Head Trip - A Minako Story

Chapter Two: No-Funako and the Arcade of Fakeness

Minako made her way through the twisted, funhouse-like streets of 'Not London' as she'd dubbed it, Sailor V – technically, the part of her troubled mind that most resembled her alter-ego – right behind her. Time was apparently meaningless here, in the recesses of her mind. The passage of the sun was imperceptible - if it was even moving at all - and all attempts to conjure a watch had failed miserably.

She focused instead on her surroundings as they journeyed through this masquerade of London. Her curiosity led her to examine every little detail, drawing V's ire. An ordinary mailbox turned out to be two dimensional; streets looked the part, but lacked the usual rough texture of asphalt. Finally, despite V's assurances to the contrary, the looming tower of Big Ben remained as distant as ever.

"Are we ever going to get wherever it is we're going?"

"We'll get there when we get there," V replied, sighing irritably.

"Why can't I just wish us there?" Minako countered, with a burst of sudden inspiration. "We're inside my mind, after all!"

"Your unconscious mind. You've got about as much power here as any dreamer." V glanced over her shoulder at the storm cloud behind them. "Which isn't very much."

Minako fell silent again as they trudged on. Right until another thought occurred to her. "Why does it all look so wrong?"

"Who knows?" the Senshi answered, shrugging dismissively. "You only spent a few months here. It's possible you just don't remember London as well as you think."

"Maybe I didn't spend all that long here," Minako countered, feeling defensive, "but I really came to love this city. Even the rain…"

"I know." V's tone softened quickly, a trace of sympathy bubbling to the surface. "Why do you think you found me here instead of Tokyo?"

"Well, yeah, but…" She trailed off as she realised everything had changed. 'London' was gone, along with its jumbled streets and architecture. In its place stood… "Juuban? We're in Tokyo?" Where was the transition, she wondered. How did we get here so quickly?

Her companion guessed her unasked question. "I must've triggered your subconscious with my little reference to home." She tapped a finger against her cheek idly. "We'll have to remember that. Could be handy in a pinch."

"Right," Minako agreed, running her fingers through her hair. "You always were smarter than me."

V surprised her with a rare giggle. "Is that what you think?"

"Well, yeah! When I was you, it felt like-"

"You've got it all backwards," the Senshi said, shaking her head adamantly. "I'm you. You're me. We are one and the same. You didn't become Sailor V each time you put on the mask, Minako, the same way you don't become Sailor Venus now. You are her; you need to give yourself a little more credit."

Minako shrugged sadly. "I guess you got my self-confidence in this little split too."

"Nonsense," V retorted. "You could be this smart and focused whenever you want." She folded both arms across her chest and cocked her head to one side. "But that's just it, isn't it? You don't want it."

Minako hung her head, ashamed despite the absurdity of the situation. Being told off by yourself was a very strange experience.

"You could be a good student, but you're lazy. You could repair your relationship with Mother, but it would mean taking your share of the blame." V raised an eyebrow behind her mask. "Wanna argue about how wrong I am?"

She shook her head in silence.

"Pay more attention to Artemis for a start. Sure, he can be a little annoying, but he's a pretty smart guy. He knows what he's talking about, and he cares about you so much-"

"Yeah, yeah," Minako grumbled, just about at her limit for 'self-help' for the day. "It's not like I haven't thought about this before."

"Oh, I know you have," V answered, almost smug. "Which voice in your head do you think that was?" She leaned in close with a conspiratorial wink. "Here's a hint. A beautiful and talented young Soldier of Love-"

"Oh, please. I am not that self-absorbed."

The Senshi giggled again. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Minako insisted. "You make me sound like a total narcoleptic! Er, wait…that's not right, is it?"

V repeated her cheek tapping motion, deep in thought for a moment. "Narcissist?"

Before Minako could retort, she spotted a familiar head of blonde hair. "That almost looks like…" An excited squeal followed as she recognised who she was seeing. "It is her! Usagi!" She rushed towards her friend, spinning back to V mid-run almost as an afterthought. "What's she doing in my head?"

The Senshi was decidedly less cheerful than a moment ago. "I don't know…"

"Of course!" It was so obvious Minako actually slapped herself across the forehead. "Memories! She offered to help me in the real world, so I must have summoned her here subconsciously-"

"Unconsciously?"

"-to help me now." She ignored her double's correction the way she normally ignored Ami. "Perfect timing, right?"

V remained silent, studying their rapidly approaching friend cautiously.

Minako was having none of it, though. After such a turbulent experience, she was happy for any kind of familiarity; Usagi fit the bill perfectly. "Usagi, hey!"

The ponytailed blonde met them with a wide smile. "Minako! And V-chan!" She wrapped the Senshi in a tight hug immediately. "It's so cool to actually meet you in person like this!"

"Uh…" V patted her on the shoulder awkwardly. "That's great, Usagi."

"But you have met V-chan!" Minako reminded her, a little miffed that her double was stealing all the attention. "Me, remember?!"

"Of course, of course! I'm so glad to see you as well!" Usagi gave her a hug of her own, then stepped back to study them excitedly. "Somehow I just knew you were in trouble, so I came to help any way I can!"

"That's so awesome!" Minako's enthusiasm faded for a moment. "Do you know what we're trying to do?"

Her friend reached out and tapped her temple gently. "I came from here, right? I know everything you do." She glanced at V and flashed another smile. "You're going after Other Minako. To stop Goddess from taking over?"

Minako nodded quickly. "Right. We have to reunite the different pieces of my psycho…or something like that."

"Oh, come on," V groaned, with another weary sigh. "That's not even a proverb!"

"Well, I'm in. Whatever it takes!" Usagi leapt forward and hugged Minako again. "I'm here for you!"

"That makes this so much easier," she cooed, gesturing down the street. "Let's go then. We've got a third me to find!"

Tokyo was much closer to its real world counterpart than 'Not London', but that didn't mean it made a lot of sense itself. Minako saw the same buildings and streets repeated over and over again like the background of a cheap anime. Yet I've lived in Tokyo my whole life, she thought curiously. Is a dream world really so fragile?

Usagi led the way after declaring earlier that she knew where to find Other Minako. Minako's enthusiasm had long since dulled after coming to a disturbing realisation; she was jealous of her. The real Usagi. I resent her happiness, she admitted silently. She has everything she ever wanted…and I have nothing. My idol dream stalled after that Ginga TV spot, I'm as far from a steady boyfriend as ever, my mother seems to hate me…and I don't even have my fame as Sailor V to fall back on anymore. Sailor Moon gets all of the attention these days.

"Pen for your thoughts?"

Minako glanced at the Sailor Senshi by her side, more confused than startled. "I don't think you said that right."

V shrugged. "English proverbs, right? We're probably asking for trouble just trying them." She hit her lightly on the arm, unwilling to let things slide so easily. "My question stands, though. What's on your mind?"

"I still remember the first time I saw Usagi." Her voice was almost wistful. "When Arty told me about Sailor Moon, that she was the leader of the Sailor Senshi? I couldn't believe it."

"This whiny, immature crybaby is going to lead me?" V murmured, sharing her memory. "Me. Sailor V!"

"Of course," Minako said, with an amused snort, "that was back when I was a little more like you and a lot less like-"

"Other Minako."

She waved her Senshi self away. "Yes, yes, that's what you call her, but-"

"No," V groaned, pointing into the distance. "Other Minako. She's right there!"

Sure enough, when Minako followed her gaze she caught a glimpse of long, flowing blonde hair…and precious little else. "She went into that building. Come on!" She broke into a run, quickly catching up with Usagi. "You really did know where to find her, huh?"

Her friend nodded excitedly. "I knew she'd be here."

Minako stopped outside the building, nodding as it all began to make sense. "Of course. V was living in London, and Other Minako…is here." The large, yellow and pink sign almost beckoned, calling her forward. "The Crown Arcade."

"Makes sense," V agreed, adjusting her mask. "Where else would slacker you go?"

"Hey!" Minako glared back at her a moment before continuing. "Any advice for dealing with her?"

"You know her better than any of us. She's you."

She deflated just slightly. "Don't remind me." With no real excuse not to, she led the way inside.

"Wow…" Minako paused just inside the doors, eyes wide in wonder. "It's so…real!" Unlike the earlier twisted mess of 'Not London' and Tokyo's repetitious streets, the Crown was a perfect recreation. "It even smells like the arcade!"

"Oh, look!" Usagi cried, grabbing her shoulder as she pointed. "There's Motoki!"

V planted her hands on her hips, surveying the interior. "You really think this looks real, huh?"

"Yes!" Minako answered stubbornly. "Motoki, all the delicious aromas from the kitchen, that stain from Usagi's spilled milkshake-"

Her friend blanched. "Don't remind me."

"That claw machine, the…" She trailed off, staring warily at a swarthy, mangy-haired man with glasses. "Ew! It's that creep I had to kick, er, punish for being a perv that one time!"

Usagi's jaw dropped. "You actually went around kicking regular people as Sailor V?"

"Um…" Minako could only grip her bow nervously and laugh. "Not all that often. Plus, he lifted up my skirt! What was I supposed to do?!"

"I'm almost surprised," V admitted, "but on this, we agree. Massive shock, I know!"

"You're almost too snarky in here, you know that?"

Usagi went in a completely different direction. "Why is nobody freaking out over you, V? I mean, if I walked in here as Sailor Moon-"

The Senshi fluffed her hair and flashed a V-sign. "Well, as much as I am the beautiful Soldier of Love and Justice-"

"Beautiful and self-absorbed," Minako muttered.

"-I'm not actually dressed as Sailor V," she continued, with a sidelong glare, "and none of this is real. I only look this way to Minako, and you as an extension of her."

"But it's based off a real place," Minako argued, "and I'm sure I've seen most of these people in here before."

"Look again," V suggested, motioning to a few clusters of patrons. "It's all just window dressing. Help from your mind to aid with immersion. Pay close enough attention and you'll start to notice the little mistakes you did back in Whitechapel."

Usagi leaned in, hand raised to her mouth…but on the wrong side. "V-chan's kind of a grump, huh?"

"I can still hear you!"

Minako took a few cautious steps forward, soaking in her surroundings. Sure enough, it all began to unravel. Walls that didn't quite line up, advertisements repeated gratuitously; even the rest of their fellow customers weren't exempt. The same girl featured in three distinct groups, laughing in exactly the same manner simultaneously. "It's so obvious. How did I miss it? Again?!"

"This is your unconscious mind," V reminded her, more sympathetic this time. "It's used to accepting the mistakes in your dreams. It wants to be tricked. With a little more time, you'll adjust."

"You sounded like Ami just now."

Her double smiled faintly. "I keep telling you you're smart."

Usagi interrupted them, gesturing towards the video games. "I'll look over there for Other Minako."

As she hurried off, Minako let her gaze wander over the fake arcade again. This time, she saw it; the nametag on Motoki's chest was illegible, but she knew it read 'Motoki'. Then, as she studied one of the groups again… "Hikaru?" Yes, she thought excitedly, it is her! "Hikaru!"

"She's not real," V reminded her sadly.

"My best friend in junior high,"Minako said, sorrow and regret sinking in. "I wish I hadn't lost touch with her."

"You had to give up a lot to be me," her younger double agreed ruefully, before peering at the girl a little closer. "Now that I think about it, though, don't you think she looks an awful lot like Ami?"

"Huh. I never noticed before…"

A wild, excited cackle cut through the din around them. It reminded Minako of a braying hyena…and she cringed as she recognised it. God, I don't really sound like that, do I?

"Minako!" Usagi called, waving her over. "I found her!"

There was no doubt about it; it was her. Other Minako. She sat in one of the driving games, clad in a favourite ensemble of hers; dark blue overalls and a white t-shirt. Simple and comfortable, but it just makes my eyes pop. "She stole my favourite outfit…and she looks just like me!"

V sighed. "She didn't steal anything. She is you."

"I know she's me," Minako remarked testily, "but you don't look exactly like me. You're thirteen-"

"Only to you."

"-but she's me, right down to the lip gloss! What gives?"

"Why don't we go ask her?" V suggested. "Usagi will wait here and keep an eye out for trouble."

The ponytailed blonde couldn't hide her pout. "I will?"

"Yes, you will." The Senshi nodded towards the games. "Come on, Minako. I'm right behind you."

She nodded and began making her way across the arcade. Another fit of giggles followed an excited "yes!" as she pushed her way through a couple of 'people', V in tow. At long last, she reached Other Minako and cleared her throat. "Uh…hi?"

Her doppelganger didn't even look up. "Can't this wait? I'm right in the middle of my best lap ever!"

"Couldn't you just pause it?"

She rolled her eyes with impressive dedication. "There's no pause function and you know it!"

Minako sighed, struggling to keep her cool. I'm not this annoying in real life, am I? "Do you recognise us?"

"What?" Other Minako was clearly distracted. "Of course I do. V-chan and apparently No-Funako."

"Right, we-" She nearly crashed to the floor for the second time since arriving in the dream world. "I am not No-Funako! I have plenty of fun! I-" A quick reassuring nudge from V prompted her to take a deep breath and smooth her hair down. "Look, we came to ask for your help. The-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. The Goddess." Other Minako tossed her hair casually, steering effortlessly with a single hand. "She sucks."

"That's an understatement," V murmured.

Minako was growing more frustrated by the second. "Sure. Look, V said we need to bring all-"

"YES!" Her manic double pumped a fist into the air. "Fastest lap ever! I am so good at this game!"

"Maybe you could try and pay attention to-"

"Oh, boo!" Other Minako called, turning away again. "Just one more race. I'm on a real roll here and I don't wanna-" The screen went dark as Minako pulled the plug. "HEY!"

"This is serious!"

"That's no excuse for rudeness!" Other Minako snapped back. "When did you get so mean?"

"When I learned one of the split personalities I didn't even know I had is trying to steal my body and take it on a joyride in the real world!" Minako retorted, clenching her hands into fists. "So excuse me if I'm a little on edge!"

"All the more reason for you to sit down, have a race, blow off some steam-"

Minako's voice finally hit 'screech' levels. "What the heck is wrong with you?!"

"Nothing's wrong with me!" her double countered angrily. "I'm acting exactly the way you wanted; cranked up to eleven! I can't believe you're mad because I gave you what you asked for!"

V tried to intervene. "Minako, just take a deep breath."

"I never asked for this!" she snapped, barely hearing the Senshi at all. "I never asked for you to take over my whole life, you…ditz!"

"Oh, boo!" Other Minako shot back. "I didn't take over anything and you know it! You gave up total control, you wanted to be me because it was easy!"

"You…" Minako's fists trembled as a terrible anger overwhelmed her; finally, she was able to speak to this part of herself she had grown to despise. "You're nothing but a fake! A sad imitation! You're just some stupid mask I decided to wear because…I don't even know why anymore!" She turned to V, unable to even look at her other self anymore. "You were right. She's not going to listen because she's a shallow, vapid idiot…and I'm done with her!"

Other Minako stared back at her in silence, mouth agape, then slipped out of the game. She brushed by her, storming out of the arcade without another word.

V let out a groan of sheer frustration. "Are you serious?! We need her, Minako. You need her!"

"I don't want or need anything from her," she grumbled stubbornly, planting her hands on her hips. "I've outgrown her, V, something I should have done a long time ago."

Usagi appeared to materialise out of nowhere to clap her on the shoulder. "Good for you, Minako. I think it's great you want to cut her loose and improve yourself."

V shot her a withering glare as she snagged Minako by the wrist and pulled her towards the doors. "I guess you've forgotten that we can't stop Goddess without her?!" They emerged on the street – not the street they'd entered from – and followed the already distant Other Minako. "Please!" she called, dragging Minako after her with impressive strength. "She didn't mean it! All of us have to work together if we're to have any hope of stopping the Goddess!"

Other Minako stopped and turned, eyeing Minako suspiciously. "You really didn't mean it?"

She tried to reply but the words just wouldn't come out, despite V's insistent prod. "I…"

It seemed her silence was answer enough. Her manic double levelled an accusatory finger at her and scowled. "You know what? I hope she does take the body from you. Serves you right for being such a mean, old jerkface!"

Minako's eyes flashed with fury. "Jerkface?! You're the jerkface, you…jerkface!"

V crashed hard to the street. "This isn't happening…"

Other Minako responded with an indignant huff and span on her heel, ducking into a side street and disappearing from view.

The Senshi struggled to her feet, obviously angry. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Of all of us, she is the most like the real you, the girl you were before you met Artemis!"

"I'm nothing like her," Minako muttered. "Not anymore."

"That's right," Usagi agreed, patting her on the back with an approving nod. "Chasing her is just a big waste of time. You don't need her kind of help."

V stepped closer to Minako, a wary note to her voice. "Why?"

Minako rolled her eyes. "Oh, great. Now you're gonna start picking on Usagi too?"

"Minako's not you anymore, V," Usagi retorted, with a trace of anger. "She's Sailor Venus now; she's my friend and she listens to me."

As mad as Minako was with her other self – or even selves – she found her friend's words unsettling, even out of character. That sounded a lot like an ultimatum, she admitted. Listen to me…or else? "Of course I'm your friend, Usagi, but-"

"Chasing Other Minako is a waste of time," she said, repeating herself firmly. "She's completely nuts and she'll never help you!"

"What happened to us?" V asked carefully, steering Minako behind her. "For that matter, Usagi's the very definition of an eternal optimist. Why are you so negative all of a sudden?"

Usagi seemed utterly nonchalant despite V's accusatory tone. "You said it yourself. I'm her memory of Usagi. Maybe I'm just voicing Minako's own fears and doubts?"

"Or maybe you're not who you claim you are," the Senshi countered, turning her own gaze upon the distant storm cloud above. "Goddess."

Minako shivered, glancing up at it herself. It seemed angrier somehow…and decidedly closer than it had been.

Usagi's transformation was instant as an amused smile spread across her face. "I suppose it's not much of a surprise. You always were the smartest of us."

V raised her hands before her, shifting into a defensive stance. "Back off."

Her 'friend' raised her right hand, studying her nails indifferently. "No can do, I'm afraid. This mental break was a lot of trouble to arrange, and I won't let anyone stop me now." A hint of malice crept in, darkening her voice. "Run away, V. Run back to London where you belong…and leave her to me." An abrupt flash of lightning above revealed another Minako for a moment. "Let…me…out."

Minako swallowed nervously as she recognised the line. I've heard this before…in my dreams.

'Usagi' began to shift and contort, morphing into her true form; another Minako. She was identical in every way. The same pale green sundress; hair brushed and teased meticulously until it sat just right; minimal makeup to accentuate her natural beauty; the only difference was her eyes. They were cold and calculating, studying Minako so intently they seemed to bore into her very soul.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked, stepping out from behind V despite her protests. "What made you, er, me, um…why are you so evil?!"

"Evil?" Goddess surprised her by blinking in a very familiar sign of confusion. "All I've ever wanted is a little respect. Acknowledgement that I'm here, that I exist." Her expression darkened quickly. "That's never going to happen, though. Not until you've been banished...and the body is mine!"

V shook her head. "That's not going to happen, Goddess. We'll stop you!"

Their double shrugged. "We'll see." With a wave of her hand, she summoned several familiar glass figures.

"Mirror Paredri?!" Minako recoiled in fear and surprise…then peered at them more closely. "Wait…" They resembled the creatures once used by Queen Nehellenia, with one key difference. "They're…?"

V completed her thought. "You!"

They sound like me too, she thought, reluctant to admit it. The 'Minako Paredri' giggled incessantly as the originals had, but it was far more familiar…and annoying. God, I am annoying, aren't I? Why didn't anybody tell me?!

Goddess raised a hand. "Take her!"

Her cackling minions glided forward, their outstretched fingers capped with razor-sharp nails. V leapt into action, her smaller, younger frame still just as capable of dealing damage as Minako in reality. A Paredri made the mistake of getting in her way.

"Sailor V…KICK!"

It quite literally lost its head, shattered by her foot, staggering about in confusion before it finally hit the ground and exploded in a cloud of shards.

Resolute, Minako stood her ground as the monsters rushed her. I've fought them before. They're not so tough. Of course, I had my friends with me then. Now, I'm all alone. She blocked the first attack on her forearm, dismayed by her unexpectedly slow reaction time. It seemed her Senshi reflexes were a part of her V persona as well! The Senshi dashed by at that very moment, holding off two Paredri all by herself, and Minako felt a pang of loss. For the first time she truly missed V. She's right here…but I feel like she's so far away at the same time. Without her, I really am just the girl I was before Artemis found me…

A Paredri grabbed her from behind, wrapping her in a bear hug as it giggled relentlessly. "Hey! What the heck do you think you're doing?!" Another came at her from the front…and Minako got an idea. I may not have V in my head right now, but I still remember some of my old tricks! She pushed off with both feet, momentarily suspended in mid-air by the creature holding her. As the other Paredri came at her, Minako kicked hard and buried both feet in its face. The impact drove her back, flipping both her and her captor onto the ground. She rolled to her feet but was immediately restrained by a third Paredri. "Let me go!"

"I'm impressed," Goddess admitted, stepping closer. "You actually put up a pretty good fight without V to draw upon." The Senshi was being held at bay by the remaining three Paredri. "No matter. Fight all you like, but I'm going to hide you so deep in your own mind you'll never get out again. A fitting punishment after all the cruelty you've inflicted on me."

"Cruelty?" Minako sputtered, struggling in the Paredri's grip. "What are you talking about?!"

"Play innocent all you like. It won't save you." Her fingers reached for Minako, drawing ever near…

"Hi, Cloudface! Nice to see ya!" A blue-and-blonde blur flashed by, freeing her along the way. Other Minako leapt onto the confused Paredri and drove the creature head first into the ground, crushing its 'skull' in a brutal display of offense. Her manic energy propelled her at superhuman speed, far in excess of Minako's real world capabilities. The Paredri just couldn't keep up!

"You came back!" V cried excitedly.

"Yeah, well…" Their hyperactive double ducked another attack and launched a spinning heel kick in return. "I'm still Minako, I guess. A Minako, anyway." Her face scrunched up in fierce concentration. "We're all…Minakos?"

Minako suppressed her irritation. She did just rescue me, after all. "This isn't the time, Other Me!"

"Oh, right. Smash Paredri now, figure out grammar later. Got it!" She tossed a second creature into a parked car, giggling as it shattered the windshield. "Smashing!"

"You're a fool!" Goddess called, shaking her head in disgust. "She'll never respect you, you know. An hour, a day, a week; she'll throw you away eventually, just like she threw me away!"

Other Minako's retort was brief. "Go suck a lemon!"

"Go suck a lemon?" V repeated, incredulous. She ducked the final Paredri as it lunged, using its own momentum to hurl it through the arcade's front window. "Really?"

Goddess managed a faint smile as she began to fade away. She wriggled her fingers in a small wave. "I'll see you all soon…"

That left the three Minakos standing in an empty street. Even the shattered remains of the 'Minako Paredri' had vanished. True to V's explanation, nobody from the Crown had come to investigate the commotion. They'd all disappeared as soon as they followed Other Minako into the street.

Other Minako bounced nervously from foot to foot, apparently unable to dissipate the energy she'd channelled for the fight. V, however, turned to Minako and cleared her throat pointedly.

Minako grimaced; her meaning was clear. She shuffled her feet uncomfortably and glanced at Other Minako. "So…thanks for coming back."

V raised an eyebrow behind her mask. "And?"

"And…" Minako continued, shooting her Senshi double a dirty look, "for saving me from Goddess." It hurt to say, but she was finally beginning to understand it all. Her lack of reflexes, the ridiculous level of energy from Other Minako; even she wasn't the complete Minako she used to be. I'm missing too many pieces. I really am just the girl Artemis met three years ago.

Other Minako ignored her apology entirely. "Why do you hate me so much?" There was little sorrow in her voice, though. More curiosity than anything. "What did I do wrong?"

Once again, V nudged her in the right direction. "Well?"

"I…I don't hate you," she stammered, struggling to collect her thoughts.

"I love sports, video games, gossip, boys; all the things you love! Maybe I'm a little overenthusiastic-"

Minako's jaw dropped. "A little?!"

"-but I am you. Why are you so embarrassed by me?" Other Minako seemed to deflate, finally losing a little energy. "All I ever wanted was to make you happy. Why do you want to get rid of me? It'd be like…" Her eyes widened in alarm. "Like cutting off your own arm! Don't do that!"

"It's…" Minako nodded - mostly for her own benefit - and exhaled slowly. "It's because you were too good at it. I was too good at it. Being you."

"What?"

"I got used to not caring," she explained, with a helpless shrug. "To brushing off anything I didn't see as 'fun'. You were my mask, a way to pretend I was happier than I really was. A way to hide."

V nodded her approval. "Finally, the truth."

Minako sighed sadly. "But…it's not working anymore. Dying again, it…it made me think. I don't want to live this way. Not anymore. I don't want Mother mad at me all the time. I don't want everyone to think I'm a stupid, lazy moron. I have to grow up, Other Me. I have to find a new me. The real me. That's why I lost it when we first met. I saw every little thing I don't like about me, reflected in you." Finally speaking her mind, Minako's confidence grew in spades. "You're right, though. It wasn't fair of me to blame you…because you're not just some fake mask I choose to wear. You are me, turned up to eleven…but maybe the time's come to turn the volume down a little? Compromise, you know?" A faint smile finally cracked her sombre façade. "Do you think we could still blow off a little steam together, when the time's right?"

Other Minako smiled in return. "I'd like that." She shook her head, but her smile remained. "I never wanted you to be me all the time. I'm not the Goddess, Minako, and I don't want out. I am you. All I want is for you to be happy, to enjoy living life to its fullest. And when you do need to blow off that steam? I'll be there for you…just like I always have been."

"That sounds nice," Minako admitted, ashamed of her earlier behaviour. Maybe I don't want to live as her forever, but she's right. She is me…and I've made peace with that. She reached out her hand. "Friends?"

Other Minako gently pushed it aside with a mischievous smirk. "Silly Minako. How can you be friends with yourself?" She wrapped her in a tight embrace and, for just a moment, Minako felt a strange warmth. A transference of energy, a spark of sorts inside her.

"That was beautiful." V wiped away mock tears before clapping her hands together. "Well, you have Other Minako back. You two aren't completely in sync again, not yet, but it's a good start."

Her manic self giggled excitedly. "We're just plain, old Minako again!"

She wrinkled her nose. "I'm not sure I like the sound of plain."

"Or old! Ew, what was I was thinking?!"

"Dear god," V groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose again. "I've helped create a monster. A pair of them, even!"

"Oh, shush!" Other Minako called, shoving her playfully. "Or do I need to come up with some joyless nickname for you as well?"

The Senshi raised her hands in surrender. "Let's just find Princess."

"No arguments from me, V-chan! Lead on!"

Minako followed in silence, eyes locked on the cloud that was Goddess, distant once more. She said she just wants some acknowledgement that she exists. Did she mean…?

"Come on, Minako!" V called impatiently. "Do you want to be trapped in here forever?!"

She sighed, pushing such thoughts from her mind for the moment. The others were right; it was time to find Princess.

AN: Well, so ends another chapter of Head Trip. This is a REALLY strange little story...but I'm having a lot of fun writing it. Admittedly, I'm largely writing this for my own amusement, but I hope you all found some fun in this as well. Reconciling Minako with her future self in Last Guardian Knight was one of the goals of this story and the somewhat touching - for me! - moment between her and Other Minako went a long way towards that. She's still got that silly, goofy side within, but she keeps it under wraps that little bit more. LGK Minako at her finest! Goddess also made an appearance. I based her off one of my favourite Minako outfits, the pale green dress she wore in that episode where Rei's head floated up her dress and Minako called her a perv! And sorry for the fake out with Usagi but...come on! This is a MINAKO story, not an USAGI story. We're in Minako's head; of course Usagi wasn't real!

As always, thanks so much to those who read, reviewed, faved, followed or clicked out of curiosity! I appreciate you all very much. If you continue to enjoy Head Trip, feel free to let me know. It probably won't make a different at all - this is being written by me FOR me - but if you enjoy the ride along with me, all the better! Back with more soon, guys!

Lisseas