Party Power!!!
Shadows danced along the walls the walls in a carnival of darkness. Nothing stirred in the rocky cavern. Even the busy spiders creating tantalizing their webs held their breaths. Atop a silver throne, not glistening, but dull of light, a lanky woman brushed her hair with a pearly white fish skeleton. With eyes close, the woman's rhythmic breathing breath suddenly halted. She paused, and rose her head slightly. Setting the fish comb on her silky brown lap, the woman grinned. She nodded to the darkness. "It is time," she whispered, emotionless. "Servant Shashita, go to the Mortalverse. I'm hungry." Out of the darkness, lightly stepped a corpse-like girl with two thick ponytails. "Yes, my Duchess."
"Look at all my presents!" Exclaimed Minnie with delight. Mina sighed. "Don't get any ideas, young lady. Later." "But.Mummy!" "Don't you: But Mummy me, Min." Minnie pouted, and pulled on her light green locks. Minnie's friends were either busy stuffing their faces with goodies (mostly that Lita had made), discussing pop groups or chasing their siblings around the yard. All of the parents were sitting together, talking about who-knew-what. Mina had come over to investigate Minnie's hovering over the gifts. Minnie hugged her mother and battered her eyes. "Tell me: When can I open my pressies?" Mina shook her head. "Oh, Min. Five minutes, OK? Afterwards you can cut your cake." Minnie let go and clapped. "Oooooh! Goodie-goodie!" "Yo! Minnie!" Called Raeline. Minnie turned her head. She waved to Raeline, who was holding her eight- year-old brother in a headlock. She ran up and knelt down. Michael was trying to resist, and kept attempting to pull himself free. "What's going on?" Inquired Minnie. Raeline shrugged. "Teaching Mike a lesson. Yesterday, Smart-Guy here told my dad about that Math test from last week he almost forgot about. Now, for withholding info and failing the test miserably, I've gotta scrub the temple top to bottom!" "Funny, isn't it?" Smugly said Rachael as she passed by. Raeline frowned. Minnie thought it was funny. In the middle of a conversation with Roger, Chad noticed what Raeline was doing. "Rae, stop tormenting your brother," he scolded. "Unless you want to fertilize the trees too." Raeline suddenly dropped Michael. Gagging and wheezing, he retreated to an orange juice tap, where he knelt beside it, and bent his under the tap to gulp down as much juice as possible. "That hits the spot," he sighed. Robert, Ian and Tiffany were running around the yard with balloons. They laughed, and made "broom-broom!" sounds like a car. When they went by the two girls, Minnie scooped up her one-year-old sister. "Whatcha doin"?" Minnie asked. "Taxi! Taxi! Broom-broom! Pay the bill!" Tiffany giggled. Minnie looked confused. "Oooookay." She set her sister down, who ran off with her friends. "What the heck do they teach at that playgroup?" Asked Raeline. "No clue, girl." "Hey! Everyone!" Minnie heard her mum call. "It's time for the presents!" Minnie rubbed her hands together. "Oh, yeah. Magic time." As quick as the wind, lifting Rae's long tangled hair brown hair, Minnie dashed toward her presents, pushing Jo out of the way. "Hey!" Protested Josephine. Minnie rubbed Jo's shoulder. "Sorry Jo, really. I didn't mean to hurt you." Everyone gathered around Min as she began to energetically rip the wrappings off her many gifts. "Cool! Awesome! Oh, nice. Pretty! Oh, clothes. Yahoo! Huh? Too groovy!" They heard her squeak and squeal. When she was done, she smiled, satisfied. "Don't get too comfortable yet, dear," laughed Roger. "Got some strength left in you for one last pressie?" Minnie nodded wildly. Mina handed her a longish but small golden box. It looked as if it held a watch or even a necklace. Minnie carefully opened it with curiosity. It held a goldy-orange pen with the Venus symbol on atop. All of the mothers looked expectant. The others looked interested. "It's.a pen?" She asked, lifting it up to the sun. Her face bared disappointment. "You don't like it?" Mina observed. Her face matched her daughter's. Minnie's eyes widened. "Oh.Mummy! No. No. I love it. Really I do. Thank- you!" Mina wryly smiled. "Now that the beast has settled, can we eat some cake now?" Ameilia asked, breaking the near-bleak mood. "Ameilia, Honey, don't refer to Minnie as a beast please," Amy begged. Lita and Mina ran off to fetch the cake. A place was cleared on the table for the huge cake Lita had baked in honor of Minnie's twelfth birthday. "It should be good. Too bad Meatball couldn't be here," commented Raye slyly. "Actually." began Greg and Jennifer. "Meatball, huh? I believe the term is Meatball Head," corrected Serenity. They all gasped as Neo-Queen Serenity, King Darien, their four children, and Luna and Artemis with their six children walked toward them. "You guys made it!" Roger was surprised. "Of course," smiled Serenity. "I never miss a party." Rini and Luna exchanged humored looks. "Nor does she miss a chance for cake by Lita," added Darien snidely. Serenity ignored him - or pretended to - and sat next to Leda. Arcturus and Rose-Tiara sat on the grass, by their mother's feet. Rini and DJ joined their respective pals as Roger welcomed Darien. The cake was soon wheeled out. It was in the shape of a circle, but not fully round. It looked like a planet too, with orange and red icing mixed together to form patterns. "Is it.the planet Venus?" Minnie guessed. "Yep," replied Mina, proudly. Minnie was all too aware of the pride her mother took in being the famous Sailor V and Venus as a teenager. The twelve candles were lit. "Make a wish, Min," encouraged AJ. Nervously, Minnie shut her eyes tightly. When a wish came to mind, she sucked in some air, then blew it out in a raspberry at candles. They all went out at once. Everyone clapped and cheered, and blew whistles. Minnie went bright red. The candles were removed, so Minnie could cut the first slice. This birthday's pretty cool, Minnie thought to herself. But it could be better.
Around Crystal Tokyo, fatigued people wondered why their eyes constantly fluttered. It wasn't a particularly hot day, so it wasn't the sun. Evening was approaching, though it was daylight savings. So it couldn't have been from sleepiness. A teenaged girl, light in skin, with two thick blue ponytails was advertising a movie theatre. "It's eighty percent off, just for today!" She called out gleefully, holding up a sign. "Hey.I'm talking to you!" She wailed. A couple of people stumbled out of the movie theatre she advertised on the opposite side of the street. "That was great, but not too great," said a guy to his friend. "I don't know, that blond was hot though," laughed the other guy. They high fived. "Oh, I'm sleepy." "Come on, it wasn't that - yyhhhrrr - bad." The girl grinned. "Duchess Vladia will be pleased."
"What should we do first? Go to the arcade? Crash a disco? Perve on the hunks at the docks?" Wondered Rini out loud. Ameilia shrugged. "We could just do what Min wants. After all, it is her birthday." Rini, Minnie, Ameilia, Leda, Raeline, Rachael and Diana had gotten permission to trek through Crystal Tokyo to spend Minnie's birthday money. "How about we see a movie?" Suggested Minnie. "I'm dying to see Scream 3." "A re-re-re-remake?" Grumbled Rachael. "How boring. What about the new Kung-Fu movie?" "No way!" Yelled Rini. "How 'bout that new comedy with the bumbling detective?" "You've got your mum for comic relief," reminded Raeline. "Oh, yeah." Minnie became quiet, pondering the unusually boring gift her mum was so hyped up about. "What's wrong, Min?" Asked Leda, noticing her friend's sudden silence. "Don't you want to see a movie anymore?" "It's nothing, I guess. It's just this pen my mum gave me," she replied sheepishly, holding it up. "Oh, that?" Rachael glimpsed it. "I've got one too, so does Raeline. In fact, every one here does." Minnie gasped. "Everyone?" "Except for Devil Girl and Diana," added Raeline. "What have I told you?" Huffed Rini. Raeline shrugged. "The same thing your mother says when mine calls her Meatball Head. Talk about gene similararities, huh?" The girls all giggled. "Like to see a cheap movie?" A girl wielding a huge sign rudely interrupted, getting right in their faces. They all huddled together, terrified by the girl's insistent perkiness and claustrophobic nature. "Uh.How much is it?" Rini finally asked, stammering a bit. "Eighty percent off!" chimed the girl. "Um.Where is it?" Numbly asked Ameilia. The girl pointed to a building across the road. "You just go up the stairs." "Is there food too?" Rini gingerly inquired. The girl formed a wide grin. "Naturally, and it's completely free! What'd ya say? Hey.Where did you all go?" She looked to the other side of the street, spying the group of girls dash up stairs. "Enjoy the movie, girls."
"The.Jungle.Book?" Rachael slowly asked them as they sat down in the silky seats of the theatre. "I can't believe we're doing this. It's not like we're tots." "But the whole thing is in 3D," insisted Minnie. "Our parents had to put up with 2D." "So did their parents," Raeline dryly pointed out. The movie began. The girls sat back and quietly watched the film. After half an hour, Leda became aware she was getting tired. She didn't get it. She loved the flick, so why would she be getting sleepy? "Hey," she said in a loud whisper, "is anyone else feeling drowsy?" "Yeah, that Baloo seemed funnier when I was five," replied Rini with a chuckle. "I'm serious," Leda insisted. Ameilia looked around, straining in the dark. She gasped. All of the people in the theatre were asleep! Ameilia tugged on Rini's hair. "Ouch! Ameilia, stop it!" Cried Rini. Ameilia frowned. "Rini, look." Rini stood up and peered around. Her eyes widened. It all seemed too familiar to her. "Waz up?" Minnie asked, yawning. "Come on, we've got to get out of here," ordered Rini. "It's dangerous." Rachael rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. The snakes aren't real. You don't have to worry." Ignoring the remark, Rini began to casually stroll up the aisle toward the exit door. Leda, Ameilia, Raeline and Rachael reluctantly followed. When they were safely out the theatre, Rini let out a sigh. "Where's Mina and Di?" Demanded Rini, realizing her friends were lacking in number. "Still inside, I guess," replied Rachael. "You know how stubborn Min can be when she has her mind set on something. As for Diana, I think I saw her asleep on the floor." Rini clenched her teeth. "And why didn't you pick her up then?!" All the hairs on Rachael's body shot up. "Oh, yeah." "What's the deal anyway, Rini?" Demanded Ameilia. Rini winced. "Well."
"Friend like me-ee-ee," Minnie sang wearily. Minnie yawned, and looked around as she stretched. Strangely, her friends were absent. "Oh, the movie's not that bad," Minnie grumbled to no one. Minnie struggled to rise. Her eyes became increasingly heavy. She had made it half way up the aisle, when she fell to the floor - snoring. Suddenly, Diana awoke from the thud. She alertly turned both ways, then leaped onto a seat. She observed all the dozing people in the theatre, including Minnie. "Oh, no, no, no," she wept, shaking her head. Ccccrrk! Diana jumped into the air. A girl held in a blue bikini and high boots appeared. Diana shuddered as she looked at the girl's corpse-like skin. Obviously not a Crystal Tokyoan.
"Goodie!" She laughed. "They're all asleep. So many Humans to steal aura energy from. Missing the movie is a definite offense - and must be punished." The girl held out her hands and began to absorb energy from the Humans. "Aura energy must be transparent," Diana whispered to herself. "Ohhh, where are the Soldiers when you need them?"
"So, why were you late?" Asked Mina, resting next to Serenity on a deck chair. Serenity frowned, eying Darien who was standing with Greg and Brian. "Darien got into an argument on the Vis screen with Prince Ock of the Triet planet." "And so.?" "And so I had to clean up the mess. I wish that big idiot would for once keep his comments to himself." Darien overheard. He turned to her and smiled. "Hey, if I did that, would we be together?" Serenity huffed, and folded her arms. "I suggest you shut your trap before she really gets mad," helped Chad, who was monitoring the younger kids. "It works for me." "When do you think the girls will be back?" Luna asked Amy. Amy shook her head. "With those seven, who knows." "I'm worried about the trouble they could get into personally," expressed Raye. "My two can be so hung-strung sometimes." "Just like their mother!" Sang Lita. They all laughed. "Look, don't worry," assured Artemis. "They're probably just clothes shopping or something." "I hope so."
"You're nutso, Devil Girl," laughed Rachael. "The danger's over. The Neggamoon or Black Moon, or whatever they're called are good people now." "I don't think it's them. Look, tell ya what: We'll go in, get the girls, then call our mums. Sound good?" Raeline made a face. "Fine. Whatever. We still you're paranoid however."
Leda took hold of the handlebar of the door. She pulled it back. "Hey," she alerted them, "this thing is stuck." "I'll help," said Ameilia, grabbing hold of a bit of the bar. It still didn't budge. The other three girls got hold of a bit of the bar. All in a line, they began to pull back. Veins popping out of their heads, the girls spent minutes continually pulling at the bar. "I quit," Raeline wailed, falling back. One by one, the others followed. As Rini fell, her heart brooch fell from her pocket. Staring hard at it, she began to recall the thrill of a battle. A smile swept over her face as an idea dawned on her. "I have a plan!" She announced. "You're going to switch from Pink Dream to Cloud Pink dye!" Rachael cried out in mock-surprise. Rini rolled her eyes. She then held her brooch tightly and shouted out: "Moon Crisis!" They all stared in wonderment as Rini transformed into Super Sailor Chibi-Moon. Dumbfounded, the girls stood as statues as their friend kicked in the door. "Cool," was all they could say. Chibi-Moon peeked inside, to see the girl who was wielding the sign, with her hands now outstretched. "Who do you think you are?!" She demanded of Chibi-Moon. Chibi-Moon grimaced. "A superstar." "Wha.?" "I am Super Sailor Chibi-Moon, the champion of love and justice. In the name of the Moon and Earth, I will right wrongs.and triumph over evil - and that means YOU!" Her triumphal mood was shattered when she heard her friends snickering behind the door. The corpse-like girl shrugged off the speech. "I am the cute and powerful Demon Shashita, Mistress of Water." "Nice to meet you," Chibi-Moon curtsied. "Too bad we won't become buds, you won't be around long enough." Super Sailor Chibi-Moon held up her Crystal Carillon, and cried out: "Twinkle yell!" A beam of bright stars shot out shot Shashita. She lowered her arms, and rubbed her sore body. "That wasn't nice," Shashita sobbed. "Now we're going to have to play a game." Chibi-Moon armed herself, ready for an attack. Shashita materialized a jump rope made of water. She gasped, knowing she was a terrible skipper. Shashita giggled. "Don't sweat, jump it." Chibi-Moon freaked as a rope flung in front of her and began to twirl magically. "Be careful, dear. If any of that water hits you, you're going to that big hairdressers in the sky - Lord know you need it." "Hey!" Protested Chibi-Moon, jumping in time with the rope. Diana helplessly watched. "Oh, I wish Mama were here. She'd know what to do. And where's the others? I've got to find them!" Diana bounded from one seat to another, finally leaping out through the door. She landed on Ameilia's head. "Hi Di," she greeted. "What's going on in there?" Diana leaped off. "Rini's breaking a sweat in there, playing a dangerous game of jump rope." "This can not be happening," sobbed Leda. "And on Min's birthday too. I hope she's OK." Diana smiled. "She is. Just snoozing away happily." Raeline peeked inside. She gasped when she saw Chibi-Moon struggling to miss the rope. It dawned on her how serious the situation was. Suddenly, Rae remembered something her mum had said last year, handing her a Mars pen for singing at the Bunkasai celebration at school. "Carry it always," she had said. "It'll bring you good luck." Raeline had dumbly asked, "Luck with tests and boys?" Her mother just shook her head and handed her a bucket with water to wash off crow droppings from the Temple's roof. "Too far into the memory, gross," she gagged. "Sis, waz up? You look pale," said Rachael. Raeline dug into her mini-backpack and produced her pen. Rachael didn't get what had gotten into her sister. "Everyone.Get out your pens," she quietly announced. Diana's eyes lit up. One by one, they each produced the pen their mother had at one point given to them. "Girls, I don't think they're replicas. I'm pretty sure they're real Sailor Soldier pens." Leda smiled. "Wow, you're actually serious?" "Yep. Let's test the theory. If I'm wrong, we'll go cryin' to our mamas for help. Deal?" "Deal," they all agreed. In mock-seriousness, they raised their pens high. A wave of strength crashed over them. "Beta Mars Heart Power!" "Mercury Heart Power!" "Alpha Heart Power!" "Jupiter Heart Power!" Diana's jaw dropped as her friends morphed into Sailor Soldiers. When they were done, they awkwardly played with their skirts and went a bright crimson. "This.is.weird," slowly said Alpha Sailor Mars. Chibi-Mercury flexed her muscles. "This is awesome! Come on, let's kick some bad-guy butt!" "Right!" They all agreed. The girls raced into the theatre, stunned to see Chibi-Moon breaking a drenching sweat. "Oh.my.goodness!" She puffed and panted. Shashita rolled her eyes. "More of you? Oh well, more playmates. Let's play yo-yo." Shashita produced a whip. Angrily, she lashed it around Chibi-Jupiter. Shashita began to wheel her in, and fling her out. She did it over and over again. Chibi-Jupiter's eyes spun around and around. Beta Chibi-Mars barked out a laugh. "Oh, you think that's a whip, huh? Behold mine! Mars Fire Lash, Soar!" A huge whip of furious flames came to her hand. She pulled it back, and whipped it 'round Shashita. "Aaaaaaaaargh!" She cried. "My energy.You're weakening me!" Shashita let go of her whip, sending Chibi-Jupiter flying into a wall. The water rope disappeared. Chibi-Moon fell to the ground, huddling it for comfort. Chibi-Mercury noticed Minnie on the floor, snoring away like a bear. She knelt down and tapped her on the cheeks. "Hey, Min. Waky-waky." Minnie's eyes fluttered. She yawned. "What's going on? And why are you dressed like your mum?" "No time to explain. Get out that pen your mum gave you today and say: Venus Heart power. Got it?" "Sure. This is a dream, isn't it?" Chibi-Mercury sighed. "Just.do it." She helped her to her feet. Minnie grabbed her pen out from her jacket pocket. She held it up a little and sleepily said, "Venus Hear P-Power." Shashita was too distracted to notice Minnie's transformation. When she was done, she did a mighty stretch. "Hmmm, this is one bizarre dream-o," commented Chibi-Venus. Chibi-Jupiter shook her head to get to her senses. She clumsily stood up and stared directly into Shashita's eyes. "Payback time. I'm usually a pacifist, but I'll make an exception for you. Jupiter Thundernet, Seize!" An electric net appeared above her. Willing it, she flung it at Shashita. "We've got her!" Jeered Chibi-Moon. "She's still not weak enough," observed Chibi-Mercury. "Hmmm.Mercury Aquatic Hurricane, Go!" From her fingertips, she sent billions of pelts of water at Shashita. Shashita screamed. "Oooooh! You're all so mean!" Shashita grew pearly, white long fangs. With a hiss, she bit through the net. The Chibi-Soldiers shrieked as their foe escaped. "Not so fast!" Yelled Alpha Sailor Chibi-Mars. "Mars Inferno Daggers, Slice" Two burning daggers of flames appeared in her hands. She took aim, and threw them accurately at the floorboards in front of Shashita. The boards shot up as she tried to run off. One whacked her directly in the forehead. With a dazed expression on her face, and her tongue dangling to the side, Shashita fell to the floor. Shaking her head, Shashita complained, "I should've joined with Satan, better health plan." "Had enough?" Demanded Chibi-Moon. Furious, Shashita shook her head. "I'm gonna- " "Venus Love explosion, Obliterate!" Millions of golden hearts exploded around Shashita. Whining, she disappeared. The Sailor Chibi-Soldiers grinned, and congratulated Chibi- Venus for her quick thinking. "Thanks, guys. I realized this wasn't a dream when I checked and saw I was wearing my undies." Her friends made a face. "Too much information," Diana advised. "I can't believe this," began Chibi-Moon, "I get to be leader of my own Sailor Soldier team!" Alpha Chibi-Mars frowned. "You.lead? I don't think so. I'm a much better choice than you." "What about me?" Demanded Chibi-Mercury. "I'm much more equipped in the brains department." "No.ME! I'm cuter. A good leader needs has to always look their best," stated Chibi-Venus. "I'm cooler!" Whined beta Chibi-Mars. Chibi-Jupiter let out a great big whistle. They all turned to her. "What?!" "Let's go home," she timidly told them. "Maybe we can snag some left- over treats. We can discuss this later." Still argumentive, they agreed and made their way down the stairs. As they reached the end, the group saw it was way past evening. The streetlights blazed. Fire trucks and cop cars were heard in the distance, probably to check out all the commotion. "Smile!" A man yelled, flashing a camera at them. The girls gasped, and ran off. Atop the building, a dark figure on looked the girls racing away. It's cape swayed in the wind.
Shashita knelt before duchess Vladia. The shadows did not dance. Nothing stirred. All was quiet in the darkness. "You have failed," Vladia stated quietly. Shashita's head hung. "Yes, my Duchess. Unwelcome pests ruined my gathering." "So they did. But you did get me a nice snack." Shashita brightened. "I admire those young girls' energy levels. Such.auras," she marveled. "Near to my power. I want it. Get it for me Shashita.I order you." Shashita rose. "I will."
Shadows danced along the walls the walls in a carnival of darkness. Nothing stirred in the rocky cavern. Even the busy spiders creating tantalizing their webs held their breaths. Atop a silver throne, not glistening, but dull of light, a lanky woman brushed her hair with a pearly white fish skeleton. With eyes close, the woman's rhythmic breathing breath suddenly halted. She paused, and rose her head slightly. Setting the fish comb on her silky brown lap, the woman grinned. She nodded to the darkness. "It is time," she whispered, emotionless. "Servant Shashita, go to the Mortalverse. I'm hungry." Out of the darkness, lightly stepped a corpse-like girl with two thick ponytails. "Yes, my Duchess."
"Look at all my presents!" Exclaimed Minnie with delight. Mina sighed. "Don't get any ideas, young lady. Later." "But.Mummy!" "Don't you: But Mummy me, Min." Minnie pouted, and pulled on her light green locks. Minnie's friends were either busy stuffing their faces with goodies (mostly that Lita had made), discussing pop groups or chasing their siblings around the yard. All of the parents were sitting together, talking about who-knew-what. Mina had come over to investigate Minnie's hovering over the gifts. Minnie hugged her mother and battered her eyes. "Tell me: When can I open my pressies?" Mina shook her head. "Oh, Min. Five minutes, OK? Afterwards you can cut your cake." Minnie let go and clapped. "Oooooh! Goodie-goodie!" "Yo! Minnie!" Called Raeline. Minnie turned her head. She waved to Raeline, who was holding her eight- year-old brother in a headlock. She ran up and knelt down. Michael was trying to resist, and kept attempting to pull himself free. "What's going on?" Inquired Minnie. Raeline shrugged. "Teaching Mike a lesson. Yesterday, Smart-Guy here told my dad about that Math test from last week he almost forgot about. Now, for withholding info and failing the test miserably, I've gotta scrub the temple top to bottom!" "Funny, isn't it?" Smugly said Rachael as she passed by. Raeline frowned. Minnie thought it was funny. In the middle of a conversation with Roger, Chad noticed what Raeline was doing. "Rae, stop tormenting your brother," he scolded. "Unless you want to fertilize the trees too." Raeline suddenly dropped Michael. Gagging and wheezing, he retreated to an orange juice tap, where he knelt beside it, and bent his under the tap to gulp down as much juice as possible. "That hits the spot," he sighed. Robert, Ian and Tiffany were running around the yard with balloons. They laughed, and made "broom-broom!" sounds like a car. When they went by the two girls, Minnie scooped up her one-year-old sister. "Whatcha doin"?" Minnie asked. "Taxi! Taxi! Broom-broom! Pay the bill!" Tiffany giggled. Minnie looked confused. "Oooookay." She set her sister down, who ran off with her friends. "What the heck do they teach at that playgroup?" Asked Raeline. "No clue, girl." "Hey! Everyone!" Minnie heard her mum call. "It's time for the presents!" Minnie rubbed her hands together. "Oh, yeah. Magic time." As quick as the wind, lifting Rae's long tangled hair brown hair, Minnie dashed toward her presents, pushing Jo out of the way. "Hey!" Protested Josephine. Minnie rubbed Jo's shoulder. "Sorry Jo, really. I didn't mean to hurt you." Everyone gathered around Min as she began to energetically rip the wrappings off her many gifts. "Cool! Awesome! Oh, nice. Pretty! Oh, clothes. Yahoo! Huh? Too groovy!" They heard her squeak and squeal. When she was done, she smiled, satisfied. "Don't get too comfortable yet, dear," laughed Roger. "Got some strength left in you for one last pressie?" Minnie nodded wildly. Mina handed her a longish but small golden box. It looked as if it held a watch or even a necklace. Minnie carefully opened it with curiosity. It held a goldy-orange pen with the Venus symbol on atop. All of the mothers looked expectant. The others looked interested. "It's.a pen?" She asked, lifting it up to the sun. Her face bared disappointment. "You don't like it?" Mina observed. Her face matched her daughter's. Minnie's eyes widened. "Oh.Mummy! No. No. I love it. Really I do. Thank- you!" Mina wryly smiled. "Now that the beast has settled, can we eat some cake now?" Ameilia asked, breaking the near-bleak mood. "Ameilia, Honey, don't refer to Minnie as a beast please," Amy begged. Lita and Mina ran off to fetch the cake. A place was cleared on the table for the huge cake Lita had baked in honor of Minnie's twelfth birthday. "It should be good. Too bad Meatball couldn't be here," commented Raye slyly. "Actually." began Greg and Jennifer. "Meatball, huh? I believe the term is Meatball Head," corrected Serenity. They all gasped as Neo-Queen Serenity, King Darien, their four children, and Luna and Artemis with their six children walked toward them. "You guys made it!" Roger was surprised. "Of course," smiled Serenity. "I never miss a party." Rini and Luna exchanged humored looks. "Nor does she miss a chance for cake by Lita," added Darien snidely. Serenity ignored him - or pretended to - and sat next to Leda. Arcturus and Rose-Tiara sat on the grass, by their mother's feet. Rini and DJ joined their respective pals as Roger welcomed Darien. The cake was soon wheeled out. It was in the shape of a circle, but not fully round. It looked like a planet too, with orange and red icing mixed together to form patterns. "Is it.the planet Venus?" Minnie guessed. "Yep," replied Mina, proudly. Minnie was all too aware of the pride her mother took in being the famous Sailor V and Venus as a teenager. The twelve candles were lit. "Make a wish, Min," encouraged AJ. Nervously, Minnie shut her eyes tightly. When a wish came to mind, she sucked in some air, then blew it out in a raspberry at candles. They all went out at once. Everyone clapped and cheered, and blew whistles. Minnie went bright red. The candles were removed, so Minnie could cut the first slice. This birthday's pretty cool, Minnie thought to herself. But it could be better.
Around Crystal Tokyo, fatigued people wondered why their eyes constantly fluttered. It wasn't a particularly hot day, so it wasn't the sun. Evening was approaching, though it was daylight savings. So it couldn't have been from sleepiness. A teenaged girl, light in skin, with two thick blue ponytails was advertising a movie theatre. "It's eighty percent off, just for today!" She called out gleefully, holding up a sign. "Hey.I'm talking to you!" She wailed. A couple of people stumbled out of the movie theatre she advertised on the opposite side of the street. "That was great, but not too great," said a guy to his friend. "I don't know, that blond was hot though," laughed the other guy. They high fived. "Oh, I'm sleepy." "Come on, it wasn't that - yyhhhrrr - bad." The girl grinned. "Duchess Vladia will be pleased."
"What should we do first? Go to the arcade? Crash a disco? Perve on the hunks at the docks?" Wondered Rini out loud. Ameilia shrugged. "We could just do what Min wants. After all, it is her birthday." Rini, Minnie, Ameilia, Leda, Raeline, Rachael and Diana had gotten permission to trek through Crystal Tokyo to spend Minnie's birthday money. "How about we see a movie?" Suggested Minnie. "I'm dying to see Scream 3." "A re-re-re-remake?" Grumbled Rachael. "How boring. What about the new Kung-Fu movie?" "No way!" Yelled Rini. "How 'bout that new comedy with the bumbling detective?" "You've got your mum for comic relief," reminded Raeline. "Oh, yeah." Minnie became quiet, pondering the unusually boring gift her mum was so hyped up about. "What's wrong, Min?" Asked Leda, noticing her friend's sudden silence. "Don't you want to see a movie anymore?" "It's nothing, I guess. It's just this pen my mum gave me," she replied sheepishly, holding it up. "Oh, that?" Rachael glimpsed it. "I've got one too, so does Raeline. In fact, every one here does." Minnie gasped. "Everyone?" "Except for Devil Girl and Diana," added Raeline. "What have I told you?" Huffed Rini. Raeline shrugged. "The same thing your mother says when mine calls her Meatball Head. Talk about gene similararities, huh?" The girls all giggled. "Like to see a cheap movie?" A girl wielding a huge sign rudely interrupted, getting right in their faces. They all huddled together, terrified by the girl's insistent perkiness and claustrophobic nature. "Uh.How much is it?" Rini finally asked, stammering a bit. "Eighty percent off!" chimed the girl. "Um.Where is it?" Numbly asked Ameilia. The girl pointed to a building across the road. "You just go up the stairs." "Is there food too?" Rini gingerly inquired. The girl formed a wide grin. "Naturally, and it's completely free! What'd ya say? Hey.Where did you all go?" She looked to the other side of the street, spying the group of girls dash up stairs. "Enjoy the movie, girls."
"The.Jungle.Book?" Rachael slowly asked them as they sat down in the silky seats of the theatre. "I can't believe we're doing this. It's not like we're tots." "But the whole thing is in 3D," insisted Minnie. "Our parents had to put up with 2D." "So did their parents," Raeline dryly pointed out. The movie began. The girls sat back and quietly watched the film. After half an hour, Leda became aware she was getting tired. She didn't get it. She loved the flick, so why would she be getting sleepy? "Hey," she said in a loud whisper, "is anyone else feeling drowsy?" "Yeah, that Baloo seemed funnier when I was five," replied Rini with a chuckle. "I'm serious," Leda insisted. Ameilia looked around, straining in the dark. She gasped. All of the people in the theatre were asleep! Ameilia tugged on Rini's hair. "Ouch! Ameilia, stop it!" Cried Rini. Ameilia frowned. "Rini, look." Rini stood up and peered around. Her eyes widened. It all seemed too familiar to her. "Waz up?" Minnie asked, yawning. "Come on, we've got to get out of here," ordered Rini. "It's dangerous." Rachael rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. The snakes aren't real. You don't have to worry." Ignoring the remark, Rini began to casually stroll up the aisle toward the exit door. Leda, Ameilia, Raeline and Rachael reluctantly followed. When they were safely out the theatre, Rini let out a sigh. "Where's Mina and Di?" Demanded Rini, realizing her friends were lacking in number. "Still inside, I guess," replied Rachael. "You know how stubborn Min can be when she has her mind set on something. As for Diana, I think I saw her asleep on the floor." Rini clenched her teeth. "And why didn't you pick her up then?!" All the hairs on Rachael's body shot up. "Oh, yeah." "What's the deal anyway, Rini?" Demanded Ameilia. Rini winced. "Well."
"Friend like me-ee-ee," Minnie sang wearily. Minnie yawned, and looked around as she stretched. Strangely, her friends were absent. "Oh, the movie's not that bad," Minnie grumbled to no one. Minnie struggled to rise. Her eyes became increasingly heavy. She had made it half way up the aisle, when she fell to the floor - snoring. Suddenly, Diana awoke from the thud. She alertly turned both ways, then leaped onto a seat. She observed all the dozing people in the theatre, including Minnie. "Oh, no, no, no," she wept, shaking her head. Ccccrrk! Diana jumped into the air. A girl held in a blue bikini and high boots appeared. Diana shuddered as she looked at the girl's corpse-like skin. Obviously not a Crystal Tokyoan.
"Goodie!" She laughed. "They're all asleep. So many Humans to steal aura energy from. Missing the movie is a definite offense - and must be punished." The girl held out her hands and began to absorb energy from the Humans. "Aura energy must be transparent," Diana whispered to herself. "Ohhh, where are the Soldiers when you need them?"
"So, why were you late?" Asked Mina, resting next to Serenity on a deck chair. Serenity frowned, eying Darien who was standing with Greg and Brian. "Darien got into an argument on the Vis screen with Prince Ock of the Triet planet." "And so.?" "And so I had to clean up the mess. I wish that big idiot would for once keep his comments to himself." Darien overheard. He turned to her and smiled. "Hey, if I did that, would we be together?" Serenity huffed, and folded her arms. "I suggest you shut your trap before she really gets mad," helped Chad, who was monitoring the younger kids. "It works for me." "When do you think the girls will be back?" Luna asked Amy. Amy shook her head. "With those seven, who knows." "I'm worried about the trouble they could get into personally," expressed Raye. "My two can be so hung-strung sometimes." "Just like their mother!" Sang Lita. They all laughed. "Look, don't worry," assured Artemis. "They're probably just clothes shopping or something." "I hope so."
"You're nutso, Devil Girl," laughed Rachael. "The danger's over. The Neggamoon or Black Moon, or whatever they're called are good people now." "I don't think it's them. Look, tell ya what: We'll go in, get the girls, then call our mums. Sound good?" Raeline made a face. "Fine. Whatever. We still you're paranoid however."
Leda took hold of the handlebar of the door. She pulled it back. "Hey," she alerted them, "this thing is stuck." "I'll help," said Ameilia, grabbing hold of a bit of the bar. It still didn't budge. The other three girls got hold of a bit of the bar. All in a line, they began to pull back. Veins popping out of their heads, the girls spent minutes continually pulling at the bar. "I quit," Raeline wailed, falling back. One by one, the others followed. As Rini fell, her heart brooch fell from her pocket. Staring hard at it, she began to recall the thrill of a battle. A smile swept over her face as an idea dawned on her. "I have a plan!" She announced. "You're going to switch from Pink Dream to Cloud Pink dye!" Rachael cried out in mock-surprise. Rini rolled her eyes. She then held her brooch tightly and shouted out: "Moon Crisis!" They all stared in wonderment as Rini transformed into Super Sailor Chibi-Moon. Dumbfounded, the girls stood as statues as their friend kicked in the door. "Cool," was all they could say. Chibi-Moon peeked inside, to see the girl who was wielding the sign, with her hands now outstretched. "Who do you think you are?!" She demanded of Chibi-Moon. Chibi-Moon grimaced. "A superstar." "Wha.?" "I am Super Sailor Chibi-Moon, the champion of love and justice. In the name of the Moon and Earth, I will right wrongs.and triumph over evil - and that means YOU!" Her triumphal mood was shattered when she heard her friends snickering behind the door. The corpse-like girl shrugged off the speech. "I am the cute and powerful Demon Shashita, Mistress of Water." "Nice to meet you," Chibi-Moon curtsied. "Too bad we won't become buds, you won't be around long enough." Super Sailor Chibi-Moon held up her Crystal Carillon, and cried out: "Twinkle yell!" A beam of bright stars shot out shot Shashita. She lowered her arms, and rubbed her sore body. "That wasn't nice," Shashita sobbed. "Now we're going to have to play a game." Chibi-Moon armed herself, ready for an attack. Shashita materialized a jump rope made of water. She gasped, knowing she was a terrible skipper. Shashita giggled. "Don't sweat, jump it." Chibi-Moon freaked as a rope flung in front of her and began to twirl magically. "Be careful, dear. If any of that water hits you, you're going to that big hairdressers in the sky - Lord know you need it." "Hey!" Protested Chibi-Moon, jumping in time with the rope. Diana helplessly watched. "Oh, I wish Mama were here. She'd know what to do. And where's the others? I've got to find them!" Diana bounded from one seat to another, finally leaping out through the door. She landed on Ameilia's head. "Hi Di," she greeted. "What's going on in there?" Diana leaped off. "Rini's breaking a sweat in there, playing a dangerous game of jump rope." "This can not be happening," sobbed Leda. "And on Min's birthday too. I hope she's OK." Diana smiled. "She is. Just snoozing away happily." Raeline peeked inside. She gasped when she saw Chibi-Moon struggling to miss the rope. It dawned on her how serious the situation was. Suddenly, Rae remembered something her mum had said last year, handing her a Mars pen for singing at the Bunkasai celebration at school. "Carry it always," she had said. "It'll bring you good luck." Raeline had dumbly asked, "Luck with tests and boys?" Her mother just shook her head and handed her a bucket with water to wash off crow droppings from the Temple's roof. "Too far into the memory, gross," she gagged. "Sis, waz up? You look pale," said Rachael. Raeline dug into her mini-backpack and produced her pen. Rachael didn't get what had gotten into her sister. "Everyone.Get out your pens," she quietly announced. Diana's eyes lit up. One by one, they each produced the pen their mother had at one point given to them. "Girls, I don't think they're replicas. I'm pretty sure they're real Sailor Soldier pens." Leda smiled. "Wow, you're actually serious?" "Yep. Let's test the theory. If I'm wrong, we'll go cryin' to our mamas for help. Deal?" "Deal," they all agreed. In mock-seriousness, they raised their pens high. A wave of strength crashed over them. "Beta Mars Heart Power!" "Mercury Heart Power!" "Alpha Heart Power!" "Jupiter Heart Power!" Diana's jaw dropped as her friends morphed into Sailor Soldiers. When they were done, they awkwardly played with their skirts and went a bright crimson. "This.is.weird," slowly said Alpha Sailor Mars. Chibi-Mercury flexed her muscles. "This is awesome! Come on, let's kick some bad-guy butt!" "Right!" They all agreed. The girls raced into the theatre, stunned to see Chibi-Moon breaking a drenching sweat. "Oh.my.goodness!" She puffed and panted. Shashita rolled her eyes. "More of you? Oh well, more playmates. Let's play yo-yo." Shashita produced a whip. Angrily, she lashed it around Chibi-Jupiter. Shashita began to wheel her in, and fling her out. She did it over and over again. Chibi-Jupiter's eyes spun around and around. Beta Chibi-Mars barked out a laugh. "Oh, you think that's a whip, huh? Behold mine! Mars Fire Lash, Soar!" A huge whip of furious flames came to her hand. She pulled it back, and whipped it 'round Shashita. "Aaaaaaaaargh!" She cried. "My energy.You're weakening me!" Shashita let go of her whip, sending Chibi-Jupiter flying into a wall. The water rope disappeared. Chibi-Moon fell to the ground, huddling it for comfort. Chibi-Mercury noticed Minnie on the floor, snoring away like a bear. She knelt down and tapped her on the cheeks. "Hey, Min. Waky-waky." Minnie's eyes fluttered. She yawned. "What's going on? And why are you dressed like your mum?" "No time to explain. Get out that pen your mum gave you today and say: Venus Heart power. Got it?" "Sure. This is a dream, isn't it?" Chibi-Mercury sighed. "Just.do it." She helped her to her feet. Minnie grabbed her pen out from her jacket pocket. She held it up a little and sleepily said, "Venus Hear P-Power." Shashita was too distracted to notice Minnie's transformation. When she was done, she did a mighty stretch. "Hmmm, this is one bizarre dream-o," commented Chibi-Venus. Chibi-Jupiter shook her head to get to her senses. She clumsily stood up and stared directly into Shashita's eyes. "Payback time. I'm usually a pacifist, but I'll make an exception for you. Jupiter Thundernet, Seize!" An electric net appeared above her. Willing it, she flung it at Shashita. "We've got her!" Jeered Chibi-Moon. "She's still not weak enough," observed Chibi-Mercury. "Hmmm.Mercury Aquatic Hurricane, Go!" From her fingertips, she sent billions of pelts of water at Shashita. Shashita screamed. "Oooooh! You're all so mean!" Shashita grew pearly, white long fangs. With a hiss, she bit through the net. The Chibi-Soldiers shrieked as their foe escaped. "Not so fast!" Yelled Alpha Sailor Chibi-Mars. "Mars Inferno Daggers, Slice" Two burning daggers of flames appeared in her hands. She took aim, and threw them accurately at the floorboards in front of Shashita. The boards shot up as she tried to run off. One whacked her directly in the forehead. With a dazed expression on her face, and her tongue dangling to the side, Shashita fell to the floor. Shaking her head, Shashita complained, "I should've joined with Satan, better health plan." "Had enough?" Demanded Chibi-Moon. Furious, Shashita shook her head. "I'm gonna- " "Venus Love explosion, Obliterate!" Millions of golden hearts exploded around Shashita. Whining, she disappeared. The Sailor Chibi-Soldiers grinned, and congratulated Chibi- Venus for her quick thinking. "Thanks, guys. I realized this wasn't a dream when I checked and saw I was wearing my undies." Her friends made a face. "Too much information," Diana advised. "I can't believe this," began Chibi-Moon, "I get to be leader of my own Sailor Soldier team!" Alpha Chibi-Mars frowned. "You.lead? I don't think so. I'm a much better choice than you." "What about me?" Demanded Chibi-Mercury. "I'm much more equipped in the brains department." "No.ME! I'm cuter. A good leader needs has to always look their best," stated Chibi-Venus. "I'm cooler!" Whined beta Chibi-Mars. Chibi-Jupiter let out a great big whistle. They all turned to her. "What?!" "Let's go home," she timidly told them. "Maybe we can snag some left- over treats. We can discuss this later." Still argumentive, they agreed and made their way down the stairs. As they reached the end, the group saw it was way past evening. The streetlights blazed. Fire trucks and cop cars were heard in the distance, probably to check out all the commotion. "Smile!" A man yelled, flashing a camera at them. The girls gasped, and ran off. Atop the building, a dark figure on looked the girls racing away. It's cape swayed in the wind.
Shashita knelt before duchess Vladia. The shadows did not dance. Nothing stirred. All was quiet in the darkness. "You have failed," Vladia stated quietly. Shashita's head hung. "Yes, my Duchess. Unwelcome pests ruined my gathering." "So they did. But you did get me a nice snack." Shashita brightened. "I admire those young girls' energy levels. Such.auras," she marveled. "Near to my power. I want it. Get it for me Shashita.I order you." Shashita rose. "I will."