A man in red robes with golden insignia upon them stood in the 
center of a vast circular hall.  The floor was inlaid with black marble 
and white tile, tracing out a circle with twelve spokes.  A variety of 
gems, types of colored stone, and tiles formed twelve images, one in each 
of the twelve sections of the circle.

      The man stood upon one of the images, gazing up at the domed 
ceiling, where the stars and constellations were laid out.  Generations 
had passed since this place was built.  Entire civilizations had risen, 
fallen, and been forgotten.  Even its current inhabitants only knew a 
little about those who made it, despite the fact that it had passed down 
peacefully from generation to generation over the years.  Well, not 
completely peacefully, but the records were intact...if anyone had time 
to read them...or knew how to read some of them.  

     One constellation glowed brightly.  The man smiled, feeling its 
power.  It was his sign and this was his time.  He was the Ascendant 
now.  To him now fell the task of securing the one for whom they had 
waited so long.  The princess who had escaped them before, but must not 
escape them now.  

     He felt a presence.  Turning, he saw Aquarius standing in the 
doorway, dressed in her usual robes of shades of blue.  "Glorying in 
power, as usual?"

     He smiled back.  "Planning to succeed where you have failed, Aquarius."

     "They are stronger than you think."  She smiled.  "It took an entire 
kingdom to defeat them at the end of the Silver Millenium.  Even as the 
Ascendent..."

     "When I capture the Princess, you'll be the first to know.  I don't 
need you or whatever deal you plan to offer me."  Aries wondered what she 
was up to this time.  She's not as bad as Scorpio, but still...

     "I eagerly await your success, Ascendant one.  Pisces and I..."

     "I don't need Aquarius either!  Now, go!  I'm busy."

     She bowed and swept out of the room.  It only takes a little 
prodding to make him rush off like a fool.  So impulsive.  Comes with the 
territory, though, she thought.
  
                                   *****

Naru:     I'm tired of always running
          I've grown tired of the night
          I'm wish I had some cunning,
          Had some power, had some might.

     We see a collage of Naru running from monsters, grabbed by monsters, 
trapped inside big moss balls by monsters, etc.

Sailors:  You don't need to keep on running.
          You don't need to fear the night.
          We can save you with with our cunning,
          With our power, with our might.

     We see a collage of images of Usagi and the other Sailors saving 
Naru and many other people from monster attacks.

Naru:     I don't want someone to save me;
          I'd just like to save myself
          I don't want to be a helpless doll
          That must sit upon the shelf.

     We see Naru sitting at her window, looking out on the starry 
night sky of the city.  One by one, lines trace out the constellations.

Pluto:    If you want to have the power
          You must reach into your heart
          Look inside to find your strength
          For that's where power starts

     We see Pluto holding out a eight-pointed star, which hovers just 
above her hand.

                                   *****

Sailor Moon Z:

Series Concept by Jeff Hosmer and John Biles
Primary Writer this Episode:  John Biles

Based on the series Sailor Moon, copyrighted by a whole lot of people who
aren't us.

Episode 3
"Spring Break '96
 Why do I always get attacked every time I go to a hot spring?"

                                   *****


     "Here, play this tape, Usagi!"  Umino said, handing a tape up to 
Usagi, who popped it into the tape player, then returned to looking out 
the window as the countryside roared by.  She, Mamoru, Naru, and Umino 
were zooming through the Japanese countryside in Mamoru's new car on their 
way to the Five Roaring Spirits Hot Springs.  

      They had to get there early to get the rooms ready, so that 
when Minako, Steven, Rei, her grandfather, Yuuichiro, Makoto, and Ami got 
there, they wouldn't have to all wander around trying to meet each 
other.  Usagi's parents were helping to pay for this grand vacation.  
They were so ecstatic about Usagi's successfully graduating from Junior 
High, that Usagi could have had almost anything she wanted.  

     This is going to be so romantic, Usagi thought.  We all have our 
boyfriends with us...well, those of us who have boyfriends...We've really 
got to get Ami a boyfriend.  I'm sure Makoto will find one in the first 
five minutes after we get there...

     Sadly, Usagi's romantic mood was shattered as the sweet strains of 
Weird Al Yankovic began to play from the tape player and Umino started 
singing along to the music...

                                   *****


     Somehow they survived the ensuing riot without a car wreck or even 
any meaningful damage to the vehicle.  Usagi took up her rightful 
position as total lord and master of Mamoru's tapedeck.  The trip went 
quickly, even with stopping to feed Usagi every few hours.

     Eventually, they arrived at their destination, a beautiful valley 
with five hot springs, an ancient Buddhist temple, and a...huge luxury 
hotel.  "It's beautiful!"  Usagi said.  "Look at all those lovely 
trees.  So peaceful."  
     
     Naru nodded.  "I could use some peace and quiet.  Oh, this is going 
to be so much fun!"

     "I hope it goes better than the last time all three of us went to a 
hot springs."  Umino said.  "That was about as much fun as waiting for a 
twenty meg file to download at two point five K a second."

     Naru and Usagi blinked in unison, trying and failing to understand 
what Umino was talking about.  

     Mamoru laughed.  "I take it your last trip together was a disaster?"

     "Yeah, that bully Goro dunked me twenty-five times and somehow the 
teacher never caught him doing it. She thought I was just clumsy and fell 
in every time.  Not even Usagi is that clumsy."

     "Hey!  I'm not clumsy!"  Usagi said.  Suddenly, the memory came back 
to her.  They had visited a hot springs on a field trip in the fourth 
grade.  She had blanked out a lot of the trip at the time, what with Mr. 
Ghibli blathering on about sulfur and all that science rot, but now she 
remembered what Umino was talking about.  That was the year Umino had had 
to start wearing glasses.  He had already been picked on a lot, but 
having glasses made him target #1 for the class bully, Goro.  Goro 
should have been a fifth grader, but he had failed a year.  He was bigger 
than everyone in the class and liked to throw his weight around.  
Especially, he liked humiliating the smart kids that always showed him up 
in class.  

     "Are you sure you didn't knock him in accidentally yourself a few 
times, Usako?"  Mamoru said, driving round and round looking for a space 
in the crowded parking lot.  

     "It was all that bully Goro's fault!  She did knock me in once...but 
she apologized."  Umino said.  Actually, there was that one time...It 
couldn't have been Goro, he had been pushing someone else in when that 
happened.  He never had figured out who that was who did that.

     "You got me all wet too!  I got so mad my new dress got ruined."  
Usagi smiled.  "I guess our teacher didn't really care as long as no one 
drowned."

     "Luckily my parents taught me to swim when I was four.  You think 
your dress was ruined?  You didn't get pushed in twenty five times!  We 
had to burn my clothing.  Kami-sama himself couldn't have gotten the 
smell out."  Umino sighed.  Goro had been such a punk.  Everyone was so 
scared of him, they wouldn't even back me with the teacher.  They all 
claimed Goro was telling the truth.  Even...Usagi and Naru.  

     "What's wrong, Umino?  You look depressed."  Naru looked over at 
Umino.  He looked so sad now.  She had to do something to cheer him up.

     Mamoru frowned.  "And your teacher didn't do anything about it?"

     "Everyone claimed he was telling the truth."  Umino turned and 
stared out the window.

     Mamoru finally spotted a parking place.  "Surely Usako and Naru 
backed you up?"

     "Uhhh...."  Usagi stared at the floor.  "I...we...uh..."  No, we 
didn't.  It wasn't cool to have anything to do with Umino.  You got made 
fun of if you hung out with him.  Not to mention, how could anyone stand 
up to Goro?  I didn't want to get beat up...not for someone like 
Umino...I didn't want to be made fun of...I was mad at him for getting me 
wet too, even though it was my own fault.  We lied and said he fell in.  
Everyone was doing it.  So we did it too.  We let him be left out and 
bullied and...

     "I can't blame them.  We all knuckled under to Goro.  None of us had 
the strength to face up to him.  I'm not angry.  I just wish..."  Umino 
sighed again.  I shouldn't be angry with them.  I'm not normally...oh why 
did I have to remember this?  I've tried to forget it. 

     Naru put a hand hesitantly on Umino's shoulder.  "I'm sorry, 
Gurio-san.  We were all a lot younger then and..."

     Umino said, "I'm not angry about any more," but he didn't turn around.

     Naru tried to speak again, but then Usagi began to bawl.  "I'm 
sorry.  I'm such a coward. I was afraid to say anything, and I was angry 
because you got my dress wet, and everyone made fun of us whenever we 
came near you and the only way to get them to stop was to make fun of you 
and act like we didn't like you and then we really started believing it 
ourselves and oh god we were so awful to you.  I'm sorry.  I'm sorry.  
I'm sorry.  I'm such a terrible person, you must have felt so alone."  
Usagi began to cry and bawl loud enough to wake the dead, or even the 
Grateful Dead, wherever they might be.  

     Umino turned slowly to face Usagi.  "I...don't cry, Usagi.  We were 
all just stupid little kids.  I forgave you both a long time ago...I 
just...It still hurts.  I shouldn't have brought it up...but it all just 
came back to me.  It made me feel so lonely."

     Mamoru finally pulled the car into a parking space and stopped the 
engine.  "Don't cry, Usako.  That's all ancient history."  He put a hand 
on her shoulder.  "You were just a little kid then."  Usagi gave a great 
sob and turned and sank her face into Mamoru's chest.  

     In the back seat, Naru reached over and gave Umino a hug, holding 
him close.  Slowly, he relaxed.

     "Thanks, Naru.  I'm just glad we'll never see him again,"  Umino 
said.  "He's gone forever."  

     Naru nodded.  "I'm so glad his family moved away in the seventh 
grade.  He was getting pretty scary."

     "You okay, now, Usako?"  Mamoru said, lifting Usagi's now 
tear-streaked face from his chest.  

     She nodded, then turned to Umino.  "I..."

     "You don't have to say anything, Usagi.  I forgave you a long time 
ago.  Let's go get our rooms so the others don't have to wait at the 
station for us.  I want to meet this Steven guy Minako talks about all 
the time.  He sounds like my kind of guy!  I'm curious to see if my 
contacts were right about him..."  Umino gave Naru a tight squeezing hug, 
then released her and started fiddling with his seatbelt.

     "What did they have to say?"  Usagi asked.  Umino had said he was 
going to gather intelligence on the enigmatic Steven Grant, who Minako 
had met while skiing on Winter Break.  He was at a school in Yokohama, so 
they hadn't gotten to meet him yet.  Usagi wondered if anyone could 
possibly be as dreamy as Mamoru, but Minako certainly claimed he was.

     "He's really good with science, he's on the Internet, he has a 
motorcycle, he's tall and dark haired, with green eyes.  He's good at 
poker, he likes to play chess, he is good at basketball, and the girls 
all think he's cute.  His Japanese is really good, and he's lived in 
Japan before.  He likes watching anime, especially if it has giant 
robots, spaceships, or outerspace."  Umino paused, then got out some 
notes and continued the briefing as they headed to the hotel office to 
get registered and get the room keys.

                                   *****

     Makoto, Ami, Rei, Grandpa, and Yuuichiro stood around the train 
station.  Makoto sat on her luggage, while Rei paced round and round.  
"They're late!  Probably sitting somewhere making out.  Baah!"

     Makoto laughed.  "Mamoru has more sense than to do that while driving."

     "But Usagi doesn't!  The car's probably in flames somewhere..."

     "Don't worry, Rei.  I'm sure they're okay,"  Yuuichiro said, 
brushing the hair away from his eyes, only to have it fall back into 
place.  

     "They may have been delayed at the hotel,"  Ami said, looking up 
from her book.  

     Mamoru pushed through the crowd of people in the station.  "Hi, 
everyone.  My car is...Hey, I thought you were going to be here about two 
hours from now with Minako and Steven, Makoto?"

     "They're gonna be another hour later than that, and I got ready 
earlier than I thought."  Makoto said, getting up.  

    "Guess we'll be crowded.  This may take two trips..."

    "You could take me and Grandpa, and let Rei and Yuuichiro get in some 
quality time here at the station,"  Makoto said, winking at Rei, who 
turned red.  

    "And what's that supposed to mean?"  Rei shouted.  Makoto laughed.

     Mamoru nodded.  "Good idea.  Let's go."

     Grandpa smiled.  "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"  He picked up 
his luggage and followed Mamoru.

                                   *****

     Mamoru roared into the parking lot of the hotel.  Grandpa got out 
and said, "So where are we?"

    "At the hot springs, Grandpa."

     "What's this hotel doing here?  Where's the nine hundred foot Buddha 
statue?  Where's the temple?  Where's the cute acolytes?  This place 
looks like the Ginza!"  Grandpa looked around frantically.  

     Makoto pointed over to a nine foot tall animatronic Buddha waving 
hello to everyone from in front of the hotel, wearing a "Five Roaring 
Spirits Hot Springs" T-shirt.  "There's something spiritual.  Well, sort of."

     Grandpa fainted.

                                   *****

     After several trips, everyone had been funneled to the hotel except 
Steven and Minako, who had not yet arrived.  Quite a buzz of discussion 
about this enigmatic fellow had gotten started by the time Mamoru and 
Usagi returned from trip number three with Steven and Minako in tow.

     As Steven entered the room, he felt all eyes swiveling to stare at 
him.  Minako had shown him pictures of her friends, so he recognized most 
of them, except for Umino, Naru, and Yuuichiro.  It was easy to guess who 
Grandpa was.  He wondered, so which one is Umino?  The remaining girl ought 
to be Naru...

     "Uh, Hi, everyone,"  Steven said in Japanese.  "I'm Steven Grant.  
Nice to meet you all!"  For a moment all was silent, and he sweated just 
a little.

     Umino broke the silence, getting up and coming over to him.  "Hi!  
I'm Umino Gurio!  I hear you're an Internet buff like me!"

     He smiled.  "Yes, among other hobbies.  Minako has told me a lot 
about you."

     Umino blinked.  "Really?"

     "Yes, she's told me all about everyone.  So does Rei really have a 
crush on you?"  Steven smiled and tried not to laugh.  

     Minako turned red.  "Steven!"

     Usagi fell down laughing.  Umino simply blinked.  Naru turned and 
looked over at Rei, who turned red.  "Minako!  WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN TELLING 
HIM?"

     Ami blinked, then saw Steven starting to laugh and started to 
giggle.  Makoto fell down laughing.  Usagi leaned against Mamoru and just 
couldn't stop laughing.  Grandpa started to chortle.  Pretty soon 
everyone was laughing except for Rei, who was still fuming, and Minako, 
who sighed.  "In case you haven't guessed, Steven has a thing for 
practical jokes. "

     Steven bowed to Rei.  "I'm sorry I made you angry.  I was just 
trying to break the silence...Everyone was staring at me...so I felt I 
needed to be funny."

     Rei sighed.  "As long as Minako didn't tell you any twisted tales 
like that for real..."

     "Hey!  He made that up himself!  I'm innocent!"  Minako sighed.  
At least Steven hadn't greeted anyone as Sailor so and so like he'd 
threatened to on the way here on the train.  Not calling Usagi meatball 
head had helped too.  She certainly liked him.  She was sure they'd all 
get to like Steven once they got to know him.  An entire week together!  
This is going to be great!  I'll bet he looks good in a bathing suit.

     Makoto finally stopped laughing and said, "Hey, let's hit the hot 
springs!  I'm ready to soak and relax after that long train ride."

     Grandpa stood up.  "Okay, everyone to their rooms.  Let's all get 
changed!  Guys, follow me!"

     Mamoru, Yuuichiro, Steven, and Umino followed Grandpa out of 
the room.  As they headed out, Umino said to Steven, "So do you read 
Rec.humor a lot?"

     Steven nodded, and they soon began a conversation that left the rest 
of the menfolk completely confused.

     In their absence, the women all flocked around Minako.  "Wow, he's 
cute!"  Makoto said.  "He reminds me of..."

     "Your old boyfriend," the others said in unison.

     Makoto blinked.  

     "He's so funny,"  Usagi said.  "I laughed and laughed in the car.  
His Japanese is really good too!"

     "I think Umino likes him already,"  Naru said, opening her suitcase 
and digging for her bathing suit.  "I'm glad.  Umino really does need 
more friends."

     "Oh, Steven's a really friendly guy.  I just wish he didn't like 
practical jokes so much..."  Minako started digging through her suitcase.

     "Well, I'm sure we'll all get to know him better during our stay 
here,"  Ami said, digging out a blue bikini. 

     Rei quietly dug for her swimsuit and started trying to plan a 
suitable revenge for Mr. Funnyman.

                                   *****

     A lot of mutual assessment took place when the group reassembled to 
head over to the unisex hotspring.  The five springs had one that was all 
male, one that was all female, two that were divided, and one that was 
unisex, and more like a warm swimming pool than a normal hot spring.  
They had decided to hit the unisex one today.  Among other things, it 
would give them all an excuse to look at each other in bathing suits, and 
they hadn't gotten to wear those in months.

     Grandpa led the parade of teenagers through the hallways of the 
hotel and into the main lobby, heading for Hot Spring #1.  The lobby now 
had a big sign up that read, "Idol Angel Mami Performing this Saturday!  
Apply now to compete Thursday evening to be one of her backup singers."

     Yuuichiro tapped Rei on the shoulder and pointed at the sign, "Hey, 
Rei, I think you might want to try out for that.  Maybe she needs a 
drummer too..."

     Rei got big hearts in her eyes.  "Oh wow!  Idol Angel Mami!  Yeah, 
that'd be great!  Thanks, Yuuichiro!"

     "Idol Angel Mami is vastly overrated,"  Umino said.  "Sure she's 
cute, but Naru is cuter than her anyway, and..."

     Naru blushed.  "Gee, thanks, Umino-kun."  She smiled and stood a 
little closer to Umino.  Really, she's more beautiful than I'll ever be, 
but it makes me happy whenever you say things like that, she thought.  

     Rei ran over to register for the contest, and the others waited for 
her.  Ami and Steven were busily discussing astronomy while Minako and 
Makoto hovered near them, pretending they had any idea what the 
conversation was about.  Usagi daydreamed, clinging to Mamoru's arm, 
while he simply observed the crowd.  Quite a lot of people were checking 
in all at once.  Naru saw one of them, recognized him, blinked, then 
poked Umino's arm.  Naru said to Umino, "That's not...him, is it?"

     Umino looked over and got big eyes.  "Goro.  That's him.  I haven't 
seen him in three years...but it couldn't be anyone else."  He could feel 
icy death running down his spine.  Goro turned and looked around the 
room.  His eyes met Umino's.  For a moment, the world froze in place.  
Umino felt like a deer caught in the headlights.  "Let's get out of 
here..."  He tugged Naru by the hand and took off.  

     Mamoru said, "Hey, wait for us!"

     Umino said, "You know where we're going.  See you in a few!"

     Mamoru looked down at Usagi, "What did they do that for?"

     She shrugged.  "Maybe they want to make out in private..."

                                   *****

     Soon enough, the entire mob reached the hot spring and piled into 
the nice soothing warm water.  Umino and Naru were lurking in one corner, 
trying obviously to look inconspicuous.  Usagi waded over to them and 
plopped down next to Naru with Mamoru in tow.  "Done making out?"  Usagi 
said, giggling.

     Naru sighed and buried her face in her hands.  "We were not making out!"

     "Saving that for tonight?  I plan to."  It was Mamoru's turn to bury 
his face in his hands at Usagi's statement.

     "He's here, Usagi,"  Umino said, with a voice like a man with five 
minutes to live.

     "Who's here, Umino?"  Usagi had no idea what Umino could possibly be 
so worried about.  But whoever it was, he was making Umino sound more 
scared than she'd heard him in years.  Even when he'd faced down 
monsters, he didn't sound this scared.  Heck, when she faced down 
monsters she didn't get as scared as he sounded.

     "Goro."  Umino looked around nervously, as if saying Goro's name 
would make him appear.

     Usagi got big eyes and felt a surge of fear herself.  "HERE?"  She 
looked around. 

     Mamoru blinked.  This guy must be seriously scary if they're all 
afraid of him after the things they've seen.  

     While they were talking, most of the others had clumped together in 
a large knot at one end of the hot spring, busily interrogating Minako 
and Steven, who were both starting to turn red.  A few other resort 
guests were scattered about the spring.

     Umino and Naru nodded.  "Well, if we're lucky, we'll never run into 
him again while he's here,"  Naru said.  Yeah, right.  Maybe Usagi will 
start getting up on time and being responsible too.

     Usagi hid her face in Mamoru's chest.  "You've got to protect us!  
He's horrible!"

     Mamoru put an arm around Usagi's back.  "Don't worry, I'll protect 
you, Usagi.  You really think he's going to cause trouble...if that was 
even him?"

     Usagi shuddered faintly.  "We all lived in fear of him."

     There was a faint splashing noise.  The foursome looked up and saw 
Goro and a woman with long blue hair getting into the hot spring.  She 
looked to be around 17, like Goro, and had glasses perched on her nose.  
Goro himself had the same crewcut that Usagi, Naru, and Umino remembered, 
but had gained about half a foot and a lot of bodymass, mostly muscle, 
since they last saw him.

     He is scary looking, Mamoru thought.  Still, we've dealt with a lot 
worse than just some old bully.

     Goro sank down into the water, putting an arm around the woman's 
shoulders.  He smiled at her and lost a lot of the menace in his 
appearance.  She cuddled up to him and whispered something.  

     Mamoru looked over at Umino and Naru.  Naru had buried her face in 
Umino's chest, rather like Usagi was doing with him.  Umino was simply 
staring at Goro, waiting for execution.  Mamoru whispered to Umino, 
"Aren't you guys overreacting a little?"

     "You don't know this guy,"  Umino whispered back.  "He's dangerous.  
And he really, really doesn't like me."

     "Why?"  Mamoru asked.

     "Uh...cause I sort of got him thrown out of school in the seventh 
grade.  I got pictures of him beating up a few people and he got thrown 
out for fighting.  He swore revenge, but then his family moved for shame, 
I think."  Umino looked nervously over at Goro, who seemed not to have 
noticed.  Unfortunately, at that very moment, Goro glanced over and saw 
him.  Mamoru could almost feel the heat from the glares they were 
throwing at each other.  Goro stood up and stalked over.  The girl that 
was with him blinked, then followed him.

     Goro glared down at Umino.  "So, we meet again, slug."  His voice 
was cold with anger.  

     "Go away, Goro!"  Umino said.  "I haven't seen you in two years, and 
I was hoping to never see you again!"  

     Mamoru blinked at the anger in Umino's voice.  He had never heard 
Umino sound like that before.  Usagi looked up at Goro, eeped, and buried 
her head in Mamoru's chest again.  

     "I haven't forgotten what you did to me.  My dad was really angry.  
I was really angry.  The whole family was humiliated.  Now I'm going to 
take it out of your hide."  Goro smacked his fist into the palm of the 
other hand.

     The girl tugged at Goro's arm.  "Who are these people?  Why are you 
so angry at them?"

     Mamoru stood up.  "You want a piece of him, you're going to have to 
go through me."

     Goro glared at Mamoru then at Usagi.  "Raiding the cradle, college 
boy?  What do you want with a loser crybaby like her, anyway?  When she 
falls down, she cries enough to flood Tokyo."

     The girl looked concerned.  "Goro-kun...who are these people?"

     Mamoru glared back, feeling anger swelling in him.  "I am NOT 
robbing the cradle.  And Usagi is not just a crybaby!"

     Goro glanced over at Umino.  "And her little loser friend is your 
loser girlfriend now, Umino?  I'm surprised you can find her to kiss 
her.  Still cowering as usual."

     The girl tugged on Goro's arm and whispered to him.  

     Naru turned and stared at Goro.  "I am not a loser!  Umino is five 
times as much a man as you'll ever be!"

     Goro laughed.  "Yeah, right.  I doubt he could save you from my pet 
cat.  He certainly isn't gonna be able to save you from me."  He started 
forward, but then someone tugged on his arm.  He turned and saw Makoto 
standing there glaring at him.  Behind her were arrayed the rest of 
Usagi's friends.

     "You wanna piece of him, you're gonna have to go through all of us.  
Now ask yourself.  Do you feel lucky?"  Makoto let go of Goro's arm. 

     "Ohh, the little girlie is threatening me."  The girl with Goro 
whispered to him again.  

     "I'm not a little girl, but you're gonna be a little red paste on 
the floor if you don't go away."  Makoto glowered at Goro.  I don't know 
who this is, but I'm not gonna let him bully my friends.  

     Goro finally succumbed to the tugging from his lady friend.  "I see 
you've picked up a few friends somewhere, slug.  I'll get you later."  He 
turned to leave.  "I guess they don't know the truth about you."  He 
turned and walked off with his friend.

     "Good riddance!"  Usagi said.  I'm glad I've got good friends to 
keep people like him away.

     "You stood up to him!  That was really brave, Gurio-chan,"  Naru 
said, hugging Umino.

      Umino blushed.  "Thanks."  Not really so hard to do when I've got 
so many people defending me.  If only it had been like this in the 
seventh grade...or earlier.

      Minako frowned.  "Who was that jerk?"

     "Kurenai Goro.  He was the school bully for four years, then he got 
expelled for fighting."  Naru said.  "He used to push us all around.  We 
were all afraid of him.  He was a year older than us, got held back in 
fourth grade a second time.  Thanks for getting rid of him, Makoto."  How 
can she be so strong and fearless?  She amazes me.  I guess if I was tall 
and beautiful and strong, I wouldn't be afraid of anything either.

     "Well, he won't bother either of you while I'm around!"  Makoto said.

     Minako nodded.  "He bugs you, just tell us. We know how to deal with 
bullies!"  

     "Thanks, everyone,"  Umino said.  "I'm lucky to have friends like 
you guys..uh, gals."  I just wish I didn't need help like this.  And I 
really wish that guy would go away forever.  

                                   *****

     That night, Umino couldn't sleep.  An old fear had crawled back into 
him and settled down for a long stay.  Finally, he got up and decided to 
take a walk.  He might run into...him...but it beat lying in bed and 
staring at the ceiling.  He started to get out of bed and was suprised to 
see Steven raise his head and look at him.  "Gonna take a walk?"

     "Yeah...I can't sleep."

     "Want some company?"  Steven asked.

     "Sure..."  Umino said.  I probably shouldn't worry...Goro ought to 
be asleep by now.    

     Soon, they were dressed and outside.  "Something bothering you, 
Umino?"  Steven asked.  

     "Steven...I...How do you deal with people who want to beat you up?"

     "You're worried about Guro, aren't you?"

     Umino nodded.  "He used to beat me up...so I got rid of him..."

     "Got rid of him?"

     "Well, the school authorities couldn't stop him from beating people 
up...he'd get punished sometimes...but that never stopped him.  So I 
faked some pictures of him cheating on his girlfriend and spread some 
interesting rumors...Plus I got a lot of pictures of him beating people 
up.  They were about to finally expel him, his girlfriend dumped him, and 
his dad decided to pull him out of the school before his family lost 
anymore face.  I thought I was finally free of him...but here he is again."
Umino sighed.  "I...what would you have done?"

     "I don't know...I've been lucky in that bullies never picked on me 
much.  Given you're not much of a fighter...it was a good plan...but at 
the same time, I think it's also a good way to make an enemy for life.  I 
really think just badgering the school authorities until they made him 
stop probably would have been better."

     Umino sighed and kicked a rock.  "Like they care.  It's more likely the 
Sailor Senshi would show up and stomp Goro than that the school 
authorities would do anything useful about him.  There weren't any Sailor 
Senshi around then, anyway...they didn't show up until about a year after 
that."

    Steven smiled.  If Umino only knew...  "I'll see if I can think of 
something we can do about him.  Just stick with us.  We won't let him 
hurt you."

     "I just wish I could protect myself.  Makoto's been teaching Naru 
and me to fight...but we're not very good yet."  Umino sighed.  I want to 
protect her...but I can't even deal with someone like Goro, let alone all 
those monsters...

     "Sometimes we have to rely on others, whether we like it or not.  
There's nothing wrong with that.  Don't be afraid to ask for help.  
You've got some good friends here."  Steven smiled.  

     Umino nodded.  "Yeah.  I never really had friends much before."  He 
shivered in the cold night air.  "I guess I'm ready to go to bed now."

     They headed back into the hotel.

                                   *****

     That night, Naru couldn't sleep.  Maybe if I take a walk, it will 
help.  She crept out of the double bed she was sharing with Usagi, and 
started to get dressed.  The sound of movement startled her.  She looked 
and saw it was Makoto.  

     "You can't sleep either?"  Makoto whispered.

     Naru nodded.  

     "Let's take a walk.  I've been wanting to talk to you in private, 
anyway."

     They soon got dressed, grabbed the room key, and slipped out of the 
building into the cool night air.  The full moon hung in the sky, and the 
night was quite well lit by the moon, the stars, and the many light posts 
scattered around the resort.

     "The stars are so beautiful,"  Makoto said, breaking the long silence.

     "The stars in their courses mark the pattern of our lives.  
Everything is ruled by the stars,"  Naru said, hearing a voice whispering 
that to her, the voice of a man she had loved.

     Makoto blinked.  "I've heard that somewhere before..."

     "N...Nephrite told me.  I...That's why I've started studying 
Astrology.  I remember some of my lessons in it from the Moon Kingdom...I 
want to learn more.  It...It's all I have left of him."

     Makoto hesitated.  She wanted to know more about Nephrite...maybe it 
would help her remember more of her past life...and she wanted to know 
more about this man she had apparently loved.  "He was an astrologer, 
Naru-chan?"

     "Don't you remember?"  Naru said instinctively, then remembered she 
knew more of Nephrite than Jup...Makoto now.  

     "I've only seen him once, in a dream.  He was very handsome."  And I 
was beautiful.  He loved me...he tried to kill me.  Makoto shivered 
slightly.  Which was the real him?

     Naru looked up at the night sky again.  She could spot the 
constellations almost instinctively now, both western and japanese, and 
the even older ones of the Moon Kingdom.  In her mind's eye, the lines 
formed, connecting them, and their stories rolled through her mind.  She 
clung to that knowlege, for by knowing it, it brought her closer to her 
first love, a love taken from her by forces beyond her control in both 
her lives.  "Yes.  He was so handsome, and I was so in love with him.  I 
knew it was crazy, but I couldn't help myself.  I didn't know who he 
really was at first.  I thought he was just a rich businessman.  Everyone 
thought I was silly.  Usagi...she tried to warn me about him.  I didn't 
listen.  I even stole from my own mother to try and help him...I had it 
bad. "

     Naru paused, "I've never been so much in love.  I...Umino's just not 
the same.  I, I love him, but it's not the same...Umino's just 
not...not..very romantic.  Do you understand what I mean?"  She 
hesitated, feeling bad for saying it.  "I just wish I..."

     Makoto nodded.  "I think...he loves you like you loved Nephrite.  
He'd throw himself in front of a car to save you.   He'd...He's far 
braver than anyone realizes...or braver than he can really back up."

     "Yeah.  I just hope...I couldn't bear to lose him.  Not like I lost 
Nephrite.  He saved me from Zoisite's youmas.  They kidnapped me to lure 
him into a trap, but he beat them and saved me...but then...they drove 
these thorns into him."  She spoke louder and more urgently.

     Her hands clenched into fists.  "They said nothing could pull out 
the thorns.  He tried to tell me to run, but I wouldn't go.  I couldn't 
leave him like that.  I pulled on the thorns with all my heart and soul.  
One of them came out!  So then they tried to kill me...He rolled over and 
took the blow for me...I could have saved him if I'd been faster!  If I 
could have kept them from hurting him..."  She began to sob.  "But I 
couldn't.  The Sailor Senshi had to save me.  He dissolved away in my 
arms...all that was left was the bandage I'd put on his arm when he got 
hurt saving me the first time.  He just dissolved away..."  The tears 
overtook her and she leaned against a tree, crying harder.

     Makoto stood, uncertain of what to do.  She moved closer and put a 
hand on Naru's shoulder.  "You did the best you could.  That was very 
brave of you, trying to save him.  It wasn't your fault."

     Naru turned and buried her face in Makoto's shoulder and began to 
cry harder.  "I should have done more!  I could have saved him!  
Somehow!  He didn't have to die!  He didn't have to...It was my duty as 
a...a..."

     "As a what, Naru-chan?"  There was so much Naru still can't 
remember, even after we tried Luna and Artemis' fancy ritual last week, 
Makoto thought.  Maybe...Maybe she's about to remember more.  

     "As a...a...I can't remember!  It's like a wall in my head!  I can't 
remember my childhood in the Moon Kingdom, hardly anything from it before 
I was eighteen or so.  Most of the exceptions have to do with Princess 
Serenity, or Luna, or Queen Serenity, or our poor tutor...I remember a 
lot about her."  Naru began to calm down.  She pulled back and stood up 
straight, then gazed up at the moon.  "We used to drive her completely nuts."

     "Because Usa...Princess Serenity was a bad student?"  Makoto 
smiled.  It seemed like a few things never changed.

     "Much better than she is now.  Our studies were so much harder, but 
I remember our tutor, Sensei Wisdom, used to pull her hair because I 
actually knew more astrology than she did. I...my parents...They'd made 
sure I knew it all...I think.  Advisor Luna really rode herd hard on all 
of us.  Sensei Wisdom was the head tutor.   Sensei Wisdom...I think 
she's Haruna-sensei now, here on Earth. She taught myself, Princess 
Serenity, Lady Charity, and Senshi Mercury."  Naru continued to gaze up at 
the moon.  As Makoto watched, Naru's posture changed slightly, becoming more 
stable and erect.  Her voice seemed older and calmer.

     "Of course, as you know, Senshi Mercury spent a lot of time away on 
her special studies, especially as we got older.  We were a special 
class.  Lady Charity and Senshi Mercury were there because they were 
smart.  Also, Lady Charity was Princess Serenity's cousin, and the next 
in line to the succession, should some accident befall Princess 
Serenity."  Naru clasped her hands behind her back, and continued 
speaking, as if she was talking to the moon.

     "I was Princess Serenity's closest friend.  We...We'd always been 
close."  I think, Naru thought.  If only I could remember more...  
"Sensei Wisdom taught us the sciences:  Magic, Astrology, History, 
Music, Rhethoric, Mathematics, Geology, Alchemy, and Bestiary.  Lady 
Charity always got mad over the fact that Princess Serenity and I did so 
much better at Magic than her, but she was much better than us at almost 
everything else.  Of course, Mercury was good at everything.  She spent 
a lot of time studying Engineering in her spare time, too.  She spent a 
lot of time on Senshi training as well."  

     Memories stirred dimly in her mind.  Combat training.  Working with 
a tall blonde woman who wore a tiara like hers.  Learning the true powers 
of Jupiter..."What sort of magic did you learn, N...Lady Patience?"  
Don't snap her out of it.  

     "All the usual stuff.  Simple things at first, like making light in 
darkness."  Strange syllables rolled from Naru's tongue, with a musical 
sound to them, ending in a single word in Japanese, "sunshine", as Naru 
thrust out her arm in front of her.  A tiny point of light appeared and 
swelled to a larger size, becoming a bright globe a few centimeters across.

     Makoto stared.  She...She just conjured that up!  She looked at 
Naru, and for a moment, she saw with the eyes of memory, a girl with 
Naru's face and hair, but dressed in a green velvet nightgown, sneaking 
down a hallway with her arm held out, a sphere of light shining over it.  
She and Princess Serenity were following Lady Patience, on their way to 
Elder Mars' room to rig a bucket over the door for a Bloom Fools' Day 
prank.  The memory faded and she started.  "Naru...It's real!"

     Naru started.  In an instant, she became fully Osaka Naru again.  
Yet, the ball of light remained.  "I...I made a ball of light.  It...It..."

     "Do you remember any other magic?"  Makoto said.  Maybe Lady 
Patience had been an expert sorceress...She had claimed to be the second 
best student, after Princess Serenity, and Makoto knew how powerful 
Princess Serenity was.

     "Aaargh.  It's fading on me.  Maybe it will come back.  I remember 
how I made this...I made this!  I did some real magic!  I...uh, how do I 
turn it off?"  Naru stared at the glowing sphere of light.  I really made 
this...

     Makoto laughed.  "I'm sure we'll figure out something."  She 
yawned.  "We'd better get some sleep."

     Naru nodded.  "Wow...It's not much of a power...but..."

     Makoto smiled.  "You'll remember more.  I think I'm ready to just 
remember a nice warm bed now."

                                   *****

     Early the next day, The hotel manager sat at his desk, talking on the 
phone.  "Yes, sir, the contest should go ahead as planned.  We've had a 
lot of responses."  He scribbled down a message.  "No sir, Idol Angel Mami 
has not arrived yet.  Where is she?  What, you don't know?"

     He shook his head.  The owner of this place makes me wonder if he's 
all there, sometimes, the manager thought.  "Yes, sir, we told her weeks 
ago she needs to be here for the contest.  Yes, sir, I'll tell the 
special security to keep an eye out for the Princess."  Princess?  We 
don't have any royalty in the registry.  

     "Yes sir, I'm sure that security will report any sightings of men in 
white armor.  Or any other kinds of armor.  Have there been oddball 
threats against Idol Angel Mami?"  The manager waited for a reply, 
spending the time doodling a picture of the owner being malleted by Idol 
Angel Mami.  

     There was a knock on the door.  "Sir, one of the security agents is 
complaining because we won't let him read Playboy while on duty.  What 
should I tell him?"  came the muffled voice of the assistant manager 
through the door.  Manager Ido Takahiro sighed.  I really hate my job.

                                   *****

     Ami sat on a quiet bench among the trees, still dressed mainly in 
her bikini.  She had slipped away to do a little pleasure reading about 
eighteenth century England.  She was about halfway through 'England, 
1660-1832' by now.  She'd have been finished, but it was in English, 
which slowed her down a little, despite the fact that this was fairly 
light reading for her.  

     Just as she got to the discussion of Burke, someone said, "Hi, mind 
if I sit down here?"  She blinked and looked up, seeing a mousy looking 
girl with brown hair that came down to her shoulders and blue rimmed 
glasses.  She was wearing a green one-piece and shorts.  In english, the 
girl said to Ami, "Are you an American?"

     Ami smiled.  "No, I'm Japanese.  Are you American?"  she asked in 
English.

     The girl switched back to Japanese saying, "No, my name is Koteuchi 
Manami.  I'm Japanese, too.  I just saw you reading an American book so I 
wondered..."

     "Well, actually, it's a British book.  I'm Mizuno Ami.  Nice to meet 
you.  I'm here with my friends, but I needed to get away from the 
snuggling couples for a while."  Since my last boyfriend doesn't 
remember me anymore.  Maybe we ought to...sigh.  I guess I'll find 
someone one day.

     Manami sat down and laughed.  "Yeah, me too.  I came here with my 
family, but my sister's boyfriend is driving me crazy.  I couldn't take 
it anymore."  I really need a boyfriend.  Well, there are lots of cute 
guys here.  "I thought I was the only person in Japan who reads stuff in 
English."

     "Well, my English isn't as good as my friend Minako's, but I do enjoy 
reading some imported works, when they aren't too expensive.  What sort 
of stuff do you like to read?"  Soon Manami and Ami were deep in a pleasant 
conversation, thoughts of boyfriends far from their minds.

                                   *****
     
     Children since time immemorial have worried about monsters under the 
bed, monsters in the closet, monsters in the dark forest just outside.  
When you're young, you know that just out of sight, there are things 
lurking.  Evil things that want to devour you and tear your world apart.  
As you grow older, you stop believing in this, because you've never 
actually seen the monsters.  No one you know has been eaten, and so you 
cast this belief aside.  It is often forgotten that age does not always 
equal wisdom...

      Children remember what humanity has chosen to forget, the things 
that do lurk just out of sight.  What you don't know can hurt you.

     One of those things was busy at that very moment laying plans for 
revenge against both the world denied him and those who had contributed 
to his current state.  One of them was already gone, destroyed by no 
action of his own.  The others, however, they were available.  The wards 
that keep out the things that lurk beyond the Great Shield had been 
weakened.  

      The crystals Ravator had placed were too weak to let him touch the 
world directly, though with time and effort, they could be made stronger.  
However, he could send others through, if with great difficulty.  

     His enemies were stronger now.  He would have to test their 
strength.  This meant sending expendables.  Someone strong enough to 
force them to show their power, but not valuable enough that losing them 
would cripple his plans.  There are too few of the most powerful of us 
left to risk losing them, he thought.  Ahh, I have the perfect 
pair...yes, they will do well.

     [CHANGING TWINS, APPEAR BEFORE ME.]  They did.  They were dark 
haired, both with short hair, dressed in form fitting grey uniforms with 
black trim.  They had pointed ears and green eyes.  

     "Yes, master, what is your will?"  They said in unison.

     [FIND THE ONE CALLED SAILOR MOON.  BRING ME HER HEAD.]

     "As you wish, so it shall be done!"  The male twin said.

     The girl turned and touched her brother's hand.  They vanished.

     A man appeared, clad in white, with a stylized symbol upon each end 
of his collar.  "Don't you wish you could go with them?  Or are you 
enjoying your current location so much you don't feel like leaving it?"

     [DON'T TAUNT ME.  YOU ALWAYS WERE ARROGANT, BUT I SHALL WIN THIS 
GAME.  YOU MAY PREVENT MY PASSAGE, BUT YOU CANNOT PREVENT ALL PASSAGE.  
YOU ARE FAR WEAKER THAN YOUR PREDECESSOR.]

     "I would wager with you, but when I win, you won't be around to pay 
up."  The man smiled confidently.

     The voice's source simply fumed.

                                   *****

     Rei, Minako, Makoto, and Naru sat in one of the women only hot 
springs, soaking up the heat of the water and relaxing.  On the other 
side of a barrier, they knew Steven and Umino were talking, probably more 
Internet stuff.  Steven's voice drifted over the barrier, "And then we 
had this flame war..."

     Minako smiled.  It was good to see how well Steven had hit it off 
with everyone.  Except Rei, but she'd come around.  

     Makoto looked over at Minako.  "Thinking about your boyfriend, eh?  
He's really a nice guy."

     Rei grunted.  "He's a jerk.  You should dump him like a rock."

     Naru smiled.  "I think he's really nice."

     Minako smiled also, "Come on Rei.  It was funny.  Admit it."

     Rei glared at Minako.  "It was not funny!  Ohh, I'd like to give him 
a hot foot!"  She felt her anger boiling around.  I'll get even with him, 
I will!

     On the other side of the wall, Steven and Umino felt the water 
getting uncomfortably warm.  "Why's it getting so hot?"  Umino asked.

     "Maybe the spirits are angry?"  Steven conjectured.  "Maybe we'd 
better get out for a while..."  They did so.

                                   *****

     The hotel manager fumed.  Everything was set up for the talent 
audition to sing backup for Idol Angel Mami at her concert on 
Saturday.  The only problem was that the judge, Idol Angel Mami 
herself, was nowhere to be seen.  Hadn't signed in, hadn't called, 
hadn't given the faintest hint she even existed.  A dozen or so guests 
milled about waiting for the audition to begin, and several dozen more 
were taking seats to watch the audition.

     Rei sat nervously with Yuuichiro, waiting for the audition to 
begin.  "Where is everyone?"

     "They're still eating.  We ate early so you wouldn't be late, 
remember?"  He smiled at her in his easy-going way.

     She remembered, but she wanted to complain.  "I wish I'd known 
about this in advance...I haven't had much time to practice."

     "You sing great, Rei.  Don't worry.  They'll pick you for sure."

     "Thanks, Yuuichiro.  Where's Idol Angel Mami?  Shouldn't she be 
here by now?"  She looked around and saw close to a dozen hotel 
security men lurking around, trying to act inconspicious, despite being 
the only people in suits in the room.  Everyone else was dressed in 
T-shirts and jeans or even less. 

     "Probably trying to be fashionably late."

                                   *****

     The rest of Rei's friends were busy in the hotel restaurant, 
eating.  Ami's new friend Manami had joined them for dinner, and she, 
Steven, Minako, and Ami were deep in a conversation in English about some 
English author the rest of the group had never heard of.  Grandpa was 
busily complaining to Makoto about how the spirituality of Japan was 
being corrupted by commercialism, like this resort, although at least 
there were a lot of cute...potential acolytes here, while she pretended 
to be interested.  Naru, Umino, and Usagi were busily trading school 
gossip, while Mamoru pretended he had any idea who most of the people 
they were discussing were.

     "So then Fujiko threw Kyousuke right out the window into the pool 
three stories down!  Honest!"  Naru said.

     "Really?  I heard she got caught smooching with his best friend, and 
that's why he was so angry with her,"  Umino said.  "He's the jealous 
type, you know."

     Usagi nodded.  "So that's why he put ex-lax in the candy he gave 
her for White Day.  I was wondering about that."

     Mamoru winced.  "I hope I never make you that angry, Usako."

     She smiled and leaned her head on his shoulder, "As long as you 
don't break up with me for some stupid reason or forget me again or..."

     "How long have you two been dating, anyway?  Inquiring minds want to 
know,"  Umino said.  I can't even remember how they met...

     They both looked at each other, then at Naru, then at Umino.  "It's, 
ahh....complicated."  Especially since Umino didn't know about them being 
Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen...

     Meanwhile, Manami said to Ami, Steven, and Minako, "I can't wait for 
Maskerade to become available.  It's really hard to get his books here."

     Steven nodded.  "I could see if my relatives could send a few 
copies.  I need to read it, and Mina-chan needs a copy.  I'm sure we 
could finagle you one as well."

     "Thanks, ever so much!  I really like Pratchett a lot and..."

     "How did you become such an English buff, anyway, Manami?"  Minako 
asked.  "Did you do an exchange program?"

     "Yes, and my uncle lives in America.  We visit him sometimes."  Her 
wristwatch began to beep loudly.  Manami blinked then paled faintly.  
"Ack!  I forgot!  I have to go..."  She quickly ate the rest of her food 
with a speed that would have done Usagi proud.  "I'm sorry to eat and 
run.  Here's some money to pay for my share.  Give me a call tomorrow...I 
may be busy the rest of the night or at least for a while...I'll see 
you!  Nice to meet all of you!"

     Manami sprinted out of the room.  Steven blinked, then said to 
Minako.  "Perhaps her cat is calling her?"  Minako whapped Steven with a 
rolled up napkin.

     "Somehow, I doubt that."  Minako smiled at a memory.  "Unless her 
cat is named Selene."  They both laughed while Ami tried to figure out 
what they were talking about.

                                   *****

     
     Finally, they finished eating.  A voice began booming over the 
intercom.  "Will Sailor Moon please come to the Service Desk.  Will 
Sailor Moon please come to the Service Desk."

     Usagi blinked.  "They want to see me?"  Naru elbowed her.  "Oh wait, 
they said Sailor Moon," she said, for the benefit of the few people at 
the table who didn't know her secret.

     Mamoru stood up.  "I need to get something from the room.  Wanna 
come with me, Usako?"  Usagi nodded.  "We'll catch up with you guys at the 
tryouts.  Hopefully, they won't call Rei first."

     The others nodded and headed for the ballroom, where the tryouts 
were, while Mamoru and Usagi headed for the service desk, pausing to 
transform in a secluded hallway before they got there.

     A slightly dopey looking girl that would have reminded Usagi of 
Marie Osmond in a hotel uniform, if she hadn't been blessed by being too 
young and in the wrong country to remember the Osmond family, was 
standing near the hotel computer terminal, apparently hard at work on 
something, while a second clerk, a boy with short brown hair, was 
fiddling with the intercom controls.

     Sailor Moon bounced over to the counter.  "Hi, I'm Sailor Moon.  
What do you need me for?"

     The clerk stared at her.  "Are you sure?"

     Sailor Moon blinked.  "Um, yes."  Whaddya mean, am I sure?  What kinda 
crazy question is that?

     "Right."  He turned to the woman.  "What were we going to do next?"

     She sighed.  "Kill her, you idiot!"

     "Oh yeah."

     Sailor Moon barely had time to blink before the man and woman touched 
their index fingers to each other and shouted, "Wonder Youma Power 
Transform, Activate!"

     As everyone stared, the woman shouted, "Form of a Polar Bear!"  Her 
body shimmered and transformed into a huge polar bear with glowing red eyes.

     "Form of a tidal wave!"  His body turned into water and formed up 
into a huge wave that swept across the room, striking Tuxedo Kamen and 
knocking him down.

     Sailor Moon began to scream as the polar bear suddenly realized it was 
too big to easily get out from behind the desk.  It began trying clumsily to 
climb up on the desk.  She turned to run and saw the wave reforming for 
another run, while Tuxedo Kamen staggered to his feet.  The few people in 
the room screamed and fled.

     "Mamo-chan!"  As the polar bear struggled over the desk, Tuxedo 
Kamen whipped out his cane and extended it.

     "Usako, stop just running away!"  He turned and faced the wave, 
taking a swipe at it with his cane.  All that did was get his cane wet.  
This is gonna be harder than I thought, he thought.

     The bear roared.  Mamo-chan's in danger, and so am I, Usagi 
thought.  That didn't matter now.  What mattered was that Mamo-chan... 
Tuxedo Mask, her love, was in danger.  

     The bear finally made it over the desk and charged her.  She 
fought back the urge to scream and run.  She reached for the Spiral Heart 
Moon Rod...and realized it was in her suitcase.  Now it was time to 
scream and run.

                                   *****

     The hotel manager paced back and forth backstage.  Where is Idol 
Angel Mami, he thought.  She was supposed to have been here ten minutes 
ago!

     A security man ran up to the manager.  "I have news for you, sir."

     "Yes?"

     "Two superheroes are fighting a polar bear in the lobby."

     The manager blinked.  "WHAT?"

     "Yes sir.  The desk clerks are also AWOL.  Maybe the bear ate them."

     The manager sighed.  "Call the owner.  Tell him.  Send in some 
people to get rid of the bear.  I'm calling the zoo and threatening to 
sue.  And try to find Idol Angel Mami."

                                   *****

     Everyone else had reached the ballroom, where the audition was about 
to begin.  They were clumped together in the middle of the front row.  A 
fair number of other folk had also come to watch the show.

     Makoto blinked.  "I have this vague bad feeling."

     "Maybe you ate too much,"  Grandpa said.  "There's medicines in my 
room for stomach upset and things like that if you think it would help."

     Naru frowned.  "Shouldn't Usagi and Mamoru have gotten here by now?"

     Ami's watch began to beep softly.  I think that answers that 
question, she thought.  "I'll be right back."

     She slipped off into the hallway, and opened her watch.  "Did you 
forget something, Usagi?"

     Sailor Moon said to Ami through the communicator, "Help!  There's a 
polar bear trying to eat me and Mamo-chan's getting beaten up by a wave 
and I left the Spiral Heart Rod in the roooooom."

     Ami sighed.  "I'll go get the others."

     "HURRY!"

     Ami went back inside.  Yuuichiro looked over at her.  "Didn't 
realize you had a watch alarm."

     Ami nodded.  "Well, I think I'll go outside.  It's a beutiful night, 
and I want to look at the Moon.  I might even be able to see Venus, Mars, 
and Jupiter..."  She nodded meaningfully at the others and hoped they 
got the point.

     Steven began humming some tune the rest of them couldn't recognize.  
Unfortunately for Ami, her clue was a little too subtle.  "Okay, see ya 
in a few minutes, Ami,"  Makoto said.

     Ami hovered for a few seconds, trying to decide what to do next.  
Then all of their watches started beeping.  This time, they got the picture.

                                   *****

     Idol Angel Mami rushed into the lobby.  I can't remember how to get 
to the ballroom!  Who designed this place, anyway, she thought.  Idol 
Angel Mami was dressed in her usual long low-cut blue dress that trailed 
the floor slightly.  Her hair was black, straight, and went down to her 
mid-back.  She wore twin gold sphere earrings, and had brown eyes.  
Apparently somewhere in her early twenties, she had a lush figure.  
Unfortunately, her high heel shoes, while elegant, were atrocious for 
running in.

     Also, it seemed likely she wasn't going to get much service.  Not 
with a polar bear chasing a teenage girl in a sailor suit and a...tiara?  
Hey!  That's Sailor Moon!  Idol Angel Mami looked around and saw a 
miniature tidal wave trying to crash into some guy in a tuxedo too.  

     Idol Angel Mami shook her head and looked again, just to be sure.  
Yes, the polar bear and the wave were real.  Why doesn't Sailor Moon 
blast it?

     Sailor Moon stared as Idol Angel Mami walked in.  "Run!  Get out of 
here before it eats you!"  I can't let a famous idol singer get eaten!  
Sailor Moon dived over the counter, trying to lead the bear away from 
Mami.  She was successful.  "Run!"

     Tuxedo Mask whipped out a rose and threw it at the water.  This 
always works.  The rose just flew right through it and stuck in the 
floor.  The water burbled a laugh and slapped Tuxedo around again.  I 
can't seem to hurt this thing, he thought.

     Idol Angel Mami closed her eyes and pulled out her microphone.  
They say music soothes the savage beast.  I guess we'll find out.  I 
can't let that bear eat that poor girl...Here goes...something.  She 
began to sing into the microphone.  

     "Why do you run from my love?  
      I only want to give it to you.  
      Life is too short to spend it alone.  
      Why be one and one when we could be two?"  

     Her voice echoed through the room, seeming to come from all 
directions.  Music began to play without instruments.  Her soothing 
voice singing of the questions of love overshadowed the room, driving 
out all other perceptions.  The bear and the wave halted in their 
attacks and began to sway silently to the music.  

     So did Sailor Moon until Tuxedo Kamen shouted, "Use the Spiral 
Heart Moon Rod, Moon!"

     "I...uh...left it in our room?"

     Tuxedo Kamen groaned.  Sometimes I think we need to nail that thing 
to her hand.  Usako...this was not a good time for cute forgetfulness!  
"Okay, I guess we go to plan two..."

     "What's plan two?"

     "I'm still working on it."  

     At this point, security burst into the room.  Six men in suits with 
pistols.  "All right, what's going on here?"  one of them said.  
Hey...that thing really is a polar bear!

     Idol Angel Mami kept singing.  "The hotel staff turned into those 
things and tried to kill us!"  Sailor Moon shouted.  "I'm gonna complain 
to the management!"

     The security man blinked.  "I...um...I'm sure that's not really 
necessary."  The boss is going to want to know about this, he thought.  
"Go call the boss and tell him one of the Sailors is here," he whispered 
to another man.  

     The other agent nodded and slipped off.  "So, you say the bear was 
being employed as a clerk, then tried to eat you?"

     "No!  It was a clerk, and she turned into a bear!"

     Tuxedo Kamen sighed and went over to the bear.  I wonder how long 
Idol Angel Mami can keep that up...

     Not long enough.  Idol Angel Mami sneezed.  The spell was broken, 
and now the bear took a swipe at Tuxedo Kamen.  He leaped backward, but 
his cape was torn.  The wave rushed across the room and scattered the 
security men like bowling pins.  It turned to deal with Sailor Moon.

     Unfortunately, it had taken just a little too long.  

     "SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"

     "SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"

     "VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN!"  The poor youma was frozen in place, 
electrocuted, then shattered by a beam of hearts.  It broken into 
thousands of pieces and almost instantly evaporated.  

     Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, and Sailor Venus had made the 
scene.  They shouted, "We are the Sailor Senshi!  We fight for Love and 
Justice!  Don't worry, Sailor Moon, we'll save you!"

     Sailor Moon sighed a little at that last comment, but was glad 
they'd come.

     The bear froze in shock for an instant as her brother ceased to 
exist.  That second was all Tuxedo Kamen needed to slam his cane into her 
gut, then bring it up to rap her under her chin.  She fell down.

     As she staggered to her feet, she became the victim of yet another 
barrage.  A triple attack of ice, lightning, and hearts shattered her 
like her brother. The last thing they heard of her was an angry scream.

     For a moment, silence descended on the room.  Simultaneously, Sailor 
Moon and Idol Angel Mami said to each other,  "Can I get your autograph?"

     Everyone facefaulted.

                                   *****

     In a far away place, a man in white smiled.  "I told you they had 
grown stronger."

     [I SHALL TRIUMPH.  BETTER TO WAIT A WHILE AND GATHER THE STRENGTH I 
SHALL NEED.  NEITHER YOU NOR THEY SHALL DENY MY VENGEANCE.]

     "Your destruction either, no doubt."

     [THERE IS NO ONE TO CAST ME DOWN, THIS TIME.  I KNOW YOU CANNOT STOP 
ME.]

     "I won't have to."  The man smiled.  "You've helped set that in 
motion yourself.  Well, enjoy your solitude.  I think I'll go harrass 
someone less boring for a while."  He vanished in a cascade of light.

     [YOU AND YOUR LITTLE SAILOR FRIENDS WILL NOT STOP ME.  HMMM....]
     
                                   *****
     
     Finally, it was time for the auditions to begin.  The manager 
breathed a sigh of relief.  The bear was gone.  The ice was cleaned up.  
The legal proceedings against the Zoo were underway.  Now the owner was 
coming, but I can handle that, he thought.  Idol Angel Mami showed up.  Let 
the show begin.

     The audition began, with the hotel manager and Idol Angel Mami 
sitting in the judge's box.  The senshi had turned back to normal and 
rejoined their friends by now.  The first few acts were okay, but no real 
signs of greatness.  A young chinese girl was much more impressive, along 
with her long haired boyfriend, as they sang a love duet.  

     The audience applauded.  Mami whispered to the manager, "They're 
really good."

     He nodded.  "I think her name is Minmei or something..."  He checked 
the list.  "Lin Minmei.  Hmm.  The boy didn't write down his name..."

     The next contestant came out.  Rei was dressed in the nicest 
clothing she had...A t-shirt and jeans.  She wished again that she'd 
known about the contest, but taking formal clothing to a hot springs was 
not her normal behavior.  Well, my voice is what counts.

     "I'd like to sing you a song I wrote.  It's called Whispers of the 
Heart."  She took a deep breath and called the words to mind.

     "This is great!"  Usagi said.  "I haven't gotten to hear Rei sing 
since that school talent show she organized."

     Grandpa smiled.  "My granddaughter has a beautiful singing voice."

     Ami thought, This had better not turn out like the last time we 
watched her perform.

     Steven and Minako snuggled up each other some more.  Ami and Makoto 
tried to ignore them, as well as Umino and Naru and Usagi and Mamoru, who 
were all getting snuggly.  Yuuichiro watched Rei with rapt attention and 
Grandpa smiled benevolently.  

     Grandpa shouted, "Go, Rei, Go!"  He jumped up and down and waved a fan.

     Rei blushed as a fair chunk of the audience stared at Grandpa.  
"Thanks, Grandpa...The song goes like this."

     "You always said you'd never leave me.  
      But then why am I alone?,
      My mind says you wouldn't lie to me, 
      my heart is not so sure.  
      
      Whispers of the Heart...
      making me afraid.  
      Whispers of the heart...
      Should I listen to what they say?"  

     Rei's voice rang out clearly over the crowd.  As she got more into 
the song, her voice grew more powerful, resonating with emotion.  She 
sang of the fear of betrayal, of nights spent alone, of wondering if 
your love was true.  Soon, she had the audience eating out of her hand.  
When she finished, the audience applauded.

     The manager leaned over to Idol Angel Mami.  "She's really, really 
good."

     Idol Angel Mami nodded.  "I'm afraid she might steal the show from 
me."  She smiled faintly.  That girl has a real future in music, if she 
sticks with it.  She probably earned it too.  Idol Angel Mami sighed 
faintly.  "This will be a hard choice."

     The next act came on.  It was a girl with glasses on rollerblades.  
Watching from backstage, Rei recognized her as Guro's girlfriend.  She 
skated onto the stage and began circling it, singing a song from 
"The Starlight Express."  Idol Angel Mami tried hard not to laugh.  It 
was a cute idea, though.

     Unfortunately for Sayuri, her fate was not to be one of Idol Angel 
Mami's backup singers.  She blinked as she circled the stage for the third 
time and a wall of fire sprang up in front of her.  Leaning to one side, 
she sharply turned and skidded to a halt.  Turning to flee the fire, she 
saw it rising on all sides of her.  Rationality now failed her and she 
began to scream.

     So did the audience.  People began to flee the ballroom as shouts of 
"FIRE!" rang through the room.  The manager sprang up, groaned, and 
turned to Idol Angel Mami.  "Get out of here!  I'm going to go call the 
fire department."  The fire alarm started to ring.  Idol Angel Mami began 
to protest, but two hotel security men dragged her out of the ballroom 
towards safety.  Well, hopefully safety.

     A voice boomed out through the theatre.  "Senshi.  I know you're 
here.  Present yourself, or I shall destroy this building, this pathetic 
musician, and everyone else in this building."

     Usagi and her friends froze in place, having been mostly unable to 
get out due to being in the front and the mob surrounding them on all 
sides.  Backstage, Rei slipped off into one corner of the clearing out 
stage.  She pulled out her transformation wand and held it high.  "MARS 
STAR POWER, MAKE UP!"  The power came over her like a roaring bonfire.  
She felt herself transform, her old self burning away and her Sailor self 
rising like a phoenix from the ashes.  She strode out onto the stage.  "I 
am Sailor Mars!  Who are you corrupting the power of fire to threaten 
innocent people?  In the name of the planet Mars, I will punish you!  
Show yourself!"

     The voice laughed.  "So, it is as I suspected.  Only one of you is 
brave enough to show yourself.  Or are your friends just slow?"

     Sailor Mars glared into the darkness surrounding her, the fire, and 
the trapped singer.  "I don't exactly see you showing yourself!"

     In the chaos of the crowd, Grandpa and Yuuichiro shouted, "We're 
gonna go find Rei!" and headed off towards the exit towards the backstage 
area.  Steven nodded to Minako and led Naru and Umino towards an exit.  
The four senshi took cover among the chairs.  Minako whispered, "I've 
never transformed kneeling down before."

     Makoto nodded.  "Let's go."

     "At least Rei got to finish her song,"  Usagi said.  "I'm glad she 
got to sing in peace for once."

     Ami got out her computer.  "It's picking up someone really powerful."

     "We've got to help Rei!"  Usagi said.  "Moon Cosmic Power, Make up!"

     A flurry of transformations followed and the senshi stood up.  

     "Show yourself, pyro!  Corrupting fire..."  Sailor Moon began.

     "I've already done that, lazybones!  Get up here!"  Mars shouted.  

     Sailor Moon grumbled faintly, but the four senshi quickly leaped 
over to Mars' side.  "Now SHOW YOURSELF!"  Venus shouted.

     The fire around the skater went out and she fainted.  Standing next 
to her was a man dressed in plain red robes with a red hood over his 
face.  A repeated symbol was worked out in gold thread across the hood, 
sleeves, and the main body of the robe.  Unfortunately, none of the 
senshi could recognize it.  

     As Steven led Naru and Umino out the door, he turned and saw the 
man.  For a moment, his vision doubled and he saw the man behind the 
hood.  It was...was...noone he knew at all, but if he saw the man, he 
would know him.

     Umino stopped when Steven did, turned and saw the man and the Sailor 
Senshi.  "Look, Naru!  It's the Sailor Senshi!"

     Naru turned and looked.  Her heart almost stopped for a moment.  
That man...something about him.

     The man smiled.  "So, there are five of you here.  So where is the 
Princess?  Is she one of you?  I heard tell of six little girls...and 
their little protector, the White Knight."

     The senshi turned and looked at each other.  Six?  Sailor Moon 
blinked.  Hey, where's Mamo-chan?  Some instinct lead her to look 
upwards, and she spotted Tuxedo Kamen standing on the gangwalk over the 
stage.  He must be planning to surprise this man.  "You know us.  Who are 
you?  And I'm the Princess."

     The man looked at her.  "Hmm.  Perhaps that fool simply could not 
count.  Yet...I think you're trying to hide her from me."

     Sailor Moon said, "I am the Princess!  I am!  I am!"

     Sailor Mercury quietly ran a program on her computer.  She activated 
her visor and started taking readings on this unknown man in red.  

     "I suppose I will have to take all of you, just to be sure."  The 
man looked over them appraisingly.  "Will you come peacefully, or will 
I have to subdue you?"

     "We're not going anywhere with you!  Why do you want the Princess?  
WHO ARE YOU?"  Jupiter said, clenching her fists.

     Suddenly, Naru felt a memory rushing over her.  This man...he...

     She stood in a ballroom, dancing with someone...There was a sound of 
splintering metal.  A man spat fire from a balcony.  A chandelier 
falling...The man vanished...

     Naru shook her head.  "We've got to get out of here!"

     Steven whispered, "Aries, the ram."

     Umino said, "What?"

     "That's the sign of Aries the Ram."  Steven said, "On his clothing."

     "I am Aries, Jupiter.  I am the Ascendant One, and you cannot hope 
to resist me.  But I will not harm you unless it is necessary.  I am not 
a cruel man."

     "What about that poor innocent singer?"  Venus said.  "You 
threatened to burn her to death and everyone else!"

     "Was anyone actually harmed?"

     They all murmered among themselves at that.  "Um, well, no...but..."

     His voice turned a bit angry.  "But what?"

     "Why should we trust you?  And what the heck is the Ascendant One?"  
Jupiter stepped forward.  "I don't trust you and I don't like you.  
What's your game, buster?"

     He smiled.  "You think you can defeat me with your pathetic powers?  
Perhaps six months from now.  But not at this, my time.  This is my month 
and what I want, I get."

     Steven, Naru, and Umino turned to go.  The doors slammed shut.  
Steven struggled with the door, but it wouldn't open.  "Everyone down 
before they notice us."  They all dove and hid in the seats.  

     Naru looked down the aisle and saw someone scuttle around the end of 
one row of seats to the next, slowly making his way towards the front.  
It was Goro.  She poked Umino.  He looked over and blinked.

     "What's that nut doing?"  Umino whispered.

     "I don't know...I guess he got locked in like us."  Naru said.

     "That's his girlfriend up there...I think he's going to try and save 
her..."  Steven whispered.

     "He can't possibly fight someone like that!  We're not talking some 
helpless person he can just bully!  That guy is really powerful,"  Umino 
said.  "He's gonna get baked to ash."

     "Wouldn't you do the same for Naru, Umino?"  Steven asked.  

     Umino froze up for a moment.  Yes, I would, he thought.  If she was 
the one up there, I'd be trying to save her.  I...how can someone as mean 
as him care about someone?  I mean...doesn't she know what he's like?  
Umino sank deep into thought.

     Sailor Mercury shuddered slightly.  This Aries had vast amounts of 
power.  Not on a level with Queen Metallia, but still...There also was 
something...a linkage of some kind...

     "You do, eh?  Well, what a bully like you gets is a fist to the 
face!"  She stepped towards Aries, raising her fists.  

     Aries scowled.  "As you wish."  He gestured and flames erupted 
from his palm, flinging Jupiter back, her fuku slightly blackened, into 
the curtains and towards the wall.  "Well, it usually comes down to 
beating the truth out of people like you, anyway."

     Mars' face flushed with anger.  "That's my power, you creep!"

     Aries turned and smiled.  "Oh?  I'll give you a free shot."

     "Here it comes creep!  BURNING MANDALA!"  Six rings of celestial 
fire formed around her and cascaded forward at Aries in a flaming 
barrage.

     He yawned.  "Snuff."  The six rings of fire winked out.  

     The Senshi stared.  Tuxedo Kamen looked down.  Looks like my cue.  
He tossed a rose down at Aries.  It burst into flame in the air and 
crumbled to dust.  Aries looked up.  "Hello, cape boy."  He gestured 
and the gangplank burst into flames.  

     Tuxedo Kamen blinked and leapt over, sliding down the curtain.  The 
fight now moved into full swing.

     "Venus Love Me Chain!"  This time Aries didn't simply snuff the 
attack, rather he had to dive for cover.  

     As Jupiter got back up, Aries gestured and a huge wall of flames 
moved across the stage, forcing the Senshi back, igniting the 
curtains.  Slowly, the Senshi realized they were being forced back 
towards the wall.  

     At this moment, Goro broke cover and charged onto the stage at 
Aries.  "You hurt my girlfriend, you bastard!  I'm gonna rip you apart!"

     Aries turned his attention to Goro and the wall of fire stopped 
moving forward.  "Don't threaten me, boy!"

     "Mercury, do something!"  Sailor Moon shouted.  

     Mercury put away her computer, letting it run the program.  
"Shabon Spray Freezing!"  A spray of bubbles shot into the fire, 
freezing as they struck it.  Briefly, the wall of flame ripped open 
right in front of them and they dived through the gap.  

     Aries frowned.  I hate people with water powers, he thought.  "One 
step closer boy, and your girlfriend is an ash pile.  That counts for you 
sailors too."

     They all froze in place, Goro looming towards Aries, clearly wanting 
to rip him limb from limb, but unwilling to risk Sayuri's life.  "If you 
harm one hair on her head, I'll..."

     "Get burned to a small pile of dust.  Boy, your physical strength is 
nothing in comparison to mine.  I could kill you and not even notice.  
You are a speck, a worm, a nothing.  The Senshi are far weaker than I, 
and you don't even count in comparison to them.  You have no power.  Your 
strength is useless.  Now go away.  I have business to attend to and 
you're wasting my time."  

     Goro clenched and unclenched his fists repeatedly.  He seemed to be 
repeating something to himself, too softly for anyone else to hear.  
"You...sound like my father."

     "Then take some fatherly advice and go away."

     Goro turned to leave.  Aries smiled and turned back to the Senshi.  
"Now where we?"

     "You know, I really hate my father."  Goro turned and leaped onto 
Aries from behind.  They struggled as Goro pinned Aries' arms to his 
side.  "He always tells me I'm not important.  That I don't count.  That 
I'm just in his way."  Goro rolled around on the floor with Aries, who 
appeared to be completely surprised by this turn of events.  Goro started 
yelling louder and louder as he tried to smash Aries' head into the 
floor.  "I'm sick of being told I'm stupid!  That I don't matter!  That 
I'm a failure!"

     Umino winced.  I never knew his father was like that...poor guy.  No 
wonder he was angry all the time...

     While they were struggling, Venus darted forward, picked up Sayuri 
and carried her off to safety backstage.  She started to wake up.  
"What's going on?"

     "Your boyfriend is risking his life trying to fight someone way out 
of his league...I mean, uh..."

     Sayuri winced.  "You've got to get him out of there.  Goro thinks he 
has to fight the world.  He means well...He's really a nice person...but 
he gets angry and then..."

     Venus nodded.  "We'll make sure he's okay."

     Back on the stage, the Senshi spent a few seconds fretting.  If they 
used their powers, they'd risk crisping Goro, but they needed to do 
something.

     Jupiter broke the deadlock.  She was used to brawling.  She charged 
forward...too late.  Aries finally got his wits together and broke Goro's 
hold, then picked him up and hurled him at Jupiter.  They crashed into 
each other and collapsed, unconscious.    


      Aries pondered his next target.  Hmm.  Moon has done absolutely 
nothing so far.  Let's test her abilities.  He pointed at Sailor Moon 
and a pillar of flame shot forth at Sailor Moon.  "If you are the 
Princess, let's see you stop this."

     Sailor Moon screamed and dived to one side.  "How do you know 
about the Moon Kingdom?  Why do you want me?"

     Venus returned and assessed the situation.  "Mercury, nail him now.  
Let's double team him."

     "What about me?"  Mars said.  "I can attack him too!"

     "He's already demonstrated there's nothing you can do to him."  
Venus said.  "Make sure there aren't any innocent bystanders left 
here."

      Mars started to protest, but Venus stared at her hard.  She 
sighed and took off running about looking for anyone who might be 
trapped or hurt.

     Aries continued to toss flame bolts at Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen 
while the Senshi were planning their response.  They dodged desperately.  
Tuxedo Kamen tried throwing another rose and Aries casually turned it to 
dust.  Suddenly, he stopped.  They watched him warily.  He turned and 
blasted Venus and Mercury as they prepared to attack him.  Venus and 
flew across the stage and collapsed, her uniforms damaged by fire.  
Mercury was luckier and had started her attack before his could hit her.  
It snuffed out her ice into steam, but only a little fire got through to 
her.  She staggered back and moaned a little from the pain of the now 
surging hot steam.

     Steven clenched his fists as he peeped at the fight.  "Mina-chan..."

     "What?"  Umino said.  "Is Minako here?"  He peeked out.  "I don't 
see Minako."

     "I...uh...I'm just hoping she's okay."  They haven't told him?, 
Steven thought.  Naru knows...but he doesn't?  Do they think he can't be 
trusted?

     Sailor Moon clenched her fists.  "You've hurt my friends!  I've had 
enough of you!"  She whipped out the Spiral Heart Moon Rod, and was 
immediately struck by a flame blast.  She collapsed into Tuxedo Kamen's 
arms.  

     "You bastard!"  Tuxedo Kamen snarled at Aries.  How can he be so 
powerful?

     Naru peeked.  "No!!!!!!!!!"  She saw Sailor Moon knocked out.  "No, 
this can't be happening!  It can't!  It can't!  He can't kill them all!"

     Umino sighed.  "I can't help them.  I left my costume in my room..."

     Steven turned and looked at Umino.  "Your what?"

     Naru sighed.  "Umino, it's too dangerous!  Tempura shrimp aren't 
gonna stop someone like that!"  If only the White Knight would show up 
again...But I haven't seen him in a long time...Of course, we haven't 
been in danger either.  He doesn't seem the type to take vacations.

     Umino clenched his fists.  "If that idiot Goro could fight him..."

    "And now he's crumpled unconscious on the stage!  It was really foolish 
of him, but at least he's strong enough to TRY something like that..."  
Naru sighed.  "I feel sorry for him now."

     Umino sighed.  "Me too, really.  I just...wish there was something 
we could do."

     Aries stared at Tuxedo Kamen.  "Tell me where the Princess is, or 
you're next!"

     "You're not hurting anyone, Aries!  SHABON SPRAY!"  The stage filled 
with mist as Mercury used her oldest power.  This should disorient him 
long enough for me to find his weaknesses, she thought.  If he has 
any...Hmm.  The computer is showing he is drawing power from...Rei?  And 
from a wide range of other sources...No wonder she couldn't effect him.

     Mars found the trio huddled among the seats.  "What are you idiots 
doing here?  This place is dangerous!  Come on, get out!"  She grabbed 
Umino and started to drag him towards the door. 

     "Hey!  Wow!  I've been touched by a Senshi!"  Umino fainted.  

     Within seconds, there was a sound of galloping in the hallway.  The 
double doors from the hallway shattered and a man on horseback crashed 
through the doors.  It was the White Knight.  Aries turned in the fog to 
face him.

     "So, the Princess IS here!  I can hear you, knight.  Come and get 
me!  We'll do for you as we did to the last White Knight!"  Aries 
snarled.  I'm getting sick of all this!  WHERE is the Princess, he 
thought.  Can't be that pathetic Sailor Moon girl....Wait...Could it be 
Mercury?  She seems to be the smartest of the group.

      Mercury crept over to Tuxedo Kamen.  She pointed.  "Nail him while 
he's distracted.  I think he's drawing power from people...We have to 
find some way to cut off his power."

     The White Knight charged right up the aisle, through the fog.  Aries 
sighed.  What an idiot, he thought.  He set the aisle on fire with a 
gesture.  

     Mars dragged Umino towards the exit with Steven and Naru helping 
her.  Great, she thought, I get stuck playing babysitter while Tuxedo 
Kamen and Mercury try to stop this maniac.  Why does he want the Moon 
Princess, anyway?  And who is this White Knight person?

     Steven tried to look at the White Knight, but he couldn't see him 
clearly through the fog.  

     The fog boiled away from the flames, as the White Knight charged 
onwards.  The flames boiled around him without touching him.  Aries 
stared, fear coming into his eyes.  "That...That's impossible."

     "You have abused the power invested in you!  You have threatened the 
innocent and seek to take the Princess for yourself!  This I cannot 
allow!  I am the White Knight, defender of the Princess, and I say thee 
nay!"  He drew his sword and his horse leaped up onto the stage. 

     Aries said, "We defeated you before!  I am Ascendant!  You cannot 
hope to..."  He halted as a rose struck him in the back.  He started to 
turn, then realized he was caught between Tuxedo Kamen and the White 
Knight.  He focused and teleported across the stage.  Tuxedo Kamen barely 
leapt out of the way as the White Knight tried to slow his horse, which 
was rather difficult.

     As the fog dissipated, Aries spotted Mars trying to herd her friends 
out of the room.  Ahah...There's a girl there...they were hiding her from 
me...She might be a decoy...Well, whether or not she is the Princess, 
she'll make a good hostage.  

     Mercury ran over  to Tuxedo Kamen.  "We've got to try a combined 
attack...I think water is his vulnerability.  We don't have time to try 
and find his power source, I think."

     The White Knight rode towards Aries again.  "Surrender now!"

     Aries teleported again, this time over to Mars, between her and the 
exit.  "Stop where you are, or they'll get it."

     Mars got very red in the face.  "Do that and I'll tear you apart!  I 
won't let you hurt my fr...these innocents!"

     "You can't stop me, little girl."

     "I am not a little girl!"

     While they bickered, the White Knight rode over to Tuxedo Kamen and 
Mercury.  "We must move quickly while Sailor Mars keeps him busy."

     "But she can't hurt him!  He's immune to fire!  Or something,"  
Tuxedo Kamen said.

     "And he can't hurt her in turn...I suspect."  The White Knight 
frowned.  "But it may be too big a risk."  He pounded an armored fist 
into an armored palm.  "And if he hurts..."  

     Mars stepped between Aries and her friends.  "Give me your best shot!"

     He smiled.  "As you like."  He concentrated.  Mars felt herself 
starting to go cold as if all the heat was being sucked out of her.  Her 
uniform began to flicker.  Aries laughed.  "Let's see who you really are."

     "NO!"  She felt her power slipping away.  The fire inside her was 
guttering, flowing out of her.  She fought back, trying to cling to the 
power.  It was too late.  Suddenly, she was ordinary Hino Rei again.  The 
power was gone.

     "Now.  WHERE is the Princess?"  I should have planned this better, 
he thought.  I'm too impulsive.  If I can't beat this out of them, I'll 
have to try and take everyone back, just to be sure.  Aries sighed.  This 
has not been my best operation ever.

     "We'll never tell you!"  Steven said.  Because I have absolutely no 
idea what you're talking about, he thought, but at least I'll annoy you 
before I die...

     Naru whimpered.  I can't betray Usagi, but he's going to kill us!  
Why doesn't someone do something....I...I could try using the martial 
arts Makoto's been teaching me...He'll burn me...I...

     "Even if you take away my powers, I'll never betray the Princess to 
you!"  Rei shouted.  "And you forgot something!"

     "What?"

     "I practice martial arts."  She charged Aries, unleashing a flurry 
of punches.  

     Aries staggered under the blows.  Insolent girl!  He struck back 
with a flaming punch, sending her flying.  "I am strong beyond your ken, 
girl."

     Naru flinched.  "Don't hit my friend!"  I shouldn't have said 
that, she thought.  

     Aries turned to her.  "Who are you, girl?  Are you the Princess?"

     "No.  I was only a noblewoman...I mean, uh..."  Naru stammered.  How 
does this guy know about the Moon Kingdom?  Why does he want the 
Princess?  He...the Zodiac...He's part of the Zodiac...They 
want...want...She felt a memory starting to form.

     "So you remember the past as well...You could be useful to me as I 
search for the Princess and for other things as well."  Aries smiled.  
People who remember the Silver Millenium are very valuable to us.

     "I won't help you!  I won't betray ...the Princess!"  I almost 
slipped up there, she thought.

     "Naru, Steven, jump!"  Mercury shouted.

     Aries looked up.  While he had been busy talking, the White Knight, 
Mamoru and Mercury had crept close to him.  As Steven and Naru grabbed 
Umino and lept to one side, Mercury shouted, "SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"  
Power visibly flowed from the White Knight into her and Tuxedo Kamen 
hurled a rose into the midst of the attack.  Star filled bubbles rushed 
forth and slammed into Aries sending him flying through the doors.  Frost 
formed on his costume and an icicle hung off his nose.

     I can't risk them defeating me.  I know the girl is valuable.  I'll 
have to search for her later.  Trying to fight them all at once was too 
rash.  "Well, most impressive.  I suppose I shall have to go now.  But 
you can be sure that you will see me again!"  He snapped his fingers and 
vanished.

     Steven rushed over to Rei.  "Are you okay?"

     Rei sat up groggily.  "I guess you know I'm a Sailor Senshi now..."

     "I already knew."

     Rei and Mercury boggled.  "You what?"

     The White Knight said, "And now I must leave." 

     Naru turned to him and said, "Wait.  Who are you?  Do you know why 
these people are after us?"

     "I am the White Knight, the guardian of the Princess.  That is my 
purpose.  That is..."  He paused and said faintly, "I wish I knew more to 
tell you."  More loudly, he said, "Farewell, Osaka Naru.  Be careful.  
Aries will be watching you now.  He was never a cunning one...but the 
rest of the Zodiac...Beware..."  He mounted his horse and galloped off.

     "Wait!  Why does the Zodiac..."  Mercury shouted after him.

     The White Knight galloped off into the hallways of the hotel and out 
of sight.

     Naru sighed.  "He knows something...I almost...Something about 
Aries.  I almost remembered something...about the Zodiac."

     Umino moaned faintly and Naru rushed over to him.  "Umino, are you 
okay?" she asked.

     He sat up.  "Are you okay, Naru-chan?"

     She hugged him.  "We're all going to be okay."

     Tuxedo Kamen went back to the stage where the rest of the sailors 
were waking up.  "Did we win, Mamo-chan?"  Sailor Moon asked Tuxedo Kamen.

     "The White Knight and I helped Mercury beat him."  They hugged.

     Meanwhile, Mercury and Rei cornered Steven.  "Whaddya mean you 
already knew?"

     "I...uh.  I know who you all are, Ami."  He smiled faintly as 
Mercury started.  "I could tell as soon as I saw you all. It was 
blatantly obvious.  It's not like you look much different as..."

     "But even Youma generals and the like couldn't tell!"  Rei said. 

     "Wait, could you tell who the White Knight was?"  Mercury asked.

     "I didn't get a good look at him.  But next time...So who's this 
princess?"

     Venus staggered over to Steven and hugged him weakly.  He stroked 
her hair.  "I'm sorry I couldn't help you, Mina-chan."

     "Don't feel bad, Steve-kun.  I'm just glad he didn't hurt you."  She 
sighed.  I hope he doesn't get hurt because of me, she thought.

     Rei tapped her foot.  "Venus..."

     "Rei, are you getting jealous?"

     "No, VENUS.  Umino's right over there...If he turns around..."

     Venus sprang back from Steven.  "Oops...I...Maybe we should tell 
him.  I mean..."

     Mercury sighed.  "We need to discuss that.  I'm sure Naru wants to 
tell him.  Well, we'd better slip off and change back."

     Venus nodded.  "Hai."

     Sayuri crept out from backstage and ran over to Goro, holding him.  
"Goro, Goro, Goro...you've got to be okay."

     "He's very brave,"  Jupiter said.  "He risked himself to try and 
save you."

     "I know,"  she said, starting to cry.

     Mercury came over and scanned Goro.  "He's got a few broken bones, 
but I think he'll be okay.  I'll go call for some medical attention for him."

     Sayuri held Goro until help arrived.

                                   *****
 
     Steven, Naru, and Umino headed back towards their rooms.  "I hope 
everyone is okay,"  Umino said.  "I guess they got out faster than we 
did."

     Naru smiled faintly.  "I'm sure they'll be okay."  

     Grandpa came around the corner.  "Has anyone seen Yuuichiro?  We 
tried to find the backstage entrance and got mobbed by the people 
fleeing everywhere.  I lost him in the confusion somehow..."

     Steven said, "I haven't seen him.  Probably he's gone back to the 
room.  Come on, Grandpa.  I think we could all use some rest."

     "I just hope Rei is all right."  He sighed.  "She runs off and 
vanishes all the time, it seems like.  Then she won't tell me where she 
went."

     Steven nodded.  "She's a sensible girl.  Probably she's with the 
others right now, wherever they fled to."

     They reached their room and went inside.  Well, they reached the 
men's sleeping room.  Naru went to go check her room, while they sat down 
and turned on the TV.

     At that moment, Yuiichiro walked in.  "Hi, guys. I got lost.  Did 
you find Rei, Grandpa?"

     "No, but I'm too tired to search any longer."  Grandpa laid down on 
the bed.

     "Do you want me to go looking for her, Grandpa?"  Steven asked.  

     "You're a good boy, Steven.  I'd appreciate that.  Minako's lucky to 
have a nice boy like you."

     Steven blushed.  "Thanks.  Wanna come with me, Umino?"

     Umino got up.  "Sure!  You coming, Yuuichiro?"

     "No, I'd better stay here with Grandpa in case he needs me."  
Yuuichiro sank into a comfy chair.  

     Steven and Umino headed out into the hallway.  "Let's go get 
Naru-chan,"  Umino said.  

     When they reached Naru's room, they found Rei, and all the other 
missing females.  Minako, Usagi, and Makoto looked like they had a 
rather bad sunburn and they had clearly changed clothing.  Rei had a 
rather nasty bruise on her chin.  Minako leaped over and hugged Steven 
enthusiastically.  "Hiya!  You miss me?"

     He smiled.  Umino said, "Is everyone okay?  We got separated trying 
to get out of the theatre and..."  Taking in Minako, Usagi and Makoto's 
condition, he said, "Oh man, did you get caught in some of that fire that 
was being tossed around?"

     "We...uh.  Yeah, we got steamed by a burst pipe that got 
vaporized,"  Makoto quickly said.

     "Your grandpa was looking for you, Rei."  Steven said.  "You might 
want to let him know you're okay."

     Rei nodded and ran out of the room.  Naru said, "Want to talk a walk 
with me, Umino?"

     He nodded fervently.  They soon departed, leaving Steven to face the 
firing line of questions.

     As soon as the door closed, Usagi said, "Steven, did you..."

     He nodded.  "Jupiter.  Moon.  Tuxedo Kamen.  Mercury.  Venus."  He 
pointed to each of them in turn.  "I knew the moment I saw you."

     "How?"  Ami asked.  

     "I've seen pictures of the Senshi, and once I saw you face to face 
it was obvious.  I have a ...talent for that."

     "See, I told you I didn't tell him!"  Minako said.  "But he told me 
he'd be able to tell who was who as soon as he saw any of the 
sailors...and he did know I was Sailor Venus...I guess I should have told 
you guys he knew about me...but I wasn't sure how you'd take it and..."

     Mamoru smiled.  "Well, welcome to the Senshi auxillary.  So far you 
and Naru are the only members, but..."

     Steven frowned slightly.  "Why haven't you told Umino?"

     "He's got a mouth the size of Tokyo bay,"  Usagi said.  "He gossips 
more than almost anyone I know.  We're not sure if he could keep quiet 
about it.  I feel bad not telling him, though.  I mean, Naru knows..."

     Makoto nodded.  "I think we need to tell him.  Especially if Naru 
has anymore of those flashbacks."

     "Flashbacks?"  Ami asked.

     "Last night, we were talking, and she flashed back to the Moon 
Kingdom and cast a spell.  If that happens again..."  

     Usagi blinked.  "A spell?  What did it do?"

     "Made a little light that floated by her hand for about a half an 
hour.  Not tremendously impressive...but..."  

     "Maybe she is the Sailor of the Sun!"  Usagi said.

     Minako groaned.  "Get off it, Usagi!  There was no Sailor of the Sun."

     "Or Sailor Asteroid Belt or..."  Usagi began babbling over possible 
Senshi identities.

     "We also need to find out who is the White Knight,"  Ami said.  "I 
think he may know more about this Zodiac than he admits..."

     "What's Rei's birthday?"  Steven asked.

     "April 19,"  Ami said.  

     "In other words, she's an Aries, right?"

     "Yes."

     Steven dragged Minako over to one of the beds and they sat down 
together.  "I think he may have power over other people with the same 
sign.  Or it could be that he has power over fire...and people who use it."

     "And finally, we need to find out how the Zodiac knows about the 
Moon Princess, and how much they know."  Ami looked over at Usagi.  "They 
were probably behind the Youma attack at the temple and the attack 
earlier today."

     "I'm going to bug Luna about the Zodiac when we get home.  She might 
be able to tell us something."  Usagi said.  "Or she might just have 
forgotten it all."

     "I'll ask Artemis,"  Minako said.  

     The planning continued onward into the night.

                                   *****

     The next day, they went to one of the segregated hot springs.  The 
girls relaxed their tired muscles in the nice hot water.  Ami sensed 
someone lurking over her shoulder.  She turned and saw Manami.  

     Manami smiled.  "Hi, Ami."

     "Hi, Manami.  Did you get where you had to be last night okay?"

     Manami nodded.  "I heard they chose your friend Rei as one of the 
backup singers."

     Rei overheard this.  "They did?  COOL!" 

     "Apparently Idol Angel Mami thinks she has real talent as a 
singer,"  Manami said, settling down into the water.  "I wish I could go 
see her, but I've got to leave before the concert and help the parents 
finish the arrangements for me to go to my new school."

     "Where are you going to?"  Ami asked.  "I'm about to start at this 
place called Shirokuro High when school starts."

     "I'm gonna miss you, Ami,"  Usagi said.  "Naru and I are going to be 
at Tsunami High when school starts."

     "Hey, really?  That's where I'm going!"  Manami said.  "It'll be 
nice to see someone I know.  Wait...isn't Shirokuro the school that just 
burned to the ground yesterday?"

     Ami blinked.  "It...what?"

     Manami nodded.  "No one was hurt.  The building was completely 
empty.  It just went up in flames.  Not much more than ashes left."

     "I suppose I'll be looking for another school then..."  Ami said.

     "I'm stuck going to this stupid Moon Hill Experiment House,"  Minako 
moaned.  "It's supposed to help me learn more English...Steven can do 
that better than this stupid school, but my parents decided Moon Hill was 
just the most wonderful place...Culturally enriching and all that junk."

     A long discussion of future school plans followed, resulting in a 
motion to forget about it and just relax.  The motion passsed.

                                   *****

     Umino, Naru, and Usagi stood nervously outside the hotel infirmary.  
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Usagi?"  Umino said.  "I mean..."

     Naru sighed.  "We can't hide from him forever...and after what we 
saw, I don't think he's as bad as we thought.  What he did was very brave."
She opened the door and stepped inside.  

     Goro was lying on the bed, wrapped up with bandages, one leg in a 
cast.  Sayuri was sitting near him.  They were talking quietly.  

     Naru said, "Excuse me.  We just came by to say we hope you get 
better soon.  You did a very brave thing...in the theatre."

     Goro stared at them for a moment.  "Uh...thanks."

     Sayuri smiled.  "Thank you.  Goro-kun is very brave.  I'm glad he 
didn't get hurt anymore than he did."

     Umino took a deep breath.  "I'm ...I'm sorry I got you driven out of 
our school...I shouldn't have done that, spread all those rumors...faked 
those pictures...It was wrong.  I should have found some other way to 
deal with you.  I'm still not happy about how you treated me...but that 
wasn't any excuse for what I did."

     Goro blinked again.  "I must be imagining this."

     Umino stared at the floor.  "I know we never got along...but it just 
wasn't right.  I'm sorry."

     Goro took a deep breath.  "It...It's over now.  We both really 
should forget about it.  We may never see each other again, anyway."  He 
sank back into the bed as if he had drained himself a bit by saying 
that.  

     Sayuri smiled.  "It's always best to part on good terms."

     Goro sat up a bit more.  "How'd you get so many girlfriends, anyway, 
Umino?  You were practically surrounded by a harem the last time I saw 
you..."

     Umino blushed.  "They're friends of Naru..."

     Usagi smiled.  "We're your friends too, Umino.  Just don't get any 
funny ideas..."

     They all laughed, and the conversation moved on.

                                   *****


Makoto REALLY says, this time:

Makoto:  [tosses Usagi into the closet, tied, bound, gagged, and painted 
blue]  That's what you get for stealing my "Makoto says" last time!

Usagi:  MMRLWIJERIEU!

Makoto:  Anyway, what we learned today is Rei is a great singer.

Rei:  Thanks, Makoto!

Makoto:  Minako's new boyfriend is a hunk with a special power.  He kind 
of reminds me of...

Minako:  Every male on EARTH reminds you of him!

Makoto:  Hey!  Umino doesn't!

Minako:  Just don't make any moves on him or I'll...

Makoto:  [menacingly]  Or you'll what? 

Naru:  [pokes Makoto]  The camera is still running!

Makoto:  Heh.  Oh yeah.  Most importantly, we learned to never give up!  

Naru:  Because Rei refused to quit fighting even after she was turned 
back to normal?

Makoto:  Actually, I was thinking of Usagi trying to fit into her bathing 
suit...

[The closet door explodes and Usagi emerges in Sailor Moon mode.]

Sailor Moon:  I HEARD THAT!

[A riot of cosmic proportions ensues.]
 
                                   *****

Closing Credits:


     "My road leads me far away."

     We see Nephrite telling Juno that he must go soon for a great 
conflict is about to begin.
 
     "Though my heart tells me to stay,"

     We see Princess Serenity clinging to a worried looking Endymion.

     "When my duty calls, I must go"

     We see Pluto appearing in the midst of the ballroom at the Diamond Gala.

     "'Twixt worlds of fire and worlds of snow."

     We cut to a shot of the solar system, with the nine planets and the 
moon lined up from the Sun at the left to Pluto at the right, with the 
Senshi and Prince Endymion standing on their planets as shadowy figures.

     "The road I travel will be long"

     We see the White Knight galloping down a Tokyo street on horseback.

     "To set things right, to end the wrongs."

     We see Tuxedo Mask tossing a red rose into the barrel of a gun, 
which backfires and explodes.

     "But this message will I send," 

     We see Rei picking up a blue crystal, which starts to play back a 
message.

     "Wait for me at Journey's End."

     We see Naru waiting for someone outside a restaurant.

     "Do not forget the love we share"

     We see Princess Serenity and Endymion tearfully bidding each other 
farewell.

     "Though I must leave, my heart will stay."

     We see Naru crying as Nephrite dissolves away in her arms.

     "Do not think I ceased to care"

     We see Beryl implanting crystals in the foreheads of the four 
Guardians and cackling maniacally.

     "When my duty took me away."

     We see Steven waiting at a restaurant, then sighing as he checks his 
watch.
     
     "The road I travel will be long"

     We see the Sailors using the Sailor Teleport to travel to the ruins 
of the Moon Kingdom.

     "To set things right, to end the wrongs."
     
     We see Umino trying to fight a monster in "Tuxedo Umino Kamen" mode.

     "But this message will I send,"

     We see Luna trying to use a dial only phone.
 
     "Wait for me at Journey's End."

     We see Umino leap to his feet as Naru comes running up the sidewalk 
to him with Usagi and company.

     "I have only my heart to give"

     We see Haruka and Michiru sharing a quiet moment.

     "For my life is not my own."

     We see the baby Saturn in a crib.

     "It is for others that I must live"

     We see Pluto having a frustrating time trying to counsel a young girl.

     "But it is for you that I come home."

     We see Mamoru following a trail of smoke to Usagi in his kitchen.

     "The road I travel will be long"

     We see Capricorn vanishing through a portal.

     "To set things right, to end the wrongs."

     We see a chamber with stars for a ceiling and a horoscope on the 
floor.  A man clad in white robes stands in the center and stares down at 
the horoscope.

     "But this message will I send," 

     We see Usagi listening to a message on the phone, her eyes getting big.

     "Wait for me at Journey's End."

     We see a closing tableux of the Sailors, Umino, Naru, Steven, Tuxedo 
Mask, and twelve shadowy figures standing on a Zodiac wheel.
 

Author's Note:

     Steven Grant first appears in Symphony of the Planets:  Venus.  Go 
read it if you hadn't.  It's good for you.  The Selene reference is from 
that story.

     Manami first appears in this story, but you'll see her again.  

     The Wonder Twins, on the other hand, are dead, dead, dead.  Yes, I 
did watch the Superfriends as a kid and I did think the guy of the twins 
had a lousy power :)

     Next episode, it's time for everyone to go to High School!  (Grease 
style song and dance number optional)

John Walter Anthony Biles



John Walter Biles :  MA-History, Ph.D Wannabe at U. Kansas         
ranma@falcon.cc.ukans.edu   http://falcon.cc.ukans.edu/~ranma/falcon.html 
                            http://www.dhp.com/~wraven/john/index.html

If you've ever watched the game warden through a gun sight...
     You might be a redneck.