Chapter 19
Usagi's Joy: A Love Letter from Tuxedo Mask
In his private estate, Nephrite was seeking counsel from the stars, hoping he could find the perfect target with plenty of potent energy for him to deliver to Queen Beryl, while at the same time, searching for a weakness his enemies possessed and exploit it. At last, he discovered that Tuxedo Mask was the weak link to Sailor Moon's strength, when Zoisite and Maleficent emerged from the corridor of darkness.
"Hello Nephrite, Queen Beryl would like to have a word with you," he said to the dark haired warlord.
"I suggest that you meet with her immediately, before she gives me a perfect excuse to turn you into a Heartless," warned Maleficent.
"Fine, I will see her in the throne room," replied Nephrite, and followed them into the still open portal.
Once they arrived, Pete, Sephiroth, and Queen Beryl noticed them immediately, as Maleficent walked back to them.
"Nephrite, Sephiroth told me that you are having trouble gathering human energy for our great ruler," said Queen Beryl.
"You really think it's true that those pests are giving you a hard time?" asked Pete.
"The realm of light wasn't built in a day, my liege," scoffed Nephrite, only for Sephiroth to cast Heartless Angel upon him.
"Stay your hand, Sephiroth! I understand that you want him to become a Heartless like Jadeite, but killing him now will be an unfortunate Denouement," warned Beryl, causing her warriors to cower.
"A sentence worse than death itself," sneered Zoisite, who tossed Nephrite an elixir to restore him to full strength.
"But you are Nephrite, a proud warrior of the Dark Kingdom's Four Kings of Heaven. But, have you uncovered a weakness within Sailor Moon's strength?" asked Maleficent.
"Indeed I have, Maleficent. But I promise you and Queen Beryl that this time, Sailor Moon and Sora will be dealt with immediately," assured Nephrite.
"Well, okay then, Nephrite. We'll leave it to you," said Pete.
"Indeed we shall," added Beryl.
"I'm going to destroy her with her own love, and unleash the dark side of Sora's power," Nephrite said, laughing with evil triumph.
That evening, as Usagi returned home from school, she saw a letter in the mail door, and pulled it out. In her excitement, she saw that it was addressed to her from Tuxedo Mask, when Sora arrived. Together they went up stairs, and Usagi read the letter aloud with Luna and Sora looking at her suspiciously.
"Well that's certainly nice and all, but why would Tuxedo Mask send a love letter to you?" asked Luna.
"Oh come on Luna, isn't it obvious? He's in love with me," giggled Usagi.
"This is starting to sound suspicious," muttered Sora, looking confused.
"Okay, let's say your delusions are for real. But does he know your Sailor Moon?" Luna asked.
"It's amazing! That's how powerful his love for me is. His heart can see into mine and know all of my secrets. There's nothing stronger than true love" said Usagi.
"I don't know. Even if Tuxedo Mask sent you a love letter, I can tell you that Luna still has her doubts about trusting him. Whether he's helping us out, or is actually a spy from the Dark Kingdom, we're not sure about where his loyalties lie," said Sora, as Usagi smooched at the letter, making them both grow more suspicious.
The next day at School, Usagi was aghast to learn that her classmates also received love letters from Tuxedo Mask as well, while Sora stood silently to the side, with his arms folded across his chest.
"But it's true Usagi, we all got letters from this Tuxedo Mask," said Naru.
The other students agreed, but none of them knew who Tuxedo Mask truly was. Until Miss Haruna arrived to inform her class of what was going on, and warned everyone that all distractions were a serious matter, which made Usagi disappointed, while she warned them about going out alone at night, after the love letter prank was very serious, while telling them to keep out of the MS Mall in Shinjuku.
"We'll heed your warning, Miss Haruna. But I'm gonna see what's up in Shinjuku on my own terms. For now though, education is number one, on your list of priorities," said Sora.
"Of course, but, be careful out there at night, Mr. Sora," replied Miss Haruna.
Sora nodded and walked out of the classroom, making Usagi wonder what was going on in his head. He soon met up with Ami and Luna, outside on the school grounds.
"There's something very suspicious about this love letter business. Don't you think so Ami?" asked the dark colored cat.
"You're right, we should probably go talk to Rei and see what she thinks about it," replied Ami.
"While you go and do that, I'm gonna patrol Shinjuku and see what's up about these love letters from Tuxedo Mask. If he's really a spy, then he could most certainly be reporting to that guy who's trying to attain power to revive this Great Ruler of his," said Sora.
"Huh, a love letter from Tuxedo Mask? What's that about?" asked Mamoru, who tried and failed to win a stuffed doll of Tuxedo Mask, in a crane game.
"Well, he sent it out to every girl in town," replied Motoki.
"Do you think it's possibly from some sort of advertisement?" asked Goofy.
"It could be, but who knows what's going on," said Motoki.
Everyone turned to see Usagi walking into the arcade, with a look of disappointment on her face.
"Hey, Usagi," said Riku, as he raised his hand in a formal greeting.
"Yeah, hi Usagi," added Motoki, but they saw the look of disappointment on her face.
"What's wrong, Usagi? Why the long face?" asked Mickey.
"Hey, I think I know what's going on here. The other girls got a mysterious love letter, but you didn't get one," said Mamoru.
"No, Usagi got one just like everyone else. And that's for three reasons. 1: I may not know much about Tuxedo Mask as everyone else does, but I do know that he wouldn't cheat behind Usagi's back. 2: Whoever sent those love letters to those girls may be plotting to hurt them, or do something even more terrible than even we can realize. And 3: I'll bet you anything that Tuxedo Mask is not the kind of guy to hurt a girl's feelings, especially if it has to do with Aqua, Kairi, Namine, or Xion. The worst thing this Tuxedo Mask would probably do, is be disrespectful to any of those girls, and make me so mad that Vanitas will break free so that he hurts all of you," piped in Sora, who had also entered the arcade on the way to Shinjuku.
Usagi was shocked to hear that, as was everyone else that heard those three reasons.
"But, If you did transform into Vanitas, Sailor Moon would still use the power of light to keep Vanitas at bay, so that we can strengthen the seal upon your heart," said Aqua.
"I agree with Aqua. There's no way your friends would allow this Vanitas to wreak his revenge on this city," piped in Usagi, as she hugged Sora.
In Hikawa Shrine, Ami was shocked to learn that Rei was sick, and resting in her own bed.
"Oh no, Rei. I didn't know you were sick," she said.
"She told me about how she woke up with a fever and a sore throat," piped in Axel.
"It stinks, but I don't think I'm in any condition to go out, even if it is for Tuxedo Mask," Rei said, in a scratchy voice.
"Don't you worry Rei, Doctor Mizuno will make sure you're in good hands," he said, as he walked off to Shinjuku.
"Axel's right, Rei. Here, let me go get you some ice," smiled Ami.
Meanwhile, in the MS Mall in Shinjuku, Nephrite was pleased to see that his plan was now coming to fruition. Soon he would have Sailor Moon in his grip, and eliminate her with his own two hands, and unleash a terrible darkness upon the world. But his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Naru's voice calling out to him.
"Hello there. Sorry, you probably don't remember me, I'm Naru Osaka," she said.
"Sure, I remember you. Are you shopping?" asked Nephrite, as he assumed the role of Masato Sanjouin.
Naru nodded once.
"This is going to sound weird, but, can I ask you something?" replied Naru.
"Sure," said "Masato."
"Mr. Sanjouin, I was wondering if you're Tuxedo Mask," she said.
Nephrite's brow furrowed with confusion, but he didn't notice Sora hiding around the corner.
"Of course not. Why would you ask that?" he said, trying to maintain his facade.
"I know it's kind of a strange question, but it would be nice if you were Tuxedo Mask," replied Naru.
Sora shook his head slowly.
"There's no way that guy is Tuxedo Mask," he said quietly to himself, as Nephrite feared that he'd been exposed, but sensed that there was more to Naru than he realized.
"Just forget I asked, I'm not usually this nervous," Naru said quickly.
"So, Naru," smirked Nephrite.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Has anybody told you, you're the cutest girl in school?" asked the dark haired warlord.
Naru was surprised.
"I mean, I've felt drawn to you, since the first time we met. I hope you can make it tonight," said Nephrite, as he walked off.
"Tonight, wait a minute," she said.
She took out the letter, and realized that Nephrite was telling the truth, which made Sora walk out onto the city streets, and back to Usagi. At the same time, Naru knew that the words Nephrite had said, made her feel the same way he did, but she didn't know that she was being deceived by him.
"This makes no sense," said Usagi, as she looked at the letter.
"I know it doesn't, Usagi. But I've been suspicious about Masato Sanjouin, when I overheard him talking with Naru. The real question we should be asking ourselves is why Tuxedo Mask wrote those letters to you and all of the other girls," replied Sora.
"Well I guess the only way is to go to the mall and ask him myself," said Usagi.
"While you do that, I'm gonna head back to the mall. You'd better make sure you're on top of your A-game Usagi," Sora said as he walked out of her house.
Usagi nodded, and prepared herself as well, but she was still fixated on finding Tuxedo Mask. She freshened herself up, got on a pair of fresh clean clothes, brushed her teeth, combed her hair, and was now prepared to meet up with Tuxedo Mask, knowing that she would accept a welcoming kiss from him. That night, at MS Mall, Naru stood at the entrance. She leaned against the front door entrance, when it suddenly opened. Slowly but quietly, she began searching for Tuxedo Mask within the darkened building.
"Is anybody here?" she asked.
She looked around nervously in the darkened room, when the lights suddenly went on. There standing on the upper floor, was Nephrite dressed in Tuxedo Mask's outfit.
"Here I am," he called to Naru, making her gasp in shock.
He slowly descended down the escalator towards Naru, his cape billowing out behind him.
"I'm glad you came," he said.
"I know that voice. It was you all along, wasn't it Mr. Sanjouin?" she said excitedly.
"You know my voice?" asked Nephrite, shocked that he had been found out.
"I'd know your voice anywhere. And no hat or mask can hide your beautiful face or your hair," Naru said, unaware that it was all a set up.
"Are you seriously in love with this Masato Sanjouin?" Nephrite asked seriously.
"Yes, ever since this afternoon, all I could think of was you. I am madly in love with you Mr. Sanjouin," said Naru.
Nephrite leapt off the escalator and landed in front of Naru.
"Enough of this charade! Cut the acting and reveal yourself! I know who you are, you're Sailor Moon!" he said furiously, placing his hand upon Naru's heart.
Naru was confused. At the same time, Usagi and Sora were searching Shinjuku for the MS Mall, when the Keyblade Master suddenly stiffened in shock. Suddenly, Usagi's communicator buzzed, making her answer whoever it was that was calling her.
"Where in the world are you, guys?" Ami asked.
"Funny you should ask that. We're actually in Shinjuku right now," replied Usagi.
"And the worst part is, I can sense that Naru's in danger," added Sora.
"Oh no, We gotta help her out now!" cried Rei, as she got out of bed, coughing due to her ailment.
In the Mall, Naru was still wondering why Nephrite believed she was Sailor Moon.
"Spare me your lies, just transform already!" he snapped.
"I don't get what you're saying," replied Naru.
"But you have to be Sailor Moon. Why else would you come to meet me?" he demanded.
"For love," answered Naru.
Suddenly she began to feel herself becoming exhausted, as her life energy flowed out of her into Nephrite's hands, making him smirk with pride.
"Look at the energy she's giving off," he said to himself, as Naru fainted in his arms.
But he didn't expect Sora and Usagi to enter the mall, when they noticed him holding Naru hostage, and draining her essence.
Naru!" called Sora.
Usagi was shocked, but she quickly hid behind the corner, dragging Sora back with her.
"But why? Why would Tuxedo Mask do this to her?" she asked herself.
She glanced back, and saw Naru being drained of her life essence.
"That's not the real Tuxedo Mask, that's an imposter pretending to be the caped crusader, who always comes to help us out, when you're about to be struck down," said Sora.
"You're right, that Tuxedo Mask is a fake!" she said.
She turned back around, and mentally prepared himself.
"I'll help her too, Sora. Moon Prism Power, Make Up!" she said.
At last she transformed into Sailor Moon, but then Mamoru clutched at his head in pain, and felt himself turning into Tuxedo Mask.
"So this one didn't turn out to be Sailor Moon, but the energy that I gained from her was amazing," said Nephrite.
"Yeah, sure! It may have been amazing to you! But what you've done is hurt Naru right in front of me and Sailor Moon! And right now, nothing would make me more happy than for you to give me and Sailor Moon a good excuse to take you down, right here, right now!" said Sora, who jumped out of the shadows with his keyblade held at the ready.
"That's right, so let Naru go!" added Sailor Moon.
"Who dares!?" demanded Nephrite.
"You're going to pay for dressing up like Tuxedo Mask, just so that you can toy with a girl's heart!" she said.
"So you have arrived," Nephrite said in shock.
"I am the Pretty Guardian, who fights for love and for justice. And standing beside me is my good friend Sora, a Keyblade Master from Destiny Islands! I am Sailor Moon. And on behalf of the moon, I'm punishing you!" she said bravely.
"How were you able to figure out I wasn't the real Tuxedo Mask?" asked Nephrite.
"Both Sailor Moon and I can agree that the Tuxedo Mask she knows would never treat girls like dirt! Especially when it concerns something about how people feel! Ever since we first saw you, I had my suspicions about you, and why you were leaving your mark on objects just so that you could hurt innocent people and drain them of their life force!" snapped Sora.
"And girls can always know when they find true love!" added Sailor Moon.
She charged at Nephrite, and unleashed a powerful Sailor Moon Kick, but she struck at his hat, forcing him to get serious.
"So you two want to play rough? Fine then, I'll return your friend to you!" he said, tossing Naru back to Sailor Moon.
He leaped up into the air, and shed his disguise, revealing his true uniform.
"I knew it. You're the guy who calls himself Masato Sanjouin!" snapped Sora.
"Yes, I am Nephrite, one of the Dark Kingdom's four kings of Heaven," he replied.
"Nephrite, Huh!?" Sora and Sailor Moon said.
"I came to destroy you pathetic fools, and that's just what I'm going to do," he replied.
"Fine then, I'll make sure you become your demise!" shouted Sora, as he charged at him.
Nephrite did the same, drawing his blade and engaging Sora in a deadly clash of blades that left the mall ringing with the sound of metal clanging against each other, as Sailor Moon watched in shock. Then Nephrite jumped back, dismissed his sword, and began to call forth to the stars beyond.
"Here me now, Regulus, guardian of the southern skies, give me your strength!" he said.
Both Sora and Sailor Moon watched in horror, as the constellation Leo soon materialized before them, and stalked towards them.
"Devour these fools now, Leo!" commanded Nephrite.
"Let's get out of here!" said Sora.
"That sounds like a good idea!" agreed Sailor Moon.
In a rush they raced off into the distance, but Sailor Moon, tripped as Sora stopped, stood his ground, and prepared to strike Leo with his keyblade, just as a rose distracted him long enough.
"Who did that!?" snapped Nephrite.
"I know only one person who would. The real Tuxedo Mask!" replied Sora.
Sailor Moon glanced up at the elevator, and saw Tuxedo Mask standing at the open door.
"You really thought that you'd get way with using my name with all those phony love letters, so you could draw out Sailor Moon? Not a chance!" he said.
"You tell him Tuxedo Mask!" cheered Sora, as Sailor Moon nodded in agreement.
"Blast it! The real Tuxedo Mask!" growled Nephrite.
The caped crusader leaped between the two combatants, and glanced back at Sailor Moon.
"I'll handle these guys, get going!" he said.
"No! I'm helping you out, Tuxedo Mask! Nephrite's gonna pay for hurting Naru!" Interjected Sora, who stood with him.
"Right, there's nothing I'd do for the real you," replied Sailor Moon, who raced to the elevator.
You fools, she thinks you can save her from me?" asked Nephrite.
"Bring it!" Sora and Tuxedo Mask said, brandishing their weapons.
Nephrite then sent Leo right at the two guys, but Sailor Moon stopped in her tracks, and saw Sora, Nephrite, Tuxedo Mask, Leo duking it out with each other.
"Wait, What am I doing leaving them alone?" she asked.
She removed her tiara and changed it into her golden discus.
"Moon Tiara Action!" she cried.
The discus managed to hit Leo, but it managed to draw his attention to her.
"No way, why didn't it work?" she asked in shock.
"Come on guys, get in the elevator!" Tuxedo Mask said, as he retreated.
"Okay!" replied Sailor Moon.
"No, you guys go! I'll deal with Nephrite and Leo!" said Sora.
"But Sora!" cried Usagi.
"Go now!" shouted Sora.
"He's right Sailor Moon, he's gonna buy us time!" said Tuxedo Mask.
The two of them raced into the elevator, but Leo suddenly vanished, making Nephrite laugh.
"What's so funny!?" demanded Sora.
"They fell for it completely," replied Nephrite.
Then suddenly Sora's slowly began to envelop him, as the darkness had managed to take hold of him.
"You ruthless, heartless, MONSTER!" he growled.
Inside the Elevator, Tuxedo Mask tried to find a way out, making Sailor Moon worried.
"It was a trap. Nephrite set the whole thing up just so that he'd get to you, Sailor Moon," Sora said over the intercom.
"Now, what do you suppose is going to happen when this elevator reaches the top?" asked Nephrite.
Sailor Moon wanted to know why, when Nephrite explained that the cable would snap and plunge them down to the basement of the mall, making them become food for the Heartless.
"NO! I'm too young to become a Heartless!" she cried.
Tuxedo Mask glanced around searching for an escape route, when he noticed an emergency hatch above him.
"Sailor Moon, listen to me. If you and Tuxedo Mask become Heartless, Vanitas will break free and destroy everything you hold dear to your heart. And it won't just be your friends, but your mother, father and brother, too," Sora said to her.
Usagi nodded, as Tuxedo Mask managed to secure an escape route for them, by breaking the top hatch of the elevator off. Then they clambered up on to the top of the elevator, and managed to jump clear, by grabbing onto the nearest ledge, as the elevator plunged down to the basement. At the same time, Nephrite stood watching with evil triumph, when he heard the elevator car slam down hard on the basement with a loud crash.
"At last!" he laughed triumphantly.
With a loud roar, Sora, now infused with darkness, swung furiously at Nephrite in a blind rage.
"I'm done with forgiveness. And now, I will strike you down with great vengeance," Sora said darkly, as he felt Vanitas within him, slowly becoming stronger.
"Stop pretending you're sad. Why tremble with anger that's fueling Vanitas within your heart," sneered Nephrite.
"What's that supposed to mean!?" demanded Sora.
"Accept it, Sora. You'll become an empty puppet, just like Cloud," replied Nephrite, who disappeared into the corridor of darkness.
Sora was almost ready to scream, when he heard his friends calling to him, snapping him out of his rage.
"Sora, Naru's gonna be okay, I promise," said Ventus.
"Thanks, guys," he said.
In the elevator shaft, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask were hanging on for dear life. Thinking quickly, Tuxedo Mask told Sailor Moon to think of something that would subside her fear of falling.
"I know, How about you tell me why you're always coming to my rescue," she said.
"I don't know why, but something in my heart tells me to," replied the caped crusader.
He placed his foot on the number thirteen.
"I've got a foothold, so climb up and on to my back Sailor Moon," Tuxedo Mask said.
Sailor Moon did as she was told, and held on to him.
"I think I know why you're rescuing me," she said.
"I also have a theory myself. The only reason why is because you don't want Sailor Moon's heart to be taken away by the darkness," Sora's voice said in Sailor Moon's head.
"Sora may be right, Sailor Moon. I have no idea why, but I think it might have something to do with our hearts connecting with each other in the past. It's there in the corner of my mind, but I can't really remember it," said Tuxedo Mask.
Suddenly the floor sign gave way, and nearly made them drop down into the abyss, making Sailor Moon almost panic. Then the doors opened revealing Sora, Sailors Mercury, Mars, Luna, and their friends on the other side.
"Pull them up!" called Sora.
"While I'm disappointed that you didn't contact us about being on a mission without us, I'm actually happy that Sora was there with you," she said.
"But more importantly, if I transformed into Vanitas, then Sailor Mars would have no alternative but to have him exorcised from my heart, with one of her exorcism talismans, all because Nephrite planned this from the beginning," added Sora.
Usagi slowly got up, then she hugged Sora tightly, making the others smile respectfully at him.
"I know, Sora. But I don't want to see you turn into this Vanitas," she said somberly.
They soon gathered on the rooftop.
"By the way, thanks for helping Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask at the last minute, you guys," Sora said to them.
"Yeah, no problem," replied Rei, who was still sick and had to wear a face mask.
"But next time you're on an important mission, make sure you give us a call next time, Bun-bun," chuckled Axel.
"Right now, what really matters is that we are all safe and sound. But next time Nephrite shows up, I'm gonna make sure he pays with his life, and make sure he doesn't make your infighting grant Vanitas the opportunity to break free and kill you all," Sora said darkly.
"I'm gonna have to agree with Sora on this one. Until then, may your hearts be your guiding key," said Tuxedo Mask, as he left with a flourish of his cape.
Usagi and Rei saw him leave, but Roxas stopped them.
"Let him go, girls. I know that we'll see him again soon," he said.
"That's right, if you start giving yourselves a disadvantage, We might have no alternative but to contact Master Yen Sid," added Xion.
Usagi and Rei nodded, feeling ashamed of themselves.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," she said.
"If there's anything I can't stand, it's unforeseen consequences," Tuxedo Mask said from beneath them.
In the dark throne room, Nephrite had appeared before Queen Beryl and Zoisite, while Maleficent, Pete, and Sephiroth also joined them.
"Queen Beryl, as you may recall, Nephrite swore that he would Eliminate Sailor Moon and Sora, yet he failed once again," snickered the blonde warlord.
"That boy may be strong, Zoisite. But he does have Vanitas within his heart. However, rather than allow Nephrite to be turned into a Heartless, he was able to acquire a fresh bounty of pure energy to help your great ruler," replied Maleficent.
"Yes, I agree. But this amazing energy he stole is a reprieve," smirked Beryl.
"But, Maleficent," protested Zoisite.
"SILENCE!" snapped the dark fairy.
"You're incompetence in locating the Silver Crystal will eventually prove to be your undoing. You'd be wise, to know your place," added Sephiroth, holding Masamune dangerously close to his neck.
Nephrite chuckled, pleased to know that Sephiroth and Maleficent were agreeing with him, as Zoisite was escorted out by the Heartless.
"It all makes sense now, everyone becomes obsessed with something or someone once in their lives, and focuses all their energy on it. Still, I never would have suspected that girl Naru to produce such incredible energy," he said.
"Oh, you said it, Nephrite. She may not be Sailor Moon, but she does know a thing or two about her that even we don't. But she's fallen head over heels for you that fictional Masato Sanjoiun you crafted with your own two hands," replied Pete, who was also in his manor.
"Yes indeed, Pete. But she's nothing but a naive fool," he said with a malevolent chuckle.
Then he and Pete laughed maniacally with each other, as they stood in the manor.