The Magician Meets Sailor Moon (The Conclusion!)

The Magician Meets Sailor Moon

The Conclusion: Friendship, the Greatest Magic of All

A short time later at the Cherry Hill Temple, Mona, Cosmo, and Ashley waited nervously for their friends to return from the battle with Nerezza and the Dark Princess. Unfortunately, when the three saw the dejected looks on the faces of the six female heroes, they knew something had gone wrong.
"What happened?" asked a concerned Mona. "Where's Ace?"
Angie had to tell her the awful truth. "Mona, Ace has been captured by the Dark Princess. She tried to get me, but he pushed me out of the way before her whip wrapped around his neck. We tried to save him, but it was too late. They both disappeared. I'm sorry." She let tears fall freely from her eyes.
Mona showed no anger toward the younger magician. Hugging Angie for comfort, she calmly said, "You and Ace both knew this was a big risk, but you were willing to take it for the sake of the world, not just Tokyo and Electro City. You did the best you possibly could, but apparently the Dark Princess was more powerful than expected."
Raye agreed. "She weakened us badly with that stare of hers. Now she'll use Mr. Cooper to give her the final amount of energy she needs to destroy the people of Earth. Who knows what else she may do to him?"
Angie dried her eyes and stated, "Um, I think I need to be alone for a while. Is that okay with all of you?"
"Good idea," said Cosmo sadly. "I think maybe we all need some space right now."
Serena and her fellow Scout friends went to one room while Angie, Mona, Cosmo, and Ashley all took off for other rooms to give all a chance to reflect what had happened.
In one of the rooms, Ashley felt very sad about the situation. "I know Angie did her best, but I think she wants to blame herself for Ace's capture. If only there were something I could do for her right now."
"You're not alone, Miss Brighton," said a different female voice.
Ashley jumped up in fear. "Who said that?"
"I did. Look down here."
She did so, only to see a dark-grey tabby cat with a crescent moon marking on her forehead. "Luna? Did you just . . . talk to me?"
"Yes. I really can talk."
"So, I wasn't going crazy after all?" Ashley asked as she picked up the cat.
"Absolutely not. You accidentally overheard Artemis and me talking the other day after your visit with Serena's teacher."
"Wait, you mean Artemis can also speak?"
"That's right. We both can speak as clearly as you, but I assume you didn't tell anyone because they would think you had lost your mind."
"Uh-huh. At least it's nice to know I wasn't going insane, but what are you doing here?"
"Ashley, I must talk to Angie. There's something important I have to talk to her about. If I don't do it now, I may never get another chance."
"Of course, Luna. Come on, I'll take you to her."
Angie stood outside on the balcony, where it had been only a couple of hours earlier when she and Ace discussed their slight fear of having to use their powers to save the world. "I'm so sorry, Ace. Now I've let you down again."
"Angie?" Ashley said as she came up to her.
"Oh." Angie noticed her best friend and other company. "Hi, Ashley, and you, too, Luna."
"Hello, Angie," Luna stated in return.
Angie's eyes quickly widened. "What the . . . ? Ashley, are you secretly a ventriloquist or something?"
Ashley gave a light laugh. "No. Would you believe this cat can really talk?"
"She speaks the truth, Angie. She overheard us talking the other day."
"Us?" asked Angie curiously. "But who's the other--of course, it's Artemis, isn't it? You and Artemis can talk?"
"Yes, we can. However, right now, I need to speak with you alone. Thanks for your help, Ashley."
"No problem, Luna." She then placed the cat onto the railings of the balcony and walked away.
Angie looked at the cat with truly sad eyes.
Luna looked into the young magician's eyes and could tell. "This must be a trying time for you right now, but are you finding this strange, talking to a cat?"
"I'm used to talking to Zina on a regular basis, but she never responds back. At this point, though, I'll believe anything." She then closed her eyes and pointed her head towards the sky.
"Your friendship with Ace Cooper, it must be very special to you, isn't it?"
Angie tried to hold back tears. "Luna, I cannot describe it in words. Ever since I met him last year, my life has become whole again. I was alone for more than five years, since the day my parents were killed in a road-rage related car accident. I couldn't talk to anyone because I was so shy and sad.
"Then, when I got the chance to meet Ace Cooper, I somehow didn't think of him as the well-known celebrity, but as a friend instead. I was supposed to live in an apartment. However, Ace welcomed me into his home and treated me like a real friend. For the first time in a long time, I didn't feel as alone as I did, and my heart felt warmer. Later on, he discovered my magical secret, and our bond started to develop."
"Raye explained there was a special connection between you and Mr. Cooper. Is it that strong?"
"Stronger than a lot of people realize. Ace can sense whatever I feel in my heart, and I can do the same with him. We're bonded in both heart and mind by the Magic Force. It was like my destiny was to find him and learn how to use my own magical powers."
"Do you . . . love Mr. Cooper?"
"Yes, I do, but it's not a romantic relationship. That's Ace and Mona, not Ace and me. I treat my closest friends like brothers and sisters. Ace and Cosmo are my brothers while Mona and Ashley are my sisters. I care about them with all my heart, and when one gets hurt, I feel hurt."
"Angie," said a sad Luna, "there's something I need to tell you. I . . . accused your friend Ace Cooper of being in league with the Dark Princess. I thought he was helping her in causing the trouble, but Serena and the others never believed it for a moment. I had snuck into the Magic Express to see for myself if they were right. After I overheard him trying to help you regain confidence, I realized I was wrong. I want to apologize to you, and especially to him."
"I don't blame you at all for thinking he was helping the Dark Princess, and Ace wouldn't have, either. The way things timed out, and the kind of magic he can do, it would have been simple to assume he was helping cause trouble. He gets plenty of flack back in Electro City anyhow."
"Really, from whom?"
"Captain Friedrichs, the Chief of Police. He can't stand it when Ace, Cosmo, and I get involved in a case because while he sits around and does absolutely nothing to bring the truth to light, we're on the job and can do it faster than he could type up the reports."
"I see. He must consider you all as vigilantes or something."
"Right. He just won't understand when innocent lives are at stake, he just wants to go exactly by the book and wait."
"Do you have any friends on the police force?"
"Yes, we do, thank goodness. Lieutenant Derek Vega has been a friend to Ace for such a long time, and they've always helped each other out on cases. There was one time when Vega left his promotion ceremony to rescue Ace and Cosmo from a hunter in the desert. He and Ace had solved the case, but Friedrichs almost demoted him for leaving the ceremony."
"My goodness. I would think your friend Derek Vega should be the police chief instead of that man Friedrichs."
"Exactly. Vega's offbeat methods aren't enjoyed by Friedrichs, either, and sometimes I think maybe Vega really should be the Chief of Police."
"Think it will ever happen?"
"In this lifetime, I doubt it seriously." As sadness returned to her heart, Angie said, "I just hope Ace is all right. My heart is filled with pain, and I wouldn't be surprised if he can feel that pain. He's been so warm and understanding, and I know I'm not alone anymore."
"That's right," said Mona, coming from behind her. "I know how much you care about him and love him like a brother, and believe me, I'm not jealous about any of it. Ace has a good heart, period, and he doesn't restrict it to just us. He loves to help others when he gets the chance. You're hurting about this more than I am because you saw him get captured before your eyes, but it's not your fault, and I won't let you blame yourself."
"Mona's right," agreed Luna. "All you can do is hope. If you give up hope, all will be lost."
Mona looked at Luna in surprise. "Wait a minute. Luna, you can talk English?"
"Would you like me to try Japanese?" the tabby joked.
Mona gave a lighthearted laugh to ease the tense problem. "I never would have thought I'd find a real talking cat."
Angie started to laugh a little herself when she suddenly felt a sharp pain within her. "AAAAHHHH!" she screamed as she took hold of her heart.
Luna became very concerned. "Angie, what's wrong?"
"It's . . . Ace," the younger magician struggled to say. "I can feel him in so much pain. The Dark Princess . . . must be doing something to him, but I can't see anything at all."
Mona held Angie to make sure she was okay. "Take it easy."
Angie stood up and breathed heavily. "Now we have to find Ace because if we don't, he's doomed, and so is the entire world."
"I'm partly to blame in this mess," said Luna, nearly coming to tears.
Mona tried to comfort the cat. "That's not true, Luna. You just weren't sure about yourself so you came to the Express to find out the truth. That's no problem for me. I understand."
While they were talking, Angie suddenly noticed something. "Hold it, you two. Luna, can you stare at both Mona and me?"
"If you're both standing in one spot at the same time, yes. Why do you ask?"
"I think I just figured out a way to better our chances against the Dark Princess. Have everyone gather in the main temple room immediately. It's time to start planning our new strategy."
Shortly, all the friends, including Luna and Artemis, were in the room, where Angie started discussing the plan very intently.
"The Dark Princess was able to weaken us all with that stare because we all stood in one spot, and it was only the first time we had actually faced her in person. Now, if we can face her again and split our forces, we may have a better chance of at least slowing her down."
"I get it," Amy concluded. "Attack her from all different directions. This way, she can't concentrate her stare on all of us."
Raye agreed. "That's a great idea, Angie. There's just one problem. We don't know where she is, and she's got Mr. Cooper."
Angie turned to the Sailor Scout of Mars and said, "True." She then remembered about something that had happened to her before. "Mona, when Faceless kidnapped both Ashley and me and drugged me, Ace couldn't contact me telepathically at all. How did he find me anyway?"
"He found you by feeling the love in your heart."
"That's it! If Ace could do that with me, then I should be able to do it with him. I have to use my heart to find him. We find Ace, and we'll find the Dark Princess." She then turned to Cosmo and asked a favor. "Can you go to the Magic Express and get Ace's special glasses? I think I'm going to need them."
"Consider it done, dudette!" he exclaimed as he raced out of the temple. After a few minutes, he returned with the glasses, which were yellow framed with red lenses. "Here they are, but what do you need them for?"
"For now, Cosmo, just call it a hunch. I hope I won't need these, but this is just in case." She turned to all her friends and said, "Shall we get going now?"
"Wait," said the voice of a young man seemingly on a mission.
Angie turned to face a gentleman wearing a tuxedo and a cape very similar to Ace's. He also wore a top hat and a white mask over his eyes. "You look like Ace on the night of a show, but who are you?"
"I am Tuxedo Mask, but you also know me as someone else." He took off the mask and top hat.
Angie was pleasantly surprised. "Darien Chiba?"
"That's right," answered Darien. "I'm a regular assistant to the Sailor Scouts."
"Yeah," agreed Serena. "He always shows up just when we need him, and I think now's a good time for him to help out."
"I heard Mr. Cooper was captured, and I want to help you get him back."
Angie received a hug from him and said, "Thank you, Darien. I'm going to need a lot of help on this, and I think it's best for all of us to go, including Mona, Cosmo, and Ashley."
The threesome were shocked.
"Angie, what can we do?" asked Ashley. "We don't have powers like you do."
Mina responded, "Yes, you do, Ashley. The love in your heart is the greatest power you can have. You'll be our support team."
"Thanks, Mina," said a relieved Mona. "That really means a lot to me."
"And to me, too," added Cosmo. "Come on everyone, it's time to rescue Ace and stop the Dark Princess!"
Artemis stood up and said, "Luna and I will wait here, since it may get dangerous where you go."
"You . . . just . . . spoke," said Cosmo in surprise.
Angie calmed him down quickly. "Don't worry, Cosmo. They can talk like us, but they do have a point. It'll be way too dangerous for them. Now to the mission at hand!"
As soon as Angie and the Sailor Scouts transformed into their superheroic selves, they and the others gathered just outside the main gate of the temple.
Angie stood in front of everyone and placed both arms in a crossed position close to her heart. Closing her eyes, she whispered, "Magic Force within my heart, please help me find Ace. I know he's in grave danger, and his life depends on this. Let the love and kindness within his heart lead me to him safely."
A few seconds later, she began glowing in her light-blue aura and levitated a couple of feet off the ground. Extending her arms outward, she concentrated on Ace's heartbeat like radar. When she felt the heartbeat at its strongest point, she opened her eyes and faced wherever the strong heartbeat came from. "Ace is over there . . . at Mount Fuji!"
Sailor Mars agreed. "That's it. I've been getting strong vibrations of evil around that area. That must be where Mr. Cooper and the Dark Princess are. I suggest we use the Sailor Teleport for a sneak attack."
Ashley was curious. "Sailor what?"
"Sailor Teleport," Mercury stated. "We can pool our power together to get there quickly, but what about all of you?"
"Leave it to me, Mercury," said Angie. "I can use my powers to get all four of us there safely."
Mona became concerned. "Angie, are you sure? You haven't trained to do all this yet."
"My only chance is to allow my heart to take over."
"Even if you do that, you'll be drained."
"That's a chance I'm willing to take."
Cosmo interrupted. "Wait a minute, hasn't Ace been teaching you how to use magical teleportation?"
"You're right, I forgot about that," Angie said in realization. "Maybe I could teleport all of us there, but I've never really tried this before."
"I know you can do it, Angie. I believe in you."
"Very well. You all gather close to me. Tuxedo Mask, you teleport with Sailor Moon and the others."
The Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask were in one group while Angie and the others were in a group of their own.
The Scouts concentrated with all their power and all yelled, "Sailor Teleport!"
In a matter of seconds they vanished completely in a rainbow of light.
"Now it's our turn," said Angie. Grabbing her cape and concentrating with all her heart, she screamed, "Let my heart guide my power! Teleport us all to Mount Fuji!"
A ball of blue light engulfed the four friends, and they soon disappeared themselves.

Moments later, all ten friends emerged less than five feet apart at the bottom of Mount Fuji.
"Whew," said a relieved Jupiter. "Looks like we all made it."
"Yeah," Cosmo agreed. "Good going, Angie."
"Thanks, Cosmo. I didn't think I could do it, but I guess we're here."
Sailor Mercury then pressed her right earring, which activated her special virtual reality goggles. "I don't believe it! The Dark Princess's hideout covers the base of Mount Fuji!"
"Incredible," said Sailor Venus. "She must have a lot of power to be able to set up shop this big."
"I guess now we try to surprise her, right?" asked Cosmo.
"Oh, how I love surprises," yelled the Dark Princess out of nowhere, "especially when it comes from unwanted visitors like all of you!"
She suddenly appeared over the top of Mount Fuji and saw Angie and her friends, the Sailor Scouts, and Tuxedo Mask all together. "You are going to try to stop me again? How foolish can some of you humans be, anyway?"
Mona looked at her angrily and shouted, "What have you done with Ace Cooper!?"
"Would you really like to know? Come closer and I will show you."
Angie knew the Dark Princess was trying to get them all together to fall for her stare again. "Split up, now!"
All the friends started running in different directions.
The Dark Princess grew angry. "No! They know I cannot stare all of them down when they are all apart! Dark Minions, attack!"
A group of Dark Minions came forth once more, all poised on attacking the friends.
Angie noticed their approach and shouted, "Everyone, prepare to stand your ground!"
Tuxedo Mask fired the first shot by thrusting a dozen red roses at the evil minions, causing them all to melt away.
One at a time, the Sailor Scouts and Angie did their parts to destroy hundreds of Dark Minions and prevent them from using their stunning thorns.
The Dark Princess was angered by this outcome. "Seven mere humans wiped out my entire army of Dark Minions! However, I am not to worry. Come forth, my new champion warrior!"
Suddenly appearing and walking forward was a gentleman with black hair with a white stripe on the sides and back and a little tuft on top, and deep blue eyes without pupils.
Angie was the first to notice the man who wore a similar costume to hers. "Oh, my God! Ace!"
Mona was also appalled at the Dark Princess's new warrior. "No, it can't be!"
"Not Ace!" exclaimed an upset Cosmo.
"What has she done to him?" a worried Ashley asked.
Sailor Mars knew what had happened. "I sense a great disturbance in Mr. Cooper. He's been taken over by evil and brainwashed."
"Now, my dear Magician, you have the power, so use it . . . to destroy them all!" the Dark Princess ordered.
"It shall be done, your majesty," Ace responded in a near monotonous tone of voice.
He focused a bolt of lightning towards Sailor Venus.
"Sailor Venus, look out!" Angie yelled as she quickly created a magic shield around her.
The lightning hit the barrier and deflected off in another direction.
"Are you okay, Venus?"
"I think so," she replied in relief. "Thanks, Angie."
Sailor Mercury tried to use her attack on Ace. "Shine Aqua Illusion!" The force of water she had created was on its way towards Ace from his right.
However, he saw it coming and quickly deflected that with his cape. He then focused his power on levitating Mercury!
"Help!" she yelled in fright. "Help me!"
"Hold on, Mercury!" Angie shouted as she focused on freeing her from Ace's levitation. She succeeded and lowered Mercury back to the ground safely.
Then, Angie decided on only one option. "Everyone," she shouted, "don't attack him anymore. It's up to me, now. Let me deal with Ace."
As she started walking forward, Cosmo grabbed her arm. "No, Angie, you can't!"
"Let me go, Cosmo. This is the only way."
Angrily he yelled, "Do you have any idea what you're getting yourself into?"
Angie turned around and snapped, "Of course, I know, Cosmo! You think I don't!?" She suddenly stopped and put her head down. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean--"
"No, don't apologize. You're very upset right now because that man over there is NOT the Ace Cooper we know and love as a friend and a brother. I just want to warn you about one thing: Both of you do have the Magic Force, but Ace has a lot more experience with it than you do. The kinds of things he's capable of, he could kill you with his magic."
"I know that," Angie said as tears began to come once more, "but I must take that chance if I want to save him. He's done so much for me as a friend, and besides, I don't want to lose any more people I love."
Cosmo gave her a hug for love and support. "I understand, Angie. This is one thing you would never want to do, having to battle someone you care about in order to rescue him. Unfortunately, it looks like it's now our only option."
She looked at Mona. "I'm sorry, Mona. There's no other choice."
"I know. You're the only one who can do this. Just try not to hurt him too badly."
Angie took her hands and said, "I promise, Mona. I'll do everything I can."
"I know you will. I believe in you."
Ashley said, "I do, too, Angie."
"We all believe in you," Cosmo said in assurance.
"Thanks, guys. Now, I have to believe in myself as well and try to get him back as the friend we all love." With that, Angie started stepping forward towards the Magician.
The Dark Princess found this all amusing. "My goodness. A puny little human will try to challenge a powerful magician? This should be child's play. Destroy her now!"
Ace responded, "I hear and obey, Dark Princess." He then began shooting fireballs towards Angie.
Angie, though, was able to block them off with a magical barrier of playing cards around herself.
The Dark Princess noticed the problem and said to herself, "My evil stare will give him the advantage."
Angie saw the move, however, and she yelled, "Oh, no, you don't, you witch!" She put on the special glasses over her eyes. "This is going to be a fair fight!"
The villainess's eyes were open as wide as possible, but she found her stare ineffective. "No, those glasses are blocking my stare! I cannot stop her!"
Back at a nearby rock, Cosmo figured out why she needed the glasses. "Good thinking, Angie. Her stare can't get through Ace's goggles. Now she can fight him on even terms."
Angie next made a magic cane appear, the one Ace normally used, and let loose a laser beam to try to stun him.
Ace then pulled his cape over himself and totally vanished. He suddenly appeared behind her and let out a bolt of lightning, striking her in the back.
She flew forward about 10 feet and landed hard on the ground. She got right back up, though, and created a barrier of light around Ace.
He concentrated to loosen the barrier and did so very easily. "Why do you resist?" he asked monotonously. "You are no match for me. Why not surrender peacefully?"
"Because I'm not about to let that jerk take our world away from us!" Angie let out a burst of magic towards the Magician once again.
He stopped the blast in mid-air and directed it backwards at Angie, hitting her directly and knocking the glasses off her eyes!
She landed very hard on her left shoulder, which suddenly felt separated. "AAHHH!" she winced in pain. She held her left shoulder and got back up again. She focused her power to her right hand and let out a blast of ice.
Ace shattered it with a fireball and let out another one at Angie, hitting her and causing her to crash to the ground once more.
Cosmo was very worried. "It's no good. Angie doesn't stand a chance against him."
Angie was weakened by all the attacks Ace had used on her, but she got back up and held her injured shoulder once again. She looked at him and yelled, "If you want to kill me, Ace Cooper, then do it. Kill me now!"
"Angie, no!" Mona cried out. "He'll do it!"
Ace put his arms forward and was ready to finish her off once and for all. "Prepare to meet your doom, young one."
"Very well, but the only way our bond can be broken is for one of us to die. If I am to be that one, just remember, Ace, you'll always be my friend, no matter what."
The Magician focused his magical energy onto his hands when he noticed something shining on Angie's face. He saw a tear coming from her right eye. "What's going on? Why is she crying?" His hands began to tremble as he became somewhat nervous.
The Dark Princess was flustered. "What are you waiting for, you fool? Oblige her request and kill her!"
Ace became frightened at the thought of what he was about to do to his younger counterpart and finally broke down. "I . . . I can't! I can't do it!" He took his hands away and held his head in confusion.
"I'll teach you to disobey me, Magician!" She then tried to use one of her whips to grab Ace once more.
Angie, consequently, put her right arm forward and concentrated with all her heart. "I'm sorry, Ace, but I have to do this to save you. This will hurt me far more than it will you."
She fired a magical blast at Ace, which hit him directly in the stomach and forced him to fly backwards. He landed hard on a rock and sat very weakly.
Angie was upset at what she had done. "Ace!" she screamed as she ran towards him, injured shoulder and all.
The Dark Princess saw Angie without her glasses and yelled, "Fall before my evil stare, human!"
Just then, Tuxedo Mask jumped up and yelled, "Sailor Scouts, attack!"
From five different positions, the Sailor Scouts used their special attacks against her to keep her from using the stare.
Sailor Mercury then placed her hands close together as a ball of light formed. Going into a spin, she yelled, "Mercury Bubbles . . . Blast!" A shower of blue bubbles exploded and made the area into a chilly fog bank.
"No, I cannot see anything!" the Dark Princess shouted angrily. "I will destroy you all!"
"Mars Celestial Fire . . . Surround!" The rings of fire singed the dress of the villainess.
"Now for the big blow," said Sailor Jupiter.
As lightning transferred from her antenna on the tiara to her hands, she cupped them together and then split them apart, focusing all the energy in her hands. "Sparkling Wide Pressure!" She unleashed the ball of energy in a position like a softball pitcher throwing high heat.
The energy nailed the Dark Princess hard, and she screamed in agony while landing hard on the ground.
Angie had finally reached Ace. Putting out her right hand, in heavy breath she asked, "Are you all right?"
Ace suddenly pushed her away. "No, stay away from me! I will only hurt you!"
"What are you talking about? I was already hurting in my heart when you were captured, but that wasn't your fault. You're my friend, Ace."
"No! I don't have any friends! Everyone thinks I'm a freak!"
The younger magician held his left hand with her right. "You're wrong, Ace," she said calmly. "You are not a freak, and you have friends who love you. The Dark Princess has done something to make you think you're alone." Closing her eyes, she added, "Let me find out what it is so I can help you."
Ace tried to resist her. "No, please, don't! I don't want to!"
"You must let me enter your mind," she stated telepathically. "Whatever it is you have not told me before, it may be behind this. Please, let me help you."
Ace finally calmed down and closed his eyes to allow his mind to come together with hers.
As an image formed in her mind, she said, "I see . . . you, much younger, running at top speed towards a museum. You have grave concern for someone's safety, but whom?"
She could see a teenage Ace reaching the museum and then running in, but the reason was still unknown. "You get by everything, security guards and the system very easily. Now, I see you going into a room in the newly constructed wing of the museum.
"Wait, I'm beginning to hear a ticking sound. It's a bomb! The person you seek is also in that room. It's . . ." She was surprised to find out who it was. "It's Derek Vega! Just as the bomb goes off, you scream for him not to get hurt, and something comes from within you. It's your own magic! That magic catches the full force of the explosion, which is now captured in an incredible light surrounding you. However, you are not able to control this power, so you throw it backwards, blowing away the wall of the new wing. You save Vega's life with your magic, yet you are in physical and emotional pain. You feel burned all over, and you have lost all control of your emotions."
Angie then saw a different image forming in her mind. "It is now the next day, and you are sitting curled up on a couch in Derek Vega's apartment. He wants to talk to you about what had happened the night before, yet you shake your head in denial. He tries to tell you of what you can do, but you don't want to believe him. When he does try to help you, you accidentally shock him with your uncontrollable magic. Then, you cling onto him, and you feel so lost and so alone."
Angie finally opened her eyes. "Ace, is everything I've just seen in your mind true?"
He looked at her and sadly answered, "Yes, Angie, it is true. At that age I, too, thought what I had was a curse. Before that day, I had unleashed my power only once before, when I was just six years old. I suppressed it completely until Vega was in danger. Back then, I couldn't control the powers, and I didn't want to believe I had them. Derek Vega's been a big brother to me--"
"Like you've been to me," Angie completed. "Now I know why you understand me so clearly. You went through the same fear yourself. The night you confronted me about my own powers, it was like you had to relive your worst fear.
"The Dark Princess used this deep, dark secret from your past against you in order to make you think you're alone. I know your past was not exactly perfect, but then, you only joined Black Jack's gang to stay close to Mona. I can feel the guilt you still have over that fight between you and him, the one that caused him to become debilitated. Mona has forgiven you for that, but you must be able to forgive yourself, too."
Ace started to build tears of sadness in his eyes. "Angie, please help me. My heart's been filled with darkness and hatred, and I want to be rid of this."
"I'll be glad to help you, Ace, but you have to help yourself, also. Are you ready to try?"
"Yes, I think so."
"Okay. Now close your eyes and open your mind."
He did so very calmly.
"Ace, are you able to hear my thoughts?"
"Yes, I can hear them, clearly."
"Good. Now that you have opened your mind, open your heart, and feel the love of not only myself but also Cosmo and especially Mona."
When Ace allowed his heart to open up, he suddenly felt warmth in his soul. "Angie, I . . . I can feel the love in your heart, reaching out to me."
"Yes. Feel my heart, Ace Cooper, and know this: You are neither a freak nor a criminal. What you did in the past must remain in the past. Look at what you have become now. You are the greatest magician in the world, and Electro City's ray of hope against crime and evil. You have the power to use magic not only to entertain and enlighten but also to protect those who are innocent and peaceful.
"You and I are forever bonded by the Magic Force, but even if we never had it in the first place, I would still think of you as one of the best friends I have ever had in my life. You have such warmth and compassion, and you can make magic just by being around others. You're so friendly and fun to be around."
Ace's grasp of her hand became tighter. "I'm feeling warmer than ever before. I think I can do this."
"We'll do this together, my friend."
The two began to glow in a bright light as their grip became even tighter.
Angie suddenly shouted, "Darkness within--"
"Begone from my heart!" Ace finished loudly.
He could feel the pain and darkness leaving him, that pain replaced with warmth, love, friendship, and kindness. He lay like he were asleep.
Angie opened her eyes and asked, "Are you okay? How are you feeling?"
Ace slowly opened his eyes, which had pupils again, and calmly said, "I feel a lot warmer than I did about 30 minutes ago."
When Ace and Angie tried to hug each other, Angie suddenly winced in pain and held her separated left shoulder once more.
Ace became concerned. "Angie, you're hurt."
"No," she responded painfully, "don't worry about me. I'll be all right."
The Magician did not like her saying that. "Under normal circumstances I would get you to the hospital, but we need you at full strength now. I just hope this works."
As his right hand approached the injured shoulder, it glowed in violet light. Placing the hand on the shoulder and closing his eyes, he calmly said, "Magic Force, please heal my friend's injury. Her strength is needed right now."
Angie could feel her shoulder getting warmer and coming back together. Seconds later, the pain was gone. "I'm okay. I can move my arm again. Thanks, Ace."
"No, Angie," he said in giving her a hug, "thank you, for not giving up on me."
"If there's one thing I'll never do, it's give up on the people I care about the most."
Suddenly, another woman yelled, "Ace!"
He looked to see who it was. "Mona!" He quickly stood up and gave her a tight hug. "This is the most heartfelt hug I've ever given."
"I'm so glad you're all right," she said with tears of joy. "I almost lost you."
"We all did, dude," said an approaching Cosmo. He then gave Ace a hug, too. "Man, I'm so glad we got you back."
Then came Ashley. "Are you okay, Ace?"
"I am now, thanks to all of you. I'm glad I've got the best friends any magician could ever have, period."
The Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask all arrived as well to celebrate Ace's return to the good side.
Sailor Moon then asked, "Are you feeling all right, Mr. Cooper?"
"I sure am, Sailor Moon." He then gave her a hug, too. "Thank you."
"No thanks are necessary. We're all friends now, and friends will always stick together."
Ace looked at all his friends and happily said, "I'm so grateful to all of you for coming to my rescue like this." Then, he just remembered, "What about the Dark Princess? What happened to her?"
"I'm not sure," answered Sailor Jupiter. "The last I remember, I used the Sparkling Wide Pressure attack on her, and she fell to the ground."
Suddenly, the ground beneath them started shaking violently, and they all fell to the ground in confusion.
Rising from the ground came the Dark Princess, who had become more than 65 feet tall! "You fools!" she yelled. "Do you think I am so easily defeated? I will use all the gathered energy to destroy you all!" She then fired a blast of negative energy towards the group.
However, Angie placed her arms out to the sides and created a light barrier around them all. "NO!" she yelled with compassion. "You will not take our world, for the Earth belongs to all of us! We will defeat you, Dark Princess!"
The love in her heart became so strong, her costume somehow began to change before the eyes of the other friends.
"What's happening to her?" asked a curious Sailor Mars.
"I don't know," the Magician answered. "I've never seen this happen before, but I feel her love growing stronger."
In mere seconds her T-shirt changed into the top exactly like Ace's costume. Also, her gloves lost the lace at the edges, and her socks and boots changed to resemble Ace's boots.
"Wow!" exclaimed Sailor Moon. "Her powers must be getting stronger!"
Mona shouted, "Of course! The greater the love in her heart, the stronger her power becomes. That's why her costume changed."
When the barrier let up, Angie suddenly noticed her costume. "Huh? What's this? What's up with my outfit?"
Cosmo simply answered, "Your compassion, that's what. You look almost exactly like Ace. The only differences are the skirt and tights."
"Well, isn't that nice?" she joked. "The next time I change, people may not recognize me."
They all looked up at the Dark Princess, who became angrier. "You will all fall before me!" She then let out another blast, which did not give Angie enough time to set up the barrier again.
The group were blasted back by about 15 feet, and all landed hard on the ground.
"Now what'll we do?" asked Ashley.
Sailor Moon stood up with a determined look on her face. "If you think you can conquer Earth so easily, you're going to find out how wrong you really are!" Just then, her locket opened to reveal the crystal, which activated itself.
The Magician and his friends were very surprised. "What is that?" Ace asked in wonder.
"This, Mr. Cooper, is the Silver Imperium Crystal of the Moon Kingdom, where I'm from."
"What?"
"Tell ya later. Right now, I have to use it."
"No, Sailor Moon," said Tuxedo Mask. "Whenever you use it like this, you're severely weakened."
"I'll take the risk, just like Angie did to rescue Mr. Cooper. Besides, the crystal is no good to me if I don't use it."
Angie then thought of something. "Hmm, Sailor Moon, let me ask you this question. When you have a situation like this, do you and your friends pool your powers together, like you did for the teleporting?"
"Yes, we do. Why?"
"I have an idea that may give you some strength. It's very risky, and it's never been tried before."
"What's your plan?"
"We combine the powers of the Moon Crystal, the Scouts, and the Magic Force all into one."
Sailor Mercury agreed. "It's worth a shot. We have to stop her, and this may be our only chance to do it."
"Then it's settled. Mona, Cosmo, and Ashley, you come together with Ace and me. Scouts, get yourselves ready."
Sailor Moon said, "I'll start things off here. The rest of you get ready." She then took the crystal from the locket and reached it into the sky, which let out a power of light aimed at the Dark Princess.
"No! I will not be defeated by a bunch of weaklings!" The villainess then fired more negative energy at the group.
As Sailor Moon concentrated with all her heart, she suddenly underwent a transformation herself. Her sailor outfit was replaced by a beautiful dress while the tiara disappeared with a crescent moon taking its place on her forehead.
"Whoa!" shouted Cosmo. "What is with Sailor Moon anyway?"
Jupiter replied, "She's become Serenity, the Moon Princess!"
Princess Serena put much effort into her power. "Silver Crystal, help me protect all my friends and our planet Earth! In the name of the moon, we will save our world!"
The other Sailor Scouts held hands together while Ace, Angie, Mona, Ashley, and Cosmo held hands in a special circle.
"Okay, everyone," said Ace loudly, "concentrate and feel the magic within! We can all do this together!"
Somehow, Cosmo, Mona, and Ashley all felt something within their own hearts.
"What is this feeling?" asked Ashley.
Mona replied, "It's love and friendship, our own magic!"
Meanwhile, Serena felt the powers of the other Scouts pouring into the Moon Crystal. "It is time, now!"
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Mars Star Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Venus Star Power!"
At their end, Ace and his friends all yelled together, "Magic Force, unite our powers!"
Princess Serena then set up for the final piece of the puzzle. "Moon Crystal Power, I call upon you to join together now with the power of the Magic Force!"
The combined powers of the Moon Crystal and the Magic Force were unleashed at the same time, and both sets of powers merged together into one incredible ball of light.
The Dark Princess could not stop the coming of the light. "No, not the light! NOT THE LIGHT!!"
The light hit her directly, disintegrating her into nothingness forever.
The Magician and his friends saw the light hit her very hard.
"Oh, my God!" exclaimed Mona. "Did we just do all this?"
Ace simply answered, "Yes, we did. The powers of love and friendship were what helped put an end to the Dark Princess once and for all."
"I guess," Cosmo stated, "we all had a little of the Magic Force in ourselves."
Meanwhile, Princess Serena fell to the ground very weakened as she reverted back to Sailor Moon.
All became concerned and ran up to her.
"Serena!" yelled Tuxedo Mask, throwing the mask off. He held her hand. "Serena, are you all right?"
She slowly opened her eyes and answered, "Yes, I'll be okay. I don't feel as weak as I normally would, thanks to Ace Cooper and his friends. That Magic Force really helped."
Angie smiled and said, "How do you like that, Ace? The Magic Force did make a difference in saving the world."
"I guess what I really needed was to have confidence and faith about my own abilities. I couldn't have done this without you, Angie. I'm proud to have you as an apprentice and more importantly as a friend." Ace then looked at his watch. "Oh, my goodness!"
"What's wrong, Mr. Cooper?" asked Sailor Jupiter.
"I need to get back to the Magic Express. I've got a show to do tomorrow night!"
All the friends laughed at his joke, a perfect thing to use to end such a tense situation. Then, they walked off together, all knowing they had made the world safe from such a powerful and evil force.

The next night, Ace and Angie performed to the delight of the audience, which this time included Serena's entire family, courtesy of extra tickets given to them by Ace Cooper himself.
Sammy had become jealous of his older sister. "Man, how come Serena's gotten in so good with Mr. Cooper? She's usually such a ditz, but I guess he sees something in her I don't."
Serena, on the other hand, was thinking about what she had been through with the Magician. "Ace Cooper really is a kindhearted person. He cares about others, and being a crimefighter is his own way of being able to give back after people were willing to help him. His past may not have been the ideal one, but it's who he is now that counts. He's definitely be the greatest magician in the world to many people. In my eyes and my heart, though, he's also a great friend."
At the end of their performance, they dedicated the act to Serena and her friends, for being such wonderful friends to them and helping them understand Japanese culture a little better.
Serena, Darien, Amy, Raye, Lita, and Mina all stood up and took a bow, well-deserved considering what they had all done the night before.

A couple of days later, after Ace had done one last performance at the Yokohama Convention Center, he invited Serena and her friends to the Magic Express for a special dinner.
Angie and Lita teamed up in the kitchen for a great meal which was enjoyed by all, including Luna and Artemis.
Sadly, though, it would be the last night they would share together, for the following morning, Ace Cooper would have to leave Japan and return to Electro City.
The next morning, everyone in the Magic Express began to pack their gear, but all had sad faces because they would have to leave their new friends behind.
Cosmo took it the hardest because he had to leave his new love. He sat on his bed, his heart feeling broken because he had to say good-bye to Lita.
Ace entered his room and noticed his sad eyes. "Cosmo, are you okay?"
"Not really."
Ace sat next to him. "I know this must be difficult for you. You and Lita care about each other, and now you two will be apart."
"It's not gonna be easy, dude. I love her. I really love her."
Angie came in and joined her friends. "Oh, Cosmo. I'm sorry it's got to end like this. We didn't get to spend a lot of time in Japan, especially with the Dark Princess."
"She's right," agreed Mona. "One week didn't do us a lot of justice in terms of getting to see a lot of sights."
Ashley then came in. "Um, Ace, we've got some visitors."
Ace and the others came to the door and saw Serena and her friends when it opened.
Serena happily said, "Before you leave, we wanted to offically say good-bye by coming over here, if you don't mind."
Ace smiled and said, "Of course not, Serena. It's good to see you all again."
As they all gathered together for the final time, they all spoke about what they went through together.
Luna jumped onto Ace's shoulder. "Mr. Cooper, I've had to wait a long time to say this, but I should say it now before you leave. I want to apologize to you for thinking you were helping the Dark Princess. I didn't think--"
Ace rubbed her chin and said, "It's okay, Luna. I have no hard feelings about it. It was easy to think I was helping her because I have this powerful magic. I'm glad we are friends, and I hope to see you again."
"Thanks, Mr. Cooper."
Amy talked with Angel. "I'll miss you a lot. I wish we had time to trade tech talk."
"Maybe next time, we can talk about technological advances," said the AI. "I understand you want to be a doctor."
"Yes, like my mother. I want to be able to help others in ways besides being a Sailor Scout."
Raye and Mona had a conversation about their singing. "So, you like to sing, Raye?"
"Sure. I don't have a Golden Voice Award like you, but I hope I can get it one day."
"Just keep practicing and believe in your dreams. You can do it if you believe."
"Thanks, Mona. I'll definitely take your advice."
Artemis and Mina talked over with Ashley.
"So," Artemis started, "did you learn a lot when you met Miss Haruna?"
Ashley happily replied, "Yes, I did. I can't wait to show the report to the school board back in Mason City. I know they're going to like the results and will embrace the year-round school system."
Mina agreed. "It'll certainly help kids have a brighter future, but don't take that from me."
Darien and Serena then talked with Angie.
"Angie," Serena said with a smile, "you have so much talent and spirit. I hope you become the greatest magician in the world one day."
"Thank you, Serena." Angie next shook her hand. "As for you, it doesn't matter if you're scared when it comes to fighting monsters. It takes more courage to say you are afraid than if you say you're not and don't mean it. Your true courage will always come through when it's needed."
Darien shook Angie's hand and stated, "Yours certainly did. Your magic is guided by your heart, which in turn is powered by the love you have for your friends and others around you. You will be the next in line after Ace Cooper, I promise you."
"Thanks, Darien. Keep making sure Serena and her friends are well-protected if they do run into trouble."
"I'll do that, as usual."
"Oh, and as for your identities, we'll keep them a secret. After all, magicians aren't supposed to reveal secrets, right?"
"How true," laughed Serena.
Ace and his friends were about to board the Express when he noticed something missing. "Hold it. Where are Cosmo and Lita?"
Raye responded simply, "I think they wanted to spend one last moment together before parting ways."
The pair took a walk one last time around Pioko Park before they had to split up.
Holding his hand, Lita sadly said, "I wish you didn't have to leave so soon."
Facing her with similar sadness, Cosmo stated, "I know, Lita. It's just that at the moment we're basically tied up. You're busy being a Sailor Scout while I've got my hands full helping the Magician. It just wouldn't work out for us right now, but maybe when we're older . . . there could be a chance between us."
Tears began to fall from Lita's eyes. "No future boyfriend will ever remind me of you, because you will always be one-of-a-kind in my heart."
"As will you, Sailor Scout of the planet Jupiter. I do love you, and I'll never ever forget you."
The two grew closer and eventually touched lips once more, this time lasting over a minute.
After they let go of their last kiss, Cosmo took off his jacket. "Here, Lita. Something to remember me by."
"But, this is your jacket."
"It's an old one I've held on to for a long time. I have another I can use that looks just like this one."
Lita then took out something herself. "Cosmo, I want you to have this." She took out an odd-looking green pen in which the top had a large "4" on it. "It's my old transformation pen, the one I was given when I first discovered I was Sailor Jupiter. When you feel sad and lonely, hold this close to your heart and think of me."
He took it and said, "Thank you, Lita. I'll keep it with me always. I promise."
They gave each other a heartfelt hug and wished each other luck in their own futures. They also exchanged e-mail addresses to keep in contact as often as possible.
Ace and Serena came along and saw them.
"Cosmo, it's time to leave now, but Lita can come with us, at least to the airport."
"Yeah, Lita," said an excited Serena. "Mr. Cooper's letting all of us ride in the Magic Express."
"Cool!" Cosmo and Lita exclaimed together.
The four friends walked back together, where they found the special escort waiting for them.
Ace looked at Lita and said, "It's okay. I made sure it was all right for you and your friends to ride with us to the airport."
On their final ride together, Ace, Serena, and all the friends had a glass of soda each.
Raye then decided to propose a toast. "To our new friendship. May it last forever, and may our paths cross again."
"Cheers!" everyone yelled in joy.
When they arrived at the airport, Serena and her friends came out the front door of the Express.
With a couple of minutes left, Ace looked at her and said, "Serena, I know this may be a long shot for you and your friends, but if you ever decide to come to Electro City, you are all welcome to stay in the Magic Express, and that includes Luna and Artemis, too."
Needless to say, she and her friends were pleasantly surprised. "Mr. Cooper, we would consider it an honor. We hope you come back to Japan real soon."
"I liked it so much, I may make this into an annual trip. Thank you all for your warm hospitality."
Darien said in response, "And thank you for giving us magic we will never forget."
The door closed after Ace went back inside, and the Express made its way into the special plane.
Within minutes, the huge plane was in the air, and the Magician was on his way back to Electro City.
Serena and her friends waved good-bye to their new group of friends, and Lita blew a kiss to Cosmo. "Good-bye, my love," she whispered. "I'll never forget you as long as I live."
On his side, Cosmo saw the kiss. "I'll miss you, Sailor Jupiter. I hope I'll see you again someday." He then let tears fall from his eyes, knowing he had to leave his true love behind.
He held the pen Lita had given him very close to his heart when Ace came alongside him.
"Say," Ace started, "what's that pen?"
Cosmo looked at his friend. "It's a farewell present Lita gave me. I'm gonna keep it with me at all times."
"Don't worry, Cosmo. I've a feeling we'll see Lita, Serena, and all their friends again one day. It's only a question of when."
The experienced apprentice dried his eyes. "Thanks, dude. I just hope it won't be too long."
The two friends walked back inside the Magic Express as the plane continued its departure from Japan.

By mid-afternoon, the giant plane landed at Electro City International Airport, and the Magic Express rolled out into the road, heading back to its normal resting place near the tunnel.
Upon its arrival, a swarm of reporters came up to the door.
As soon as Ace opened the door, Duke Paparazzo, the star reporter for Sensa-News, put the microphone in his face, as usual. "Tell us, Mr. Cooper, how was your trip to Japan?"
"It was a fantastic trip. We got to learn Japanese culture and customs while introducing the Japanese people to our magic."
"What do you think will happen as a result of the trip?"
"Well, I know U.S.-Japanese relations have been very shaky, but hopefully this will be the first step in improving relations between the two countries. I enjoyed this trip so much, I'm considering making it an annual excursion, and next time, it'll be for two weeks instead of one. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to get some rest. I'm really worn out."
After Ace came back in and the door closed, Paparazzo said into the camera, "There you have it, folks, the greatest magician in the world returns after a successful run in the Land of the Rising Sun!"

A couple of hours later, Ace was sitting comfortably on the sofa when Angel appeared. "What is it, Angel?"
"Lieutenant Vega's at the door."
"Good. Let him in."
Vega came into the living room. "Ace, good to have you back in Electro City."
"Thanks, Derek. Any trouble from Black Jack or Sonny Boy while I was away?"
"Not in the least. There was just the usual assortment of petty thefts and other crimes but no real action from either of those crime bosses. What about you? Did you have any action while in Japan?"
Ace hesitated slightly with his answer. "Derek, you'd better sit down for this one. There's a lot I didn't tell Paparazzo."
Vega laughed heartily as he sat next to the Magician. "Tell me all you want, Ace. I've got plenty of time."
Telling his crazy adventure tale to his long-time friend, Ace knew he had one of the greatest challenges in his life, and he had successfully faced it with help from an incredible young woman.
Tokyo, Electro City, and the rest of the world were now safe thanks to both Sailor Moon and Ace Cooper, the Magician.

THE END