Chapter Two
Balancing Troubles with Fun; Second Born Royalty
"I can't believe this..." Rei stared forward in a daze as the scene outplayed in front of the girls. Mamoru was trying to be understanding but the look on all four girls was pretty funny.
"Wow..." Usagi said finally. "Ami! You have two kids!"
The others all looked over at Ami, who was currently flushing.
"Err..." Umi fidgeted before sitting down gracefully in front of the others. "How shall we deal with this?"
"Well..." Makoto began.
There was a moment of silence before attention was slowly turned to Rei.
"WHAT?"
"Rei, you live in such a nice and big place," Makoto began.
"NO! I cannot take all of them!" Rei protested.
"Well, what about Mekumi, Umi, and Anrui?" Ami suggested.
"You don't want us with you?" Umi did look hurt.
"I live in a small apartment," Ami began.
"SMALL?" Minako laughed.
"And my mother's always at work..." Ami continued, flushing.
"No, no.. we can stay here," Umi looked down at his lap, his finger carefully drawing on the ground.
"Oh sure Ami, hurt his feelings," Makoto said softly.
"I didn't mean to..."
"Well, I can't take anyone! What would I tell my parents?" Minako stated.
"I can take two of them," Makoto said quietly. "They're small so it'll be okay in my apartment."
"Well, Rei?" Usagi asked.
Rei was staring at the crestfallen Umi. "Err.. Sure!" She said brightly. "They can stay here!"
"Heads up!" A ball came whizzing out to hit Umi's head.
"Ouch.." He fell forward in a slump.
"Umi?" Barako inched closely and shrieked as she watched his hand snake out to grasp the ball. "Yea!" She ran away, playfully screaming as he jumped up.
"Aya!" He thumped his chest rather dorkily and threw the ball high and far.
"UMI!"
"Whoops..." Umi snickered. "Anrui, fetch!"
"You dirtbag!"
"Little tease!" They ended up jumping the other, Anrui actually making the first move.
"Hey! Hey!" Rei shouted. "You're ruin the flowers!"
Umi and Anrui both froze, just inches away from the flowerbed. Barako gently ushered them away. "Go on, shoo, shoo."
Makoto eyed the two girls, Barako and Shinan. "So..."
"I'm hungry, Mako-sama," Shinan smiled shyly.
"Me too, Makoto-mama!" Barako stated.
"Err.. what would you like?"
"Anything!" They said as one. "We always like your cooking!" Barako added.
Makoto smiled. "Okay, I'll whip something up fast."
"YEA!"
Rei was just setting Mekumi and Anrui to bed. Thankfully, her grandfather didn't complain. "Sometimes I wonder if he's on to me.."
She peeked in and saw Umi at the holy fire. "Huh?" She carefully and quietly entered.
It looked as if Umi was in a deep trance. She noted a steady but slight hum, echoing in the closed room.
"I'm sorry, am I bothering you?" Umi asked so suddenly, Rei was startled.
"No...Um..."
"I find that I can concentrate better like this."
"You worried?"
"Well, it was going to be okay.." Umi halted. "See, I'm still in training but I've got more up, you know? I was going after Hermes because he turned traitor to the queen..."
"Why?"
"I don't know.." Umi looked sad.
"What's wrong?"
"We were... best friends," Umi looked up, the fire reflecting in his eyes. "But all of the sudden, he changed. He tried to get me to change but when that didn't work, he attacked me."
Umi sat up. "I've made it my mission to save Hermes, no matter what! But the girls, they weren't supposed to follow!"
"I thought they were after Chibiusa?"
"Chibi...Oh, right, Usagi. We normally call her..."
"Small Lady?"
Umi smiled. "Or Princess. But they're just saying that. Truth is, they were playing with one of Usagi's time keys she was saving and then they decided to go on a 'fieldtrip'. Our parents probably don't even know where we are..." Umi faltered.
"Umi, why is it that you can wield power?" Rei asked suddenly.
"Oh, that...Well, I'm not sure if I can tell you but here goes anyways. In our time, the other planets have been resurrected because it was discovered that each world holds a powerful crystal energy in each depths. This," He held up his item, a perfectly round gem. "Was specifically made for me."
"Do others have one?"
"Err...Well, the others are kinda either too young or there's just one child to an adult," He edged around the answer.
"You're not at all like Ami," Rei commented.
"Hmm?"
"Are you smart?"
"You mean like a genius? No, not really. Anrui is though."
"She acts more like me than Ami," Rei joked.
"I don't get her..." Umi looked away. "She's never been like that. I think it bothers her that she's so smart."
"Why?"
"Because she's not challenged. She's always ahead, she knows any and every answer..."
"Not everything."
"No but then, she knows a little of everything. She hates being smart...but there's always another reason why she's so..."
"Why?"
"Er, she's a physic."
"How is THAT possible?"
"Think of who her dad can be," he suggested.
"Oh...Oh! Ohh..." Rei nodded. "I see. But you're..."
"Normal.. Yea, boring ol' normal..."
"That's why you wanted the gem?"
"No, I got the gem because I intend on protecting my home, my family. My mom's always busy with the Queen and the other Elder senshi. I have to watch out for Anrui."
"You're a good brother."
"I wish Anrui thought that way," Umi laughed. "I'm tired. See you in the morning."
Rei watched him leave with a slight smile. She then retreated to the holy fire and gazed upon it, wishing to know of the times ahead.
And for a moment, she saw the four planet symbols, each tinted in black. Then a face appeared with white hair and dark brown eyes, staring at her with an accusing glare. She caught sight of a symbol but before she could decipher it, the image faded.
"Come on!" Umi dragged out Anrui from her bed, grunting with effort.
The other girls were assembled outside.
"Road trip! Road trip!" Shinan cried happily.
"Shut up!" Mekumi grunted.
"Come on! Let's have fun!" Barako and Shinan grasped hands and played merry-go-round, giggling.
"I DON'T WANNA GET UP!" Anrui was heard protesting. Umi came up, carrying his sister across his shoulder with a very grim look.
"There!" He huffed. "Now, no more lip!"
"Jerk!" She kicked him in the shins, causing him to bolster up, trying not to swear.
"Anrui, behave," Ami said quietly.
Anrui stilled but continued to pout.
They took the bus to head out to a larger park with more interacting.
"Whee!" Barako took to the swings.
Mekumi took to the gym, climbing up high on the bars, smiling as the winds picked up.
Shinan took off running to join a game of soccer that other children were playing.
Anrui merely sat down on the ground, still sullen.
"Come on! The swings?" Umi asked half-heartedly.
Silence.
"The slide?"
He frowned at her. "The seesaw?"
"You're too heavy."
"...Look, we are going to do something. The others did a lot to get us here and we all want to enjoy this."
"I don't want to play.."
"What DO you want to do?"
"To look for the Princess!"
"USAGI'S NOT HERE!"
"I'm not talking about Usagi!" Anrui cried.
"THEN WHO?"
"Musha... MUSHA!"
"I don't understand, she... she can't be here?" He flipped around.
"No, not yet," She said tiredly.
"You had a vision?"
"Yes...why do you think the enemy followed us? They know she's going to show up."
"I wish I could call home..." Umi sighed. "Where will Musha appear?"
"I don't know," Anrui's body shook.
Umi frowned. "Are you crying?"
"NO!" She shouted. "I'm frustrated!"
He was quiet after that. Ami knelt down. "What's bothering you?"
"Nothing! Can't you just let me be?" She demanded. She took off to take over a swing, viciously pumping her legs in moments.
"Who's... Musha?" Usagi asked finally.
"Don't worry, you'll learn soon enough," Umi said, just as tiredly as Anrui had been.
There was a collective scream from the far side where Shinan had been playing.
"SHINAN!" Umi took off with quick step.
"A ha ha!" Hermes was happily blowing the running children off their feet. "Come on! Can't you move any faster?"
"YOU!" Umi shouted. He grasped the gem when familiar bodies formed at his sides.
"What do you think you're doing?" Sailor Moon shouted. "Ruining the fun of children? Grow up! In the name of the moon, you're punished!"
"Ah yes, I almost forgot that senshi existed in this time." Hermes placed on his hat with a smirk.
"Try for the hat!" Umi urged. "It's a power source!"
Hermes grasped the hat, pulling it tighter on his head. "HEY! Don't go telling them my secrets!"
"I have an oath to follow!" He shouted. The gem became the two bracelets.
"Not this, we've seen how much you failed!" Hermes laughed.
"Mercurial Tsunami!" He shouted, crying whirling bouts of water easily.
Hermes plucked a feather and launched it. It became purse of some sorts, capturing the attacks and throwing it back triple-fold.
"Umi!" Makoto shouted as he was literally thrown backwards with a yell.
"You stupid little..." Anrui growled, appearing with frazzled hair. "You meanie! You turn sides and attack your best friend! I can never forgive you!"
"Mercury Prism Power, Make up!"
Her body was covered in blue bubbles as she raised her henshin pen high. Her fuku formed in a yellow tiara with a light blue gem, three light blue earring studs in each ear, a blue choker with a light blue heart clasped at the center. Her collar was light blue with a single white stripe. Her bow was blue with the brooch outlined in yellow and the inside light blue. Her gloves were elbow length and white with three light blue bands. Her skirt was light blue while her back bow as blue and her shoes, similar to Sailor Mercury's boots, were light blue with white edged tip.
"Time be cleansed by the ice of Mercury, monster! In the name of future Earth, I am Sailor Chibi Mercury!"
"I know who you are," Hermes began dryly.
"Shut up! Foam Cleansing!" Chibi Mercury attacked, her body moving quickly.
But he opened his hat and the attack was sucked up. "Hee, I did some modifications to the hat. Now, you all can't get me!"
"Errr! Mercurial Tsunami!" Umi shouted.
"Foam Cleansing!"
"Mercury Shine Aqua Illusion!"
The two siblings were surprised when Sailor Mercury added her attack but it became even more powerful, easily overpowering his hat. It ripped and he shrieked, his body falling fast the ground.
"HERMES!" Umi shouted. He leaped, his body elongating and whump, Hermes's body landed on Umi's back. "Augh..you're still heavy..."
"You..YOU!" Hermes jumped off. "You little jackass!"
"I'm not letting you go!" Umi shouted. He grasped at Hermes's arms, shaking wildly. "Come back home! Your parents are scared shitless!"
"My...parents?" Hermes frowned. "No..No, they wouldn't miss me! They hated me from the beginning!" His eyes turned nearly black.
"Augh!" Umi gave in and his fist went into Hermes chin with a loud thock. Hermes spun before staggering back, holding his cheek.
"Umi went through all the hell and broke all the rules just to get you back!" Chibi Mercury said, from next to Umi, startling him. "Now, are you going to come home?"
Hermes blinked. "But I...attacked.."
"Yea, yea...whatever," Umi wiped his face tiredly. "Do you know how hard it is to fight with these things! And I've gotta take care of this twits. But I could use some help." Umi held out his hand expectedly.
Hermes blinked. He moved slightly but stilled, eyeing his ruined hat. "But, they'll come back."
"And this time, you'll say no, right?" Umi grinned. "Come on! I need help with the girls! Especially Anrui!"
"HEY!"
Hermes smile widened as he took the offered and shook it happily. His once dark violet hair turned deep orange as his eyes resumed to green.
"Great!" Chibi Mercury cheered. "Unlock the time gate!"
"What?"
"You locked the entrance?" Umi reminded.
"Oh yea..." Hermes tried to smile. "Err.."
Umi hovered over him with a dark look. "Hermes?"
"I, ah, can't unlock it. Don't have a key for it," Hermes offered his empty pockets.
"YOU LITTLE!" Umi went for the throat.
"But I wanna go home NOW!" Barako wailed. Her eyes began to drip as she sniffled.
"Grow up, Barako!" Mekumi snapped.
"It's was all your fault, Anrui!" Shinan growled. "You wanted to leave home!"
"I was going to go alone but you followed me!"
"It's still your fault!"
"Umi!"
"UMI!"
"Umi's not here," Umi said weakly. "Please leave a message after the beep." He took off running from Anrui and the others. Hermes watched before sighed and collapsing to his knees.
"I don't like you," Rei began.
"Yea, yea, you never liked me," Hermes said without looking up. "All I can is I'm sorry. I had a weak moment..."
"What happened?" Ami asked suddenly.
"I told them.. I was in love.."
"And they got mad?" Usagi gasped.
"It was who I was in love with..." Hermes blushed. "This person doesn't know though."
"I still don't get it!" Usagi started.
"It's over your head, okay?" Hermes snapped. "Just leave me be, okay?"
Ami smiled before patting him on the head and then she got up and left, to the girls' surprise.
"What was that for?" Minako asked finally.
Anrui had given up chasing after the others, stilling as she looked over to the falling sunset. She saw for a moment nothing then a small shadowed figure began walking to her, very eagerly.
"Mu...sha?" Anrui murmured. "Musha! Musha!"
"Musha?" Umi stilled.
"Musha?" The girls repeated.
Soon, the small girl was standing in front of Anrui with a big grin. Her hair was as black as night and up in round odangos with short tails. Her eyes were a familiar deep blue.
"Anrui-chan! I was looking for you guys!" Musha said brightly.
Usagi stared at the girl. "She looks like Mamo-chan.."
"She does," Rei agreed.
"Do you think?" Minako said weakly.
"Oh dear god," Usagi whimpered. "I'm afraid to know..."
"You guys wanna go home?" Musha was asking brightly. There was a collective cheer.
"Okie dokey!" Musha held up a key in her hand. "Pluto-san gave me it! She said to just hold it and..."
"WAIT!" Hermes shouted to late as the skies darkened.
"I don't think it's going to work," Hermes whispered faintly.
"Uh oh..." Musha blinked up at the very tall man. His hair was snow white and long, almost feminine looking if it weren't for his sharp face and stone features. His eyes were a deep brown and upon his forehead was a black symbol of Jupiter.
"What do we have here? Hermes, you traitor! I promised you I would give you what you wanted.." He smiled thinly.
"Lucetius!" Hermes flushed. "You.. you lied!"
"You know the penalty. I have to take away your wish," He pulled up a sword bent into a shape of a thunderbolt. "Jupiter Victor!" He transformed into a knight's uniform, all white save for the green cape. "Thunderous Revenge!" The air crackled with energy and handfuls of bolts shot out at not Hermes but Umi instead.
He was holding his gem and he held it up to use it but even as he willed it, nothing happened. "What?"
"Umi, watch out!" Anrui screamed.
Umi felt a bolt hit his arm but the rest seemed to miss entirely as he squeezed his eyes shut. He was still standing, in fact. He opened his eyes slowly and saw Hermes standing in front of him, his back straight.
"Her.mes?"
"I'm ... sorry..." Hermes collapsed.
"HERMES!"
"You monster! How dark you hurt my friend!" Musha shouted. "In the name of the Future Earth and Crystal Tokyo, you're punished! Earth Prism Power, Make Up!"
She placed her right hand high as her fingernails glowed brightly before sending a wide array of sparkles to swim into a perfect circle around her body. Then the circle of sparkling lights sucked inward as like a black hole, grasping onto the skin of Musha, creating her fuku. She then swung her arm around in another circle, pulling forth her weapon, the Earth Star Rod.
Her fuku was for the most part, black. She had the same wing design upon her head like Super Sailor Moon and Super Sailor Chibi Moon. Her odangos had similar covering, save that it was green, not red. Her tiara was yellow with a round blue gem in its center. Her choker was green with a blue round gem in its center. Her collar was black with a green edge and her brooch was round and green, outlined in black. Her bows, both front and back, were colored blue. Her back bow was stylized as Super form. Her waist band was like Super Sailor Moon, only the top was green and the bottom blue, with a similar brooch at its center, just like the one at her bow. Her skirt was black and single layered, the edge green. Her gloves went to halfway to her elbows and were black with two blue armbands. Her boots went to her knees and were like Sailor Moon save that the boots were black, with a green tip that had a blue round gem in its center.
"I am Sailor Chibi Earth! You'll pay for the crimes against the Queen and Crystal Tokyo!"
"Well, little princess, while you certainly look the part, I doubt you're much of a threat." Lucetius smirked. "Thunderous Revenge!"
"Earth Cosmic Radiance!" She used the Earth Star Rod as the black star blasted out star after star, quite similar to Chibi Moon's Pink Sugar attack.
"Foam Cleansing!"
"Blaze Striking!"
"Lightning Storm!"
"Metallic Vine!"
The four attacks combined and were enough to halt Lucetius's attack at least.
"We will meet again, my dear Princess. And I will have that crystal!" He howled as he disappeared.
"Yea!" The girls began to dance.
"Hermes?" Umi studied his friend. "Hermes.. wake up... please?"
Hermes's eyes fluttered slightly. "I'm sorry... he said... he'd give me ... what'd I want..."
"Stupid... You need to make your own wish come true.." Umi said weakly.
"I'm... sorry... I know what I've done was wrong... I failed at being your friend."
"No, you didn't," Umi panicked as Hermes's eyes began to close. "No! Stay awake!"
"Good... bye..." His eyes closed tiredly and his body seemed to melt into a relaxed position. His chest heaved one last time and then stilled.
"He..rmes?"
And Umi was left alone with his dead friend in his arms, unable to do anything.