The Power of Serenity
Chapter 4
Soul vs Energy
Sakura felt the card slip from her pocket, heard the girl's battle cry, and then saw a red boot fly over her head and smack the monster on the head. Sakura released the Shield and jumped back. She saw that the blonde girl had changed into a short sailor suit and was thoroughly whomping on the monster and resolved to think more about it later.
Unfortunately, after a few good kicks, the monster shook off her stupor and swiped at Sailor Moon. She jumped back and held a hand over the bleeding scratch on her bicep.
"Freeze!" Sakura commanded, releasing the card to entrap the monster in a block of ice.
"Thank you," the sailor scout responded.
"I don't think it's going to last long. Any ideas?"
Sailor Moon gritted her teeth. "Not exactly. I'm not even sure what just happened."
"We can discuss it later, promise," Sakura responded. She attempted a grin, but knew it didn't quite meet her eyes.
Crack!
The ice splintered and the monster dashed to the opposite end of the store… Straight towards the unconscious girl!
"Naru!" Sailor Moon shrieked. The oo at the end of the name echoed through the room, amplifying with every repetition. All of the glass in the building shattered, including a few pieces of jewelry from the case. Sakura felt glad that she had been standing behind Sailor Moon.
The monster, however, was in the middle of the blast. She covered her ears with her hands. "Arg, it's deafening," she cried.
Sakura looked for Kero, knowing it was by Naru, and therefore in range of the sonic blast. He was hovering by the girl, covering one over her ears as best he could and gritting his teeth.
Sakura grasped Sailor Moon's arm. The girl gasped and the sound quieted down. She stared at the monster, seemingly having a sudden revelation. She reached up and removed the tiara from her head while the monster was still stunned. The tiara began to hover and spin over Sailor Moon's palm.
Sakura stepped away and let the girl work.
"Shield!" she summoned a bubble around Naru and Kero. Sakura nodded at Sailor Moon.
"Moon Tiara Action!" she launched the tiara.
The monster didn't have time to react. The tiara collided with her and she screeched demonically. As the tiara few back to Sailor Moon, the creature began to melt. Slowly, surely turning into a pile of sand on the floor.
"W-where's Naru's mom?" Sailor Moon asked, staring at the pile in horror.
Sakura brushed her shoulder, collapsing her wand and restringing it. "I'm sure she's fine. Kero, can you fly around and search for her?"
"Sure thing, kiddo," he responded, flitting into the backroom.
"She should be okay," Sakura said after checking on Naru. "She was knocked out with a spell just after I got here."
"So, um, any idea how I change back?" Sailor Moon asked.
#
Kunzite raised a hand, electricity gathering at his fingertips. "Manganese Lightning Burst!"
The energy condensed in his palm and abruptly shot forward in a beam of white light.
Calaveras jumped out of the way, the laser scraping her arm. Her skin sizzled and she screamed, resisting the urge to cover the wound with her hand. Instead, she clenched her fist.
"You," she growled. "Boys, get him!"
A swarm of young men lined up to tackle Kunzite like he was the enemy quarterback and rushed him. Kunzite easily evaded by jumping over them.
Yugi watched the entire exchange from his position on the pavement. His arm stung, but the pain wasn't too bad. He knelt on one knee wondering why Kunzite wasn't more alarmed by the transformation, and quietly watching Kunzite zap Calaveras' followers. He knocked them out efficiently with a few well-timed bolts of electricity.
Finally, he was the last one standing, fallen frat boys and sorority girls scattered in the quad. Calaveras glared at him, teeth grinding.
Suddenly, Artemis jumped from a bush behind her and snatched the gem with his teeth. He bolted over to Yugi and placed the black crystal in his palm.
The sorceress screeched, the sound echoing off the brick buildings around them. She dashed forward, attempting to reach Yugi. Kunzite grasped her wrist and held her against his chest, preventing her from getting too close. Unfortunately, she wriggled like a worm and there was no way he could hold her for long.
Yugi stood as quickly as he could and threw the gem on the concrete. He stomped on it with his heavy boot and twisted. The gem ground into sand and Yugi was thrown back by the force of escaping energy.
"You fools!" Calaveras screamed, finally escaping Kunzite's hold. She bounced out of reach. "You'll regret this," she said before disappearing into thin air.
Yugi sighed.
"That was strange," Kunzite noted. He looked at his gloves and then looked at Artemis. "So how do I switch back?"
"And you think I know because?" the cat responded, ears flicking.
"You're a magic talking cat."
Artemis sighed. "You're lucky that I actually do know what is going on. Just relax and breathe. Let the power go."
Kunzite closed his eyes and did as the cat suggested. There was a flash of light and he was back in his slacks and polo. He ran a hand through his long hair.
"I believe it's time for you to explain now," Masahiko said.
#
The pharaoh stared intently at the Celestial Warrior as she paced back and forth in front of the Space-Time Door. He wasn't sure what she was so worked up about. As far as he could tell, everything that happened to their friends blew over well. Even if Yugi getting hoisted by Calaveras nearly had him hopping through the gate himself.
"Something didn't go according to plan?" Yami asked.
"Well… Hmm… How do I explain?" Pluto responded.
Yami sat on the floor and patted the space next to him. "From the beginning, I would imagine."
Pluto's eyes widened a tad, then she sighed and sat down next to the pharaoh, laying her scepter across her legs.
"Long ago, before Egypt, before Babylon, there was a kingdom of people who lived on the Moon. They lived peacefully under the rule of Queen Serenity and her teenage daughter. The princess was fascinated with the people on Earth, and regularly snuck down to visit. During one of these visits she met Prince Endymion and they fell madly in love. I'd never seen anything like it, so selfless and balanced, I loved watching them, pretending I could have something like that one day too.
"But there were enemies lurking in the dark, who wanted the Queen's power, a legendary stone called the Millennium Silver Crystal. They incited the people of Earth to revolt against Prince Endymion and attack the Moon Kingdom.
"The prince and princess, all of their retainers, they all died in the ensuing battle. Queen Serenity wanted to give them a second chance, so she used the last of her power to ensure they would be reborn together; but she also knew that Princess Serenity would be born with her own Silver Crystal and that the Dark Kingdom would return for her."
"So she sealed their powers in the Duel Monsters cards?" Yami cut it.
"Yes, as well as their memories of life on the moon," Pluto replied. "She also sent Artemis and Luna to guide them. Artemis is doing a fantastic job and he's exactly where he needs to be, but Luna got distracted by that moon boy. Sakura and Usagi don't have anyone to explain anything to them. They are probably scared out of their wits, and I can't do anything from here."
Yami patted her shoulder. "Sakura has those guardians of hers. I'm sure they will figure something out. Just calm down and see what happens."
Pluto placed her hand over his and took a long, deep breath. "Okay," she replied.
#
Sakura and Sailor Moon sat across from each other at the park. It was the best place they could think of to figure everything out while the people at the jewelry store woke up.
"Let's take this slowly," Sakura said. "Try to calm down and relax."
"Okay," Sailor Moon replied warily. She closed her eyes and tried to regulate her breathing. She even tried to imagine how she really was; her red, white, and blue school uniform; her long, blonde hair carefully rolled into an odango hairstyle every morning; her cheerful smile in the mirror. When she opened her eyes she saw that Sakura was smiling at her.
"You did it," she said.
Usagi looked down and was happier to see her uniform than she'd ever been in her life.
"So," Usagi said, "what is going on?"
"Honestly, I'm not completely sure either," Sakura replied before filling Usagi in on what she did know. The poor girl was a bit overwhelmed, but she seemed to be handling it well. Usagi didn't run away screaming or flat out refuse to believe any of it. She just sat there staring at Sakura with a mildly confused look on her face.
"What do we do now?" Usagi asked.
"We go home," Sakura replied. "I doubt we'll be able to figure anything else out tonight. Shall we meet here tomorrow?"
Usagi nodded. "I have class, so it will have to be in the afternoon. Is that alright?"
"Of course. Goodnight, Usagi. Sleep well," Sakura replied before trotting off, Kero hot on her heels.
Her father was probably worried sick.
#
Luna stretched her body lazily and watched the two young men as they sat down to dinner. She had learned their names easily, Toya and Yukito, though they were continuing their discussion about what to call her. While Toya was leaning toward more generic names, like Blackie and Soot, Yukito was getting more creative. He had offered up Starrie and Serena as possible names already, though he didn't seem a hundred percent sold on the idea. Once again Luna wondered if this boy was connected to the moon somehow.
Well, somehow more than the moon-angel he had turned into when his young lady friend came over for advice. She'd considered speaking up then, but wasn't sure if she ought to because the girl wasn't part of her mission. Her magic was celestial, but also internal, like she had her own star burning brightly in her chest. Rather unusual for a human, yes, but not unheard of. In fact, she could recall seeing the same thing in a young man… somewhere, but she couldn't quite remember.
Yukito's magic, however, was different. Was it possible that when the princess was reincarnated she had been born a boy? It wasn't impossible. She could have been reborn as a boy as a protection measure against the Dark Kingdom. No one would expect the princess to be a man. And the moon-angel could also be a protection, or a protector. Luna wasn't exactly sure how it worked, and without talking to Yukito she doubted she ever would.
There was really only one choice. She had to talk to Yukito to really see if he was Princess Serenity.
Toya stood up and carried the plates to the kitchen. Luna heard the water start to run and hopped up on the table in front of Yukito. He smiled sweetly.
"You can't sit up here, little one," he said, reaching to put Luna back down.
"Excuse me," Luna replied, dodging his hands. "I need to speak with you." She paused, waiting to see his reaction.
"Oh, you can talk," he said nonchalantly. "Okay, but will you please come off the table, it is unsanitary."
Luna thought that she was more startled than he was, but she obliged, landing softly on the linoleum floor.
"Do you have a name?" Yukito asked.
"Yes, it's Luna."
"Nice to meet you, Luna."
"Oh, so she can talk?" Toya stated as he walked though the door drying his hands on a towel.
Luna tilted her head to the side and flicked her ears. She expected at least a little shock.
"Toya, meet Luna. So, what would you like to discuss?" Yukito replied, shifting himself to the floor. Toya nodded and sat next to him.
Luna cleared her throat. "I am here on a very important mission to find the Moon Princess and protect her from the clutches of the Dark Kingdom."
End of Chapter 4.
There weren't as many questions that came through as I expected, but that's okay. We will do another Q&A in the future.
Q&A #1
Q: Is Chibi-usa going to be in The Power of Serenity?
A: Yes, eventually.
Chapter 5 will be uploaded on August 1, 2019.
Happy Reading