"What do you mean you might be safer at home?!" Jewel yelled furiously.
"I can't protect Dawn and Shadow if they aren't here!" Elizabeth shouted, Selina, bouncing irritated beside her.
Jewel picked up her sad and confused kitten and toy to comfort them with cuddles, her golden eyes glaring through her teammates. Figuring the Dark Kingdom Senshi might be targeted next, they wondered if they would be safer elsewhere. Of course, Jewel did not agree with this for several reasons.
"We're worried about our families," Ivy responded.
"Also, it might throw those monkeys off if we move," Shadow added.
"Though I believe the Crystal Palace is safer and want to stay to defend you, Princess Jewel, I miss Dad and Thera," Star explained.
"Shadow, why don't I go home, and you can stay to protect our princess?" Dawn knew her dark-eyed sister was not keen on going home as she did not get along with their parents much.
"Even if I did, Dawn, you know Mom and Dad would constantly bug me to return home." Shadow grumbled bitterly.
"Why do you dislike your parents so much, Shadow?" Ivy questioned.
"I wouldn't say I dislike THEM. I love them as they are my Mom and Dad. I wish they had spent more time with Dawn and me. However, like Christen, I'm not into lovey-dovey romance." Shadow explained.
While Endymion's generals had not gotten along either in the Silver Millenium or during the time of the Dark Kingdom, Zoisite had been the youngest (16) and, in a way, Kunzite's "student," who was the oldest (25. Then again, Naru was 14 when Nephrite was 19. Why is it only Usagi and Mamoru who were problematic?) Regardless, Zoisite and Kunzite had always been close. Sighing, the other girls (minus Ivy) understood how Shadow felt, having a parent who was never around.
Despite her unease, Jewel let her Senshi depart. Another concern is the redhead did not know if the Neo-Super Sailor Senshi, with their disabilities, would be up to guarding her should anything happen. On the other hand, she noticed they had been doing well, compensating for each other. As aforementioned, Gracie became Crystal's voice, Crystal became Gracie's eyes, and Christen tended to Ariel. Ariel showed Christen the same respect by using ASL, mouthing, writing, and body language to communicate.
Alexis cared for Holly, and Holly kept up her sister's spirits. Emily and Trisha had a more challenging time as Emily could not hear how her pronunciation of words sounded to warn Trisha of dangers she could not see. Of course, Luna and Artemis's children helped if they had to. Jewel dealt with Chibiusa's deafness.
"When are you going to lose one of your senses?" Beryl asked her daughter flippantly.
"When you get some common sense!" Jewel snapped at her abusive mother. Ugh! Her mother genuinely was a she-devil! Her mother couldn't stand that her father had rejected her in favor of Neo Queen Serenity. Thus, she had to brainwash him so she could sleep with him! Jewel loved her father, but she never got over the fact that she was the result of Beryl raping Eydimion because he told her no.
It was not the best comeback, but Christen taught her it, and no one is better at comebacks than her! That night was rainy. Jewel wanted to be as close to the storm as possible despite her better judgment; the soft, pitter-pattering sound comforted her. There was no thunder or lightning, and this was safe as long as Jewel stayed under a covering. Elizabeth and Selina stayed vigilant at Jewel's sides. No matter how clever and quick the Three Wise Monkeys are, Selina's sensors picked up one's approach!
"Princess, threat detected, approaching from the east," Selina informed in her robotic voice.
"Thanks, Selina." Jewel held her toy, grinning as she was delighted Selina's new sensors worked great!
Hastily, the former Dark Kingdom Princess transformed into the Super Sailor Universe! Her outfit has the usual changes. Her transformation has her mouth illuminated for red lipstick to color her lips. Her body flashes multicolors on a dark red background with pink, deep purple, and yellow diamonds flying around! Dark red and deep purple ribbons wrap around her to form her deep purple choker, dark red front bow, white leotard, and deep purple skirt!
She bends forward as her back dark red bow pops out, pawing the air before her, enabling her to pull her deep purple padded gloves on. She bops the buns on her head, covering them with blood violet and white cloth, and the wing-like barrettes appear. She bends back, lifting her legs high so her deep purple high heels appear! A ring of light surrounding her blinds the area, forming her tiara! Her finishing background is standing in a colorful garden with a solar eclipse behind her, one hand on her hip and the other flipping out her hair.
In their opinion, Elizabeth and Selina loved this transformation the best, as Jewel seemed to enjoy it more, too. Yet, Sailor Universe is still hesitant. "What's wrong, Universe?" Elizabeth asked, puzzled by her friend's apprehensive look.
"Without my Dark Kingdom Senshi, there is no way I can pull off a combo attack. I may not have enough power on my own." Universe murmured.
"Good thing we're here then!" Jumping and whirling around at the sound of the high-pitched voice, Universe could not believe the Neo-Super Sailor Senshi had arrived! Quickly, the girls paired up, disability to disability.
"Neon Venus Golden Typhoon Wave!" Venus and Pluto called, making sure they were shooting to the east. Thankfully, the golden beams prevented Mizaru, the monkey, from moving as the typhoon-like winds whip-lashed him around!
"Rushing Aqua Reflection Globe!" Mercury and Neptune made the attack, though Venus and Uranus had to call it out. This worked, but because of Alexis's Deep Aqua Crystal Mirrors effect, Mizaru was not defeated, only de-powered for a few minutes when the globe exploded.
"Silent Phoniex Strike Surprise!" Saturn fired a purple flaming phoenix from her glaive! Sadly, they monkey flipped over this attack!
"Energized, Charged Electric Solar Wind Dragon!" Jupiter and Uranus unleashed a vicious double blow of electricity and solar wind at close range! The primate could not evade this bombardment at such a close range.
"Eternal Crystal Moon Bell Echo!" Moon and Universe hoped the onslaught of energy arrows would make Mizaru think twice about striking. While it did appear they managed to tire him, he would not go down! As he lunged for Universe, Elizabeth catapulted into him! While she did manage to latch on, the irritated animal tore her off, tossing her to the ground and injuring her!
"Liz!" All the kittens cried in concern.
Quartz rushed to shield the indigo kitten, and Rose helped her to safety. Using everyone's shock as a distraction, Mizaru jumped on Universe and tried to pry him off as her vision blurred! Those of the Neo-Super Sailor Senshi, who could see, seized the monkey's hands and feet to pull him off Universe! Managing to do so enraged the monkey, who snapped and flailed, but it did not matter: Jewel could no longer see! Undoing the transformation, she turned back into Jewel. The girl exploded into tears.
Even though Gracie and Trisha are going through the same disability, Jewel greatly values her sight, and losing it meant missing out on so many of the simple things she enjoyed. As Jewel sobbed on her bed, a hand stroked her hair, but her blood ran cold when she heard her mother's voice! "Knew I'd find you hiding away here."
"I'm not hiding. If you're here to rub more salt in the wound, I don't have time for you!" Jewel snapped as Elizabeth and Selina prepared to attack Beryl if she tried anything.
"Good thing I'm not here to do that then. I am here to tell you to stop crying." Beryl replied, a bit heated from her daughter planning to let her kitten and toy rush her.
"What? Mom, I've gone blind-" Jewel began.
"How many people do you think were blind in the Dark Kingdom? Most of Earth joined Queen Metalia in the past, and a handful had disabilities. Despite that, they proved decent warriors. As much as I hate to admit it, those Neo-Sailor brats have proven resourceful, and if they continue to push their boundaries, you should have your sight back in little time." Beryl rubbed Jewel's cheek, trying to keep her temper under control.
Jewel flinched as her mother's hands were always ice cold. Regardless, she could tell when her mother was attempting to comfort her. Relaxing a bit, Jewel considered what the dark woman had said. Jewel should be able to do just as well, if not more so, here!
"My friends are resourceful and much more. I never thought I was, but now that I think about it, some of the methods we came up with were my ideas. If a blind person can be a capable warrior of the Dark Kingdom, as its Princess, I should be able to do just as well, if not more so, here! I WILL get my sight back." Jewel vowed passionately.
"There's that irritating persistence I've known you for." Beryl laughed under her breath.
"There's your twisted, ugly, bitter personality I've known you for." Jewel bantered back.
Rewarded with the reaction she anticipated, Beryl stomped to the bedroom door but turned around to angrily add, "When you get your sight back, you better hope your magic can stop mine from destroying you." Jewel rolled her eyes as she knew that to be an empty threat due to her Super Sailor Universe powers and fell asleep.