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**DISCLAIMER: All characters from Sailor Moon are the property of Naoko
Takeuchi, Pioneer, Cloverway and any other companies holding rights.
All other characters are the property of the authors of this story and
may not be used or reproduced without consent.**
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Fallen Stars
by
Lady Archanna & Archmage

~~~~~~~~~~
Part I
Chapter 1
~~~~~~~~~~

The world spun slowly, revolving beneath its cloak of clouds in a green
and blue orb of soft light. The glow faded slowly into utter darkness,
two red eyes the only other light in the emptiness. Dark robes hissed,
darker than the obsidian void around them, as the mind behind those glowing
eyes contemplated the floating globe with the covetous look of a man
examining a jewel he wishes to steal. A flicker of gold rose as amber eyes
drank in the image, scrutinizing the bluish orb.

"Doesn't look like much." The voice from behind him was skeptical but
tinted with a guarded curiosity

Soft laughter, dark with promise and power, reverberated through the
chamber. "It's an interesting little world. Was nothing to speak of
until about five hundred years ago. Since then, though, it's become
very interesting indeed." A slow parade of images danced across the
veil of darkness; art galleries, a great crystal city, a regal young
woman with flowing silver hair.

Gold eyes focused on the images, sparkling with wonder. As the picture
of the queen appeared, however, the eyes narrowed and darkened. "Quite
beautiful. But it all looks so frail, so easily crushed."

Another laugh filled the void, soft as a viper's hiss, "She's strong
enough, but naive. She has never been truly tested, forced to make the
hardest decisions of a ruler." A soft chuckle lingered in the air as red
eyes focused intently on the queen. "I think perhaps it is time for that
to change." A gloved hand rose, covering the globe so only a few scattered
fractions of its light escaped. "Time, indeed."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Pluto's head was spinning, the screams of the dying echoing in her ears and
the Time Key clasped tightly in her hands as she tried to gather her senses.
Her eyes narrowed, silently cursing the mists that filled her dimension. This
was not the place for this fight.

Something slid beneath the roiling mass, sending a milky white cloud of mist
billowing upward. A dark form shifted behind the curtain of gray, hidden just
out of sight behind the protective shroud.

Pluto whirled around blindly, trying to face her assailant. Her heart was
pounding, but she refused to let her fear control her. "Show yourself, you
coward!"

For a moment, the only answer she received was more shifting of shadows.
Then a blast of negative energy flew at her side, coming in hard and at
the edges of her vision. "Damn you!" Pluto cursed as she launched herself
out of the attack's path and felt it graze her side. The impact jolted through
her, sending burning waves of pain through her already battered body. She
winced as she came down hard, her leg screaming in protest from another wound.
"Dead Scream!" she called, her gaze focused on the outline of her still unknown
enemy. The attack ripped through the fog, striking nothing but empty air as it
hurled into the oblivion of the Time Gate. A low growl of laughter rose around
her, vibrating in her bones.

The sound sent chills down the stoic senshi's spine as she felt the claws of
fear slowly taking hold. 'What in the name of Chronos ..!' Pluto turned herself
in a tight circle, trying desperately to locate the target. She cursed the realm
about her with every breath, betrayal written in her eyes. 'This is my dimension,
my place, I am NOT supposed to be at a disadvantage!'

"You have intruded upon the sanctity of the Time Gate. None shall enter here and
be allowed to live. I, the Senshi of Time will not allow it!" Pluto stood with
her staff in front of her, her voice booming in the endless space that surrounded
her. She could feel the power of the Time Gate behind her, and she drew on that
strength so that she might defend it.

Another burst of dark energy erupted from the mists, this time to her left,
crackling at her with blistering speed. As she moved to dodge, something
coalesced out of the mists on her right. All she had time to see were flashes
of claws, darkness and flaming eyes. Too close, too fast. No way to get away in
time. Then something hissed over her head, slashing into the youma's chest,
throwing it backward. At the same moment, Pluto felt herself flung to the ground,
hitting with a surprised cry as her head crashed into the unforgiving ground.
Bright lights erupted behind her eyes, taking over her vision as waves of pain
washed through her. As the Time Key slipped from weakened fingers she watched
with blurred vision as someone spun into mortal combat with the youma.

Cut, slash, parry and thrust. Roars of anger and the silent hissing of a pair
of long blades cleaving air filled her ears. Flashes of silver light and blood
red eyes seeped through the haze as a black figure spun and twisted before the
creature, moving just ahead of the flashing and deadly claws with a double-bladed
glaive spinning in his hands. The man who called himself Wraith smiled, the look
of a predator. "Hasn't anyone ever taught you not to pick on women, scum?"

'I'm a senshi, you idiot!' Pluto corrected silently, her fingers searching out
and closing around the familiar solidity of her staff. Pulling herself to her
knees, Pluto watched in horror as Wraith kept at the beast with deadly precision.
Her mind screamed for her to react, to do something, but her body said otherwise.
Days of non-stop battling and her more recent injuries care of the youma that now
danced before Wraith's blows slowed her down. She needed a moment to gather her
strength, to call upon the Time Gate and her orb to give her the power she needed.
The youma hissed in pain, the cuts digging into its chest. Wraith danced back,
knowing that he was easily outmatched but playing for time. His eyes flickered
over to the senshi of time, on her knees, leaning against her rod. 'Just a few
more minutes...' But for once, time was not on his side.

The creature drew back, eyes narrowing and let loose with a blast of dark energy
that threw the black-haired man to the ground, dark cloak swirling about him as
he fell. Wraith was up and moving before the cloth had time to settle upon the
floor, his hand reaching for his fallen glaive as the double blade winked in the
diffused light. Another heartbeat and he would have been ready, another second,
but that time was a luxury he did not have. The youma let out a bellow of triumph
and slammed him to the ground with a blow that shattered half the knight's ribs
and cleanly broke the rest. Agony pulsed through him, but he held himself together
as the wounds began to knit. 'Quick healing does its job, but GODS that hurt!' he
cursed silently, another moment needed before he would be able to act.

The half-second his body needed, however, was far too long. The youma let out a
blood-curdling laugh and a massive burst of black energy was sent hammering into
the fallen Knight. Gray eyes went wide and then vanished as the energy blast blew
a crater several feet deep in the ground. Wraith was gone, incinerated utterly in
a single blast of pure negative energy.

"NO!" Pluto screamed, her eyes going wide as the Knight dissolved into nothingness;
at the same time the world around her was suddenly sent spinning, whirling about.
When it came to a stop, her vision was filled with the soft glow of moonlight.

Setsuna sat up with a cry of alarm, her chest heaving and her body covered in sweat.
Magenta eyes darted around the room, trying to focus on something familiar and safe,
her mind still gripped in the terror of the dream.

"Not a dream," she croaked, her voice trembling with emotion. Her hands clutched
at the sheets as she struggled to get herself back under control. She drew her
knees up, and wrapped her arms around her legs, trying to fight back the tears
that formed in her eyes, old memories bringing back a wealth of pain. The raw
anguish she had felt at that moment was still as fresh in her mind now, more
than two millennia later. She remembered calling upon the power of her orb
and vaporizing that youma where it stood. She remembered walking over to the
crater the blast had left, her legs shaking beneath her as she lowered herself
to the ground. She could remember the horrible pain that coursed through her as
the reality of what had happened crashed upon her.

He was dead, gone. Even as the senshi of time, even with the power to stop the
thing which she guarded, she wasn't able to save him. It had all happened too
fast, and with no warning. Setsuna shook her head, the salty taste of her tears
jolting her back to the present.

It was no longer the Silver Millennia. Outside her window was not the Moon
Palace burning to the ground in a pile of ashes as Negaverse generals blasted
all that had been established to kingdom come. No, what her eyes found outside
the glass was the shimmering facade of a crystal city, a grand crystal palace
basking in the loving light of the moon.

There were no screams, just as there was no smoke and no danger. Out there was
a peace that the Senshi had fought to uphold for longer than she cared to remember.
Now Crystal Tokyo flourished with vitality and happiness under the gentle rule of
Neo-Queen Serenity. Its people lived their lives in a peace that seemed at times
so frail and delicate to the time senshi.

Having a life span that stretched across all time, one saw many things. She'd
seen this peace before, on the Moon. She'd also seen how easily it could be
shattered. With a sigh, Setsuna swung her legs off the bed and stood, walking
over to the window. Placing one palm against the cool glass she drank in the
image before her, praying with all her heart that it would remain as it was
now at that moment.

'Things do change, my love.' The ghostly whisper sent chills down Setsuna's
spine as she turned to see who had spoken. Her eyes fell upon nothing more
than her empty bed and empty room. She was not sure which had spooked her
more, the words or the voice, both of which rang with a sense of familiarity
in her mind. With one final glance at the city, Setsuna turned from the window
and grabbed her robe from where it lay on a chair. Knowing that sleep had
deserted her for the remainder of the night she decided to drown herself in
the peace of the palace library. Perhaps by the light of day things would
look better.

"Then again, maybe not," she muttered, closing her bedroom door behind her
and walking down the dimly lit hallway.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Setsuna smoothed the front of her gown, green hair swirling behind her as
she made her way toward the ballroom. The soft sounds of music drifted to
her ears, the air crackling with excitement. Stepping through the double
doors, nodding at the palace guards that greeted her, Setsuna felt a smile
creep onto her lips. If there was one thing the Lady Venus was good at, it
was throwing a party. The room sparkled, thousands of tiny lights decorating
the walls and beautiful crystal sculptures glittering in the light. The room
was filled to the brim with every type of flower imaginable, the air heavy
with their delicate fragrances.

Magenta eyes scanned the crowd, finally falling upon the face of the Queen.
Making her way through the mass of people she approached Serenity, noting
how tightly she clung to her husband's arm. Endymion smiled at Setsuna as
she came up, resplendent in his dark violet tuxedo. "Evening, Lady Pluto.
How are you?"

"I'm doing well," Setsuna smiled at the King, her eyes slipping to the
beaming face of the Queen beside him. "How could I be anything less on
such a wondrous occasion?"

A soft laugh and a brilliant smile lit Endymion face. "It is that, true,
but the guest of honor has yet to arrive."

Setsuna looked at Endymion and then around the room, "Small Lady isn't here
yet?" Setsuna looked at them with mild concern. It was unlike the Princess
to be late, especially for such and important function.

"Announcing the Lord and Lady Mars!" The herald's voice diverted Setsuna's
attention as it rang out across the room. All eyes turned toward the door
as Rei walked in with her husband on her arm, shimmering raven hair and red
gown sparkling under the lights. Lord Nathan smiled, looking over the crowd
before smiling down at his wife. His red and gold armor gleamed, the red
ceremonial baldric he wore over it catching the lights and shining in the
same hue as his wife's dress. Short brown hair and sparkling green eyes
stood out sharply next to the darker features of his wife. His five foot
ten height seemed oddly matched to his broad and solid build, giving the
impression of massive strength out of proportion to his size. Rei's slim
elegance seemed to be overshadowed by his frame, but her beauty made up
for what she lacked in size. They seemed as different as night and day,
but somehow the match seemed more than appropriate.

"And what are you looking at?" Rei asked, violet eyes capturing Nathan's
emerald gaze as they descended the stairs.

"The sexy women, of course."

Rei's eyes flashed, eyebrows raised. "Oh, really? See anything that
catches your interest?" Her voice was calm, her smile still firm upon
her lips.

Green eyes sparkled mischievously as they raked up and down the length of
her red gown. "No, nothing to compare with that, but one must keep looking."
Grinning broadly, Nathan led his wife down to the dance floor.

"You can look all you like, my love." Rei reached up and gently rested her
hand against his face. "But I can assure you that you won't find what you're
looking for out there." Rei's eyes shone with amusement.

Nathan's smile widened as he gathered her against him and kissed her firmly.
When his voice spoke in her mind, it was warm with love and laughter. 'Probably
not, but considering I have it right here, it doesn't really matter.'

Endymion smiled as his friend pulled Rei up into the kiss. "He never does get
tired of being the comedian."

"It's a good thing she loves him," Serenity laughed, watching as Rei pulled
away with her face slightly flushed. "Otherwise he would have been torched
long ago."

The King smiled down at his wife, "Oh, I don't know, he seems to manage her
pretty well."

Once again the herald's voice cut through the crowd, "The Lord and Lady
Jupiter!" The doors swung open again and a tall, well-muscled man with the
body of a weight lifter and a face set in permanent lines of displeasure
stepped into the room. Green and silver armor flashed regally, and Makoto
shone beautifully on his arm. The off the shoulder green sheath hugging
her form perfectly, auburn locks tumbling freely down her back.

Endymion shook his head, suppressing a grin, "Poor Rod! He never does
seem to relax."

Makoto's eyes fell upon her friends and she raised her hand to greet them,
green eyes shining in sharp contrast to her lover's steely brown gaze. With
his arm clasped tightly in hers she led him down the steps toward Rei and
Nathan.

"You could at least try to relax a little, dear. This is a party," Makoto
whispered, smiling at him.

Lord Jupiter shrugged, a small and abbreviated gesture. "I'm not tense,
really."

Makoto rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Sure you're not, Rod. Sure you're
not." Smiling, she squeezed his hand lightly as they came up to their friends.

"Hi, Rei!" The brunette released her husband's arm, sure he wouldn't bolt for
the door, and warmly embraced her long time friend. "It seems like ages since
we've seen you both."

"It's only been a few weeks," Rei laughed as the two women pulled apart.
"Hello Rod, nice to see you." She smiled brightly at the red-haired man.

Rod Celeste gave her a quick bow, dark brown eyes tight with tension despite
his broad smile. "Lady Mars."

The herald spoke again, interrupting the remark poised on Rei's lips. "The
Lord and Lady Venus."

Minako entered the room dressed in a shimmering golden gown that sent
rainbows dancing through the air. She shone like a jewel, her blue eyes
sparkling with excitement. On her arm an elegant and rakishly attractive
man in a long gold cape smiled at the crowd, taking the sudden cheers in
stride. Nathan snorted as the blonde man bowed slightly. "Sol never was
one to pass up a chance at the spotlight."

"Nate!" Rei's voice rose in mild annoyance. "Be nice. It's not his fault
he's adored." She suppressed a laugh, noting that Minako didn't seem to
be minding the attention one bit. In fact, if she knew the Lady Venus at
all, Rei could guarantee she was basking in it and soaking it up like
sunlight.

Nathan smirked. "Yes, love."

Sol Carver swept down the steps, his wife by his side, and flashed the
group a dazzling smile. "Evening, all."

"Hello everyone!" Minako's voice brimmed with excitement as she embraced
her friends, first Makoto, then Rei. She smiled as she took in the room
about her, proud that things had turned out so perfectly. After all,
Serenity and Chibi-Usa deserved nothing less than the best.

Nathan grinned at her bubbling excitement, and even Rod cracked a genuine
smile. You could always count on Minako for enthusiasm. "Minako, you truly
outdid yourself this year," Rei commented, knowing how much work the blonde
had put into planning this event.

"It was the least I could do," Minako beamed, her eyes scanning the room for
familiar faces. She let out a small cry of delight when she saw Serenity,
standing out like a shining star against the sea of people, her face filled
with joy. Minako hugged Sol's arm tightly, using him to keep her anchored in
reality. She was, after all, a Lady and a guardian of the city. It would not
do to have her act like a giddy schoolgirl in the center of such an expansive
crowd.

The herald spoke again, hesitant. An obvious new arrival, he'd never encountered
the linguistic problem now confronting him. "The Lord and Lady ... Excuse me.
The Ladies Neptune and Uranus."

Nathan covered a snort, trying not to burst into laughter as the two women
entered arm in arm. "He's new, but he covered well."

It was clear from the smug expression on Haruka's face that she'd taken it
upon herself to remedy the herald's confusion. Smiling down at the elegant
form of Michiru, clad in a turquoise sheath that shimmered like the calm
ocean, she hugged her lover closer. "Lord my a-"

"Haruka!" Michiru squeezed the blonde's arm warningly, sea green eyes focusing
on hazel ones and the mock look of innocence she received bringing a smile to
Michiru's lips. She felt sorry for the young man. There was no way he could
have known that Haruka was anything but a Lord, clad as she was in a regal
navy tuxedo. They made quite a couple walking down the stairs and across the
dance floor, Michiru's feminine elegance against Haruka's brash attitude.

Nathan shook his head, trying not to stare. "I have just one thing to say:
I pity all the poor men those two have deprived of each other's company."
From the expressions of the various young male guests around the room, he
was entirely too accurate.

"What was that, Nathan?" Haruka asked, cocking an eyebrow as she and Michiru
joined the now growing group. She then grinned, bowing to them. "Its nice to
see all of you gentlemen again." Hazel eyes peered mischievously from beneath
blonde bangs. "And of course it's always a pleasure to see such lovely ladies."

Nathan eyed her with mock fear, dramatically moving between her and Rei. "Of
course."

Michiru laughed softly, shaking her head. "Don't mind her. A month of
diplomatic meetings tends to do strange things to her."

Sol raised an eyebrow. "Dare I ask how many of the other delegates survived?"

Haruka laughed. "All of them, I'm sorry to say." She grinned at Michiru.
"Someone wouldn't allow me to take my sword along for when things got
complicated."

Nathan, straight-faced, turned to look at Rei. "Typical. I wanted to take
my spear to the defense hearing last week, but no...."

"Nate!" Rei gasped, pushing in front of her now grinning husband and giving
him a warning look. "Weapons are not the best way to instill a sense of
security in others." She turned her eyes back to the two women. "It is nice
to have you back though."

Nate grinned broadly, opening his mouth to speak, but the herald drowned out
his words. "Announcing the Lady Mercury and the Lady Saturn!" A pause.
"Unfortunately, Lord Mercury sends his regards and indicates that he was
unavoidably detained."

Nathan snorted. "By his studies, I'm sure. That man is the most obsessive
student I've ever met." As he spoke, the two women entered separately, Ami
in her long aquamarine velvet gown and Hotaru in her more somber black velvet
dress.

Nathan smiled slightly as he noticed every young man focusing on the younger
of the two Senshi. "Poor Hotaru. Wonder how many suitors she'll be fighting
off tonight?"

Sol shrugged. "She could at least dance with a couple to be polite."

Rod shook his head. "I've never understood why Sets doesn't get that kind of
swarm. I mean, she's equally unattached." His brown eyes caught a glimpse of
the green-haired woman where she stood beside the King and Queen, and even he
could appreciate her mature beauty and mysterious features.

"Can you imagine anyone propositioning Setsuna?" Nathan snorted, recalling to
mind the Time Senshi's serious demeanor and biting sarcasm.

Rod winced, remembering the couple of times he'd been on the wrong side of
Setsuna's temper. "Point."

"Ami! Hotaru! Over here!" Minako called out to her friends, raising her hand
in the air so the two could spot their little group.

Together Ami and Hotaru moved through the mass of people, soon joining up
with the others. Immediately Hotaru was embraced first by Haruka then by
Michiru, both looking down on the young woman with the loving gaze of proud
parents.

Ami smiled and greeted the other Senshi, nodding at the Knights in turn, her
blue eyes as serious as ever. "I'm sorry we're late, everyone." Ami apologized,
her voice soft. "Both Hotaru and I were down in the lab and lost track of time."

"Ami!" Makoto laughed, putting her arm around the blue-haired woman's shoulders.
"As long as you made it, that's all that matters."

Nathan grinned. "Well, you might have stopped to dig your husband out of his
library on your way. It's still good to see you anyway, Ami."

Rei glared at Nathan. "You'll have to pardon my husband, he seems to have taken
temporary leave of his senses tonight."

Nathan smiled broadly. "Temporary?" It was all the other women could do to
suppress the laughter that rose as Rei's face turned an interesting shade
of red.

"It's okay, really, Rei." Ami smiled, shaking her head. "Although I doubt
even I would have been able to drag him away tonight. He'll come when he's
ready."

Rei smiled at her friend and then turned her fiery gaze to Nathan. "Remind
me again why I put up with you?" she whispered, her eyes narrowing.

Nathan smiled crookedly, "Because, for some odd reason, you appear to love
me." An exaggerated shrug. "Other than that, no idea."

Minako and Makoto both burst out laughing at the same moment, ignoring the
biting glare Rei sent their way. "You two are so cute together!" Minako
laughed, winking at Rei.

Rod broke into an undisguised grin, "Indisputably."

"I could do without your comments, Minako!" Rei glared at the blonde, her
face reddening. Then she turned her gaze to Rod and burst out laughing,
seeing the ridiculous grin on his face. "Why do I put up with you people?"
Rei shook her head and smiled, throwing her arms up in the air.

Sol shrugged, grinning, "No clue."

Rod matched him, straight-faced, "None."

Nate shrugged, playing off his friends. "Truth be told Rei, I don't know why
you put up with us either."

"You!" Rei turned fiery violet eyes to Nathan, an evil smile on her ruby lips.
"I know why I put up with them." Her voice was sweet as sugar as she pointed
toward the still giggling Senshi. "But you? You're going to have to remind me
later why I don't torch you on the spot."

Nathan gave a rather mischievous grin. "Now there's something for motivation."

Hotaru shook her head, smiling at Rei and Nathan's little love spat, but her mind
was focused on something more important. Since her arrival she had yet to see any
sign of Chibi-Usa. Silently pulling away from the laughing group, Hotaru's eyes
scanned the room, a flash of pink and a closing door catching her attention.

Hotaru pushed her way through the sea of bodies, approaching the door swiftly
and then opening it quickly to step into the dimly lit chamber beyond. "Hello,
Chibi-Usa," she said, closing the door with a soft click behind her. Chibi-Usa
smiled back at Hotaru, her hands playing nervously with her hair. She looked
beautiful in her pale pink gown, a silver necklace sparkling in the soft light.
Her appearance seemed so regal and adult, but she looked at her friend with the
uncertainty of a teenager.

"Did anyone see you come in here?" Chibi-Usa asked, stepping past her friend and
cracking the door open to peer out at the massive crowd.

Hotaru laughed, putting her hand reassuringly on the Princess's shoulder. "I don't
think so, but I think they may eventually notice you're missing. Don't you think?"
Hotaru smiled warmly, knowing how much Chibi-Usa detested this type of event.

Chibi-Usa pushed the door closed and moved to lean against the wall. "I suppose
they will. Doesn't mean I want to go out there, though." She leaned her head back,
closing her eyes. "But then again, what I want doesn't matter, does it?"

Hotaru was taken aback by the Princess's serious tone and immediately knew that
something more serious than a fear of facing a crowd was bothering her friend.
"Chibi-Usa, this event is being held in your honor. It's not meant as a punishment.
What's wrong? Why are you so upset?"

"Nothing's wrong," The pink-haired girl opened her eyes and smiled weakly at Hotaru.
"I'm just nervous, that's all." Chibi-Usa moved away from the wall, grabbing Hotaru's
hand in hers. "Will you at least come out with me? I don't want to have to make my
entrance alone."

Hotaru smiled, seeing in the red eyes looking back into hers that something still
troubled the young woman. For now, she decided not to press the issue. "Of course
I will!" With that the two girls opened the door and slid out onto the crowded
dance floor, sticking close to the wall.

Endymion broke into a smile as his daughter and Hotaru entered from the side,
obviously trying to avoid drawing attention to themselves. His smile widened
and a raised hand silenced the band. Stepping onto the raised dais on which
the thrones rested, he spoke loudly enough to be heard over the murmur of the
crowd. "May I have your attention, Ladies and Gentlemen!" As the crowd turned
to him and the low hum of voices silenced itself, the King's eyes sparkled with
laughter. "If you'll all step through the gate over there, we have arranged a
bit of a surprise for all of you on the lawn. Once you're outside, please
promptly take a seat."

A low murmuring rose from the crowd as they all moved to obey the King's
instructions. The guests poured out of the ballroom, gasps of surprise and
cries of surprise rising as they realized they were entering an amphitheater
that had not been there a few days ago. It was clear from the surprised looks
on even the Senshi's faces that no one had been privy to this surprise save
the King.

"What did they do now?" Chibi-Usa groaned as she and Hotaru lingered toward
the back of the crowd, being two of the last to exit onto the lawn. Red eyes
widened as they took in the massive theater. She squeezed Hotaru's hand
tightly, seeing the large mass of people seated and the Senshi taking their
seats up at the front with her parents.

As Endymion and Serenity took their seats near the Senshi and the Lords, his
eyes glinted mischievously and his face looked as though it strained not to
break into a smile. Spotting his daughter and her friend hanging toward the
back of the audience, he waved them over to their seats and then once again
raised his hand, signaling for silence as he addressed his guests. "Settle
back and enjoy the birthday celebration for our Princess." As he sat back
down, the lamps in the theater began to die in a steady cascade of fading
light.

Chibi-Usa would have liked nothing more than to crawl into a hole, but being
the Princess she had to put on a smile and dazzle the crowd as her parents
always did. Finally releasing Hotaru's hand when they neared their seats,
Chibi-Usa slid into her chair beside the Queen. "I'm sorry I'm late, I got
held up." Chibi-Usa smiled at her mother, her voice apologetic.

"It's quite all right, dear." Serenity smiled at her daughter, taking her
hand. "I'm just glad you got here." Endymion smiled over at his daughter,
seeing her safe in her spot.

The music began. It started slow, a single gentle piano holding a soft melody.
Then a violin rose, adding its soothing voice to the melody, and above the stage
stars began to dance. As the hum of a guitar joined the other instruments, a
shimmering vision of the Moon lifted from the stage.

Serenity's hand moved to her mouth, her eyes gleaming with tears as it became
clear that this was not the Moon as it was now. This was the Moon as it had been
in the Silver Millennium, the great Moon Kingdom springing to life once again in
shimmering images. Queen Serenity, the young golden haired Princess, the Royal
Court. A hundred thousand images of peace and prosperity danced across the night
sky. The faces of the guests held a sense of wonderment as they watched legends
come to life. To the Senshi, however, this was more than the realization of some
fantasy. These were their memories, still as bittersweet and clear as ever.

A slow and rhythmic electric bass line rose in a steady counterpoint to the
higher melody of the guitars. Into the illusionary court strode a young man
and his entourage, the black and sliver of his armor sparkling in sharp contrast
to the delicate rose he twisted in his fingers as his eyes fell upon the young
Princess Serenity. For a moment the music stopped as the souls of the young
lovers touched for the very first time, and out of the silence rose a soft
melody, the melody of a locket that had played over decades and millennia,
the locket that even now rested in the royal bedchambers. Endymion's eyes
filled with tears that were quickly wiped away and Serenity's hand found
his in the darkness, holding it tightly. Even the stoic Lady Pluto felt
tears well up in her eyes as the young Prince and Princess spoke and danced
and became one, the high melody and the low bass keeping time with the song
of the locket. Chibi-Usa was totally lost in the moment, her attention focused
on the dancing forms. She leaned forward in her chair, allowing the familiar
lullaby of the locket wrap her in its warmth. Then her breath caught in her
throat as a low brass growl challenging the delicate sounds of the locket.

Gasps rose as a shadow spread across the earth like a stain. The delicate
sound of the locket held, but the brass lines shivered, almost blotting out
the soft undertones of the locket as the darkness swallowed the earth and
reached menacingly toward the moon. On the crest of that wave came Beryl
and the Dark Generals and monsters of unspeakable power, and the music
shuddered with struggle as the Moon Kingdom burned. Violet eyes snapped
shut as the silhouette of the young prince and princess hung lifelessly
in the air. A green handkerchief rose to dry emerald eyes as one by one
the Royal Court fell. A blonde head buried itself against the softness
of a golden cape as the Queen cried for all she had lost. A pale finger
brushed soft blue hair back nervously as the Queen stood.

The Queen raised her hand and light blazed forth, and once again silence
returned. The earth and the moon hung silently, cleansed of the darkness.
One was dead, the brilliant light dimmed, but the other one lived on,
still vibrant with life. Into the silence that followed the melody of
the moon rose again softly, and new images came. A young woman in meatballs
racing to meet her friends. A young man mourning his parents and studying
for exams. Slowly the music rose again, the gentle tones of the guitars
calling and the song of the violins answering. The music seemed to dance
in the air, the magic softly returning. Then the low brass came again,
soft at first but growing quickly in intensity. Dark ones came again and
images of more battles arose. Images of struggle and deep, soul shattering
loss and finally of redemption and victory. And a great light came to life,
spreading over the earth, and the melody grew strong once again.

A child was born and grew, a pink-haired young woman with the seriousness of
her father and the sparkling eyes of her mother. Then a final look at a
darkened theater filled with people and at last the Moon and the Earth danced
again, the music fading away until only the soft piano remained.
And then ... silence.

In that silence and darkness a spotlight suddenly snapped on, focusing on a
woman dressed in an aquamarine gown. Blue eyes widened under the light, and
around her friends reveled in her obvious joy and complete surprise. A soft,
refined voice spoke into the silence. "Would you all please offer your
congratulation to the Lady Mercury on the anniversary of her engagement?"

Another soft light illuminated the smiling man whose shimmering blue robes
swirled around him as he stood on the balcony, all eyes focused on him. Ami
felt her face redden as applause rose from the audience. Her eyes fell to
the floor, her hands clasped tightly on her lap. She heard warm congratulations
being issued by her friends, and she could feel Lord Mercury's eyes on her.
That gaze sent chills up and down her spine; it always did. The man descended
the stairs from the balcony with graceful ease, smiling as he made his way to
the front of the auditorium. "Evening, love," he whispered softly.

When Ami's eyes lifted to meet his icy blue gaze, tears shimmered in her eyes.
Looking up at him, seeing the way he looked at her, her discomfort melted away
like snow on a summer day. A smile spread across her face. "So, this is what's
kept you so busy lately?"

Alexis smiled, his eyes shining. "Well, someone had to run all the pretty lights."

Ami laughed, a soft, sweet sound. "You did much more than hang lights, dear."
She stood, wrapping her arms around his neck. "That was the most beautiful thing
I've seen in ages."

"We do aim to please," Alexis smirked, looking out at the audience. In a fluid
movement he raised Ami so she was facing the crowd, one hand on the small of her
back and the other raised in the air as his voice rose once more. "To the Lady
Mercury!"

"Alex!" Ami hissed, her face burning as cheers once again rose from the crowd.
Tensing, she snaked her arm around his, holding it tightly, nervously nodding
toward the happy onlookers.

With a mischievous grin, Alex swept his wife into his arms. "Oh, the festivities
are just starting. But we, my Lady, are going to make ourselves scarce." To the
delight of the crowd, Alexis carried Ami back up the steps and onto the balcony,
pausing there to look back out over the crowd.

"Have fun Ami!" Minako laughed, waving at the wide-eyed ice senshi. She then
turned an accusing look toward Sol. "When was the last time you did something
this romantic?"

Sol tapped his forehead in mock thought. "Um ... last month?"

Minako winked. "Well, the I'd say you've been slacking, my Lord."

Ami felt like she would die of embarrassment as she buried her face in Alexis'
shoulder. "I can't believe this!" she whispered, shaking her head slightly.

His eyes looked down at her, sparkling with promise. "Wave to the people,
dearest. Then we can attend to other, more pleasurable matters."

Makoto laughed as Ami gave them a small wave before she and Alexis disappeared
from the balcony. Emerald eyes sparkled, the sheer magic of the night seeming
like some sort of dream.

Endymion cracked a smile, looking at Serenity. "I've never seen Ami blush like
that before."

Nathan grinned. "Wonder what the wedding festivities will be like."

"I can only imagine!" Rei laughed, leaning her head on Nathan's arm. "I'm so
happy for her."

Serenity's eyes sparkled, her arms snaking around Endymion's back. "You're
wonderful, you know that?"

Endymion turned his head to look back at her, "I do try, love." Serenity
gave him a light kiss on the cheek before being pulled away by several
guests. Watching her for a moment, Endymion's eyes slipped back toward his
daughter, looking for some sign of what she was feeling. Chibi-Usa sat
stiffly in her chair, hands folded in her lap, eyes staring blankly forward.
She'd enjoyed the show and the deep emotion and feeling behind it had not
escaped her, but still a dark cloud hung over her head.

"Small Lady?"

Chibi-Usa's head snapped up at the sound of Setsuna's voice, her eyes meeting
the magenta gaze of her long time confidant and friend. Forcing a small smile
onto her lips Chibi-Usa spoke, her voice lacking the musical quality it normally
held.

"Puu, I'm so glad you made it."

"I wouldn't have missed it, Small Lady." Setsuna replied, not showing the worry
that sparked to life as she watched the Princess.

Chibi-Usa stood, embracing the woman tightly. "Thank you for coming," she whispered,
closing her eyes.

"I've missed you," Setsuna replied, holding the girl close. Then her voice lowered
so only the Princess could hear her words. "Is something bothering you, Small Lady?"

Red eyes opened and Chibi-Usa pulled out of the time senshi's arms, stepping back.
"No, of course not," she answered quickly as her eyes fell to the ground.

"Princess?" Setsuna moved forward, a comforting hand on Chibi-Usa's shoulder.
"It's okay if something is bothering you." The girl's eyes rose to meet Setsuna's,
then they drifted past her to where the Queen stood in the center of a group of
laughing people, sparkling as always.

"No, it's not."

Setsuna's gaze followed the Princess's, and she nodded in understanding. She was
well aware of the friction that had recently arisen between the Queen and her
daughter. One wanted to prepare her daughter for the life into which she was born,
the other wanted nothing more than to stay out of the spotlight for just a little
while longer. She gently pulled Chibi-Usa back into her arms, hugging her tightly.
"It is okay."

"No, it's not. This is a party, one must always put one's best face forward when at
a function like this." Chibi-Usa sighed, her body shaking, her head buried against
Setsuna's shoulder.

"Small Lady…." Setsuna shook her head, remembering a Princess from a millennia ago
crying the same tears. She just wished that Princess could remember what it felt
like, what it was like to be scared of one's own destiny.

Chibi-Usa took a deep breath, pulling away from Setsuna a small smile on her
lips. "Thank you, Puu," she whispered, red eyes meeting magenta ones and seeing
the understanding in them. Setsuna was about to say something else, when
Chibi-Usa's attention was drawn away by her mother, motioning for the Princess
to join her. With one final smile Chibi-Usa pulled away, moving to stand beside
her mother. On her face was a smile and she lagged slightly as people greeted
and congratulate her, but even across this distance Setsuna could see the discomfort
in her eyes.

Shaking her head, she allowed her gaze to travel across the crowd until her eyes
fell on Hotaru, who was also watching the Princess with worry written in her dark
eyes. Setsuna moved over to Hotaru sitting beside her, an arm going around her shoulder.

"She'll be okay, Hotaru." Setsuna smiled softly. "She'll be okay."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ * ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The guests had gathered in the ballroom once again, and as the band started playing
a space opened in the center of the floor, the Princess standing in the center. As
the brighter lights dimmed so that only the small, star-like lights shone down,
Chibi-Usa seemed to sparkle with quiet radiance.

A man in a dark purple tuxedo stepped into the circle, staff in hand and a smile
hovering on his lips. The King's eyes found his daughter's, spotting the nervousness
written on her face. "May I have this dance?" he asked as he bowed slightly.

Chibi-Usa's heart was pounding in her chest as all eyes focused on her. Meeting her
father's gaze, she momentarily forgot about the hundreds of others in the room and
focused on the safety she saw in that blue gaze. "It would be my pleasure."

The staff melted, replaced by a single pale pink rose which he held out to the
Princess. As she took it, he placed his hand gently on her waist and pulled her
toward him, slowly guiding her into the dance. "Are you well, daughter?" he asked,
eyes focused down on her.

Chibi-Usa's mind momentarily forgot about concentrating on making sure her steps
kept time with the music and she looked up at the King. "I'm fine da- ... father."
she answered quickly, her eyes breaking away from his

"Are you really?" he asked again, his hand lifting her face so she was looking at
him again.

"I'm...." Chibi-Usa looked at him, and all she wanted to do was throw herself into
his arms and cry. She wanted to disappear, but she couldn't. There was a voice in
her mind that reminded her she was an adult now, and she must act like one. As a
Princess she wasn't allowed to let her feelings affect how she presented herself
to the people.

"What do you say to the idea that after this dance we blow this joint?" Endymion
smiled at the surprised look on Chibi-Usa's face at her father's use of slang from
another time and the smile that played at the corners of her mouth.

"You mean it?" she asked, her hand tightening around his.

"Of course. After this dance you, me, your mother and the rest of our troupe has
a small and very private reception planned."

At the mention of all the others she tensed, biting her lip. "Are you sure it'll
be okay?"

Endymion smiled warmly. "Yes. It'll be just us. Titles will be checked at the
door, just like old times."

A genuine smile spread across the Princess's face, her eyes sparkling. "Thank
you, daddy."

As the music reached its climax Endymion gave a small nod, and suddenly the air
was filled with thousands of glittering silver stars. Laughter rose from the
audience as the confetti rained down on the crowd, the King and Princess still
moving to the sound of the music. Chibi-Usa laughed, looking up as the silver
sparkles began settling into her hair. It was as if the heavens were raining
gently down upon them. She looked back at Endymion, smiling brightly.

"Thank you, Daddy." she whispered, resting her head against his chest as their
dance came to an end.

Silver still fell from the air as Endymion pulled away, turning to address the
crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen, please enjoy the remaining festivities. I'm afraid
that the royal court will be taking our leave of you. Enjoy the rest of you
evening, and as always, drinks are on the house." Endymion nodded toward the
Senshi, signaling the time for their exit had finally arrived.

"Thank goodness!" Makoto sighed, setting her glass down on a nearby table.
"See, I told you this wouldn't be that bad." she whispered to Rod as she led
him across the dance floor and toward the exit. She loved parties, but these
royal functions always tended to be too stuffy for her taste.

"Thank god!" Rod smiled, relaxing slightly. "I don't know how much longer I
would have lasted."

Seeing Endymion's signal, Nathan downed the rest of his wine, setting down
the empty glass and slipping his arm around Rei's waist. "Let's go, my Lady."

Rei smiled, her eyes scanning the crowd for Minako and a sigh of frustration
escaping her lips when she spotted the blonde. Both she and her husband were
still blissfully entrenched in conversation with what looked to be a group of
adoring men and women. "I'll catch up, Nathan. I have to go pull the Lady
Venus away from her throng of admirers." Rei growled, stalking over to the
laughing blonde. "I do hate to break this up, but the Lord and Lady Venus
are needed elsewhere," Rei interrupted, putting her arm around Minako's shoulder
and letting her fingers bite into the blonde's arm.

"Of course." Minako blushed profusely as she grabbed Sol's arm. "We must be
going. The King and Queen are waiting."

"We mustn't be late." Sol smiled, bowing elegantly. "It was a pleasure, ladies."

"And gentlemen!" Minako interjected, her fingers digging into Sol's arm as
they pulled away from the group. "I'm sorry about that, Rei. Sol got carried
away with entertaining the ladies."

"And what about you?" Sol laughed, pulling his arm out of his wife's grasp
and putting it gently around her shoulders.

"I had to do something to keep myself busy while those women were fawning
all over you. I can't help it that men flock to me!"

Rei rolled her eyes. "Oh gods, you two! Stop arguing about who's more
desirable and hurry up!" Nathan joined them, his arm going back around
Rei as they exited the room.

On the other side of the room Queen Serenity, Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna
stood around the thrones and watched the others leave.

"She looked beautiful out there," Michiru commented, smiling over at Serenity.
"Even if she did seem somewhat uncomfortable."

The queen nodded, her eyes watching Endymion and Chibi-Usa who stood waiting
for her. "It was necessary, though. She has to get used to these things."

Haruka snorted, "True, but I'm sure this isn't the way anyone expects to spend
their eighteenth birthday. Princess or not." She put her arm around Michiru's
waist. "What say we join them?"

Michiru laughed and nodded as she and Haruka made their way toward the others,
leaving Setsuna and Serenity alone. They watched as Hotaru joined the couple
and together they made their exit. "Will you be joining us, Setsuna?" Serenity
asked, noticing her friend's sudden distraction.

"I'm afraid not right away, Queen." Setsuna answered, smiling softly at her.
"I'm going to have to be late, since something else needs my attention."

Serenity's brow knit in mild worry. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Setsuna replied, shaking her head and still smiling. "I just have
to take care of some things."

Serenity sighed, knowing better than to press the time senshi for answers.
"Very well, but I think Chibi-Usa will be disappointed."

"Tell her I'll be there. I promise." Setsuna smiled warmly. "I'm just going
to be late."

"Of course, Sets." Serenity smiled and descended the stairs, joining up with
her husband and daughter.

Setsuna let out a small sigh and moved down the steps toward the door through
which she'd entered earlier. Pausing in the doorway for a moment, she looked
back and watched as the Senshi disappeared, their laughter reaching her ears.
She wished she could be with them, but the Time Gate was calling to her.
Stepping into the hall as the door closed softly behind her, Setsuna's eyes
suddenly became very serious. As she made her way down the empty corridor,
a staff slowly materialized in her hand and her gown faded away to reveal
her Senshi fuku. A moment later, she was gone in a flash of light.


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Special thanks goes out to all those that have made this possible, including
Soul for doing the first round of edits and helping with our sometimes horrendous
spelling and typing skills, and Liz for doing the final round, making sure everything
fits and correcting the little mistakes we'd never pick up.

Fallen Stars has been a year in the making, hopefully it lives up to all expectations.
Feel free to contact us with any praise, comments, moans, groans or suggestions.
Feedback is a good thing. ^_^

Email: fallen_star715@yahoo.com
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