Chapter 10: Summer Festival

It was the day of the Summer Festival, a tradition in Japan, and Akane was not about to miss it. So she and Maria, double-dating with Basil and Bridget, arrived there as a group. The three girls were all wearing yukata they had bought from Rei's home store, and so was Minako, as their escort. The trouble began when they passed by Ahmed and his family.

"Look out everyone. I think the evil Arabs are trying to disrupt your sacred festival, eh," Basil hissed to Minako and Akane.

"Ahmed's not going to do anything bad, Basil. You should be glad he's here, what if the Mew Mews come and turn someone evil? Then we'll have to knock them out. And he's good at healing them after that," Akane pointed out.

"It's Minako Aino! Hey, you'd be hot if you were fat! Just like this beautiful lady here!" someone with an obvious Arabic accent blurted out. It was Ahmed's older brother, Akbar, who had also come along to visit Crystal Tokyo with Leila and his parents.

"Me? Um, no thanks, I'd rather be thin like I am. But I'm glad you recognized who I am," Minako giggled.

"Don't get roped in by his tricks! They LOVE to seduce blond girls!" Basil hissed in yet another prejudiced warning.

"It's okay, Basil. My brother is just kind of girl-crazy," Ahmed said quietly, trying to stop what he feared might escalate into a fight.

"Hey, Ahmed! Is that your family? Did they forgive me for attacking you?" called Pierre, who was nearby and hurrying up in his waddling way.

"I can see why you like that guy. We're quite a pair, aren't we," Akbar teased, grabbing his brother, "We both LOVE fat people."

"Because you like to eat them with oil, eh," Basil muttered angrily, and Bridget grabbed his hand.

"Do you want to go try the goldfish scoop? I mean, it might be nice to watch the fish swimming around," she suggested.

"Okay! I declare that I will get a pet fish for Bridget!" Akane blurted out, hearing her.

"But won't Naoko eat it?" Minako gasped, half-teasingly.

"Look! That guy's wearing a dress! Is that normal here in Crystal Tokyo?" Akbar blurted out, pointing to Mortimer Wellington, who was visiting the festival with Makoto, Kurumi, and Seiya. Minako shrugged.

"So far as I know, he's always like that. It's his style to wear girls' clothes. I'm surprised no one's commented on it, but I guess if Galaxy's not spent much time with him, it wouldn't cause a fuss. Galaxy really hates it when guys wear dresses, or so I've heard," she explained in a gossipy manner, ignoring her daughter as she left with Maria and Bridget to check out the goldfish scoop.

"Akane, isn't there something weird about it, though? I mean, the fish at the pet store cost more that it takes to play this game. Are these pet quality?" Maria asked worriedly.

"Probably not, but Bridget said she wanted one, so I'll get it for her!" Akane declared. And if I indulge Bridget's desires for pets, it'll soon annoy Minako when the house is full of animals, Akane thought with a sneaky glint in her pink eyes.

"That's okay. It was just something I suggested to distract Basil, but he didn't come anyway," Bridget said meekly.

"Yeah, but I'll get you one anyway. As a present. And maybe I want one myself! It IS my birthday! July 13, now age 18!" Akane announced.

"A fish and a cat both, that will be hard to take home..." Bridget said softly, wondering whether or not her parents would even allow it.

"Those fish will die soon. They're not healthy," said someone with a deep voice. Akane looked around, confused, until she saw a girl about Bridget's age nearby. This girl was rather stocky and plump, yet she also looked quite strong, and she had her black hair styled much like Seiya's.

"They're not? Then...it's just like pet stores, isn't it. The dogs there are often raised on puppy farms and overbred," Bridget said sadly.

"Who are you? Are you an admirer of Seiya's?" Akane asked the mysterious girl, somewhat teasing. The girl shook her head, still looking quite serious.

"No, my name is Shaina Lights. I'm here with my love, Fiona, and her friend Myrna," she explained before running off, presumably called away by her friends.

"Poor girl. She seemed so sad, like she's been through a lot. I should give her some of my love," Akane said, completely forgetting about getting a fish for Bridget.

"Maybe she just was warning us?" Maria asked, hoping Akane wouldn't get herself in trouble like she did when she tried to "save" Jessica.

"Yeah, but there was something too old about her. Like her brow is always furrowed. I can see her being that type. Some people at the soup kitchen have permanent frown lines from all their hardships, even when they're happy," Akane explained, but then she was distracted when a whip of purple energy grabbed her by the neck.

"Such a pure-hearted girl to care so much about helping others...you must have the Lightning Rod," Zakuro sneered as she shot a purple beam of energy at Akane, who slumped over as her indigo soul crystal popped out.

"It's one of those Mew Mews, Maria. I remember because one of them did that to me. Cupcake Crystal Power, Make Up!" called Bridget. As she could see, Akane's clothing was morphing into the inverted version of her Senshi outfit, which was mostly a pale, sandy beige with brown bows.

"Butterscotch Star Power, Make Up!" added Maria, although she wasn't sure she could handle using her powers against Akane, even though all she could do was blind people with bright colorful lights. Behind them, Kurumi came running up, with Sailor Chocolate transformed behind her.

"You fool! She's turned evil! That won't work!" he shouted, but Kurumi didn't listen and she knelt down in front of Evil Lollipop.

"Um, Akane? Would you make a poor girl happy and clonk yourself on the head? It would give me the little pleasure since I don't have much," she pleaded, but Akane punched Kurumi in her giant forehead.

"Shut up, you worthless peon! I am Akane Aino, daughter of the great Minako Aino! All shall bow down to me and give me money!" Evil Lollipop declared.

"Oh great, NOW she cares, when she's evil," sighed Minako as Sailor Chocolate yanked Kurumi away.

"I told you that was stupid, now transform," he snapped.

"Yeah, Akane, you turned into a meanie! Caramel Star Power, Make Up!" she shouted. As she transformed, Evil Lollipop shot an indigo energy beam at her, knocking Sailor Caramel into the goldfish booth, which spilled upon the giant girl's impact. Evil Lollipop then jerked backwards as a rose stabbed her in the hand. Sailor Cupcake glared at her from nearby, then her expression just became sad.

"I'm not Tuxedo Mask. I don't have a speech. But I cannot bring myself to harm Akane besides that," she sighed.

"I can, though! Caramel Love-Me Chain!" The turquoise whip of hearts shot out, smacking Evil Lollipop, who shot another energy beam at Sailor Caramel. This time she crashed on top of Basil, who was just getting ready to transform. Evil Lollipop was about to shoot another energy beam when the whinny of a horse was heard. A golden horse charged out of nowhere and kicked Evil Lollipop in the head with his hoofs, knocking her out.

"Hah, don't underestimate the power of the wild," bragged the horse, who was obviously Sailor Chocolate. Sailor Butterscotch hurried over and replaced Akane's Soul Crystal, relieved that she didn't have to hurt her lover.

"So, Mortimer, how long are you going to stay like that?" Makoto asked, coming up near them.

"About an hour. That's how long it lasted the other time at the palace," Chocolate-horse shrugged. When Zakuro returned to Cafe Mew Mew, Ichigo grabbed her by the arm.

"Ryou has a new idea for us. We should go out in pairs now. That way we can handle the Senshi better," she said. Zakuro nodded.

"That sounds like a good idea."