Last time on 'The Starlight Soldiers':

Cole and the others awaken to find themselves in another dimension which is controlled by Radix and Maddox who found a way to get out of their fiery doom. Meanwhile, after humiliating the men in an attempt to show his authority over the plain, Radix is ordered away from Maddox for he wants to be with Cole alone. Radix leaves, taking the others with him. Maddox orders Cole to fight him, but after being refused by a shattered Cole, the young man finds himself in a spiritual 'dream' where he meets up with his dead companion George Baxter who gives him his confidence and flare back, but after helping so much, George disappears as mysteriously as he came. Unaware of this whole Ordeal, Maddox prepares to kill Cole without his fight, but instead finds himself facing Sailor Saturn ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Loyalties, part 2**



Maddox stared skeptically at Sailor Saturn, he could almost smell the confidence and power within him…but there was just something uncanny about Cole now…he just couldn't quite pinpoint it yet. He smirked sardonically; Sailor Saturn was not affected in the slightest.

As his laughter finally subsided, Maddox still spoke with humor in his tone, "You humans amaze me more everyday. I am not a fool, Cole.", he frowned. "You need not pretend you are Sailor Saturn, I can tell that you are nowhere near his level of greatness…but something about you…I must make a vow on my own sword that you are inferior to me…as a symbol for both my authority and---"

"But that is where you are so wrong, Maddox.", Sailor Saturn insisted, "Maybe I am not invincible or a legend…but you are blind…and that will be your demise."

Maddox's temples flared with anger, "Silence! Do not speak of what you do not understand!", he roared, "I am Maddox, the most powerful and intelligent bounty warrior in the entire universe!"

"And the most gullible.", Saturn said coldly.

Maddox's eyes bulged a dark crimson glare, he clutched his sword and swung it towards Saturn. Calmly, he used his scepter to keep the blade away from his skull.

Maddox struggled against the human for victory over him, but his sword found the scepter to be of equal caliber. With his bloodshot eyes, Maddox dug into throat to speak without losing his grip, "Why are you so much stronger than you were our first meet?!"

Cole kept his poker face in tact while harnessing strength from a place that he never knew existed. Also straining for strength to speak, he pushed out his response. "Because--I am not---", his veins were bursting from his wrists, "afraid anymore!"

Maddox paused speechless as Saturn pushed the sword right out of his clasp. The warrior plunged into the auburn ground while Cole was on his feet, fighting for breath while sweat streamed down his face.

Maddox regained the focus in his eyes, but before he could rise onto his feet the golden rod was being pushed against his chin. "Giving me back my scepter was a big mistake.", Cole said, still gasping for breath. "Surrender."

"Over my dead body!", shot Maddox, slapping the staff out of its owners hand with his forearm. He clasped his hand over Cole's throat and forcefully throwing him into his remaining fist. "NOBODY WILL DEFEAT ME!", he affirmed in his craze. He summoned his beloved sword and held it unstably over Cole's head. "GOODBYE SAILOR SATURN!"

Everything was in slow-motion now, or at least it seemed that way to Cole. Everything was a blur to him, but the pressure crushed him that he must think fast or he would risk facing his impending destiny.

But then…for a moment he could see George through Maddox's crazed glare, shining with as the grace and perfection that seemed to come trademark with him. His warm glance and half smile reinforced the promise he had made to him, the same promise he intended to keep.

His image dispersed and reality soaked in as unpleasantly and abruptly as always, but equally as predictable, Cole was ready for it. The blade flung down towards him---his guillotine that stood judge for his fate. Yet ideas flowed through Cole as they once had when he was merely a boy saving the world, but he was a man now with at least 5 billion people to save. With a bright smile and a lustrous stare he bellowed the beautiful sound the world had been waiting for….

"SATURN STARLIGHT POWER!"

Sailor Saturn glowed divinely with a golden aura that brought Maddox aback. Cole felt youthful as he once did and the weight over his shoulders seemed to be grinding away into nothing.

Maddox laughed on his rear, his sword rested on the ground, "You never cease to amaze me, fool. Cole is always there to save the day isn't he?", he smirked sarcastically.

Saturn glared distastefully as if he were going to explode with the rage and anger rumbling within him. Fists shaking, he spoke with as much serenity and dignity as he could.



"You have taken away my life, Maddox.", Cole grumbled softly, his emotions were taking the best of him.

The warrior chuckled softly for a second time, "Nobody forces you to save the world, boy. It is your own fault for trying and failing."

"I didn't mean that.", Saturn snapped abruptly. "You have taken away countless lives and my family--almost everything that ever meant anything to me. They are the life that you have stolen from me.", he flung his hands up into the ever-infinite eternities and heavens above him, his staff in one hand and his palm exposed in the other.

The ground began to break around him as lightning devoured the auburn surroundings. Cole's eyes sparked and heavy winds swirled around him protectively for the approaching ritual.

Maddox held his ground by stabbing the ground with his sword. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING! STOP THIS NOW!"

The heavens ripped itself open and sent its celestial lights down at Cole. The purity chalice had been summoned and from above placed itself into Cole's grasp. It was a beautiful article, pure gold and emblazoned with every hope and dream created by man. It had two steel wings on the side, symbolizing the grace and power it held within its chambers.

A lifetimes worth of memories came back to him with just touching it. He had only used it once before…but that was during the Tomo era…he didn't really have a choice in the matter, it was the only way to save and avenge thousands of people who were killed in the attacks…but some memories were meant never to be revived. He could hardly remember what it felt like, everything was a blur afterwards. All he needed was to say those three words, and maybe all of his problems would be gone.

He could feel the others behind him, giving him the strength to avail as he always had. They were keeping the chalice high over his shoulders and their warmth brought the words to the surface. His cherished friends were beside him in spirit, yet they were so real. He could almost feel Matt's thrive, Andrew's support, and Drake's energy. They all were a vital part of him, even David…yes, he was beside him too, and together they all said the three words. SAILOR CRISIS POWER!

For maybe a split second, the world stood still. The winds stopped pushing, the grounds stopped breaking, and Maddox stood frozen in his expression of horror. Yet like every moment of joy and neutrality, it has its birth and death. Slowly things went to its old rhythm again.

Cole's uniform gave a final spark of life when it gradually tore itself off of his loins and burned into dust. Every muscle and dimension to his masculine body was now exposed and vulnerable while every force of nature imaginable funneled around him in observance and awe. The mouth of the chalice burst open with light and hope, wrapping itself around the human, bringing an orgasmic and cleansing feeling of relief and serenity while his muscles gave an unnatural yet lustful spasm throughout him. The light devoured the surface of his skin, causing angelic white wings to sprout from his backside. The blue in his eyes throbbed repeatedly, incessantly changing shades and sizes and his locks of hair became platinum and pure again.

Maddox had no choice but to clasp his eyes shut, the light was far too bright for him to handle anymore. He firmly shoved his sword further into the ground to insure his stability to stand. He wished to run and seek his partner, but he would surely be crushed in the winds and storm if he let go of his sword. His loud cursing did not even dent the brewing Armageddon, but it wasn't until this moment that he realized how vital it was to kill Sailor Saturn. Despite what anyone could think, Maddox did not regret giving Cole his only source of hope and power back, he had grown to believe he was the most powerful bounty warrior in the universe for so long, he had forgotten the fear of defeat.

This fear however heightened his senses like they had been when he was just a boy…an aspiring swordsmen with the thrive to avenge the death of his father…whom his own master had struck dead when he was young…he swore he would get his revenge that day when he became the sole survivor of his lost people--all of whom murdered by the same force…but his master promised him so much more than love and happiness…power that he could use to bring his father back and maybe with enough training…enough power to kill his true enemy…but he was a swordsman…and a swordsman is only useful alive…not contorted and rotting as his father is now…

The tempest subsided hastily and emerging from it was a figure more beautiful and pure than dreams could ever harness. With powerful and agile wings, it was Cole…very much the same, yet more different than words would give credit for. His eyes were deeper than eternities with an ocean blue that swirled and tided just as an ocean does. He was much taller and at peace now, long, elbow length white gloves and knee length boots. He also had a new Sailor uniform now that was now more unearthly and untainted. It was pure white with many unknown insignia inscribed with neon streaks of blue and a Celtic origin broach with a silver crystal in its core. His V-shaped headpiece was gone now and replaced with an inverse symbol that meant star child. It looked much like two C's with their backs to each other and eerily Cole's initials as well. Then clutched in his hand was a grand scythe that reached from an inch above his head all the way to the ground.

Maddox unearthed his sword pointed it wearily at the man, "You do not scare me in the slightest, boy. I am ready to fight you to the death so prepare your weapon!", the being just looked at him emptily. "Confident, are we? I will carve that expression off of your face and then all of your friends afterwards! Your costume change means nothing to me.", Maddox still received no response. Angry he stormed towards him, 'Cole's' face only inches from his own. "You are a pathetic fool, and my patience has been shattered. Goodbye Sailor Saturn!", Maddox irately swung his blade at 'Cole', but his hand was swiftly stopped in its tracks, his sword dropped loudly on the ground.. The being crushed his wrist with his astounding grip, Maddox roared in his pain while the figure held the same expression through the entire ordeal.

Finally the being spoke with coldness and pity in his voice "Goodbye.". Maddox's eyes widened.

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

Cole opened his eyes from what felt to him like a deep sleep but was immediately stricken with pain as he attempted to stand. With a glance at himself he could see that his body was completely swollen and his muscles felt completely sapped of their strength.



He had no recollection of anything that had just happened and could see only his hands, legs, and many craters and dents around him. Again, he tried to get on his feet, but with only little more success than before. He managed to bring himself on his knees for a moment, but then immediately collapsed.

He was wearing his white undergarments as he was when he first awoke…but could not remember past what happened after using the purity chalice. Using what little strength he had, he lifted his arm and dropped it on his chest, he was so swollen he wasn't sure if his scepter was tied over his neck as it always was. He struggled to smile, it was. Slowly he tugged at it and unexpectedly the scepter stretched into full size and surprised him. With a trembling hand, he used the scepter as a cane to bring himself up, slowly but successfully he managed to stand with the staff as his aid.

His muscles slowly began to work again…but not nearly to the point where they normally functioned. He felt dizzy as his blood rushed from his head and downward, but luckily his rod kept him from collapsing again.

He turned his head slightly to try to trace Maddox…but a black haze kept him from seeing 2 feet in front of him. He thought of transforming, but he doubted he had the strength to safely do so and even if he did, he certainly could not use any of his attacks. Instead, he cautiously held his scepter in front of him, he could still use its power to a certain extent.

Suddenly chills ran through his spine, he could sense something approaching. In seconds an explosion of red flames and wind sounded which quickly blew the black haze away. Cole's heart skipped a beat; Radix emerged from the fire with his 4 friends behind him, all 4 of them in chains. With a quick snap from Radix the inferno dissipated. Cole's heart raced, he had no strength to fight Radix…then in the corner of his eye he saw a large figure defenselessly down on his stomach, reaching for Radix. Cole was shocked, he blinked his eyes, but his eyes did not deceive him, it was Maddox who had never looked so pathetic in his life.

Radix, who had not yet noticed Maddox, smirked evilly at Cole and directed his glance at his four friends who's mouths were bounded shut and legs and arms chained together tightly. Radix sniggered mockingly. "Well, Well, Well, aren't we the lucky one.", he grinned sarcastically. "Interesting to find you all in one piece still. Your companions and I had a hell of a time in my chambers, didn't we ,fools?", he guffawed, glancing at the 4 young men who moaned and groaned miserably behind their restraints. Cole clenched his fist angrily.



Finally Radix saw Maddox pitifully grunting for his help. His armor was completely broken and his pale azure skin exposed and raw. He was very bruised and bloodied, certainly inches from death.

"Feeling under the weather, my partner?", Radix joked dryly.

Cole could have sworn he saw tears running down Maddox's cheeks, but he really did not want to think about it. He was not even sure of what happened. He sure looked miserable, Cole thought.

Maddox grumbled weakly with his bloodshot eyes staring right at Radix's. "Brother, help me!", he reached.

Radix looked at his fallen partner in disgust, stepping forward and shoving his arm back down, "Brother yourself. ", he said coldly, turning away to face Cole. "Hand over your scepter now ,fool or else your friends will live a life of torture and pain for eternity."

Cole tried to think quickly. With his poker face on, he spoke calmly. "You even think about Radix, and your little buddy over here is as good as dead.", Cole lied, aiming his scepter at Maddox.

Radix rolled his eyes, "Be my guest, its not as if I care. Kill him now if you please."

Maddox gasped in betrayal, he could not believe his ears.

Cole looked at his friends, he had to save them, he needed them and would do whatever it took to save them. Selflessly, he put his rod to his temple. "I know your secret.", he bluffed. "I know why you need the scepters and if you don't release my friends right now, I will blow up myself along with my scepter, leaving your plans in the dust!", the others started to groan in disapproval.

Radix trembled slightly. 'No! That fool Maddox must have told him the secret…no…he has to be bluffing, even an imbecile like Maddox would never tell…that kid is lying…I refuse to have my plans ruined by a human', he thought. "Ha!", he laughed confidently "I will take my chances, human. I am no idiot! I can see that you are weak and desperate. I doubt you even have the strength to walk!", he accused, charging up a black sphere of kinetic energy in his palm. "You shall be the first lamb to the slaughter, Sailor Saturn!", he said, cocking his arm back.

Cole was terrified, he had no way to defend himself from energy that powerful. He hoped his friends would forgive him, he was out of options.

"STOP!", a powerful voice roared, sending Radix aback.

Cole's heart was pounding in his ears, he looked in front of him, the voice belonged to Maddox, struggling to stand as he was before.

Radix's expression of shock, now was pressed with humor. "Maddox, you are more foolish than I thought. If I did not know better, I would say you were defending that human."

"Of coarse I'm not!", Maddox snapped defiantly. "How dare you!"

"I dare not.", Radix grinned ,"But no matter, soon enough Master will realize where your loyalties were."

Maddox gasped for breath silently, desperately trying to hide his lack of strength from Radix. "My loyalties lie with him and him alone!"

"Give it up, Maddox.", the other warrior shot "You are not and have never been one of us! It is still a mystery to me how master could ever think of you as a leader. But he will realize soon that you are nothing but a has-been, I am in charge now and out of your shadow! Only your father can call himself more pathetic than you!"

Maddox's muscles and veins bulged from his skin as he threw himself at Radix, shaking him by the throat. Radix struggled to no avail to get his hands off of him, but then used his kinetic powers to throw him head first into the ground.

Maddox was now more injured and weaker than before while Radix rubbed the red ring around his neck. Maddox then lifted his chest off of the ground, "Nobody insults my father!", the ground shook once again and it looked as though Maddox was gaining strength from his own anger. "NOBODY!", he howled demonically and furiously.

His skin bubbled uncontrollably and his muscles and body quadrupled in size. His hand and long fingers became claws and his feet more animal like and enlarged. Even his teeth became fang like and extended to his chin and his nose long and pointy. Then finally his hair was now all over his body and his newly grown tail, then with predator reflexes, jounced on top of Radix, his fangs digging deep into his shoulder.

Radix yelled in pain and began to transform as well into a ferocious looking beast who both rampaged aimlessly biting, scratching, and growling at one another while Cole jumped out of their way.

Maddox and Radix were head to head, trying to push the other into their death. They both were proportionately the size they were in normal form, Maddox slightly bigger, but Radix younger and more brisk. With each step either one took, it felt as if the dimension was one step closer to destruction.

Both parties were using every ounce of strength that they had, but they were evenly matched. Then a thought hit Cole. Maddox's strength is limited…and chances are that he will be the first to run out of energy…but he still had his scepter, so if he could just…no…it was too crazy of an idea, he could never pull it off…but Cole had this gut feeling he could not shake off.

Then he looked at his friends, immobile by many heavy chains binding them defenselessly. He could not let them die, so against all better judgment, he made a decision.

Cole aimed his scepter towards Maddox, he could tell his strength was running thin. Then with one single flare of light from the rod, Cole released all of the energy within it at the larger beast.

Maddox glowed with rejuvenation and a new found strength within him. Cole fell to his knees, he had successfully given Maddox all of his remaining power. The large beast gave a cry of war, causing Radix to look at him in shock. Maddox was pushing him back…he could not hold his ground anymore. Then with this new strength, Maddox cocked his tail back and swung it at his opponent. Radix fell back unconscious and went back into his first form. Maddox roared in victory, but dizzily collapsed as well.

The plain was covered in smoke, Cole coughed loudly and his eyes watered from all of the debris. The haze began to fade and Cole held his scepter as a cane to hold him up long enough to see what had happened.

The first thing that caught his eye was Radix, hardly alive anymore. His armor was now gone as Maddox's was and there was a large rip in his shoulder from when Maddox bit him. He was bloodied and barely conscious.

"COLE!", he heard several voices yell in unison behind him. As he turned around he couldn't help but smile. It was the others. The chains Radix made must have dissolved when he went became weaker.

With teary eyes Cole ran to them and impulsively gave them all one big hug. A few hours ago he thought he would never see them again, and here they were. They were all reunited again and he swore to himself that he would never let them go. He was so happy, he didn't even notice the strength flowing through him again.

"I missed you all so much!", Cole said.

"We are very proud of you, Cole. You really handled this whole situation well.", Andrew said in his a-matter-of-factly tone. Cole had missed it so much.

"I wouldn't go that far." Cole said. He had not handled it very well at first.



For a moment, Drake looked reluctant to speak, "Cole…WHOA! I'm not barking anymore! Cole, I am so sorry and I will never doubt you again!", he smiled sincerely. It was that sincerity that made everything Cole went through worth while.

Cole then looked at Matt. He didn't know what to say to him, if they would have died, he knew Matt would be the one he would miss the most. But they didn't need to say anything to each other. Their relieved looks seemed to speak for themselves. His eyes said everything he wanted to say.

Almost on a cue, David opened his mouth once again, bringing everyone back to their grim reality. "Sorry to break this Kodak moment, but…", he pointed to Radix.

"Oh…", Cole said. "Radix! I don't know if you can hear me or not…but you have taken far too many lives to deserve to live. You are a menace to society and it is time for you to meet your end. On behalf of Saturn, I must grant you your last words."

Radix shook slightly and mumbled so softly it was a struggle to understand him. He made some sort of foreign sound.

"I cannot understand you, Radix.", Cole said firmly.

He mumbled incoherently again.

"You have one more chance, Radix. I do not have the time."

Radix made eerie eye contact with Cole that sent a slight chill down his back. "You…you'll…get yours…Sailor Saturn…"

Out of fear, Cole aimed his scepter at Radix, "SATURN---CELESTIAL---SAL--UU--TATION!" Out of his scepter came a single circle of light that devoured Radix into nothing, the 4 scepters released from his body and the dimension slowly faded away, Cole didn't even noticed, his last words scared him deeply.

The boys jumped happily, they were free now, they were back on Earth, the sky was blue around them, and though they were in a large crater, home couldn't have been better to them, Cole was oblivious to all of this however.



Cole heard a small noise in back of him at that moment which broke his daze. He turned around, and there he saw Maddox, hardly stronger than Radix was.

"Cole, hurry and kill him before he regains his strength!", Drake yelled. "He is no good!"

"I…", Cole quivered. Radix was one thing…but Maddox…in certain ways it was because of him that they lived…he was so defenseless…he just didn't have the heart to do it. "No…I can't do it."

"I understand, Cole. David and I will do it.", Drake said, they had their scepters back now and aimed them at Maddox.

"No! Stop! Please don't kill him!", Cole yelled.

"Cole, what is your problem!", David said. "You aren't defending this murderer are you?!"

"JUST GIVE ME A MOMENT ALONE WITH HIM!", Cole snapped.

The four became silent. "Take all the time you need buddy. We will be right over there.", Drake frowned as he and the others headed to the other side of the crater.

"You do not need to pretend you can't hear me anymore.", Cole said softly.

Maddox slowly opened his eyes. "Why have you not killed me. You have defeated me…now kill me."

Cole's eyes started to water, "Maddox, you know I cannot do that! You saved us!"

"I did not save any of you!", he yelled weakly. "Let me die with dignity! I do not wish to live anymore!"

"Maddox, you're a good person. You can be with us. You do not need to work for your master anymore."

"If you do not kill me, he will. It is over!", Maddox roared. He lifted his palm to Cole and sent a small sphere of energy at his leg.

Cole gritted his teeth, the attack gave him much pain.

Cole impulsively aimed his scepter at him. His hands quivered and a single tear streamed down his face. He dropped it to his side, he could not do it ,"Maddox, I know you did not mean that.", Cole said compassionately.

"KILL ME!", he roared, sending many tiny blasts at Cole, but he was so weak that they didn't even have power anymore.



Cole just looked at Maddox with great pity and walked away to his friends.

"YOU GET OVER HERE! DO NOT WALK AWAY FROM ME!", Maddox roared. He lifted himself up but collapsed. "KILL ME NOW!", Maddox pleaded. "DO NOT SAVE ME! COME BACK!", he cried, breaking down.



Cole had no idea what he had done when he spared Maddox…and he did not want to think about it. Maddox did not deserve to die in his mind. Almost everything he had done today was questionable, and in many ways it made him question his role as leader of the Sailor Soldiers…but for some strange reason unbeknownst to him…he knew that Maddox was a part of his destiny, he could feel it in his bones when he stood in front of him and stopped Radix from killing him. There are probably thousands of things that Cole would go back in time to change if he could…but saving Maddox would never be one of them.



**ending subject to change.