As this is my first fanfic posted to the web, be easy on me and it. As to time line, this takes place after SMS but before SS. I believe, the Senshi are fifteen and in their senior year of Junior High. Some of you will be wondering about the Guardians knowing the Senshi from before. I'll explain how in flashbacks through the story but, briefly, I wrote a fiction, a couple years ago, called "Beyond the Reach". In this story, the Guardians meet the Senshi for the first time. The story, however, is long gone. This WAS a while before I joined the Internet. Since I don't need to introduce the Senshi to Sailor Moon fans, I'll limit myself to brief intros of the Guardians and let the Story develop them further. Special Thanks: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing, good ideas and comments, and providing me with Sailor Moon stories to enjoy! Thanks Will! Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi and all terms, names etc associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. The Guardians and everything pertaining to the Star Kingdoms are MINE! On with the show: Sailor Moon: Guardians of the Star By Eric den Biesen (greywolf@eagle.ca) Prologue: Eclipse of the Sailor Senshi The room was quiet, the gentle silence that was common in the early morning. The rising sun lightened the room as time went by, illuminating the two sleeping on the bed. The girl was almost completely hidden by the covers, while the black cat slept at the very foot of the bed, out of the way of careless feet that had knocked her off the bed more than once in the past. Usagi woke up and sleepily glanced at her clock: 7:30 AM. She sat up and yawned. She looked at the foot of the bed and saw that Luna was awake as well. "I'm too awake to go back to sleep," Usagi complained, "Third time this week I'm up on time and it's only Wednesday! I must be ill or something." Luna looked up at Usagi with a smug look on her face. "If gaining a sense of responsibility is a sickness, then you are indeed ill," she answered, "And thank heavens you finally caught the right disease!" Before Luna could so much as blink, Usagi grabbed her pillow and clocked her with it. "Very funny!" Luna's muffled voice came from under the pillow. Usagi smiled gently as she suddenly remembered why she was up on time for the past three days, why her homework had been done on time for the past week, and why she had studied so long for that stupid math test. She couldn't help it. She had to smile everytime she thought of the way Mamoru had snookered her, and she fell into the trap, hook line and sinker! A little over two weeks ago, she and Mamoru were in the park, sitting under some trees. She had thought that Mamo-chan had looked a little pensive. "Is something wrong, Mamo-chan?" she had asked worriedly. He had looked at her thoughtfully. "Usako?" he asked, "Would you do something for me?" He looked so worried, that she answered immediately without thinking. "Of course Mamo-chan!" she exclaimed, "You know I'd do anything for you!" CLANG! The trap sprang shut! She knew something was wrong as soon as Mamoru's expression changed from worried to smug. "Good!" he had said, "You'll be in High School next year and it's time you concentrated on your studies, don't you think? I mean, you WILL be the Queen of Crystal Tokyo someday AND have a lovely daughter as well. With this in your future, a good education is vital! If you won't do it for yourself, could you at least try it for me? I know you love me and it isn't THAT much to ask." CLICK! There was the fatal statement that locked the trap behind her, no escape! she thought fondly, It was an uphill struggle all the way though. The studying was easy, thanks to the system Ami-chan had showed her. The homework was a little tougher; it took a week before she began doing it regularly. Getting up early had proved the hardest. It took her two weeks before she was able to manage it. She felt it was only her love for Mamoru that had enabled her to pull it off. He had been right, of course, but she'd bite her tongue off before she'd admit it! After she had finished dressing and did her hair, she skipped down the stairs for breakfast. she thought, After snarfing down a BIG breakfast, Usagi grabbed her school bag and with a "Bye Mom!" was out the door and on her way. About half-way to school, she was startled by a call from behind her. "Usagi-chan, wait up!" Usagi turned to see Ami running towards her. "Hi Ami-chan!" Usagi said as Ami slid to a stop beside her, "You're usually at school by now! What held you up?" They continued walking as Ami answered. "Well, I thought I'd walk with you for a change," she replied, looking nervous, "I...ah...thought we could discuss...the math test." Usagi looked at Ami suspiciously. "Oh?" she questioned with raised brows, "That's all?" She knows I'm hiding something from her, Ami thought with panic, "Yes", she replied brightly, hiding her unease, "I DID teach you that studying method and am curious as to how it went. You DID know they're going to post the results today, didn't you?" Usagi looked horrified as Ami's distraction worked. "Oh man!" she groaned, "Why do they make me take these things? Everyone knows I'll only flunk 'em!" Ami cast her eyes upwards in exasperation. "Not if you studied, Usagi-chan. You DID study, didn't you?" The look on Ami's face suggested that she better have. Usagi sighed heavily. "Sure I did! The way you showed me wasn't hard and it didn't take up THAT much time." "Good!" Ami said, "And when did you start your studying?" "Two weeks before the test," Usagi answered promptly. At this, Ami turned to stare at her in surprise. That was very unusual, especially for Usagi. At Ami's look, Usagi continued, "Look Ami, the way you showed me wasn't hard so I figured I might as well do it. I'm not a TOTAL airhead!" The two girls entered the main doors of the school and split up to go to their respective classes. The morning passed uneventfully although Usagi thought for a moment that Haruna-sensei was going to have a heart attack when she handed in her homework on time. she thought, Usagi shook her head in exasperation. Even her classmates were getting in on the act, worrying that because she didn't fall asleep in class or try to snarf down her lunch early that she must be ill. Lunchtime found Usagi and Naru seated at one of the tables in the school cafeteria, eating their lunch and gossiping. "Did you notice the way Haruna-sensei was looking at you this morning?" Naru asked. "Yeah," Usagi replied sourly, "Like she thought I was about to bite her! Good grief Naru-chan! I couldn't have been THAT bad, could I?" Naru covered her mouth to hide her smile as she replied in the affirmative. "Oh yes!" she chuckled, "You were even worse! If I didn't know the true reason you're trying so hard now, I'd probably be as spooked as everyone else appears to be!" Usagi looked at her sharply. "True reason?" she queried. "Oh come on, Usagi!" Naru replied with a smirk, "How dense do you think I am? There's only one person I know who could possibly have motivated you!" Usagi flushed at Naru's knowing look. Usagi searched frantically through her mind for a way to change the subject. "I asked Haruna-sensei if she was alright!" Usagi said seizing the topic they had been discussing earlier, "And she said that she was worried about ME! Can you believe it? She's walking around in a daze all morning and she thinks I'M sick!" Naru gave Usagi a look that said she wasn't fooled for a minute. "Nice try Usagi!" she said with a wicked grin, "But she was right, you are sick and your illness is called Mamor....." Usagi quickly slapped her hand over Naru's mouth. "Quiet Naru-chan!" she hissed, "Do you think I want everyone to know? The rest of the gang would never let me live it down, especially Rei!!" Usagi removed her hand and Naru mimicked a zipping motion over her mouth to indicate that she'd keep it shut. Her grin was still there, however, and as Usagi blushed, it got wider. She was then distracted by something behind Usagi and Usagi turned to look at what had captured her friend's interest. Ami-chan was coming toward them and she looked as if someone had smacked her over the head with a board. She had never seen Ami look so stunned. "The results of the math test are posted on the bulletin board, Usagi-chan," she said, obviously shocked by something she had seen. "What's the matter, Ami-chan?" Usagi said, concerned, "Didn't you do well?" "Oh yes, I got first place with a perfect score," Ami replied with a dazed smile, "You have to come and look at the results!" Usagi and Naru exchange concerned looks. Usagi shrugged, unconcerned about the results. "Why bother?" she said indifferently, "I probably got last place like usual." Ami gave her a peculiar look. "Come on Usagi-chan!" she said as she grabbed Usagi's hand, quite prepared to drag her along. "OK, OK, I'm coming!" Usagi sighed, deciding to humor Ami. Naru followed them, intensely curious. As the three girls entered the foyer near the school entrance, Usagi saw a large crowd clustered around the bulletin board across from the office. There were exclamations of surprise from some who were seeing the results for the first time. There was a lot of excited discussion as well. Usagi frowned curiously. They spotted Makoto in the crowd and approached her. She turned to them as they approached and Usagi noticed that her expression mirrored Ami's. Looking over the other students, she noticed other stupefied expressions. Now she was starting to get irritated. As they approached, the others noticed them and the discussion winded down. A path opened through the now silent students. When they reached the bulletin board, Usagi automatically glanced at the bottom of the list. She was startled to see that her name wasn't there. "They didn't put me on the list!" she exclaimed, worried now, "I must have blew it big time!" Mako-chan snorted at that as she came out of her daze. "Honestly, Usagi-chan!" she said as she firmly gripped Usagi's chin and raised it until she was looking at the top of the list, "It would help if you were looking at the RIGHT part of the list!" When she focused her gaze on the top and realized what she was seeing, it stopped her breathing. MATHEMATICS TEST RESULTS: 1/ Mizuno Ami 100% 2/ Tsukino Usagi 96% She stared and stared, completely at a loss for words. She started to get spots in front of her eyes, when Mako brought her back to the real world. A clenched fist thumped her shoulder as Mako snapped, "Breathe Usagi! It won't do you any good if you faint!!" Usagi let out the pent up breath she had been holding and stood there gasping. "Baka..," Mako said fondly as she looked at her panting friend. Usagi shook her head dazedly. "This can't be right!" she stuttered, "They must have made a mistake!" At that, Mako burst out in quiet laughter. "Nope," she said with glee, "I heard that Haruna-sensei marked your test several times before she'd believe it!" "Oh man!" Usagi moaned, "When my parents see that I do THAT well if I study, they'll lock me in my room with my text books and I'll be studying 'til I'm old and gray!" Ami smiled at that. "Just keep studying the way I showed you," she said consolingly, "You'll have time for fun AND do well in your studies too!" As the afternoon classes neared their end, Haruna-sensei handed back the tests. When she got to Usagi, she handed her the test and studied her carefully. "I trust that you will continue to do work of this caliber?" she asked. Usagi nodded. "I'm trying, sensei," she replied quietly. Haruna nodded once and returned to the front of the classroom. she thought, She continued to mutter to herself as she dismissed the class and left the room. Usagi glanced at her test and saw a big "96" that looked like it was written with a very unsteady hand. Next to that is written: HOLY COW!!!! Usagi thought to herself. As she walked home, Usagi's thoughts turned to some things that had been worrying her lately. Ami-chan and Mako-chan had reminded her, before she left, to be at the shrine at four. It was to be a special meeting to discuss some very strange happenings recently that were baffling the police. Even the Outer Senshi would be at this meeting. Usagi frowned in annoyance as this thought brought up another bone of contention. 'Just what was wrong with the Sailor Senshi? It's crazy,' she thought in irritation, She knelt down and pretended to tie her shoelace, while looking behind her covertly. It took only about a minute to locate the figure on the rooftop about half a block away. It took less time than that for Usagi to identify her, Sailor Venus. Usagi sighed as she got back up and continued on her way. For the past week, if one of the Senshi wasn't with her in normal form, she was shadowed by one in her Senshi guise. She remembered how they would be discussing something until she walked in. There would be a brief moment of silence and they would continue talking, but NOT what they had been discussing before she showed up. They were keeping something from her, something that obviously frightened them so badly that she always had a Senshi within shouting distance. All this was starting to frighten her more than a little, as well. Why yesterday, she had been shocked to discover that her shadow was none other than Sailor Saturn. That the Outer Senshi had dropped whatever they were doing, to join the rotating guard, frightened her badly. This not knowing what to fear was driving her crazy. She intended to demand an explanation at the meeting, enough was enough! Her chain of thought was broken when a cheerful, "Hi Usako!" came from the young man who suddenly appeared in front of her. She smiled at him, but her thoughts were still worrying her, so she could manage only a soft, "Hi Mamo-chan!" At her preoccupied greeting, Mamoru looked concerned, and placed an arm around her delicate shoulders. "What's wrong, Usako?" he asked, concerned, "What's worrying you?" She cast another covert glance behind her. "Mamo-chan, look on the roof of the third building from the end of the block on the other side of the street," she said in reply, "and tell me who you see." Mamoru turned Usagi around and pretended to fiddle with the laces on her pack. As he did so, he cast a quick glance where Usagi indicated. He spotted the figure crouching down on the roof and let out a surprised breath as he recognized her. He took Usagi's hand and they continued down the street. "That was Sailor Venus!" he said in confusion, "Usako, what's going on here?" "I wish I knew!" she replied in irritation, "They're hiding something from me AND it's something bad enough that a Senshi has been shadowing me every day for the past week! Not only that, but the Outer Senshi have joined the rotating watch they're keeping on me!" At Mamoru's startled look, Usagi said, "Oh yes! I saw Sailor Saturn following me yesterday, although she WAS harder to spot!" Mamoru's look turned from startled to grim. "This is serious if the Outer Senshi have joined the Inner in guarding you!" he stated grimly, "I'm going to get to the bottom of this!" At her thankful look, he smiled and dropped his arm around her slender waist. "Now," he said as his arm tightened around her, "How did you do on your Math Test? Ami-chan said the results would be posted today." "Hmph! Ami-chan's got a big mouth," she replied, handing the test to him, "I'm afraid I didn't do as good as she did though." "Few people could!" he replied. His eyes widened as he saw her mark. "Well, well, well!" he said, his pride in her showing clearly, "You may not have done as good as Ami, but you came darn close!" They stared into each other's eyes for a moment until their lips met. They were locked in each other's embrace for a long timeless moment, until the need for air caused it to end. When they finally parted, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes were shining. Her whole heart was in those luminous blue eyes, and Mamoru felt humbled by the great love this innocent young woman had for him. He hoped he was worthy of it. "If this is what I can expect everytime I ace a test, I'll have to make sure I ace 'em all!" she said, literally glowing with happiness. Mamoru smiled at her joy. "Think you can?" he dared her playfully. "Watch me, bub!" she replied, "A reward like THAT is all the motivation I need!" "That wasn't the reward," he grinned, "I'll pick you up Friday at 7:30 for your reward. A special date I planned! Now, I have to go, BUT, I will get to the bottom of this Senshi business!" He bent down and gave her a quick kiss good-bye and left. Usagi stared after him, hearts in her eyes. She turned to continue home and Sailor Venus, who was watching, swore later that her feet never touched the ground. Walking on cloud nine, Usagi would have agreed. "Mom! I'm home!" Usagi sang out as she walked through the door. Her mother came out of the kitchen and rushed to Usagi. "Hi dear!" she said, giving her daughter a big hug, "I'm so very proud of you!" "Huh?" said Usagi intelligently. Her mother took the test from Usagi's hand and gazed at the big "96%" with motherly pride. "Haruna-sensei called from the school. She was babbling mostly, but I understood that your mark on the test was stellar!" she explained, "I knew you could do it! I'm so glad Ami gave you a way to study that doesn't take TOO much time from your normal activities." "Did Mamoru see this?" She smiled knowingly at the deepening flush on her daughter's cheeks. "Well", she said smiling softly, "From the look of it, you got quite a reward!" Usagi's flush deepened even more. "Reward?" she answered not meeting her mother's eyes, "What reward?" Her mother smiled again and ran a loving hand over Usagi's hair. "Why, what other reward would a young man give a young woman whom he happens to love?" her mother replied affecting surprise. It was impossible for Usagi to blush any redder and she looked about warily for her father. Her mother noticed her concern immediately and hastened to ease it. "Don't worry so, dear," she said soothingly, "Mamoru came over to chat with your father last night while you were at Mako-chan's place. He told us he loved you and fully intended to marry you when your father decided you were old enough. I must say that it set your father's mind at ease to know you would be in good hands. No need to hide him anymore, daughter, and we expect him over for visits now." She winked at Usagi and Usagi covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled. "Mamo-chan is taking me on a special date on Friday," she said with relief that she didn't need to hide it, "It's a reward for acing my test!" "Well, I should hope so!" her father commented as he entered the room with newspaper in hand, "I couldn't have thought of a better way to motivate you if I tried!" Usagi blushed furiously and her mother turned to scold him, trying to hide a smile. He just grinned widely and returned to reading his newspaper. Usagi glanced at the clock: 3:40 PM. "Mom, I gotta be at Rei's by four," she said, "I'll see ya later!" She walked out the door with her mother's "Be back in time for supper, dear!" ringing behind her. By the time Usagi reached the shrine stairs, she had worked herself into a real royal temper. She knew she needed to be furious if she was to get any information out of the others. She tended to be a marshmallow where her friends were concerned and she couldn't afford that now, so she concentrated on all the worry and stress she had been under for the past week. It worked. By the time she reached the top of the stairs, seeing the others clustered in front of the shrine, her teeth were clenched, cheeks flushed and her eyes were literally sparking with fury. She rarely ever seriously blew her stack, so this, hopefully, would intimidate them. She approached them with quick angry strides. Makoto looked up as soon as Usagi topped the stairs and drew in her breath sharply. "Oh oh, guys," she said to the others, "Here comes our Princess, and she looks to be in a royal snit! Man, I can practically see the steam coming out of her ears from here!" Rei looked up to see what she was on about. Rei's eyes widened with apprehension. She had never seen Usagi in this state before. As she was approaching, she was literally crackling with fury! "Why is she like this?" Rei asked worriedly, "Nobody told her, did they?" They all shook their heads. "Your mistake, Rei, was thinking that because she ACTS like an airhead, that she must BE one," Mako-chan told her, "I can tell you that when she feels like exerting herself, she has a very sharp mind. She knows something's up and when she gets here and that temper explodes, we're going to have a heck of a time calming her down." Ami nodded in agreement. "We should have told her, Rei!" she said watching as Usagi came closer. All the Senshi looked worried, except for Pluto who looked pleased. They had never seen their Princess in such a fury before and, as Usagi had hoped, they WERE intimidated. Even Haruka, who was flustered by very little and who knew Usagi as the gentlest person she had ever known, knew that when such a gentle person blew her stack, that she would be a force to be reckoned with. Only Pluto watched the approaching Usagi with something like pleasure. Of all the Senshi, only Pluto had seen her in such a fury. Or rather, Neo Queen Serenity. To see her beginning to assert herself as well as doing better in school was causing no small amount of pleasure to Time's Guardian. This boded well for the future. Once Usagi cut loose that temper, there would be no going back. It was time the other Senshi learned that Usagi WAS the Princess and that secrets are not kept from your ruler, even if that ruler happens to be a beloved friend, and even if that ruler is not known for asserting herself. Usagi came up to them and stood with hands on hips, trembling with the effort to hold her temper. She thought briefly that she may have overdid it, but then impatiently dismissed that thought. The others were actually looking frightened at her infuriated state, so it was serving its purpose. Only Pluto was unfazed. In fact, she was looking at Usagi with a small smile of pleasure on her ageless face. Usagi thought, She turned her attention to Rei. Rei tried to hold her fierce glare but couldn't and looked away. For once, the staring contest WAS no contest. "Alright!" Usagi snapped in a soft dangerous voice, "What the heck is going on?!" Rei made one last attempt to protect Usagi from what they had seen. "What makes you think something is going on?" she replied nervously. Makoto and Ami winced at THAT reply, readying themselves for the inevitable explosion. They both looked up when it didn't come. Usagi stood with her fists clenched so hard that her knuckles were white. Her face had gone from red to white. Mako thought exchanging a concerned glance with Ami, "Well, let me see," Usagi replied in a shivering whisper that sent chills down their spines, "One, for the past week, I have been warded by Senshi everytime I go out. Two, the only reason for doing that is that something is going to happen. Three, no one has precise knowledge of the future, but Rei can get visions in her sacred fire that can give hints of what's to come. Conclusion: Rei saw something in the fire. Some kind of danger to me that scared you all so much, that you've been guarding me to extremes. Shall I go on?" The Senshi looked utterly shocked at this precise logic coming from Usagi. It seems Mako and Ami were right. Pluto hid a smile behind her hand. Her resemblance to Neo Queen Serenity at this moment was incredible. There was no doubt, at that moment, that they WERE the same person. Both Usagi and her future self shared that gentleness and the loving nature that made THEM so well loved. But, unlike Usagi, her future self had learned the value of sometimes giving in to temper. In a temper, Serenity was Queen Serenity with emphasis on the Queen. Usagi was now learning the same thing and at this moment, she was Princess Serenity, heir to the Moon Kingdom and Leader of the Sailor Senshi. Chibi-Usa stared at Usagi in surprise. she thought, At the appearance of the glowing crescent moon on Usagi's forehead, Rei drooped in defeat. Even the Ginzuishou was reacting to her anger. Usagi's big heart started to soften at Rei looking so deflated. she thought, "Why don't you start at the beginning, Rei," Usagi suggested obviously calmer now. Rei nodded dispiritedly. "It all began about a week ago......" Rei sat staring at the fire as the vision ended. The other Senshi were utterly silent in the face of the terrible vision they had just seen. "I'm glad Usagi wasn't here to see that!" Makoto whispered hoarsely. "We MUST protect her!" Hotaru exclaimed, "The injury she suffered in the vision wasn't physical. I won't be able to heal it!" Rei turned from the fire to face the others, her face was white. "We must hide this from Usagi," she said slowly, "Mako, Ami, Mina, we must take turns guarding her. Follow her where ever she goes and DON'T BE SEEN!" Michiru looked at Rei sharply. "What about us?" she demanded. "Guarding the Princess is OUR job!" Makoto retorted, shaking her head, "You have enough to do with guarding the remnants of the Silver Millennium!" Haruka placed a hand firmly on the rebellious Mako's shoulder and looked her in the eyes. "Without the Princess, there IS no Silver Millennium," she stated emphatically, "We WILL join the Royal Guard to protect her until the danger, whatever it is, is past!" They discussed a possible rotating roster that would always have one of them near Usagi whenever she left the house. "One thing I insist on," Rei said adamantly, "She must NOT know, therefore we mustn't be seen! Adopt your Senshi forms and shadow her from the roof tops." Rei turned to face Minako. "Where is Usagi now?" she queried urgently. "She is on a date with Mamoru," Minako responded, "That's why she isn't here. They should be in the park by now!" Rei met Haruka's eyes and she understood immediately what Rei wanted. She nodded once and stood. "URANUS PLANET POWER!" she cried raising her transformation pen. In seconds, Sailor Uranus stood before them. Giving the others a quick nod, she turned and was out the door, running hard. "She's gonna find out eventually, Rei," Makoto said worriedly. "Come on, Mako-chan!" Rei snorted derisively, "You know she only cares about food, fun, sleep and Mamoru and nothing else! How would SHE ever find out if we don't tell her?" Mako just shook her head, but Ami spoke up. "You've known her all this time and still think that?!" she said incredulously, "That airheaded business was just a pose. You know how lazy she was! If everyone thinks of her as an airhead, they'll never expect too much from her and she won't need to exert herself. Lately, for some reason, she's slowly abandoning that pose. The Usagi you see at next week's meeting will be very different from the one you saw last week!" Rei just snorted again in disbelief. Deep down, she knew Ami and Mako were right, but her pride wouldn't let her admit it. Rei looked around and ended the meeting with a further reminder not to let Usagi know, and they parted to head home.... ".....and that's the whole story," Rei ended her tale with a look of reproach at Usagi, "Are you happy now?" "No," Usagi replied, no longer angry, "But at least now I know and it was not knowing that was driving me nuts!" Makoto decided to reduce the tension. "Hey guys!" she said with a smile, "Usagi aced her math test and came in second to Ami's first!" It worked, the tension shattered. Everyone turned to look at Usagi in shock. "Oh, don't worry!" Luna, who had just arrived with Artemis, said, "She's caught a cold called responsibility and when she's over it, she'll be the same ditzy klutz we all know and love!" Mako groaned inwardly, fearing another explosion of temper from Usagi, but Usagi was over her snit and turned casually to Luna. "I know a certain vet who would likely give me a good rate on declawing a certain opinionated cat!" she retorted with an evil look, "Catch my drift?" "Caught!" Luna replied as she backed away nervously. Suddenly, Rei gasped and turned pale. "Rei!" Usagi cried, as she ran over to support her, "What's wrong?" She turned terrified eyes to Usagi. "Terrible evil!" she cried, "I've never sensed anything this bad before!!" Usagi looked around at the others. "Quick everyone!" she ordered urgently, "Transform!" The others nodded and got their transformation pens ready. "MOON CRISIS POWER, MAKE UP!" "MERCURY STAR POWER, MAKE UP!" "VENUS STAR POWER, MAKE UP!" "MARS STAR POWER, MAKE UP!" "JUPITER STAR POWER, MAKE UP!" "SATURN PLANET POWER, MAKE UP!" "URANUS PLANET POWER, MAKE UP!" "NEPTUNE PLANET POWER, MAKE UP!" "PLUTO PLANET POWER, MAKE UP!" "MOON PRISM POWER, MAKE UP!" In seconds, where ten young women had stood, now stood the Sailor Senshi. Mercury activated her VR visor and computer and scanned the area. "That way!" she said pointing east, "I've never seen readings like this before! It's akin to the Dark Kingdom, but much more powerful!" Sailor Moon moved to lead the others east, but Mars grabbed her arm. "No!" she cried in fear, "This thing, whatever it is, is what I sensed in the vision! If you go with us......!" Sailor Moon allowed Sailor Jupiter and Uranus to take point with Mercury showing the way. "Mars," Sailor Moon said consolingly, "I can't stay behind, you'll need my Heart Scepter! I can, however, stay behind you guys and use my scepter when I have the chance." Mars nodded curtly, sensing that that was the only concession Sailor Moon was going to grant. They followed close behind the others and soon they were led by Mercury's readings into a park. "HOLY CRAP!!!" Jupiter shouted pointing, "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?!" Everyone turned to look at where she was pointing and gasped at the sight before them. They were facing what could only be described as an amorphous cloud of intense blackness. Dark lightning emerged from it occasionally and the trees the lightning struck were reduced to ash in the blink of an eye as their very essence was sucked from them. Already, the ground for fifty yards around the thing was black and lifeless. Mars lead Sailor Moon quickly to a large oak. "Stay there!" she commanded in a voice that brooked no argument, "Use that scepter of yours as soon as we have this thing on the ropes!" Sailor Moon nodded without taking her frightened eyes from the thing. "This thing is DEFINITELY from another dimension!" Mercury stated as she scanned the creature, "Apparently, it feeds on life energy of all kinds!" Hissing laughter interrupted her and everyone turned to look at the thing in astonishment. "Very astute, Sailor Mercury!" it said in a hissing voice that no human throat could have produced, "This thing, as you call it, is a little present for you! It's called a 'Soul Eater' and it can do all kinds of interesting things, under my guidance of course. Fare well, Sailor Senshi! Revenge WILL be sweet!" Sailor Moon frowned thoughtfully. She knew that voice, it's not one you could forget after all, but she just couldn't remember. Then the time for thought was over as bolts of black lightening were flung at the Senshi. "SPARKLING WIDE..." A black bolt struck Jupiter, cutting short her attack and leaving behind a life like statue of her in the same pose as when the bolt struck. "VENUS LO....." "Burning Man...." Bolts struck both Mars and Venus in the middle of their combination attack and stopped them cold, leaving statues in their place. Within seconds, all the Senshi except Sailor Moon were gone, with statues left where they had stood. Sailor Moon stood with her arms around the tree, completely numb with shock as she looked at the battle field and what remained of her friends. "And now, a special fate for you, Princess!" it hissed. A revolving swirling gate opened behind Sailor Moon as the wind began to shriek madly and air was sucked though the gate. Sailor Moon was just barely able to hang on when the Soul Eater emitted another bolt of Dark Power, striking her on the side of her head. Her grip was wrenched free, the violence of it snapping both bones in her right forearm like twigs. The screaming winds from the gate finished the job as they sucked the unconscious Sailor Moon through, then the gate began to vanish. Screaming, "USAKO!!" a dark form leapt from a nearby branch and disappeared through the gate after Sailor Moon. The gate collapsed silently. Hissing laughter came from the Soul Eater as it, too, vanished. Left behind was a deserted park peopled only by statues resembling the Sailor Senshi. End of Prologue. What happens to Usagi? What about the Senshi? And what in blazes is Alare?! NEXT: Chapter 1: Return to Alare. Ok, Sailor Moon fans! Without further ado, here is chapter one of Guardians. Here, you will meet the Guardians for the first time. I hope you like them. Special Thanks: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing, good ideas and comments, and providing me with Sailor Moon stories to enjoy! Thanks Will! Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi and all terms, names etc associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. The Guardians and everything pertaining to the Star Kingdoms are MINE! Sailor Moon: Guardians of the Star Chapter One: Return to Alare As the patrol topped the hill, the leader viewed the country ahead thoughtfully. Dense forests broken periodically by farms, large and small, covered the land. he thought, He also thought it was the best of all the Kingdoms of the Star, but he was a bit biased he admitted to himself. The white haired leader's name was Ashe. The stylized flame symbol on his forehead proclaimed him to be one of the Guardians of the Star, defenders of the Kingdoms of the Star. The symbol also showed his power over the element of fire, the most destructive of the five elements. Ashe, however, was unconcerned. He'd been a Guardian for many years and was comfortable with his powers. He was about to motion the patrol forward when his mount's mindvoice interrupted. Ashe looked where his war unicorn indicated and spotted the small white form lying in the grass. He motioned to his men, and the patrol left the road and cantered across the field towards the mysterious figure. When they reached the figure, Ashe leaped down from his mount and approached. he thought as he knelt next to her supine form. She was wearing a short blue skirt with a big red bow at the back. Her blond hair was done in two balls with very long pony tails descending from them. Red boots almost reaching her knees, covered her lower legs. She was lying face down, but Ashe was struck by a memory. This clothing was very familiar. He HAD seen it before but just couldn't remember where. He noticed her broken right arm with alarm. He got up and rushed to his mount and opened the saddle bags. "She was attacked!" he snapped to his men as he removed splints and bandages from his packs. "Spread out and search for anything out of the ordinary. Something tells me to get you to keep an eye open for others dressed similarly to her. Now go!" The eight riders scattered in all directions while Ashe returned to the injured girl's side. He carefully took her uninjured wrist and found her pulse to be a little weak, but not dangerously so. Sighing with relief, he turned his attention to her broken arm. Grabbing wrist and elbow firmly, he slowly pulled the broken bones into alignment. A soft moan of pain came from the unconscious girl, but at Ashe's quick glance, she showed no further sign of consciousness. When he had finished splinting and bandaging her arm, he reached for her shoulder and gently turned her over. Another red bow was at chest height with a crescent moon broach at its center. When he looked at her face, his eyes widened with shock. Memories swirled through his head. Memories of the fight against Morgoth, the vastly powerful Death Dragon. A fight the Guardians were losing when the Sailor Senshi and their leader came out of nowhere and threw their powers into the fight. With the combined powers of Guardians and Senshi, Morgoth was cast down, defeated. His last sight of this girl was when she and the others were returned to their own universe through one of Syrypus' World Gates. He snapped back to the present and noticed the large bruise on the side of her head. He probed it gently, but could find no fractures in the skull. "Well, Princess," he muttered under his breath, "What are YOU doing here and in THIS condition?!" "Oh man! What a babe!" an admiring voice came from behind him. Preoccupied with his memories and the Princess, he had not noticed the return of his men. His face flushed with anger, he turned to confront the speaker. "Unless you'd care to spend the rest of your life digging latrines, Corporal," he growled, "I'd suggest a more respectful tone when speaking of Princess Serenity!" As the other men exclaimed in surprise, the corporal's face turned red and he stuttered an apology. Ashe nodded curtly. One of his men brought a blanket from his saddle pack and they wrapped the unconscious Serenity within its warmth. Ashe climbed back into the saddle and one of his men handed the blanket wrapped Princess up to him. He carefully settled her in front of him, one arm around her to hold her in place, and turned to his men. "The rest of you continue the patrol," he ordered crisply, "Corporal, you come with me!" "OK Ari!" he said to his mount, "Make for Caladon! The fastest gallop you can muster!" The rest of the patrol sat and watched as the two riders disappeared in the direction of Caladon, four miles distant. Ashe and his companion stopped on the last hill and looked out over the Reu River valley. The valley stretched for miles and was filled to overflowing with the city of Caladon, Throne City of the Star Kingdom of Caladonia. The city was surrounded by massive battlements of glowing white, nearly thirty feet high and the Royal Palace at the City's center could easily be seen, its massive spires piercing the sky. As they watched, a large three masted schooner lifted off from the StarPort, bound for the Moon Kingdom of Tarandar judging from the colors on its flag. Although science and magic had melded to create the great star sailing ships and make them the safest way to cross the vast spaces between the Kingdoms of the Star, Ashe HATED traveling on those graceful vessels. They looked so flimsy, he kept seeing one fly apart while deep in the aether, miles from safety. An irrational fear, he knew, but no less strong for all of that! He shook his head impatiently, and with his companion behind him, headed for Caladon's main gates at a gallop. As they thundered through the gates, the guards, recognizing Ashe, saluted briskly. Ashe reined to a stop and turned to his companion. "Corporal, go straight to the Temple of Shalhanna and ask Soloman the Grey and Nonja the Silent Shadow to come to the Royal Palace at once!" he ordered. His companion saluted wearily and galloped up one of the side streets, soon disappearing from sight. Ashe continued on his way to the palace. He was deeply concerned. Serenity had not shown any signs of awakening during the whole trip, and that was a very bad sign. He knew her real name, of course. All the Guardians did, even the ones that never met the Senshi. Here though, their ranks would carry more clout than their other identities, and so the Guardians had made sure that outside their ranks, everyone else knew the Senshi only as the Princesses they were. Now, here was one of them, the leader of them all, in fact. Her wounds had been tended and still she did not wake. He could sense, vaguely, that she was also wounded in a way he couldn't see. He was so preoccupied, that he never noticed the Guards at the palace gates salute as he thundered through. Reining to a halt at the main doors to the Keep, he leaped down so nimbly, the girl in his arms never stirred. He ran up the steps and through the doors the guards held open for him. Greywolf and Aisllynnia stood waiting for him. Greywolf was a tall elf with gray hair and eyes. High Chief of the Shaelite Elves and a Guardian commanding the powers of light, shown by the three concentric circles on his forehead. Aisllynnia, or Lynn for short, was Crown Princess of the Star Kingdom of Tarandar on Alare's moon. She was a Shalhananite Elf, the second of the three elven races. With waist length silver hair and violet eyes, she was a striking woman, She was also the most powerful of the Guardians as she commanded the fifth element, aether, and the eight pointed star on her forehead proclaimed this. She was also Greywolf's lifemate after having Pair Bonded with him two years past. "Ashe, what's up?" Greywolf asked worried. "I don't know if you'd believe it, Wolf! Lynn," Ashe said turning to Aisllynnia, "You were very close to this child when she was here. Take a look and tell me if I'm hallucinating!" Apprehensively, she approached Ashe and gently moved the blanket aside to get a better look at the girl's face. She paled immediately as she recognized her. "Usagi!" she whispered, horrified, "What happened, Ashe? How'd she get back here and why is she in THIS kind of shape?" "Your guess is as good as mine, Lynn," he replied, shaking his head, "We found her in a field about four miles from Caladon. No sign of anything else. She's shown no sign of coming to." As they were talking, they were being lead to another area of the palace that Ashe knew held rooms for visitors. Lynn opened a door and quietly lead them inside. As Greywolf pulled the covers back, Ashe laid his burden on the bed carefully. Aisllynnia sat on the side of the bed and stroked Usagi's forehead soothingly. The short time they had known each other was not short enough to prevent her from becoming very fond of this child. Usagi returned that affection, calling her Aisy-chan, an affectionate nickname if she ever heard one. Her memory drifted back to two years ago, after the defeat of Morgoth. The Senshi had returned to Caladon with the Guardians because at that time, they had not yet learned how to open the gate to Earth to allow the Senshi to return to their own universe. During the research to find a way to do this, Senshi and Guardian grew to know each other very well. During this time, Aisllynnia had gone for a walk in the palace gardens. She became aware of the sound of weeping, and following it to the source, came upon two of the Senshi, Usagi and Rei. Usagi was crying and Rei was trying to comfort her. Rei, however, was not known for her patience and was trying not to let Usagi see that she was getting fed up. Aisllynnia stepped from the bushes and walked over to them. Rei looked up hopefully. "Do you think you can talk some sense into her, Aisllynnia?" Rei asked her, "I'm not having much luck here!" Lynn nodded. "You can go, Rei," she responded, "I think I can help her this time. I believe I know what she feels." Rei nodded and left them alone. Lynn sat on the bench and pulled the sobbing Usagi onto her lap and rocked her while making soothing sounds. She was sobbing about responsibility, she wasn't up to it, she wanted to be normal, she couldn't lead. All the things that Lynn remembered sobbing on HER mother's lap about, not so very long ago. Lynn just rocked and let Usagi cry herself out. When the crying stopped, Lynn spoke. "You are not unique in feeling sorry for yourself, child," she said calmly, "Not too long ago, I wept on my mother's lap for the same reason you're weeping now." Usagi looked startled at this revelation. "But, you're so calm and collected!" she exclaimed, "You know your full power AND you're a born leader!" Lynn smiled. "I was not born that way, little one!" she laughed softly, "At your age, I was as insecure and as unsure of my power and ability to lead as you are! The trick is, do not listen to the complaints of others unless you KNOW they speak true. The only one who truly knows if you're doing your best is you! You will find, in the long run, that you, yourself, are your hardest taskmaster!" She smiled again. "Just do your best and hold back nothing and as you get older, you will gain far more than you'll lose!" Usagi smiled back and hugged her. "Thank you Aisy-chan!" she said gratefully, "I needed that. I gotta go. The others were worried about me!" She watched Usagi leave the garden with a soft smile on her face. She was brought back to the present when Soloman and Nonja quietly entered the room. Without fanfare, Soloman knelt next to the bed and gently took Usagi's injured arm in his hands and concentrated. Nonja sat on the opposite side of the bed and placed both hands on the sides of Usagi's head and soon both healers were deeply entranced. Greywolf and Lynn watched anxiously while Ashe was busy preparing something near the fireplace. After about a half hour, both healers sagged as they came out of their trances. Soloman wearily removed the splint from her now healed arm. "That was......difficult!" Nonja said wearily, "Like swimming against a current. Her PHYSICAL injuries are healed now." Greywolf turned to her quickly, catching her emphasis on the word _physical._ "Are you saying she has non-physical injuries?" Nonja shrugged but Soloman nodded. "Yes we are. You know we can only detect the physical, but, look at her!" They looked, and despite the healing, she was very pale with dark shadows under her eyes. "She should be glowing with health after that healing!" Soloman continued, "Instead, she looks terrible! I'd say something has wounded her spirit." Greywolf shook his head but Lynn interrupted. "He's right Wolf!" she exclaimed, "I'm looking at her with Mage Sight and the Ginzuishou is glowing faintly to my Sight! I can almost see it feeding her energy! We need Haeth and we need her now!!" "If her soul is wounded, then Haeth is already on her way!" Greywolf replied, putting a comforting hand on his lifemate's shoulder, "You know that Soul healers can feel an injured soul anywhere on the planet. The Shieldwall, however, is a good distance north of here and even in her natural form, she likely won't arrive before tomorrow." All attention turned to Usagi as she moaned. Her eyes fluttered open to see Greywolf's concerned gray ones staring back at her. Ashe gave her a brief glance before returning to his concoction. Nonja took her pulse while Soloman looked over her shoulder. At sight of Lynn, however, Usagi's eyes brimmed and overflowed and with a hysterical wail, she threw herself into her friend's arms. Lynn wrapped her arms around the wildly sobbing girl and motioned the others silently out of the room. Quietly, the others left Lynn alone with Usagi. Ashe stopped to place a glass on the table beside the bed and then left silently with the others, closing the door behind them. Lynn rocked the younger girl in her arms as she listened carefully to the story Usagi managed to tell between heaving sobs. Several times during the tale, Lynn's eyes widened in shock, but she gave no indication of this to the grieving girl in her arms. Finally, her story told, her sobbing slowly subsided and she leaned wearily against Lynn's shoulder. Lynn thought with horror, Gently, Lynn reached up and removed Usagi's tiara revealing the glowing crescent moon beneath. Usagi looked up questioningly and noticed that Lynn's star is also glowing. "I need more information, Little Rabbit," Lynn explained, "I believe I know who did that to your guardians, but I need to hear the voice to be sure. I'm afraid we must mind-link for this." "Afraid?" Usagi questioned. Lynn nodded soberly. "Yes, afraid. The link will give me the information we need, BUT, it will be traumatic for both of us because we both will relive that event!" Usagi looked very frightened at that, but nodded. Both their symbols began to glow brighter as Lynn initiated the mind-link. Scenes of chaotic battle and horror as the Senshi are struck down, one by one. The Soul Eater speaking. At this, Lynn whimpered in terror. She heard this voice for the first time when she was kidnapped two years ago and taken to Black Spire Reach, Morgoth's dark fortress beyond the Reach. Abruptly, the link concluded. Usagi had little time for grief, Lynn was trembling violently and whimpering in terror. This terrified Usagi even more and before long, they were both sobbing on each others shoulders. "M..M..M..org..oth!" Lynn stuttered shuddering with terror. Lynn closed her eyes and with a supreme effort, managed to gain control over herself, but she was still deathly pale. "Here," she said, taking the sleeping draught Ashe left on the table, "Drink this or you'll never sleep, and you need to." Usagi took the glass but didn't drink it. "Will you help us, Aisy-chan?" she pleaded, "I know how afraid of Morgoth you are, just as afraid as I was of Metallia. Will you help us?" Lynn nodded reassuringly, despite her fear. "Yes, we will help because we must!" she promised, "Morgoth is a threat from THIS universe that yours is ill equipped to deal with!" Reassured, Usagi downed the draught, making a face at the bitter taste, and in moments, was asleep. Lynn placed Usagi's tiara and the empty glass on the table beside the bed and quietly left the room, closing the door behind her. She noticed the guards standing on each side of the door and smiled. Her lifemate always was one to read her thoughts. "Allow no one past you who is not a Guardian!" she told them. At their salute, she turned and headed for the Star Chamber, the meeting hall of the Guardians. After leaving the room, Greywolf turned to Ashe. "Place two guards on this door" At Ashe's nod, he regarded Nonja. "Nonja, summon the other Guardians, besides bringing them here, Haeth will sense the summoning and may fly faster as a result!" Nonja saluted and ran off. Greywolf motioned to Soloman and, together, they proceeded to the Star Chamber. Greywolf smiled as he heard the Summoning Bell's deep mournful call. The others should be here in minutes. And sensing the Bell, Haeth will make maximum speed in getting here. Greywolf and Soloman entered the vaulted door leading into the Chamber. A vast room with a large table on one side, and empty floor on the other, on which was etched the symbol of a huge eight pointed Star. They moved to the table and seated themselves and waited for the arrival of the others. Nonja and Ashe entered the room five minutes later. Kaylen the Shadow Tracker arrived at a run, with the whirl wind symbol on his forehead proclaiming his control of the powers of Air. Kreigh and Ivee entered shortly after. Both bore the circled tree symbol representing the Earth powers. Syrypus followed, the spiral gate symbol showing his control of Gates, Portals and Doors of all kinds. Shortly thereafter, Lynn arrived, and they all moved to the table to discuss the current situation. "OK people!" Greywolf opened. "We have a serious problem on our hands! A few hours ago, one of our patrols, led by Ashe, found an unconscious young woman lying in a field, four miles from here. Closer examination revealed her to be none other than Princess Serenity!" "What!" "You're not serious!" "What happened?!" Greywolf held up his hands to cut off the exclamations. "If you'll be patient, we'll tell you! Now, she suffered from a concussion and her right forearm was broken. Both injuries have been healed, but the Healers inform me that they think she has a spiritual injury and Lynn's Mage Sight seems to confirm it!" Ivee turned to face Greywolf. "We need Haeth, then! Do you know where she is?" "She should be on her way and will probably arrive tomorrow," he answered. Greywolf looked at his mate. "Did Usagi give you any idea of what happened?" Lynn nodded somberly. "Yes, she did. Prepare yourselves, it's worse than we could have imagined! First off, they were attacked by a Soul Eater!" Syrypus spoke up. "That's impossible! Soul Eaters are native to THIS universe, more's the pity. They don't exist in her home universe. Believe me, I know!" Lynn smiled at him and nodded, but her violet eyes were haunted. "I know, but I mind-linked with her, and their attacker was unmistakable. It was definitely a Soul Eater! Now, the Senshi should have been able to defeat it, but it was controlled by something they couldn't beat. Usagi was banished here on purpose, so that she'd die alone. Make no mistake, she IS dying. It's thanks to the Ginzuishou that she's still alive!" Greywolf looked seriously concerned at that point. "Will she last long enough for Haeth to get here?" Lynn nodded. "Yes, provided she doesn't need to use the Ginzuishou's power for anything. As long as it has power to feed her, she won't die, but, she WILL get sicker! The spell that was used on the Senshi IS reversible but we may have to fight Morgoth to rescue them!" At that name, pandemonium reined. Greywolf moved immediately to his mate and placed his hands on her shoulders. She sighed and leaned back against him. The others quieted as they noticed how pale she was. Obviously, she had not forgotten Black Spire Reach or what she had suffered there. "There's one other thing you should know," she stated shakily, "There have been changes since we last met the Senshi. Including Usagi, they are no longer five, but ten!" "Well", Greywolf said uneasily, looking down at Lynn, "Our first order of business is obviously to rescue Usagi's guardians, but with nine to rescue instead of four, well, our chances of having to fight our old foe are that much greater!" Syrypus looked up thoughtfully. "I can build a gate to the battleground if Lynn will link with me and give me the feel of the place." Lynn nodded her agreement. Kriegh and Ivee exchanged glances and Ivee nodded as Kriegh stood. As all eyes turned to her, she spoke. "Ivee and I can go through the gate and teleport the Senshi through. It'll be tiring, but faster than carrying 'em! We need to be fast, you KNOW the Dark One will sense the gate!" "I'll go through too," Kaylen offered quietly, "I can use my air powers to cast a shield over the area. It may hold him off long enough for us to get them all here." "It just might," Lynn returned thoughtfully, "He used a great deal of power the defeat the Senshi. He won't have recovered yet and should still be weakened!" Lynn moved to Syrypus and took his hand. He stared into her eyes for a moment. "OK, I got it! One gate coming up!" They all moved across the room to the large eight pointed star etched into the floor. A Guardian moved to each point and Syrypus moved to the center of the star to build the gate. He looked around at the others. "Everyone ready?" At their nods, he turned his attention inward, to construct the Gate. He extended his arms and after a short time, his hands and symbol began to glow with power. A spiral swirling luminosity began to form in from of him. It glowed brighter and brighter, until, with a blinding flash, the Gate burst into existence. The Guardians crowded around Syrypus as he peered through the Gate. Beyond, they could see a large green area, with trees scattered about. The large area of dead soil and the statues scattered about indicated that they had indeed found the right place. Syrypus turned to the others, grinning tightly. "OK, who wants to go first?" End of Chapter One NEXT: Battle, rescue and Mamoru too! Be There! Chapter 2: Rise of the Shining Star! Special Thanks: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing, good ideas and comments, and providing me with Sailor Moon stories to enjoy! Thanks Will! Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi and all terms, names etc associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. The Guardians and everything pertaining to the Star Kingdoms are MINE! Sailor Moon: Guardians of the Star Chapter Two: Rise of the Shining Star Syrypus turns to his companions, grinning tightly, "OK, who wants to go first?" Kaylen moved up. "Since I must cast the Shield, I suppose the first to cross should be me!" He cautiously stepped across the threshold and found himself, for the first time, in a park area, on an alien world. He glanced around, marked the placement of the bespelled Senshi, and set about casting the Shield. He pointed his hand at the far side of the park and moved it in an arc, over his head and down until he was pointing in the opposite direction. The glowing shield followed his pointing finger and soon encased the entire area. Kaylen turned to the Gate and nodded, but kept his main concentration on holding the shield. Kreigh and Ivee stepped through the gate next, followed by Greywolf and Lynn. Ivee studied the Senshi carefully. "This will be difficult!" she said, looking at Greywolf, "We may not have enough strength to teleport them all!" "Do what you can," he replied, "We'll carry the last ones through, if we have to!" Ivee nodded and moved to Pluto, who was the closest. She looked for Kreigh and found her moving to the next in line, Sailor Mars. Ivee turned back to the task at hand. She concentrated and her hands began to glow. She placed her glowing hands on each side of Pluto's head and imaged in her mind, the far wall of the Star Chamber, opposite the Gate. She felt a rush of power leaving her body and heard the pop of displaced air as Pluto was teleported away. There was another pop and Ivee looked up to see Mars disappear. Kreigh looked up to give Ivee a strained smile and continued to the next. Ivee thought worriedly as she moved to her next Senshi, Mercury. "LOOK!" Kaylen cried, pointing up. Everyone looked up to see a cloud of intense blackness forming outside Kaylen's shield. "THE SOUL EATER!" Greywolf exclaimed, "Damn it! We're out of time!" He glanced at Ivee. Both Kreigh and Ivee were leaning against each other. They were sweat streaked and trembling. There was one Senshi left to teleport -- Venus. Ivee shook her head wearily. "Sorry Greywolf!" she said sadly, "I'm tapped out. Neither of us has enough power left to teleport a fly!" "Then drag her through the Gate!" Greywolf urgently replied, "Hurry! It's almost upon us!" The two girls placed their arms around Venus and began to drag her towards the portal as fast as their wearied bodies could. The Soul Eater, now fully formed, snarled and cast its black lightning at Kaylen's shield. Kaylen grunted in pain as the bolts struck, but the shield held. They could see that it was, however, being forced lower with each impact. "Hurry!" Kaylen gasped, "I can't hold it much longer!" Lynn's star began to glow as she turned to her lifemate. "Beloved," she said, "I will form my Soul Gem out of the Aether. Cast your light bolts at it and I'll magnify their power!" "It's worth a try, dear," he replied dubiously. Lynn smiled at his doubt even as her Soul Gem was forming above her. "The Soul Eater is Darkness and the antithesis of Life!" she explained hurriedly, "Our powers united are Light and Life. We may not kill it, but we should wound it enough to drive it off! Hurry, Wolf!!" Greywolf glanced at the others. Kreigh and Ivee were almost to the Gate, while Kaylen was on his knees, arms over his head, struggling to hold the shield. With a snarl, Greywolf turned and cast twin bolts of light at the Soul Gem. The Gem glowed brightly when the bolts struck and it absorbed them, magnified them, and emitted a single blast of pure white light. The powerful blast passed through the shield without harming it and struck the Soul Eater. It shrieked in agony as the bolt hit and bits of the darkness that made up its substance began to bleed off and dissipate. Morgoth screamed curses at the Guardians as his creature unraveled. There was a blinding flash and the Soul Eater was gone. With a gasp, Kaylen dropped his shield. Greywolf and Lynn staggered to him, and supporting each other, they passed through the Gate as Ivee and Kreigh had already done. When they came through, Syrypus collapsed the Gate behind them. As soon as Greywolf and Lynn passed through the Gate, they collapsed to their knees. The whooshing sound behind them told them that Syrypus had closed the Gate. Greywolf looked around. Ivee and Kreigh were on their knees, being attended to by Nonja. Kaylen was on the floor, out cold, with Soloman in attendance. "Ivee?" Greywolf said inquiringly. She looked up. She had dark circles under her eyes and was trembling with weariness. Kreigh was pretty much in the same shape. "I'm intact, Greywolf", Ivee replied weakly, "But neither Kreigh nor myself can so much as light a candle until we get some sleep." He nodded and glanced at Soloman. "How is he?" he asked, nodding at Kaylen. "He's all right." Soloman answered without looking up from his patient, "Nothing a good night's sleep won't cure." Greywolf felt a rushing surge of relief. They did it! And they managed to spit in Morgoth's eye as well! "There's something you all should know," Lynn stated, "The Soul Eater is not dead. Morgoth teleported it away when he realized that our blast had seriously wounded it. Not only that, but since Morgoth was controlling the thing at the time, the bolt indirectly wounded him as well! It will take him time to recover from the defeat we dealt him." Greywolf looked pleased at that. "So, we needed time to decide what to do next and now we have it." Greywolf turned to look at the statues lining the wall. "Well," he said, "I know Ami, Minako, Makoto, and Rei. Lynn, do you know the names of the other five from your mindlink with Usagi?" Lynn got to her feet and walked to the first of the Outer Senshi. "Yes I do. This is Setsuna or Sailor Pluto. And this is Michiru or Sailor Neptune. Over here is Haruka or Sailor Uranus. And then here is Hotaru known as Sailor Saturn," she answered as she walked down the line, stopping at the last and smallest of the Senshi. "And this is Chibi-Usa or Sailor Chibi-Moon! The others are known as the Outer Senshi, Guardians of their Silver Millennium. But this one is Usagi's daughter who has come from their future to be trained as a Senshi!" "In that case, we better make sure they have a future!" Greywolf stated, looking grim. "Another thing," he continued, "Where is Prince Endymion? You know from the last visit that he is never far from the Princess when there's danger about, so where is he?" "Hmmmm," Lynn mused, looking thoughtful, "I got the impression from Usagi's mind that he was around. She didn't see him though, she only sensed him. But her senses are very sharp where he's concerned, so it's possible that he was able to make it through Morgoth's gate before it closed." Greywolf turned to Ashe and ordered, "Get the Border Legion Patrols out looking for him. Morgoth's Gates are a hellish way to travel, so he will be wearied and disoriented. Since Usagi came out near Caladon, it's likely Mamoru is nearby as well." Ashe nodded curtly and left to implement the search. Needing to sense the nature of the spell binding the Senshi, Lynn approached Sailor Mercury and gently placed a hand on her forehead. Closing her eyes, she concentrated. The star on her forehead began to glow brightly. She gasped and turned pale almost immediately. Greywolf leapt forward and grasped her shoulders. "What's wrong?" he asked urgently. She turned her face to him, a face that was pale with shock, her eyes filled with horror and revulsion. "The spell that turned them to stone also bound their souls to the statues," she answered with a violent shudder. "Only with the statues intact, can they be freed. Shattered, their souls would be bound to the rubble forever! Their minds are also trapped in the moment, which means, to them, each second lasts an eternity!" Kreigh snarled and pounded her fist on the floor as she cursed softly. Ivee, although pale, was already thinking of ways to free them. The other Guardians were also in various stages of anger over this. "We MUST free them!" Greywolf stated grimly. Lynn looked anguished, a tear sliding down her cheek. "I don't know if we can!" she cried with a sob, "It will take a great deal of power! We may need Usagi and the Ginzuishou and you KNOW we can't! In her present state, it would kill her to use it!" "Not so!" Ivee stated, rising determinedly to her feet, "Only if she uses the Ginzuishou's power is she endangered. If we were to let the Ginzuishou use our power and then cast that at your Soul Gem, it may free them WITHOUT using the Ginzuishou's own power!" Lynn wiped her tears and nodded. "You're right," she sighed wearily, "And I'm not thinking clearly or I would have thought of that." Ivee walked over and placed an arm around her shoulders. "That's because you, of all of us, know what Morgoth is capable of!" she said, smiling wryly, "The horror our friends are trapped in is more immediate to you because you suffered similarly during your captivity two years past." Lynn shuddered and agreed. "However, we can't free them now," she continued, "We're all exhausted and depleted. We also need Usagi and she won't wake until tomorrow." Anguish sparked in Lynn's eyes while Kreigh's were full of fury. The others were in varying states between, but all knew that Ivee was right. They had NO choice. They needed rest before beginning what was going to be a very difficult magic counter-spell. Greywolf sat alone at the great table in the Star Chamber. Outside, it was dark, night being well advanced. He had given orders that the candles in the room were to be kept lit all night since he didn't want to leave the Senshi in a darkened room. The other Guardians were all in their beds, recouping their strength for tomorrow's effort. All except Lynn that is. She was sitting with Usagi, watching over her while she slept restlessly, despite a snoot full of prime sleeping potion. Greywolf looked up as the doors opened. "He's in there waiting for you, My Lord Prince," he heard the guard at the door say. A weary looking man in armor entered the chamber, the doors closing behind him. "Mamoru!" Greywolf exclaimed, jumping up. He clasped Mamoru's forearms in the Shaelite border fashion and led him to a chair. Despite the fact that he sat down, Greywolf could see that Mamoru was very agitated. "My Usako is out there somewhere!" Mamoru whispered hoarsely, pointing out beyond the city walls, "She's out there and hurt! Can you help me find her?" Greywolf smiled. Mamoru obviously loved his Usako as much as he loved his Aisllynnia. It would be a pleasure to tell him that all was well. "Look behind you," Greywolf said in reply, still smiling. Mamoru turned to look and gasped at the sight of the statues along the wall. "How did..." he started, then paused. "Is Usako here?" he questioned, eyes full of hope. Greywolf nodded and smiled again. "Come with me." He got up and walked to the door with Mamoru right behind. Within moments, they had come to a guarded door in the guest area of the Palace. Greywolf opened the door and entered, Mamoru following. Lynn rose from the chair she had been sitting in. "Mamoru!" she cried happily, "Oh I'm so glad they found you before she woke up!" Remembering his manners, he moved forward and gave Lynn an affectionate hug and kiss, but they could see that his mind was on Usagi. "How is she?" he asked without taking his eyes from the pale girl lying in the bed. Greywolf looked grave. "Her injuries are healed," he replied grimly, "But she has an injury to her soul that will require specialized healing!" Mamoru froze on hearing this. "Rei was right," he whispered, pale faced. Lynn hastened to reassure him. "Yes she was, but Haeth will arrive tomorrow to heal her and until she does, the Ginzuishou is keeping her alive." Mamoru felt relief overwhelm him. "I'm going to sleep in that chair tonight," he told them, "I want to be there when she wakes up." Greywolf and his lifemate smiled in understanding and left the room, closing the door behind them. Mamoru slowly approached the bed and fell to one knee beside it. He leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips. She sighed in her sleep and smiled. "I'm here now Usako," he whispered lovingly, "And I'll look after you!" He moved the chair next to the bed and sat while holding her hand. Every once in awhile, he raised her hand to his lips to kiss it, as if to remind himself that he had found her and that she was safe. Lynn and Greywolf were walking down the hall. Instead to turning towards their quarters, Greywolf was surprised when she grabbed his hand and led him back towards the Star Chamber. "Freeing the Senshi will take ALL the power at our command as well as Usagi's help with the Ginzuishou," she explained, smiling at his surprise. "However, I have an idea that may work and I need to try it. We will free one of them, we two should have enough power for that. If it works, we have our counter-spell!" As they entered the chamber, Greywolf turned to her. "Which one do we free?" he asked, "It should be someone who can help us free the others." She smiled. "I already know who we'll free. Sailor Mercury, of course!" He returned her smile and nodded. "Of course! With her intelligence and her VR visor and computer to analyze things, she WOULD be of great help." Lynn concentrated and her star began to glow brightly. Raising her hands, she formed a globe of bright light and with a gesture, she sent it moving towards Sailor Mercury. It moved until it was floating about a foot over her head and then came to a stop. Lynn closed her eyes and clenched her fists as the globe of light solidified into a large clear crystal about the size of a basketball. By this time, her star was glowing so brightly that it was blinding. During this time, Greywolf had been gathering all his power for one massive blast. When Lynn called, "NOW!" he was ready. He raised hands, which were glowing with power, and cast twin bolts of light at the Soul Gem. As they struck, Lynn struggled to transmute the light blasts into the form needed to restore Mercury. She began to tremble from the strain when the Soul Gem pulsated. Bright power exploded from the Gem and enveloped Sailor Mercury. Slowly, very slowly, the gray tones began to shift to flesh tones and the bright colors of her Sailor fuku began to emerge. When the transformation was complete, the Soul Gem vanished. When it did, Mercury and the two Guardians who freed her fell to their knees. It was a moment before Lynn could get the strength to look up at Ami. Ami was on her knees with her arms wrapped tightly around her midriff as she tried to contain her terrified sobbing. Lynn remembered full well what it was like to be caught in one of Morgoth's spells. She managed to stagger to Ami and carefully sat next to her. She pulled the sobbing Mercury into her arms and held her tightly as she cried. "Shhhh. It's alright!" she crooned soothingly, "You're free now and tomorrow we'll free everyone. Shhhh." Greywolf crawled over and ran his hand comfortingly over her blue locks and stopped at her shoulder, gripping it tightly. Ami continued to sob against Lynn's shoulder. Greywolf began to look concerned as Ami's wild sobbing showed no sign of abating. "Will she be all right?" he asked worriedly, "I've never seen her cry like that before! Not even during the last fight against the Dark One!" Aisllynnia smiled wryly. "They may be warriors and they may have defeated their enemies, the Dark Kingdom, by now. But after all is said and done, they're still children!" she explained, "Getting caught in one of Morgoth's spells is one of the most terrifying things you can imagine. Remember how long I cried after you freed me, two years ago? She'll be alright after she's cried herself out." Greywolf nodded as he remembered. Aisllynnia was in pretty much the same shape as Ami was now. Greywolf sat down next to them to wait, while Lynn continued to soothe Ami as she wept. Slowly, the wild sobs began to diminish until only her shuddering breath showed she had cried at all. She continued to hold Lynn tightly, as if afraid to let go, like a child afraid of the dark. Gradually, her hold loosened and her breath became more even. he thought with relief. To see the intelligent normally unflappable Ami in such a distressed state had worried him deeply. Ami slowly pulled away from Lynn. She was looking down, not meeting Lynn's concerned gaze and her cheeks bore a hectic flush. Greywolf thought in surprised amusement, Lynn took Ami's chin and raised it, looking into her tear drenched eyes. "There is no need for embarrassment, child!" she said with a smile, "You were there when the Guardians freed ME two years back! Remember my reaction? It was no different from yours." Ami nodded and gave the two Guardians a weak smile. "USAGI!!" Ami gasped, remembering, "What happened to Usagi?!" Lynn placed a finger over her lips to still her frantic questions. "Usagi and Mamoru are in a guest chamber in the area of the Palace reserved for visiting dignitaries," she explained, "Her wounds are healed, all except one that only Haeth can heal and she'll arrive tomorrow." "The wound Rei saw her getting!" Ami whispered, horrified, "But, Rei sensed that the wound was fatal!" Lynn nodded. "It is, but the Ginzuishou has enough power to keep her alive for several days and Haeth will arrive tomorrow, so she is in no immediate danger. If you can avoid it, don't tell the other Senshi after we free them. I don't know about Soul Healing, but I do know that friends are usually very helpful. Haeth will need all of you, most likely." Ami nodded in agreement. "Can I sleep here with my friends?" she asked hesitatingly, "I don't want to leave them." Lynn nodded as Greywolf ordered the Guards to bring a cot and blankets. When they arrived, Lynn made it up and held the covers while Greywolf picked Ami up and gently laid her on the cot. She fell asleep even before Lynn finished covering her up. Lynn smiled at her and leaning down, kissed her forehead. "Good night, little one," she whispered, "Tomorrow we will need you!" Hand in hand, they exited the chamber to seek their own bed, while the guards closed the doors behind them. End of Chapter Two Next: Chapter Three: Awakening of the Senshi Freeing the Senshi, Usagi's collapse, Jupiter's protectiveness! Be there! Special Thanks: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing, good ideas and comments, and providing me with Sailor Moon stories to enjoy! Thanks Will! Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi and all terms, names etc associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. The Guardians and everything pertaining to the Star Kingdoms are MINE! Sailor Moon: Guardians of the Star Chapter Three: Awakening of the Senshi In the guest room, sunlight from the rising sun came through the window illuminating the two people sleeping in the room. Mamoru slept in the chair next to the bed, his Usako's hand lightly held in his. Usagi stirred as the brightening light began to wake her. Her eye lids fluttered and opened as she looked across the room. Tears gathered in her eyes and streamed down her cheeks as she remembered. She felt her hand being held. She thought it was probably Lynn, not being awake enough yet to sense who it really was. Since Usagi didn't want to wake her, she tried to cry quietly but wasn't able to prevent a choked sob from escaping. At the sound of a sob from the bed, Mamoru woke up with a start. He looked at the bed and saw Usagi facing away from him. She was quiet now, but her shoulders shook with suppressed sobs. Hurting with her and for her, he softly called her name, "Usako." She gasped and turned to look, slowly. "Mamo-chan!" she cried as she saw him. She gave a great heaving sob and hurled herself from the bed and into his arms. She wrapped one arm tightly around his neck as she cried on his shoulder. His arms tightened around her as if to ease the shuddering sobs that wracked her delicate frame. "I love you, Usako," he whispered into her ear, "I will always love you. I'm here now and everything will be alright!" He continued whispering things into her ear, until the storm of her weeping began to subside. They sat and held each other for awhile, Mamoru silent, and Usagi, face buried in his shoulder, drawing an occasional shuddering breath. Sunlight spilled through the vaulted windows of the Star Chamber brightening the large room. Ami woke up slowly. She sat up, stretched, yawned widely and rubbed her eyes sleepily. When she noticed the statues along one wall, tears came to her eyes as she remembered. Impatiently, she wiped them away. she thought, Ami smiled fondly as she remembered that Usagi and Mamoru were safe in another part of the Palace. She got to her feet and stretched again. She noticed, then, that she was still in her Sailor fuku. she thought curiously, She pulled her computer from the subspace pocket she kept it in and reached up to activate her VR visor. Her vision became enhanced as its blue form materialized over her eyes. She walked over to the statues and turned her enhanced vision on the nearest, Sailor Jupiter. Figures and stats began to show on the visor's display and Ami gasped. she thought in horrified fascination, She punched in a few commands into her computer and the display in the visor obediently changed to record the power of the spell. Ami drew in a surprised breath. She began to look worried. She punched in the command to save the information she had scanned and put her computer away. Reaching up, she deactivated her VR visor and it faded from sight. Knowing it was early in the morning and knowing the exhausted Guardians would be sleeping for awhile yet, Ami decided to seek out Usagi. She walked over to the doors and opened them. "Could you tell me where Usagi's room is?" she asked the guards outside. "I could, Your Highness, if I knew who Usagi was," one of the guards replied, confused. Ami thought, disgusted with herself, "Oh, I'm sorry!" Ami said sheepishly, "I meant Princess Serenity." "Ah! Yes, I know where her room is. If you'll follow me, Princess Mercury, I'll take you there." He led her through the Palace halls and into the guest area. "There you are," he said, pointing to a guarded door down the hall, "I must return to my post, Your Highness." Ami nodded and thanked him with a smile. She walked down the hall to the guarded door only to find that the guards wouldn't let her through. "I'm sorry, Your Highness!" one of them said apologetically, "But our orders are that only Guardians may enter." Ami fumed for a moment and then got an idea. "I AM a Guardian!" she explained, "Look at my uniform! It's similar to Serenity's because I AM one of HER Royal Guardians, Princess Mercury! Look!" She removed her tiara so that the guards could see the glowing symbol of Mercury beneath. "I'm sorry, Your Highness!" the guard said as he opened the door. Ami nodded in acceptance and entered the room and the guards closed the door behind her. Ami noticed, at once, that the bed was empty. It took only a moment to find the two figures in the chair. Usagi was curled up on Mamoru's lap sleeping while he stroked her hair absently. She was reluctant to disturb them, but she needed to talk to them. Mastering her reluctance, she walked quietly across the room to the chair and laid a hand on his shoulder. He looked up and seeing Ami, barely managed to stifle a surprised exclamation. "Ami! How....?" he questioned her softly. "Lynn thought up a possible spell to free us and needed to test it," Ami explained, smiling, "She felt that, between herself and Greywolf, they had enough power to free one of us. They chose me because they felt my skills could help with freeing the others. Needless to say, it worked!" Mamoru smiled with relief. "What about the others?" he asked. Ami frowned thoughtfully. "Well, I did some scans and Lynn was right," she replied, "It will take all our power to break that spell. We'll need the Ginzuishou to focus the Guardians' power." "The Ginzuishou is what's keeping her alive!" he said, horrified, "If she uses it, she'll die!" Ami shook her head. "No, the Ginzuishou's own power is not needed," she explained, "It's needed merely as a focal point to unite the Guardians' powers and transfer them to Lynn's Soul Gem." At this point, Usagi stirred and opened her eyes. She focused on Ami and her eyes widened unbelievingly. Her lips formed Ami's name silently. She reached a violently trembling hand towards her. Ami gripped her hand tightly to still its trembling. At the touch of her hand, Usagi went white as a sheet and her head dropped back to Mamoru's shoulder as she fainted. "Usagi-chan!" "Usako!" Mamoru quickly felt for the pulse at the side of her neck while Ami fumbled for her wrist. "Do not worry!" Ami and Mamoru turned, startled, towards the door as Lynn walked in. "The relief at seeing Ami alive after the terrible grief (she showed to me when she thought her friends were all dead) was simply too much for her in her weakened condition," Lynn explained, "She'll awaken shortly." A single tear tracked down Ami's cheek as she regarded Usagi with sorrow. she thought sadly, Lynn walked over to them and placed an affectionate hand on Usagi's head. "Her grief was terrible!" she said, remembering, "None of the Guardians present were dry eyed after seeing it. I shooed them from the room because I knew she wouldn't want them to see her in that condition. But I saw it and felt it during the mind-link. Morgoth filled me with terror but her grief is what made me cry." Their attention turned back to Usagi as she began to stir. With a gasp, she sat up. She looked around and spotting Ami, she got shakily to her feet. She slowly walked toward Ami, step by trembling step, only the blazing crescent moon on her forehead betraying the intensity of her emotion. When she reached Ami, she said nothing and just hugged her tightly. Usagi was trembling and Ami was content just to hold her dearest friend and Princess until she recovered her composure. After a long while, Usagi managed to still her trembling and pulled away from Ami, but didn't let her go. "How are you alive?" she asked hoarsely, "I saw you die! And the others too!" Ami looked at her through narrowed eyes and noticed she was on the verge of collapsing again. she thought as she put her arm around Usagi's shoulders and led her back to the bed, She sat Usagi on the bed and then sat next to her keeping her arm around Usagi's shoulders to provide support. Her friend's greatest strength was also her greatest weakness. Her capacity for love was very great, so great that she fought like a raging banshee when those she loved were endangered. But, by the same token, the loss of loved ones was a crippling blow and more than capable of immobilizing her with grief. Ami looked at Lynn for help. Lynn walked over and sat on the other side of Usagi. "Your friends aren't dead, just imprisoned in the statues," she explained gently, "I have a spell that will free them if we can get enough power together to shatter Morgoth's spell." She took her by the chin and met her eyes. "We will need all our power, BUT..." She looked at Usagi firmly and raised a finger to emphasize her point. "You must use the Ginzuishou to focus and unite our powers ONLY. You must NOT use the Ginzuishou's own power. In your weakened state, that would kill you as surely as Morgoth almost did!" Usagi looked down at her clasped hands and finally nodded. Both Ami and Mamoru looked faint with relief. They knew she was capable of killing herself to free her friends. Now she knew it wouldn't be necessary to sacrifice herself. Lynn explained to Usagi exactly what they would do. Usagi nodded when Lynn finished and got up. Ami noticed, however, that she was still very, very pale. "Does she have enough strength for this?" Ami asked, concerned. "It'll be alright, Ami," Mamoru replied as he put an arm around Usagi's waist to support her, "My strength will support her in this effort!" Ami agreed as she remembered Lynn telling her that Haeth may need all the Senshi to help her with the Soul Healing. The four of them left the room and headed for the Star Chamber. The Guardians in the Star Chamber turned to the door as Lynn led the others into the room. There were shocked looks among the Guardians at sight of Usagi. They couldn't believe how pale and ill she looked. "That's it!" Nonja exclaimed, "We can't do this today. She's just not well enough. We have to wait until she's stronger!" Ivee turned an incredulous look on Nonja. "Are you for real?" she responded sharply, "She won't get stronger! She's losing more every hour! If we wait too long, the tiniest use of power will kill her!" "Then we wait for Haeth to heal her," Soloman argued, "She's just too ill to exert herself now!" "Haeth will need the others to assist in the healing," Lynn explained with a bite in her voice, "It's now or never!" As the debate continued, Usagi went even paler and began to tremble again, the only bright thing about her being her colorful Sailor fuku and the glowing moon crescent. Ami rushed over to help Mamoru support the rapidly wilting Usagi casting a silent plea at the Guardians. Kreigh noticed Ami's pleading glance seeing what the argument was doing to Usagi. Her legendary temper, already near the boiling point, exploded. "ENOUGH!!!" she cried in a raging fury. At her cry, the others fell silent and turned to regard the infuriated redhead with surprise. "Look what this idiotic argument is doing to her!" she snarled, pointing at a near fainting Usagi, held up only by Ami and Mamoru's support. "If you want her to recover, her Senshi MUST be freed first so they can help Haeth when they're needed!" Nonja rushed to Usagi and placed a hand on her forehead. Her hand glowed as she transferred energy from herself to Usagi. Usagi's stance became firmer and when she looked up, recovered from her near faint, she had a little more color in her pale cheeks. "I'm sorry, Usagi," Nonja said as she removed her hand, "That was my healers oath kicking in over my common sense." She turned to Greywolf and said, "You were right. She's failing fast. It IS now or never." Greywolf sighed with relief. Mamoru looked around and noticed the blankets on the table. "What are all the blankets for, Greywolf?" he asked curiously. "Well," Greywolf replied, "after we free the Senshi, few of us will have enough strength left to go anywhere. We'll be sleeping here for a few hours to gain some strength back." "Can we get on with it?" Usagi asked in a quavering voice. Mamoru looked down at her gravely and bent down to kiss her, hoping to give her some of his strength. When they parted, she smiled reassuringly at him and turned a questioning glance to Lynn who nodded in agreement. She took Usagi by the hand and led her to the center of the Star emblem. Mamoru followed and placed a hand on one of her shoulders. Ami activated her VR visor so she could track the energy levels, and then placed her hand on Usagi's other shoulder. They would be her strength. The eight Guardians each moved to their assigned points of the Star. Lynn turned to Usagi who stood beside her in the center of the Star and nodded. Holding her hands in front of her broach, Usagi summoned the Ginzuishou and it left the broach. It moved between her hands and floated there. She raised her hands over her head and looked at the Guardians. Each Guardian began sending streams of power to the Ginzuishou and Usagi's moon crescent glowed brightly as she struggled to unite the power within the Ginzuishou. Usagi felt strength flowing into her from both Ami and Mamoru; it was enough to keep her on her feet as she struggled. Ami kept tabs on the power level in the Ginzuishou with her visor. She watched for several moments as it climbed steadily, approaching the amount they needed. It slowed as the Guardians began to flag. she thought urgently, She decided to add her bit. Raising her hand, she yelled, "SHINING AQUA ILLUSION!" The attack was converted to energy almost before it left her hand and was absorbed into the Ginzuishou. She wearily watched the counter rise and slow down just short of what was required. Mamoru, however, followed Ami's example and tossed a rose. The Ginzuishou converted and absorbed it as well. The counter on her visor rose and slowed at about five percent above what was needed. "We have the POWER!!" Ami cried exultantly. Lynn smiled and created her Soul Gem. She sent it to float high above the Senshi. "OK Usagi," Lynn instructed, "Cut loose the united power at the Soul Gem. Remember not to use the Ginzuishou's power! We have enough without it!" Usagi nodded and closing her eyes, aimed the Ginzuishou at the Soul Gem. "COSMIC MOON POWER!" she cried, commanding it mentally to expel the alien power it had gathered. The Ginzuishou unleashed all the power it gathered in a single blinding blast. Lynn actually swayed as it struck the Soul Gem. With the transfer of power complete, the other Guardians collapsed in exhaustion. Greywolf staggered over to support Lynn while Mamoru and Ami held Usagi up. Lynn shuddered as she struggled to transmute the powerful blast. Bright light exploded from her Soul Gem and enveloped the Senshi. There was a blinding flash as Morgoth's spell was destroyed. When it faded, the Senshi were standing before them, in the flesh. A moment later, they collapsed. The exhausted Guardians moved slowly to help them. "Go and help them," Usagi said softly to Ami and Mamoru, "You lent me strength, so I have enough to stand on my own." Ami nodded and went to get the blankets. After studying Usagi closely, Mamoru smiled and went to join Ami. Usagi watched them spreading blankets on the floor, and help the exhausted Guardians and Senshi to their resting places. Her vision started to blur. she thought, Her vision went black and she crumpled. With the spell shattered and Jupiter fell to her knees, she was concerned with only one person -- Usagi. She mastered her terror at her entrapment and, finding her friend, studied her with a narrowed green gaze. Jupiter was always the most protective of her friend when she was in any danger. Since she first protected Usagi from bullies when they first met, she regarded Usagi as a little sister, despite the fact that they were the same age. This feeling solidified when Usagi ignored her bad reputation for fighting and befriended this very lonely girl much in need of a friend. Jupiter regarded Usagi as sister and friend (more than Princess) since that day and she watched Usagi now. Ami and Mamoru were fooled be Usagi's false display of strength, but Jupiter, who knew Usagi very well indeed, was not. As the other Senshi were helped to their blankets or staggered there on their own, Jupiter gathered the remaining dregs of her strength. As Usagi started to collapse, as Jupiter had KNOWN she would, she leapt to her feet and rushed over just in time to catch her unconscious friend. Mamoru was about to get up when Jupiter glanced at him. "Stay there, Mamoru-chan," she ordered with a smile, "I have more strength than you at the moment and it's my turn to look after her." He looked about to argue but finally returned her smile and nodded. He was simply too exhausted to get back up. Jupiter lifted Usagi up into her arms and carefully placed one foot in front of the other as she walked to the place they would sleep. She carefully placed Usagi on a blanket and sat on the one next to her. she thought weakly, She placed a trembling hand on Usagi's forehead. she thought with dismay, "Hey Jupiter!" Mars called tiredly from across the room, "How is our little baka brain?" She smiled wearily as she said it. The other Senshi turned to look and wait for Jupiter's answer, the Outer Senshi looked particularly concerned. , she thought, "She's all right," Jupiter lied, "Just exhausted." Usagi opened her eyes and her wandering gaze found Jupiter. "Mako-chan!" she whispered weakly. Jupiter whirled to face her dearest friend with surprise. "Shhh, Usagi-chan! Don't talk," she said soothingly, placing her hand on Usagi's forehead again. "I'm here and so are all the other Senshi. Just sleep and get well." Usagi smiled and fell asleep almost instantly. Jupiter glanced around and noticed everyone else was sound asleep. She looked up in surprise as Ami sat up from where she appeared to be sleeping on the other side of Usagi. "Is everyone else asleep?" At Jupiter's nod, she said, "Good, we have to talk!" A tear coursed down Jupiter's cheek, the first time Ami had seen her cry. "Ami," she whispered, her voice hoarse with grief, "She's dying! I couldn't tell the others so I lied, but I can feel her sickness and it's mortal!" Ami nodded. "I know," she replied, "Lynn told me yesterday and told me not to tell the others, but I could see that you knew already." Jupiter put a hand to her mouth to hold in a choked sob. She had thought that after losing her boyfriend that she'd never cry again. Oh, how very wrong she was! "What do we do, Ami? I...we can't lose her!" Ami activated her VR visor and studied Usagi with it. "Well..," Ami answered softly, "According to my visor, at her present decline, the Ginzuishou can keep her alive for another three days." Jupiter gasped and turned white at that. As she watched Usagi, her green eyes shimmered with tears. In just three days, she would lose the most precious friend she had ever had. "Hold on, Mako-chan! I'm not finished yet!" Ami remonstrated, "There's another Guardian coming. Lynn said that she should be here by midday. That's in a couple of hours. I suggest we get some sleep NOW, so we can be awake THEN." "Can...can this other Guardian heal her?" Jupiter asked hopefully. "According to Lynn, this Haeth is a healer of unmatched skill and specializes in nonphysical injuries," Ami replied, "If anyone can heal her, she can! Now let's get some sleep so we can wake up when she arrives." Ami laid down on her blanket and was asleep in moments. Jupiter looked at her in astonishment. Then she laid down. she thought, She fell asleep. End of Chapter 3 NEXT: Chapter 4: Haeth, Healer of Souls Haeth, Usagi's healing, plans are made. Be There!Special Thanks: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing, good ideas and comments, and providing me with Sailor Moon stories to enjoy! Thanks Will! Ruth Ann Sharp for her idea to create a battle in Usagi's mind. The details of the battle are mine, but the idea to do it in the first place, is hers. The chapter is stronger for it. Thanks Ruth! Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi and all terms, names etc associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. The Guardians and everything pertaining to the Star Kingdoms are MINE! Sailor Moon: Guardians of the Star Chapter Four: Haeth, Healer of Souls She flew, flew faster than she had ever flown before. Her great wings were stretched to their widest extent in order to get every particle of speed out of the strong tail winds blowing her south. Early yesterday, she felt the call, an urgent call, a call her kind hoped never to receive. She answered immediately, her wings pounding the air as she strained for the heights where the winds were. Almost at once, the winds betrayed her. Fighting a strong head wind, she had to work for every mile. For a day and a night, she had to fight the winds. Not even sensing the Guardians' summoning could make her fly any faster. Then, at dawn, the winds changed again, blowing strongly from behind, this time. she thought bitterly, From the call, she had been able to sense two things: that the person was dying and that something was sustaining him or her for the moment. she decided, She flew on. It was about four hours past sunheight when the city of Caladon came into view on the horizon, far below. she thought worriedly, When the city was closer, she aimed herself at the palace courtyard and folded her wings. Without their power holding her aloft, she plummeted at great speed toward the courtyard. About 200 feet up, she stretched her wings out. They caught the air and she bit back a groan as they were almost wrenched from their sockets. A couple of painful flaps, and she was down, forelegs and hindlegs cushioning the impact. she groaned to herself, stretching her stiffened wings, Folding her wings neatly to her back, she shimmered as she assumed her human form. Giving the surprised guards holding the doors a quick nod, she entered the Keep and headed for the Star Chamber. The guards at the doors to the Star Chamber looked up at the sound of someone approaching them. They saw a young woman with waist length hair even more silver than Lynn's. The most striking feature, though, was her eyes. They were as silver as her hair and the final clue as to who she was, was the silver colored dragon symbol on her forehead. The guards recognized her instantly and bowed low. She was the most unusual of the Guardians. "Lady Haeth!" the guards exclaimed, "We were told to expect you at around midday! Bad winds?" "Very bad," she returned sourly, "For a while, I wondered if I'd make it at all! Still, one must answer the call of a soul in need." The elder of the two guards nodded. "Indeed. Princess Serenity is within." "Princess Serenity?!" she gasped in surprise. "Aye," the elder guard replied, "They all sleep because the spell that freed the Senshi took much power." "Spell? Senshi?" she repeated dazedly. He opened the door and waved her in. "Princess Aisllynnia or Greywolf will explain when they wake up." Haeth shook off her daze and walked into the chamber and the guards closed the doors behind her. She studied the sleeping figures scattered throughout the room. she thought curiously, She grinned impishly as she considered doing just that. She dismissed the impulse immediately. That would not only wake them, it would probably scare everyone half to death! She opened her senses and gasped. At this range, the sense of disharmony and sickness almost knocked her to her knees. she thought in dismay, With the description Lynn had given her long ago, Haeth had no trouble locating Usagi. She knelt down beside her and carefully placed a hand on her forehead. With a gasp, she pulled it back instantly, as if burnt. Tears filled her eyes, but despite the curious relief that humans often received from a good cry, she stubbornly would not shed them. she thought sorrowfully, Hearing something to her left, she turned her head and met a narrowed green gaze. Jupiter was sitting up and studying her carefully. "Haeth?" Jupiter questioned hopefully. She nodded back. "From the descriptions Lynn gave me, you could only be Sailor Jupiter," she said softly. She was shy, very shy around strangers. Though she knew the Senshi through Lynn, she had never met them before. Jupiter seemed to sense her shyness. "Please call me Mako," she replied reassuringly, "My friends call me 'Mako-chan'. You can call me that if you like." Haeth gave Jupiter a radiant smile that lit up her whole face. "I'd like that....Mako-chan!" A shadow fell across her face, like a cloud across the sun, as she turned to look at Usagi. "How is she, Haeth-chan?" Jupiter asked, filled with dread at the look on her face. "She is dying," Haeth replied with profound sadness, "Not just her body, but her soul too. Morgoth's canker leeches her life force from her. Her gem will not keep her alive much longer. Without help, she is beyond my ability to heal." Jupiter looked back at her in desperation. "What can we do?" she whispered. "WE help her, of course!" came a voice from the other side of Usagi, "Remember Lynn saying Haeth-chan would need us!" They turned as Ami sat up and looked at them. Haeth cursed her shyness as she looked down, unable to meet Ami's eyes. She wished she had more years. By her own people's standards, she WAS still a child, after all, even though she had lived over a century. Her folk were VERY long lived, even longer than the Elves. Ami came over to place an arm around Haeth's shoulders. "I'm your friend, Haeth," she said with a smile, "ALL the Senshi will your friends too. Don't be shy. Think of them as good friends you haven't met yet!" Haeth looked up to meet Ami's friendly look and nodded. Haeth drew a deep breath and said, "You said you would help. There is a way you can." Jupiter leaned forward. "Well? What is it? How can WE help?" she asked anxiously. Haeth began to explain. "A Soul Healer, in order to heal a soul, must somehow get the patient to fight their injury," she said urgently, "Once the patient begins to fight the injury, the drain of lifeforce slows down and a Soul Healer can then use their power to assist, slowing the drain more and more, until the injury is healed." "So what's the problem then?" Jupiter asked, looking puzzled. "Usagi is not fighting. Not even a little!" Haeth replied with a sigh, "I'm going to need ALL the Senshi to help me, but it will require courage on your parts." Ami and Mako exchanged glances and turned to Haeth. "What must we do?" they asked. "You must bare your hearts to her," She answered somberly, "You must hold nothing back. She must know how much she means to each of you and most important, how her death would effect you. The injury depleats will and strength with lifeforce. She must get some back in order to fight. You will provide it for her by saying what she needs to hear." Haeth placed her hand on Usagi's forehead again. Usagi's eyes opened, but they saw nothing. Next, she sat her up against the wall and turned to the others. "She is in a trance," Haeth told them, "She will wake as each Senshi talks to her so that she may hear and respond, and return to the trance when they are finished. I have done all I can do, for the moment. The rest is up to you!" Jupiter knelt next to Usagi and began to speak. For the first time Usagi can remember, tears poured down Mako-chan's cheeks. She held nothing back in letting Usagi know how important she is to her. Usagi tried to comfort her, but Jupiter was inconsolable. Usagi thought muzzily, After Jupiter was finished, Usagi snapped back into her trance. As Jupiter returned to Haeth, Mercury moved to speak to Usagi. Jupiter turned to Haeth and the anguish in her eyes almost made Haeth look away. "Will this really work?" Jupiter asked hoarsely. Haeth took a moment to look at Usagi with her special sight. "The healing has begun," she said quietly, "She is starting to fight now and I can see her strength and will increasing as Ami is talking to her. It needs more though. We may need all the Senshi for this." Mako cast a quick worried glance at Rei; Haeth noticed. "Is there a problem?" she asked curiously. "I don't think so," Mako replied without conviction, "Rei is a proud soul and she and Usagi are always fighting. I think she just tries to prod Usagi into being the best she can be. I believe she loves Usagi as much as the rest of us but telling her will be an act of courage for Rei. She'll have to swallow her pride!" Haeth shook her head in confusion. "I don't understand. How do you humans keep your emotions straight with all this complexity?" Mako grinned mirthlessly. "Who says we do? Most of the time, we're just as confused as you!" Ami came up to them, wiping tears from her eyes. "Who should we wake next?" she asked. "You make the choices," Haeth replied firmly, "You know your friends best. All I say, is save Mars for last." Ami and Mako exchanged a look and Mako got up to wake Pluto. Pluto knew Usagi AND Neo Queen Serenity well, therefore she was the next best choice. The sound of muted conversation reached Haeth and Ami as Mako woke her and explained the problem. Pluto looked quickly at Haeth, her eyes wide with shock, and more than mere grief. Pluto knew that more than Usagi's life hung in the balance. Many future lives as well as Chibi-Usa and Crystal Tokyo were endangered. Without Usagi, the battle against the future darkness that resulted in the creation of Crystal Tokyo, would be lost. There would be NO future if that happened. Haeth nodded in Usagi's direction and Pluto nodded in return as she got up and went to her Princess. After Pluto had finished, it continued, Senshi after Senshi, all very emotional meetings, until only Mars was left. The gathered Senshi, none of whom could sleep after learning of Usagi's terrible injury, watched closely as Haeth extended her hands over Usagi. She shook her head, after a moment. "We'll need Mars after all," she said as she examined Usagi with her Sight, "She is fighting almost well enough for me to jump in, BUT, it's not good enough yet. The truth from Mars, someone Usagi isn't even sure likes her, will certainly put the finishing touch on it!" "Unless Usagi is correct," Haruka muttered under her breath as she went to wake Mars. "You want me to WHAT?!" Mars exclaimed incredulously, after they had explained to her what they had to do. "Rei, I know you're an intensely private person," Ami said softly, "I know you've never discussed your feelings much, even with us. This time, however, you must! Usagi's life depends on it!" Rei glanced at Usagi and tried not to notice how pale she was. "She looks a little pale, but otherwise, she looks OK to me!" she stated emphatically. "Remember the vision, Rei!" Minako said sharply. Rei shook her head vehemently. "The visions don't always come true!" she retorted, a touch of panic in her eyes. She loved Usagi and she knew it, but actually opening one's heart and saying it, that was something else. She had never done that with anyone, except possibly her Grandfather. Haeth watched them as they tried to convince Rei, and despite her gentle nature, her fierce draconian temper ignited. she thought fiercely, "HOLD!" she cried. All the Senshi turned to see her standing before them, her hot glare turned on Rei. "If you love your pride more than Usagi's life, then nothing you could say to her would do any good!" she snarled, wincing inside at the harsh words she was forced to use, "You may return to your slumber comforted in the knowledge that your pride is intact, even though Usagi will die!" Rei flinched at the relentless words, but refused to bend. "How can you be sure?" she retorted, "You're not one of us! You're not even human!" Haeth flinched inwardly at Rei's words, but didn't let the pain show. She was fighting for two, now, because Rei would never forgive herself if Usagi died because of her inaction through fear and pride. In answer, Haeth whipped her hand at the gathered Senshi and each was instantly surrounded by a bright blue glow. "You are seeing your auras glowing a healthy blue," she explained to the startled Senshi. When she flicked her hand at Usagi, however, there were horrified looks and gasps from the Senshi. Usagi's aura was a sickeningly unhealthy green. Rei had tears in her eyes and they streaked her cheeks as she bowed her head before Haeth's angry glare. She suddenly remembered clearly, the terrible vision they saw in the sacred fire, of Usagi being injured in a way that they didn't understand, but that they knew was mortal. The vision frightened them all so much, that all the Senshi attempted to protect Usagi to extremes. To no avail. Now, she had just seen a graphic display, of just how sick Usagi was. Worse, a sickness that could be seen only by someone who could see auras. Rei hadn't WANTED to believe Haeth. She had no choice, now, not after Haeth's display. They had failed to protect her. The vision had come true and if she didn't overcome both her fear and her pride, to reveal what was in her heart, Usagi would die. With a choked sob, she rushed to Usagi's side and threw her arms around her friend, great shuddering sobs racking her frame as she rocked back and forth. Usagi snapped awake with a gasp, and seeing Rei's anguish, began to cry too. Rei said nothing, she didn't need to. Her terrible anguish and love for Usagi were made plain in the most truthful way possible, without words. When Usagi lapsed back into her tranced state, Rei turned away, covering her mouth with her hands, trying to hold in the anguished sobs. Haeth took Rei into her arms and let her weep herself out on a comforting shoulder. After awhile, Haeth extended a hand to Usagi and her aura appeared again. At Mako's gasp, the others looked up. "Rei, look!" Haeth ordered softly, "She fights fiercely and now my job can truly begin!" Rei looked up to see Usagi's aura flickering rapidly as healthy blue battled sickly green. "Rei, I must go," Haeth said, releasing her, "Usagi can't win her fight without my help. She needs me now." Haeth moved quickly to Usagi and knelt at her side. Placing a hand on each side of Usagi's head, Haeth bowed her head as her aura began to glow brightly. The Senshi held their breaths, sensing a silent battle being waged. Haeth darted through the vivid landscape within Usagi's mind, searching for her patient and the dark enemy she fought. she thought in exasperation, She came to a clearing and looked around. she fumed,