The Magician Meets Sailor Moon

by Shirley Ann Burton

What if Ace Cooper and the Magic Force teamed up with Sailor Moon and the Silver Imperium Crystal? In addition, what if Sailor Jupiter fell in love with Cosmo, the Magician's experienced apprentice? Please R & R.

1. Arrival in the Land of the Rising Sun

The Magician Meets Sailor Moon

by: Shirley Ann Burton

Part 1: Arrival in the Land of the Rising Sun

It all began at the Ring Theatre in Electro City. Ace Cooper, the world's greatest magician, was in the middle of a special performance in front of thousands of children.

School was just let out for the summer, and those students who made it into the A-B honor roll at least twice during the year earned the chance to see the Magician in person at the end of the year.

Also on the stage was a young woman with green eyes and light-brown hair. Training magician Angela Jacobs provided some fun magic for the kids to see.

She was actually cooking a recipe for her chocolate-chip caramel cake. "Okay, I believe it's time to melt the caramel," she said happily, "so I'll keep the batter mixing." She continued mixing with her right hand, but using her left hand for the magical part, she let go of the mixing spoon, which started mixing the batter by itself!

Watching the audience being surprised on a television screen was Cosmo, primary apprentice and the behind-the-scenes man of the team. He was laughing very hard at Angie's cooking magic. "Boy, Angie's having a whole lot of fun doing her part of the act, actually using a recipe for a magic trick. She's really come a long way since she started mastering her own magical powers with Ace's help."

He thought back to the time when Angie had arrived in Electro City. Angie had run into him by accident while running from a group of criminals. After they successfully defended themselves against the thieves, they quickly became friends, which led to th meeting of a lifetime.

When Angie met Ace Cooper in person, she started having good friends, which had been few and far between in her life. Also, she kept an unusual secret only Ace was able to discover. No longer did she have to fear using her own magical powers, for the Magician himself helped her understand the magical gift she had within her heart.

Because of their similar powers, Ace and Angie shared a special bond. They knew each other's thoughts and feelings and could contact each other telepathically. Also, only in the most extreme of situations, they could combine their powers to become nearly unstoppable.

At the end of the performance, Angie spoke to the audience. "You've all earned your way to see us perform for you today, but don't let us be your main motivation for doing well in school."

"She's right," agreed Ace. "Who knows what magic you can find within yourselves. All you have to do is your best. After all, Angie here and her best friend were both valedictorians in their high-school graduating class."

"We can see future doctors, astronauts, fashion designers, graphic artists, and scientists, and that's just the tip of the iceberg in what you want to do. While you are out of school, explore the world around you. You can pick up plenty just by looking around."

"And so, we end this show today with one simple sentence."

Together the two magicians yelled, "Have a great summer!"

The kids cheered loudly as the pair made themselves disappear from the stage.

A couple of hours later at Ace's home, the Magic Express, he, Cosmo, Zina, and Angie were relaxing in the living room, all knowing how successful their performance had been. Then, a floating hologram appeared in the room.

"What's up, Angel?" Angie questioned.

"There is someone at the door."

Turning on the video screen, they noticed a gentleman wearing a navy blue dress suit. He wore glasses over his brown eyes and had very short black hair.

They all went to the door, and as it opened, the gentleman took a bow. "Konnichiwa, Mr. Cooper. I am Hiroko Kimura, representative to the Prime Minister of Japan."

Ace bowed back at the gentleman. "Yes, Mr. Kimura, I remember you. You called me about a month ago about a special request from the Prime Minister."

"Correct, Mr. Cooper. We agreed to meet here at your Magic Express home on the day children would be let out of school. Back in Japan, school will not be out for another month-and-a-half."

Cosmo whispered to Angie, "You mean the school year's longer in Japan?"

"Yeah. We go 180 days for nine months while they go for 240 in a year-round system."

"Too much school for me."

"Believe it or not, Cosmo, some school systems here in the U.S. are trying the year-round system, which has had some positive results on improving test scores. Ashley's school, Learnier Elementary, is going to do a one-year experiment on the matter starting with the next school year. She said she'd like to go to Japan and talk to some of the teachers there to get a general idea about how the system works."

"Hmm, how interesting."

After introducing Cosmo, Angie, and Zina, Ace asked, "Would you like to come in, Mr. Kimura?"

"I would consider this an honor, Mr. Cooper."

Mr. Kimura entered the Express and was immediately astounded by what he saw: a complete library on the second floor, three beautiful statues, and a wonderful set-up in the living room. "You have an incredible home, Mr. Cooper. I have never seen anything like this."

"The Magic Express is one-of-a-kind," Angie said. "I was surprised when I first got here, so don't worry about it."

"Yes, well, I think I need to get to our discussion at hand, concerning your performing in Japan."

"Of course, Mr. Kimura," said Ace, "I understand. Now, the Prime Minister has asked us to do a series of performances for one week in Tokyo, right?"

"Yes. He is very admirable of your magical capabilities, you and your friends. He was a little anxious about asking you because you have never performed outside the United States before."

"That's true. I have never done a show outside the U.S. In addition, I don't think any of us have ever seen Japan before, so in a way, while we introduce the people of Tokyo to our magic, we can get an introduction to Japanese culture and learn of its incredible history."

"Wait a sec, Ace," stated Cosmo. "You mean, we're going to Japan to perform?"

"That's right, Cosmo. The Prime Minister has invited us to perform at the Yokohama Convention Center in Tokyo. I've been thinking it over for a month, and I think it's a great way to promote international relations between the two countries." Turning to Mr. Kimura, he added, "I've come to a decision, and I think we're going to say yes. However, Angie and I would like two other people to go with us."

"Oh, who are they?"

"My friend Mona Malone, who lives here in Electro City, and Angie's best friend Ashley Brighton, who just finished another year of teaching at Learnier Elementary School in Mason City, Iowa."

"Ashley's school," said Angie, "is about to do a one-year experiment on year-round schooling, and this would be a great experience for her. She could get a first-hand look at how it really works."

"Oh, your friend Ashley is a teacher?" asked Mr. Kimura. "I agree with you. She could learn much from our teachers there. She teaches what grade?"

"First grade."

"I think your friend may like what she sees when she comes." Then, facing Ace, Mr. Kimura stated, "I assume, as you in America would say, 'This is a done deal.'"

Ace shook the representative's hand. "Yes, it is. We look forward to visiting your country and its many wonders and structures."

"I've always wanted to see Mount Fuji," said Angie. "It's still an active volcano, right?"

"Oh, yes," replied Mr. Kimura. "We get little eruptions from it all the time, and the seismic activity occurs on a regular basis."

Angie then turned to Cosmo. "Buddy, I've got to teach you about Japanese culture, and traditions. Of course, you won't be able to take your shoes off when you enter someone's home, but you do have to bow in front of the host."

"Oh, you mean like this?" He bowed forward in grace.

Mr. Kimura was pleasantly surprised. "Young man, you are well on your way to understanding Japanese customs." Standing up, he was about to leave. "Mr. Cooper, I look forward to your arrival in Japan in about one-and-one-half months."

"Thank you, Mr. Kimura. I know this will be a wonderful experience for all of us."

Both Ace and Mr. Kimura bowed to each other, and Mr. Kimura made his way out of the Magic Express.

After the door closed, Ace turned to his friends and said, "Okay, sleep for everybody. We've got a big show to do in three days, but start thinking about Japan, since we'll be going there very soon."

In the days which passed, Angie was getting more and more excited about the upcoming overseas trip. "I can't wait to see what Japan really looks like. I don't remember much, being born on the military base at Okinawa and all. I want to learn so much about its rich history and its tragic turn when Hiroshima and Nagasaki were both hit with the atomic bombs at the end of World War Two. Relations between the U.S. and Japan haven't exactly been the most cheerful, but maybe we can help change that."

Ace could see the excitement in Angie's eyes and feel it in her heart. "Angie's looking forward to this trip, and she wants to make a good impression. That's why she's been refreshing herself at the library lately. She wants to make sure she gets all the customs right and at least speak a little Japanese without accidentally offending anyone. I've always admired her love of learning. If there were more people like her, the world may be a much better place to live."

The one-and-a-half months had passed, and the day had finally arrived when the greatest magician in the world would get the chance of a lifetime: performing his show in front of the Prime Minister of Japan.

Angie's best friend Ashley Brighton had come just a couple of days earlier. She was ready for this exciting vacation, which would also be a special experience for her, since she would be representing Learnier Elementary School, a school which would experiment the year-round system. "Oh, boy," she said to Angie with cheerfulness. "I can't believe we're leaving today!"

"Yup, and all we have to do now is go pick up Mona at her house, and we'll be on our way to the Land of the Rising Sun!"

Near the coast, Mona had all her luggage moved to the living room by Spade and Diamond. "Okay, guys. Leave it over there for now. Ace and the gang will be here to help out shortly."

Mona's father, Black Jack, was a little upset at her for deciding to go on this trip. "Why in the world do you have to go to Japan? Don't I give you enough here?"

The singer faced her father and angrily replied, "Look, Father, you've taken care of me all my life, but I am an adult. Let me have a little freedom!"

"I think you're just doing this to spend some time with Ace Cooper, and you know how I feel about him."

"Father, didn't I establish the fact I loved him before I was hauled off to jail for hijacking that airship? Get with the facts; I am going with Ace, Cosmo, Zina, Angie, and Ashley to Japan, and no one is going to stop me, especially you!"

"Ashley?" Jack said curiously. "Who's Ashley?"

"Ashley Brighton. Her mother was--"

"Oh, yes, I forgot. Her mother Carlita was under the mask of Faceless. Now she's on the run from the law."

"Right. Poor Ashley. She's been an honest, hard-working person for most of her life, and she soon discovers her mother to be a master thief. I hope this trip will help her forget about the recent family problems she's had."

"Are you really sure about this? I mean, Japan's a small country, but there are millions of people there. Is it safe?"

"Father, I've got all my friends to protect me. I'll be fine, don't worry."

Over the intercom came Ashley's voice. "Hey, Mona, we're here. Are you ready?"

"Give me a hand, and we'll be on our way."

As soon as all of Mona's luggage was loaded into the Magic Express, the small bullet train took off for the airport, where it would be loaded into a special cargo plane.

Within two hours, the giant cargo plane arose into the sky, and the Magician was at last on his way to Japan.

Inside the Magic Express, everyone went about their usual tasks: Cosmo in his workshop, Angie in the kitchen, Mona and Ashley reading in the living room, and Ace and Zina working out the final kinks of their newest trick in the practice room.

When it was time for lunch, all had gathered in the kitchen to eat another of Angie's culinary masterpieces, this time being charbroiled shrimp and chicken with steamed corn.

Angie then started up a good conversation. "There's one thing I already like on this trip."

"Oh, yeah?" said Cosmo. "What's that?"

"We don't have to deal with Duke Paparazzo at all in Japan!"

Everyone laughed very hard at her joke.

"She's right," laughed Mona. "We won't have to deal with him period on this trip."

Ace added, "On top of that, the Prime Minister has assured us that we'll not have to deal with all the press during our stay. He found a special location for the Magic Express, and only we have permission to park it at Pioko Park in Tokyo. No press will be allowed there, but in case of trouble, well, you know."

"Good thinking, Ace," said a happy Ashley. "The last thing we need is hundreds of story-crazed reporters. I was worried it would happen to me."

"No way, Ash," her best friend noted. "Remember, Captain Friedrichs and Lieutenant Vega agreed not to let this leak out to the press. To this day, no one except us and them know you're related to Faceless."

"Whew, that's good to know. Oh, well, I'm supposed to be forgetting about my mother anyhow and think ahead to meeting a few of the teachers to get a good idea on the functioning of the year-round school system."

Cosmo was curious. "What exactly are you going to do?"

"I'm supposed to meet someone named Patricia Haruna. She's an eighth-grade teacher at Crossroads Junior High School in Tokyo. She's going to give me a first-hand look at how the year-round system works. Then, when I return to Mason City, I'll file the report with the Board of Education, and they will vote on when the experiment will be implemented at Learnier. After that, it's touch-and-go."

"Any new idea has its risks," Ace said seriously, "but if this can improve test scores for all students, I don't see how this won't work."

Angel then appeared. "We should be landing at Tokyo International Airport within the next 30 minutes. If you go to the front of the plane, you will be able to see Japan."

"Let's go!" shouted Ashley.

When they joined the pilots at the controls, they were all very surprised.

"So," Ace started, "that's Japan?"

"Yes, it is," replied the male pilot. "I've flown here on many occasions, and it is a beautiful country. You should really come during the spring, when the cherry blossom trees begin to bloom. It's a festival atmosphere when they do sprout."

Cosmo liked the idea. "Cool. Any video arcades there?"

The female co-pilot answered, "Are you kidding? They've got so many video arcades it's hard to figure out which one's the best."

Angie suddenly noticed something: a huge snow-capped mountain. "That must be Mount Fuji, right?"

"That's right," said the female pilot. "It's still one of the most active volcanoes in the world. You probably know Japan has minor earthquakes every day, but there have some major ones recently."

"I just hope we don't have one while we're there. We'll just have to keep on our toes without panicking."

Ace then suggested, "Let's get back inside the Express. We're going to be landing, and I don't want anyone to get hurt coming in."

They all did so, and buckled their seat belts at the front of the Express.

Within 30 minutes, the giant cargo plane had landed, and the Magic Express rolled out of the plane.

Escorted by an entourage set up by the Prime Minister, the Express went through the streets of Tokyo.

Shortly, the train arrived at its destination: Pioko Park. It was a nice subtle park with fully-bloomed cherry blossom trees and a lake nearby.

Ace knew the team had practiced long and hard for the performance, which was to come the very next night. "Okay, let's do a little sightseeing for now, but we must be back here by 10:00 tonight. I want no one going off alone, since we're here for the first time."

Cosmo said, "Okay, but what about Zina?"

"Angel can look after Zina. For now, let's go have some fun."

Everyone went off in different directions, Mona and Ace going east, and Cosmo, Ashley, and Angie going west. All had maps with them, so they would remember where the Magic Express was located in case they got lost.

Cosmo decided to go into the Crown Video Arcade, an obvious hangout for game players like himself. Angie and Ashley went in as well, since they had not played a good game for a long time.

When Cosmo noticed a new virtual reality racing game, he immediately rushed over to play it. In doing so, however, he bumped into a fairly tall young woman. "Oops," he said apologetically. "I didn't mean to bump into you. My first day in Japan, and I've already created an international incident." He blushed in complete embarrassment.

The young woman, wearing a green sleeveless top and white khaki pants, looked up at Cosmo and said, "Look, buddy, you need to watch . . . where . . . you're . . . going." Her green eyes came to notice the blue eyes and red hair of the young man. "Oh, did you say it was your first day in Japan?" she asked with her eyes still fixated on Cosmo.

"Uh, yeah, it is." He noticed her green eyes and brown hair, along with the pair of rose-shaped earrings. "I'm here with some friends for a one-week trip, and we just arrived today. I'm sorry about this; let me help you up." He took her hand and got her back on her feet.

The young lady, on the other hand, felt like she was just swept off her feet. "What a hunkasaurus. He reminds me of . . . of . . . that's weird. He doesn't remind me of any of my past boyfriends. Why is that?"

Cosmo and the young lady stared at each other for a few seconds.

The young lady then stated, "You don't have to apologize. I didn't really watch where I was going, either. No hard feelings."

They then went about their game-playing, but they suddenly could not stop about thinking of each other.

"That girl is so pretty," thought Cosmo. "I've never seen any girl that beautiful, not even Ulene."

Angie and Ashley came to notice Cosmo's odd behavior.

"Got a crush already, I see," said an amused Ashley.

Cosmo quickly faced her. "Gimme a break, Ashley. How could I have a crush on the first day of our trip?"

Angie simply answered, "The look in your eyes, what else?"

"Aw, I'm going back to the Express with Zina. Maybe I won't be, like, half embarrassed."

As Cosmo ran out, Angie yelled, "If you need dinner, just fix up the leftovers from last night in the fridge."

"Thanks!" he yelled back.

He returned to the Express quickly and said, "Angel, I'm staying with you for a while. I don't think I want to be out there, yet."

Later, as night time came to Tokyo, Ace and Mona went into a lovely restaurant which served all kinds of Japanese cuisine.

"I think," said Ace, "I'll try this thing called wasabe. What about you, Mona?"

"I don't know. I can't see any . . . wait a minute. I could try this soup called natto miso shiru. Oh, here's the English: it means fermented soybeans with fermented soybean paste in a soup. Sounds a little disgusting, but I'm definitely adventurous."

"Okay, let's eat then."

Meanwhile, Angie and Ashley continued walking around Tokyo, making sure they looked at the map to know where they were at all times.

"This is one large city," said Ashley. "If we didn't have this map Angel printed out for us, we'd be totally lost."

"Oh, yeah," Angie said. "We better not spend too long out here, since Cosmo and Zina are sitting by themselves back at the Express."

Just as they were passing by one alley, they suddenly heard two cats meowing in terror.

Angie was curious. "What's going on here?"

"I don't know, but I think there's trouble."

Quickly approaching the young ladies were two unusual looking cats: one was dark grey, the other all white, and both beared strange markings on their foreheads.

The cats looked behind them but upon turning around, they suddenly stopped and shrieked, obviously they being afraid at seeing another human being.

Angie kneeled down and put her hand out. "It's all right," she said calmly. "We won't hurt you."

The dark grey cat put her nose forward to sniff Angie's hand. It then proceeded to lick the hand.

"Looks like you've made two new friends," Ashley said happily.

"Yes, but I wonder why they were running so hard."

Just then, the two ladies and two cats heard screeches and meows coming from angry cats.

As the cats came into the light provided by the street lamps, Ashley noted, "Uh-oh. It looks like they accidentally attracted some trouble. What can we do?"

Quickly assessing the situation, Angie took the two cats and gave them to her friend. "Hold on to them, Ashley. I'll handle this."

"Okay, but be careful."

Turning to face the stampede of alley cats, Angie closed her eyes and focused on the magical power within her heart. "I must protect them," she thought as she began to glow in her light-blue aura. "Even the smallest of creatures have a right to life. I will not let any harm come to them."

The grey cat, held in Ashley's arms, was surprised at what it saw. "My heavens," it thought. "What kind of power does this woman have?"

The white cat, lying on Ashley's right shoulder, noticed the glow around Angie's body. "I wonder what she's about to do against this mean rack of alley cats?" it said in its mind.

Angie, feeling her power flowing to her hands, calmly said, "Please help me create an illusion powerful enough to scare these stray cats away without harming them."

As her arms extended forward, a swirl of lights began to take shape.

In mere seconds, a giant transparent lion's head formed and let out a tremendous roar, causing the alley cats to scream in fear and run away from the scene.

Angie turned to Ashley. "Are they all right now?"

Noticing the wide-eyed pair of tabbies, Ashley responded, "Yeah, but it looks like they're a little shocked at what you just did."

Angie came up to pet the grey cat. "It's okay, you're safe now. Those cats won't try to hurt you anymore." She then noticed the crescent moon on its forehead. "There's a strange moon marking on its face."

"This white one has it, too," noted Ashley. "Are they part of some kind of religious cult?"

"I'm not sure, but they don't have tags or collars, so there's no way to know for sure. I'd better contact Ace and ask him what I should do."

At the restaurant, Ace and Mona were enjoying their candlelight dinner when his radio watch started beeping. "Oh, dear," Ace said in embarrassment. "Who's trying to call me now?"

"I think it's Angie. After all, she and Ashley are out on the streets of Tokyo, aren't they?"

"Oh, yeah. Cosmo went back to the Express after being slightly embarrassed at a video arcade. As for Angie and Ashley, I hope they didn't run into trouble." He then spoke into his watch. "Angie, is something wrong?"

"No, but I do have a problem here. Ashley and I just rescued a pair of tabby cats, but they have no tags for identification. I was wondering if--"

"They could spend the night in the Express until the owners can be found?"

"Yeah. I hope you don't mind. I can place a classified ad in the paper first thing in the morning."

Angel then interrupted. "Wait. I have discovered a newspaper which can take classifieds as late as 3 a.m. and still print that into the morning edition."

Angie excitedly said, "In that case, I'll get on that immediately. Don't worry, we'll make sure they don't make a mess. Besides, I think they miss whoever owns them."

"I know, Angie. You've never been one to wait around for something to be done. Ace out." He then looked at Mona and said, "Sorry about that."

"It's all right, Ace. Remember, she's still learning about her powers, and she'll need your guidance to fully understand her capabilities. Besides, wouldn't you have done the same thing?"

The Magician simply smiled and said, "Yeah, I probably would have. Thanks for the reminder."

Thirty minutes later, Angie and Ashley returned to the Magic with the two cats.

In the living room, Cosmo and Zina were enjoying some animé classics when they saw the two ladies and two cats.

"Whoa!" said Cosmo. "What'd you two do, buy two cats as souvenirs?"

"No, silly," Ashley answered. "We just rescued these cats from a group of mean alley cats."

"Right," agreed Angie. "Now I need to use the phone and contact the paper who takes late classifieds so we can get a quick response for the owners, I hope."

Zina let out a gentle growl, which made the two cats shake in fear slightly.

"Relax, pals," Cosmo said as he took hold of the tabbies. "Zina's a friendly panther and a fellow feline. She won't hurt you."

He lay the two cats next to Zina, who started licking the both of them.

While Angie, Ashley, and Cosmo found it amusing, the grey cat was a little flabergasted. "Oh, no," it thought. "Just what I need, panther slobber!"

An hour afterward, Ace and Mona returned to a very quiet Magic Express, with everyone asleep. When they opened the door to Angie's room, they saw the two cats and Zina all on her bed with her!

"Looks like we have our own Doctor Dolittle in the group," Ace whispered.

"Yeah, she sure has a way with animals."

With that, Ace and Mona went to bed themselves, with the performance to come the next night.