A fan-fiction Sailormoon/ X-Men crossover.
BIRD HUNT
Disclaimer : none of the characters in this fan-fiction are mine
but one ( Read note in Chapter 2). The Sailor Senshi,
Tuxedo Kamen, Queen Serenity, Queen Beryl, Queen Metallia,
Luna, Artimis, Chibi-Usa (Chiba Usagi) and Tsukino Shingo
are the copyrighted property of Takeuchi Naoko.
The X-MEN, GENERATION-X, EXCALIBUR, the Starjammers ,
Shi`ar Empire, and the Watcher are all copywrited property of
Marvel Comics.
NOTE: Take notice of the introduction of Chibi Usa in this
Chapter. In Takeuchi-san's stories, Chibi-Usa travels through
time with outside help. Not here. I've transformed Chiba Usagi
(Chibi-Usa) into a mutant time-teleporter , ala "MAJIK"
in the Marvel NEW MUTANTS Comic. As such, she needs no outside
help to teleport, although she does need to concentrate. As
Chibi-Usa should be around 16 when she appears, I picture her as
she appeared as the Black Lady, albeit in pink.
For The Record: I was asked after a previous fanfiction where
I used ChibiUsa this way, someone later why ChibiUsa would just
ot have taken over the rule of Crystal Tokyo if she could travel
through time this easily. My answer is simple, she has the power
of time-travel, but she still had to be trained in how to use it
effectively. Her teacher was Meiou Setsuna- Sailor Pluto. And
since Sailor Pluto has a taboo against messing with the timestream,
why should her student learn to do differently ?
DESTROY
Tsukino Usagi felt a little uneasy as she and Luna were led
through the mansion. Kathryn knew why, too.
"It feels like we're being watched", Usagi commented.
"We are", said Shodowcat. " I'm sorry about that," she said
apologetically, "it's just that my friends are worried about me."
"I know the feeling !" Usagi said. "Believe me."
"I know." Kathryn said to Usagi. They got to the kitchen. "Can I
fix you or Luna anything ?" Kathryn ofered.
"Well, I AM a LITTLE hungry." Usagi said.
A few quick pancakes and a building of a fruit bowl later, Kate
was pouring coffee for herself and Usagi.
"Can I get anything for you, Luna ?", Kate asked.
"No, thank y..." Luna then cut herself off. She just looked at
Kathryn. Kathryn showed a hint of a smile.
"How did you know I could talk ?"
"Probably the same way we know each other without having met",
Usagi said between pieces of fruit and coffee.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmm ! There's chocolate in this coffee !"
"It's Kella's favorite drink", Kathryn said.
"Kella ?" Usagi and Luna asked as one.
"You'll meet her later." Kate added, "She and her brothers
are looking for the rest of the Senshi."
"Ut Oh...", Usagi said.
"What's the matter, Usagi ?" Luna asked with concern.
"I just got a bad feeling", Usagi answered.
"So, Kathryn", Usagi switched her train of thought a bit,
"What can you tell me about the Shi'ar ?"
"What do you want to know ?" Kathryn asked. "I'm no Shi'ar
historian, but I like to know a little about who the X-Men get
involved with. For the record, their galactic Empire is thousands
of years old, judging from the number of times Shi'ar expeditons
have ventured to earth. The current Shi'ar house has ruled for
about a thousand years, and their current ruler is the Empress
Lilandra. She seized the throne from her insane brother, D'ken."
Usagi stopped to think between bites of pancake and raspberry jam.
"You said the Shi'ar have been coming here for thousands of years?
Did anything happen to pique their interest about a thousand years
ago?"
Kate sat sipping her coffee. "As a matter of fact," she said,
"interest in Earth did increase a thousand years ago. It was about
the time the new house rose to power. Could that be what the dreams
are about ? Could the Shi'ar be planning something ? They were
promised the Earth as a spoil of war." Kathryn then added, to answer
Usagi's and Luna's quizzical looks. "So I've been told recently. The
Shi'ar were stopped only by the intersession of the Moon's Queen
Serenity."
"My mother", Usagi slowly nodded.
"Your mother ?!?!" Shadowcat's jaw dropped. "But - You CAN'T be that
old ! Can you ?"
"Amazing what resurrections can do for you", said Usagi. A bit too
sadly, Kathryn thought.
After a few more minutes of talking and eating (or was it probing
and eating ? Shadowcat thought to herself), Shadowcat sensed tensions
easing a bit. Was it just her, or did Usagi seem glad to open up ?
It seemed she and Usagi needed to let loose of the same pressures.
These dreams were obviously putting a strain on them both.
"I needed this." Usagi said, echoing Kathryn's thoughts.
"Good ! Maybe world won't go to Hell !"
Usagi turned around to see who it was that spoke-and stared. It was
rare enough to meet a talking cat, but here was a six-foot-tall cat!
And it looked Persian.
"Harvey ?" Usagi said in a daze.
"Nope!" smiled the feline. "You Harvey. Me Kella."
"Uh.. yeah. Right." Usagi nodded slowly.
"Usagi," Kate made introductions, "I'd like you to meet Kella Summers.
Kella, this is Tsukino Usagi."
"Hello ... Kella", Usagi finally said, regaining her composure.
Kella bowed very gracefully. "Kella greatly honored, your Highness !"
Usagi was still recovering from being recognized as a princess when
the casualties started filtering in.
"Ami ! Rei !" Usagi looked at the Senshi. "What happened to them ?"
"Look like they meet Siberian Tiger !" Kella quipped.
"Siberian ...?" Usagi gasped.
"Now, Kella ! No need to scare our guest ! Nyet, Sailor Senshi."
Collosus said. "Your comrades just ran into me and knocked the wind
out of themselves."
"Serves the little hobgoblins right." Wisdom commented.
"Now, Pete," Kated chided gently, "they couldn't have been.." Her
words stuck in her throat. "What happened ?"
"These two lovely witches," he pointed to Mercury and Mars, "left
their calling cards. The long-haired harpy tried to fry us, then her
partner tried her best to freeze us !" He added with an approving
smile and nod, "They almost succeeded, too ! British Intel would love
this pair."
"Don't mention the Brits!" Jubilee yelled between rows of precise
curses. "We ran into that maniac Sailor Venus! And I don't know who's
worse, her or her psycho-partner with the roses !"
"Tuxedo-Kamen?" Usagi asked. Then when Tuxedo-Kamen walked in the
mansion still dazed she gasped. "Mamoru!"
"He got lucky", Jubilee said. " If Husk hadn't been able to tear out
of her injuries, he would've gotten more than a few lumps... Oh !"
Jubilee suddenly realized their visitor. "You must be Tsukino Usagi!
Shingo's told me about you. "
"Shingo ?" Usagi ran to the front door. "Shingo!!" She threw her arms
protectively around her little brother.
"I am.. alright, Usagi." His unsteadiness belied the fact that Shingo
was not alright.
"What happened, Shingo ?" Usagi asked her brother.
"I killed him- I killed him- I killed him", a stunned Makoto kept
repeating. "I killed.."
"I'm alive, Makoto", Shingo said as he held her.
Seeing Shingo alive, Makoto broke down for the second time that day.
"What HAPPENED ? !!!" Usagi demanded.
"The Senshi does not know how to handle the elements" Storm said.
"This is turnin' into a turkey-shoot !" Sabretooth laughed. "An' we
got two more trophies !" He then dropped Sailors Uranus and Neptune
unceremoniously on the floor.
"Ah wish ya wouldn't put it like that, Sabretooth," Rogue said,
"'specially when the trophies coulda been us!"
"Das ist correct, meine Swester" Kurt said as he leaned on Mystique.
"Kurt ? Mystique ?" Kathryn rushed to check the damage.
"Watch out ! Comin' T'rough !" Gambit announced. "Anyone got a spare
lap while Uncle Gambit find a bite to eat?"
"Who do you have here, Gambit ?" Storm asked.
"Ororo Monroe, I'd like you t' meet Miss Tomoe Hotaru. Wolverine got
her travelin' companion."
"Make way ! Tired lady coming through !" Wolverine called out to
clear a path as he half-carried Sailor Pluto into the mansion.
He presented himself to a very-worried Shadowcat. "Boss-lady , this
is Meiou Satsuna. Satsuna , this is Kathryn Pryde. The little girl
the Cajun brought in is Tomoe Hotaru."
Kathryn bowed to The weary Senshi. "Greetings, Satsuna-san.".
"Greetings, Kathryn-sama", Satsuna said gathering herself. The journey
had been short, Satsuna realized, but somehow tiring.
"Is Hotaru alright?"
"She be well, mon ami !" Gambit called out. "She in good hands. Gambit
leave her with a friend while he hunt for somet'in' for her to eat !
But now Gambit back !"
"Oh ! What happened?" Sailor Mercury moaned. " It feels like I hit a
stone wall."
"Don't whisper so loud, Mercury !" Mars cried. "My ears ars still
ringing. What was that about a wall ?"
"A steel wall would be a more accurate discription", said Collasus.
"I am glad to see you are awake and unhurt".
"I agree with 'awake'", said the Priestess.
"Well, now ! Hello, again, pyro !" Chimed Wisdom, just before he caught
Shadowcat's reproving glance.
"Look who's talking", Mars said glumly.
"Well, you started it !" Wisdom shot back. "Brainless cow ! Jumping
to.."
"I started it ?!!" Mars said defensively.
"Well," Mercury said apologetically, "you did fire first."
Shadowcat and Usagi started to look after Sailors Mars and Mercury
when a man's voice suddenly rang out.
"You stay away from her !!!"
A rose suddenly embedded itself in the wall behind Shadowcat.
"What the ... ?" Shadowcat exclaimed.
"I said," Tuxedo-Kamen stood up, "Stay away from Usagi !"
"Jackel !" Stormed cried out. "Harm my Kitten, and by all that I
consider holy..."
"RAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLL !!!!"
"What the... ?" Tuxedo-Kamen turned in time to see a greatsword drawn
by a cat-person.
"CAPE-BOY ! Don't know how you turn rose into knife. Don't care!" Kella
continued, "But, ME hang scalp from BED for what you just try!"
"Kella ! Don't!" Shadowcat tried to get her friend to lay down the sword-
only to begrabbed by Sailor Neptune and spun around and thrown towards the
wall. Kathryn phased into the closet.
Tuxedo-Kamen threw a handful of roses at Kella, who deftly scattered them
by circling her greatsword. "Cape-boy can throw roses rest of his LIFE !
Won't stop me !" Kella smoothly brought the grip down, intending to hammer
it into the tuxedoed-warrior's head. But Tuxedo-Kamen backed away.
"Cape-boy remind me of someone!" Kella said darkly.
"An old boyfriend ?" Mamoru asked jokingly.
"No!" Kella snapped. " Big, fat, dumb Shi'ar prison-guard! Send Cape-boy
to meet him !" Mamoru dodged the sword. Barely.
"Turkey-in-Tux soon be Turkey-on-STICK!!!" Kella screamed.
Mamoru somehow parried thw sword with his cane.
"Masked man not get away THAT easy." Kella growled. Using the sword, she
pole-vaulted over Mamoru. She met him with the sword-tip.
"Give reason why I shouldn't spill Cape-boy's brains all over floor!",
Kella said as she raised the blade.
"The Shi'ar?" Tuxedo-Kamen said haltingly.
Kella slowly lowered the sword. "Cape-boy not so stupid. Just earned stay."
"Thanks.." panted Mamoru, "for the reprieve."
"No reprieve ! Just stay !" Kella warned. "Need to know where Cape-Turkey
fit in puzzle."
"I am worried, Gambit." Hotaru looked into the Cajun's eyes. "Things are
going badly!"
"Yeah. T'ings seem bad, cher !" Gambit grinned. "But t'ings ain' over, no!
Jus' wait fo' Shadowcat to reappear ! She seem t' get your leader's trust.
I t'ink she come back an' get it again ! T'ings work out !" He hugged
the little Senshi to reassure her.
"Are you sure ?" Setsuna whispered.
Wolverine held the time-gate guard softly. "Kate can do it," he said, "all
she needs is a chance."
---
Shadowcat felt a tiny swisp of wind stir in the closet behind her as she
was about to reenter the room. Quickly, she turned around and turned on
the light just in time to see a pink-haired version of Usagi emerge from
a hole in the wall.
"ChibiMoon Time-Torii Close !" the lady-in-pink whispered. As silently as
it appeared, the portal closed.
"Hello, Aunt Kate !" The pink one said. "I'm glad to see I'm right on time."
"'Aunt Kate' ?" Shadowcat stammered. " 'Right on time'? Who are.. ? Wait
a minute ! Are you related to ..?" Kate pointed to the pink ponytails.
"Yeah. I'm Chiba Usagi, daughter of Chiba Mamoru and Tsukino Usagi. I go
by Chibi-Usa. The Odangos," Usagi flipped at her hair, "is a bit of a
family-trademark."
"Yeah, I can see !" Kate smiled. "Well, Little-Usa ! If you're their
daughter, then how... ?" Kate asked the question already figuring out the
answer.
"I'm a time-teleporter", Chibi-Usa smiled. "I remember you saying you've
known a few."
"Yeah," sighed Kate with a far-away look, remembering Illyana Rasputina.
Majik. "I have. Oh! You said you remember me saying so! Ah! 'Aunt Kate'!"
Kathryn nervously started composing herself. She was always a bit jumpy
about peering into the future.
Then Kate remembered the present and peered out into the room. Sailors
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus surounded the Princess in a defensive
ring. The other Senshi were scattered around the room. And, worse,
Sailors Neptune and Uranus were guarding the closet door. Kathryn swore
to herself, low enough she hoped so Chibi-Usa would not hear her.
"I need to talk to your Mom again, to defuse this crisis." Kathryn said.
"I don't want to make the Shi'ar's job any easier. But your other 'Aunts'
are going to be tough getting past. Especially the two sentries at the
door. If I can just talk to Usagi, then- maybe- I can calm my people.
Maybe."
"Well," Chibi-Usa said, "maybe I can help you there a little. Aunts Rei,
Makoto, and Minako- Sailors Mars, Jupiter, and Venus- tend to have short-
fuses when they first enter a fight. Especially when they think Mom's in
danger. But Aunt Ami- Sailor Mercury- tends to keep her cool in a battle.
She's the best when thinking out a fight. If you can't get directly to
Mom, get to her. I gotta go now."
"OK!" Kathryn said. "Thanks for the help. I'll see if I can't use it. I'll
try my best."
"I know you will !" Chibi-Usa reassured her. "Give Aunt Kella my love !
Chibi Moon Time Torii Future !"
A small breeze heralded the opening of a time portal. Chibi-Usa started to
go through it when she turned around. She hugged Kate lightly.
"Shalom, Rabbi."
Chibi-Usa then disappeared, along with the time-portal.
Kathryn turned off the closet-light. Then she whispered a prayer and phased
through the door.
---
"Pardon me, ladies", Kathryn said after she passed through a stunned Uranus
and Neptune. Kate looked around. Hotaru and Satsuna and Wolverine and Gambit
were off to the side and quiet. "That is a good sign", She thought. And
Hotaru actually seemed to be smiling! and starting to laugh, even!
Then she turned to the center of the room- Usagi was surrounded by Mercury
and Mars and Jupiter and Venus in a defensive circle, with Shingo and Mamoru
off to the left.
Was Kella facing off Mamoru with that greatsword of hers ?
"Mercury !" Kathryn shocked the combatants with the tone of her voice- low
but authoritative. "Look at me!" Best to draw the Senshi's attention to her,
Shadowcat thought.
"Yes ?" Sailor Mercury said slowly, as if trying to figure why the X-Man
would single her out.
"Mercury ?" Shadodowcat slowed her step and raised her voice so everyone
could hear. "I need to speak to Usagi."
Mercury suddenly lost any train of thought she was trying to form. She
suddenly felt the eyes in the room turn to her.
"Y-y-you may ... speak to her freely ... any time." Mercury felt suddenly
drawn to the brown-haired girl. It was as if a command had been given.
"No. I can't," said Shadowcat, "not without your permission."
"My ... permission ?" The two words were a lightning rod to the blue-haired
Senshi. She began to understand what Shadowcat meant. "What do you want me
to do."
"Ami Mizuno," Shadowcat said slowly, "I am Kathryn Pryde. Examine me. Test
Me." Then Kathryn added, "You might want to turn off the computers. Don't
want them short-circuiting."
Ami turned off the computers. She suddenly found herself helpless and asking
for guidence. Then she noticed the Star-of-David around Shadowcat's neck.
Ami did not remember the minutes it took her to pray, or even what she exactly
asked for. The next thing she know, she was noticing the little things about
Kate: Her eyes- how steady they were ! How unafraid ! Her breathing- calm,
with no fighting to keep it under control. Even her pulse was normal.
"Rei ! Makoto ! Minako ! We can trust her !"
"Arigatou, Mizuno-Sama !" Kathryn bowed. "Kella!" Kathryn commanded "Sheathe
your sword!"
"Congratulations, Cape-boy !" Kella said. " You just win reprieve." She laid
the sword up against the wall.
"I am glad that's over with !" Luna said.
"You said it." Artemis agreed.
"REEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW !!! "
Kella jumped back into her chair.
"Did they ... just talk ?" Kella asked.
"That's a strange question from a cat-lady." Minako whispered.
Luna cleared her throat. "Indeed we do !" she said clearly.
Kella hopped down to the floor, on her hands and knees, to get a closer look
at Luna and Artemis. She gasped in recognition.
"What is it, Kella?" Shadowcat asked.
"Yeah! What's got into you?" Artemis wondered.
"Artemis !" Luna admonished. She then looked at Kella. "What is it, child ?"
"Grandmother ? Grandfather ?" Kella addressed the Lunar cats.
"NANI???" The two cats exclaimed.
"Pardon Kella," Kella stood and bowed, "but mother's people tell stories of
ancient ones, The Grandparents."
"Your.. mother's people ?" Luna gasped.
"Then," said Artemis, "you are ... ?"
"Half- Mephistoid !" Kella Answered. "Dad Terran."
"You're related to Artie and Luna ?" asked Minako. "You sure don't look like
them !"
"In thousand years, loose things." Kella explained. "Mephistiods loose
abilitity to shift. Stuck in mid-form." Then she added ruefully, "Not all
we lose."
"What do you mean ?" Makoto asked.
"She means they lost their freedom, Makoto," Usagi said, "To the Shi'ar".
"Shall we start again, Usagi? No wars? Between us, anyway?" Kathryn asked.
"I would hope so!" Usagi said.
"Wait a minute !" Rei suddenly said in protest. "We were ready to kill each
other a few minutes ago. And now we're FRIENDS? Don't take this wrong. I love
it! But-only-what just happened ?"
All eyes turned to Kate.
"Well.. it IS strange that you came to me to be the peacekeeper." Ami agreed.
"Well, prayer helped !" Said Kate. "Even after what Chibi-Usa said to me about
you, I didn't quite know.."
"Wait a minute!" Minako declared. "Did you say 'Chibi-Usa'?"
"That's what she said you called her. Her real name's Chiba Usagi? Pink Odangoes
up here ?" Kathryn pointed to her head.
"About so big?" Usagi placed her hand low to the ground.
"Try this big" , Kate leveled her hand with Usagi's forehead. "But she does have
your face. Except for those red eyes."
"Chibi-Usa", nodded Shingo.
"She must have used a time-key to travel." Rei said.
"I didn't see a key," said Shadowcat , "she just opened a portal on her own."
"I wonder how she did that!" Mamoru puzzled.
Kella looked up from the couch where she sat with Luna and Artemis.
"Maybe Xavier have new student in future ?"
" Maybe. But for now," said Kathryn, "we best move the Senshi in here. We're
gonna be fighting together. We better live together, then."
"Oh ! By the way!" Kate smiled. "'Aunt Kella' ? Chibi-Usa asked me to say 'Hi'."
BIRD HUNT
Disclaimer : none of the characters in this fan-fiction are mine
but one ( Read note in Chapter 2). The Sailor Senshi,
Tuxedo Kamen, Queen Serenity, Queen Beryl, Queen Metallia,
Luna, Artimis, Chibi-Usa (Chiba Usagi) and Tsukino Shingo
are the copyrighted property of Takeuchi Naoko.
The X-MEN, GENERATION-X, EXCALIBUR, the Starjammers ,
Shi`ar Empire, and the Watcher are all copywrited property of
Marvel Comics.
NOTE: Take notice of the introduction of Chibi Usa in this
Chapter. In Takeuchi-san's stories, Chibi-Usa travels through
time with outside help. Not here. I've transformed Chiba Usagi
(Chibi-Usa) into a mutant time-teleporter , ala "MAJIK"
in the Marvel NEW MUTANTS Comic. As such, she needs no outside
help to teleport, although she does need to concentrate. As
Chibi-Usa should be around 16 when she appears, I picture her as
she appeared as the Black Lady, albeit in pink.
For The Record: I was asked after a previous fanfiction where
I used ChibiUsa this way, someone later why ChibiUsa would just
ot have taken over the rule of Crystal Tokyo if she could travel
through time this easily. My answer is simple, she has the power
of time-travel, but she still had to be trained in how to use it
effectively. Her teacher was Meiou Setsuna- Sailor Pluto. And
since Sailor Pluto has a taboo against messing with the timestream,
why should her student learn to do differently ?
DESTROY
Tsukino Usagi felt a little uneasy as she and Luna were led
through the mansion. Kathryn knew why, too.
"It feels like we're being watched", Usagi commented.
"We are", said Shodowcat. " I'm sorry about that," she said
apologetically, "it's just that my friends are worried about me."
"I know the feeling !" Usagi said. "Believe me."
"I know." Kathryn said to Usagi. They got to the kitchen. "Can I
fix you or Luna anything ?" Kathryn ofered.
"Well, I AM a LITTLE hungry." Usagi said.
A few quick pancakes and a building of a fruit bowl later, Kate
was pouring coffee for herself and Usagi.
"Can I get anything for you, Luna ?", Kate asked.
"No, thank y..." Luna then cut herself off. She just looked at
Kathryn. Kathryn showed a hint of a smile.
"How did you know I could talk ?"
"Probably the same way we know each other without having met",
Usagi said between pieces of fruit and coffee.
"Mmmmmmmmmmmm ! There's chocolate in this coffee !"
"It's Kella's favorite drink", Kathryn said.
"Kella ?" Usagi and Luna asked as one.
"You'll meet her later." Kate added, "She and her brothers
are looking for the rest of the Senshi."
"Ut Oh...", Usagi said.
"What's the matter, Usagi ?" Luna asked with concern.
"I just got a bad feeling", Usagi answered.
"So, Kathryn", Usagi switched her train of thought a bit,
"What can you tell me about the Shi'ar ?"
"What do you want to know ?" Kathryn asked. "I'm no Shi'ar
historian, but I like to know a little about who the X-Men get
involved with. For the record, their galactic Empire is thousands
of years old, judging from the number of times Shi'ar expeditons
have ventured to earth. The current Shi'ar house has ruled for
about a thousand years, and their current ruler is the Empress
Lilandra. She seized the throne from her insane brother, D'ken."
Usagi stopped to think between bites of pancake and raspberry jam.
"You said the Shi'ar have been coming here for thousands of years?
Did anything happen to pique their interest about a thousand years
ago?"
Kate sat sipping her coffee. "As a matter of fact," she said,
"interest in Earth did increase a thousand years ago. It was about
the time the new house rose to power. Could that be what the dreams
are about ? Could the Shi'ar be planning something ? They were
promised the Earth as a spoil of war." Kathryn then added, to answer
Usagi's and Luna's quizzical looks. "So I've been told recently. The
Shi'ar were stopped only by the intersession of the Moon's Queen
Serenity."
"My mother", Usagi slowly nodded.
"Your mother ?!?!" Shadowcat's jaw dropped. "But - You CAN'T be that
old ! Can you ?"
"Amazing what resurrections can do for you", said Usagi. A bit too
sadly, Kathryn thought.
After a few more minutes of talking and eating (or was it probing
and eating ? Shadowcat thought to herself), Shadowcat sensed tensions
easing a bit. Was it just her, or did Usagi seem glad to open up ?
It seemed she and Usagi needed to let loose of the same pressures.
These dreams were obviously putting a strain on them both.
"I needed this." Usagi said, echoing Kathryn's thoughts.
"Good ! Maybe world won't go to Hell !"
Usagi turned around to see who it was that spoke-and stared. It was
rare enough to meet a talking cat, but here was a six-foot-tall cat!
And it looked Persian.
"Harvey ?" Usagi said in a daze.
"Nope!" smiled the feline. "You Harvey. Me Kella."
"Uh.. yeah. Right." Usagi nodded slowly.
"Usagi," Kate made introductions, "I'd like you to meet Kella Summers.
Kella, this is Tsukino Usagi."
"Hello ... Kella", Usagi finally said, regaining her composure.
Kella bowed very gracefully. "Kella greatly honored, your Highness !"
Usagi was still recovering from being recognized as a princess when
the casualties started filtering in.
"Ami ! Rei !" Usagi looked at the Senshi. "What happened to them ?"
"Look like they meet Siberian Tiger !" Kella quipped.
"Siberian ...?" Usagi gasped.
"Now, Kella ! No need to scare our guest ! Nyet, Sailor Senshi."
Collosus said. "Your comrades just ran into me and knocked the wind
out of themselves."
"Serves the little hobgoblins right." Wisdom commented.
"Now, Pete," Kated chided gently, "they couldn't have been.." Her
words stuck in her throat. "What happened ?"
"These two lovely witches," he pointed to Mercury and Mars, "left
their calling cards. The long-haired harpy tried to fry us, then her
partner tried her best to freeze us !" He added with an approving
smile and nod, "They almost succeeded, too ! British Intel would love
this pair."
"Don't mention the Brits!" Jubilee yelled between rows of precise
curses. "We ran into that maniac Sailor Venus! And I don't know who's
worse, her or her psycho-partner with the roses !"
"Tuxedo-Kamen?" Usagi asked. Then when Tuxedo-Kamen walked in the
mansion still dazed she gasped. "Mamoru!"
"He got lucky", Jubilee said. " If Husk hadn't been able to tear out
of her injuries, he would've gotten more than a few lumps... Oh !"
Jubilee suddenly realized their visitor. "You must be Tsukino Usagi!
Shingo's told me about you. "
"Shingo ?" Usagi ran to the front door. "Shingo!!" She threw her arms
protectively around her little brother.
"I am.. alright, Usagi." His unsteadiness belied the fact that Shingo
was not alright.
"What happened, Shingo ?" Usagi asked her brother.
"I killed him- I killed him- I killed him", a stunned Makoto kept
repeating. "I killed.."
"I'm alive, Makoto", Shingo said as he held her.
Seeing Shingo alive, Makoto broke down for the second time that day.
"What HAPPENED ? !!!" Usagi demanded.
"The Senshi does not know how to handle the elements" Storm said.
"This is turnin' into a turkey-shoot !" Sabretooth laughed. "An' we
got two more trophies !" He then dropped Sailors Uranus and Neptune
unceremoniously on the floor.
"Ah wish ya wouldn't put it like that, Sabretooth," Rogue said,
"'specially when the trophies coulda been us!"
"Das ist correct, meine Swester" Kurt said as he leaned on Mystique.
"Kurt ? Mystique ?" Kathryn rushed to check the damage.
"Watch out ! Comin' T'rough !" Gambit announced. "Anyone got a spare
lap while Uncle Gambit find a bite to eat?"
"Who do you have here, Gambit ?" Storm asked.
"Ororo Monroe, I'd like you t' meet Miss Tomoe Hotaru. Wolverine got
her travelin' companion."
"Make way ! Tired lady coming through !" Wolverine called out to
clear a path as he half-carried Sailor Pluto into the mansion.
He presented himself to a very-worried Shadowcat. "Boss-lady , this
is Meiou Satsuna. Satsuna , this is Kathryn Pryde. The little girl
the Cajun brought in is Tomoe Hotaru."
Kathryn bowed to The weary Senshi. "Greetings, Satsuna-san.".
"Greetings, Kathryn-sama", Satsuna said gathering herself. The journey
had been short, Satsuna realized, but somehow tiring.
"Is Hotaru alright?"
"She be well, mon ami !" Gambit called out. "She in good hands. Gambit
leave her with a friend while he hunt for somet'in' for her to eat !
But now Gambit back !"
"Oh ! What happened?" Sailor Mercury moaned. " It feels like I hit a
stone wall."
"Don't whisper so loud, Mercury !" Mars cried. "My ears ars still
ringing. What was that about a wall ?"
"A steel wall would be a more accurate discription", said Collasus.
"I am glad to see you are awake and unhurt".
"I agree with 'awake'", said the Priestess.
"Well, now ! Hello, again, pyro !" Chimed Wisdom, just before he caught
Shadowcat's reproving glance.
"Look who's talking", Mars said glumly.
"Well, you started it !" Wisdom shot back. "Brainless cow ! Jumping
to.."
"I started it ?!!" Mars said defensively.
"Well," Mercury said apologetically, "you did fire first."
Shadowcat and Usagi started to look after Sailors Mars and Mercury
when a man's voice suddenly rang out.
"You stay away from her !!!"
A rose suddenly embedded itself in the wall behind Shadowcat.
"What the ... ?" Shadowcat exclaimed.
"I said," Tuxedo-Kamen stood up, "Stay away from Usagi !"
"Jackel !" Stormed cried out. "Harm my Kitten, and by all that I
consider holy..."
"RAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLL !!!!"
"What the... ?" Tuxedo-Kamen turned in time to see a greatsword drawn
by a cat-person.
"CAPE-BOY ! Don't know how you turn rose into knife. Don't care!" Kella
continued, "But, ME hang scalp from BED for what you just try!"
"Kella ! Don't!" Shadowcat tried to get her friend to lay down the sword-
only to begrabbed by Sailor Neptune and spun around and thrown towards the
wall. Kathryn phased into the closet.
Tuxedo-Kamen threw a handful of roses at Kella, who deftly scattered them
by circling her greatsword. "Cape-boy can throw roses rest of his LIFE !
Won't stop me !" Kella smoothly brought the grip down, intending to hammer
it into the tuxedoed-warrior's head. But Tuxedo-Kamen backed away.
"Cape-boy remind me of someone!" Kella said darkly.
"An old boyfriend ?" Mamoru asked jokingly.
"No!" Kella snapped. " Big, fat, dumb Shi'ar prison-guard! Send Cape-boy
to meet him !" Mamoru dodged the sword. Barely.
"Turkey-in-Tux soon be Turkey-on-STICK!!!" Kella screamed.
Mamoru somehow parried thw sword with his cane.
"Masked man not get away THAT easy." Kella growled. Using the sword, she
pole-vaulted over Mamoru. She met him with the sword-tip.
"Give reason why I shouldn't spill Cape-boy's brains all over floor!",
Kella said as she raised the blade.
"The Shi'ar?" Tuxedo-Kamen said haltingly.
Kella slowly lowered the sword. "Cape-boy not so stupid. Just earned stay."
"Thanks.." panted Mamoru, "for the reprieve."
"No reprieve ! Just stay !" Kella warned. "Need to know where Cape-Turkey
fit in puzzle."
"I am worried, Gambit." Hotaru looked into the Cajun's eyes. "Things are
going badly!"
"Yeah. T'ings seem bad, cher !" Gambit grinned. "But t'ings ain' over, no!
Jus' wait fo' Shadowcat to reappear ! She seem t' get your leader's trust.
I t'ink she come back an' get it again ! T'ings work out !" He hugged
the little Senshi to reassure her.
"Are you sure ?" Setsuna whispered.
Wolverine held the time-gate guard softly. "Kate can do it," he said, "all
she needs is a chance."
---
Shadowcat felt a tiny swisp of wind stir in the closet behind her as she
was about to reenter the room. Quickly, she turned around and turned on
the light just in time to see a pink-haired version of Usagi emerge from
a hole in the wall.
"ChibiMoon Time-Torii Close !" the lady-in-pink whispered. As silently as
it appeared, the portal closed.
"Hello, Aunt Kate !" The pink one said. "I'm glad to see I'm right on time."
"'Aunt Kate' ?" Shadowcat stammered. " 'Right on time'? Who are.. ? Wait
a minute ! Are you related to ..?" Kate pointed to the pink ponytails.
"Yeah. I'm Chiba Usagi, daughter of Chiba Mamoru and Tsukino Usagi. I go
by Chibi-Usa. The Odangos," Usagi flipped at her hair, "is a bit of a
family-trademark."
"Yeah, I can see !" Kate smiled. "Well, Little-Usa ! If you're their
daughter, then how... ?" Kate asked the question already figuring out the
answer.
"I'm a time-teleporter", Chibi-Usa smiled. "I remember you saying you've
known a few."
"Yeah," sighed Kate with a far-away look, remembering Illyana Rasputina.
Majik. "I have. Oh! You said you remember me saying so! Ah! 'Aunt Kate'!"
Kathryn nervously started composing herself. She was always a bit jumpy
about peering into the future.
Then Kate remembered the present and peered out into the room. Sailors
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus surounded the Princess in a defensive
ring. The other Senshi were scattered around the room. And, worse,
Sailors Neptune and Uranus were guarding the closet door. Kathryn swore
to herself, low enough she hoped so Chibi-Usa would not hear her.
"I need to talk to your Mom again, to defuse this crisis." Kathryn said.
"I don't want to make the Shi'ar's job any easier. But your other 'Aunts'
are going to be tough getting past. Especially the two sentries at the
door. If I can just talk to Usagi, then- maybe- I can calm my people.
Maybe."
"Well," Chibi-Usa said, "maybe I can help you there a little. Aunts Rei,
Makoto, and Minako- Sailors Mars, Jupiter, and Venus- tend to have short-
fuses when they first enter a fight. Especially when they think Mom's in
danger. But Aunt Ami- Sailor Mercury- tends to keep her cool in a battle.
She's the best when thinking out a fight. If you can't get directly to
Mom, get to her. I gotta go now."
"OK!" Kathryn said. "Thanks for the help. I'll see if I can't use it. I'll
try my best."
"I know you will !" Chibi-Usa reassured her. "Give Aunt Kella my love !
Chibi Moon Time Torii Future !"
A small breeze heralded the opening of a time portal. Chibi-Usa started to
go through it when she turned around. She hugged Kate lightly.
"Shalom, Rabbi."
Chibi-Usa then disappeared, along with the time-portal.
Kathryn turned off the closet-light. Then she whispered a prayer and phased
through the door.
---
"Pardon me, ladies", Kathryn said after she passed through a stunned Uranus
and Neptune. Kate looked around. Hotaru and Satsuna and Wolverine and Gambit
were off to the side and quiet. "That is a good sign", She thought. And
Hotaru actually seemed to be smiling! and starting to laugh, even!
Then she turned to the center of the room- Usagi was surrounded by Mercury
and Mars and Jupiter and Venus in a defensive circle, with Shingo and Mamoru
off to the left.
Was Kella facing off Mamoru with that greatsword of hers ?
"Mercury !" Kathryn shocked the combatants with the tone of her voice- low
but authoritative. "Look at me!" Best to draw the Senshi's attention to her,
Shadowcat thought.
"Yes ?" Sailor Mercury said slowly, as if trying to figure why the X-Man
would single her out.
"Mercury ?" Shadodowcat slowed her step and raised her voice so everyone
could hear. "I need to speak to Usagi."
Mercury suddenly lost any train of thought she was trying to form. She
suddenly felt the eyes in the room turn to her.
"Y-y-you may ... speak to her freely ... any time." Mercury felt suddenly
drawn to the brown-haired girl. It was as if a command had been given.
"No. I can't," said Shadowcat, "not without your permission."
"My ... permission ?" The two words were a lightning rod to the blue-haired
Senshi. She began to understand what Shadowcat meant. "What do you want me
to do."
"Ami Mizuno," Shadowcat said slowly, "I am Kathryn Pryde. Examine me. Test
Me." Then Kathryn added, "You might want to turn off the computers. Don't
want them short-circuiting."
Ami turned off the computers. She suddenly found herself helpless and asking
for guidence. Then she noticed the Star-of-David around Shadowcat's neck.
Ami did not remember the minutes it took her to pray, or even what she exactly
asked for. The next thing she know, she was noticing the little things about
Kate: Her eyes- how steady they were ! How unafraid ! Her breathing- calm,
with no fighting to keep it under control. Even her pulse was normal.
"Rei ! Makoto ! Minako ! We can trust her !"
"Arigatou, Mizuno-Sama !" Kathryn bowed. "Kella!" Kathryn commanded "Sheathe
your sword!"
"Congratulations, Cape-boy !" Kella said. " You just win reprieve." She laid
the sword up against the wall.
"I am glad that's over with !" Luna said.
"You said it." Artemis agreed.
"REEEEEEEEEEEEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW !!! "
Kella jumped back into her chair.
"Did they ... just talk ?" Kella asked.
"That's a strange question from a cat-lady." Minako whispered.
Luna cleared her throat. "Indeed we do !" she said clearly.
Kella hopped down to the floor, on her hands and knees, to get a closer look
at Luna and Artemis. She gasped in recognition.
"What is it, Kella?" Shadowcat asked.
"Yeah! What's got into you?" Artemis wondered.
"Artemis !" Luna admonished. She then looked at Kella. "What is it, child ?"
"Grandmother ? Grandfather ?" Kella addressed the Lunar cats.
"NANI???" The two cats exclaimed.
"Pardon Kella," Kella stood and bowed, "but mother's people tell stories of
ancient ones, The Grandparents."
"Your.. mother's people ?" Luna gasped.
"Then," said Artemis, "you are ... ?"
"Half- Mephistoid !" Kella Answered. "Dad Terran."
"You're related to Artie and Luna ?" asked Minako. "You sure don't look like
them !"
"In thousand years, loose things." Kella explained. "Mephistiods loose
abilitity to shift. Stuck in mid-form." Then she added ruefully, "Not all
we lose."
"What do you mean ?" Makoto asked.
"She means they lost their freedom, Makoto," Usagi said, "To the Shi'ar".
"Shall we start again, Usagi? No wars? Between us, anyway?" Kathryn asked.
"I would hope so!" Usagi said.
"Wait a minute !" Rei suddenly said in protest. "We were ready to kill each
other a few minutes ago. And now we're FRIENDS? Don't take this wrong. I love
it! But-only-what just happened ?"
All eyes turned to Kate.
"Well.. it IS strange that you came to me to be the peacekeeper." Ami agreed.
"Well, prayer helped !" Said Kate. "Even after what Chibi-Usa said to me about
you, I didn't quite know.."
"Wait a minute!" Minako declared. "Did you say 'Chibi-Usa'?"
"That's what she said you called her. Her real name's Chiba Usagi? Pink Odangoes
up here ?" Kathryn pointed to her head.
"About so big?" Usagi placed her hand low to the ground.
"Try this big" , Kate leveled her hand with Usagi's forehead. "But she does have
your face. Except for those red eyes."
"Chibi-Usa", nodded Shingo.
"She must have used a time-key to travel." Rei said.
"I didn't see a key," said Shadowcat , "she just opened a portal on her own."
"I wonder how she did that!" Mamoru puzzled.
Kella looked up from the couch where she sat with Luna and Artemis.
"Maybe Xavier have new student in future ?"
" Maybe. But for now," said Kathryn, "we best move the Senshi in here. We're
gonna be fighting together. We better live together, then."
"Oh ! By the way!" Kate smiled. "'Aunt Kella' ? Chibi-Usa asked me to say 'Hi'."