Chapter 6: Shiner

Shannon sat up and rubbed her eyes. She cried out, clutching her left eye. “Owww. Forgot about my stupid bruise.” She touched it tenderly. Yawning, she looked around her room. Everything was mostly in order, at the least according to her. Things were mostly neat, except for the pile of dirty clothes which had already developed in her corner and a few boxes that still needed to be unpacked in the center. The room smelled of fresh paint, it had only been two days since her father had painted each of her walls a different color. She smiled, it was exactly how she wanted it. One wall a bright sky blue, the next a vibrant pink, followed by a bright spring green, the last wall was brilliant yellow. The ceiling was decorated with glow-in-the-dark stars and several white shelves were mounted on the walls, each holding a number of knick-knacks and trophies.

Her oak bunk bed had a different bed spread on each bed. At the foot of the bottom bunk the green and blue comforter was wrapped around her legs. The top bunk had a bright pink and yellow comforter. Both blankets were decorated in stars. Shannon yawned again, and looked at her pillow. Apollo was sprawled across it, sleeping soundly. She looked at the clock, 7:33 A.M. *Might as well get up.* She kicked her blankets away and dropped her feet on the floor. Pulling a tank top and shorts off the floor, she put them on and walked downstairs.

“‘Morning Mum.” She said cheerfully as she walked into the kitchen.
“Yes Dear.” Her mother said distractedly. She aimed another spoonful of baby food at Shannon’s squirming baby brother, who refused it smearing yellow mush across his face.

“Here Mum, I got it.” Shannon sat down next to her mother, taking the spoon. She smiled at the baby, who immediately stopped kicking to giggle. “Why hello there, Little Man! Are we hungry? Mmm-hmm, smushed bananas!” She said looking at the jar. “Our favorite!” She smiled again at the baby, who giggled in return. “How’d you get so darn cute, huh?” She cooed through a mouthful of bananas, “Boy, these are good! Here, try some Conner.” The baby opened his mouth eagerly.

“Shannon, I’m glad you’re up early.” Her mother said interrupting the monologue. “We can get down to the rink and practice extra today.”

Shannon made face. “You’re making Sinead go too, right?”

“No. She went extra yesterday. She gets today off.” Belle said.

“What?! She did not! She barely went a half hour! I at least went a whole hour!” Shannon protested, spitting some banana on Conner, who giggled.

“Yes, but your sister doesn’t need as much work as you. Besides, she’s not the one who messed around yesterday and gave herself a black eye. The ice show is in two weeks, which gives us only 14 days to make you look good. And maybe by then your face won’t look so puffy and purple”

“My whole face isn’t puffy and purple, just my one eye. I think it looks tough.” Shannon said with a small grin.

“Just go get dressed.”

“Right, right.” Shannon said resignedly. She spooned the last of the baby food into Conner, then stood up wiping him off. “Come on Buddy! Let’s go get dressed! Whee!” She lifted him out of the chair and spun him around. “Oh hey, Mum. Could Adara maybe come with us?”

Belle smiled for the first time that morning. “Oh that would be lovely! She’s a very good skater. So graceful!” She looked critically at her daughter, “She could probably help me make you skate like the tiny thing you are, not like a small elephant.”

Shannon rolled her eyes. “Elephant . . . right.” She bounced up the stairs, making the baby in her arms laugh. “What do you think Little Man? Am I an elephant?” She stared at him seriously.

The baby only laughed, kicking his heels. He gurgled a string unintelligible sounds then clapped his hands together.

“Oh really?!” Shannon said in mock outrage. “Well maybe you resemble a small baboon!” She rubbed her face onto his round tummy and blew a raspberry. The baby screamed with delight. “Shhh! You wouldn’t want to awaken the prince and princess!” She said gesturing to the doors on either side of the hallway where their brother and sister were still sleeping.


*


“No!” Belle shouted for what seemed like the thousandth time that day. “That was all wrong, Shannon!”

Shannon gritted her teeth in frustration and plopped down on the ice. “I’m never ever going to get this stupid move right!” She shouted at her mother. She muttered curses under her breath while she tightened her skate lace.

Adara skated up to her. “You want me to demonstrate again?”

Shannon just shrugged. “It’s not like it’ll help. I think I’m retarded.”

Adara shook her head at her friend. “Don’t say that. You’re a little slow, but you’re not retarded.” She skated away, gaining speed. She flew past Shannon and launched into the air. She spun once then half way around again. She landed on one skate and began to skate backwards. “See!” She said with a smile. “It’s not too hard!”

“That was beautiful, Adara-lass!” Belle said, clapping. “Now, try again Shannon.”

“Okay, but we all know what’s going to happen.” Shannon said, standing up. She skated around the rink a few times, trying to get some rhythm. She turned, skating straight across the rink. She jumped in the air and tried to spin. In the process, one skate got caught on the other. She began to fall back to the ice, her first spin not even complete. As soon as her entangled skates touched the ice, they became even more crossed and she came tumbling down. She hit the ice hard and slid a few feet. “Damn it!” She slammed her fist on the ice. “Every time!”

“Don’t swear.” Her mother scolded. “I think you’re getting worse.” She said skating over to her daughter.

Shannon cursed again, this time under her breath. “This is ridiculous Mother!” She sat up, rubbing her hip and side. “I’m going to die before I get this stupid thing down. Why can’t we just take it out? I’m never going to get the frickin’ jump, but I’m not that horrible on the other stuff.”

Belle looked her daughter sternly. “We are going to get this. No one in my family is a quitter.”

“Screw it! Cutting one thing from this stupid routine is not quitting!” Shannon stood up, wobbling ever so slightly. “I am done! No more today!” She started to skate away.

“Shannon, come back here this instant!” Belle said angrily.

“No! I’m going, this is stupid!”

“You leave and you are grounded.”

“Grounded? Ooh, how scary.” Shannon’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“That’s it. You are GROUNDED.”

“That’s great! Just FINE by me!” Shannon waved her arms angrily. She was a bit too expressive though, because she lost her balance and her feet went out from under her. She landed hard on her rear end. Her mouth went into a wide “O” of surprise and she scrunched her eyes shut with pain. She mastered herself quickly, she jumped to her feet. “I meant to do that.” She skated stiffly to the side and left the rink.

Adara covered her mouth with her hand. *Don’t laugh, don’t laugh* She told herself. She looked at Belle, who was glaring at Shannon’s retreating back. “Well I’d better go. Thanks for bringing me.” She stifled a laugh and skated towards the exit.


*


Shannon walked down the street away from the skating rink. She limped slightly. “Dear God, I swear I’ve broken my tail bone.” She hobbled a little more quickly as she heard the door of the building she’d just left open.

“Shan!” Adara came running down the street after her. “Shan, you okay?” Adara caught up to her friend.

“Yeah”

“Good!” Adara burst into laughter, “Because that was soooo funny! Wow, talk about-“ Shannon clamped a hand over her friend’s mouth. “Just shut up.”

“Bnhut iit wnaas rbeally fbunny!” Adara said through Shannon’s hand.

Shannon drew her hand away. “Gross, you spit on me.” She wiped her hand on her sweat pants.

“That’s what you get.” Adara said, wiping her own hand across her mouth. “Are you planning on walking all the way home? You don’t exactly look like you’re too great at walking right now.”

“Oh shut up. I’m fine.” Shannon rubbed her rear end. “It’s probably just bruised. I hear it’s pretty hard to actually break your butt.”

Adara looked amused. “Is that so? I just so happen to be in med prep and - “ She broke off as she saw Apollo come tearing down the street. “Hey, look at your dog. She looks a bit frantic.”

Shannon cocked an eyebrow. “She does. She had better not be chasing a squirrel.” The blonde looked a bit apprehensive.

“E!” Apollo yelled as she neared her friend. “There’s trouble!” The dog panted as she reached her mistress’s side. “Come one, something’s happening at a store about two blocks that way!” She indicated with her nose.

“Um, okay.” Adara said. “Hey Apollo!” The cocker had already taken off back down the street in the direction which she had come. “Apollo, what was the store’s name?”

“Lily somthing!” The dog yelled back as she continued.

“Oh, well there’s a shorter way to get there.” The brunette said calmly. She grabbed Shannon’s arm. “This way.” She pulled her friend down an alley that they had passed a few yards before.

Shannon’s eyes were wide. “Well, okay then. Come on, Apps!” She shouted just before she was dragged into the alley.

“Hurry up.” Adara commanded, pulling her necklace from under her shirt.

“Hey!” Shannon cried indignantly, yanking her hand free. “Who are you giving orders to here? I’m the leader!”

“Yeah, and you’re doing a great job, especially since you have no idea where we going.”

“I would have figured it out!”

“Whatever, just transform already.”

“Okay. Hey wait a minute, don’t tell me what to do!”

“Of course, leader.”

“Stop laughing. I’m being serious.”

“Right. We’re here.” Sailor Isis stuck out her arm, nearly clotheslining Sailor Electra.

The newly transformed Electra made a slight choking sound as she collided with Isis’ arm. “That was pleasant.” She shook her head, and looked around the corner of the alley. “Um, yeah it looks pretty peaceful.”

“I know, but something’s going on somewhere.” Isis ventured out of the alley. “It’s this store.” She walked towards the store.

Electra followed, after making sure Apollo had come down the alley behind them. She looked back toward Isis and something inside the window caught her eye. “Isis! Look out!” Electra jumped forward, pulling her partner down to the sidewalk. At that exact moment, the glass front window of Lily’s Beauty burst outwards. A large antique table flew over their heads, sprinkling glass over the pair of senshi. It landed with a crash in the street.

“Wow.” Isis began to stand back up, but Electra pulled her back down in time for a girl to fly over their heads. She righted herself in mid air, her green skirt rippling as she landed in a crouched position with thud.

“Hi Jupiter!” Electra said cheerfully. “Have a nice flight?”

“Very funny.” The Senshi of Thunder stood up, brushing the dirt out of the newly acquired scrape on her knee. “What took you two so long to show up? Not that we need you or anything.”

Electra laughed. “Right. I suppose you jumped through that window, you weren’t thrown or blasted or anything.”

“Like you have any room to talk there, Shiner.” Jupiter shot back.

“Hey, hey. Knock it off.” Sailor Isis stood up. “Don’t we have bigger fish to fry?” She gestured inside the beauty shop.

“Oh yeah.” Jupiter said. “It’s not Kurai this time, it’s some chick.” She raised her eyebrows challengingly at Electra before jumping back into the store through the broken window.

“My, my, she’s got attitude.” Electra said sarcastically.

“Come on, Shiner.” Sailor Isis laughed and slapped her friend on her back side.

“OW! Friekin’ ay!” Electra placed her hands over her rear. “That still hurts you know! And don’t call me Shiner.”

Isis laughed again and hopped into the store. She surveyed the scene with distaste. One of her favorite stores was in ruins. Nearly everything was upturned, a sink the corner had been broken and was spraying water everywhere. Isis stepped carefully over broken bottles of perfume and lotion. People were slumped all over on the floor. Isis looked at them carefully, they had all been drained, but their eyes all had a black cast to them. The room was empty otherwise, but Isis could hear fighting going on somewhere.

“Nice.” Electra said, joining her friend. “Man, you think those perfumes are strong enough?” She waved her hand around. “Bleh, I’m getting a headache. So where is everybody? Are all these people drained?!” She looked around.

Isis looked towards a dark doorway. She shrieked suddenly, pushing Electra hard. The blonde fell to the ground. “Isis! What the hell?!”

Her question was quickly answered as a large crack of purple lightening split the air just above her head. It crashed harmlessly in the solid door frame.

“Oh, I see.” Electra said in a surprised voice.

“Yeah. And now we’re even.” Isis said pulling her friend to her feet. “Come on Shiner. There’s a big back room just through there. That must be where they are.

“Would you stop leading?” Electra said exasperated. “And damn it, stop calling me Shiner!”

Isis laughed again, walking into the dark corridor.

Electra followed a little grumpily.

The partner’s entered the storage room, and joined the group of senshi who were standing in a half circle. They were all facing a pink-haired woman who was standing on top of a large metal storage rack. She looked fairly young, maybe seventeen years old. Her crimson eyes were dark and full of malice.

“Well, look who decided to join us.” The woman looked with hatred at the two Ellipse Senshi.

“Hello!” Electra waved. “Aren’t you just the cutest thing! Your eyes match the color of your uniform. How special.”

The woman looked slightly taken aback. “You little smartass! I thought you would have learned by now how much trouble that big mouth of yours gets you into.”

Sailor Uranus looked down the line of senshi at Electra. “You know her, Shiner? She seems to be familiar with your big mouth.”

Electra stuck her tongue out. “I don’t know her. And stop calling me Shiner. Really, who’s the genius who came up with that nickname? It’s not funny.”

“Blah, blah, blah. Do you ever shut up?” The woman yelled down.

“No.” Electra replied. She was about to say more when Isis elbowed her in the ribs.

“Just shut up already.”

“Fine, fine.” Sailor Electra said grumpily. “What do you want, Pinky? Just who the hell are you?” She looked up at the woman.

“How insulting, you don’t remember me.” She unsheathed the dagger at her side. “Maybe this’ll remind you!” She leapt from her perch, swinging the dagger over her head.

Apollo charged into the room. “E!” She grabbed the Light bow with her teeth and flung it to Electra.

Sailor Electra caught it deftly, bring it up in time to deflect the sharp dagger point. “Thanks, ‘Pollo.” She looked at the woman, who had jumped away from her. “I still didn’t catch you name, and your dagger failed to remind me. So why don’t you tell us. And where's Kurai?”

The woman stood up. “I don’t have to answer your questions. I-“ She broke off, her eyes intense.

Isis looked at Electra, who just raised her eyebrows back.

The air directly behind the woman was suddenly ripped open by an orange crack of lightening. A man with dark orange hair appeared, looking angry. “HASAKI!” He roared. “What the HELL do you think you are doing?!”

The woman turned to face him. “Your job. Why do you ask?”

Kurai gritted his teeth. “How dare you undermine me?”

“Oh, it was easy. Besides, you suck at this.”

“You are going to die!”

Hasaki laughed evilly. “You’ll have to catch me first.” She snapped her fingers and was gone in a puff of crimson smoke.

Kurai looked at the assembled senshi, a look of extreme hatred on his face. His eyes showed barely contained frustration. “I’ll be back.” He managed to growl through clench teeth.He shook his head and disappeared in his familiar crack of lightening.

The senshi stood a little stunned for a moment, before Electra broke the silence. “Oh my gosh!” She laughed. “I like that girl.”

“What?!” The Planetary senshi and Sailor Isis exclaimed together.

“She’s funny.” Electra said simply, still laughing.

“You are such a little psycho.” Uranus shook her head, her eyes cold.

Isis caught Uranus’s look, *Sheesh, she’s definitely not fond of Electra.* “Come on, Electra. Let’s go.”

“Again with the orders. I’ll say when we leave.” Electra said, still giggling. She looked at the Planetary senshi, none of them were laughing. Sailor Mercury and Sailor Neptune were staring at her with disbelief, Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus look slightly amused, while Sailor Uranus, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars were shooting her daggers. Electra blanched. “And now I say we go.” She grabbed Isis’s hands.

The pair quickly teleported out of the building. They arrived in the alley and detransformed.

“Well, that was fun.” Shannon said.

“Right. You like pissing people off, don’t you?” Adara put her fingers up to her cheek, they came away with a small blood spot on them. “That was the most pointless battle ever, if you can even call it a battle. The only injury I have is a tiny cut from that glass window. That store got trashed for nothing.”

“It was only a beauty shop. Only vain people go there.”

“You calling me vain? That was one of my favorite shops!”

“Simmer. You know that you’re vain.”

“Shannon, I hope you can run with that tailbone of yours because you are in for the beating of your life!”

“To quote Hasaki, you’ll have to catch me first!” Shannon laughed. She was still looking at Adara as she flew out of the alley. She turned her head just in time to collide with someone much taller than her. “Oh my gosh, I think the universe has it out for me! My poor butt!” She moaned from her sitting position on the ground.

“The universe isn’t the only one.” Shannon looked up as she heard the deep voice. Tenoh Haruka stared down at her. “Well, if it isn’t our little, Shiner.”

"Meep!” Shannon turned her head to look at Adara, as the rest of the detransformed Planetary senshi joined Haruka. “Look’s like our cover’s blown.”


*