor Mars stood over Nephlyte with her sword
raised.  Nephlyte, busy battling five youma, had no idea she was there.
Mars started to lower her sword, and Jupiter screamed, "NNOOOOOOO!!!"  She
held one hand in front of her, palm up, and stretched the other over her
head, "Jupiter Lightning Bolt Shock!"  The lightning zoomed for her top
hand and raced along her body to her other hand.  The lightning bolt flew
straight and true - knocking Mars a good 60 feet away from Nephlyte.  
	Jupiter didn't waste another moment - forgoing the attack phrase,
she shot 5 more lightning bolts at the youma and ran to Nephlyte.  She
grabbed him up in a back-breaking hug and started to cry.  Through her
sobs, she gasped, "Oh Nephlyte!  I'm so sorry!  I was wrong - I didn't
know!  Please forgive me!  Please!  I can't take this!  I love you!
Please!"  
	Nephlyte lowered his sword and wrapped his arms around his love, 
murmuring words of comfort, "I love you, too, Lita.  I'll never leave you.
Of course, I forgive you.  It's OK.  I'm here," tears started streaming
from his eyes - and for once, they were tears of joy.
	The sounds of battle melted away around them.  There was only
silence and a sense of peace.  The physical contact opened the dormant
Lifebond between the two and Nephlyte rejoiced when he, too, saw it for
what it was.  Their minds meshed, each soothing the hurts they had
unknowingly inflicted on the other.  After a moment, Jupiter pulled
back and kissed Nephlyte.  It lacked the desperate passion of their kiss
from that morning, but it filled them both with a sense of rightness that
couldn't be denied.  No matter what happened in the future, they knew that
they could depend on each other.
	When they finally pulled away from each other, Nephlyte gave her a
sheepish grin and held out The Ring, "Think you want this back, now?"
	She giggled and playfully slapped his arm.  She grabbed the ring
and put it back on her finger - where it belonged.  Reluctantly, they let
go of each other.  When Jupiter had stepped back enough, Nephlyte looked
her up and down and whistled, "What happened to you?  Nice uniform!"
	Jupiter sighed, "It's a long story - and it's gonna have to wait,"
she saw General Jadeite and grabbed his sleeve as he ran by, "Where are
you going, Jadeite?"
	Jadeite, who had fallen flat on his back when she grabbed him,
picked himself up and dusted himself off.  "The fighting's done on the
West side of the Palace.  I was on my way to find Malachite to see where
my troops are needed."
	Jupiter paled as memory hit her, "That's not such a great idea.
Me and Nephlyte will go find him - you go find the Queen.  I think she's
still in the Ball Room.  She needs to get to a safe place, say...Healer
Hall!  OK?  Can you do that?"
	Jadeite nodded, then smiled when he saw Jupiter and Nephlyte's
hands - which were still joined together.  Nephlyte nodded and Jadeite
gave a whoop of victory.  Then the significance hit him, "You're on _our_
side????"
	Jupiter smiled sadly, "Yeah.  Yeah, I am.  Go get Queen Serenity,
Jadeite - we'll take care of things out here."
	Jadeite laughed, "You got it, sirs!"  He ran off.
	Nephlyte hadn't missed her expression when Malachite's name came
up.  He grabbed her shoulders and spun her to face him, "What's wrong,
Jupiter?  What happened to Malachite?"
	She shook her head, "No time.  We may be too late as it is.  Come
on."  She grabbed Nephlyte's hand and they took off.

	Malachite blocked another swing by Venus, *Damn, she's good,* and
brought his sword around trying to throw her off balance.  If he could
bring his greater weight into play it might turn the tide.  As it was, he
was just barely holding his own against the Scout.  He thought he saw a
flash of green out of the corner of his eye.  That was when he made his
fatal mistake - he let himself get distracted by it.  That one second was
all it took.  He heard Venus' shout of victory and tried desperately to
rectify his error, but it was too late.  He felt Venus' sword go through
him in a state of shock.  It took a moment before he felt the pain.  When
he did, it was immense - he good barely get a breath around the cold steel
sitting in his abdomen.  Venus yanked her sword free and Malachite fell to
his knees.  *No.  Don't let it end like this!  Please!  Great Mother
Goddess, I need more time!*
	For once his prayers were answered - Venus decided to use her
powers to finish him off instead of her sword.  She raised her arm and
shouted, "Venus Crescent Beam!"  Malachite managed to gather his legs
beneath him.  She screamed, "Crash!"  But this time, _she_ miscalculated.
Malachite managed to jump out of the way.  The Beam that should have
pierced his heart, only grazed him from his left shoulder to his right
hip.  It hurt like hell, but it was only a superficial wound.  Malachite
grabbed his sword and scrambled to his feet, intent on finishing the
fight.  He never had the chance.  The very Heavens themselves seemed to
shake in anger and anguish.  Sailor Venus screamed and clutched her head.
Across the field, he heard five other, similar screams.  Venus collapsed,
unconscious.
	Malachite tried to take a step towards the rest of the fighting,
only to discover that his legs wouldn't hold him up.  He collapsed to the
ground.  The waves of agony that had held off until that point, caught up
with him.  He wrapped his hands around his stomach, knowing that he had to
try to stop the bleeding, and knowing that if help didn't arrive soon - it
would be too late.  Then he saw them.  Two figures - one in a General's
uniform, the other in a greatly altered Sailor uniform - running towards
him.  When he recognized them as Nephlyte and Lita, he smiled - and
silently thanked them for trying.  His eyes closed...

	Nephlyte spotted him first.  Malachite lay collapsed on the
ground, his arms wrapped around his stomach.  Nephlyte skidded to a stop
and dropped to his knees.  He gently raised his friend's body so his head
rested on Nephlyte's shoulder.  He took stock of Malachite's injuries as
Jupiter checked his pulse.  They looked at each other, worry on both their
faces.  The sword wound was the most serious - he had already lost a lot
of blood.  Jupiter rested a hand on Nephlyte's arm and said, "Stay here
with him.  If you think it's worth the risk, try to get him to Healer 
Hall.  I'm going to go out there and try to end this fight."
	Nephlyte shook his head, "It's too dangerous!  There are six other
Scouts out there!  How can you fight them all?"
	Jupiter smiled, "I won't have to.  That horrible scream we heard
before, remember?"  Nephlyte nodded, and she continued, "It was the Gods.
When they saw Venus throw her Crescent Beam at Malachite, it was kind of
the last straw.  They couldn't deal with what their Scouts were doing, so
they closed off the Soul-bonds that bound them to the Scouts.  Jupiter
shielded me, and Pluto shielded his Scout," Nephlyte looked confused.  She
paused and then said, "Oh!  Setsuna decided to stay neutral - she isn't
involved.  It's more important to her to Guard the Gate of Time.  Whatever
that means.  Anyway, I felt the other Scouts' agony - losing a bond like
that can be a serious shock to a person.  They won't lose the powers they
have - but from now on they can't get new ones, and they have to rely
solely on themselves for the energy now.  They're all out cold - I'll only
have the youma to deal with.  I'll have the Army's support - it's OK," she
kissed him quickly, "I'll be fine.  You take care of Malachite.  He needs
you more, now."  She left.
	Nephlyte looked back down at Malachite.  The man had been like a
brother to him.  It wasn't fair.  Just as things became all right with him
and Lita, he shouldn't have to lose his best friend.  He gently rocked
Malachite back and forth.  *This can't be happening.  Any minute now, he's
going to open his eyes, jump up, and yell 'April Fool!'.  Any minute now.*
It didn't happen.  Nephlyte heard two pairs of feet running towards him.
He looked up - Zafir and Serena.  Fortunately, it seemed to be Zafir
chasing Serena and not the other way 'round.  He yelled Zafir's name and
the Captain stopped.  Serena kept running - into the palace.
	Nephlyte's brain wouldn't process that information.  All he knew
was that Malachite was dying and he needed Zafir's help to get him to
safety.  Zafir ran over to him, a question burning in his eyes.  It died
on his lips.  "Great Mother Goddess..."  He sank to his knees by Nephlyte.
"Is he OK, sir?"
	Nephlyte shook his head, "He's alive, but he won't be for much
longer if we don't find a Healer," he looked up at the Captain, "I can't
carry him and keep the youma off our backs at the same time.  I need you
to watch my back so I can get him to Healer Hall.  Can you do that
Captain?"
	Zafir nodded, "You can count on me, sir."
	"Good.  If the Gods are on our side, we just may save him, yet.
Let's go."  Nephlyte lifted Malachite in his arms and nodded to Zafir to
get Malachite's sword.  His own sword was back in its sheath - it wouldn't
do him any good, right now.  He slowly picked his way through the battle,
praying all the way.

	Serena laughed as Captain Zafir stopped chasing her.  *Fools.
They think that one life is more important than stopping me?  What
idiots.*  As she reflected on the battle she was generally happy with how
it was going, even though it didn't seem like her troops were winning.
The Lunars were no match for the power of the Negaverse and the Seven
Shadows - as she had suspected.  Without the Scouts on their side, the
Generals and the Army were nothing.  She hadn't even seen her soon-to-be
fiancé on the field.  She spared a moment to wonder where Darien had
gotten to, but ignored it.  Her mind wandered to the other person who had
been conspicuously absent at the start of the fight.  Her soul burned in
anger, *How dare Jupiter defy me!  That little brat.  She'll pay for her
betrayal.  She'll pay dearly.*  It was no surprise that the God Jupiter
had taken this opportunity to grant Lita an Upper Scout's powers.  With
all of the other Scouts temporarily out of action from their soul
"burn-out", there was only one way that Serena could decisively pull a
victory out of this semi-disaster.  *I need the Imperium Silver Crystal.*
	That thought repeated itself over and over to the pounding of her
feet as she ran.  It drove her on when she wanted to stop and catch her
breath.  Finally, her goal was in sight - the Ball Room.  She slowed and
peaked in.  Good.  The Queen was still there and still in shock.  General
Jadeite was kneeling by her, pleading with her to come to safety, *She
won't listen to you, Jadeite.  Haha.  You all thought you had her figured
out - the brave 'Captain' determined to go down with her 'ship'.  Ha.
None of you can see that the real reason she stays here is that she's too
terrified to move!  Petty Queen Serenity.  Can't handle the unexpected. 
She was born a petty little princess and grew up into a petty little
queen.  Can't handle anything if it hasn't been fully explained to her
first.  Some ruler.  The Moon Kingdom needed a strong monarch in these
days of threat from the Negaverse.  Why didn't they believe me?  I didn't
want to hurt her - I just wanted her throne!  But no one listened to me!
No one saw the threat that was hanging on our doorsteps.  Fools.  They
should have listened.  Now it's too late.  Who wants to stay with the
losers?  No one could blame me for wanting to be on the winning side.
Fools.  Maybe next time a princess has an idea, they'll listen to it,* she
smiled a grim smile, *If there's still a kingdom left when I'm finished,
that is.*
	She shook herself out of her reverie and stood up straight and
proud.  She marched into the Ball Room, *Enter Serena, proud Warrior
Princess of the Negaverse, stage left.*  She chuckled.  Jadeite and the
Queen looked up to stare in her direction.  She moved a few steps nearer
and held up her hand, "Mother.  I'm sorry this had to happen, this way.  I
never wanted you to get hurt.  If you hand over the Crystal, quietly, I'll
see that no one harms you.  Isn't that what you want?  I'll keep you safe.
Just give me the Crystal."
	Jadeite put a hand on the Queen's shoulder as if to stay her
actions, but she paid him no heed.  For once in her life, Queen Serenity
found the strength to take a stand.  She stood and faced her daughter - or
what was left of her.  She said simply, "No."
	Serena frowned, "No?  Is that what you said, Mother?  No?"
	The Queen raised her head, "That is what I said.  No," her eyes
then went as cold as Serena's, "And you are no daughter of mine."
	Serena stared at her mother in shock.  *She's standing up for
something.  Of all the...!  Damnit!  Why'd you have to pick _now_ to show
a backbone?*
	It was then that the worst thing of all possible worst things
happened.  Beryl entered the Ball Room from the other door.  Queen
Serenity stared at her and backed up, into Jadeite's arms.  She made a
little mew of terror.  Beryl smiled - a snake's smile, "Give over the
Crystal, Serenity.  This isn't a suitable way for a Queen to act.  Just be
the obedient Queen that you are and hand it over."
	Queen Serenity stared at Beryl and at Serena who had walked over
to stand at Beryl's side.  Her eyes flicked rapidly back and forth from
one to the other.  In actuality, she couldn't handle the implications.
*My daughter...*
	Beryl frowned, "Well?"
	Queen Serenity lowered her eyes, and began a litany, "No..."
	"What?"
	"No...No...No...No..." the word, whispered at first, filled her
being until it was the only thing that she knew.  Her voice steadily grew
in volume as she presented these two with her defiance, "NO...NO...NO...
NO!...NO!...NOO!...NOOOO!...NOOOOOO!!!..." then she tilted her head back
and let loose one final scream, "NNOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!"
	The Palace foundations shook one more time, and the Crystal
shattered into microscopic pieces.  Queen Serenity's mind shattered with
it.  She crumbled to the floor as Beryl screamed in rage.  The Crystal,
with no one person left to soul-bond too, was frantic.  Each piece
scattered, trying to find it's whole and re-bond.  After several seconds
of frantic flurrying, each tiny piece of the Imperium Silver Crystal
lodged itself into the soul of one of the people around the Palace - good
and evil alike.  In an attempt to protect itself, the Crystal granted
immortality wherever it found lodging - someday, it would join together
again, but for now it would sleep.  The specks, settled in their new
homes, settled down to wait.
	Meanwhile, the force of the shattering of the Crystal had greater
repercussions on Beryl and Serena's forces.  It grabbed them up, shook
them like ragdolls, and threw them back to Beryl's stronghold.  The Lunars
looked up in disbelief.  The youma were gone.  No one really believed that
they had won, but they saw a tiny respite on the horizon.  Slowly, they
began to take stock of the damage, and desperately try to rebuild before
Princess Serenity came back.  And she would come back.  It was only a
matter of time.  They just hoped that they would be ready when she did.