Sailor Moon: On The Edge Of Yesterday
Chapter Six: The Play's The Thing
"These will be your quarters," Togonara said, gesturing at the
room. "There are chambers off of the main room for each of you."
The palace of Shogun Takauji in Kyoto was sumptuously furnished,
and this room was no exception. Elaborate paintings covered the walls,
and colorful rugs and mats decorated the floor. A large table sat in
the center of the room, several silk covered cushions scattered around
it.
"The Shogun has requested your presence for dinner tonight. He
would like for you to perform once the feast is over." He looked over
at Sailor Mars. "It seems that he has taken a liking to you, Raye. He
asked me to convey his hope that you will dine with him."
Mars took a deep breath. "Tell him that I would be glad to accept
his invitation."
"Very well. You have several hours before dinner. I suggest you
use the time to practice your routine. I will send the servants for
you when it is time."
He left the room, and four Sailor Scouts and one tall man in a
black cape collapsed on the cushions around the table.
"He wasn't kidding about the Shogun, Raye," Tux said. "I noticed
the way he was looking at you."
"Wow..." Sailor Moon said dreamily. "A handsome Shogun... how
romantic..."
"Cut that out Serena!" Mars snapped. "I'm not getting married...
certainly not right now... and certainly not to a Japanese Shogun born
a thousand years before I was!"
"More like five hundred years, if I have my history correct,"
corrected Tuxedo Mask. "Right Amy? Amy?"
Sailor Mercury was still staring at the door, a stunned look on
her face.
"Well, I'm changing out of this costume," Serena said. "Since
they know our names, there's no sense staying as Sailor Moon."
"Amy!" Tux said again, looking at Mercury. She shook her head, as
if coming out of a dream, and then looked back at Sailor Moon.
"No, wait, Serena," she said. "Remember, we don't look the same
as Sailor Scouts as we do in real life. If we turn back, the samurai
won't recognize us, and they might even consider us witches."
Serena's eyes widened. "Oh. I didn't think about that. What'll we
do?"
Amy walked over to join the others. "We'll stay in our Sailor
forms, but pretend to be normal. We'll use our real names, like we've
been doing, and wear our kimonos over our costumes." She pointed to
the clothes that had been left behind for the girls and Darien to wear
at dinner.
Darien nodded. "One thing we will have to be *very* careful of
is that the samurai do not hear Luna and Artemis talk. I seem to
remember reading that talking white cats in ancient Japan were
considered to be demons."
Artemis somehow seemed to turn whiter, but Luna smirked. "But not
black cats?"
"I wouldn't risk it, Luna," Artemis shot back.
"No, I wouldn't either," said Darien. "We have to convince them
that we are normal, ordinary humans and their trained cats, performers
in a travelling circus."
"What about this performance?" cut in Lita. "I don't know
about you, but I don't know the first thing about circuses."
"It can't be that hard," said Luna. "You all have extraordinary
agility in your Sailor forms. You should be able to put on a
gymnastics show with ease."
"A gymnastics show?" Raye made a face. "I am *not* prancing
around like a fool for the amusement of these... people."
"Actually," Lita added. "I think it would be kind of fun."
"Well, Venus is hurt, so that's right out."
They all looked at Mina, who stared back. "Actually, I think
it's a good idea."
"Venus!" Raye looked a little uncomfortable.
"Well... I always wanted to join the circus when I was a little
girl... And that cute samurai Wasara Chi said he wanted to see *my*
performance."
Lita and Raye both scowled. Mina giggled. "Besides, my leg's
feeling better now that I've been Sailor Venus for a while. Mercury,
what do you think?"
Amy was once again staring at the door. "Huh?"
"Amy's got a boyfriend!" Darien said teasingly.
Amy blushed a bright red. She then grabbed a cushion and threw it
at Darien.
"Woo-hoo! Pillow fight!" Darien grabbed another of the cushions
and threw it back at her. A rolled up kimono sailed back at him, and
he tossed it back. Giggling, Amy looked around herself for something
else to throw.
Her eyes fell on Luna, who was sitting right next to her. "Meow?"
The cat said. Amy burst out laughing, falling to the floor in a heap.
"I *hope* you weren't thinking what I think you were thinking,"
Luna said, which caused Amy to laugh all the harder.
"There." Darien said. "I made you forget your troubles, didn't
I?"
"That you did," Amy said, wiping her eyes as she sat up. "Now,
what are we going to do about Raye's problem, and this performance?"
Raye's face turned ashen, and she looked at the floor.
"And what are we going to do about your problem, as well, Amy?"
Luna said
Amy put a hand to her head, worriedly. "No... I don't think
he's... I mean, I don't think he would... He just seems so... Oh, I
don't know."
"I can talk to him tonight. There's so much still to learn from
him. I just have to be careful, is all..."
The black cat raised an eyebrow as she regarded Amy carefully.
Amy looked back at Luna, puzzled by the intensity of her
expression, but then the words she had just spoken sank in. Her mouth
fell open as she turned the deepest shade of crimson she'd even been.
"Oh, no, I don't mean *that*! I just want to talk to him, after
dinner. He has fought these Temporal Dominators before, and maybe,
just maybe he knows something that can help us defeat them."
"Why do we need to talk to him?" Raye cut in. "Sailor Pluto said
the Dominators would be weaker in this time period. Maybe we can
defeat them easily."
"And maybe we can't," Amy answered. "That's why I have to get as
much information as I can before we go into battle. I don't know why
Togonara likes me, and not Mina, or Lita, or you, but he does. And
that means I have a chance to talk to him, and try and get him to help
us..."
"I just hope you know what you're doing, Amy." Luna stared at her
for a moment. "I'm just worried about you, that's all..."
Amy sighed. "I'm sorry. I should have shared my plans with you in
the first place."
She pulled out her computer. "We are in the year 1336, I think.
The Ashikaga are..."
"The Ashikaga were a Japanese clan that rebelled against Emperor
Diago II. Led by Shogun Takauji, and headquartered in the city of
Kyoto, they fought the Emperor to a standstill until 1392, when the
Emperor died. His kingdom was split up under a number of his
successors."
Amy looked at Darien.
"What can I say? History was one of my best subjects."
"Well, you're absolutely right. According to my computer, had the
civil war not taken up all of Diago's energy, he would have made Japan
much stronger, but also more imperialistic, setting the stage for
further conquests down through history. This would explain why Japan
was so technologically advanced in 1969."
"That's right... the Dominators are arranging for the history
that we saw then, by changing the past, now."
"Exactly." Amy smiled. "Also according to my computer, there is a
major temporal disturbance right here, in this city. I believe that is
because the Dominators intend to change history, by attacking Kyoto,
and destroying the stronghold that Takauji will use to hold off
Diago for the next 56 years."
"It's a good thing the Ashikaga didn't see that computer," Darien
said, pointing at it. "In fact, it's a good thing they didn't hear
what you just said."
Amy went white as a sheet, her blue eyes becoming positively
enourmous. She bent over the computer, pressing a few keys, and
finally began breathing again as it printed out its results.
"For a moment there..." she said, "... it occured to me that
someone might be eavesdropping."
Darien chuckled. "I guess we got lucky. Although I'd be suprised
if they were. Samurai are not supposed to behave so dishonorably."
"Maybe not, but I should have checked the room the moment we
walked in." Amy shuddered. "What is wrong with me? I don't know
*where* my mind has been lately."
"I bet I do..." Jupiter said sourly.
Amy blushed again, and Darien laughed. "All right, you've had
your fun..." she said. "Now, what about this performance?"
"I've got a plan," Serena said with a smile. "Leave it to me."
Luna and Raye both looked as if they were about to say something
caustic, but were interrupted by a knock at the door. Two servants
stood in the doorway.
"Dinner is prepared. The Shogun requests the honor of your
presence at his table..."
The dining hall was lavishly furnished, hung with elaborate
tapestries, and lit by two large chandeliers, and several dozen
candelabras scattered around the hall. The tables were covered with
food, and Serena had to be forcibly restrained from diving into the
feast right then and there.
The tables were arranged in a huge rectangle, around three sides
of a hastily erected stage. The servants led the five young girls and
their tall guardian up to the head table, where Shogun Takauji sat,
Togonara Kei at his right hand.
"Come!" The shogun said, standing as the Scouts approached, but
his eyes were only on Raye. He reached across the table to take her
hand, and kissed it. "Come, sit beside me." He gestured at the empty
seat to his left.
Raye glanced up at Darien, looking a bit uncomfortable. Darien
gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, and gently guided her toward
the end of the table. As the other Scouts followed, he dropped back to
walk beside Serena.
Homasa Wu scowled as Darien and Serena passed by him. "Tomorrow,
circus performer," he said, "we shall see what kind of warrior you
are."
The shogun again took Raye's hand, as a servant pulled out the
chair for her. She sighed as she took her seat. Amy quietly took the
seat offered her, next to Togonara, as the others continued past her.
Mina was the last to sit, as Wasara Chi held her chair for her. She
gave the warrior a gracious smile as she sat next to him.
Amy tried to control her nervousness as Togonara took her hand.
"Beyond these walls an army is approaching," he said. "We are well
manned, and our defenses are strong, but... this night might be our
last to truly celebrate. There is a very good chance we may be facing
death."
"I... I feel very attracted to you, Amy. I wanted you to know
that. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. After dinner and
your circus troop's performance, I would like to walk with you... and
ask you some things..."
Amy looked up at him. "I would like that, too!" Her eyes widened
as she realized how forward she was being, and she averted her eyes,
blushing.
I need to watch what I say, she told herself. Like Luna said, I
need to be careful. If _she_ misunderstood my intentions, what is
Togonara to think?
She looked back up at him. "If you do not mind... my being so...
bold... I would like to ask you some questions, as well." There, that
should make my meaning clear...
"Of course," Togonara said, smiling at her. "You can ask me
anything."
The dinner went well, with Serena digging into the feast with her
usual abandon, to the Shogun's amusement, and the Sailor Scouts'
embarassment. Luna and Artemis sat quietly behind the table, glancing
at each other occasionally. It was difficult to only be able to sit
and watch, but at least they weren't locked in some room, worrying.
Finally, tbe shogun stood. "I wish to welcome everyone tonight...
especially our guests, who I understand are performers. I would ask of
them to please perform for us tonight."
He looked down at Raye. She stiffened, as if sensing what was to
come. "And I would like to announce that I have chosen Raye as a
suitable wife. Our marriage will take place at noon tomorrow."
"Before that, though, at ten in the morning, an exhibition of
Samurai skill will be shown. Our guest, the 'man in the mask', will
test his mettle against warrior Homasa Wu to settle an earlier
disagreement. If our noble guest is successful against Homasa, he
will have the honor to be chosen as Samurai in our ranks!"
With that, he looked down at Raye. "Now, my dear Raye, the stage
is yours. I am looking forward to this wonderful performance tonight."
The Sailor Scouts quickly stood, and filed around the end of the
table toward the stage. "I hope you've got a good plan," Raye hissed
at Serena. "Cause this looks to me like its gonna be a disaster!"
"Trust me!" Serena said brightly.
There was a small room just outside the dining hall set aside for
them to change. Thanks to Mercury's suggestion that they leave their
fukus on under the kimono's, though, that did not take long. Darien
grabbed his cape and mask, and was once again Tuxedo Mask.
"Okay, here's the plan... Mercury, can you summon a fog to give
us some atmosphere?"
"Sure!" Mercury gave Sailor Moon a smile, a little impressed. "I
had the same thought myself."
"Good." Moon looked back out the door at the audience waiting
beyond and swallowed. Then the calm determination returned. "Just
follow my lead. This'll be easy. Here's what we're going to do..."
After a few minutes, Sailor Moon stepped out onto the stage,
alone. She strode purposefully to the center of the stage, but stopped
as she noticed the many eyes watching her. For a moment, all she could
do was stand there, but then she closed her eyes, took a deep breath,
and addressed the crowd.
"Shogun Takauji, we thank you for inviting us to perform for you
today. We are but humble performers, and we are honored to put on our
show for you. It is a tale of happiness, and a tale of sorrow."
"Mercury... Bubbles... Blast..." Offstage, Sailor Mercury kept
her voice low, letting Moon's speech cover up her words. She closed
her eyes, concentrating as hard as she could, for the first time
trying to _feel_ the fog as she summoned it, to become part of it...
to control it.
The fog rolled up around Sailor Moon, shrouding her from view.
Under its cover, she pulled out her sceptre, and began to transform
into Princess Serenity. As the fog rolled back, revealing Serena's
costume change, there was a collective gasp from the crowd, then
applause. The fog dropped down to the princess's feet, swirling around
the base of the stage.
"A long time ago there was a beautiful Kingdom, ruled by Queen
Serenity. She was a good Queen, and cared for her subjects. Everyone
lived happy lives. Until one terrible day..."
At her cue, Sailor Mars stepped out onto the stage. A couple of
servants carried a lit brazier out onto the stage from the other side
of the room and set it down behind the Princess. She stepped out of
the way as Mars walked up to stand behind the fire.
"A priestess was watching her sacred fire when she had a vision."
Mars gestured at the flame, and it shot upwards with a roar.
Smiling to herself, the priestess reached back into her pocket for a
bit more of the rice powder. Fire powers or no fire powers, the best
special effects are the easy ones.
"Fire. It gave birth to the earth, and will eventually consume
it. It also symbolizes the actions of men, and by understanding fire,
we can also unterstand man."
She gestured again, and the flames shot up higher. "Fire
symbolizes man's aggression, his compasion, his desire, and his
passion. Now... by reading the flames before me, I can gain insight of
what is to come... and share it with you all."
She knelt before the fire. For a moment, there was only silence,
but then the flames erupted again. Sailor Moon grinned, thinking this
was part of the show, but Sailor Mars' eyes widened in fear.
She saw a flash -- Tuxedo Mask, fighting Hamasa Wu. Demons
descending on the city. Herself, being flung up against a wall.
Togonara Kei, raising his sword to attack a Dominator...
And Mercury screaming Kei's name as he was struck down.
Chapter Six: The Play's The Thing
"These will be your quarters," Togonara said, gesturing at the
room. "There are chambers off of the main room for each of you."
The palace of Shogun Takauji in Kyoto was sumptuously furnished,
and this room was no exception. Elaborate paintings covered the walls,
and colorful rugs and mats decorated the floor. A large table sat in
the center of the room, several silk covered cushions scattered around
it.
"The Shogun has requested your presence for dinner tonight. He
would like for you to perform once the feast is over." He looked over
at Sailor Mars. "It seems that he has taken a liking to you, Raye. He
asked me to convey his hope that you will dine with him."
Mars took a deep breath. "Tell him that I would be glad to accept
his invitation."
"Very well. You have several hours before dinner. I suggest you
use the time to practice your routine. I will send the servants for
you when it is time."
He left the room, and four Sailor Scouts and one tall man in a
black cape collapsed on the cushions around the table.
"He wasn't kidding about the Shogun, Raye," Tux said. "I noticed
the way he was looking at you."
"Wow..." Sailor Moon said dreamily. "A handsome Shogun... how
romantic..."
"Cut that out Serena!" Mars snapped. "I'm not getting married...
certainly not right now... and certainly not to a Japanese Shogun born
a thousand years before I was!"
"More like five hundred years, if I have my history correct,"
corrected Tuxedo Mask. "Right Amy? Amy?"
Sailor Mercury was still staring at the door, a stunned look on
her face.
"Well, I'm changing out of this costume," Serena said. "Since
they know our names, there's no sense staying as Sailor Moon."
"Amy!" Tux said again, looking at Mercury. She shook her head, as
if coming out of a dream, and then looked back at Sailor Moon.
"No, wait, Serena," she said. "Remember, we don't look the same
as Sailor Scouts as we do in real life. If we turn back, the samurai
won't recognize us, and they might even consider us witches."
Serena's eyes widened. "Oh. I didn't think about that. What'll we
do?"
Amy walked over to join the others. "We'll stay in our Sailor
forms, but pretend to be normal. We'll use our real names, like we've
been doing, and wear our kimonos over our costumes." She pointed to
the clothes that had been left behind for the girls and Darien to wear
at dinner.
Darien nodded. "One thing we will have to be *very* careful of
is that the samurai do not hear Luna and Artemis talk. I seem to
remember reading that talking white cats in ancient Japan were
considered to be demons."
Artemis somehow seemed to turn whiter, but Luna smirked. "But not
black cats?"
"I wouldn't risk it, Luna," Artemis shot back.
"No, I wouldn't either," said Darien. "We have to convince them
that we are normal, ordinary humans and their trained cats, performers
in a travelling circus."
"What about this performance?" cut in Lita. "I don't know
about you, but I don't know the first thing about circuses."
"It can't be that hard," said Luna. "You all have extraordinary
agility in your Sailor forms. You should be able to put on a
gymnastics show with ease."
"A gymnastics show?" Raye made a face. "I am *not* prancing
around like a fool for the amusement of these... people."
"Actually," Lita added. "I think it would be kind of fun."
"Well, Venus is hurt, so that's right out."
They all looked at Mina, who stared back. "Actually, I think
it's a good idea."
"Venus!" Raye looked a little uncomfortable.
"Well... I always wanted to join the circus when I was a little
girl... And that cute samurai Wasara Chi said he wanted to see *my*
performance."
Lita and Raye both scowled. Mina giggled. "Besides, my leg's
feeling better now that I've been Sailor Venus for a while. Mercury,
what do you think?"
Amy was once again staring at the door. "Huh?"
"Amy's got a boyfriend!" Darien said teasingly.
Amy blushed a bright red. She then grabbed a cushion and threw it
at Darien.
"Woo-hoo! Pillow fight!" Darien grabbed another of the cushions
and threw it back at her. A rolled up kimono sailed back at him, and
he tossed it back. Giggling, Amy looked around herself for something
else to throw.
Her eyes fell on Luna, who was sitting right next to her. "Meow?"
The cat said. Amy burst out laughing, falling to the floor in a heap.
"I *hope* you weren't thinking what I think you were thinking,"
Luna said, which caused Amy to laugh all the harder.
"There." Darien said. "I made you forget your troubles, didn't
I?"
"That you did," Amy said, wiping her eyes as she sat up. "Now,
what are we going to do about Raye's problem, and this performance?"
Raye's face turned ashen, and she looked at the floor.
"And what are we going to do about your problem, as well, Amy?"
Luna said
Amy put a hand to her head, worriedly. "No... I don't think
he's... I mean, I don't think he would... He just seems so... Oh, I
don't know."
"I can talk to him tonight. There's so much still to learn from
him. I just have to be careful, is all..."
The black cat raised an eyebrow as she regarded Amy carefully.
Amy looked back at Luna, puzzled by the intensity of her
expression, but then the words she had just spoken sank in. Her mouth
fell open as she turned the deepest shade of crimson she'd even been.
"Oh, no, I don't mean *that*! I just want to talk to him, after
dinner. He has fought these Temporal Dominators before, and maybe,
just maybe he knows something that can help us defeat them."
"Why do we need to talk to him?" Raye cut in. "Sailor Pluto said
the Dominators would be weaker in this time period. Maybe we can
defeat them easily."
"And maybe we can't," Amy answered. "That's why I have to get as
much information as I can before we go into battle. I don't know why
Togonara likes me, and not Mina, or Lita, or you, but he does. And
that means I have a chance to talk to him, and try and get him to help
us..."
"I just hope you know what you're doing, Amy." Luna stared at her
for a moment. "I'm just worried about you, that's all..."
Amy sighed. "I'm sorry. I should have shared my plans with you in
the first place."
She pulled out her computer. "We are in the year 1336, I think.
The Ashikaga are..."
"The Ashikaga were a Japanese clan that rebelled against Emperor
Diago II. Led by Shogun Takauji, and headquartered in the city of
Kyoto, they fought the Emperor to a standstill until 1392, when the
Emperor died. His kingdom was split up under a number of his
successors."
Amy looked at Darien.
"What can I say? History was one of my best subjects."
"Well, you're absolutely right. According to my computer, had the
civil war not taken up all of Diago's energy, he would have made Japan
much stronger, but also more imperialistic, setting the stage for
further conquests down through history. This would explain why Japan
was so technologically advanced in 1969."
"That's right... the Dominators are arranging for the history
that we saw then, by changing the past, now."
"Exactly." Amy smiled. "Also according to my computer, there is a
major temporal disturbance right here, in this city. I believe that is
because the Dominators intend to change history, by attacking Kyoto,
and destroying the stronghold that Takauji will use to hold off
Diago for the next 56 years."
"It's a good thing the Ashikaga didn't see that computer," Darien
said, pointing at it. "In fact, it's a good thing they didn't hear
what you just said."
Amy went white as a sheet, her blue eyes becoming positively
enourmous. She bent over the computer, pressing a few keys, and
finally began breathing again as it printed out its results.
"For a moment there..." she said, "... it occured to me that
someone might be eavesdropping."
Darien chuckled. "I guess we got lucky. Although I'd be suprised
if they were. Samurai are not supposed to behave so dishonorably."
"Maybe not, but I should have checked the room the moment we
walked in." Amy shuddered. "What is wrong with me? I don't know
*where* my mind has been lately."
"I bet I do..." Jupiter said sourly.
Amy blushed again, and Darien laughed. "All right, you've had
your fun..." she said. "Now, what about this performance?"
"I've got a plan," Serena said with a smile. "Leave it to me."
Luna and Raye both looked as if they were about to say something
caustic, but were interrupted by a knock at the door. Two servants
stood in the doorway.
"Dinner is prepared. The Shogun requests the honor of your
presence at his table..."
The dining hall was lavishly furnished, hung with elaborate
tapestries, and lit by two large chandeliers, and several dozen
candelabras scattered around the hall. The tables were covered with
food, and Serena had to be forcibly restrained from diving into the
feast right then and there.
The tables were arranged in a huge rectangle, around three sides
of a hastily erected stage. The servants led the five young girls and
their tall guardian up to the head table, where Shogun Takauji sat,
Togonara Kei at his right hand.
"Come!" The shogun said, standing as the Scouts approached, but
his eyes were only on Raye. He reached across the table to take her
hand, and kissed it. "Come, sit beside me." He gestured at the empty
seat to his left.
Raye glanced up at Darien, looking a bit uncomfortable. Darien
gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, and gently guided her toward
the end of the table. As the other Scouts followed, he dropped back to
walk beside Serena.
Homasa Wu scowled as Darien and Serena passed by him. "Tomorrow,
circus performer," he said, "we shall see what kind of warrior you
are."
The shogun again took Raye's hand, as a servant pulled out the
chair for her. She sighed as she took her seat. Amy quietly took the
seat offered her, next to Togonara, as the others continued past her.
Mina was the last to sit, as Wasara Chi held her chair for her. She
gave the warrior a gracious smile as she sat next to him.
Amy tried to control her nervousness as Togonara took her hand.
"Beyond these walls an army is approaching," he said. "We are well
manned, and our defenses are strong, but... this night might be our
last to truly celebrate. There is a very good chance we may be facing
death."
"I... I feel very attracted to you, Amy. I wanted you to know
that. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met. After dinner and
your circus troop's performance, I would like to walk with you... and
ask you some things..."
Amy looked up at him. "I would like that, too!" Her eyes widened
as she realized how forward she was being, and she averted her eyes,
blushing.
I need to watch what I say, she told herself. Like Luna said, I
need to be careful. If _she_ misunderstood my intentions, what is
Togonara to think?
She looked back up at him. "If you do not mind... my being so...
bold... I would like to ask you some questions, as well." There, that
should make my meaning clear...
"Of course," Togonara said, smiling at her. "You can ask me
anything."
The dinner went well, with Serena digging into the feast with her
usual abandon, to the Shogun's amusement, and the Sailor Scouts'
embarassment. Luna and Artemis sat quietly behind the table, glancing
at each other occasionally. It was difficult to only be able to sit
and watch, but at least they weren't locked in some room, worrying.
Finally, tbe shogun stood. "I wish to welcome everyone tonight...
especially our guests, who I understand are performers. I would ask of
them to please perform for us tonight."
He looked down at Raye. She stiffened, as if sensing what was to
come. "And I would like to announce that I have chosen Raye as a
suitable wife. Our marriage will take place at noon tomorrow."
"Before that, though, at ten in the morning, an exhibition of
Samurai skill will be shown. Our guest, the 'man in the mask', will
test his mettle against warrior Homasa Wu to settle an earlier
disagreement. If our noble guest is successful against Homasa, he
will have the honor to be chosen as Samurai in our ranks!"
With that, he looked down at Raye. "Now, my dear Raye, the stage
is yours. I am looking forward to this wonderful performance tonight."
The Sailor Scouts quickly stood, and filed around the end of the
table toward the stage. "I hope you've got a good plan," Raye hissed
at Serena. "Cause this looks to me like its gonna be a disaster!"
"Trust me!" Serena said brightly.
There was a small room just outside the dining hall set aside for
them to change. Thanks to Mercury's suggestion that they leave their
fukus on under the kimono's, though, that did not take long. Darien
grabbed his cape and mask, and was once again Tuxedo Mask.
"Okay, here's the plan... Mercury, can you summon a fog to give
us some atmosphere?"
"Sure!" Mercury gave Sailor Moon a smile, a little impressed. "I
had the same thought myself."
"Good." Moon looked back out the door at the audience waiting
beyond and swallowed. Then the calm determination returned. "Just
follow my lead. This'll be easy. Here's what we're going to do..."
After a few minutes, Sailor Moon stepped out onto the stage,
alone. She strode purposefully to the center of the stage, but stopped
as she noticed the many eyes watching her. For a moment, all she could
do was stand there, but then she closed her eyes, took a deep breath,
and addressed the crowd.
"Shogun Takauji, we thank you for inviting us to perform for you
today. We are but humble performers, and we are honored to put on our
show for you. It is a tale of happiness, and a tale of sorrow."
"Mercury... Bubbles... Blast..." Offstage, Sailor Mercury kept
her voice low, letting Moon's speech cover up her words. She closed
her eyes, concentrating as hard as she could, for the first time
trying to _feel_ the fog as she summoned it, to become part of it...
to control it.
The fog rolled up around Sailor Moon, shrouding her from view.
Under its cover, she pulled out her sceptre, and began to transform
into Princess Serenity. As the fog rolled back, revealing Serena's
costume change, there was a collective gasp from the crowd, then
applause. The fog dropped down to the princess's feet, swirling around
the base of the stage.
"A long time ago there was a beautiful Kingdom, ruled by Queen
Serenity. She was a good Queen, and cared for her subjects. Everyone
lived happy lives. Until one terrible day..."
At her cue, Sailor Mars stepped out onto the stage. A couple of
servants carried a lit brazier out onto the stage from the other side
of the room and set it down behind the Princess. She stepped out of
the way as Mars walked up to stand behind the fire.
"A priestess was watching her sacred fire when she had a vision."
Mars gestured at the flame, and it shot upwards with a roar.
Smiling to herself, the priestess reached back into her pocket for a
bit more of the rice powder. Fire powers or no fire powers, the best
special effects are the easy ones.
"Fire. It gave birth to the earth, and will eventually consume
it. It also symbolizes the actions of men, and by understanding fire,
we can also unterstand man."
She gestured again, and the flames shot up higher. "Fire
symbolizes man's aggression, his compasion, his desire, and his
passion. Now... by reading the flames before me, I can gain insight of
what is to come... and share it with you all."
She knelt before the fire. For a moment, there was only silence,
but then the flames erupted again. Sailor Moon grinned, thinking this
was part of the show, but Sailor Mars' eyes widened in fear.
She saw a flash -- Tuxedo Mask, fighting Hamasa Wu. Demons
descending on the city. Herself, being flung up against a wall.
Togonara Kei, raising his sword to attack a Dominator...
And Mercury screaming Kei's name as he was struck down.
