Ch. 2
I don't know why, I can't leave though it might be tough.
But I ain't outta control, just living by my word.
Don't ask me why, I don't need a reason.
I've got my way, my own way.
-Yay! I finally learned all the words to "It doesn't matter"
"What is the status of our troops?"
"They're all going through extra training, just like you ordered, sir."
Frieza smiled. "Good. It wouldn't hurt for you to go through it yourself, Zarbon.
"I am sir," Zarbon said. "My own shift in training starts next cycle."
Frieza nodded. "Very good, Zarbon. You know, I was thinking," he continued. "That we would do well to use the dragon balls once we've arrived on Earth. They would make me unbeatable for all eternity if I were immortal."
"Most certainly, sir," Zarbon said. "However I doubt that Vegeta and Kakarotto would make it very easy for us, sir."
Frieza's cruel, thin lips curled up into a smile. "I don't doubt that they will make it somewhat difficult," he said, smirking. "But I'm not concerned. Or do you need reminding of my powers, Zarbon? Perhaps Captain Ginyu would like to take your spot on this mission, you don't seem quite up to it suddenly."
Zarbon went pale. It was bad enough that that idiot, Ginyu had beat him out for the captain job. He didn't need him taking over his regular duties, too. He bowed low.
"I do not doubt you, sir. Please forgive me if I indicated such."
"You're forgiven," Frieza said almost lazily. He turned to the viewscreen where he had been researching the dragon balls. "But remember: once we get to Earth, those Dragon Balls are mine. Along with anything else I want."
"Now, who can tell me what the American poet Edgar Allen Poe is describing in this verse? What does this raven symbolize? Anyone?"
Krista scribbled down a few notes and listened to her teacher drone on about some dead perv who lived in America a century ago. She'd been training with her brother for a few weeks now and it was definitely starting to show. Her gym teacher had commented on her increased stamina and strength, and the extra sessions with the X-men's Jean Grey were helping her telekinetic powers immensely. She wondered if… It was five minutes till the end of school. She concentrated on the minutes, willing it to speed up. At first, there was no difference. Then, ever so slowly, the minute hand spun a little faster around the clock face until thirty seconds later…
"Ding-dong ding-dong. Ding-dong ding-dong."
Her teacher looked up at the clock in surprise.
"Oh," he said slowly. "I suppose this means that class is dismissed. I want a two page essay on what the depths of "The Raven" is in your mind." He added as the class scrambled to leave. Outside of the building, Ami looked at Krista accusingly. Krista blinked.
"What?"
"I know that that was your fault, Krista. My watch is set to standard Japanese time, and so was the school clock."
Krista sighed. "Fine, I'll slow it down five minutes to let it catch up. Satisfied?"
Ami nodded, though she still wore a frown on her face. Usagi rolled her eyes.
"Let's hit the ice cream store on our way up to Hikawa Jinja. Mamo-chan won't notice if we're a few minutes late."
"No, but Rei-chan will," Minako said. But she was smiling. Krista grinned.
"Count me in too!"
Makoto nodded. "I wouldn't mind getting some myself."
Ami sighed. "As usual, I'm out voted. Okay, but make mine Rum Raisin!"
"Figures," Rei muttered as the girls arrived five minutes late, finishing the remains of their treat. Usagi stuffed the rest of the cone into her mouth and crunched on it a few times before swallowing it and smiling innocently towards Rei.
"Come on, Rei-chan, you can't possibly hold an afterschool treat against us."
"Actually she can, as we got out five minutes early, Usagi-chan."
Usagi shot a glowering look at Ami. Rei raised an eyebrow. "And how did you manage that, pray tell?"
Ami nodded over at Krista, who flushed and was suddenly interested in the pavement below her. Touma sighed.
"You didn't…"
Krista shrugged. "I already promised Ami-chan I'd make it right tomorrow."
"See that you do," Touma said. He turned to the assembled group. "Shall we get started?"
Usagi nodded and took off her brooch.
"Moon Crisis Make Up!"
The rest of the Senshi followed suit.
"Mars Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Mercury Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power, Make Up!"
"Venus Crystal Power, Make Up!"
Krista watched, only vaguely interested as the girls turned into the Super Sailorsenshi. Touma grinned and took out his armor orb and transformed. The rest of the Troopers and shogun followed suit. Seiji glanced at Krista.
"Fighting in that today?" Krista looked down at her school uniform.
"Why not? A-ko does it all the time."
Seiji grinned. "A-ko also goes through more uniforms in a year than Shou through pizzas on Sundays."
Shou frowned. "I resent that."
Seiji grinned. "I believe we'll begin," he said, turning to Sailorjupiter. He ginned and aimed an attack at her that would have gotten her had she not already jumped out of the way and launched into an attack of her own.
Piccolo looked up at he sensed a sharp increase in the power in the heart of Tokyo. Now what would be causing that increase, he asked himself. He decided he would go and find out. He launched himself into the air and began speeding towards Tokyo. Sensing something behind him, he stopped and waited for the people he knew to be heading his way to catch up. Goku and Gohan, then a few seconds later, Vegeta all slowed down and stopped upon meeting Piccolo.
"You sensed it too, then?" Goku asked Vegeta and Piccolo. They both nodded.
"Whatever it is, it isn't Frieza, not yet," Vegeta said. "But we should definitely go and investigate."
Goku nodded and the four of them sped towards Tokyo and the energy signature.
"Well I'll be God Damned."
Goku motioned for Vegeta to be quiet, even though inwardly he had been saying the same thing. They had arrived at Hikawa Jinja. That didn't surprise them: they knew the Sailor Senshi had been training here. The power source wasn't coming from any of them, or even the Troopers: It was coming from the young girl in her school uniform. One look at her and Goku knew she had to be related to Touma. The four of them watched the training going on below them until Seiji called a break. He took off his helmet and wiped the sweat off his face before stealing a glance upwards.
"So are you going to come down and tell us why you've been hovering there for the last twenty minutes?" He called up. Goku grinned. For a while there, he had begun to think that Seiji was losing his touch. The four of them descended rapidly, though touching down extremely gently. Goku sighed.
"Look, I won't beat around the bush. We all sensed a powerful energy signature coming from this site and came to investigate."
"And?" Ryo said, looking slightly put out.
"And it's coming from her," Piccolo said, nodding in Krista's direction. Krista's eyes went wide and she backed away, waving her hands in front of her.
"No, no, it's not me. You must have gotten me confused with Sailormoon or Chibimoon or someone!"
Piccolo shook his head. "Nope. We wouldn't have come if it were anyone else, we know their signatures. But yours is new to us. It's definitely you."
"But I've been training for a few weeks, why are you just now sensing it if it's me?"
Vegeta shrugged. "You probably have begun to reach your peak level today, which enabled us to sense it. Though, I personally think you can do better."
Krista raised a brow. Goku sighed.
"I think Vegeta's offering to train you for the battle."
Touma shook his head at once. "No way. It's bad enough I've let her train with us here. I don't need her living off in the wilderness getting hurt and-"
"And growing stronger all the time," Gohan said softly. Touma faltered then fell silent. He seemed to think about it then sighed.
"Krista, you'll be the one training. It's completely up to you."
Krista trembled a bit, but turned to Vegeta. "This will be hard." It was a statement more than it was a question. Vegeta nodded.
"It will, but somehow I think you can handle it."
Krista looked from Vegeta to Touma and back again. Finally she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders.
"I'll train with you."
"Now be sure to pack plenty of extra clothes…"
"Mia-"
"But perhaps they'll give you clothes when you get out there, but then again…"
"Mia-"
"And don't forget to write and let us know how you're doing, you know Touma is so scared for you…"
"M-Mia-"
"And, oh, Mako-chan's cookies! Can't forget those, she'll be devastated…"
"M-"
"And Ami-chan's books…and Rei-chan's scrolls…and-"
"MIA!!"
Mia stopped talking and looked up at Krista, surprised. Krista sighed and smiled, tucking everything into the sack and flinging it on her back.
"I'll be just fine, Mia, really."
Mia smiled a little sadly. "I know, Krista-chan, but it's just I worry so much about your brother and he worries so much about you…"
Krista grinned, readjusting the arm braces she had on that strongly resembled A-ko's.
"He's got nothing to worry about! I'm going to be with one of the Earth's Special Forces!"
Mia sighed. "Just…take care."
Krista hugged her. "Hey, who do you think I am? Uli?"
Mia smiled and opened the door for Krista. Krista took one last look around before sighing and stepping out of the room and walking down the stairs where Vegeta was waiting for her.
"Ready to go?" he grunted. Krista nodded. Touma hugged her.
"Be careful, squirt."
Krista grinned. "Try calling me that once I get back."
She squeezed him one last time then turned and walked out the door. Vegeta took her by the arm.
"We'll fly. That alright with you?"
Krista nodded. "Just-" Vegeta took off, holding her by the arm and in a few seconds, the house by Mt. Fuji was no more than a mere speck behind her. The word "fine" was taken from her breath in a rush of wind, and she resigned herself to watching the scenery go by below her, however quickly. For the first time, she thought about what it was she was truly getting herself into.
(Major editorial. Those of you who read my regular fics must be screaming in rage, especially you, Ami-chan. I know Touma seems a little sappy and wimpy, but may I say that I do not plan out my fics to any large degree. Do I have a place I'm going? Yes, there is somewhere I want to go with this fic, but all I have is a vague idea. I do not plan out the details, and that includes how the characters will react to each and every given situation. For some reason, I think Touma didn't reveal his feelings to any large degree when it was just him and Ami. But bring in Krista, and all of a sudden he has someone to worry about, someone younger and more vulnerable to protect and the floodgates open. It's brought out a side of him I never really knew he had, and if I have the chance, I'm going to try to prod this out of him next chance I get, but in the mean time…well, deal with it. We'll see if we can't bring him back to his cool, calm, slightly sarcastic self. But he's not going to be a major player much longer. Oops! Said too much!!
-Hoshiko Usagi)