Sorry for the wait. I ran into a major case of writers' block. But it's mostly over now I think . . . I hope.

As I'm sure you all know by now, the Wheel of Time series belongs to Robert Jordan and Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. Kiara and Gwen and a couple others are the only ones who belong to me.



Chapter 5

As she walked down the hall, a nearby torch flared. You. You are Her daughter, are You not? She realized that it had been the fire that spoke, and turned to the torch, reaching up with fearless fingers to allow the fire to feel her.

"I am Princess of Mars. If the one who you speak of is Rei, then yes, she is my mother."

Ah. You are Princess. So She is Queen? The flame sent curiosity.

"In my continuity, yes, she was. In her own, I do not know. I believe she remained merely Princess, that the only Queen was Serenity, Queen of Crystal Tokyo." Crystal Tokyo . . . the strange phrase rolled off her tongue. Strange, that the future of the Silver Millennium would be based around a town she had never heard of, on the one planet in the system that was not part of the Silver Millennium, but rather merely a protectorate over which the Moon watched.

Thank You.

She smiled and continued to walk. This place held a calm, peaceful aura. Not surprising, in a place of learning--the Lunar Military Academy, at which she had spent nearly a semester, had felt much the same. It had been a treat, being able to go to the Academy, even when Mars was in a state of near rebellion from the Moon Kingdom. She had been 'home' over break when this occurred. But she couldn't really feel resentful for the years at the Academy she had missed.

She most likely would have been kicked out because of her family, when Mars and Earth finally openly rebelled, anyway. And that would not have been so far off . . . They had been planning it, she thought, to happen on Ai's sixteenth birthday. Then, their preferred heir would have attained legal majority. After that, it would be simple enough to dispose of herself--another reason she used her scholarship to the Academy to get away from Mars.

Thankfully, this version of her mother seemed much better balanced than her mother had been. A wry grin stretched across her face. It said a lot that Rei's place in her world and her actions there had been one of her worst nightmares. It certainly had been Kiara's, and she had lived it for nearly twenty years.

Except these last two years, she had not grown. The slowing happened to everyone of royal planetary blood sooner or later, but more often in the mid- to late-twenties. Very few slowed as early as she had, at eighteen. Still, it helped her to feel more as if she fit in in this place, where most of the novices were around that age.

The older ones--the Aes Sedai, and even a few of the Accepteds, she thought--they seemed to have slowed as well. A side effect of using this unfamiliar power, she supposed, although the time at which they began to slow seemed to be more in the thirties at earliest. She shrugged. She could just call herself ahead of the game and leave it at that.

Lost in thought, she continued to walk, until her progress was abruptly halted as she slammed into another body. Picking herself up off the floor, she turned. "I'm terribly sorry. I'm afraid I wasn't watching where I was going."

The other girl laughed and stood as well, brushing at her dress. She was stunningly pretty with deep cerulean eyes and short black hair that complemented her white dress. A band of rainbow edged the lower him of her dress, and Kiara winced inwardly. She had not only bumped another person, she had bumped someone with seniority according to the law of the Tower. "I'm afraid I wasn't either." Her smile invited Kiara to join in and, after a moment, the violet-haired girl did.

Then the smile fell. "You're Kiara Hino, aren't you. The one that came out of the arches during Rei's test."

She nodded. "How could you tell?"

"Your hair." The Accepted smiled again, almost uneasily. "You're probably the only person in the entire world with purple hair. How did you find such a natural-looking dye?"

Kiara grinned. "I didn't. Believe it or not, I was born with violet hair. I inherited it from my mother--if you look closely, you can see that her hair has violet highlights."

"Your mother? But isn't she still . . . back in your world?" Again the hesitation. Evidently, her mother was not the only one who had a hard time with the tests for Accepted. Or even the hardest time. Kiara could understand why people wished to believe the worlds that personified their nightmares were not real.

"That's right. My mother was Rei." A frown passed over her face. "A very different Rei, one consumed by hatred and jealousy, until all that was left of her was a bitter husk." She smiled slightly. "I think you can understand why I prefer this incarnation of my mother. And why I chose to leave--we never got along. After a while, we didn't even bother to try." She cocked her head. "You know my name, but I'm afraid I don't know yours."

The other girl frowned--at herself, not at Kiara. "That's right. I'm sorry, I'm being terribly bad-mannered. I'm Aridwyn Damodred. Kind of a mouthful, huh? Everyone calls me Ari."

"Even lowly Novices?" Kiara asked, her eyes alight with humor.

Ari sniffed. "I've had absolutely enough of being bowed to and brown-nosed, to last me the rest of my life. And most of the next. I don't want to have to deal with it here as well as at home."

"Sounds fair." The former princess laughed. "Thankfully, no one here knows of my rank. It was bad enough at home, with everyone treating me like I belonged on a pedestal. Except, of course, my family, who treated me like dirt." Now more than ever she was thankful for that semester at the Lunar Military Academy. It had been essential in allowing her to retain her sanity. Still, she wondered at the impulse prodding her to confide in this amiable stranger thoughts she had never before verbalized to anyone.

"What was it like? Coming here, I mean." Ari asked.

"I think your world is more 'real' than mine--closer to the Original Universe from which they all stemmed. Surely everything seems brighter and more clear-cut here. But before I saw the silvery portal appear through which Rei disappeared, I had no more idea than anyone that travel between dimensions was possible." She shrugged. "I knew that alternate dimensions existed, of course. I just never had any expectation that I would travel to a new one."

"They do exist? All of them?" Ari seemed to be equal parts frightened and fascinated. "How did you know? How could you?"

"I was taught by one whose job it was to oversee the flow of time in our universe." Now that had been her favorite class, bar none. "Standard required course for all freshmen attending the Lunar Military Academy. Dimensional Theory 101. Unfortunately, I only made it through the first semester--it's a year course--before I got called home and this happened. One of the few classes I really will miss." She shrugged. "Chances are, I would have been expelled from the Academy anyway, when my parents declared war on the Moon Kingdom. So all in all, I think I'd still rather be here."

"What is dimensional theory?" Ari asked.

"Well . . ." Kiara considered, then began. "In the beginning, there was the Original Universe. Then, the time came of the first decision. Through that decision, there were now several universes, each the consequence of the decision that had been made, differently each time . . ."

* * *

"When we get to Rhuidean, we would like you to take the tests to become a Wise One." Amys stated, oblivious as always to Minako's wide-eyed astonishment.

"But I'm not truly Aiel. Even my adoption has not been fully accepted yet. Would the others approve?" She had listened well to the lessons for once. To go to Rhuidean, one had to have at least four Wise One's approve the journey.

"I have been discussing this with them through our meetings in Tel'aran'rhiod. There are those who are adamantly against such a step, of course." Amys acknowledged, "But those are few enough that finding three others who were willing to give you the chance was a simple enough task."

Minako closed her eyes. There went the one avenue of escape that she had believed she could count on. Now, her options were correspondingly cut. Her fingers curled around the haft of the spear, and she could feel the engraved patterns pressing against her fingers.

She could run away in the night, but even considering that course of action gnawed at her. She might not wholly subscribe to the tenets of ji'e'toh, but she did so enough that the thought of breaking everyone's trust in her in such a manner was practically unthinkable. No, that was only as a last resort, if even then.

So she had to take the direct route. It was the only solution she would allow herself. "I can't." The abrupt hardening in Amys' eyes urged her to continue, to explain herself. "I can't ever stop fighting. And I would have to, were I to become a Wise One. So I can't."

She sighed. "I know, you think this is just juvenile hardheadedness. I know Ilandrin does. But it's the truth."

She was on a roll now, completely ignoring Amys' partly opened mouth, normally a good sign that the Wise One was about to talk. In other words, a warning that now would be a good time to shut up. "I may not like it, in fact I know I don't. I was a horrible leader of the senshi, but I, as extremely inexperienced as I was, led complete novices. The only reason we survived, really, was because our princess had the purest heart I have ever seen and the immense amount of power needed to back it up."

Her hand tightened around the haft of the spear again. "But regardless of how competent I was at being a warrior, that is what I was born to be. Both lives, I have been born for the sole purpose of protecting my princess and eliminating evil from the world. And I can't do that if I can't fight."

"Yet I can't teach you if you're not an apprentice Wise One, and you must be taught, or there is a very good chance you will die." Amys smile was part sad and part admonitory. "I have been teaching you to walk in dreams. Did you think I would not see the warrior soul that resides in your woefully ill-trained body? In ordinary dreams, you nearly always turn to your home, so how did you think I could miss those visions of she whom you guard and the geas that has ruled you throughout all your lives?" In fact, those dreams had been far better hidden than most--a protective instinct within her mind, perhaps, to keep her from projecting the knowledge that she was from another world. Safeguards on her mind to match the conscious safeguards on her tongue.

She sighed. "I, in my arrogance, thought that perhaps this time around you could be induced to abandon the part of warrior by my teachings of our ways. But conversely, it only drew you closer to Ilandrin and to the values that are linked to your soul."

Minako cocked her head. "I value peace above perhaps nearly all else, with the exception of that which is right and good." She stared at Amys. "I would like nothing more than to never have to fight again, but that time will come only when there is no more evil left to fight. As long as evil exists, I will fight it if it is in my power to do so."

"It is a fight I am afraid will never be won." As if from a distance far greater than the year or so it had been, she recalled what Chaos had told Sailor Moon, as her own body lay disintegrated, her star seed melted in the Galaxy Cauldron. " 'Where there is light, there is darkness. Darkness brings light and light brings darkness.' Our greatest enemy said that, and I've come to believe that in that, at least, he was right."

"It is said," Amys began, her voice thoughtful, "that our world goes through an endless cycle, in which the Dark One is finally sealed away fully, and time passes until the world forgets his existence and foolish power-hungry mortals once again break his seal and let him free once more. The cycle will continue forever, unless he ever manages to break free permanently. Then, he will remake the world in his image, and all will be lost."

So that is why I have come. She had wondered what great evil would be strong enough to affect even their world, to catch the attention of both Setsuna and the Sacred Fire. Now, she could at last give that evil a name.

"There is still so much more you must learn, before I will feel comfortable allowing you to leave my influence." Amys stood. "That is why this conversation has not occurred, and will not occur until we are significantly closer to Rhuidean, or I feel safe allowing you to go to the wetlands in search of another teacher."

"When that day comes, I will miss you." Minako said, as she drew the Wise One into a hug, surprising her considerably. "If Ilandrin has been like a sister to me, you have been like a second mother."

"I think I will miss you too." Amys admitted gruffly. "When this conversation actually occurs, of course." Suddenly, she pulled back and became businesslike once again. "Now, have you been practicing those meditation exercises I showed you? Or have you been slacking off with Ilandrin again." Her eyes twinkled as Minako opened her mouth, thrown slightly off guard by the abrupt change in tone.

"Well? Show me." With a growing smile, the blonde senshi complied. Some things would never change, and Amys was one of them.

* * *

"You healed her exhaustion, didn't you." Setsuna moved her horse close enough to ask Ami as they rode.

Ami nodded. "I had noticed her doing it to some of the most exhausted last night. And she was really struggling, trying to heal Rand's father." She paused. "Once we get to a good stopping spot, I'll show you how I did it."

Setsuna nodded. "If I do it, she'll just assume I'm very quick. You heal her exhaustion much more, and she'll begin to suspect that something strange is going on."

"That's about what I figured." Ami sighed softly. "But I can't help but want to try to do something, to help ease her burden. I'm not sure why quite yet, but she always seems to feel like she has the world on her shoulders."

"Like Queen Serenity." Setsuna nodded slowly. "It always hurt to see her so . . . closed in on herself. So utterly self-sufficient because she couldn't depend on anyone but herself. I would have lightened her load if I could, but . . ."

"Then, you were trapped at the Gates of Time, unable to affect any events directly." Ami correctly surmised. "I had never thought of the Queen in that way before, though. I suppose I always thought she really was that completely self-sufficient."

"And likewise, although I understand what you're talking about, I really can't see it in Moiraine. I guess I just haven't thought about her, period, all that much--besides thinking that she acts too much like I used to, and still do upon occasion, for her own good." Setsuna shrugged. "Different people, different viewpoints, I guess."

Ami nodded, attention abstracted as she looked once more toward their dark-haired leader--as much as this group had one. Why was it that Moiraine affected her so deeply? It made no logical sense, yet there it was. But why?

* * *

Ami sighed happily as she sat down on the ground. Sure, the ground was hard. But it was far better, to her mind, than hours more on that horse. And, an extra bonus, she could finally lower the hood on the cape Lan tossed to her when they reached Taren Ferry, to hide her distinctive blue hair. They were trying to attract as little attention as possible, and her hair would have excited much comment--comment that could have provided a clue to the Myrddraal following them.

With an equally fervent sigh, Setsuna sat down beside her. "I have not ridden a horse in donkey's years." She stretched and stifled a groan. "Rephrase that. 'Donkey's millennia'."

Ami arrowed an amused glance at her friend. "Literally, I'm sure."

Setsuna stuck out her tongue. "It's not nice to comment on a lady's age."

"But Setsuna, darling," Ami continued in a singsong voice, "you're so well preserved."

Setsuna sniffed and turned away and Ami sighed, disappointed. She could not remember the last time she had had so much fun teasing someone--especially the usually unflappable Setsuna. She stood, wavering slightly as her muscles protested at the new movement. Time to go socialize with the common mob and try to find new prey. Suddenly, as if she had been summoned, Moiraine stood beside her.

"Good evening, Moiraine." Ami greeted lightly. "And what can I--or we--do for you tonight?"

"We're stopping here for the night. I was just coming over to give you some help getting to sleep, since I'm sure you don't feeling nearly tired enough to go to sleep on your own."

A soft snore interrupted the dark-haired woman, and both turned to look down at Setsuna, who had curled up and drifted off to sleep on her own. Ami smiled. "She always claimed she could get to sleep in any situation whatsoever. I never quite believed her before. Then again, I never quite believed she needed something so mundane as sleep to begin with."

"What is your relationship to her?" Moiraine asked, then suddenly blushed, something she had not done in a long time. "Excuse me." She added stiffly. "That was unforgivably rude and personal, in addition to being none of my business."

"Not at all." Ami shook her head. "Um . . . the answer is kind of complicated, though, since I'm not completely sure myself. Would you take a seat? If you really do want to know, that is."

For a moment, Moiraine looked torn, before finally seating herself on the ground beside the blue-haired warrior. "Let's see. For a long time, I idolized her. Her self-possession, her intelligence . . . it seemed, at times, that she was everything I wished to someday become. I never really knew her well, though. The age difference was always too great."

"Age difference?" Moiraine broke in with surprise. "But you look almost exactly the same age. No more than a year or two apart."

"You look like you're in your thirties at the latest, yet I would wager your real age is at least twice that." Moiraine, startled, nodded before she caught herself. "I thought so. I personally am only eighteen, I haven't slowed yet. But I don't know that even Setsuna remembers her exact age anymore." She shrugged. "Anyway, where was I?"

"You idolized her."

"Right. I also respect her greatly for her fighting abilities. We worked together occasionally to protect our princess and . . . in a fair fight, without my having my sword or her her glaive . . . she would beat me hands down every time.

"Her devotion to duty is second to no one else I have ever seen. She is willing to sacrifice everything for her duty . . . and I get the feeling she has, more than once. So have I, but for me it was sacrifice out of love for my friends, not out of pure devotion to duty.

"This journey is just another instance. We could have stayed home. I doubt anything happening here would have affected us if we had. But knowing that such a power as the Dark One was so close to breaking free here . . . she had to come and do something about it.

"And I followed her here because I knew she was right."

Ami absently drew a spiral in the dirt. "That's about it. Do I love her? No. Do I respect her, look up to her, and regard her as a very precious friend? Yes yes and yes."

The two of them sat, silent, for a minute or so. "What about you and Lan? What exactly does this bond between Aes Sedai and Gaiden consist of?"

Moiraine pursed her lips. "A long answer in revenge for a long answer." She finally said with a reluctant smile. "Hm. It's been so long that I don't quite remember exactly the meaning of the bond. More or less, it does exactly what it sounds like--form an unbreakable bond between an Aes Sedai and her Gaiden."

"What sort of bond? Soul bond, emotional bond? Can you hear each others' thoughts?"

Moiraine smiled. "I can only answer so many questions at once. I'd say it's closer to a soul bond, as the other's death will severely affect the one who still lives. If the Gaiden dies, the Aes Sedai can usually survive. When it's the Aes Sedai that dies, though, the Gaiden nearly always follows her." Her smile had slowly slipped, until her face was now impassionate. "The bond gives each member a general sense of where their partner is--or at least their general direction--and the ability to feel the other's emotions. It's kind of like a knot in the back of my head, a knot of emotions that I can feel but that I know aren't my own."

"I can see how the bond would benefit the Aes Sedai, by providing them with a devoted protector. But what's in it for the Gaiden?" Ami asked.

"This part, I'm not quite as sure of. But from what Lan and some of the other Gaiden have said, it allows greater strength and stamina, less of a need for sleep, that sort of thing."

Ami nodded. "That makes sense. It increases a Gaiden's ability to protect his Aes Sedai."

Moiraine blinked. "Yes, it does make sense, doesn't it? Strange that I never thought of it that way before."

Ami shook her head. "No, not really all that strange at all. You probably grew up knowing about the bond and being told that it is mutually beneficial to both. I didn't grow up knowing about the bond, so I'm looking at it from an entirely different perspective."

She yawned suddenly and Moiraine started, a guilty look on her face. "Oh, here I was planning on sending you to sleep and I've just kept you up longer. Why don't you go on to sleep now."

Ami failed to suppress another jaw-cracking yawn. "Sounds good to me. But only if you go on to sleep soon too." She lay down curled up on the ground.

"I promise." Moiraine said solemnly. "You and Setsuna were the last. Good night, Ami."

" 'Night Moiraine. Sleep well." Ami smiled up at Moiraine, the last sight she saw before her eyes closed inexorably and she spiraled gently down into a deep sleep.