Disclaimer: All Sailor Moon references and characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi, TOEI, Kodansha & Pioneer. Everything else is mine.
"What happened before I arrived?" Nike's voice gave no hint of emotion.
"Mostly, we screwed up!" Draco Soul replied setting Sailor Temple on the ground gently. "Sailor Temple was not prepared to fight yet. I should've come here alone."
"It was a judgment call," Athena protested. "I was just so caught up in actually finding her that..."
"That you assumed too much of her," Nike finished. They both nodded. "Well, then, I suggest that we find a less open space to figure out what ails the new Senshi."
"We can go to Deli's house." Draco scooped up Sailor Temple and headed for Deli's, assuming the others would follow. After a few steps, he saw Athena breeze past the treetops and heard Nike's footsteps catching up with his.
"Temple caught a thorn. I know Athena saw it. I don't know why she didn't tell you," he said soberly.
"Perhaps, Athena hoped you had not seen and wished not to frighten you?"
"Yeah," he agreed with reluctance. "Have we figured out what those thorns do yet?"
"A little. Priestess Allelight has a theory."
"What is it? The theory, I mean?"
A thoughtful look crossed her face, momentarily. "In time."
After that, nothing Josh did could persuade Nike to say another word. She only spoke after they arrived at Deli's room and were all back to their normal selves.
Josh sat at Deli's feet on the bed, Athena sulked on the bar Deli gave her and Alleluia (Sailor Nike) stood by the window as if afraid of being caught without an exit. Alleluia broke the silence. "Josh told me that Miss Sendle was gifted with one of Lady Thornrose's special darts." Athena stiffened but nodded. "Then the only action I can suggest is to take her to Temple Victory. Priestess Allelight may have devised a way of saving her."
"But if we leave," Josh couldn't believe he'd heard her right, "who'll stop Thornrose from kidnapping humans?"
Alleluia smiled a little. "Are you protector of Temple Draco, the Templeflights and the system of Temple? Or are you protector of Earth and her people? I am sure Tuxedo Mask has already claimed the latter."
"And even he tried to protect the Moon Kingdom and her people," Josh retorted.
"Yes, and now you must protect the Temple System. The Sailor Senshi of this system can protect it. Besides, Lady Thornrose has a particular dislike of Fantasy Wither. She will not return so quickly as the last while she thinks I am around."
Josh finally agreed, wishing he wasn't even partly responsible for Deli's loss of the Earth. Chances were, they'd never return. It was just like Alleluia said, this system had its own protectors. It didn't need them. The thought of leaving Earth so abruptly left a big bubble of sour in his stomach. He was from Earth, too. Didn't that count for something?
"Let us go back to the fountain. Temple's pull is strongest there."
"Not tonight, Alleluia." Athena flapped to the floor. "We should all rest. Too much done in too little time."
"The Crystal Bloom only grows stronger with time, Athena."
"You can't take two transportations in as many hours. We'll go in the morning."
Alleluia sat cross-legged on the floor. "Very well, Advisor. In the morning, we leave."
Athena flew back to her perch, satisfied. Only Josh refused the deception of attempted sleep. How could he leave Earth behind? And how could he tell Deli that she could never return home? Last week she'd never heard of Temple and now... Now, she was broken, because he'd told Athena not to let Deli use her powers in practice. Begged Athena not to let her is closer to the truth. Because he was afraid she'd be seen.
No. That wasn't it either. It was because he was afraid Deli really was the one. If she really were Sailor Temple, if she could handle the Flute, he'd be forced to go to Temple and leave his home behind. He didn't deserve that. And neither did Deli.
"I thought we were to be resting?" Alleluia's voice floated up from below the window. "It will be morning soon."
"Too soon," he muttered slipping to the floor and laying his head on the edge of the bed.
"Then, I suggest you rest. Worries can wait until later. Temple Victory is full of worry. You should share yours there."
Strangely enough, even though Alleluia let no sympathy into her voice, Josh was slightly reassured. He even slept a little.
"Josh, why did you do it?" Deli's teary eyes were so accusing Josh had to look away.
"You would've died." The excuse sounded weak to his ears.
"I'd rather die! And Gran will die, worrying about me! You didn't even let me say goodbye!" Now, her tears fairly drained from her eyes. "How could you do that to her? I will never forgive you!"
"Deli, I-"
"Young Draco Soul." The voice came from behind Josh. He turned, not really wanting to, but was possessed by curiosity.
The man who stood there was, at least, eight feet tall, skin laced with the green veins of Floribunda's Royal Family. His eyes were a cold crystal blue. His face had permanent frown lines and on top of is leaf-green hair was a crown of wood, vines and tiny flowers that sparkled like jewels. He could only be-
"King Belladonna," the man said bowing to Josh. "We have been anticipating this meeting with you, Draco Soul."
Josh was sickly aware of Belladonna's use of the royal plural.
"Animals with your conviction should not be left wandering without understanding. Come with Us and We will show you the truth."
Josh edged closer to Deli, blocking her from Belladonna's view.
"The girl will not be harmed. Is this not your temple? We give you Our word. We just wish to show you something that you will find useful. That is all."
"Just show me?" Belladonna nodded. "And Deli won't be harmed." Another nod. "Alr-"
Then, suddenly someone was shaking his shoulder. The dream flitted away. "The sun is fully raised. We go now."
Alleluia? Josh looked around. He was in Deli's room, still on Earth.
"We must go before people arrive at the park."
Josh remembered Deli's words from the dream. "Gran will die of worry."
"No, wait! I need a minute."
"We have not the time."
"Then, make it! I have to leave Deli's grandmother a note, so she won't worry." He scrapped around Deli's nightstand for a pen and something to write on. He found a pencil and Deli's diary. On a blank sheet, he scribbled a quick note, signed it "Josh (the handsome fellow)," tore it out and slapped it on the top of the stand. The diary fell open to the last entry. The poem in red ink with tear blotches caught his attention:
He read through the poem three times before Alleluia's patience ran out.
"Are you not finished yet?"
"Yes," he said stuffing the diary in his back pocket and picking Deli up. "C'mon Athena."
Alleluia led them to the park fountain at a run. She took the Sigil out of the folds of her toga-like robes and held it up until it floated just above their heads. Alleluia and Josh transformed simultaneously and the Staff of Illusory Welcoming appeared at Nike's call.
"Nike Mystic Power!"
"Power of Temple Draco!"
"Templeflight Transport!" Athena cried.
There was a flash of light, then darkness and silence, then another flash and they were standing on the amethyst steps of Temple Victory.