Chapter 2: Allies from Tomorrow
All too soon for some, far too late for others, the senshi gathered at the temple and at Chibiusa's beckoning, were sent flying into the future with the aid of a time key. Swimming in a sea of intermixing blue and black, their minds, bodies, and souls disconnected for a momentous eternity, the Sailor Team arrived in the 30th century largely intact. Here, gazing out over a horizon of darkness, they stared into the battleground that tomorrow had become.
"Oh gods, this place looks terrible.." Sailor Mars muttered as they began the trek to the Crystal Palace. All around them, great creatures, dwarfing the Soldier they'd battled, tore from the shadows and waged war on the protective dome surrounding the Crystal Palace. Though they were at the ready for any sign of attack or even the slightest growl, the shadow beasts ignored them, instead focusing all of their energy on the shimmering globe.
"That forcefield is the last ditch effort the Sailor Senshi and Sailor Knights of this time have made to protect my mother and father. There are too many of these creatures for them to even attempt a head on battle," Chibiusa—the only one of the group who hadn't transformed—lowered her eyes and grimaced, unable to look at her family as the group passed through the field and into the palace itself.
"It seems like the future is always so...bleak when we visit. Why can't we ever be here to see what it looks like when things aren't so bad?" Sailor Moon whined, stopping and turning to look around at the future selves of her closest friends. Tuxedo Mask stopped and put a hand on her shoulder.
"They don't need our interference when things are peaceful...until the day comes that we live their lives, I doubt we'll ever see them in peacetime," Sailor Moon slouched and sighed, nodding.
"I guess you're right...it just makes the future seem so dark," She turned into Tuxedo Mask's embrace and the two held tightly for a moment. Sailor Uranus stopped and turned back to the two, frowning a bit, wishing she didn't have to disturb the moment.
"Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask, we should be on our way," Tuxedo Mask nodded and gestured for Sailor Uranus to go on. Sailor Uranus hesitated, then nodded and quickly rejoined the group. Tuxedo Mask lifted Sailor Moon's chin and looked into her watery blue eyes.
"We can't waste time...the sooner we return, the sooner we can save our future," Sailor Moon nodded and wiped her eyes then, taking Tuxedo Mask's hand, the two hurried back to catch the Sailor Team. The palace was eerily silent, devoid of all signs of life. Chibiusa shivered and wrapped her arms around herself.
"When the Sailor Senshi left to create the forcefield, everyone in the palace was restricted to their quarters by royal decree," Sailor Mercury, walking beside Chibiusa, gently placed a hand on the girl's arm. Chibiusa jumped slightly, but offered the blue senshi a grateful smile.
"Sorry, it's just so strange to see everything...so lifeless around here. Usually with the kids running around..." Sailor Jupiter perked up at Chibiusa's slip.
"Kids? There are kids running around the palace?" Chibiusa laughed and scratched her head, gritting her teeth.
"Oh man...had an Usagi moment..." Sailor Moon fumed, but Tuxedo Mask held back her retort, "Yeah...your kids are always running around, laughing, playing...I used to think it was a little annoying, now I miss it," The Senshi all stopped. Their kids? Often as they tried to think about their future, such a blunt reminder that someday they could all be parents was so...enlightening.
"Our kids?" Chibiusa stopped in front of a door, taking a deep breath and turning to smile at her entourage.
"Yes, in fact they're the very reason you're here. They are in training to become my guardian team. I brought you here to convince them to return to the past to aid us," Chibiusa turned away from their dumbstruck expressions and stared at the door, biting her bottom lip and praying this was the right thing to do. "I've decided...I'll take you each to your quarters in a certain order..." Sailor Venus tapped her chin as they gathered around the door.
"An order? What do you mean Chibiusa?" Chibiusa took another deep breath and slowly let it out.
"Some of you will need way more time than the others, I'm going to drop the senshi who will have the hardest work ahead of them off first," The senshi traded a series of glances. Chibiusa pursed her lips then nodded and opened the door all the way, stepping inside and beckoning the others to follow her. As they entered, the senshi couldn't help but wonder: whose child was going to be the most difficult?
Part 1: Koichi
The answer came almost immediately and Sailor Mars couldn't help crossing her arms and swallowing the lump in her throat. The quarters themselves were designed like her own home back in the 20th century. Chibiusa had stopped in front of a very specific door and looked apprehensive about continuing. Sailor Mars stopped beside her and lowered her head, glancing at the princess.
"Chibiusa...it's my daughter right? The difficult one," Chibiusa blinked and turned to Sailor Mars with a very confused look in her eyes. She blinked again then giggled softly, a humorless sound, and shook her head.
"It's...your child, that part is right," Chibiusa sighed and raised her hand to knock on the door, but before she could the group heard a young voice yell out in frustration.
"Darn it!! Why won't it ever work!? Why won't you show me anything?! What am I doing wrong?!" Chibiusa blushed and pinched the bridge of her nose. The senshi had been able to divine several things from the outburst, one thing in particular. Chibiusa shook her head and slid the door open, knocking as she stepped inside. The child, who looked about eight years old, started and fell forward yelping loudly and whipping around to stare at the intruder with a terrified look.
"Hey Koichi, I'm back from the past," The little boy was breathing heavily, the corners of his purple eyes—which were halfway covered by his very long bangs—moist and red. He quickly wiped his eyes and stood up, trying to gulp down the lump in his throat. His dark purple hair was long, cropped off just below his ears, but neatly combed and meticulously taken care of. He crossed his arms and looked down, sniffling and clenching his teeth—obviously trying to stop crying from before. Sailor Mars stared in shock at the timid little boy.
"Hi Usagi...I didn't hear you c-come in..." His voice was very soft, nothing like any of the senshi would have expected from Rei's son. He looked up and saw Sailor Mars and had to clench his teeth tighter. "M-Mama! I..." he hesitated, looking around, primarily at Chibiusa. Chibiusa rolled her eyes and smirked, turning her head away, humoring Koichi. Koichi quickly ran forward and threw his arms around Sailor Mars' waist, breathing quickly and hiccuping.
"Mama! I thought you...but the fight...I was s...so worried but M...Mama!!" Koichi just hugged Sailor Mars even tighter, crying again though fighting valiantly to stop.
"M-mama?" Chibiusa smiled and ruffled Koichi's hair tenderly. She knelt down next to him and beamed when Koichi peeked away from Sailor Mars' uniform to look at the princess.
"Rei, Sailor Mars, I'd like you to meet your future son, Koichi Hino," Sailor Mars' breath caught in her throat as the little boy looked up at her, his misty purple eyes staring into hers with such unconditional emotion. She couldn't help herself kneeling down and hugging him back tightly. Koichi buried his face in her shoulder, muttering just loud enough for Mars to hear.
"I missed you Mama...please don't go away..." Sailor Mars' heart swelled and without warning she hugged the little boy even tighter. Chibiusa smiled and placed a hand on Sailor Mars' shoulder.
"Koichi is training to become a Sailor Knight. Right now, he's Chibi Mars Knight...or just M. Knight," Sailor Mars pulled away and looked at Koichi, who blushed ashamedly and buried his face in her shoulder again. Chibiusa sighed and patted Sailor Mars on the back as she headed out.
"Good luck Rei...you'll need it," The others left, leaving the future mother and son alone. Finally Sailor Mars took the time to really take in the room. Immediately before her lay the great fire itself.
"You were doing a fire reading before we came in?" Koichi pulled away and, dragging his feet, walked back to the fire and plopped down on the floor in front of it, legs crossed and chin resting on his hand.
"I...I was trying to, but it never works for me! I never see anything when I try to talk to it!" Koichi ruffled his own hair and took a deep breath, restraining himself from throwing another fit. Sailor Mars knelt down next to Koichi and put an arm around his shoulders. The little boy slouched even more and sighed miserably.
"It's wonderful to meet you...to think that someday I'll have such a handsome son," Koichi blushed and rubbed his eyes, looking away. Sailor Mars laughed and smiled gently. "Chibiusa said you were training to become a Sailor Knight," She blinked, startled when Koichi suddenly sniffled and dropped his head, moaning.
"Not really...I go to practices but...I usually just get in the way..." Sailor Mars gave a wry smile, hoping she could alleviate his worries.
"Well...you sound a lot like Sailor Moon in that case," Koichi just groaned and and looked away, blushing more.
"Aunt Serenity said that once...she was just lying to make me feel better. I'm barely even a Chibi Knight, I'm just a big...Tetsuo said something...I don't remember it was a big word...lying billy tee or something like that..." Liability, Sailor Mars thought bitterly. Someone, another Chibi Knight, had actually told her son that?
"Koichi...I'm sure that's not true. You just need to keep working hard and believe in yourself. I actually came to the future to ask you to come to the past with me. Lavender has shown up in our time and we," Sailor Mars jumped slightly when the little boy began to shake his head fiercely.
"No! No! I can't help you! I don't know how to fight, my powers don't even work! No I'll just get everyone hurt!" Sailor Mars frowned and hugged her son, who was despite his own protests beginning to cry again.
"Koichi if you don't come back...there's no way we can win," Koichi shook his head and hiccuped, his cries becoming more pronounced.
"I can't...I'm no good at this, I'll just get in the way, all I ever do is get in the way!" How in the world was this kid her son? He was so fragile...Chibiusa was right, she did have a hard job ahead of her, and they didn't have forever.
Part 2: Jun
As the senshi left the Martian quarters, one thought weighed heavily on the minds of all the remaining Sailor Senshi. It was finally Sailor Uranus who broke the silence and asked the question everyone was thinking.
"Chibiusa, are you sure that was Rei's kid?" Sailor Neptune blushed and hit her partner lightly.
"Uranus..." Sailor Uranus shrugged and put a hand on her hip as they continued the trek to the next stop.
"I have a really hard time believing it, that's all," Chibiusa chuckled and nodded, grinning back at the outer senshi.
"Everyone who knows Rei always asks that. Yes Koichi is definitely her son, her future self would tell you that the pregnancy from Hell didn't end in a mix up. He's just..." Chibiusa stopped momentarily, scratching her head. "Is there a way to have negative self esteem? Confidence is to Koichi as water is to a desert, there's just none there," Chibiusa frowned and continued walking again, slouching.
"It's sad, he's a great kid...a really sweet little guy. But man, the others give him no slack for being a little...well really sensitive," Chibiusa all but groaned as they finally reached their next destination. This was one door she really, really didn't want to open. Sailor Pluto came up to her, still a little miffed over all of the violations to the time stream they were incurring.
"Chibiusa, are you absolutely certain this is necessary? Surely there must be some alternative, who knows what the repercussions could..." Chibiusa laughed mirthlessly and jerked an accusatory finger at the door that lay before them.
"Trust me Puu...once you meet the person in here you'll understand why Future Puu thought this was necessary," They stood outside the door in tense silence, Chibiusa simply staring at it as if hoping it would resolve itself. Finally getting impatient, Sailor Jupiter cleared her throat.
"Chibiusa are we going to just let the world go to Hell while we wait here or are we going inside?" Chibiusa groaned out loud again and doubled over, her fingers touching her toes.
"Do we have to? I really, really don't want to..." Chibiusa straightened up and sighed before knocking on the door, cringing immediately afterward. There was a tense second of silence before a voice called back.
"It's open," Judging by the tone, another boy. Someone else's son. Sailor Mercury tweaked her chin curiously as Chibiusa continued to hesitate entering.
"Another one of our sons I take it? Then why are you so apprehensive, Chibiusa?" Chibiusa grit her teeth and steeled her nerves, opening the door and heading inside quickly, determination in her gaze. The senshi followed, the hall depositing into a spacious living room that was dimly lit, save for a table lamp and a laptop screen. Seated on the couch, his legs stretched out and a book in his lap was a boy of about ten years old. His skin was darker complected, like Setsuna's, and he bore the same maroon eyes and dark green hair, his hair shaggy and disheveled, coming down about halfway over his ears—not nearly as long as Koichi's hair.
"Oh it's you...what do you want?" The boy turned back to his book, ignoring the senshi as they came in. Chibiusa bit her lip, her eyes narrowed and her hands behind her back.
"Hi Jun...how're things?" Jun flipped a page in his book, not even looking up to answer Chibiusa.
"I'm cooped up in my quarters, and surprise, surprise, my parents are gone. I'd say about the same as usual, except now I don't have Kenta to hang with," Chibiusa beamed and gave two thumbs up, before grabbing Sailor Pluto's arm and dragging her closer to the couch.
"Well you're in luck! I brought your mom from the past to talk to you!" Jun finally looked up, making eye contact with Sailor Pluto before casually turning his attention back to his book.
"Woo," He licked his thumb and turned the page, "Hoo," Chibiusa sighed and quickly headed for the door.
"You're on your own Puu," The others left and Sailor Pluto, completely taken aback by her future son's displeasure, took a seat at the end of the couch. Jun pulled his feet back to allow her more room, then glanced at his laptop, quickly typing something in a messaging window before his attention was caught again.
"Jun, you're training to become a Sailor Knight I imagine?" Jun sighed and curtly shut his book, throwing it down on the coffee table, upon which his laptop sat.
"Yeah, I'm putting up with that crap," Sailor Pluto looked away and fiddled with her staff. Her duties as Sailor Pluto didn't require the most spectacular people skills, and Jun was a far cry from Hotaru in terms of her parental experience.
"As the senshi of Pluto and the guardian of the gates of time, I can't say I'm particularly pleased with Chibiusa's choice...though I can understand that it is the only option," Jun sat up and leaned forward on his knees, his chin on his hands.
"What are you talking about?" Sailor Pluto glanced at her son, her lips nearly pursing at the bitterness in his tone.
"Chibiusa has asked that I encourage you to return to the past with us, to fight alongside the Sailor Senshi of the 20th century to stop Lavender and the Black Vile Crystal," Jun leaned back and put his hands behind his head.
"Why would I want to do that?" Sailor Pluto recalled that Chibiusa had said they would be dropped off in order of difficulty, but hadn't been expecting such an outright rejection.
"If this enemy isn't stopped, it would mean the end of both my time and yours. Without the reinforcements Chibiusa has informed us of, which I believe to be you and your teammates, we have no hope of winning," Jun rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Right, so this isn't an option, just like everything else you've ever thrown at me," Sailor Pluto's expression, already meek was now apologetic, though she wasn't sure why. "First you never being here, then the stupid Sailor Knight crap, the whole destiny spiel, and to top everything off someday I'm going to have to do the same thing to my own kids? Yeah, I've got so many reasons to want to help you," Sailor Pluto lowered her head and took a deep breath.
"Jun I'm...sorry for all that you've had thrown upon you, but none of us wished for this. None of us chose this path," Jun laughed and shook his head, typing something else onto his laptop before turning back to her.
"Not no one..." Sailor Pluto was curious as to what he meant, but didn't push it. Tenderly, carefully, she reached out and put a hand on her wayward son's shoulder.
"Jun...please, if not for me do this for your own future," Jun huffed and slouched then groaned.
"Fine...I'll help, but only if Kenta is helping too," Sailor Pluto smiled. She didn't know who Kenta was, but if she could get Jun to even consider helping, surely Kenta's mother could do the same.
Part 3: Tetsuo
"What in the world was his problem?" Sailor Jupiter bluntly asked as the remaining senshi wandered the halls for their next destination. Chibiusa pursed her lips and glanced to the side, shrugging and shaking her head.
"It's really complicated...I suppose it won't hurt to tell you why this is so...difficult. None of your sons really wanted to do this, and for the most part they aren't exactly proactive in their duties," Sailor Moon frowned and lowered her head, looking at Chibiusa with a degree of sympathy.
"None of us wanted to be Sailor Senshi, it was just our destiny," Chibiusa nodded and rubbed her arms, looking around the chilly corridor. The palace seemed colder than it had before, the heating system must have been damaged or malfunctioning.
"We keep trying to tell them that, but they just barely cooperate. Jun is the worst, but that has more to do with his mother than anything else," Sailor Neptune raised an eyebrow, looking back in the direction of the Pluto quarters.
"His mother? How is his attitude Setsuna's fault?" Chibiusa was prepared to respond, but a familiar door coming into view cut off her answer.
"I'll have to explain later, Sailor Mercury these are your quarters," Mercury sighed and nodded, unable to really picture her son. The last two hadn't been anything like their mothers. Chibiusa didn't seem nearly as apprehensive this time, knocking as she opened the door and stepped inside. They were greeted with the furious sound of typing and childish yelling.
In the living room a small boy, close to six years old, was at a desktop computer, grinning broadly as he viciously typed away and laughed boisterously. He had short blue hair, in a bowl cut, and blue eyes that had a certain glint in them as he celebrated whatever he had just accomplished.
"Tetsuo...Tetsuo! Hey Tetsuo!" Chibiusa slapped her forehead and waded through the hundreds of trading cards messily scattered across the living room. When she reached Tetsuo, he finally noticed that he wasn't alone anymore.
"Huh? Oh hey Princess, sorry living vicariously through the web!" He grinned and returned his attention to the screen, "At this rate I'll have achieved a fourth level master ranking in just a fortnight! Oh man, the greenhorns on this server just can't handle my strategic genius!" Chibiusa rolled her eyes and turned Tetsuo's head toward Sailor Mercury, who grinned sheepishly and waved. Tetsuo gulped and laughing apologetically, stood up and looked around at the messy living room.
"Mommy! Uh...about the mess um...well uh...hey wait, you aren't my mommy, she's out projecting the forcefield with the others," Tetsuo's nervous smile drooped and with a droll sigh he sat back down, crossing his arms. "Usagi why have you brought my mommy from the past? Isn't that against Sailor Pluto's time travel laws and regulations?" Chibiusa shook her head and walked for the door, stopping beside Sailor Mercury and putting a hand on her shoulder.
"Your intellect never ceases to amaze, Tetsuo," She muttered sarcastically, "I brought her to speak with you about something important, listen to her even if she isn't your mother yet," Tetsuo stopped mockingly mimicking Chibiusa when the pink-haired princess glared at him. He rolled his eyes and nodded, sticking his tongue out at her when she left with the others. Sailor Mercury stared, balking at her son's behavior.
"That wasn't very nice, Tetsuo. You shouldn't stick your tongue out at people," Tetsuo sighed and nodded.
"Yeah sorry...I'm simply a little testy from being sheltered and isolated for so long now," Sailor Mercury nodded and sat down on the couch while Tetsuo closed out the program he'd been messing with. The blue-haired senshi looked around at the mess, cautiously picking up one of the cards and looking at it.
"This is interesting," She mused, which perked Tetsuo up in a flash.
"Yeah! Intraverse Contra is the greatest card game ever! I'm ranked twenty-fifth in the world!" Sailor Mercury beamed with pride.
"That's very impressive...you certainly seem very intelligent for your age," Tetsuo grinned and puffed out his chest.
"Yeah, I'm a pretty sharp cookie. If I'm not mistaken I have a measured IQ of at least four hundred," Sailor Mercury was stunned then smiled again. He was her son, even if he was a bit of a scamp. Tetsuo sighed and brushed his bangs back, his hair falling exactly into place as it had been before. "But you certainly weren't brought here to meet me..." Sailor Mercury nodded and folded her hands on her lap. So far Tetsuo didn't seem that difficult.
"I was brought to the future to ask that you return with me, as Chibi Mercury Knight, to aid us against Lavender and the Black Vile Crystal," Tetsuo blinked and cringed, scratching his head.
"Eh...that seems terribly illogical, I can't imagine what would have possessed Chibiusa and brought her to the conclusion that our insertion into this conflict could resolve anything," Sailor Mercury didn't respond, but inside felt largely the same way. How their children could make that big a difference was beyond her.
"I understand, however, it was originally the Sailor Pluto of your time's idea. I believe her to be the better judge of possibility than Chibiusa," Tetsuo nodded, cocking his head.
"While that is true...it simply isn't possible...it doesn't make logical sense..." Sailor Mercury stood and walked over to the little boy, kneeling beside him and putting a hand on his shoulder.
"I know it seems difficult, but it is our only chance to save the world. We need you and the other Chibi Knights to assist us," Tetsuo weighed the options and put his fingers to his chin.
"Well...I guess...there's not too much choice in the matter, though is there?" Sailor Mercury paused then shook her head.
"No Tetsuo...there is always a choice in the matter," Tetsuo shrugged and turned back to his computer, leaning on the desk. He then turned and shrugged at Sailor Mercury once again.
"I suppose...it can't hurt more than sitting here and waiting it out, I'll help," Sailor Mercury beamed, proud of her future son's decision. Now all they needed to do was get him ready.
Part 4: Kenta
"Chibiusa, about Setsuna," Chibiusa shook her head and gave Sailor Neptune and apologetic glance.
"Sorry I was starting to say too much, I can't tell you," Neptune opened her mouth to protest, halting only when a hand touched her shoulder. She looked at Uranus, who only kept her face forward. The look in her eyes was one of understanding. Sailor Neptune nodded and opted to drop the argument, though she couldn't help being even more curious. Not much was said this time as they traveled, but the remaining senshi could feel that Chibiusa was relaxing.
"So who's next Chibiusa?"
"Probably the most important one, if we can win him we'll win at least three others," The senshi eyed her curiously. Sailor Jupiter was now near the lead, where Sailor Mercury had been previously.
"So who is it?" Chibiusa smirked at Jupiter as she simply pushed open the door they'd come to, entering without even knocking. Venus traded a grin with Jupiter, the answer obvious. Jupiter's son was the next one on the list.
"Hey Kenta, are you in here?" Chibiusa called out, uselessly given that everyone was restricted to their quarters. The air was humid and hot, a deep contrast to the hallway they'd traveled to reach the Jupiter quarters. Empty boxes of cereal were scattered across the kitchen table messily. Jupiter frowned and crossed her arms.
"Cold cereal? You'd think I'd have taught my son how to cook..." Chibiusa laughed suddenly, uproariously. She doubled over, tears actually coming to her eyes before her hysteria finally died down.
"Kenta? Cook?" She busted up laughing again, leaving the senshi stupefied. Finally she reached the end of her merriment and wiped her eyes. "Oh wow, I needed a good laugh...Makoto...Kenta has actually been banned from even using the microwave by my mother," Sailor Venus and Moon both began giggling while Jupiter blushed.
"What? Why?" Chibiusa bit her lip, holding in a renewed case of the giggles.
"Well...after a little incident we call the 'Toaster Pastry Fiasco', it was actually unanimously voted on by the senshi and knights. Your future self included," Sailor Jupiter sighed, while Venus and Moon laughed even harder, with Sailor Saturn giggling along with them. The group finally tracked down their target, who was preoccupied in his room.
"Kenta, woah! You need a shower, bud," Chibiusa gagged, covering her nose as she stepped into Kenta Kino's bedroom. Kenta was shirtless in a pair of shorts and running shoes, empty bottles of water strewn across his bedroom floor, weights everywhere imaginable in every size imaginable. He was soaked with sweat, currently doing sit-ups at the foot of his bed. He was remarkably toned for a ten-year-old, his sweat-streaked green hair laying flat. He stood up when Chibiusa walked in, grabbing a towel and wiping his face.
"Gee thanks Princess, I haven't had anything else to do, hey do you know where I left my gloves?" Chibiusa sighed and shook her head.
"Sorry Kenta, no clue where your boxing gloves are. Probably at Jun's quarters," Kenta nodded and resumed his exercise, now doing push-ups. Chibiusa again gagged and backed up out of the room, catching her breath. "Have you taken a bath since you got restricted here?" Kenta stopped then shrugged.
"I might have," Chibiusa again gagged and shoved Sailor Jupiter into the room.
"He's your son, you deal with him, I need to breath real air," The others practically ran out of the Jupiter quarters while Sailor Jupiter herself just shook her head and sat down on Kenta's bed. It took a few minutes more before Kenta noticed his visitor.
"Mom? What are you doing here?"
"I'm not your mom yet kiddo, I'm her from the past. I came here to get your help," Kenta jumped up, wiping his face again and searching for a new bottle of water.
"Yeah? Cool, what's up? Need me to kick someone's ass for you?" Sailor Jupiter chuckled and shook her head, clenching a fist.
"Sorry buddy, I can handle that on my own. I need you as Chibi Jupiter Knight to help us stop Lavender in my time," Kenta looked up, sucking on a water bottle and narrowed his eyes. He took a deep breath and threw the now empty bottle in the general direction of his trash can.
"Oh that...ugh, I was hoping you wanted me for something else," Kenta wandered his room, avoiding the curious look Sailor Jupiter gave him, "Well...I'd rather not. Try-outs are coming up for the boxing team and I really gotta place. I should keep training," Sailor Jupiter raised an eyebrow curiously and shook her head.
"How is fighting monsters not training?" She took a breath and tried a different tactic, "If you come back with us I can help you with your training. I'm a pretty good fighter myself," Kenta grinned and scratched his head.
"Yeah you taught me how to fight, I figured as much...eh whatever, I guess I can help. I'll need to call Jun, let him know the plan," Before he got very far, Sailor Jupiter grabbed his shoulder.
"First you need a bath, a shower, or just sprayed down with a garden hose," Kenta groaned but promptly spun on his heel and began to head for the bathroom.
Part 5: Yukio
Sailor Saturn had taken up the spot at Chibiusa's right hand side, smiling fondly at her best friend. Chibiusa noticed the younger girl staring and grinned broadly, putting an arm around Saturn as they continued their trek. The group had tightened its fold as it steadily lost members. Sailor Venus put her finger to her cheek, looking around curiously.
"So um...who's next Chibiusa?" Chibiusa tightened her hold on Sailor Saturn and smiled.
"Yukio, he should be more than happy to join us, Hotaru won't have any trouble winning him over," Sailor Saturn came to a complete halt, staring incredulously at Chibiusa.
"What? Me? But why me?" Chibiusa put her hands on her hips and grinned wryly.
"Well he is your son," Saturn's eyes bulged, the frail girl using her glaive to keep herself standing. Sailor Uranus and Neptune both took a step back, looking at Saturn with a parental kind of disbelief that she could ever be grown up enough to have her own family.
"What? Sailor Saturn's son? But Hotaru is just..." Sailor Uranus started, trailing off as Chibiusa continued walking to a nearby entrance.
"This is the pretty distant future, Uranus. Hotaru is all grown up in this time," Neptune just shook her head and watched Sailor Saturn, who looked absolutely amazed. Chibiusa knocked on the door they'd come to.
"It's open! Come in!" Chibiusa smiled and opened the door, stepping in and gesturing for the others to follow. The Outer Senshi braced themselves, still bewildered by the idea of little Hotaru having a son. They were promptly greeted by the sight of a seven-year-old boy with a mop of black hair bouncing on the couch while eating a bowl of cereal and watching a movie. He spun around and saw Chibiusa, his violet eyes lighting up.
"Hey Usagi! Hi Aunt Haruka! Hi Aunt Michiru! Hi Aunt Minako! Hi Aunt Serenity! Hi Uncle Endymion! Hi Mom!" With each greeting he spun around while bouncing. When he noticed his mother he hopped off the couch, setting down his cereal and rushing up to her. "Wow! You're a kid like me now Mom!"
"Yukio, this is your mom from the past. She's here to talk to you about something very, very important. Try to be nice to her okay? She is my best friend you know?" Yukio nodded and gave Chibiusa a V-for-Victory as she and the other teens left the two of them to get to know each other. Yukio stared at Sailor Saturn with a broad grin, unmoving. Saturn began to get a little nervous, swallowing and looking away.
"Um...you're training to be a Sailor Knight?" Yukio nodded and struck a heroic pose.
"Yeah! I'm Chibi Saturn Knight! The S. Knight!" Saturn giggled as he threw a few mock punches while beaming proudly. She tightened her hold on her glaive and flashed him a timid smile.
"I wanted...wanted you to come to the past with me. We need the Chibi Sailor Knights to help fight Lavender," Yukio blinked and frowned.
"Really? But I'm still training, I'm not bad but..." Sailor Saturn shook her head and bit her lip.
"No you're perfect! We need the Chibi Sailor Knights to win," Yukio shrugged and pumped his fist, letting out a loud whoop.
"Well...okay! Let's go get ready!" Yukio grabbed Saturn's wrist and dragged her to his room to get ready for the trip back to the past.
Part 6: The Twins
Chibiusa looked completely at ease by the time the remaining crew had left the Saturn quarters. In fact, she had a smile on her lips that was threatening to become a grin. Sailor Neptune tugged on Sailor Uranus's arm and gestured toward Chibiusa. The two shared a glance then decided to approach the young princess over their concern.
"Chibiusa...how exactly is there a full team of Chibi Sailor Knights? Surely Haruka and I don't..." Chibiusa's smile finally became a grin as she looked over her shoulder at the two Outer Senshi.
"Actually, you do have kids. Twin boys showed up on your doorstep one day...Luna and Artemis believe they were sent from the Silver Millennium to become Chibi Knights, it was so surreal. They're actually why I'm in such a good mood," Venus pouted and crossed her arms, curious about her own child now. Tuxedo Mask, who had occupied himself largely with looking around the palace, turned his attention to his future daughter.
"Why is that Chibiusa?" Chibiusa chuckled and shook her head.
"Oh you have to meet them, the twins are just great to be around. You two are going to be so proud when you meet them," The team came to a new door, through which they could hear some kind of music. "Wow! Even better, I think Mune might be streaming right now," The others looked at Chibiusa strangely when she carefully pulled the door open and peaked inside. They could hear an acoustic guitar.
"What do you mean Chibiusa?" Sailor Moon asked as they quietly walked inside. Chibiusa put a finger to her lips and just smiled when they stepped into the living room. A laptop was set up with a young boy, around eight years old, wielding an acoustic guitar, sitting in front of it and playing it. A light on the top informed them that the web cam feature was in use.
"Ever since we got restricted to our quarters, Mune has been streaming himself playing a few songs every day to keep us entertained, I'm so glad I didn't miss it while I was gone," Sailor Neptune's heart fluttered. She put her hand to her breast and watched him play, his eyes closed and serene smile plastered on his lips. When he finally finished, the older senshi couldn't resist clapping. Mune looked up suddenly, blue eyes beaming when he saw them. His blue hair was cut the shortest they'd seen yet, very neatly combed and parted.
"Michiru-mama, Haruka-papa! You've come home, it's so wonderful to finally see you again!" Mune turned back to his laptop and waved before shutting down the stream and closing the computer. He looked up at Chibiusa and cocked his head, setting his guitar down on the couch. "That's strange though, I can't recall hearing that the battle was over," Chibiusa shook her head as she gently moved Neptune and Uranus closer.
"It isn't, these are your guardians from the past," Mune beamed and nodded, holding out his hand as he approached them.
"Then it's a pleasure to meet you! I'm Mune Kaioh, Chibi Neptune Knight, N. Knight more often," They heard a loud crash from another room and looked up. Mune laughed and shook his head as a boy identical in height and build entered, dressed in a white fencing outfit with his mask still pulled over his face.
"It's alright, just a vase...ah! Michiru-mama! Haruka-papa!" The boy pulled his mask off, laughing nervously as he stared at his guardians with a sheepish grin, his mask tucked under his arm, fencing sword in hand. "I mean...I didn't break anything! I definitely wasn't practicing in the music room!" Chibiusa shook her head and sighed putting a hand on Sailor Uranus' shoulder.
"Relax Masa, these are your guardians from the past," The second twin, Masa, looked exactly like Mune, except his hair was heavily gelled and spiked up. Though it was probably the same length. He sighed in relief and nodded.
"Okay...I have time to come up with an excuse..."
"And clean up the mess," Masa shrugged and nodded at his brother.
"Well yeah that too," Mune rolled his eyes, but laughed and shook his head.
"I'll help you, don't worry," Masa silently celebrated while Chibiusa began to head for the door with last of the team.
"Don't take too long, we should be leaving soon," The twins and their future guardians nodded, now left alone. Sailor Uranus stared at them, unable to keep from smiling. Neptune was having a very similar problem, though was also having to wipe her misty eyes. Masa joined the congregation, standing closer to Neptune.
"Something wrong, Michiru-mama?" Sailor Neptune shook her head and smiled brightly.
"No...no nothing's wrong at all. It's just so wonderful to meet you both, to know that we'll be able to have more children after Hotaru is grown up and on her own," Masa and Mune traded a glance then grinned back at the two. Sailor Uranus nodded, wrapping an arm around Sailor Neptune.
"Is there a reason you came to the future? Though it's incredible to get to meet you before you became our parents, I can't imagine Aunt Setsuna being keen on the idea," Mune questioned, his hands behind his back. Sailor Uranus nodded and knelt down, eye level with the two boys.
"We came to the future to ask for your help to defeat Lavender in our time," The twins shared a glance again before turning to Sailor Uranus and Neptune with determination in their eyes.
"Of course! We'd be more than happy to work with you!" Masa nodded and threw his free arm around his brother's shoulders.
"Actually...kinda always wanted to! This is going to be so cool!" The Outer Senshi beamed at their sons. They felt as proud as Chibiusa had told them they would. Masa noticed his sword and grinned at Mune, elbowing him in the chest. "Hey! Let's head to the rec room and show them our stuff!" Mune blinked then looked up at their guardians.
"Well I suppose we have time...would that be alright with you?" Neptune and Uranus looked at each other, then back to the boys, nodding.
"Sure, show us what you've got," Mune beamed and grabbed his guitar, running back to the boys' room to get his gear. Masa started to pull his mask back on, but Sailor Neptune stopped him.
"Hold on...I'm sure this may sound terrible but...how can we tell you two apart?" Masa grinned and pointed to his bare forehead. There was a faint birthmark shaped like the sign of Uranus.
"Just check the label! Oh...and well Mune's a prep and I'm a jock," The older teens laughed as Mune ran out in his own fencing outfit. Together, the four headed out to find the rec room.
Part 7: Kei
Sailor Venus stayed quiet for the bulk of the journey to their final destination. Obviously it was her son who was last...and she couldn't help but feel a little proud that Chibiusa considered him the easiest to convince of the whole gang. Still it was strange that Chibiusa had been so quiet about him. She'd been ready to pop wanting to introduce Michiru and Haruka to the twins, but...nothing about her son? Her impatience finally got the best of her.
"So...my son is the last one huh?" Chibiusa nodded and bit her thumb nail, cocking her head.
"Yeah, Kei is the last Chibi Knight we'll need to talk to," They continued, Venus hoping that Chibiusa would say more, but that was the end of the conversation. Sailor Venus sighed and slouched, looking over at Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask. They seemed to be in their own world, like usual. The leader of the senshi sighed and looked over her shoulder. The palace was so cold. The ground was rumbling as they approached a new door, Venus' eyes nearly falling out of her head when she heard the thrashing, blasting music barely being contained by the door. Chibiusa laughed and pointed at the door.
"Here's your quarters, Sailor Venus, Kei is probably still brooding," Venus raised an eyebrow as they approached the door.
"Brooding? Why?" Chibiusa smiled drolly, thinking back to the day the senshi had left the palace.
"Kei wanted to follow our parents out to battle, when my mother told him the Chibi Knights weren't ready, he yelled at her, got spanked and got grounded. He likes to blast his 'angry music' when he's in a bad mood," Venus sighed and frowned, her son had yelled at the queen? This wasn't going to be pretty.
"Brace yourselves," Chibiusa opened the door and the volume doubled, nearly knocking the four over as they entered. Chibiusa found the stereo and shut it off, sighing and rubbing her ears. Sailor Moon looked around, noting that the quarters looked largely untouched.
"Wow he must not be as messy as the others," Chibiusa shook her head, wandering around trying to find Kei.
"No...for the most part he's a good kid. He's just...uh...huh..." Chibiusa shook her head, "I'll let you form your own opinions," Chibiusa wandered around the quarters while Sailor Venus looked over the framed photos on the mantle. She picked up one that was obviously of herself and her son. Tuxedo Mask noticed and put a hand on Venus' shoulder.
"Minako, I don't think Sailor Pluto would appreciate your curiosity," Sailor Venus nodded and put the picture back. She knew better, but couldn't resist seeing her son. He had blue eyes, fiery red hair, and was wearing a little smirk on his face in the picture. Chibiusa came stomping back into the room, moaning in frustration.
"He left, that little snot left his quarters. Why am I not surprised? He never follows the rules..." Chibiusa began to head for the door, the other three hot on her heels.
"Where would he go?" Chibiusa's anger sated quickly as a soft smile appeared on her lips.
"I think I know, no I do know where he is," As they traveled, it quickly dawned on the three that they were headed into the foyer. Sure enough they saw the boy, about nine years old, from the photo standing at the window watching the battle outside. Specifically, as they got closer, they saw that he was watching the future Sailor Venus. Chibiusa approached the boy, who still leaned against the window with an angry look set on his face.
"Hey Usagi...back already?" Sailor Moon, Venus and Tuxedo Mask approached the two, while Chibiusa nodded, looking out the window and frowning at the senshi.
"Yeah...any change?" Kei scoffed and crossed his arms, scowling.
"Of course not, they were all stupid to think this would work. If your idiot mom had just let us fight, we could have won, but no. No, no, no, they just wanted to be morons," Chibiusa sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Kei they just wanted to make sure we would be safe," Kei sneered at Chibiusa and rubbed his arm, blushing a bit.
"Yeah right, we're so much better hiding in this prison until they break down the barrier and come kill us all. Another brilliant plan by our oh so magnificent Queen Serenidummy," Sailor Moon puffed up at that and stomped closer.
"Hey! I may not be the smartest person ever, but I'm not a dummy!" Kei turned his glare on Sailor Moon, snorting and crossing his arms.
"Oh look, just when I thought the stupid level in Crystal Tokyo couldn't get higher, I've been proved wrong. Now we have two Serenities, heaven save us," Sailor Moon growled and clenched her fists, glaring at the little brat. Sailor Venus stared in horror. Her son was activity insulting Sailor Moon? To her face?
"Kei be nice, I brought your mom from the past to talk to you. We have a bit of a situation," Kei's frosty leer fell on Sailor Venus, who remained as unmoved as she could manage.
"Uh...hi? Nice to meet you?" Kei put his hands on his hips and looked back out the window. He quickly crossed his arms and flared up glaring at Sailor Venus.
"What? You went and grabbed this kid to punish me since my mom is content to kill herself? I feel so special," Sailor Venus flinched while Chibiusa just shook her head and cried in frustration.
"Talk to your son, we need to go check on the others...Kei be good," The future royal family left Sailor Venus and her son alone, the little boy angrily turning back to the window. Venus joined him in watching the struggle, her heart going out to her future self.
"What do you want?" Venus winced and struggled to not glare at Kei, but it was a futile effort.
"Chibiusa brought me from the past to speak with you about Lavender," Kei scowled and glared at her.
"Oh right, the psycho that's trying to kill us all. If those idiots had just trusted us, we'd be winning this!" Sailor Venus crossed her arms, feeling more awkward than she should beside a nine-year-old.
"I came to ask you to help us fight her, in my time," Kei, startled, turned to Sailor Venus with wide eyes. For a second, his anger abated. But it was only a second before it returned and he began to walk away. Sailor Venus ran after him, catching his wrist.
"Woah! Hey where are you going?" Kei jerked his arm away from her and continued.
"To get ready to leave, we don't have any time to waste," Sailor Venus watched him go, feeling sick thinking that such a hateful little boy could be her son...and bursting with pride that he was so determined to fight, to make a difference. She hurried after him.
Part 8: Final Preparations
The Sailor Senshi and the Chibi Knights had all gathered in the foyer, ready to leave with one exception. Koichi was still largely against traveling to the past to aid in the showdown. The crew heard excited chattering and watched curiously as a very excited Sailors Neptune and Uranus, along with the twins, came into the room. Uranus had her arms around the boys while Neptune smoothed out Mune's hair. They had changed out of their fencing gear. Setsuna gave them a wry look, smirking slightly.
"You seem terribly cheerful," Sailor Neptune, her face aglow with pride, patted Mune's head.
"These two are just amazing, you should see them," Sailor Uranus laughed and shook her head, cutting Sailor Neptune off.
"No, let's keep it a secret for now," The other senshi gave Uranus a curious glance but she just grinned back. Kei and Sailor Venus were still nowhere to be found by the time Chibiusa, Sailor Moon, and Tuxedo Mask joined the crew. Kenta, now cleaned up, grinned and pumped his fist.
"Alright everyone's here let's go!" Sailor Mercury looked over the gathering and shook her head.
"Wait, Sailor Venus and..." Kenta cleared his throat loudly and walked up to Chibiusa, tugging on her arm.
"C'mon, everyone is here let's go before he gets here," Chibiusa rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. Sailor Mars had an arm around Koichi while the others seemed ready to return and begin the fight. The little boy wasn't crying anymore, but had his arms wrapped around himself and kept his eyes low, too afraid to even consider aiding them.
"Koichi are you sure you won't come back with us?" Koichi shook his head and sniffled, trying harder than ever to act tough. Tetsuo snickered and Jun rolled his eyes, elbowing Kenta, who chuckled and shrugged.
"Actually, Sailor Mars, it's best if Koichi doesn't come back. He really doesn't know what he's doing," Koichi frowned and slouched more, but didn't protest. Sailor Mars couldn't resist the urge to glare at Kenta, the athletic boy completely unmoved. Chibiusa sighed and started to chastise Kenta, but they heard footsteps approaching. Kenta and Jun both groaned when Kei walked in with Sailor Venus. The red-haired boy seemed just as displeased by the two older boys' presence.
"Ugh, we almost ditched him," Before an argument could break out, Chibiusa clapped her hands and got everyone's attention.
"Alright...it's time to return to the past, let's do this right and keep everyone together," The now huge group gathered in the center of the foyer, with the exception of Koichi, who sat to the side with his eyes downcast. Sailor Mars stared back at him sadly, wishing she had been able to convince him to come. "Okay here goes," Chibiusa started to lift the time key, but Kei broke from the fold, crossing his arms and glaring at Koichi.
"Hey Mama's Boy! We're leaving, get over here," Koichi looked up with a startled glance.
"But...I'm not," Kenta growled and gave Kei a light shove, the younger boy whipping around and glaring venomously at him.
"Let's just leave the crybaby here Kei, he's useless," Kei turned his glare on Koichi again, tapping his foot.
"We don't have all day, quit crying and get over here," Koichi hesitated then nodded and quickly joined the group. Sailor Mars stared in shock. Koichi seemed to be sticking close to both her and Kei, despite how abrasive and mean Sailor Venus' son seemed. Chibiusa looked around, expecting more distractions to pop up. Seeing the coast clear, she lifted the time key. With a flash, they returned once more to the past, in hopes that they may save the future.
