Legal Gig: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon is property of Toei Animation and Takeuchi Naoko. Project: Sailor Earth and The Utopian Chronicles are property of Tory L. Brown. Any reference to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental, or the author just lost her mind for a second or so... Characters: Sailor Earth/Takanera Moshi and Tenchino Hoshi belong to Tory L. Brown. Should they be used without her permission, I just hope your insurance is paid up. Arc Notes: We take a break in the mayhem that is The Utopian Chronicles to present a little peek into the depths of Moshi's psyche. *Muhahahar!* This little blurb will be based off the Battle Exam chapters. (Or so from the translated MIXX Pocket version ^.^) *sighs* I just love the Moshi/Ami interaction in this piece, please tell me if you guys like it too! Oh, and if anyone has a problem with the use of manga/idea/story or whatever, just remember; the anime is based OFF THE MANGA. Wow, that was a long note. Oh well, let's get moving! ::T h e U t o p i a n C h r o n i c l e s:: By: Tory L. Brown (tory_brown@yahoo.com) :: A R C T E N :: Moshi's Dilemma? Moshi's Decision! Luna: "There comes a time in a young girl's life when she decides on how she will be as a woman. Usually in their youth they find a woman who they look up to as a role model, someone they can emulate. Usagi-tachi already had an idea of who they were, who they wanted to be. They had already made their decisions. That is, except for Moshi-chan..." Moshi: "Konnichi wa! Watashi Takanera Moshi! I'm 16 and in the second year of high school. My birthday is January 1, a Capricorn. Blood type: A. My favorite colors are purple, yellow, and tan. My favorite food is basically anything that won't kill me! ^.^ There is one thing I won't eat, Usagi-chan's cooking! (Usagi: NANI?!) There was one incident where she gave me food poisoning! (Usagi: Gomen!) My favorite sport is track and my favorite subject is Biology. (I still can't beat Ami-chan though!) (Ami: ^.^) "I live with my brother, Chiba Mamoru, in his apartment near downtown Juuban. Well, he's not *technically* my brother, but we adopted each other a year ago. ^.^ My life may seem ordinary or just plain, but at times, I am the lovely sailor-suited warrior, Sailor Earth!" * * * * Mizuno Ami usually made it to school forty minutes early. She preferred to use the extra time to catch up on her reading. Takanera Moshi accompanied Ami, who usually arrived alone. Ami was surprised when Moshi greeted her in the deserted school yards, saying she had been waiting for over an hour. The two girls sat quietly in the back row, basking in the early morning sunlight. Moshi was sitting at her desk, Ami at Naru's. Ami had her latest book open, greedily devouring the high-level calculus equations. Moshi, on the other hand, had her head down on her desk. Her dark ponytail was barely scraping the floor as she folded her arms around her head. Ami peered over the edges of her glasses to look at Moshi. "Mo-chan?" The dark head peeked over the white sleeves of the school uniform. "Hai?" Ami removed her glasses and sat her book face down, as to not lose her place. "Are you okay?" Moshi raised one dark eyebrow. "Yeah. Why'd you ask?" She shrugged and then used her pencil as a point. "You're acting weird." Moshi's eyes opened wide. "Me? Weird!?" A soft smile crossed Ami's face. "I know that sounds odd coming from me, but if you need to talk, I'm here. So is Usagi-tachi." A snort escaped Moshi's lips. "Me? Go talk to Rei-chan!? If I do that, a fight might break out!" Both girls looked at each other and suddenly started giggling. Rei wasn't exactly the person Moshi would turn to in such a state. If anything, they would agitate each other to extremes. Ami cleared her throat after laughing. "I do mean it though, Mo-chan." Moshi looked at Ami. "Thanks, Ami-chan. I appreciate it." She looked out the window and could see more students filing in. "I am worried though." "What is it?" Ami asked, concerned. "Well, it's Hoshi. Sometimes I wonder if I'm good enough for him." She twirled the bow on her shirt. "That's ridiculous!" Ami exclaimed. Moshi shrugged. "I know, but I can't help but think it." She sighed and shrugged again, resting her head on her arms and looking at Ami. "I'm not smart like you. I can't be funny like Minako-chan. I can't cook to save my life like Mako-chan and I'm certainly not as pretty as Rei-chan." She paused and snorted at the last thought. "I can't even *begin* to compare myself to Usagi-chan!" Ami took a few seconds to gather her thoughts. She never heard so much emotion pour out of Moshi at once. She felt flattered that Moshi wanted to talk to her about such a delicate situation. She would have to make sure not to put her foot in her mouth again. "True, but that's because you're Moshi. I know the feeling. That feeling you get when you think you're not strong enough or even important enough." Moshi's eyes opened wide again and she stared at Ami in disbelief. "You?! You of all people!" Ami nodded. "We all feel insecure at one time or another." She stopped and looked at the door, making sure no one would suddenly walk in. Just to be safe, she lowered her voice. "Before I became Supersailormercury, I felt my power wasn't enough. The others could be offense, but I was strictly defense. But I learned that I fight my own way." She smiled at the look on Moshi's face. "We all play a role, something that no one else can play. I'm Supersailormercury, you're Supersailorearth." She winked at Moshi. "Besides, you look better in purple than I do." Moshi smiled at Ami. "You know, Ami-chan. Sometimes I can barely understand what you say at times, but now, I do." Ami was about to respond to that, when the door banged open and two girls entered. Toshi and Ainako walked in giggling loudly and shoving one another. The two froze when they spotted that the room was already occupied. Ainako raised one pale blue eyebrow. "Oh, did we interrupt something? Her cohort, Toshi only smirked. Ami simply placed her glasses back on her face and returned to her book. Moshi had balled up her fist and placed it in her lap. "No, but I'm sure your stupid a--" "MOSHI!" Ami chastised, clearly leaving off the suffix on purpose. Moshi ducked her head and turned red in the face at the chastising. Ainako flipped her pale blue hair and went to her desk in the front. Toshi wove her way through the rows of chairs to get to her desk that was next to Moshi. "Sa, Takanera-kun," she said with a fake smile plastered on her face. "Is Kino-sama coming to school today?" Moshi looked at Toshi. "I don't know! I'm not Mako-chan's keeper!" Toshi clasped her hands over her heart and sighed. "I'd like to be." Over the edges of her book, Ami's face turned bright red. Moshi scooted her desk closer to Ami. "You're freaking me out, shut up!" Toshi tsk tsked and threw her ponytail over her shoulder. "Don't be jealous." She didn't see the math book that nearly became part of her head, because Ami had stopped Moshi just in time. The book was paused in mid air, ready to become a missile. Relaxing and putting the book down, Moshi said with a sly grin. "Don't be so stupid! Wait, I take that back. You can't be something you're not." To her surprise, a little giggle escaped from Ami. Toshi's dark eyes grew large at the insult. "Nani?!" Ainako heard everything and jumped up from her seat. "You think you're funny or something?! Say one more think about Toshi-chan and I'll wipe your face across the blackboard." Ami sighed; all Moshi needed was an invitation to use this girl as mop. She jumped up, rolling her sleeves up. "Let's go then, clone!" "Clone?!" Ainako parroted. "I'll show you what this clone can do!" Ami was ready to jump in the middle and prevent the slaughter from taking place. Moshi had once told her she was itching to get a piece of Ainako. She breathed a sigh of relief when Usagi, Makoto, Minako, Naru and Umino walked into the classroom." Usagi was the first to reach the dueling pair. "What's going on here? Mo-chan, you've been fighting again?!" "No, I wasn't!" Moshi exclaimed. "But I was about to kick her a--" "A fight was about to break out!" Ami interrupted Moshi, preventing her from cursing again. Moshi looked at Ami. "Stop doing that!" The rest of the class was filing in, gawking at the scene in the back of the classroom. Naru walked over, grabbed Moshi's arm, and pushed her into her seat. "Sit down!" Moshi glared at Naru, then Ainako and grumbled under her breath. Ami sighed and gathered her belongings and moved to her desk. Naru leaned over and winked at Moshi. "I heard that, potty-mouth." Moshi folded her arms and glared at Naru. "Naru-chan, don't you start!" Naru stuck her tongue out and giggled. * * * * After school, Moshi and Makoto hit the downtown section for an hour of window-shopping. Makoto couldn't resist and purchased a new set of table linens to match her new drapery set. Moshi wimped out and finally purchased a decent set of school shoes. Her old purple sneakers weren't cutting it anymore and they made her feet hurt. The two friends parted ways after depleting their resources. Moshi hummed to herself as she walked towards the apartment she shared with Mamoru. Still in good spirits, she whistled softly as she stuck her key in the keyhole. She kicked off her sneakers and went to show Mamoru her new shoes. She was instantly greeted with the picture of Mamoru kissing Usagi in the kitchen. She could see by the one odango undone, that this wasn't an ordinary thing. Blushing, she tiptoed into her room, changed clothing, and slipped back out. She went to Juuban Park and sat on one of the unoccupied benches. A small ringing came from her mini backpack, her pager was going off. She plucked the small pager and glanced at the number, it was Hoshi. Smiling, she ran to the nearest pay phone and inserted her calling card. "Tenchino residence! Hoshi speaking!" "Hoshi-chan, it's me, Moshi," Moshi said. She could hear the grin in his voice. "Ah, Moshi! I'm glad you called! I have a bit of bad news though." "Nani?!" Moshi whined. "Now what is it?" "I have to prepare for a big physics exam. This one counts for at least 20 percent of my final grade!" he exclaimed. Moshi sighed, first Mamoru was busy, now Hoshi. "It's okay!" she replied, trying to keep her voice light, fighting the urge to scream. "I understand. Your grades are more important than a date." She paused to think. "Whoa, Ami-chan would be proud to hear me say that." Hoshi laughed. "I'm sure she would. Moshi, I'm glad you understand and I promise the next date'll be a doozy!" She snickered as she envisioned a set of horns popping up on her head. "Oh, I'll be sure of that!" She heard him gulp. "Hmm, you sure Mamoru-kun wouldn't want to murder me later?" "What he won't know won't hurt him," she purred. "It might hurt me, especially if he finds out!" Hoshi chuckled. "You go study, I'll probably go find one of the girls and hang out with them," Moshi said, twirling her finger in the cord. "Aishite iru, Moshi," Hoshi said. "Mo Aishite iru, Hoshi," she replied, cutting the connection. She slumped back into park and found her bench. For the next twenty minutes, she sat in a blue funk, feeling avoided and ignored. Before going to the park, she had spent time searching for the others. Rei was busy meditating. Makoto said that she was going to put her new linens on then finish her homework. Minako and Artemis were off on another talent search. Of course Ami was holed up in the library somewhere and she *knew* where Usagi was. Moshi was so bored, she had even tried finding the Outers, but to no avail. "Maybe they just don't want to be around me," Moshi said, folding her legs and slumping lower. She couldn't help but feel isolated. She had already finished her biology and English in class and now here she was just wasting her time, sitting in the park watching the other couples have a good time. Sighing, she got up from the bench and decided to head to her old apartment. Gaia had made sure the apartment would be still accessible for Moshi. Moshi could have lived there, but she didn't want to live alone. She looked at the key ring and sighed. Maybe she would have to move back there after all. Moshi didn't see the soft white mist arise from around where she was sitting. She even didn't see the female figure that watched her closely. "I see another person is feeling insecure," the figure whispered to herself. "It's feeding time and In C. Quritee is feeling hungry!" The figure vanished into a soft mist and trailed Moshi. * * * * Moshi walked towards the shopping district. She had the distinct feeling she was being trailed, but every time she turned around, she saw nothing. Her skin was rippling with goosebumps and she swore she could feel something whispering in her ear. As she passed the cafe, she could see in the reflection of the glass window a ghostly figure with outstretched arms, reaching to embrace her. Moshi tried not to scream as she took off at full speed down the sidewalk, ponytail flying behind her. People on the sidewalk dodged the speeding girl, feeling a cold breeze from the mist that trailed her. She sped top speed down the street, pausing only to turn at the corner. Looking over her shoulder, she ran into someone. Both fell to the ground grunting. "Sumimasen!" Moshi exclaimed. "Why are you in such a rush?" the woman asked. At closer inspection, Moshi saw it was Setsuna. "Setsuna-san!" she exclaimed in relief. "Taskute! Something's chasing me!" Setsuna's dark eyebrows knitted together. "Iku yo!" She jumped up, grabbed Moshi, and dragged her to her feet. Together, they ran until they reached a parking lot of a building. Looking around, Setsuna declared it was a good spot to henshin. Throwing her hand up, Setsuna called, "Pluto Crystal Power, make up!" Moshi only watched in awe as Setsuna transformed into Sailor Pluto. "Wow, she's so graceful. I bet my henshin doesn't look as cool as that!" she thought, looking at Pluto and then looking at her plain wand. "Moshi-chan," Pluto called. "Henshin yo!" She brandished the time staff and placed her legs apart in a defensive stance. "Gomen!" Moshi said. "Earth Infinite Power, make up!" As she changed, she noticed a small smile cross Pluto's face. Sailor Pluto and Sailor Earth stood back to back, to fend off any sudden attacks. Time stretched from seconds into minutes as nothing happened. "Where is it?" Pluto asked. Earth shrugged. "It was behind us a few seconds ago." Earth stepped from her position behind Pluto to get a look. Instantly she was jumped from behind by something heavy and it tackled her to the ground. Earth screamed and scrabbled at the creature that was attached to her head. This caused the creature to giggle wildly. "Ah, I know you're insecure! I love insecure people. I haven't had this much insecurity to dine on in ages!" "Kami-sama!" Pluto exclaimed. "It's a demon!" She tried to use her Dead Scream attack, but she hesitated. If she attacked, she would hit not only In C. Quritee, but Sailor Earth also. "Sailor Earth, you have to kill it!" she ordered. By now, Earth had stopped fighting and only sat on the ground cross-legged. "I can't kill it. I suck as a Senshi. My powers are weak and this fuku is a joke. Chibi Earth was much more powerful than me." "Oh goodness! This isn't right! The demon, In C. Quritee is feeding on your insecurity! You have to fight it and over come it!" Pluto said, still thinking of a way to detach the demon from Earth. "It doesn't matter, I suck anyway," Earth replied, sprawling out on the ground. Her hazy violet eyes were slowly closing as In C. Quritee drained her life force. "I don't believe what I'm hearing!" Pluto said. "Huh?" Earth said, opening her heavy lidded eyes. "I said I don't believe what I'm hearing! You are a Sailor Senshi and no Sailor Senshi is a joke! You are special, your powers don't suck and you're not weak!" "You don't think I'm weak?" Earth said, suddenly sitting back up. In C. Quritee growled and gripped tighter, and drew more energy. "It doesn't matter! Because I suck!" In C. Quritee giggled. "My hold is tight, she will surely die." It cackled wildly, throwing its head back. As it drew more energy, the figure was becoming more and more solid. "You know," Pluto said as she grinned and brought her staff about. "I'm getting real tired of this!" In C. Quritee gulped when it saw the large staff in the Senshi's hand. "Uhoh, In C. Quritee has goofed big time!" Pluto took her staff and proceeded to beat the living crap out of In C. Quritee. With one swipe, she knocked the demon off Earth's shoulders, sending it flying across the yard. She then used the end of the staff to cram it into In C. Quritee's stomach, making the demon yelp in pain and crawl away whimpering. Earth watched in shock as Pluto gave the demon the whipping of its afterlife. "Ano, Pluto-san? I think it's dead!" Pluto gave it a couple more whacks before stopping. "I don't think it is." As if to answer her question, the demon twitched. Pluto gave it another crack. "That's close enough." Earth looked at Pluto with large eyes. "Pluto, kowai..." Pluto looked at Earth and grinned. "One of my friends were in danger and I had to do what I could." "You consider me a friend?" Earth asked. Pluto nodded, her dark green hair fluttering around her face. "Hai, I do. And as a friend, I say you destroy this demon and get rid of any insecurities that you have." Earth grinned. "Will do, Pluto!" she saluted to Pluto. Gathering her energy, she prepared to do her super attack. In C. Quritee twitched again, and reached out for an energy source. "Must... get... energy..." "Not from me!" Earth exclaimed. She threw her hand out to the side. "Earth!" She started spinning slowly, creating a barrier of energy. "Splash!" As she spun faster, the purple barrier started glowing with yellow sparks, hinting that it was ready. "Fount!" She stopped suddenly, pointing at the demon and one hundred splashes flew out and slammed into the demon. "Ouch!" In C. Quritee screamed and faded away. "Yatta!" Earth screamed, jumping up and down. Behind her, Pluto only grinned. * * * * Finally able to return home, Moshi sat in her small bedroom and pondered on what Pluto had said. Setsuna of all people said she was special! "I said I don't believe what I'm hearing! You are a Sailor Senshi and no Sailor Senshi is a joke! You are special, your powers don't suck and you're not weak!" Moshi looked at the photo of her, Mamoru and the Senshi on the nightstand. Maybe she was special and maybe her powers didn't suck. But she knew that she wouldn't be the person she was if it wasn't for her friends. She looked at her henshin wand on the table. "Now I know who I want to be like when I'm grown. I want to be a woman like Setsuna-san." She reached over, turned off the light, and snuggled back into her bed. She fluffed her pillow and settled down for the night. Oshimai da yo! Next Arc: Maybe another filler?! *** JAPANESE USED IN ARC TEN *** -chan, -kun, -sama -- Suffixes added to a name to denote affection and respect. Aishite iru -- I love you. Ano -- This is like saying, 'Uh' Hai -- Yes. Henshin -- Transform. Iku -- Let's go! Kami -- God. Konnichi wa -- Hello/ Good afternoon! Kowai -- Scary! ^.^ Mo -- Also (No, not Moshi!) Nani -- What? Watashi -- Female version of "I" (although this is becoming more common amongst both sexes) Yatta -- I/You/We did it!