Chibimamoru: Small Lady's Little Brother
Chapter 5 – Of the Prince, the Princess, and her Court
Author's Notes: Konnichi wa, Minna! Gomen, gomen, gomen, gomen nasai for taking so long to update! bows deeply and hopes no one is angry I was in the middle of moving from Mississippi to Pennsylvania, so I haven't had time to update like I wanted to. To make up for it, however, I tried to make this chapter extra special long and with lots of details and such. Hope You Enjoy! Ja'ne!
Karla grins I know, evil aren't I? Gotta love cliff-hangers. dodges flying tomatoes I'm glad you are enjoying the story, and I elated to know someone is reading my other fics as well. :D Oh. . .I know I shouldn't worry about reviews but...I LOVE THEM. hugs all her reviewersand offers cake and ice-cream to all of them as a bribe to keep reviewing Heh heh heh. Hope you enjoy!
Sparkling-Ruby Gem 100 reviews?(I wish):D :D :D :D :D dances around the room I'm SO glad you are enjoying it! Gomen nasai for taking so long to update. I was in the middle of moving from Mississippi to Pennsylvania, so I didn't have time to update for awhile. Promise I'll try to be faster with the next one. I hope the fight turned out alright, even though organizingbattle scenes is sometimes a struggle for me. Hope you enjoy it. "
Night-Owl123 Hey. I'm sure the update wasn't quite as "soon" as you would have hoped. Gomen nasai, but - - well, here it is. Hope you enjoy it anyways.
Anhthy Here's the next update. Sorry it took so long to get it out. Oh, and in this fic, Chibimamo also has limited memories of his parents. Hismemories of the dark moon attack arefairly clear, but everything before that is going to be hazy or broken memories. I'm glad his distrust towards his father makes since though. I wasn't really sure if I made that clear last time.
As far as the "red lady" going into his sister: Yes, he does mean she went inside his sister's body just before Chibiusa made her trip to the 20th century. As far as the presence inside her goes, I'll try to make that more clear as the story goes on. She does have control over herself and her body - most of the time - although she is NOT aware of the presence inside heryet. Hope that explains things a little bit. . .Anyways, hope you enjoy the update. "
Cardcaptor Eternity Lots of Laughs. Ok. Ok. Here it is. I updated. Don't hurt me. hides Just kidding. Hope you enjoy. "
"Sailor Moon!" Mamo's frightened voice called desperately out to his rescuer. Chaotic raven hair fell over the dust-covered face of the orphaned prince as he struggled hopelessly against his shadowy capture. "You're in trouble now, mister!" Azure blues narrowed in obvious determination. Every kid who was any kid knew the story of the legendary Sailor Moon – the mysterious leader of the Sailor Senshi who hadn't been seen since the end of the 20th century. Everyone knew about the Sailor Senshi who protected Crystal Tokyo and made the bad peoples go away. "Sailor Moon's gun kick your butt."
'He thinks I'm Sailor Moon?' Chibimoon sweat dropped suppressing a noticeable groan as the evil red orbs of the dark shadow glared darkly at her. Mamo's cries echoed in Chibimoon's ears as the dark shadow wrenched his long claws from the five-year-olds' shoulders, turning his attention on the pink-clad senshi warrior. A wide smirk crossed the dark shadows face as his actions caused the little child to cry out in pain. Red eyes narrowed furiously. From deep within her sub-space pocket, Sailor Chibimoon pulled out her Moon Kaleidoscope – the one she had receive while fighting with Sailor Moon inside the Black Dream Hole. 'Please let this work.' She thought as she tried her best to move as smoothly as Sailor Moon always did. "Moon Gorgeous Meditation!"
As Chibimoon thrust the Moon Scope forwards in her right hand, a kaleidoscope of rainbow colored moon energy flew unrelentingly down upon her newest enemy. Red eyes danced evilly as the Shadow of Darkness shifted back into his shadow form. Arms, legs, head, and body all turned from light brown to pitch black. His features became distorted as to that of a ghost, shifting until the only clear feature remaining was an obvious and broadening smirk. "Well, well. What is this?" He questions with an evil laugh. "Looks likes like the little Princess is trying to kill her little brother - - - again."
"Nani? What do you - " Sailor Chibimoon started in a voice echoing both disbelief and irritation just as the rainbow-colored attack came down upon - - - and passed her enemy through like the shadows he was. The shadow's form shimmered as the power of the super-level attack passed him by and continued on in the VERY DIRECTION of the orphaned child behind. "Iie! Mamo-chan watch out!" The azure eyes of the helpless orphan child widened with observable terror as waves of rainbow energy bore down upon him.
"Waii! A.B.!" Shutting his eyes, Mamo called out desperately to his friend, the only one who had stayed by his side during the two lonely years he'd spent at Nephrite Hills Orphanage. The dark shadow laughed as the rainbow colored energy closed in on the child – closer and closer – until - - - At the very last moment, a blur a white speeding through the sky stopped just inches in front of the child's face. "A.B.!" Mamo cried out as the energy from the attack deflected off his mechanical friend, returning back in the direction it had come. Eyes going dead once more, A.B. fell to the ground like a rock. A loud cracking sound echoed from inside the toy, making it clear A.B.'s heroic act would be his last. Soft tears rolled down the child's face as he wrapped his mechanical friend in his arms once more.
Sailor Chibimoon breathed a sigh of relief as the dark shadow growled in irritation and annoyance. He watched through narrowed eyes as the rainbow-colored attack passed back through his shadowy form once more. A smirk played on the shadows face as the attack hurdled it way back in the direction of the distracted young senshi. Chibimoon cried out with surprise and dismay as her own attack threw her backwards into a nearby Cherry Blossom tree. Grunting with the impact of the blow, Chibimoon turned over passing out on the forest floor.
Mamo's gulped clutching his friend tighter as the shadow turned his evil gaze upon him. The man's shadow form laughed with merriment and delight. "So, what EVIL deed should I attempt first – destroying the innocence of our blameless young prince, or make sure our sugary young senshi never interferes with our plans again?" Grinning darkly, the shadowy man made his way in Chibimoon's direction. Red eyes narrowed as he focused in on the brooch which was the source of the child's power. Placing his hand on Sailor Chibimoon's henshin brooch, the shadow began to flood it with his evil dark energy. Chibimoon cried out twisting in pain as the dark energy encircled her flooding her pink crystal until it began to crack under the intensity of the darkness.
"Sailor Moon!" Mamo cried out, getting to his feet. Immediately, he reached into his pockets pulling out the last few rocks he hand there. Watching the child out of the corner of his eye, the shadow smirked. With his free hand, he sent a wave of dark energy in the child's direction. Azure eyes went wide. "WAII!" The child cried out as he was thrown backwards. Innocent eyes shut slowly as Mamo collapsed on the ground next to his friend.
"Mamo-chan!" Sailor Chibimoon cried out horsely as the dark energy surrounding her caused her henshin to break. Streams of pink fabric floated around her as she struggled to escape the shadows ever tightening grasp. Smirking widely, the shadow sent one final blast of dark energy shattering the crystalline brooch into a million pieces. Red eyes went wide as Sailor Chibimoon returned to her regular Princess Form. Red eyes met red eyes as the satisfied smirk on the shadows face grew wider and wider. "Well, if it isn't the sugary little princess." Reforming into his solid state, the shadow leaned down whispering darkly next to Small Lady's ears. "Prepare to join the dark side." Small Lady gasped.
"What does this look like, a scene out of Star Wars?" The familiar voice of an eleven-year-old prince questioned from out of the midst of the forest. "MARS FIRE DRAGON!" Without warned, a wave of fiery Martian energy blew through the forest washing over the shadow (who was still in his solid form) like a dragon on the attack. "Think again!" Red eyes filled with fury, the shadowy man cried out as the impact of the attack threw him backwards off of the now only semi-conscious princess.
"Small Lady!" From out of the forest, Prince Triston re-sheathed his sword running over to wear the young princess lay. Chocolate brown eyes flooded with obvious concern as he knelt beside the princess pulling her head gently back up onto his knees. A mild wind blew the soft wavy brown hair of the Jupitarian Prince back from his face as he looked down upon the girl with care. Astonished red eyes starred up into caring brown eyes as Triston smiled softly at the girl. Small Lady's face flushed with embarrassment. ' I – I can't henshin.' She opened her mouth to stay but words never came out as Triston placed his hand over her mouth, quieting her. "Do not worry. That is what we are here for." The leader of Small Lady's court assured her as he helped her to a sitting position.
Coming out of the forest a moment later than his two friends, Prince Antiny's emerald eyes fell immediately on the five-year-old form lying unconscious at his feet. "It's the little prince." He whispered as both Triston and Damien looked over in his direction with both curiosity and worry. Kneeling down, he pulled the unconscious child back into his arms. Placing the index and forefinger of his right hand against the child's neck, he checked for a pulse. After a moment, Prince Antiny nodded allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief. "He is going to be fine. He just blacked out."
The dark shadow shook his head growling furiously as he stumbled back onto his feet. "You are going to pay for that." He snarled while shifting immediately back into his shadow form. Prince Antiny's eyes set with determination as he created a shield of Royal Mercurian energy around both himself and the young prince. Without a word of warning, Triston wrapped his arms around Small Lady's waist hoisting her to her feet as he created an equally powerful shield of Jupitarian energy around himself and the not-quite-so-young Moon Princess. Smirking arrogantly, Damien brushed his raven hair back out of his face and withdrew his sword with finality. "Bring it on." He proudly challenged the shadowy form of a man.
"Mamo-chan! Usagi-chan?"
The shadow of darkness growled again as a pair of adult forms stepping through the forest interrupted the destruction he had planned. Stepping back into the shadows, the man disappeared traveling through the forest at lightning speed, leaving only a brief wind behind as evidence of his departure. Damien, Triston, and Antiny watched the shadows departure with suspicion before turning their attention onto the approaching King and General. "Over here, Majesty." Prince Damien called while finding his way over to join Triston and Small Lady.
Making their way through the shadowy forest, King Endymion and General Nicholas followed the sound of the children's voices. It took them but a moment to located the small group of preteens. Stepping out from the shadows of the forest, azure eyes studied the scene carefully. Prince Triston of Jupiter and Prince Damien of Mars stood on either side of Small Lady, while Prince Antiny, Sailor Mercury's first born, held in his arms the unconscious form of - - - his son. They had FINALLY found him, but. . .why was he unconscious? And why was Small Lady not henshined? Something definitely wasn't right with this picture. "What happened here?" The King of Earth urgently demanded to know.
Still embarrassed over her evident failure at her first real battle as a senshi, Small Lady remained silent looking down at the ground. Prince Antiny, ever the quiet one of the group, cursed his lips together turning his attention back to the young prince he held in his arms. Prince Triston and Damien exchanged a knowing look. The Martian prince took a steadying but firm hold on the princess' arm nodding as Triston released the girl and stood forward to take his place as leader of the princess' court.
"Your Majesty." The young but sturdy prince began with a smooth bow. "We are not sure how it is the young prince came to be in the forest. Prince Damien and Antiny and I were conversing in the Northern Garden when we saw the princess henshined and heading in the direction of her brother's energy beam. By the time we caught up to her, we found prince unconscious as he is now, and the Small Lady being attacked by a Shadow of Darkness. We had tried to fight the Shadow, but he fled when you and General Nicholas could be heard coming through the forest." Explaining the situation as best and as shortly as he knew how, Prince Triston stood tall watching the king with inborn pride and steadiness. "The princess was also de-henshined when we arrived, so we can only assume she lost it in the battle before we arrived."
King Endymion nodded taking in the explanation, although it didn't really tell him anything about the enemy itself. Fighting the urge to go straight to his son and wrap him in his arms, Endymion stepped past Triston and pulled his daughter into his arms. "Are you okay, my Small Lady?" He questioned with concern. Blushing deeply, Small Lady nodded hugging onto her father. Picking up the shattered brooch from the ground, Endymion set it down in Small Lady's hand. "You lost your henshin, ne?" Small Lady nodded again fighting back the tears which pressed at the edge of her vision. "Do not worry. Everything will work itself out." Once again, the young princess only nodded.
Offering his daughter a hug somewhat quicker than he had intended, King Endymion was finally able to turn his attention on the one which had drawn him here in the first place. "Is he alright?" Endymion questioned of the Mercurian Prince as he took his son into his arms. Smiling softly, Prince Antiny nodded assuring the king his son was only unconscious – nothing more.
Unshed tears filled Endymion eyes. The strong arms of the young king held the five-year-old gently, but tightly, as if he never wanted to let the child out of his sight again. "My son." He whispered while running his fingers lightly through the boy's soft raven-colored hair. A small comfortable smile crossed Mamo's face as he snuggled against his father's chest.
Standing off to the side, a hint of jealousy flashed through Small Lady's eyes. Unfortunately for her, she was quickly getting to big to be held in such a way. Not that she hadn't worried over her little brother, but still - - going instantly from an only child holding ALL of her parent's attention to being forced to share her parents with an much to adorable five-year-old was going to be a major change for the Princess of the Earth and Moon. Small Lady knew all to well the benefits of being the younger sibling. After all, was it not Usagi who all paid the price for Chibiusa's antics when she had first appeared at the Tsukino household?
Further back in the forest, two red eyes watched the scene with a low growl. "This isn't over yet." The shadowy man snarled as he looked down upon the red-headed orphan he had managed to recruit as a subordinate to his evil plans. The boy lay where he had fallen after being thrown back by the young prince's powerful blast of golden energy. Smirking darkly, the shadow of darkness knelt beside his willing cohort. "So hard of heart. So hungry for power." Reaching his hands out, the shadow took hold of the boy's shoulder melding slowly, becoming one with the boy.
Watching the scene between father and son with a warm smile, Nicholas stood back allowing his friend a few moments alone with his almost-thought-dead son. It was about time the depressed king was given some relief from his hardship. Nicholas watched as the three older princes stood silently, and Small Lady grew more and more jealous and uncertain as the moment ticked by.
The Venusian General was prepared to suggest they return to the safety of the castle grounds when something further back in the forest caught his attention. Walking past King, prince, and princess, Nicholas knelt down brushing aside a fair number of bushes to reveal the form of a thin boy of roughly eleven years dressed in old clothes similar in status to the little prince's own current dress. "Hmm." Reaching down, he picked the skinny red-headed child up into his arms. "Endymion-sama, look over here." Stepping out from the brush, General Nicholas made his way over to the king with Thomas rested limply in his arms. "He must have gotten caught in the cross-fire when the shadow was attacking Mamo-chan. What do you think?"
Pulling his attention reluctantly away from his son, Endymion looked curiously down upon the skinny eleven-year-old resting in Nicholas' arms. He seemed harmless enough. "Well, we can't just leave him here in the middle of the forest. Someone might be looking for him" Endymion decided instantly. Of course if the boy was an orphan, likely no one would ever come looking for him. Either way, he couldn't just leave him here. "Bring him back to the Crystal Palace. We can lay him in one of the guest quarters. Perhaps there is something we can do to help him."
"Should we not be heading back to the palace now, Endymion-sama?" Nicholas questioned again, shifting the boy in his arms. After all, supported an eleven-year-old wasn't nearly as easy as supporting a five-year-old. "If there is a new enemy running around in the forest, we don't want to have the children in here any longer than we have to." Holding his son close, Endymion nodded his agreement motioning for Small Lady and her court to follow after them.
Nodding silently, Small Lady and the three young members of her court traveled a few feet behind the King and his General. The boys whispered hushedly among themselves, while Small Lady walked beside them - - and yet not quite as part of their small circle. Noting the princess' obvious pain at her perpetual isolation, Antiny came up on the other side of her as an effort to help her at least appear as part of the fold. Small Lady smiled up at the Mercurian Prince gratefully.
Triston and Damien exchanged looks before glancing in the princess' direction. Damien looked upon his friends with eyes voicing his uncertainty. Frowning, Antiny glared firmly back at Triston. 'This has to stop.' He told their leader silently with an unyielding gaze. Taking in a deep breath, Triston nodded turning back to Damien with an understanding but firmly decided gaze. Sighing heavily, Damien too nodded his agreement.
Decidely, Prince Triston fell into step next to the young princess while Antiny and Damien slowed their pace, holding back. Curiously, Small Lady looked up, her red eyes meeting with the firm gaze of the Jupitarian Prince. "We need to talk." He whispered lightly to her. "Meet us in the Sacred Fire Room after your brother is settled." Red eyes blinked curiously as Prince Triston fell back rejoining his friends' conversation once more.
(End Scene)
Deep purple orbs, filled with worry, starred distantly through the darkness. The warm flames of the sacred fire danced silently in tune with Prince Damien's steady breathing as he focused his mind on the elements he knew so well. "Sun, Moon, Stars, Light. I am flame, flame is light. Sun, Moon, Stars, Light. I am fire, fire is sight." Long eleven-year-old Martian fingers moved smoothly from one element to another. Pushing all other thought s from his mind, he was able, - if only for five minutes – to forget the problems which plagued him the rest of the day. "Fire, Air, Water, Rock, Star. Soul of fire. Strength of Mars."
Silence filled the air like a thick cloud. A mere ten feet away from the Martian Prince, the leader of Small Lady's court knelt watching his friend's deep meditation. Placing his left hand on the floor beside him for balance, he wrapped his right hand tightly around a green stone at the end of a silver chain around his neck. Chocolate brown eyes studied the surroundings coolly through wavy locks of auburn hair. "I just –" Releasing a frustrated sigh, Triston clutched his emerald-green stone just that much tighter. "I just do not know what to do anymore." He reluctantly admitted.
"You can not avoid her forever." A gentle, ocean-like male voice put in softly but pointedly. Stormy emerald seas gaze meaningfully up into darkening purple orbs as Damien turned to the quieter of his two best friends, frowning uncertainly. In a dim corner of the room, Prince Antiny sat on his knees on the floor in typical Japanese fashion. "She IS going to take Neo Queen Serenity's place– and be the Queen of the Earth and Moon one day." Reaching deep into his sub-space pocket, the Mercurian Prince pulled out a small blue-purple laptop. He watched the screen with intensity as he began typing in calculations he had picked up from the battle earlier that morning. "Besides, it is that strange kid General Nicholas picked up that gives ME the creeps." Triston and Damien nodded silently in agreement. "Tap. Tap. Tap."
Pursing his lips tightly together, Damien intensified his gaze on the sacred flames as a light nervous knocking interrupted the stillness emanating from the sacred room. "It is open, hime." Triston called with the same cool, formal voice Small Lady had grown used to over the years. Looking up only momentarily from his work, Antiny glanced concernedly at the door, shook his head, and returned his attention to his laptop with a sigh.
Honestly, Antiny disliked conflict, particularly among his friends. And any time Small Lady was forced to face her court, there was bound to be conflict involved. Slowly pushing open the heavy door, Princess Small Lady stepped from the light of the royal castle to the darkness that always seemed to separate her from her court. They all felt it – especially Damien, whose uncanny psychic abilities accounted for a large portion of the Moon Princess' social problems.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room as Small Lady stood over the three chosen from birth to protect and guide her. Biting absently at her lower lip, the young moon princess fought down the frustration building inside her at her courts persistent wariness of her. Triston wore his usual look of neutrality, while Damien wouldn't even look at her. Even Antiny – the nonjudgmental one of the three – was pretending to be absorbed in something else. The silence continued, as neither of the boys wished to be the first to break it. Red eyes narrowed angrily. "What! What is everyone so afraid of? Am I that horrid? Am I?"
"Iie." A smooth but powerful, lightning-like voice Small Lady almost didn't recognize answered sharply. The quiet room seemed to come alive, encircling the bold twelve-year-old Jupitarian Prince, as he rose to his feet. The flames of the sacred fire jumped as Prince Damien turned, refocusing his attention on the princess and the leader of her court.
The sound of Prince Antiny's laptop snapping shut echoed through the room as he quickly shoved it into his sub-space pocket. Emerald eyes flashed curiously as he too looked up waiting for the scene between Prince and Princess to unfold. Still clutching the dark green stone around his neck, Prince Triston walked forwards stopping mere feet before the young princess. Red eyes blinked uncertainly as they met with deep chocolate brown eyes. Triston remained silent. Small Lady gulped.
She hadn't been this close to the leader of her court since before the Dark Moon attack over three years ago, and the young prince from Jupiter had grown up a lot in those last three years. True – she liked to watch him from her balcony, but up close . . . up close he was much taller and stood over her by almost a head. Hours spent in the sun left him with a golden brown tan and extensive training, both with his father – who took his son's roll very seriously – as well as with the other princes, left him in an attractive state.
Deep, deep chocolate brown eyes reflected a gentle torrent of emotions as Prince Triston took a single step forwards placing his right hand horizontally across his chest, and – in one smooth flowing movement – bowed. "Gomen nasai." He apologized gently as soft locks of brown hair fell carelessly into his face. A warm smile crossed his face as he stood pushing his bangs dismissively back from his line of vision. "We never meant to cause you so much pain. It was - - - a misunderstanding you could say."
"You thought I killed Mamo-chan." Small Lady answered, filling in the blanks, with a hushed voice. Triston nodded as – behind them – Damien pursed his lips together once more. With obvious shock at Triston's sudden apology, Small Lady ran this over in her mind. "But why!" She insistently wanted to know. "Why would I want to KILL my own brother? Just because he was a pain in the neck a lot of the time, and always found my secret stash of candy no matter HOW well I hid it . . . didn't mean I was going to KILL him! Why would you think that?"
"Because of the dark Shadow of Darkness." Damien answered getting to his feet. The sacred fire grew like a wall behind him. The flames jumped and danced encircling the eleven-year-old prince with their warm Martian energy. Red eyes growing wide, Small Lady looked up at Damien who came forwards with intense weighted steps. "You saw the Shadow that tried to get to your brother, ne? You saw what he was doing?"
Small Lady frowned and nodded as the Martian Prince looked at her with vision-filled purple orbs. "He is a shadow – like a ghost – a vision of past evil. By himself, he's harmless. That's why he was looking for a host - - - someone with hidden powers he could feed off of - - just like the shadow that sleeps inside of YOU right now."
Red eyes grew wide once more as the misplaced princess shook her head in disbelief as Damien's purple orbs burned themselves into her. "You think you've always had pink hair….red eyes? Do you remember, Chibi–Usagi Serenity? Do you remember how Lita broke her arm two and a half years ago? You don't and Lita doesn't, but I do." Small Lady shook her head again tears forming in her eyes as suppressed memories pushed at the edge of her memory.
"I saw it in a vision. We got there just in time – before you lost yourself completely. Lita slipped in the kitchen floor while trying to getting away – broke her arm and hit her head pretty hard." Damien's eyes burned even deeper with intensity as he lost himself in the visions – vision of the Small Lady – visions that ran before his eyes as real as if they'd been happening that very moment.
Triston frowned as he placed a firm hand on his friend's shoulder shaking him gently in an attempt to pull him out from the visions. "You were SO angry when Triston would not let you visit her, but do you remember why, Small Lady? Do you remember what happened that day? Do you remember the day your brother disappeared? Do you remember what happened THAT day, Small Lady?"
"Iie!" Small Lady cried out, tears running down her face. "It wasn't my fault! He – he let go of my hand when we were being pull into the sky." Slowly – slowly – she backed her way into the large door that led out into the rest of the castle. She groped for the doorknob as Damien started in on the details of the day Chibimamo disappeared. Slamming open the heavy door, she ran out of the room disappearing into the many corridors of the Crystal Palace.
Brown eyes narrowed as Triston turned on his friend taking him by the shoulders. "Damien no baka, snap out of it!" Purple eyes blinked as Small Lady's absence withdrew the fuel that had been feeding the visions. The Martian Prince grew silent – starring numbly off into space as his two friends called to him. He took in deep breaths; as the intensity of the visions wore off leaving his energy spent, he fell backwards passing out from the effort. "Damien?" Triston questioned worriedly. "Damien –"
"He will be fine." A sharp but cool fire-like voice interrupted. Triston and Antiny looked up as Sailor Mars stepped out of the shadowy darkness of the room. Kneeling down, she pulled her son into her lap rubbing his forehead gently until he slowly began to open his eyes. "He lost control of his visions and they zapped his energy. "It happens all the time to beginning and intermediate fire readers."
"Mama?" Damien questioned quietly as his eyes opened focusing in on the hazy figure hovering above him. "How? How long have you been standing there? How much did you hear?" Wincing at the loss of energy, Damien tried to push him back up into a sitting position – only to be forced back down by his mother's steady hand. "Mama . . ." He groaned, a small blush coming into his face. "I'm fine. Let me up."
"I think it time you boys left." Sailor Mars coolly told the remaining two princes, all the while ignoring her son's protest. Triston and Antiny exchanged knowing looks before nodding their silent agreeing and quietly slipping out of the room – shutting the door behind them. "Now - - I need you to tell me everything." Sailor Mars forcefully ordered of her son as he insistently pushed himself into a sitting position, turning to face her with a proud look in his eyes. "You should have told me sooner." She scolded.
Damien frowned visually. "I have only been telling you for the past three years. You always insisted it was the same problem you and Serenity always had in the past . . . I TOLD you it wasn't the same thing. You just wouldn't LISTEN." Crossing his arms proudly, the young Martian frowned at his mother with an 'I tried to tell you' attitude.
Rei sighed, only choosing to ignore the attitude because she knew he was right. "Well, I'm listening now." Turning him to face her, she looked down deeply into his young purple eyes. "Now tell me EVERYTHING." Sighing in defeat, Damien nodded his agreement and started from the very beginning. . . .
(End Scene)
"Huhm." Mamo sighed contentedly as he drifted aimlessly in and out of that comfortable space just immediately between sleep and consciousness. Soft locks of raven-colored hair fell tenderly over the young child's face as he hugged his soft feather pillow tightly, and snuggled warmly up to his neck in under the smooth homemade quilt. For once, the misplaced orphan wasn't chilly as he awoke from his afternoon nap. Taking in a deep breath, the boy sighed with happiness and contentment. Was this a dream of some sort? If it was a dream, he didn't want to EVER wake up from it. Regrettably, however, his one-and-a-half hour nap had charged him with so much pent-up energy that he couldn't possibly sleep a moment longer.
Opening his guiltless eyes reluctantly, the child was instantly taken aback. Where the cold bare wall of the orphan boys' room should have been was a finely painted red-orange wall with silver trim. Where the old hardwood floor and rigid old window seat should have been was a handmade oriental rug and a floor to ceiling window leading out onto a delicate-looking balcony which over looked the Eastern Gardens of the Crystal Palace.
A tall bookshelf was filled with an innumerable number of dictionary, encyclopedias, and other "adult" books way beyond the five-year-old's current level. A set of finely-carved men's desks, the one on the left being the larger of the two, sat on the far wall on either side of the beautiful floor-to-ceiling window. Filing cabinet, drawers, old paintings, and the large yellow-orange couch he found himself sleeping upon gave the room a home-like atmosphere his old room at Nephrite Hills had gravely lacked. Innocent azure-blue eyes blinked inquiringly studying the large office with avid curiosity.
'Am I still asleep?' The child wondered as he wiggled his way out from beneath the heavy quilt. Throwing his skinny legs over the side of the couch, Mamo urgently rubbed the last remaining sleep from his ever-widening eyes. The picture before him was still the same. 'Where am I?' Azure blue eyes blinked uncertainly as the child found himself slipping slowly off the soft cushioned couch, bare feet hitting the cool hardwood floor below. Bare? Mamo looked down with a notable frown. While he slept, some one had removed his old charity-donated blue shirt and jeans replacing it with a pair of yellow-orange sleeping trunks. Mamo's face crinkled in disgust. Who wore orange pants? Yuck!
Mamo was supposed to be at Nephrite Hills. Ms. Carol was supposed to wake him up from his nap. His room at Nephrite Hills was cold and bare. This was NOT his room. This room was warm and pretty and full of grown-up toys. Where was Nephrite Hills? Where was Ms. Carol? Did the bad man get her? Did the bad man get Ms. Carol? Innocent azure eyes grew wide, heavy tears pushing their way to the surface as a vivid image of the evil shadow played through his young mind. The bad man took him away from Ms. Carol. The bad man took him away from Nephrite Hills. But Sailor Moon – no Chibimoon – What happened to Sailor Chibimoon? Did the bad man get her to? Did the bad man bring him here? "Iie! Iie! Leave me alone!"
Fear planted itself on Mamo's face as a loud squeal echoing from somewhere outside the window fixed itself in the child's young ears. Bare feet padded across the thick oriental rug as Mamo made his way quickly over to the large window. Looking up decisively, Mamo stood on his tip-toes struggling to reach the door handles above. "Aww. Too high." He pouted. Two tiny five year old hands positioned themselves on the large window, as azure eyes starred out over the balcony and into the garden below. A young girl with her brown hair pulled back into two French pigtails squealed as she ran urgently away from her older brother. The older boy laughed teasingly as he finally caught up to the girl, pushed her down onto the soft grass, and began to tickle her mercilessly. "Iie! Iie!" The girl cried out through tears of laughter. "Let me up! Oniisama!" Azure blue eyes blinked curiously. Children. They didn't SEEM to be in trouble, but - -
"Click." The child's stomach churned as the low creaking of a heavy door alerted him to a new presence in the room. His mouth was dry as he pressed himself harder up against the locked balcony doors. "Click." Heavy footsteps echoed into the room as the new presence turned, shutting the door behind him. "Ah, you are awake are you?" A gentle male voice commented as he made his way in Mamo's direction.
"You know you have been asleep for over two hours?" Mamo frowned. His nap was only supposed to be for an hour and a half. Why didn't Ms. Carol wake him up? Why didn't A.B.? Ms. Carol was back at Nephrite Hills, but - - where was A.B.? "Mamo-chan?" The man questioned placing his hand gently on the child's shoulder. Mamo tensed visually. "It is okay, Mamo-chan." Sitting himself down at the smaller of the two desks, the man tightened his grip on the child's arm, as if the child were going to disappear into thin air if he didn't hold on tight enough. "Come over here and talk to me, Mamo-chan. I know this must be overwhelming for you."
Azure blue eyes filled with both curiosity and uncertainty turned their young gaze upon the stranger who had entered so suddenly into the young child's lonely life. The stranger before him was a young general with unruly sandy blonde hair, hopeful emerald green eyes, and a gentle imploring smile that pulled the frightened boy in his direction. Still, the young child gulped his heart with apprehension. Unconsciously, he reached out for his mechanical friend only to find that A.B. was no longer there. Azure eyes filled with uncertain tears. "A.B." He whispered in a soft, almost lost, tone of voice. Who was this man? Why wasn't A.B. with him? A.B. was always with him. A.B. wouldn't leave him alone, like Mommy and Daddy and Oneesan did. What did they do to A.B.? "Where's A.B.?" He questioned, almost pleaded of the man.
"A.B.?" Nicholas questioned. Looking down into the boys deep, deep azure blue eyes, he was saddened to see the pain and uncertainty there. "Ah, you mean your little friend. Mamo-chan - -" With finality, the Venusian General reached under the child's arms lifting him up from the floor. His left hand supported the child as his right hand tilted the child's chin upwards. Understanding emerald eyes starred deeply into uncertain azure blues. "Mamo-chan, A.B. got hurt when the dark shadow attacked you." Nicholas explained as simply as he could. "We took to a - - well, to a doctor where he can get fixed up. You can have him back as soon as he is well again. Is that okay, Mamo-chan?"
Cursing his lips together, Mamo had to think this over for a moment. Azure blues echoed deep thought as the emerald eyes of the general looked down upon him. Silently, he hoped the child would buy this explanation without to much of a fuss, and they might go on to talk about more important matters – like his parents. "A.B. had ta go to da hospital?" Mamo questioned. Nicholas nodded. "And then he can come back and stay with me again?"
"Of course, Mamo-chan. The doctors won't keep him forever, just until we can fix him up for you." The general assured the child while gently rubbed his back with his left hand. Two and a half years – for two and a half years they had searched for this child and here he was. Flesh and blood, tears and all, the missing prince was finally home. Perhaps now, life at the Crystal Palace could return to some kind of normality. "Mamo-chan –" Tilting the child's head again, Nicholas' green eyes starred deeply into the child's azure blue ones. "Do you know where you are Mamo-chan? Do you know who I am?"
(End Scene)
Meanwhile in the Western Wing of the castle, a twelve-year-old orphan with unruly reddish-brown hair sleeps in one of the Crystal Palace's many guest quarters. Malevolent red eyes shoot open as if called by an invisible force. Sitting up, Thomas finds himself in a beautifully made queen-sized bed and surrounded by finely made furniture only money of the very highest class would offer to an unexpected guest. "The hell?" Slipping out of the bed, Thomas bare feet hit the carpeted floor with a loud "thud." "What did those morons do with my shoes?" He wonders as his red eyes wander the beautiful room with little appreciation.
After a moment, the heart-hardened orphan found his black socks and sneakers on the other side of the room beneath a curtain-covered window. "There." Propping his foot up on an expensive-looking chair, Thomas pulled on his socks and shoes, tying them tightly onto his feet. Red eyes narrowed once more as the devilish-looking child wandered back to the window. "Where the hell am I?" The child questioned as he drew back the heavy curtains.
Outside the window was a breath-taking view of the Royal Gardens offset by the sight of the noble homes located just outside the castle gate. Red eyes blinked first with surprise, then devilish satisfaction. "The Crystal Palace." He mouthed silently. Red eyes turned to a putrid shade of black as the shadow churning inside the boy quickly reached the surface. "I've been waiting years for a chance like this. Prepare to join the dark side Princess." Thomas whispered devilishly. "You will stand between me and my partner no longer."
(End Chapter)