THE SECOND MOBIUS
Book Two of Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon CosmicStars
by Nashie (aka ShadowSamurai)
May 2000 – September 2000
Revised - Winter 2001
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and her friends belong to Naoko Takeuchi. The author takes no credit for any of the original storyline. However, all the new characters belong to me and I'd appreciate it if you didn't take any without requesting permission.
Episode 223: Mysterious new ways. The soldier of sacrifice awakened
"I didn't hear you!"
"Hey, hey, put that down. Hey, put ME down!" Chibiusa shrieked, bopping Usagi upside the head with her pink inflated baseball bat. Usagi shrieked and bopped Chibiusa back with her pink inflated bat. Chibiusa screamed and they began hitting each other with their prizes.
The girls had walked over to a carnival that had just recently set up just outside of Juuban District court. Chibiusa and Usagi were holding bags full of goodies. The other five girls watched the two, embarrassed. They were each holding cotton candy cones.
"Would you two, like, quit it?" Mako asked, rolling her green eyes. She stared at the two odango-atamas as they shrieked and bopped each other again and again. "Act your age. Usagi-chan, you're supposed to be setting the example. You're seventeen, for crying out loud!" Usagi delivered one last bop to the tiny girl's head.
"Sure, Mako-chan," she replied. Chibiusa glared at her future mother, but her glare didn't last long. She looked past her mother and saw a large booth. It was decorated in clouds, moons, and stars. Chibiusa's eyes lit up.
"Oooh, look at that," she gasped, her eyes gleaming. Usagi looked over and her eyes got the same look in them. They rushed over to the booth, careful not to bump into the thick crowd. The two odango-atamas stared at all the goodies the booth packed.
"Oooh, glass kaleidoscopes!" Usagi breathed, touching the silver one closest to her. She held it up to her eyes and saw the many colors change through the eyepiece. "So pretty..." Chibiusa gazed over at all the exotic, gorgeous dream-like toys. There were glass yo-yos and beautiful star and moon pendants. Her eyes caught the gleaming rings and the large stuffed animals as well.
"It's gorgeous," she whispered as she looked at the booth name. 'Moon Over Tokyo'. "What a pretty name."
"You like it?"
The two girls looked up and saw a very pretty girl standing in front of her. Her skin was medium-toned and her gorgeous purple curls were held by two red hairballs. Her ruby-red eyes gazed at the two girls. Usagi smiled.
"Yes, you have a beautiful booth," she said. Her five other friends walked up to Usagi, staring at all the beautiful items on display. "It's so moony and dream-like." The girl smiled.
"Oh, uh, thank you," she whispered, blushing. Ami noticed and looked at the tag of a large stuffed cat. Her blue eyes read the script-like penmanship on the card.
"Hmmm, these are handmade," she noticed as she looked at the tags on each category of toys and jewelry. "By someone named Meino Keiko-san. That's a pretty name." Hogoshi noticed the girl was blushing tremendously now. Her cheeks were completely red.
"By any chance, are you Meino-san?" she asked, cocking her head to the side. The girl nodded shyly, obviously embarrassed. The others looked at her, amazed. Chibiusa couldn't believe that she had made kaleidoscopes. That must have taken a long time to make.
"How long does it take to make all of this, Meino-san?" Chibiusa asked, staring at the toys. Keiko flinched at the formality of the name.
"Please, call me Kei," she said. Pointing her hand to each of the items, she smiled. "The pendants take about a half hour to make. The stuffed animals take around two hours each. The yo-yo's take about an hour and a half. The rings take about twenty minutes. But these…" she glanced over at the glass kaleidoscopes, "take about twelve hours."
"Where do you find the time?" Rei asked, her eyes growing large. Kei shrugged. "I mean, I can never find enough hours in the day as it is."
"Have you ever thought about the hours at night?"
Rei blushed. "Night? Isn't that when you're supposed to be sleeping?" Kei laughed, a harmonious, joyful laugh. Usagi could've sworn she had heard that laugh some place before. Weird.
"Well, yes of course," Kei replied, gently touching a glass kaleidoscope with her fingers. A smile spread across her face. "Because that's when I dream. Dream of a beautiful palace with mystical creatures and gorgeous princesses with their handsome princes." A misty look filled the girl's eyes. "Back in a long forgotten time...a silver era...a moon kingdom...with a beautiful heir to the throne...and her four guardians...beautiful, serene time for all..."
The seven girls stared open mouthed and wide eyed at the girl. Suddenly they felt something wrong. They all glanced at each other and saw that the symbols of their planets were glowing on their foreheads. Quickly, they glanced at the ground, blushing.
"A soldier, a soldier from that time...and her four, no, eight guardians," Kei continued, but suddenly stopped. The moment was over. Her eyes became unhazy as she smiled at the girls. "So, are you going to buy something?" The girls looked at each other and saw that the weird phenomenon was over. Their foreheads had returned to normal.
"Um, I think I'll buy a ring," Usagi whispered, trying to sound cheerful. She picked up a silver one with a pink stone in the middle. "You want one, Chibiusa-chan?" Chibiusa nodded, her cheeks flushed. Usagi pinked up a smaller, but identical one.
"I'll get one too," Hogoshi declared and chose a silver ring with a silver stone. Ami fingered with a ring that boasted a blue stone while Rei gently touched a ring with red stone. Mako tried on one of the little pieces with a green stone, but Minako was already handing three yen over for a ring with an orange stone. Each of the girls handed over the cost.
"Bye, Kei-chan!" Usagi called over her shoulder. The others also waved good-bye. Hogoshi then turned back around towards the booth. Minako stopped.
"Hogoshi-chan?" she asked, looking surprised.
"Yeah, I'll be right there," Hogoshi assured. Her green eyes twinkled. "I forgot something." Minako nodded and left to catch up with the others. Hogoshi walked back towards the booth and saw Kei waiting for her.
"I guessed you forgot something," Kei asked and handed over four rings. Each one boasted different stone: dark blue, aqua, black, and violet. Hogoshi's eyes widened.
"How'd you know?" she gasped, taking the rings gently in her palm. They glittered in the sunlight. Kei shrugged.
"I just had this feeling that you'd come back for those rings," she replied. Hogoshi brought out her purse, ready to pay for the rings. Kei put her hand on Hogoshi's and shook her head. "No, it's free. Don't give it another thought."
"But..." Kei turned her back, showing that the conversation was clearly over. Hogoshi walked away in a daze. How on earth had that girl known she had come back for more rings? And more surprising, how did she know she wanted the rings in those colors?
Strange.
It was late by the time the carnival closed. Kei had boxed up everything that was left and put on her deep blue jacket. The temperature had dropped quickly and a cold breeze was passing through the grounds. Kei had sold nearly everything that was in her booth that day and had very little to carry. She smiled as she gently picked up a medium-sized brown box.
"Meino-san, I'll clean up for you," Beenie said. The short janitor popped up around the corner. Kei flashed an adorable, lopsided smile. Beenie smiled.
"Thank you so much Beenie-chan," she said sweetly. Her red eyes sparkled. "You're too kind." Beenie blushed and went about his work. Kei grinned and walked out to the entrance of the carnival.
Kei knew this route too well as she began her walk to her apartment building. She easily held the box in her arms, but delicately. There were three glass kaleidoscopes in there.
Rounding the corner to the Juuban Avenue, Kei felt oddly as though she were being followed. She quickened her pace as she looked up at the violet colored sky dotted with glittering stars. She remembered earlier that day when the two odango-atamas and their friends had come to her booth. Why on earth did they stick out more then any of the other customers?
"They were just so cute," Kei murmured to herself. She thought about the brunette girl who had come back for those four rings. She wondered to herself. How did she know about those four rings? Strange things always happened to her. "I wouldn't blame her for looking at me funny."
Kei continued walking and before long reached her apartment building which was more like a mansion than an apartment. She opened the revolving doors and smiled towards Meria, the doorman…or doorwoman. Meria smiled back.
"Your papa wants to talk to you," Meria whispered as Kei walked past. Kei stopped walking. Her father was a good man, gently hearted and sweet. But whenever he wanted to talk to Kei, he changed dramatically. Meria smiled at Kei's suddenly gloomy face.
"Ah, don't worry," Meria assured. Her orange eyes twinkled. "He was in a cheery mood, fella was." Meria was from England and had faltering Japanese. But her accent was from the Oxford variety and she could burst out into a good bit of cute Cockney when over emotional.
"Okay, I'll see you tomorrow," Kei said, waving good-bye. She boarded the elevator and pressed the number 10, the penthouse she lived in. Her father was very wealthy and had bought the entire 10th floor penthouse.
Kei leaned back against the gold bar of the elevator as she checked her appearance in the mirror. She brushed back a purple curl and sighed. She knew she was beautiful. All of her girl and guy "friends" had penetrated that fact into her head. She was smart, one of top students at her school. And she had a wealthy father who was kind to her. What more could she want?
Kei sighed as the elevator number skipped floor seven and continued on to floor eight. What more could she want? She was at the top of everything. Academics, social life, wealth. Everything seemed to go for her. Was she so spoiled that she wanted more than what she already had? Those seven girls she had met today…could they be the missing link?
Ding.
The elevator doors slid open and Kei stepped out, holding the box firmly in her hand. She walked down the end of the short hall and brought out her key. Turning the key in the door, she opened the door.
"Daddy?" Kei called, closing the door behind her, stepping into the large living room. "Daddy, I'm home."
"Koko, is that you?" a deep, male voice asked from the study. Kei flinched at the nickname. Her father always called her that. It was embarrassing, even without friends in her presence. She set the box down a corner and strode across the white and gray marble floor to the study.
Inside, a handsome man with whitish blonde hair sat behind a dark mahogany desk. Kei looked warily at her father. He looked up, revealing warm, honest brown eyes.
"Welcome home, Koko," he said, smiling. He beckoned her to come closer with his hand. Kei walked closer to her father and stood in front of his desk. Taking a deep breath, she smiled.
"Daddy, am I in trouble?" she asked, putting on a mischievous grin. Her father looked at her and grinned as well. Kei inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn't too serious, hopefully.
"I'm going to Germany."
"What!?" Kei gasped, looking at her father in horror. Her father was a doctor. Why would he need to go to Germany? "Why, Daddy?"
The man chuckled. "It's only for three weeks, sweet. I have to go over there and train some new doctors. It's going to be in Berlin. An entire conference for new doctors - a once in a lifetime opportunity, Keiko." Seeing the look in his daughter's eyes wasn't changing, the man reached for her hand over the desk.
"I'm sorry I have to go, Keiko," he said, his voice really sounding as if he was sorry. "But I can't pass this up." Kei was struggling not to cry.
"Daddy…don't leave me," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I don't want you to leave." Kei's father sighed, but shook his head. Kei pulled her hand away.
"When are you leaving?" she asked.
"Tuesday at 5:00 a.m." Kei nodded and turned to leave. Just before she left, her father said. "I'm sorry, I really am."
Kei shut the door behind her. She walked back across the living room to her large bedroom.
Kei didn't even bother turning on a light. Tears threatened to fall from her huge red eyes. She flopped down on her huge four-poster bed and cried. Her father was always leaving. It was a wonder they ever had time to bond. But...he was her only family. Kei's mother had died when she was only five and she never had any brothers or sisters. So now, with only one family member left, how was she supposed to take care of herself?
"Spoiled, spoiled," she cried into her pillow. That missing link would never come. She'd always be torn to and from this perfect façade. The façade at school and public where she was shy, but popular and smart and the façade at home where her family was totally screwed, but wealthy. The thought of it made Kei's head spin. She cried all the tears she could muster into her pillow. What more could she want?
Love. Kei realized this with a start. She wanted a lover. But all of her friends would never be more than friends. They were the giggling, laughing type of friends. Not the kind she could get serious with. After all, her male friends all had girlfriends. And anyone who approached her was never her type. Why couldn't she find that special someone? Someone who could understand her...and she could understand as well. It hurt to think about it.
There was a creak.
Kei spun towards the window that had opened mysteriously. A small, dark figure sat hunched on the windowsill. She stared hard. "Who's there?" she whispered. There was no answer. Kei turned from the window. She was imagining things.
"Meow." Kei sat straight up in her bed and turned toward the small figure in the window. Her eyes widened.
"Neko-chan?" she thought. She looked at the tiny thing of a cat whose large purple eyes were regarding her carefully. "A cat? What's a cat doing all the way up here. You should get out of that window, kitty. That's a ten story drop."
"I heard cats always land on their feet," the cat said. Kei's jaw dropped as she stared at the cat that had come into the moonlight. She was small calico cat with a purple collar and a star bell.
"You...you...just talked!" Kei sputtered. She glared at the cat as she sat dumbfounded on her bed. "C-c-cats aren't...supposed to talk..." She looked at the collar on the cat. "Is there a microphone in that? No? I'm dreaming. Yeah, that's it. I'm dreaming. When I wake up, Daddy won't go to Germany and there won't be a talking cat in my room."
"Get up," the cat demanded, jumping on the bed. She sat next to the shocked girl. "Not all cats talk, yes I know that. Only guardian kitties do. I'm a guardian kitty, so I talk."
"I don't believe it. Aren't people supposed to have guardian angels?"
"I won't answer that," the cat said, pouting. "Maybe you're not the girl I'm looking for." Kei's head snapped up as the cat walked back towards the window.
"Hey, wait!" she called. The calico stopped and peered back at Kei. Kei got off the bed and kneeled next to the cat. "Even if it is a dream, I might as well go for it right? I mean, I've always liked dreams like this."
"What if I told you're awake?" Kei sighed.
"I'd have to believe you." The cat smiled at her honesty. She turned back toward the girl who was still staring at her.
"So, you're ready to listen?" she asked. Kei nodded. "Okay, my name is Selene. I'm your guardian cat. I've come here to train you and guide you on your destiny." Kei's eyes widened.
"Guide me? Where am I going?" she asked, staring intently at Selene. Selene smiled sadly.
"Nowhere," she said. "I'm here to guide you mentally and train you physically and mentally. You're Sailor Midnight, soldier of sacrifice." Kei couldn't believe what she was hearing. She, Meino Keiko, was a sailor soldier!?
"I'm a sailor soldier?" Kei asked. "Like Sailor Moon and the others?" Selene nodded, looking Keiko right in the eyes. "Oh, man. Now I know I'm dreaming."
"If you're dreaming, then this won't hurt," Selene hissed, biting her teeth into the fleshly part of Kei's hand. Kei yelped in pain.
"Okay, okay, I believe you," Kei moaned, cradling her injured hand. "Just don't do that anymore." Selene nodded and then looked around the room. She seemed to be looking for something.
"Do you have something very dear to you that might hold some emotional power?" Selene asked, looking back up at Kei. Did there seem to be some sadness in her voice and wasn't there a shiny look to the cat's eyes as if she wanted to cry? Kei shook it off.
"I have a glass kaleidoscope my mother had made for me when I was three," Kei suggested. "Would that help?" Selene nodded and Kei got up. Her head was spinning. Funny how quickly she got used to talking to a cat.
Kei walked over to a dark blue velvet box on her desk. She saw the intricate silver key lying next to it. Gently picking it up, she inserted the key into the box and turned it slowly. There was a click as the box popped open. Inside, on blue velvet lay a stunning silver and glass kaleidoscope. She gently picked up and was reminded of her mother.
She brought the kaleidoscope over to her guardian cat. The cat smiled. "Yes, this'll do quiet nicely." The golden symbol on Selene's forehead glowed brightly. A beam from the symbol went straight towards the kaleidoscope.
"Hey!" Kei cried, dropping object on the floor. The toy glowed under the golden light for a second and then shrunk. Kei stared at her beloved toy before it stopped glowing. The kaleidoscope had transformed into a smoky glass locket trimmed with silver that had dark blue and purple designs of twelve stars on it. Each star has a sign from the zodiac imprinted on it. Each sign glittered with different kaleidoscopic colors.
"Pretty," Kei breathed. Selene nodded.
"That's your own special transformation brooch," she said wisely. "Now raise it above your head and shout 'Midnight zodiac power, make up'!" Kei nodded and raised the kaleidoscope locket above her head.
"Midnight zodiac power, make UP!" Kei shouted. A multitude of colors burst from the locket and surrounded the girl. She spun around several times, the locket firm on her chest. She felt extraordinary power running through her body. Her fuku glowed white before darkening in colors. The sign of midnight glowed on her forehead before being replaced by her tiara. Flipping her hair dramatically, she ended in her end pose: right hand flaring over her forehead and her left hand down at her side. Her legs were crossed.
"Oh, my god!" Kei cried, looking at her sailor outfit. Her skirt and collar were all midnight blue, while her front and back bows were bloody crimson. Her locket had turned into a gold button. Her white gloves came to her elbow and lined in midnight blue and midnight crimson. A gold tiara was set on her forehead and had a midnight blue gem inside of it. Her boots came to her knees and were white with a gold trim and a midnight blue symbol on the point.
"Ah, yes, you are the soldier of sacrifice," Selene said, but her voice didn't sound happy. Midnight noticed that sadness in it. Her red eyes filled with worry and apprehension.
"Soldier of sacrifice?" Midnight asked. "What does that mean? I have to kill people!?" Selene shook her head.
"No, but it's time you received your memories. Now don't fidget, this won't hurt."
Author's Note: I notice now that Keiko is Mary Sue like. Hmm...hopefully, that will change as chapters progress. Who realized that she was the senshi of sacrifice? I believe that one shouldn't span entire chapters searching for someone (unless the entire plot is made up of that search). After all, we need to get to the action. (So I say when "Aeternum Vale" has the entire first act of Miaka and Taka searching the reincarnated Suzaku seishi...-sighs-)
What do you think so far? R&R, 'cause you all love Nashie tons.
Come on! The next chapter awaits us!