Sailor Moon Aeons.
Book 2: Rebirth.
Act 4: Death Busters.
Episode 66: Thundering hearts.

By Razor Knight
Last update: October 11, 2013
Last edited: June 9, 2017

When Hotaru got home, she wasn't surprised to see someone was there, waiting for her. "Hello, Setsuna."

Setsuna smiled at her, though it was obvious it was a forced smile. "Hello. You may know what I came here for."

Hotaru shrugged. "I can guess, and I meant what I told them."

"Would you really go that far-"

"They're more than willing to go that far, too."

Setsuna shook her head. "They're not-"

"Listen, I know you, or at least I think I know you, enough to know you wouldn't train those two to be cold-blooded murderers. But they tend to just stand there watching while we-"

"Yes, their way of doing things is not quite what I expected, but..." The older woman sighed. "I can't tell you what I've seen, but you should try to understand their goals."

"Oh, I do. And I agree, saving the world is important, but... If you lose your soul while doing it, then what's the point?"

Setsuna smiled, this time it was a friendly smile. "I can't say I didn't expect you to say that."

"Of course you would, you can see the future, after all." Hotaru decided to change the subject as Setsuna chuckled. "There's something else bothering me. The Princess, why-"

"You heard why she came back. To get some actual combat experience, it will help her in her own future battles."

"There must be other reasons for her to-"

"I think you know enough about my powers to understand that I can't answer what you're about to ask. Just do what the others will most likely do. Interact with her, get to know her. She's already friends with your future self, so she already knows you, in a way."

"I'll try," Hotaru said.

"I know you will," Setsuna said, then vanished.

Hotaru knew she had not seen things. Setsuna's smile as she vanished... Had been one sound effect away from a chuckle. "Damn, I hate when she does that." She paused for a second, then smiled. "Which is, most likely, why she does it."

"Wow, you're actually not bad at all."

ChibiUsa smiled at the compliment as she leapt back, but then shook her head. "And you were never good at hiding the fact you're holding back."

Terry looked at her. "I suppose I am. But I don't think you can handle me going all out yet, Princess."

ChibiUsa dodged the sword swipe, then frowned. "Don't call me that, I'm not a princess in here."

"So what should I call you, Mini Rabbit?"

"That's even worse," Ami commented from the side.

ChibiUsa nodded. "Anyhow, I want to see how good you were... Are."

Ami flinched. "I don't think that's-" She then blinked. One second Terry was staring at the younger girl, the next he was standing right next to her. And she could see the pink-haired girl was down on the ground, and looking quite confused. "-A good idea."

"I wasn't going to hurt her, but I can still knock her down in a blink."

ChibiUsa groaned. "Damn, that was unexpected. Either you didn't get any stronger in a thousand years, or you were holding back a lot more back home."

"That's as far as I'll go when fighting a friend," Terry admitted. "I don't think even Usagi would dodge my attacks if I did that."

"I would like to try that out, someday."

Terry turned to see Usagi walking out of the elevator. "Thought you had a date planned-"

"Had. They gave him a lot of homework this week."

"Homework sucks."

"Now, pinky, that's not true."

ChibiUsa looked at Terry. "Pinky?"

"I think it fits you," Terry said.

ChibiUsa smiled deviously at him, then summoned a very large minigun. "Don't make me use this."

"What the fuck?"

"Such language in front of a young lady," Ami scolded Terry. "Though I am curious, too."

ChibiUsa chuckled, then the gun morphed into the Luna-P. "I forgot to tell you I still have this thing."

"You know, I think I know what that thing's made of," Usagi noted.

"You do?"

"Isn't it obvious? It must be Zero."

Terry looked at Ami for a few seconds, then sighed. "I hadn't considered that."

"Uh, me neither," Ami admitted.

"See, I can be smart too."

Terry smiled. "Nobody said you can't. Well, except for Rei but everyone knows that's just her being her."

"Flame Sniper!"

Terry dodged the fire blast and turned to see an anrgy Mars standing there, still holding her bow. "You have to work on your temper, Rei."

Usagi was looking at the spot where the arrow had hit after Terry dodged it. "Rei, that was dangerous!"

"I knew he could dodge it. If I really wanted to hit, I would have used my other attack."

"Still..."

"I know, I know," Mars said, "sorry."

Just then, Minako and Brad appeared near Mars, making her jump. "Hi guys."

"Don't worry, Rei, it's just a phase they have," Terry joked. Brad looked at him for a second, then burst out laughing.

Minako sighed. "That was silly. Anyhow, look at what I just learnt."

Usagi saw Minako holding a small ball of light in her hand. "Hey, is that Hunter magic?"

Brad shook his head. "That's her own magic."

"I never thought it would happen this early," Ami admitted.

"You knew that would-" Usagi started. "No, wait, I remember you telling us about it."

"The more we use our powers, the more attuned to them we will become," Ami explained, "and there may come a day where the line between our normal forms and our Senshi forms simply vanish."

ChibiUsa smiled at that. "That's a good guess."

"Crescent Beam."

Mars looked at Minako as the light beam hit. "Hey!" she then frowned. "Wait, that was... I barely felt it."

"It only has a fraction of the power it has when she transforms," Brad explained, "but I suppose the stronger we get, the stronger our attacks will be, even in normal form."

"Hey, why can't I do that?" Usagi asked. "I'm the leader."

"I'd be more surprised if Hotaru couldn't do it," Terry admitted.

"What do you- Oh, I get it. Hotaru's been a Senshi for longer than any of us, not counting Pluto, Uranus and Neptune."

"And Kage," ChibiUsa noted, "but you're forgetting someone else."

Terry stared amusedly at ChibiUsa, who was holding a small, pink ball of light in her hand. "So how do you call that, the Pinky-hame-ha?"

ChibiUsa dispelled her 'attack' and shook her head. "You know what's worse? The Terry from my era is still the same."

Ami sighed. "Perhaps I should go look for another boyfriend, then."

Terry flinched. "Okay, I'll try to behave."

"... And that's what we've been fighting lately."

Kino took a few seconds to go through all the information he had been given. "So this new enemy's looking for artifacts which are hidden within the souls of some of your group. Sounds strange, but I'm getting used to strange."

Mako knew her uncle enough to know what he was thinking. "No, I haven't been attacked yet, and I could be a 'carrier.' But I know I can trust my friends to stop the enemy if that's the case."

"And what about the other two Senshi?"

"Some of us aren't happy about them. In fact, if I didn't respect Usagi, I would have already punched their faces in by now."

"Hope it doesn't have to come to that," Kino admitted. "Anyhow, I have to go back to the base before something blows up."

Mako smiled. "With Raiko and Tomoe there, I could see that happening."

As Hotaru walked in, she was surprised to see something flying her way. She ducked to dodge, then noticed it was the younger Usagi. "What is-"

ChibiUsa stood up slowly, then frowned. "How the heck..."

"Give it up, without your powers, I'm out of your league."

"Won't know until I try... For the tenth time."

Usagi sighed as ChibiUsa rushed to Terry once more. "She's been trying for a while now."

"She's a warrior, just like her mother."

Usagi looked at Hotaru. "I'm not-"

"Right."

Usagi noticed Hotaru was looking at ChibiUsa. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"So, you're worried about nothing?"

Hotaru shook her head. "I had a talk with Pluto. She asked me about what I said to those two... And I asked her something, too. About the Princess."

"You were wondering if there were other reasons for her to be sent here."

Hotaru smiled. "You wondered about it too, right? But Pluto didn't say anything that cleared my doubt. She just... Well, let's just say the conversation left me with more doubts than before."

"She will have to go back home eventually," Usagi said, "and a part of me also wonders why she was sent back. But perhaps it's just like before... She has to be here, because our future selves already saw her come back to help them fight in this era."

Hotaru cringed. "A time loop. Those things are dangerous, from what I know."

ChibiUsa rolled on the ground and stopped near them. "Ow."

"Princess, you should stop."

"Wish everyone stopped calling me that," the younger girl said as she staggered up.

"Tiring yourself down like this won't do you any good," Hotaru commented.

"Who's tired?" ChibiUsa said, then promptly fell on one knee.

"You won't give up," Terry said, walking to them, "and I must admit that's a good trait. But you're not against some evil overlord here, there's no need to-"

"I just hate losing."

Usagi smiled. "I hate losing, too."

"I thought you just were too stubborn to know when to give up," Hotaru noted with a smile.

"It's natural that I hate losing," Usagi said, "after all, if we lose a battle, nine times out of ten, it could mean the end of the world."

"When you put it that way..."

ChibiUsa walked to the elevator. "I'll head home first, perhaps I can find one of those Witches to pound on."

Hotaru sighed. "I'm leaving too. Not in the mood for training right now."

ChibiUsa smiled. "I won't mind the company."

Terry watched them leave and sighed. "Everyone takes too many days off."

Usagi looked at him. "Want to try out that trick you did before?"

"What trick?"

"She's talking about how you knocked her daughter down in a second."

"Oh that," Terry said casually. A second later, he was standing right behind Usagi, but he was blinking in shock. "What the actual fuck-"

Ami was surprised too. "I'm not sure how that happened."

Usagi knew she had leapt aside to dodge Terry's punch, which had been aimed at her stomach, but it had been just an instinctive reaction. "Me neither."

Aiko 'appeared' near her. "I suppose that's a consequence of training."

Usagi smiled. "Heh, I can even dodge Terry, I'm awe-" She then saw Terry's fist right in front of her face and flinched. "Uh..."

"As Pinky said before, I was holding back."

"I get it, still..."

"Yeah, I must admit your instincts are good."

Aiko looked up and frowned. "Eudial is attacking Mako."

"Damn, we need to-"

"ChibiMoon and Saturn are on their way to help."

Usagi nodded. "Still, we should head there, in case they need our help."

ChibiUsa sighed. It was true, she didn't mind the company, but there was... One slight detail she hadn't told anyone else, not even her Guardian. And she couldn't tell Hotaru, specially, about it.

However, Hotaru wasn't enjoying the silence as they walked. "Something on your mind?"

"Don't ask."

"I suppose it's about the future, then. Missing home?"

ChibiUsa sighed. "No, I miss... Someone."

Hotaru knew, by the girl's body language, what she meant. "I suppose being away would be bothering me, too." She stopped herself from making any more questions, as it was clear she would not get a straight answer.

ChibiUsa shook her head. "I'm being foolish. She already has someone in her life."

She, Hotaru's mind noted briefly, but she didn't quite mind that. "I'm not the best when it comes to romance, so I can't give you any advice there."

"I... Thanks for asking, though."

Just then, they saw Eudial run by, chased by a very large electric dragon. "You were right."

ChibiUsa nodded. "Let's go have fun, before the party's over."

Hotaru blinked at that. The girl definitely wasn't like her mother in every aspect, and she had to admit she liked that.

Mako was heading to the base, but had realized someone was following her. She knew who the woman was, but had decided to see just how far she would follow her.

"Lightning."

She turned around and couldn't help but smile. Eudial was picking herself from the ground, while Dragon Sun floated calmly above her on his board.

"Damn brat..."

"Jupiter Star Power!"

"I can still get you, Jupiter," Eudial noted.

"I know, but I can still zap you for a while."

Eudial frowned. Two against one, not very good odds. She however smiled and snapped her fingers, a couple daimon eggs appearing near her, and floating to two nearby cars, which turned into daimon. "Get the Dragon."

Dragon Sun looked at the two humanoid cars and sighed. "Where's Optimus Prime when you need him?"

"As for you..."

Jupiter smirked. "I only have three words for you, freak."

"Oh really? Go ahead, then, tell me."

"Star Thunder Dragon."

Eudial paled as a large electric dragon formed right behind Jupiter as she rose her hands. As the dragon roared, Eudial decided that a strategic retreat was the best tactic in this particular case.

Jupiter turned to Dragon Sun, who was now trying to blast the two daimon cars to bits, then turned back to Eudial, who was running rather fast. "You can run, but you can't hide!"

Diana had watched the scene from atop a rooftop. She had been searching for the Princess, who had, as usual, left her at home without telling her where she was going. And speaking of the pink-haired devil... "Seriously, I wonder if that kid's ever going to take me seriously."

"You could start by stopping treating her as a kid."

Diana almost jumped at that, she hadn't noticed Shade was there. "You're right... I just want to be a good guardian, and she gets on my nerves way too easily."

"Luna and Usagi still have their moments now and then, but... They're good friends, and even though Luna can't help Usagi a lot in battle, Usagi still trusts her."

"Can't help her? You mean you guys never-"

Shade shook her head. "They don't know about it, and we haven't seen any enemy so dangerous that we felt we had to reveal ourselves. Well, except for that one time..."

Diana sighed. "They didn't tell us that was a secret."

"They? Oh. I guess nobody's perfect."

Diana was looking at the battle below. "That woman seems to be weak."

"Perhaps they're saving the best for last. Wouldn't be the first time that happens."

"Stop running away!"

"I'm just tiring you down," Eudial snapped, "I'll get your crystal sooner or lat-"

Jupiter had seen it, a brick wall appearing out of nowhere. Eudial had been looking the wrong way, and had hence slammed straight into it, falling to the ground in a heap. "What the heck..."

ChibiMoon walked out from around the wall, which turned into her Luna-P, then looked at Jupiter's dragon. "Why don't you just fry her with your new pet?"

Jupiter shrugged. "You surprised me."

Eudial frowned. "Damn it, I hate fighting too many of you. I guess I'll just come back later."

Jupiter saw Eudial vanish, then turned around and punched out, hitting a very surprised Eudial straight in the nose, and sending her flying back a few meters. "Back so soon?"

Eudial stood up and was ready to attack Jupiter, but had forgotten a 'small' detail.

Saturn flinched as Eudial screamed in pain. Jupiter's new dragon pet had tackled her and then exploded, shooting electricity in all directions, and most of it had hit the evil woman. "I don't think she will be dumb enough to stand up after that."

"Stupid Eudial, you should stop playing."

ChibiMoon heard a gasp, and turned to Jupiter. An arm was sticking out of her chest, and Jupiter's eyes glazed over as the new enemy pulled it back. "Who the heck..."

The blonde woman smiled. "Hello there, Senshi. My name's Mimette, and I was bored of watching Eudial get beaten around, so-"

"You want to get beaten around, too," Saturn said.

"You're amusing." Mimette frowned as she looked at the crystal. "Not a Talisman. Oh well-"

"World Shaking!"

The attack wasn't aimed at Mimette herself, but at her hand. It caused her to drop the crystal, but she didn't even flinch, instead casually turning to stare at the two rogues. "Hmph. I expected you to show up eventually."

Uranus and Neptune glared at the woman. "You know, you're stronger than Eudial, but not smarter."

"What do you-"

"Moonlight Flash!"

Mimette was knocked down to the ground, but stood up, glaring at the young Senshi. "Hmph. As if a toddler Senshi would pose a threat."

"Toddler Senshi? That's a new one," ChibiMoon mused. "Hey Mimette, know what's better than being a Senshi?"

Mimette decided to humor her. She would be blasting her and her friends down in a minute, after all. "No idea."

"Being two senshi. Eart Star Power!"

"What the fuck? That's cheating!"

Saturn was just as surprised as Mimette. She had heard Ami talk of Senshi using more than one power, but to think that this girl would be able... How could she do it?

ChibiMoon's suit changed slightly, the white parts of her suit became grey, and she now was holding two swords. "Cheating? I'm not cheating, it's simple genetics."

Oh, that's how, Saturn thought. Of course, this girl was born from both a Moon and Earth Senshi. "I think this is when you run away."

Mimette laughed. "Unlikely. Die!"

ChibiMoon looked at the incoming energy blast dismissively, splitting it in half with one sword, while aiming the other at Mimette. "Had your chance. Stone Clap."

Mimette didn't quite know what the attack was, it didn't come out of the sword, so- She realized something immediately, the ground was shaking. However, it was already too late to try and dodge, as the concrete under her split in two, coming up as she sank down, and smashing her from both sides.

Saturn walked to Mimette as she tried to get out of the hole, and put her glaive close to the woman's face. "Leave."

ChibiMoon saw Mimette leave (taking the still unconscious Eudial along for the ride,) and then sighed as her suit reverted to normal. "Damn, it still-"

Saturn was returning Jupiter's crystal, noticing the two rogues had already left. "You can't hold that transformation for too long, as it saps your energy."

"You can sense that?"

"I guessed it," Saturn said. "Still, I was told this kind of things is dangerous, and for someone so young to-"

"Save the lecture, I know the risks."

"Risks, what risks?"

"Hey, is she holding two swords?"

ChibiMoon turned to see Moon, Mercury and Dragon Mercury flying to them. "Uh, I guess I can tell you all about this. Let's go back to the base."

A/N: Ah, love triangles... Although in this particular case, I'm not sure the term "triangle" applies.

And yes, ChibiMoon is full of surprises, even for those who read Cyber Moon before reading this story.