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Baby Shina opened her eyes and looked at the world around her. Her mother's face, tired-looking but exultant, beamed down at her from where she lay in her mother's arms. Her father's face suddenly appeared over her mother's shoulder as the couple admired the latest addition to the Azuri throne.
"She's beautiful," Queen Celima said as she smoothed back Shina's damp but copper-red hair.
"Just like her mother," King Itchiyo replied as he kissed his wife's sweaty forehead. Shina lifted her hand to squeeze her mother's finger. Her father reached out with the Force to brush her mind and try to get her to fall asleep, but what he received gave him such a shock that he clutched his chest and almost stumbled.
"What is it?" the queen asked.
Her father gained his balance back as he reached out again and got a small reply from the little baby. Hungry, came the answer.
"Celi, reach out to Shina. Just do it," the king requested as the queen gave him a strange look.
"Alright." The queen reached out to Shina as the baby's eyes began to widen.
Hungry, the reply came again.
"Honey, do you know what this means?" she asked as she closed off the link between her and her child.
"It means that our daughter is very strong in the Force, Celi. I've studied this. Such cases are rare. It means that Shina has to be protected from the Sith, or they will try to capture her and turn her to the Dark Side."
The queen gasped. Shina, rustled by the sudden movement, began to wail. The queen shushed her, and the baby rolled over and began to sleep.
The king and queen looked at each other. Little did they know how right Itchiyo was, and they would not be able to prevent what would happen in the future...
Twelve years later...
"Princess Shina! You get back here this very minute!" Tio, her nurse screeched after her. Shina didn't even bother to look back as she let loose her long copper hair from the braids of thread that were holding it together. It streamed out behind her like a horse's mane as she ran faster and faster, kicking her silk slippers off her feet.
She ran behind the huge tree that had been planted the day of her birth and slipped inside the hole, where she changed out of the uncomfortable dress into her pants and humongous shirt that she had borrowed from one of the servants. Tying her hair back with a string, she ran to the place where she had agreed to meet her cousin Ippin.
A shadow leaned against a tree by the river about two miles behind the castle. Shina was tired after running for so long, so she leaned down to catch her breath. Then she saw the shadow. Cautiously, she walked over. The sunlight caught the shadow, and her cousin Ippin came into view. Shina straightened up.
"Cousin Ippin!" Shina cried in relief as her redheaded cousin walked towards her. She quickly embraced her and then stepped back. "You've gotten taller!"
"So have you," Ippin replied, giving her an once-over. She tousled her cousin's hair. "I can see you've inherited the famous smile too." Shina giggled.
"You always were the jokester," she said. "How come you've been away so long?"
"Oh, politics, one thing led to this, and another led to that. I've been trying to contact you, but for some reason I'm being denied access."
That's strange, Shina thought. We've always been able to talk before. She reached out with the Force to sense Ippin's feelings. Her cousin was afraid of something. But of what? she thought. This is the first time we've had complications contacting each other, and now Ippin is afraid. She's never afraid of anything. Could something be after us?
"Sithspit, this is frustrating!" Shina shrieked, startling her cousin and making her jump so high that she toppled towards the river and fell in. Laughing, Shina waded into the water and tried to pull her up, only to be pulled back in by a sudden burst of energy from Ippin. The two girls laughed, splashing each other and getting totally soaked to the bone.
"Shina Celiyo Azuri!" A voice boomed out over their laughter. Shina dreaded to turn around, but did so anyway. Her father, King Itchiyo, face red and clothes sweaty, stood by the river holding Shina's dress. Shina sank down deeper into the water. Ippin stood back, not knowing what to say.
"You get out of that water right now and get into some sensible clothing! What did you think you were doing, running out on that important meeting with the King of Ylesia? We had important marriage orders to discuss, in the matter of you marrying his son and joining our two worlds together in trade!" The list went on and on as her father complained about everything she had done. Shina had to fight not to roll her eyes.
"Ippin, my niece." The tone in her father's voice shocked Shina out of her daze. Ippin stood up, looking sheepish. "Uncle," she said, walking out of the water and accepting the towel that Shina's father held out for her. She quickly embraced the king before looking for one last glance at Shina, still shivering in the water, and walked back towards the castle.
"Father, I'm -" Shina tried to say, but was quickly cut off by her father.
"Go back up to the castle. Tio will be waiting for you." Her father's face was stone cold, and Shina snatched the towel out of his hands before flouncing back up to the castle in a foul mood.
She and her father did not talk all evening. Ippin tried to help by telling funny jokes, but it did nothing to help Shina's feelings. A tear rolled down one cheek as she walked upstairs after dinner, her father sitting by the fire, not even motioning for her to come over and give him a goodnight kiss. Her mother came up to her room and sat down by Shina's bed. Even in her nightclothes, the queen still looked regal and beautiful.
"Shina, your father loves you. He just wants what's best for you." The queen smoothed back Shina's long red hair and smiled.
"Well what if I don't want what's best for me?" Shina retorted, yanking the covers over her head. The queen patted her arm and left the room, leaving Shina to cry herself to a lonesome sleep.
Suddenly a familiar head peeked through the door crack. Shina pulled the covers back down and pretended to go to sleep, but Ippin ran into her room and pounced on the bed. Shina shrieked and giggled from surprise, and Ippin laughed, tossing back her long hair. "Why the long face, Hun?" she asked.
"My father just wants what's best for me. And I HATE IT I HATE IT I HATE IT!" Shina screeched softly.
"Oh, it's okay. My dad's always on my case too. But don't worry. Everything will be alright in the morning." And she gave Shina quick hug and raced back to her room, leaving Shina to dream about what was to come...
The next morning, Shina awoke, her mood much more cheerful after Ippin's good advice. She walked downstairs, her hair braided up, makeup put on her face. Struggling with an itchy dress, she walked in to find her father sitting at the table with the king of Ylesia!
"Ah, there you are, my daughter," her father said. Shocked, Shina tried to smile gracefully. She held her hand out before the Ylesian king, curtsying delicately.
"Charmed," the king said in a nasal voice. Shina had to fight not to grimace. "And this is my son, Prince Luciv." Shina turned around, dreading what she might see.
The prince was the ugliest man she had ever seen. Pimples piled on his nose, which was the reddest and biggest nose she had had nightmares about. His stomach hung out of his pants, and he had about five chins. Shina wanted to look away in disgust, but wanted to vomit even more when the prince took her hand. His fingernails were caked in dirt and mud and who knows what else. She removed her hand politely, pretending that she had to sneeze.
Just then, Ippin came into the room and stopped short when she saw Luciv. Her shoulders quaked as she had to fight not to burst out in giggles. Her face turned as red as her hair, and she covered her mouth with her hand. Then she turned and ran out of the room.
Some friend you are, Shina thought at her. Then she gasped quietly. Did I know I could do that? Did my parents know I could do that?
You always knew, a strange voice thought. Because you are Sailor Sullust.
Who? Shina said. But I -
You always knew was the only response she got. The king and prince began to stare at her strangely.
"I think we'll leave now," the Ylesian said, walking out of the room, his ugly son walking out behind him.
"What did you think you were doing?" the king demanded of her. "Go to your room NOW."
Shina walked upstairs, still in her daze, too confused to cry. Sailor Sullust? Who and what was she, or it? And why was she it? She laid down and closed her eyes for a moment...
Shina walked along the road, pausing at every turn. Where was she? What was she doing here? She sat down. "I'll never get out of here!"
Suddenly a girl, looking just like her, appeared. She was dressed just like her, and she had the same voice.
"SULLUST PRISM POWER MAKE UP!" the girl yelled all of a sudden. Her hair changed from a braid to odango with ponytails. Her outfit changed to a yellow skirt and white shirt, a shining jewel in the middle of her bow. She wore white boots with yellow lining.
"I am Sailor Sullust, senshi of starlight and all that is bright!" the girl announced. "I am you."
Shina gasped. The girl walked over to Shina and reached out her hand. Shina grasped it, and the two melded together. I feel her in me, Shina realized.
"You always had me inside you. You just needed to find me. When you wake up, you will have your jewel grasped in your hand. Use it against evil and remember, the Dark Side will come for you - sooner than you think."
Shina suddenly awoke. As Sailor Sullust - ah, she had said, the jewel was in her hand. She slipped it into the pocket of her dress and laid back down when all of a sudden she heard a loud crash and the sound of her mother's scream.
"Mother!" Shina cried, racing downstairs to see her mother on her back, a hole in her stomach. She rushed over and laid her head next to her mother's chest. "She's dead!" she screamed in anguish.
Looking around, her eyes began to flare red in her anger. "Who did this!" She grasped the jewel in her pocket, feeling its warmth.
An evil, sinister breathing sound met her ears. "I did," a voice said, stepping from the shadows, holding her father's body. He tossed it down next to her mother. Shina jumped out of the way, tears in her eyes.
"Who are you?" Shina asked.
"I am Darth Vader, second-in-command to the ruler of the Empire, Emperor Palpatine. You are now a prisoner of the Empire. I suggest you keep quiet while we search the premises for your redheaded sibling." The dark machine who talked like a man seemed to glare at her.
Ippin. Oh Gods... Shina thought.
I'm alright! a thought met her ears. I'm safe, back on Yavin. Use your powers!
But how did you -
USE THEM! THEY ARE THE ONLY WAY TO STOP VADER! DO IT!
Shina nodded, to Vader's surprise, and ripped out the jewel. "SULLUST PRISM POWER MAKE UP!" she yelled, feeling the transformation to Sailor Sullust.
"How quaint. A little Sailor Scout. Well, you won't live enough to tell everyone who you are." Vader reached for his lightsaber, but Shina hit him with her Gem Fire Halation. Panting, the Sith Lord crumpled to the ground, his mechanical breathing sounding raspy.
"SULLUST -" Shina began to shout, but two guards had grabbed her from behind.
"Take her to my ship," Vader panted.
Struggling, Shina looked back at her parents. The last thing she saw before tears blurred her vision was the sight of them. Vader had perversely laid them with their arms around each other. MOTHER! FATHER! Shina screamed before she lost consciousness, slipping back into her original form, the jewel magically dropping inside her pocket, none of the guards noticing.
When she came to, she noticed that she was being held in a small cell. Vader had obviously feared her powers, for he had covered the room with yslamari. He hadn't discovered her jewel; it was still in her pocket. But she still had an odd feeling about something.
Just then the door opened, and Vader strode into the room, his hands clasped. "We will arrive at Coruscant shortly. There I will take you to see the Emperor. He is your master now."
Shina glared back at the Sith, her eyes defiant. As two stormtroopers led her away, she walked proudly. She would not let them insult her. She was an Azuri. That scum would not get away with this.
Without sudden movement she called on the jewel, kicking the troopers out of her way, transforming into Sailor Sullust. "SULLUST PRISM POWER TRANSPORTATION!" she shouted, envisioning the next ship that was leaving Coruscant for Yavin.
Then, with a jolt, she had arrived. Of course she was back in her regular clothes, but she hid just the same. Crouched into a corner, she went to sleep, dreaming of what she would find.
She woke to a huge booming sound that filled the ship. Vader's sinister voice filled the space. I know you are here, little Scout. You will not get away now.
Shina tried to transform, but was grabbed from behind. Vader appeared before her, his blood-red lightsaber drawn. "You wouldn't dare," the redhead snapped.
"I'm sorry, Sailor scum," the Sith said. Shina braced herself as he plunged the saber into her stomach. "Goodbye, Ippin..." she whispered, crumbling to the floor. The light in her jewel flickered and then went out.
Shina awoke. "Where am I?" she demanded. Seven girls stood before her, all wearing the same kind of outfit, their hair different colors. "Who are you?"
"I am Sailor Asteroid, Senshi of Stone, Defense, and Redemption, Guardian of the Stars," a blonde-haired girl said, dressed in dark colors.
"I am Sailor Bakura, Senshi of Love and Rain. Welcome to the Sailor Senshi," a woman with silvery-pink hair said.
"Sailor Chibi Naboo here! I'm the Senshi of Youth and Duality. Hi there!" a tiny blonde-haired girl wearing buns announced cheerfully.
"Sailor Dathomir. Senshi of Life and Justice, Guardian of Creation and Destruction," a raven-haired woman said, sizing up Shina with her jet black eyes.
"I am Sailor Hoth, Senshi of Ice and Innocence. Pleased to meet you," a blue-haired woman said, grasping her hand firmly.
"Sailor Iridonia at your service, Senshi of Death and Children, Guardian of Destiny," a dark-haired woman said, her outfit a dull gray.
"Sailor Yavin, Senshi of Beauty and Wisdom, Guardian of Space and Time Gates," a familiar red-headed girl announced.
"Ippin?" Shina remembered. "Oh, Ippin! Where am I?" She raced over to her cousin. Ippin stroked her hair softly. "I don't remember anything!"
"In time you will, my dear cousin. You will. Now, you see Sailor Asteroid over there? She's my twin and your other cousin!"
Asteroid walked over. "Call me Priire."
Shina awkwardly embraced Priire, and then stood before the other senshi. "I can't remember who I am! What Scout am I?"
"You are Sailor Sullust, Senshi of Starlight and All That Is Bright, and the newest addition to the Sailor Senshi! I'm so proud of you!" Ippin, Priire, and the other senshi walked over to give Shina a full welcome.
"Now," Dathomir said. "We must be off. The Sith will return, and with Sullust now as our ally, we must attack."
Shina stood proudly with the other senshi as she transformed into her Sullust form. Her parents, wherever they were, would be proud.
