Chapter 2: Home is Where the Heart is

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" the Phoenix asked gingerly as Adrianna raced ahead of her; zipping back and forth, weaving in and out of the stardust trail that led to her home, and narrowly avoided an ugly collision with an older supernova that was crossing without looking.

"HEY!! WHAT ARE YOU BLIND?!" he yelled as he angrily shook his fist at her.

"Black hole..." she muttered under he breath then smiled as she noticed familiar stars around her and slowed down. "Well here we are, Polaris A; my home."

"It's so big..." she murmured softly as she took in the sites around her. "How do we find the elder you spoke of?"

"Have you ever been here before?" Adrianna asked as she stared wide-eyed at her new friend. For a moment, the young guardian-to-be was silent as she thought it over than looked at her friend with large, sad, and silvery eyes before she answered.

"I am the Phoenix, sworn to defend galactic cities alone...without a soul to be friends with...my sacred duty comes before all other things." Slowly she looked up and smiled as she found the nebula that she called "home". Then her face seemed to light up as her dark gray eyes turned a beautiful pale silver and the pain that was etched into her features retreated. "That's the Cygnus Loop, I was born there."

"Wow, that's far away..." Adrianna said softly in awe, "very few Sacred Guardians can see that far. I wish I could see it too..."

"Then I have a gift for you," she said as she produced an orb from a pouch wrapped around her neck and held her hand out to the young guardian. "Behold an ordinary orb, pink in color and light in weight...yet speak the words 'fushicho show me my home' and magically the Cygnus Loop appears instantly as clear as day. It will also show you any nebula you tell it to." She explained as Adrianna slowly took it from her and held it on her hands.

"It's beautiful..." she whispered softly as the orb pulsed in her hands then flared brightly for a moment before it faded away. "Why did it do that?"

"It likes you and recognizes your power as a guardian's power." The Phoenix said with a warm smile as Adrianna looked up at her with wide eyes.

"Wow! Really?"

"Of course." A warm voice said as the Elder appeared behind Adrianna and put her hands on her shoulders. "You were the only one who was moved enough by her plight to volunteer to help this young one." She said as she gestured to the Phoenix.

"It was nothing really..." Adrianna said as she blushed and looked down. "I just happened to be in the area. But what I did doesn't make me a hero."

"You were a hero to her." The Elder said as she gestured to the injured Phoenix. "But come with me now; for we have much to talk about, young one."