Hi there! I know it has been a while since I updated this fic, I've recently started a new full-time job so I took a short break. I also started another Sailor Moon multi-chapter fic, Witches 0, focusing on you'd guess it, the Witches 5. Feel free to check this one out too! ^^
Minako remained dumbfounded. Reiko wanted to defeat that monster? What the hell was she talking about? How did she even intend to do that? What was she thinking about…?
Who was truly Aya Reiko?
"Could she actually be…? That strange senshi?" Minako thought.
Reiko remained unfazed as the monster continued to rush toward her and, as it was about to hit her, she gracefully dodge its attack.
"You will have to do better than that," Reiko sneered.
Even Michiru seemed astounded by this turn of events, looking at Reiko with confusion as she kept dodging the monster's attacks with ease. The audience seemed glued to their seat, unable to leave. They really were taking Reiko's demand to stay calm very seriously, it seemed.
"R-Reiko-san, watch out!" Minako warned. "This is dangerous!"
"It's fine! Be a dear and go fetch me a water bottle. I feel like I'm going to be exhausted after all this running around," Reiko said, composed.
"What are you even talking about!? This is a monster!"
"I know, right? It looks so realistic. They must have busted their budget on that!"
"...Uh?"
"But still, that's so mean of Karasuma-san to not have warned me first! But as they say, the show must go on, so bring it on!"
Minako couldn't believe what she just heard, and it seemed to be the same for Michiru. Did Reiko think that this sudden monster appearance was just part of the show? If so, then she really was in danger!
"Dammit, how dumb can she be!?"
Well, at least she did prevent the audience from panicking, but at what cost? Minako needed to act, and fast! She left the set and hid, before pulling her transformation device.
"Venus Planet Power, Make up!"
Her clothes immediately changed for her signature sailor fuku. She rushed back to the stage and noticed that Michiru had left, while Reiko was still avoiding the monster's attacks.
"You, stop right there!" Venus exclaimed. "How dare you disturb this live show between two artists!? I, Sailor Venus, will punish you with love!"
Reiko glanced at her.
"Are you talking to me?"
"I was talking to the monster, obviously!"
"Oh… did Karasuma-san send you? Good, because I don't think I can't keep this up for much longer-"
"Reiko-san, look out!"
"Huh?"
But it was too late. The monster finally reached Reiko, pushing her against the back of the stage. Reiko's body was slammed on the wall, her head hitting it.
"Ugh!"
"Reiko-san!?"
Reiko fell to the ground, out of commission. There were concerned noises coming from the audience and Venus was worried there might be a rampage if everyone starts panicking.
"Everyone, everything is fine!" Venus declared. "This is all part of the show! I'll save Aya Reiko and defeat this monster!"
The audience seemed reassured, yet doubtful. Venus had to deal with this monster quickly before anyone got hurt!
"Venus Love Me Chain!"
Venus conjured her chain made of pure light and captured the monster, who let out a grunt of frustration upon being restrained.
"Hold it still, Venus!"
Sailor Neptune had made her entrance on the stage.
"Deep Submerge!"
Neptune launched her ball of concentrated aqua energy towards the restrained monster. But it never reached it.
"Tinkle Resonance!"
A sudden sound wave clashed with Neptune's attack, neutralizing it in the process.
"What?!" Neptune let out.
Ring-a-ling.
Dropping right between the monster and Neptune was the mysterious white cat-girl.
"Did she just… protect that monster?" Venus wondered.
Neptune looked surprised for a second before she stared at the stranger.
"You must be this supposedly self-proclaimed new 'ally' I heard of," Neptune began. "That white cat. Care to explain why an ally would be attacking us?"
"I think you greatly misunderstood me," the catgirl said. "That wasn't meant to attack you and I'm sorry if you took it that way. I was just trying to protect them."
She pointed to the monster as she said that.
"I don't see how you protecting that monster make the situation any better," Neptune replied.
"This is no monster. This is a person who is merely corrupted. Only Sailor Moon can deal with it."
"You seem to know awfully a lot about Sailor Moon…"
"Enough to know she wouldn't want you to hurt an innocent person who's simply corrupted against their will!"
"Hm! And who might you be, to say such words?"
"... I guess you could just call me 'White Cat'."
Neptune cocked her head, looking suddenly annoyed.
"You've got some nerves. Who's to say you aren't actually an ally to those new monsters?"
"I'm not, I am Sailor Moon's ally. I just don't want innocent people to get hurt."
"I won't stand by while a monster is out there being a threat!"
White Cat refused to get out of her way and Neptune got ready to launch another attack. Venus wasn't sure what to do. Michiru was her friend and her actual ally, but she didn't actually disagree with White Cat's point. And more importantly, she didn't want them to fight.
"Wait, stop!"
It wasn't Venus who said that. Sailor Moon had finally made her apparition on the stage, much to White Cat's delight.
"Sailor Moon! Purify them!" she exclaimed.
Sailor Moon took a few seconds to collect her thoughts, but when she saw even Neptune seemed to have calmed down, she nodded and conjured the Eternal Tiare and aimed at the monster.
"Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!"
Pink light flared at the top of the Tiare and streamed toward the monster in multiple waves which hit it directly.
"Purify!" the monster screamed.
The dark aura disappeared and the creature returned to its original form; a young man. He laid down on the stage, unconscious but otherwise unharmed. White Cat sighed with relief. Venus immediately rushed to the also still unconscious Reiko.
"Reiko-san! Reiko-san!"
"Hmm… ughhh… w-what…? What happened…? Did I win?" she asked weakly.
Venus signed, relief, but still quite annoyed with Reiko. As White Cat started to walk away, Neptune immediately called her out.
"You're leaving right away, without even explaining yourself? Who are you exactly?"
White Cat stopped for a moment.
"I already told you. I'm an ally of Sailor Moon."
"An ally… of me? Why?" Moon asked.
"I… can't tell you why. I can't tell you who I am either, because… I'm not quite sure myself, to be frank. All I know is that I'm on your side, Sailor Moon. And I'll do everything I can to help you!"
"Such devotion from someone who doesn't even seem to know who they are- or doesn't want to say it," Neptune said still doubtful. "I'm sure you can understand why we can't really trust you, don't you?"
White Cat scoffed at that.
"Think what you want. I have no interest in fighting you. I may be a senshi, but I'm also a guardian of peace. I loathe unnecessary fights. Anyway, it's time for me to take my leave-"
"W-Wait…!" Sailor Moon exclaimed. "At least tell us your name!"
The catgirl smiled.
"It seems like you guys already gave me one. So feel free to refer to me as 'White Cat', Sailor Moon," she said with a wink.
Somehow, Sailor Moon felt her heart skip a beat. Who was this girl? Did she know her? She had the feeling she did but didn't know how.
White Cat quickly left the stage while Neptune seemed less than happy about this. The audience applauded, thinking this was all part of the show. Sailor Moon seemed very confused by this reaction and awkwardly bowed to them.
"Huh… thanks?"
Then suddenly, the door of the studio burst open.
"Reiko!"
It was Karasuma, now rushing to the stage.
"Reiko, are you alright!?"
"Nngg.. Karasuma-san…?"
Reiko looked in pain.
"I think I hit my head pretty hard…"
"You might want to get your head checked then, just in case," Neptune suggested.
"I've been trying to get her to do that for a while now," Karasuma replied.
"Wow, that's a harsh thing to say about your girl- your client!" Venus exclaimed.
"What are you… that's not what I meant!" Karasuma protested. "Anyway, who are you people? And who gave you access to this studio?"
"Eh…! Huh… we were just… defeating that monster…" Sailor Moon explained.
"And were are Kaioh-san and Aino-san…!? Ugh!"
"Karasuma-san… I feel dizzy…"
"Reiko…!? Anyway, I have no time for you people. Reiko, can you stand up? I'm bringing you to the hospital."
Karasuma helped Reiko get back on her feet, but she immediately started to stagger. Karasuma quickly caught her, wrapped one arm under her legs and the other around her waist and lift her up, bridal carry style.
"Ahh, Karasuma-san, I love you."
Karasuma immediately blushed.
"Idiot, not in front of everyone!"
The audience cheered again. Did they really think all of this was still part of the show?
"Thanks everyone for coming! The show is over because I have to go get my head checked! Seeya next week!" Reiko declared.
Karasuma left the studio, still carrying Reiko in her arms. The audience started leaving too, while the senshi remained somewhat confused by this strange interaction.
"Aya Reiko… who is she…?" Neptune whispered.
"Huh? Did you say something?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Hm? Nothing. Sailor Moon, you should be careful around that White Cat individual. I don't think she's being fully honest with us."
Without adding more Neptune left the studio too. Sailor Moon turned to Venus.
"Venus…?"
"Neptune is right that this White Cat is definitely hiding something, but… I do want to trust her. I don't think she's our enemy. So perhaps… she really is our ally after all."
Sailor Moon nodded and smiled at that.
"Yes! We just need to make the others understand that!"
"...so, this is what happened," Minako said, finishing retelling her day.
The girls were at a cafe near the arcade, discussing the recent events.
"Hm, this does sound concerning…," Rei said.
"I know, right? Who would have thought Reiko-san was such a handful to work with… my image of her took a shot."
"Not that, you dumbass, the monster attack! White Cat!" Rei replied, annoyed.
"Oh! Yeah, that too. Michiru-san nearly threw hands with that girl, that was pretty bad. Good thing Usagi-chan showed up right in time."
"So, did you learn anything new about this White Cat person? Why would she try to start a fight with Michiru-san?" Makoto asked.
"That's the thing, she didn't want to fight. She wanted to save that person who turned into a monster. I didn't feel any hostile intentions coming from her," Minako said.
"So perhaps… she truly is an ally," Ami replied.
"That's what I've been saying…!" Usagi exclaimed.
"But still, she is definitely suspicious. Like she's hiding something," Rei said.
"I'm sure she has her reason…"
"Hm, that reminds me, during the confrontation, she said something like she 'wasn't quite sure who she was'?" Minako said. "And that she was a senshi."
"A Sailor Senshi?" Makoto asked.
"Probably."
"Not sure who she is… memory lost? Or maybe she hasn't fully awakened yet," Ami proposed. "We were like that once, and not just us."
"Yeah! Tuxedo Mask too! And he was acting mysteriously too back then, before his full memories of his past life came back! I'm sure she's the same! She's probably just confused but still trying to help us. If we trust her, I'm sure she will open herself to us eventually," Usagi said.
"Oh, isn't Usagi-chan? With everyone?"
Usagi was surprised to see none other than Nyanko in the cafe. Usagi did her best to ignore her friends' gazes.
"N-Nyanko-san! Huh, hi!" Usagi replied nervously.
"Why are you wearing your school uniform on the weekend?" Makoto asked.
"Never mind that, what are you guys up to? This seems like a very lively conversation!" Nyanko asked.
"Eh!? Uh, We were…" Usagi tried to find something to reply to.
"We… were talking about love!" Minako suddenly answered. "You know how that is. We get very excited when we talk about our crushes and stuff."
"...What?" was all Rei answered.
"Ohh, I see! Then, I'll leave you to that, Have fun-"
"W-Wait, Suzu-san!" Minako said, glancing at Usagi with a grin before looking back at Nyanko. "Wanna join us? Do you perhaps have a crush on anyone?"
Usagi wanted to smash Minako so badly right now. Surprisingly, Nyanko seemed flustered by the sudden question.
"This is a little embarrassing, but I do have a crush on someone," Nyanko answered.
Usagi started to feel nervous.
"Y-You don't have to answer if it makes you uncomfortable," Usagi immediately said.
"No, it's fine. I don't mind this. It's just that… it's a completely impossible, one-sided crush I have. She's like, an angelic or something? I have no chance."
"... Uh?"
"I'm talking about… Sailor Moon! I have a crush on Sailor Moon!"
"Ehh!?"
They all went silent for a moment. Nyanko looked gradually more flustered while the others all glanced at Usagi.
"Sailor… Moon?" Usagi repeated like she wanted to be sure.
"Yes! And ever since she saved me the other day, this just confirmed my feelings. She's so cool! She's a true warrior of justice, the pretty guardian Sailor Moon! Just talking about her makes my heart race!"
Usagi was now blushing madly.
"Y-Yeah, Sailor Moon is cool, huh."
"And she's super pretty and cute too!"
Usagi's entire face was now red.
"What about the other Sailor Guardians? You've met them too, right? How about Sailor Venus?" Minako shamelessly asked.
"Eh? Oh, they are fine too, I guess. But they don't compare to Sailor Moon in my book!" Nyanko replied, dreamy.
Minako looked like she was desperate for a rebuttal but refrained herself. Usagi was still too embarrassed to talk.
"So, that's pretty much it. I'll leave you now. It was nice talking to you guys!" Nyanko declared, waving at them as she walked away.
There was an uncomfortable silence at their table for a moment until Usagi finally broke it.
"S-See? Nyanko-san doesn't have a crush on me, she has a crush on Sailor Moon!"
"But, Usagi-chan… you are Sailor Moon," Ami replied as matter of fact.
"She obviously doesn't know that!"
"This is still quite funny," Minako said. "Somehow, we were still right. She does have a crush on you, just not the you we expected."
"Ugh! You guys can be such meanies sometimes!" Usagi let out. "Enough about Nyanko-san, let's go back to what truly matters right now- White Cat!"
"We're just kidding, don't worry," Minako brushed off lightly.
"I suppose whenever we see her again, we will have to try talking to her," Ami said.
"Yeah, there isn't much we can do about it for now," Makoto agreed.
"We should still remain cautious," Rei warned, looking in the direction where Nyanko left. "I feel like we might be overlooking something important…"