Chapter 39
Paired with a Monster: Mako, the Ice Skating Queen
In Usagi's house, Usagi, Sora, Luna, Artemis, and Minako were watching an ice rink performance on the television.
"Oh, wow!" Usagi said.
"Every move is so smooth. No wonder Janelyn and Misha are olympic gold medalists," added Minako.
The two of them were impressed, especially Sora, who had been to the Kingdom of Arendelle and experienced ice skating with Queen Elsa and Princess Anna. Usagi tried to mimic it, but she collapsed and landed on top of the two cats, which did make Sora laugh a bit.
"Well, maybe her interest in figure skating is a sign that she's finally serious about becoming more princess-like," said Artemis.
"You might be right. Seeing as how figure-skating was one of the most popular activities from the Moon Kingdom," replied Luna.
"Yeah, and the princess was especially good at it," continued Artemis.
""What, really!?" asked Usagi.
"I guess Usagi's one of many people who has talent, no matter how many flaws she possesses," grinned Sora.
In the Dark Kingdom's lair, Kunzite stood before a projection of the figure skaters Janelyn and Misha.
"Figure skating. Why not use what has always been the most popular sport in the Moon Kingdom?" he suggested to Queen Beryl.
"To entice Sailor Moon, and while she's busy participating in the sport, you will steal her Silver Crystal," replied the wicked queen.
"I stake my honor on it," said Kunzite.
"How noble of you, staking your honor on such a dirty plan," Endymion said sarcastically.
Kunzite glared darkly at him.
"If you have any pride as a warrior, you should have the courage to battle her head on," continued the corrupted prince.
"Battles only have meaning if they're won! If you hadn't interfered with my previous plans, we'd already have the Silver Crystal by now!" snapped Kunzite.
"Don't be so sure," chuckled Endymion.
The two men glared furiously at each other, and were about to fight it out, when Maleficent appeared.
"Silence! We shall let Kunzite proceed with his plan, and see to it that you succeed in your task. Do not forget the penalty of being turned into a Heartless should you fail Queen Beryl," she said.
"Don't worry, I won't," replied Kunzite.
"As for you Endymion, you'll receive your chance at battling Sora, Sailor Moon, and their friends, soon. But for now, you must be patient. Your heart belongs not to that foolish girl, but with Queen Beryl," Maleficent said to the dark prince.
"Yes, my heart belongs only to Queen Beryl, not Sailor Moon," replied Endymion, as Kunzite stormed off into the dark corridor.
In an ice skating rink, Janelyn and Misha were already practicing their figure skating routine, but encountered a slight problem, causing Janelle to crash hard onto the thick ice.
"Just what were you trying to do, Misha?" she snapped.
"Don't be so mean! You're timing on that jump was a little off!" Misha snapped back.
Janelyn snapped back, but Misha decided that he had enough for today, and was about to storm off, making his partner furiously tell him not to leave. Misha then explained that as a gold medalist pair the world expected them to be the best of the best, but that it would no longer happen with her any longer, and find a new partner who could keep up with him better. Janelyn was about to agree when they were suddenly interrupted.
"I won't allow you two to split up," Kunzite's voice said as he emerged from the dark corridor.
The two figure skaters turned to face him.
"Congratulations, you have been chosen to become minions to serve the Dark Kingdom," he continued, surprising them immensely.
"Wow, look at that, I've never heard of this skating rink," said Luna.
"That's because it's brand new. This is the grand opening day, and the best part is that Janelyn and Misha are going to be giving Coaching Lessons," explained Usagi, who was joined by Sora, and all their friends as they stood outside.
'That's amazing," agreed Minako.
"That's great for you two, but why drag us along?" asked Rei.
"Because we have to help Usagi be a great figure skater, just as she was during her time in the Moon Kingdom. That's why Janelyn and MIsha are giving special lessons to girls who are in groups of five. That way, it'll help Usagi become a good skater. But, if it's a trap set by one of the Dark Kingdom's thugs, we'll be there, to back you up!" explained Sora.
"Yeah, we already know that the Dark Kingdom's not gonna take an off day. But for now, we can all go learn and see what they have to offer. It's always wise to ask, so that we can receive it," added Riku.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Minako said sheepishly.
"Sounds like a plan fellas. Let's go," replied Mickey.
"You heard the king, let's go ask!" agreed Usagi, and they all went off with their reluctant friends.
Inside the ice rink, every girl, in groups of five, were waiting to be chosen to take lessons from the figure skating tag team, when Usagi's friends arrived dressed in their figure skating uniforms, after they changed in the locker room.
"Wow, look at the number of girls who showed up for this," said Ami.
"It's their chance to skate with gold medalists," Added Rei, earning a nod from Sora and his friends.
"The last time we went into a rink was ages ago," said Artemis.
"Yeah," replied Luna.
"Hey, what's keeping Usagi?" asked Axel.
She was hopping towards them, while struggling with the other ice skate, when she fell and landed on Sora's shoulder.
"Thanks for breaking my fall, Sora," she said.
But, Sora gently helped her down the stairs, which did make everyone seem happy.
"Much as I hate to admit it, Sora doesn't like whenever he sees girls about to get hurt," said Riku.
"Yeah, that's what we like about him," giggled Kairi.
"And it's a good thing too. Especially since she does care about Sora, despite how different he is from most of the other guys. But, I'll admit, the first time I saw him and the rest of you guys, I kinda thought you reminded me of you-know-who. But the way he speaks, is not because of how he sounds, but what he feels in his heart," said Makoto, as he watched Sora helping Usagi down to the stands.
"Fair point, Mako," replied Rei.
Suddenly, Minako saw Janelyn and Misha arrive, and called everyone to her side, as they stepped out onto the rink. The grace and form they had made both Usagi and Minako's hearts flutter. Even Rei, Makoto, and Ami were impressed, but Sora was awed by how they performed. But then Makoto began to have that distant look in her eyes, when she saw Misha. When the duo finished their performance, everyone applauded as they stood before them.
"Welcome everyone. Thank you for your enthusiastic reception, now let's skate together and have some fun," Janelyn said.
All the girls cheered loudly as one.
"All figure skaters must start with the basics. Step number one is getting used to the ice," explained Janelyn.
The girls all agreed, even Usagi and Minako.
"Okay, how about you and your group be the first to try out the new ring?" asked Janelyn.
"Yes ma'am!" the two girls replied.
"Well, before they do, we gotta help Usagi get her skates on first," said Sora.
Soon everyone helped get her ice skates onto Usagi's feet, despite some encouragement, as well as a bit of harshness from Rei, who received some reprimanding for her attitude from Terra, who glared firmly at her with both seriousness and disappointment in his eyes. One by one, they all went on to the rink except Makoto and Usagi.
"Usagi, is this your first time? Have you never skated on ice before?" she asked.
"I'm gonna be just fine. You see I was a brilliant skater in my previous life as the Moon Princess, this'll be a breeze," she replied, despite being nervous.
"Well, if you say so," said Makoto, who got on to the rink to join her friends.
She skated out onto the rink, passing Rei, Ami, and Makoto, while Sora and the others watched in amazement at her athletic ability. They were impressed, except for Usagi who was a little jealous, and tried to follow her.
But when she stepped on to the rink, she slipped and fell after losing her balance, making everyone glance behind them to see if she was okay. Usagi tried, and tried, but she couldn't find a way to balance herself and kept falling down.
"This is painful to watch," whispered Artemis.
"I can have high hopes for Usagi on ice, but this is worse than I thought," replied Luna.
Makoto, on the other hand, was having the time of her life, unaware that Janelyn and Misha were made servants of Kunzite's twisted ideals as they watched her. The two cats were amazed by Makoto's grace and ability.
"Come to think of it, in the Moon Kingdom, Sailor Jupiter was a skating pro. Every bit as good as the princess," said Artemis.
"Mako looks so amazing," Ami said, as Usagi fell once again.
When Makoto had finished her dance, everyone applauded her immensely.
"That was very impressive," said Janelyn.
She then turned to the crowd.
"Everyone get on the ice. Let's skate!" she called.
Makoto was surprised, despite how much Misha reminded her of her former boyfriend, when she saw him applauding her. Everyone was also helping Usagi try to find balance, but they all fell down onto the ice. Unbeknownst to them, Janelyn was searching through the security cameras, to see which of the girls was Sailor Moon, when Kunzite's image appeared.
"You should be looking for agility and athletic skills in order to find Sailor Moon. How is your progress," he asked.
"Don't worry, as a gold medalist, I know what to look for. I'll find her," replied Janelyn.
"Fair enough, but make it snappy! The sooner we find those Sailor Losers the better! So, make sure you don't underestimate their abilities, and stay on your toes!" barked Pete.
"Yes sir," said Janelyn, and went back to searching for her prey.
At last she found Minako and Ami, trying to help Usagi understand how to balance herself, but she dismissed her and continued her search. Instantly she saw Misha talking to Makoto in another security camera.
"You're a wonderful skater. I'd like to skate with you," he said.
"Well, um, I'm good too. I'd love to skate with you," said Rei, trying to grab Misha's attention.
But she was disappointed when Misha took Makoto's hand and began to skate with her. Makoto could see that he truly did remind her of you-know-who, as they began to skate.
"Is this the free coaching?" she asked
Misha thought that Makoto was Sailor Moon.
"All right, here we go," he said.
He tried to lift her up, but had to set her down.
"Sorry, I'm so heavy," Makoto said apologetically.
"It's all right," replied Misha.
"Let me try!" she said.
Then with all her strength, Makoto lifted MIsha into the air, which made everyone surprised.
"She's able to lift a man into the air while skating?" asked Minako, as she held Usagi steady.
"That's the first time any female has successfully done that," said Ami.
"Yeah. Makoto's pretty strong. And not just in body, but in heart too," replied Sora who was just as impressed as Misha was.
Everyone applauded her as they danced on the rink with their ice skates.
"You are the one," said Misha.
"Misha, you can't shut me out! Were you really serious about breaking up!?" cried Janelyn.
She grabbed a microphone nearby her.
"Attention everyone, the free coaching sessions for the day are done. Please gather up your belongings and leave the rink, immediately!" she announced.
"You gotta be kidding me!" protested Sora.
"But why?" asked Usagi.
"This is ridiculous!" Rei said in agreement with Sora.
"Well, I gotta go. Thanks for the lesson," Makoto said sadly.
But Misha took her arm.
"I can't let you go. You're too special, you are the partner thatI've been searching for," he said.
"Really, you're sure?" asked Makoto, who was surprised.
Outside of the rink, everyone was disappointed that the coaching trials were over, as Ami, Rei, and MInako stepped towards the two cats. Behind them, Riku and most of the Guardians of Kingdom Hearts caught up with them.
"Finally, they're coming now," said Artemis.
"Where are Usagi, Mako, and Sora?" asked Luna.
"Mako decided to stay behind, she's getting some special coaching from MIsha," answered Minako.
"I'm so jealous," groaned Rei.
"Actually, I'm proud of her," said Terra.
"Heh, how about that? Terra's proud of someone who's taller than most of us, but has incredible strength," chuckled Riku.
"Oh, where did Usagi go? I thought she was right behind us," inquired Ami.
"I wouldn't worry about her too much. She may have trouble with telling time, but she'll catch up, if we wait for her," grinned Axel.
Suddenly the doors closed, sealing off the building, which in turn, made everyone shocked to see this sudden change.
"What is this!?" gasped Luna.
"That isn't right. It's possible this is a trap set up by the Dark Kingdom," added Ami.
"I hope not," shuddered Minako.
"No, Ami's right. I can sense darkness in that room, which means, our friends are in danger," said Riku.
Inside the ice rink, Usagi and Sora began searching the corridors for trouble.
"No way am I leaving, not before I get my free coaching anyway," she said to him.
"That girl has such poise, and can skate so gracefully, like she's been doing this all her life, with my Misha. Well forget that!" growled Janelyn.
She destroyed one of the monitors, then stormed out smacking the door right in Usagi's face.
"That really hurt," groaned Usagi, but saw one of the monitors was smashed to pieces.
She looked inside, and saw Makoto with Misha, while Sora glanced darkly at Janelyn, but then she quickly raced out after Sora shouted, "Fire in the hole!" as the room exploded.
"Are you sure this is your first time, figure skating?" asked Misha.
He knew that Makoto was hiding something, and began to believe that she was Sailor Moon, while the brunette looked lovingly at him.
"MISHA!" shouted Janelyn.
The two of them looked to see an angry Janelyn staring at them.
"Misha, is this your way of telling me we're done? I'd rather kill you right now than allow an amateur like her to have you forever!" she said furiously, her eyes flickering.
"Janelyn…" MIsha tried to explain, but it was too late.
Janelyn's rage was so strong it transformed her into a creature of darkness.
'Run away, right now!" Makoto said, willing to protect him.
"Don't worry about her, calm down. Skating with her all day was just my way of testing her to find out if she was Sailor Moon," Misha continued.
"Liar!" yelled the transformed Janelyn.
"Hear me out, she's a wonderful skater, but it takes years of hard work to produce a perfect pair! You are the only partner for me! You know that!" cried Misha.
"What? but you said…" gasped Makoto.
"Misha, I can't stop. It's too late!" the demon said furiously as she fully transformed.
"GET AWAY FROM MY MISHA!" she cried.
Makoto was shocked, but the enraged creature charged towards her and Misha, and kicked them away with the Triple Axle Kick, sending Makoto sprawling to the ground. Misha was aghast.
"Come here, my Misha. We are partners, forever and ever," the being said.
"The ultimate pair, blended as one, when we skate," replied MIsha.
He took the transformed Misha's hand, then changed into his demonic form as well. Now they had become, Zoyrein Geller.
"Misha was a monster too!?" gasped Makoto as she stood up.
"We are amazing, the best paired skaters in the world! Together we are Zoiyrein Geller!" Zoyrein Geller cried out, as they spun in place.
Then they stopped glaring at Makoto.
"Now that you've seen who we actually are, you shall be turned into a Heartless!" the duo said.
Makoto tried to talk to them, but they charged right at her and struck her down, sending her flying back, just as Usagi and Sora arrived.
"Mako!" they called out to their brunette friend.
"How dare they!" Usagi said furiously.
"They're gonna pay for this, Usagi! So let's give 'em some payback!" added Sora.
Usagi nodded and transformed into Sailor Moon, just as Sora readied his Keyblade for battle.
"I am the pretty guardian who fights for love and for justice! I am Sailor Moon!" she cried in a loud voice.
"I can finish her off," said Zoyrein.
'Be my guest," replied Geller.
"For making a weapon of the greatest sport known as figure skating, and taking delight in using it to torment innocent girls, I, Sailor Moon will never forgive you! In the name of the Moon, I'm punishing you!" she called to her foes.
"Sailor Moon, we've looked for you. And now that you're here, we'll be taking the Silver Crystal," Zoyrein Geller said to them.
"We'll see about that!" replied Sailor Moon, as she jumped into the rink.
The instant she did, ice skates appeared on her boots, but like before, she slipped and fell to the ground, making the duo laugh at her.
"That's it!" screamed Sora, jumping into the rink, standing between them.
"What gives, I transformed and I still can't skate!?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Foolish boy, stand aside!" Zoyrein Geller cried out.
Sora stood his ground as they performed the Death Spiral, but then Tuxedo Mask arrived, and scooped up Sailor Moon in his arms, then he evaded the attack, just as the creature tried to strike at him and Sailor Moon.
"Thank you Tuxedo Mask, I knew you'd be coming to save me!" Sailor Moon said happily.
"Don't get the wrong idea, we're still enemies. However, there's no honor by defeating you, when it involves the innocent. Once I stop these monsters from their senseless rampage, I'll be taking your Silver Crystal," he replied, despite Sailor Moon's protests.
"Master Endymion, do not interfere. We'll show no mercy, even to you!" Zoyrein Geller snapped furiously.
"You actually think you'll be able to beat me?" asked the caped crusader.
"I wouldn't provoke them, if I were you," Sailor Moon said.
"How interesting. Don't forget we are gold medalists," the demonic duo said pridefully.
They charged at them with their Double Spin Kick attack, but Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon jumped out of the way. Then with a graceful twirl, Sailor Moon landed back on the rink, skating like a pro. But Zoyrein Geller continued to pursue her. With Tuxedo Mask's coaching, Sailor Moon was able to perform some complex figure skating moves that even she had not been able to perform on her normal days, as she smiled happily.
"Nice jump. you did good, Sailor Moon," Tuxedo Mask said proudly.
"Yeah, way to go Sailor Moon!" agreed Sora, as he looked after Makoto.
"Thanks, guys!" replied Sailor Moon.
But the moment didn't last long, as Zoyrein Geller struck at them with the sit spin, sending them crashing against the wall of the rink.
"The time has come, the end's here!" cried the duo.
Thankfully, Makoto had become Sailor Jupiter, and began channeling her thunder power, as Sora called to the heavens for a powerful thunder spell.
"JUDGEMENT BOLT!" they cried.
The combined lightning attack struck Zoyrein Geller.
'Nice one, guys!" called Sailor Moon.
"Please you gotta stop this! Turn back into your former selves!" begged the Thunder Guardian.
The demonic duo glared at them, but reinforcements had arrived in the form of Sailors Venus, Mercury, and Mars, along with Riku and the guardians of Kingdom Hearts, all of them ready for battle. Then Kunzite arrived with Pete and a battalion of Heartless at their side.
"The gang's all here. Isn't this lovely?" he said.
"You got that right, Big K! Especially with Big E here helping those goodie-goodie two shoes! I'd say he needs to learn the hard way!" replied Pete.
"My thoughts exactly, Pete," Kunzite said.
With a flick of his fingers, he caused a vent to bear down on them, and blast them with cold air.
"What's going on!?" cried Tuxedo Mask.
"What is this, Master Kunzite!?" cried Geller.
"This absolute zero, Ice Hell! Very soon, you'll all turn into lovely ice statues, then I'll simply return and recover the Silver Crystal, once and for all!" cackled Kunzite.
He then vanished, as Tuxedo Mask dropped to his knees. The cold was far too much for everyone to bear, until the caped crusader saw the orb on the ceiling and struck at it with his cane stopping the vents from blowing down on them.
"We're saved!" Minako sighed, feeling relieved.
"Now, let's return these guys to normal, Sailor Moon," said Sora.
"Yeah!" agreed Sailor Moon.
Together they readied their weapons.
"Janelyn and MIsha, it's time for you to face the light!" called Sora, raising his Keyblade over his head.
"Moon Healing Escalation!" cried Sailor Moon.
Their combined powers surged into the duo restoring them to their former selves, and they began to skate once again.
"Wait a minute, Tuxedo Mask! Where did he go?" asked Usagi.
Later that night, Sora, Usagi, and all their friends could see that Makoto was saddened by what happened.
"Uh, Mako, are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry, I'm not gonna let being dumped by Misha bother me forever, but I do need to go and find another guy," replied Makoto.
Her answer came sooner than expected, and Makoto took a look at him, making everyone facefault, facepalm, or shake their heads in disapproval.
"Oh snap," muttered Sora.
"Yeah, you said it, Sora," agreed Usagi.
