Liz pushed open the door of the lab and walked in distractedly.

'Morning Liz.'

'Oh, morning Professor.' replied Liz snapping out of her train of thought. She dropped her books on the table and wandered over to where her research was set out.

Looking down at her work, Liz again read the top of the page. 'The human brain', she mouthed and a smile spread across her face.

The professor studied her attentively from where he stood. She was a strange young girl, but her research into the unused part of the human brain was, well, it was amazing to say the least! She had thought of ideas and researched possibilities that hadn't even occurred to all the brightest minds in the world. In one year here she had accomplished more and most did in three!

But at the back of his mind lingered worry, he felt afraid for her. When she had first come to the University she had just got over a life threatening condition and now barely a year after she was working day and night with out breaks. She seemed driven by some immense force, and when he looked into her eyes what he saw scared him. This small brown haired girl was hiding herself behind a mask of bitter anger and resentment. All of her facial features that should have been soft and gentle were hard and angry, and the mouth that should have been molded into a sweet smile was set and unforgiving. Something very bad must have happened to her to make her become like this, whatever it was had possibly destroyed one of gods most beautiful creations..

Liz felt the professor's eyes on the back of her neck, what was he thinking about? Shielding her hands form his sight, Liz raised her right hand and waved it above the other hand. Her nails became a vibrant colour of pink. Liz straightened up, a grin spread across her face. It worked!

Liz felt the sense of accomplishment sweep over her, she had managed to do what she had come to do! Now when the time came she could go and kick some Tess sized butt!

'Oh there you are!' said the professor to a tall, dark haired girl who was standing in the doorway. 'Liz, I'd like you to meet Serena. She's just moved here and she's going to be working with us.'

Liz twisted round slowly, could she have heard right? Serena? Future Max, Serena? The girl walked over holding out her hand, Liz clasped it and gave it a friendly shake.

'Hey,' said the girl.

'Hi, so you've just moved here, where from?' asked Liz curiously.

The professor smiled knowingly and turned away, they were gonna get on fine!

Serena shot Liz a look of understanding, 'Oh it's just a small town in Canada. It's called Antar, you may have heard of it.'

Liz looked at the girl for a minute and then turned to the professor. 'Umm, Professor, I'm gonna give Serena the tour, we'll be back after lunch. OK?'

'Sure, go ahead.'

***

'So what's going on?' demanded Liz as she shut the apartment door.

'Max sent me.'

Liz' face went immediately cold. 'So what does the great king want? Should I book him a humble earth holiday, so he can come and see those of us he just abandoned?'

Serena looked at Liz in surprise, 'He said you'd help.'

'Oh, I'll bet he did. Liz Parker will give up everything again just for me!'

'He needs your help!' insisted Serena.

'What does he need a new hand maiden? Or maybe he just wants to get me there so he can betray me again? Why the hell does he think I should help him? Sure he saved my life! But that was repaid. And as far as I can see that was the only hold he had left on me, he got rid of all the others when he hopped onboard his little space ship and left me here!'

'Queen Ava must be stopped!' shouted Serena, interrupting Liz' speech.

'What so he's only just realised?'

'Max, Michael and Isabel's executions are at dawn! Please! Don't let my king die!' cried Serena, her eyes pleaded with Liz.

Liz stood and looked at her, she saw in her mind the way Maria looked at Michael's picture, and the way the Evan's had cried when they found out their children were gone, and how Sheriff Valenti had risked everything just to keep them safe. She couldn't jut let Michael and Isabel die, none of this was their fault, she couldn't let everyone's efforts go to waste. 'Fine, I'll do it.'

'Thank you! Antarians will always remember you generosity.'

'Yeah, yeah, what ever! What do I need to do?' asked Liz reluctantly.

'You have succeeded, you have 'powers'?'

Liz looked at her in surprise, 'How did you- Oh of course, Max would have to know everything! What do I have to do?'

'I will take you with me to Antar, there you must free our king!'

' Ummm. what makes you think I can do this? I've only had powers for about a day and so far all I've managed to do is turn my nails this rather disgusting pink colour.'

'Your powers are greater than you realise! When you get to Antar you will know how to use them! In passing to our planet everything that needs to be changed about you will automatically be adjusted to fit in.'

Liz eyed her suspiciously, she didn't like the idea of someone meddling with her body. 'OK, fine, let's go.'

Serena paused for a minute to study Liz, could this girl really be the same girl that Zan had spoken of? Max had talked about a gentle, sweet, loving girl but this girl here was hard and hidden.

'Well?' questioned Liz with raised, impatient eyebrows.

Serena raised her hand and a shimmering portal appeared, she took Liz' hand and stepped into the void.