Revised Version
Act 7 "Minako's big day! The reawakening of a nightmare!"
It was a lazy autumn day in Tokyo. The trees were now nearly naked and the stone square of the Hikawa Shrine was strewn with crimson and gold colored leaves. Dressed in her traditional miko kimono, Rei opened the door of her home and welcomed the wind spirit in. A sigh escaped the lips of the raven-haired miko.
It's late autumn now. I wonder when the snow will start to fall? Rei thought to herself. Her eyes rolled upward as she counted off the things that needed to be done before winter starts knocking on her door. "Let's see, the young saplings will have to be protected from the cold with ropes. When the snow comes we'll need to bring out the snow shovel. The wood for the fire pyre needs to be restocked…"
Upon remembering the pyre where she does her fire readings, Rei stopped. The ghostly image of Black Lady hovered in the background, the mysterious enemies snickering before her. A cold wind had suddenly began to blow: a wind that chilled the bones. Rei brought a finger to her lips as she worriedly recollected the memories of the reading she had done a few months past.
Could it be that Black Lady is…Rei shook her head. The enemy from Nemesis had been defeated years before and Wise Man's gone. But Chibi Usa… The miko looked down at her feet. Black Lady is an altered form of Chibi Usa. She's the manifestation of her anger, hate, despair and loneliness. But everything's different now. Chibi Usa has many friends and family who love her very much, and she knows that!
Rei shook her head once again in order to clear her thoughts. Still, inside I'm sure she's not happy right now due to the loose of her power, and there's nothing she or anyone else could do about it. But is it fair to say that we should be concerned about her becoming Black Lady again, after all these years as a senshi?
Another gust sent the miko's raven hair soaring into the air, swaying and bobbing behind her. Rei looked up at the sky at patches of cloud float by. The shifting white smoke provided no answer on their never-ending journey.
"If I tell the others about the premonition Chibi Usa would only feel worse then she does now." Looking back down, Rei's brows came together for a brief moment before she decided reluctantly, I guess we'll have to wait and see…for now.
In Usagi's room, newspaper, magazines and tourist guides were strewn over and around all the blonde's bed. With her face buried in the entertainment section of the newspaper, Usagi's big, watery puppy eyes gradually appeared over the edge of the creased newsprint.
A whimper escaped Usagi's throat as she plopped down onto her bed in defeat. "I can't believe this! For once Mamo-chan has time to go on a date with me, and here I am, not knowing where to go!"
Usagi popped back up and looked down at the pictures she had picked out, counting her finger as she envisioned the possibilities. "Should I go to the amusement park, that new classy French restaurant, or a romantic night out by Tokyo Bay? Oh, I just don't know!" as Usagi waved her finger back and forth above the pictures, Chibi Usa came into the room.
"What are you doing, Usagi?" Chibi Usa asked with a suspicious twitch of her eyebrow.
Usagi quickly grabbed the pictures and hid them behind her back, her face slightly pink. "Oh nothing. I'm just-uh-doing some research for my marketing and advertising class that's all, yeah, that's right."
Chibi Usa' eyebrow dropped even lower than before. "Usagi, you don't take marketing and advertisement."
Usagi blinked, "Oh…uh, right…"
The ringing of the telephone temporarily distracted Chibi Usa's attention, allowing Usagi a much needed loop hole as she quickly answered the whining ear piece "Hello?"
"USAGI!"
Stretching her arm out to get the phone as far from her stunned eardrum as possible, Usagi rushed the speaker back to her mouth and stuck her finger into her ear to drain out some of the noise, "Minako, is that you?! You almost blew out my ear drums ya know!"
Chibi Usa walked toward the deafened blonde and kneeled down beside the bed where she could clearly hear Minako's excited cries even without the speaker on.
"Guess what, guess what! I just got tickets to my movie's premiere and I'm going to invite everyone to come and watch it for the first time!"
Usagi suddenly seemed to have contracted Minako's enthusiasm as she screamed back into the receiver "Really?! That's so cool! Thanks Minako!"
Chibi Usa looked puzzled "Movie? Since when is Minako-chan in a movie?"
Usagi covered the phone and quickly explained "Minako finished filming her new movie just a few weeks before you came back. It's coming out this weekend and she has the leading role!"
Awestruck, Chibi Usa's eyes widened. "You mean that new Sailor V movie 'The Return of Sailor V', the one that everyone has been so excited about? Is Minako playing the part of Sailor V?!"
Hearing the amazed teenager, Minako chirped happily "Yup! That's me, champion of justice! Oh yeah, I have more then enough tickets for all of us and some extras as well so we can bring the others too." A thought entered Usagi's head as she suddenly turned away from Chibi Usa and said in a rather sheepish voice, her hand shielding her voice.
"Oh, well actually do you think you can just give me two?"
The little request did not go unheard by Chibi Usa's sharp ears as she quickly butted in and looked at her future mother with knowing red eyes. "Usagi, just because Mamo-chan asked you on a date doesn't mean that you should give us the cold shoulder and let us miss the chance to be the first to see Minako's movie!"
Usagi nearly jumped off her bed and looked in astonishment at the younger woman's intuitiveness. "How-how did you know?!"
Chibi Usa pointed her finger as-a-matter-of-factly to the highly noticeable mess of news papers and magazines near and on the bed. "These are today's entertainment section, plus the magazine you have titles like 'Evening on the Town' and 'Secret Hangouts'. Not to mention the obvious fact that you were dancing around the house after Mamo-chan called this morning."
Usagi sweat dropped, feeling both embarrassed and just a bit cheated knowing that her secret plans for the weekend have been revealed so easily, not to mention by her own future daughter to boot.
"Hello, Usagi, Chibi Usa-chan? You guys still there?"
Upon hearing Minako's voice, Usagi placed the phone back to her ear "Yeah?"
A thoughtful tone reached the blue-eyed moon princess' ears as she listened. "Actually, I was thinking, since this is my first big movie deal and we have both Chibi Usa and Helios here, why don't they come as well? It'd be fun!"
Defeated by Minako's unusually generous offer, Usagi didn't have much of a choice as she received an enthusiastic nod from Chibi Usa.
Sighing heavily in defeat, Usagi listlessly agreed and set up the date with Minako to meet her at the New Tokyo Cinema on Sunday night.
"All right then! I'll see you guys later, I've still got to call everyone else and invite them as well. Later!"
After turning off the phone, Usgai sniffed and started crying in a very callow manner, with dramatic streams of tears pouring down onto the floor like loose water fountains. Chibi Usa sighed and tried to comfort Usagi, something she doesn't do very often. "Come on Usagi! I'm sure you want to see Minako-chan's movie as well, and it'll be a lot more fun with everyone there."
Usagi sniffed dramatically and nodded, her lips still curling downwards. "I know, I know. Guess Minako does have a point." Slowly, a sincere smile replaced the frown on Usgai's face as she sniffed back the last drops of tears. "After all, Mamo-chan and I can always go on a date some other time, but you and Helios can't be with us forever." The two Tsukino girls smiled at each other before Usagi picked up the phone and dialed Mamoru's number to tell him about the change of plans.
At this point, Chibi Usa remembered something and asked Usagi, "You know, I don't get it. How come you guys didn't mention Minako-chan's movie earlier? It's pretty important after all."
Usagi pondered for a second while the phone ringed. "Minako told us not to tell anyone just yet because she said she wanted to earn her fame by showing people her acting skills and not just through advertisement and gossip. She wants to make it big in the entertainment world by way of her own talent." Usagi stopped when the phone clicked and Mamoru's voice came through the line.
Chibi Usa nodded to herself, acknowledging the oddity of what had taken place in the last few minutes. In all the years she had known Minako she had never heard of an instance in which Minako was trying not to get attention. But the last four years have changed so much in everyone. Usagi and the girls were all in college now, Mamoru's studying overseas at Harvard, even the aloof Outer senshi have softened up a bit as well, proving that time truly was the omnipotent transformer of human lives. So maybe she shouldn't be surprised, Chibi Usa thought to herself, after all, even Minako's got to have her own sense of honor despite her customary fatuous self.
"Hmm, since we're going to a premiere I'd better choose an appropriate outfit. Something not too formal but elegant." With that in mind, Chibi Usa proceeded toward her room to tackle the task.
After walking back into her bedroom, Chibi Usa opened her closet door and took out a handful of clothing, some of which belonged to Usagi (before coming to this century, she couldn't fit enough clothing into her backpack so Chibi Usa borrowed some from Usagi). After laying the clothing articles on the bed, Chibi Usa began scrutinizing each carefully, seeing which dress matched which pair of pants, or which skirt with which shirt. Holding up a supposed white sweater, Chibi Usa noticed that the outfit wasn't white but rather a shade of light lemon yellow.
"Huh?" The puzzled princess placed the sweater down and saw that the yellowish glow was from a beam of raw sunlight that had reflected itself into her room through the two paned windows. The crown princess of Crystal Tokyo was silently drawn toward the intangible ray of gold.
Looking out across the trees she watched as the sun's pillar like rays touched down upon the monotone city through thick clouds, like a celestial being reaching down upon the earth, brightening everything it touched. How strange; the sunlight…it matches the color of Helios' eyes. Chibi Usa thought idly to herself, gently squeezing the sweater in her arms. Realizing the thought that just ran through her head, Chibi Usa suddenly jerked up and blushed. A faint grin appeared on the princess' rosy lips as she held the soft sweater closely to caress her cheeks and hide her creeping flush. Closing her eyes, she allowed her mind free reign to dive into reveries.
Before Hotaru had stated her feelings so plainly, the young princess had been greatly confused by her own emotions. Chibi Usa thought she knew love well, growing up with loving friends and family, and was even fortunate enough to watch the blooming of a miracle romance between her future parents. But no matter how much she thought she knew, now that she'd fallen in love, Chibi Usa suddenly felt like a complete stranger to the subject. However, there's one question that kept swimming around in Chibi Usa's head: what were Helios' feelings about her? Chibi Usa knew Helios liked her of course and has feelings for her, as friends do. Yet, the blushing pink-haired maiden wanted to know if the dream priest felt the same about her as she does about him. However much she wondered though, inside she was afraid, afraid to be rejected, and yes, too timid to ask him openly.
The young woman sighed at her heart's newfound conflict. She opened her eyes slowly and looked up at the window when a pair of red orbs glancing back at her. Chibi Usa took a sharp breath, her hands clutching the sweater tightly, but soon realized that they were simply the reflection of her own ruby eyes. The chilling incident back at school quickly replaced the daydreams. Chibi Usa felt a cold finger creep up her spine. She now held the sweater even closer to her chest, trying to protect herself from her own psychological chill.
"It was just a nightmare." Chibi Usa whispered to herself, trying to forcefully push away those dark memories of days long past. "It's gone now…isn't it?"
Eisen yawned, letting out a long sigh as she twirled her long ear tails restlessly with her finger while boredom was plainly displayed on her face. As she got ready for another yawn, Oro stepped in though her closet. When the gold clad woman looked around, a surprised look appeared on her face. "That's odd, where is everyone?"
Eisen shrugged and kicked up her heels on her makeup stand. "Rame's gone off somewhere by herself and as for that stupid bubble-head she's-" before Eisen could finish the door of the blue closet burst opened, followed by a high pitched squeal.
"Oh this is great! If humans had ever invented anything useful then it would be money!" Argent walked in, carrying three large shopping bags in each hand, each bag marked with the emblem and title of some of the most expansive fashion stores in Tokyo. Argent herself wasn't too shabby neither. She wore a blue cashmere sleeveless turtleneck with a large triangle cut starting from the collarbone, going all the way down until it reached the curves of her breast. A skimpy white skirt revealed more than enough leg to attract the attention of all male pedestrians within her vicinity. A matching jacket neatly covered her slender arms as she proudly placed the heavily laden bags down with ease. Her three-inch heels clicked musically on the polished dressing room floor.
Oro raised an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth tighten a fraction, showing her disapproval. "Argent what have you been doing?"
Argent grinned, flashing her ice colored lipstick. "Shopping of course!" Argent reached into her bag and pulled out a bottle of pearl colored nail polish with glitters. "You won't believe how much I paid for this! Only 2500 yen! But of course price doesn't really matter since I can get anything I want." So saying Argent snapped her finger and a wad of cash appeared in midair and dropped down into her open hand. Argent flipped the money and held it happily.
Shaking her head Oro asked, "But where did the money come from? Don't tell me you robbed a bank?"
Argent shook her head, the money in her hand disappeared with a pop. As she picked up and opened the bottle of nail polish, she explained unhurriedly, "Of course not! I would never do something so savage! But since we got new powers I thought 'why not try it out?' so I conjured up some cash and went shopping!" Her explanation ended with her picking up the nail polish's brush and gently covering her little finger in the shinny stuff.
Eisen sneered at Argent with her piercing red eyes. "Piff! You spent our powers on useless human junk? What a waste of the Black Crystal's power!"
Argent glared back, but instead of her usual rebuke, she smirked. "Well, since I wasted my powers then how did I get this?" So saying she reached into her handbag and took out a small rectangular-shaped piece of paper and held it out proudly as if displaying a trophy.
Oro and Eisen came in for a closer look the curious scrape of colored paper before them.
"World premiere of the new Sailor V movie, 'The Return of Sailor V', staring the talented actress, Minako Aino. Admission for one person." Oro read the writings out loud.
Eisen cocked an eyebrow and asked, "What the hell is this?"
Argent pulled the ticket back to her side and said proudly, "This is the beauty of money. This is the ticket to see the world premiere of the highly anticipated movie that everyone's been talking about." Argent clasped her hand around her cheeks and shook her head dreamily while exhausting a soft sigh. "The lead actress has the cutest smile and she has such a charming voice and pretty face, what's more her acting is simply incredible! She's the truly the epitome of a world class actress!" Leaning forward so that her face was equal with Eisen's, Argent made a taunting face and said mockingly, "But of course an arrogant brat like you won't understand the sophistication needed to appreciate such a fine work of art."
The last sentence got Eisen's blood boiling as she rushed forth, trying to claw at Argent in a rather comical fashion with glowering eyes and exaggerated snarling teeth. Oro grabbed her, trying to hold her back.
"Let me at her, let me at her!" Eisen screamed.
Argent laughed in that high pitched laugh of hers. Unknowingly, as Argent waved her ticket in bravado, she accidentally bumped into her bottle of opened nail polish, causing it to splash freely onto her skirt.
"Argent your dress!" Oro yelled.
Argent snapped her head down toward the soiled skirt and screamed. "Oh no! This is my new skirt too! Ohhh, what am I going to do!" In her rush, Argent absentmindedly placed the ticket on the make up stand and hurriedly into her closet. Seeing Argent gone, Oro let out a deep sigh of relief, and released Eisen from her grasp (who was still fuming loudly).
Eisen glared at the door while Oro looked on, thinking as a little sweat drop hanged haggardly over her head. I guess I'd better leave to let her cool down. My head's hurting after all that shouting. So saying she turned and left as well. Now alone in the dressing room, Eisen turned around sharply and saw the ticket sitting on the counter. Her crimson eyes narrowed for a minute before she grinned in silent satisfaction.
"Unsophisticated brat huh? Well let's see what this 'brat' can do with that actress you admire so much!"
It was a packed crowd at the New Tokyo Cinema. Crowds gathered together like bees converging on a flower. Camera clicked and snapped as photographers took pictures and reporters interviewed audiences as the masses either entered the theater or stood around, caught up in the media uproar. Screaming fans bellowed their delight as actors and other popular idols stepped off from limousines and waved at the cheering crowd.
Chibi Usa and Usagi arrived in this kind of heated atmosphere, quite overwhelmed by the zealous crowd. Chibi Usa wore a long rose colored skirt with a white blouse and a matching sweater (the same one she held in her room) to protect herself against the cold. A simple black satin choker completes the outfit, which kept the young princess warm and retained her youthful gracefulness at the same time. Usagi however, was shaking in a pair of thick black pants, the way she's huddled in her rather one-size-too-big jacket made the champion of love and justice look rather like a hunched back old woman.
"Darn it, it's not even snowing and it's already so freaking cold!" complained Usagi as she shuffled along, rubbing her hands together to keep them from freezing off. Chibi Usa ignored the complaint as she had been listening to them all the way to the theater. When she spotted Makoto and the rest of the girls, she waved at them and began walking towards them, though it was easier said then done.
Once they were able to push through the overwhelming crowd, the two Tsukino girls greeted their friends. Looking around, Chibi Usa spotted some old faces amongst the crowd. Ami was standing with Ryu, her arm warped in his, Chibi Usa noted with a knowing smile. Rei was with a rather shy and nervous Yuuichirou.
"So," asked Chibi Usa after she surveyed the group while the chattering of Usagi's teeth can be heard loud and clear in the background. "Have you guys seen Minako-chan around? And where's Haruka-san and Michiru-san?"
Makoto nodded and motioned toward a particularly noise group of reporters "Minako-chan's busy so we're here waiting for her. But I don't think those three will be able to make it. Minako-chan told me that Haruka is busy preparing for the big race next month, and Michiru and Hotaru are still busy settling down so they couldn't make it."
Hearing this, Chibi Usa made a disappointed look. "That's too bad, I was hoping Hotaru-chan would be here as well."
Rei smiled, "But still, this is so exciting! I had never been to such a fantastic event before! There's so many people and there's loads of celebrities." She looked at Yuuichirou and smiled. "Aren't you glad that we came?"
Yuuichirou nodded shyly, his face obviously red even behind that curtain of unruly hair. Rei looked at Ami. "But I sure didn't expect Ami-chan to come with Ryu-kun. I guess Minako-chan called you guys as well."
Ryu smile and scratched his head "Well actually Ami called and asked me if I would I like to come. She said we should get a break in between studying."
Usagi looked with startled eyes at Ami "Ami-chan not studying?? Wow, and I thought Rei-chan getting a boy friend was big news!"
Rei squinted her eyes at Usagi, hands on her hips while Ami blushed in Ryu's arms. "Just what do you mean by that Odango head?"
Usagi shouted back, the cold seemed to have eased slightly now that her tongue is warming up "Well it's true that you couldn't get a boyfriend all through high school but didn't even realize the guy living at your house likes you!"
Rei's blush neatly matched that of Yuuichirou as she staggered back slightly from the embarrassing comment.
Usagi clasped her hands together, completely forgetting the cold she was trying to hush away just a few minutes ago "But Mamo-chan and I were always destined to be together and nothing in the world can change that. I knew it from the beginning that he and I were meant to be together."
Rei retaliated sardonically "Sure, except that when you two first met you were always at each other's throats."
"You…!" Usagi scowled.
Soon they had started an argument loud enough that many people around them were no longer watching the movie stars but the two women as they argued. Just then Usagi stopped talking. Instead she looked up, causing Rei to look as well.
Chibi Usa noticed Usagi's stare, looked around and smiled when she saw it was Mamoru and Helios moving towards them in the distance. Usagi stepped away from the ring and cheerfully greeted her beloved prince with a bear hug. Chibi Usa smiled at Helios who returned the silent greeting with a equally warm smile.
"Mamo-chan, what took you so long? I was worried sick about you!" Usagi said as she wrapped her arm around Mamoru's arm.
Chibi Usa coughed discreetly and said, "Yeah, except you were arguing with Rei about two seconds ago, and before that you were complaining about the cold when no one else was."
Usagi shot the teenager a death glare and received a sly smirk in response. "Don't you know you should respect your elders?" Usagi pressed.
"How are you suppose to be an 'elder' when you don't even know what you're saying?"
"I do too!"
Thus sparks began to fly between the two. The girls and Mamoru could only shake their heads, knowing that this argument was going to last a while, whilst some people in the crowd looked on to another round from the loud blonde and her companions. Helios only watched, slightly surprised by the rather explosive and unruly behavior of two supposed princesses. Surprise soon turned to amusement and intrigue as the bright flashing lights captured the boy's attention. Looking up, Helios saw the towering beams of light from giant light projectors. The streetlights and the flash of the cameras only added to the vicissitude of light of this strange new surrounding. Above the confusion of lights was the black night sky, its stars too diluted by the city lights to be seen.
The sky here…it's so different from that of Elysian, one can't even see the stars at night… Helios mused to himself as his eyes met the darkened sky.
Suddenly the black patch that was the night sky began to expand, whipping out all the other forms of light. Helios felt his breath caught, taken by surprise by the sudden phenomenon.What's going on? Helios turned his head but all he saw was darkness. When he tried to walk to look for the others he discovered that he couldn't move. Looking down he saw to his horror, stands of icy white silk webs were wrapped around his wrist and ankles, grounding him like an anchor in the pitch-black space. Restrained and bound in the unnerving darkness, an old unpleasant memory began to creep up from the depth of his mind. In the perpetual darkness, a soft but gleeful laugh ringed in the cold frosty air.
"Hey everybody, I hope I haven't kept you waiting!" piped a cheery voice. Helios' head jerked around shapely, and saw Minako standing behind him. Bewildered, the haunting image had disappeared like a puff of smoke in the wind, leaving no traces of its existence except for the crown of cold sweat on the priest's brows.
Minako, dressed in a stylish orange and yellow dress with a pair of knee-length, brown leather boots, smiled cheerfully at her group of friends.
Chibi Usa turned around, no longer interested in arguing with Usagi, proceeded to greet her friend "Minako-chan!"
Makoto smiled warmly, but had a sisterly concern in her voice. "Boy, you must be tired after being mobbed by those reporters. Are you sure you can handle the rest of the evening?"
Minako grinned and waved her hand, brushing away Makoto's concern "Awe, don't worry! Being an actress, these things are expected. After all, as they say 'it comes with the theater'!"
Makoto and the others all smiled awkwardly as Ami shyly corrected Minako "Um, Minako-chan I think the saying is 'it comes with the territory', and not theater."
Minako laughed sweetly and rubbed her head, a little abashed. "Oh well, never mind that! Here's the tickets." Minako reached inside a classy handbag and took out several tickets, her face looking comically apologetic in the bright yellow lights. "Sorry, but two of the seats aren't in the same roll as the rest, apparently my agent didn't order them ahead of times long enough so that all the seats are next to each other. Hope you guys don't mind." Hearing this, an idea simultaneously popped into both Usagi's and Chibi Usa's head. Both girls rushed toward Minako but Chibi Usa-who wasn't as bulked down as Usagi -managed to get to Minako first.
Blushing slightly, she walked up to Minako and said "It's all right, I'll take them."
Minako smiled brilliantly and handed the teenager the two lone tickets while Usagi fumed.
"Well, now that everyone has a ticket, we'd better get going. The movies will start in 15 minutes." The group nodded in unison and proceeded to walk into the theater amongst screaming fans. As Chibi Usa reached the gates, she noticed Helios was still standing where they used to be, as if he'd been planted there. Turning back Chibi Usa noticed Helios' usual bright eyes were without light.
"Helios, what's wrong?"
Trying to regain his composure, Helios gulped and shook his head, but it was not in response to Chibi Usa's question. "Nothing…I-I…" looking up toward the dark entrance, it suddenly reminded him of the eternal darkness he had just witnessed. Helios shook his head hard, trying to clear it of the dread he felt from the darkness. Fighting off a shiver, Helios turned to the matter at hand, and decided to focus his attention on the fidgety little princess standing before him.
"What is it?" he asked, trying to regain control over his unsteady voice as best he could.
Chibi Usa's mouth felt dry and clammy at the same time as she thumbed the two tickets nervously. "Um, do you…want to sit by me during the movie?"
A little surprised by the request, Helios tried to force himself to smile but couldn't. "Sure…"
Seeing his rather lukewarm reply, Chibi Usa's heart sank slightly. She was happy that he agreed, but his manner, being cool and distant; it made her uneasy. Maybe he's just nervous, after all Helios had probably never been around so many people before. Chibi Usa told herself. She reached tentatively for his hand and finally clasped her slender fingers around his. Helios looked down and to Chibi Usa's relief, that smile of his reappeared, though it was weak and small.
Looking back at the dark, void like entrance of the theater, Helios closed his eyes for a second and though determinedly to himself. Calm your nerves Helios. It wasn't real; it was only your imagination. Thinking this, Helios lightly tightened his grip on the young girl's hand then released it, as if to reassure himself of her presence as they stepped down the red carpet and into the theater.
Meanwhile, in the midst of the crowd a lone onlooker with black and red hair watched silently at the group as they disappeared into the theater. Beneath her tilted sunglasses was a pair of crimson eyes. She grinned and took out a ticket from her pocket, pushed her way through the crowd and entered the theater.
After walking to their section, Chibi Usa looked up and gazed at the magnificent theater. Faint, firefly-like lights were lit against the walls, making the hazy room appear almost dream like. But to Helios, the walls somehow seemed closer together and the lights dimmer than they really are. Helios sighed, and pushed back the frightful event outside to the back of his mind as he followed Chibi Usa down the wide but now cramped isle to their seats. Excited murmurs and whispers travel the vast theater, only adding more confusion to the packed crowd. Chibi Usa walked back a little, trying to find her seat when she accidentally lost her balance and stumbled into someone.
Chibi Usa quickly turned around and reached out with her hands after she heard a groan from the person behind her. In the dim lights, Chibi Usa saw that the person on the ground was a short middle-aged man with a thick gray mustache. The person wore a wool vest but no jacket. His stomach protruded beyond his belt and hanged over the side like a lumpy water balloon.
"Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't see you sir!" Chibi Usa apologized just as Helios appeared beside her.
"What's wrong?" he asked but the young man quickly realized what had happened and helped Chibi Usa pull the rather weighty man up.
"You should be careful young lady. You might've hurt yourself if I'd fallen on you." The man said jokingly as he dusted himself off.
Embarrassed, Chibi Usa bowed in apology, her pig-tails swing down by the side of her face. "I'm really sorry sir, I really, really didn't see you."
The man chuckled and dismissed it with a wave of his hand. "Awe, don't worry about it. My old bones won't break so easily, there's nothing to worry about."
Looking down, Chibi Usa noticed the stub of a ticket on the ground. She picked it up and saw that the seat number was right beside her seat. She held the stub out to the man. "Sir, is this yours?"
The man nodded. "Oh yes, I must have dropped it. " He extended his hand and took the ticket back with a smile at the couple. "Now, let us all go to our seat; If we continue to stand here I'm afraid all of us are in danger of being run over."
Chibi Usa looked puzzled by the mild mannered man who had not only not gotten angry but was being very concerned and polite to her.
Meanwhile, Eisen was surveying the theater, her sunglasses now hanging on her shirt collar so she could find her quarry in the dim light. On spotting the blond actress, Eisen smiled and walked boldly forward, a camera appeared out of nowhere in her left hand. While Minako was chatting with her friends, Eisen approached her and put on a fake, excited face.
"Are you Aino-san? The star of this movie?"
Minako looked up and smile her million-dollar smile. "That's me! Can I help you?"
Eisen smiled, and put on a face of fervent ebullience. "Can I please take a picture with you? I'm a big fan and I would absolutely love to have a picture taken with you! It would be such a honor!"
Minako nodded in agreement, but looked disapprovingly at the lighting "It's too dark in here for a picture so I guess we'd better go out side." Turning to Usagi and the others, Minako waved "I'll be back in a bit. You guys sit tight." With a last jaunty wink, Minako walked up the stairs toward the exit with Eisen.
On their way, Chibi Usa saw Minako leave with Eisen. "Who's that?" the curious princess asked out loud. Over hearing her question, the older man sitting to her left chuckled, and thought she was talking about the blonde.
"Why that's the star actress Minako Aino. She's looking fabulous today, I'll say."
Hearing this, Chibi Usa gasped, "You know Minako-chan?"
The man chuckled once again. "Of course I do. I am the director of this film after all!"
Chibi Usa's eyes widened even more as the corner of her mouth twitched. "You're the-the director?!"
Chibi Usa's surprised cry caused Helios to turn his head in curiosity as he listened quietly.
The man laughed heartily, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Santa Clause. "Though I might look a little old for the part, I am the director in question: Kyoshiro Itoh, at your service." With a mock bow toward the young woman beside him, Itoh straightened his back and asked kindly at the two "And who may you be young lady, young man of whom I have the honor of meeting?"
Chibi Usa smiled politely, amused by the elderly man's charming introduction. "I'm Usagi Tsukino, but please call me Chibi Usa."
Helios dipped his head respectfully and said softly but politely, "I am Hikaru Kinyou. Pleased to meet you."
After shaking hands, Itoh looked at Chibi Usa inquisitively. "So, are both of you friends of Minako? I saw her conversing with you earlier outside the theater."
Chibi Usa nodded. Itoh nodded as well, looking pleased "I see. Well, I am very glad you have the fortune of knowing a girl like her."
"What do you mean?" asked Chibi Usa.
Leaning back into his chair, Itoh sighed, "Minako is a very promising young actress," he chuckled lightly. "She may be a bit clumsy at times but her dedication is true."
Turning to meet the young princess' eyes, the grandfatherly director continued softly, "It's not easy for a person to balance a full time career and school at the same time. From what I've heard Minako will often stay up until three in the morning studying and come to the studio the next morning. In all those month during the filming she never missed one session, now that tells you something about a person. Many people had though she won't make it but I could tell she had what it takes, because that girl has the fiercest quality of determination I had ever seen in an actress. She simply won't give in so easily to something she had looked forward to for so long." Stretching out his hand and patting them gently against Chibi Usa's folded hands. He smiled happily. "To have such a person as a friend is a blessing because you know you can always count on her; always."
Taken aback, Chibi Usa smiled to herself and nodded. She remembered the time when Minako overcame the restraints by the Amazon Trio and saved her and the other senshi. Of course there were countless other times she had saved the day, and despite her goofiness and lack of seriousness most of the time, Chibi Usa knew Minako wasn't Sailor Venus, leader of the Inner Senshi for no good reason. A job like that required someone to have all the qualities of a leader and more, and that's just what Minako was.
Outside the theater, Eisen led Minako through a side door to escape the horrendously loud crowd, down through an isolated back alley and into an abandoned lot behind the theater. Minako looked around dubiously, her blue eyes fluttering back and forth between the black and gray walls that encircled her. "Um, I don't think this is a good place for a picture. There's barely any light here and the setting's hardly fitting."
Eisen stopped, her eyes closed. She said softly. "That's the point, Aino-san."
Minako suddenly realized this seemingly enthusiastic fan held ill intentions towards her. She reached into her handbag, her hands griping for her henshin wand.
Just then Minako felt a rash of fiery pain across her hand as she drops the pen onto the ground. Looking up, Minako gasped when she saw a glowing red whip in the hand of the short-haired woman.
Eisen smirked, and as she walked closer she changed back into her original garbs. "I heard that today's the premiere of your movie, so I brought you a little present to make the experience more enjoyable." Eisen ended with a foul grin. She tossed the camera she had into the air and snapped her crimson whip. "I, Eisen, command you to show your true form. Appear to me, my Fury: Close Up!"
The camera's lens began to grow and elongate into a camera similar to one used in a studio. A black plastic body began to stretch into the form of a woman, with two floodlights sitting like horns on top of its head. Two lens cap, each hanging from a string served as earrings while strips of film wound around it's arms and torso, forming a kind of dress. Suddenly two eyes appeared and a mouth was stretched across the lens of the main camera.
"Ready for a 'Close Up'?" the monster's screechy voice made the pun loose all its humor. Minako, took a step backward, trying to put some distance between the monster and herself when out of no where a coil of film coiled around her. With only enough time to gasp, Minako found herself wrapped like a Christmas present in a roll of film, firmly taping her arms to her side. When she tried to scream for help, a coil of film climbed up Minako's neck and flattened itself around her mouth like heated plastic.
Eisen grinned, half to herself for satisfying the humiliation done to her by Argent and half to pure villainous glee. As she watched Minako struggle, Eisen shook her head as her grin grew wider and colder. "I wouldn't struggle if I were you Aino-san, or else you wouldn't look very glamorous when you die!"
Inside the movie theater the crowd was as rowdy as ever. The movie was about to begin in just a few minutes but amongst the high pitched whispers of fans and chatter of moviegoers was a group of young women who were becoming increasingly uneasy.
"How long has Minako-chan been gone? She can't miss the opening of her own movie can she?" asked Makoto.
"She's (gulp) just fine (chew, chew). Probably (chew) just getting (burp) too many autograph requests." Usagi said between a mouth full of popcorns and soda, her cheeks stuffed like a chipmunk.
Rei began to look worried as well. She turned to her friends and said, "I think we should go look for her. There are some crazy fans out there and who knows if that girl was one of them." Rei looked toward Ami who nodded in agreement.
Ami looked at Ryu who smiled. "I'll stay here and save the seats for you. You guys go ahead."
Yuuichirou looked at Rei and said bravely, "I'll come with you."
Rei shook her head, a gentle look in her raven eyes as she pushed herself out of her seat. "We'll be fine Yuuichirou." She added jokingly. "Besides, for all we know Minako-chan could have just gone to the bathroom, then you'd have come for nothing."
Usagi gave Mamoru a quick kiss on the cheek before she too got up. "Mamo-chan, can you and the other guys watch our stuff while we're gone, especially my food?"
Mamoru chuckled gently before nodding and smiled as he watched his beloved Odango walk off with her friends.
On their way up the isle, Usagi spotted Chibi Usa. At the same time, Chibi Usa noticed Usagi and the other girls walking up towards her. "Usagi, everyone!" Chibi Usa chirped. The group gathered around the girl near her isle seat.
Chibi Usa motioned her hand toward the older man beside her and said proudly "Guys, meet the man who directed this movie, Kyoshiro Itoh-san."
Each of the girls smiled politely and shook hands with the director. Itoh laughed merrily once again "So you are all friends of Minako I see. My, what a pleasant surprise to see so many beautiful young women in one place!"
Chibi Usa looked up inquisitively "Say, what are you guys doing here?
"We're just going out to find Minako. Don't suppose you've seen her?" Usagi asked hopefully.
Chibi Usa shook her head. "No, but I saw her leave the theater with this red-haired girl who had a camera in her hand, but I didn't see her come back in. Why, what's wrong?"
Rei sighed. "The movie will begin any second now but Minako-chan's still not back so we're going to go look for her."
Itoh placed his hands to his ruffled mustache; worry replaced the humor on his face. "That's strange. She would never risk missing out on a movie she had worked so hard on, not one second. May be we really should go look for her." So saying the elderly man started to get up but Chibi Usa rushed up and gently pushed the man back into his seat.
"It's all right Itoh-san. You stay here and we'll go look for her." She glanced at Helios who nodded and got up to joined the girls in the isle.
Turing to the kindly director for one last word before she left, Chibi Usa smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, we'll come back soon." With that, she and the others quickly left the darkening room in search of Minako.
The girls plus Chibi Usa and Helios decided to split up into pairs. Makoto with Ami, Usagi with Rei, and Helios with Chibi Usa. The three groups went their own ways, agreeing before hand to call the others when they have found Minako.
After ten minutes and having searched the entire lobby area, Chibi Usa leaned against a marble column for support.
While Chibi Usa rested against the column, Helios looked around the now empty lobby. All the patrons have gone in to watch the movie and the guards were keeping the reporters and fans outside so that only the fans' ever-persistent cries penetrate the otherwise quiet lobby.
Suddenly Helios spots an obscure fire escape that had been left ajar, the door moving slightly in the wind. Helios' eyes narrowed, something told him that there was something behind those doors. Wordlessly, Helios slowly approached the door. Seeing Helios move away, Chibi Usa was about to ask what he was doing then decided not to. She came up close after the young man, straying only a little bit behind him.
Helios gently pushed the door open so that the hinges wouldn't creak. Seeing that it led into an apparently empty alley, the two cautiously walked down toward what looked like an abandoned lot at the end of the alley, the only sound they made came from their shoes, crunching the debris and loss concrete bits on the ground. As they came to a corner leading into the lot, Chibi Usa froze and gasped.
"Mina-!"
Helios quickly covered Chibi Usa's mouth before she could finish and pulled her back against the wall. Both had seen what they least expected: a freakish monster with dark shinny tentacles. Chibi Usa almost screamed when she spotted the unconscious blond woman at the end of the tentacles.
Helios kept his eyes turned on the scene around the corner while he waited for Chibi Usa to calm her self. Feeling her breathing slow down, Helios released his hand and quickly said in a rushed whisper to the frightened princess. "Hurry and go get help, I will stay here."
Chibi Usa's eyes darted back and forth between Minako and Helios, her mind once again torn between the need to call for help and the urge to stay.
Can't just stand around; Come on Chibi Usa, you've got do something or else Minako-chan will…!
With that, the pink-haired teen clutched her fist and dashed down the alley as fast and as quietly as she could, hoping that by digging her nails into her palm she would be able to stay clear-headed enough to find the door and reach the others.
Once inside the theater, Chibi Usa popped open her communicator and shouted "Everyone, come quickly, Minako-chan's in big trouble!" Minutes seemed like hours as each of the senshi showed up in the hollow lobby.
"Where? Where is she?" Makoto quickly asked.
"In the alley, Helios is watching them but I don't know if Minako-chan will be okay, who knows how long that monster's had her!" Chibi Usa screamed, now clearly panicking.
"Monster?!"
"Damn!" Rei and Makoto rushed past the frightened girl and stormed out the door. Chibi Usa could hear them say their transformation phrase as they rush down the narrow back street. The fiery reaction from the two elder senshi shook Chibi Usa's nerves even looser. Everything suddenly seemed to have collapsed and there was nothing she, the princess, the future Sailor Moon, could do about it.
Ami followed not far behind as the young woman watched helplessly. "She's be fine; she's Minako-chan after all." Usagi said shortly before she took off as well.
"She's Minako…after all…" Suddenly Chibi Usa remembered what Itoh had said to her: Many people had though she won't make it but I could tell she had what it takes… She simply won't give in so easily to something she had looked forward to for so long. Chibi Usa nodded mutely. He's right, Minako will make it. I know she will!
Turning around, Chibi Usa sped toward the alley where the sounds of a heated battle can be heard.
After covering the length of the dusty passageway, Chibi Usa knelt next to Helios and was just in time to see Jupiter throw a sizzling ball of electricity at the monster, who now had released Minako from its grasp.
"Sparking Wide Pressure!"
The crackling thunder struck the monster, sending it staggering backwards, leaving long marks across the paved ground and a dust cloud that hid it from view.
"Silly Sailor Senshi, do you think you can destroy Close Up so easily?" Eisen mocked as she too enters the battle, catching Jupiter off guard. "Hochrot Whip!" the coiled whip Eisen carried by her side rushed out like a cobra as it struck Sailor Jupiter across the stomach and into a wall. A fiery track was left, extending from Eisen to Jupiter as her comrades rush to her side.
"Close Up, go get them!" Eisen cried as her red eyes gleamed from her victory against the senshi of Jupiter.
A loud noise came from the cloud of dust left by Jupiter's attack. The senshi turn their heads and from the smoke of the blast, they could see the monster had using the wide rolls of film as a shield to block Jupiter's attack and was now on the move again. Before the senshi had time to respond, the monster's own whip like films began swishing and slashing wildly at them. While the senshi fought, Chibi Usa noticed that Minako's fingers were beginning to move, proof that she's regaining consciousness.
Minako-chan! Chibi Usa wanted to run over and help the downed senshi but she was too far away from her and there's no way she can cover the distance without being noticed by the enemy.
Meanwhile, the senshi continue to dodge the fast moving plastic strips. Maybe I can slow it down! thought Mercury as she avoided strip after strip of flying film.
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
The cold liquid ice instantly turned the film into flat sheets of ice as they broke off from the monster's wrist. Seeing the situation turn against her favor, Eisen bet a quick retreat.
"I'll see you next time!" She vowed before snapping her whip and disappearing in the opened closet portal.
Mars said confidently, "Great, now it's lost its weapon! We can finish it off and get Minako-chan out of here." As she put her hands together for an attack the monster unexpectedly screeched.
"Close Up, Flood Light Attack!" the two floodlights on its head suddenly lit up, flooding the senshi with two beams of blinding light.
Reacting instinctively, everyone closed her eyes against the strong light. When Jupiter tried to reopen her stunned eyes, she discovered she couldn't open her eyelids as her body was now stiff and ridged.
What's going on, I can't move or talk! Jupiter cried in her mind.
The light must have paralyzed our nervous system when we looked into it! Mercury thought to herself.
Minako! Sailor Moon worried desperately.
Chibi Usa gasped. The situation just went from bad to worse. Now not only was Minako's life at stake, so were those of the other senshi.
"Stay here!" Helios spoke up rather unexpectedly.
"Helios wait!" but her word went unheeded as Helios boldly ran into the open before the worry stricken princess could stop him. He picked up a small piece of loose cement, casting it in the way of monster and striking it on its back.
Turning its head to find the perpetrator who had threw the fragment at it, the monster turned its head away from the immobilized senshi and toward the exposed Helios. "How dare of you to get in my way! Die!"
A remnant of the film on its wrist shot toward the young priest as he prepared to dodge the on coming attack.
SWOOSH!
A single red rose pieced the night and stapled the film firmly onto the ground. The monster looked up and saw a caped gentleman with a top hat and white mask.
"You have already done enough vile things as it is now, I will not let you continue. Sailor Moon!" shouted Tuxedo Kamen.
By now the paralysis from the light had worn off, as the winged savior held up her wand.
"Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"
The silver energy pulverized the monster as its lenses cracked and shattered in the pure white light.
"Nooo!" The monster wailed as the power of the Silver Crystal sealed its fate.
As soon as the monster was vanquished, the senshi quickly gathered around Minako. "Minako, Minako are you okay? Come one, wake up please!" begged Sailor Moon as she clutched her friend's hand closely in hers.
After a few tense moments, the long curled lashes of the unconscious blonde began to flutter. "Hey, where's that girl with the camera and-and the monster?" Minako asked, still in a state of vertigo while she tried to push herself up but immediately slipped back into her friends waiting arms.
Mars smiled. "Take it easy Minako-chan. They're gone; we got 'em."
Minako smiled weakly. "Well I guess it was a good thing that I invited you all here."
While the others gathered around the recovering actress, Chibi Usa timidly stepped out from behind the corner. She watched as the senshi detransformed and smiled happily toward each other. Even Helios seemed to be caught up in the group's rejoice as he smiled silently in the group's periphery. Chibi Usa wanted to join them yet she felt ostracized. She had been no real help to the senshi. Instead all she did was stood in a corner and worried while her friends fought. So what if I called for help, Chibi Usa thought to herself, the others would have found Minako sooner or later was by them selves. The more she thought, the more depressed she became. Not only did she not help to save Minako, she'd panicked. Small Lady, the princess of Crystal Tokyo, almost broke down by simply relaying a message! How pathetic!
Thinking this, Chibi Usa abruptly turned away from the group and began walking back down the alley toward the theater's side door. Looking down at the dust strewn concrete floor of the alley, Chibi Usa walked gloomily, her ruby eyes downcast. As she walked she saw a long sleek shadow straight in her path. The shadow had two long lengths of hair flowing down the floor like twin snakes. Raising her head slowly, Chibi Usa's eyes swelled and her lips began to quiver at the sight before her.
The woman smiled, her blood red eyes twinkled darkly in the ill-lit street. A light breeze softly stirred the woman's pink bangs, revealing a black, reversed crescent moon mark on her forehead.
"Hello again, my other self…"
Chibi Usa wanted to run but her legs felt soft like jelly but were as heavy as lead. All she could do was stare into two soulless eyes, her own two eyes. The smile on the woman's crimson lip widened, pulling into a gleeful smirk.
"I'm back…"
The impact of the words stupefied the young woman. Her breath quickened and her lower lip began to tremble. She would have screamed had a voice not called out to her.
"Chibi Usa-chan! Chibi Usa-chan!" a firm hand touched the petrified princess' shoulder. She sprung around and found Helios with a worried look on his youthful face. "I've called you many times but you won't answer. What's wrong?" Helios placed his other hand on her shoulder and thought that the princess was going to collapse into his hands when he gasped.
"You're shaking!" Tightening his grip, Helios stared even more intently at the pale girl before him. "Tell me, what is it? Chibi Usa-chan…!" Helios beckoned, worry clearly evident in both his voice and his face.
Chibi Usa gulped and backed away with unnecessary abruptness, standing just out of arm's reach from the anxiety-ridden boy. Trying desperately to find her voice again, Chibi Usa tucked her arms around herself, trying to stop her body from the uncontrollable shivers. Looking away to avoid Helios' eyes, Chibi Usa whispered, "I'm fine! I-I…just want to be alone for a little while…"
Helios walked a little closer to the frightened princess. Wordlessly he reached out his hand, a soft comforting light in his eyes. Chibi Usa slowly looked up, the nightmare of seeing her dark double still fresh in her mind. She wanted to reach for Helios' out stretched hand, to be able to feel his touch, to have him comfort her and calm her severely rattled nerves.
My other self… the woman's voice echoed back in Chibi Usa's mind.
Chibi Usa's hand jerked back, a small sob floated into the silent night air. I can't…I can't! If I take his hand I wouldn't be able to hold it all in…I would tell him what I saw! I just can't! Chibi Usa tried to reason with herself. Through now tear stained eyes, she looked up and saw a solemn Helios looking back at her, his hand now back at his side.
Huskily, she pushed pass the young man and ran towards the group just as they rounded the corner. Chibi Usa hid her face behind Usagi and Mamoru.
Seeing fresh tears down his future daughter's pale face, Mamoru immediately asked "Chibi Usa-chan what is it? Why are you crying?" The groups stopped as a whole while everyone, even the weakened Minako, looked on.
Chibi Usa quickly whipped away her tears and put on a mask. "It's nothing, I've-I've got some dust in my eyes that's all…" she dared not look at Helios as she said this. He was the one who saw her as she was frozen with horror and fear. If she looked now she might not be able to keep up her masquerade.
Not sensing what had just happened, Makoto advised the group. "Let's go inside. Minako-chan needs to rest."
"She's right. What's more, if I were gone any longer, Yuuichirou's going to go ballistic!" said Rei as she picked up her pace.
As the group passed by the white-haired boy, Mamoru stepped away from Usagi's side and stood before Helios; his eyes however, were on his future daughter.
Mamoru watched as the mute girl behind him disappears behind the gray painted door, his dark blue eyes stirring. Raising his hand to touch Helios' shoulder, Helios nodded, as if answering some unspoken question from Mamoru. The prince of Earth closed his eyes and lifted his hand of Helios' shoulder and walked inside.
Now alone in the isolated alley, Helios looked up at the sky and saw the sky was no longer black as passing clouds reveal the waning moon, so white and dead in the desolate sky that all the stars hid their faces. The clouds slowly floated away, but the way the cold light gradually washed over the desolated satellite was as if a sheet of ice had liquefied and had froze the silvery moon into a cold piece of ice crystal. So cold and impenetrable, and so utterly alone in the night sky…
A/N Hello everyone! Just to make some clarifications: New Tokyo Cinema was just a name that I made up, as were the names of the magazines Usagi was shuffling through at the beginning of the chapter. As far as I know these things and places don't actually exist (with the exception of Tokyo Bay, I think). And lastly you might've noticed I gave Eisen a new attack, Hochrot Whip (Hochrot is crimson in German).