Sailor Moon Chronicles R
Danger in the Mushroom Kingdom!
Mario and Luigi, Stage On!
The Sailor Soldiers/Senshi of Earth, emissaries of the Justice League and the Jedi Council, waited on the Celestia Space Station near the Planet Hylia. The Justice League and the Jedi Council had given the Sailor Soldiers of Earth the assignment of tracking down a group of galactic criminals, self-dubbed the Dark Kingdom, who had escaped into an another dimension that had been explored marginally by officials from the Galactic Republic. At the moment, Sailor Moon (Usagi/Serena Tsukino), Sailor Mercury (Ami/Amy Mizuno), Sailor Mars (Rei Hino), Sailor Jupiter (Makoto/Lita Kino), and Sailor Venus (Minako/Mina Aino) were the only Sailor Solders available as Sailor Uranus (Haruka/Amara Tenou), Sailor Nepute (Michiru/Michelle Kaiou), and Sailor Pluto (Setsuna/Trista Meiou), and Sailor Saturn (Zoey Yuki) were already off on missions elsewhere in the dimension.
The girls, in their civilian forms but wearing their Republic uniforms, sat around a large conference table that housed a hologram projector in the center, which would be where their bosses could speak to them from since they were too busy in their own dimension to give instruction in person.
"What do you think they are going to have us do next?" asked Mina.
"I'm not sure yet," said Ami. "The last time we fought the Dark Kingdom was on Planet Hylia, but they could have gone just about anywhere. We can't even count if they are still in this system."
Holographic projections of Obi-Wan Kenobi and Superman appeared on the center of the table.
"Good morning, ladies," said Superman charismatically.
"Good morning, Superman, Master Kenobi," the girls said in unison and respectfully.
"Our scans have picked up a peculiar and sudden surge of dark energy on a planet called Mushroom World, particularly in a region called Dark Land."
"It sounds like a nice place," said Rei with a dash of sarcasm.
"Yes, well," continued Obi-Wan with a stroke of his beard, "it is a mysterious place. The tyrannical ruler of the kingdom, Bowser, King of the Koopas, has had a vendetta with the neighboring Mushroom Kingdom for years. Unfortunately, our intelligence doesn't have much information on the king or his kingdom. The Republic has befriended the Mushroom Kingdom, so we are ordering you there to get further information on the Dark Land before entering it. You will be taking an Eta-class shuttle down to the surface. It is unarmed. We would not want to stir any hostilities with the peaceful natives of Toad Town, the Mushroom Kingdom's capital."
"I have already contacted the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach Toadstool, and she is expecting you," said Superman. "Go to Mushroom Kingdom, and then travel to Dark Land to see if Kaorinite or any other Dark Kingdom members are there. You have your mission. Good luck, ladies."
"Understood," the girls said together.
Superman and Obi-Wan signed off.
Usagi sighed and whined. "Now we can't join Zoey testing out wedding cakes this afternoon. What rotten luck."
"Maybe we can still make it in time to try out some cakes if we finish the mission quickly," said Mina confidently. "How hard can it be?"
The Mushroom World, one of the first planets in this foreign dimension to be explored by the Galactic Republic of Sailor Moon's home dimension, was a planet of blissful mystery and charming wonder. It was unreal, by far to the standards of a resident of Earth. Once the Eta-class shuttle passed through the puffy white upper atmosphere, the pages of the world were fanned open. Colors all vivid and rich from the pages of child's storybook came to life in this land: the luscious lands of unsullied frosting green, waters in the lakes and rivers as clear blue as the blue raspberry Jell-O, each mountain had a powdered sugar cap, even the desert sands were brown sugar with cinnamon stick stones. Houses dotted the candied landscape, adding richness with their licorice red tile roofs. Rhythmic puffs of smoke came up from the chimneys with a soft tuff. Tuff. Tuff. Tuff. The inhabitants of this world, for the most part, were small, smaller than humans normally, so the miniature world from the bird's-eye view of the Eta-class shuttle was even more of toy set. As the shuttle came in over a lake, a heard of Yoshis raced along the shore quickly in a kaleidoscopic charge. These cartoon dinosaurs, shaped like cuddly t-rexes, soft and round where all would seem to be rough and sharp, came in every vivid and beautiful color under in the rainbow. The girls all ogled at the copious sights in this magical world and took in every sight with starry eyes.
"It's so pretty," said Usagi in awe.
"It looks like toys in a toy store," commented Minako in blissful wonder. "Could we get a closer look?" she asked Makoto, who was flying the shuttle.
"Of course," she replied.
The ship came in over a mirror of a lake. The two lower wings of the shuttle skated on the mirror surface. The Cheep-Cheeps, large, adorable, red and white fish, leapt out of the water. With their enormous blue eyes, they caught a glimpse of the new arrivals to the planet.
"I can see Princess Peach's castle up ahead," said Ami. "There is Toad Town too."
A sprawling on the rolling, verdant hills were growing clusters of red-roofed houses, stone walls, and cobblestone roads. Toads walked merrily around with bliss. Many species, including humans, lived in the lands of the Mushroom Kingdom, but the Toads were the most prominent species. Contrary to their names, there weren't amphibious creatures. Instead their name came from toadstool. The Toads were also called Mushroom people, for on their heads where hair would be were white mushroom caps with spots of varying colors. Since each member of the race was around two-feet in height, many structures were made to be quaint. Further down the main road and adjacent to a placid lake and rising over Toad Town was Princess Peach's Castle. This nostalgic place, gorgeous, simple, extravagant, memorable… Everyone in the land recognized this place that stood high in the center of the sapphire moat and surround by emerald paradise. It was not known for its size, for as far as famous castles go, it was modest in size. It was not revered for its impenetrable, tall stone walls or high and intimidating battlements, for it didn't have any noticeably grand protection. This castle was famous because it stood as a testament to this land of purity and wonder, of the fruition of dreams. The silvery stone of the walls, the shimmer of every ruby tile on the roof, spires topped with freely flittering flags, all over which showed in the reflection of the cerulean mirrored moat and lake, came together around the stain glass window under the center spire, over the balcony, over the main door. Alight in the midday sun, shimmering with every color of the rainbow presented by each and every shard of crystal class, each an individual, all of which united, interdependent, connecting each individual into one: the image of the princess mythic in beauty. Her head rose up towards the sky, her fingers laced below her chin in prayer, looking up to the heavens with hope for a new day.
The coordinates Obi-Wan Kenobi had given the girls instructed them to land in a circular area adjacent to the Toad Town's town square. The shuttle's wings folded up, and the ship's landing gears came down as the shuttle landed vertically on the makeshift landing pad. The girls descended down the ramp and were greeted with bursts of confetti and cheers. The small Toad people lined the square and watched in glee as the visitors arrived.
"This is what I call a welcome," said Minako as she happily waved back to the toads.
An elderly Toad, who was accompanied by two spear-wielding Toads, approached the girls. He was a cute elder gentleman. His age was not shown in wrinkles. Instead, it was shown by his big, white mustache, the tiny spectacles that rested on top of the mustache, and the cane he carried. He was dressed in a cute, purple suit with golden trim and a red bowtie.
"Welcome to the Mushroom Kingdom," he said cordially. "My name is Toadsworth, steward to Princess Toadstool. You must be the team Superman sent, correct?"
"Yes," affirmed Rei.
"You guys throw really great welcoming parties," said Usagi cheerfully.
"Thank you," Toadsworth said with pride. "We are a people of tradition."
"Superman must have mentioned that we are here to find information about the Koopa King's kingdom," said Ami.
"Yes, miss," said Toadsworth. "The Princess has requested an audience with you. She will explain to you what she knows about the dreaded monster Bowser. The princess has had… personal experience with him. Follow me. I shall take you to the princess."
"Monster?" remarked Makoto. "He must be some tyrant."
"He is," confirmed Toadsworth. "But if you meet him, you will really see why he is called a monster."
The five girls followed the steward through the main gates and entered the castle grounds. The path to the castle was not treated with stone bricks or cobblestone. Oddly enough, the path to the regal abode was solely dirt; it was nice dirt, smoothed and treated as to prevent any kick-up of dust. The grass on the subtle hills on the palace grounds was trim to the point of being like carpet. Not a brown splotch could be found. The trees stood straight and short. The branches held pompoms of leaves that rustled softly with the breeze giving off a cheer as the girls passed by them. Along the rails of the stone bridge that went over the moat and to the castle doors stood Toad trumpeters, who took to their horns with pride the second the doors opened.
Toadsworth called to the girls, "May I present to you the ruler of the Mushroom Kingdom, Princess Peach Toadstool."
One human woman appeared in the frame of the door. Not one person could deny that this was a princess based solely off her physical appearance. Dawned in a simply pink dress topped with hot pink trim and long, white gloves that went passed her elbows, barely touching the puffed sleeves of the dress, and drawn together by the rich cerulean gems on her brooch, earrings, and on either side of the crimson gem at the center of her petit, golden crown, which sat atop wave after wave of flaxen hair. Her face was colored and smooth like that of a Barbie. Her blue eyes shined with happiness and twinkled with innocence. She smiled at the girls, and they immediately responded with bows.
"Princess Toadstool," said Usagi. "It is an honor to meet you."
Peach said sweetly. "I appreciate your formality, Sailor Soldiers. From what Superman and Master Kenobi said, you are here to ask for my help in your investigation."
"Yes, Princess," affirmed Usagi.
"Well then, perhaps we can discuss it during a tour of the castle grounds?" said the princess.
The girls looked up at her. Usagi gave a loud. "That sounds so cool. We would love that."
"Any friend of Supreme Chancellor Kakyuu is a friend of mine," Peach said with a wink. "I also invited three dear friends to come and visit. All three of them know a lot about Bowser and will provide you with plenty of information. They have battled against Bowser many times to rescue me."
"Rescue you?" Rei said. "Has Bowser kidnapped you… multiple times?"
"Yes," she answered simply.
"Why does he come after you so often?" asked Makoto.
"It depends on his mood really," explained Peach as she led them for a stroll around the castle's front yard. "Sometimes he wants to take over the Mushroom Kindgom; sometimes he wants he wants me to be his bride. At other times he really wants me to bake him a cake."
The untransformed Sailor Soldiers nearly fell over.
"What was that last one?" asked Usagi in bewilderment.
"He really likes the cakes I bake, so he kidnaps me or challenges my friends and me to sport matches to get a piece. Sometimes we have even gone go-cart riding. When you are done with your work today, why don't you come and have some cake with me?"
They just gawked at Peach.
"Must be some cake," Makoto said, awestruck.
The girls reduced their pace and came in close to one another to talk so that Peach couldn't hear them.
"Do you really think what she said is for real?" asked Rei.
"I really wouldn't know," said Ami. "Even Master Kenobi has never seen Bowser, so he might be… different from what we are expecting."
"Toadsworth said that Bowser is a monster," stated Usagi with uncertainty, "but Peach said that she went go-cart riding with him. Hmm… it sounds strange. I wonder what kind of cake is her specialty. I hope that she keeps her promise and gives us some."
"Do you think she is off her rocker?" suggested Minako. "Look at her." They all glanced at Peach. She was had extended a frilly, pink parasol and hummed a blissful tune as she walked. She embodied the innocence of a princess. "She seems so… perfect."
"She is a princess," said Usagi. Her eyes twinkled. "We princesses share that title and those characteristics: grace, beauty, class." She then switched on the melodrama. "Sometimes we are so misunderstood."
"Peach probably isn't nearly as clumsy as you," Rei commented snidely. "I will say that she seems just as spacy as you."
"Eh!" Usagi whined. "Rei, you're so mean. I can't believe Luna thought you could be a princess. Princesses aren't mean hags!"
"She never suspected you because princesses don't eat like a Snorlax!" Rei snapped back.
The two girls then proceeded to the next stage of their argument, which just consisted of them sticking their tongues out at each other. They stopped when they heard Peach gasp in delight. They were now in a circular clearing. In the center of that clearing, a large green pipe had erupted up from the ground. Peach turned to the girls.
"May I introduce three heroes to the Mushroom Kingdom," she announced in her soft voice.
Three figures shot up out from the pipe. One shouted, "Yahoo!" The second shouted, "Wahoo!" And the third cried, "Yoshi!" They each landed in that order. The first to land was man, a short man, stocky too. He was not the quintessence of a hero, not even close. He was clad in blue overalls with gold buttons, a red, long-sleeved shirt, white gloves, brown shoes, and a red cap that had a red letter M in white circle; that was all he wore. His eyes were a pleasant blue. However, he had brown hair that peeked down past the brim of the hat, yet his bushy mustache was black. His nose was very large and round. The second to land looked quite similar to the first except that he was taller and wore a green shirt instead of a red one. It was quite possible that they were brothers. The third to land was the most peculiar; he wasn't even human. He was a Yoshi, a green one and really cute like all Yoshis. Height wise, each of these renowned heroes were just around or shorter than the Sailor Soldiers. From what the girls could tell, the two human men lacked noticeable muscles or carried weapons. On top of that, they looked so cartoonish and hard to take serious. Were these really the revered heroes of the Mushroom Kingdom, who saved the princess from an evil tyrant on many occasions? The Sailor Soldiers really started to find this magical world to be lacking a few screws.
Peach introduced them in order. "This is Mario, Luigi, and their friend Yoshi."
The three heroes smiled at the girls, who reciprocated with dumbfounded gawking.
"I think I know why this place is called the Mushroom World," Usagi commented.
"So you are the ones who want to see the Koopa King?" said Mario with a slight blush. "I have dealt with the Koopa King before and could get the knowledge you seek."
"My brother and I are the best plumbers you can ask to stop a dragon," Luigi said with pride.
Usagi tilted her held in bamboozlement. "Did you just say that you're plumbers?"
Minako looked around suddenly. "Where is the camera? We have to be getting 'punked' right now."
"No, that's okay" said Rei, trying to keep her composure in light of all of the strangeness. "We are going there ourselves."
Luigi and Yoshi gasped. "Young ladies, such as yourselves, shouldn't go to a place like that. It's too dangerous and scary. You'll need our help."
"Okay, that's it," said Makoto with a tinge of frustration. "We can take care of ourselves. Chancellor Kyakku selected us out of all the other heroes in the Justice League to come here to this dimension and track down a group of villains, and we don't need plumbers to help us." To strengthen her argument, she left out that most of the Justice League members were already on assignment.
"Oh!" gasped Mario. "When I heard that someone needed to see what was going on in the Koopa King's territory, I thought that my brother, Luigi, and me would be the ones to go."
"We only came to the Mushroom Kingdom because our orders are to find someone here who could tell us what to expect once we actually went to see whether or not the enemy we've been sent to track down in this dimension is working with Bowser," Ami explained sternly. "Please, just tell us what we need to know so that we can go."
Suddenly, BOOM! An explosion came from Toad Town. Another explosion sounded. The cries of Toads came along with their staccato of scrambling. The harsh wizzes of large fired blasts were heard before another explosion and the subsequent crumbling of a short tower near the town square.
Toadsworth came running down the path in a panic. "It's the Bowser's forces!" he cried. "Look!" He pointed to the skies behind Toad Town.
"Are those galleons?" Ami said in disbelief.
Three, large, wooden sailing ships were flying through the air towards the castle. Only instead of sails, these vessels had metal propellers there and atop their masts and along their underside. Three cannons were fixed in each of three openings long the starboard and portside with cannons also stationed at the stern. A big, terrifying stone face of a dragon creature was placed below the bow of each ship. The lead Airship quickly sailed over the gate and was now within the castle grounds. From the cracks between the wooden panels fell dark purple balls of darkness. Like black snowflakes, they fell onto the green grass. Once they were on the ground, the balls of shadow scurried into piles and rose up, morphing into solid forms, Primid Heartless. These albeit cartoony monsters stood to about a meter and a half, bearing black skin and red eyes, and glad uniformly in green tunics which bared the emblem of the Heartless on the chest, pillbox hats with a singular red antenna, and dull brown gloves and shoes.
"Those are Heartless," said Ami, "but I've never seen this kind before."
Peach became very scared and retreated to Toadsworth's side.
"Minako, take Peach inside the castle," ordered Rei, getting into a battle stance.
"Right," she said with a nod. Minako took Peach's arm and escorted her up the path.
"I could really use something to hit right now," said Makoto joyfully. She charged into a group of Primids. One came up behind her, and she kicked it in the face. Another one came at her with a punch, but her punch was quicker. When her fist hit its stomach, his arms and head doubled down. With her free hand, she grabbed one of the arms, lifted the Primid above her head and slammed it into another Primid Heartless. Mario and Luigi gawked at her with open mouths. "I told you that we can take care of ourselves," she said to them with a wink.
The two brothers and their companion joined the fight. Mario and Luigi could jump to impressive heights and were fast on their feet and with their hands, punching and kicking down Heartless. Yoshi used his frog-like tongue to grapple an enemy, trap it in his mouth, and then spit it back out, knocking out another one. Usagi awkwardly evaded the jabs of the Primids. During a scuffle with one, she kicked it away, but she didn't realize that she was on the top of a small hill until she stumbled back and rolled down it. Ami then saw that the lead Airship fired two Bullet Bills, large, semi-sentient bullets with angry mouths, mean eyes and clenched fists, and they had their sights set on Rei and Makoto.
"Mercury Crystal Power, Make-Up!"
After ribbons of water wrapped around her, Ami became into Sailor Mercury.
"Shine Aqua Illusion!" Sailor Mercury sent out a blast of water that caught and froze the Bullet Bills midflight, causing them to fall vertically to the ground and shatter. "Everyone, transform!" she called to the girls.
"Mars Crystal Power, Make-Up!"
Rings of fire whirled around Rei, transforming her into Sailor Mars.
"Jupiter Crystal Power, Make-Up"
Strings of lightning accumulated around Makoto, and in a flash of light, she became Sailor Jupiter.
"Burning Mandala!"
Sailor Mars launched several rings of fire from her hands that scorched through many Primids, releasing the hearts inside each one.
"Supreme Thunder!"
Sailor Jupiter sent out bolts of electricity from the antenna that extend from the gem on her tiara and fried many more of the Heartless.
A peculiarly young laugh that oddly enough still sounded somewhat monstrous sounded. The origin seemed to be a large, flying white cup with a clown face giving an innocent smile of orange lips and black eyes painted on it. A small, green propeller on the bottom spun. Sitting inside the cup was a fusion of a turtle and a dragon. He was the size of a man but had the appearance, roundness and softness of spikes seen on a youngling. The horns on his green shell were so small and nearly rounded at the tips. He had yellow appendages with soft, pearly claws on each hand and foot. His big and round snout was light tan and housed a big mouth with on small fang peeking through the close-lipped smile. The rest of his head looks like an olive, with two tiny horns, also having red hair making his bushy eyebrows and flame-shaped topknot. He wore metal bracers on his wrists and seemed to be wearing a white bib around his neck that covered most of this padded torso. An angry, teeth-baring, and optimistically intimidating mouth was draw on the bib with, quite possibly, crayons. Overall, this new opponent looked adorable.
"Hahaha!" he laughed. The attempt at intimidation was cute. "You just don't quit, Mario and Luigi." He then realized he was actually in front of Sailor Mars and Sailor Jupiter. "You don't look like Mario and Luigi. You're red and green, but you're way too skinny and pretty."
"They are over there," Sailor Mars said with a scowl, pointing to Mario and Luigi, who had just double punched a Primid. "Who are you anyway?"
"I am Bowser Jr.," he announced.
"Bowser Jr.?" repeated Sailor Mercury in shock. "Are you the Koopa King's son?"
"You got that right, lady," he answered with a point of his finger.
Usagi came up over the hill, out of breath. She saw the young and round prince in his adorable craft and squealed. "Oh! He is so cute!"
"Just wait till you see what he'll grow into," said Yoshi, who was near her.
"Stop that!" whined Bowser Jr., stamping his feet and rocking his craft, his own personal Koopa Clown Car. "I'm the prince of the Koopa Troop! Who might you be anyway?"
Usagi smiled. "I'm glad you asked." She took out her Crisis Moon Compact. "Moon Crisis, Make-Up!" The compact affixed itself on her chest. Ribbons of pink spread around her body and wrapped around her. In flashes of light, the ribbons became her Sailor uniform. Usagi became Sailor Moon. "I will not let a naughty child like you cause havoc in this beautiful dream world. For love and justice! I'm a pretty soldier in a sailor suit! Sailor Moon!"
"Sailor Mercury!"
"Sailor Mars!"
"Sailor Jupiter!"
"And in the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"
"You?" gasped Bowser Jr. "Kaorinite warned my dad about you."
"Kaorinite is here?" questioned Sailor Moon quickly. "We totally called it!"
Bowser Jr. knew he made a mistake. "Huh-uh… No. Uh yeah," he answered, shifting into confidence to appear more competent. "And she gave me and my dad these cool new troops, like this one. Appear, Heartless!
One of the Airships was hovering overhead. It came between them and the sun, so a halo of blinding light guarded the edges of the dark haul. CRASH! The ground quaked! Something huge had jumped off the ship and landed between the heroes and Bowser Jr. It steadily rose to reveal itself to be a Primid Heartless that stood three men tall. Mario and Luigi and Yoshi joined the Sailor Soldiers, all ready to face the behemoth.
"Big Primid, smash them!" the young prince ordered.
Meanwhile, Peach and Minako dashed into the castle. The walls of this magnificent castle did not make those inside feel confined within stone walls. The blue sky, puffy cloud, rolling green hill surround them with the bright, painted sun above shining down on the black and white tiled floor and lighting up the open and beautiful chamber. Lovely, soft, red carpeting lay on the steps to the side, leading up to platforms leading to doors, each door being of smooth, polished wood, and up the tall staircase that led to the next floor of the castle.
"Do you have somewhere safe to hide?" Minako asked Peach urgently.
"I am afraid that that will be pointless."
Peach and Minako looked up to the top of the staircase. The Dathomirian Dark Jedi Asajj Ventress stood at the railing of the second floor, looking down at the beautiful, young girls with her intense, obsessed, icy blue eyes, sharply. This chalk-pale humanoid woman was draped in black and white; her flowing, black skirt went all the way to the floor. "Princess Toadstool," she said; with her voice sultry and her cold eyes never breaking away from Peach's as she turned the corner of the banister, her hand still on it, and descended the scarlet steps. "My dear princess, you are requested in the audience of the Koopa King. Allow me to escort you."
"Escort?" Peach repeated innocently with wide eyes. "I'm sorry, sir, but I would not like to accompany you."
Ventress grew furious, and her smooth, white face cracked with anger crevices. "I'm not asking." She used the Force to throw Minako hard against the wall, leaving Peach standing alone in the middle of the room and very frightened. "Come nice and quickly now, Princess."
"Venus Crystal Power, Make-Up!"
A chain of gold stars trailed behind her Crystal Change Rod as she waved it around and whirled around. After a burst of stars erupted around her, Minako had become Sailor Venus.
"Soldier of love and beauty! I'm a pretty soldier in a sailor suit! Sailor Venus! Ventress, in the name of Venus, I'll deliver divine punishment on you!"
"I should have known you brats would be here," said Ventress, as she took her lightsabers from her belt and ignited them, casting that terrifying red light over her black and white form and the peaceful-day-painted walls.
"Venus Love-Me Chain!"
Sailor Venus summoned a chain of golden hearts and whipped it forth at Ventress. Ventress leapt up out of the way and came pouncing down on to the floor of the ground floor. She slashed at Sailor Venus daftly yet missed the girl or merely stuck her energy chain. Seeing that the assailant was distracted, Peach ran for it and went up the stairs to escape. Unfortunately for her, Ventress, being the skilled assassin and Force-user she is, sensed Peach take her leave. Not wanting to let her prey get away, Ventress knocked Sailor Venus back against small set of steps and dashed up the main staircase after Peach. It wasn't easy for a princess in a dress like that to maneuver, but her bounteous history of being captured helped her better hone her survival skills. Sadly, that wasn't going to be enough save her from Ventress. A few wrong turns and rushed thoughts lead to Peach pushing open the doors to the balcony that looked out onto her front yard, where a Big Primid was making a mess of the manicured lawn while trying to smash down the four girls, two short men, and an adorable dinosaur creature. One of the Airships was steadily becoming parallel with the balcony, and Ventress came up behind Peach and grabbed her arm. "Now, you're mind, Princess."
Mario had just gotten socked by the Big Primid and sent backward towards the castle. He shook his head and got up.
"Mario!" shouted Peach.
Mario turned and looked up to see Peach, restrained by Ventress, on the Airship's deck. The three Airships faced away from the castle and began to make their leave. Sailor Venus arrived on the balcony too late to catch the Airship. She leapt off and landed on the bridge to the castle.
"Hey!" she called to Mario. "You have to come with us to save her. They are on their way to Bowser's Castle. You know what to expect, so we need your help. Hurry!"
Mario nodded and followed after her.
Meanwhile, the Sailor Soldiers were having a hard time with the Big Primid. He had just hobbled back after getting kicked it the chest by Sailor Jupiter.
"It's quite resilient," said Sailor Mercury.
Just then, Bowser Jr. saw that the ships were leaving. "Looks like that's me cue to go," he called to his adversaries. "Play nice now." He flew to the Airship where Peach was held.
"Why are they retreating?" asked Sailor Moon.
"They have Peach!" called Sailor Venus, arriving with Mario. "We have to catch them."
"We need to finish off this Heartless," Sailor Mars said urgently.
"I will slow him down," announced Sailor Mercury. "Sabao Spray!"
She unleashed a blast of large bubbles that encircled the Big Primid and entrapped him.
"Now, Sailor Moon!"
"Got it!" Sailor Moon summoned her Cutie Moon Rod into her hand and charged up her attack. "Moon Princess Halation!" Sailor Moon fired a blast of shining energy in the shape of a crescent moon from her rod. When the attack hit, the Big Primid wailed and exploded in a burst of light, shouting, "Cleansing!"
"Let's get a move on!" Sailor Jupiter called. "Everyone, into the shuttle!"