Author's Note: My guilt has finally prodded me to begin the revision of
chapter two. This is changed more than the previous chapter was, but the
basic plot remains the same.
Mark looked next door apprehensively. The one bad thing about summer vacation was that it was h*ll trying to sneak out of the house, even when you were on official superhero business. Jordan (as Jadeite) had just telepathed to him that one of the more intelligent monsters of their latest adversary was attacking Zach (having sensed his high magi-energy level), and Zach could not battle the monster all on his lonesome. When fights like this occurred during the school year, it was easy to slip out of Washington University's dorm rooms, people rarely questioning the antics of a hormonal young adult male. He was in his house, however, and unlike before, he had a half-cousin (or something like that) sleeping next door.
He looked at the window once again, and suppressed a sigh. Usually, he'd be out the downstairs door by now, but he had a feeling that Usagi, or Serena, was a light sleeper (A/N: He obviously doesn't know her very well!), and he really would rather not risk it. That meant that he had to go out the window. He hated jumping out of windows with a passion. His window didn't even have a convenient tree near it! No balcony, no windowsill to speak of, even. Bracing himself, he carefully peeled open his window screen, and winced, knowing he would have mosquitoes in his room soon. Leaping out, he landed softly, in a practiced maneuver.
He looked once more at Usagi's window, checking to see if she was awake. She wasn't. "Malachite! Guardian of the Earth . Revert!"
Slowly, his boxers (what he had been wearing previously) melted to form the costume of Guardian Malachite. A mask similar to Tuxedo Kamen's covered his eyes and upper facial features. He wore something akin to a long-sleeved shirt and slacks, but they were specially enforced with armor that would protect him under most circumstances. He also had a cape (like all well-known superheroes) and a saber, for that was his favorite weapon (if not necessarily the weapon he was best at).
He glanced around him once more, before bounding off into the darkness.
Not long after he left, Usagi noiselessly opened her window as well, and leapt off skillfully. Luna had long ago taught her how to draw on senshi powers even when untransformed to perform small feats such that. She checked her surroundings, shivered as a wind blew past her, and ran off, shadowing Malachite, but making sure he never saw her.
++++++++++
Usagi was hidden in a tree, watching and biting her fingernails as she watched Malachite, Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoisite battle the youma. It hadn't taken her long to figure out who they were, and it took less time for her to figure out that they were good. Why else would they be trying to kill a youma? She desperately wanted to transform, but knew she was way out of her league. The youma was not one she was sued to, defeated by magical attacks in a jiffy. This one seemed less prone to collapse into dust with a wave of her Moon Scepter (or Moon Tier, or whatever her current weapon of choice was), but more vulnerable to physical attacks.
During the Silver Millennium, she had only shallowly been instructed in self-defense, enough to get her out of a sticky situation but that was all. In her present life, most of her fighting skills came on instinct, called to her when she transformed and when she was in danger. Somehow, she did not find that very comforting. Plus, although the Generals didn't recognize her as Usagi-Serena, they would surely recognize her as Sailor Moon. Although the Generals weren't giving off bad vibes, it wouldn't do to trust them just yet.
So what was she going to do? If she jumped in as Usagi, that was asking to be mutilated. If she jumped in as Sailor Moon, she would reveal her identity and suffer the same chance of being seriously wounded, perhaps losing the energy required to heal her parents and brother at the next scheduled date. Either way, unless the youma was distracted enough for her to fire the final attack, it wouldn't work. Then, there was the fact that she had accidentally left her Crystal back at her new home. That was not good. Usagi berated herself for such a careless, rookie mistake. She should know better!
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a shadow. Slowly, the shadow revealed to be more than a shadow. She was a girl. She had dark auburn hair and pale blue eyes as well as a vicious smirk on her face.
She stepped out. "So, boys. Are you finally ready to meet the Creator?" Although her tone was sneering, her reference to the "Creator" was almost reverent.
The four Guardians of Earth glared at her. Guardian Jadeite scowled. "What do you want, Aurora?"
"Now is that any way to talk to my twin?" a sweet voice asked as another girl materialized, looking like the twin of the first, but with black hair and purple eyes. Usagi frowned. Something about the two twins did not ring true.
"Are you here too, Borealis?" Guardian Zoisite asked. "What's so important?"
Aurora and Borealis stepped next to each other, and merged into one. This lady had golden brown hair and blue-violet eyes. "Ah, Generals. I'm just here to deliver my daily threat. That's all." Usagi gasped in sudden recognition. They were not two twins merging into one, but one woman who had the power to become split personalities. No wonder her vague sensing of their auras had been confused.
"But Dark Lady Aurora Borealis," Guardian Nephrite protested sarcastically. "You forgot to send an invitation."
"You are this close to pushing me over the line," Aurora Borealis threatened, pushing her well-manicured fingers together.
Guardian Malachite shook his head. "Was there something you wanted?"
"Tomorrow," Aurora Borealis declared. "Tomorrow, I shall test you again. I will kill you! And in one month exactly, my master the Creator shall come, and he shall obliterate you for defying him!"
Guardian Malachite looked at her with contempt. "You say that every day, and you name the exact same day. Yet you never attack. I'm beginning to think you're weak."
"Argh!" she screamed. "If this weren't my shadow, I would destroy you right now!" So saying, she vanished.
Meanwhile Usagi thought to herself. If that's the best they can do, they're going to need some help from me. Dark Lady Aurora Borealis didn't seem very intimidating, but the youma had certainly wounded the Generals a great deal. She couldn't provide them help in her present state, but she knew where she could get help .
++++++++++
To: Vbabe@luvgoddess.net
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey, V
I need a favor. See . the Dark Generals are here, but they're actually good now, and they're Guardians of the Earth, and they're fighting against bad guys, but they're kind of going to lose unless I help them, but I can't appear as Sailor Moon, and I need to regain my skills from the Silver Millennium, but most importantly, I need a disguise. Send me one please.
Bunny
To: Smartone@icelady.com
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey, Ames
V's probably already told you everything, but I need help. I know back in Tokyo, we were naturally disguised, but it won't help much this time, since they'd probably be able to figure out my identity in a sec because they technically know who I am already. They just need to remember. So I need to disguise myself, and I need help.
Bunny
To: Firepriestess@shinto.net
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey, Pyro
The others have probably already briefed you on the situation . but do you know how to disguise my aura & my powers? Thanks.
Bunny
To: Talismanholders@outersrule.org
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey Haruka-chan, Michiru-chan, Setsuna-chan, and Hotaru-chan
What's up? Look, I need to know how to remain unknown and disguised, and since y'all are so good at it, could you send me some advice? Thanks.
Bunny
To: Guardianofstrength@karate.com
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey Mako,
I need help on my fighting. Could you send me some brochures so I can change my style, etc? Thanks.
Bunny
To: Rosedude@myonlylove.org
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Briefing
Mamo-chan
Thought you might like to know that 1.) I love you and 2.) Your former protectors are here fighting the bad guy . and they definitely need help. Luv ya as always, and was wondering if you could help me with some corny speeches. JOKE!
Your true luv,
Usako
A/N: So . who wants the next chapter?
Mark looked next door apprehensively. The one bad thing about summer vacation was that it was h*ll trying to sneak out of the house, even when you were on official superhero business. Jordan (as Jadeite) had just telepathed to him that one of the more intelligent monsters of their latest adversary was attacking Zach (having sensed his high magi-energy level), and Zach could not battle the monster all on his lonesome. When fights like this occurred during the school year, it was easy to slip out of Washington University's dorm rooms, people rarely questioning the antics of a hormonal young adult male. He was in his house, however, and unlike before, he had a half-cousin (or something like that) sleeping next door.
He looked at the window once again, and suppressed a sigh. Usually, he'd be out the downstairs door by now, but he had a feeling that Usagi, or Serena, was a light sleeper (A/N: He obviously doesn't know her very well!), and he really would rather not risk it. That meant that he had to go out the window. He hated jumping out of windows with a passion. His window didn't even have a convenient tree near it! No balcony, no windowsill to speak of, even. Bracing himself, he carefully peeled open his window screen, and winced, knowing he would have mosquitoes in his room soon. Leaping out, he landed softly, in a practiced maneuver.
He looked once more at Usagi's window, checking to see if she was awake. She wasn't. "Malachite! Guardian of the Earth . Revert!"
Slowly, his boxers (what he had been wearing previously) melted to form the costume of Guardian Malachite. A mask similar to Tuxedo Kamen's covered his eyes and upper facial features. He wore something akin to a long-sleeved shirt and slacks, but they were specially enforced with armor that would protect him under most circumstances. He also had a cape (like all well-known superheroes) and a saber, for that was his favorite weapon (if not necessarily the weapon he was best at).
He glanced around him once more, before bounding off into the darkness.
Not long after he left, Usagi noiselessly opened her window as well, and leapt off skillfully. Luna had long ago taught her how to draw on senshi powers even when untransformed to perform small feats such that. She checked her surroundings, shivered as a wind blew past her, and ran off, shadowing Malachite, but making sure he never saw her.
++++++++++
Usagi was hidden in a tree, watching and biting her fingernails as she watched Malachite, Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoisite battle the youma. It hadn't taken her long to figure out who they were, and it took less time for her to figure out that they were good. Why else would they be trying to kill a youma? She desperately wanted to transform, but knew she was way out of her league. The youma was not one she was sued to, defeated by magical attacks in a jiffy. This one seemed less prone to collapse into dust with a wave of her Moon Scepter (or Moon Tier, or whatever her current weapon of choice was), but more vulnerable to physical attacks.
During the Silver Millennium, she had only shallowly been instructed in self-defense, enough to get her out of a sticky situation but that was all. In her present life, most of her fighting skills came on instinct, called to her when she transformed and when she was in danger. Somehow, she did not find that very comforting. Plus, although the Generals didn't recognize her as Usagi-Serena, they would surely recognize her as Sailor Moon. Although the Generals weren't giving off bad vibes, it wouldn't do to trust them just yet.
So what was she going to do? If she jumped in as Usagi, that was asking to be mutilated. If she jumped in as Sailor Moon, she would reveal her identity and suffer the same chance of being seriously wounded, perhaps losing the energy required to heal her parents and brother at the next scheduled date. Either way, unless the youma was distracted enough for her to fire the final attack, it wouldn't work. Then, there was the fact that she had accidentally left her Crystal back at her new home. That was not good. Usagi berated herself for such a careless, rookie mistake. She should know better!
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a shadow. Slowly, the shadow revealed to be more than a shadow. She was a girl. She had dark auburn hair and pale blue eyes as well as a vicious smirk on her face.
She stepped out. "So, boys. Are you finally ready to meet the Creator?" Although her tone was sneering, her reference to the "Creator" was almost reverent.
The four Guardians of Earth glared at her. Guardian Jadeite scowled. "What do you want, Aurora?"
"Now is that any way to talk to my twin?" a sweet voice asked as another girl materialized, looking like the twin of the first, but with black hair and purple eyes. Usagi frowned. Something about the two twins did not ring true.
"Are you here too, Borealis?" Guardian Zoisite asked. "What's so important?"
Aurora and Borealis stepped next to each other, and merged into one. This lady had golden brown hair and blue-violet eyes. "Ah, Generals. I'm just here to deliver my daily threat. That's all." Usagi gasped in sudden recognition. They were not two twins merging into one, but one woman who had the power to become split personalities. No wonder her vague sensing of their auras had been confused.
"But Dark Lady Aurora Borealis," Guardian Nephrite protested sarcastically. "You forgot to send an invitation."
"You are this close to pushing me over the line," Aurora Borealis threatened, pushing her well-manicured fingers together.
Guardian Malachite shook his head. "Was there something you wanted?"
"Tomorrow," Aurora Borealis declared. "Tomorrow, I shall test you again. I will kill you! And in one month exactly, my master the Creator shall come, and he shall obliterate you for defying him!"
Guardian Malachite looked at her with contempt. "You say that every day, and you name the exact same day. Yet you never attack. I'm beginning to think you're weak."
"Argh!" she screamed. "If this weren't my shadow, I would destroy you right now!" So saying, she vanished.
Meanwhile Usagi thought to herself. If that's the best they can do, they're going to need some help from me. Dark Lady Aurora Borealis didn't seem very intimidating, but the youma had certainly wounded the Generals a great deal. She couldn't provide them help in her present state, but she knew where she could get help .
++++++++++
To: Vbabe@luvgoddess.net
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey, V
I need a favor. See . the Dark Generals are here, but they're actually good now, and they're Guardians of the Earth, and they're fighting against bad guys, but they're kind of going to lose unless I help them, but I can't appear as Sailor Moon, and I need to regain my skills from the Silver Millennium, but most importantly, I need a disguise. Send me one please.
Bunny
To: Smartone@icelady.com
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey, Ames
V's probably already told you everything, but I need help. I know back in Tokyo, we were naturally disguised, but it won't help much this time, since they'd probably be able to figure out my identity in a sec because they technically know who I am already. They just need to remember. So I need to disguise myself, and I need help.
Bunny
To: Firepriestess@shinto.net
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey, Pyro
The others have probably already briefed you on the situation . but do you know how to disguise my aura & my powers? Thanks.
Bunny
To: Talismanholders@outersrule.org
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey Haruka-chan, Michiru-chan, Setsuna-chan, and Hotaru-chan
What's up? Look, I need to know how to remain unknown and disguised, and since y'all are so good at it, could you send me some advice? Thanks.
Bunny
To: Guardianofstrength@karate.com
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Disguise
Hey Mako,
I need help on my fighting. Could you send me some brochures so I can change my style, etc? Thanks.
Bunny
To: Rosedude@myonlylove.org
From: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
Subject: Briefing
Mamo-chan
Thought you might like to know that 1.) I love you and 2.) Your former protectors are here fighting the bad guy . and they definitely need help. Luv ya as always, and was wondering if you could help me with some corny speeches. JOKE!
Your true luv,
Usako
A/N: So . who wants the next chapter?