THE SORCERESS OF NY
based on the novel by L. Frank Baum
Chapter 2: "In Search of a Brain"
By Bill K.
"How much further?" whined Sailor Moon as she trudged down the
sunlit path. "My feet are killing me!"
"Oh, stop whining," groused Luna. "It hasn't been that long!"
"It has, too! We must have walked a hundred miles!"
"We've only been walking about twenty-five minutes. I'd say
we've covered about one mile."
"A MILE!" gasped Sailor Moon. She plopped down in the center
of the path. "I've got to rest!"
"You know if you wouldn't sleep until noon, you'd be in better
shape."
"And if you didn't know how to talk, you wouldn't nag so much!"
pouted Sailor Moon.
"Nag? Really! I'm giving you good advice! You know, Usagi,
you cover more ground than this trolling the mall!"
"Well I've got incentive there!"
"Finding the other senshi and getting back home isn't
incentive?" Luna asked pointedly.
Sailor Moon hunched her shoulders and glared.
"I hate it when you're right," she grumbled. Luna smirked.
Climbing back up to her feet, Sailor Moon and Luna continued
down the sunlit path. To the right was a dark, creepy forest; to the
left was fields and farmland made ominous by the oppressive shadows
draped over them. It made Sailor Moon uneasy and she tried to focus
on the bright path ahead, but she found her gaze continually drifting
back to it.
"This whole place is creepy," Sailor Moon said.
"I'll grant you that," Luna replied. "And this Princess
Nocturn doesn't strike me as a very nice person, if you'll grant me a
huge understatement. Still, I wonder what Princess Appolonia's
interests in this are. Is she just being altruistic or does she have
something to gain as well?"
"I don't know about her being altruistic, but she's got a good
heart. I can feel it."
"Well I'll trust your instinct in that matter. And by the way,
altruistic MEANS having a good heart."
"Well I don't know! I don't speak English, remember?"
"You would if you'd pay attention to your studies."
"Luna, you're nagging again!" Sailor Moon said through gritted
teeth.
"Humph!" Luna responded.
The pair continued on down the path, glancing nervously to the
right and left. The occasional shadow that seemed to shift or move
out of the corner of their eyes didn't help the nerves of either one
of them.
"Luna," Sailor Moon said as they continued walking. "Does it
feel like we're being watched?"
"I wouldn't doubt it," Luna replied. "That Princess Nocturn
seemed quite intent on getting that pendant from you. She's likely
to try again, so do be on guard."
"I wonder what's so special about it. Do you think it's why I
can't summon my Moon Tier?" There was no response. "Luna?"
She turned back and saw Luna rooted to the path, listening
intently.
"Luna, what is it?"
"Quiet, Sailor Moon," Luna whispered. She listened for a few
moments more. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"It sounds like someone moaning." Suddenly galvanized to
action, Luna sprinted off down the path. "This way!"
Sailor Moon sprinted off after her. They followed the path
around a bend, then stopped short, staring in horror at the sight
just ahead of them.
In the midst of a dark and ominous field planted with some
strange stalk for a crop was Sailor Mercury. She was bound to a
wooden cross and dangled limply from the crossbar, in obvious pain.
Flitting around her were black flying creatures that resembled bats
but weren't quite. One would occasionally buzz Mercury and rake her
with its feet or wings, drawing another distressed moan from the limp
girl.
"Ami-chan!" shrieked Sailor Moon.
"Sailor Moon, stop!" Luna cried as Sailor Moon bolted for the
shadowy field. She came to a halt just at the edge of the sunlit
path. "It has to be a trap Nocturn has set for you!"
"But we have to help Mercury!" Sailor Moon cried. She
concentrated briefly. "And I still can't summon the Moon Tier!"
"Use your tiara!" Luna said sharply. "It may still work!"
Ripping her tiara from her head, Sailor Moon reached back and
flung it at the dark creatures, shouting "Moon Tiara Action!" The
tiara changed to an energy disk, arcing at impossible angles as it
cut a swath through the creatures. Those that didn't explode into
dust quickly retreated. Once its mission was accomplished, the tiara
returned to its mistress. Sailor Moon looked impatiently at Luna for
permission to venture into the shadowy field.
"Very well," Luna concluded reluctantly. "But do be careful!"
Sailor Moon nodded and quickly, but cautiously passed through
the stalks toward Mercury. The withered leaves of the stalks seemed
to clutch at her, but Sailor Moon suppressed her fear and pressed on.
She reached Mercury and began undoing the knots on the ropes holding
the girl to the wooden stake. Mercury lifted her head with
difficulty and looked at her.
"Thank you," she croaked, giving Sailor Moon a weak smile.
Sailor Moon could see scratches on her face and arms and her heart
broke.
"I'll have you loose in a second," Sailor Moon choked out.
"All right," Mercury nodded, then looked up at her blankly.
"Who are you?" Sailor Moon stopped for a moment and stared in shock.
"A-Ami-chan," Sailor Moon choked. "It's me! Sailor Moon!"
The rope parted. Mercury took a hesitant step forward and staggered.
Sailor Moon swooped over and caught her before she fell.
"Ami-chan?" Mercury asked. "Is that my name?"
"Don't you remember?"
Mercury's brow furrowed. "I don't know. It's so hard to
think. It's like I don't have a brain to think with."
"Oh, Ami-chan!" sobbed Sailor Moon.
"SAILOR MOON!" shrieked Luna. "Look out!"
Sailor Moon whirled just in time to see Princess Nocturn
stalking her from behind. Before she could react, Luna landed on
Nocturn's face, claws out. The cat viciously slashed Nocturn,
forcing the dark beauty to fall back. Pushing off of her, Luna
followed Sailor Moon as she dragged Mercury back to the sunlit path.
"You'll pay for that, Princess Serenity!" spat Nocturn angrily.
"I only wanted the pendant before! Now I'll make you pay for siccing
your beast on me!"
"You should talk!" railed Sailor Moon, clutching Mercury
protectively. "What did you do to her mind? How could you be so
cruel?"
"To see the anguish it gives you would be reason enough,"
Nocturn smiled with evil glee. She wiped the blood away from the
wounds on her cheek with her thumb and lapped at it.
"You monster!" snapped Sailor Moon. "What have you done with
my other friends?"
Nocturn extended her black-gloved hand, the fingers long and
pointed like the talons of an eagle. "Give me the pendant and I'll
tell you."
"Don't do it!" hissed Luna, her back arched. "She's lying! We
must keep going!"
"But Luna," Sailor Moon protested, clearly torn.
"I'd sooner wager on getting help from this Sorceress of Ny.
We shant get any help from Nocturn!"
Convinced by Luna, Sailor Moon helped Sailor Mercury to her
feet. When Mercury proves to be still wobbly on her feet, Sailor
Moon braced the girl against her own body and supported her as they
walked.
"Very well, Princess Serenity," Nocturn scowled. "Let whatever
fate they suffer be on your head."
Luna saw the comment pierced Sailor Moon's heart. "Pay her no
mind, Sailor Moon. You did the right thing."
"I hope so," Sailor Moon said with a trembling voice. "Ami, do
you remember anything?"
"I'm sorry," Mercury replied contritely. "It's just so hard to
think, after a while I just get tired of trying."
"Boy, I know how that goes," muttered Sailor Moon.
"Is your beast supposed to talk? I don't recall if they're
supposed to or not."
"Only very talented ones such as myself can talk," Luna said,
ignoring Sailor Moon's disapproving glare. "Although in this realm
it's hard to say. And I'd much prefer you call me 'Luna' and not
'beast'."
"I'm sorry," whispered Mercury. "If I were smarter, I'd know
that."
"Don't worry, Ami. We'll find a way to get you back. I
promise," Sailor Moon said.
After they walked a short distance down the path, Mercury
seemed to gain enough strength and confidence in her legs to walk on
her own. Relieved of her burden, Sailor Moon was able to take on a
quicker pace, but she hung back, glancing nervously at Mercury in
case she stumbled again. Luna, too, found herself glancing with
concern at their hampered companion.
"Sailor Mercury," Luna asked, "do you recall anything that
happened to you before we found you?"
Mercury kept walking, blissfully silent.
"Sailor Mercury?"
"Ami-chan?" asked Sailor Moon.
"Hmm?" Mercury said, her attention caught. "I'm sorry, were
you speaking to me?"
"Well, yes," Luna replied incredulously.
"Forgive me. I didn't realize it because you used that strange
name instead of 'Ami-chan'."
"That's your name," Luna said.
"I thought it was 'Ami-chan'."
"It is." Luna gasped out a sigh, then explained. "You have
two names, because you have two identities. When you wear these
clothes, you're Sailor Mercury. When you don't, you're Ami."
Mercury's brow furrowed. "This is very confusing."
"That's nothing," Sailor Moon assured her. "Luna goes out of
her way to be confusing. I think she thinks it makes her seem
smarter."
"Sailor Moon! That is rank character assassination!" protested
Luna.
"It's not character whatsis if it's true!" Sailor Moon huffed,
sticking out her tongue at Luna. "Don't forget, I know just how many
headaches you've given me! Now stop confusing her!"
"Perhaps we should talk instead about how many headaches you've
given me?" Luna huffed back.
"Please, don't fight on my account," whimpered Mercury. "It
isn't Luna's fault that I can't keep up. I try, but I can't seem to
do it. Someone as forceful and intelligent as you probably has no
idea what it's like." Luna smothered a laugh and Sailor Moon shot
her another glare. "But the fault is mine. I'm sorry for causing
all of this trouble for you."
"Don't concern yourself, Sailor Mercury. Perhaps when we talk
to this Sorceress of Ny, she can lift the spell that's on you."
"I have a spell on me?"
"Well, yes!" Sailor Moon said.
"I'm sorry. If I were smarter, I'd know that. What does it
do?"
Sailor Moon searched her mind for a delicate way to put it.
"It, um, makes you stupid."
"Deftly put," scowled Luna.
"Are you saying I wasn't always stupid?" gasped Mercury.
"No! Ami, you were the smartest person I ever met!" gasped
Sailor Moon.
"I thought my name was Sailor Mercury?" Luna emitted a grunt
of frustration and swatted Sailor Moon on the heel.
"You're right, Mercury," Sailor Moon grimaced. "That was my
fault. But you were the smartest one of all of us! You could score
higher on one test than I could score on three combined! And you
knew everything!"
"And this spell took that away?"
Sailor Moon nodded.
"And this Sorceress can make me smart again?"
"It's worth a shot," smiled Sailor Moon. Mercury squared her
shoulders in resolution.
"Then let's go!" gasped Mercury excitedly. "We have to see
this Sorceress today! Right now! I don't like being stupid!"
Mercury spun on her heel, took a resolute step forward - - and
promptly fell on her face. Sailor Moon and Luna both flew to her
side.
"Ami-chan - - um, Mercury! Are you hurt?" gasped Sailor Moon
as she helped Mercury up to her knees.
"No, I'm just shaken up a little," Mercury said contritely.
"What happened?" Luna asked. "Did your legs get weak again?"
"No, I," and Mercury blushed a deep red, "just forgot how to
walk"
Luna and Sailor Moon both sagged with mounting exasperation.
Continued in Chapter 3
based on the novel by L. Frank Baum
Chapter 2: "In Search of a Brain"
By Bill K.
"How much further?" whined Sailor Moon as she trudged down the
sunlit path. "My feet are killing me!"
"Oh, stop whining," groused Luna. "It hasn't been that long!"
"It has, too! We must have walked a hundred miles!"
"We've only been walking about twenty-five minutes. I'd say
we've covered about one mile."
"A MILE!" gasped Sailor Moon. She plopped down in the center
of the path. "I've got to rest!"
"You know if you wouldn't sleep until noon, you'd be in better
shape."
"And if you didn't know how to talk, you wouldn't nag so much!"
pouted Sailor Moon.
"Nag? Really! I'm giving you good advice! You know, Usagi,
you cover more ground than this trolling the mall!"
"Well I've got incentive there!"
"Finding the other senshi and getting back home isn't
incentive?" Luna asked pointedly.
Sailor Moon hunched her shoulders and glared.
"I hate it when you're right," she grumbled. Luna smirked.
Climbing back up to her feet, Sailor Moon and Luna continued
down the sunlit path. To the right was a dark, creepy forest; to the
left was fields and farmland made ominous by the oppressive shadows
draped over them. It made Sailor Moon uneasy and she tried to focus
on the bright path ahead, but she found her gaze continually drifting
back to it.
"This whole place is creepy," Sailor Moon said.
"I'll grant you that," Luna replied. "And this Princess
Nocturn doesn't strike me as a very nice person, if you'll grant me a
huge understatement. Still, I wonder what Princess Appolonia's
interests in this are. Is she just being altruistic or does she have
something to gain as well?"
"I don't know about her being altruistic, but she's got a good
heart. I can feel it."
"Well I'll trust your instinct in that matter. And by the way,
altruistic MEANS having a good heart."
"Well I don't know! I don't speak English, remember?"
"You would if you'd pay attention to your studies."
"Luna, you're nagging again!" Sailor Moon said through gritted
teeth.
"Humph!" Luna responded.
The pair continued on down the path, glancing nervously to the
right and left. The occasional shadow that seemed to shift or move
out of the corner of their eyes didn't help the nerves of either one
of them.
"Luna," Sailor Moon said as they continued walking. "Does it
feel like we're being watched?"
"I wouldn't doubt it," Luna replied. "That Princess Nocturn
seemed quite intent on getting that pendant from you. She's likely
to try again, so do be on guard."
"I wonder what's so special about it. Do you think it's why I
can't summon my Moon Tier?" There was no response. "Luna?"
She turned back and saw Luna rooted to the path, listening
intently.
"Luna, what is it?"
"Quiet, Sailor Moon," Luna whispered. She listened for a few
moments more. "Do you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
"It sounds like someone moaning." Suddenly galvanized to
action, Luna sprinted off down the path. "This way!"
Sailor Moon sprinted off after her. They followed the path
around a bend, then stopped short, staring in horror at the sight
just ahead of them.
In the midst of a dark and ominous field planted with some
strange stalk for a crop was Sailor Mercury. She was bound to a
wooden cross and dangled limply from the crossbar, in obvious pain.
Flitting around her were black flying creatures that resembled bats
but weren't quite. One would occasionally buzz Mercury and rake her
with its feet or wings, drawing another distressed moan from the limp
girl.
"Ami-chan!" shrieked Sailor Moon.
"Sailor Moon, stop!" Luna cried as Sailor Moon bolted for the
shadowy field. She came to a halt just at the edge of the sunlit
path. "It has to be a trap Nocturn has set for you!"
"But we have to help Mercury!" Sailor Moon cried. She
concentrated briefly. "And I still can't summon the Moon Tier!"
"Use your tiara!" Luna said sharply. "It may still work!"
Ripping her tiara from her head, Sailor Moon reached back and
flung it at the dark creatures, shouting "Moon Tiara Action!" The
tiara changed to an energy disk, arcing at impossible angles as it
cut a swath through the creatures. Those that didn't explode into
dust quickly retreated. Once its mission was accomplished, the tiara
returned to its mistress. Sailor Moon looked impatiently at Luna for
permission to venture into the shadowy field.
"Very well," Luna concluded reluctantly. "But do be careful!"
Sailor Moon nodded and quickly, but cautiously passed through
the stalks toward Mercury. The withered leaves of the stalks seemed
to clutch at her, but Sailor Moon suppressed her fear and pressed on.
She reached Mercury and began undoing the knots on the ropes holding
the girl to the wooden stake. Mercury lifted her head with
difficulty and looked at her.
"Thank you," she croaked, giving Sailor Moon a weak smile.
Sailor Moon could see scratches on her face and arms and her heart
broke.
"I'll have you loose in a second," Sailor Moon choked out.
"All right," Mercury nodded, then looked up at her blankly.
"Who are you?" Sailor Moon stopped for a moment and stared in shock.
"A-Ami-chan," Sailor Moon choked. "It's me! Sailor Moon!"
The rope parted. Mercury took a hesitant step forward and staggered.
Sailor Moon swooped over and caught her before she fell.
"Ami-chan?" Mercury asked. "Is that my name?"
"Don't you remember?"
Mercury's brow furrowed. "I don't know. It's so hard to
think. It's like I don't have a brain to think with."
"Oh, Ami-chan!" sobbed Sailor Moon.
"SAILOR MOON!" shrieked Luna. "Look out!"
Sailor Moon whirled just in time to see Princess Nocturn
stalking her from behind. Before she could react, Luna landed on
Nocturn's face, claws out. The cat viciously slashed Nocturn,
forcing the dark beauty to fall back. Pushing off of her, Luna
followed Sailor Moon as she dragged Mercury back to the sunlit path.
"You'll pay for that, Princess Serenity!" spat Nocturn angrily.
"I only wanted the pendant before! Now I'll make you pay for siccing
your beast on me!"
"You should talk!" railed Sailor Moon, clutching Mercury
protectively. "What did you do to her mind? How could you be so
cruel?"
"To see the anguish it gives you would be reason enough,"
Nocturn smiled with evil glee. She wiped the blood away from the
wounds on her cheek with her thumb and lapped at it.
"You monster!" snapped Sailor Moon. "What have you done with
my other friends?"
Nocturn extended her black-gloved hand, the fingers long and
pointed like the talons of an eagle. "Give me the pendant and I'll
tell you."
"Don't do it!" hissed Luna, her back arched. "She's lying! We
must keep going!"
"But Luna," Sailor Moon protested, clearly torn.
"I'd sooner wager on getting help from this Sorceress of Ny.
We shant get any help from Nocturn!"
Convinced by Luna, Sailor Moon helped Sailor Mercury to her
feet. When Mercury proves to be still wobbly on her feet, Sailor
Moon braced the girl against her own body and supported her as they
walked.
"Very well, Princess Serenity," Nocturn scowled. "Let whatever
fate they suffer be on your head."
Luna saw the comment pierced Sailor Moon's heart. "Pay her no
mind, Sailor Moon. You did the right thing."
"I hope so," Sailor Moon said with a trembling voice. "Ami, do
you remember anything?"
"I'm sorry," Mercury replied contritely. "It's just so hard to
think, after a while I just get tired of trying."
"Boy, I know how that goes," muttered Sailor Moon.
"Is your beast supposed to talk? I don't recall if they're
supposed to or not."
"Only very talented ones such as myself can talk," Luna said,
ignoring Sailor Moon's disapproving glare. "Although in this realm
it's hard to say. And I'd much prefer you call me 'Luna' and not
'beast'."
"I'm sorry," whispered Mercury. "If I were smarter, I'd know
that."
"Don't worry, Ami. We'll find a way to get you back. I
promise," Sailor Moon said.
After they walked a short distance down the path, Mercury
seemed to gain enough strength and confidence in her legs to walk on
her own. Relieved of her burden, Sailor Moon was able to take on a
quicker pace, but she hung back, glancing nervously at Mercury in
case she stumbled again. Luna, too, found herself glancing with
concern at their hampered companion.
"Sailor Mercury," Luna asked, "do you recall anything that
happened to you before we found you?"
Mercury kept walking, blissfully silent.
"Sailor Mercury?"
"Ami-chan?" asked Sailor Moon.
"Hmm?" Mercury said, her attention caught. "I'm sorry, were
you speaking to me?"
"Well, yes," Luna replied incredulously.
"Forgive me. I didn't realize it because you used that strange
name instead of 'Ami-chan'."
"That's your name," Luna said.
"I thought it was 'Ami-chan'."
"It is." Luna gasped out a sigh, then explained. "You have
two names, because you have two identities. When you wear these
clothes, you're Sailor Mercury. When you don't, you're Ami."
Mercury's brow furrowed. "This is very confusing."
"That's nothing," Sailor Moon assured her. "Luna goes out of
her way to be confusing. I think she thinks it makes her seem
smarter."
"Sailor Moon! That is rank character assassination!" protested
Luna.
"It's not character whatsis if it's true!" Sailor Moon huffed,
sticking out her tongue at Luna. "Don't forget, I know just how many
headaches you've given me! Now stop confusing her!"
"Perhaps we should talk instead about how many headaches you've
given me?" Luna huffed back.
"Please, don't fight on my account," whimpered Mercury. "It
isn't Luna's fault that I can't keep up. I try, but I can't seem to
do it. Someone as forceful and intelligent as you probably has no
idea what it's like." Luna smothered a laugh and Sailor Moon shot
her another glare. "But the fault is mine. I'm sorry for causing
all of this trouble for you."
"Don't concern yourself, Sailor Mercury. Perhaps when we talk
to this Sorceress of Ny, she can lift the spell that's on you."
"I have a spell on me?"
"Well, yes!" Sailor Moon said.
"I'm sorry. If I were smarter, I'd know that. What does it
do?"
Sailor Moon searched her mind for a delicate way to put it.
"It, um, makes you stupid."
"Deftly put," scowled Luna.
"Are you saying I wasn't always stupid?" gasped Mercury.
"No! Ami, you were the smartest person I ever met!" gasped
Sailor Moon.
"I thought my name was Sailor Mercury?" Luna emitted a grunt
of frustration and swatted Sailor Moon on the heel.
"You're right, Mercury," Sailor Moon grimaced. "That was my
fault. But you were the smartest one of all of us! You could score
higher on one test than I could score on three combined! And you
knew everything!"
"And this spell took that away?"
Sailor Moon nodded.
"And this Sorceress can make me smart again?"
"It's worth a shot," smiled Sailor Moon. Mercury squared her
shoulders in resolution.
"Then let's go!" gasped Mercury excitedly. "We have to see
this Sorceress today! Right now! I don't like being stupid!"
Mercury spun on her heel, took a resolute step forward - - and
promptly fell on her face. Sailor Moon and Luna both flew to her
side.
"Ami-chan - - um, Mercury! Are you hurt?" gasped Sailor Moon
as she helped Mercury up to her knees.
"No, I'm just shaken up a little," Mercury said contritely.
"What happened?" Luna asked. "Did your legs get weak again?"
"No, I," and Mercury blushed a deep red, "just forgot how to
walk"
Luna and Sailor Moon both sagged with mounting exasperation.
Continued in Chapter 3