Chapter 12: Pisces
Veronica was running around the palace gardens for some athletic fun when she felt a cold wet nose touch her leg. She yelped in surprise and looked down. Luckily it was only Fuyumi, the Water Zodiac dog.
"I think you should go see Michiru and get your Senshi powers. While I'm glad you want to be strong to fight your enemies, what you really need, as Pisces, is to bring out your spiritual side. Obviously, the way to do that is to be a Senshi," Fuyumi informed her. Veronica shrugged and turned towards the main palace building.
"That's probably a good idea. I mean, maybe I'll be even stronger when I'm Sailor Pisces!" she declared. The two of them headed to Michiru's quarters, and found that she was busy talking to Stormy.
"Hello, you two. I was just giving her a history lesson on the Senshi. Would you like to join?" she asked. It seemed as if Michiru had been expecting her, and wasn't too surprised to see her visitors.
"Maybe. Fuyumi says I need to get my Senshi powers now," Veronica said.
"Of course. Sailor Pisces, right? I always felt that you carried the wind within you," Michiru smiled, handing a silvery white star pendant to Veronica, who put it around her neck.
"Carried the wind? I thought Haruka was the one who had the power of the wind," Veronica pointed out, confused.
"No, more like I can imagine you flying. It would fit you very much if you could fly," Michiru explained.
"That sounds like fun. I like the idea of doing something like flying when I'm a Senshi, rather than using silly magic attacks. It makes more sense anyway, since there are real animals that can fly, but not magic ones," Veronica commented. Fuyumi frowned.
"You should be more concerned about the spiritual realm, rather than the physical so much. You won't be able to tap into your potential as Sailor Pisces if you don't," she warned.
"It's okay if she's that way. She actually reminds me of Haruka," Michiru said dreamily.
"Are you flirting with me?!" exclaimed Veronica indignantly, "I'm only 13! What kind of grown-up woman flirts with kids?! I don't even care about romance!"
"Not in that way," Michiru quickly tried to correct herself. "I didn't mean to flirt with you. I already have Haruka, and I know you have to eventually go back to Wales, so that would be silly."
"You mean that I'm similar to Haruka, then? I like that idea. I always thought Uranus was the strongest of the Senshi," Veronica agreed.
"I disagree with you. Usagi was the strongest. She was able to heal her enemies without fighting them, and she eventually became the Queen we know and love today. Since Haruka didn't do anything like that, she's not the most powerful," retorted Fuyumi, eager to protect Usagi's honor once again.
"Perhaps we could say that Serenity and Haruka both have equal but different strengths?" Stormy asked calmly.
"There you go again. Miharu told me you weren't being a proper Leo, and now I know you aren't. You're supposed to pick one side and argue it, and you, Pisces, are supposed to want her to compromise," Fuyumi snapped.
"You silly puppy. Don't you know that astrology isn't meant to be used that way?" giggled Michiru, patting Fuyumi on the head condescendingly.
"Don't talk to me like that! The Zodiac Senshi are weak! And it's because they don't act properly!" Fuyumi shot back with a bit of a whimper.
"But about Haruka and Serenity being equal--why is Serenity the Queen, then? How come you Senshi don't have a democracy?" Stormy asked suddenly, ignoring Fuyumi for the moment.
"We do. Serenity and Endymion are the King and Queen when it comes to magical matters; that is, they protect Crystal Tokyo and the world using the Silver Crystal. However, Japan still has it's elected officials that deal with the regular issues of a government. And we don't rule over other countries, am I right, Stormy, Veronica?" Michiru said, turning the question back on the two young Senshi who were listening to her.
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe you're like England, where they have a regular Parliament but the King and Queen are just figureheads," shrugged Veronica. "Honestly, Stormy, why worry about it?"
"Because it's not fair for people to not have a say in things. And I suppose I jumped to conclusions and assumed that Serenity and Endymion were more than just figureheads. At least when it comes to things that aren't magical. When it involves the supernatural, I would think that people with magic powers would be the best equipped to deal with such matters," Stormy admitted with a bit of a sigh.
"I don't think Usagi would be the kind of person to want to boss everyone around, anyway. She never acted like she was the leader when she was younger, and actually, for the longest time I was surprised that she was supposed to be the future Queen. She's much too playful and silly, and she still is, though she tries to act regal in front of the general public," Michiru said.
"And that's why she's the best suited for the job. Those born of the Moon ARE supposed to be kind and gentle, always caring for others. She's the perfect example of her type, well, except for her eagerness. She should be more cautious if she's born under the sign of Cancer," added Fuyumi.
"I disagree. A leader should be a tough person, not a wimp like her," asserted a new voice. Nearby was Nanaka Kino, glaring at Fuyumi and glowing with a red aura.
"I think Usagi is tough in her own way, Nanaka. She was strong enough to defeat all those enemies when we were younger," Michiru pointed out. Nanaka rolled her eyes and ignored her, instead turning to Veronica. She smiled approvingly.
"You. You're the one who should be the leader, not Neo-Queen Serenity. You're definitely strong enough for the job, with those big muscles," she announced. Veronica was confused at first, but then she smirked.
"Sure, I think I would make a good leader. So are you going to stop being evil and come back here? I think Makoto is waiting for you," Veronica said.
"I'm not evil, Neo-Queen Serenity is. My duty is to put her daughter, who is much more of a tough soldier, in the throne instead of her. And you Zodiac Senshi are in my way," Nanaka retorted, yet she made no move to attack.
"Then I'll just weaken you first! Pisces Zodiac Power, Make Up!" Veronica called, silvery lights swirling around her as the final Zodiac Senshi was awakened. She was Sailor Pisces, and her Senshi outfit was mostly silver, and adorned with yellow bows. Nanaka snorted.
"What kind of tough warrior wears such a silly outfit?!" she exclaimed, flinging a ball of fire at Sailor Pisces, who quickly flew out of the way.
"Please don't fight us. Perhaps there is a peaceful way that all of us can have our goals acheived?" Stormy asked, speaking mainly to Nanaka, but she was also pleading with Sailor Pisces to not attack. Sailor Pisces, on the other hand, was rather confused, since she didn't quite expect to get airborne so suddenly. She then realized that this was meant for her--she wasn't the type of Senshi who threw water or electric bolts or magic sparklies, she was a physical fighter! Taking advantage of this, she dove down at Nanaka, knocking the surprised girl down.
"Hey! Get off of me! I'll complete my mission and destroy you!" she shouted, flinging more fire out of her hands. This time, Sailor Pisces was hit, and she crashed into the floor, trying to roll the flames off.
"Leo Zodiac Power, Make Up!" Stormy suddenly called, turning into Sailor Leo and wearing her blue and orange Senshi outfit.
"So even you are ready to fight too? What a hypocrite," sighed Nanaka, and she flung another fireball at Sailor Leo, which hit her too.
"Leo Fizzy Carbonation!" Sailor Leo called, aiming her own powers at herself, and the wet soda put out the fire. She then did the same for Sailor Pisces, although in the latter's case most of the flames had been put out. Meanwhile, Nanaka was sneaking away to find Neo-Queen Serenity, but she stopped and turned around when she saw the two Senshi weren't burning anymore. She roared with anger and charged, but Sailor Pisces stopped her with a punch, knocking Nanaka out. Nanaka then disappeared with the same red glow she had when she had first appeared. Sailor Pisces fell down, whimpering a bit.
"I beat her, but it still hurts. She still burned us," she gasped. Michiru nodded seriously.
"You girls stay there with Fuyumi, and I'll go get Ami to take care of you," she said, and she hurried off to find her blue-haired genius friend.