I clutched my henshin pen to my chest, and walked slowly to the door. I
tiptoed to the door as quietly as possible. The knocking had stopped, but I
could tell that someone was still there. Looking through the peephole, my
breath came in short bursts. I let my breath out in a whoosh, and shoved my
henshin pen into my pocket, then answered the door.
"Hi. Small sausage pizza, that'll be 850 yen." The pizza delivery boy stood in front of me, with a hand outstretched. "Thanks a lot," I said, giving a generous tip. I grabbed the pizza, and the boy said, "Hey, thank YOU!" I started to close the door, when the boy said, "Wait a sec."
I poked my head back out and asked, "Yes? What's wrong?"
The boy handed me an envelope. "This was taped to the door when I got here." Perplexed, I took the simple white envelope from the boy. "Thank you. Bye." The boy tipped his hat to me, and went down the stairs, where his delivery bike awaited.
I closed the door and walked over to the kitchen, wondering what could possibly be in the envelope. We just paid our rent, so that can't be it…
I placed the pizza on the stovetop and grabbed a knife. I turned the envelope over and over in my hands. Plain white envelope, no writing, just sealed in the back. I sliced the top crease of the envelope with my knife and peeked inside. There was a legal-size letter inside, folded up. I feel like a detective!
I carefully unfolded each crease, flattening it out. I came to the last fold, and carefully opened it. When I saw it, I dropped the knife on the floor, and the hard pit came back to my stomach with a vengeance.
In the middle of the paper was the dark moon symbol, burned into the fibers of the paper. The upside-down crescent charred into the paper was bordered by each Senshi's symbol. I turned the paper around and looked at each symbol. Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Pluto… The Mercury and Moon symbols were missing. Where are mine and Usagi's symbols? Why are they the only ones missing?
I gently placed the paper on the kitchen table, then ran down the hall to retrieve my Mercury computer. I found it under my Calculus book, and I went back to the kitchen. I opened it, and typed in the time I received the letter, everything I knew about it, and scanned it with the computer. I set it on the table, and served myself a couple slices of pizza.
As I poured a glass of water, the computer beeped to inform me that it was done analyzing. I picked up the computer and it read, "DANGER: NEGATIVE ENERGY ALERT" That's never happened before, it must be close
I sat down with my pizza and the paper and scrutinized it. I memorized and analyzed every square centimeter of that paper. Who could have sent it to me? Balancing my third piece of pizza in one hand, I turned the paper over for the hundredth time. This is definitely a matter for the senshi… Speaking of which, where are Greg, Minako, Makoto, and Rei? He called over an hour and a half ago!
Just then, I heard a soft knock at the door. Checking the clock, I saw it was almost ten o'clock. Who could it be? I clutched my henshin pen to my chest, just in case, and went over to the door. The light taps persisted, and I quietly walked to the door. Looking through the peephole, I saw absolute darkness. It was covered with something; I remembered that it was clean when I got the pizza earlier. Then I heard the beeping. I craned my neck toward the kitchen, and my computer's screen was flashing. I tiptoed over to it, and the words, "DANGER: NEGATIVE ENERGY IN CLOSE PROXIMITY" were flashing red and black.
My heart thundered in my chest. This is it, Mercury. You must defend yourself and your home.
I shouted the transformation words, "Mercury Crystal Power Transform!" I felt my feet lift off the floor, and I began to spin around while bubbles swathed me, and dressed me in my sailor fuku. When my transformation was complete, I took a deep breath and pressed my left earring. The VR Visor appeared before my eyes, and examined what was behind my door.
You're not going to take me without a fight, whoever you are! When my VR Visor locked in the target, it showed a human-like figure and read, "Black Moon Clan Member #6838" I frowned. How could anyone from the Black Moon be alive? We destroyed every member, aside from the Akayashi sisters, who we converted to good…
Yet, there it was! Number 6838, whoever that was… I grabbed my Sailor Communicator and whispered into it, "Sailor Scout emergency! I'm in serious trouble, guys! Does anyone read me?" I paused, and nobody answered. I repeated, "Emergency! Does anyone read? This is Mercury, in serious danger!"
I heard nothing but static, and I bit my lip. Nobody can hear me—what would Luna tell me to do? I thought and thought, and decided to open the door. As soon as I saw who it was, I could record it into my communicator. That way, if they take me, I can leave a trail, or a clue as to who took me.
On the count of one, two…
My hand closed over the doorknob.
THREE!
I whipped it open, and came face to face with…a set of azure eyes, deep as the oceans of Neptune. They sparkled like diamonds; so deep they were, that they almost put me into a trance.
The man teleported in front of me, and I got a full look at him.
He looked the same as he did the last time I saw him, dying at the hands of the Wise Man, so long ago. He wore the same white shoes, pants, navy jacket, and those deep blue eyes.
I posed to perform my Aqua Rhapsody attack and asked, "Sapphire, what are you doing here?"
He stepped forward knelt in front of me. "Princess of Mercury. I have come as a messenger. Our Dark Moon family has been reborn, and I have come to take you as my Queen. Do you accept?"
I pulled my hand away from him and asked, "Do I get a choice?" I backed slowly away, toward the kitchen.
Every step I took, he took two to match, and before I knew it, he had me cornered. He pressed my shoulders against the wall with amazing force.
His voice was soft as velvet, and he whispered, "No, you don't have a choice. But do not fear; you won't be alone for long. My big brother has a special interest in your friend, Usagi. So you'll get to keep each other company. Now let's go."
I worked up my courage, and spat in his face. "Never!" I growled, trying to mask my fear.
He let go of me for a moment to wipe his face, and I leaped at my last grasp of freedom. I called upon my powers and shouted, "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" I strummed my harp and unleashed my most powerful attack at him.
He extended his arm and muttered a couple words, and my attack dissipated before him. My mouth was agape, and he roughly grabbed my gloved hand. A black portal opened before me, and he walked into it, dragging me behind him.
I screamed with all my heart, hoping that someone would hear me before I was gone forever into the portal. Anyone, please hear me! Before I knew if my cries were heard, I felt my body go limp. So weak… I lost consciousness, and the darkness shrouded me, as I was teleported to the Black Moon of Nemesis.
"Hi. Small sausage pizza, that'll be 850 yen." The pizza delivery boy stood in front of me, with a hand outstretched. "Thanks a lot," I said, giving a generous tip. I grabbed the pizza, and the boy said, "Hey, thank YOU!" I started to close the door, when the boy said, "Wait a sec."
I poked my head back out and asked, "Yes? What's wrong?"
The boy handed me an envelope. "This was taped to the door when I got here." Perplexed, I took the simple white envelope from the boy. "Thank you. Bye." The boy tipped his hat to me, and went down the stairs, where his delivery bike awaited.
I closed the door and walked over to the kitchen, wondering what could possibly be in the envelope. We just paid our rent, so that can't be it…
I placed the pizza on the stovetop and grabbed a knife. I turned the envelope over and over in my hands. Plain white envelope, no writing, just sealed in the back. I sliced the top crease of the envelope with my knife and peeked inside. There was a legal-size letter inside, folded up. I feel like a detective!
I carefully unfolded each crease, flattening it out. I came to the last fold, and carefully opened it. When I saw it, I dropped the knife on the floor, and the hard pit came back to my stomach with a vengeance.
In the middle of the paper was the dark moon symbol, burned into the fibers of the paper. The upside-down crescent charred into the paper was bordered by each Senshi's symbol. I turned the paper around and looked at each symbol. Mars, Jupiter, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, Saturn, Pluto… The Mercury and Moon symbols were missing. Where are mine and Usagi's symbols? Why are they the only ones missing?
I gently placed the paper on the kitchen table, then ran down the hall to retrieve my Mercury computer. I found it under my Calculus book, and I went back to the kitchen. I opened it, and typed in the time I received the letter, everything I knew about it, and scanned it with the computer. I set it on the table, and served myself a couple slices of pizza.
As I poured a glass of water, the computer beeped to inform me that it was done analyzing. I picked up the computer and it read, "DANGER: NEGATIVE ENERGY ALERT" That's never happened before, it must be close
I sat down with my pizza and the paper and scrutinized it. I memorized and analyzed every square centimeter of that paper. Who could have sent it to me? Balancing my third piece of pizza in one hand, I turned the paper over for the hundredth time. This is definitely a matter for the senshi… Speaking of which, where are Greg, Minako, Makoto, and Rei? He called over an hour and a half ago!
Just then, I heard a soft knock at the door. Checking the clock, I saw it was almost ten o'clock. Who could it be? I clutched my henshin pen to my chest, just in case, and went over to the door. The light taps persisted, and I quietly walked to the door. Looking through the peephole, I saw absolute darkness. It was covered with something; I remembered that it was clean when I got the pizza earlier. Then I heard the beeping. I craned my neck toward the kitchen, and my computer's screen was flashing. I tiptoed over to it, and the words, "DANGER: NEGATIVE ENERGY IN CLOSE PROXIMITY" were flashing red and black.
My heart thundered in my chest. This is it, Mercury. You must defend yourself and your home.
I shouted the transformation words, "Mercury Crystal Power Transform!" I felt my feet lift off the floor, and I began to spin around while bubbles swathed me, and dressed me in my sailor fuku. When my transformation was complete, I took a deep breath and pressed my left earring. The VR Visor appeared before my eyes, and examined what was behind my door.
You're not going to take me without a fight, whoever you are! When my VR Visor locked in the target, it showed a human-like figure and read, "Black Moon Clan Member #6838" I frowned. How could anyone from the Black Moon be alive? We destroyed every member, aside from the Akayashi sisters, who we converted to good…
Yet, there it was! Number 6838, whoever that was… I grabbed my Sailor Communicator and whispered into it, "Sailor Scout emergency! I'm in serious trouble, guys! Does anyone read me?" I paused, and nobody answered. I repeated, "Emergency! Does anyone read? This is Mercury, in serious danger!"
I heard nothing but static, and I bit my lip. Nobody can hear me—what would Luna tell me to do? I thought and thought, and decided to open the door. As soon as I saw who it was, I could record it into my communicator. That way, if they take me, I can leave a trail, or a clue as to who took me.
On the count of one, two…
My hand closed over the doorknob.
THREE!
I whipped it open, and came face to face with…a set of azure eyes, deep as the oceans of Neptune. They sparkled like diamonds; so deep they were, that they almost put me into a trance.
The man teleported in front of me, and I got a full look at him.
He looked the same as he did the last time I saw him, dying at the hands of the Wise Man, so long ago. He wore the same white shoes, pants, navy jacket, and those deep blue eyes.
I posed to perform my Aqua Rhapsody attack and asked, "Sapphire, what are you doing here?"
He stepped forward knelt in front of me. "Princess of Mercury. I have come as a messenger. Our Dark Moon family has been reborn, and I have come to take you as my Queen. Do you accept?"
I pulled my hand away from him and asked, "Do I get a choice?" I backed slowly away, toward the kitchen.
Every step I took, he took two to match, and before I knew it, he had me cornered. He pressed my shoulders against the wall with amazing force.
His voice was soft as velvet, and he whispered, "No, you don't have a choice. But do not fear; you won't be alone for long. My big brother has a special interest in your friend, Usagi. So you'll get to keep each other company. Now let's go."
I worked up my courage, and spat in his face. "Never!" I growled, trying to mask my fear.
He let go of me for a moment to wipe his face, and I leaped at my last grasp of freedom. I called upon my powers and shouted, "Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!" I strummed my harp and unleashed my most powerful attack at him.
He extended his arm and muttered a couple words, and my attack dissipated before him. My mouth was agape, and he roughly grabbed my gloved hand. A black portal opened before me, and he walked into it, dragging me behind him.
I screamed with all my heart, hoping that someone would hear me before I was gone forever into the portal. Anyone, please hear me! Before I knew if my cries were heard, I felt my body go limp. So weak… I lost consciousness, and the darkness shrouded me, as I was teleported to the Black Moon of Nemesis.
