Author's Warning: This story is unlike any Sailor Moon fanfic you have ever read. Sailor Moon is not the main focus of this fanfic. In fact, she barely appears in it. This story is based on several characters that I invented and several characters that my friend, Krista Yoder, invented. If you are a die hard Sailor Moon fan who only like fanfics with Sailor Moon in them, turn back now! If you like something new and different, continue reading and enjoy! Moon War Cast of Characters The Royals Aaron/Centurion Vega - Prince of Vega and rightful heir to the Vegan Throne Krista/Sailor Vega - Princess of Vega and Aaron's wife Neflite/Maxwell Stanford - Former general of the Negaverse Molly - Student at Crossroads High School and Neflite's girlfriend Prince Vulter - Prince of Vega and Aaron's younger brother The Pretenders King Xonan - Aaron's cousin and pretender to the Vegan Throne Councilor Zeph - Xoxan's Royal Councilor Master Yeno - Xoxan's personal assassin Lord Whinen - Head of Xoxan's personal guard Special Guest Appearances Serena/Sailor Moon - Princess of the Moon Kingdom Lita/Sailor Jupiter - Princess of Jupiter Mina/Sailor Venus - Princess of Venus Angie/Sailor Sunshine - Princess of the Sun Raye/Sailor Mars - Princess of Mars Amy/Sailor Mercury - Princess of Mercury Frank/Centurion Sol - Leader of the Star Knights and Protector of Sailor Sunshine Chad/Centurion Altair - Protector of Sailor Mars Greg/Centurion Regulus - Protector of Sailor Mercury Ken/Centurion Sirrus - Protector of Sailor Jupiter Andrew/Centurion Polaris - Protector of Sailor Venus Chapter 1 Aaron stopped at the top of the stairs that lead up to Raye's temple. Next to him stood his wife, Krista, and behind him came Krista's sister, Angie; the leader of the Star Knights, Frank; and a small yellow cat, Lunamis. Waiting for them at the top of the stairs was Raye, Amy, and Chad. "Good," Raye said. "Everyone else is here. Come on." Raye lead everyone to the stairs in the back of temple where Scout meetings were normally held. Aaron blinked in surprise to see Serena, who was always late for everything, already sitting on the steps. "Serena?" Angie said, "You're here?" "Shut up," Serena muttered. "I told here the meeting was a half-hour earlier than it was," Raye explained. "Which is why she's here on time." "It was a dirty trick," Serena muttered, turning away in a huff. Everyone laughed. "Well, any thoughts about what's been going on recently?" Luna asked, bringing the meeting to a start. "What I want to know is why Alan and Anne are involved with the generals," Raye said. "Yeah. The last time we saw them they were heading into space," Lita said. "And why did they pull out at the last second?" Ken asked, fiddling with the small crest moon necklace he now wore. "Zoycite could have killed me right there and then." "Most likely because there's someone else pulling the strings to both the generals and the aliens," Aaron said. Artemis nodded in agreement. "You're right. But who would the generals bow down to and who could get Alan and Anne to cooperate with them?" Everyone was silent. Finally, Serena said, "We also have to find away to help Darien. The police are still looking for him and Tuxedo Mask." "The only way to help him is to find Dark Mask," Greg said. "He's the only one who can clear both Darien and Tuxedo Mask," Amy agreed. "I need to leave." Everyone turned their heads in surprise towards Frank, who sat on the steps, staring straight ahead. "What?" Andrew said. "I have to leave," Frank repeated, standing up. "There's something I have to find. Something that will help us. I'm not sure what it is, but I know its not here." "I have to leave as well." Every head snapped around to look at Aaron. "My father is dead," Aaron said. "I have to go back to Vega to claim the throne before my cousin, Xoxan can. I don't expect anyone to come with me." "I'm going with you," Krista said, taking her husband's hand. "Vega is my home as well as yours, my love." Aaron smiled down at her. "Thank you," he said. "Go to Neflite and ask him to go with you." Everyone turned to look at Serena in amazement. "What?" Aaron said. "You heard me," Serena said as she turned to Frank. "Are you going to need help?" she asked , her voice still calm and serious. Before Frank could answer, Angie said, "I'm going with him." Frank looked at Angie in surprise as Serena smiled and said, "Chad, Greg, Amy, and Raye will also go with you." Luna looked at Artemis and said, "Just when I think she's hopeless, she goes and does something like this." Serena looked around at all of the shocked faces and said, "Anyone want some ice cream? I'm just SO hungry!" Luna's and Artemis's heads dropped in despair. ********* Neflite and Molly sat on a park bench near the lake. Neflite had his arm around her and was talking to her. "...and that's why I had to leave," Neflite said. He had just finished telling Molly about his journey to the past, not using any of the Scouts' real names, of course. He keep no secrets from Molly about his dealings with the Scouts, just as he had kept no secrets from her about his dealings with the Negaverse. "Oh, Neflite," Molly said, "it sounds so exciting." Neflite laughed. "I suppose you could call it that," he said. "I would love to have an adventure," Molly said. He looked down at Molly, pulled her close, and kissed her. Neither moved to end the kiss, they just sat there, wrapped up in their love. Behind them someone cleared their throat. Neflite broke off the kiss, but kept his eyes on Molly. She smiled slightly, then looked behind them and gasped. Neflite spun to look and smiled. Behind them in full armor was Centurion Vega. Neflite's smile faded when he saw the look on Centurion Vega's face. "Hello, Centurion Vega," Neflite said. "Hello, Neflite," Centurion Vega replied, moving closer. "Can I help you with anything?" Neflite asked. Centurion Vega nodded once and said, "May I speak with you privately?" ********* Molly watched as Centurion Vega and Neflite moved away to talk. She bit her fingernails. The Star Knight wanted Neflite's help again. which would mean Neflite would have to leave again. She looked over Centurion Vega and Neflite to see Neflite nod solemnly. She looked down. I going to go with him this time, she vowed. She felt Neflite's hand lift her head up. "I have to go again, Molly," he said, looking into her eyes. "I'll be back soon, I promise you." Molly nodded her understanding and they kissed once more. Neflite stood and began to walk away with Centurion Vega, leaving Molly sitting on the park bench. Molly counted to five and then begun to follow them. ********* Neflite followed Centurion Vega to a remote part of the park, where Sailor Vega and Serena were waiting. "Hi, Neflite!" Serena said, waving to him. Neflite smiled as they approached. "Here to see us off, Serena?" Neflite said. "Yep," Serena said. She turned to Centurion Vega. "Good luck getting your throne, Aaron," she said. "Thank you, Serena," Centurion Vega said. "Are you ready?" Sailor Vega asked. Neflite nodded. "All right, guys," Serena said, as she turned to leave. "Good luck." The trio watched as Serena walked away. "Sometimes she amazes me," Neflite said. Sailor Vega smiled. "She amazes us all," she said. "Now let's get going." She took Neflite's left hand as Centurion Vega took his right. Sailor Vega concentrated for a moment, then said, "Sailor..." Energy spun around the trio, causing them to glow bight white. "...Trans..." Just as the Sailor Teleport was about to happen, Neflite felt something jump on his back and wrap around him. "I coming with you!" a familiar voice shouted. "...port!" ********* Molly followed Neflite and Centurion Vega to remote spot in the park where they meet two women. Molly quickly hide in some nearby bushes and watched. It took her a moment to recognize the first one as Sailor Vega. The second one she recognized instantly. "Serena?" Molly whispered in disbelief. "What's she doing here?" Molly watched as Serena waved to Neflite. The four of them had a short conversation. Finally, Serena turned and left, leaving the trio looking after her. Sailor Vega and Centurion Vega took Neflite's hands, forming a small circle. A white glow surrounded the trio and Molly burst out of the bushes, running for Neflite. She was going to go with him. She leaped on to Neflite's back and shouted, "I coming with you!" Simultaneously, she heard Sailor Vega say, "...port!" And the world vanished. Chapter 2 The quartet crushed to the ground in a long, elegant hallway. "What happened?" Centurion Vega said as picked himself off the floor. Neflite didn't respond. Instead, he rolled over and looked right into the face of Molly. "Molly!" he said, jumping to his feet. "Are you all right?" "What's she doing here?" Sailor Vega demanded, coming up behind Neflite. Molly didn't answer, but stared at Sailor Vega and Centurion Vega. "Mrs. Krista?" Molly said, amazed. Neflite turned to look at his two companions, wondering how Molly recognized Sailor Vega so quickly. His wondering stopped when he saw that neither Sailor Vega or Centurion Vega were in costume. "Where did your uniforms go?" he asked. Krista looked down at herself in surprise. "Molly's extra mass during the Sailor Teleport must have caused it to deactivate our powers," she said. "Let's change back, quickly," Aaron said. Pounding his fist on his chest, he shouted, "Vega Star Transformation!" Everyone looked at him, expectantly, but nothing happened. "What...?" Aaron said, looking at his hand. "Why didn't you change?" Molly asked. Krista thought for a moment, then said, "It must be because the Sailor Teleport drained our powers. We're still in Sailor Vega and Centurion Vega mode, but we can't access our powers until they recharged." "Wonderful," Aaron muttered. "How long until they recharge?" "I don't know," Krista said. "It could take days." Neflite looked back at Molly. "Why did you do that?" he asked, in a soft voice. "Because I wanted to go with you," Molly said, sniffling. "You could have gotten us killed!" Aaron shouted at her. Neflite spun on Aaron. "Don't shout at her," he snarled. "She didn't know." Krista put her hands between them. "Enough," she said. "Molly's here and we have to deal with that. Now let's find Royal Councilor and get you crowned." The quartet quickly made their way through a maze of hallways and corridors until they reached a large set of golden doors. "This is the Royal Chambers," Aaron said. "The councilor should be here." Aaron pushed open the golden doors to reveal a large room. The four walls of the room were silver in color with large, purple drapes hanging down from the ceiling. From the center of the ceiling hung a beautiful chandelier decorated with large diamonds. A large, red carpet ran from the doors to a set of stairs on the opposite side of the room. The stairs ran up to a platform where a magnificent, golden throne sat which a golden rapier embedded in the center of it's back. On either side of the throne were draped purple curtains. The quartet moved slowly into the Royal Chambers, admiring the beauty of the room. "Amazing," Neflite said. "It's beautiful," Molly breathed, her brown large with wonder. "It's the last throne room in existence from the Silver Millennium," Aaron said. "What's the Silver Millennium?" Molly asked, turning her attention to Aaron. Neflite, Aaron, and Krista exchanged glances, unsure of how much to tell her. Before they could answer though, a voice said, "The Silver Millennium was a thousand years of peace in the galaxy. Something I hope to bring back." Everyone looked up at the platform to see a man step out from behind the curtains. The man was tall with stingy, black hair and a short, but elegant mustache. He was staring at them, his green eyes twinkling at some private joke. The man wore a red, ceremonial, double-breasted jacket and a pair of stiff, black, military pants. "Xonan," Aaron said, simply, his voice flat. One of the man's thin, black eyebrows arched up as the man called Xonan replied, "Traitor," Aaron and Krista exchanged startled glances as Xoxan raised his right hand up. "And you remember what we do to traitors, Cousin Aaron" he said. His hand came down in a chopping motion as he shouted, "Seize them!" Twelve men appeared on the platform, each wearing a purple and white uniform and each carrying a small pistol-like weapon. The men ran down the stairs and quickly surrounded the quartet. "Put your hands behind your head and don't move," one of the guards said. Neflite glanced over at Aaron and said, "You want me to take care of this?" Aaron looked at the guards and the guns trained on them. "No," he said, putting his behind his head. "Too much of a risk." The others followed his example as Xonan strolled down the stairs. "Excellent choice, Aaron," Xoxan said. He walked through the circle of guards and looked over the quartet. "Let's see," he mused. He pointed at Krista. "You I know, Princess," he said, "wife to the traitor and most likely a collaborator in his treachery." Xoxan looked at Neflite and smiled. "Shackle him," he said, pointing at Neflite, "and take him to my private study. I will deal with him personally." Xoxan then turned his attention to Molly, who looked back with fear in her eyes, and said, "And you, my dear, I do not recognize." He turned to the guards, indicated Aaron, Krista, and Molly, and said, "Take these three to the prisons, then spread the word that we have captured the traitor and he will stand trail in two days time." The guards bowed and moved to obey as Xoxan left the Royal Chambers. One of the guards moved to follow Xoxan. Two of them shackled Neflite, while the others lead Molly, Aaron, and Krista from the room. ********* "King Xoxan!" Xoxan turned to see one of guard running to catch up with him. Xoxan waited patiently until the guard caught with him. "Yes, Lord Wutar? What is it?" Xoxan asked. Wutar bowed deeply, then said, "Your Highness, I must protest the transportation of the prisoner to your private study. We don't know who that man is or..." Xoxan waved Whinen silent. "I know exactly who that man is," Xoxan said, "and that is why I had him shackled." "I don't understand," Whinen said. "Those chains were meant to keep creatures of the Negaverse from using their powers, why did..." Whinen's voice trailed off as his eyes widened. "That man is not a man at all," Xoxan said. "He is Neflite, general of Beryl." He smiled. "And he will convince the people of Vega that Aaron is the traitor we said he is." "Plus he can help you bring..." Whinen started, excited. "Yes, he can," Xoxan said. "And soon the power will be mine." ********* Neflite was lead by the two guards to a small door far from the Royal Chambers. One guard opened the door and the other simply shoved him in. As he stumbled into the darken room, the door slammed shut behind him. Neflite's eyes took a moment to become adjusted to the dark. Outlines of objects were scattered around the room, but all of them seemed to be connected somehow. He stared at a large circular object that stood in the middle of the room. Something in his memory sparked for a moment at the sight, but then was gone. What was Xoxan doing? Neflite thought as a feeling of dread washed over him. ********* Molly was last in the procession of prisoner with only a single guard walking behind her to keep an eye on her. In front of her walked Krista and Aaron, both escorted by three guards. Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth and pulled her away from the rest of the group. She struggled against her captor's grip for a moment, but then stopped, realizing whoever this was dragging her away was most likely doing her a favor. After a few moments, her captor removed his and from her mouth and spun her around. Molly gasped as she found herself face to face with a younger version of Aaron. "I am Prince Vulter, Aaron's brother," the young man said. "What's going on?" Chapter 3 Aaron looked up as the door to his cell opened, flooding the darken room with intense light. He had lost track of the hours he had been in here. They had put Krista and himself in separate cells, so he had no way of whether or not she was all right. Aaron held up his hand to block the light and stood as his eyes adjusted. Four people entered his cell. The first he knew instantly as Xoxan. The second man Aaron recognized as one of the guards that had captured him. Behind Xoxan was a tall woman with shoulder-length black hair. She was dressed in the white robes and carried a golden staff with round sphere at the top of it. In the center of the sphere was a purple jewel. Both the robes and the staff were the symbols of the Royal Councilor of Vega. The last was a man dressed in completely in black with a long black cape flowing around him. He had a hood drawn up over his head, covering his features. At the man's side hung a obviously ceremonial sword. Aaron was sure that there were other weapons hidden in the man's outfit. Xoxan smiled at Aaron as the guard moved to Aaron's side. "Aren't forgetting to do something, cousin?" he said. Before Aaron could answer, the guard hit him in the stomach, causing him to double up in pain. "That's better," Xoxan said. "You should always bow before your king. Now to the introductions." Xoxan motioned to the guard and said, "Allow me to introduce Lord Whinen, the head of my personal guards." Whinen pulled Aaron up so that he was standing straight as Xoxan motioned to the woman behind him. "This is Councilor Zeph, my Royal Councilor." The woman nodded her head to Aaron. Xoxan looked at Aaron. "You're forgetting your manners again, cousin." Once more, Whinen slammed his fist into Aaron, then pulled him back up straight. Xoxan motioned to the last man. "And this is my Royal Seer, Master Yeno," he said. "Very good at what he does." "This is all very interesting, cousin," Aaron said. "But I'm wondering... is there a point to your visit?" Xoxan threw back his head and laughed. The sound chilled Aaron to the bone and he shuddered. "You haven't changed, heave you, cousin?" Xoxan asked, chuckling. "Very well... to the point. I am here to give you the charges that have been brought against you. You are hereby officially charged with treason against Vega." Aaron stared at him. "What are you talking about?" he demanded. "I've never done anything Vega!" Xoxan raised an eyebrow. "Really?" he said. "Almost two months ago now, you vanished as did the plans recently sent to you by the Vegan Defense Committee." "And you think I took the plans?" he said incredulously. " I went to Earth to help Princess Serena. I told my second that!" "Interest," Xoxan responded. "Considering your second was found dead in your quarters apparently shot by your weapon. Which, by the way, was still in the room with the body." Aaron gaped. "Xoxan, I swear I didn't do this and I'm willing to take the Test to prove it." "Aaron," Xoxan said, "there is a lot of evidence against. When I presented this information to the Tribunal, they took you out of contention for the crown." "And as the oldest member of the Royal Family, the crown fell to you," Aaron said. "That's right," Xoxan confirmed. "Your trail is the day after tomorrow. Be ready." With that, Xoxan turned and left the cell, followed by his advisors. Aaron stood there, unable to believe what was happening, as the room plunged back into darkness. ********* Krista pushed herself away from the window and looked the room for the umpteenth time. She hadn't been taken to a prison cell as she expected, but instead she had been taken to the Queen's Suite, the second most lavish room in the palace. Krista's attention was called once more to the glass case in the far corner of the room. Inside the case was a beautiful purple tiara, the tiara of the Queen of Vega. Something about the tiara called to Krista, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get the tiara out of the case. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door to her room. Krista tore her gaze away from the tiara and said, "Come in." The door opened and in came Xoxan, followed by a woman in the white robes and carrying a golden staff with round sphere at the top of it. In the center of the sphere was a purple jewel. Both the robes and the staff were the symbols of the Royal Councilor of Vega. Xoxan bowed to Krista and said, "Are your accommodations to your satisfaction?" Ignoring the question, Krista said, "Where's my husband?" Xoxan smiled slightly. "Aaron is currently locked away, awaiting trial," he answered. "Trial?" Krista said. "But Aaron's done nothing." "That is where you are wrong, my dear," Xoxan said, "Aaron deserted his post, stole the defense plans for Vega, and killed his second." Krista didn't move unable to comprehend what she was hearing. "But... but... he didn't!" she stammered. "Do you know that for a fact?" Xoxan demanded. "He's been on Earth, with me," Krista said. "Did you leave for Earth together?" Xoxan said. Krista looked away. "No, he arrive on Earth after I did." Xoxan sighed. "Then he would have had time to do it." Xoxan moved closer to Krista. "I've come here to offer you something, Krista." Krista looked at him, her eyes narrowing. "What?" she asked. "Aaron will be found guilty of treason," Xoxan said. "There's no way around it, the evidence against him is too conclusive." "What's your point?" Krista demanded, trying to keep from crying. "I want you to rule by my side after this is over," he said. "What?" Krista gasped. Behind Xoxan, the woman looked furious. "Rule beside me and help me bring an era of greatness for Vega," Xoxan said. Krista opened her mouth to reply, but Xoxan stopped her. "No," he said. "Do not answer me now. Think on it." He turned and left room. The woman shot Krista a look of hatred, then quickly followed Xoxan. Krista moved and sat down in front of the tiara. "By the Moon, what is going on?" ********* Molly looked up the men surrounding her. "That's all I know," she said. "Honest." Prince Vulter looked around at his men. "Well, I can't see a reason to doubt her story," one man said, "it makes sense." Prince Vulter nodded. "That was my thinking," he said. Turning back to Molly, Vulter said, "Sorry about the interrogation, but we had to know what was going on." Molly nodded. She had spent the last hour telling Prince Vulter and his resistance force who she was and what she knew, which unfortunately was very little. "What are you going to do?" Molly asked. Prince Vulter smiled and tilted his head to side, indicating they should walk. "What any good resistance group would do," he said as they walked. "Free the prisoners and take back the throne." Molly rolled her eyes. "And how do you plan to do this?" Vulter stopped walking and looked at her. "You think I am a fool, don't you?" he said, slightly annoyed. Molly blinked in surprise. "I have known you long enough to make that assumption," she said. The Prince sighed. "I'm sorry," he said, rubbing a hand over his face, "I just don't know if I'm doing the right thing any more." Molly gave him a lopsided smile. "We all have doubts," she said. "That's nothing to be ashamed of. Vulter glanced at her. "When I was young, my father was always there to give his approval, so to speak, of what I did. If I was doing something wrong, he would let me know. And now without him, I don't know if I'm doing the right thing." Molly put a hand on his shoulder. "Does it feel right?" she asked. He nodded once. "Then it is the right thing," she said. He smiled at her, making him look even more like his brother. "Thank you," he said. "Now on to the plans. My men and I will simply free Aaron at the best possible time." Molly stopped walking. "I don't know Aaron that well, so I have to ask this: what if he really did commit treason?" Vulter looked at her for a moment, then said, "Then may the gods of the universe protect him." ********* Neflite looked up as the door to the Royal Chambers opened and Xoxan strode in followed by three others, two men and one woman. "I can't believe you told her that!" the woman said, on the verge of shouting. Xoxan sighed. "Zeph," he said, "If my experiment with the general fails, then we will need the Vegan Tiara to open a portal,." Neflite blinked. "A portal to what?" he asked. The four people turned to look at him in surprise. Xoxan is the first to recover. "What are you doing awake?" he said, his almost seething with anger. Xoxan pulled a small circular object from his pocket and placed it on Neflite's forehead. Electricity exploded into Neflite, then everything went black. ********* Xoxan turned to Whinen. "You're getting sloppy," he snarled. Whinen backed away slowly, unsure if Xoxan was going to kill him or not. "I'm sorry, Xoxan," he said, "I didn't think..." "That's right," Xoxan said, through gritted teeth. You didn't think!" Xoxan's hand comes up in a fit of anger... and an instant later, his face contorts with even more anger. "DAMN!" he screams. "It still won't recognize me!" "And the power won't until Aaron's dead," Whinen said. "Only the true King of Vega can use that power." "And if Aaron takes the Test, you won't be King for long "I know, I know!" Xoxan shouted. His voice calmed. "That is why Aaron will die during the trial... tomorrow." Zeph blinked. "Tomorrow?" she said, "But sir, you said..." "I know what I said, Whinen," Xoxan said, almost snarling. "I've changed my mind. Is there a problem." "No, sir," Whinen said, without a moment's hesitation. Xoxan looked at Yeno. "And you will kill tomorrow. Understood?" Yeno nodded as Xoxan smiled. "Now, let's get the general hooked up, shall we?" Xoxan said. Chapter 4 Krista's eyes fluttered opened. Sunlight streamed in from the windows, revealing a tall woman with long, black hair standing at the foot of her bed. Krista sat bolt up in bed and stared at the woman. She was wearing a regal, purple dress and holding the Vegan Tiara in her hands. Krista gasped as she recognized Queen Constance, Aaron's mother. Constance held the tiara out Krista, as if imploring her to take it. Krista reached out and lifted the tiara from Constance's slender hands. Instantly, the room vanished, being replaced by a sea of stars. Krista was now standing, still holding the tiara. Constance still stood in front of her, but now she was flanked by an endless line of Queens. Constance stepped forward and said, "The Tiara belongs to the true Queen just as the power belongs to the true King." As the other queens repeated what she had said, Constance motioned for Krista to put on the tiara. Like a robot, Krista lifted the tiara into the air and said, "I claim the title and power of the Queen of Vega!" She lowered the tiara onto her head and felt an instant surge of power. Purple energy poured out of the tiara, covering Krista completely as she shouted, "Vega Tiara Power!" With a burst of purple light, Krista was transformed into the purple sailor suit of Sailor Vega. Sailor Vega smiled. The tiara must have given her powers the boast they needed. Suddenly, the door to her room flew open and a tall, lanky man dressed in a guard's uniform strode into the room. He stopped dead upon seeing Sailor Vega and stared. "My Queen," he said, dropping to one knee and bowed his hand. Sailor Vega blinked. "Who are you?" she asked, motioning for him to rise. The man rose to his feet and said, "I am Lord Whinen, Your Highness," the guard said. "I am here to escort you to your husband's trial." Sailor Vega frowned. "But I thought he wasn't to stand trial until tomorrow," she said. Whinen nodded. "The trial was moved up by order of Xoxan," he explained. He stared at Sailor Vega intently for a moment, then motioned to the door with his hand as he said, "If Her Highness will follow me to the Judgment Chambers." Sailor Vega frowned as she followed Whinen from the room. He had called her 'Highness", yet had referred to the King as Xoxan. Was he trying to tell her something? Whinen turned a corner and stopped. "Through this door, Your Highness," he said, opening a small, wooden door. Sailor Vega frowned as she walked trough the door. She didn't remember the Judgment Chambers being this way... Sailor Vega stopped dead when she saw fifteen men in black version of a Vegan guard uniform standing in the room all pointing weapons at her. Instinctively, Sailor Vega fell into a defensive stance, ready for an attack. "Wait, Your Highness," Whinen said from behind her, "we are on your side." "That's right, sister-in-law," a familiar voice said from the back of the group. Sailor Vega stared as Vulter stepped forward. "These men are mine," he said, smiling. "And we are yours to command." With that, the group of men fell to one knee, bowing before their Queen. Sailor Vega laughed. "Vulter!" she cried, throwing her arms around her husband's brother. "So this is where you've been." Vulter returned the embrace with equal force as he said, "Yes, Krista, I've been leading a sort of resistance against Xoxan ever since he took the throne." Sailor Vega released Vulter from the embrace. "Why?" she asked. "Xoxan was right in taking the throne given the evidence against Aaron." Vulter and Whinen exchanged glances. "Your Highness..." Whinen began. "Not now," Vulter said. "When we rescue Aaron back, we will discuss this." "Rescue?" Sailor Vega said, confusion setting in. "Why do we need to rescue Aaron?" "Because, Krista," Vulter said, "Xoxan has ordered his assassin to kill Aaron before he can take the test of truth ." ********* Neflite moaned as consciousness came back to him. The first thing he notice was that he was suspended five above the ground with some sort of shackles attached to his hands. He pulled with all his might, trying to break free of the shackles, but to no avail. They held him fast. Looking down, Neflite saw Xoxan standing in front of him. "Well, look who's awake," Xoxan said, sneering. "How are you feeling, general?" Neflite stared down at Xoxan, silent. "Not talkative, are we?" Xoxan said. "Ah, well. Not that it makes much of a difference. I'm sure you're feeling better than your companions." Neflite still didn't respond. Xoxan waved his hand and immediately a small, blackish portal opened. "Do you recognize this, general?" Xoxan asked. Neflite's eyes widen at the sight of the portal. "How...?" he started. "That is immaterial, general," Xoxan said. "But this portal can spy on things just as well as my predecessor's could." Xoxan waved his hand again and the portal showed an image of Molly being beaten by several guards. Neflite's eyes lit up with rage at the sight and his powers roared to life, which caused Xoxan to smile. "Thank you, Neflite," Xoxan said. "I believe that this will be very rewarding... for me." Suddenly, the shackles that held Neflite in place began to glow and felt his power being pulled out of him. "What's going on?" he demanded, straining against the shackles. "We are going to awaken your former master, general," Xoxan said as a small black portal opened behind Neflite. "But this time, she will taking orders from me." ********* Aaron awoke with a start as bright light flooded his dark chamber. "What...?" he managed as two guards lifted him roughly to his feet. "Come on," one of the guards said. "We're here to escort you to your trial. "But... that's not until tomorrow," Aaron argued. "The trial has been moved to today by order of the King," the second guard stated flatly as they dragged Aaron out of his cell. ********* Molly stood at the rear of a ten man group, staring down at a laser she carried in her hand. Vulter had insisted that she be armed for this. Se wanted to help Aaron, since he was the true King of Vega, but she felt she would only be in the way here. Molly glanced up at the other men in her group. None of them were talking and none of them were even looking at Molly. She felt completely out of place with this group. She wished for the umpteenth time that Vulter had let her come with him to get Krista. She looked back down at the laser and wondered once more what she was doing with these people. Molly... Molly's head jerked up and she glanced about. "Neflite...?" she muttered. Molly... Molly blinked as she realized the voice was in her head. Neflite? she thought, reaching out with her mind. Molly... help me... Molly turned and took off down the corridor, heading in the direction that the voice pulled her. I'm coming, Neflite, she thought to him. I'm coming. ********* Zeph walked down to corridor towards Krista's chambers. She was still furious at Xoxan for making that proposal to Krista, but she knew better than to speak up. Zeph moved past the guard by Krista's room, who gave her a puzzled look as she opened the doors to the chamber. "Krista!" she called out as breezed in. She stopped dead at the sight that greeted her. The room was empty and the tiara was gone. Spinning around, Zeph yelled, "Guard!" The guard bolted into the room and bowed quickly. "Councilor?" he said. "Where is she?" Zeph demanded. The guard looked puzzled for a moment then said, "Councilor, Lord Whinen was here a short time ago and took her to Judgment Chambers." Zeph stared at the guard for a moment, then breathed, "Whinen..." ********* Yeno placed the muzzle of his laser rifle through one of the two he had cut. Looking through the sight, Yeno took careful aim at the dependent circle, where Aaron would standing. He glanced out the second hole he had cut, making sure all the guards were in their appropriate places. Yeno was perched in a secret room inside the head of the statue of Mekapilo, the Vegan God of Justice. He had chosen this position with the idea that some of the people watching would assume that the gods had decided the fate of Aaron and acted accordingly. Yeno watched through the second hole as the doors the Judgment Chambers opened and Aaron was dragged into the room by two guards. Once more, Yeno looked through his sight as Aaron was placed on the defendant circle. Yeno watched through his sight as Aaron bowed to the High Judge, the man who Aaron thought was going to decided his fate. Yeno smiled as he slowly began to squeeze the trigger of his laser rifle. Little did Aaron know the High Judge was going to have nothing to do with deciding his fate. Suddenly, an explosion rocked the room as the doors to the Judgment Chambers were blown opened. Yeno's head snapped so that he could see through the second hole. He stared as almost thirty men charged into the room shooting at the guards throughout the room. Leading the charge was Prince Vulter, Krista, and... Whinen?! Anger flashed through Yeno. How dare that ingrate betray their cause! Yeno looked back his sight to see Aaron spin around and stare at the attackers. Taking aim quickly, Yeno pulled the trigger... and the rifle fired. Chapter 5 Molly stopped outside a door near the Royal Chambers. She could feel Neflite pulling her into the room just beyond the door. Checking her laser, Molly crouched down and opened the door a crack to peered in. She stared at the sight that she beheld. Neflite hung in a set of shackle about ten feet off the ground. His head hung down as if he were unconscious. In front of Neflite stood Xoxan. He had a small machine strapped to his chest that hummed with power. But what really caught Molly's eye was the portal forming in front of Neflite. It was roughly six feet around and blackish in color. And just inside the portal, Molly could see two bright red eyes peering out, as if waiting for the right moment to strike. Molly gasped, suddenly realizing what was in the portal. Closing the door quietly, Molly tore back to the Judgment Chambers to find Vulter. ********* "Your highness, get down!" Whinen shouted as he tackled Aaron in the midsection, taking him down to ground as the laser bolt passed where his head had been seconds ago. Aaron looked at Whinen in surprise. "You have my thanks, Lord Whinen, though I seem to remember you being on Xoxan's side in all of this." Whinen grimaced. "Only in the realm of make-believe did I serve him, Sire," he replied. Sailor Vega and Vulter ran up to the two as they stood. "We have to get out of here," Vulter said, blasting a guard, "before more guards get here." "Lead the way," Sailor Vega commanded. Whinen stepped in front of Aaron and shouted, "To me! To me! Protect the King!" A split second later, Whinen dropped to the ground with a laser hole in his head. ********* Yeno cursed silently. Damn Whinen for saving Aaron. Yeno tried to take aim again, but people kept getting in the way of his shot. Finally, Aaron's head appear. Yeno smiled and pulled the trigger a second time. A split second later, Whinen stepped in front of Aaron, taking the shot. ********* The Vegan brothers and Sailor Vega watched in surprise as Whinen hit the floor, dead. "Come on," Vulter said, shaking off the death. "Who's ever shooting is after you." Aaron and Sailor Vega needed no further encouragement as they followed Vulter out of the Judgment Chambers with his men close behind. Vulter took the lead and rounded a corner... right into Molly. Molly bounced off Vulter and hit the floor, knocking herself unconscious. "Wonderful," Vulter muttered. "Molly!" Sailor Vega said, lifting her head off the floor. "I wondered what happened to her," Aaron said. "Just pick her and move it," Vulter said as he took off. ********* Yeno and Zeph burst into Xoxan's study. "Xoxan, Whinen has be..." Zeph started. "Aaron, he's es..." Yeno said simultaneously. Xoxan turned and stared at them, silencing them. "The process is almost complete," he said. "Now I don't care what's going on, I want you to take care of it. Understood?" Both Yeno and Zeph nodded silently. "Good," Xoxan said. "Now get out!" ********* Vulter, Sailor Vega, and Aaron gathered in a small room with Molly. Molly laid on a couch, still unconscious, while the others sat around a small table and talked. "It's good to have you back Aaron," Vulter said. "It's good to be back," Aaron replied. He frowned. "I just wish it was under better circumstances." Vulter gave him a weary smile. "And you only know half of it," he said. "What do you mean?" Sailor Vega asked. Vulter closed his eyes as he said, "Aaron, our father did not die under normal circumstances. Xoxan had him assassinated." Aaron stared straight ahead, silent, as Vulter continued, "It was soon after you left. I can't prove it but I'm willing to bet that it was Yeno who actually did the deed. Before I realized what was going on, Xoxan had you denounced as a traitor and had taken the throne for himself. I went underground, knowing that as long as I was alive, I was a threat to his claim." "He framed you, Aaron," Vulter said. "No ifs, ands, or buts. You are the true King of Vega." Aaron turned to look at Krista. "You said that my mother had called you the true Queen of Vega and gave you the crown, right?" he asked. "That's right," Sailor Vega said. Aaron smiled. "That's why we changed back when we came here," he said. "Once we touched Vegan soil, we become the King and Queen. Without the crowns, we can't access our powers." "But Xoxan has the King's Crown," Vulter said. "But only the true King can access the powers that it bestows," Aaron said. "So all we have to do is get the crown back from Xoxan?" Sailor Vega said. "That's right," Aaron said. "That sounds rather simple," Vulter said. "No, it won't be." The trio turned to see Molly sitting up on the couch, holding the side of her head. "How are you?" Sailor Vega asked, moving over to her. "I'm fine, thank you," Molly said. She looked at Sailor Vega. "It's so strange, I can see now that you're Krista..." she muttered. "Why couldn't I before?" Sailor Vega smiled. "It's the magic, Molly," she said. "It causes you to forgot the features of the Sailor Scouts after they leave. Until you see the transformation or figure it out yourself, you can't tell who a Sailor Scout really is." Molly nodded at the explanation. "What did you mean by 'it won't be'?" Vulter asked. Molly blinked, then sat up straight. "Xoxan's summoned that queen Neflite was telling me about!" she exclaimed. Aaron blinked in confusion. "You mean Beryl?" he asked. "No, no," Molly said. "The other one. The one that gave Beryl her powers." Aaron, Sailor Vega, and Vulter stared at her in horror. "Metallica," Vulter breathed. "Metallica?" Molly asked. "Metallic is the Vegan word for the Negaverse," Sailor Vega explained. "How do know?" Aaron demanded, standing up. Molly described the scene that she saw in Xoxan's study, including everything from the machine that held Neflite up to the machine that Xoxan had strapped to his chest. "By the Moon," Vulter said. "The Intergrator..." "The what?" Aaron said. "The Intergrator," Vulter repeated. "It a device that can absorb energy and transfer it into the wearer." "Metallica is almost pure energy," Sailor Vega said. "Could it absorb her and transfer her into Xoxan?" "With a few modifications, yes." Aaron turned to face them. "Then we don't have a choice. We have to go after Xoxan." "Let's do it," Vulter said, jumping to his feet. He turned and shouted, "Get my brother armor and a weapon, quickly. And bring me my sword. We're going after Xoxan." Chapter 6 The fighting that broke out in the palace over the next hour was immense. Guards loyal to Xoxan fought against guards loyal to Aaron. Finally, after hours of fighting, four figures burst into the Royal Chambers: Aaron, Sailor Vega, Vulter, and Molly. "Where's Xoxan?" Aaron said. Vulter pointed. "His study is down that hall." "Then let's go," Aaron said, walking forward. "I don't think so." A voice from above said. From behind the throne stepped Zeph and Yeno. "We're going to stop you," Zeph said as she level her staff at them. Yeno nodded his agreement as two swords appeared in his hands. Sailor Vega turned to Aaron. "Take Molly and get Xoxan," she said, "we'll hold off these two." Aaron nodded, grabbed Molly's hand, and sprinted towards Xoxan's study as Vulter and Sailor Vega paired off against Yeno and Zeph. ********* Yeno leaped into the air at Vulter, firing blasts of energy from his twin swords. Vulter twisted to the side, pulling his laser. Taking aim, Vulter fired just as Yeno landed in the middle of the stairs. Yeno brought up his blade and block the laser beam. Vulter pulled out his sword and pressed a small button on his laser. A bayonet popped out of the muzzle of the laser as Vulter charged up the stairs to meet Yeno. Sparks flashed as the two combatants' blades clashed. Vulter thrusted his bayonet at Yeno, trying to get under his guard, but Yeno counter with his second blade. They held that position for a moment, both straining against the other, until finally Yeno backed up the stairs, away from Vulter. Vulter raised his laser and fired, but Yeno blocked with his sword, still backing away. Vulter followed Yeno up the stairs to the throne platform. Vulter swung his sword in an arc at Yeno, who blocked with one sword and thrusted with his other. Vulter turned the thrust aside with his bayonet. Yeno's foot came up, slamming into Vulter's stomach. Vulter stumbled back, losing his grip on his laser. It clattered to the floor and Yeno kicked it down the stairs. Vulter backed away, keeping his sword up. Yeno thrusted with one sword, then the other, keeping Vulter on the defensive. Without warning, Yeno's sword snaked out and sliced Vulter's sword hand, causing Vulter to drop his sword. Vulter backed away, fanatically trying to work a way out of this mess. He took another step back and tripped over the throne. He rolled off the throne, a split second before Yeno's blade bite into the wood of the throne. Yeno swung his second sword at Vulter's head. Vulter pulled his head back, but the blade sliced his forehead. Blood flowed freed from the wound, running into Vulter's eyes and blinding him. Vulter groped out blindly, looking for something to defend himself. He could sense Yeno getting ready to deliver the killing blow. Suddenly, his hand closed around the hilt of a sword. Instantly, several things happened at once. He felt the power radiate from the sword as he absorbed the sword. He could feel both of his wounds healing. Vulter stood up to find Yeno staring at him. Smiling, Vulter shouted, "Gemini Knight Power!" A ball of purple energy appeared over Vulter and hovered their for a second, before becoming two rays of energy that swirled down around him, changing his clothes into purple armor and a purple cape. Yeno hesitated only a moment, then struck out with one of his sword. Vulter dodged and shouted, "Gemini Twin Blades!" Energy leaped between his hands as two golden rapiers appeared in his hands. Vulter took a second to note that both swords looked exactly like the sword that had been embedded in the throne. Yeno didn't hesitate this time as he swung at Vulter. Vulter blocked Yeno's blade with one of his own and thrusted with his other. Yeno turned aside the thrust and their deadly duel was re-engaged. Back and forth the two went until Vulter slipped through Yeno's defense and embedded his sword deep within Yeno's chest. Yeno looked down in surprise as Vulter pulled his sword out of Yeno's chest. "That's for my father, you bastard," Vulter said as Yeno slumped down, dead. ********* As Yeno leaped to attack Vulter, Zeph floated down the stairs towards Sailor Vega. "So, Your Highness," she said, "I see you have gotten the Queen's Tiara." Sailor Vega nodded as she said, "And I'll use it to stop you and Xoxan." Zeph sneered. "We'll see about that," she said as she lowered her staff at Sailor Vega. Out of the sphere at the top of the staff shot a beam of gold energy. Sailor Vega twisted aside, raised her hands and shouted, "Vegan Super Nova!" A beam of purple energy shot from Sailor Vega's hands at Zeph, but Zeph spun her staff and the beam bounced away. "Xoxan gave me more than enough power to deal with you," she said, firing another blast from her staff. "No power you have could match the power of love," Sailor Vega retorted, leaping away from the blast. "Really?" Another beam fired from the staff. "Really." Sailor Vega said, firmly. "Vegan Spear Slash!" Sailor Vega's spear materialized in her hands as she started an upward arc at Zeph's face. Zeph brought her staff up and the two weapon collided, showering the two combatants in sparks. "What about the power of words?" Zeph asked, straining against Sailor Vega. "What do you mean?" Sailor Vega asked. "What if I told you that your troops were being beaten back even as we speak?" Sailor Vega faltered for a moment. Taking advantage of the moment, Zeph pushed the spear and slammed her staff into Sailor Vega's stomach. "Or what if I told you that Yeno was about to finish Vulter?" Zeph hit Sailor Vega across the face with her staff, sending Sailor Vega sprawling to the floor. Zeph aimed her staff at Sailor Vega and said, "Or what if I told you that this was all an elaborate trap? That Xoxan had already merged with Metallica and that you had sent your beloved husband to his death?!" "Nooo!" Sailor Vega shouted as her hands came up. "Vegan Love Star Swirl!" Small, purple stars swirled out of Sailor Vega's outstretched hands at impossible speeds, slicing through Zeph. One cut right the top of her staff, sending the orb clattering to the ground. Zeph stumbled back as Sailor Vega stood up. "This ends now," Sailor Vega said. "Vegan Star Spear Attack!" Sailor Vega's spear reappeared in her hand and three rings of purple energy exploded from its tip, speeding at Zeph. Zeph screamed as the rings passed through her and she vanished from sight. Sailor Vega looked up to see Vulter standing over Yeno with two golden rapiers in his hands and dressed in purple armor. "Where did that come from?" she asked. "I don't know," Vulter said as he started down the steps to Sailor Vega. Sailor Vega shrugged. "Well, we can't look a gift horse in the mouth," she said. He nodded in agreement. "Let's go find Aaron and put an end to this," he said. ********* Aaron ran down the hall to Xoxan's study, pulling Molly behind him. "Why are you taking me with you?" Molly asked. Aaron looked back at her and said, "While I distract Xoxan, I want you to get Neflite out of there. Ok?" Molly nodded as they came to a halt outside the door to Xoxan's study. Pulling out the laser Vulter had given him, Aaron looked at Molly and said, "You ready?" Molly nodded again, trying not to let the fear show in her eyes. "Good," Aaron said, giving a reassuring smile. Looking back at the door, Aaron took a deep breath and slammed his foot against the door. The door flew open as Aaron leaped into the room, laser ready. Neflite still hung in the shackles that Molly had seen him in earlier. The portal was still open, underneath Neflite, but Xoxan was no longer near it. Xoxan stood in the center of the room, a dark aura about him. The device which Molly had seen him wearing was now in pieces around the room. "Welcome, Aaron," Xoxan said. "I want to thank you for being so obliging." "What do you mean?" Aaron asked, keeping his laser trained on him. "By coming here, you have saved me the trouble of coming after you," Xoxan said. "Happy I could be of service," Aaron muttered. "And with you out of the way," Xoxan continued, "not only will I have the power of Metallica, but the power of the King of Vega." "Not if I have anything to say about it," Aaron said, firing his laser at Xoxan. The laser bolts struck the dark aura around Xoxan and bounced harmlessly away. "You have nothing to say about, dear cousin," Xoxan said, smiling. "I already have a good amount of control over Metallica's power. And with that, I will be able to kill you." Xoxan's hands came up and two bolts of black energy leaped from them, streaking towards Aaron. Aaron leaped aside, dodging the bolts easily. Xoxan laughed as two more bolts shot out of his hands at Aaron. ********* Molly watched as Aaron dodged blasts from Xoxan. She couldn't get to Neflite to free him since the fight was going on between the door and him. And she had this sinking feeling that Aaron was going to need help. Molly watched in horror as one of the black bolts hit Aaron, sending him tumbling to the ground. Xoxan walked over to stand over Aaron. "It has been fun, cousin," Xoxan said, "but now, it ends." "No!" Molly shouted, charging Xoxan. ********* "No!" Aaron and Xoxan both looked to the sound to see Molly charging Xoxan. Before either one could react, Molly slammed into Xoxan and they both went sprawling to the ground. As Xoxan hit the King's Crown fell off his head and rolled to Aaron. Aaron grabbed the crown as Xoxan tossed Molly off of him. The two cousins stood up, watching each other. "Now you have the crown," Xoxan stated flatly. "And the power to defeat you," Aaron said, placing the crown on his head. "Vegan Lord Power!" Bright light exploded from the crown, blinding everyone in the room. Molly blinked a few times, letting her eyes adjust. When she could see again, she saw that Aaron was now dressed in a white tuxedo with a long flowing white cape and a large sword sheathed at his side. "Now, we will end this," Aaron said. An instant later, the two's powers collided. ********* Sailor Vega and Vulter ran into the study to see Aaron and Xoxan fighting in front of a blackish portal. The room was crackling with the power that the two were expending. The two warriors stared at the scene for a moment, unsure of what to do. "Aaron must have the power of the King," Sailor Vega said. "And Xoxan must have the power of Metallica," Vulter muttered. "But he's not in complete control of it," Sailor Vega said. "How do you know?" Vulter asked. "Only the power of the Imperial Crystal could stand up to the power of Metallica," Sailor Vega said. "Which means we can't destroy Xoxan or we'll be dealing with Metallica herself." "But we can contain him," Vulter said, snapping his fingers. "Hit Xoxan with everything you've got." Sailor Vega looked at Vulter in confusion for a moment, then nodded. "If we can force him into the portal..." "...Then we can close it behind him, trapping him there," Vulter finished, triumphantly. "Let's do it," Sailor Vega said. "Vegan Star Spear Attack!" Rings of energy fired from Sailor Vega's spear at Xoxan. "Gemini Blades Blast!" Vulter shouted. Two beams of purple energy exploded from the Gemini Blades, speeding towards Xoxan. The two attacks hit Xoxan simultaneously, sending him stumbling towards the portal. Aaron caught on to the tactic immediately and fired beams of energy at Xoxan, knocking him completely into the portal. Xoxan screamed in defiance as the portal swallowed him. With a thought, Aaron pulled Neflite free of the machine that held him and instantly, the portal vanished, trapping Xoxan. Molly ran over to Neflite as he stirred. His eyes fluttered opened. His gaze shifted from Aaron to Sailor Vega to Vulter, then finally to Molly. He smiled. "Is it over?" he asked. Aaron nodded. "Yes, my friend, it's over." Epilogue Aaron, Krista, Vulter, Molly, and Neflite gathered in the Royal Chambers. After Xoxan's imprisonment, those who fought for him quickly surrendered upon seeing the true King of Vega. Aaron had called together a meeting of the Tribunal. After reviewing the evidence presented to them, they cleared Aaron of charges of treason, shifting that charge to Xoxan, and named Aaron King of Vega. Aaron's first act as King was to instate Vulter into the Star Knights as Centurion Gemini and award him and his followers medals of honor for defending Vega against Xoxan. Neflite had gotten medical treatment for his ordeal at the hands of Xoxan. His doctors had discovered that his ordeal left him completely powerless, he no longer possessed the power of one of Beryl's generals. He had taken the news in stride and someone actually heard him thanking the powers that be for losing his powers. Aaron looked at his companions and said, "I have to stay here." Krista looked down at the ground, trying not to cry. "There is much to do on Vega," Aaron said, looking at his friends. "Krista and Vulter will return to Earth with you to protect and help Sailor Moon, but I must remain." The others nodded their understanding. "Good-bye, my friend," Neflite said, bowing. "May we each other soon." Molly hugged Aaron silently, then went to stand with Neflite. Vulter and Aaron embraced. "Good luck, brother," Vulter said. "And to you, brother," Aaron replied. Aaron turned to Krista. "Good-bye, my love," Aaron said. "I will return as soon as I am able," Krista said. They kissed, holding each other in their embrace as if they could stop time if they just stood there. Finally, they separated and stared at other. Krista moved away forming a circle with Neflite, Molly, and Vulter. With tears in her eyes, Krista said, "Sailor Transport." With a burst of light, the foursome vanished, leaving Aaron alone in the Royal Chambers. Author's Notes Well, I hoped you liked this story, but I'm sure that you have a lot of questions. I'll answer the ones that come to my mind here, if I don't answer a question you have, feel free to e-mail me at Storyist@aol.com. First off, I'll deal with Neflite. The reason I striped him of his powers is because every time the Scouts and Knights ran into a problem they would call on Neflite to help him. I didn't want to kill him, but I did want to eliminate him from the equation. Stripping him of his powers seemed to me the best way to do that. Secondly, in regards to Aaron. I actually did not like the way I was handling the character, so I simply removed him from the equation and replaced him with a younger, less experience character, Vulter, who I already like better. Molly now knows who the Sailor Scouts are, but I'm not sure if I'll she tell the others(beside Krista and Vulter) that she knows. She might keep her knowledge to herself. I'll deal with this group finding out about Serena's death in Death Moon in Reflections, which will also deal with everyone else's reactions to Serena's death. Again, I hope you enjoyed this and if you have any questions, comments, etc. let me know at Storyist@aol.com. TJ Caracino