Full Circle

Written by Annika Nesicha/Sailor Bakura and Mika Kaipi/Sailor Yavin IV

Mika tossed a hydrospanner in the air and caught it only inches before it would have crashed into her face. She noticed her rough, unmanicured fingernails and it reminded her of her task - piloting. Annika, of all people, had requested Mika pilot her to Bakura to get her new ship. The blonde girl figured Annika had probably asked her because of her recent melancholic mood. Still shaken over the brief meeting with her future daughter, Mika had kept mostly withdrawn and hadn't been her normal self. Annika was always the one to dole out happiness, and Mika was no exception.

I guess I could use some happiness, Mika thought. Besides, for some unknown reason, Mika liked Annika. There was something about the white-haired Princess that seemed so natural. It wasn't their similar hairstyle or looks, not even the clumsy trait they shared, but it was something. Plus, Mika loved Bakura. Just as there was a familiarity about Annika, there was also a connection to Bakura - another reason Mika agreed to take Annika; she couldn't wait to see the planet.

But Annika, as usual, was late, but Mika could guess the reason, and a few moments later, Annika and the 'reason' walked through the door.

Annika squealed with delight, then kissed him on the cheek. She noticed Mika standing nearby, and she waved enthusiastically.

Mika smiled and waved back. Lowering the landing ramp on the Tsukikage no Yume, Mika allowed Annika climbed aboard first. Obi-Wan turned to Mika after Annika was safely out of earshot.

"Gotcha," Mika replied. She boarded her impressive ship, and then retracted the ramp. Annika was slowly walking around, taking it all in. She'd never been on Mika's ship before.

"You might want to strap yourself in before we take off," Mika smiled. Annika followed orders well; she'd already been seriously hurt in one crash and had no desire to repeat that event. Within moments, they were coasting through the quiet, emptiness of space, and neither one of the girls noticed the cloaked ship that trailed directly behind them.

Mika got the ship onto a steady course, then started chatting with Annika. "What's Bakura like?"

Annika began describing it. Mika listened contently as she drove the ship past a few small asteroids and other space debris. At the end of Annika's description, Mika sighed happily.

"I can't wait to see it!" she exclaimed. Annika laughed. She couldn't wait to 'show off' her planet. She was also happy to see Mika in a better mood. Annika couldn't stand to see anyone depressed.

Then, however, Mika stayed silent. She tampered with the controls and even got a snack for herself and Annika, but didn't say much else.

I hope we get there soon, Mika thought. I need to get my mind off of things. My daughter... Her mind ran back to the meeting a few weeks earlier, and how her daughter had tried to kill her. Mika had tried to figure out why and what had gone wrong in the future, but it wasn't any use.

She just got more saddened by the thought of her Chibi. And her name: Arashi. Storm. How fitting.

Mika blushed. "He... he seems nice enough." Mika took a bite out of the chocolate bar she had been holding. "Plus he's the Knight of my two favourite things besides cats and food: entertainment and computers. I haven't had much of a chance to talk to him, though." She kept her head down towards the Tsukikage's control panel as she talked. Annika just smiled, understanding.

"You should talk to him when we get back." Annika nibbled on the piece of cake Mika had gotten her. "I think he'd like that."

Mika's face turned a deeper shade of red. "Maybe." She checked the gauges on the panel. "We're almost there. You'll have to take me through landing procedures here. I'm sure it's different with the Princess of Bakura on board." Mika clipped her lightsaber to her belt. Annika noticed this.

Mika shook her head. "I'm bringing it with. I have this feeling... and it's not the best kind."

The ship landed safely in front of several members of the Bakuran Royal Guard, and they watched proudly as the landing ramp lowered and Annika walked out. She almost tripped, but when she finally did make it to the end of the ramp, the guards all bowed.

"It is so good to have you home, Your Highness," said Halla Windsor, head of the security team attached to the Princess.

"Thank you, Halla! It's good to be home! I'd like you to meet someone," Annika said, smiling. She turned around expecting to see Mika, but she wasn't there. "Mika?"

The other girl was still inside her ship. Her Force sense was telling her to be on guard, but for what? Mika was worried about a possible Sith attack, but the security around Annika seemed to be tight. That wasn't it; there was something at work, something sinister, and Mika felt that the evil was directed at Annika and herself. Checking one last time that her lightsaber was clipped to her side, she exited the ship. Mika did trip and landed with a thud on the metal landing ramp, but she quickly brushed herself off and joined Annika.

"Mika," Annika started, "This is Halla Windsor, my head of security. Halla, this is a friend of mine, Mika Kaipi." The two girls exchanged pleasantries, and Mika asked Halla about the ins and outs of the security team, just to be safe.

When they had finally left the hangar and walked outside, Mika stopped. She looked around at the beauty of Bakura. Life grew everywhere in the form of trees, animals, flowers. it was breathtaking. Mika was an earthborn senshi and she had read the book, Truce at Bakura, but nothing could have prepared her for actually seeing Salis D'aar. Towering rain pillars stood as serene sentinels in front of all official buildings and government mansions; the rain trickling down the clear tubes produced a soft sound that immediately relaxed anyone who listened. None of the sights phased Annika, as she was used to it, but Mika stared open-mouthed at everything. They walked over a large courtyard and neared the Palace. Mika saw the banks of a winding river, surrounded by large peaks of pure quartz crystal, and then she saw the Palace. It looked like it was made of ice. Tall and impressive, it stood majestically against the picturesque horizon. The sunlight glittered off of the surface of the Palace, making it sparkle like a giant diamond. If this were Earth, Mika would have thought the architecture looked somewhat like ancient Roman in design.

"My mother will be pleased to meet you," Annika whispered to Mika, who only nodded silently. She could still sense the coming danger.

Queen Nikana was waiting in the foyer to greet her daughter. She held out her arms and Annika ran into them instinctively.

"How have you been, my daughter? I have missed you," the Queen smiled. She looked down at her daughter and said, "You father has been anxious for your arrival - he says he has a surprise for you."

"Mother, I want you to meet a friend of mine. This is Mika." She gestured to the girl standing behind her. Queen Nikana's mouth opened slightly when she saw Mika, but she quickly regained her composure and nodded as Mika bowed.

"Welcome to Bakura," the Queen said. "Any friend of my daughter is more than welcome."

"Thank you," Mika replied. She tried to look as calm as possible, for her senses were trying madly to tell her something. Everything on Bakura seemed so familiar, even the Queen herself. Maybe she was worrying for nothing.

Back at the hangar, a small ship landed safely, and the pilot looked around at the place that he left so long ago. He grunted and pulled a picture out of his pocket. He looked at the two sleeping infants in the picture and cursed himself for not getting rid of them when he had the chance. He would have to make up for lost time.

While Annika went to have a private talk with her family, Mika decided to sit out in one of the many courtyards of the Palace. It was so beautiful, she didn't know where to sit! She finally decided to sit under the shade of a tree that had blossoms that reminded her of the cherry blossoms she had seen in so many Japanese culture books.

For a while, she just leaned back and breathed in the sweet air. A small wind blew her bangs into her eyes and lightly tossed what hair had not made it into her odango. The smell here was so... so calming.

Mika took time to reflect on what had happened to her recently. First, the finding of her daughter, Arashi. The name fit her daughter's stormy personality wonderfully. It also fit what Mika wanted to do whenever she thought of her: cry. Along with this revelation was the new Knight that had joined, named Link Shinrin. He was kind, quite handsome, and, for some reason Mika did not know, he scared Arashi just by his sight. How anyone could be afraid of his looks, Mika didn't know.

Mika heard a small tweet of some kind of bird. It all seemed too serene to last for long. She wondered what was up ahead.

" 'But Yoda said I must be mindful of the future,' " Mika quoted as close as she could remember. " 'Yes, but not at the expense of the present.' " Was that how it went? It seemed like such a long time ago since she had seen the movie. She hadn't been allowed to bring any such Star Wars things with her into this galaxy, on order of the leader of the Senshi, Naboo.

Mika smiled. This was still better than just watching Star Wars on TV. What could possibly be better than the real thing? A date with Link, her mind said rather quickly. She allowed herself a laugh, then closed her eyes and just listened to the sounds of birds and the smell of the pseudo-cherry blossoms above. She was still wary, however.

This was why she slept in the pleasant shade with one hand on the hilt of her lightsaber. She fell into a deep, restful sleep.

Standing, not too far away, a mysterious man smelled the air and winced; he hated the cleanliness of this planet, its beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes turned his stomach. The man crossed a small pathway and made his way to the Palace.

In the meanwhile, Annika had just left a rather cryptic meeting with her mother, and was still pondering the events. "Something magical is in the air, my child, something that only the wind can predict," Queen Nikana had said. "Things will be revealed and mysteries solved." Annika bit her lip and frowned. The Queen was known to have premonitions, but usually they concerned matters of state, or foreign affairs; and they were never so vague.

"Oh Annika! I'm glad to finally see you!" Prince Kishi the Elder, Annika's father, said. He ran up to her, and they embraced. He was somewhat older-looking since Annika saw him last, but his hair was still a wavy blonde, and his brown eyes twinkled with the same mischievous spark. He was wearing a simple deep crimson tunic and black pants. "How are things at the Jedi Temple? Are they teaching you well?"

The white-haired girl was confused for a second until she remembered that her entire family, save her mother, had their memories erased so they wouldn't know that Annika was Sailor Bakura; as far as everyone knew, Annika was busy being schooled in the finer points of diplomacy.

Prince Kishi nodded his head, then narrowed his eyes. "And what about that boyfriend of yours? Is he honourable? I don't want to have a talk with him," he warned.

Annika stomped her foot. "Daddy!! Obi-Wan is perfect! I absolutely adore him, and he's more than honourable to me."

"He had better be. I'm glad you're happy, Prin," he said, kissing her cheek. Annika smiled, remembering the nickname, Prin - short for Princess. He leaned into her ear and whispered, "Don't tell your mother, but there is a whole bag of candy hidden under your bed... plus a little bauble I bought from a jeweller in Versailles."

Kissing him back, Annika ran up to her room so she could devour the candy, and Prince Kishi smiled and shook his head at his predictable daughter. He took a few steps north, then turned and opened the door to his office. The mysterious man sat in a high-backed chair with his legs folded and a blaster aimed at the Prince's head.

Shocked, he sputtered, "What are you doing here? Who did you get inside the Palace?"

Kishi the Elder gritted his teeth and spat, "I know you're not, you idiot! Why didn't you kill them before they landed?"

"Because I decided that the price on your daughter's head isn't high enough. You want Princess Annika dead; it'll cost you a lot more than you're willing to pay."

"Listen, Ludo, I don't care how much it costs, just get rid of her! With the female heir gone, Nikana will have no choice but to change the law and allow our son Kishi to ascend the throne... and then I will help rule this planet."

"And what about what the price? You forget that if she dies, that Jedi boyfriend of hers will find me. I need enough credits to disappear."

"Fine! It's yours! Take this as a down payment." Kishi threw a ring across the desk; it spun around in spirals, and the platinum band shined like a star. Ludo inspected it and stuffed it into his pocket.

Prince Kishi rubbed his chin and let a thoughtful growl roll from his throat. "I'm not sure. She has a strange aura. Plus, Nikana is overjoyed that she is here for some reason." Ludo shifted his weight from one foot to another, nervously.

"Nik was muttering something about 'things coming full circle' and she was humming a lullaby that I haven't heard since -" He stopped suddenly and glared at Ludo. The tall Ludo swallowed hard and stared back.

"It's not possible," Kishi the Elder whispered, "is it?" Quickly marching over to glower at Ludo, Prince Kishi semi-yelled, "What did you not do?"

Ludo holstered his blaster and folded his arms. "I couldn't kill a baby, so a dark witch friend of mine sent her to another dimension."

"You're wanted in nine star systems for murder and rape, but you couldn't kill a baby?"

"This never would have happened had you killed them both when they were first born!" the Prince said.

"And I told you, I was interrupted by security, I grabbed one of the kids and ran. I figured you'd kill the other one yourself."

"Exactly. Damn it!" the blonde-haired man kicked a statue, which fell over and shattered into a million pieces. "Now what am I going to do? Nikana knows... or at least she has a feeling. My son will never be able to take the throne unless both of them are dead." Turning to face Ludo, Prince Kishi scowled. "Do whatever it takes, but try and make it look like an accident - just get rid of them both."

"And that, you sorry excuse for a father, will cost you triple." Ludo grinned, displaying sharp, brown, teeth.

Ludo laughed. "As a hatter. Like I said, old man, I need all the credits I can get. Annika is dating Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I have no desire to tangle with the man who killed Darth Maul while still a stupid padawan. Not to mention the rumour that she's a friend of the Sailor Jedi."

"That's splendid news. Whatever you want, it's yours, but I want them gone by tomorrow night."

Mika was resting better than she had in a while. She was so immersed in sleep that she failed to hear the softly-approaching footsteps. It was only when a warm hand touched her shoulder that Mika sprang to her feet. She rounded on the stranger, lightsaber in hand.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," came the gentle voice of the Queen. Mika clipped her lightsaber to her belt and bowed deeply.

Queen Nikana smiled and said, "It's fine; perfectly understandable. Would you like to accompany me for a moment?"

Mika nodded furiously, desperate to show the Queen that she wasn't a jumpy, lightsaber-happy pilot. She had a peculiar need to impress the white-haired woman who walked a few paces ahead. When Nikana motioned to a small marble bench, Mika sat next to her and suddenly felt calm all over, like she was surrounded by warm water.

"Something is bothering you," the Queen said as she stared at the pink blossoms, which dangled sweetly on twisting tree branches. The breeze picked up a few errant flower petals and swirled them around until they came to rest at Queen Nikana's feet. Mika was quiet for a few minutes; she didn't know how to answer. She wanted terribly to tell this woman about Arashi, but she couldn't bring herself to trust her just yet.

"Yes, however," the Queen said, placing her soft hand on Mika's face, "things always have a way of coming full circle." Casting her attention back to the flower blossoms, Nikana began to hum a lilting tune.

Mika slightly gasped - she had heard that tune in her head for as long as she could remember. It was comforting and reminded her of better times. "What is that song, Your Majesty?" she asked.

"It is an old Bakuran melody that my mother sang to me as a child; I, in turn, sang it to Annika when she was a baby." She began to hum again, and this time Mika joined in. By some bizarre circumstance, Mika knew every single note, and her voice sounded beautiful and full of hope.

"Well," Queen Nikana said, standing. "I do believe I will venture back into the Palace. I need to talk to Annika about something very important. And I would like to talk to you later as well."

"Yes, Your Grace," Mika said. She watched as Nikana seemed to float up the gentle sloping hills and into the safety of the Palace walls.

It was a while later when Mika was summoned from her "temporary quarters" in the garden (where she had stayed for most of the day) by one of Queen Nikana's Royal Guards. On the way, she nearly ran into a blond-haired man who was walking quite quickly down the hallway. His eyes looked cold as he gave her what was supposed to be an apology. As he passed, Mika had to suppress a shiver that went down her back. A disturbance.

Was he what she felt? She asked the Royal Guard who was guiding her to the Queen's quarters who he was.

"Miss Kaipi, he is Prince Kishi," the guard said coldly. "Surely you have seen him before."

Mika had to hide another fear. This guard was not who he seemed. But what else he was, she did not know. She kept her reflexes ready. For some reason, he had a sort of Force ripple around him. Mika had to hug her shoulders to stop shivering from his presence. He quickly shoved Mika into the Queen's quarters, then headed off in quite a rush.

"Please, close the door, Mika. I have something important to tell you," Nikana said very quietly. Mika still heard her almost-whisper, and therefore she shut the door very gently. Had she slammed it she would've jumped from the noise. Everything surrounding Queen Nikana seemed so calm that even a pin dropping would disturb it.

Mika walked in front of the Queen's line of sight about five feet away as Nikana closed her eyes.

Mika was confused. She hadn't heard Nikana this unsure; it seemed rather uncharacteristic for the Queen. "Well, in a manner of speaking, yes, your Grace..."

Mika barely held her composure as she answered. "Y-yes, but... if I may ask, how did you know?" Mika said shakily.

"Mika, you are Annika's twin, missing for nearly twenty-three years. I did not know how you were taken, but I knew one day you would return."

"Things have come full circle, at last. My other daughter has finally come back." Queen Nikana embraced Mika, who simply stood in shock.

Was it true? Mika thought about the bizarre coincidences between herself and Annika. Their similar names when Annika's was shortened, their hairstyle, the sharing of the clumsiness trait - it all seemed to line up.

"That may be, but you are her sister, and in turn, my daughter." Queen Nikana produced a small brooch, on which was a bright green cat-eye-shaped jewel. "And you are also a Guardian. It was foretold... you would return, and I would give this to you." She handed it to Mika and smiled very softly.

Mika looked at the brooch. It was really pretty, but... Mika thought the Queen had gone crazy. Her, Annika's twin? Impossible! The Queen nodded slightly as Mika did not say or do anything.

"I understand. Go back to the garden and think, daughter. It will help, I am sure." The Queen's eyes glowed in the light from the windows. Mika nodded as well and walked out slowly, staring at the small green brooch.

Queen Nikana smiled pleasantly. This was the day she had waited for, when her other daughter would return. The easy part was over... now she had to tell Annika. Quietly, she summoned her first-born daughter and waited patiently. A few moments later, Annika tripped her way into the Queen's receiving room.

"Sit here, close to me. I have a story to tell you," the Queen said. Annika was cautious, for whenever her mother told a story; it was always about the importance of not eating too much candy, or not running away from mistakes - life lessons, she called them. Annika shivered, but sat next to her mother. The Queen took Annika's face in her hands and smoothed her hair over her ears.

"Oh, Annika, my precious treasure... there is something very important you need to know. Something that I hope will make you very happy. You see, when you were borne, you weren't alone."

Nikana laughed. "Your father and I decided never to tell you, for we knew it would serve only to upset you. Yet, it is the truth. You had a twin sister."

The Queen frowned and tears swelled in her eyes. "Shortly after you two were born, a terrible event took place. Halla's father, Kale, heard a window crash in the nursery... he arrived too late. The thief had carried your sister away. We were blessed to still have you. Over the years, your father and I searched frantically for your sister, but to no avail. One night, one of the monks visited me privately and informed me that one day, my long-lost daughter would return. Kishi thought I was crazy to hold out hope that our child would be found safe and alive, yet, I believed."

"I have a sister?" Annika repeated. She was still in shock, but overjoyed at the same time. She had always wanted a sister; they could fix each other's hair, give each other makeovers, and dish about cute boys. "Where is she? Where is my sister? Have you found her? Has she come home?"

Laughing at her daughter's enthusiasm, the Queen nodded slowly. "Yes, my darling one, your sister is home."

Annika clapped her hands and hopped up and down. "Wait until I tell Mika that I have a twin sister!"

Annika's smile melted. Mika? How could Mika be her twin? Sure, they shared traits, but the senshi all seemed to share a basic set of looks... and as for their clumsiness... well, that was a heck of a coincidence, to be sure, but twins?

"That for every one year on Earth, we age three... so if Mika was raised on Earth... and I was raised here..." Annika said, catching on. "Are you sure it's Mika?"

"Yes. She has your father's eyes. Everyone has a Force signature, and I know you can't feel it, but I immediately recognised Mika's aura. She is your sister, just as the monk foretold, and just as I had hoped. And she had returned."

After a few more minutes of conversation, Annika left her mother's side and walked down the hall. She knew she was still the Crown Princess, because each Queen possessed a name that was a variation of the same six letters. Annika's mother was Nikana VII, her grandmother was Queen Nanika IV, and her great grandmother was Queen Kianna II. So, traditionally, and by three minutes, Annika was the next Queen of Bakura. But she still had trouble resolving the fact that one of her friends was really her sister, a twin sister, no less.

Not paying attention, Annika bumped into her flustered father. "Daddy! What's wrong? Are you okay?" Annika asked.

"What? Oh yes, yes. I'm fine, Prin. Look at you - your cheeks are rosier than usual, what's got you stirred up? Is it that boyfriend? I'll send the entire Bakuran army after him if he's hurt you in some way," he threatened.

Annika grinned and blushed. "No! It's not that! Mama just told me about my sister!"

Quickly, Annika filled him in on the conversation she had with her mother, and Kishi the Elder looked pale and flushed. "Daddy? Are you okay?"

"Annika," he said, leading her over to a private bench. "Your mother... well, she... Let's just say that her heart is in the right place."

"You see, Prin, you did have a twin sister, but..." He swallowed hard. "This is all my fault! I never should have lied to her!"

"I wasn't honest with your mother... I told her that your sister had been kidnapped, when in reality, she died." Kishi lowered his head into his hands and cried softly. Annika's mouth dropped open, then she bit her lip.

"I know. This is all my fault." He cried some more. "Don't let this ruin your time here, Prin. You've got a new ship being readied for you now by the mechanics - you should bother yourself with that and not this unpleasantness. I'll go tell your mother the truth." Annika was reluctant to leave him, but he insisted.

Mika didn't mean to eavesdrop; she was rounding the corner when she saw Annika bump into her father, and the same cold chill raced down her spine. Worried for her friend and possible sister, Mika had ducked behind a large potted plant, ready with her lightsaber should something happen. Now, as she looked down at the Cat's Eye brooch in her palm, she sighed. It had to have been too good to be true, she thought. I'd better give this back to her Majesty.

The blonde girl stepped out from her hiding place, but quickly ducked back when she saw a strange figure appear from behind a large statue. He clapped his hands.

"My, my. How sentimental... you know, for a moment, I almost thought you cared about your daughter," he said.

"Shut up, Ludo. Your job has just gotten harder. Why did Nikana tell Annika? Oh well, it doesn't matter; just make sure both of them are dead by sunset. No excuses this time! I want them eliminated."

Mika was horrified. It was true. What the Queen said was true, and not only was she Annika's sister, but her new father wanted to kill them both.

Mika ran stealthily down the hall. She had to get to Annika, and fast. She didn't know how he was planning on killing herself and her sister, but to stop suspicion from reaching Kishi, she would bet a ton of Kessel spice that it was going to seem like a mistake, an accident. For all Mika knew, they might put something in their drinks or their food - Mika could only hope nothing had happened yet to Annika. Otherwise, she would've lost her sister as quickly as she had just gained her. Mika ran and looked for a guard to find out where Annika's room was. A kind woman guard pointed out the way, and Mika walked in that direction until the guard was out of sight. She then continued running. Annika's door was labelled - luckily for Mika - and she barged in. Annika was about to drink some sort of juice right as Mika ran in. Mika hit the glass of juice, and Annika jumped back as the juice hit the floor and the glass broke. Annika's eyes were wide open.

"Annika - dad - bounty hunter - kill - us!" Mika choked out. Annika let out a short (and rather non princess-like) snort.

"Kishi - dad, he hired a bounty hunter, I think. Said - kill us by sunset. Don't know why - but he did!" Mika shouted out. Annika put her hand on Mika's shoulder.

Annika felt sorrow wash over her. "Mika, my father said - he said it's not true. My sister, she died after she was born. So you're not -"

"I heard him! And you! I didn't MEAN to eavesdrop," she added as Annika gave her a small look, "but I happened upon your conversation, and then I saw this guy come from behind a statue, and Dad said for him to kill us!"

Annika sat on a rather elaborate chair as Mika clasped her own hands around her brooch. "He told you that because - he said he didn't want to pretend to cry. Annika, we're in serious trouble."

"You've got to believe me, sis - it's life or death!" Mika said. Mika looked pleadingly at Annika. It was all up to her. Annika's decision.

Annika sighed heavily and tried desperately to reconcile her conflicting feelings. Her heart pounded with a fierce love and trust for her father, but she couldn't shake the nagging feeling in the back of her mind that begged her to believe Mika.

Suddenly, Mika threw Annika to the floor only milliseconds before a single laser bolt pierced the air in the exact spot that Annika had been standing. A look was exchanged between the two girls, and Mika truly felt sorry for the pain now consuming Annika's heart - someone was trying to kill them.

"We don't have much choice," Mika said grasping her brooch. "Yavin IV Force Power, Make-Up!"

Annika wrapped her fingers around her brooch and yelled with tears in her eyes, "Bakura Force Power, Make-Up!"

Moments later, the two pretty soldiers were running from the Palace, running towards the laser fire. Sailor Bakura was devastated because she knew Mika was right about her father. But, if there was one thing Annika treasured more than anything, it was her trust and love for others. The Bakuran soldier knew that given the chance, she could reverse the Dark Side evil inside Prince Kishi.

Entering the docking bay, the site of the blaster fire, Annika saw her new ship; it was fully complete and ready to fly. The other ships all carried a cold pallor - everything looked sterile and silent. Sailor Yavin IV nudged Sailor Bakura and then pointed to a dark green ship sitting ominously in the corner.

"Behind there," she whispered, pointing to the ship. Yavin IV took the left flank, and Bakura took the right. A man dressed in a dark blue jumpsuit was standing by the window adjusting the scope on his blaster.

"Stop right there!" Annika shouted. "For Love and Peace I am the sailor-suited pretty soldier, Sailor Bakura! And on behalf of Bakura, I'll punish you!"

The man in blue interrupted. "Sailor Jedi? CRAP!" He dropped his arsenal and ran past them both and started to get into his ship. Annika felt somewhat vindicated because the person trying to kill them wasn't her father but this stranger. Her happiness was short-lived.

"Where do you think you're going?" yelled a voice from behind Annika's new ship. Prince Kishi the Elder stepped from behind its shiny chrome armour and folded his arms.

"Kill them, or I kill you!" the Crown Prince said, producing a disruptor gun from his jacket.

"Ludo," Prince Kishi said, more calmly this time, "you have been paid repeatedly for a job you have not done. I paid you two kill my daughters after their birth, and you fail. I pay you to kill Annika before you land, and you fail. I have paid you to kill Annika and her damn sister, the one you should've already killed, and you will do it!"

Sailor Bakura took a step forward. "How can you do this? Don't you love Annika... and Mika? They are your daughters."

"So, Sailor Bakura - the chosen one for this planet. Well, isn't that interesting, someone else chosen over my son and me. It's so good to know that you'll be dead soon."

Prince Kishi's eyes opened wide. "Annika? You're Sailor Bakura. It figures. And I suppose that Sailor Yavin IV is Mika?" He smiled at Sailor Yavin IV. "Once you both are dead, I'll be able to have two planets under my control - the crown and Bakura and the crown of Yavin IV."

"The only help you can give me is by dying. I'll make you a deal, however. Step down from the throne - you and Mika leave and never come back. I can fake your deaths, then you two can continue to live on Coruscant, peacefully and happily."

Sailor Bakura looked back at Sailor Yavin IV. Annika's lip trembled and her eyes budded with tears. "Promise you won't hurt Mika?" she asked her father.

"No, Annika. You are the future Queen. Don't give in to this. It's a trick! Don't turn your back on your future because of your father's lies, and especially because of me... I can take care of myself."

Kishi pointed the disruptor at Mika's head. "What is more important to you, Prin? Being the Queen, or the life of your sister?"

"This has been some day, huh?" Mika said. "I get a sweet, wonderful person for a twin sister, a perfect, beautiful mother, and a vile, evil father."

Before anyone could do anything, Ludo kicked the disruptor out of Kishi's hand; it flew into his own.

"The table have turned, haven't they?" he smirked. "Okay, Sailor Jedi, this is going to be simple; you're simply going to let me leave."

"Uh-uh. Not so fast," Ludo smiled, this time aiming the gun at Prince Kishi. "I'm not asking for much, girls. All I want it to leave. I have no desire to get into a confrontation with two Sailor Senshi. Unless, of course, you want me to kill Daddy dearest."

"What? Listen, I know you love your father, but we can't let his hired assassin get away - what's to stop him from coming after us again?"

Ludo answered that question jovially. "Hey, don't worry, I'm not coming near you two unless I get paid. And now that I know your really Jedi... Let's just say I have better things to do."

Sailor Bakura materialised her wand and transformed into Eternal Sailor Bakura. "Sailor Yavin IV, please, let me at least try to save my father. I have to try."

Mika reluctantly lowered her wand and watched as Ludo boarded his ship and taxied onto the runway. A few moments later, his ship disappeared into the warm sky.

Eternal Sailor Bakura raised her wand and pointed it straight at Prince Kishi. He dropped to his knees.

"I'm not going to kill you, Daddy - I'm going to turn you back to the Light Side."

Mika, who was standing nearby, said, "That's the Dark Side talking, Annika. Try it anyway." Eternal Sailor Bakura nodded and closed her eyes. A few moments later, Eternal Sailor Bakura was gone, replaced by the image of the long dead Sailor Serenity.

Sailor Serenity, neo Bakura, spoke three words - "Serenity Graceful Purification." A wash of white hearts and rose petals surrounded Prince Kishi, and he collapsed to the floor. A blast of white light overtook Sailor Serenity, and after it faded, the familiar look of Annika Nesicha was back. She ran to her father's side.

The older man rubbed his head and laughed. "I suppose I'm doing fine. I really don't remember much. My memory is really sketchy. The last clear memory I have is the day you and your sister were born." He smiled, grabbing Mika's hand. "I can't believe you are back. I've got both of my girls here with me."

Mika blushed. "This is all so overwhelming for me. But, it is definitely the best birthday I've ever had! I mean; it's not everyday that one gets a family as a present."

"That's right!" Annika smiled, "This is your birthday! I forgot your present back on Coruscant!"

"Are you kidding?" Mika smiled, "A sister is the best birthday present I could ever imagine. And," she said, producing the Cat's Eye locket, "I'm a guardian."

Annika's mouth fell open, and she stood. "You're a Guardian?? That's not fair! I want to be a guardian too!! Not fair!!"

"I think it's fair - after all, you get to be the Queen," Mika pointed out. Annika continued to pout.

"Actually, Mika," Prince Kishi said, "I am a Prince to planet Yavin IV. And as Annika is the future Queen of Bakura, you are the future Queen of Yavin IV."

Kishi laughed. "It is true. The people of Yavin IV will be glad to know their future Queen has returned. I suppose this means we'll have to visit your grandparents - they'll want to meet you, Mika."

The still-pouting Annika said, "And Nana always has the best candies!" Mika laughed.

"We need a celebration! A big parade! With flowers and lights and lots of candy!"

"Hey, you two, Father needs his rest," a voice registered from the doorway. Annika turned around and stuck her tongue out at the young boy standing there.

Kishi the Elder laughed. "Well, it's nice to remember that you two never get along."

"Are you sure that you still want to be a member of this family, Mika?" Kishi Junior asked.

Mika nodded enthusiastically. She and Annika turned to leave the room, and as if on cue, both girls tripped on the rug. It took them a few moments to collect themselves before leaving father with son.

"I feel better than I have in years, my son. After some rest I should be able to return to my normal duties... if I can remember what they are."

"All I can remember is seeing Sailor Bakura and Sailor Yavin IV, then a bright flash of light, and now I'm here. Why?"

Kishi Junior closed the door to his father's room as he left, and scowled. The Senshi had turned a once-powerful man into a simpering do-gooder again. "I swear to the memory of who you used to be, Father, that I will rule this planet, and I will make those two senshi pay."

About the Senshi in this story:

Mika/Sailor Yavin IV
Annika/Sailor Bakura
Obi-Wan
Arashi/Sailor Chibi Yavin IV
Link/Yavin IV Knight