I do not own Sailor Moon.
This is my longest chapter yet. Yay.
+++++++++++++++++++
Tsuruko stood in front of the sea of microphones, undaunted by the many reporters' questions. She raised her hands for silence, and eventually it came. "Thank you," she said. "This press release is to formally announce the beginning of the cooperation between the government and the organization known as the Sailor Senshi. They have agreed to accept government aid and keep the public informed of major happenings in their conflict against the terrorist organization calling itself the Dark Kingdom."
"Does this mean that the senshi are working for the government?"
"No. The senshi are working with us, not for us. They have categorically refused all offers that could lead to them being considered government employees. Rather, they are partners. For lack of a better term, they might be called a non-governmental charity organization."
"Why a charity organization? Is there some way people can donate?"
"No, the senshi are receiving no monetary compensation for their work," Tsuruko said firmly. "They would and will refuse any such donations, they have assured me. However, at Sailor Moon's request, the government has begun a charity fund to help re-numerate anyone whose property is caught in the cross-fire. It will primarily be funded by senshi merchandise, but donations would be welcome as well."
"What are the senshi? Aliens?"
"The senshi are not quite aliens—at least not as we usually use the word. Biologically, they are completely human. I do not understand all of their explanation, and I do not believe all that I understand, but I will attempt to summarize. For those people familiar with chaos theory, the senshi are refugees from another dimension, where magic was more prominent than it was here. They come from this same solar system, albeit with changes in its history." It was simplest to tell the small lie, rather than bring up past civilizations.
"Do we have to worry about invasion from other dimensions?"
"We already are, for lack of a better term, being invaded. The Dark Kingdom that the senshi fight originated in the same dimension as the senshi. I called the senshi refugees for a reason. In their home dimension, the Dark Kingdom genocided the senshi's civilization; there were less than fifty survivors. Several of them managed to strike so horrific a retaliatory blow against the Dark Kingdom that it had to flee here or be destroyed. The senshi, unwilling to let another world suffer the same fate as theirs, followed."
"How many senshi are there?"
"That will be covered in the guidebook they will release in a few weeks."
"What is the Dark Kingdom?" At this question, Tsuruko again held up her hands for silence.
"Many people are peripherally aware that there is some magic in the world, but mostly this magic is faded, weak, and used only for things such as enchanted fishing rods and other playful artifacts. The Dark Kingdom is a group of sorcerers who made a pact with what can only be called a demon, and they increase their power by feeding this demon ki, which is the term for a human's life energy. A youma, the monsters the senshi often face, are demi-demons that feed on and gather ki for their masters. The draining of people's ki is why the victims become exhausted and pass out."
"Can't the JSDF fight these demons?"
"Hypothetically, yes, the military could fight them, and may begin doing so should the situation become dire. However, having fought a youma myself, I speak from personal experience when I say that it is safest to leave it to the senshi. Youma are not mortal as we think of the word, because they are not truly alive. They are the magical equivalent of a robot with an AI."
"So why isn't the JSDF fighting?"
"The amount of power it would take to kill an average youma would be equivalent to shoving several sticks of lit dynamite down its throat, and then incinerating all the pieces. Bear in mind that we would be trying to do this to a being that can bend iron, and becomes even harder to kill with each human it attacks and drains. The death toll would be horrendous for everyone but the senshi."
"Can the senshi handle these things so easily? They look like young girls."
"The senshi appear young," Tsuruko admitted, "but I believe that the magic they use to disguise themselves also disguises their ages, and not just their looks. As to their combat abilities, I mentioned that I fought a youma, did I not? I am a master of combat, and have defeated the supernatural before. Not only was I completely unable to kill it, but I likely would have died within another five or ten minutes, if I was not crippled first. Sailor Moon then arrived and proceeded to kill it with one attack, in under ten seconds."
"What is the government doing against the Dark Kingdom?"
"What happens if you get caught in an attack?"
"How do the senshi do what they do?"
"Can they pass their powers on to others?" Tsuruko held her hands up one more time. There was quiet.
"Thank you. The last thing I have to announce is that the senshi have identified two different tactics being used by the Dark Kingdom. Previously, a youma disguised as a human would gather energy. This youma could be identified by not acting entirely human, and the authorities could be alerted. This tactic is not one we have to watch out for, they think, as the general in charge of these operations was killed in the recent fight involving Commissioner Yamada."
"Generals?"
"No questions yet, please. But if someone you know begins acting odd, contact the authorities. After this there are operations where an item is used to drain energy. These operations included the bus disappearances, the candy store where the senshi were fired upon, and a flower store operation smashed earlier today. If you or your loved one suffers sudden and unexplained exhaustion, please call the number that should be flashing at the bottom of the screen to contact the authorities."
"It will also be printed in the newspaper for the next several days," added one of her aides.
"Yes, thank you. Lastly, there is a third type of operation we should be on the lookout for. When the Dark Kingdom and the Senshi crossed over here, seven powerful artifacts were lost in the journey. Through a process I am uncertain of, but shall simply write off as magic, the artifacts were magically implanted inside of seven random humans. Both the senshi and the Dark Kingdom are searching for the artifacts. If the senshi find you, they can harmlessly remove it, and you are free to go on your way."
"If the senshi don't find you?"
"If the Dark Kingdom finds you, they will also remove it, but their method of doing so will mutate the victim into a monster that they can command. These seven people are in or will be in Tokyo over the next few months, which is why both groups are focusing their actions here. There is no external way to tell if you or someone you know is a carrier; just wait for them to find you. However, if the Dark Kingdom attacks, passers-by should call the authorities and flee the area, or their lives will be endangered. That is all I will say for today, but the senshi guidebook will be out soon, and we may manage an interview with one of the senshi. Good day."
+++++++++++++++
The senshi, with Luna and Naru, were having one last meeting by communicator before they crashed into bed. "Summaries of your day, everyone?" Luna suggested.
"The doctors say I can leave in two days if I keep up my current rate of recovery," Haruka announced. "They've never seen anything like it, but my parents are relieved."
"Are we going to get to meet them?" Usagi asked.
"Sorry, but I told them to go ahead and head home earlier today. My brother has school, my dad has work, and my mom has her own responsibilities too. Maybe later."
"Aw… But it's good that you'll be back in action," Usagi chirped.
"Usagi and Naru were with me for school," Ami began, "and Usagi was with me afterwards. I had a brief scare when I saw my mother in the hospital, but the mask worked perfectly. We handled the youma at the flower shop easily, and Usagi and I suspect that Jadeite is testing us, or distracting us while he prepares something big."
"I'll look around on my own," Luna assured them, "but given the Dark Kingdom's abilities there is only so much we can do. I saw the press release earlier."
"Yes, I helped Tsuruko put together the alternate dimension spiel, since we thought it would be more acceptable to the general public. I also did more work on the guidebook. Most importantly, while doing research for the guide, I came across new information about us in the Mercury Computer. It isn't very time sensitive, so I want to wait until we can all get together, but it may give us an advantage in the future."
"Alright!" Usagi said. "Naru, you have anything?"
"Not really. I saw the news report and stuff, but my day was pretty quiet. I needed the break, to be honest. I wouldn't trade this for the world, but there's still the voice in the back of my mind reminding me that I'm rather…squishy."
"Luna," said Usagi, "you said that Sailor M has the thingy that lets people imitate senshi powers. When is she coming here so she can give it to Naru?"
"I spoke with them recently. I'm not certain when, but I know why she isn't here yet, at least. Sailor Mars is powerfully psychic, and according to what I was told she's been receiving some prophetic dreams. If she begins helping us too soon, then the Dark Kingdom will successfully pull off a large operation that could kill many people. She needs to stay in reserve to surprise them when that happens."
"Is this the thing we think Jadeite could be building up for?" Usagi asked.
"It's possible, if he's planning something at all," Ami said. "Don't forget, there are two generals still unaccounted for."
"Scary thought," said Naru.
"More news, guys," Usagi said. "I ran into a crystal carrier today."
"What! Who?"
"I don't know," she admitted. Everyone went dead silent.
"What." Luna was obviously not pleased.
"When I was at the hospital healing people—which is really draining by the way, so I guess I need to practice—the Moon Scepter was glowing when I pulled it out. It could have been anyone at school, at the arcade, or on the bus, though. I checked the hospital, so I don't think it was anyone there."
"At least we know that it's someone," Naru said before Luna could blow up. "Usagi can just check it in the bathroom at school every now and then, so we'll know if it's a student or teacher there, and then she can swing by the arcade."
"Actually," said Luna sharply, "after school would also be a good time to see the training area Tsuruko found for you. I'll be waiting for you outside the arcade, so you can go there first, and you can say you had a study session at Ami's."
"Okay, but I'm getting a milkshake first," Usagi said with a pout. Before Luna could start a lecture, she perked up as she remembered something. "Guys, Reika is coming back!"
"Who's Reika?"
"Didn't she and Motoki break up?" asked Naru.
"That's what I thought," Usagi said, "but she just went to South America—"
"Mali is in Africa," corrected Ami.
"—and she's coming back in two weeks."
"Why's this important?" Haruka asked.
"Reika is this really smart, really pretty girl. I think she does a little martial-arts, too. So she's a girl, she's awesome, and she's showing up in my life right now. I think she might be a senshi."
Everyone opened their mouths to comment on how unlikely that was.
Everyone remembered how Usagi had predicted that Haruka was a senshi using similar methods.
Everyone closed their mouths.
"It's worth consideration," Luna said finally. "If no one else has anything else to report, then good night."
"Good night."
"Sleep well."
"'Night."
"Good night."
++++++++++++++++
"OhcrapI'mgonnabeLAAaaaattte," Usagi wailed as she rushed out the door. She pounded down the sidewalk, dodging between bystanders with ridiculous ease, considering her speed. Then she rounded a corner and hit someone.
Again.
"Ow…Odango Atama, it's been a while since this happened," Mamoru groaned. "What? Last Wednesday was the last time you crashed into me? That's got to be a new record."
"Yeah, sorry, gotta run!" Usagi babbled, barely looking at him before rushing off again. Mamoru just looked after her for a few seconds, slightly dismayed that they hadn't had an argument. For some reason his day seemed a little less bright.
Usagi burst through the school doors, maneuvered around the few people still in the halls, and zoomed through the door to her classroom, almost crashing into her desk.
"Wow, Usagi," said Naru, "you made it with ten minutes to spare."
"Ten minutes! My clock said it was already eight," she whined. "Ooh, I bet Luna set it ahead. Or Shingo, the little brat. He's probably laughing himself sick, and then he can play sick, and then he'll get to skip school, and…Ugh." Umino approached hesitantly.
"Usagi…"
"Please not now, Umino," she groaned. "I need to catch a few Zs before class." She promptly put head on her arms and faded out the rest of the world.
It was like that a lot of the rest of the day. He would walk up to her and start to say something, and then lose his nerve, squawk "Never mind," and rush off. Naru finally decided to take matters into her own hands.
"Alright, Umino," she said, grabbing his shoulders when class was finally dismissed that afternoon. "What's up with you and Usagi?"
"I—what—nothing!"
"Oh? What do you keep almost telling her?"
"I, I like her, okay!" he yelped. Naru flinched. She liked him, a little, maybe, just as friends, and hearing that wasn't exactly painless.
"Everyone knows that, Umino. It's pretty obvious. What was up with today?"
He squirmed, but she didn't let him get away. Finally, he broke. "The winter dance is coming up, alright?"
"You wanted to ask her out?" He nodded. Naru sighed. "Umino, they haven't even started selling tickets or putting up flyers yet."
"I know, but Usagi is so perfect! I want to hold her hand, and take walks with her, and meet her parents, and trade diaries, and—"
"Hold it!" Naru interjected. "I think you're going a bit fast there, don't you? Besides, you've already met her parents. You've known them since you were seven. And if her dad still gives you the evil eye when you're just friends, how do you think he'll react when you start going out?"
"I already thought about that," Umino said proudly. "In another three weeks I'll have enough saved up to buy a bullet-proof vest on E-bay."
"Try a suit of samurai armor instead. He's more likely to pull a katana on you, considering our gun laws."
"Oh." Umino wilted. "But yeah. I just can't get up the nerve to ask. If she says no…"
"When she turns you down, she'll be nice about it, and you'll still be friends," Naru tried to console him.
"When she turns me down, you say," Umino grumbled. "You think it's that certain she'll say no?"
"Anything is possible," Naru said gently.
But I hope she does, Naru thought jealously. It wasn't because she liked Umino, of course. Well, she actually did, but as friends. Nothing else. It certainly wasn't because she liked Umino. That would be crazy. Even if he did have nice eyes under those glasses…
"I just wish there was some way to know for sure." Naru found herself considering the issue despite herself.
"Well, Usagi and I were checking out this temple where they did fortune telling last week. And I've seen a few fortuneteller stands here and there. It couldn't hurt."
"Yeah. Actually, I passed this new one right by my house. Maybe I'll go there and ask so I can find out that she'll say yes! Then we'll start dating, and then we'll get married, and—"
"I don't want to hear anymore," Naru said firmly, putting a finger on his lips. "Usagi's waiting for me at the Crown. Good luck with the fortune stuff." She took off running, ignoring the voice in the back of her head.
"Okay, bye," Umino called after her. Her turned the other way and started down the street, towards the House of Fortune. It was a rather gaudy shop, with thick curtains in the window and, as he entered, on the walls. Everything was covered in arcane signs, and the only lighting came from candles.
"Come in a back," sang a lyrical voice from the other side of a curtain. "You are my only customer at the moment."
"Alright," he said, and stepped through the velvet drapery. The woman on the other side was rather beautiful, with red hair and brilliant amber eyes. Her form was shrouded in an elaborate weaving of cloth and chains, which was covered with more arcane symbols. She was sitting down—her legs were covered by the tablecloth—so Umino couldn't guess at her height, but even sitting she appeared to loom.
"Sit down, and tell me what part of the future you want to see." He sat across the table, eyeing the crystal ball. Something felt off about the situation, but he didn't know what. Maybe it's just the mysticism.
"There's a girl I want to ask out, and I want to now if she'll say yes," he confessed.
"Ah. I see. Put your hands on the crystal ball, and then I shall do a reading of the cards." He touched the ball, which felt oddly warm, and felt the warmth spread throughout his body. He felt very…sleeeeeepy….
"The girl you desire: blonde with blue eyes. Small. Cheerful."
"Yeeess," he droned.
"And are there others whom you know?" The image in the crystal ball cycled through several of their classmates. "Yes, I see. Take these cards, and listen to my words. You are brave, and you are bold. You do as you wish, not as you are told. Pass the cards, and spread the word; stand out and bring chaos unto the herd."
"Yes, master," he droned.
+++++++++++++++++
"Did I miss anything?" Naru asked Usagi, who was drinking a milkshake in a to-go cup outside the Crown.
"One way to find out," she said, handing Naru a second cup and motioning them into the alley.
"Well?" Luna asked from near their feet. With a flick of her wrist Usagi produced the Moon Scepter. Which wasn't glowing. "No one in the arcade, either, then."
"Not right now, at least," said Naru. "Where's Ami?"
"Here," said a voice behind her. "I was speaking with Haruka. She's getting out early tomorrow; they're just keeping her for a few last-minute tests."
"Great!" chirped Usagi. "Here's the Disguise pen, so lets go check out the base place."
Slipping further into the alley to remain unobserved, they announced their incantations.
"Moon Power: Make-Up!"
"Mercury Power: Make-Up!"
"Disguise Pen: make me a sailor senshi!"
With a flash of light three senshi stood in the alley. Usagi and Ami took a moment to admire Naru's uniform. It didn't have any additions other than the mask, and the bow, collar, skirt, and boots were all black. All the same, it looked rather impressive. "So what should my name be?"
"Not one of the real senshi," said Luna. "We can just pretend that your powers haven't fully activated yet, and give you an obviously false code name, in case we find the senshi you'd be named after later."
"Sailor Ceres," suggested Ami. "It's a large asteroid that may have been a planet once, and it fits the theme."
"Sounds good to me."
"Alright, I hereby dub thee: Shinsetsu Senshi Sailor Ceres," Usagi declared pompously.
"Kind?" (Shinsetsu is Japanese for kind)
"It felt right," Usagi said with a shrug. "I mean, Ami's smart, I'm powerful, Haruka's tough, and you keep us grounded and stuff." Then she swept Naru off her feet and Ami picked up Luna, and they took off toward in the direction Luna indicated. Several minutes later, they touched down in front of a warehouse, and left Luna behind, since they couldn't have a cat with them. They opened the door and were greeted by the typist from the meeting earlier, with two bodyguards near the walls.
"Hello," she said, standing up and bowing. "I never introduced myself earlier, I believe. My name is Sakka. Inochitori Sakka, at your service."
"Pleased to meet you. I am Sailor Mercury."
"Sailor Moon. And she," Usagi motioned to Naru, who bowed, "will be known as Sailor Ceres until her powers start working for real. Right now she only has the costume."
"Nice to meet you."
"Likewise," said Sakka. "May I offer you a quick tour?"
"Sure!" They began walking.
"As you can see, this is simply a warehouse that the government rented for the year. Given your opinions, we felt it best not to spend too much money on this, but more can be added as required. Aside from the boxes and crates piled around, which are empty, the room is mostly empty space with padded matting for your physical exercises."
"Do the boxes serve any purpose?"
"They can be used for storage of future materials, and also can be rearranged to simulate close quarters environments. They should also make good targets for your spells, and are easily replaceable. Mostly, however, we just didn't feel like moving them was worth the trouble."
"I don't blame you," said Usagi. Naru giggled.
"In this corner," Sakka continued as they reached the far end of the building, "is a basic computer set-up that was probably included because donating it would let someone get rid of obsolete junk in favor of a new model. Officially, it's here in case you need Internet access when Sailor Mercury is unavailable, or there is a function her computer does not fulfill. Unofficially, it will probably be used by the guards to play Dungeon Keeper and Minesweeper."
"Dungeon Keeper used to be one of my favorite games," said Ami with a smile. "I may borrow it, later."
"Hmm…I bet Luna could set up something like the other training thingy she has," Usagi said. Naru giggled again.
"Amazing. Moon is being serious about the job and Mercury wants to goof off. Did a youma switch your bodies or something?"
"Hey, I can be serious, Ceres," Usagi whined.
"Rarely. What's with the guards?" asked Naru.
"They are here for basic security. To keep other people from breaking in and to cater to any requests you may make while here," said Sakka, leading them toward another corner. "There will be a minimum of two guards here twenty-four seven, and Ms. Aoyama, Mr. Manju, or I will often be here as well, serving as an intermediary."
"What's in the fridge?" Usagi asked, bouncing over the occupant of the other corner. "Aw…Just water?"
"For rehydration, since you will be working out. We will add other refreshments if you request."
"We'll bring our own," said Naru, cutting off Usagi's long list of favorites. "What's in the chest?"
"Basic medical supplies, assorted training aides such as weights and padding, and bedding in case you need to spend the night or nap. Also, the lines for climbing."
"Climbing?"
"See above?" Everyone looked up at the maze of beams near the ceiling. "We put in a few climbing wall safety features in case you decide you wish to practice that, since you commonly travel across the rooftops. There's also a chain to support the punching bag over there," Sakka added pointing.
"Cool. Anything else?" asked Usagi.
"The restroom is in the far corner."
"Got it! Thanks! This is fantastic," the blonde chirped.
"I am glad you approve."
"Do you two want to go a round or two right now?" asked Naru. "I'll referee. After all, we don't want Uranus to find out that we're out of practice when she gets out in the field again."
"Brr, you're right," Usagi said, shivering. "Talk about a slave driver. I should also practice with the Scepter more. I need to get used to the drain."
"A few rounds of practice are a good idea," Mercury agreed. "Also, Ms. Inochitori, is there any news of further attacks?"
"You may call me Sakka. And none that I am aware of. Are you expecting another one so soon?"
"Yeah," said Naru as they all walked to the center of the room. "We figure that Jadeite knew we would get him, and has probably started another operation by now. It's just a matter of finding him."
"There's also the crystal carriers," added Usagi. "I know that at least one of them is in the city, but I don't know who. I'm looking, though." She squared off against Ami, and Naru and Sakka backed out of the range of fire. "What are the rules?"
"Best of three," suggested Ami. "Two without magic, and the middle one with?"
"Sounds good!"
"Alright then," said Naru. "Begin!"
Usagi immediately darted forward. Unfortunately, Ami was very used to her friend's headfirst tactics, and moved to the side very quickly. Usagi pivoted and swung a kick, which Ami just further backed away from.
"Aw, stop running."
"When facing a stronger foe, it is wisest to stay out of range," Ami replied. She stayed in a simple, defensive stance, waiting for Usagi next move. The blonde took a step and jumped toward the bluenette, aiming for a boot-to-the-head. Ami simply dashed forward and duck, allowing Usagi to pass by overhead. Then she immediately whirled around and swept out Usagi's legs in the middle of her attempted landing.
Usagi crashed to the floor and yelped when she found herself looking at the bottom of Ami's boot. The bluenette had pulled her kick so close that her foot was touching Usagi's facemask.
"Winner: Mercury!"
"I'll get it this time," Usagi grumbled as they took up their positions again.
"Begin!"
"Mercury Spray Shroud!"
"Moon Tiara Magic!" Ami had already moved out of the way and the tiara passed harmlessly by. Usagi, in the meanwhile, was on edge, waiting for Ami's next attack. Ami decided to keep her distance.
"Aqua Bubble Burst!" She sent out no less than three blasts of water, designed to tag Usagi if she dodged left or right of the central blast. Usagi didn't know this, but luckily jumped straight up instead.
I forgot that her mist messes up sound, too, she thought in mid-air. As her tiara carved a swathe through mist on its return to her she smiled. I still know where she is in general, though. "Moon Tiara Magic!"
Ami jumped over the disk, which had been sent skimming along inches above the ground, and decided to take a risk. "Aqua Bubble Burst!" She jumped after her own attack, relying on Usagi to be vulnerable without her tiara. Usagi spun to the side and was only tagged by the water, but her eyes widened as Ami appeared out of the mist.
"YAAAAAAAAA!" she called, and Ami stumbled at the shockwave of sound. It had been so long since she was on the receiving end that she'd forgotten how much it hurt. Usagi jumped forward while her opponent was off balance, and a brief tussle ended with Ami pinned on the ground, just as Usagi's tiara wrapped itself back around her head.
"Winner: Moon!"
"Winner takes all," Usagi joked as she helped Ami to her feet.
"It appears that way," the bluenette agreed as they squared off again.
"Begin!"
Usagi blurred forward, which Ami was expecting, and jumped to the side. Unfortunately, Usagi had expected her dodge, and stopped dead after two steps, facing Ami's new location. She made a wave with her fingers. Come and get me.
As you wish, Ami obliged, and she slowly slid forward. When she was within two steps, Ami blurred forward and aimed a punch at Usagi's solar plexus. To her surprise, Usagi didn't even try to dodge.
Instead, the leader of the senshi stepped into the punch, taking it with a wheezing cough, a swung her fist into Ami's head. Then she grabbed the bluenette's hair. Three painful seconds later, Ami found herself again on the ground.
"Winner: Moon!"
"Your tactics have improved," Ami said as she got to her feet.
"That's geek speak for, 'you're a cheating bitch,' right?" Usagi said with a grin.
"Yes. But it's not cheating if you do it to the youma, so good job. If you do it again I'll dye your hair pink."
"That doesn't sound too bad," Usagi mused.
"I can just imagine your new nick-name, though," Naru teased. "Hey there, cotton candy head."
"Okay, point," Usagi said with a laugh.
"You don't have much combat training, do you?" asked Sakka.
"You mean martial arts? Nope!" Usagi chirped. "But that doesn't do much against a youma, and we've been curb-stomping them for a while. Real life experience instead of training, you know?"
"That's true," said Sakka. "Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
"I think we're good," said Usagi.
"Actually," said Ami, "let me grab a bottle of water. I want to do a demonstration."
"Demonstration?"
"Usually we senshi can only use our magic by calling out our spells, and are limited to a certain set of spells. At the moment all I have is Mercury Spray Shroud, which creates fog, and Aqua Bubble Burst, which sprays freezing water."
"Yeah, I've only got two spells too," Usagi added.
"I don't have any," said Naru.
"Actually, Moon, you have more than two spells," Ami corrected. "That is part of what got me thinking about this."
"Do you mean my screaming thing?"
"No. I mean the spells you can cast with the Royal Scepter."
"That's more the Scepter than it is me," she said skeptically.
"Yes, but you still provide the magic. Normal, human magic, instead of senshi magic. Theoretically, you should be able to use the scepter outside of senshi form, the same way I can use my computer."
Usagi shot a look at Sakka. "That's cool, Mercury, but I don't really want to talk about not being in uniform right here. No offense, Sakka."
"None taken."
"Well, the scepter is only part of what inspired me. Luna also told us that non-senshi could still use some planetary magic, even without magic of their own. Martians could conjure flames, etc."
"Yeah, I remember that," said Usagi. Ami opened the water bottle, held her free hand palm up in front of her body, and positioned the water bottle over it.
"That inspired me to start researching and experimenting. And now, I can do this." Ami overturned the bottle and poured the water into her hand. Rather than splash everywhere, it instantly froze, twisting into a small ice sculpture as Ami kept pouring on more water.
"Whoa. That's really cool," Usagi whispered.
"Uh-huh," agreed an awed Naru.
"Senshi magic without calling out any spell," Ami said proudly. "This is very basic, at the moment, but if we become skilled enough I believe we could eventually create our own attacks and fight silently."
"That is awesome," Usagi agreed, still looking at the sculpture. "Any idea how I should start trying to do that?"
Ami shrugged. "Meditation? I focused on cooling and freezing a glass of water in my hands at the beginning. You could do something like that, once we figure out what your magic, well, is. Until then, I recommend that you just try to feel for and manipulate the power."
"Alright! Any more cool stuff?"
"Yeah, dish," added Naru.
"Yes, but I want to wait until Uranus can join us tomorrow, for simplicity's sake. At least one part of this will work best with as many of us as possible."
"Excuse me? What did you mean by what her magic is?" Sakka asked.
"All of the senshi have power over an element," Naru said quickly. "Mercury has water, Uranus has air, Mars has fire. We just aren't sure what Moon's element is, and there are no records of it."
"Light is my current theory," said Ami. "Some form of positive or emotional energy is also a possibility."
"I'll just have to figure it out," Usagi said with a shrug. "Alright, I think we're done here, so we should go on a patrol. Thanks for showing us around, Sakka!"
"It was my pleasure. Good luck, and good hunting."
+++++++++++++++++++
In an unused holding room in the basement of a non-descript building, two men… two peop… two beings were having an interesting conversation.
"So how were you born? What is the life cycle of your kind?" Manju Ken asked.
"I don't really remember my own creation," Glurg rumbled in reply. They were separated by bars and over a hundred paper wards, but seemed perfectly amicable to each other. "You don't remember being born, do you? I heard that humans are pretty useless for the first part of their lives."
"True enough. My earliest memory is when I was six or seven."
"Six or seven what?"
"Years old. You don't measure time like that?"
"I spent most of my existence in a prison underground. No days or nights, much less anything else."
"Oh my. How did you react when you first saw the sun?"
"I wondered how far away it was, and if it was going to come back after it left, since it was setting. Since no on else seemed worried or upset, I decided to just enjoy the view."
"Most humans would have been afraid. There are stories about humans who are kept away from light for long periods of time, and it hurts them when they go into the sun again?"
"Really? Why would it hurt them?"
"The sun is naturally a little harmful. If we stay in it too long, we get burned slightly. However, being in it over periods of time makes our bodies resistant. If we stay out of the sun for too long, we lose that resistance."
"That…doesn't make sense. Humans are strange."
"Yes, we are. What are youma like?"
"Well, a youma is born when a youma egg is infused with enough energy to become animate. Youma eggs are created by infusing dark power into a piece of earth or crystal. Normally Metaria herself would do this, but Shadow Warriors like myself can also do so. I don't believe our human leaders can, though. Though they can empower youma."
"Empower?"
"Pour your own dark energy into a youma, reshaping it to your needs. It becomes mostly whatever you want it to be, such as bigger, smarter, faster, tougher, or more magically capable. General Zoicite did it to his youma, which is why they were so much tougher than regular. The catch is that you don't get what you used back."
"Is that how you…ascended?"
"No. A youma, if it continues to gain energy and age, and intelligence, will eventually become a Shadow Warrior on its own. Being empowered prevents you from ever evolving, though. You become stronger, but you never grow stronger than you've become."
"And how do youma feel about this? What is generally though of these options?"
"Mostly, we don't. Youma aren't human. Until we ascend, we have very little sense of self or free will. We don't form friendships or rivalries. I had no real idea of life or death before ascending. I was close, so I could feel some things, but it would be more like a smart animal than a human. I do not consider the senshi to be killing youma, just destroying them."
"No free will? Really?"
"There are some differences among us, mostly based on the characteristics of the people whose energy we absorbed, but it is no different than walking upright or on four feet, or slithering or flying."
"That…I am not sure what to say? You said a youma egg hatches when it absorbs energy. Do you mean…"
"Human energy. Life energy. The first youma were fed off of the slaughter of several cities on this planet, and later eggs were fed with the energy gathered in the middle of the attack. I was born on…Saturn, I believe. Under the command of Shadow warrior Bakane."
"What was it like?"
"I don't remember."
"Ah, I see. Glurg. Why did you defect? You said Shadow Warriors are respected."
"I only really became alive after I ascended. I don't think my previous existence really counts. Maybe near the end, but during most of my life, I've dealt with Zoicite wanting me dead and abusing me. I have no reason to stay loyal, and aside from that flower bastard you have never done anything to me."
"Or for you."
"You accepted my surrender instead of killing me," he gurgled. "They would never have done so. Besides, maybe I can eventually create a new race of youma, free from those tyrants."
"You plan on that?"
"Perhaps. Who knows?"
"True. True. None of us can see the future. And good thing, since we might not like what we see."
"Couldn't we change it then, if we know what's happening?"
"If you change it and it doesn't happen, how would you have seen it in the first place? Also, there are many stories about men trying to avoid a prophecy and walking straight into it. Oedipus Rex being the most famous."
"What happens?"
"A man finds out that he is destined to kill his father and marry his mother."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"For humans, yes. Incest is considered quite despicable. He tries to avoid this fate by leaving home and wandering the world."
"And?"
"He becomes king of a city by saving it from a monster and then marrying the widowed queen. The previous king was killed while traveling to an oracle to find out how to kill the monster."
"It seems like a happy ending," Glurg rumbled.
"Through a cruel working of fate, Oedipus discovers that his parents—the ones who raised him—had, in fact, adopted him. He had killed the king of his current country on his journey and the queen was his birth mother."
"Adopted?"
"When a child is raised by people other than the ones who gave birth to him."
"Maybe he would have been wiser to decide not to marry an older woman," Glurg hazarded. Ken began chuckling.
"Yes, that is a solution." Glurg laughed too. Then it/he trailed off.
"Would you be willing to let me drain a little energy? I want to remember what you are like." Ken considered the question.
"A little shouldn't hurt." He reached through the bars and Glurg touched his hand. There was a sensation of cold and sleepiness, and then Glurg pulled away.
"Thank you. I enjoy talking to you. Come again some time."
"I will. I'll also see about getting you some roomy quarters." Glurg shrugged.
"What would I use them for? Just try and get me a window. I've decided I like the sun."
++++++++++++++++++
The next day Usagi arrived at school on time, for once. It looked as though she had arrived at a war zone. She made her surprise known.
"What the heck is going on?" Most of the desks were scrambled out of order and the students were in disarray. In the center of the room there were two main groups. On one side were a group of regular students, including Naru, scowling threateningly at the others. It also appeared to include a few students, girls, who looked upset, afraid, and slightly mussed.
The other group consisted of four classmates Usagi knew: Umino, Sakura, Hideki, and Daisuke. Looking at their clothes, though, Usagi almost didn't recognize them.
Umino was wearing a loud blue suit (no, seriously, that thing was ugly) and grinning like a maniac.
Hideki had several colorful bandanas tied around parts of his body, including his head. He'd also ripped the sleeves off of jacket, and was wearing it without a shirt underneath.
Sakura had apparently decided to go the less-is-more route. She was wearing a button down shirt that had had the part below her ribs torn away, and had only the bottom two buttons buttoned. She also had several playing cards tucked into her shirt pocket, and was wearing knee-high boots and a scandalously short skirt. (How she didn't freeze, Usagi couldn't guess. She just hoped Sakura was wearing underwear.)
Daisuke hadn't changed his clothes much—he just wore them three sizes bigger to hide that he was a bit pudgy. He had, however, died his hair blonde and pierced his ears, and there was a cigarette hanging from his mouth.
"Usagi, help! They've gone crazy!" Naru yelped.
"Don't be stupid, I'm perfectly sane," Umino sneered. "In fact, I'm better than ever! Usagi, how about we blow this joint and hit up a hotel, you know?" He touched her and she slapped his hand away.
"Go where!" she shrieked, insulted at the implication. "No! What's wrong with you!"
"We're fine," Hideki drawled.
"You're the ones who are boring," complained Sakura. "That hotel idea sounds great. Want to come, Takeshi?"
"Sakura, this isn't you," he said.
"Of course it is," she purred slinking over to him. "I'm more me than I've ever been before."
"No you aren't! You…!" Sakura decided to shut him up with her lips, and her right hand grabbed the back of his head to keep him from running. Her left hand led his hand into her open shirt, and then trailed lower and lower down his chest. Realization hit when Usagi saw her slip a card into Takeshi's right pocket before her finger trailed around to the front.
"What do you think you're doing!" yelled Ms. Haruna, who entered behind Usagi. The blonde yelped and stumbled out of the way. Sakura pulled away from the dazed Takeshi, leaving an obvious stain of red lipstick.
"Doing homework," she said with a cute pout.
"Out! Out of my classroom!"
"Alright," said Umino, and they began filing out, including a dopey Takeshi. Students who had heard the shout and gathered in the hall moved out of their way. "It's really a pity," Umino drawled, "I so enjoy this classroom's," his arm lashed out and flipped up the teacher's skirt, "view. Teddy-bear panties, at your age?" Everyone burst out laughing as Ms. Haruna froze, blushed, and then dropped to her knees and actually began crying. The group ran down the hall, cackling.
"Shut up!" Usagi shrieked. Everyone went dead silent, staring nervously at the furious blonde. "This. Isn't. Funny." People began inching away, nodding but not speaking. Usagi breathed and calmed down. "Who here has a cell phone?"
"A cell phone?" asked Naru.
"That big news thingy yesterday, about youma pretending to be people and calling the senshi," Usagi elaborated. "Doesn't this seem like the type of thing it was warning about? Or is everyone okay with the idea of letting man-eating monsters run around and pretend to be our friends?" Whispering broke out as everyone got the message.
Ami stood up. "I'll run to the office and call." She rushed out the door.
++++++++++++++++++
"Hello, Ms. Shihoin?" said Ami, staggering into the office.
"Yes? Mizuno Ami, correct? What do you need?"
"Two things. First, Ms. Haruna wants you to call the authorities, as she thinks a few of her students may be possessed."
Ms. Shihoin gasped. "That's bad. Is anyone hurt?" She grabbed the phone.
"Just some people's pride. Second, I believe I caught a stomach virus from my mother. I just threw up in the bathroom. May I have a note to take the bus home, and can you arrange for me to get make up work if I am absent tomorrow?"
"Yes, just a moment." She dialed the hotline number and quickly made her report. "Now, don't you think I should call your mother, if you're sick?"
"My mother works in the hospital. She may be in surgery or at the emergency room right now. I doubt she'll have the spare time to drive me."
"Your father, then?"
"He lives in Okinawa."
"Oh. I'm sorry." Well, Mizuno is one of the top students in the school, so I think I can trust her. Wait…Blue hair…Intelligent…Now that I think of it… "You are in Haruna's class, right? I'll write you a note in case you run into a truancy officer."
"Thank you very much." A few minutes later Ami was out the door, down the street, and into the alley. "Mercury Power: Make-Up!" She jumped up to the rooftops, pulled out her communicator, and called Luna.
"Mercury? This is good luck. There's been a report,"
"That some of my classmates have been possessed?"
"I…no. It's a man who works in a restaurant who they think has been possessed, along with a few friends and coworkers. Why did you think it was your school?"
"Because a few of my classmates are acting odd, so Usagi told them to call while I slipped away and transformed. People at a restaurant are affected, too?"
"Yes, I, one moment." It was the call about Ami's classmates being reported. "Yes, we will be there in a few minutes."
"I'll go examine my classmates, and then I'll check out the restaurant. We need to find out if this is one youma or many. It may possibly be more than one operation, as well."
"I'll send Uranus to check out the restaurant. She should be out of the hospital soon. Can you find someway to liberate Usagi? The Scepter might be needed."
"Yes. I'll contact you when I've left the school." Ami turned off the communicator and took off atop the rooftops, dropping down to enter the school. The principal was already waiting for her at the door.
"It is good to see you again. You responded very quickly."
"It's a slow day," Ami said. "Explain the situation, please." Since she already knew it she tuned most of it out, paying only enough attention to ensure that there wasn't anything new. "Please lead me to the classroom in question." They worked their way through the halls and Ami found herself standing at the room they just left. The principal entered. It was rather clear that Ms. Haruna had only just got the class in order, but this was tactfully ignored.
"Hey, who's that?"
"Is she for real?"
"That's Mercury, right?"
"She looks our age."
"Quiet!" called Mr. Raikon. "Please treat Sailor Mercury with the respect she deserves. Are any of the students in question still in the room?"
"No," said Ms. Haruna, eyeing Sailor Mercury. Her eyes were still a little blotchy, but she appeared more under control.
"I'll see if I can track them down," Ami assured the adults. "First, though, I should make sure no one else is feeling any ill effects." She activated her visor and made a big show of looking around the room. "Will you, you, and you," she pointed to Hanako, Usagi, and Yamato, "please stand in a line in front of me. You all have light traces of taint, but I should be able to clear it off on my own. You as well, Miss…"
"Haruna." They all stood in a line. Ami laid her hand on Hanako's forehead and called upon the cold.
"That's cold!" she yelped, pulling away.
"Yes, but it's cleansing." She did the same to Usagi, Yamato, and Ms. Haruna, and stepped back. "Now let's see." She frowned and pointed to Usagi. "I'm sorry, but you still have the taint. It's a little stronger than what I can take care of on my own. Would you mind coming with me to see Sailor Moon?"
"Meet Sailor Moon! I'd love to!" Usagi chirped, getting it. "Do you think she'd sign an autograph for me?"
"We don't do autographs, sorry," said Ami with a smile. She turned to the adults. "I can have her back within an hour or two, but it's best to nip this in the bud, before she gets hurt."
"That's acceptable. I'll call her parents and let them know."
"Only an hour," Usagi whined. "Couldn't you get me out of the entire day?"
"If this got bad enough for you to miss the entire day," Ami said politely, "You'd be a mindless zombie who couldn't enjoy the free time."
Usagi shivered. "Ugh. Got it. Message received. Take notes for me, will you, Naru."
"Also," said Ami, "does anyone know where one of them might have encountered the youma? Places they visited yesterday or today?"
"Sakura was going to a movie."
"Umino said something about a new fortuneteller," said Naru.
"Daisuke was going to a manga store that had a sale."
"Thank you, you've been very helpful," said Ami.
+++++++++++++++
"So do we know where Umino and the others went?" Usagi asked once she had transformed and they had taken to the rooftops.
"No, but we have another lead. There's a restaurant where some of the employees are behaving in a similar manner. They're probably victims as well."
"Alright. Think things are under control?"
"They should be. We're meeting Uranus there."
"Yes!" Usagi cartwheeled across a roof and then continued jumping. "All of our team is back in action! Now if only Sailor M would show up so we can have five senshi. We'll be kicking youma butt!"
"Five? Oh, yes, Naru and the Letter Compact. We're here." They dropped down in front of a restaurant with a police car inside of it, and found the very welcome sight of Sailor Uranus waiting for them.
"Good to see you back in action," Usagi said.
"Good to be back," Haruka replied, giving her a fist-bump. So what do you guys think?" Ami turned to scan them while Usagi pulled out the Moon Scepter. It wasn't glowing, but she might need to heal someone.
"Yes, they've been hypnotized, and are being slowly drained," Ami said. She bent down to the floor. "This appears to be the cause." It was a tarot card.
"So, a gambling joint?" Haruka hazarded.
"Fortuneteller. That's a tarot card," Usagi explained. "Hadn't Umino gone to some new fortuneteller?"
"Yes. This appears to be a link," Ami said. She fiddled with her visor and examined the card more closely. "Interesting…this is very ingenious. Jadeite has disguised the spell pattern as the design on the back. It's designed to drain energy and to hypnotize the holder into committing certain chaotic actions. A lack of inhibitions, in a sense."
"So that's why everyone went crazy?"
"Correct. Excuse me!" Ami waved over a police officer. "Could you hold this for a moment? I'm going to try and track the path the drained energy follows."
"Uh, okay," she said hesitantly. "I'm not going to pass out or anything, right?"
"Not for several hours. Also, inform your comrades to take these cards off of anyone they apprehend and put them in a place far from people. Or just destroy them. Thank you, I have the path now." The officer tore the card in two and Ami led the senshi out of the building and onto the rooftops.
"You know where to go?" Haruka asked as they jumped across the roofs.
"I know the general direction. I imagine the fortune teller will be rather obvious once we arrive," Ami said.
"Alright, so do we have a plan, or do we just go in?" Usagi asked. "I vote to check it out first."
"We should be certain that there are no hostages in the way," Ami agreed.
"You guys are the veterans," Haruka said with a shrug. "I'm not going to talk much after I nearly got killed last time."
"That wasn't your fault."
"Maybe not, but once bitten and all that."
"I believe we're here," Ami said. Across the street was a store with a gaudy sign reading House of Fortune. Usagi hummed, activating her gems, and scanned the area.
"Do you see anything? My gems aren't picking anything up."
"I only see one normal human in back," Ami said. "However, I also see flows of energy converging on the building. This is the place, at least. Whether or not the people are here remains to be seen."
"How about I go in, make some noise, and see if anything answers?" Haruka asked, cracking her knuckles.
"And what if nothing does?" Usagi replied. "Then you've wrecked a building and scared an innocent person."
"Better scared than drained."
"We do have the Disguise Pen, do we not?" pointed out Ami. "Haruka can go in as a customer and see if anything happens. If nothing does, then we the senshi can speak to the store owner about looking around for a youma."
"Sounds good to me," Usagi agreed, handing over the pink wand.
"Alright. Disguise power: make me a salary-man!" In a glow of light Haruka looked very much like her regular self, except for a business suit and six-o-clock shadow. She dropped down to the street and walked into the store.
"Hello?"
"Come in the back," said a melodious voice. Haruka stepped through the curtains and found herself looking at a beautiful woman garbed in sigil-covered cloth and chains. I hope she isn't evil. I'd really like to get to know her better.
"How may I be of service?" the fortune-teller purred. Haruka resisted the urge to make an innuendo.
"I want to know if I'll get a promotion at work, or if I'm better off looking for another job."
"Have a seat. Now, touch the crystal ball." Haruka did so and, through her disguise, felt her tiara warm up. A hum filled the room and the hair on the back of her neck stood up. "Listen to my words. Highly confident and assured, you are certainly not demure. Take these cards—"
"Not happening," Haruka deadpanned, and stood up. "Now tell me where the youma is or I open a world of hurt on your head."
"How are you resisting my spell? This cannot be!"
"This can," Haruka replied, and dropped the disguise.
"Senshi!" she hissed, and lunged. Haruka jumped back through the curtains as the fortune-teller—as the youma overturned the table.
"Mercury Spray Shroud!" Ami called as they raced in to reinforce the outer senshi. The youma, mostly human until the waist, where she became a snake, leaned back on her coils. She raised the tip of her tail in front of her, and the crystal ball growing out of the end began to glow.
"Moon Tiara Magic!" The youma ducked under the disk almost as soon as it left Usagi's hand and made straight for her. "Eep!"
"Uranus Space Shock!" The yellow blast hit it in the face and shoved it away from Usagi. Then the tiara made its return trip, and its master gestured. The youma ducked under the spell just before it took her head off, and smashed Haruka across the room with a lash of its tail. Haruka then grabbed onto said tail and yanked.
"Aqua Bubble Burst!" It hissed as its entire torso was soaked and began to freeze.
"Moon Tiara Magic!" And then was dust.
"Not too bad," Haruka said.
"Yes. I was rather distracted by the fact that it read as a normal human to my visor, though."
"She wasn't, was she?" Usagi asked worriedly.
"No." Ami pointed. "The clothing and sigils are magically messing up my readings. This was a very good plan, in theory. Shall we be off?"
"Let's look around and make sure there's nothing we're missing," Usagi said.
"That's a very mature idea," Ami agreed.
"You just don't want to go back to school," Haruka teased. Usagi stuck her nose in the air.
"I admit nothing!"
+++++++++++++++++
That afternoon they—plus a disguised Naru—assembled at the warehouse. "I don't believe we've met before," Sakka said politely upon seeing Sailor Uranus. "I am Inochitori Sakka, and I will be acting as the primary liason between the Sailor Senshi and our government. Pleased to make your acquaintance."
"Same," Haruka said with a grin. "And now that we've met, I have to ask…are we effected by anti-fraternization rules?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not looking for a relationship at this time," Sakka said with a polite smile.
"Back on topic, Uranus," Usagi said, elbowing her, "what do you think of the place?"
"Looks as good as any to me, and better than many," she said non-committedly.
"Right! First thing's first. Mercury, what did you want to discuss with everyone here?"
"Yes, that. Everyone gather round, please." Ami motioned them into a circle, signaling that Sakka could stay or leave as she wished. She opted to leave. "I was doing research into past tactics, and one of the things that came up were combination attacks."
"How so?" Naru asked.
"At the most basic, two senshi would cast to spells at the same time, and the spells would mix and reinforce each other. This works especially well with complementary elements, such as wind and fire, or water and lightning, but can be used with any element spells, within reason."
"How would I do this?" Usagi asked. "Does any of my stuff work? None of it seems like it would."
"According to my records, your tiara would work with this method, but likely not any of your other two spells. Similarly, my mist is not an offensive spell, so would not be ideal for this, but my bubbles would work. As Uranus only has the one spell, her options are limited, but the Uranus Space Shock should be combinable with other spells."
"And I don't have any," Naru said drily.
"C'mon Ceres, don't be like that," Usagi whined. "You're as important as any of us."
"Yeah, just 'cause you're not as good in a fight doesn't mean you're worthless," Haruka agreed. "Didn't you knock out Zoicite's lights once? With a bag of sand? Anyway, looks like we know what we're practicing today, though. I like the sound of these combinations."
"Yes, but that's not all. I discovered two other things worth noting, though only one is particularly usable."
"What?"
"The usable one is what is known as the Planetary Abilities. These are abilities that require two or more senshi in conjunction to use, but are very useful."
"Like what?"
"Teleportation, for one." Everyone stopped to think about that.
"Yeah, that does sound useful. What's the catch?"
"I have only found reference to two abilities thus far," Ami said. "The Planet Teleport and the Planet Attack. Both have the senshi using them link hands. Then they focus and flare their powers. I still haven't deciphered the details, though."
"Are there limits?" Usagi asked wisely.
"Well for one, you need two senshi working together. It doesn't work if one is unwilling, or unconscious, or alone. Also, they are draining and time consuming to use. It gets better with more senshi, but not the type of thing to use during a fight."
"So can you teleport anywhere?"
"To an extent. The Planet Teleport works best if it is on the same planet, and you have to know where you are going. The Planet Attack is essentially a guided burst of energy, so it can cause bad collateral damage."
"Got it! So we shouldn't use them until we're better than we are."
"Yes. Best to put these on the back-burner, for now. The last thing of interest I discovered is what's known as our crisis forms."
"Crisis forms?" Naru asked. "I'm betting that's some emergency fail-safe or something, right?"
"Correct. To begin with, do you know how much of our potential senshi power we channel when we are in uniform?"
"Not all of it, I'm guessing," Haruka said drily.
"It varies, but it's between five and fifteen percent, rarely going as high as thirty," Ami revealed.
"That little?" Naru asked. "That's crazy!"
"How do we increase it?" Usagi asked. "We need to be better if we want to protect people."
"We shouldn't increase it, because there's a reason for the limit. Being a senshi is an unnatural state that puts a unique strain on the body. At this low a level our healing works faster than we are hurt, but if we channel more power at a time we could damage our own bodies. Considering how much potential power we have at our disposal, even that small an amount is plenty for most purposes."
"But crisis changes that, right?" Naru guessed.
"Yes. During times of huge stress and danger, a senshi can 'go crisis form,' and call upon one-hundred percent of their abilities. At a cost."
"Let me guess," Haruka said, "it kills you."
"It can. At the very minimum it burns out our senshi abilities for a day or more. Sometimes even for several months or a year. And overuse of it can kill you."
"Good to know," Usagi said faintly.
"There is no way I know of to induce crisis form on purpose, but I felt it should be mentioned, just in case." She paused and grinned faintly. "Apparently there was a level of popular mystique around crisis forms in the past. Any time a senshi used theirs the form would get a name and everything. It was almost like there was a fanclub."
"People are people," Naru said with a sigh. "So are you guys going to work on the combination attacks now?"
"Sounds like a good place to start," Haruka said.
"Ceres, would you try out the prototype of the game I'm designing?" Am asked. "I need a few test runs before anything else." She handed over the Mercury computer.
"That's not getting you out of physical exercises," Haruka warned.
"I will," Naru said. She moved off to the side while the others pulled a crate into the center of the room and aimed.
"On three," Usagi said. "One. Two. Five! Just kidding!"
"One," said Haruka.
"Two," said Ami.
"Three!" At Usagi's call, the crate exploded. Unfortunately, it exploded because it was hit by three separate attacks, instead of a combination. "Aw, man. I guess this is gonna take some practice after all."
"Practice makes perfect." More than half an hour of tries later (they stopped using crates after the fifth blew up) something happened.
"Moon Tiara Magic!"
"Aqua Bubble Burst!"
"Uranus Space Shock!"
The three spells' trajectories matched up, and the tiara transformed into a glowing ring of ice that left a visible trail of frost on the floor. Usagi grinned.
"Wicked."
++++++++++++++++++
Extra: The previous generation
Venus
Name: Burche (like birch, the tree, except with a sh sound)
Appearance: Green eyes and golden-blonde hair. 5' 7" and 168 lbs. When long, she wore her hair in a braid, but she occasionally cut it to shoulder length. Wore heels.
Rank: Third cousin of Queen Aphrodite, but niece of King Ares. (She could become the Venusian senshi despite her closer bond to Mars because she was born on Venus.)
She had strong psychic abilities, but lacked great physical strength. Combined with her Venusian mana, she was an excellent sensor, able to identify when people were lying, afraid, ill, and in a relationship—not just love, but family, or even a master-servant loyalty. She could also track auras over great distance. She was very gentle and kind with those she liked, but could be petty and spiteful when upset, and held onto her grudges.
Due to her comparatively low fighting skills, she mostly stuck to long-range combat, providing unerring sniper fire. She preferred her bow for this, but was equally skilled with spells and ballistics/firearms/phasers. At 200 yards she could hit a man-sized target 7/10 times blindfolded, and could target not only the center of mass, but limbs, joints, and cracks in armor. Favorite spell: Lovely Bow and Eros.
She died in the terrorist attack that took Lunarian King Agape's life. She originally took a blow intended for him, and killed three attackers before she expired, in spite of losing one of her eyes. This is in addition to shooting spells aimed at her comrades out of mid-air as she was on the ground while the poison worked.
*Her most capable potential successor was unenthusiastic, and gladly handed off the mantle to Princess Mina when she showed interest and ability a few years later.
+++++++++++++
Next chapter is either going to be the first Shadow Warrior/Rainbow Crystal, or an interlude about Sailor Mars in England. We'll see how things go.