"Are they there?"

"Yeah."

"Rough up the guy.  Don't hurt the girl."



Later on...



"Well?"

"Look, we tried. Unfortunately, we got beat pretty bad.  And, uh..."

"Yes?"

"Well, um...er..."

"Well, what?"

"Um..."

"You say what you're going to say or I'll kill you.  Is that clear?"

"Uh, yeah.  Well, you see, ah ha ha, well-"

A hum began to resonate through the room.

"Ok! Ok!  Well, we accidentally knifed the girl."

"You accidentally knifed her?"

"Yeah, well you see-"

"That's your first and last mistake.  Goodbye."  

A blast of pure energy emanated from the shadows.  All of the thugs were instantly destroyed.



Meanwhile, at the hospital...



"I really hope that Lita will be all right," said Serena.  The other Scouts agreed.

"However," interjected Luna, "and though I hate to make you feel any worse, I looked at Lita's charts, and 

she has sustained some severe injuries.  I think we'll be lucky if she ever walks again.  She also has to 

regain consciousness."

"Well," said Mina, "we'll just stay here as long as it takes for her to recover."

"Just don't try to help her.  We all know what happened last time", said Amy.

"When I find those guys," fumed Raye, "they're gonna regret this!"

"I'm just so sick of seeing all my friends hurt!" sobbed Serena.



Later that night...



A black portal with shimmering colors has opened up in Lita's room.  The rest of the Scouts are asleep at 

different points in the room.  However, this occurrence does not waken them.  A figure clad in a trenchcoat 

steps through the portal.  He points his staff at the portal and it disappears.  He walks to Lita's bedside and 

places his hand upon her forehead.



"Lita, I am terribly sorry that this happened to you, and I take full responsibility.  I only wanted your 

boyfriend to stay away from you, because I think you deserve someone better than him.  This is a telepathic 

communication you will think is a dream.  I have also healed your wounds.  You will recover shortly.  

Goodbye for now."



With that, the mysterious figure left a small box on the table, reopened the portal, and disappeared through 

it.  Raye awoke, having sensed the faintest hint of an immensely powerful aura.  She reminded herself to 

tell the others about it tomorrow, and went back to sleep.



The next morning...



Lita awakes, having made a miraculous recovery.  She packs up her things, including the unopened box.

The following week at school, the newest gossip is raging about the halls.



"Did you see the new guy in school?  He's sooo cool."

"I hear he plays the guitar."

"He's so dreamy.  I wonder if he's available?"



Lita and Amy are eating lunch together in the courtyard.

"I wonder why Serena's late for lunch?  She never misses it," said Amy.

At that moment Serena came tearing around the corner, and skidded to a stop in front of everyone.

"Hey, guys, I heard that that hunky new transfer student is going to be practicing at the school auditorium 

after school.  Let's go check him, uh, it, out!"

Lita agreed.  Amy just sort of blushed.

"Do you mean Mark?" Lita asked.

"Don't tell me you know him, too," Serena said exasperatedly.

"No, no, no. I just bumped into him yesterday and we got to talking.  He's a really nice guy, too."

Serena said, "Well, let's go then!"



At the auditorium, on the stage sat a tall brown haired guy, with a green trenchcoat and a vintage left 

handed Fender Stratocaster, playing as if he were possessed by the spirit of many of the greatest musicians.  

He was playing such beautiful arpeggios, it made the girls swoon.  Serena, Mina, and the others, having 

fought their way to the front of the crowd, stood in awe.  They all blushed

"He's even hunkier in person!"

"Even that gold rose pin on his coat is cool."

Lita said, "He seems to remind me of something I can't quite put my finger on..."

Raye got a psychic flash, and remembered the incident in the hospital.  "It's almost the same," she thought.  

"Well, we can worry about it after school.  We have a meeting scheduled anyway.  I'd rather worry about 

this for the time being."  She giggled, and pulled out her autograph book.



At the back of the auditorium, Adrian, Darien, and Andrew stood together against the wall.

"First she says she's mine forever, and now she's going all gooey over this new guy here.  I'm not sure 

what to think!" Adrian seethed, angry and sad at the same time.

Darien said, "Look, they seem to do this every time any new guy transfers in." 

"I'm sure it's a harmless little thing.  Raye's up there, too, you know," Andrew interjected.

Adrian thought for a moment, and said, "You might be right.  However, I can tell the way Lita's looking at 

him.  I'm not completely convinced."

Andrew and Darien both exclaimed, "Lighten up, willya?  In two weeks none of them will even care about 

this new guy, and he'll be with some other girl."

Adrian thought again, and said, "You're probably right."  However, he still felt a little uneasy.



Raye was sitting in the temple.  Amy was waiting patiently, Mina was being her usual bubbly self, the guys 

were somewhat reserved, the cats were lounging on the windowsill, and Raye was getting very impatient

"Not only is Serena late, but Lita's not here either.  This is really getting annoying.  They're both fifteen 

minutes late.  Adrian, is Lita picking up Serena's bad habits?

"I don't think-"  Adrian began

"No, she's not!" finished Lita.  "I was unpacking my stuff.  Whoever gave me that little rose pendant, 

thanks very much.  It's very beautiful."

"Did you get it for her, Adrian?", asked Darien

"No, not me."

"Well, I know I didn't.  Did anyone else?"

"No," everyone answered in turn.

"Maybe Serena did?" said Mina.  

"Maybe Serena did what?" whined Serena, bursting into the shrine at breakneck speed, and tripping over 

Artemis, who had moved to sit near the door, but now yowled in pain.

"Sorry, Artemis," said Serena.  "Anyway, you always blame me for something.  Waaaaaaaaaah!"

Amy said, "Well, we were just wondering who got Lita that rose pendant she's wearing."

Lita showed it to Serena.  Serena said "That's really beautiful, but I didn't get it for you.  Where did you 

get it from?"

Lita said, "Well, I was unpacking my stuff from the hospital, and I found it.  I must have not noticed it and 

packed it away.  I wonder who it was from?"

Raye said, "Let me see that."  She closed her eyes and concentrated.  "It's faint, but it's there.  Guys, 

there's definitely something going on."

Adrian piped up, "See? What did I tell you.  But no-"

Andrew smacked him upside the head.  "Shut up and let Raye finish talking."

Raye continued, "I felt a strange energy when I was in the hospital with Lita.  I felt it again, but a little 

weaker when we went to see Mark play in the auditorium today.  And I felt it again, still fainter, emanating 

from this pendant."

Adrian spoke up again  "So what's the problem?  He's got designs on Lita.  Let's get him.  He's obviously 

an enemy.  Let's all go kill him."

Luna interrupted.  "Maybe it has something to do with the strange energy readings I found.  There appears 

to be some manipulation of time involved here."

Amy noted, "We should probably be very careful.  We may be dealing with an enemy we can't defeat."

"Interestingly enough," continued Raye, "I can't sense whether or not this is good or evil.  We have a 

mystery on our hands here."

Lita merely pondered the pendant she wore. 



The following morning...



"I'm late!  I'm late!"  Serena ran out of the house, late for school as usual.  She ran full speed down the 

street, and eventually crashed into a six foot tall brown haired guy right outside the school gates.  He 

luckily jumped out of the way before being injured too severely or falling over.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," said Serena

"That's OK.  I had a hunch I'd be bumping into someone today.  I just didn't think that it was going to be 

quite that literal.  I should probably introduce myself.  My name is Mark Tokítosuiseino.  It's nice to meet 

you."

"My name is Serena.  You're the new transfer student, right?  I saw you practicing in the auditorium 

yesterday.  I'd love to stay and chat with you, but I'm going to be la-"

RING! RING! RING! RING!

"-late.  I'll see you later."

"Goodbye, Serena."

Since Miss Haruna made her stand out in the hall for the third time this week for being late (although it was 

only Tuesday), Serena had a little time to think.

"Geez, what a dweeb I am!  One of the cutest guys I've ever seen, and I have to look stupid cause I crashed 

into him because I was late to school.  Real smooth, Serena.  And I don't care what Raye thinks.  He's too 

nice to be any sort of Negacreep.  However, I'll have to stick really close to him to see for sure.  Hee hee!"

Melvin appeared at this point, having come back from doing something Internet related.

"Hey, Serena, what's so funny?"

"Nothing you'd understand Melvin.  Get lost."

"OK, but don't you want to know what I'm doing?"

"Not really, but-"

"Well, that new guy is real smart, so I'm going to try to get him to join the computer club."

"Go away Melvin!"

"What's this ruckus out here?"  Miss Haruna had come to the door after hearing Serena yelling.

"Well, Miss H, Melvin-"

"Don't "Melvin" me.  He does his work young lady, and I don't want you giving him bad habits, like being 

late back to class.  I want both of you back in class now, and I think you're going to have a little detention 

after school with me so you can study for the test on Thursday."

"Yes, Miss Haruna," Melvin said in his whiny manner, and went inside the classroom.

"Detention again?  But Miss H-", Serena whined.

"No buts, or you'll get one tomorrow, too.  Then again, you'll probably get one anyway for being late.  

Inside, now!"  Haruna exclaimed.

Serena moved as fast as she ever had in her life.  "Wow, is she in a bad mood.  She must've gotten dumped 

or something again."





Amy couldn't help but notice Mark in her Quantum Physics and Special Relativity class.  There were only 

a few students there to begin with, but Mark was certainly the most handsome of the bunch.  The rest were 

just Melvin clones compared to him.  Amy made a mental note to find time to meet him, both to get an 

impression of him for Raye, and also to maybe see if he wanted to go to the Particle Accelerator test this 

weekend.  Meanwhile, the teacher was asking a question.



"The problem of the particle in the finite potential energy well is similar to that of the infinite well, but the 

potential energy has the value U sub zero for x less than 0 and x greater than L.  Including six 

undetermined constants, give me the wave functions for the three regions x less than zero, x between zero 

and L, and x greater than L if E is less than U sub zero."



That one was too easy.  Amy could do it in her head and have the answer in a few seconds, as usual. 

Mark said something Amy couldn't quite hear, but she assumed it was the answer.



"That is correct.  Very good.  You got the answer faster than Amy.  She must be ill or something.

"Ah ha ha ha", Amy giggled nervously. "That was impressive," she thought.  "I'll have to make Mark 

priority one now.  That was definitely odd.  Noone ever beats me"

Mark just smiled.



After class...



"Hey, Mark.  Wait up."

"Hmm?  Oh, hello.  You must be Amy, right?"

"Yes, I am.  Umm...I was wondering...uh..."  Now she was at a loss for words.  This day was starting to 

become quite a new experience.  She got beaten to an answer, and now she was at a loss for words, and 

now her mind was wandering about.  Time to snap back to reality.

"Amy?"

"Oh. Yes.  I wanted to know if you would be interested in seeing the particle accelerator demonstration this 

weekend.  My parents got a pair of passes.  I'm going, but I can't find anyone who really has an interest in 

things like that.  My friend Serena certainly doesn't."

"Serena?  Short, blond, hyperactive?"

"Yes, that's her."

Mark replied, "Yes, I bumped into her this morning."  He quickly recounted the encounter with Serena.  "I 

don't think she would be interested, but I would.  Shall we meet somewhere?"

Amy replied joyfully, "Oh, great!  Ahem, I mean", she began, having regained her serious composure, "that 

would be nice.  Maybe we could go to Crown's for some food beforehand?"

"That sounds nice.  I'll meet you there at six on Saturday, shall I?", asked Mark.

"I'll see you there.  Bye."  Amy stood there with a dreamy look in her eyes, watching Mark recede into the 

distance.  Lost in her reverie, she failed to notice the presence of Lita, who had seen most of this and had 

taken the opportunity to sneak up on Amy from around the corner.

"Got a date, have we?", Lita said.

Amy jumped sixteen-and-a-half feet up in the air (she calculated it) and dropped her books.  She also would 

have landed gracefully, had she not landed on her plastic report cover on the way down.  The cover 

overcame the force of friction between it and the floor, and Amy proceeded to take a seat, very hard, in the 

middle of the hall.

"I'm sorry.  Did I frighten you, Amy?", Lita asked with a mischievous smile on her face.

"Yes, you most certainly did!", retorted Amy, quite indignantly.

"Any ways, I made too much lunch as usual.  Want to come share it with me and give me the scoop on you 

and Mark?"

"You heard that?"  Amy blushed red as a beet.

"Well, not all of it.  And don't worry, he didn't see me.  I was hiding around the corner.  I wanted to see 

what you were going to do.  I certainly didn't expect you to ask him out on a date in the middle of the hall."

"Ssh.  Not so loud!"  Amy hustled Lita down the hall and outside, where they ate lunch under a cherry tree 

in the schoolyard.  Amy was embarrased, but she was smart enough not to turn down Lita's cooking. 

"Hey guys, what's up?"  Right on cue, Serena had found Lita (and her lunch) like the radar on a submarine.  

Now with any luck, she could search and devour.  

Lita said in a singsong voice, "Amy's got a boyfriend."

"Really?"  Serena was so surprised, she forgot about food.  "Who is it? Tell me, tell me, tell me."

"It's not what you think," began Amy.

Lita said, "Yeah, she asked him to go to some big scientific thing and dinner with her.  I think it's pretty 

serious."

Amy said, "It's a particle accelerator demonstration.  I figured we might be hungry, so I said we could get 

something to eat beforehand, if that was okay.  That's all."

Serena said, "So when's the wedding?"

"Serena! Really!", Amy said huffily.

RING! RING! RING! RING!

"Well, that's the class bell.  We'll continue this at the shrine after school.", said Serena.



At the shrine...



"So Amy's going on a date with Mark?", queried Raye, somewhat disbelievingly.

"Well, it's not really a-", began Amy.

"Oh really?" Lita interrupted.

Amy said, "He's quite smart.  Anyways I thought that it might be a good way to check out if he is related to 

the new enemy Raye sensed."

Raye said, "I'm not sure if it is an enemy.  That was Adrian's idea.  I just can't really make anything of 

him."  She thought to herself. "I need to get closer to him to see what he's like.  Besides, I don't see 

anything wrong with a date with a hunky guy.  I'll just tell Andrew it's Scout business.  Maybe it'll at least 

get him to lavish more attention on me.  Actually, this could be an interesting bargaining tool."  She 

giggled aloud.

"What was that for?" asked Mina.

Raye was caught off guard.  "Uh...just a little personal joke that came to mind."  Mina didn't look too 

convinced.

"Well," Raye continued, "we can meet on Sunday to discuss Amy's date-uh, reconnaisance mission.  

Ok?"



Saturday...



Amy stood outside Crown's with her notebook.  She checked her watch.  "It's 5:55.  I hope he isn't late."

Just then, Mark came around the corner.  He stopped in front of Amy, and offered her his arm.

"Were you afraid I was going to be late?", Mark asked.

Amy took his arm, and replied, "Not really."

"Shall we go in, then?"

After dinner (which for some reason Amy couldn't quite pin down, was the best she'd ever had at Crown), 

she and Mark walked towards the Science Center where the demonstration was being held.  As they walked 

over the bridge, Mark stopped halfway across, and motioned for Amy to do the same.

"Look at all the stars," he said.

"Yes, I see the Big Dipper, and Cassiopeia, and-"

"No, no, no.  They're so much more than scientific classifications.  Humans are the one who made them 

into shapes.  Science is a wonderful thing, but the heavens have a way of being spectacular without being 

classified.  Look at them for their natural beauty.  Enjoy them for what they are.  Do you see?"

Amy agreed.  She really did see that the stars were beautiful on their own.  Seeing things for what they 

simply are could be a new way to understand them.  She made a mental note to try to enjoy nature more 

often when her studies allowed.



Later on, after the demonstration, they discussed what they had thought about the whole thing.  Amy was 

surprised at how brilliant Mark really was.  He could speak to her on her level.  Not even her parents could 

do that all the time.  They walked through the park, and a commotion caught their attention.  Someone 

screamed.

Mark said, "Wait here, Amy.  I don't want you to get hurt."  He ran in the direction of the sound.  Amy ran 

after him.  She wanted to see what it was, and if she had to call the other Scouts.  She peeked through the 

bushes, and saw Mark with a tree branch holding off the monster.  She saw the monster grab the branch and 

smash Mark with one of its powerful arms.  He went flying over a hedge and hit a tree.  She was going to 

see if he was okay, when there was a flash of light.  A man in a trenchcoat stood in the clearing, facing the 

monster.  He held a glowing staff in his left hand.  Amy stayed put to see what would happen.

"You, how dare you attack those weaker than you, with malice aforethought.  Time's Champion cannot 

allow this.  I, Sailor Halley, shall send you to oblivion!"

Amy thought to herself, "Did he just say Sailor Halley?  This is an interesting development."

Halley leapt through the air, and cracked the beast in the face with his staff.  It roared in agony.  As it 

recoiled from the attack, it saw Amy and went after her.  Amy screamed.  Halley swooped down and 

picked her up just as the monster was going to get her.  He put her down out of harm's way, and turned to 

go after the monster.  It had missed Amy and gotten a face full of concrete, so it was a little dazed.  Amy 

continued to watch.

"Fire and Ice Generation Launch!"  Halley pointed his staff at the monster, and fireballs and icebolts 

erupted from the crystal.  They converged on the monster, blowing a six-foot crater in the ground, and 

sending the creature hurtling headfirst into a tree, which it broke.  

"Amazingly powerful, this Halley is," noted Amy.

The creature struck at Halley.  He leapt out of the way.  "Not done yet, huh?"  He kicked the creature in the 

head. It fell over.  "Looks like your time is up."

Halley hefted his staff above his head and spun it around.  He slammed the bottom of it into the ground.  

"Time Scoop!"  

From her vantage point, Amy pulled out her computer and analyzed the field that was being generated.  

The target was withering.  Her computer told her there was a time distortion in the area.  Amy thought, "It 

must be aging to death.  It must be a time field."

The monster had disappeared completely.  Halley came over to Amy and asked if she was okay.  She had 

just managed to get her computer out of sight, and she hoped he hadn't seen it.

"Yes, fine, thank you very much." she said.  She looked down for a second, slightly embarrassed.  When 

she looked up, he was gone.  She suddenly remembered Mark, and went looking for him.  She found him 

underneath the tree he had hit.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine, just a little dazed."

"It looked like you hit that tree pretty hard."

"Well, I'm fairly tough.  Shall we go?"

It was getting quite late, so Mark dropped Amy off at her home, and drove back to his apartment.  He went 

out on the balcony, and looked at the stars.  In her room, Amy looked out at the stars as well.  Both were in 

a reflective mood.





At the meeting on Sunday, Amy recounted her experience.  Everyone pressed her for details.  When she got 

to the part about the new Sailor, everyone grew pensive.

Luna said, "Artemis, do you think it's him?"

Artemis replied, "I don't know.  I'm not even sure if it's possible."

Serena asked, "Is there something important we should know, Luna?"

Luna paused before speaking. "I'm not sure.  Back in the time of the Moon Kingdom, there was a mighty 

warrior who appeared out of the sky.  He was of unknown origin, or at least no one knew where he came 

from.  He was a disciple of Sailor Pluto.  He was Time's Champion, Sailor Halley.  He helped to save the 

Moon Kingdom from many disasters.  However, he went to fight off an attack that nearly destroyed the 

Moon Kingdom, and he never returned.  He was never heard from again."

Lita said, "Until now."

Artemis said, "Well, the man Amy described could be him, but it could also be our new enemy.  It could be 

merely a disguise, or maybe something could have twisted his mind to its own evil ends.  We really don't 

know.  We all have to be careful.  He is second in power only to Pluto.  His control of time is devastating."

Amy agreed.  "I saw what he did to that monster.  It aged to death.  He is quite a sight to behold."

"Better than Mark?", Mina teased.  Amy flushed.



On Monday...



Serena got up early for once.  It was a lot of effort, especially on a Monday, but she had decided to get a 

hold of Mark and get him to take her out for burgers.  She had thought for hours on the best way to get his 

interest.  "It's almost as hard as studying, but it'll be worth it.  He'll be stunned and amazed by my beauty.  

Ah, ha!  I've got it!  Studying!  I'll tell him I need help with homework.  He won't be able to resist my 

damsel in distress routine.  I am a princess, after all.  Hee, hee, hee."



Serena even got to school early.  She found Mark's locker very quickly, since she'd been spying on him for 

about a week.  She waited, and saw him coming down the hall.  He had the coolest coat, too.  

"Hello, Serena.  You're on time today, I see."

Serena laughed nervously.  "Well, you see, I was wondering if you could help me with some problems I'm 

having with my homework.  Darien really doesn't have the time-"

"Darien? Who's Darien?"  Mark asked.

Serena thought fast.  "Darien?  I don't know any Darien.  I meant to say Molly.  I don't know where you 

got Darien from.  Anyway, will you help me?  Pleeeeeaaaaaasssse?  She started to sob.  I...boohoo...can't 

keep getting these...sniff...bad grades or my parents will disown me!  Waaaaahhhhh!"

"Alright, alright.  Here's a tissue.  I hate to see pretty girls cry.  Miss Haruna had actually already asked me 

to do so.  I can at least tell her you're showing some initiative.  When would you like to meet, and where?"

Serena pretended to think for a minute.  "How about Crown's after school?  We can study and eat, too."

"OK.  How about 3:00?"

"Sounds good.  See you there!"  Serena skipped down the hall, quite pleased with herself.  RING!  RING!  

RING!  RING!  "Oh, no!"  Serena proceeded to run and tripped over her own feet.  She fell right on her 

face in front of Haruna's door.  "I'm late again!  Waaaahhhh!"

Miss H could be heard through the door.  "Get in here, Serena!"

"Yes, Miss H."

Mark shook his head and laughed.  "Strange girl."

As promised, at 3:00, Mark was waiting outside Crown's.  At 3:30, Serena still hadn't arrived.  Mark went 

inside to use the phone to see if she had forgotten and gone home.  As he stepped inside, he saw Serena at 

the Sailor V machine.  He walked purposefully over to her.

"Serena?"

"Wait, wait, I'm winning for once...Oh, no!"  The machine bleeped and squawked, and the words "Game 

Over" appeared in big flashing letters on the screen.  "You had to go and interrupt me and-Oh! Oops!  Hi 

Mark.  Where've you been?  I'm the one who's usually late."

"I've been waiting outside the door for a half an hour," Mark said, quite nonchalantly.

"Oh, I'm sorry.  I should have told you to wait inside."

"Well, since you've had your fun for today, shall we sit down and begin work?"

Overjoyed at the prospect, Serena readily agreed.  She suggested going to  the café.

They started with the day's assignment, and she seemed to get the idea.  Mark couldn't quite figure why 

Miss Haruna had been so adamant in warning him about Serena's supposedly awful study habits.  He'd 

have to ask her...

"Hey Mark, can we get something to eat?  I'm hungry."

"We've only been working for ten minutes."

"I know, but playing Sailor V really takes it out of me.  I haven't eaten since lunchtime."

"All right, all right.  What would you like?  My treat."

They went up to the counter.

"Umm...How about three cheeseburgers, a large soda and two chocolate parfaits."

"What!?"

"I know.  That's not enough.  Throw in two bags of chips and a half dozen donuts, too."

It was all Mark could do not to topple over.  He asked the cashier, "Do you take Visa?"

"Yes, we do.  Please sign this slip here on the dotted line, sir.  Thank you."

"Shall we get back to work, Serena?"

After a while Mark noticed Serena was watching him rather than studying.

"Serena, if you don't do well, Miss Haruna will get mad at me."

"No she won't.  Amy couldn't improve my grades either."

This worried Mark a little.  He thought, "What did I get myself into?"

"Uh, Mark, you don't look too good.  Maybe we should stop for today.  I know.  Let's go for a walk.  I'll 

show you one of my favorite places."

As they were taking a shortcut through an alley, a monster appeared.

Mark yelled to Serena, "Get out of here!  I'll hold it off!"

Serena didn't know what to do.  She could defeat this monster herself but she couldn't transform in front of 

Mark and reveal her secret.  He was doing quite well on his own.  Well, he was.  The monster had gotten a 

lucky shot in and launched him around the corner.  A clothes rack tipped over on him.  He'd be safe from 

the monster, at least.  

"All right, let's go Serena!  Moon--"  

A flash of light.  A tall figure with a trenchcoat, long brown hair, and a really big staff stood in the alley.

"How dare you harass a girl with such beauty.  Time's Champion cannot allow this.  I, Sailor Halley, will 

send you to oblivion."

Sailor Halley launched himself at the monster, shoulder checking it into a building.  Then he cracked it 

over the head with his staff.  It went down hard.

"Time Scoop!"  The monster withered away before Serena's eyes.  Or would have if Serena hadn't been 

glued to Sailor Halley.  

"What a cute guy!" she thought.

"Are you okay, miss?" said Halley.

Serena looked shyly at her feet.  "Why, yes I am.  Thank y-" She looked up, wanting to say more, but he 

was gone.  Mark struggled out from under the clothes rack.

"Are you all right, Serena?"

"Yes I am.  What about you?  That was so brave of you to protect me."

"I'm fine.  Shall we go?  Your parents might get worried if you're home too late.  We both need to study 

some more, too."

Serena didn't want Mark to get too tired out, so she agreed.  She'd have to try and corner him again 

sometime.  And she needed to think about that hunky Sailor Halley some more, too.  He seemed to be a 

good guy to her.



Thursday...



Mark made the bad mistake of not paying attention to where he was going, and collided with Lita, who was 

standing with her back to him.

"Hey, buddy, what's your problem?" she asked angrily, and at the same time launched Mark over her 

shoulder, in a beautifully executed manuever.  However, Mark did an equally wonderfully executed tuck 

and roll in midair, and landed on his feet.  Lita was amazed and a little embarrased.

"I'm sorry," she said.  "I didn't realize it was you, Mark."

"That's okay," Mark replied graciously.  "It's not every day I get tossed around by a pretty girl such as 

yourself."

Lita laughed nervously.  "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, perfectly fine."

"Could you show me how you did that, then?"

"I would love to, but I'm unfortunately in a very big hurry.  Tell you what, though."  Mark pulled out a pen 

and paper.  He scribbled quickly.  "Here's my telephone number and address.  Give me a call sometime, 

and I'll set something up."

Lita took the paper.  She watched Mark recede quickly into the distance.  Even though he didn't look a lot 

like her old boyfriend, there was something oddly familiar about him, as if she had met him before, 

somehow...



That evening, Lita decided to call Mark.  She was quite intrigued.  That move was really impressive.  It 

might come in handy for bashing monsters.  She could teach to the other Scouts.  Serena for one could 

certainly use some agility lessons.  The phone rang three times.

"Hello.  This is Mark.  I'm not here at the moment but-"

"Hello?"  Mark picked up the phone, cutting off the answering machine.

"Hi, Mark.  It's Lita."

"Oh, hello, Lita.  What can I do for you?'

"I really want to learn that neat move you pulled off today.  It might come in handy for-" She stopped 

herself.  She was so nervous, she almost said a little too much.  She paused to collect herself.

"Handy for what?"

"Oh, impress your friends, beat up your enemies type stuff."  She laughed.  

Mark laughed too.  "That's quite humorous.  When would you like to meet up?"

"Well, how about 6:00 tomorrow?  I'm not sure where we can go to practice though."

"Well, if you don't think it too forward of me, I have a small area in my apartment set aside for practice 

space that we could use."

"That's sounds good." Lita paused.  "You have a kitchen, right?"

"You could call it that."

"Well, I'll cook you dinner in return.  Fair deal?"

"I've heard of your cooking prowess.  I'll have to come up with some other stuff to teach you to even out 

the bargain."

"That's okay.  I enjoy cooking."

"Do you still have the address I gave you?"

"Yes, and I know where it is, too.  I'll see you tomorrow, then.  Bye."

"Goodbye, Lita."

She hung up the phone, filled with excitement.  Tomorrow was going to be a really good day.



The following day...



Mina was wondering what everyone else was so excited about with this new guy Mark.  It had been a few 

weeks, and she still hadn't seen him.  So, she devised a plan.  She basically said she was sick and din't go 

to school, ath least not hers.  Instead, she took the opportunity to sneak over to Serena's school, and got 

Serena to tell Miss H that she thinking of transferring in.  As Serena, Amy, Lita and Mina ate lunch that 

day, Mark came by.

"Hi, Mark."  Serena, Amy, and Lita called in unison.  Mark stopped and came over to them.

"Hi, ladies.  I'm sorry, I was lost in thought again."

"Well, that suits you, you're always thinking ahead, just like me."  Amy said.  The others looked on in 

amazement.  This was very odd coming from Amy.  Serena decided to do something about that.

"Oh, yes.  And he's helping me learn how to do the same thing, right, Mark?"

"Umm...sort of."  Mark wasn't sure what to make of this.  He also had to remind Lita about their meeting 

tonight.  "Oh, before I forget, Lita, I just wanted to remind you about tonight."  Now it was everyone else's 

turn to look dumbfounded and amazed.

"Lita!"  Serena cried.  "What are you doing stealing my boyfriend?"

"Um, Serena," replied Amy.  "You've already got a boyfriend."

"So?"

Lita tried to say something. "Well, actually-"

Serena turned to her.  "You butt out! You guy thief!"

Lita knew when doing anything would be useless.  This was one of those times.  She turned back, and 

noticed Mark had taken the opportunity to get out of there.  She also noticed Mina running after him.  "Oh, 

well," she thought.  "Let them fight it out.  Mina will tell us what happens later."



Mina caught up to Mark and grabbed his arm.

"What the!"  Mark exclaimed.

Mina launched right in on him.  "Hi, Mark.  I'm Mina."

"I haven't seen-"

"Yes, I know.  You've never seen anyone as lovely or athletic or charming as me before, right?  I get that 

all the time."

"No, what I meant was-"

"Well, never mind.  Out of all the guys running after me, I've decided to pick you."

"WHAT?"

"I know.  Don't act so surprised."

"Wait a minute.  I've never seen you before.  Do you even go to this school?  And what exactly are you 

talking about?"  Mark was getting a little perturbed at the number of really strange girls he kept bumping 

into.  He hoped this wasn't going to be a trend.

"Yes, I know.  It's a really bad pickup line, but all my friends here said you were really cool and all, so I 

was wondering-"

"If I wouldn't mind taking you out somewhere?"

"Wow, you really are smart.  How did you know?"

"It's all I seem to be hearing.  All right, let's see.  What do you suggest?  I'm running out of places to go."

"How about a movie this Saturday?"

"Hmm, all right."

"Great.  See you there."  Mina let go of his arm and skipped off, happy to have a date.  She could picture it 

now...She would be sitting in the dark romantic movie theater with Mark, and...

"Where did you sneak off to?"  Serena interrupted Mina's daydream rather loudly.

"Aah!  Serena!  Um, nowhere."  Mina tried to sound as innocent as possible.

"Nowhere, my foot.  Mark's mine, I tell you, mine.  Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Lita and Amy came running over.  Amy spoke first. "I think she's a little unstable."

Lita seemed a little irritated.  "And we just got her to shut up thirty seconds ago.  Oh well."

Mina decided a little optimism was in order.  "She'll get over it and be back with Darien as soon as she sees 

him today, as usual."  She checked her watch.  "I'd better get out of here and get home before anyone 

notices I'm gone.  Bye!"



That night...



"That was a great dinner, Lita."

"Did you expect any less?  I do have to admit, though, that this was one of my better dishes.  To tell you the 

truth,  I felt that somehow, this had to be extra special.  I'm not really sure why, though."  She grew more 

serious.  "Do you ever feel that way?"  she asked.

"What way?"  Mark wasn't quite getting it, and he wasn't sure where this was leading.

"Not anything definite, but like a felling of something that you can't quite pin down?"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I do sometimes have dreams.  Sometimes, I'll see someone say something, or 

see a particular situation, and sometime in the future it might actually happen."   

"Well, that's not quite it.  I feel...I've met you before somehow."

"I'm sure I'd remember such a pretty face."  He did, actually, sort of.  But he would feel quite foolish if he 

told her.  He decided to change the subject.  "Would you like to sit out on the balcony and chck out the 

view?  The sky is quite beautiful from here."

"That sounds nice."  They both went out on the balcony and sat down.  "You really have a nice place here," 

Lita remarked.

"Hmm?  Oh, yes, thank you."  Mark paused.  "You know, I can come out here and look at the sky, and it 

makes me feel free, as if I'm restrained here.  It's really quite odd."

"The hospital," Lita said.

"What?"

"The hospital.  I was thinking about where I thought I met you.  I got hurt, and I was in the hospital."  She 

recounted the entire story to him.  Mark was quiet when she finished.

"I don't think it was me.  I haven't been near a hospital in quite a while.  In fact, I can't remember the last 

time I was.  Sorry."

"You must think I'm stupid.  I just met you, and here I am telling you this, and I hardly know you."

"No, it's not that."  

CRASH!  All of a sudden a blast knocked them both back into the apartment.  As Mark got to his feet, he 

was quite glad he had left the sliding glass door open.  A monster suddenly appeared in the window.

"What is that?"  Mark yelled.

Lita said, "I don't know, but let's get it."  She couldn't transform, but she thought she and Mark could hold 

it off until the other Scouts got there.  Amy would shortly get their location on her computer.  Lita launched 

herself toward it, but it was fast and struck out at her.  She braced herself for the inevitable blow, but it 

never came.  It had struck Mark instead, and he went flying against the wall.  She ran to see if was okay.  

He was unconscious, but he was fine other than that.  Lita got quite angry.

"You wrecked my date with a really cute guy.  Now you've had it!  Jupiter-"

There was a flash of light.

Lita looked around.  On the balcony rail stood a man in a trtenchcoat, with a large staff in his left hand.  

She felt a memory return.  "It's you!"

"Yes it is, Lita.  I see you are doing much better."

"Yes, thank you so much.  But who are you, exactly?"

"I don't have time to explain at present.  Sit tight, and I'll see what happens."

"But I'll help you," she said.

"Leave it to me.  I will not be responsible for your getting hurt again."  Lita grudgingly agreed.  She turned 

to get Mark.  She grabbed him and pulled him out of harm's way.  The monster had by now returned, as it 

had plowed its way through Mark's apartment and the rest of the building across from it.

"Hey, you!  Ruining a date is quite an unspeakable act!  Time's Champion exists to ensure the continued 

happiness of the world.  I, Sailor Halley, shall send you to oblivion!"  The monster didn't seem to pleased 

at the outburst, and he charged Halley.

"Talk about a tough crowd."  Hefting his staff, he blocked a tail swipe from the creature, and returned a 

counterattack to its midsection.  It sailed across the room.  Halley flew behind it and cracked it on the head 

before it could crash into the crystal comet sculpture on the table.  "Nice piece of work," he commented, 

and cracked the creature on the head.  It went down.

"This one was all bark and no bite, apparently.  Reversal Bomb!"  The creature shrank down to 

nothingness, and disappeared.  "All right, Lita.  I hate to be rude, but I don't have much time.  What do you 

want to know?"

"Well, who are you?"

"My name is Sailor Halley.  I exist to protect the universe from threats to the timestream."

"What was that whole episode in the alley about?"

"I'm afraid I let my personal feelings get in the way of common sense.  Sometimes I feel that I'm not quite 

myself.  That's why I repaired the damage I caused."

"It was you that gave me the pendant, right?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"It was a gift, to make up for the trouble I caused.  Please keep it."

"It's quite beautiful.  Where did you get it?"

"I don't remember."  Halley's voice became urgent.  "I'm sorry, Lita.  I need to leave.  Please do not tell 

anyone of our meeting.  There are forces here, evil forces."

"Wait, but-" It was no use.  Halley was gone.

Lita ran out to the balcony.  "Why me?" she cried.

Mark staggered up.  "Why you what?"

She turned, startled.  "Oh, nothing much.  I was just wondering why my date had to be interrupted by a 

monster."

"I'm sure it's nothing personal against you, Lita."

"Why did you protect me?  I can take care of myself."

"I would rather that I get hurt than stand idly by while another person, especially someone I care about, 

could get hurt.  I don't have many friends, Lita, but the few I have are very important to me.  I have no 

family, so friends are all I have."

Lita really didn't know what to say or do.  "Um, well..."

"Don't worry about it too much.  I'm fairly tough, and I'll heal eventually."  Mark checked his watch.  "It's 

getting late.  You shouldn't walk home by yourself, so if you can wait while I tidy up this mess, I would be 

more than happy to drive you home."  He began picking up assorted furniture and knickknacks off the 

floor.  Lita went to help him.

"Here, let me."  Mark reluctantly agreed.  He didn't like people around his stuff, but he guessed he might as 

well be able to trust Lita after what had happened.  

She noticed that he didn't have any family pictures.  "Mark, how come you don't have any family photos?"

"Like I said," he replied, "I don't have any family.  At least not one I can remember.  I assume I had one, 

but I've been alone most of my life.  I have scattered memories, but I can't deduceanything from the bits 

and pieces.  They say a man is made up of memories.  I wish I knew where mine were."  

His demeanor brightened.  "Well, let's not get all depressed.  I've got to get you home, too.  Your parents 

will be worried."

Lita was going to correct him, but she didn't want him to feel sorry for her.  She didn't want to ruin any of 

the time she had spent with him.

When they returned to her apartment, she thanked him for the wonderful time she had.  "You can return the 

pots when you've eaten the extra food.  Don't worry about it.  Good night."

"Good night, and thank you, Lita.  Perhaps we can do it again some time."

"That would be nice.  No monsters though.  I'd hate to have to cook for an uninvited guest."



Mark waited until she got safely in the door, and drove off.  He returned to his place, and thought for a 

while.  What was with these monsters that always seemed to be after him or whoever he was with?  Why 

had he felt so comfprtable with Lita?  Was his dream about the hospital only a dream?  There were too 

many questions he had to ask.  And unlike school, there were no simple answers.



Lita sat at the window, looking out at the majestic sky.  The beauty outside reflected the joy she felt in her 

heart.  Heart!  Oh, no! What was she going to do?  Before she had had trouble keeping boyfriends, and now 

she had to choose between Adrian and Mark.   She also mustn't forget about the mysterious Sailor Halley.  

There was still so much she needed to find out from him.  She eventually fell asleep, but she was troubled 

and ecstatic all at the same time.  She decided to take this one step by step.  She loved Adrian, but she also 

discovered she had so much in common with Mark.  Time will tell.



The same night, a short while later.



Mark had a dream.



The sky was black.  The stars had gone out.  Everything was a ruin.  Dead bodies lay all around.  He 

walked over to some.  It was Serena's face he saw.  Another body.  It was Mina.  And another.  This one 

was Amy.  It was becoming almost all too much.  The next one had a gold pendant on.  It was 

unrecognizable, but the face was Lita.  Up above, an ominous shadow.  It said, "Your time is up."



Mark awoke, shaking.  "I've got to be going out of my mind.  This is all so strange.  I must be working too 

hard."   



Saturday finally came.  Mina could hardly contain herself.  She had the perfect date set up.  Dinner and a 

movie.  It was simple, but aren't the simple things the best?  She had gone to the boutique to get a new 

outfit, too.  Artemis reminded her to be on the lookout for anything strange that might happen.  Mina's 

mind was on other things.  Mark showed up at 6:00.

"Are you ready, Mina?" Mark asked.

"Yes, of course."

"Well, where do you want to go?  I am at your service, as it were."

"I thought perhaps we could go to dinner and a movie."

"That sounds as good an idea as any."  Mark replied. 

Dinner turned out to be at the most expensive restaurant in town.  The meal proceeded uneventfully, until 

the check came.  It was a good thing Mark always had his credit card.  At this rate, though, he'd be in debt 

for the rest of his life.  He and Mina then went to the movies.

"Being single is cheaper," Mark mused to himself.  Unfortunately, he was a little too loud, and Mina heard 

him.

"What was that?" she asked.

"Huh?  Oh, nothing.  I was just thinking about how expensive that meal was."

"Well, if it's any help, it was good.  Anyway, what shall we see?"

"There's a really good movie about a mighty warrior who falls in love with a beautiful girl."

Mark wasn't too enthused.  However, he had said he'd see whatever she wanted, so they went to see it.  He 

couldn't believe what they were charging for things at the theatre.  However, at this point, there was no 

point in rescuing his credit rating, so he decided to be nice enough to let Mina get whatever she wanted.  He 

was too tired to care, actually.  All those odd dreams kept waqking him up all the time these days.

They went into the theater and sat down.  Mina asked Mark to hold the popcorn, mostly as an excuse to 

snuggle up to him.  She thought the film was good, and was quite engrossed in it after fifteen minutes.  

Mark fell asleep...



It was a fireworks display.  There was a beautiful girl there.  She turned to him.

"Do you love me, Mark?"

"Forever," he heard himself reply.



Mark woke up with a start.  "What the-" he started to say.

Mina looked at him.  "You fell asleep."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Mina."  Mark was not too happy at having disappointed Mina.  Even though this date was 

her idea, it wasn't very fair for him to fall asleep.  She's probably nott very happy either.

"No, it's okay.  You were probably tired, and I know you probably didn't want to see this anyway.  I do 

appreciate the effort though.  You're pretty cute when you're asleep, though."  Mina smiled.

"Well, I'll tell you what," said Mark.  "I'll make it up to you sometime."

"How can I refuse?" Mina replied.

They got out to the parking lot.  Most of the other cars had left.  Mark's car was by itself under a streetlight.

As they were nearing it, a sound emanated from the other side of the car, and a monster appeared.

Mina knew what it was, but she couldn't transform, because Mark would know her secret identity.  She was 

trying to think of a way around this when she noticed Mark wasn't with her anymore.  He was facing off 

against the monster, with a sword, no less..  She ran over to him.

"Mark, what are you doing!"  Mina yelled.  "It's dangerous."

"Yeah, well, I'm getting a little sick and tired of this.  You, on the other hand, should get out of here and go 

somewhere safe."

"Sick and tired of what? And where did that sword come from?" she asked.  But Mark had turned to face 

the monster.  He shook his fist at it.

"Hey you!  You want a piece of me?  Come get it!"  He took off his trenchcoat and rolled up his sleeves.  

He also tied a headband on.  Mina noticed it had a comet on it.

The monster had finally noticed, and it extruded a large sharp looking thing from its arm.  It charged at 

Mark.  Mark parried the attack, and with a quick sidestep, turned the monster's momentum against it and 

launched it into a telephone pole.  The pole began to crack from the impact.  The monster was a little 

dazed, and needed some time to recover.  Unfortunately, it had noticed Mina standing behind the telephone 

pole.  She was trying to call the other Scouts without being seen.  It moved to attack her.  Mina turned 

around just in time to scream.  The monster's armblade was coming at her head.  Mina closed her eyes in 

fear.  However, the blow never came.  Mark steppeed in front of her and blocked the swing with his sword.

He turned his head and said, "I thought I told you to get out of here! Go!"

Mina saw that this was not the best time to argue, so she started to hurry away.  However, the slight 

diversion of Mark's attention allowed the monster to overpower him, and Mark was thrown into the pole 

this time.  It cracked a little more and started to lean.  Mark ducked a swipe by the monster and counered 

with a hilt thrust into the monster's midsection.  The impact of the monster on the ground finally collapsed 

the pole, and it fell on Mark.  Mina heard it fall, and saw Mark get pinned under it.  She decided now was 

as good a time as any to transform.

"Venus Power!"  The monster was closing in for the kill.  She hit it with a Crescent Beam to distract its 

attention towards her.  It worked.  The monster came after her with a vengeance.  Venus was not sure what 

to do.  She hadn't had time to contact the others, and she wasn't sure if she could defeat this monster by 

herself.  There was also Mark to worry about, too.  The monster continued to bear down, and Venus could 

only jump out of the way.  Her Crescent Beam hadn't done any appreciable damage to it.  After ten minutes 

of it attacking and her dodging, Venus was getting tired.  She realy, really wished she had some help.

"Fire and Ice Generation Launch!"  Venus turned to see a man floating in the air, a long coat billowing out 

behind him.  In his hand he carried a large staff.  The monster was hit by fireballs and icebolts, and was 

slammed into the ground.  The man landed gracefully near her.

"You looked like you needed some help.  Are you okay?"  the man asked.

"Yes, thank you.  Who are you?" she asked, fascinated and grateful at his timely arrival.

"I am Sailor Halley.  They call me Time's Champion.  You'll have to excuse me at the moment.  I've got to 

take care of this nuisance.  You can go help the guy pinned under the telephone pole."

Venus had forgotten about Mark in the ensuing excitement.  She cut the pole around Mark, but is was too 

heavy for her to lift.

Meanwhile, Halley had taken the opportunity to get ready for the monster.  It hadn't moved however.

"What a waste.  Reversal Bomb!"  The monster shrak and disappeared.  Mina was in awe.  She decided to 

ask for Halley's help to move the pole.  He picked it up and tossed it aside easily.  Mina noticed a slight 

resemblance between Halley and Mark.  Then again, everyone supposedly has a twin.  She went to help 

Mark, and she noticed Halley had disappeared.  She transformed back before she got to Mark.

"Ugh, what was I drinking?"  Mark had satarted to come around.

"Hello, there.  Are you okay?"

"Mina!  The monster!  I told you to get out of here."

"I know.  The monster went away.  You must have scared it."

"They seem to be all over the place these days.  Every time I try and have a good time, they always seem to 

show up."  Mina made note of this.

"I think you're overexaggerating.  Can you drive?  I've got to get home soon."

They went to the car, and Mark noticed the words "NEXT TIME" carved into his hood.

"Oh well, there's $600 in body and paint work.  Let's go, Mina."



Mark dropped Mina off, and went home.  He was a mess.  He was dirty, his second favorite shirt had gotten 

ripped, his car got vandalized, and he had a headache.  Mark grabbed two aspirin from the bottle in ther 

medicine cabinet, and went to sleep.  Mina, on the other hand, felt she had had a great time, and she had 

some interesting information to relay to the others.

     



Later that night...



The moon was high in the sky, shining through the low clouds.  It lent an eerie glow to the empty beach.  

Mark walked slowly and solemnly along the waterline, lost in thought.

"What am I?  What do these dreams mean?  They seem so real.  And that girl Lita..."

A woman appeared from the shadows of a nearby tower.  She was tall, with long, flowing green hair, and 

dressed in a very odd school uniform.  In her hands, she carried a large staff.

"It has been a long time, Halley," she said.

"Who?  I think you've got me mistaken for someone else," Mark stammered, visibly surprised.

"You've lost your memory, it seems.  Soon, you will understand."  She pointed her staff at Mark, and a 

flash emanated from it.

"Do you remember now?" she asked.

"Yes, I am Sailor Halley.  It's been a while, Pluto."

"A thousand years or so, actually.  You are Sailor Halley, Time's Champion.  And you are needed.  A great 

crisis is brewing, and the universe is at stake.  The rest of the Scouts are here, too.  Don't allow them to 

hinder you.  This is bigger than they realize.  Only you and I really know the scope of this impending 

disaster.  The others' limited perspective may cause them to act in a detrimental manner."

"Don't you know what's going on?"

Yes, but I cannot interfere.  My knowledge allows me to know the outcome of any action I take before I 

take it, so I cannot involve myself unless it is absolutely necessary.  You have no such problem.  That is 

why I granted you powers of limited time manipulation.  With knowledge comes power and responsibility.

"It's up to me, then, hmm?  Well, I like a challenge."

"Good luck, Halley.  I cannot stress the importance of this too much."

"Don't worry.  Everything will work out in the end.  We also need to catch up on a few thousand years."

"I leave you to it, Champion of Time."  With that, she faded away, back into the shadows.

"So, my dreams were real.  Well, this changes everything.  Halley Comet Power!"

In a flash, Sailor Halley returned.  His attire now consisted of a headband with two blazing comets and the 

Japanese character for "comet" in the center, a long sleeved black collared shirt, black pants, a dark green 

trenchcoat, black military officer's boots, and a seven-foot long Comet Staff.

"You know, I missed the coat."



Mark awoke with a start.  He found himself on the beach, lying in the sand.  His shoes were nearby.  "I 

must have fallen asleep.  What an odd dream."





The following night...



Mark was sitting on his balcony, staring at the darkness outside, and the lights of the city.  He was in a 

melancholy mood.  He decided to go to the beach.  He went down to the garage, hopped in his Trans Am, 

and sped off.  He stopped at the beach, made sure the car was locked, and went for a walk along the surf to 

clear his mind.

"I always feel deep sadness here.  A sense of loss, but also a compulsion to return."

"This comes as no surprise."  A woman, the same one as in his dream, stepped out of the shadows of a 

nearby pier.

"You are...Sailor Pluto?"

"Yes.  Your memory has returned, then?"

"I don't know what you're talking about.  I saw you in a dream."

"What can you recall?"

"I met you here on the beach.  You told me I was really Sailor Halley, and I had a very important mission 

vital to the continuance of the universe.  Something about being 'Time's Champion', too.  That's all I 

remember."

"That much is true.  I will now return your memory to you, for you are needed.  Your prescience seems to 

have manifested itself on its own.  Please look at the staff."

Mark complied.  The staff glowed brilliantly, and images burned into his mind.  A beautiful girl, with 

sadness in her eyes.  Smoke, destruction, a walk in the park.  The same girl, looking very happy.  A 

majestic palace.  A canopy of stars.  A green coat in a gift box.  Bits of conversation.  "When will you be 

back?"  A ruin.  "You are Time's Champion."  A feeling of happiness.  The hospital.  Lita.  "Do you love 

me?" "Forever."  An evil laugh.  "It ends here."  More flashes of the same girl.  A name, Katherine.  Hopes, 

dreams, plans.  An empty beach.  Katherine lying dead.  Anger.  A flash of light.

"Nooooo!"  Mark writhed on the ground, clutching his head.  The light subsided.  He stood up.  "I should 

have been left alone.  Forgotten as a hero of the ages.  The weight of the eons is heavy upon me.  Why?"

"He has returned.  You are the only one who can defeat him.  As you saw, in the past, the others were no 

match for him.  He's here for you."

"So, Coranthum wants another confrontation.  I've got a few thousand years to pay him back for."

"If he wins, the universe will cease to be.  You fight now for the fate of not only one kingdom, but for the 

existence of the universe.  I've kept your staff in case of emergencies."

Mark took it from Pluto's outstretched hands.  He held the Comet Staff aloft, and said the words he had not 

said in a few millenia.  "Halley Comet Power!"

The transformation took place, and he looked at his reflection in the water.  Everything from the headband 

to the boots was like an old friend.  And the green trenchcoat...

"The coat she gave me.  For her...and for the universe!  I will fight, and I will win."

"Good luck, Time's Champion.  I await your return."



Halley flew back to his car, changed back, and drove to his apartment.  He threw his trenchcoat on a chair 

when he got inside, and walked to the window.  He needed time to think.  He found that quite funny.

"Time...Since when do immortals need to worry about time?  The universe is in crisis and I'm needed.  

Hah!  I should have been left buried in the past.  The burden of memory is too much.  So many things...so 

many things I don't want to remember...things I should forget.  Bit I can't, can I?  The past affects the 

future, and the past is all I have.  Memories and loneliness.  This time, this place, none of it is for me.  He 

turned from the window, and his gaze fixed upon his coat.  It was such a long time ago...



"Mark!" A voice was calling him from somewhere.  Mark turned around.  It was Katherine.  She came to 

his side.  "Thanks for waiting."

"It wouldn't have been too nice to ignore you, would it?  I mean, I could, if that's what you'd like..."

"You're terrible!" Katharine chided playfully.

"I do try."  Mark grinned impishly.  "Hey, do you want to go watch the fireworks display tonight?  It 

should be quite spectacular, I hear."

Katharine replied, "I'd go absolutely anywhere with you."

"Remind me to show you Antares one of these days.  It's a really beautiful planet."

"Hey, Kate.  Why're you hanging around with this thing."

Mark became visibly irritated.  "Damn it, Coranthum!  I'm getting a little tired of this.  Just because 

Katherine decided on me instead of you..." Mark got ready to deal some damage.

Katherine restrained him.  "It's okay.  He's not worth the effort."

"You'll see.  When I become the ruler of the universe, you'll have no choice, Katie dear."

"It's Katherine, by the way."  Katherine corrected him sternly.  "I don't care what you think you'll be.  

You're quite a troublemaker, Coranthum, and I don't think you're too stable, especially if you think I'll 

come back to you.  Our marriage was arranged through deceit on your father's part, and I never loved you."

Katherine had let her attention wander from Mark during this exchange, and he had taken the opportunity 

to transform.  He now stood ready with his Comet Staff.

"You have until the count of three to leave.  Then you die.  It is entirely up to you."

"I shall withdraw.  However, mark my words.  One day, I shall be Coranthum the First, Ruler of the 

Universe.  Then we shall see who is what."  He disappeared.

Katherine thanked Halley.  He changed back to his normal form.

"That reminds me.  I've got a gift for you.  Shall we stop by my place on the way so I can get it for you?" 

Katherine asked.

"Let's go now.  It's such a nice day out, and I don't mind the walk."

As they walked, Katherine spoke again. "I remember when I first met you.  Do you?"

"I never forget." 

"Well, let me see if I've got it correct then, shall I?  I was walking through the park, and there was an 

explosion.  I ran to see what it was.  In a crater, where the plaque is now, is where I found you.  You were 

in pretty bad shape.  I helped you to my home.  I didn't want you to die alone.  In fact, I managed to save 

you.  After you recovered, you still didn't speak very much.  I thought you were strange.  I did see how 

brilliant you were, though."

"Yes, but back then I didn't feel as if I fit in.  I was different, an outsider, tolerated but never accepted.  No 

one ever extended a hand in friendship to me, except you.  It was you who brought me out of myself, as it 

were.  You changed my life.  You showed me so many things I had been without."

"We became friends.  Then I found out that I was to marry Coranthum.  My father had lost a bet in a card 

game with Coranthum's father, Fanador.  I was the bet, and it was Fanador's idea.  You suspected 

trickery,and you found you were right.  He had to admit this, and forfeit his lands as punishment from 

Queen Serenity.  She didn't want an element such as him in her court.

"That was five years ago.  You've got a good memory for a mere mortal."

That got him a punch in the arm from Katherine. "I'm not done yet, Mark, or should I say, Sailor Halley.  

After that incident, I realized I really truly cared for you.  I shared my feelings with you, even though I 

wasn't sure how you felt.  I had always seen you surrounded by all the pretty ladies of the court, but you 

never seemed to be serious about them."

"Well, I guess I should expect that.  It's the whole mysterious handsome man thing."

A sardonic look from Katherine this time.  "I'll ignore that, and just keep talking.  Anyway, I told you what 

I felt.  You really don't know how relieved I was when you said you felt the same."

"And we've been together ever since."

"Oh, look, we're here.  Come on in, and I'll just run upstairs and get your gift.  Make yourself at home."  

She smiled in that beautifully radiant way of hers, and hurried up the stairs.  "Quite gracefully, too," Mark 

thought to himself.  He sat down, somewhat lost in thought.  "She really will never know what she has done 

for me.  I will be indebted to her forever.  All I saw in my mind was loneliness along every path, until she 

found me after that battle.  I had been catapulted out of a pocket dimension where I was trying to save my 

home.  I failed.  With all my powers I had been granted by Pluto, I couldn't save them."  All of a sudden, 

he heard a voice in his mind.

"It was inexperience, Halley.  You have learned much since then, and you have a new kingdom to defend. 

Immortality does not always equal omniscience.  I have watched you, and you have learned most 

admirably.  That's why I chose you to be Time's Champion."

An external voice intruded.  "Mark, Mark!"

"Huh? Oh, sorry."  Katherine had returned with a box.  "Aren't you going to open it?" she asked.

"Of course.  I was just thinking."

"You think too much.  Here."

Mark took the box and opened it.  It was a dark green 42 long coat.  And it was long.  Mark held it up, and 

it trailed onto the floor.

"I thought it might go well with your Halley gear.  And it's one of your favorite colors, too."

"Yes, I know.  I'm somewhat speechless.  No one's ever really given me gifts before.  Thank you."

"Well, come over to the mirror and try it on!"  Katherine pulled him up out of the chair and over to the 

mirror.  Mark was still a little too dumbstruck about the gift to really resist at all.  Not that he would have 

anyway.  He tried it on.  It fit perfectly.

"Do you like it?" Katherine inquired, somewhat tentatively.

"It could be the worst thing I'd ever seen, and I would still wear it, because it was from you.  But this is 

amazing.  It's so great I can't even describe it.  I've never seen anything like it, and that's saying 

something.  What is it called?"

"Well, I couldn't think of anything that would be you.  I needed to find something unique.  All I ever see 

here is waistcoats and such, so I went to a fashion designer friend of mine, Mandi.  She has a shop down in 

the Trench.  She designed this from what I told her about you.  It's the only one of its kind."

"So it's a Trench coat?  Hmm, Trench coat, trench coat, trenchcoat.  That works."

Katherine laughed.  "I'll have to tell her to call it that.  I wonder if it'll catch on?"

"I've got no fashion sense.  Don't ask me.  If I like it, probably not."

Katherine laughed again.  She went over to Mark.  He swept her up and kissed her passionately.  "Thank 

you very much," Mark said.  "For everything."



In his apartment, Mark returned from his memories.  He sighed.  "She never, ever really knew the extent of 

her effect on me.  It was so profound, I can't really describe it.  So many important things defy 

description."



The following night...



The man floated above the chaos below.  The Scouts were unconscious and battered.  Tuxedo Mask was 

slumped over a tree branch, thirty feet up the tree.  Sailor Heart was a few feet into the ground.  Sailor Sun 

had somehow flown through the air into a garbage can.  Sailor Halley appeared.

"I knew they couldn't defeat it.  Let's see what "it" is, though."

He looked up.  "It's YOU!"

"Hello, Sailor Halley.  Or should I say Sailor Useless?  Do I have to defeat you again?  Nevertheless, I 

don't have the time right now.  Treasure your existence.  Your time is limited.  However, I will destroy you 

completely this time.  Ha ha ha!"  He streaked off into the sky.

"Damn you, come down here and fight!  We've got something to settle!"  Halley screamed towards the 

heavens to no avail.  He collapsed to his knees.  Lita was nearby.  "You destroyed my life once, a long, 

long time ago."  His voice grew louder and full of conviction.  He turned his face heavenwards.   "YOU 

WILL NOT DO SO AGAIN!  DO YOU HEAR ME!"  The last few words reverberated through the still 

air.  Halley grabbed his staff and shot off into the air. 



Mark awoke.  "I'm alone again.  Maybe it's better this way.  Whenever I have built bridges, someone else 

has come along and burned them down.  My home, and Katherine..."



A week or so later, at the shrine.



Everyone was gathered around in a circle.

Raye said, "There's a different, stronger, and definitely evil aura around.  Something's coming."

"Any ideas?", asked Mina.

Serena said, "Well, Mark hasn't been around school, I don't think."

Amy said, "How would you know? You're always late to school or sleeping in class."

Lita interjected, "She is right though.  I haven't seen him around.  He's so handsome he's hard to miss."

This drew an eyeroll from Andrew, Adrian, and Darien in unison.

Mina added, "He also seems to have withdrawn into himself.  Whenever I've caught a glimpse of him, he 

seems to be distant from the world.  Something's obviously wrong.  I wonder if it has anything to do with 

what happened at the theatre."

Raye said, "Well, we need to see what's going on.  Not only that, but we also need to find out who this new 

Sailor Scout is.  You all have seen him, but I haven't.  She thought to herself. "They also all got to go out 

with Mark too. Ooh!  I hate being last!  Maybe I'll go over there under pretense of wanting some help with 

a piece of music I'm writing.  Yeah that works."  She laughed aloud.

"Uh, Raye, what was that for?" Andrew asked.

"Oh, nothing."

Darien leaned over.  "Don't you think she's acting a bit, well, odd, Andrew?"

Andrew replied, "Well, we'll see what happens.  Most of the time I have to let her do what she wants 

anyway, so a mood swing or two isn't anything world shaking."

 "Yes, but this is."  A figure appeared in the middle of the room.

"Who the hell are you?", said Adrian.

"I'm Sailor Uranus, acting gorgeously."

Darien stood up.  "You don't belong in the storyline yet.  Go away."

Uranus looked surprised.  "Oops, sorry."  She disappeared.

"What's this about a storyline?" queried Amy.

Darien had to think fast.  He said, "Uh, sorry, it's for a play I'm doing.  That's one of the actresses, and she 

must have heard Andrew say something that she thought was a line from the play.  She saw me and must 

have thought this was the rehearsal hall."  He laughed nervously.

Raye said, "Well, I think someone should go and see if Mark is okay.  He might play a part in this even he 

doesn't know about.  Since I haven't really met him yet, I nominate myself to go over there and see what's 

going on."  



 On Tuesday after school, Raye had a chance to go to Mark's apartment. She had a list of assignments from 

Amy that Mark had missed in class, and she had some music that she needed help with.  She figured that 

that was as good an excuse as she could come up with.  She also had a bunch of food from Lita, a stuffed 

animal from Serena, and a fruitcake from Mina, which Raye conveniently left on the landing outside the 

shrine.  She only hoped that Phobos and Deimos didn't accidentally eat it.  The results could be disastrous.  

She was about to leave, when she saw Mark standing at the front of the shrine.  He rang the bell.  She 

decided to go and catch him now.

"Are you Mark?" she asked.

"Yes. Why?"

"I have some things for you from some mutual friends.  Would you like to come in while I get them?"  The 

aura she sensed was much stronger, but she still couldn't quite figure out what it was.  It intrigued her 

though.  Mark knelt down in the main room.  She was surprised that he knew the proper behavior.  She also 

noticed he looked very troubled.  She got the things she had put together, including the fruitcake, so Mark 

wouldn't think Mina had forgotten, and brought them to him.

"You look weary, Mark.  Is there anything I can do for you in my capacity as a Shinto priestess?"

"Well, I'm sure you know about visions and dreams foretelling the future, correct?"

"Yes.  Why?"

Mark chose his words carefully, as he was not inclined to tell her too much.  He was sure that she was 

going to break up laughing at this outlandish story he was telling.  He was having trouble with it himself.

"Now I'm an immortal warrior who used to live in a kingdom on the Moon.  I helped to protect it."

Now Raye understood.  He was a reluctant warrior with a strong sense of duty, but torn by some personal 

struggle.  He was also immensely powerful, and would be a great ally.

"I understand perfectly, and I don't think it sounds silly.  I can't really tell you why exactly, but I'm sure 

the time will come when you'll see for yourself."

"Thank you very much, Raye.  I wasn't sure whether to keep this to myself or not, but I'm glad I was able 

to tell you, and that you could help me in return.  I'd better be going.  Thanks, Raye."

"I hope you get your wish, too."  Raye called after him.

"I did, in a way," Mark called back.  He waved and set off for home.  He had a lot of things to do.



After he returned home, he looked at the gifts.  There was his classwork from Amy, which he would have 

to begin work on, and it looked like Serena, Mina, Lita, and Raye had written their phone numbers on the 

back of the last page.  Mark figured it was just as well, because he would have to thank them all personally 

anyway.  Lita had sent food, and he reminded himself to make sure to wash out her pots and pans and give 

them back to her.  Serena gave him a stuffed animal.  He thought it was a little too cute, but it was the 

thought that counted.  Mina had apparently giftwrapped a brick.  It turned out to be a fruitcake.  It would 

make a good footrest.  He'd just have to remember to hide it if she came over.  On second thought, Mark 

decided to incinerate it, and put it in the fireplace.  "A white lie for a white lie never hurt anything.  I'll just 

tell her it was good."  Raye had given him some lyrics and apparently wanted him to write the music so she 

could use it at the school show next year.  It would be good to try something a little different.  His 

songwriting had become monotonous, and it needed a break to refresh itself.  

"First things first, though.  Class assignments."

After working through most of it, he discovered Amy had put her phone number in reverse order in one of 

the math problems.  She had left a clue in the literature assignment.  That definitely merited a call and some 

praise.  He took a break, and sat watching the skyline outside.  Just then, a burst of sparkling color lit up the 

sky, and Mark heard a dull thud.  "Fireworks...just like that night...the last night."



Katherine and Mark sat on the grass, watching the fireworks display.  Mark looked over at Katherine.  She 

was wearing a pair of gold rose earrings.  He remembered buying them for her recently.  She wore them all 

the time, actually, but they seemed to grab his attention and stick in his mind tonight for some reason.

"It's lovely, isn't it?" Katherine asked.

"There's just so much beauty here.  However, I have to admit that you surpass all of it.  The heavens pale in 

comparison to your radiant smile."

"Oh, stop!" Katherinr giggled.

"All right.  If that's what you want."

"No, I-Oh you!"  She was afraid she had said something to offend, and then realized what Mark was 

doing.

"Scared you a little, hmm?"

Katherine didn't answer.

"Oh, come on, it was just a joke."

"Ah ha!  So who scared who?  Anyway, I was thinking about asking you a serious question.  I want a 

serious answer, too."

"All right.  I can do that easily."

"You're sure?"

"Yes."

"Absolutely?"

"Yes."

"Completely?"

"Just ask me the question already."

"OK.  Do you love me?"

Mark thought for a bit, and Katherine became worried.  She didn't know what he would say.  Was he 

hesitant to say no?

"Mark?" she asked hesitantly.

"What a question."

"Huh?"  Katherine was quite confused

"I don't feel complete without you.  You changed my life.  I could go on and on.  And then you ask me if I 

love you."

"Well, answer the question.  In simply one word.  Do you love me?"

"Forever."

Katherine was ecstatically happy.  She kissed him, as the fireworks show continued.  Mark decided that for 

the first time in his very long life, he had finally found true happiness.



"Happiness, yes, but with happiness comes great sacrifice and great pain.  And, for me, time has not dulled 

any of that."

A familiar voice replied in his mind.  "Yes, but that is a burden you chose, without any outside interference, 

long, long ago."  



"Why must we suffer this?"  an angry voice shouted.  "We give you what you want, and you still take 

more.  We have nothing left, and still you take more!"

"I take more because I can.  The strong prey on the weak.  That's you.  Now get out of my sight before I 

have you shot.  Actually, on second thought, I'll have you shot anyway.  Guards!"

Later that day, another delegation arrived at the castle of Pejoric the Tyrant, the viceroy of the province.  In 

this party was the chief of one of the small village, and his son, a young man of about 15.  He was to 

become the next chieftain, assuming there was a village left for him to be the chieftain of.

Their presence was announced by the viceroy's attendant.  "The chieftain of Seris, and his son."

"Come forward."  The figure on the throne gestured imperiously, and the two figures approached 

hesitantly.

"What do you want?"  the viceroy asked.

"My lord Pejoric," the man began.  "I am-"

"I know who you are.  I also don't care.  The only thing that concerns me is the issue of the nonpayment of 

your tribute this quarter."

"Well, my lord," the man continued, trying to be as placating as possible to try and gain favor with the 

viceroy, "We have nothing left to give you.  We are a very poor village.  Our people are starving to death.  

We have no crops, no income.  Please spare us.  We will pay you when we can."

"Hmm.  No."

"Sir, my son," he gestured to the young man, who had been standing quietly nearby.  "He is slated to be the 

new chieftain after me.  My family has served your Lordship and your predecessors for hundreds of years.  

But now we will have no village.  Please, my lord, I beg you."

"Get out of my sight.  I will have my tribute in one week's time, and my troops will be in your village to 

exact it."

"But, sir, your Lordship-"

"Leave, or you will both die now."



After returning to the village, a meeting of the elders was called.  The chief asked of all what could be 

done.  No one had any satisfactory suggestions.  The chief turned to his son.  "You have been very quiet.  

Do you perhaps have an idea.  We will entertain anything you have to say."

"We have to fight them,"  the future chieftain said.  "We cannot pay them, but we may be able to make a 

stand, however futile it may be.  Perhaps the heavens will smile upon the struggles of a poor people, and 

grant us some divine right.  It could very well spell the end for that tyrant, Pejoric.  We could also all die 

pointlessly.  Either way, we will at least be doing something.  But it isn't up to me."

"Marak, my son, I am glad that you will lead the village.  You have wisdom far beyond your years.  We 

will now deliberate.  Can you elaborate on your plan for us, so me may come to a decision that is agreeable 

to all?"



	After any hours of weighing pros and cons, the decision to fight was made.  Marak outlined a very 

good plan, and it was altered very little to a final strategy.  The villagers all went off to prepare.  Very soon, 

the day arrived.



	The soldiers arrived in full armor, on horseback.  The proclamation of tribute was made, and the 

chieftain stepped up to adress the soldiers.  "We will not pay your tribute.  Injustice has been done, and we 

will resist you until the end.  We will give our lives if need be."

The guard captain smiled from under his helmet.  "I was hoping you'd say that.  Attack!"

The soldiers rode down into the square, full tilt into a trap that threew a number of them off their horses.  

Other troops rushed in on foot, swords drawn.  The villagers hefted whatever they had, mostly farming 

implements, and fought bravely.  However, the superior might of the well equipped soldiers triumphed in 

the end, and almost all of the villagers were killed, and the village burned.  Marak found his father mortally 

wounded after the battle.

"I'm sorry, Father.  I was wrong, and look what happened."

"No, you made a decision when it was difficult to do so, and it was not solely your decision.  We all 

agreed.  The ability to take responsibility for one's actions, however, is the mark of a good leader.  Go to 

the room underneath the hut, and take the two golden roses that are there.  That is the symbol of our family, 

the Clan of the Golden Rose.  At least one will survive.  Good luck."  With that he died.

"Father, I will avenge you, and our village!  I vow it!  I will find a way!  Such injustice cannot go on!"

Marak retrieved the treasure from the house, and started a journey to find a way to keep his promise.  On 

the road from his smoldering village, he came upon some of the viceroy's soldiers.  He tried to hide, but 

they recognized him.

"It's that chieftain's son!  Get him!"  Marak fought bravely, but he was run through with a broadsword.  As 

his consciousness faded for the last time, he sensed the soldiers stealing his family treasure.  His final 

thought was, "I failed again."

 

Marak awoke, not knowing where he was.   He sat upright.  "Where am I?"

A voice answered from all around him.  "You are outside time and space as you know them."

"Why?"

"I have need of you.  It is not your time yet."

"What do you mean?"  He then remembered what happened earlier.  "Am I dead?"

"No.  You have shown yourself to be strong of heart, contemplative in your manner, and a seeker of justice.  

I offer you the opportunity to seek justice for yourself and for others."

"How?"  Marak still wasn't sure of what was going on.  

A beautiful woman appeared.  She had long green hair, a green dress, and a large staff..  She seemed to 

radiate an aura of power.  She was very mysterious, and possessed an ageless beauty and infinite wisdom. 

"Who are you?"

"I am Sailor Pluto.  I come from a dimension different then yours, but I transcend and control time.  I offer 

to teach you a degree of time control.  I need a champion to work for the peace of the universe.  The reason 

why I cannot do so will become apparent if you accept my offer.  However, the road will not be easy.  The 

gifts you will receive exact a heavy toll.  It is your choice."

"What if I don't accept?"

"You will be returned to your home planet right after you left.  You will not remember this encounter."

Marak thought carefully.  He needed to restore his family's lands and free his people, but this was an 

opportunity to help more than just a small bunch of people.  The possibilities were endless.  In the end, the 

choice was clear.  "I accept."

"Thank you.  You will now become a Sailor Scout, as I am."

"I am not wearing a skirt."

Pluto laughed in her elegant way.  "Do not worry."  She held out a staff.  "Take this, the Comet Staff, and 

become Sailor Halley, Time's Champion."

Marak reached out for the Staff, and he sensed something momentous was about to happen...    

 

"Pluto, the burden of memory is a lot to bear.  Man is the sum of his memories.  What of one who is 

immortal?"

"Life is pain, Halley.  An endless life can bring endless pain.  You must reconcile this within yourself."

"My happinees, however transitory, has been stolen from me time and again."

"You have a duty you accepted.  The road was not easy, as you knew when you accepted.  Have you 

changed so much since then?  Have you lost faith in your abilities after all this time?"

"I need to meet with you.  I shall come to the Gate of Time."

"As you wish.  I await your arrival.  Go well, Halley."

Mark transformed and made his way to the Gate of Time.  Here, outside of time and space, he could focus 

clearly on what the problem at hand was.  Pluto was waiting for him, although the concept of how long she 

had been there was immaterial here.

"Pluto, I don't know what to do.  It seems all the good I have done pales in comparison to the amount of 

pain it has caused me and others.  My home planet, and Katherine, and then the entire Moon Kingdom, and 

I'm afraid that I see it will happen again here on Earth."

"You tried to save your planet."

"And I failed.  All the evil I have destroyed has managed to destroy me in the end, somehow.  I freed my 

planet, only to have it destroyed.  I was cast out of that dimension, and am unable to return.  Not that I have 

any more reason to return.  I was found on the Moon, and I found a happiness there I hadn't felt in an 

eternity.  I fought to protect the Moon, and paid a great personal price.  Then the Moon Kingdom was 

destroyed, because I failed to save it.  I wonder if I should have been released at all."

"Good always exists to balance evil.  Without it, the universe would have gone to ruin long ago. You have 

done much that is the stuff of legend on many planets.  You are not unappreciated.  However, you have a 

unique position of responsibility, and there is a measure of personal sacrifice involved.  You have always 

been prepared for this."

"It is becoming unbearable.  There is a crisis loming, and I am afraid I will do more harm than good to the 

new friends I have made."

"The other Scouts are all well aware of the sacrifices they may have to make to protect what is important to 

them."

"The greater good, hmm? I was beginning to think I had lost my sense of justice.  I need to find a balance 

between what I want and what is important to me."

"Time is what you make of it, Halley.  Nevertheless, there is a crisis nearing every day.  You must be ready 

for it.  Can you do this?"

"Yes.  Yes, I can."  Halley turned to leave.  He turned back.  "I think you are the only person ever to 

understand me."

"We are very much the same, you and I, Halley.  We are only a thought away from each other.  Farewell, 

until we meet again."



Later that week (Earth subjective time), at the shrine.



"I did a fire reading, and there's a new enemy coming closer and closer.  It looks like we're in for a fight, 

and a big one at that" said Raye.

"What about Mark, and your little meeting?"  prodded Serena.

"He's slightly psychic.  He's seen a little of what I saw in the fire reading, as far as I can tell.  Not much 

else.  He isn't our enemy, though."

"Oh well," said Adrian, "just as long as he stays away from Lita, he can live."

Lita turned.  "He's sometimes nicer than you are, so there."

Amy stepped in.  "Can you continue this later?  We have an important discussin at hand."

"That's all for now," said Raye.  "I don't know anything else."

The meeting adjourned.  Serena and Darien went off to go to dinner, Adrian and Lita left as well.  Andrew 

went up to Raye.  

"That's not all of it, is it?"

"I'm afraid it is, more or less.  I just wish we knew who Sailor Halley really was."

"You'd tell me if there was more, wouldn't you?"

"Of course."



Mina, meanwhile, concocted a plan to get Mark to choose between the girls as to who he liked best.  She 

sent notes to everyone else to meet at the park on Friday. She also sent one to Mark in her own handwriting 

telling him it was important.



Friday...

Everyone showed up at the allotted time, including Mark.  Srena was on time, surprisingly.  They all 

clamored around Mark when he arrived soon after.  Mina had offset the time on his note to make it appear 

to be a coincidental meeting.  She could be devious and smart when necessary.  He thanker everyone for 

their gifts, and assured them he was feeling much better.  All of a sudden, a wind kicked up.

"What the...!"  Mark exclaimed.

A figure appeared in midair.  "Where is Sailor Halley?  I sense him here.  Give him to me or I will destroy 

you."  Mark recognized the figure.  It was Coranthum.  Mark wasn't sure whether he should reveal himself 

as Sailor Halley and give away his secret, but if he didn't, the girls would be in terrible danger.  Unlike 

him, they were only mortal.

"He's not here, though."  said Serena.  She and the others were also in a quandary as to whether to 

transform or not.  Each felt they needed to protect Mark, because he was an innocent bystander.  Mark 

decided first.  He remembered what Pluto had said about personal sacrifice.

"I'm right here."  The girls turned around in shock, to find Halley behind them.  

"Mark?" Amy asked, somewhat tentatively.  

"Yes.  Your lives are more important than my secret.  Now let them go, Coranthum.  They have nothing to 

do with this.  It's between you and me."

"Not quite," said Coranthum.  "A touching display, but I'm going to kill them first, so you can watch 

helplessly, just like before."

"That won't be so easy!" yelled Lita.

"Are we ready?" said Raye.

"Come on guys, let's go!" said Serena.

"Moon Crystal Power!"

"Mercury Power!"

"Mars Power!"

"Jupiter Power!"

"Venus Power!"

The odds had been decidedly tipped against Coranthum.  "Ah ha.  It seems I've underestimated you, Sailor 

Scouts.  Another time, perhaps."  Coranthum disappeared.

"We'll get him sometime soon."

"That's him, isn't it?  The man from your vision?  I think you know more than you told me earlier, but I 

know why you didn't tell me," said Raye.

"I didn't know about any of you, so I didn't want to tell you anything that might make you think I was 

odd."

"I think we need to have a meeting at the shrine right now to get up to speed.  You can meet the others, too, 

Halley," said Amy.

"Sure," said Serena, who was more interested in the fact that such a hunky guy was a Sailor Scout.



When everyone arrived at the shrine, they could hear from outside that Raye was in an uproar.

"Chad, you bonehead!  Get some water, quick!"

"Uhhh, OK.  Wait here."

"Hurry!"

Seiziing the initiative, Lita grabberd the water buckt from outside and ran inside.

SPLOOSH!

"Here's the water, Raye."  Chad ran in, and promptly tripped over the empty bucket Lita had tossed aside, 

spilling the water he had on Raye.

"CHAD!"

"Uh, sorry, Raye."

"Go clean the steps or something!"

"OK."  Chad exited quickly, almost crashing into the other Scouts on his way out.

Inside, Raye was mopping up.

"What happened here?" asked Amy.

"Chad decided to be helpful and build the fire for the fire reading.  Sounds simple enough, right?  Well, he 

almost managed to burn the shrine down."

"We'll help you clean up," Serena said.



After the shrine was tidied up, everyone gathered for the meeting.  The first thing on everyone's mind was 

meeting the legendary Sailor Halley.  Everyone was quite impressed with his fighting ability.

"Don't make such a fuss about it.  I'm a little out of practice."

"We can just imagine what you must be like when you are up to speed," Amy said.

"It's just SOOO cool!"  said Serena.

"It must be quite...interesting to be you.  The things you've seen and all,"  Mina said.

"Yeah.  Tell us something, PLEEEEASE!" exclaimed Serena.

While all the commotion was going on, Lita ha edged over to Raye.

"You're awful quiet for a change," Lita quipped.

"I can feel the tremendous aura he exudes, now that he isn't consciously shielding himself from us.  It's 

quite an odd sensation.  It will take a little time to get used to, and I need to concntrate for a while."

"Well, I'll leave you to it then."  Lita went to join the others.

"So it's interesting to be me, hmmm?  You might not think so.  Immortality has its price."  Mark suddenly 

looked very world-weary.  "Everywhere you go, you find death and loneliness.  Sooner or later, everyone 

you get attached to dies, whether it be by old age, or by accident, or because of you.  Fighting for justice 

isn't quite as glorious as it seems.  After a while, you can't get close to anyone, for fear of causing them 

harm.  I have been alone for close to ten centuries."

Serena said, "I know exactly what you mean, but you must follow your heart, even if it hurts you."

"Love and friendship are important,"  Mina said.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot.  Noone understands you either."  Mark paused.  "At some point, the destruction of 

life around you, or the destruction of your own life, gets to be too much.  That is why I asked Pluto to place 

me into suspended animation.  I hoped to stay that way.   I was one of the Moon Kingdom's greatest 

champions, and I hoped to sleep forever.  I didn't want to be needed again.  I see even in this, I am to be 

prevented, and called upon again."

Everyone was silent.  The strength and emotion in what Mark said had left them speechless.

"However, I have put aside my feelings and desires before, and I shall do so again to the best of my ability. 

I must warn you though.  What we are about to face is quite possibly the greatest threat ever encountered in 

the universe thus far, and only I know how to stop him."

"Him?" Amy interjected.

"His name is Coranthum.  He is my oldest enemy, back from the time of the old Moon Kingdom."  Mark 

turnded and looked out the window, where the full moon was visible.  "It was all so long ago, but it seems 

like yesterday to me.



"She will be mine, or she will be noone's!"  Coranthum screamed.  He floated twenty feet in the air, 

holding Katherine in one outstretched hand.  She was torn between struggling to get out of his iron grip, 

and trying not to fall.  Coranthum had ambushed them on the beach after the fireworks display.  He fixed 

his gaze on Mark.  "Choose.  Fight me, or give her up."

"Don't do it!  Something has made him stronger.  I'll go with him!"

"No, you won't.  Come on, old friend," Mark said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.  "Right here, right 

now!  Halley Comet Power!"

"Fine."  Coranthum then proceeded to drop Katherine.  Halley scooped her up and placed her safely off to 

the side.

"Get away.  I'll come see you later."

"You'll get hurt."

"Possibly.  I'm quite hard to kill, though."

Katherine grudgingly obeyed, but she hid behind a nearby tree to see what would happen.  She didn't want 

to leave Halley.

"Are you ready to die?"  Coranthum taunted.

"Not just yet.  We'll see about you though. It's time we ended this."

Halley leapt at Coranthum and struck at him with all his might.  The blow never connected.  The Staff had 

hit some sort of energy barrier.  Coranthum struck back, sending Halley crashing through a beachhouse 

fifty feet away, completely demolishing it.

"You should have listened to Katy.  She was right.  I have a power greater than yours, Halley.  You cannot 

defeat me."  Coranthum's eyes blazed unnaturally.



Amy interrupted.  "Was that the beginning of the Negaverse invasion?"    

 "Yes and no.  It was the first appearance of the Negaforce on the Moon, but the invasion was still a ways 

off."

 

Halley pulled himself out of the wreckage, a little dazed.  "I'm not beaten that easily! Reversal Bomb!"

The raw power generated by the attack caused a sonic boom, but Coranthum didn't move.  

"Oh ho!  So you want to throw things, hmmm?

He motioned towards the pier, which proceeded to tear itself out of the ground, and it hurtled towards 

Sailor Halley.  He dodged out of the way, but was clipped by a piling, and went flying into the stone 

retaining wall on the beach.

"Fire and Ice Generation Launch!"  Fireballs and iceballs streaked towards Coranthum, but a wave of his 

hand sent them flying back at Halley.  He was thrown into the air, and Coranthum tackled him at Mach 3 

into the ground.  Halley tried to pull himself out of the impact crater, but he was quite battered.

"I've had enough of this little game," said Coranthum.  "It's over.  I win."

A ball of energy began to materialize in Coranthum's hand.  "According to what I've been told, immortals 

can be killed by sustaining a terminal amount of physical damage.  This should just about do it."

Halley hoped Katherine would forgive him for failing her.  He heard the energy bolt coming towards him.

"NO!" Katherine rushed out from her hiding place and threw herself between Halley and the energy bolt.  It 

hit her full on, and she was thrown through the air and landed in a heap on the beach.

"Perfect.  I couldn't havve planned it better myself.  I'll let you live, Halley, with the memory of this day to 

haunt you forever.  And I don't have to worry about the girl either.  It's really kind of a shame to see her go 

to waste like that, but, oh well."  Coranthum promptly disappeared.

Halley had an adrenaline rush, and pulled himself over to Katherine.  He cradled her head in his arms.

"Why did you do that?  I told you to leave!", Halley said, his voice breaking.

"I...didn't...want you...to die."  Katherine spoke in laboring tones.

Not really knowing what to say, Halley merely looked at her.

"We won, though, right?"

"Yes."

"And the night...is so beautiful...I wish...we could stay...like this...forever."

"We will, Katherine, we will."

"Do you...love me?"  She started to get a faraway look in her eyes.

"Forever.  I'll never forget you."  Halley was having a real problem containing his emotions.

"I...love you......too....."



"She died that night, in my arms, right there on the beach.  I never thought I could feel so much grief.  All 

the destruction and loss I had experienced to that point, from the loss of my village, and my entire life once 

before...it was nothing compared to that night.  Even the destruction of the Moon Kingdom paled in 

comparison.  I swore vengeance, and I also swore never to let anyone get that close again."



Raye said, "We've all got a lot to think about. Let's adjourn for now."



That night...



Serena's mind was racing.  It didn't do that too often, but...  "Luna, isn't that the saddest thing you've ever 

heard?  To find your true love only to lose her to your worst enemy.  And she saved his life."

"He's right, though.  He's seen a lot.  There was quite a bit written about his exploits back in the time of the 

Moon Kingdom.  If this Coranthum person managed to defeat him, we have a severe problem on our 

hands."



Raye was meditating to collect her thoughts.  "I have to find out more about what we're getting ourselves 

into.  I also wish I understood Mark a little more.  He's a very complex individual."



Amy had just finished her assignments for the next two weeks.  "I could learn a lot from Mark.  The 

amount of history he could tell me must be fascinating.  Maybe I could help him work out a way to destroy 

this new threat.  It's on an almost unfathomable scale."



Lita was washing dishes.  "I wish my old boyfriend had been more like Mark.  He wouldn't have been my 

old boyfriend then, though."



Mina was sitting on her bed reading a romance novel.  "Artemis, I think all that Mark needs is someone 

special to be with."

Artemis groaned.  "And you think it should be you."

"Of course.  I am the Sailor Scout of love, am I not?  Who better?"

"I could think of a few thousand people."

"Artemis!"



Adrian was pondering the day's events.  "I suppose he's not too bad.  His intentions are certainly in the 

right place.  I never realized that he had done so much.  There's a lot they didn't educate us about in the 

Moon Kingdom.  Just as long as he doesn't put the moves on Lita..."



Andrew was washing his car.  "I wonder if Raye and I have the sort of relationship that Mark and Katherine 

had.  I mean, we can say we do, but I wonder what would happen if it really came down to it?"



Darien was working on a new animation idea.  "I wonder if something based on what Mark was saying 

today might go over well as a story?  It certainly has all the right elements, but I'd need to include the girls, 

too, just because they'd bother me about it.  Nah, nobody would watch a show about a bunch of girls with 

special powers who came from the moon.  Oh well."



Mark lay awake on his bed.  "I need some guidance," he thought.  He closed his eyes and concentrated.  He 

willed himself to the Gate of Time.

"Pluto, I need to speak with you."

"I am here, Sailor Halley."

"I met the other Scouts and told them about certain things, including some of my past, and the magnitude of 

the threat they're facing.  I'm not sure if they are up to the challege though.  They are all so young."

"The young can surprise us, Halley.  You were young once, as well.  You proved yourself worthy of my 

faith innumerable times."

"I'm confused.  Coranthum's return...How will I know if I can defeat him this time?  He's had a long time 

to grow stronger.  Now I wonder if I was right to escape all those centuries ago.  Could I have changed all 

this by staying?  Could I have recovered from my losses?  Is the result of my past action going to be the 

destruction of the universe?"

"Halley, those such as us cannot play 'what if?'.  You well know the multitude of probabilities that exist.  

You must look within yourself, but also to the future, and the past.  The truth is not always so obvious, and 

a course of action not always so clearly defined."

"I see.  Thank you, Pluto."

"You are quite welcome."

"I have made a decision."

"So soon?"

"I wish to petition for access to the past, in all probable timelines. The future is not yet written, so I will 

search the past.  Therein lies the key to myself."

"You have made a good argument.  I shall consider this, Time's Champion."

"Thank you.  I will await your decision."

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