Sailor Moon Aeons.
Book 2: Rebirth.
Act 5: Labyrinth of Mirrors.
Episode 84: Triple trouble.

By Razor Knight
Last update: October 21, 2014
Last edited: June 11, 2017

Once again, ChibiUsa found herself in the same white, empty space where she had first met Helios, but this time she had brought herself there. Still, where was he?

Helios appeared near her just as she finished that thought. "I can see you want to know why my 'Dream' energy gave you a new Senshi form. From what I've seen of you, you're smart enough to make a guess."

ChibiUsa thought about it for a few seconds, and the answer, as strange as it sounded to her, was still clear. "The 'Dream' is a kind of Senshi power. But that means..."

Helios' form shimmered and changed as light surrounded him. When the light dimmed, a tall man with white hair and red eyes was there, but the horn in his forehead gave away his identity. "I'm also a Senshi. The last of my kind."

"Wait, you're human?"

"Not quite. I know there's other races who look quite human, out there. But this is my original form."

"I have another question. You told me the enemy would come looking for my friends, but that's only because they're looking for you."

Helios looked down. "Sorry, I had to hide somewhere, and I knew a Senshi would be a far better choice than a normal human. You were, also, more likely to believe what I told you."

"There's things you're not telling me."

"Yes, there's a lot I should have told you before, and you must be wondering why the enemy wants me. But that's a rather long story, and right now you're waking up."

"Guess we'll 'talk' about this later, then," ChibiUsa said.

Usagi had been waiting for ChibiUsa to wake up. "How did it go?"

"I... Woke up before I could hear the whole story, but Helios is a Senshi."

"That's weird, but-" Usagi stopped as Shingo walked in. "I've told you to knock before coming in."

Shingo nodded. "Sorry, old habits. Anyhow, I wanted to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"I've only heard rumors, but... Is Nova one of you?"

"She's not a Senshi," Usagi noted, then looked at ChibiUsa, who gave her that 'I can't tell you what you're trying to ask' stare. "But she's our friend."

"That good. Think you can get her autograph for me?"

Usagi nodded, then frowned. "Why not our autograph?"

"You're not known for socializing with the fans," Shingo admitted. "Besides, I don't think you even have an autograph, at least your hero selves."

"You're right on both things," Usagi admitted, then thought about it for a few seconds. "But wouldn't it be better to meet her in person?"

Shingo's eyes widened. "You would let me meet her?"

"You've proven you can keep a secret," Usagi admitted. "But let's see if she's available." She produced her communicator and saw Aiko's face appear in it. "Hi. Is Hana around?"

Aiko nodded. "She's talking with mom, why?"

"Make sure she stays around, I have someone here who wants to know her."

"Okay."

Shingo had been looking at the screen curiously. "Who was that?"

"That's Aiko. Her story is... Weirder than you may be used to."

"Well, you can tell me about her on our way there, right?"

Usagi nodded then looked at ChibiUsa, who had been silent through most of the exchange. "What about you?"

ChibiUsa shook her head. "I'm trying to get more information from Helios right now, I'll drop by later."

Meanwhile, several men were meeting inside an old, abandoned building. While their methods and their goals were slightly different, they all had one enemy in common.

"That Nova girl is a real pest."

"I know, but thanks to an unknown benefactor, we may have the means to fight her."

"So, these are the weapons?"

The man nodded. "These rifles can shoot electricity. The note packed along with them said that Nova's powers could deflect bullets, but electricity was a whole different matter."

"Should we trust whoever sent those?"

"The note says our benefactor wants Nova gone. And as things are now, it's been proven time and again that normal weapons cannot hurt her."

"So, when do we attack?"

"Today. I have a perfect bait to lure her out."

Shingo had been quite surprised about Aiko's origins, but he knew strange things were a constant for his sister and her friends. Still, as they reached the base, he looked around. "So, here's where you keep the giant robots?"

"We get that a lot," Hotaru noted, looking at Usagi questioningly.

"He wanted to meet Nova," Usagi explained.

Hana turned to them as she heard that. "And you told him I was here."

Shingo looked at Hana and blushed. "Oh, you are- Uhm- Hi?"

"Don't be scared, I'm just a normal girl, not counting my psychic powers."

"But how do I know you're the real-" Shingo started, then felt himself being gently pushed up. "Nevermind," he said as he floated up.

"I hope I can trust you with my secret," Hana noted. "It would be bad having to brainwash you."

"You can do that?"

"Never tried," Hana admitted as she put Shingo down.

Shingo nodded, then looked at Aiko, who was talking to Yukiko. "So, she's the-"

Usagi covered his mouth with her hand. "She's as much of a person as you and me."

Aiko smiled at Shingo "Don't worry, Usagi, I'm used to people thinking of me as just a program."

Shingo frowned. "Sorry. Gotta admit you're quite cute."

Aiko blushed slightly, but then shook her head. "Uh, thanks."

Usagi walked to Yukiko. "I heard about what happened-"

"I was surprised when she came to see me. You knew, didn't you?"

Usagi smiled. "Yeah." In a low voice, she added "and I know you're not being honest with yourself."

Yukiko's eyes widened. "What... You're really nosy, you know?"

"Can't help it. Don't worry, I won't tell her."

Yukiko noticed Aiko was now talking to Ami and Hana, while Shingo talked to Hotaru. "I... A part of me still thinks of her as a program, a computer. I fear she would hate me if she knew that."

"Are you willing to prove that part of you wrong?" Usagi asked, and saw Yukiko nod. "Then you shouldn't let her think her feelings are being ignored."

Yukiko let out a long sigh. "Guess you're right. I'll give it some thought, but I mostly agree with what you said."

Hotaru walked to them. "Where's Chibi?"

"She was trying to get more information from Helios, but-" Usagi suddenly looked around. "Crap. Hana, can you get us all near my house?"

"Yes, why?"

"I'm sensing the enemy, and they're attacking ChibiUsa."

"I'll get us there," Hotaru said and summoned her glaive.

"You mean-"

"I already failed her during our last war," Hotaru said, "I won't fail again, even if that means losing Pluto's trust."

Yukiko looked at the others as they got ready to fight. "I'll stay here, I have... Something to do."

Moon nodded. "Have fun, then."

ChibiMoon had been surprised by Helios' story, but she also knew she had no time to think about it right now. "Damn it, you goons are really going all out this time, huh?"

Fish Eye shrugged. "I don't care about ugly girls such as you, but orders are orders."

"Now just be a good human and let us get this done with," Hawk Eye snapped. "One, Two, Th-" He was interrupted by a kick to the face, courtesy of Sailor Saturn. "How in Darkness do you kids manage to get here so fast?"

"If I told you, I would have to kill you," Saturn noted. "Let her go."

"Why would we, when we're so close to getting Helios?"

Moon smiled. "Are you really going to ignore the rest of us just because we can't hurt you with our magic?"

"As long as we keep our distance, we have nothing to fear from you," Tiger Eye said. And, he thought, the speedy bitch wasn't there, either.

ChibiMoon glared at them. "I think you are forgetting something important."

"And what is that?" Fish Eye asked.

"The whole chain trick only works in those who don't have dream powers," ChibiMoon said just as she broke free from the chains.

"Uh, well, that's going to slightly complicate things for us," Hawk Eye admitted.

Moon nodded at him. "And there's one thing you should know about us Senshi. We can improvise." She summoned her chakrams, then tossed them up in the air as she summoned her sword. "Moon Disc Spiral Dance."

The three Eyes were, when it ended, barely standing. Fish Eye had seen it cleary, the two discs had shone with light before zooming back down, hitting them several times, bouncing back and forth between them. "Damn it, I'm going to-"

"You're going to leave," Moon snapped from right behind him. When had that moon wench moved? "Lunar Sword Dance." The attack was simple and yet effective, Moon simply spun around, her arm outstretched, cutting a deep gash in each of the three Eyes' bellies. "Last warning."

"Damn you," Hawk Eye snapped, "we'll kill you for this, stupid human!"

Moon sighed as the three left. "Heard that plenty of times by now."

ChibiMoon walked to her. "That was just awesome, mom!"

Saturn nodded. "That should teach those three idiots not to underestimate us just because we can't hurt them with magic."

'It's obvious they know I'm hiding in you,' Helios 'said,' 'so I think it's time for your friends to learn the truth.'

"Let's go back to the base," ChibiMoon said after 'hearing' that.

While the Senshi were fighting the evil trio, one of their friends was having her own 'battle.'

"I can only wonder why you decided to stay," Aiko noted. Shingo had left a minute ago, but Yukiko was still silent, looking at her own feet.

Yukiko sighed. Usagi was right, and she felt like it would only be fair to Aiko, so... Why couldn't she tell her?

Aiko noticed her friend's silence, and smiled, deciding to give her a push in the right direction. "Is this about what you and Usagi were talking about earlier?"

Yukiko stared at her in shock. "What do you mean?"

"I guess you don't think of me as a program, after all, and neither does Usagi, since neither realized I would be able to listen to your conversation. I don't only listen with this body, but with the base's computer."

"Oh. That's cheating, though."

"In this case, the end does justify the means," Aiko noted, "and I think I still need to cheat once more." Before Yukiko could ask what she meant, she leaned forwards and kissed her in the lips.

Yukiko blushed as they broke the kiss. "That..."

"Uh, sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"Next time, make it last a bit longer," Yukiko said.

Next time? Aiko smiled at the thought. "Okay."

Yukiko saw Aiko just stand there, looking at her, and sighed. "Can't take a hint," she said before kissing Aiko.

And their friends chose that very moment to come back. "Well, I guess they kept themselves busy while we weren't here."

Aiko jumped back in surprise. "Uhm..."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of," Moon said, then looked at Yukiko. "So, you told her?"

"I was going to, but she heard what we were talking about earlier."

"Oh."

"Sorry for not helping-"

ChibiMoon shook her head. "Don't worry about that. Anyhow, we should call the rest of the Senshi, I have a lot of things to tell you about Helios, Neherenia and the truth behind this war."

Nova had decided to skip that battle, but for a good reason. "Whoever you are, you're going straight to jail."

The three men dropped the bags they were carrying. The bank heist had just been the bait, and Nova had fallen for it. "We were expecting you, Nova. We're tired of your meddling."

Nova shrugged. "So what are you planning to do about it?"

The man smiled as a dozen men walked out of the bank, armed with strange-looking rifles. "We're going to kill you."

The girl had already put up a barrier, so she wasn't worried. "I've already died once, you're going to do better than that if you want to scare me off."

"Fire!"

Nova was surprised by the attack. She was expecting them to try and shoot her, but she was also expecting to see bullets come out of those rifles, not electricity. She had no time to react and teleport away, and was hit dead on by the weapons. Her suit absorbed most of the damage, yes, but what went through still hurt her, a lot. If she didn't think of something, and fast, then she would indeed end up dead. "Damn... You..."

One of the men smiled. "So, how does it feel, heroine, how does it feel to be fighting something that's way out of your league?"

"Why don't you tell us?"

Nova was still in pain, but she managed to smile as she saw who was there. "This will... Be fun."

The man saw a couple aliens floating near them. "Huh? Who the fuck are you?"

Ail glared at the man. "Nova is our friend. Stop your attack and we may consider not draining you to death."

"As if!" The man snapped. "Forget about Nova, she's too weak to fight us. Hit those two!"

Ann saw the beams heading their way and smiled as a barrier rose in front of them, absorbing them. "Silly humans, Nova may have problems dealing with magic-based attacks, but we feed on magic. And with attacks as weak as those your toy guns have, then you have no hope to fight us."

Their enemies all pulled out normal rifles. "Well then, we'll have to try other methods."

Ail and Ann both summoned massive energy balls, holding them over their heads. "Are you really sure you want to do that?"

"... You kids are allied to the Senshi, right? I heard the Senshi can't kill humans."

Ann laughed at that. "Well, you've done your homework, but you're wrong at two things. First, the Senshi won't hurt humans, but they could kill a group like yours without moving. And second, we're not Senshi, so while I know they would disagree with my actions, I will still blow you all to atoms if you're not out of my sight in the next ten seconds."

Nova staggered up as the men all jumped into a plateless van and sped away as fast as they could. "Ugh... Thanks for the help."

"We don't get much action, but we can still scare a few thugs off," Ann admitted.

"So, you were bluffing."

Ail nodded. "We may not talk to Usagi and the others outside school a lot, but we respect them. I wouldn't like alienating them, pun not intended."

Nova saw the rifles were still lying around, and blinked, causing them all to vanish. "I'll keep those."

"What will you do-"

"I'll have Terry take a look at them, see why they were able to get through my suit. If those men have more of those weapons, I want to be ready for them."

A/N: Remember when Senshi were limited to one or two new attacks per 'level'? That was fun, right? ... No, it wasn't.