We're back! Sort of... yeah, sorry about the really long wait. Last semester of grad school, everything is crazy, my life/free time is gone, etc. etc. The usual stuff. Good news is I should (fingers crossed) have a bit more time this semester to get some writing done. So stick around, I promise I'll get to the end of this series. It's going to be awesome.


Sol III (Earth): Tokyo, Japan; Juuban Second General Hospital

8 Months after Galaxia's Defeat

Serena paced anxiously while Darien examined her mother. Ikuko had been hurled out of the window of her house by a Weeping Angel only hours previously, and was unconscious due to her injuries. Her heart monitor beeped weakly in time with Ikuko's fading heart.

Darien looked up at the still pacing Serena. "Relax," he said soothingly. "She'll be alright."

Serena paused and nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat. Darien glanced at the door to make sure Mr. Tsukino and Shingo weren't about to burst in. Both had left for the cafeteria, and Ikuko was separated from the other patients by a curtain.

Darien turned his attention to Ikuko and gently placed his hands on hers. Slowly, his hands began to glow. Serena's pale fingers gripped the railing at the end of Ikuko's bed while Darien's power healed her mother's injuries.

Slowly, the heart monitor became stronger and steadier. Still, Darien continued healing until Ikuko was in no danger of dying.

Serena frowned, still seeing the horrific scrapes, bruises and broken bones her mother suffered. "Did something go wrong?" She asked nervously.

Darien shook his head. "I healed her enough that she'll survive and she won't be in too much pain. But I don't dare heal anything else."

Serena clenched the railing of the bed more tightly. "Why not?" She demanded.

Darien put an arm around her shoulder. "People will start to question how, and why, she suddenly healed. If we had found her first, I would have, but too many people have seen her."

Serena looked down. "Oh," she said quietly. It made sense, even though she hated it. Instinctively, her arms wrapped around Darien's chest. "Thank you," she almost whispered.

He held her a little closer and continued their silent vigil.


Hikawa Shrine

Lita leaned against the pillar, her arms crossed. She was too tense to sit by the phone with the others in Rei's room. She took each of them in, saw the weariness and worry in the expressions that reflected hers.

She rubbed her eyes in a futile attempt to wipe away the sensation of them being covered in sand. She had rarely been so exhausted emotionally and physically. It wasn't even two hours ago they had, finally, beaten the Weeping Angels. She hadn't made it home before she got the call from Luna about Serena's mom.

Lita, like the others, opted to stay up to either celebrate with their princess – or support her while she mourned. Lita clenched her fist and slammed it into the pillar she was leaning against. "Serena deserves better," she growled.

Mina glanced at her and forced a smile. "Ikuko will be fine," her voice trembled slightly. "Darien won't let Serena down."

The phone rang like an omen of doom. Everyone started at it until Rei slowly picked it up. "Hello?" she asked in a strained voice. The others could hear Serena's voice, but not the words. Rei nodded and looked up at the others. "Ikuko will be alright."

The others let out sighs of relief, more for Serena than her mother.

Luna shook herself as she stood. "You should all get some sleep," she ordered the Senshi. "It's been a long night.


Deep Space

Janus watched the stars streak by in blurs as the ship hurtled through space. The door to the cockpit opened and Sylus stomped in.

Janus hissed and leapt out of the chair as Sylus almost sat on him. "Watch it, you oaf," Janus hissed.

Sylus grunted and squeezed himself into the too small chair, ignoring Janus. "You try cramming in the back with the others. That damned Pyroville gave me burns and Ko-So's horn almost took out my eye. And that damned Raxacoricofallapatorian reeks of alcohol and filth."

Janus sneered. "You could lose some weight. Maybe then you'd fit."

Sylus' suckers pulsed as he scowled. "Shut up, kitty, or you'll find yourself on the receiving end of my gun."

Janus barred his teeth. "You won't have a chance if I rip your throat out."

TK-7 unplugged itself from the control panel. "Termination of our fellow hunters would result in a reduction in pay. I advise you put aside your hostilities until we have collected the bounty."

Janus settled himself more comfortably on top of a bank of monitors, keeping Sylus in view. "As you wish."

The android swiveled its head to look at the other two. "I also calculate a higher probability of success if there is cooperation and a sense of unity."

The other two refused to look at each other. "We'll be more successful if Sylus wasn't an idiot," Janus spat.

Sylus growled, but otherwise pointedly ignored Janus. "When we land, you damn well better get me a useful subject to copy. I'm not tottering around as someone useless."

TK-7's form wavered and was replaced by an elderly woman. "We will find a quality sample for you on the surface," she said flatly.

The console dinged and the monitor flashed. "We are approaching the planet," the elderly woman announced. "Initiating approach and landing sequence."

The ship shimmered and vanished as it streaked past television satellites and slammed into the atmosphere.

Those below saw a shooting star blazing yellow and orange. It faded quickly, leaving only the glow from the billions of lights below.