Yay, an update! Warning: this is a different scene than the one that was supposed to contain a Quatre/Usagi moment, so don't freak out if it's nothing what you expected!
"Oh Usagi, you'll never change," Relena laughed, raiding Usagi's closet for the perfect outfit.
Usagi stood nervously next to Relena. Her sister had begged her to attend a Talks of Peace conference, to speak along with her, and Usagi couldn't help but agree. A white silk halter-top dress clung to her upper body, before flowing down straight to pool by her feet. There were slits that came to mid-thigh on one side of the dress. Her hair was piled on top, curls spilling out, and pearled bobby pins held everything together. A glittering pair of diamond shoulder dusters hung down from her ears, something she had borrowed from Relena. A white clutch was in her hand, her arms strung with white pearls and her feet clad in stilettos with ribbons wrapping around her leg to her knee.
Relena was dressed in a rather risqué pink strapless dress, one of which Usagi had let her borrow. The peachy shade brought out color in Relena's pale cheeks, and caused her eyes to glitter. The top part of the dress clung to her like a second skin, and she shifted uncomfortably in it. The silken dress slightly flared out in the bottom, and like Usagi's, pooled at her feet. Pink topaz chandelier earrings graced her ears and a small pink pendant hung down from a delicate silver necklace.
Her hair was up in an elegant French twist and a pink topaz tennis bracelet adorned her wrist. A small pink purse was clutched in one hand. Her ensemble was complete with a pair of strappy pink high heels, and she adjusted her dress over and over again. She was nervous about going in front of all these famous people, dressed like a teenybopper, and giving a speech that she was sure no one would listen to. Luckily, Usagi got to speak the last half of the speech, and Relena knew that her sister had an amazing public voice.
0o0o0o0
Minako sighed dejectedly as she stepped down from her limo. Applaud and flashing lights greeted her as her fans screamed out her name. Minako nodded faithfully before heading down the red carpet, pausing to give autographs and posing for pictures. Her smile wasn't real anymore; it never was. Her life was now a whirlwind of undying glamour and glitz, of betrayal and paparazzi. She shook her head and her molten blonde locks swished behind her. She had gotten rid of her customary red bow for this event.
It was rumored that the Princess Relena Peacecraft would be here as well and only the best in the acting business were invited. It was concerning the homeless and charity and blah, blah, blah. Like any of those greedy rich people actually cared for anyone else other than themselves. She would donate at least $1,000 to a charity after this little meeting. Unlike those actors and actresses, she hadn't forgotten her roots and her ties to the humble normal people of the world.
Minako's smile dropped as she entered the restaurant and regarded the people that were already here. It seemed as if her rival, Sally Po, was already here and kicking. The blonde actress couldn't match up to her skill, but insisted that she was better than Minako. Already, Sally had spread rumors about Minako and had 'stolen' a couple of lead roles. Of course, those movies never turned out half as magical as Minako's. She had this aura around her that sucked everything away from around you and pulled you into the movie, as if she was a sorceress of some kind. Or at least, that was what Usagi had said.
Usagi. That word meant the world to her. Usagi had always been there for her. Not even the other senshi were as close to her as Usagi was. The princess had given her hope when there was none. She had rescued her from her own self destruction. She had taught her what love was like, what it was like to care for someone. She held Usagi above her soul mate, someone who had not presented himself yet. Minako nodded at her co-star in her most recent film, a man who had dubbed himself Malachite. His real name was Mark something or another, but Minako didn't really care.
Minako engaged in small talk with Malachite as the rest of the invited guests came in. Waiters dressed in the traditional black and white came around with delicate hors d'oeuvres and glasses of sharp wine. Minako opted for a glass of water; she still refused to drink alcohol. The room steadily got louder and louder as more people streamed in, and soon, everyone was engaged in petty conversations with costars and friends.
"Please, please, ladies and gentlemen settle down," a powerful voice rang over the crowd and the actors and actresses quieted immediately. Relena Peacecraft stood at a raised platform, looking stunning in a pink gown. Minako had heard that Relena was a drab and ugly dresser, but this proved otherwise. Her clothes were tastefully chosen and her hair done beautifully. "Welcome to the fourth Talks of Peace conference held for the best in the acting business." The actors and actresses stood and clapped, creating a loud ruckus. Relena beamed. "Yes, I know that you agree you are the best. You have the talent, the aura, and the dreams of a successful movie star. Thousands are willing to lie at your feet to have a part of you. But there are also thousands that aren't as lucky as you."
"These are the thousands that you must help. They are struggling to live and everything they do doesn't help them. Today's theme is victuals. Those hors d'oeuvres you are eating and the wine that you are drinking is a part of your everyday life. You have three full meals and delicious snacks in between them. You drink to your hearts content. Expensive cuisines find their way to your plate and you devour them greedily."
"But this isn't about you anymore," a new voice, stronger and louder, joined the first. An elegant teenager made her way to the stage. Her dress was beautiful and white and her blonde hair was up in a sweeping do. She was completely gorgeous and Minako gasped once she saw the blonde's face. It was the one and only, Usagi. Her silver blue eyes glittered in the chandelier light as she stood next to Relena.
"Please welcome Ms. Usagi Tsukino," Relena smiled encouragingly at Usagi, who nodded. The crowd burst into polite applauds. "She is a rather close friend of mine and will deliver the rest of the speech. Thank you for your time."
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen," Usagi gave a dazzling smile. "I see more than half of you are already asleep and the other half of you are trying to stay awake. If I were you, I'd think this was boring, too." This earned her some laughs and the mood lightened considerably. "Well, nice to see you aren't those uptight bozos I had to meet a few weeks ago." More laughs. "Back to the subject. Unlike you lucky duckies, there are people around the world that can't afford even a single meal. They end up working in shameful jobs to try and live at the barest minimum. Let's see. I'm guessing that most of your dresses cost around $5-20,000. That's enough to feed an entire family for a year. Me, I ended up living in the streets, under a cardboard, while working at a night-club for money for food. I know what it's like. There was no one to help me and my pay was very, very low, about $5 an hour. That was until I came to Relena and she helped me, of course."
"I'm sure a lot of you came from humble backgrounds, where struggles to live weren't unusual. I know that there are a lot of you that were poor and worked hard to get to your status. I just want you guys to remember that before you got greedy about money and starry eyed about fame, you led a harsh life. If you could spare someone that hateful lifestyle, would you? I'm just asking you to help someone out. Sometimes, you have to look beyond the money and glitz and glamour back to the person you once were. In high school, didn't you want to change the world and help the oppressed and unfortunate? Maybe you'd remember if you hadn't been fortunate enough to have so much. The purpose in life isn't to take, take, take, but rather, to give back to society what it has given you. Just remember that. Thank you for your time," Usagi beamed at the silent crowd, who were contemplating her heart-felt words.
Suddenly, everyone stood and cheered, applaud shaking the entire floor. Usagi smiled and bowed among whistles and yells of encouragement. Her sister stood and made her way to Usagi, giving the blonde a hug and a whisper of thanks. All of a sudden, the lights went out and a dark laugh filled the room. Relena gripped Usagi while the actors and actresses shouted in fear and stood, trying to find the exit in the petrifying shadows.
"Relena, stay close to me!" Usagi whispered desperately as Relena began to hyperventilate. "I'm going to transform, but without the lights and ribbons. Don't worry; I'll protect you. Your guard must not catch on, you understand? They'll be here in about five seconds." Hearing Relena's confirmation, Usagi nodded and held out her broach, which materialized from her subspace pocket. "Moon eternal power, make-up!" her harsh whisper began her quiet transformation. Her clothes melted away to be stored in her subspace pocket while her uniform appeared. "Lumos!" Usagi shouted and a ball of bright inferno was held in her hands, lighting up the room. The inhabitants of the party gradually stopped running around and proceeded to gawk at the re-appearance of Sailor Moon.
"Everyone stay calm!" Usagi shouted, and immediately, the chatter ceased. Relena's guards were glaring at her, obviously not trusting her. She flew into the air, scanning the dim room. Shadows played across the walls, deceiving her. "Guard Princess Relena!" The Gundam pilots quickly grabbed the princess and led her out, leaving Trowa, Heero, and Wufei to stay. "Show yourself, evil minion!"
"Sweet, sweet Serenity," Jadeite slowly materialized, his voice dark and mocking. "I see you haven't forgotten about your powers. Two years since you had made your last appearance as Sailor Moon. I'm excited."
"Jadeite," Usagi narrowed her eyes. "I only appear when there's evil to be washed out. On the contrary, I'm more powerful than ever, so you might want to watch your back. Guards, get the innocent out of here!" Heero, Trowa, and Wufei worked to herd everyone out. Amid the chaos, Jadeite smirked at Usagi, walking closer to the tsuki no hime.
"Guardian of love and beauty, I'm Sailor Venus!" Usagi couldn't hide her shock as she whirled around to find one of her best friends, who shot her the 'v for victory' sign and winked at her. Usagi couldn't suppress a smile. "On behalf of the love planet Venus and in the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
"Still haven't given up on your corny speeches, have you Princess of Venus?" Jadeite laughed as Minako turned beet red.
"You'll pay for that! Love and beauty shock!" Jadeite easily dodged the heart shaped energy blast. Minako pouted.
"Moon inferno blast!" Usagi held out her hands in front of her and a barrage of crescent shaped flames flew out, causing Jadeite to dodge. Usagi took that opportunity to appear behind him and deliver a swift kick to his back, causing him to fly into the air. She appeared behind him in the air and brought her fists together, sending them crashing down onto Jadeite's stomach. He slammed into the floor, creating a dent. Usagi smirked. "Stupefy!" Jadeite rolled out of the way of the red beam before floating upwards towards Usagi.
"Enough," the blond spat, hands cupping to form a pulsating orb of electrical black energy. Usagi smirked.
"Do you really think that that small thing will do me harm?"
"I know so," Jadeite smiled, his face shadowed. A thick beam of energy shot forward at amazing speed, crashing into Usagi's middle and causing the blonde to fly backwards and crash through the building.
"Usagi!" Minako cried out, orange faerie's wings bursting through her back. They glittered, iridescent and beautiful, and Minako flew as fast as she could towards her close friend. "Usagi, are you ok?"
Usagi groaned in pain and stood. Her uniform was ripped and mangled and a thin trail of blood traveled down her cheek. The area around Usagi's stomach was bleeding heavily, crimson staining her torn fuku and skin and sinew hanging down loosely from her body. She made a face in disgust. Drawing the power of the moon, Usagi quickly healed herself. "I'm fine Venus; stay out of this battle. It's too dangerous. I've been in severe training; I'll be able to handle it on my own."
"But-"
"Just stay out! Princess' orders!" Usagi pulled rank on Minako, who rolled her eyes. She turned to face a laughing Jadeite. Her eyes narrowed in anger. "Why are you here, Jadeite?"
"Why, to kidnap you and make your heritage mine, of course," Jadeite smirked, throwing a ball of dark energy up and down. "Why else?"
Usagi smiled darkly. "Of course. Solar flare!" Usagi brought her hands to her face and fanned out her fingers so that they were facing her head and her palm was out. A blinding flash of white light receded through the room, and when it was gone, Jadeite was temporarily blinded. "Crucio!" The Forbidden Curse hit Jadeite dead on. Her heart held no remorse and that magnified the curse. Jadeite's pained shrieks filled the silent air as Usagi held the spell. "Enough?" She smirked, lifting the curse. Jadeite glared at her, groaning.
"I'll be back," he spat out, throwing a pulsating black orb at Usagi, and disappearing. Usagi bit back a scream as the attack hit her dead on in the shoulder, throwing her into the ground and creating a crater around her. Her chest heaved and she winced in pain. It felt as if her arm had been ripped off. She turned her head a little to see the extent of her would and a slight gasp escaped her lips. Shattered white, what had once been her bones, was exposed for the world to see, the flesh around the area ripped apart into shreds. The snowy white was becoming soaked in this crimson blood, which gushed out to pool around her arm. Her skin hung in several thread-like pieces, thebloodied insidesshowing in a gruesome tale. Her jaw clenched.
"Usagi! Are you ok?" Minako crawled into the crater, unable to hold back a mangled gasp when she saw Usagi's shoulder.
"I-I'm gonna be fine," Usagi's voice was strained. She wouldn't be able to draw the moon's power; she was in too much pain. "Minako, just help me. I need y-you to focus all your energy that you can draw from Venus into my shoulder. D-do you think you can do it? I-I'm not strong enough to do i-it on my own n-now."
"Of course," Minako nodded, closing her eyes. She brought back her memories of the golden palace on Venus. Orange and gold flowers ornamented the planet as the planetary flower. Rivers of pure blue flowed through thick green forests and long, golden grasses. The planet was bursting with wildlife, beautiful and elegant, much like the people of Venus. She could feel the power welling up inside of her, filling her with pleasant warmth. The raw energy traveled down her fingers, beginning at the pit of her stomach, and electric orange sparks circled her arms in meandering paths. She touched Usagi's bloodied shoulder and the bones immediately began to reassemble themselves, the shards fitting together like a puzzle. Flesh molded itself to the healed bones and skin repaired itself and stretched over the flesh. The only remaining evidence of Usagi's pain was crusty blood. Minako sighed in relief.
"You're alright."
"I owe you one," Usagi hugged Minako, who laughed and hugged her back.
"Long time, ne?"
"Definitely too long."
"Let's go. The others will be looking for us."
"Yes, let's," Minako smiled, dehenshining, and Usagi followed suit. The two walked away from the crater, unscarred and unscathed, and made their way to the front of the restaurant
I know this chapter isn't as well written as my other ones, and I'm not very good at action sequences, but I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! Please leave areview!