An Unhappy Farewell

A small blonde girl held onto Obi-Wan’s hand. This was a familiar sight around the Jedi Temple; Chakra and Obi-Wan. The little girl walked faster to keep up with him.

"Where is she?" Obi-Wan muttered. He had been trying to find Mika for ten minutes. Yuki had wanted her to go into town with her. Why Obi-Wan agreed to find her, he didn’t remember. But the search for the elusive Mika was becoming exhausting.

"There she is!" Chakra yelled and pointed. Indeed, Mika was talking with several young male Padawans. She laughed and smiled at something the eldest boy said. Chakra looked confused; Mika always said she was too busy for boys. Chakra thought that she must have made time.

The boys grew quiet when Master Kenobi approached. They bowed deeply.

"Mika-chan, Yuki is looking for you. She wants to know if you want to go shopping with her," Chakra informed her.

"Of course I do!" Mika yelled. She excused herself from the Padawans, Obi-Wan and Chakra, then jogged back to the Room Behind the Waterfall.

The eldest padawan, Asaka, turned to Master Kenobi, "Sir, I’ve been meaning to ask you about the trials. As you’re aware, mine are upcoming."

Obi-Wan nodded, "Yes. Chakra? Run along back to the Room Behind the Waterfall, and I’ll visit you later." He kissed her forehead.

Chakra huffed with her hands on her hips, "Why?"

"Because this is a private conversation."

"That’s not fair!" the small child wailed.

Obi-Wan didn’t have time to ask again because a voice yelled out her name. It was Annika. Obi-Wan smiled at the thought of her, as did Chakra.

"I’m on my way, Miss Annika!" Chakra yelled. She eyed Obi-Wan and the boys suspiciously one last time.

Annika was waiting for her at the Senshi’s garden. She was holding something in her hand, but Chakra couldn’t determine what it was. They walked over to one of the small white concrete benches and sat down. Annika placed her hands in her lap and looked at the garden.

Chakra was puzzled. Why did she invite her here just to look at the garden? Either way, Chakra enjoyed being around the Princess. She folded her hands in her lap.

Finally Annika faced the beautiful little girl. "Chakra, I wish to give you a gift, is that okay?" she asked.

Chakra loved presents! "I would love it, Miss Annika!"

"I hope so." She held out a pink velvet box to Chakra. It creaked open, and inside was a ring. The stone in the middle was a perfectly round, white opal. And when the light shone on it just right, delicate blue hues flickered in its centre.

Annika explained. "It belonged to my grandmother, Queen Kianna. She gave it to me when I was your age, and I’d like you to have it."

"Oh thank you! But why are you giving it to me?"

She laughed, "Well, yesterday when I looked at it, the first thing that I thought of was you, and how pretty it would look on your finger."

Chakra slid the ringer on her finger; the silver band was a little too big and easily slipped off her finger. She frowned.

"I thought that might happen. I brought this just in case." She dangled a delicate silver chain between her fingers. She put the ring on the necklace, then slipped it over Chakra’s head.

"Thank you!" Chakra whispered.

Miharu ran up to the girls. He was out of breath.

"Annika, Chakra, we have to go to Corellia. Hope thinks she knows where the headquarters for the Angels might be."

"Right," Annika said, standing. She ran to the launching pad and to her ship, The Silver Swan. Chakra and Miharu followed. Coru, Kirana, Rene, Boshi, Audra, Zyta, and Kyoko were already on their way in the Crystal Prism.

The light dimly made its way to every corner of the room. The strange man huddled over a beaker filled with green liquid. Once it reached boiling, he carefully poured it into a small heart-shaped pod. It glowed black and hummed with energy. He laughed maniacally. To test his newest creation, he placed a solid metal brick on the floor, then dropped the black heart on it. The metal brick melted into a puddle. He laughed louder.

He didn’t hear the soft clicking of Kendra’s shoes on the tile floor as she entered the room, She grimaced at the foul odour that filled the area.

"Have you discovered something I should know about?" she asked the man. He looked at her from the deepest shadows and smiled. Without saying a word, he pointed to the now-hardened mess on the floor. Kendra smiled.

The man spoke. "Kendra... finally I have perfected the ingredients. I should have souls by the end of the day. Enough to bring about the Infinity Cyclone! I shall rule the universe!!" His laughter echoed off the walls.

"You? You won’t rule anything. Don’t forget I control you... Sidious and myself will control the universe. You are simply a tool of the Sith," the red- and white-haired woman sneered. She wasn’t going to let anyone take away her prize, no, her gift to Darth Sidious. It was their destiny to lord over the universe; they just needed the right opportunity.

She turned and left him there, still hunched over his chemicals. Sidious would surely see how devoted to him she was. This act of dedication would prove her loyalty. She remembered her past; growing up in the orphanage, being abandoned and abused her whole life. Until that day when she looked into the eyes of Senator Palpatine. The man she now knows as her one true love, Darth Sidious. She was happy when Darth Maul was killed; she knew Sidious was growing tired of him and his split emotions concerning his love of that woman.

Love is pathetic when not used properly. Kendra knew how to use love. She used it to gain every position she ever held. She never desired love; she was too bitter from her childhood. She was, however, adept at giving love, and she never wanted for anything. Except now, she desired love. She craved it, needed it. She was desperate to be touched by him, for him to look at her with desire in his eyes. And this project would make him love her as much as she loved him.

Dream stood looking out of the window. She wrapped her arms around herself and shuddered. Her white hair was tied back in a single black bow. The dream she had the night before was still haunting her.

In her dream, she saw blood. Lots of blood. She saw her sister; she saw the Sailor Jedi. She shivered. She knew she was next to fight. She and her sister Justice. They were to capture the souls of the senshi. The boss had promised them eternity if they finished their task. But Dream didn’t want to live forever without her sisters. She hated the Jedi for taking them from her.

Justice entered the room, her orange hair twisted into a bun. She had her pouch of light charms ready and strapped onto her hip. She was looking forward to dispensing the just rewards to the senshi. So many of them were carrying evil deeds on their backs. Silently, she laughed to herself at the thought of the senshi begging her to spare their lives. She remembered the extra charms she had found on her desk that afternoon and smiled again.

"Let’s go kill some Sailor Jedi!" she said to her sister. Dream didn’t move, she just continued to stare. Justice threw a book at her white-haired sister. That got her attention.

"Justice... I’m not sure I want to do this," she whispered. Justice looked at her funny.

"What do you mean? This is what we were trained for!"

"Trained for?" she echoed back softly. "Trained for. We’re Angels, Justice; this can’t be what we do! Why would we deliberately hurt people?"

"You simpering little twit!" she spat her. "How dare you have sympathy for them! Have you forgotten about Hope and Faith and Charity and Harmony? Do their deaths mean nothing to you?"

"That’s just it, I’m not sure they’re dead. I had a dream last night..."

"Who cares about your stupid dreams? Our sisters are DEAD! And nothing and no one can bring them back! My name is Justice for a reason, you know. It’s my job to see that they pay! They will not get away with this!"

Dream was scared of her sister; the look in her eyes was pure anger. Justice grabbed Dream’s dart gun and a handful of the new black heart melting charms.

"You’re coming with me now!" the orange-haired girl said. She grabbed her sister and headed out of the door.

By the time they reached the main exit of the old castle that was serving as a temporary headquarters, Kendra was already waiting.

"We’ve got company," she said. She snapped her fingers, and a crystal sphere appeared between her hands. "Just outside this door are five Sailor Jedi," she said. The ball glowed with the images of Sailors Naboo, Bakura, Omwat, Yavin, and Shooting Star.

"The one in the middle," Kendra said, "the white-haired one, she’s mine. You will take the souls of the others." Justice and Dream nodded in understanding.

This will be over soon, and I can go back home to Iego, Dream thought. She looked at her sister. Justice was almost jumping up and down; the ripples of dark side energy emanating from her were frightening.

Kendra used the Force to blow down the door, and before the Senshi had a chance to respond, Kendra had reached out and grabbed Sailor Bakura.

"Eternal Sailor Bakura!" Sailor Naboo yelled. It was too late; Kendra had vanished with her.

Justice was the first to attack. "Dancing Lights!!" She blew some gold powder off of her hands into the eyes of the Senshi.

"I can’t see!!" screamed Sailor Shooting Star. All the senshi had been blinded. They stumbled around, some of them falling onto the ground, others holding onto things to steady themselves. They couldn’t attack because they’d run the risk of hitting nothing, or worse, hitting another Jedi.

"Now, Dream!" Justice yelled. Dream pointed her gun at the nearest sailor. Her finger was on the trigger... but she couldn’t squeeze it. She whirled around and pointed the gun and Justice.

"What are you doing, you idiot!!" she screamed.

"I’m not going to let you do this, Justice," she said, sobbing.

"Dream, I’m warning you, if you don’t take their souls... I’ll take yours!!" She lunged at her sister. They wrestled on the ground, trying to get control of the gun.

Sailor Omwat’s vision slowly returned. Things were blurry but soon came into focus. She noticed the other girls rubbing their eyes and looking around. They all had their sight back. Sailor Naboo looked over just in time to see Justice grab the gun and point it at Dream’s head.

"I’ll kill you!!" the orange-haired girl yelled.

"Jewel of Zenda Blast!" Sailor Naboo attacked. The gun was shattered into a million pieces. Justice snarled at the blue-haired senshi.

Sailor Yavin gasped at how the Dark Side had corrupted this girl so much that the only thing she felt was hatred. It was shocking and turned her stomach.

Suddenly Sailor Omwat said, "Sailor Bakura! Where is she? She can heal them!"

"I don’t know! Kendra took her!" Shooting Star said. Justice and Dream were still fighting on the ground. Dream’s face was bloody and bruised, but there wasn’t a mark on Justice. Dream refused to strike her.

"Priire! Priire has the Redemption Crystal, she can heal them!" Yavin said. "She’s on Coruscant; she’ll have to teleport here." Yavin flipped open her communicator.

"Why aren’t you hitting me back, you brat!" Justice growled.

Through tears, Dream said, "Because I love you."

Something happened to Justice. Her inner thoughts were trying to tell her something. She struggled against the feelings that were inside her. She looked down at her sister’s bloody face, then at her hands. They were raw and swollen. She remembered! She remembered the love that they shared, the bond that would forever have, and in that second, Justice healed herself.

"Dream?" she asked in a small voice. "Oh Force, Dream. I’m so sorry!! What have I done," she wailed. She tore a piece of her shirt off and starting to wipe the blood from her sister’s face. "Please, forgive me!"

The white-haired girl struggled to talk "There’s nothing to forgive."

All of the senshi had tears streaming down their faces. Sailor Yavin closed her communicator; they wouldn’t need Sailor Asteroid after all.

Bakura couldn’t breathe; Kendra’s hand was coiled tightly around her neck. She threw the limp body of Sailor Bakura into a corner. The Sith Queen grabbed her transformation brooch from the middle of her bow. Pink ribbons dematerialised Sailor Bakura’s fuku and reformed the dress she had on earlier in the day. Annika lay there a few minutes before Kendra tied her to a large stake in the floor.

"Where are my friends?" she demanded.

"I don’t know... probably dead, their souls giving life to the Infinity Cyclone."

"The Infinity Cyclone?"

"Yes, all it needs are two souls that belong to the Jedi. Just two, and it will come to life, destroying everything, taking the souls from every living thing in the universe."

Annika gasped. "You can’t do that!"

"I can, and I have."

"Then why am I here," she said wriggling in the restraints, "Why haven’t you killed me?"

Kendra laughed. "Because love is foolish. And once Obi-Wan Kenobi learns of your disappearance, he’s sure to come looking for you, and I’ll have not one soul, but two!"

Obi-Wan!! He couldn’t come here! Annika tried to get free of the Force-ropes that held her firmly in place. She wouldn’t let him be hurt!

The only light in the room came from a tiny window above the door. The sound of dripping water could be heard from nearby. Annika deduced she must be in an old dungeon. She couldn’t escape with Kendra right there, and she really couldn’t escape without her henshin brooch. Annika really wished she could use the Force; she had to contact someone. She closed her eyes and tried to send a message to anyone... please... help me...

Kendra gazed at her capture. Helpless and useless, just like all Jedi, she thought. Yes, Sidious will love me, he will desire me, her thoughts said.

Annika might not be able to use the Force, but she could sense love. It was her only gift. And through the darkness that surrounded the evil Queen, Annika sensed love. One that was deep and true.

"I know you love him," she said to Kendra.

The red- and white-haired woman’s head jerked around. This Jedi couldn’t possibly know! "What are you talking about brat?"

"Darth Sidious. I know you love him, I can feel it."

"You’re crazier than Geri," she spat.

"And you apparently didn’t realise which Senshi you grabbed. I am the senshi of Love and Peace; they are my gifts from the Force. So, you see, I know you love Sidious." Annika smiled. Love was her speciality, and it filled her with joy. Even the love Kendra felt for Darth Sidious was beautiful to her.

Kendra started to rethink her position. Perhaps she should kill Sailor Bakura now and get Kenobi another time. Could she risk anyone finding out about her feelings? After what happened with Darth Maul, Sidious wouldn’t be happy with another lovestruck Sith. It is decided, she thought. She raised her hands to attack and ultimately destroy Sailor Bakura.

What’s taking them so long? Sailor Tatooine wondered. She paced the ship nervously. They shouldn’t be taking this long. The Shiroi Knight and Sailor Alderaan kept watch out of the windows.

"I say we go find them," Sailor Chibi Dathomir said.

"Agreed," Sailor Tatooine said. She had to get out of the ship; she was going mad in there. She couldn’t stand waiting. She had to know if her friends were okay. Sailors Tatooine, Chibi Dathomir, Ralltiir, Alderaan and the Shiroi Knight followed the path that the others had taken. They didn’t know they were being stalked.

Mercy tracked the Senshi to this place and watched as they went looking for their friends. She would get the souls that her moronic sisters failed to retrieve. She watched their sad and disgusting display from a high balcony in the abandoned castle. When it became evident that her sisters were falling prey to the same tricks the Jedi always used, Mercy took it upon herself to lead the mission.

The pink-haired girl carried her long staff with her. Her attack would get a soul, and she would escape with it.

"I think we’re getting closer," the Shiroi Knight said.

"You won’t be going any farther!" Mercy yelled. She jumped out from behind a tree and attacked. "Everlasting Fever!"

Purple and black ribbons of light streamed from the centre jewel in her staff. Sailor Alderaan felt the lights enter her body, wrap themselves around her Force essence and rip it out. Her body collapsed.

"Twin Suns..." Sailor Tatooine began to say. She didn’t have time to finish before Mercy vanished.

"NO!!" she yelled. She ran over to where the last of the Angels7 stood and saw the familiar silver disk that they used to transport themselves. It was hot, but she dug her fingers into it trying to get it to work.

Sailor Ralltiir picked up the body of Sailor Alderaan.

"She’s not breathing," she said, crying.

"What?" the Shiroi Knight said. He checked the small girl had no heartbeat either. "We have to get her soul back immediately!"

"I think I can find where that girl went!" Chibi Dathomir said. She allowed her body to become attuned to the intricacies of the Force. She saw flashes of images in her mind. An old castle... not far from where they were now.

"I’ve got her! Come on!" Chibi Dathomir took off running. She was followed by the Shiroi Knight and Sailor Ralltiir. Sailor Tatooine stayed with Sailor Alderaan.

Annika closed her eyes and prepared to become one with the Force. Kendra smiled at her serenity that would soon be gone.

The door to the dungeon burst open suddenly to reveal Sailors Naboo, Shooting Star, Omwat and Yavin.

"Everyone! You’re here!" Annika smiled.

"That’s right!" Sailor Omwat said.

"Yeah, even though you are a royal pain in the neck, we decided to rescue you anyway," Sailor Yavin laughed. Annika smirked.

Facing Kendra, all the senshi said in unison, "On behalf of the Universe, you’ll be punished!"

Kendra, realising she could easily be beaten, opened a bolthole and slipped through it.

"Sithspit!! I’m sick of her getting away!" Sailor Yavin cursed.

"How did you know I was here?" Annika asked as Sailors Naboo and Omwat untied her.

"You told us," Shooting Star said, handing her back her brooch.

"What do you mean?" the confused Annika asked.

"Well, we were just standing there when all of the sudden your voice echoed that you needed help. We all heard it," Naboo explained.

"You mean... I used... the Force?!?!?"

Sailor Yavin smiled. "It looks that way." Annika jumped up and down then hugged each of the senshi.

"I can’t believe I can use the Force! Wait until I tell the Council!"

"Slow down, Princess, you’re not a Jedi Master yet," Yavin said.

"But I still used the Force!! YAY!!"

"We’re never going to hear the end of this, are we, Sailor Naboo?" Sailor Omwat asked.

"Oh, no."

"I didn’t think so."

Mercy was in the labs. She opened a jar of what looked like swirling water. She held the soul of Sailor Alderaan over it.

"Bottoms up," she smiled. A white rose struck her hand, and she dropped the soul onto the table. Sailor Ralltiir quickly grabbed it.

"Why you!" Mercy yelled. She ran to the silver disk and vanished.

"She’s in front of the castle!" Chibi Dathomir yelled.

"Sailor Ralltiir, take Alderaan’s soul and go find Sailor Tatooine. You have to put Alderaan’s soul back in her body! Go now!" the Shiroi Knight yelled.

He watched as she ran off before going to join Chibi Dathomir, who had run after Mercy. He found them battling in front of the castle. He poised, ready to attack, when a strange man appeared in the centre of the disk. He grabbed Mercy, and they were gone.

The Shiroi Knight looked at Chibi Dathomir. She couldn’t find them, they were protected by something strong, and she couldn’t connect with them.

"Let’s go check on Sailor Alderaan," the Shiroi Knight said. He and Chibi Dathomir made it back to the ship at the same time as Sailors Naboo, Omwat, Bakura, Shooting Star and Yavin. They found Sailor Alderaan sitting in a chair, smiling.

"I’m fine. A little tired, but fine," she smiled at the concerned Sailors.

"I suppose we’ve done all we can here. We checked out the castle, and it was empty. They cleaned out in a hurry," Sailor Naboo said.

Chibi Dathomir gasped. "My necklace! It’s gone!" She groped her neck trying to find the chain with the ring on it. "It must have broken and come off when I was fighting the pink-haired girl."

"It must’ve been Mercy," Justice informed them.

"I’ve got to have that back!" Chibi Dathomir wailed. The Shiroi Knight laughed.

"Don’t worry. I’ll go find it, then we can leave," he said. He had already walked for a few minutes when Dream stood up.

"You have to stop him! He can’t go! My dream... in my dream... Kendra..." was all she could say. The Senshi immediately starting running.

I don’t see it, where could it be, he wondered. A small gleam caught his eye. He smiled at seeing the ring laying under a small bush. He bent down and fished it out of the mud. Smiling again, he stood up and was once more face-to-face with Kouga Ada, the Evil Queen. She smiled and before he could reach for his lightsaber, she grabbed his neck.

"This seems to be your fate, boy," she snarled. She jammed something into his abdomen. He looked down to see a deactivated lightsaber. He snapped back up and looked at her with terror in his eyes. She pushed the button.

The Shiroi Knight drew his breath in suddenly at feeling the blade go through him. His whole body jerked in shock. She pulled out the lightsaber, dropped it and stood, watching him die.

He looked over and saw the Senshi screaming and running toward him. He looked over and saw Kendra open a bolthole and disappear.

Eternal Sailor Bakura ran over and cradled the fallen soldier in her arms. Blood poured from his mouth as his eyes began to glaze over.

"No! Hang on Miharu, please!!" Bakura sobbed. He held up his left hand; the necklace with the ring dangling from it was suspended through his fingers. Sailor Bakura took it from him as his hand fell to the ground. The senshi stood around sobbing over the death of their friend.

"She won’t get away with this," Sailor Naboo sobbed as the sun set and night time fell on Corellia.