Author's Note: In a sudden onslaught of diligence .
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Vbabe@luvgoddess.net
Subject: Re: 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]
Sure, Sere! *flashes V sign*
'Kay. Here's the deal. I've already got a way mundo cool disguise costume in the mail. 'Course, if you think it's too flashy (which for some reason, Luna does), you can always use a.) the disguise pen Luna's sending you 'cause she thinks that you might need it more than us _after all_, b.) know how I had a pen to transform to Sailor V? Well, Luna & Artemis are sending you one, but YOU get to decide your name, and c.) Luna's ALSO sending you an overseas communicator (send it back if it doesn't work so we can fix it) and a funny gadget that can project holograms of you elsewhere, and has the glamour thing that we have on all our costumes, though it's a special type that only allows certain people (not including the generals) to see through it. I think that should be enough to satisfy you.
The Goddess of Love and Beauty (who is desperately in need of a boyfriend)
P.S. I'm also sending some notes on how to *keep* a disguise, since you're not exactly great at doing that . like no more speeches and keeping in the shadows . do a TK (Tuxedo Kamen) gig, without the corny speeches . Only show up when the good guys need it. Btw, bad luck struck. I'm back in England. *pulls a sad face*
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Smartone@icelady.com
Subject: Re: 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]
Hey, Usagi.
When will your school start? Do you think you can manage it? Is your English getting better?
All right . on to the serious agenda. I think I can send you a "gizmo" that will improve your English and get rid of your accent whenever you put it on, and it can be disguised. However, Usagi, I must stress that you can only use it when you fight the youma. If you wear it normally, they will notice your change in your knowledge of English. If you wear it even once accidentally, they will notice it. So you MUST NOT use it unless disguising your voice when fighting the youma.
Amy
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Firepriestess@shinto.net
Subject: Re: 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]
First of all, _Meatball Head_, don't call me PYRO!
Second of all, try to AVOID computers next time. If you need to contact me, use the communicator. I'll be at the Shinto Temple Training Center {A/N: stay with me here} and no technology is around for miles. I'll be bringing my communicator as one of my personal items.
Third of all, disguising your powers is easy if you use the new pen Luna's sending you. Disguising your aura is another matter. Hiding your aura would take Shinto training, and you haven't had any, so I'll try to make do. Basically, calm down. Practice meditating. I know you already see auras somewhat. Most people do. You know how out of the corners of your eye, you'll see flickers? Most people see this once or twice on people with really strong auras, and put it away as their imagination. Well, this is what you do. Try to imagine a silver light surrounding yourself. That's your aura. Imagine it until you can feel something warm in it. What you want to do is disguise that aura. Try practicing moving that aura. Disguising your aura is only imagining it a different color temporarily, or changing the "tone" of it. However, *don't* practice this unless you're far from any of the generals. They may sense it.
Mars rules!
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Talismanholders@outersrule.org
Subject: Re: 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]
Hey, Koneko-chan
First of all, it shouldn't be too hard for YOU to remain disguised. You fooled us pretty well, you know. Second of all, if you REALLY want to be disguised, we're each giving you a word of advice
From Hotaru - Try not to be there too much. Dust the youma and leave. Every minute you spend is a minute wasted where they could possibly trace who you are.
From Setsuna - Stay in the shadows. It disguises your features, and gives you an air of mystery. I should know. *grins*
From Haruka - Lose the speeches, girl! And be careful. You're speaking English in English territory. If you speak a bit of Japanese, or show a sign that you don't understand English, your cover is blown.
From Michiru - Try to act differently than you normally do. Like add a whole bunch of "like" to your speaking, and maybe try to speak with a French accent. Even a really bad French accent can disguise a Japanese one.
That's from all of us. Ja ne!
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Guardianofstrength@karate.com
Subject: Re: Disguise
[Hey Mako,
I need help on my fighting. Could you send me some brochures so I can change my style, etc? Thanks.
Bunny]
So, Usagi,
You want to change your style? Too bad. Your style's pretty cool . breaking the youma's eardrums, and startle it by killing it in a moment of lucidity. j/k. I sent you several packets on fighting style (your Sailor Moon Kick is cool, but it wastes energy, and doesn't have good accuracy) and disguising it. You know, throwing extra tidbits in that will hide part of your technique, and won't hinder it. Stuff like that. Oh, and it tells you how to ~properly~ sneak up on someone. Gotta go for now!
Jupiter
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Rosedude@myonlylove.org
Subject: I love you
[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]
My Usako
Just wanted to let you know that I love you, and that if you need any help I'm always here for you. Can't wait to see you again. If you think you can't handle it with the Dark-Generals-turned-good, you can always call on me or the other Senshi.
I love you.
Your Mamo-chan
++++++++++
Mark shot a dirty look at his half-cousin, or whatever. This was ~so~ not his thing. First, she had he and his friends haul in those gigantic suitcases. And now, her friends from . Connecticut, Japan, Germany, and England!!! . were sending these huge packages to her.
So of course she had pulled that puppy-dog-face on him, and pleaded that she was such a "weak, young girl", and she needed help from some "big, strong men." He had caved in of course, but not before shooting her a dirty look. He really ought to introduce her to the Sailor Senshi some time. So much for "weak, young girls."
Of course, Jordan had just laughed at him. And he ~knew~ he was being played . but it wasn't his fault that his half-cousin had him wrapped around her finger.
What did she have in her packages anyways? Mark wondered as he heaved the last package into his cousin's room. Once again, she was reading her emails. Most of them were in Japanese (which he was proud to say he still knew, even in this body), but some were in English. He leaned over to read one, and caught only one word . "Dark Generals."
$***. What did she know? Thoughts were running wildly in his head, so he didn't notice Usagi's panicked look as she covered the computer screen and shut it down.
Casually, he spoke. "Dark Generals? Who are they?" .
++++++++++
Usagi's heart raced as she searched for a suitable answer. She looked up with her bright eyes and spoke the first thing that came to her mind. "Well, you know how Japan has experiencing these attacks? Well, some of them were started by these Dark Generals who are *so* kawaii! Major hunk-o-sauruses!" She paused to add effect. "Especially that Malachite person!" Hey, flattery gets you everywhere.
Mark nodded, his ego stroked, and his suspicion was gone for a moment.
Too late, Usagi remembered that she had the Silver Crystal erase EVERYTHING, and she should not have remembered this. "I mean, their dolls are so cute!" she burst out. Yes, there were Dark General Dolls. She and Mamo-chan had found them. Sickening-looking, too. The two had left the store, trying not to burst out in laughter. I mean, they portrayed Zoisite as a girl!
"Dolls?" Mark asked, interested.
"Oh yes," Usagi spoke with an evil gleam in her eye. "I especially like Zoycite."
"Zoisite?" Mark asked, aghast.
"Yes," Usagi smiled brightly. "She's so kawaii, especially since she's the only girl. And she and Malachite are ~so~ deeply in love, and they're spending the rest of their lives with Jedite and Neflyte waiting on them."
For some reason, Mark began choking, and had to leave the room. Usagi looked at him curiously. She had no reason why. As soon as sight and sound of him left the room, though, a wicked smile appeared on her face. She knew just what to get him and his friends for Christmas.
But on to important business. Usagi began organizing the packets she had received. Mamo-chan had sent a way-cool mask and a bouquet of roses. Ami-chan had sent the gizmo she mentioned earlier. The Outers had sent a small journal with the title "Memoirs" on it. She frowned. She would have to ask Mark what that meant. Mako-chan had sent a couple of simple brochure/packets. They weren't very long because Makoto knew she had a short attention span. Rei-chan had sent a small instruction booklet on meditation. Mina-chan had been the one to send the incredibly large packages.
She pulled out her disguise pen, a new pen, an extremely revealing outfit, and a disgruntled Luna. She did a double take. "Luna!" she screeched. "What are you doing here?"
Luna sniffed. "If I had known that Minako planned to stuff me in a small box, I wouldn't have suggested that I come here to help you."
"Hush it," Usagi scolded. "Mark might hear you. How am I going to explain you to Uncle Rick and Aunt Meg?"
Luna smiled. "I'm an old pet your friend sent you."
"But Mark will recognize your crescent moon," Usagi pointed out.
"That is a problem, isn't it?" Luna frowned.
"Well," Usagi suggested. "We can cover it up."
Luna shook her head. "If you do, I won't be able to talk."
"Well, then," Usagi frowned. "Can you use the disguise pen?"
Luna gave her a dirty look.
Usagi shrugged. "Just a suggestion. You have any better ones?"
Luna frowned in thought. "Well ." she frowned. "You could use your Silver Crystal to make my crescent moon invisible to anyone except for those who know its there or who look for it. But the spell is a musty spellbook on the moon, and you'd have to find a place to use the Crystal where Malachite couldn't sense you."
"Until then," Usagi said brightly, "I'll just hide you."
"How are we going to get to the moon?" Luna asked.
"Teleportation," Usagi shrugged. "But I'm going out to dinner with Mark and his friends tonight. I'll be sure to bring something back for you. Remember to stay hidden. Aunt Meg would freak if she found you."
Luna nodded. "I know, Usagi. Have fun."
"Sure," Usagi smiled. "See ya!" she called over her shoulder as she rushed downstairs.
"Whom were you talking to?" Mark asked curiously as he walked out the door with Usagi.
"Oh, no one," Usagi shrugged. "Come on. So, where are we going?"
"Blaise's Place," Mark said. "It's a joint all the high school kids like to go to. I can introduce you to some of my friends' kid sisters and brothers so you can know them before you actually start school." He smiled at her reassuringly. "Don't worry about school. If you need anything, Jordan, Zach, Nick, and me will be going to the nearby university. Our legacies live on, however. Just mention our name."
"Sure," Usagi smiled.
"Here we are," Mark announced.
"Hey, Malachi," a voice called out behind them. Usagi froze. Mark frowned. She shouldn't know the name other than those dolls she had mentioned earlier. So why did she seem to know that he was Malachi? There was virtually no connection between their names.
"Hey, Jihad," Mark nodded. "I'd like to introduce you to my half- cousin, Serena. She just came from Japan. Oh," he added to Usagi, "Malachi's Jihad's nickname for me, if you didn't guess already."
"Nice to meet you," Usagi said, taking it slowly.
"What's up?" Jihad smiled. He had dark black hair, brown eyes, and brownish skin, and he was obviously from somewhere around India.
"Has anyone else gotten here yet?" Mark questioned.
"Jedi got here a couple of minutes ago. He's off talking to some redhead with big-" Jihad suddenly stopped talking and glanced at Usagi. "With pretty eyes," he finally said. "Nephi called on his cell and said that he had to do some last-minute work at the Star Tower, and said that he'd be here soon. Nephi's parents are astronomers," Jihad added for Usagi's benefit. "Nephi is Nick and Jedi is Jordan, in case you didn't know."
"Has Z gotten here yet?" Mark asked.
"Nope," Jihad shook his head. "Amelia came, but she had to split, as did Lila. Marina and Rachel haven't shown up yet."
At Usagi's blank look, Mark explained. "Marina's my ex-girlfriend, Lila is Nick's girlfriend, Amelia is Zach's study partner that he asks to stuff because he doesn't have time to ask anyone else, and Rachel is Jordan's way-pushy girlfriend."
At this moment, a girl walked in. She had black hair and brown eyes. "Have any of you seen Jay-man?" she asked.
"Oh, hi Rachel," Jihad smiled. "Lookin' good. Jedi's flirtin' again."
"Before you go," Mark interjected. "I'd like to introduce you to my half-cousin Serena."
Rachel paused to glance at Usagi. "Kind of scrawny, isn't she?" she asked.
Usagi had no idea what scrawny meant, but she guessed it was supposed to be an insult. She just ignored Rachel.
"And what's with the weird hair?" Rachel continued. "Where's she from, the moon?"
Usagi suppressed a snigger at this. If only she knew.
"Don't go dissing my cousin," Mark said in a warning tone. "I only put up with you because of Jordan."
"Did anyone mention my name?" Jordan asked, popping up. "Hey, Serena. How you doing? Did you like the arch?"
Usagi nodded. "It was cool, but the elevator rides were cramped."
"I know," Jordan sympathized.
"Jordan," Rachel glared. "You haven't even said hi to me."
"Sorry, baby," Jordan murmured, and pecked her forehead. "Just making Serena here feel at home."
Rachel sniffed. "Well, the brat's okay if you ask me. You still promised me a dance."
Jordan sighed. "Chill, Rachel. I was just saying hi."
"Well, I'll be waiting by booth 13 if you need me," Rachel glared. "There's that really cute transfer student from Spain if you don't want me." She stomped off.
"Sheesh," Jordan shook his head. "I don't know what I see in her."
"Apart from the similarity in looks to an old girl, I don't either," Mark snorted.
"Old girl?" Usagi asked.
"Oh yeah," Mark smiled. "It was a long time ago. A girl called Rei."
Usagi smiled weakly, but she turned away. How could she forget? The Generals had been in love with her Inners before they betrayed them. Before the Generals turned to the Dark Side. Way back in the Silver Millennium. These Generals obviously had good memories.
"What do you mean you dump me!" a shriek was heard. "You can't dump me! I dump you!"
A furious Rachel rushed out of the room. As she bumped into Usagi though, she glared at her with hate-filled eyes. "You'll pay for this, girl, you don't know what I can do," she muttered, before continuing running.
"Well, that went well," Jordan shrugged as he appeared.
"Jedi, man, that was classic," Jihad winked.
"What'd I miss?" Nick asked, appearing.
"Well, Nephi," Jihad recounted. "You missed Lila. She had to go to the hospital to get her shot, but she'll be back later. And you missed Jedi here dumping Rachel."
"Good riddance," Nick snorted.
Usagi, having only heard the conversation, heard the word "shot." "Shot?" she asked, and shivered. "I hate shots," she said emphatically, enunciating the words.
Nick smiled sadly. "Lila has leukemia. She'll probably die in a couple of months, but until then she gets shots daily so she feels better."
Usagi bowed her head. "I'm sorry."
"So am I," Nick heaved a sigh.
At this moment, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl came in.
"And that's Marina," Jihad pointed out. "She may be Malachi's ex, but she's going to be my girlfriend. Just wait."
He sauntered up to the girl. There was a couple of seconds of inaudible conversation, and finally Marina's head bobbed up and down. Jihad came back leading Marina with her.
"Hi, Mark," Marina said brightly.
"Hi, Marina," Mark acknowledged. "This is my half-cousin Serena."
"Hello," Usagi said shyly.
Marina smiled. "Hi," she said. "Guess what just happened. Jihad just asked me out. Isn't that so cool!"
Nick frowned. "Didn't Mark just break up with you yesterday," he ventured.
Marina shook her blonde hair. Now that she was close up, Usagi could see faint blue-green streaks in it. "Mark was, like, so five minutes ago," she rolled her eyes. "Jihad is current. Get with it."
Jihad winked at the guys, and led Marina over to the dance floor.
Mark shook his head. "Yesterday, she was completely in tears. She even showed up on my doorstep while I was downtown with Sere, and left a note. Today, she's over it."
Jordan shrugged. "She was a ditz. You only dated her because she looked a lot like Minako."
Usagi snorted. Marina and Minako? They were very different. As if.
Zach appeared at the door at this moment. "Did I miss anything?" he asked. "I had to call an emergency meeting with Amelia because I reread our assignment, and we've been doing our project wrong."
"How?" Nick asked skeptically.
"It's a technicality," Zach shrugged. "It only took a couple of clicks with a computer mouse to fix it, though we did reread the entire assignment sheet to make sure we didn't leave anything out."
"Whatever," Jordan rolled his eyes. "Where's Amelia?"
"Oh, she's with her boyfriend," Zach shrugged. "Marvin."
"I though Marvin was going out with Millie," Mark said, confused.
"Millie moved to New York," Zach explained.
"Okay," Mark nodded.
Meanwhile, Usagi (being bored) had decided to explore Blaise's Place on her own. With all the loud music, inane chatter, and almost impossible to understand English, she was soon completely muddled and lost. She could not find the guys. Finally, she found Jihad making out with Marina. She winced.
"Jihad," she ventured.
Jihad looked up with Marina pouted.
She searched for the right words. "Where is Mark?"
Jihad smiled. "Mark said that he and the guys needed to go do something. He said for you to wait here."
Usagi nodded, only slightly confused. She headed for the exit, to clear her head of the very loud music being played. As soon as she drew a sigh of relief outside, though, in the deep recesses of her mind, she heard several voices. "Guardian of the Earth! Revert!"
She drew a deep breath. Even if she couldn't help them right now, she could at least analyze the situation by going to see them. She followed the echoes in her head, and ended up only a couple of blocks away from Blaise's Place. She hid behind a building as she watched Malachite, Zoisite, Nephrite, and Jadeite battle it out with a powerful youma. She bit her lip as she watched.
"Psssst. Usagi. Over here," a voice hissed.
Usagi turned to see Luna.
"This might help," Luna had dragged a basket with what she needed in it.
Usagi nodded and grabbed hold of the pen Luna indicated (she wasn't sure what it was for, but she was confident Luna would tell her what to do).
"Whisper Guardian of the Moon, Revert," Luna ordered.
"Guardian of the Moon, Revert," Usagi closed her eyes. Immediately a dim dusting of stars surrounded her. When the stars finally winked out, she was fully clothed. She wore a silver blouse-and-pants outfit, with silver boots and silver gloves. She had a rapier in her right hand (though for the life of her, she couldn't figure out who had the bright idea to stick her with a sharp, point stick she had no idea how to use), and she had a cute-looking silver beret on, covering her masses of hair. She slipped on the mask Mamoru had given her. She clipped the voice-disguiser on, and took a deep breath. This was it.
She quickly assessed the situation. Malachite and Zoisite were down (but not out). Nephrite's star attacks weren't harming the youma much and Jadeite's attacks did not seem to work unless the youma was distracted. Nephrite was already too weak to do much.
"Star Saber Revolution," Usagi whispered underneath her breath. She knew that was her attack without even asking Luna. She also knew (out of that part of her mind that supplied her with useless information about the Moon Kingdom) that the only reason she was allowed to say Star instead of Moon was because her mother had obtained the Queen of the Stars' permission a long time ago. She closed her eyes and prayed that they were all too busy to notice her aura right now. She hadn't even begun Rei's packets yet.
Suddenly, a stroke of genius encompassed her. She projected a hologram of herself on the other side of the small and cramped area in which they were fighting, and made it walk forward. They wouldn't sense an aura at all from the hologram.
She hesitated. She knew the Outers had said no speeches, but she needed to distract the youma. She bit her lip. Might as well attack it straight away. Maybe, seeing as it was focused on Jadeite, it was technically distracted and her attack would work.
"Star Saber Revolution!" she cried. The hologram lifted up an impressive looking sabre and slashed at the youma, as if that was the attack. In actuality, an invisible ball of power was being slammed into the youma, which disintegrated into dust. No sooner did the hologram flicker out of existence did Aurora appear.
She frowned. She had especially designed the youma to play upon the Generals' strengths and weaknesses, and it should have destroyed them all. She gently touched the dust before it was blown away by the wind. She touched it to her nose, sniffing it. "Finely done," she inwardly complimented whoever had destroyed it . they had done an extremely thorough job.
She looked around at the Generals. None of them were strong enough to do this. At this moment, Nephrite and Jadeite were supporting Malachite and Zoisite, both of whom had been helpless during the battle due to the sticky thread, which had held them, but had now disappeared.
She scanned around her, searching for auras. She found two. One of a human, and one of a cat, but the aura was too strong for a normal cat's. Her thin lips contorted into a grotesque simile of a smile. "Who are you!" she called. "I know where you are. And trust me . I will make you pay for that! The Creator will see to that!" So saying, Aurora disappeared in a flash of light as blue as her eyes.
To be continued .
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Vbabe@luvgoddess.net
Subject: Re: 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]
Sure, Sere! *flashes V sign*
'Kay. Here's the deal. I've already got a way mundo cool disguise costume in the mail. 'Course, if you think it's too flashy (which for some reason, Luna does), you can always use a.) the disguise pen Luna's sending you 'cause she thinks that you might need it more than us _after all_, b.) know how I had a pen to transform to Sailor V? Well, Luna & Artemis are sending you one, but YOU get to decide your name, and c.) Luna's ALSO sending you an overseas communicator (send it back if it doesn't work so we can fix it) and a funny gadget that can project holograms of you elsewhere, and has the glamour thing that we have on all our costumes, though it's a special type that only allows certain people (not including the generals) to see through it. I think that should be enough to satisfy you.
The Goddess of Love and Beauty (who is desperately in need of a boyfriend)
P.S. I'm also sending some notes on how to *keep* a disguise, since you're not exactly great at doing that . like no more speeches and keeping in the shadows . do a TK (Tuxedo Kamen) gig, without the corny speeches . Only show up when the good guys need it. Btw, bad luck struck. I'm back in England. *pulls a sad face*
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Smartone@icelady.com
Subject: Re: 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]
Hey, Usagi.
When will your school start? Do you think you can manage it? Is your English getting better?
All right . on to the serious agenda. I think I can send you a "gizmo" that will improve your English and get rid of your accent whenever you put it on, and it can be disguised. However, Usagi, I must stress that you can only use it when you fight the youma. If you wear it normally, they will notice your change in your knowledge of English. If you wear it even once accidentally, they will notice it. So you MUST NOT use it unless disguising your voice when fighting the youma.
Amy
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Firepriestess@shinto.net
Subject: Re: 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]
First of all, _Meatball Head_, don't call me PYRO!
Second of all, try to AVOID computers next time. If you need to contact me, use the communicator. I'll be at the Shinto Temple Training Center {A/N: stay with me here} and no technology is around for miles. I'll be bringing my communicator as one of my personal items.
Third of all, disguising your powers is easy if you use the new pen Luna's sending you. Disguising your aura is another matter. Hiding your aura would take Shinto training, and you haven't had any, so I'll try to make do. Basically, calm down. Practice meditating. I know you already see auras somewhat. Most people do. You know how out of the corners of your eye, you'll see flickers? Most people see this once or twice on people with really strong auras, and put it away as their imagination. Well, this is what you do. Try to imagine a silver light surrounding yourself. That's your aura. Imagine it until you can feel something warm in it. What you want to do is disguise that aura. Try practicing moving that aura. Disguising your aura is only imagining it a different color temporarily, or changing the "tone" of it. However, *don't* practice this unless you're far from any of the generals. They may sense it.
Mars rules!
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Talismanholders@outersrule.org
Subject: Re: 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]
Hey, Koneko-chan
First of all, it shouldn't be too hard for YOU to remain disguised. You fooled us pretty well, you know. Second of all, if you REALLY want to be disguised, we're each giving you a word of advice
From Hotaru - Try not to be there too much. Dust the youma and leave. Every minute you spend is a minute wasted where they could possibly trace who you are.
From Setsuna - Stay in the shadows. It disguises your features, and gives you an air of mystery. I should know. *grins*
From Haruka - Lose the speeches, girl! And be careful. You're speaking English in English territory. If you speak a bit of Japanese, or show a sign that you don't understand English, your cover is blown.
From Michiru - Try to act differently than you normally do. Like add a whole bunch of "like" to your speaking, and maybe try to speak with a French accent. Even a really bad French accent can disguise a Japanese one.
That's from all of us. Ja ne!
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Guardianofstrength@karate.com
Subject: Re: Disguise
[Hey Mako,
I need help on my fighting. Could you send me some brochures so I can change my style, etc? Thanks.
Bunny]
So, Usagi,
You want to change your style? Too bad. Your style's pretty cool . breaking the youma's eardrums, and startle it by killing it in a moment of lucidity. j/k. I sent you several packets on fighting style (your Sailor Moon Kick is cool, but it wastes energy, and doesn't have good accuracy) and disguising it. You know, throwing extra tidbits in that will hide part of your technique, and won't hinder it. Stuff like that. Oh, and it tells you how to ~properly~ sneak up on someone. Gotta go for now!
Jupiter
To: Moonbunny@sailormoon.com
From: Rosedude@myonlylove.org
Subject: I love you
[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]
My Usako
Just wanted to let you know that I love you, and that if you need any help I'm always here for you. Can't wait to see you again. If you think you can't handle it with the Dark-Generals-turned-good, you can always call on me or the other Senshi.
I love you.
Your Mamo-chan
++++++++++
Mark shot a dirty look at his half-cousin, or whatever. This was ~so~ not his thing. First, she had he and his friends haul in those gigantic suitcases. And now, her friends from . Connecticut, Japan, Germany, and England!!! . were sending these huge packages to her.
So of course she had pulled that puppy-dog-face on him, and pleaded that she was such a "weak, young girl", and she needed help from some "big, strong men." He had caved in of course, but not before shooting her a dirty look. He really ought to introduce her to the Sailor Senshi some time. So much for "weak, young girls."
Of course, Jordan had just laughed at him. And he ~knew~ he was being played . but it wasn't his fault that his half-cousin had him wrapped around her finger.
What did she have in her packages anyways? Mark wondered as he heaved the last package into his cousin's room. Once again, she was reading her emails. Most of them were in Japanese (which he was proud to say he still knew, even in this body), but some were in English. He leaned over to read one, and caught only one word . "Dark Generals."
$***. What did she know? Thoughts were running wildly in his head, so he didn't notice Usagi's panicked look as she covered the computer screen and shut it down.
Casually, he spoke. "Dark Generals? Who are they?" .
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Usagi's heart raced as she searched for a suitable answer. She looked up with her bright eyes and spoke the first thing that came to her mind. "Well, you know how Japan has experiencing these attacks? Well, some of them were started by these Dark Generals who are *so* kawaii! Major hunk-o-sauruses!" She paused to add effect. "Especially that Malachite person!" Hey, flattery gets you everywhere.
Mark nodded, his ego stroked, and his suspicion was gone for a moment.
Too late, Usagi remembered that she had the Silver Crystal erase EVERYTHING, and she should not have remembered this. "I mean, their dolls are so cute!" she burst out. Yes, there were Dark General Dolls. She and Mamo-chan had found them. Sickening-looking, too. The two had left the store, trying not to burst out in laughter. I mean, they portrayed Zoisite as a girl!
"Dolls?" Mark asked, interested.
"Oh yes," Usagi spoke with an evil gleam in her eye. "I especially like Zoycite."
"Zoisite?" Mark asked, aghast.
"Yes," Usagi smiled brightly. "She's so kawaii, especially since she's the only girl. And she and Malachite are ~so~ deeply in love, and they're spending the rest of their lives with Jedite and Neflyte waiting on them."
For some reason, Mark began choking, and had to leave the room. Usagi looked at him curiously. She had no reason why. As soon as sight and sound of him left the room, though, a wicked smile appeared on her face. She knew just what to get him and his friends for Christmas.
But on to important business. Usagi began organizing the packets she had received. Mamo-chan had sent a way-cool mask and a bouquet of roses. Ami-chan had sent the gizmo she mentioned earlier. The Outers had sent a small journal with the title "Memoirs" on it. She frowned. She would have to ask Mark what that meant. Mako-chan had sent a couple of simple brochure/packets. They weren't very long because Makoto knew she had a short attention span. Rei-chan had sent a small instruction booklet on meditation. Mina-chan had been the one to send the incredibly large packages.
She pulled out her disguise pen, a new pen, an extremely revealing outfit, and a disgruntled Luna. She did a double take. "Luna!" she screeched. "What are you doing here?"
Luna sniffed. "If I had known that Minako planned to stuff me in a small box, I wouldn't have suggested that I come here to help you."
"Hush it," Usagi scolded. "Mark might hear you. How am I going to explain you to Uncle Rick and Aunt Meg?"
Luna smiled. "I'm an old pet your friend sent you."
"But Mark will recognize your crescent moon," Usagi pointed out.
"That is a problem, isn't it?" Luna frowned.
"Well," Usagi suggested. "We can cover it up."
Luna shook her head. "If you do, I won't be able to talk."
"Well, then," Usagi frowned. "Can you use the disguise pen?"
Luna gave her a dirty look.
Usagi shrugged. "Just a suggestion. You have any better ones?"
Luna frowned in thought. "Well ." she frowned. "You could use your Silver Crystal to make my crescent moon invisible to anyone except for those who know its there or who look for it. But the spell is a musty spellbook on the moon, and you'd have to find a place to use the Crystal where Malachite couldn't sense you."
"Until then," Usagi said brightly, "I'll just hide you."
"How are we going to get to the moon?" Luna asked.
"Teleportation," Usagi shrugged. "But I'm going out to dinner with Mark and his friends tonight. I'll be sure to bring something back for you. Remember to stay hidden. Aunt Meg would freak if she found you."
Luna nodded. "I know, Usagi. Have fun."
"Sure," Usagi smiled. "See ya!" she called over her shoulder as she rushed downstairs.
"Whom were you talking to?" Mark asked curiously as he walked out the door with Usagi.
"Oh, no one," Usagi shrugged. "Come on. So, where are we going?"
"Blaise's Place," Mark said. "It's a joint all the high school kids like to go to. I can introduce you to some of my friends' kid sisters and brothers so you can know them before you actually start school." He smiled at her reassuringly. "Don't worry about school. If you need anything, Jordan, Zach, Nick, and me will be going to the nearby university. Our legacies live on, however. Just mention our name."
"Sure," Usagi smiled.
"Here we are," Mark announced.
"Hey, Malachi," a voice called out behind them. Usagi froze. Mark frowned. She shouldn't know the name other than those dolls she had mentioned earlier. So why did she seem to know that he was Malachi? There was virtually no connection between their names.
"Hey, Jihad," Mark nodded. "I'd like to introduce you to my half- cousin, Serena. She just came from Japan. Oh," he added to Usagi, "Malachi's Jihad's nickname for me, if you didn't guess already."
"Nice to meet you," Usagi said, taking it slowly.
"What's up?" Jihad smiled. He had dark black hair, brown eyes, and brownish skin, and he was obviously from somewhere around India.
"Has anyone else gotten here yet?" Mark questioned.
"Jedi got here a couple of minutes ago. He's off talking to some redhead with big-" Jihad suddenly stopped talking and glanced at Usagi. "With pretty eyes," he finally said. "Nephi called on his cell and said that he had to do some last-minute work at the Star Tower, and said that he'd be here soon. Nephi's parents are astronomers," Jihad added for Usagi's benefit. "Nephi is Nick and Jedi is Jordan, in case you didn't know."
"Has Z gotten here yet?" Mark asked.
"Nope," Jihad shook his head. "Amelia came, but she had to split, as did Lila. Marina and Rachel haven't shown up yet."
At Usagi's blank look, Mark explained. "Marina's my ex-girlfriend, Lila is Nick's girlfriend, Amelia is Zach's study partner that he asks to stuff because he doesn't have time to ask anyone else, and Rachel is Jordan's way-pushy girlfriend."
At this moment, a girl walked in. She had black hair and brown eyes. "Have any of you seen Jay-man?" she asked.
"Oh, hi Rachel," Jihad smiled. "Lookin' good. Jedi's flirtin' again."
"Before you go," Mark interjected. "I'd like to introduce you to my half-cousin Serena."
Rachel paused to glance at Usagi. "Kind of scrawny, isn't she?" she asked.
Usagi had no idea what scrawny meant, but she guessed it was supposed to be an insult. She just ignored Rachel.
"And what's with the weird hair?" Rachel continued. "Where's she from, the moon?"
Usagi suppressed a snigger at this. If only she knew.
"Don't go dissing my cousin," Mark said in a warning tone. "I only put up with you because of Jordan."
"Did anyone mention my name?" Jordan asked, popping up. "Hey, Serena. How you doing? Did you like the arch?"
Usagi nodded. "It was cool, but the elevator rides were cramped."
"I know," Jordan sympathized.
"Jordan," Rachel glared. "You haven't even said hi to me."
"Sorry, baby," Jordan murmured, and pecked her forehead. "Just making Serena here feel at home."
Rachel sniffed. "Well, the brat's okay if you ask me. You still promised me a dance."
Jordan sighed. "Chill, Rachel. I was just saying hi."
"Well, I'll be waiting by booth 13 if you need me," Rachel glared. "There's that really cute transfer student from Spain if you don't want me." She stomped off.
"Sheesh," Jordan shook his head. "I don't know what I see in her."
"Apart from the similarity in looks to an old girl, I don't either," Mark snorted.
"Old girl?" Usagi asked.
"Oh yeah," Mark smiled. "It was a long time ago. A girl called Rei."
Usagi smiled weakly, but she turned away. How could she forget? The Generals had been in love with her Inners before they betrayed them. Before the Generals turned to the Dark Side. Way back in the Silver Millennium. These Generals obviously had good memories.
"What do you mean you dump me!" a shriek was heard. "You can't dump me! I dump you!"
A furious Rachel rushed out of the room. As she bumped into Usagi though, she glared at her with hate-filled eyes. "You'll pay for this, girl, you don't know what I can do," she muttered, before continuing running.
"Well, that went well," Jordan shrugged as he appeared.
"Jedi, man, that was classic," Jihad winked.
"What'd I miss?" Nick asked, appearing.
"Well, Nephi," Jihad recounted. "You missed Lila. She had to go to the hospital to get her shot, but she'll be back later. And you missed Jedi here dumping Rachel."
"Good riddance," Nick snorted.
Usagi, having only heard the conversation, heard the word "shot." "Shot?" she asked, and shivered. "I hate shots," she said emphatically, enunciating the words.
Nick smiled sadly. "Lila has leukemia. She'll probably die in a couple of months, but until then she gets shots daily so she feels better."
Usagi bowed her head. "I'm sorry."
"So am I," Nick heaved a sigh.
At this moment, a blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl came in.
"And that's Marina," Jihad pointed out. "She may be Malachi's ex, but she's going to be my girlfriend. Just wait."
He sauntered up to the girl. There was a couple of seconds of inaudible conversation, and finally Marina's head bobbed up and down. Jihad came back leading Marina with her.
"Hi, Mark," Marina said brightly.
"Hi, Marina," Mark acknowledged. "This is my half-cousin Serena."
"Hello," Usagi said shyly.
Marina smiled. "Hi," she said. "Guess what just happened. Jihad just asked me out. Isn't that so cool!"
Nick frowned. "Didn't Mark just break up with you yesterday," he ventured.
Marina shook her blonde hair. Now that she was close up, Usagi could see faint blue-green streaks in it. "Mark was, like, so five minutes ago," she rolled her eyes. "Jihad is current. Get with it."
Jihad winked at the guys, and led Marina over to the dance floor.
Mark shook his head. "Yesterday, she was completely in tears. She even showed up on my doorstep while I was downtown with Sere, and left a note. Today, she's over it."
Jordan shrugged. "She was a ditz. You only dated her because she looked a lot like Minako."
Usagi snorted. Marina and Minako? They were very different. As if.
Zach appeared at the door at this moment. "Did I miss anything?" he asked. "I had to call an emergency meeting with Amelia because I reread our assignment, and we've been doing our project wrong."
"How?" Nick asked skeptically.
"It's a technicality," Zach shrugged. "It only took a couple of clicks with a computer mouse to fix it, though we did reread the entire assignment sheet to make sure we didn't leave anything out."
"Whatever," Jordan rolled his eyes. "Where's Amelia?"
"Oh, she's with her boyfriend," Zach shrugged. "Marvin."
"I though Marvin was going out with Millie," Mark said, confused.
"Millie moved to New York," Zach explained.
"Okay," Mark nodded.
Meanwhile, Usagi (being bored) had decided to explore Blaise's Place on her own. With all the loud music, inane chatter, and almost impossible to understand English, she was soon completely muddled and lost. She could not find the guys. Finally, she found Jihad making out with Marina. She winced.
"Jihad," she ventured.
Jihad looked up with Marina pouted.
She searched for the right words. "Where is Mark?"
Jihad smiled. "Mark said that he and the guys needed to go do something. He said for you to wait here."
Usagi nodded, only slightly confused. She headed for the exit, to clear her head of the very loud music being played. As soon as she drew a sigh of relief outside, though, in the deep recesses of her mind, she heard several voices. "Guardian of the Earth! Revert!"
She drew a deep breath. Even if she couldn't help them right now, she could at least analyze the situation by going to see them. She followed the echoes in her head, and ended up only a couple of blocks away from Blaise's Place. She hid behind a building as she watched Malachite, Zoisite, Nephrite, and Jadeite battle it out with a powerful youma. She bit her lip as she watched.
"Psssst. Usagi. Over here," a voice hissed.
Usagi turned to see Luna.
"This might help," Luna had dragged a basket with what she needed in it.
Usagi nodded and grabbed hold of the pen Luna indicated (she wasn't sure what it was for, but she was confident Luna would tell her what to do).
"Whisper Guardian of the Moon, Revert," Luna ordered.
"Guardian of the Moon, Revert," Usagi closed her eyes. Immediately a dim dusting of stars surrounded her. When the stars finally winked out, she was fully clothed. She wore a silver blouse-and-pants outfit, with silver boots and silver gloves. She had a rapier in her right hand (though for the life of her, she couldn't figure out who had the bright idea to stick her with a sharp, point stick she had no idea how to use), and she had a cute-looking silver beret on, covering her masses of hair. She slipped on the mask Mamoru had given her. She clipped the voice-disguiser on, and took a deep breath. This was it.
She quickly assessed the situation. Malachite and Zoisite were down (but not out). Nephrite's star attacks weren't harming the youma much and Jadeite's attacks did not seem to work unless the youma was distracted. Nephrite was already too weak to do much.
"Star Saber Revolution," Usagi whispered underneath her breath. She knew that was her attack without even asking Luna. She also knew (out of that part of her mind that supplied her with useless information about the Moon Kingdom) that the only reason she was allowed to say Star instead of Moon was because her mother had obtained the Queen of the Stars' permission a long time ago. She closed her eyes and prayed that they were all too busy to notice her aura right now. She hadn't even begun Rei's packets yet.
Suddenly, a stroke of genius encompassed her. She projected a hologram of herself on the other side of the small and cramped area in which they were fighting, and made it walk forward. They wouldn't sense an aura at all from the hologram.
She hesitated. She knew the Outers had said no speeches, but she needed to distract the youma. She bit her lip. Might as well attack it straight away. Maybe, seeing as it was focused on Jadeite, it was technically distracted and her attack would work.
"Star Saber Revolution!" she cried. The hologram lifted up an impressive looking sabre and slashed at the youma, as if that was the attack. In actuality, an invisible ball of power was being slammed into the youma, which disintegrated into dust. No sooner did the hologram flicker out of existence did Aurora appear.
She frowned. She had especially designed the youma to play upon the Generals' strengths and weaknesses, and it should have destroyed them all. She gently touched the dust before it was blown away by the wind. She touched it to her nose, sniffing it. "Finely done," she inwardly complimented whoever had destroyed it . they had done an extremely thorough job.
She looked around at the Generals. None of them were strong enough to do this. At this moment, Nephrite and Jadeite were supporting Malachite and Zoisite, both of whom had been helpless during the battle due to the sticky thread, which had held them, but had now disappeared.
She scanned around her, searching for auras. She found two. One of a human, and one of a cat, but the aura was too strong for a normal cat's. Her thin lips contorted into a grotesque simile of a smile. "Who are you!" she called. "I know where you are. And trust me . I will make you pay for that! The Creator will see to that!" So saying, Aurora disappeared in a flash of light as blue as her eyes.
To be continued .