To Teh Wonderous Tsu-chan- I'm glad you like it. I'm using English – or at least non Japanese – names for the children because 1, they sound cool, and 2, none of them were born in Japan. As for Rei not being with Yuuchirou, I just made it easy on myself and stuck the Inners with the Generals. I was trying to think of husbands and coming up blank, and then I found that one picture of the Inners and Generals as couples, and went with that. So to make it up to you, the new Senshi of Mercury will have a Japanese name. Okay?
To Elara- Yay for the princess of Jupiter! Too bad you're four. A little young for a senshi, sure, but you'll grow up someday. Maybe.
To PyrokeneticFeral- Thank you! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy that you like my story! I'll be sure and read yours as soon as I can, but I'm going into overload, spending the day writing and living on soda and cheese sticks. Not good for your health, let me tell you.
"Whoa."
"Something like that." Queen Serenity agreed with a smile, remembering the first time she'd transformed into Sailor ChibiMoon.
"I'm wearing a miniskirt." He daughter stated flatly, glaring down at said small garment. "A miniskirt and a cape. Whoever designs these outfits is a total perv."
"Maybe they just like your legs." The queen joked, her smile widening as Sentra's scowl deepened. "What say we go save the day?"
"Someone please explain what the hell just happened here." Stephanie said as calmly as she could manage.
"Language, dear." Rei admonished, standing and pacing across the dressing room to look her daughter's new threads over. "You just transformed into a Senshi for the first time, and I must say, there have been changes in the outfit since last I wore it."
Changes, indeed; Stephanie's battle outfit consisted of knee-high red boots with purple laces, a red skirt with two thin purple stripes running across the bottom, a purple belt, two large purple bows, a red collar, a purple choker, red shoulder pads, and a pair of spotless white gloves.
"It's certainly interesting." Jedite spoke up. "And as your father, I should force you to wear a trench coat during battles."
"Battles?" Stephanie repeated. "Who said anything about battles? I'm 13!"
"Only a year younger than I was when I took up my Henshin wand." Rei informed her. "In you'll excuse me for a moment, I think I need to call a conference."
"Rei, something incredible's happened!" Queen Ami of Mercury's voice exclaimed, and the blue-haired genius popped up on the comm.
"Which one transformed?" Rei asked, surprised to see the unshakable Ami flushed with excitement.
"Heishi!" Ami responded, not in the least astonished that Rei knew what had happened already. "And your Stephanie? Did she transform as well?"
"Yes, she did. I believe it's time we paid a little visit to Earth, don't you?"
"I'll say." Queen Minako spoke up. "Although my poor Kunzite will probably throw a fit when he gets home. And what about our new Jupiter?"
"If you think for one moment I'm going to let my four-year-old daughter and only child go into battle, you're seriously mistaken." Was Makoto's input. "You'll just have to do without a Jupiter for a few years."
"I'll agree with you there," Ami said. "Elara is much too young to be fighting. It would be best if we waited to involve her until she was Marcus's age, at least."
"Where should we meet?" Minako asked now that the question of Elara had been dealt with. "The usual place?"
"Yes." Rei agreed, nodding.
"The Moon Palace it is, then." Ami decided. "I'll see you all there shortly."
Heishi wasn't the kind of guy to get excited easily. He took just about everything in stride, and very little got to him. But he figured finding himself in armor halfway through his lessons was as good a reason as any to be surprised, even if his mother seemed to accept it as inevitable.
"Now, Heishi, I want you to remember that as the oldest, you're in charge." Queen Ami said calmly, not the least ruffled by the frenzied activity of the docking bay. "Traditionally, the Senshi of Venus is the leader, but Marcus is much too young to be giving orders. I want you to take care of your new teammates. I wish I could see you there, but I just can't leave right now, so as soon as your father gets here, you can leave."
"Yes, Mother." Heishi agreed, shifting uncomfortably in his new clothing. At least he didn't have a sword; he'd never been much good with one. His skill was in projectiles, not edged weapons, so he was grateful for the set of throwing daggers strapped to his waist.
"Now promise me you'll be careful for me, okay? You're my son and I love you, and I want you to come home safely."
"I will." The prince of Mercury promised, turning at the sight of a small blue blur to his left. "Did you come to see me off, Matthew?" He asked, smiling, as his little sister skidded to a halt just short of bumping into him.
"Of course!" Matthew exclaimed, smiling brightly. She was only nine, and didn't know why her brother was going away, but she did know that as his little sister and the princess of Mercury, it was her duty to see him off. So she held her hands up, silently demanding to be hugged.
Heishi complied, sweeping the blue-haired girl off her feet and planting a wet kiss on her cheek for good measure.
"Here now, don't I get a kiss as well?" King Zoicite demanded, striding over to his family and looking left out. "I'm going on this trip, too, you know!"
"Of course, dearheart." Queen Ami said, giving her husband a hug and kiss. "Take good care of our son for me; I want you both back safely."
"Yeah, Daddy!" Matthew seconded, squirming her way to the floor and immediately jumping on her father. "Come back safely!"
"Sure are a lot of them." Sentra whispered nervously. "Can we really take them all?"
"We'll be fine." Serenity told her. "As long as you believe in yourself, nothing can stop you. Now, you stay here and wait for my signal, okay?"
Sentra nodded vigorously, feeling the weight of her tiara shift slightly with each jerk of her head.
"Good."
"Stephanie?" Minako asked incredulously. "You've grown since the last time I saw you!"
"Not really, Aunt Minako," The new Senshi of Mars disagreed, hugging the blond queen fondly. "It's just the outfit. Hello, Marcus."
"Sup, Beanpole?" Marcus replied, wrinkling his nose at Stephanie.
"Nothing much, Rabbit." Stephanie retorted, wrinkling her nose right back.
"I wonder when Zoicite and Heishi are going to show up…" Rei mused out loud, her eyes sweeping the starry sky in search of a vessel. "How old is that boy now?"
"Twenty, I think." Minako said. "Not exactly a boy anymore. Hey, I think I see them!"
Senshi, new and former, waited impatiently while the private royal shuttle of Mercury gliding to a neat halt not far away and the new Mercury stepped out to meet his teammates.
"Ye-ow!" Minako exclaimed appreciatively. "That boy is a looker!"
"Remember your husband." Rei said calmly, stepping forward to give Zoicite a warm hug. "Hello, Zoicite, dear. How's Ami doing?"
"Bogged down with work and loving it." Zoicite answered, returning the hug before bestowing a similar one on Minako. "Mina, dear, please stop making eyes at my son."
"Aw, but it's fun!" Minako protested, laughing. "You didn't tell me he was so cute!"
"I didn't want you kidnapping him."
"Father?" Heishi interrupted softly, clearing his throat. "If you don't mind, I believe we have work to do?"
"Ah, you're no fun." Minako pouted. "Well, this is Marcus, the Senshi of Venus, and the lovely lady in red over there is Stephanie, Senshi of Mars. Our Jupiter's a little young for battle, so you'll just have to make do without her. I'm Minako, queen of Venus, and that's Queen Rei of Mars.
"Now, the fact that you've all suddenly transformed at once can only mean that the Moon Princess - or now she's the princess of Crystal Tokyo - is in danger. It's your job to protect Princess Sentra, so that's what you're going to do. Something is blocking our communication with Earth, so you'll be going in blind, but we're confident you can handle it. We can't go with you, so please keep each other safe, okay?"
"We will." Heishi promised, as did Stephanie. "We should be going now."
"Yeah." Rei said. "You kids have fun." The raven-haired queen smiled despite the tears welling up in her eyes, trying to keep her brave front from crumbling altogether. "Come back soon."
"We will, Mom." Stephanie assured her, not even trying to hide the tears rolling down her cheeks. "I'll make you proud and come back in one piece, so don't worry too much, okay?"
With a small despairing cry, Minako gave in to the mood and snatched Marcus up in a fierce bearhug. "Now, you listen to Heishi and do what he tells you to, Marcus." She said tearfully. "Do me and your father proud and save the day. And... and..."
"Aw, it's not like I'm leaving forever, Ma." Marcus protested, squirming around to wrap his arms around Minako's waist. "You just take care of Dad, and then we'll have a big party for all of us when we get back, okay?"
"O-okay."
Oh, the wonders of a tearful farewell scene. Makes you wonder... Will the new senshi come back? Will Heishi be able to keep Marcus and Stephanie safe? Will they make it to Earth in time to make a difference? What are Sentra and Serenity planning?
Find out next time, on Silver Moon X!