A Sailor Moon Fanfiction: The Pledge of the Sun.

Chapter 8

In the Dark Dimension, Jadeite was once again before Queen Beryl with another plan to steal energy from the humans of Earth.

"Listen, Queen Beryl," said Jadeite. "So many human schoolchildren have been made miserable from being forced to study."

"Yes," said Queen Beryl. "I've heard reports that parents are so desperate for their children to succeed that they're even harder on their kids than any one of our monsters will be."

"Not only that, but some parents are willing to go unimaginable lengths just to get their children into a top-rated university," added Jadeite. "From preschool to high school, they'll stop at nothing to see that their children get the best education."

"I see," said Queen Beryl thoughtfully. "And what will happen after they leave that first-rate university?"

"Who knows?" shrugged Jadeite. "But I say we use this to our advantage."

"Very well then, Jadeite," said Queen Beryl. "Proceed."

"Yes, ma'am," said Jadeite.

He bowed before his queen and then vanished into the air.

Usagi was lounging around on the couch laughing hysterically at a manga she was reading. Ikuko then came up to her.

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"Usagi! What is all that laughing about?!" she demanded.

"Oh, hey Mom!" said Usagi as she got up and showed her the manga she was reading. "You have to take a look at this! It's so funny!"

Ikuko did so, and she laughed too along with Usagi, but then she stopped becoming stern.

"Now isn't the time to be laughing!" she said sternly. "I wanted to ask you about the practice test you and Harusuke did the other day. How did that go?"

"Oh, don't worry about that, Mom," said Usagi. "The results won't be coming out till tomorrow, so there's no need to worry about that."

"Look, Usagi," said Ikuko, now looking somewhat sad. "I know I don't expect much from you when it comes to school, but please try not to fail, OK?"

"Come on, Mom!" wailed Usagi, who now was crying. "If there's a top of the class, there has to be a bottom too. So, I'm helping those top-class kids look good. No one in the world suffers more than kids who get scolded for bad grades!"

"Oh Usagi..." sighed Ikuko flatly. "You sure come up with the craziest arguments. Not only that, but your grades will make just about anyone burst into tears."

Then Harusuke came down the stairs. "Hey, Mom. Hey Usagi," he said. "What's going on? Usagi fail a test again?"

"No. Just Usagi being Usagi as usual," said Ikuko. "By the way, Harusuke, how did you do on your practice test?"

"I think I did pretty good," said Harusuke. "I know I probably won't get a hundred percent, but I'm sure I'll get a good score."

"You see Usagi? Why can't you take a page from Harusuke's book?" asked Ikuko. "You don't see him failing tests."

Usagi puffed her cheeks. "That's because I'm not a genius like he is," she muttered.

"Oh, come on, Usagi. You know that's not true," said Harusuke. "I study. That's it. You should try it sometime."

"Speaking of which, shouldn't you be doing your homework right now, Usagi, instead of reading manga?" asked Ikuko.

Usagi gulped, which pretty much answered Ikuko's question. "But... but... I don't get it, and I need some help!" she said quickly, thinking of an excuse.