"Mau... I haven't thought of our home planet in millennia..." Bastet said after several moments of silence. Luna and Artemis had just informed her about the status of their planet and guardian senshi. Sighing, she started talking again - this time sounding a bit more deflated in the ego department. "Who am I kidding? I'm no goddess, I'm just an ambassador who let an ancient civilization's beliefs and worship get to my head. The only thing that was true about the whole thing is my name. I couldn't help it, the Egyptians believed that I was a goddess, no matter how many times I tried to object. So I gave up trying to tell them otherwise and started believing them."

'Man, it's a good thing that that traitor of theirs is dead. If she was alive and here, I'd rip her a new one...' Eternal Sailor Tiger thought as she clenched her teeth.

"Now that we've found out the source of the energy reading, maybe you could help us?" Super Sailor Mercury asked quietly.

"I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but sure. What's the situation?" Bastet responded as she smiled somberly.

"We have an enemy who calls himself Sesmar. His goals aren't completely clear to us but he's been gathering an item from humans called a Shabti. Sailor senshi have a slightly more powerful one called Ethereal Shabti." Luna explained.

"Shabti were really important in means of holding things together." Bastet mused. "The Ancient Egyptians believed that they could make them out of wood or stone to be servants for their dearly departed. Especially for their royalty. But from what I gather, no mere mortal can just 'make' a Shabti, especially not an Ethereal Shabti. Shabti contain the genetic make up and memories of the past life for the bearer of the individual. At least that's what I've concluded from distant observation. Would it be possible for me to actually see an Ethereal Shabti, I might be able to prove without a doubt that it works that way."

The two senshi looked at each other then at the cats and Toraboushi. Toraboushi seemed a bit confused about the technical talk but shrugged it off as soon as he realized that if he compared Shabti to Dream Mirrors, it made more sense. Luna and Artemis looked concerned for a few moments before nodding to the senshi. Eternal Sailor Tiger willed her Ethereal Shabti to materialize before her.

"So that's an Ethereal Shabti..." Bastet said as she padded closer to get a better look. "But wait, it's not properly aligned. It's like someone took it, broke it in half and tried putting it back together without completely aligning it the way it was before it was broken. May I?"

With a nod from Eternal Sailor Tiger, Bastet morphed into her human form and gently grasped the Ethereal Shabti. A resounding click was heard as Bastet set the Ethereal Shabti properly. A brilliant flash of light filled the corridor as the whole group was whisked through the memories flooding forth from the Ethereal Shabti.

**********

"But I thought that Princess Suzu was in training to be Sailor Mau." a younger pre-senshi female tiger said wide eyed in shock.

"Yes, which will make it that much harder to tell her." replied the King of planet Mau. "You have Sailor Mau's symbol and if checked, I'm pretty sure you'll have the Sailor Crystal that proves that you are to be our planet's guardian soldier."

"I - I'm honored to take up the role that was bestowed upon me." the youth replied. "I will strive to fulfill the responsibilities I am assigned with this vocation."

The youth morphed into her human form and kneeled in front of the King and very much pregnant Queen who was expecting her second child. As she closed her eyes, the king touched her shoulders. A moment later the Mau symbol flashed once on her forehead and faded from view.

Outside the King's chambers, an angered Princess Suzu shook silently as tears streamed down her face. The position of Sailor Mau was to be hers and hers alone. Yet there was some... commoner... that came around with no formal training whatsoever and taken her calling from right under her nose. An uncontrollable sob betrayed her previously hidden status moments before she ran past the open door and through the hall way.

**********

"Attention, please!" Mau's guardian called out amongst the crowd of guests. Immediately the noise stopped, allowing for her to continue. "This day is a joyous one for the two chosen to be guardians and companions of the Moon and Venus kingdoms of the Sol System. Lady Luna and Lord Artemis! May you two forever be happy, healthy, and above all else, always land on your feet!"

With that, a resounding round of applause and laughter rang throughout the halls of the Mau Kingdom's palace. An occasional 'Here, here!' and 'Congratulations!' could be heard as Luna and Artemis, with smiles plastered across their faces, approached the guardian.

"We are very honored to take on these roles." Luna said.

"As am I honored to have known you two. Your transport leaves first thing in the morning. I'd take you there myself, except..." she paused to sigh.

"We know," Artemis said reassuringly. "You're the guardian of our planet, Sailor Mau. This is your place to be."

"None the less, I'll see you off."

**********

"I was told you wanted to privately talk with me, Princess." Sailor Mau intoned as the elder princess entered the conference room and securely shut the door behind her.

"Yes," Princess Suzu purred. "I realize that the relationship between us over the years have been pretty... strained. I figured that maybe we could start anew. Bury the proverbial hatchet so to speak."

'As long as I bury it deep within your backside...' Suzu mentally added.

"Yes, I'd like that." Sailor Mau said with a broad grin.

"Perfect. As a small token, I have something for you." Suzu beamed just moments before she discharged an energy blast straight at the feline senshi.

Caught off guard, Sailor Mau was unable to defend herself. The attack instantly killed Sailor Mau and left Mau's Sailor Crystal floating in mid-air. Suzu instantly clasped her hands around the brilliantly lit starseed moments before being teleported off planet herself.

**********

Another flash of light brought those gathered back into the present. Luna and Artemis sat dumbfounded as they finally understood what happened to their home planet's sailor senshi. Abenti, now unconscious and de-transformed lay in a fetal position as her hands clasped tightly on the clothes in front of her chest. Bastet carefully sent the Ethereal Shabti back into Abenti's body. Toraboushi, still sitting on his legs, clutched at his chest as well. The memories were so real that he felt sympathy pains. Super Sailor Mercury was slightly bent over with her hands on her knees and gasping short breaths of air. Not a single eye amongst them was dry.

After a short time had passed, Bastet had opened up a hidden service way that lead outside and Luna and Artemis had morphed into their human forms to help Ami carry the still unconscious Abenti and aid Toraboushi in walking out of the pyramid.

"The 'True Guardian' was..." Luna said with sadness in her voice.

"...Sailor Mau." Artemis interjected, finishing her sentance.

"This will be one hell of a shocker when everyone else finds out about it." Toraboushi said once they reached the exit.

"Yes. Well, if it's all the same to you, and even if it isn't, I'd prefer to not be there when they're told. I think that I better head back to Mau and see if I can start getting things set up for when Sailor Mau comes home. At least there won't be an ancient civilization to distract me this time." Bastet said with a chuckle.

Before anyone could object, Bastet jumped into the air, and disappeared as she shot off past the stratosphere.

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