"The Revenant Knight…has entered the solar system."

Usagi shivered involuntarily, feeling a sudden chill. So this is what it means for your blood to run cold? She glanced around at her friends; the mood seemed fairly somber.

Titus stared up at the sky, his expression characteristically impassive. "I thought we had more time to prepare…"

Usagi couldn't tell what he was thinking…but she hoped it was good. He's been waiting for this since the fall of the Moon Kingdom. Now that the Revenant Knight is finally here…does he have a plan? She glanced at Corey; his face was as unreadable as that of his guardian. I know Corey figures into Titus' plans somehow. After all, he wanted him 'ready'…back to his Silver Millennium strength. He's accomplished that, despite the bumps in the road along the way. But now what?

Ami had her computer in her hands; she frowned and looked up at Setsuna. "I'm not getting any readings..."

"Peace," Setsuna said softly. "He is still some distance away."

"How can you be so sure?" Luna sounded unsettled; Usagi reached out and stroked the top of her head gently. I'll reassure you, Luna…like you've reassured me so many times before.

"There was an incident earlier today…that confirmed his presence." Setsuna looked down. "I felt a strange sensation of dread, like something was terribly wrong...but I could find no hint of danger. There was no threat to Hotaru; likewise, Michiru and Haruka were also safe. Before I could contact you to confirm your well-being, I…passed out."

Usagi found it difficult to speak past the sudden lump in her throat. "Are you alright?"

"I am, barring a bruise to my head...and my pride." Setsuna looked up at the sky; her eyes narrowed just slightly as she considered her words. "It was as if my spirit was pulled to Pluto. The space above it, to be precise. I believe Charon Castle summoned me, in order to warn me of our enemy's coming."

Minako leaned in closer. "You actually saw your castle?" She seemed fascinated by the idea.

"Yes." Setsuna bowed her head. "I...I saw it devoured."

The blonde's eyes almost popped out of her skull. "Jerkface ate your castle?!"

Corey stared at Usagi in confusion as he mouthed 'jerkface'; she shrugged in reply.

Setsuna sighed. "In a manner of speaking, Minako. He drained it of all energy, leaving it adrift and without power. I fear it will crash into Pluto's surface before too much longer. That saddens me."

Artemis was all business. "And you're sure it was the Revenant Knight who did this?"

"I saw him," she said. "A great cloud of ash, suspended in the stars above Pluto…shrouding my world in shadow." Setsuna seemed unusually shaken. "When Charon Castle summoned my spirit, he was somehow able to see me. He...reached out for me, and I heard his voice; he sounded almost amused by my presence."

Makoto frowned. "And then what happened?"

"I woke up on the kitchen floor with a nasty bump on my head," Setsuna said dryly.

Hotaru blushed. "And a wet face."

"Yes." Setsuna smiled, and squeezed her shoulder. "If not for Hotaru's quick thinking, I might not have woken up in time. I'm uncertain what might have happened had our foe reached me…but I doubt it would have been pleasant."

Usagi barely heard her; she was lost in her own thoughts. Another enemy already? I thought we had more time. Time for Minako to heal. Time for us to prepare. Time to come up with some kind of strategy! We aren't ready for him yet. Another image of her friends' corpses flashed through her mind. I can't let that happen. I won't.

Rei rose to her feet and adjusted her robes. "I'll try a fire reading. Nothing too ambitious, of course; not with him so close. I don't want to risk him trying to possess me again, after all."

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Artemis asked.

She shrugged. "We need all the information we can get."

"You're right, Rei…but so is Artemis." Makoto pushed herself to her feet. "That's why I'm gonna come with you. I'll keep an eye on you, just in case he does try something."

Rei smiled. "Thanks, Mako."

Usagi looked up at the sky; she could have sworn she had just heard a distant crack of thunder…but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. That's odd. The weather report said clear skies for the day.

"Luna, you mentioned at one point that Moon Castle was still somewhat intact?" Corey ran his fingers through his messy hair as he looked over at her. "I wonder if it's worth me taking a look. It's a long shot, but maybe something of the old Guardian Knight archives survived the Fall?"

Ami shook her head. "The castle wasn't that intact when we last saw it, Corey. I'm not sure you would find anything useful."

"Still…" Luna considered his suggestion. "It's not a bad idea."

"As Rei has already said, we do need all the information we can get," Titus agreed. "My memory of the archives is a little fuzzy after all this time…so it may be worth considering, Corey. Personally, I'd like a more concrete estimate of the Revenant Knight's position and ETA on Earth. I'll…consult with NASA."

"Why did you say it like that?" Luna asked, clearly suspicious.

Rei crossed her arms. "Yeah, you put a weird emphasis on consult."

Corey rolled his eyes. "By consult, he means hack."

Titus rolled his eyes right back at him. "Well, without any of the additional equipment to go with it, the Eternity Main System is largely useless to us. NASA is a very distant next best thing…and I doubt they'll just give me access to their archives."

"Why don't you just take control of the Hubble Space Telescope while you're at it?" Corey muttered.

Titus hummed thoughtfully. "That's a possibility..."

Ami looked down at him and smiled. "Titus, I'd be very interested in watching you work. If you don't mind, of course?"

"Not at all. We'll head to the command centre at once." He headed towards the steps, but paused as a second rumble of thunder sounded, this time much closer. "Where is that coming from?"

Usagi was growing suspicious herself. There was no trace of a storm; there shouldn't be any thunder at all. She recalled their first encounter with the Revenant Knight, at Tokyo Skytree; his projection had arrived inside a great storm. She glanced up again nervously. Could it be him, already?

More thunder sounded, directly overhead this time, and Corey turned his gaze to the sky. "What the hell is that?"

Usagi followed his line of sight, and saw a small wisp of pink cloud forming almost right above them.

Rei caught her gaze. "I'll go find grandpa, and keep him inside!" She turned and hurried towards the main hall.

Makoto glanced about. "We're pretty lucky there aren't any other visitors!"

Corey scratched his head. "This isn't weirding anyone else out?"

"We're about to have company," Minako explained, smiling up at the sky.

"Yes. Someone we haven't seen for quite a long time," Usagi agreed.

Setsuna's lips dropped into a faint frown. "But why now, of all times?"

With another clap of thunder, the cloud formation suddenly expanded in size; it turned a bright pink, and a silhouette was deposited on the stone before them in a cloud of smoke. Usagi waved her hand in the air to clear away some of the haze, and felt her smile widen even further as their visitor was revealed.

"Chibiusa!" she called.

Corey looked the new arrival over. She had pink hair, worn in a similar style to Usagi; her buns were a little pointier, though, and her hair was nowhere near as long. Usagi rushed forward and wrapped her up in a tight hug; they clearly knew each other well. "What are you doing here?"

"I came for a visit! Mama finally let me come back and see you all!"

Usagi's grin was enormous. "Well, I'm very happy to see you!"

He leaned over to Minako. "I take it I'm the only one who doesn't know what's going on here?"

His girlfriend winked. "Yep."

Usagi smiled as she stepped back. "You've grown so much! How long-"

"Oh, wow!" Chibiusa rushed forward, practically tackling Corey. "I can't believe you're actually here!"

He looked down awkwardly, his hands hanging loose at his sides. "What's happening?"

"Aww…" Minako cooed. "That's so cute!"

"It is!" Usagi agreed.

He looked over at them, his eyes begging for help. "Why is she hugging me?"

Chibiusa looked up with a wide grin. "Because we're friends, silly!"

Corey began pulling back gently. "Look, kid-"

Her reaction was immediate. "I'm not a kid! I'm twelve years old!" She stepped away from him and stomped her foot for emphasis. "Young you is kind of a jerk!"

"He doesn't mean it, Chibiusa," Minako said quickly. "Corey's just a little confused. Why don't you come give me a hug while he works things out?"

Chibiusa glared at him for a moment longer, before turning to face the blonde. "Okay, Minako, I…oh, no!" She pointed at her shoulder in a panic. "What happened to you?"

"Oh, this?" Minako gestured to her sling. "Just the hazards of being Sailor Venus. Don't worry about me; I'll be fine in no time." She wrapped her good arm around the girl. "I'm so glad you're here! Now you can come to the awesome surprise party Usagi and the others are throwing me for my birthday!"

Usagi let out a frustrated groan. "Minako! How do you always know? We made sure you were on the other side of the city before we started planning this one!"

"Oh, I have my ways," Minako said, leaning back and winking at Chibiusa mischievously. "What do you think? Sounds like fun, right?"

"Definitely!" Chibiusa agreed. "But I don't have a present for you."

Minako smiled. "Oh, you don't need to get me anything. Just getting to see you is enough!"

"No! I have to get you something!" Chibiusa hugged her again, then abruptly rushed off. "Hotaru! I've missed you so much!"

Corey made his way over to Usagi and crossed his arms. "I'm getting the sense I'm missing some crucial details here, Usagi." He gestured at the pink-haired girl as she practically smothered Hotaru.

"Hmmm?" The blonde looked up at him and smiled. "Oh, right. Sorry, Corey, I guess I'm already so used to having you around that I forget you're still new here." She looked over at the new arrival. "Chibiusa is officially Usagi Small Lady Serenity of Crystal Tokyo; daughter of Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion."

"But…" His head was starting to hurt. "Aren't you Neo-Queen Serenity?"

"No...I'm Usagi Tsukino," she said, laughing. "But I will be Neo-Queen Serenity. Someday."

Corey looked over at the girl again; she was chatting excitedly with Ami and Makoto. She moves around like Usagi! "So, she's your…"

"Yes. Mamoru and I's future daughter."

He caught Setsuna's gaze and waved her over. "And you're okay with this? Doesn't her presence here break some kind of…temporal law?"

"Temporal law?" Setsuna actually chuckled. "I'm not aware of any such law. As for Chibiusa's presence here? That is…complicated."

He felt his irritation rising at her cavalier attitude. Oh, no, you don't. "Complicated? After all the-"

"Hey!" Minako abruptly leaned over and seized his arm. "If you're all caught up now, how about apologising to Chibiusa for the kid comment? I think you really hurt her feelings!" She tugged on his arm, ignoring his protests, and led him over to the girl; Corey had the distinct impression Minako was running interference to stop him arguing with Setsuna. "Chibiusa, Corey has something he'd like to say to you."

The girl glared at him as she folded her arms across her chest. "You're not going to call me a kid again, are you?"

Her angry look reminded him of Usagi; she did resemble her mother a little, now that he was paying attention. "Uh…" He dropped to one knee. "I'm sorry about that. I was…confused?" Minako nodded approvingly. "I, er…I didn't realise how old you actually were." He extended his hand. "Maybe we could start over?"

"Well…" She appeared to consider it for a moment, then took his hand and shook it gently. "Alright. I'll forgive you just this once, but only because you're always so nice to me!"

"That's, uh…very gracious of you." Corey had no idea what else to say. Kids – that is, pre-teen girls - had never really been his strong suit. Or girls of any age, for that matter, he admitted silently.

She peered up at him curiously. "You look different without a beard..."

"Small Lady!" Setsuna said firmly. "You know better than to discuss future events!"

Corey stared at her in disbelief; all five Inner Senshi joined him. Luna and Artemis just shook their heads wearily, while Titus seemed almost amused.

"I'm sorry," Makoto said slowly, raising her hand, "but how is Corey knowing he grows a beard in the future dangerous?"

Setsuna frowned. "Haven't any of you heard of the butterfly effect?"

Usagi shrugged. "What does a terrible movie have to do with Corey's future beard?"

Corey stifled a laugh; that was a classic Usagi line if ever he'd heard one.

Ami had it covered. "Actually, Usagi, it's a principle of chaos theory. The smallest occurrence, like the flapping of a butterfly's wings, can have a ripple effect of greater and greater consequence on future events."

Her fellow Sailor Senshi just stared at her in silence; it was obvious that none of them had managed to stay with her for that one.

She sighed. "If Corey grows a beard early, Crystal Tokyo could cease to exist."

The girls immediately launched into exaggerated agreement, like they had understood all along; he just sighed. Their antics could be a little annoying sometimes, but he had to admit that things were certainly more entertaining with them around.

Ami must have heard his sigh. "I lost you too, didn't I?"

"Hmm? Oh, no, I understood you fine." Corey glanced over at Setsuna. "I just doubt the space-time continuum will implode if I grow a beard a little earlier than I'm supposed to."

Setsuna glared at him. "Well, of course it won't! You're just being facetious!"

"And you're being ridiculous! You're arguing about something completely insignificant, like a beard, when Usagi's future daughter is standing right over there!"

Setsuna's mouth opened…then snapped shut just as quickly.

"Holy crap," he said slowly. "You're actually speechless!"

She glared at him, but a faint blush on her cheeks confirmed his triumph.

"You really have nothing to say?! I don't believe it!"

Minako shook her head wearily. "Humility in victory, cutie..."

"I'm sorry," Chibiusa said quietly. "I didn't mean to start an argument."

"Oh, never mind those two." Makoto knelt down beside her. "Corey doesn't need much of an excuse to argue with the Outer Senshi; trust me."

"Hey!" he protested.

"Although," she continued, "it's usually Haruka he gets into it with."

"It happens all the time," Usagi agreed. "Whether you're around or not."

Rei nodded sagely. "You can say that again."

"Thanks a lot," he grumbled.

Chibiusa tugged on his arm. "So we can be friends now, right?"

"Uh…" He glanced at Minako, who nodded quickly. "Sure." He raised an eyebrow in Setsuna's direction. "Assuming that won't cause World War Three or something equally horrible?"

Setsuna just rolled her eyes. "Proceed."

"Hey, Usagi!" Rei said, glancing over at her friend. "Didn't you still have to get a few things for Minako's party anyway? You could take Chibiusa along, and help her find a present."

Usagi waved her off. "Nah, I don't wanna do that."

"Usagi." The shrine maiden's tone hardened. "You were just telling me earlier that you need to get a few last minute things for Minako's party. Minako's party."

"Oh, right!" Her voice suddenly increased in pitch. "Yes, some things. Thanks for reminding me, Rei!"

Minako folded her arms across her chest and glared at her. "You forgot to buy me a present, didn't you?"

Usagi gasped indignantly. "Minako, I am shocked and appalled that you would-"

"Don't even bother, Odango," Rei said, laughing. "You're a terrible liar!"

She hung her head. "…yeah, okay. I forgot to buy you a present."

"Well…" Minako turned to Corey and smiled. "At least my super thoughtful boyfriend didn't forget!"

Corey froze. Uh-oh…I was hoping that wouldn't come up. "Uh…"

Minako's eyebrow twitched; a clear warning sign of impending doom. "Uh?"

He swallowed, and laughed nervously; it was eerily similar to her own nervous laugh. Dear god, she's rubbing off on me more and more every day!

His girlfriend placed her good hand on her hip. "Don't try that whole 'I forgot how to speak' routine on me, mister! It didn't work a thousand years ago, and it won't work now. I've been dropping hints about my birthday since we started dating, Corey!"

He backed away slowly. "Well, you see…the thing is…it's been a crazy couple of weeks, and, you know…we've been together such a short time, that…uh…" Just admit fault and apologise, man! She's not buying it! He bowed his head in contrition. "Sorry, Minako. It, uh…it's my bad."

She was clearly unimpressed by his apology. "Well, I was looking forward to spending the afternoon with you…but it looks like you're going shopping with Usagi instead."

He frowned. "But, I'm no-"

Makoto clamped her hand over his mouth. "Corey! I've seen that look on her face before, and trust me; you're about ten seconds away from a Crescent Beam Shower! Just smile, nod, and get out of here while you still can!"

Corey noted Minako's flashing eyes and flushed cheeks, and nodded slowly. "I fink yuh rite."

"Oops!" Makoto removed her hand. "Try again."

"I said, I think you're right." He turned to Usagi and forced a smile. "So, Usagi…mall, huh?"

"It sure looks that way," she agreed. Her gaze shifted to Chibiusa. "Did you at least remember to bring some money with you this time?"

The younger girl rolled her eyes. "I told you last time, Usagi, we don't use money in Crystal Tokyo. Not like yours, anyway!"

A familiar wail broke out. "My poor purse!"

Noboru Hayashida leaned back against the plush leather seat of his private car and closed his eyes. Japan's Minister of Defence just wanted to get home, have a drink, and forget about his troubles. Damn this traffic, he thought acidly. Don't they know how important I am? I should fire this idiot driver; Koji never would have gotten stuck in this mess. He was in a foul mood. I deserve better!

Yes…you do deserve better…you deserve more…

His eyes shot open as he looked around; he was alone in the back of the car, and the partition was up. The middle-aged politician shook his head and settled back, closing his eyes again. It was clearly just his tired mind agreeing with him.

You've been a loyal member of the party for as long as anyone…when will it be your time?

Noboru opened his eyes. "What? Who said that?" There was no doubt about it; someone was speaking to him. He reached out and flicked the switch to lower the partition. "You! Did you say something?"

His driver glanced up at him from the rear-view mirror. "No, Minister. Nothing."

The partition raised again, and he glanced around anxiously. Was he really that tired? The voice sounded so real, yet there was nobody else here.

I am a friend, Minister Hayashida. I wish to see you succeed…nothing more…

Noboru recoiled as a shadow appeared on the seat beside him; it was the vague shape of a man, but featureless. He reached for the partition control again in a near-panic…but something stopped him from pressing it.

Be at ease…I will not harm you…

"This is…a hallucination. I'm just tired. Or…I'm asleep already. That must be it! I'm dreaming!"

I am no dream, Minister…you are very much awake, and I am as real as you are…

"If this is no dream, then I must have had too much wine with lunch," Noboru said, stubbornly holding on to reason and logic.

You have been the Minister of Defence for several years, now…you know there are things in this world that defy convention…I am but one of them…

He frowned. "Assuming I even believe you, what would a creature such as you want with me?"

I see the potential for greatness in you, Minister…I simply wish to help you achieve your ambitions…

"What help could a…spirit provide?" he scoffed.

I hear a great many things, Minister…I can provide you with much useful information…and I can be most persuasive…I can open doors for you…forge alliances…

"Speak plainly, spirit." Noboru stared into its blank face. "What do you offer?"

You are correct…you do deserve more…much more…and with my help, you shall have it…you shall rise through the party ranks…until you reach the very pinnacle of Japanese politics…

"Prime Minister?" Noboru whispered.

Indeed…and with it…power…

He stared across at the shadow suspiciously. "And what would you gain from all of this?"

I would ask…a favour…something small, in the future…when you are firmly established in your new office…

Noboru shook his head slowly. "I'm still not convinced."

A demonstration, then…tomorrow, in your office…after that, if you should wish to speak to me again…I will be listening…

"Wait, I…" Silence was his only reply, and the Minister of Defence was left to wonder if any of it had been real at all.

Corey followed along behind Usagi and Chibiusa; he'd decided the two were actually scarily alike after spending a little time together with them. He found himself hanging back with Hotaru, largely to preserve his own sanity. The two girls had done nothing but argue since they left the shrine; they were acting more like sisters than mother and daughter.

"I can't believe you couldn't scrape together some money," Usagi grumbled. "Your parents are the king and queen!"

Chibiusa countered quickly. "I can't believe how cheap you are!"

Corey just shook his head, and caught Hotaru glancing at him in the process. "Uh…how's your shoulder doing?"

Hotaru didn't look back at him. "It's alright. It doesn't bother me much anymore."

"That's good." He paused awkwardly. "Do you, uh...listen to much music?"

"Not really."

He resisted the urge to roll his eyes; this was harder than he'd thought it would be. "Well...do you have any hobbies? What do you like doing in your spare time?"

"Homework takes up a lot of my time." There was the briefest pause. "But…I suppose I like painting."

"That's pretty cool." Corey managed a faint smile. "Me? I don't have an artistic bone in my body. I can barely draw stick figures!"

She actually laughed quietly, surprising him. "That's okay. I bet you're good at other things."

"Thanks, Hotaru...that's kind you to say." They dropped into silence again; he'd chalk that up as a partial success and try again another time.

"Hey, Hotaru, stop flirting with Corey and come talk to me!" Chibiusa called. "Usagi's being annoying!"

The blonde took exception to that. "Hey!"

Corey rolled his eyes. "Oh, haha. She wasn't flirting with-"

Hotaru's face turned bright red, and she quickly sped up to join Chibiusa ahead of them.

Usagi burst out laughing as the two girls ran off ahead, and waited for him to catch up. "So, trying to get to know Hotaru a little better, huh?"

"Trying's a good word for it. I just don't get kids." Uh-oh. "Uh, young ladies, I mean." He shrugged. "Still, I got a laugh out of her, I guess. That's progress, right?"

"Oh, Hotaru's like that with everyone at first," Usagi said. "She'll warm up to you in time." She glared at the distant pink-haired girl. "Chibiusa's the one you need to watch out for. She's manipulative, that one!"

Corey just stared at her in confusion. Manipulative? Isn't she your daughter?

She stretched. "Anyway...see anything for Minako yet?"

"Nope. Nothing."

Usagi sighed. "I didn't mean to forget her birthday, but it's like you said! Things have been kinda crazy over the last few weeks."

"Tell me about it." He wasn't sure he'd ever find anything worthwhile. "I feel like our relationship is all backwards. I know all the deep, meaningful stuff about Minako; I know I love her, and I can even tell you every reason why. But when it comes to the superficial, like what kind of clothes she likes, or who her favourite band is? I just don't know her that well at all!"

"I know how you feel," Usagi agreed. "It was odd for Mamo-chan and I at first, too. We were…I guess we were rivals of a sort, for the first few months we knew each other. He annoyed me, I annoyed him…and then suddenly, we were in love! It's definitely unconventional…but I wouldn't have it any other way."

He chuckled. "I wouldn't change a thing, either."

Usagi came to a sudden halt. "Here we go…jewellery is always a safe bet! If you want a recommendation, Minako likes yellow gold the best. Oh, and topaz. It's her birthstone."

"Thanks, Usagi. That's good advice." He began looking over the window stock. "Maybe something with a…" He trailed off, his words forgotten as he saw it; the perfect gift. It was simple, and plain, but it looked strangely familiar...

…he reached out to take hold of her necklace gently; it was a small golden heart, with the symbol of Venus engraved in the centre. It was the only thing she wore…besides her beautiful smile.

"Do you like it?" Mina asked, glancing down. "My mother gave it to me just after I became Sailor Venus."

"It's beautiful," he replied, raising his hand to stroke her cheek. "Just like you…"

Her smile somehow became even more radiant as she leaned in for a kiss. "Flatterer…"

"Corey?"

He shook his head; Corval's memories were largely inert, but he still managed to lose himself in one every now and then. "That's it."

"What is?" Usagi asked.

"That heart in the middle there."

She leaned towards the glass, searching for it. "Oh, yeah, that is nice…but it looks expensive."

"It's perfect!" Corey was already heading for the door.

"Hey," Usagi called. "Wait up!"

The sales assistant smiled warmly as he approached the counter. "Can I help you, sir?"

"Uh, yeah, hi. The gold heart pendant in the window...can I ask how much that is?"

"Of course." She wandered over and pulled it out. "This one?"

"That's it."

"It's currently on sale for thirty-thousand yen."

Usagi winced for him. "Ouch."

He thought it over. That's pretty much everything I have right now. But it's the perfect gift; I just know it. I can afford to miss a couple of meals, right? There was always the emergency credit card if he had to eat desperately. Titus will be pissed...but it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, right? "I'll take it. Out of interest…do you offer engraving?"

She glanced at Usagi and smiled. "A message for your girlfriend?"

He looked over at the blonde…and burst out laughing. "Oh, her? No, no, no, she's not my girlfriend! God, no!"

Usagi folded her arms across her chest and glared at him. "And just what do you mean by 'god, no'?!"

Uh-oh. Now there were two crazy blonde girls mad with him.

Chibiusa wandered along beside Hotaru. Corey and Usagi had just disappeared into a jewellery store; they'd likely be a while. Jewellery was really more of a boyfriend gift anyway.

"Any ideas, Hotaru?" she asked. "What's Minako into these days?"

Hotaru was her usual quiet self. "I don't really know...we don't talk much." She shrugged. "Boys?"

"Well, I hope not!" Chibiusa said, laughing. It was such an obvious answer! "She has Corey now, and I know for a fact that they're gonna be together for a long time!"

Her friend thought about it some more. "Singing?"

"She does like singing...but I'm not sure what kind of present fits with that." Chibiusa sighed. "I wish I had more time to think, but I never know exactly when the time key will bring me back!"

Hotaru shrugged. "Sorry, Chibiusa. I don't really know what else you could get Minako."

"That's okay, I'll think of-" Panicked screams cut her off. "What was that?"

Hotaru was already scanning the area. "Over there!" She pointed to a distant toy store; people were streaming through the doors. "Come on, Chibiusa!"

She was suddenly reluctant. "Uh…don't you think we should get Usagi and Corey?"

"I'll call them on the way!"

The two girls reached the toy store in seconds, and ducked down a nearby service corridor; Hotaru pulled out her transformation wand and held it in the air. "Saturn Crystal Power, Make Up!"

Chibiusa followed suit. "Moon Crisis Power, Make Up!"

In a flash, Sailor Chibi Moon and Sailor Saturn stood in their places. The two Sailor Senshi rushed towards the doorway; there were unconscious people everywhere. Saturn knelt beside a young boy, no older than six, and checked for a pulse.

"He's alive," she said quietly. "Hopefully, they all are."

Gleeful laughter erupted from deeper inside the store. "Oh, yes! Such delicious energy! So many potential stars for my Tragic Carnival!"

Chibi Moon swallowed nervously. "Where is Sailor Moon?"

"I couldn't get through to her." Saturn clenched her Glaive tighter. "Something's interfering with the communicators. I can't reach anyone!"

"So it's up to us, then." Chibi Moon breathed out slowly. "I'm not sure how much good my Pink Moon Stick will be…but I've been practicing with Venus and Mars back home, when mama isn't watching; I think I can surprise this thing. Whatever it is."

"Alright. Let's go," Saturn raised her weapon and rushed forward silently to take cover behind a shelf, peering around it and further into the store.

Chibi Moon joined her a moment later. "Do you see anything?"

"There are more people on the floor. Adults and children," Saturn whispered. "I can see a shadow moving, but-"

A sudden voice from behind interrupted her. "I spy with my little eye, something beginning with…S!"

Chibi Moon spun and shrieked in surprise; a blue-skinned man stood behind them, wearing a black and purple jester costume. The Sailor Senshi was confused by his sudden appearance, and his attire; he even wore a floppy hat with bells on it, and carried a small sceptre with a carved face on the top. His own face, she realised, when she looked closer.

He grinned widely, showing off a mouthful of large yellow teeth. "Sailor Senshi? My, my, what a delightful surprise! I didn't expect to find your kind here! How positively exciting!"

She backed up a few steps; there was just something off-putting about this jester. His mouth was almost too big for his face, and she could have sworn the face on his sceptre had changed; it had been smiling, but now it was angry.

"Oh, what's the matter?" he asked, stepping forward. "Don't tell me you're afraid of old Avan? I'm nothing but a harmless entertainer, I assure you!"

"Avan?" Saturn repeated cautiously.

"Ah, but of course! Where are my manners?" He bowed with a sudden flourish. "Avan the Trickster, at your service!"

"You…you seem anything but harmless!" Chibi Moon said defiantly. "Look at all these people you've hurt!"

"Me?" 'Avan' looked around in apparent confusion. "Oh, no, no, no, my dear. I had nothing to do with this! It was him!"

Chibi Moon followed his finger…only to find nobody there. Oh, stupid Usagi! She turned back to find him right in front of her, with a decidedly malicious grin on his wide lips. "Oh, no…you fell for the oldest trick in the book!"

He gripped her around the throat, surrounding her in a crackling energy field; a scream of pain escaped her throat as he shocked her, and she felt her strength fading. He's draining my energy!

"Sailor Chibi Moon!" Saturn raised the Silence Glaive. "Death Reborn-"

"Uh-uh-uh!" The jester wiggled his free finger towards her. "You wouldn't want to harm your little pink-haired friend, would you? I'll snap her neck like a twig!"

Saturn glared at him, but backed down.

"That's better!" he laughed. "Now...let me get a good look at you!" His eyes roamed over them, and he snorted in disgust. "They just don't make Sailor Senshi like they used to! You're mere children…but excellent candidates for my Tragic Carnival! I do need some new talent, after all!"

Chibi Moon managed to reach her subspace pocket, and drew the Pink Moon Stick from behind her back. She shoved it into his face and called her attack. "Pink Sugar Heart Attack!"

"Ow!" 'Avan' dropped her as the little pink hearts began slamming into his face. "Stop it!" He swatted at them angrily. "Cut it out...that's mildly irritating!"

She backed away quickly, but inadvertently stepped on Saturn's foot and landed on her as they tumbled to the floor.

"Get off me, Chibi Moon!" Saturn wriggled beneath her. "You're heavier than last time!"

She blushed. "I...I'm a growing girl!"

Their opponent lunged towards them, his wide grin almost splitting his face in half. "Come here, girlie! Give me all your delicious energy!"

Chibi Moon reached up to her forehead and removed her tiara. "Moon Tiara Action!" She hurled the shimmering disc right at him; it struck his chest…and dropped to the floor with a dull clink.

He laughed again. "Is that the best you can-"

"Hey!"

Chibi Moon's gaze snapped to the store's entrance. "Sailor Moon!"

Sailor Moon raised her Tiare …at her. "That's my move, you little thief!"

The pink-haired girl glanced at Saturn; her friend shared her look of disbelief. "Really?"

'Avan' seemed to size up the new threat. "Another Sailor Senshi? Just how many of you are there on this world?!"

Moon seemed to notice him for the first time. "Gah! What are you supposed to be?"

"As I just finished telling your little friends here, I am Avan…the Trickster!" He bowed again. "Yes, that's right...the Avan!"

Sailor Moon stared at him for a few seconds…then reached up to scratch her head. "Who?"

The jester's shoulders slumped as his smile collapsed into a pout. "Really? Nobody remembers me anymore? How rude!" He sighed heavily, and raised his sceptre; the little wooden face was now frozen in silent laughter. "It hardly matters; I'll just devour you and be done with it!"

"Hey, wait a minute!" Moon protested. "That's not how we do things around here! First, we get to introduce ourselves. Then we fight!"

He blinked. "Really?"

"That's right!" Chibi Moon agreed quickly. "We never got to give our speeches!"

The jester sighed and clicked his fingers; a large inflatable ball appeared behind him, and he flopped down on it. "Proceed."

"Thank you!" Moon cleared her throat, raised her hand into the air theatrically, and pointed at him. "A toy store is a place of joy and wonder! What kind of monster would torment innocent children like this? You're disgraceful!"

Chibi Moon nodded firmly and stepped in beside the blonde Senshi. "A jester is a symbol of joy and laughter, but you've corrupted that symbol for your own nefarious purposes! I say you're the rude one!"

Sailor Saturn raised the Silence Glaive. "You…uh…you're mean…and…I don't like you!"

Sailor Moon shook her head slowly. "Come on, Saturn! You can do better than that!"

Chibi Moon nodded. "Yeah, once more with feeling!"

Saturn shot them a dirty look. "Can't we just kill him already?"

Sailor Moon shook her head, and resumed her routine. "I am the pretty sailor-suited soldier of justice, Sailor Moon!"

"And I'm Sailor Chibi Moon!"

"Sailor Saturn!"

"And on behalf of the moon…"

"And the future moon…"

"And the planet of Silence…"

The three Senshi pointed right at him. "We will punish you!"

'Avan' ignored them; he just stared at his sceptre. "Well, I don't know about you, but I'm bored already." He leaned in close, and held the little face up to his ear. "What's that?" His eyes widened. "Just kill them all? Really? My, you're a bloodthirsty one today!"

Chibi Moon glanced at Sailor Moon nervously. "I'm not sure he's all there, Sailor Moon."

"It sure looks that way," she agreed.

The sceptre turned towards them; it was now contorted in an angry snarl. The jester rose to his feet and grinned, baring suddenly sharp teeth. "It looks like you won't be joining my Tragic Carnival after all, girls…"

Sailor Moon levelled her Tiare at him. "Silver Moon Crystal Pow-"

He tossed a small purple object into the air. "Catch!"

"Huh?" Moon caught it instinctively and stared down at it. "A balloon? What's-" It exploded in a cloud of white powder, leaving her coughing. "Flour? Who throws flour?!"

"Don't take this the wrong way, my dear, but you look rather…pale!" He erupted in a fit of giggles, slapping his own knee for emphasis.

"Oh, that does it!" Moon said angrily. "You're in serious…trouble…now?" She wobbled unsteadily on her feet. "Wait...what have you done to me?"

He leaned forward. "I'll let you in on a secret, Sailor Moon…that's not flour. It's a powerful sleeping agent! Perfect for taking annoying little girls like you out of the fight!" He tossed his sceptre into the air, and extended his hands; his fingers elongated and lashed out to wrap around Moon and Saturn like ropes, leaving them trapped. The same energy field crackled into existence around them, and they cried out in pain as he began draining them of their power.

Chibi Moon looked on in horror. I have to help Usagi and Hotaru! She dove for her tiara and focused her energy into it again. "Moon Tiara Action!"

"Hey…" Moon called weakly. "Seriously…that's my attack…"

It had exactly the same effect as the first time; none.

The self-proclaimed Trickster turned a menacing grin on her. "Now, that wasn't very nice! I'll have to give you a good…tongue lashing!" He opened his mouth and a blade began sliding out, followed by a hand…and the rest of an arm. Chibi Moon backed away as he stepped forward; the arm extending from his mouth spun the sword lazily in its hand. Her gaze locked on the sceptre; it was floating in the air beside him, the little face now a laughing, demonic skull.

Sailor Moon slumped forward in the Trickster's grip. "Run…Chibi Moon! Get help…get…the others!"

I can't leave, Chibi Moon thought frantically. He'll drain them…maybe even kill them! But I need help! I can't hurt him on my own! She looked back and forth between Sailor Moon, Sailor Saturn, and the Trickster.

"What do I do?!" she cried.

AN: Yeah, yeah, I know I said I was trying to keep my chapters shorter this time around...but what can you do? It was all written anyway, and I figured you wonderful people wouldn't really mind too much ;-) I tried to give this chapter a bit of a Sailor Moon Classic feel; the zany villain, mild insanity from the girls, confusion from the guys (Corey, in this instance) and a civilian issue eclipsing the threat of the big bad (present shopping for Minako overshadowing our old pal 'Rev' aka Jerkface)! Also, Chibiusa finally makes an appearance; I confess to being a little uncertain about bringing her in, but she was the last holdout from the main cast. Hopefully I was able to do her character at least some justice. Thanks to everyone for the reviews for chapter one; they helped me get focused and polish off chapter two. More to come soon!