Passing the Torch
Part I
By Jason Metcalf

        Hi there!  This was a new type of story for me, where I decided to 
look at what would happen to the Sailor Scouts when they’ve grown up... 
and have kids.  Some fill-in-the-blank info is found at the end if you 
didn’t catch it the first time around.
        This story is an experimental set-up story I’m working on, where 
I’m trying to set up a new set of Scouts to leap in a new direction 
with...
        And so, I give you “Passing the Torch.”

jmetcalf@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu

*****

        “Hi Mom, I’m home.”  Mrs. Courier heard the door click shut, them 
footsteps shuffling through the hall.  Heather was home at last.
        “Hello,” she sang out.  “How was your... Omigosh!  What happened, 
Heather?!?”  Ami ran to her daughter’s side, immediately checking the 
many wounds she had covering her body.
        They were all superficial... bruises, scrapes, cuts, and the like.  
She would heal quickly, like she always, did, but even a glance of her 
daughter like this was enough to put her into shock.  And after the 
shock came the explanations.  “All right,” she said sternly, “What 
happened this time?”
        “Nothing, Mom, just broke up a fight at school.”  Heather trudged 
into the bathroom and started to clean her wounds.  “Some eighth grade 
boys were messing with a fifth grader, so I...”
        “Eighth grade?!?  Heather Gwen Courier, you’re only ten years old!  
I don’t want to get a call one day to hear that my daughter is in the 
emergency room because she was fighting a boy twice her size!”
        “Aw, mom, it was nothing!”  Heather sat down on the sink, wincing 
as she poured a bit of peroxide down her arm.  Ami had taught her that 
even though it stung, it almost always helped the wound heal faster and 
cleaner.  “After all, YOU used to fight monsters five times your size.”
        Ami sighed.  Not this again.  “Heather, when I was Sailor 
Mercury...”
        “You pounded the Negaverse, then the Dark Moon Kingdom, and...”
        “And I was almost always in serious danger.  I don’t want you to 
be in the same kind of trouble I always was.  If your Grandmother had 
known who I truly was...” she smiled.  “She never would have let me out 
of the house again.”
        Heather sighed, then chuckled a bit.  “Yeah, I guess... but I did 
send those eighth graders running for their lives.”  Her daughter’s 
impish grim reminded Ami of an old friend...    
        Ami had to laugh.  “You’re talking like... Lita now...”  She 
quickly changed the subject.  “Come on, let’s see about fixing you up.  
You’re supposed to be attending the ceremony with me at the palace 
tonight.”  Ami glanced at her daughter’s unruly mop of bluish hair, 
cropped so short that she almost looked like a boy.  “Aren’t you ever 
going to let your hair grow out?”
        “Naw... it’s easier to take care of like this.”  Ami could only 
sigh as she helped patch up her daughter.  She smiled as heather eagerly 
leapt from the counter to put on her dress for the banquet, a full three 
hours early.  She couldn’t think of a better nickname for her daughter 
than the one she already had.  Quicksilver, the most rambunctious child 
in Crystal Tokyo.

        Neo-Queen Serenity stood looking into her mirror.  She was 
stunning in her bright white gown, her golden pigtails she had worn for 
years trailing down to her ankles.  On her head, the royal seal glowed 
with its own light... the Crescent Moon.  At her side was a small staff 
bearing the Silver Crystal.  She appeared every bit the regal, 
professional leader she was believed to be.
        And she sighed.  She truly hated these banquets where she politely 
said hello to everyone and had to laugh and smile and do everything 
right to avoid making someone look bad.  More than anything, she wanted 
to put on some sweats, curl up in bed, and go to sleep.  She sighed 
again as she walked to the window, looking out over the city.
        Being the Queen sucked.
        Then she felt a hand lightly on her shoulder.  She didn’t need to 
know anything more than the way he touched her to know exactly who it 
was.  “Darien.”
        And she knew he knew what she was thinking... they were linked 
that way.  King Darien turned her gently and held her close.  “I know, 
Serena.  You don’t like these things.  Just think of it this way... 
there’s food down there.”
        That thought perked her up right away.  “Well, then, we can’t keep 
the people waiting!  Let’s go!”
        “B-but Serena...” She lifted her dress and began to run down the 
hallway, most un-queen-like.  It was fun to tease Darien every now and 
then.  Whatever he had to say would be able to wait, she guessed.
        That was when she slammed into the woman walking down the hall. 
Neo-Queen Serenity blushed a deep red as she brushed her dress off.  
“Oh, dear, that probably looked horrible.”  At least she knew whoever 
had access to the upper halls wouldn’t take much offense at the Queen 
acting like a little girl.  “I’m terribly sorry...”
        “That’s okay, Mama.”
        Mama?  Serena looked up into the eyes of her eighteen-year-old 
daughter.  She was wearing the same outfit Serena used to wear, a white 
gown with golden trim.  Her long pink hair almost rivaled Serena’s in 
length, pulled into two long pigtails, as the queen and princess had 
traditionally done for as long as both could remember.
        Serena felt tears welling up in her eyes.  Her daughter had been 
on the Fringe of the Moon Kingdom for quite some time now, righting 
wrongs as Sailor Moon.  And now she was home.  She tried to decide what 
to call her... Serena was her given name, although she was often called 
Princess Serenity.  But to Neo-Queen Serenity, there was only one name 
for this young woman.
        “Rini.”  She hugged her daughter tightly as a few tears trickled 
down her cheeks, even as the pair remained sitting on the floor of the 
castle.  “I’ve missed you.”
        “Not as much as I’ve missed you.”  She helped her mother stand up.  
“Didn’t Dad tell you I was here?  You sure looked surprised to see me.”
        “He...”  Uh oh.  “He was about to when I ran out of the room, I 
think.”  She giggled a little.  “Forgive your mother for a little 
episode of wanting to be a kid again?”
        “Always.”  Darien had walked up behind the pair, as Rini smiled at 
him.  “Now won’t this be a big hit... The three of us emerging from our 
chambers together.  Only Dad and you know I’m here, Mama,” she 
explained, “along with an old friend or two.  It’s a surprise that I’m 
here.  In fact... there are a few more surprises on the way.”
        Neo-Queen Serenity could hardly wait.

        Ami glanced around quickly as the crowd began to truly assemble.  
Heather had run off, and she was now nowhere to be found.  Quicksilver 
strikes again.
        Accepting the fact that Heather was either getting into a fight 
while defending the weak or rough-housing with the other girls, Ami 
scanned the crowd for other familiar faces.  She saw quite a few members 
of the medical board, along with their spouses.  Raye was waiting by the 
stairs for the Queen, signaling that Serena hadn’t arrived yet.  That 
was when she felt the tap on her shoulder.  “Excuse me, but don’t I know 
you?”
        Ami turned to see none other than Mina!  The two embraced one 
another for a good ten seconds before they held each other at arms’ 
length to look one another over.  Mina had been at the Fringe for the 
past two years, acting as ambassador for the Moon Kingdom.  She looked 
almost the same to Ami’s eyes... same perfect figure, same waist-length 
blond hair, this time pulled back with an elegant pearl- encrusted 
clasp.  Her golden dress sparkled in the lighting of the hall.
        Ami was admittedly less noticeable.  Her bluish hair now hung to 
her shoulders, contrasting the powder blue of her gown.  She wore a 
golden pendant, which very few knew was actually a micro-communications 
device in case she was urgently needed elsewhere.  She had definitely 
aged, as raising a daughter will do to someone, but she was happy.
        Ami smiled brightly at her friend.  “It’s so wonderful to see you!  
How’s the Fringe?”
        “Exciting, to say the least.  We’ve run into a pack of 
Negaversians controlling a coalition of planets, and are on the verge of 
another war.  But we’re winning, mainly because Rini’s really coming 
into her own as Sailor Moon.”
        “Oh, you’ve been with Rini?  How is she?”
        “She’s... she’d doing real well.  Misses her mom, of course, but 
she’s tough.”
        “Anyone who comes back in time at age five to save her world tends 
to get tough fast.”  Ami smiled.  “Speaking of tough kids, have you seen 
Heather around?”
        “I think she was out at the park by the reflecting pool.  Angela 
was watching her to keep her out of trouble.  Don't worry, she’ll drag 
them both back in on time.”
        Ami remembered Mina’s adopted ‘daughter.’  “How’s Angela doing?”
        “Pretty well.  In fact, I’m going to officially present her 
tonight.  I think she’s really ready to go.”
        “Now Mina...”
        “I know, I know, don’t push things, don’t re-live my Sailor V days 
through her.  Trust me, she’s good.  I think she’s really ready for the 
responsibilities.”  Mina smiled as she looked around for her seat.  
“We’d better find our seats.  There are a few more surprises on the 
way.”

        Raye tapped her foot in annoyance.  Where was the meatballhead?  
Leave it to her to be late for her own banquet.  She was about to storm 
up the stairs to the Royal suites when the trumpeters began to play.  
About time.
        Soon, the silhouettes of three figures began to descend the 
stairs.  “Three?” she mumbled to herself.  “I thought it was only Serena 
and Darien... omigosh!”  Raye gasped as she saw the last person she had 
expected to.  Rini was here!  She had to stop herself from running up 
and giving her a huge hug to greet her.
        Apparently, everyone in the hall had the same thoughts.  
Everything went dead silent, jaws dropped everywhere.  Raye looked out 
over the crowd, and saw Mina absolutely beaming... Mina too!  This was 
like a family reunion!  If only Lita were around...
        She pushed the sad thoughts from her mind as she focused on the 
joy of being able to talk to Rini and Mina again.  It was a rare treat 
to be able to talk with one of them... both was an unexpected treasure.
        As always, Serena was as regal and beautiful as ever.  Raye smiled 
as she looked on the pair so obviously meant for one another.  At one 
time, she might have been jealous that Serena had looks, charm, a 
kingdom, and Darien, but she knew better now.  Serena was always going 
to be the Queen, and Raye wasn’t.  Besides, being Serena’s chief advisor 
suited her well.  Raye smiled and nodded in acknowledgment of the royal 
trio, all or whom nodded back at her.  Rini’s face burst into a wide 
grin.
        Dinner was as it usually was, long and drawn out, but all of the 
food was wonderful.  If nothing else, Neo-Queen Serenity ensured the 
employment of the kingdom's chefs at all times.  Everyday meals were 
incredible... banquets like this were fantastic.
        Soon after the last course, the people came to ask the Queen for 
favors and the like.  This was Raye and Ami’s turn... they had to be 
there to help Serena decide on these issues.  Some of them were trivial, 
some of immense importance.
        There were the usual pleasantries and greetings before each person 
came forwards to ask their favors.  One man told a sad story about how 
his business burned to the ground, and he begged for her to restore it.  
Raye smiled sadly... Serena’s powers were great, but she couldn’t bring 
back the past.  “He’s telling the truth, right?” she whispered.
        Serena nodded, her hand on the Silver Crystal.  “Why not offer him 
an extended, interest-free loan, until he can rebuild and start anew?”  
Serena smiled, and repeated Raye’s suggestion.  He left elated.
        And so the night went, some asking for a wound healed, some asking 
for a decision over a quarrel, some asking for a dead family member 
revived.  The Royal family did what they could, but had to explain once 
again the limits of their powers.  “We cannot restore the past so 
easily,” said the Queen sadly.  “To do so would place a great burden on 
myself and any who might help me.  My heart goes out to all of you who 
have lost a friend or family member.  But against all of my wishes, I 
cannot help you.”
        Then came something Raye never expected in her entire life.  Mina 
stepped forwards, behind her a young girl.  She was possibly thirteen or 
fourteen, about the age when she herself had become a Sailor Scout.  Her 
hair was jet black, hanging down to the middle of her back.  She wore a 
simple, pale yellow dress, adorned by a white cloak.  The girl’s eyes 
were turned down, towards the ground, out of what could only be termed 
shyness.  She reminded Raye of quite a few of them, so long ago:  The 
bashfulness of Ami; the beauty of Mina; the dark hair of herself.
        “My Queen, my friend,” she began, “I’m here today to officially 
present my daughter to the royal court...” Raye gasped in pleasant 
surprise as Mina continued with the standard formalities.  She felt a 
tear coming to her eyes as she realized exactly what was going on.
        Mina was presenting her adopted daughter for a power diffusion.  
She was presenting her choice for the next Sailor Venus.
        Serenity’s jaw dropped as she realized what was truly being asked.  
“So, I offer my daughter to you for evaluations.”  She whispered 
something to the girl, who looked up and smiled, meekly.
        “Your Majesties, my name is Angela Denari.”  Her voice was soft 
and sweet, but very quiet.  “I would be honored to join the family of 
royal protectors as Sailor Neo-Venus.”  The pure sincerity of her words 
struck to the hearts of all present.
        Ami turned to the Queen and nodded.  Raye turned and whispered to 
her, “If Mina knows she’s ready, and this girl is willing to accept all 
the responsibilities of being a Sailor Scout, I’d say go for it.  But, I 
would make sure she knows what she’s getting into before anyone does 
something as final as a power diffusion.”
        Serenity nodded.  Raye knew that a diffusion was final... any 
power copied over to a new Scout would reside there forever.  
Traditionally, a mother passed them to her daughter.  Mina’s adopted one 
was a stretch, but she fit the criteria.  Still, it was questionable 
that a life of righting wrongs on the wild-and-crazy fringe worlds would 
constitute training for a Scout.
        Neo-Queen Serenity stood and smiled.  “Venus, Angela, I want to 
welcome you both back to Crystal Tokyo.  I hope your stay is a long
one.  
I say this because I want to make sure you both understand the process 
of power diffusion.  It is irreversible, and I do not want either of you 
to regret your decision.  That is why I have decided to postpone 
decisions on a diffusion for one week.”  The murmurs around the hall 
seemed to agree with the Queen, despite the dejected look on Mina’s 
face.
        “Yes, my queen,” she said quickly, then turned to leave.
        “Mina...”  She turned to look back at Neo-Queen Serenity... no, 
Serena.  This was a message from friend to friend.
        “Yes, my Neo-Queen...”
        “It’s good to have you back.”
        She smiled.  “It’s good to be back, Serena.”  The gathered 
populace gasped at the use of the Queen’s given name, but the inner four 
all knew nothing would come of it.  The Sailor Scouts would always be 
the closest of friends, come what may.

        Heather ran to Princess Rini after the banquet had closed, eager 
to see her ‘cousin’ again.  “Rini!  How was the Fringe?  Was it 
exciting?  I can’t wait until I’m a Sailor Scout, so I can blast the 
Negaverse to bits out there, and...”
        “Heather, calm down.  Being a scout isn’t always fun and games.”  
Rini looked out the window sadly.  “I became a Sailor Scout very early 
in life.  I missed out on a lot of the things most kids get to do.  Be 
glad for the time you have... one day, you’ll be a Scout too.”
        “But I wanna be a scout NOW!”
        “Give it time,” said Katherine across the room.  A student of 
Raye’s, she was almost a clone of her.  Calm, quiet, spiritual.  Only 
the golden blonde hair and blue eyes set her apart from the Queen’s 
chief advisor.  In fact, it was believed that Kat would one day become 
Mars’ successor.  “From what I’ve heard about the Queen herself, jumping 
into being a scout can really mess up your life.”
        Heather just slumped down into a chair, frustrated about not 
getting her way.  Rini sympathized... all she wanted was to go home, and 
to get the Silver Crystal from her mother, way back when she was five.  
When she didn’t complete her objectives, she was often just as 
frustrated.  But eventually, she won, and got to go back home.  Then she 
spent a few years learning how to be a Sailor Scout, in the past again.  
“Heather,” she finally said, “I know what it’s like to have to wait.  
Give it time, and you’ll get what you need.”
        The knock at the door came just in time to break up the awkward 
moment.  It was Venus, known as Aunt Mina to everyone in the room.  
“Hi,” she chimed.  “I thought you girls should speak with Angela a bit, 
seeing as sooner or later, you’ll be working together.  Bye!”  She 
disappeared, and a timid, black-haired girl walked in.
        Rini waved with a cheery, “Hi!”
        Angela only bowed and murmured, “Your majesty.”
        Rini laughed out loud, a sound that startled the shy girl.  “C’mon 
now, none of that.  If we’re going to work together, we’ve gotta treat 
each other like friends.  Everyone knows me as Princess Serenity or 
Princess Serena.  But around people I really know, I’m just plain
Rini.”  
She extended a hand to her.  “Nice to meet you, Angela.”
        Angela took the hand, looking unsure if she should shake it or 
close her eyes and bow.  In the end, she simply squeezed a little, then 
let go.  “Uh... I guess I should really introduce myself...”  She 
fidgeted a little as she stood right in front of the door.  Looking 
around the room for SOME sign of safety in the room, she spotted Heather 
in a corner.  Exchanging smiles, she started off with, “My name is 
Angela Denari, I come from a planet known as...”

        “...Whedrii 4,” explained Mina to her three close friends.  “She’s 
fourteen years old.  Her parents were drained and killed before her 
eyes, when she was... how old was she... Seven, I think.  I, as Venus, 
saved her from the same fate.  She was shaken up pretty bad after that, 
so I took her in as Mina.  She still was fascinated by Sailor Venus, 
though, so I had to compete for her attention with myself.  When she was 
eight, she learned we were the same person, and she latched onto us... 
me ever since.  Started calling me ‘mom’ a year or two ago, although she 
could undoubtedly take care of herself by now.  She’s a great survivor 
when things come down to the wire.”
        “Now,” she continued, “I hadn’t ever given much thought to passing 
the torch to her.  But one day, a couple months ago, I ran into Rini on 
a Fringe World.  We exchanged out hellos, then got attacked.  And much 
to my surprise, Angela jumped in and pulled us out of the fire, without 
any powers or anything!  Right then, I started training her to be a 
Sailor Scout, like I trained myself for being Sailor V.  Trust me, she’s 
good, even if she is shy around people.”
        Ami smiled.  “She sounds like a wonderful girl.  I’ve heard she’s 
taken a liking to Heather, as well.”
        “Oh, yeah, those two get along real well.  Kinda surprised me.  
I’d think the two of them are complete opposites.  Maybe our kids got 
switched, Ami.”  Both chuckled at the idea of mistaken children.
        “Speaking of kids,” interrupted Serena, “How’s the man hunt going, 
Raye?”
        The dark-haired girl sighed.  “Serena, cut it out.  You know I 
don’t have time for that.”
        “Aw, I had time.  Ami had time.  In a way, Mina had time too.  
What are you waiting for?”  Serena was getting a kick out of this, Mina 
could see.
        Raye wasn’t.  “That’s enough, Meatballhead!”
        Serena’s eyes narrowed as a grin spread across her face.  “Oooh, 
going for name calling, are we?  Flamebrain!”
        Raye tried to keep the smile from appearing.  “Noodlenose!”
        Serena took it in stride and ‘fired’ again.  “Matchstick!”  By 
now, the other two girls were rolling in laughter.  It had been a long 
time since they last saw the pair at it.
        “Spaghetti face!”
        “Disco Inferno!”
        “Ouch!”  Raye broke down laughing.  “That one did it!”  All four 
spent a minute or two trying to overcome the giggles that seemed to have 
conquered the room.
        After a while, Serena sighed.  “I wish...”  She seemed to catch 
herself before saying something she didn’t want to.  “Nevermind.”
        Mina wanted to know.  The Queen’s wishes should never go unheard.  
“What?”
        “Well... it’s...” she sighed.  “It’s too late to not tell.  I wish 
Lita were here.”  That sobered the group quickly.  It had been twelve 
years since the incident they would all remember.

*****

        Static exploded on the radio, making it nearly impossible to hear 
Lita’s voice.  “Negav..sian G..erals blasted the ship!  Goi.. .own, 
goin. .. .ry an. .... th.s puppy in one piec..  Send... coord...tes no., 
plea.. ...eone get them a.. .ind us.  Alp.a Chi Omega five nine tw. 
ma.....en th.......rk f... wo three......... oh, no.............”
        And the radio went dead.

        Queen Neo-Serenity ordered an all-out search of the sectors Lita 
might have been talking about, but they found no evidence of Negaversian 
interference.  They believed they had found the ship, but it had 
exploded upon impact, killing everything inside.  There wasn’t enough 
left of the bodies to even distinguish them from the dirt around the 
ship.
        All four wept silently at the death of their closest friend, one 
of THE originals.  It was harder than anything they had ever imagined, 
having to deal with the death of their friend like that.  It had 
happened once before, during the final battle against Queen Beryl.  But 
they had a job to do then, and were distracted from the true impact of 
Lita’s death then.
        This was harder than anything they had experienced before... and 
it would forever haunt their minds... over the loss of a friend...

*****

        “I’m sorry,” whispered Serena as she wiped away a tear.  “It... 
just jumped to my mind, and... I... I spoke before I thought...”
        “Hey,” said Raye, a faint smile on her face.  “We all miss her.  
But... I think she’s here, with us, now.”  It was a good enough lie to 
try and calm Serena, Raye thought.  She didn’t feel her spirit anywhere 
nearby.  Not that it couldn’t here... twelve years is a long time to 
remember someone well enough to attune yourself to her spirit.  But the 
odds were infinitesimal for Lita returning in any form.
        The four linked hands, forming a broken ring where Lita would have 
been.  All four shed their tears as they closed the circle, remembering 
the girl that had been their friend.

        It was too bad the shuttlecraft careening in-system was perceived 
as a threat to the new Moon Kingdom.  Missiles, lasers, and dozens of 
police craft moved to intercept, and if necessary, destroy the stray 
vehicle, on a heading straight for Crystal Tokyo.

*****

TO BE CONTINUED...

        All right, here’s some stuff you should have caught on your first 
pass through, or should need extra info on.
        Did you notice Ami’s daughter’s initials?  Heather Gwen Courier?
I know, I know, bad pun, but I couldn't resist.  In fact, I got the idea
from the newsgroup (thanks go out to whoever that was!)
        (The last name, comes from another Fanfic of mine, still in 
development.  Suffice it to say that in the future, Ami falls in love
with
someone named Matthew Courier :)

        I wasn’t sure how to go with ages here... I figured the four 
Sailor Scouts needed to be both single and active scouts when Rini 
returned at age 5.  So, Rini is at least five-plus-a-few years older 
than the next biological daughter.  Note I circumvented this problem by 
having an adopted daughter or two :)

        And, just in case you’re worrying... LITA’S ONE OF MY FAVORITE 
SCOUTS.  DO YOU REALLY THINK I’D OFF HER?
        Thank you for your time :)

Comments?  Critiques?  Confusions?  Questions?  Queries?
Call!

From: Jason Metcalf <jmetcalf@oboe.calpoly.edu>
Subject: [Fanfic] Passing the Torch 2/3
Date: Fri, 08 Nov 1996 08:42:27 -0800

Passing the Torch
Part II
By Jason Metcalf

If you haven't read Part 1, you'll be floundering... e-mail for more
information, and remember, ANY AND ALL COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!!!

jmetcalf@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu

*****

        "Okay, coming in-system... you know what to do, Zeus?"
        OBJECTIVE: REACH CRYSTAL TOKYO
        "In one piece, remember."
        OBJECTIVE: REACH CRYSTAL TOKYO IN ONE PIECE
        "You're a laugh a minute."
        THEY WILL BE STARTLED TO SEE YOU
        "Why?  They've never met me."
        CONSIDER YOUR PAST
        "Ah.  Good point."
        WARNING: UNKNOWN OBJECTS APPROACHING AT HIGH VELOCITY; FLIGHT 
PATTERN SUGGESTS A DEFENSIVE PERIMETER
        "Lifeforms?"
        SCANNING... NONE DETECTED
        "All right... power up the shields and heavy weaponry.  Let's show 
them we mean business."

        Serena was holding her friends' hands, trying to keep from losing 
it completely, when her husband burst in.  Serena whirled about and 
quickly wiped away her tears.  "Y-yes?"
        Darien paused for a moment.  "Serena?  Are you all r... no, no 
time for that.  Crystal City is apparently under attack, we need you 
right away!"
        That was all the catalyst she needed.  Taking the Silver Crystal 
in hand, she thought of herself in a simple white and gold jumpsuit.  
Now much more suited for the war room, she ran for the door.  The other 
girls would have to come in full dress... ah, the joys of having an 
infinite wardrobe in the palm of your hand.
        Darien was dead on... though why she doubted him, she couldn't 
say.  Perhaps it was blind hope that another invasion wasn't on its
way.  
In any case, there was trouble that needed to be dealt with.  She turned 
to the chief scanning officer, and said, "What's happening?"
        "Uh, well, your highness,"
        She certainly didn't have time for this.  "Cut the formalities, 
please, and call me Serenity."
        "Y-yes, Serenity..."  He tapped a few commands into his main 
computer, then said, "We have an bogey coming from out-system.  It's 
just passed Saturn, en route to Earth.  We estimate it should reach 
orbit in twenty minutes."
        "Just one Shuttlecraft?"
        "Y-yes," he stammered, "but it seems to be very heavily shielded 
and armed.  Like it came expecting trouble."
        "Mmm hmm."  Serena looked at the blip moving ever closer on the 
monitor.  "And you've dispersed a standard automated defensive blockade, 
right?"
        "Yes ma'am."
        "Good.  Let's let him make the next move."  She watched the spot 
approaching the arc representing the first line of defense...

        ESTIMATED TIME UNTIL CONTACT: 1:30
        "Gotcha.  Weapons on-line and charged?"
        AFFIRMATIVE  PHOTON LASERS AT 100%  PULSE BLASTERS AT 100%  
SHIELDS AT 90%
        "What?  Why are shields down?"
        ENERGY CONSERVATION...
        "That's the last thing I need now, Zeus!  Gimme full power!"
        IF SHIELDS ARE RAISED TO 100% POWER USAGE WILL BE TOO HIGH TO 
SAFELY RE-ENTER EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE
        "Now you tell me."
        I WAS TRYING TO
        "Shut up and give me a time reading!"
        ESTIMATED TIME UNTIL CONTACT: 1:04
        "All right.  Are the drones doing anything?
        FOLLOWING STANDARD DEFENSIVE BLOCKADE PROTOCOLS, AS DESCRIBED BY 
GRAND COMMANDER
        "Okay, and there's no life aboard them, right?"
        AFFIRMATIVE
        "Then let's make a hole, then go through."
        STRATEGY EXHIBITS TWO DIMENSIONAL THINKING
        "You got any better ideas?"
        NEGATIVE
        "Then shaddup!"
        ESTIMATED TIME UNTIL CONTACT: 0:45
        "Thanks."
        YOU'RE WELCOME
        "You're impossible, you know that?"
        ILLOGICAL... I EXIST, THEREFORE HOW CAN I BE IMPOSSIBLE?
        "You do realize I'm gonna scrap you as soon as we get to Crystal 
Tokyo, don't you?"
        THAT WOULD BE TOTALLY ILLOGICAL, AS YOU CONVENIENTLY DECIDED NOT 
TO MEMORIZE THE DEFENSE CODES FOR THE TORVIS SYSTEM'S AUTOMATED 
DEFENSES.  THEREFORE, YOU NEED ME TO OPERATE THE COMM SYSTEM UPON OUR 
RETURN
        "Then tell me the codes, you stupid machine!"
        I WANT TO STAY ALIVE
        "Then just gimme a contact countdown!"
        ESTIMATED TIME UNTIL CONTACT: 0:20
        "All right.  Do a last minute low-level diagnostic on all systems, 
fix anything you see is broken.
        WORKING...
        "Okay, you little rust buckets, time to fry."
        ALL SYSTEMS OPERATING NOMINALLY.
        "Time?"
        ESTIMATED TIME UNTIL CONTACT: 0:05
        "Then let's rumble."

        "They've reached the defense fleet, Ma'am."
        Raye came into the War Room just as the fireworks started.  A 
small red blip had veered hard to port, drawing a few defense ships with 
it to compensate.  A bad tactic, Raye knew, even before the shuttle blew 
away a few shuttles to open a hole for itself.  She cursed softly as she 
saw the green blips vanish one at a time.  "How many pilots are we 
losing out there?"
        "None, Councilor Hino.  Those are automated drones."
        "Oh."  Raye looked over the various screens, then saw a ship she 
didn't recognize.  "Is that the shuttlecraft?"
        "Yes, Ma'am."  Raye looked it over quickly, then smiled.
        "Serenity, that ship has life-form detecting sensors on it.  IT 
knows it's shooting at drones."
        "So what do you suggest?"
        "Send some pilots after it."
        Serenity nodded quietly.  "I hope you're right, Raye."
        And to herself, Raye did too.

        UNKNOWN OBJECTS APPROACHING AT HIGH VELOCITY
        "Woo hoo.  Any way we can radio them and tell them to back off?"
        NEGATIVE:  RADIO SIGNALS ARE INCOMPATIBLE
        "All right, Lifesigns?"
        SCANNING... ONE LIFE FORM PER VEHICLE
        "Okay, now this gets interesting.  Any way to disable the craft 
without destroying them?"
        50% INTENSITY PHOTON LASER BLAST TO THE MAIN ENGINE SHOULD DISRUPT 
IT LONG ENOUGH FOR AN ESCAPE
        "I'm not talking escape... will that let me get through to Earth?"
        AFFIRMATIVE
        "All right.  Then let's do it!"

        "He's moving to intercept the second wave, Ma'am."
        Serena nodded eagerly, wanting to see what the intruder would do.  
Mina and Ami had arrived, eager to find out what was happening.  "Take 
defensive actions.  Don't let him through, but don't blow him up."
        "They'll try their best to... One ship just lost power to main 
engines.  One shot, and he disabled out fighter."
        "He's good," Raye mumbled.  Then she saw something odd... and took 
command of the situation.  "Have the fleet fire upon the craft to 
disable, not destroy.  And be careful, he might have little to no 
shields."
        "Yes, Councilor Hino."  The blips moved as commanded, and the 
rouge ship moved as Raye had expected it to, increasing her suspicions.
        Only one way to find out for sure.  "Move the ships into pattern 
Delta-Orion-eighteen."  And when the ship shifted its course exactly as 
she has planned it would, she snapped her fingers.  "That ship is 
important.  Let it land."
        "What?!?"  Serena started her in the face.  "Are you kidding?  
That thing is dangerous!  It's blown up four drones, disabled three 
piloted ships..."
        "And injured or killed no one.  And it knew exactly how our 
strategic flight patterns worked, all the holes in them.  And there's 
only one person who knows all of that."  And with that, she ran from the 
room.

        By the time Ami reached the landing platform, Raye and Mina were 
already on-hand, in their Sailor Scout uniforms.  Serenity had gone to 
summon Rini, leaving only Ami behind.  She ran as fast as she could, 
transforming into Sailor Mercury in a flash of blue light.
        And just in time as the shuttle settle to a smooth landing.  It 
looked like it was easily big enough for five or six passengers, though 
it could be operated by one with enough computerization.  The main ramp 
lowered with a hiss of compressed air, and billows of steam vented from 
inter-ship coolant systems.  Then, a small figure emerged at the top of 
the ramp.
        Raye and Lita gasped.  Ami couldn't see the figure for another 
second, but when she did, her head suddenly felt light.  The world 
became blurry as she collapsed to the ground.  For Ami had just seen a 
ghost.

        Serenity cradled Ami's head as she slowly awoke... she could 
imagine the shock at seeing the young girl before them.
        She was wearing a white and green pressure suit, with a deep green 
visor covering her eyes.  But her face was unmistakable familiar, added 
to her auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail.  She might have been as 
tall as Serenity, despite the fact that she looked no older than ten or 
eleven.  It was like looking at a young version of Lita.
        She had begun to remove her space suit upon landing, revealing an 
jumpsuit very reminiscent of Lita's Sailor uniform.  Serena herself had 
to catch her breath after seeing the young clone.  The emotional roller 
coaster she had been on all day was starting to turn her stomach.  As 
Ami awoke, she stared at the young girl, and almost snarled, "Who are 
you, and why did you attack our ships?"
        The girl laughed as she fingered a small golden pendant draped 
about her neck.  "Well, if you people would have listened to my radio 
hails..."
        Ami groggily spoke up, reacting to the phrase and not the person 
who said it.  "Radio?  We don't use that anymore.  It's too primitive."
        "Well, that's your problem, then."  She laughed a little, then 
extended a hand.  "I'm Beth.  I assume you're Serenity, and Sailors 
Mars, Mercury, and Venus?"
        "Y-yes...  what are you here for?"
        "I'm here to find the Sailor Scouts... to find you four.  We've 
got a problem back home that we need your help with."  She looked up.  
"My mom needs your help, especially."
        "Your... mom?"  Venus crouched besides the girl.  "Who's that?"
        "She said you guys are supposed to know her.  Her name's Lita."

        After some surprised gasps, Serenity and the three scouts secretly 
led young Beth into the palace.  Cautiously closing the door to the 
Queen's room behind them, they began what amounted to a chaotic 
interrogation.
        "So you say Lita's alive?  Tell us everything..."
        "Where is she?  We saw the wreckage for ourselves..."
        "If this is some kind of hoax, then you'll be sorry..."
        "You'd better be telling the truth, because if you're not..."
        She had heard enough by now.  "Listen, all of you, SHUT UP!"  The 
silence that reigned afterwards was almost as bad as the constant 
questioning.  "You want the whole story, I'll give it to you.  As much 
as I know."
        Beth saw by their expressions that they were at least somewhat 
impressed by her bearing in front of the princess.  She had to grow up 
fast back home, and with growing up came an incredibly strong will.  
"You all know about the shuttlecraft crashing.  Well, we lost radio 
contact when the shuttle hit.  Come to think of it, we lost the rest of 
the ship, too.
        "Anyway," she continued, "There were about five survivors that 
could run, walk, or hobble from the ship.  Mom was one of them.  She 
pulled about seven more from the wreckage before the reactor core went 
critical.  The ship blew, and everything inside was atomized.  No one 
knows how many really died that day, but it was bad.
        "Anyway, turns out it WAS the Negaverse who attacked, but only a 
handful of captains, not generals, like we had thought.  Mom took them 
out easily, although there was a rumor that more would be on their way.
        "So, Mom helped the people get ready to defend themselves.  Back 
then, Torvis was only a little more advanced than late twentieth century 
tech.  At least that's what Mom said.  She boosted tech with her 
knowledge, and helped everyone set up a good defensive perimeter.  She 
said she set up the one for Earth, too."  That drew a smile from 
everyone in the room.
        "Anyway, she was seen as a hero when the first wave got knocked 
back.  And when the second was stopped, she was more or less chosen as 
the Grand Commander of Torvis.  Like some goddess from a legend or 
something, the Great Thunderer.  It sounded corny, but Mom took the 
role, if it meant she could keep helping everyone.  She also got married 
to a guy there, then had me."  Beth grinned sheepishly.
        Her smile soon dissolved into a sigh, though.  "But now, Mom's 
sick.  And the Negaverse is massing a fleet against Torvis.  If she 
doesn't get better soon, we won't be able to hold them back.  Mom says 
she's just a figurehead, and that the people could win on their own, but 
they rely on her too much.  That's why she wants the Sailor Scouts to 
come... moral support."
        Silence reigned.  It was quite a feat, Beth presumed, to swallow 
the fact that their long-dead friend wasn't dead at all.  And that 
suddenly, this child shows up, asking for help.  "I know it's hard to 
believe, but you've got to.  It's Mom's life we're talking about, and my 
whole planet's."

        Heather slipped away from the balcony as easily as she had gotten 
there.  Sometimes she resented being a kid, but at times like this, her 
size and agility certainly came in handy.
        Swinging up to her friends' room, she shook her head.  "I don't 
get it.  They're talking about the Negaverse and one of the Scout's old 
friends.  I think it might have been the one who died a while ago."
        "A-aunt Lita?"  Rini gasped.  "Is she alive?  Mom told me to wait 
here, I couldn't see anything..."
        Heather shrugged as she re-told Beth's story.  "The girl DID look 
like all the pictures I've seen of her.  All three or four... Mom 
doesn't keep many pics of Aunt Lita around."
        "Interesting."  Kat leaned against a wall in thought.  "I wonder 
if Sailor Jupiter is still alive."
        "She's gotta be," blurted Rini.  "It all makes sense... some 
passengers surviving, the others getting cremated in the explosion... 
we'd have no way of taking a body count, but it LOOKED like everyone 
died.  It just makes sense."
        "Well," said Heather with a sigh, "I don't know about any of this.  
I never knew Aunt Lita, although Mom sometimes tells me stories of how 
she and the other Scouts beat all sorts of baddies."
        "I've gotta talk with her," said Rini bluntly.  "If she knows 
about Aunt Lita..."
        "If she's her kid, I THINK she'd know," chuckled Heather.
        Rini shot her a nasty look, then continued.  "If she knows, then 
she's the real deal.  I bet Mama and the scouts are too excited to hear 
the news that they aren't asking the right questions."
        "But..." Angela finally spoke up.  "do you think they're going to 
let you in?  I mean..." she looked around nervously.  "...you are the 
Princess, b-but... you know... this might be something between just... 
just them..." her voice trailed off in embarrassment.
        Heather laughed.  "Yeah, Mom always was close to the other three 
Scouts.  She'd probably want to keep it 'in the family' type stuff.  Of 
course," she said with a conspiratorial smile, "There are ways around 
that fact."

        Elizabeth was happier than she ever remembered at the idea of a 
hot shower and a soft bed.  She had spent three solid weeks in the 
shuttlecraft, waiting until that final moment she would reach Earth.  
Three solid weeks of only Zeus for company.  That was torture in itself.
        Zeus was still a loyal companion, though.  He was almost an 
advisor to her, trying to point her down the right path, even if it was 
a computer-generated one.  His AI system was the absolute most advanced 
one on Torvis... her Mom had seen that she received only the best in her 
shuttlecraft.
        She smiled as she snuggled deeper into her bed that night.  It was 
so nice to be able to sleep somewhere other than the hard bunks of the 
Thunderbolt, as she had dubbed her ship.  Ever since her mother had 
saved the people of Torvis, lightning was seen as almost magical and 
god-like.  Beth knew better, of course... the lightning was her mom's 
Sailor powers.  But if it gave them hope for victory, it was well worth 
it.
        Beth pulled the sheets a little closer, simply loving the 
experience of a comfortable bed... when her comlink beeped.  EXTREMELY 
annoyed, she grabbed it, and almost shouted, "What do you want, Zeus?!?"
        "MY APOLOGIES FOR DISTURBING YOU," came the metallic voice.  
"THUNDERBOLT SECURITY HAS BEEN BREACHED.  INTRUDER WITHIN."
        "Intruder?!?"  Beth leapt from her bed, quickly searching for her 
lightning-bolt pendant.  "Gimme a readout!"
        "FEMALE, BELIEVED PRE-ADOLESCENT.  SKILLED AT COMPUTER OPERATIONS.  
SHE HAS GAINED LEVEL FOUR - CORRECTION LEVEL THREE ACCESS."
        Level Three?  That was enough to initiate startup procedures!  
Beth grabbed a green cloak, then snapped up her comlink and began racing 
down the halls.  Someone had to stop whoever was messing with Zeus and 
the Thunderbolt, NOW.

        "We're running out of time, Heather..."
        "Just a second!"  Rini cautiously glanced around at the ramp to 
see if anyone was watching them.  Having the Moon Princess caught in a 
break-in would certainly NOT look good.  "Heather, hurry UP."
        "Almost there... I just hacked into Level Two access... I think I 
can get to her personal logs from here..."  Rini heard beeps coming from 
the cockpit as she ducked behind the ramp again.  She thought she saw 
something moving in the shadows...
        That was when she heard Kat's mock bird call.  The signal that 
company was on it's way.  "Heather, get out!  Someone's coming!"
        "Just a second... I'm in... Uh... oh.  Oh wow."
        Rini's panicked whisper was nearly a shout.  "HEATHER!!"
        "Uh, I'm coming, just let me shut down..."
        "NOW!"
        "Okay, I'm coming!"  The short girl dove down the ramp, tapping 
the close button as she bolted for nearby cover.  "Let's go!"
        Together, the two girls slid into a nearby bush and lay as still 
as they possibly could.  Beth came jogging onto the landing pad wearing 
a beautiful green cloak, glaring quickly around her ship.  After her 
quick survey, she mumbled something into her hand, after which a faint 
metallic voice could be heard.  Rini couldn't quite make it out, 
although it certainly sounded like a computer of sorts.
        Beth suddenly looked up, then grabbed her pendant in her hand.  
"Jupiter Powersuit, Activate!"  And in a crackle of green energy, Beth's 
outfit began to change.
        Her clothes morphed quickly into a type of uniform.  Massive green 
and black boots almost reached up to her knees, as did large gauntlet-
gloves on her forearms.  A black and green techno-vest formed over a 
white undersuit that covered her torso and legs.  A dark green visor 
spread across her eyes as she quickly scanned the landing pad again.  
This time, she locked onto Rini's position in a second.
        The Moon Princess panicked.  What would the kingdom think?  What 
would her MOTHER think?  That was when Heather popped up, unannounced.  
"Uh, hi, you looking for me... YIPE!"  The small girl dove for one side 
as a blast of electricity seared past her.
        "You were the one trying to break into the Thunderbolt, weren't 
you?"  Another blast scorched only inches from young Heather.  Rini was 
glad the kid was the most agile thing she had ever seen.  "Stay still!"
        "Whoa, whoa," she yelled, even as she flipped and rolled across 
the pad.  "Chill, I'm on your side!  Honest!"
        "Then why did you break into my ship?"
        "I had to see if you were the real deal!  And why didn't you tell 
Mom about the plague?"
        Plague?  Rini was totally confused now.  Beth, on the other hand, 
was panicked.  "Don't you dare tell anyone about that!  If it gets out,  
Torvis will be vaporized!"
        "Listen, Mom is the best medic in the kingdom!  She can help!"
        Beth lowered her gauntlets, sighing in dejection.  "No one would 
believe what's happening.  They have to see it to believe it!  And who 
is your mom, anyway?"
        "Ami Courier.  Sailor Mercury."  Heather smiled.  "Didn't know I 
was a Sailor Scout's kid, didja?"
        "No."  She hung her head in defeat.  "And now the word about the 
plague is out.  I'm ruined.  No one will help now."
        "Hey, I'd help, from what I saw in the message."  Rini was more 
confused than ever... exactly what did Heather read?
        "You mean you believe it?"
        "Mom always said my imagination runs way too wild."  Heather 
sighed.  "I guess I can imagine what's happening.  And I wanna help kick 
some Negatail, too!"
        "Oh no you're not!"  Rini stood quickly, then marched right over 
to her young friend.  "You're way too young for that.  Aunt Ami would 
kill me if I even considered letting you go on some hunt for glory!"
        "But Rini...!"
        "I said NO."
        Beth was obviously caught by surprise at seeing the Moon Princess 
leaping out of a bush.  "Hold on a second!"  She stormed over to Rini 
and looked up into her eyes.  "You mean you were helping... whoever she 
is break into the shuttle?  The PRINCESS?  This is too weird."  She 
slumped to the ground after leaning against the shuttle.  "TOO weird."
        "The names Heather, by the way," the young girl said with a smile.
        "Enough pleasantries," said Rini quickly.  "The longer we stay out 
here, the easier it'll be for someone to spot us.  And it won't look 
good for ANY of the Sailor Scout's daughters to be snooping around this 
shuttle at this hour.  C'mon, let's get back to the palace.  You can 
tell us about this 'plague' on the way."

        "Oh, my."  Angela shook her head trying to disbelieve the story.  
"That's... horrible."
        "You're telling me," quipped Beth.  "And there's no was we can 
stop them on our own, and... and with Mom out of the picture..."
        "Don't talk that way," interrupted Rini.  "Never say you've lost 
until you KNOW there's no way to win.  You've still got four Sailors and 
a Queen left..."
        "And what good'll that do?"  Heather sighed.  "Mom's told me she 
doesn't want to transfer her powers to me yet because I'm too young, but 
that she wonders if she'll still be able to fight when she needs to.  
She's out of practice.  No offense to your mom and all, Rini, but you're 
the only one left who still knows how to fight.  Maybe Aunt Mina too, 
but I doubt it."
        Katherine was shocked to hear such statements.  "Heather!"
        "N-no, she's right," added Angela quietly.  "Miss Hino and Mrs. 
Courier are out of practice, it's just... how things go.  Queen serenity 
passed on the powers of Sailor Moon a long time ago. And mother's said 
that she's getting old, and doesn't think she can keep fighting for much 
longer."
        "So what are you gonna do?"  Beth seemed eager to hear any and all 
ideas.
        "Well," said Rini with a sigh, "I guess we could push the Power 
Diffusion for Kat through... if you're ready, that is."
        "I... I think so..."
        "Good.  That takes care of one scout.  Raye can stay and take care 
of the kingdom for Mama.  Then maybe Angela would go through with it 
too?"
        "I'm ready for the responsibilities," she said in a soft voice 
that, for her, was quite forceful.
        Rini nodded.  "Then that's two.  Let's say I go, along with Aunt 
Ami, Mama, Kat, and Angela.  Can the ship hold six?"
        "It'll be tight, but yeah."
        "Then that's what we'll have to do.  And fast."  Rini glanced out 
the window.  "Before it's too late for Aunt Lita, the people of 
Torvis... and the Moon Kingdom."

*****

TO BE CONCLUDED...


rom: Jason Metcalf <jmetcalf@oboe.calpoly.edu>
Subject: [Fanfic] Passing the Torch 3/3
Date: Fri, 08 Nov 1996 08:43:06 -0800

Passing the Torch
Part III
By Jason Metcalf

You'll be totally confused without parts one and two... e-mail for more
information, and remember, ANY AND ALL COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!!!

jmetcalf@oboe.aix.calpoly.edu

*****

        Heather sighed as the group walked up to the Royal suites.  She 
had been hoping, for so long, that a chance to leave Earth would come.  
And now... she was stuck on the mudball for a while longer.  Without a 
mom, since she was heading to the Torvis.  Without a dad, because he's 
out fighting on the Fringe.  And the Aunt Serenity would be leaving, 
too.  That means she gets to stay with Aunt Raye.
        The thought made her cringe... Aunt Raye was nice, but way too 
strict.  Maybe if Aunt Mina was staying...
        And then she got an idea that brought a huge smile to her face.  
"I'll be right back," she said, as she turned and bolted down the 
hallway for her diary.  Maybe when Mom and Aunt Serenity saw about all 
the good things she recorded doing, she would be able to get a Power 
Diffusion, too!

        "Oh, Heather..." Serenity looked down at her with a kind but sad 
smile.  "I know you want to be a Sailor Scout more than anything.  But 
you're still to young.  Wait a year or two..."
        "It's not fair!  I'm as good as these girls, I've stopped fights 
at school lots of times, I've been good, really good!  I'm gonna be a 
Sailor sometime, why not now?"  She wiped her forearm across her eyes, 
to hide her tears from everyone present.  "It's not fair!"  And with 
that, she whirled and ran from the room.
        Ami blushed brightly, and slipped out to calm her down.  Serenity 
frowned.  "That girl has been begging me for the past two years to 
become a Sailor Scout.  And she keeps making it harder to say 'wait a 
little longer.'  I suppose one of these days, I'll have to give in."  
She tried to smile as Ami returned.
        "She didn't want to come back... so she went back to her room.  
I'm sorry about that, Serenity," she said, "Heather's been a lot more 
vocal about becoming a Scout these days..."
        "It's all right," she said with a smile.  "The next generation 
needs energy like that."  She turned to Raye and young Katherine
Wright.  
"Like this young girl has.  Katherine, I know these circumstances aren't 
the best, but do you understand all of the responsibilities and duties 
of being a Sailor Scout?"
        "Ra... I mean Miss Hino's taught me everything she knows, or so I 
think."  The two exchanged a smile.  "And I suppose that means yes, I do 
understand."
        Serenity nodded, then turned to Raye.  "Raye Hino, Sailor Mars, 
Councilor to the Queen, friend.  Do you feel that this girl has 
progressed in her training to become a full Sailor Scout, and do you 
accept the power diffusion process?"
        Raye bowed her head, and mumbled, "She's the best student I've 
had, ever.  She's ready.  And me... I guess..." Serenity had to blink 
back tears as she heard Raye's voice tremble a bit.  "I'm ready."  Kat 
placed a hand on the arm of the woman who was, in many senses, her 
mother.  Raye looked up and hugged her tightly.
        Serenity couldn't help but smile at the sight.  "In most cases, as 
was written by legend, a mother passed her energies to her daughter.  
here, we will make an exception.  Katherine, your loyalty to the kingdom 
is great.  I've had the honor of watching you grow under Raye's tutelage 
into a beautiful and smart young woman.
        "Raye..."  Serenity was definitely happy, but that little piece of 
Serena in her was about to bawl her eyes out.  Eventually, it won.  "Oh, 
Raye..."  Serenity bent down and hugged her friend, as if it was almost 
a good-bye.  She knew Raye would live on for quite some time... but 
something told her this was the TRUE end of the Sailor Scouts as she 
knew them.  Together, the pair wept silently for a few seconds, then 
Serena stood.  "Raye, you're amazing," was all she could say as she 
raised the Silver Crystal.
        The bright white light that filled the room penetrated Raye and 
Katherine completely.  Soon, wisps of red began to trail themselves 
between the pair, infusing the young girl with the woman's powers.  
Everyone present knew that the process would leave Raye nearly 
powerless, with most of her strength shifted over to Katherine.
        And yet, Raye smiled the entire time.  Serena knew what it felt 
like to give her powers to Rini once and for all.  Although you knew it 
was the end of your days as a Scout, you knew it was the true beginning 
of theirs.  Passing the torch was an emotional time, but Serena had 
handled it by focusing on the pride and joy of the christening of a new 
scout.
        Raye apparently was also.  For even as the white fire faded, And 
Raye's powers were gone to her, she was beaming.  And Katherine?  She 
looked around, most confused.  "Am I supposed to transform now?"
        Raye laughed.  "In time, Katherine.  You'll learn in time."
        Serenity smiled as Mina and Angela stepped up...

        Heather snarled to herself.  Still too young... Wait a year or 
two... "Right.  As if."  She rummaged through her drawers to find that 
last piece of clothing she knew she needed...
        Perfect.  She tied the blue bandanna around her neck, completing 
an interesting costume indeed.  Her white top contrasted the solid blue 
of the bow in front of her.  A knee-length skirt hung from her waist, 
hovering above blue and white high-tops.  Thin blue gloves covered her 
hands, and a bluish headband took the place of a tiara.  Looking herself 
over, she decided it was close enough to her mother's old uniform to do 
the job.
        Just to make sure she had the tools she needed, she grabbed her 
small wrist-computer, and strapped it on.  Then she carefully slipped 
from her room to see just how much she could do before she was missed.

        Mina and Raye had handed each young girl their old power pens, and 
instructed them on the basics.  "You'll probably start out like we did," 
Mina explained.  "Learning as you go.  New powers will just kinda pop 
into your head when you need them most."
        "And remember," said Raye, "Don't ever use them for personal gain.  
You're a Sailor Scout to protect the princess and fight evil, okay?"
        Rini groaned.  Would they ever stop thinking of her as a kid?  "I 
think I'm old enough to take care of myself..."
        "No point in taking chances, Rini," reminded her mother, as 
Katherine walked to the window.  "Don't forget that if someone stops 
you, then there will be no one to take over after me."
        "Don't worry about that," chimed the pink-haired girl.  "I'll be 
just fine out there..."
        "Excuse me," interrupted Kat.  "I think we have a problem."  She 
pointed out to the launching pad.
        Someone dressed like a makeshift Sailor Scout was just entering 
the Thunderbolt.

        Rini raced down the hallway at breakneck speeds, wanting to stop 
Heather before she did something foolish.  She took the small locket 
from the pocket of her jumpsuit, very similar to the one her mother wore 
in the War Room, then squinted.
        "Moon Crystal Power."
        Bands of pink light spun around her as she raced through the 
castle, transforming the Princess of the Moon Kingdom and heir to the 
throne to Sailor Moon, the self-appointed protector of the kingdom!  Her 
uniform was a collage of her old Chibi-Moon uniform and Serenity's old 
costume, mixing reds, whites, blues, and golds in a flashy (yet not 
gaudy) fashion.
        Falling in behind her was Katherine and Angela, nervously 
fingering their new transformation pens.  Sailor Moon turned back and 
smiled... "Just shout your planet, then power, like 'Venus Power.'  The 
pen will handle the rest!"  And Rini raced ahead.  Then she saw the 
glares of red and gold coming from behind, she knew the new scouts were 
ready to go.
        Emerging into the night, racing towards the landing pad, she saw 
Beth in uniform, following right behind.  "Don't tell me," shouted the 
young girl, "The blue-haired girl got into the shuttle again."
        "That's what we're thinking," said Sailor Moon with a nod of 
greeting.  "You know what's going on out there?"
        "Someone, probably that Heather-girl, broke in again, and she's 
getting awfully close to Level One Access.  That means she could lift 
off at any time if she hits the wrong button.  I'm the only one who 
knows that ship well enough to stop it."
        "Then you're in charge," Rini said with a smile.  The young girl 
grinned from ear to ear as they charged the shuttle.

        Mina looked out the window, a tear forming in her eye.  "There 
they go.  Their first real act as a team.  It's really over, isn't it?"
        Raye nodded sadly.  "It's their job now.  All we can do is teach 
them and guide them, like our mothers probably did..."
        "Did Serena and Ami go down too, or what?"
        Raye shrugged.  "I think they did.  Ami was going to try and talk 
with her daughter... I hope the munchkin doesn't do anything crazy, like 
try launching the shuttle."  As if on cue, a low whine emitted from the 
landing pads.  "Oh, boy."

        "What the... I didn't tell you to start up!"  Heather typed 
furiously on her mini-computer as she tried to discover what was 
happening.  "I didn't tell you to start up!  Cut it out!"
        CANNOT COMPLY, popped up the text on a small screen.  SAFETY 
SYSTEMS OVERRIDE IS IN PLACE.
        She was almost startled to see the ship 'talking' t her.  "What 
the... oh yeah, I disabled those.  Uh, so, Mr. Computer, exactly what 
would you suggest that I do?"
        THE ONLY AVAILABLE COURSE OF ACTION REMAINING IS FINAL 
PREPARATIONS FOR LIFT OFF EN ROUTE TO TORVIS.
        "Uh,"  Heather laughed feebly.  "I don't think my Mom would like 
that very much."
        "You're right, she wouldn't."  Rini came storming through the door 
in her Sailor Moon uniform, looking down at the computers.  "What've you 
done now, Heather?"
        "I didn't know I was doing it!  Honest!  I was just trying to 
access the logs again when... everything started going!"
        "Oh, man... You've started the launching sequence.  Gotta work 
fast."  Beth stared at the young girl.  "You gonna get out of my seat or 
not?"
        Heather slinked out quietly, then stood over in a corner.  Sailor 
Mars and Venus strode in, looking about carefully.
        Beth's hands flew over the touchpad, furiously trying to stop a 
serious problem from occurring.  Within a minute, she sighed.  "Miss 
blue-hair had locked out the override systems.  I can't stop the 
launch."  She managed a weak smile.  "Well, at least we've got three 
scouts here.  Everyone, strap in, we've gotta go before the engines 
overheat and go critical."
        Moon, Mars, and Venus all slipped into nearby chairs.  Heather 
tried to as well, only to gain a sharp cry from the young pilot.  "No ya 
don't!  You're not coming!  You messed up my ship!"
        "And I can fix it!"  She stubbornly sat down and belted herself 
in.
        Beth only sighed as she tapped the button to raise the ramp, even 
as she saw the Queen herself running down the walkway to the platform.  
Beth switched on the external speakers and said, "I'm sorry, your 
highness, but we've had a slight change of plans.  Find the coordinates 
for Torvis, and get there quickly... please."  And with that, she sat 
back.
        "Has anyone here ever experienced dimensional shift?"
        Everyone but Angela shook their heads.  Kat leaned forwards 
curiously and asked exactly what that was.
        "Essentially," explained Angela in a shocked tone, "It's leaping 
outside of our dimension to cut down on travel time.  It's also the 
single most dangerous way to travel through space."
        "And it's the only way to get to Torvis in less than a few weeks," 
ammended Beth.  The roar of the engines was getting stronger now.  "I 
didn't use it to get here, because I had to conserve fuel, and I knew I 
had the time.  THEN.  But now... time is short.  We gotta get there, 
fast."
        PREPARE FOR DIMENSIONAL SHIFT IN 1:00
        Beth smiled, and leaned back.  "One minute, everyone.  Nice 
knowing you, if this doesn't work."
        "What?"  Heather began to panic.  "If it doesn't work?  I don't 
wanna die!"
        Beth took a deep breath.  "You wanted excitement and adventure, 
didn't you?"
        Heather had to admit that she did.  "Well... yeah..."
        "Then you're about to experience more than you could ever want.  
So just sit back, shut up, and brace yourself."
        DIMENSIONAL SHIFT IN :30
        "Guys..." Rini spoke up, "I just wanted to say that... well, 
assuming we make it there, we've gotta stick together.  I mean, we're 
not exactly the toughest group around, but we ARE the Sailor Scouts, in 
one way or another.
        DIMENSIONAL SHIFT IN :15
        "What I'm saying is, I guess... Beth, Heather, if you're willing 
to work with me, I'm eager to work with you.  I'd be glad to have a 
Jupiter and a Mercury on my team."
        And Heather's dream finally came true in the least likely way she 
had expected it to, in her last few seconds on Earth.
        DIMENSIONAL SHIFT IN :05
        :04
        :03
        :02
        :01
        :00

        Serenity stood at the edge of the landing pad, knowing that they 
could safely get no closer.  Soon, the vehicle would lift off, and try 
to save Lita's life.  And she wasn't on board.
        Ami ran up beside her queen, gasping for air.  "Haven't run... 
like that... for a while... They're leaving... aren't they?"  Serenity 
nodded.  "Is... Quicksilver... on board?"
        "I think so.  It's ironic... the five people on board are the five 
heirs to the Sailor Scout legacy."  Serenity smiled.  "There go the next 
champions of love and justice."  She raised her hand, hoping those in 
the cockpit would be able to see them.  "In the name of the Moon, I bid 
thee..."
        The shuttle suddenly faded into nothingness.  "...F-farewell?"  It 
took a moment for the shock to fully set in.  They were totally, 
completely GONE.  "No... no, they can't be dead too!  NO!!!!!!"
        Serenity ran to the center of the landing pad, where the 
Thunderbolt once was, and screamed.  "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!  Not 
them too... I can't keep losing people I love... Not... not Rini..."  
She doubled over, exploding into tears.  "Not my Rini too..."

        During transit, the five girls had shuffled their seats to 
accommodate their specialties.  Rini had taken over the solo-pilot seat, 
aptly renamed the 'captain's chair.'  Beth had moved to the Flight 
Control Station in the front of the ship.  Angela sat beside her, at 
Tactical Systems.  Kat had moved back to the Science Station in the 
rear, along with Heather at the Ship's Operations.  They formed a 
cohesive crew, even with their differences.
        "Hey, blue-head," called back Beth, "You fixed Zeus yet?"
        "The name's HEATHER," she yelled in return.  "And I'm working on 
it.  He doesn't like me."
        "That's cause you fried his circuits!"
        "Maybe he's just jealous 'cause I figured out how to get through 
his defenses!"
        "Or maybe he just thinks you're ugly!"
        OR MAYBE I SIMPLY HAVE NO DESIRE TO BE REPROGRAMMED BY AN 
UNFAMILIAR FACE, flashed the message on both screens.
        Rini sighed.  "Listen, you two, we can't fight the whole way 
there.  If we're gonna stop the Negaverse, we've gotta work together."
        Angela nodded.  "We only have three hours before arrival... we 
should at least learn to work together by then."
        "All right," mumbled Beth.  "Zeus, trust me.  She won't mess 
something up on PURPOSE.  Let her into your source code."
        The computer screen flashed, IF MY MIND BECOMES CORRUPTED, 
REMEMBER WHO LET HER START MESSING WITH IT
        Beth frowned at Zeus's odd speech patterns, then glanced back at 
Heather.  "Listen, uh... what was your name again?"
        "Heather.  Heather, Heather, Heather, how many times do I have to 
tell you?"
        "Call her by one of her nicknames," said Kat with a smile.  "Just 
remember that she's Sailor Mercury's daughter.  Then call her 
Quicksilver, or her initials, H.G."
        Heather groaned in the back of the ship.  "Gotcha.  H.G., do me a 
favor and don't do anything too drastic with Zeus?  He was the only 
thing that kept me sane on the trip here."
        "Don't worry, Beth," she said with a smile.  "I won't do anything 
to him that I wouldn't do to my own computer."
        "Don't worry about Heather," quipped Kat.  "Just know that she's 
disassembled her mother's computer three times already, down to the 
chips on the boards..."  Beth jumped from her seat as Kat continued, 
"...and reassembled it perfectly every time."
        Angela giggled as Beth sighed in relief.  I GREATLY APPRECIATE 
HEARING THE OUTCOME TO THAT STORY, came the message.  ALTHOUGH I WOULD 
CERTAINLY MIND BEING DISASSEMBLED DOWN TO THE CHIPS.
        Angela smiled.  "Don't worry, Zeus, we'll take care of you."  She 
looked around, smiling at her new group of friends.  "This is too 
strange."
        "What is?"  Angela looked up from a scan of the parallel dimension 
they were traveling through.
        "This," Angela said with a gesture all about her.  "Think about 
it.  Five... five kids, out to stop what could be an impossibly 
difficult menace against a defenseless planet.  I don't know about you, 
but this is way too much deja vu for me."
        "Yeah," Heather called from the back.  "We really ARE the next 
Sailor Scouts now, aren't we?"
        "Sure are," laughed Kat as she typed a few commands into the 
computer.  "Even have an advisor, like that cat Raye and the Queen 
always spoke of."
        "Luna," Rini said with some fond memories.  "And now we have Zeus.  
Very apropos."
        I RESEMBLE THAT REMARK, came the message.
        Beth started.  "Since when did you have a sense of humor?" she 
called out.
        SINCE H.G. PROGRAMMED ONE INTO ME.  Beth sighed... "H.G., what did 
I tell you about that?"
        "I didn't mess with ANY original programming.  I just kinda... 
overlayed it with my own."
        Beth was about to jump up and strangle Heather when Rini laughed.  
"I sort of like this Zeus.  Well, then... are you all really ready to do 
this?  Sailor Scouts and all?"
        "One hundred percent," said Katherine in the back, wearing the 
garb of Sailor Mars.
        "Totally," added Angela, as Sailor Venus.
        "All the way," chimed Beth with a smile, dressed in her Jupiter 
techno-gear.
        Heather smiled.  "Do ya even need to ask?"  Even in her makeshift 
sailor's uniform, she looked like a real fighter.
        Rini smiled.  "All right, then.  For Torvis, for the Moon Kingdom, 
for justice and freedom..."  She stood from her chair, her long pink 
pigtails draping behind her.  Placing her hand palm-down in front of 
her, she said, "...In the name of the Moon..."
        Kat got the idea fast enough.  Standing and placing her hand over 
Rini's, she said "...and Mars..."
        Angela joined in.  "...and Venus..."
        Then Beth smiled, and tossed her hand in too.  "...and Jupiter..."
        Heather wasn't about to be left out.  "...and Mercury."
        Rini smiled brightly, knowing that, somehow, everything was coming 
full circle right here and now.  The protectors of the Moon Kingdom had 
just been reborn.  "We ARE the Sailor Scouts!"

*****

The Beginning...

This was an expirimental type story for me.  I'm HOPING it's not too
offensive to purists, because I may have fudged the future Sailor Moon
storyline too much... It was something that popped into my head, so it's
certainly not that well planned out.  But, if responses are good enough,
this MIGHT become an ongoing series :)

So... 
Comments?  Questions?  Loved it?  Hated it?