Chapter 21: Decisions

"But if that's the Lightning Rod, then why did it come out of me? My powers as Sailor Popsicle have nothing to do with Jupiter," Galaxy noted, confused.

"And why did it come now? I don't feel like I can use it yet," added Rainbow, "It's like it's storing power for me and Bridget to use later." Pierre grabbed the Lightning Rod from where it had been hovering in front of Rainbow.

"So what if its magic can't be used yet? It can still be used to hit the Mew Mews with," he declared.

"We should probably leave that with Makoto until it's time for either Rainbow or Bridget to use it," Setsuna warned him, "If you carried that into battle, you would make yourself an obvious target since you would be bringing the very thing they were searching for."

"They can't take it from me if I hit them with it first!" Pierre retorted.

"Then let me use it! It's supposed to be mine anyway!" Rainbow shot back, and she reached to grab it away from Pierre, who swung it around and hit her in the head with it. At the same time, the phone rang, and Michiru ran to get it while Haruka yanked the Lightning Rod out of Pierre's hand.

"That's enough! You're being the hypocrite now, attacking your own teammates! Pierre, I would also advise you give it to Rainbow, but if you're set on using it in your own way, then I'm not going to stop you. Just don't come crying to me when the Mew Mews target you first," she scolded, but she gave the Lightning Rod back to Pierre anyway.

"Why did you give it back to him?! That's not fair!" Rainbow whined, rubbing the spot on her head where she had been hit.

"Do you want to be a target? Let Pierre do his foolish thing, I would think you should know better since you said yourself that you can't use it yet," Haruka smirked. Rainbow smirked back, nodding.

"Sure, Pierre, use it. I bet it has a curse on it that zaps Senshi who aren't powered by Jupiter," she snickered.

"There's no more time to worry about the Lightning Rod. We need to go to the Crystal Palace right away. Small Lady has been kidnapped by one of the Mew Mews. This time, since we have the Lightning Rod, Serenity suggested that this be the time that all the Dessert Senshi should go to the Mew Mews hideout and beat them," Michiru stated, coming back into the room.

"That sounds like an obvious trap. We should make the Mew Mews come here if they want to get the Lightning Rod," Rainbow pouted.

"No. We must rescue Small Lady. I agree with you, it will probably be quite dangerous, but all of you greatly outnumber the Mew Mews," Setsuna reminded them.

"Couldn't we just tell them to come here and give Chibi-Usa back in exchange for the Lightning Rod, and then attack them when they come, thinking we gave in?" Rainbow argued.

"That could work, except for the problem of relaying that message. If someone is going to contact them for the exchange, that person would have to go to the Mew Mews' world anyway. Like Setsuna said, there are 16 of you Dessert Senshi and only 5 of them. Although I still think you should leave that at home, Pierre, since it's stupid to bring the enemy exactly what they want," Haruka replied, "Unless you were thinking to split up? If some of you Dessert Senshi stayed here with the Lightning Rod, perhaps you could protect it if some of the Mew Mews came back here to get it while the others were rescuing Chibi-Usa."

"And that would be me and Bridget. I don't think I can use it yet, but I can still protect it better than someone who isn't supposed to have it," Rainbow declared, and she stuck her tongue out at Pierre.

"Haruka, that sounds like a better idea, you should tell Serenity that when we visit the palace. That way we can rescue Chibi-Usa and protect the Lightning Rod from the Mew Mews," Michiru agreed, "Although, Rainbow, you should let Pierre keep the Lightning Rod. Neither of you can use it, as you said, and we can trick the Mew Mews better that way. They won't suspect him of having it. We could tell the Mews that you have it, and lead them astray." This time it was Pierre's turn to stick his tongue out at Rainbow.

"Serenity's calling us, so let's go tell her that idea," Haruka said, and the group of 8 all went to the Crystal Palace. Luckily, Haruka and Michiru were successful at convincing the Queen of the idea.

"I don't really like playing tricks on people, but as Rei and Sailor Cinnamon's visions have told us, we have to defeat the Mew Mews anyway. As long as enough of you go to their world and rescue Small Lady," she agreed.

"The Dessert Senshi who were our successors, that is, me, Michiru, Setsuna and Hotaru, should go. It's the duty of those who are chosen by the Inner planets to guard the Lightning Rod, since it's Jupiter's item. Also, we should probably protect the Staff of Wisdom and Sacred Candle as well, in case the Mew Mews want to steal those things too. Pierre, you should go with Serena, Bridget and Akane to guard the Lightning Rod. Rainbow, Galaxy, Kurumi and Parallax will act as decoys, we will tell the Mew Mews that Rainbow has the Lightning Rod and the others can help fight when they come to attack her," Haruka ordered, continuing to figure out battle plans.

"Why can't I be with Jessica?! Kurumi may be as tall as Space Girl Spectra, but she's too stupid and emotional to fit the Silent Rebel Child's wonderful image!" Rainbow whined.

"I'm not cosplaying as your made-up character, and Jessica isn't either! Why would I want to be Space Girl Spectra anyway, she sounds too cold for me," Kurumi snapped back.

"Jessica needs to go with us. You'll get too distracted if she's around and act like a silly fangirl. Don't you want to be as cold and calm as your hero?" Mortimer smirked, grabbing Jessica's tiny hand and pulling her towards himself and Sakura.

"I don't like those groups either, Ahmed might betray us. But at least if I'm with him, I can keep an eye on him," Basil muttered to himself.

"That's enough! Rainbow, it's good that you helped with the plan, but don't bring your hobbies into this right now. We need to use Galaxy and Parallax as decoys too for the other special items. I picked those groups for good reasons," Haruka shushed her, "The group going to the Mew Mews' world should go now and send the message. Perhaps messages can be sent by Sailor Teleport as well as people if you all try together." Mortimer, Jessica, Basil, Ahmed, Mozzarella, Sakura, Maria and Madoka all got in a circle and transformed. They then prepared to use the Sailor Teleport.

"Chocolate Star Power!"

"Jellybean Crystal Power!"

"Licorice Star Power!"

"Marshmallow Crystal Power!"

"Vanilla Star Power!"

"Milkshake Crystal Power!"

"Butterscotch Star Power!"

"Bubble Gum Crystal Power!"

The 8 Senshi glowed with their colors of brown, purple, black, lavender, white, lime green, yellow and pale blue, and in a big flash of light, they were gone, traveling to the Mew Mews' world.

"We should take our places, too. Pierre, you can take that Lightning Rod and come with me, Serena and Bridget," Akane stated.

"Fine, I'm stuck with Galaxy again," Rainbow pouted.

"I don't like being stuck with you either, but you shouldn't be with Pierre's group because the Mew Mews are going to expect you to have the Lightning Rod, since your powers use electricity," Galaxy retorted, reminding Rainbow of the role she had to play as the decoy.

"The Mew Mews will probably try to come here again soon, so all of you should transform and go to the rooms we decided on. The rest of us without powers anymore should probably leave the Crystal Palace for safety," Haruka noted, ignoring Rainbow and Galaxy's complaints, "Serenity, you and Endymion can stay here, though, since you can still use the Silver Crystal. Also, I'm sure you'll want to see your daughter when the other group brings her back." Serenity nodded, thinking that this wasn't the first time she had worried about Chibi-Usa being kidnapped by some enemy.

"Good luck, all of you," she said, as she watched the Dessert Senshi transform and leave to take their places.