Hey Minna! Gomen nessai! I've spent the last month in Maui (high school graduation present) with my family. I had no internet connection there, but I have continued to write my series. Here's the next installation. From now on I should be adding a chapter every week. Domo arigato minna! Standard Questionably Useful Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all related characters were created by Naoko Takeuchi; and are copyright to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, Toei, DIC and whoever else. This fanfic is intended solely for entertainment purposes and no violation of said copyrights is intended or implied. If you want to put my fanfic on your site, please e-mail me asking for permission first. This story and all new characters (including attacks) are MINE (copyright 2000)!! Author's Notes: Rated PG-13 for mild language My series begins where Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars ends I use the Japanese names, last name first Nagesya = Dark Empress = Empress Eban = young warrior Bomani = warrior akuryou = evil spirits youma = monster fuku = skirt Sachi = Fortune Banshouno = of all Creation Senshi Avatars Episode 09 - A Dangerous Encounter written by Eridanus (Eridanus2000@go.com) Serenity traveled wearily, her hope of ever finding the Starlights almost nonexistent. Four months had passed since she had first left Earth, and she had faced ten small units of Nagesya?s forces on her own. Of those ten units, there had been a total of thirty-eight dark warriors. Serenity had only been able to save eighteen of them, the rest had to be destroyed. Those warriors she had not been able to save had looked human, spoke like humans, moved like humans, but were most definitely not human for one very important reason: they had no souls. Doubt began to cloud Serenity?s mind on whether she would ever find the help she knew she would need to save Earth. Serenity neared what must have been the thousandth planet she had seen since departing from Earth and performed yet another energy probe, not expecting to find any signs of her friends. Serenity gasped in shock and disbelief when she sensed energy levels equivalent to those of the Starlights. Serenity began her descent recklessly, for her mind was screaming to know whether or not her search was finally over. Sailor Star Fighter and Healer were walking through the sacred woods on the planet?s surface. They immediately sensed that some being was attempting to enter their atmosphere and wordlessly teleported to the site of the breach to catch the intruder. They spotted Serenity instantly, and sped towards her. "Halt! Why have you trespassed on our world? Who are you?" Fighter demanded angrily. Serenity stared at them in shock, surprise, joyfulness, and finally indignation. They didn?t recognize her! Well Serenity decided she would just have to teach them a lesson. "I have come to seek an audience with Princess Kakyuu," Serenity replied formally. "Who are you?" Fighter demanded savagely. "I have come to seek an audience with your princess," Serenity repeated coldly. "Will you lead me to her, or will I have to find her on my own?" "Neither. Answer my question or fight," Fighter threatened, and Serenity smiled. "You really don?t want to fight me, Sailor Star Fighter. It wouldn?t be pretty," Serenity said smugly, and Fighter stared at her open-mouthed. "I am one of the three Starlights chosen to guard the princess, and you think you could best me in battle?" Fighter asked incredulously. "Of course." This was too great an insult for Fighter to bear, so she took her fighting stance. Healer too prepared for battle, and Serenity watched them calmly. "Star Serious Laser!" Fighter yelled as she raised her hand above her head. "Star Sensitive Inferno!" Healer intoned. Serenity didn?t so much as bat an eye at the oncoming attacks, but suddenly golden streams of light poured out of the crescent moon on her forehead, and a sheer golden forcefield deflected the attacks back at the Starlights. "What the...?" Fighter exclaimed, barely managing to avoid her own attack. "How did she do that?" Healer asked breathlessly. "I don?t know and I don?t care. If we attack from two sides, she won?t be able to shield herself from them both. You go right and I?ll go left, and I?ll cue you when to attack," Fighter instructed. "Go!" Fighter and Healer took their positions and Fighter raised her right arm into the air. "Star Serious..." "Star Sensitive..." Neither one of the Starlights could finish their attacks because at that moment Serenity emitted an enormous burst of golden light that froze them in place. Maker decided to make her appearance at that instant and promptly burst out laughing at the scene before her. Fighter and Healer were frozen in mid-attack, and were angry as hell at being trapped. Then Maker noticed Serenity and gasped. "Princess! Please forgive them, they must not have recognized you," Maker pleaded and Serenity smiled kindly. "Sailor Star Maker, I?m pleased to see you again. Your friends were... welcoming me in the princess? stead," Serenity explained with a grin, and with a wave of her hand the Starlights were released. "Forgive me Princess, but I do not know your name in this form," Maker said. "Serenity, and please do not call me ?Princess?," Serenity answered. "Have you gone crazy?!" Fighter exploded as she charged towards Maker. "How the hell do you know this woman, and why are you acting like she?s a long lost friend?" Maker sighed and hung her head in embarrassment at Fighter?s stupidity, wondering if it was too late to pretend to not be related. "It?s all right, Star Maker," Serenity said with a laugh. "I don?t blame them for not recognizing me in this form, even my own family back home wouldn?t know me if they saw me." The three Starlights stared at her in disbelief, and Serenity sighed. "I guess you?d better tell them who I am before they try to attack me again," Serenity suggested, failing miserably at trying not to smile. "Look at her hair, you idiot!" Maker hissed disgustedly at Fighter, who stared angrily at her sibling before grudgingly looking at the princess. "Odango-atama?" Fighter whispered inaudibly. "Usagi?" she said a little firmer. The princess looked at the three Starlights coldly. "Never call me Usagi again, understand? Usagi is dead. I am Serenity," she finished, and the Starlights stared at her wordlessly as the meaning of her words sank in. The cool breeze turned the sunny afternoon pleasant, and Mamoru walked through the park allowing memories to resurface. He went to the lake, and smiled as he remembered the afternoon he had taken Usagi out for a boat ride. That had been the day they had first met Chibiusa...Mamoru?s daydreams were interrupted by a shrill scream, and he made his way to secluded spot to transform. Tuxedo Kamen appeared from behind the bushes seconds later, and ran toward the sounds of battle. When he arrived, he discovered that Mercury and Jupiter had already arrived, but had their hands full with three youma. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" Mercury intoned, and streams of water blasted one of the youma. "Jupiter Oak Evolution!" Jupiter yelled, her attack finishing it off. A youma charged towards Mercury from behind, and Tuxedo Kamen called out a warning to her. Mercury barely managed to dodge the youma, then instantly released her power to attack it. Tuxedo Kamen rushed forward to join in the battle. He used his cane as a sword, successfully blocking or deflecting the attacks aimed his way. "I?m really getting sick of fighting these creeps!" Jupiter exclaimed as she unleashed her power again. "They?re about as hard to get rid of as a bad case of lice." "Thanks for the analogy, Jupiter. Think you could help me over here?" Tuxedo Kamen asked cynically. Just then a fourth youma appeared behind Tuxedo Kamen, and before anyone could react it raised a sword above his head and brought it swiftly down toward Tuxedo Kamen, who barely managed to move partly out of the way, but the blow caught him on his upper right arm. "Tuxedo Kamen!" Mercury cried in alarm as he fell to the ground in a heap, clutching his wounded arm. "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" Mercury yelled angrily, destroying the youma as Jupiter finished off another one. The remaining youma teleported away once it discovered it was alone and outnumbered. "Are you all right?" Jupiter asked in concern as she knelt by Tuxedo Kamen?s side. "Yeah, I?ll be fine," Tuxedo Kamen replied through clenched teeth. "Here, let me scan the cut with my computer. Hmm, it?s a clean wound and it doesn?t show any signs that it might become infected. Let me bandage it up and it should be fine in a few days," Mercury replied after a few minutes, then tore part of her ribbon from her fuku to use as a bandage. Tuxedo Kamen detransformed and patiently waited while Mercury treated his wound, and winced as she bandaged it tightly. "It has to be tight to keep out bacteria," Mercury said apologetically. "I know. Thanks, Mercury," Mamoru said with a faint smile, then walked off towards his apartment. "I heard he went back to school yesterday," Jupiter said quietly. "I?m glad. He needed to get out of that apartment. Not talking to anyone about what happened only made it harder for him," Mercury said sadly. "Motoki-san doesn?t believe Usagi-chan fell in love with another guy," Jupiter said faintly, and Mercury had to strain to hear her. "What do you think?" Mercury asked. "I don?t know. I just don?t know anymore," Jupiter sighed. The three Starlights stared at Serenity, not knowing how to respond. Suddenly Serenity clutched her right arm and plummeted down towards the planet?s surface. Fighter instantly took off after her, with Maker and Healer following right behind. She managed to catch up to Serenity and catch her before they crashed. Serenity clung to her weakly until they touched ground. "What just happened?" Fighter demanded and gasped when she saw the deep gash on Serenity?s arm. "How did you get that cut?" Serenity held her right arm firmly, applying pressure to the wound to try to halt the flow of blood. Maker went to her side and wordlessly cut one of the ribbons on the back of the dress to make a bandage. Serenity held her arm out while Maker wrapped the fabric around the wound tightly. Serenity winced and Maker bowed her head apologetically. "Mamo-chan," Serenity murmured, and her eyes watered. Fighter stared at her in shock, then all emotion disappeared from her face. "We should take you to the palace. I?m sure you?re anxious to see the princess, and she can heal your wound," Fighter said formally and began to lead the way. Serenity glanced questioningly at Maker who merely shook her head. A short while later the quartet emerged from the sacred woods and Serenity gasped at the beautiful sight that lay before her. A massive flower garden had been planted in front of the Star Palace, and it easily covered a square mile. "It?s so beautiful," Serenity breathed. "Yes, ever since we returned the princess has been working non-stop to breathe life back into our planet. First grass and trees appeared, then birds and woodland animals. Her latest task was creating this garden," Maker explained with a proud smile. "It?s hard to believe that just half a year ago this planet was a dead wasteland, isn?t it?" "I?m sorry for what your people suffered," Serenity said with genuine sincerity and Maker smiled. "If it wasn?t for you we wouldn?t still be here, and our princess would be dead. When we had given up hope your friends sacrificed themselves in our place because they believed in us and our power. You...you are the sole reason that Chaos was defeated," Maker said. "No, it was all of us together. I could never have defeated Galaxia on my own, and even with all your help Chaos was not defeated. Chaos could never be defeated. Chaos and Harmony exist together, for without one you cannot have the other. I learned that everything must be embraced, for that is what truly makes us who we are," Serenity said, and even Fighter smiled. "Very well said, Princess Serenity," Princess Kakyuu said from behind them. Serenity turned around quickly to face the princess and curtsied humbly. "It?s so good to see you again, Princess Kakyuu," Serenity smiled. "You?re hurt. Star Fighter, how did this happen?" Kakyuu asked with concern. "You will have to ask Serenity that," Fighter said quietly, and Kakyuu turned to her questioningly. "I think it would be better if we talk about this inside the palace," Serenity suggested and Kakyuu agreed. Kakyuu led the way through the gardens to the castle. The brilliantly colored flowers and their sweet aroma awed Serenity. Many of the flowers were not of a genus that Serenity recognized, and easily surpassed the beauty of the flowers of Earth. "They?re breathtaking, aren?t they?" Kakyuu asked with a kind smile. "It?s amazing how much you have accomplished in these last four months," Serenity murmured distractedly. "It?s not all my doing," Kakyuu revealed. "Hope has returned to my people, and the planet is responding to their dreams. Without Hope, a planet is nothing more than an asteroid capable of supporting life for a limited amount of time." Pluto watched the events of the past unfold within the time mirror. She did not even notice Fortune materialize at her side, because the scenes intrigued her. Pluto gasped when she saw the crimson gash form on Serenity?s arm, and a calming hand was placed upon Pluto?s shoulder. "Easy, Pluto. She will be all right," Fortune soothed. "But how did that happen?" Pluto demanded. "It was the prince who was struck, so why did she also receive the blow?" Pluto asked desperately. "There lives are intertwined; she suffers when he suffers and he suffers when she suffers," Fortune explained patiently. "Then, when the princess makes her sacrifice, will it also claim the prince?s life?" Pluto wondered aloud. "No. They can feel each other?s pain, but one would not die if the other did," Fortune said hurriedly. Pluto turned back to the time mirror and gasped at the beauty of the gardens. "Not even Crystal Tokyo had flowers like those," Pluto breathed. "No, those flowers are the blooms of Hope. Maybe one day they will bloom on Earth as well, but only after a terrible disaster. Only when a race prays will all of their hearts to have their planet restored, will Hope return," Fortune revealed cryptically. "Who is this Hope that you speak of?" Pluto asked. "Hope is not a person, but the powerful desire of a people to live," Fortune disclosed and Pluto?s eyes widened. "Then the people of Earth have the true power," Pluto whispered. "Yes, but then the princess has always known that. That is why before every battle she prays with all of her heart, not for her own safety or for the safety of the Senshi, but for the people of Earth to survive. Without them, there would be no reason to fight," Fortune replied, then peered into the time mirror along with Pluto. Hotaru began her tediously long walk home from the school and sighed. She wished that Haruka would pick her up from school, but both Haruka and Michiru thought the walks were good for her. In fact they were, but they also made her very tired. It took her thirty minutes to walk home now, when it had used to take her an hour. She had steadily been able to increase her speed without becoming winded. Michiru had been thrilled at the accomplishment, and Haruka had bought Hotaru a large sundae to celebrate. Hotaru suddenly noticed a girl walking across the street who was also in her class. She quickly crossed the street and caught up to the girl. "Hello, I?m Tomoe Hotaru," Hotaru said. "We have class together, remember? I sit a row away from you and two seats back." The girl smiled warmly, which brightened her face tremendously. "I?m Banshouno Sachi. It?s nice to meet you," she said with a shy smile. "I didn?t think anyone would ever dare to talk to me." "Why is that?" Hotaru asked in surprise. "People think I am strange, and they don?t like people that are different than they are," she said with a shrug. "I know what you mean," Hotaru whispered. "People were like that at my old school, so I didn?t have many friends. Now I attend this school, but people still tend to stay away," Hotaru said sadly. "Well, I don?t know why. You?re the nicest person I?ve met so far, a lot nicer than those other students. They always tease me and...Ow!" she exclaimed as a man bumped into her. "Sorry about that," the man apologized and then hurriedly walked away. "Here, let me help you up," Hotaru offered and held out her hand. The girl grabbed her hand and Hotaru pulled her up. "Thanks," the girl said, and it was then that Hotaru noticed the rather large scrape on her arm. "You?re hurt!" Hotaru exclaimed. "Oh, it?s nothing," the girl said easily. "Here, let me see it," Hotaru commanded and the girl reluctantly held out her arm. Hotaru hovered her hand an inch away from the wound, and the girl gasped as it healed. "How did you do that?" the girl asked in wonder and Hotaru shrugged. "I?ve always been able heal wounds since I was a little girl. That?s why most people are afraid of me," Hotaru said quietly. The girl looked at Hotaru silently then sank down on the grass. Hotaru did the same, and looked at her new friend questioningly. "Watch," the girl whispered and placed her hand on a bare spot of dirt. Within a few seconds grass appeared and a golden flower began to bloom. "It?s so beautiful," Hotaru breathed. "That?s why most people are afraid of me," the girl revealed. "I can make flowers bloom wherever I want, even inside my house. When I was little I would go to the park, and the flowers always fascinated me. Then one winter all the flowers died and during the summer the seeds wouldn?t bloom. I placed my hand upon the dirt and the seeds all formed perfect flowers. The neighbors saw and we had to move because they said I was a witch," the girl said sadly. Hotaru hugged the girl on an impulse, then stood up. "I don?t think you?re strange, and I certainly don?t think you?re a witch. I had a friend who would have loved to see you make the flower bloom, but she... had to leave Tokyo. I think you would have liked her, too," Hotaru said sadly and the girl stood up as well. "If she was a friend of yours, I know I would have. Maybe I?ll meet her another day," the girl said. "I have to go home now, it was nice talking to you. I?ll see you in school tomorrow!" she yelled as she turned down a side street. Hotaru waved good-bye to her new friend, and continued on her way home. Princess Kakyuu continued to lead the way until the group reached the embankment of the spiritual pond of Eternity at the foot of the castle. Serenity stared at the shimmering aqua waters and soon became entranced by its beauty. She sank down upon the ground and watched the swirling water in a mesmerized state. Fighter moved towards Serenity, but stopped when Kakyuu held up her hand. The mystical pond water began to glow and Serenity?s eyes became giant sapphire pools. Above the water a transparent screen appeared, and the past several months of Serenity?s hardship was displayed for the group to see. When the screen finally vanished, Serenity fainted from extreme exhaustion. Fighter caught her as she collapsed, and gently picked her up. She carried Serenity to a bedroom within the castle and carefully laid her upon the bed. Kakyuu stood by the side of the bed and momentarily rested a cooling hand on Serenity?s forehead. Serenity?s fatigued features instantly relaxed, and some of the sadness that had taken up permanent residence left her face. "Now I understand why she traveled all this way to find us. When she awakens, tell her I request her presence in my throne room for there is much that we will need to discuss," Kakyuu instructed as she left the room. Fighter remained at Serenity?s side for several moments before following her sisters out of the room. "I?m not quite sure I understand," Fighter murmured quietly to them. "It?s simple really. She left Earth because she feared her presence there would put the Senshi in mortal danger. But I have no idea why she came here," Maker said quietly. "Maybe she wants our help?" Healer suggested. "But we are sworn to protect *our* princess, not the Earth!" Fighter replied sharply. She was still hurting from the time when Serenity had murmured Mamoru?s name instead of her own. "Kakyuu will make the ultimate decision, as we all know. But I have a feeling that we will go to Earth because a new danger has threatened not only Earth, but the entire galaxy. I have felt the darkness these past few months, and it has been growing stronger. Have you not been able to feel it?" Maker asked her siblings. "I have felt that something is going to happen, sometime soon. I dreamed of the mass destruction of worlds last night. Has she been fighting this force alone for these past four months?" Healer asked incredulously. "No. She has fought small battles in a large war, and somehow managed to win. The worst is yet to come," Fighter said darkly, with a serious expression fixed on her face. "The Darkness has escaped from its prison, and I fear there is no way to defeat it." "Lady Tyriah, we are now approaching the planet Earth. ETA is in twenty- three hours," a warrior reported. "Very good. Do we have any idea on the status of the scout ships?" Tyriah inquired. "We have no data on their location or on how many have survived. From our current position, we cannot probe the Earth for signs of our warriors," he replied. "My Lady," a General interrupted. "I think you should know that the Earth?s moon appears to be unguarded." "Is that so?" Tyriah asked, arching a brow. "I was led to believe all of these planets in this solar system had a Senshi guardian." "It appears the Senshi of the moon is outside the reaches of the solar system, and therefore unable to protect it from attack," Bomani replied and grinned at the rage displayed on Eban?s face. "General Eban, I want you to lead an attack on the moon. Contaminate it with the power of Darkness," Tyriah ordered, and Eban smiled. "As you wish, my Lady," Eban responded, smiling smugly at Bomani. As he walked down the steps he brushed past Bomani who grabbed his arm. "This isn?t over, Eban," Bomani threatened. Eban shook Bomani?s hand off and looked at him scornfully. "Never forget your place, Bomani," Eban said menacingly. Bomani stared at Eban?s retreating figure with hatred. "This will be your last battle," Bomani swore, then made his way to one of the attack ships. He wanted to be there on the moon to witness Eban?s death, and to take his place. Serenity awoke in the late morning hours of the following day. She was in a warm, soft bed, like the one she slept on back home. Home...Earth! Serenity bolted out of the bed and looked frantically around the room. Nothing seemed familiar to her, and she couldn?t remember having entered a bedroom. She strode over to the large open window and gasped at the beautiful sight. Of course...she was on the home planet of the Starlights. But how did I get in this bedroom, Serenity wondered. She was sure she hadn?t walked in there herself, but she had no other explanation. Serenity walked over to the giant golden door that she assumed led out to the rest of the palace. All three of the Starlights were standing outside of the bedroom, waiting patiently for her to emerge. "Serenity, I hope you are feeling better today. Princess Kakyuu has requested your presence in the throne room," Fighter announced and Serenity nodded wordlessly. Maker led the way, while Fighter and Healer walked behind Serenity. "Princess Serenity, I hope you slept well last night," Kakyuu greeted her warmly. "Yes, thank you," Serenity replied, wondering how much that damn pond had revealed of her plight. "It seems the galaxy is threatened by yet another demon. What do you know of its plans?" Kakyuu asked curiously. "I only know what Fortune has told me," Serenity answered honestly, and Kakyuu arched a brow. "Fortune? Then this must be a grave matter if the Keeper of Time is involved," Kakyuu murmured. "I know that had I remained on Earth as Sailor Moon, the Senshi would have sacrificed themselves to save me. They will no longer know me when I return, and therefore will not know that they have sworn to give their lives to protect me. I will just be another Senshi that is sworn to protect the Earth and the princess. They will be suspicious of me at first, because my powers come from outside their galaxy. The Outer Senshi are very distrustful of strangers, as the Starlights well know," Serenity added with a smile. "I never thought they would accept us, even when they knew we were on the same side," Fighter muttered. "That?s because you also had the ulterior motive of finding your own princess," Serenity responded heatedly, then took a few breaths to calm herself. "But that is not why I have come. Even with my new powers, the combined strength of the Senshi will not be enough to defeat Nagesya. I need help," Serenity admitted. "Then you shall receive it. The Starlights can join you in the battle against Nagesya," Kakyuu offered, but Serenity shook her head. "You don?t understand. There are other problems...the Starlights cannot return to Earth, but three male warriors could," Serenity said cryptically. "I don?t understand. Three male warriors...who are they?" Fighter asked in confusion. Serenity raised her arm with her palm facing upwards. A bright flash of light momentarily blinded the Starlights, and when they looked again three rings rested in Serenity?s palm. "These are the rings of Orion, to be worn by the three Orion Warriors. If you would accept the challenge and win, you three would become the Avatars of Orion," Serenity told the Starlights. "Us?!" the Starlights exclaimed in unison. "If you choose to accept this mission, you would have to remain in your male forms for the entire duration. Even then, those forms will be different than those you used previously," Serenity explained, and the disguise pen appeared in her left hand. "This pen can be used to disguise your appearance so the Senshi and the people of Earth will not be able to recognize you." "How does it work?" Fighter asked doubtfully. "You hold it into the air and shout "Moon Power turn me into..." and then you say whatever it is you want to look like. Not only will your appearance have to be altered, but I?m afraid none of you may sing either. Though I enjoy the songs you have composed, you must not be confused with the Three Lights. That would create quite a problem for us," Serenity explained and sighed. "I know you will all need some time to think this over, because it is a lot to take in all at once," Serenity said, and the Starlights all looked at each other. After both Healer and Maker nodded, Fighter stepped forward. "We accept," Fighter announced, and Serenity stared at her dubiously. "This is a very serious matter...Are you sure you three are willing to make the necessary sacrifices?" Serenity asked them. "We would go to any length to repay our debt to the Senshi. If it were not for them, we would have died on Earth and never would have found our princess," Healer replied. "They can be quite stubborn once they have made a decision," Kakyuu warned Serenity with a smile. "Yes, I?m beginning to realize that," Serenity said wryly. After several minutes passed, Maker turned to Serenity. "You mentioned a challenge. What does that mean?" Maker asked, and Serenity sighed. "Each challenge is different for every challenger. Because I sought to become the avatar of Eridanus, it was he that chose my challenge. Orion will therefore decide your challenges. In my challenge I had to face the one enemy I had never been able to forgive. She had been responsible for my powers ever awakening, and she was the one enemy that had hurt me the most. She brainwashed Mamo-chan and turned him to the side of evil. She killed all of the Inner Senshi one by one, and in the end I had to face her alone," Serenity?s voice caught, and her eyes began to water. "But before I defeated her, she forced me to fight Mamo-chan. I couldn?t stand to fight him, so I used my tiara to stun him. Then I brought the golden star locket out of hiding, the one I had given him as a symbol of our love so long ago, and he remembered everything. Beryl was furious and formed a giant dagger of crystal in an attempt to kill me. Mamo-chan threw a rose that shattered the dagger and shielded me from the shards. One of them became deeply embedded in his chest and he died in my arms. I swore that I would destroy her for my friends, who had all sacrificed themselves so that I could live," Serenity finished as the Starlights stared at her in horror. "He died for you...?" Fighter asked incredulously, but Serenity did not hear her. "You forgave the one who caused you so much pain?" Healer asked next. "Yes, because Eridanus showed me a side of Beryl I had never thought was there. She had truly loved Mamo-chan, and Queen Metallia had promised Beryl she would be his queen if she fought on the side of darkness. For one moment I was able to see through her eyes, to feel her sadness and loneliness. It was an experience I will never forget, that even the most evil have some hidden goodness," Serenity replied softly. "You truly have the most kind and forgiving heart of anyone I have ever known," Kakyuu said. "Let the Starlights think over your proposal and tomorrow they will give you a definite answer, but for now, why don?t we go to the gardens. I noticed your admiration of the flower blossoms when we first came to the castle. It would be my pleasure to show them to you," Kakyuu offered and Serenity followed the princess happily, leaving the Starlights to confer amongst themselves. "What do you think?" Healer asked Fighter. "I think we should do it. She needs our help, and this new enemy seems to be very powerful if the Keeper of Time is involved," Fighter said seriously, and then grinned. "I think we could make those few sacrifices Serenity told us about, after all, in these forms not many girls would be attracted to us." Maker shook her head at her sister?s one-track mind, but was forced to agree Fighter did have a point. "The Senshi will need our help, of that much I am sure," Maker said. "Yes, and I wouldn?t mind going back to Earth for a visit, either," Healer added with a smile. The three Starlights mutually agreed to accept the mission, then went their own separate ways to perform their duties. Special thanks: To Naoko Takeuchi for creating this wonderful series. To Sarah Anderson, editor and friend, who gave me great advice and helped me through hard times. All the fanfic authors I have ever read: couldn't have done this without all of you!