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SAILOR MOON ETERNAL

"The 6th Season of the Sailor Moon Saga"

By Haruka Kou

Chapter 14: Take My Hand...Never Let Go

"Amara!" Michelle's sweet voice rings through the night, down the darkened ally, where her eyes look up to see Sayer's Fighter form cradling her dearest friend's still body in his arms. Running as never before, the closer Michelle comes the more obvious the look of dazed shock on Fighter's face beams in the moonlight. Falling to her knees, Michelle throws herself on her motionless partner, sobbing uncontrollably. Reaching out to console her, Robin and Michelle both suddenly stop in mid motion. "She's still alive!" Michelle cries out. Her link with her dying cousin, as yet unbroken. Michelle puts her ear to Amara's bloody chest, her aqua hair becoming soaked with it, as the faintest of faint heartbeats could still be heard. "Robin! Do something! Do something!" Michelle's desperate screeches pierce through his soul.

What can I do? His mind races. Alex, we can't lose you! Michelle wouldn't be the same without you. But I don't- Suddenly he turns to the silent girl trembling in a corner of the alley.

"Evelyna. Your family comes from the most ancient bloodlines of our planet. Long ago, they had the powers to heal. Your unexplained abilities have been handed down from that. Maybe you can…" Robin says quickly, in one breath, aware that time was dwindling.

"Healer, I—I can't…." The uncertain waif stammers, never believing in her own abilities.

"Please try, Evelyna," Michelle cries softly in her mind as the girl still stands hesitant.
"DO IT," An ominous voice in the darkness gives her a final push. Kneeling to Uranus, Evelyna places a hand on her chest and closes her eyes. At first nothing, then slowly a greenish white light begins to glow from her hands. Points of light travel down her fingers, reaching into Alex's wound, pulling, pulling.

I have to close this wound. It's not working! I can't heal! I haven't the strength! Evelyna's green light begins to flicker and grow dim, when Sailor Star Healer's hand then suddenly presses on top of hers.

"Use my energy," Robin closes his eyes, sending his powers to her, and the light glows brightly again.

Focus. Focus.

The hole in Alex's chest throbs with power, the light continuing to throb, threatening to let go, until Michelle's hand joins theirs, adding her strength as well as her enormous love energy for her dying friend.

The wound disappears in a burst of white light. Her job finished, her all given, Evelyna sinks away, Healer catching her fainting form in his arms. Slowly, Alex's nonexistent breathing begins to intensify. She gasps for air, and her eyes flutter open to see Michelle's tearful ones.

"Michelle," she whispers, her voice still weak, as she struggles to raise her hand to her beloved's cheek, Michelle guiding it the rest of the way, kissing her hand caressingly, too overcome to speak. All that needed to be said passes between them silently. Turning, Alex brings her other hand to Fighter's face, her heart filling with joy in the knowledge that she still had time left. Still weakened, she feels her strength slowly returning, and along with it, comes her sense of humor.

"I'm glad I didn't die. I was already changing my mind about that promise I forced you to make." Alex's eyes look playfully up at Sayer who wipes away his tears, feeling a bit shell shocked, but still he was always ready to tease back.

"Which one? When I was carrying you around before, you made quite a few interesting requests, Ally. Some I might take you up on later…" His eyebrows raise flirtatiously, as Alex's cheeks flash red, picking up his drift.

"What requests? What did I say?" her voice grows stronger as she lifts her head to look Fighter in the eye, removing her hand quickly from his cheek, like pulling away from fire.

"I don't think you really want me to repeat them in mixed company. I'll tell you later when we're alone." Sayer winks and now it was Alex's turn to raise her eyebrows at the amorous thoughts. Michelle tries to suppress a giggle, joyous beyond words to see Amara well enough to feud with Sayer again.

Suddenly an explosion of light breaks through the sky to the east of them, accompanied by a deathly thunderous roar. The five soldiers gathered look up, then to each other, knowing full well what they must do.

Am I dead? Terry opens his eyes looking up at the fiery flames, seemingly paused around him, fixed in midair, though not a single one was touching him. Before him, suspended in the air, was his Susan, aglow, radiant in a violet light. My angel. Certain he was no longer in the world of the living, Terry reaches out to her, believing she was no more than his cherished vision of a heavenly messenger. "Susan, my love," Terry smiles up at her, sadly, but meeting her eyes, he finds them strangely unexpectedly, filled with fear and sorrow.

"Hurry. Time is short. Leave this place, I could not stop the dragon, only Time. Leave now, please," her voice commanding, fearing for his safety alone, Maker does not comprehend her words. No hope for the two of them alone against the power of such a beast, he calls out to her. The joy of being alive mingled with desperation.

"Pluto! Come! We'll return with the others," He doesn't understand why she remains still and unmoving.

"I cannot. It is Time. Farewell, my Darling," she whispers, floating down to him. Raising her Garnet Rod, she prepares to teleport him away. Seeing this, Maker quickly envelops Sailor Pluto in his arms as Time resumes it's course, the dragon's searing flames encompassing where they stood a moment before had faded, and Maker with Pluto wrapped in his arms reappears not too far away, hidden amongst a grove of trees in the darkness. Hearing the monster's thunderous footsteps, knowing that soon they would be found, Maker pulls at Pluto for an escape, but finds the soft touch of her body different from that he remembers so well, changing. Looking down, he sees his beloved Susan beginning to fade away.

"Susan?" he whispers, looking into her fuschia eyes, kneeling with her to the ground, confused.

"I have used my forbidden power. I am prepared to accept Time's punishment," she says solemnly in a small voice, just meeting his eyes.

"Punishment?" Terry's heart fills with dread.

"I can no longer be….a part of this world. Only my own. I'll be fine, as long as you're safe." A single tear falls down her cheek as she touches her face caressingly, her hand ghostly.

"Susan," Terry's low voice trembles. "Why did you?….." Overcome, his eyes filled with painful tears, "Don't leave me."

"Remember our song. And that I will love you…through eternity," her body disappearing in his strong arms, the memories of the short times they shared together part of her soul forever. Susan de Venici gazes up into his eyes once more. As this green world fades away, Susan has but one regret. A painfully important one to her lonely soul. "I was wrong. I should have let you say it. I need to hear you say it…before I go…" Susan's voice fading, in the final stages, her body all but gone, but Terry understands her perfectly.

"Susan, I love you." His voice filled with passion and emotion for the woman slipping away in his arms, his need to say it, was as great as hers was to hear it. Unsure if his words made it to her in time though, Star Maker could almost see the faint trace of a smile upon her sweet lips as taken from his arms she is returned to the lonely world demanded of her, where Time was her only companion.

"No," he whispers softly, his arms now empty. "NO!" Maker screams in agony, tears falling freely, despair, hopelessness, and anger at the one responsible for his loss, welling up in his soul. Terry rises to his feet, a low rumble escaping his throat, every bit as threatening as the dragon's roars behind him. Turning towards the danger, blinded by anger and vengeance, Maker rushes towards the creature, standing directly in its path, the fate of neither his body or soul important to him after losing the most precious piece of his heart. Maker unshakenly looks up, a murderous intent in his violet eyes.

"STAR BLAZING UTERUS!" he cries out, as never before, at the full killing setting, but the broiling acid shoots past the creature, hitting it's intended invisible target squarely, and the man controlling the dragon falls to the ground with a mighty crash.

"How did you—!" Nastrus begins to question, his forcefield obliterated beyond repair. Seeing the crazed look in Maker's eyes, he realizes this was no longer a mere enemy, but one intent on his demise. "Dragon destroy!" Fearing for himself, cowardly, Nastrus hides behind the deadly creature, that his evil energy had created. No longer caring of the worthless Royal Class, who would now bow before him and his great power, as the dragon launches its attacks on Terry.

Racing up to the shadow looming over the parkland, the Sailor Soldiers watch their own Sailor Pluto's heart wrenching fading in the distance. The sacrifice she made for the man whose usual gentle voice cries out in despair for the love he just lost. Maker, filled with rage, turns attacking the beast and its master, but it becomes increasingly more obvious as the dragon sets the forest aflame around Maker that his attempts would be futile. His brother in danger, instinctively, Fighter takes off, pausing for a moment, when he realizes the delicate condition of the woman (under protest) still in his arms.

"What are you waiting for!" Uranus' stern voice yells. "Put me down," she struggles in his arms.

"'U…'" he starts to object.

"Put me down!" she screams loudly in his ear. Star Fighter puts her down as ordered. Defiantly, Uranus stands, her fist reaching to the skies for power, but still weakened her hand wavers in the air, until Fighter's grasps it. Holding both their arms up high, Uranus smiles feeling his energy strengthening her.

"STAR SERIOUS…SHAKING!" Their powers merge to form a huge blast, the ground beneath it's path, exploding with their combined raw energy, hitting the dragon hard in its underbelly, as it lets out a mighty roar, turning away from a cornered Maker.

"I wondered when the rest of "Your Royal Highnesses" would grace us with your presence," Nastrus shouts in disgust, appearing behind Fighter and Uranus, with a new staff raised over them, about to strike. Coming right out of their attack, neither of them was ready for this surprise from behind. "I see Jarrod did not finish off the job." His scepter sizzling with magical energy, Nastrus swings it at them, bringing it's deadly pulse down.

SMASH! A metal bow staff, electrified with it's own energy blocks the unforgiving blow.

"That's COMMANDER Jarrod to you, Nastrus," Jarrod's no nonsense voice echoes across the battle field. "You've misled my mind with your evil ambitions, my jealousy making me weak. No longer. I will not allow you to harm these people." The finest warrior the planet of Janus strikes out at Nastrus, blow by powerful blow, knocking the coward to the ground.

"Traitor as well, Jarrod! What would Fireball say?" Nastrus taunts, knowing his adversary's mindset well.

"She would say I was wrong, Magician. And that you are a blaggart!" Jarrod smashes his javelin to the ground, inches from Nastrus' head, intending it as a threat, not a death blow, or he would not have missed. Nastrus laughs as he simply teleports away.

"Losing your touch, Old Timer."

"My touch, perhaps, but no longer my principles!" Jarrod turns to the two sailors standing behind him. "Forgive my foolhardy jealousies, young Soldier. I have no hand in your affairs, I was wrong," Coming from such a proud man it truly meant something to admit his inadequacies to another, finding it easy to make enemies, but hard to forgive, Fighter narrows his eyes at the man before him.

Jarrod then turns his gaze to Uranus. "I have never encountered a warrior as well matched to myself as you, Sailor of the Planet Uranus." He bows down at her feet, subserviently, taking her hand. "No I am wrong again. You are far better, for you have a greater heart." She exchanges a look with Fighter, who puts his hand on Jarrod's shoulder.

"Hey, I've got a brother to save and a dragon to slay. I wouldn't mind the "two greatest warriors" in the galaxy at my side," Fighter offers his infamous smile to them as he sprints off towards the blazing inferno surrounding Star Maker. Glancing at each other, Sailor Uranus and Commander Jarrod follow him side by side into the raging battle.

"DEEP SUBMERGE!" An ocean of water sweeps over the flames, dousing them, steam rising from the hot tar, Sailor Neptune and Sailor Star Healer enter the battle.

"STAR SENSITIVE INFERNO!" Healer aims some cold fire of his own at the dragon towering over them. "What kind of creature is this?" Healer asks in astonishment when his attack takes no effect on it. Fighter runs to Maker's fallen form, helping his brother to his feet, but there were burns scarring his body.
"Let's find out," Michelle calls to Healer, her mirrored talisman appearing in her hands.

"SUBMARINE REFLECTION!" The power of the mirror's reflection shines, revealing the true nature of its evil, the monstrous dragon for a moment flickering back into the small statue, a jewelled ruby on its stone belly.

"Hit it's underside!" Maker's voice calls, realizing the ruby on the creature must be it's power source. Summoning up his energy, he shoots at the dragon's weak point.

"STAR GENTLE UTERUS!" Maker shouts, the creature shrieking in pain. Falling from his perch overhead in a tree, Nastrus cries out simultaneously, his summoning linking him to the evil creature.

"He's connected to the dragon!" Neptune runs to his aid, believing him possessed. And he was—possessed by the promise of power-as rising to his feet, he shoves her away, an energy field surrounding him.

"I am tired of being trodden upon by the inferior! I will destroy this worthless star you treasure so. For always thinking you were smarter than me, Teacher, I will show you who holds the more intelligence!" Floating in his energy ball to the wicked dragon, Nastrus touches it's ruby heart. "You and I are now one!" Nastrus' human form walks into the huge ruby, his body dissolving as he merges with the creature. Strange demented laughter comes from the monster's sharp-fanged mouth, laser fire now shooting from his crimson eyes.

Running from out of nowhere, Evelyna bravely charges in, knocking Neptune out of the way as they both fall to the earth unharmed. Fighter, armed with Jarrod's bo-staff, Commander Jarrod with a mace type weapon, the two of them fend off the dragon's snapping teeth as Uranus and Healer aim their attacks, blocking the incoming electro bolts from its eyes.

Despite the burns all over his body, despite his power being drained, in spite of the pain in his heart, Maker struggles on, pooling his energy fueled by his anger, impassioned by his love, he directs his power to the creature's ruby heart once again.

"STAR GENTLE…"he starts fully prepared to destroy what had taken away so much from him. For you, Susan. Suddenly the dragon falls back, convulsing on its own, it's all the soldiers can do to keep out of the way of its swishing tail and it's thrashing blows as it falls to the earth, screeching in agony.

"Help!" They could hear Nastrus' pompous voice now terrified and small. "Such evil! Such evil! I can't control it! I CAN'T! AHHHHH!" His voice in its final death throes are a painful reminder of how unchecked power corrupts, how evil power destroys. Now rid of the human nuisance, the dragon rises up from the ashes the evil wickedness glowing in its eyes, proof of it's reestablished powers.

Drained of all their energy, fighting with all they have left, the Sailor Soldiers gathered prepare themselves for the struggle to protect the innocents of this world—of any world. Their one true mission, even if it meant their deaths. The dragon roars ferociously, filled with the evil spirits of time immemorial; ready to take it's vengeance upon this living world.

Suddenly a reddish light envelops them all. Screaming, shrieking, roaring, the dragon writhes on the ground, thrashing to and fro as if trying to resist a power even greater than itself. In a bright blinding flash, the huge Shadow Dragon disappears. In its place, cracked and broken, though it's red ruby still untouched, lies the innocent looking statue—all that remained of the fiery creature, and the poor misguided man that had foolishly become part of it.

Standing there, all blinking in shock, Jarrod, Evelyna and the five soldiers look up at the empty battlefield before them. Their enemy mysteriously vanquished for them. All at once a familiar scent wafts to them on the wind and suddenly appearing in all her beauty and splendor, the Princess Fireball drifts from the night sky to stand before them, aglow in that crimson light.

"Nice entrance, 'Ball," Fighter winks playfully, aiming his finger at his royal "sister."

"Always ready with a witticism, my Fighter?" Fireball caresses his cheek lovingly, her eyes locking with Uranus for a second, and they respectfully nod to each other.

"Healer, I see your charge has blossomed into a fine soldier. I would ask you to watch over this for me, Evelyna, for it is the responsibility of my ancient ancestors to guard over this evil." The statue of the dragon rises to Fireball's outstretched hands, the evil is sealed once again as the ancients did long ago.

"I will entrust it to your care, if you still would like to be a soldier in my army," wise Fireball gives to the young girl the decision to make for herself.

"Yes, I would be honored. Now that I have the perfect model of a soldier to look up to," Evelyna smiles sweetly at Michelle, who soul fills with pride at the compliment.

"That's sweet of you to say," Sailor Neptune smiles back, reaching out and taking Robin's hand proudly.

Seeing this, Princess Fireball lifts their coupled hands to the light. "The joining of our galaxies. How fitting." She smiles at the symbol. "Keep your love shining." She says, a tear in her eye at the loss she knows of her sweet Healer, but it was a tear of joy now, finding their bond so strong.

"So sad, Maker," she brushes his mussed hair from his eyes. "Don't let it stay like this for long," she tries to comfort him, in watching over them she was aware of the source of his sorrows.

"Commander Jarrod," she turns to the leader of her army, her face, her voice, masking her emotions. Jarrod falls to his knees, speechless, his eyes closed in deference to his queen, not knowing how else to explain his unforgivable behavior. I could never stand between her and her happiness. He remembers moments ago how she had touched the boy's face caressingly, reinforcing his thoughts, no longer jealous, but now hopeless and lost.

"I am glad things turned out as they did. I would not liked to have lost my finest warrior." Thinking she was speaking of Star Fighter, Jarrod nods respectfully, seeing the boy's worth in battle, still keeping his eyes down.

"Your majesty, forgive my countless mistakes. If it is the boy you wanted I should never have meddled in your affairs." He begs the forgiveness of the woman he was in love with. Her eyes open for the first time, at the source of his standoffish behavior with her. Fireball smiles.

"I was speaking of you, Commander. You who are my finest warrior." She takes his hands pulling him to his feet. Standing, towering over her dainty form, Jarrod brings his eyes to meet hers, finding something quite extraordinary in them, hope warming his cold heart.

"All this trouble-just for me?" She whispers. "I am flattered," the Princess smiles timidly at her general.

"Well-I….." for once this serious man stumbles over his words, a sweet shyness coming across his stern features, making him even more handsome in Fireball's eyes.

"Not too bad, old man," Sayer pokes Jarrod in the ribs, obviously still smarting from the older man calling him a boy.

"Fighter — your manners," Fireball reprimands her youngest charge. The youngest, yet he was also growing up and leaving home. She looks at Uranus again, the golden-haired woman, standing bruised, battered and bloody, her uniform torn to shreds, but still there was a defiance about her.

Yes, I believe she can handle my wild one. Fireball smiles at her. "Take care of him, my dear," she smiles as she signals to Evelyna and Jarrod and they gather in her energy field. "Goodbye, my loves," she whispers, waving as in the energy bubble, they float away into the dark night sky. Fireball and Jarrod gazing into each other's eyes.

"Why does every woman in the galaxy ask me to take care of you!" Alex asks indignantly as they disappear from sight. Shrugging his shoulders, Fighter suddenly notices something amiss.

"Where's Terry?" He asks worriedly.

Scanning the battered park lands, four pairs of eyes rest on Maker's still form, kneeling to the ground where he last held Susan in his arms. Rushing to him our group of soldiers know what is exactly on Maker's tormented mind.

"Why did I let her go?" He asks the stars, tears in his eyes. "This world she spoke of - where could she be? Where is it?" He looks pleadingly up at Neptune and Uranus.

"The Doorway of Time. She used the power forbidden to her. Time forgave her once -to raise Tara- it won't again." Sadly, Alex remembers that time Susan sacrificed for the two of them. Neither she nor Neptune would be here right now if not for that unselfish woman.

"How do I get there?" Maker stands tall, a determined look in his eye despite her words.

"There's no way you can! Only Pluto…" Neptune starts to explain sadly, when Uranus cuts her off.

"The child." She says simply, filling Terry's soul with hope. "The Princess' child has a key to the doorway as well."

"Princess' child!" Fighter asks, unbelieving his ears. "Do you mean 'Meatball'?"

"YES, 'Meatball'", Uranus nods with a knowing smirk, then turns back to Maker.

"The little pink rabbit you met as her "little sister"? RINI is their daughter."

"Take me to her, please," Maker questions nothing, only asking Neptune and Uranus to lead him to her. They nod understanding his feelings, though still uncertain he could do anything about it.

"Let's go," Neptune takes the lead off towards Serena's house, Maker and Healer at her side. About to sprint off after them, Uranus suddenly feels dizziness coming over her, the night's battle proving too much just to sweep aside. And embarrassingly, she wavers in her stance. Her soul determined, but her body was threatening to faint.

"Whoa! Ally!" Seeing this, Fighter comes to her rescue, lifting her up in his arms.

"What are you doing! I don't need you to carry me!" She tries to gain control of her senses, attempting to pull out of his grasp again and stand on her own two feet.

"Yes-you-do!" Fighter begs to differ.

"No-I-don't!" Uranus won't give up without a fight.

"Yes-you-do!" He squeezes her tighter.

"No-I—" their arguing adding to her dizziness, Alex just could not hold out any longer and she faints, her head falling peacefully to Fighter's chest.

"See. I told you so," Smirking smugly, Fighter races off after his teammates to catch up, the unconscious Sailor Uranus lying comfortably in his arms. He won the battle this time, but it was definitely not something he should become too accustomed to.

Mr. And Mrs. Hart returned home late, exhausted and happy to find the house quiet and at peace. Peeking in their respective rooms, gazes down lovingly at two pink-haired cherubs belonging to her "just-married" daughter and her son-in-law, albeit far into the future, making them, in reality, her grandchildren. But at this present moment, blissful ignorance the call of the day, Irene Hart blows a motherly kiss to her growing son in his messy bedroom. Going to the girl's room, she tucks in little RiRi, wiping the chocolate from her chubby cheeks, then pulls the covers up over Rini and Tara, who were bunking together.

Sweet girl, that Tara. Mrs. Hart strokes her delicate head, really not knowing much about the child, save that she was motherless. Her father was continually on important business somewhere in Switzerland. I'm glad my Rini could be a friend to you. She smiles at the two girls slumbering forms. Turning off the light, she leaves the room.

"Good night, my dears," she whispers, closing the door behind her.

The minute she does, Rini's one eye pops open mischievously. "Told you we could fool her," Rini giggles, whipping out potato chips, cookies, and magazines not quite appropriate for their young eyes, plus the handy flashlight from under the pillow.

"Is it right to do that, Rini? Maybe we should go to sleep…" Sweet Tara was raised an obedient child, unlike Rini (As you can imagine from her parentage), who was not necessarily unruly, simply playful.

"Come on! Sleepovers are supposed to be fun! Oooooh, look at this guy? Isn't he hunky?" Growing older for Rini also meant growing more and more interested in boys. It was all just in fun though, her little heart already belonging to a certain golden-horned young man from a dream world.

"Where did you get these, Rini?" Tara asks curiously as Rini leafs through the Teen Magazines aimed at teenage girls with fluttering hearts.

"Oh, I found them under Serena's bed when we were packing before," Rini says nonchalantly, chomping on a cookie, crumbs falling everywhere.

"What did she say when you took them?" Tara whispers, picking one up to join his friend's "fun".

"I didn't tell her," Rini giggles mysteriously, then stops at a particular poster page. "Hey! Look, it's—" she starts, holding it out for Tara to see, not expecting her friend to rip the magazine from her hands.

"Terry!" Tara excitedly exclaims, holding the poster up in the air, her heart aflutter at his handsome Three Lights suit and tie.

"Lemme see! Lemme see!" Rini grabs it nosily, anxious to see anything of her "Terry". Turning the page, she sees Robin's blue suit to match, dismissing it, she quickly turns the page again and frowns. "Where's the other one? They always come in threes. See: THREE Lights." Rini points back at Terry's picture's inscription as Tara takes the book back, studying it intently.

"I think it's been ripped out," Tara answers Rini's question vaguely, gazing at her poster of Terry again. She hugs it to her, like a long-lost treasure.

"Why would Serena rip HIS out and not the others!" Rini's lip twists at the damning evidence against her future mother.

"Maybe because she has good taste," a voice surprises them in the darkness. The two girls are about to let off terrified screams but are stopped by two figures easily hopping through the open window, covering Rini and Tara's shocked open mouths.

"Why did you do that, you idiot? Don't you know you'd scare them like that!" One voice yells at another. Thinking they were under attack, Rini does what any good little soldier would do to the whispering kidnapper holding her mouth shut. She bites down hard.

"AH—!" Healer almost screams, but holds the muffled sound back through gritted teeth.

Recognizing the voice, Rini fumbles for her flashlight, shining it directly in his eyes.

"Oh. Sorry." Her apology not sounding very apologetic. "What's happened?" Her voice becoming fearful as Fighter squeezes into the window holding an unconscious Uranus.

"She fainted in my arms, cool, huh?" He smiles at the pink-hair imp who he now knew was the 'meatball's' little brat. Rini rolls her eyes at him, with a sigh. As immature as ever, she thinks to herself, always a bit too old for her young age.

"There was a battle, Rini. Uranus was seriously wounded. But she's all right now, just weak." Neptune brushes her partner's hair back from her sleeping eyes.

Recognizing the third Starlight as the man she knew as Terry, Tara instinctively rushes to him.

"You're hurt," she whispers, concerned to Maker, as he comes in. "Here, let me." She touches Maker's skin where the flames had left burnt welts, the burns disappearing and healing as she does.

"It's nothing." Star Maker's male attitude still trapped inside his female body as he brushes her off, turning to Rini.

"Miss Rini, you may not know who I am, but I am asking you - no, I am begging of you, a favor," his voice serious, Rini nods her head at him solemnly. "I am told you have in your possession a key to which you can travel to the Doorway of Time. Please, may I have it?" Maker's voice is breathy, filled with emotion.

"Oh, I…." Rini pauses, she would gladly give her beloved Teacher anything, trusting even his past self implicitly, but it was he and Pluto both, in the future, who she swore to never impart the key to anyone -anyone at all.

"Please, child. Susan -Sailor Pluto- exchanged her freedom from this doorway for my life. I must do all in my power to release her from it." Terry pleads with the young twelve year old girl, his fate and his future, depending on her answer.

At the mention of Pluto's name, Rini begins to worry for her sweet guardian. But isn't this exactly what you warned me against, Puu? If I give the key to Terry-papa, the future might change. I wasn't here the last time to give it to him in the first place. But if I don't give it to him everything might change too! Puu! What do I do! I wish Serena was here. And Darien too. They would know what to do. My first command decision on my own. And I have to decide your fate, Puu. HELP! Fearing a time loop, Rini confusedly looks into Star Maker's clear purple eyes.

Eyes filled with love for her Puu and Rini's choice is made. Reaching down to the chain strung around her neck, Rini tugs at it hard, breaking the secured clasps keeping it firmly in place.

"Terry-papa," Rini whispers as she hands over the powerful little object, forgetting her time and place, only knowing she would trust this brave soldier, of all people, with the future.

"Thank you," Terry says as he turns to the window, the key of Time gripped firmly in his hand.

"Maker, wait!" Tara suddenly breaks her silence, putting her hand on his arm. Her kind soul already filled with remorse for saying those terrible things to sweet Susan. Tara's heart feels itself about to break open, hearing of her friend's unselfish sacrifice. Time sent her here to care for me, and I was so cruel to her. The fact that she may never see Pluto again, to never have the chance to say she was sorry cuts deep into her sorrowful little soul. Seeing the intent look in Terry's eyes, Tara knew that he was in love with Susan.

I'm glad, Susan. Truly I'm glad. I've been selfish. Tears falling down her cheeks, at her unforgivable behavior towards her gentle guardian, Tara continues on in a whisper.

"Please bring her back." Her violet eyes look up hopefully into Maker's.

Lightly he touches her hand. "I will." Terry says confidently, purposefully, looking out into the stars. "No matter what it takes." In a flash he jumps out the window into the dark, indeterminate night, with nothing but a small key and the light of love shining in his heart to guide his path.

"Hey! Who was that! Who are all of you!" Sammy's quizzical voice comes from his spying hole near the top of the stairwell. Looking at each other, the Sailor Soldiers gathered exchange guilty "found-out" glances.

"Oh, what the heck. He's 'Meatball's' brother, isn't he?" Fighter smiles, ready to spill.

"He'd probably find out sooner or later anyway," Neptune looks to Healer who shrugs his shoulders. Not appreciating these strangely dressed Sailors (they were obviously Sailors, Sammy was an expert) continue to talk as if he wasn't there, Sammy butts in, wondering what they were all doing in his house, with a thousand questions to the conversation he just overheard.

"Find out what, Rini!" Sammy shouts at his would-be "sister." Sighing, Rini pats the bed next to her.

"You'd better sit down, Sammy. It's a long, long story," she says, as the rest of the soldiers rudely take their leave without a word, leaving her and Tara holding the bag to explain just what secrets they've been holding back from this nosy young boy.

Maker races through the deserted streets, his heart beating wildly. Can I save her? No, I mustn't even think of failing! I will save her! I must!

When he finds no one around, he holds the Time Key up and silently begging for it to work, he cries, "Doorway of Time, Open for me!" Then in front of him, the mists swirl, then part to reveal a huge door with columns which he promptly flings open. As he steps inside, everything disappears. All he sees are clouds, mists and darkness. Those beautiful Maker eyes scan the area for her, but he could see nothing. As Terry walks deeper into the fog, he suddenly hears her voice, and his heart jumps with relief and longing. He starts to smile, but then finds himself defending from a fierce blow of her Time Rod. Shocked, Star Maker keeps dodging the attacks, not wanting to hurt her—How could I? I love her. Finally, after he manages to escape from her again, he calls her name, "Susan!"

She stops and seems to suddenly see him, as if for the first time.

"Terry?" Sailor Pluto whispers, she could not think it him.

"Yes." He says with relief, "yes, it's me," and he steps closer to her. She throws down her Rod and runs into his arms. He holds her close protectively and buries his face in her hair. Feeling her warm tears on his neck, Maker caresses her face. Pluto breaks the joyful silence first.

"How did you find me? Why did you come here?" Her questions spill out all at once, still held tenderly in his arms. He holds her face.

"Because I love you. For you I would do anything. Anything. I would give everything I have for you. Nothing in this universe could keep me from you." As his words sink in, Susan feels her eyes fill with tears.

How I love you! But there is nothing to be done. Nothing. Now that she had used her forbidden power, she must forever remain in the doorway. Her solitary life was overwhelming her now that she had experienced love. Susan hears Terry's deep voice murmuring something to her as she snaps out of her reverie.

"It will be all right. I will take care of you. No matter what, I'll protect you. But you must let me do what I have to. Do you understand?"

She barely hears him, so lost she felt, but she trusted him, trusted him with her life, her soul, her heart. So Pluto nods and he kisses her desperately, passionately.

If this is a dream, I never want to awaken. But then, he lets go and she feels his warm arms leave her. All alone, Susan feels frightened as Terry steps forward, away from her. He picks up her Garnet Rod and turns back towards her. Pluto sees his beautiful warm smile. That one he gives only to me, as he holds the staff out to her. She takes it questioningly, but trusted him so, saying not a word. Maker chooses his next words to her carefully, so she could not think what he was going to do, yet still be able to understand him fully.

"You'll need this to protect yourself now," as their hands brush for what he thinks will be the last time.

Thinking he only meant she would have to watch out for him and her both at this time, though she didn't know against what, Susan obeys him completely and remains where she stands. He turns away and calls out.

"Mists of Time, answer my plea!" Immediately Susan feels a chill. Surprised, she wants to run to him, but checks herself and instead hears a ghostly yet deep voice, or was it many voices? And high? She could not tell anymore, it only seemed to be everywhere and every time. She feels smothered by it and wonders how her beloved could bear it. Susan wants him to hold her, reassure her and love her, yet she could only stand still, lost in the voices. Though she had been here for over a millennia, Sailor Pluto had never heard them before and feels paralyzed, so in tune with time as she was.

Terry is surprised at first, but does not reveal it, so used to strange things, he always remained calm. Standing his ground as the voice booms, "WHO DARES CALL FOR TIME ITSELF!" Terry feels this wasn't going too well. Holding out his hands he says, "I am Sailor Star Maker, and want to ask a favor of you, Great Time. In fact, what I ask may be beneficial to us both. Please grant me the audience with you I request." Maker lowers his head in respect.

Susan doesn't know what to make of all this. Time was not merciful, as she knew firsthand, and her soul trembles, frightened for her love.

"AUDIENCE IS GRANTED, SAILOR STAR MAKER. STATE YOUR FAVOR AND IT WILL BE JUDGED." The voices bellow. Terry takes a deep breath and begins.

"Great Time, I have come to offer my services as the Keeper of Time, in exchange for that of this woman before you. It was I for whom she used her forbidden power and was so punished. She saved my life in exchange for her freedom and so I request that I be taken in her place."

"YOUR REQUEST HAS BEEN HEARD AND ACCEPTED. PREPARE, STAR MAKER."

Sailor Pluto dashes forward. "NO!" She exclaims, "Terry, no don't do this! I don't want you to do this! I'm not worth it. You've never known imprisonment like I have. You won't survive it. I won't let you do this for me!" She clings to him, looking up at him pleadingly. "Please don't. I don't want you to exchange places with me." She turns to the cool mists. "Don't allow it, Great Time. Please release him and forgive his impudence. I will serve your forever gratefully if you let him go," she begs. Terry stops her there, and takes her shoulders, gently but firmly.

"Susan, let me do this. I know what I'm doing. Remember your promise." Susan vaguely remembers agreeing to something he had said before. But I didn't know he meant this!
"Terry no! I can't let you…." He gently presses his fingers to her lips and kisses her forehead tenderly.

"For you I will give everything." Is all he says, but the way he looks at her and the emotion of his voice drives her into silence, tears welling in her lovely eyes. He would do this for me? Susan's heart weeps, Just for me. She couldn't believe that anyone cared for her so much. No one ever has, and now this special young man loves me. Love with such intensity that he was going to give up his life and freedom all for her. She falls to her knees and weeps openly, emotion sweeping over her.

He kneels and takes her in his arms, kissing her face, then he whispers gently, "Remember that I will always love you. You are my everything. You are my Princess." Then he slowly takes her hand and tenderly kisses it. Susan couldn't say anything, only feel. With one last loving look at her, Terry says, "Forgive me for loving you." Then stands and chokingly speaks. "I am ready."

The mists swirl furiously around him, and Susan watches in awe and sorrow as her beloved Terry is lifted and the invisible bonds which encircled her wrists now fade and clasp around his. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she hears Time say, "YOUR REQUEST HAS BEEN AGREED TO, SAILOR OF THE STAR MAKER, WITH ONE PROVISION."

And they watch in amazement as the wristbands slowly fade only leaving a misty glow around each of their wrists. Maker feels himself being dropped and lightly hits the ground, so agile was he. Susan admires him even though he was Star Maker at the moment. She didn't care at all, for she loved him, with all her heart and soul. As she muses this, Time continues on, "THE TWO OF YOU WILL BE FREE TO LIVE YOUR LIVES OUTSIDE OF THE SACRED DOORWAY. YOU WILL BE TOGETHER, SINCE YOU ARE BOTH SO MUCH IN LOVE. TIME CANNOT DENY TWO HEARTS THAT ARE AS ONE. BUT IT CAN EXTRACT A PRICE FOR IT'S MERCY. TIME REQUIRES YOUR FIRST-BORN AND THE FIRST-BORN OF EACH GENERATION THEREAFTER TO BE BOUND TO THIS DOORWAY AS THE "KEEPER OF TIME". YOU WILL BE FREE OUTSIDE THESE SACRED PRECINCTS, BUT WHEN DANGER TO THE TIMELINE ARISES, YOUR PRESENCE HERE WILL BE REQUIRED AND YOU MUST RECTIFY THE PROBLEMS BEFORE YOU CAN RETURN TO YOUR NORMAL EXISTENCES. YOUR BONDS HAVE BEEN LOOSED, THOUGH STILL THERE."

Maker and Pluto look down at their arms, seeing the translucent bonds still there, but disappearing, though they could still feel their heaviness. Terry pulls Susan closer to him and wraps his arms protectively around her.

Feeling so safe and happy in his arms, Susan doesn't know what is happening, only that she was secure in the embrace of the man she loved, and that he loved her. Bursting inside, she only closes her eyes and feels him about her, his very soul she touches now, and she knows he could feel hers. They were truly one now, feeling the strands of Time weaving them together, coursing through their bodies.

Sensing it too, though it was new to him, Terry feels overwhelmed by it, and simply succumbs to the new sensations. Time was incorporating itself into them, becoming them, joining with them, until they could feel every second of Time, and be sensitive to the minute distortions which were now their joint duty to guard against. Their mission assigned, Time now speaks it's parting words to them. "TOGETHER YOU ARE MY GUARDIANS, SAILOR STAR MAKER AND SAILOR PLUTO. DO NOT FAIL ME."

Terry suddenly feels himself being transformed back into his normal self. Still holding Susan tightly, he tries to take the brunt of the fall. They land out in the dark street, which he recognizes as the one he had started this amazing journey on only minutes earlier. He gets to his feet, helping Susan up. Standing, she flings herself on him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Oh, Terry! You've rescued me! You've set me free! I knew I trusted in you! I will always believe in you. What I thought could never happen, has come true! All because of you." Here she stops and look up at him. He seemed happy, though a little sad, she couldn't help but think to herself. "Why do you look so sad, my Love?" she asks gently.

He softly takes her hands off his neck and lets them go. "You're free now, Susan. I'm….so glad it's worked out this way. Though I don't know if I'll be able to see you everyday, without being with you. It's just that….I can't face my life without you anymore, but I will return to Janus now, and you can be happy here." Then upon realizing that he just made a pact with Time, that he could not leave this galaxy. "I suppose I can't leave anymore…so I'll…."

But Susan cuts him off. "What are you saying! Why wouldn't we be together? Don't you love me yet?" She asks, with tears starting to form in her bright eyes, confused.

"Too much. I love you too much. Forgive me, my lady, for presuming to love you, knowing who I am, what I become…"

Susan, relieved at his words, laughs lightly saying, "Do you mean because you are also Sailor Star Maker?"
He nods, looking away from her, his high morals making him believe he was unfit for his esteemed lady. "Can you forgive me for loving you?" He whispers. She moves forward and takes his face in both her hands.

"You wonderful, silly man! I LOVE YOU. Everything about you! Everything you are. I know I've fallen in love with the most wonderful man in the universe and I know that when you are Maker that is what you once were, but you've always had this same soul…and I love it. I love your whole being. Can I tell you anything more that will convince you how much I feel for you? How much I love you?" She looks straight into his eyes, desperately trying to make her love understood. As she speaks, his eyes light up and he pulls her into an embrace.

"And you don't mind that I transform…"

"Of course not!" She replies eagerly, truthfully. Then she looks up shyly at him, and holds her face up to be kissed. She was his now and she wanted to show it openly. She belonged to him and he to her. Time had been kind. She would be forever grateful that it had given her her dream, that one day her own true love would find her, and rescue her from the lonely existence that once claimed her soul. Her everlasting solitude to be no more. As they kiss in the bright moonlight, Susan keeps hearing the now glorious strains of love that have finally come into her Eternal song.