Super Sailor Mercury: Shattered Ice
Chapter 52
"Welcome to Tokyo's Top Students!" the popular teen actress declared, standing on the stage at Galaxy Broadcasting as they filmed the opening. "Through a series of events we will determine the best students in various categories, including athletics, beauty and academic skills. Then we'll crown the best of the best!"
'And checking them out for star seeds.' Nyanko Suzu thought, the suit clad woman the 'human' form of Sailor Tin Nyanko.
"Are we supposed to just watch?" Jadite asked, now dressed in a man's suit.
"Yes," she ordered, "stay here and be quiet."
Jadite just grunted. They were standing in a back-up control room, monitoring the event. If something went wrong, such as the Sailor Soldiers or the Starlights appearing, they would be ready to act. Plus, here they could watch without dealing with the crowds.
On the screen the actress cheerfully added, "We'll be dividing students by age and grades, to keep the contests fair. WE will also be running events at the same time, but I promise the viewers at home will see it all!"
"Are you actually worried about ratings?" Jadite had to ask.
Nyanko Suzu snorted. "Not really," she said, "but I suppose the human minions can use this to get viewers. Humans are strange."
"Ha," Jadite smiled faintly. "So the plan is to determine the top students, then attempt to extract their jewel seeds?" he asked calmly.
"Exactly," Nyanko Suzu agreed, "and to try to find the Sailor Soldiers of this world too."
Jadite made a face. He... sort of vaguely recalled the identities of the shrine maiden and school girl. Sort of. But Queen Beryl imprisoning him for years had apparently damaged his recollections. It was frustrating, as he felt reasonably certain he had known who Sailor Mercury was.
"We'll do it with the help of the other Sailor Animates of course." Nyanko Suzu added, wondering where the others were.
Almost right on cue, the other three Animates entered the viewing room together. Heavy Metal Papillon, Lead Crow and Aluminum Siren all nodded politely to Nyanko, then looked warily at Jadite. No one trusted the stranger, yet, though they tolerated his presence.
"Ladies," Jadite nodded.
"Jadite, nice to see you," Reiko Aya, the human Aluminum Siren, smiled warmly as she passed him a glossy business card.
"Thank you," Jadite blinked.
Akane Karasuma rolled her eyes. "Did we miss the start?" Lead Crow asked.
"Just the introduction," Nyanko Suzu nodded. Somewhat reluctantly she added, "This was your idea, correct? Clever."
"Well, Aluminum came up with the concept," Akane said. "But yes, we have high hopes."
'Clever. She shared the blame with Siren if this does go wrong,' Nyanko thought, completely misunderstanding their relationship.
Some of the first academic contests were being aired, and Jadite frowned slightly as the images played. "Odd," he muttered.
"Hmm?" Reiko looked at him curiously as the others ignored him.
"I recognize one of the contestants," Jadite admitted. He pointed to a young woman doing a test, "She tended to turn up around the Sailor Soldiers."
"Huh, interesting. Let's get her name...," Reiko cross referenced the photo with names. "Naru Osaka?" she blinked.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Ami Mizuno blinked in surprise as she recognized the other girl, then felt a deep pang of guilt. She hadn't seen Naru for more than a year, since Usagi's funeral. After Ami moved into an apartment with little Usagi, another high school made more sense.
'But you didn't exactly try to stay in touch, did you?' Ami thought grimly.
Naru looked across the crowded studio to meet Ami's eyes. Her expression blanked oddly, then she just turned away.
'Oh lovely,' Ami sighed. This was just another added complication to an already complicated situation.
Ami had been chosen as a representative of their school at the event. Really, it was innevitable. She had considered refusing, but after some discussion with the others decided to go along. At least this way she'd be here if something happened.
Both Haruka and Michiru were also entered, tho Michiru was in the 'beauty contest' division and Haruka was over in 'track and field.' Again, hopefully they'd have someone on the spot in case something happened.
Setsuna was there as a teacher observer, sent along by the school. Thankfully Usagi and Hotaru didn't make the cut, and were observing remotely along with Iron Mouse. And embarassingly, Dr Mizuno, her MOM, was watching with the princess.
"Yo, Ami!" Seiya Kou waved, the black haired young man smiling warmly.
'And of course Seiya and Taiki are here,' Ami noted. "Yaten didn't qualify?" she asked mildly.
"Indeed," Taiki admitted. "Seiya here only made it in via sports."
"Hey!" Seiya looked offended. "I have problems with filling out those annoying computerized forms," he excused.
"Riiiight," Taiki drawled.
Seiya coughed. "Anyway," he continued, "I haven't seen the enemy anywhere."
"They're probably in disguise or watching remotely," Ami observed. "They probably won't show up until all the contests are over."
"Makes sense," Seiya conceded.
Taiki noted, "It appears you and I will be competing directly. May the best person win."
"Thanks," Ami smiled wryly.
Seiya noted quietly, "There's a young woman staring at you very intently." He smiled, "Jealous we're talking to you?"
Ami covertly took a look and realized it was Naru. "Former classmate," she explained. "It's a long story."
"Understood," Seiya nodded.
"Okay, everyone!" a Galaxy TV staffer called, "When you checked in you were given a ID badge! Please go to the area matching your group number!"
"Looks like we're up. Good luck," Taiki said.
"You too," Ami smiled.
"Be careful," Seiya added quietly.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"This whole thing makes me nervous," Princess Kakyuu noted as they sat watching the TV together. They, along with little Usagi and Hotaru, were watching the Tokyo's Top Students special, which was running 'live'.
"Agreed," Nicole Mizuno. "This whole situation is suspicious."
"Well, we know Setsuna is there to keep an eye on things," Hotaru added comfortingly.
She and Usagi were also there, along with Chibi-chibi. In theory they were there to rapidly respond if they saw something go wrong. In practice, Ami wanted Usagi out of the line of fire if things went REALLY wrong at Galaxy.
"And Yaten is there in the studio audience," Usagi pouted. "I wanted to go."
'Oh hell no,' Nicole thought.
"Look! There's Seiya!" Kakyuu changed the subject.
"Hopefully he doesn't compete against Haruka. They already don't like each other much," Hotaru noted mildly.
"Different divisions. At least to start," Nicole said.
Usagi looked at the older women curiously, "I kind of missed how they explained how all of this is going to work."
"That's because you were getting popcorn," Hotaru teased.
Nicole ignored that as she said, "Well, at first there will be academic and physical contests along the same age and grade groups."
"Hmm," Usagi nodded.
"The champions of those will then face off with each other," Nicole continued, "until one smartest, prettiest, most athletic etc etc is crowned."
"It's kinda unfair to toss different grades against each other," Usagi frowned.
"This IS a evil plot by our enemies," Hotaru noted, "I'm not sure how much they care about it being 'fair.'"
"Well, point," Usagi conceded.
To be continued...
Notes: Is it awful to admit I TOTALLY forgot about Naru and co. from the first season of Sailor Moon? Though in my defence the anime also pretty much completely forgets them too, AND I mostly focused on Sailor Stars.
Anyway. Will likely get a Naru/Ami conversation next.
