Sailor Moon Aeons.
Book 2: Rebirth.
Act 4: Death Busters.
Episode 67: Double gamble.

By Razor Knight
Last update: November 2, 2013
Last edited: June 9, 2017

Usagi was surprised to see all her Senshi friends were in the base when they arrived. "Uhm... Hi guys. Why-"

"I called them," Aiko interrupted, "since I detected something very strange. But it was over before most of them got here."

Ami smiled. "Very strange, if what ChibiUsa told us on the way here is true."

"It is, I can show you."

"Wait, isn't it dangerous?" Hotaru asked. "You already did it once..."

"I can't hold it for long if I use my attacks, but-"

"Wait, what are you guys talking about?" Minako interrupted.

ChibiUsa smiled. "I like to show, not tell. Moon Star Power! Earth Star Power!"

"Wow, that's just... Awesome," Kage said.

"A Dual Senshi," Brad said in awe.

"Stop staring," Minako muttered, "both of you."

"You don't get it," Kage said, "Demon Hunters are told that the only thing beyond a Senshi's power is a Dual Senshi. This girl is, to us, a living legend."

ChibiMoon blushed slightly. "Thanks, I guess."

"So, you can use Earth magic, then?" Mako asked. She had been out could when it happened, so she hadn't seen her use her skills.

"Dust Swarm."

Usagi saw a cloud of dust floating right in front of her daughter. "You said you couldn't..."

"That's my weakest attack, it won't drain me that much."

Ami had been checking her computer. "Her magical attack, defense, strength, speed, and endurance are greatly improved. In this form, she's stronger than even Moon. However... It also drains her magic much faster, and there's a chance that she could die if she abuses that form."

"Then you shouldn't use it at all," Usagi said.

ChibiMoon sighed and then walked to her. "You should know better, even in this era."

"I... Hmph, I guess you're right."

"Usagi- Mom, I'm not going to use this kind of power against weak monsters, but Mimette was strong. Kaorinite was a wuss, and Eudial's not that much stronger, from what I've seen, but Mimette is stronger than them. We should all be careful."

Usagi smiled as her daughter turned back to normal. "They're always stronger than us."

Ami noticed Terry was staring at his swords. "What are you- Don't."

Terry sighed. "I know the risks, don't worry." He looked at ChibiUsa. "I wonder..."

"I can't answer what you're going to ask, so don't even bother."

"Thought so," Terry admitted, "but how... How does one know if-"

"It's hard to explain, but you must have already sensed it with your Mercury Sword. A connection, a feeling that the item is... Speaking to you, without words. Linked to you."

Terry nodded slowly. "And I've never felt anything like this with my second sword. I guess I'll have to figure it out on my own."

"So, what's the problem?"

Eudial looked at Mimette. "The problem is those Senshi kids. They didn't tell us they would be this strong."

"Hmph, I can handle them."

"As proven by how that Moon kid kicked you around?"

Mimette glared at her for a few seconds, but then shook her head. "Right, I'll admit that they could be a handful."

"Here's what I think: We could make them relatively easy to fight, and speed up our 'hunt' at the same time."

Mimette understood what the other woman meant immediately. "We get two targets each attack, instead of one."

"Yes. Perhaps teamwork can defeat them."

"Let's tell the twins," Mimette suggested, "I'm sure they'll agree with your plan."

Minako walked into the classroom, and saw a scene she wasn't quite ready to see. Terry and Kage were standing on their desks, glaring at each other.

"You have insulted my honor, sire, and for that you shall pay."

Terry sighed. "You know you cannot defeat me, squire."

"What the heck's going on?"

Hotaru looked at Minako. "Terry was staring at me, Kage didn't like it."

"He stares at everyone," Minako muttered.

"I know, but what can I do, glaive him back to normal?"

Minako chuckled, then frowned. "Wait, does he even have a 'normal' status?"

Ami sighed theatrically. "That's enough, you two." She walked to the two guys, and pulled the desks right out from under them.

Terry picked himself off the ground and sighed as the 'normal' part of the class started murmuring. "See, I told you going to the gym was a good idea."

Ami smiled as she noticed Kage staring at her in awe. "I guess you're even now?"

Kage shook his head. "Uh, I didn't mean to-"

Terry smiled. "Now you have insulted my honor."

"Terry..."

Terry saw Ami's frown, and sighed. "Just joking."

Haruka and Michiru had been watching the 'duel,' and Haruka noticed Hotaru was now standing near them. "Uh..."

"They're a strange lot, but you get used to them after a while."

"What, no warnings or threats?" Michiru mused.

"Everything has a time and a place," Hotaru said, "and you should give them a chance, you may end up being more human."

"You look more human now," Michiru admitted, "no offense."

Hotaru smiled at that. "None taken. But that just proves my point."

"I haven't seen the Hunters much outside school lately. Wonder what they're up to?"

Brad shrugged. "You should ask them directly."

Minako stared at him. "I thought you would know-"

"I'm not their leader, and I'm pretty much not considered a Demon Hunter anymore."

"Sorry, if you hadn't-"

"It was never a matter of choice. Didn't you pay attention to Ami and the Mooncats? We Dragons didn't have a choice, either. We were already destined to become what we are. Even Kumada."

"I hadn't thought about it that way."

"And besides, I got more potential power than any Demon Hunter can dream of now, along with a gorgeous girlfriend. I'm not going to complain."

Minako blushed, then saw something behind Brad, and grimaced. "I guess it's my turn."

Brad had already sensed what Minako saw. "Run, I'll cover you."

"What's the point? They'll chase me all around the city. I would rather stay and fight. Venus Star Power!"

Brad smiled at that. Minako could be a bit lazy and naive at times, but she was never one to run away from a battle. "If what the Princess said was true, then this one could be too strong even for both of us fighting together. Venus Star Power."

Mimette noticed her target and her boy toy transforming while turning around to face her. "So, does this mean you'll make it easy for me, for once?"

"No, it means we'll have to improvise," Dragon Venus said. "Prismatic Aura."

For a second, Mimette thought Venus had teleported away, but then she was punched back by something unseen. She stood up and saw Venus standing there, smiling. "What the heck..."

Venus shrugged. "I think I'll beat you down first, and tell you how I did it later."

Chie and Karin were, meanwhile, also being followed. "Shit, those guys are too stupid to leave, but too cowardly to attack," Karin whispered.

A gang of about ten men had been following the two girls for the last five blocks, and Karin was starting to lose her temper.

"We could just kick their asses," Chie whispered back.

"Now that's a-" Karin started, then stopped as she heard a noise behind them. "Plan."

Chie looked back along with Karin, and chuckled. "Someone beat us to it."

"Hey, ya bitch, what the heck are you-"

Makoto smiled at the gang. "Oh, I see you guys are back, and you brought more friends along this time."

The man paled as memories creeped into his mind. "Oh. Shit. Guys, that girl's-"

"One more cutie to have fun with!" one of the new gang members said.

The ones who had been in the gang for long knew who this girl was. They still remembered the beating she had given them, a few years back. And she looked stronger. "Oh screw it, I'm not staying here and-" The man felt someone tappng his shoulder, and turned back just to be punched down to the ground.

"Mako, don't keep all the fun to yourself," Karin said as she pulled her fist back. "Also, we saw them first."

"There's enough weaklings to share," Mako mused. She then grunted as she felt a hit on her side, and turned to see a very surprised guy, still holding a metal bat. "Ow," she said mockingly, before grabbing the man and tossing him away like a rag doll.

"Oh, fuck this, I'm out of here!"

Karin chuckled as the men run away. "So, I take it you've dealt with them before?"

Mako nodded. "Back when I first met Usagi. She was too busy escaping from those guys, and I wasn't paying attention, so we ended up crashing into each other. Those guys thought it was a 'two for one' offer, but I showed them it was a bad idea to mess with us."

"Heh, I wish I would have seen-" Chie suddenly gasped and looked down, before her eyes glazed over. "Damn."

Eudial smiled as she looked at the crystal she had just stolen. "I don't like the stealthy approach, but I have to admit it works."

Karin growled and charged at her, but the villainess leapt out of the way. "Damn it, give that back!"

Eudial chuckled. "No, I think I'll rather destroy it. The less Senshi we need to kill, the better." She saw the girl glaring at her, but then noticed something was off. Where was the other-

"Well, what do you know, she was right about stealth."

Karin stared at Mako in awe. "Did you just-"

Mako dropped the broken metal bat (Eudial was tougher than expected, she mused,) and then tossed the crystal to Karin. "Here, I'll get that fool."

Eudial picked herself off the ground. "Hmph. I see no gain in fighting you after I already checked my mark. See ya!"

Karin frowned. "Coward."

Chie staggered up. "Ugh. Next time I see her I'll drop something heavy on her."

Mako smiled at that, then summoned her communicator. "What's wrong, Aiko?"

"The enemy attacked more than one location. I'll give you the coordinates of the second attack, if you can still fight-"

"Yeah, we'll head there," Mako said, noticing the place was quite far from where they were.

"Good," Aiko said, before the screen turned off.

Chie sighed. "I don't think I'll be able to help them."

"You can still use your luck, right?" Karin asked.

"You're right. Let's go get them."

Mimette was thoroughly amused. Sure, the first five minutes had been hectic, and she was feeling the effects of so many hits and blasts, but she had guessed right. Enduring it was the key.

Venus wasn't showing it, but she was worried. She had attacked this woman relentlessly, and yet... Sure, Mimette was quite roughed up, but both Venus and her Dragon were out of power now. "Damn it, I won't give up!" She produced her whip and lashed out at Mimette, but the woman simply grabbed it and pulled. "Ack!"

Mimette smiled as she clutched Venus' neck, and took her crystal. Not a Talisman, but at least she would kill two of these kids today. She turned to look at the Dragon, who was glaring at her and trying to stand up. "All that was for naught, kid. Why fight when you know you'll lose?"

"To buy us time," A voice said from behind Mimette. "Dust Storm!"

Mimette walked out of the cloud, spitting dirt and rubbing her eyes. "Damn it, not the toddler Senshi again!"

ChibiMoon shrugged. "I wasn't going to use this yet, but now you asked for it. Pink Sugar Heart Crusher!"

Mimette waited for an attack, but none came. "What's wrong, kid, did you miss?" She then noticed ChibiMoon had both swords up, and that something was blocking the sun above them. She looked up, and saw it. "What the heck is-"

ChibiMoon brought down her swords, and the large, pink stone heart hovering meters above Mimette came crashing down, cracking the concrete as it 'landed.'

Dragon Venus was just done returning the crystal, and looked up just in time to see the attack. "I think we should call her Omelette now."

ChibiMoon was kneeling on the ground, but still smiled at that. However, she noticed the heart was starting to crack. "Damn, she's tougher than I thought."

Mimette blasted the heart to pieces, and staggered up, her suit and hair a mess, and a line of blood running down her face. "Stupid kid, I'm going to kill you!"

"Double Flight!"

Dragon Venus saw Mimette fly back and hit a car, and nodded at Moon. "The leader always makes a last-minute entrance, right?"

Moon noticed Mimette was trying to stand up. "Leave."

"Stupid... Kids."

Venus woke up just in time to see Mimette escape. "Well, now I know how it feels to get your crystal taken."

"Sorry I was late."

ChibiMoon shook her head. "You were right in time, Usagi."

"Are you okay?"

"I'll live," ChibiMoon said, "I just... Used my strongest attack to try and beat her in one shot."

Moon nodded. "Next time, try a lot of weaker attacks instead. It's worked for me in the past."

The younger girl stood up, and then chuckled. "I guess the future you was right, I can still learn a lot from the current you."

Moon summoned her communicator. "Aiko, the battle's over."

"Good, I'll tell the others."

Minutes later, Usagi and ChibiUsa were heading home. Usagi was trying to decide what to do, and cursing her 'skill' as the others called it. "Uhm, can I ask you something?"

"I guess."

"I've noticed you seem... Upset about something."

ChibiUsa sighed and stopped walking. "I knew you would notice. I couldn't keep anything from you back home, either."

"So, is it something you can tell me about?" Usagi said, also stopping and turning to look at the girl.

"I have someone I like, in the future. It's more than just 'like,' even."

"So, you miss him."

ChibiUsa looked up to the sky. "Her."

Usagi's eyes widened for a moment, but she then shook her head. "Is it someone I know?"

"Yes. I can't tell you who she is, just that... She already has someone else. I know what she feels for this person, whenever she talks about them. And yet..."

"I can guess, you feel it's wrong to feel that way, yet can't stop yourself."

"It's worse. See, in this era, she's not... Well, she's not with anyone yet."

"I don't see why that's-"

The younger girl shook her head. "I am disappointed at myself, because what I thought when I found out was 'I could date her in this era.' I-"

Usagi was thinking about it. A girl, and not dating anyone, that really left few candidates. Still, who was it? "Nobody's perfect, you shouldn't feel-"

"I was okay with coming back to train, but fighting monsters is easy compared with this."

"I can agree with that," Usagi said, "but I'm sure the future me, Pluto and everyone else knows you will do the right thing in the end."

"That's the problem. The more I think about it, the more I feel telling her is the right thing."

"I'm not an expert in romance, but if I saw this as one of the wars we're always fighting, having enough data on what you're fighting against is always a must."

"What I'm fighting against... Heh, should have thought about it back home."

"Have you ever seen this girl's beloved in person?"

ChibiUsa shook her head.

"Perhaps there was a reason for that," Usagi said, then sighed. "I'm just making a wild guess, don't mind me."

"I think only one person could answer that in this era."

"Who?"

"Sailor Pluto. I'll have to talk with her."

"Does she have a... Civilian name?"

"Sure does," ChibiUsa admitted, "but you can't know it yet."

Usagi suddenly started walking away, but then turned back to her daughter. "I can understand that." As ChibiUsa caught up with her, she smiled. "I'm sure I know who your crush is."

"You do?"

"Don't worry, I won't tell her."

ChibiUsa was shocked. Had Usagi really figured things out? No, it had to be a bluff, and she wouldn't fall for it.

Usagi guessed her daughter's line of thought. "She may have noticed it, too. Hotaru's pretty smart, after all."

ChibiUsa froze in place. "Uh..."

"I said I wouldn't tell her, and I never break my promises."

The younger girl smiled. "Thanks."

Usagi smiled back, but she was a bit worried. How would Hotaru react if she found out? And... What would happen if they weren't meant to be together? Hotaru had already gone through something like that, but ChibiUsa-

"Coming back was a good idea, after all," ChibiUsa said, "no matter what happens, I'm glad I did."

Perhaps they would both be okay, Usagi thought. Perhaps things would work out in the end. Perhaps...

No, that was a crazy idea. Or was it?

A/N: Love triangles can get really weird, specially when time traveling is thrown into the mix.

On a serious note, I may stop updating for a long time soon, or not. Things have turned quite complicated around here and I may not have time for hobbies in a near future.