Thanks for all of your feedback, it really means a lot to me. This chapter is dedicated to the person (I won't give out names) whom I have been debating with via e-mail- Vegeta vs. Mars should please you. Again, none of these characters belong to me. I'd love to claim Trunks, but I can't. L * cries * Oh well, here goes the story.
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They walked hand in hand down the corridors to Chibi-Usa's room, going slowly, trying to make this magical evening last as long as possible. Finally, they reached the doors of Princess Serenity's chambers.
"Trunks," said Chibi-Usa as she looked into his blue eyes, "this evening was wonderful."
Trunks smiled down at the princess.
"For a girl with strange hair," he replied, "You're not too bad."
They laughed as they drew near to one another, embracing.
"It's late," Chibi-Usa said sadly, "I should get to bed."
"Of course," said Trunks. He pulled her close and kissed her again, "Good night, my Princess."
"Good night," said Chibi-Usa as she walked into her room.
Trunks sighed as he watched her enter her room. He just couldn't understand tonight, but it didn't matter to him. This was the first time he had ever felt so complete. It was as if Serenity filled a void inside of him. `Is this what love is like?' wondered the prince.
Trunks heard a creak, and looked up just as a large, dark object fell on him.
"Hey!" he yelled.
He shielded himself from the unidentified falling object and got into a fighting stance. Who would dare attack him in these halls?
The dark lump on the floor began to move and stand up.
Trunks sighed in relief as he realized that this wasn't an unidentified falling object at all, it was a very identifiable falling Goten, who seemed completely incapacitated with laughter in his current state.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" demanded Trunks.
Goten looked at his friend and gave the traditional "Son" smile and laughed.
"Soorrryy, um, well," Goten searched for words, "I can't remember your name right now, but I know you're my best friend, even if you won't stop spinning around with the room."
Trunks looked at his friend uncomprehending.
"What are you talking about, Goten," asked Trunks, still cross from the incident, "I'm not moving, and how could you forget your best friend's name?"
Goten hiccupped.
"I could tell you if you'd stop spinning..." said the woozy Saiya-Jin.
The light of comprehension finally shone upon Trunks as his friend staggered around the room.
"Goten!" exclaimed Trunks, half-horrified, half-amused, "You're drunk!"
Goten attempted to stand up again, but just fell to his feet.
"I'm not drunk!" argued the intoxicated warrior, "You're drunk!"
Trunks rolled his eyes and laughed as he walked over to pick up his friend.
"Here let me help you," said Trunks with a sigh. He reached down to help his friend up.
"No, no, no," slurred Goten, "I can't stand on my own by myself without your help, wait, oh never mind." He paused, trying to think of a way to prove his capability to walk. "There is no blood in my alcohol!" concluded Goten.
Trunks started laughing so hard he fell to the ground.
Goten's face lit up.
"You see!" said Goten, "I told you that you were drunk! We, I mean, you, can't even stand up!"
Trunks wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes as he helped his friend to his feet.
"Come on, Goten," said Trunks, "You can seep in my room tonight. I don't think you should fly home in this condition."
Goten started to protest until his friend picked him up and drug him to his bedroom.
"Wait," said Goten, starting to fall fast asleep, "I should tell my mom..."
"She'll know where you are," said Trunks. However, Goten didn't hear him, he had finally drifted off.
Trunks smiled down at his friend, leave it to Goten to discover alcohol at a royal ball. Trunks hoped, for his friend's sake that Chi-Chi didn't find out about her youngest son's discovery.
As the Saiya-Jin prince grabbed a blanket and laid down on one of the plush couches, he himself began to drift off.
"Serenity..." mumbled Trunks as he drifted into sleep.
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Saturn sat by herself while most of the other guests danced the night away. She had refused to dance with anybody else since she had been with Goten. She considered a second dance with him, but he already had his hands full trying to stand up and look sober. Saturn sighed, the person she had really wanted to get to know better this evening was occupied with her best friend. She didn't understand how Chibi-Usa could be rude to the best looking guy at the party and still end up kissing him. Saturn crossed her arms. After a few moments of sitting alone, she decided to leave.
She said her goodbyes to King Endymion, Neo-Queen Serenity, and the rest of the sailor senshi and went back to her room. As she turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of Trunks kissing Chibi-Usa good night. Settling into what was unmistakably a scowl, Saturn's face betrayed her true feelings about the Trunks/ Chibi-Usa pairing. She knew she shouldn't be jealous, and that she usually had much more luck when it came to attracting men, but it wasn't fair that the one she actually wanted disobeyed the status quo.
She slammed her bedroom door, slid into her nightgown, and threw herself upon the bed. A tear slid down her alabaster cheek as she closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep.
"Hotaru...." Whispered a voice somewhere in her room.
"Who's there?" demanded Saturn as she sat up suddenly, "Show yourself, or you'll regret it."
"You are not ready to see me, yet," replied the mysterious voice.
"Really?" she asked, her hand summoning her glaive, "If you don't start at least explaining who you are and what you're doing in my room, I'll be forced to do something unpleasant."
The voice let out a low hiss
"Let's just say that I am an old friend," replied the voice, "Hotaru, listen to me, I'm here to help you."
"I don't need any help with anything," said Saturn defiantly, "Now go, before I destroy you."
"I shall return later, Hotaru," said the voice, "if you need anything, or anyONE, call, and I'll be there..." said the voice trailing off.
Saturn felt the presence leave. `What was that all about she wondered?'
The princess went back to her bed and nestled into the down covers, only tonight, she decided she'd sleep with her glaive, in case anything else came to disturb her.
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King Vegeta smirked in his sleep. Everything was perfect; he had just finished beating the daylights out of Kakarot while the entire Saiya-Jin race watched. Vegeta sighed contentedly. However, basking in his glory was suddenly interrupted by a far off noise.
"...ta...Vegeta," said the voice.
"Mmmmm," mumbled the king, "off with its head..."
"VEGETA!!" Roared a now familiar voice.
"For heaven's sake, woman!" yelled Vegeta as he awoke with a start, "what do you want? Can't you see I was trying to sleep?"
"Yes, I've been seeing your sorry hide sleep for the past 10 minutes while I've tried to get you up!" replied Bulma, "A messenger is here and has something for you."
Vegeta growled and wrapped himself in a robe.
"What do you want?" said Vegeta grouchily.
The messenger trembled as he saw Vegeta glaring down at him.
"Ummm, you... your r-r-royal m-m-majesty," stammered the boy, "I have a message for y-you."
"Well quit wasting my time and hand it over," demanded the king.
The boy hastily handed he envelope to the king. Vegeta snatched it out of the messenger's hand.
"Now go away before I tear you apart," said Vegeta.
The messenger, not doubting that the Saiya-Jin really could tear him limb from limb, practically ran out of the door.
Bulma rolled her eyes.
"Was that really necessary?" she asked her husband.
"Don't bother me, woman," replied Vegeta, reading the note.
"What does it say?" asked Bulma after a few minutes.
"Hmm, the queen with the weird hair wants us to go on a tour of the kingdom with her today."
"Excellent," said Bulma, "I've been wanting to see this place since it became Crystal Tokyo."
"Have a good time," said Vegeta, starting back to bed, "wake me up when you get back."
"What?!?!" exclaimed Bulma, "If you think that you're not coming, too, you've got another thing coming, mister."
Vegeta and Bulma began their traditional stare down, of course the first one to back down had to bear the burden of letting the other get their way. Vegeta was always surprised at how scary his wife could be. His glare was notorious for giving people nightmares well into their adult years, but his was nothing compared to his wife's. In the heat of competition, Vegeta finally gave up.
"Fine," he seceded, "have it your way, woman."
Bulma smiled, "Now get dressed."
As Vegeta pulled on his armor, began to think this stupid tour might not be too bad. He had seen last night that the ridiculously dressed sailor senshi, the queen's protectors, rarely left her side. Vegeta smirked. Perhaps he would invite the Mars-brat to spar with him today. He imagined flinging her by her hair into space. Maybe today would prove better than yesterday.
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"Usagi," argued Rei, "He's a jerk! He's overconfident, loud-mouthed, and hot-headed!"
"Whom do you presume to be describing, Rei," asked Neo-Queen Serenity, "Yourself or the Saiya-Jin king."
Mars glared at Serenity.
"You know," said Mars in frustration, "I think I liked you better when you were too ditzy to argue back."
Neo-Queen Serenity smiled at her senshi, "Let's just say this is a way to develop your virtue of patience."
"Patience!?!?!" bellowed Mars, "I AM THE VERY * SOUL * OF PATIENCE!!"
Everybody within earshot, which included about half the palace, began to laugh at Rei's comment.
Neo-Queen Serenity turned to her friend and spoke with an unusual glint of steel in her voice.
"You will go today, Mars," said Serenity, her eyes flashing with anger, "It would look very tacky if all of the other senshi were there except for you and I will not tolerate your absence casting a shadow on today. You are going and that is final."
Rei's eyes went wide as she heard Serenity speak. She could never get over hearing her friend speak in such a manner. Of course, Mars knew she had lost and would be forced to go. She stalked off towards the palace doors. Only to run into (literally) the one person she didn't really want to see. She looked up and saw a mass of spiky hair, dark, furrowed eyebrows, and an infuriating smirk.
"You really disappoint me," taunted Vegeta, "just when I think your clothes are making a change for the better, here you go walking around in a fuku, a sailor top, puffy bows, and heels. Don't you get embarrassed walking around like that?"
Mars glared.
"Don't push me, angle-brain," retorted Mars, "I don't fell like getting my daily dose of idiocy from you, today."
Vegeta laughed.
"You're always all talk, but never any action," countered Vegeta.
"I'll give you your `action' any day of the week, just say when," fumed Mars.
Vegeta's smirk deepened, he had finally gotten what he wanted.
"How about now?"
Mars attempted to hide her surprise at his willingness. She really hadn't meant for him to take her up on the offer. However, she felt compelled to show the Saiya-Jin jerk a lesson.
"Fine," said Mars, "You!" bellowed Mars to a nearby servant, "Make sure the outdoor arena is prepared."
"Yes, princess," said the man.
"You have three minutes," stated Mars, "and one of them is already gone."
Trying to avoid getting fried, the man tripled his pace as he ran to the arena.
Neo-Queen Serenity frowned, stood up from her throne and looked at Mars.
"Mars, no, I will not have you fighting with my guests," said the queen.
Rei began to protest until Vegeta spoke up.
"Trust me," said the king, "it's my pleasure."
"Oh, Vegeta," sighed Bulma, exasperated once again by the antics of her husband.
"I cannot risk your safety," replied Neo-Queen Serenity.
Both Bulma and Vegeta laughed.
"Usagi, you should worry about Mars, not Vegeta," replied Bulma, "Besides, if Vegeta misses the chance to spar with someone, he'll sulk for days, and he becomes even more impossible when he's sulking."
Neo-Queen Serenity relented.
"Fine," she surrendered, "Just don't say I didn't warn you."
Mars glared at her opponent while Vegeta crossed his arms and smirked at the girl.
"Well, brat," he said to Mars, "shall we get started today or perhaps next week?"
Mars narrowed her eyes, "This way."
Vegeta, Bulma, Mars, Neo-Queen Serenity, and the rest of the sailor senshi (minus Chibi-Usa and Saturn) walked to the arena to see which of the two warriors had a bite to go with their bark.
(Author's Note: You know, I could end it here and make you all wait for the next chapter...naaah, that would be too mean, even for me! ^_^)
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It seemed in the three minutes Mars had given the servant, the entire palace had been alerted to the impending fight. The arena was filled with people. Trunks looked around in confusion, wondering who was going to fight.
"Excuse me," he asked a little girl, "could you tell me what's going on?"
The little girl smiled and nodded her head.
"Princess Mars is going to melt some king from a planet named Vegetable," said the girl.
"Vegetable?" asked Trunks.
"It was something like that," said the girl, "I've gotta go."
As she ran off, Trunks yelled after her.
`The planet Vegetable,' wondered Trunks. He had never heard of a planet named Vegetable. Suddenly it dawned on him.
"Vegeta-sei!" exclaimed Trunks. His father was going to fight the black-haired girl who had greeted them. Trunks frowned; he highly doubted that the strangely clad princess would even have a chance of `melting' his father. Trunks proceeded to the stadium.
"Trunks!" he heard a voice call; the prince turned around to see Saturn running towards him.
He turned to see the purple-haired girl he had danced with last night before he and Serenity left.
"Hi," said Trunks, "Are you here to watch the fight, too?"
"Yeah, I wouldn't miss it," said Saturn, "That's your dad fighting isn't it?"
"That's him," replied Trunks, "I fell really sorry for that Mars girl, she's not going to know what hit her, I hope dad goes easy on her."
Saturn silently disagreed, but nodded her head in agreement.
"I'm sitting over there with the sailor senshi," began Saturn, slightly blushing, "would you like to...."
Saturn was interrupted by an all too familiar voice.
"Trunks!" yelled Chibi-Usa.
The princess raced over to the Saiya-Jin's side. Saturn's fist shook in frustration. `Did that girl have radar or something?' she wondered.
"Serenity," smiled Trunks, "I'm so glad to see you. Would you like to come sit with me and watch the slaughter, um, I mean fight?"
"I'd love to," said Chibi-Usa, taking Trunks' arm.
"Would you like to sit with us, Saturn?" asked Chibi-Usa.
"Um, no thanks," declined Saturn, "the other senshi might be offended if I sit somewhere else."
"Okay, find me later," said Chibi-Usa, "I've got to tell you about," Chibi-Usa glanced up at Trunks and smiled, "stuff."
Hotaru gave a weak smile and walked off.
`Like hell I'd want to sit and watch you get all moony-eyed over Trunks,' thought Saturn, `You're such a stupid, bratty baka, you don't deserve him.'
Saturn shook her head. Where was all of this hatefulness towards Chibi-Usa coming from? She tried to shake her jealousy from her mind, but for some reason, she couldn't, and something sinister within her told her she shouldn't. Felling hurt and confused, Saturn went to join the rest of the senshi.
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Trunks and Chibi-Usa took their seats in the box usually reserved for the announcer. Since this was impromptu, there wouldn't be anybody trying to shoo them out, and they would have the best view of the fight.
As he and Chibi-Usa sat holding hands, and blur appeared in front of their eyes.
"Goku!" exclaimed Trunks "Don't do that!"
"Sorry," apologized the legendary fighter, "Chi-Chi just wanted to know if you had seen Goten."
"Umm," Trunks tried to quickly think up an alibi for his friend, "he's still asleep."
"Still?" wondered Goku, "You usually can't keep him in bed past sunrise. How late was he out?"
"Pretty late," answered Trunks, "we, uh, decided to spar, and he's still a little sore."
"You must have beaten him up pretty bad," said Goku.
Trunks sweat dropped and laughed.
"Uhhh, no," lied the Prince quickly, "he pounded me just as badly, it's just, I had a senzu bean, and he didn't want to take one."
"Hmm, that's strange," replied Goku. Trunks stiffened in apprehension, fearing that Goku was still suspicious, but relaxed when Goku busted into the trademark Son grin.
"Goten was always pretty stubborn," replied Goku. "Oh, well, tell him that his mother wants to see him later on."
"Can do," said Trunks.
Chibi-Usa looked slyly over at Trunks.
"Couldn't he tell that you were lying through your teeth," asked Serenity.
"It's Goku," replied Trunks, "he can be pretty dense sometimes."
"Where was Goten last night?" asked Chibi-Usa, "I know you weren't sparring with him because you were with me."
"He, um," Trunks explained, trying to put his friend's adventures tactfully. "his stomach didn't agree with some of the beverages."
Chibi-Usa smiled knowingly.
"Riiigght," she said, "Here comes Mars and your dad."
Trunks smirked, this should be the most un-interesting fight in the history of the universe.
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Chibi-Usa smirked, `I wonder what Trunks will think when Mars burns his dad's hair off.'
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Vegeta looked at Mars. He considered powering up to at least Super-Saiya-Jin, but then decided to save his energy and beat the crap out of this brat without transforming. Her queen had give them explicit instructions not to kill each other, but she didn't need to worry about him. It was a given that he wouldn't kill this brat, it was a spar after all, and Vegeta wanted Mars' defeat to stew within her for quite some time.
"Well, fuku-girl," taunted Vegeta from across the ring, "are you going to attack me or not?"
"Fine," she yelled, "Fire......"
Vegeta stood, baffled, `Is this an attack?' he wondered.
"Soul!" finished Mars.
A shoot of flame rushed towards Vegeta who easily sidestepped the attack.
"You call that eternally drawn out parlor trick an attack?" taunted Vegeta.
He quickly disappeared and then re-appeared behind her and smacked her on the back of the head.
"I'm here brat," said Vegeta.
Mars turned to throw a punch at the Saiya-Jin, he laughed and flashed back to his former place.
"Hit me with your best shot," challenged Vegeta, "I won't even dodge."
Mars, getting infuriated by her opponent began to draw in here energy.
"Fine," she yelled, "you asked for it!"
"Mars...Flame...." started Rei.
`Oh brother,' thought Vegeta, not only does she announce she's attacking, but it takes her forever to even unleash any energy. If I were actually trying, I would have broken her neck by now.'
"Sniper!" released Mars.
Vegeta held up one hand and deflected the blast.
"Pitiful," said Vegeta.
Mars gasped in surprise.
"How?" she wondered allowed, what could have happened? She began another attack.
"Burning..." began Mars.
Vegeta had had enough. He appeared to her side and sent her flying across the stadium with a single punch. He laughed.
"Well, I've seen your highest level of attack, now I think you should see mine."
Vegeta clinched his fists and screamed. His ki burst into flame around him. Mars watched in horror as he went from super saiya-jin, to super saiya-jin level 2, then 3, and finally, something even more amazing occurred. Vegeta's tail (re-grown by Bulma's brute ray) appeared as fur covered his body. An explosion that rocked the solid-crystal stadium blinded the spectators. When the light faded, Vegeta stood, fully powered in his super saiya-jin level 4 form. Mars eyes widened in fear.
Vegeta flew into the air and gathered a huge ball of energy.
"Galeck Cannon!" he yelled as a burst of energy poured from his hands.
Mars could only stare in horror as she saw her doom streaking towards her.
Just as the blast was about to hit the sailor senshi, the attack disappeared.
Mars fell to her knees, shaking.
Vegeta laughed.
"You realize, brat," he said, "that if I hadn't banished my own attack, you would have been vaporized."
Vegeta decided to waste no more time and simply picked Mars up by the throat.
"I hope you realize your stupidity in challenging me, weakling," growled Vegeta.
He tossed her aside and returned to normal.
"When are we going to get our tour of Crystal Tokyo?" Vegeta said, "I'm getting bored."
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Neo-Queen Serenity stood stunned. The only reason Mars lasted as long as she did was because Vegeta wanted to play with her. She ran over to her friend.
"Are you all right?" she asked Rei.
"I'm fine," said Mars crossly as she stalked out of the stadium.
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The crowd departed, Saturn was still in shock over the spectacle she had seen. These Saiya-Jins were so powerful! With the thought of Saiya-Jins, her mind turned to Trunks. `His power must be immense, too,' thought Saturn. Hotaru clinched her fists as she thought of Chibi-Usa.
As Saturn walked to her room, she couldn't stop thinking about how her best friend was the one keeping the man of her dreams out of her grasp. Saturn, unable to properly control her anger punched a wall.
"You are right," said the same mysterious voice she had heard last night.
"What do you want?" demanded Saturn, her eyes overflowing with tears.
"I am only here to help you," said the voice.
"Why would you want to help me?" asked Saturn, still hurt and angry.
"Because I was you, and I am still a part of you," said the voice.
"What?" asked Saturn.
A bright purple light appeared in front of Hotaru. The dark form of a woman began to appear within the fading light. The glare shrank into a nimbus surrounding a beautiful woman with unbelievably long, purple-black hair.
Saturn gasped.
"Regardless of what that worthless, Sailor Moon has said, you are still the Messiah of Silence."
Hotaru stood before the woman she had once transformed into as a child.
"You were born to rule this world, this universe, Hotaru," said Mistress 9, "Let me help you fulfill your destiny. Embrace me, your true self once again. Then Trunks, Crystal Tokyo, even the entire universe will be yours forever."
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What a chapter! Note to Sailor Moon fans: please realize that I am an avid fan of our favorite sailor senshi. Please do not flame me and tell me how Mars should have melted Vegeta. Regardless of your opinion, please respect mine. Also, cut me some slack, this is my first try at writing a fic ever. Well, enough negativity, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter- please tell me what you thought.
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They walked hand in hand down the corridors to Chibi-Usa's room, going slowly, trying to make this magical evening last as long as possible. Finally, they reached the doors of Princess Serenity's chambers.
"Trunks," said Chibi-Usa as she looked into his blue eyes, "this evening was wonderful."
Trunks smiled down at the princess.
"For a girl with strange hair," he replied, "You're not too bad."
They laughed as they drew near to one another, embracing.
"It's late," Chibi-Usa said sadly, "I should get to bed."
"Of course," said Trunks. He pulled her close and kissed her again, "Good night, my Princess."
"Good night," said Chibi-Usa as she walked into her room.
Trunks sighed as he watched her enter her room. He just couldn't understand tonight, but it didn't matter to him. This was the first time he had ever felt so complete. It was as if Serenity filled a void inside of him. `Is this what love is like?' wondered the prince.
Trunks heard a creak, and looked up just as a large, dark object fell on him.
"Hey!" he yelled.
He shielded himself from the unidentified falling object and got into a fighting stance. Who would dare attack him in these halls?
The dark lump on the floor began to move and stand up.
Trunks sighed in relief as he realized that this wasn't an unidentified falling object at all, it was a very identifiable falling Goten, who seemed completely incapacitated with laughter in his current state.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" demanded Trunks.
Goten looked at his friend and gave the traditional "Son" smile and laughed.
"Soorrryy, um, well," Goten searched for words, "I can't remember your name right now, but I know you're my best friend, even if you won't stop spinning around with the room."
Trunks looked at his friend uncomprehending.
"What are you talking about, Goten," asked Trunks, still cross from the incident, "I'm not moving, and how could you forget your best friend's name?"
Goten hiccupped.
"I could tell you if you'd stop spinning..." said the woozy Saiya-Jin.
The light of comprehension finally shone upon Trunks as his friend staggered around the room.
"Goten!" exclaimed Trunks, half-horrified, half-amused, "You're drunk!"
Goten attempted to stand up again, but just fell to his feet.
"I'm not drunk!" argued the intoxicated warrior, "You're drunk!"
Trunks rolled his eyes and laughed as he walked over to pick up his friend.
"Here let me help you," said Trunks with a sigh. He reached down to help his friend up.
"No, no, no," slurred Goten, "I can't stand on my own by myself without your help, wait, oh never mind." He paused, trying to think of a way to prove his capability to walk. "There is no blood in my alcohol!" concluded Goten.
Trunks started laughing so hard he fell to the ground.
Goten's face lit up.
"You see!" said Goten, "I told you that you were drunk! We, I mean, you, can't even stand up!"
Trunks wiped the tears of laughter from his eyes as he helped his friend to his feet.
"Come on, Goten," said Trunks, "You can seep in my room tonight. I don't think you should fly home in this condition."
Goten started to protest until his friend picked him up and drug him to his bedroom.
"Wait," said Goten, starting to fall fast asleep, "I should tell my mom..."
"She'll know where you are," said Trunks. However, Goten didn't hear him, he had finally drifted off.
Trunks smiled down at his friend, leave it to Goten to discover alcohol at a royal ball. Trunks hoped, for his friend's sake that Chi-Chi didn't find out about her youngest son's discovery.
As the Saiya-Jin prince grabbed a blanket and laid down on one of the plush couches, he himself began to drift off.
"Serenity..." mumbled Trunks as he drifted into sleep.
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Saturn sat by herself while most of the other guests danced the night away. She had refused to dance with anybody else since she had been with Goten. She considered a second dance with him, but he already had his hands full trying to stand up and look sober. Saturn sighed, the person she had really wanted to get to know better this evening was occupied with her best friend. She didn't understand how Chibi-Usa could be rude to the best looking guy at the party and still end up kissing him. Saturn crossed her arms. After a few moments of sitting alone, she decided to leave.
She said her goodbyes to King Endymion, Neo-Queen Serenity, and the rest of the sailor senshi and went back to her room. As she turned the corner, she caught a glimpse of Trunks kissing Chibi-Usa good night. Settling into what was unmistakably a scowl, Saturn's face betrayed her true feelings about the Trunks/ Chibi-Usa pairing. She knew she shouldn't be jealous, and that she usually had much more luck when it came to attracting men, but it wasn't fair that the one she actually wanted disobeyed the status quo.
She slammed her bedroom door, slid into her nightgown, and threw herself upon the bed. A tear slid down her alabaster cheek as she closed her eyes and tried to get some sleep.
"Hotaru...." Whispered a voice somewhere in her room.
"Who's there?" demanded Saturn as she sat up suddenly, "Show yourself, or you'll regret it."
"You are not ready to see me, yet," replied the mysterious voice.
"Really?" she asked, her hand summoning her glaive, "If you don't start at least explaining who you are and what you're doing in my room, I'll be forced to do something unpleasant."
The voice let out a low hiss
"Let's just say that I am an old friend," replied the voice, "Hotaru, listen to me, I'm here to help you."
"I don't need any help with anything," said Saturn defiantly, "Now go, before I destroy you."
"I shall return later, Hotaru," said the voice, "if you need anything, or anyONE, call, and I'll be there..." said the voice trailing off.
Saturn felt the presence leave. `What was that all about she wondered?'
The princess went back to her bed and nestled into the down covers, only tonight, she decided she'd sleep with her glaive, in case anything else came to disturb her.
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King Vegeta smirked in his sleep. Everything was perfect; he had just finished beating the daylights out of Kakarot while the entire Saiya-Jin race watched. Vegeta sighed contentedly. However, basking in his glory was suddenly interrupted by a far off noise.
"...ta...Vegeta," said the voice.
"Mmmmm," mumbled the king, "off with its head..."
"VEGETA!!" Roared a now familiar voice.
"For heaven's sake, woman!" yelled Vegeta as he awoke with a start, "what do you want? Can't you see I was trying to sleep?"
"Yes, I've been seeing your sorry hide sleep for the past 10 minutes while I've tried to get you up!" replied Bulma, "A messenger is here and has something for you."
Vegeta growled and wrapped himself in a robe.
"What do you want?" said Vegeta grouchily.
The messenger trembled as he saw Vegeta glaring down at him.
"Ummm, you... your r-r-royal m-m-majesty," stammered the boy, "I have a message for y-you."
"Well quit wasting my time and hand it over," demanded the king.
The boy hastily handed he envelope to the king. Vegeta snatched it out of the messenger's hand.
"Now go away before I tear you apart," said Vegeta.
The messenger, not doubting that the Saiya-Jin really could tear him limb from limb, practically ran out of the door.
Bulma rolled her eyes.
"Was that really necessary?" she asked her husband.
"Don't bother me, woman," replied Vegeta, reading the note.
"What does it say?" asked Bulma after a few minutes.
"Hmm, the queen with the weird hair wants us to go on a tour of the kingdom with her today."
"Excellent," said Bulma, "I've been wanting to see this place since it became Crystal Tokyo."
"Have a good time," said Vegeta, starting back to bed, "wake me up when you get back."
"What?!?!" exclaimed Bulma, "If you think that you're not coming, too, you've got another thing coming, mister."
Vegeta and Bulma began their traditional stare down, of course the first one to back down had to bear the burden of letting the other get their way. Vegeta was always surprised at how scary his wife could be. His glare was notorious for giving people nightmares well into their adult years, but his was nothing compared to his wife's. In the heat of competition, Vegeta finally gave up.
"Fine," he seceded, "have it your way, woman."
Bulma smiled, "Now get dressed."
As Vegeta pulled on his armor, began to think this stupid tour might not be too bad. He had seen last night that the ridiculously dressed sailor senshi, the queen's protectors, rarely left her side. Vegeta smirked. Perhaps he would invite the Mars-brat to spar with him today. He imagined flinging her by her hair into space. Maybe today would prove better than yesterday.
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"Usagi," argued Rei, "He's a jerk! He's overconfident, loud-mouthed, and hot-headed!"
"Whom do you presume to be describing, Rei," asked Neo-Queen Serenity, "Yourself or the Saiya-Jin king."
Mars glared at Serenity.
"You know," said Mars in frustration, "I think I liked you better when you were too ditzy to argue back."
Neo-Queen Serenity smiled at her senshi, "Let's just say this is a way to develop your virtue of patience."
"Patience!?!?!" bellowed Mars, "I AM THE VERY * SOUL * OF PATIENCE!!"
Everybody within earshot, which included about half the palace, began to laugh at Rei's comment.
Neo-Queen Serenity turned to her friend and spoke with an unusual glint of steel in her voice.
"You will go today, Mars," said Serenity, her eyes flashing with anger, "It would look very tacky if all of the other senshi were there except for you and I will not tolerate your absence casting a shadow on today. You are going and that is final."
Rei's eyes went wide as she heard Serenity speak. She could never get over hearing her friend speak in such a manner. Of course, Mars knew she had lost and would be forced to go. She stalked off towards the palace doors. Only to run into (literally) the one person she didn't really want to see. She looked up and saw a mass of spiky hair, dark, furrowed eyebrows, and an infuriating smirk.
"You really disappoint me," taunted Vegeta, "just when I think your clothes are making a change for the better, here you go walking around in a fuku, a sailor top, puffy bows, and heels. Don't you get embarrassed walking around like that?"
Mars glared.
"Don't push me, angle-brain," retorted Mars, "I don't fell like getting my daily dose of idiocy from you, today."
Vegeta laughed.
"You're always all talk, but never any action," countered Vegeta.
"I'll give you your `action' any day of the week, just say when," fumed Mars.
Vegeta's smirk deepened, he had finally gotten what he wanted.
"How about now?"
Mars attempted to hide her surprise at his willingness. She really hadn't meant for him to take her up on the offer. However, she felt compelled to show the Saiya-Jin jerk a lesson.
"Fine," said Mars, "You!" bellowed Mars to a nearby servant, "Make sure the outdoor arena is prepared."
"Yes, princess," said the man.
"You have three minutes," stated Mars, "and one of them is already gone."
Trying to avoid getting fried, the man tripled his pace as he ran to the arena.
Neo-Queen Serenity frowned, stood up from her throne and looked at Mars.
"Mars, no, I will not have you fighting with my guests," said the queen.
Rei began to protest until Vegeta spoke up.
"Trust me," said the king, "it's my pleasure."
"Oh, Vegeta," sighed Bulma, exasperated once again by the antics of her husband.
"I cannot risk your safety," replied Neo-Queen Serenity.
Both Bulma and Vegeta laughed.
"Usagi, you should worry about Mars, not Vegeta," replied Bulma, "Besides, if Vegeta misses the chance to spar with someone, he'll sulk for days, and he becomes even more impossible when he's sulking."
Neo-Queen Serenity relented.
"Fine," she surrendered, "Just don't say I didn't warn you."
Mars glared at her opponent while Vegeta crossed his arms and smirked at the girl.
"Well, brat," he said to Mars, "shall we get started today or perhaps next week?"
Mars narrowed her eyes, "This way."
Vegeta, Bulma, Mars, Neo-Queen Serenity, and the rest of the sailor senshi (minus Chibi-Usa and Saturn) walked to the arena to see which of the two warriors had a bite to go with their bark.
(Author's Note: You know, I could end it here and make you all wait for the next chapter...naaah, that would be too mean, even for me! ^_^)
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It seemed in the three minutes Mars had given the servant, the entire palace had been alerted to the impending fight. The arena was filled with people. Trunks looked around in confusion, wondering who was going to fight.
"Excuse me," he asked a little girl, "could you tell me what's going on?"
The little girl smiled and nodded her head.
"Princess Mars is going to melt some king from a planet named Vegetable," said the girl.
"Vegetable?" asked Trunks.
"It was something like that," said the girl, "I've gotta go."
As she ran off, Trunks yelled after her.
`The planet Vegetable,' wondered Trunks. He had never heard of a planet named Vegetable. Suddenly it dawned on him.
"Vegeta-sei!" exclaimed Trunks. His father was going to fight the black-haired girl who had greeted them. Trunks frowned; he highly doubted that the strangely clad princess would even have a chance of `melting' his father. Trunks proceeded to the stadium.
"Trunks!" he heard a voice call; the prince turned around to see Saturn running towards him.
He turned to see the purple-haired girl he had danced with last night before he and Serenity left.
"Hi," said Trunks, "Are you here to watch the fight, too?"
"Yeah, I wouldn't miss it," said Saturn, "That's your dad fighting isn't it?"
"That's him," replied Trunks, "I fell really sorry for that Mars girl, she's not going to know what hit her, I hope dad goes easy on her."
Saturn silently disagreed, but nodded her head in agreement.
"I'm sitting over there with the sailor senshi," began Saturn, slightly blushing, "would you like to...."
Saturn was interrupted by an all too familiar voice.
"Trunks!" yelled Chibi-Usa.
The princess raced over to the Saiya-Jin's side. Saturn's fist shook in frustration. `Did that girl have radar or something?' she wondered.
"Serenity," smiled Trunks, "I'm so glad to see you. Would you like to come sit with me and watch the slaughter, um, I mean fight?"
"I'd love to," said Chibi-Usa, taking Trunks' arm.
"Would you like to sit with us, Saturn?" asked Chibi-Usa.
"Um, no thanks," declined Saturn, "the other senshi might be offended if I sit somewhere else."
"Okay, find me later," said Chibi-Usa, "I've got to tell you about," Chibi-Usa glanced up at Trunks and smiled, "stuff."
Hotaru gave a weak smile and walked off.
`Like hell I'd want to sit and watch you get all moony-eyed over Trunks,' thought Saturn, `You're such a stupid, bratty baka, you don't deserve him.'
Saturn shook her head. Where was all of this hatefulness towards Chibi-Usa coming from? She tried to shake her jealousy from her mind, but for some reason, she couldn't, and something sinister within her told her she shouldn't. Felling hurt and confused, Saturn went to join the rest of the senshi.
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Trunks and Chibi-Usa took their seats in the box usually reserved for the announcer. Since this was impromptu, there wouldn't be anybody trying to shoo them out, and they would have the best view of the fight.
As he and Chibi-Usa sat holding hands, and blur appeared in front of their eyes.
"Goku!" exclaimed Trunks "Don't do that!"
"Sorry," apologized the legendary fighter, "Chi-Chi just wanted to know if you had seen Goten."
"Umm," Trunks tried to quickly think up an alibi for his friend, "he's still asleep."
"Still?" wondered Goku, "You usually can't keep him in bed past sunrise. How late was he out?"
"Pretty late," answered Trunks, "we, uh, decided to spar, and he's still a little sore."
"You must have beaten him up pretty bad," said Goku.
Trunks sweat dropped and laughed.
"Uhhh, no," lied the Prince quickly, "he pounded me just as badly, it's just, I had a senzu bean, and he didn't want to take one."
"Hmm, that's strange," replied Goku. Trunks stiffened in apprehension, fearing that Goku was still suspicious, but relaxed when Goku busted into the trademark Son grin.
"Goten was always pretty stubborn," replied Goku. "Oh, well, tell him that his mother wants to see him later on."
"Can do," said Trunks.
Chibi-Usa looked slyly over at Trunks.
"Couldn't he tell that you were lying through your teeth," asked Serenity.
"It's Goku," replied Trunks, "he can be pretty dense sometimes."
"Where was Goten last night?" asked Chibi-Usa, "I know you weren't sparring with him because you were with me."
"He, um," Trunks explained, trying to put his friend's adventures tactfully. "his stomach didn't agree with some of the beverages."
Chibi-Usa smiled knowingly.
"Riiigght," she said, "Here comes Mars and your dad."
Trunks smirked, this should be the most un-interesting fight in the history of the universe.
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Chibi-Usa smirked, `I wonder what Trunks will think when Mars burns his dad's hair off.'
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Vegeta looked at Mars. He considered powering up to at least Super-Saiya-Jin, but then decided to save his energy and beat the crap out of this brat without transforming. Her queen had give them explicit instructions not to kill each other, but she didn't need to worry about him. It was a given that he wouldn't kill this brat, it was a spar after all, and Vegeta wanted Mars' defeat to stew within her for quite some time.
"Well, fuku-girl," taunted Vegeta from across the ring, "are you going to attack me or not?"
"Fine," she yelled, "Fire......"
Vegeta stood, baffled, `Is this an attack?' he wondered.
"Soul!" finished Mars.
A shoot of flame rushed towards Vegeta who easily sidestepped the attack.
"You call that eternally drawn out parlor trick an attack?" taunted Vegeta.
He quickly disappeared and then re-appeared behind her and smacked her on the back of the head.
"I'm here brat," said Vegeta.
Mars turned to throw a punch at the Saiya-Jin, he laughed and flashed back to his former place.
"Hit me with your best shot," challenged Vegeta, "I won't even dodge."
Mars, getting infuriated by her opponent began to draw in here energy.
"Fine," she yelled, "you asked for it!"
"Mars...Flame...." started Rei.
`Oh brother,' thought Vegeta, not only does she announce she's attacking, but it takes her forever to even unleash any energy. If I were actually trying, I would have broken her neck by now.'
"Sniper!" released Mars.
Vegeta held up one hand and deflected the blast.
"Pitiful," said Vegeta.
Mars gasped in surprise.
"How?" she wondered allowed, what could have happened? She began another attack.
"Burning..." began Mars.
Vegeta had had enough. He appeared to her side and sent her flying across the stadium with a single punch. He laughed.
"Well, I've seen your highest level of attack, now I think you should see mine."
Vegeta clinched his fists and screamed. His ki burst into flame around him. Mars watched in horror as he went from super saiya-jin, to super saiya-jin level 2, then 3, and finally, something even more amazing occurred. Vegeta's tail (re-grown by Bulma's brute ray) appeared as fur covered his body. An explosion that rocked the solid-crystal stadium blinded the spectators. When the light faded, Vegeta stood, fully powered in his super saiya-jin level 4 form. Mars eyes widened in fear.
Vegeta flew into the air and gathered a huge ball of energy.
"Galeck Cannon!" he yelled as a burst of energy poured from his hands.
Mars could only stare in horror as she saw her doom streaking towards her.
Just as the blast was about to hit the sailor senshi, the attack disappeared.
Mars fell to her knees, shaking.
Vegeta laughed.
"You realize, brat," he said, "that if I hadn't banished my own attack, you would have been vaporized."
Vegeta decided to waste no more time and simply picked Mars up by the throat.
"I hope you realize your stupidity in challenging me, weakling," growled Vegeta.
He tossed her aside and returned to normal.
"When are we going to get our tour of Crystal Tokyo?" Vegeta said, "I'm getting bored."
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Neo-Queen Serenity stood stunned. The only reason Mars lasted as long as she did was because Vegeta wanted to play with her. She ran over to her friend.
"Are you all right?" she asked Rei.
"I'm fine," said Mars crossly as she stalked out of the stadium.
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The crowd departed, Saturn was still in shock over the spectacle she had seen. These Saiya-Jins were so powerful! With the thought of Saiya-Jins, her mind turned to Trunks. `His power must be immense, too,' thought Saturn. Hotaru clinched her fists as she thought of Chibi-Usa.
As Saturn walked to her room, she couldn't stop thinking about how her best friend was the one keeping the man of her dreams out of her grasp. Saturn, unable to properly control her anger punched a wall.
"You are right," said the same mysterious voice she had heard last night.
"What do you want?" demanded Saturn, her eyes overflowing with tears.
"I am only here to help you," said the voice.
"Why would you want to help me?" asked Saturn, still hurt and angry.
"Because I was you, and I am still a part of you," said the voice.
"What?" asked Saturn.
A bright purple light appeared in front of Hotaru. The dark form of a woman began to appear within the fading light. The glare shrank into a nimbus surrounding a beautiful woman with unbelievably long, purple-black hair.
Saturn gasped.
"Regardless of what that worthless, Sailor Moon has said, you are still the Messiah of Silence."
Hotaru stood before the woman she had once transformed into as a child.
"You were born to rule this world, this universe, Hotaru," said Mistress 9, "Let me help you fulfill your destiny. Embrace me, your true self once again. Then Trunks, Crystal Tokyo, even the entire universe will be yours forever."
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What a chapter! Note to Sailor Moon fans: please realize that I am an avid fan of our favorite sailor senshi. Please do not flame me and tell me how Mars should have melted Vegeta. Regardless of your opinion, please respect mine. Also, cut me some slack, this is my first try at writing a fic ever. Well, enough negativity, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter- please tell me what you thought.