4 – 'Some Kind of Purpose.'
"Whaaat? Um, wait a moment here." Alexia giggled nervously as she paced around the room. "It's enough to discover that my cat talks, without you telling me I'm some kind of super-hero too!" she held her hand up to her forehead. "It doesn't feel like I'm burning up…but I gotta be sick or something!" Estrella shook her head.
"You aren't ill, Alexia. You are Sailor Charon, and moreover the princess of Charon - the moon of Pluto, also known as the Outer Moon Princess."
"WHAT?!" Alexia screamed. "Stop telling me these things!" She sat down in her desk chair. "I must be dreaming, that's it. I'll wake up in a couple of seconds…" Estrella rolled her eyes, then closed them. Her crescent moon symbol reappeared on her forehead and Alexia gasped. "That mark…Luna and Artemis…"
"Yes, it's the mark of the advisers of Queen Serenity."
"Qu…Queen Serenity?" Alexia murmured, feeling faint. "She was in my dream the other ni…Estrella! That was your name in the dream…and mine was Charon!" Estrella nodded.
"Yes, Alexia, I believe that dream was a flashback of our past," she curled up. "Would you like me to tell you the story of where you come from?" Alexia nodded, her throat suddenly feeling dry. "Very well. It all began a very long time ago on the moon. There was a huge kingdom which was ruled over by Queen Serenity. She had a daughter, who was to marry a handsome prince from Earth. However, one day a huge war began between the Moon Kingdom and the Dark Kingdom of the Negaverse. We tried so hard to fight, however the Dark Kingdom was extremely powerful and strong and so the Moon Kingdom was destroyed forever. Nonetheless, Queen Serenity managed to send the adversary back to their own dimension, and using the last of her energy, and with a little help from a tyrant named Emperor Mu she sent her court, her daughter and her daughter's fiancé to the future, erasing their memories of the Kingdom." Estrella fell silent for a moment.
"But what does this have to do with me?" Alexia demanded.
"You and the other Scouts were all princesses of your own planets, or in your case, moon; and also part of Serenity's court." Estrella continued. "You swore to protect the Kingdom when the trouble occurred. The reason you were there is a long story, which can wait for now."
"Okay, next question - why did you take so long to tell me I'm a Scout?!" the girl demanded to know.
"I knew from the moment I saw Mina that Luna and Artemis wouldn't be too far away - and that they would tell me to find and activate Sailor Charon, because that was the reason we were sent to the future - to find you Scouts if there was ever trouble." Estrella explained. "I've known you were the one for quite some time now, even before your cousin Trista brought me to you, actually when I first realised you were Sailor Charon you were still living in Kyoto. However you seemed so happy, and the others were doing so well without Charon that I thought it unnecessary. Also, they thought you and I were…" her voice faltered.
"Were?" Alexia urged her on.
"Dead." she finished and Alexia's blue eyes widened with horror. "You see back during the great war you left the others to find Queen Serenity, myself, Luna and Artemis. However we were safe, and when I discovered what you had done I chased after you. You were attacked so you had no other choice than to fight back, but it caused a massive explosion. We were both caught in it and presumed dead by the others.
"Well what really happened?!" Alexia inquired.
"We were rescued just after the explosion by the Guardian of Time, and your aunt, Pluto, and sent to the future by her."
"Princess Pluto?" Alexia murmured.
"That's correct." Estrella stood up again. "Now, Alexia, it's time to fulfil your destiny." with that the kitten leapt off the bed, performed a perfect somersault and as she landed on her feet in front of Alexia caught something in her mouth. "Here," she said the best she could with her mouth full. Alexia took the item from the kitten's mouth carefully and inspected it. It was a gold and purple pen with a star attached to the top; in the star was a symbol of a crescent moon like the one on Estrella's head except this one was silver, with a purple heart sat on the inside curve. "You need that to be able to transform, so make sure you don't lose it." Estrella exclaimed.
"Um, so what exactly do I do with it?" Alexia asked, switching her gaze between the pen and the cat.
"It's simple really - just hold it into the air and call out 'Charon Moon Power - Make Up!'. Why not give it a try now, since your parents are out." Alexia nodded, feeling extremely nervous. Her hand trembling violently, she raised the pen above her head and called:
"Charon Moon Power - Make Up!"
x x x x x
Rei's eyes shot open.
"Wh…what was that?" she murmured, getting up and walking away from the flames.
"Are you alright Rei?" Amy asked gently, looking from the book she was reading on the outside steps. Rei wiped her forehead absent-mindedly with her sleeve as she looked out of the doorway. "I just felt a huge sum of power being let out into the world. It was very strong…perhaps we should contact the others…" just as she was turning back a loud bleeping sound was heard from Amy's wrist - her communicator.
"Looks like they beat us to it." Amy smiled, closing her book and standing. "Hello Mina." she greeted as the blonde Scout's face appeared on screen.
"Amy, Rei - get to the zoo as quickly as you can. We think we've got trouble." she said breathlessly.
"Right, we're on our way now." Amy nodded and signed off.
"That must've been what I sensed." Rei decided. "Anyway, let's go." with that the Martian and Mercurian Scouts dashed off.
x x x x x
Estrella gazed up at the new-found Scout with tears in her eyes.
Oh Charon, she thought joyfully, I thought I would never see you again. You'll never realised just how much I missed you.
"Wooow, I love this outfit!" she grinned, admiring herself in the mirror. Just like all the other Scouts she was in a pretty sailor outfit - white and purple being the main colours. In the middle of the top was a lilac bow held in place with a purple brooch, and a bow of the same colour was fastened to the top of the back of the skirt. Purple-trimmed, elbow-length white gloves, a purple choker, a gold tiara set with a purple jewel, purple earrings and purple high-heels which tied around her ankles like ballet slippers all helped to complete the outfit. Flipping her plait of hair off her shoulder she grinned at Estrella.
"I can't believe this is real." she murmured, then suddenly froze. "Hey, I just thought of something that you said - how come you knew that Luna and Artemis would be nearby when you saw Mina?"
"Well Alexia, this is the funniest thing." Estrella smiled. "Your new friends…are actually the Inner Sailor Scouts – and therefore were the other girls you saw in your dream!"
"What?" She gasped. "Do they know that I'm Charon then?" the kitten shook her head.
"No, they have no idea. Luna and Artemis worked it out though." suddenly her ears pricked up. "However, now's not the time for idle chit-chat - it's time to show me what you're made of, Sailor Charon."
"Sorry?" the girl looked confused.
"I can sense an enemy, in the zoo I believe." she leapt onto the window sill. "The other Scouts are on their way there right now, so let's go and meet them."
Sailor Charon nodded, feeling the nervousness rising within herself again.
I am a Sailor Scout…me, of all people! She couldn't help but smile to herself as she leapt out of the window with the kitten tucked under her arm.
x x x x x
"Okay, so is this some kind of joke or something?" Sailor Moon called out as she spread out her arms. "We've searched this place high and low and there's nothing!"
"But I can sense it! A dark force!" Luna exclaimed. "You're obviously not looking hard enough, Serena."
"No luck here either." Venus called from nearby.
"This is getting ridiculous now, can't we just go home then come back if it ever decides to show up?" Jupiter muttered.
"Wait, I'm getting a reading!" Mercury called out as she tapped away on her computer. Looking through her VR visor she scanned around them. "It's coming from over there!" she pointed to an enclosure, where several peacocks and peahens were crowded around. Suddenly a screeching laugh filled the air.
"Found me at last, Sailor Scouts?" the voice teased. "Well it's about time!" the birds scattered, revealing a blue and gold-haired girl crouching on the ground. She looked up and smiled cheekily as she raised herself to her full height. She was dressed in blue catsuit with trims of gold and green, a long feathery tail stuck out behind her like a peacock's. "The name's Paon, nice to meet you all." she batted her large golden-green eyes and took a sweeping bow, giggling with her screeching laugh again.
"I think you must be slightly confused…didn't you realise peacocks are male?" Jupiter said scathingly. Paon's sparkling eyes narrowed.
"Grrr…of course I knew that! They're prettier than the females though." she sauntered towards them, the tail swaying from side to side. "Hey, you're trying to distract me, aren't you? It's not going to work!" she took a deep breath, then screamed. The sound cut through the Scouts' brains like blunt razors and they all fell to the ground holding their ears.
"She really needs to take singing lessons!" Venus yelled over it. "Venus Love Chain Encircle!" the golden hearts wrapped around Paon's neck, whilst the Venusian held the other end. "Nice leash!" she cried triumphantly.
"Grrr, you'll pay for that one Venus!" Paon yelled angrily, then let out a couple of squawks in the direction of the peacocks and peahens around. Their eyes turned as gold as the girl's and they charged towards the Scouts and started to peck and flap their wings violently.
"Get off me!" Sailor Moon yelled as one of the peacocks grabbed her skirt in its beak. "Oooh you nasty creatures you!" the peacock suddenly let go as a red rose hit its beak.
"How dare you get innocent creatures to do your dirty work!" Tuxedo Mask announced as he sauntered over, his cape fluttering behind him as it was caught by the gentle summer night's breeze.
"Ohhh…cutie!" Paon's eyes turned into hearts as she gazed at the gallant youth, but as suddenly as it had happened she shook her head. "Nuh uh, not another distraction!" she told herself, her eyes glowing brightly. As she spoke she unfurled her long tail like a fan.
Everything froze.
The Scouts and Tuxedo Mask found themselves transfixed on her tail feathers, which looked like a thousand green-gold eyes staring back at them. She shook them slightly, and they fell to their knees at her feet.
"Can't…control…my body!" Mars said rather distantly, her eyes glazed over.
"Same here…" Jupiter murmured, as she rolled onto her back. Paon giggled again, her shining eyes filled with pure delight at the spectacle.
"This is fun!" she exclaimed, causing her tail feathers to quiver again. As she did this Mercury grabbed Sailor Moon by the neck and started to shake her.
"Heeey, let go of me…" the blonde leader said with no feeling in her voice whatsoever.
"This isn't good." Luna said anxiously to Artemis.
"That's it, I'm going to stop her!" the white cat was about to gallop off when another voice piped up.
"Don't go rushing in there without a game plan, Artemis," they turned to look at Estrella, who had a rather smug smile on her face. "Help's here already."
"You mean…?" the older cats exclaimed.
"You just watch." she smiled, nodding towards the fight.
The Scouts were all mindlessly attacking each other whilst Paon held her sides and squealed joyfully.
"This is so great, I get to hurt the Sailor Scouts with damaging a single tail feather!" she declared.
Unluckily for her, this little announcement wasn't going to be true.
All of a sudden, without a single word of warning, Paon's tail burst into flames.
"Eeeek!" she squealed, running round like a madwoman, her eyes wide with sheer terror at the surprise attack. "My feathers, my beautiful feathers! Water, water!"
"My pleasure," Sailor Mercury regained her senses in a heartbeat and let go of Sailor Moon's neck. "Shine Aqua Illusion!" Her attack hit the burning tail of Paon and turning it to ice.
"Phew, thanks. You're too good to me." Paon sighed gratefully, a hand to her heart as she slumped to the ground.
"So how did that happen anyway?" Sailor Venus exclaimed, a hand on the back on her head as she pondered. The other Scouts looked at her - that moment had made them all remember the day the fifth Scout had rescued them from Malachite's cruel trap back during their first battle against the Negaverse.
"Right here." A voice hailed them from above. They all gazed up at the figure stood on top of a cage silhouetted against the full moon, her long plait of hair being blown by the wind.
"Who the-" the Scouts all exclaimed, and as they stared at this newcomer the same nervous thought shot through their minds.
Another Scout, with a long braid of hair? Mercury wondered to herself in disbelief. It couldn't be, it just couldn't!
What's she doing here? Jupiter thought furiously. Wait 'til I get my hands on her!
Sailor Universe? Sailor Mars shook her head. No, the voice was wrong - and I would've sensed her, surely!
"I am Sailor Charon, seventh Champion of Justice, and defender of hope and peace!" the strange Scout declared. "I'm here to help you out of this trouble!" she leapt down from her stand and landed with the agility of a cat. The Scouts continued to gaze at the new arrival in amazement as she smiled brightly. "I will aid you on behalf of Charon, Moon of Pluto."
"Wow…" all the girls exclaimed.
"Sailor Charon, but we thought you were dead!" Mercury exclaimed, feeling slightly disappointed although she had no idea why.
"Heeeeey! Stop ignoring me!" Paon suddenly stood up again and placed her hands on her hips indignantly. "How dare you steal my show!" she yelled at Sailor Charon.
"Guess there's no time for explanations now!" Mars yelled as Paon charged towards her screaming. "Mars Celestial Fire - Surround!" this time the feathers on the bird-girl's head erupted into bright red flames.
"Not again!" she moaned loudly, running round once more, patting her head wildly as she tried to put them out. Finally she slumped to the ground in defeat and exhaustion. "You know I was really starting to think you girls were alright, I thought we might be able to become good friends!" she suddenly burst into tears. "Now I can see - you're all just a load of…meanies!" her wails would've put a banshee to shame.
"Sorry, just doing our job!" Sailor Moon apologised, as she started to swing the sceptre round her head expertly. "Moon Sceptre Activation!"
"No faaair!" Paon yowled as she turned into dust.
"Good job Scouts!" Luna said approvingly as she and Artemis walked up. "And now I guess we ought to introduce you. Scouts - this is Sailor Charon."
"Nice to meet you all." Charon smiled.
"And I'm her guardian, Estrella." The orange kitten jumped into Charon's arms.
"Is it me or are these turning out to be the weirdest couple of weeks, ever?!" Sailor Venus couldn't help but exclaim, holding a hand to her forehead.
Sailor Mercury was the first to step forward. She took Charon's hands in her own and smiled into the new girl's pale blue eyes.
"I can't believe it…you're not dead after all." The Mercurian Scout murmured.
"So, who are you?" Mars asked, peering intently at the new Scout. Charon's smile broadened, and her pale eyes continued to sparkle mysteriously.
"We'll come and visit you - tomorrow." she said rather hurriedly, a total contrast to her calm face. With that she turned, and she and her guardian cat walked away quickly into the darkness of the night.
"Wow…how cool was she?" Sailor Moon sighed, her eyes shining.
"You could tell from that short time?" Jupiter remarked with doubt in her voice. The blonde leader nodded, her hands clasped below her chin.
"Yes…yes, I could." She murmured confidently.
"I wonder who she is?" Tuxedo Mask spoke up.
"I guess we'll find out tomorrow." Venus said. She didn't say anything but she felt in her heart that she'd already met Sailor Charon before. Perhaps it's just a feeling from the past haunting me, she concluded.
"Unless you know - Luna, Artemis?" Mercury looked down at them.
"No idea at all." Luna replied quickly. "Let's wait and see."
"Right." they all agreed.
x x x x x
"Why did we have to leave so quickly?" Estrella asked of Alexia as they ran along. The girl looked down at the cat, securely held in her arms, sheepishly.
"Because I suddenly remembered something - mom and dad'll be back soon, and they'll be wondering where the heck I am!" Estrella laughed.
"Oh, Alexia." she sighed. "I'm so happy that I've told you everything at last…I hope you're not mad at me for telling you who you really are…" the kitten looked nervous as Alexia stopped at the gate of her house and smiled fondly at her.
"Not at all." she said gently. "You see, Estrella, I've always felt there was something…missing in my life. When I was young I used to pretend I was a princess with lots of friends, and my parents just thought it was a game but to me it wasn't - it was real. I couldn't explain it, I still can't now, but I just knew there was more to my life than just this. I knew I had some kind of purpose…" her voice trailed off, and she looked up at the moon. "And now I know what that purpose is. All I can do is thank you." she held the kitten tighter, and the nervous feeling melted away.
"It's no problem at all, Alexia. No problem at all." she sighed, and they walked through the gate together.