Sailor Moon Episode 120

Episode title: Tough Kindness

Original American Airdate: 8/1/2000

"Doesn't the moon look beautiful tonight?" Serena asked Darien. The couple was enjoying a night together, as Tokyo's lights twinkled in the distance. Darien agreed.

"It's peaceful." Serena said with a smile.

"Yeah, it's nice." Darien said. "I love a peaceful night."

Serena couldn't help smiling, and niether could Darien.

"Darien?" She said. He looked at her curiously. "Are... Aren't you chilly at all?" She blushed and looked out to the city again.

"A little." Darien replied. Serena kept her gaze out on the city.

"I just... want you to keep me warm, Darien." Serena added. Suddenly, things seemed a little quieter than before. She turned around to see Darien headed back inside his apartment. "Where are you going?" She exclaimed.

"What are you doing?" She added.

"You said you were cold. I figured I could go inside and make you some hot chocolate or something." Darien replied. Serena was disgusted.

Meanwhile, Rini was in her bedroom, gazing out at the clear sky. It startled her when her room was flooded with pink light, and a letter fell out of a mass of swirling clouds, not unlike the portal that brought her here twice. She picked it up and started to read the letter. It was a letter from Neo-Queen Serenity, telling her that they can't wait to see Rini again, and get her back home. Rini suddenly realized how much she missed her mother and father in the future.

Before Rini could even start crying out of how much she missed her family, Serena burst into her room, cheerfully. Rini clutched the letter to her chest.

"What's up?" Serena asked. "What'cha got in your hand there, kiddo?"

Rini quickly knew that Serena would have to know about the letter. She handed it to Serena. Serena read it, and the smile fell from her face. She was more surprised than sad, that it had come from the future. Serena took the letter to Raye's temple the next day.

"A letter from the future?" Mina asked.

"Yeah." Serena replied. "A letter from her mom and dad. I guess that means I must've written it." She laughed.

"Was it all messy with a lot of mistakes and misspelled words?" Mina asked. The other girls just grinned in embarrassment.

"You should talk, Mina! You're not Miss Perfect!" Lita said. Mina laughed sheepishly.

"What's it say in the letter?" Asked Amy.

"Well, they wanted her to go right home." Serena replied, looking at the ground sadly.

"How does Rini feel about that, Serena?" Asked Raye.

Serena felt that Rini was happy about leaving. The girls figured that Rini missed her family more than she let on. To that end, they decided that if she does go, then they should send her home with a good memory.

"Why don't we do some big blowout thing she won't forget?" Lita suggested. Mina asked Serena for ideas.

"I've got it." Serena said. "Why don't we throw her a farewell party?"

The girls agreed. Lita volunteered to get the food ready, and Serena was assigned with asking Darien for his apartment to host the party in.

Later that day, Serena and Rini were together on a swing when Serena told Rini about the party. Serena told her that it was being held at Darien's the next day.

"So soon?" Rini said. "But I haven't even decided if I should go yet."

"Well, we all thought you'd really like to have a party." Serena replied.

Luna encouraged the party idea, and said Rini would have lots of fun.

"You can't wait for me to go back." Rini said bluntly. Serena and Luna looked at her surprised. "Forget it!" She cried as she ran away. Serena and Luna sat there, surprised.

Serena doesn't understand! Rini thought to herself as she ran down the sidewalk. Doesn't she know if I go back to the future, I won't be able to see her, Darien, or the others? Then, I'll miss them so much. I wish I could be in both places... Rini stopped running for a moment, her head hanging low. She vainly fought back tears that fell to the sidewalk. Her Luna-P moved closer to her, and she hugged it tightly, thinking how unfair things were.

Meanwhile, Serena was rooting through her dresser drawer. Luna scolded her for spending all her money, and having none left for a gift for Rini. It was the least of Serena's worries, however. She took out a small shirt that she used to wear as a little girl. Luna thought it a ho-hum present.

Darien came out of the elevator to his apartment, and spotted Rini crouched in the hallway. He asked what was wrong, but she refused to tell. Darien invited her in, and she went. While they were sitting at the table togoether, Darien asked Rini what she was thinking.

"Darien, I don't think any of the girls like me at all." Rini said finally.

"Where'd you get such a silly idea?" Darien asked.

"Because they're planning to have a goodbye party for me." Rini replied. "It's like they just can't wait to get rid of me."

"Oh Rini, they love you so much, and they would love for you to stay forever." Darien said. "But you're still so young. They feel the best thing for you to do right now is live with your mom and dad, who I'm sure you must miss too, am I right?" Rini nodded. "Don't you think it will be hard for Serena and the girls to say goodbye to you when the time comes?"

I wonder... Rini thought. "Darien?" She said out loud. She gripped her skirt. "Will you miss me too?"

"Of course." Darien said. "I'll miss you so much, Rini." Rini burst into tears, and hugged Darien tightly, spilling her tea.

Late that night, Serena mumbled to herself as she worked hard on a small project she'd set for herself. Serena pricked herself with a needle, and her wincing woke up Rini. She asked Serena what she was doing. Serena said it wasn't anything special, and told Rini to go back to sleep. Rini threw the blanket over her head, and Serena went back to work.

Oh, Serena... Rini thought sadly, looking at the blankets. You just don't understand me at all... She once again fought back tears that easily fell down her face.

Meanwhile, a thunder storm had appeared in the sky. Rain poured down all over Tokyo. Lightning struck a pile of broken Daimon pods at the remains of Mugen School. There was one surviving pod, and the red jelly like creature inside crawled weakly towards the oven Tomo used to use.

The next day, the girls were all together at Darien's, wishing Rini the best at their goodbye party. Serena tried to make Rini happier by saying that she could visit anytime she wanted. Mina asked,

"Who made you time travel expert?"

Raye told Mina to quit it, and volunteered to go first in the gifts.

Meanwhile, the Daimon creature had finally made it to the oven. It crawled inside the oven. The oven started, and in a cloudy explosion, a new Heart Snatcher was born.

"We'd like to give you a few presents to remind you of us, Rini." Raye said. Lita presented her gift first.

"Here, Rini." Lita said, handing Rini a small box wrapped in cloth. "I baked your favorite cookies. I hope you'll enjoy them with your mom and dad. Just, try not to crush them on your trip." Rini thanked Lita. Amy came forward.

"Rini, I made this computer program." She said. Mina smirked.

"How dorky." Mina said. "Don't you think of other things besides brain stuff?"

"Well, maybe you should try to exercise your brain as well as your wardrobe!" Amy replied. She smiled at Rini. "It's good for Rini to learn to work hard and enjoy learning, and school will be easier for her. Besides Mina, there's a fun game on here, too!" Rini thanked Amy for her gift. Raye's present was next.

"I put together a super hot tape of my songs that I recorded at my uncle's studio last night." Raye said. She held out the wrapped cassette. "The last song on my tape is my favorite, and I wrote it especially for you. I hope you dig it, Rini." Rini knew she would enjoy it, and thanked Raye for her gift. Then, there was Mina.

"My gift is a photo album with lots of great pictures of all of us." Mina said, holding up her work. "Just look! Tada!" She opened the book to reveal a number of pictures. Rini thanked Mina for the wonderful gift.

"Rini." Darien said. Rini faced him. He pulled a rose out of the inner pocket of his jacket. Its pedals had not yet opened. "A red rosebud means purity and loveliness in the language of flowers. This perfect rose is just right for you." He handed Rini the rose.

"Maybe you can put all those presents in this." Serena said. She held out a small rabbit shaped backpack for Rini.

"Oh, how cute! It's..." Rini started.

"I know it's not very well made," Serena said humbly, "but I hope you like it."

"Wow! What a cute little puppy you made, Serena!" Raye said. "It looks good enough for me!"

"It's not a puppy, Raye!" Serena growled. "It's called a rabbit, okay!?"

"Oh... I see it now." Raye said, embarrassed. "It's got long, fluffy ears. Sorry."

"As if!" Serena said. "You're not sorry about anything you do! You always try to make a fool out of me, don't you Raye?"

Naturally, Raye and Serena started arguing. Raye told Serena that she was clumsy, as shown by her scratched up hands. She put a bandaid in Serena's hand, and told Serena that she really liked the backpack. Raye bandaged Serena's finger, and Mina started to pack Rini's presents.

"You know, Rini, Serena put a lot of thought and effort into making that bunny for you." Luna said. "I hope you like it."

"Sure." Rini said. The two cats were surprised at Rini's response. "Serena and Raye sure fight a lot, but they're still friends." Rini continued. At that point, Raye and Serena were laughing together. I really wish I could have a close friend like that too."

That night, the girls were all seeing Rini off in a park. Rini asked to go on alone, as it would be easier. She thanked them all for everything. The girls and Darien wished her luck. All that is, except Serena, who just bowed her head sadly. They both fought tears they couldn't control, and Rini suddenly ran. Serena ran after her. The others started to run after her, but Darien told them not to.

Rini stood at the edge of a dock in the park. Overlooking the water, she held up her time key and evoked its power. As the time portal opened up, Serena came up behind her.

"Don't cry, Rini." Serena said, crying herself. "You shouldn't cry. You're going back home to your mom and dad, and I know you'll be happy with them. I know that they both love you very much."

"Serena!" Rini cried, sobbing. "Silly as always. You're the one who's been crying."

"You're right." Serena said after a moment. "Why am I crying? I tried so hard to say goodbye without tears. I'm sorry, Rini."

Suddenly, the time portal started lifting Rini up to it. Rini reached out to Serena, and asked her not to forget her. Serena tried to be brave, and told Rini to go to her parents.

"You'll be fine." She said with a smile. Rini nodded, and the two touched hands one more time before Rini finally disappeared into the portal. Luna came up behind Serena, and told her there was more trouble.

The Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask, accompanied by the cats, ran towards the site of Mugen School. Heart Crystals all over the city were floating towards that point, so it was easier to find. At the actual site, the Heart Snatcher, which was blended with the oven, was gathering all the Heart Crystals into a giant flask. Tuxedo Mask appeared, and threw a rose at it.

"How dare you steal pure hearts from innocent people, you test tube terror!" Sailor Moon shouted. "I'm Sailor Moon!"

"And we're the Sailor Scout team!" The other Sailor Scouts said together.

"And don't forget me! I'm Tuxedo Mask!"

"And in the name of the moon, we shall punish you!"

The Heart Snatcher charged at the Scouts, but they dodged. The Heart Snatcher continued its assault.

"MARS CELESTIAL FIRE SURROUND!"

The Heart Snatcher dodged the rings of fire, and charged at Mars, knocking her back. Jupiter came forward.

"SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"

The Heart Snatcher leapt out of the way of the shot, and opened its oven-like abdomen. An intensly hot beam shot out of it. Sailor Jupiter got out of the way, as it singed away the tips of her hair.

"SHINE AQUA ILLUSION!"

The area around the Heart Snatcher was covered in cold water.

"VENUS LOVE CHAIN WHIP!"

Venus' chain missed, and the Heart Snatcher stretched out its arm, and grabbed Venus' leg. It flung Venus into Mercury. The other Scouts helped them up.

Meanwhile, Rini was walking through the cloudy void that led to her way back to her home in the future. She was thinking about the girls and the times she had. She suddenly stopped when she found a portal to Crystal Tokyo.

Back at the fight, Sailor Moon was hit by a blast of water from the Heart Snatcher. The Heart Snatcher tugged at its hose-like tail, and it started to come out, much like a regular hose. It broke open the hose, to reveal that it was an electrical cable, flowing with electricity. It flung the cable at the Sailor Scouts, trapping them all in electric binds. With the Sailor Scouts subdued, the Heart Snatcher went to Sailor Moon, and picked her up off the ground. Sailor Moon wished then more than ever that she had the Purity Chalice.

"PINK SUGAR HEART ATTACK!"

Sailor Mini Moon fell from the sky, and landed on the Heart Snatcher. The wand activated, and the hearts from Mini Moon's wand started pelting the Heart Snatcher in the face.

"These people are my closest friends!" Mini Moon said. "I'll never let you take their pure hearts! I stand for love and justice too, and now I'll stamp all over you! So think of me as your nightmare in pink, you trashy has-been! I'm Sailor Mini Moon! And in the name of the future moon, I shall punish you!"

The Heart Snatcher threw Mini Moon's wand at Mini Moon. Sailor Moon got her out of the way in time.

"Don't just stand there after a speech, Rini." Was Sailor Moon's advice.

Tuxedo Mask threw another rose, and it stuck itself into the Heart Snatcher's head. It fell backwards onto the ground.

"The heart of a young girl who cares for others is more powerful than anything." Tuxedo Mask said. "I'm Tuxedo Mask, and I'll never let you take the inner beauty of these pure-hearted girls! Sailor Moon, use your pure heart, and you will prevail!"

"Right!"

"MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!"

The Heart Snatcher was easily disposed of. The oven was returned, and fell to the ground. It exploded in a quick, bright flash. The Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask ran up to Sailor Moon. They all congratulated her.

Within minutes, the sun began to rise. The girls all watched it together.

"Beautiful sunrise." Mini Moon said. Sailor Moon was shocked when she heard the voice.

"What are you doing here?" Sailor Moon asked.

"You guys are pathetic without me! I couldn't just leave you!" Mini Moon said. The girls all looked sternly at her, then began to tickle her. Tuxedo Mask and the cats looked on. In the sky, Luna-P appeared with another letter for Rini. It was from Neo-Queen Serenity, thanking her for bringing the presents, and looking forward to another visit with more gifts.

"No wonder!" The girls said. "It's from Serena!"

"Well, that's that!" Sailor Mini Moon said. "I'm back to stay!"

(Grumble.... -auth.)

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