The World Turned Upside Down
By Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi, and all terms, names, etc.
associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and
Kodansha. We make no claim to them and this work of fanfiction should
not be seen as making a claim.
Those characters that are original and the story "The World Turned
Upside Down" are copyrighted (c) 1999 by Douglas Helm & Will Wolfshohl.
This fanfic and hundreds of other Sailor Moon fanfics reside in "Tuxedo"
Will's SM Fanfics Archive at http://log.on.ca/users/helm/anime/index.htm
Send comments to: Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm (dhelm@log.on.ca)
or "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl (wwolfshohl@logicon.com)
Chapter 9 - The Sister of All Battles
[That was truly cruel!] Usagi remarked to her sister, [We both been...
er, um, subjected to Minako's cooking when we were in the past.]
[How'd you think I knew what it'd do to the guys?] Misako replied with a
grin, [I'm drawing from "first hand" experience.] She giggled then and
winked before turning her attention back to the story.
Doug's first conscious sensation was of a muffled roar. As he
slowly gained consciousness, the muffled roar started to
become clearer; his other senses soon returned. The first was
a dull throbbing pain in his stomach and second, the taste in
his mouth which wasn't that appealing either. Opening his
eyes, he noticed that he was in his room lying on the bed. He
tried to push himself up but only managed an inch or so before
a wave of nausea forced him to give up.
<Jeez, I knew Minako couldn't cook but I didn't eat THAT
much!> Doug thought as he lay there, <What is that roaring?>
It sounded like voices out in the hallway.
There was a brief pause and then, the door opened as Makoto
walked into the room; Minako followed right behind her. "Oh,
Doug-chan, you're awake!" Makoto observed as she quickly moved
over to the bed. "I'm so glad you're okay... relatively
speaking." <Now I won't have to kill Minako.>
"What happened?" Doug asked. He knew it was a silly question
but at the moment, it seemed the most logical oquestion to ask.
"Minako's cooking laid you, Will, and Macavity out cold,"
Makoto replied matter-of-factly.
"IT DID NOT!" Minako bellowed with great ferocity, "They only
had a little bit of my food and nothing bad happened. It had
to be YOUR cooking. That's what they ate last!"
"My food likely tried to run away from yours!" Makoto
speculated while turning to glare at the blonde.
"Is that what that roaring was?" Doug questioned, "You and
Minako fighting?"
"We weren't fighting, Doug-chan," Makoto soothed, "I was
trying to explain to this thickheaded nitwit what her cooking
can do to people."
"Thickheaded?!?" Minako demanded, "At least I have sense
enough to date a prince instead of some lowly knight!"
Before Makoto or Doug could react to that statement, Terra
imperiously pushed her way passed Minako and into the room.
"What is going on in here?" she demanded. When no one
answered, the little girl's face became stern as she squeaked,
"Minako, leave!"
"But..." Minako began.
"Doug-ojichan requires his rest!" the child stated firmly.
Makoto gave Minako a smug look. That quickly faded when Terra
turned to her and added, "Makoto, leave as well."
"Nah-nah!" Minako sang out before running from the room.
Makoto sprang to her feet and chased after the fleeing blonde.
"They are such children," Terra observed with a deep sigh. At
that moment, Makoto came back in. "I thought I indicated that
you must leave?"
"Terra-chan, I'm going to look after Doug until he gets
better. Minako's talking to Will. I think he needs more
rescuing than Doug does."
[Hey!] Usagi squawked in protest, [Terra likes Makoto and she's usually
so polite. What gives?] Misako blushed slightly and giggled.
Terra's eyes widened a little and she flushed guiltily, "I'm
sorry, Makoto-san. I was being rude, gomen."
"That's all right, Terra-chan, but I do think you should go
check on Will and Macavity," Makoto responded. Terra nodded
and giving Doug a smile, left the room. Makoto walked over to
the bed and sitting down, gave a sigh. "I knew Minako's food
would do something terrible like this."
"Mako-chan," Doug replied, "I don't think it was all Minako's
food that did this to us." When Makoto cocked an eyebrow
questioningly, he explained, "Consider that it took Will
eating a lot of it for him to be affected badly, ne?" Makoto
nodded. "We only took a little taste of it. I know Will ate a
little more but I think he'd have a little resistance to his
girlfriend's cooking."
"So if it wasn't Minako's food, then what did this to you?"
Doug shrugged the best he could. "I suppose when Ami's done
with her analysis, we'll know then."
In Will's room, a slightly different conversation was taking
place. Minako was seeking Will's assurance that her cooking
wasn't that bad. He was trying to be as non-committal as
possible.
"I think," Will spoke slowly, "That maybe it was just a bad
reaction to something you put into the food."
"So you're saying that my food isn't any good?" Minako asked,
her bottom lip jutting out in a slight pout. <He doesn't love
me anymore...>
"Iie," Will soothed, "Minako-chan, do you eat your own
cooking?"
"Well... a little. It's just sometimes... I'm just not any
good," she admitted softly while looking towards the ground.
Minako felt her hand being taken. Looking over, she saw Will
regarding her with tenderness.
"Nonsense," Will said, "I know that if you do simple dishes,
you do them quite well." Minako seemed to brighten a little.
"It's just I think sometimes you try too hard."
"You really think so?" Minako asked softly. When Will nodded
at her, she bent down and kissed him.
[I knew it!] Usagi crowed as she sprang to her feet, [You're just as
interested in kissing guys as I am!]
[I am NOT!] Misako hotly retorted while rising to her feet.
[Sure you are, Miko-chan,] Usagi said with glee, [I bet you even think
about Senji.] Misako tossed down the pad and pencil before hefting a
pillow.
[Take that back,] Misako stated. Usagi just giggled and backed away from
her sister.
[Oh, hit a nerve, ne?] Usagi teased. Misako gave a roar of annoyance and
chased after the teen. It took several minutes until Usagi managed to
snatch up pad and pencil before locking herself in the bathroom, much to
the chagrin of her little sister.
The kiss seemed to go on for a long time. It likely would have
continued longer if Terra hadn't walked into the room. Upon
seeing her brother and Minako kissing, she giggled slightly
before going over to the bed and climbing on it. She had
observed that grownups seemed to like to kiss though she
couldn't see what the big deal was.
"Do you feel satisfactory, Onii-san?" Terra asked.
"Wonderful," Will murmured without taking his eyes from
Minako. Suddenly, he realized who asked him the question.
"Er... How's Macavity doing?
"He's presently asleep," Terra reported.
"Maybe you should call Mamoru and ask him to take you and
Macavity to the vet," Will suggested while looking at his
sister. Seeing Terra scowl slightly, he added, "I'll be all
right. Minako's here with me, ne?"
"But I desire to assist in the administration of your care,"
Terra replied.
"Macavity needs your help too, Terra-chan," Minako pointed
out, "I mean, he doesn't have a girlfriend here to help him."
"I am NOT going to be his girlfriend!" Terra retorted hotly.
<I am already Doug's!> Minako giggled at this, which caused
the little girl to frown. "And I do not wish to leave and
reside with Mamoru while you're in ill health, Onii-san."
"Imouto, I know you're worried about me but I think it's best
if you go and stay with Mamoru."
"But Onii..."
"Terra," Will said warningly.
"Hai Onii-san, I'll go call Mamoru." Sliding from the bed, she
walked over to the door and turning back, added, "But I am not
required to derive enjoyment from it!" She stomped from the
room when her brother and Minako had the audacity to laugh.
"Kids," Minako stated, "Go figure... Now where were we?" she
asked while she twisted a bit of Will's dark blonde hair
around her finger.
"Minako-chan, I'm not feeling well," Will said, "And I
promised your parents..."
Minako silenced him when she bent forward and kissed him
deeply, "I know, Will-chan. I'll go make you something good to
eat." As Minako skipped from the room, she didn't notice the
panicked expression on her boyfriend's face.
The next few days passed in similar fashion. Minako and Makoto
stopped by every day after school to nurse their boyfriends
back to health while Terra cared for Macavity. While Terra
lived at Mamoru's, she spent a good portion of her time,
outside kindergarten, at the mansion helping Minako and Makoto
out. She had to make sure neither would hurt her brother or
boyfriend again.
Crystal was still active. She attacked a few more prisons
during that time period. While Sailor Mercury and Mars, and,
to a lesser extent, Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn were quite
prepared to go after Crystal, Usagi refused to transform into
Sailor Moon. She didn't want to become bloated and heavy
again.
Macavity was the first to recover, much to the annoyance of
Luna who had taken great delights in Macavity's suffering.
What annoyed Luna even more was that Diana was showing
something akin to genuine concern for the blue cat. When
questioned about it, Diana said that since there wasn't many
Lunar Cats that they should worry about Macavity. She then
proceeded to shock Luna further by stating that if she were
ever going to have kittens of her own one day, she'd need a
father. Macavity seemed to be a fitting partner if a "tad"
arrogant.
The following Friday, Crystal spent the night at Usagi's, much
to the annoyance of all of the Senshi. Rei remarked that at
least Hotaru could gut Crystal with her glaive if she got the
chance. This was not to be as Ikuko arranged for Hotaru and
Shingo to be out of the house the entire evening so that they
wouldn't bother the girls.
Usagi sighed slightly and glanced towards the door. Misako's pounding
had stopped a short time ago and everything was quiet, too quiet.
Getting up, she walked over to the bathroom door and unlocked it. Slowly
she pulled the door open and came face to face with her sister. [Hi
Peanut, did you have to use the bathroom?] She noticed a smile flit
across Misako's face before it was firmly squashed.
[Hand it over,] Misako ordered sternly while holding out her hand. Usagi
complied and forked over the pad and pencil. [Baka Onee-chan,] Misako
muttered before giving her sister a smile, [I bet you had them
slobbering all over each other.]
[I did not!] Usagi protested.
[That's a relief,] Misako replied. [Would you make me a sandwich,
'Sagi-chan? I'm hungry.] The mention of food caused Usagi's tummy to
rumble so she nodded and happily headed toward the kitchen while Misako
continued the story.
It was late that night, Crystal just couldn't sleep. Sitting
up, she turned to regard her friend who was peacefully
sleeping in her bed. "Usagi-chan?" she called out softly.
Usagi murmured something while wiggling a little bit before
settling down into sleep again. "Usagi-chan?" Crystal called
again while gently shaking the sleeping teen.
"Hmmm?" Usagi asked while her eyes slowly fluttered open. She
gave a little yelp when she noticed the redhead was peering at
her intently. "Crystal-chan, what's the matter?"
"I can't sleep," Crystal admitted.
"You sound like Chibi-Usa," Usagi remarked, "Well, at least,
you don't want to hog my bed... ne?" She narrowed her eyes and
stared suspiciously at Crystal.
"Iie," Crystal replied, "Rei-chan might get jealous."
<Nani?> Usagi seemed flustered for a moment before saying,
"Well, what's the matter then? It's late."
"Usagi-chan, I was thinkin', could we maybe have the big
battle tomorrow?" Usagi blinked several times before frowning.
"It's just," Crystal said haltingly, "I want to get it over
with."
Usagi considered Crystal's statement for a long moment before
nodding. "You know, Crystal-chan, you're right. We've waited
long enough. And after this, I won't have to transform into
Sailor Moon ever again!"
"Never ever?" Crystal questioned with wide eyes.
"Iie," Usagi said, "Unless Kami-sama wants to play a practical
joke on me and send another swarm of monsters." Usagi gave
Crystal a critical look before adding, "At least, you dress
more decently than those Starlights."
"So, Usagi-chan, we battle tomorrow, ne?" Crystal asked.
"Hai!" Usagi answered while nodding, "Then we can have a big
party with everybody next weekend with lotsa food."
"Sugoi!" Crystal declared with a giggle. To seal the deal,
they shook on it.
"YOU DID WHAT?!?" The question was demanded of Usagi. The
sound of many voices breaking the early morning stillness of
the Hikawa Shrine.
"Weren't you listening?" Usagi asked as she looked around at
the Senshi, Will, Doug, Mamoru, and the Lunar Cats. "Crystal
and I decided that we're going to have the big battle today."
Doug covered his face with his hands and heaved a great sigh.
"Aren't you feeling well, Onii-chan?"
It was a moment or so before Doug dropped his hands and stared
at his twin sister. "You know, IMOUTO, at first, I thought
people were just exaggerating how irresponsible you are. Now,
I see that you're just as irresponsible as they say you are."
Usagi's bottom lip trembled for a moment before her face
turned red. Clenching her fists on the verge on crying, she
glared at Doug and demanded, "Onii-chan! Just what do you mean
by that?!?"
"Think, you baka brain!" Doug snapped uncharacteristically
annoyed, "Not only are Will and I not 100% recovered but also
we now have no preparation time. We haven't even figured out a
good tactical strategy yet."
Usagi sat, a few tears falling, looking towards the ground in
hurt silence. As the seconds passed, a heavy silence fell over
the group of gathered superheroes. Eventually, Usagi lifted
her head to look at Terra and asked, "Terra-chan, you don't
think what I did was baka, ne?"
Terra gave a long sigh before responding softly,
"Usagi-oneechan, Doug-ojichan is correct in his analysis of
the situation. You have placed us at a substantial tactical
disadvantage." Usagi looked like she was about to wail but the
little girl continued speaking, "I know you meant well,
Onee-chan, but this will likely bode very badly."
"You're saying we should still do this?!?" Rei asked in a
surprised tone of voice.
"Usagi is still Sailor Moon, and the leader of the Sailor
Senshi," Terra explained, "Her agreements are binding on all
of us." Rei turned to the guys, hoping that there would be
some support there but they were all looking grim.
"We're going," Mamoru said to Rei's searching look, "I because
Usagi and my imouto are going."
"I'm going because Terra is going and Minako is going," Will
added.
The others turned to Doug who sat silently for a few moments
before sighing, "Hai, I'll go. If only to see Usagi's proven
wrong." He noticed Terra and Makoto were glaring at him but he
wasn't feeling particularly gallant at the moment.
"So, Usagi-chan, when is this `battle' then?" Ami asked.
"We're supposed to meet Crystal at the park when we're done
here," Usagi replied.
"Well, let's get this over with," Makoto replied while
smacking her fist into her palm. The other Senshi nodded while
rising to their feet. "Usagi-chan, if you please."
Usagi nodded and stepping slightly away from the others, she
turned and lifting her transformation broach, called out,
"Minna, henshin yo!" And the shrine grounds became awash with
magical light.
Crystal squealed in happy delight as she played on the swings
at Juuban Park. She wasn't even aware of the incredulous looks
that the little kids were giving her. "Isn't this fun,
Rei-chan?" Crystal asked happily as she swung higher and
higher. "I wish those silly Senshi would get here!" Crystal
whined as she slowed slightly, more at Rei-chan #2's prompting
than her own will. "Maybe Usagi will want to come and swing
with me after we fight."
After a short time, Crystal got bored. Slowing to a stop, she
looked around the playground and pouted, "They still ain't
here!" Getting up, she frowned even more, "Baka Senshi!"
<Maybe I should've called them.> That was a good idea. She
started to walk down the pathway looking for a payphone when
she heard a commotion a little further ahead. Quickening her
pace, she rounded a bend and noticed that a large group of
people was gathered together, in the middle, the Senshi stood.
"There they are!" Crystal chirped happily and skipped towards
the crowd.
"Venus!" Sailor Moon wailed as someone crushed her toes yet
again, "You're gonna pay for this!"
"I just thought I'd sign a couple of autographs," Venus
replied as she tucked yet another hundred yen into her fuku
top. "'Sides, I need the money."
"Hey, are you that `Chubby-Moon'?" one guy asked Sailor Moon
as he poked her huge stomach.
"Hey! Stop that!" Sailor Moon squealed.
"Iie," his companion corrected ignoring the squeal, "That's
`CHIBI-Moon' not `CHUBBY-Moon'."
"Honto? Are you sure?" the man asked while giving Sailor Moon
a critical look, "She kinda looks like that one. I mean the
outfit's the right color; so's the hair."
"Sure, she's got the same outfit and hair but Sailor
Chibi-Moon is a little shrimp."
[HEY! I wasn't a shrimp!] Usagi squawked in protest while scowling at
her sister. She had just returned with the sandwiches. Misako just gave
her a mischievous grin and continued writing.
"AH! LET ME OUTTA HERE!" Sailor Moon demanded as she started
shoving people aside. With her current mass, this was easily
done. It was at that point that Tuxedo Kamen spotted Crystal.
"There's Crystal!" Tuxedo Kamen declared.
"Does she have a youma with her?!?" Venus questioned. That did
it. As soon as the throng of people heard the word "youma",
they scattered, running for their lives, leaving a very
perturbed looking Sailor Venus.
"There you are. Now can we start?" Crystal asked impatiently.
"Sure," Sailor Moon replied before the other Senshi could
complain. <The sooner we get this done, the faster we can get
at those yummy goodies. I'm starving!> Then waking up from her
revelry, "Are you going to use a youma?"
Crystal started nibbling on her index finger for a moment in
deep thought before shaking her head. "Iie, this is just
'tween us." Clasping her hands in front of her, she added,
"But you can do your speeches." <They're kinda kawaii.>
"Arigato, Crystal-chan," Sailor Moon replied. "Hmmm... now
what should it be?" She considered for the moment and then
said, "Got it!" Striking her traditional pose, she shouted
out, "For food, fun, and friends that we will have after this
battle, I AM THE PRETTY SUITED SAILOR SOLDIER... SAILOR
MOON..."
"SAILOR MARS..."
"SAILOR MERCURY..."
"SAILOR VENUS..."
"SAILOR EARTH..."
"SAILOR JUPITER..."
"SAILOR SATURN..."
"IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, WE WILL PUNISH YOU!"
A new voice called out, "Hey! Don't forget us!!!" The group
turned to find Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus running
towards them towing a bound and gagged Sailor Pluto between
them.
[Misako?] Usagi questioned in puzzlement but her sister didn't even look
up from her work.
"What are you doing here?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Odango, did you think we wouldn't show up for a final
battle?" Sailor Uranus asked sweetly of Sailor Moon.
"I thought you were incarcerated," Sailor Earth added.
Crystal gave out a squeal of indignation and turning to the
interlopers, fired off a ball of glowing pink energy that
exploded around the three Outer Senshi. The other Senshi threw
up their hands to shield their eyes.
[What are you planning, Miko-chan?] Usagi asked. Still, there was no
response from the twelve year old.
When the light faded, they saw a very strange sight. No longer
were there Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune but instead,
Michiru and Haruka who were now no more than five years old.
They were each in a very cute dress and in each child's hair
were two pink bows.
"What have you done to us?!?" squeaked the five year old
Michiru. Crystal just giggled and clapped.
"I can't be wike this!" little Haruka complained, "I'll never
be able to dwive wike this!" Unable to control her emotions,
she suddenly started to wail, much like Usagi. Her wail
trailed off, however, when she heard another's crying.
Thinking it was Michiru, she turned to comfort her partner and
found that she was staring at something shorter than she was.
Looking down, she saw a dark green furred teddy bear with a
purple ribbon tied around its neck. "Pluto?" Haruka asked in
shock.
"I don't want to be a teddy bear!" the former Sailor Senshi of
Time wailed. Turning, the teddy bear that was now Setsuna fled
down the path. After a moment, Michiru and Haruka followed as
fast as their little legs could carry them.
Usagi doubled over in laughter but Misako didn't even slow down.
"That was unexpected," Obsidian commented. Crystal just
giggled and gave him a wink. That's when he struck. Launching
himself into the air, he shouted out, "LUNAR BUNNY CUDDLY
KISS!"
"Aww... it's so kawaii!" Crystal declared seeing the bunny and
held out her arms.
Tuxedo Will took advantage of the situation, "LIFE IS LIKE A
LEMON, SQUEEZE IT TOO MUCH AND IT'LL SQUIRT YOU IN THE EYE! I
AM TUXEDO WILL AND IN THE NAME OF THE PLANET EARTH, I'LL
PUNISH YOU!" Jumping up in mimicry of Obsidian, he let loose a
flurry of pink buttercups. They reached Crystal just as she
went to hug the bunny construct. With an audible pop and a
whoosh of air, the bunny construct popped like a balloon as it
was pierced with buttercups. The explosion sent Crystal flying
backwards with a cry.
"BURNING MANDALA!" Mars shouted, launching her flaming attack.
"MERCURY... SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!" Mercury added her own attack
to the fray and the two attacks intertwined and slammed into
Crystal just as she was getting to her feet.
The teen was flung backwards. Rei-chan #2 sailed into the air
and disappeared into some nearby bushes.
[Ne, Imouto, let me write some,] Usagi requested holding out her hand.
['Sagi-chan... I'd kinda like to finish this off,] Misako said, [I like
you helping me but I know just how I want things to work out.] She
looked at her sister hopefully. Usagi frowned slightly. [I've been
waiting for this moment since I started this story. Please Onee-chan?]
Usagi seemed a little puzzled but nothing more. [Sure Peanut,] she
agreed while giving Misako a quick hug. [But can I make suggestions?]
[Hai!] Misako chirped and turned back to her writing.
"IIE! NO FAIR!" Crystal shouted as she stomped the ground with
her foot, "You ain't s'pposed to gang up on me! YOU'RE NOT!
YOU'RE NOT! YOU'RE NOT!!" Her ample assets nearly poured out
of her tight dress during her tantrum. Jumping to her feet,
she fixed her four attackers with a deadly gaze and summoning
upon her powers, shouted out, "ULTIMATE KAWAII ATTACK!"
Sailor Moon, Venus, along with Tuxedo Kamen scattered, trying
to avoid the attack. Sailor Mars, in her haste to get away
from the attack, tripped over Sailor Mercury and fell to the
ground. Sailor Saturn leapt forwards and called upon her
powers to protect her and Sailor Mercury. Therefore, most of
the force of Crystal's attack hit Obsidian and Tuxedo Will.
It was with dawning horror that the Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen
watched their two male comrades start to shrink; their
features moved from manly to childlike in a process that
seemed to both take an eternity and an instant. Eventually,
the age regression stopped, they were physically somewhere
around four years of age. Both small children looked at each
other for a moment before promptly collapsing to the ground
unconscious.
"NOT AGAIN!" Sailor Mercury wailed. She just knew she was in
some damnable little girl outfit again. She had two tiny
pigtails in her hair with adorable pink ribbons. Suddenly
feeling a breeze on her legs she hadn't before, she looked
down. To her horror, she was dressed as a toddler complete
with diapers. She was barefoot as well. Mercury let out a
screech.
Saturn looked over at Mercury and then down at herself. After
a moment, she smiled. "This is like Chibi-Usa's old school
fuku." It looked the same only stretched comfortably to fit
her larger frame. <Chibi-Usa was a really good friend. I miss
her a lot.> She gave a little sigh. At least, she didn't look
like a baby. Progressing and regressing through different ages
was already bad enough. Her thoughts then turned to Tuxedo
Will and Obsidian.
"Onii-san!" Sailor Earth cried while running towards her
diminished brother.
"Bauxite!" Tuxedo Kamen added while following his little
sister.
Sailor Venus and Sailor Jupiter likely would have followed her
as well but Sailor Moon blocked their path. "Crystal went off
to find Rei-chan. Let's power up the Sailor Planet Attack
now!"
"But we want to go check on the guys!" Venus and Jupiter
protested together.
"Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Earth can take care of them. Let's
get this over with so I can detransform!" Sailor Moon
commanded. <I feel like the Fuji Blimp.> Sailor Mercury and
Mars nodded their agreement. Sailor Saturn decided to go with
Sailor Moon; it was safest to take care of the enemy first.
"Luna! Artemis!" Sailor Moon called towards a nearby tree.
Both Lunar Cats descended with Diana and Macavity following
closely behind. "Luna, how long do you think we can hold the
Sailor Planet Attack in check?"
"I'm not really sure..." Luna answered with a frown,
"Macavity?"
"Not long, sweetie," Macavity winked, "It would be too
dangerous to do otherwise."
"Diana," Artemis ordered, "Go find Rei-chan and get Crystal
back here while the Senshi prepare!" Diana nodded and bounded
off with Macavity following closely behind her.
While the Senshi were making plans, Sailor Earth and Tuxedo
Kamen were kneeling beside a "chibified" Obsidian and Tuxedo
Will. "Onii-san!" Sailor Earth called plaintively, "Come on,
arise!" She jiggled Will and then did the same to Obsidian.
After a few moments, both groaned. Tuxedo Will tried to sit up
but his brother easily prevented him from doing so.
"Take it easy," Tuxedo Kamen said, "Rest... Something's very
wrong." Tuxedo Will complied and settled back to the ground,
eyes tightly closed. He hoped it was a dream. Obsidian groaned
a little more but fell into silence again. Sailor Earth looked
worriedly towards Tuxedo Kamen who looked towards Sailor
Mercury.
He was just about to tell Sailor Mercury to come over when he
heard Crystal's voice, "COME BACK HERE, KITTY!!!!" There was
some crashing and then, Macavity came running out of the
bushes with Rei-chan #2 firmly between his teeth.
"Do it now!" commanded Diana who was right behind Macavity.
The Sailor Senshi gathered. Clasping hands in a circle, they
closed their eyes and drew upon their powers.
"MOON GUARDIAN EARTH STONE POWER..."
"VENUS GUARDIAN EARTH STONE POWER..."
"JUPITER GUARDIAN EARTH STONE POWER..."
"MARS GUARDIAN EARTH STONE POWER..."
"MERCURY GUARDIAN EARTH STONE POWER..."
"SATURN GUARDIAN EARTH STONE POWER..."
Crystal was so intent on chasing Macavity that she failed to
notice the Senshi preparing to attack. It was only at the last
moment did the final words, "SAILOR PLANET ATTACK!" catch her
attention. Crystal stopped and turned just in time to see the
attack heading her way. Her eyes enlarged and she gave a
little whimper just before the Sailor Planet Attack slammed
into her.
"Mamoru-kun," Tuxedo Will squeaked softly, "Take the Guardian
Earth Stone. Finish Crystal off!" Tuxedo Kamen didn't waste
any time. Telling Sailor Earth to stay with Obsidian and
Tuxedo Will, he quickly removed the Guardian Earth Stone from
around his brother's tiny neck and placed it around his own.
"CRYSTAL!" Tuxedo Kamen bellowed as he sprang to his feet and
looked around for his target, "I will kill you for this!" <How
dare she hurt my family.>
"Iie!" Sailor Moon countered, "She just needs to be healed,
like the Uncanny Sisters did. I know she has a good heart,
Tuxedo Kamen-sama."
"Sailor Moon, don't talk nonsense!" Tuxedo Kamen retorted. A
motion caught his attention. Turning his head away from Sailor
Moon, he saw Crystal very slowly struggling to her feet. "FOR
HARMING MY BROTHER... I AM TUXEDO KAMEN AND I WILL PUNISH
YOU!" Tuxedo Kamen declared as he concentrated as much power
as he could draw from the Guardian Earth Stone causing it to
glow brightly.
"WAIT!" Sailor Moon shouted but it was lost on Tuxedo Kamen.
<I have to do something!> she thought. Raising her broach, she
called out, "MOON HEALING ESCALATION!" just as Tuxedo Kamen
launched a virtual cloud of red roses. Both attacks sped
towards their target and merged. A marbled red and pink light
swirled around Crystal, hiding her from view.
It shimmered like a giant bubble for a moment before shrinking
and resolving itself into a form. Instead of Princess Crystal,
Queen Beryl's seventeen year old daughter, there stood a
bewildered looking four year old with shoulder length red
hair. She wore a cute yellow jumper suit. Her eyes were round
and wide as she looked around in obvious fear. There was a
moment's hesitation before the little girl burst out into
tears.
Tuxedo Kamen was momentarily stunned. That hadn't been what he
had been expecting. His attention was drawn sharply back to
reality when he felt a great energy waver and then die.
Whirling, he was about to go to his brother when he noticed
that Sailor Moon was no longer obese. In fact, she was her
normal petite size. Gone was the pink fuku and hair, instead
to be replaced by Sailor Moon's Eternal form and flowing
blonde pigtails.
Sailor Moon bounded over to Tuxedo Kamen and kissed him
deeply. He wrapped his strong arms around her lithe frame and
kissed her back. Things were as they should be and as Sailor
Moon tried to tickle Tuxedo Kamen's tonsils, she felt his
passionate love between them. As they mounted towards the
final ecstasy of their burning passion, Tuxedo Kamen pulled
away.
Usagi stared for a long moment, turning slightly green, unable to make
more noise than a slight squeaking. Misako sighed and didn't even hear
her sister.
"What's the matter, Mamo-chan?" Sailor Moon asked worriedly,
putting a hand to his handsome cheek.
"I felt a power die," Tuxedo Kamen replied.
Sailor Moon wrapped her arms around the dashing tuxedoed
figure and was about to hug him when she gave a little gasp.
Sailor Mercury, who had come over to congratulate Tuxedo Kamen
on his heroism, exclaimed while pointing, "The Guardian Earth
Stone!" Tuxedo Kamen looked down at the Guardian Earth Stone
around his neck. Its magical gleam was dull; its surface
cracked in several places. Reaching up, he touched the once
precious stone and it crumbled to dust.
"We're normal!" Sailor Saturn and Sailor Mars sang together.
Mercury wished she could say the same.
Sailor Mars then heard a sob. She quickly walked over to the
crying little girl and bent down. "Ne, honey, what's your
name?"
"C-Cwystal," the little girl sniffled out.
"How old are you?" Mars asked softly smiling at the sad little
girl.
"Four," Crystal barely squeaked out holding up all five
fingers. Everything seemed so strange. She didn't seem to know
any of these people or how she got here. She couldn't even
remember what her mommy and daddy looked like. Tears streamed
down her cheeks. "I WANT MY MOMMY!" <They gotta know Mommy.>
Something deep within Mars' heart stirred. It was something
that had been long buried, a desire for her own mother. That
triggered other thoughts. Before the other Senshi could do
anything, Sailor Mars had detransformed and reached out a hand
for Crystal. "It'll be okay, Crystal-chan."
"Who you?" Crystal asked while wiping her eyes and sniffling a
little. <She pretty.>
"I'm..." Rei paused only for a moment before saying, "I'm
Rei... your onee. We don't have a mommy but we do have a very
nice sohu." No sooner had Rei uttered those words than Crystal
sprang into her arms and buried her face against her shoulder.
All the while still trembling until Rei wrapped her arms
lovingly around the little girl in a soothing hug. "There
there, Imouto. I'm here now."
By this point, both Obsidian and Tuxedo Will were awake and
very unhappy. "I can't be a widdle kid!" Obsidian protested in
a high-pitched voice, "I will not gwow up again! I'm
seventeen, dwam it!" The evidence was there though. Everything
and everyone seemed huge now. Even Terra was bigger than they
were. The only consolation was that at least they had remained
male.
"This is wather inconvenient," Tuxedo Will added in his tiny
voice, "I have twes... tests on Monday at the univew'ty I
can't 'ford to miss." <Hard to make my mouth form the words
now.>
"What ever happened to that wit..." <Damn it.> "widdle
monster?" Obsidian demanded. <Kami-sama, I can't even make my
mouth say "little".>
"She's not a monster," a seemingly giant Rei said fiercely as
she walked over to the group carrying little Crystal in her
arms. "Usagi was right; she was just misunderstood." Everyone
neatly facefaulted.
"YOU are actually AGREEING with Sailor Moon?!?" Luna asked as
she padded over to stare at little Crystal, "This is very,
very bad."
Before Sailor Moon could protest, Rei's voice cut her off.
"Macavity!" the teen called out, "Bring that bear over here!"
With some reluctance, Macavity brought the teddy bear to Rei
who took it from him. "Imouto, look what I found." The little
girl turned to see what Rei had found and her face lit up with
delight. It was HER teddy bear. Reaching out, she hugged the
bear to her before resting her head back contentedly on her
sister's shoulder.
"Nani?!" Rei demanded when she noticed that the others were
looking at her with astonishment and disbelief.
"Imouto?" Jupiter questioned.
"Hai... She... I mean WE don't have any mother," Rei stated
seriously, "I know how much that can hurt." A stricken
expression crossed her face before she schooled her features
into a grim line, "Crystal, I think, could have grown up to be
a wonderful person. Ojii-san and I will help her hone her
natural abilities." Crystal didn't understand any of this
except that her sister and grandfather loved her. That really
was all that counted.
"Well that's settled," Tuxedo Kamen remarked, "But with the
Guardian Earth Stone gone..."
"GONE?!?" Tuxedo Will and Obsidian screeched.
"Hai, it crumbled into dust," Tuxedo Kamen admitted glumly.
"That's just peachy," Macavity commented sarcastically, "I
knew handing over the Guardian Earth Stone to the SAILOR
Senshi would cause trouble." He then glared at Sailor Moon who
pointedly ignored him.
"Don't blame her, Macavity," Luna whispered, "She's dense like
that all the time."
"I suspect, Onii-chan, that it was overused," Sailor Earth
stated matter-of-factly. "The Guardian Earth Stone simply
could not take the strain to which it was subjected and
disintegrated under the load." She hugged Will again giving
her warmth to his now small figure.
"So now what?" Obsidian added with annoyance, "I 'fuse to be
stuck wike this!"
"Why Otouto-chan," Sailor Moon giggled, "I think you're kinda
kawaii looking. You'll look even more kawaii in your
KINDERGARTEN fuku NEXT year." She giggled as her brother
glowered at her. "Come on, Doug-chan, it ain't that bad!"
"HAI, IT IS!" Jupiter, Venus, Tuxedo Will, and Obsidian
screamed at once. Sailor Moon rocked back on her heels and
sighed.
"Okay... okay," Sailor Moon conceded. <Kami-sama, what
grouches.> As she drew out the Ginzuishou, she suggested,
"I'll try healing them." There was little choice now. Once
everyone was out of the way, Sailor Moon lifted the Ginzuishou
into the air and called out, "MOON HEALING ESCALATION!"
Both children were bathed in pure white magical light that was
too bright to see into. As it faded though, Jupiter and Venus
say that saw that something was very wrong. "They haven't
changed!" Jupiter exclaimed in horror.
"They just detransformed!" Venus added with horror showing in
her tone.
It was that at that instant that both Doug and Will burst into
tears and in a single unified tone of despair cried, "I WANT
MY MOMMY!"
[Sugoi!] Usagi squealed, [I'm in the presence of a writing genius.]
[Arigato,] Misako said and gave a little bow, [I thought you'd like it,
Onee-chan... but I'm not done yet.]
[You're not?] Usagi asked, a puzzled expression on her face. Misako gave
her a large grin and shook her head while sitting down again.
"What happened?!?" Jupiter and Venus questioned while before
reverting to their civilian forms.
"It should have healed them," Sailor Moon stated while she
frowned at the Ginzuishou. She glanced at her now shrunken
twin brother before turning back to glare at the Ginzuishou
again. "Baka thing!" she declared while giving it a whack.
"Are you okay, Doug-chan?" Makoto asked, deep concern showing
in her eyes. Doug stopped crying and just stared at Makoto
with large sad eyes. "Doug-chan?"
"I want Mommy," he said softly and then asked, "Who you?"
Makoto blinked and straightened as she glared at Sailor Moon.
"What did you do to my boyfriend?"
"And mine!" Minako demanded as well while rising to her feet,
"He doesn't remember me at all!"
"I can try it again," Sailor Moon offered while raising the
Ginzuishou.
"IIE!" Mamoru, Makoto, and Minako shouted at once.
"Nani? Why not?" Sailor Moon countered with a frown, "Although
maybe I should just leave Doug like that. He's so kawaii now,"
she giggled. Makoto gave her a warning look so she sighed,
"Well, why not?"
"Honestly!" Luna scolded with exasperation, "Don't you think
you've done enough already, Sailor Moon?" Sailor Moon looked
puzzled by Luna's angry outburst. "IT WAS YOUR BAKA IDEA THAT
CAUSED THIS MESS IN THE FIRST PLACE! `Take on Crystal today
and get it over with!' HAH! And look where it got us!"
Turning, she stalked off with Artemis following closely.
"You might do something worse to them," Minako replied, "Leave
it to Odango Atama to screw it up!" Sailor Moon pouted
slightly but what Minako said next stopped her from crying.
"Gomen... It's just that... well..." She looked back over her
shoulder at former boyfriend who was looking rather miserable.
Turning, she walked over and bending down said softly,
"Will-chan, do you remember me?" The child shook his head
slightly and sniffled. "My name's Minako." She gave him a
smile which he returned.
"Hi," he squeaked, "Where Mommy?" <She nice.>
Minako sighed internally for a long moment before reaching out
a hand. "She's at home with Daddy. Let me take you home."
Will's eyes narrowed slightly while he scooted away from the
strange blonde lady. "I'm your onee, remember?" Minako told
him. He hesitated then nodded seeming to detect she was
sincere.
"Mina, are you nuts?!?" Sailor Moon asked. "You can't go
around telling people you suddenly got a four year old otouto.
It took Luna-P to have everyone believe that my children were
my cousins." <And that was painful enough.>
"Sailor Moon is right," Mercury added, "It would be highly
illogical for you to claim to be his onee. You were just
dating him." Will was confused. Why were these ladies arguing
with his sister? He desperately looked to Minako for comfort.
"Out of the mouth of babes..." Sailor Moon began before
breaking into a fit of giggles. Mercury glanced down and
suddenly realized what she had been wearing the entire time.
She glanced up to see the others, who were all normal looking
except Will, Doug, and Crystal, staring at her. Cursing her
luck, Mercury detransformed and was relieved to find herself
back to normal, including her hair. "Ah, ah, ah..." Sailor
Moon said admonishingly while wagging a finger, "Watch your
language, young lady, or..." Grinning, she struck her
traditional pose said, "IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, I WILL PUNISH
YOU!"
"Ami-chan," Macavity interrupted, "Let's finish this first and
then, you can kill her when there are no witnesses around." Ami
grunted before getting out her computer.
"And I will not leave my onii's side!" Terra stated
emphatically. She clamped an arm around little Will who gave a
yelp of surprise. "Or my OTOUTO, I should say. Mamoru may move
into the mansion with Will-chan and me and become our primary
care provider."
<Otouto?! Me got 'nother onee?> Will mused, though it seemed
to comfort him.
"Nani?!?" Mamoru and Sailor Moon questioned. Sailor Moon
detransformed and marched over to tower in front of Terra.
"I do not comprehend what is distressing you so greatly,
Usagi-oneechan. Mamoru-kun has an obligation to his REAL
family first. You have to look after Doug-chan in any event.
Neither man has any living relatives in their own respective
country so they must remain in Japan," Terra explained.
"Oh no, he's staying with me," Makoto corrected, "Ne,
Doug-chan?" Doug was seriously confused. He didn't know this
tall lady but she seemed sort of familiar. Maybe she knew his
mommy. He put his thumb in his mouth and watched.
"He's coming with me, his onee!" Usagi countered with
vehemence.
"He will go with a Senshi," Macavity said sternly, "Doug must
train to be a Lunar Knight again and, Princess or not, I will
not have your klutziness rubbing off on him. It took me months
to train that out of him on the Moon; I am NOT going to go
through that again!"
Deciding to ignore the blue cat's remark, Usagi turned to
Terra and added, "And Mamo-chan will NOT be staying with you
and Will, Terra-chan."
"Why not?" Terra questioned, "I am a minor child... although
your behavior of late would indicate that you are younger than
I am!"
[Miko-chan,] Usagi said with some concern, [That isn't at all like
Terra.] Shaking her head slightly, she added, [And that type of talk
from a five year old...] Misako seemed to think about what Usagi had
said for a long moment before grinning. [Nani?]
[Just wait and see, 'Sagi-chan,] Misako replied.
"Terra!" Mamoru snapped. Terra turned to regard her brother
and observed his stern expression. "Young lady, you apologize
to Usagi this instant! That's no way to treat an onee. You're
lucky she doesn't put you across her knee."
"She would not dare," Terra squeaked out in surprise.
"She would and I would not stop her. Now apologize!" Mamoru
ordered. Terra sighed and did as she was told. "Now I suggest
that you ask Minako politely if you may live with her and
Will." It was very painful for him to give up his new family
but his siblings deserved a loving two parent home that the
Aino's could provide.
"But Onii..."
"Terra..." Mamoru hissed warningly.
"Hai," Terra replied. Turning, she asked, "Minako-san, could I
reside with you?"
"Hai, sure you can," Minako said cheerfully as she crouched
down to look at the little girl, "You and Will can come live
with me. I bet my parents would like having a couple of more
kids around the house." Terra gave her a dubious look so she
added, "I know I'd like to have an imouto and an otouto."
<Mie-chan will look out for them too.> As tears began forming
in her eyes, she whispered to Mamoru, "Arigato Mamoru-san. You
can come visit them as often as you want. Arigato," and gave
him a quick hug.
Terra sighed and regarded her younger brother. "Otouto, would
you like to come live with your onee?" she inquired. Will
nodded and getting up, happily walked over to Minako and Terra
before trying to hug them both. Each of his new big sisters
held a hand. Terra looked into his trusting eyes and promised,
<I will be the best onee to you.>
Misako smiled at Usagi and gave her a big hug.
"Doug can accompany us too!" Terra suggested.
"Iie! He will not be exposed to Minako's cooking," Macavity
retorted.
"He won't be exposed because he's coming to stay with me!"
Usagi countered with some annoyance.
"Iie, he is not!" Macavity snapped with some exasperation.
"That's right, he is not!" Makoto agreed and swept little Doug
up into her arms. "You already have Hotaru staying with you."
"She can go live with you," Usagi countered.
"I won't," Hotaru chimed in, "Ikuko-mama wouldn't allow that
and wouldn't like to hear that you suggested it, Usagi-chan.
'Sides, I can't go back to living with Haruka and Michiru
now." Makoto shot Usagi a smug look before the other teen
could sputter a response. "I think it's best for Doug to live
with Makoto as her otouto."
"You'd like to live with your onee, ne Doug-chan?" Makoto
softly asked. He figured he must not have a mommy and daddy
but his sister seemed very nice. The brunette's tall stature
oozed warmth and security. Doug spent several seconds
considering Makoto's question before nodding.
Usagi pouted slightly but only for a moment at the loss of her
recently acquired twin brother. She had a wedding to plan for
fourteen years in the future. She'd see to it that Terra and
Doug would be wed just as her mother had ordained.
"Has anyone considered that we will have to falsify official
records and documents?" Ami asked, "I know they can't go home
but we'll have to do some type of hacking to make everything
legal."
"So what's the plan, Ami-chan?" Minako asked as she held both
Will and Terra in her arms. She winked at Rei a few feet away
who was playing games with Crystal.
"We meet tonight at the mansion and come up with cover stories
for everything," Ami responded. Internally, Ami pouted. <It's
not fair!> Now she was the only Inner Senshi without a
sibling.
Four year old Doug gave an expansive yawn and nestling his
head against his sister's shoulders, began to nod off to
sleep. Makoto grinned down at him and remarked, "That sounds
like a good idea, Otouto. It's been a rather hectic day."
The End of "Bunny's Revenge"
******
Usagi clapped. Misako took another bow, closed the notepad, and
placed it on the nightstand. Usagi then reached into her dimensional
pocket and pulled out two Disguise Pens. Holding them up to her sister,
she announced, "It seems to me I know two little girls that have a date
to play Youma Catch."
End of Chapter 9
Coming Next: Epilogue
Doug
"I am Sailor Chibi-Earth! And I will sit you in the corner!"
- Tsukino Misako in "Tales of Younger Venus" Part 6
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