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 5 - Quenchable Love
Macavity raised his head from where he had been napping beside
Terra. Entertaining a five year old had been more tiring than
what he first believed. He was glad to see that the figure
coming down the stairs was Obsidian. "Is the note delivered?"
Macavity questioned softly.
"Hai," Obsidian replied while looking around him. They were in
a lavishly furnished basement. "I still say this is the wrong
thing to do though, Macavity." When he saw Macavity's sour
look, he sighed and flopped into an armchair. His face twisted
as pain shot through him. "They think we kidnapped her!" His
oath as a Lunar Knight said nothing about kidnapping helpless
children.
"It could've been a lot worse," Macavity replied, "Let them
think about what's happening to her. The sheer irony of them
sitting upstairs in the living room worrying over her while
she's right under their noses..." He started chuckling then
and shook his head. "Besides, there's another reason why I
wanted her to be here."
"And that is?!?" Obsidian asked. He was in pain from the
Senshi's attacks and he wasn't in the mood to guess.
"I have no wish to harm Terra," Macavity replied. "Taking her
anyplace else might expose her to danger." He sighed and
added, "This is also a fail-safe. If things get too hot, we
can pull the plug quickly."
Obsidian sighed again and glanced over towards Terra who was
curled up asleep on a couch. "So who tuckered whom out?" He
grinned as Macavity looked towards the ground. "Not as easy as
you thought, ne?"
"Iie, Obsidian," Macavity replied. At that moment, Terra
started to stir and she slowly sat up. She frowned slightly
while looking around the room. As her eyes rested on Obsidian,
her face brightened a little. Slipping from the couch, she
slowly, and sleepily, padded over and gave Obsidian a smile.
"Konnichiwa Doug-ojichan."
"Nani?! You know who I am?!?" Obsidian questioned. Terra
nodded and walking forward, hugged him before pulling away and
skipping towards the basement bathroom.
"When I return, you can read me a story," Terra called over
her shoulder. Once the door was shut, Obsidian took the
opportunity to switch back into his civilian form.
"Much better," Doug replied, "Are you sure there isn't any
other way for this?"
"Iie," Macavity replied, "Now go on up there and see how
they're reacting." Doug didn't need to go up there; he could
easily guess.
Will and Mamoru were pacing back and forth in the living room
while the Senshi observed them with worry and concern. "What
is this Guardian Earth Stone?" Ami asked, "And why would we
have it?"
"I don't know, Ami-san," Mamoru answered, concern creasing his
features, "I don't remember anything about it." He stopped his
pacing and looked towards the Lunar Cats who sat silently
watching the scene. "Well?!?"
"Gomen nasai, Mamoru-san, I don't think we can help you," Luna
replied, "We have no memory of such a thing."
"I've never heard of it," Artemis added, "We thought you two
would know something about it especially since you ARE Princes
of Earth." He flinched slightly at Will's dark look. "I'm not
implying anything. It's just it makes sense, ne?"
"What are we going to do?" Usagi questioned, "Terra doesn't
deserve this; she's innocent." At the other's odd looks, she
gave a sigh of exasperation before saying, "Okay, so I don't
exactly get along with her but that doesn't mean I can't wish
her to be safe and unhurt!"
"Ami, doesn't your computer tell you anything?" Rei
questioned.
"Iie, Rei-chan," Ami remarked, "I have very little data to go
on." She wasn't about to go searching through this large house
either. She had things to study for after all. "The more
important question is, why would they think we had it?"
"Kunzite..." Rei offered uncertainly, "This weirdness started
when Kunzite appeared."
"Would it be like the talismans of the Outer Senshi?" Hotaru
offered.
"That wouldn't make any sense though, Hota-chan," Minako
replied, "I mean, the Dark Kingdom was evil but they only
wanted energy, not Heart Crystals."
"Maybe they want to make the world a more cuddly place,"
Usagi suggested. When the others stared at her, she started to
pout and whined out, "Why don't you guys ever believe what I
say?"
"Whoa!" said an unexpected voice, "Why all the long faces?!?"
Everyone whirled around to see Doug standing in the doorway.
"Terra's missing," Will stated, pain flashing through his
eyes. "We think someone took her."
"Uh, why?" Doug questioned. <Please let them not see I know
something.>
"Don't be a baka odango atama!" Usagi shouted, "Money, what
else?!?" She saw Rei open her mouth and shook her head. "There
IS NOT any other reason." Rei muttered something before
slouching back into her chair.
"Have you called the police?" Everyone seemed to freeze for a
moment and then a strange thing happened -- half of the
gathered people nodded and the other half shook their heads.
"Well, which is it? Hai, or iie?"
"We can't tell the police, Doug-san," Mamoru piped in softly,
ignoring the glare he got from his girlfriend. "The note they
left us specifically told us not to notify the police."
"Doug-san, did you see anything?" Ami queried. Doug shook his
head. "Where were you this afternoon?"
"I had some business to take care of," Doug replied as he
walked over to where a worried Makoto was sitting. Seeing the
look on his beloved's face only served to heighten his feeling
of guilt. "So what do we do?" He returned the suspicious look
that Rei was sending him. "Don't you want me to help look?"
"Um... well... someone has to stay here in case she comes
back," Ami said haltingly.
Giving Makoto a hug, he sat down beside her and sighed
internally. <Macavity's just going to love this!> He had to
find a way to let them find Terra. <Macavity's gone too far.>
[Here,] Misako offered softly and handed the pad and pencil to her
sister. [You can do some more.] She hugged Usagi. Then she crawled up
onto the bed and laid on her stomach while resting her chin on Usagi's
shoulder.
Crystal lay on her bed, her face a mask of grief. Her eyes
puffy and red from crying, both cheeks and pillow stained with
tears. <Neph-chan...> Her only real friend was gone. <That
Sailor Brat did this!> Crystal thought darkly, <They must
pay!> But how were they going to pay? Every time she came up
with a plan that seemed solid, the Senshi would destroy it.
Then, she heard a gentle tapping on the door. "Go 'way," she
said softly, but her heart yearned to be comforted in
Nephrite's strong arms again.
"Your Highness," Jadeite began softly, "I have an idea." After
a few moments, Crystal rolled over and stared at him, her eyes
pleading with him. "Would you like to hear it?"
"Hai," Crystal squeaked as she held Rei-chan #2 in her arms
and sniffled a little. She sat up and patted the bed beside
her. "But Jade-chan, I don't want you to die too."
Jadeite couldn't help the smile that came onto his face and he
hated himself. Her voice was intoxicating like wine. Walking
over, he perched on the overly cute bedspread as if it would
cause him physical harm. He blushed fiercely. "Your Highness,"
Jadeite began, "Sailor Moon has taken... your family, ne?"
Crystal nodded while sticking her thumb in her mouth. "So why
not take hers?"
"You mean capture her parents?" When Jadeite nodded, a slow
smile sliding across her face. "That's a good plan,
Jade-chan!" The more she thought about it, the more she liked
it.
[I hope you don't plan to hurt them,] Misako replied, [They were really
nice to us.]
[Don't worry, Imouto,] Usagi replied, [I think you'll like this.]
Ikuko, Kenji, and Shingo sat in the dining room of the Tsukino
home, all looking slightly nervous. "Where are they?" Ikuko
questioned with annoyance and worry, "Usagi I expect this type
of behavior from you but not sweet little Hotaru as well." It
didn't help matters that neither girl had phoned to say they'd
be late.
"Maybe we should phone Chiba-san, Ikuko-chan," Kenji
suggested, "I'm relieved that my mesume managed to find a nice
responsible intelligent young man that doesn't have his head
in the clouds all the time."
"Usagi's been late... but never this late," Shingo replied,
"What if something happened to Hotaru?" He'd feel terrible.
He'd feel terrible if something happened to Usagi but not as
bad as if something happened to Hotaru.
At that moment, the door to the Tsukino home blew inward. The
family rushed from the dining room to see a young man with
short blonde hair standing there, grinning evilly. "Ah, just
the three people I wanted to see."
"Who are you, young man?!?" Kenji demanded as he stepped
forward.
"My name is Jadeite, First General of the Dark Kingdom," he
chuckled, "I'm quite sure your mesume will do as we say IF we
capture you." He started stalking towards the bewildered
looking family when a pink cloud formed above his head.
"Nani?" Jadeite questioned as he glanced upwards. His eyes
widened as two figures fell through the pink cloud and landed
on him.
"Puu's really gonna pay for that," the figure girl with
strawberry-blonde hair commented as she pushed herself off of
a still twitching Jadeite.
"Hai," the girl with blonde-white hair added, "And who'd we
land on this time?" Looking down, she couldn't help but grin.
"'Sagi-chan, I think we just got here in time."
"Misako?!?" Kenji questioned.
"Chibi-Usa?!?" Ikuko added, "What are you two doing here?" It
had been several months since she'd seen Misako and even
longer since she'd seen her older sister. Strangely, Chibi-Usa
now appeared older than Misako.
"Hi Ikuko-mama!" Chibi-Usa chirped. "Nani?" she asked when
Ikuko frowned.
"I'm your sobo, girls, show some respect." Both Chibi-Usa and
Misako blinked. Ikuko grinned, "How much of an idiot do you
think we are?"
"Oji-chan, you knew too?" Misako questioned Shingo. Before
Shingo could respond, Jadeite started to groan so Chibi-Usa
kicked him a couple of times in the abdomen and he crumpled
back onto the ground.
"Nice young ladies like you shouldn't be fighting," Kenji
admonished gently. Still he couldn't help but be proud of
them. They had both grown into beautiful intelligent young
women. "I'll get some rope and tie him up until Usagi and the
others get here."
"But Ojii-san," Misako protested, "I'm really good. Watch
this!" Stepping away from Jadeite, she winked at her sister
and then shouted out...
[USAGI!] Misako protested, [What are you doing?!?]
Usagi flinched away and then grinned mischievously, [I told you, you'd
like this. Now watch.]
"EARTH CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!" Misako shouted. In a wash of
magical light, she was replaced with a Sailor Senshi. "Chikyuu
no kenryoku ni aru, Sailor-fuku Bishoujo Senshi... Younger
Earth!"
"Shouldn't that be `Sailor Earth', Peanut?'" Shingo
questioned.
Younger Earth frowned deeply at him and raising her hands,
turned towards the wall and shouted, "RED ROSE LOVE LIGHT!" A
glowing heart formed between her hands and shot outwards,
striking the wall and raising a cloud of dust with a
tremendous boom.
"MY WALL! Ikuko shrieked.
"My head!" Jadeite groaned and was promptly kicked again.
"I'll go get the rope," Kenji said and grabbing Shingo by the
arm, pulled his son out of the room.
['Sagi,] Misako hissed dangerously as she got up from the bed.
[Now, Miko-chan...] Usagi began as she scrambled up from her position on
the floor and retreated towards the door, [I thought you'd like that.]
[I did,] Misako said sweetly, [But what does this have to do with the
story?]
[Uh well... I couldn't shoot out the wall,] Usagi explained, [I'm the
oldest. I should know better.] Grinning then, she ran from the room,
Misako following closely behind her. Just then, Diana wandered into the
room.
[What were those two up to?] Diana wondered as she padded over to the
pad, [Nani? It's a story...] As she began to read it, she recognized it
was about the Sailor Senshi of the past. [I wonder if I'm in it?] A few
minutes later, Diana was looking very annoyed. [They left me out! Not
even one word! They stick another cat in there and they LEAVE ME OUT!]
Well she'd just take care of that. [Invisible...] she muttered.
"I am so dead!" Usagi wailed as she sat in the front seat of
Mamoru's car, "Oh, I'll probably be grounded forever!"
"I told you we should have called your parents, Usagi-chan,"
Hotaru remarked, "I hope Ikuko-mama still has some supper
left, I'm hungry." Mamoru remained silent as he brooded.
<Terra, where are you?> They had searched for the little girl
all around the city but without a more precise location, it
was hopeless. Mercury was trying to trace an energy pattern
but she'd need a day or so. <Oh Usagi, I love you so much but
at times like this...>
"I wouldn't worry, Hotaru," Rei said as she sat beside her,
"Tsukino-san shouldn't be too mad at you." <I really should be
doing a fire reading.> But there was something that had called
to her, urging her to go with Usagi.
"My house!" Usagi exclaimed in shock as they pulled up in
front of her home. "What happened?!?" The house looked like it
was in a war zone. Suddenly a explosion from inside and angry
yelling could be heard. "Minna transform!" Usagi commanded as
she got from the car, "I have to save my parents and otouto."
Inside the Tsukino home, Ikuko was not looking happy. "That
was a wedding gift, you monster!" she shrieked at Jadeite and
swung at him with a rolling pin. "I thought you said you could
take care of him!" she shouted at the two Younger Senshi who
were battling it out with Jadeite.
"We're trying, Obaa-san, honest," Younger Moon huffed out.
"H-Hai!" Younger Earth replied trembling. <Daddy!>
"We could really use a distraction," Younger Moon suggested
almost in a panic. <Mommy, where are you?!> At that moment, a
pink cloud formed above her head. She gave a cry of surprise
as something heavy landed on her head.
"Don't worry! For I, SAILOR KITTY, will save you!" came a
high-pitched heroic voice. The battle suddenly stopped and
both child Senshi stared in shock as Diana gallantly leapt
forward and clamped herself onto Jadeite's face in a deadly
attack. With a yelp of surprise, he stumbled backward and
tripped, dropping to the ground heavily.
That's when a voice came from the distance, "For destroying
my..."
"Stow it, Usagi, and get in here, this instant!" Ikuko
bellowed.
"Does everyone know who I really am?!?" Sailor Moon whined.
Sailor Kitty gave a cry of surprise as Jadeite tossed her off.
Gracefully yet acrobatically, she flew through the air and
landed delicately on her paws, while grinning. Younger Moon
and Younger Earth stood in awe of this new powerful Senshi's
prowess. Sailor Moon was thankful that her little girls were
now protected.
"Jadeite?" Mars inquired softly when she entered the house.
Jadeite just laid there, staring at her. "Nani?!?" she
demanded.
"Reincarnation didn't do a thing for you," Jadeite remarked.
"NANI?!?" Sailor Mars shrieked, "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT!" Sailor
Moon cried out that she could heal him but Mars simply torched
him, with Sailor Kitty finishing the job off.
Usagi giggled as her sister tickled her. [Okay, okay, I give!] While
Misako stopped tickling her, she kept her position atop of Usagi. [I
thought you'd really like it,] Usagi remarked soberly after catching her
breath. Misako twisted and sat down beside her heavily. [You're a great
Senshi and I didn't think ou...]
['Sagi,] Misako interrupted with a soft smile, [I know you didn't mean
anything mean by it. I really like what you were trying to do.] She
sighed a little and look towards the ground. [I'm just not...
comfortable with it.]
[Why?] Usagi asked as she sat up.
Misako sat quietly for a long time before turning to regard her.
['Sagi-chan, I AM Chibi-Earth. And I already have a great teammate.] She
gave her sister a hug and added, [She's sitting right beside me.] Usagi
flushed slightly and looked away. [The team we have is Younger Moon and
Chibi-Earth.]
[Arigato,] Usagi said softly while hugging Misako back, [But we can be a
team like I had it.]
[Onee-chan, I want to earn that... just like you did,] Misako replied.
Getting up, she reached down and said, [Come on, let's go finish this.]
Usagi let Misako help her up and they walked back to the bedroom,
neither had noticed the shifted position of the pad and pencil since
they had left. [If you really want to keep this, we can,] Misako
offered.
[It's okay, Imouto,] Usagi replied. She had no desire to make Misako
feel uncomfortable even though she still wasn't sure why it did. She was
just starting to sit down when Misako gave a strangled gasp before
glaring intently at the pad. [Nani?] she questioned. When Misako handed
her the pad, she glanced at it and immediately noticed the new addition.
As Usagi read the new material, her annoyance began to rise. [We ARE NOT
that sloppy!] Usagi thundered, [That would never happen!]
['Sagi-chan,] Misako soothed, [It's just a story. When I rewrite the new
stuff, it won't even happen.]
[We look like a couple of baka odango atama!] Usagi retorted, a vein on
her forehead bulging in annoyance. [When I get a hold of Diana...] she
trailed off, an evil smile spreading across her face. [Diana stays in
the past.]
[Iie,] Misako shook her head, [We have to fix other things. We just
can't leave Diana in the past. She came in with us.]
[Diana stays,] Usagi insisted, [Either we lose our own travel to the
past or Diana goes into the past.] Misako appeared on the verge of
protesting this choice but after a moment, nodded.
[Okay, but how do you want her to act?]
[A klutz,] Usagi answered smugly, [I'll go hunt "Sailor Kitty" down so
you and me can have a "little" talk with her.]
[Okay 'Sagi-chan,] Misako giggled as she took back the pad and
retrieving the pencil, continued to write.
"Mom is going to kill us," Usagi grumbled out as she sat in
the front seat of Mamoru's car, "Or maybe just me." Hotaru
wasn't exactly sure that she would go unscathed; if anything,
Ikuko was a stickler for rules. "Why are you coming with us,
Rei-chan?" Usagi questioned as she turned around to look at
her friend who was sitting in the back seat beside Hotaru.
"I don't know," Rei said, "I just have this feeling that I
should go to your house." Turning, she regarded Mamoru who had
been understandably silent. "Mamoru-san, don't worry. If I see
that I'm not needed at the Tsukino home, I'll go and do a fire
reading."
Mamoru didn't answer, his mind was brooding over the lack of
progress in finding Terra. He didn't want to give up his
family; it had been ripped from him. Now though, he wanted his
little sister back.
As Usagi, Mamoru, Rei, and Hotaru approached the Tsukino home,
Rei let out a startled gasp. "I sense something!" she
declared, "It... feels very familiar." As the car drew closer,
they noted that the house seemed to be in fair condition. In
fact, it looked perfectly fine. That is until they all noticed
gaping hole where the front door used to be.
Ikuko stood in the gaping hole, rolling pin in hand. <When I
get a hold of Usagi...> Ikuko's thought trailed off as she
glanced towards Jadeite who was hog-tied on the floor; a gray
cat was also tied up beside Jadeite. "Think we're helpless,
ne? I guess I showed you!"
"Yeah!" Shingo agreed as he poked Jadeite with his foot, "My
mom looks after her family. She wasn't going to let a scrawny
little punk like you threaten us." Shingo was very proud that
his mother had single-handedly subdued Jadeite with a rolling
pin.
At that moment, Usagi came into sight and stared at the
shattered doorway. "Mom?" she asked with worry. Usagi started
hurrying forward but tripped toppling to the ground.
"Get into this house!" Ikuko commanded, "And transform!"
Usagi stammered out, "T-Transform?" Ikuko glared at Usagi
coolly. "I don't know..." she trailed off as Ikuko's glare
intensified. "Um... okay." Scrambling up, she removed her
broach before she shouted her transformation phrase.
After the magical light faded away, Sailor Moon saw her mother
shaking her head. "Get in here, there's some trash we need to
talk about."
"Diana?!?" Sailor Moon questioned upon seeing the gray Lunar
Cat. "What happened?"
"She showed up claiming to be a Senshi, Onee-chan," Shingo
stated, "And she talks. Cats don't talk so she has to be
working with Jadeite."
"The little spore bit me," Kenji muttered out as he cradled
his hand, "I'll probably have to get a rabies shot."
"I don't have rabies!" Diana protested, "'Sides, you were
tryin' to strangle me!"
"You attacked my musuko!" Kenji shot back.
"I ACCIDENTALLY landed on his face," Diana muttered out.
Deciding that changing the subject was in order, Sailor Moon
turned to look at Jadeite. "Is he evil, Rei-chan?" she
questioned to her friend who moved to stand over Jadeite.
"Help me sit him upright," Rei requested. After some shifting,
and considerable yelps of pain on Jadeite's part, they got him
into a sitting position.
"Lady Mars," Jadeite burbled softly, a goofy looking smile
spreading across his face. "Such a lovely sight." Rei gave him
a very suspicious look. "I'm very sorry for trying to kill
you." <She is even more beautiful than during the Silver
Millennium.>
"What are you up to?" Rei questioned as she shoved him roughly
against a wall. Jadeite didn't answer. Instead, his eyes went
out of focus and he simply looked into Rei's face passively.
"Well?!?" Rei demanded.
"I realize you hate me," Jadeite said softly, "But I hate
myself for trying to destroy my love." Rei looked stricken.
The other Tsukino's looked somewhere between confused and
disgusted.
"Let me out!" Diana howled.
"Quiet, demon cat!" Ikuko commanded, "Rei-san, can't you use
an ofuda on her?"
"Love me?" Rei questioned, ignoring Ikuko.
"Your skin is like silk; your hair as beautiful as a summer's
eve."
[How's it going, Miko-chan?] Usagi asked as she came into the room.
[Not good,] Misako admitted, [I'm not that good at this mushy stuff.]
Handing over pad and pencil, she added, [You can finish this off.]
"You really love me?" Rei questioned as she lowered herself to
her knees. Jadeite slowly nodded. "You are truly sorry."
"I am, my love," Jadeite admitted softly, "I would turn away
from the blackness within my heart if you asked me to. I would
seek to redeem myself in any way that you choose."
Rei considered this for a long moment then rose. "I do not
need you, Jadeite. You should have stayed where you were."
Turning her back and taking a step away, she added, "I have
Yuuichiro and I don't need you. Your love is nothing to mine."
"But Rei-sama," Jadeite begged, "I love you deeply." His face
became sober and he added, "I will do anything, just name it!"
When Rei didn't say anything, he continued, "What does that
shaggy haired bum see within you?"
"MARS CRYSTAL POWER, MAKE UP!" Rei suddenly shouted. When she
had transformed, she whirled on Jadeite and demanded, "Do you
know what you can do?"
"Nani?"
"BURN IN HELL!" Sailor Moon darted forward and snatched up the
bound Diana before Sailor Mars cried out, "MARS FLAME SNIPER!"
As her fiery attack consumed the General, Sailor Moon used her
tiara to decapitate him.
Kenji, for good measure, stomped on the pile of ashes before
noticing the strangely glowing stone. "Nani? What's this?" he
asked as he picked it up, "Hmmm..." Turning, he wandered away,
looking curiously at the stone.
"Girls," Ikuko said after a short time, "That was just about
as evil as his own actions." Then she noticed the damage. "MY
KITCHEN!!!!" Ikuko cried out, "How could you blow a hole
through the wall?!" Not only had Mars' attack blown a hole
through the wall into the kitchen but also it sent the
contents of every cabinet flying. "There's another hole in the
outside wall," Ikuko complained, "Usagi, I bet you did that!"
She turned around and gave both Senshi a stern glare,
"Couldn't you have killed him in a neater fashion?"
"How baka is your mother?" Mars asked Sailor Moon.
"I'm not sure," Sailor Moon said, "I mean, she has to be a
pretty big one not to have figured out who I was before now."
Mamoru pulled away from the Tsukino home, glad he hadn't said
anything. Rei and Usagi were each standing in the corner.
Ikuko was being indecisive about Hotaru so she had sent the
younger girl to her room. When his daughter asked to see the
strange stone, Kenji had told Usagi that he'd be keeping it.
Mamoru's thoughts still centered about Terra, wondering where
the little girl was.
Terra was scowling at Doug who was intensely studying the
carpet. "I want to go!" Terra demanded, "We've played these
games and I'm bored here. I want to go and play outside." Her
stomach gurgled and added, "And I desire some ice cream too."
She turned her stern glare onto Macavity and added, "I do not
see any purpose in hiding me further. You have not explained
your motivations to me and I will not be kept like this!"
"Terra, please don't make me do something that I would
regret," Macavity warned, "While I value your safety, I have
to think of my mission first."
"You sound like Uranus and Neptune," Terra quipped. Macavity
winced and sighed. "Doug-ojichan, you know that I'm right. You
haven't explained why you're doing this." Her eyes drooped
slightly and she took on a little pout. "Why are you being so
mean?!?"
Doug slumped slightly and sighed, "We aren't getting anywhere,
Macavity. We might as well tell the Senshi."
"Iie!" Macavity stated, "They are a bunch of immature
females!"
Terra turned to glare at Macavity and remarked, "I'm a girl.
And while Usagi does appear to be suffering a bout of
immaturity, she isn't as bad as you make her out to be. I am
quite sure the Sailor Senshi are capable of assimilating any
information that you might tell them."
"She's right," Doug agreed. He flinched as Terra turned to face
him.
"If I'm correct, Doug-ojichan, then you should trust me enough
to inform me what's going on!" A silence fell over the room as
Doug and Macavity looked away. Finally Terra sighed and said,
"If you don't tell me what is going on, I'm going to depart."
And then in an almost petulant voice added, "And I won't ever
converse with you again!"
"We're after the Guardian Earth Stone, Terra-chan," Doug
admitted. Macavity groaned and covered his head with his paws.
Terra gave him confused look so he flicked his wrist and
retrieved the two pieces of the Guardian Earth Stone he had
managed to obtain.
"Pretty... I have one just like that!" Terra announced with
some shock, "I retrieved it from Zoisite."
"NANI?!?" both Doug and Macavity demanded.
"Give it to us and we'll let you go," Macavity demanded.
"Iie."
"Don't be stubborn," Macavity said hotly.
"I am not being stubborn," the little girl replied while
sniffing slightly, "I found it, therefore, it's mine." Turning
around, she folded her arms and added, "Besides, you're being
mean. Onii-san and Mamo-oniichan were planning on taking me on
a picnic tomorrow and you are going to make me miss it."
Macavity glared at Terra with venom. Doug, on the other hand,
was looking at her guiltily. "Terra-chan, would you please
give that stone to me?"
"Why should I?" Terra demanded.
<Why should she?> That was a good question. <Well, maybe I can
convince both of them that this is the wrong way.>
Straightening slightly, Doug smiled and said, "Terra-chan,
you're right. You did find that first. And it was very wrong
of us to do what we did." Terra still looked grumpily at him
but she managed to relax a little. "I would like you to give
it to me because I need it."
"Why?" Terra asked.
"Macavity will have to tell you that," Doug replied, "Even if
you don't give it to me, I'll tell both of your onii."
Macavity started to protest but Doug ignored him. "If you
don't want to give it to me, would you like to trade it for
something?" Terra gave this considerable thought before
nodding. "Nani?" Terra grinned, mischief flashing through her
young eyes.
"You have to agree first. I will give you this piece of the
Guardian Earth Stone in exchange for a favor."
"Tell me what the favor is first?"
[Onee-chan,] Misako inquired, [Why hasn't there been nothin' about
Will? I know Doug writes a lot but he thought up some of the nasty
stuff too... 'specially about you.] It was all well and good to get
revenge on Doug but his cohort couldn't be spared.
Usagi gave this some consideration before nodding. [Okay, I think I can
get him in here for one thing. Then we can make him eat Minako's food
later on.]
[Are you sure about that, 'Sagi-chan?] Misako asked with worry. She
didn't know if she wanted that much revenge.
[Positive,] Usagi replied.
Earlier that evening, Will and Minako were sitting in Minako's
living room. "Don't worry, Will-chan," Minako reassured softly
as she cuddled close to him, "I'm sure Terra will turn up
okay."
"I should be out looking for her, Minako-chan," Will stated
stubbornly. He had been using that line like a mantra. "If I
hadn't left her on her own..." he trailed off as Minako kissed
him.
"Will-chan, until Rei or Ami or the people that took Terra
tell us something new, there isn't anything we can do." He was
looking depressed so she kissed him again, with a little more
passion.
"Please don't, Minako," Will pleaded softly, "I need to focus
on Terra." Minako pouted slightly. "You know I care about you
deeply but I..." he trailed off as Minako turned her back on
him and started pouting. "Minako-chan, don't ask me to choose
between my imouto and you." He reached out and gently turned
her before cupping her chin in his hands. "I love you very
much." Leaning forward, he kissed her, and she kissed him
back.
Most of his brain was unaware of Minako moving, of her sliding
onto his lap and wrapping her arms around him. "That was
wonderful," Minako burbled softly, "I wouldn't make you
choose, Will-chan, you know that." She looked deeply into his
hazel eyes as she added, "I'm worried just as much as you are.
If Terra is important to you, then she's even more important
to me. I liked her ever since I met her. I was planning to
introduce my little friend Mie to her."
"Oh Minako-chan, what would I ever do without you?" Will asked
softly as he nuzzled her ear.
"Live alone and be depressed," Minako responded before moving
back to kiss him again. As the kiss deepened, the world faded
around them until something in the back of Minako's mind
screamed. Slowly she broke the kiss. Will simply stared at the
beautiful teen in a dull haze.
"That was..."
"Unseemly," a man's voice interrupted. Minako's and Will's
gaze snapped over to the doorway where Minako's parents were
standing. "Mina," her father demanded menacingly, "Who is
this man?!?"
Will, having survived the wrath of Minako's parents, came home
feeling very defeated. He was just climbing out of his car
when he heard a howl of pain coming from the house. Running
towards the front door, he opened it quickly and looked
around. <Nothing...> he thought, <So what was that sound I
heard?> Advancing further into the house, he looked around the
gloom. "Doug?!" he questioned, but there was no response.
<Strange.> He briefly considered transforming but then decided
against it.
At that moment, he heard something. It sounded like soft
footsteps. <Who could that be?> Carefully making his way along
the hallway towards the footsteps, he froze when he heard
heavier ones. <This isn't good.> He started backing away
carefully when a small figure suddenly entered the hallway.
"Terra!" Will gasped.
"Onii-san!" Terra cried happily and running down the hallway,
flung herself at him. "I missed you so much!" She snuggled
closer to him as he scooped her up into a hug. "I bet you
missed me as well."
"Hai," Will replied with tears of joy forming in his eyes, "I
did, Imouto. How did you get away?"
"Me," a voice said. Will started and looked down the hallway
to see the blue armor-clad figure. "She was never in any
danger... Will-san." Will moved to transform but the figure
raised his hand. "Wait, we need to talk."
"Don't worry, Onii-san," Terra reassured softly, "I'm okay. I
had fun today." That was not the type of statement that he had
expected. "Doug-ojichan was really nice."
"Doug???" Will questioned in confusion.
There was a swirl of blue light and the armor-clad figure was
replaced by Doug who was looking rather sheepish, "It's a long
story, Will. One that Macavity will be quite willing to tell
you, ne Macavity?"
"Yeah, yeah," Macavity grumbled out as he trudged into the
hallway, "Might as well call the Sailor Senshi too."
It was a short time later when the Senshi gathered back at the
mansion. As Mamoru came into the living room and saw Terra, he
ran over and scooped her up into a hug. "Imouto, you're okay!"
He hugged her tightly, tears streaking down his face. "I can't
tell you how much I was worried about you."
"Mamo-oniichan," Terra stated, "I can't breathe!" Mamoru
lessened his hug enough to allow her to take breath. "I'm
sorry I worried you so much." She reached out and touched his
face gently. "I wouldn't miss the special picnic you had
planned."
"But I thought they wouldn't let you go until they got the
piece of the Guardian Earth Stone," Mamoru commented as he
walked over to the couch and sat down.
"They did acquire it," Terra said mysteriously.
"Oh Terra-chan!" Usagi said before Mamoru could say anything
else, "I'm so glad to see you're all right." Terra started a
little in mild surprise as Usagi hugged her. Her surprise grew
when she noticed Usagi's hair. "Did they hurt you?" Usagi
questioned seriously. When Terra shook her head, Usagi gave a
grim smile and nodded in satisfaction, "I would have really
hurt them if they had."
"You already have, Usagi-san," Terra mumbled out before
giggling. <Usagi's odangos look like rabbit ears.>
Usagi grinned and gave Misako a wink who giggled in return.
The other Senshi greeted Terra with relief, although some of
the greetings were cooler than others. Terra, having been
returned without incident, was giving both Rei and Ami bad
vibes. They didn't really trust the child now. Makoto and
Minako, on the other hand, were relieved to see that Terra was
back safe and sound.
Once the Senshi and the two Lunar Cats were settled around the
living room, Will sighed. "This has been one weird night." He
looked towards Luna and Artemis and added, "Does the name
`Macavity' mean anything to you?" The Lunar Cats' reaction was
immediate and instantaneous.
"Macavity?!?" Artemis demanded, a grin spreading across his
face, "Have you seen him?" Luna was on the opposite extreme.
She looked mad enough to spit nails. "What's the matter,
Luna?" Artemis questioned. He gave a yelp of surprise as a
blue cat materialized in front of him.
"Oh she's just mad 'cause I openly say what I think about the
Sailor Senshi."
<Oh yeah,> Artemis thought, <I forgot about that.>
Unconsciously, he slid away from Luna who was glaring with
open loathing at Macavity who simply smiled back. This seemed
to infuriate Luna all the more. <Maybe it's a good thing that
the Tsukino's are keeping an eye on Diana.>
"So these are the great and powerful Sailor Senshi?" Macavity
remarked as he looked around the room. "I see reincarnation
didn't do a thing for them."
"WHY YOU FUR BITTEN..." Rei began.
"SILENCE, LITTLE GIRL!" Macavity snarled. So taken aback by
his commanding tone, Rei subsided. "Honestly, Luna, can't you
keep these CHILDREN in line?"
Luna's response was drowned out by Usagi who had begun to
wail. A shower of tears raining down on Mamoru, Terra, and the
rather unfortunate Ami. "We ain't children!" Usagi wailed,
"Make him take it back!"
"See what you did!" Luna yelled over the noise.
"Gomen nasai, Luna, Princess," Macavity apologized,
"OBSIDIAN!"
Usagi's wailing abruptly stopped and she blinked. "Who?" she
questioned.
"Me," said a voice. Rei and Ami leapt to their feet as the
armored figure walked into the room. "I am Obsidian, a Lunar
Knight." Reaching up, he removed his helmet and grinned, "And
also Doug Helm."
"A Lunar Knight?!?" Luna questioned, "I thought they were all
destroyed in the final battle with Queen Beryl."
"You were on the Moon?" Makoto questioned as she rose and
walked over to stand beside Doug. When he nodded, she turned
to Luna and asked, "When you did the Luna Mindmeld, why didn't
we remember him?"
"Typical female, only doing things halfway," Macavity grumbled
out. The other Senshi and Terra glared at him but he didn't
seem to notice. "Likely because she was too engrossed in the
Senshi," he speculated, then in a more normal tone of voice,
"Luna could never credit anything to the Lunar Knights...
which, I will point out, are the TRUE warriors." Artemis
groaned and covered his head.
"Not this again," Artemis whined out. <Kami-sama, he hasn't
changed a bit.>
"That's the problem with you, Artemis, you could never stick
up for yourself against Luna."
"Can you argue about that another time?" Will questioned,
"Maybe Luna can do another mindmeld so we'll remember."
Macavity practically dared Luna to do it. It seemed the cocky
cat was of the opinion that Luna wouldn't be able to do a
mindmeld about anything that wasn't part of the Senshi. That's
when Artemis raised the issue of Sailor Moon and promptly got
thumped by Luna for his unwanted opinion.
When the mindmeld was completed, Usagi leapt to her feet and
rushing over at Doug, literally threw herself at him.
"Onii-chan!" she squealed happily. Doug, not realizing what
Usagi had intended, fell to the ground as Usagi slammed into
him.
"Typical," Doug muttered, "Absolutely typical."
The thing that stopped his heart, though, was when he heard
two voices both declaring, "He's my boyfriend!"
End of Chapter 5
Coming next in Chapter 6 - Little Girl Blues