Aleric-Yup. I like to have a crossover romance or two... or three. And Haruka might be a powerful Senshi, as a Jedi... she leaves a lot to be desired.

Chapter Three: Harsh Lessons
Anakin and Hotaru entered the cafeteria and immediately spotted Jacen, Jaina and their friend Zekk sitting at a table. Jacen looked up and motioned the pair over to the table.

Jaina spoke while Anakin pulled out a chair for Hotaru. "So how are things, Hotaru?"

The smallish girl shrugged. "I was feeling depressed, but Anakin helped me out a bit."

Jacen nearly choked on his blue milk in surprise. "Anakin…helped you out of depression?"

The youngest Solo looked around in confusion. "I don't get it. What's the problem?"

Zekk chuckled at the young man's naiveté. "I'll tell you when you're older."

Jaina began chuckling, but it turned to coughs soon enough. Zekk gave Jaina a sympathetic look. "Is Senshi training really that difficult?"

The young woman gave her boyfriend a hard glare. "I'm trying to learn how to control energy bursts capable of penetrating solid durasteel, not to mention the fact that Luna is a surprisingly-harsh taskmistress."

Zekk laughed at that. "Come on! She's a small black cat. How difficult can she be?" The former 'Darkest Knight's' chuckles faded, and he withered under Jaina and Hotaru's glare. Zekk turned to the two male Solos for help, but all he got were snickers from Anakin and a shrug from Jacen.

Zekk turned to Jaina. "Heh, heh. I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to imply anything about-"

He was cut off by a gesture from Jaina. "No need to apologize, Zekk. I understand you're a man, and sometimes you don't think before speaking."

Just then Tenel Ka sat down. Or rather, Sailor Dathomir sat down. She nodded to her friends, who could only stare. The normally one-armed Jedi looked around. "Is something the matter?"

Hotaru finally spoke. "Tenel Ka, why are you still in Senshi mode?"

Jaina looked at her friend askance. "Yeah. Luna told us to become Sailor Senshi only when training or fighting evil."

Hotaru nodded. "She's right. Our power doesn't last indefinitely, and must be recharged when not in use."

Tenel Ka looked down, hiding her gray eyes in shadow. "Ah, aha. I remember that." She got up and held out her right hand. A red mist enveloped her, dissolving her Sailor Fuku and leaving her in lizard skin armor. Her left arm below the elbow also dissolved, flowing into her right hand and coalescing into an ornate rod.

Jaina looked at her friend; this was the third time that Tenel Ka was in Senshi outside of training. "Is everything all right Tenel Ka?" she asked, concern evident on her voice.

The warrior princess looked up from her meal. "Yes. I am fine."

Jacen looked at his sister Jaina and, hopefully, his girlfriend Tenel Ka. "What's up with you two? There's more tension here than at a Sith convention."

Jaina gave her brother a glance. We'll talk later was written all over her face.

Anakin, silent through the exchange, decided to throw his two credits in. "Perhaps you two simply need to let out some aggression before it builds up. Perhaps-"

He was interrupted by a small shriek from Hotaru. "I'm late! Lightsaber practice started ten minutes ago!" She quickly got up and grabbed onto Anakin's arm, hauling him out of his chair. "We've gotta go. It was nice talking with you." The two teenagers made a beeline for the door.

It was several minutes before Zekk could roll his eyes at the two. "Tahiri is gonna be sssooo jealous if she sees those two." He had a sudden thought. "Wait, why did she haul Anakin with her?"


Over the next week and a half, Luna instructed Jaina, Tahiri and Tenel Ka in the use of their Senshi powers. Alternatively, Ami, Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru and Setsuna studied the ways of the Jedi Knight. One morning found the three Senshi trainees far from the Great Temple, in a burnt-out clearing. Sailor Dathomir and Corellia; A.K.A. Tenel Ka and Jaina were firing their attacks at Sailor Tatooine A.K.A Tahiri, who was doing her best to dodge them. And all the while Luna was shouting out instruction from a tree stump.

"Make sure to keep your arms up! The uniform's a lot tougher than it appears to be. Corellia, for god's sake aim for her! Don't be afraid to singe her a little."

Tatooine grimaced at the thought of being burned alive by her friends, so she continually rolled and backflipped out of the way. After about a half-hour Luna shouted, "All right! Now let's switch to energy control. I want you to start trying to focus your blasts into tighter beams."

The three girls lined up in front of a slate-gray wall. Sailor Dathomir stepped forward and extended both arms. Blue flames danced around her fingertips as she summoned her attack, Dathomir Heat Wave. Normally it surrounded her arms in a wreath of flame, but Dathomir found that if she concentrated hard enough, she could direct it to any part of her body. A long tongue of flame leapt out and struck the wall, searing it but doing little damage.

The normally stoic Jedi scowled. "I cannot believe I did so little damage!"

Luna shook her head. "All you're doing here is training, Tenel Ka. For Sailor Senshi, the battlefield is usually where new powers are gained. As you all know warfare can be tremendously stressful. It pushes you beyond your limits and can often be your darkest hour."

The small feline paused as she searched for the right words. "There's an old saying back on Earth. 'It's always darkest before dawn'. Just when you think there's no hope left, just when you think you're all alone, that's when the Senshi are separated from the schoolgirls."

The three Senshi-in-training glanced at each other, then at Luna, then at each other again. Finally, Tatooine walked over and crouched down in front of the confused cat. "Luna, you're a good friend and a great coach. But please, no more cliches. Okay?"

Corellia's face held a serious countenance before blossoming into a smile. "I guess that means training's done for today."

Dathomir looked over at her best friend and nodded. "That is a fact."

Corellia held up her hand and concentrated. Her Senshi uniform lost cohesion and streamed up into her hand, coalescing into a 10-centimeter rod. Sailor Tatooine did the same, transforming from a warrior of love and justice into a fifteen-year-old girl. Both looked at Tenel Ka, who was still Sailor Dathomir. Jaina looked over her friend. "Tenel Ka. I don't mean to pry, but why are you still a Senshi? Training's over."

Dathomir flicked a lock of red hair out of her eyes. "I…am simply wondering how long I can remain a Sailor Senshi before I lose power. It is something we should know before heading into battle."

Luna gave her a hard stare. "You have 72 hours before you de-transform at your current level. Once you hit Star Power, it's 120. Crystal Power, and your power levels become nearly infinite." The black cat looked up and looked the warrior princess in her gray eyes. "Senshi powers are not to be played around with. You of all people should know that, being a Jedi."

Sailor Dathomir looked around almost nervously before letting out a sigh. "Very well. I shall revert." She held out her hand and concentrated. After a moment she was once more clad in lizard-skin armor.

Jaina walked past her, glancing at her friend and wondering just what her problem was. "Let's go," she said, walking in the direction of the Great Temple. Tenel Ka followed behind, almost reluctantly.

Tahiri scooped up Luna and followed the two. "I've got a bad feeling about this, Luna," she said in a shaky voice. "Tenel Ka usually doesn't display so much emotion."

Luna digested that bit of information before speaking.. "Those two are heading for a confrontation. I can feel it." She looked up at her young charge. "The only thing we can do is stay out of the way when they decide to settle it."


Haruka looked out the window. She was bored, terminally bored. She wasn't running. She wasn't dueling with a lightsaber. She was in a classroom with beings half her age learning the basics of the Force. It was completely humiliating! The instructor-Kam something-was droning on about the three basic Force powers; sense, alter and control. Haruka's eyes began to glaze over, almost falling into a meditative trance, when…

A chime sounded, startling Haruka into consciousness and nearly pitching her out of her chair! The instructor glanced at a datapad before calling out his final instructions. "Remember to practice meditative healing. And don't overexert yourselves while doing it."

Haruka shuffled out of the classroom. The tall blond looked around and soon spotted her best friend, Kaiou Michiru. The petite woman with aquamarine hair walked up to her companion and walked beside Haruka. "How was class?" she said.

Haruka blew a strand of hair out of her eyes in frustration. "It isn't fair! Setsuna and Hotaru are already training with stun sticks and researching lightsaber construction techniques. And you and Ami are doing levitation!" She kicked at the floor, stirring up dust.

Michiru pursed her lips. "I know it seems unfair, but you did make that comment to Master Skywalker when we were tested. You do have a lot of pride." She quickened her pace so she could spin around and face Haruka while walking. "There are storm clouds coming. The wind has paused, and is gathering strength. Pride now would be incredibly dangerous."

Haruka gasped. "Have you had a vision?"

Michiru nodded all trace of fun gone from her blue eyes. "I was meditating when I received a vision. One of us fell to the Dark Side, bringing ruin to us all. I transformed into Sailor Neptune and tried to use my mirror to find the evil."

Haruka's eyes narrowed as she glared at her best friend. "Are you saying I'll bring ruin?" She looked down. "Michiru...I-" Her voice broke as unwelcome tears threatened to burst.

She felt Michiru pat her on the shoulder. "I know you would never willingly hurt any of us. You're too noble for that. Besides, your hair isn't long enough."

Haruka blinked twice at that. "What?"

Michiru led her down the corridor, talking all the while. "In my vision, the one who fell had long hair and a lightsaber."

Haruka nodded at that. "It's not me, then. I won't have a lightsaber for a while." She thought for a minute; Hotaru's hair didn't reach her shoulders, so she was out. That left only one other person. "Do you think it could be Setsuna?"

Michiru stopped in front of a door. "Ask her yourself." She said before opening it. Haruka peeked inside and instantly groaned. "Hello, Setsuna." She said.

Inside stood Mizuno Ami, Meiou Setsuna, Tomoe Hotaru- and Luke Skywalker. Haruka instantly bowed before the Jedi. "Master Skywalker!" She looked up and spread her arms. "I'm ready to fight the evil! Whoever it is, I'll stand side by side with you."

Luke nodded towards the tomboy. "I thank you for that, but I hope you can keep your aggression in check in the coming weeks." He motioned to Michiru. "Michiru and I had nearly identical visions. In them, a woman with long hair was brandishing a lightsaber at us. The blade wasn't red, but the surrounding area was too bright to get a color."

His piercing gaze landed on Setsuna. "Can you tell us anything?"

The guardian of time shook her head. "You yourself told me. 'Always in motion is the future'. I'm sorry, but it's as clouded to me as it is to you."

Ami cleared her throat and spoke up. "There must be something we can do! One of our friends is in danger, and we must do something about it." She looked at the older women and man, feeling all their eyes on her. "I'm sorry," she muttered.

To her surprise, Luke smiled at her. "That is exactly the type of attitude you should have, Ami." He turned to Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna. "Whoever is in danger of falling to the Dark Side, we must remember that she's still our friend. We must do everything in our power to help her."

Hotaru, silent throughout the meeting, raised her hand and cleared her throat. "Ahem, but why are we operating under the assumption that it's a her?"

Luke paused for a second as he sorted out his thoughts. "Well, we both saw long hair. And I-" his gaze fell upon Haruka's blond crewcut, Ami's tight head of blue hair that didn't even go past her ears, and Hotaru's locks were about the same.

Setsuna thought for a second. "Zekk went to the Dark Side, and his hair's long enough to be in a ponytail. A former student of yours named Kyp Durron also has long hair."

Luke nodded, his expression one of slight embarrassment. "Well, that is true. However the person I saw in my vision had a definitely female form." He looked at Michiru. "Would you agree with that, Michiru?"

She nodded coyly. "That is true, Master Skywalker. It was definitely a woman." She looked around. "We should find out who, and soon."

That got nods of agreement from everyone. Ami pulled out her mini-computer from her pocket. "Master Skywalker, is there as way I can modify my visor to detect Dark Side energy?"

Luke hesitated. "I believe so, but isn't it impossible for you to use it unless you're in your Senshi Uniform?"

Ami shrugged. "I'll just say I'm helping train Jaina, Tenel Ka and Tahiri."

Luke nodded. "All right," he motioned to everybody. "I want you to keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Ami, talk to Tionne about modifying your visor."

The blue-haired genius nodded enthusiastically and quickly left. Michiru and Haruka headed for the door. "We'll have to go do some planning of our own," she said, leading the blond out of the room.

Luke watched the pair leave. "They make a good team."

Before he could pass instructions to Setsuna and Hotaru, Luke's danger sense flared into overdrive. He ran to the window and looked up into the sky, reaching out with the Force. "There's something out there," he said. Setsuna and Hotaru exchanged looks of confusion. "Reach out with the Force, like you were taught."

Both ladies half-closed their eyes and expanded their senses beyond Yavin IV. Hotaru's eyes flew open in surprise. "Something's coming our way!"

Suddenly, Luke's communicator on his belt chirped. He pressed a button on his belt and spoke. "This is Skywalker. What is it?"

The voice coming over the comm was scratchy. "This is the Bright Hope in orbit! An Imperial Star Destroyer's just come out of hyperspace right on top of us! It's firing turbolasers at us and-" All three present winced as they felt the death throes of the people onboard the ship.

Luke activated the Academy-wide intercom and half-shouted, "This is Master Skywalker. There's an Imperial Star Destroyer in orbit, and the only cruiser we have for protection's been destroyed. Assemble in the Audience Chamber. We've got a battle on our hands."