Note: Due to spoilers, the theme song for this chapter will be located at the end. Parts of the disclaimer can also be found there. Another Note: Sailor Moon is owned by Naoko Takeuchi and Akane is owned by Rumiko Takahashi. Certain material was borrowed from Margaret Weiss and Tracy Hickman. Harley Trent is the creation of my own twisted mind - there's no one to blame. This chapter was written with the support of Stewart Root Beer. Sailor Cynic: Swerves of Fate by Beky NeRichnead Dreams are powerful things. They can be used for many things, such as the processing of experiences. They can also be used for foretelling. But most importantly, dreams can cross barriers that nothing else can cross. Such as universal barriers, for instance. It was for this reason that the Sailor Senshi and associated hanger-ons dreamed - but the dreams were not their own. * Mamoru! He fell, his mask and hat spilling off. Intense sadness filled her soul. He was the last of her friends to survive. Rei, Ami, Makoto, Minako, Haruka, Michiru, and now her one love had fallen. Now she was alone. She faced her nemesis, a Senshi in gold... Where was she? Where was Harley? Harley? Who's that? The moment stretched, and the minds seemed to blink at each other. Harley is my friend. She's betrothed to Zoitan. Zoitan? You don't know them? No... They didn't exist here, obviously. Time sped up once more, but Usagi's troubled soul had already left the scene. * The lightning rocketed through Usagi's frame, and she was gone. Rei knew she was gone. But then, from her body stepped another, similar in appearance. But totally different. "Are you...?" The regal woman shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid not. I am Serenity." Usagi was gone, truly gone. Her friend was dead. The sadness permeated her, and she awoke in tears. * Cold sweat covered Ami's body. She breathed, trying to calm down. She had experienced a terrible nightmare - it seemed so real, like a memory. Could it have been a memory? From her other self? Ami's quick mind made the connection between the Doom & Gloom girls surrounding her and the youmas slain by Malachite. Her other self had died, but had managed to keep her computer and its precious secrets out of their hands. And then Usagi had reset the clock - and Ryo had forgotten her completely. The thought frightened her beyond belief, considering they hadn't really spoken openly of their feelings. She loved him - that was sure. She couldn't imagine life without him. What if he died before she told him? * Setsuna sighed and looked at the man lying beside her. His mouth was curved up in a slight smile, emphasizing his handsome fakir. She had dreamed that night - of a life without love. Without *him*. He began to shudder and she touched his arm gently. He awoke, breathing hard. He looked up at her and frowned. "Thank you... I was having the most teribble dream. It was a nightmare of my time in Eternal Sleep, but it seemed so much more real, like I was truly experiencing it once more." She frowned. "You may have been. I dreamed of the life Ryo described me leading. Jade-chan... in that world, you still sleep." He nodded. "That is a possible explanation. We ought to call the others." She nodded. "Yes, but not tonight. We all need our sleep. Tomorrow we can plan, tonight we rest." He nodded, and they curled up in the bed. They're apartment was just two floor above Harley's. Setsuna giggled girlishly, probably in backlash from her dream. "Setsian?" her love asked. She smiled. "This situation could be taken the wrong way." He laughed, appreciating the joke. "Yes, I don't think the words 'chaste' and 'sharing the same bed' fit in the same sentence for the others." She snuggled closer to him. "They'll learn... eventually." He nodded, pulling a bit on the covers. "Perhaps in a few centuries." "Mmm." * The wake of Makoto's dream was clear - loneliness. She would never have anyone, it seemed. No, the person in the dream wasn't exactly her, but... She laughed bitterly. They could write a tale about her - "Makoto Kino and the Perpetual Search for Her Old, if Nonexistent, Boyfriend." Thats what the others thought of her now, anyway. Few saw what was underneath. She had a brain beneath her tough exterior. But using it brought too many bad memories. On the other hand, Akane hadn't been in her dream. Neither had Harley. They were both close friends and jogging partners. Maybe she had a chance. Now how could she seize it? * Did I mention dreams can also be used for communication? Even communication between universes. * Akane fell asleep only to find herself inside a large white room. It was carpeted with bean bags and pillows. Ecchi thoughts of the uses one could put the room to went through her mind. "Akane?" a familiar voice asked. Akane turned around. "Rei?" Well, the person looked much like Rei. And sounded like her - but she was at least sixty. The older woman who greatly resembled Rei smiled. "That is my name, but I am not the Rei you are referring to." Akane blinked. This woman looked familiar in another way too, but she couldn't figure out why. "Who are you?" "I am Rei Gishumi." Akane's eyes widened. "You're... my grandmother?" The woman nodded. "My daughter, Himeko Gishumi, is your mother." "But how is that possible? Are you related to Rei Hino?" The woman frowned. "In a manner of speaking." She paused. "I was born Rei Hino. And I was once Sailor Mars." "Are you from the future?" It would just figure that Rei's future self was her grandmother. It wouldn't be any stranger than the rest of her life. "I'm from *a* future." Akane nodded. "So, how did you become my grandmother..." The woman looked around nervously. "Our time is short. I'll explain all that I can. My universe is vastly different from yours. Here the Senshi of the Planets were joined by the Senshi of the Moons. I married Cole, the Senshi of a moon called Portal, and we had a daughter - Himeko. We became more powerful, fighting hard to defend our world. Himeko sought peace. A powerful being allowed her to settle in your world, where she married Soun Tendo. She bore Kasumi, Nabiki, and you." Akane listend in stupified silence. This was one tall tale. Her grandmother swallowed. "Akane, Himeko did not die of cancer... she was called back to help us fight a great danger. We lost many of our friends in that battle, including my daughter." Akane's lip began to tremble. "But..." Rei gathered her up in her arms. "I'm sorry, time is so short... she saved us. Your mother was a warrior, as you are. It is my blood that makes you a Senshi." She drew back. "Akane, you have been granted power. Use it wisely, protect your home." She flickered. "I must go... good bye." With that, Akane awoke. "Wow, what a dream!" She sat up, then stared in shock. On her dresser sat a henshin stick - but it had no marking on the top. "But how...?" * Harley and Zoitan sat on the couch. Neither of them had been able to get a shred of sleep. She sighed and pushed a button on the remote, turning off the Cutey Honey rerun. Zoitan looked at her, his eyes troubled. "Harley, we may not have much time left..." She nodded, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "I get the feeling we're approaching a life or death time." He smiled. "Don't interrupt me. Harli, will you marry me?" She chuckled. "Well, we *are* engaged, are we not?" He rolled his eyes. "I mean soon." She looked at him. "Like tomorrow?" He smiled. "Yes. That's exactly what I was thinking." She nodded. "We'll need witnesses." Zoitan grinned. "I don't think that will be a problem." * It was a fairly shaken group of Senshi that gathered the next day at Makoto's apartment. That wasn't odd considering each of them had either had a nightmare, a really strange dream, or hadn't been able to sleep. Luna yawned and attempted to start the meeting. "Good Morning." The others noticed that the "meeting" was "officially" starting and became more attentive. Luna yawned again. "I am sorry about my fatigue - I din't sleep well." Harley smiled. "Hey, I didn't sleep at all!" Akane nodded. "And I had the weirdest dream of all time." Usagi frowned. "I had a nightmare... I think." Artemis blinked. "You mean we all had strange dreams?" Setsuna leaned back. "I believe that through are dreams we were somehow connected to our otherworldly selves." Murmurs of agreement greeted her announcement. Akane shook her head. "I met someone claiming to be my grandmother." Harley and Makoto shot her a look, being closest to her. "Maternal?" Harley asked. Akane nodded. "What makes it weirder is that she is really Rei." Rei blinked. "Huh?" Usagi was even more confused. "How can Rei be your grandmother?" The whole group looked at the nearest time traveler. Ryo put up his hands wardingly. "Hey, I don't know anything about it!" Akane pulled the wand out of her pocket. "I found this after I woke up." She handed it to Harley. Harley grinned. "Great! Its a crystal not yet specialized to a planet. This is incredibly valuable!" "And its Akane's," Zoitan pointed out. Harley blinked. "Of course it is." Makoto asked. "Did she give you any other info?" Akane frowned. "She claimed to be from another universe, where they have Senshi for the moons too." Jedaite nodded. "That's actually quite possible. There's really no good explanation for why you should be able to channel planetary chi. If your grandmother was a senshi..." Usagi looked at Minako, who was crying silently. "Mina-chan? What's wrong?" Minako swallowed. "I'm scared of the future I saw." Ami nodded. "We all are. But, together, we can keep it from happening." Everyone looked towards her. She frowned. "Isn't it possible for us to make so many changes that the future doesn't turn out that way?" Setsuna frowned. "We can attempt to do so. The problem is that the Ginshouzo has the power to reset the universe, causing anything we do to be erased." Mamoru put a supporting hand around Usagi. "I'm sure Usako would never do something like that." Jedaite took over. "I'm sure she would not - but many could use the Silver Crystal for such a purpose." Makoto shrugged. "We've protected it this long." Setsuna nodded. "As I said, we can certainly try to change things." Harley smiled. "Well, to start off, Zoitan and I are going to Life Bond - get married." Only Ryo did not seem surprised. But then, Ryo did not seem surprised by much. Minako blinked, her depression gone. "Cool! But how?" Harley and Zoitan faced each other. She asked, "Who will witness our bonding?" "I will!" Usagi said excitedly. Other cries of affirmation followed. Harley took her betrothed's hand. "My life for your life." He smiled. "My life for your life. My death for you life." "My death for your life," she repeated. "My death for your death." "My death for your death. My life for your death." He agreed, "My life for your death." Around them formed a golden glow. It quickly disappeared. Rei smiled, a look mirroring that of Setsuna on a smug day. "Wow." Minako marveled. "Its that easy? Your married now?" Harley nodded. "We must preserve the customs of Zephyr. The other planets influenced the development of parts of this world - ours did not." Akane snorted. "Yes it did. It influenced it towards still existing." Jedaite interrupted, "Harli, Setsian and I have spoken. We too wish to carry on Zephyr's traditions. We would take the Vows of Life in your presence." Harley grinned. "I'd be glad to witness your vows." The two faced one another and repeated the same vows. Their glow was purple, but it made no difference. The suddenly looked more like a pair. Rei offered, "While we're altering our time, we should get a new look." Harley frowned. "What do you mean?" "Well, the future selves we met were the Sailor Senshi, members of Princess Serenity's court, right?" Ami caught on quickly. "But we don't have to be!" Usagi blinked. "You want us to quit?" Rei shook her head. "No. We just continue on more traditions of Zephyr - by becoming Zephyran." Silence prevailed. It was Akane who broke it. "I guess I'm the only one here really from earth - even if my grandmother was from Mars. But I agree. I'll become part of a Zephyran court." Rei nodded. "I swear fealty to Queen Harliana of Zephyr." Akane grinned. "I'll fight by your side, Le-chan." Harley looked questioningly at Usagi. Usagi smiled in response. "I never wanted to be the leader anyway. You can lead - I'll just have fun." Relief was rampant, and it allowed the Inner Senshi to swear their loyalty as well. Setsuna and Jedaite agreed with an amused gleam in their eye. Ryo had no problem with it. The cats, however, had been quite silent through the discussion. Finally Luna spoke up. "Harliana, I pay you no disrespect, but... I promised Serenity I would protect Usagi." Artemis nodded, trusting Luna to express his feelings properly. Harley smiled. "Any person who would break an oath is not welcomed in my court anyway - but this does not stop you from helping us." Luna shook her head. "As long as Serenity is with you, you shall have our help." * Rei sighed, her psychic senses filling her with information she really didn't want. She didn't much like being manipulated, even if the force behind it was good. At least if FELT good. For instance, she hadn't really meant to so easily yield to Harley's leadership. Yet she had. Because there was some entity pushing them along, making things happen faster than they normally would. Either the entity was malevolent (which seemed unlikely considering the pleasant events that had so far happened) or it was benificent and was trying to get the Senshi... no, Warriors ready for a new enemy. She conveyed this all to Harley in a thought burst, their bond being useful. Harley's mental voice was firm, but a bit of her marital giddiness showed through. Rei "gasped". Harley sighed. Rei had to admit that was true. Harley's cynical commentary actually calmed Rei down. * Xalen grinned. "I just got a great idea." Saeblin shuddered. "Do I want to know?" Faolin put in, "Well, I do." Xalen told them. They were grinning now as well. Saeblin giggled. "Won't she be surprised?" * "Ta - da!" Minako announced. Luna blinked at the former Senshi. Their uniforms were certainly... different. "Well, this is one way to make a new start." Makoto grinned. "They won't be calling us the Sailor Brats anymore, thats for sure!" Zoitan chuckled. "Yeah - now they'll be calling us the Sailor Saps, right?" Usagi frowned dramatically, and the others laughed. Mamoru lay a comforting hand on her shoulder. Akane bowed. "Shall we now continue the demonstration?" Ryo shook his head. "No, first Minako has to nod her head seriously." Minako nodded her head seriously, "Now, on with the... hey, wait a minute!" Mamoru glanced over at Ryo. "How is it that you're able to see into the future, Ryo?" He frowned. "Ami and I theorize that I can see a little into the future because its pretty set, and there is no possible immediate future without the Queen." Ami nodded. Harley began to make director's motions. "Cut, cut. None of this 'the queen' stuff, got it?" Jedaite nodded. "Yes, Queen. We'll stop calling you queen." Zoitan grinned. "Queen, we wouldn't even imagine calling you a queen or anything." Akane just laughed. Harley frowned. "Wait - this isn't just a personal foible, however much I detest rank. It makes sense not to let the enemy know who are most powerful fighters are." Jedaite visibly deflated. "I suppose you're right." Minako looked cross. "We are TRYING to have a fashion show here, guys." They all looked appropriately meek. Well, Harley didn't, but that didn't surprise anyone. She presented herself for examination. Minako's outfit was a golden cape reaching to the middle of her thighs, surrounding her entire torso accompanied by pants the same color. Her normal shoes had been exchanged for a pair of miniboots similar to Makoto's. She then flipped of the poncho/cape/cloak, revealing a sleeveless white shirt with a lace up v-neck. Her hair was the same as ever except for the golden bow in it. "Warrior V, at your service." Makoto stepped out after her. Her outfit was quite similar, but she was clothed entirely in silken, reflective green. Her miniboots had become brown. "I am Warrior Zap." Artemis frowned. "But what will you do without the lightning rod on your tiara?" She shrugged. "I wondered that, but it seems that my finger works just as well." Akane followed, finally a costumed member of the team. She had chosen the colors red and black. Her cape and shirt were red, while her calf height boots and pants were black. A red bandanna she had worn during her few training trips was on her forehead, Ryoga style. Beneath her cape, she wore a mallet on her belt. "Warrior Leo." Luna blinked. "Leo?" Harley grinned and laughed sardonically. "Yeah, that's where all her enemies go - Low Earth Orbit. And falling fast." Luna blinked. "Oh." Next was Ryo. His uniform was blue and white, with his shirt being white, his pants navy blue, and his cape a lighter blue. He said seriously, "Warrior Herm." Artemis took his turn blinking. "Herm?" Ami giggled girlishly. "You'll see." She wore a uniform that was the reverse of Ryo's - her pants light blue, her shirt light blue, and her cape white. Her computer was safely stowed on her belt. "I am Warrior Aphrodite." Artemis gagged. Literally gagged. "You're... Aphrodite?" Luna had a different reaction. She chuckled, then began to laugh. "What is that, Ami, an intelligence test for youmas?" Ryo smiled. "You might say that. How many monsters would think to put our names together? If they do, we'll know to be wary." Minako broke out into laughter. "I guess you didn't pass, Artemis." He blushed. Setsuna bowed. Her clothing was dark as usual - dark green cape, black pants and shirt. "Warrior Tomorrow." Jedaite was wearing the reverse of her uniform, in that his shirt was green while his cape was black. "Warrior Yesterday." Usagi grinned. She was clothed entirely in white, her broach not in sight. "I'm Warrior Love." Her betrothed's costume was comletely black, including his Zorro-like head bandanna and mask. "Warrior Justice." She posed by him. "We're the Warriors of Love and Justice." Luna groaned. She had no other choice. "Did your names have to be so..." "Fun?" Harley suggested. "Luna, if we are to do what we must, we might as well do it in the most enjoyable way possible. After all, we ARE trying to make this future our own." She had chosen to make her shirt green, her pants brown, and her cloak a green plaid. She had also decided on a gold bandanna in a similar style to Akane's. The Silver Sword poked its hilt up her back, but most was under her cloak. "With that in mind, I'm Warrior Here." Zoitan grinned. The colors of his shirt and pants were the reverse of his wife's. "And I'm Warrior There." Rei stood beside them. Her outfit was red in shirt, purple in pants, and white in cape. "To complete the trio, I'm Warrior Everywhere." Artemis laughed. "Why not? Sorry, Luna, but I've been sucked in by the great lunacy of it all." Harley nodded. "Glad to hear it, *general*." Despite her words, her voice was light and it seemed she no longer held anger against him. Akane frowned. "Guys, should we continue to meet here? We're putting Makoto at risk." Makoto shook her head. "Its no problem." Then Rei nodded. "Akane's right. The temple is at risk as well. I'd hate myself if anything happened to my grandfather." Ami seemed quizzical. "What about the meadow?" While most of the inhabitants of the room stared at her in confusion, Harley simply winced. "Doh." She paused. "I should have thought of that. What about the meadow indeed." Usagi blinked. "What are you guys talking about?" Ami turned to her. "Usagi-chan, do you remember the place we fought Beryl and Metallia?" Usagi frowned, then her features brightened. "That's right! Harley made it look so nice afterwards." Now others around the room were nodding. "Its still there," Harley told them. "By the edge of the Juuban Middle School grounds. Let's check it out later." Mamoru raised an eybrow. "Later?" Harley nodded. "We have things yet to discuss." Zoitan obediently sat down. "Yes, queen." Jedaite cheekily followed his friend. "Whatever you say, Queen Harley." Harley grimaced. "Well, at least I won't be in danger of getting a swelled head." The two quieted down. "Now, produce those henshin sticks." The girls, including Setsuna, took their pens out of their pocket dimensions. "To complete the change, we have to work with these. See if you can get the crystals out of them." Rei popped the top off of her stick. It was surprisingly easy. She shook, and a red crystal fell into her palm. "Beautiful." The others followed suit, finding crystals that matched the colors of their old fukus. Harley looked to Akane. "Akane? Aren't you going to do it?" Akane blushed, taking the blank henshin stick out of her pocket. It yielded as easily as the others' had. She found the crystal inside to be as clear as diamond. Harley nodded. "Now, detransform and retransform." They nodded, willing their transformations. In short order they were back in uniform. This time, though, around the throat of each former Senshi was a necklace, and their crystals hung their. Even the Ginshouzo had appeared around Usagi's neck. Harley grinned. "Well, that, as they say, is that. Witness the birth of the Warriors of Zephyr. Any questions?" "Yes," Mamoru said. Harley snorted. "That does not constitute a question." Mamoru frowned. "Queen Serenity instructed me to seek out my father." Harley smiled. "That STILL doesn't constitute a question." "Do you have any idea of how to find him?" She shook her head. "Nope. I haven't the foggiest." Mamoru's face fell, and Usagi gave him a hug. "We'll find him. Don't worry, Mamo-chan." Harley smiled. "Meet back here tommorow in uniform, and we'll head over to the glade. Got it?" "Yes, Queen," chorused Setsuna, Jedaite, Zoitan, and Rei in perfect unison. Harley winced. "Not you two also? Argh!" * Xalen frowned petulantly. "Darn! It didn't work." Saeblin grinned. "What did you expect? She's by nature contrary." Faolin smiled. "Score one more for Harley. Look, we don't have to wait do we?" Xalen shook her head. "Well, no, she's dong a fine, they're as ready as they'lll ever get..." "Then lets go," Faolin said firmly. Xalen nodded. "Lets." Saeblin grinned. "Won't they be surprised to see us?" With that, a door opened in the time warp and three spirits went to their hard earned rest. * Akane, Makoto, and Harley headed home together. Akane turned to her two friends. "Harley, from what you've said we'll live a long time, right?" Harley smirked. "No. I said we'll have a CAPACITY to live a long time. We can be killed in battle anytime." Akane sighed. "Same thing. So we could be nearly immortal?" Harley nodded. "Yeah." Makoto sighed. "I need a boyfriend. I suppose you'd be upset if I stole Ranma?" Akane frowned sadly. "Yes - but not because of... anyway, I have a plan." Makoto looked at her curiously. "I was joking. Going to let us in on our plan?" "Probably not," Harley predicted. "She'll probably keep us in suspense." Akane nodded. "Yeah." The three continued home laughing. * Sailor Cynic Says (substitute hosts Luna and Artemis): Luna: Well, a lot of things happened today. Life is changing rather quickly around here. Rei [popping in]: Thats because a mysterious force was pushing us along. How else do you explain us totally changing our group and some of us getting married, all in the same day? Artemis: You're not supposed to be here, Rei. Rei [sighs]: I suppose not. [disappears] Luna: We also discovered that Akane has a mysterious plan, which will be described in the next story "Ranma's Tale", which will be published later today. * The Updated Theme Song St. Elmo's Fire - John Parr, 1985 [In their old uniforms, the heroes of this fic fight past enemies] Play the game, you know you can't quit until it's won Soldier on, only you can do what must be done [Jedaite receiving back his power, Malachite fighting the D&G girls] You know in some way you're a lot like me You're just a prisoner and you're tryin' to break free [Ryo's arrival, Akane's first fight] I can see a new horizon underneath the blazin' sky I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher [Ryo and Ami, Zoitan and Harley reuniting after a battle] Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire [Still in old uniform, fighting the Pocket monsters] Burning up, don't know just how far that I can go (just how far I go) [Harley steps into the 'meadow'] Soon be home, only just a few miles down the road I can make it, I know I can [Mamoru enters the meadow] You broke the boy in me, but you won't break the man [Akane transforms into Warrior Leo] I can climb the highest mountain, [Ami and Ryo transform into Warriors Herm and Aprhodite] cross the wildest sea [Rei transforms into Warrior Everywhere. As the fire subsides, we see Here and There by her side, transformed] I can feel St. Elmo's Fire burnin' in me, burnin' in me [Jedaite transforms into Warrior Yesterday] Just once in his life a man has his time, [Setsuna's transformation into Warrior Tomorrow] and my time is now, I'm coming alive [Minako and Makoto's transformationg into V and Zap] I can hear the music playin', I can see the banners fly [Xalen, Saeblin, and Faolin walk out of the Time Warp, finally to rest] Feel like you're back again, and hope ridin' high [Zoitan and Harley take their vows] Gonna be your man in motion, all I need is a pair of wheels [Setsuna and Jedaite take their vows] Take me where my future's lyin', St. Elmo's Fire [The Warriors walk through a fire, transforming as they do, heading into the sunset] Burnin', burnin' in me, I can feel it burnin' Oooh, burnin' inside of me... (to fade) [A giant yellow Z, a la Zorro]