Richforce: I will be beginning an important sub story in this chapter. I do not own Sailor Moon.

Woman in suit hands Richforce a paper.

Richforce: This chapter has been brought to you by Grabco Corporation. Somebody please free me from this torture!

*~*

Chapter nine: Echoes of the Future

Axel burst into Merlor's lab. "We are so toast!"

"We gotta take everything!" said Prim. "The TV, the mouthwash, the waffle iron..."

"What about this picture?" said Axel as Merlor came in. "Am I making a weird face in it?"

"You can relax." said Merlor. "I just got word from Vega that we will be working under Ursa. So put everything back where it belongs."

Just then Ursa came into the room. "I hope you had fun, cause now it's time to get down to business." She turned to Merlor. "I knows what you've been up to."

"You do?!"

"The Vanguard wants in."

"Wait, I thought you were loyal to the emperor."

"'Emperor' is the key word we don't owe nothing to that pansy Vega. Dolean wants to spread the empire to ends of the universe but Vega, well something about him don't seem right."

"So we have something in common."

"We also have some information on the vault that you may not know about. Cut us in and I spill you the beans."

"Very well."

"Alright, so's Astra was sealed up a long time ago."

"Yes I know, continue."

"Anyways whoever did it used eight keys to lock up the vault. From what we could scrounge up, even if you find the vault it can't be opened without the keys."

"So where are the keys?"

"All we could find out was that the keys would be guarded by these 'Warriors of Love'."

"Great." said Axel. "Even more work."

"Wait!" said Prim. "Remember that little snot-nosed brat of a scout."

"Yes." said Merlor. "She poses no significant threat to us."

"I saw that she had this key made out of crystal hanging on a chain around her neck."

"I suppose it's as good a place to start as any." said Merlor.

"Ok." said Ursa. "We just get Vega to find out where she'll be tomorrow and then will nab the key and then give everyone else the cement overcoat."

~*~

Later at Angel Wing High School the final bell rung and Serena meet up with her friends. "Is everyone ready for our trip to beach tomorrow?"

"Yes." said Amy. "It's just that well..."

"Come on spit it out." said Raye.

"This will be the first time Greg and I did anything like this and I'm a little nervous."

"I don't see why." said Lita. "You two are destiny, remember? Like rest of the Scouts and Knights."

"We're not sure if it will go that far."

"They wouldn't have come with us from the Silver Millennium if it wouldn't." said Serena. "Just go have fun, that's the point of the trip."

"Ok!" said Mina. "Remember, tell your relativities that we trust these guys, bring food and except for Rini the dress code is Bikinis for the girls and Speedos for the guys!"

"I'm not sure if Chad would ware that." said Raye.

"I'm not sure if I would." said Amy. "I have to go and buy one tonight."

"Well I think that Jamie will like me in mine as much I'll like him in his." said Mina.

"You think Ken would think I look good in one?" said Lita.

"In one of what?" said Victor as he came up.

"Victor, I thought you would have office work right now." said Serena.

"Not today. This was actually my last day here."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be, I came here to learn the ropes before teaching at Sparrow Hill Elementary."

"That's where my cousin goes to school. Her name is Sarini, but we all just call her Rini."

"Maybe I'll be teaching her class. So what were you talking about?"

"Oh, we were discussing bathing suits for a trip to the beach tomorrow."

"So will Rini be coming?"

"Yes, why are you asking?"

"The way you talk about her reminds me of my little sister."

"You have a little sister?"

"I haven't seen her in a long time. When she was a little kid she had a smile that could light up the world. She could always make you feel good about whatever was on your mind."

"You miss her don't you?"

"More than anything, I came here hoping to find her. Crazy, huh; trying to find someone in a place as big as this."

"You have to keep up hope."

"I think I found her."

"Then maybe we could arrange an introduction."

"Maybe..."

"Oh, look at the time! I have to convince my dad to let me go with Darien. He can be so protective of me sometimes."

"I can understand." Victor said as the girls all went home. "I can understand very well."

~*~

"The Beach eh?" said Ursa.

"That's what Vega tells us." said Merlor.

"So we's gotta get her while she's there. Here's the plan; we use the last Nightmare stone we got on someone in the area and while they are busy getting their tookus' knocked senseless, I grab the key and come back before they even notice it's gone. And while all that's going on we reveal to them that we know their dirty little secret. Once they knows that we knows who that are they think twice before crossing us if their folks are in danger."

"We tired stuff like that." said Prim. "They totally win every time."

"How many Ingots do you's use?"

"I don't know." said Axel. "Maybe ten or twelve."

"Make it fifty."

"Like, I'm not sure if I can carry that many." said Prim.

"Than get the other brainless twin to help you, Ingots are supposed to overwhelm their enemies with numbers!" she turned to Merlor. "Got any chumps or chumpettes in the area we could use."

"I just found one." Merlor brought up an image of a young girl with a seashell clip in her hair. "She lives in the area and the Nightmare should be able to defeat them."

"I just need it to stall them for long enough for me get the key from the brat. And then after we get it and if it's the key we're looking for I'll pay them a personal visit!" Ursa pounded her fist into her palm.

~*~

Serena and Darien were both at his apartment along with Rini discussing the trip to the beach. "I still can't believe that dad was smiling when we left." said Serena. "Usually when I mentioned you he would accuse you of being the reason for my bad grades and start telling me to relay his death threats to you."

"Well when your mom was there I felt that he at least would keep his anger in check. But I when he talked to me alone I was surprised he didn't carry any of those death threats out."

"I think after he actually met you he realized that you must be special if I chose you."

"So your family really likes me now?"

"I think mom's already picking out the china pattern!"

Rini sighed. "You'll be married soon and if I can't figure out why I'm here I might become my own big sister."

"I might become my own big sister too." said Diana.

Serena curled up with Rini on the couch. "Don't worry you'll find out. Tonight just think about those big blue waves."

"Why can't I come?" said Diana.

"Because they're afraid we may use the beach as a litter box." said Luna.

"But don't worry that pretty little head off." said Artemis. Mina had dropped him off a couple of hours ago. "We have a full day of fun activities planned."

"Like?"

"Well, board games, uh, a movie, and a lot of napping."

"I still don't get what I see in you." said Luna.

Serena picked Luna up. "I got to go home. I'll set my alarm early so we can spend as much time at the beach as we can."

"And I'll wake her up when she hits the snooze button." said Luna.

Serena ignored her and left. "Looks like it's bedtime for you." said Darien.

"Can't I stay up and watch the late show?" asked Rini.

"First of all, you're too young for it. Second, you're going to need all the energy you can get for the beach tomorrow."

"And that goes for you too." said Artemis.

"I thought we cats were nocturnal." said Diana.

"Bed."

As the two tucked away their future daughters away for the night they thought about how they were going to miss it until they could do it again. But next time they would really be theirs.

~*~

[Dream sequence]

She kept running holding Diana in her arms. She looked back and saw the Ingots, dozens of them carrying some strange rifle-like weapons chasing after them and firing bolts of energy that almost hit her a couple of times. She looked out a window to see hundreds more, no thousands storming the palace as Crystal Tokyo burned. "Just a little farther." she told Diana.

"I'm scared Rini!" Diana cried. "Mama, Papa, they're gone! What will we do? How will I ---- --- -----?" Rini couldn't get the last part of it but she seemed to understand.

"It's going to be ok. Mama will help, she's just got to!" Rini kept running until she got to the room that would serve as their last refuge, The Gates of Time. Her mother and father were waiting for her with the Guardian Scouts and Knights. Nearby them were some shadowy figures she couldn't see too well. They closed the door behind them knowing it wouldn't hold for long. "Mama, Luna and Artemis, they're dead! Everyone's dead!"

"Don't cry." said Neo-Queen Serenity. "We are safe for now."

"Small Lady." said Neo-King Endymion. "You're mother and I have something important for you to know."

"What?"

"Our kingdom is doomed." said Neo-Queen Serenity. "The timeline has somehow been altered and this is the result."

"No! It can't end this way, it can't!"

"Rini, get a hold of yourself!" said Neo-King Endymion. "You have to go back both for your own safety and to keep this from happening."

"How will I keep it from happening?"

"We don't know." said Neo-Queen Serenity. "But there is something else you'll have to do there. ------ ----- ------." Rini could see her mouth moving but no sound came out. "Understand?"

"But I'm not ready! ---- -- --- -----!" now no sound was coming out of her mouth.

"You are ready and ---- --- ----- ---!" said Neo-King Endymion. "There isn't much time left! Go now!" Just then the doors broke in and Ingots fired their weapons and killed the Scouts and Knights.

"No!" screamed Rini. The shadowy figures seemed to react to the deaths but she couldn't see how.

Neo-King Endymion tried fighting them off and while he was able to take quite a few for every one he destroyed twenty more came in its place. "We will always love you!"

"Go! I know that you can do It." said Neo-Queen Serenity. "------ ---- - ------ ----." Again nothing came from her mouth. "Take our love with you!" Then both of Rini's parents were hit.

"No! Mama, Papa!"

"I will always love you small lady..." Then they both died.

"MAMA! PAPA!" the next few moments was a blur but then she went through the time gate.

[End Dream Sequence}

"MAMA, PAPA!" screamed Rini as she woke up in a cold sweat.

Diana woke up. "No! They can't be!" she apparently had the same dream.

"What's going on in here?" asked Darien as he opened the door to the room.

"Did I just hear screaming?" asked Serena who arrived just a few minutes ago.

"Rini must have had a bad dream." Darien was reluctant to use the word "Nightmare" to describe what happened.

Serena came up to Rini and hugged her. "It was just a dream and dreams can't hurt you."

"It wasn't just a dream. I remember a little now." Rini cried.

"Was Diana screaming?" asked Artemis as he came in with Luna.

Diana went right between them. "Please don't leave me again!" she cried.

"Again?" asked Luna. "What are you talking about?"

"We remembered in a dream." said Rini. "The Palace was under attack, we couldn't stop them and all of you... all of you..."

"Please." said Darien.

"All of you were killed! Mama and Papa..."Rini started to sob.

"Don't worry about it." said Serena. "Now that we know a little about it we may be able to stop it."

Rini continued to cry. "Maybe we should talk about it after they feel better." said Darien. "Let's get our things go to beach.

They packed up and left for the day.

~*~

At the beach the others were waiting when Serena pulled up in her car. To her surprise everyone including Chad and Amy followed Mina's "Dress code" of Bikinis and Speedos for this trip. "I see that everyone was approved by family for this trip." said Serena.

"Not really." said Amy. "Mom had to work late again and with dad on the road I didn't have the chance to introduce Greg."

"Well I got almost got pounded by Rex." said Ken. "It wasn't until Lita told him that I was 'Freckles' until he stopped giving me the third degree."

"Freckles?" asked Serena.

"It was a nickname Rex gave him when we were kids." said Lita. "Ken had them all over his face back then."

"Well my meeting with Mina's dad felt like a job interview." said Jamie.

Mina fumed. "The first questions he asked him we're about his goals and 'credentials' and then he gave us both his 'you have to be more realistic with your future' speech."

"So he doesn't like the fact that I want to be a novelist. That's his problem."

"Your novels, my modeling, he just doesn't like risks. At least you and Chad had it easy Raye."

"Yes." said Chad. "He said it was about time for us and then..."

Raye finished for him. "He had an attack."

"Attack?!" everyone asked.

"He has this heart condition he kept from everyone. He's fine, but he has to take this medication everyday and when ever he has an attack. I'm so afraid that this will be the death of him."

"He'll be fine." said Serena; she looked toward Rini who didn't seem to hear any of the conversation. "Um, guys. She remembered something about why she's here now and it's really got her down. I want her to tell us more about it but I want to get her in a better mood first."

"There's a souvenir stand over there." said Greg. "Why don't you get her something there before she hits the beach?"

Serena took his advice. She took Rini up to the stand and a young lady with a beautiful seashell clip in her hair was tending it. "Hi how may I help you?"

Rini saw the clip. "That clip you have is pretty."

"Thank you. I made it myself."

"You made it?" asked Serena.

"Yes I go along the beach and pick up seashells and use them to make hairclips, bracelets, earrings, necklaces and other accessories. Since what I make depends on what I find, no two are alike."

"Would you like one Rini?" asked Serena.

"Yes I'd love one."

Serena was glad that Rini was in a better mood. "How about, that bracelet there?" she said pointing to a seashell bracelet that had five different shells on it.

"Good choice." said the vendor. "That's one of my favorites."

Serena paid the girl and put the bracelet on Rini's wrist. "Let's go; everyone else is waiting for us."

~*~

The day went on slowly after that. This particular beach was semi- secluded so they had it mostly to themselves. They spent their time swimming, playing volleyball, eating picnic lunches or just laying back getting a tan and listening to the waves.

"Ah!' said Serena as lay next to Darien in her pink bikini and him in his black Speedo. It was late in the afternoon and everyone was a little tired. "This is the life no school, no chores, no evil monsters just you, me and the waves."

"It is nice for a change." Darien looked at the others who were also lounging in similar attire which, in order to match as couples, were in the colors of their planets. "Especially for them, those five fought so hard, if anyone deserved to have someone to have for the rest of their lives it's them."

Serena looked around and saw Rini sitting by herself wearing a one piece bathing suit and building a sand castle. "Maybe now is the time to really talk about what she remembered." She got up and went to Rini. She had a good look at the sand castle. "The Crystal Palace?"

"I don't think I'll ever see it again." said Rini.

"That's not true."

"It would probably be destroyed."

"But we can change history right?"

"I was sent here to do that, but I don't know where to start."

"Maybe we can start by telling me what you remember."

"I'm not sure. It seems like there are pieces missing from that memory."

"Pieces?"

"Sometimes when someone talks no sound comes out of their mouths, even my own. Also there are these black blobs that are supposed to be something but I can't see what."

"Well what can you remember?"

"We were being attacked by Ingots, a lot more of them than I can count. I ran to the Gates of Time and I talked about something important with Mama and Papa. Then they were killed and I came back."

"What did you talk about?"

"I can't remember, there are a of lot pieces missing from that part."

"Well if it was Ingots than maybe we can change it back by beating the Blackstar Empire."

"But I don't think it will be home anymore."

"What are you talking about?"

"You never were supposed to find the Infinity or Astral powers so my time has already changed and I don't think that's all."

"What else could have happened?"

Rini looked at the Knights; she had a sour look on her face. "Them. They're not supposed to be here and I don't like them."

"Rini! That's rude!"

"Before it was just me and all of you, but now that they are here. I don't know it feels like they did something that doesn't make me as important to the scouts anymore."

"But they are happy; would you want to take that away?"

"I guess not."

"I'm sure that you are still important to them, you just have to share that attention."

"I guess I've been a little spoiled with it being just me. But still I'm worried about what they did, if it affects us beating the Blackstar."

"If anything they will help us. Want to go for one last swim?"

"Ok." Soon a water fight started between everyone. Overall it had seemed like a very good day.

~*~

Prim and Axel hid behind the souvenir stand, the sun was slowly setting over the mountains to the west. "Why do you get the Nightmare stone?" asked Axel.

"Like, because you've been hogging them all this time and besides you're carrying some of the Ingots."

"Ok, so when is Ursa going to get here?"

"When we start causing trouble!" Prim went to the counter and found it empty. "Like where is she?"

"Hello?" the vendor asked as came up from the beach. "Are you here to buy something?"

"No." said Axel. "My sis has a little present for you. Ready?"

"Like, yeah." said Prim. "I've seen you do it a dozen times."

"LIKE, NIGHTMARE GO!"

The vendor became a pinkish snail-like woman who had a staff with spiked conch shells on either end, in her hand and a very large shell on her back. "Whelk at your service." It said. The Scouts and Knights came out of a nearby restroom after they had changed back to their normal clothes.

"What in the world?" asked Chad.

"Can the innocent bystander routine." said Axel. "We know you all are Scouts and Knights so let's just fight!"

"Or do you want your families and friends to get hurt?" said Prim.

Lita got mad. "If you hurt one hair on their heads..."

"Let's just cream them!" said Raye.

"MOON INFINITY POWER!"

"MOON REGAL POWER!"

"MOON FAIRY POWER!'

"MERCURY ASTRAL POWER!"

"MERCURY NOBLE POWER!"

"MARS ASTRAL POWER!"

"MARS NOBLE POWER!"

"JUPITER ASTRAL POWER!"

"JUPITER NOBLE POWER!"

"VENUS ASTRAL POWER!"

"VENUS NOBLE POWER!"

The entire team stood before the nightmare. Sailor Moon stepped forward. "How dare you threaten our loved ones?! I stand for justice and Love! I am Sailor Moon and on behalf of the Moon I will punish you!"

"Why would you do something as horrible as that?!" said Sailor Mini- Moon.

"Hey it's part of the job!" said Axel.

"And so is this!" said Prim as they threw Ingots on the ground which formed into fifty solders.

"We never had to fight this many before!" said Sailor Mercury.

"Hang tough!" said Jupiter Knight.

A fierce melee ensued. Whelk used her staff like a club and with so many Ingots attacking at once no one was able to use their special attacks without getting hit before they could finish. Rini seemed to get free for a moment. "Yes, this should even things a bit!"

"MOON GLOWING..."

It was then Ursa made her move, teleported in and struck Rini in the back of the neck with just two fingers knocking her out; the seashell bracelet fell off her wrist. "Sweet dreams runt!" She picked Rini up. {Better take the whole enchilada and not risk being caught.} Ursa teleported away and took Rini with her.

Meanwhile the last of the ingots were defeated and they now turned their attention to Whelk. "It's time to finish this!" said Sailor Mars.

"MERCURY ARTIC SLASHER!"

"MARS WARFIRE INCINERATE!"

"JUPITER LIGHTNINGORB BLITZ!"

"VENUS LUMINESCENT PURGE!"

"MERCURY BLIZZARD LANCE!"

"MARS PYRO AX!"

"JUPITER THUNDER CLAWS!"

"VENUS SHINING WHIPLASH!"

Whelk withdrew into her shell which absorbed all the attacks. "Ha ha! You can't hurt me while I'm in my shell!"

"Then I'll just have to crack it!" said Moon Knight.

"LUNAR SABER CUT!"

The sword not only cracked the shell it cut it wide open. "Gulp, uh oh!"

"Consider yourself, escargot!" said Sailor Moon.

"MOON MAGNUM STARBEAM!"

Whelk screamed as she was separated from the vendor, reverted back into a Nightmare stone and shattered.

"You better give up!" said Venus Knight to Prim and Axel.

"Let's get away from these beachbums!" said Prim.

"Yeah, we got what we came for!" said Axel before the two fled.

"'We got what we came for?'" said Sailor Mercury. "That doesn't sound good!"

"Has anyone seen Sailor Mini-Moon?" asked Sailor Moon. Everyone shook their heads.

"Don't panic." said Moon Knight. "Everyone, revert and look around."

It didn't take Serena long to find the seashell bracelet. "Oh no; they got her! That's what they were talking about! This whole thing was planned so they could kidnap Rini!"

"I know its hard." said Raye. "But the only thing we can do now is head home. It's getting late; our families will be worried about us."

"But Rini..."

"We'll consult Luna and Artemis. We will find her."

Serena wasn't so sure. "How could I possibly be a good mother in the future if I let this happen now?"

~*~

Back at the star fortress they put Rini in a special case and brought her before Astra. "Why have you brought me a child?" said Astra.

"We have reason to believe that she may have one of the keys to the vault." said Merlor.

"One of the keys?! Being the key here and let me feel its power!"

Merlor put the time key into the flame but soon afterward it was forced out onto the floor. "You dolts! That is not one of the eight keys! Even from this accursed vault I can feel their power and this is not it!"

"It was worth a shot." said Prim.

"However." said Astra. "This is no ordinary key either; space and time warp around it."

"You mean like time travel?" asked Axel.

"Yes, this child comes from the future." Astra closed her eyes for a few moments. "I have a plan. This child can help us destroy our enemies."

"How?" asked Merlor.

"The key will be used in this manner Merlor; and Ursa you have an important job as well." She closed her eyes again then opened them. "Think you can handle it?"

"I will do as you ask Astra if this plan really can destroy the Scouts and Knights once and for all!" said Merlor.

"Ursa?"

"I can do it." said Ursa. "After all, I am the darkness warrior of corruption!"

"The time of my freedom draws nigh. Soon the entire Universe will once again tremble before me!"

~*~

Richforce: Poor Rini! What do these sickos plan to do with her? You'll just have to read the next chapter to find out! On the bright side I paid off those corporate leeches! I'll have to be more careful with what I say in the bathroom from now on.