Sailor Moon: Destiny of the Stars
Chapter 3:
The front door to the Cambridge home opened slowly, and Tanya stepped out into the morning sunshine. She stretched her arms over her head and took a deep breath of the fresh morning air. It had been a few days since little Tilly came to stay with them, and it was a very interesting time indeed. Tilly wet the bed on the first night, then the next day, Tilly decided that Marco needed a shave, and the poor dog ran all over the house as the little girl chased after him, shaving cream dripping from his golden fur. Tanya chuckled and shook her head at the memory. I'm almost afraid to see what happens next! This kid is a handful! she thought in amusement. Yet somehow, deep inside, Tanya couldn't help but like the little girl. It was almost as if she brought some sort of...meaning in her life, and to her father's as well.
She then remembered the warning Rei gave her and the rest of their group when she called an emergency meeting. With the vision the Shinto priestess had last night, she had no doubt it was connected to the child. The group nodded in agreement. It was very likely an enemy will come soon, and they would be ready, especially Tanya. No matter what, she would not let anything happen to Tilly...at least until she finds her family. Tanya sighed sadly at that thought. When she did find her family, would Tanya ever see the little girl again? She didn't know, but she hoped she would.
At the quietness around her, Tanya looked behind her, and her brow furrowed in annoyance. "Tilly, hiyaku! You don't want to be late for the first day of school!" she shouted, crossing her arms over her chest and tapping her foot.
Tilly's small frame appeared at the doorway a second later, and she looked down at her feet with her hands clasped before her. She was dressed in Juuban's Kindergarten Class uniform: a light blue pleated skirt, pink blouse with a white sailor-style collar and blue piping, white socks, and little pink-white-and-blue shoes. Her shoes were, in fact, the tiniest ones that Tanya had ever seen... they reminded her of the dolls she used to dress up as a child. Tilly was wearing a dark blue backpack that hung from her small shoulders, looking far too big for her. Although she looked like the typical kindergarten school student, there was a look of sadness in the little girl's eyes and face...in fact, she looked terrified, and she looked up at Tanya with trembling lips. "I... I don't know if I want to go. What if they don't like me?" she said, her soft voice nearly inaudible.
Tanya walked up to the child, gently laid a hand on her shoulder, and smiled. "Don't worry, you'll be fine on your first day. There'll be lots of kids for you to play with. And remember, Papa and I will be there to come get you when it's all over, okay?" She crouched down to Tilly's height and looked into the little girl's eyes. "I know it's bogus to go to school earlier than everyone else, but I guess that's how they do the school system here."
Tilly was quiet for a second in contemplation, then smiled shyly. "You really think they'll like me?" The child's dark brown face got brighter with the thought of making new friends.
"Sure! Just you wait and see!" Tanya said. She giggled as she straightened up and ruffled Tilly's black hair. "Come on, let's go! I'm sure they already have games and stuff for you to play with."
"YAAAAY!" exclaimed the little girl. She ran off past Tanya to the sidewalk. Tanya couldn't help but smile again, and walked up quickly to catch up with the now energetic child. Suddenly, a petite sized girl with blonde pigtails came running up the sidewalk just as Tanya walked out her front yard, waving her hands and breathing hard.
"Tanya-chan, MATTE!" yelled Usagi. She finally caught up, and nearly collapsed from exhaustion as she panted, her hands on her knees.
"USAGI-CHAN! You were supposed to be here 20 minutes ago! I thought you said you wanted to go with me to take Tilly to school!" growled out the dark-skinned girl, her hands on her hips and giving the blonde girl an angry look.
"Awww, I'm sorry! Luna didn't get me up on time, and I stayed up late last night filling out those college applications.." Usagi said between heavy breathing. She wiped sweat off her forehead.
"Poor Luna, still the old alarm clock, ne?" said Tanya, shaking her head at the vision of Luna trying her hardest to get Usagi up. Tanya giggled at the embarrassed flush on Usagi's face. "But you know Usagi, if you weren't so busy yesterday laughing over Rei-chan's old manga instead of filling out those college applications like you were supposed to at the shrine, and paid attention to Ami when she tried to help you with them, you wouldn't have had to stay up so late!" the dark-skinned beauty continued, her face going serious. At the crest-fallen look Usagi gave her, Tanya giggled again. She couldn't stay mad at her for long, for she goofed off as much as Usagi did, especially when it came to getting to school or anywhere else on time! "Never mind, let's just go!" she said. She grabbed Usagi's hand and dragged her along.
When Tilly finally saw Usagi as the two girls caught up, she ran up to to the blonde and began pulling at her long pigtails with both little hands. "FUNNY HAIR!" the child giggled loudly in greeting.
"OWWWWW! Hey, stop that you cheeky little kid! LET GO LET GO LET GOOOOO!" howled out Usagi in frustration and pain.
"TILLY! Quit it!" said Tanya, embarrassment flushing her cheeks as she pulled the little girl away from Usagi. Tilly let go of the long hair, giggled loudly again, then turned and began hopping and skipping away, lost in her own child's world.
"Ummm, sorry about that. Tilly gets carried away sometimes!" Tanya said with a nervous grin, a sweatdrop forming on her head.
"HMMPH! You're telling me!" said Usagi as she desperately tried to tie her hair back into place. Yet she couldn't help smiling secretly to herself as she witnessed the joy of childhood bliss across Tilly's face. She remembered being so care free, so innocent at that age...maybe even just as troublesome! But inside, she only hoped that whatever reason the child was here, she would be able to keep her safe with the help from the rest of the Sailor Senshi team.
-------------------------
Juuban Elementary School
Hidden behind the many trees that filled the large playground, Commanders O'mashki and Va'trini looked around at the large crowd of small children filling in the area with their parents, their bug-eyes darting back and forth in frustration. The device that was on O'mashki's green wrist flashed every few seconds, and with each flash that told the results of the scan of each child he pointed to, it showed no sign of them carrying the Star Stone, or the signal of the little brat.
"This is getting frustrating! I'm tired of waiting!" hissed the slightly younger Va'trini. "This time and place is so primitive! And this insufferable low-gravity; I can barely walk a step without nearly tripping or flying over something! I say we attack right now and take all the children instead of just searching each one."
"And if all those hatchlings are wrong, and we bring them to our captain, are you willing to be the object of his wrath when he realizes we have wasted his time?" hissed back O'mashki, his red tongue flicking out in warning as he continued to point his wrist outward.
Va'trini eyes widened even more, and he hissed in fear of what the captain might do if they did indeed bring a whole load of these human hatchlings and none of them had the Star Stone. He has been around long enough to know what Captain Shak'rani did to those who opposed him...as well to those who displeased him, and it was not a pretty sight.
Va'trini nodded, motioning for the taller Vishtri to go on with the scanning. "Patience, Va'trini, has its own rewards to those who wait!" said O'mashki, smiling to show the small razor sharp teeth.
There was silence for another hour or so, until the device suddenly began giving off a series of beeps and lights. A picture flashed on the small window on the device. Both Vishtri looked up, searching through the now bigger crowd, and their eyes suddenly fell on a small dark-skinned girl that just ran into view. She stopped outside the front gates to the small school and waved to someone behind her. "There! It's the hatchling!" Va'trini all but yelled as he pointed. O'mashki shot him a warning glance, silencing the younger Vishtri.
"QUIET! Do you want to give us away?" he hissed. Va'trini bowed his head in obedience, and watched as O'mashki took out the small black box hidden within his uniform jacket. He opened the lid, and took out a small black crystal sculpture of a figure with a humanoid body and a tiger's head. He carefully set it on the ground standing, then stepped back. He pressed a button on the device on his wrist, as per the command from the captain, and waited.
A white light flashed a second later, and the sculpture got a little bigger. It flashed again, and it got bigger. The light flashed brightly a few more times, each time the figure getting bigger and bigger. When it was about 7 feet, the flashing stopped, and immediately the sculpture began to crack, fissures running down all over it. Then, it shattered, and in its place, was the flesh and bone version of the black crystal sculpture. Its brown and white thick fur stood on end, and it growled low its throat as it stood before the two commanders.
"Go, and bring us the brat we seek!" said O'mashki, anticipation flashing in his eyes as he showed the holographic picture of the little girl to the monster. "And if anyone stands in your way, eliminate them!"
The monster threw its head back, and roared. It immediately sprung high into the air, then flipping downwards, it dived right into the hard ground, throwing up dirt and leaves as it made a deep hole when it landed. It flashed out its long, razor sharp claws and began digging into the ground. Within seconds, it disappeared underground, leaving a high mound behind it.
------------------------------
"Bye Tilly, we'll see you later," said Tanya as she fixed the collar on the Tilly's uniform. The little girl looked at Tanya nervously, then back at the group of children playing in the sandbox nearby in the school yard.
"You're sure you and Papa will be back later?" asked Tilly, eyeing Tanya and Usagi warily as they prepared to leave. For some strange reason, the little girl didn't like the idea of people leaving her. To her, it was almost like...she might never see them again. Tilly shook her head and tried to dismiss the disturbing thought.
"Yes, I promise. Now go on!" laughed out Tanya, pushing Tilly towards the playground. Tilly looked back one last time, then giggled as she turned to run into the large yard and joined the other children playing.
"Children, come on now, it's time to begin class!" called a tall brown-haired teacher a few minutes later as she stepped outside from the side doors. "Please collect your book bags, and..." She never got to finish as the ground suddenly began to shake and rumble beneath everyone.
Suddenly, in the middle of the yard, a blast of dirt and leaves burst forth upwards, and children everywhere began to scream and cry. When the air cleared, a monster about 7 feet tall stood among them. It looked around itself for a moment, then glared at each child. Its eyes fell on Tilly seconds later as she stood nearby in shock.
"Get the hatchling!" the creature roared. It jumped high into the air, heading straight for the child.
"NOOO!" screamed out Tilly. Suddenly, this all seemed too familiar for her, and forcing herself to move, she jumped and rolled away on the ground just as the creature landed on the spot where she was standing.
"TILLY!" yelled out Tanya and Usagi. They looked at each other, nodded, and ran to the side of the school building. When they were alone, they prepared to transform.
"Moon Eternal! MAKE UP!"
"Sirius Emerald Power! MAKE UP!"
The two went through their customary transformation, feeling the familiar power course through their veins. When it was done, Eternal Sailor Moon and Super Sailor Sirius rushed to the scene.
Tilly sank to her knees next to a tall tree, shaking in fear and fright. The monster walked slowly closer and knocked away a bench in front of it with its large, clawed hand. The bench crashed in a large, messy heap about 10 feet away.
"No! Please, go away! Leave me alone..." sobbed the little girl, tears running down her small face as she trembled.
"MACHINASAI!" suddenly yelled out two voices together. From out of the tree, two figures dropped out and landed right in front of Tilly protectively.
"Back off ugly, unless you want to get dusted! No one comes here and disturbs the the little ones, who the future belongs to! As sure as the Star that shines brightest in the Heavens, I am Sailor Sirius, and you WILL be vanquished!" shouted Sirius, pointing an accusing finger at the tiger-headed monster.
"Agent of love and justice, I am the beautiful suited sailor soldier, Sailor Moon! And in the name of the moon, I will punish you!" finished Sailor Moon, also pointing.
"S..Sailor Moon? Sailor Sirius?" whispered Tilly to herself. Where did she hear those names before? The recognition of the names flashed through her young mind, followed by a woman's voice singing, then it was gone.
"Get hatchling!" screamed out the demon. It stretched forth its hands and tried to slash and cut to pieces the objects that stood in its way, but they quickly jumped to the side. Sailor Sirius gathered Tilly in her arms in a quick flash as she jumped away, and gently settled her on the ground when she landed.
"I want you run back into the school were you'll be safe, T..little girl, okay? Hurry, go on!" Tilly stared at the sailor suited warrior for a moment, her large green eyes blinking, then nodded and quickly ran towards the building with the other children, as they too began to get up and run to the school at the teacher's urgent voice.
"YAAAHHHHHH!" screamed out the monster in frustration. It was about to run after Tilly when Sirius and Moon jumped in front of him, blocking his path.
"You're not getting her, or any of these kids!" shouted the Senshi of the Moon, going into a fighting stance along with the Star Senshi. Sailor Moon and Sirius gave a loud yell, then rushed forward and jumped high into the air. They kicked their leg out after they did an expert front double flip, then smashed their booted foot into the chest of the large creature at the same time. It fell to the ground with a loud and heavy thud.
But a moment later, the monster unsteadily got back on its feet, shaking its head in confusion. No one had ever dared to that to it, and its master never mentioned anyone would do that to it here..on this planet. The tiger monster roared again, then closed its eyes in concentration. Suddenly, its whole body began to glow a dark red aura, and when it snapped its eyes open, they showed nothing but a red blaze.
"Uh oh! This isn't good!" said Sailor Sirius as she and Moon stepped back slightly. The creature stretched forth its arms, and an intense and enormous beam of red energy suddenly blasted forth. Unable to move out of fear, the deadly beam shooting forth rapidly was about to hit them....when a sudden shout of a young voice filled the air.
"STAR SENSITIVE, INFERNO!" A heavy blast of white light energy, surrounded by stars, blasted forth and struck the red beam. When the beams made contact as they smashed into each other, it caused an explosion so loud, that Sailors Moon and Sirius had to cover their ears in pain as the force of the blast blew them back a few feet. They fell on the hard ground with a grunt, their ears ringing.
After a moment, the two senshi groggily got up and looked around. Their eyes blinked in confusion a few times as they looked at the figure slowly walking towards them. White-blonde hair with a long ponytail blew in the wind as the bright morning sun shone behind. A young man, well muscled with intense green eyes came into view, his face set in determination. As he got a little closer, Sirius could see that the only person she could figure it could be had actually matured and grown over the last time she had seen him, especially in his body. With a gasp, Sirius realized that he kept his male form, yet still wore the traditional Star Light fuku that symbolized his status as a protective warrior on his planet.
There were a few changes though: He now wore a pair close fitting black velvet pants under the long black leather boots, and he wore a black short-sleeve shirt with the familiar symbol of white wings and a golden star rather than just the tank top. On his arms were long black gloves going up to his elbows. The microphone headset with tiny white wings by his ear adorned his head, just as it did the last time he was here.
At the sight, Sailor Sirius's eyes grew big as saucers with surprise and shock. "Y...Yaten?..." she whispered, hardly believing it.
----------------------------
To Be Continued.
----------------------------