Minako burst into Ami's room, followed by Makoto and Rei. The seat was empty, the screens still bright. She went into them, images and codes she didn't understand. She cursed.

"Where could she have gone?"

"She took the other transporter ball," Makoto said. "She could use it better than any of us."

"And no records." Minako banged a few keys and a small message popped up.

It was in Mercurian text. Minako glared at it, trying to make her lessons return, make the words more clear.

"Ami," she made out. "They're coming." And suddenly it was clear. "They're coming for the transporters. Please. It's too late. I can hear them coming, hear my superiors dying. You have to help us. Destroy it, or this system is not the only one at stake."

"Her sword's gone," said Makoto.

Knowing what she was looking for, Minako hit a few more codes and a video screen popped up. It was bloodshed and death, the viewport spattered. It took a moment for the image to resolve on the tiny, high-ceilinged library, the balcony, the crush of blackcoats pouring in the doors, fallen scholars beneath their boots. And then the flash of blue, and a sword of ice.

"It looks like our rational Mercurian has learned the worth of valiant death."

xXx

Ami should have pressed the button. Everything was set up. Her finger hovered over it, hesitating.

The asteroid was on its course, it would sweep in, sending Mercury on a course close to the sun, destroying another legion of Metallia's blackcoats along with an entire world, a world of fools and pacifists who hadn't noticed, hadn't realized that their fabulous peacetime technology could so easily be used for war and death. She didn't have time to play the hero. If she waited, the blackcoats would reach the cache of transport balls, and it would be too late. They would have the ability to be anywhere in the universe in seconds. The empire would be lost.

But it was Sam, desperate, typing as she held the door shut with all her strength, as the pacifist historians and scientists screamed as they were slaughtered. And if she just had a moment…

It wasn't logical; it wasn't rational. But Ami caught up her sword, setting the transport ball with a click and a twist. All these idiots she lived with here tried to teach her the worth of being a hero, the beauty of a violent death.

She had never even kissed her.

xXx

Metallia burst into the room, smoking slightly and swearing furiously. "These fools! These children! How dare they ruin my plans, ruin everything for me!"

"Do you," asked Haruka, softly, "By any chance, mean us?"

Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to scream for the guards. But Michiru sent a blast of plasma into the transporter, it split, fissuring into the universe, and Haruka shoved.

Metallia screamed as she tumbled back into the crack. There was a flicker of light, and explosion, and the transporter collapsed into a pile of rubble.

xXx

Ami's eyes were lit with a cold fire, and the sword of ice was slick with blood, running down her arm and spattered across her face. Sam, up on the balcony, was pressed up against the door to the transporters, struggling to keep them away. Her eyes were wide and terrified, the force shield she was using sputtering at each new hit. Ami had to reach her, but the press of blackcoats was too strong. There was a flicker, and the other senshi were behind her. Ami buried her blade into the belly of an advancing man. There was a flicker of lightning and a spear took down the next one.

And she glanced up, a sudden press of hope, to see Sam, turning to fend off a blow from the left, and then the laser fire, her eyes widening, her mouth open in a gasp, the way her body bent…

"No!"

Rei was in the air, catching hold of the railings, swinging up onto the banister, taking out blackcoats like a dervish. She spared a glance at Sam and shook her head. Ami's knees buckled. Makoto slung an arm under her shoulders, keeping her on her feet.

"No…"

Minako was barely visible among the blackcoats, just a chain and a sword, whirling with yellow light, bodies falling, until she reached the door, closing it, and barring it with a pile of corpses. Rei dropped down from the balcony. Makoto's spear flickered out of existence.

There was no one left.

Minako set the coordinates, and boots slicking the carpet with blood, empty handed, they returned to Ami's room.

Ami stood, shaking, uncertain, the sword dropping from her hand, marking the floor where it fell. Makoto touched her shoulder gently.

"Are you…" She bit down on the question.

"Why didn't you leave me to die?" Ami hissed, her voice unrecognizable. "I thought that was how it worked. Either you succeed, or you get to die."

"You have a duty," Minako said harshly, too harshly, she knew.

Ami blinked at that, and stood up straighter. "I do," she said quietly, and moved over to her computer. She hit a few keys, and brought up a screen. Everyone watched as the asteroid turned, the explosions, the planet on fire as the atmosphere burned away. Makoto stared, eyes wide.

"You killed everyone."

Minako glanced away. She wasn't surprised, and felt guilty for it.

Ami was silent for a moment before she spoke. "What does it matter? They killed her. This disgusting universe enmired in this worthless war killed her."

xXx

Serena ran through the halls, looking for someone, for anyone. She had seen Setsuna's shuttle leave. Her mother was locked in her apartments, and would not open the doors. None of the scouts seemed to be anywhere.

She had been abandoned. She had seen the reports, Venus on fire, Mercury attacked, and she was terrified and so alone.

She wasn't looking where she was going, and bumped right into a masculine chest.

Endymion looked down in surprise at the princess with eyes red from crying. "Are you all right, your majesty?"

"I'm fine." She whimpers a little. "You're… You're the prince of earth, right?"

"The king, now," he said, his voice sad, but calm. "I have just come to inform your honored mother that my father has been killed and I now must return to defend my home."

Serena nodded.

"I have some troops that I could spare to the moon if you need assistance."

Serena blinked. "Why… why would you do that?"

He looked at her. His eyes were soft and kind, but serious and mature. "I would do my utmost to protect my Empress and her daughter."

Serena stared at him for a long moment. He would protect her. He would not abandon her. She put her arm around his shoulders and pulled him down to kiss him. "You do me a great honor."

Endymion gaped at her. He falls to his knees. "Mistress. I would do anything for you."

Serena eyed him sadly. "Anything?"