Chapter 10
The Cursed Bus: Enter Mars, The Guardian of Fire
"If these cursed heroes find the Legendary Silver Crystal before we do, then they could cause us some very serious problems. We, the Dark Kingdom, must be first to acquire the crystal. We will show no mercy to anyone who stands on our way," said Queen Beryl.
"I know what you mean, Beryl. But even though our efforts to locate that Silver Crystal have come up with nothin', it's because of that pesky Sailor Moon and those meddling kids gettin' in the way of your plans," replied Pete.
"I'm afraid Pete's right, Queen Beryl," said Jadeite.
"Your previous failures have clearly made Queen Beryl most displeased. If you can't fulfill the objectives of the task she's given you, then I will be forced to transform you into a Heartless myself!" Maleficent said furiously.
"I know that Jadeite's failures have become a disappointment, Maleficent. But I will give him a chance to redeem himself if goes and collects more human energy for our great ruler and then eliminate those meddlesome fools who would dare oppose us," Beryl said to her.
"Very well then. Jadeite, I will accompany you on this task, but if you fail Beryl again, then she will grant me her permission to turn you into a Heartless," Maleficent said darkly.
"I understand, 'O great and powerful mistress of evil," replied Jadeite.
Sora, Usagi, Luna, and their friends were walking down the street, when they heard the sound of sirens. They knew that it was the Juban Police Department, but they were rather surprised to see them racing down the street.
"I wonder what happened," she said.
But her face lit up as she saw Ami nearby.
"Ami," called Usagi.
"Hey there," said Sora.
"Oh, you guys!" Ami said excitedly as she saw them.
Then Luna jumped up into Ami's arms.
"So, uh, are you waiting for the bus Ami?" asked Sora.
"Yep, I'm on my way to cram school," she replied.
"I see, you must be willing to travel a great distance to reach Cram School, even if you have to take a bus," said Riku.
"It's nothing, I'd take a plane if it meant going to a good cram school. And besides, Now that I'm a Guardian, I need to study and acquire as much knowledge as I possibly can so that I can help Luna find the missing Moon Princess," explained Ami.
"Yes, that's right Ami, you're so admirable," said Luna.
"Hmm… sounds fair. But, if it's alright with you, do you think you could take one of us along with you so that we can obtain more info about who we're fighting against?" asked Roxas.
"Of course I can," Ami said sweetly to Sora's nobody.
But another police car raced by making them all look.
"Another Police Car?" wondered Sora and Usagi.
"Hey, guys," said Naru, who approached them with another of her friends.
"Have you all heard what happened on this bus route?" asked the student.
"What?" everyone asked in response.
"Yesterday evening, a little after 6:00PM, a bus that was full of passengers just drove off and disappeared," she said to them.
"Wow, really? That sounds pretty cool," said Usagi.
"No it's not, it's really serious," replied Naru.
"I'm afraid Naru's right, for three reasons. 1: If there really is a bus that's disappearing after it picks up its passengers at six in the evening, I'll bet you anything that Jadeite's trying to collect some hearts to resurrect some darker presence he's working for. 2: he may be filling that bus with darkness, just so he can lure people aboard it and attempt to use those hearts to create new and more deadly Heartless to prey on the darkness inside the hearts of other people. And 3: if he succeeds in this task, then he might go after the world's heart so that the Heartless can destroy it, and have it ensnared in the realm of darkness. A place where only the Heartless reside. And anyone who ventures down there unprepared, will most likely lose their life there. So you see, we have to find out where those buses are taking those people after they board it," explained Sora.
Luna was rather surprised to hear Sora say that, but she mostly kept quiet so as to not make Naru think she heard her speak out of line.
"Don't you guys know of the bus stop at Sendai-Zaka-Ue?" she asked.
"Yeah, it's where the five streets meet, isn't it?" replied Usagi.
"That's right, apparently nearly fifty people got on the bus there, yesterday. And know one's seen them or the bus since," said Naru.
Usagi was afraid, but Sora's expression suddenly darkened after hearing what Naru said to them.
"At first, the police tried to keep it a secret, because they thought it might be a mass kidnapping or something. But no demands were made, so they made it public and it opened up an investigation," said Naru's friend.
"The cursed 6:00 bus," Ami and Aqua said, making Usagi jump.
"Scary, right?" asked Naru.
"You know, there's a Hikawa Shrine near Sendai-zakou that sells amulets known for warding off evil, so what do you say we go down there and get some," said Usagi.
"Wait, I know that place! They say the shrine maiden there has strong spiritual powers, and can even predict the future," piped in Naru.
"Oh, then we can get our fortunes told, too," agreed Naru's friend.
"Well, let's head over there," said Usagi.
Sora nodded, but Ami shook her head.
"Usagi, do you think you could pick me up an amulet?" she asked.
"Yeah, but why don't you come with us?" Usagi asked her friend.
"Sorry, but I really have to study today. There's an important practice test coming up that I can't miss. You know what it's like when you have to hit the books," replied Ami, making Usagi disappointed.
But Sora smiled at her.
"No big deal. We understand what it's like when you've got a lot of work to do. We'll let you know when we find out what's going on at Hikawa Shrine, Ami," he said.
"Thank you, Sora," smiled Ami, and shook his hand.
When Sora, Usagi, and their friends reached the Hikawa Shrine, they heard the sound of cawing crows, the ringing of bells, and the sound of girls praying for the man they cherished with all their hearts. But they had no idea that Jadeite was disguised as a priest as he glared at the three girls standing near the altar.
Go on, wish for even more love. Fill your hearts with romantic energy, he thought.
Inside the shrine, a girl with long dark hair sat in front of the fire, waving a gohei in front of her. When she stopped she began feeling a strong premonition of what was to come. Outside, an elderly man approached them.
"Hi there. What a bunch of cuties!" he said, making them turn and face him.
He looked like a jolly dwarf, but he wore the trappings of a shinto priest.
"Any of you interested in working here?" the old man asked as he approached them.
"Sorry but we just came here to buy some of those love amulets you sell," said one girl.
"Why of course, I was only kidding you," he chortled jovially.
He looked at his watch.
"It's five-thirty, you're just in time. So as usual I'll recite a special prayer in order to bring true love into your life," he said proudly, pulling out a gohei.
He began to swing the gohei back and forth as he recited an ancient chant, making them bow respectfully to them. When he was finished, he reverted back to his usual cheery self.
"I'm guessing that you girls must have come a long way. but before you leave, you should draw a fortune slip. We sell enma pacts for passing exams as well. Maybe you should buy a couple," said the old man.
"Thanks for your concern, but we don't need that," replied the girl.
Then they raced off, as the elderly priest watched them go. But they had no idea Jadeite was hiding behind a statue. Then, the priest noticed Usagi, Naru, and several odd looking people that had come to the shrine.
"Ah, here's another group of cuties," he said, looking at the girls.
Sora, the girls, and their friends all glanced at the elderly man.
"Would any of you like to work part time here as Shrine Maidens?" he asked.
"Grandpa, just stop hitting on everyone, would you?" a young girl's voice said to him.
"This guy is that shrine maiden's grandfather?" murmured Sora.
"Oh, hi Rei," he said to her.
"You know, people are starting to say unflattering things about you," snipped the girl called Rei Hino.
But everyone looked at her, and saw that she had a serious look on her face.
"Whoa, she's so cool and pretty. So she's a shrine maiden, I wouldn't mind doing that part time," Usagi said observantly as she giggled.
Then suddenly, Jadeite unleashed a powerful darkness on the three girls, causing the crows to caw, and making Rei react instinctively to what was going on around her.
"I sense an evil aura! Is it a spirit!?" she asked furiously.
The others blinked in confusion at what they heard.
"Trying to make trouble at our Shrine, huh!? Forget it! I won't let you!" she cried out with determination.
Then she pulled out a banishment ward from within her robes and held it in front of her.
"Evil Spirits! Be gone! I command you! Return to the Dark Realm from whence you came!" she shouted.
"Wait!" cried Sora.
But it was too late. Rei slammed the banishment ward on Usagi's head, making her fall over as her friends gasped in shock and dismay.
"That isn't what I expected to happen," groaned the raven haired priestess.
"Miss Rei, I've brought some hand towels and water," the disguised Jadeite said to her after they moved Usagi inside.
"Thanks, you can leave them right there," replied Rei.
The fake priest nodded, but Sora glared darkly at him as he set down the tray and left.
Wait, that man looks familiar, thought Luna, as she watched him close the door.
"What a hunk," said Naru, making Usagi sit bolt upright and look around excitedly.
"That was fast recovery," said Sora.
You took the words right of my mouth, Sora, thought Luna.
"Is that guy your older brother?" Naru asked Rei.
"What? Oh, no. This is all grandpa's fault. He's so overly friendly with everyone. He tries to make friends with every person who comes to visit the shrine. Grandpa hired that guy, and now he's actually living here with us," Rei replied, grumpily.
"You're grandpa is interesting," said Naru.
"Well, if he tries hitting on Namine or Xion, I might just have to teach him a lesson," said Roxas.
"Let it go, Roxas. We have to be respectful of our elders," said Sora.
"Listen Usagi, I'm very sorry for what happened earlier," Rei said the blonde-odango twin tailed girl.
"It's no big deal, I mean, uh…" she tried to say.
"Things have been really weird lately," Rei told them.
Then she glanced up at Sora and his friends.
"By the way, may I ask who you guys are?" she asked them.
"I'm Sora. He's Donald and that's Goofy. This is Riku, Kairi, my brother Roxas, my sister Xion, Kairi's sister Namine, Axel, Ventus, Aqua, Terra, and King Mickey Mouse," replied Sora, indicating the people who were with him.
"I see. Then, welcome to Hikawa Shrine," Rei said to them.
"When you say strange things have been going on at this place, what do you mean by that?" asked Axel.
"For one, my sixth sense and prophecies used to be spot on, but not anymore," replied Rei.
Everyone gasped at what they heard. Even Luna began to think that she was the Princess both she and her allies were looking for, when a woman burst through the door.
"You there, where's the person in charge here!?" she demanded, making Rei react in shock.
Everyone else felt the same way that she did, as the woman stormed up toher.
"My daughter came here to buy one of your amulets, and she still hasn't come back home! I know your head priest has a special prayer at 5:30! You're purposely sending people on to that cursed 6:00 bus!" she said furiously at the Raven haired shrine maiden.
Then Sora clenched his fist, and walked up to her.
"Hey! Why are you accusing Miss Hino of a crime she never actually committed, lady!?" he shouted.
"How dare you defend this priestess!? Who do you think you are, boy!?" the woman snapped furiously at him.
"I know who I am! I am Sora! And I refuse to sit back while you throw false accusations at people who have done no wrong in their life! Especially if it has anything to do with that disappearing bus!" Sora replied angrily, making Rei surprised.
"And what do you know about her!? She's a witch who needs to pay!" demanded the woman.
"Don't you dare call her that! She's a priestess! You're letting yourself be ruled by your own fears, making yourself start to act rashly without thinking clearly!" snapped Sora.
"And what do you know about that bus that my daughter left on!?" the woman said angrily.
"I know enough that you've allowed yourself to be consumed by fear, all so that you could allow darkness into your heart so that the Heartless can catch you off guard and make you one of them! Cause all you've ever done is interrogate people who clearly have no idea where your daughter's gone after she left this shrine! And right now your presence here is making Miss Hino unhappy because of the false accusations you've thrown at her, all so that you can try to have her arrested! Because you think that she's a wicked witch who turns people into her own puppets! Haven't you forgotten about what happened to those who were accused of witchcraft!? They were all sentenced to die, because of some stupid hunt that was brought out from their own fears and anxieties! How long are you gonna let your fear rule your heart!? If I want to file a missing person report, then I suggest talking to the local authorities, or the prime minister! But just so you know, he might do something stupid like declaring martial law all over Tokyo, and have many people escorted to their appointed destinations with troopers station at ever corner and entrance of this city! Therefore, Miss Hino and I are aware that her grandfather is not the culprit of these disappearances! So take your leave, before Miss Hino has a change of heart! And believe me, you won't like it when she has a change of heart!" Sora said furiously, as everyone stared in shock and awe at how he protected her, not even caring about how angry he was at seeing people he barely even knew being falsely accused of any evil scheme they had never done.
"What nerve! How dare you talk to me like that!?" the woman barked angrily at him!
"I SAID TAKE YOUR LEAVE NOW!" screamed Sora, causing a burst of darkness to erupt into the sky, that made Rei gasp in shock and dismay.
The woman was about to hit him, When Rei stepped up to her.
"ENOUGH! If you ever hurt my friend, I'll make you pay!" she shouted ,making the woman cower before her.
"And remember what I say to you. If we do find her, then you can be sure that she'll be back in your loving embrace. But right now, all those accusations you've thrown in Miss Hino's face, are only making her wish she had a change of heart. So leave this shrine, return home, and quell the fear that's in your heart," Sora said to her.
Then the woman left them behind as Sora glared furiously at her, but Rei stepped up and gently took Sora's hand in her own, making him turn and look calmly into her eyes.
"Sora, thank you," she said to him.
Sora nodded at her, but the others smiled at how he stood up for Rei.
"You know, it was pretty intense the way you stood up to her, even though she's an adult," smiled Naru.
"Ah, she may be an adult, but we've been through a lot worse than her before. So how can I not work up the courage to stand up to that lady who's being controlled by her own fear?" remarked Sora.
"And because of that, you and your friends have earned my respect, Sora," said Rei, making everyone nod in agreement to her words.
Outside of the shrine, many girls had come to the shrine with amulets in their possession, while Sora, Usagi, and Luna were observing them from a distance.
"You guys, something strange is going on. Our enemy is involved, I can feel it. Call Ami, we need to have a strategy meeting," the cat said to them.
"But Ami's busy," replied Usagi.
"I'd worry less about how busy Ami is, and more about the matter at hand. Call her now before Luna makes you reap the consequences of being hesitant, and make it snappy!" Sora said darkly to her, making Luna start to show signs of concern for him.
"All right already," Usagi said quickly, as she sensed Sora's anger boiling inside of him.
A short while later, Ami met them at the bus stop at Sendai-Zaka-Ue, a few minutes before 6:00 in the evening.
"So this is Sendai-Zaka," said Luna.
"Yeah," replied Usagi.
"Look there," Sora said pointing behind them.
There standing at the bus stop was a long line of girls in a trance.
"Look at all those people," said Usagi.
"They're all waiting for the bus," added Luna.
"And they all have amulets from the Hikawa Shrine," finished Ami.
"I bet they went over there. Cause they're all in love with someone" Usagi said as they got behind them.
"They should be business with highschool entrance exams, where did they find the time for all this?" asked Ami.
"But don't you want to fall in love too, Ami? It's wonderful," Usagi asked, thinking about Motoki and Tuxedo Mask.
"Save it for later Usagi. We need to see what happens after those girls board the bus which should be arriving soon. It's high time you put those thoughts of finding someone you love aside for now," said Sora, as Ami glanced nervously at him.
She had never seen Sora this worked up before, and it was scaring her.
"What's wrong Sora? Why are you acting like this?" she asked.
"Because the bus is now arriving," replied Sora, who was growing more and more angry.
"Yeah, I see it. That's the 6:00 bus," Ami said as she and Usagi looked at it.
"It just looks like an ordinary bus," said Luna.
"You're right, replied Ami.
When the bus arrived at it's stop, the doors opened revealing it's driver as the girls slowly walked aboard.
"Okay, Usagi, get on quick," Luna said.
"No, we need to see what happens next," Sora said, glaring furiously at the bus.
Usagi and Ami were surprised to hear him say that, but they had to agree with him, despite their reluctance.
"Sora, you're scaring us," they said.
"Do you really think I care about how you feel? If we go in unprepared, we'll all be transformed into Heartless before we even get a chance to fight. And believe me, that driver is giving an uneasy feeling about this bus," Sora said.
"You're right, we have to find out what happens next," replied Usagi.
Then the door closed, and the bus slowly left them behind, but Sora stood and watched.
"There it goes," he said.
"Sora, please tell us, why are you acting like this?" asked Luna.
"Like I said, Luna. If we got on that bus unprepared, we'd instantly be turned into Heartless," replied Sora.
"I'm afraid he makes a valid point, We'll just have to come back tomorrow," Ami said looking at him with concern in her eyes.
"I guess so," replied Luna.
"Hey, look," Ami said.
Then the bus slowly lifted off the ground like an airplane, and a dark portal opened in front of it.
"No way!" gasped Usagi.
She watched in horror as the bus was slowly swallowed up into the darkness, and vanished as the portal closed in front of them.
"So that's what happened to those girls," murmured Sora, as he angrily glared at where the bus had vanished.
"Could it be a black hole? A fourth dimensional rift? Or a tear in the magnetic field?" asked Ami.
"I think I know why, Ami. those people have been taken by a creature of darkness," replied Sora.
Aboard the bus that was in another dimension, the driver turned around with a wicked grin.
"Master Jadeite, today's operation was a big success," the driver said.
"The energy of girls wishing for love is very powerful. Drain it all from them," replied Jadeite's voice, from within her head.
The driver nodded and set to work at once, causing a burst of power to erupt inside of the bus.
Back at Hikawa Shrine, Rei was feeding her two crows called Phobos and Deimos crumbs that were on her hand, when Sora approached her.
"Hey, Rei," he said to her.
"Oh, hi Sora, can I help you?" she asked him.
The crows suddenly looked up at him, but Sora didn't flinch as Luna hid behind him.
"Yesterday's 6:00 bus disappeared too. Usagi, Ami, Luna, and I saw it with our own eyes. But, I also know that neither you nor your grandfather are the culprits behind these disappearances. I think someone is using the darkness to make them disappear without a trace," Sora said to her without giving ground.
"Do you really believe that?" she demanded.
But Sora nodded without giving ground.
"The police have questioned us about it, and I'm sick and tired about it!" she said furiously,"
"I know that you hate being viewed as the bad guy! But even if you have no idea about what's happening around here, I know for a fact that the darkness is using this situation to help benefit those who have embraced it. But most of all, only those who have weak hearts are known to accept it without hesitation, thus making them become unwilling puppets of deception," replied Sora.
"And what do you know of darkness!?" she snapped.
"Everything! Darkness is fueled by those who allow themselves to be ruled by fear, anger, and hatred! And how it also makes other people suffer because of those dark emotions!" Sora said, as he felt the anger begin boiling up inside of him.
"SILENCE! You don't know anything about me! Leave! NOW!" shouted Rei.
"Fine then, but remember this. The decisions that you make, and the actions that will follow you, are a reflection of who you truly are," Sora said, as he turned and walked slowly away.
But as he was about to leave, Rei ran up to him and took his hand, making him stop and turn to face her.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lash out at you, Sora. It's just, I don't know why I'm always so angry at people who think I'm a witch instead of a shrine maiden," she said to him.
But Sora wrapped his arms around her in a gentle hug.
"Don't worry, Rei. Everything's gonna be fine. If anyone can understand how you feel, it's me. I also know what anger feels like, whenever I see someone blaming you for something you never did. It's because those people are blind to the truth from their own fears," he said.
Then Rei gently wrapped her arms around Sora, and hugged him as well, just as Usagi showed up. She was about to ask Rei, when Riku placed his hand upon her shoulder.
"Leave them be, Usagi. If anyone can help quell Rei's fury, it's Sora," he said.
"Maybe you're right, Riku. Let's give them some space," she replied.
Then together, they left with Luna, who glanced back at Rei, as she slowly stepped away from Sora, and noticed a red pen on the ground in front of her. She picked it up, and examined it carefully.
"I wonder if you accidentally dropped this," she said to herself.
But then they heard two girls asking the disguised Jadeite for two love amulets, and stood watching from a safe distance.
"Sure, and what colors can I get for you?" he asked them.
As the girls decided, Rei began to think about how the strange individual had arrived as Sora glared darkly at him.
"Sora, come with me," she said.
Sora nodded and followed her into the shrine. Once they were inside Rei sat in front of the fire and began praying, but the thought of buses vanishing began to linger within her mind as she tried to concentrate, while Sora stood watching from a safe distance. Then Phobos and Deimos squawked making her turn to see who was outside of the chamber of prayer.
"It's only me. You're meal is ready now Miss-" he tried to say.
"Better not disturb her, she's real busy, right now," said Sora, making Rei smile at him.
"My apologies," replied the disguised Jadeite, as he shut the door.
But Rei began to feel a dark chill welling up inside of her heart, as Sora glared at the door. Meanwhile, Usagi, Luna, and the remaining Guardians of Kingdom Hearts, all stood waiting in line.
"Hey, Luna? Why'd you leave that pen with Rei, while she was hugging Sora?" asked Usagi.
"I just want to confirm something that I've been wondering about," replied Luna, just as Roxas arrived.
"And what would that be?" he asked the dark colored cat.
"I'll explain it later. What's important right now is that you get on the 6:00 bus today," said Luna.
"Yeah, I know but, I, um…" Usagi said hesitantly.
"It's gonna be fine Usagi. I'll stay by your side, no matter what happens. Remember, fear is the enemy of every man, woman, and child you see or hear about," Roxas assured her, placing his hand on Usagi's shoulder.
Usagi nodded, but smiled at Roxas. Then Luna glanced to her right. There was another bus that was slowly approaching. Usagi nearly panicked, but with Roxas, she was ready.
"Here we go, Usagi," he said, his eyes etched with determination as the bus came to a stand still.
"Okay, let's do it," Luna said.
But then, she glanced behind her and noticed Usagi clinging to Roxas.
"I changed my mind! I'm sorry Roxas!" she wailed loudly.
"If we waste this opportunity, Rei and her grandfather could be arrested! If you don't overcome your fear, Jadeite wins!" snapped Roxas, making Usagi snap out of her trance.
Quickly pulling out her transformation pen, Usagi knew what she had to do.
"You're right, Roxas! I won't let him, GET AWAY WITH THIS!" she shouted.
"Where did that come from?" asked Luna, who was surprised by this sudden change in Usagi's attitude.
"Moon Power, Transform me into a gorgeous flight attendant!" she called to heavens, while holding her pen above her.
In an instant, Usagi's clothes changed into that of a flight attendant, making Roxas smirk at her.
"Thanks for the motivational pep talk, Roxas," she said in a calmer tone.
Roxas nodded, then he and Usagi raced to the bus, with Luna at their heels.
"Hold that bus!" they said together.
"Wait for me!" Luna called to them.
As soon as they got on board, they saw a terrible sight that awaited them, making Roxas angry, while Usagi was more shocked. All over the bus were many girls lying unconscious.
"What's all this?" Luna asked them.
"I knew it. This bus is some kind of transport to another dimension. Jadeite must have sent another dark creature to collect some energy from those girls who have a strong sense of love," answered Roxas, as the door closed on them.
Suddenly the bus moved, making both Usagi and Luna fall to the back, but Roxas grabbed hold of a seat and held on tightly with his Keyblade held in one hand.
"And it looks like we're going for a ride!" Usagi said.
They soon noticed a dark portal opening in front of them, making Usagi and Luna panic, but Roxas glared furiously at it, until it swallowed them up. At the same time, Ami, Riku, and the rest of their friends saw the bus disappearing into the portal, and were shocked by what they saw, until it closed in front of them.
"We're too late," Ami said sadly.
But Riku rushed to her side and placed his hand upon her shoulder.
"Pull it together, Ami! They'll be alright! But, we have to believe in them!" he said to the bluette.
In the chamber of prayer in Hikawa Shrine, Sora and Rei stood before the sacred flame.
"What's the origin of this darkness? What's caused this misfortune to befall us?" she asked herself.
Sora watched as she began performing different hand gestures as she began chanting to the fire. When she was finished, the flames revealed it to be Jadeite, making Rei gasp in shock, but made Sora angry. Quickly, the two friends burst into the room where the disguised Jadeite was hiding in.
"JADEITE!" shouted Sora, brandishing his keyblade.
Jadeite turned around and glared at Sora, just as Rei marched up to him.
"So you're the cause of this evil! I should have known!" Rei said furiously.
"What are you talking about?" Jadeite asked innocently.
"Don't you dare play dumb with us! You're busted!" barked Sora.
"That's right! My trusted flames have shown us everything! I know the root of the evil here! Reveal your true self to us!" Rei said.
Jadeite looked upon her with a wicked grin, as his eyes flashed with pride.
"You fools! Now you will join the others!" he said, opening up a dark portal that began sucking Rei into it.
"What's happening?" gasped Rei, as she was pulled into the vortex.
"Rei!" cried Sora, as he charged into the portal as well.
Jadeite smirked sadistically, as he watched the portal close, knowing that Sora would suffer the same fate as Rei. But what he didn't know was that, Usagi, Luna, and Roxas had also gone into the same dimension as the other buses before them. Then the bus door opened, sending Usagi and Luna falling out of it, but Roxas jumped down and landed on the ground with his keyblade held at the ready.
"Where are we?" cried Usagi.
"I don't know, but I have a feeling we're not in Tokyo anymore," replied Roxas.
"Usagi, just calm down," Luna said.
"How can I!? Look where we are!" wailed Usagi.
Then the driver jumped out, making all three of them gasp. At the same time, Rei, Phobos, Deimos, and Sora emerged from the portal in front of them. But the driver caught Rei in her arms, and began holding her hostage in front of them, as Sora landed safely on his feet in front of his friends.
"Whoever you are! Let Rei go! Return her to Hikawa Shrine! Sora said furiously, as the driver changed into her true form.
"Usagi, you have to transform into Sailor Moon," Luna said.
"I'm so sick of all this! But I'll do it!" cried Usagi, as she stood up and glared furiously at the monster.
"Yes, your carefree spirit and optimism are your true strength!" cheered Luna.
"And your friends are your power!" added Sora, who stood with his Keyblade held at the ready.
"Moon Prism Power! Make Up!" Usagi called to the sky.
Then her flight attendant outfit vanished, and was replaced by her Sailor Moon outfit.
"I am the pretty guardian, who fights for love and for justice! I am Sailor Moon!" she said.
"It's about time, I've been expecting you cursed fools," replied the demonic creature.
But then suddenly, Rei's forehead began to glow with a symbol just as Ami's did from before.
"That mark! Look!" Luna said to them.
"If you don't release Rei and the other girls from this prison, We'll make you suffer!" snapped Roxas.
"That's right!" agreed Usagi.
"Foolish pests! Face the Heartless!" shouted the demon.
But Sailor Moon still removed her Tiara and attacked her with it! But the demon jumped over it, while still holding Rei in a death grip, but she did not expect Phobos and Deimos to swoop down and distract her long enough to release Rei from her grip. But as she swatted them away, the discus turned around and surged towards her, only to be stopped in its tracks.
"Your toy can't defeat me!" she said with evil triumph.
"Wanna bet?" Sora asked her.
"Cause you fell for my trick," added Usagi.
The Discus soon flew out of her hand, hovered above her, and bound her arms to her side.
"Rei, are you hurt?" Usagi and Sora asked the shrine maiden.
"No I'm fine," replied Rei.
"Rei, take out the transformation pen," Luna said to her.
"Hold on, did that cat just speak to me?" Rei gasped in shock.
"I'll explain it all later, just trust me. Hurry up and take out the pen that you picked up earlier," Luna said quickly.
Rei nodded, and reached into her robe. Then she pulled out the pen that Luna had given to her when she hugged Sora.
"Use it to transform into Sailor Mars, the Guardian of Fire! Now hold that pen and call out Mars Power Make Up!" Luna said in earnest.
Then the demon burst free from Sailor Moon's Tiara, sending it flying and clattering to the ground.
"You'd better make it quick! Cause here she comes!" Sora said to her.
"I don't have a clue what's happening, but I'll give it a shot!" Rei said, as she stood up.
She raised her pen above her.
"Mars Power! Make Up!" she cried out.
The instant she did, she felt herself being surrounded by flames that didn't seem to hurt her as her robes faded away. When the flames cleared, Rei stood in an outfit that looked very much like the ones Usagi and Ami wore when they were Sailors Moon and Mercury, but the back bow, skirt, choker, and color were a bright crimson. The bow on her chest with the red orb in its center was a dark violet color, her tiara had a red gem in it's center, but her earrings were red stars. But she wore high heel stilettos instead of knee high boots. However, the top most part of her gloves were red and reached up to her elbows. But when Sora saw it, he was ecstatic.
"Wow!" he said as he saw Rei's new outfit.
"I don't believe it! She's also a guardian!?" asked Usagi.
"She sure is Sailor Moon, and right now she's not happy about being held hostage," replied Roxas.
"Whoa! What's this? What's happened to me?" asked Rei as she looked at her new outfit.
"If you want my opinion, it's just like Luna said. You're Sailor Mars, Guardian of Fire," replied Sora.
The demon tried to attack her, but Sora quickly forced her back, by sending her flying with a powerful combo, as Roxas, battled against the Heartless that tried to hurt his friends.
"Alright Sailor Mars! Burn 'em to ashes!" Sora called out to her.
"With pleasure, Sora!" replied Rei.
She clasped her hands together and formed a hand gesture
"FIRE SOUL!" she shouted, and sent a burst of flame that erupted from her fingers.
The flames engulfed the demon and destroyed it as Sora watched with anticipation in his eyes. At the same time she did, Jadeite watched as the energy he collected vanished into nothingness.
"We did it!" cheered Sora, but he heard Usagi panicked cry of terror and looked up.
"What's happening?" she cried.
"Oh no! Rei's attack is causing the dimensional portal to close, we have to get out of here, fast!" answered Luna.
"Yeah, but how?" Sora and Usagi asked.
"I don't know, but I'm sure our friends will be able to call to our hearts with their own," said Roxas, making Usagi, Rei, Luna and Sora turn and nod at him.
Outside on the streets of Juban in Sendai-Zaka-Ue, Ami and the 11 guardians of Kingdom Hearts stood watching with looks of grim determination in their eyes.
Usagi, Luna, everyone, please be safe, thought Ami as she held her transformation pen in front of her as if in prayer.
Then suddenly, the dimensional gateway opened as Sora looked at it unflinchingly.
"If we end up trapped here forever then, I want all of you to know that, it's been a pleasure being your friend, Usagi, Rei, and Luna," Sora said calmly.
But then Rei noticed something strange happen. A bright blue light appeared in the center of the portal, and began to expand by keeping the portal open.
"What's that?" asked Rei.
"Is Ami doing that?" Usagi asked as well.
"Yeah, no doubt about it," smiled Sora.
"I think Sora's right. She might be trying to show us the way out of here," said Luna.
"Then let's head to the portal!" replied Roxas.
"Right, let's go!" agreed Sora, and they raced towards the source.
But they had barely gotten there when they heard the sound of a bus horn honking.
"Hey there, you guys need a ride? Hop on," Tuxedo Mask said from behind the wheel.
"Ah, Tuxedo Mask, you're here!" Usagi cried out happily.
"Wow, he's really cool," Rei said to Sora.
Sora nodded as Usagi noticed several buses behind the one he was driving, pulled by a strong towing cable.
"Check it out!" she said to them.
"Let's go you guys," Luna said as she raced after them.
They all followed her towards the portal and emerged from the portal to see Ami smiling at them.
"Nice work, Ami!" Usagi and Sora said happily to them.
Ami waved happily at them, as the buses touched down on the ground. Above them, Jadeite glared darkly at the scene below him.
"So another guardian has appeared. It seems you'll make a worthy opponent, but I will crush you next time without fail," Jadeite said furiously as the dark corridor engulfed him completely.
Then Luna, Usagi, Roxas, and Sora all rushed towards their friends, making them all smile at him.
"You did a great job, you guys," Ami said to them.
"Thank you, Ami. And, I'm sorry for making you worry," replied Sora.
But Ami rushed up to him and gave him a hug.
"It's okay, Sora. You and Roxas protected Usagi, and even found a new ally to join our cause," she said.
But as Sora hugged her, she heard Rei wondering where Tuxedo Mask had gone, causing the two friends to pull apart, and glance at the driver's seat.
"Guess he must have left after he brought us back," said Sora.
"I guess he has," replied Usagi.
But as she was about to ask Rei if she was falling for Tuxedo Mask as well, Sora placed his hand upon her shoulder.
"Let it go Usagi. What matters is that everyone's safe and sound, thanks to all of us working together," he said, making Rei smile at him.
"He's right, you know. I just wanted to say thank you to him for saving those people from being turned into these Heartless. But, at the same time, When I was gazing into the sacred flames, I had a vision that a warrior of light, armed with a sword shaped like a key would be willing to help us out against a foe we have in common," she said to Usagi.
Then she walked up to Sora and took his hand in her own.
"Even though Tuxedo Mask isn't here, I'm glad to have you with us, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Roxas, Xion, Axel, Namine, Terra, Aqua, Ven, Mickey, Donald, Goofy. And for that, I welcome your help," she said to the Guardians of Kingdom Hearts.
Ami smiled at them, and looked to the sky above, knowing that there would be future challenges for them, but Axel grinned.
"Guess she's more like myself," he said, rubbing his head sheepishly.
