It was midmorning when the girl came in

It was midmorning when the girl came in. Her golden hair was disheveled, and dirt was splattered across her white dress, but there was a sparkle to her eye her mother had never seen there before. The girl danced around the marble palace floors, rejoicing in the cool feel of the stone and in the joy of life.

"Usagi, darling, is that you?" Selene had not seen her daughter for the past week; she had gone on a trip to the Earth with the Senshi. Only she had received a message from Mercury saying that Usagi had never shown. It was like her daughter to run off alone exploring, for as a princess she was normally confined to the reaches of the palace.

"Mother?" Usagi asked, a bit sheepishly. She knew her mother knew that she hadn't been with the Senshi. For the first time in her life, Usagi had felt complete freedom when she was on Earth. All her life, she had lived on the moon, unable to go anywhere or be a normal teenager.

Just then, an ear-splitting roar echoed through the ornately decorated halls.

"Is that Usagi, Selene?! Tell her I want to see her NOW!!!!"

"You heard your father, Usagi." Selenity watched her daughter tremble and turn pale. There was much tension between the King, Apollo, and his daughter. She remembered a time not so long ago, when she and Usagi had disagreed concerning Apollo.

The King had been ill, taken abed with a fever and head cold. Usagi was but thirteen, yet she had sensed long ago the King's feelings regarding her.

"Why don't you make your father a get well card? I'm sure he'd appreciate it, Usako." Selenity had said, and the look of cold indifference she had received chilled her to the bone.

"No, he wouldn't. Why bother?" The young girl's normally warm and bright blue eyes were icy, and her tone was so cold it sent shivers through the Queen.

"But he loves you."

"No, he doesn't. He loves you. I was the mistake that never should have happened."

"Do you really think that, Usagi?" Selene was shocked.

"I don't think so, Mother, I know so." With those last words, Usagi turned and left the room.

Now, three years later, Selenity had not noticed any difference in the manner of the princess regarding her father. Apollo, too, spoke of his daughter only fleetingly, when absolutely necessary. Selene didn't think he would have acknowledged her at all if it hadn't been for Selene's insistence and public appearance. The populace of the Silver Millennium didn't want a man on their throne who was not civil with his heir, and Usagi was Apollo's only bloodline heir.

With a sigh, Usagi turned from the airy palace room and her mother's face to the darkened pathways that led to Apollo's chambers. Shadows stretched across the marble floor, filling her with dread. There was no way to know what her father would have in store for her.

"Usagi..." Apollo's voice was low and warning, full of menace.

It took a few moments for her eyes to adjust to the gloom of Apollo's chambers, but when they did, Usagi bowed slightly in the King's direction out of polite respect. Her personal feelings for the man did not matter.

"Where have you been this past week, Usagi?" inquired Apollo.

"Earth, sir." She drew herself up tall, or as tall as her petite 4-foot-8-inch frame would allow. Her chin stuck out defiantly, and her hair cascaded behind her in a river of gold.

Apollo, aging, wizened, his youth leaving him, set his sallow skin in a snarl as he appraised his daughter.

"Do not get an attitude with me, girl. You weren't with the Senshi. Why."

His question was more an order than a statement, and Usagi trembled slightly.

"Freedom, sir." She preferred to keep her responses short when talking with Apollo, for she never knew how he would react. His snarl deepened as he pushed one of his remaining strands of hair behind a tanned ear.

"You want freedom, girl? You, the crown princess of the Silver Millennium, ask for freedom?" He laughed, cruel, condescending laughter. "People kill to be in the position you are in, girl, and you ask for freedom?"

He continued, an amused smile on his features.

"It's not a woman's place to be free, girl. A woman is to marry, be a good wife, and bear heirs. A husband doesn't want a headstrong upstart for a wife, but a sensible, obedient, beautiful lady. And it's high time you learned to be a lady."

What little color that had been in Usagi's cheeks faded and drained from her face as she processed what Apollo had said. It's high time you learned to be a lady... Fear gripped her, fear of the future and of destiny.

"Yes, girl. There is a school, far away from the Silver Millennium, in a separate galaxy. I have arranged for you to be sent there, to learn what you will. But," he paused, leaning over to his daughter, "on your twenty-first birthday, a messenger will be sent to the school to prepare you for marriage to a suitable suitor of my choosing.

"Now then, girl, your shuttle leaves in two hours. I suggest you pack." Apollo turned away, signifying the meeting done and Usagi dismissed.

Seething with anger, Usagi stalked down the halls to her own chambers. She flung open the doors, stomped across the floor, and sank, crying hopelessly, on her bed.

"Leaving." she thought sadly, "I am leaving. And when I return, I will be another man's fiancé." Sobbing softly, she removed from the folds of her dress a golden star-shaped locket, and opened its case. Inside, a crescent moon revolved around a ruby-red jewel while a beautiful melody played.

"Oh, Endymion," she said, "Will I ever see you again?"

Hours later, a very subdued princess sat on a shuttle, leaving the only home she had ever known. Her mother had tearfully bid her farewell, saying it was all for the best, and that she would miss her terribly. Her father had declined to see her off, sending a message that she was to behave and uphold the family honor. She was representing her family and their kingdom, and was to conduct herself as a proper princess.

She sighed. It was to be a long, boring ride with none but her, her luggage, and the wrinkled old pilot of the school she was to attend. He didn't talk much, and she didn't engage him in conversation, either. Instead, Usagi amused herself with the locket Endymion had given her on their last night together on Earth.

Its sweet melody played over and over again as all the familiar sights of the Milky Way galaxy passed by her window in a blur of light.

"You'll enjoy yourself at Master Luke's Academy, princess." Old Peckhum said to his young charge, whom was completely immersed in her own thoughts and memories.

Enthralled by her newfound freedom, Usagi danced around the gardens of Elysian. Her long white gown swirled around her, accenting her movements. In the shadow of a giant tree, a tall young man with midnight-black hair and dark blue eyes clad in the attire of a prince watched her with fascination. Beside him stood a smaller boy, wearing the white and blue robes of a priest. His hair was white, with a small, golden horn protruding from his forehead. Together, they watched Usagi as she twirled around the white marble fountain, skipping along the stones and laughing with the sheer joy of life.

"Who is she, Helios?" The dark-haired boy asked of his companion, completely enchanted.

"I don't know, my prince. A foreigner, possibly, or one of the noblemen's daughters."

The prince walked forward, so close to Usagi they were almost touching, but she still had not noticed him. In fact, she was leaping along the edge of the fountain, throwing bread crumbs to the goldfish.

"Excuse me, miss," caught completely off guard, Usagi whirled around to face the prince, but lost her balance and fell into the water. He leaned over to try and pull her out, but she pulled away from him and he fell in himself.

Laughing, they climbed out of the fountain and strolled peacefully to a bench on the far side of the garden, in a grove of roses. The sweet perfume filled the air, and it was so beautiful Usagi felt as if she could lose herself in the atmosphere and in the gorgeous man before her.

"Hello. My name is Endymion," he said, locking his dark eyes to Usagi's own.

"I-I'm Usagi," she stammered. Her heart was beating wildly, and she was afraid of those eyes, those gorgeous blue eyes that she could immerse herself in and never return to reality from.

"Glad you like my garden." With a wave of his arm, he indicated the paths she had danced in and the fountain where they had fallen in.

"I wish he'd stop looking at me like that." Usagi thought, "I bet my hair's a mess, and my gown is soaked."

"What brings you to Elysian, Usagi?" She fidgeted a little, toying with a strand of her golden hair. Her characteristic odangos were falling, and absent-mindedly she quickly undid them, letting her hair cascade around her shoulders.

"Well, I'm here on vacation. I live on the Moon." She said.

"I would be honored if you would stay with me in the palace, Usagi." He said, grasping her smooth hand.

"Arigato, Endymion."

"The pleasure's mine. I want you to meet a friend of mine," he indicated Helios, "This is Helios, my good friend and keeper of the golden crystal of dreams. Helios, meet Usagi."

"It is my pleasure, prince, Miss Usagi."

Usagi stopped suddenly.

"Prince?" she asked Endymion. He smiled, flashing those brilliant white, gorgeous teeth of his, and laughed.

"Of course. I am Prince Endymion, of Earth." He pointed at the crescent moon on her forehead,

"And I don't think you're all you say you are."

It was Usagi's turn to laugh.

"No, I suppose not. I am Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, but since I am here on vacation, it is Usagi." She smiled at him, and he smiled back. Oh, he was handsome.

Together, the three of them turned and headed to the palace of Earth, where she stayed until she returned to the Moon and her mother.

"Ten minutes till landing." Peckhum's voice snapped Usagi out of her reverie.

"Ten minutes," Usagi thought bitterly, "ten minutes until my life is over." Gently, lovingly, she shut the case of the locket, abruptly ending the soft music. She caressed its smooth, golden surface for a moment, then tucked it safely back within the folds of her dress. Absently, she looked at her gown. Long, white, flowing, sickeningly princess-like.

"I would give anything to be a normal girl," she thought, "without the responsibility, the worry, the entrapment..." she sighed. "I'm not even free to decide how I wear my hair, much less who and when I marry."

Peckhum glanced back at Usagi, who was completely lost in her thoughts. Her gaze was fastened to the window, watching the stars fly by. He activated the landing mechanisms, letting the navicomputer guide the ship through the atmosphere of Yavin 4 and land gently. Dust flew up around the craft, encasing it in clouds of brown dirt. Watching through the window, Usagi could see a giant temple, older perhaps than anything she had yet seen. In the distance, she could see the beginnings of a vast green jungle, lush with tropical plants.

"Here we are, princess." Peckhum said lightly, as the girl appraised him coolly with ocean-blue eyes, then stood.

The entrance hatch opened, revealing a tall man with golden blonde hair and pale blue eyes, smiling at her warmly.

"Hajimemashite, Tsukino Usagi-hime." He said, bowing slightly in Japanese custom. Obviously he had taken a great deal of effort in learning some about their culture. He had even properly pronounced the greeting, which must have felt strange to his foreign tongue.

"Konban wa. Who are you?" Usagi responded politely, watching the man with mild interest.

"My name is Luke Skywalker. This is my Jedi Academy," he gestured with his arm at the stone temple behind him. "Welcome." She bit her lip, anxiously running her fingers along the smooth gold chain of the locket, which hung, around her neck and under her dress.

Luke watched the girl, and sensed longing from deep within her. The look in her eye worried him; it was the feral, desperate look of a caged animal. He would have to watch this student closely, for such desperation was a lure to the Dark Side, who used the Force for evil and personal gain.

Serena saw him as he studied her, and she felt a twinge of anxiety. What was he thinking? What if she wasn't fit for his academy? Would he send her back home? Would she see Endymion again?

As he studied her ivory features and golden hair, realization dawned upon Luke Skywalker. As soon as she brought her expressive ocean-blue eyes to his, he knew. Those were eyes he remembered; eyes he had loved.

"This can only be Selene's child," he thought. A feeling of dread washed over him as all his senses and the power of the Force tingled with recognition. "My child."

Peckhum watched him, a look of concern and curiosity in his eyes. Ignoring the wizened shuttle pilot, Luke courteously grabbed Serena's knapsack, blocking out the surge of emotions coursing through him. Love, of Selene and their child, hate of his ignorance and the long ago day she had left, and the feeling of protectiveness that overwhelmed him when he looked at the girl who was his daughter.

"Arigato, Skywalker- senpai." Luke managed a small smile, as Serena fixed him with a gaze he knew all too well. It was the same cool, understanding look her mother had given him many times.

"Hey, Luke!" Han Solo had just stepped off the Millennium Falcon with his friend, Chewbacca the Wookiee. When he caught sight of Usagi, though, the lopsided grin disappeared and he stopped dead.

He stared hard at the golden-haired moon princess, his gaze flickering between her and the Jedi Master, before staring Luke in the eyes. He nodded softly, before beckoning Usagi to follow him inside the Great Temple.

Meanwhile, the twins Jaina and Jacen had followed their father off the freighter and witnessed the entire scene. They exchanged confused glances, before looking at their friends Lowbacca the Wookiee, who was Chewie's nephew, and Tenel Ka, the warrior girl from Dathomir. Both had emerged from the sleek craft soon after the twins, and were just as confused by Han's and Luke's reactions to the new student as Jacen and Jaina.

"What was that all about?" Jaina asked quietly.

Inside, Luke was showing Usagi around the academy. He had met her but an hour ago, and already the feelings of paternal fondness were growing inside him. He could tell she wasn't truly interested in anything he was saying, she was obviously preoccupied. It wasn't until he reached the Main Audience Chamber at the top of the temple that she shown any interest at all. The old carvings engraved in the walls fascinated her.

"This looks almost like the carvings on Earth..." she murmured, running her fingers along the cool stone. Yet as soon as she touched the wall, she felt her consciousness slip away from her, as if in a dream...

FLASH!

A woman, silver-haired, wearing a white gown screamed, begging for mercy, but Usagi could not see her face. A man, tall, masked, was behind her, grabbed her roughly and spun her around. A glint of metal...

FLASH!

She was back, back... Luke was watching her concernedly, as her consciousness began to return and she realized where she was. Luke's academy... She was in Luke's academy... She realized she was breathing heavily, and a tear was in her eye. Hastily, she wiped it away, feeling Luke's ice-blue eyes peering into her own.

"Usagi? Usagi? Are you okay?" She realized he had a hold of her shoulders; she was shaking. Shaking badly from the look on his face.

"I-I'm fine," she stammered, her breathing slowly returning to normal as she looked around.

"I probably shouldn't say anything," she thought to herself, "he'll only think I'm a nutcase."

"Do you need to see the medical droid?" Luke asked, "if you're unwell..." Serena met his concerned gaze with her own, ignoring the confusion and the vision and replacing it with her inner strength and will.

"No." She said, "I am fine. It must have been the long journey on the shuttle. I have never been this far from the palace before."

Luke watched her with concern, noting that she fingered the chain of Endymion's locket when she spoke. Obviously the pendant had special meaning to the girl.

"Perhaps you should rest then. I'll have a student show you to your room."

Meanwhile, Jacen, Jaina, and their friends Tenel Ka and Lowbacca the Wookiee had emerged from outside to the entrance hall, conversing amongst themselves.

"Jaina!" Luke said, harnessing his niece's attention. She turned, saw Usagi, and looked at her uncle with a question in her eyes. Ignoring Jaina's curiosity, he motioned her to him. Obediently she followed, still as confused as ever she was.

"Please, show Usagi to your chambers," he turned to the blonde beside him, who was still reeling from her experience, "Jaina is my niece. You and she will be roommates, due to the large amount of students this semester." With a silent nod of thanks, Serena retrieved her bag and followed Jaina through the halls.

"So you're new here, huh?" Jaina said, eager for conversation with the strangely dressed foreigner. The princess responded with only a faint nod of her head, still completely immersed in her vision, if it was a vision at all.

"I wonder what it could mean?" She thought. "Mars is usually the one to have visions. I don't have any special psychic powers. I'm just the pretty little princess who has a talent for singing."

"Hey?" Jaina said, interrupting Usagi's thoughts.

"My name's Jaina. Who are you?"

Usagi turned to her, as if noticing her for the first time.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I was thinking..." She smiled at the young Jedi Knight, "My name is Usagi."

"After you've had your rest, I'll take you to meet my brother and our friends." Jaina said, smiling at her new roommate.

"Thank you. I would really like that," Usagi said, feeling the happiest she had felt since she had left Endymion's palace on Earth.

As she seated herself on the bed closest to the window, Serena heard a muffled meow from her bag. Utterly surprised, she jumped as her breath caught in her throat. Grabbing the knapsack, she undid the laces and snaps to reveal a very unhappy, tousled-looking black cat. A golden crescent moon shone on its ebony forehead, much like the one shone on Usagi's.

"Luna!" gasped the golden-haired Jedi student in surprise. The black cat responded by blowing a stream of fluff from the knapsack out its mouth, covering Usagi.

"It is very uncomfortable in there, Usagi. Stifling hot," the feline said in the proper voice of a Guardian.

"What were you doing in there?" Serena was shocked to find her Guardian, her mother's Advisor, Luna the talking black cat, stowed away inside her knapsack. The cat rolled her cinnamon-colored eyes in exasperation.

"Do you really think I'm going to let you, the princess, go off alone to foreign space far from the Senshi and the power of the Ginzuishou?"

Serena smiled wryly. "I'm not as helpless as you think, Luna. I still have the Moon Prism."

Luna snorted. "A fat lot of good that'll do you in a one-on-one battle with a youma. Have you forgotten there are no Senshi here to protect you?"

Anger quickly welled up inside Usagi as she said in an ice-cold voice, "I do not require so much protection, Luna. I am sixteen years old, I am not a child."

"I forgot," the cat said slyly, with anger and frustration equaling the girl's, "you are a lady now, capable of marriage." She said, emphasizing the word 'lady'. The furious glare she received sent cold shivers through her as she realized she had said the wrong thing.

"Don't even go there, Luna!" Usagi snarled, whirling upon the cat with fury enough to make her shrink back against the sheer force of the princess's wrath.

"Is everything all right in here?" Drawn by the shouts and anger in the room, Luke softly opened the door to see the cat sitting on the pillow, and Usagi pacing the room, squeezing the knapsack until her knuckles turned white.

Taking a few breaths, she laid the bag upon the bed beside Luna, straightened, and smiled at the Jedi Master.

"She covers her emotions well," he thought, "she has been well trained in the art of queen-craft."

"I'm fine, thank you, Master Skywalker. I was a bit surprised to find my Guardian hidden inside my knapsack." She shot a reproving glance at Luna, who responded with a lazy feline shrug and stretched herself on the pillow.

"I know that cat," Luke thought, as he watched Luna toy with an absent thread on the pillow. "That's Selene's talking cat. The one who wouldn't let me anywhere near her," he thought with a wry grin.

As if she had just noticed the Jedi Master, Luna sat up and stared at him as recognition dawned in her furry face.

"That's Queen Selenity's old lover... Usagi's birth father... Why did she send Usagi here, knowing that he ran the school?" she asked herself. In his mind, Luke was pondering the same question.

Meanwhile, Usagi was getting annoyed by all the furtive glances around her. It was as if something was going on, something that involved her, but no one would say a thing. They knew something all right, but no one would tell her what was going on. She would have to figure it out for herself, much as she would have to figure out the meaning of that vision alone. Jaina and her friends already thought she was strange, no need for them to think she was insane, too. No, she would do this alone.

"Usagi?" Luke asked, as she gave him the cool stare he knew so well. It was exactly the one he saw in the mirror, but with eyes darker blue. It was the stare that meant 'I'm listening, but I couldn't care less what you're saying. I have other things to think about.' He laughed inwardly. So this was what Leia meant about him listening to and ignoring her at the same time. He was seeing it in the features of his daughter.

"Usagi? It's time for evening meal. Why don't you bring Luna downstairs and get something to eat."

She nodded, gathering the black cat in her arms and carrying her downstairs. She was in the entrance hall before she realized exactly what Luke had said.

"I didn't tell him that my Guardian's name was Luna..." She said quietly, questioningly. "Something's being kept from me, and I don't like it at all."

From her place in the moon princess's arms, Luna emitted a small meow. This would brew trouble, she knew, for all those who knew the secret.

"Hey, Usagi! Come sit with us!" It was Jaina, sitting at a table with a boy Usagi did not know, but who looked a lot like Jaina, with his brown eyes and hair.

"He must be her brother," she thought. Also with her roommate was a young ginger-furred Wookiee, and another girl with long red-gold hair done in ornate braids.

After she had received her food, Usagi carried her tray to the table where Jaina, Jacen, and their friends sat. Luna followed behind, tail held high in the air as she pranced behind her princess. Nimbly, she leapt onto the bench beside Usagi as she sat down, white gown tucked neatly underneath her before billowing at her ankles.

"My, what strange clothes you have, Mistress Usagi." Said Em-Teedee, the small translating droid who hung at Lowie's waist. The ginger-furred Wookiee gave a small growl of reprimand, but Usagi laughed. A clear, melodious sound that brought joy to all who heard it. It was the first time she had laughed in weeks. "Since," she thought, "I left Mamo-chan's palace." She stopped. "Mamo-chan?! Did I just call him Mamo-chan?! That means..." She giggled aloud.

"Hey, what's so funny?" Jacen, who hated to be left out of any joke, good or bad, said. Usagi giggled some more, before wiping a hand to her eye.

"Nothing." She said, still grinning. "And, by the way, I know my clothes are strange. I don't like wearing them, either." She smiled softly, remembering all the other things she had no choice about. As sadness overcame her once more, Usagi willed herself to stop thinking of what she was forced to do. It only led to painful thoughts of Endymion.

At that moment, Lowie emitted a series of short woofs, watching the princess kindly. Em-Teedee translated-

"Master Lowbacca says he is curious as to where you come from, Mistress Usagi, and I must say, I would like to know as well."

Usagi laughed again, quieter, softer this time.

"Me? I come from a galaxy far away from yours, in a Kingdom known as the Silver Millennium. My mother, Selene, rules over it with my-" she paused, as if simply saying the name was a cause of anger and pain, "father, Apollo. I am Crown Princess and only heir to the kingdom.

Needless to say, I don't get out very much." She added.

"Hey, Tenel Ka's a princess, too. She's from the Hapes Cluster..." Jacen was broken off by a wave of the warrior girl's hand.

"Let Usagi tell her story, friend Jacen." Taken aback from the gentle reprimand, Jacen quieted as Usagi began speaking.

"So you want my story, huh?" She asked to the eager, interested faces around her. Even Em-Teedee's sensors were fastened to the moon princess. Luna shot her a reproving glare, which Usagi ignored. If they were to be friends, there shouldn't be such secrets kept.

"My story..." Usagi said thoughtfully, "There really isn't much to tell. My mother, Queen Selenity, married a man named Apollo when she was very young. Supposedly there was a big fiasco involved with the marriage, something about a war between Grandpa's and Father's kingdoms, but you can't rely much on court gossip." She said, the small group unaware that Luke was listening very closely to catch every word.

"As far as I can tell, they have been happy together. But then, I really haven't paid attention much,"

Lowie emitted a short, curious woof which Em-Teedee didn't bother to translate.

"Well," Serena said, "let's just say my father and I don't get along very well. He's not very fond of me, and the feeling's mutual. Mother is oblivious to the entire thing, and has been for as long as I can remember.

"To say it frankly, as Mother's heir I'm not really allowed to go anywhere and never have been. But, a few weeks ago, I managed to sneak away to the planet which our moon orbits. It is called Earth." She stroked the golden chain of the star locket as she spoke.

"That sounds like something Jacen or I would do," Jaina said with a laugh. "Was it the first time you had been out anywhere?"

Usagi nodded softly. "Yes. Even in Mother's palace, there are numerous guards, and the supreme warriors known as the Senshi. They are the guardians of our Milky Way galaxy, princesses of the planets of our solar system, but at the same time warriors pledged in service to my mother and our kingdom.

"They are Mercury, Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune, Saturn, and Pluto. Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter live on the Moon, in Mother's palace. Uranus and Neptune guard the outer reaches of the galaxy from invasion with Saturn, and Pluto is the Mistress of Time." She paused, watching the faces rapt with attention all around. Many other new trainees had abandoned their conversations to listen to the tale of the strange new princess in their midst. Usagi smiled and continued,

"Saturn's powers are great and terrible. She is the Senshi of death and rebirth, guarded by the planet of silence. The power held in her Silence Scythe is enough to destroy an entire planet into rubble within minutes." Serena took a breath,

"Yet if Saturn was ever to unleash the deadly power she wields, she would die. My mother's Imperium Silver Crystal, or the Ginzuishou, is the only known power that could prevent Saturn's death if she so chose. It is the greatest known power in the Universe, which is why the Senshi follow her. The power of the Ginzuishou can only be released by one of the royal blood, or if its keeper decreed that another should wield it." She said, and a small smile crept across her face.

"On Earth, I was free for the first time. I had told my mother I was to be with the Inner Senshi, but of course I wasn't. I was alone, able to wear what I pleased, eat what I pleased, talk to who I pleased... In other words, enjoy the freedoms that most take for granted."

Jacen shook his head. "My mother would kill me if I did something like that." Jaina nodded vehemently.

"I didn't get out of trouble, now. As soon as I returned, my father, thoroughly angry, of course, decided it was time I learned to be a lady. Therefore, I was sent here until my twenty-first birthday. Upon which," she snarled, "an advisor of my beloved father will come for me to prepare me for a marriage which I have neither choice nor say in."

Luke's eyes widened. He had not known what was in store for Usagi come her twenty-first birthday. He had known that she was to leave, but he had not known why.

Her situation was, he realized, quite like the one her mother had faced when he had met her.

"I wonder why Selene would allow her daughter to be treated this way by Apollo. She had hated being thrown into a marriage, why was she allowing Usagi to do the same?" He thought, completely puzzled. It made no sense. Unless...

Of course! That was it! Selene had sent Usagi to him knowing he would recognize her instantly. She was counting on him helping their daughter as he had tried to do her. By training her as a Jedi and somehow annulling the wedding-to-be.

"Selene," Luke said quietly so none could hear, "I will try. In the name of the love we had, I promise I will try."

Far off, in the Moon Kingdom's palace, Selene paced her chambers as restlessly as a panther. Her silver hair swept behind her as she silently crossed to the window to watch the processions of the party happening outside. Couples were dancing, or relaxing together under the shade of the beautifully blossomed cherry trees. Like she and Luke should have been able to do...

"Oh, Luke, love. I'm sorry for the way things turned out. I hope you will love our child as you once loved me. You deserve to see her, to be near her, to know the wonderful young woman she has become. I owe you that." She sighed as fireworks exploded in the dark night sky.

"And I hope you can do more for her than you could for me, my love."

That night, Serena was sitting on her bed, staring out the window into the jungles of Yavin 4. The climate was so pleasing, there was no need for glass. The breeze swept through the room, heavily perfumed with jungle scents.

Wistfully, almost longingly, she stared out into the vast expanse of space which stretched over the moon like a snug blanket. A small brush in hand, she was smoothing the tangles from her ankle length golden hair, while Jaina lay half asleep on the other side of the room.

"Usagi?" she said sleepily.

"Yes, Jaina?"

"I'm glad you came." Usagi smiled into the darkness. She had found a friend.

"I'm glad I came, too, Jaina. Very glad." She set the brush on her nightstand and crawled beneath the covers. By the time Luna had leapt up to lie beside her, she was already asleep, the star locket playing its tune in the background.

On Earth, Endymion was as restless and agitated as Selene. He stalked around the garden where he had met Usagi, wondering if he would ever see his Usa-chan again. He stopped suddenly. "I just thought of Usagi as Usa-chan... I wonder if she thinks the same of me? After all, we were together only a month before she left to rejoin the Moon Kingdom..." He sighed. Already, he had become so completely attached to the blue-eyed princess who he was certain had stolen his heart.

He knew now why he had given her the star locket. His mother had given it to him, saying that one day he would meet the person whom he would know to give it to. The person who would be his soulmate...

It had been an impulsive decision, really, but the more he thought about it, the more he knew his mother had been right. He had felt that the locket should be given to Usagi, and he had felt that it belonged with her ever since. Now he couldn't get the moon princess out of his head.

He had heard, through the gossip chain, that Usagi had been sent to a school in another galaxy. That had been over four years ago, almost five.

"How often does she think of me?" he wondered, "I can't stop thinking about her."

Usagi had been at Luke's academy for over four years now. She had become very close to Jaina and her friends, but she and her roommate were inseparable. She thought very little of the Moon Kingdom and her mother, but still greatly of the young man who was Earth's prince. Endymion. He had given her that splendid star locket, and it had become her most prized possession.

"Usako!" Jaina called, exasperation showing on her features. "You've already missed morning meal! You're going to be late for class!"

"Iie! I can't be late!!!" Usagi squealed, running through the open door and rocketing past Jaina, who was watching her roommate with a smirk. "Tionne will kill me if I'm late again!!"

"You should have gotten up earlier. Oh, Usako," Jaina said, laughing, "you forgot your shoe." The moon princess skidded to a halt at the top of the stairs, tripped on a burgundy rug, and rolled down the stairs. At the base, Jacen, Tenel Ka, and Lowie were waiting for their friends when they saw Usagi rolling down the stone steps.

Jaina rolled her eyes, Tenel Ka politely acted as if she had taken no notice, and Jacen hid a laugh. Lowie chuffed a little as Usagi stood up, attempting futilely to regain her dignity.

"Oh, man, now my hair's a complete mess and I have dirt all over my jumpsuit, with five minutes to get to class, and looking forward to detention if I'm late again. This has been a perfect morning." she sulked, as Jaina handed her her sandal.

"Here's your shoe," she said innocently, receiving an instant sulky glare. Jacen laughed.

"It doesn't look as if Sere's in a very good mood, sis."

Lowie nodded in agreement, grinning.

Usagi, meanwhile, was fighting trying to reassemble the odangos in her columns of hair.

"I-am-cutting-it-off-as-soon-as-I-get-the-chance!" She said through gritted teeth.

"Why?" asked Jaina, grinning.

Usagi shot her a 'look', and said, "My hair is taller than I am!"

"That doesn't take very much..." Jacen said softly.

Usagi marched her four-foot-eight-inch frame up to Jacen and lifted her deep ocean-blue eyes to his brown, and said, "Don't make me come up there."

They all laughed, Jacen especially. "I wouldn't dream of it, Usako."

"I should think not." Was the princess's prim reply, before grabbing her black knapsack and leaving to class.

"Master Jacen, if she was the late one, why are we still waiting here?" Em-Teedee asked. Lowie woofed.

"Right. What are we waiting for?" Jaina said.

Far off from the reaches of the light and loving Universe, in the darkest corners of imagination, reigned the Negaverse. Pure evil was home here, more, darker evil than the Dark Side of the Force could ever dream to be. The Dark Side held warriors from the Negaverse, and the Dark Jedi fought for their Darker upperlings in the Dark hierarchy.

Here, Beryl reigned. Queen of the Darkness, ruler of the powerful Negaforce. Long had she watched the Light Side Jedi, and hated them. Long had she hated the love which radiated from their Universe, hated that miserable Queen Selenity of the Moon Kingdom who had blocked her from the world of light with her Ginzuishou. But now...

The barrier which confined the Dark Queen to her realm of evil was weakening, had weakened enough to allow her escape. Queen Selenity would rue the day she had imprisoned her, mighty Queen Beryl, in the Dark Negaverse. Now, she would pay.

"Jedite!" She roared. At once, a blonde warrior approached her side. The first of her grand generals.

"Yes, my Queen?" Beryl watched him coldly with eyes that held no love, no pity, no mercy.

"There is a Jedi, Jedite. A powerful new Dark Jedi. He is training under Brakiss at our Shadow Academy. His name is Zekk. Bring him to me."

"But Palpatine, my Queen..."

"Don't question my orders, Jedite! Palpatine is a fool, a loyal servant of mine, just as you. All you must do is leave the portal and bring the Jedi to me. I have business to settle with Queen Selenity."

"Yes, my Queen." Jedite turned and left, leaving through the portal that connected the Negaverse to the Universe.