Plan working to perfection
As much as Serena enjoyed her day with Mina, and as much as she enjoyed her first encounter with Darien following "the switch," Serena would have enjoyed a nice, quiet night off. Unfortunately, Serena still had to deal with grandpa Hino and a love sick Chad. She also had to finish her chores, make sure that Phobos and Deimos were fed, that the laundry was put away, and that she had eaten dinner.
But while there was still much to do, there was one thing that Serena was looking forward to – hearing how well her plan to screw with Rei's mind was going. Sure, she had ideas about things were going after her little encounter with Darien – which went better than Serena could have hoped for, but she really hadn't been given the full 4-1-1. But, since grandpa Hino and Chad wouldn't be home until almost midnight, Serena had asked her mother, and future daughter Queen Selenity, to come by around seven.
And just as promised, Queen Selenity – when she saw that her daughter and future mother was totally relaxed, arrived at seven o'clock.
"Daughter, or should I say 'mother,' how are you tonight?" Selenity asked Serena upon her arrival.
"Oh, it's you." Serena answered.
"Well, what's your knickers in such a bind tonight?"
"Lots of things. Life, Darien, the girls, Luna…"
"Rei?"
"Normally yes, but not right now."
"Then you must be thinking of your 'grandfather.'"
"Him and that love sick fool Chad."
"Yea, what is exactly is his deal?"
"Chad's a really messed up kid. Sweet, but messed up."
"How so?"
"Chad comes from a broken home. His father was a wannabe Rock 'N Roll star who married into money. However, shortly after Chad was born, his father overdosed on crack. His mother, who was no real winner herself,"
"Was, as in?
"Yea, six months ago."
"You don't seem too broken up about it."
"And I'm not. She was a world class bitch who found out that me and the others were the Sailor Senshi and as was on her way to blow our cover to the press when she was killed in a car accident."
"How did she find out that you and the others were…"
"We were out and about one day, when a youma appeared. Mrs. Mitchell was out shooting photographs when she heard the commotion. We hadn't yet henshined when the youma appeared. When we did, Mrs. Mitchell saw us henshin and caught it film. After the battle, she told us her plans and took off. Thankfully, she was killed."
"That's awful!"
"Like I said, no big loss."
"You know if I didn't know any better, I'd swear you really were Rei."
"Speaking of which, how is my predecessor adjusting to her new surroundings?"
"Well, it's still early, but I'd say your plan is going along wonderfully."
"Do tell."
"Well, I'm sure you heard about her and Darien's date from Saturday night."
"Yea, yea, I already know about Rei's first day as me, Luna told me. What I want to is what has been like for her the last two days."
"Oh, well that I can proudly say has been the funniest shit I've ever seen. She is totally fucked up mentally. At times, she acts like you used to. Other times, she acts like her old self."
"What about the rest of the time?"
"She can't make up her mind of who she wants to be. "
"What else has my replacement been up to?"
"Lots and lots of clothes shopping."
"Well, I know I like to shop, but I can't afford that much stuff."
"She's been doing her 'shopping' online. She sees something that really, really likes, asks the Silver Crystal to make it, and it does."
"How, how is something like that possible?"
"To be honest, I'm not even sure. I'm not even fully aware of everything that the Silver Crystal can do. My guess is that Rei may have accidently uncovered something about the Silver Crystal that nobody was aware of."
"That or my temporary replacement is really enjoying my body and the Silver Crystal is going along with it."
"Oh, and you're not enjoying Rei's body?"
"Not fully. At least, not yet."
"Serena, I know that look. What are you planning?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'll let Chad have his way with me. Or maybe I'll let Mina have her way with me.
"Or just maybe, I'll pay a little visit to our dear, sweet Moon Princess sometime this week, and try on some of the clothes that she just bought."
"Earth to Serena, you're supposed to make Rei want you, not hate you."
"I know, I know. I guess that's what happens when you spend a whole day with the 'Love Goddess.'
"Speaking of which, has she had a chance to interact with 'Serena' yet?"
"No, not yet. Your fellow Senshi have decided the best thing to do right now is to keep contact with Rei to a minimum right now. They want to see what you're going to do first."
"So, they haven't done any training with Rei then?"
"No, not yet."
"Well, needs to change!"
"It most certainly does," Mina said as she appeared. "I afford to have my Senshi fail again."
"So, what are we going to do about it, commander?"
"'Rei', you're going to call Lita and have her meet up with 'Serena' tomorrow. Queen Selenity, I want you to get in contact with Trista and tell her that she is to assist Lita." Mina said.
"Boy, Mina sure takes her role as team leader seriously doesn't she 'Rei?'" Selenity asked.
"She needs to. My replacement needs to be trained and I need to finish mine before the week is over."
"Why the urgency 'Rei?' I mean, I know I want 'Serena' trained by weeks end, by why do you want yours to be done before the week is over?" The Queen asked.
"Because, before Mina came over this morning, I was doing a fire reading and the Great Fire informed me that our new enemy will be here within two months. And if neither I or my replacement are ready, and if the Senshi as a team aren't ready, we will all die, and we wouldn't be able to come back."
"And 'Rei' told me about this while we were eating lunch, so we really need to pick up the pace on our training." Mina added.
"Very well, I'll inform Trista of your plan." The Queen responded.
"Good, then everybody is on board."
"Not quite everyone 'Rei.'" Mina said.
"Let me guess, Artemis and Luna both hate this plan?"
"No, Artemis is fine with it. It took me awhile to get him on board, but he's in." Mina responded.
"So that must mean that Luna is against me."
"If only it were that simple."
"Why, what has my former advisor said or done?" The Queen asked.
"She ran away from home."
"What? Where is she now?"
"Your guess is as good as mine 'Rei.' Which reminds me, how much longer do you and I have to keep referring to you as 'Rei' and Rei as 'Serena' before we just call you who are now?"
"Tonight will be the last night for that. As of tomorrow, you and the rest of the girls are to refer to me as Rei and Rei as Serena until this is over. And mother, that goes for you too."
"I figured as much."
"And what about Luna?"
"I'll consult the Great Fire and find out where that wench is. And when I do, I will tell her that we are going to have a Senshi meeting in twenty-four hours and that she needs to get on board with my plan or be stripped of her powers."
"Yea, but if you do that, 'Serena' won't have an advisor."
"Not so Mina. Luna and Artemis weren't the only ones from Mau who survived."
"You mean?"
"Yes, there is another cat from Mau living here in Tokyo. I can't tell you where or who she is because I'm willing to give Luna one last chance. If she takes it, then last survivor of Mau will live out the rest of her life as a normal cat life. If Luna refuses to cooperate, then she's out."
"Artemis would be crushed."
"Maybe, but Luna – like 'Serena' – needs to learn who the future Queen is and that she is to be respected. And if kicking Luna out is the only way than Luna will learn that lesson, then so be."
"Boy 'Rei' you really are the 'Queen Bitch.'"
"It's what happens when you've been pushed too far. You used to be the same."
"So, you're saying you liked me the way I used to be?"
"No, I like you so much better now. You're a lot more fun."
"You know, I know a way we can really have some 'fun.'"
"Ugh, not now Mina."
"So, you're saying you haven't given up the idea on taking a ride on the 'Mina Train?'"
"Mina, would you please get your mind out of the gutter for once." Artemis called out.
"Can't help it! I need some lovin' and if I can't get it from Amy, I've got no objections of getting it from my second in command." Mina proclaimed.
"Maybe some other time Mina. I want my first time to be with Rei."
"Okay, okay. When it comes to you, I'll just have to settle for sloppy seconds." Mina said.
"Alright, if you girls and Artemis are going to trade sex secrets, perhaps I should leave." Queen Selenity exclaimed.
"Why, afraid you might learn something you can use with Pluto in the future?" Mina teased.
"Mina, please, although Selenity is my mother from the past, she is going to be my future daughter and I won't have you corrupting her mind here in the present."
"Oh please, like I could corrupt her mind any further than what it already is? Plus, it'd be the perfect to get back at her for what she did to us."
"Yes, well that was in the past and it's not my fault that you two were as curious as kittens. Of course, I suppose Trista and I could have been discreet."
"Damn right you could have!" Artemis exclaimed.
"Ugh, don't tell me that you knew about me and Pluto too Artemis?"
"Given that I used to watch over the blabber mouth twins, be grateful that I was the last member of the court to know about you and Pluto." Artemis proclaimed.
"Alright, I think this conversation has de-generated enough."
"Yea, in the best way." Mina said.
"Mina!"
"Yes Rei?"
"Ugh, never mind. Just go home."
"As you wish my second in command."
"And take Artemis with you."
"Fine, if I must."
"Boy, that girl is really…"
"Yea, but would you expect the Avatar of Venus to be any other way?"
"No, I suppose not."
"Yea, I love her just the way she is now too. She's a lot serious than she was back then."
"And as you said, 'A lot more fun.' Just promise me you won't discover how much 'Fun' Mina really is."
"Nope, can't promise you that. But of course she'll have to wait."
"I know. You have someone else in mind."
"That I do."
"You know, you could always de-flower yourself while in Rei's body!"
"No, no way in hell would I ever do that?"
"Why not? It could be a real educational experience for you."
"No, not in a million years will I let my first time be in anyone else's body but my own."
"You mean Serenity's."
"Yea, yea. Don't get technical with me."
"Alright, I'll leave you alone. Besides you've got 'Batter Fish to Fry.'"
"What do you mean?"
"Your grandfather and Chad are pulling up into the driveway right now." Selenity said as she disappeared.
"Oh great, I've got to deal with those two. I mean I can handle grandfather, Chad however is another matter.
"Oh well, let's get this crap over with."
Note: I'd like to thank everyone who has read and reviewed this story. Your support means the world. There's only going to be one more chapter in this story, because this only part one of a multiple part series called "Serenity and Mars – A love written in the stars."