No real author's notes this time . . . Just a really long, complicated 
"readme" file.  And no, I don't own the Sailor Starlights or Princess 
Kakyuu or the Kinmoku Kingdom.  They are all concepts originally 
created and copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi.  But any other characters 
that appear in this story are my intellectual property . . . except for 
their names, which are more likely than not a sly nod toward some other 
animated series.  


*indicates emphasis*

<indicates thought>

<<indicates someone else's thoughts>>

(er . . don't ask)

____________________________________________________________________


STARLIT LEGENDS - THE FALL OF THE KINMOKU KINGDOM

PART THREE: SHADOW GALACTICA

By Kotetsu

_____________________________________________________________________




ONE YEAR LATER

	
	"Hurry up, would you?!" Yaten clicked her tongue impatiently and 
placed her hands on her hips, obviously annoyed.

	"I can hardly *walk* in these things," grumbled Seiya unhappily.  
She staggered forward, grabbing the equally clumsy Taiki's shoulder for 
support.  Seiya had always hated heels, especially the decorative 
stiletto heels that the people of Kinmoku seemed to prefer for formal 
occasions.

	"Hey!"  Taiki shrugged Seiya off her shoulder.  "I can hardly 
walk myself, let alone with you trying to push me over!"

	Yaten tapped her toe impatiently.  "I don't see what the big fuss 
is all about.  You two do just fine *running around* in high-heeled 
boots during our Senshi training sessions," she chided.

	"Yeah, but . . . I'm Seiya.  I'm not Sailor Star Fighter.  I 
guess that just because I can do one thing as a Sailor Senshi, doesn't 
mean that . . . Oh, fudge!"  Seiya wobbled and almost fell.

	"We're not going to make a good impression if we can't even stand 
up straight," sighed Taiki.  "And this dress makes me feel . . . so . . 
. self-conscious."

	At that, Seiya managed to giggle without falling over.  "Didn't 
anybody ever tell you - if you've got it, flaunt it?"

	Taiki blushed.  "Yes, but . . ."

	Yaten swirled her hips provocatively.  "I just can't get over how 
good I look in this," she said appraisingly.  And she did look stunning 
in her shimmery gown with the low-cut bodice; long, slender legs 
peeking out from underneath the hem of her skirts; and the graceful way 
that she carried herself in her murderous heels.  Although the other 
two were dressed in identical gowns, they only felt awkward and clumsy 
as long as they were wearing high heels.

	"Look, if I can't figure out how to walk in these things in the 
next five minutes, we are going to be late," Seiya muttered as she took 
another shaky step forward.  "How many people are supposed to be there, 
anyway?"

	"Not a whole lot.  Only a couple hundred.  Most of the planet 
will be watching it on television," Taiki said as she hesitantly tried 
to walk forward.  "And from what Anya's told me, we won't be taking any 
part in the ceremony.  Only sitting in the front row with the Knights, 
watching."

	Yaten rolled her eyes.  "Great.  We get to sit still and be bored 
out of our minds for three whole hours.  With the whole world watching 
us.  Just wonderful."

	"Hey, aren't you happy that the Princess is finally going to be 
coronated?"

	"Sure.  I'm happy for her.  But I still think that the entire 
Coronation Ceremony is just a bit too long, boring, pompous, and old-
fashioned for my taste."

	Seiya wobbled dangerously, swinging her arms to keep her balance.  
"Okay, I'm starting to get a little frustrated here . . ."

	"That's it.  I've had it."  Taiki stooped down, pulled her shoes 
off her feet, and straightened up again.  "I can put these back on when 
we're seated.  If we hurry, we should get there before the television 
cameras start rolling."

	"Excellent idea, my cerebral friend," Seiya quipped as she pulled 
off her own shoes.  "Being barefoot never felt so good," she sighed 
with relief as she wiggled her toes on the bare ground.

	"Hmph."  Yaten whirled around, heels clicking loudly in the 
deserted hallway.  "If you don't practice, you'll never get it down," 
she chided.  Then she began walking down the hall, swiveling her hips 
and clicking her heels.

	"How can she DO that?" Taiki muttered sourly as she clutched her 
shoes in her hand and scrambled to catch up with Yaten.  Seiya 
followed, relishing the sound her bare feet made when they slapped 
against the tiled floor of the hall.

	As the three girls approached the doors to the old ceremonial 
hall in the center of the palace, A very hurried-looking Lady Lara 
rushed forward to greet them.  "Where have you BEEN?!" she hissed as 
she grabbed Yaten's arm and began hauling her toward the doors.

	"It took us longer than we expected to get ready," Taiki 
explained calmly as she and Seiya followed Lady Lara through the 
imposing wooden doors.  "We had difficulties dealing with the shoes."

	"Shoes . . . ?  Hey, wait a minute . . . All right, you two, stop 
screwing around.  PUT THOSE ON THIS INSTANT!  That LAST thing that we 
need tonight is for anybody to get the impression that you are 
uncivilized, unmannered little brats!"  Lady Lara rolled her eyes with 
exasperation.  "Teenagers.  Really."  She yanked her hand away from 
Yaten's arm.  "Report to the front row of the left side.  The other 
Knights will seat you."

	Seiya muttered under her breath as she and the other girls strode 
down the crowded hall.  "If I have to sit next to Lady Lara, I'm going 
to kill myself."

	"Watch your tone," Taiki said sharply.  "This place is crawling 
with dignitaries.  And most of them don't like you to begin with."

	The girls wove their way through a crowd of mingling government 
officials and diplomats.  Seiya knew that many of them were not pleased 
about the presence of the three girls at this ceremony.  In fact, most 
of them were displeased with the girls, period.  It was one thing to 
entrust the fate of the Kinmoku kingdom to a group of young adolescent 
girls.  It was another thing entirely if the girls in question had not 
been born into noble bloodlines.  There was a constant undercurrent of 
fear among the people of Kinmoku; many expected Galaxia to strike at 
any moment.  There was a great deal of pressure on the Sailor 
Starlights (as they had been dubbed by Anya and Kuno, who personally 
oversaw their training).  The entire kingdom was investing their trust 
on the three nobodies who had suddenly entered the intergalactic 
headlines one year ago.  If they failed to protect Kinmoku . . . 

	"Ignore them," Yaten whispered acidly under her breath as several 
passing governors shot the girls dirty looks.  "They're just jealous.  
They resent the fact that we're Sailor Senshi."

	Finally reaching the designated row, the girls were steered 
toward their seats by one of the Knights.  "We're at the end of the 
row?" Seiya asked as the Knight pointed at her seat.

	"Yes.  In case anything happens," she said coldly.

	Taiki plopped down next to Seiya, and slipped her shoes back on.  
"Do they really think that something is going to happen?" she pondered 
aloud as the Knight walked away.

	Yaten ignored Taiki's question, as she focused on scanning the 
crowd for familiar faces.  "Would you just look at Kuno and Anya," she 
giggled, pointing down the row at the pair in question.

	The hulking, hairy Kuno was standing next to his seat, looking 
extremely uncomfortable in his splendid tuxedo.  Anya stood next to 
him, lecturing him sternly about something or another as she adjusted 
his bowtie.  Kuno noticed the girls staring at him, and shot them a 
icy glare.  Quickly, the girls averted their eyes.

	"Did you get an eyeful of Lady Anya?  I mean, wow," Seiya 
commented.  "She looks . . . hot."

	"Yeah," agreed Yaten, even though there was a twinge of jealousy 
in her voice.  Like the other Knights, Anya was wearing her formal 
green gown that left her shoulders and back bare.  Her hair was done up 
in an elaborate coif, with carefully curled stray strands framing her 
face and neck.  For once, she appeared to be wearing makeup.  

	"Neither the Knights nor the guards look prepared for a combat 
situation," Taiki observed.  "They sure have a lot of faith in us, 
don't they?"

	Yaten shook her head.  "Anya said that security was going to be 
beefed up, remember?  If anybody sounds an alarm, there are over three 
dozen guards who are supposed to be waiting just outside the hall."

	"Do you honestly think that a measly three dozen guards are going 
to stop Sailor Galaxia?"

	"No, but . . . It's for the best.  At least the audience feels 
safe."

	Seiya stared at her hands in her lap.  "Have you really given it 
any thought, though?  What if Galaxia attacks us again?  Maybe not 
tonight, but tomorrow night, or the night after that, or . . . Are we 
really ready to face her?  After just a year of training?"

	"The last time Galaxia was spotted, she was all the way over in 
the Coronis system," Yaten stated, but even she sounded unsure of 
herself.  "Besides, she wouldn't plan an attack tonight.  It would be 
suicidal.  The Princess has never been more heavily-guarded."

	"Heightened security doesn't matter," Taiki said solemnly.  "That 
won't stop her.  You know that."

	Seiya looked from one girl to the other, then shrugged.  "Aw, why 
worry?  I'm sorry that I brought it up.  We should be enjoying tonight.  
And if Galaxia strikes, then we fight her.  Just like we practiced.  
We've been training day in and day out for a year; if that's not 
enough, then . . . We'll just have to do our best.  Right?"

	"We can't fail," Yaten said flatly.

	"If we fail . . ." Taiki began.

	"We *can't* fail," Yaten repeated.

	"We won't fail," Seiya said definitively.

	"Shhh!  It's starting," Taiki whispered as the crowd around them 
hushed.  The last few stragglers took their seats, and a solemn silence 
descended upon the hall.

	The Prime Minister rose from his seat and stood at the podium, 
resplendent in his ceremonial robes.  He spoke at length about some 
long and boring subject that Seiya pretty much ignored completely.  
After he had finished speaking and the audience had applauded politely, 
the Prime Minister made a great show out of introducing the members of 
the Ruling Council that would be stepping aside after the ceremony was 
complete.  Among them were Lady Anya and Lady Lara, who stood and bowed 
when the Prime Minister mentioned their names.

	"This is . . . so . . . boring . . ." Seiya muttered under her 
breath as the Prime Minister droned on and on.

	"Maybe the Princess will be here soon," Taiki whispered 
hopefully.

	No sooner had she uttered the words than the doors at the 
entrance to the hall swung inward, and a procession of elaborately-
uniformed guards marched into the midst of the ceremony.  Trailing 
behind the guards, Princess Kakyuu glided serenely down the center of 
the hall.  She was wearing a dress that Seiya had never seen before, 
and she had to admit that it was quite lovely.  A blue, white, and 
creamy orange bodice; silken skirts of ruby-red flower petals that 
trailed on the ground behind her as she walked; and gauzy over-sized 
sleeves of sheer pink material completed the outfit.  The bodice 
completely covered the princess's breasts, but left her shoulders and 
collarbone completely bare.  Her flaming red hair was tied into two 
circular odangos on each side of her head, and the long red tresses 
behind her ears flowed down her back and stopped just a few inches 
above the floor.  A blue ribbon was tied around her neck in the shape 
of a butterfly; the extra lengths of the ribbon trailed down the front 
of her chest and ended just past her waist.  

	Kakyuu kept her eyes focused on the guards straight in front of 
her, but as she passed the three girls she shifted her eyes ever so 
slightly.  Seiya caught her eye and winked cheerfully.  
"Congratulations," she mouthed silently.  In response, Kakyuu gave a 
tiny smile that lasted barely a second.  Then she averted her eyes and 
continued her graceful glide toward the Prime Minister.  

	"Not much for words anymore, is she?" Yaten murmured quietly.

	Ever since the night that Queen Maresuu had died, Kakyuu had 
become a different person.  She was quiet, refined, and soft-spoken.  
Seiya had recognized early on that Kakyuu was attempting to become just 
like her late mother.  She knew that Kakyuu rarely lost her composure 
anymore, and when she did, it was always in private and never in 
public.  And she never became angry anymore.  She might cry softly, she 
might act coldly toward a person who had displeased her, but she never 
threw the temper tantrums that she used to as a child.  Admittedly, 
Seiya missed the old Princess Kakyuu.  She had loved the daring, 
outspoken, vivacious girl who had been her best friend and confidant.  
But the new Kakyuu . . . 

	< . . . I think  . . . Yes.  I love her too. >

	She did still love Princess Kakyuu.  It had taken her almost a 
year to realize that, but it was true nevertheless.  Underneath the 
unnatural calm that surrounded the Princess, she was still the same 
person.  She was still warm and affectionate, and still had a spine of 
steel hidden behind her soft-spoken mannerisms.  The way that she had 
taken charge of her kingdom and not allowed herself to be overwhelmed 
by fear of Sailor Galaxia proved that she was still daring and 
outgoing, if just a bit more restrained in public.  Seiya knew that the 
Princess's present attitude had begun largely as a coping mechanism, an 
ineffective way of dealing with her mother's death.  But over time, it 
had developed into something else . . . 

	<Like it or not, this is how the Princess really is.  She has to 
be this way.  She's the Queen Mother, after all. >    

	Kakyuu reached the podium as the rows of guards in front of her 
parted and filed to the sides of the hall.  Kakyuu knelt in front of 
the Prime Minister.

	The Prime Minister made a great show out of unveiling Kakyuu's 
crown.  Identical to her mother's, it was a three-cornered black 
headpiece adorned with gold trimming, embedded with jewels, and adorned 
with clusters of olive blossoms.  

	The crowd oohed and aahed.

	"Looks rather silly, if you ask me," muttered Yaten.

	Holding the crown reverently in his hands, the Prime Minister 
launched into another lofty and pompous speech.  Seiya was glad to 
notice that hers weren't the only eyes glazing over in the crowd.  

	Finally, the Prime Minister once again concluded his speech.  
"Kakyuu of the house of Olibidia, one thousand and second Princess of 
the Royal House of Kinmoku, will you accept the throne of our 
illustrious kingdom?"

	"I accept," said Kakyuu softly.

	"Then I crown thee," intoned the Prime Minister as he lowered the 
crown to her head, "And declare thee Queen Mother of the Kinmoku 
Kingdom."

	Kakyuu straightened up slowly, as the crown settled upon her 
head.  Then she turned, faced the crowd, and bowed deeply. 

	"Thank you," she said.

	The crowd broke into wild applause.

	Seiya, Yaten, and Taiki were the first to leap out of their 
seats, jumping up and down and cheering Kakyuu as she smiled and waved.  
Seconds later, the rest of the applauding crowd stood up and began 
vocally cheering at the Princess.  Flushing slightly, Kakyuu grinned at 
the crowd and the television cameras.  The hall thundered with clapping 
and cheering.  The Princess was positively glowing.

	<This is what she wants.  To be like her mother.  To be loved by 
everyone,> thought Seiya as she applauded enthusiastically.  <Kakyuu-
chan . . . I'm so happy for you . . . >  

	After nearly ten minutes, the cheering gradually died down.  The 
crowd once again took their seats, and the applause died out.  Giving 
one last glowing smile, Kakyuu swept herself up to the podium and stood 
beside the Prime Minister.

	"Do you have a few words for us, my Queen?" he asked.

	"Yes," said Kakyuu quickly.  While she pulled the microphone down 
to her height, the Prime Minister sat down in his chair beside the 
podium.  

	The hall fell silent.

	Kakyuu cleared her throat.

	The whole world was waiting for her to speak.

	And finally, she began.

	"I--"

	That was as far as she ever got.  

	There was a flash of searing blue light, a sharp cracking sound, 
and a sudden gust of wind.  The crowd broke into a roar of shock and 
surprise.  A few even screamed.  And, suddenly, a woman was standing in 
the center of the hall.  

	A woman with short-cropped blond hair, a sky-blue skirt and 
blouse, thigh-high blue boots, a blue sailor collar, and golden 
bracelets on her wrists.  There was not a single person in the crowd 
who didn't recognize her instantly for what she was.  A Sailor Animate.

	And all hell broke loose.

	"No . . ." Kakyuu whispered, eyes widening with horror.

	"THEY'RE HERE!" Anya screamed as she and the other Knights leapt 
toward Kakyuu.

	"GUARDS!  SUMMON THE GUARDS!!!" roared Kuno as he charged over 
the guests sitting in front of him and made a beeline for the Animate.

	The guards at the sides of the hall surged forward.

	Seiya leapt up from her chair and began screaming at the guards.  
"NO!  DON'T GO NEAR HER!"

	But it was too late.  The Animate grinned, licked her lips, and 
crossed her arms in front of her chest.  Her bracelets flashed.  The 
guards surrounding her crumpled.

	The Knights advanced blindly upon the woman, only to meet the 
same fate in a blinding flash of golden light.

	Panic swept through the crowd as more and more people started 
screaming.  The guests began surging toward the emergency exits at the 
sides of the halls.  In their rush, they began trampling and slamming 
into each other.

	"They're getting this all on national television . . . " groaned 
Taiki.

	Yaten cracked her knuckles.  Loudly.  "You guys ready?"

	"Ready as we'll ever be."

	"Let's do it."

	"Right!"

	"Fighter Star Power, MAKE UP!"

	"Maker Star Power, MAKE UP!"

	"Healer Star Power, MAKE UP!"

	And from the podium, one final cry that resounded over the roar 
of the hysterical crowd: "Kinmoku Planet Power, MAKE UP!"


*		*		*		*		*		*


	Kuno leapt over the last row of seats and grabbed a sword from 
one of the fallen guards.  It took him a moment to recognize the 
corpse.  Barou.  Damn.  One of his better lieutenants.

	Beside him, Anya was unsheathing a sword from the body of another 
guard.  "Think you can take her on while wearing a tux?" she teased.

	Kuno did not think that it was any time to be joking.  He 
shrugged off his formal jacket and ripped off his bowtie.  At least he 
could breathe, now.  "I will defeat her," he growled resolutely.

	"Be careful," said Anya as she pulled off her heeled shoes.  Kuno 
had the distinct impression that she was giving him a command.

	  Kuno noticed out of the corner of his eye that his young 
charges were transforming.  Good.  He wouldn't need to stall for long. 

	As the last members of the crowd streamed out the exits and the 
last of the guards crumpled at the Animate's feet, Kuno raised his 
sword and pointed it at the woman's chest.  "You, there!  Who are you, 
one who dares to threaten Her Royal Highness the Queen Mother of 
Kinmoku?"

	The Animate bowed.  "Greetings.  I am Sailor Theta, a servant of 
Her Royal Highness, the true Queen of the Galaxy, Sailor Galaxia."

	"An Animate," Anya sneered with contempt.  "One who has defiled 
the sanctity of her Sailor Crystal.  I will not enjoy fighting you.  
You are not a worthy opponent."

	Theta smirked.  "Brave words for such a foolish woman.  I could 
kill both of you with a flick of my wrists.  End the duel before it 
even starts.  But where would be the fun in that?  I promise you a 
sound and thorough DEFEAT," she snarled as the leapt toward Kuno, 
extending her clawed nails.

	Kuno was ready.  He defended himself expertly with the sword.  He 
danced backward; she lunged forward; again, he dodged; again, she 
lunged forward.  The dance of the dueling partners continued until Kuno 
finally saw what the Sailor Senshi were planning to do as he glanced 
over Sailor Theta's shoulder.  Casting her a coldly triumphant smile, 
he leapt out of the way of her claws.

	"COWARD!" she screamed as Kuno practically scrambled away from 
her.  "What are you running from?!  Are you SCARED?!"

	The Animate was so intent upon taunting Kuno that she did not 
notice what was going on behind her back, at the other end of the hall.

	"Star Sensitive INFERNO!"

	"Star Gentle UTERUS!"

	Blue lightning and violet rays hurtled across the hall and 
slammed into the Animate, enveloping her in a vortex of energy-draining 
pyrokinetics.  She screamed and stumbled backward, caught completely 
off-guard.  Hissing with rage, she whirled to face her assailants.

	Fighter, Maker, and Healer were gathered in a small cluster 
around Sailor Kinmoku.  "Would you care to take on some *real* 
competition?" asked Fighter with a taunting smirk.

	Theta narrowed her eyes.  "Really?  All four of you together?"  
Then her eyes grew hard and cold.  "How utterly foolish of you.  How 
perfect."  Inexplicably, she nodded her head.

	Healer's eyes widened as she suddenly knew . . . FELT . . . what 
was about to happen.  But it was too late.  The floor around the girls 
cracked and split open.  Streams of dark energy shot out of the cracks, 
surrounding and enveloping the screaming girls

	and, abruptly 

	the screams and black light vanished.

	The dust settled, and the hall fell silent.

	Anya's eyes widened with dawning horror.  "Where did you send 
them?" she asked the Animate.

	"To meet my Queen.  She's waited over a year for a chat with 
those four Sailor Senshi," Theta explained calmly as she raised her 
arms in front of her chest.  "And as for you, man, you who distracted 
me . . . You will pay dearly for that.  I will crush your Star Seed so 
that is never born again," she laughed as her bracelets flashed.

	"KUNO!"

	Anya screamed his name as she threw herself forward, reaching for 
his hand.  Stunned, the burly guard stood his ground and never once 
even thought of moving.  Anya grasped his large hand in hers, and 
pulled backward with all her might . . . but she was suddenly repelled, 
sent flying backward across the hall as liquid amber light surrounded 
the Captain of the Guards.  Anya slammed into the nearest wall; after a 
moment, she began to slump forward limply.  Kuno crumpled; Anya 
crumpled; and Kuno's Star Seed floated lazily into Sailor Theta's 
outstretched hand.

	"This is the fate that awaits those who challenge me," she said 
coldly as she crushed the Star Seed in her hand.  The fragile crystal 
cracked, began bending inward . . . and finally shattered.

	Anya stumbled away from the wall that her body had slammed into, 
wiping blood from her mouth.  "You . . . you bitch . . ." she growled 
as she lurched toward the Animate.

	Sailor Theta stood over Kuno's fallen body, clenching the 
shattered remains of his Star Seed in her fist.  "Oh?  And do you wish 
to challenge me too, now?  You're such a fool.  Did you not just see?  
Did not I just show you what happens to those who defy me?"  Theta 
suddenly paused, looking thoughtful.  "Or was he . . . a friend of 
yours?  Yes, that must be it.  I can see it in your eyes.  Maybe even 
more than a friend?  If that's the case, then it's only right for you 
to duel in his honor.  But of course, you will lose."

	"I will not lose."

	Theta unclenched her hand, contemptuously wiping it clean on her 
skirts.  "Very well.  We will duel.  Choose your weapon."

	Anya knelt down and picked up her sword.  "I have chosen," she 
said coldly.  Emotionlessly.

	Theta bent over and pulled the sword from Kuno's hand.  "And so 
have I."  She raised her sword and assumed a combat-ready stance.  
"Shall we begin?"


*		*		*		*		*		*


	"Welcome to my throne," Sailor Galaxia greeted the four very 
disoriented Senshi who suddenly popped into existence right in front of 
her.

	Sailor Kinmoku took an involuntary step backward as the 
Starlights scrambled in front of her, as if they were attempting to 
shield her from Galaxia's icy glare.  "You're really her.  Sailor 
Galaxia," Kinmoku gasped.

	"And you're the princess who defeated Stone Croco," Galaxia 
replied flatly.

	Kinmoku raised her chin defiantly.  "I am no longer a princess.  
As of this moment, I am the Queen Mother of Kinmoku.  And I am also a 
Sailor Senshi, one who shall defeat you."

	"Funny.  How would it be possible for you to be either a princess 
or a queen, if your kingdom no longer existed?"

	"You can't destroy Kinmoku.  Not if I defeat you first," Sailor 
Kinmoku challenged the Golden Queen.

	Galaxia cast her eyes contemptuously over the three Senshi in 
front of the princess.  "And these are . . . your guardians?  Yes, I 
heard about that.  Artificially induced Sailor Crystals, but still just 
as genuine as the real thing.  I was surprised that your mother planned 
this far ahead.  It's unfortunate . . . some people just *can't* wait 
for nature to take its course."

	"That's an interesting statement, coming from someone who 
constantly spouts survivalist dogma," commented Maker icily.

	At that, Galaxia threw back her head and laughed.  "You're right.  
This is nothing more than survival of the fittest, isn't it?  And I am 
the most powerful Sailor Senshi in the galaxy.  It's only fitting that 
I should be the one to collect all the Sailor Crystals and Star Seeds 
within the galaxy."

	"If the news reports are true," Fighter began slowly, "And you 
really *do* have the power to wipe out an entire world in a matter of 
minutes . . . then, why don't you?"

	"The Star Seeds of the Kinmoku Kingdom are still safe.  I can 
still feel them," Healer added.  "Are you toying with us, Galaxia?"

	"Yes.  I want to make this as much fun as possible.  For me."  
There was an unmistakable note of glee in her voice.  "I have a 
proposition for you.  There are four planets in the Kinmoku Kingdom.  
And there are four Sailor Senshi in front of me.  Very well.  You shall 
fight me.  Every time that one of you is defeated, your corresponding 
planet will be destroyed.  And when all four of you are down, you will 
surrender your Sailor Crystals to me.  I think that's a fair fight, 
don't you?"

	"Do we have to approach you one-by-one, or can we fight 
together?" asked Sailor Kinmoku suspiciously.

	Galaxia shrugged.  "You may fight together, if you wish.  It 
doesn't matter.  The four of you combined will not be able to defeat 
me."

	Fighter turned her head and addressed Sailor Kinmoku.  "We don't 
have a choice, anyway."

	Kinmoku cast her eyes downward and spoke in a soft whisper.  
"Hmm.  That's right . . . Fine.  When I count to three, I want you to 
jump out of the way and try to flank her.  I'll zap her enough to make 
her angry.  If all goes well, she'll try to attack me in return.  Then 
I want you to attack her.  All three of you, at the same time.  If she 
gets caught in the crossfire, she'll be vulnerable.  Expend all the 
energy that you can; I'll move in for the kill.  Understand?"

	"Yes."

	"Right."

	"Understood."

	Sailor Kinmoku once again raised her chin and locked eyes with 
Sailor Galaxia.  "We accept your challenge," she proclaimed loudly.  
Then, without giving Galaxia a moment to respond, she held out her 
hands in front of her.  "OnetwoTHREE!!"

	The Starlights leapt away from their princess as she cried out, 
"KINMOKU FUSION TEMPEST!"  A hurricane of red flowers whirled toward 
Sailor Galaxia, who widened her eyes in surprise as the flowers 
surrounded her.

	"Pitiful," she snarled as she waved the flowers away with a flick 
of her wrist.  "Is that the best you can do?  I'm disappointed.  But 
then again, your Sailor Crystal will make a perfect addition to my 
collection."  Galaxia thrust herself forward, threw her arms in front 
of her, and hurtled toward the ruby-haired Senshi as her bracelets 
flashed.  "DIE!" she screamed.

	"Star Serious LASER!"

	"Star Gentle UTERUS!"

	"Star Sensitive INFERNO!"

	Sailor Kinmoku dodged the golden beams that shot from Galaxia's 
bracelets, leaping gracefully into the air and landing a few feet 
behind the spot where she had previously been standing.

	As for Galaxia, the combined strength of the Starlight's attacks 
had stopped her in her tracks.  But that was about the extent of the 
damage.  Forced to halt her relentless charge forward, Galaxia had 
merely stood her ground, absorbing the attacks with a bored expression 
on her face.  Most of the dancing lightning, whirling pyrokinetics, and 
flashing rays didn't even appear to touch her body.

	Fighter's eyes widened with horror.  "Impossible . . ."

	Galaxia slowly turned her head to face Fighter, a smile forming 
on her lips.  "Do you . . . wish to have a taste of your own 
medicine?"  She held out a hand in front of her, and a glowing ball of 
electric blue energy began to form, hovering above her palm.  "You're 
as good as dead, anyway."

	Fighter stood her ground.  Her feet were spread apart, her fists 
clenched into balls of rage, and her upper lip curled back in a snarl.  
"I haven't been defeated yet!" she spat at Galaxia.

	Galaxia didn't even respond to Fighter's last words.  She smiled 
maliciously, flicked her wrist, and sent to ball of light hurtling 
toward the defiant Senshi.

	Blue light slammed into Fighter's body, and she screamed.

	Suddenly, there was a lot of blood.  Blue light raced around 
Fighter's body, piercing her flesh and creating crimson-colored gashes 
in her skin.  Her screams of pain died out in a matter of seconds.  Her 
knees buckled underneath her.  Her back arched, the muscles drawn 
taught by nerves in the throes of agonizing pain.  The blood didn't 
stop coming; it began flowing in rivulets down Fighter's Sailor fuku.  
The light raced around her; tearing through her body, ripping her apart 
and draining her energy with every drop of blood spilled.

	"FIGHTER!!!"  Sailor Kinmoku screamed hoarsely as the first tears 
began to blur her vision.

	As quickly as it had started, it was all over.

	The light vanished.  Fighter's body seemed to collapse weakly 
upon itself.  She slumped forward, and finally crumpled to the ground.  
Her body hit the floor with a dull thud.  

	Silence enveloped Galaxia's dimension.  Three comrades stood in a 
frozen tableau, staring at the fallen Senshi.  Galaxia stood in the 
center of them, grinning triumphantly.

	Finally, a voice broke the silence.

	"You . . . witch . . ."

	It was Sailor Star Healer.

	Galaxia turned to face the petite Senshi.  "Oh.  You just felt 
it, didn't you?  The death of her guardian planet.  The screams of the 
dying make lovely music, don't they?  It's a symphony of pain, death, 
and suffering, the likes of which can only be heard by a few 
individuals in the galaxy.  You should consider yourself privileged, to 
be able to hear such beautiful music."

	Sailor Kinmoku looked from one to the other as tears of 
hopelessness slid down her cheeks.  It took every ounce of her 
willpower to keep her voice calm and level.  "Healer, is that true?  
Did she already destroy the Colony?"

	"Yes.  I don't know how she did it, but . . . yes."

	Maker shook her head slowly.  "No . . . No, that can't be right . 
. . She's here, with us . . . She can't be in two places at once . . ."

	Galaxia turned again, this time facing Sailor Star Maker.  "You 
still doubt my strength?  I can summon powers from a great distance, 
powers the likes of which you can hardly begin to imagine.  Perhaps a 
demonstration will lay your doubts to rest."

	"NO!" Sailor Kinmoku screamed again.

	But it was too late.

	Galaxia hurled another ball of energy at Maker.  She screamed as 
it slammed into her; droplets of blood flew into the air as her body 
was systematically torn apart by slashing beams of light.  In a matter 
of seconds, Maker had collapsed.

	Healer pressed her hands to her ears.  "No, please . . . make it 
stop . . . the whole Colony is screaming . . . make it stop . . . "

	"My pleasure," Galaxia smirked.

	A flash of blue light.  A splatter of blood.  A dull thud as a 
third body hit the ground.

	And then, silence.


*		*		*		*		*		*


      Anya lunged forward with her sword, avoiding the bodies littering 
the floor without even consciously thinking about it.  Theta danced 
backward and parried her thrust.  From the sudden widening of Theta's 
eyes, Anya could tell that she was surprised by the skill of Anya's 
attack.

	"You just might prove yourself to be a worthy opponent after 
all," Theta complimented as she switched to an offensive stance.  "I'm 
impressed."

	"My goal is not to impress you," Anya growled as she narrowly 
avoided Theta's sword.  Kuno's sword.  Kuno's sword in Sailor Theta's 
hand.  

	<Dammit, that just isn't FAIR!>  Anya hated being on the 
defensive.  Throwing herself forward, she lunged toward Sailor Theta.  

      Again. 

      And again.  

      And again.

	Anya watched Theta's face carefully as she continued her ruthless 
assault.  Fear flickered across the Animate's face as she momentarily 
lost her composure, overwhelmed by the speed of Anya's attacks.  Anger 
swam in her eyes.

	<I'm going to do it.  I'm going to defeat her.  And she's 
becoming angry enough to be dangerous.  Be careful, Anya.>

	With one final blow, Anya smashed Kuno's sword out of Sailor 
Theta's hand and sent it clattering across the floor of the hall.  As 
Theta's eyes widened in shock, Anya thrust her leg upward in a powerful 
kick.  There was a satisfying smack as her foot made contact with the 
Animate's stomach, and the evil woman fell backward with an indignant 
cry of pain and outrage.  Sailor Theta landed on her rump and remained 
there, bending over slightly, holding her stomach, and wincing with 
pain.

	Anya stepped forward and pointed her sword at the Animate's 
throat.  "If you surrender, I promise that I will end this quickly.  
It's more than you deserve, anyway."

	Theta snarled.  "I will not be defeated by the likes of you, a 
woman who holds nought but a measly Star Seed."  Slowly, painfully, she 
raised her golden bracelets ---

	Anya kicked her again, this time in the chest.  She could feel 
ribs crack.  The Animate screamed in pain and doubled over.

	"Better to have a Star Seed than to have nothing at all.  And 
you're far too slow to try that trick on me.  You were a fool to ever 
challenge me to a duel on fair terms.  It's your own damn fault that 
you're in the position that you are now."

	Theta's body trembled with pain.  She raised her head and 
squinted at Anya's face.  "Mercy . . ." she begged weakly as blood 
dribbled out the side of her mouth.

	Anya drew her sword back.

	"This is for Kuno," she said as she swung downward.

	Sailor Theta's head rolled across the floor as her decapitated 
body slumped into an undignified heap.

	Alone in the great hall, Anya wiped the bloody sword on her 
formal gown.  She knew that she was ruining her dress, but she didn't 
care.  <It's funny, how being in a hall full of the corpses of your 
friends and companions makes you not care about the unimportant details 
in life,> she pondered wryly.

	<I . . . did it.  I actually did it.  I defeated one of those 
accursed Sailor Animates.  I did it!>  Anya quickly suppressed her 
swelling feelings of joy.  <Oh, Kami-sama, I forgot about Kakyuu-chan 
and the others . . . They're fighting Galaxia right now . . . I hope 
that they're doing all right.  If they're not, then . . . Kuno 
Saotomei, I'll be joining you shortly, won't I?>

	It was at that moment her empathic senses felt the first Colony 
being destroyed.


*		*		*		*		*		*


	Galaxia finally turned away from Healer's body and faced the last 
remaining Sailor Senshi.  "Sailor Kinmoku.  Will you surrender your 
Sailor Crystal to me, or will we have to do things the hard way?"

	Sailor Kinmoku clenched her teeth together, forcing herself to 
maintain her composure.  If she started crying, then it would all be 
over.

	<It's already over.  Don't delude yourself.>

	<But . . . I will not surrender.  I will not die as a coward.  I 
will die defending my kingdom.  I'm a good Queen.  Just like mother.>

	"I will not surrender," she said evenly.  

	"Have it your way," Galaxia shrugged as she hurtled a final ball 
of light toward Sailor Kinmoku.

	The pain was incredible.

	Sailor Kinmoku sucked in her breath as the light slammed into her 
and the world dissolved in a blaze of searing blue brilliance.  It felt 
as though a thousand knives were slashing into her flesh.  She could 
feel her energy draining out of her body.  Suddenly, her legs felt like 
lead.  She was weary, bleeding, and wracked with pain.  Her legs could 
no longer hold her up . . . she began to sink to her knees . . . 

	<NO!  The moment I fall to the ground, she'll destroy Kinmoku!>

	But although her mind screamed in protest, her body could no 
longer remain upright.  As Sailor Kinmoku finally collapsed to the 
ground, she could already hear the screams of the people on her dying 
planet.


*		*		*		*		*		*


	Anya knelt next to Kuno's body, pulling him close to her so that 
his head rested on her lap.  "The Colonies have all been destroyed," 
she whispered softly to him.  "That means that we're next, right?  
They've failed.  Kuno . . . Kuno, I'm so sorry . . . After all that 
work, all that training, all that wishing and praying and hoping . . . 
it was all for nothing . . . You and I, and those three girls, and the 
princess, and the Queen, and everybody . . . in the end, we all amount 
to nothing . . ."

	She could feel it, beginning on the opposite hemisphere of the 
planet of Kinmoku.  A wave of lightning that would circle the globe, 
ripping the Star Seeds of any person that it touched.  Within a matter 
of seconds, it would pass through the royal palace.

	"Maybe someday, Kuno . . . Maybe someday, there will be Sailor 
Senshi on a distant world that will be able to defeat Sailor Galaxia.  
I just wish . . . I wish that we could have stopped her . . ."

	She bent her torso forward, bringing herself close to his body.  
"At least I won't have to miss you for very long," she murmured fondly as she caressed his face.

	When Anya Cerise Wil Galune died moments later, she was embracing 
the body of Kuno Saotomei.
  

*		*		*		*		*		*		


	< . . . warm light . . . it feels good . . . >

	<<Queen!  Queen Kakyuu!>>

	<<Don't give up!>>

	<<You're not dead yet!  She hasn't taken your Sailor Crystal yet!
>>

	Kakyuu opened her eyes and looked around dreamily.  She was no 
longer in her Senshi fuku.  Instead, she was wearing the same robes 
that she had been wearing when she was crowned Queen Mother of Kinmoku.  
The world was nothing but warm white light.  It surrounded her body, 
penetrating her weary flesh and infusing her with a curious sort of 
strength.  If she didn't know better, she could have sworn that she had 
just heard the voices of the Sailor Starlights inside her head.

	"Are you the Queen of Kinmoku?"	

	Kakyuu shook her head.  "No.  No, I'm not the Queen of Kinmoku.  
There is no more Kinmoku Kingdom.  Galaxia has destroyed it.  Because I 
couldn't defend my kingdom, I don't deserve to be called a Queen."

	"Fair enough.  But you are still a Sailor Senshi, and still of 
the royal blood of Kinmoku.  If you will not be a Queen, then you will 
be a Princess forever.  And as a royal Princess of Kinmoku, you have 
the responsibility to see that your people are avenged."

	Kakyuu squinted her eyes, trying to see who was speaking to her.  
She could barely make out the shape of a woman . . . with long, flowing 
hair . . . and . . . odangos?  Odangos on top of her head?  "Who are 
you?" she asked.

	An ethereal finger pressed lightly Kakyuu's lips.  "Hush.  Don't 
ask silly questions.  We don't have much time together.  I have a new 
mission for you."

	"A mission?"

	"There is one way, and only one way, to defeat Sailor Galaxia.  
There is a weapon that is capable of destroying her.  It is the Light 
of Hope, an ancient relic that used to belong to the most powerful 
Sailor Senshi in the galaxy - the legendary Sailor Senshi that sealed 
Chaos.  You must find the Light of Hope, and use it to defeat Galaxia."

	"But where should I look?"

	"I cannot say."

	"How can I accept this mission?  I can't escape from Galaxia.  
She's about to kill me.  There's no way."

	"Galaxia's dimension is twisted, and it will be difficult for you 
to leave her realm.  But it can be done.  If you combine your powers 
with your guardian Senshi, then it can be done."

	"Galaxia won't be happy about that.  She'll hunt me down."

	"Then you must be careful that she does not find you."

	Kakyuu's mind began racing.  "We . . the Sailor Senshi and I . . 
.  will need to separate ourselves.  Galaxia will be angry, but she 
won't waste time dealing with multiple moving targets.  If I can search 
without the aid of my guardian Senshi, it will at least buy me some 
time.

	For a moment, Kakyuu had the distinct impression that the 
faceless woman was pleased.  "You will make an excellent leader 
someday," she said.  "But are you sure that you can do this alone, 
without the support and companionship of your guardian Senshi?"

	"No.  No, I'm not sure.  But . . . I can't feel it right now, but 
I know that I'm injured.  Badly.  I can run, but I won't be able to 
fight anybody or anything for a long time.  If the Senshi are attacked 
by one of Galaxia's minions, I will just be a burden.  I can't do that 
to them.  I can't burden them like that.  I have no other choice, do 
I?"

	"Very well.  It is your right to make this decision.  But I 
cannot guarantee that your guardian Senshi will agree with your 
judgement in this matter."

	Kakyuu bowed, because she felt that it was the only appropriate 
thing to do.  "Thank you," she whispered softly as the woman faded 
before her eyes.

	When she raised her head out of her bow, she was once again 
standing in front of Sailor Galaxia.  She was back in her Sailor fuku, 
and her body was covered in bleeding gashes.  But strangely, her pain 
and weariness seemed to have vanished.

	Galaxia was visibly startled.  "Oh, my.  The little Princess 
managed to stand up again.  How remarkable.  But unfortunately, also 
quite pointless.  Your kingdom is gone, Sailor Kinmoku.  There's 
nothing left for you to defend, and there's nowhere left for you to 
run.  You might as well surrender, and save yourself any unnecessary 
pain.  It was part of our deal, anyway."

	"We'll never give up!" Kakyuu cried out defiantly as she planted 
her feet firmly on the ground.  Quickly, she surveyed the bodies of the 
Starlights.  Out cold, but not dead.  Galaxia had been waiting until 
all four of them were defeated before she was going to steal their 
Sailor Crystals.  "Fighter!  Healer!  Maker!  Get up - We have to get 
out of here!"

	Galaxia threw back her head and laughed.  "Escape from MY realm?  
Nobody has ever escaped from my dimension before!"

	Slowly, Fighter began pushing herself upright.  "P-Princess?  Did 
you call?" she asked as she stood up, an expression of bewilderment on 
her face.  

	"How are we supposed to get out of here?" Maker inquired 
pragmatically as she stumbled toward Sailor Kinmoku, wincing with pain 
but obviously trying not to show it.

	"My head feels like it was hit by a ton of bricks," grumbled 
Healer as stood upright.  "Wonderful.  I'm going to have a headache for 
weeks."

	Galaxia narrowed her eyes, staring icily at Sailor Kinmoku.  "You 
didn't."

	Sailor Kinmoku smiled as her Senshi gathered around her.  "I 
did."

	<Yeah, that's right.  I woke them up, just like I did before.  
You don't like that, do you, witch?>

	It was the most vindictively satisfying thought that Sailor 
Kinmoku had for years.  But she quickly shook her head, pushing the 
pleasant thought aside.  It was time to focus on the task at hand.  
"Listen," she said as the Starlights surrounded her.  "I know that 
you're hurt, and badly, but we absolutely need to have enough energy to 
pull off one last miracle.  If we can engage in a Sailor Teleport, then 
we can get out of here."

	Galaxia laughed again.  "Sailor Teleport?!  It will never work.  
You will never be able to access any location that you choose to 
teleport to, not from within this twisted space.  It's impossible."
	
	"Not if . . . Not if we don't try to teleport to any specific 
location . . ." Maker began slowly.

	Fighter nodded.  "Right.  It's just like we practiced during all 
those training sessions . . . only we can't visualize any particular 
arrival point."

	"Wait a minute.  What if we end up in the vacuum of space, or in 
the center of a black hole or something?" Healer asked.  "What then?!"

	"We're not any more dead than we are if we stay here," Fighter 
shrugged as she reached for Maker's and Kinmoku's hands.  "Princess, do 
we really have a new mission?"

	Sailor Kinmoku's eyes grew mournful.  "Yes, but . . . I have to 
go alone . . . I cannot let you come with me."

	"WHAT?!?!"

	"I can't explain right now.  But . . . But I do have some last 
orders for you.  Don't give up hope.  Don't let Galaxia find you.  Just 
run, and stay alive.  That's the most important thing right now.  And I 
promise that you and I will find each other again, someday."  

	The four Sailor Senshi were now standing in a circle, holding 
hands.  Sailor Kinmoku passed her eyes over her three guardians, trying 
to quell the nervous twitching in her stomach.  They looked confused, 
lost, bewildered, and . . . hurt.  Very hurt by her words.  But as much 
as she wanted to, she could not afford time to comfort them.  She 
sensed that Galaxia was about to catch on to their plan.  "Are you 
ready?" she asked the Sailor Starlights.

	"We're ready," Fighter responded.

	"You're joking," Galaxia snarled.  But she suddenly tensed her 
body, and began to raise her arms in front of her chest.  "I'll finish 
you off before you get a chance to start your suicidal --- "

	"SAILOR . . . . . . . . TELEPORT!" 

	Four voices cried out in unison, and four columns of light 
illuminated Galaxia's realm.  Red, blue, violet, and green.  And before 
an enraged and startled Sailor Galaxia could even activate her 
bracelets, the Sailor Senshi had vanished.

      <Shooting stars never have a destination in mind . . . >

	That was Sailor Kinmoku's last thought as she ripped her hands 
away from Fighter and Healer, and soared across the cosmos in a streak 
of ruby-red light.


*		*		*		*		*		*


      Floating silently in the infinite void of deep space, four 
lifeless balls of rock orbited a small yellow star.  The star was 
young, and would burn brilliantly for eons into the future.  But in the 
end, the billions of years of health and prosperity ahead of the star 
amounted to nothing.  There was no life for it to nourish, no 
civilizations to worship it, no more reason for it to continue giving 
precious heat and light to the planets that orbited it.  

      And because there was nobody left in the system to weep for the 
dead, the star mourned silently.  It was the only thing that it could 
do.  The star mourned, but continued to burn.  And it waited, suspended 
in the vacuum of space - waited, for many, many years, before life  
returned to its system and the people of Kinmoku once again began to 
rebuild their civilization.  

      But that's too far ahead in our story to worry about.  For the 
moment, all the star could do was weep silently and continue to shine,
an eternal beacon for any wanderers that might someday wish to return 
to their home . . .  


*		*		*		*		*		*

   
	Sailor Star Fighter blinked as she surveyed her surroundings, 
mind whirling with confusion.  "Where are we?!" she asked, an edge of 
panic in her voice.

	"Space," Maker answered calmly.

	"Look," Healer indicated as she brought her arm in a graceful arc 
around her body.  "It's some sort of bubble."

	The three Sailor Starlights were indeed huddled together inside a 
transparent bubble, floating serenely in the empty void of deep space.  
In the distance, stars twinkled invitingly.

	"There's air in here?" asked Fighter thickly.

	"Yes.  And pressure too, apparently," Maker answered patiently.

	"Someone Up There must really be looking out for us," Healer 
commented with a strange smile on her lips.  "How else do you explain 
it?"

	" 'We are but children of the cosmos, and family always looks out 
for one another,' " quoted Maker.  "An anonymous poet from the 
classical age of Kinmoku literature."

	Fighter pulled her knees up to her chest.  "Kinmoku is gone," she 
said quietly.

	"Yes.  We know."

	"Then we've failed," Fighter concluded woefully.

	Healer shook her head.  "No.  We haven't failed.  We're still 
here together, and we're still alive.  And we can still fight Galaxia.  
We will fight Galaxia again.  And someday, we are going to defeat her."

	Despite herself, Fighter actually began to smile.  "Somehow, I 
get the impression that you're hungry for revenge."

	"Oh yes.  Of course."

	"You always were the bitchy one," Maker said flatly.

	Healer bowed.  "Why thank you."

	Maker narrowed her eyes.  "I can't believe you two.  How can you 
be joking at a time like this?!"

	"If you want to know the honest truth," began Fighter slowly, 
"It's because if I don't joke about it . . . If I let myself really 
start thinking about . . . about what just happened . . . about 
everybody who died . . . about everybody who's gone . . ." Her voice 
broke, and she struggled to maintain her composure.  "I think . . . 
That I'm going to have a nervous breakdown . . ."

	"Get a hold of yourself," Healer snapped.  "This is no time for 
mourning.  We can do that later.  Right now we need to figure out what 
to do next.  We need to get moving before Galaxia can pinpoint our 
location again."

	"Search for the Princess, stay alive, and run from Galaxia.  
That's easier said than done," muttered Fighter, her voice once again 
level.  "Where should we start?"

	"The nearest system to Kinmoku that has not yet been touched by 
Galaxia is the Jurai kingdom," stated Maker.  "It's as good a place as 
any to start our mission."

	"Should we teleport there?"  At the very thought of another 
teleport, Fighter felt her stomach grown queasy.

	"Of course.  There's no other way to get there from here . . . 
wherever 'here' is  . . . But not for a while.  I hardly have any 
energy left myself," said Healer as she suppressed a yawn.  "There's no 
way that we can pull off another Sailor Teleport.  We need sleep 
first."

	Maker raised an eyebrow.  "Um, sleep?"

	"Yes, sleep.  Do you have any better ideas?"

	Maker rolled her eyes.  "No, I suppose not."

	"Then it's settled."  Healer flopped her head into Maker's chest.  
"Hold still - you make a good pillow," she commanded bossily.

	Maker sighed with resignation, then leaned against the wall of 
the strange bubble and closed her eyes.  "You're lucky that I'm too 
tired to punch you," she muttered to Healer.  But Sailor Star Healer 
was already fast asleep, breathing quietly and evenly.

	Fighter leaned against the other side of the bubble, opposite 
Maker.  She stared at her companions as she pondered their 
peculiarities.  They were both covered in bloody wounds, and both must 
have been in incredible pain.  Just like Fighter was at that very 
moment.  But none of three of them were willing to admit to the pain . 
. . just that they were tired, and nothing more . . . 

	Fighter closed her eyes, but couldn't get rid of the images that 
danced beneath her eyelids.  Kuno.  Anya.  Queen Maresuu.  The Knights, 
the guards, and the servants that she had befriended in the palace.  
Her older brothers.  Her father.  Jena.  Her mother . . . 

	<Your mother died so that you could have a Sailor Crystal.  Don't 
forget that, Fighter.  Don't fail her.  Don't let yourself drown in the 
memories of those who are gone.  Just keep going.  Just keep fighting.  
And someday, you will win.>

	<But . . . I'll miss them.>

	Unbidden, a tear slid down Fighter's cheek.

	She opened her eyes again, and stared at Maker and Healer.

	"Do you think that we'll ever find Princess Kakyuu again, or is 
she gone forever, too?" Fighter asked her companions.  

	But she received no response - they were both fast asleep.

	And despite everything, Fighter's face broke into a wide grin.  
"At least I'll always have you guys, right?  Like you said, Maker, 
we're just children of the cosmos now.  Shooting stars without a home 
and without a destination.  I guess that all we have is each other, 
right?"

	It wasn't the most pleasant thought in the world, but it was a 
strangely comforting thought nevertheless.  Fighter sighed with 
contentment as she slumped back against the skin of the bubble and 
closed her eyes again.

	<Princess . . . We'll find you again, someday . . . And when we 
do, we'll defeat Galaxia, once and for all . . . Yeah, that's the way 
that it's going to end.  I just know it.>

	Fighter's thoughts slipped away as she fell into a deep sleep.

	Nearly two thousand light years away from the tiny rural planet 
called Earth, three weary wanderers slept as they drifted lazily 
through space.  Guided by the hand of Fate and the energy of their own 
eternally shining Sailor Crystals, the three were heading toward an 
adventure and a destiny beyond their wildest imaginations.


THE END