THE FLASH POINT
(Flashman, Zero and J.Bison have once again taken their seats as the
lights come up. Flashman is holding some kind of box in his hands.)
Zero: What's with the box?
Flashman:(VEG) You'll see...
____________________
I have been requested to list the things people wish to do to
Endymion. Instead of listing them individually I've borken them down
by class. Along with the class I've listed the number of variations
of the same general act.
[Bison: I imagine that doing it otherwise would be a chapters worth
in its own right.]
Given from the least vairants(forms) to the most vairants:
Death by depravation of essentials for life - 1 form
[Flashman: Sounds like what I said back in chapter 2.]
Mental torment - 2 forms given
Soffication - 2 forms given (1 is mentioned in part :) )
Vivisection - 5
Castration - 9 forms suggested
[(Flashman and Bison wince at the thought. Zero laughs evily.)
Boiling in Oil/Olive Oil - 4
Decapatation - 10 (Including Decapatation by Strangulation)
Stabbing - 26
Incineration - 42
Dismemberment - 76
Torture - 103 forms (Some include suggestions from the above
catagories so numbers may vary) Definitely the most popular.
[Flashman: Let me add two new ones. A) All of the above. & B) The
ROTB punishment.
Zero/Bison: ROTB?
Flashman: Roar of the Beast.
Bison: I still don't get it.
Flashman: Have him get eaten by Space Godzilla.
Bison: O_o
Zero: Nah. I say go with the Destroyahs. That whole, swarm effect
would be so much more visualy... interesting.]
This is from the people I've heard from. Sooner or later some
squirrel's going to pop up and say that Endymion should be given a
cheque for keeping the pink abomination in line. <Evil Grin> It's a
good thing I've sworn never to have sympathy for squirrels.
[All: Good for you!]
Mama's Hand
By
Douglas Helm
Edited/Co-Plotted
By
"Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl
Rated : R
Definitions:
Sohu - Used when refering to your grandfather
Sobo - Used when refering to your grandmother
Mesume - Typically used when refering to your daughter. I use it in
a
non-standard way AFAIK.
[Flashman: AFAIK?]
Part XI - Giants: Some are Evil
[Zero: They Might Be...]
On Friday evening, Usagi allowed herself to sink slowly into the warm
water of the Tsukino furo. Once her body was fully submersed beneath
the relaxing warmth, her head resting comfortably on a pillow, Usagi
let out a long and contented sigh. It had been a very long week that,
at times, seemed as if it would never end.
[(Flashman bats away the hands of both Zero and Bison, who had been
covering his eyes.)
Flashman: HEY! I wanna see!!! Besides, I'm not Lurker, I'm not
gonna shamelessly drool.
Bison/Zero: Just checking.
Flashman:(Under his breath) Too much.]
<Maia will be good for Chibi-Usa,> Usagi thought as she stretched
leisurely, <It'll certainly take time for Chibi-Usa to really adjust
to things but with Maia around to help her out when I'm not there, I
think Chibi-Usa will be fine.> Usagi frowned slightly, <I know Chibi-
Usa's trying hard but I think something's going to snap. I've got to
get her to calm down about doing well. I know it's important to her
but I think she has to take time out to be a kid too. Kami-sama knows
I like Ami but I don't want Chibi-Usa turning into a miniature
version of her.>
[(All three try to imagine an SD version of Chibi-Usa, wearing
glasses and reading advanced calculus books.)
Flashman: I like Ami... but ONE of her is enough! (Suddenly serious)
You know... this makes one wonder if Ami...
Zero: If anyone was crazy enough to write THAT...
Bison: The Mercury fan boys would linch him/her on the spot!]
"Hai," came Luna's voice from the other side of the partition.
"Luna, do you think Chibi-Usa's ready to meet Makoto?" Usagi asked.
"I suppose so. Why?"
"Well Makoto is sorta jealous that Ami and Minako have met Chibi-Usa
but she hasn't," Usagi said. <Which is silly if you ask me. I've told
Makoto that Chibi-Usa might be scared of her.> Usagi winced at the
memory of the explosion that statement had caused. <I hope she really
isn't mad at me.>
"Usagi-chan, Makoto just wants to ensure that nothing happens to
Chibi-Usa. She's going to have to meet Makoto sooner or later. I
don't think Makoto's cooking would hurt her either." Luna's stomach
rumbled at the mention of Makoto's cooking. <Oh, I should slip over
and get some leftovers tonight before that pig Artemis gets them all.
[All: BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!]
Saturday morning was a busy one in the Tsukino home. It being a
relatively nice spring day, Ikuko decided that she was going to do
some cleaning. No sooner had the announcement been made then Shingo
scrambled for the door. Making hasty excuses, he darted out of the
house carrying his shoes.
[Zero/Bison: Look familiar?
Flashman: Bite me.
Zero: I thought that was Akumas line?]
"Uh, Mom... what was that all about?" Usagi asked. <Is she trying to
get me to volunteer to help clean?!? I wanted to go over to Makoto's.
"I'll help you clean, Obaa-san," Chibi-Usa said. <I helped before,
and I can show how good I am.> She smiled at her grandmother. She'd
started receiving small chores to do; they were just hard enough that
she had to work a little at them but easy enough that she could do
them on her own. Not only was she helping out around the house but
the chores were helping Chibi-Usa's self-confidence.
[(Zero and Bison start throwing confetti and stremers while Flashman
dances around and waves little Japanese fans.)
Flashman: I've said it before and I'll say it again... even thought I
don't normaly like Chibi-Usa, you can't help but feel good to see her
getting better.]
"Why don't you head over to the park for a little bit and then over
to Makoto's," Ikuko suggested while retrieving her purse, "If you do
go shopping, you can go and get Chibi-Usa a proper jacket. And maybe
a couple other things that'll fit better." After retrieving some
money she handed it to Usagi, "That's for clothes and a treat."
"Arigato Mom," Usagi said. Chibi-Usa nodded her agreement, eyes wide.
"Hai, arigato Obaa-san," Chibi-Usa said. <I not have that many
clothes before. I wonder what treat we get?> Chibi-Usa frowned
slightly, <That's not right... `I wonder what treat we WILL get?'>
She nodded to herself, <Much better.>
[(The celebration gets a little more festive as Flashman breaks out
the Root Beer.)]
<You are a good artist,> Usagi thought glancing over to Chibi-Usa's
latest creation. A sad smile came to Usagi's face, <Oh, little one, I
don't think he'd ever loved you.>
[(The celebration comes to a screeching halt.)
Flashman: As much as I hate to agree with that...
Zero: She's right.
Bison: BTW, you may want to change that line to either, "I don't
think he'd ever love you" or "he's ever loved you."]
Chibi-Usa was easy to pick out, and the image made Usagi feel
terrible. Looking at the image of the little girl, Usagi thought, <Is
that how you think your dad sees you or how you see yourself, Chibi-
Usa?> The other woman was apparently supposed to be Usagi. However,
it was the man that was making Usagi uneasy. <I know I've seen him
before, but I can't put my finger on it.>
Usagi was suddenly drawn from her thoughts by the sound of Chibi-
Usa's voice. "Wow, Daddy looks different in past. He doesn't have his
shiny suit on."
[(All reviewers hum ominous sounding music.)]
Curious as to what Chibi-Usa was talking about, Usagi let the picture
drop to the bed before getting up. Walking over to stand beside Chibi-
Usa, she saw the picture of Mamoru. <That's the picture I was hiding..
. How'd Chibi-Usa find it?!?> "Where'd you get this?!?" Usagi
demanded unthinkingly while snatching the picture out of Chibi-Usa's
hands and holding it protectively. <If Dad every found out about this,
he'd shoot me!!! Or Mamoru.>
"I just found it, Mommy," Chibi-Usa said, "I didn't mean to look at
it. Gomen nasai." Placing her hands behind her back, Chibi-Usa looked
at the floor. <I was being really good too. Maybe I shouldn't have
said anything.> Chibi-Usa sniffled a little bit.
[All: Here we go again.]
Usagi blinked a couple times before realizing her mistake. <Baka
Odango Atama!> Carefully putting the picture down, she reached out
and lifted Chibi-Usa's chin. "Gomen nasai, Chibi-Usa-chan. I didn't
mean to yell at you." She could see the unshed tears in Chibi-Usa's
eyes. "Don't cry, I was just surprised." Chibi-Usa just sniffled
again, a few tears starting to roll down her cheeks. "Honey, I didn't
mean to yell. You didn't do anything wrong."
"I not bad then?" Chibi-Usa asked with a little hope in her voice.
However, she was still looking worried.
Lifting Chibi-Usa into a hug, Usagi said, "You are a very good little
girl." Thinking quickly, Usagi added, "You know, you helped me."
[Bison: Nice recovery.]
"Hai," Usagi said while nodding, "I didn't know where that picture
went to and you found it for me. Arigato... Mesume." The smile and
hug Usagi got in return was just about as much of a rush as calling
Chibi-Usa "daughter" was. <Why not think of her as my daughter. She
keeps on insisting that I'm Mommy...> Usagi's thoughts lurched to a
halt as exactly what the little girl had said sunk in. "Chibi-Usa-
chan, did you say this guy was `Daddy'?!?" Usagi asked while picking
up the picture.
"Hai, you showed me picture of him before. Daddy look different
without his shiny suit on." Chibi-Usa shifted slightly so she could
see the picture better. "You said that Daddy knew how to hide his
suit."
[Zero: Hey! I've got an idea.
Flash/Bison: What?
Zero: Why don't we go after Mamoru BEFORE he turns into Endymion.
Flashman: Can't. It would cause a major disruption to the Time
Stream and would make the laws of reality null and void.
Zero: Says who?
Flashman: Sailor Pluto, Back to the Future and a gagillion Star Trek
episodes.]
"But Chibi-Usa-chan, Mamoru wouldn't hurt you. He's my boyfriend.
I'll be with you all the time. I wouldn't let anything bad happen to
you," Usagi tried to reassure the little girl.
"I know, Mommy, that you and Daddy wouldn't hurt me," Chibi-Usa said,
"But Daddy'd be REALLY mad that I ran away. He spank me 'cause I
naughty and run away from him." She trembled a little bit. <I try
hard at school and then Daddy can love me because I'm a really good
girl.>
[(All three start cutting up practice dummies in the shape of
Endymion.)]
<Gomen Mamoru, looks like you're going to be waiting a while longer.
[Flashman: I have no sympathy for Endymion... but Mamoru... poor
guy's gotta be getting lonely.]
Sitting on the bed, she settled the child on her knee. Usagi said,
"Chibi-Usa-chan, I want to talk to you about something."
"Nani Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked. <Mommy looks angry...> She was
confused by the sudden mood change.
"You know that it's not polite to look through other people's stuff,
ne?"
"Hai," Chibi-Usa said, "Gomen nasai. I puttin' away my clean stuff,"
Chibi-Usa said, "I forgot which drawer was mine." <I think Mommy mad
that I found that picture of Daddy.>
"I know, Chibi-Usa, you were doing your chores and that was very good,
" Usagi said, "But I might hide a surprise for you and I wouldn't
want you to find it. Do you understand?"
Chibi-Usa gave this some serious thought before saying, "Hai. Me and
you share your dresser, ne?" Usagi nodded, "If I don't hafta look,
then I shouldn't?" she questioned. It was a hard concept for her to
understand but she was trying.
"Close enough, we'll work on it together," Usagi said. Standing up,
she walked over to the drawer that had held Mamoru's picture and said,
"I hid a surprise in here." Digging a hand into the pile of socks,
she felt around until she came up with a box of crayons. "This,"
Usagi said handing the crayons to Chibi-Usa, "Is for you." <Kami-
sama!> Usagi thought as she giggled, <Her eyes look like they'll
explode!>
"ARIGATO MOMMY!!!" Chibi-Usa declared happily and hugged her mother.
[(All three look at each other, smiling. Then, without warning, they
throw their arms around each other and start bawling with happiness.
)]
Neo-Queen Serenity gave a little sigh of relief. The warm soothing
waters of the furo seemed to drain some of the worry out of her.
[(Flashman, once again, bats the blocking hands of J.Bison and Zero
out of the way.)
Flashman: CUT THAT OUT!]
<We must be in a cabin or something.> Serenity thought, <The
furniture looks like it's several centuries out of date.> Although
still weak, Serenity had gained her vision back. Where they were, was
a mountainous region and definitely not in Japan.
[Zero: Is this a clue as to who the allies are?
Flashman: Let's say it now...
(All of them, including Sakura and Trident, who have mysteriously
appeared, get on their knees.)
All: PLEASE, LET US BE THE ALLIES GUARDING SERENITY! PLEEAAASSSEEE???
(Sakura and Trident dissapear back to Otaku Leap.)]
It had been a painful realization for Serenity to make, <Or was I
Usagi?> It was so long ago. Time blurred the boundaries between Usagi
the woman and when Serenity finally emerged. <I suppose it doesn't
matter. I loved you and had to face the possibility of spending the
rest of my life without you.> Serenity sniffled slightly, <Now I am
forced to spend the rest of my life running from you.> With that
Serenity started to cry softly, for both her lost loves. <Small Lady,
I know you will never return to me. You can not return because it is
not safe here, in the future.>
[Zero: And people say *I* have a lousy love life?
Flashman: Poor Serenity-Sama.]
The timelines were separating and as the distance grew, hiding the
divergence from Endymion and Serenity was becoming more difficult.
She had to succeed however. Endymion would stop at nothing to
preserve his own timeline. Pluto was also trying to spare Serenity
some of the pain until the timeline had shifted completely.
[Flashman: I would have thought that the mysterious allies would have
made a shadow cameo here.]
Usagi smiled slightly. She was sitting on a bench watching Chibi-Usa
ride a swing. They had taken Ikuko's suggestion and had gone to the
park for the rest of the morning. Usagi's smile grew wider as Chibi-
Usa giggled in delight. <I wish I was younger. I'd go on a swing too;
they look like SO much fun.> "Not too high, Chibi-Usa-chan!" Usagi
called out as the little girl started to climb higher and higher.
"'Kay Mommy!" Chibi-Usa called happily.
Usagi sheepishly looked around at some of the other mothers who were
also present. Yes, they were staring at her. <Let them stare,> Usagi
thought. As she watched Chibi-Usa having fun, an urge came to her.
Getting up Usagi walked over to an empty swing beside Chibi-Usa and
sat down.
"Mommy, gonna swing?" Chibi-Usa asked.
"Hai," Usagi said while starting to push off. Chibi-Usa just giggled
in response.
[All: Awwwwwww.]
No sooner had Usagi started getting into the rhythm of swinging when
Chibi-Usa's voice caught her by surprise. "DADDY!!!" Chibi-Usa
suddenly cried. Usagi jerked her head around and gave a little gasp
of horror. As the swing came forward Chibi-Usa jumped off; she sailed
through the air and landed on the ground with a thud. After a few
seconds the little girl scrambled up to her feet and took off to her
right.
[All: Uh oh. Here it comes.]
"Chibi-Usa-chan?!?" Usagi called after the young girl. Clumsily
getting off the swing, she charged after the child. <What in the
world is going on here?!?> Then something else occurred to her. <She
said `Daddy'... DADDY?!?> Turning a slightly green color, Usagi
started to run faster while reaching for her communicator. Usagi's
world came to a screeching halt, however, when she saw Chibi-Usa with
both of her arms wrapped around Mamoru's leg.
"Daddy! Gomen nasai! I didn't mean to run away," Chibi-Usa cried,
"Please don't be mad at me!" She sniffled again and raised her eyes
to stare pleading at Mamoru.
"NANI?!?!" Mamoru finally managed to get out, "Who are you, kid?!?"
[Flashman: BWAHAHAHAHA! Somehow, I expected that.]
"Daddy???" Chibi-Usa asked confused while focusing all her attention
on him, "Don't you 'member me? I'm really, really sorry for running
away."
"Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi said, "Come here please." She was starting to
feel strange about this encounter for some reason. Chibi-Usa seemed
to be ignoring her.
"Would you let go of my leg?" Mamoru asked through gritted teeth.
Chibi-Usa complied. Letting go, she took a couple steps back. <That's
all I need. I'm tired, a whiny kid's cutting off the circulation in
my leg and Usagi will think I'm unfaithful to her... Waitta minute!
Usagi knows her?!? Oh I'm in more trouble than I thought!> "Hi Usako,
" Mamoru said sheepishly.
[(All snicker.)]
"Mamo-chan, I have some explaining to do. How about treating us to
lunch?" Usagi asked. Starting to feel like a confused puppy, Mamoru
nodded. "Great!" Usagi said while walking over to take Chibi-Usa's
hand, "Come on, I'm starved!"
[Flashman: "A confused puppy"? I like it. I'll have to ste..
lovingly borrow that line sometime.]
As more time passed Mamoru became less confused but Usagi seemed to
gain his confusion. Chibi-Usa was certainly getting along well with
Mamoru; that was only a minor mystery. What was causing the confusion
was simple: Chibi-Usa was looking to Mamoru for permission. The
little girl was acting as if she was only barely aware of Usagi.
It was certainly annoying at some points when Usagi would suggest
something to Chibi-Usa and the little girl would promptly turn to ask
Mamoru's permission. After having Chibi-Usa looking to her for
comfort and guidance, this situation left Usagi feeling rather empty,
as if a part of her was missing.
A little over an hour later, Mamoru along with Chibi-Usa and Usagi
left the small eating establishment. Mamoru was holding Chibi-Usa in
his arms and smiling. "Boy, you're a good eater," Mamoru said. Chibi-
Usa smiled proudly at her father. <She eats just about as much as
Usagi does.> The thought of his girlfriend made him frown. <Usagi
didn't eat very much though...>
The reason for her not eating so much was Usagi confusion over Chibi-
Usa's shift in behavior. At first the little girl didn't want to see
her "father". Now, however, Chibi-Usa was almost ignoring Usagi and
seemed to be listening attentively to every word that Mamoru said.
[Flashman: If I remember what friends who have gone through this told
me right, that's how it works.
Bison:(Nods) Good work showing that.]
<I'm glad Mamoru's willing to go along with this,> Usagi thought, <It
means so much to Chibi-Usa.> It meant a lot to Usagi as well. To see
Chibi-Usa so happy was a comforting thought, something like a warm
blanket on a cold winter's night. "Mamo-chan, would you allow Chibi-
Usa to have a toy?" Usagi asked.
"Nani?" Mamoru asked turning to look at Usagi as they started walking
down the sidewalk. Chibi-Usa had lost her smile and was looking
slightly panicked.
"Well I want to get Chibi-Usa a toy but she says that you won't let
her have any," Usagi explained. <Wow! He looks kawaii even when he's
confused.>
[(All sigh.)
Bison: How could something so... pure, turn out so wrong?]
"No Daddy," Chibi-Usa said softly, "Arigato." <What's Mommy tryin' to
do?!? She know I not allowed to have toys. Is Mommy trying to get
Daddy mad at me?!?> Chibi-Usa wondered. <I would like to play with a
toy,> Chibi-Usa thought wistfully.
"Well I think you can have a toy," Mamoru said while adjusting Chibi-
Usa so she was looking directly at him, "You get Usagi to buy you one.
"
"I CAN have a toy?!?" Chibi-Usa asked, her eyes enlarging in surprise,
"Really Daddy?!?"
"Hai," Mamoru said while smiling, "Usagi was telling me how good you
are. I know you're very polite and you help around the Tsukino home,
ne?" Chibi-Usa nodded rapidly. "Usagi said you are really trying at
school. I think that deserves a treat." <I'm glad I can make you so
happy,> he thought as he saw Chibi-Usa nearly bursting with pride.
[Flashman:(Pointing at the fic) See? Endymion and Mamoru are
COMPLETLY different.]
"Come on, Chibi-Usa-chan, we should go to Makoto's," Usagi said while
holding out her hand.
Chibi-Usa seemed reluctant to leave but Mamoru had to go as well. "I
am very proud of you, Chibi-Usa-chan," Mamoru said. His heart started
to beat a little faster as the little girl gave him a hug.
"I love you, Daddy," Chibi-Usa said softly, sounding almost near
tears.
[(All three sniffle.)]
"Arigato, Mamo-chan. I'll talk to you later," Usagi said. Giving him
a wink, she started to lead Chibi-Usa down the street. <But why do I
get the feeling that I'm missing something?>
[Zero: I still want to know what's in that box.
Flashman: I'll show you later...]