I hope you like the one major change I made with Hotaru's history. It really helped me make sense as to why she was so distrusted in the past..Far more than any other reason I've heard.
Also Jubilee becomes Hotaru's best friend because reasons! XD
================================ Chapter 2 Cold distrusting freedom?
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Alarms blared from every part of the blackbird was telling everyone that the landing was going to suck and then there was a voice speaking in some lingo he didn't understand.. Wait a sec..
Logan woke with a grumpy look to see the Senshi who called herself Sailor Uranus.
She tossed the translator onto the floor and he picked it up and put it on. It had taken them three days alone to even see that without them there wasn't going to be much talking to anyone but Jean who's telepathic powers could allow her to learn quickly but since they wanted to be on good terms with the people here she didn't force the issue and the result was there was still a hugh gap in the lingo department.
Maybe they didn't want to believe the X-Men because there were no such thing as mutants here before or maybe it was too strange for them to accept the idea of other universes with different earths.. Or both... As it was it took himself more than a week to accept that this was some alternate reality where things were very different. No telling how the others felt since he had not seem them since being put in prizon. As it was a surprise they allowed them to keep their personal bodyarmor.. But it wasn't like it could be used against the senshi in a way that would make a hugh difference.
The only one who might've fully understood what happened to them and the Blackbird was Hank and he had stayed behind due to something he was working on. Now they would have to see just how much a prize pupil Jubilee had become according to Hank's opinon. But there was no doubt they were stuck here even if the blackbird's engines had not suffered a meltdown in it's wormhole's power scorce but maybe the girl could convince these senshi that they were NOT some kind of powerful aliens like they kept thinking.
"" If you wish to be free you must meet Queen Serenity in the next 30 min.. "" Sailor Uranus said in a way that suggested it would not bother her if he didn't go.
"" About time we talked to the one in charge here."" Logan said with a snarky look
But he really wasn't feeling up to it in spite of what she had said. He had no beer or cigars in the last two months and living in the largest and nicest prizon cell he ever seen was still living in a prizon cell. There had not been much else to do but keep in shape and eat the two meals they were allowed. What's more the Senshi didn't seem to be inclined to give them anything to pass their free time with. It had been quite boring to say the least.
He got up and quickly made himself a little less scruffy looking; He followed the young woman but if it wasn't for those legs, slight curves and chest he's swear it was a man in drag.. Though her scent did give away the fact she was very much a female. Not that he was intrested but it made him wish it had been that Sailor Pluto woman. Now she knew how to look/act the strong woman type.
Some of his grumpyness was dispelled when he saw to his surprise the rest of the X-men waiting for them but he was still not feeling up to dealing with whatever they had planned for everyone here.
"" You can talk to your friends now but rest assured we will be watching you all and you better be ready to talk to Queen Serinity when she is announced by the royal gaurds."" Sailor Uranus said in a matter of fact kind-of way as she went to her post and begin to stare hard at them.
"" Humpth; Whatever.. So how have you all been doing? Nothing annoying to complain about like I do? "" Logan asked as the reactions varied and told him that most of the complaints would be of the embarressing type or just them tired of being bored. He desided to be polite and stick with the bordom.
"" So just bored as me huh? Well maybe this meeting will change that one. "" Logan said as Sailor Pluto came up to them.
"" You are more correct about that than you think but I'd be lying if I said that most of us are not too happy with what is pretty much a one in a billion shot at best. "" She said to them with a deadpan face that told Logan nothing.
"" So I'm guessing something happened to force your leader's hands that we don't know about and you have no plans to tell us what any time soon.. I'm also guessing you plan on making some kind of devil's deal with us because of it."" Logan said with a bit of a grin as he felt a little less grumpy as being a little more free just might get him something to drink and smoke around this place.
"" We will have to tell you a little of what happened to cause this meeting but for now all you need to know is Queen Serenity will be making a devil's deal as you put it with you but you may not like it as it involves this one. "" Sailor Pluto said as she pointed to Jubilee.
"" Oh snap! Why me? "" Jubilee piped up as Logan frowned at the idea that they were going after their youngest member for this devil's deal. This had better not indanger her he thought to himself or this could quickly get very messy.
"" It's because of your obvious younger age. The young are more trustworthy, more easy to adapt, more easy to train for what lays ahead and most importantly as long as your friends understand that as long as they not try to attack us... You'll be safe from harm. "" Sailor Pluto said without remorse.
"" Why do I get the feeling this really will be a devil's deal? Oh well if it means my friends can be more free I guess I can put up with it but what are you planning exactly? "" Jubilee asked with a sigh
"" That is something that Queen Serenity wishes tell you herself but you are free to decline and rest assured you'll soon find yourselves back in prison if you disagree and you'll not be getting out of it ever again... By the way Jubilation Lee this will be your devil's deal to accept and only yours alone.. Your friends do not have much say in this deal. "" Sailor Pluto said without any sign of regret.
"" Oh sure make this even more of a devil's deal. Why not? Oh well guess it cannot be helped but you do know it better be not be too bad or there's no way they'll let me agree..Ever. "" Jubilee with a grumpy face.
"" yes I do but it's not that bad of a deal.. Just want to to know there's going to be some serious pressure here Jubilation Lee. Just be glad we allowed your friends to be here for this meeting. But for now you are the most important person here for this meeting. "" Sailor Pluto surprised the rest of the senshi by showing her softer side by smiling.
"" In that case please call me Jubilee; Everyone does and I perfer it! Jubilee.
"" The informalities will have to wait until after your meeting with Queen Serenity... You know it's not everyday someone has the ears of all nine of the senshi, the princess and the queen of the moon kingdom. You should be honored. "" Sailor Pluto said with another smile.
"" Nine? You mean there's one more of you girls we have not met?.. You know what? Never mind! This is going to be weird enough. I only met royality a few times before and it's not going to no easier now as it was then. "' Jubilee said as she looked around at the Senshi.
Sailor Pluto, Sailor Uranus and the rest arched a curious eyebrow at Jubilee. She had never said anything about that in the investigation of their prisoners. It made them wonder just who was this girl was that she would know more royality and there was no doubt it was true because she said it without any pressure.
It would seem that there was a lot more to learn about these people after all. Pluto thought to herself. But it did give her some hope she had not had before. Maybe this would work after all she thought.
Suddenly there was blare of trumpets as some random page guy appeared.
"" Announcing her royal hindness Queen Serinity the ruler of the moon kingdom and the head of the united worlds of the moon kingdom."" He said as a beautiful regal looking woman came it followed by princess Serena and Sailor Saturn who they have not met before.
The X-Men didn't need to be told that this women was the ruler here. They all quickly made with a bow or curtsy. Sailor Uranus who up to now was doing her best to frown had to smile and she soften her stance a bit.
It would seem even these lying aliens knew when they were meeting someone important. GOOD! But now wasn't the time to relax. Just not yet. She thought to herself as she made herself get more ready for anything to happen as Queen Serenity and the princess both sat in their thrones leaving the other nine in the room empty because the rest were needed as Senshi for this meeting.
'" Greetings prisoners of the moon kingdom I am Queen Serenity. As you no doubt by now I wish to make a deal with you but to understand why I must admit to something we are planning to keep secret as possible.. Which is why everyone but the X-Men, the Senshi and me and my daughter must leave."" She said and all the gaurds that had been standing in the background left without a single word causing Logan and a few others to make a low whistle. This woman sure had everyone under her command here if they left without one word of protest.
""Ok I'm impressed.. So what happened and what's the deal? I ask becasue Sailor Pluto here said it was my deal alone to make."" Jubilee said as she knew that she had to be the one to get this deal out in the open.
"" Yes; To be honest I wish I did not have to make this deal and that we do not believe for a second that any of you are anything other than stangely powered aliens in spite of your claims; But I must admit you all stuck to your stories quite well but still none of it is believable. "" She said with a hard look that was somehow regal as her.
"" Look Queenie; you going to keep pressing the trust issue that will make this deal go sour or do you plan on telling us your deal so we can work on building up some trust here so that the distrust will go away? Jubilee said more than asked because she could tell she would keep pushing the issue until the deal broke down.
'' I see; Perhaps you are correct; Too much distrust clouds all our judgement for now; We do need to build up trust with each other; You are quite wize for someone almost the same age as my daughter; She could learn a thing or two from you which thankfully is part of my deal in aroundabout way; It's quite simple; You agree to become a ward of my kingdom and stay in the palace and the X-Men will be given their own building where they are free to come and go as long as they don't mind a few gaurds watching them for now."" she said as she watched to see Jubilee's reaction..
Relief? That wasn't what she expected to see.. No not what she expected at all.
"" Is that all? Yeeach! You guys had me worried there for a second. As long as my friends can come to check on me as often as they like I think we can all agree to that one! Wait a sec; Does that mean I gotta dress formally all the time? UGH! They better be thankful for this one if that's true! Jubilee said rapidly as she facepalmed the idea of having to wear a dress so much.
Logan had to grin as Jubilee's discomfirt of the idea having to wear a dress so much but he had to say something that would help the girl get out of doing it all the time.
"" Relax kid I doubt even they have formal stuff all the time and you still got your training to do because you're not getting out of that easy. "" He said with a smirk as he thought of seeing ~~his little girl~~ decked out in a formal dress.
"" Stop seeing me in a formal dress already! Yeech you are all so obvious!"" Jubilee said with annoyed look because they all had the look that told her friends they were reacting to the idea of her decked out in a dress 24/7.
"" Sorry kid we are not used to the idea of you in dress all the time But yeah we also agree with this deal; We know that you'll not go around hitting her because even you know what would happen if you did while she was under your care. "" Logan said even though he knew he didn't have much say in this deal but he wanted to make it clear they would agree to the deal as long as they knew Jubilee was safe.
Queen Serenity saw that and desided it was the first good step in getting the trust flowing and made a gesture that let her Senshi know she accepted his addition to the deal.
They would just have to deal with that fact but she could tell that Uranus wasn't going to make this deal easy. Pluto seem more than ok with it which was no surprise considering why the deal had to be made and so was Neptune? Now that one was a surprise!
It was very rare when she didn't mirror her partner's reaction to possibly unwelcoming news.. It was quite the feat for Jubilee's presence to get those two on a different page. Mars looked unsure as expected, Mercury looked worried but accepting.. Venus and Jupiter.. Was giving Bobby their best; You are a cute boy and we want to date you look. She had to make a mental sweatdrop at that one. Some things never change even in the face of the unknown she thought and no doubt Mars would come around after a bit.
. Saturn was.. Huh? She was curious? That wasn't like her at all! Perhaps it was due to her not having many she could call a friend. Heaven knew that too many in the court distrusted her because of her powers and because of her Aunt Beral. It took long time for just the senshi. She made a mental note to try get Jubilee to treat the girl as a friend. But maybe she should just let them try on their own. She would watch for now but it was worth it if it meant Saturn would be more happy.
Then she looked at her daughter.. She looked ready to tackle Jubilee and drag her off to make her a friend A.S.A.P... Yep some things never changed. She was satified.
"" Umm sorry to interrupt your thinking or whatever it is you are doing right now but I'd like to know why you are making this deal. I still could say no if it's not a good reason after all and I also want to know if you have any plans for my friends that'll help them feel better about all of this. "" Jubilee said as he looked at her..
Jubilee hated to admit it but she was quite a beautiful woman. Right up there with Neptune and Pluto. They rest were more than pretty enough but the older members of the group set the bar pretty darn high. There was going to be no point in even trying to compete against them in the looks department but at least they could work on the friendship part.
"" Oh sorry; I was lost in a bit of thought. The reason for this is rather hard to admit because no one here would beleive us that such a thing is possible. We have what we call the gates of time; It's type of time machine or at least was until resently. "" She said as she looked to see their reactions. Not what she expected at all! They believed her! What she heard next really stunned her.
"" A time machine? Oh bother! What is it with us and time travel? Honestly... That's one of the things that may have gotten us here. Not that I can say for sure time travel was involved because this place is nothing like home but I'm thinking it was. One thing is for sure I'm not trying to build any time machines. Much too dangerous. "" Jubilee said
Was it possible they were telling the truth after all? No it couldn't be! No one would be dumb enough to let the secret of time travel get out where it could fall into the wrong hands. She desided it was just another of their odd lies. But one thing was for sure lies or not. These X-Men were going to make things a lot more intresting here if they agreed to this.
"" I'm not sure what you meant by that and I'm pretty I don't want to know but to be more exact we used it as a time veiwer to watch for future troubles. Now before you arrived it stopped showing anything and I do mean everything. It was as if all future time stopped existing for some reason. But there was one more thing it did show."" She took a breath before moving on.
"" This moment! This very meeting! It gave us one hope! One possible future before it became too dangerous to use anymore! You all becoming a part of my kingdom! While it is a shot in the dark. It is something and something is better than nothing! So my deal with you all is to join us.
""Give us this one hope for a future that might be and maybe whatever it is that is causing this nothing can be stopped before it does become nothing. I'll not lie to you and say you have nothing to lose by refusing other than you could join us in whatever fate the nothing showed but even you can see our plight here. A unknown future or nothing. It's up to you since we cannot force you but you all seem to be reasonable alien beings even if you do lie a lot. Join us for a futre or take a chance with nothing. "" Queen Serenity said as she sat back to wait for the answer.
Sailor Pluto smiled as she saw this last moment in the gates of time. From now on they were in uncharted waters. So to speak.
What they got was the very last thing any of the senshi expected.
Most of the X-Men began to laugh! They laughed pretty hard too! The only one who didn't laugh was Scott who just smiled though why he smiled was anyone's guess.
"" Sorry about that it's just after all that grilling it seems that you don't know us any better than we first landed. To put it simply; We are the X-Men! Saving worlds from certain doom is one of the things we are best at! In other words. You just may have hit the jackpot!"" Jubilee said with a smile.
"" What Jubilee means we agree to your terms! "" Scott said after being quiet all this time
"" Oh come on Scott you know she's right! This is right up our alley! We can do this kind of thing for breakfast,lunch and dinner and still find time to chill! "" Logan said as he finally was in a good mood as if there was one thing he liked more than a smoke and drink was a good fight!
"" I know that but we can be more formal about it since we are going to be around some royal types from now on. "" Scott said in his normal boy scout tone of voice.
"' Don't mind Scott; We think he was born without a sense of humor. Name's Bobby and I look forward to working with all the lovely ladies. "" He said impressing only Venus and Jupiter though Mars was looking his way now.
"" At least it'll give us something to do while we adjust to being here and hopefully by the time it's over we will find our place here. "" Jean said
"" I look forward to working with all of you and if any of you need help with plants I'll be happy to help. "" Storm said
"" Things are looking up for Gambit."" He said simply.
"" Very well then it is agreed; We will take this chance! Now since we are working together I think we can be more informal around each other now and that it's time we let our new allies get to know who they will be working with.. Please de-transform my Senshi. We are going to be working with these people for possibly a long time...Also we will finish this meeting in the garden as this is not a good place to get to know each other. "" Queen Serenity said
No sooner the words were out of her mouth than they became the princesses they really were. it was so fast that it was hard to tell if they had been naked for the three seconds needed for the change which was a good thing because Bobby was clearly enjoying their new look a bit too much when it was done.
""Wow I wish our uniforms could do that one..It's so fast!. "" Jubilee said at the speed it happened.
Bobby was almost drooling at the sight of them in their normal moon kingdom clothes as they looked even more lovely in them..At least that was his thoughts on it.
"" It would be useful; Maybe we can find a way. "" Scott agreed with Jubilee's reaction.
"" Come let's go to the garden; I'm sure you'll like it better there."" Queen Serenity said
Princess Serena upon hearing that grabbed Jubilee by the arm and held it tight to her body and almost dragged Jubilee for three seconds before Rei said something about manners only to get in one of thier infamous fights that Jubilee somehow ended quickly.
They were soon surrounded by a lovely garden that would one day become their place to meet each other under much more pleasent meetings to come. Quuen Serenity soon spoke up.
"" As you know I am Queen Serenity but you can call me Serenity when it's not formal from now on. Please tell our new allies your first names and let them know a little about yourself my Senshi. Rei start with you "" She said in a a kindly voice.
"" My name is Rei; I'm also Sailor Mars; I use fire attacks and quite versed in spirit ones as well.. "" She said
"" I am Ami;I'm Sailor Mercury; I use water attacks and I guess I use my mini computer a lot too. "" She said
"" What she really means is she's a total brain. Name's Manako and I do lighting and got lots of strenth as Sailor Jupiter. "" She said
"" I am Micharu; I am Sailor Neptune I use water attacks and I have a talent for music and art. Not much else to say for now but I hope to get to know you all... But mostly Jubilee. She's like the best of the younger senshi in one pretty package but with her own personility. " She said causing Jubilee to blush a bit and then look annoyed as she only smiled more.
'' If you trying to get me jelious it's working but I do know what you really mean. Jubilee would made a great Senshi.. All we would need is the right world or moon and lots of magic and the right planetary agreements on it. Name is Haruka I use wind and energy attacks. I like running and racing and Micharu and of course any other lady. "" She said with a wild smile.
"' That explains a few minor things during my time in prison. "' Jean commented as the other X-ladies nodded in agreement.
Micharu choise that time to remind Haruka who was the boss of the two by secretly pinching her hard causing her to back down a bit.
"" My name is Setsura and I'm Sailor Pluto and up to recently I really didn't have much to do here but with the time gates currently too damaged to ever use again I find myself currently with no job so after talking to Serenity I will be acting as your advior and will be the one to see that Jubilee gets the proper education she will need as a ward of the moon kingdom as I find something to keep me busy.. My attacks are pretty much energy but I used to be able to slow time but without the gates I cannot do that anymore. "" She said
"" So we are working together? Well so much for winging it. "" Jubilee said as a joke.
" I-I am Sailor Saturn a-and my n-name is Hotaru and my power can distroy worlds.. And I hate it! B-But I can heal too. "" She said as she almost shank fearing their reactions.
""You'll have excuse Hotaru; There are those who fear her power and there's been some rumors that someone is spreading nasty lies about her.. "" Serenity said hoping to defuse it but to her surprise she saw no hate in their eyes.. Only kindness.. She was starting to like these X-Men in spite of herself.
Jubilee looked at her a moment and went off to where the garden had a small rock garden for effect and began to look though the rocks causing Logan to smile as he knew what was coming. It had been awhile since he seen this side of Jubilee. It would do her some good to show that her gift could do more than blow stuff up.
"" What is she doing?"" Manako asked puzzled by the sudden change in her behavoir.
"" Making a friend with someone she fully understands."' Logan said much to the confusion of the senshi as Jubilee picked up a good sized stone and carried it until she was in front of Hotaru who shrank a bit more.
"" Watch and learn." Jubilee said and then suddenly there was a huge den of color and lights and sounds of popping could be heard then rock dust could now be seen flowing down her fingers once it got past the firework display.
"" No way! Is she distroying that rock? "" Manako
"" Yes and no; Just watch as something beautiful comes from a power that can distroy. "" Jean said as she began to smile.. How like Jubilee to understand what this poor girl must've went though with that kind of power.
""Wait you mean Jubilee had that kind of power and never tried to escape? "" Haruka asked even though they had all said something about having what they called super or mutant powers.
"" She's not the only one; Our plan was to try to get you to trust us and escaping would not do that one. "" Scott said politely
"" I knew they had powers but nothing like this. It's impressive they held back so well. "" Micharu said as she watched Jubilee work on the rock
"" Yes it is. "" Serenity said.. Yes she could learn to like the X-Men even if they were awful liers about where they came from.. Or were they? For the first time she had to consider there was kernal of truth in what they had said.. But it didn't matter because even if it was true. it was in their best intrest to make everyone else think they were aliens. She would have to tell them that before they left this garden.
There was a small gasp when Jubilee finished for there in her hands was now a small 15 inch statue of Hotaru was looking back at Hotaru!
My power can distroy.. It can make things blow up real good but with it I can also do this. At first I couldn't do it but I learned how and it was then I learned there was more to my powers than blowing stuff up. Perhaps all you need to to find your own postive thing..Keep this statue and know there is someone like you who found more to her power than the power to distroy. Now let us be friends."" She said as she handed the statue to Hotaru.
For the first time in a long time Hotaru smiled with tears of happiness flowing as the other Senshi and Serenity joined her in that smile. None of them needed to be told that this would be a lifelong friendship..
"" Yes I'd love that very much!"" Hotaru said fogetting how scared she was to the point she now spoke normally.
"" Hey can you do that for me too? Only much bigger? Serena asked
"' Nope; I only make small statues! "" Jubilee said flatly much to the amusiment of a few.
"" OH come on PLEASE?!"" Serena asked with pleading eyes.
It remained to be seen if Serena would get her statue but for now the future looked a little brighter and now the real challange of adapting and making new friendships had begun!
To be cont; Yeah , yeah; I admit I got all mushy here but it was too good to pass up.. Review and/or enjoy!