Standard Questionably Useful Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all related characters were created by Naoko Takeuchi; and are copyright to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, Toei, DIC and whoever else. This fanfic is intended solely for entertainment purposes and no violation of said copyrights is intended or implied. If you want to put my fanfic on your site, please e-mail me asking for permission first. This story and all new characters are MINE (copyright 2000)!! Author's Notes: Rated PG-13 for mild language My series begins where Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Sailor Stars ends I use the Japanese names, last name first Nagesya = Dark Empress = Empress youma = monster ginzuishou = silver crystal fuku = skirt odango = dumpling Achernar = brightest star in the constellation of Eridanus Three Stars of Orion - Mintaka, Alnitak, Alnilam sensei - added to name of teacher chan - used for babies, small children, close friends sama - used for formal occasions and to show a great deal of respect kun - used after a boy?s name (sometimes for a girl) For Future Reference: In place of Princess Serenity, I will just put Serenity. In place of Sailor X, I will just put X (X standing for whatever planet) I used Beryl?s past as explained in the manga (Japanese comic book) Senshi Avatars Episode 07 - The Power of Love & Forgiveness written by Eridanus (Eridanus2000@go.com) "We are almost out of time Serenity. We must go to Eridanus now," the Watcher instructed and Serenity agreed. The Watcher focused his power and opened another portal. They stepped into the portal, and a moment later they reappeared in the abode of Eridanus. "The challenge will now begin!" Eridanus announced upon their arrival, and Serenity was engulfed in blackness. When Serenity opened her eyes, she discovered she was on a planet that looked very much like the Earth, somewhere in the northern latitudes. Serenity cautiously explored the surrounding area, and she sensed dark energy a few miles away. She carefully made her way towards the dark energy, trying to keep from being spotted. As soon as Serenity saw the dark blockade, she recognized it as Queen Beryl?s fortress. "This is not happening, this is not happening..." Serenity murmured repeatedly. She tightly squeezed her eyes shut, praying that it was just a horrible dream. When she opened her eyes, she knew that the scene before her was real. The four Senshi Serenity had first fought battles with stood before her, and so did the five Doom Day Girls. "I?ll go first," Jupiter said and then charged the group of youma. Two of the youma converted their arms into vines that wrapped firmly around Jupiter, who smiled smugly at them. "Supreme Thunder!" she bellowed, killing both of the youma and herself. "Jupiter! No..." Serenity cried and collapsed to the ground in tears. "It?s my turn now," Mercury replied resolutely and faced one of the youma. Instantly she was entrapped by two youma, held steadfast by their vines, unable to unleash her power. "Mercury!" Serenity cried and tried to rush forward to help her friend, but Mars and Venus stopped her. As Serenity stood and argued with her two friends, Venus noticed the ground beneath the princess was glowing. Venus shoved her out of the way just in time, but was caught in the trap herself. She was suspended twenty feet in the air, vines wrapped around her stomach and legs but her arms were free. With a victorious smile, Venus placed her index finger on the forehead of one of the youma and summoned her power. "Crescent Beam!" she yelled, and then only two youma and two Senshi remained. "Must be my turn," Mars said sardonically. "Hey don?t be sad," she commanded when she saw Serenity?s tears. "Say hello to Beryl for me and send her to Purgatory!" Mars called to Serenity as she stormed the two remaining youma. The youma saw Mars advancing upon them and dove underground. Mars halted her attack and looked at her surroundings wearily, waiting for the youma to reappear. The youma broke through the earth below Mars and violently seized her. A barricade of ice formed around the three enemies, separating Serenity from them. Mars knew she had to destroy both of the youma so the princess would be safe. "Fire Soul!" Mars cried, knowing that she had successfully accomplished her duty to the princess. "Rei-chan!" Serenity screamed and rushed forward when the explosion was over. "Not again..." she cried, sobbing uncontrollably. A crimson orb formed around her, and she knew she was being taken to Beryl. "Please...don?t let it be Mamo-chan," Serenity prayed as she arrived in Beryl?s court. Beryl was shrouded in darkness, standing before her throne in a superior way. "So Sailor Moon, we finally meet and for the last time. I?m sure you remember my Prince?" Beryl asked derisively. The darkness crept away from the Queen, revealing the prince who was kissing her hand. "Endymion, no..." Serenity cried at the scene before her. "Endymion, bring me the ginzuishou and kill Sailor Moon," Beryl ordered. "As you wish," Endymion replied, then turned to Sailor Moon. "Now Sailor Moon, die!" Endymion thrust his sword at Serenity, who barely managed to avoid the sharp blade. "No Endymion, don?t make me fight you!" Serenity exclaimed as she dodged another blow. "Moon Tiara Action!" The tiara formed into a discus of energy that struck Endymion below his ribs, cutting partway through his armor. "Die!" Endymion bellowed as he struggled to stand up. "Please...remember? I am Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom; we swore eternal love to each other. Remember!" Serenity cried out. The blank look in Endymion?s eyes faded as he remembered their past. Queen Beryl?s hatred for the princess intensified a hundred fold as she watched the scene before her. "You have taken him from me again!" She bellowed as she aimed a large crystal dagger at Serenity. Endymion threw a rose at the large crystal, which shattered into several smaller daggers, and then shielded Serenity from them. The rose continued on to pierce Beryl in the heart, and one of the crystal pieces embedded itself deep within Endymion?s chest. "Endymion...please don?t leave me again," Serenity pleaded. "I?ll find a way back to you," he promised and took his last breath. "No!" Serenity screamed and wept over his lifeless form. Bending over his body, she allowed herself to kiss him one last time. "For you Endymion, and for my friends, she will pay," Serenity swore and carefully laid her love on the ground. For the second time she would face Beryl alone, and would destroy her. "So, Princess Serenity, now it is just us. I?m surprised you still have the courage to face me, after I have taken everyone you care for away from you. Now it is your time to die!" Beryl exclaimed and unleashed her dark power. "Moon Healing Escalation!" Serenity cried as the dark energy surrounded her. Everyone please help me, Serenity prayed and closed her eyes. Suddenly she felt her friend?s presence and knew they were with her. "Moon Prism Power!" Serenity cried, unleashing the full power of the ginzuishou. "What?" Beryl screamed in disbelief as the power of the ginzuishou surrounded and destroyed her. Serenity collapsed unconscious, completely drained of all power. Eridanus watched from where he stood, and slowly shook his head before walking away. When Serenity awoke dawn had already broke, and she realized that she was no longer in the northern latitudes. In fact, she had no idea where she was, for the terrain was completely new to her. The sunlight was harsh, casting an awful distortion upon her surroundings. Serenity carefully arose from her position on the ground and decided that this was another part of the challenge. It was unbearably hot, so she sought the little shade offered by the demolished buildings that stood to her left. Even in the shade the humidity was oppressive. Shielding her eyes from the glare, Serenity glanced to her right. A desert seemed to stretch on for miles, the ground dry and cracked from the sun?s rays. Behind her was a fog of darkness, and somehow she knew she must not go in that direction. So, through the desert it is, she thought and stood purposefully. Walking slowly and steadily Serenity made her way through the desert. It seemed like she had walked for hours, and she became very lightheaded. In the distance, Serenity could barely make out the battered form of a building. Taking one step at a time, she finally reached the building and sank down gratefully into the shade. Serenity rested in the shade for several minutes, relishing in the slightly cooler temperature. Finally she stood back up and continued on her quest. An hour later Serenity could see the form of a woman collapsed on the ground. She rushed forward and gasped when she recognized the woman. Beryl! Serenity cautiously watched Beryl, weary that this was some kind of trap. Beryl?s body was badly battered, and she was bleeding from a few of her injuries. Serenity grabbed the long skirt of her dress and tore strips of cloth to bandage Beryl?s injuries. She wrapped one strip around her forehead, covering a big gash and some small cuts. Another strip she used on Beryl?s leg, which Serenity noticed was at an odd angle. Tensing her muscles, Serenity grabbed Beryl?s calf and wrenched it fiercely. Beryl awoke with a howl, but at least the leg had popped back in pace. "You!" Beryl spat out in disgust. "I hate you! Die you despicable little wretch!" Beryl cried furiously. Serenity watched her old enemy from a few feet away, and gasped as an image flashed through her mind. It was a memory of her past life on the moon, when she and Endymion had met. She watched herself embracing with Endymion, but she also saw a form hiding behind a tapestry. It was a younger version of Beryl, before Metallia had manipulated her. She was in love with Endymion, Serenity thought in astonishment. She looked back at the Beryl who lay on the ground before her with new insight. She saw Beryl?s pain, her fear, and her grief. Serenity sank down onto her knees and tentatively reached out a hand to Beryl, who tried desperately to move away from Serenity?s touch. "I forgive you, Beryl," Serenity said softly and Beryl looked at her in astonishment. "I destroyed your world, killed your beloved and your friends, tried to take over the Earth, and endangered the lives of everyone who has ever lived on Earth. How can you possibly forgive me?" Beryl cried. Serenity looked at her in pity and laid her hand on top of Beryl?s. "I believe in the people of Earth, and in you. I know you carry love in your heart, but your grief clouded your judgment. Metallia promised you a life you would never be able to live, to rule by Endymion?s side as his Queen. She used you, your pain and your sadness. She knew exactly what to say to make you join her, to use your power to set her free. Beryl, I?m so sorry. I never knew you loved him too," Serenity said, and her eyes began to water. Beryl looked at her in awe and then realization crept into her eyes. "Now I understand why they all gave their lives for you. You could even forgive me, the one responsible for so much of your pain. Thank you, Princess," Beryl said and then closed her eyes for the last time. Serenity stared at Beryl in shock as her body began to fade away, her atoms spreading throughout the universe exactly as Nephrite?s had. "I forgive you Beryl," Serenity whispered to the winds one last time. Eridanus stood watching the scene, then decided it was time to make his presence known. He walked towards Serenity who was still sitting on the desert floor, staring up into the sky. "You have managed to complete the challenge after all, Princess," Eridanus said softly as he approached. Serenity turned her head towards the noise and was shocked to see the form of Eridanus. She quickly stood up to greet him, forgetting the tattered state of her dress. "You were finally able to forgive the one enemy you had not been able to over the years. You saw past the evil front she had put up and saw the true Beryl. A woman who had fallen in love with a man who loved another. It?s true that Metallia had manipulated Beryl, but she would never have done anything to harm Endymion. Now, on to the business at hand. You are now and always will be my avatar," Eridanus proclaimed, then made a swift gesture with his hand. The vial of Eridanus instantly appeared in his left hand, startling Serenity who thought it to still be in her possession. With another quick motion Eridanus made the desert image disappear, and they were once more in his abode. "How did you...?" Serenity began, completely confused. Without saying a word, Eridanus placed his right hand a foot above the vial. Light began to rain down from his right hand onto the vial in his left. Serenity stared in wonder at the process taking place before her. Finally Eridanus held the brooch out to Serenity, who held her hand out for it. The brooch floated to Serenity?s palm, and when it touched her hand it vanished. "Where did it go?" Serenity cried out in alarm. "Do not worry, Princess. When you need the brooch, it will appear," Eridanus assured her. Just at that moment a brilliant flash of light blinded them, and when they opened their eyes Etsuya stood before them. He bowed to both the Princess and to Eridanus before speaking. "The Princess has performed yet another miracle," Etsuya said with a smile. "I have come to fulfill my promise, to present the six magical rings to the Princess." "Sprite? Since when were you set free?" Eridanus asked. "The Princess set me free before the challenge started. She went to Achernar to train, and the Watcher brought her to the Daystar. Her purity broke the witch?s spell, and I promised her that she may choose any device and it would be hers," Etsuya explained. Eridanus turned to Serenity in amazement. "I tried for over a millennium to break the witch?s spell with no success, and you manage to free him within a few hours!" Eridanus exclaimed. "It was because of Fortune, she proclaimed that there would be things that only I could accomplish. Apparently this task was one of them," Serenity replied modestly. Etsuya approached Serenity and held out his hand. Six rings were resting in his palm, and Serenity accepted them graciously. "Thank you, Etsuya-san. You have helped me a great deal by creating these rings," Serenity said. "It was an honor, Princess. At least I was able to repay you for your kindness. Now I must go for I have been away from my post for two millennia. Good luck, Princess," Etsuya called as he vanished in another brilliant flash of light. "Now Princess, I must explain how you can use your brooch. To transform you must say ?Essence of Eridanus, Make Up!? This will activate the brooch, enabling you to tap into its power. Why don?t you try it? Raise your hand into the air, concentrating on the brooch and it will appear," Eridanus instructed. Serenity obediently raised her right arm into the air, and was surprised when the brooch appeared in her palm. "Essence of Eridanus, Make Up!" Serenity yelled and the brooch began to work it magic. Streams of water flowed from the brooch, cascading over Serenity. The water converted into cloth creating mid-forearm length gloves, a navy blue fuku with matching shoes, and two green blue bows. A tiara with a dark blue topaz gem formed on her forehead, and her crescent moon birthmark disappeared. Her white crushed satin slippers changed into a pair of navy blue one-inch high heels. Navy blue bands formed around her ankles and neck, and a ribbon held her hair in a loose braid. Serenity reached a hand to touch her hair and was surprised to discover her odango hairstyle had changed. "Now you are truly the avatar of Eridanus," the Watcher spoke from a few feet away, where he had watched her transformation. Sailor Eridanus turned her head toward the source of the voice and smiled at the Watcher. "Your prediction proved true, Watcher. I did become the avatar, and I have you to thank. You trained me well on Achernar, sparring together heightened my senses. But now it is time for me to continue on my quest. Thank you, both of you," Sailor Eridanus said to the Watcher and Eridanus, then turned away quickly. Concentrating briefly she returned to her previous state of attire, summoned the orb and teleported out of Eridanus? abode. She reappeared in the same place she had first met the Watcher and the princess smiled dejectedly before she resumed her search. Can?t give up now that everyone is counting on me, Serenity thought determinedly. Every time Serenity neared a planet she performed a mind sweep and an energy probe, but to no avail. She began to loose hope for she had left Earth almost two months ago, and had nothing to show for her expedition besides a new transformation. Serenity decided to rest on a world named Dirak, a beautiful planet about the size of Mars. As soon as she performed the energy probe she knew something was terribly wrong. There were trace amounts of dark energy everywhere, and when she descended to the planet?s surface she had to stifle a cry. Buildings were demolished and towns had been made into ruins. Serenity could not find any signs of life that remained on the planet, and she became furious. She continued to scour the planet, hoping that someone...anyone...had managed to survive. Serenity sensed dark energy emanating from somewhere near by and decided to investigate. She discovered that three of Nagesya?s minions had remained on the planet after the attack. Serenity stealthily crept away and raised her hand into the air. "Essence of Eridanus, Make Up!" Serenity yelled, calling upon the power of the brooch. She was instantly transformed into her new warrior clothing, then stealthily crept back to the camp of the dark ones. "Empress Nagesya is sure to rule the galaxies once she defeats those ignorant Senshi from the solar system in the Milky Way," one warrior stated with assurance. "If they are lucky, she will permit them to live and be her guardians," another warrior spoke. "They would never accept that offer. They are fools, and would never denounce their loyalty to the Princess. How ignorant they are to believe that their princess would save them and their world. They will fall before our Empress, and the Princess will cower before her!" the third warrior said with a scornful laugh. Sailor Eridanus clenched her hand in a tight fist, her anger increasing as she listened to their false predictions. In one fluid movement, she flipped into the air and landed in their midst. "I couldn?t help but overhear you men talking, and I use the term loosely. You know nothing if you believe that Nagesya will conquer the Senshi, and even less if you believe the princess would cower before her. She would give her life in a heartbeat to save her world and her friends, and that I know for a fact since she has done so before," Sailor Eridanus spoke in a caustic tone. "I am a friend of those Senshi you feel are too weak and ignorant to be good opponents, so why don?t we have a battle to find out who is right?" The first man stood and faced Sailor Eridanus with a contemptuous smile. "I accept your challenge, Senshi," he said. "I am Gesshin, leader of the Red Squadron. I serve the Dark Empress and no one else. I can guarantee this day will be your last," he threatened and moved forward for the attack. Special thanks: To Naoko Takeuchi for creating this wonderful series. To Sarah Anderson, editor and friend, who gave me great advice and helped me through hard times. All the fanfic authors I have ever read: couldn't have done this without all of you!