Mariko raced down the street toward the park, aware of the unmistakable sensation that time was running out. She had sent Rio, Akemi and Mizuki to check the other streets in the immediate area but had chosen the most direct route for herself. As the sun sank lower in the sky she couldn't stop the feeling of urgency that was pulling at her heart and her mind. Night was traditionally the time that the soul was most vulnerable, and the last thing Seiya needed was one more thing against him.

It was already dark enough where she was for the streetlamps to come on, and she was unaccountably nervous as she passed between those pools of light. There was that tingle in the hair at the nape of her neck that told her she was being watched, but it didn't feel threatening. She pushed the thought out of her mind; now was not the time for questions and confusion. She had a job to do, and nothing had mattered more in her short life.

She skidded to a sudden stop when she saw two figures coming toward her from the direction of the park where she and Seiya had talked earlier that day. A streetlamp haloed the silver hair of one, and polished the sable of the other. Mariko felt her heart leap. "Seiya!" she called out.

His head snapped around at the sound of her voice and he took two steps toward her. Helios clasped his arm, but Seiya shrugged him off. They ran toward each other, stopping when they were close enough to each clasp the other's arms

"Are you all right?" Mariko asked. She squeezed his arms up to his shoulders, making him grin. It felt surprisingly right after all of the day's drama.

"I'm fine," he replied, removing her hands from his shoulders and holding on to them. "Were you worried?" he asked, letting the grin show through again.

Mariko pulled one of her hands free and smacked him lightly on the arm. "We all were, you idiot," she said with an answering smile. She looked past Seiya as Helios came up to them. The priest had a secretive little smile on his face that widened when he saw their clasped hands. Mariko pulled her other hand free and took a step back. She gave an awkward cough, but before she could speak again Helios chimed in.

"I'm guessing you've all figured it out, then?" he asked, studying Mariko's face. "I'd ask how but at a guess I'd say Rei and Rio are involved."

"And Akemi," Mariko replied with a proud lift of her chin. "She recognized that Seiya was the focus of this afternoon's attack. Even if she didn't know why. Mizuki put the rest of the pieces together."

"MARIKO!"

All three turned toward the sound of a new voice and saw Akemi, Rio and Mizuki approaching from the alley across the street. They arrived, all slightly breathless.

"You found him!" Akemi exclaimed. "Them. Both of them." She smiled at Helios. "Chibiusa said it would all be fine as long as you were with Seiya."

"I'm glad to see that's true," Rio quietly spoke.

Mizuki was the only one not involved in the conversation. She kept looking over her shoulder and in the direction of the setting sun. She appeared distinctly uneasy. "We need to get back to the house," she finally spoke. "As quick as we can," she added, casting another worried glance at the waning sunlight.

Helios, who was looking in the opposite direction, shook his head. "It's too late," he said. "Back into the park. Quickly!"

No one asked any questions; they all instinctively ran toward the gate, passing underneath it's arch and making their way to the covered area that housed a few picnic tables.

"What's going on?" Akemi breathlessly asked, one hand pressed to her midsection.

Rio took a step back in the direction they came. "He's coming," she announced, sounding unnaturally calm. She glanced over her shoulder at Helios. "The park gate," she said, pointing.

"It's like a shrine!" Mariko exclaimed. "I noticed that earlier today. Will that keep us safe?"

"It'll help," Helios replied, like Rio sounding oddly calm. "Akemi, you and Seiya need to get away from here as best you can. The rest of you, transform!"

"MARS POWER!"

"MERCURY POWER!"

"VENUS POWER!"

Seiya and Akemi winced away from the rush of air, fire and water as the girls transformed. He grabbed her arm and started to run, heading toward where he knew there was a small maintenance building. He could hear Akemi calling for him to stop, and the sounds of a fight growing louder behind them, but he didn't hesitate. When they got to the building he pulled Akemi behind it, away from the battle, and pushed her to the ground.

"Stay here!" he ordered, before racing back to the fight, one thought in his head. Silver Crystal! he mentally pleaded. Help me!

Akemi lay stunned for a moment, breathing heavily, her heart pounding. She knew that her friends where in trouble and there she was, powerless to assist them. Tears of impotent fury filled her eyes as she pushed herself to her knees, hands clenching the earth.

"We can't keep doing this!" Mizuki called out after firing yet another futile Crescent Beam attack. "There's nothing there!"

Rio stood not far away, purple flames filling her left hand. There was a loud thrashing in some bushes and she spun to face that direction, ready to attack. But she suddenly clenched her hand closed, dousing the fire. She raised her right hand, and cocked her head, listening. "Wait for it," she said, so quietly that her companions almost didn't hear her.

The nearest streetlamp blinked twice and went out, intensifying the darkness. There was a sudden sound, like a giant in-drawn breath, then a wind strong enough to pull all four of them toward the patch of greatest dark, their feet scratching across the concrete.

"Now?" Mariko asked, having to shout over the sound of rushing air.

"Wait!" Rio repeated. They moved closer, perhaps another foot, before purple flames glowed in the darkness. "NOW!" Rio commanded.

Fire, water, and a beam of light all streaked in the same direction, simultaneously striking the streetlamp, which showed every sign of being alive. They heard something like a groan before the wind that was pulling them in stopped. A split-second later, however, it blasted outward, catching them all unawares and blowing them off their feet. Just as quickly the streetlamp flared back to brightness. Then it moved.

Helios was the first to regain his senses, but he found that he could barely move. He turned his head and saw the three young Guardians lying nearby, unconscious. He could also just raise his head enough to track the movements of the now alive streetlamp. There was no denying it; the situation was getting increasingly desperate. "Mariko!" he heard a voice called out, and Helios felt his heart stop. It was Seiya, deliberately entering a situation he knew was a grave danger to him.

NO! he tried to cry out, but like much of the rest of his body his voice was out of commission. He could only watch, helpless, as Seiya knelt beside Mariko. It was entirely too close to that possessed streetlamp for comfort.

Mariko stirred as soon as Seiya laid a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes flickered open and she moaned, raising a hand to her forehead. "What happened?"

"No idea," Seiya replied. He was perfectly aware of the streetlamp; he had felt the presence of Chaos the moment it had taken control of the object. But he was more concerned about the condition of the girls and priest; he pressed a hand to the concrete and a silver glow started to spread out, tendrils touching Rio, Mizuki, and Helios.

With a gasp Helios felt himself freed and rose to his feet as the other two girls came to and sat up. Mariko got to her knees, leaning heavily against Seiya as her head swam. "What did you just do?" she whispered.

Seiya stared at his hand. "I'm not sure," he replied. "It just felt like the right thing."

"I'll say," Mariko said, looking at the other three as they stood and, with a few shakes of their heads, started to walk closer. She looked up at Seiya, her eyes shining in the dim light. "That was amazing."

He blushed, but didn't acknowledge her praise. "Can you stand?" he asked, holding her arms and rising to his feet, half lifting her with him.

"I think so," she said. "My head hurts, though."

"You probably banged it pretty good when you fell." Seiya laid a hand on the back of her head. "Does that help?"

Mariko closed her eyes and nodded. "It's warm," she sighed. "Like when hot tea hits your sto-" Her words broke off when Seiya gave a wordless cry and the warmth disappeared. She spun around to see him caught by the errant lamp, wiring from where it's head had been wrapped around his neck and steadily tightening.

"SEIYA!" Rio shouted as flames erupted in her hand. She didn't have time to launch her attack, though, because at that moment there was a sizzle of static electricity around them and everyone's hair stood on end. Then, with a suddenness that took everyone by surprise there was a CRACK and flash of lightning.

It took a few moments for the blue spots to clear from their vision, but the sight that greeted them couldn't have been more welcome. Akemi stood in the center of the entire group, her dark green skirt and the pink accents of her fuku, as well as her hair, still floating from the excess of static in the air. Her lightning had blasted a hole in the roof of the picnic shelter and the concrete beneath her feet was scorched. A new Sailor Jupiter had unmistakably awakened.

The moment's respite broke when the streetlamp moved again, this time towards Akemi. Mariko darted forward to help Seiya, who lay on the ground coughing and gasping as his breath came back, ignoring the wires that were snaking their way toward her friend. Rio and Mizuki both prepared to continue the fight, but froze when they heard Akemi laugh. One of the wires had reached her, but it barely touched her foot before it drew quickly back, as if in pain.

"Do you seriously want to fight me with something electrical?" Akemi spoke, still with a hint of laughter in her voice. "I think you'll probably regret that." The sizzling build-up of static began again.

Mariko quickly saw the best opportunity they had to finish the battle. "Mercury Aqua Mist!" She sprayed water against the base of the streetlamp, making a substantial puddle around it. "Akemi! Strike the puddle!"

"SUPREME THUNDER!"

The water and electricity combination worked as Mariko had hoped. There was a flash, a high pitched keening sound, and a prolonged crackling. When the mist and steam cleared all that was left of the streetlamp was a crater in the ground and a smoking lump of metal. The wind of Chaos gave one final, fierce tug on their hair and clothes, but it was moving away from them. It was over. For now at least.

Seiya started coughing again and Mariko turned her attention to him. "Are you all right?"

He nodded and pressed a hand against his throat. "I think so," he replied, his voice hoarse. "Although I can't seem to use that healing power on myself." He got to his feet with her help. "That was quick thinking," he told Mariko. "And Akemi. . ." He looked her up and down, taking it all in as she smiled. "Wow. Just wow."

"Yeah, wow," Mizuki said, her transformation coming undone in a flash of orange light. "But if we really want to live to fight another day we need to return to the house. Now."

No one argued with that order.

Seiya left school the next afternoon in something of a bad mood. His throat was still sore and his voice scratchy, although his father had been able to heal the worst of the exterior bruises. His friends and classmates had all been curious, but he cut the questions short by saying he was probably coming down with a cold. The truth wasn't exactly something he could tell any of them anyway.

When they had gotten back to house the night before Chibiusa had thrown herself at him in a surprisingly exuberant hug, one that he had been moved to return wholeheartedly. Her mood quickly degenerated, though, and she had started berating Helios, who accepted it all with a grin. The story of what had happened in the park was quickly told; Akemi accepting the accolades with a graceful bow and a smile.

His mother and father had argued against him going to school the next day. Indeed Usagi was against him leaving the house at all until they figured everything out and he'd be safe. It had been Luna, of all people, who had the last word. "He can handle himself," she had said before looking him directly in the eye. "But whatever else you do, Seiya, from this point forward you will never – and I mean NEVER – leave this house without the Silver Crystal."

He had taken her warning to heart, and even now the Crystal rested in the inside pocket of his jacket. It was still inside the Moon Locket that had belonged to Chibiusa, but Artemis had assured him that when he gained a greater mastery over it that would change. Even inside the locket, though, it radiated warmth and an aura of power and confidence; a confidence that his teacher had noticed was different about him. All in all it was an immense relief to walk out of the building at the end of the day.

"Hey."

His head snapped up to see Mariko leaning against the wall, and as often happened in her presence a blush started to climb his cheeks. That didn't do anything to improve his already black mood.

"What are you doing here?" he gruffly asked, walking by her without hesitating.

Mariko moved away from the wall and easily fell into step beside him. "Guard duty," she answered his question. "The others wanted to play rock-paper-scissors to decide who got the task, but then I volunteered." She grinned. "I thought I could at least make it a bit easier for you, since Usa pointed out that you were bound to dislike the idea of being guarded."

Seiya looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "How is it easier if it's you doing the guarding?"

Mariko shrugged. "Good company?" she asked with a grin before slipping a hand into his. "I also wanted a chance to talk to you alone. And not about battles, fighting, or being any sort of planetary Guardian."

Seiya looked down at their clasped hands and then up at her face. With a jolt of surprise he saw that she was blushing also, and that made him happier, for some reason. Actually, not for some reason; he knew exactly why his heart lifted at the sight. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "I don't see any need to talk, do you?" He lifted their joined hands. "Seems we understand each other pretty well without that."

They continued their walk to catch the bus home, noticeably closer together.

Chibiusa was so tired she thought she might fall asleep in her plate. The afternoon had featured another grueling training session with Helios, and left her with the feeling that she would never gain control over her new powers. Tales of Akemi's proficiency the night before certainly hadn't helped, but she couldn't be angry with her friends. Not when she was as dependent on them as she was at the moment.

And Seiya. She looked at him from under her lashes, noting the private little smile that was playing with the corners of his mouth. He was even more vulnerable than she, and he was under direct threat. She felt her hand clenching into a fist. She had to learn, and master, her powers if she was going to help him. Although the healing he had done was proof that he wasn't completely powerless it was hardly an offensive attack. They all needed to help and protect him.

Mariko had certainly been willing to do her part that day, volunteering to escort Seiya home. Oddly enough she had been smiling that same, private smile when she rejoined the others. Chibiusa bit her lower lip to keep herself from grinning; it was pretty clear that something had happened between the pair of them. She was glad; it was a bright spot in an otherwise gloomy situation.

After dinner homework took a backseat to getting some rest. After a long soak in the bath to get rid of some of the aches Chibiusa crawled beneath the covers with a sigh. She was asleep in minutes.

The darkness was like a physical force. She spun around, looking for any light to guide her way. But it remained impenetrable, pressing against her, body, mind, and soul. She could feel the fear welling in her, threatening to erupt in a cry straight from her tortured core.

Noooooooooooo!

The voice came out of nowhere, causing her head to whip around. She started running in the direction it came from; the panic she had heard was unmistakable. And the voice was that of someone she cared for deeply. A powerful instinct to protect drove her forward, into the darkness. Suddenly the landscape around her was flooded with light as a briliant, silver-gilt castle appeared, it's crystalline towers shimmering in the earthlight.

Earthlight?

She shook her head but the vision before her didn't change. The waxing Earth was clearly visible just above the horizon.

Where am I?

Chibiusa jerked awake, the fear of the dream catching in her throat. Moonlight lay across the foot of her bed, and the familiar surroundings of her room helped as she struggled to calm herself.

Noooooooooooo! The voice from her dream echoed again in head, only this time she recognized it with her mind instead of just her heart. It was Seiya.

She leapt from the bed and stumbled down the stairs, clumsy in her haste to reach him. The hallway was dark and ominously quiet. It took her a minute to figure out why that was so unnerving; there were no sounds at all coming from her parents' bedroom, and an aura of menace covered the door, as if some evil force was holding them inside. She was on her own.

So be it.

"TERRA CRYSTAL POWER!"

Her transformation triggered a reaction; Seiya's bedroom door exploded outward in a mass of wooden splinters and metal shards. Chibiusa ducked to avoid being hit by any of it and crawled the last few feet, reaching the room just as the window shattered and an immense wind swirled around her, making it difficult to rise to her feet.

"WINDS OF CHANGE!" she shouted, praying that her powers would actually work. Her attack clashed violently with the gust blowing within the room, canceling it out. The howling dropped away so suddenly the silence was almost deafening. She could see debris covering the floor and the bed, and her heart caught in her throat.

Laughter – twisted and malevolent – echoed in her head. She looked up and staggered to her feet, unable to make a sound despite her horror at the sight that met her eyes.

Seiya was crouched within the frame of the shattered window, the Silver Crystal grasped in one hand and his white and grey armor gleaming in the moonlight. His eyes were glowing an orange-gold and his grin could only be described as evil.

"SEIYA!" Chibiusa stretched out a hand towards her brother just as he turned and leaped from the window, disappearing into the night.