Love Is A Strength, Not A Weakness
~ Part 8 ~
Deep, deep, in the universe, far away from Chikyuu, Earth, Namek, and all that was familiar to Goku, and Usagi, a spaceship fit for a member of royalty orbited a small star, much as the Earth orbited the Sun. Inside this ship a woman walked in the hallways, carrying a small wrapped bundle gently in her arms. She stopped at a large window and starred out at the stars.
“You will have rule over all of this my son. You will grow big and strong, nothing will be able to stop you. Not even the Saiyans and that Lunarian brat. Your father was a fool, banishing me when he did. If he’d only know that I carried you at the time. My little warrior Prince, for that is what you are. You will become the strongest in the universe; No one will stand in your way. You will take vengeance for you father, and grandfather; although they have done nothing for you. No, but your true enemies are the Saiyans, for they destroyed everything your father worked so hard for, as well as the Lunarian girl. Your father was obsessed with her and her kind, if he’d been able to he would have captured her and turned her to his side. But that would have been impossible,” she smiled fondly at the bundle when she had finished speaking.
The child’s dark onyx eyes just stared back up at her, not with love, but a deep understanding and respect. The woman was beautiful, as far as their race went. Unlike her Lord Freeza, she had maintained a figure like that of his final form from the time she was little. It gave her a graceful air that drew attention to her, and it had certainly drawn his. Unlike Freeza though, her skin was a pale icy blue, and her natural armor a dark navy, almost black at times. She wore a simple, but elegant black gown with silver and gold embroidery that showed off her figure, which had not been hurt at all with carrying a child. The most amazing thing about her though, was her hair, for she had wavy raven black hair that hung halfway down her back. Unlike most of her race, which had no hair for it was a trait of truly noble blood, and on the top of her head rested a gold crown symbol of the power she now controlled. For now she truly was a Princess, the only royalty left to rule Freeza’s vast conquests. Both he and his father were destroyed, along with that other so called brother Cooler. They had all been such fools to underestimate the Saiyan and Lunarian races. Now her son, the Prince would have to fulfill the ultimate goal of their people, to control the entire Universe. And he would do it, with her guidance and teaching, he would succeed. ‘Men are always so thick headed, they should listen to the women more often, after all we usually do tend to outlive them.’ She thought to her self, a smirk finding it’s way to her lips.
“You will fulfill all our people’s dreams my son. You unlike countless others before you, will be completely victorious,” she said to the bundle in her arms as she entered a room, placed the child in his bed, and moved into the throne room on the ship. It was beginning. She had notified those who were left of Freeza and King Cold’s rule that she was taking command, after all was she not Freeza’s chosen mate? She would shape these lowly people into the tools her son would need.
“All hail her royal highness, Princess Tsurara,” a page announced as she entered, then walked into the room full of bowed and awed figures, most of them had never seen her before.
“Welcome all who served under my Lord Freeza. As he and the rest of his family are now dead; I, his chosen mate will take control until my son Prince Korihi, is old enough to take over.” and with that she began the process that would begin her son’s domination. Her son safely dreaming away of those he would conquest and have control over.
Bulma sat across the table from Vegeta as he ate the large meal she had prepared for him, well actually had ordered in. She calmly watched him as the food disappeared as fast as the Saiyan prince could shove it in his mouth; suddenly he stopped.
“You’re UP to something Woman. Whatever it is the answer is no,” he stated flatly before continuing.
“VEGETA!!! You should at least give me a chance to explain myself!!” she said angrily.
“Fine then explain. Doesn’t mean I’ll say anything else,” he answered gruffly, than leaned back in his chair, arms folded across his chest. If Bulma had studied his eyes, she would have noticed the sheer enjoyment that shone there, as he caused another verbal spar, just as he had for the 20 some odd years.
“I think we need to send Bra on a trip,” she said as a matter of factly.
“What trip? By herself, you must be joking,” he answered, shocked that his mate would even consider sending away his little Princess.
“You didn’t let me finish. As I was saying, we should send her on a trip for training…” She left it hanging to see if he would react. “…….with Son Usagi,” she then finished and waited for the explosion.
“Fine,” was all the reply she got before her husband left the room and headed up the stairs to shower.
“Well that went better then I expected. I hope Videl has the same luck,” she said to herself as she then proceeded to follow her ‘mate’ up the stairs and into their large private bathroom.
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“NO!!! We are not sending Pan on a trip by herself!” Gohan said sternly, absolutely refusing to let his little Panny go.
“You Didn’t let me Finish SON GOHAN!!! She wouldn’t be by herself. Your Mother, Bulma, and I all agreed that we think Pan and Bra need some special training,” she stated.
“What?! Special Training? What are you talking about?” Gohan asked now thoroughly confused and flustered, this was his little girl, his precious girl they were talking about.
“Yes, we thought it would be in their best interest to go spend a few years under the training of Usagi,” She said more calmly.
“With my sister? Are you sure that’s necessary?” Gohan asked still not liking the idea of sending their little girl away.
“Yes Gohan, there are many things both Pan and Bra can learn from her that they could never learn from anyone else, I mean think about it. She is the strongest female warrior this world has ever seen. She would be in very capable hands. Not to mention the rest of the Sailor Senshi,” she said then wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. “It’s for the best, and although I’ll miss her, she’ll do fine,” with that she kissed him, knowing that she had succeeded in convincing him.
Two weeks later everyone was gathered outside of Capsule Corp. ready to wish the two fifteen year old part sayian girls luck on their journey. Pan gave her Grandma, uncle, father, and mother all hugs the turned to see Trunks standing there he opened his arms wide and she walked up to him giving him a big hug.
“I’ll miss you boxer boy,” she sad softly. Squeezing him tightly.
“I’ll miss you to Panny,” he answered giving her one more good squeeze before reluctantly letting her go.
“Hey don’t worry, we’ll be fine. Take care of my uncle K,” she said seriously. Trunks nodded a smile on his face. Pan leaned up and gave him a light kiss on the cheek before turning to join Bra.
Bra hugged both her parents and her brother before turning to see Goten standing there, she walked up to him, the two starring at each other for a moment before she threw her arms around him.
“Don’t get into to much trouble with my brother you big Lug. I want there to be something left for me to pick on when I get back,” she said smiling.
“Ahh, don’t worry about us. You take care, and don’t give my sister to much trouble, she could fry your butt to the other end of the universe and back,” he answered.
“I will,” she said then gave him a peck on the cheek before she to turned to join Pan. The two girls faced each other and nodded, Pan held out a crystal key on a gold chain, Bra placed a hand on top of hers.
“Crystal Key!! Take Us To the Gates of Time!!!” they called out, there was a swirl of pink clouds and a bright flash and then they were gone. Gohan and Vegeta stared at where their daughters had stood only seconds before, then each of them grabbed a demi-saiyan and dragged them off to the arena, both Trunks and Goten gulping as they were dragged off by the fathers of the girls they had just each received a kiss from. Chichi, Bulma, and Videl watched the male species antics before turning and heading into the kitchen to gossip and prepare food for their sayian counterparts, and children.
Usagi sat once again listening to the Inner Senshi gossiping, normally she’d be right there with them, but something was tugging at the edge of her senses and she wasn’t exactly sure what. Then she heard the temple’s equivalent of a doorbell ringing.
“I’ll get it Rei!!” she then walked out of the room leaving girls to continue, Ami with her nose in a book. She opened the door to reveal two young teenage girls, one with straight shoulder length black hair, and dark eyes, the other with aqua blue hair that hung down just past her shoulders, and Cerulean blue eyes. The three girls stared at each other. ‘Oh Dendee, they look just like Videl and Bulma, but with a bit of Gohan and Vegeta as well. Could it be?!?!’ the thoughts raced through her mind.
Pan and Bra stared at the young woman before them. It was her, they recognized her from the pictures they had seen, but she was much prettier in real life. Finally Pan snapped to.
“Excuse us, but we are looking for Son Usagi,” she said softly.
“I am she,” Usagi replied still a little stunned. Pan then held out a letter to her. Usagi accepted it, then quickly opened it and began to read, as her eyes followed the lines joy and excitement spread across her features. Upon finishing it she squealed and pulled both the shocked girls into a hug, dragging them inside the temple, immediately beginning to chatter away.
“Look at you two!! You look so much like your parents it’s not even funny!! And you’re so big!! I knew I should have visited again sooner. So how is everyone? Anything new or interesting happen?” Just then four worried women came running down the hallway.
The Senshi stopped in mid sentence and looked towards the doorway at the sound of Usagi’s screech. With one quick look at each other they sprang for the door and down the hallway, only to stop in their tacks at the site of Usagi with two younger girls, one on each side of her.
“Usa-chan, are you all right? We heard you scream….” Mina asked tentatively. Usagi just bowed her head shaking it slightly from side to side.
“The way they act sometimes, you’d think I’d die from a broken nail,” Usagi said to the two girls, who then broke into giggles.
“All right Meatball Head!!!! Tell us what’s going on,” Rei said very agitated.
“Hey Don’t call my Aunt Meatball Head!!!” Pan said angrily and stepped forward with a menacing look on her face, Bra joining her.
“Agggghhhh!!!” Why do even my pupil’s have to try and protect me?!?!?” Usagi complained her hands now on her hips. With this the four Sailor Senshi starred in total confusion and shock, while Pan and Bra studied their feet, a little embarrassed due to their actions. Usagi let out a big sigh, then threw her arms around the two younger girls shoulders again.
“OK Pyro, you want to know then fine. This is Pan, my niece, Gohan and Videl’s daughter, and this is Bra, the daughter of Bulma-chan and Vegeta-san. At the request of my Mom, Bulma, and Videl these two are here for training,” Usagi said explaining. “Now that I’ve introduced you guys we’re going to my place to get them settled. Ja Ne!!” And with that Usagi turned around leading the two younger girls behind her. Her court and guardians standing there shocked and baffled. Finally they just went back to what they had been doing before. After spending the last two and a half years with her, not much managed to completely shock them.
Pan and Bra sat dejectedly in the library of the Moon palace. Finally Pan broke loose.
“It’s not fair!!!! I can stand this sitting here and waiting!!! I want to help HER!!!” she shouted, her tail, that Usagi had given her back, lashing back and forth in her agitation.
“Your not the only one Pan. But you know what she said was best,” Bra answered, both of then thinking back.
“Pan, Bra, you to will be staying here until I come back for you. Along with Luna, and Artimis. You can go just about anywhere and if you have any questions, just ask one of them,” Usagi told the two young women.
“But Usagi-chan, I want to help you fight,” Pan replied determined to help her aunt, friend, and teacher. Usagi sighed.
“Listen to me you two. This is a very dangerous fight, we may not survive, if that happens Luna and Artimis will be able to return you home. But either way you have to stay safe. Your parents sent you here into my care, I would never be able to forgive myself if I let you get hurt or killed in a fight you have nothing to do with. I would keep the other Sailor Senshi out of it as well if I could, but I’m not their guardians, they are mine; although I wish I could protect them, I can’t. It would kill them for me to fight and deny them that. It’s part of their very being to fight to protect this entire world and me. But I can protect the two of you. Now please don’t try and follow me, and don’t cause Luna and Artimis too much trouble they are just as worried as you. Now I have to go,” and with a final hug for each of them she disappeared in a flash of silver light.
That had been two days ago…
“Oh Dende I hope she’s all right,” Pan whispered sinking into the chair, just then they heard a noise and the door opened to reveal Eternal Sailor Moon, a very battered and beaten Sailor Moon. Her fuku was almost completely in shreds, only holding together by a couple threads in a few places. Large cuts and bruises could be seen all over her body, and sections of her silver her were stained red from blood. She looked at them with an almost blank look in her eyes, the tears pouring down her face. Then she spoke her voice no more then a whisper,
“We won. Chaos is defeated. But They’re gone, all of them are gone,” and then she collapsed to the floor.
“USAGI!!!!!” both Pan, and Bra screamed. Quickly Pan picked her up and with Bra’s help brought her to her room, cleaned her up and put her in her bed. No sooner had they laid her down, then a silver glow surrounded her and most of her major cuts, and bruises shrunk, the minor ones disappearing completely.
“She should be all right now, but she will need your help to cope with losing the Sailor Senshi,” Luna said softly as they left her room. Pan and Bra only nodded quietly at the information. The two girls then went to their own rooms to grieve, for they had grown rather close to the Senshi in the year and a half they had stayed with Usagi..
For the next year the three young women and two Lunarian cats lived at the Moon Palace. Usagi slowly recovering from the trauma of the battle, with Pan and Bra to help her as she guided and taught them much more then she had originally planned. For her Senshi had requested that she bestow upon the two girls as much of the knowledge and abilities of a Sailor Senshi as she could. Thus Pan and Bra had learned to search deep within themselves for a new power, beyond that of ki. This one of a more magical basis, and it was there glowing bright.
One day Usagi walked up to the two girls. “It’s time. Goten and Trunks will be here soon, when they arrive you are to attack and capture. Then head directly to Dende’s Lookout and spend two days in the time chamber to finish off your training on your own. While you are there, I’m going to see if those two boys have been keeping up with their training or not,” she told them, then grinned. The other two girls smiled as well, wishing they could see the guys against their sensei and friend.
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It was a peaceful day at Capsule Corp., well as peaceful as could be, considering who lived there. Mirai Trunks watched as Trunks waited for Goten to show up. He had come back to this timeline after the death of his mother. Chikyuu’s remaining population was well on their way to recovery and there really hadn’t been a need for him to stay, so he’d left and traveled to this timeline. Besides that for some reason he just felt that he had to be here, that something was going to happen. Soon after arriving, Trunks, Goten and himself had formed a trio of sorts since he was the same age as them. Just then Goten arrived looking very excited.
“Did you get it Trunks? Did you get her message?” he asked excitedly.
“Hai Goten I did, you ready?” Trunks answered.
“Yeah Let’s GO!! I can’t wait to see her again it’s been almost twenty years,” Goten replied. The two were just about to take off.
“Hey, who’s message and where are you guys going?” Mirai Trunks asked. The two demi-saiyans looked from him to each other and back again.
“My Sister’s message,” Goten stated.
“We’re going to meet her now, you want to come?” Trunks then asked him, Mirai’s mind was reeling, Goten’s sister, that had to be HER!!! The girl he’d seen in the pictures so many years ago in the time chamber with his father. He nodded and walked up to the other two, the three of them then taking off in a blast. Vegeta walked out of the house and watched them leave. ‘I wonder were they are going. Oh well No Brats in the house, Now where is that Onna.’ And with these thoughts he went in search of his mate, to inform her that all the Brats were gone…
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Soon the three demi-saiyans arrived at what used to be Kami’s Lookout, but was now Dende’s Lookout. Goten and Trunks then led him towards a strange circle marking, then when the three of them were standing in its center, Goten whispered three words.
“Crystal! Moon! Teleport!” they then vanished in a flare of silvery light.
Usagi, Pan, and Bra watched from the control room as the three entered and arrived.
“That’s odd I only sent for two, and yet there are three. The third looks almost identical to Trunks though, wouldn’t you say girls.” Usagi asked.
“Your right.” Bra said studying the screen. Pan just nodded.
“All right then, Bra you take my brother, Pan you take Trunks, and I’ll handle this mysterious third party,” Usagi said giving orders, the three of them each donned a black hooded clock with silver lining before going to capture their pray.
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“Ya know, I don’t think I could ever get used to this place, it’s so overwhelming.” Goten stated as he studied the Palace walls as they headed to the same room Usagi had shone them years before.
“I know what you mean, It’s just as magnificent as I remember if not more. Isn’t it Amazing Mirai?” Trunks stated, and then asked turning to Mirai Trunks who could only nod as he took in the place. Soon they entered the huge room, stopping about five feet from the entryway. Suddenly there was a swishing sound and Goten and Trunks found themselves pinned to the walls on either side of the entry way by razor sharp throwing stars. An instant later two cloaked figures were in front of each of them, holding sword point to their throats. Mirai Trunks whipped out his sword and managed to block a third cloaked figures sword, just barely. Soon the two were all over the room, matching each other blow for blow, then it was all over. Mirai’s sword now rested ten feet away form him, his opponents sword at his throat.
“Well done ladies, I’ll meet you at Dende’s Lookout in two days,” the figure in front of Mirai said clearly. The two figures that had been in front of Goten and Trunks nodded and then disappeared, but before the two could react they found themselves caught in two spheres, by this time Goten and Trunks had figured out who the cloaked figure was.
“Awwhh, come on Sis, Let us out,” Goten whined. She laughed, gave a nod to Mirai, her sword vanishing; she then turned to face the two demi-saiyans.
“And why should I. Don’t tell me you two have been slacking off on your training,” she replied, one of her hands resting on her hip, the other hanging by her side.
“No Way!!” Trunks answered back shocked that she could even accuse them of such a thing.
“Well then, you need to work on keeping on your toes,” she replied, then turned to face Mirai, only to find herself at his sword point, her tuning catching the clasp of her cloak. The black and silver cloth fell from her head and shoulders and down to the ground.
“Not wise to turn your back on an opponent,” Mirai said in the same tone she had just used with the others. She gave a slight nod, and then vanished.
“It’s also wise to know what your opponent is capable of. Your half sayian, I grew up around saiyans. Your style is slightly different but I still had a fairly good idea of what you were capable of,” she replied, her voice echoing throughout the room, making it impossible to locate her.
“All right, I give,” Mirai said, not wanting to continue this charade any longer, but wanting to actually meet her. She laughed and this time he was able to rack her voice and discovered her sitting in the air between Goten and Trunks.
“Well that was fun, but G-chan, and T-chan do tell me who this is, and why he looks almost exactly like you T-chan.” She asked.
“Usa-chan, this is Mirai Trunks. He comes form an alternate time line, he was the one who warned everyone about the androids, and then helped fight Cell.” Goten told her.
“Yes, and I returned to this time line after my mother died. There was nothing left there for me,” Mirai added. Suddenly Usagi appeared right beside him, Goten and Trunks falling on their buts as the bubble like shields disappeared.
“Gomen, and thank you,” she said softly then placed a light kiss on his cheek. Mirai, Goten, and Trunks just stared at her in shock.
“For what?” Mirai finally managed to ask after getting over his shock.
“I’m sorry that I was not there to help save your world, and thank you for helping save everyone I have left, as well as this world,” she replied softly. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have something I have to take care of, but Luna and Artimis will be happy to take you wherever you want here in the Palace, or on the Palace Grounds,” she told them, and then vanished once again, leaving three shocked demi-saiyans behind.
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Usagi walked into the circular room quietly, her head bowed. She knelt down in front of the crystal pillar that stood grandly in the center. The room was the sacred prayer room, the walls were made entirely of crystal, and along the outer perimeter there were eight colored crystal circles in the floor, symbols for each of the planets above the colored crystal. Usagi knelt down wrapped in a silver cloak, concealing the Senshi uniform she now wore. For no longer was she Eternal Sailor Moon, but she was Sailor Cosmos, the Silver Senshi, Queen of the Stars. During the final fight with Chaos, all the Senshi had all died, except for her, even Endymion. Endy had died pushing Mars out of a blasts path. The others had died taking hits for her, or while drawing Chaos’ attention from her. As each of them died they willed their power to her, giving her the power of their planets. Rei had been the last, and with the power of Mars added to the rest, she had undergone the transformation.
“Crystal of Moon, grant my wish,” she finally spoke out. The room began to glow and shine, the colored crystals glowed as figures began to take shape of above them, first one then another became clear until nine figures stood in the room. “Minna!” Usagi whispered in a sorrow filled tone, the nine figures moved into to surround her simultaneously.
“Oh Sere, don’t blame yourself,” Mina said after hugging her friend and Princess.
“Yes, Princess, no matter what we would all do it again if it was necessary,” Haruka said.
“Just as you have risked you life countless times for the safety of others, we gave ours to ensure yours,” Setsuna stated.
“And not just because you are our Princess, but because you are the truest friend we could have,” Lita told her with a warm smile.”
“Please don’t cry over us, move on. Even now there is someone waiting for you. You can help him just as much as he can help you,” Rei said hugging her best friend tightly.
“Now we have to go, stay strong Princess. We will always be here to support you,” whispered Neptune.
“Besides, you have a new team of Senshi to train.” Ami told her and winked, not sharing any more information. With that they all hugged her one more time before stepping back and giving a bow, disappearing as they had come.
“Minna,” Usagi said softly tears pouring down her face, with that she lost control of her transformation, the sailor fuku changing into the dress of Neo Queen Serenity. She lay there crying until she felt strong arms pull her into their embrace.
Mirai Trunks wandered through the many hallways and passages admiring the beautiful palace. ‘And this is all that she has left of her people, and Kingdom; this huge empty palace. At least my father had Goku, and them my mother. But she has no one but her adoptive family,’ he thought to himself as he continued his aimless wander, not even realizing that with every step and turn he took, drew him closer to what was pulling on his heart.
Suddenly he sensed a wave of power, unlike anything he’d ever sensed before. Quickly her hurried to the end of the hallway and peeked into the chamber at the end. He stared in shock and awe at what he saw. She sat there besides a crystal pillar surrounded by nine figures. ‘It’s her Senshi, the Sailor Soldiers, but why is she upset. Then he heard some of what they were saying. He watched in awe as they then bowed and disappeared, He stared in shock for a few moments before he quickly and quietly slipped in and went up to her and pulled her sobbing form into his arms. Simply obeying the yearning to hold her close that welled up inside him.
She turned her face to look up at him and he nearly gasped, despite the tears running down her cheeks she was absolutely gorgeous, her golden crescent moon showing clearly on her forehead. Using a thumb and finger he gently wiped the tears from her face.
“Go ahead, I understand,” he said softly.
Usagi turned to look at the face of who had pulled her into their arms and found Mirai Trunks. She stared into his cerulean blues eyes, captivated for a few moments, ignorant of the tears that still ran down her cheeks. That is until he gently wiped them away. Then she heard him speak, and she understood. He had lost everything in his timeline, just as she had lost everything of her own world. Their adoptive families were the only thing both of them had left. She buried her face into his chest and continued to sob, pulling herself as close to him as she could get, knowing that by allowing him to comforting her, she was comforting him.
She sat in her chair in a shadowed corner of the room and watched her son stare out at the stars, stars that had been hundreds of thousands of light years away for most his life, he now passed and left behind. They would soon reach their destination, a small planet called Chikyuu; the current home of the only living sayians; only a few more months until they reached it.
“You are ready Korihi. There is nothing they will be able to do to stop you. You have grown very strong, much stronger than your father or grandfather could ever dream of becoming. Then you will be king of the entire universe, no one will dare to rise against you,” she said calmly not taking her eyes off her sons figure. He indeed had grown, it seemed almost yesterday that she had begun to take over Freeza’s kingdom in his name. He had received the best traits from both his parents. He had Freeza’s pale skin and ease of command, but his armor was her coloring. The dark navy, almost black created a striking appearance with the pale skin; and he had her stubborn will and self control. He was not subjected to the childish tantrums that his father had been know to sport upon occasion, and thus he ruled with respect and honor instead of the fear that Freeza had commanded, for fear could lead to rebellion much quicker than respect, loyalty, and honor.
“Yes mother, I’m looking forward to crushing those who thought they could destroy my father and grandfather and never face any consequences. Only now, years later, will they discover the foolishness of their actions,” he replied. ‘But mother, you never told me why father had been so set on destroying the Lunarians, or at least capturing their Princess. She is a strong creature indeed; I can see that even in those old files I found in the database. She will be quite the prize, for it would be foolish to waste such strength and beauty,’ he thought to himself as he watched the stars pass swiftly by.