Chapter 28: Relax: The Night Before Trouble Starts
After that, the Sailor Guardians bid each other good night.
Thanks to Danny's powers, he carried Sailor Jupiter and the two flew into the air.
"You know, you girls should consider getting a car or something like Batman." Danny points out.
"The oldest of us is Mamoru and he doesn't exactly hang out with us since he's a college student." She points out.
"Still weirded out he's Usagi's boyfriend… where I come from… he'd probably be arrested." Danny said with some discomfort.
"It's only a three-year gap. I think four is the highest without raising eyebrows." Jupiter suggests.
"If they met as minors, maybe…" Danny responds.
"She was 14, he was 17." She brings up.
"Then… I guess that's okay…?" He responds, not sure what to think of it.
Realizing the subject seemed a bit too weird for him, Jupiter thought how to change it when she noticed something.
She was still in her Sailor uniform, he was still Danny Phantom. The idea came to her.
"You know Danny-kun...since we're already in our superhero attire, why don't we have a little spar?" Jupiter suggested.
Danny smiled.
"That does sound not boring..." He said, sounding excited.
Meanwhile, at the Tsukino residence
A cab dropped the family off as the three of them walked while dazed.
"They're back." Usagi said to Luna and ChibiUsa as she watched from the window.
"What happened?" Usagi's mother asked, at a loss for what she went through.
"I have no idea. I think we all went to some concert and… I feel tired..." Her husband said.
"Why does my forehead hurt?! It's like someone kicked me!" Shingo complained as he rubbed his forehead.
He didn't notice his sister snickering a bit from the window.
Okay… now I can find that funny… Usagi thought.
At the same time, at the Mizuno residence
Ami was able to get into her room in time before her mother came through the door. Ami decided to play the role of a good daughter and great her mother.
"Hi Mom." She said.
"Oh… hello, Ami. You would not believe what happened to me today… I-" Her phone went off. "Hold on…" She answered. "Hello, Mizuno Saeko… yes? What?" She groaned. "I'll be there…"
"Something wrong?" Ami asks as her mother started putting her shoes back on.
"Of all the times…" She muttered before looking up at Ami. "I'm sorry… but it seems about a few dozen people were involved in some… concert incident that resulted in a few scrapes and bruises when they evacuated the stadium quickly. No one died, thankfully… but it seems I have another all nighter." She said.
"You do?" Ami asks.
"I did take the vow… I'll try to be home for breakfast…" She said before hugging her daughter. "Stay safe… and don't open the door for anyone, not even that boy you've been seeing." She said.
Ami blushed.
"Mother… we're just friends."
"For now, perhaps." Saeko said with a wink before departing.
As soon as she did, Ami chuckled a bit.
"If she only knew…" She said, noting the irony of her mother not knowing who she's interested in.
Meanwhile, at the Hino residence
While she was happy to get back, Rei's own home had one notable person who did not go as he was too tired to calm down.
The news showed footage of Ember's broadcast, filtered to avoid any potential hypnosis as Rei's grandfather pouted.
"Grandfather, you can't seriously be saying you wish you went?" Rei asks.
"What a pity...I was really looking forward to that concert...and for an evil ghost, that young lady is quite the catch..." The old man said with a perverted smile.
"Oh, Grandfather..." Rei said in annoyance.
Meanwhile, elsewhere
Mamoru Chiba arrived at his college dorm, where his mind was still on what happened.
Namely, he was thinking about how he was powerless to rescue the one he loves.
He sighed as he recalled how someone he was rude to was the one to save her life.
Taking a deep breath, he looked up at the night sky.
"I should apologize…"
With Phantom and Jupiter
At the same park as before, Danny landed and put Sailor Jupiter back on her feet.
"Well, here we are." Danny said.
"Okay then… I don't see anyone, so no gossipy people watching." Jupiter said once she was far enough. She then did a pose. "I'm ready!"
"Okay then." Danny said.
Jupiter charged at him.
"Here we go!" She shouted.
She jumped off the ground and swung her leg, her knee getting caught by Danny. He lightly pushed her away, giving her about 3 feet distance from him. Undaunted and with a smile, Jupiter threw her fist, making Danny bob to his left to avoid it.
He then tripped Jupiter playfully with his foot, causing her to momentarily lose her footing and fall back before being able to plant both feet on the ground.
With a determined grin, Jupiter didn't back down. So, she came running with a shout as she sent her fist flying. However, it was caught by Danny, who did the no-no finger wag with his other hand before pushing her back.
Not undaunted, Jupiter began throwing her fists repeatedly, only for each blow to be blocked quickly with his hands, cushioning each blow with an open palm.
Realizing her attack does nothing, Jupiter stepped back as Danny crossed his arms and smiled at her.
"Nice…" Danny said.
"Don't get too cocky." Jupiter said with a smile as they continued to spar.
Elsewhere
While the two were sparring, Skulker was meeting with a few ghosts in the mountains, speaking to Desiree, an ectopus, Vlad's four-armed ghost bear and a large eel.
"Okay, you four are the last to owe me a favor if you want to not get hunted by me." Skulker said as he paced back and forth in front of them like a drill instructor.
"Course, it's also because Walker was willing to lessen your sentence if you captured me, so I had to agree…" Desiree muttered.
Skulker glared at her before continuing.
"So, I'm going to be needing one last thing before I bring Plasmius the Infi-Map. I need you all to cause some chaos to lure the Ghost Boy out here. One of you will have to go out into the city and lure him out here." Skulker said.
The genie ghost glared at him as she was the only one who looked offended.
"Excuse me?!" Desiree shouted in anger.
"What?" Skulker asks.
"You dragged me to Japan when that shawarma shop finally re-opened weeks from when you and that Ghost Boy caused the roof to collapse to be bait?!" Desiree questioned.
"You can haunt a shawarma shop on your own time." Skulker stated.
"I wasn't going to haunt it! I happen to like shawarma and would have gladly paid while in disguise." Desiree insisted.
"Regardless, this is what must be done, so do it!" Skulker demanded.
It was at that point someone made their presence known via teleporting.
"I see someone is having trouble wrangling up their own allies." Esmeraude stated.
Skulker groaned.
"The sooner I never see this woman, the better…" He muttered as he turned around. "What do you want?!"
"Your blue-haired sireness has been defeated. Whatever you're planning, it's your last chance. Fortunately, my darling Prince Demande has something to say to you. He's on his way now, just thought I'd warn you." Esmeraude said.
"He's speaking to me? Does that mean he's figured out you're not reliable, even for simple information exchange?" Skulker asks with a mocking grin.
Esmeraude glared angrily before turning her head.
"I can only hope when I die that I am sent to that fiery abyss, since you won't be there…" She responded before stepping away to give her prince space when he arrives.
"Huh… most women would want men to go there…" Desiree points out with a small smile.
Prince Demande then appeared in front of them, with his brother Saphir on one side and Wiseman on the other.
"Skulker." Demande said.
"Your majesty…" Skulker said with a faux-bow.
Desiree, meanwhile, smirked at the handsome prince.
"Hmm… where was he when I was banished as a human?" She asks under her breath.
"I see that you amassed a small group, seeing as the ghost you asked to distract Phantom failed..." Demande said.
"Clearly, Esmeraude is proving herself right. These so-called ghosts are proving ineffective." Saphir said, angering Skulker.
"It's not my fault that the whelp and his ladyfriend happen to overcome even Ember!" Skulker yelled.
The prince did not react to his outburst, he just smiled.
"Well, I suppose that it's true..." He said as he tried to form a new plan. It was then he noticed Desiree and, to Esmeraude's shock, approached her and took her hand. "Greetings miss. I apologize if this brute had to force you into this." He said as he kissed it.
Desiree blushed as Esmeraude looked ready to screech in anger but held it in.
"Oh… umm… it's fine. We have a mutual enemy, after all…" She reasons, finding it difficult to stifle a smile.
That lousy green skinned hussy! Esmeraude thought as her face turned red with rage.
"Well… perhaps it's time he was no longer a mutual enemy?" Demande suggests.
"What do you mean?" Skulker asked while the prince smirked. "I thought we agreed I'd take him off your hands."
"Since your plan is not working, I suggest a more... friendly approach..." He said.
"What?" Skulker asks.
"Now Skulker... while you try to keep these ghosts in order... I plan to have a talk with this Danny Phantom..." He said, having his own plan once he crosses paths with that ghost boy.
The Silver Crystal and Neo-Queen Serenity will be mine. He will help me... He thought darkly, wanting this over with.
"You plan to talk with him?" Skulker asks like it was ridiculous.
"Rest assured… if he refuses my offer… I will honor my agreement with you. You just get him here." Demande ordered.
Skulker growled angrily before shaking his head.
"Fine… I just need the map anyway…" He then looked to the ghosts he brought along. "Well?! Get to that city, cause a ruckus and make him come!" Skulker ordered.
Unfortunately, only one refused to listen as Desireee hovered several fee up.
"No man orders me around!" Desiree shouted.
"Do it and I won't turn you in! Otherwise, best hope I throw some scraps your way!" Skulker ordered.
"That's it, I refuse to be treated as bait! I am leaving!" Desiree said as she started flying off.
Skulker was ready to fire at her, something she noticed. However, Demande raised a hand to push Skuker's weapon away.
"It's fine. We don't need that many. These will do." He said before looking up at Desiree with a smile. "You're free to go, miss…"
"Hmph… at least you have manners. You're lucky you're so handsome…" Desiree said before flying off.
The Wiseman, however, had other plans.
"I am afraid that I cannot allow that..." He said under his breath as he looked to his crystal ball.
It showed the genie ghost flying and reaching a fountain in Juban.
She will be useful… He thought.
At the same time, Skulker glared at Demande.
"Don't think for a second that you're also my prince!" Skulker reminded.
"Don't you disrespect my brother!" Saphir shouted angrily, only for a quick glance by his brother to silence him. "Demande?"
"It's alright… once this is done, we will have no need for this alliance anymore." He said.
Meanwhile
At the Aino residence, Minako was in her room. With the exception of Artemis, she was completely alone.
However, she was too busy with her thoughts, laying on her bed with her head looking down at the floor, her hair over her shoulder. She had finally kissed the boy she had been crushing on for the longest time, only she can't really enjoy it since it was to save her best friend, the one he loves.
"Usagi, Makoto and even Ami...they all have amazing boyfriends and I'm still single..." She said, feeling depressed.
She is happy for her friends but she can't help but feel envious as well.
Especially since that whole blind dating was her idea.
I can't believe I spent so much time day dreaming over Mako's boyfriend... She thought, feeling a little embarrassed.
She remembered that before Danny's visit, she was a big DP fangirl and had day dreams about him, which included a fantasy where they met, fell in love, got married and had a kid she imagined looked like her but with his dimples and eyes.
She blushed and felt ashamed since she realized his heart was taken by her best friend long before she met him in either form.
I really hope they never find out about that dream I had... She thought, burying her head in her arms.
She knew that it was time to let it go but it was still difficult.
"You know, you're not the only one still single, right?" Artemis asks her.
"I know… but Rei's… different. She's so upset she decided all men aren't worth her time now…" Minako points out.
"Even so, you're taking this harder than you should." Artemis states.
"Maybe… but it's taking me a while to let it go." Minako said.
"Or, you can just remain patient. Someone will come into your life." Artemis says to her.
"You really think so?" Minako asks, not looking like she believes it.
"You shouldn't be so down, Mina. Don't forget, Makoto is not the only one to have found love with someone from the States." Artemis reminds.
Minako recalled her very brainy friend reuniting with her choice and despite that he didn't choose her, it's clear there's an attraction between the two.
"Yeah... I don't think I've ever seen Ami that happy unless she were studying. And she didn't even care about meeting someone at first..." Minako recalls with a smile.
"If cupid's arrow can happen even for Ami and with Tennyson, there's hope for you." Artemis assures.
Hearing that, Minako's mood began to lift.
"You're right. If there's hope for her, there's hope for me too..." She said, feeling hopeful as she sat up.
"That's the spirit." Artemis says with a smile.
"I'll find someone who I'm meant to spend my life with, someone even cooler than Danny Phantom!" She said, sounding determined.
Artemis gave an exasperated smile as Minako fantasized.
That's not what I meant but at least she's not depressed or obsessed with Danny anymore… He thought.
Meanwhile
"HAH!" Jupiter went as she dove in with an axe-kick.
Danny caught her by the ankle and, using his powers, suspended her in the air by rendering her immune to gravity.
He smiled up at her.
"Nice… but you know anyone could look up your skirt, right?" He asks.
"When you suspend me in the air, obviously. You're just lucky it's you, and I know you wouldn't do that… not that I don't mind you finding me so alluring." She said with a smile before using her other foot to kick herself free.
She jumped back, doing a flip as she landed gracefully on her feet.
"We both know at this point I'm physically stronger than you." Danny points out.
"Then let's kick this up a notch." She said with a grin as she brought both arms together and her tiara's antennae rises.
"Here we go…" Danny said as his hands glowed.
"Supreme… THUNDER!"
Danny raises a shield to block the attack. He then dodged before Sailor Jupiter could strike again.
"I guess we're playing ball." Danny joked under his breath.
"Sparkling Wide Pressure!" Sailor Jupiter says as she throws her attack.
Danny thinks fast and fires his ghost ray, trying to push it back. Eventually, the blast is pushed back and comes towards Jupiter, who manages to leap out of the way.
The explosion of the impact of the blast causes Danny to cover his eyes, giving Jupiter a shot.
"Supreme…"
Her voice caused him to turn invisible, much to her surprise. She held her attack back as she looked around for Danny.
Her search was short lived as she saw a glowing fist in her face as she turned around.
She pulled back and dodged the attack before it could reach her.
It took the two a moment but they laughed it off as Danny lowered his arm.
"You almost had me there. Maybe don't announce your attacks so loudly?" Danny suggests.
"It's a thing, can't help it. Now for my next attack. Supreme… Loving You!" She said before wrapping her arms around him and hoisting him up.
As she did so, Danny chuckled as the two looked the other in the eye before kissing.
The two happily kissed, holding onto each other and kissing deeply before Jupiter's antennae, still up, activated and attracted a bolt of lightning, which then hit them and sent a surge of electricity through Danny's body as he kissed her.
Realizing she was shocking Danny, Jupiter pulled away and gasped in shock.
"Danny-kun!" She went.
Danny was smoking, looking slightly singed his eye twitched.
"Wow..." He said weakly.
"Are you alright?" She asks urgently.
"Actually..." He smiled. "Yes... I do..."
She only blinked in response to that.
"Really?" Jupiter asks, unbelieving.
"Yeah... " He said, smiling like he's ready for more.
Although slightly concerned, Jupiter smiled and shrugged as she kissed him again, being careful not to accidentally fry him again.
However, once they pulled away, his ghost sense went off.
"I'm guessing that's not smoke from being electrocuted..." She said.
"Nope..." Danny said as he wiped his face clean and straightened his hair.
Looking around, they saw a ghost above, the eel, as it flew towards the mountains as fast as possible
Both sighed as Danny looked towards Jupiter, who yawned.
Thinking about it, he figures this will take a while and it's late.
"You should head home, I'll handle this." He said.
"Huh? But the ghost?" Jupiter asks.
"I got this, Lita. Don't forget, ghosts are my department. Besides, that thing might lead me to Skulker and finally put an end to this. Soon as I'm done, I'll be back. I promise." He said to her.
Jupiter had an unsure look on her face.
"Will you?"
"Don't forget, tomorrow's my last day here, I want to make sure I don't leave any ghosts around." He said.
She gave in, sighing.
"Okay... but hurry up." She insists.
"I will." He said before flying off.
As soon as he was out of sight, Jupiter sighed. Seeing no one around, she transformed back into Makoto Kino.
"Well... I guess I'll head back." She said in a disappointed tone before turning and walking away.
As she left, she heard something from a distance.
"Okay! I'll see you tomorrow! I promise to cook something great for you!" A girl's voice called out.
Makoto straightened up, looking around.
"Who said that?" She asks.
She thought back to what this person said and suddenly had an idea.
Cook something great...
A smile formed on her face.
"I can cook him something... something we can enjoy!" She said, beaming up at the sky. "We'll have a wonderful meal together to end our time before he heads home!" She said happily.
With that, she went home, smiling widely as she thought of what she could cook for her man. She was unaware someone was watching her from around the corner, someone very young and very small. It was the same girl.
"Perfect. That'll keep her busy for now..." She said to herself.
"Y'know... you're risking a lot, giving that idea in her head..." A voice from her pocket went.
"She was gonna do it anyway... and besides... she'll have something to do while he's busy..." The girl responded, nodding in satisfaction before hearing something.
"Someone there?" Makoto was heard calling out.
Realizing that she was at the risk of being caught, the girl hid behind the tree.
Makoto followed the sound, turning around the tree to see the potential source. However, to her surprise, she saw nothing.
Confused at first, Makoto then shrugged before smiling to herself, the idea of a wonderful meal for her and Danny still on her mind as she left.
As soon as she was gone, the girl reappeared, sighing in relief.
"That was close..." The little girl said, happy to avoid detection.
Special thank to Flower princess11 for helping me on this.
RonaldM40196867: Not sure. Kinda. That was something I added for the story. Maybe?
Luiz4200: Risk hurting her emotionally. Maybe his?
Invader Johnny: Yeah. Minako got what she wanted, just not how she wanted it.
61394: Sadly, still some ghosts to handle.
Jebest4781: We got one last day for them.
LockAndKey989: We'll see in a later chapter.
William Escobar 608: 1) Afortunadamente, eso no está sucediendo. 2) Es el hechizo de amor. 3) Usagi tiende a ser mejor que ella cuando se trata de obsesiones románticas. 4) Probablemente no. 5) Lo más probable. 6) Gracias. 7) Lo vemos, un beso. 8) Ella se arrepiente. 9) Afortunadamente, eso no sucede. 10) Efectivamente. 11) Lo hace. 12) Tal vez. 13) Ambos? 14) Sí. 15) Sí. 16) Tal vez, no estoy seguro si lo usaré. tengo algo en mente 17) Puede que alguien más lo haga.
pokemon fan 1991: Thank you, glad you liked the kis.
Rando thought: Hmm... interesting idea for a pairing.
16: Thanks for reading.
Thunder Dragon: I am a fan of both, yes. However, I have no plans for a crossover for the two.