Chapter 12: Discussions

MISSION STATEMENT 134-68

SONIC KNIGHT IS HEREBY ORDERED TO INVESTIGATE THE ACTIVITIES AND "YOUMA" OF THE NEO-DREAMERS AND AID THE LITTLE SENSHI IN BATTLE AS NEEDED. HE IS ALSO INSTRUCTED TO PROTECT THE PAST FORMS OF THE ELDER SAILOR SENSHI IN ORDER TO PRESERVE OUR FORCES IN THE FUTURE.

ALONG WITH SONIC KNIGHT, WARRIORS CODE-NAMED X, ZERO, AND BASS HAVE BEEN SENT TO HELP SONIC KNIGHT IN CASE OF A HUGE-SCALE ATTACK. THEY ARE TO AID THE SENSHI IN BATTLE AS NEEDED, ALONG WITH OBSERVING THE ENEMY'S ACTIONS. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, THEY MAY BE CONTACTED TO RETURN TO THE FUTURE. IN CASE OF A BIG EMERGENCY, THE LITTLE SENSHI MAY BE CALLED TO COME WITH THEM.

GENERAL SIGNAS, REPLIFORCE

"What is all of this supposed to mean? And why did he calls us the 'Elder Sailor Senshi'?" Minako asked after Ami finished reading the file. All the Senshi—minus Mamoru, Usagi, ChibiUsa, and Setsuna—were seated around the table in Rei's room. It was two days after their last battle.

"It's supposed to be why Sonic Knight and the Little Senshi are here, as decreed by some general named Signas," Ami explained, taking off her glasses. "The label 'Elder' may just refer to our future selves."

"The key word in that sentence was 'supposed'. No one can prove this information is true," Haruka replied, not convinced.

"Actually, Mamoru-san might just be able to…" Hotaru offered.

"She's right. Mamoru-san is King Endymion in the future. The letter given with the file was supposedly written by Endymion-sama himself. If Mamoru can prove this right by the handwriting or another factor, then we'll know this newcommer was speaking the truth," Michiru replied.

"Well, he and ChibiUsa had better get here soon. I don't know how long we have until both Batafurai and her friend get here or those new enemies attack again," Rei grumbled.

As if on cue, Usagi, Mamoru, and ChibiUsa rushed in. "Sorry we're late," Usagi said, sitting down with her boyfriend and future daughter.

"Typical Usagi behavior…" Luna grumbled from the corner of the room. "Hard to believe she drug Mamoru-san and ChibiUsa-chan down with her, though."

"What is so urgent that we had to rush right here? Did you find out something on the enemy?" Mamoru asked. After Ami read the mission statement to them, she handed him a letter.

"This was also given to us by theSonic Knight. It was in the folder with the mission statement. It appears to be written by Endymion-sama personally, but we can't verify it."

"Papa sent a letter?" ChibiUsa asked.

"We're hoping either you or ChibiUsa can prove it's real," Makoto added.

Mamoru nodded, reading the letter outloud:

Dear Elder Senshi,

I know you must be wondering why I've sent forces from the future to help you, but I am clearly out of options.

Our forces are dwindling, and the Sailor Senshi are the only ones who are surviving this ongoing battle with the Neo-Dreamers. We know that the Outer Senshi may be suspicious of these soldiers, but please understand that they are only there to help.

Sonic Knight is the Royal Family's sworn protector, and he is to aid in future battles if needed. X, Zero, and Bass will provide additional assistance if needed. I trust that they will be welcomed with open arms, and if they choose to reveal their identities by ANY reason, or if they detransform due to severe attacks, please treat them no differently as if you were treating each other.

Neo-Queen Serenity and I also wish to say hello to ChibiUsa and that we thank you for accepting our assistance and caring for our daughter.

King Endymion

Mamoru, looking carefully at what he just read, finally said, "This looks too much like my own handwriting to be forged. Either Endymion-sama wrote this, or someone went to very elaborate measures to make it appear that way."

ChibiUsa, also looking at the letter, added, "That's definately Papa's handwriting. I'd never forget something that important!"

Looking around at her Senshi, Usagi asked, "So, what do we do, guys?"

"Although the letter must be legimate, I don't know if we can trust this 'Sonic Knight' character. If he was really the Royal Family's sworn protector, then wouldn't ChibiUsa know him?" Haruka asked

ChibiUsa shook her head. "Our protectors act outside the castle. If one of them needed to speak to my parents, I wouldn't be allowed in the throne room while he or she was there. He may know who I am, however…"

"I'm more worried about the Little Senshi," Rei said. "No one has given us any reason to trust those new Senshi. They just come in whenever it pleases them, help destroy those youma-like things, then leave. ChibiUsa's already told us that she's never seen them in the future, so that destroys their story."

"They seem okay…" Hotaru said softly, "but we cannot trust them unless they can prove themselves trustworthy. Like Rei-san said, their story doesn't make sense. It's too dangerous to let ourselves be fooled by those who may be enemies in disguise."

Artemis rushed into the room, Diana right behind him. "Batafurai and Taiga are coming up now. Don't blow your secrect identies to them!"

The Senshi nodded, clearing off the table and hiding the mission statement and letter in Ami's schoolbag.

Just a minute or two later, in walked the two girls in question. Both of them were still in their school uniforms and carrying their schoolbags.

"Is…there a reason you wanted us to come here, Usagi-san?" Batafurai asked, sounding a bit overwhelmed by the large group of people she did not know.

Jumping up, Usagi cheerfully lead the younger girls to the table. "I wanted you to meet my friends, and I also wanted to meet the girl staying with Ami-chan!"

Taiga, looking even more nervous than Batafurai, swallowed hard. "That's not really necessary, Tsukino-san…"

"Of course it is! If you two want to find places for your friends when you find them, you'll have to know some of the people I know!" Usagi insisted. "Now, you know Ami-chan of course…"

"Usagi, you're scaring them!" Makoto exclaimed.

Batafurai shook her head. "No, she's not…we've been attacked by those youma things, so scaring us is a little harder than just overenthusiam. Taiga-chan's just shy around those she doesn't know, and I'm just plain overwhelmed at how many people Usagi acutally wants us to meet at once…"

"THANKS, Bata-chan…I really wanted them to know that..." Taiga muttered sarcasticly, her face beginning to go red.

"Let's make this simplier for them…I'm Aino Minako."

"Kino Makoto."

"Hino Rei."

"Tenoh Haruka."

"Kaioh Michiru."

"Tomoe Hotaru."

"Chiba Mamoru."

"Tsukino Usagi…ChibiUsa, for short."

Batafurai, finally freeing her arm from Usagi's iron grasp, bowed. "I'm Hishou Batafurai."

Taiga did the same. "And I am Ouitsu Taiga. We both are very pleased to meet you all."

Minako smiled. "Sit down, you two. We've got an idea to help you guys."

Both girls complied, waiting to hear what they had to say.

Makoto was the first to speak. "We know you two have companions lost in the city, and we want to help. We've come up with housing ideas for them, but you two are going to have to make the finished plan."

"You see, we know who can take in someone, and how many, but we don't know anything about your friends. Maybe you two can help us by deciding who would be best with whom," Ami added.

Taiga nodded. "I think we could do that…You've really found rooms for eight other teenagers?"

"Well...for seven," Rei said. "If they're willing to help with chores, Grandpa and I can house two of your friends here at the shrine."

"My home can fit one girl," Minako added.

"As long as they can each share a room with one other, Haruka, Hotaru, and I can take in four more," Michiru added.

"Michiru, Hotaru, and I live in a large home just outside of town," Haruka explained. At Batafurai and Taiga's confused looks, she added, "We're Hotaru's adoptive guardians."

"Setsuna-mama's away right now, so we're saving her room. Otherwise, we'd have room for one more," Hotaru explained.

Batafurai looked to Taiga. "That just leaves one boy:Shuzika…"

Mamoru spoke up this time. "I have room for him if no one else does. My apartment's a bit small, but it should do just fine."

"Thank you so much, Mamoru-san!" Batafurai exclaimed.

"Now, we know you've told ChibiUsa and Usagi about your friends, but we'll need you to tell us as well," Ami said.

Again looking at each other, Batafurai and Taiga both muttered, "Well…"

Batafurai went first, "Tanoshii Otome's a lot like me…very fun-loving and loyal, yet very serious when she needs to be. She can be a bit boy-crazy when she wants to."

"Benri Annai is very sarcastic, yet quiet around strangers. She tends to avoid people she's not used to. We think something's happened to her in her past to cause her to be like that," Taiga added.

"Karuson Shuzika's very artistic and smart, yet very dense at times. He's always off reading or drawing. Despite that, he's extremely trustworthy."

"Ikioi Hatsu…well…she's quite…spoiled. She's incredibly vain and boy-crazy, but also has a loyal side. She's also quite brilliant when she wants to be."

"Iba Riki is very strong, both in body and spirit. She's very tall and sure of herself, but can be a bit hard to get along with. She tends to be sarcastic and rude to some people. Whoever takes her in should NOT take in Hatsu as well. They would kill each other in minutes."

"Bou Onbin is the opposite of Hatsu. She's very fearful of all males. She's very artistic, yet very tomboyish. She tends to get along okay with Hatsu, though they'll NEVER pass as best friends."

"Subayai Tonbo is…about as orginal as you can get. She, like Riki, is very strong in bodyand spirit, though Tonbo tends to be a lot louder than Riki. She's wild and outgoing. She can, however, tone herself down if need be, though this tends to upset her a bit."

"Ikkou Miyabita—we all just call her Miya for short—is Tonbo's best friend. She's pretty quiet when left on her own, but put her with Tonbo and she's a whole different person! She loves sports and music, and often just parks it in her room with a guitar for hours on end."

Rei, after the two girls finished, said, "Well, we could use Riki's strength here. I also think we could help Annai if she really was hurt in her past."

Taiga nodded. "Word of the wise: they'll argue on and off. They're kind of like oil and vinegar…although they're a great combination, they just don't mix."

"Otome is welcome with me. I think her and I would get along great!" Minako said.

After talking in hushed tones with Michiru and Hotaru, Haruka added, "Michiru and Iwill gladlytake in the last four. Onbin should get along just fine with us. Michiru is also very musical and artistic, so Miyabita should feel right at home. The other two…well…"

"Tonbo sounds like she'd be fun to be with," Hotaru said, smiling.

Batafurai and Taiga just looked at each other nervously.

ChibiUsa, catching on, said, "Haruka-san is a girl…"

Both Batafurai and Taiga blushed, completely embarrassed. "We are SO SORRY, Tenoh-san!" they apoligized in unision.

Haruka just closed her eyes and folded her arms. "I never said I was a boy…" she replied in her typical fashion.

"Everyone seems to make that mistake at first," Ami added, glancing at Minako and Usagi. Both blondes sweat-dropped, remembering their own first encounter with Haruka.

Taiga's watch immediately started beeping. She looked at it, and then jumped up. "SHOOT! I was supposed to walk Rachel now! Oh, I hope she'll wait until I get there!" She ran out of the shrine at top speed, barely remembering to pick up her schoolbag on the way out.

Batafurai then stood, picking up her ownschoolbag and smoothing her skirt. "I'm going to follow her. She's still new to Tokyo, so she just might get lost. Ja ne, minna!" Bowing, she rushed out after her friend.

Silence fell around the table. Finally, Rei spoke up. "Those two are strange…"

Ami nodded. "It's pecular…when I'm around Taiga…I have this urge to protect her…help her through whatever is troubling her…"

Usagi and Mamoru nodded. "I feel the same way with Batafurai," they said in unison. Usagi immediately blushed.

Nothing more was said, though one thought hung over the group:

'Who are these girls, really?'

Catching up to her a ways past the shrine, Batafurai smirked at Taiga. "Ouitsu Taiga, I would have NEVER thought you would LIE to them! You seriously surprised me withyour sneakiness!"

Glaring, Taiga replied, "Quiet. You know I needed an excuse…" She opened the lid of her communicator, pressing a flashing button. It had a cat's paw print on it and was tan in color. "Taiga here."

"Well, ABOUT TIME! Do you know how long I sat here waiting for you to answer?" Devin's sarcastic voice rang over the link. A picture of a paw print, bearing a romanji DE within it, appeared on the screen.

"We were having a conversation with USAGI ANG CREW, Devin-baka," Batafurai said, peering over Taiga's shoulder. "We couldn't just answer there!"

"FINE. Listen, I'm going to be investigating an area of the city that's heavily populated. I don't want to blow my cover, so I'm contacting you to say I'm turning off my collar for a bit."

"What? What if there's an attack?" Taiga asked.

"One, I'm your guardian, NOT your babysitter. Two, I'm not the one with SUPERPOWERS! If there's an attack, go fight. Devin, out." Static errupted across the connection, showing Devin had ended the conversation.

Batafurai let out a frustrated groan. "That feline…"

"Bata-chan. I saw a girl…before you found me."

"Taiga…this is TOKYO…"

"NO, baka. She had sky blue hair with purple streaks, was about your height and build…you following me yet?"

Batafurai's jaw dropped. "OTOME? WHERE, TAI-CHAN, WHERE?"

"A ways from the shopping district. Only kami-sama knows where she is now."

"Then we'll start looking for her first thing tomorrow."

A man wearing a white tee-shirt and blue jeans walked along the streets of the Juuban-Cho Shopping District. He had his long, knee-length silver hair pulled back in a tight ponytail at the base of his neck, with bangs to his eyebrows that were parted in the middle. A necklace bearing a small, silver star pendant hung around his neck. His blue eyes scanned the merchandise behind the glass panes. Suddenly, his "digital watch" began beeping. Nonchalantly slipping in to an ally, he pressed a button on his "watch." The top flipped up, displaying two screens. The top one flashed "EMERGENCY!" while the bottom displayed a map. "Kojiro here."

"KOJIRO…OTOME…PROTO MAN…HERE…NEED…HELP…NOW…"

"Zero! Is that you!" The connection died. Worried, Kojiro tried to contact an ally. "Devin, EMERGENCY!" Again, nothing came in. He took off his star pendant. "Looks like it's up to me—SONIC…KNIGHT…POWER!"

The Star Pendant opened up as a bright light flashed. When the light died down, he was in futuristic armor. His hair was out of its ponytail and his bangs hung straight. After his sword appeared, he took off in the direction his communicator's map gave him.

Again, MASON SAVED MY BUTT ON THIS! He not only gave me Kojiro's bit, but replaced it when my computer ate it! YES! Now, I am off to finish that health project I'm procrastinating on.

Hit count at posting: 450
Review count at posting: 3