Sailor Moon X by Starling Sinclair

Chapter 17: Where Is the Kingdom of Dia Anyway?

August 27, 2019

Crown Arcade was only a few days from the relaunch. The windows were replaced; new games and a new coin machine were installed. Motoki had even used the forced closure as an opportunity to upgrade the building's wiring. The site had passed inspection. The gachopons restocked. Construction dust still needed to be wiped away, which was Usagi's job for the day. It was a surprisingly big job. Turns out new construction is quite dusty, and it gets everywhere.

Motoki had stepped out to go get them lunch, leaving Usagi alone. It was a little creepy hearing the buzz of start screens and no patrons playing. Though, no one would mind if she just paused her dusting to try out the new Pokemon game…

Her fingers were wrapped around the Pokeball controller when a tap on the window sent Usagi flying. She turned around, full panic, ready to transform, only to see Rei and Makoto rapping on the glass. Makoto waved excitedly, and Rei put a hand on her hip, judgmentally. Usagi smiled then went to let them in. Technically, the public wasn't allowed in yet, but Usagi didn't think Motoki would mind. Especially since they weren't there to play games.

"Hey," Usagi said, manually opening the automatic door.

"Pokemon?" Rei said as she walked in. "Really?"

The blonde ignored her. "What brings you here?"

"Minako sent us because you don't seem to answer your texts," Rei said as she entered. Makoto followed behind her.

"Well, you know, I've been working," defended Usagi gesturing to the nearly restored building.

"And seeing Mamoru."

"He's really hot, by the way," Makoto added. She and Usagi high-fived behind Rei's back.

Walking towards the seats on the racing games, Rei continued as if she hadn't been interrupted, "And skipping morning training."

"Hey, I show up to that, like, sixty percent of the time."

"It's quite admirable, Usa," Makoto said.

"While all of that is true, Senshi business comes first," Rei parrotted. In her mind's eye, Usagi could see Minako mouthing the exact same words.

"So I keep hearing," the blonde groaned, slouching down in the seat of a Sega World Driver's Championship. Makoto folded her arms and rested against the back of Usagi's seat.

The Priestess slid into the seat beside the blonde with a shrug. "I'm just the messenger."

Placing her hands on the steering wheel, Usagi asked, "So what is this Senshi business that's so important that two of you came to visit me at work?"

"Have you read the news this morning?"

"Of course," Usagi answered matter-of-factly. Since becoming a Senshi, she'd taken quite an interest in local current events.

"She means the actual paper," Makoto added. "Not your Twitter feed."

"Twitter is an excellent source of news," she retorted.

"I'm not disagreeing, but visiting dignitaries aren't exactly trending," the newest Senshi said. "It was like on the back of the socialite section."

"The paper had excellent coverage of it," Rei continued. The other two women shared a conspiratorial look, which prompted, "What's wrong with reading the paper?"

"Nothing," they said in unison.

Usagi smiled at the brunette's back-up. "So what does this dignitary have to do with Senshi business?" she asked.

"This is where reading the newspaper would have come in handy," Rei said. "A princess from the kingdom of Dia is touring their precious and legendary treasure."

"Okay, I have two questions," Usagi interrupted, holding up two fingers. "One. I know I'm bad at geography, but, where the hell is the Kingdom of Dia?"

Rei opened her mouth to answer but then frowned. Makoto shrugged her shoulders before supplying, "Africa, maybe?" Usagi accepted this.

"And two," she continued, "who the hell tours precious and legendary heirlooms?"

The Senshi of Mars rolled her eyes. "How is this any different than your hashtag haunted house ploy?" she retorted.

"My haunted house involved a beach," Usagi countered.

"And this involves a ball."

"Touche," the blonde conceded.

"Anyway," Rei continued, "A mysterious princess and a legendary jewel are leads worth investigating."

"So, some rando princess has the mystical crystal we're supposed to be hunting, and no one finds this the least bit conspicuous?" Usagi said.

"It's probably just a coincidence," the raven-haired woman said.

Makoto shrugged. "I've heard of more far fetched ideas."

"Also, we know that the crystal is fragmented. So, it's possibly just a piece of the crystal," Rei added. "Plus, if we see the correlation, that probably means the Dark Kingdom does too."

Usagi groaned, flopping her head against the steering wheel. "So, secret guard duty. Wonderful. And here I thought I was going to a fancy party."

"On the bright side," Makoto added. "It is a masquerade."

"That is a plus," Usagi said.

"Minako is arranging everything," Rei continued. "She's getting masks and dresses while Makoto handles the invites."

"AKA, I'm sneaking you in through the catering van," she whispered. "The catering gig is also the only reason I knew about this dignitary thing."

"Anyway, we're to meet at Minako's at four pm to get ready," Rei said.

"Ugh, so early?" Usagi whined.

"It's not like you have plans," Makoto said. "Mamoru's working an overnight shift, isn't he?"

"How do you know that?" Rei asked indignantly.

"Umm," the brunette blushed and looked away.

"Have you been texting Mako?!" Rei exclaimed. "It's one thing to avoid Minako, but to skip out on me too?"

"Maybe, if you didn't only go through the group text," Usagi said with a shrug.

"Hello ladies," Motoki said, interrupting.

The blonde jumped at the intrusion, while he just laughed. They'd been so involved in their own conversations they hadn't even heard him enter.

He handed Usagi a bento box and a can of Pocari Sweat before turning to Makoto. "I don't believe we've met," he greeted with a flirtatious smile.

"MY LUNCH!" Usagi exclaimed, snatching the items from Motoki.

"Please don't eat them on the machines, Usa," Motoki chided. "They are brand new and don't have grease marks yet."

"I'm Rei," Rei introduced. "And this is Makoto."

Makoto held out her hand to shake, which Motoki took, the handshake lingering a little longer than necessary.

"Are you the ones she and Mamoru went on a cruise with?" he inquired.

"Well, Usagi and I met on the cruise," Makoto filled it. "Fast friends."

"That's our Usagi. I, unfortunately, don't have much to offer," Motoki continued. "I really only brought back lunch for Usagi and myself. You're welcome to whatever we have."

"Speak for yourself!" Usagi said with a mouth full of food.

"Is that from the vendor near the station?" Makoto asked. "He has a mean udon."

Motoki nodded enthusiastically. "Yep. Me and Usa love him. His noodles are the best."

"The best is a stretch. I think mine are better," Makoto flirted.

"Really? I think that means we need a taste test."

"Agreed! More food!" Usagi chimed in.

"We need to get going," Rei said, interrupting as she grabbed Makoto's arm. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Motoki. We'll see you tonight, Usagi?"

Usagi nodded as her friends headed towards the exit.

"It was so nice meeting you!" Motoki called as the girls walked out of the arcade.

Usagi's mouth was full of noodles that she nearly choked on when Motoki asked, "So… are any of your new friends, single?"

XXX

Mamoru tried to shrug off the guilt he felt as he scoped out the Embassy Ball. He'd snuck in as Tuxedo Kamen, an easy feat. His years as a jewel thief extraordinaire served him well. Plus, this place seemed to exceptionally lax in security. (Of course, being able to jump twelve-foot brick walls had helped as well.) He hoped tonight would yield another rainbow crystal to his collection. At least then he might be able to justify why he'd lied to Usagi about working an overnight. He was also grateful she didn't read the paper to know this gala even existed.

Keeping a low profile, he slinked along the balcony, watching the dancing couples below. Usagi would love this, he thought. He let himself picture it for a moment, her in some dramatic, pink dress, trying not to trip over the tulle while he swirled her around the ballroom.

Being Tuxedo Kamen was the biggest secret he kept from his girlfriend, and he hated it. He considered telling her about it, but they were so new and the secret so heavy. He didn't want to endanger her with the knowledge. Once he found the seven rainbow crystals and reunited them as the legendary silver crystal, he would be free. He could give the thing to the princess and be done. Wipe his hands of the whole superhero shebang, so to speak. Then, he could be with the love of his life completely unhindered, without lying about overnight shifts or extra long work hours, without the constant threat of death, without worrying what his enemies would do if they knew she existed. He wondered how Usagi felt about eloping. Nah, knowing her, she'd want the biggest wedding ever. He smiled at the thought. He could live with that.

As he walked, he saw a woman in a golden, satin dress, red mask, and a simple red bow in her hair. Smoothly, he ducked behind a pillar. He'd recognize that mask anywhere: Sailor V, or now know as Sailor Venus.

Once, they'd been a sort of ally, the enemy of my enemy and all that. A fragile truce that avoided the fact they were always after the same goal - the legendary silver crystal. Then, many years ago, he'd made a promise to a lovestruck boy. That promise had broken the truce between him and V.

He kept in the shadows as Venus walked by. The other girls had to be nearby. He'd need to be extra cautious. Believing the coast clear, he stepped from the shadows and scanned the room for a new hiding spot.

A woman he assumed must be Mars patrolled the other side of the room. (Really, color coordinating to Senshi uniforms and red masks wasn't the most discreet move) Like V, the red Senshi wasn't exactly open to his presence either. He scanned the room for the newest Senshi, the one he hadn't really gotten to meet when his eyes landed on Sailor Moon.

Mamoru almost didn't recognize her. Moon was leaning against the wall and terribly bored. Unlike the other two, she wasn't color-coded like he Senshi armor. She wore a white ball gown with roses on the trim and in her hair, but the same red mask. The mask clued him in, but it was his link to her that drew his focus to her. They were linked somehow. He didn't truly understand it, but he could sense her in a way that he couldn't detect the others. It was hard to describe. It felt almost like there was some string tying them together. Still, he knew keeping her safe was integral to the princess's mission. He smiled to himself. Perhaps this was his opportunity for a little reconnaissance.

XXX

How could she have ever thought that this would have been exciting? Minako and Rei were entirely too focused on their mission and, therefore, sucked any sort of joy from this sting. Then, on top of everything, Makoto was busy actually working, leaving Usagi alone with her thoughts and datelessness. Balls were supposed to be exciting, but, being all dressed up with no Mamoru to dance with was not.

A tap on her shoulder woke Usagi from her daze. She looked over and saw…

"Tuxedo Kamen," she whispered.

"Sailor Moon," he tipped his hat. "May I have this dance?"

White gloved hand outstretched, Usagi slowly reached for it. She suppressed a shiver of deja vu. This was just like that moment from Aladdin. Blinking away a mirage of a different ball, of a starry sky with a blue and green moon, she answered, "Sure, why not?"

Well, at least a different debonair man could liven things up, right?

Of course, a part of her was concerned by the fact he recognized her as Sailor Moon. Was she that obvious? Did that mean her identity as Usagi could be compromised? Did it even really matter?

Venus had told her that Tuxedo Kamen was an enemy. He wasn't on their side, but, Usagi didn't think that was true. Besides, wasn't there an old saying, the enemy of my enemy is my friend?

On the dance floor, they moved with grace. Her skirt swished around her legs, and somehow, her feet knew the steps, like muscle memory. Of what she had no clue. Was this a waltz or a foxtrot? As they swirled around the dance floor, Usagi was hit with a sense of deja vu again - like they'd danced before, in a ball, to save her from boredom.

She shivered. "Do you feel it?"

"Deja vu?" he answered. "Yes."

"I wonder what that means."

"I don't know."

Suddenly, a tinny tune began playing between them. Tuxedo Kamen reached into his pocket and pulled out a locket, star-shaped and golden, roughly the size of his palm. The little lid flipped up, and a small crescent moon moved over an exotic landscape.

Usagi traced her fingers along the edges of the trinket. Closing her eyes, she could almost picture herself beside a prince, handing him such a token while professing her undying love. Except, instead of a masked superhero, it was Mamoru. If he were here, sharing this moment, the entire context for this dance would be so different. She giggled.

"What's so funny?" She could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Oh, just dancing with an enemy to some romantic music. It's all so sweep a girl off her feet, happy ending, movie magic if only I didn't have someone else waiting at home," she said.

"Someone you love?" he asked.

"Yeah," she answered and looked away, dreamily. "Oh, dear, I hope he wouldn't be jealous."

"I promise, that I mean no romantic intent," he soothed. "I also have someone waiting for me."

Usagi smiled at him. "Well, if you mean no romantic intent, then what intent do you mean?"

"Honestly?" His eyebrows quirked above his mask. "I was bored. You looked bored too."

That got a genuine laugh from her.

"Acute observation, good sir," she said, giggles dying off. "But, really, what is your intent tonight? I should at least know if I'm actually dancing with the enemy."

"I don't think we're enemies," he said. "But I supposed we both after the same thing."

"And what's that?" Usagi was so proud of not dropping the information herself.

"Why to see if this legendary crystal of the Dia Kingdom has some sort of connection to the legendary silver crystal," he answered.

"Yeah, us too. What do you want the crystal for anyway?"

He shrugged. "I need it to bring to my princess."

"Your princess?"

"Yes. She needs the crystals, and in return, she'll restore my memories."

After a beat, she added, "We're also searching for a princess. Maybe we're looking for the same one."

"Maybe," he said.

"We should team up! Work together!"

He shook his head. "Sailor Venus will never allow that."

"And why not?" she pried.

"Surely, she told you," he said.

"Um, Venus and I aren't the closest, though we're working on it," she said. "She, and I quote, said you 'were not to be trusted.'" Usagi tried her best Minako impression.

Tuxedo Kamen looked over her shoulder, glancing around the room as if he couldn't face her while he explained.

"There was a boy who loved her. And he asked me for a favor. That no matter what happened, to keep her safe. And swore I would," he explained. "The Dark Agency, which Sailor Venus defeated, with little help from me, attacked one day, and I had to choose who to save. I only had moments, but I kept his promise. I saved V, but, the cost was the boy's life. I don't believe she's ever forgiven me."

"But! How could she not?" Usagi retorted. "You were just acting in the name of love!"

"You said you had someone right? Imagine, how would you feel if someone didn't save him, even though you might be more important to this battle?" he said.

"I'd do anything for him," she said very softly. "But, I guess I get it. I just think that this might be too much. That happened years ago."

"Time doesn't change the past," he said.

Usagi put her head on his shoulder in a sort of hug motion. He tensed when she did it, but relaxed into her touch. She felt his heartbeat on her cheek.

"You're right," he said into her hair. "About how this could be romantic."

"Maybe in another life," Usagi whispered, "things could have been different between us."

They were barely dancing. Something more like just holding each other. A fragile moment that would be lost with the slightest breath. He inhaled sharply.

"Venus sees us," he whispered. He spun her away, still holding her hand. Slowly, he brought her knuckles to his lips for a gentle kiss. "Another time, Sailor Moon."

And he left her on the dance floor, disappearing into the crowd. Usagi knew Minako would ream her out later for that little display, but for the moment, she held her hand to her heart and daydreamed of a different life. One where a tuxedo-clad superhero boy swept a clumsy, superhero girl off her feet.

The moment lingered, heavy with wasted kinetic energy. Usagi finally turned to see Venus bee-ling towards her. Then a youma broke through onto the veranda.

XXX

AN: I have a whole lot going on. I never got to work this chapter as much as I wanted to because my life has been absolute chaos. I have a lot of severe, family health problems and it's put a huge emotional tax on me. I didn't think I was going to be able to post today (break my 8-month streak!) but I managed to find the energy to finish the final revision.

I want to make sure I thank all of you for reading and the biggest thank you to all you reviewers. The review notifications really got me through some rough times. And a big special thanks to my hubby, who has spent the last week at the hospital being an amazing son to his step-mother.