Sailor Moon is copyright © 1992 Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha, TOEI Animation. English Language Adaptation © 1995 DiC Entertainment
What All Need to Grow
Chapter Seven
Domestic Scenes, A Curious Savage, And Kindergarten Chaos
Molly opened her eyes and saw that it was night. One look at the clock told her that it was late – 12:06 in the morning to be precise. "I wonder if Neflyte knows that my stuff is here? He's probably relieved to be rid of me."
"Actually Molly, he's in a coma." Jessica answered softly as she walked into the room. "He saw that your things were gone and collapsed. No one has been able to wake him since."
"No! Oh Neflyte! I have to go home! Girls, I need you now!" Molly screamed in her fear. "Roghen, please take me straight to Neflyte's side. The rest of you please bring my things home. I have to go to him momma."
"I know baby. The rest know that you are on your way. Please eat something for that baby inside of you." Jessica asked as her daughter vanished.
Molly instantly rushed to her husband's side. He didn't seem to react, what if she was too late? "Neflyte? Oh … please open your eyes."
"Mol … ly." Neflyte barely groaned out. He was still alive!
"I'm so sorry!" Molly wept as she collapsed into his embrace.
Neflyte was just happy that she was back in his arms. "Please, don't leave me. I'm sorry for being harsh, but I was afraid I'd lose you and Desiree again. Forgive me?"
Molly smiled and nodded. "If you forgive me. I was so stupid!"
"No my love. Your body is confused about the baby growing in your belly. But, soon it will be used to it and these mood swings will be over with." Neflyte was just happy to have his wife in his arms again. To see her side of their closet empty had been too much of a blow.
Outside of the room the other Generals and Brooke all smiled knowingly. They all knew that Molly would come home … that is once she calmed down.
Malachite looked at the others. "I think that they are going to need some time on their own."
"I agree. Any idea how long these mood swings will last?" Zoicite asked as she cuddled in Malachite's arms.
Brooke knew that they question had been directed towards her. "Well, every woman and every pregnancy are different, but it hopefully will be over once she gets past three months. At least I hope."
"You and me both beautiful." Jedite chuckled as the four retreated to their bedrooms.
The following Saturday they were all at Serena's opening night. Molly and Neflyte were cuddling through the entire play.
Serena came out as the nurse to take Mrs. Savage to her room, overhearing the patient's earlier conversation. "We used to say 'forty needles and forty pins'. You've added ten more dirty republicans."
That ripped laughter from the audience. At the end of the play, everyone was roaring with applause when Serena came out at the curtain call. Then Mrs. Savage (Francis) came out to a lesser applauds.
Backstage, Francis snubbed Serena. "Think you can take my place in this troupe. I'll teach you, kid."
Thankfully, Darien came back before Francis could start anything. "Hey meatball head! You did great!"
"Thanks Darien."
Francis acted shy as she slipped over and pulled Darien's arm around her. "Hey Darien. How about taking me out. After all I am the lead."
"Francis, everyone is a star in this production. There is no lead. Besides I'm already going out with Serena and her family and our friends." Darien said without any waver in his voice. Then he shucked the snob's arm and pulled Serena into his arms. "Ready to go, my sweet?"
"Yeah. Let's go meet up with the others." Serena had never felt so good. That question told her that he was definitely her guy once again.
That weekend the Tsukino's hung up two carp streamers – one for Sammy and one for Darien. In their hearts the young man was still on the verge of becoming their son. The family participated in the "Kid's Olympics".
Molly woke to a treat. Neflyte had done a little research into the celebration. He already had a bath that was sprinkled with iris leaves and roots. Anything to bring health and ward off evil from his family.
And then came Mother's day. Darien spent it with the woman his heart adopted as a mom – Irene. Neflyte, the Generals, and Brooke spoilt Molly all day.
But what was better than that was the tiny voice Molly picked up. 'Mama …'
Molly gasped as Neflyte tucked a blanket around her. It worried him. "Sweetheart? Molly, what's wrong?"
"I heard our baby! She said mama!" Molly chuckled through her startled tears. 'Hi baby girl. Mama missed you so much.'
'Mama! Mama! Mama!' Desiree squealed in delight.
Neflyte chuckled with tears in his eyes. 'Hello baby girl.'
'Mama?'
Molly broke down into belly laughs at that. "She learned her first telepathic word!"
Everyone celebrated into late in the night. After that all in the group spoke to Desiree directly.
Slowly she learned "yum-yum, yucky, auny (auntie), and uny (uncle)."
Neflyte was worried that his daughter really hated him, because she hadn't yet called for him. Maybe she did hate the man he once was, and nothing he did now made a difference in that hate. What Neflyte didn't know was that his daughter was just waiting for a special day to surprise him – just as she had for her mother.
Father's day Molly woke up, hoping for this day to be special for her beloved husband. "Good morning my love. Happy Father's Day."
"Thank you my love. I doubt that it will be such though." Neflyte sighed.
"Why?" Molly said as she sat up, waking their daughter.
Desiree yawned; the time had finally come. 'Dada? Dada? Dada?'
'Desiree? Baby girl?' Neflyte fought off his tears.
'Dada! Dada! Dada!'
Molly and Neflyte chuckled through their tears. Looking up at her husband, Molly smiled. "Looks like she wanted to say it on a special day for her daddy."
"And today is all the more special for this. I love you Molly. I love you baby girl."
'Uv Dada!'
Neflyte rested his hand on Molly's belly to receive another surprise. "Molly, is that?"
She smiled and nodded. Before she got into bed, Molly had noticed that she was just starting to show. She giggled as Neflyte gently kissed the small swelling in her stomach, the place where their daughter was growing within her.
A few days later the morning was unusually sunny and dry. Mina slowly opened her eyes, and almost immediately felt something was wrong. Picking up a still sleeping Artemis (who was holding her clock), she realized how late it was. "AAH! IT'S SO LATE!"
She rushed around changing. Artemis looked at the youma – who too were shaking their heads in disbelief. "Not my fault she didn't set the alarm."
"I can't believe this! I'm gonna be so late, and I've got a math test first period! Artemis … girls, why didn't you wake me up?!" Mina snapped.
"Well, she's nowhere near the old Serena's late. I mean, back then she was the queen of tardy." Artemis chuckled.
"Faster. Maybe I can make it." Mina ordered herself.
The youma changed into their human forms and waited for Mina. A few moments later the blonde ran out of her house with her white cat fighting to keep up. She had to make it to the teleport site in less than ten minutes.
The group rounded a corner to find two bratty boys tormenting a Kindergarten girl. Looking over at her companions, Mina got their nods of agreement – this girl needed their intercession.
"Hey dweebs, what're you up to?!" The boys saw the girls and ran. Mina shook her head in disbelief. "Little maggots. Are you okay, little girl?"
The little girl stopped crying and opened her eyes. "Huh? You really freaked those guys out, didn't ya?"
"Uh . . . guess . . . that was the idea." Mina shrugged.
The girl looked up with wide eyes. "Can you help me? I'm so late, I'm afraid I'm gonna miss my school bus."
"Really like to, kid, but we're late too." Mina explained.
The girl's bottom lip trembled. "Pretty please."
"I'm sorry, sweetie." Mina shook her head.
The little girl started crying again. "Wah! You gotta! I'll never get there on my own."
Mina shook her head. "Emotional blackmail. It works."
"Ah, I think that we can get her to the bus stop and get where we have to go in time … that is if we really hurry, Mina." One of the girls interjected.
Nodding, Mina put the girl on her back and they all ran. They made it just in time, leaving Mina gasping for breath. "We made it."
"Bye, bye!" The little girl waved from the back of the bus with a smile on her little face.
The group waved back. Mina smiled. "Well, at least she's gonna make it to school."
"I'll say. At this rate, you would be lucky if you get there before lunch without the girls' help." Artemis pointed out.
"Who needs lunch?" Mina laughed. And then she remembered the ticking clock. "Run for it!"
In minutes the girls were in the teleport zone. Once they scanned the area for anyone that might be watching, the youma teleported Mina to school with less than two minutes for her to get to class. "Thanks girls. See ya later!"
Mina and the girls didn't get out of school until late that afternoon, but as always Artemis was there waiting on them. The same little girl from that morning was being bullied again.
That had Mina's blood boiling. "It's that same maggot kid again."
"We'd better help her." Artemis added. He too disliked bullies, remembering all the torment that poor Mina had as a kid.
"Hey, back off, brats!" All of them rushed over. "Leave her alone, ya little amoebas!"
The little girls eyes lit up. "Hey, it's you again!"
"Don't you have anything better to do than bug us, you old bags?!" The main bully snapped.
"Us? Old bags?" Mina sneered.
"Yeah, smelly, crinkled-up old lunch bags. So what's your problem?" A second boy agreed.
"Yeah, the four of ya having a hard time getting a date?" The third boy jeered.
One of the youmas step forward. "You three having trouble finding friends?"
"Kim, it's alright. YOU THREE REALLY ANNOY US!" Mina glared at the boys. That sent them running for their lives.
The girls all sneered at the boys when they turned around to see if they had been chased. That sent the boys running again.
Mina shook her head. "Little pustules. What's the matter with kids these days?"
"Spoken like a true old bag." Artemis commented to himself.
"Hey, thanks again." The little girl smiled up at them. She was really adorable.
"Anytime, kid. No problem. What's your name, by the way?" Mina asked.
"Me name's Kary, and I go to the kindergarten around the corner."
"My name's Mina, these are Kim, Heather, and Gina, and this is my cat, Artemis." She introduced the group. Artemis meowed at the mention of his name.
"Nice to meet all of you. Artemis is so cute." Kary smiled as she petted the white cat's head.
"Hey, you're a fan of Sailor Moon, aren't ya?" Mina asked after noticing the Sailor Moon pin on Kary's jacket.
"You bet."
Mina grinned at that. "Great. Are you a fan of Sailor Venus, too?"
"Never heard of her." Kary answered honestly.
That nonetheless hurt Mina's pride. Of course the stifled chuckles from the girls did nothing to help it. "Oh, that's way harsh."
"What's it say about me?" Artemis thought to himself. He had to be doing a really lousy job; no wonder Luna hated him so much.
The group went over to a bench and talked. Kary wanted to know if Sailor Moon was real. Mina meant well by encouraging Kary to believe, but she went over board with it. In the end she agreed to help the kid convince her classmates that Sailor Moon was real – talk about a mountain of a task!
The next afternoon, after all of those gathered were updated on baby Desiree, Jedite showed an article from the newspaper he had been reading before the group arrived. "There's been another Kindergarten bus attack over on the east side of town."
"This is the tenth bus attack this week." Luna shook her head. It felt so frustrating.
Raye was frustrated too, but worried for the little kids as well. "Poor little tikes. They must've been terrified."
"I'd love to get my hands on whoever's doing this." Lita growled while Amy tapped busily on her computer.
Zoicite looked up at her friend. "We all know who is doing it. Why don't we just take care of them already?"
"Because." It had come from Neflyte, who was protectively covering Molly's belly – as if worried that their unborn daughter was the next target. "We don't know if that address they gave the school is their base of operations, and we have no idea what might be in there."
"Neflyte is right. We are going to have to take this step by step. The first thing that has to be done is end these school bus attacks." Malachite rested his hand on Zoicite's shoulder. His love had very little patience when it came to the enemy.
"Luna, I think I've figured out where they're going to strike next time." Amy said.
This stunned Luna. "You have? Well, come on. Out with it."
"Well, there's been a definite pattern in all these attacks. Next time, it'll be a south side kindergarten." Amy reported.
Jedite used his mind to scan the area. "Only three there."
"Okay, let's go over there right now and scope out the situation." Lita agreed, glad to be doing something other than talking about their enemies.
Molly started to get up and join the group as they started out. Neflyte turned around with a look on his face that told her that he wasn't going to back down. "Molly, you are not coming with us."
"We're only going to look around." Molly whimpered as she felt the tears welling up in her eyes.
He hated when she got like this. If only he knew what was making her feel this way. "And we know this is the area that will be hit next. Molly, I can't put you and Desiree in that kind of danger."
"I'll stay with Molly, and that way she won't have her mind constantly on the mission." Zoicite offered.
"But …" Molly began to object, until Serena interrupted. "I think it is a good idea. It will keep you calm, Molly."
Molly looked down at the floor dejectedly. "I feel so useless."
"Oh Molly, if I remember correctly you are the only one of us to have ever really hurt Jet." Zoicite offered.
Malachite smiled. "And this is one part of your life you were looking forward to … remember?"
"More importantly, you are going to need your rest. In a few months you will need all the strength you can muster to birth Desiree." Amy pointed out.
"Amy's right my love. Now will you please stay here?" Neflyte rubbed his wife's cheeks with his thumbs before laying a soft but passionate kiss on her lips.
"Alright. But, you be careful." Molly warned before giving back as good as her husband had given her.
"Be home soon babe. See ya." Neflyte and the others left Molly and Zoicite home.
Mina however had spent the afternoon at the kindergarten trying to convince the little kids that Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus both really existed. Gods, she was so borderline of just transforming right in front of the jaded cynics to show them how wrong all of them were!
Their teacher, Mrs. Wright, showed up just in time to prevent that. It was time for the kids to load up on the bus, but she wasn't able to ride the kids' bus for some reason. Seeing as she needed to grab a bus ride home anyway, she agreed to escort the kids home.
Serena, her youma, Luna, Brooke, and Jedite noticed the bus as it was getting ready to leave. Instantly Luna saw the situation. "Isn't that the kindergarten bus?"
"Yeah, it is, but how are we ever going to get on it? They probably don't let strangers just hitch a ride." Serena mumbled as she thought about it.
"Well, that's where the Luna Pen comes in." Luna explained.
Brooke smiled over at Serena. "Yeah. You can come up with some disguise to get on it!"
"Ooh, why does it always have to be me? Why can't it be somebody else?" Serena complained bitterly – flake mode was obviously active at this time.
Luna was frustrated. This was not the best of times for the old Serena to show up. "Serena . . ."
"Princess, you are the only one who can activate the Luna Pen. And you are best at solving puzzles in a pinch." Jedite warmed her over.
"Okay, I suppose so. I just hope I don't get slimed by some sleaze ball from the Negaverse!" Serena finally relented.
Luna didn't know why this had to happen now. "Serena . . ."
"If anything goes wrong send out a distress call and we'll be there in a blink." Brooke nodded with a proud gleam in her eyes.
"Okay, okay. DISGUISE POWER! Change me into a wicked cool kindergarten teacher!" Serena shouted as she raised the Luna Pen over her head.
The bus had started by the time she was done transforming. Quickly coming up with an accent (all those hours working on theater with Darien didn't seem to have gone to waste) she hailed the bus down. "Hey, stop the bus. Uh, sorry I'm late. I'm the new substitute teacher. Can I get a ride with you?"
Inside, Mina recognized Serena with little trouble. "What's this? Is that you, Serena?"
"Mina, what are you doing here?"
After the bus started moving, the two girls quickly went over the situation. Mina was worried. Even if most of the kids had been rude and obnoxious. "So Amy thinks this bus might get hit?"
"Yeah, let's hope she's wrong." Serena sighed.
To keep themselves and the kids busy, the girls got them all singing 'The Wheels on the Bus'. Really fast, Artemis got sick of the singing and thought to himself. "Hmm, the Negaverse might be doing us a favor attacking this bus."
Along the way, the bus went through a tunnel, and the Cardian called Vulturos was waiting on them. The girls barely registered that something was wrong when the Cardian crashed through the windshield and drained the driver.
Serena, Mina, and Artemis all moved to protect the kids. Serena wasn't about to let these kids get in the middle of this. "Back off, you big French fly."
"Oh Mina, I'm so scared!" Kary whimpered up to her older friend.
Finally these kids were going to get their live proof, and Kary would soon be introduced to Sailor Venus, or at least hopefully. "Don't you worry. Help's on the way. SHE'S coming."
"Who's she?" Kary was so scared she didn't quite catch onto what Mina meant.
Seeing this, Mina decided to be a little more blunt. "Your favorite: Sailor Moon, in person."
"Sailor Moon? Here?!" Kary gasped.
Serena heard it and smiled, so she had a little fan on board. That piece of Negatrash had just boarded the wrong bus! "That's right. Any minute now. Sailor Moon will always be there when you need help."
When the monster started to stalk near the group Serena and Artemis charged at it, but it knocked the pair off of the bus. Serena didn't hear Mina's call. Thankfully the kids were too busy focusing on the monster. "This getting mashed around is no fun. Sailor Moon time. MOON CRYSTAL POWER!"
Vulturos continued to stalk the kids on the bus. "Your energy is all mine."
"Wanna make a bet on that, vulture-breath?" Sailor Moon was standing there glaring at the Cardian. "You've been circling around these poor little kids long enough, and I'm here to tell ya, your flight plans have been permanently cancelled. You need your feathers plucked, and I'm gonna do it."
Kary gasped in shock. Her heroine was really there, just like Mina said she would be! "It's Sailor Moon!"
"You mean she IS real?!" Came from the older boy who had been teasing Kary about the superhero just that day.
Sailor Moon turned and smiled at the kids. "Be right with ya." And then she glared back at the monster. "It's time you got your wings clipped."
"Not likely." The monster spat as her sent out powerful whirlwinds that tossed Sailor Moon around. She was going to need back up and fast!
"Kary, I don't think Sailor Moon can beat this bird. Doesn't look too good now." Her tormenter confided to the younger girl, but Kary's faith in the blonde warrior wasn't even shaken. She looked at the boy and said, "just watch."
Mina was grateful that the kids were all absorbed with the battle. Her friend needed help and fast … and there was no telling when the rest would arrive. "I've gotta help Sailor Moon."
And that was no understatement! The monster tossed her against the side of the bus. "Let's clip those ponytails now."
Suddenly Kary was scared. "Sailor Moon!"
"VENUS CRESCENT BEAM CRASH!"
The beam knocked the monster back, thankfully. Sailor Moon looked up on top of the bus to gratefully spy her friend. "Sailor Venus, you're here."
"Wow. Is that really Sailor Venus?" Once again Kary was stunned, but so too was the boy who had teased her and Mina at school that day about it – now he too was a believer. "It's gotta be!"
Venus smiled at her friend. "I'm here to help you."
"Just in time." Sailor Moon sighed gratefully. She really needed the back up.
"Oh no. It's back. My Crescent Beam didn't work on it. Guess I'll try it again." Venus tried to settle her nerves. She knew Kary and the kids were expecting the battle to be won fast, but it was different this time – she could feel it.
"Be my guest." Vulturos sneered as he sent whirlwinds at Sailor Venus.
"VENUS CRESCENT BEAM SMASH!"
But this time the monster knew what to expect. He deflected the beam with its wrist bracelet, and then sent Venus flying. The kids cried out for their newest hero.
"How about taking on us?" Came a deep and gravelly voice. It was Neflyte! The Scouts and the three Generals were all there.
One of Kary's younger teasers glared at the girl and her friend Lisa – mostly at Lisa, because the girl adored the Generals. "I told you there were only three Generals!"
"I know there's a girl General! I know it!" Lisa snapped. She knew the lady would come. After all Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus had.
One after another, the group sent their strongest attacks. But they were each knocked back. Finally, Vulturos pinned them all down with stronger whirlwinds. It looked like they were going to get beat!
"Sailor Scouts! Sailor Generals! Get up and fight!" The kids shouted out.
"Zoi!" was heard before razor sharp cherry blossom petals attacked the Cardian. Zoicite had arrived.
Lisa squealed in delight. "I knew it! I knew it! I knew it! See Bobby, there is a girl General!"
Neflyte however wasn't as happy to see his friend. 'I thought that you were going to take care of Molly, Zoicite.'
'Would you prefer that it was she standing up to this monster? She threatened to transform and run here if I didn't come to watch out for her man. Sorry old friend, but this was the only way to make her happy.' Zoicite explained a split second before she too was knocked down by Vulturos' whirlwind attack.
"Please be Careful!" Lisa cried out.
"Looks like you have a young fan, my Zoicite." Malachite was barely able to groan out with a pain filled chuckle.
"There's gotta be some way to pluck this bird." Venus shouted.
But the monster felt otherwise. "You're done for."
Kary and Lisa called out to Venus and Zoicite. All hope seemed to be lost. And then the white rose planted itself in the ground right in front of Vulturos, breaking off the monster's attack. Moon and Venus were the first to register what the flower meant and spotted who threw it standing on the rear of the bus. "The Moonlight Knight."
"Even in the darkest tunnel, you'll find some light. It's deep inside yourself. Believe in it, and you'll see it." He gently spoke to the group fighting for the youngsters on the bus.
"Just believe in ourselves?" Venus asked. It seemed too hard to believe that anything could be that simple.
"Why not?" The Moonlight Knight shrugged his shoulders and then pointed to the busload of kids looking out at the group in adoration. "There are many others who already believe in all of you."
"Sailor Scouts! Sailor Generals! We really believe in you! You can do it! Help save us! Just believe in yourselves! Come on, Sailor Venus!" The kids all shouted as loud as their tiny lungs would allow.
"Time to stand up and protect the future. I learned a lot from these little kids. Believe in yourself, and nobody can beat you." That gave Venus access to a new strength and power that had been hidden within her all along. "VENUS . . . METEOR . . . SHOWER!"
The shower of light trapped Vulturos and trapped him in an energy field! Everyone was stunned, but no more than Venus herself. She looked over at her friends and shrugged. "Cool new trick, huh?"
"Sure was. Now, I'll finish him off." Sailor Moon stood with her own faith and strength renewed. She summoned her Moon Scepter with all the guts and confidence she had gained since being found to be the Moon Princess. "MOON SCEPTER ELIMINATION!"
As the monster reduced back to its card it cried out, "I'm disintegrated . . ."
Moon smiled with her head held high. "Nope. You're dusted."
As the card fades to black, the kids jumped up and down cheering. "Yahoo! Way to go, Sailor Moon!"
"See what a great power believing in yourself can be? There's no greater strength, Sailor Scouts, Generals. Farewell." And then the Moonlight Knight was gone.
Neflyte sent a message to a hurting Sailor Moon. 'I can't explain this, my Princess. But, I know that was Prince Darien. Even if you have seen them both at the same time, somehow I know that they are one in the same.'
'I wish we could explain it or at least confirm it. I miss my old muffin so much!'
Venus was still in shock. "And now, I have a whole new power."
"That's right . . ." Artemis said as he and Luna stepped closer to the group of warriors so that the children wouldn't hear them.
"Hmm?" Venus looked over at her guardian cat.
". . . and you certainly use it well, Venus."
Moon shrugged off her heartbreak and smiled happily for her friend. "She was fabulous."
"Ah, but there's an even stronger power." Artemis pointed out.
Kary's voice could just be heard over all of the other kids who were all cheering and laughing. "Yeah! Way to go, guys! Way to go! You did it! Yeah!"
"They're great. You can learn a lot from kids, you know?" Venus smiled. She had sure learned a lot that day.
"We'd better go, before they tear that bus apart." Artemis warned.
But Zoicite noticed a sad face being picked on. "Wait, look at that."
The others noticed it too. Venus was disappointed to say the least. "Not already!"
They barely picked up on the taunt. "Told you there isn't a planet called Solaris so there isn't a Scout called Solaris!"
"I know there is, and I don't care what you think Jimmy!" The little girl looked as if she was about to break down into tears any second.
The group knew that they had to intercede this time, but only having Molly transform and show up would do any good. The decision was agreed on and Neflyte left to talk to Molly.
Molly was all too happy to be able to transform again after so long. But, knowing that there was a little girl who looked up to her, that made it all the better.
Moon was the first to get on the bus of rowdy kids. "Okay everyone. Can you find your seat fast?"
That settled the kids down as they waited to see what was going to happen next. Zoicite sat beside the little girl they had all noticed before and saw that her bottom lip was trembling. "What wrong little one?"
"Jimmy said that there isn't a Sailor Solaris, but I know there is. He won't leave me alone about it because she wasn't here." A single tear ran down the girl's cheek only to be caught by Malachite.
Zoicite smiled and knew how wonderful a father he would be. Her heart swelled with more pride as he spoke to the little girl with such tenderness. "Well, I can tell you that you are right and Jimmy is wrong. And you know what else?"
"What?" The little girl's pent up weeping seemed to rapidly diminish as she listened to the ashen blonde man's words.
"General Neflyte went to go get her so you could meet her. That is if that would be okay."
The girl giggled and bounced in her seat with joy. "Yea, I knew I was right!"
"Then why isn't there a planet called Solaris?" Jimmy asked accusingly. He just knew that he was right.
Moon sat beside him and fought to stay calm as she explained. "Well, a very long time ago, there was an evil Queen called Beryl. She used her magic to throw it and all of its people into the sun. That's why its not on any maps or charts."
"That was mean! What happened to Beryl?" Jimmy asked.
Moon decided that the story had to be shared. And noticing that all the kids were silently waiting for her answer, now seemed to be the perfect time to tell it. "Well, the good Queen of the Moon Kingdom, Queen Serenity, she locked Beryl away in a place called the Negaverse."
That frightened Kary. "What if she gets out?"
Venus took up the story next. "She already did."
Kary shuttered as she snuggled close to Venus. "I'm scared."
"Well you don't have to be." Mars smiled.
"Why?" All of them asked at the same time.
Moon was proud to finish the story. "Because all of us together moon dusted her."
The bus erupted with cheers.
That was when Zoicite noticed a couple coming towards the bus. She whispered into the ear of the little girl they were there to help. "I think someone is here."
The child gasped and giggled. "I knew it! She is real!"
Without asking she got up and ran off the bus straight into the arms of a smiling Solaris. The Scout was overwhelmed for a moment, but her husband was able to keep her steady. "So you're my little fan, hum?"
"Oh yes! I knew you were real! Oh and I got to meet you too! Mommy and daddy will never believe this!"
Solaris smiled. "So what's your name?"
"Ashley."
While they were having their conversation, Jedite saw that the little girl beside him was sad. "Is something wrong?"
"I have no one to tell about this to. I'm going back to the orphanage after I get to my foster parents' house today." She looked as if the tears were about to break free.
It tore at Jedite's heart. Just as their Prince had in this life, he had been raised in an orphanage. Jedite remembered how the King's previous Generals had come looking for boys who wanted to become soldiers.
He remembered how it looked like he wouldn't be given the chance. Then he heard the screams for help.
The other boys had been yelling too loud for the adults to hear it, and it would take too long to get help. Jedite decided that he had to do whatever he could.
It was Eirian again! Couldn't that girl stay out of trouble for one day?
She was barely hanging onto a branch high in the tree. Then she slipped, but was barely able to catch the last branch. Still it was high up in the air for a five year old. Jedite saw the girls just staring at her.
"What are you girls doing just standing there? Azura, go get one of the grown ups and fast! The rest of you go get that blanket, bring it over here and pull it tight so Eirian can land on it." He ordered with the natural grace of a leader.
Next he climbed up the tree and had the girl use his body like a rope to slide down to the blanket safely. Once Eirian was safe, Jedite started to work his way to the trunk of the tree (the thorns ripping open his hands on the way). Suddenly he was pulled off the tree completely.
Jedite didn't know that one of the Generals had been eyeing him up. Varden had followed the boy to see what had taken the obviously interested boy away from the testing. He had watched the child show skills a good leader needed – decisiveness, calm, courage, and the ability to make others follow orders. Varden didn't need to see any more, this boy he would sponsor and teach himself.
"Come boy. You have to have those hand healed before your lessons can begin."
That floored Jedite. He hadn't gone through the testing, but was still chosen? Still he knew not to question the decision of a High Guardian General – especially his personal hero, Varden. "Yes sir."
On the transport, Jedite sat near the window as the healer worked on his hands. Jasper was fuming across the isle. "Freak gets in without testing. That doesn't seem fair."
Jedite didn't pay any attention to the brat he now had to work with as a Guardian Warrior. He watched as the rest of the boys were turned away, his best friend included. "Neflyte."
"Oh, poor Neflyte! Grow up girly boy. I may be stuck with you, but you don't see me complaining do ya? The idiot talks to himself for Maker's sake!" Jasper hissed.
"He talks to the stars, Jasper. You are only jealous because you can't do that!" Jedite snapped as he watched his friend's hurt face. Neflyte hadn't even been given the chance to prove himself.
Jasper wasn't ready to relent. "He pretends dummy! You can't talk to the stars! Heck, he pretended to do it in the middle of the day, when you can't even see the stars!"
That was when General Tarek stormed up. "All I have heard from you is bragging and complaining, boy. Perhaps you will make a warrior when you learn control and humility. Follow me now!"
Jasper glared at Jedite. "I'll get you for this one day brat!"
"You wish." Jedite growled to himself.
From inside the vehicle, Jedite saw Tarek stop the ladies who ran the orphanage. He wasn't able to hear what was being said, but when he saw his friend's startled face Jedite knew that Neflyte was being called forth.
Neflyte swallowed back his fear and walked with poise to the High Guardian General Leader. He looked over at Jedite with a look of surprise. Obviously Tarek had told him of Jedite and Jasper's argument on the stars. Neflyte was put through the tests and was glared at from start to finish by Tarek.
Then Varden came up to his pupil. "Tarek commands your presence, Jedite."
Knowing not to ignore the Leader's commands, Jedite followed his teacher to the testing area.
It felt strange standing before his friend, who looked like he was about to run (though only Jedite knew that – the rest thought Neflyte looked unworried).
Tarek glared down at Jedite with a hard eye. "You say this boy can hear the stars?"
"Yeah, most of the time. He got them to help us find Eirian when she got lost once in the woods." Jedite saw his friend's eyes begging him to stop.
Neflyte told him later that the stars hadn't answered him in a week (of course he was asking the same question – if he would be chosen – again and again). Tarek glared harder over at Neflyte. "Boy, I sent the stars a message. Call on them and tell me what they tell you."
Jedite hoped beyond hoped that Neflyte would succeed.
Neflyte focused towards the blue skies above them. "Stars, please tell me what to say."
After five minutes, Jasper started to snicker. Neflyte firmed his stance it seemed, and drew his focus tighter. Under his breath he begged once more. "Please tell me stars."
'Dear child, have no fear. You have not been able to hear us because you began to doubt your powers. We told you again and again that you would be tested this day, and you have passed. The answer you are seeking is four.' The stars sent loud and clear.
Neflyte smiled and swallowed away the tears he felt fighting for release. "They say that the answer you are wanting is four."
"Did they tell you of my decision of your testing?" Tarek pressed on further.
Neflyte smiled and nodded. "They told me that I have passed."
Jasper growled at that. "Stuck up dummy! Just because you pretend that they said that don't make it true!"
"Silence!" Tarek roared. "It is true that the answer is four. And part of what I sent them was that you have indeed passed. Join your friend on the transport ship, Guardian Warrior Neflyte."
That was the first day of their amazing life.
Returning to the present, Jedite smiled on the child leaning against him. He couldn't let this angel go on being unwanted or unloved. "What is your name little one?"
"Jayde."
"Well, I think that we will have to do something about that – won't we, Jayde?" Jedite smiled down on the little angel.
"Huh?"
"You'll see. Keep this and I promise it's mate will find you, and you'll know who it is." Jedite hung one half of a necklace around the child's neck. With its match it looked like a vine twisted in the shape of a heart.
The next day, Mina met up with Kary again. The little girl still couldn't get over how she had been proven right the best of ways!
"Mina, Sailor Moon is really powerful, isn't she?"
Mina smiled. It didn't hurt that her leader was more popular, much. "Yup, she sure is."
"But so is Sailor Venus. She'll be my favorite from now on. I wanna be as smart as she is when I grow up. I wanna be as strong as her, and . . . and um . . ." Kary rattled off.
As annoying as that could be, Mina felt her heart soar. She wasn't just a backup, she was important too.
Jayde frowned as she trudged her way from the bus stop to the front steps of the orphanage. It wasn't as bad as the last one, but there were more kids. How was she going to get adopted if no one gave her a chance?
She was surprised when she saw a man leaning against the railing in front of her orphanage. It looked like he was waiting for someone.
Jayde shrunk in on herself and started to climb up around him. "Haven't forgotten your new necklace have you?"
"Huh? How did you know about that?" Jayde was scared.
Then she saw a chain hanging from the man's hand … with a half pendant that looked just like hers'! Looking up at him, she finally recognized him as the Scout General Jedite! He was there, but why?
"I told you that its mate would find you. Don't you think it's a little crowded in there?" Jedite smiled as he took the pendant off the chain in his hand, and fixed it back with the piece Jayde wore around her neck.
Jayde nodded, not really knowing what he meant. "Yeah, but my folks didn't want me anymore so they told the first orphanage I lived in to give to whoever they wanted."
Seeing that his little angel was on the verge of crying, Jedite decided then and there to do whatever it took to make her his own child. "Then let's go see if they would mind you moving in with my fiancée and me."
"Really? You mean you want me to keep?" Jayde didn't know what to think. She had been picked before and the adults always told her that they wanted to see if would work out – but it never did.
"If you want to, but we're not going to force you." Jedite was afraid that he wasn't what the little girl wanted in a father.
Jayde squealed in joy and leapt into Jedite's arms. "Oh, I'd like that a lot! Thank you!"
An hour of calmly arguing the point of how many children there were in the building and how they wanted the child, the director agreed to give the couple a chance. Jayde walked out of the building between Brooke and Jedite with the brightest smile on her face ever.
I had to give Jedite and Neflyte a little history! So, how was this? No more until I get three reviews of my original fic! I hate to be mean, but I really want to know if I should chuck it or keep working on it.