This story takes place about three years before the Negaverse attacked.
(going by the US series)
"The War"
by:
Knightfall
In the time of alignment, great conflicts occur. This is one such
conflict.
The sun could be seen clearly from his room in the palace. Richard
had spent the last seven years of his life training to be king. His father
and mother were holding negotiations with the three outer planets.
"What are you thinking about?" He turned away from the window to
see his sister Rei standing there.
"Nothing really. Just admiring the view." He turned his gaze back to
the bright sphere. He began wondering if the people who live there would
join Queen Serenity's court. "Life would be easier with them in Serenity's
court." He said under his breath.
"What was that?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Talking to myself." He turned and walked up to
his sister. "Have you heard father and mother talking about anything strange?"
"No. Why?" Rei looked confused.
"It's probably nothing." He walked back to the window and watched the
last bit of sunlight go over the horizon.
"What business do you have here Amon?" The regal figure of King
Lothos sat upon an icy throne.
"I have come to tell you of a great threat to our being." The king
from Mars bowed apropiatly. Lothos stared at him for a few seconds.
"You may speak. But make it quick." He leaned back in his throne.
"Some of the inner planets have been visited by scouts. They have
killed many while escaping our guards. We think this is..."
"How does this concern me?" Lothos stood and took up his trident.
"Tell me what this has to do with me, then leave. I have no time to spend
listening to you."
Amon took a few steps back. His eyes narrowed to slits. "King
Lothos, do not threaten me. Although your home is larger, it does not have
the army mine has." The venom was very apparent in his voice. The king of
Neptune sat back down slowly, gripping his weapon. Amon took a breath and
started talking in the same tone he had earlier. "We think they are spying
on us to find out our weaknesses." He pulled some black garments from the bag
at his side and tossed them to the other king. "These are the clothing they
wear. Be careful." Amon turned and exited the great hall.
"That went better than expected." Amon looked up.
"I still think you should have talked to him. He's always been a
sucker for a pretty face." Amon's compliment made Kala blush.
"There are still three other royalties to visit. Let's go." Kala and
Amon walked out to the courtyard where they left their mounts. After helping
his wife onto her animal, Amon climbed onto his. The steeds spread their
wings and took off.
"Come now child, that blow couldn't have hurt you that much." Stragen
bent over the fallen youth, offering him a hand up.
"I don't need your help old man." Jeremy flinched as he stood up.
His teacher had hit his thigh with a striking blow.
"Very well. Defend yourself again." Stragen gripped the wooden staff
as he brought it around in many strikes. Jeremy, still in pain, tried
desperatly to defend.
"Stragen, don't push it." Jeremy steeled his eyes on him as his
mentor backed off a few feet. He held his hand to his leg, a green glow came
from the area. "Now let's try that again."
Stragen came at him again, holding the staff in an offensive position.
The Prince of Pluto dropped to the ground and rolled away from the first
strike. Before the older fighter could get reballanced, Jeremy's staff
knocked his steady leg out from under him. Stragen landed hard. "Come now
old man. That couldn't have hurt you that much." Jeremy mocked. He turned
and started walking away.
"Boy come back here!" Stragen said using the pole to help him up.
"Listen old man, I don't need a teacher. I can fight well on my own."
Jeremy said, turning back. "When I'm king, you'll no longer be needed."
"You'll never become king, brat. Not unless I give your mother my
approval first." The old man grinned. "Now get back here and practice."
Jeremy started walking back toward his teacher. Under his breath he
muttered, "I've had enough of you old man." He raised the weapon when he
reached his master.
Stragen didn't see that the weapon had changed slightly. A small
curving blade protruded from one end. "Go on defensive." Jeremy nodded, a
grim smile on his face.
Stragen approached with a stealthful walk. He raised his staff in a
normal overhead bash. He was unable to finish the motion. The blade had
entered his stomach, and with slight hand movment, twisted. Stragen uttered
one word, "Bastard."
"I'll become king. Without you here to advise my mother otherwise."
Jeremy pulled the blade out of Stragen's belly, with a few additions. "Now
to dispose of the body." He knelt down in front of the lifeless man, and
placed his hand on a clear spot. The body began to decompose rapidly.
"I didn't think Oberon and Ariel would offer their forces so quickly."
Amon said, noticing a small structure on the icy moon of Charon as they passed
it.
"That teaches you for thinking." Kala laughed.
"We have one of the three planets with us, and one undecided. Let's
hope that Laura will help us."
"The forces on pluto are some of the strongest in the Sol System, if
she's not going to join, we'll have some major problems."
"Agreed. I'll handle the queen, you head back and tell Serenity what
is happening. I'll be along shortly." Kala turned her beast around and
headed back to the Moon.
"What do we have here?" Amon looked down at two people fighting on
the planet's surface. "This could be entertaining." He stilled the creatures
flight and watched. He saw one walk away, then turn and come back. He could
not hear anything from this distance. Then he saw one strike the other down.
Then lean over the body.
"What the hell?" Amon watched as the loser started to disintegrate.
"This is no deul." He drew his sword and steered towards the young man on
the surface.
A lone figure stood near a grave, weeping. He turned his gaze to the
stars. "Vengance will be mine. This I swear!" He dropped a rose onto the
freshly turned soil, then walked away.
"C'mon Sage, let's go harass Lita." Lynn leaned back into his
favorite chair. The feline teacher jumped up next to him.
"Nah, she's not fun anymore. Besides, she left for the Moon a few
hours ago." Lynn looked at Sage strangly.
"What?" Lynn asked casually.
"She went to the moon. Princess Serena invited her, and the other
princesses to some kind of private party." The cat began to lick it's paws.
"Mabye we should tell some of the princes about this." Lynn laughed.
"No way. I know what your thinkmmmphhhmm." Lynn's hand clasped
around the cat's mouth as he picked him up.
"I think I will."
A darkly clad figure slowly looked over the outside wall of the Moon
Palace. It jumped over the wall with unbelievable grace, and landed without a
sound. It stalked over to some bushes, and crouched to get a better look of
the area.
"Interesting idea, mabye we can put it to use some time." Two guards
came out of a nearby building. "That's odd." One of them stopped and pointed
to the wall. They both walked up and looked at it. A scrap of black cloth.
They suddenly went pale. "Go warn Serenity." One ordered as he drew his
weapon. Without the order, the other guard ran towards the throne room.
"Not this time." The dark figure said, extending his hand. A nearly
invisible bolt struck the running guard, killing him.
"Gotcha!" The other guard saw this spectacle and rushed him. In the
same motion, this guard also died.
"I have a mission to complete, and no one's gonna stop me." Beneath
his face-guard, it smiled. Then ran towards the palace, leaping from level to
level unseen.
"So. The Moon Princess has invited all of our sisters to a party? I
say we crash." The Prince from Mercury said.
"Agreed, but how are we gonna get in?" Richard asked.
"Easy." Chris had an evil smile on his face.
"Okay Chris, what's your plan." The five Princes gathered, exchanged
idea's after Chris had finished.
"It's decided then." Slade said standing up.
"Aren't we gonna wait for Darien though?"
"You haven't heard, have you?" Richard said. Everyone looked at him
strangly. "Darien's sister was killed by one of those black clad people."
"What? How'd you find this out?" Jyek asked.
"I visited there a few days ago." Richard bowed his head and walked
out of the room. The others followed.
"What are you doing?" Jeremy turned in surprise at the voice. "I
said what are you doing?"
Jeremy looked at him for a few seconds. "Ah, King Amon." He said.
"What brings you here?" The prince bowed. The king recognized the youth.
"First off, you tell me what you were doing." The king landed and
dismounted.
"I caught a prisoner while he tried to escape. He tried to kill me,
but as you see." Jeremy nodded his head towards the pile of dust.
"I must speak with your mother." Amon said sheathing his sword.
"Follow me." Jeremy started trotting towards the palace, evil grin
not diminishing.
Another black figure appeared near King Uranus' bedchamber. It
walked slowly towards the room. He could hear the rythmic snoring coming
from within. Slowly he opened the door.
"Oberon or Ariel?" He whispered. He walked towards the sleeping
regents. About three feet from the bed when he pulled the knife. "Serenity
wants peace. We want war." He shoved the knife into the sleeping queen's
chest.
"Ice water, or eggs?" Chris said crouching behind the others.
"Both. I'm gonna love the expresion on their...What the hell is that?"
Everyone followed Lynn's finger to a shadow on a wall. "That doesn't look
like the normal fatigues for a Moon guard. Let's check it out." The five
all got up slowly and walked over to the source of the shadow.
"Isn't that..." Jyek didn't need to finish his question.
"You guys ready for a fight?" Chris asked.
"Been trainin' for years." Richard replied.
"Let's go." Slade ran out first. The others quickly followed. The
darkly garbed man didn't noticed them until one spoke.
"ICE SHRAPNEL!" He turned to see the five bearing down on him, and a
glowing blue ball heading for him.
"Looks like I'll have some fun after all." He jumped over the attack
and landed in front of the charging group.
The one in lead smiled and stopped, and motioned the others to stop.
"What?" The man pulled out a blade and looked from side to side.
Tink. He turned at the sound of the blue ball hitting the wall. Many
shards of ice were being propelled in his direction.
"Who goes next?" Slade said looking around.
"No need, here come the guards. Next time, don't yell Merc." They
looked back to the spy. The shards had hit him, and had froze him.
"What are you kids doing here?" A man dressed in white armor asked
approaching. He was followed by about a score more.
All five Princes just pointed to the frozen man.
"King Amon, I'm surprised to see you here." Pluto's queen said
walking towards him. "How have you been?"
"I am afraid I have been better." He looked at her sadly. "The inner
planets have been spied upon by some unknown enemy. They have killed many
when we try to capture them."
"Oh my. You came here to ask for help?"
"Yes, but that's not the worst of it." He looked to her for approval
to continue. "They have killed one of the Royal Children." Laura stared in
disbelief.
"Who?"
"Earth."
"BETRAYAL!" Oberon looked at the knife sticking out of his wife's
chest. "They ask for peace. Then they do something like this. They'll pay."
He ran out of the room. "Lasihn, call my generals and alert my armies. We
attack Mars."
Back in the bed chamber, Ariel lay there dead. A Martian dagger
protruding from her chest.
"Concentrate. This will be your last lesson." Helios stood next to
his student.
"I am. I can't see much though." Prince Destiny sat on a plush
pillow in the center of a large, golden chamber. "Wait. I do see something."
"What?" Helios asked kneeling.
"I...my..." Maury grimaced.
"What? What is it?"
"I see many deaths. And an entire planet destoryed." Maury opened
his eyes. "We must stop this."
"Stragen? Stragen?! Where is that old man? I'm sorry Amon, I don't
know where he is. Mabye you could ask Jeremy, he was training with him
earlier." Laura said looking around the emmense chamber they were in.
"Really?" Amon stroked his beard. "I'll do that." He got up and
wandered the halls, looking for Jeremy.
Maury walked into where his parents would have been, if they were still
alive. "Sun? Where are you?" He walked around the room looking for his
sister.
"What do you want, I'm busy." She stepped out from behind a statue.
"I don't think I'd call what you were doing more important than what's
going on." He said pointing to one of the guards gathering some clothes and
running off. "There's going to be war."
"I don't care, I hope Solaris is destroyed."
"Yes King Amon?" Jeremy bowed again.
"Who WAS that man you killed earlier?" He asked grabbing the hilt of
his sword.
"I said he was a prisoner that was escaping." Jeremy looked from side
to side.
"Really, then where's my friend Stragen?" He argued pulling the blade.
"Very smart. Though at the same time, very stupid." Jeremy kneeled
to the ground mumbling.
"As you wish." Amon stepped forward and raised his sword over his
head, aiming for Jeremy's neck.
"I thank you for stopping him, but why were you here?" Serenity sat
in her throne, surrounded by many guards.
"Uh, we came to crash your daughter's party." Venus said without
thinking. The other four groaned.
"Intriging. Well, shouldn't you be doing that now?" She said. The
five boys looked at each other, then to the Queen. She had a smile on her
face.
"Oh, thanks. Let's get out of here." All five literally ran out.
"You still got the eggs?" Venus asked.
"Yeah. Let's try and find where they are."
"I think I may know." Mercury turned and started heading to an area
they hadn't noticed before.
After running for a few minutes, they heard high pitched laughter.
Their sisters.
"Okay, ration out the ammo." Lynn walked over to the door and put his
ear against it.
"They're in there. On the count of three." Chris finished passing
the things out. "One. Two..."
"No royalty is here?" Maury asked as he walked into the throne room.
"We need to talk to them. Oh..." Maury held his head and started to teeter a
bit.
"What's wrong lord?" A servant of his asked.
"Amon's going to die." The servant looked at him strangly.
Amon began to lower his sword. A dark blade flew from a concealed
spot and hit him in the neck. Amon reached up and grasped it, dropping his
sword.
"Damn, I wanted him to continue. But this is nice." He picked up the
sword and plunged it through the King's gut.
Amon grabbed the blade and fell to the ground, dead. "I wonder who
threw that." He said aloud looking to the shadows.
"Greetings." A dark figure stepped out. "I have been watching you.
You will come with me now." It grabbed the prince by the arm and disapeared.
A Plutonian guard came around the corner a few seconds later. He
found Amon dead. The black dagger of Queen Laura in his neck.
"Queen Serenity." Kala curtsied. "I come to tell you of our mission,
King Lothos has not given his support. Oberon and Ariel have given their's
though."
"And what of Laura?" The Queen asked.
"Amon went to talk to her. He's also going back to speak with
Lothos again."
"Then he'll be back in a few days?"
"Yes your majesty."
"Thank you Kala." The Queen nodded, letting Kala know she could leave.
"Oh and Kala," The Queen of Mars turned. "Your children are here in my
palace. Just so you don't worry."
Kala mounted her steed when she saw a green bolt shoot from the sky and
land near the gate. She shrugged as she flew into space.
"THREE!" The five boys burst into the room with eggs and water in
hand. All the girls screamed as their conversation was interupted.
"What are you guys doing here?" Serena asked.
"This." Slade threw his bucket of water at the group. Splash!
"That's it brother." Ami stood up, completly drenched. "You're gonna
get it." She ran after him as he left the scene.
"Were here to do the same. Eggs first guys." Lynn said throwing the
small white object towards his sister. The other's followed.
"Now the water." Chris said. The four remaining sent a wave at the
group. SPLOOSH! The five girls tried to dodge, but were unluckily to late.
"I think now would be the perfect time to egress." Richard said.
"What?"
"Run."
"Oh." The four Princes took off out the door, and crashed into a
herald.
"The Queen wishes a council with the children of Mars." He said
getting up.
"Wha..." Richard started, but was cut off when the man turned his back
to him and left.
"What's this?" Kala looked down at the courtyard of her palace. A
golden chariot sat there. "What could they want?"
She landed, some servants came and took the reins of her steed. She
walked into the castle and looked around in each hallway.
"They're in the throne room m'lady." One soldier said bowing.
"Thank you." She walked quickly towards the chamber. She entered the
room and saw about fifteen people sitting around in it. One stood up and walked
towards her.
"Queen Kala. I have some news that I don't think you wish to hear."
She looked at him for a moment, then nodded. "Ariel has been murdered. A
royal dagger from your armory was the weapon."
Kala looked shocked. She walked over to her throne and sat. "Is this
all the news?"
"No, Oberon has declared war." Maury turned his back towards her.
"And Amon is dead."
Kala jumped out of her seat and grabbed Maury. "What?" She whisperd.
"Your husband is dead." Kala fell to the floor crying.
"Kala, I have come here to offer the services of part of my army to aid
you in the upcoming conflict."
"I know of your abilities Prince of the Sun. Can you tell me who
killed him?"
"I do not know who, but I saw the weapon." He closed his eyes. "A
black knife." He paused for a moment. "And his own sword."
Kala continued to cry on the floor.
Richard was comforting Rei. Serenity had finished explain what had
happened, Laura was beside her.
"Who?" Richard said.
Laura stepped forward to answer. "We do not know. My..." She paused
a moment. "My dagger was found in his throte."
Richard's eyes narrowed. "And how did it get there?" He asked through
clenched teeth.
"I know not. But I know it wasn't me."
"Rei, it's time for us to depart." Richard looked back as he walked
out. He mouthed, "this is not over."
People on Jupiter looked up. They saw a blue wave roll across the sky.
Emperor Keldor walked outside his palace. He admired the green sky of
his home. He normally spent hours outside when the weather was good, which
wasn't that often on Venus. Normally this time of year, it was raining 9/10
of the day. He walked around, enjoying the sun on him.
"Dad?" He heard.
"Yes my dear?" He turned and grabbed his daughter as she ran up.
He spun her around a few times, then put her down. "I just came back
from the Moon. Jyek and some of his friends crashed Princess Serena's party."
The kindly emperor looked at his daughter. "What did they do?" He
asked in his normal, soothing, voice.
"They threw water and eggs at us." She said.
"Is that the reason you came home?" He asked.
"No, some really terrible things have been happeneing around there and
on the Outer planets." She walked over to a pool and stepped in.
Folloing his daughter, he countinued asking her questions. "Do you
know what any of these things are?"
"The only thing I know, someone has died."
Keldor waded over to his daughter and hugged her. "Don't let this
bother you my dear. I'll talk with Serenity and find out what going on." He
kissed his daughter on the forehead and walked to shore.
"Who has died?" He asked himself, preparing to leave.
On her return trip, Laura slowed her steed to a slower pace.
"I will try to find the killer. No matter what." She spoke these
words with regret. She flew along for many hours, not wanting to go home.
RUMBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She looked up at the noise. What she saw terrified her. The entire
army from Uranus was charging towards an unknown position.
Laura turned the stigin toward the army, and flew as fast as it could.
"Prepare the defenses." Kala said depressed. Prince Destiny had not
left yet. He stood on one side of the chamber, focusing. Helios helped the
queen with strategy, his strong point.
"How shall we deploy them?" A guard asked.
Kala turned towards Helios. He nodded. "Set them up like this." He
held out his hand, and a map made of light appeared above it. Helios then
pointed out a few strategical positions. "These will be the best place for
those defenses." He looked around the room.
"Helios! I've gotten the troops that you wanted." Tereti ran into the
room. "These are the highest trained fighter we have." Ten people walked in
behind him.
"Very good. Thank you my feline friend." He walked over to the
troops. "Ten. You are the best?" He asked one.
"The best in the system." He replied.
Helios walked away a bit. "Any specialties?" He turned and asked.
The line of troops started talking, one after the other.
"Kestor. No special training."
"Talis. Expert with weapons."
"Ireow. Fighting with Ice."
Helios cut in. "Ice? Your not from Mars I take it."
"No, I came from Mercury. I was a member of the royal guard."
Helios nodded for the rest to continue. "Maddus. Fighting with Fire."
"Hasikad. I can stand against a legion of fighters."
"Wil. I have mastered all hand-held weapons."
"Jiskor. Fire."
"Keb. Fire."
"Ranoma. Weapons specialist."
"Best for last eh, Palan. Attacking from distance with no weapon."
Helios stood facing away from the ten people gathered here. He was
thinking how they could help in the fight.
"My prince. Please come here." Helios called to Maury.
Maury opened his eyes. He walked over to his trainer. "Yes Helios."
"Lend me your assistance. Scan the futures of these ten, if they
fight."
Maury did as he was asked, and scanned each one. After finishing with
one, he told Helios what he had found. After the last one was finished, Maury
went over to the wall where he previosly stood, a little disturbed.
Helios faced the ten troops again, and made the light map appear again.
"Keb and Talis will take control of this section." He pointed to a small group
of the Rock Spires.
"If I might interject." Hasikad spoke up. "What is this for? I was
not told."
Helios could tell that the rest of the group was wondering the same
thing. "Uranus is attacking soon. We need generals."
The small band started talking amongst themselves. "Continue." One
said.
Helios nodded, then continued to talk. "Keb and Talis will take this
section." He pointed again. "You will control the main defenses."
"Why is someone from the Sun making our battle plan?" Kestor asked.
"My liege has choosed to side with Mars in this conflict. It is my
place to follow his orders. Now Palan, Kestor, and Ranoma. You will take the
high planes to the east of the castle." He indicated a flat area in the
mountains east of the palace. "Wil, Hasikad and Maddus will take position
behind the castle. As a small diversionary force." Helios closed his hand,
and the map disappeared.
"What of us?" Ireow asked, motioning towards Jiskor.
"You two will have an important part, I will brief you two in private."
Andrea wandered from room to room in the small palace on Pluto. She
entered her sister's room on accident. "Setsuna, do you know where mom is?"
Her sister looked up. "She left a few hours ago, to talk with Serenity.
She should be back soon."
Andrea crossed over to her sister's bed and jumped up on it. "Where's
Jeremy?" She asked, while playing with Demeter.
Setsuna narrowed her eyes. And spoke through clenched teeth. "I know
not where he is, and do not care." She turned towards her sister. "Why do
you ask?"
"I haven't seen him in a while. I've been spending most of my time on
Charon, but you already know that. I just wanted to say 'hi' to him."
"If I know our bother. Er, brother, he's down at the prison killing
convicts." Setsuna thought about the way he killed, and shuddered.
"If you see him, let him know I'm looking for him." Andrea got up and
left the room.
"Sorry sister, I will not say a word to him." Setsuna walked over and
layed down on her bed.
Andrea continued to walk around the palace. She went to her favorite
areas and played a bit.
Then from the shadows. "Andrea." The voice was deep and masculin.
She looked up. "Who's there?"
"It's just me Andrea." Jeremy stepped out of the shadows. "I heard
what you said to Setsuna, and I came to ask you a question."
Andrea approached her brother. "What? Go ahead and ask me."
Jeremy shrugged. "You want power? Stronger than that of even mother."
"How could..." Andrea started.
"Do you want the power?" He asked a little more demanding.
Andrea took a few steps back. "Jeremy, your starting to scare me."
"If you come with me sister, you'll never be scared again." He held
out his hand.
Andrea started to reach for it, tenitavly. Then she saw something
more in the shadows. The dark garments were all she needed to see. "No."
Her face weld colder than the reaches of space.
Jeremy lowered his head. "Very well. You have made your choice." He
motioned at the figure. It emerged from it's hiding spot.
"She is no longer under your protection?" It asked.
"No, not any longer." Jeremy turned and disappeared into the shadows.
The creature advanced on the young princess. "It's been a while since
my last kill, this should be fun."
The blue/green fatigues of the soldiers made it hard to find anyone in
command. Finally Laura made it to the general of this branch.
Trying to keep pace with the giant steed, she started speaking.
"General, what is this force for?"
Not turning the generel responded. "Leave us to our work. You cannot
understand what is happening."
Insulted at that she raced in front of his large mount. "I take it
you've never seen Plutonian Royalty. Never speak to anyone, peasant or other-
wise like that."
The general stopped. "Many appologies your highness. But I cannot
tell you of my mission, I have sworn my life, and the life of my family to
secrecy. I hope you understand."
Laura moved from his path. "I understand. Who sent this attack
though, Oberon or Ariel?"
The soldier was shocked at the question, then realized that the news
of Ariel's passing had not left the planet. "Oberon, he will be leaving
Uranus soon. If you wish to speak to him, I suggest you hurry."
The queen nodded her thanks. And she realized that he had taken a
big risk in telling her that. As she flew off towards the large planet she
asked herself, "Why did he give me that knowledge?" She continued to ponder
this the rest of her journey.
The guard escorted Keldor to Queen Serenity's chamber. Keldor had
only been to the Moon a few times in his 56 years. He admired the
surroundings, remarking out loud. The guard took little notice of this, and
turned a corner. Keldor followed a few seconds later, and was shocked to see
the guard lying on the floor bleeding to death.
Keldor looked around. "Show yourself coward." His voice was not as
peaceful as it normally was. No sound could be heard, except for the
trickling of a fountain nearby. Keldor bent over the guard, ready for a fight
in an instant, and tried to help him.
"Call...for...rein...force...ments." He uttered, straining to speak.
Keldor stood. He extended his arm, a jewel encrusted staff appeared
in his hand. "I will get the guards my friend." He held the staff over the
injured man. "But first, you need to be helped." Keldor started chanting.
A light orange light filled the hallway, and the guard breathed easier.
"Thank you." The guard responded.
"Go get the reinforcements you spoke of earlier. I can hold my own."
Keldor watched as the young guard ran off shouting.
"Now, show yourself." He held the staff in both hands.
A riddiculing clapping came from behind him. Keldor turned. "It can't
be!"
"Do you understand?" Helios sat at a small table, Ireow and Jiskor
sat on the other side.
"Yes, I will not fail you." Jiskor, a veteran of war, replied.
"I understand. When shall we depart?" Ireow asked.
"Your army awaits you in the valley." Helios stood. "Hurry, you will
get a message soon, be ready to attack."
The two men exited the room. "I hope you can pull this off."
Serenity had done something she never liked doing. She walked from
the only room in her palace where blood was not cleaned up: The torture room.
She walked slowly away from the horrible room. "I hate having to do that."
She shook uncontrolably. Turning a corner, she heard footsteps coming, at a
rapid pace.
From the castle, it looked like three small ants crawling up their
hill. The three small dots were the three generals sent to take control of
the High Plains. Ranoma made it to the top first.
Something grabbed her arm. "Let me help you." She was startled.
Upon looking up, she saw the familiar shine of the Solar armor.
"Thank you. Help them up too." She made it over the top, the other
two came up a few minutes later.
"Where'r the troops?" Kestor asked.
The small band sent to retrieve the generals motioned them to follow.
"It's not far from here, we've camoflauged it from above."
They walked for a while around a small peak. As they cleared the rock
obstruction, they were struck with awe.
Never had any of the three seen the beauty of the army. The shining
armor was something to behold, but when an entire army wore it.
"It's breathtaking." Kestor comented.
"You'll get used to it, your tent's over there." The troop pointed to
a makeshift cabin.
"Thank you. Where are your captians?" Palan asked.
"They await you. When the signal comes, we'll alert you." The troop
ran off to join his fellows.
Ranoma walked toward the cabin, looking around. The soldiers were
practicing. She saw one send a small beam at a rock. It melted, eventually.
She approached him. "Rank?"
The small group of troops straitened up. "Squire." The young man
responded.
"Let me show you a better way." Ranoma turned toward a larger rock.
Extending her hand, she closed her eyes. The rock began to glow, then
shattered. "Don't focus the light into a beam, focus it in the object. Much
stronger. You could even be promoted." She kicked a peice of the rock out
of her way, and continued to the cabin.
The scream echoed through the halls. Setsuna sat up, nearly falling
off her bed. "Andrea..." She grabbed her keystaff and ran out of her room.
"Back off!" Andrea jumped to avoid a swipe. She stood in a small
alcove cornered by the fighter.
"Stupidity. A common trait in Solaris." Standing nearly 4 feet over
the princess, it swung it's weapons down.
CLANG!!!!!!!!!!
"You heard her. BACK OFF!" The blade that blocked the weapons, shot
forward and into the creatures stomach.
The creature slowly slumped to the floor, gurgling something.
Andrea had fallen over, trying to avoid the blow. "Need some help?"
A metal hand offered itself.
She grabbed it, and he pulled her up. "Thank you."
"Andrea!" Setsuna ran down the corridor. She came to a stop in front
of the sizzling, and decomposing body. "What happened?"
Stepping towards Setsuna, Richard explained. "I came here to find out
what happened to my father. I heard a cry and came to this young lady's aid."
He retrieved his weapon from the corpse and cleaned it.
Setsuna looked to him. "I thank you." She nodded. "If I can help in
any way..."
"Time." He cut her off.
Setsuna understood. She escorted him to her chamber. Andrea stood
there looking at the body.
The turrets of the palace called sounds of warning. Oberon walked into
his courtyard, dressed for battle. Looking into the sky, he saw the figure
coming.
"Let her pass." He called out. "We cannot bear having a war with Pluto
as well at this time." He said under his breath.
Laura brought her stigin in for a soft landing. A servant ran to help
her dismount. "Where's Oberon?"
The servant didn't speak, just walked back into the palace. Laura
followed. Knowing about the punishment on this planet, she felt sorry for the
servant.
"Queen Laura. What brings you to my palace?" Oberon sat on his throne,
no sign that he would be leaving anytime soon.
"What are the armies for?" She bluntly asked.
"The news has not left my planet, for I forbid it. Ariel...dead." He
had a hard time keeping his demenor.
"Who?" She asked softly.
"This dagger was found in her back." He pulled the dagger from a
sheath, and tossed it to her.
Laura inspected the blade. "This can't be. This is Amon's dagger."
"I plan to kill him with it." Oberon said icily.
"You can't kill him, he was murdered." Laura tossed the weapon back.
Standing in rage, he walked towards her and gripped her by her
shoulders. "What?!"
"He was murdered over 20 hours ago, on Pluto." She forced him to
release her.
"She died before that." He spat back. "Leave my palace. If not him,
then Kala." He uttered something under his breath, and he was ready to fight
once more.
"Long time no see." The steely eyes of his opponent were all Keldor
needed to verify his suspicion.
"Kunzite. Why am I not surprised." Keldor held his staff in a
defensive position.
"Been a long time. But I've found a new master now." Kunzite revealed
a stained blade. "And it was no use healing that guard. He'll die sooner or
later." He laughed.
"You're in league with the Negaverse." Keldor realized. "You must be
stopped." Keldor spun his staff with incredible skill.
Reacting almost instantly, Kunzite leaped, and kicked Keldor in the
chest. "You forget that you trained me. And I've trained harder with a
different teacher." Kunzite reached behind him, forming an energy blade.
"Skill is one thing." Keldor said, standing up. "But power is the
other. HAAAAAA!" Keldor dropped to one knee. From the crystal positioned
at the end of the staff, an orange pulse shot out.
Kunzite easily dodged the attack. "True. Power is the other thing,
and I see you still think you have it." He brought his arm out from behind
his back, and sent the blade at the weakened emperor.
Striking a vital area, Keldor fell. As his last breaths were being
taken, Kunzite stood over him. "Now that I've exacted my revenge, time to put
part six into motion."
Bending over the emperor, Kunzite pulled a small scrap of cloth from a
pouch. Placing it in the hand of the emperor, he drew a tri-pronged knife.
After adding a few cuts to the already dead body, he stabed it into Keldor's
chest.
He stood and walked away. "Part six complete." He laughed to himself.
Walking towards the footfalls, Serenity quickened her pace. Some
nearby guards saw her running, and knew it was unusual for her to be doing
that. They looked at each other, then took off after her.
"You majesty." One hollered out.
The queen didn't stop. She could tell something was wrong. She did
hear the guard call to her, but she didn't respond. Turning a corner, she
saw the guard running toward her.
"Your highness," he started when he reached her, "I was escorting
Emperor Keldor to your chamber. I was attacked. Keldor sent me to get help.
I couldn't find anyone." By this time, the two guards that were following
the queen had joined them.
"We must help the Emperor." One said.
"Where is he?" The queen asked.
"Follow me." He took off back down the hall.
"This is our army?" Wil asked.
"It looks as if it is." Hasikad replied. "We must start planning,
Helios said to work on strategies." He started walking down the hill.
"Hasikad." Maddus said.
Turning, Hasikad smiled. "Just come." He said.
The other two followed down the small rise. Looking out over the
camp site, Wil saw different people training. "The sun." The other two
stopped and looked at him. "It would be incredible to see it. Walk on it I
mean."
Hasikad and Maddus knew little of Wil. They had traveled and fought
together before. Maddus spoke up. "It's not that beautiful. Even Hasikad's
planet could be described as more beautiful than the sun."
Wil, never been in battle before, and coming from Neptune, turned.
"You've seen it?" He asked excited.
"Kids." Maddus laughed. "Let's just get down to our troops."
"Artemis?"
"Hey Chris, been a few hours since you called. I was starting to get
worried." The small white cat laughed.
"No jokes right now, I need to know what's going on."
"What do you mean Chris?"
"I saw an army go by Enceladus."
"Oh, Uranus' attack."
"What?"
"Sorry Chris, it's confidential. I can't tell you anything. But ask
one of your friends." The small screen crackled off.
"One of my friends?" Chris thought a moment. "Of coarse." He ran
outside and stepped into a cylindrical device.
A second later, he was gone.
The two sat on the floor in the middle of Setsuna's chamber. Both of
them had their eyes closed, were drenched in sweat, and a painful look on had
their faces. A knock on the door caused them to break out of the trance.
"Setsuna?" Laura's voice called.
"Mother? You're back?" Setsuna stood up and walked over to the door.
Richard crawled over to her bed and struggled to get on it.
The door opened. "Setsuna, your sister started telling me about an
attack while I was gone." Laura looked at her daughter.
"Someone attacked Andrea. I heard her scream, and ran to her. But I
could not make it there in time."
"But...She's not dead." Laura looked at her strangly.
"I did not make it to her, Prince Mars saved her. I promised to help
him. And we've been in here since."
Just after she heard this, Laura saw Richard laying on the bed. Passed
out. "I understand." She said with a small smile.
"How long has it been?" Setsuna asked, completly missing what her
mother implied.
"Andrea said it happened over 10 hours ago." She chuckled.
"What." Setsuna looked behind her. Then back to her mother. "Let me
clarify what I said earlier. He asked me if I could help him find out about
his father's death. I've been looking through time with him. You know how
tiring that is."
Laura went completly serious. "What did you find?"
"I have found, that you have no son."
Flying through space was one thing he enjoyed. Oberon led the fourth
army towards Mars.
"The other's wait for us. Let's not make them wait longer."
Keb and Talis had reached their position quite easily. They sat in
one of the caves talking. A patrol ran into the cave.
"The first have come."
A small company of guards was running with the queen to aid Keldor.
"I was stabbed right about..." They turned the corner. "Here." The
guard said in disbelief.
A different guard bent over to check for a pulse. A futile effort,
the cuts would have killed him no matter what.
Yet another guard, pulled the weapon from the body. "Neptune?" He
asked?
"I am afraid it looks like it. There's something in his hand." She
kneeled down and took the scrap from his hand. "Princess Michiru?"
The small army, about 3 million, landed in a valley near the castle.
A small plateau was the main reason the chose to set up here. Not even ten
minutes had passed, and the army's camp was set up for seige. A small group
was selected to climb the plateau, and set up a scout tower.
A few hours past. Then the second army came. About 3 million more.
The spectators in the palace didn't like the looks of it.
A few more hours, another army. This one 4 million. A lot of the
people inside the castle walls were becoming restless.
On the High Plain, the three generals looked on with doubt.
In the Rock Spires, Keb and Talis were waiting the for the word.
Behind the castle, Hasikad and Maddus looked up with great concern.
Wil had not seen such a force in his life.
As the four holds of Martians looked to the sky, the final army was
decending.
Oberon leading.
"Prince Saturn. The king has left. He traveled to Mars yesterday."
A servant told Chris.
"Why'd he go to Mars?" Chris walked back outside.
"He didn't say. He took part of the army, and went to Mars." The
servant followed.
Chris stroked his chin. "Part of the army?" Chris ran to the stable.
"Send word to Emperess Celena, that Keldor is dead." Serenity
dismissed the messanger.
Unknown to her, one of the guards that found Keldor murdered, was from
Venus. He had already left.
Richard slowly opened his eyes. He sat up. Looking around, he noticed
he was no longer in Setsuna's room. He streched and layed back down. Then
he remembered.
He sat up again. "Jeremy." He spoke the name with disgust.
"I see you're awake." Andrea came out from behind a chair.
Richard's mood changed almost instantly. "Hello again."
She walked over to the bed. "I didn't get a chance to thank you.
Thank you." She said chiperly, then she turned and started to leave.
"Your brother came to you. It was his voice I heard talking to you."
"Yes." She turned. "You heard everything?"
"I couldn't help it. You made the right choice though." Richard swung
his legs to the side of the bed.
"I know. He scared me." She walked towards the door again.
"You'll always be protected. I felt that in Setsuna. Don't worry."
He got up, grabbed his weapons, and walked out with her.
Lothos was preparing to sleep. A servant knocked on his chamber door.
"Enter."
"King Lothos. News has reached us that your daughter is going to be
taken into custody."
The king raised an eyebrow. "By who?"
"Queen Serenity." The servant backed away.
"On what charge?" Lothos' voice lowered.
"Regicide." The servant started to leave the room.
"Prepare my chariot. I will get no sleep this night."
The sun. Beautiful. Bright. Powerful.
Sun. Beautiful. Bright. Powerful...
And evil.
A small black vortex appeared in her chamber. She took little notice
of it. She continued to torture a small animal.
A figure stepped through. "Hello my love."
She sat up. "Jeremy?" She ran up and embraced him. "What are you
doing here. You could be killed if you are seen."
"Not any longer. I have made some friends. They want to meet you."
He escorted her to the portal.
Night had fallen again on the Moon. The normal palace guards were the
only ones awake.
A black figure appeared from the shadows. It looked similar to the
one that was there earlier. A few things were different about this one.
His skill. His prowess. And his mission.
He walked slowly to a corner, and peered around. Clear.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small scrap of paper. A map.
Running his fingure along a pre-drawn path, he laughed.
Racing through the halls, nobody was able to see him. He found his
destination. Slowly opening the door, he entered.
An army was raised before the emperess had ordered it. It waited
below the palace on Venus. As Celena walked out, she was startled by the
shouts from below.
"They loved their ruler." Jyek walked out behind her.
"As did I." She lowered her head. "I know little of battle. Take
the army Jyek. And return to me with her."
Her son nodded and walked away. She looked out to her people once
more. Tears rolling down her face, she screamed.
Walking out to his mount, Richard began to think.
"Jeremy has killed my father. But...I see something else." He grabbed
his head and stumbled, seeing again what had happened over two days ago.
"The blade." He realized. Standing up, and regaining his balance,
Richard ran back into the palace.
The army surrounding Castle Inferis gazed at the falling blue light.
Oberon was alerted, and came out.
"What's that?" He yelled. "Find out what it is."
He started walking through the camp.
The light on the other hand, landed just inside the main walls of the
castle. Guards were imediatly around it.
"How did it penetrate the shield?" A guard asked.
The light slowly changed into a man on a beast. "Lower your weapons.
I have come to help." Chris jumped down from the creature. "Please show me
to the emisary from the Sun."
The guards didn't lower their weapons. "Who are you?" One asked.
Chris shook his head with a small smile. "I am Strike Fiss. Prince
of Saturn."
The small legion of guards lowered their weapons. "Follow me." One
said.
Chris followed the guard. They walked through the streets, Fiss had
never been to Mars. He admired the architecture.
Soon they arrived at the palace.
"The Prince of Saturn has come to speak with the Prince from the Sun."
The two guards at the gate opened the door. Chris walked in and saw
an entire company inside the portcullis. After the two had passed, Chris
spoke.
"What caused the war?"
The guard didn't reply. He walked at a quicker pace after the question.
During the walk, the guard asked one of the servants to show Chris the rest of
the way.
The servant showed him to the chamber where Maury was staying.
"Maury." Chris said walking in.
The other prince looked at the door. "Chris? What are you doing here?"
"I heard there was a war. I would like to know what's going on."
Chris walked over to his friend.
Maury closed his eyes and bowed his head. "I came here after finding
out that Amon had been killed. I knew that a conflict would be coming, and
that Mars would fall without assistance."
"I thank you for that information." Chris said. "I now must leave.
I'll be back." Chris smiled.
"I'll see you when you return." Maury replied.
With the knowledge he now had, he had an idea.
Jyek walked out to the gathered people. "The emperess has given me
command of the armies. We shall avenge Keldor's death!" He shouted.
The crowd gathered let out a cheer.
The small chariot shot across the solar system with unimaginable speed.
Lothos had the reins, and Michiru stood to his side.
"Why did you take me with you?" She finally asked.
Lothos slowed the speed. "I...You are in danger. I am taking you to
the Moon. You'll be safe there while I can think of something to do."
"How am I in danger?" She persisted.
"The people on Venus have developed a hatred towards you. I know not
why," he lied, "but I want to protect you."
She hugged him. "Thank you father."
Richard ran out to his beast. "I thank you again Setsuna. As does
Mars." He waved back to the older princess of Pluto.
He mounted and took off. But he was not alone on his trip. About a
hundered figures followed him.
Looking back he waved again. Then, turning back to his course, he
smiled.
The army of Uranus watched again as the blue light appeared, this time
leaving.
"What ever it was. It's gone now sire." A general said.
"Perhaps. Let get back to planning." He leaned over a small map.
"We've completed the plans sire."
Oberon walked out to the encampment. "Send for my children."
Looking to the door, the small and broken creature perked up.
"Brother, you've come to save me."
The larger one walked over to the small table where the other was
strapped. "Not quite." He grinned as he pulled a large axe from behind him.
The smaller one, terrified, shrieked.
But it did not wail for long.
As the assassin walked away, it savored the taste on the blade.
"Haruka, Sunaga." Oberon greeted his children. "You will take parts
of the army. Sunaga, you will travel this way." He ran his finger along a
path drawn on the map. "Haruka, this way." He pointed out another path.
"And I will lead them through here." He indicated a small path.
"We will do our best to remeber mother in this battle." Sunaga said.
"We will also TRY our best." Haruka added.
"Go now. Show them to their command." He told the genereal next to
him.
Not disobeying, the general escorted them to the lead of their armies.
Oberon went to the head of the largest force.
"CHARGE!"
Talis heard the cry from the king. He ran to the opening of the cave
and peered out.
"Hey Keb. They've begun their charge."
"Good. Any of them coming this way?" Keb walked to the opening.
"Half the bloody army's coming this way."
Talis turned to a soldier. "Tell the others to attack after a green
fireball is sent."
The squire ran off.
Kestor and Ranoma watched in dismay as the army started their advance.
"It hasn't truley begun until blood is spilled." Kestor remarked.
The two weren't that interested with what Palan was doing. But if
they knew, he'd have been killed.
"How shall I finish the message. Ah, your loyal subject, Palan." He
finished the message in the dirt. Holding his hand over the message, it sunk
into the ground.
"Palan. They've begun their attack." Kestor called to him.
"What? I'll be there in a second." He gathered his weapons, then ran
out.
"What do you see?" Wil asked.
Hasikad and Maddus looked through two small devices. "The armies have
begun their attack. Send the word through the army. And tell them to wait
for Helios' sign."
Wil, really excited, ran off into the camp shouting: "The enemy's
started! They're coming!"
Maddus looked at Hasikad. "Kids."
From a bird's eye view, the three branches of Uranus' army spread
across the low hills around Inferis. Sunaga headed north. Haruna headed
north-west. And Oberon headed east.
Sunaga made it to the small rise in the Bodanth Cliff. "Up there!"
He shouted. And his army started to climb.
Haruka on the other hand, had made it out from between the plateau and
the cliff. "Onward! Our vengance will be great!"
Oberon, leading his army a much slower way, stopped as the ground in
front of him started to rise.
"What is this?" He walked up to it.
The small mound had taken shape. And on it, were the words Palan had
writen:
King Oberon,
I am one of the generals for this planet. My
birthplace was Uranus. I have been placed in
charge of one of the largest armies. It is
located on the Great Plain. It has nearly 3
million soldiers. I think it best to take it
out first. A larger army lies in the Rock
Spires, and an equal one lies behind Inferis.
Your loyal subject,
Palan
"I think we've found our upper hand. Head towards Bodanth Cliff."
"They're starting to climb the cliff. Tell the troops to be ready."
Kestor called back to one of the captians.
"Hey wait. That army is turning." Ranoma pointed towards the Spires.
Helios watched what was happening from a tower in Inferis. "It cannot
wait any longer." He held his hand into the air. A brilliant red light
flashed.
"The signal. Send the first fireball." Talis said.
Keb stepped outside. Focusing with all his strength, he formed a large
green fireball.
Sweat pouring down his forehead, he sent the monterous ball towards
the retreaing army.
Without any other sign, other fireballs were being created, and hurtled
down at the large army.
Talis stepped out and started to help Keb to his feet.
"No. Help the others." Keb ordered.
Talis layed him down, then formed his own fireball.
Helios watched as the balls of flame were hurtled down at the Uranians.
"Time for phase two." He held his arm up again. This time, a purple light
flashed.
After getting the word around, Wil came running back to the small hill.
"There's the first signal." Hasikad mentioned.
"He's already sent the first? What about the second?" Wil asked, out
of breath.
"If he had, do you think we'd be standing here?" Maddus responded.
"We wont be here for long. Look." Hasikad pointed to the tower where
Helios stood. "Let's move."
Maddus drew his weapon. Turning, he glanced out at the large army
waiting to fight. Fight for Mars. "Why do they fight with us?" He asked.
"Helios already told us why." Wil replied.
"Not entirly." Hasikad countered. "He may have said why they where
here, but he did not explain why they are to fight, and mabye die for us."
"These questions will have to wait for later. In the meantime, let's
just go." Maddus turned and sounded the charge.
Somewhere, somehow. Somebody saw Lothos. Trailing far enough behind
him to go unnoticed. Following him, to complete his mission.
Finally, it decided to attack. Closing the gap between her and Lothos.
Drawing its blade, it reached out for him.
Oberon's change in attack did not go unnoticed. Talis and Keb watched
the army starting to turn.
"What should we do?" Talis asked.
"What else? Pincer. See, Helios' purple flash." Keb pointed out the
doorway.
Turning, Talis saw the flare. "Let's go." He ran out of the cave.
Keb launched a small flare of his own. One to signal the troops. He
started after Talis. The army followed.
Ranoma stood at the edge of the cliff. "They're starting to climb."
She looked back at the other two.
"Rock slide?" Kestor suggested.
"NO!" Palan rushed to the edge. Ranoma and Kestor looked at him
blankly. "They're from Uranus. They can control the rock."
"He's right. Let's just melt it." Ranoma said.
"We don't act until Helios' sign." Kestor responded.
"Wait for his signal. The other two have already been sent." Palan
said, walking back towards the army.
Nearing Mars, Lothos was passed very closely by five blue streaks.
"What's going on?" He asked, not really expecting an answer.
"Murder." Came the response.
Lothos nearly lost control of his chariot. Turning, he saw the
assassin closing in on his transport. "Michiru, take the reins." His trident
formed in his hand.
"This one's ours Lothos." The five streaks that had gone by a few
seconds earlier were back. "You'll get a chance to repay."
"I think not." The assassin vanished through a hole.
"Thank you." Lothos said returning to the front of the chariot.
"No problem. She'll probably try again. Orin, go with them." The
four others continued on their original path.
The different parts of the armies stopped and watched the four blue
shots fall into the castle.
"More of them?" Oberon yelled.
Kala walked out to meet the incoming group. The four landed, and Chris
walked forward. "Put this thing togethor, and you'll get even more help."
The three with him laid down some small blocks.
"How?"
Chris motioned to one of his companions, who knelt down and started to
assemble the small structure.
"Thank you." Kala said.
"No problem."
"Why are you doing this?" She asked
Chris turned and walked towards her. "Rei." Was all he said. Then
he walked back to his men.
Richard flew through the asteroid belt, followed by the small legion
that had left with him on Pluto.
"There she is." He breathed a sigh of releif. Turning, he waved at
the army following. They understood and increased their speed.
The sky's of Venus turned black. The great army started it's journey.
FLASH!!!!!
Kestor ran to the army. "There's the signal. Start the bombardment."
He ran back and peered over the edge. "Ranoma. Why have they stopped?"
Ronoma turned. "What?" She walked over to the edge. "I think I know
why. Look."
Kestor followed her finger to the 8 million or so soldiers led by
Oberon. "Shit." He looked toward the castle. The army behind was moving.
"That's a plus. But how the hell are we going to defend against them?"
Palan walked to the edge. "Easy." Ranoma and Kestor looked at him.
"Kamikaze."
Kestor's hand shot out and gripped Palan's throte. "Are you crazy?!?
I'm not going to send over 3 million soldiers on a kamikaze run."
"Just a suggestion." Palan choked out.
Kestor released him. "Launch the attacks." He said to a captian
standing nearby. The captian ran off to the army.
"Now, let's hope this works the way he planned."
The gateway was completed. Chris walked over to Kala and handed her
the activation card. "Use this. Reinforcments will come."
Kala walked over to the controls. Slidding the card into a slot, she
stood back.
At first nothing happened. Then a soft blue light could be seen.
The gate flared to full efficiency, and the dark blue light could be seen
outside the castle.
Kala stepped back further in amazment.
The gate grew to over three times it's original size. And people
started to come through.
One in particular stood out. She had white hair. Something very
uncommon on Saturn. She walked up to Chris.
"Katrina!" Chris shook his friends hand. "I didn't think you would
come."
Katrina bowed. "I needed some off time, so I decided to help with this
little fight." She reached behind her and pulled her weapon free.
Oberon again watched the light. "I want to know what that is!" He
shouted. "Send a few spies to find out."
Turning his face towards the sky, Darien paused his packing. He
stared in amazment as he watched the dark cloud fly past.
"What's this?" He walked out onto a balcony. "They've finally come."
Darien ran back to his things, and hurridly gathered everything he
needed.
Lothos had made it to the Moon. Biding Orin farewell, he jump down
from his chariot, and helped his daughter down.
A guard ran out and met them. "Serenity is glad you came. Follow me."
The guard walked back into the palace. Lothos and Michiru followed.
The low rumble could be heard by Haruka. And the dust cloud up ahead
didn't look like wind. Still she ran.
The glint of steel confirmed her suspicions. She shouted the charge,
the army behind drew their weapons.
"Maddus, I think the first blood will be spilled soon." Hasikad was
keeping up with Maddus very easily.
"What makes you think that?" Maddus responded.
Looking forward, Hasikad replied. "That looks like an army headed
this way. Probably larger than this one."
Maddus looked forward at the same dust cloud. "Well, what needs to
be done will be done."
Hasikad nodded.
A small cloud of people landed inbetween the two advancing armies.
About a mile away from each other, the armies didn't notice.
The black cloud could be seen from the Moon now. Serena looked up at
it. A chill went down her spine. She ran to her mother.
"Mother. An army has just passed the Moon."
Serenity looked down at her daughter. "I felt it too. Venus has sent
it's army." She paced about for a while.
The guard came into the room and announced Lothos.
"King Lothos. I take it you know what's happened?"
"Yes. I have come to tell you that..."
"Lothos. Your planet will be attacked in a few hours. I've just felt
the hatred of their army as it passed."
Lothos nodded. "I felt it too. Is there any way to stop it?"
"I can not think of any way to stop their advance."
Talis was almost 100 meters away from the trailing troops. Keb was a
few feet behind him. And behind him, the 3.75 million troops. Oberon's army
was stretched from the begining of the plateau, to Bodanth cliff.
"Attack when you're in range." Talis yelled back.
Some of the Uranians heard him too. They turned, and stood fast.
Drawing his middle sword, Talis drew the first blood of the battle.
The two army's crashed with each other. Keb forming different weapons of fire
and striking out, Talis blocking and dodgeing strikes. The soldiers from each
side started falling quickly.
Hasikad ordered the army to stop when he saw the extra figures blocking
the path. He could see a line of black at the bottom of the dust cloud.
Running forward, and telling the others to stay, he went to investigate
who was there.
"Who's blocking our path?" He asked.
"Allies of Mars. Need a hand?" One of the Plutonians walked towards
him.
"Pluto? Why are you here?"
"At my request." Richard walked out behind him.
"The Prince? How..."
"Get back to your army general. And be ready to strike hard."
Without another words, Hasikad ran back to the waiting army. He told
them hurridly what was happening.
"The prince is leading them?" Wil asked, disbelievingly.
Hasikad nodded.
"I remember you trained on Pluto for a while." Maddus said to Hasikad.
"How little you know of me." Hasikad laughed. "I was born on Pluto."
The small group of three quickly penetrated the outer defenses of the
castle. Discusing what they could do next, they didn't see the shadow walk up
next to them.
"Welcome to Mars." One of the men fell over, missing an arm. "My
first time here too." Bringing the weapon back around, she sliced through a
different one's neck.
The third one sat there, looking between his two dead partners, and
the woman. "I know many things. Let me live."
Katrina cocked her head. "Let me think about it." She turned.
The spy didn't calm down, in fact, he was even more nervous.
Katrina turned around. "I've decided..." Swinging her naginata with
precision, she stepped toward the spy.
"My stigin will be to slow. Bring the rawulf." The stable master
looked at him strangly. "Get the rawulf." Shrugging, the stable master went
to the back of the stables.
"Here Sabre." The stable master held his hand out. A fury creature
came toward him.
"What?" The creature asked.
"Darien has need for you." The master stepped into the pen.
"What are you waiting for then? Put the harness on me!" The creature
went closer to the master.
Darien saw the rawulf for the second time in his life. A magnificent
creature. Over 20 feet long, covered in sleek and shimmering fur. Slidding
across the floor, it approached Darien.
"Climb on." It stopped next to Darien.
"I'll tell you what's going on." Darien said, stradling the beast.
Sunaga met up with his father. "Why did you not continue your
advance on the castle?"
Oberon walked over and stared up at the cliff. "We have an ally up
there." Oberon continued to look toward the top. Seeing bright flashes and
small explosions, he shouted orders to the troops nearby. "Get your defenses
up!!!"
Haruka on the other hand was barreling down on the army that Hasikad
and the other two led. She was a little unnerved when she saw they weren't
advancing. Still, she charged.
"STOP!!!!!" A deep voice thundered.
Everyone from both armies held their ears in pain.
"Where'd that come from?" Wil shouted.
"Us!" Came the response.
Members of the army that heard, turned. An entire legion of Saturnian
soldiers. Gripping their weapons tightly, they turned them towards the
newcomers.
"Hey. We're an ally." Chris jumped down from the small hill he had
been on.
"Chris!" Richard stepped out of an invisible barrier that the
Plutonian soldiers had set up.
"Who else? Need some help?" He walked over and gripped Richard's hand
"Always. How many men you got?" Richard motioned to the group behind
Chris.
"I've about a thousand. That's a nice little band you've come up with.
Where'd you get them all?"
"I got about three hundred from Pluto. The rest are from the Sun. Oh,
and these are the three genereals leading this section of the army." Richard
motioned toward Hasikad, Maddus, and Wil, who were still holding their ears.
Chris looked over to where Haruka had paused. "I think she's gonna
be pissed."
"That's Haruka? I thought it was Sunaga." Richard laughed.
Chris stood there for a second. "You're right, it is hard to tell
the difference."
"That's it!" Haruka had amazingly heard their little comments. She
looked towards the two princes. "WORLD.."
Richard started forming a defensive barrier. "I think she IS pissed."
"You think?" Chris responded.
"SHAKING!!!!!!!"
The blast shot right at the two. "Oh shit!!!!!" Chris jumped to the
side of the shot.
Richard stood fast as the blast hit.
Helios watched from the tower, observing everything. Maury appeared
beside him. "How does it fare so far?"
Helios turned his grim face toward the prince. "It goes well for our
side. We've recieved help from Pluto and Saturn. But the losses are great
already."
"How many?"
Talis retreived his knife from one of the new bodies. Looking around,
he found his next seven or so targets. Holding the knife in one hand, and the
sword in the other, he trotted quickly. The first didn't see the blow, only
the red of his own blood on the weapon protruding from his chest. Talis
quickly pulled the weapon free, blocked an attack, and decapitaded the second
one.
In a swift motion, to fast to be seen by the human eye, the knife was
launched at, then imbedded, in the side of one soldier's head. Running to
get the weapon back, he sent a small blast of fire at a soldier blocking his
path. "Four down." Talis said to himself.
A blow on his back cut his reveling short. Turning, he saw a fairly
large man, holding a broken staff. Talis smiled. "Not quite as effective as
you'd hoped it would be?" Dropping to one knee, he drove his sword upward,
entering between the two lower ribs, penatrating one of his lungs, then
breaking his shoulder blade on exit.
"Too many."
CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!!!!!
The blast knocked the forward troops back over a fifty paces. Chris
jumped a little too late, and was thrown back along with the others.
The only one still standing, was Richard. A glowing red sphere
surrounding him.
Chris huridly got back to his feet. "Bitch!" Drawing his katana, he
walked over to the sphere.
Richard appeared more clearly as the shield dropped. "Sorry. I
couldn't get it large enough to protect us both." He drew one scimitar.
"It's not over." Chris said pointing with his sword.
"We could end it quickly." Richard said drawing his other weapon.
Chris looked at him innocently. "Then what fun would we have?"
Richard grinned. "Hasikad. Rally your troops. Maddus, come with us."
He stabbed his weapon in the ground.
Crack!!
"...you live."
The stunned spy opened his eyes. A hand holding a knife sat in front
of him. He looked up to the warrior.
"If he was going to kill you, then your plea was real. But if it
isn't..." She trailed off, letting him think about what might happen.
"Here." He threw his weapons down to the ground.
Kat looked down at them. "Smart man." She turned and started walking.
"Very few are." She added with a wry smile.
"Indeed this is tragic." Sabre continued his flight through Solaris.
"I don't understand why we are following this army though."
"I..." Darien caught himself. "What do you mean?" He asked sincerly.
"These soldiers we are following are from Venus. Why do we persue
allies?"
Darien didn't answer. His mind trailed off.
Keb looked around. The small branch of the army had stopped. Talis
was attacking the remaining few that stayed.
The stretch of plain was covered in dead. Over 30,000 by his
estimates.
He walked over to Talis.
Turning, bloodlust was apparent in his eyes. "Talis. This fight is
over. We won."
Talis regained control of his senses. "Damn." He surveyed the
surroundings. "Do you know how many were ours yet?"
"The healers just arrived." Keb walked up next to his friend. "Look
over there." He pointed north-east.
"What's that?" He asked.
"Another part of the army. And the enemies'."
"Should we go join them?" He asked, once again looking at the death
around him.
"Send the wounded back to the caves with a small fraction of the
forces. Then we march to join them."
Oberon watched as the rain of rock and fire fell upon his troops.
"Enough." He looked up the cliff face. "Rock. Obey my command."
The face of the cliff shifted suddenly. A small portal opened up, getting
bigger and bigger, a stairway formed.
"Send the troops in."
The three leaders walked out onto the field, carrying a white flag of
some sorts. Haruka walked out to greet them, with a few more soldiers than
the opposition brought.
"Okay. Haruka, I want to know one thing." Chris started. "Why are
you attacking Mars?"
Haruka looked at Richard. Then back at Chris. "Vengance."
"For wha..."
Richard cut Chris off. "They think my father killed Ariel."
Haruka took a step forward. "Why you insolent..."
"Back off lady." Maddus blocked her path.
"My father didn't kill your mother." Richard stared Haruka strait in
the eye.
"His dagger was found in her." She mocked.
Lowering his head, Richard replied. "He has not touched a dagger or
knife in years." Pulling a scimitar from behind him, he turned.
"Weapons are not to be brought when..."
"I know!" Richard cut off. "Trust is something I've lost for
Uranians. Let's head back."
Haruka watched as the three walked back to the waiting army. "Get
back quickly." She ordered. Walking back to her army, she looked over her
shoulder. "I hope you can regain it."
One thought kept running through Jyek's mind.
Revenge.
It was this emotion that helped fuel the armies hatred for Neptune.
As the planet got closer, the hatred grew stronger. Knowing that Neptune only
had three populated areas, he knew victory would be granted.
He slowed down and paralleled a soldier. "Take a third of the army and
strike at the southern settlement."
Going to a different person, he ordered them to the northern settlement.
Knowing that they wouldn't be prepared for an invasion, the soldiers
slowed their advance, and changed the aura of hate around them. As they got
closer and entered the hostile atmosphere.
The people on the planet felt the positive energy coming down, and
welcomed it.
Keb and Talis walked with the remaining forces toward the rear flank
of Oberon's army.
"You think this is a good idea?" Keb asked.
Glancing at his companion, Talis didn't answer.
"We've got very little forces comparred to the enemy. Why should we
go on a suicide mission at their back?"
The troops around the two were a little startled as Talis turned and
hit Keb in the stomach. Keb responded by emptying his stomach on Talis' boots.
Talis turned and continued walking.
After Keb had recovered, he ran up behind Talis and knocked him down.
"Why strike me?" Talis asked confused.
His ignorance enraged Keb. "You want to know?" He asked through
clenched teeth. "Then let me remind you." And with that, he helped Talis to
his feet, and punched him in the stomach. "Ring a bell?"
Talis fell over on the ground. Keb walked forward, hand flaming.
"Troops! Help me! Restrain him!" Talis shouted. A few of the nearby
soldiers ran towards the two.
"Stay back unless you want to perish." Keb turned a sadistic look to
the coming soldiers. That was more than enough to deter most of them. Three
still came at him
In the small amount of time that Keb turned, Talis rolled back and
regained his composer. "Keb, there's something wrong here." He said calmly.
Turning, Keb pulled a sickle free. "I know, and once your dead, it'll
be fixed."
The three soldiers charging made it to Keb. "General, drop your
weapon." One of them said.
Keb glanced behind him, then turned back to Talis, then back at the
guards. "No." He said simply. Then charged Talis.
The guards on the watch tower looked down at this event with some
amusement. They started betting on which one would win. Not doing there job
to the best of their abilities, a man appeared on top of the tower.
"I'd put the money on me." He said loud enough for the guards to
hear.
"Who the hell are you." One said loosing a crossbow bolt. "Nevermind.
Before the bolt came close, it burned up. "A Martian eh. Kill him."
"He's not the Martian. I am." Jiskor landed a few feet to the side
of the guards. "Besides, how can he be from Mars if he can do this." Taking
the cue, Ireow set his hands against the stone of the tower.
"Kill them both."
"I don't think so." Ireow replied. He muttered a few words unaudible.
After the last word was spoken, the towers started to turn white, begining at
his hands.
The guards had no idea what was happening, but decided to flee quickly.
"That was easier than I thought it'd be." Jiskor said.
"It's not over yet." Ireow looked over the edge of the tower. After
the ice had spread to the bottom of the tower, he turned back to Jiskor.
"It's time for you to go, I'll finish up."
Jiskor jumped off the edge of the tower and faded away.
"Now let's see how this effects it." The Mercurian focused all his
anger into a small ball. Then dropped it.
Ronoma looked over the edge as a cease fire was called. "Looks like
they're serious." She stated.
"I doubt it. I've just found out why they're attacking." Kestor got
curious looks from Ronoma, Palan, and a lot of the troops nearby. He looked
at them all. "What? Is it a major thing that I learned some magic in the
past. Divination is not that difficult a task."
The soldiers around him started inquiring as to why the cease fire
won't end.
This is the first part of a small saga I am writing. I shall continue
the story in the next installment. Ask yourself if you want to see the ending
of this series. If you do, please let me know. I need all the support I can
get at the moment. This is my first attempt at solo writing, and would like
criticism sent to me:
knightfall_pom@hotmail.com
Until next we meet,
"May your fires burn long."
-Knightfall
Eternal Legion
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