Episode 9 : Ghostly Voices of the Past! The spoiled Concert.
A male figure stood in the shadows gazing into a crystal ball. The gold on his bracelet flickered as images of SuperSailoruniverse were displayed. "Soon my love," he murmured, "soon."
Ittenshikai groaned as she observed the seemingly endless amount of paperwork that lay before her. "And Nichi-chan picks tonight to ditch me to go hang out with her friends." she grumbled. Ittenshikai loved to teach, and running this place was one of her greatest joys because it helped her to forget. She still blamed herself for the destruction of the Moon Kingdom. //If only I hadn't made such a poor judgment. Then maybe we would have been there to help.// However she never voiced her opinions to Nichirin for she knew it was futile. Nichirin would never blame her for anything. Nichirin seemed to be convinced that her sister was a perfect angel capable of doing no wrong. If Ittenshikai were to bring up the subject, Nichirin would only direct her anger at the others. Another sigh involuntarily escaped Ittenshikai as she sat down to the painstakingly tedious task of paperwork. The door of the center opened and Ittenshikai didn't even have to look up to know who it was. For one thing she could sense their very beings, and her extra sensitive hearing could easily pick out the three distinctive walks. The first set of footsteps was powerful and confident, and judging by the heaviness, belonged to a very busy person. The second was also confident, yet seemed aware and cautious. However it had a definite bouncy and cheerful quality to it. The last was carefree and careless, and not very rhythmic due to the owner's obvious clumsiness. Ittenshikai looked up gratefully from her work and came face to face with Rei, Minako, and Usagi. //Mars, Venus, and Moon// Ittenshikai mentally amended. "Konichiwa Minna-san," she greeted.
"Konichiwa!" they replied warmly.
"So what brings you girls back?'' Ittenshikai inquired, //I'd have thought they'd want to stay clear of here after what happened to Michiru-san.//
"Well we had such a great time at our free trial that we thought we'd come and sign up for some lessons that we thought we'd come sign up for some classes!" Minako responded.
"Great! You girls are very talented you know! So what can I sign you up for?"
"Acting, Voice, Jazz, ballet, and tap!" Minako replied.
"Same here!" Rei added.
Usagi smiled sheepishly, "well I'll sign up for signing, but since I'm not really the best of dancers, I think the only dance class I'll take is ballroom dancing!"
"That's just fine," Ittenshikai smiled encouragingly at Usagi, then she handed each girl a clipboard, "just fill out these forms, and remember that this time the classes aren't free!" The other girls nodded and went to the other side of the room where they sat down and began to fill out their forms. Suddenly a ringing noise went off announcing that Ittenshikai had a phone call on her cell phone. "Moshi moshi?" Ittenshikai answered, "WHAT!? BUT THAT'S THE NIGHT OF THE BIG CONCERT. Uhuh...uhuh," the other girls glanced quizzically up, "WHAT!? THEM TOO?! HOW AM I EVER SUPPOSED TO FIND PEOPLE ON SUCH SHORT NOTICE! YOU DON'T KNOW!? Ugh, fine...yeah it's okay...all right ja ne." Ittenshikai turned off her phone and growled in frustration. Then she spotted the sweat dropping girls and threw them a charming smile. "Say girl's, how well do you know my songs?"
"Oh we see your show every week, we know the words by heart!" answered Rei, who then blushed when she heard herself.
"Great, cos I have a BIG concert coming up next week, and I was wondering if you would like to be my back up singers and dancers! You see, my usual ones totally bailed on me and-"
"We'll do it!" Minako interrupted eagerly.
Rei nodded in agreement, and both she and Minako had stars in their eyes. However Usagi looked doubtful, "dance?" she squeaked, "I think I'll pass, one can only stand so much embarrassment."
Ittenshikai frowned but she nodded in understanding. Just then the doors slid open and Nichirin strode in. "Well I've come to rescue you from Mount Paperwork!" she announced. Then Ittenshikai got a wicked gleam in her eye, "what?" Nichirin asked.
"Oi! dear onechan of mine, will you please be back up for me at my concert at the coliseum next week?"
"Pop!" a shocked Nichirin replied, "you want me to sing POP!"
"Please?"
"No."
"Please?"
"No."
"Pretty please?"
"NO!"
"If you do this for me, I'll overlook the detentions you got this week...all five of them."
"Eep! You know about those?!" Ittenshikai grinned smugly and shook her head yes. Nichirin threw down her arms in surrender and sighed, "fine I'll do it, but you better not make me where any stupid outfits!"
Ittenshikai pulled her sister into a hug, "arigato! You're a lifesaver!" Then she turned to the other girls, "you girls to, thank you SO much!"
"No problem," Rei replied coolly.
"Yeah! We're happy to help!" added a still starry-eyed Minako.
"Oh yay!" exclaimed Ittenshikai clapping her hands together. She ran over to the counter and grabbed her purse. After some digging, she produced several backstage passes that she presented to Usagi, "here's the pass Mamoru-kun asked for. I also got some for you and any of your friends who'd like to come to the concert!"
"Oh...arigato," Usagi grumbled. She liked Ittenshikai and all, however she wasn't too happy with how chummy her and Mamoru were. She snatched the passes and shoved them into her own purse. "Well let's go! Is it all right if we finish these forms at home and drop them off tomorrow?" Usagi said curtly.
"Yeah, sure, that's fine!" Ittenshikai grinned, pretending not to notice Usagi's sudden mood swing.
"Good," Usagi then marched briskly through the sliding doors.
Rei and Minako stared dumbly at their retreating friend, unable to figure out why she was acting so strangely, however Ittenshikai knew, she could feel it.
"Umm, well ja!" the two girls bid in unison before tearing off after their friend.
"Ja!" Ittenshikai and Nichirin shouted, "and rehearsals at 5:00 tomorrow!" Ittenshikai called.
Nichirin crossed her arms, "Hmph! That "Prince" Endyminion! I oughta-"
"Nichi-chan, please...let it go," Ittenshikai broke of her sister meekly before returning to her paperwork.
Nichirin tore the house apart as she searched frantically for the keys to her motorcycle. "RRRR! I'm going to be late for the sound check! Itten-nechan is gonna kill me!" All of a sudden she dropped everything she was holding and grabbed her head. She winced as her head began to throb. As the pain grew more and more intense she began to see things that she had never before. She saw her sister screaming in fear. She saw all of earth being blown apart and her friends having the life sucked from them. All these images were blurred by crimson blood that clouded her vision. The migraine heightened and the visions became more violent, "Oh no, not again," she whispered before passing out.
"Where is she!" Ittenshikai paced nervously. She'd sit down, stand up, pace, ask the same question, and pace. She'd been doing that for half an hour. Nichirin was over an hour late. //I have a bad feeling about this.//
"Don't worry, I'm sure she's just fine," Minako assured her.
"Yeah, besides she knows what she's doing, it's not like she needs the practice," Rei added.
"I know, I know, it's just...never mind, she's here." Minako and Rei looked around, but didn't see Nichirin anywhere in sight. Just then the doors flew open and Nichirin ran in looking rather disheveled.
"Konichiwa minna! Sorry I'm late!" Nichirin greeted. She flashed them a fake grin that Ittenshikai saw right through.
"What's wrong...where were you?" Ittenshikai interrogated.
"I...I...had a headache." All the color suddenly drained from Ittenshikai's face. "Let's not worry about that now," Nichirin suggested, "I'm sure it's just stress, we'll figure it out later."
Rei watched the unfolding scenes closely, something was off. How had Ittenshikai known Nichirin was there before she even walked in the door? And why had Ittenshikai gotten so pale when Nichirin mentioned her headache? What was with the serious tones? Rei could sense some strange power around. Good or evil, she couldn't tell. She also felt another presence that was elsewhere. However that one was definitely evil. //I'll have to talk to the other's later. Something strange is going on.//
Thankfully there were no more strange events for the rest of the practice. Mamoru, Usagi, Yuuchirou, Ami, Makoto, and Hotaru all cheered them on from backstage. The show was going smoothly and it was now time for the final song. Edgy, attitude filled pop music fills the building.
when I look into your eyes
all that pain and regret
is simply too much
for someone your age
girls been playing with your hearts
cos you gave it away to easily
just don't worry about that
cos that all ends today
you say
you won't
ever get over your broken heart
I almost feel
the same way
but I won't give up like you are
don't you see!
I can show you the way!
you'll love again someday!
no more broken hearts
for either of us!
you don't need!
to be broken hearted any more!
I'll even up the score,
say goodbye to broken hearts!
when you look in my eyes
do you see my pain and regret
that's simply too much
for someone my age
boys have been careless with my heart
cos I gave it away to easily
we are the same
and our pain ends today
it's clear
to me
I can heal you're pain
it seems
you're scared
to see it that way
don't you see!
I can show you the way!
you'll love again someday!
no more broken hearts
for either of us!
you don't need!
to be broken hearted any more!
I'll even up the score,
say goodbye to broken hearts!
I can show you!
there is life after her!
things will be!
much better then they were!
just one kiss!
make a wish
let your pain wash away at this!
you won't regret it
The music solo takes over. As Nichirin moves effortlessly through the climax of the dance routine she thinks she sees a shadowy figure, and a glint of gold above to the right of the stage. However when she blinks, the figure is gone. //That migraine has gotten me so paranoid.// Nichirin mentally slaps herself and returns to concentrating on her performance.
don't you see!
I can show you the way!
you'll love again someday!
no more broken hearts
for either of us!
you don't need!
to be broken hearted any more!
I'll even up the score,
say goodbye to broken hearts!
don't you see!
I can show you the way!
you'll love again someday!
no more broken hearts
for either of us!
you don't need!
to be broken hearted any more!
I'll even up the score,
say goodbye to broken hearts!
The crowd explodes into cheers and the girls all bow. Ittenshikai catches some roses that are thrown at her and waves goodbye to the crowd. Suddenly a set of stage lights come crashing down on to the stage. Nichirin and Ittenshikai are separated from everyone else as a raging fire erupts. Chaos ensues as people scream and panic as they are evacuated from the building.
"Rei-san!" Yuuchirou cried as he ran out from backstage. He found Rei and Minako among the cascade of smoke. "Come on, let's go!" he ordered. Rei and Minako coughed and covered their mouths as they followed Yuuchirou back to the others. Once the group was gathered together they took off for the nearest exit.
The others hung slightly back from Yuuchirou as Rei whispered to them, "I feel an evil prescence here." Everyone nodded and watched Yuuchirou disappear into the stampede. Then they quickly hurried back and once it was made sure that no one was around they each pulled out their transformation items.
"Moon Eternal Power Make-up!"
"Venus Crystal Power Make-up!"
"Mars Crystal Power Make-up!"
"Mercury Crystal Power Make-up!"
"Jupiter Crystal Power Make-up!"
"Saturn Crystal Power Make-up!"
The girls transformed, as did Tuxedo Kamen. Then they ran on stage in search of the evil force and the two missing performers. What they found was a wall of fire and electricity.
"Mercury Shabon Spray Freezing!" Mercury's attack froze the wall of fire and turned into a wall of ice. Jupiter smashed through the ice and when the sailor team passed it they saw an unusual sight.
Ittenshikai lay sprawled out on the floor, not moving. Flames surrounded her and would have engulfed her if it weren't for a section of fire that seemed to be creating a barrier around the singer, almost as if it was protecting her. Everyone gasped as the fire protecting Ittenshikai took on the solid form of SuperSailorsun. "She's is unconscious, and I think her ankle's broken. Saturnko?" Sun looked hopefully at the young warrior, who complied. Saturn walked without hesitating over to Ittenshikai and a purple glow took over Ittenshikai as Saturn began to heal her.
"Wait a minute here!" Moon exclaimed, "how did you get here and where's Nichirin-senpai?!" The soldier of the Sun smirked at the question, a very familiar smirk. Suddenly it clicked and the other soldiers save Saturn gasped, "Nichirin-senpai! You're Sailorsun! But then that would mean..." Moon's wide eyes shifted to Ittenshikai, "Ittenshikai-san is Sailoruniverse!"
"How astute," Sun replied sarcastically and Saturn snickered.
"Mmm, what happened?" Saturn backed away from Ittenshikai as she woke up. Ittenshikai looked at the fire, to Saturn, to Sun, to the others, "oh."
"Well know that that's settled, Mercury-san do you mind?" Sun motioned to the fire.
"Oh right!" stammered the still shocked soldier of Mercury as she began to power up her attack. However before she could launch the attack the fire became ice then shattered. Everyone looked around in shock, wondering who had done that. However then a figure stepped out from the shadows.
He was very handsome, with short white hair and ice blue eyes. He was wearing a black military uniform similar to the one worn by Nephrite. On his wrist was a gold beaded bracelet. "You!" screeched Sun, her voice strained in anger. Her eyes turned a bright red as she muttered in a deadly calm, "You will pay for what you've done."
"Honto ni? Well you won't be doing anything that's for sure. Besides it's not you I'm interested in, it's your dear sister." His voice was surprisingly charismatic for someone who was radiating so much evil. Everyone turned to Ittenshikai who was still sitting, but she was now backed up against the wall. A look of pure terror that seemed very out of place on her took over her features. However Sailorsun's eyes never left him, she stared at him with utmost hate.
"You will die!" Sun shouted as she charged at him.
"I don't think so," he lifted his hand and blasted ice directly at her locket. She was flung back and now looked uncharacteristic weak. The others made a move for him but he simply fired a blast of ice at their feet. As he stalked over to a cowering Ittenshikai.
"Iie," Sun whispered, her voice hoarse and weak. She bit back the pain and pulled herself up. "Iie!" she shouted as he grabbed Ittenshikai. A portal opened on the stage floor and he threw Ittenshikai into it. After throwing the once again charging Sailor Sun a look of triumph he jumped in himself. Sun reached the portal just as it disappeared. "Iie!" she screamed again. She fell to her knees and slammed her fists onto the floor where the portal had been. "Damn it! You coward!"
"Mars fire ignite!" Sailor Mars melted the binding ice and the group timidly approached the raging sailor soldier.
"Who was that?" Mercury inquired.
"THAT is the one responsible for mine and Universe-nechan's deaths," Sun growled as she jumped to her feet. "I'm going to find that bastard and kill him!"
Sun turned to leave, "We're coming to!" Moon declared.
"Stop right there!" a feminine voice commanded.
"I know that voice," SuperSailorsun breathed. Everyone turned and saw a sillohette that resembled Super Sailor Moon.
"Champion of hate and evil I am the original pretty soldier, Sailor Moon! I will do wrong and triumph over goody two shoes. And that means you!" Everyone gasped as light revealed the holder of the voice. She was dressed in a black, maroon, and gray, sailor senshi uniform with a velvet black pouch slung around her waist. Her raven hair was worn in the same way as Sailormoon's. Her eyes seemed to pierce through them and her sinister smile completed the evil look, "What? You were expecting someone else?"