STORYTIME—MYTHS AND LEGENDS
By Krysia
Disclaimer: Story is original…characters are not. Truly a non-profit endeavor. {sigh}
Serenity grabbed a pillow from the bed and whacked Endymion. She then flung herself
back on the bed, hands covering her face and groaned, "We can't let the Senshi see
this!"
Chapter 4: Playing it by Ear
Sunshine peeked through the curtains at the Crystal Palace. Chibi-usa buried her face
deeper in her pillow and away from the offending light. Her hand brushed something
hard and her sleep-filled mind tried to process what could possibly be in her bed. Groping
around with her eyes still closed, Chibi-usa ran her hand across the cover of a book.
'The book!' Chibi-usa sat up quickly and tossed her pillow aside.
Diana yowled as the pillow knocked into her.
"Sorry Diana," murmured Chibi-usa absently as she placed the book in her lap and began
to turn a few pages. A quick knock at the door sent Chibi-usa bounding out of her bed
and throwing her book into one of her desk drawers. Just then, the door opened and
Serenity poked her head inside.
"Chibi-usa…are you awake?" Seeing Chibi-usa out of bed but still in her nightwear,
Serenity said, "Small Lady. Please get dressed. Your father and I are ready to eat
breakfast. We would like you to join us so we can plan our day."
"Yes Mama, I'll be right there."
Breakfast was a private affair for the royal family. Serenity had made it clear that she
still wasn't a morning person and wanted a peaceful start of her day before she had to
deal with the responsibilities of ruling a kingdom. Endymion supported his wife fully in
this matter. Life was good when it was spent with family and a hot cup of coffee.
Chibi-usa finished the last of her pancakes. Her father sat his coffee mug upon the table
and looked at his daughter. "Well, Small Lady…since this is your first full day back,
your mother and I thought we'd spend the day together as a family."
Chibi-usa's breath caught and she fought the panicky feeling that rose in her chest,
"Um..ok…papa, mama…what do you have planned?"
Serenity smiled softly at her. "Mostly, we thought we'd play it by ear."
After a few hours of walking and playing on the palace grounds, the Royal family found
a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic lunch prepared personally by Sailor Jupiter.
King Endymion leaned against a tree and watched with amusement as his wife and
daughter fought for the last piece of cake. He was amazed when Serenity stopped
suddenly and smiled. She said, "Here Small Lady, you can have this."
Endymion teased his wife, "I never thought I'd see the day that you would voluntarily
pass by food."
"I already had a piece" she huffed. "And I thought Small Lady would enjoy it more since
it's been a while since she's had Jupiter's cooking."
"Mama, I had Lita's cooking in the past. She was really a good cook then too."
Serenity colored slightly. "That's right. I forgot."
Endymion chuckled. "Still an odango atama after all these years."
Serenity turned even redder then narrowed her eyes at her husband. Without warning,
she threw a crumpled napkin at him. He caught it before it struck him and tossed it into
the open picnic basket. "Still throwing things at me too. Some things never change."
Just then, both noticed their daughter staring at them wide-eyed and mouth gaping.
"Something wrong, sweetie?" Serenity asked with concern.
"You're acting just like your past selves!" she burst out.
"Well, we are the same people." Serenity replied logically.
"I think Small Lady has finally recognized us with our past selves." Endymion explained.
"When she was in the past and realized that Mamoru and Usagi were her parents, she
could see the traits in them that she saw in her parents, but is now just seeing some of the
traits that are still around from the past in us."
Serenity frowned. "You mean she was able to see the future selves in our past selves, but
is now seeing the past selves in our future selves?"
Endymion beamed at his wife and pulled her into his lap. "Exactly, Usako!"
"Mamo-chan" giggled Serenity.
Chibi-usa rolled her eyes and looked away from her parents. She admired the quiet spot
where they had settled for lunch. As much as she liked the past, it didn't compare to the
beauty of Crystal Tokyo—her home.
"Small Lady" Endymion interrupted her thoughts. "Care to tell us about your adventures
through time?"
"It was hard," she said slowly. "But Usagi and Mamoru and the girls helped me. I
missed you and Mama and everyone at the palace." Chibi-usa grimaced. It was weird
talking about her parents as different people. But their future selves were very different
from who they were in the past. "I also had Luna-P to keep me company and I was able
to talk to Puu. It was neat to meet Kenji-papa and Ikuko-mama."
Endymion winced slightly at the mention of Kenji. "Anything else?"
Chibi-usa looked at the ground. "I'm sorry for taking the crystal and for causing so much
trouble." Her voice trembled slightly.
Serenity scrambled out of her husband's lap and gathered Chibi-usa in her arms.
Endymion came from behind and hugged them both.
"You're forgiven, Small Lady. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we
learn from them." Serenity comforted her.
After the family settled themselves and once the somber mood had passed, Endymion
reached over and tugged on one of Chibi-usa's pigtails.
"So, did you bring back any souvenirs?"
Chibi-usa jumped slightly, which her parents noticed. "I got something from everyone.
Do you remember what you gave me?"
"I gave you a rose." Endymion flicked his wrist and produced two roses, which he
handed one to his wife and one to his daughter. He learned in the past that in some
instances, it was best to treat them equally.
"I gave you manga." Serenity replied.
Chibi-usa sat in front of them, gently stroking the petals of her rose. Serenity and
Endymion glanced at each other. It was obvious that Chibi-usa did not want to mention
the book she brought back from the past.
"Let's clean up and head back to the palace. Small Lady, do you think you might be able
to find something to do until dinner? Your father and I have some business that we need
to attend to." Endymion raised an eyebrow in surprise at his wife but did not contradict
her. Chibi-usa's face reflected relief and excitement.
"Of course Mama. Diana and I have lots of things we can do."
The Royal family gathered their picnic items and returned to the Palace. The Senshi
greeted them at their arrival. Chibi-usa quickly asked if she could be excused to find
Diana. With a reminder to stay in the palace, Chibi-usa raced off to find her small
companion.
Jupiter removed the picnic items from Endymion's grasp and headed towards the kitchen.
Mercury and Mars watched Chibi-usa run off before turning their attention to the King
and Queen.
"Chibi-usa seems like she is in a hurry" commented Mars.
"Probably running off to read that book" responded Endymion.
"She misses Diana." Serenity said at the same time and discreetly elbowed Endymion in
the ribs. "We need to see Luna and Artemis. Ja ne." Serenity looped her arm though
Endymion's and hurried him down the hall.
"They're hiding something. I can feel it" stated Mars.
"Endymion mentioned a book. Do you think Chibi-usa brought it from the past?"
pondered Mercury.
Venus smiled and with a twinkle in her eye said brightly, "Never look at a manga
because of it's color."
Mars and Mercury shook their heads and groaned, then headed in the direction Jupiter
went moments before. Venus glanced down the hall where the Royals disappeared.
'You owe me one,' she thought with a grin, before following Mars and Mercury to the
kitchen.
Chibi-usa carefully closed the door to her bedroom and walked over to her desk. She
opened the drawer and took out "THE BOOK" as she was starting to think of it. She
jumped up onto her bed, disturbing a napping kitty. Diana opened an eye and looked at
Chibi-usa sleepily.
"Did you have a good day with your parents?"
"Yes and now I have until dinner to look through this book."
She began to turn the pages slowly, stopping occasionally to study a picture. After a
while, she turned to the front of the book and began to read the chapter headings. Her
tongue tripped over the long and unusual names. She paused at the name Atalanta for a
minute. She snapped the book shut, put Diana on top of her head between her cone-
shaped buns, tucked her book under her arm and made sure Luna-P was next to her.
With her other hand, she grabbed the small gold key that hung on a chain around her
neck, held it in the air and said,
"Guardian of Time…Chronos! Lead me! Protect me! Send me the path of light!"
By Krysia
Disclaimer: Story is original…characters are not. Truly a non-profit endeavor. {sigh}
Serenity grabbed a pillow from the bed and whacked Endymion. She then flung herself
back on the bed, hands covering her face and groaned, "We can't let the Senshi see
this!"
Chapter 4: Playing it by Ear
Sunshine peeked through the curtains at the Crystal Palace. Chibi-usa buried her face
deeper in her pillow and away from the offending light. Her hand brushed something
hard and her sleep-filled mind tried to process what could possibly be in her bed. Groping
around with her eyes still closed, Chibi-usa ran her hand across the cover of a book.
'The book!' Chibi-usa sat up quickly and tossed her pillow aside.
Diana yowled as the pillow knocked into her.
"Sorry Diana," murmured Chibi-usa absently as she placed the book in her lap and began
to turn a few pages. A quick knock at the door sent Chibi-usa bounding out of her bed
and throwing her book into one of her desk drawers. Just then, the door opened and
Serenity poked her head inside.
"Chibi-usa…are you awake?" Seeing Chibi-usa out of bed but still in her nightwear,
Serenity said, "Small Lady. Please get dressed. Your father and I are ready to eat
breakfast. We would like you to join us so we can plan our day."
"Yes Mama, I'll be right there."
Breakfast was a private affair for the royal family. Serenity had made it clear that she
still wasn't a morning person and wanted a peaceful start of her day before she had to
deal with the responsibilities of ruling a kingdom. Endymion supported his wife fully in
this matter. Life was good when it was spent with family and a hot cup of coffee.
Chibi-usa finished the last of her pancakes. Her father sat his coffee mug upon the table
and looked at his daughter. "Well, Small Lady…since this is your first full day back,
your mother and I thought we'd spend the day together as a family."
Chibi-usa's breath caught and she fought the panicky feeling that rose in her chest,
"Um..ok…papa, mama…what do you have planned?"
Serenity smiled softly at her. "Mostly, we thought we'd play it by ear."
After a few hours of walking and playing on the palace grounds, the Royal family found
a quiet spot to enjoy a picnic lunch prepared personally by Sailor Jupiter.
King Endymion leaned against a tree and watched with amusement as his wife and
daughter fought for the last piece of cake. He was amazed when Serenity stopped
suddenly and smiled. She said, "Here Small Lady, you can have this."
Endymion teased his wife, "I never thought I'd see the day that you would voluntarily
pass by food."
"I already had a piece" she huffed. "And I thought Small Lady would enjoy it more since
it's been a while since she's had Jupiter's cooking."
"Mama, I had Lita's cooking in the past. She was really a good cook then too."
Serenity colored slightly. "That's right. I forgot."
Endymion chuckled. "Still an odango atama after all these years."
Serenity turned even redder then narrowed her eyes at her husband. Without warning,
she threw a crumpled napkin at him. He caught it before it struck him and tossed it into
the open picnic basket. "Still throwing things at me too. Some things never change."
Just then, both noticed their daughter staring at them wide-eyed and mouth gaping.
"Something wrong, sweetie?" Serenity asked with concern.
"You're acting just like your past selves!" she burst out.
"Well, we are the same people." Serenity replied logically.
"I think Small Lady has finally recognized us with our past selves." Endymion explained.
"When she was in the past and realized that Mamoru and Usagi were her parents, she
could see the traits in them that she saw in her parents, but is now just seeing some of the
traits that are still around from the past in us."
Serenity frowned. "You mean she was able to see the future selves in our past selves, but
is now seeing the past selves in our future selves?"
Endymion beamed at his wife and pulled her into his lap. "Exactly, Usako!"
"Mamo-chan" giggled Serenity.
Chibi-usa rolled her eyes and looked away from her parents. She admired the quiet spot
where they had settled for lunch. As much as she liked the past, it didn't compare to the
beauty of Crystal Tokyo—her home.
"Small Lady" Endymion interrupted her thoughts. "Care to tell us about your adventures
through time?"
"It was hard," she said slowly. "But Usagi and Mamoru and the girls helped me. I
missed you and Mama and everyone at the palace." Chibi-usa grimaced. It was weird
talking about her parents as different people. But their future selves were very different
from who they were in the past. "I also had Luna-P to keep me company and I was able
to talk to Puu. It was neat to meet Kenji-papa and Ikuko-mama."
Endymion winced slightly at the mention of Kenji. "Anything else?"
Chibi-usa looked at the ground. "I'm sorry for taking the crystal and for causing so much
trouble." Her voice trembled slightly.
Serenity scrambled out of her husband's lap and gathered Chibi-usa in her arms.
Endymion came from behind and hugged them both.
"You're forgiven, Small Lady. We all make mistakes. The important thing is that we
learn from them." Serenity comforted her.
After the family settled themselves and once the somber mood had passed, Endymion
reached over and tugged on one of Chibi-usa's pigtails.
"So, did you bring back any souvenirs?"
Chibi-usa jumped slightly, which her parents noticed. "I got something from everyone.
Do you remember what you gave me?"
"I gave you a rose." Endymion flicked his wrist and produced two roses, which he
handed one to his wife and one to his daughter. He learned in the past that in some
instances, it was best to treat them equally.
"I gave you manga." Serenity replied.
Chibi-usa sat in front of them, gently stroking the petals of her rose. Serenity and
Endymion glanced at each other. It was obvious that Chibi-usa did not want to mention
the book she brought back from the past.
"Let's clean up and head back to the palace. Small Lady, do you think you might be able
to find something to do until dinner? Your father and I have some business that we need
to attend to." Endymion raised an eyebrow in surprise at his wife but did not contradict
her. Chibi-usa's face reflected relief and excitement.
"Of course Mama. Diana and I have lots of things we can do."
The Royal family gathered their picnic items and returned to the Palace. The Senshi
greeted them at their arrival. Chibi-usa quickly asked if she could be excused to find
Diana. With a reminder to stay in the palace, Chibi-usa raced off to find her small
companion.
Jupiter removed the picnic items from Endymion's grasp and headed towards the kitchen.
Mercury and Mars watched Chibi-usa run off before turning their attention to the King
and Queen.
"Chibi-usa seems like she is in a hurry" commented Mars.
"Probably running off to read that book" responded Endymion.
"She misses Diana." Serenity said at the same time and discreetly elbowed Endymion in
the ribs. "We need to see Luna and Artemis. Ja ne." Serenity looped her arm though
Endymion's and hurried him down the hall.
"They're hiding something. I can feel it" stated Mars.
"Endymion mentioned a book. Do you think Chibi-usa brought it from the past?"
pondered Mercury.
Venus smiled and with a twinkle in her eye said brightly, "Never look at a manga
because of it's color."
Mars and Mercury shook their heads and groaned, then headed in the direction Jupiter
went moments before. Venus glanced down the hall where the Royals disappeared.
'You owe me one,' she thought with a grin, before following Mars and Mercury to the
kitchen.
Chibi-usa carefully closed the door to her bedroom and walked over to her desk. She
opened the drawer and took out "THE BOOK" as she was starting to think of it. She
jumped up onto her bed, disturbing a napping kitty. Diana opened an eye and looked at
Chibi-usa sleepily.
"Did you have a good day with your parents?"
"Yes and now I have until dinner to look through this book."
She began to turn the pages slowly, stopping occasionally to study a picture. After a
while, she turned to the front of the book and began to read the chapter headings. Her
tongue tripped over the long and unusual names. She paused at the name Atalanta for a
minute. She snapped the book shut, put Diana on top of her head between her cone-
shaped buns, tucked her book under her arm and made sure Luna-P was next to her.
With her other hand, she grabbed the small gold key that hung on a chain around her
neck, held it in the air and said,
"Guardian of Time…Chronos! Lead me! Protect me! Send me the path of light!"