Chapter 10-Chibiusa the Princess
Meanwhile, in 30th century, Small Lady was getting ready for her tenth birthday party. She had finally reached double digits. The crystal palace was buzzing with excitement as they prepared for the celebration of the century.
I wondered around in the palace garden, deep in thought. I looked up at the moon and thought about Hotaru and the others in the past. I haven't seen them in two years. I missed them.
Life here with mama and papa was the same as before. Except, I was erased from existence two years ago. When Galaxia killed mamo-chan in the past, the entire timeline changed. But thanks to Usagi, she was able to restore everything back to normal.
As I continued to walk, I noticed the four shadows lurking in the background. "Can you guys stop being my bodyguards for just one minute? I am okay."
Sailor Ceres, Sailor Pallas, Sailor Juno and Sailor Vesta came out of the bushes they were hiding behind.
"The king asked us to keep an eye on you," Pallas explained. "What are you doing out here?"
I looked at my four new best friends and thought about Ami, Mako, Mina and Rei. They had protected Usagi, just like these four had protected me. Once upon a time, they were the Amazoness Quartet, corrupted by Queen Nehelenia. When Usagi defeated Queen Nehelenia, they returned back to their Amazon stones. Years later, their senshi selves were awaken and since then, had saved me again and again in many battles.
Mama Serenity finally allowed me to fight. I had become, fully, Sailor Chibi Moon. My powers were still weak though, if I was by myself. Sometimes, I still needed to be rescued by the scouts and Sailor Quartets.
The four of them followed me as I continued to walk in circles around the palace garden. I was feeling sad for no reason really. Something was bothering me but I didn't know what it was.
I spotted Mama standing on the balcony. She gestured for us to go inside. Time to put on a smile and be a good princess. I took a deep breath and walked back into the party room.
"Goodnight, Small Lady." The party was finally over and everyone retired to bed. Mama and Papa kissed me goodnight and then they left. I sat alone in the dark room, still feeling uneasy and sad.
"Happy birthday, Small Lady. Sorry, I am late." A familiar voice said.
"Puu." I jumped out of bed and hopped on Pluto. "What are you doing here?"
"I am afraid I have some bad news. Usagi and the others are under attack in the 20th century. The ice age had started and most of the world was already frozen. They need your help."
Pluto handed me the space-time key. The one I used last time I traveled back to the past. "Also, you might want to bring the Sailor Quartets with you. What you are about to face is your biggest challenge yet. You need all the help you can get."
"Puu…is Usagi okay? Is everybody okay? What about Hotaru?"
Pluto patted my head gently and flashed a sad smile. My heart sank.
"Who are you talking to, Small Lady?" Mama poked her head through the door. "oh, Sailor Pluto. Is it time already?"
"Yes, my Queen."
Mama knelt down and gave me a kiss on the forehead. She opened her hand and held out her silver crystal. "Usagi will need this. Bring this to her and help her save the world, princess."
I looked at the Silver Crystal I stole, so many years ago. "What about you? If I take it again, the city would be vulnerable."
Mama smiled and said, "This time, we are ready. Sailor Mercury is increasing the barrier's energy. All the scouts are on alert for any intruders from outer space. But please hurry, Small Lady."
The silver crystal felt heavy in my hand. Images of the horrors of the past war flashed through my head. Guilt resurfaced again as I looked at mama. Was this war, where Usagi and the others were fighting, was it my fault too?
I had learned quite a lot about the rules of time travelling from Puu. I used to hang out with her at the time gate. If I didn't steal the crystal, mama would have won against Wiseman and the Dark Moon clan. If I didn't travel to the past, then everyone in the past wouldn't have met me. My presence in the past, bringing the scouts to the future, I had locked the events in the timeline. The past no longer had free will. They had to follow through with the events…I couldn't help but cry out as I realized, they had to lose this battle.
The door opened and the four guardians walked in. They bowed to Queen Serenity and listened to her instructions. Sailor Vesta stood up and walked over to me. She put her arms around me and gave me a squeeze. "Time to go. Don't worry, we will help. I remembered Sailor Moon and the others. They were kind to us, once upon a time."
So the five of us made our way to the time gate with Sailor Pluto.
"Puu, are you coming with us?" I asked.
"No." She shook her head sadly. "I am not allowed." Without explaining further, she pushed the time gate open. I looked back at her once more before following the others through the time corridor.
20th century
We made it to the past. Painfully cold air hit us before we even exit the time portal. We landed on a pile of snow. Tokyo was frozen and eerily quiet.
Being the shortest one in the group, the snow came all the way up to my chest. I could barely walk or climb out of the snow. The cold started to penetrate, even though I was protected by the sailor fuku.
"Sailor Crystal Arrow." The four of them shouted, sending their arrows into the air. The tips caught on to the railings on a bridge and Sailor Vesta swung me up along with her. The rest swung themselves up. We made our way slowly to the crystal palace. Crossed the bridge. Jumped through a few buildings. After an exhausting four hours, we arrived at the door of the palace.
The guards stood frozen beside the gate. Their rifles were raised but never fired. My heart started to pound as I walked through the frozen grounds of the palace. Guards, maids, servants, they stood as ice statues, decorating the garden.
I jumped on to the fence that was built around the central tower of the palace. I couldn't bear to walk past these people, frozen as they were. I wondered if it hurt. I wondered if they could see me and silently called out for help. The rest followed my lead.
I reached the main door. But instead of pushing it open, I stood paralyzed.
Sailor Pallas came up and put a hand on my shoulder. "Small Lady, what are we waiting for?"
Right. There was no time to waste. So I took a deep breath and pushed the door open.
None of us were prepared to see what was in front of us.
Usagi in her queen's gown had her silver crystal in her hand, raised toward the heaven. Frozen.
Sailor Mercury, Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus stood around the queen. Frozen.
Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus were in fighting stance. Frozen.
Sailor Saturn had her Silence Glave raised. Frozen.
Just then, an evil laughter came from the back of the hallway, where the throne was. It was the ice queen. Snow dancers appeared behind her.
"What took you so long? Well, I am glad you have made it. Sorry, it was a bit hard to get across town nowadays. Hahahaha…. Anyway, now that you are here, welcome to my palace. You girls will make a lovely addition to my collection."
The ice queen snapped her fingers and the snow dancers flew toward us….