Chapter 37
Let's Become a Princess: Usagi's Bizarre Training
Just like before, Usagi Tsukino always woke up, and would hurry to school because of her lateness, with Sora following behind her, but sometimes she'd forget some important things like her lunch, but she'd still hurry to school without it.
"Oh boy, being a princess hasn't changed anything," sighed Luna.
"Hey, good morning Naru," Usagi said happily when she arrived at the front entrance.
"Morning," replied Naru.
Hey there," said Sora.
"You overslept too, didn't you?" asked Usagi.
"Speak for yourself, I was finishing my homework," replied Naru.
"But wait, did you really have homework?" asked Sora.
Naru nodded, and began explaining the school subjects that they studied, which of course made Usagi rather shocked.
"I'm so screwed," she moaned.
Suddenly the three of them noticed a limousine, and a man dressed in his best suit emerged from it. Usagi had never seen him before, but then she, Naru, and Sora watched a few girls walking out of the limousine into the school.
"Who the heck are those girls?" Sora asked curiously.
"Huh, you mean you don't know?" Naru asked back.
Sora and Usagi shook their heads.
"Those are some of the girls who are attending the Princess Seminar, at the Rose Mansion," she explained.
"Oh yeah, now I remember. That's the place where the Countess Rose lives. She's the lady who supposedly moved here from England, right?" asked Usagi.
"Yep, from what I've heard, she's supposed to be a famous aristocrat. And she's an expert on manners and the social graces. Wealthy parents send their daughters to her to act like a princess," explained Naru.
"Wow," Sora said in awe at the girls before him.
"You can take a class for that?" asked Usagi.
"Apparently, she teaches on the basics of ethics and culture," replied Naru.
But the sound of the bell rang made them rush to Miss Haruna's Classroom. Despite being a few seconds late, they soon got to work, but Usagi suddenly started daydreaming about how she could be a Princess, and how a princess could act, when Sora gently shook her awake.
"Uh, Usagi, I think Miss Haruna's disappointed right now," he said.
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'll go stand in the hallway, and await detention," Usagi said bowing her head to Miss Haruna.
"You'd better," replied Miss Haruna, with an irritable scowl.
When she did, Sora walked out to join her in the hall.
"Yeah, this is becoming a really big problem," said Usagi.
"I know what you mean, Usagi. But right now we gotta help you embrace your responsibility as a princess," replied Sora.
"Well said, Sora! I'm glad to hear you say that," piped in Luna.
"Well of course, silly! If I don't, I won't be able to dance with Tuxedo Mask," smiled Usagi.
"But he's still a puppet of Queen Beryl's ambition," replied Sora.
"She's hopeless," groaned Luna.
In the throne room of the Dark Kingdom's citadel, Endymion and Kunzite stood before Queen Beryl and Maleficent, with Sephiroth and Pete at their side.
"Endymion, you shall assist Kunzite with the task of defeating Sailor Moon, and recovering the Silver Crystal," the evil empress said.
"I refuse, I don't team up with anyone. I will work alone," replied Endymion.
"That's fine with me, I will do the same," agreed Kunzite
"FOOLS! IDIOTS! IMBECILES! YOU WILL WORK TOGETHER! OR QUEEN BERYL WILL ELIMINATE YOU!" shouted Maleficent.
"Calm down, Maleficent. I expect one or both of them to bring me Sailor Moon's corpse and the Silver Crystal as soon as possible," Queen Beryl assured the dark fairy.
"Yes, I already have a plan in motion," added Kunzite.
"Sounds good to us, Big K," said Pete.
"Very well, but remember your place, as I'll be joining you both on this task," warned Sephiroth.
"Excellent," agreed Queen Beryl, a sadistic smile on her face.
In Crown Arcade, Sora and Luna stood before the console of the Sailor V video game, in the hopes of finding answers to defeating the Dark Kingdom.
"Codename 0091, this is Luna. Passphrase: The rabbit on the Moon is pounding rice cakes, over," she said.
"The moon's rice cakes are sticky," replied the console.
"And they puff up when you toast them as well," finished Luna.
"What is it, Luna?" her contact asked.
"Well, sir, Usagi just isn't serious about being a princess, and I don't know what to do, to get her mind right," the black cat said vehemently.
"That is a difficult problem, I need to… Oops! I, uh…"
The screen went blank, and soon changed to reveal Artemis behind it.
"Artemis?" asked Luna.
"Well, I guess the secret's out. The communicator's been acting weird today," chuckled the white cat.
"Okay, so were you the one who was providing Luna information?" asked Sora.
"Uh, yeah," replied Artemis.
"Then tell me why you never let her know!?" he snapped, brandishing his Keyblade.
"She never asked! And as time went on, it got more awkward!" explained Artemis.
"Oh, I'm gonna show you awkward, Artemis!" Sora said, a mad glare in his eyes.
"Wait, Sora! He was my contact this entire time!" pleaded Luna.
"What's THAT mean?" Sora asked, still feeling angry at Artemis.
"Because I had to help provide her with information, and even guided her to four of the five Sailor Guardians, while I was with Mina. She took on the mantle of Sailor V, and fought against the Dark Agency, a sub-branch of the Dark Kingdom," explained Artemis.
"The Dark Agency?" Sora asked, as he calmed down.
"Yes, it was all to prepare Minako for the upcoming battle with the Dark Kingdom," replied Artemis.
"Oh, right," said Sora, now able to gain a firm grasp on the situation.
He then turned to Luna.
"I'm sorry," he said somberly.
"Hey, don't feel bad. I understand that you were just as confused as I am, but it's okay. Now that you know that Artemis is my contact, I promise you, we'll make sure to help each other win, no matter what," explained Luna.
"Thank you, Luna," smiled Sora.
The next day, at Rose Manor, many girls sat at different tables, until Countess Rose called them to her side.
"Now then, today young ladies, I shall read you a poem, by Francis Heinech," she said.
Opening her book, she began to tell tales of what was to come, unaware that Usagi, Luna, and Sora were watching from a tree.
"Looks like they're having a party," she said.
But she was shocked to find that they were all dressed in their own gowns, making Luna and Sora glance at her.
"What is it, Usagi?" they asked.
"They're eating cheesecake from tremont, I want it," she replied.
"I want to try some, too," added Sora.
'Are you serious?" groaned Luna.
"Excuse me, but if you have business you two, please use the front door," a man said.
Usagi and Luna suddenly fell, but Sora landed in a crouch next to them, and rose to his feet.
"And how may I help you?" the man asked, as Sora saw that she was Countess Rose's butler.
"If I may, sir, my friend was thinking about attending the Princess Seminar," explained Sora, in a gentlemanly tone, which made Usagi and Luna rather surprised.
"Unfortunately, the Seminar is by invitation only, through current members," replied the butler.
"Right. Sorry for bothering you," sighed Sora.
"Apology accepted, young man," smiled the butler.
"What imaginative youths. I think an invitation thanks to this gentleman would be just fine," Countess Rose said, as she approached them.
"But madame," the butler tried to say.
"You're so understanding," smiled Usagi.
"In my opinion, it will be amusing to have a unique person around. However, there is one condition," the countess explained.
"Okay, so when you say condition, does it have anything to do with tea ceremonies, flower arrangements, cooking, sewing, cleaning, or putting on kimonos, or fancy suits? 'Cause Usagi's kinda unskilled at those things. So, do you think it's fine? But if not, we'll leave you in peace," Sora explained inquisitively.
"Oh, how wonderful to be so unskilled," chortled Rose.
She turned to her butler.
"Edward if you would?" she asked.
"Ma'am," he said.
Edward handed Usagi a circular object.
"Strange as it seems, the countess enjoys playing frisbee. So, if you attend the Princess Seminar, you'll have to be adept at it," explained Edward.
"All right! I've actually gotten pretty good at this sort of thing," grinned Usagi.
With a mighty swing of her arm, she sent the frisbee flying into the house, past the girls that were in the mansion, and flew right back to her hand.
"Good," praised Edward.
That was splendid. You may attend my Princess Seminar, young lady. And this young man is also welcome to join us," agreed Rose.
"Way to go, Usagi!" cheered Sora, as Usagi jumped for joy.
"Wow, so Usagi went to the Rose Mansion to become a princess?" asked Makoto, who was joined by her friends at Hikawa Shrine.
"I bet she just gives up in a day," smirked Rei.
"Look, the more you act pessimistic towards her, the less likely she'll trust you," Axel said firmly to Rei.
"Maybe, but she is learning the initiative to try and learn the basics," smiled Ami.
"I just hope this course will turn her into a proper princess," said Artemis.
"But really, what would she have to do to become a proper princess?" asked Minako.
"Well, despite how much she's like Sora, there's something that she has," said Riku.
"Really, what's that?" asked Ami.
"Putting her heart and mind to it," replied Riku.
"Riku does have a point, the bottom line is that she has to behave like a princess in every respect," agreed Artemis.
"Yeah, she could learn a thing or two from me about how a princess acts," said Kairi.
"But, Kairi, you know that Usagi needs a bit more time to embrace the power of the princess, so that she can master the power of the Silver Crystal," interjected Goofy.
"Hey, why don't we join Usagi at this Princess Seminar?" suggested Ami.
Everyone nodded in agreement, while Artemis sighed in disbelief. At Rose Mansion everyone was playing frisbee in the courtyard, while Sora decided to take a look around the mansion for a while with Edward, as Usagi continued to play frisbee with the other girls.
"Is everything proceeding to your plan, Master Kunzite?" asked Rose.
"Sailor Moon has a special technique: Moon Tiara Action, which is similar to that game, but she's also very clumsy," replied Kunzite.
"In other words, the clumsy girl who knows how to play that game well, but who still cannot pass the Princess Seminar, is Sailor Moon, correct?" smirked Rose.
Kunzite nodded once.
"But that still leaves one important question. Will someone with her amount of experience fall for our trap?" Rose asked the silver-haired warlord.
"She will, Sailor Moon's that kind of girl, my dear," sneered Kunzite.
"But in time, she'll know that the light doesn't suit her," added Sephiroth, who stood beside him.
A short while later, everyone was gathered at the dinner table, but Usagi felt uncomfortable in the dress she wore, when Edward placed a ladle full of soup into her bowl.
"All right everyone, let's dine," said Rose.
"Great idea, I'm starving," smiled Usagi.
But sadly, she slurped loudly, and Edward and Sora had to try and correct her on how to eat soup properly, making her upset. They tried talking properly, but politely. but once again, Usagi failed making the other girls laugh at her, while Sora shook his head in disappointment.
"Geez, this is harder than even I could believe," he murmured.
"I appreciate your concern, but there's no need to emphasize that the coffee you're offering is free. In this case, a simple please have some coffee will suffice," explained Rose.
"Oh boy," sighed Usagi and Sora.
"That night, everyone was now dancing in the ballroom, but poor Usagi was having a difficult time with her partner on how to waltz and was accidentally, stepping on his feet. She even tripped on her own dress, and fell with a crash on the floor.
"This is impossible, it's the hardest thing I've ever tried to do," she cried.
"Well, this isn't surprising," snickered Rei.
"Hey, what are you guys doing here?" asked Usagi.
"We can't let you to have all the fun," replied Ami.
Makoto giggled at her.
Wny are you on the floor?" Minako asked.
The four girls danced with their partners as well, while the guardians of Kingdom Hearts dance with the girls they were with, as well as others, except for Mickey, Donald, and Goofy who were stationed outside, keeping an eye out for Heartless under the command of Maleficent, Sephiroth, Pete, Kunzite, Queen Beryl, or the corrupted Mamoru.
"After all, everyone has at least one redeeming feature," grumbled Rei, making her partner surprised that she looked more like a tyrant, as she danced furiously.
"Everyone has things they struggle with," added Minako, who seemed more nervous.
They accidentally stepped on their partner's feet, just like Usagi did.
"I'm not very good, when it comes to dancing," said the two girls.
"This is not going well. I wonder if maybe I'm not cut out to be a princess," said Usagi.
As they danced, Countess Rose gently tapped each girl on the shoulder, and said that they had passed. Even Ami and Makoto were happy to know that they passed when the countess tapped their shoulders.
"Young ladies, please, if I tapped your shoulder, proceed to the other room, and I will give you your graduation certificates," she said.
Usagi, Rei, and MInako glared furiously at the other girls, but Sora was proud of Ami, Makoto, Kairi, Namine, Xion, and Aqua.
"Good for them," he said.
"We flunked," the three girls groaned in shame.
Inside the other room, Kairi, Xion, Aqua, Namine, Ami, and Makoto walked through the darkened room that was filled with statues.
"Creepy," Ami said observantly.
"Why is that?" asked Xion.
"These statues look way too real," replied Makoto.
"It's because they are," said Rose.
"What do you mean?" asked Aqua, a serious expression on her face.
"As a matter of fact, all the dolls in this room at one time, were actual young women," replied the countess
"What did you just say?" gasped Ami.
To their horror Countess Rose transformed herself into the dark creature called Shakoukai.
"She's a monster!" cried Makoto.
"Everyone, prepare yourselves!" Aqua said to Kairi, Namine, and Xion.
"Hello, I am Sakoukai. Welcome to Graduation," she said.
Using the clams in her hands, she sent several bursts of ink, transforming them all into statues, making everyone react in horror.
"Hey, what was that? Did you hear someone screaming in there?" asked Usagi.
"Something must've happened to Ami and the others!" replied Rei.
"We'd better check it out!" agreed Minako.
"Right, let's go!" said Sora.
Then together they raced into the other room, only for Shakoukai to stop them.
"You, you're in cahoots with Kunzite," Sora said darkly.
"That's right," replied Shakoukai.
Then as if to prove her point, she transformed the girls' dancing partners into statues.
"You three are the only girls to fail my Princess Seminar. According to what I know to be true, that means one of you must be Sailor Moon, so which one of you is it?" she said.
"What makes you say that?" asked Usagi.
"I was told that Sailor Moon was clumsy, stupid, lazy and unrefined. And there's no way a girl like that could ever pass the Princess Seminar," replied the changed Countess Rose.
"If that's what you believe, then you're right about that. But hearing what you said about Sailor Moon makes me so mad. But what really makes me angry, was saying hurtful things about Usagi," Sora said, his body radiating with darkness.
"That kinda makes sense," added Minako.
"Darn, that was really good thinking," finished Rei.
"And as much as I hate to agree with you, I know that Sailor Moon is most of those things, but those qualities mirror the way I am, ever since I wanted to see new places, as a kid. And that's what makes her more special than even could imagine!" Sora said firmly.
"Then I shall turn your three friends into dolls, boy!" declared Shakoukai.
She tried to do the same thing she did with the other girls, but Luna and Artemis came to the rescue, temporarily blinding her, as Usagi, Rei, and Minako turned into Sailors Moon, Venus, and Mars, as they met up with Mickey, Donald, and Goofy. Enraged, Shakoukai flung the two cats aside, and began looking around.
"You can't flunk Sailor Moon without consequences!" cried Sailor Moon.
"Not while we have a say on the matter!" added Sora.
"I am the Pretty Guardian who fights for love and for justice! I am Sailor Moon!" declared the first blonde.
"And I am Sailor Mars!" added the fiery guardian.
"I am Sailor Venus!" finished the second blonde.
"In the name of the moon, we're punishing you!" they all said.
"Got it memorized?" piped in Axel.
"You're certainly welcome to try, but first let me give you all something!" replied Shakoukai.
They all jumped clear of her attack, as Sailor Mars began to blast her with a Fire Soul attack combined with Axel's Firaga. Sailor Venus then began firing her Crescent Beam at her, but they were stopped by the ink.
"Our Fire Soul and Crescent Beam are having no effect," gasped Minako.
"I don't think my Moon Tiara Action is gonna slow her down either," admitted Sailor Moon.
"You're all going to make exquisite wax dolls," cackled Shakoukai.
"You're crazy! Not a chance!" barked Riku.
"Riku!" called Sailor Venus.
But it was too late. He lunged at her, but was stopped by a dark barrier, sending him sprawling next to them. Just then a rose appeared, and Tuxedo Mask appeared before them.
"Excellent work, Shakoukai," he said.
"Master Endymion," replied the creature.
"You have done well," Sephiroth said.
"Master Sephiroth," she said.
"I knew it. It was a trap set by the Dark Kingdom," Sora said darkly.
"Sailor Moon, hand over the Silver Crystal now. If you do, I shall spare your life," Endymion said.
"But that's going against Kumzite's orders," protested Shakoukai.
"Sailor Moon, will you give it to me, or shall I turn your friends into Heartless?" he demanded, ignoring the shell monster.
"If you want it, come and get it!" cried Sora.
"Very well then, if you wish to throw your life away Sora, I'll accept your challenge," replied the corrupted Mamoru.
The two of them charged furiously towards each other, in a deadly duel.
"Pull it together Sailor Moon! that's not Mamoru! He's a servant of the Dark Kingdom!" Riku said firmly.
"He's right, he's become a vessel of darkness, just like I was. We have to eliminate him, along with Kunzite!" added Terra.
"Endymion, step back. Do not interfere!" Kunzite said as he arrived.
"What are you talking about?" demanded Endymion, after he forced Sora back towards his friends.
"I was the one who put this plan in motion, and I want you to stay out of it," replied Kunzite.
"I've come here for one thing, to retrieve the Silver Crystal, so bug off," chuckled the caped crusader.
"Descend Heartless Angels," Sephiroth said, blasting them both with one of his abilities.
"So what am I supposed to do?" asked Shakoukai.
"It's simple. Eliminate Sailor Moon, then retrieve the Silver Crystal, and deliver it to Queen Beryl to restore Metalia to her former glory," replied the One-Winged Angel.
"I guess I'm willing to follow that order to the letter. But why would you think of attacking your allies?" inquired the shell monster.
"Their negligence to know their place is a terrible weakness. It's something that Sailor Moon and her friends would exploit very easily. But, I shall strike Sailor Moon down along with her friends, collect the Crystal in their stead, and ensure that it be delivered to Queen Beryl," answered Sephiroth.
He then began setting the entire garden ablaze, then looked up at Sailor Moon with a sadistic smile, that chilled her to the bone, pointing Masamune right at her chest.
"Bow to me, and I will show you forgiveness," he said.
"I'll never bow to you, Sephiroth! NOT EVER!" snapped Usagi.
"Wait, Sailor Moon. You can leave Sephiroth to me, while you restore Countess Rose to normal," said Cloud.
"You got it, Cloud!" smiled Usagi.
She soon pulled out her Moon Stick, and Sora readied his Keyblade just as Sephiroth and Cloud stood staring at each other.
"Countess Rose, it's time for you to face the light!" cried the brunette Keyblade Wielder.
"Moon Healing Escalation!" called Usagi.
Together, their combined powers restored Countess Rose to her former glory, which infuriated Kunzite who was forced to retreat.
"I'll admit you're very skilled. But your lack of confidence is disturbing," smirked Sephiroth
"Forget it Sephiroth! You'll soon become a memory!" snapped Sailor Mars.
"I will never be a memory," replied the One-Winged Angel.
Then he slowly floated up into the air, and vanished in a burst of darkness with everyone watching in dismay, just as the flames died down, and Could relaxed. Then just as Sailor Moon was about to do the same thing with Tuxedo Mask, she saw him backing off.
"Sailor Moon, I'll let you hold on to the Silver Crystal. Farewell," smirked Endymion, and vanished into the darkness.
Cloud turned towards her, and gave her a firm but gentle look.
"Sailor Moon, you can still proceed even with doubts," he said.
"Then on behalf of the Moon, I thank you, Cloud Strife," replied Sailor Moon, who smiled at him.
"Yeah, well said, Cloud," agreed Sailor Venus.
As he turned and walked away to Fenrir, the girls in the other room soon reverted to normal.
"What happened?" asked Ami.
"Sailor Moon saved us, by defeating that monster," replied Aqua.
"Then that means Sora was with her," added Kairi.
They all turned to see Sailor Moon and Sora standing on the balcony with each other, looking at the moon above. The next day, Usagi was now late for school, as she always was, until she ran into Luna.
"Hey, what happened to your princess training?" asked the cat.
'Well, she's thought of something else," grinned Sora.
"That's right, I got that covered," agreed Usagi.
"Really, how so?" Luna asked inquisitively.
"I'm gonna become my own princess, on my own kind of terms," she declared.
"That's the spirit, Usagi! Now go get 'em!" cheered Sora.
"All right, here I go!" replied Usagi.
"I guess Sora really does have a way of being supportive," admitted Luna, even as she watched Sailor Moon drop her toast by accident, thanks to Cloud driving by on Fenrir.
