THE FLASH POINT

Flashman: At last...
Sakura: It is here...
Trident: The pinical chapter...
Zero: Of Mama's Hand...
Flashman: With special guest comentator, Ninjor!
(Riding on his trade mark cloud, Ninjor arrives in the theater and 
lands on one of the seats.)
Ninjor:(His voice is like Duddly Do-Rights) Hello all you beautiful 
and wonderful lovers of good and light!
Flashman:(Sweatdrop) Let's get started.
__________________
Part XXIV - Stepping Stones of the Future

[Flashman: Are those the ones that are always wet and make you fall 
in the river?]

Suddenly Chibi-Usa's voice rang out with surprise, "Daddy?!?"

[(Everyone gets into battle stances and/or draws their weapons.)]

There standing in the corner wearing nothing more than a black 
swimsuit, black bow tie, top hat, and mask was one of the more 
interesting inflatable Tuxedo Mask blow-up dolls. The bathing suit 
was so tight that it was causing the typically well-figured plastic 
doll to develop "love handles". The more Usagi looked at it, the 
harder she laughed.

[All: ......  BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Flashman: Oh god.  That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever 
seen!]

"Mom..." Chibi-Usa stopped; it wasn't a time to play, "Onee-san, 
wouldn't Daddy get cold?" Chibi-Usa asked softly.

[(The laughter intensifies by the 9th power, Ninjor falls out of his 
chair and Zero looks like he's about to overload.)]

"I don't know," Makoto said before giving a snort of laughter, "It's 
ridiculous looking anyway; either that or that bathing suit is WAY 
too tight!" This caused both Minako and Usagi to giggle.

[(Now, all of our intrepid reviewers are on the floor, rolling with 
laughter.
{Even Trident.})
Ninjor:(Still laughing) He looks even worse then he did in that issue 
of Moon Fight where he gives Ami that fluffy bikini top!
F/S/Z/T: YOU read Moon Fight?
Ninjor: HEY!  It's not like there's much of anything else to do in 
that temple.  Besides, it's not what you read, it's what you do while 
reading it.]

"Why go now?" a voice from the back of the store questioned, "We're 
just getting started." The others grouped together. Makoto turned and 
pushed Chibi-Usa behind her. "Why don't you hand over the child..."

[(The laughter stops dead.)
Trident: The seriousness of reality will always intrude upon life's 
far too short moments of mirth.  Tragic though it may be, it is a 
fact of life that can not be denied.
Sakura:(Aside) Thank you, Mr. Happy.]

"My child isn't an abomination!!!" Usagi shouted, her nostrils flared 
with anger as she pushed forward past the others. "Apologize!"

"Or what?" the voice sneered, "You're powerless in the future. Why 
would you be powerful here?!" The laughter started again but as Usagi 
plucked her locket from her dimensional pocket, the laughter faded. 
"Nani?!?" the voice questioned.

[All:(Muted trumpets) Waah waah waaaaah.
Flashman:(Imitating voice) D'OH!]

<Maia would like this,> Chibi-Usa thought to herself, <I wish she 
coulda came today.>

"Droid Solex!" the voice shouted, "Take care of these pests and 
remember what Endymion-sama told us!"

[All: Solex?
Zero: Any relation to Zertex?]

The explosion and the appearance of the Senshi had one massive and 
possibly fatal effect: People started to panic. Now normally when 
things went badly, there were streets and buildings to funnel crowds 
away from the action. A beach isn't really a funnel. As word spread 
so did panic and both caused chaos to reign supreme.

[Flashman: We've got to close the beaches!
Z/T/S/N: <Facefault>]

"SHABON SPRAY FREEZING!!!" Mercury cried. Crossing her arms, she 
launched her attack to develop a thick billowing fog. <I can't use my 
Aqua Illusion but she'd probably turn it into superheated steam and 
THAT would bad.>

"The rising sun burns off the misty shrouds of deception!" Solex 
roared as it started to burn away the fog, searching for the Senshi.

[All: <GROAN!^20>
Trident: THAT was bad.
Zero: And coming from him, that's saying something.
Flashman: Apropriate though.]

The combined attacked sped on its way towards Esmeraudo but she 
flitted out of existence. Warily, Jupiter and Venus looked around for 
their elusive enemy. Suddenly with a cackle of laughter, she appeared 
between the Senshi. Knocking Jupiter backward with a swipe of her fan,
 Esmeraudo gripped Venus by the neck and started to squeeze.

[(Zero snarls.)]

"Let her go!" Jupiter snarled.

"If you insist," Esmeraudo replied and turning swiftly, flung Venus 
towards Jupiter. Jupiter sidestepped before reaching out to catch her 
friend. Venus' momentum pulled both girls to the ground.

[Trident: You might want to combine those last two sentances with a 
"but".]

"Nani?!?" Esmeraudo questioned. She watched with shock as the bottle 
sped towards her. She hadn't expected such retaliation. Then she 
stumbled back as the bottle connected, smashing into her forehead. 
"You little bitch!!!" Esmeraudo snarled.

"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" Sailor Moon cried sending her deadly 
crescent moon speeding towards its target. Upon impact, Esmeraudo 
planted her face into the sand.

"CRESCENT BEAM SHOWER!"
"SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"

[(Everyone gives a gigantic room shaking cheer as they watch 
Esmeraudo getting her you-know-what, handed to her.)]

Breathing heavily, Esmeraudo silently swore. <Bitches!> she thought 
savagely, <If they show me up, Endymion-sama may replace me...> That 
thought sent a cold shiver running through her. <I won't let these 
wet-nosed, wet-bottomed kids defeat me!> There was simply too much 
riding on it. If she could complete this mission, it would ensure her 
place at Endymion's side.

[Ninjor: "Wet-bottomed"?  That's interesting imagry.]

"That woman's tough. Get the Droid first," Venus said as they 
approached the group and the others relaxed.

[Trident:(Frowns) I do not know... maybe she should say, "That 
woman's
tougher" or something like that.]

"You incompetent fool!" Esmeraudo roared, "Must I do everything 
myself?!?"

Mars never gave her a chance. "BURNING MANDALA!!!" The fiery rings 
sped towards Esmeraudo and engulfed her in a gout of flame. Sailor 
Moon turned her face and covered Chibi-Usa's eyes.

[Zero:(Whistle) Ouch.
Ninjor: See what happens when you get her mad?
Flashman: My Revenge War counterpart could show you living proof.
Sakura:(Shudder) No thanks.  I intend on keeping my lunch IN my 
stomach.]

"MARS!!!!" Mercury cried. Sailor Mars dropped straight to the ground 
and felt the heat waft over her as the beam hurtled overhead. In an 
ultimate show of luck, the beam struck Esmeraudo and without a scream,
 the woman was reduced to nothing!

[Sakura:(Sarcastic wave) Buh-Bye.
Flashman: See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya!
Trident: Though I am pleased that woman has met her end, the 
exclimation point at the end of that last sentace is unecessary.]

"MOON PRINCESS HALATION!!!" The deadly crescent beam streaked its way 
towards the Droid and as the Moon eclipses the Sun so did the 
crescent moon eclipse the life of the Droid. With one final protest, 
the Droid disintegrated; somewhere within the now ruined storefront, 
a dark statue fell and shattered into dust.

[All: Did you HAVE to say that?]

Turning, Sailor Moon bent and hugged Chibi-Usa close. After nearly a 
month of peace, terror had struck once again. <How long must we fight?
 Another minion came after my mesume; will another agent come? Will 
Endymion come back?> she sadly thought. The thought of Endymion 
coming back to get Chibi-Usa sent chills up her spine. <How much 
longer until my little one can live in peace?> Her only response was 
the wail of sirens.

[Trident: Peace is an illusion.  However, true victory comes in being 
able to still embrace that illusion when the current battle has 
concluded.
Sakura:(Aside) Is it just me, or does that sound like something 
they'd use in Neon Genesis "Psst, your line" Evangelion?]

However, that just left two very difficult things to do. Math, which 
Makoto didn't care for, and Literary Composition. Neither was her 
strong suit and both were due the next day. As she slumped into her 
couch, Makoto leveled a glare towards both her books.

[Sakura:(Imitating Makoto) Damn books.  I know you're talking to me...
 STOP TALKING TO ME!!!]

Usagi's only response was to give Makoto a smile. Usagi had a pink 
raincoat and Chibi-Usa's was a bright yellow. The shiny, almost neon-
like color clash between the pink and yellow was starting to turn 
Makoto's stomach so she looked away for a moment.

[Flashman: I think it's cute.
Zero:(Smirk) You just think Usagi's cute.
Flashman:(Blush) Well... yeah.]

Chibi-Usa hesitated again. She turned to look towards Usagi for a 
moment before saying, "It's for Mommy... It's her birthday today." 
Chibi-Usa grinned, "I like eating cake."

[All: HEAR HEAR!]

"In other words," Makoto said, "You want me to turn my kitchen over 
to an eight year old?" Makoto winced internally at Usagi's grin. <I'm 
never going to get my homework done!>

[Sakura: I don't think that should be what you should worry about at 
the moment...]

"Well she said that I HAD to be Mommy because she needed me to 
protect her. She doesn't think my mom can protect her... at least not 
from those monsters!" Usagi slammed her fist down. <Damn it!> "She's 
mad at me because I'm insisting I'm her sister." Usagi turned to face 
Makoto and leaned back against the counter. "I keep thinking about 
what that woman said. She knew Endymion, she's working for him, and 
she was going to take Chibi-Usa BACK?!?"

[All: <Snarls, veiled threats>]

"Do you think he'd come back for Chibi-Usa?" Makoto asked, a look of 
concern spreading across her features. <Kami-sama, I hope not. With 
Mamoru missing-in-action and Endymion having a loyal base of 
followers...> "He knows who we are," Makoto whispered out, "Endymion 
has an advantage that none of the others did. He knows WHO we are and 
WHERE we live."

[Ninjor: That has never stop the Power Rangers from having lives...
Flashman: Yeah, but Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa were never quite as....
 twisted.]

Makoto could tell that Usagi had more to say but either didn't know 
how or didn't want to talk about it. Deciding to change the subject, 
Makoto said, "Go see what's taking Chibi-Usa so long. And wash your 
hands; you AND her are going to make an excellent cake for your mom, 
for her mom." Giving Usagi a little push, Makoto gave her friend a 
smile of encouragement. Usagi gave her friend a soft smile in return 
before walking down the hallway.

[All: <Sniff>
Zero: Nice and WAFFy ending to this scene.  Good job.]

"Mako-chan," Usagi said softly. Makoto raised her head and followed 
the inclination of Usagi's head. "She's sound asleep," Usagi added 
when she saw a small smile on Makoto's face. Chibi-Usa was curled up 
on one end of the couch, fast asleep. Her breathing was slow and 
regular.

[Flashman: Her SNORING on the other hand, was loud and dangerous to 
people without ear plugs.]

"Wanna bet?" Usagi challenged, eyes gleaming.

"What'll I win?" Makoto questioned.

"If I fall asleep, I buy YOU and Chibi-Usa the `triple banana fudge 
special', and I won't have anything... I'll have to sit and watch you 
two eat it all. If I don't fall asleep, you have to buy it for ME and 
Chibi-Usa."

"I don't feel right about taking your money, Usagi, but you got 
yourself a bet." And the deal was sealed with a handshake.

[(The reviewers whisper among themselves and finally, there are three 
piles of money.  Trident and Zero put their money in one, Ninjor and 
Flashman put their money in the second and Sakuras money stands alone 
in the third pile.)]

"Mommy fought off a bad monster," Chibi-Usa said as they were playing,
 "We were at the beach and a bad monster tried to take me away."

Maia's eyes grew wide and she looked with awe towards Chibi-Usa. 
"Why'd a monster want to take you away?" Maia questioned.

"It was going to take me to my daddy," Chibi-Usa said, shivering as 
she did so.

[(You can guess what our intrepid little gang is doing by now, can't 
you?)]

"'Cause of my baka otouto!" Maia said forcefully but whispered it out.


[Flashman: "Otouto"... if I remember, that's "little brother"... 
right?
Voice: I dunno.]

"I took the truck and threw it," Maia admitted softly. Chibi-Usa 
gasped in astonishment and stared with large round eyes. The 
admission was a real shock to her. "It hit the TV. I broke it. Daddy 
said we couldn't get a new one." Maia lowered her head and gave a 
little sniffle.

"Oh Maia-chan," Chibi-Usa gave a little cry. <If I did that, Daddy 
would be really mad!> She shivered. <He'd really hurt me for bustin' 
the TV.>

[All: Grrrrr....]

<SNIP rest of scene.>

[Flashman: Understandable overreaction by Chibi-Usa and just one of 
the many nice touches that make this series as incredible as it is.]

Turning to see whom it was, she followed Usagi down the hall. For a 
moment, Makoto couldn't tell who was at the door but when Usagi 
stepped aside with a large grin on her face Makoto had a funny 
suspicion. It was confirmed as Mika entered the house. Mika was, at 
least by Shingo's telling, only a friend; to most of the people who 
knew Shingo, it was more than just friendship. Both were in love. 
Usagi had the audacity to call it puppy love and that had earned her 
dark looks from Shingo for almost a week.

[All: <Snicker>
Sakura: Siblings.  Ain't they grand?]

"We don't know," Usagi admitted while blushing slightly, "If it's any 
indication, Chibi-Usa came out and found both of us asleep. So to be 
fair, Makoto and I decided that we BOTH lost."

[(Everyone else mutters darkly as Sakura takes all three piles of 
money.)
Sakura:(Grinning triumphantly) Can I call 'em or can I call 'em!]

<Chibi-Usa isn't so bad...> Shingo thought while looking covertly 
towards Mika, <I mean she likes me and I sorta like her.> He looked 
toward Mika again but this time for a little confidence boost. <Mika 
and I are getting along better, too, since Chibi-Usa came.>

[Flashman:(Imitating Shingo) Chibi-Usa is helping me get LUCKY!!!!
Sakura: SHINKU...
Flashman: <Pale, heart attack>
Sakura: <warning smirk>]
                                  ******

Deep within the Crystal Palace, Neo-Queen Serenity sat silently. A 
fresh bruise had closed one eye. She paid no heed to the fur-covered 
creature that crept slowly across her bare feet. Nor did she feel the 
hard cold stone against her aching flesh. She was trying to remember 
but couldn't; the diverging timelines were creating conflicting facts 
and it was hard to separate what would be from what had been and what 
would change.

[Ninjor: Endymion... count the days of your freedom and cherish them. 
 For when the time comes, I shall clense this world of your unpure 
soul!]

She was soon run dry of tears but her heart was heavy with sorrow.

[All: <Sniff sniff, sob, boo hoo>]

The Throne Room was empty except for Endymion. He smiled warmly 
towards her but it was deceptive. As they approached the dais, he 
rose and, descending, waited for them. When Serenity stood before him,
 he said, "I see you are learning your place. With more good behavior,
 I might find a place for you by my side." He reached out but 
Serenity shied away from him, "Bah! Why I ever loved you... I suppose 
it was that innocence that drew me to you. But when you slept with 
that villain, then your innocence wasn't supported."

[Trident:(Leaping out of his seat) Speak not of innocence foul 
demon!
Flashman:(Imitation Endymion) Kettle, I call thee "black"!]

Serenity grunted as Endymion tightened his grip on her. Leaning close,
 he whispered dangerously, "Serenity... Usako... Our vows were to 
life eternal. We will spend the rest of our lives together. Souls 
bonded to one another and no matter HOW much you hate me, I am your 
husband. No matter HOW much you want to believe that I am the monster,
 you did something far worse by breaking those vows. Love is a 
terrible thing to some people, especially those who hold so little 
value for it like you."

[Flashman: THAT'S IT!!!  He insulted Usagi-sama's best quality trait! 
 I'm not gonna wait any longer!!!
(It takes all the others efforts to put Flashman back into his seat, 
along with a Ryuenjin, Sho-O-Ken, Whirlpool Kick and a bop with a 
sword scabard, to make sure he stays there.)]

"You dare fight me in my own environment? I could take your key and 
trap you within the nether. You would never die nor find your way out.
" Pluto materialized and sent a striking blow towards Endymion who 
dodged. Positioning herself, Pluto whispered, "Dead Scream." This 
close to her power source, the attack doubled and then doubled again 
in strength.  Flinging the attack towards Endymion, she drove him 
back.

[All: HORAY!!!!
Zero: Too bad it didn't last...]

"You won't be back, Endymion," Pluto said softly as she raised her 
hand. From it dangled the Key to time that Endymion had worn about 
his neck. "One to Rubeus, one to Esmeraudo, one is safely in your 
vault, and this one was to be around your neck." A smile spread 
across Pluto's face, "The only Key left is Princess Usagi's and you 
won't get that... or I shall stop time and kill you myself."

[All: HEY!  Save some for us!]

"Chibi-Usa, if you're getting full, you don't have to finish it," 
Makoto said while licking her lips.

"I'm not full, Mako-oneesan," Chibi-Usa said and turned and grinned a 
chocolate fudge covered face towards her. "Arigato, I really like 
these!"

<Hai, she's an Usagi all right,> Makoto thought, <What's Usagi doing?

[Flashman: I could say something Lurker or Megane-ish here... 
(notices his bristling companions) but I don't dare.]

"Ah, no, arigato," Shingo said hurriedly, "Mika, would you like to go 
for a walk?"

"Hai," Mika responded and after bidding their good-byes, both left 
the ice cream parlor. On their way out, Mika whispered something to 
Shingo and he blushed in response. Unfortunately, Usagi didn't see it;
 neither did Makoto. Both sets of eyes were fixed on Chibi-Usa; both 
sets of eyes were filled with horror. If this little kid could eat 
THIS much when she THIS young, just imagine how much she could eat 
when she was older!

Unknown to either Usagi or Makoto, Chibi-Usa had somehow managed to 
avoid eating lunch. She knew she was coming to the ice cream parlor 
and, in her opinion, ice cream was just about as healthy so why spoil 
your appetite?

[All: <Snicker>
Flashman: Ahh... kid logic.  We'll be right back and I'm sorry this 
is taking so long.]