I thank December Silentvale for helping me.
To say there was an uproar among the Guardians of Earth about the new squatters taking up residence in Japan was an understatement. They were furious when they learned what had happened that night.
After Sailor Moon composed herself, which wasn't easy being the emotional girl she was, Usagi and Ayame returned to Naru's with their furry friends. As expected, when they arrived the guys were already there and were eager to know what was going on. Each of them had been worried about their princess after Naru explained from what she remembered happen about the attack. They did not pursue them seeing Naru had recovered and thought the monster vanquished already.
They were surprised to see Usagi there and when they learned she remembered now, their polite smiles faded to be replaced with scowls of anger and glares of bitter resentment. Poor Usagi didn't know what she did to make them so angry at her.
Seeing it was getting late, Ayame told Usagi she would explain tomorrow when they would sit down and talk about everything. Once they set up a time and place, Usagi left with Luna and Artemis.
With that settled, those left gathered around and had a Guardians of Earth meeting. Using the communicators, they contacted the other girls. Some of them were unhappy having another meeting so soon and at such a hour, but their complaints were soon washed away with the news of a confirmed new threat. Though, Nanami complained she didn't get to see the monster and use it for inspiration for the next anime she was working on.
Ayame explained what she knew about the new foes and gave the men the card she picked up of the monster. They promised they would analyze it and see if it was similar to the energy from the meteorite. It had only been a day since it came and now aliens? It was too much to be just a coincidence. Hopefully, they could use the card and any lingering energy to track down the enemy. Or at the very least know when the next monster would attack and be able to prepare and set up a preemptive strike to protect civilians.
When they asked about Usagi, she gave the same explanation she told Luna. She told them the monster was too much for her to fight alone and Usagi was the only one nearby to help. They accepted it and the girls were eager to let their pent up resentment be unleashed on the girl. Ayame insisted they try to wait until after she talked to Usagi to do anything and to not go crazy with it.
Warning them to be on guard from now on, they wished each other good night and prepared themselves for what was to come, whatever form it might take.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
The next morning, Ayame met up with Usagi in the Juban Shopping District. Sitting in a café by one of the windows the two girls sat across from each other. The air was tense between them as Ayame drank her tea.
Ayame had explained most of what happened over the last two months while Usagi had forgotten everything. She explained how she and the other Guardians of Earth had lived a normal life with the monsters of the Dark Kingdom all cleared out. Explaining how the guys all had civilian identities, jobs, and living happy lives now.
Now they had lapsed into silence after they had received their drinks.
Usagi couldn't help but feel there was more Ayame wasn't telling her. Everything Ayame had told her still didn't explain the glares the Four Kings of Heaven had given her last night.
As Ayame sat down her cup, Usagi jumped a little, making the girl smirk before getting serious. With the blonde's attention now focusing on Ayame, she placed her elbows on the table and threaded her fingers together, her chin resting on them.
"Usagi, I just want to know one thing."
Usagi gulped as she fidgeted in her seat.
Ayame cleared her throat and smiled for a moment before he faced morphed into a scowl. "What were you thinking when you erased everyone's memories of our friendship?!"
Usagi squeaked as she cowered in her seat, not having expected such an outburst.
"I understand wanting to forget being a Sailor Guardian, but going so far to erase even the time you spent as civilians was sloppy and irresponsible! You didn't even ask if the others wanted to forget. You forced your decision on them. The others and I have been trying to fix everything for over two months now. If it wasn't for us, you wouldn't be friends with Ami or Makoto right now. We've been trying to get the others together and introduce all of you for a while now." Ayame growled before sighing.
Ayame rubbed her head to fight off the growing headache. 'The past isn't the only thing she has forgotten. She's forgotten how selfishly stubborn she was. At the rate she was going, it seemed that she was never going to fall in love with Mamoru again.'
While she wasn't looking, Usagi had looked out the window guiltily. To her surprise and joy, Mamoru happened to walk past the window.
With a gasp, Usagi rushed out of the café.
Looking up at the noise, Ayame gasped as she saw Usagi run away towards her brother. "Usagi, wait! There's something you should know!"
Ayame tsked as the blonde ignored her call. She got up to follow the girl and stop her from making a fool of herself, but had to stop and pay for the bill too. Which only added to her anger at the blonde. As she rushed after the girl, a darker part of her couldn't wait to see Usagi's crushed reaction when Mamoru didn't remember her. 'Part one of my revenge is almost ready. This is going better than I hoped!' Ayame though with a chuckle.
For Mamoru, it was a normal day on his way to work as he waited for the light to change so he could walk across. He would have taken his car, but he felt like the exercise would be good for him. He just had this feeling he should. As he waited he didn't notice a certain blonde come up and stand beside him.
"Hey there, Mamoru?" Usagi greeted him as she wrapped her arms around his left.
"Whoa! Let go! What's going on?!" Mamoru demanded to know as he slightly freaked out. More than surprised at the blonde's sudden 180 in her actions towards him.
"You know perfectly well what's going on. Don't act so surprised." Usagi answered as she blushed and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"But-But I am surprised. How is it you even know my name, Bun-head? Did Ayame tell you?" Mamoru asked, uncomfortable with what was going on and trying to figure why it was happening.
"C'mon! There's nothing endearing about the name Bun-head. When we're out in public together, why don't you just call me Usagi?" She offered.
Mamoru let out a strained chuckle before replying. "Your name is Usagi? Good to know!"
"What?! I can't believe it! How could you ever forget my name, Mamoru?" Usagi demanded to know, upset he had forgotten.
Rushing to their side, Ayame caught her breath before intervening.
"Usagi! Don't run off like that when someone is talking to you. I had to pay for the bill!" She scolded before turning to address Mamoru. "I'm so sorry if she bothered you Mamoru. She can act sometimes without thinking things through." Ayame apologized as she pulled Usagi off of him.
Straightneing his coat, Mamoru smiled as he ruffed Ayame hair.
"Don't mention it. It's okay, Ayame." He replied.
Ayame pretended to get upset with the attention as she tried to fix it. "I thought I asked you to stop treating me like a little kid. I'm fourteen, not four."
"Sorry." Mamoru spoke with a chuckle, showing he wasn't all that sorry. "You're just too cute. I can't help it."
Off to the side, Usagi felt her heart breaking. 'What's going on? Mamoru remembers Ayame... Why doesn't he remember me?'
Ayame turned back to her friend and seeing the sad look in the blonde's eyes made Ayame fill with glee on the inside. On the surface she smiled sadly as she moved over and whispered in the other girl's ear.
"This is what I was trying to tell you, Usagi. Before you ran off. I didn't want you to learn it like this. I hated having to tell you, that's why I had a hard time telling you. Mamoru doesn't remember anything that happened with the Sailor Guardians, the Dark Kingdom or our past lives."
At this, Usagi gasped. 'I get it now. Mamoru doesn't remember our former life together, like I do... Which means... he's forgotten how much we loved each other back then, too!' She thought with a whimper. Remembering the beautiful kiss he had giving her before the attack of the Dark Kingom on the moon.
'But why does he act so friendly with Ayame?' She wondered.
"This is why the guys were glaring at you last night. They were finally free and their prince was ripped away from them again. The reason he acts like this with me is because I've spent the last two months trying to get to know my brother again from scratch. It's all thanks to you, you did this to him Usagi, and the others. You forced him to forget and I lost my brother again." Ayame spoke sadly. Keeping the anger from her voice.
It was then the full consequences of her actions hit Usagi. She thought she was securing happiness, but she ripped away the happiness of others for her own selfish wishes. In her distress, she reached out and wrapped her arms around Mamoru's. Whimpering as she snuggled closer, seeking comfort from the man she loved yet didn't remember her.
"Hey, do you have a fever or something? What's the matter with you?" Mamoru asked, concerned for the weird girl latched on to him.
Across the street, Natsumi happened to be walking by and gasped at the sight of the boy she had seen yesterday.
With stars in her eyes, she clasped her hands together. "Oh! There's that cool guy. I wonder if he remembers me?"
Trying to get closer, Natsumi accidentally walked into traffic. Cars flying by as she stood on the narrow line dividing the street.
"Hey, Tsukino! Hold on to that guy! Don't let him get away, okay?!" Natsumi told the blonde as she waited for an opportunity to get closer.
"Natsumi?" Usagi asked incredulously. Shocked that her classmate was doing something so reckless.
"What? Not another weirdo! Oh, man! Let go of me!" Mamoru demanded as he tugged his arm out of Usagi's grasp. "I'm gonna be late for work!" He yelled as he crossed the street that wasn't flooded with traffic.
"You got a job?! What kind of work do you do? Where do you have to go?" Usagi asked, eager to know more about him.
"That's really none of your business! Ayame! You better not tell her where I work!" Mamoru shouted over his shoulder.
"Okay! Have a good day, Mamoru!" Ayame answered, waving him goodbye.
"Hey, I was just askin'!" Usagi whined. Looking at her friend, Usagi sent her a pleading look to tell her where Mamoru worked.
"Oh no, Usagi. He just asked me not to tell you. You won't get a peep out of me." Ayame told her.
Whining again, Usagi started to run after him, only to be forced to stop when Natsumi managed to cross the street.
"You're such a klutz! How could you not hold on to him? How difficult could that really be?" Natsumi demanded to know as Usagi struggled to get out of her hold.
As Ayame watched, she finally got a good look at Natsumi. She wore a black tank top underneath an off the shoulder sweater type shirt with a red and gold oval shaped pin in the center. Further down, was a red skirt and black leggings, and brown ankle boots to complete the look.
"Let go of me! Mamoru's getting away!" Usagi cried once she finally got Natsumi to let go.
"Oh really, his name is Mamoru? I didn't know that." Natsumi remarked as she moved Usagi out of the way, stars once again in her eyes.
"Mamoru! I'm Natsumi Ginga!" She called out, introducing herself even though he was already long gone.
"Back off! What do you think you're doing?! Mamoru's mine!" Usagi yelled.
"I don't think he feels the same way about you." Natsumi pointed out.
"Well maybe not at the moment..." Usagi muttered, back tracking a little, knowing Natsumi had a point. It wasn't like she could tell her about their past lives and stuff.
"Then that means Mamoru is fair game for both of us!" Natsumi cheered.
'Not if I have anything to say about it!' Ayame thought with a glare as she crossed her arms at the girl.
"Mamoru...I, Natsumi Ginga, will pierce your heart and all your passion receptor points with arrows of... adoring love!" She said aloud, daydreaming as she giggled.
Usagi made a disgruntled face at Natsumi's actions. 'Crazy stalker!'
Ayame couldn't help by sigh. 'Great. First Usagi had that boy that liked her. Now, to make matters worse, Mamoru has another girl besides Usagi after him. Now that Usagi remembers, the boy probably won't be much of a problem. But something about this Natsumi Ginga tells me she's going to be nothing but trouble.'
With yet another sigh, Ayame walked away. She had basically told Usagi everything she needed to know. If there were any other questions the blonde had, then they would cross that bridge when they got to it.
For now, Ayame had bigger problems to worry about.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Heading over to the mansion, Ayame let herself in and headed straight to the library. Pulling down a book, a secret passage opened. Stepping down the stairs, she greeted the guys in the lab they had created down there.
At one table, Kunzite was pouring over books he had accumulated from the library, some of them had come from Elysion. After the fall of the Golden Kingdom, Helios had managed to recover many of the ancient tomes. With the new threat, Helios had sent some of the books, hoping there was something in them that might be related to the aliens that would give them an edge. Nephrite was helping him with the book while Zoisite was examining the card once again under microscopes and other machines that they had built to detect energy traces and anything else the might need.
Each one of them looked like they were exhausted. Jadeite was helping them keep their energy up by providing coffee and food. When she had greeted them, the most she received were grunts.
Rubbing his eyes and looking away from the books, Nephrite managed to give her a smile.
"Don't tell me you guys have been at this all night and day. While I will agree it's important to take care of this new threat as soon as possible, we need to be well rested so we can fight them at peak performance." Ayame told them as she walked up behind Nephrite and rubbed his shoulders. Making him groan in relief.
Standing up and stretching, Kunzite yawned as he took a break. "We know your highness. Sorry for making you worry."
Zoisite looked away from the microscope and rubbed his eyes.
Once she was done with the massage, Nephrite looked down at the book, guilt written on his face. "I just want to finish this as soon a possible. They attacked my sister. I wasn't there to stop the monster or protect her." He said as his hands drew up into fist.
"The enemy caught us all off guard. Now, that we know they are here, we'll be ready for them. We'll figure it out soon. We'll protect the people of Earth, and everyone else who is close to us. Don't worry." Ayame promised as she kissed his cheek.
Nephrite could help but smile a little.
"What have you found so far?" She asked as she sat down on a stool.
"Not much, I'm afraid." Kunzite answered. Grimacing as he looked at the stacks of books. There was a small pile of books Ayame assumed were the ones they had already gone through. There were still many piles to go through.
"We've scoured at least a dozen books and there is nothing. Earth wasn't exactly a space traveling planet during the Silver Millennium to begin with. So our knowledge of things outside of our planet is rather limited, much less something from outside our solar system. As you already know, contact between the Earth and Moon was limited at best. Though there were other planets that visited for diplomatic reasons, they were special exceptions and sharing knowledge wasn't always a priority. The Moon Kingdom wanted Earth to develop normally, guiding us when needed, but left to our own devices for the most part. So finding information on what exactly we are facing now is going to be hard to find." Nephrite spoke.
"Don't forget, most of the books were lost when the Dark Kingdom took over. Even if there was information on them, it might have been lost. Helios couldn't save all the books." Jadeite added as he jumped atop a stack of books.
Ayame nodded as she turned to Zoisite. Taking this as his cue, he spoke. "I've looked into the card you gave us with the computers and lab equipment. However, I am unable to retrieve the image that was once on it.
"What I have found from the lingering traces of energy, is that it is an extremely similar type of energy as the residue found at the crash site. The energy trace is closer to anything else I've compared it to from here on Earth. So close, I almost missed it honestly. I thought I was looking at the same thing."
"What makes the energy patterns different is the most interesting part. The energy from the crash site seems to have come from some organic plant based material of all things. From my findings, I believe this card originally came from whatever plant crashed here with the aliens. If it was a tree, then the card might have been made from the fibers. There is a definite connection between the two, though don't ask me how aliens are connected to a plant. What we do know is, if it wasn't already obvious, our little aliens arrived in the crash. Energy traces from the residue and the card proves it." Zoisite explained.
"Can you trace it?" Ayame asked.
"Unfortunately, no. I've tried that already and there is nothing. Our foe certainly knows how to cloak itself. If all their monsters are sealed in these cards, then we won't find any energy signatures until the activation of a card. If I had a stronger energy trace from the original source, or it released a strong output of energy, I might be able to locate them. But by then we would already know where it is and thus it would be a waste of time." Zoisite explained.
"I see... Thank you all for your hard work. Take a break for now, you all deserve it." Ayame told them.
Too tired to protest, the Four Kings of Heaven got up and headed upstairs. Following them, Ayame brushed against one of the stacks of books. Causing a book or two to fall to the floor. Picking them up, Ayame's eyes widen in shock of the image that was once on Vampir's card looking back at her.
"I found it!" She shouted.
Hearing this, the men came racing back down the stairs to see what she had found.
"It says here it's called a Cardian. Based off fortune telling, the number of cards varies from wielder to wielder. Energy is stored into the card as it is made or from the material the card came from. The image drawn on it creates the monster. There are many possibilities for what the card looks like and what their powers are. What they are used for depends of the wielder's wishes. It has been used by multiple species and races in not only the solar system, but in many places in the galaxy." Ayame read.
Looking at the next page, the book moved on to a different subject.
"Is that it!? There has got to be more than that!" Zoisite said as he took the book and rapidly began searching though the pages.
"That's enough, Zoisite!" Kunzite scolded him. Making the young man stop.
"If there is nothing more it says, then there's nothing more. At least we have a better idea of what we are up against. We are all tired and need some rest." Kunzite spoke as he took the book from Zoisite and placed it on the table.
Nodding, they left the lab.
"I'll tell the girls what we've discovered. I'll see you later." Ayame said.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
At the Juban Odysseia, hidden in one of the apartment rooms that had been transformed, Ail stood in front of the tree. Watching helplessly as the leaves were once again withering away like the night before. The tree losing its glow.
"The Makai Tree, the very source of our life... is getting very weak. It's accumulated energy is running out." Ail observed with a worried frown.
Off to the side, Natsumi appeared out of no where, not even needing to use the door. "So! That effort was a waste, and depleted my resources." She complained.
Jumping over to join the other alien, Ann threw off her human disguise and revealed her true self. Leaning against his shoulder, she smiled sweetly at him before telling what she needed. "Ail, I'm gonna need more energy."
Ail looked at her before directing his gaze back to the tree. "An, there isn't much left. The Makai Tree is depleted."
"What?! Are you absolutely sure?" An asked, shocked it was happening so soon after harvesting some from just last night. Even with the Cardian destroyed, they managed to secure some energy. She didn't understand how this could happen so soon.
"Yes. To replenish it, we'll need to steal some life energy from the humans on this planet." Ail reminded her of their plan.
"I'd say we need to steal a lot..." An said with a smile as the two chuckled, taking pleasure from the though of draining more 'pathetic' humans.
Not wasting a moment, Ail pulled out the cards. Fanning them out for An to have multiple to choose from.
"Go ahead, An..." He encouraged her. "It's up to you to pick the right Cardian who is best suited for this energy-gathering task."
"Okay..." An complied as she pulled out a card, looked at the blank card, and flicked it up into the air.
Floating in the air, suspended above them, the card let out a small golden flash before revealing the image. Surrounded by stone columns, both standing and fallen over broken, a monster that looked similar to a satyr stood with her arms crossed over her chest. While she was like a satyr, the lower part body was more like that of a cow, with her orangish-brown coat, tail, and white horns on her head, big as an ox's horns. With blue skin, her hair was a darker shade of brown than her tail.
"Cardian Minotauron..." Ail said the monster's name aloud. Both Aliens smiling as the card began to glow again, the monster's eyes glowing red.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Some distance away, at TV-Ashita, there was a special meeting going on for a new tv drama. Something special about TV-Ashita was that it happened to be owned by a Mr. Teiso. The CEO of many talent agencies, who was the civilian identity of Kunzite.
In on of the projector room, the directors and other people behind the drama were gathered together.
"We've narrowed the search for the role of Mikan Shiratori's younger sister to these final candidates." One man told the others as he showed the first slide. The image of Naru, Ayame and Usagi shown playing volleyball. Usagi getting hit in the face.
"Forget her." One man said as he used a pointer and directed it at Usagi. "The others are good choices, especially this one." He continued, pointing at Ayame.
"I like her, too. Very natural looking." One of the older directors added, pointing at Naru.
The next slide showed Makoto wearing her karate robes. Poised to attack her opponent who stood before her, that person being Taura, wearing the same outfit.
"Any of these ten would be perfect for this series." Another commented.
The slide switching to Minako as she sniffed a pink flower. Kneeling beside her, Nanami held her sketch pad open as she drew the scene before her.
"It wasn't easy to find them." One man said.
The next slide showing Ami as she reached beside her desk to pick up some fallen school materials.
"Well now that you have, we need to bring them in to audition and go from there." The other said.
The next slide showed Jing with Hiroko standing in front of the Church Hiroko's uncle preached at.
"Let's get started. Set up the appointments as soon as possible."
The final slide showed Rei working at the shrine with Grandpa in the background.
"Yes, sir."
Unseen by the executives, Ail and An appeared in the room.
"What do you think of these girls?" An asked telepathically to her counterpart.
"I think they'll do nicely. They'll give us both a lot of energy." Ail replied in a whisper.
As the lights were turned on and the men in the room stood up, one of them was startled to see Ail and An. Thinking they were actors in costume, he began to scold them.
"Hey! How did you two get in here?! This screening room is for executives only. Extras casting is down the hall."
Moving away from the wall they were leaning against, An spoke to the man. "My mistake. I didn't know that. I apologize."
Here eyes began to glow and sending out a high pitched noise, the men in the room began screaming until they all passed out.
Seeing they would no longer be an issue, Ail couldn't help but chuckle.
"It would be so easy to steal energy from these humans. But let's wait." Ail suggested. "There's no need to stuff ourselves with a lesser grade. We'll get a much higher quality of energy from those young girls."
"I agree, but for now, these guys can help by turning over their staff to us." An suggested.
Causing both to chuckle as they prepared their trap.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
"What?! Are you really gonna be on TV?!" Usagi spazzed, shouting it out for everyone in the classroom to hear.
Luckily no one was paying attention.
"Shh...Keep your voice down, Usagi!" Naru told her before sitting down.
"Oh..." Usagi uttered, realizing her mistake in her excitement.
"It might happen. I don't know." Naru explained.
"There's going to be other girls, too." Ayame added. "So there is no guarantee it will be either of us."
"The talent scout who spotted us, now wants us to go to some big audition down at the TV station." Naru explained further.
"Mmm... That's cool!" Usagi gushed impressed, but with less enthusiasm that before.
"So, Usagi..." Naru started.
"What is it?" Usagi asked, leaning in to see what was wrong.
"You know how I seem to have a knack for getting involved in strange situations?" Naru asked, using air quotes for strange situations.
Each of them knowing full well what those situations were now that Usagi had her memories back. It was easier to talk about it, but they still had to be careful no one overheard them.
"I'm worried this might be another one of those. While I know I can rely on Ayame, I still can't help but feel worried." Naru explained.
"Stop worrying! And besides, they don't happen to you all that often. I'm sure you're gonna be just fine!" Usagi insisted.
"You really think so?" Naru asked, hope growing within her.
"Oh course!" Usagi insisted.
Ayame scowled at Usagi before speaking. "Excuse me, Usagi, but these incidents have been happening more often that you think! First it was the Jadeite with the jewelry store. After that was the time with the Kijin and the camera monster. Next she was attacked at the mall by Nephrite, and after that, at that ball for the Diamond Embassy. Then she was kidnapped by Zoisite. Then attacked by the Rainbow Crystal monster, Boxii. Then the time Zoisite was after her at the amusement park. Oh, and don't forget that time with Kunzite and his monster Oniwabandana. And finally, the latest incident with Vampir! That is NINE times, Usagi! Nine times! She has every right to be worried!"
Ayame panted as she ended her rant.
"Oh..." Usagi uttered, suddenly sheepish. She didn't really have a comeback for that. "Well, I could go with you if that would make you feel better, Naru. Just in case you're right. You'll be safe with me and Ayame there to protect you!"
With a gasp of joy, Naru got out of her seat and clasped Usagi's hands.
"You would do that? You really are my very best friend!" Naru gushed happily.
Meanwhile, Usagi couldn't help chuckling at her thoughts. 'Once I'm there, I bet I'll be able to wrangle my way in to get an audition, too!'
She thought as she imagining herself in a pink dress with a crown on her head, smiling under a spotlight while holding a bouquet of pink roses. Her other hand holding up a peace sign as confetti rained down from above. A sash reading, 'YOU'RE A STAR', on it.
'That's all it'll take. I'm a shoo-in for the role! Next thing you know, I'm on my way to stardom!' Usagi thought with a bout of laughter. Her cheeks flushed as she started to drool.
Seeing her friends actions, Ayame swiftly grabbed Usagi's ear, giving it a yank as she pulled the blonde closer to whisper in her ear. "I know what you're thinking, Usagi. You're not getting an audition. Your face is like a magnet for volleyballs and you would probably trip over props and the set." Ayame told her before letting the blonde go.
"Besides, you have bigger problems to worry about. The new enemy and getting my brother to fall in love with you again." Ayame reminded her.
Usagi gasped. "You're right, Ayame! If I become a star, I'd be too busy chasing away my fans, Mamoru wouldn't be able to get close to me! That settles it! Forget stardom for now! I can it do after he remembers me! Mamoru will remember me and you can help me, Ayame!" Usagi cheered.
Ayame scoffed. "My team and I were doing that from the very beginning. Of course I'm helping. For now, let's focus on helping Naru."
Nodding, Usagi began daydreaming of the day Mamoru would remember her.
Ayame looked forward to it too. As much as she hated to admit it, Usagi was her best chance at getting her brother back. Both hoped the day was coming soon.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Later during the day, small groups of girls were slowing making their way to TV-Ashita. The first of these walking to the station together was Taura and Makoto.
"Oh! Miss Kino! Miss Cox!" Ami greeted the girls as she walked up to them. The bluenette happy to see familiar faces.
Stopping, Makoto turned to speak to Ami with a smile. "Well, it looks like the rumors are true. Class Five's girl genius is going to audition for this TV show, as well." Makoto spoke.
"Hello, Ami. Nice to see another familiar face." Taura greeted, standing beside the brunette.
"Yes," Ami nodded, agreeing with Taura before she explained her situation. "Some person from the TV station called and insisted that I come and try my luck." Ami confirmed before looking at the station, worry creeping into her voice. "But I don't know if I can take the time away from my studies."
"Well, I'm sure you'll find a way to do both." Makoto assured her.
Coming up from behind them, Minako, Nanami, Rei, Jing, and Hiroko joined them.
"Excuse me." Minako interjected. "Are you three, by any chance, here for the TV show audition?"
"Yeah." Ami answered hesitantly.
"We sure are." Makoto answered.
Taura looked behind Rei and Minako to see her friends and smiled at them. "Jing, Nanami, Hiroko! I didn't know you were auditioning too!"
"You know each other?" Rei and Minako asked their classmates.
"Yep! The four of us have been friends for quite a while. We've been meaning to introduce everyone to each other. This couldn't have turned out better!" Jing cheered.
"Well, then, why don't we all go in together? I heard that these TV stations are pretty big, and it's easy to get lost in them." Rei suggested.
"We are all going to the same place." Hiroko added.
"But first, we should introduce ourselves. I'm Rei Hino." Rei began.
Jing, Nanami, Hiroko and Taura looked at each other, they already knew each others names, but shrugged, and went along with it. They thought they might as well since the other girls didn't know them. They hadn't planned to get the girls together yet, but this did make their job easier.
"I'm Jing Lin." She introduced cheerfully, hopping up and down in place.
"Hiroko Hara. Rei, Jing, and I all go to T·A Academy for Girls and we are friends." Hiroko explained, greeting them with a little more calm than her friend.
"Oh, and I'm Makoto Kino." Makoto introduced herself.
"I'm Ami Mizuno." Ami introduced herself shyly.
"I'm Taura Cox. I go to school with Ami and Makoto at Juban Middle School." She said as she patted the girls on their backs.
"Nice to meet you! My name is Minako Aino." Minako greeted happily, though lacking the amount of enthusiasm as Jing.
"I'm Nanami Kojima. Artist extraordinaire and fellow classmate of Minako here." Nanami greeted.
"Hi there. Good to meet you!" They each greeted yet again now that introductions were over.
Taura, Hiroko, Nanami, and Jing were each watching the others closely. Hoping to see some recognition from the girls with them. A sign that the seal on their memories was weakening. They saw when one by one, each girl let out a gasp. The first being Rei, next Makoto, then Ami, and finally Minako.
Looking at each other, they gave each other bewildered looks.
"Is it possible that the eight of us have met somewhere before?" Rei asked.
"No. This is a first. I think." Ami said, unsure.
"But it is sort of odd. I feel like we're not strangers." Minako added.
"That's weird. I'm picking up the exact same vibe." Makoto spoke, sharing her thoughts.
"Well, me and the others already know each other. Maybe you guys heard about each other from us." Jing offered an explanation.
"Who knows, we may have all met in a past life." Nanami added, making Jing, Hiroko, and Taura laugh at their inside joke only they understood.
Looking at each other, the Sailor Guardians of The Four Winds of Earth, shared knowing smiles. Each feeling like the others are starting to remember. Happy the plan was working.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Meanwhile, inside the station at the Audition room for the role of Mikan Shiratori's sister, there was a little trouble going on.
Dressed in casual clothing, Ayame wore a yellow and green plaid button up shirt, over which was a red button up sweater. Along with white, rolled up shorts and black stockings covering the rest of her legs and a pair of sneakers.
"Huh?! What do you mean I can't go in! That's so not fair!" Usagi whined.
"That's the rule... You can't go inside unless you're on the list to audition." The guard told her, making her back up a little.
"Ah, c'mon! Can't you just make an exception just this one time for me?" Usagi asked, trying to act sweet and cute.
"Sorry! No can do. Now, why don't you just go home." The guard suggested.
"Sorry I made you come." Naru apologized.
Ayame sighed as she ushered Naru in before walking over to Usagi. "I told you, you wouldn't get in. And that's not how you get what you want. I'll see you after the audition. Don't make a fuss while we're gone and no snooping around."
Walking in from the other direction, the others headed to the audition room.
Seeing her former guardians, Usagi couldn't help but gasp along with Luna who was in her arms. Usagi tried to wave her arm at them and greet them, but hesitated. Both because of her joy to see them and recalling they too didn't remember who she was.
"Welcome... If you ladies are here for the audition, please sign in and wait inside this room." The guard informed them.
Rei and Minako each gave Usagi a curious glance before heading into the room while Makoto and Ami smiled and waved.
'Looks like everyone's doing okay.' Usagi thought happily.
Then the rest of the girls pulled up from the end of the line. Each one looking at Usagi and in unison, the four girls pulled down one of their lower eyelids and stuck out their tongues at her before entering the room.
Leaving Usagi baffled at their actions.
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sitting down in the chairs provided, Ayame and Naru were pleasantly surprised to see the others. Gathering around, the girls didn't hesitate to chat with one another. Rei, Minako, Makoto, and Ami watched them and felt a pang of longing. Each one slightly envious of them, deep down wanting to be a part of such a close knitted group like theirs.
But, it all came to an end when a man in a suit came in.
"Thank you all for waiting... We are now ready. The audition process will begin in a moment." The man announced.
Standing up, Ami addressed the man. "Sir, I'm going to have to turn down this audition. I really don't have the time to be here right now."
The man ignored her as he grabbed the end of a curtain and pulled it open, revealing a set behind.
Gasping, the girls looked in amazement of the scene before them. It had a Greek or Roman ruin theme with columns lining a street, many fallen or broken in spots. There was even a small statue of what looked like a sphinx. In the sky was a night full of stars, and five moons. It was the prefect set for a sci-fi flick.
"This set is amazing!" Naru complemented, the group stepping on to the set.
Farther in, standing on one of the remaining columns, the girls weren't alone.
"By all means, take a good look at everything. Because it's going to be your last." Ail promised them.
Ayame gasped at the sight of the alien and his partner. Anger filling her as she glared at them. 'It's them again.'
The others gasping at the sight of them, thinking they were actors.
Ail and An chuckling as they looked down upon them. Their eyes flashing as they stood on the column before them.
"Hello? Excuse me! I'm afraid with my heavy study schedule, I just won't have the time to appear in a TV drama. Thank you for calling me in, but I need to go home and study right now." Ami told them in a rush, repeating what she had told the man before. Bowing, she headed back the way they came.
"You're not going anywhere!" Ail yelled at her before bringing his flute to his lips and let the music play.
Ami gasping at the beautiful sound.
Bringing out the preselected card, An called out the monster's name before flicking it out into the air. "Come forth, Minotauron!"
The image appearing again as the card flashed and let out a bright light. The monster forming before their eyes. "Mi-no!"
The cardian was different from how it looked on its card. The brown fur covering more of her body, only leaving a patch showing her naval. On her shoulders and just above her knees were skulls. The monster also wore a band of gold on her left arm. Around her neck another ring gold.
"Is that some kind of special effect?" Minako asked, shocked.
"I thought we were auditioning for a family drama, not a monster show." Makoto recalled.
"Judging by the scenery, it's more of a Sci-fi than a monster show." Nanami pointed out.
Jumping down from the ruins, Minotauron landed in front of Ami.
"It's not a special effect. It's real!" Ami declared, whimpering in fear as she backed away. The monster smirking at her.
"Go, Minotauron! Absorb every drop of energy from these girls!" Ail ordered.
Pawing the ground with her hoof, the cardian acted just like a bull before charging, yelling out a shorten version of it's name. "Mi-no!"
"Run!" Ami yelled as they all ran away.
Screaming as they fled.
Ayame cursing their luck in her mind as they ran. Looking for something to use as a distraction so she could hide long enough to transform and fight the monster off before it hurt Naru or the others. She made a mental note that the next time Naru got a bad feeling about a monster possibly showing up, she would listen to her.
Ail couldn't help himself as he chuckled at their plight. "I love the screams of young women. They're more beautiful than any sound a musical instrument could ever make!"
"That's the sickest thing I've ever heard!" Nanami yelled as she ran.
"Stupid pervert!" Jing yelled.
"Ail! Stop reveling it in." An scolded her partner. "Let's hurry up and steal their energy before it runs out!"
"You've got to be kidding me, An! Why should I miss the opportunity to enjoy such exquisite art?" Ail questioned her in disbelief.
"Well! I don't have any patience for this! I'm gonna go somewhere else and gather energy in my human form!" An declared.
Reappearing at the edge of the set, Natsumi flipped her hair. "Hmph!"
While the aliens were distracted, Ayame and her team split off from the rest of the group.
"It can't chase after all of us. We'll go this way and try to lead it away. Whichever group it doesn't go after, try to get to the exit and call for help!" Ayame told them, hoping the monster would chase them. As they split up, the cardian unfortunately chased after the others.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Ayame and her team ran to hide behind the columns and other props. Nodding to the others, they began to transform.
"Gaea Founding Power! Make Up!"
"Zephyrus Power! Make Up!"
"Notus Power! Make Up!"
"Eurus Power! Make Up!"
"Boreas Power! Make Up!"
As for the rest of the girls still being chased by Minotauron, they were still screaming as they ran for their lives. Their breathing panicked and rapid. Unable to pace themselves.
Watching them, Ail hadn't even noticed some were missing, chuckling with sadistic glee.
"It's no use! She's gonna get us for sure!" Ami said, running at the back of the group, Naru was unfortunately slowing down, growing tried from all the running.
"Where's the exit?" Minako asked. "Did the others get out?"
"I can't run anymore! I'm too tired!" Naru told the others as she tripped.
Behind the, Minotauron was laughing at them closing in on her prey.
Ami and Minako rushed to Naru's aid while Makoto got into her defensive pose. Rei grabbed the strap of her purse and readied to use it like a whip.
"I'm not sure if we stand a chance, but it's far better than just running around!" Rei said.
"Couldn't of said it better myself." Makoto agreed.
Throwing her purse at the monster, Minotauron screamed as she brushed off the objects.
"Rin-Pyo-To-Sha-Kai-Jin-Retsu-Zai-Zen! Evil Spirit, be exorcized!" Rei shouted as she placed the spell tag on the Cardian's face. Making it scream.
Makoto grabbed the monster's hand and with a yell, flipped it over her shoulder.
"Ahh!" It yelled as it went head first into a column, the rest collapsing on it.
Hiding among the other props, Luna praised them. "Amazing! They're able to hold their own against evil even without their Guardian Powers!"
Unfortunately, the monster wasn't down for good. Up from the rubble, the Cardian's horns rose into the air.
Making the girls gasp. Naru lying against a wall to rest while the others stood wary of the monster's next move.
"That thing's no ordinary monster!" Rei told the others, having experience with spirits.
"Mi-no!" It yelled in rage.
Ignoring the others, Minotuaron jumped over them to reach a weaker prey. Smirking in glee while it had Naru cornered.
"Naru!" Rei cried.
Seeing this, Sailor Gaea gasped and motioned Sailor Eurus. Nodding, she quickly moved into position as did the others.
Meanwhile, seeing what was before her, Naru screamed. "Go away!"
With a growl, the Cardian ignored her pleas. Lowing it's head, Minotuaron lined up it's horns as they extended towards her. Naru screamed in fear.
"Oh, no you don't! Autumn's Labors!" Sailor Eurus yelled as she jumped out of hiding. The top of the mace shooting out like a ball of a cannon and hitting the horns off course. Making the monster growl in rage.
"What!?" Ail yelled as he saw these interlopers.
Jumping out of hiding, the others circled the monster, while Sailor Gaea checked on Naru.
"You again!" He growled at the sight of Sailor Gaea.
"I warned you before Ail. I would not rest until you were vanquished or driven off this planet. This time I brought my comrades with me." Sailor Gaea told him before addressing Naru. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah." Naru nodded before turning to the one who saved her. "Thanks, Sailor Eurus!"
"It was my pleasure." She replied.
Growling in anger, Ail glared at them.
"Come on everybody, stay focused! While they keep the monster busy we've got to hurry up and get out of here as soon as we can! Put her on my back, I can carry her!" Makoto told the others as they helped Naru to her feet, who was still tired from all the running.
"Lift her up!" Ami directed as they helped her.
"Thanks." Naru told them, her body shaking from fear and knees shaking from how tired she was.
"Damnit! Where's An? She should be here at a time like this! Minotauron! Do your job. Finish them off now!" Ail ordered his monster.
"Mi-no!" She shouted as she prepared to charge at one of the girls.
"You'll have to go through us before you even have a chance at getting them!" Sailor Zephyrus declared.
Ignoring them Ail disappeared.
"What should I do? Sailor Gaea and the others might need help for this one! Autumn's Labors didn't even crack that thing's horns! I better think of something fast or they'll die!" Luna fretted.
Taking the chance to run, the girls headed away from danger, their breathing heavy as they did so.
Closing in on the monster, Minotuaron could see what they were doing and it's targets were getting away, once again, it jumped over them and raced after the others.
"Get back here! Winter's Tundra!" Sailor Boreas shouted. Unfortunately, the bolts of ice missed as the monster even charged through a few of them and shattered them. Shocking the girls.
"Not good!" Sailor Notus yelled as the five of them ran after the monster. Trying to hit it as they ran.
"I'm gonna have to reawaken them as Sailor Guardians before it's too late!" Luna resolved.
Ahead of them, the rest of the girls were panting as they raced on.
The monster screaming both at the girls it was chasing and the ones chasing her.
"It's a dead end!" Makoto cried, the girls turning around to face their tormentor.
"Hmph!" It huffed, before laughing at them.
"We got you now!" Sailor Zephyrus shouted.
"Stop right there!" Sailor Moon shouted from above, making everyone turn to look up at her.
"Oh, now she shows up." Sailor Gaea muttered.
"Huh?" Minotuaron asked.
Looking up, Sailor Moon stood atop a statue that reminded Sailor Gaea of a hippo.
"I don't know what's really going on here. As a matter of fact, I am totally clueless!" Sailor Moon confessed.
From her hiding spot, Luna couldn't help but sigh in aggravation. "You're not supposed to tell them that!"
"Sailor Moon, you idiot!" Sailor Gaea shouted at her, facepalming.
"But I can't forgive you for whatever you're doing, even though I don't know what it is!" Sailor Moon continued to shout.
"She's attacking people and stealing their energy! It's the same basic gist as the last foes we faced!" Sailor Gaea shouted, explaining.
Glaring at her, Minotuaron growled in annoyance.
"So in the name of the Moon... I'll punish you!" Sailor Moon shouted, finishing her speech.
"Mi-no!" It shouted as it's horns extended smashing through the rock of the statue. Luckily, Sailor Moon jumped out of the way in time.
"Who are they?" Makoto asked as they watched the ensuing fight.
"I'm so close to remembering something, but I don't know what!" Minako said as she held her head.
"Stay there. I'm gonna turn you back into a good girl!" Sailor Moon ordered as she raised her hand, expecting to have her Moon Stick appear. Only her hand remained empty. Realizing this, she looked down at her hand in worry and confusion. "Uh-oh! Where's my Moon Stick?"
"You lost it back at D Point, remember?" Sailor Gaea shouted.
Sailor Moon gasped as she remembered. "Right." Looking up, she screamed as the monster charged at her. "Ahh!"
"You didn't worry about this last night! Besides, this thing was never a good girl! She was never human. She's a card! Once we defeat her she'll turn back into one just like Vampire did! Just think of it as one of Jadeite's old monsters!" Sailor Gaea shouted.
Growling, Minotuaron continued to attack Sailor Moon as she screamed and fumbled away from it.
"What's wrong with her? She's so useless. I guess it's up to me to handle this!" Rei told them as she cracked her knuckles before catching herself. "Hold on, why did I just say that?"
"Rei! She's starting to remember. And so are the others! Watching Sailor Moon and Sailor Gaea is causing them to regain their memories!" Luna observed.
Screaming her lungs off, Sailor Moon couldn't run forever as she was pinned against a wall and Minotuaron pined her between her horns. Without any hesitation, it began to drain Sailor Moon.
"No! I'm losing... my strength..." Sailor Moon weakly protested.
"Mi-no!" It shouted as it lifted its horns up along with the limp body of Sailor Moon.
"So much for handling things by herself!" Luna said as she raced towards Naru and the others.
"That cat's talking!" Minakk exclaimed.
Making Luna stiffen as she looked back at them.
"What's going on here?" Ami asked.
"Well, the cat's out of the bag, so to speak. Sailor Moon's not able to handle this, please help her." Luna begged them.
"Help her with what?" Ami asked.
Luna did not answer the crescent mark on her forehead glowed, sending out four different beams to each of the former Sailor Guardians.
Turing to watch, the Four Winds of Earth Guardians spoke to each of them.
"Sailor Mercury." Sailor Zephyrus addressed her as the symbol of her planet appeared in the glow of the beam.
"Sailor Venus." Sailor Boreas addressed her as the same happened for Minako.
"Sailor Mars." Sailor Notus spoke, though she was somewhat irritated.
"Sailor Jupiter." Sailor Eurus addressed the girl as symbol of her planet appeared in the glow of the beam.
Each one remembering the moments of the final battle against the Dark Kingdom.
"Usagi... No...Sailor Moon!" Rei realized.
"I remember everything now!" Minako exclaimed.
"We're guardians... the four Guardians that protect the Princess!" Makoto declared.
"That's right! How could we have just forgotten all this?" Ami scolded herself.
Smiling, the Four Winds of Earth tossed their transformation pens which they easily caught.
"Mercury Power!"
"Mars Power!"
"Jupiter Power!"
"Venus Power!"
"Make...Up!" They all shouted as they transformed.
Meanwhile, Sailor Gaea was trying to attack Minotuaron to get it to stop draining Usagi. The beast evading her as it laughed in her face. Now that the others had awakened once again, they jumped into action.
"Bubble Spray!"
With the fog to cloud it's vision, Minotauron stopped thrashing about, giving Sailor Venus the opportunity to rescue Sailor Moon from the beast's horns. Making the beast grunts as it adjusted to the previous weight removed.
With an opening to attack, Sailor Jupiter thundered right in. "Supreme Thunder!"
The Cardian screaming in pain.
Next Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus took shots at the foe that had once tormented them.
"Fire...!"
"Crescent...!"
"...Soul!"
"...Beam!"
The attacks combining as the beast gave once last scream. "Cleansing!"
Unable to stand the onslaught, Cardian reverted back to it's true form. The card falling to the ground and slowly turning black as smoke escaped the image.
Seeing their success, the girls couldn't help but let out a bout of giggling.
"Curses! We didn't know there were ten Sailor Guardians!" Ail yelled at them as he and An appeared once again in the rippling image.
"We'll get you for this!" An promised before they disappeared until the next time.
"You're back!" Sailor Moon cheered as she got up.
"Oh boy. You really do need our help. You never could defeat bad guys by yourself." Sailor Mars remarked.
"That's why we're here!" Sailor Jupiter added.
Gathering around the reawakened guardians, Sailor Gaea greeted them. "Welcome back everyone. We're glad to have you with us. I hope we can look forward to having you join us against this new threat."
XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Later, the two sets of guardians, Naru, and the Four Kings of Heaven gathered at the Hikawa Shrine.
"Guess what? I heard that Mikan Shiratori collapsed from total exhaustion, so the TV drama was canceled." Minako told the others.
"Oh no. That's really too bad. But it's a relief to only have to focus on my studies again." Ami said, looking on the bright side of things.
"Sorry about the series. I hope you're not too disappointed it was canceled." Jing told Teiso, or Kunzite.
Kunzite huffed. "It's not your fault. Though, I will admit it's bad for business since it puts us behind schedule. I'll come up with something. I might even start an anime about the Sailor Guardians." He joked.
"Yeah, but it sucks that we're gonna put up with fighting alongside Usagi again. I'd much rather do that TV drama." Rei complained.
"Sorry everyone. If Usagi had been more competent on her own, you could have continued living peaceful lives." Luna apologized.
Jadeite growled at her. "I've already told you, the peace is over. We can't ignore this."
"Personally, I like this better. The people of the Earth and the Moon working together to protect the same planet. The more the merrier as they say. This way the Earth is better protected." Naru pipped up.
"Yeah. They're right. It couldn't be helped. A new enemy has appeared on the scene, and we have a mission. It's our duty to defend the Earth from them, right?" Makoto asked.
"Mhm." The others answered.
Laughing, Usagi spoke. "That's right! But I'd rather play!" She confessed.
"Well, she didn't forget how to be a dork." Luna muttered.
For the Guardians of Earth, they huffed in exasperation.
"I'm okay with the others being back, but are we sure about Usagi?" Taura asked.
"Can we seal away her memories and keep the others? It would make this a lot easier." Zoisite suggested.
"No, Zoisite. We can't. It wouldn't be fair to the others and we need all hands on deck." Ayame declined.
"Hopefully, this time she will actually mature. She didn't start crying this time when she was fighting, that's progress." Hiroko added, trying to help.
"With the others to protect her, she's not totally hopeless." Jing added.
"Now all we have to do is bring back Mamoru's memories!" Usagi declared as she giggled.
"She's completely forgotten that we still have an enemy to defeat." Nanami huffed.
"I'm beginning to question our prince's choice in girls." Nephrite muttered.
"Brother chose her, we must respect that. We defeated the Dark Kingdom. I know we can do it." Ayame encouraged them.
Smiling, her team nodded.
As Ayame watched the others, she knew she would have her hands full, but she was happy they were all together again. When her brother joined them, her world would be complete.