Search for the Moon Princess: Ep. Seven

"Look, kid, I know you're new in this neighborhood so we'll explain things one more time. My dad is with the Genki Neighborhood Association. So is his."

Both older boys had the collars of their school uniforms open. The bigger had his sleeves rolled back as well, and something that looked like a tattoo peered out from his upper arm. The younger boy had just started at junior high and the satchel on his back looked bigger than he was. His eyes were angry and afraid under the thatch of black hair.

"You get money from your parents. We get fifty percent from you. Everyone goes home happy. Understand? Nothing personal, kid; it's just the way things are done here." The two pressed in closer.

"Un uh." The boy shook his head. He tried to back away but there was a wall in the way.

The one with the tattoo sighed. "You don't want to do that."

"Funny. I was about to say the same thing."

Everyone jerked around at the new voice. A girl was there. She was in the uniform of their junior high; a long brown skirt and a lace-up shirt. Her mahogany hair was caught up in a graceful ponytail. She was big for her age; almost as big as the two toughs.

"What's your problem, sweetie?" The boy with the tattoo recovered first.

The tall girl sauntered closer. She seemed utterly relaxed, completely unfazed by the clenched fists. "I've been trying to remember if I'm right-handed or left-handed," she said. "I wonder if you could help?"

"Out...of...our...way." The boy with the tattoo said between his teeth. He grabbed the tall girl by the shirt front.

She hit him with a right cross. "Thanks!" she said brightly. "Right-handed!"

I should really learn to hold my temper, the girl thought as the other tough closed in. One more fight and they're liable to kick me out of this school. But sure as my name's Lita, I can't abide a bully...







SEARCH FOR THE MOON PRINCESS



Episode Seven: Boy Trouble



The cavern was empty but for Jadeite and his Queen. This once, he would have been more than happy to have the other Generals there, mocking him, taunting him, pushing the Queen to send them instead and jockeying for power in the brutal and unceasing way of the Negaverse.

The Queen brooded over her crystal. "You are certain it was one of the young Princesses."

"I am, My Queen." Jadeite replied, holding his voice as steady as he could. Fear burned in his stomach, far more painful than what that damnable Shinto girl had done to him. "She had one of those silly costumes they were wearing when our soldiers broke into their chambers so long ago."

The Queen raised her head just enough to catch Jadeite in a look that was fearfully cold and distant. "As I recall, those first soldiers died. General Malachite had to finish them off himself. Not a bad showing for a handful of adolescent girls."

"It's just one of them now," Jadeite said, beginning to sweat again. He saw the trap all too clearly now but he could find no way to avoid it.

He knew what the Queen was searching for now. He knew why she had forced upon them all the slow progress and skulking caution, and why out of all the Generals only he had been allowed on Earth so far.

If a lady-in-waiting of the Moon Kingdom could be on Earth in this time, then so could the greatest treasure of the Moon Kingdom; the Imperium Silver Crystal. It would have been just like that damned Serenity to send that thing forward when her dainty little kingdom fell. With power like the Imperium Silver Crystal Queen Beryl could rule forever. With power like that an ambitious General could take the Negaverse from her and rule in her stead.

Which meant he wasn't likely to leave this throne room alive.

"My Queen, do you still care if this girl is stopped?" he asked politely, dissembling at his very best. "She doesn't seem to be much of a threat to our operations."

The Queen looked at him without expression. Jadeite had a flash of hope. Perhaps she truly believed no thought of the Imperium Silver Crystal had occurred to him.

"Of course, she can be picked up and disposed of at any time, now," he said lightly. He made an airy wave of his hand. "No need to trace her through class records any longer. All I need is her friends..."

He froze. His last words played in his mind, mocking him, as the expression of sudden fear crossed the coldy beautiful features of his Queen.

Her friends. The young Moon Princess. Jadeite realized how far he had mis-read his Queen. It wasn't desire for the Imperium Silver Crystal that motivated Beryl; it was fear. Serenity had given her the toughest battle since she partook of the Negaforce. And Beryl was in deathly fear that somewhere on Earth might be someone that could use the Imperium Silver Crystal against her once again.

Like the young Princess. Serenity's daughter and heir.

The blinding blue light flashed across him almost before he could perceive it's coming. "My Queen!" he cried. Then the crystal prison closed about him to hold his body frozen for eternity...





"So the barriers between the worlds weakened, and Queen Beryl's army attacked the Moon Kingdom almost without warning. And the Queen of the Moon Kingdom, Queen Serenity, was able to beat them back." Amy was still trying to make sense of it all.

"Not exactly," Luna corrected. "Queen Serenity was able to close the barriers between the worlds and seal the Negaverse up again, but she did so at terrible cost. The Moon Kingdom itself was destroyed."

"So what good was that?" Raye said sharply.

"The Earth was saved. And the Queen was able to save her daughter and her friends as well."

"I thought you said they all died in the..." Suddenly Raye turned, and slid the door sharply open. A young man with shaggy hair and a wisp of beard on his chin looked vaguely startled before falling headlong into the room.

"Dude, that's terrible! They all died?"

Raye blazed up instantly. "What are you doing here, Chad! How dare you listen in on a private conversation between me and my friends! Is this what Grandfather and I brought you into the shrine to do?"

"Hey, like Raye, I'm so sorry. I was coming to see if you wanted some tea and I just got so involved in that story you were telling." The young man rocked backwards, one hand on his head. His cheeks were glowing.

"Aha," Serena said. "Aha," she pointed with one finger. "Look, Raye, he's blushing! He's got something for you, Raye. I'll bet he does!" She swung on the unfortunate lad again. "Isn't she pretty when she's angry? Huh? Isn't she?"

"WOULD YOU STOP THAT!"

They were all silenced by Raye's outburst. Luna sighed. The young man scurried backwards out of the doorway, and they could hear him stumbling backwards off the low wooden porch.

"As I was saying..." the cat said quietly.

Luna is so right, Amy was thinking. Whenever we get together we fight like this. But I like it! A grin floated on her lips; lady-like, she hid it behind one hand. I was so lonely before I met Serena. I'm not any more. She keeps things around her exciting.

I was getting a little grim there, the girl thought. And I made some pretty bad decisions. I have to apologize to Serena for how I was pushing her around back there.

Her mind went back to the conclusion of their extraordinary adventure. She had leapt down from the top of the bus. Without thinking about it. Amy had always been strong and fast -- she was better at sports than she tried to be. But the new power in her made the leap from the top of a city bus a minor thing.

She landed by the detective. Tuxedo Mask was already climbing from the driver's seat.

"This isn't the time or place," Detective Yamamura said before Amy could open her mouth. "Later, we'll talk. For now, you and your friends get out of here. We'll see to the people you rescued."

Amy turned at movement near her. "You saved us again," she said to Tuxedo Mask. "Thank you."

"I must be there, when the one I love is in danger," he replied. He drew his cape about him and lifted into the air, fading into the star-shot night.

"Ooooh!" said both Serena and Raye.

Jadeite was gone before we even thought of looking for him, Amy thought. The girls really don't pay attention to business, do they? But she was blushing inside, at a memory of her own...

"Greg?" He had been waiting just out of sight of the police cars.

"Who's this, Amy?" Serena said.

"This is Greg." Amy said calmly. "He can see into the future."

"Sometimes." Greg shrugged, uncomfortable. "Here." He held out a coat for Amy.

"Yeah, so what is it with that outfit, Amy?" Serena said with a strange smirk. "When did you find time to change?"

"It is the uniform of the Sailor Scouts," Luna explained. For all the help THAT was.

"Ah, thanks, Greg." Amy was shrugging into the coat. For just a moment she was aware of how closely the uniform fit, and how much long leg she was showing.

Serena got one of her strange looks again. "There's our bus stop, Raye. We'd better wait there. See you guys tomorrow!"

She is so obvious, Amy grinned. A little matchmaker, she is. And it infuriates Raye.

"So we need this Princess person to stop Beryl for good, huh?" Raye was saying. Amy shook herself back to the present. She glanced about Raye's room at the temple, at her two friends. For a moment a puzzling familiarity was in her memory; as if she had known these two girls, and Luna, too, a long time ago...

"Queen Serenity sent the Moon Princess into the future before the Moon Kingdom was destroyed," Luna explained. "And she sent the Sailor Scouts, friends and defenders of the Princess, with her as well."

"And that's what I am, Luna?" Amy asked. "I'm from this Moon Kingdom? Re-incarnated or something? And that pen you gave me allows me to transform into one of the Moon Princess' defenders?"

"I believe so," said the cat.

"You believe so?" Raye blurted out. "You're not sure?"

The cat sighed. "Time travel isn't good for one's memory. I remember just bits and pieces from the Moon Kingdom. I think, if the Moon Princess were here, I would be able to remember more."

So we have a fragmented memory of the past, and a cloudy vision of the future, to guide us, Amy thought. I'm remembering a little myself now. Nothing to guide me. Just knowing what my powers are, and what I can do. This history I have just learned is still an other self within me, and a fearful mystery.

Suddenly Serena nudged her. "You okay, Amy?"

Amy smiled at her friend. "I am, now."





"This is so unfair!" Serena said under her breath. She had taken the bus back from the Hikawa Shrine and she was now walking towards the Crown Arcade. She didn't mean it was unfair that a whole world full of monsters was poised to attack Earth, and the only person that might save them was half-mythical and missing besides.

She meant it was unfair that Amy had Greg, and Raye had Chad -- if she'd just pay more attention to him! -- and she didn't have anyone. Well, she meant to snag Tuxedo Mask for herself. "What a dreamboat!" she sighed. No way Raye was going to take him from her!

"Ooof!" Serena said. A shirt was in her face. A strong chest, broad shoulders -- she looked further up -- a handsome face beneath black hair. "Who are you?" she sighed dreamily.

"I'm the guy you just ran into," he said sourly, obviously not impressed by her. "Do you always walk around with your eyes closed?"

"I didn't...I don't...and what's it to you, anyway!"

"Hey, it isn't my problem you're clumsy. Now could you and that weird hair of yours make some room so I can get by?"

"Weird hair!"

"Looks like a couple of meatballs stuck on your head." She was still clutching to his shirt; he pulled her fingers free with surprising gentleness, and drew back. "Meatball head." He couldn't resist a last shot.

He was out of sight and around a corner before Serena started wailing. "This is so unfair! I meet a gorgeous guy, and he hates me! He called me...'Meatball head!'"





At long last Raye managed to quiet down her Grandfather, and finish up their simple supper, and make sure the temple was secure for the night. Chad was as usual no help.

Raye knew his type all too well. A deadbeat. Staying at a shrine or temple was cheaper than staying at the Y, even if you did have to sweep floors and do meditations.

Grandpa was completely fooled by him. He seemed so earnest, so truly interested in everything Grandpa had to teach him. Of course it was an act. What could an old man say that might be interesting to a guy like Chad?

And the way Serena kept trying to push them together! Did that girl have any common sense whatsoever?

There was a flicker of light. A pair of eyes less sharp then hers might not have caught it. Raye squinted into the darkness outside the tall torii gate of the shrine.

There was a man down by the bus stop, a long coat against the chill and a cigarette now glowing in his cupped hands. The light and the distance hid his features, but Raye was certain it was that police detective, Yamamura.

After a few moments, and a long drag at his cigarette, he straightened up and walked away into the night.







Next:

Monsters, magic, and frequent watering as our valiant friends discover a little shop of horrors... Be there and I'll show you!