Rhythm of Eternity

"Again! Step turn, step step, touch kick! Again! Step turn, step step, strong arms!" cried Hyun Ki, dance coach and lead coreographer for Spiral Wind Dance Company. The tall, fit, brown-haired man had an intense look about him, and it was apparent he was not very pleased at the moment.

"Moving on and turn turn, right left, kick step, pivot step, walk walk walk!" He paused for a moment and stopped the playback. "Someone is off the beat! Are you dancers or are you clowns, people, huh? I picked you because you were the ones fit for the dance, and I expect perfection, not CLUMSINESS!"

Hyun Ki had helped create a new dance style called Richii, a type of dance that not only included standard dance moves from nearly every genre of dancing, but challening transitions to acrobatic feats as well. Only a handful had made it to the newly formed Spiral Wind Dance Company, which speacialized in this particular form of dance. They were putting on a recital in two days on Alderaan, in the theater they were currently practicing in. And Hyun Ki was not happy with his dancers' performances. A perfectionist by nature, he would not stop until he was satisfied with the results... this was his life... it would be done correctly.

"Koto!" he called out to a young Corellian. She stepped forward nervously, looking like she was going to be shot down dead at any moment. And she nearly was. Hyun blasted at her, finally having figured out that it was she who was off the beat.

While he ranted, the other dancers took a breather. Magena Ryo, a pretty girl of nineteen, walked over to her best friend in the company, Trella Delauney. She flipped her shining, layered sliver hair off her neck and glanced at Koto.

"Poor kid," she said to Trella, a tall brunette. "We're going to have to put her in therapy when Ki's done with her."

"Tell me about it." Trella shook her head. "He always gets like this before a performance..." She stretched out a leg. "What a pain. I hope his aneurysm doesn't mess up the stage."

Magena grinned and was inclined to agree with Trella's assesment of Hyun. Though she'd only known him for a year, his behavior was as predicatble as the position of the stars.

"All right," Hyun Ki said as he stopped admonishing Koto, who was now very close to crying. "From the beginning! Five, six, seven, and!"

The rest of the rehearsal plunged on. For another three hours, the dancers went full out, going over each routine several times until muscles ached with the kind of pain only dancers knew, sweat poured off of them, and fatiuge settled in. Hyun Ki watched ceaselessly. It was improving... "Okay, tomorrow same time. That's a wrap for today, people."

A wave of relief passed over the dancers as they drifted off of the stage, getting tote bags and towels, almost too tired to make chatter. Magena was about to ask Trella if she wanted to grab dinner somewhere when Hyun's voice rang over all others.

"Ryo! Get over here!"

Magena froze. What did he want her for? What could she have done wrong? Did she mess up during rehearsal? She couldn't remember, damn, she couldn't remember. A thousand possible errors flew into her head. Was it her pirouettes? Her split? What did he want? Her sky blue eyes held a fair amount of fear as she made her way to Hyun Ki.

"Magena, you know how the beginner Richii class from Coruscant is going to open for us at the performance?" he asked.

Magena nodded. "Yeah, I'd heard." She felt a bit of the fear ebbing out of her.

"Well, I don't want a bunch of toddlers screwing up left and right before we go on," Hyun said, running one hand through his brown hair. "And I don't know how their instructor, Levorin, teaches. She's new... so I want you to check them out. See if they're okay."

Magena blinked, surprised. THAT was what he wanted? "Sure, I can do that. But... why me, boss?"

Hyun paused. He seemed to be scrutinizing her under a microscope, examining, making mental notes... and for a moment, Magena felt a twinge of fear again.

"You're one of the better dancers in the company. I trust your judgment." Magena felt heat rise into her cheeks as Hyun began to walk away. "They get here in ten minutes. You can tell me how it went tomorrow," Hyun called over his shoulder.

"Ok! And thanks!" Magena called back. She looked around the empty stage and felt the sudden urge to do ten barrel turns all at once... she restrained herself, though... as Hyun was still walking out...

He liked her! He gave her a compliment! Such praise from Hyun Ki was a rare occurrence, and she felt that it was definitely worth watching a bunch of munchkins for a little while for just that little amount of praise...

A dancer's life was rough. You only lasted so long... only had a little bit of time... and so many things could go wrong... but Magena loved this life. She wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

And she had truly believed that.

Benjamin Skywalker walked the streets of Alderaan, content to take in some of the sights of the capital city of the beautiful planet. He raised his eyes to the tall buildings, and looked at the greenness of the tall trees... so this was here his aunt was from. Interesting. He could see why she missed it so much...

Up ahead, he saw a small cafe with outdoor tables set up, gleaming in the sunlight, the brightness of the day. Several tables were occupied... one, by a single person that looked familiar...

"Xarae?" Ben said to himself as he squinted to get a closer look. However, at that moment, a large crash diverted his attention, and he turned to see a man struggling with two crates outside of a nice-looking theater.

The man cursed, obviously frustrated, and began to pick up the crate he had dropped. Ben walked over amiably.

"Hello there... need some help?" he asked. The man looked up with a grateful expression.

"Think you could? These things weigh a ton and I've brought in about five already."

"No problem," said Ben. He picked up a crate which was surprisingly heavy, and followed the man into the backstage door.

Xarae set down a cup of Alderaanian tea, her long brown hair swaying in a light breeze. She looked up with a calm gaze at the theater where Benjamin Skywalker had just entered.

"What is it?" she said out loud to herself. "Why am I drawn here?"

Xarae's keen intuition had told her something was going to happen... soon... on the planet of Alderaan. After some deep meditation, she found the city and the site where the feeling was localized... this city... that theater.

By chance, she had discovered that there was to be a large performance in two days showing the newest dance craze, Richii. Xarae had heard a bit about it... she was interested in seeing the performance, and decided later today she would buy a ticket... unfortunately, it might not be only to see the show...

Insight. A burden, but it did lend a bit of help at times... Xarae knew something would happen here, at the performance. She wished she knew what.

"Xarae! Hello!"

The woman looked to her right to see Kirana walking up to her, pearlescent hair shining with an otherworldy beauty as she approached with a smile.

"Hi, Kirana," Xarae said.

"You wanted to see me?" Kirana asked as she sat down.

"Yes, I was wondering if you'd like to go to a dance performance with me on Friday night." Xarae said.

Kirana's eyebrows raised. "Really?"

"Yeah... word around the Room Behind the Waterfall was that you like the arts. I'd thought you'd like to see it..."

Kirana grinned. "I sure do! It sounds like fun! I'll definitely go."

Xarae smiled. "Good. I'll pick up the tickets today." she said casually. Kirana seemed pleased. And though the conversation then drifted to music, drama and such, Xarae couldn't help thinking of what her feeling of foreboding could mean... and couldn't help being relieved that another senshi would be nearby... just in case.

Ben set the crate down with a huff, glad to have been relieved of the burden. As he did, he stole a glance around the theater he had entered... he was in front of the stage of a large, elegant theater, very nicely decorated. He gazed appreciatively over the details of the decorations, the red and gold carpets, the comfortable looking seats... he also felt the air of excitement that washed over this place like the tides on the ocean.

"What's going on here?" Ben asked. "Anything important?"

The man who had accepted Ben's help set down his crate and wiped his forehead. "Yeah, big performance in a few days. That new dance thing... Richel, or something?"

"Richii," came a voice from behind them.

Ben looked up. On the stage, standing alone and looking quite pretty underneath the lights was what he assumed was a dancer... what else could she be, wearing a black leotard and loose black dress pants. She flashed them a smile as she walked over, her silver hair bouncing behind her as she went, sky blue eyes smiling and standing out against her tan skin.

"Ohhh, right," said the man with a smile. "How you doing, Magena?"

"Tired, but otherwise fine, Dave, thanks," said Magena. "Who's the new guy?" she asked, looking at Ben.

"Oh, he's just lending me a hand. By the way, buddy, thanks. What's your name? I'm Dave." He extended a hand.

"Benjamin, nice to meet you," said Ben, shaking Dave's hand with a grin. "And you too, Magena." He turned his eyes up to the woman, who was looking down on him with interest, her eyes darting from his purple hair to his handsome face.

"Likewise. Interested in dance, Benjamin?" asked Magena then, sitting on the stage.

"Well... I've never really thought about it... but sure," he said. "I can tell you are."

Magena gave him another smile. This guy was kind of cute. She almost wished Dave would go away... not that she didn't like the older man... but this one was a little bit more interesting.

As if responding to her unspoken wish, Dave said, "Well, I gotta be going. I have to get the rest of the shipment uptown." He waved as he left. "Bye."

"So... are you in this big performance on Friday?" Ben asked, hoping to get more conversation in with this woman...

"Yes, actually. You should come. I promise it'll be a great show."

"Maybe I will," he said with a smile, though he was very seriously considering going... "By the way, what are you--"

Ben was interrupted however, by the sound of twelve or so children, all of whom looked under the age of ten, coming onto the stage from the wings.

"Oh boy," Magena said.

"What's up?" asked Ben.

"My observation for the afternoon," said Magena, watching as the children filed onto the stage, chatting. A middle-aged woman came out with them, clapping to get their attention.

"Children, children, settle down!" the woman said, and Magena assumed this must be Levorin. "We must focus! We have a big show in a few days, and we must be ready!"

As one, the boys and girls quieted and watched their instructor. Levorin turned to Magena and Ben. "Excuse me, but who are you? I was told I'd have the stage this afternoon."

"Oh, my name is Magena Ryo... I'm one of Hyun Ki's dancers... I'm just here to observe." Levorin raised an eyebrow. "Under his request."

"Very well," she said. "And you?" She looked at Ben.

"Oh... I was just doing a favor for one of the stagehands. I'll be going now..." He turned to Magena. "But perhaps I can come back?" he asked with a grin.

She returned it. "I'll be out of here by five."

"Then I'll see you at five..." Ben turned with a wink and headed for the exit as Magena turned back to the stage, taking in all of the little children, and wondering exactly what she would be looking for in their performance...

Melesse looked down at Magena, and her heart began to soar. She almost ran down to her but remembered what she had been told. Magena didn't know her... not yet, anyway.

"Melesse!" Levorin called, clapping her hands together "Come on, it's time to start practice."

She smiled nervously at Magena, wondering how she was going to break the news to her that that she was her, Melesse's, mommy. She got up and joined the others, eager to impress.

Aura stood watch, high on a catwalk where the body of an unfortunate stage hand lay. So as not to arouse suspicions, Aura had taken it upon herself to do the menial work that the human had been getting paid for herself and used her Force mind-control abilities to thwart off any who were snooping around.

The bounty hunter was interested in one thing. Dancers. It had seemed that Jabba's court had had a considerable shortage of them due to, to put it lightly, Jabba's urge to spoil his rancor rotten. What Aura saw didn't please her.

Best dance company in the galaxy, huh? Aura thought. They'd have better luck recruiting Wookiees instead of those klutzes...

One dancer, however, had attracted her attention...

Magena frowned for a moment... something wasn't right... without knowing why, she looked up at the catwalk above her... a presence there?

But as quickly as the sense had came to her, it left her, as if carried on a breeze. Magena tried to refocus her attention on the little dancers, but the feeling of someone watching her left her quite uneasy. Her sky blue eyes settled on a cute little girl who seemed to be trying to get her attention. Her hair was worn in two buns, in the shape of hearts, hair bouncing along at the back of them.

Magena grinned. What had Levorin called her? Melesse? She was a cutie. Magena never really had too much experience with kids... she had been an only child growing up on Circarpous.

The children were quite good at what they did... they didn't look clumsy or out of place at all... the moves had been modified, yes, but nonetheless, Magena was impressed with their talent. When Levorin had put her class through the routine once, she turned to Magena.

"Well... what do you think? Will Hyun approve?"

"I think he just might," said Magena, offering a smile to the other woman. Levorin looked pleased.

"You hear that everyone? You have impressed the critic." Some of the children stole glances at Magena with shy looks, but the little brown-haired Melesse was grinning at her openly.

"All right girls," Levorin said then, moving to center stage. "I'm going to work with the class in halves... so, you six -" she ushered aside a group of children "- you stay with me. The rest of you go sit down, all right?"

The children complied, going to sit on scattered parts of the stage. Melesse, the little girl who Magena had been watching, came over to her slowly.

"Hi there," Magena said with a grin.

Hello, said the little girl... wait.... did she say that?? Magena didn't see her lips move... so how could she be talking??

Deciding it was just her imagination, Magena smiled at the little girl and said, "Hello, your name's Melesse, right?"

Melesse nodded her head vigorously and said, Yes.

Magena was still a moment. Then looked behind her. She couldn't sworn she had heard someone say "Yes"...

Whatcha lookin' at? Melesse asked, cocking her head to one side in question.

"Oh nothing... I was just thought I-" She had been turning slowly, still trying to find out the source of the voice, then stopped and turned quickly to her. "Did you just say something?"

Melesse giggled, then said, Of course I did! I asked whatcha were lookin' at. She blushed. If that's okay...

Magena shook her head. The girl wasn't talking, so how could she understand her?

No? Melesse asked, her "voice" and lips trembling as if she were about to cry.

Magena shot over to her, placing her hands comfortingly on Melesse's little shoulders and said, "Oh, I didn't mean it like that! I was just shaking my head to clear it... that's all... don't cry, Melesse."

Melesse sniffled and wiped her eyes, smiling up at Magena, as if she had found someone she had been searching for for a long time...

Magena looked rather perturbed at the little girl, who was gazing at her as if she were some sort of idol. And how on earth was she communicating? Telepathy?

"Melesse... how are you-"

"Next group!" Levorin's voice came ringing across the stage before Magena could finish her sentence, however, and gain any more information about how the girl was talking to her... with a despondent look, she trotted back to the group, not before waving at Magena with a small smile.

Magena sat by herself, watching the children look to their teacher for instructions. Sky blue eyes settled on the tiny girl of eight with the heart shaped buns... what was it about her that made her seem... how to put it... so close? And what was this new feeling... Magena felt as if she had touched upon something immense... something vaster than the universe itself... almost like.. like a power...

Not knowing quite what to make of this day and all of its surprises, Magena tried to put the mysterious feelings to the back of her head and concentrate on the task at hand...

Magena Ryo gathered up her remaining things and pushed them into her tote bag, ready and eager to leave after the rigorous, long day. She came out of the wings of the theater where the children were finishing up; her report to Hyun Ki would be very good. The children obviously had some talent with them.

Suddenly, a shaft of light fell upon her, and when Magena looked up, she found the doors to the main lobby had opened, and a familiar, welcome face appeared - that of Benjamin, the man who had shown up at the theater hours earlier. She grinned, almost involuntarily. The day wasn't done yet - there was still dinner to look forward to... with a handsome guy, no less. The perfect end to a semi-perfect day.

She was about to walk over to him when Magena heard an agitated Levorin's voice.

"Melesse, for goodness' sakes, what is it?"

Magena turned to see little Melesse tugging on Levorin's sleeve, bringing the bewildered woman frantically over to Magena.

"Something wrong?" she asked.

"No, it's just - what, Melesse?" Levorin stared hopelessly down at the girl, who was still trying to tell her something via urgent gestures. "Oh, Melesse, really, you know I can't understand you without your notebook!"

With a frustrated sigh, Melesse abruptly turned and ran off in the other direction. Magena stared after her, a little confused. Suddenly, a hand touched her elbow, and she jumped as she looked around. The affable face of Ben greeted her.

"Hey there," he said.

"Oh hi!" Magena said. "You scared me."

"Sorry about that." Ben grinned. "Are you all finished?"

"Yeah..." Magena watched as Melesse came walking back up, writing something on a small notepad, her face intense, tongue sticking out in concentration as she wrote out a message for Levorin. "Just hold on a minute, ok?ay" Magena whispered to Ben, who nodded.

When she'd finished, Melesse looked at Magena with a "some-people" look. She just doesn't know how to talk to me, the girl shrugged, once again using thought-speak. She handed the notebook to Levorin.

Magena frowned. "Can't you hear her?" she asked the dance instructor.

Levorin looked up at her sharply. "Do you think that's funny, Miss Ryo? Melesse is a mute. She can't talk."

"But-" Magena began to protest, but Ben's hand on her arm made her stop. He shook his head once and mouthed, "Later."

Levorin finished scanning the message and looked at Melesse with a sigh. "You know you can't do that, dear." Melesse's face fell.

"May I ask what?" Magena said.

"She wants to go with you," said Levorin with a sniff, as if the very idea was repugnant. "But she's my responsibility. I can't let her go."

Melesse tugged on Levorin's arm, begging her with her eyes. Magena felt... something.. like the little girl was something to keep close, protected.

"I don't mind," Magena said then. "She can go with me... we're all at the same hotel, right? Both dance classes? I'll have her back by six."

"No, Miss Ryo," Levorin said firmly. "I can't allow you to do that. Now, please." She took Melesse's hand, and the little girl downtroddenly followed her back to the wings, a sorrowful look on her pretty face.

Magena felt awful, watching her go. She had no idea why she felt so bad...

"Are you okay?" asked Ben then.

"What?" Magena turned to face him again.

"You look upset..."

"Oh... the little girl, Melesse... I just feel bad... she seems to want to hang around me a lot." Magena grinned. "She's cute. I wish Levorin had let her come..."

Ben felt sorry for Magena... she really seemed to want the girl to come... he switched topics, just to ease the tension and hopefully perk her up a bit. "Say..what to you think of The Seven Rings for dinner?"

Magena's eyes practically burst out of her head. "The what?? Do you know how expensive that restaurant is, Ben?"

He grinned. "I'm buying."

"Oh, no, I can't let you do-"

"Ah, ah ah..." He put one finger to her lips. "I insist. Come on, it'll be fun... maybe we can even go to a club after that... you can teach me to dance." He winked and chuckled.

Blushing, Magena thought about it. "If... if you're SURE..."

"Sure I'm sure. Are you sure?" Ben held out an arm. Magena took it, a smile taking over her face.

"Why not? It's an evening."

Melesse watched Magena leave with a wounded look, lips quivering, eyes disbelieving. She thought.

"Melesse!" Levorin called from backstage. "Come on, we have to get you fitted for your costume!"

Melesse sighed and started to walk back towards the stage when a thought struck her. She looked from the door, then to the stage, the door, the stage, the door...

No one would be the wiser. She could just slip out, follow Magena. She did say she wanted her to come along anyway...

Making sure she was in the clear, Melesse hurried to the main doors and snuck outside.

Melesse was more excited about the hustle and bustle of the city than words can describe. Her heart soared, and she let out a cry of joyous laughter. Well, she would have if she could talk. To any who were looking, and many were, she looked a bit insane. But Melesse didn't care. She began to run down the street at full speed, jumping out of the way onto high walls or hurtling over obstacles in her way. Once she even jumped onto a lamp post and swung around a few times. She was so happy! She felt free! Alive! Levorin would NEVER let her have this much fun....

Melesse loved to dance, and to run, and to move. She thought it was the closest thing to being able to fly, a feat she longed to do. Suddenly though, her new-found freedom was interrupted by the memory of her mission. She looked around, then jumped out at a woman who was passing by, causing the woman to stumble back in surpass.

"Oh! My dear, you frightened me!" The woman, who was elderly and rather pudgy, said in a surprised, yet cheerful voice. She looked the child over and asked, "Do you know where your parents are, dearie?"Melesse nodded vigorously, smiling widely.

"Where?"

Melesse thought a moment, then ran off. She came back a moment later with a stick and drew seven circles in the dirt, then pointed to them eagerly, thinking, The Seven rings! The Seven Rings!

The old woman squinted in thought; then her eyes became wide in revelation. "The Seven Rings?"

Melesse nodded even more vigorously.

"Why, dearie! That's way over those roofs... near the park... in fact, it's right in the park I think... I've never been there myself, too rich for my blood, and pockets." She chuckled. "Would you like me to walk you the-"

Melesse wrapped her arms around the woman's neck and gave a tight squeeze, then took a running start, jumped up, grabbed the edge of the roof, swung herself up into a hand stand, then arched her back to plant her feet, then stood up. Melesse ran, not looking back due to her determination.

At last she reached The Seven Rings. After some looking around, she finally saw Magena. She was about to run to her when she noticed something else. Something that made her duck behind one of the statues. Magena was with that - that MAN!

How could she do this! she exclaimed. How could she betray Daddy! failing to remember she was in the past, and her mommy and daddy hadn't even met. All the same, she narrowed her eyes with seething fury as she saw the man put his hand on her mommy's, who SMILED. Then a plot began to form, as did a mischievous smile on Melesse's little face.

Magena looked around at the elegant outdoor dining area of The Seven Rings, unable to believe she was here. The food was incredible, the evening was comfortably warm, and Ben...

She found herself glancing nervously over at him several times, wondering what he thought of her... wondering if she looked stupid to him... silly little dancer girl at a classy place such as this... but all of his smiles were kind, and all his conversation genuine. It surprised her. She never had anyone interested this much before. And for someone who usually had grace and agility, she never felt so ridiculously clumsy.

"By the way..." Magena said in a lull in the conversation, "what's going on with that Melesse girl? Why can we hear her and not Levorin?"

Ben wiped his face with a napkin, having finished his meal. "Well, she's communicating through the Force."

"The WHAT?"

"The Force. It's an energy created by-"

"Oh I know what it is..." Magena said, "but... I'm not Force sensitive!"

Ben smiled. "Apparently, you are. I am too. Many people are - it's not uncommon."

Magena furrowed her brow. "Does this mean I have to become a Jedi?"

Ben laughed amiably. "You're a little too old for that now."

She blushed. There she was, pseudo-ditz, screwing up the conversation with stupid questions.

"Hey... it's all right. Don't be embarrassed - it's a question anyone would have asked." Ben said suddenly, brushing one hand against her cheek.

Magena smiled, still blushing. "Thanks, Ben." Suddenly, everything seemed a little bit more perfect than it had before...

As Melesse witnessed this sight, she decided this was more than she could stand! Suddenly, Ben's plate began to shake violently, then flew up and hit him in the face.

"Oh my God!" Magena exclaimed, getting up. "Ben, what happened?"

He wiped the food from his face, a little amused, and said, "Seems like we've got a troublemaker in our midst..."

"Wa? What do you-?" Then she looked over Ben just in time to see Melesse retreating behind the statue. She shook her head, then excused herself.

She walked behind the statue to see Melesse crouched behind it, looking around the other side to see if the coast was clear. Magena smiled and tapped Melesse on the shoulder, who spun around with a start.

"What are you doing here?" Magena asked sympathetically.

I wanted to visit you! Melesse said with a smile.

"Yes." Magena laughed. "But Levorin told you you couldn't, remember?"

Melesse hung her head. I... I - I know... she whispered, then raised her eyes to Magena's, her own now red with tears. But I wanna stay with you! PLEASE???

Melesse gave Magena a look that could melt your heart. After a little hesitation, Magena gave in. "Okay... but only for a little while... all right?"

Melesse threw herself at Magena and hugged her tightly, shouting, Thank you! excitedly. Now all she had to do was get rid of that man so she could talk to her mommy alone...

Aura was on one knee, head bowed as she spoke with a hiss. "Your excellency... I have come to you with important news."

Jabba the Hutt snorted, then asked her what was so important that he must be disturbed.

"I understand you are in need of... entertainment for your court," she said, raising her cold eyes to his. "I have found two... from the best company in the galaxy, I might add."

Jabba considered this a moment, then asked what she wanted for payment.

Aura smiled. Now he was talking her language. "Forty thousand."

Jabba roared with fury at the notion, but Aura only smiled and said, "A piece."

She finally stood and approached the Hutt's throne. "Come come now... this is the best offer you'll get... and these dancers are more than willing... what do you say? Deal?" She smiled maliciously, holding out her hand. She waited patiently for the Hutt's decision. At last, after consulting his Major Domo, the Hutt agreed.

Aura bowed herself out and left, smiling triumphantly....

The evening was going... interestingly. Melesse was overjoyed to be spending time with Magena finally... but she seemed to want to get Ben out of the way. She kept suggesting that it might be time for him to go home... Ben was amazingly laid back about it, Magena thought. But it was apparent at times that this "little kid jealousy" routine was a bit perturbing.

Other than that, Melesse was a sweet little girl. They got her a dessert at the Seven Rings before going to the park to let her play for a while. This was all well and good, but Ben brought up the point that it was almost nine, and Levorin would be worried now.

So the three trekked back to the hotel, where Magena took Melesse by the hand as she turned back to Ben.

"I had fun tonight," she said, smoothing a strand of silver hair behind her ear.

"Me too. Hopefully we can do it again sometime," Ben said. "Good luck in your performance... I can't wait to see it... you too, Melesse."

The little girl looked up at him with shy apprehension. You're coming?

"Yeah." Ben smiled at her. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Melesse was decidedly unresponsive. Magena smiled and shook her head.

"Well... we'd better be going." With a blush rising in her cheeks even before she had moved to him, she kissed his cheek once. "Thanks again."

Ben looked at her with lopsided grin. "Likewise."

Melesse frowned and continued that way until she and Magena had entered the hotel and made their way to where an anxious and angry Levorin would no doubt be waiting...

After being admonished soundly by Levorin, Magena and Melesse were forced to part, and the unhappy dance instructor made sure to make it clear that Hyun Ki would hear about his dancer's misconduct in the morning. But, knowing Hyun, he wouldn't care that much that a member of his company had spent her evening with a kid from the corps without permission - no blood, no problem, as he would say. And with the performance in just two days, not much else occupied his mind or gave him much reason to worry.

So Melesse left Magena that night with a fierce hug, almost like she were hugging her for the last time. Magena wondered why the little girl was so attached to her. And, for that matter, why she was so attached to Melesse. Something familiar about her, Magena thought to herself as she got into her bed at the hotel that night. She reminds me - me. A smile crept onto Magena's face as she lay still on her bed, drifting slowly off to sleep.

Faces danced in her mind as she let it wander. Melesse's, Hyun Ki's - Benjamin's. In fact, his face was the last thing she saw before she fell into a contented sleep. His purple hair... dashing smile...

In her dreams, Magena was a dove flying to a lunar surface, a starling following in pursuit, a vision that has come to her many times before. On one occasion, the dove carried a crystal. On this occasion, the dove and the starling flew side by side.

The dream took away all of Magena Ryo's subconscious tension, and for the first time since she arrived on Alderaan, she slept soundly.

The lights, sights, sounds and people made Kirana smile with excitement as she stood outside of the Aldera Theater. At her side was Xarae, who, like Kirana, was fitted in a dress of simplicity and style. Nothing too extravagant, but pretty nonetheless.

"Lot of people here, huh?" Kirana noted, flipping her pearlescant hair, causing a group of young men and women to look over with interest flickering in their eyes.

"Yes," said Xarae. "The show sold out, I believe."

So many people... with something about to go so wrong... thought Xarae. She could sense it in the air, almost like a whisper on a breeze. Kirana must have noticed Xarae's faraway look, for she touched the other's arm gently, bringing her back to reality.

"Are you okay, Xarae?" she asked, furrowing her brow.

Xarae looked rather embarrassed. "Fine, I'm fine," she assured Kirana, who didn't seem all too convinced. "Let's go find our seats, okay?"

They started into the lobby and caught sight of two familiar faces. Kirana nudged Xarae and pointed. Getting a program on the other side of the lobby were Ben and Chouko.

"I didn't know they were here!" said Kirana.

"I saw Ben a few days ago," Xarae said. "I didn't know he was coming to the performance, however."

Kirana and Xarae made their way to Ben and Chouko, who looked surprised and delighted to see them there.

"Hi guys!" said Chouko cheerfully.

"Hello, Chou-chan," Kirana said.

"When did you two get tickets to this?" Xarae asked.

"About two days ago," said Ben. "We're practically in the last row, but the view isn't that bad. How about you two?"

"Around the same time," Xarae smiled. "I wish I known you two were planning to go - we all could have gotten seats together."

Chouko chuckled. "Well, I found out I was going just yesterday."

"Yeah - I called her up and asked, 'How quick can you get yourself to Alderaan?' " Ben said. "Chou-chan once said she'd like to go to a stage performance, so I figured she could come along."

Kirana gave a grin to the two, happy that some more of her friends were here. It was then, however, that something in Ben's hand caught her eye. Why hadn't she seen those before? They were so pretty!

"Roses?" asked Kirana then. Ben held up the bouquet for her to see and nodded.

"Do you know someone in the show?" Xarae asked curiously.

A charming half-grin graced Ben's face. "Yeah," he said brightly. "I do."

Melesse peeked out at the audience - so big! - and wondered how long she'd have after the performance until Levorin took herself and the rest of the dance class back to Coruscant. She hadn't been able to find the time to tell Magena that she was Magena's daughter - not the right time, anyway.

The little girl bit her lip. Would she even have the chance? She had to tell Magena...

"Hey, cutie!"

Melesse turned happily at the familiar-sounding voice, only to be further rewarded with Magena's presence, smiling at her.

Melesse thought her mommy looked wonderful. She was wearing a long-sleeved, airy, silver and white dance shirt that left her shoulders bare and fit her torso. Long, black leggings made her look very tall and elegant, and black dance shoes gave her poise. Melesse went to hug her, wishing she had a costume like that - not that she didn't like her own yellow leotard with white flowers at the shoulders and her short white dance skirt. One day, she told herself, I'll be as pretty as mommy...

Magena knelt down with a smile and took out a small flower from behind her own ear - a pretty, exotic little thing that had pink petals and long, green leaves. She fastened it to Melesse's headband.

"Good luck, Melesse," Magena said. "You'll do wonderfully."

Oh! Thank you Magena! So much! Melesse thought-spoke. Magena...

"Yes?"

I... I have something important I want to tell you... Melesse said hesitantly.

"Like what, Melesse?" Magena asked, furrowing her brow slightly.

Not now, okay? Melesse shot a look to Levorin, who was coming into the wings with the rest of the students in her class. After the show, though, all right, Magena?

"Oh... all right..." Magena said, a little puzzled and curious.

You promise you'll wait for me?

"I promise."

Levorin stepped up to them then, her face stern. "Miss Ryo, you'd better get back to your own group," she said with a sniff. "My class is about to go on."

Magena stood and waved to Melesse. "Do good, kiddo!" She turned to walk away, hearing many voices, excitement, laughter-

Mama...

Magena paused. Was that...? She rapidly turned to the voice she'd heard - had it been Melesse? Or someone else...? She couldn't see Melesse's small form amidst the milling students anymore - had it been her voice? She couldn't quite tell...

Mama...

With hesitation evident in every step, Magena turned back to go warm up with the rest of Spiral Wind Dance Company.

"Look at them!" whispered Chouko to Ben. "They're so agile for little kids! And so cute!"

Ben nodded in agreement. Levorin's class was doing wonderfully in their upbeat, cheery Riichi number. He scanned the stage. Even from the back he should be able to tell...

There she was! Two little buns in the shape of hearts gave away Melesse's location, and Ben grinned as he watched her. She was very good... but he wasn't surprised. Through the Force, he could sense many layers to the little girl's persona... hidden talents, a good deal of power... and something else.

Almost unbidden, an image of Magena found its way into Ben's mind. The girl... she was connected with Magena somehow...

Before he could delve into his speculations further, however, a ripple like disturbance in the Force touched him gently. His eyes fell away from the stage to a few rows down. Ben could barely make out Kirana and Xarae - that's where it had come from, Xarae - anxiety, worry... what was she so upset about?

Abruptly, the music stopped, and all twelve children on the stage struck a final pose as the house applauded, giving them a standing ovation. Ben and Chouko joined in as well, and Ben tried to put Xarae's apparent worry to the back of his mind.

Yet... something in the air...

The dark figure of Aura Shadou-Ryoshi watched the dancers through piercing black eyes, though not for the purpose of entertainment like those in the audience. She rested her elegant yet strong hands on the railing of the catwalk and continued to watch them dance, her attention mainly on the ones called Magena and Trella, growling slightly under her breath, "It's time for the final act..."

Hyun Ki was standing in the wings, facing his dancers with an intense look.

"Screw up - I kill you," he said.

Trella Delauney, Magena's friend, grinned. "Thanks, Ki. Way to get us going."

Hyun exhaled, almost as if he had been holding his breath for months. "You know I don't mean it... but... do well. I know you will."

The fifteen men and woman smiled at him. They would do well. This was their night. Magena tossed her head with pent-up energy, an eerie sort of pride rushing through her. Tonight, she was the dove. Tonight, she was the dancer.

The lights dimmed and they all went out on stage...

From the moment the music came rushing at them, they began to fly. Every move came with ease, every lift was easier, every pas de bourree was faster and every step was on the beat. Magena felt an exhilaration, a freedom.

I have come all this way to be right here, right now... she told herself as she performed a splitting leap across the stage and fell into a back flip. This is all I ever wanted... this freedom...

When she and her partner went to do their solo, suddenly he wasn't just dancing beside her - he was partnering - making the dance come alive. The crowd was in awe as the complicated moves came out as naturally as someone walking. Then, finally, after about three minutes of full-out dance, their opening number had come to a finish, their souls had been poured out to the audience, and they were dancers at last.

Magena stood in her final pose as thunderous applause, the first of much tonight, she hoped, came at her from all directions. She smiled gleefully, on cloud nine.

So happy was she that she almost didn't hear the laughter coming from behind her - almost.

Each dancer turned to see the stranger on the stage. She was a Falleen, from what Magena could guess... well, whoever she was, she didn't belong up here.

"Who are you?" aked Trella quietly. "You're not supposed to be up here right now!"

She tossed back her long black hair and laughed, then said, "I am Aura Shadou-Ryoshi - need I say more?"

She smiled with a look of sinster contentment, then jumped onto the thin railing of the catwalk, then jumped off that, somersaulted a few times and landed perfectly on her own two feet, the whole thing sending all on the stage scattering.

She looked around and smiled proudly, then straightened up and addressed the audience. "Ladies and gentlemen! When you came here, you came to see a great show and all you got was this dancing crap. Well, I am here to, shall we say, liven things up a bit. First off..."

Her arm shot out, and a long cord shot out of a device on her wrist. The cord wrapped around Trella then pulled her towards Aura. She spun Trella around so her back was to her and put a gun to her head.

"W-what are you going to do?" Trella asked, trying hard not to show her fear. Aura laughed, then hissed in Trella's ear. "Something that'll probably get you killed."

"And now-"

Leave her alone!

Magena was forcefully pulled with Aura as she spun around to see the little girl, Melesse, right behind her.

Melesse swallowed hard as the Falleen towered over her. She cowered back, shaking with fright, and thought-spoke, Please?

"Melesse - no!" Magena pleaded with the little girl, running out on stage. "Get out of the way! You'll get killed!"

But Melesse stayed put. Out of either sheer terror or bravery she didn't know. All she did know was she had no idea what she was going to do.

"Awww... how sweet. Now outta my way brat!" she growled and picked up a struggling Melesse, then threw her across the stage into the opposite wall.

"NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!" Magena screamed. "MELESSE!!!!"

But Melesse lay there, out cold.

"Now... where was I..." Aura thought out loud. "Oh yes..." In the blink of an eye, she pulled out a star-like blade and chucked it across the stage, where it pinned Magena to the wall by part of her costume. Then another star flew at her, and another, and another, and so on until she couldn't move.

Melesse blinked as Magena's form next to hers came into focus... then to Aura's approaching form. The images faded in and out... in and out.. in and...

Suddenly her senses came to her. She glared at Aura... thinking to herself... Please work... PLEASE...

Suddenly, Aura was thrown back by some mysterious force, forcing her to release Trella, who flew into the audience. She shook her head as she lifted herself up, her black hair covering up her face, then touched her lip to discover it was bleeding. She turned around sharply and glared at Melesse with a look of pure venom, which was returned with a look of pure terror. Then she took out a large yellow boomerang and tossed it into the audience, who all ducked and gasped in surprise. The boomerang spun around, then stopped in midair before coming back and changed into the rider. The rider came back to Aura quickly, and she jumped on it, then rode it around the room like it was a surfboard.

"Cool, ain't it?" she said in a joking voice, then said, "I was going to take that other dancer, kid, but it'd be much sweeter to see YOU die!!!!"

She took out two blasters and shot at Magena and Melesse before they could react. Each of them felt a sharp pain run through them, then dropped into unconsciousness. Aura holstered the blasters and chuckled, "Now that was TOO easy!" then flew down and scooped the two of them up.

She took a bow and said, "Thank you all for coming to the show! Well, gotta fly!" The rider fly over the audience, where a black vortex hole had appeared and disappeared.

"NO!!!" cried Sailor Chibi Dantooine as she dashed up onto the stage. "No!" Iridonia! Omwat! Coruscant Knight! We're too late!!"

The four senshi had gone to transform as soon as Aura had appeared on the stage... but they also had to fight their way through a crowd and find a secluded area... and all of that had eaten up valuable time... and now Melesse and Magena were both gone.

The Sailors and the Coruscant Knight joined Sailor Chibi Dantooine on the stage, staring after the faded vortex.

"I can't believe this! We should have saved them!" Sailor Omwat cried.

"Calm down," said Iridonia. "We'll get them back. She's headed to Jabba's palace."

"How do you know?" asked Chibi Dantooine.

"The vision has become clearer..." Iridonia said. "For a brief moment... I could feel the desert heat and feel the detestable slime that occupies that place..." She narrowed her eyes. "We've got to go there... as soon as we can."

Omwat nodded, then looked over at the Coruscant Knight. He looked... distant.

"Ben?" she whispered, going over to him and laying a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm all right," he said with an edge to his voice. "I should have been there to stop her... I should have saved Magena... and Melesse..."

He abruptly turned and began walking toward the lobby. "Come on! We've got to get them back, no matter what!"

The first thing Magena Ryo felt upon waking from a dizzying slumber was a sharp, piercing pain that shot from her lower back to her entire body. She groaned once, lifting her head with great effort, only to discover that she was lying on her stomach on a grimy floor. Upon further inspection, she found that she was in a cell of some kind. Bars lined a doorway to her right, and the whole place was cement, not a window in sight.

Her arms and legs were bruised, and she had sustained a few scrapes here and there. Other than the pain in her lower back, she was okay.

Melesse...

Frantically Magena sat up and whirled around, searching for the small brown-haired child. She found her, still unconscious, lying on the floor in the far corner. "Melesse!" Magena cried, moving to her side. "Oh God... Melesse! Are you okay?" She lifted Melesse into her lap. Tears welled in Magena's eyes she looked down at her, praying she was okay. "Wake up, honey! Please, Melesse..."

To Magena's relief, Melesse stirred. The older girl sat in anxiety, hoping that nothing was seriously wrong. Eventually, though, the brown eyes of Nagoyka Melesse fluttered open, and Magena could rest easy again.

Those eyes, thought Magena as she surveyed them. I know those eyes...

Magena? Magena, is that you? Melesse thought-spoke groggily.

"Yes, honey... are you all right?"

I think so... Melesse sat up, holding her head. All I can remember is being hit... and my head hurting.

Magena nodded, with a glance to the bars. "It was that Aura... I wonder where we are?"

"Jabba's palace," said a cold voice. Aura, the Falleen, approached on the other side of the cell, a nasty smile on her face. Magena stood up and took on a protective stance, shielding Melesse from Aura and the two unfriendly-looking women that had entered the prison area with her. "Welcome to your new home, ladies," said the bounty hunter.

"What do you want?" demanded Magena.

"You and the runt have been chosen to dance for the almighty Jabba the Hutt," said Aura coolly. "Don't you feel special?"

"We won't be slaves to that scum!" Magena said fiercely. She had heard many a story of the Hutts and their way of life, and she'd be damned if she'd succumb to that, or let Melesse even be exposed to it.

"You don't have a choice anymore, fool!" hissed Aura. "You're his now - he paid good money for you." A smug smile crept over her face as she thought of her bounty.

Magena's icy blue eyes bored into Aura's. "Let the girl go, then," she said calmly. "You can have me - but let her go."

"Sorry, that's not my decision. I do know that Jabba won't be too keen on that idea, however." Again, the cold smile graced Aura's face. She moved forward, placing two hands on the bars and leaning in close. "The young are more easily broken - trained - and they are more impressionable. He knows she won't give him the trouble you will..."

Aura abruptly snapped her fingers, and the two women moved forward, bearing garments in their arms.

Magena felt Melesse's small form shiver against her, and she was filled with fury. Magena gripped Melesse's hand and backed away from the women, who had entered the cell and were now walking toward them purposefully.

"Touch her," Magena said in a low, warning voice, "and I swear I'll kill you."

"Shut up," sneered the first woman. "We're ordered to dress you the way Jabba will see fit."

"Stay back..."

"Silence!" The second woman made a grab for Melesse, but before she could make contact, Magena let out a terrible cry.

"NO!!"

She threw her arms out, and in the blink of an eye, the two women had been thrown with tremendous force, back against the bars of the cell. Aura, on the other side, recoiled. "You're Force-sensitive!"

Magena, no! cried Melesse. That's the wrong way!

The two women scrambled to their feet painstakingly and got out of the cell as fast as they possibly could. Magena glared at them, her breathing heavy.

"You may have the Force on your side," hissed Aura, "but even a Jedi can be killed. I suggest you comply, if you value your little friend's life!" With one fluid motion, she whirled around and headed out of the prison area, beckoning for the two women to follow her.

When they were gone, Melesse tugged on Magena's shirt. Magena! Are you okay?

Magena was staring at her hands in amazement. "I can't believe I did that." She shivered. "I did it wrong... it was cold... the Force... it was so cold."

That's because you used the dark power, Melesse said solemnly. I know you meant to protect me, Magena, but you must never do that again. If you do I... I could lose you.

Magena looked at the small girl, the girl sounding like a centuries-old Jedi Master. How did she know of the Force?

Suddenly, Melesse's countenance lit up in a moment of realization. The Power! Oh, why didn't I think of it before?

"What?"

Melesse closed her eyes and appeared to be in deep concentration. She held up one hand, and in it materialized a small wand, a talisman.

"What's that?" asked Magena, confused. "How did you-"

I'm a Senshi, said Melesse with a grin. However, the grin faded. I'm sorry, I should have thought of it sooner... but it's still kind of new to me. Momma only made me a senshi right before I came...

"A-a senshi?" Magena asked. She hated the state of being uninformed that she was in. "Melesse, what's going on?!"

Instead of replying, Melesse held up her tiny wand. Mimban Force Power, MAKE UP!

A blinding light came to Magena's eyes as Melesse was swept up into a field of energy and motion. Magena could almost feel the energy coming off of her as the power penetrated her small form.

When it was over, Melesse had become a small warrior, a Sailor Senshi. She had a white bodysuit on with a yellow tennis skirt, yellow boots and blue bows on the chest and back of the skirt. A gold tiara sat on her forehead, and a blue choker sat around her neck.

I am Sailor Chibi Mimban! cried Melesse, holding one hand up high. I am the daughter of Mimban, the resurrected Warrior of the Ancient World!

Magena backed up, very confused, very awed and at a total loss for words.

Don't be afraid, Magena said Chibi Mimban comfortingly. It's time for you to wake up, too.

"Wake up?"

Yes. Again, Chibi Mimban closed her eyes. Momma said I was to help you bring out the power. She stretched one hand out to Magena, moving a little closer to her. Magena stared at the small child, this small soldier, and not knowing why she decided to do so... touched her hand.

A red glow engulfed the two hands of Magena and Chibi Mimban, sparkling and shining until Magena could feel something hard and warm between their two palms. The glow faded... and Magena was left looking at a beautiful crystal, about the size of her palm, in a shade of deep crimson.

"What is it?" Magena whispered... feeling strangely enough like she should know this already.

It is your crystal, Magena, said Chibi Mimban, smiling up at her. The Kaiburr Crystal. The most powerful Force crystal in the universe.

Magena looked at the crystal in her hands, eyes wide. "It's mine?"

Magena... you are a warrior, like me, said Chibi Mimban. She then chuckled, her pigtails shaking. Actually, I am a warrior like you. You are Sailor Mimban! Senshi of Nobility and Protection!

"I'M a SENSHI?" Magena said, stepping back from Magena, looking at her like she was an alien from a distant universe.

Yes... the crystal is the source of your power! You must awaken! It is your destiny!

"Who are you, really?" Magena asked in a wavering voice.

Melesse looked at her for a long moment, then bowed. I'm your daughter.

"But I-"

From the future, Chibi Mimban elaborated. Your future self said you might not believe me...

Magena's head reeled. A daughter? A warrior? A crystal from someplace far from here, someplace long ago... why, why, why was all this happening to her, she was a DANCER, she was not meant to fight... not here, not now, all of this because of a tiny brown-haired girl who found her way into her life and found her way into her heart. Her brow furrowed. She loved Melesse... it all made sense... the feeling of closeness... the Force sense... something bigger than anything she had ever known...

"But I do believe you," Magena said hoarsely. "I do."

Chibi Mimban's eyes lit up. You do?

"Is this really my fate?" Magena asked, holding up the crystal.

Chibi Mimban nodded. Yes, Magena.

After a moment, during which Magena thought of doves, she said, "Who am I to go against destiny, then?" She abruptly threw the crystal up in the air and cried out the first phrase that came into her mind. "Mimban Force Crystal Power, Make UP!"

Nothing could have prepared Magena for the sensations that came next... it was like someone had electrocuted her without the pain... infusing her body with an energy that was almost to much to grasp... she could feel herself floating, ribbons and crystals falling around her to make up her Sailor fuku. A tiara of gold... a body suit of white, a skirt of black, green and blue... blue bows on her chest, and black bows on the back of her skirt. Lace-up boots and a brooch that held the Kaiburr crystal in its center made the final touch, and when it was over, nineteen-year-old silver-haired Magena Ryo had claimed her destiny... she was a Sailor. She was Mimban.

Chibi Mimban looked at her with happiness and awe. Sailor Mimban!

Sailor Mimban looked at herself. "I guess so!"

"Quite interesting." Both Sailors turned to see... Aura? Was it Aura? It was a Falleen all right... the skin gave that away. However, this Falleen was dressed in an ornate costume and held a staff of an ancient feel.

"Who are you?" asked Mimban.

"Maybe I should ask you two that. I had no idea you were senshi when I caught you."

"Aura!"

"Very good," hissed the Falleen. "Only it's Sailor Sith Falleen to you."

"I don't care what you call yourself - back off!" cried Magena. Hey... why not spice it up a bit... you're a senshi now... don't they all get to say something cool? Magena held out one hand. "In the name of the Kaiburr, I am Sailor Mimban!"

And I am Chibi Mimban! said Melesse, coming up beside Mimban.

"And under the protection of our holy planet, your evil will be destroyed!"

Sith Falleen merely rolled her eyes. "Oh spare me, will you?" She held up her staff and pointed it at the two. "SEASONAL WIND SURROUND!" she cried quickly.

Mimban and Chibi Mimban had to leap out of the way to avoid the attack, which had done a nice job of boring a hole through the bars for them. Once the way was clear again, Sailor Mimban leapt out to face Sith Falleen.

"Is that the best you have?" she taunted. Suddenly a loud commotion was heard over their heads, in what Falleen knew to be the main court area of Jabba's palace. Both Falleen and the Mimbanian Sailors looked up at the ceiling, all attacks ceasing for the moment. Just as they did, however, Falleen was knocked to her knees from the back. She cried out, and her staff clattered to the floor.

"Looks like this little venture is over, Sith!" said a woman's voice. An elegant, tall Sailor Senshi came stepping in, wings on her back. "Sailor Iridonia has come to punish you!"

"Don't forget the rest of us!"

"We want a little bit of this too!"

"Harming the innocent... where do you Sith get off?"

"Chibi Dantooine!"

"Omwat!"

"Coruscant Knight!"

Three more forms stepped into the prison area. Now five senshi and a knight were standing over Sith Falleen. The other managed to be scared and furious all at the same time.

"Pathetic SENSHI!" cried Falleen. "I could have done so much! You don't know my power!"

"We don't need to," said Sailor Omwat, frowning. "If it's used for evil."

"Will you kill me?" asked Falleen in a shaky voice, almost looking insanely mad.

Sailor Mimban looked up at the other senshi. She didn't want to have to take anyone's life... even if it was a Sith... would that be part of this destiny? Would she have to kill? Almost unconscious of what she was doing, she took a step back from the group.

"We are not like you, Sith," said Iridionia. "We protect and defend."

"That is part of our pride," added Sailor Chibi Dantooine.

"FACE ME!" cried Sailor Sith Falleen. "TAKE YOUR STAND, GO AHEAD!" She stood up and swung at the Courscant Knight with her staff. "FIGHT ME! DESTROY ME!"

The Coruscant Knight caught the staff with one hand. "Enough," he said. "Stop this now."

"Cowards..." Falleen said. "All of you... cowards..." She wrenched the staff from the Couruscant Knight's hand and held it above your head. "If you think you have won, you haven't! I won't let you claim your victory over me! I won't give you the CHANCE!" A horrible black energy came from Falleen's staff, forming a ball of energy that grew and grew, creating sparks of power lightening within. She cried out, "TOTAL ECLIPSE!!!" and the black energy exploded and begin to slowly spread like a blanket of black fog. A bizzare, mouse and frog-like creature happened to be in its wake, and as soon as the black fog touched it, it died.

"Everyone!" Iridionia shouted. "Don't let it touch you! You'll be killed!"

All of the Sailors backed up against the wall as Falleen laughed a high, insane laugh. "Very good, Senshi. You win the prize. Too bad for you the prize is De-"

She caught her breath as if she couldn't breath anymore, her eyes suddenly growing wide with fear. She held out her hand, which began to shrivel until it was nothing but dull green skin against bone. "Wa- wa- what's happening!!!!" she shrieked, now looking at both her hands. The skin pulled against her bones, making her look like a walking corpse, and in the mean time, the black fog had began to pull back. "THIS ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPENING!!!!!" she screamed as her skin began to flake off. Now only her skeleton stood there. After a moment, she opened her mouth and let out a terrible shriek - then the bones collapsed into a heap.

Chibi Mimban clung to Mimban, very afraid and a little sad. The other sailors too, looked disturbed. Falleen was dead.

"Life would have never given her what she wanted..." said Iridionia, shaking her beautiful head. "Power comes to the wicked only in its most destructive form." Sailor Iridionia then turned to face Sailor Mimban and Sailor Chibi Mimban. "I see we have new additions to the team."

Sailor Mimban, despite the horrible scene, managed to smile a bit. "Yeah... I guess you do..."

"Come with us..." said the Coruscant Knight. "Let's get away from here - as fast as we can."

"BEN?"

"Magena," Ben Skywalker said with a grin.

"You're... you're..."

"Yes, I am."

Magena looked at him with total bewilderment and surprise. "I can't believe this!!" Ben was a KNIGHT! And these other girls... they all looked so normal... but they were all senshi!

Ben laughed. "Well, I can't either! I never would have guessed you were a senshi." The purple-haired man turned to the small brown-haired girl with the heart odangoes that sat next to Magena on the ship back to Coruscant. "You too, Melesse."

Melesse just sort of glared - but it was less of the cold glare than it had been the first time Ben had met her.

Magena shook her head. "I just can't seem to accept that... I'm a soldier now."

"It is weird at first," said Chouko, "but the girls are all really, really nice. They're my best friends."

"We're like a big family," said Kirana with a grin. "Wait til you meet them all."

Magena looked down at Melesse upon hearing family. A family... her gaze swept up to Ben... Melesse was a future daughter... maybe...

"You must be tired," said Xarae then, breaking Magena's thoughts. "We'll let the two of you sleep for awhile before we get back to Coruscant, okay?"

Magena and Melesse smiled. Thank you, said Melesse.

"Thanks," agreed Magena with a nod. Chouko and Kirana left with cheerful smiles, and Xarae inclined her head, a serene smile on her face. Ben lingered only a moment after they all had left. Magena smiled at him.

"Sweet dreams, girls," he said. After a brief pause, he kissed Magena on the forehead and turned to go. Magena stood, blushing, staring after Ben in a mixture of confusion and pure delight. Melesse, moving to the bed, snorted.

Magena turned to look at her. "What's that all about?"

Nothing, Melesse said, pouting.

"Oh really?" Magena planted herself on the bed, propping up on the pillows. Melesse came over and snuggled next to her. Magena found a soft smile forming on her face. She wrapped an arm around Melesse, and the two sat that way for a moment or so... before Magena spoke, softly.

"Hey Melesse... your dad... in the future... what's he like?"

At this, Melesse seemed eager to talk. He is a brave and handsome man, she said with a smile. He loves you very much.

Well, that wasn't much to go on... but Magena did seem intrigued by this future husband of hers. She really had to know... could it be at all possible... Ben's face flashed across her mind. Maybe...

"Melesse... is... um... is Ben..." She felt really awkward, asking this of an eight year old, but she had to know. "Is he..."

Melesse frowned. No. HE'S not my daddy. My daddy is a whole lot nicer than him.

Magena's expression fell a bit. "Oh... oh, I'm sure he is..." she said simply to appease the small girl. Melesse grinned and resumed falling back into her slumber. Magena stayed awake for a little while. Disappointment coursed through her. He wasn't her destiny... he wasn't hers... she was going to end up with someone else... then why was Ben all she could think about? She felt like crying... but before the tears could come, Magena Ryo had drifted off into a deep sleep.

This time in her dreams, the dove and the starling were flying ever closer together... a nightingale at the dove's side.

Magena set her tote bag down in the large, empty dance studio in one of the many Rooms Behind the Waterfall. The previous three days had been spent meeting all of the girls and getting settled. It was like a dream world... they all seemed to be so nice. As Magena took off her regular shoes and put on her dance shoes, she recalled their names.

Annika, Priire, Nom, Ippin, Kyoko, Kairiku, Chakra, Kumoko... to name a few. There were so many... there were still some she didn't even know yet! She vowed to befriend them all, and she vowed to become a useful member of the team.

But in the meantime, there was no reason why she couldn't dance. True, she had to leave Spiral Wind Dance Company... but there were other places she could go. She looked at the sunlight streaming in through the windows and the mirrors that flanked all sides of the room. Magena felt exhilarated. She pirouetted and leapt to the middle of the floor, executing a plie. She did a few simple steps to warm up, then went to the bar and stretched.

She didn't notice Ben Skywalker enter the room.

Magena took a deep breath, then went into an unassisted arabesque. Standing against the sunlight, she looked beautiful... and Ben found himself smiling.

"You move beautifully."

Magena nearly fell down. "Whoa!" She caught herself before she fell forward. She looked up at Ben, who seemed embarrassed. "Oh... hi Ben."

"Sorry about that. Didn't mean to startle you."

"It's all right," said Magena, looking sort of nervous. She had been trying to avoid Ben ever since they got back from Tatooine. Knowing that he wasn't Melesse's father... sort of made her feel guilty for her feelings for him. She really wanted to get to know Ben. But... knowing the future...

"Look... I wanted to give this to you. Since I never got to give the one I got for you after your recital." Ben held out one perfect rose for her. Magena blushed.

"Oh... thank you so much, Ben... it's..." She paused.

"Something wrong, Magena?"

Magena looked up into Ben's face and turned to nothing but sadness and dust. She couldn't hold it back anymore. "Ben... you know about... about Melesse and me, right?"

"She's your future daughter," Ben said.

"Yes... and... and... well, she told me that you... weren't..." She couldn't bring herself to say it. Ben, apparently, could.

"I'm not her father," he said slowly.

Magena turned her eyes to the ground. Ben looked away. The two of them stood there for an endless moment before Ben looked back and touched Magena's arm.

"Gena..." he said, "I... I know the future holds different lives... for the both of us. I come from that future, in the Force's name." Ben tilted her chin up. "But... that doesn't change what I'm feeling now, in the present."

Magena's eyes shone. "What are you feeling?"

"I feel like I want to spend time with the silver-haired dancer who moves like she's carried on a breeze..." he said softly. "I feel like I want to be with you, Magena."

Magena smiled as a blush crept across her face. "I... I want to be with you, too."

Ben leaned in and gently brushed his lips with hers before taking her in his arms and kissing her with a gentle firmness. Magena put her arms around him as well and pushed the image of Melesse's familiar brown eyes to the back of her mind. When they parted, a brief moment was spent before Magena put one of Ben's hands on her waist and another in her own hand.

"Ever waltz?" she asked.

"My mother taught me," he said, grinning.

"All right! A dance partner!" Magena laughed, and Ben began leading her across the dance floor gracefully. Magena felt wonderfully free as they spun, turned and stepped... she felt like she had a true friend now.

And now was all that mattered.