Special Thanks: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing, good ideas and comments, and providing me with Sailor Moon stories to enjoy! Thanks Will! Doug Helm, Jendra and Andrew Hujsak for comments and suggestions which, IMHO, strengthened the story immensely. Thanks People! Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi and all terms, names etc associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha. The Guardians and everything pertaining to the Star Kingdoms are MINE! Tales of the Moon Kingdom Sailor Moon: Kin Sisters By Eric "Greywolf" den Biesen Vordin flew high above Crystal City, his Wing of twenty arrayed behind him in formation. He kept watch over the retreating Youma in the distance. he thought wearily, This was the first raid that had ever penetrated so deeply into the Crystal Kingdom, and Vordin was very worried. General Kunzite had also warned him about something he called a `Chaos Dragon', whatever that was. A sudden blast of displaced air from above warned him. He looked up to see a large black form descend on him as the other Kin cried out in surprise. Agonizing pain shot through him as the black form struck him, its razor sharp claws slashing viciously. He heard the battle cries of his Wing when the darkness claimed him and he knew no more. "But Auntie Maeribeth, if the other Kin could breath lightning, why can't you?" eight year old Princess Serenity asked her teacher. Maeribeth smiled at her insatiably curious young student. "Well Hatchling, that's something we don't know for sure," she explained as simply as she could, "It could be because this land is different from the one my people came from. It chose to make us the way we...." She stopped speaking, her head cocked to one side, as if listening. She gave a strangled gasp as her hands clasped her head. Her mouth opened in a silent scream of agony, as the searing pain of a severed Pair Bond blasted through her unguarded mind. She stood erect for a few seconds more, her body trembling from the strain, before collapsing bonelessly to the floor. Serenity looked uncomprehendingly at her mother's unconscious Kin Sister. "Auntie Maeribeth?" she whispered as she slowly approached her. She put a small hand on her Aunt's shoulder and shook her. "Auntie! Wake up!" Serenity whispered fiercely, "It's NOT funny!" Maeribeth did not respond, her body was completely limp. She looked down at her Kin Aunt's deathly pale face and felt terror overwhelm her. "Mommy!" she screamed, tears falling from wide frightened eyes to stream down her cheeks, "Mooooommmeeee!!" The door of the Royal Apartment burst open at Serenity's cry, and thirteen year old Mercury ran in with Jupiter right behind her. "Serenity! What's wrong? Why did....?" Mercury broke off at sight of the unconscious Dragonkin. Rushing to her side, Mercury pulled out her computer as Jupiter joined her. "Will she be alright, Ami?" Serenity pleaded tearfully. Mercury looked at her young Princess and knew she couldn't lie to her. "I don't know yet, Poppet," she answered worriedly as she scanned Maeribeth with her computer, "Can you do me a favor, Sweetie? Will you go and get your mother?" After young Serenity had left, Jupiter turned to Mercury. "Mercury, shouldn't we have tried to calm her down, BEFORE sending her to get her mother?" she asked with a frown, "She's going to worry a lot of people when she bursts into the Throne Room in the state she's in!" "Good!" Mercury answered without looking up from her computer, "They SHOULD be worried!" Jupiter looked sharply at her companion. "You know what's wrong with her?" Mercury shook her head slightly. "Not exactly." she replied, perplexed, "It's similar to severe shock, but it's not that." Her computer began to beep urgently. She touched a key and gasped. She turned a horrified look at her friend. "Jupiter! Get a healer! Quickly!" she cried turning back to her computer, "Her life signs have gone critical AND THEY'RE FAILING!!" Jupiter took one startled look at Mercury and rushed from the apartment, heading as fast as she could run, for the Kin Healer who was based in the Palace. Queen Serenity was deep in conversation with the Ambassador of the Mars Kingdom when the Throne Room doors opened. Princess Serenity ran in, sobbing wildly. "Mommy!" she cried, "I want my mother!" Queen Serenity opened her mouth to scold her daughter, when the words fled from her mind at the look on her child's face. The mother replaced the queen as she rushed forward to embrace her hysterical child. She rocked back and forth on her knees, soothing her trembling daughter. She looked up at Avalon's approach. "Avalon, clear the Throne Room," she ordered quietly while stroking her daughter's hair comfortingly, "Audiences are over for now, until I learn what's happened." Avalon nodded and moved off to implement his Queen's command. General Kunzite cursed viciously as a fourth Dragonkin fell from the sky, shredded by the claws of the Chaos Dragon. He looked to the north. He could see the fleeing Youma were turning to return to the fray. "They're helpless against the thing!" Zoisite cried. Kunzite studied his companion grimly. "Considering it's at least three times their size AND apparently immune to their powers, I'm not surprised." He continued to watch the desperately one sided battle. "Zoisite, the Chaos Dragon is fully occupied with the Kin Wing. Let's see if something mundane can hurt him. Bring out our `little surprise'!" Zoisite nodded and ran to the city gates. "Lieutenant, your men can bring it out now," he ordered, "Hurry! The Kin Wing is taking dreadful casualties! They can't hold much longer!" A massive ballista rolled from the gates, slowly, pulled by lines of sweating cursing soldiers, who struggled to get the massive weapon into firing position. Kunzite continued to study the battle worriedly. The Chaos Dragon was still fully occupied with the Wing's ragged survivors and had not yet noticed the frantic activity on the ground. Zoisite stood with his sword at the ready once the weapon was positioned and waiting. He exchanged a concerned glance with Kunzite. he fretted anxiously, He need not have worried. Galen noticed the huge ballista almost at once, and realized what was needed. he thought, He looked at the Chaos Dragon consideringly, and roared out an insult. Though Galen spoke in Kaeloch, the tongue of the Dragonkin, the tone of voice was unmistakable. The huge beast bellowed in fury and Galen fled, the Chaos Dragon in angry pursuit. Galen dove straight at the ballista, the Chaos Dragon following in his wake. As Galen saw Zoisite's sword flash, he pulled up frantically. Zoisite's sword came down slashing the rope holding the huge weapon cocked. The bow snapped forward with a thunderous TWANG! A fifteen foot bolt sped into the sky passing just beneath Galen as he continued to climb. His pursuer pulled up attempting to follow, exposing its chest. The bolt struck, burying itself in the massive chest, almost to the fletching. The beast let out a deafening shriek of agony. "YES!" Zoisite crowed, "BULLSEYE!" His expression changed to alarm. "Quick! Everyone, MOVE!" They fled from the ballista as the dying Chaos Dragon continued its dive, lacking the strength to pull out of it. It struck the ballista still trying to pull out the bolt in its chest that was killing it. An explosion of light and dust. When the dust cleared, the Chaos Dragon was gone. Zoisite looked at the tangled wreckage of the ballista. "Oh well," he remarked to Kunzite, "Back to the ol' drawing board!" Kunzite turned to look north. "Look," he said, pointing. Everyone turned to look. The Youma were retreating once more. The gathered soldiers cheered in jubilation. The cheers subsided as the ragged remnants of the Kin Wing landed around them. Of a full Wing of twenty, only nine remained, and only two of those were fit for duty. Kunzite moved forward to offer his condolences, and to consult with Galen on what to do next. After a moment of discussion, Galen called a halt. "We will send another Wing, My Lord Kunzite," Galen told him, "But I must get the remnants of THIS one, back to the Moon." he continued to himself, grieved over his father's death and desperately worried about his mother, Once her daughter was calm enough to talk, Queen Serenity got the whole story from her and her eyes widened in shock. She opened her senses hurriedly and was staggered by a wave of searing pain and a grief so intense that she was stunned by it. she thought, shaken. "Elder Mercury! Come with me!" she commanded, "Something terrible has happened to Maeribeth!" Picking up her daughter, she rushed from the Throne Room, Elder Mercury on her heels. As she rushed to her Kin Sister's aid, she failed to notice the Kin Guard in the Throne Room when they stiffened in shock, as an open send from one of the Kin on Earth reached them. Queen Serenity sat next to her bed, regarding its occupant with tear filled eyes. she thought, swallowing a sob as she looked at her sister's snow white face. She glanced at her daughter sleeping next to Maeribeth on the bed. With the simplicity of youth, she felt that her presence alone might bring her Aunt back from wherever she had fled. she mused, Shortly after Maeribeth had been moved to the bed, Galen had returned with the shattered remnants of Vordin's Wing. Avalon had already informed them of the tragic battle on Earth. Now seeing the survivors, it was driven home that Vordin, her Guard Commander, was dead. Now they knew the reason for Maeribeth's collapse. The Kin Healer had told her that her sister was suffering from `Bond Shock', the usually lethal result of a Pair Bond severed by death. Galen, however, refused to accept that his mother would die and had gone to the Kin Caverns for help. Queen Serenity thought impatiently, She reached down and clasped her sister's cold limp hand. She brought it to her cheek and could hold her tears back no longer. "Oh Sister!" she sobbed out softly, tears streaming from her desolate eyes, "Please don't leave me, PLEASE!" She bowed her head over Maeribeth's hand. "Oh if only I could DO something!" she choked out. "Actually, My Queen, you can," a soft hesitant voice came from the doorway. Queen Serenity turned slowly to the door and wiped the tears from her eyes so she could see her visitor clearly. A young girl stood there, only five feet tall, with shoulder length curly silver hair. On her forehead, was the symbol of the Dragonkin. Queen Serenity gasped in surprise. she thought, shocked. She looked into the Kin's eyes and received a second shock. Instead of the silver eyes she expected, this Kin's eyes were blue, a blue so dark that it was almost black. The child's posture indicated extreme nervousness, as if ready to flee at any moment. Galen stepped into the room and placed a calming hand on the young Kin's shoulder. "This is Azeroth, My Queen," he explained, "She's only a hatchling and this is her first time in the Capital. She's only thirty-four years old." Queen Serenity gasped and rose to take the trembling hatchling into her arms. "Galen! She's just a baby!" she remonstrated, "Why bring the child here, of all places?!" "Because, My Queen, Azeroth volunteered to come after I explained our problem," he explained, not at all put off by the Queen's sudden motherly demeanor, "She is the rarest and most precious of Dragonkin." Azeroth, sensing the Queen's protectiveness, leaned into her and her trembling stilled as Queen Serenity's arms tightened in soothing security. "Rarer even than Soul Healers?" she asked, curious in spite of herself. Galen nodded in affirmation. "Much rarer," he replied, "Mother is the third Soul Healer born to the Moon Kingdom Dragonkin. Though the other two are dead, there WERE three at one time. Azeroth is the first of her kind to be born here. Sometimes, thousands of years can pass before one like her is born to us. You see, Azeroth is an Empath!" Queen Serenity looked down incredulously at the girl in her arms. Azeroth stared back, her strange eyes meeting the Queen's. "It is true," Azeroth said softly, "You can use your Kin Bond to go into Eldara Maeribeth's mind. I can help you by following the Eldara's emotions to show you where in her mind she has withdrawn. Together, we can help her come back out!" Queen Serenity thought, meeting Galen's eyes, Azeroth led Queen Serenity to the bed. She sat on one side and bade the Queen to take the other. She placed her hands on the sides of Maeribeth's head. "My Queen, please place your hands over mine and follow my lead," Azeroth instructed. She looked up at the Queen hesitantly, and Serenity's gentle smile reassured her. "My Queen," she began softly, "This may be dangerous for you!" Serenity frowned slightly. "How so, Hatchling?" Azeroth looked down at the Eldara. "The Eldara is near death," she explained slowly, not looking at Serenity, "If she should die while you are in her mind, you, too, will be lost! Only a Soul Healer could save you, and SHE is the only one we have!" Serenity glanced at her daughter. she thought sadly, She turned back to Azeroth, her eyes filled with resolve. "In this instance, my duty is to my Kin Sister," she said firmly, "I'll take that chance simply because it IS the only chance to save her!" Azeroth smiled with relief. "I was hoping you would try, My Queen," she whispered, "Place your hands atop mine." The Queen placed her hands atop Azeroth's and both of them immediately tranced. Galen cast a shield over the room to hold out foreign emotions and waited, hoping against hope, that the Kin Bond would be enough to save his critically ill mother. he thought, raising trembling hands to rub eyes burning with unshed tears. She was lost in the Dark. Adrift on a sea of nothingness, she grieved, grieved as deeply as only someone who had lost lover and life partner could grieve. She dimly perceived that she was in danger of losing herself. she thought dimly, <> That cry, a cry from someone she knew, someone she loved dearly, affected her as nothing else could have. She uncoiled herself from her fetal position slightly, a faint interest in her pain filled silver eyes. She listened, but did not reply. <> came the call again. Something stirred inside her at the anguish in the call, but she still did not answer. she thought painfully to herself. <> A hint of impatience appeared in Maeribeth's eyes. she thought. <> a soft childish voice whispered. Maeribeth's eyes widened slightly. <> the child's voice whispered again, <> Maeribeth thought in anguish, She twisted in agony, her love for her Kin Sister at war with her will to die. She thought of Serenity's desolation at Orion's death and the Kin Bond that pulled her from the depths of despair. She thought of the trying times as she worked to heal her Kin Sister's shattered spirit and the joy of Princess Serenity's birth. And lastly, she thought of the great love she had for her sister and which her sister had for her. She felt terribly ashamed. she thought. <> THAT made her uncoil completely, her eyes shocked. she admonished herself, She thrust down her grief and allowed the love she had for Serenity to rise in it's stead, until she felt choked by it. <> Queen Serenity appeared before her, looking painfully relieved. At the sight of her, Maeribeth's eyes filled with tears again. With a grief stricken wail, she threw herself into her Kin Sister's arms. For a timeless moment, there was no sound in the nothingness but the sound of heart grief. After a time, she looked up. <> Serenity gently wiped the tears from her Kin Sister's cheeks. <> Maeribeth looked at Serenity. Serenity's eyes were filled with desperate entreaty. <> She looked at her Sister's hand and reached out a violently trembling hand to clasp it. Serenity smiled and returned the clasp tightly then, she tugged hard. She felt a moment of disorienting dizziness and next thing she knew, she was coming out of her trance. Azeroth pulled back and smiled. "She is back, Majesty!" she said joyfully, "She will wake soon so I will leave now." Serenity cast a grateful smile on the child. "Thank you, my dear! >From both of us." At a movement from the bed, Serenity turned her full attention to its occupant, only dimly noting Azeroth and Galen quietly leaving the room. Serenity watched as Maeribeth's eyes fluttered open. As the pain of grief hit her, Serenity took the grieving Dragonkin into her arms and rocked her, crooning a wordless lullaby. Too weak even to sob, Maeribeth clutched her Kin Sister tightly, her tears wetting Serenity's shoulder. Princess Serenity awoke with a start. Looking up, she saw Maeribeth in her mother's arms. With the clear sight of the young, she crawled up the bed and hugged her Aunt tightly around the waist. One of the Dragonkin's arms came down to clasp the child firmly as Maeribeth held on desperately to her only anchors in a sea of pain. "Kin Sister?" came a hoarse voice from against her shoulder. Serenity looked down to see Maeribeth looking up at her. "Do you remember what I said to you on the Crystal Mounts, after our ride?" Serenity nodded with a sad smile. "I do indeed," she answered. "Well, I hope you're ready to return the favor since I'm the one who needs the handkerchiefs now!" Serenity felt a surge of joy. Maeribeth was smiling at her! A weak smile to be sure, but a smile nonetheless. "I have all the hankies you'll ever need," she replied, her tear filled eyes shining, "And I will be here whenEVER you need me!" Princess Serenity looked up at that. "Me too!" she piped up. Maeribeth took the child and concentrated on soothing her as Serenity looked on smiling. she thought, She looked up at the stars outside the window. she vowed silently, The End (For now)