Windwalker Chronicles

Journal Entry #12

Did I mention all this new find ability in Air magic doesn't come with an instruction manual?

It was a quiet morning in Crystal Tokyo, especially in this section of the city. The only signs of life on the street at this time were a man and a cat, walking slowly down the street.

The man was of medium height, with dark hair and plain features, dressed in a light grey sweatsuit with sneakers. He glanced every so often at the numbers on the houses they passed. "How much farther?" he asked out loud.

It was the cat that answered his question. "Right there." The cat stopped and pointed with a paw at a house two doors down. He was a compact grey tigerstripe, the only noticeable feature about him was the crescent moon on his forehead, which marked him as a Moon Cat. Somehow, he managed to look irritated.

"Finally," the man muttered, picking up the pace. "Let's get this show on the road." The cat sighed loudly, but followed the man.

When he reached the gate Raiden had indicated, Alan Thomas looked through the decorative and delicate seeming fence that enclosed the estate and studied the home of Guardians Pyrite and Azurite. "Interesting style choices," he muttered.

The place was undeniably a definite mix of styles. Very large for a house, but small for a mansion, it was built along what he would have considered European lines. However, the grounds were planted with cherry trees with a cluster surrounding a jade-green, pagoda-style teahouse. Further back, and on the opposite side of the grounds, there was a kid's playhouse with a swing set and what were presumably other playground fixtures that he couldn't identify. Beside the patio, on the mansion's western side, he could just make out the boulders of what might be a zen garden. Just beyond the main doors of the front courtyard, a couple of small figures seemed to be playing baseball on the uncluttered expanse of lawn. Just behind the mansion was the curve of what appeared to be part of a seamless black dome.

Alan glanced again at the number on the doorpost then looked down at the cat, "This is the place, right?"

*I too have questions,* said a voice in Alan's mind, *about this being the home of a wizard who is as strong as Guardian Pyrite is suppose to be.*

Alan sighed. It wasn't bad enough he had to share his body with his great times several-hundred-times-Grandfather, the last of the Air Wizards of the Silver Millennium. There was over ten thousand years separating them, and Alisin Windwalker was not one to keep his opinions to himself.

Raiden sighed and asked rhetorically, "Why do they never trust their tour guide?"

"Because you're still sore at me for dragging you out of the library."

"That's beside the point." Raiden sighed again. "This is Pyrite and Azurite's house. But I'll remind you, we could have saved ourselves this side trip and just met him at Crystal Tokyo University. Arranging to meet him here was your idea."

"Funny, I thought you were the one pushing me to get out and see more of the city." Alan looked down at the cat. "Does this have anything with my shoulders still being too sore for you to ride so you had to walk?"

The cat glared at him and muttered, "That's not true."

Alan shook his head, trying hard to repress a smile. "If you're going to be sore at anyone, blame Doctor Wolfe. She's the one who told you not to ride on my shoulder for the next couple of days." Alan's smile was slightly cruel. "Besides, you need the exercise."

"That's heartless."

"But true." Alan looked at the house again. "Why don't they live in the Palace like everybody else? I can't believe that place is short on room."

The cat shrugged, looking less annoyed then he had several seconds before. "Habit. They only officially joined the Court during the Black Moon War. Before that, they were just citizens of Crystal Tokyo, willing to help when the Queen asked, but they were never an official part of the government. They left shortly after the city was founded, so there never was space set aside for them. When they moved back to the city a century later, they built themselves this home and they've lived here ever since. After they signed up, they didn't see any reason to move into the Palace so they're still here. Since they both can teleport, they can be at the Palace just as quickly as if they lived there."

Alan frowned. "We rode the bus quite away from the city core. I imagine the real estate's changed a lot from my time, but this much land in Tokyo must have cost a small fortune."

Raiden shrugged. "Luckily, Guardian Pyrite has a large fortune."

"Must be a heck of a salary CTU's paying him."

The Moon Cat shook his head. "You're on the wrong track. Pyrite got in on the ground floor when magic was reintroduced."

"Ah. Sort of like Bill Gates, then."

Raiden frowned, but continued, "And, he's had plenty of other patents since then. It's because of him and Lady Mercury that CTU is considered the premier institution in the world from the teaching of magic. Money's never been a worry for them. He works at CTU because he loves researching and he found he likes teaching the new generations of mages. Same as Azurite, as the wife of a very rich man she could have just taken it easy for the past millennia. I know I would have...." the cat commented wistfully.

Resuming his explanation unprompted, the cat added, "but she likes trying new things, which is why she's explored so many professions over the centuries. Of course, it helps that she can afford to indulge her curiosity, but I've never heard it said she went after anything with less than her best effort."

Alan nodded. "Interesting couple. She's trying to be a jack and master of all trades and he's trying for sainthood."

Raiden looked puzzled. "How do you figure that last bit?"

"Easy, anyone who could deal with university students for a thousand years and not go mad must have the patience of a saint."

Raiden rolled his eyes and sighed expressively. "Hardy har har." He walked towards the gate. "Well, let's get going, we're expected and it's rude to be late."

"Shouldn't we find an intercom or...." Alan trailed off as the gate swung soundlessly open as Raiden approached it and began sauntering up the walkway.

Looking back, the moon cat said, "While this place looks wide open to anyone who scales the fence, it's actually got a security system second only to the Palace. I'd have been amazed if we hadn't already been scanned and approved for entry."

"Oh."

"Are you going to stand there all day?"

"Er.... right." Joining the cat, Alan commented, "Considering the almost nonexistent crime rate in this city, it sounds like Pyrite's a bit paranoid."

"Actually it's just because he likes to tinker. If he comes up with an improvement for the Palace system, he fieldtests it here." After a moment Raiden added, "Though being Dark Kingdom Alumnus, they probably both figure better safe than sorry. After your own recent adventure, you'll have to agree that even in Crystal Tokyo things can get a little wild."

Alan shivered. "Don't remind me of Diaspore. I'm still feeling the bruises that Hoth reject inflicted on me."

"You're lucky Rei didn't decide to lock you up for your own safety. She didn't take too kindly to your attempt to get killed by throwing yourself in front of her to shield her from Diaspore's attack."

"I told her I was sorry. What else does she want from me, my head to mount on her wall?"

"We'll worry about that later."

They continued to walk up the drive. As they did so, the young moon cat continued, "As I was saying, if any outsider tries to get their grubby hands on the family fortune by kidnapping their daughter, he'll be very sorry. Though just how much protection she need is arguable."

"Daughter?"

Raiden nodded, "That's right, I haven't mentioned her yet. Sylvite, their twelve-year-old. That's her up ahead."

By now, they were close enough to get a good look at the twosome playing ball outside the mansion. A young blue-haired woman in her late teens or early twenties was holding a green glowing bat poised as a pink haired girl at least half a dozen years younger wound up for a pitch. The woman was unknown to Alan, he would have guessed an older sister playing with her younger sibling but Raiden had only mentioned one daughter. Too much age difference to be a friend, possibly a maid or babysitter here to look after Sylvite while her parents were away. Neither seemed to have noticed their visitors, both were intent on the game.

*Be careful, Alan,* said Alisin harshly. *Now is not the time to be distracted by women!*

{Who's distracted? I'd have to be dead not to notice her!}

*Well, keep your libido in check in any case. You're an Air wizard in training, not a love-sick schoolboy!*

{I'm not that stupid!}

*I am not sure,* replied Alisin tartly.

The attractive batter announced, "This one's going to the moon!" Alan stopped so he wouldn't interrupt and so that he could discreetly study the tanned legs barely covered by her shorts, something he hadn't done recently despite numerous encounters with the Senshi. Those ladies were just too intimidating to ogle, especially Rei. Besides, all of the Senshi were older then him by a factor of fifty, most of them with partners who also were intimidating in their own ways.

Meanwhile, the pitcher wound up and threw the ball with remarkable speed and strength. Alan reminded himself that despite appearances, she was a Youma and far stronger than an ordinary girl. The blue-haired woman swung and missed.

The pitcher immediately shouted, "STRIKE 3!"

The batter angrily retorted, "Too low, Ball Three!"

Alan decided to intervene. "It was a strike."

They both turned to looked at him, the younger girl giving him a thumbs-up. The older glared a bit and asked, "Whose side are you on?"

Alan smiled. "Oh truth, justice, beauty and the Elementalist way."

"Huh? Anyway it wasn't high enough."

Alan shook his head, "Clearly in the batting zone."

He was a little surprised when she stuck out her tongue and went, "Beiii!"

*Alan,* said his Grandfather sternly. *This is not the time to practice your courtship skills!*

{Courtship skills?}

*Or whatever they're called these days. Business first, then... pleasure.*

{Will you relax? I'm trying to make friends here.}

*You don't have time for that type of 'friendship'!*

Alan responded to the blond, "You shouldn't try to cheat kids." He turned to wink at the girl and added, "Isn't that right, Sylvite."

The girl frowned in puzzlement. "I'm Kodachi" She jerked her thumb at the older woman, "That's Sylvite."

Alan's head swivelled to stare at the young woman. "You're Sylvite?!" She nodded and Alan glared down at Raiden. "You told me Sylvite was twelve years old!"

The cat grinned. "She is."

"On whose timescale?"

"A Youma's."

"You're not pulling my leg, are you?"

Raiden's grin became wider. "I'm serious."

I don't believe you." In that case, both girls had to be playing games.

"She can't be Sylvite!"

"I assure you she is, I should know what my own daughter looks like."

Alan turned towards the new voice and saw that Guardian Azurite had emerged from the front door. She approached with a friendly smile and an open hand, but Alan couldn't shake the impression that if Alisin had tried anything resembling his recent behavior towards Titanite and her daughter, he'd already be looking for his head.

Inside his mind his ancestor whispered, *Formidable.*

{That's an understatement.}

*I told you to keep your libido in check. This Guardian is not a person to be trifled with, especially when it involves her child.*

{I had no intention -}

*She is just making sure that you understand that despite her daughter's appearance, she isn't available.*

{I wasn't looking THAT seriously!}

*Then, you'll be fine.*

{I hope so.... }

Shaking his hand with a firm grip, she cheerfully told him, "Nice to meet you again Mr. Thomas. I'm afraid I've got some official business which can't be put off so I'll be joining you on the campus a bit later than we planned. But Pyr's got some ideas for preliminary testing that means you won't waste the next few hours."

"Oh that's fine. Alisin's looking forward to speaking with another mage, but I'd like a little more practice time."

"Understandable after your recent misadventure, but this will be more of a friendly welter-weight bout." In the same friendly tone but in a lower voice she continued, "I noticed you checking out my daughter and while that's perfectly natural despite appearances she is only twelve years old so you'd be well advised to treat her like one."

"Uhm...oh absolutely, I wasn't thinking of doing anything...er...look but don't touch...I won't even look...." He gave her a weak smile.

Smiling warmly, she replied, "That's good to hear. I've known Ami a long time and Setsuna is something of a friend and they'd both be distressed if they heard I'd broken every bone in your body."

Alan's smile faltered. "Not as distressed I would be," he muttered.

"Good. I'm glad everything's out in the open. I will see you later." She turned back to her daughter. "I'm off for the day, so have fun with Kodi-chan and be honest if you mess up."

"'kay Mom. Bye." Sylvite kissed Azurite on the cheek and her mother ruffled her hair.

Kodachi said, "Bye, Auntie."

Azurite acknowledged the goodby with a cheery, "See you both later" before vanishing with a complete absence of special effects.

Alan watched Azurite depart in silence. "I think it'd be safer juggling with lit sticks of dynamite than to cross that woman," he said in a low voice. He then looked down at Raiden and asked, "You did that on purpose, didn't you furball?"

The cat grinned up at him. "Of course, it's no secret. Just youma genetics making her physically grow up fast. The bombshell with a kid's mind. If this was any other city, they'd probably think she was mentally challenged.

Around here, it's just one of those things. Everyone knows about her."

"I didn't! Why didn't you tell me?"

Innocently, Raiden answered, "You didn't ask."

"Thank you so much. Remind me to dip you in gravy and toss you into a dog pound someday. Or, better yet, the next time you can't a book down from the top shelf, don't come running to me to do it for you."

"Don't blame me. How do you expect to learn anything if you don't ask questions?"

"That's a good attitude." Both man and cat turned to see that Pyrite had emerged from the house. He stopped to bid farewell to his daughter and Kodachi before striding over to Alan. "Nice to meet you again and I am looking forward to working with you both. Oh, and this is yours, thanks for the loan." With that, he handed Alan the Star Trek novel that had been stuffed in Alan's backpack and seized for analysis along with its other contents after his chaotic arrival in Crystal Toyko.

Alan noticed it had been magically restored to mint condition and was in much better shape than when he had last seen it. "You're welcome. Though I'm surprised that you haven't read them all by this time."

Pyrite shrugged, "I've done my best, but there was a lot published between our relocation to Earth-Beta and the beginning of the Great Darkness. Unfortunately, several were lost forever when things fell apart during the 'Great Silence'. I've done what I can to trace the missing ones, but by now, even if any copies survived the Dark Times, time itself would have crumbled them to dust."

"I suppose asking Setsuna to pick you up some copies from the past is a no-no?"

Pyrite frowned. "I never thought about that. The next time I see her, I'll ask her."

It occurred to Alan that this was a unique item and might be worth a lot to a collector. Though he had probably just met the last remaining Trekker on Earth. Anyway, the first thing he'd to do was finish reading it before deciding if he'd sell or give it to Pyrite.

"What's so amusing?" asked Pyrite.

Alan smiled at him. "It just occurred to me that this could be the first time someone picked up a book to finish it after letting it sit for just over a thousand years."

The Guardian laughed. "I know how that goes. My own record is a bit under a century. I got distracted with a project the Queen wanted, and if the book hadn't been magically strengthened, it would have been dust before I got to it again."

{A century?}

*These are people who measure their lives in thousands of years.*

{I know. I'm still getting use to the idea.}

*I am getting use to many things. This is another thing to add to our list.*

Pyrite interrupted them. "I take it you were discussing something with your ancestor?"

What?" asked Alan, startled by the sudden question. "How'd you know that?"

Raiden snickered, "If you keep standing there, not saying a word while pulling all those funny expressions, it's a bit of a giveaway."

"Giveaway? But that conversation was so quick...." A worrying thought occurred to him. He glanced up at Pyrite. "You can read my mind?!"

"No, merely your aura."

Alan relaxed. "That's a relief." The Guardian's words sunk in. "Wait a minute." he said, giving Pyrite a suspicious look. "What's an Aura?"

Alan could almost see the Guardian shift into lecture mode. "All living things generate a field combining mana, spiritual energy and psi energy which can be seen by those with mage sight," he said. "Clear enough so far?"

"Er...yes."

"At its most basic it can be used to sense lifeglow so you can find nearby lifeforms, the next step is identifying different species, the more advanced can identify individuals by their auras."

Inside Alan's mind, he could almost see Alisin nod. *I've heard of this, though it wasn't a talent practiced by many of the Elementalists. It could be most useful if he could teach it to you.*

{Assuming my matrices will allow such a thing.}

*Mage sight is a passive form of magic all you are doing is seeing the energy around a lifeform. There is no use of mana, so you matrices should not be triggered.*

Pyrite noted the exchange between the two windwalkers, but didn't comment as he continued, "In my case I can read the fluctuations within an individual's aura and yours makes fascinating viewing. The closest examples I can think of involve possession with the controlling entity speaking through the host."

Alan closed his eyes. "PLEASE don't say that around Rei," he said in a pained voice. "It's bad enough that she thinks I'm a troublemaker after that frozen fiasco at the shrine. The last thing I need is to end up in a jail cell with one of her wards stuck to my forehead."

"Er, quite. An unfortunate analogy as there's no impression of coercion but your spiritual symbiosis is a unique case." He smiled, "If you ever have a few spare months I'd like to do an in-depth study."

"Tell you what, Doc," said Alan, his eyes still closed. "If Rei ever decides to sling me in jail, you can poke and prod us to your heart's content. Of course, that's assuming she leaves anything of me to toss into jail."

"It's a deal."

*Again with the insult, Alan,* said Alisin reprovingly. *I can't think of any reason why Lady Mars would want to arrest you.*

{I'm here in the city. That's enough of an excuse in her book.}

*Isn't it about time you realized that she is no longer hostile to you?

Your actions against Diaspore convinced her you aren't a danger to the city's security.*

{Maybe, but every time I've seen her since I've gotten out of the hospital, she glowers at me and walks away.}

*I think you have misjudged the Lady Rei. Her job is not an easy one.*

{If you start with the 'suspicion is part of her job' routine, I'll scream!}

Alisin sighed. *Sometimes you are such a child!*

{What's the point of being grown up if you can't be childish once in a while?}

*Who ever said you were grown up?*

Raiden chuckled, interrupting Alan's search for a snappy comeback to his Grandfather. "The way you and Rei get along, you might regret making that offer in front of a witness."

Both Raiden and Pyrite laughed. Alan laughed, but it wasn't quite as hearty as the others. Behind them the girls wondered what was so funny then shrugged it off as one of those adult things and got back to their game.

Pyrite noticed this and said, "Well we should get out of here before we have to dodge baseballs or fireballs." Alan blinked at the last part, but Pyrite kept going. "The first thing is to visit the Palace. Now I realize you just came from there but if you'll let me handle the transportation we'll be there in no time."

Raiden nodded, a Cheshire cat-type grin on his face. "Fine by me, so who's shoulder do I get...."

Pyrite leaned down and the moon cat ran up his arm to perch on his shoulder. Pyrite straightened up and extended his hand to Alan. "If you'll just take my hand for a moment?" A bit mystified, Alan clasped the other man's hand. His confusion deepened after Pyrite asked, "Is there any history of warp-sickness in your family?"

{What the heck is warp-sickness?}

*I do not know. The term is unfamiliar to me.*

Alan answered out loud, "Grandfather says he's never even heard of it."

"Hopefully a good sign. In that case...." Pyrite turned to wave his free hand at the girls and they waved back. "...let's go."

"Go...."

Alan blinked. "...where?"

He looked around, his mind trying to adjust to the suddenness of it all. As his brain raced to catch his sense, he blinked several more times but nothing changed. He was still standing in a small marble alcove holding Pyrite's hand. Releasing the Guardian's hand, he stumbled backwards through the archway and found himself standing in what had to be a Crystal Palace Hallway. Though a large window on the opposite wall he see out the by now familiar cityscape spread before him.

"Do you feel any nausea?" He turned to see a concerned-looking Pyrite ready to hand a bag to him.

"Uh...no." Alan glanced down to make sure everything was still in its proper place. "No. I'm not queasy, just a little...No, I'm actually very surprised." He looked over the alcove they had emerged from again. "So, those niches really are for anyone arriving by teleport."

"It's easier and safer than arriving in the middle of the hallway."

Raiden hopped down from Pyrite's shoulder and smirked. "I told you we could have stayed here," he said.

"Okay, okay. Don't rub it in, Furball." Alan turned back to Pyrite. "I can see why you don't worry about commuting. But shouldn't you have said, 'Energize'?"

"I used to. I can also do that sparkly disappearance, but people either had no idea what I was talking about or found it distracting or irritating, so I gave up."

"Heathens. Probably force-fed Star Trek: Voyager episodes as young children."

"But if we teleport over to the University, I'll add the special effects if you like."

"Okay, but only so long as I get to say 'Energize'."

"It's a deal. Now this way, please."

As they walked away, Raiden followed, muttering, "If one Die-hard Trekkie isn't enough, now Crystal Tokyo has to deal with TWO super-powered Trekkies...."

"Trekkers!" chorused Alan and Pyrite over their shoulders.

Raiden sighed.

Several minutes and three hallways later, Alan asked Pyrite, "So, why did we need to come back here?"

"The Holodeck's on this floor and I think...." He realized Alan had just stopped dead. He turned to look at him. "Is something wrong?"

A strange look of surprise and interest flickered across Alan's face.

"When you say holodeck you don't mean...?"

"Yes I do. Actually Holodeck is just what I call it. The official name is the Environmental Simulation Chamber, but almost nobody calls it that. Everyone had their own pet name for it and mine is the holodeck."

"Does it work like the Star Trek one?"

"Yes and no. It's capabilities are originate primarily from magic rather than technology though it's controlled by a computer so it's a technomage system. Unlike the Trek ones, it's not available for casual use, as it's far too expensive to run for that."

Alan frowned. "So it's reserved for the rich?"

"No, while it wouldn't be cheap to build one, the primary expense is in terms of energy. Without the mana well below the palace to power it, you'd drain all the ambient mana within kilometers to run it for a few minutes. Which is why I've never built one." He grinned. "I have to say that gaining free access to it once we accepted Guardian rank was a powerful inducement."

*A far too frivolous a reason,* muttered Alisin *Guardians are not recruited like common soldiers, they are *

{Will you chill out?} Alan snapped mentally. {I think Guardian Pyrite was kidding.}

*I suppose you are right,* replied Alisin, but he didn't sound convinced.

The Guardian stopped before a pair of large reinforced double doors, reached for the archway and tapped a few buttons on the keyboard that materialized under his hand. The doors slid open and he gestured Alan in. "After you."

Raiden hung back, "If you don't mind, that place is a bit hard on my senses. I'll wait for you out here."

"Go ahead, Furball," Alan murmured, a bit distracted by the promise of a real holodeck. He leaned down and placed the Star Trek Novel next to the door. "Keep an eye on this, OK?" Without waiting for an answer, he stepped inside, followed by Pyrite.

The inside was a bit of a disappointment. Just an empty space big enough to fit a few regulation-sized basketball courts in, surrounded by dull white walls. Pyrite smiled a little, "The Trek ones did look a little more impressively high-tech with the power off. Computer, give us Trek Standby Pattern." Suddenly the walls, floor and ceiling were covered with the grids that marked a shutdown Starfleet holodeck. "Better?"

"Much. So can I give it a try?"

"I'm afraid not. Vocal control is limited to those on the secure list and that has plenty of safeguards so you can't accidentally shut down the safety systems."

"You mean, like a Trek holodeck, you can't be hurt in here?"

"Correct. At least not under normal circumstances." Seeing Alan's understandable interest, he continued, "About two decades ago, a cyber-telepath compromised the system in an assassination attempt on Titanite and Topass. We still don't know which of them he was really gunning for. He could have been sent to take out one of the Sailor Senshi or it could have been one of those Nemesian clan feuds. Or possibly neither of them was specifically targeted, maybe it was just whoever entered the holodeck would have been a high ranker in CT and a good target of opportunity. Anyway, we eventually identified him but Nemesisan military records list him as killed in action during the war and the trail dead ended."

"That's convenient."

"Anyway, you don't need to worry about that. The important thing is that I helped Ami install a special monitor to prevent anyone trying that one again and Rei's upgraded Palace security several times since then. You're safer in here than anywhere else in Crystal Tokyo."

Alan continued to look around the room. "Interesting as all this is, you still haven't explained why we're here."

"Oh excuse me, I was rambling wasn't I? The curse of the academic mind. As I think I mentioned, Azurite and I gained access to the holodeck when we became Guardians. Azurite didn't waste the training possibilities it represented. She's created a number of training scenarios to challenge her powers, so I thought we could run you through one of them so I can get some preliminary readings on your capabilities in a risk-free environment. It'll also enable me to give Azurite some idea of what to expect."

"Throwing wind about in an enclosed space...." Alan trailed off as he realized that given Azurite's powers, that must not be an issue. Pyrite nodded.

"When it's running, the system can handle anything you can throw at it. During the incident I mentioned, we had Rei, Ti, Mina, Cal and Topass all blasting away and it kept functioning until Serenity cut the power. Even if you've got double our top estimates of your power levels, you can't break it."

Alan hesitated. He remembered the tail end of his desperate fight in the park. The fight, while not very long, had left him weak almost to the point of complete exhaustion, complicated by nearly being killed by a mad ice wizard. On the other hand, this place was intriguing and seeing a real live holodeck was an attractive prospect. Something occurred to him.

"Is this used purely for combat training?"

"Not at all. While we can travel anyway in the world with ease, we've occasionally used it to recreate places that just aren't there anymore and we're far from the only ones to use it for romantic trysts. We also bring Syl-chan here on her birthdays and let her choose the world she wants."

"Just on her birthdays?"

"Yes, we don't want to spoil her and it's better she plays in the real world with real friends most of the time."

"Makes sense. Say, since you only got access to this place a few years back, do your other children ever resent not being able to use it when they were kids?"

There was a flicker of loss in Pyrite's eyes, but it was gone almost immediately. "We don't have any other children, not now. We had a son but he died before Sylvite was born. She's our only daughter, our only child."

*I suggest you steer clear of this subject in the future,* said Alisin softly. *I know what it is like to lose a son. It is a pain that never quite heals.*

Alan nodded slowly. {Agreed.}

"But," continued Pyrite briskly, "that's neither here nor there. Ready to take a look at what this room can do?"

"Sure."

"All right then. Computer, initiate program Azurite 3 but do not begin gameplay until ordered." There was a swirl of color and Alan found himself in a small clearing in the heart of a jungle. The temperature had just jumped to tropic summer and the air was humid and rife with the scents of exotic vegetation. Creepers hung thickly from the trees and the cries of unknown creatures echoed through the moist air. Alan glanced down and saw he was wearing a khaki pants and shirt, already drenched with sweat. The illusion was unbelievable.

Alan reached down and picked up a fallen branch feeling the rough texture of the dry bark and the weight of the wood. "Incredible."

*I agree. I have never seen anything like this before,* Alisin murmured.

Pyrite gave Alan a few minutes to explore his surroundings. To the south and east, the jungle became impenetrably thick and dark though there was just enough light to make out massive thorny creepers. To the north was the plume of smoke from an active volcano, the probable source of the minor tremor just occurring. To the west through the trees, Alan could make out the top of a mammoth Inca-style pyramid backlit by the setting sun.

*I recognize that sort of structure,* said Alisin. *I saw many such buildings in the Silver Millennium.*

{That's nice.} Alan continued to look around. {See any other structures?}

*No*

Alan turned back to Pyrite. "I take it that thing is important?" he asked, pointing at the pyramid.

"Yes."

"Thought so, it's too obvious to not be the objective. So what do I do?"

"Proceed to the pyramid, avoid or defeat all opposition, and find the necromancer's stone. Computer, display the stone." A head sized rock of dark purple crystal appeared in the air before Alan slowly rotating. "Destroy it and that will neutralize the enemy. Oh, and don't blast everything that moves, there could be captives to free."

"Sounds like a big video game."

"Essentially. Excuse me a moment." Pyrite pulled a few small gemstones out of nowhere and hung them in the air around him where they floated in complete ignorance of gravitational law.

"Er...What are you doing?"

"Setting up a phase shifter so I'll be immaterial once things start rolling."

Alan frowned, "I though you said this place was harmless?"

"It is, you're not. Once you start heaving hurricanes around, I prefer to take a few precautions rather than trust in my forcefield to hold. Besides, you wouldn't want your shots ricocheting from an unseen obstacle."

"Unseen?"

"Yes. Computer, remove display and designate me as nonparticipant with camouflage observer status. Designate Alan as player and set play level to Beginner. Oh, and remove all booby-traps."

"Did you just say booby-traps?" asked Alan weakly.

"Yes, this is just a basic test so there's no need for you to worry about fancy stuff like hovering rather than plunging into a stake-filled pit or watching the trees for deadfalls."

"That's a relief - I think."

"Computer, initiate on my mark."

Alan felt a twinge of worry. "Wait a second, Guardian Pyrite. Does this game have a name?"

"No, Azurite designed it from scratch and threw in a randomness factor to keep things interesting. But she usually refers to it as Doom'Nuke'em for some reason."

"Doom'Nuke'em?" asked Alan in sudden horror. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Make it so." With that, Pyrite vanished from view.

Alisin grumpily asked, *What's wrong?*

{Azurite's choice of a name for this scenario doesn't fill me with confidence.}

*Don't panic over nothing, boy. After all what's in a name?*

Figures emerged from the jungle on north, east and south sides. Skeletons covered in rotting green and purple flesh with black fire burning in their eye sockets. They wore the torn and aged remnants of conquistador uniforms and raised rusty, but sharp looking, swords. Or maybe it wasn't rust, but rather dried blood. Inside his mind, Alan felt Alisin nod mentally. *All right Alan, now you can panic.*

{Gee, thanks.}

The zombies moved in as Alan groped for the right words. "WIND SHEAR!"

Seconds later, the surrounding trees shook in a localized gale.

Sometime later, a travel-stained figure darted through the arch of a stone doorway. A massive slab of rock crashed down behind him. Alan gaped and it and snarled out loud, "He said no booby-traps!"

In an irritatingly cheerful voice, Alisin replied, *It missed you didn't it? This is fun, I wish we had a training center like this in my youth. We could have run the apprentices through it and separated the wheat from the chaff in half the time.*

{Fun? Maybe you'd like to take over and run around gasping for breath while dodging monsters with very large, very sharp weapons. That last Minotaur nearly impaled me!}

*You're exaggerating, my boy. And thanks to that creature, you now have knowledge of another of your spell matrices. I will admit the monster did look surprised when the 'updraft pillar' sent him straight into that overhead tree branch. You're nowhere near your limit. Not to mention you stumbled across that lemonade stand when you started complaining about thirst.*

{Okay, so Pyrite's testing my powers rather than my endurance, but...say if this place is all illusion, how did fake lemonade quench my thirst?}

*I've no idea. This all uses magic on a far grander scale than I have ever seen. Short of the Silver Crystal that is.*

{Maybe, but I'm tired and...What was that?}

*I've no idea, some hungry monster...*

{If that's a monster, its shorts are way too tight. It sounded like a woman in trouble.}

*What are you waiting for? Go and find out!*

A louder cry for help drifted into the room. Fatigue forgotten, Alan charged off to find the source.

Moving swiftly, but cautiously, through the corridor Alan found himself on a small balcony over a courtyard. Ten feet below, a half dozen of the four armed kali monsters were readying dinner. Two were building up a large fire as a third examined a long metal spit. Two more were using their swords to chop vegetables on a solid looking table while another stirred a cauldron full of sauce. The woman in the abbreviated safari outfit tied to a pillar as she watched the creatures prepare to barbecue her continued to call for help. Alan muttered, "Looks like Laura's had a bad day in this tomb."

*What?*

{I'll explain later.} With that, Alan vaulted over the balcony and made a relatively soft landing in the salad. "Avon calling!"

Before the startled monsters could do more than goggle at him, Alan shouted "HURRICANE PUNCH!" A distorted blast of air shot from both his fists and struck the two creatures at the far end of the table. Both creatures catapulted backward to slam into the pair tending the fire. All four plunged into the blaze and bellowed loudly, the smell of frying bacon filled the room.

The monster who had been examining the spit raised it like a spear in its upper arms and charged Alan, drawing a pair of swords with the lower arms. Alan booted a bowl at the onrushing creature, and the hard wooden bowl caught the monster in the face. Before it could recover, Alan shouted "UPDRAFT PILLAR!" From nowhere, a hurricane force wind suddenly formed at the monster's feet. The upward blast of air sent the monster straight up into the hard stone ceiling half a dozen meters overhead. The sound of the impact wasn't pleasant to hear, nor was its return to the floor below.

*Behind you!* Alan ducked as a giant spoon whooshed over his head as the sauce stirrer attacked from behind. A point-blank Hurricane Punch dropped it just before it could burry an evil-looking dagger in Alan's chest.

By now, the quartet who had fallen onto the fire had gotten to their feet. Alan turned and muttered, "I wonder if Indiana Jones had days like this,"

*Who?*

"Never mind - FORCE WALL!"

The blue shield formed just in time to deflect the spit, two knives and a burning log. As his barrier collapsed, he jumped off the table and landed near the woman. The monsters turned and started toward him.

"I think you made them mad," the would-be dinner said.

"So what else is new," Alan muttered, then shouted "STRESS SPHERE", the ball formed in his hands and he threw it at the advancing monsters. As soon as the sphere left his hands, he shouted, "FORCE WALL!" While the monsters dodged out of the way of the hurled ball of compressed air, the now familiar bluish wall sprang into place between Alan and the girl and the still advancing monsters.

"You missed," said the girl as she watched the monsters finished dodging the Windwalker's attack and were now charging toward them.

"That's what you think."

The nearest monster was only three meters away when the rebounding stress sphere struck it in the back of the head with sufficient force to send it tumbling into a boneless heap. The sphere then shot up to the ceiling and bounced off hard enough to leave a sphere size dent in the rock. It then came screaming down and slammed into the force wall before it bounced off and plowed through the last three monsters like a bowling ball through cheap wooden pins.

"Nice work." Alan saw the former entree smiling at him and smiled back. It wasn't Laura Croft but there was something familiar about her. Still, an Asian complexion, blue-black hair and those wide golden eyes made a striking picture and the rest of her was worth a look too. Even if she was, he reminded himself, just an illusion. "I don't want to seem pushy but would you mind untying me?" A little nervously she added, "Unless you're into that sort of thing in which case I have to tell you I'm not!"

Alan flushed, his mind slapping several hormone-induced thoughts he had just had back into the deep dark parts of his mind. "Uh...no, of...of course not. It's just...er, that I'm not quite sure how to get you loose. Those knots look complicated and while I could blow the pillar apart that won't do you much good."

"Well, if you look around, you'll see my late hosts left plenty of sharp pointy things behind."

"Er...yea." Alan slapped his forehead and picked up a sword with an apologetic air. It didn't take long to cut her free.

She stretched, then threw her arms around his neck and leaned in murmuring, "My hero" and kissed him. It felt remarkably real.

"Ah, you're welcome...."

"Sally."

"I'm Alan...." There were roaring in the distance that was getting louder. "And that sounds like the last thing I want to meet. I think a fast exit is in order."

"Fine by me." She squatted down and picked up the sword Alan had dropped. "Let's go."

"Er.... Aren't you going to disappear?"

"Well, that's friendly I must say."

"No, I mean in the video games usually if you rescue someone they do a thank-you then fade out."

"Doesn't work like that in real life Alan-chan. Azurite programmed it so that if you rescue hostages you have to take them with you and guard them as you go."

*She has a point.*

"You know this is a simulation?" Alan asked.

"Sure."

"Well then, you know you're just an illusion so you can't be really killed."

"If that's your attitude why'd you bother rescuing me?"

Alan shrugged. "It seemed like the right thing to do."

"So how does that square with leaving me to be ripped apart by monsters?"

"Oh for the love of.... Come on then."

"Thanks!" When she hugged him she certainly felt and smelled real. Maybe that was another reason access to the holodeck was restricted. It might be all too easy to get addicted to illusions. But there was no reason he shouldn't save this attractive illusion just this once.

Sometime later, they were crouched low as they peered through the central chamber's doorway at the glowing Necromancer Stone hovering over the bloodstained altar. It was, of course, surrounded by monsters. Sally fingered the throwing knives she had picked up and nodded towards the two nearest creatures.

Alan smiled, she had proven to be no liability and had shown she knew how to use a sword. If she was real, he could have got to like her. Shame she was only a game sprite. Something nagged at him. Sally reminded him of someone, but he couldn't figure out who. Maybe she was an action heroine resurrected from some game he had played, but which one? But he was supposed to be the hero here. Alan shook his head and concentrated. A sphere began forming between his hands as Sally suddenly surged to her feet and slashed the zombie that had crept up behind him. Good move, but its undead death rattle would alert the others. Action time.

Alan darted into the doorway and blasted the nearest monsters with the stress sphere and charged in behind it before the startled zombies and assorted boogy monsters could regroup. Dealing out hurricane punches, wind shears, and updraft pillars to anything that got in his way Alan beat a quick path to the altar as Sally covered his back. The two of them jumped onto the altar as the surrounding monsters regained their minimal wits and charged from all sides.

"Great place for a last stand," Sally commented, running one monster through with one hand while throwing a knife at another creature.

Ignoring them and Sally's last stand comment, Alan grasped the stone between his hands and summoned a Stress Sphere. The jewel cracked and the monsters stopped their advance. A great wail arose as the cracks expanded, an instant later the jewel shattered in a burst of light and freed spirits poured out of the glowing hole in the air as the undead creatures keeled over.

"We won!" Sally hugged him again and Alan thought he could get used to this. Then a pleasant woman's voice announced that this simulation had concluded with his victory and everything began to fade away.

"Bye, Sally"

"Oh, you don't get rid of me that easy."

"Huh?" Before Alan could ask what she meant, he found himself standing in the center of the deactivated holodeck. It was totally bare lacking even the trek decoration and he wasn't alone. He wasn't too surprised to see Pyrite a few feet away, though his transparent appearance was another matter.

The floating gemstones disappeared and the Guardian's solidarity returned. He looked a little annoyed but his gaze wasn't for Alan. "Just what have you been up to, young lady?"

That was when Alan realized Sally was still there. Her arms were still there, but he couldn't feel them anymore. She wasn't wearing the jungle explorer outfit anymore. Instead she had acquired a formal kimono and been instantly cleaned of the grime of the game. She frowned and waved an arm which passed through Alan as though he wasn't there. Staring at his torso the goggling Alan vaguely noticed his own torn, jungle stained clothes had been restored though the sweat stains remained. But most of his attention was understandably on Sally as she pouted.

"Darn, I'm just a hologram again."

"Sally, I'm still waiting for an explanation."

"Hi, Daddy. Well there's not much to say. I was doing my usual over-seeing while the holodeck was running and I thought I'd introduce myself to your handsome friend as you didn't bother calling me out to say hi." She sniffed, "You're forgetting about me. You even told him Sylvite was your only daughter."

She seemed to be on the verge of tears and Pyrite's annoyance changed to discomfort. "Uh no, no. Nothing like that. I just meant Sylvite was my only flesh and blood daughter and since your existence is a state secret I couldn't tell him about you." Pyrite sighed, "But since the cat's out of the bag now... Alan Thomas this is S.A.L.L.Y., my cyber-daughter."

Sally bowed to Alan. "Nice to meet you."

"Ah, likewise." Addressing Pyrite. Alan asked, "Cyber-daughter?"

"Sally is an AI, the only real machine intelligence on Earth. I helped design her algorithms so I'm sort of her father."

Brightly Sally added, "Ami was my mother."

"Mother?" Alan snapped his fingers. "That's it, that's why she looked so familiar. She's got Ami's face and hair but your eyes."

"Of course, all kids look like their parents."

For some reason, Pyrite changed the subject quickly. "After the cyber-telepath incident I told you about earlier, we linked Sally into this room's controlling computer so she could watch for intrusion attempts. But while we set up a hologram projector so she could send an image in here and warn users if something went wrong, she wasn't given access to the psychoplasm generators."

With an embarrassed grin that made her look very cute, Sally said, "I kind of figured out how to access them awhile back. I thought it would let me keep a closer eye on things." At Pyrite's stern look, she added, "And I was curious."

Pyrite's expression softened, she was his daughter. Still, there were questions to be asked. "Have you been running the room for your own use?"

"No, that would be unethical. I don't have the security clearance to use it."

"You didn't have authorization to tap into the psychoplasm projection system either."

"A girl's got to have some fun, Daddy. First it was an intellectual exercise to see if I could mold psychoplasm into an approximation of my holoimage and store that pattern in a directory. Then, I got curious on if I could use it to experience sensory feedback. I'm still working on it but what I've felt so far is incredible. I can actually feel physical things, some of them anyway, and I think I'm starting to get the hang of taste."

Pyrite frowned, "If you haven't been running the room yourself. How have you been developing these feedback interfaces?"

"I work on them when authorized users are operating the room. Don't look like that, Daddy. I haven't interfered with anyone's simulations. I've just popped in as a background extra in place of a computer-generated doll or materialized out of the scene where I won't distract whoever's using the room. Today was the first time I've interacted with a user."

"Why Alan?"

"Well I thought you'd be sure to talk to me then." Now Pyrite looked embarrassed. "Besides he looked cute."

Alan flushed, then remembered the non too subtle threats he had received from Azurite. "Uh your Dad might not like you...."

Pyrite smiled, "Sally's been online for over a century now."

"Daddy! You should never tell someone a girl's age!"

"Sorry precious. I just meant you're free to date whoever you want." Was that a tear glistening in one eye? "My little program's grown up."

"Oh, daddy." The two did their best to hug with one of them immaterial.

Alan shook his head and muttered, "Just when I think things can't get weirder...."

*I agree. What is this ghost woman, and how can she be the child of

Pyrite and Cognizance?*

{I'll explain it later, but it's going to take some time and a lot of background on concepts you aren't familiar with. For right now, She's as real as you are.}

Pyrite stepped back and told her, "Rei will have to be told about this." Sally's face fell but he continued, "However there's no reason I can't have a word with Serenity first. Given her fondness for you, I'd be surprised if she doesn't arrange to give you limited use of the holodeck. But, I will be reviewing your hookups and unless you stay out of other people's simulations unless invited in, you'll be cut off from all access. Is that clear?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Good girl. Well much as I'd like to stay and chat, I've promised Alan to help him with his training so we need to get over to CTU with the data I've been collecting" Seeing her expression he added, "But I'll come back this evening and you can give me a more detailed run down on your psychoplasm experiments. I might be able to suggest a few shortcuts. Pity Ami's on her way to Mercury, she'd find this fascinating."

"Thanks Daddy. I'll be waiting for you." She turned to Alan, "I had fun in that game."

"Me too. Thanks for the help."

"Maybe we can play another game together sometime."

"That'd be fun."

"Really? That'd be great. Until then."

"Right...well goodbye."

As the exit to the holodeck closed behind them, Alan frowned. Looking up from his resting place in the corridor atop a cushion he had somehow acquired, Raiden asked, "What's wrong?"

"I'm not sure, but I think I just promised to date an AI."

The cat looked down at the Star Trek novel which he'd been reading. "I don't think even James T. Kirk did that. As Mr. Spock would say, 'Fascinating.'"

Pyrite nodded and patted Alan on the shoulder, "Sure sounded like a promise. Take good care of my daughter, okay?"

"Uhm...."

"One other thing." Pyrite placed a hand on Alan's shoulder, his voice low and serious. "Not many people outside of the Palace know about Sally, and we would like to keep it that way."

Alan nodded. "I understand."

"And while Sally's been around for a century or so, in some ways she's just like Sylvite. Just keep that in mind."

Alan's mind flashed back to Azurite's smiling face and strongly worded warning. "I don't think that'll be a problem," he said weakly.

"If she invites you back, you're under no obligation. Do whatever you feel comfortable with."

"Uh huh. I'm not sure I've felt comfortable since I arrived in Crystal Tokyo." Alan sighed, "Cyber-daughters, twelve-year-olds with adult bodies... aren't there any normal kids in this town?"

"Plenty. It's mainly the Palace Bratpack you've got to watch out for."

"Bratpack?"

Raiden answered, "The collective name for the kids born to powerful parents all of whom manifest powers of some sort and tend to hang around together." A bit quieter he muttered, "Though there are plenty of just plain brats among them."

If Pyrite heard the comment, he ignored it. "Well, we should be getting to CTU and if I'm going to do a Trek teleport, we should use one of the alcoves. Less distracting to passers-by than the middle of the corridor."

"Sure, but shouldn't I change first?"

"No need. Look at your sweatsuit."

Alan glanced down and looked puzzled. "What the....this shirt was soaked with sweat just a moment ago!"

"Magic induced additions to the weave," said Pyrite, with a smile. "The fabric now absorbs sweat and odor at better then ninety percent efficiency, given enough time."

"Neat."

Raiden looked up at Alan. Alan sighed, but knelt down and let the cat perch on his slightly tender shoulder, then picked up the book. As they headed back down the corridor, Alan asked, "Say, there's something I've been wondering about. Computers are, or at least were my field. You said Sally was the only AI in the world, but you also said she's been around for a century. Didn't anyone ever try to build another?"

"We tried at CTU and other labs around the world have been trying for centuries. But while computers can be built that do a good job of simulating intelligence, true sentience has yet to be achieved. At least, in any way that can be repeated. We think that an unreproducible magical accident that occurred during Sally's creation somehow made that crucial difference. She can't be copied and we think if we tried to transfer her to a new hardware system, we'd probably kill her. Or rather, wipe that spark that makes her sentient."

"I don't see how an accident could make any computer, no matter how advanced, an intelligent being."

"Nor do I, and I spent a lot of time looking for an answer." He hesitated then added, "Queen Serenity insists that she can sense spiritual energy within Sally. Maybe that's wishful thinking on her majesty's part but I wonder if that's the key."

{Spiritual energy?}

*The power is derived from the soul rather than from magic. I am aware of the concept only on an abstract level, as all my dealings with magic have always been with mana. However, I have seen the priestesses of Mars, who were great users of Spiritual energy, and wondered at their powers.*

{We'll talk later. I think we've both got something to learn.}

*I agree*

Alan spoke aloud. "From what Alisin just said, in order to have spiritual energy, a being needs a soul. How could a machine have a soul?"

"That's the question, isn't it? We know reincarnation has happened but all the known cases required magical intervention. If it ever happens naturally, we have no idea. In my more fanciful moments I wonder if Sally is a lot more alive than I think."

They reached an alcove. They stepped into it and clasped hands. Alan asked, "You mean there might be a literal ghost in the machine?"

"Anything's possible. Especially around here."

"I'm inclined to agree."

"Well, shall we go?"

"Sure. Energize!"

The alcove filled with a crackling light which faded to reveal an empty teleport niche.

In the Palace Tea-Room, Sally's CPU impatiently waited for Queen Serenity's next visit. She'd watched a lot of Holos, but there were still a few things about dating etiquette she didn't understand. She really hoped Daddy could get her approval to use the holodeck and generate another psychoplasm form. She'd heard about pleasures of the flesh, and like both her parents she was curious about things.

Alan, Pyrite and Raiden teleported to an alcove not far from Pyrite's office on the CTU campus. Alan stepped out and looked up and down the hall. "Looks like it's quiet this morning."

"We're between semesters," replied Pyrite. "So there's only a few classes being taught right now."

"So, what's next on the agenda?"

Pyrite hesitated. "I want to talk to Alisin directly, if that's possible."

"About what?"

"About his form of magic. Very few people have ever bothered studying Elemental Magic, so almost nothing is known about it."

Alan looked puzzled. "Then, what type of magic are there these days?"

"What do you know about magic?"

"Not a lot outside of what Grandfather's taught me. About all I know is that Elemental magic is considered High Magic, and High Magic isn't taught here because someone abused it to become a Necromancer."

Pyrite pursed his lips. "I think some basics in magic are in order.

There are two classes of magic in the world today, High Magic and Low Magic. The major difference between the two classes is really only of scale, with the two being on opposite ends of the spectrum."

"So Low Magic is different from High Magic. Right?"

"In so many words, mostly having to do with size and strength of the spell. Low Magic is the most common. All humanity has the ability to do magic at one level or other, but not many can master more than a lighting spell. With proper training, a few people can master Low Magic and use it effectively in their everyday lives. Unlike your time, humanity's technology today is a mix of science and Low Magic. There is a continual need for magicians skilled in the use of Low Magic. Also, Low Magic has the advantage of being relatively safe, and is thus taught at most universities on Earth."

"And High Magic?"

"In the case of High Magic, it is just a higher scale version of Low Magic, but there are some differences."

"Like?"

"The most important difference is the source of the power to fuel the spell. For most Low Magic, the caster simply uses the ambient mana in the environment, using a speck of it to power the spell. But, the trick is learning to reach out and grab it, which is where training comes in. Of course, while that works fine for Low Magic, higher energy spells are another matter. Using High Magic requires a significant power source. If you can't draw upon the mana surrounding you or tap into an external source then an alternate energy resource becomes necessary."

Alan nodded. "Makes sense."

"When someone uses High Magic, they need to start worrying about power sources. Most practicing High Wizards have either a technique for "trawling" a wider area and concentrating the local mana supply or, as in the case of the Renegades and youma, the capability of being a mana battery and accumulating and replenishing the necessary power reserves beforehand. If you don't learn to tap alternate sources, you start consuming your own lifeforce to power spells."

"That doesn't sound good."

"It isn't. Very few humans have the internal reserves to power such spells." Pyrite looked sad. "That's the biggest reason that most people who try to create High Magic without training burn themselves out, and they die."

Alan looked uncomfortable. "Is that what will happen to me?" he asked."Will I burn myself out one day?"

Pyrite smiled. "On the contrary, I think you fall into a very special group."

"Oh?"

"There are many possible sources for such a power source in today's world. For example, Druidic magic would take a little from each living thing around. Or, there are certain places on Earth that are repositories for magical power. Most of the ancient holy places are built on such spots. Black Magic, or Necromancy, gets its power from fear and death, or even worse, from demonic entities. There are a few humans are born either with seemingly infinite personal energy reserves, or the ability to tap into a very large source of Mana. By your aura, I think you fall into the latter group."

"Grandfather said I could tap into the air mana around me."

Pyrite nodded. "Would it interest you to know that you channel more mana in the holodeck exercise then most Magicians use in a lifetime?"

Alan looked blank. Raiden spoke for the first time since they teleported. "Maybe if you explained to him what a Magician is, he might be more impressed."

"Oh. Well, a few quick definitions to start, then. A Magician is a master of Low Magic. They are fairly common in the world these days, especially in Crystal Tokyo."

"Like lawyers?" asked Alan.

Pyrite smiled. "Not quite. You, on the other hand, fall into a more exclusive group. Skilled users of High Magic are called Wizards, and they are few and far between in these times. A Sorcerer is the catch-all term for anyone who uses magic on a regular basis. A Magisci, or simply Mage, is one accomplished both at Magic and Science, and works at blending the two together."

*I have never heard the term Mage before,* said Alisin curiously.

"Grandfather isn't familiar with that last title," said Alan.

"It's not surprising. This last category never existed during the time of Silver Millennium, because humanity never really bothered with Science in those days."

*There was no need to,* replied Alisin defensively.

{I know.} "I would think that magic and science would be a poor mix."

If Pyrite noticed the mental exchange, he chose to ignore it. "You would think so, wouldn't you? But this mix of science and magic has brought about some things that the ancients never imagined."

"Like what?"

"For example, Air Stones."

"Huh?"

*Quiet and listen.*

"The people of Silver Millennium used Air Stones to provide air and pressure in the vacuum of space," continued Pyrite. "This allowed them to travel from planet to planet with ease and some comfort. But the air stones were bulky and unwieldy. Then, a few hundred years ago, a Terran Magisci-engineer got his hands on one of the air stones that was brought back from the landing on Mars. He began to study it, eventually figuring out how it worked, and improved on the basic concept. The result was the air-belts that we now use in space instead of bulky spacesuits. While air-belts can't be mass produced, and don't have anywhere near the lifespan of an air-stone, they are much more convenient than the air-stones ever were."

*Indeed,* said Alisin. *I would not have thought it possible.*

{You guys used a rock as atmosphere control on a spaceship?}

*Of course. Is there any other way?*

{Yes! We used...er...Can I get back to you on that?}

Just then, a pair of students walked up to Pyrite, who stopped and greeted the two by name. After that, the three of them launched into a discussion involving something highly technical. Alan managed to follow only about a third of the conversation and that was because it had to do with something involving memory, storage, retrieval speed, and an access interface unit. After about ten minutes, Pyrite broke off the conversation and promised to continue the discussion the next morning. The two students, looking thoughtful, walked off.

They started down the hall again. As they walked along, Alan asked, "What was that all about?"

Pyrite shrugged. "We're looking at creating a virtual computer by mixing magic and science. Holographic interface, real time data transmission, ability to hook instantly into any network, and unlimited memory are a few of the things we're looking at."

"I'm impressed."

*As am I.*

Pyrite stopped at a solid-looking door. "Now, where were we before we went off on that tangent about magic?"

Raiden said, "You wanted to talk to Alisin directly, if that was possible."

"Right." He looked at Alan, his expression hopeful. "I know that Alisin has no love for the Dark Kingdom, and his reaction to Hematite's appearance was understandable, if not forgivable. Because neither Ti nor Hematite was seriously hurt, I hold no grudge against him. I only ask for his help so I know what to look for when I monitor your training. Will he speak to me?"

{Grandfather?}

*I have given my Queen my word. I will speak to him directly, if you will allow me to.* There was a hint of anticipation in Alisin's mental voice.

*I think we will both learn from this man.*

"He's willing to speak to you," Alan said to Pyrite. "In fact, I think he's looking forward to the chance."

Pyrite beamed, then frowned. "Er...I forgot to ask if it was all right with you."

"It's not a problem," Alan reassured him. "If he's willing to talk to someone about Magic, I'm not going to stand in his way."

Pyrite smiled again. "Thank you."

The door opened into a small outer office, where a stout, grand-motherly type sat behind a desk, typing away on a computer. She glanced up and smiled at them. "Good morning, Dean," she said happily.

"Good morning, Nanko," replied Pyrite with a smile of his own. "Anything I need to know about?"

The woman glanced down at a pad next to her. "Let's see....Oh, yes, Professor Pines called. He wanted to speak to you about a couple of his students in the advanced class. He thinks there's something shady going on regarding one of his tests, but he wants your advice first."

Pyrite sighed."I'd better see him now." He looked at Alan. "Do you mind waiting in my office? I'm not sure how long it's going to take, but I'll be as quick as I can."

Nanko peered over a pair of small spectacles at Alan. "And who is this young gentleman?"

"I guess introductions are in order," said Pyrite. "Nanko, This is Alan Thomas. Alan, my long-time office secretary, Nanko McMasters."

The woman smiled warmly. " Are you going to be attending class here?" she asked.

Alan blinked. "I'm not sure," he replied.

"He's a special case," said Pyrite smoothly.

"With his aura?" asked Nanko in some surprise. "With what I'm seeing, I'm wondering if that's wise."

"You can read my aura?" blurted Alan.

"Er...yes, with his aura," said Pyrite quickly. "Alan has some...unique circumstances in his favor."

"That's an understatement," said Raiden in a low voice.

Nanko's eyes narrowed. "This wouldn't be the boy who has the entire CTU History department running around like a bunch of excited three-year-olds? The one from the past who is supposed to be bonded with the sprit of his Silver Millennium-era great-grandfather?"

Alan sighed. "Guilty as charged."

The woman smiled again. "You're the most exciting thing to hit this campus since the end of the Black Moon War. Half the Magical Department is lining up to talk to you, while the other half is convinced you're a fraud of some sort. Both the 20th Century and Silver Millennium history sub-departments are salivating at the chance to speak to you and your grandfather."

Alan closed his eyes, then covered them with a hand. "Maybe I should have snuck onboard the Mercury mission," he muttered. "It might have been less painful when they tossed me out the airlock."

*You may be right.*

Pyrite placed a hand on Alan's free shoulder. "Don't worry about the academic horde. I can keep most of them off of you."

Alan nodded with a sigh. "I suppose I have to talk to some of them, but I rather not have to deal with them right now. I had to do it in the hospital because I had no real choice in the matter."

"We'll give you a couple of weeks before you have to face them again," said Pyrite with a smile. "And I'll make sure that I sit in on the meetings so you don't feel alone." He glanced at the clock on the wall. "I'd better go and see Pines right now, before the start of his next class. Nanko, would you please show Alan into my office and make sure he's comfortable?"

"Of course, Dean."

"Guardian," said Raiden. "May I join you? If you show up with a moon cat, it might look like the palace is interested in the affair. Who knows? Maybe we can get to the bottom of the problem faster."

"Besides which, you're interested," replied Pyrite with a smile.

Raiden shrugged. "It'll give me a chance to exercise my deductive skills."

Pyrite looked at Alan. "Is that all right with you?"

It was Alan's turn to shrug. "Fine by me. I'll just sit in your office and read for a while."

"As soon as I get back, I would like to have that discussion with Alisin, if he's ready."

"I don't think that'll be a problem."

"Good. See you in a while." With that, Pyrite picked up Raiden, turned and left the office.

"This way," said Nanko, standing up and opening a door marked "DEAN PYRITE - PRIVATE."

Alan glanced inside the room. He hadn't really known what to expect, but the room kind of disappointed him. It looked like a normal professor's office. Directly across from the doorway, a solid looking desk sat in front of a window overlooking a courtyard. Floor to ceiling book- shelves covered the wall on Alan's left and most of the wall with the window. Two doors, one labeled "LAB", the other unmarked were on Alan's right. Next to him, a comfortable looking leather couch ran most of the wall's length, over which a large painting of the USS Enterprise (The Original TV Series version) hung. Below that, an odd-looking weapon hung on the wall, a curving, half-moon with leather wrapped handholds running the outside of the outer half circle. Three points were separated by a pair of smaller, curving blades that ran between each point. It combined parts of a scythe and sword. Alan recognized it immediately.

*I have never seen such a weapon,* said Alisin. *A relic of Beryl's

Kingdom?*

Alan reached out and gently touched the cool steel of the half-moon blade. {Not unless Beryl was a closet Trekkie.}

*You recognize it?*

{It's called a bat'telh and it was used in a televison series about a thousand years back.}

*The box that shows moving pictures?*

{That's right. A character on that series was from an alien, warlike race. This was his weapon.}

*Was this alien real, or made up?*

{Made up. The show was about how people with different backgrounds could get along together, set in a time and place that never existed. Do you remember the stories and legends you heard when you were a boy?}

*Yes. And this series is such a legend?*

{Oh yes. Would you care for all the details?}

*Another time, perhaps.*

"Is there anything I shouldn't touch?" Alan asked, looking around the room.

Nanko frowned in thought. "I suggest you stay away from the desk and the books on the top shelves there," she said, pointing to a shelf in the top corner. "Dean Pyrite doesn't use lethal or crippling form of wards, but he might use something with a bit of a bite."

{I take it we avoid the desk and the bookcase, right?}

*Of course. Wards are not things you want to trigger unless you know what you're doing - and you are a long way from that.* The was no sarcasm in Alisin's tone, just a statement of fact.

Alan nodded. "How about the couch?"

"That should be all right. Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

"Well, if you need anything, I'll be right outside." With that, she smiled at him as she closed the door.

Alan sat down on the couch slowly. He glanced down at the Star Trek novel. {Do you want to talk now, or wait until later?}

*I think now is a good time.*

Alan stretched out on the couch. {Fine by me. Where do we start?}

*We'll start with your performance during the exercise on the...

Holodeck?*

{That's what Guardian Pyrite calls it. I probably call it the holodeck myself.}

They spent several minutes discussing Alan's run in the holodeck. Alisin pointed out possible problems and what he thought were mistakes, all in a firm, brisk manner. Alan defended several of his decisions, winning some, losing others, but getting his points across to Alisin.

*Overall, you did well,* said Alisin. *But you definitely need to train more, preferably in the chamber where we were today. You must ask the Queen if you can be allowed to use it on a regular basis.*

{Aren't we pushing things a bit?}

*There is someone out there who thinks you would be better dead than alive. I wish I was exaggerating the possible danger here, but I am not. The sooner you can develop your skills, the more able you will be to defend yourself.*

{You don't think that frosty fruitcake against me at the shrine was an accident, do you?}

*They were looking for you expressly.*

{Why me?}

Alisin was silent for a moment. *The only thing that makes sense is someone is scared of your magic.*

{Scared enough to kill me? I don't even know what I'm doing half the time!}

*Either that person does not know that, or they are fearful you will get better. Either one means they prefer you to be dead.*

{Again, why me? Someone who can sic a bunch of gun-happy psychos on me isn't the type to be scared by anything I can do.}

*I realize that.* There was silence for a moment. *I have a possible theory, but there are some questions I need to ask Guardian Pyrite first.*

{What theory?}

*Not until I have something more then a feeling. I might be over-reacting again, and I will not allow that to happen.*

{I guess I'll have to live with that for now. But what about -} He stopped in mid-sentence and opened his eyes. {Did you hear that?}

*What?*

{A scratching noise.} He looked at the door leading to the lab. {And coming from over there.}

*Be careful. It might be something dangerous.*

Alan sat up. {The secretary didn't mention anything about the lab. As long as I don't go in, it should be all right.}

*I suggest you ready a spell, just in case.*

{Any suggestions?}

*I think a simple 'Hurricane Punch' should be good enough. The other offensive spells cover too wide an area, and I am certain Guardian Pyrite would be upset if we destroyed his research.*

{Why an offensive spell? I think under the circumstances, I'd better stick with 'Force Wall'. That way I don't risk any chance of a stray shot.}

*Excellent choice,* said Alisin approvingly.

Alan stood and stretched. {Huh?}

*Knowing when to use a spell is almost as important as what spell to use.*

{That was a test?}

*Of course. You have to think for yourself, not rely on me to tell you what to do every single time. I will advise and teach you, but you must be able to use your magic without my help.*

{That makes sense,} conceded Alan. He closed his eyes and thought of the spell matrix for the defensive shield. He opened his eyes and saw a glimmering gem-like object slowly rotating scant centimeters in front of his eyes.

{Ready?}

*Of course.*

Alan walked slowly over to the door marked 'Lab', and placed a hand on the doorknob. The doorknob twisted easily, and the door opened just as smoothly. As soon as the door opened halfway, a large white cat trotted out into the office. It sat down and looked up at Alan with large green eyes.

{Is it a moon cat?} asked Alan.

*No, there's no sign on its forehead.*

"Meow?" the cat said, still looking up at Alan.

{I don't see a collar.}

*I do not think Guardian Pyrite would let a lab animal run free.*

{Assuming it is a lab animal.} Alan looked inside the lab. {I can see a lot of stuff, but no cages or any other animals. I do see an open window though. Maybe that's how it got in.} He felt something against his pant leg, and he looked down. The cat had curled itself around Alan's right leg, rubbing itself along Alan's shin while purring loudly.

*I think you've made a friend,* said Alisin.

Alan reached down and picked the cat up. It was surprisingly muscular, but made effort to struggle in Alan's grasp. In fact, it seemed to enjoy snuggling into his arms, purring contentedly as Alan closed the lab door and walked back to the couch. He sat down and the cat curled up in his lap. {Just like Raiden likes to do,} thought Alan. {He likes to get his ears scratched when he's sleeping.}

*True. But I believe this is a female cat.*

Alan scratched the cat behind the ears and the animal responded with a loud purr and slowly turned onto her back. It stared up at him with big green eyes that seemed to say 'please scratch my belly.' Alan sighed and began scratching her belly, then leaned back and closed his eyes. {What were we talking about?}

*Someone trying to kill you.*

{Oh. Thanks for the reminder. As I was saying, someone has to be crazy to try and slip something past the Senshi in this city. You remember what happened at the shrine when the Queen burnt out those teleport blockers.}

*A Senshi in anger is not a person to be treated lightly.*

{A Senshi is not a person to be treated lightly, period.}

*Never the less, someone is willing to risk incurring the wrath of the

Queen and the Senshi to elimanate you. That implies something I am not ready to commit to, but troubles me all the same.*

{What?}

*The theory of mine.*

{Oh. So what's our plan?}

*For you, training. As much as we can squeeze in before the next attack.*

{What next attack?}

*Did you think our unseen enemy would give up after one attack? If anything, you've confirmed the necessity of killing you. The next attack could come at any moment.*

{I don't think so. In fact I...Uh-oh.}

*What?*

{This cat got heavy all of a sudden.} Alan opened his eyes and looked down at the cat.

Only it wasn't a cat or at least it wasn't the same cat that had been sitting in his lap a few seconds ago. The fur was still white, and the eyes still green, but the rest of her was straight out of a Playboy Magazine centerfold, down to the sensual smile on her face. Alan glanced down the couch at her long lean legs and quickly estimated she had several inches on him in height, followed by the realization the cat woman was stark naked, and his hand was on her stomach.

"Hello there," she purred seductively. "Care for some...fun?"

It was at this point his rational mind, which had accepted thousand-year-old Senshi, talking moon cats, an AI who like hugging him, a grandfather sharing his mind, and a twelve-year old better looking then most Hollywood starlets, decided it had accepted enough impossible things for several lifetimes, and went out for a short break....

"AAAAUUUUGGGGHHHHHHHHH!"

Nanko looked up at the cry of terror coming from the Dean's office. The cry was followed by the sound of something heavy being dropped, a shout of "STRESS SPHERE!", then the sounds of something hitting several walls, a small explosion or two, and several thuds.

The door to the dean's office flew open, and the young man who'd had come in with Pyrite came charging out at a full run. He crashed into the outer door, bounced off, then grabbed the doorknob and tried to open it, not realizing, in his panic, his other hand held the door shut. Eyes wild, he finally managed to yank the door open, only to hit himself in the forehead with the door. He staggered back a couple of steps, then wrenched the door open and rushed out.

Nanko frowned at the open outer door, trying to recall anything in the Dean's office that would scare anyone, but nothing came to mind. She heard something growling at the doorway of the Dean's office, and she turned to see a rather angry Margrave standing in the doorway.

Her eyes were narrow and she was showing her teeth in a ferrous scowl. The youma's fur was matted and in clumps and there were several splotches of what looked like ash or charcoal marring her sleek whiteness. Behind her, a wisp of smoke drifted out of the office and Nanko could detect the bitter odor of brimstone from the activated wards.

"A simple 'no' would have been enough," Margrave hissed. She reached inside the door and pulled out the bat'telh. She checked it for any signs of damage, then smiled at the secretary. "If Py comes back, tell him I borrowed his toy for some....recreation." Before Nanko could respond, Margrave had charged out the door after the young man.

Nanko shook her head and dialed Professor Pines office. Hopefully, the Dean would stop it before it got out of hand....

Rei looked up from her paperwork as Marcus entered her office. "Yes?" she asked cooly.

Marcus looked puzzled. "Excuse me Lady Mars, we've just had a report from CTU campus security that there's a young man racing through the campus generating windstorms in his wake pursued by a, uhm...." Rei's aide reread the call transcript, "...a catwoman wielding a strange-looking weapon and in a state of extreme undress."

Rei sighed. "This is getting ridiculous," she muttered. She looked up at her aide. "Scramble the riot squad, warm up the teleporter and...." She stopped and thought for several seconds. "On second thoughts, cancel that. We'd just add to the confusion. Wait fifteen minutes then check back with them and see if it's all blown over. If anyone asks I'm on a coffee break and you can't send special forces in without my approval."

Her aide stared at her for a moment, a look of disbelief on his face.

"We're not going to do anything?"

Rei looked at him. "The guy who's generating windstorms in his wake is a natural disaster who's his own worse enemy, not to mention the biggest pain in my neck since Maggie flew the coop. The other, is of course, Margrave, the second biggest pain in my neck. If I'm lucky, they're take each other out."

Marcus frowned. "Is that a wise course of action?"

"No," Rei admitted, "But it's the most satisfying. Of course, if they'll still at it in fifteen minutes, we can arrest them and toss them in jail for a while." She smiled. "Either way, it's a no-lose situation for us."

Marcus opened his mouth, then sighed, saluted, and went to carry out his orders.

Rei decided she might as well add authenticity to the story by getting a cup of coffee. She went over to the small coffee machine in one corner of the office. As the refreshment dispenser filled the cup, she chuckled as she pictured the scene. Now what were the chances the two major thorns in her side (or lower) would cancel each other out? Minimal. Margrave was too much of a survivor, while Alan has access to some strong magic - but after an introduction like this, at least she wouldn't have to worry about them joining forces.

Are you sure? asked an internal voice in the back of her mind. Are you sure Alan isn't in real danger?

Rei frowned, then looked to make sure she was alone in the room. "Yes, I'm sure," she said in a soft voice. "Margrave's too smart to chop him up and Alan's incredibly unlikely to have pushed her into a true berserker rage."

You hope, said the voice.

"He's the most irritating person I've met -"

Since Yuuchiro?

"Oh no, you don't," she muttered before she turned and stalked over to her desk and sat down. Without another thought to Alan, she started back into her paperwork.

Pyrite had just reached Professor Pines' door when his spotted a familiar figure walking towards him. "Setsuna?"

The Senshi of Time dressed in a subdued ankle-length skirt and blouse nodded at him. "Good afternoon," she said with a half-smile.

"What brings you here to CTU?" asked Pyrite.

Setsuna reached out started to scratch Raiden's head. The Moon cat closed his eyes and purred happily. "I wanted to see how Alan is doing with the testing."

"I ran him through one of Azurite's training programs this morning," said Pyrite. "Considering his rawness with his magic, he didn't do too badly."

Setsuna nodded. "Where is he now?"

"He's waiting for me in my office." He motioned to the door. "First, I need to talk to Professor Pines about some academic problems."

"May I tag along?" asked Setsuna. "I need to talk to Alan."

"I don't mind," purred Raiden, moving his head slightly under Setsuna's hand. He looked disappointed when she stopped.

"Neither do I," said Pyrite with a smile. He opened the door to Pines' office and entered, followed by Setsuna.

Inside, a thin woman with short hair and glasses sat behind a desk. She glanced up from her telephone as the pair came in. "Dean Pyrite!' she squeaked. "You're secretary is on the line for you! She said it's important!"

Pyrite frowned. "I wonder what...." He strode over to the phone.

Setsuna felt the air from the open office door behind her move. She turned, puzzled. As she did so, the air movement increased to the level of a light breeze. She took a step towards the door, her senses telling her something was wrong. As she reach the doorway, the Senshi heard someone running down the hall towards her.

She glanced out into the hall just in time to see the familiar form of Alan Thomas flying down the hall at a dead run. He flashed by the doorway without seeing her, a look of determination mixed with terror on his face. He made a hard turn at the next intersection and raced out of sight.

Setsuna blinked, and nearly missed Alan's pursuer. She saw a flash of white fur and the glint of steel flash by her, resolving itself into the lithe form of Margrave. The Youma was carrying a nasty-looking weapon and a look of calculated glee. She whipped around the corner and out of sight.

"That's something you don't see everyday," Setsuna muttered.

"We've got trouble," said Pyrite, turning to look at the Senshi. "Alan's being -"

"- chased by Margrave, who has your bat'telh," finished Setsuna, who had stepped out into the hallway.

"How did you...."

"They just ran by here. If we hurry, we can catch them before they get somebody killed."

With that, they dashed off after them, Raiden hanging onto Pyrite's shoulder for dear life.

Rei looked up from her paperwork as Marcus entered her office again.

"Now what?" she asked, allowing some irritation to creep into her tone.

"Excuse me Lady Mars, that report from CTU campus security? It seems that Guardian Pyrite and a woman have joined the chase."

She ignored the sudden cold feeling that went down her spine. "Azurite?"

"No, Lady Mars. The woman is described as having green hair."

Rei's mind whirled. Could Titanite have decided this was the perfect opportunity for some payback? "Bright green?"

Marcus shook his head. "Very dark and they can't ID her."

Which meant there was only one reasonable candidate....

Rei sighed. "Setsuna," she muttered. "That tears it." She looked up at her aide. "Much as it pains me to say, scramble the riot squad, and warm up the teleporter. If Alan manages to get himself killed, Setsuna will not be happy."

Her aide frowned. "You know this woman?"

Rei looked at him and nodded. "There are a few people in Crystal Tokyo that you never want to cross. Setsuna Meiou is one of them."

Marcus nodded. "I see," in a tone that said he didn't.

"Believe me, Marcus," said Rei softly. "You don't want to know.... "

*Alan!*

Alan ignored his grandfather's call and dashed down the hall. He turned around long enough to fire off a 'hurricane punch' at the pursuing catwoman then raced around another corner.

*Alan!*

{I'm a bit busy right now.}

*Will you stop for a moment?*

{And let that combo of Morris the cat and Miss July slice me into thin strips? No way, Jose.}

*Who's Jose?*

{I'll explain later, assuming there is a later.}

Alan shot through a door and found himself outside in a courtyard. The four buildings that bordered the courtyard were made of stone and glass, and Alan might have been impressed if he wasn't too busy running for his life. There were scattered groups of students throughout the lush grass areas and large, majestic-looking trees, most of them enjoying the nice day. Several looked in his direction before returning to their own pursuits.

Alan jumped down the short flight of stairs and sprinted across the courtyard. Three quarters of the way across, the heard the doors behind him slam open. A quick glance over his shoulder told him that the bat'telh-wielding catwoman had cleared all the steps, not to mention a large chunk of ground in front of the steps, in a single bound.

Out of the corners of his eyes, Alan noticed the students look up at the charging monster, then calmly went back to their own conversations. He heard a couple of them shout out "Marcrave", or something like it as he flew past them, but there was no screams or shouts of panic. As if someone being chased by a bat'telh-armed catwoman was a common occurrence at the college.

Alan reached the other end of the courtyard, and bounded up the stairs three at a time. Three strides took him to a pair of doors leading into a building with the word 'ALCHEMY' above the door. He flung open the door, took four stride into the building

Someone grabbed him from behind and yanked him back with incredible strength. With a cry of surprise, Alan felt his feet leave the floor and saw the ceiling for a split second before he hit the floor with jarring suddenness. Part of him wanted to admire the stars that had abruptly appeared in front of him, but Alisin shouted, *Get up!*

Blinking a few times to clear his vision, he rolled onto his stomach and carefully got to one knee. His vision was blurry and he shook his head slowly to clear it. It was then, he was aware of voices nearby.

"Was that really essential?" asked a male voice that sounded familiar.

"I could have stood in front of him," replied a dry female voice, "and probably gotten run over for my troubles."

"She's right," replied a third voice, also male. "Alan's doesn't let minor things like walls or Senshi interfere with his fleeing."

"That's not nice, Raiden," said the female voice. "He's still a stranger here, and Margrave is a bit of a shock to the sense the first time you meet her."

The second male voice sighed. "I know, but he can't always run away from trouble. Sometime, he's going to have to realize that."

"For right now, running is the best thing he can do."

The first male voice broke in. "I know Alan is somewhat...."

"'Paranoid' is the word you're looking for."

Just then, Alan heard the outside door open. He staggered to his feet and turned to run. A hand come down on his shoulder. "Oh, no, you don't," said the dry female voice.

Alan's vision cleared and he turned to look at the voice's owner and found himself staring at Setsuna. Behind Setsuna, Alan could see Pyrite, with Raiden sitting on his shoulder, facing off against the catwoman.

Instead of charging, the catwoman let the bat'telh drop to her side.

"Oh, Bother," she said with a shrug. "I guess this means playtime is over."

Pyrite held out a hand. "The bat'telh, Margrave," he said in a low voice. "Now."

"This?" replied the catwoman, holding up the Klingon weapon. "Is that what's it called?"

"Yes," replied Pyrite through clenched teeth. "Please, Margrave."

"What will you give me if I give you this?" purred Margrave.

"If you don't give it to him," said a new voice. "I'll give you a jail cell free of charge."

Senshi Mars stormed into view, followed by half a dozen security troopers. She looked at Margrave, Pyrite, Setsuna, and Alan in turn, saving her best scowls for Margrave and Alan. Margrave gave the bat'telh to Pyrite then turned to smirk at the dark-haired Senshi. Rei glowered back before she said, "Now, do I get an explanation here, or at my office?"

It took twenty minutes for Rei to listen to everyone's stories.

The unused classroom she had appropriated for this purpose wasn't crowded with only eleven people and one Moon Cat in it, but there was an air of discomfort in the room. Rei sat behind the teacher's desk, looking like a teacher about to discipline unruly students. She waited until the five had finished their stories before she spoke.

"Let me get this straight," she said in a low voice, staring at each of them in turn. "Margrave was in the lab when Alan entered Pyrite's office. She decided to have a little fun with what she thought was a new student. Only, Alan panicked and set off a spell in Pyrite's office that struck a couple of the wards in the office. Right?"

"Of course," purred Margrave, who was draped over a chair in a manner that had most of the security team watching her for reasons other then security. She glanced over at Alan, who was sitting on the far side of the group. He looked straight ahead and ignored her.

Rei glared at the catwoman. "After Alan ran out of the office, you decided you were going to teach him a lesson."

"Not the one I wanted to teach him," murmured Margrave with a smile.

"But I wasn't going to hurt him."

Alan's face redden. Rei shot him a scathing look, then looked at Setsuna, the fire Senshi's face losing most of the anger as she address the Time guardian. "And you happened to be in the building when this happened?"

Setsuna was as relaxed as Margrave. Raiden was a ball in here lap, enjoying the soft stroking of Setsuna's hand along his back. "I wanted to talk to Pyrite about the tests Alan was going through. Just after we met, Alan came running past, followed by Margrave. We followed after them, and saw them going across the courtyard out there. We just teleported across the courtyard ahead of them and that's where you found us."

"Do you have anything to add to that, Guardian?"

Pyrite looked up from his examination of the bat'telh sitting on his lap. "I have nothing to add." He then went back to checking his prize for damage. Margrave, who was sitting next to him, leaned over and whispered something into his ear that made the Renegade flush in embarrassment.

Rei looked over at Alan, who had remained silent. "I don't know what I'm going to do about you," she snapped. "You've been nothing but trouble since you've gotten here and -"

She didn't notice Alan's shift in expression until it was too late. He looked at her, his eyes narrowing. "When was the last time you got laid?"

There was silence in the room for a full five seconds. Several of the security troopers cautiously leaned away from their commander as far as they could without actually leaving their posts, most looking like they wished they were on another planet. Rei's eyes became nothing more then slits. Alan's own expression was stormy. "What did you say?" asked Rei, her voice low and dangerous.

Alan stood and leaned on the desk, staring down at her. Rei stood and leaned forward herself. The two were nosetip to nosetip, everyone else forgotten. "What did you say?" Rei repeated, each word bitten off as she said them.

"You heard me," Alan replied coldly. "You are so uptight, I'm surprised you don't squeak when you walk."

Rei blinked, then allowed her anger to flare. "You listen here, you arrogant son of -"

"NO, YOU listen, Napalm breath," replied Alan, venom dripping from his words. "I never wanted to be here, but I've got no choice in the matter - I'm stuck here. Get use to the idea."

"Wait -"

"I'm sick and tired of your scorn and suspicions. There's enough people out there who are pissed off at me without having you on my back. So, get off your high horse and get a life!"

"You're a security risk!" Rei shot back.

"In your dreams! Why don't you go chase someone who's actually dangerous, or are you so inept that you can't find someone unless you stumble over them?"

"Don't you dare tell me how to do my job!"

"Why not? It looks like you could use the advice!"

"I've had it with your smart mouth! I think you need a night in a cell to cool off!"

Alan leaned forward until their foreheads touched. "You going to do it yourself?" he hissed. "Or are you going to have your storm troopers do it for you?"

"That's enough, children," said Setsuna, her voice like cold water.

Both Alan and Rei glared at her. "Stay out of this!" they chorused, then turn to scowl at each other again.

"Look here, you airhead!' Rei shouted. "You're a menace to society, and you should be locked up!"

"And I suppose you -" Alan stopped in mid-sentence and Rei saw his expression change from anger to one of horror and disbelief in an eyeblink. He slowly took a step back, looking like a man who had just seen his worse nightmare spring to life.

"Alan, what is it?" asked Setsuna, standing, Raiden cradled in her arms.

"What...am I doing?" asked Alan in a choked tone. He glanced wildly around him, then looked at his trembling hands.

"The adrenalin rush must be wearing off," said Pyrite.

Alan tuned to Rei. "I-I'm sorry for what I just said," he said in a dull voice. "Maybe I should be locked up." He began to shake slightly. "I think I need some air," he whispered. He turned and ran out of the classroom, shoving his way past the two security men guarding the door.

There was silence for several seconds after the door closed. Several of the troopers looked like they were set to go after Alan, needing only their commander's orders to do so. Rei's eyes blazed, and she opened her mouth to give the command, but the ice-cool voice of Pluto's Senshi said, "I suggest you say nothing, Rei. It will not help."

Rei turned to glare at Setsuna, who met it with a cool gaze of her own. The green-haired woman glanced over at Pyrite, "Guardian, I suggest you speak to Alan and make sure that everything is all right." She placed Raiden on Pyrite's shoulder.

"If you think I should," replied the senor mage with a frown.

"If Alan won't open up, try speaking to Alisin. If anyone knows what is bothering Alan, it will be him."

The Guardian nodded slowly stood and carefully holding the bat'telh, walked out of the room. Margrave stretched slowly and sensually before standing. "If you have nothing else to ask me, I'll be on my way. I have a business appointment in an hour,"

"Now, wait a minute!" yelled Rei, her face becoming even redder. "I am not -"

"Let her go, Mars," said Setsuna calmly, "and send your troopers back to headquarters."

Rei turned to look at her, her mouth opening and closing, but with no sound. Setsuna took a deep breath. "I need to talk to you - alone."

"All right." The fire Senshi turned to the trooper standing nearest her.

"Go back to headquarters," she said, her words lowand hard.

The trooper nodded. With several hand signals, the security team left the classroom. Margrave sashayed out after them, a large smile on her face. Rei waited until the door closed before she sat down. A small device the size and shape of a pen appeared in her hand. She touched a button on it, then placed the device down on the desk. "A sonic jammer to ensure privacy," she said.

"Reporters?"

"Margrave."

Setsuna smiled. "A wise course of action."

"Never mind the platitudes. What did you want to say to me?"

The smile faded. "Despite his temper tantrum, Alan's right. You are hard on him."

"Is that all you have to say?"

"No." the Senshi of Time gaze was cool, but not unfriendly. "You're too hard on him, and he's feeling the heat."

"I'm not the one who has a sprit bonded to him that went berserk and tried to kill Ti and Hematite."

"That matter has been resolved. Alisin will not try that again."

"Says you."

Setsuna arched an eyebrow. "You don't trust my word."

"I trust your word," replied Rei, leaning forward, "because I know you. Until he dropped into our laps, I'd never heard of a Windwalker. I don't know him."

"But I do. Alisin Windwalker is a man of honor, as his grandson. In some ways, they are very much alike." Setsuna stood and walked over to the window. "Alan isn't angry at you personally - something's bothering him."

Rei snorted. "What? He obviously not me anymore, not after that little stunt."

Setsuna shook her head. "Despite his words, he isn't scared of you anymore. If anything, I think he's a bit in awe of you, along with a healthy dose of respect."

"Ha! I'm a bit skeptical about the 'awe and respect' part of your statement. He's the most irritating man I've met -"

"Since Yuuchiro?"

Rei's jaw tightened. "That's not funny," she muttered, staring down at the desk.

"I'm sorry."

"I must be losing my touch if I'm letting him get under my skin."

"No, you're not. What you just saw here was Alan's anger and fear talking."

"Fear of what?"

"That someone is out to kill him."

Rei frowned. "We have no proof of Diaspore's claims, nothing that will back up his words. I've had my people scouring the city for any proof and Cal's people have been trying to trace the route the Nemesisans used to get into the city. Nothing has turned up in the area of who hired the terrorists, nor can we find the security breach that let them get into CT."

"I know. I will speak to Alisin and see if he can shed some light on this." She turned to look at Rei. "Ease up on him. Alan's not a bad person."

"So I keep being told, but I haven't seen much of that." Rei leaned back and looked at the ceiling. "It seems we can't speak half-a-dozen civil words to each other before we start arguing."

"In public, yes. But when it's just the two of you?"

Rei brushed her hair back, her face scowling in thought. "Now that you mentioned it, the couple of times when it's been just him and me, or even with Raiden, we've managed to talk without sniping at each other."

Setsuna nodded sagely. "I suspect that the next time you and he are alone, he will apologize more contritely for his words here, and his actions."

"Assuming I don't strangle him first."

"You're not the first person to say that."

Rei glared at Setsuna. "If I have my way, I'll never get within screaming distance of that baka again!"

"I think the problem is you and he keep meeting under high-stress situations.

Alan tends to get sarcastic under pressure, and your personality is somewhat...fiery.

You saw what happened when the two mix."

Rei cocked an eyebrow. "And when did you become an expert on personalities?"

Setsuna shrugged. "I know you and the other Senshi. I also know Alan Thomas better then he knows himself."

"How did you do that?"

"I went back in Time and looked at his life."

"What did you find out?"

Setsuna cocked her own eyebrow. "Are you interested?"

"Anything that might affect his security status is of interest to me."

"Very well, I won't bore you with all the details, so I'll just hit the highlights of his former life." She turned to face Rei. "He was born in 1973. Both parents died in an accident when he was three. The accident was labeled 'suspicious', but nothing was ever proven. Spent the next seven years in various foster homes until he was adopted by an older couple living on a farm in the Midwestern United States. Was found to have a genius IQ and was placed into advanced classes. Graduated high school at 16, entered college the same year and graduated three years later with a bachelor's degree in computer science. He was just starting a job with a major defense contractor when was caught in a forest fire and presumed killed."

"Except, he ended up here."

"Yes."

"Any family?"

Setsuna turned and looked out the window again. "He was an only child. The couple that adopted him died just before he graduated from college. Only a few close friends, no romantic ties. He was loyal to his friends almost to the point of stupidity, but was irritating to his enemies."

"I can vouch for the 'irritating' part of your statement," said Rei slowly. "He's a loner."

"Exactly."

"So, what do you want me to do with him? Take him out to dinner and be his friend?"

Rei thought she saw a ghost of a smile float across Setsuna's lips, but it was gone as fast as it had come. "Nothing so radical. Ease up on him. He's doing the best he can in a situation we both can agree is difficult."

"I would, but he seems to be the center of trouble around this city lately."

"None of which was his own fault. Alisin was the one who attacked Ti and her daughter. Only after Alan was attacked at the shrine did he use his magic. And Margrave can be a shock to the senses the first time you meet her."

Rei sighed. Setsuna was right. Alan was more a victim of circumstances then an active purveyor of trouble. "I'll try," she said in a resigned tone, "but I'm not promising anything."

"Thank you. I will not ask for more then that."

"Anything else?" asked Rei as she stood.

"Are you still having visions?"

There was silence in the classroom for a long time. "I see," said Setsuna.

"What are they this time?"

Rei sat down again, leaned forward, and stared at the desktop. "More of the same," she said quietly. "I've seen a figure of fire, a column of water, a spire of rock and a dragon formed from air. They are facing off against the ancient symbols for Air, Fire, Water, and Earth. Both sides are tainted with malice and malevolence that seems ancient, yet nearby. In the background, I can feel this presence like a shadow that never quite forms, but radiates a sense of purpose...."She stopped. "It's difficult to try and describe entirely the things I've been seeing because they never remain long enough for me to see them fully."

"Do not force it. They will come in time." Setsuna turned and walked away from the window. She stopped at the door. "But do not ignore them either. I think what you are seeing is something that has been simmering for a very long time."

"How long?"

"I am not certain, but it may go back as far as the fall of the Silver Millennium. Alan's presence may force them out into the light."

"In what way?"

Setsuna shook her head. "I am not certain. The future is still too vague, but I know Alan is involved in some way."

"Is the city in danger?"

"Maybe. Parts of it may become a battleground, but there won't be large numbers involved. The enemy will not send more then two or three of them at any time."

"What are you hiding, Setsuna?" asked Rei sharply. "If it's something to is a threat to this city, I - "

"I am not hiding anything because I'm certain of very little. Call it a hunch, a feeling based on a lifetime of experience."

Rei sighed and relaxed. "I hate it when you're vague."

"I will tell you this much that I am certain of. Alan will need to master his magic to survive what lies ahead of him. The last thing he needs is to be distracted by you."

"Distracted? What are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything, but you are."

The two Senshi locked gazes, Rei fiery stare met by Setsuna's cool, appraising examination. Neither one said anything for a long time. Finally, Rei said, "All right, I'll let it go for now, but if someone is injured or killed because you were hiding something from me, I will tell the Queen."

"As it is your responsibility to do." Setsuna opened the door. "As soon as I know for certain, you will be informed."

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to talk to Alan."

"Good luck. I think you'll need it."

Setsuna shook her head. "I'm just going to do what needs to be done."

With that, she walked out of the room.

Rei closed her eyes and tried to relax. After several minutes, she gave up, snatched up the sonic jammer and stalked out of the room.

It took forty-five minutes for Setsuna to find Pyrite. A call to Nanko had lead her to the palace and the guest wing. The Mage was standing outside Alan's apartment, Raiden sitting on his shoulder. He frowned as the Senshi approached.

"Is he in there?" Setsuna asked bruskly.

Pyrite nodded. "He refused to speak to me the entire time over here. He slammed the door in my face and locked it."

"I see." She glanced up and down the corridor. "I need you to seal this area off while I talk to Alan." She glanced at Raiden. "Alone."

The Cat frowned, but nodded slowly. "I wish I saw this coming," he said sadly.

"So do I. But there's no use in worry about what we cannot change." She looked at Pyrite. "How long?"

"What for -" Pyrite's question faded as he saw the henshin stick in Setsuna's hand. "Give me a couple of minutes."

"Alert Rei first so we don't have another interruption."

Pyrite nodded and touched a button on his wrist communicator. Rei's face appeared on the small viewscreen. "Guardian Pyrite," she said cooly. "What can I do for you?"

"I'm going to be activating a couple of security wards on the fifth floor of the Palace's guest wing in the next several minutes."

"All right." Her face hardened. "What has Alan done now?"

Setsuna leaned over Pyrite's shoulder to look at Rei. "Nothing yet," she replied. "The precautions are for my benefit. I've decided to speak to him in an 'official' capacity."

Understanding dawned on Rei's face. "I see. Good luck. Maybe you can knock some sense into him, or at least some manners."

"I hope it doesn't come to that."

"Let me know all the details."

"I'll think about it." With that Setsuna stepped back and Pyrite broke the connection.

The Guardian looked at the Senshi of Time. "How long do you think you'll need?"

"At least ten, maybe twenty, minutes."

Pyrite nodded. "I can maintain the wards that long with ease, but anything after thirty minutes and people may start getting curious and start asking questions."

"Thirty minutes should be more then enough. Do it."

"Right."

Raiden jumped off Pyrite's shoulder and padded over to Alan's door. He pressed an ear against and listened. Meanwhile, Pyrite removed gemstones from a small pouch and with a whispered command, sent them floating into the air. He continued to do this until six floated in a circle around his head.

"Activating wards now," he said in a distracted tone.

A shimmering field of multicolors appeared in the middle of each corridor, each ten meters from Alan's door. "Done," said Pyrite. "The wards are opaque and will block all sound."

Setsuna nodded. "Very well."

Raiden looked up. "He's in there. I can hear him breathing."

Setsuna held her henshin stick above her head. "PLUTO POWER MAKE UP!"

As the transformation took hold, Both Pyrite and Raiden closed their eyes and waited until the lights stopped dancing across their eyelids before they opened them again.

Sailor Pluto, guardian of Time and legend stood where Setsuna Meiou had stood, staff in one hand, and a look of determination in her eye. She took two strides over to the door and knocked loudly. "Alan Cornwell Thomas!" she said thunderously. "Open this door!"

"Go away!" a muffled voice replied.

"If you won't open this door, I will!"

"Go away and leave me alone!"

Setsuna's free arm shot out and her open palm slammed into the door at shoulder height. With a crack, the door flew off the hinges and landed a meter inside the apartment. With the crash of the door still ringing in her ears, Pluto strode into the apartment.

The apartment wasn't large, but it was comfortable looking. A living room was off to Pluto's right, with a couch and a couple of suitable chairs.

Alan sat in the middle of the floor, his legs pulled up, his arms around his knees, and his head down. He looked up at Pluto, and he could see the bitterness in his eyes. "I see the avenging angel has come at last," he said without emotion

"It's time we talked."

"Have a seat. Don't mind me, I'm just going to have a nice, uncomplicated nervous breakdown right here and now."

"I don't have time for your games."

Alan shrugged. "Time is the only thing I seem to have these days. Of course, I don't know how much of that I have left. A year, maybe two? Or maybe five? Or, maybe if I start running now, I can last ten years."

"Enough babbling!" said Pluto sharply.

Why shouldn't I babble? It might keep me from sticking my foot in my mouth."

"You made a mistake."

"So, what else is new? Everything I seem to do here is a mistake, or I manage to irritate someone. Murphy's law in action, that's me."

"You're an adult. Act like one!"

"Why?"

Pluto stared at him. "Because it's the proper thing to do," she said finally.

"Proper?" Alan said softly. "What is proper in this time and place? I don't know anymore."

"The first thing you can do is stand up."

Alan thought about that for a moment. "I suppose I can do that without causing a disaster." He stood slowly. "Now what? Did I get a thirty minute head start, or are you going to let me have it here?"

"I am not here for that!"

Alan shrugged. "Pity. I suppose Rei wouldn't mind the chance to flame baste me."

Pluto frowned. "You're over-reacting."

"So what else is new?"

"What's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" repeated Alan. He looked at her, and she could see the pain in his eyes. "Do you want the laundry list, or should I just hit the highlights?"

"Let me speak to Alisin," Pluto said gently

"Why?"

"You're in no condition to talk to me. This is important."

Alan shrugged, then turned and flopped onto the couch. "Sure, why not? I've even managed to aggravate him today. You don't need me to stay around, do you? I'd though I'd go see Helios and see if I can piss him off. That way, I'll be too scared to sleep."

"You're talking nonsense."

"I do my best. I figure at the rate I'm going, I'll have the entire city calling for my head in oh, three years, assuming I'm still alive then." With that, he closed his eyes.

When he opened them again, Alisin looked at Pluto. "What's happening?"

Pluto asked.

"The actions of that catwoman were the last slap to Alan's self esteem," said Alisin slowly, letting some bitterness creep into tone.

"What happened?"

"The facade Alan has been hiding behind for all this time have finally been torn apart."

Realization struck Pluto. "He's falling apart emotionally."

"Agreed," replied Alisin. "Until he came here, he had always believed his skills, knowledge, and intelligence would see him through anything. His relocation to this place was a shock, but he believed he could handle it."

"But he hasn't."

Alisin shook his head. "The stress has been greater then he expected. His belief in himself has taken blow after blow. He now sees his skills as useless, his knowledge far out of date, and he feels his intelligence isn't up to the task of adapting. He believes that everything he knew is gone and he's truly alone in an alien world."

"Then, he's been hiding behind a false front all this time?"

"He's been hiding his fears from everyone, even from me. Had he not found himself the target of an attack, he would still be hiding."

Pluto nodded. "The Nemesisan's attack at the shrine."

Alisin sat up and faced his niece. "That attack shook him more then he was willing to admit to anyone, even himself. Someone tried to kill him, and that has been poisoning his mind with fear." He hesitated, then continued. "The Youma's sudden appearance came just as we were discussing the possibility of an attack. Alan's fear overcame his reason, and he ran."

"I see." Pluto perched herself on the edge of the couch.

"When he realized it wasn't an attack, he thought he'd look like a fool. Add that to the stress of everything he's been through since we have been here, and it became too much. Lady Mars' decision to criticize him came at exactly the wrong moment, and he allowed the poison to spew." Alisin sighed. "I do not know everything he feels every single moment, though I should have seen this coming since your trip into the Land of Dreams to rescue me. You remember his attitude during that meeting."

Pluto nodded. "I dismissed his words there as the heat of the moment."

"As did I. But that was the first crack in the shield he's been hiding behind. We both made a mistake in not picking up the signs sooner. My own... actions at that time clouded the issue."

"It's no use blaming ourselves for the past, we must deal with Alan in the here-and-now." She frowned "We're going to have to sit down and get him to open up."

"It will not be easy, Moment. Any mindhealer you bring to him will do nothing but make him pull back inside his shell."

"I know. That's why we're not going to a psychologist. But, I will need your help"

"I will do what I can. Despite his flaws, he is of my blood and I will gladly help him."

"Keep him occupied until we're ready." She stood and strode over to the doorway leading out into the hall. Both Pyrite and Raiden stood there, waiting for her. "Dispel the wards and come in here. I'm going to need your help."

When Alan opened his eyes, he found himself sitting in the apartment's small kitchen. In front of him on the small table was a steaming cup of tea. Setsuna sat across from him watching him over her own cup of tea. "Welcome back," she said softly. "Are your ready to talk?"

"About what?" Alan asked causally, picking up the teacup.

"Your feelings."

"My feelings about what?"

"Your feelings since you came here."

"I -" Alan felt something stuck to his forehead and he reached up to touch it. It felt cool and smooth under his touch. "What's this?' he asked harshly.

"It's a spell crystal," Setsuna replied calmly. "I had Pyrite attach it while Alisin was in control of your body. It will not harm you or affect you in any way, and it will fall off after the spell's been exhausted, which should be in a couple of hours. You have my word on that."

*Believe her Alan,* urged Alisin. *She doesn't lie.*

"What happens if I do something stupid, like take a poke at you, or tell you to get bent?"

"The crystal will do nothing. On the other hand, I'm not as benevolent." She leaned forward and looked at him closely. "What about your feelings since you came here?"

Alan shrugged, trying to look relaxed and failing. "The same old same old. A little of this, a little of that."

Setsuna put her teacup down. "That's nice and vague."

"I'm a pretty vague guy." He took a sip of the tea. "What did Grand-father have to say about me? Told you that I cried like a baby when I got here?"

"He told me you've lost faith in yourself and believe yourself a coward."

"I've got to start wearing darker shirts. That darn yellow streak is hard to see sometimes."

Setsuna sighed. "Enough." The voice was whip-like this time and Alan looked up at her. She returned his stares with one of her own. "I will say this once more," she said in a low, strong voice. "Alan, you're suppose to be an adult - act like it!"

"But -" Alan began.

"No 'buts'," replied Setsuna, her voice as hard as a diamond. "You will have to realize you can't run away from your problems."

"What do you know of my problems?" Alan replied angrily, glaring daggers at Setsuna,who ignored it. "I'm out of place here! Everything I knew, thought I knew, or even guessed at is out the window! The few friends I had are dead and gone, forgotten to anyone!" He closed his eyes. "I thought I could handle it, I really could," he whispered. "Until Diaspore tried to kill me, I'd deluded myself into thinking that maybe, just maybe, I could be part of this world. Now, I'm not so certain."

"I see." Setsuna leaned back and look at him. "Do you think you're the only person to lose everyone they've known?"

Alan opened his eyes. "No. But I don't know anyone who's lost their entire civilization before."

"You're wrong. You know two people who watched everything they knew and loved be swept away. I am one."

*And I am the other,* said Alisin.

Alan was silent for a moment. "I'd forgotten about Grandfather. But you're a Senshi. You were reborn only a thousand years ago or so."

"Is that what you think?"

"Yes. The only difference I see between you and the others is you remember the Silver Millennium."

"You're wrong, Alan Thomas. I remember the Silver Millennium not because I was reborn with my memories intact, but because I never died."

Alan froze, his cup halfway to his lips. He carefully put down the cup.

"You weren't reborn?"

Setsuna shook her head. "Unlike the others, I didn't die with the Silver Millennium fell." Her gaze became distant. "I've lived for over twelve thousand years, guarding the timeline and waited for the day when those who the Queen sent forward would be reborn to reclaim what Beryl had destroyed."

Alan looked uncomfortable. "None of your family survived?"

She shook her head sadly. "Pluto was too far from Earth for any of my people to get to before the magic failed completely. My family, my friends, my home all gone. Alisin is the closest person I have to living family."

*As for me,* said Alisin, *I lost most of my friends, my wife, and my son to Beryl's treachery. Besides myself, only my son's wife and my grandson survived the Fall. It is through them that you are my descendant - my only living descendant.*

"I know exactly how you feel, Alan. Both Alisin and I lost everything and everyone. Do you know how many people today have clear memories of the Silver Millennium?"

Alan didn't answer, but stared into his cup. "There's only three of us," continued Setsuna. "Two of them are in this room."

"And the third is some guy with the rusty sounding name," replied Alan carefully. "Fero-something or other."

"Ferrite."

"That's the guy. Grandfather said he never had a sense of humor."

*I said he was always serious. I never said he didn't have a sense of humor!*

{Details. He sounds like a sourpuss anyway. Just like me.... }

Not a sourpuss," said Setsuna mildly. "I would call him...focused."

"Maybe so, but I - Wait a minute! I never said aloud anything about Ferrite being a sourpuss. How did you -" Alan's face clouded. "You can read my mind!"

Setsuna shook her head. "Not in the sense you're thinking of. The gem attached to your forehead is attuned to Alisin's thoughts, not yours. Whenever he speaks to you or you to him, I can hear it. Your own thoughts are still your own. I cannot hear or sense them."

{Is this true, Grandfather?}

*Yes. Setsuna thought it would be more convenient if we were able to hold a conversation between the three of us.*

"Why should I trust you?" Alan asked Setsuna, his voice hard. "Your reputation, what little of it I can find, paints you as either Serenity's personal assassin, or a legend that parents use to frighten little children into becoming watchmakers."

Setsuna chuckled. "I surprised those stories are still around. It took such a long time for them to take hold, I'd thought they'd never be accepted."

Alan blinked in surprise. "You started those stories?"

"Of course. It's easier to hide my presence behind half-truths and rumors. I do not like the harsh light of publicity."

*Pluto's responsibilities are very different from any other Senshi. All

Senshi Plutos have been distant from the day-to-day actions of civilization.*

"Fine," replied Alan, holding up a hand. "But, you didn't answer my question: Why should I trust you?"

"Have I ever lied to you?" asked Setsuna sympathetically. "In fact, has anyone lied to you since you've been here?"

Alan thought for a moment. "No," he said finally, his voice low. "No one has, to the best of my knowledge."

Setsuna nodded. "Alan Thomas," she said quietly. "I have been alone for longer then I care to remember. Alisin slept most of his waiting time in the Land of Dreams, while Ferrite was reborn and grew up not remembering his past until he turned twenty time and time again. I am not that fortunate." She smiled sadly. "I lived every day remember everything from that time like it was yesterday, and I still feel the loss, even now."

"Then how do you do it?" He stopped for a moment, looking for the right words. "How do you go on when everything you ever knew is suddenly gone?"

"I went on because I had to. I could not afford the luxury of curling up in a corner and crying my eyes out. My mission of guarding the timeline was too important. There was no room for emotion if I was to succeed."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Alan replied softly. "But it's different for me. I was never given a choice."

"You always have a choice."

"Do I?" Alan let a tang of resentment creep into his voice. "This isn't my time and place. My skills as useless, my knowledge is so far out of date it's pathetic, and I don't know what I'm doing half the time. If I told someone in my time I was in constant commmunication with my umpteen-great-grandfather, they would have tossed me into a padded cell. Here, it seems to be considered no more then a curiosity."

*The situation we find ourselves in is rather unique.*

"In addition, I'm trying to understand the concept of magic, an area that was reserved for showmen, hucksters, and George Lucas in my time. On top of that, I can't say three words together without putting my foot into my mouth. Face it, Setsuna. A fish on a unicycle in the Sahara desert couldn't be more out of his natural element then I am here."

"Have you always been this positive?" asked Setsuna dryly.

"Comes with the territory." Alan looked at his teacup. "I learned long ago to expect things to go wrong. That way, you were ready for the blow. And if it didn't go wrong, well...." He gave Setsuna a half-smile. "It came as a pleasant surprise." The smile faded. "I didn't have many of them."

Setsuna reached out and took one of Alan's hands. "I know about your life and what you had to go through to get to where you were," she said gently. "I know you can get through this."

"For what?" Alan's shoulders slumped. "When the Queen and the other Senshi were born, they had a mission, a purpose. What is my purpose now? Why am I here?"

"What has Alisin told you of the history of elemental magic?"

"Not a lot. He's been trying to get me up to speed on the spell casting end of the vocation."

*That is my fault entirely, Moment. My only concerns have been with his magical development, not background information.*

"This isn't the time and place for a detailed history lesson," said Setsuna. "And my knowledge of that subject is limited anyway. What I will tell you is that Elemental magic is the oldest form of magic ever practiced. It is far older then the Silver Millennium, and even older then the Golden Imperium. It has been absent too long from the world. Your purpose is to bring elemental magic back into this world so it can flourish again."

Alan snorted quietly. "That's a tall order for one person."

*Two people,* corrected Alisin.

"You are the first, but not the last. Others will come to help you, but the first steps you must do on your own."

"So no 'help wanted - elemental wannabes' notices in the newspaper then?"

"I think that would be pushing it."

"So what's the first step I have to take?"

Setsuna's face took on a curious look. "What school did you go to?" she asked.

Alan frowned. "USC-Berkley."

"I see. I have a question for you. How would you like to go back to school?"

Alan looked blank. "Where?"

"CTU."

"And study what?"

"Magic."

"I-I don't know," he stammered, looking flustered. "I mean, er... what...."

*Her suggestion has merit. Let her finish explaining.*

"How long have you been out of school?" asked Setsuna. "Don't include the thousand years you missed in your trip forward."

"Including my time here?" Alan thought for a moment, then shrugged.

"About five months, give or take a week."

"Perfect," she said with a smile. "I think the best thing we can do is get you into a familiar atmosphere, like a college campus."

Alan looked blank. "I don't understand."

"A college campus hasn't changed much in a thousand years."

Alan thought for a moment. "I suppose it hasn't, from what little I saw of it. Of course, I saw most of it in a blur."

"With Pyrite's help we can enroll you as an independent studies major, with a concentration in elemental magic. Depending on what you took, you should have enough transferable credits to make you at least a sophomore."

"But my magic isn't exactly well known or used."

"That's why we enroll you as independent studies major. Pyrite will supervise your curriculum, which won't be that much different from what he was going to do anyway. With the exception of some classes that you'll take in history and current affairs, your schooling will be handled by Alisin and others."

"And what is this going back to school supposed to do?"

"First, it will get you into an environment you can feel comfortable in. Second, you'll be able to brush up on your skills and knowledge in an organized manner." Setsuna's eyes locked onto Alan's. "Third of all, it will get you among normal people who are close to your age who you can relate to, people who have hopes and dreams like yourself."

*It would also benefit me, both in knowledge and experience. This is too good a chance to pass up.*

Alan downed the last of his tea in one gulp, then stared into the empty teacup. "I don't know," he said weakly. "That's a lot of backtracking."

"True. It won't be easy, but I think this is the best way for you to go forward. I think this is the best thing you can do, 'cousin'."

Alan frowned. "Cousin?"

Setsuna smiled warmly. "If Alisin is my Uncle, that makes you my cousin.

Granted, we're distant cousins...."

"Very distant," murmured Alan, a hint of a smile tugging at his mouth.

*Indeed.*

"But still related, if not by blood, then by friendship. And I'm asking you, as a friend, to please try."

Alan sighed. "As a friend, you certainly know which buttons to push, don't you?"

"I do. I've had an abundance of experience."

Alan nodded glumly. "Since I could never say no to a friend -" He stopped to yawn, then continued, "especially if they're someone I wanted to stay on the good side of, then I'd be an idiot to say no."

"Good. We have a couple of weeks to work things out."

"I wish that was my only problem."

"I want to know about these other problems."

Alan shrugged. "Which one?" he said bitterly. "The unseen bad guy who wants me dead, or my being a complete coward? Or how about my case of foot-in-mouth disease?"

"Let's start with your paranoia."

"Good a place as any to start. Assuming no one tries taking me out in the next ten minutes."

Setsuna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I agree with Alisin that you must continue training. You had a test scheduled today with Azurite, correct?"

Alan nodded and released Setsuna's hand. He leaned forward and rested both elbows on the table and rested his head on his hands. "I did until I wacked out. What about it?"

"Azurite could help teach you some ways to use your air magic in a combat situation, She's a seasoned warrior and an excellent teacher."

{Grandfather?}

*Moment has a point. My battles were few and far between. The advice of a knowledgeable veteran could mean the difference between life and death.*

Alan took a deep breath. "Agreed. Assuming we can set it up. But that's not going to do anything about finding the bad guys."

"Leave that to the professionals. If they can be found, Rei and Calcite's people will find them."

"I suppose you're right. Speaking of Miss Firecracker...I mean Rei. I think I've managed to torque her off with my little display of stupidity."

"That's putting it mildly." She leaned back. "She thinks you're the biggest threat to this city's security since Magnesite."

"I'm beginning to think she's right."

*Alan.* said Alisin in a dispproving tone.

Setsuna ignored her Uncle. "What do you think of Rei?"

Alan frowned. "I don't know. She has a thankless job, but she's so driven that it's hard to like her. At the same time, I know she's not that bad a person, but the word 'relax' isn't in her vocabulary."

"You know why."

"Yuuchiro. Did she really love him that much?"

"Yes, but she didn't realize it until it was too late. Your remark about her getting laid really struck deep."

Alan put his head down on the table. "That's me," he said miserably, "open mouth, insert foot. I seem doomed to die in a blast of fire at her hands."

"You're going to have to apologize to her with more effort then you did in that classroom."

Alan looked glum. "I think I'd managed to blow any chance of doing that in person. She'll either have a 'shoot-on-sight' order out to her people, or throw a lot of flunkies in my direction so she don't have to deal with me in person."

"Are you willing to apologize?"

"Short of sticking a bulls-eye in my chest, I'll do anything to tell her I'm sorry. She deserves a true apology, but I don't know what to do or say."

Setsuna nodded. "I may have some ideas on that."

"And I promise to watch my mouth in the future." Alan's eyes were half closed and his voice was low.

"Don't make promises you can't keep."

"I suppose you're right." Alan yawned again. "I feel sleepy," he said.

*It's alright Alan,* said Alisin gently. *I will take over long enough to see Setsuna out and get you to bed.*

{Thanks, grandpa...} Alan's eyes closed and his breathing began to even out.

After several seconds, Alisin opened his eyes. "I hope you know what your doing, Moment," he said.

"So do I, Uncle." Setsuna turned her head to look at the empty doorway leading to the living room. "It's done."

Pyrite leaned around the doorway, Raiden sitting on his shoulder. "The potion took longer to work then I thought it would," he said in a distracted tone.

"Alan had a lot of excess energy to work off first," replied Setsuna, standing up.

"I still don't like the idea of putting a sleeping potion into Alan's tea," said Alisin stiffly.

"I didn't want him doing something rash if our talk failed to convince him. Besides, after what he's told me, I think he deserves some rest." She looked at Alisin, then at Pyrite. "This isn't going to be easy. We've managed to pull him back from the edge, but it's going to take time to rebuild his confidence and contentment in this world."

"I think we can find him some classes he can feel involved in." said Pyrite. "Stimulate his mind without overwhelming him."

"Good," said Setsuna. "Has Azurite agreed to help?"

"Yes. I think she's looking forward to having another person to teach, but is it wise to train him to use his magic in combat?"

"I think it is necessary, Guardian Pyrite," said Alisin. "The more he learns, the better he will be able to defend himself when the trouble comes."

"It will also give Alan something he needs badly," said Setsuna.

"Confidence in himself and in his magic."

"You think there is someone out to get Alan?" asked Pyrite.

Setsuna and Alisin looked at each other, then at Pyrite. "Yes," they both said.

Pyrite nodded grimly. "I'll make sure Azure teaches him every single dirty trick he can learn."

"Good. Uncle, can you continue to work on Alan? Keep his spirits up?"

Alisin nodded. "I suggest that he also be exposed to the other members of the court in informal settings. Let him see these people without the pomp and ceremony of their office."

"A good idea," said Pyrite. "He didn't look too comfortable at that dinner the queen gave last week."

"That was a bit much," admitted Setsuna. "But I think Uncle may be right. Maybe a more intimate setting would be better."

"Is there anything else?" asked Alisin, rising slowly to his feet. "I am also feeling the effect of the sleeping potion. I cannot last much longer."

"I think that's all, for now," said Setsuna. "Are the repairs to the door finished?"

Pyrite nodded. "Good as new."

"Fine. It's time we left."

"If it's all right," said Raiden. "I'll stay."

"I have no problem with that," said Alisin. "Alan needs a friend when he wakes up." He reached out and took the moon cat off of Pyrite's shoulder."

Pyrite frowned. "I hope this doesn't delay our chance to talk for a long time," he said to Alisin.

"It will not be a long delay, Guardian," replied Alisin, cradling Raiden in his arms. "I think we will find time to discuss an abundance of topics."

Setsuna took Pyrite by the arm. "We can continue this later," she said firmly. "Good-bye, Uncle. Don't bother seeing us out."

"Good-bye, Moment. Thank you for your help."

Setsuna smiled. "It's the least I can do for family.... "

Three days later, Rei walked into the security office. "Morning, Marcus," she said to her aide.

"Good morning, Lady Mars," replied Marcus, handing her several pages.

"The overnight incident reports."

Rei took the reports and scanned through them. She frowned as she read the next to last one. "The disturbance at the flower shop. Why did we end up with the report?"

"The suspect was making threats against unspecified members of the Crystal Palace. Seems that someone with a Palace credit card walked in and bought every single rose in the store twenty minutes before he showed up, and he wasn't happy. The Flower shop owner called the police and took him into custody. That's when he made the threats."

Rei nodded. "Does this gentleman have a record?"

"I checked and he's clean. I think he was a bit drunk at the time, which helps. The police released him about an hour ago."

Rei handed the reports back to Marcus. "Monitor him for a week or so, and if there's nothing unusual in his activities, we can forget about him." She took two steps towards her office, frowned, then turned to look at her aide. "Someone bought every single rose in the store?" she asked, puzzled.

"Yes, Lady Mars, about six gross of roses. That's over eight hundred and sixty roses."

"I see. Any identity on who brought the roses?"

"No Ma'am. It didn't seem important."

"It probably isn't, but maybe we should look, just to be safe." She turned away, muttering, "What in Serenity is someone going to do with that many flowers?"

She strode over to her office, unlocked it and opened the door. The sweet smell of roses assaulted her nostrils, and her eyes widened in shock.

"MARCUS!"

Her aide dashed over, followed by a couple of the security troopers who happened to be in the office. "What is it Lady Mars?" he asked, then took a deep breath. "Roses?"

Rei walked into her office, followed by Marcus. "What in the fires of Mars?" she asked in a whisper.

There were roses everywhere in Rei's office. Her desk, the top of her computer, the file cabinets, even her coffee machine had at least one dozen roses on it. Each dozen was in its own vase, with no two vases alike. Most of the roses were red, but a couple of the bouquets were white, while one bouquet was pink.

Marcus took a small scanner from one of the troopers at the door and started running it over the closest bundles. "There's a faint magical trace," he said. "But nothing to cause an alarm."

"Scan them all, just to make certain," replied Rei. "After you finish that, check the security files, then I want to see the security log for this office." She then looked at the troopers in the doorway. "Stay at the door, and keep everyone else out." She wandered over to the desk and, after checking the chair for any stray roses, sat down.

Who did this? She wondered. What does this mean? She was so deep in thought, she missed the other items on her desk for several minutes.

It was Marcus who saw them first. "Lady Mars?" he said.

Rei looked up at him. "What?"

"Do you want me to scan those too?" he asked, pointing to a small basin with what looked like a miniature tree growing in it. Leaning against the basin, there was a plain white envelope.

Rei frowned. "Go ahead," she said. She leaned back to allow Marcus to scan the envelope and basin.

"Not a trace of magic on them," he announced after several seconds.

"Nor are there any poisons or other sort of traps. They're clean."

"What about the security files?"

"Untouched."

"Get the security log."

"Yes, Ma'am." After Marcus left, Rei looked at the envelope. Scrawled on the front in small, somewhat neat, handwriting was:

Rei Hino

Rei picked up the envelope and noticed it was unsealed. Carefully, she extracted a plain white sheet of paper, folded over. She opened the paper slowly and scanned the contents. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, then opened them again and read the note attentively.

Rei reread the letter again frowning at the contents. She wasn't sure what her reaction should be - anger at the intrusion into her office, or....

Marcus stuck his head in the office. "Lady Mars? I have the security log."

Rei looked up and blinked in surprise. "Any indication of a security breech?"

Her aide shook his head. "Clean as a whistle. I did access the credit records for the name of the person who brought the roses. According to it, the person is one Susan Foreman, but we can't find a record of such a person ever working at the Palace."

Rei frowned. "Could it be a forged account?"

"No Ma'am. The credit history goes back fifteen years, with small purchases and prompt payments."

"I see. Leave the security log and I'll look at it."

"Yes, Ma'am." He walked over to the desk and carefully put a folder on it.

"Have you checked your Email today?"

Marcus shook his head. "I haven't had the time."

"I think you should do so. If this note is correct, there should be a message from the people who did this."

"I don't understand."

"This was, according to this note, a security test of our teleport shield around this office. The Email explains how they got through the shield. If the explanation is there, I want a copy of it forwarded to Guardian Pyrite, with a request that it be fixed as soon as possible."

Her aide frowned. "A security test?"

"Do you find that hard to believe?" asked Rei cooly.

"N-no, Ma'am. But...roses?"

"Someone's idea of humor."

"Of course." Marcus turned and strode to the door.

"Marcus?"

He turned and looked at her. "Yes, Lady Mars?"

Rei took a deep breath. "Tell the office if they want a dozen roses to take home with them after work, they're more then welcome to the ones in here."

Marcus smiled, a rare event for him. "I'll pass the word along, Ma'am."

Rei waited until he left before she leaned back in her chair and stared at the ceiling in thought.

"Sir?" said a electronically filtered voice. "Alpha is ready to speak to you."

The man nodded slowly, then turned his chair to face the large screen that was usually hidden behind a large mural to the left of his desk. He tried to relax, but he couldn't.

As always, the office was dark this time of night, as all the legitimate employees of the company went home several hours ago. Of course, none of them knew what actually occurred in the offices after dark, but they would have been shocked.

The screen flickered for a moment as the satellite transmission synchronized with the encryption software. Then a large, shadowy figure appeared on the screen. "Report, Rho," the male voice said.

"We have discovered the identity of the rogue Windwalker."

"At last," the man known as Alpha hissed. "Who is he?"

"It took us a while to discover his identity, because the Windwalker was listed in our eliminated file."

"Who is he?" This time, Alpha's voice was as cold as an Arctic wind, and Rho repressed the urge to shiver.

"Alan Cornwell Thomas, a descendant of Alisin Windwalker."

"Impossible." Alpha was silent for a moment. "He's been dead a thousand years."

Rho tried hard not to flinch. "I checked the records. His body was never found and it was assumed that the fire totally consumed it."

"I see Pluto's hand in this," said Alpha slowly, his tone even colder then before. "She thought of Alisin as an Uncle. I would not put it beyond her to rescue his last living relative."

"So, who is teaching Thomas Air magic?" asked Rho. "There is no one in the city with the skills necessary to teach him."

"I don't know, but someone's teaching him. The fact he defeated the Nemesisan Sorcerer with little trouble demonstrates he had some training."

"I expressed the opinion that using the Nemesisans was a risk."

"You did, but the point is now moot. They cannot be traced to us, which is the best we can hope for." The shadow leaned back. What about the incident in the hospital garden? Any more on that?"

"No sir. Our best guess is it was some sort of demonstration or test. Our people were not able to get close enough to find out for sure. We do know the Senshi Mercury and Polaris were present."

"A strange place for such a event."

"Agreed, sir, but nothing else makes sense."

"No matter. We must decide on our course of action with Thomas."

"Do you wish him to be eliminated immediately?"

There was silence for a moment, then Alpha said, "Not immediately. I want him watched for a short period of time, say two weeks. We should learn enough about him, his skills, his weaknesses, and who is teaching him." Rho felt Alpha's gaze bore into him, despite the fact he couldn't see his leader's eyes. "I want him tested by several of our initiates. If they can kill him, so much the better. If not, we will learn still more about him so when the time comes to finish the job, we will not fail."

Rho bowed his head. "Yes, Alpha. I shall assign Theta the task of 'testing' the Windwalker."

"Good. Keep me informed of any new developments."

"Yes Sir."

Rho waited until the screen died before he turned his chair to face out the window. He heard the door open behind him, close, then someone walking up to the desk.

"What did Alpha have to say?" asked the newcomer.

"We are to test the rogue Windwalker with several of our initiates," said Rho after several seconds. "I am assigning the task to you. I want our most promising initiates in on this."

"I never thought of our best as being expendable."

Rho turned slowly and looked at his subordinate. "Get some," he said sharply, "or we will be the ones who are expendable."

"I understand. How long do I have?"

"You have two weeks to gather the candidates, and another week to sharpen their skills. I want the first test to start no later then three weeks from today." He frowned for a moment. "I also want a spell placed on everyone you recruit."

"What sort of spell?"

"A death spell. The last thing I want is for them to be captured and babble everything to that she-witch and her court."

"Very well. Any other instructions?"

"Alpha suggested that the rogue Windwalker doesn't survive the tests."

Theta nodded."I shall see to it." He turned and strode out of the office. Rho leaned back in his chair and let the darkness surround him.

Part 2 - "My Dinner with Rei...."

Journal Entry #15

In the center of what was, at one time, known as Tokyo Bay, there was an island. It was an artificial island, built for one purpose. On the island stood an arena equal in size to the largest stadiums on the planet. Its official name was the Furuhata Special Training Arena, but it was known less formally as "The Game Center." It was originally built as a training ground for those with powers to hone them without risk to the populace, as those with Senshi power and other forms of powerful magic can do a lot of damage if they set their minds to it. While the Palace's "Holodeck" was more convenient and presented more challenges than the Game Center, there were still some uses for it in this day and age.

It was in use now, though there were only three people and a moon cat in an arena that could hold well over a hundred thousand people, or the entire Aino clan.

"HURRICANE PUNCH!"

The target dummy twenty meters away folded nearly in half as a blast of concentrated air slammed into it. The support frame, which held the dummy upright and in place, strained under the attack.

"Again!" shouted Azurite.

Alan grimaced but summoned the spell anew. "HURRICANE PUNCH!" The result was the same, as the training dummy doubled over as the attack slammed into it.

"Adequate," said Azurite. She was dressed in a light blue jumpsuit that was more utility than fashion. "How do you feel?"

"I've been better," replied Alan, his breathing slightly heavy. He was dressed in a grey sweatsuit, with the emblem of CTU, over the motto "HOME OF THE FIGHTING CABBITS," on the shirt.

Pyrite looked up from his scanning equipment, which was set up several meters away from Alan and Azurite. "Your last 'hurricane punch' was three percent stronger than your first one."

Raiden looked up from his place of rest on top of Pyrite's equipment.

"Not bad," he remarked.

Alan nodded slowly. "It gets easier with practice."

"Good," said Azurite abruptly, pointing to a trio of practice dummies off to her right. "Let's see if there's any improvement in your 'wind shear' attack."

Alan turned and readied the attack. "WIND SHEAR!" A wave of air left Alan's hands, increasing speed as it did so. The surge of air slammed into two of the dummies with enough force to knock them over, support frames and all. But the third merely bobbed slightly and stayed upright.

Azurite shook her head. "Off target," she said forcefully. "You nailed the first two fine, but that third dummy was on the edge of your attack and barely felt a thing. If those dummies had been armed soldiers, you'd be dead, or at least wounded."

Alan nodded. "The 'wind shear' attack is effective in a larger area than my 'hurricane punch', but not that large an area."

*It's true, Guardian Azurite,* said Alisin. *The spell matrix seems to be naturally designed to concentrate the effect to a fairly tight area, no larger than a small room.*

Azurite looked at the crystal on Alan's forehead. "What about a spell with a larger radius?"

*We have not found it yet, if it does exist.*

"Alisin is right," said Pyrite. "Alan has a tendency to discover his newer spells when he's under pressure."

"Well, we can't wait for a spell to pop out in the middle of a battle," said Azurite forcefully.

*Agreed,* replied Alisin. *But the few times we have tried to stimulate another matrix, we have had no success. He still has spells locked away that can't yet be accessed.*

Azurite took a deep breath."How long until you're ready for the next set of measurements?"

"Give me a minute," replied her husband. "In the meantime, why don't you show Alan something he can use?"

"All right." Azurite pulled a small pouch out of a jumpsuit pocket. "Alan," she said in her instructional tone, "This little trick might be useful with that 'wind shear' attack of yours, especially if the bad guy is heavily armored. In your case, I suggest you use it as a last resort."

Alan frowned. "Why?"

"Watch and learn." Azurite took a couple of steps away and pulled out a small pouch. She opened the pouch and sprinkled a small amount of a glittering powder into her right hand. She closed her hand around the dust, took a deep breath, and stared at the upright dummy.

*She is manipulating the air around us again,* said Alisin, an edge of excitement in his voice. *Can you feel it this time?*

Alan felt something stir in the air around him. It was very faint, like the touch of a feather against his mind. {I think so...}

Azurite's closed hand opened as she threw the power at the dummy. As the glittering cloud left her hand, the air around her suddenly grabbed the expanding prismatic haze and sent it flying toward the target mannequin. The sound of the cloud striking the target sounded like fingers across a blackboard, and the upper half of the training dummy vanished in a swirling mass of iridescence.

Then the cloud was gone, and so was the upper half of the training dummy and the top third of the support frame.

*Impressive,* remarked Alisin.

{Not if you're the dummy,} replied Alan with a shudder. {Remind me to NEVER get anywhere near her bad side....}

Azurite turned and looked at him strangely. It was then Alan remembered the jewel on his forehead. "That was impressive," he said quickly. "Was that a special dust?"

Azurite sprinkled a small amount of the dust on her hand and walked over to Alan. "Artificial diamond dust," she said, holding her hand out to Alan.

"I see," said Alan easily, reaching out and taking a small amount of dust on his finger. "That could cause some....serious damage."

Azurite nodded as she carefully poured the dust back into the pouch. "I could have used sand or fine dirt with almost the same results, but diamond dust is the most consistent in terms of damage and penetration."

"It gives new meaning to the term 'dusted'."

Azurite frowned at him. But before she could say anything, Pyrite looked up. "Ready."

It was Alan's turn to frown. "Ready for what?"

"An experiment."

"What sort of experiment?"

Azurite pointed to a spot near the dummy's remains. "I'm going to walk over there. You stay here." She strolled over to where she had pointed. She stopped and turned around. "All right," she said in a loud voice, "I'm going to walk over there and slap your face. Try and stop me."

Alan blinked. "How?"

Azurite sighed like a teacher stuck with a slow student. "By using your magic."

"Oh. Any spell in particular you want me to use?"

"Use your main defensive spell." With that, she started to stride toward him.

*How else did you expect to stop her?* asked Alisin in the same tone Azurite had just used.

{No wisecracks from the peanut gallery, if you don't mind.}

*Stop babbling and start casting.*

Alan put his hands out and shouted, "FORCE WALL!"

He expected to see the bluish wall spring up between him and the steadily advancing woman, but nothing happened. {Uh-oh.}

*Try again.*

"FORCE WALL!"

Again, nothing happened. {Grandfather, what's going on here?}

*Can you see the matrix?*

Alan stared at a point several centimeters in front of his nose. {I can see it, but the mana isn't -}

Something solid caught Alan hard across the left side of his jaw, snapping his head to the right. He half-spun and fell on his face, his ears ringing.

He felt someone pick him up and set him back on his feet. He hung onto the arm while his vision cleared and his legs stopped wobbling. "How are you feeling?" asked Azurite, slightly less demanding, but still forceful.

Alan became aware it was her arm he was hanging onto. "I'll be fine as soon as you stop being twins," he muttered.

Azurite arched an eyebrow. "Were you born this annoying, or did it come over time?"

Alan gave her a self-deprecating smile. "A lifetime of strict training.

I save my best for friends."

"That explains a lot. Py, I think he's in need of a quick-heal."

Alan became aware of someone putting something cold and smooth against his forehead, above the crystal. There was a burst of warmth and light, washing through him like a cleansing wave. As suddenly as the feeling came, it left. Alan blinked and felt no trace of Azurite's blow.

"How are you feeling now?" asked Pyrite.

"Great. What was that?"

"A quick-heal crystal. It's useless for major injuries, but for minor traumas like Azurite's slaps, it works very well."

Azurite smiled. "Setsuna recommended that we bring some along, as you seem to be always in need of some medical help."

"Setsuna has a peculiar sense of humor," muttered Alan.

"It's not a good idea to take your eyes off your opponent during a fight." replied Azurite. "Now, tell me how I beat you."

"You...uhm, turned off my powers?" In his mind, he heard his grandfather sigh.

Azurite frowned. "Your powers are part of you. If I could turn them off, I could turn you off."

Alan sweatdropped. "A couple more slaps like that, and you wouldn't have to turn me off - I'd be out like a light."

"Stop sweating, nobody short of Serenity could turn off your magic. So, you still have your powers, now why aren't they working?"

*Think, my boy,* said Alisin. *You know the matrix was there - you saw it. She can't interfere with the matrix's formation, so what's left?*

The answer came to Alan in a flash. "You're blocking my ability to channel mana into the matrix," he said.

Azurite nodded. "That's something Py noticed in your holodeck session. Since your matrices are preformed, they're almost impossible to disrupt. But you just saw what happened when I was able to form a shield around the matrix using my mana. Your mana couldn't interact with the matrix, so the spell never formed."

"I see."

*A potential weakness I never saw,* said Alisin ruefully.

{Better to learn about it now, than later.}

*Agreed.*

"So how do I keep you or anyone else from doing that?"

"Each matrix is slightly different," said Pyrite, "And unless the shield is created with just that spell in mind, there are going to be weak points in the shield."

"Exactly," said Azurite. "What I used was a basic generic shield. If you'd realized what I had done, and I had given you time to find the flaws, you would have destroyed the shield and triggered the spell."

Alan frowned. "And how do I find the flaws before I end up as toast?"

"Through practice and experience."

"Otherwise known as pain and terror."

Azurite arched an eyebrow in response. "We'll try this again, but a bit differently. I want you to use your 'hurricane punch' against the practice dummy, only this time I am going to form a shield around the spell matrix. You have ten seconds to find the flaws in the shield and execute the spell. Ready?"

Alan nodded. "HURRICANE PUNCH!"

As soon as the matrix appeared, Alan noticed a filmy haze encompassing the gem-like construct, the blocked mana flowing around it like a drop of rain.{OK, Grandfather,} he said, {I see it. Any ideas?}

*Look for areas on the shielding that aren't as thick.*

"Ten!" Azurite called out.

Alan stared closely at the haze. {I don't see anything different, do you?}

*No.*

"Nine!"

{This isn't working. I don't see any weak points.}

*There has to be at least one!*

"Eight!"

{I'm going to try something.}

*What?*

"Seven!"

{Either something brilliant or stupid, depending on whether or not this works.} Alan's eyes narrowed and he increased the mana flowing around the shield. As he did so, he formed the mana into a ball around the shield.

"Six!"

He continued to feed air mana to the ball, tightening the sphere around Azurite's block.

*Stop!* cried Alisin. *You don't know what you're doing!*

{So what else...is...new?}

"Five!"

The strain of pouring mana into the ball was beginning to show on Alan's face. Sweat was starting to bead on his forehead, and his arms felt leaden. His mouth became dry, and he felt muscles all along his back tighten. But he continued to add and shape the mana around the shield.

"Four!"

Just then, Alan saw a crack appear in the shield. Without delay, he sent a spike of mana into the crack. As soon as he did so, the shield shattered.

"Three -"

A bolt of shimmering air leapt from Alan's hands with an ear shattering "CRACK!" The blast struck the dummy in the chest, disintegrating the head, chest, and both arms. A large cloud of debris formed a thick cloud for several seconds around the frame before it fell like snow.

As the stuffing and remnants of the dummy drifted out of the sky, Alan fell to his knees, breathing heavily. Azurite started at the expanding cloud of what had been a practice dummy, while Pyrite scanned his instruments. "Fascinating!" he half-shouted. "That blast was a full three hundred and nine percent stronger then your previous best!"

"Whee,"muttered Alan, standing slowly.

Azurite looked at him, her expression unreadable. "What did you do?"

*Alan increased the mana around the shield to the point where the shield couldn't handle the pressure and collapsed,* replied Alisin cooly. *The excess mana was channeled through the spell matrix, which resulted in the display we just witnessed.*

"I see."

"Fascinating," said Pyrite. "Why did you do that?"

Alan sighed. "I couldn't see any weak spots in Azurite's shield, so I made my own."

"That's stupid!" shouted Azurite. "You could have burned yourself out!"

*It was dangerous.*

Alan shook his head. "I don't think so," he said quietly. "I just dumped most of my stored air mana reserve into your shield. I never touch my life mana."

"How do you know that? You look like you're out on your feet!"

"I'm just not used to dumping that much air mana at once." Alan took a deep breath. "Right now though, I don't think I have enough air mana left in me to move a feather."

Pyrite looked at Alan. "He's right, Azure," he said. "I estimate it'll take several hours for him to restore his mana reserve."

Azurite took a deep breath. "We'll call it a day this time. But NEVER try that stunt again without warning someone, understood?"

"I understand," said Alan meekly. "But it was something I had to try."

"Why?" asked Pyrite.

"Because I want to have an idea of what my limits are before I end up fighting for my life."

"A rather fatalistic view."

Alan smiled without warmth. "Really? If Azurite and I were to go at it for real, I wouldn't last ten seconds against her."

"Alan," said Azurite gently, "it took me centuries to reach my level, and I'm one of a kind."

"I know," said Alan softly. "But, you're not the only one. I'm outclassed by the other Renegades and all the Senshi, both in power level and experience."

*The Senshi will always be more powerful, for they have the mana of entire planets to draw on, while we have only the element of air.*

"But there are very few people, outside of those you mentioned, that have your potential," said Pyrite. He walked over and placed a hand on Alan's shoulder. "Do not sell yourself short."

"Py's right," said Azurite. "I can't teach anyone to gain powers like yours. All I can do is instruct those born with them. Apart from you and Hematite I'm probably never going to have any other students. And soon, Hematite's going to surpass me and...." she stopped in mid-sentence, then continued, "...and I'll have nothing left to teach her. But you have a gift you can share with others and that's more than I can do."

Alan shrugged. "I know, but I can't help it. I'm a pessimist by nature."

"I thought you were scared," said Azurite sharply.

"That hasn't changed." replied Alan softly. "I'm still scared. Part of me wants to find a nice safe place and hide. But part of me is pissed off enough to find out who wanted me dead, tear off his head and -"

"We get the idea," said Pyrite quickly. "But why the anger?"

"How do you know there's anyone really out there?' asked Azurite. "We have the testimonies of a madman and several terrorists. Not very good sources for reliable information."

Alan looked at her. "Have you ever walked into a room, and known that something dangerous was waiting for you?"

"Yes."

It's a feeling that someone, or a group of someones, is out there, waiting for me."

"Isn't that attitude a bit...paranoid?" asked Raiden.

Alan shrugged. "There's someone out there who is taking exception to my existence. If they were as powerful as the Senshi, they wouldn't be hiding in the shadows and using hitmen to try and take me out."

"Then why did you move away from the Palace?" asked Azurite.

"In part to get away from Rei, but mostly because I've never liked hiding behind someone else. I've depended only on myself since I was ten, but I allowed myself to forget that in my dive into the self-pity pool."

"That's not a good reason."

"It's good enough for me."

*It is no good arguing with him, Guardian Azurite,* said Alisin. *There is a stubborn streak in him that I recognize as similar to my own.*

{I knew I got more from you than air magic and good looks.}

*You should have more respect for your elders.*

{The problem is that the elders around here don't look their age.}

*That is not an excuse.*

{Give me a couple of minutes and I'll see if I can think of a better one.}

Azurite looked over at the moon cat. "Are they always like this?"

Raiden yawned. "I think so, but Alan doesn't wear the thought jewel outside of training, so I'm spared most of the banal conversations."

Alan stopped and glared at Raiden, who ignored it by curling up into a ball and closing his eyes.

Pyrite walked over to Alan and gave him a bracelet. "Since you used up a large part of your stored Air mana, I want you to wear this so I can monitor your body as it rebuilds the mana reserve."

Alan took the bracelet. "Sure. Should I do anything special?"

"No need. I just want to get data on how the mana is collected and stored."

"Fine by me." Alan slipped the bracelet on his wrist. "Do we set up another session for tomorrow?"

Azurite shook her head. "Not with me. I promised Sylvite I'd take her shopping after school."

"I think you deserve a day off," said Pyrite. "I need some time to analyze the readings I've taken over the last couple of days. So relax tonight and tomorrow, and we'll talk about another session the day after tomorrow. Fair enough?"

"Sounds good to me."

Pyrite looked at his wife. "Azure, could you transport Alan over to CTU?

I need to clean up here first, then make sure these readings are added to the database, and -"

Azurite's kiss stopped him in mid-sentence. "Don't be too long," she said seductively. "Sylvite's spending the night over at Minako's and it's going to be just you and me."

Pyrite flushed slightly. "Of course," he said hurriedly. He glanced over to see Alan staring up into the sky. "Alan?"

"Hm?"

"You can look at them now," said Raiden with a smile. "They've stopped being mushy."

Alan lowered his gaze to stare at the cat. "Do you mind?"

Raiden shrugged. "It's nothing to be ashamed of. They're married to each other."

"I'm not ashamed!" growled Alan. "I'm...well...."

"I believe the word is 'uncomfortable'," said Azurite with a smile of her own. "We'll keep that in mind next time."

"It's not that," said Alan. "It's that...well...er...um...you know...."

*I suggest you quit now before you dig an even deeper hole,* said Alisin, a trace of amusement in his tone.

"Right." Alan went over and picked up Raiden. "Come on, furball. Time we got back to the dorm."

"Just don't expect me to do all the special effects Py does," said Azurite as Alan walked over to her.

"I wouldn't dream of asking," replied Alan with a straight face.

"Good." Azurite reached out and held Alan's hand. "It wouldn't do to get on my bad side."

Alan's reply was lost in the teleport.

Later that afternoon, Kodachi Aino frowned as she glanced down at the envelope in her hand. Her mother's rather broad and flowing handwriting spelled out three words: Alan Cornwell Thomas.

Surprisingly, most of the other students in the dorm had ignored her when she walked into the common room. It had taken her several minutes to locate the room directory, find Mr. Thomas' name, and make her way up the stairs to the third floor.

As a precaution, she'd checked the directory for her brother's name and was relieved not to find it. The last thing she wanted to do was run into her brother Alan while delivering the invitation. Maybe her brother wasn't as big a jerk as this Alan Thomas, but Alan Aino was still a jerk.

She glanced up and down the dorm hallway she stood in, trying to remember the room number. For some reason, her mother seemed pleased with the idea of inviting Alan Thomas to dinner, but she wasn't sure it was a good idea to have him and Aunt Rei at the same table. She'd overheard Auntie Rei make several remarks about Mr. Thomas, none of which very complimentary. A smile crossed her lips as she remembered the way he'd looked after Auntie Azure had spoken to him. The look of fear and horror that had flashed across his face had made Kodachi feel good somehow. She also promised herself that if she ever had a son, she would not name him Alan, seeing as the two boys she knew with that name seemed to be deddleheads.

She was still feeling good when she knocked on the door marked A. Thomas. She heard a muffled "It's open, come on in," and slowly opened the door and peeked inside.

The apartment wasn't large, but it was comfortable-looking. A short hall led to a small living room, with a couch and a couple of suitable chairs. To the left was an efficiency kitchen, while a door to the right probably led to the bedroom. A man she recognized as Alan Thomas was lying on the couch, snoring softly. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a blue box iron-on that said "DR. WHO TOUR 1994".

Kodachi cleared her throat, then softly said, "Hello?"

"I wouldn't wake him if I were you," said a voice from one of the chairs. She glanced over and saw Raiden looking back at her. Since Artemis was her mother's moon cat, she knew the compact grey tigerstripe better than she knew most of the other cats.

"Why not?" she asked in a half-whisper.

"He had another 'training session' with Azurite," the cat replied in an amused tone.

"He didn't hurt Auntie Azure, did he?"

Raiden smirked. "He might be able to take Azurite one day, but he's got a long way to go until then."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Furball," said the man on the couch, his eyes still closed. "Next time, Azurite can train you while I watch from a safe place."

The cat looked over at him. "I'm surprised you're awake."

"I wasn't in a deep sleep."

"Just deep snoring."

Alan sighed. "One more smart remark and I'll tell Luna where you like to hide out when you're avoiding her."

Raiden frowned. "You're not playing fair."

"Who said I had to?"

Kodachi cleared her throat. Alan opened his eyes and looked at her for the first time. He frowned. "Haven't I seen you before?"

Kodachi nodded. "At Auntie Azure's house. You thought I was Sylvite."

Alan nodded and closed his eyes again. "Now I remember. What conveys you within my modest abode?"

"Huh?"

"He wants to know why are you here," said Raiden.

"Oh." Kodachi held up the envelope. "My mother sent me with an invitation to dinner tomorrow night."

Alan opened his eyes again. "Who's your mother?"

"Minako Aino, Senshi Venus," said Raiden.

"Senshi Venus, the laser lassie?" Alan looked at the cat. "The one married to Guardian Calcite, and can claim half the city's population as relatives?"

"The one and only."

"And what's wrong with being a 'laser lassie'?" growled Kodachi, placing her hands on her hips.

Alan sighed, looked up at her, then at Raiden again. "Let me guess, the kid here can throw lasers, right?"

"I am not a kid!" shouted Kodachi.

"Well, not throw exactly," said Raiden, "but she can generate intense blasts of lights from her fingertips similar to Senshi Venus' 'Crescent Beam'."

"Oh." Alan shook his head. "I suppose that somewhere in the city there's a guy in a cape running around at night stopping crime?"

The moon cat nodded. "Matter of fact, there is such a person."

"Ookay...." Alan scratched his head. "Does Rod Serling live in the city, or does he just visit?"

Kodachi's jaw tightened, furious at the tone of his words. Raiden, watching her reaction, got off the chair and padded over to her. She automatically reached down and picked him up. As she did so, she felt a wave of calmness flow over her. Cradling Raiden in one arm, she walked over and handed Alan the envelope.

Alan sat up slowly, wincing as he did so, and took it from her. "Thank you," he said, a tired smile forming on his face.

"You're welcome," she replied in a neutral tone. Now that her other hand was free, she started scratching Raiden's head. "I'm supposed to wait for a reply."

Alan nodded and put the envelope, unopened, on the arm of the couch. "Wait here while I get a cup of tea and become human again. Would you like anything?"

"No, thank you."

Nodding understanding, Alan got up slowly and walked stiffly into the kitchen. Kodachi waited until Alan's back was turned before she hissed at Raiden, "How can you stay with him? He's a deddlehead!"

Raiden yawned, and shifted slightly. "He's not so bad - you just caught him at a bad time."

"I can see why Auntie Rei doesn't like him."

"Lady Mars is rather biased in her opinion of Alan."

"Then why is she coming to dinner also?"

The cat's eyes lit up in amusement. "Lady Mars and Alan at the same dinner table?"

"And Mother told me not to tell him."

The cat chuckled softly. "Your mother is playing matchmaker again."

"Oh, no." Kodachi rolled her eyes. "Auntie Rei and this deddlehead?

Daddy's aide was a better choice."

The cat chuckled again. "Your father's aide is so colorless, he could make a clown suit look like a funeral outfit."

"That's not nice, even if it's true!"

"I know. Your father doesn't hire people for their personality, but for their abilities. But in this arena, personality is the key. And I think Alan will surprise you."

"He would have to."

"I would have to do what?" asked Alan, walking back into the room, a steaming cup of tea in one hand.

Kodachi tried not to look startled at Alan's sudden appearance, but didn't quite hide it. Before she could say anything, Raiden replied, "You would have to impress Lord Calcite with your table manners."

"What for? He already has a dislike for Grandfather."

"As long as Alisin stays out of his way, I don't think there will be a problem."

"Grandfather has already publicly apologized about what happened at the hospital. What else does he want from him, a pint of my blood?"

"What's a pint?" asked Kodachi.

"An old system of measurements," said Raiden. Then, to Alan, he said, "Lord Calcite is not a man to give his trust easily."

"I suppose he isn't."

"Lord Calcite has nothing against you."

"Then why do I feel like Dr. Jekyll to Grandfather's Mr. Hyde?"

"You're overreacting."

"And when was underreacting an option?"

Kodachi frowned. "Who is this grandfather you two keep speaking about?"

"It's rather confusing," said Alan, "and I'm not sure you'd understand."

He slumped into a chair and swallowed a mouthful of tea.

"Try me."

"Right. The very short version. I am the direct descendant of one of the last Air Wizards of the Silver Millennium, the person I keep referring to as Grandfather. With me so far?"

"I'm not stupid."

"He's not implying that you are," said Raiden. He shifted slightly in Kodachi's arms to expose a new area of fur for her to scratch. "It gets a bit complex after this."

"Oh."

"As I was saying," continued Alan, "My Grandfather, in order to wait the rebirth of the woman now known as Neo-Queen Serenity, entered the Land of Dreams in the form of a spirit. He stayed there for a very long time, watching over the children of his children."

"What does this have to do with you?"

"I was born in 1973. In 1994 -"

"You're an immortal too?" asked Kodachi with a frown.

Alan shook his head. "In 1994, I was caught in a forest fire while hiking in the western United States. In order to save my life, my Grandfather's spirit activated a magical amulet that I was wearing."

"And that brought you here all the way from 1994?"

"It wasn't supposed to. I should have moved forward in time several days at most. But something happened, and I was yanked here."

"What happened to your grandfather?"

Alan tapped the side of his head. "He's in here, with me. We're both bonded to this body. He and I can talk to each other, and with a little magical help, he can talk to other people."

Kodachi looked unconvinced. Raiden sighed. "I told you it was a bit complex."

"If you don't believe me, ask Azurite or Pyrite," said Alan with a shrug.

"Or better yet, ask your father." He picked up the invitation and opened it slowly."Let's see...seven o'clock, Minako and Calcite's apartment...casual wear is preferred...bring an appetite." He looked up at Kodachi. "Is your mother a good cook?"

"Not as good as Auntie Makoto," Kodachi admitted, "but she's a very good cook."

"I'll be there," Alan assured her with a smile. "And thank you for the invitation."

"You're welcome. The directions to get to the apartment are on the back of the invitation."

"I noticed. Again, thank you. Is Raiden invited?"

Kodachi looked down at Raiden, who looked up at her with innocent eyes.

"Is Artemis going to be there?" he asked.

Kodachi thought for a moment. "I think so. Luna and Diana are going to be with the Queen and Princess this evening at some sort of charity event."

"Father never did like big crowds," said Raiden. "I like talking to him when Mother isn't around."

After a minute, she sighed and said, " I'll tell Mother to set an extra place for you."

"Thank you."

She looked at Alan again and a thought came to mind, and she said it before she realized it. "You're a strange man."

Raiden looked up at her sharply, then turned his head to the sound of someone chuckling. Alan was smiling, one of the few times he'd shown any amusement since the moon cat had known him. Kodachi looked puzzled. "I'm sorry," she said quickly. "I shouldn't have -"

"No apology needed," replied Alan, still smiling. "If you think I'm strange, that means I'm beginning to fit in around here."

Kodachi frowned, then glanced at her watch. "I'd better get going. I have to help Mom get ready for tomorrow night."

Alan walked over and gently took Raiden out of Kodachi's arms. "Don't let me detain you, Miss," he said cheerfully.

"Thank you," she said, giving him a faint smile.

"You're welcome." He started scratching Raiden behind his ears. "Let me escort you to the door."

He led her to the door and ushered her out. "I will be there tomorrow tonight."

After he shut the door, Kodachi walked away, muttering, "He's still a deddlehead."

Calcite, Guardian, full-time advisor to Neo-Queen Serenity, part-time superhero and spy, looked slightly nervous.

The cause of this uneasiness was his wife, Minako, or more precisely, her plans for tomorrow night. He watched her bustle around the kitchen, singing one of her favorite tunes in a low mellow voice, and he mentally reminded himself to check the condition of the kitchen's appliances after dinner tonight. The last thing he wanted was a repeat of the infamous "cherry pie incident" of a few years ago. It was a good thing Serenity was such an understanding soul - any other queen in the world would have had Minako arrested on treason charges. Shuddering, he put that thought aside for the present.

"I still don't know," he said carefully, not wanting to invoke his wife's anger. He stood in the doorway of the kitchen, ready to dart out of sight if the need arose. "You know Rei wasn't happy with the last time you played matchmaker."

She smiled at him, and he knew right then that nothing he was going to say would change her mind. "Rei needs a boyfriend," she bubbled happily, "and Alan needs some romance in his life. It'll be perfect!"

"That's what you said about Rei and Arthur," said Calcite mildly.

"Besides, I think Rei has some interest in Martin Spectre."

Minako looked at her husband coldly. "Don't mention that name in this house," she said, all joy gone from her voice. "He wasn't good enough for our daughter then, what makes you think he's good enough for one of my oldest friends now?"

Calcite sighed. Minako seemed flighty at times, but when she made up her mind on something that affected her family, she became like the proverbial immovable object. Spectre was one of those things she had made her mind up about. "It's not Martin's fault that he's a ghost -"

A pan slammed down hard enough on the counter to shatter diamonds. "Enough," she said in her 'the matter is closed' tone of voice. She dropped the frying pan onto the stove, missing Calcite's grimace. "Besides, HE isn't in the city right now, and Alan is." She brightened again. "It'll be a perfect night for romance!"

A perfect night for a disaster, Calcite thought as he struggled to keep his face from showing his thoughts. "Rei doesn't like Alan," he said flatly. "She considers him a Magnesite-size annoyance."

The blonde Senshi shrugged as she added some ingredients to the frying pan. "I don't think Rei is happy unless she has someone to annoy her."

"According to what I heard, he was rather rude to her last week."

"Then this will be the perfect chance for him to apologize," said Minako brightly.

Calcite took a deep breath. He loved his wife dearly, but sometimes she took her role of the Senshi of Love too seriously. Sighing, he began to mentally catalogue things that he didn't want or couldn't afford to have damaged and where to store them safely....

The Crystal Palace, home to the Royal Court of Crystal Tokyo, was an imposing complex of white stone and shining crystal that was the centerpiece of the city. It didn't dominate solely because of size or appearance, but because the walls and towers of the place seemed to be infused with...well, light. A light that shone brighter than the darkness around it, a beacon to the world that seemed to say, "you are safe here."

Alan walked through the small side gate on the south side of the Palace, at Raiden's recommendation. The guard on duty at the gate was a full head taller than Alan and easily 25 kilos heavier, none of which was fat. Yet after checking his identification and the daily entry list, he smiled and waved him through. The guard's smile lasted until Alan and Raiden strode out of sight. Then, taking a deep breath, he pushed a button on the small compad next to him. "Post South Three," he said in a normal voice. "Inform Lady Mars - the Windwalker has entered the Palace."

Rei adjusted the dress and scowled at her image in the mirror. Why do I let myself get dragged into these things? she thought.

Because Minako isn't familiar with the word 'NO', replied the dry voice that sat in the back of her mind. She'd grown irritated with this part of herself, the part she'd hidden for so long behind her mask as Crystal Tokyo's Head of Internal Security. Lately, it had become even more annoying, comparing Alan to Yuuichiro. Face it, the voice continued, Minako's bound and determined to set you up in a romance, with or without your help. At least this way, you have some say over the men she throws at you.

Since when? she mentally snarled at the voice. Her selection of men hasn't been anything to write home about. If this selection is anything like the last one, I'm going to scream! The man was so dull, it was like watching paint dry!

The communicator on her bedside table beeped. Snarling in frustration, she reached over and picked it up. "Yes?"

"Lady Mars," said Marcus. "Alan Thomas has entered the palace again. He has done so using Post South Three. The moon cat Raiden is with him."

"Thank you," replied Rei. "Any idea where he's going?"

"No, Ma'am. Do you wish to find out? I could have him shadowed."

Rei frowned. Her feelings, if they could be called that, about Alan were still ambivalent at best. His words in the classroom had stung her, more so than she'd care to admit to anyone, especially to Setsuna. His apology and the roses had managed to anger her and startle her at the same time, and the few times she had seen his name on reports did nothing to resolve the conflict. As a precaution, she was notified every time he entered the palace, usually for dinner with a member of the royal court.

"Lady Mars?"

Startled, Rei replied, "Don't shadow him. Just stay alert for any possible trouble."

"Yes Ma'am."

"If anything happens, I'll be at dinner with Lord Cal -"

It hit her then. Realization struck her like a tidal wave. Minako wouldn't!

Anger flared up in her. Of all the men that ditz could try to hook me up with, she has to choose the most arrogant blowhard jerk in the city!

He did apologize.... that part of her mind said calmly.

It took the cleaning crew a week and a half to remove the rose smell from my rooms!

Maybe, she conceded to herself. But there has to be someone else out there!

Like who? the dry voice replied. Is there someone out there that is willing to either play second fiddle to your role as Senshi Mars, or who is strong enough to stand with you as your equal or almost equal partner? You need someone who isn't intimidated by you or your powers.

Rei frantically cudgeled her brain for another name. How about Martin Spectre?

"Lady Mars?"

"What?" she snapped.

Marcus managed to sound cool. "Are you all right? You stopped in mid-sentence there."

"I just remembered something that will change my plans," she said stiffly. "I'll be speaking with Lady Venus for a while, then I'll drop by the office and go over some paperwork the rest of the evening."

"Very well. Do you wish for me to wait for you?"

"No. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

Very well, Lady Mars. I will see you tomorrow. Good evening."

Scowling, Rei broke the connection and stared at herself in the mirror. The dress was a lose summer type, bright red in color and managed to be modest and light at the same time. She though for a second about changing, but decided not to. I can transform once I've given Minako a piece of my mind.With that settled, she strode out of her apartment and headed for the Aino's suite.

"Comfortable?" asked Alan as they walked down the hallway. Foot traffic in the hall was light, and only a few people bothered to even glance at them.

"Yes," replied Raiden, shifting his weight to a more satisfactory position on Alan's left shoulder. "Has Alisin withdrawn from your mind?"

"As much as he can. I do much the same thing when he has dinner with Setsuna. It should keep any outbreaks of fighting to a minimum." Alan slowed as they came to an intersection. "Which way?"

"At the intersection, take a right and continue until we find the first bank of elevators."

"Right turn, bank of elevators," muttered Alan. "Raiden?"

"Yes?"

"You don't talk much about your parents, or your sister."

The cat sighed. "My parents are living legends. They expect Diana and me to follow in those footsteps. Diana, unlike me, has taken Mother's teaching to heart; so much so, she could be mother's clone instead of her offspring."

"What about you?" asked Alan. "You don't want to become an advisor to a royal family?"

Raiden gave him a dirty look. "There are better things I can do with my time than to advise people who should be smart enough to figure out things on their own."

"And Luna isn't happy with you?"

"The fact I haven't made myself indispensable to the royal court seems to have disappointed Mother."

They reached the intersection. Alan turned right and began strolling down a slightly narrower corridor. "According to Grandfather, Luna was an advisor to Queen Serenity, the current Queen's mother."

Raiden sighed again. "Mother is a great believer in tradition. That's why she trained Diana to be the Princess Usagi's nursemaid, not that the Princess needs a nursemaid these days, mind you. I expect if the Queen has another child, I will be forced to become a nursemaid for that child, especially if it's a boy."

"What about Artemis?" asked Alan. "Is he a traditionalist?"

"Not if he can help it. Venusians were more open and fun-loving than the Moon Kingdom. Father is more apt to go find a quiet place to snooze or find a good meal than to sit and watch politics."

"Just like you."

"Not quite. I prefer a good book over a good meal." At Alan's arched eyebrow, the cat hastily added, "All right, I prefer a good book slightly more than a good meal. Satisfied?"

They reached the elevators and waited for a car to arrive. No one gave them a second glance as they stood there. "You're not happy, are you?" asked Alan.

"No," admitted the cat.

"Why?"

"Because I don't like the fact that certain things are expected from me."

"All parents want their children to succeed."

"But I'm a moon cat, with limited options. I can't exactly become an idol singer."

"Not with the way you sing."

Raiden wasn't amused. "But the Moon cats were created by an earlier Queen Serenity to be advisors. Each planet, with the exception of Pluto, had a moon cat as an advisor to the ruling family. "

"Why doesn't Pluto have a moon cat?"

Raiden shrugged. "I asked Mother about that one time. The best she could tell me was that Pluto turned down the opportunity when it was offered to them. No one knows why."

"I see."

The elevator doors opened and they stepped inside the car. Soothing music, just loud enough to be heard, filtered out of a small ceiling speaker. "Which floor?" Alan asked.

"Fifteenth."

Alan pushed the button marked "15", and the elevator rose. Alan glanced over at Raiden. "So, what do you want to do with your life?"

The tigerstripe sighed. "What I would love to do is go to Mercury, find the Great Library, assuming it still exists, and explore its secrets for several centuries."

"So why didn't you go with Ami and Tom to Mercury?"

"Several reasons. First and foremost, I'm too young. They all see me as still being a kitten." He scowled. "Mother still won't let me go anywhere interesting."

"I know what you mean. What else?"

"They already had a moon cat going. Puck."

Alan frowned. "Why Puck?"

"The moon cat of Mercury, Phoebe, was Puck's mate. There was no way short of shooting him to keep him from going."

"Another good reason. Any more?"

"Well...." Raiden hesitated. "Yes."

"What?"

"You."

"Me?"

"Someone had to keep an eye on you, now that Lady Mercury isn't here."

Alan opened his mouth for a snappy comeback, but the elevator stopped at the eleventh floor and the doors opened. A woman in a red dress with long black hair was standing there. As soon as she saw Alan, the irritated look on her face shifted into anger. "YOU!"

Alan went white and backpedaled right into the back wall of the car. He tried to say something, but all that came out was, "Eep...."

"Good evening, Lady Mars," said Raiden politely.

Rei stepped into the elevator, the doors closing behind her. She glared at the moon cat. "Don't 'good evening' me," she spat. "I know what that blonde wacko has planned tonight, so don't act innocent."

"Er...." began Alan.

"Which wacko?" asked Raiden calmly.

"Minako!"

"Oh. We're having dinner at Lady Venus and Lord Calcite's apartment tonight. What does she have planned?"

"Ah...." continued Alan, even though the fiery Senshi was more concerned with Raiden at the moment.

"I know she's planning to fix me up with this jerk," Rei replied angrily, tapping Alan on the chest with a strong finger. She shifted her glare to Alan. "What makes you think I'd even consider you, after that stunt you pulled?"

"She's WHAT?!" said Alan, the first coherent words he'd spoken since he'd seen Rei. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't pretend you don't know what's going on," she hissed.

"But...but...but," said Alan, a look of panic on his face. "I don't know what's going on - Honest!!"

"And why should I believe you?"

Alan's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out.

Raiden sighed, attracting the angry Senshi's attention. "Lady Mars, I can explain better then Alan can."

"I'm listening." Rei's fury had subsided to a low simmer, but she didn't look happy.

"Alan really has no idea what Lady Venus had planned for this evening," said the cat calmly. "I only found out about it because Kodachi Aino told me, in strict confidence, when she was delivering the invitation to Alan yesterday. Don't blame Alan for something he has no knowledge of."

"Thanks for telling me, Furball," snapped Alan. "Are you trying to get me killed?"

The moon cat shrugged. "Kodachi told me in confidence. The only reason I'm telling this to both of you now is to clear up any misunderstandings. You get into enough trouble on your own without adding mistakes and misconceptions to it."

Alan closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something about catgut and violins.

Rei shifted her gaze between Alan and Raiden. "I see," she said flatly.

"I suppose I owe you an apology then," she said to Alan.

Alan shook his head. "No," he said. "You had every right to be angry. I know I would be if the positions were reversed."

"Why?" asked Rei, fury creeping back into her voice. "I'm not good enough for you?"

"I didn't mean it that way!" replied Alan quickly, his hands gesturing wildly. "I meant that -" His shoulders slumped and he looked down. "Why do I bother?" he said in frustration, then looked at Rei again. "I'm sorry for being a jerk, okay? A big stupid jerk who is way out of his league in this time and place."

Alan's sudden shift caught Rei by surprise, robbing her of her anger. She noticed Raiden's sudden discomfort. The elevator stopped, and the doors opened, but she ignored them. "You're not happy here?" she said, watching his reaction.

"Bingo. Give that Senshi a cigar."

The Senshi of fire frowned. "Why aren't you happy here?"

"Is there somewhere else we can talk?" asked Alan suddenly. "I suddenly need some fresh air, and I'm beginning to take an intense dislike to that elevator music."

Rei nodded. "There's a public observation area on this floor that overlooks the north side of the city. There won't be anyone there now."

Alan took a deep breath. "Fine." He reached around Rei and pressed the "open doors" button. The elevator's doors opened, and he stepped around her.

"Why don't you go ahead by yourself?" said Raiden mildly. "I need to speak to Lady Mars about another matter." Alan stopped and gave the moon cat a dirty look. "We won't be long," continued Raiden quietly.

Alan shrugged. "I don't mind. I need some time to get my thoughts together." He glanced back at Rei. "Could you?" he asked, motioning to the moon cat. Rei nodded and lifted Raiden off Alan's shoulder. "Thank you. How do I get to the observation area from here?"

"Go to the right here, then the first left. The area is all the way at the end of the corridor."

"Thank you." Alan strode out of the elevator. Rei waited until the doors began to close before she followed, Raiden cradled in her arms. She watched Alan walk away until he was out of earshot before she spoke to the moon cat. "What did you want to talk to me about?" she asked in a low voice.

"Alan," replied Raiden in an equally low voice.

"It figures. What's wrong with him now?"

"Who said anything's wrong?"

"Besides the fact he seems subdued and hasn't taken a verbal potshot at me yet? You tell me. You're the one living with him."

Raiden sighed. "He's working his way through a crisis of self-confidence triggered by the run-in with Margrave. It's taking Lady Pluto, Pyrite and Alisin all working together to pull him out of it. He's a lot better than last time you saw him, but he's still a long way from adjusting to his new life."

Rei watched as Alan turn into another hallway and disappeared before she started off after him. "So what was the idea with all those roses?"

The cat sighed. "He...overreacted."

"It was a little more than an overreaction!" hissed Rei. "I had to use Marcus' office most of the morning because of all the roses in my office! Now half of my people think I have a secret admirer, while the other half think it's a calling card from the next big threat to the city!"

Raiden chuckled, then became serious. "Alan was rather upset with himself over what he said to you, and he decided to overdo the apology."

"Didn't Setsuna mind that he charged all those roses to her credit card?"

"No, in fact she...." The cat stopped. "What do you mean?"

Rei smirked. "I know about 'Susan Foreman', and I know Setsuna's sense of humor. Having a card in the name of a TV character who happens to be a time traveler is just the sort of thing she'd do."

Raiden sighed. "I'm not saying anything."

"You don't have to. So what are Setsuna and Pyrite doing to keep him from falling apart? Did they have anything to do with him moving over to CTU and taking classes?"

"They thought getting him into some familiar surroundings would ease the stress he's been under. It seems to have helped."

"And who suggested the dinners with the members of the royal council?"

"Lady Pluto. You know how much Alan hates ceremony. She thought some quiet dinners would ease some of the awe he's feels toward the Senshi."

"She never mentioned anything like that to me."

"Under the circumstances, do you blame her? You and Alan have a rather biased view of each other."

Rei scowled. "I do not!" she hissed.

Raiden arched an eyebrow, but said nothing for several seconds. During that brief stretch of silence, they turned into the corridor leading to the observation area. Alan was ahead of them, walking slowly, still out of earshot. The corridor was softly lit, leaving several side corridors in darkness.

Finally the tigerstripe said, "Neither one of you made a good first impression with the other."

"Don't remind me."

"It would be easier if you didn't treat him like a plague victim."

"Don't you start," hissed Rei. "I got enough of that from Setsuna."

"Did it ever occur to you that she was right?"

"Yes, but he doesn't it make it easy for me." She motioned with her chin toward Alan. "For some reason, he manages to get under my skin with little effort."

"I know," replied Raiden. "Put yourself in his place for a moment. Alan's still coming to grips with what he is. He's had to accept a whole new frame of reference that is vastly different from what he grew up with, and he's still resisting the change. He's frustrated, hurt and lost, and you were a convenient target for him to vent all that emotion on because of your first meeting."

"He's going to have to accept that this is his home now," replied Rei stiffly.

"He will, but he is going to need time. Being nasty to him every time you two cross paths isn't helpful."

"I'm not nasty!" hissed Rei. "He's the one that's being a jerk!"

Raiden sighed. "He's regaining his self-worth. All I'm asking you to do is to be less angry at him."

"If you suggest that I romance him, Diana's going to be an only child again."

The cat sweatdropped. "Lady Venus is the matchmaker, not me," he growled. "My job is to make sure he finds his place in this society, without causing a major disruption. And like it or not, you two are going to have to learn to at least speak to each other like people who are on the same side."

Alan reached a glass-and-steel door at the end of the corridor, the night sky barely visible beyond the door's clear pane. He glanced around to see Rei and Raiden, then opened the door and stepped out into the darkness. Picking up the pace, Rei reached the door and followed Alan out into the night.

There was silence for several seconds in the corridor, and a shadow moved from a darkened side passageway. Setsuna stepped out into the softly-lit main corridor and stared in the direction the three had taken. She smiled before she turned and walked away.

The night air was somewhat cooler up on this level than it had been fifteen stories below, but it still was far from being cold. This was a good thing because the observation deck jutted out from the Palace's wall, allowing a one-hundred-eighty-degree view of the sparkling city before them. Made from the same crystal-like substance as the rest of the Palace, the exposed deck was five meters by three, with a thick, waist-high wall running the entire length of the deck's perimeter. There were a couple of small lights that gave off just enough illumination to see by, but there were still pockets of shadow in the corners. A long wooden bench sat in the middle of the deck , allowing any visitor to sit and relax for a while.

Alan took a deep breath before he turned and looked at Rei. His expression was one of sadness mixed with guilt and discomfort. "I'm not very good with words, so I won't beat around the bush. The first thing I owe you is an apology in person. I should have done it before now, but I didn't think you would want to see me."

Still cradling Raiden, the Senshi of Fire stood near the door, watching Alan carefully. By an unspoken agreement, the two kept several meters between them. "You were right not to show up in person," she said in a not-quite sharp-tone. "Your words cut very deep and I might have done something we would have both regretted."

The fledgling wizard nodded, his expression not changing. "That's me. Open mouth, insert foot. I've done it so many times, I'm surprised my tongue hasn't come down with a case of athlete's foot." He looked at her for a sign of amusement, but Rei's expression remained the same as before, a kind of wary look that was neither outright hostile, nor really welcoming.

Alan sighed and took a deep breath and took a couple of steps toward Rei. He stopped and bowed stiffly to her. "Lady Mars," he said formally. "I hereby ask pardon for my cruel and thoughtless words the last time we met. They were crass, ill-timed, and tasteless. My manners were rude and improper. In short, I was being a dolt, who, in a fit of childish behavior, vented my anger at you for no real reason. I am sorry for my words and actions, and ask that you please accept my regrets." He stepped back and waited, looking somewhat nervous.

Several seconds of silence followed. The only movement was Rei petting Raiden. Finally, she nodded slowly. "I accept both your apologies."

"Both?"

She nodded. "Your note of apology you left with the roses, and the one you gave me just now. However, I feel that some of the blame in this matter is mine." She stopped as she searched for the right words. "I'm afraid my own attitude toward you hasn't been fair. Instead of treating you like a newcomer to Crystal Tokyo, I've treated you like a potential spy and assassin."

"Er...." said Alan hesitantly. "I didn't help with my attitude and actions."

"Nevertheless, I let my emotions get the better of me." She turned and walked over to the edge of the deck to stare at the city's skyline.

Another bout of quiet followed. After several seconds, Alan took another deep breath. "How did you find the roses?" he asked slowly.

"I was...surprised," she replied in a neutral tone, not looking at him.

Alan gave her a bitter smile. "I wanted to buy every flower in the shop, but Setsuna said that would be overkill."

Rei's face darkened slightly, and there were flashes of anger in her eyes as he looked at him. "You realize the rumors you started by that stunt are making me look like a love-sick schoolgirl."

Alan's smile faded. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize that -"

Rei shook her head, the flash of anger gone. "I don't blame you for that. That's a rumor I can live with. I am more concerned with how you got past the teleport shields. Who helped you?"

"I'm sorry, I told Py - my friend I wouldn't tell anyone."

"Even me?" asked Rei, turning to look at him with an arched eyebrow.

"Especially you. I will tell you my friend is loyal to the Queen and did this only to show up the flaw in the teleporting shield. You did fix the flaw, right?"

"Your instructions were right on the mark. It won't happen again."

"Good." Alan walked over to the wall and leaned on it. He stared out over the glowing skyline. "Very nice," he said quietly.

"It is," agreed Rei, glancing at him, puzzled by the sudden change in subject. "Well, since you have apologized, I think we can consider the matter closed."

Alan's smile was warmer then before. "Good. I don't want you for an enemy."

"I was never your enemy."

"I suppose you weren't." Alan glanced at his watch. " Oh, shoot. We're late for dinner."

"Go ahead," said Rei, as she walked over to Alan. She placed Raiden into Alan's arms. "I'm not going."

"Huh?"

"I can't go. I've got too much paperwork to do and -"

"Whoa. Stop right there. You're not coming?"

"I can't."

"You mean you won't."

"I - I can't."

Alan frowned again. "Why? What's wrong?"

"I'm not hungry."

"That is a lame excuse."

"I don't have to justify my reasons to you!" Rei snarled, fire in her eyes.

Alan stepped back. "Hey, I'm not the enemy here. If you don't want to go, fine. But tell me the real reason why, okay?"

Rei glared at him, then the expression died. She turned and walked over to the balcony and looked out over the city. Alan looked at Raiden, who just shrugged. Sighing, the wizard-in-training walked over to where the Senshi was standing. She ignored him.

"Look," said Alan in a soft voice, "you mentioned that Minako was playing matchmaker between you and me. This isn't the first time, is it?"

"No."

"Haven't you told her to stop it?"

Rei's harsh laugh was surprising. "Minako, when she gets something into that head of hers, is very hard to convince otherwise."

"Does she try setting up Setsuna?"

Rei turned her head and looked at him askance. "Do you think ANYONE could tell Senshi Pluto what to do?"

Alan scratched his head. "Er...now that you mention it, if there is such a person, I haven't met them yet."

She turned to gaze out over the city again. "Besides, Minako is my friend, one of the closest ones I have, despite her...enthusiasm on some subjects."

"And you don't want to hurt her feelings."

Rei nodded. "I know she's trying to be helpful, but sometimes she doesn't realize that some things can't be solved simply or quickly."

"Can't I change your mind?"

Rei leveled a look at him. "I wouldn't be good company tonight. You go on alone."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Alan reached out and took Raiden from Rei's arms. "I think you should come to dinner." He cradled the cat in his arms and started scratching the cat behind the ears.

"Alan is right, Lady Mars," said Raiden, his eyes closed in enjoyment.

"Lady Venus is a good cook."

"No," replied the dark-haired woman softly.

"I understand." Alan turned and walked away. At the door leading to the hall, he glanced over his shoulder at her. "Friends like Minako are rare. She wants you to be happy and is willing to do something about it, even if her methods are a bit...." He trailed off as he couldn't find the right words.

"I know," replied Rei faintly

"I wish I had friends like that. Maybe I wouldn't be such a morose person."

With that, Alan and Raiden left the observation deck, leaving Rei standing alone watching the city.

Calcite answered the door. "Good evening," the Guardian said.

"Hello," replied Alan quietly. "Sorry I'm late."

Calcite waved him in. The guardian was dressed in an open-neck shirt and dark trousers that completely obscured his reputation as one of the strongest magic-users in the city. "That's all right. Minako is making the final preparations. We'll be ready to eat in five minutes."

"That's fine."

"Lord Calcite," said Raiden. "Is Artemis around?"

"He's in the living room."

Alan released Raiden, and the cat dropped lightly to the floor. "I'll go talk to him." Raiden quickly ran off.

Calcite closed the door. "We're expecting another guest tonight, and -"

"I don't think Rei is coming," said Alan gently.

"You saw her." it wasn't a question, but a statement.

Alan nodded. "We bumped into her at the elevator. She was under the impression that you wife was trying to set her and me up and she wasn't thrilled with the idea."

"I told her it wouldn't work," muttered Calcite.

"So it's true," said Alan.

The Guardian nodded. "Minako's been trying on and off for several hundred years to find someone for Rei, but she hasn't had much luck."

"If she was thinking about Rei and I...." Alan swallowed the last part of his comment, "then your wife has got be scraping the bottom of the barrel around here," before it could pass his lips. "...I don't think it'll work out," he finished, quickly.

"It won't stop her from trying," replied Calcite with a sad smile.

"Consider it your official initiation into the Royal Court."

"Thanks, I think. Any other surprises I should know about?"

Calcite shook his head. "Would you care for a drink?"

"Soda's fine. I'm not much of a alcohol drinker."

"Very well. Let's go into the living room where we can be more comfortable until dinner's ready." Calcite led Alan into a large, comfortable-looking room with several overstuffed chairs and a long sofa. The far wall was made up of tall windows through which Alan could see part of the city's skyline. To the right and near the windows, a doorway led to what was probably a dining room, judging from the table and chairs that Alan could see from his angle.

Two cats were sitting in one of the chairs, Raiden and a white cat that Alan recognized as Artemis. They looked up from their quiet conversation at Alan. The elder cat nudged his offspring. "Let's go talk out on the balcony. It's private." With that the two cats leaped off the chair and made a beeline for the other doorway, Raiden glancing over his shoulder with expression on his face that could be read as "I'm sorry - moon cat business."

As Alan sat down, Calcite disappeared into the dining room. A minute later, he returned with two tall glasses, the ice in one clanking softly. He kept one and handed the one with ice to Alan. Alan sipped from his glass as Calcite sat in a chair.

"What happened between you and Rei just now?" asked Calcite. His tone was pleasant, but there was some iron in his eyes.

Alan grimaced. "It started when she saw me on the elevator just now...."

Rei looked out over the city. The fire of anger that burned inside her earlier had been gutted by the talk with Alan. She replayed the conversation in her mind, looking for any reason to distrust Alan's words, but she couldn't find anything.

See? said that voice in the back of her mind. He can be a gentleman if he tries.

One time doesn't change my opinion of him, the rational part of her mind countered.

What is your opinion of him? the emotional side shot back. If you thought he was a 100% jerk, you wouldn't be having this debate with yourself!

You've been hiding behind that excuse for centuries, the emotional part of herself said. You don't want to get close to anyone because of Yuuichiro. Admit it.

"Fine," she growled out loud. "I admit it. Happy?"

Someone standing behind her coughed. She spun quickly, fists clenched.

Setsuna was standing a couple of meters away, an unreadable expression on her face. "Are you all right?" The dress she wore was a rich purple in color, high-necked, long-sleeved, and ended just below her knees.

"I-I'm sorry," Rei stammered, trying to hide her stupefaction and failing. "I was thinking about something."

"I noticed," replied the older Senshi calmly, walking past her and looking out over the city. "I'm surprised that there is anyone here at this time."

"I needed a place to think," Rei replied quickly.

Setsuna turned her head to look at her. "Problems?"

"Nothing that would concern you."

"Aren't you late for dinner over at Minako and Calcite's place?"

Rei flinched at the question. "How did you know about that?"

An eyebrow went up. "Do I really need to answer that question?"

"I suppose not, but I'm not going."

"Is that because Alan is going to be there?"

"No, I mean...yes. No, I...."

Setsuna smiled slightly. "This is something I haven't seen from you in a long time."

Rei felt her embarrassment rise."What?" she asked sharply.

Setsuna cocked her head slightly. "Unsure of yourself. It's nice to see that human part of you again. It's been too long."

Rei's anger flared up again. "That is none of your concern."

The Senshi of Time seemed unruffled by Rei's assertion. "Did Alan apologize to you just now?"

"Yes!" The fire Senshi hissed. She turned and strode over to the door.

"I have to go do some paperwork. If you'll excuse me."

As her hand brushed the handle, Setsuna said mildly, "Consider yourself fortunate to have only received a couple of rooms full of roses. I had to talk him down from sending you every flower in the city."

Rei spun and glared at Setsuna. "Do you know how much embarrassment he caused me? Half the office is still speculating who my 'new love' is!"

"Have you ever considered that they may be happy that there's someone out there who thinks you're an attractive woman, instead of just the head of Internal Security?"

"It's unprofessional!"

Setsuna shook her head slowly. "You should trust your people, Rei. Most would walk through a firestorm on your orders without thinking twice, the rest with only slight hesitation. They love you the same way a child would love their parent and want nothing but the best for you."

Rei felt her cheeks become flushed. She's right, crowed the emotional voice inside her. "I think I want to be left alone for now."

"You're beginning to talk to yourself. That's not considered healthy in some circles."

"Why don't you leave me alone!"

The Senshi of Pluto let the anger from the other Senshi flow off of her, with no sign of emotion outside of a small smile. "Very well, I'll leave you to your thoughts. However, I will give you this before I go. If Alan is the one who is destined to be with you, nothing either one of you do or say will stop it from happening. If that isn't his destiny, there is nothing either one of you can do about altering it."

Rei felt her anger wavering. "Is he the one?" she asked tensely.

"I cannot say. I do not have that knowledge of the future." The Senshi of Time tilted her head slightly. "He managed to get under your skin just now, didn't he?"

"Yes." Rei found herself on the defensive.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"NO! Yes...I don't know...." Rei looked away.

"What did he do this time that's annoyed you?"

"Nothing!"

Setsuna looked slightly puzzled. "You're annoyed at him because he didn't do anything to annoy you?"

"Yes! No!"

"That's a straightforward answer. What happened?"

Rei sketched out her conversation with Alan in a few terse sentences. Setsuna listened in silence. After Rei finished, the older Senshi said, "I am glad that he finally had to courage to make the apology in person. He was rather upset with himself over his behavior toward you."

"Why should that matter to me?" asked Rei quickly. "He's a loudmouthed jerk who has been nothing but a pain in the neck since he first showed up!"

"Loudmouthed jerks don't bother to throw themselves in front of attacks aimed at you by a rogue sorcerer," said Setsuna gently.

"I didn't need his help! I could have handled that ice-cube conjurer all by myself!"

"Probably. Have you ever thanked him for that?"

"Of course not! Why should I...." Rei stopped, her words dying in her throat. "I don't need to," she continued stiffly.

Setsuna's expression was unreadable. "Despite his flaws, Alan is someone who cares about people. He didn't step in front of you because he thought you couldn't handle Diaspore's attack. He did it because he saw someone in danger. It didn't matter to him whether you were a Senshi or a civilian."

Rei nodded. "Alisin said much the same thing when Alan was in the hospital. The last thing I need is some wind-powered cowboy running around the city like a cheap comic book."

"Would you prefer that he starting wearing trenchcoats and fedoras, called you 'sweet-heart', and skulked around the city like a certain ex-youma?"

Rei's face became flush. "That's not funny!"

Setsuna smiled. "Relax, Rei. Alan has no need to go looking for trouble. Trouble will find him without his help."

"That's not what I wanted to hear."

"It's true."

Rei looked at her sister Senshi. "What is your personal interest in Alan?"

Setsuna's smile never wavered. "He and Alisin are the closest thing I have to family for the time being."

"You don't have any romantic interest in him?"

Setsuna did something Rei had rarely seen her do - she laughed. It was a light and musical laugh that echoed nicely on the observation deck. "None at all!" she said, still amused. "The one I have been waiting for will come soon enough."

Rei's eyes widened slightly. "You're waiting for someone?"

"For over fourteen thousand years," the Senshi of Time murmured, her eyes growing distance for a instant. Then, the expression vanished as quickly as it came. "But we can talk about that another time. As for Alan, he's more like a little brother to me."

Rei snorted. "He's annoying enough to be one. Why does everyone think he's a nice guy but me?"

"It's a matter of perception."

"So what do you suggest I do now?" asked Rei sullenly.

"Why not go to the dinner at Minako's?"

Rei frowned. "Why do you want me at this dinner?" she asked suspiciously. "I'm still not going to date him, if that's what you're thinking."

"Would it be any comfort if I told you Alan thinks much the same way as you do?"

"No."

Setsuna shrugged as she calmly strode over to where Rei was standing. "I have no ulterior motives, personal or otherwise, involved here and now. My only concern is that you relax and enjoy yourself this evening, something you have not allowed yourself to do in a long while. Surely your paperwork can wait until tomorrow?"

"I...."

Setsuna arched an eyebrow. "Would you like me to come along and act as a chaperone? While I am certain Alan will not bite, my presence will guarantee his best behavior."

"Er...."

"I'll take that as a 'yes'. Let's go."

Before she could object, Rei found herself being guided into the Palace and down the hall towards the Aino's apartment.

The Aino's dinner table was set for five, something Alan noticed as his hostess led him into the room.

"Is Kodachi joining us tonight?" he asked.

"I'm afraid not," said Minako cheerfully. If she was unhappy at her plans being disrupted, she gave no sign of it. "Sylvite invited her to spend the evening over at her house tonight."

"Oh. Who else is joining us?"

"I asked Setsuna if she would like to come, and -"

Alan blinked. "Setsuna? As in 'all wise and mysterious guardian of Time' Setsuna? The one who has spent most of the last fourteen thousand years staying aloof from everyone else?"

"Do you know another one?"

"I'm not sure I know this one," Alan muttered.

"She occasionally comes to dinner, but we haven't had her as a guest since...." Minako leaned into the living room. "Dear, when was the last time we had Setsuna over for dinner?"

"I think it was shortly after the Black Moon War," replied Calcite.

"It's been that long?"

"I believe so." There was a knock from the front door. "That's probably her now."

"I'll go put dinner on the table," Minako called out.

"Do you need any help carrying the food in?" asked Alan.

"No, Cal can help me once he's answered the door. Just take a seat here," she tapped one of the chairs, "and make yourself comfortable. I'll be right back." She strode through a doorway in the far wall.

Alan glanced around the elegantly set table. Each place setting had a name, neatly lettered on a stiff white card lying on the plate. Alan grimaced as he noticed that he was supposed to be sitting next to Rei. Setsuna's place was on the other side of the large table, while Calcite and Minako's places were at the ends.

He was so intent on the table, he didn't notice the trio walk into the room until he heard a well-known voice say, "Alan, I see you managed to find your way here with no problem."

Alan turned to answer Setsuna, but froze when Rei came into sight.

"Er...hi," he squeaked.

Rei looked at him, her expression unreadable. Calcite glanced from one to the other. "Is everyone all right?"

"They will be all right," replied Setsuna airily.

Minako stuck her head out of the kitchen. "Cal, could you please give me a hand with - hello, Rei!"

"Minako," replied the dark-haired girl stiffly.

If the Senshi of Venus noticed her friend's discomfort, she didn't show it. "Well, take a seat and we'll have dinner out in a jiffy!" She disappeared back into the kitchen.

Calcite sighed. "I'll go help her."

After Calcite had gone into the kitchen, the three guests looked at each other. Both Alan and Rei looked uncomfortable, while Setsuna seemed almost amused. "I suggest you try and look like you two are enjoying yourselves tonight," she said softly to Alan and Rei, "or Minako will see you two as her greatest matchmaking challenge."

"She can't be that bad," said Alan.

"Oh yes she can," said Rei in a low voice, her expression taking on a slightly irritated look. "Believe me, she can."

Alan looked at the dark-haired woman. "Why does she think you and I would be a good couple?" he half-whispered.

"How the heck should I know?" Rei hissed back. "I'm a fire reader, not a mind reader!"

"But you and I don't have anything in common!"

"Do you think that little detail ever occurred to her?"

Alan looked over at the still-amused Setsuna. "Any advice on this matter, 'cousin'?" he asked caustically.

"Well, you two do have one thing in common," the Senshi of Pluto said with a small smile.

"What?" Alan and Rei chorused.

"Neither one of you wants to be involved with Venus' matchmaking efforts."

"That wasn't funny," said Rei.

"It wasn't supposed to be."

"So, how do we get out of this mess?" asked Alan. "I mean, I'm not thrilled with the idea of having Rei thrown at me like she's some choice cut of meat."

Rei eyes flared with anger. "WHAT?" she hissed loudly.

"Will you tone it down?" said Alan irritably. "I'm not happy about having you shoved into my arms."

"And what's wrong with that?" Rei asked heatedly. "You're not exactly centerfold material yourself, buster."

Alan closed his eyes. "I didn't mean to imply you weren't attractive," he said slowly.

"Then what did you mean?"

Setsuna replied, "What he's saying is that doesn't like being railroaded into a relationship."

"Yes," said Alan quickly, "especially with -"

"- a woman he knows almost nothing about," finished Setsuna quickly.

Alan glared at her, but the green-hair woman ignored the stare and continued. "I know of a way to keep Minako off both your backs for a while, but you two are going to have to trust me on this. Do you understand?"

"I guess so," muttered Rei.

"Under the circumstances, do I have a choice?" asked Alan.

"Not really," replied Setsuna.

"Then I guess I'm in."

"Good. I don't have time to explain now, but follow my lead tonight." With that, she walked around the table and slid into her chair. "Now, let's see what Minako's made for dinner."

Alan peered circumspectly at the food before him. It smelled delicious, but the color was...well, slightly off. Out of the corner of his eye, Alan saw Rei's expression flicker between wariness and curiosity as she stared at her own plate. Setsuna was already eating, unconcerned by her cousin's discomfort.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" burbled Minako cheerfully. "Eat up!" She either was unaware of the slight tension in the air, or refused to acknowledge its presence.

Alan carefully cut a small piece of meat and put it into his mouth. He chewed slowly, allowing the flavor to roll across his tongue. After several seconds, his tastebuds notified his brain that the meat was delicious. He tried the side dishes, one at a time, with the same results. Glancing up he noticed Setsuna watching him, smirking.

They ate quietly for half a minute, no one willing the break the silence. Finally, Calcite said, "Alan, Azurite tells me you are showing some interesting results in your training."

Alan stopped eating. "Like what?" he asked causally.

"The overloading of her shield around your spell matrix, for one."

Rei looked at Calcite. "What overloading of what shield around what matrix?"

Alan sighed. "Azurite tried to teach me to defend against someone who could throw a shield of mana around one of my matrices, blocking me from channeling air mana through it. She wanted me to find a weak spot in the shield and crack it."

"And what happened?" asked Minako eagerly.

"I couldn't find the weak spot, so I made my own."

"Actually," said Calcite, "Alan used most of the air mana he stores internally to crack Azurite's shield. The resulting spell was three times more powerful than normal."

"Which spell was it?" asked Rei.

"The 'hurricane punch'," replied Alan softly.

Rei winced slightly. She'd remembered the results the first time she'd seen him used that spell in combat, a panic-driven blast that had sent one Nemesian terrorist flying and startling the others terrorists long enough for her to take decisive action. She also remembered the result of another of his spells on a Nemesisan wizard who had tried to kill her. He face darkened at the thought of Alan throwing an attack three times as strong as she'd seen. He'd might have to be watched after all....

"It's not something I can do every time," continued Alan. "According to Pyrite, that stunt drained me of all my stored air mana. It took me eighteen hours to regain enough air mana to start using spells again, and another twelve to restock my mana reserves completely." He looked over at Rei. "Are you all right?"

"Huh?" asked Rei dazed. "I-I'm sorry, I was just thinking about something."

"Or someone?" asked Minako brightly.

Rei waved her hand. "It was just a possible security problem I just thought of," she replied hurriedly. "Nothing of real importance." The look on Alan's face told her that he didn't believe her. Tough, she thought to herself. I'm not going to let my feelings get between me and my job.

I thought you didn't have any feelings for him, the dry voice in her mind said.

I don't!

"Are you sure you're all right?" asked Minako, her voice taking on her 'concerned mother' tone. "You look a bit, well, odd."

"Things have been rather strange around the security office lately," replied Setsuna, a lazy smile on her face. "Haven't they, Rei?"

Rei nodded, grateful for the elder Senshi's interruption. "Yes, very strange."

"Have you found out who left all the roses in your office?' asked Calcite.

"Not yet," Rei replied firmly, "but I have some leads." Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Alan staring at a painting on the wall behind Setsuna.

"Have you talked to Pyrite about the breach of your office's teleport shield?"

The Senshi of Fire shook her head. "He just made sure that it wouldn't happen again. He's been busy with his teaching and figuring out what makes Alan here tick."

"There can't be too many people with that level of skill in the city right now."

"What about the roses?" asked Minako, a sigh of longing on her face. "Were they beautiful?" Seeing that look on his wife's face, Calcite mentally reviewed the phone numbers of flower stores nearest to the Palace, just in case....

Rei shrugged. "Whoever it was, they seemed to be more interested in leaving roses all over my office than in looking at my security files. I couldn't use the office for most of the day!"

Minako sighed deeply. "Alan, doesn't that sound romantic?"

Alan, startled, looked confused for a moment. "I'm sorry, what?"

"Those roses in Rei's office. Doesn't that sound romantic?"

"I suppose so. I...don't know...I'm afraid I'm not up on thirty-first-century romance right now," he finished lamely.

"Oh? Maybe Rei could explain it to you. She likes romance stories."

Rei sweatdropped. "I-I'm not up on thirty-first-century romances either," she stuttered.

Minako looked at her friend carefully. "Are you all right?" she asked.

"She's a bit out of sorts," said Setsuna with a smile. "All those security matters are preying on her mind."

Rei shot her a nasty glance, which the Senshi of Time ignored. Minako frowned. "Rei, when was the last time you had a vacation?"

"I don't need a vacation!" Rei replied quickly.

"You should relax more, Rei," said Minako sweetly. "Find yourself a guy like Alan here and a beach somewhere...." Her voice trailed off and a look of pure bliss formed on her face.

The reactions around the table were varied. Both Rei and Alan looked like deer caught in the headlights of an oncoming truck, while Setsuna continued to look like she was the only one who knew the punch line to a funny joke. Calcite was frowning, wondering if he had missed something and whether or not a certain flower store was still open. There were several seconds of uncomfortable silence.

"I don't have time for that type of distraction," replied Rei stiffly.

"Not with all those nuts out there," added Alan.

"What nuts?' asked Minako.

"Nuts like the ones that attacked the shrine," replied Alan.

"Oh, them?" the Senshi of Love. "We caught all of them."

"We got all the ones in this group," corrected Rei. "As far as we know, there are at least another half-dozen Nemesisan groups out in the world. Until the Hunters track them down, I don't want to take any chances."

Minako sighed. "Rei, you worry too much. Who else is out there that could be trouble?"

"There are those Necromancers currently operating in China," said Rei slowly. "Not to mention rumors about the Metallia cult reforming."

"There's some reports about something happening in Freezone," said Calcite.

"Of course, I think Godzilla is a bit overdue," muttered Alan. Rei gave him a hard look, while Calcite looked puzzled. Setsuna hid her amusement behind her napkin.

"Nonsense," replied Minako brightly. "There's no Tokyo Tower to attract him."

Rei facefaulted.

After that, dinner conversation drifted onto other subjects. Alan described the differences he saw at CTU as compared to USC-Berkeley, while Rei, under pressure from Minako, told Alan about the youma-turned-PI, Magnesite. Minako described Calcite's and her courtship, with Calcite adding a few details. Setsuna stayed silent and soaked it all in.

"Is something wrong, Alan?" asked Minako near the end of the dinner.

Calcite had made an excuse to leave the table by saying he would get dessert.

Alan looked up from his plate. "I have a couple of questions, but I don't know how to phrase one of them without sounding like an idiot, or a pervert."

"Let's start with the one you do know how to phrase," said Rei calmly.

"Grandfather told me that each planet, including Nemesis, had a Senshi, right?"

"Yes," said Setsuna.

"So, where are the other Senshi? There should be Senshi for Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, and Nemesis, but they aren't here."

Setsuna leaned back in her chair. "Since they are all Outer Senshi, I will answer the question. Uranus and Neptune are out in the world somewhere; where they are and what they are doing, I cannot say. Nemesis is living with the ex-youma, Magnesite, in of all places, would you believe, Casablanca?"

"Don't tell me he's got a place called Rick's," replied Alan.

"He has such a place."

"And Saturn?"

Setsuna's expression became serious. "Saturn is a special case among the Senshi. Her powers are the least understood and the most feared. Most that are born with the symbol of Saturn never know what they are. When Saturn appears, she is thought to be the harbinger of doom, for she is called only when she is needed."

"What type of power does she have?"

"The power to eliminate all life on Earth."

"Oh." Alan's jaw worked silently. Finally, he said, "Let's move onto the second question."

"What kind of question?" asked Rei.

"Another Senshi question," replied Alan. "And since there's three of you here, I figure this might be a good time to ask."

"Ask away," said Setsuna. "If we can answer it, we will."

"It's about those...er...uniform-type thingies you wear as...Senshi."

"Our fukus?" asked Minako.

Alan nodded. "I'd forgotten what they were called. They don't seem to be...er, well, practical, do they?"

"Oh?" asked Rei, her tone indicating some hostility. "And what should we be wearing?"

"How about something a little less...er...daring." Alan felt uncomfortable. All three Senshi were looking at him. "I mean, when I first saw you in your Senshi outfits, you looked kind of like, well...like cheerleaders. Granted, you're super-powered individuals, but those...." He waved his hands in a gesture of helplessness. He was sinking, and fast. "Those outfits are the type of thing that sends a sixteen-year-old's hormones through the roof!" he finished with a rush.

Setsuna chuckled. "I'm glad you finally noticed," she said with a smile.

"I couldn't help but notice! How can you fight for love and justice in uniforms that send the average male drooling? I think Rei's style is more like Starship Trooper-style power armor and a fifty megawatt laser." He turned to Rei quickly. "It's not like you don't look good in your fuku, but...." It was at this point Alan's brain regained control of his mouth and shut off the stream of babble.

Rei's jaw tightened, but Setsuna replied, "A fair question, Alan. Our fukus go back to the early days of the Silver Millennium. Our ancestors realized that, as guardians, we would have power and respect far above most people. Things like that would sooner or later turn those defenders into aggressive attackers. As a reminder that the Senshi are defenders, first and foremost, they created these uniforms. Could you see a male wearing one of those fukus?"

"Er...no."

"The uniform is a powerful reminder that our purpose is to defend, not attack. Besides," she continued, her smile getting larger, "There is something about being able to distract your enemy in battle."

Alan went beet-red and went back to staring at the picture again. Minako smiled, while Rei looked pensive. Just then, Calcite walked back into the dining room, carrying a tray with an assortment of fruits. "Miss anything?" he asked.

"Just a little dry history," replied Setsuna mildly.

The fruit was passed around and the conversation flowed around to several mundane subjects. Twenty minutes later, there was a knock on the front door of the apartment. Calcite glanced at his watch. "Could you get that, dear?" he asked his wife. "I need to speak to Rei about something involving security."

Minako frowned, puzzled by her husband's request, but went to answer the door. Calcite waited until she left the room before he said in a low voice to Alan and Rei, "I'm sorry that you two ended up on my wife's matchmaking list."

"Don't worry about it," said Rei in the same low voice. "I've known her longer then you have, and she's ALWAYS been a sucker for happy endings."

"Why us?" hissed Alan. "Rei and I aren't even on speaking terms most of the time!"

Calcite arched an eyebrow. "The roses say otherwise, at least to most of the people who know about it."

Alan's eyes widened in shock. "How did you -"

Rei slapped a hand over Alan's mouth. "Not another word!" she hissed.

Calcite looked amused. "I mis-spoke earlier when I said that there couldn't be too many people with enough skill to bypass a teleporting shield in the city right now. There's only one - Pyrite. And he's not the type to send flowers to anyone else but Azurite. You, on the other hand, are the -"

Just then, there was a shout of glee from the front door. Rei released her grasp on Alan and turned in her chair. "What the -"

"Don't worry about that," continued Calcite. "When I was out in the kitchen getting the fruit, I called a local flower shop and ordered a dozen roses to be delivered. It appears they have just arrived."

Setsuna stood. "I think that is our cue to thank our hosts for a pleasant dinner."

"Huh?" asked Alan, looking confused.

Minako skipped into the dining room, a dozen roses in her arms and a look of pure joy on her face. "You shouldn't have!" she exclaimed. "They're beautiful!"

Alan leaned over to Rei and whispered, "What am I missing here? I -" The words stuck in his throat and the Senshi of Love walked over to her husband, carefully placed the dozen, long-stemmed roses on the table, sat in Calcite's lap and gave him a long searing kiss that made the hair on the back of Alan's head stand on end.

Rei looked over at Alan and felt a twinge of anger at the shocked look on his face. "Hey!" she whispered, "it's not polite to stare!"

"Er...eep...."

Rei punched him in the arm. Startled out of his shock by the sudden pain, the wizard-in-training snapped, "What?"

"Stop staring!"

Alan's mouth opened and closed, with no sound coming out. "It's not my fault!" he cried. "I'm not used to seeing that type of...well,...er...kiss." He looked a little closer. "At least, I think it's a kiss...."

"They'll be up for air in about another minute," said Setsuna dryly. "Alan, why don't you please escort Rei back to her apartment? I need to talk to Calcite about something else." She looked over at the still-kissing couple. "Though that may take some time."

"Me?" squeaked Alan. "Why should I escort Rei? It's not like someone's going to be stupid enough to attack her in the Palace or something stupid like that. Besides, I have an early class and...."

His voice died away as Setsuna looked at him. Her expression was hard to read, yet there was some force behind her eyes that gave it an unshakeable compulsion. "You will escort Rei to her apartment because you are a gentleman," she said in a calm, even tone that left no room for debate. "Rei, you will allow Alan to escort you back to your apartment because you are a lady. Any questions?"

The Senshi of Pluto saw the fire spring up behind Rei's eyes, while Alan's took on the resigned look that she had seen before. "Remember what I said before dinner? Now is as good a time as any."

That had the desired effect. Minako broke off the kiss and looked at them. "I think that's a splendid idea!" she exclaimed gleefully. "Don't you think so, dear?"

"Sounds fine to me," replied Calcite, wrapping his arms around his wife's waist.

Alan went back to looking at the picture on the wall behind Setsuna, while Rei glared at the others, who ignored the dire threat it implied. Rei tapped Alan on the arm. "We might as well leave now," she said harshly, giving each of the others a final glare. "If you don't mind...."

"Er...right...."

Minako sprang to her feet. "I'll see you to the door," she said briskly.

The three of them left, Alan looking somewhat pale, Rei a bit miffed, and Minako beaming like a thousand-watt bulb, chattering away happily at her two guests. Calcite waited until he heard his wife's voice fade into the other room before he said, "Can I ask what's going on?"

Setsuna looked amused. "In what way?"

"I think Minako wasn't the only one playing matchmaker here tonight."

The Senshi of Time arched an eyebrow. "You think I'm matchmaking? I can't remember the last time someone accused me of that."

"Is there something that is going to happen that involves those two?"

Setsuna looked thoughtful, the smile growing dim. "Rei asked me tonight if she and Alan were fated to be together. I told her that I did not know, which happens to be true. I cannot see if those two have a future together."

"Then, why?"

"How would you describe Rei in one word?"

Calcite thought for a second. "Committed," he replied.

"Some would call her absorbed, consumed, or even obsessed."

"She has a hard job."

"But that's all she has. She has her position and nothing else. No close friends outside of the Senshi, no one to talk to about the mundane subjects. Rei Hino is buried under a thousand years of Senshi Mars."

"And you think Alan's the right one to communicate with her?"

Setsuna shrugged. "I do not know. But I believe Alan has the ability to reach through that shell Rei has built around herself. Tonight, for the first time in a long while, I saw her unsure about someone. That is a start."

"What does Alan think about this?"

"I think Alan is as confused as Rei is right now. He also needs someone to talk to about those intimate things. They have some things in common, though neither will admit it. Trying to force them together will make them dig in their heels and resist...." She looked at Calcite.

The Guardian sighed. "I'll see if I can talk Minako into easing up on her plans. But I won't promise anything."

"Like I told Rei tonight, if Alan is the one who is destined to be with her, neither one can stop it from happening. It also holds true if someone else is destined to be with her."

"I think my head hurts."

Pluto's Senshi smiled again. "Actually, since I have no idea how things will turn out between these two, I'm very interested in seeing what happens."

The silence between Alan and Rei stretched on for almost a minute after they had been shown out by a very cheerful Minako. They walked along the corridor, close enough to be considered together, but far enough apart to prevent any misunderstandings about them being a couple. Finally, Alan asked, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Do you blame me?"

"No."

"Why are you mad?"

Rei stopped in the center of the corridor. "I am mad that my friend is trying to -"

"Hook you up with a jerk like me?" finished Alan.

"Yes! No! I-" Rei glared at him.

Just then, a compact tigerstripe cat came loping down the corridor toward them. "There you are!" said Raiden. "Why didn't you tell me you were leaving?"

"It was a hurried leaving," replied Alan.

"Let me guess, Calcite and Minako began to get mushy, right?"

"Er...yeah...."

Rei looked at the cat. "Do you mind?" she asked, venom dripping from her voice. "Alan and I were having a private conversation."

"Sounded more like a public conversation to me, Lady Mars," replied Raiden blandly. "I could hear the two of you all the way up the corridor."

Alan picked up Raiden. "The furball's right. Maybe we should take this somewhere less public."

"The observation area?" suggested Rei.

"Sounds good to me."

They walked the rest of the way in silence, neither one willing to continue the conversation out in the corridor. When they finally reached the door leading out to the balcony, Alan reached out, opened the door and stepped aside to allow Rei through before following himself. Rei walked over to the balcony and leaned on the stone wall. She stared out into the night. "It's beautiful," she said softly.

"Almost like a fairy tale," replied Alan, his voice sad. "A fairy tale that I don't belong in."

She turned and looked at him. "It can't be that hard, can it?"

Alan shrugged, then walked over to the balcony. "Faith is a strange thing," he said slowly. "With it, you can move mountains. Without it, well...." He closed his eyes for a moment. "What are your beliefs?" he asked.

"My what?"

"Not your religious beliefs. What do you believe in? What do you build your life on? Life itself? You career? Freedom? Your self-worth?"

Rei frowned. "I have faith in the Queen and King and their vision of the future. I have faith in my friends and my people."

"And your abilities as a Senshi?"

"When you put it that way, yes."

"And what would happen if something came along and shattered all that faith, that trust you've built up after all this time?"

"I don't know," she replied carefully.

Alan nodded slowly. "I do, and it isn't pretty."

Raiden raised his head. "Faith is a malleable thing. It rarely stays the same."

"True, but sometimes faith can be shattered suddenly and violently. If you're lucky, you can pick up the pieces quickly. If you're unlucky, you never recover."

"What is your faith in?" Rei asked suddenly.

"Before or after I came here? Right now, they're two different things."

"Let's start with before."

"Fine by me." Alan leaned back against the wall. "Before I came on this temporal one-way ticket, I had trust in only one thing in my life - me."

"That sounds a bit...."

"Egotistical? It does, doesn't it?" Alan shrugged, but there was a trace of long-held sadness in his face. He looked over his shoulder at the city. "I wasn't very athletic as a child and I was a common target for bullies. That, and the fact I had no family or close friends, forced me to depend on myself."

"Setsuna mentioned that you were an orphan," said Rei.

Alan nodded. "I decided early on that I was going to stand on my own two feet and make it on my own. I threw myself into my schoolwork. I had no social life, very few friends, nothing to distract me from making it on my own. It was...hard, but I graduated from high school two years early, and earned my bachelor's degree in three years."

"Impressive."

"Isn't it?" Alan replied with a sigh. He turned to look at the skyline again, leaning on the top of the wall. "To do it, I had to immerse myself into my work. After a while, I became more at ease with computers than I was with other people. There was a sense of order in working with a computer system that I could take comfort in. There wasn't a problem I couldn't troubleshoot, a program I couldn't debug, or a system I couldn't analyze. My world was a clear-cut binary world, on-off, one-zero, black-white. Simple, straight-forward, all logical, scientific, and sound. Was that so bad a life?"

"And now?"

"And now my orderly, neat world has been slammed in the face by a fuku-wearing gorilla with a baseball bat." Rei bristled at the statement, but Alan continued on. "Magic? This fairy-tale Palace? Talking cats? The sprit of my great-umpteen grandfather locked up inside my head? And, if you don't mind me saying, you and the other Senshi."

Rei frowned. "Me?"

"You throw fire like a living flamethrower," replied Alan, no trace of insult in his tone. He turned to look at her. "And your friends use attacks that my old world-view tells me are impossible. In fact, I've seen more things that should be impossible in my time here than I ever thought possible...."

He stopped for a moment and shook his head slowly. "And my own magic. At times I want to embrace the feeling of power I get from it. Other times, I wish I'd never been born with it. Grandfather said that magic is just the science of using natural energy to do things, but it's not that easy to accept."

"You have friends here," said Raiden softly.

"I know, but it's never been easy for me to ask for help from anyone. My nice safe world went bye-bye the first time I woke up here. That isn't something an ego can take easily."

Rei walked over to a bench and sat down. "Why tell me all this?" she asked firmly. Scratching Raiden behind the ears. "Why not Setsuna?"

For a moment, there was silence. "I honestly don't know," Alan finally said. "Somehow, I get the feeling that telling Setsuna anything is redundant."

Rei's lips twitched a smile. "I will agree with you on that."

"Maybe if Ami was here, I would be unloading to her, but it still wouldn't feel right. Somehow, I find it easier to talk to you than the other Senshi, even Setsuna." The bitter smile came back. "Even if our talks seem to end up in arguments and insults most of the time."

"That's both our faults."

"Maybe it is...."

"No maybes about it," replied Rei. "You think it's hard to adjust to this new world. But look at it from our side. I don't think you realize what impact your arrival had on the Royal Court."

"What impact?"

"You arrived out of nowhere, with the ability to use a form of magic not seen in the world since the fall of the Silver Millennium." At Alan's blank look, she continued. "Don't you see? Magic has been a part of this world for nearly a thousand years, but no one has even been able to revive the elemental forms of magic, supposedly the oldest school of magic before your arrival. Why is that?"

"I don't know. I was under the impression that no one knew how to use it."

"That's exactly my point. Pyrite told me that there were several attempts over the years to recreate Elemental magic, but for some reason, they all failed. In most of the cases, the failure was fatal to the researchers."

Alan frowned. "I didn't know that."

"But you appeared, and in a matter of weeks, you've altered long-standing views on magic. For the first time in years, the Queen is thinking of lifting the ban on teaching High Magic at CTU in order to explore the possibilities, despite some people's reservations."

"I hadn't realized she was thinking that deeply about it," said Alan.

"She is," affirmed Rei. "She is aware of your progress, and your success would give her a strong argument to rescind the ban."

"And my failure would be seen as a good excuse to keep the restriction in place."

Rei nodded, still stroking Raiden's head. The moon cat was purring softly, but his half-closed eyes never left Alan. "You're the trailblazer," he said softly between purrs. "No one ever said it was going to be easy."

"Thanks for the newsflash, furball." Alan walked over and sat on the same bench as Rei, careful to keep a couple of meters between himself and the dark-haired woman. He slumped back against the wall.

Rei shifted slightly so she faced Alan. "The Queen has another reason to watch your progress," she said.

Alan turned his head to look at her. "Grandfather?"

The Fire Senshi nodded. "Your grandfather."

Alan closed his eyes and turned his head away. "Figures. Not many people remember the Silver Millennium these days."

"But your Grandfather remembers Serenity's parents as people, not just as rulers. Do you know how much Alisin's stories about her parents meant to her? She was positively glowing after she came back from that meeting in the park!"

"As I recall, she did seem to be hanging on Grandfather's every word."

"Exactly," replied Rei. "She's always know what she was, but Alisin gave her a sense of where she came from, of her Silver Millennium-era parents AS parents. Neither Setsuna nor Ferrite could do that for her."

"Whee," replied Alan softly. "If Grandfather got any more popular, he'd have to rent another body...."

Rei ignored the sarcasm. "Finally, there's your point of view."

Alan opened an eye and gazed at her. "I didn't realize foot-in-mouth disease was considered an interesting subject around here."

Rei's jaw tightened. "Do you know you have a talent for irritating people?"

"Yes."

"Lady Mars," said Raiden quickly. "I don't think Alan's going to change that part of his personality. We can only hope he learns restraint in the near future."

Alan's gaze shifted to the moon cat. "When did you become an optimist?"

"It's better than being a morose and grumbling type. You've got the market cornered on that."

"Point taken, Furball. "He opened both eyes and looked at Rei. "I'll bite. Why is my point of view unique here and now?"

Rei smiled slightly. "Because you come from the era that the Queen and most of the senior members of the royal court were born in."

"Including you?"

"Of course. We all remember what it was like to grow up then. Even if we didn't grow up in the same country, you have something in common with us."

"But you people have a thousand years head-start on me. What can I offer that can beat ten centuries of experiences?"

"You don't have ten centuries of dislikes, set attitudes, and unchallenged opinions built up." She took a deep breath, held it, then released it slowly. "You can ask honest questions and voice your opinions on subjects from a fresh prospective."

"And you can't do that?"

Rei shook her head. "The problem with being practically immortal is you end up becoming set in your ways after a long period of time. My reaction to your arrival is an example of that."

Alan frowned. "I didn't exactly show up with an invitation. For all you knew, I was the advance scout for an invasion from Mars." Rei arched an eyebrow, and Alan hastily added, "or a homicidal Dark Kingdom reject."

"Granted, but the thought of you as anything but a possible enemy never crossed my mind."

"You're head of security, you're not paid to be a nice person...." Alan's eyes widened as he realized what he was saying. "Drat...that's not right. Er...Security isn't a place where friendly people go...no...er...well, I meant that being suspicious is....Oh, crumbs...."

"I understand," said Rei softly, "and you're right. Crystal Tokyo's Internal Security isn't supposed to be friendly to those that threaten our way of life here. Over the years, I allowed that feeling to extend to anyone that comes here unexpectedly. Your use of magic at the beginning only reinforced my bias against you and -"

"Wait a minute," said Alan. "I didn't exactly help your opinion of me by acting like a jerk nearly every time we crossed paths. You had a right to be sore at me."

"I'm supposed to be above that. I am a Senshi. I am -"

"A human being." Alan stood slowly. "You may be an immortal, but you're still human, with all the virtues and faults of the rest of us."

"I have to be better than that! I have to be perfect! I have to -"

"Realize that you will make mistakes. Everyone does, even Queen Serenity."

"Keep her out of this!" said Rei, raising her voice.

Alan's voice, on the other hand, continued to stay soft. "She has made mistakes over the years, right?"

"Yes, she's made a few!"

"But you've forgiven her those mistakes because you still serve her, right?"

"Yes, but -"

"But nothing. If she can make mistakes, so can you. I don't hold any grudge against you. You and I have had several misunderstandings since I showed up here, and it's very likely we're never going to be good friends. But can we at least agree to stop the trading of insults? Please?"

Rei stood and faced Alan. "I think we can do that," she replied with a nod, her voice level matching his.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Depends."

"It's about Yuuichiro."

Rei looked uncomfortable. "I don't want to talk about it."

Alan shook her head. "You're still not over him, are you?"

The look on her face was one of sadness. "No," she replied simply.

"So you're afraid that if you find someone else, you're violating his memory?"

"No!" she said strongly. "It's not that, it's -"

Alan reached out and carefully placed a hand on her shoulder. "I think I know how you feel."

"Do you?" asked Rei sharply.

"I lost my parents when I was three. Do you know what that did to me?" When Rei didn't answer, he continued, "I didn't really feel their loss until I was seven, but it's stayed with me throughout the years...." His voice wavered, then continued, "Every time I did something well, I half...half expected them to be there, watching me...But they never were...."

Rei turned to look at him. "What about the couple that adopted you?

Couldn't you feel anything for them?"

Alan shook his head. "By the time I was adopted, I had erected walls around my heart that were too strong." His tone became wistful. "They tried their best, but I couldn't let them all the way in. I think they realized it, and they took what I could give them. Then they died, and I was alone again."

"I feel the same way about Yuuichiro. There's something missing from your heart that you can't find again so easily."

Raiden sighed. "I don't mean to interrupt this Mutual Angst Society meeting, but beating yourselves up over people who are long gone isn't healthy for either of you."

Alan looked down at the cat. "Do you mind?" he asked, his irritation suffused with sadness. Rei managed to look angry as she shifted her attention to Raiden.

The moon cat sighed. "Look, being morose over the loss of loved ones for a long time is a bad thing. Both of you have allowed these deaths to hold you apart from those around you. Lady Mars, you throw yourself into your job to the point where the Queen has to order you to take a vacation." He looked up at Alan. "Do you know she has more than thirty-five years of vacation time saved up? If Lady Mars wanted time off, Queen Serenity wouldn't think twice about letting her go."

"My job is here!" yelled Rei. "I can't go off on vacation!"

Raiden glanced over at her. "Do you realize that the two of you have more in common then you know?"

"What...no...." Rei spluttered, her eyes wide.

"Alan here doesn't like to take vacations either."

"What are you doing?" asked Alan.

The cat shrugged. "Pointing out that both of you are clinging on to memories to the point where it's affecting you thoughts and actions. Lady Mars works tirelessly as head of security because she doesn't want to have anyone go through what she did when Yuuichiro died. She hasn't let anyone get close to her because she still loves him and she feels that his death was somehow her fault."

"That's not true!" Rei shouted, anger mixing with tears. "I... I...." She shrugged off Alan's hand and stalked away to the other end of the terrace.

"Great going, Furball," hissed Alan. "You're a hell of a help." He released the moon cat, and Raiden dropped lightly to the floor. "Stay here," he said sharply, then walked toward Rei.

Rei was staring out into the night, several tears meandering down her cheeks. Alan drifted over to her, careful not to get too close. "I'm sorry about Raiden," he said softly. "He has a habit of being blunt sometimes."

"I'm not angry at Raiden, or you," she whispered. "It's just that Raiden is right. I don't want anyone to have to go through what I went through when...." She swallowed. "When...."

"Why don't you tell me about Yuuichiro?" asked Alan gently.

Rei turned her head to look at him. "Why do you want to know?"

"Because I can see it's eating you up inside."

"And what would you know...." She trailed off and turned away. "I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologize." Alan frowned. "Are you all right? I've never seen you like this before."

"I'm just a bit tired."

"No, this is more than you being tired. What's wrong?"

"Nothing!" shouted Rei, spinning to face him. "Just leave me alone!"

"I can't do that."

"Fine!" Rei stepped past him and began to stalk off.

Alan reached out and grabbed her by the arm. "Wait a minute! I -"

The slap came out of nowhere, striking Alan across the left side of his jaw with the force of a rifle shot. Pain exploded across his mind and lights danced before his eyes. He half spun, releasing Rei and falling to one knee. The lights slowly faded, to be replaced by blurry vision.

As his sight cleared, he looked up at Rei, who was standing there, a look of horror on her face. "I-I-I'm sorry," she said in a stunned tone. She turned and ran for the door. Alan tried to say something, but his jaw wasn't working right. Rei opened the door and dashed through, the door closing the only sound on the balcony.

After several seconds, Raiden walked over to Alan, who was now sitting up, nursing his jaw. "I don't think that went well at all," said the cat.

Alan glared at him. "Waiden?"

"What?"

"Shup up."

The man who was known inside the Brotherhood only as Rho looked up, as Theta walked into the office. As always this time of night, the office was dark to avoid any undue interest from passing security patrols. In Crystal Tokyo, it wasn't a good idea to call attention to yourself if you could avoid it, and the Brotherhood didn't want to call attention under any circumstances.

Theta was just a thin, shadowy figure in the darkness. "They're here," he said.

"Good," replied Rho. He was a large, bulky man with hard features. "Show them in."

Theta nodded and walked out of the office. Ten seconds later, he was back, with four additional people following him in. He left the outer door open, allowing some illumination to spill in from the small security lights out in the hall. Leaving the four lined up in the weak light, Theta stepped away. "The agents," he said.

"Who are they?" asked Rho. Sitting as he was behind the desk, with the faint backlight from the skyline, he was just a vague figure to them. Good.

Theta motioned to the man at the end of the line nearest the door. "That is Tolucan, Brother of Fire." Tolucan was the oldest of the four. He was short and pudgy, with thinning red hair, high forehead and slightly bulging eyes. His clothes were worn and dirty, making him look like a drunk. He nodded uneasily in Rho's direction.

"Next to him is Aedre, Sister of Water." Aedre was the exact opposite of Tolucan - she was tall, thin, with elfin-like features. Her hair was long and wavy, blue-green in color, with matching eyes. There was a coolness to her manner that seemed to surround her like a cloak. Her clothing was fashionable, yet subdued. She raised an eyebrow at Rho, but showed no other response.

"The last two are twins. The boy is Sarlic, a Brother of Earth, and the girl is Morie, a Sister of Air." One glance was all it took to see that these two were clearly related. Morie was slightly shorter and slimmer than her brother, but they both had short blonde hair, green eyes and sharp features. They were dressed plainly but well, and they looked younger than they actually were.

"Have you four ever worked together before?" asked Rho.

Aedre shook her head lazily. "We have met before," she said in a soft, lilting voice. "But we have never worked together as a group."

Sarlic stepped forward. "Morie and I have work together before. In fact, I insist that we work on this assignment together." Behind him, Morie nodded silently.

Rho looked over at Tolucan. "Anything to add?"

The Fire wizard shook his head. "They've said it all," he said, his voice thick and harsh. "Don't need to add anything else."

"Fine." Rho looked at each of them. Tolucan looked slightly nervous, while Aedre looked calm and serene. The twins looked pensive. "What have you been told of the assignment?"

Aedre replied, "We've been told that the Council has sent an agent to the city, to negotiate the Senshi's open entry into the war against us."

Sarlic frowned. "Why would the Council do such a thing? They know Crystal Tokyo won't support them if they find out the truth about that witch!"

"Who said they'll tell Serenity the truth?' asked Theta mildly. "Caero has survived so long because she's unpredictable. That witch is not above lying if she thinks it'll serve her purpose."

"Which Order is this emissary from?" asked Tolucan.

"Air," replied Rho. "With the skill he's displayed, we think he's a senior member of the Order. But outside of that, we don't know anything about him."

"That's not good," said Sarlic. Beside him, Morie nodded.

"I take it you don't want us to show up and challenge him to a duel, right?" asked Tolucan.

"Only if you want to die quickly," replied Rho. "But even a master wizard can be surprised and slain if the timing is right."

"Do you want us to attack him as a group?" asked Aedre.

Rho was quiet for a moment. "No. Since you have not worked together as a group, you do not have the needed coordination that mixing Elemental magic needs. The last thing you can afford is to have one of your spells neutralized by someone else's." He looked at the twins. "I will allow you two to work together, as your records show you two do have the needed coordination. Tolucan, Aedre, you will work alone. You will not interfere with each other's plans, but you will coordinate so there is no danger of disruption. As soon as you have a plan, inform Theta. He will oversee your assignment and his word is final. Other than that, you have a free hand in this matter. The only thing Alpha wants is this Council agent dead. Understood?"

The four nodded. "Good," said Rho. "Theta will give you all the information we have on the target. You will not see me again until the assignment is over. Good-bye and good hunting."

Theta led the foursome out of the office. Rho waited until the door closed before he stood and looked out the window. He was still looking out over the city when Theta returned. "They've left."

"Good."

"Why did you tell them that Thomas is a Council agent?"

"It's more plausible then the truth is. If we told them the Senshi were involved, they would have backed out."

"Our people are loyal!"

Rho sighed. "But they are not stupid. Neither the Council nor we ourselves could stand up to the Senshi. Do you know why we've avoided them all these centuries?"

"No. Whenever I asked the question, it was always sidestepped."

"It is time you learned." Rho lifted his hand and allowed wisps of fire to dance along his fingertips. "I am the strongest fire wizard the Brotherhood has produced in two centuries. Do you know how much influence I could exert on one of Senshi Mars' fire attacks directed at me?"

"No."

Rho turned to look at him, allowing the flames on his fingertips to die out. "None."

Theta frowned. "I don't understand."

"It's simple. Mars' attacks aren't really fire-based. It's planetary mana from Mars molded into an elemental form, as fire. My source is the fire mana that is in the air." He waved towards a small brazier in the corner of the office. "Just as yours is from the earth beneath your feet. But Senshi Mars draws on the entire mana spectrum of the planet she represents. How could you affect that many forms of mana at once?"

"I don't know."

"Neither do we or the Council. That is why we have never directly challenged the Senshi. We wouldn't last five minutes against them."

"I see."

Rho turned to look out the window again. "Enough of that. Anything new on Thomas?"

"Maybe. We still have no real leads on who taught him. Our agents report that he's been spending several afternoons with the youma called Pyrite, but it seems to be more testing and experimentation then teaching. Pyrite's wife, Azurite, is teaching him combat tricks, but not new spells. It's like he suddenly had the ability and is still working his way into it."

Rho turned to look at him. "Is it possible that both we and the Council missed someone, or a group of someones?"

Theta shook his head. "Doubtful. We know all the groups who dabble in Elemental magic, and none have enough skill to teach someone like Thomas. Besides, both sides have too much control over elemental magic to miss the signs that there's another group out there."

"I wonder...."

"What?"

"Suppose Serenity knows about us and decided to start another group of Elemental wizards?"

"But why?"

"Because she has no way of establishing control over us or the Council despite what we told the agents, neither group would turn to Crystal Tokyo for help. But if she has her own pet wizards and her own Orders, then -"

"We're finished," concluded Theta in stunned disbelief. "Elemental magic will be publicly known, and both we and the Council will become redundant. Our plans for a new world order will dry up and blow away like dead leaves."

"Exactly. Everything we have worked for since the Brotherhood's founding will have been for nothing!" Rho took a deep breath. "Alpha thinks Pluto pulled Thomas from the past into the present. Just suppose she did that in order to start the process? Thomas can claim direct descent from one of the last great air wizards of the Silver Millennium, and he clearly has the ability. Who else is a better choice to lead the new, Crystal Tokyo-dominated, Elemental Orders?"

"That would explain Thomas' sudden appearance and actions. But not who's teaching him."

"Keep on that. Maybe we can turn something up after Thomas is killed."

"Right. Is there anything else?"

"Keep an eye on the agents. Did you cast the death spells on them as I ordered?"

"Yes."

"Then go and monitor their progress, and keep me informed."

Rho waited until Theta left before he turned back toward the window. He didn't like it at all, but Alpha had to be obeyed. Alpha was the leader of the Brotherhood - everyone else rode on his coat-tails, hanging on his every word.

Those who didn't...well, if Alpha was in a pleasant mood, he'd kill the dissenter himself. If not...Omega was the last sight many traitors or dissidents would see, and Rho prayed that those dark eyes would never be turned in his direction. Omega was many things, but merciful wasn't one of them. But a small part of the Elementalist's mind was making him uneasy. Something about Thomas bothered him. But every time he thought about it, the cause eluded him. Rho just hoped it didn't cost them everything....

Part 3 - "Houston, we have a problem..."

Journal Entry #20

Pyrite noticed that Setsuna was standing at Alan's door when he reached the top of the stairs. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

Setsuna could easily have passed for a grad student herself, but the gaze she leveled at him was one that comes only with age and wisdom. "Good morning," she said smoothly. "I could ask you the same thing."

"Alan left a message at my office, asking me to come over with some quick-heal crystals. Has he answered the door?"

Setsuna shook her head. "I've knocked a couple of times, and I can hear movement inside, but he hasn't answered yet."

Pyrite nodded. He reached out and tapped on the door. "Alan, it's Dean Pyrite. I have the materials you wanted."

There were several seconds of silence, then they heard someone move toward the door. The door was unlocked and Alan opened it. Dressed in slightly large pajamas with long green stripes, he looked slightly ridiculous. Until they saw the bruised jaw.

Alan looked at them blearily. "Yeah?" He looked at them closely. "Oh great," he muttered. "Is the camera crew here too?"

"What happened?" Pyrite asked. Setsuna settled for a raised eyebrow.

Alan gingerly ran a finger along his swollen jaw, which was a mottled collection of purples, yellows, and blue-black. There was a faint outline of a hand around the bruising. "Door," he croaked. "Got smacked with a door."

"How many doors have right hands?" Setsuna asked. Alan tried to glare at her, but the distended jaw made the glower look comical.

"May we come in?" asked Pyrite quickly.

"If I say no, will you go away?"

"No," replied Setsuna, looking somewhat amused.

Alan stepped back and waved them in. Setsuna and Pyrite walked past him and into the main part of the apartment. Alan followed, looking haggard and grumpy.

"Good morning to you," replied Setsuna, looking at Alan.

Alan shrugged. "I suppose it is."

"Do we get an explanation for why you look like that?"

"I got smacked by a heavy, fast-moving door last night."

"Why didn't you go to the hospital?" asked Pyrite.

"Didn't want to waste time and fill out paperwork."

Setsuna had taken a seat on the end of the couch. "Where was the door?"

"In the Palace. Exactly where it was, I don't know. The stupid door whacked me but good, and my memory is little fuzzy."

"Alan, most of the doors in the Palace are sliding doors, just like Star Trek, with safeguards built in to prevent accidents."

She saw Alan's expression go from grumpy to startled to grumpy, all in a blink of an eye. "Well, this one didn't work right."

"And the handprint on the side of your face?"

"That's mine. My hand was on my cheek when the door hit me and drove it into my jaw." Setsuna arched an eyebrow, but didn't say anything, though a grin was twitching around the corners of her lips .

The mage pointed to a chair near where Setsuna was poised. "Sit," he told Alan, "and let's see how bad this is."

Alan sat on the chair. Pyrite slipped the satchel off his shoulder and squatted next to Alan. He turned Alan's head to examine the swelling. After about thirty seconds he said, "Could have been worse. In the Dark Kingdom we would have called this a 'love tap'."

"I don't think I want to know what your definition of 'seriously injured' is, then," said Alan, trying to ignore Setsuna's not-so-polite coughing.

Pyrite tapped the bruise, making Alan jump in pain. "I don't think your jaw is broken or dislocated, but it probably hurts."

"'Hurts' is a mild term," said Alan. "Try sea of pain and agony. The stupid thing kept me up half the night."

"Then why didn't you go to the hospital?" asked Setsuna, who was looking somewhat flushed.

"Like I said, too much paperwork," Alan replied in a muffled voice.

Pyrite nodded to himself. "Setsuna, could you hand me a quick-heal crystal out of my bag?"

The Senshi reached into the satchel and passed a crystal to Pyrite. The master mage placed the crystal along Alan's swollen jaw and activated it. A burst of light flashed across the bruise, then faded, leaving Alan's jaw looking less bloated. "How's that feel?" he asked.

"Better," replied Alan, his voice less subdued.

"You sound better," said Setsuna.

Just then, Raiden strode into the room. "Good morning," he said cheerfully. Alan glared at him, but the cat ignored it. He walked over to Setsuna. "I think I arrived at just the right moment."

"You're stealing my lines, Raiden," Setsuna said with a smile.

"I only steal from the best."

Pyrite asked, "What happened with Rei last night?"

"What - I...er..." Alan's face went from surprise to blank. "I ran into a door. End of statement."

Pyrite sighed. "I talked to Calcite last night, and he told me you and Rei left together. I find you the next morning with a swollen jaw and a grumpy attitude. Therefore it's not hard to conclude that something happened last night between you two."

"Lying isn't something you do well, Alan," said Setsuna gently, the smile gone for the moment. "I know you left with Rei and if something happened, then it's partly my fault."

Alan sighed. "Look, after I left Rei at her apartment door, I turned a corner and walked into an opened door. Nothing sinister happened last night."

Pyrite frowned, but Raiden cleared his throat. "He isn't changing his story, so don't bother trying to get the truth out of him."

Alan nodded, then realized what he was agreeing to. "Wait a minute, furball!

You keep out of this!"

"Fine by me. How you managed to get involved in such a situation, I'll -"

"If you say another word, I'll tell Puck who squealed on the practical joke he tried to pull on Makoto! I'm serious!"

Raiden sighed, and walked over to rub against Setsuna's legs. "Are you sure Pluto doesn't need a moon cat?" he purred at her. "I work cheap, don't take up much room, and I have a wide knowledge of games and riddles."

Setsuna smiled. "I'll think about it. For now, let's worry about Alan's problem."

Pyrite sighed and double-checked the swelling on Alan's jaw. "I think you need another crystal," he said. "Now, the question is, what are you going to do? I doubt Setsuna's willing to allow you to run up her credit card debt again. And I can't help you get past the teleport shields any more - the new designs went on-line a week back."

"Also, I don't think Rei's recovered from the roses yet," Setsuna put in.

"I'll figure out something," muttered Alan, then a little louder. "I don't think it's that big a deal. Just make sure those stupid doors stay shut, okay?"

"Hold still." Pyrite applied another quick-heal crystal to Alan's injuries.

The swelling was less noticeable now, so Pyrite sealed his satchel.

Setsuna bent over and picked up the moon cat. "How's the jaw?"

"Better, but I'd better not try singing the next couple of days."

"Not with the way you sing," replied the cat. Alan shot him a dirty look, which the cat ignored.

"Going to class today?" Pyrite asked Alan.

Alan nodded. "It beats hanging around here all day -"

"Being morose and depressed," finished the cat.

"I'm not going to dignify that with an answer."

It was Pyrite's turn to arch an eyebrow. "I think it's safe to say you've recovered."

"They are amusing," agreed Setsuna.

"Thanks for the medical attention," said Alan, trying to sound cheerful.

Would you like a cup of tea?"

Pyrite shook his head. "I've got to go check a new teleport shield over in the security office." Alan looked at him in surprise mixed with fear. Setsuna watched Alan's reaction through half-closed eyes. Pyrite followed Raiden's lead, and ignored Alan's expression.

"Do you have to go over to the security office today?" asked Alan, a look of unease flickering on his face.

"I want to make sure the spell set is holding correctly. Did you want to come along?"

The unease shifted to mortification. "Er...no, I don't think that would be a good idea."

Setsuna shrugged. "Well, enough gabbing." She stood, holding Raiden in her arms. She carefully placed the cat on Alan's shoulder. "Alan, you've got thirty minutes to take a shower, get dressed and get to class. And you know how Professor Latus hates latecomers to his class."

Alan followed them to the door. "No need for you guys to wait for me," he said, trying to sound cheerful. "Raiden will get me out the door in plenty of time." Raiden, who was following, rolled his eyes.

They said their good-byes and Pyrite and Setsuna walked out of Alan's apartment. Pyrite waited until Alan had closed his door behind them. "I don't think I'll ever understand human romance," he said.

"Don't feel bad," said Setsuna, still smiling. "Most humans don't understand it, and they've been doing it for thousands of years."

They walked toward the elevator. "So," said Pyrite, "the question becomes, why isn't Alan telling us the truth?"

"Simple embarrassment is my guess."

"You don't think he tried to -"

Setsuna shook her head. "You know him better than that. It would have never cross Alan's mind. And even if it did, Rei would have done more than just slap him, and Alan knows it."

"I just needed the possibility removed from consideration," said Pyrite.

Just then, the elevator doors slid open and they got in. Pyrite tapped the button for the ground floor. "Since we've eliminated that, what did happen to Alan last night?"

Setsuna was silent until the elevator doors opened onto the still-quiet lobby. As they walked out, she answered, "I have my suspicions, but I need to follow up on some things first."

"Anything I can help with?"

Setsuna shook her head. "I think it's best I go at it alone. It's liable to be embarrassing for everyone concerned, so the fewer people who know, the better. Alan's still sticking to his story about running into a door, so he isn't going to be much help. Can you teleport me when you go over to the Palace?"

"Sure. Now what?"

"I want to watch Alan when he comes out," said Setsuna. "Can you cloak us from his vision?"

"No problem." He quickly wove an invisibility spell around the two of them, then they stepped away from the front doors of the dorm. Fifteen minutes later, Alan strode out, a backpack slung over one shoulder. Raiden trotted beside him.

"Are you sure you don't want to come along?" Alan was asking.

"I'll pass," replied the cat. "I need to go speak to Mother about a couple of things, and the morning is usually the best time to get hold of her."

"All right, but -" Alan broke off in mid-sentence, frowning.

"What's wrong?" asked Raiden

"Something doesn't feel right," Alan replied, his face serious. "Something is...."

"Is what?"

"I don't know." Alan looked around. After several seconds, he looked at the place where Pyrite and Setsuna were standing. "It's something over there, but I don't know what. It feels wrong over there."

"Skip it for now," replied Raiden. "Or you'll be on the receiving end of Professor Latus' 'lateness is the sign of a lazy mind' speech."

"Right." Alan glanced at his watch. "So, I'd better roll. You going to back in time for lunch?"

"I should be."

"Good. One o'clock, cafeteria. See you then." Alan dashed off.

Once Alan was lost among the buildings, Raiden turned toward the spot where Pyrite was standing. "You can come out now, you two," he said quietly.

Pyrite dropped the invisibility spell and knelt down next to the moon cat.

"How did you know we were there?"

Raiden shrugged. "I could say that my hyper-keen senses detected you, but I'd be lying. Actually, I happened to be looking out the window and saw you cast the spell."

"Did you tell Alan?" asked Setsuna.

"No."

"Then that business about feeling something wasn't a act?" cut in Pyrite.

"Nope."

"Then how?"

"Alan's sensitive to air mana. If you use any of it in the invisibility spell -"

Pyrite's face lit up. "Of course! I used the mana around us for the spell."

"Which included air mana. That's probably what Alan picked up on."

"Why didn't I consider that before?"

"Because you're working on four other projects at the same time, besides monitoring Alan," replied Raiden. "All I have to do is keep tabs on him and try to keep him from doing something stupid."

"Which you didn't do last night," said Setsuna.

"I did say 'try to keep him from doing something stupid', I never said anything about succeeding."

"Speaking of which," said the mage, "we need to know what happened to Alan last night."

"I take it you don't believe that he walked into a door, right?"

Setsuna looked at him. "I know Alan well enough to know when he lies - he isn't very good at it. Besides, the handprint was about the right size for Rei's hand. His story about the door has to be the lamest excuse I have ever heard."

"Be glad you didn't hear the ones he didn't use." Raiden shuddered. "I'm beginning to wonder who he's trying to fool - himself, or everyone else."

"What happened?"

The cat sat down. "All right. The short version: Lady Mars slapped him."

Pyrite frowned. "That much we know. Why?"

"Now the long version," replied the cat, and in several quick sentences, described the previous evening's events.

Pyrite's frown remained the same. "I see."

"Alan didn't want to go to the hospital because he didn't want anyone to know what happened," finished Raiden.

"And why is that?" asked Setsuna.

"Because he didn't want it to get out that Senshi Mars blew her stack and belted someone. After we got back here, I explained what would happen if he went to the hospital. Anyone who saw that serious-looking an injury at the hospital would have filed a report with CTPD, and that report would have been forwarded to Internal Security, because Alan is on their observation lists. IS would have investigated and traced it back to Lady Mars."

"And Rei would be forced to admit she had struck someone out of anger?" asked Pyrite.

Setsuna nodded. "Either that, or squelch the investigation, which would cause more trouble later on."

"Isn't that a bit paranoid?" asked Pyrite. "I mean, you make it sound like a event that could cause the downfall of the Monarchy."

The cat shrugged. "I may have overstated the case to Alan. But you can't be subtle with him - it'll go right over his head. Besides, you forget the Tabloids."

"He's right," said Setsuna softly. "Are they still offering a reward for proof of Senshi Pluto's existence?"

"Last I heard, it was up to three million." Raiden gave the Senshi of Time a smile. "If you want my advice, wait until it hits five million, then walk in and collect it yourself."

Setsuna's smile had a hint of pleasure in it. "I'll think about it."

Raiden shook his head slowly "Think of what would happen if the Tabloids did get hold of this. 'Mars Mauls Man' is the most polite headline I can think of right now."

Pyrite frowned. "Alan isn't the type to take advantage of something like this."

"You know Alan nearly as well as I do," replied Setsuna. "Does he strike you as the vindictive type?"

"Not really, but some would consider this a blow to their ego."

"Alan isn't that type of person, ego-wise," replied Raiden. "Besides, his ego has taken enough shots that one more won't make a difference. He's blaming himself for not backing off about Yuuchiro. As far as he's concerned, he deserved to be slapped, so he's going to stick to that story about the door."

"Now, I definitely have to go talk to Rei."

"If it's any consolation, I think Alan wasn't the only one who was surprised by Lady Mars' reaction. You didn't see the look on her face after she slapped him."

"That bad?" asked Pyrite.

Raiden cocked his head. "I've seen almost every reaction from Lady Mars over the years - mostly varying shades of anger and disapproval. Last night, I saw shock and horror on her face, emotions that are very unlike her."

"I see. I thank you for telling us this."

"You're welcome, though I don't know why Queen Serenity is trying to get those two together."

Pyrite was startled. "What makes you say that?"

The cat gave him a level stare. "Alan isn't the only one who's a lousy liar."

"Am I that bad?"

"Not really. I deduced that something was up. First, Queen Serenity sends Lady Mars to personally deliver me to Alan at the shrine. Second, Lady Venus and Lady Pluto here seem to be trying to push those two together. Third, you're showing a lot of interest in what happened between them last night, Alan's 'emotional state' notwithstanding. Since you have no personal interest in Alan's social life, and Lady Pluto here doesn't usually involve herself in such minor things as 'romance,' the Queen must have asked you, and others, to bring them together."

Setsuna smiled. "'Amazing deduction, Holmes.' From what you've told us, last night proves that Serenity was right that Alan would provoke strong feelings in Rei. However, I don't think Alan uncovering a trauma buried for centuries was quite what she intended."

Pyrite sighed. "Do you think Alan suspects we're trying to play matchmaker?"

Raiden shook his head. "Maybe if you bodily dragged him to the altar, he might figure it out. Otherwise, social skills aren't his strong suit, and I know more about human romance then he does. Lady Mars, on the other hand, is not clueless, not unfamiliar with romance, and not going to be happy if she ever finds out about this."

"Fortunately," said Setsuna dryly, "Minako makes a handy scapegoat as Rei expects her to do this sort of thing."

Pyrite adjusted his satchel before he asked Raiden, "You don't think they could be a couple?"

"Possible, but both sides have some issues to work out first. Both are stubborn, proud people with serious martyr complexes - which is why I'm not happy with the Queen trying to get them together right now. Maybe in a couple of years, who knows? But not right now."

"All right." Pyrite stood up. "I'll pass along your views to the Queen.

Anything else?"

"Are you two going to the Palace right now?" asked Raiden.

"Yes," replied Setsuna. "First, I need to speak to the Queen, then I will talk to Rei."

"Could I hitch a ride with you? I do need to talk to Mother."

The mage smiled. "I suppose I can do that much for you." He picked up the cat and quickly teleported the three of them away.

The boiler room was an archaic reminder of the past. Located in the basement of CTU's History building, it had remained intact partly to serve as a backup, in case something went wrong with the regular heating system. While magic had its place, the security of non-magical systems remaining in place was hard to resist.

Also, removing the room's contents would have cost more in time and effort than just maintaining it. The only people outside of the occasional maintenance worker who came down here were the regular tours given by the University as part of their 'living history' efforts.

Tolucan thought it was the perfect place for his needs.

The short, pudgy man with thinning red hair slipped into the room and glanced around. The overalls he wore were worn and stained with oil and grease, while the toolbox he carried was battered and dented. An identity badge hung around his neck, while a small clipboard with a note to check the boilers was thrust into a large thigh pocket of his overalls. It was enough of a cover to stand casual scrutiny, but the fire wizard had no intention of being around long enough to answer a more meticulous inquiry. Crystal Tokyo's Internal Security wasn't known for being sloppy investigators, particularly with a Senshi like Mars looking over their shoulders.

Satisfied he was alone, Tolucan walked over to the nearest boiler and opened the maintenance hatch for the heating elements. He scanned the dark compartment with a small flashlight, gauging the probable size and amount of flame he could count on for his spell. Frowning, he went over to the second boiler and checked the same thing. Grunting in satisfaction, he stepped back from the second boiler and estimated the distance between the two fire sources. using both sources, he could invoke the spell he had in his mind easily. It would take a couple of days to complete his preparations, but he could do it.

He turned and left the boiler room. Now that he had found the place he would use, he needed to check the sprinkler systems to see how easy it would be to disable them. After that, he would try to get a feel for his target's movements, and calculate the right time to release the spell. If the air wizard were as formidable as they thought, surprise would be the greatest advantage Tolucan would have.

As he climbed the stairs leading to the ground floor, Tolucan frowned. He was going to have to talk to Theta about the target. First, he would need more information, then a personal item or physical sample from the target to focus the spell upon. A physical sample like hair or a nail clipping would be best, but an item like a watch or ring would work just as well. Whatever it was, it didn't have to be large, but the more it came into contact with the prey, the stronger the binding would be. However, all that could wait until after he confirmed most of his plan's details himself.

Tolucan walked out of the building and around the side. According to his information, the main sprinkler pipe for this building ran up the north wall. It seemed stupid in this modern day to have such an archaic system in place, but, like the boiler room, it was part of the atmosphere of the college as well as a backup to the more common magic. In Tolucan's case, it was a danger that had to be accounted for.

As he searched for it, his mind went back to the problem. He figured he could be ready in three days, maybe less if the target had an established routine that he could take advantage of. Knowing the others, Tolucan was certain they wouldn't be ready by then. Therefore, he would have the first shot at the Council's agent. With a little luck, one shot would be all they'd need....

Rei blinked her eyes as she tried to read the report in front of her. After several seconds, she growled in defeat and placed the report on her desk. She leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

What in the name of Mars is happening to me? she thought. Why did I slap him?

Because he wanted to know about Yuuchiro, came the answer from the emotional side of her. He wanted to know why you still cling to the memories of him.

The voice had no answer for that.

She sighed and looked down at the reports scattered across her desk. The one she was looking for wasn't there. There was no report of Alan being admitted to any hospital to have his face looked at. She scowled, not knowing if she should be happy or upset at not seeing it among those on her desk. The slap had been harder then she wanted to admit, hard enough to leave bruises and to raise questions.

Those questions would come back to her sooner or later, leaving her the choice of admitting to her loss of control or sweeping the entire matter under the rug and hoping no one would find out about it.

She exhaled deeply. There wasn't any real choice. If she allowed it to be swept under the cover of 'internal matters' and someone dug deep enough to find it, the resulting furor could seriously damage the city's reputation. Like it or not, it looked like she was going to have to apologize to the jerk and hope he didn't take advantage of the situation.

Still, the lack of a report made her wary. Alan should have gone to the hospital by now. After all, what's he going to do? she thought sourly. Tell everyone he walked into a door?

Is that your only reason for seeing if he's made a report? the part of herself asked. To sooth your own wounded ego?

Rei didn't have an answer for that, as the voice was right, as much as she hated to admit it. Her night hadn't been very restful. No, worse than that. After fleeing the observation deck, she'd run all the way back to her apartment, and locked the door behind her, as if that would keep the memory of Alan's reaction to her slap out of her mind. She then spent the rest of the night huddled in a chair and staring out a window at the city in a sort of trance. If duty hadn't demanded that she come to work, she would have called Marcus and told him she was going to be away from the office on 'personal business'.

But not today. She'd seen a side of herself last night that she hadn't seen in decades, maybe even centuries, namely the deep-seated anger and fear that came out only when someone new threatened to care about her. Alan, despite his actions, hadn't deserved being slapped. He hadn't known how deep his words had struck, or how his insistence on knowing about Yuuchiro scared her. She had reacted out of that fear.

Then he deserves an apology, the emotional part of her insisted. Why not invite him to dinner?

Rei clamped down on that thought, wondering again why she was having this debate with herself. Her sister Senshi, the other members of the Royal Court, and a few others who were neither, were the only friends she needed. She didn't need anyone to hold her or to talk to. She was Senshi Mars, the steel glove that supported the jewel that was Crystal Tokyo. She had her job. She had a obligation to protect the Queen, her city, and the people who lived inside its boundaries from those who would cause it harm or seek its destruction. That was enough.

She looked again at the paperwork that littered the desk. In an era where computers were almost advanced enough to read their users' minds, her insistence on hardcopies of every report she read was viewed by her staff as one of her 20th-century quirks. She could have read any of the reports off her computer, but she wanted to hold the report in her hand, feel it, hear it. If the report irritated her, she could crumple it up in a ball and throw it into the trash can - she couldn't do that with a computer monitor, at least not on a regular basis. Her staff had grown used to this quirk of hers, but it was still a surprise to those who visited her office.

She looked up from her paperwork as someone knocked at the door. "Come," she said brusquely.

Marcus opened the door and looked in. "Lady Mars? There's a Setsuna Meiou that wishes to speak to you about something that happened last night."

Rei waved an antique pen, another one of her 'quirks', in his direction.

"Tell her I'm too busy."

Marcus looked behind him, and Rei could hear a muffled voice speaking to him. When he looked at Rei again, he looked worried. "She said, and I quote, 'You know I have all the time in the world and you have to come out sometime. Whenever you do, I'll be waiting.'" The aide looked uncomfortable. "I think she means it, too."

The Fire Senshi sighed. Setsuna wasn't one for idle threats. "Send her in."

Setsuna was ushered in. She waited until the door closed behind her before she said causally, "Bad night?"

Rei scowled. "None of your business," she said sharply. She should have known the Senshi of Time would see through the glamor she had invoked after she took one look at herself in the mirror this morning. Everyone else in the security office saw a bright-eyed, alert Mars, not the red-eyed, listless-looking Mars that was actually sitting behind the desk. She lifted the glamor and tried hard not to look at her guest. "Make it quick, I've got work to do."

"Fair enough," replied Setsuna, ignoring Rei's mood."You're the second person I've talked to this morning that had a lousy night."

"I don't care," replied Rei bruskly, looking at the paperwork on her desk.

"I saw Alan this morning and -"

The pen in Rei's hand snapped in two, covering her hand and the paper under it in ink. With a curse, Rei stood up, alternating her glare between her ink-stained hand and Setsuna. "Leave me alone," she growled.

The Senshi of Pluto shook her head. "I don't think I should." She pulled a cloth from her pocket and gave it to Rei. "Use this," she suggested.

The cloth did the trick, removing all the ink from the paper and from Rei's hand. Setsuna stood and went over to the coffee machine in the corner, poured a cup from the pot and handed it to Rei. "I think you should sit and tell me what happened last night."

Rei sat down, her gaze never leaving Setsuna's face. "What did Alan tell you about last night?"

"Are you asking if Alan told me you slapped him? The answer is no." Setsuna sat on the edge of Rei's desk. "What he did tell me was something about running into a door after he left you."

"You didn't believe him?" Rei's voice was flat in an effort to hide the sudden flash of guilt she felt.

"Alan isn't an accomplished liar by any stretch of the imagination. Also, your handprint on the side of his face was rather obvious."

Some of the anger drifted off her face. "But how did you -"

"Raiden told me. He also told me why you slapped Alan."

"He wanted to know about Yuuchiro."

Setsuna nodded. "According to Raiden, Alan isn't going to say anything about last night because he feels that he deserved to get slapped."

Rei's eyes lowered as more anger left her. "No," she said softly. "Last night was my fault. I lost my temper and lashed out when I shouldn't have."

Setsuna sighed. "Alan isn't seriously hurt. A bit bruised and confused, but he'll survive. I'm more concerned about you."

"Me?"

"You didn't get a lot of sleep, did you?"

Rei shook her head. "I couldn't."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Rei sipped her coffee. "I don't know where to start."

"How are you feeling right now?"

"Tired, confused, angry." Rei stopped to take a deep breath. "It's hard to explain."

"What do you feel about Alan?"

Rei looked away. "I don't know," she said softly. "Part of me wants to slap him, while another part of me...."

"Ah," said Setsuna knowledgeably.

Rei looked at her, some anger flowing back into her face. "What?"

"Rei Hino is beginning to break out of that shell of Senshi Mars."

"What shell?"

"The shell you've built around yourself since Yuuchiro's death. It's been there for a long time, but it's gotten worse since the end of the war."

Rei's voice took on a dangerous edge. "You don't know what you're talking about!"

"I don't?" Setsuna stood. "I know exactly what you're going through, because I went through the same thing -" She stopped, "No," she amended. "what I'm still going through."

"I don't understand."

Setsuna walked around the front of the desk and relaxed into one of the chairs facing Rei. "Do you know what you and I have in common?" she asked pleasantly. "Besides the fact we're Senshi?"

"We're both single?"

Setsuna nodded. "And why is that?"

Rei shrugged. "Our jobs don't allow time for a relationship."

This time, Setsuna shook her head. "If that were true, none of the Senshi would be involved in a relationship. Minako is very happy with Calcite when she's not trying to kill him. Tom and Ami seem to work well as a couple, despite their responsibilities. Come to think of it, Tom has the closest job to yours...and he once took 18 years off. And Makoto has a very comfortable partnership with Chrysolite."

"And what's your excuse for staying single?"

Setsuna smiled. "As I said before, I know who I'm waiting for."

"Oh yes, the love of a lifetime," replied Rei, letting some sarcasm drip into her tone. "The one you've been waiting over fourteen thousand years for. Any clues as to your love's identity you want to tease me with?"

"Not as of now, but I think even you will be surprised. No, today, we'll see about straightening out your personal life."

"My personal life doesn't need any straightening out!"

"Not all of it. Just parts of it."

"Which parts?"

Setsuna's voice became softer. "Your devotion to Yuuchiro's memory has gone from the noble to the ridiculous. Let him go."

"I don't want to talk about it." The tone in Rei's voice became brittle.

"That is none of your business."

"Do you see what it's doing to you? You've closed yourself off from every-one around you, even your friends. You hang onto those memories of Yuuchiro, and you refuse to let them go. You push yourself harder than anyone else, and you never give yourself a break."

"I don't want to talk about it."

"There is a wall around your heart that you won't let anyone past. You hold yourself to a standard that is almost impossible to maintain. You can't live like that any more."

Rei's hands were clenched into fists. "Leave me alone," she growled. "What I do or don't do in my personal life is my business."

"That's the point," replied Setsuna quietly. "You don't have a personal life. You are Senshi Mars, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and fifty-two weeks a year. You gave up a child because you didn't want anything to distract you from your duty."

If the fire in Rei's eyes had been real, Setsuna and everyone within thirty meters of the office would have been reduced to ashes. The Senshi of Mars rose to her feet, the anger clinging to her like a dark cloak. "Get out of here," she said in a low hard voice, "before I throw you out."

"Isn't a thousand years long enough to morn him?"

"Why are you pushing this?"

"Because I'm your friend. Because none of the others want to be the one to tell you these things. Because I know exactly what you're going through."

Rei stood stiffly. "All right, since you won't leave, I will."

"Do you think Yuuchiro would want you to do this to yourself?" asked the Senshi of Time calmly. "Lock away the Rei Hino that he loved so much behind the barriers of duty and guilt?"

"GET OUT!" Rei shouted, her fury shattering what calm she had left. She strode around her desk, staring holes into her sister Senshi. Setsuna's only response was to stand and return Rei's glower of wrath with a cool, soothing gaze.

"You've let it go on for too long," Setsuna said in a quiet, firm voice. "What happened to him wasn't your fault. No one could have saved him. Not you, not me. He died because he loved you and wanted you to live."

"I should have saved him!" Rei screamed, then in a softer voice, -" I should have...." Like a sand castle caught in the oncoming tide, Rei's anger crumbled. Tears welled up in her eyes and she slumped against her desk. "I should have...."

Setsuna reached out and gently hugged her sister Senshi. Rei stiffened at first, but after several seconds, she relaxed into the embrace. With nothing left to stop it, her tears came freely as she cried into the older Senshi's shoulder.

For several minutes, there was no sound in the office except the soft sobbing.

After several minutes, Rei said softly, "I still miss him."

"I know," replied Setsuna gently. "I'm not asking you to forget him, or push his memories away. Just don't let his memory rule your life like it has for so many years. He wouldn't want that."

"I asked for your help once, a long time ago."

"And I told you the same thing I once told Serenity. The same thing I told

Makoto, and the same thing I told Endymion. No matter how much I sympathize with your loss, the Laws of Time are unbreakable. The past cannot, must not, be changed.

To do so is to destroy a entire universe. All the countless billions who would not exist in the new reality."

"That's an excuse you've hidden behind for a long time." Despite her words, there was no accusation in Rei's tone.

"It's not an excuse. Do you think I wanted Yuuchiro to die? Or Serenity's family, or Endymion's or Makoto's parents? If I could have save them, I would have. You have rules in your job that you have to follow. I have a similar set of rules I must abide by, only the consequences of breaking them are on a scale that is hard to understand."

"How am I supposed to let him go?"

"It won't be easy, but you have friends who will help. All you have to do is ask and they will."

"Thank you."

"That's what friends are for."

Rei dabbed at her eyes. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"Don't worry about it. Take a seat; I have a couple of things I need to do right now."

Setsuna guided Rei to a chair and left her there. The elder Senshi walked over to the office door and opened it. "Marcus," she said in a firm, though soft voice.

Rei's aide came over quickly. "Yes?" he said warily. He still remembered his boss' comment about never crossing Setsuna Meiou, and he respected Mars' opinion on people.

"Anything important scheduled for the next couple of days, security-wise?"

Marcus frowned. "I don't know if I should -"

"Tell her," said a voice from inside the office. It sounded harsh and weak, but it was definitely Lady Mars.

"Are you all right, Lady Mars?" he asked, as he tried to push past Setsuna.

The arm that stopped him was like iron. He looked at her, only to be met with a cool stare that somehow promised something unpleasant if he continued the effort.

"I'm fine," the voice replied, sounding stronger. "Security identification Zen Alpha One."

Marcus' eyes widened slightly. The only people given that security identifier were the Senshi and the Queen herself, which translated into: Full access on any subject, anytime, anywhere, no questions asked. Only slightly more than a dozen people besides the Senshi and the Queen knew of the code, and he was one of only four security people aware of it. He looked at Setsuna again, trying to gauge which one of the Outer Senshi she was.

"Senshi Neptune?"

"Senshi Pluto," she whispered with a smile, and his eyes widened even more. Not only an Outer Senshi, but the legendary Senshi of Time. "I'm here on the Queen's authority."

Marcus' eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his skull. Before he could recover, Setsuna repeated her question in a slightly louder tone. "Any-thing important scheduled for the next couple of days, security-wise?"

The question snapped him out of his daze. "N-no, Lady Pluto," he stammered.

"There are no special security concerns until early next week."

"Good," Setsuna said firmly. "Your boss is taking the rest of today and all of tomorrow off."

Marcus heard a startled "What?" coming from inside the office. The voice still sounded strained, but more like Lady Mars'.

Setsuna looked back into the office. "You need to get some sleep."

"But I have a job -"

"Which you are not performing well because you're tired and confused. Are you going to acquiesce, or do I have to threaten you with an order from the Queen?"

Marcus heard some mumbling from inside the office, but no discernable reply.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Setsuna turned back to Marcus. "Is Guardian Pyrite still around?"

"I believe he is."

"Get him and bring him here." She glanced around the security office. "Not many people in today," she commented.

"It's lunchtime."

"Ah. Well, send everyone else to lunch, and I want you to stay once you've escorted Pyrite here."

"Is Lady Mars all right?"

"She's a bit tired and needs some rest. For now, let's keep this quiet.

Understood?"

"I think so."

"Good. It's nothing serious. The Guardian and I will make sure she gets some rest."

"What?" cried out Rei. "Now wait a minute! I -"

"Starting right now," interrupted Setsuna firmly. In a lower voice, she said to Marcus. "I also want to see Lady Mars' time sheets for the last five years. I want to know how much time she's spent on the job."

Marcus looked puzzled. "Are you sure everything's all right?"

"It's something that should have been take care of a long time ago." Setsuna looked at Marcus like a teacher examining a student. "What are you waiting for? Scoot!"

As the aide walked away hurriedly, Setsuna smiled. "If I knew ordering people around was going to be this much fun," she said to herself, "I would have started a long time ago."

*Alan!*

Alan, half-startled by his grandfather's sudden emergence, blinked twice.

{Where have you been?}

*Never mind. What happened last night?*

"Mr. Thomas?"

Alan broke off his conversation with Alisin and looked at his instructor.

Professor Latus was looking at him. "Yes sir?"

"What is the political status of Crystal Tokyo in regards to the rest of Japan?"

Alan stood, well aware that everyone was looking at him. The classroom was a typical lecture hall, with a small stage at the front and rising tiers of seats with built-in tables. There were about seventy-five students in the class, almost all of them focused on the short, lean man with thinning red hair who was instructing the class. Professor Latus loved putting students in his history class on the spot to keep them on their toes. Now it was Alan's turn.

Alan wasn't caught off guard. "The status of Crystal Tokyo is that of an independent state, its form of government is a monarchy. Both Queen Serenity and King Endymion are considered co-rulers, although King Endymion is recognized as the heir to the Japanese Emperor's throne."

The professor nodded. "And why was Endymion given that recognition?"

"Because the Ruling Emperor's entire family line was killed during the Great Silence. After Neo-Queen Serenity and the Senshi destroyed the Acolytes of Silence, they were the first ones to start an organized rebuilding program.

The Queen used her gifts to rally first the population of Japan, then the rest of the world in a concerted effort to rebuild the world's civilization. In recognition, Tokyo was conceded to Neo-Queen Serenity to form the basis of Crystal Tokyo, and the Diet and the rest of the Japanese government were re-located to Kyoto. Also, the reorganized Diet voted unanimously to present the Emperor's throne to King Endymion. The King has so far declined the honor, though, as I understand, the Diet regularly makes the offer to this day."

The professor nodded again. "Very good. At least someone paid attention to his reading last night. You may sit down."

Alan sat down and watched the nondescript instructor move onto another target. {Grandfather, are you still there?}

*Where else would I be?* came the tart reply. *Now, will you tell me what happened last night, or do I go exhuming your memories for the information?*

Alan mentally told him what happened last night. Alisin was silent for several minutes, then said, *I can't leave you alone for a moment without you getting into trouble with Lady Mars. Have you apologized to her yet?*

{No. Why should I?}

Alisin sighed. *On top of magic and manners, now I have to teach you about women as well?*

The bell rang then, saving Alan's reply to his grandfather for the moment. He filed out of the hall with the rest of the students, after scribbling down the reading assignment for the next class. Once out in the sunshine, he located the nearest unoccupied tree and sat under it. Rummaging through his backpack, he pulled out a small device with earphones, slipped the earphones over his ears and leaned back against the trunk. Anyone walking by would think he was listening to music, not deep in conversation with the spirit of an air wizard.

Despite the eagerness of the history department, not many people at CTU knew about Alisin's presence in Alan's mind. Pyrite, backed up by a politely worded request from Queen Serenity, had given the scholars strict orders to keep the presence of Alisin quiet as much as possible. In return, Alan and Alisin met with several of the professors for several short question-and-answer sessions.

Professor Latus, for example, was one of those who knew, but he'd kept his own council and never mentioned the subject in public. So most of his fellow students weren't aware of Alan's 'special condition.'

Alan relaxed against the tree trunk. {Sorry about the interruption,} he said mentally. {You were saying?}

Alisin sighed. *Your attitude towards women, especially toward Lady Mars, is atrocious.*

{My attitude? Look, all I did was ask Rei about Yuuchiro, and got swatted. All right, maybe I should have backed off, but don't tell me I have lousy manners because I torqued off Little Miss Firecracker.}

*A bit defensive today, aren't you?*

{Well, that's my problem, isn't it?}

*Sometimes you have all the sensitivity of a hurricane.*

{Tell me something. Was Rei this bad during the Silver Millennium?}

*What do you mean?*

Alan took a deep breath. {Was she always this pi...er....high-strung?}

*You mean emotional? I can't really say, as I didn't have much personal contact with her. As the granddaughter of the Hierophant, she spent most of her time on Mars. I do know there were rumors that she tried very hard to win the heart of Prince Endymion, before he and Princess Serena met.*

{She struck out, right?}

*I don't understand.*

{I mean that Rei failed to attract Endymion's affections.}

*Yes. She found some solace in the arms of Jediete, one of the Prince's

Guardians.*

{Wasn't he one of those that Beryl turned?}

*Yes.* There was some sadness in his tone.

{What's wrong?}

*Some unpleasant memories just came to the surface, memories I haven't thought of in a long time.*

{What type of memories?}

*A few good, some bad, while some others are...painful.*

Alan arched an eyebrow. {What memories are you talking about?}

*The Guardians weren't the only ones that witch turned against us. Much as it saddens me to say, Beryl cast her spell over some members of the Orders, including someone that had been...close to me at one time*

{Who? Don't hold out on me, Grandfather.}

*It isn't a happy story, or one I want to talk about.*

Alan let out a deep breath. {Look, you want me to help you reestablish the

Orders, right?}

*Of course.*

{Well, one of the things I have to know is what went wrong last time, so we don't end up making the same mistakes again. I need a sense of history here, the good and the bad, the heroes and the villains, what went right and what hap-pened when things got screwed up. And if you had told me about your hatred of Beryl, we might have avoided the fight at the hospital. No secrets, Grandfather.

Neither one of us can afford to hide them anymore. We've got enough problems with the world out there without having to fight in here too.}

Alisin was silent for a moment. *Her name was Cearo. She was the youngest daughter of a Martian family of high nobility and distantly related to the Hierophant herself.*

{Who was she?}

*She was a member of the Fire Order.* There were several seconds of silence, then Alisin continued. *She was young, brilliant and eager for the learning. Kendra Flameweaver, who led the Fire Order, ordered that Cearo be given an apprenticeship and she had soon surpassed all the expectations of her teachers. Her astounding ability to remember everything she had read, coupled with her seemingly limitless joy in learning for its own sake, soon had her teachers petitioning for her to be sent to study for a time at the Great Libraries of each of the other Orders. This was a petition the head of her Order was more than willing to grant, both for the advantages the Fire

Order might gain and because the girl's search for knowledge was difficult to refuse.*

{Sounds like a promising student.}

*Oh, she was.* Alisin's voice became wistful. *She showed that she had both tremendous potential and a fierce determination to learn.*

{How did you meet her?}

*I met her during her third visit to the Air Order's library. We found that we both took joy in studying, in seeking fulfillment in our lives through our magic.*

{You two fell in love.}

*Yes. We were both young and full of pride. We thought we could change the worlds. We were wrong.*

{What happened?}

A moment's hesitation. *It wasn't 'what' so much as 'who.' At the same time she and I met, Cearo met a member of the royal house of Arcadia. The Duchess Sphene was serving as Arcadian ambassador to the Moon. To this day, I wish I had killed Sphene the moment I laid eyes on her.*

{What did she do?}

*Do? What no one knew then was that the Duchess was a spy for the growing Cult of Metallia. I have no doubt that Sphene enticed Cearo into the cult. If Cearo had a weakness, it was that she was naive.* Alisin sighed. *It comes from living a sheltered life, both at home and in the Orders. Sphene used this weakness and worked at becoming both her friend and confidant. At first, Sphene and I got along, but as the months passed, she tried to push me away from Cearo. I realized that there was something going on, but I wasn't exactly sure what. I knew the woman was up to no good.*

{Didn't you warn Cearo to be careful around Sphene?}

*I tried, but it was no use. Sphene was her friend, one of the very few she had. We had several arguments over that woman, and Cearo inherited the famous Mars temper. With each passing day, I became more and more convinced that Sphere was up to something, and followed the Duchess several times. Twice, I saw her in deep conversation with known Cult members. Realizing what I had stumbled into, I notified the Moon Kingdom security service.*

Alan waited for Alisin to continue. When the wizard did so, his voice was soft and bitter. *They investigated and discovered that Sphene was not only a spy, but a demon worshiper. Before she could be arrested, Sphene fled. After her escape, Cearo confronted me. She told me - me! - that I had framed Sphene as a spy because I was jealous of their friendship. That was the argument that finished the relationship between us for good.*

Silence followed. Then Alisin said, *It was several years later that I met Ganieda. After a brief courtship, we were married. I don't think Cearo ever forgave me after that.*

{You think she was still in love with you?}

*It's possible. Martians were known for being quietly passionate in those things they pursued. Love or hate, religion or politics, study or play, all were done with an intensity that bordered on the fanatical. That's one of the reasons why Cearo became the youngest ever to sit on the Inner Council of the Fire Order - after we broke up, she threw herself completely into her studies. Or we all thought she did.*

{She was still working with Sphene?}

*Yes. We didn't know it at the time, but Cearo had been passing information along to Sphene.* Alisin was silent for a moment. *It is quite possible that she was the one who alerted the cult to the route that Ganieda's airship would be taking to reach a village where a plague had broken out.*

{But you don't know for sure.}

*No. I wasn't in any condition to be objective at the time. You know my hatred of Queen Beryl was clouding my judgement, so much so that Queen Serenity sent me on an extended diplomatic mission to Pluto in order to allow the confrontation to cool down, as well as to prevent a diplomatic incident. That is where

I met Moment and tried to put Alison's and my lives back together.*

{I suppose killing a queen would be difficult to smooth over.}

*I am not overstating the fact that to have us both in the same room was to invite a battle to the death. That witch has been dead for over a thousand years, and I still hate her, Alan. Hate her with all my heart and soul. No matter what happens, never let yourself hate someone that much. It isn't something you can easily live with.*

{If it's any comfort, I don't think I would feel any differently in your place. What happened next?}

*About two years later, Kendra Flameweaver became deathly ill. She sent word to me and the heads of the other two Orders that she had been poisoned, and that someone inside the Fire Order had done it. She asked that we, the heads of the other Orders, would investigate her death, and if need be, choose her successor.*

{From what you told me, this didn't go over well with the Fire Order.}

*You are right. This was an unprecedented move; the Orders had always handled their own internal matters. The calling-in of outsiders, even fellow Elementalists, was met with great resistance. But Kendra's word as head of the Order carried great weight. Serenity recalled me from Pluto, and we began the investigation on Mars a week before Kendra died.*

Alan opened his eyes and looked around. He glanced at his watch. Satisfied that he still had time, he closed his eyes and said mentally said, {What happened next?}

*We began the investigation, and found things were even worse than Kendra feared. A student of Cearo's was accused of being a member of Metallia's cult, but he committed suicide before he could be tried. Several other members of the Fire Order were acting strangely, while others did everything they could to block our investigation. Finally, there was an assassination attempt against us and the Hierophant.*

{WHAT?}

*A small group of assassins was hired to kill us and the Hierophant. However, one of the group was an undercover StarHunter, and he leaked details of the plot to the Hierophant's security forces. The attempt failed, and the entire group of assassins was caught or killed. Under interrogation, the prisoners told the Hierophant enough for us to pick up the trail.*

{And it led to Cearo?}

A moment of silence. *Yes. We managed to trace the trail to Cearo's aide, a brutish man by the name of Beorn. Before we could question either one, both of them escaped off Mars and fled to Earth.*

{It must have hurt you badly,} Alan said slowly.

*Yes. Just when you think you know a person....* Alisin sighed. *There was never any doubt of her guilt. She left behind enough clues in her office and quarters to prove she was a full-fledged member of the Cult of Metallia.*

{I'm sorry.}

*There is no need. It happened a long time ago.*

{This must have shaken the Orders.}

*To their very core. There was a system-wide search for her and Beorn. The Fire Order was wracked with confusion, and the Hierophant's security forces went on a witchhunt. It took several years to find all the rot in the Fire Order. As a matter of course, the other three Orders were checked for the same rot, but we found nothing - at the time. However, we didn't realize that the reach of the cult was as long as it turned out to be. That was our greatest mistake.*

Alan felt something on his lap. He looked down and saw Raiden standing there. "Comfortable?" the cat asked.

Alan glanced at his watch. "You're early."

"Mother and I had a long conversation." Raiden looked peeved. "Actually, it was more along the lines of Mother spoke, I listened. She said I should be, and I quote, 'more aware of your responsibilities as a moon cat.' I wish I knew what she meant."

"I'm the wrong the person to ask."

"I know. That means that I'll have to talk to Father and get a translation.

Were you asleep?"

Alan shook his head. "Grandfather's giving me a history lesson."

"Anything interesting?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll leave you to it." The cat curled up on Alan's lap and closed his eyes.

Alan leaned back and closed his eyes. {You said that the Orders made a mistake. What mistake?}

*We had unwittingly sown the seeds of our own destruction by allowing our fear to override our common sense. As you would expect, the scandal rocked the Fire Order, and there was incredible turmoil as each Order sought cultists within their ranks. Many of the noble families withdrew their patronage, while others demanded their children be released from their apprenticeships and still other novices themselves abandoned a calling that was becoming increasingly unattractive. As a result, the decline in the Orders' influence grew still more rapid and in a span of less then ten years, we had lost much of our prestige in the eyes of the people. Some among our ranks feared the Orders might well collapse completely within a more few years should nothing be done. Worse, the witch-hunts had crystallized a growing dissatisfaction among many of the Orders' rank-and-file into something far more dangerous.*

{Dangerous? How so?}

*We had broken the teacher-student bond of trust that had held the Orders together for so long. Instead of seeing them as helpers, we treated them as possible spies and assassins. We questioned them, followed them, looked for any clue that they were guilty. Family and friends drifted apart, unable to look at each other except through a veil of suspicion. Innocent acts were scrutinized, accusations flew, and rumor became more powerful then the truth.*

{Cearo did a good job in causing problems.}

*That she did. It was this fear and dissatisfaction more than anything else that Beryl used to recruit some of the most disillusioned, promising to champion and protect their form of magic should they help her.*

{That's a familiar tune. Promise a disaffected group that you'll support their cause, then stab them in the back once you're through needing them. What happened next?}

*Beryl, who must have been supremely confident of her position, attended Prince Endymion's birthday party, with the intent of seducing him. Because of my responsibilities and my well-known hatred of Beryl, I remained at the Moon Palace, so I wasn't there when it happened.* There was a note of satisfaction in his tone of voice. *But I wish I had been, for no other reason than to see the look on her face when her plans fell apart. Her attempt to seduce the Prince was foiled by Guardian Ferrite, who also exposed her as a demon worshiper. But before she could be captured, she and most of her followers hid in the Arcadian forests. Cearo was among her closest lieutenants.*

Alan frowned. {I don't know what to say, Grandfather.}

Alisin sighed. *This isn't an easy tale for me to tell, and the sooner I finish telling it, the better. This is a subject that is still sensitive to me, even after all this time. I have loved only three women in my life. Queen Serenity I loved as a fair and just ruler. Ganieda was the one I loved and started to raise a family with. But Cearo was, and still is, my first love, and I find myself feeling sorry for her in just a small way.*

{What happened with Cearo during the Fall?}

*After weeks of wrangling, I finally managed to get all four Orders to agree to meet in Avalon. Through her spies, Beryl learned of the conclave, and deciding that the time was right, decreed that it would be there that Cearo would attack. As the meeting began, those Elementalists corrupted by Beryl attacked those who had not been tainted.* Alisin was silent for a moment. *I will not describe the details, for while my memories are still clear, they are very bitter ones. What I will say is that in that one day, all four Elemental Orders were shattered, most dying at the hands of friends and relations. My son, my only child, died that day, leaving behind a young wife and a small boy.*

For some reason, Alan found his Grandfather's words compelling. {Cearo was there, wasn't she?}

*Yes, she was there, along with Sphene and Beorn. At the height of the battle, she came out of hiding, holding a large crystal twice the size of your fist.*

{A magical artifact?}

*It would appear so. I learned later it was called the Soul Stone, but exactly what its purpose was I never did find out.* Alisin sighed. *I can still remember watching Cearo as she walked toward me. Alison was lying in my arms, killed by a man he'd thought of as a close friend. As the battle raged around us, we looked at each other. I saw the look on her face as she realized what havoc she'd wreaked upon the magic she'd given her life to before Metallia claimed her soul. And for a brief moment, I saw the woman I had loved long ago.*

{What did she do?}

*Do? She used the Soul Stone to kill Sphene and about a dozen of the closest tainted Elementalists. She then killed herself with the stone before Beorn could. But, before I could destroy the stone, Beorn grabbed it and fled the battle with a handful of supporters. While we were tearing ourselves apart, Beryl launched her attack on the Moon Kingdom.*

{Where Serenity exiled them.}

*Yes. I haven't though about Cearo for a very long time. I loved Ganieda, but....*

{I understand.}

*I think we've finished our history lesson for today.*

{You still haven't explained how it's my fault that Rei belted me.}

*We can talk about it another time.*

"Hey! Alan!"

Alan opened his eyes and looked up at the two people standing over him.

"Hey guys," he said casually. "What's up?"

"You up for lunch?" asked Carmen Shinrin. She combined the looks of a fashion model with the aptitude of a first-rate mage. Her green eyes sparkled with mischief.

"Sure."

"Who are you kidding?" asked the other person with an amused tone. "Alan is always up for a good meal." Franklin "Boomer" Hays was taller, thinner, and darker then Carmen, but shared the strong ability to work magic. Both of them were in Pyrite's current crop of graduate students, learning new way to apply magic and technology together. Pyrite had asked them to show Alan around for a couple of weeks, and get him used to CTU's college life.

Carmen shrugged, her long red hair moving slowly, like it was alive. "At least he doesn't slurp his soup like some people I could mention."

"I don't slurp," said Boomer defensively.

Raiden opened up an eye. "Hello," he said, sounding half-amused himself.

Carmen crouched and began to stroke the moon cat's back. "How's it going?" she asked warmly.

Alan sighed. "Who are you asking, me or the cat?"

"Why, both of you," replied Carmen with an innocent air. She gave Alan a smoldering look. "After all, the Dean said to make sure you were. . .comfortable." The last word was purred.

"Ack..." Alan replied weakly. He tried to scramble to his feet, while picking up his backpack with one hand and Raiden with the other, all while trying to look cool. He failed miserably on all counts.

As he rose, Alan's feet slip out from under him. The backpack went in one direction, the moon cat in another, and he landed hard on his posterior. The back of his head met the tree trunk hard enough to send a flash of pain through his mind.

His vision blurred. It cleared up as quickly as it had faded, and Alan found himself staring into those same green eyes, now filled with concern. "I'm sorry," Carmen said, all the huskiness gone from her voice. "I didn't mean to startle you like that."

"That's...all...er....I...er....."

"I think that crack against the tree dazed him," said Boomer. "Do you think we should take him over to the clinic?" Several students stopped at the sight, but Boomer waved them on, keeping a crowd from forming around the trio and moon cat.

"Don't worry about him," said Raiden in an irritated tone as he stalked over to the trio. "He's always like this."

"Sorry, furball," said Alan weakly. "I wasn't expecting that from Carmen."

"It's my fault," said Carmen seriously. "I didn't think you'd react like that."

"Alan had a rough night last night." said the cat, ignoring Alan. "He's somewhat shaken from the ordeal."

"What, did someone try to kill you last night?" asked Boomer.

Alan shook his head. "I'd rather not talk about it."

"Nothing as serious as someone trying to kill him," Raiden assured them.

Carmen looked over at Raiden. "What happened?"

Alan glared at Raiden. "Don't you say a word," he growled.

Carmen reached over and picked up Raiden. She held the moon cat in her arms and began cuddling him. "You can tell me," she whispered. Raiden closed his eyes and purred softly.

"Tell her anything," said Alan harshly, "and I'll spike your food with catnip."

"I don't care right now," Raiden replied between purrs.

"I know exactly how you feel, Raiden," said Boomer with a smile.

"You can always come and stay with me," said Carmen cheerfully. "What did happen last night?"

Raiden half-opened his eyes. "I don't know if I can resist any longer," he said to Alan.

"You're not trying hard enough," replied Alan tartly.

"You've never been cuddled by Carmen," said Boomer, his grin growing at Alan's discomfort. "That's something no male can resist for long."

Carmen started scratching Raiden behind the ears. "You can tell me," she cooed.

"Let the record show that I tried to resist," said the cat carefully, "but couldn't stand the interrogation methods used on me. Last night, Alan had a lesson in female psychology forcefully demonstrated to him by a lady of some importance."

"Oh? Anyone we know?"

"That I will not say," purred the cat. "Because the lady is question isn't a person you want to voluntarily cross."

"You're dating a Senshi?" asked Boomer with some interest.

"No, I'm not dating a Senshi!" hissed Alan, snatching Raiden out of Carmen's hands. "The lady in question and I had a misunderstanding last night."

"Was it a Senshi?" asked Boomer, looking hopeful. "If so, which one?"

Seeing how uncomfortable Alan looked, Carmen stood. "I think we've pried enough into your social life for now," she said, trying to smile but not quite getting there. "You still on for lunch?"

"Are you paying?" asked Alan, standing with more success than he had before.

This time, Carmen's smile was more genuine. "I think me and Boomer can spring for a third lunch, and still have some left over for Raiden here." She reached out and petted the cat.

"Me?" asked Boomer dejectedly. "Why should I have to pitch in?"

"Because you were asking dumb questions," replied Carmen tartly. "Look, how many unattached Senshi are there right now?"

Boomer's face took on a thoughtful look. "Oh, there's just the one."

"Right," said Carmen. "Now could you see Mars and Alan here having a relationship?"

"Come to think of, no. Lady Mars isn't a pleasant person to be around."

"She's not that bad," interjected Alan swiftly. "I'm met her several times and she's a very...er...focused person."

Carmen looked at him levelly. "That women does too good a job. Why don't we go to lunch, and we'll fill you in on why Senshi Mars isn't good girlfriend material for you."

"But I never said -"

Carmen grabbed his arm. "Eat, then talk. I'm hungry and I gossip better on a full stomach...." She stormed off, pulling a startled Alan along. An amused Boomer followed as Carmen started to warm up to her subject. "For one thing, she has a temper! I mean, I heard someone was nearly flash-fried a couple of weeks back because they made a pass at her! No wonder she's been alone for all this time...."

As Alan was dragged towards the cafeteria, he heard his Grandfather sigh.

*First table manners, now women. I'm surprised you've managed to survive as long as you have.*

Rei awakened slowly.

It was the aroma of warming bread and the spice of tea registering in her nostrils that finally alerted her to the presence of a world outside her slumber.Her eyes flickered slightly, the brief flashes of light telling her it wasn't night. She opened them and stared up at the ceiling. It was the ceiling in her bedroom, the same one she had awakened under countless times before.

Countless times alone.

She closed her eyes again. Alone. She hated that word, even though she had lived with it for so long. She'd had relationships over the centuries, but none had ever lasted long. Over time, she'd accepted the idea she wasn't going to find anyone, and she had learned to live with it.

Or she thought she had.

It was when she and the others had linked themselves to the city's defense shield at the start of the Black Moon War that she felt the first real feelings of loneliness. She knew that she and the others never really aware of anything that went on while they were in the chamber, but she felt the strong emotions of love and warmth that seeped into the link the four Senshi shared. And while none of them had heard the actual words spoken to them, they had all felt the presence of their loved ones.

All except Rei.

Minako had Calcite, Ami and Makoto had Tom, but Rei....

They hadn't forgotten her. Each of them had taken turns talking to her, but it wasn't the same. They were friends, friends she loved as brothers and sisters, but it wasn't the same. And when the four of them had been released from the shield generator, the other three had their loved ones waiting for them.

But there was no one waiting for her. It was when she saw the others wrap-ped in the arms of their paramours, that the feeling of isolation had hit her hard, harder then she expected, and it had taken all her self control not to break down then and there. Once she was back at work, she threw herself into her responsibilities with a vengeance in an effort to distance herself from that feeling. For the most part, she'd managed to hide in her work, but yesterday had shown she wasn't as tough as she thought she had been.

She opened her eyes again. This wasn't the time to worry about this she couldn't change. She had to get up and get breakfast, then -

"Good," said a voice off to her left. "You're awake. I though the aroma of a good breakfast would get to you."

Rei slowly rolled her head in the direction of the speaker. "What are you doing here?" she whispered.

Setsuna shrugged and placed the tray she was carrying on the table next to the bed. "The timeline is safe, Crystal Tokyo is secure, and by the way, Alan has gotten a lot of half-truths and fabrications about you over the last day from a well-meaning, but very wrong, friend of his."

Rei frowned, her brain still muzzy from sleep. "What happened?"

"You got a good night's slumber. And if I'm reading your time sheets right, the first one you've had in four years."

"What?" was all Rei managed to get out as she sat up quickly. "What time is it?"

"Quarter past nine."

"In the MORNING?"

Setsuna looked nonplused. "That's usually the time breakfast is served."

"HOW LONG HAVE I BEEN ASLEEP?" Rei shouted, her voice hoarse and dry from the effort.

"Only about fifteen hours."

Rei looked wildly at her fellow Senshi. "Why didn't you wake me sooner?" she snarled, throwing the covers off and swinging her legs over the side of the bed.

Setsuna looked at her with the same expression a parent reserves for a small child. "Because Rei Hino needed the sleep more than Senshi Mars needed to be out and about."

"But it's my job!" Rei said, her voice stronger now.

Setsuna pushed Rei back into bed and threw the covers back over her. "Your people can do their jobs fine for the day without you staring over their shoulder like a vulture in high heels."

"But -"

"No buts. The CTPD are the best-trained, best-led municipal police force on the planet. Your Internal Security force is the envy of every other country for its efficiency and effectiveness. You have other cities from across the world trying to recruit senior members of your department to lead their law enforcement organizations. In short, it isn't going to blow a gasket if you're not there for a day or two."

"But -"

"Besides, you already have taken the day off, remember?"

"I never -"

"Eat first, argue later." Setsuna handed Rei a plate of toast, already with butter and jam on them, followed by a cup of tea.

Rei looked at the food, then at Setsuna, then back at the food. "Why are you doing this?"

"You need to eat."

"I don't mean this!" she snapped. "I mean why are you interfering with my life?"

Setsuna picked up another tea cup. "Because you need someone to remind you that there's more to life then being Senshi Mars."

"I don't need-"

"Yes, you do."

There was silence for several seconds, then Rei asked, "Why you?"

"Because I know what you're going through." Setsuna sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the younger Senshi. "Your friends have been worried for a long time about you. They have lives and people to share them with. You, on the other hand, have isolated yourself from nearly everyone. You have thrown yourself into your job with a passion that is both impressive and scary and have refused to let anyone close to you."

"I am doing my job!"

"But that's all you're doing." Setsuna stopped to sip from her teacup before she continued. "We all have our highs and lows with our jobs, but you take it to extremes. And in the last fifteen years, you've descended to a new low, with no sign of pulling out."

Rei opened her mouth, but Setsuna held up a hand. "Before you start about Yuuchiro, sorrow is a necessary thing, but if carried to extremes, it becomes a burden that can drag you down to it's level." The look she gave the Inner Senshi was frank. "Yuuchiro's memory has driven you to create and maintain arguably the best internal security unit in the world. Neither I nor any who know you will not deny that. But the cost it has taken upon you is becoming too much. We're concerned for you."

"What cost?' asked Rei.

"You rarely take time off for yourself, never go on vacation, and never allow any one close to you, even your old friends."

"I've had enough vacations for now."

Setsuna arched an eyebrow. "I wouldn't call your time as a mana battery a 'vacation.'"

"What about the time I took off after the prison incident?"

The Senshi of Time gave her a cool look. "Even I," she said, "do not consider 2982AD recent history."

"It's recent enough for me."

Setsuna shook her head. "See what I mean? You push the people under you to their limits, and push yourself even harder. After checking your time sheets for the last five years, your average workday is sixteen hours long. In short, there's no visible sign of the person called Rei Hino. All that exists today is Senshi Mars."

Rei gave Setsuna a steely glare. "My job is to protect this city and my Queen from any and all who would destroy it."

"All by yourself?" Rei have her a cold stare, which Setsuna ignored. "Has the StarHunters suffered any loss of ability because Tom isn't around to supervise their every move? Or the Army when Makoto doesn't check their abilities every day?"

"I suppose not. But the -"

"Would you consider the Palace Guard a bunch of inefficient, lazy types who got their position because their brother-in-law own them a favor?"

"Of course not! But -"

"There's an old saying," continued Setsuna, ignoring Rei's outburst, "that goes, 'success or failure of an organization starts at the top.' Your people are good enough to do their job without you standing behind them every minute. Give them a chance to show it."

"What about he Queen? She needs me to do my job!"

"You don't think I did this without her knowledge, do you? I told her of my plans yesterday and she agreed with them. Frankly, I think she and the other Inner Senshi are relieved that someone's finally doing something about it."

"You mean they didn't have the courage to tell me themselves?"

Setsuna shook her head, then took another sip of tea. "Not lack of courage, but uncertainty and helplessness. The War against the Acolytes left little time for proper mourning for any of us, but especially for you. The struggle to establish and build Crystal Tokyo added more time to the problem. By the time we could help you to cope, you had already built a wall around the part of you that's Rei and sank it deep into the part of you that's Senshi Mars. You've still friendly with those of us you know, but you've rebuffed any and all efforts to break that shell around you, so we gave up. You seemed happy the way you were and we couldn't do nothing to change that."

"No one should have to go through what I did," said Rei softly, looking away.

"Agreed. But Yuuchiro loved you because you were Rei Hino, not because you were Senshi Mars. He sacrificed himself so Rei Hino could live to continue the fight as Senshi Mars. As much as you are Senshi Mars, you are still Rei."

"No," replied Rei. "A lot of Rei died when Yuuchiro did."

"You're wrong." Setsuna stood and looked down at Rei. "I thought the same way when the Silver Millieum was destroyed. To me, Moment became just a name I was born with a long time in the past. I built a shell call Senshi Pluto and hid inside it for thousands of years, hiding behind duty and my purpose. When Crystal Tokyo was founded, I found hope again and started to break out of that shell. But it took the arrival of both Alan and Alisin to complete the process."

Doubt flickered across Fire Senshi's face, so she changed the subject.

"Why do those two mean so much to you? Alisin I could understand, but Alan?"

Setsuna smile. "With Alisin, I don't have to be the cool and aloof Senshi of Pluto, but a loving niece to an elder Uncle. He always treated me like an adult, even when I was six years old. In some ways, I was the daughter he never had." She sighed. "The only thing I ever did to disappoint him was not marry his son."

Rei was surprised. Setsuna had never said much about her past, and this sudden revelation had caught the Fire Senshi off guard. "Why not?"

"Alison and I were friends, but we both knew that we weren't in love with each other. He'd fallen for another member of the Air Order, while I had set my eyes on someone else." She smiled ruefully. "You would not believe what Alisin and I had to go through to convince my Parents and Uncle Alisin not to arrange he marriage."

Setsuna put her empty teacup back on the tray. "As for Alan, I find he and I have much in common, as do you and he."

Rei frowned. "You're NOT going to play matchmaker, are you?"

"I'll leave that for Minako. What I meant was that Alan has a point of view you can understand. Under that exterior of his is a sensitive soul who tries to understand other people."

"You could have fooled me."

"He wasn't trying to pry into your relationship with Yuuchiro to amuse himself. He wanted to know why you still so strongly for someone after all this time."

"Why?" asked Rei. "Why does he care?"

"Because he understand what it's like to have those type of feelings. He knows what you're feeling and how you've tried to hide it. Unfortunately, his social skills are not as polished and he walked straight into your anger. Fortunately for you, he took it upon himself not to go to the hospital."

"Why not?"

"He wanted to avoid any chance that this incident would come to light."

"Well, it is embarrassing for him, but -"

"It's not his ignominy he's worry about, it's yours."

Rei looked at her, shock and puzzlement fighting for control of her expres-sion. "What?" she asked flatly.

"When Raiden told him what would happen, he decided not to go to the hospital. He knew that if an investigation was held, you would either look like an idiot, or be forced to derail the investigation. In either case, you would be the brunt of a whispering campaign. So, he makes up some tale of being hit by a door AFTER you escorted you to your quarters and had Pyrite use a couple of quick-heal crystals to clan up the damage you caused. He would rather have Pyrite and myself believe a stupid story that makes him look like an idiot than to tell us the truth that treats him with more respect."

Rei looked down at the plate in her lap. "You're telling me I own him an apology."

"I think one is in order. Slapping him was a bit excessive for his actions."

"Fine, I'll apologize to him tomorrow."

"In person."

"What?"

"Apologize to him in person, at the CTU campus."

"Do you want me to bring flowers and a box of chocolates?" asked Rei sharply.

"That would be a bit extreme," replied Setsuna with a straight face. "But the fact you show up on his terms will add sincerity to the apology. Have IS pick him up and escorted to your office isn't the way to do it."

"Fine, I'll do it. Just don't expect me to like it."

"Good. Now, eat up, the toast is getting cold."

Rei snatched a piece of toast from the plate and began taking large angry bites out of it. "So," she said between bites, "am I confined to the bed all day, or can I at least sit in my own living room?"

Setsuna smiled at her. "Oh, we're going to do more then that. After break-fast, you and I are going to reacquaint ourselves with an old tradition."

"Which is?"

"Shopping, of course."

The rest of the day in Crystal Tokyo passed without incident, as did the evening. But the next day wasn't as peaceful....

Tolucan rose early and double checked the items he needed for the spell. Despite the complexity of the incantation, there was little in the way of items. Special chalk for the protection rings. A lighter and specially made, long-burning bricks for the fire source. The book containing the spells needed. And finally, several strands of the target's hair, acquired the day before. Nodding in satisfaction, the Fire Brother packed the items away and left the small apartment. According to the data, the target was usually in the courtyard adjacent to the History building about twelve-thirty. He would wait until the time was right, then release the spell. He would escape in the confusion once the target was dead.

Tolucan glanced at his watch. He had four hours to walk to the University, light the fires in the boiler room, set up the protection wards, disable the building's sprinkler system, memorize the summoning spell, and prepare the hair to be bonded to the hunter. A lot of work, but if the Council's agent was killed, it would be worth it.

For a moment, Tolucan thought about what he was doing was right or wrong, but shrugged it off. There weren't many chances to confront a member of the Council, especially one as powerful as the target seemed to be. If Tolucan could complete the assignment, his stock inside the Brotherhood would rise considerably, plus it would show Aedre and the twins who was best. That thought cheered him up.

By now, he was mingling with the rest of the people ready to board a bus for the trip downtown. Tolucan boarded the bus, paid his fare, and took a seat all the way in the back of the bus Anyone that care to notice him would have seen a short and pudgy man with thinning red hair, wearing a worn suit with a large lunch box with a look of pleasant eagerness on his face.

What they wouldn't see is the years of destruction and crime that Tolucan had committed. He'd grown up in the slums of a city somewhere in northern Europe, where the winters wet cold and wet, the summers hot and dry. His father had been a drunk, his wife having left him and their two-year-old son. It didn't take long for the boy to learn to avoid his father, especially when the elder man had been drinking, which was most of the time. He took to the streets at an early age and learned to survive.

As he grew, the boy had found a fascination with fire. He loved the way the shifting flame would eat through most things it touched. At first, he was content to watch fire, but soon began setting fires of his own. They were small at first, a trash can here, a dumpster there. Over time, the targets of Tolucan's fires grew larger and larger. By the time he was twelve, he was setting abandoned buildings on fire, watching in delight as the fire department fought the fires.

The local underworld soon drafted the boy into the work of arson. An eager student, he soon learned all the ways to set and use fire to commit crimes. His infatuation with flame was still there, but more controlled. For fifteen years, he moved through the underworld, with fiery monuments making his path.

When a contact had told him of someone who was looking for someone of his talents for something bigger, the arsonist leapt at the chance. That someone had been a shadowy figure named Alpha, who promised to give the young man that ability to control the element he loved - fire. It been years since he'd spoken his real name out loud, having been given the name Tolucan as a symbol of his entry into the Brotherhood. In the war with the Council, he'd shown his abilities. The assassination of the Council agent would be just another feather in his cap.

Twenty minutes later, the bus stopped near the University grounds. Tolucan stepped off the bus and smiled as he walked through the gates that symbolized the University. It was going to be a good day....

Rei picked at her breakfast, wondering when she'd lost control of her own life.

She was alone, in her own apartment. If it wasn't for the small pile of boxes on a nearby table, she would have chalked up yesterday as a vivid dream. A dream she didn't know how to react to.

She poked at her food again, her mood a mix of pleasant memories and guilt. It wasn't that the day before hadn't been enjoyable. Quite the contrary, it had been the most relaxing and fun day she'd had in years. Setsuna had shed the cool and aloof persona Rei had know for so long and acted more like an older sister.

They made their way through store after store, buying a dress here, a blouse there, spending more money then Rei could remember in a long time. To keep from being recognized and attracting attention, both Senshi used accounts set up under false names for such a purpose.

They'd eaten lunch at a small cafe, then continued shopping. Not once did the conversation between the two touch on anything important or serious. When they returned to the Palace, they had a light dinner before Setsuna left her. After glancing over the daily security reports that Marcus had left for her, Rei had gone to bed, feeling relaxed and cheerful for the first time in a long while.

But this morning....

She closed her eyes and leaned back. Why did I allow myself to be rail-roaded by Setsuna? She asked herself.

Admit it, that voice inside her said, you enjoyed yesterday, didn't you?

But I have a responsibility to the Queen!

The voice was silent. Frowning, Rei stood and went over to the packages and opened one. A white, long sleeve sweater sat in the box. She ran her fingers lightly over it until she spotted the small folded paper laying just inside the collar. She picked up the paper and opened it.

Rei,

Rei read the note and scowled. "I am not going to be dictated to by Setsuna," she hissed. She dropped the paper onto the sweater and opened another box. The burgundy skirt was there, along with another sheet of folded paper. She opened it and read the contents.

I'm not dictating to you, just making a suggestion. After all, I do have some experience in fashion design.

Rei looked at the note before sighing and pulling the skirt out of the box. She knew Setsuna well enough that it was no use asking questions like, 'how did she know?' For one, the Senshi of Time wouldn't answer the question. And even if Pluto felt like giving an answer, Rei wasn't sure she wanted to know.

"I'd better get this over with," she muttered. She'd have to call Marcus and tell him she wouldn't be in until after one o'clock. Everything else could wait.

The shrill ring of an alarm clock started in the small bedroom. From the covers of the nearby bed, an arm reached out and slapped the snooze button before withdrawing under the warmth of the blanket again.

There was silence for several minutes before Raiden stuck his head around the doorframe. "Time to get up," he said cheerfully.

The lump moved slightly under the blanket, and something that sounded like 'ger erway' came from it.

"You have class in an hour," the cat said.

"Er...dot...care," the lump replied and stopped moving.

Raiden sighed. Alan clearly was not a morning person, and sometimes trying to get him up was like dealing with a four-year-old. "Come on, or you'll late."

"So?"

Raiden sighed again. Did mother have this much of a problem with the then-princess? "So," he said calmly, "if you don't get out of bed, I'll shred your homework assignment that's due today."

A pair of green eyes glared at him balefully from under the blanket. "You wouldn't dare," he said, his voice clearer now, his tone dire. "I had to spend most of the evening working on that stupid thing!"

"Call it an incentive to rise and shine."

"All right," Alan muttered, throwing the covers back and sitting up. "I'm up. Satisfied?"

"No. 'Up' as in out of bed, take a shower, and dressed. You have fifteen minutes."

Alan glared at him. "You'll make someone a wonderful mother someday," he growled.

Raiden looked hurt. "If you're going to act like that, I may just shred it anyhow."

"Do that, and you'll end up being part of the CT Symphony as violin strings," growled Alan as he stood up.

The cat shrugged. "Well, now that your blood is pumping and you're up, I think I can let you keep the paper."

Alan's answer was a thrown pillow, which Raiden dodged before dashing out of the bedroom.

The day was bright and cheerful, though Alan's mood didn't match. He felt moody and on edge for some reason, but didn't know why. There was something in the air, but what?

After turning in his paper, he spent most of the class sitting in the back, listening to the instructor drone on about collecting different forms of mana for certain spells. Finally, he mentally said, {Grandfather?}

The answer was immediate. *Yes?*

{Do you feel something wrong?}

*Wrong?* There was puzzlement in the elder man's voice. *In what way?*

{There's something going on. Can you feel it?}

The wizard was silent for a moment. *If I could use my magic, I would be better able to tell you if your feelings have some validity. I cannot tell you that your feelings are wrong, but I cannot confirm your feelings.*

{What could be causing it? Assuming I'm not just being paranoid.}

*I will not dismiss your feelings as simple nerves until we can rule out all possibilities. You are sensitive to air mana. It is possible that you have some sensitivity to other forms of elemental mana.*

{So?}

*You might be sensing a source of mana that is higher then normal.*

{Do you know a spell you would use to find out if I'm right?}

*You mean teach you a spell?*

{Yes. Between you, my classes, and Pyrite, I've been exposed to a large amount of magical knowledge. Maybe it's time to expand my spell base beyond the known internal matrices.}

*I don't know. If you already have a matrix for a similar spell within you, it would overwrite anything you try.*

{Look at it this way. If I do have a internal matrix for a similar spell, casting another spell would either prove or disprove it's presence. Besides, none of the spells I now know are informational. They're mostly offensive defensive type spells.}

Alisin was silent for a moment. *Very well. However, what I will teach you is more of a...I believe Guardian Pyrite would call it a technique, then an actual spell.*

{What's the difference?}

The technique doesn't require using a spell matrix. It has more in common with Mage sight then spell casting.*

{Great!}

*But only after your class.*

{Bummer.}

*It will take me some time to find the right way of teaching you the technique. In the meanwhile, you are not going to neglect your studies.*

{Fine. There's only about twenty minutes left.}

*Very well. After class.* With that, Alan felt his Grandfather withdraw from his awareness. He blinked twice, sighed, then focused on the lecture.

Tolucan double-checked his preparations. The heating elements were turned up to it's maximum, the blue-white flame dancing merrily. There were two circles drawn on the floor between the two boilers. One was two meters across, outlined in blue chalk with several strange symbols drawn inside its circumference. Three meters away, the second circle was half again as large, outlined in red chalk, with a small metal sphere sitting in the middle of it.

The boiler room was silent. He'd taken the opportunity to lock the main door leading upstairs, then used a small spell to wield the lock shut. When his spell was cast, a locked steel door wouldn't be much of an obstacle. For the other entrance, his escape route, he'd simply rigged a fire trap to prevent anyone else from using it. Unless someone raised the alarm immediately, no one could stop him from his casting.

The fire wizard closed his eyes and felt the level of fire mana in the air. Not quite enough, but close. He checked his watch. According to his information, the Windwalker would pass near this building within the half hour. Perfect.

He stepped carefully into the smaller circle, sat down, and crossed his legs. He estimated that it would be another five minutes before the right amount of fire mana was in the air to complete the spell, but he could start the process.He closed his eyes and started chanting in a language that had died out over ten thousands years ago.

After several minutes, a ball of flame began to coalesce around the metal sphere. It grew larger, slowly forming itself into a humanoid form as it did so.

Class finally ended.

Suppressing the urge to start bombarding his Grandfather with questions, Alan walked out to the building into the sunshine of the courtyard. He squinted, shielding his eyes in an attempt to find a quiet spot to try and cast a spell.

He spotted a tree free of students, and hurried over to it. After glancing around, he sat down with his back against the tree and closed his eyes. {Grandfather?}

*I am here and I have found a technique that will be suitable,* the wizard replied. *Are you ready?*

{Yes.}

*Very well, then. Elemental mana isn't noticeable unless you are actually looking for it. That is what we are going to do here. First, empty your mind of all distractions.*

Alan did so, and he felt his teacher's nod of approval. *Now, feel the air mana around you. Imagine yourself as a leaf floating in the breeze.*

Alan felt something brush across his mind, like a light breeze. {I think I've found it.}

*You have,* replied the Elder wizard. *Now, just keep concentrating on the flow of air around you. Don't reach out for it, just relax and let it flow around you.*

Alan felt light-headed and at ease. As he relaxed, his sensitivity to the mana around him became more pronounced. The mana caressed his mind with gentle touches that gave him a feeling of delight. For several minutes, the young man immersed himself into the flow of mana.

*That is enough for now.*

Alan opened his eyes. {Wow. That's some feeling.}

*That's good. The next step is to expand your sensitivity to other forms of elemental mana. Let us start with earth mana, as that is nearly as abundant as air mana. Place you hands on the ground.*

Alan did so. {How will I know when I feel earth mana?}

*You will know. I do not know what you will feel, but you will know it. Imagine yourself as a rock in the earth.*

{All right.} Alan relaxed and let his mind drift towards the ground. For several seconds, he felt nothing, and something bumped into his mind. The collision wasn't painful, but Alan flinched in surprise. {What was that?}

*That was earth mana. Your mind sees the mana as a rock, as it see the air mana as a breeze. Relax and try again.*

Alan did so. After several seconds, another something bumped into his mind, then another. After several more 'rocks' nudged his mind, Alisin said, *That is enough for now.*

Alan opened his eyes and looked around. He wiped his eyes and took a deep breath. {That was interesting.}

*It was,* Alisin agreed. *You have more sensitivity to elemental mana than I thought.*

{So what does this mean?}

*Whatever you are feeling uneasy about, it doesn't have anything to with air or earth mana.*

{So what I'm feeling might have something to do with fire or water mana?}

*It might.* Alisin was silent for a minute. *Both water and fire mana are not as prevalent right here as both air and earth mana are. They will be more difficult to feel.*

{We should try at any rate.}

*You are right. Which one do you want to try first?*

{Let's try fire. How should I undertake this?}

*Relax and empty your mind again.* After Alan did so, Alisin continued.

*Since fire mana isn't common, it will not be as strong as earth and air. You first must associate the fire mana in the air with a feeling.*

{In what way?}

*How about associate it with heat? The more fire mana in the air, the hotter it will feel.*

{Sounds like a plan.} Alan drifted into a reverie, his mind repeating, 'heat...heat...heat....'

His mind began to feel warm. Suddenly, a wave of intense heat hit him like fire from a blast furnace. Pain and heat threatened to overwhelm him, and he felt himself falling. "Yeow!" he yelled, his trance snapped cleanly. It wasn't until he opened his eyes did Alan realize that he'd fallen over onto his side.

*Alan!* snapped Alisin worried. *Are you all right?*

Alan blinked. "I think so," he said unsteadily, pushing himself back into a sitting position.

*You're speaking out loud.*

{Whoa. What the hell was that?}

Alisin's voice was serious, but he didn't quite keep the worry out of his tone. *A large source of fire mana, and not too far away.*

Alan looked around. A couple of students closest to him gave him funny looks, but Alan ignored them for now. {I take it that much fire mana is not normal.}

*It is not.* Alisin was silent for a moment. *That much mana indicates someone is using fire magic.*

{Are you sure? It could -} Alan's thought was lost as the side of the near-by History Building exploded outwards in a shower of bricks, motor and flames. Alan threw his hands up just in time to keep several small chunks of debris from hitting him in the face. Ignoring the pain, Alan dove around the tree to place the large oak between him and the explosion.

"What the hell was that?" he shouted, his ears still ringing from the explosion.

*I don't know, but we must find out.*

{Why?}

*Because unless I misread your reaction, that is the source of the fire mana you felt.*

Alan leaned around the tree to look in the direction of the hole in the History building's wall. The hole was huge, over a story tall, and several meters wide. Sheets of flames emanated from inside, quickly racing up and through the structure.

{What the hell could've caused that? A fire of-} For the second time in as many minutes, Alan's thought was lost.

Something came walking out of the inferno. For a split second, Alan thought it was someone wreathed in fire, but after the figure come out of the smoke and flame, he quickly realized that he wrong.

The creature stood a full four meters tall and half as wide, with thick legs and arms and a lump between its shoulders where a head would be. There were no facial features, and the large hands had only three fingers. Flames flickered up and down its body, distorting its shape and size every single second. The flames themselves were a mass of red and yellows that added to the unearthly appearance of the creature. A sound like a hissing bellow emanated from it, even though it didn't have a visible mouth.

*By the Ancients!* Alisin said in disbelief.

{What is it?}

*A fire elemental - a creature composed purely of fire!*

{So that's what I felt.}

*Yes.*

{Is this a bad thing?}

*Very much so. Its appearance here can not be natural.*

{You mean someone SUMMONED it here?}

*I do.* Alisin's voice was grim. *Someone with access to strong elemental magic did this.*

{Aren't we jumping the gun here? Maybe it was an accident.}

*No. Creating a portal from this plane to the Elemental Plane of Fire cannot be done by chance. Someone with the knowledge and skill has done this. Someone with ability in fire magic. That is why you felt the large amount of fire mana just now - someone was using that mana to create the portal.*

{Could you do something like that?}

*When I was in my own body, I could have summoned a similar elemental, only mine would have been from the Elemental Plane of Air. But to summon such a creature is not a simple or short task, and the summoner must prepare well ahead of time.*

Just then the creature started towards Alan, A small ball of flame leapt from its fingers and slammed into the tree Alan was sheltering behind. Alan threw himself back from the small fiery explosion, scrambled to his feet, and ran.

The entire area was in an uproar. Students were fleeing for any chance of safety. Alan wove through the crowd, not bothering to look back.

*Alan!* shouted Alisin. *Stop running!*

{Why?}

*I believe you are its target! It will kill anyone between you and it and it will not stop until you are dead. Do you want all these people to die?*

{NO! But what should I do?}

*You must distract that thing to allow the other students to escape!*

A scream behind him caused Alan to turn and look behind him. Several yards away, a student was staggering, flames running up his arm from a near-hit. Another student tackled him and the two fell, the second using his bare hands to slap out the fire.

*That thing cannot be stopped simply with Low Magic!* said Alisin quickly.

*We must lead it away from any innocents!*

{Why me?}

*Because you can possible affect it! Elemental Magic is High Magic, and you are one of the few on this campus that can use it!*

{Why don't I grab a fire extinguisher and douse the sucker?}

*There is no time to go looking for such an item! The creature is a menace to anyone in it's path. You must lead it away NOW!*

The fire creature was moving towards them, occasionally tossing fireball in random directions. There were several fires scattered throughout the courtyard, though Alan didn't see any bodies. {I don't have any choice, do I?}

*Not if you want to save lives.*

Alan grimaced, and began working his way through the crowd at an angle. *I need data. How smart is this thing?*

*Not very.*

Alan freed himself from the last of the panicked students. {So, if I get it's attention, it should come after me?}

*Yes. It is not a smart creature, but it is powerful.*

The fire elemental turned towards them. A blazing arm slammed into a tree trunk, the wood explosion from the flame and power. It moved towards Alan, its movements ponderous but direct.

"WIND SHEAR!"

The wave of air leapt from Alan's hands and struck the fiery figure. The impact knocked the creature back a couple of paces, but it steadied itself, made a noise like a steam horn, then hurled a couple of fireballs back at its attacker.

"FORCE WALL!" The blue wall came up just in time to take the blazing impact, but Alan still could feel the heat. He continued to pour mana into the spell until the last sparks died.

The monster was moving towards Alan again. *You have its attention,* said

Alisin urgently, *now RUN!*

Alan did so.

There was half a dozen instructors in the third-floor conference room, call together to discuss the apparent cheating of a couple of students involved in the magic curriculum. Just as Professor Pines was outlining his suspicions, Pyrite's attention was suddenly diverted by a sense of strong magic in the air.

He frowned, and closed his eyes. There was something out there, but not something his was familiar with. It felt sort of like Alan's magic, but it definitely was something else. He wove a detection spell and frowned at the indicators he saw in the glowing sphere on his fingertips.

"What's wrong, Dean?" asked Gillian McIntyre, one of the junior instructors.

"There's a unusually strong concentration of mana coming from the East," he replied, still staring into the sphere.

Suddenly, an explosion rattle the conference room's windows. One of the professors, a tall, shallow-faced man by the name of Inn stood and went over to a window that overlooked that part of the campus. "There's some sort of fire," he said quietly. "It's right near the History building."

"How bad?" asked Pyrite in a half distracted manner, his mind puzzling out the sudden and intense concentration of mana.

Several smaller explosions answered Pyrite's question the sound of an explosion. Several of the instructors started casting detection spells, but the Dean was faster. "It's High Magic of some sort," he said.

"But who's using it?" asked McIntyre.

"What about that Independent studies student of yours?" asked Pines. "Alan somebody-or-other."

"It's the wrong type of mana for one of his spells," replied Pyrite,

"but -"

Inn's face became pasty white. "Oh, my God," he breathed, still staring out the window. "Dean, you better come see this."

Pyrite moved swiftly to the window and looked down. The others followed, concerned at their fellow instructor's worry. A small number of students were running past the building. As they dashed past, another explosion, closer then the others rumbled from the behind them. Smoke was beginning to congeal in the air, but Pyrite spotted a well-known figure running after the student. He turned briefly, his shout of "HURRICANE PUNCH!" and the distortion of air as it flew from his fist only confirmed his identity.

Pyrite watched the blast of air race away from its caster and crash into its target. One look was all the Dean needed to see. What in the Abyss? A Fire

With the help of Alan and Alisin, Pyrite had expanded his limited knowledge of elemental magic considerably. Through his conversations with Alisin, Pyrite's familiarity of elemental magic went from being vague concepts to solid underlying principles. He had thought that he knew more about elemental magic then just about anyone else in the world.

But now, the foremost mage on Earth found himself looking at a powerful example that there was someone else that knew more about magic involving the basic elements then he did.

Part of him wanted to immediately go take a closer look at the elemental.

That thought was choked off quickly. "Gillian, alert Internal security," he said briskly. "Tell them we have a Class Two-C magical emergency here. Ron, Jack, I want you to coordinate with campus security. I want to try and isolate that thing until we can eliminate it. Don't get in its way - nothing you can do is going to slow it up."

"What is that thing?" asked McIntyre.

"A Fire Elemental," replied Pyrite, remembering a story the King had told him at a dinner some time back about having to fight several of them. The fire creature continued forward, the air attack shrugged off like an annoying insect. But this one is larger then the ones Endymion had to fight.

Just then, the building shook as the creature tore out a section of wall.

Pyrite allowed some sharpness to creep into his voice. "Move!"

Most started for the door at once. "What are you going to do?" asked Inn.

"Talk to Alan and see if he can explain things." With that, Pyrite tele-ported.

Rei's senses became alert as soon as she saw the first group of panicked students come racing. She'd just entered the campus, dressed as Setsuna had suggested, so she didn't look like the Senshi of Fire. Which explained why she was nearly run over by the frightened mob. Only her long experience in combat kept her from being swept away, fighting to get clear of the rabble. As she staggered clear, her wrist communicator beeped.

She spoke into the receiver. "Mars here. What's wrong?"

Marcus answered promptly. "We've just been notified that there is a Class Two-C magical emergency at the main CTU campus."

Rei frowned. Class two meant that someone had either accidently or purposely used a spell that had caused damage. The C tacked on at the end denoted the spell was still active. "Alert MRT Two and get them over here ASAP. Teams One and Three are on stand-by." MRT were 'Magic Response Teams,' tasked with containing and defusing damaging spells in Crystal Tokyo. Most of the time, they provided an added safeguard in police confrontations that involved either magical items or magic users.

"Understood," Marcus replied.."MRT ETA is ten minutes. What are you going to do?" He was one of the few that actually knew where she was going at that time, though not the reason why.

"I'm going to investigate. I'll stay in contact. Mars out." She ran for some trees, her henshin stick out and ready for use. While she was aware of the seriousness of the situation, she wasn't about to give anyone a free show.

A grey blur shot towards her from the nearby bushes. "Lady Mars!" it cal-led out. It slid to a stop at Rei's feet.

"Raiden?"

The cat looked agitated. "We've got problems."

"I know. Alan's involved, isn't he?"

"Probably."

"Figures." She held up the Henshin stick. "MARS POWER MAKE-UP!"

Theta watched the fire elemental as it moved ponderously after its prey. The view was somewhat distorted, as the camera attached to the small aircraft was cloaked in a invisibility spell, but the screen showed enough.

He heard Aedre's hiss of disgust from behind him. He turned and looked at her. "Would you care to comment?" he asked, his voice even

Aedre returned his look. "It's too showy," the tall, thin woman said. "Even if Tolucan manages to kill him, CT's Internal Security goons are going to be all over this like ants over sugar. The cream of the magic-using world teaches there, and it isn't going to take them long to figure out how it was done."

"By then, we'll be free and clear," replied Theta. "Tolucan's orders were to destroy all possible traces of our involvement."

"Assuming the target hasn't found a way to neutralize Tolucan's 'pet' before then."

"That is why you are here. If he does fail, you'll be in a position to know what mistakes he made so as to not repeat them yourself should the need arise."

"I still don't like it," she said flatly.

"You don't have to like it. You only have to watch."

The Furahata Special Training Arena was in use again.

Unlike with the training sessions with Alan, Azurite had made doubly sure the protective shields were in place and cranked up to maximum. The training session going on in here would have kill a normal human being, but neither one involved in the session was human, at least physically. They had been at for most of the morning, at a pace that a normal human would have found insane. To the participants, it was a good workout.

Titanite spat out a mouthful of artificial turf and made it up as far as her knees before groaning. Watching her carefully, on the off chance Ti tried an uncharacteristic sneak attack, Azurite asked innocuously, "Are we done?"

"You kidding? I'm just...ouch...getting...grunt...warmed up." Titanite rose and shifted into one of her fighting poses. "The real fight starts now!"

Azurite sighed, "You've been watching fighting anime again, haven't you?"

"Well, yeah. Trying to get into the mood."

"Which ones?"

"A little Street Fighter, a lot of Ranma 1/2."

"I knew it as soon as you yelled 'Kachuu Tenshin Amiguriken'. Look Ti, I understand why you wanted to spar with me all of a sudden but -"

"Do you? Do you really understand?" Ti's voice lost it's attempt to sound optimistic and took on a more serious tone, a tone she hadn't used in years. Not since the War....

Azurite had seen this coming from the time Ti had asked for a regular sparring session. "I know there's only one real reason you'd suddenly want to know how to fight a wind manipulator."

Titanite shifted out of her fighting stance, but she still looked ready to fight. "Do you?" she demanded.

The Guardian paused to pick the right words, "Ti, if I thought Alan was any kind of threat I wouldn't be teaching him anything. It was temporary insanity and not even his ...."

"He damn near killed my daughter!"

"That's a bit of an exaggeration. Hem-chan just had a few scratches. I trained her, believe me she can take of herself. She handled herself really well, considering it was a surprise attack." Azurite didn't add that it was a good thing the fight ended when it did, as Hematite had told her teacher that she'd been on the verge of transforming into Senshi Nemesis. If she'd done that, and gone into her warrior persona, there likely wouldn't have been enough left of either Alisin or Alan to pick up with a sponge.

Instead she said, "She's a lot tougher than you think. The only reason she got hurt at all was she was taken by surprise."

"The same as me!" Azurite blinked, Ti hadn't sounded that bitter since Topaz walked out on her. "I'm a joke! That Silver Millennium maniac tried to kill my daughter right in front of me and I couldn't do a thing to stop him!"

"Ti, you were chatting with your daughter while walking in what should have been one of the safest places on Earth. You had the misfortune of running into about the only person in the planet who not only thought Hem-chan was Beryl reborn, but also happened to hold a very large grudge against Beryl. Even you would have to admit that was highly unlikely."

"Unlikely or not, I should have done a better job of fighting! What would have happened if Hem-chan had been alone?"

"But she wasn't. You were there and so was Ami." Azurite sighed. "Ti, it's natural to want to always be there to protect your children. If anything happened to Syl, I'd make those responsible wish that I was as merciful as Beryl...." She broke off as she realized she wasn't helping the situation any. "Look, my point was there's no way to guard against a complete surprise attack. You can't blame yourself that you were stunned by Alan, or should I say Alisin's rampage so you couldn't summon enough power to pancake him. Circumstance like those anyone would have been taken unawares and. . . ."

"You wouldn't! Or Cal!"

"Don't count on it. Neither of us are the hair-trigger warriors we used to be, constantly alert for threats. Living here has mellowed us. In fact, I made a very amateurish mistake a few years before the war and got blindsided right here in CT."

"Come on!"

"Serenity as my witness, it happened. You can ask her if you like though, don't expect much beyond confirmation."

A glimmer of understanding appeared in Ti's eyes. "This is something to do with that mysterious connection between you, Hem-chan, Serenity and Usagi that we all keep pretending doesn't exist, isn't it?"

"Uhm. . . ."

Ti waved it off. "Never mind, I'm sure Serenity or Hem-chan will tell me when the time is right. Forget I mentioned it. So you really got taken by sur-prise?"

"Not my finest hour," admitted Azurite, "and another reason I trained so intensely before the war began. But Ti, war isn't looming over us anymore and power alone doesn't determine the battle. If it did, I'd never be able to beat you instead of whipping your but every time."

"Oh really?" Ti shifted back into a fighting stance. "Like to put money on that?"

Azurite smiled, Ti's bout of self-pity had passed, and without that dis-traction, they could have a proper fight. " If you really think you're up to it, little sister."

"That's Sailor Polaris to you, Guardian!"

Azurite's smile widened. "Elitism rears its ugly head. Looks like I'll have to take you down a notch."

"Take your best shot!"

So, Azurite did.

After what the two would call a 'spirited' fighting session, but any ob-servers would term as a 'Pocket Armageddon,' the battered, but grinning, women called it a draw.

"I haven't had a workout that good in ages," the Guardian said, smiling.

Looking innocent, Ti commented, "Not outside of the bedroom anyway."

Azurite laughed. "Speaking of which, we've wrecked this place and each other enough, so think I'll drop by the campus and ask Pyrite for one of his special massages."

"I'll tag along." Ti brushed at some of the stains on her clothing. "Since

Alan knows you can pulverize him, mentioning the fact I can fight you to a stand still should make him think twice about a rematch."

"Ti...."

"I know, he's really one of the good guys. But there's no harm in giving him a reality check about the powers he's been messing with and how lucky he's been so far."

Azurite shrugged, if that's what it took for Ti to let bygones be bygones so be it. Besides, having determined she could hold her own against a more powerful wind manipulator, Ti was feeling a lot better about herself and accepting that first encounter had been a fluke. With that, the two women teleported to CTU.

Ti and Azure found themselves in a small grove of trees that have been set aside as a teleporting spot on the campus. As soon as they smelt the heavy clinging smoke, they instantly went on alert. They moved out of the grove swiftly, ready for any type of trouble.

The grove was on top of a small hill near the center of the campus. A haze of dark smoke hung over the buildings, and several fires could be seen scattered across the area. The pair just stared at the scene for a few minutes.

Then, sounding her normal chipper self, Ti asked, "So, did we miss any-thing?"

Alan raced around the corner of the engineering building. The creature was big, strong, and it continued after Alan with the single-mindedness of a starving dog going after a bone. Alan didn't have the time to do more then toss a series of air attacks at it in-between long sprints to try and keep some distance between them. While the fire elemental was slow, it didn't waste any time or trouble by dodging trees and buildings. The destruction in its wake proved that. He had also found out it didn't like fire extinguishers. When he'd come across several of the red canisters in a alcove, he stood his ground and used the extinguishers. After hosing the creature down with a couple of them, he found that while they did temporarily dampened the fiery entity, it also seem to make it more enraged. A fire ball had come close to striking Alan as he scram bled for a third extinguisher, forcing him to abandon the idea for now and run for his life. The creature followed, its fire returning and burning just as brightly as it had before.

Still, it was slow, and Alan had taken advantage of that by peppering the creature with assorted 'wind shears', 'hurricane punches', and the occasional 'stress sphere' as he ran. Like the extinguisher, the spells had a momentary effect, but the creature continued after him, shrugging off the attacks.

He raced through the now-deserted main courtyard and charged towards the administration building. {What else can you tell me about these type of creatures?} he asked his grandfather, trying to ignore his burning lungs and unsteady legs.

He also ignore his singed clothes and a few spots on his arms that had been reddened by a couple of near miss fireballs. {For example, how is that thing keeping its form?}

*It is a living embodiment of the element.*

{It seems to be subjugated to basic laws of physics.}

*It is, but -*

"Alan!"

Alan saw Pyrite standing in a doorway motioning to him. He angled towards the Dean and push himself as hard as he could to cover the short distance. As he stopped, his legs buckled., and only Pyrite's quickness save Alan from landing on his face. "Are you all right?" the mage asked. "Just...a bit...winded," Alan replied. "I...can't stay long. I think... I have about a two minute lead on that thing." He felt Pyrite attach something to his forehead, but he ignored it in favor of inhaling deeply.

"Alisin," said Pyrite quickly "That thing is a Fire Elemental, correct?"

*It is,* the Windwalker replied grimly.

"This wasn't an accident?"

*No. Someone is maintaining a portal to the Elemental Plain of Fire, controlling the creature and supplying it with a steady infusion of fire mana.*

Alisin's voice became hard. *And I cannot think of more stupid thing to do.*

"Why? We've never discussed opening portals to the elemental planes before, but I assume it's dangerous."

*It's very dangerous. In order to summon such a creature, a portal must be established with the plane. Once the creature is here, the summoner must keep the portal open, as well as bid the creature to do their bidding.*

"Why worry about keeping the portal open?" asked Alan.

*In order to supply the elemental with mana from its own plane.*

"To keep it from 'adjusting' to the mana on this planet?" asked Pyrite.

"Huh?" asked Alan.

Pyrite sighed. "The creature has some sort of...'lifeline' that allows it to draw mana from its own plane of existence."

"Sort of like a umbilical cord?"

*Exactly. A creature with dependency on mana from its own plane is easier to control and to banish once the service is completed.*

"But if the portal is not operational, the creature starts drawing on its elemental mana from this world, making it harder to banish it."

*It does. Also, the mana from its plane of existence makes it more difficult to kill outright, as it has a steady supply of mana to replaces what it loses.*

Pyrite frowned. "This sounds very much like a demon summoning ritual."

*There are similarities between the two, yes.*

"Including what happens should the summoner loses control?"

*Should the caster loose control, or is the portal is shut down, then the creature will run rampart in an effort to get at the one who summoned it.*

"I can't think of a nicer thing to happen to whoever it is right now," said Alan between breaths.

*The damage will be extensive,* replied Alisin angrily.

"We're not having a lot of luck slowing it down so far," countered Alan. "Every time I try to stop long enough to fire off a spell, it starts throwing fireballs like Nolan Ryan in a bad mood. I've manage to hit it several times, but all I seem to do is make it mad."

"What happened when this thing appeared?" asked Pyrite

"It blew that wall out of the history building and came charging out setting fire to everything it touched. Alisin told me that I might be able to affect it with my spells, but I've managed to do is have it chase me." A ear-splitting shriek made Alan wince. "I can outrun it, but that sucker is relentless."

Pyrite looked in the direction Alan had been running from. "If Azure was here, she'd pull all the air away from around it and let it snuff out inside a vacuum bubble. But since she's not, it's a good time for a field exercise, Alan."

"What?" The look on Alan's face was shock. "This isn't a holodeck sim! If I screw up, I'm a crispy critter!"

"We don't have a lot of choices right now."

"What have you done?" asked a familiar female voice.

Alan closed his eyes. "It's not my fault, it's not my fault," he muttered.

Senshi Mars ran over to them, her concern clear on her face. "What's happening?"

*Someone has summoned a Fire Elemental to kill Alan,* replied Alisin. *Alan has managed to distract the creature from most of the students on the campus, but we have not come up with a way to stop it yet.*

"I'll go keep an eye out for it," offered Raiden. He trotted over to the corner of the building and sat down, watching the courtyard carefully.

Rei looked at Alan. "Did you had anything to do with summoning it?"

"It's reached the far end of the courtyard," Raiden called out. "Ugly, isn't it?"

"Wrong element," Alan frowned. "Besides, Grandfather says this isn't a spell you can use on the spur of the moment."

*That is true. Only a fool or a very skilled user of Elemental magic would dare summon one. Even if Alan have such a spell matrix, I would not allow him to use it until I was sure he could handle it.*

"We can figure out who is to blame later," said Pyrite. "How do we stop it?"

"Leave that to me," said Rei, her face surprisingly calm.

"Are you nuts?" shouted Alan. "That...thing is turning ANYTHING in its path into a bonfire. I've manage to keep it from turning me into a char-broiled brisket, but even I'm not stupid enough as to go up against it head-on."

Rei walked over to the corner of the building and looked around the edge.

"I see it. It shouldn't be a problem."

"I don't think that fuk-er,...thingie...er, outfit of yours is fireproof and neither are you!" Alan called out after her.

She turned and looked at him. "Do I tell you how to use your air magic?" she asked.

"No, but -"

"Then please don't tell me how to take care of a simple fire Elemental."

"SIMPLE?" Alan squawked. "That stupid lump of flame almost - what are you doing?"

Rei had strode clear of the building until she was ten meters away. "Watch and learn,"

Alan dashed to the end of the building. He glanced around the corner and saw the creature had stopped forty meters away. "Are you insane? That isn't a temple -"

"MARS FLAME SNIPER!"

A bow of fire appeared in Rei's left hand. In a smooth motion, she drew and fired an arrow of flame. The blazing projectile flashed across the courtyard and slammed into the Elemental.

The creature exploded.

The fireball was brief, but died quickly, leaving nothing but the burnt path to ever shown a creature had been there. For a handful of seconds, no one said anything. Then, Raiden shrugged. "That was a bit anticlimactic," he said causally.

Rei dismissed the bow and turned to look at Alan. "You were saying?"

"- fire reading...." Alan finished lamely.

"Now," continued Rei, her voice hard and serious, "who let that thing out and where are they? I have a few questions to ask them. They've violated at least half a dozen laws, and I'm not in a good mood."

Alan opened his mouth to say something, took one look at Rei's expression and closed it. "I have no idea who's behind it," he said finally. "But how did you...."

"I have a special affinity for fire," Rei replied in a slightly cold, detached manner

*She is right.* Alisin voice held some wonder at what he'd seen, *There has always been a special link between the element of fire and those who hold the positions of Mars' Senshi. Fire is part of her soul, hers to command when she so desires. But I had never thought to see it so clearly demonstrated.*

"Does that mean you're immune to fire?" Alan asked Rei. She nodded, smiling. "Of course" he continued, injecting some sarcasm into his tone. "Why am I not surprised?"

"I think the question we should be asking is who summoned it and where he or she is," said Pyrite. "Alisin, Did that creature come out of the History Building?"

*It did,* replied Alisin.

"Then that's where we'll start our search."

"Hi!" said a chipper voice. "Do we miss all the fun?"

Azurite and Titanite strode up to the small group. Azurite looked over at Alan. "Are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Alan replied, trying to look causal and almost pulling it off.

"I just got another lesson in Senshi's power levels."

"We had a small problem," said Pyrite. "Rei took care of it."

"Small problem?" asked Alan. "What's you definition of a large problem?

Godzilla?"

"What was it?" asked Azurite, ignoring Alan.

"A Fire Elemental," replied Rei, striding up to the group, looking almost serene.

"Er...how did one of them pop up?' asked Titanite.

Everyone turned to look at Alan. He sighed. "It's not my fault."

"Are you sure your mother wasn't named Kei or Yuri?" asked an amused Titanite.

"Give him a break," said Azurite. "Alan, what happened?"

"I was minding my own business, after class, when...." Alan summarized the events from the time the monster appeared to when Rei took it out. He finished with, "Then we're about to go looking for the summoner when you two showed up."

"That sounds like fun," Ti said, cracking her knuckles. "Need a hand?"

"I have no problem," said Pyrite. He looked at the Fire Senshi. "How about you?"

"The more the merrier." She turned to look at Alan. "But you're staying here."

"What?" Alan's voice was incredulous.

"You heard me. This is a security matter." Rei raised her communicator. "Mars here. I want a full security detail for one Alan Thomas. Escort him to the nearest safehouse and make sure no hurt comes to him. We have possible perpetrators looking to harm him. Until this is settled, I want you all to take better care of him then you would your own mothers."

"Yes, Lady Mars. A Class A team is on its way. ETA in eight minutes."

Rei nodded in satisfaction.

Alan's face went hard. "Now wait a minute!" he said angrily. "This 'security matter,' as you so quaintly put it, involves me! That late, unlamented firebug was sent to kill me, not you, not the Queen, not even Raiden. And if you think I'm going to go hide while you go storming off after this clown, you are seriously mistaken!"

Rei set her jaw and her eyes gleamed dangerously. But before she could say anything, Azure said. "He should come along."

The dark haired woman turned to look at the Guardian, who returned the stare calmly. "Why do you say that?" Rei asked slowly.

"Because he is part of this. It's clear somebody wants him dead, and he has the right to know who trying to kill him. I know I would if I found myself in the same situation. Besides, there's a possibility that there's another assassin out there, and he'll be safer with us then somewhere else."

"Azurite," said Rei with a trace of suppressed impatience. "We're going to look for people who by all indications want him dead. And you want to bring him to them? Granted, he'll be surrounded by some of the most powerful people in the world, but are you prepared to guarantee that he'd be completely safe? That he won't get in the way of a stray attack?

"We are going after someone or someones, who could use a form of magic that Ami and Pyrite haven't been able to revive." She turned to Pyrite. "You've said that Alisin could no longer take over Alan's abilities, is that right? So Alan couldn't use Alisin's skills? If that's the case, than I really don't want any half-trained whelp around in that battle, especially if he's the target of their attacks."

Alan bristled. He opened his mouth to speak, but a warning hand from Pyrite stopped him. He subsided for a moment, leaving the two woman who'd conclusively proven that they could kill him with a single attack to argue over his fate.

Azurite looked at Rei straight in the eye and spoke softly. "Rei, I would go crazy if I knew someone was after me and I'm stuck in some protective cocoon."She stopped for a half-beat and with the twinkle in her eye, said, "Besides, I have been training him for the past two months, you know. I think he'd be all right."

Rei took a deep breath. "All right," she said finally. "I guess he can come along. But he's to try and stay out of any fight."

"Don't overwhelm me with your confidence," muttered Alan. Rei ignored him.

"It's settled then?" asked Titanite. "Let's get going before this arsonist slithers under a rock."

They clustered together and teleported.

"Well, that was a bust," Aedre commented after the last of the fireball that had been a Fire Elemental dissipated. The mood in the room had gone from watchful, to shock and disappointment.

Theta snarled, "Where did that witch come from?" He turned and angrily strode away from the viewing screen.

The Water Elementalist shrugged. "She is Senshi Mars. Fire is her element.

That much concentration of Fire mana must have attracted her."

"But she just shot the Elemental with an arrow!"

"An arrow made of fire." She turned to look at her superior. "I told you Tolucan was being too flashy for such a task."

"If the witch hadn't shown out the Elemental would have killed him!"

"Well, it didn't, and unless Tolucan gets out of the city real quick, he's going to be next. An attack like that, one that could be traced back to the Brotherhood would give the Council great leverage into bringing Crystal Tokyo onto their side."

Theta nodded, looking less angry. "I'll activate our contingency plans.

We might be able to salvage this yet." He turned and strode out of the room.

Aedre went back to looking at the small gathering in the screen. Her expression was unreadable as she watched the small group on the screen teleport.

After teleporting to the makeshift command center and informing the Civil

Defense people of their plans, the small group teleported to a classroom overlooking the courtyard near the history building.

A glance outside told them the damage that the Elemental had caused was severe. The fire in the History building had died to a few flickers, but most of the ground floor and second floor were black and smoldering. Most of the trees were either twisted charred remains, or still burning. No one was in sight, and there were no bodies visible.

"The MRTs should have a perimeter set up around the building in less then two minutes." said Rei.

Pyrite nodded. "I may need to borrow one of the standby teams. There's no telling how much magic is going to get tossed around when we confront our man."

"Assuming that he didn't take off as soon as the creature got zapped," said Alan, looking somewhat uneasy.

*I doubt it.* said Alisin. *The enchanter must have a link to the creature, in order to direct it and observe what is happening in and around it. Lady Mars' destruction of the Elemental would have broken the link and the summoner would receive a psychic backlash that would, at the very lest, stun them for a while.*

"I'll inform Team Three to stand by in case you need them." said Rei.

The Mage removed Raiden and placed him on the floor. "I want you to stay here."

"You won't get an argument out of me," the gray tigerstripe said. "Just everyone be careful. We're not exactly sure what we're dealing here with."

"When do that little detail ever stop this outfit?" muttered Alan.

Rei heard him. "Well, when you've fought Youmas, Cardigans, Acolytes, -"

"Droids, Nemesian troopers," added Azure.

"Necromancers, rogue telepaths," chimed in Ti.

"And a Fire Elemental," said Raiden

"- A souped up firebug isn't a big deal," Rei finished with a causal toss of her head.

"Oh," Alan said meekly.

Pyrite checked a pair of clear glass balls that he had pulled out of sub-space. "Let's see if out man is there," he said, sounding distracted.

"I don't mean to sound stupid," said Alan, "but what if the troublemaker is there? I mean, how do you capture a guy throwing fire around?"

"Who said anything about capturing him?" asked Azurite.

"Alan's right," said Rei firmly. "If there is some group out to kill him, the sooner we can find out, the better." she looked at Alan. "Master Windwalker, what can you tell us about Fire Wizards?"

*Fire Elementalists, like those who wield the element of water, are more dependent on having a ready source of mana nearby to draw on.*

"They need to stay close to a fire?" asked Alan

*Exactly. As long as Air Wizards have air around them or Earth Wizards stay close to the ground, they can create and cast spells. But Fire Wizards need to have some sort of flame near them to draw on, or they will exhaust the fire mana around them in a short period of time.*

"So if we extinguish all the fires around here, our friend will have problems casting spells?" asked Ti.

*Yes. But there is already a lot of released fire mana in the air that he can call on. It is dissipating even as we speak, but it would be enough to generate a few spells before it's depleted.*

"What else?' asked Rei.

*It has been my experience that they were among the most disciplined members of the Orders, because of the element they wielded.*

"Makes sense," said Rei thoughtfully. "Fire is always dangerous and almost always unpredictable."

*Exactly. There were only a few things more dangerous then an undisciplined fire wielder - to themselves and others.*

The glass balls in Pyrite's hand began to glow softly, their color a shifting pattern of reds and oranges. Raiden cocked his head and looked at them. "What are those?" he asked.

"The closest thing I have to an elemental mana detector at the present time," the Mage replied. "And I'm picking a very strong concentration of fire mana from the basement of the History building." He frowned. "How can he sus-taining the mana flow?" Then, his eyes lit up in understanding. "Of course!

The -"

"The boiler room!" Raiden said suddenly. "They still keep the system intact on the off chance they need it!"

Pyrite nodded. "That means he's probably using the heating elements to generate the concentration of fire mana."

Rei gestured to the damaged building. "It's about the only place left on the campus that has the equipment. Another sign this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment attack."

The cat looked out the window at the history building. "He's found a way to disable the sprinkler system in the building, or else there wouldn't be that much damage."

"Right." Pyrite started to pace. "Now, as I see it our friend was using fire mana to do several things - Hold open the portal to the Plane of Fire, monitor the creature, and power the protection circle he's in."

*Only the creature has been destroyed and he suffered from the reversal,* Alisin put in.

"Grandfather," Alan asked, "how likely is it that the portal is still open?"

*If the wizard was competent in this spell construction, there is a very good chance that the portal is still open.*

"So what's stopping him from bringing across a whole slew of them over at once?" asked Azure.

*Time and mental control, Guardian Azurite. He would have to find the creatures, draw them through the portal, then impose his will on them before they could kill him. He would then have to monitor the mana threads and creature's progress. To do all that with only one creature is difficult. To handle even two would require someone of extreme knowledge and ability, and in top physical and mental shape. Thanks to Lady Mars' actions, I doubt he has the ability to summon another Elemental quickly. There is however, nothing to prevent an elemental from coming through on their own, so if the portal is opened, it must be closed quickly."

"Does that mean we teleport in and attack the portal directly?"

"I don't know how the portal is maintained," replied Pyrite. "The wrong spell used against the portal could do more damage than simply diverting his attention and letting the portal crash on its own."

"So how do you want to do this?" asked Rei.

"I'll go in and see what's going on. If I can take the Fire Wizard, all well and good, but if the portal is still open, my first task will be to close it."

"Do you need any help?' asked Azure.

"Pyrite shook his head. "It's best that I go in alone. The rest of you can cover outside the building, in case the wizard gets away."

"Good," replied Ti, cracking her knuckles again. "I could use a light workout."

"Are you going to teleport directly into the boiler room?' asked Alan.

Pyrite shook his head. "I don't want to teleport blind into a possible combat situation." He motioned out the window to a doorway in the undamaged part of the History building. "I plan to teleport there and go in on foot."

"Good luck, everyone. I'll head back to the command center and try and keep track of what's happening." With that, the cat loped out of the classroom.

Alan watched the cat leave. "You can still leave," said Rei quietly. "No one would think the less of you."

The young man shook his head. "I said I was in, and I'm staying in."

"In that case," said Azure. "The four of us will go first. I'll take Alan and teleport to the west side of the building. Ti, you take Rei and teleport to the east side. Stay together, and if you spot him or her, call for back-up and wait for it. We don't know who or what we're exactly dealing with, so I want a strong enough force to handle anything they can throw out. Any questions?"

No one said anything. Azure went over to her husband and kissed him.

"That's a reminder to you to be careful," she said in a low, husky voice.

He nodded. "You too." With a lingering touch, the couple parted. As they did so, they slipped off the masks of a loving couple and glided back into the well-worn roles of Guardians and, in Pyrite's case, Master Mage. The two teams moved apart and teleported, leaving Pyrite alone. He prepared a shield spell, then teleported himself.

Tolucan sat up slowly, his head incased in a wave of pain. That witch! he thought, his mind still somewhat sharp despite the pain. That arrogant bitch! I was so close!

He stood up slowly, ignoring his own groans and fumbling in his pocket for a vial. He had to leave. No doubt if one of those Senshi was around, the rest wouldn't be far behind. He found the vial, still intact despite his collapse, and pulled it out. He unstopped the vial and swallowed the milky substance inside.

Almost immediately, his mind cleared and the pain lessened.

A sudden thought brought his hand to his chest. He unzipped his jumpsuit and pulled out a crystal that hung on a chin around his neck. It was dull red in color, the length of his hand and twice the width of his middle finger. This was his last resort, his ace up his sleeve should the CT security people corner him. It had been the last thing Theta had given him before he had started on this mission. An insurance device, his superior had called it. The loss of innocent life would be unfortunate, but he could live with that if it allowed him to get away.

The Fire Wizard turned to look at the portal. It hung there, a shimmering mass of air that seemed to radiate heat in waves. He thought briefly about leaving it open, but decided against that. No sense in leaving any clues for them to track - he had already failed in his main mission, to leave evidence such as the portal would only compound the problem. He would close the portal and leave.

Still, while he had the chance....

He pulled out a gem the size of his palm. It was blood red in color, and a flatten diamond in shape. Holding it out, he felt the fire mana in the air being drawn into the gem. It wouldn't be as good as having a fire at hand, but it would give him a source of Fire mana, should he need it. The gem was already almost full, but having every little bit he could cram into the gem wouldn't hurt. And getting some of the pure mana from the Plane of Fire that was floating around the basement, would only be a benefit. After that, then he would close the portal and escape. Hopefully, he would escape in the confusion....

When Pyrite arrived inside the building, the first thing that hit him as the overpowering smell of smoke and burnt materials that saturated the air. Leaving the shield spell ready, but not activated, he wove a filter incantation to sift most of the overpowering odor out of the air he would be breathing. The air was now breathable, but the tang was still there.

The Mage looked around. He'd chosen part of the building that was still intact for his teleporting point. In this case, however, 'intact' was only a concept, one that the fire damage made into a shaky one at best.

The classroom was filled with a mild haze from the smoke, but Pyrite could see the classroom was a total loss from smoke and fire damage. Desks and chairs were strewn everywhere, the result of a panicked escape by the class when the fire was been spotted. Despite the damage, there were no bodies in the room. Satisfied that he was alone, he moved through the doorway to the hallway and carefully looked out.

To his left, the hall was hazy and a fine layer of ash covered the floors walls, and ceiling. To his right was a total loss. Slabs of block and concrete were mixed with broken desks and chairs, electrical equipment, books and papers. All had been touched by fire, leaving a thick laminate over it all. Pyrite could still hear the crackle of fire and the hiss from hot rocks cooling slowly. To attempt passage through that part of the building would be folly.

"Time to go to plan B," he murmured.

He moved across the hall to a stairwell. He glanced down the stairs, looking for any obvious signs of a trap. According to his memory, there were two ways down to the boiler room. The first was the main entrance, which was in the middle of what was now a smoking ruin. The second way was down this flight of stairs, past several storage rooms and through a locked door. Since the first way was through a dangerous and unstable part of the building, Pyrite had decided to take the second way.

Pyrite pulled out a spell gem. The gem, a large bluish crystal cut into a diamond shape, was designed to detect concentrations of woven mana. It had a very short range, however, and if he was right, it would be dangerous to use it as he had originally designed it. He would have to modify it and do so now.

Pyrite let it rest in his palm and started weaving another spell around the gem. For something like this, he preferred to use a spellweaving technique that Maxwell had taught him. It wasn't quick, but it did have the advantage of being hard to detect unless someone was looking for it. He wove as quickly as he dared, as time was critical.

Once he was sure the spell was finished, Pyrite released it at the gem in his hand. The gem rose slowly until it floated several centimeters above his hand.He moved his hand from under the gem and made a pushing motion in the direction of the stairs. The gem drifted down the stairs, slowly brightening as it did so. By the time it reached halfway down the flight of stairs, the entire stairwell was cast in bluish light.

It wasn't until the gem almost reach the bottom of the stairs did Pyrite spot what he was looking for. Several strands, glittering in the navy light, went from one side of the stairwell to the other. With a motion of his hand, Pyrite stopped the gem just short of the strands, and carefully moved down the stairs until he was slight less then a meter away from the strands.

He gazed carefully at the stands. There were a total of five strands, one at about ankle level, one at knee level, and one each at hip, chest and head level. With his eyes, he traced the ends of the strands to two glittering spell matrices placed in the corners of the landing, one on each side of the stairwell. Taking a deep breath, he called upon his magesight and gazed at one of the matrices. He nodded to himself as she saw what was inside the matrix - a compressed fireball. A glance at the other matrix told hit it was the same. He momentarily deactivated both the detection gem and his magesight, then stared at the area where the strands had been. With the exception of a slight haze in the air that could easily have been missed, there was no visible evidence of the pitfall. He called upon his magesight again, and saw the trap as blurry bands that might have been overlooked by someone in a hurry.

Magic, like most art forms, had different styles and spells were like work of arts, and a good mage could tell a lot about the person from the form of their spells and way they used them. Pyrite had chosen this approch in an attempt to discover something about his opponent before confronting them. This trap was a step in that direction.

Pyrite took a step back and reactivated the detection gem. He had expected to find some sort of trap here, in order to prevent someone from barging into the boiler room and disrupting the spell. But he hadn't been sure of exactly what he would find until now. The Mage stared at the trap, his mind working, analyzing what he saw and combining the knowledge with what he knew of elemental magic. This wasn't a crude snare hurriedly set up, but the magical version of a land mine, constructed and designed to be unseen until it was too late, the sign of someone who was well versed in this type of magic.

From the way the trap had been designed, he realized that the fireballs was set to be released when someone came down the stairs and broke the strands. Once the stands were broken, the fireballs in such a enclosed area would kill anyone on the stairs or landing in gruesome fashion. It was clear to Pyrite that whoever had set the spell, they didn't care who got hurt. A person who combined skill with a complete disregard for human life - a dangerous mix.

The Mage mentally went over his options. He couldn't just teleport past and leave it in place - the chance of someone accidently triggering it when he wasn't around was too great. That meant he had to neutralize the trap. Using a small spell, Pyrite traced the strands, looking for how they were attached to the matrices

Fortunately, Alisin's knowledge, while somewhat centered on his own Air magic, was wide-ranging on the basic Elemental arts. Pyrite recalled a conver-sation between him and the Master Windwalker about how some Elementalist had used traps like this to protect valuable property from thieves. Usually, they had a key that would allow the creator to pass through the trap without setting it off. If he could find the key....

He motioned the gem to rise until it almost touched the flight of stairs above it. The next part was going to be tricky. He had to either find the key or find another way to neutralized the trap, and do it quickly. He called on his magesight.

After about a minute of searching, Pyrite shook his head in disgust. Wherever the key was, he couldn't see it. Which meant that he had to deactivate it. But how?

He thought for a moment. The key was the two fireball matrices. If he could keep them from exploding....

Suddenly, he knew how to do it. He began weaving a spell, his mind racing to form the spell's purpose as he did so. As he wove, he saw a thin blue haze begin to form around one of the fireball matrices. As he continued the spell, the haze became more solid, sharper in form and color. After about thirty seconds, the fire matrix was encased inside a solid case of mana, but Pyrite continued spellweaving until he was certain that the mana shield would withstand the unleashed fireball.

He finished the spell, then quickly tested it. Satisfied that it would contain the explosion, Pyrite wove another shield around the other fireball spell, tested it and nodded to himself. He deactivated the detection gem, then pocketed it. He took a deep breath and prepared to teleport just in case he made a miscalculation on the strength of the shields around the fireballs, then stepped through the strands.

Two soft 'poomfs' echoed in the stairwell as the activated fireballs were smothered by Pyrite's mana buffers. Exhaling in relief, the Mage pulled out the detection gem again, activated it and sent it down the next flight of stairs. This time, nothing glowed in the gem's light, and Pyrite nodded to himself. He hadn't expected more then one trap on the stairs, but he wasn't about to take any chances.

Moving down the steps, he slipped through the door and glanced up and down the corridor. The boiler room was now to his left and ten meters away, behind a door in the far wall. With a flick of his hand, Pyrite sent the sensing jewel down the corridor towards the boiler room, but the gem reached the end of the hall without detecting another trap.

Moving quickly, Pyrite reached the boiler room door and used his magesight to examine the entrance. After determining that there was no magic attached the door, he opened it carefully and slipped inside. As he did so, he purposely placed a green gem on the floor, then wedged it between the door and the jam.

The first thing that struck him was the heat. It wasn't the steamy moisture-laden warmth one would expect, but a hot and dry heat, like desert air. Hard on the heels of the heat, he felt the magic permeating the air like a living thing. He hadn't felt this much mana in a long while, a fact that went into the back of his mind for reference at another time.

He found himself in a narrow