Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, or any of the canon characters. The non-canon characters are merely figments that have escaped from my imagination.
Chapter Two: Element Awakens!
"Hey, Miyako, great spike today!" A brunette girl ran down the hallway, shouting over her shoulder.
The raven-haired girl smiled. "Thanks, Bethany."
She turned to her locker, spinning the combination quickly.
"She's right. It was an excellent practice, today," remarked another voice.
Miyako closed her locker, coming face to face with her two best friends.
Cleopatra Lambert was the taller of the two. Heaven help anyone who actually called her Cleopatra, though. It was Cleo. Her elbow-length hair was so pale it was almost white. Miyako couldn't help but envy her friend's permanent tan. She never, however, wanted to be on the receiving end of the hint of mischief ever present in Cleo's pale grey eyes. As Cleo's adopted sister, it often proved difficult.
On the other hand, Aurelia Agni, Lia to her family and friends, had golden blonde hair, cropped to her earlobes. A few strands of it almost always fell into bright blue eyes, eyes that reminded both of her friends of the blue center of a flame. She shared the same fair skin as Miyako, skin that turned lobster red if they stayed out in the sun for too long.
"I don't know. Usagi really seemed to be the best player out there, today," commented Miyako, shoving her long black braid over her shoulder. "I've never seen her so determined."
As if summoned by her name, another blonde girl walked down the hall to her locker. Her lighter blonde hair was pulled up into a bun at the back of her head, with a ponytail falling out of it, down past her shoulders. Silently, she grabbed her books from her locker and shut the door.
"Hey, Usagi, we're heading to Melanthios. Care to join us?" Cleo called out.
Usagi shook her head, her blue eyes sorrowful. "I have to study. Maybe some other time."
She swept down the hall and out the doors.
"She always has to study. No wonder she's top of the class," grumbled Lia.
Miyako stared at her friend. "Give her a break. She's new here. I'm sure she's just shy."
"Won't stop me from inviting her," added Cleo. "No one should be that lonely."
"We better get going. We have to hurry if we want to get any of the chocolate cheesecake." Miyako shouldered her book bag.
Lia yelped before running towards the door. "What are we waiting for? The grass to grow?"
Usagi walked slowly down the main street of Terrarose. Her gaze was fixed on the smooth pavement of the sidewalk. Even with her downcast gaze, she managed to avoid running into anyone.
It'd be hard for anyone from Tokyo to recognize me, she thought. My earlier statement would have given the scouts a heart attack. Serena, voluntarily going to study? The world must be coming to an end! No, never mind that! I'm not Serena Tsukino any more. I'm Usagi Moon, top student at Fire Rose Private Academy and member of the school volleyball team. Stupid extracurricular requirement!
She glanced up as she reached the corner. She looked wistfully at the display in the picture window of a white, two-story house. The first floor had been converted into a bookstore and café, one she had occasionally visited, but it was hard to step inside. She looked away as a person moved in to change the display, hurrying on her way.
"Srenty!" A voice called out.
Usagi whirled around but couldn't find anyone looking at her. Who was Srenty? The name almost sounded like Serenity. But no one here knew who she was.
"Srenty! Help me! Srenty!"
With a shake of her head, Usagi dashed down the street to the brick apartment building where she was living.
"Which books did you want me to pull out, Harper?" Darien called over his shoulder.
He pulled the display table towards him, just far enough he could get in front of it.
"Just the small stack on the left," called a slightly deeper voice. "I really appreciate this, Darien."
Darien grinned over at the other young man. "I understand, Harper. Really, I do."
The young man nodded, taking the books from Darien's hands and handing him six more.
"These go in the same spot."
Dark grey hair, so dark it could almost be called black, fell down around his ears as he straightened. His crimson eyes were solemn, despite the grin on his face. He glanced over his shoulder as he fiddled with the pewter skull that hung on a chain around his neck.
"I know you want to get back to Tokyo, it's just," Harper began.
"It's alright. I understand." Darien held up his hand. "I can't go back to Tokyo right now, anyway. It'd be too dangerous to have two of me running around. I can wait a few months to go back, Harper."
"Hey, Harper! Is there any of that chocolate cheesecake left?" Miyako came bounding over, a huge smile on her face. "Oh, who's your friend?"
"This is Darien Shields, a distant cousin of mine. He's staying with us for a couple of months. He'll be helping out around the shop," explained Harper. "Darien, this is Miyako Lambert, one of the stars of Fire Rose Academy's volleyball team. She's also one of my most frequent customers."
Darien nodded. "It's a pleasure, Miss Lambert."
"So formal! Call me Miyako. So, Harper, about that cheesecake?"
"I'll go get it. I put one back for our star volleyball players." He laughed as he disappeared into the kitchen.
Miyako gave another grin to Darien. "I'm sure I'll see you around. Like Harper said, I'm here almost every day!"
She darted away from the front window, back to a pair of blonde girls near the counter.
"So, you've met Miyako," said a quiet voice. "Quite a bundle of energy, isn't she?"
Darien nodded, sadly. "She reminds me of someone from Tokyo."
His eyes turned away from the customers crowding the counter as Harper pulled out another large chocolate cheesecake.
"So, how was school today, Owen?"
Owen grinned, pushing his mirrored sunglasses back up his nose. "The same old, same old. You're counting the days until Harper can get you back to Tokyo. I know you are, your hi-, sorry, Darien."
"You're getting better at that. Care to explain how you and your brother know who I am?"
"Your memories will return in time," replied Owen, shaking his head. "Just be patient."
He turned and walked up the staircase to the rooms above the bookstore/café. Darien watched the blind boy walk away, before glancing towards the calendar. It was hard to believe that, miles away in Tokyo, he was running around, completely clueless that he was Tuxedo Mask and trying to figure out why he was having blackouts.
"Endimon! Endimon! Hear me! Endimon!"
Darien turned. That voice had sounded familiar. But, who was it? It wasn't like when Serenity appeared to him in his dreams. Still, he couldn't shake the fact that he should know that voice. And, he should know why she was calling him Endimon.
"Good night, Marilyn. I'll see you tomorrow!" Miyako pulled the hood of her jacket over her hair.
Marilyn, an older, round woman with grey-streaked chestnut hair, looked up from pulling her keys from her purse. "Are you sure you don't want a ride home, Miyako? It's pouring out there, and with all those strange incidents in Rosefeld Park, I'm not sure it's safe!"
"I'll be fine, Marilyn. I promise!" The raven-haired girl slid her hands into her pockets. "With all this rain, I'm sure no one will be in the park. Besides, I love a good autumn rainstorm!"
Miyako turned and ran out the door, into the middle of the pouring rain. Marilyn just shook her head as she watched the young library volunteer disappear into the downpour.
I can handle myself. I don't need anyone babying me, thought Miyako as she turned down the path through the center of Rosefeld Park. I'll be just fine!
She turned and ran towards the fountain in the center. It would mark the halfway point between the library and the apartment she shared with her family. Just before she reached the fountain, the rain stopped.
"Thank goodness for that!"
A smile crossed her face as she jogged past the fountain.
"Hello, dearie. Let's have that energy of yours," sneered a high-pitched voice.
Miyako whirled around. Standing on the top of the fountain was a thin woman, dressed in a dark orange jumpsuit, with bright, fire-orange hair pulled into a high ponytail, falling straight down to her knees.
"Let's get all that energy from you. It will be perfect for my master's experiments!" The woman jumped down, her hands outstretched.
Her hands latched around Miyako's neck. Miyako's eyes drifted closed as she felt her energy being pulled away by this strange woman.
"Hands off the girl, Experia!" A voice echoed through the park.
Miyako's eyes flickered open. She caught a flash of pink, purple, and silver, before she was dropped to the ground.
"You can't stop me, Sailor R!" Experia exclaimed. "I will have this girl's energy! The Anti-Elements will gain control of this world!"
Anti-Elements? Who are the Anti-Elements? Miyako's mind was stuck on the term.
She lay on the ground, unable to move as she watched Experia fighting against a blonde girl in a sailor fuku. Her hot pink sailor scarf flapped behind her as she leapt out of the way of Experia's attack. Three tiers formed her skirt, the top layer being lavender, the middle silver, and the bottom was the same hot pink as her scarf. A ribbon of the same pink was wrapped around her waist in place of a belt, tied in the back, with the ends trailing down to her knees. Her white boots came up to her knees, with the same hot pink around the top. A lavender bow was tied in front, just below her scarf. Silver stars twinkled in the center of her lavender bow, in the middle of her ribbon belt, and on the down-pointed cuffs of her boots. Her sleeves were three tiers of transparent fabric, and her choker was lavender.
Sailor R grinned as she lifted her right hand. A silver bracelet with a silver star dangled around her wrist.
"Regal Star Magic!"
A blast of silver energy, wrapped in pink and lavender, shot out from the bracelet, slamming into Experia. The woman dropped to her knees, before struggling back up.
"No! That should have worked!" Sailor R yelped. "Why didn't it work?"
Miyako struggled against the darkness closing in around her. Experia had taken a great deal of her energy. She was having a hard time even keeping her eyes open.
No, I can't be beaten. Not like this. I can't lose now. I have too much at stake. She forced her eyes to open. I will be strong! I will win!
She felt her energy returning to her, but something about it felt different, stronger. Images flashed through her mind, even as she rose to her feet.
A teenaged boy with short, black hair picked her up and whirled her around. The smile on his face was echoed in his midnight blue eyes, so like her own.
-8-
Seven figures knelt before her. The one in the center was dressed in red, with blonde hair. Spreading out to the left were a figure with tawny hair, dressed in black, another blonde, this time in blue, and a redhead in brown. On the other side, to her right, were a green-clad figure with silver hair, a brown-haired figure in copper, and an orange-haired, yellow-clad figure.
-8-
A girl in a red sailor fuku, holding a sword covered in fire, leapt between her and a charging monster.
-8-
A man in black armor stepped forward. Torch light illuminated his tawny hair but left his face in shadows. She ran forward, throwing her arms around his neck.
-8-
The man in the black armor charged at another man, dressed in shimmering white armor. Sword blades clashed, sending sparks flying.
-8-
A purple rose was trapped within a bubble of transparent crystal. Wings rose at the bottom of the crystal, cradling it on top of a slender silver key. The key floated inches above her outstretched hands. The light spread out around her, enveloping everything in its path.
Miyako looked down. She had reached out her hands without realizing it. A violet light appeared over them. For a moment, she expected the key from her visions. Instead, a silver, almost spherical broach dropped down into her hands. A rose, carved from amethyst, was set into the center. Surrounding it was an engraved circle with seven stones evenly spaced around it. At the top was a red crystal. Moving clock-wise, she encountered a green crystal, a bead of copper, a yellow crystal, a brown crystal, a blue crystal, and a black stone.
Acting on instinct, she lifted the broach into the air.
"Soul of the Elements!"
Violet light swirled around her. When it faded, she looked down. Her jeans, long-sleeved green t-shirt, and black jacket had been replaced by her own sailor fuku. A mustard yellow skirt brushed her thighs as she moved. The dark brown cuffs from her white gloves rested just above her elbows. A v-like band of the same dark brown wrapped around her wrist. Red boots came up to a point, over her knees, with a pink band wrapped around her ankles. A light blue bow was tied in front of her chest, a circular purple crystal resting in the center. Turning her head, she saw a dark green sailor scarf fluttering behind her, and a light blue bow tied at the small of her back.
Experia turned, seeing her former victim transformed. With a shriek, she launched a ball of energy at Miyako. The girl easily leapt out of the way.
She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the fountain as she flipped over it. Her hair was still black, bound in its braid. But a silver tiara had appeared on her forehead, another purple crystal in its center.
"What in the world?"
Sailor R jumped up to land beside her. "Our best bet is to attack her at the same time."
"Attack? How do I attack her?" Miyako screeched. "I have no idea what I'm doing!"
"Just relax. It will come to you," advised the other scout. "Take a deep breath."
Sailor R lifted her wrist, ready to deliver another attack.
Miyako took her deep breath, closing her eyes. Just as Sailor R had said, the information was there. Opening her eyes, she raised her hand. Holding it open, palm facing Experia, she nodded to Sailor R.
"Regal Star Magic!"
"Elemental Energy Strike!"
Sailor R's silver, lavender and pink attack slammed into Experia only a few seconds before a violet sphere of energy from Miyako's hand.
"You haven't won yet!" Experia screamed, just before she turned to dust.
"Excellently done. What is your name by the way?" Sailor R inquired. "I don't mean your civilian identity. I mean the name for your transformation."
Miyako blinked a few times. Then, the name came to her, just the way the attack and transformation phrase had.
"Sailor Element. I'm Sailor Element."
"A pleasure to meet you, Sailor Element."
With that, Sailor R turned and disappeared over the tops of the trees. Miyako, Sailor Element, let out a sigh of relief as another wave of purple light encircled her. Her jeans, shirt, and jacket were surprisingly not as comfortable as the fuku had been.
"That's just weird."
Determined to forget all about it, she continued on her way home. Doubtless her adopted siblings would be worried over her tardiness.
There we go! The second chapter of Elemental Secrets! Can you believe I got writer's block in the middle of the battle? And then I went and misplaced all my notes for this story! I'm still in the process of relocating them all, so it may be a while before I get the next chapter up. If I do get one up soon, it'll probably be a short one, not at all like this one!
Yes, it does seem like this chapter focused around Miyako more than anyone else. But, if I could pick a third character, it would be her. You'll see what I mean!
Anyone who read my previous Sailor Moon stories might be able to take a guess at Owen and Harper's former identities! I won't hold it against you if you haven't read them. However, I won't say anything about them just yet. I'll let them reveal themselves in time. Though, I think they'll be getting a little more screen time than they did in their last appearances!
12/18/2012: Re-posted to fix some plot alterations. Nothing really major, mostly in detail work.