Second chances are precious and not to be squandered. From bustling Juban in the 20th century to a lonely asteroid in the far flung future, that is a lesson many know all too well. Anime Canon. Post-Stars. Written for the 30th Anniversary of the Rainbow Crystal story arc…and a few other characters too…

Chapter 2: Celebrating the Ties that Bind

In a glitzy gala a certain quartet enjoy their success . Beneath a tent a father and daughter enjoy the antics of another. And within the world's most glamorous desert two blunette's share a drink together.

Rated: T - Spiritual/Friendship - Words: 1,889 - Ayaskahi Sisters/Four Sisters, Nehellenia/Nephrenia, Rei's Grandfather, Ryo U./Greg

A/N: This chapter is in part a sequel to my other story 'Legacies' a.k.a. 'Revenge of the Last Commander'. Hopefully you don't NEED to have read it to follow along.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on my fic. Take care.

Amidst the stifling warmth of the gala venue, Koan drank in the party.

Calaveras clinked glasses of golden champagne with the Ralph Lauren and Estée Lauder marketing representatives.

Berthier was chatting away with the runway models around the ice sculptures.

Petz laughed huskily whilst posing in front of the gigantic poster proudly displaying a logo that read 'Spectre' in a luxurious black cursive-style font.

Koan huffed out a tiny laugh and shook her head. "All those years struggling to make ends meet and now we've finally made it." She turned her gaze upon the man to her left and smiled warmly. "Thanks to you."

The blond gentlemen held up a hand politely. "Please, what's a marketing man without a good product to sell?"

Koan shook her head again. "We had a good product for years. You were the one who woke people up to us."

The blond man gave a humble shrug. "I suppose I do have a knack for knowing how to work people's energy up about the latest thing."

"Speaking of which," Koan began, nonchalantly tracing her finger tip over the rim of her glass, "My sisters and I have been dreaming up a new fragrance for next year, Phantom."

"I like the name."

"As do we. But my sisters are a little busy finalising it and managing the day-to-day stuff, so I wondered if you and I could hash out specifics for Phantom's launch. Say…over dinner?"

Jadeite smiled.

"How about breakfast?"

"Sounds good to me."

Koan began to move off, but shot a glance over her shoulder. "Make sure you don't oversleep."

"I won't," Jadeite called after her, "Believe me, I've had enough sleep to last me a lifetime."

As she made a circuit through the venue, Koan gathered up her sisters one by one. Together they observed the gala and raised their glasses in unison.

"To Spectre," said Caleveras.

"To us," added Petz.

"To second chances?" queried Berthier.

"Yes," replied Koan, "and above all, to our friend who gave them to us."

With Koan's final word, the sisters drank heartily.

A young woman with bold, braided red hair and spiked shoulder pads stood at the centre of the ring, her voice carrying throughout the massive tent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the White Moon Circus is proud to present the Amazing Amazoness Quartet!"

An entire pride of lions could not have roared louder than the crowd as three more young women appeared almost out of thin air and began their performances.

From one of the middle row seats, Souichi adjusted his glasses, the better to observe the bright faced woman in blue who was simultaneously juggling whilst riding atop a giant ball. His vision clearer, he spotted the delighted expression on the ball balancer's face, a delight reflected in the features of the girl sitting next to him.

"How does she not fall off!" exclaimed Hotaru.

"I can explain the science for you on the way home," said Souichi, raising his voice as another round of applause broke out.

The applause was swiftly replaced by gasps as another of the quartet leapt from the centre of the tent and landed in the middle of a tightrope suspended high above the ring, executing several aerial flips en route. As Souichi watched the green clad acrobat proceed to cartwheel up and down the rope, he silently prayed his daughter wouldn't ask about this performer. Even his considerable scientific acumen was at a loss to explain her agility and balance, especially with the indescribable (and surely not aerodynamic) hair style she sported.

"Wow," Hotaru breathed out. "I wish the other kids at school could see this." She let out a gasp that was clearly not derived from the circus performers. "Papa, maybe we could arrange a field trip here?"

Souichi half-frowned, half-chuckled. "I don't know if circus trips are in line with the Infinity Academy's curriculum dear. And besides…" Souichi's voice grew quieter, "...I'd like it if this could be something just you and I do together."

A confused, inquisitive expression possessed Hotaru's features. "How come?"

Souchi smiled a sad smile. "Because it was at a circus like this that I…" he swallowed slightly, "...that I first met your mother."

The final member of the quartet passed by overhead upon a swinging trapeze, scattering a multitude of vivid purple flower petals into the air.

As the petals fell, as the crowd stood up, as cheers erupted under the big top, father and daughter remained seated, embracing one another in blissful silence.

One!"

All eyes in the bar turned to the tall, lean man with a mane of fiery orange hair standing upon the countertop, a glass raised in his hand.

"Two!" This time his cry was joined by half the patrons of the bar.

"THREE!" The entire bar joined in the cheer as another man with spikier fuchsia hair rang a bell. Before the echo of the last chime had faded into the air, the counter was swarmed by patrons.

As Hawk's Eye began pouring out drinks (and setting more than a few on fire), Tiger's Eye leapt from the counter, spun in the air and landed catlike upon the stage on the opposite end of the bar. Scooping up a guitar, he and his bandmates began playing, the music intermingling with the cacophony of cheer the establishment was already brimming with.

The infectious merriment was so raucous that Fish Eye wondered if the true owners of the hotel might actually ask them to tone it down. But then again, the Eclipse Bar was not so wild compared to other parts of Vegas. Nevertheless, the bar was wild enough that Fish Eye could hardly fail to notice the one patron who was not caught up in the party.

Whoever he was, he was clearly not from Vegas, or Earth for that matter. Fish Eye watched as the stranger slowly sipped his drink from his tiny table at the back of the bar, his piercing eyes travelling across the other patrons queuing at the counter. Fish Eye had the politeness to quit staring before the stranger's gaze reached his own seat. However, his curiosity getting the better of him, he took advantage of the bar's mirrored ceiling to continue watching the stranger from above.

Two minutes later, after hopping back and forth over the counter, Fish Eye strode up to the stranger and placed another margarita on the table.

"You know they call it happy hour for a reason right?"

The stranger gave a small smile. "I am happy. Really. It's just…It's been a long time since I was on Earth. A lot has changed since I was here last."

"I can relate," said Fish Eye taking a seat, "Me and my friends were 'away' from Earth for a long, long time. By the time we got back, the place was hardly recognisable, especially Tokyo. Or, Crystal Tokyo I should say."

"I haven't been there yet," said the stranger, momentarily lost in his drink, "When I was here last I sort of upset an old friend of mine and… well lets just say I didn't exactly make a good impression on his new ones."

"Oh, tell me about it," chirped Fish Eye, "The only people I really know on Earth live in Crystal Tokyo, and me and my friends gave them a lot of trouble when we were here last. But you know," Fish Eye leaned in, locking eyes with the stranger, "you'd be surprised what people are willing to forgive and forget about, provided you are sincere of course. My friends in Tokyo certainly did. Maybe yours will too?"

Fish Eye's warm smile was met with a stoic silence from the stranger. He was clearly contemplating something and Fish Eye wondered if perhaps he had made a mistake in dishing out personal life advice; or by even coming over at all. But then, thankfully, the stranger returned the smile.

"I think maybe they will."

Fish Eye's face lit up. "Then let's drink to it!"

The stranger gave an affirmative nod. "Lets!"

The pair gripped their glasses.

"One. Tw-"

"Why are you counting like that?"

Fish Eye was taken aback by the stranger's interruption. "Come again?"

"You are counting up to three? Aren't you supposed to count down?"

Fish Eye giggled. "Sorry, force of habit from an old job."

The stranger shook his head. "I like it, let's do it your way."

"Alrighty! One. Two. Three!"

The pair knocked back their drinks, banged the table as they went down and chuckled in the not entirely pleasant aftertaste.

"I think that calls for another round," said Fish Eye, "Come on!"

He led the stranger back to the counter with the other patrons and hopped over the counter.

"Are you allowed to do that?" asked the stranger.

"I'm friends with the owner, so you can put that away," Fish Eye nodded towards the cash in the stranger's hand.

"Please I-"

"Forget it…er…" Fish Eye giggled, "Jeez, I must have had one too many. I'm usually really good as getting to know strangers but I totally forgot to introduce myself or even ask your name. I'm Fish Eye."

He held out a hand to the fellow blunette.

"Nice to meet you, Fish Eye. I'm Fiore."

A/N: Just to let you know I am involved in a discord called 'Moonlight Legends' which is dedicated to sharing all sorts of Sailor Moon fanworks, including other fanfics. If you would like to join so you can share your own work, get help with your current projects or just connect to other fan creators shoot me a PM and I'll send you an invite. All are welcome!