Author's Notes: Yes, here's another chapter folks! This starts the next "mini-arc" where anything can (and probably will, happen) All comments to: amslerd@globalserve.on.ca Copyright Notice: Sailor Moon is copyright Naoko Tenchi and is being used without permission (I hope that no one takes offense!) and I reserve all posting rights. Note: Sailor Pluto = Susan Sailor Uranus = Erica Sailor Neptune = Michelle Sailor Moon: Whose Reality Is Right? Part Six : Future Shock Daniel and Mina were walking through the local park after a freak snowstorm had blanketed Tokyo with several inches of snow (Mina had tried to persuade Artemis to come along but the cat had indicated that he had no intention of leaving the warm heat register that he currently occupied) Daniel had been tempted to agree (having come from Darien's through the snow) but one look at Mina's earnest face had convinced him to go out into the snow once more. They found themselves stopping near the lake which due to the cold was in the process of freezing over "I wish it was frozen so we could go ice skating" Mina sighed dreamily as she rested her head on Daniel's shoulder. Daniel laughed "What do you mean *WE* kimosabe? I can barely *STAND* on ice let alone *SKATE* on it!" Mina pouted "Oh come on, it can't be *THAT* bad?" Daniel smiled sadly "I'm like a bowling pin at the local alley, more down than up!" he paused "Wait a second, where is the nearest rink anyways?" Mina was puzzled "A few blocks from here why?" Daniel smiled "I have an idea, bring your skates and meet me there!" Mina went home to pick up her skates and wondered just what Daniel had in mind. Daniel found the rink that Mina had pointed out easily enough, now all hew had to do was wait for Mina. Scarcely 10 minutes later Mina appeared with a pair of skates in one hand and a bag in the other containing a *VERY* angry Artemis! Artemis growled again at Mina when Daniel was in earshot "I hope you've got a good reason to drag me off that heat register!" Daniel smiled "Artemis lighten up okay? Besides a bit of fresh air is good for you!" Artemis sighed "Great, have you been talking to Luna? I really don't need someone else trying to 'look after me'" Daniel smiled "Well since your both here, let's get out on the rink Mina!" Mina was puzzled "You don't have any skates Daniel?" Daniel grinned as his winter boots 'grew' a pair of golden wicked looking ice skating blades! Daniel spoke "Hey, saw Sailor Moon do this once too!" as he stepped onto the ice he motioned Mina to join him "C'mon Mina you wanted to skate!" Mina could only laugh as she joined Daniel and together they put a show on for the other skaters at the rink that would the best pairs skaters in the world to shame. They glided across the ice surface as one each seeming to know what the other was thinking, moving from trick to trick without any visible effort. Daniel felt on top of the world as he held Mina aloft (with some discreet help from his ring) when a voice rang out "Yo hoo Daniel!" and in that instant as his train of thought was interrupted his concentration was lost and the skateblades and support for Mina instantly vanished! Gravity took it's immediate course and Daniel landed on the ice with a large 'THUMP' with Mina right on top of him! Mina scrambled off Daniel "Are you all right Daniel?" Daniel groaned "I will be as soon as you point out who yelled my name and notify their next of kin!" The speaker stepped forward, it had been Serena! Serena blushed "Sorry Daniel, I didn't realize what would happen, are you OK?" Daniel could only sigh as he made his way on hands and knees to the edge of the rink being too sore to even attempt to get up right then "Yeah, I'll be okay Serena, just be more careful next time OK?" Serena looked downcast "I'm sorry" she mumbled again "But I never knew you were such a good skater!" Daniel laughed "I'm not, but with a little help from my ring I do a pretty good impersonation! What brings you out here anyways?" Serena started as though being reminded of something "Oh yeah, Chad offered his parents place up in the mountains for a ski party. Interested?" Mina nodded before Daniel could even think to object (Daniel had broken a leg skiing many years ago and hadn't been on skis since) Daniel asked "Uhm, any chance to do something besides skiing up there?" Serena beamed "Sure there's *LOTS* to do! Skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing..." Serena caught herself "Train leaves at 5 o'clock Saturday! See you at the station!" Serena ran off. Daniel looked at Mina "Well, looks like Artemis is gonna be *REAL* happy!" Mina smiled "Oh I'm sure a can of tuna and he'll be fine. Are you okay to walk home now?" Daniel tried to stand and felt his leg buckle a bit "If you'll help me home..." Mina laughed "Of course silly, let's go!" Back at Darien's place after being helped home by Mina. Daniel made a bee-line for the bathtub "Gotta soak a bit or come the morning I'll be stiffer than a 2 by 4! Wonder if Darien has any bubble bath I could use" and as he rummaged around in Dariens medicine cabinet he found what he was looking for a bottle marked 'Rose Petal bubble Bath' Daniel smiled "I should have guessed" he chuckled to himself. As the tub filled with bubbles and he settled into the tub he sighed happily "This is the life..." Unbeknownst to him he was being watched... High above Tokyo a strange ship blinked into existance, composed of what appeared to be a dark crystal-like substance, inside 5 people were clustered around a viewing port. "Doesn't look like much does he?" a red haired man snickered. The oldest of the girls spoke up "Yes, but don't forget we're in the past now when he's nowhere NEAR his power potential!" The youngest girl spoke "I dunno, I think he's kinda cute..." The red haired man turned to face the speaker of those words angrily "Catsy! *NEVER* forget HE IS THE ENEMY! He in the future is one of the greatest threats to us!" A girl with long blond hair braided into a pony tail down her back spoke "Rubeus, don't forget why were *actually* here. We have to find that foolish little 'rabbit' If Avery & Prisma hadn't botched up their assignment to kidnap her". The two girls to whom the blond had referred to harumfed angrily and turned their backs to the others. The red head man spoke to them "Avery, Prisma come on, the only reason why you failed was because we forgot to account for 'him'" as he pointed to the image of Daniel in the tub "How were we to know he'd be where he was?" Let's try to get along so that we can catch that 'rabbit' and return to the future. Now I have to consult with the Wiseman so you girls relax. Rubeus made his way to a chamber within the ship and bowed in reverence to the apparition before him "I await your orders Wiseman" The image shifted and spoke in a disembodied voice "Indeed, your mission is now twofold" Rubeus raised an eyebrow in an unspoken question "Yes, you must capture this 'Daniel' person now, in the past and *before* he meets up with the 'rabbit' if she makes contact then the battle may be truly lost! Use *ANY* methods necessary! Do I make myself clear!" The red headed man began to sweat "Yes Wiseman, we shall accomplish both goals in your mission without delay!" as he backed out of the chamber in deference to the powerful figure before him. Saturday came quickly as the five Scouts met up with Daniel & Dairen at the train station "Ready to go guys?" (The cats having decided that they would use the weekend to 'catch up with Central Control') The speaker was Chad an out of work rock singer who had crashed at Rei's temple and had stayed to help Rei & her grandpa with the running of the temple. Darien smiled an easy smile "Sure let's rock!" as Serena moved up close to him. Daniel just smiled weakly, he never knew why but seeing Chad in his long hair and unshaven face always trigged a reflex that made him want to say "Get a job & a haircut!" but he kept that emotion buried deep as Mina came up to him. Daniel smiled as he saw Mina "Ready to go my little goddess" Mina blushed "Yes, but I wish you wouldn't *DO* that all the time" Daniel was puzzled "What?" Mina said "Refer to me as a *goddess* it's embarrassing" Daniel looked hurt "OK, then how about this?" and he kissed Mina deeply as the other Scouts & Chad just stared. The kiss would have probably broken all sorts of records (not to mention a few decency codes) but for the shrill alarm that signaled that they could board the train. "Better?" Daniel smiled at Mina as they picked up their baggage. Mina could only smile her dazzling smile "Yep". As the group boarded the train Daniel couldn't help but notice the quartet of women who stood at one end of the platform. Daniel didn't know why but he felt an involuntary shiver run through him as he made his way into the train. The ride up to the mountains had been uneventful except for a disagreement that arose between (who else) Serena & Rei. The Scouts had gathered around and began to play a travel version of 'Monopoly' that Darien had brought along and during the course of the game Serena had landed unluckily enough on Park Place which Rei owned and had three hotels on it! Serena had landed in similar trouble with the others before but was always able to wheedle down either what was owing in rent or if only a bit short in cash, the chance to pass 'GO' and collect $200 to pay her debt. Except Rei was having none of that demanding that either Serena pay up or if she couldn't declare bankruptcy. Serena tried pleading, begging and was close to tears when suddenly she had the cash in hand to pay what she owed Rei! Rei sat dumbfounded and immediately accused Serena of cheating but before Serena could reply Daniel spoke up "I gave her the money out of my account Rei" Rei grew red "THAT'S NOT HOW YOU PLAY THIS GAME! SERENA HAS NO MONEY AND CAN'T PAY UP! SO SHE IS *BANKRUPT*!" This last word was spoken with such force the others shrank back involuntarily. Daniel sat unmoving "Rei, C'mon it's a *game*, besides it could be *you* in that situation" Rei shot back "Why do you feel you have to *protect* Serena anyways? I thought you only had eyes for Mina!" Daniel's face darkened "Don't go there Rei, I do it because I *CAN* and because it's *RIGHT* and as for me and Mina? Well, I'll just tell you this: I *DO* have eyes *ONLY* for Mina and *IT'S NONE OF YOUR *BUSINESS*!" Daniel flushed as he realized what he had said and how he'd said it, he spoke to Mina "Mina, I think I'm going to find somewhere else to sit for a while. I'll understand if you want to stay with your friends" Mina looked at him "No, I think I *will* join you" and the two walked to another section of the train. No one spoke for a long time until Lita spoke "He's right y'know, Rei you take things *WAY* to seriously, lighten up a bit!" Rei sat there as if struck "So your siding with *HIM* then? *FINE* I think *I'LL* go find somewhere else to sit, the company here seems to have become pretty hostile!" and she ran off tears streaming unbidden down her face with Chad in close pursuit. The remaining Scouts and Darien sat there awestruck by the display of temper from both Dainel (unexpected) and Rei (semi-expected) they had just seen. Serena stood up "Where are you going Serena?" Darien asked quzzically. "To talk to both of them, they shouldn't fight because of me!" and she made her way down the car in the direction she had seen Daniel & Mina go. "There goes Serena, master heart healer" Darien remarked wryly. Daniel & Mina had found a private booth in the train and been sitting together for a while, neither spoke for what seemed like an eternity. Finally the silence got Daniel nervous enough to talk "I'm sorry Mina, I've probably ruined this whole weekend with my stupid 'high ideals' speech. It's just that Rei is CONSTANTLY picking on Serena and I don't think it's fair!" Mina looked at him "It's OK, they do that all the time. Your probably the first person who stood up to Rei when she's in 'bullying' mode and she reacted the only way she could" Daniel sighed "So in other words I just went and poured gasoline on the fire!" Mina smiled at his pun "Yep". Suddenly they heard someone clear their throat. It was Serena! "and just how long have *YOU* been there young lady?" Daniel demanded in mock anger. Serena smiled "Long enough to know that I'm lucky to have you as my friend along with the others. Thank you" Daniel grimaced "I wouldn't exactly say 'thank you' to the person who pissed off one of their best friends!" Serena smiled "And that's why *YOUR* coming with me to fix things with Rei!" Daniel looked ashen "Did I hear you right? Your telling me I have to go talk to the person who's gonna be voted 'Most Likely to Turn Daniel Into a Charcoal Briquette!' Do I look like a person with a death wish to you?" Mina turned to face Daniel "Please? For me?" Daniel sighed "Okay but if I don't come back to the group by the time the train hits the mountains could you go back and see if Rei dumped my body off the train anyplace?" Mina laughed "If Rei's that pissed off who says there will even *BE* a body?" Daniel gulped hard "Gee thanks for the confidence booster Mina!" and he followed Serena out of the booth as Mina made her way back to the group. Rei found herself alone in another booth (having lost Chad in the food car) on the other end of the train "Stupid moralizing jerk, how dare he play 'better than you' with me! When we get off this train he's gonna get a hotfoot he won't believe!" Serena popped her head into the booth "Say Rei?" Rei snapped "What do you *WANT* meatball head? Came to gloat?" Serena dragged someone into the booth "YOU!" Rei screamed at Daniel. Give me one good reason why I don't transform here and now and burn your butt into a crispy critter?" Daniel stood his ground "Listen Rei, I came to apologize for snapping back at you the way I did, it was stupid and wrong. I guess I'm not used to the relationship you and Serena have, reminds me too much of mine with my brother". Rei sat unmoving "So, that's it? I'm suppose to 'forgive' you and everything is supposed to be honky dory?" Daniel shifted uneasily "You don't have to 'forgive' me if you don't want to, but please 'understand' why I reacted the way I did and probably will *continue* to act towards *any* threats I think I see to *any* of you, my friends..." and with that he turned to leave, Rei grabbed Daniel's arm "Look, I probably reacted badly too, I guess I'm used to everyone ducking and running when I'm upset and it surprised me when you didn't" Daniel smiled "Hey, no offense but your a mere firecracker when your mad versus some of my friends back home!" Rei could only laugh. Serena said "OK let's get back to our seats and enjoy the rest of the ride!" As Serena wandered back in the direction of the group. Daniel & Rei looked at each other "Friends?" Daniel inquired, "friends" came Rei's reply. The Scouts and Daniel finally disembarked from the train, Daniel having remarked "At least now you don't have to keep a pool going to see when I'm going to fall over in the train!" Rei shot back "Nah, now we get to keep a pool as to how long you can stay upright on your skis!" The group laughed at this having heard Daniel's forceful pronouncements earlier that 'Even the sight of Mina skiing downhill in a thong bikini wouldn't be enough to get him onto a pair of skis!' The group made their way to the house Chad's parents owned when Daniel saw *her* a little girl that Daniel estimated couldn't have been more than 5 or 6 years old with PINK hair and RED eyes! Daniel nudged Mina "Do you see that little girl?" "What little girl"? Mina asked quizzically. Daniel looked again, the little tyke was gone! Daniel shook his head and muttered "I must not be used to this high altitude, I'm seeing things!" The four women who Daniel had seen at the train station back in the city suddenly appeared, the one named Avery looked nervous "Damn he's *seen* the 'rabbit'! We'd better find her quick." Catsy spoke "Don't worry, didn't you hear? He only caught a glimpse and he's already dismissed it as being a result of the high altitude! We'll have an easy time catching our prey" Prisma spoke "Still it's wise to make sure, let's leave a 'distraction' for our friends shall we? Droid Abominable come here!" and suddenly a seven foot tall fur covered monster appeared. "Yes master?" it growled expectantly "See that group of fools over there" as Prisma pointed to the group led by Chad "Follow them and attack them when it becomes dark, especially *THAT* one!" as she stabbed a finger at Daniel "Make sure *HE* is destroyed most of all!" Catsy blanched visibly at that last comment. "Now GO!" the droid grunted in understanding "Yes master!" and disappeared. "Let's see them handle *THAT*" Prisma laughed. Daniel had decided to go for a walk just before dinner while everyone else was relaxing, he didn't understand why but he felt the need to stretch. He found himself in a fairly dense forest but with a clear path that indicated it was a well used trail. As he paused for a rest he suddenly heard the crack of a twig behind him! Daniel called out "Hello? anyone there?" but noone replied "This is spooky, I'd better get back to the cabin!" Daniel remarked to himself. A sudden *THUMP* made him involuntarily jump and then he heard a soft voice "Help me... help...." Daniel turned around "I hope I'm not making a mistake" as he made his way back to where he heard the voice crying out. Daniel looked around and realized that the voice was coming from *below* him! As Daniel looked down he saw what looked like a pit that was supposed to trap small animals, unfortunately it looked like someone's child had fallen in, although he couldn't see the child's face it appeared to be fairly young. Daniel called down "Are you all right?" a weak, scared voice called back "Yes, but I'm stuck down here and can't get out, can you help me?" Daniel called back "I think so but I need to go get some help...." the voice cried back "Please don't leave me, I'm scared!" Daniel was stumped, there was no *WAY* he could reach down that far without falling in himself... unless... Daniel called back "OK, I've found some rope, I'm going to toss it down, tie the end around your waist and I'll haul you up!" The voice called back "Okay" Daniel concentrated and a coil of rope appeared at his feet, he tied one end to a nearby tree and proceeded to send the other end down the hole. Daniel called down "OK, now tie the rope under your arms and when your ready tug on the rope!" a quick tug told Daniel that the child had done as instructed and now he began the task of hauling the child out "Whoa, I think I'd better join a weightlifting class, cause I am *SERIOUSLY* out of shape" Daniel huffed to himself. After a time the rope went slack without warning and Daniel flew backwards and hit the ground head first! Daniel awoke groggily to see a pair of red eyes staring at him! "Whoa!" Daniel scuttled backwards a bit. The pink haired little girl drew back as well, similarly startled. Daniel caught himself "Um, hi, what's your name little girl?" Daniel asked "Reeny" the child replied. "Ok uh 'Reeny', are you Ok? is anything broken?" Daniel asked concerned. "Nope, see ya!" and suddenly 'Reeny' took off! Daniel was still a little shaken up and couldn't get to his feet fast enough to follow her. "Egads" Daniel thought "Why do I feel like the rabbit in 'Alice In Wonderland'?" Daniel looked at his watch "Oh boy I'd better get going, I'm really late!" Daniel looked around, seeing no one he decided he'd better take the quick way home "LORD LIGHT DAWN!" and dressed in full battle gear he leapt off in the direction of the cabin. Unbeknownst to him the little girl had hidden behind a tree and seen him transform "It *IS* him, I'll save you mommy & daddy!" Daniel made the final leap towards the cabin (it had been a slower trip than he thought, his thoughts were still a bit scrambled from that bump to the head) he nearly fainted in shock! The Scouts were out in full battle gear facing a large hairy monster and Chad was apparently unconscious face down in the snow! Daniel swore to himself "Damn, I'd better get in there" and he leapt into the clearing. The beasts' gaze suddenly fixed on the new target and it's eyes gleamed in recognition of it's primary target! Daniel let fly with a barrage of icicles towards the monster who ducked most but not all of the barrage, a few of the smaller icicles hit the monster in the shoulders causing it to bellow in pain! Daniel called out "I hope I made my 'point' that your not welcome here! Get lost!" The monster merely concentrated fully on the attacker that had done this damage and began advancing towards Daniel, who began to back away realizing this was a tougher breed of monster than he had seen before. Unfortunately Daniel didn't back up fast enough and the creature swiped at Daniel with its hairy arm shredding the front of his tuxedo! While engrossed with his new target the monster forgot completely about the Scouts and that proved to be it's undoing as Serena loosed a "Moon Scepter Elimination" at the beast from behind, vaporizing the monster! Daniel finally sank to his knee in exhaustion, as the other Scouts powered down. "Where were you Daniel?" Mina asked? "Yeah! What were you *DOING*? making snow angels?" Rei fumed. Amy was the first to notice after Daniel and the group detransformed the large bump that was on Daniel's head and the thin rivulets of blood from the monsters slash across his chest. "What is that lump on your head from?" Amy inquired gently as she kneeled beside Daniel doing a scan of his head to make sure he wasn't suffering a concussion. Daniel muttered "A little girl who I pulled out of a pit" as the others looked at him questioningly Daniel sat down and told the whole story as Amy and Mina set about tending to his wounds. After he finished his story the others were silent. They didn't know what to make of this mysterious little girl and Daniel's encounter with her. Darien helped Chad into the house as Mina and Serena supported Daniel who had been weakened by the blood loss and was still suffering from the bump on his head. As the Scouts settled down to sleep Daniel thought to himself "What a day, I hope that's the end of the surprises!" Unfortunately the most surprising was yet to come! For then came the dream... Daniel was standing in what looked like a courtyard in a palace, the courtyard and surrounding buildings were seemingly made of the finest crystal. Suddenly Sailor Pluto appeared! "Daniel watch and learn!" and just as swiftly she dissapeared! Daniel hardly had time to think about her words when he saw a small figure in the distance running towards him and unthinkingly he knelt down and opened his arms wide to the little girl. "What's wrong 'Bunny'?" he asked as the little girl ran sobbing into his arms. The girl sniffled "It's Mommy & Daddy! They've been trapped in a Dark Moon Crystal! You gotta set them free Uncle D!" Daniel held the little girl close "Hush, don't worry Princess, I'll free them I promise!" The little girl sniffled "Are you sure you can? They're awfully mean and strong!" Daniel laughed "Have I ever let you down before 'Bunny'? Let's go get em!" and as the little girl pulled back and Daniel saw the face of the little girl he was talking to.... It was the little girl 'Reeny' he had pulled from the pit! The sudden realization jolted him awake! "Whoa, this is getting *too* weird!" Daniel muttered as he noticed his watch, it read 8:00am. He knew he had to find that little girl and see just what the dream meant, silently had made his way to the livingroom where a pad of paper and a pen lay. He scribbled a note to the group "Gone to find that little girl, strange dream last night, back ASAP, Mina love you!" and Daniel signed his initials as he dressed and made his way outside. Where there was a trap waiting for him... Next up Chapter 7 of "Whose Reality is Right" : Future Shock(Rabbit Season)