Knights of the Cosmos: A Sailor Moon Retelling
Chapter Two: A Cousin and a Knight
"Wake up, Serrano! Andy's coming over today!" Samantha exclaimed after barging into her brothers room and starting to jump on his bed, Luna letting out a screech and jumping into the air, landing on the nearby vanity table. The blonde teen slowly opened his blue eyes, glaring at his younger sister, sitting up to grab her by the cheeks and pull her up close to his face. "Wake me up like this again, and I'm going to punt you to the moon!" he growled out, Samantha giving him a blank expression that said 'meh, whatever.' before hopping off the bed and running downstairs.
"Serrano, who is Andy?" Luna asked after her fur went back to normal, hopping back onto the bed and rubbing against his hand, purring. "He's my cousin from another part of Japan. His family is a long line of doctors, so he's been studying his butt off to continue the tradition." "You could learn a thing or two from him I see." Luna responded with a bit of a giggly meow, Serrano sighing "I'm not a complete idiot, y'know."
"King Barren, I have a plan on how to gather up energy for the Nega-Force." Jadeite said, appearing in front of the evil King with a bow." "Do tell, Jadeite, what is your plan?" he inquired while gazing into the crystal ball. "It will be an attack on two fronts, your Majesty; The first will consist of me draining the energy of radio listeners who are invited to a talk show. The second will involve a class for the highly intelligent students of Japan. Using a special code on CDs that are inserted into the computers, the energy will be sucked out of those juicy brains and fill up the Nega-Force." "You're certain this idea will work, Jadeite?" "Most certainly. Even if that meddlesome Knight Moon shows up, he cant stop two attacks at once." "See to it that it does not fail, my General. Go forth and gather all the energy you can!" "Yes, your Highness!" Jadeite said with another bow before vanishing into thin air. Inside the crystal ball, Barren watched as Knight Moon destroyed the previous monster at the candy store, thinking to himself "Could the Guardians of the Cosmos be alive in this modern world? I musn't lose to them this time! King Serenity's legacy must fall!"
"When is your cousin going to come over?" Luna asked Serrano from inside his backpack, he replying "We're going to meet up at the school. In the last letter he wrote, he said that his parents were going to be traveling abroad for countries in need of medical experts, so he's going to be staying with us for a while." "I hope your house can handle another member." Luna said in a weary tone, remembering having to dodge being stepped on multiple times by the family members of the Tsukino house only after living there the first day. "Aw don't worry so much, Luna! Andy's really chill, heck he spends most of his time with a head buried in a book." The school bells began to ring, and Serrano would let Luna walk out of his backpack, patting her head gently. "See you after school, alright?" Giving him a nod, Luna ran off back towards the house, only to take a shortcut to the arcade, sneaking in past Andrea and into the back room.
Hitting a few buttons on an old arcade machine, Luna put on a small headset, speaking into it. "Central Command, this is Black Cat. Awaiting orders for the next mission." the screen slowly turned on, a voice speaking from it "Black Cat, please state the password for access to the data." Letting out a sigh of embarrassment, she said flatly "I want chicken, I want liver, Meow Mix Meow Mix please deliver." "Password acknowledged. Sending data now. Black Cat, you have a potential threat in the form of one Andrew Mizuno." The image of a teenaged male with blue hair covering one of his eyes and a weak smile appeared on the screen. "How are they a threat?" Luna asked, the computer responding "Their intelligence is one that cannot be charted. We believe the Nega-Verse may have sent them to gather energy from fellow students." "I'll inform Knight Moon of this when he gets out of school. Black Cat signing off." Putting the headset down, the cat glanced at her crescent moon in the reflection of the dark screen, thinking "Andy is a shortened form of Andrew..Could it be?"
"Why in the world is Miss H so happy?" Serrano asked Marty as the two sat down at their desks. "She sent in a letter to the local radio show that's become real popular. DJ Jade takes peoples letters and reads them, then invites the writer to come onto the show to discuss their life." "I take it her letter is going to be read tonight?" "Mhm! Be sure to check it out, she's going to be on air tomorrow!"
Later on in the day, a blue haired male shyly walked past a group of people that were admiring him, he trying to find a familiar person to find safety from. Upon seeing a teenager with curly blonde hair, he ran over to him and grabbed his arm, smiling. "Serrano, about time I found you!" he said in a voice of relief, the other students looking at them in curiosity. "Andy!" the teenager yelled happily, hugging the blue haired male tightly, saying "It's so great to see you after all this time." "I agree! But, could we go somewhere else? I'm uh...not so sure about the crowds." Andy said, pointing over to the group of people who started to ask questions or say things like "Serrano, you never told us you like men!" "Is it true he's a genius?" "Is he single!?" "He's my cousin, you dingus! Yes, he's smart, and his personal life is none of your business! C'mon you two." Serrano said, dragging Andy and Marty off to the school library and locking the door so no one else could get inside.
"Oi, what was that all about?" Marty asked, Andy looking down at his text books with a slight frown. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause a scene. I just don't do good with crowds, when people bombard me with questions about my intelligence." "It isn't your fault, dude. Besides, you're the new kid in school, and people are naturally curious. Just take a few minutes to calm down and we'll head home. Marty even gave me an idea for how we can spend tonight! Wanna listen to a radio show my teacher's going to be on tomorrow?" "I would but...I kinda have to go to computer class later tonight. You know how I am with studying." Andy said with a blush, clearing his throat. "But, I'll be coming home early tomorrow after the class is done, its going to be a half day sort of deal." "Aww. Well, call me when you get out of class, Mom and l will come by and get you."
Later that night, Serrano was in his pajamas, listening as a female voice came over the airwaves. "This is DJ Jade of Lovers and Letters, coming to you live via the Tokyo Radio Station. Tonight, I have a letter from a young lady called 'Hopeful Haruna'." "That's Miss H!" Serrona said excitedly, Luna walking into the bedroom and pausing as the letter was read. "'I'm a teacher at the local middle school, who loves her students, though one of them is a bit of a Lazy Bones.'" the DJ spoke, Serrano giving a look of irritation and Luna grinning.
"'However, I am always busy with grading papers and lessons that I never found The One, the man of my dreams who would sweep me off of my feet. I would like to come onto your show and maybe have the male listeners get to know me. Maybe then, I'll find him.' Hopeful Haruna, I would love for you to come onto my show tomorrow night. Be here at eight o'clock, and we'll get you on the air." "Wooo! Go Miss H!" Serrano cheered, picking up Luna and starting to nuzzle her happily.
"Serrano, could we talk for a moment?" the cat asked the human, he setting her down on the bed and asking "What's up, Luna?" "I got a notification from Central Command that there is a potential new enemy we'll need to fight. But the thing is.." "Hmm?" "The image that came up was of Andrew Mizuno, your cousin." "What?! Andy can't be some Nega-Verse creep! He's my family!" "I know, but there might be a possibility of King Barren wanting his intellect for energy. We should at least keep an eye on him." "Well..Alright I guess. But Luna? I really don't appreciate you calling Andy a potential threat." With that, Serrano turned off his light and went to bed, the black cat looking down a little forlorn and whispering "I'm sorry. I just want to keep you safe." before curling up next to him in the bed, falling asleep.
The following day, Andy rushed out of the Tsukino house with is backpack, Serrano running alongside of him. "Figures the second day I'd be running late, due to waking your snory self up!" Andy said between bites of a breakfast burrito, Serrano grinning at him as they ran while saying "Welcome back to our place!" The two high fived each other and picked up their speed, but Andy unknowingly dropped a CD from his backpack, it clattering to the ground. Luna, who had chased after the pair to give Seronna his lunch paused at the disc, slowly picking it up and placing it into the lunch bag, hurrying after the two. Once they arrived at the school, Serrona heard a familiar meow behind him and turned to see Luna. "Go on ahead to class, I'll be there shortly." he said to Andy, then walked over to the black cat, kneeling. "Thanks for bringing my lunch! Hmm? What's this?" he asked, pulling out the disc and holding it up. "It fell out of Andy's backpack on the way here, could you please check it out to make sure its safe?"
"Are you still thinking he's a threat?" the young man asked irritatedly. "No, I think he may be in danger. There have been rumors going around of people going to that late night computer class and ending up in the hospital without energy." "Alright, I'll give him a warning, go ahead and wait for us at the arcade." "Thank you, Serrano. Please be careful, alright?" The two smiled at each other, going their separate ways for the day.
After school had let out, the two teens headed to Andrea's arcade, sitting at the snack station while the blonde gave the aqua blue haired man the disc. "Hey, this fell out of your backpack this morning." "Oh, my goodness! Thanks! I would have been in trouble for tonight if I lost it." "What exactly do you do in this class, Andy?" "For the most part, its typing in numbers, seeing how fast we can code. Afterward, we do composition for a little bit, followed by mathematics." "That sounds way too boring!" "Oh? Perhaps I could ask the teacher to invite you to the class, after all, your Mom told me about the score on your last test." Andy said with a teasing smile. Sighing, Serrano just threw his hands up and said "No! No extra studies! Not happening!" "I think you should, Lazy Bones. After all, a lazy brain is a mushy brain." said a familiar, female voice behind the two.
Turning around, Serrano glared at her, saying "What are you doing here, Darlene?!" "I came to get some coffee, that a problem?" "Hey Darlene!" Andrea said cheerfully, handing the black haired woman her drink after she had paid for it. "Besides, you could use some studying for more then just school. Your job at the end of graduation can depend on how much you learned." Darlene said while sipping her drink. Andy's eyes lit up as he nodded enthusiastically "She's right! I'm studying super hard so I can become a doctor one of these days, just like my family." "A very noble goal, we could use more healing hands in this world. Later you two, later Lazy Bones." Darlene said, waving goodbye first to Andrea and Andy, then to Serrano, who growled in a cute manner. "I better get to class, remember that tonight is a half night, so come by at around nine-thirty." Andy spoke while grabbing his back pack, heading back to the school. "You got it! See you then. Oooo wait, I need to get home and listen in on the radio for Miss H! Bye Andrea!" he said with a wave, heading back to the house.
"Hello there listeners, this is DJ Jade for Lovers and Letters. Tonight we have a special guest; Hopeful Haruna has graced us with her presence." "Hello there, DJ Jade, hi everyone listening!" Miss Haruno spoke into the microphone with a giggle. "What do you hope to achieve by letting our audience hear about you, Hopeful?" "I would like to be able for the men out there to get to know me, do you have any tips?" she asked. In the booth, Jadeite removed her glasses and snapped her fingers, her clothes turning into that of her General uniform. "You can start by giving your energy up for the Nega-Verse!" she yelled. Serrano's eyes widened as he heard the scream of his teacher, looking at Luna in shock. Then, his cell phone began to ring, he answering it with a startled "Hello?" "Serrano, help me! Something's going on in my computer class! Everyone's passed out and there's a monster!" "Hang on, Andy! I'm on my way!" "A double attack from two different sides." Luna said, looking worried. "I can't be in two places at once, what should I do!?" "Firstly, you take a deep breath to calm down. Next, you go help your teacher, and I'll go help Andy. Time to transform, Serrano!" "Alright! Moon Prism Power! Armor Up!" Donning his Cosmic Knight Armor, Knight Moon leapt from out of his bedroom window, running in the direction of the radio station, while Luna dashed to the direction of the school.
Andy was huddled underneath the teachers desk, trying to hold his breath as the monster called Garoben flung the desks of the students around, its green hair swaying with each fling of her red arms. "Why is this happening? Did I study too hard and pass out? Maybe its a dream! No...the fear I feel is very real!" "Found you!" the monster yelled as it grabbed the teachers desk and flung it, glaring down at Andy before picking him up. "Time to give your energy to the Nega-Verse, young man!"
Knight Moon jumped up from the ground and into a window the scream had come from, seeing a woman with short blonde hair, dropping Miss Haruna onto the floor. "Ah, so you're the one who stopped my plans last time. A pleasure to meet you, Knight Moon." "Who are you and what did you do to Miss H?!" the young warrior demanded, she smirking. "I am Jadeite, General of King Barren and harvester of energy. You will not stand in my way! Fro, attack!" upon being summoned, a pink skinned, brown haired monster burst through a nearby wall, tackling Knight Moon onto the floor.
Letting out a surprised yell, the two began to trade blows, Knight Moon eventually launching Fro through the roof with a kick to its stomach and leaping up after it. "Fro, enough messing around! Destroy the Knight!" Jadeite ordered, appearing on the roof and watching the combatants. "I have to hurry and get to Andy!" Removing the circlet from his forehead, Knight Moon placed it into a small slot inside his bracer, white energy starting to build up as he called out "Moon Cosmic Cannon!", the attack firing from his fist as it was sent toward the monster. However, Fro would give a grin and bring her hands up holding the attack back. Gritting his teeth, Moon put more power into the attack, sending a screaming Fro flying off the building as it turned to dust. Jadeite sneered at the warrior, speaking "You've interrupted my plans for the last time, boy!" and then flew at Knight Moon, readying an attack; but before she could launch it, a red rose was flung in front of the General, and upon a second roof stood Tuxedo Masque, arms folded. "You've lost this fight, Nega-Verse creep! Tuck your tail between your legs and go home!" "Hmph! I have enough energy from the woman, this is merely a minor setback!" Jadeite claimed as she vanished, Tuxedo Masque giving Knight Moon a two fingered salute before leaping off of the roof.
Back at the school, Andy's face was pressed against a computer screen, the codes starting to glow on it. Luna entered the classroom, gasping at two things; One was seeing Andy in trouble, the other was a light blue sign glowing on his forehead. "Mercury!" Luna called out, jumping up and scratching at Garoben's face, causing the monster to grab it and yell in pain. "Andy, listen to me! You need to use this!" the cat exclaimed, summoning a blue and white ring that she flung at the blue haired teenager from her tail, he catching it and sliding it on. "First a monster and now a talking cat? I'm getting sleep deprived." he said, Luna responding "Call out' Mercury Power, Armor Up!'" "Here goes! Mercury Power, Armor Up!" From the ring, jets of water surrounded Andy's body, the jets turning into an Aqua Blue under-cloth, silver bracers upon his arms, silver armor on his chest, a blue tasset, white gauntlets, and blue boots adorning his hips, hands and feet, with the final piece would be a circlet with an Aqua Blue gem inside of it.
"Cosmic Warrior of Intelligence and Water! I am the Guardian of the Cosmos, Knight Mercury!" he declared while posing, finishing his introduction with "Bathe in the waters of Mercury and repent!" "Bathe in this, blue boy!" the monster yelled out, changing its arm into an axe and swiping at the newly awakened Knight. Dodging the swing, he looked at Luna and asked "What can I do to stop him?" "Use your circlet! Place it into your bracer and the rest will come naturally." "Alright!" Removing the circlet from his head, he placed it into the slot on his bracer and began to glow a brilliant Aqua Blue, Knight Moon running into the door, stopping in awe as he looked at Luna, saying "He's a Knight?!" "Yes! He's awakened to the power of Mercury." "Mercury Aqua Mist!" the Knight called out, sending out waved of water that would cause the room to become foggy to Garoben's vision. "Where did they go?!" it yelled, only to let out a shriek of pain as the Moon Cosmic Cannon punched a hole right through its torso, causing it to turn into dust.
"That! Was! Awesome!" Knight Moon yelled, hugging Mercury tight. "I'm amazed that I can tap into such power. I had no idea we were both Cosmic Knights!" Andy said in slight surprise, only to count on his finger for a moment before saying "Being a hero is going to cut into my study time.." with a straight face, both Moon and Luna falling over in a comical fashion.
Later the next day, Luna snuck into the arcade once more, giving the password to activate Command Central. "Black Cat, we have information that may prove useful; The third Knight has been reborn as a spiritually aware priest. Find them and you'll have three Knights awakened." "I understand, this is Black Cat signing off."
"Though you failed to stop a second Knight from awakening, you gathered a satisfactory amount of energy, Jadeite. Consider this a victory, however minor it may be." King Barren said with a dark laugh, Jadeite slamming her fist into an open palm and thinking "Those damned brats! I'll stop them!"