[Disclaimer]: I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine.
Whatever It Takes
Chapter 4: Unwelcome Visitors
Masumi stood in the spot Gohan had left her side, watching as he and his mother reunited with a man she had never met before. She turned her head slightly as her mother and father came to stand next to her. She looked around at everyone, and a confused look crossed her face.
"Tears," she thought inwardly, watching as Bulma hugged the man. "Why is everyone crying over this man?" She looked towards her mother, who stood emotionlessly, and frowned again in confusion.
"Masumi," Krillin stated, glancing at his daughter. "What's the matter?"
"Who is that man," she asked, gesturing towards Goku.
"Son Goku," 18 stated, eyes narrowed slightly. She looked at Krillin with a small, reassuring smile, and he returned the gesture.
"He's the one in all of those pictures I showed to you," Krillin stated. He looked towards Goku, and a smile broke out onto his face. "I … can't believe that he's back." Just then, Goku looked up and smiled in their direction.
"Krillin," he exclaimed. "How have you been?"
"Pretty good, Goku," Krillin replied. "Though it hasn't been the same around here without you." He turned towards 18, and she gave an inaudible sigh.
"Hello, Son Goku," she stated, slightly annoyed. One could hardly blame her for her reaction. After all, she had been programmed to kill this man at one time in her life. But that's all in the past.
"18, you're looking good," Goku stated. "I hardly recognized you! You seem to be taking good care of Krillin." He was unfazed by her glare as he noticed Masumi for the first time. "And who are you," he asked her.
"Oh," Masumi exclaimed. She blushed as she realized she had forgotten her manners and bowed at the waist in his direction, out of respect.
"You don't have to be so proper around me," Goku said with a dismissive wave of his hand. He smiled down at her, causing her to blush more.
"I … I'm Masumi," she stammered. "I've heard many good things about you from my father and Gohan, Son Goku."
"You're Masumi," he exclaimed, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "Kaiou-sama wasn't joking around when he said you grew faster than normal."
"Oh, so you know," she replied dejectedly, lowering her gaze towards the ground. "You must think I'm strange … Just like everyone else I meet."
"Huh? Strange," he asked. "Not at all, Masumi! In fact, compared to me, you're probably pretty normal!"
"Really," she asked, looking back up towards him.
"Of course," he exclaimed, ruffling her hair. "It's not like you're from another planet! Now are you?" Something tugged at the back of her mind, however she brushed it aside, and smiled.
"Thank you, Son Goku," Masumi beamed, throwing her arms around his waist in a hug. He was surprised, however returned the gesture.
"So you have a birthday coming up," Goku stated. Masumi nodded her head, and he looked around the Capsule Corp grounds. "Where is everyone then?"
"We're just getting ready now, and they'll be here soon, Goku," Krillin replied. "They're going to be so surprised to see you."
Goku smiled, and turned towards Bulma. "Where's Vegeta," he asked, unconsciously glancing in the direction of the gravity chamber.
"His Royal Highness is in there," Bulma stated dryly as she followed Goku's gaze. She looked at her watch, giving an exasperated sigh. "And it's about time he came out of there. There is going to be a party here, after all."
Goku smiled. "Hey Bulma, I can …"
"Oh no you don't, Son Goku," ChiChi exclaimed, putting her free hand on her hip. "Don't you even think of leaving! You just got here, and you need to spend time with your sons!" She handed Goten over to Goku, and he laughed.
"I was only joking, ChiChi," he exclaimed nervously.
"That's better," she stated with a smile. She gave Goku a sly look and then looked at Goten. "Well, my little man must be hungry after his little adventure this morning." Goten began to giggle happily in response, and then as if on cue, Goku's stomach growled loudly.
"Gee, I'm hungry too, ChiChi," he said. Everyone laughed, and Masumi looked toward her mother.
"Saiya-jin appetite," she explained. Masumi smiled slightly, and nodded her head in understanding.
"You can use anything you want in the kitchen, ChiChi," Bulma stated with an amused look on her face. "I've got to get Vegeta before everyone else gets here."
"Thanks Bulma," ChiChi stated as the woman walked off. She looked at her family. "Well, come on," she said. "The food isn't going to cook itself." As the Sons walked towards the house, Masumi turned towards her father.
"Everything you said about Son Goku was right, Daddy," she stated. "He's very nice." She smiled at her parents, and then suddenly she gasped. She clutched her chest, taking in gasping breaths, and slowly turned around where three figures stood shrouded in shadow.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Son Goku has made his presence known, Popo-san," Dende stated, turning from his spot to look at his assistant. "We'll have to see what happens from here, now."
"Nothing bad will come from this, Dende-sama," Popo replied. He stood from watering the flowers, and dropped the watering can as a loud crash sounded.
"What was that," Dende asked, alarmed.
"It came from the direction of the Room of Spirit and Time, Dende-sama," Popo stated. The two looked at each other, and then slowly made their way in that direction. As they drew nearer, they heard the sound of voices.
"Where are we," a dazed voice asked. "Were we supposed to land like this?"
"This is your fault this happened, Odango," a second voice exclaimed.
"How is it my fault," the first voice asked, sounding near tears.
"It … just is," the second voice retorted. "Ow! Get your elbow out of my back."
"Could you both just get off of me," a third, irritated voice demanded. Dende and Popo stepped around the corner, and saw three girls heaped in a pile, struggling to get off the ground. Dende cleared his throat, and the three girls looked up in surprise. He stifled a laugh as they struggled to get up once again. The blonde one was the first to stand.
"Oh, I know you," Sailor Moon exclaimed as she recognized Dende. The young Namekian was surprised, however recovered quickly.
"Um, Odango," Mars began.
"It's alright," Sailor Moon stated. "He's Kami, the guy I was talking about!"
"Are you the ones here to destroy Masumi," Dende asked, although he doubted his own statement. The woman he had spoken with seemed more refined.
"He must be talking about the Outers, Sailor Moon," Jupiter stated. She clenched her fist, and looked at Dende. "Are they already here?"
"I thought you were them," Dende replied, shaking his head.
"Well we're one up on them, then," Mars said. "We got here before they did."
"If you're not here for Masumi, just who are you," Dende asked. The blonde one, who he assumed was the leader, stepped forward.
"We're the Sailor Senshi, and we're here to protect the girl you call Masumi," she spoke. "I'm Sailor Moon, and this is Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter. The woman you met was Sailor Pluto. She told us about what she was doing."
"What? Why would she do that," Dende asked. "She warned me, as well, one year ago."
"It's a long, complicated story, Kami," Sailor Moon replied.
"She's probably already here, along with Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus," Jupiter said with realization. "They wouldn't allow us to get here first."
"You're probably right," Mars added. "And if she's not here already, she will be soon." She turned towards Dende. "You have to help us. Where is Masumi now?"
"Dende-sama, you shouldn't tell them," Popo spoke for the first time. "This could all be a trick."
"What we're saying is true," Sailor Moon exclaimed. "Please, you've got to believe us! We're only here to protect Masumi. If we were here to harm her, why would we bother showing up here, first?"
Dende studied the three girls for a long time. He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, he nodded his head. "I do believe you," he stated, turning towards his assistant. "Popo-san."
"Yes, Dende-sama," he replied.
"I want you to take these three girls to Masumi," Dende continued. "I believe what they're saying. I have a feeling that Masumi will be in danger soon."
"Of course, Dende-sama," Popo replied. A rug suddenly appeared underneath him, and as he floated up into the air, he turned towards the Senshi. "Get on, please."
"A flying carpet," Sailor Moon asked.
"We're going to fly on that thing," Jupiter asked, swallowing nervously and unconsciously taking a step back. "I don't like this."
"There is an alternative," Dende stated. "Popo-san, please go and get Yajirobe." Without a word, Popo lifted up into the air, and disappeared over the edge of the lookout.
"Kami, thank you for believing us," Sailor Moon stated.
"Why do you want to protect her," Dende asked. "Why does that woman want to destroy her?"
"It's complicated," Sailor Moon replied. "Masumi is a Senshi like us, and she's known to us by a totally different identity. But one way or the other, she ended up here. I don't know how or why, but she was reborn in this world. Even from where we come from, the Outers were trying to destroy her there, too." She shook her head, and closed her eyes. "I just don't understand it."
"Maybe you can tell me the entire story, but that will have to wait," Dende said as Popo returned with Yajirobe in tow. He jumped off of the carpet, and walked towards the group.
"Did you need me for something," Yajirobe asked Dende. "I was about to sit down to a snack. My breakfast just wasn't enough. This had better be good." The three Senshi looked at each other, and then back towards Yajirobe.
"Yajirobe," Dende began. "I need for you to take these three girls to Capsule Corp. It would be greatly appreciated."
"Can it wait until after I eat," Yajirobe asked.
"Don't you have any respect," Mars demanded angrily. "When your deity asks you to do something, you don't question it! It's bad karma."
"Now listen here, lady," Yajirobe began.
"No, you listen," Mars interrupted, arms crossed across her chest. "What we need to do here is more important than your appetite! Now you will take us to wherever Kami says!" Yajirobe shrank back and nodded his head. Dende hid his smile as Yajirobe turned towards him.
"Where do I need to take them," he asked, tossing his capsule to the ground. The girls jumped back in surprise at the action.
"Please take them to Capsule Corp," Dende replied. "That's all I need for you to do. Then you can return to Korin's Tower and have your snack." Yajirobe hopped into the capsule and then looked towards the Senshi expectantly.
"Well," he demanded, waiting for them. Sailor Mars glared at him and then climbed in next to him, and Sailor Jupiter reluctantly climbed into the back, strapping herself in tightly.
"Thank you for your help, Kami," Sailor Moon began.
"Please, just call me Dende," he said with a smile. "All of my friends do."
"Alright then, Dende," she replied, returning his smile. "We'll protect Masumi." She nodded her head, and then climbed into the back of the capsule with Sailor Jupiter. Dende watched as the top slid closed, and then it lifted up into the air, shooting off in the direction of Capsule Corp.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"Masumi," Krillin exclaimed in alarm, rushing to her side. "What is it?"
"They … came," she replied brokenly. "Daddy, I'm scared." She shakily pointed in the direction where the three figures were standing. Krillin looked up, however 18 had already seen them.
"Can I help you," Krillin asked in the direction of the figures. He frowned as three women stepped forward.
"It seems her powers have reawakened already," he heard the one with aqua-colored hair speak. "Your haunch was right, Sailor Pluto."
"And her powers haven't fully reawakened yet." Krillin's gaze shifted to the one with short, blonde hair. She turned towards the woman with long, greenish-black hair. "She should be easy enough to handle."
"Who the hell are you," 18 demanded angrily, causing the blonde woman to snort.
"The surrogate mother speaks," she stated, crossing her arms. 18 stood protectively in front of Masumi as one of the women stepped forward.
"We are the Sailor Senshi, however you already knew that, didn't you," Sailor Pluto stated, directing her question towards Masumi.
"You're here for me, just like in my dream, aren't you," Masumi asked. "Sailor Pluto, Sailor Neptune, and Sailor Uranus."
"For a year, your powers have lain dormant, and yet, you still know us," Pluto stated, a thoughtful look on her face. "Interesting."
"Masumi, don't talk to them," Krillin said. He looked back up towards the three Senshi, frowning. "What do you want, here?"
"We've just come for the girl," Sailor Neptune stated.
"Over my dead body," 18 exclaimed, rushing towards them. Sailor Uranus smiled, and then rushed forward towards the advancing woman. 18 threw a punch at Uranus, and the Senshi easily caught it.
"Don't underestimate me," Uranus stated, as the two jumped apart. 18 growled angrily, and launched a series of kicks and punches, all of which Uranus dodged with ease. "You're good, but not good enough!" She kicked 18 in the stomach, sending the woman flying back.
"18," Krillin yelled.
"D-damn," 18 stated, getting back up to her feet. "She's stronger than I thought," she thought inwardly, glaring at the other warrior. She turned her head slightly to the side as she saw Krillin step forward. "Don't leave Masumi's side," she yelled.
"You can only protect her for so long," Uranus taunted. "In the end, we'll have our way."
"You'll pay for threatening to harm my family," 18 stated coldly, as an aura began to pick up around her. "Now die, damn you," she screamed as her ki flared around her body. 18 smiled almost evilly as Sailor Uranus took a step backward at her display of power, a look of both shock and fear on her face. As she advanced once again towards Uranus, she was hit from the side by a ball of energy.
"18," Krillin exclaimed.
"Mother," Masumi screamed. She looked over towards Sailor Neptune, who slowly began to lower her hand back down to her side. "Why are you doing this," she cried.
"You know why Hotaru Tomoe, Keeper of the Silence," Uranus stated, regaining her composure. As Krillin began to step forward, Neptune cleared her throat.
"You saw what happened to your lover," she stated softly. "I wouldn't get involved if I were you."
"I don't care," Krillin yelled. "I'll protect my family at all costs." He began to power up, however he never got the chance to attack, as he was hit by Uranus' attack. He fell back, landing near his daughter. "M-Masumi, run," he stammered, before falling to unconsciousness. She dropped down to her knees next to him, shaking him gently.
"Daddy, please, wake up," she whimpered.
"It's the end of the line now, Hotaru," Uranus stated, taking a step towards the girl.
"My name isn't Hotaru. It's Masumi," she whispered inaudibly.
"Show us your powers in a final fight, Hotaru," Neptune added.
"I told you, my name isn't Hotaru," she stated angrily, as tears began to fall down her face. "It's Masumi. Now shut up!"
"Then call upon the powers of your Guardian planet and silence us, Hotaru," Pluto exclaimed as she gripped the staff in her hand tightly. Masumi grabbed her head, shaking it back and forth violently.
"My name is Masumi … My name is Masumi," she repeated to herself. A faint purple aura surrounded her, and the birthright of Saturn shone on her forehead.
"Sailor Pluto," Neptune said in alarm.
"She hasn't fully reawakened yet," Pluto replied. "We have nothing to worry about." Masumi began to stand, with a blank look on her face. As she fully stood, an explosion rocked the area.
To Be Continued . . .
I, for one, whole-heartedly believe that 18 would have wiped the floor with the Outers! In this story, however, the Outers will be able to stand a chance against most of the Z-Senshi. There are four people they can't touch, though - naturally. ^_~
Thanks for reading, and please leave a review!