Special Thanks: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing, good ideas and comments, and providing me with Sailor Moon stories to enjoy! Thanks Will! 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! Sailor Moon: Guardians of the Star Chapter 7: Dragonkin of the Moon Kingdom Ikuko closed the door to Haeth's room carefully and leaned against it with a weary sigh. she thought numbly, A tear squeezed out from her closed eyes followed by several more. A step on the landing caused her to look up. Kenji looked back at her with understanding in his eyes and spread his arms. She ran into his embrace and sobbed quietly. "That could have been our baby in there, Kenji!" she whispered, "I'm so frightened for her!" He sighed as he tried to suppress his own fears. "I know, dear," he said comfortingly, "But remember that she has the Senshi to protect her. Rei and the others won't let anything happen to her. Besides, while I AM afraid for my little girl, I'm also very PROUD of her!" Ikuko smiled back at him, feeling better. "I am too," she agreed, "Now let's go downstairs and reassure OUR Senshi about Haeth." Hand in hand, they descended the stairs to comfort the children who were also the mightiest warriors in Japan. When they came down, Sailor Moon leapt to her feet followed by the other Senshi. "Mama?" she cried softly. Ikuko held her arms open and Sailor Moon ran into them sobbing. Mamoru prepared to go to her but Kenji caught his eye and shook his head silently. He motioned everyone into the living room. Mamoru looked back to see Sailor Moon sobbing on her mother's shoulder while her mother held her tightly, stroking her hair soothingly. Kenji sat wearily in his chair as the Senshi positioned themselves on the floor at his feet. Mamoru opted for the couch. Kenji was about to speak when the front door burst open and Chibi-Moon ran in followed by the four Guardians. "Mako-chan!" she exclaimed excitedly, "I found them!" "So I see," Jupiter returned smiling slightly. There was chaos and confusion as everyone tried to talk at once. "Whoa! Slow down!" Kenji exclaimed holding up his hands. By the time the noise subsided, Sailor Moon and her mother had rejoined them. Sailor Mercury stood up. "Since the whole thing began with Minako and I," she said, "Why don't I start?" At everyone's nod, she explained everything that happened since they rounded the corner and saw the Dark Kindred. [See chapter 6 for details-ed.] When she finished and sat back down, Sailor Moon climbed to her feet and took over the story. "......and then Rei fried him with that new attack of hers," she concluded smiling at Rei, "He got away but she hurt him good before he did!" Greywolf leaned forward, his gray eyes turning toward Usagi's mother. "First thing we must know is how is Haeth?" he asked in concern. Ikuko sighed. She had been afraid this question would come sooner or later. "Not too good," she replied sadly, "Ami says most of her injuries are superficial but her arm is BADLY broken! She needs medical treatment!" Lynn looked concerned at that. "There may be a problem with that, Mrs. Tsukino!" she spoke up worriedly, "Haeth is NOT human and while Dragonkin in human form ARE close enough to the real thing to fool sight, medical instruments would NOT be fooled!" "I have an idea about that," Ikuko returned with a reassuring smile, "I'll explain later. Right now I want to know just one thing." She turned to Lynn. "Why did Haeth continue to fight after Minako was safe? She SHOULD have backed off and let the others use all their powers on him! Even SHE had powers she could have used and DIDN'T!" Lynn sighed. "For that, I need to give you a short history of the Star Kingdoms and the first Doom War," she explained. She sat in thought for a moment. "Where to begin," she mused aloud, "It's a complex tale and we don't have time for the full version. Hmmmm. OK, the Star Kingdoms exist in a dimension parallel to this one and as such, big historical events are sometimes mirrored in both universes. Everyone with me so far?" At everyone's nod, she continued, "The Star Kingdoms are our universe's version of the Silver Millennium and like The Moon Kingdom, one thousand years ago, the Star Kingdoms were involved in a cataclysmic war against the Dark Empire. Unlike the Moon Kingdom, we won our fight after much destruction because we had help. We appealed to our patron Goddess, Shalhanna, to assist us in our fight, for if we lost, it meant total and utter annihilation. Her answer was the creation of the Dragonkin." She took a sip of her tea to wet her parched throat. She looked around and smiled at everyone's rapt expressions. "Whether they came from Her realm or were created on the spot, no one knows. Needless to say, with Dragonkin help, the tide of the War turned sharply. The Dark Empire, however, had a patron Goddess as well and Kashalka is as black hearted as Shalhanna is pure. She knew what Shalhanna had done and she answered that creation with her own. A dark perversion of Shalhanna's creation and thus, the Dark Kindred were born. Dark to Dragonkin light, evil to Dragonkin good, yin to yang I believe you would say." She paused for another sip of her tea. "To put it bluntly, they HATE each other with a passion SO intense, it's almost holy in its mindless ferocity! This hatred is instinctive and older Dragonkin have learned to control it." "But Haeth is a CHILD," Ikuko broke in, understanding, "She couldn't overcome that mindless hatred, could she?" "No, her training is not that far along yet!" Lynn agreed, "If one good thing comes out of this, it's that the next time Haeth faces Dark Kindred, she WILL be able to control it. Experience counts for SOMETHING, after all." "Are you saying that all of you will face the Dark Kindred AGAIN?!" Ikuko gasped incredulously. Lynn turned her violet gaze on Usagi's mother, trying to project as much reassurance as she could. "The possibility exists," she affirmed gravely, "Ebonar, though hurt, got away and Morgoth may have brought other Dark Ones with him. Maybe even Kashalkanite Elves, although I hope not!" Sailor Moon looked startled at that. "There are elves on Morgoth's side?" she asked in surprise. "If you want to call them that," Greywolf returned sourly, "Their skin is as black as their souls, curse their forsworn hides!" "I think we're getting sidetracked here!" Lynn said firmly. She turned to Sailor Moon. "Saturn is the healer among the Senshi isn't she?" Sailor Moon nodded. "Then I suggest we split into teams of one Guardian and one Senshi and go find the Outer Senshi," Lynn suggested, "I'll go with Usagi to where they live and see what we find. You others check out the places they frequent to see what information you can find. Anything else?" Ikuko looked up quickly. "I need Mamoru and Ami to stay behind," she put in, "I need to talk to them about an idea I have." Lynn nodded and the two mentioned stayed seated as everyone else prepared to leave. Ikuko and Kenji hugged all the Senshi and when they got to Sailor Moon, they were reluctant to let go. Sailor Moon stood between her parents, in the middle of a three way hug, and gripped them both tightly. "I have the most wonderful and understanding parents in the world!" she whispered tearfully, "Don't worry about me, because I also have the best friends and protectors in the whole world!" "Promise me you'll be careful!" her mother said softly. Sailor Moon smiled. "I promise!" she returned just as softly, "The others would kill me if I wasn't!" They finally let her join the others as they headed out on their search. After the others had left, Luna gave Usagi's parents a moment to regain their composure. "You said you had an idea on what to do about Haeth," Luna stated after they had calmed down. Ikuko dabbed at her eyes with a hanky and gave a teary sniff. "I'm sorry, Luna," she apologized, "I'm not handling this too well. What you must think of me!" Luna looked at her compassionately. "My dear, you're handling this much better than Usagi did!" she said with a laugh. "Shall I tell you about her first time changing to Sailor Moon?" Ikuko gave a startled nod. "I told her who she really was and she refused to believe me," Luna said with remembered exasperation. "You know what she was like! So I had her do her transformation in front of her mirror!" Kenji choked back a laugh and Ikuko quickly covered her mouth as she struggled to hold back her own laughter. "Oh....oh!" she gasped, "The expression on her face! It must have been priceless!" Luna sat and looked up at Usagi's parents, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "When she found out I knew what I was talking about and that she was indeed Sailor Moon," Luna chuckled, "Do you know what our darling Princess said next?" Ikuko and Kenji shook their heads soundlessly. "She said, 'This dream is getting weirder and weirder all the time!'," Luna whined in a deft imitation of Usagi's old manner, "'I want to play Sailor V video games, I don't want to live them!!'" At that, everyone burst out laughing, even Mercury and Mamoru who had never heard THAT before. When the laughter finally died to scattered chuckles and giggles, Ikuko turned to Luna. "Thanks, Luna," she said gratefully, "We really needed that." She giggled again at the thought of it. She could see her daughter reacting in just that way. Her thoughts turned to more serious matters, namely Haeth. "Ami," she said softly, "I don't like to ask this of you but you must tell your mother everything Luna told us. Haeth needs immediate attention for that arm and your mother is one of the finest doctors in Tokyo." Mercury nodded reluctantly. "I suspected that I'd have to bring Mom into this," she said slowly, "I don't know how she'll take it though!" She moved to the phone and dialed her number. "Hi Mom!" she said cheerfully when Dr. Mizuno answered, "Listen, are you busy at the moment? You aren't? Could you come over to Usagi's place? Well, I'll explain when you get here. Pardon? Well, it IS important but too long to go into over the phone. You will? Thanks Mom! Bye!" Mercury put down the phone and stood a moment with her head bowed. "She's on her way, Mrs. Tsukino!" she said worriedly, "I didn't fool her either. She knows something's up and I think she's plenty worried!" Ikuko got up and started for the kitchen. "In that case, a fresh cup of tea would be soothing," she said over her shoulder. On the outskirts of Tokyo sat a large spooky looking mansion looking like a transplant from a gothic horror novel. The wooded grounds were surrounded by a high fence and a red Ferrari was parked in front of the house. Inside, in the dining room, a blond haired man in a dark gray uniform sat finishing his supper. When he finished, he sat back in his chair and thought for a moment. he thought carefully. His decision made, he rose and left the dining room. He entered a large room that had the air of a cathedral complete with stained glass windows. He moved to the middle of the room and sat cross legged on the floor. He meditated, sending out a call for help to someone he had once known. "I'm surprised to see you in this room, Jadeite," a voice said startling him out of his trance, "Since you don't usually believe what the stars have to say." Jadeite looked up to see a man with long brown hair standing before him. He wore an identical dark gray uniform and his figure was slightly transparent. "I still don't, Nephrite," he returned with a grin, "But I'm glad you could answer my call anyway!" Nephrite smiled and shook his head. "Someday you may regret not listening to them," he admonished, "But I'm glad to see you free of Beryl and Metallia's dark sway. Let me guess, you need information and advice, right?" At Jadeite's nod, he continued. "My time here is short so listen carefully," he advised, "The peril the Senshi face is even greater than THEY suspect. Beryl and Metallia wanted to rule the universe, to dominate it. Morgoth, however, wants to destroy all life in it! Even now, the Senshi need your help!" Jadeite looked up sharply. "Where?" he shot back. Nephrite gave him the address as he began to fade. "Wait!" Jadeite cried, "How can I get them to trust me so I CAN help them?!" "Mars and Mercury are the keys to that," Nephrite returned as he faded from sight, "Use them!" He was gone. Jadeite stared at where he had been standing as he thought about Nephrite's parting words. He turned and ran from the room. Running out the front door, he leapt into the Ferrari and with a roar and squealing of tires, he sped out the front gate. "And that's the whole story up to the present," Luna concluded her tale. Everyone watched Dr. Mizuno to see her reaction to Luna's story. She sat on the couch, her hands steepled before her. Her eyes behind her glasses appeared lost in thought. "Mom?" Mercury asked tentatively at the same time Ikuko asked, "Are you alright, Ishiya-san?" She came to herself with a start. "Oh! I'm sorry to worry you," she responded slowly, "Luna has given me much to ponder." Mercury exchanged a curious look with Ikuko. "Mom, aren't you shocked?" she asked looking down. Dr. Mizuno immediately got up and went to Mercury, placing a comforting arm around her daughter. "Shocked? Well, about the Moon Kingdom part of the story anyway," she told her, "About you being Sailor Mercury, well, I've known that for a long time!" "You...you have?!" Mercury gasped. Dr. Mizuno smiled at her. "Of course I did, you ninny!" she returned lovingly, "While I may have had trouble believing it if someone told me, I saw you change, dear." "You saw me CHANGE?" Mercury whispered, "How? I've always made sure I was alone!" Dr Mizuno smiled in remembrance. "It was a fair while back," she explained, "I was on a long shift at the Hospital, so normally I wouldn't be home 'til after midnight. I was able to get home early that particular night so I went to bed to rest a while. I must have been asleep when you came home. When I woke up, I heard you talking to someone, so I went to the door just in time to see you change and run out the front door. I must admit I was shocked at the time, but after a moment of thought, I'm surprised I didn't realize it before! I mean, Sailor Mercury looked just like you! And I knew who the other Senshi were after I saw you change. I should have known who they were from the pictures I've seen as well. You don't look THAT different in your Senshi forms you know." Luna cleared her throat, "There's a reason you couldn't recognize them," she pointed out. "We couldn't have everyone knowing who they were after all. Their Sailor gems cast a glammer over them which, ah, ENCOURAGES people not to recognize them. You, however, saw her transform. The glammer no longer worked on you and that's why you realized who the other Senshi were and why Mercury looked like Ami. It's just as well really, I wouldn't have liked to see if the glammer would have prevented you from recognizing Sailor Mercury if she was brought in as one of your patients!" Dr. Mizuno looked up sharply. "And speaking of patients, I believe you mentioned someone called Haeth," she said briskly, "So let's get to it!" Dr. Mizuno stood after examining Haeth carefully with help from Mercury and her Visor. She sighed heavily and glanced at her daughter. "I could use a visor like that, daughter," she said jokingly. She then turned to Usagi's anxious parents. "This child belongs in a hospital," she stated emphatically. When they were about to object, Dr. Mizuno raised her hand. "I know she's not human," she reassured them as she glanced at the silver dragon symbol on Haeth's forehead, "But I can get her in, treat her, and take her out again with a minimum of fuss. If the others find Saturn, so much the better, but if not, that arm needs to be put in a steel brace and she'll need pain killers." Mamoru wrapped Haeth up in blankets and picked her up. She gave a sobbing moan as her arm was jarred. "Damn!" he muttered, "Sounds like she'll come to, soon. Let's go. Dr. Mizuno, we'll put her in your car and I'll follow you and Ami in the van." They all went downstairs and out to the vehicles. Mamoru placed her carefully in the front seat and Mercury and her mother got in with Haeth between them. Mamoru watched the car drive off and turned to the Tsukinos. "If the Senshi return before we do, please tell them to wait for us," he asked, "Having all the Senshi and Guardians show up at the hospital would be a BAD idea!" They nodded in agreement and watched as Mamoru got into the van and drove off after Dr. Mizuno. "There! That's where they live," Sailor Moon stated, pointing to a modern high rise building across the street. Lynn studied the building carefully. "Try calling them again, Usagi," she requested as she listened intently. Sailor Moon raised her communicator and did as Lynn requested. She started as Lynn exclaimed. Her sharp elven hearing picked up something that Sailor Moon's human hearing didn't. "Usagi, I heard a faint groan coming from their building!" she reported excitedly, "It happened as soon as you started calling them!" Sailor Moon glanced at her sharply. "If they could answer me, they would have!" she stated, "Something is very wrong here!" "I'll say there is!" Lynn returned, still listening intently, "Notice how quiet it is? I hear faint sounds coming from the other buildings around us, but this one is dead silent!" Sailor Moon winced at Lynn's choice of words but nodded in agreement. They crossed the street hurriedly and, in moments, were standing at the main doors. They moved through the doors and into the building. As they crossed the threshold, Lynn was overcome by such weakness that she gripped the door to remain on her feet. "Lynn! What's happening to us?!" Sailor Moon gasped out weakly as she fell to her knees. Lynn shook her head. "I don't...." She broke off her answer as something across the lobby caught her eye. A small spherical device rested on the floor near the far wall. It pulsated with a leprous green glow and Lynn was nauseated just from looking at it. Two people lay on the floor near the malevolent device. "Quick, Usagi!" Lynn whispered as she weakly gripped Sailor Moon by the left arm, "We've got to get out of here, NOW!" Staggering out the door, Lynn dragged Sailor Moon behind her. Once outside, they collapsed, panting. Slowly, their strength began to return. "Usagi, call everyone else!" Lynn ordered grimly, "We're gonna need some serious help here!" Sailor Moon turned a fearful look on the building. "What was that thing, Lynn?" she asked softly. "I'm not familiar with all the Dark Empire's forbidden technology, although I think I may know what this thing is! Greywolf, however, WILL know what it is. Hurry, call the others!" Sailor Moon complied and pressed the 'All Call' button on her communicator. Doctor Mizuno studied Haeth's x-rays with growing alarm. "Well Mom, what's the prognosis?" Mercury asked worriedly. "Bad, child," she returned sourly, "Better hope your friends find Saturn." She glanced at Haeth. Haeth's arm was in both brace and cast. "If she were human, she would be in surgery right now," Dr. Mizuno told Mercury, "She isn't, however. We can't risk an operation because we have no way of knowing how it would affect her in her Dragonkin form!" "Her arm is THAT bad?" Mercury asked in concern. Her mother nodded grimly. "Her elbow joint is shattered!" she explained, "Probably because that creature shattered the elbow joint on her wing. She may never regain the mobility she'll need to fly!" Mercury was about to respond when her communicator began to send out the 'All Call' signal. It was Sailor Moon. "We're at the Outer Senshi's building," she reported wearily, "Get over here fast, Ami! We need that visor of yours!" "On my way, Usagi!" Mercury said as she signed off. She turned to her mother. "I heard, Ami," Dr. Mizuno said quietly, "Take Mamoru and go, but promise me that you'll be careful!" "I promise, Mom!" Mercury returned, giving her mother a quick hug. Mamoru transformed into Tuxedo Kamen and left at a run with Mercury. Dr. Mizuno stood and stared at the door for a long time. Galen closed his textbook with relief and leaned back in his chair with a weary sigh. he thought ruefully, He sighed again and bowed his head. The Princess and her Court had fragmented memories of those wonderful days. His memories, however, were complete and very vivid. The barricade blasted outward in a shower of molten rock and fire as Galen's dragonfire blasted through the last of the cave in that had trapped him in the Dragonkin Caverns for the last three days. He wearily pulled himself out and lay gasping on the ground. When he had recovered, he noticed the deathly silence and looked around warily. Blasted ruins greeted his horrified gaze every way he looked. "No," he whimpered. His weak cry swiftly turned into a reverberating roar of mindnumbing grief and fury. "NOOOOOO!" he shrieked to the uncaring starry sky. "Galen, son of Vordin and Maeribeth, listen to me!" cried a familiar voice. Startled out of his grief, he looked up to see the bright spirit of Queen Serenity hovering before him. "My Queen!" he choked in anguish. Queen Serenity looked at this last survivor of the Moon Kingdom and realized what she had to do. "Galen, the cave in that trapped you in the Kin Caverns saved your life!" she explained, "The Dark Kingdom attacked and destroyed everything, BUT, I sent my daughter and her Court and others of the Kingdom to the future. Unfortunately, I had to send the Dark Kingdom folk as well! Dragonkin can travel through time and space. It is, after all, how your folk arrived here from the Star Kingdoms. Go to the future. Guard the Princess and her Court. When the time comes, you will meet Dragonkin from the Star Kingdoms. When this happens, it will be time for you to help them openly. Until then, stay hidden! Remember that your mother Maeribeth was not only my friend and companion, but on occasion, my mount as well. I mourn her loss as deeply as you. Farewell!" With that, her spirit slowly faded away. And so, he had gone to the future and watched over the Senshi, wanting to help countless times but not daring to disregard Queen Serenity's instructions. Recently, the Senshi's presence had vanished. When he no longer sensed them, he was frantic. Then, after about an hour, their presence returned and he was very relieved. he mused, He gasped as agonizing pain flashed through his arm and his vision went black. When he came to, the pain had diminished to a dull throb. he thought numbly, Pair Bonding. Something that happens only to Elves and Dragonkin, the closest human approximation is 'love at first sight' but Pair Bonding is much more profound. A spiritual and mental bonding of extreme closeness that even death can rarely sunder. <> he screamed in mindspeech as he realized where this led. The pain he felt was Haeth's. He sensed only blackness from the other end of the Bonding link. He rushed to the phone, his hands trembling so hard that he had to dial the number for Tokyo General three times before he got it right. "Hello, is Dr. Mizuno available?" he asked when the phone was answered, "She's with a patient? Could you tell her that if her patient is Haeth McTavish that I must speak to her at once! Yes, I'll wait." He'd made it his duty to watch over the families of the Senshi as well and was now glad he had done so. He tapped his foot impatiently as he waited. "Hello? Dr. Mizuno? Yes, I'm a very close friend of Haeth's. Well, let's just say we're Kin. WHAT?! How did you know we're....?! I see. I'll be there shortly. The helipad on the roof. Gotcha! Bye." Galen hung up, numb with shock. Ami's mother knew everything! he thought with relief. He exited the stairwell and out onto the roof of his apartment building. He shimmered and a large silvery form stood where he had been moments before. Spreading his mighty wings, he sprang aloft and flew towards Tokyo General as fast as his great wings could take him. Approaching Tokyo General, his gaze narrowed as he searched the area around the helipad. In a moment, he had spotted Dr. Mizuno standing near the stairwell and he began his descent. Dr. Mizuno braced herself against the backwash from his wings as he landed nearby and shimmered into his human form. he thought when he noticed the tight expression on her face. "Sorry, Doctor," he apologized, "I didn't mean to frighten you." She looked at him sharply and noticing the worry in his eyes, her expression eased into a rueful smile. "No apologies necessary, Galen-san," she reassured him, "Even though I knew what to expect, seeing it was still a surprise! Any apologies are mine." He nodded. "How is Haeth?" he queried urgently. She glanced at the silvery dragon symbol on his forehead. "Come with me," she instructed. Taking his arm, she led him down the stairs and into the Hospital. As they walked to Haeth's room, she briefed him. "Most of her injuries are superficial and we dealt with them, but her arm injury is about as serious as it could get. We've braced the arm as best we could, but if my daughter and her friends are unsuccessful in locating Sailor Saturn, I don't know if she will ever fly again!" Haeth slowly became aware of a presence near her as she slowly regained her senses. Love and concern came in almost palpable waves from that presence. Curious, she opened her eyes to meet Galen's silvery gaze. she thought dazedly as she noticed the dragon symbol on his forehead, "Galen!" she cried softly, "How did you know I was hurt?" He smiled without looking away from her eyes. The beautiful silvery eyes he would willingly drown in. "I felt your pain!" he answered somberly, taking her hand and gripping it tightly. "Then, you KNOW we're....." He ran a loving hand through her sweat damp silver hair. "Yes, little one," he agreed, "I know." He bent and kissed her mouth gently. "Now rest and get well," he advised. He turned and walked across to the door. "Galen! Where do you go?" Haeth demanded urgently. Galen turned back and his stern expression softened as he looked back at Haeth. "I go to exact a price from the one who injured you," he explained calmly, "I'll take it out of his hide, somewhere near his heart I think. Assuming, of course, that he has one!" Haeth shook her head slowly. "This debt is mine to settle!" she returned firmly. "Perhaps so," he responded, "But I claim Kin Bond vengeance against him. You are my mate!" Dr. Mizuno watched as two strong wills did battle. She smiled to herself. She knew who was going to win this one. "Not so!" Haeth said hotly, "I'm not your mate yet!" "Oh?" he countered hiding a smile, "We're Pair Bonded! You don't plan on turning me down, do you?" "Of course not!" she shot back indignantly, "I happen to love you!" Galen grinned hugely. She had given him the answer he wanted. "Then if you love me," he said over his shoulder as he turned to go, "You will trust me to see to your vengeance satisfactorily!" As she stared back at him speechlessly, he smiled briefly and was gone. By the time Haeth regained her senses, Dr. Mizuno had readied a wheel chair for her. Haeth muttered uncomplimentary things about males in general and HER male in particular as Dr. Mizuno helped her into it. "Would you really want him any other way?" she asked Haeth, smiling. "Well....no," Haeth answered haltingly, "But I hope I get to win an argument ONCE in a while!" "Oh, you will," Dr. Mizuno said mysteriously as they approached her car, "You have the power to wrap him around your little finger. You just need to learn how to use it!" They exchanged a smile that, had Galen seen it, would have filled him with apprehension. Dr. Mizuno started the car and headed back to the Tsukino home. Sailor Moon sat with her head on her knees as she slowly recovered her strength. Mars knelt next to her, an arm around her shoulders. A van came to a stop near them with a screech of tires. Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Mercury leapt out, the last to arrive. "Usako!" Tuxedo Kamen cried as he rushed to his Princess. Sailor Moon looked up slowly and he could see the dark circles under her eyes. Looking around, he saw Lynn was in much the same condition. "What happened?" he asked softly. Sailor Moon pointed weakly at the high rise main doors. Her hand trembled violently and he took it in his own and waited. "Go to the front doors and look in," she ordered faintly, "Do NOT enter or you'll be in the same shape as Lynn and me." Curious, the others gathered around the main doors and looked in. They saw the two bodies immediately and after a moment, the ominously glowing device. Mercury turned her visor on the thing and gasped. "Venus!" she exclaimed, "I think that's the same type of device that Ebonar was holding! The one you knocked out of his hand!" Greywolf moved in for a look and recoiled so violently when he saw it, that only Tuxedo Kamen's quick hand against his back, prevented him from falling. "A Nullifier!" he whispered in shock. "A what?" Mercury asked in confusion. Greywolf struggled to regain his composure so he could answer. "During the Doom War, the Dark Empire used many hideous devices against us," he explained hurriedly, "This was one of the most fearful! A Nullifier! It nullifies and absorbs ALL forms of energy! Even life force! When all energy in the nullification field is exhausted, it will expand and continue the cycle. Left on its own, it will turn Tokyo into a DEAD city!" As everyone gasped in horror, Mars pushed forward. "How do we destroy it?" she demanded urgently. "We can't now that it's activated!" Greywolf whispered, "Only one with mind powers, what we of the Star Kingdoms call 'Psionics' can destroy them once they're active!" They looked at each other in consternation. "There must be SOMETHING we can do!" Jupiter cried. "Perhaps I could be of assistance?" Everyone turned to look at the newcomer. "JADEITE!!!" Sailor Moon gasped, stunned. Before the Guardians' startled eyes, all the Senshi immediately went into combat mode. Jadeite, however, knelt before Tuxedo Kamen and bowed his golden head. "My Prince!" he said quietly, "With Metallia and Beryl dead, I am free of their dark sway. I ask to return to your service!" "WHAT?!" Mars exclaimed incredulously. "Dare we trust him?" Jupiter asked. Jadeite stood and turned to the Senshi. "There's a way to prove myself!" he challenged, "Mercury, scan me for Dark Kingdom energy and Mars, try to detect evil within me." Dubious, the two Senshi did as he requested and gasped in surprise. "He...he has no Dark Kingdom energy in him! None, zippo, nil, nada!" Mercury stuttered. "No evil either!" Mars confirmed wide eyed with surprise, "It as if he's a different person from the last time we met him!" He smiled grimly. "For all intents and purposes, I am," he pointed out, "When you last saw me, I was firmly under Beryl's control. Now, I'm not! I'll explain everything in more detail later. Right now, we must destroy that device!" "Do you think you can help?" Sailor Moon asked hopefully. He nodded. "My powers are what Greywolf called 'Psionics'," he confirmed, "If he tells me what I must do, then I can indeed help." "NO!" shrieked a voice from above. Black lightning struck in their midst, the explosion knocking everyone to the ground. Ebonar settled to the ground near them. They could see many areas on his massive body where Mars' last attack had melted his scales. A few places had even been burned right through. He turned to look at a groggy Mars. "I will have revenge for what you did to me!" he snarled viciously, "And I will begin with you, Hatchling!" "No, you will NOT!!" interrupted another voice crackling with suppressed rage. Everyone looked skyward again and saw a large silvery Dragonkin coming in for a landing. He landed between Ebonar and the Senshi. Everyone could see it wasn't Haeth. For one thing, he was more than twice her size. For another, there were a few other differences. A spiny crest ran from the top of his head, between his backward pointing horns and halfway down his neck. Under normal circumstances, it appeared as if this crest would be flat against his skull and be difficult to notice. Now, it was aggressively erect, speaking eloquently of the Dragonkin's fury. Between his eyes, amidst the silver scales, shone the familiar Moon Crescent in scales of gold. Ebonar took one look at the stranger and fled. He rarely fought unless victory was a sure thing. This was no Dragonkin hatchling like the one he defeated earlier. This was a fully grown Dragonkin in the fullness of his power and he was infuriated. He was also different from the Dragonkin Ebonar was familiar with, and different meant dangerous since there was no way of knowing what this one could do. Galen turned briefly to the others. "Destroy the alien device," he commanded, "The Dark Kindred is MINE!" Beating his wings heavily, he took off in pursuit of Ebonar. They watched until the two dragons disappeared in the distance. "OK, Greywolf," Jadeite asked, returning their attention to more urgent matters, "What must I do to destroy the thing?" "You must seize the device with your telekinetic power and dash it against the wall!" Greywolf answered, "Its operation is its only defense since once active, no one can go near them. They are extremely delicate, so an abrupt impact should be able to destroy it." Jadeite nodded in understanding and reaching out mentally, he grasped the device. His face contorted and he groaned, his hands going to his temples. "Jadeite!" Greywolf put in urgently, "The Nullifier can't absorb mind power but it DOES scramble it. This makes them very painful to handle! Be fast!" Jadeite nodded painfully and Senshi and Guardian watched, as with superhuman concentration, Jadeite levitated the Nullifier and, with a groan of pain, flung it against the wall. When it struck, it shorted out in a shower of sparks, the ominous green glow going dark. Jadeite collapsed. Tuxedo Kamen and Greywolf stayed with Jadeite who sat with his head in his hands, as the Senshi and remaining Guardians entered the building. Mercury picked up the shorted Nullifier and reaching into her subspace pocket, retrieved the device Ebonar had been carrying earlier. "Guys, look at this," she requested. Everyone crowded around Mercury to view the two devices. They were identical. "I don't understand," Venus said in confusion, "Would they try to plant two of these?" Lynn shook her head. "Not likely," she commented, "One is enough to depopulate half a planet. The Star Kingdom of Skye was destroyed by two of these during the Doom War. Fortunately, they're EXTREMELY rare." Mercury looked thoughtful. "Could they have been willing to sacrifice one to draw us to Ebonar while they quietly planted the second?" she suggested. "I think you have it!" Kreigh returned grimly, "We'll have to be careful when we fight them again!" Mercury grinned. "They can't use this strategy against us again!" she reported with satisfaction, "My computer has readings of power signatures from an active Nullifier and an inactive one. They can't hide them from me anymore!" Mercury stored both devices in her subspace pocket for later study. After assuring themselves that the two people in the lobby were recovering, they headed for Haruka's and Michiru's apartment. When they burst into the apartment, they found Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru on the floor, recovering their strength. They looked up in surprise as the Senshi and Guardians stormed in. The three of them had managed to transform before being overcome by the malevolent power of the Nullifier and the Silence Glaive lay on the floor where Saturn had dropped it before collapsing. Still too weak to pick it up, she sat next to it, recovering. "Not that I'm unhappy to see you guys, but could some one tell us just what the heck happened here?!" Sailor Uranus demanded. "Now that's something I'd like to know was well!" They turned to the door to see Pluto leaning weakly against her Time Staff. After a time, everyone was seated with fortifying cups of tea in front of them. Sailor Uranus turned to Sailor Moon. "Princess, could you give us a brief synopsis of what happened tonight?" she requested. Sailor Moon nodded. "It all began when Ami and Minako were heading for the arcade........" The wind shrieked past Galen as he sped through the skies after the fleeing Ebonar. Flying an obstacle course of skyscrapers at high speed WAS exhilarating, but Galen could see that Ebonar was tiring and he was gaining on him with every wing beat. he thought with fierce satisfaction. Sure enough, seeing that it was useless to try and outrun Galen, Ebonar turned at bay and spat black lightning at his pursuer. Galen tucked his wings and ducked under the blast. Spreading his wings, he climbed slightly. He inhaled and blew a veritable inferno at Ebonar, who just barely managed to evade it. "FIRE!" Ebonar screamed in fear and baffled rage, "You breathe FIRE! How can that BE?!" Knowing that a duel of breath weapons was potentially fatal, he closed, hoping to best Galen with claws and fangs. The two dragons came together with a mighty crash and they plummeted as they grappled. Galen thought as he prepared to pull himself free, Galen jerked himself free and they parted bloodied. Galen turned and struck, one of his hind claws cutting five deep gashes in Ebonar's right wing. Galen thought in glee, As Ebonar shrieked in pain and fury, Galen streaked away at high speed. Bellowing in triumph, Ebonar flew after him. When Galen had built up enough speed, he climbed, vertically. As he had hoped, the Dark Kindred copied his maneuver. Just as he began to stall, he executed a tight roll and Ebonar zipped past, putting Galen on his tail. When Ebonar tried to copy the difficult maneuver, his injured wing gave out under the strain. For a brief moment, he hung motionless. It was enough. Galen's flame engulfed him just as he began to fall. He screamed in agony and despair as the terrible flame seared him, burning through his scales as if they weren't even there. Mars' fire attack had hurt him badly, but that heat was nothing compared to the searing heat of dragonfire. Ebonar plummeted, a flaming meteor, with Galen following closely, to be sure of the kill. Within moments, the dreadful fire consumed him utterly, leaving only glowing ashes floating groundwards. Galen roared in victory. <> he sent exultantly to Haeth. He then turned and headed back to the apartment building where he had left the others. he thought worriedly, He flew on, hoping that his worries were unfounded. End of Chapter 7 NEXT: Chapter 8: The Calm before the Storm. Explanations, Haeth's healing, Usagi and Mamoru double date with Haeth and Galen! BE THERE!