Sailor Moon shook Mars' shoulders. "Come on, Rei. Get up. Come on!"

Jupiter pulled her away. "Don't shake her. You'll make it worse."

Mercury activated her computer and scanned Mars. "She's got a few cracked ribs, but she's fine otherwise."

Mars groaned and her eyes fluttered open.

"Rei!" Sailor Moon hugged her. Mars yelped as her cracked ribs were crushed by Sailor Moon's hug. Sailor Moon quickly loosened her hold. "I thought we lost you."

"Have a little faith, meatball head. It's going to take a lot more than a deranged Ice Warrior to get rid of me." Mars sat up slowly, wincing from the pain in her ribs.

Bre'zen hummed. "I am pleased you were victorious, Shsurr. Those under Aarsasho's control are at your command."

Mars gritted her teeth and began to stand. Tuxedo Mask put a hand on her shoulder. "Stay down," he ordered.

Mars grumbled, but remained sitting. Carefully, Tuxedo Mask placed his hands on her side. She shivered at his touch and her heart skipped a beat. She buried the feeling and ignored it as warmth flowed from his hands and into her ribs. She sighed in relief as the pain faded away.

"Thanks," she said.

Tuxedo Mask nodded. "I'm glad to be of use."

He stepped back as she stood. The Ice Warriors still ringed the throne room and when Mars was on her feet, all of them knelt. Bre'zen looked around at the Ice Warriors before roaring at them. "By the ancient laws of our people, Shsurr Mars, the victor of the honorable blood duel, rightful heir of Mars and ruler our people, all present are bound to swear fealty to her now and forever. Long may the Queen rule!"

The Ice Warriors all chanted, "Long may the Queen rule!"

They roared while slamming their right fists into their left shoulders, over and over. The sound was so loud, Mars could feel it shaking her body.

After several minutes, the Ice Warriors fell silent and watched her intently. Bre'zen stepped next to her. "They are at your command, Shsurr."

Mars looked at the assembled Ice Warriors, unsure of what to do with them yet. "We promised to do what we could to save Mars."

"You will hurt yourself," Bre'zen insisted. "I implore you to rest, even if it is only for a few hours. They will understand your need to rest, Shsurr. We have waited a thousand years. A few hours shall make no difference."

Mars scowled. "I'll be alright."

Bre'zen gnashed his fang-like teeth in frustration. "Your stubbornness has not changed at all. Very well, Shsurr. But do not mistake my submission as approval of this course."

Mars' expression softened as she hugged Bre'zen. "I know you're worried. But I'm not a child anymore. I can do this."

Bre'zen let out a hissing sigh as he patted the top of her head, making her knees buckle. "You will always be a hatchling to me. You are correct, though. If you think yourself capable, I will not oppose you."

Mars looked to Sailor Moon. "What do you need?"

"I'm not sure," Sailor Moon admitted, looking nervous.

Luna spoke up. "I think being outside and overlooking the planet would help."

"The peak is ideal," Bre'zen said. "Come."

He led them back through the city and to the peak. Mars stood next to Sailor Moon as she looked over the rusty plains stretched out before them. "Ready?" Mars asked.

Sailor Moon nodded as she looked over the planet. Tuxedo Mask stood behind her, putting his arms around her. She took his hands in hers, interlocking their fingers. They stood that way for a few seconds. Reluctantly, she let go with her left hand to take hold of the Ginzuishou and held it in front of her.

The other scouts placed their hands on her shoulders while Tuxedo Mask kept a firm but gentle grip on her right hand. She relaxed as his strength and warmth flowed into her.

"Whoo!" Charlotte cheered, breaking the silence. "Go scouts, go!"

The scouts stared at her.

"What?" Charlotte asked, looking embarrassed. "You keep telling me to be more supportive."

Jupiter sighed. "Yeah, we do. Thanks, Char."

The scouts refocused on reviving the planet. Sailor Moon let the warmth and love from the others flow through her. She took a deep breath "Moon Crystal Power!"

"Jupiter Star Power!"

"Mercury Star Power!"

"Venus Star Power!"

"Mars Star Power!"

The scouts' tiaras were replaced by the blazing symbols of their planets. The Ginzoushou blazed in response and sent out crackling waves of energy. They rippled across the surface of Mars like multi-colored snakes. The whole planet shimmered as a ghost of an image overlaid the red landscape.

There were trees with purple leaves, rivers and lakes and ponds that shimmered in the sunlight and miles of reddish grass that waved gently in a non-existent breeze. Strange animals bounded across the plains as birds soared high above. In the distance, rain clouds drifted lazily over silver mountains.

The scouts fell to their knees as intense exhaustion hit them. But they didn't let go of each other or Sailor Moon. "Come on!" Mars yelled, forcing herself to stand. "We can do this!"

The others fought through their exhaustion to stand. The image became clearer. Mars could smell the sweet sap of the trees and the crisp grass. A cool breeze brushed against her skin and hair. The purple leaves of the trees trembled in the wind and the branches made chiming sounds as they bent and waved.

The Ginzuishou dimmed and went out. Sailor Moon tettered for a moment before collapsing. Tuxedo Mask caught her and held her against him as he sank to his knees, clearly exhausted.

Mars' vision flickered and she fell, vaguely aware the other scouts were collapsing too. Something large and hard caught her before she struck the ground. Wearily, she looked up at Bre'zen. He was looking at the image, so Mars turned her attention to it as it faded and Ice Warriors around them murmured and came a few steps closer.

"I have not seen such a thing in all my years," Bre'zen admitted, his voice trembling.

"I couldn't do it," Sailor Moon sniffed. "I wasn't strong enough."

Luna placed a paw on Sailor Moon. "It's alright Serena. You tried and that's all we can ask for."

"You can always try again when you get stronger," Artemis offered.

"I still failed," Sailor Moon mumbled wearily.

"I wouldn't be sure about that," Charlotte said, scooping up a handful of the red dirt. She examined it curiously. "The ozone layer is gone and the atmosphere is too thin to support complex life. All the stuff it needs is here, in the dirt. Since you did… whatever that was, the soil composition has changed." She let the dirt slip through her fingers. "The soil was dead when we got here. Now it's filled with bacteria. Billions and billions and billions of them."

"Euch," Sailor Moon grimaced. "I didn't mean for the planet to be diseased!"

Mercury activated her computer. "Oh," she breathed. She scooped up some of the dirt, wide-eyed. "The bacteria isn't disease causing. It's eating the material in the dirt."

Venus looked confused. "So we created bacteria that are eating the dirt? I thought we were supposed to fix the planet not turn it into an all you can eat buffet!"

Mercury held out the dirt, looking excited. "We did fix it! It will take a few hundred years and it wasn't what we intended, but we started the process!"

The others stared at her, not understanding. Tuxedo Mask finally got it. "You're right! It'll take awhile, but it makes sense now!"

Mars hesitantly placed a hand on the dirt. Before the world was dead and desolate. Now it teemed with life and she could feel it across the entire planet. She breathed in sharply. "Of course!"

Jupiter ran a finger across the dirt, puzzling it over. "Bacteria, in the dirt," she looked up at the sun, then back to the dirt. "That was not what I was expecting, but we did it!" She grinned.

"Have you all lost it?" Sailor Moon looked between her friends.

"Yeah, what aren't you telling us?" Venus demanded, scowling.

Charlotte held out a handful of dirt. "Bacteria in the dirt."

"They're absorbing the sunlight," Jupiter interjected.

"While consuming the plant material in the dirt," Artemis added.

"And releasing oxygen!" Charlotte exclaimed.

"And when it reaches the stratosphere, and gets hit by ultraviolet radiation, it breaks apart and reforms as ozone!" Mercury added.

Sailor Moon and Venus continued staring at the others. "I don't get it," they said in unison.

Charlotte gestured to the dirt. "You put oxygen producing bacteria in the dirt. When that oxygen reacts with sunlight, it creates ozone which will protect the surface. When THAT happens, plants and animals can safely live here!"

"And Mars will be restored," Venus said, nodding slowly.

"This isn't what I was expecting," Sailor Moon grumbled.

Tuxedo Mask interlocked his fingers with hers. "You did it. Perhaps not in the way you intended. But one day, Mars will be restored because of you."

Sailor Moon shook her head. "Not me. All of us. I couldn't do it without the people I love."

Bre'zen placed a hand on her shoulder, making her knees buckle. "Your mother is undoubtedly proud, Shsurr. It will take centuries, but every Ice Warrior is forever indebted to you for restoring our homeworld. This was well done, Shsurr."

"Anytime," Sailor Moon mumbled. Her eyelids fluttered slightly. "Can we go home now?"

"I would be glad to return you, Shsurr. I am saddened that you could not remain with us longer, but I understand. But you must return one day when Mars is once again the crowning gem of the system."

After extracting promises from all of them that they would come back, he barked several orders and a few Ice Warriors, including Ta'Xaddir, left, heading towards the hangar. He then excused himself to catch up on events from one of whom had been Aarsasho's advisors.

While they waited, Mars leaned against a large boulder and looked out over her namesake. She still wasn't sure what to do with the Ice Warriors who had sworn fealty to her. Keeping them on Earth won't work, she thought. But they can't stay here either. Not for another couple hundred years.

She considered her options carefully until one of the Ice Warrior ships, the largest one that had been in the hangar, soared over her. It landed and a section at the bottom folded down into a ramp. She looked at the ship, then the assembled Ice Warriors, calculating. She had an idea but wasn't sure it was what she wanted yet.

Still thinking, she followed the others onto the ship. They wearily sank into hard chairs near the helm and struggled to stay awake. Sailor Moon curled up against Tuxedo Mask and dozed off. He took off his cape and wrapped it around her.

It was another twenty minutes before Bre'zen joined them. Even though she couldn't see his face, Mars knew something was troubling him. "What's wrong?"

Bre'zen hesitated. "It is nothing, Shusurr." He gestured for Ta'Xaddir to take off. The ships engines roared far more powerfully than the ones that brought them to Mars. The interior shook as the ship leaped away from Mars and, within seconds, it was a small, red ball below them. The engines quieted as Ta'Xaddir aimed the ship towards Earth.

Mars stood and walked to Bre'zen. "Something's wrong and I want to know what."

Bre'zen let out a hissing sigh. "It is likely a system malfunction, Shsurr."

Frowning, Mercury glanced at him. "But?"

Bre'zen rumbled. "It's an ancient legend. A bedtime story to make hatchlings behave."

Mars scowled. "You know I'm not happy with that answer."

Bre'zen chuckled. "You are correct, as always, Shsurr. The story has been passed down since before the history of my people was written. It says that there was once a planet between Mars and Jupiter, home to a beings who could devour entire worlds. They spread across the stars, consuming thousands of worlds that teemed with life. Then an ancient and powerful race of God-like beings trapped the forgotten planet, and its inhabitants, away from the rest of the Universe."

Charlotte frowned at him. "What does that have to do with a system malfunction?"

Bre'zen grumbled. "I would explain would you give me time."

"Sorry," Charlotte replied.

Bre'zen cleared his throat. "Our sensors keep watch on the system as they have for the last two thousand years. Only several months ago, for a fraction of a second, a planet appeared between Mars and Jupiter. It vanished before my kin could learn more about it."

"I hope it's not Nemesis," Venus grumbled.

Luna shook her head. "Doubtful. You already defeated Nemesis. Besides, it's at the edge of the system, not anywhere near Mars or Jupiter."

"Maybe it would explain all the recent alien attacks," Artemis offered. "If it's a planet full of beings that can destroy worlds, if I knew about it, I would want to either stop them from coming back or get them as allies."

Charlotte shrugged. "Possibly, but I'm not familiar with any legends that match. Still, it's a possibility."

They all fell silent as they considered the implications and Mars watched the blue sphere of Earth grow larger ahead of them. She considered her decision again. It felt like the right thing to do, but it made her a little sad. "Bre'zen?"

"Yes, Shsurr?"

"I know what to do with the Ice Warriors," she paused for several seconds. "I want you to take them to New Mars, at least until the planet is habitable again."

She waited for Bre'zen's argument. He remained silent as the ship entered Earth's atmosphere. "It is the best option for now," he said. "Mars will not be habitable for at least two generations and we cannot live on Earth or any of the other worlds in our system. It would be best were we to rejoin our kin."

The ship landed in the open yard of Hikawa shrine. They, along with Bre'zen and Ta'Xaddir, left the ship. The scouts stood and they were each clasped on the arm by Ta'Xaddir. "It has been an honor to know you," he rumbled. "I shall miss you all and hope one day we shall meet again."

"Keep up your cooking," Jupiter said. "I'll work at it too and one day, we'll get to see who's the best."

"I look forward to that day with great pleasure," Ta'Xaddier bowed his head to her. The other scouts bid him and Bre'zen farewell before heading inside Rei's house. Only Mars and the Ice Warriors remained.

Mars clasped Ta'Xaddir's arm. "Take care of yourself, alright?"

"Of course," he replied, baring his sharp teeth in a grin. "I must have that contest with Shsurr Lita." He bowed to her. "May your foes be few and your victories many." He boarded the ship, leaving Bre'zen and Mars.

"Take care of them," Mars said.

"Of course, Shsurr. But, if you need me, I shall always come. I have given Charlotte the means to contact me. She can set it in your communicator."

Mars nodded, unsure what to say. Bre'zen cleared his throat. "Any father would be proud to call you daughter. I envy the one who has claim on that honor."

Mars' expression darkened. "He doesn't care about anyone but himself and I only exist when it benefits him."

"Be patient, Shsurr. One day he will recognize your greatness."

Mars bit back a retort. "If you say so."

They stood in companionable silence for several minutes as they watched the moon rising above Tokyo.

"It is time for our paths to part again," Bre'zen hugged her. "I am proud of you, Shsurr. You have become a fine warrior and a finer person. I shall miss you greatly."

He stepped back and gently ruffled her hair before reaching into a pouch at his waist. He pulled something out and pressed it into Mars' hands.

She closed her fingers around the soft object. Bre'zen pulled his hand back and Mars saw the small Ice Warrior doll he gave her. He cleared his throat. "It was your favorite as a child. You did not go anywhere without it for many years. After the fall, when I believed you to be dead, I kept it with me."

Mars held the plush doll close as a flood of memories flashed through her mind. She pushed them aside to sort out later. "Bre'zen? Let's not wait another thousand years to see each other again."

Bre'zen bared his teeth and laughed. "Should you ever require me, call and I shall come as quickly as I can with an army of my kin. May your victories be many and your enemies few."

The ramp slid shut. With a roar, the ship leapt into the sky. It was a silver blur as it soared over Tokyo and into the dark sky above. She raised a hand to wave. She spoke, barely above a whisper.

"Goodbye."