Chapter 6: With a Little Help From My Friends…

Luna frowned at the glowing orb of energy over her raised paw.

"What's up, Luna?" Usagi asked, "Why aren't you returning their energy?"

"I fully intend to," the Cait Sidhe said defensively, "However the amount of life force is far less than I would have expected, given their current state."

"Maybe the youma already gave some to Jadeike," the girl pondered. Luna frowned at the mispronunciation.

"Is that a problem?" Sailor Mars asked, her tone mildly confused.

"It means they will not recover fully when I restore them," the cat explained, "We may wish to call for an ambulance, in addition to the police."

"Will they be okay?" Mercury asked fearfully, "If I understand correctly, they have been trapped here for a few days. And the youma was draining their energy the whole time."

Luna whispered something in a language the girls did not understand, and then shook her head, "It was a slow drain. And they were provided food, though not ideal nutrition. They will recover, with a few days' rest and some proper meals."

"What are you doing to that?" Mars watched as the fae took a single claw and touched the sphere.

"I am placing a spell in it so that they will not remember this," Luna explained.

"You are altering their minds?" the newest Senshi demanded dubiously.

"You find it distasteful?" Luna shot back sharply. Rei nodded fiercely, glaring at the cat.

"Good," Luna said in a more relaxed tone, "I am not fond of such measures either. But it is better for them if they do not remember this. If they recall your real identities, they might be hunted by the Dark Kingdom. If they speak of magic and monsters, they will be treated as liars or fools. Or worse, if they are believed, it may cause a panic."

"Alright," Mars relented. Luna took her paw back from the life force, and it split into seven smaller balls. One floated to each of the seven sleeping girls. As the energy melted into their bodies, their faces looked less pale, less skeletal. And they seemed to rest more comfortably.

"Okay, I called for an ambulance and the cops," Usagi returned, having stepped away to make the calls in relative quiet, "You two should probably take off, so they don't see you."

"You should go as well," Luna lectured, "You are not even transformed, and the police would certainly contact your parents."

"Eep."

"Won't the police already have traced her cellular number?" Mercury prompted regretfully.

"Eep."

"You two go ahead," Luna sighed, "Usagi and I will wait for the police. I will be her excuse for why she went out, and how she ended up here. We will meet you at the shrine, after we are done here."


"So just who are you people?" Rei stared at Ami hard. Back in her civilian state, the bluette shrank back from the intimidating priestess.

"We should wait for Luna and Usagi," Ami said nervously, "They know more about any of this than I do. As Luna said, I only joined them three days ago. I should not speak for my senpai."

Rei tsked, but accepted that. And Ami silently thanked the Japanese hierarchy system.

"Also, you are one of us now, Hino-san," the timid girl offered softly.

The miko blinked, and looked like she was not sure how to handle that. She opened her mouth to respond, but was cut off.

Kanashimiga ima Sailor Smile; Kisekiwo okosuno Sailor…

Ami grabbed her ringing cellular, and jammed the answer button. She wilted slightly as her host's eyes narrowed in anger again.

"Hello, Usagi-chan?" she caught her friend's name off the screen as she lifter the phone to her ear, "Ah… Okay… I guess there is nothing we can do. Goodbye."

Rei continued to glare as the slighter girl ended the call.

"The detective called Usagi's mother while the patrolman took her statement," Ami explained, "She has to go straight home. She will let me know when we can meet up. She hopes it will be tomorrow, but that will depend on how her parents react."

The miko's glower cracked and faded in empathy for the potentially grounded fellow teen.

"Well, you should go, too, then," Rei dismissed her.

"Can you give me your cellular number, or email?" Ami asked carefully, "So I can let you know when Usagi is available?"

Rei frowned deeply, but a hint of redness creeped into her cheeks.

"I don't have either," she admitted, trying to sound imperious but obviously embarrassed, "I will give you our home number instead."


"So, how do you intend to finish this?" Rei said sharply, after listening to Luna's explanation of the Senshi's past. She studied the cat and the two girls carefully. They were in the temple's meeting room, with Rei at the head of the table, Ami and Usagi on one side, and Luna seated atop the table opposite the two girls. The priestess was irritable after being forced to wait three day for Usagi's not quite grounding to come to an end.

"What do you mean, Rei-chan?" Usagi asked, guilelessly applying the familiar honorific.

"Just what it sounds like, Tsukino-san," the miko told her pointedly.

"Call me Usagi," she quickly interrupted.

Hino ignored the aside, and asked with noticeably growing ire, "Do you just intend to keep fighting these youma as they appear? For the rest of your lives? Or will you find this Jadeite, and the rest of her Dark Kingdom, if they survived, and end this?"

Both of the other teens look shocked, and Luna let out a harsh breath.

"I have been searching physically and magically for them," the Cait Sidhe glared at her, "They have covered their tracks very well, and the five data points I have are not enough to determine their point of origin, assuming they are not obfuscating that as well. How have the scrying spell you have cast in the last few days faired, Searching Priestess?"

"Don't call me that," Rei muttered, petulant but deflated.

"Then be careful how you speak of things you do not know, little girl," Luna did not relent, "I have already watched these creatures destroy everything I love. Do not imply that I am doing anything less than all I can to end them."

"Sorry," the girl said.

"I accept your apology," the cat said softly. Then she turned the other girls, primarily the blonde, and lectured, "That said, the core of what Hino-san said is correct. We have been lax, we have not done any substantial training since Sailor Mercury awakened. Ami-chan, you should have been able to hit that monster, it was far from the fastest youma I have seen. And Usagi-chan, how many times have I told you not to leave your locket at home?"

"Hey, I was able to attack the monster without it," Tsukino protested, "Even if they were pretty weak."

"Yes, that was unexpected and impressive," Luna admitted uncertainly.

"Why was it unexpected?" Rei asked, "If that Moon Spark is like my Mars Shot, it is simple spell and doesn't take much energy. Even without transforming…"

"Try it yourself," Luna interrupted. The priestess frowned, looking around.

"Here," the fae feline etched a circle in the air with her claw, and a ball of floating energy appeared at the other side of the room, "This is the target we use in training. It is moderately shielded, so if you hit it with a single stone, it should absorb the attack and not damage the rest of the room."

"Not that I recommend practicing indoors," Luna glared at Usagi again. The blonde blushed and looked away.

"Mars Shot!" Rei proclaimed a second later, pointing her finger at the balloon. And then looked mildly surprised when nothing happened.

"MARS SENSHI SHOT!" she ordered angrily, focusing enough mana on her finger that it began to glow. But again, no stone materialized.

"What gives?" Rei's proper façade cracked in her frustration.

"Senshi cannot use their powers when they are not transformed," Luna explained, "They can still use normal magic, but the 'simple', powerful, Senshi spells are limited. No-one is sure why; in the Silver Millennium there was a great deal of research and speculation, but no reason for it could be found."

The cat shrugged, "Whatever the reason, this is unprecedented. However given the weakness of Usagi-chan's untransformed attacks on the youma, I believe rather than accessing her powers without transforming, she has instead instinctively created a normal spell based upon her Senshi attack."

"So maybe we should learn normal magic?" Ami suggested carefully, "You said that would improve our Senshi powers, and it would give us more options."

"I don't oppose the idea," Luna said, "But given the immediate threat, I would prefer we work on your Senshi powers for the time being. Learn the limits of your skills and work on your aim and speed."

"And if it is alright," Rei offered tentatively, still cowed by the cat, "I have some suggestions, based on how my grandfather handled my exorcism training. Spirits can be fast, and hard to see. And our spells take more mana than the Senshi powers, so hitting them the first time is critical."

"Yes, I noticed your accuracy with your paper seals," Luna remembered, "I think we shall give your training regimen a try."


"Ouchy," Sailor Moon whined as the burlap bag hit her left ear, shoulder, and breast knocking her back onto her butt.

"In your transformed state, that could not possibly have hurt," Luna barked as the weight swung back towards the girl. The platinum blonde scrambled out of the way, and started looking at the swinging sacks again.

"What am I looking for again?" she asked.

"Ehwaz," Ami said softly from the edge of the temple's training area.

"And what's that again?" Moon called out sheepishly.

"Stop," the cat instructed, and Rei unfolded her hands. The spell faded, and the twenty-four bags of sand drifted slowly to a halt.

"Horse," Rei growled, "It looks like the Roman letter M."

"Ah, that one," the electromancer whirled and pointed at the right bag without even looking.

"If you knew, why didn't you shoot it?" Hino asked, exasperated.

"Hey, I have enough trouble with advanced Kanji and English," the blonde protested, "Release."

As she transformed back, she added, "Now you want me try to learn a new set of characters by shooting one specific one of them while the rest smack into me."

"Runes are the fundaments of normal magic," Luna said, "memorizing them while also working on your dodging and targeting is fairly ingenious."

"And we aren't doing too badly, are we?" Ami asked tentatively.

"For your first attempt, you have done admirably," the cat said, "Considering we are starting at the second level of this exercise."

"Our Senshi forms would barely notice the feather pillows we use in level one," Rei argued, "Nor do we need level one to get used to casting or improve our mana reserves. When these two can handle level three, I will be impressed."

Luna considered pointing out that both other Senshi were close. Ami could dodge and knew the runes, but needed to work on her aim. And Usagi could both dodge and hit the flailing bags with ease, except when she stopped to try to remember which rune it was she was supposed to hit. The cat almost wondered if Sailor Moon was stalling, given that level three involved filling the bags with rocks instead of sand, and swinging them even faster.

"Maybe we should go back to this level one, and have them practice spells without transforming," the Cait Sidhe suggested.

"Maybe we should take a break, and go out," Usagi countered, "We haven't done anything but school stuff and Senshi training this whole week. We need a change of pace."

Tsukino scrambling across the floor to her purse. She opened it and pulled out a printed sheet. She turned and thrust it towards Rei.

"Tickets to Fifth Heaven amusement park?" the priestess started confused.

"Yeah, I got a deal online," the blonde grinned.

"Again?" Ami and Luna asked almost in unison.

"Yup," the girl nodded, "My mom talks about the team building stuff she used to do when she was working. So I figured if we are going to be working together, we should get to know each other and have some good memories together, too."

"You just want to goof off, Tsukino-san," Rei accused her.

"Call me Usagi," she insisted, not for the second or even eighth time.

"I am more interested in how you afforded the tickets, deal or not," Luna said.

"Well, my dad may have been mad at me, my mom was happy I saved those girls and was smart enough to call the police, so she slipped me 30,000 yen."

"Well," Ami raised her hands to try to calm the miko and the fae, "Since the tickets are already purchased, we might as well go."

"They have games we can use to practice out aim," Usagi suggested, "Like shooting galleries or ski ball or stuff like that…"

"Usagi-chan, you are not thinking of using Hino-san's superior accuracy to win yourself one of those ridiculously oversized stuffed animals." Luna phrased what should have been a question as an order.

"No!" Rei literally stomped her foot, "We are facing a potentially world ending crisis. We do not have time to waste on such frivolities. Or perhaps I should say, I do not. Go to this carnival if you wish, but I intend to stay here and practice."


Hino Rei fell to her knees, hugging herself tightly. Her breathing came in harsh pants, and her violet eyes were wide and yet saw nothing. She remained frozen, her poise broken by terror.

"Are you okay, Rei-chan?" Usagi asked gently, bringing the other girl back to herself.

"I believe I may owe you an apology, Tsukino-san" the miko muttered, "You are made of sterner stuff than I thought."

"Call me Usagi."

"Do you not like rollercoasters, Rei-chan?" Ami asked, her face a little pale, if nowhere near as bad as priestesses.

"I have never been on one before," Hino glanced back at the aptly named Metal Monstrosity, "And I likely never will again."

"Maybe you'd like something with less falling," the blonde suggested sagely, "something like the tilt-o-whirl? Or maybe bumper cars?"

"How about you stop blocking the path, Odango?"

"Don't call me that, Chiba-senp…" Hearing the familiar voice and nickname, Usagi spun to face her tormenter. Except she did not see the second-year student. Only one of the park's super-deformed angel mascots, carrying a cloud of helium balloons to sell the unfortunate parents of begging children.

"Chiba-senpai?" she called out speculatively. Ami started to look for their schoolmate, and Rei forced herself to stand, glancing around like her two allies.

"Right here, Odango," Mamoru's voice emerged from the oversized head mask.

"What are you doing here, Chiba-senpai?" the blonde frowned at him, but did not repeat her admonishment. He turned his head slightly and raised his chin thoughtfully.

"Stop trying to think of a snide comeback and just answer the question," she ordered him.

"I'm working," he said flatly, "Some of us don't have unlimited time and money to hang out at a theme park every weekend with our friends."

"It was two weekends, and I got discounts on the internet," Tsukino pouted.

"Not that we would report you." Ami defended herself up front, "but it is against school rules to have part time jobs."

"I have the principal's permission," he said, more softly than the bluette expected, "She understands that students need to have some pocket change."

"Why do you need a job for that?" Rei prompted innocently. Usagi waved her hands at the priestess to try to head her off, but it was too late.

"Because my uncle only pays for basic necessities," the boy explained, "if I want any other clothing, or to stop at KFC once in a while, I have to earn my own money."

"Your uncle?" Ami pondered. Usagi just shook her head at the other girls, and then gave Mamoru a look that was one half pity, and one half annoyance for being made to feel bad for her tormentor.

"There was a car crash when I was five," he said, "my parents both died, and I lost most of my memories. Since then, an uncle has been in charge of my estate. I used to have an older brother, technically my cousin, who took care of me, but he left too. My uncle pays for my apartment, school and uniforms, and basic food. Anything else I want, I have to pay for myself."

Ami's and Rei's mouths both shut suddenly. And Usagi's frown deepened and she looked regretful.

"You never told me the part about your uncle," she said, unable to keep a hint of accusation out of her voice. The angel seemed to look at her, and then he took to fake head off. He gave her a wry grin. And Rei gasped slightly as she saw his features for the first time.

"That's because I didn't think you could handle it, Odango," he told her, "You are a crybaby after all. And Aniki said I should never make a girl cry."

"Odango… I think I like that," Rei smiled prettily at him, and then wickedly at Usagi.

"It's short for Odango Atama," he smirked, "Because she has those stupid dumplings strapped to the sides of her head."

"Well, I was going to buy one of your balloons, but I guess I won't then," the blonde stuck her tongue out at him and pulled down an eyelid.

"We should let you get back to work, senpai," Ami said softly, hooking one of Usagi's arms.

"Yes, it was good to meet you, Chiba-san," Rei flirted clumsily, and then locked her elbow with Usagi's. Her olecranon digging into the other girl's side, Rei said in a sing-song voice "Come on, Odango-san."

"Not you too, Rei-chan," Tsukino whined as the other two girls dragged her away. Mamoru regarded them for a moment with a sarcastic shake of his head, before dropping the top of his costume back into place.


"Oh!" Usagi cried out, pointing, "Let's go on that one next."

The coaster was named Falcon Flight, and was not only higher than Metal Monstrosity, it also went upside down. It looked like every single person getting off it was on the verge of getting sick. Rei turned green just looking at the first hill, and Ami shuddered slightly.

"Come on, it will be fun," she went from being dragged by them, to pulling them forward.

As they got closer, both of the other Senshi looked at the exiting riders with a growing concern. They did not just look nauseous from the drops and turns, their skin was almost grey, and they shuffled along listlessly. Rei met Ami's eyes behind Usagi's back.

"They look like those girls from the store," the priestess said softly but sternly.

"You don't think…" the genius trailed off, watching an otherwise sturdy young man stumble.

"I think we need to find a hidden spot to put on our work clothes," Hino said. Then tugging on Tsukino's arm again, she added, "Come on, Odango-san."


"Come one, come all, don't be shy," the cute little barker, in an angel costume consisting of much less material than the one Mamoru was wearing, called out to the guests walking down the sidewalk.

"Experience the pure, unrivaled joy of a bird on the wing," she continued, "Falcon Flight is the tallest roller on Japan, and the third tallest in the world. And the only one so far to include a plunging double spiral."

"That's definitely a youma," Mercury whispered, her visor focused on the attendant, "My readings indicate she has bird-like aspects, and is quick, but not strong."

"As much as I hate to let her continue," Mars said harshly, "I think we should wait until…"

Whatever her plan was, it was cut off when Sailor Moon jumped out from behind the bush that was concealing them. The people gaped as she landed in the middle of the avenue, and pointed at the barker.

"Youma of the Dark Kingdom," she shouted, pointing at the monster, "I will not allow you to steal these people's energy, or make them lose their lunches anymore! The food vendors may forgive you, but the Moon will not!"

Mercury and Mars landed on either side of her, the Senshi of Earth looking livid, and the Senshi of Fire looking dismayed. The crowd parted making a direct path between the two sides of the conflict, but still watching curiously.

"Well, well, you certainly found me quickly, Senshi," the youma declared. The white wings behind it, apparently not part of the costume, turned dark purple, even as she sprouted a beak and talons from her fingertips. She hopped back, and swung her wings at them, barbed feathers shooting out.

"Ember!"

"Shot!"

Mars and Mercury destroyed the attacks, the civilians around them gasping.

"Moon Spark!"

Leaving defense to her comrades, Sailor Moon instead fired her orbs of lightning directly at the monster. The youma dodged lithely, and the sparks hit the metal track of the coaster, dissipating without effect.

"We can't let this drag out," Mars growled, "Not with all these people around."

"You guys fire high and low to trap her," Moon said, removing her tiara.

As she began to charge up, the other two Senshi fired their weaker attacks to the sides and above the youma, keeping her in Sailor Moon's sights. But the Lightning Senshi's oversight became apparent, when the youma spun through Mars' cloud of stones. One of the rocks clipped the creature, but was not damaging or distracting enough to prevent it from launching another, larger feather at Sailor Moon's heart. Tied up in their attacks, the Senshi could not deflect it, and if Moon tried to dodge, she would either have to start over, or risk firing her Railgun into the crowd.

At the last second, a single red rose shot down from the sky, dragging the feather down and pinning it to the ground.

"Tuxedo Kamen?" the girl looked around for her mysterious savior, but did not see him.

"Sailor Moon!" Mars barked.

"Right," Moon said shakily, "Moon… Tiara… RAILGUN!"

The disc shot out. The youma tried to dodge, but hit one of Mercury's embers. The explosion knocked her back into position, and the Railgun destroyed it.

"Thank you for watching our experimental skit, 'Moon Angels'!" Sailor Mercury turned to the watchers and shouted to them in uncommon confidence, "If you liked it, please tell the park management, so they can hire us full time."

The crowd erupted into almost universal applause, even as the three girls jumped away.

"That was cool," one young man said.

"Nah, the wires were way too obvious," his friend countered.