"You’re not here."

"I wish I were."

"No, you don’t. Marcos is going crazy trying to propose. Crystal is clueless. The rebellions are getting worse, and my father…"

"How is he?" Serena asked worriedly.

"Tired. He doesn’t seem to have any strength left."

"If you need me…"

"No, I don’t want it to be said that I needed help with this. I would lose too much respect from my loyal subjects."

"Who is stirring the revolts?"

"Intelligence reports say four generals, but the identities have not been obtained. I hope to uncover them soon."

"Why would a general want to…"

"When Beryl is concern…Logic doesn’t work in these cases."

"How is Celeste?"

"Fine. Working too hard to keep up appearances, she is driving herself crazy."

"Tell her to take it easy. This will blow over like the previous revolt by the dukes."

"Only this time, you’re not here. I’m going to let you sleep now. You must be exhausted."

"I will only rest if you promise to get some sleep too. You look horrible." She kissed her fingertips then placed them on the screen over his lips. He did the same.

"I promise." They said goodnight and signed off. Serena fell instantly to sleep.

It was around four three days latter when the scouts, Gilbert and Sergio were secretly summand to the War Room. "What’s wrong, daddy?" Serena asked as soon as we were all seated.

"This." The King pressed a button and we heard the recording of a transmission from the M. K. Star-Glider, the ship that had been sent in search for the missing generals. The recording said the following,

"Does this mean that…they are alive." Venus choked.

"It means that there is a large possibility, but until further notification…" the Queen could not continue.

"When will it be confirmed." Jupiter asked worriedly.

"Until the Star-Glider answers; I have no idea when that will be." The Queen answered.

"We want you all on alert until then." The King continued, "We suspect that there might be an attack on the last ball of the summer season. Be very careful until then, and only trust the information we personally give you. No one outside this circle is to be trusted. Any questions?" We all remained silent. "Then you are all dismissed."

Lady Aims was fighting with her computer. It did not want to give her the information she needed. She punched some keys and tried again. The only thing the computer said was, "Insufficient Data."

"What are you looking for?" a familiar male voice asked. She turned around surprised.

"Who’s there?" she asked surprised.

"Have you forgotten be in only seventeen days?" the voice asked. Zoizite stepped into the light.

"Zoizite! Are you all back?"

"Yes, but you cannot tell anyone! Jedite and Nephrite want to surprise their lady loves on the last summer ball."

"Zoizite, don’t take this the wrong way, but what’s wrong with you? You’re different in some manner."

"Something happened to me while I was under the energy field. Let me put it this way, I am no longer Zoizite; I am now Zoisite."

"You are male?" Aims asked in shock.

"Yeah."

"What does Malachite say?"

"Nothing. He accepts it."

"Do…do you want me to find a way to change you back?"

"No." He seductively took her hand. "Did I ever tell you what a beautiful girl you are?"

"Umm, Zoizite…I mean, Zoisite, did you also lose your mind while you where under that energy field?" She asked with an attitude as she pulled her hand away. "Or have you forgotten me and my seance of humor?"

"Neither. I just realized that you are such a beautiful girl. Is that such a crime?"

"It is when you make me feel uncomfortable. I’ll blame the hormone change for your behavior, but don’t push it." Aims said annoyed. He took her hand and pulled her to her feet.

"Can I at least get a welcome back hug?"

"Sure." She relaxed a bit and hugged him. He tried to kiss her lips. She pulled back screaming,

"NO! STOP IT!"

"Sorry, I like you too much."

"Am I interrupting something?" I asked as I made myself visible. Zoisite released Aims and walked out the room saying no. "Are you ok?"

"Yes, thank you. Another minute…"

"Another minute and Zoisite would have lost his manhood. Sorry, I couldn’t let you hurt him just yet. He may only be under the effects of that energy field."

"I know what you mean, but, why me?"

"God only knows. Are you going to tell the others?"

"No. If we’re right, then I don’t want to embarrass Zoizite with something that was out of her control. I just hope the others are better."

"So do I. Be more careful. I have a bad feeling about this."

"Ditto."

"Sacred fire, answer the calls of your highest priestess, are the Generals safe?" Ray asked. The fire did not reply. She felt a pair of broad male hands rubbing her shoulders. She let herself become relaxed by them. "These hands are too broad to be Chad’s!" she suddenly realized. In one swift jump, she turned to see Malachite. "What-what are you doing here? Are all of you back?"

"Yes, my love."

"What? What did you call me? What type of joke is this?"

"It is not a joke. I love you. I always have." He stepped closer. She stepped back.

"What about Zoizite?"

"You mean Zoisite. It is all over."

"What are you talking about?" Ray asked confused.

"You will soon understand." He tried to grab her arm, but Ray jumped into the sacred fire. He disappeared. I became visible, and she stepped out of the fire unharmed.

"What was all that about?" she asked.

"I don’t know, but apparently they changed a bit in the energy field. You should see the new Zoisite."

"Huh?"

"She is now a he."

"You’re kidding?"

"No, and he was just hitting on Aims."

"That explains his behavior. I guess he was jealous. We should not mention this to anyone. At least not until we know for certain what is wrong."

"I agree. The monarchs have enough to worry about with Serena and…"

"And what, Nena?"

"And nothing." I disappeared to avoid further questioning.

Jupiter was sitting on a swing made of pink camellias. She was looking sadly at her hands fighting her tears. She had cried so much that she felt she had run out of tears, but they still wanted to fall down her tearstained cheeks. Someone pushed the swing lightly. She turned and smiled.

"Nephrite, I was so worried." She slipped her arms around him and kissed his icy lips. His respond was mechanical. She did not feel his love or fire. "Is something wrong?"

"No. I just can’t belief we are together again." His voice was cold and distant. She smiled faintly.

"What took you so long? I was worried sick!"

"The energy field fried our engines and communications." It was as if she was talking to a machine. He had lost all of his humanity towards her. He acted like a total stranger. She worried about this, but blamed the stress he had been under these past two and a half weeks.

"Is there anything I can do to make you feel better." She smiled lovingly.

"Just one thing. Do NOT tell anyone you have seen me. Jedite wants to surprise Venus at the ball. If she knows I’m here…"

"Don’t worry. Your secrete is safe with me." She kissed him one last time and he left.

Venus was on her bed mourning over Jedite’s picture. She felt a hand whip her face. She turned towards the hand to see him. "Jedite." She sobbed. He took her into his arms and kissed her violently with all his lust. "I was so worried." She gasped between his kisses.

"You should’ve know better." He said as he kissed her neck. She felt him begin to play with the tiny bottoms on the back of her dress.

"Jedite, slow down. You are moving to fast." She pleaded.

"Don’t you love me?"

"You know I do, but…" He kissed her mouth to silence her. The wave of happiness that flooded her had returned to sea. She could now sense how there was only lust behind his kisses. Any traces of the love they had once shared were gone. This was not the man she had agreed to marry.

"I need you." He kissed her shoulder. She pushed him away in disgust.

"I have no idea what’s wrong with you, but when it is fixed, then look for me, until then, get out!" She pointed at the door. He ignored her and eliminated the space between them.

"There is nothing wrong with me! I just want and desire you, and I WILL have you." He grabbed her and tried to kiss her once again. She smacked him.

"I SAID OUT!" She screamed. He stepped back and left. As soon as he was gone, she broke down in tears.

"Don’t worry." I said as I appeared at her side. "It is the energy field talking and acting. He will be better by tonight’s ball."

"The last summer’s ball?" She stopped crying and looked at me. "Are you sure."

"Yes." I lied. She smiled.

"Well, then I better get ready ‘cause we have little time left." I left understanding that she wanted to be alone.

Serena was standing on a balcony leading to the Main Gardens. She was looking lovingly at the Earth. "How do I miss you." She sighed to herself. The Queen watched her cautiously.

"Serena!" a voice cried from underneath her.

"Darien!" she smiled at him.

"I don’t have much time! Baryl has nearly succeeded on Earth! What ever happens, you must know that I will always love you."

"And I you, but what is this all about?"

"Hey! You! Human! Stop!" Some guards chased him away.

"They must suspect everyone from Earth, but why him? The guards are well aware of his relationship to me."

"Welcome back, Darien." The Queen said as he walked into her office. The King did not turn to see him.

"It is good to be back." He bowed.

"We know the situation on Earth." The King stated without turning to face him. "You count on our forces."

"Thank you, my sovereign." He turned to the Queen. "I vow my loyalty to your kingdom. I shall stay and fight."

"Thank you." The Queen motioned for him to leave.

"I never imagined it would end so soon." The king turned to face his wife, "I thought I had bought us two more years with them."

"My only regret is never taking her on that family vacation to Neptune." The Queen began to sob, and the King placed his hand on her shoulder.

"At least we will be together."

The last summer’s ball began as the most beautiful of the season. The gowns and tuxedos danced more feverishly than ever. It was as if they could almost tell the end was upon us. Serena came down the stairs into the ballroom in her beautiful white gown. Before she was done descending them, a masked tuxedo said, "May I have this dance, Princess. It may be our last." Serena’s eyes brighten as she recognized her masked lover.

They danced heavenly as he informed her of the unfolding events. "Beryl has become a difficult opponent. She will no longer be subdued. This will be our last battle."

"Has she become that powerful?"

"Her minions have basically taken over Earth. I promised your mother I would stay and fight, and I will. I love you too much not to."

"I don’t want to lose you. It took me too long to find you. I won’t be able to survive if something where to happen to you."

"No matter what, remember this: I WILL return to you. It may take me a thousand years, but I will come to you!" The dance ended, and he led her outside.

"I want you to take this with you, so that you will never forget me." She took out her star locket. "May this be the symbol of our love." Magically it began to play.

"May it be so." He took her into his arms and kissed her, showing her all of his love. He covered her with his cape and held her. "One last kiss."

"May it not be our last." She mimicked. The ground began to tremble below them. Luna and Artemis rushed into the ballroom screaming,

"WE ARE UNDER ATTACK! WE NEED EVERY ABLE PERSON TO FIGHT!" The guests took out their swords and prepared to fight. The Scouts transformed.

"The time has come." He whispered to her.

"I have a bad feeling about this Darien." He kissed her.

"Don’t." He left her side to join the fighting. He found the Scouts at the front of the line.

"Is Serena safe?" Venus asked.

"Yes." He answered. "There is something you should know about the generals."

"You mean that Zoizite is now Zoisite, and they are all now working for Beryl?" Mercury asked.

"How did you know?"

"Their black uniforms gave it away." She pointed at the incoming army. The four generals where now leading it.

"They are ours." Jupiter informed. "You can have Beryl if you want."

"Thanks, I do." Before he was done speaking the four scouts had engaged their opponents. Mercury ran and jumped into a flip, landing in a kick on Zoisite’s chest.

"I will now teach you some manners, boy."

"You will regret this in the morning, if you live that long. ZOI!" His crystals flew at Mercury who dodged them.

"Mercury Bubbles!" she tried to "even the playing field" by fogging the area. "You are the one that shall not live that long." He had disappeared in the fog. All the years of training together had taught him all her secretes though he had never allowed her to know. She heard a sword being drawn behind her. She turned towards and found it in her stomach.

"I tend to disagree!" The fogged cleared and Mercury could see her killer’s face quite clear. His eyes had become two black holes.

"Zoizite, I know this is not you. I want you to know that I don’t blame you for this, old friend." Zoisite twisted the sword and Mercury fell dead on the ground. I stared helpless at the corps lying in the pool of her royal blood. If I only had seen it a few minutes earlier…If only I had intervened…

"MARS FIRE IGNITE!" A fireball escaped Mar’s fingers and hit Malachite in the chest. He absorbed the energy. Zoizite appeared at his side.

"Your little friend is dead!" he said as Malachite smiled approvingly at him, "Give up Mars!"

"Never! You will pay for what you have done. MARS FIRE…" She aimed at Zoisite, but Malachite disappeared and reappeared behind her.

"MARS, BEHIND YOU!" I screamed, but it was too late, he had already released the energy she thrown at him. She died instantly.

"JUPITER THUNDER…CRASH!" A lightning volt hit Malachite. He absorbed it. I set my book aside and stood by Jupiter’s side. Two of my closest friends had just died without my being able to stop them. I was not about to let it happen to any other.

"You should be more worried about handling your opponent before taking on any other." Malachite laughed.

"You will pay!" she said in a deathly cold whisper.

"Jupiter!" Nephrite said coldly, "Your fight is with me!" She looked at me.

"I’ll keep Dumb and Dumber busy. Watch your back." I warned. I turned to look for the other two but they had disappeared. Remembering Mars’s ill-fitted fate, I turned to Jupiter who was trying to reason with Nephrite.

"Do you remember the first time we kissed?" She begged. "It was in the kitchen. Remember? Love went against chocolate and chocolate lost."

"Love?" he asked confused as he dug his hands in her hair. For a minute I felt his evil leave, but it immediately returned.

"JUPITER, NO! NENA PEN ATTACK!" My quills were too late. In a swift move, he broke her neck. He swept my quills apart with a lazy motion.

"Love is for the losers." He said. He looked into the furry in my eyes. I was ready to tear him into pieces, but he said, "If I were you, I wouldn’t worry so much for the dead. Specially, since you still have one alive, or is she already dead?"

"Venus?" I whispered in cold terror. She could not die. I disappeared and reappeared close to where she was. Their swords where on the ground, and they were kissing. I could sense his evil at my distance, but I could also feel her weakening. I saw a red circle on her back with a shinny metallic point in the center. He let her fall to the ground and I rushed by her side. "Venus? No!"

"Darn, I dirtied my uniform." He said. Rage ripped me apart. I grabbed the handle of the dagger in her belly. Her hand touched mine. She was still alive.

"Nena…you-you…must pro-tect her…now. Keep…your head…we are…we are with you!" she gasped as she took her final breath.

"Darien, I have heard about you. I offer you the chance to join my army and rule the universe at my side!"

"Never!" he retaliated.

"Then die!" She sent three of her minions to attack him from behind. He was on the middle of some stairs, and he began to skillfully fight them off. She formed an ice lance in her hands and threw it at him. I tried to scream and warn him, but Bard’s hand mysteriously appeared on my mouth as his arm held me back.

"NO!" I heard Serena scream. She ran towards him in hopes of pushing him out of the way, but the lance pierced her heart. I screamed in pain as I felt it go through me as well (Serena and I have been connected so I could feel nine tenths of each of her feelings and write them down). I saw the stars burning bright at the end of the tunnel as the sensation of the lance breaking through my back ribs, into my heart, and out my chest flooded me. Even with all that pain, I cannot imagine Serena’s full pain.

"It’s not over, hun!" He pulled my head up so I could see Darien turn to see Serena dying and still falling towards him. The lance pierced his heart as well, but they were still not dead. I could hear them talk as their blood became one.

"We…we will always…have the roses." He gasped.

"And…the knowledge…" she began to cough some blood, but soon recovered herself, "that we-we committed the ultimate act…of love. We died for…for each other." She was crying. "I loved you…before I read…the inscription…on the door. It said that in hear…under ice…was the-the key to my…heart. It was your pic-ture under the-ice.

"One…one last kiss."

"May it not be our last." She lowered her head and kissed his lips.

"She you in the next life."

"Not if I see you first." The both took their last breaths. I could hear the Queen’s clamors above all other screams.

Bard let me fall to the ground. I touch my chest and then looked at my hand. My blood was as red as the setting sun. Hate, grief, pain and death filled me. With the last rush of strength I had, I stood up. "NENA…PEN…ATTACK!" multiple little quills flew fiercely at him. I know I wounded him badly, but the coward ran away before I could finish him. I touched my broach and reappeared on the balcony from which the monarchs had seen the entire battle. The Queen was ready to use her crystal. The King was saying something to Sergio,

"…will get her next time. We will make sure of that."

"Majesties." I gasped.

"Nena!" the King turned to me. "She really is dead. How much time do you have left to edit the book?"

"About…ten minutes." I could not bear to look into Sergio’s eyes. "Sire…how many of us are-are left?"

"Sergio and you are the only two left."

"He fought?"

"We all had to. There where too many." He whispered.

"Nena," the queen began, "You have just enough time to say good bye to your mother." My eyes filled with tears. She was still alive.

"Thank you, my regent." I used my broach to appear as close as I could to my mother. Most of her roots had been uprooted, and she was only a shell of the woman who had fought off Prince Helot. "Mother?" I cried.

"Nena? You are still alive?" she cried.

"I love you too, honey. I only wish I could have given you a more normal life."

"You gave me the life I wanted." The crystal began to glow. Soon we will all be engulfed in it.

"I only need you to promise you will never forget me or the code of our house."

"Written words are truth in the night and in the morning?"

"Yes. Remember me."

"Always mother." The light became us, and we became the light. I felt my memories being subdued as we were lifted in bubbles towards an uncertain future, a new chapter in this old book, and a whole new saga.

We have reached the end of the moon saga.

But there is still more to come.

Don’t forget, a thousand years latter the story continues

In the Earth Saga.