Hello! Right now, I'm almost done with the S arc. Two more episodes in the rough draft! XD So far, my fanfic's been taking up two full notebooks and now I'm starting the third one. The track & Field meets have been so crappy. Now, let's get this show on the road!!
Episode: Heart of Sword
It's only been a week since Kaori Knight first appeared and everyone's nerves calmed down. At least they knew the purposes of the crystals…or did they? The only thing the team knew was that they had to fight two fronts, one against the Death Busters and another against Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune.
Not only has this incident passed, but also has Valentine's Day. The scouts moped about their non-celebrations at the temple.
Raye "Well, the season of love has gone and passed, being so evanescent."
Lita "If only we had actual boyfriends…maybe some other time."
Mina "And how do we celebrate it? By saving my ass from the heart snatchers."
Serena "Why are you all so down? Valentine's was fun."
Amy "That's because you were the only one with a boyfriend."
Serena "That's what you get for not admitting to Greg."
Raye "That's true. I would totally admit if there was someone out there for me."
They all sighed.
Mina "How do you do it, Serena?"
Serena "Huh?"
Mina "How do you find the right guy for you and fall completely in love with him?"
Serena looked down and blushed.
Serena "Well, my love for Darien is supposedly a destined love, since, you know, our past lives were together. But still, I know we were meant for each other."
Lita "So this really isn't based on true feelings completely. Some is based on destiny."
Amy "If you want a real perspective, I think Anna is the one to talk to. She and Sir Aoshi only met in her reincarnated life."
Raye "Yeah! No destiny or anything. It all came out of their true feelings for each other."
Mina "Great idea, you guys. But maybe talking about Aoshi right now would make Anna depressed."
Serena "Gee. I wonder what's taking him so long to come back."
"Sorry about that."
The girls looked toward the entrance to follow the voice. A young girl stood with a blue school uniform and big red eyes. Her height changed drastically from before. The voice matured and so did her manners. It was the short pink pigtails that reminded the girls.
"I guess it's my fault."
Rini!!
Mina "Rini, is it really you!?"
Everyone stood up and stared at the tween as she walked up.
Amy "You changed so much. You must be around 12 years old by now."
Rini "Yup. Last time I came, it was about 7 years ago. At least 7 years ago in my time. How long was it here?"
Lita "It's only been a few months. Wow, you're all grown up."
Serena "What are you doing here?"
Rini held out a note to the team.
Rini "Mommy sent me here for you train me."
Raye "Neo-Queen Serenity? Serena!?"
Amy took the note and read it aloud.
Amy "Dear Scouts, I apologize for the sudden arrival of Rini, but I feel that she could learn how to be a princess with you. She has missed you all dearly and wanted desperately to meet her friends again. Best wishes to you, Neo-Queen Serenity."
Serena looked at Rini.
Serena "Did you really travel all this way by yourself?"
Rini giggled.
Rini "I originally came alone, but then I met Sir Aoshi on the way."
Girls "Sir Aoshi!?"
Darien and Anna walked down Main Street to get to the temple. Serena phoned ahead and described the girls' "love condition".
Darien "We could most likely assume that February is the worst month for the girls."
Anna laughed softly.
Anna "But it's probably the best for Serena, seeing her hug you like that."
Darien "Yeah. She was kind of hyper last week. Are you planning to give Aoshi something?"
Anna "I wouldn't really know what he wants."
She looked ahead and saw what she never expected. Although it was only his back, Anna recognized him immediately. He hid his kodachi discreetly so the surrounding citizens wouldn't see it. The icy blue eyes searched the crowd for his target.
Anna ran up to the anonymity with high hopes.
Darien "Anna? Where are you going?"
The man turned around once he heard the familiar name. He saw a young girl run up with a cheerful face. When his visage was revealed, Anna smiled brightly.
Anna "Aoshi! You're here!"
Her arms were spread as he welcomed her. They embraced in the middle of the street and they couldn't care less. Aoshi Shinomori arrived to modern day Tokyo.
Darien "Aoshi? Hey, long time no see."
Aoshi looked up at Darien.
Aoshi "It's been a while. I apologize for coming so suddenly."
They continued their walk to the temple with their old companion. As Aoshi examined the highlights of Tokyo, Anna's heart became light-hearted again.
Anna "We didn't expect you to come back soon. But you sure took your sweet time getting here."
Aoshi "Time…let's not talk about that for a while."
Darien "Did something happen at the Time Gate?"
Aoshi "Well, there was some sort of confusion. After I dropped off Rini back to her own time, someone else appeared at the Gate. To my surprise, it was Rini, except older."
Anna "Rini older self?"
Aoshi "Almost 5 years older. She told me the queen sent her to this time so she can train."
Darien "Train how? To be a princess?"
Aoshi "That's what she told me. Then, there was a decision of where, or when, to go to."
Darien "Well, that's reasonable."
Aoshi "But my sudden appearance must have left everything distraught."
Anna "No, not at all! In fact, I've been saving up for our apartment."
Aoshi became surprised. Since he left, Anna devoted her time to raising the money for their living conditions.
Anna "Leave it all to me!"
They smiled and continued walking. As they entered the temple, Rini was happy that the team came back to full circle.
Rini "Darien!"
She ran past Aoshi and Anna to hug her future father.
Darien "Wow, Rini. You've grown!"
Rini chuckled and thanked him.
Anna "Looking good, squirt."
They punched their fists together, like good friends would do. Despite their unfortunate past, Anna accepted Rini and her dogmatic attitude.
Anna "Hey Raye, remember that thing we discussed before?"
Raye "Oh, right. Um, Mr. Shinomori, can I borrow some of your time?"
Aoshi "Of course."
He followed Raye into the shrine. His kodachi was placed on a stone next to the pond. Raye and her grandfather awaited Aoshi's consent in the prayer room.
Aoshi "Teaching a dojo, you say?"
Raye "Yes. I know this is sudden, but we understand your situation with Anna, so this offer should be helpful."
Aoshi "I suppose this job could also increase my skills…"
Grandpa "Would you honor us with them? I'd like to put your worth to the test."
Aoshi "As you wish."
He lightly bowed and stood up. Aoshi's manners impressed the Hinos even more.
As the team waited in the garden, Aoshi went out front to retrieve his sword. There it was, lying causally next to the pond. He walked to it and his hand hovered above the blade. Aoshi then felt something different. His warrior spirit sensed and evil presence. Believing it to be anxiety, Aoshi picked up his sword.
Lita "Okay, Rini. The first step of being a princess is…"
Serena "Being nice to everyone, INCLUDING your future mom."
Rini "Same as ever, Meatball Head!"
They stuck their tongues out at each other and glared. The others reminisced the old times when they hated each other to their guts.
Mina "She's only been here for an hour and already they're fighting again."
Anna's expression suddenly changed. As Raye entered the garden, another presence was sensed in front of the temple. She looked around and noticed Aoshi wasn't there. An assumption was made as she ran to the front.
Anna "Please, don't let it be true!!"
The team questioningly followed and realized the same horror.
Anna "AOSHI!!"
He was pinned to the side of the temple lifelessly. The eyes stared off to the ground as Aoshi's crystal was in the hands of a mysterious swordsman.
Amy "Mr. Aoshi!"
Anna tried to rush to Aoshi, but Darien pulled her back.
Darien "You have to think! You can't help him as a civilian!"
She pushed Darien back and continued her charge.
Anna "If you can't help him, I will!"
Serena "Anna, wait!"
"MOON COSMIC POWER!!"
"SCOUT STAR POWER!!"
Little did they know, another scout was among them.
"MINI PRISM POWER!!"
Rini held out a little compact which revealed the future Imperium Crystal. Red and pink ribbons spun out as Rini jumped into the air. The ribbons wrapped around her to form a leotard along with pink boots, skirt, and gloves. A tiara with a pink jewel formed on her forehead. Pink hairpieces with wings were tucked into the meatballs of her hair.
Jupiter "Rini, you're a scout!?"
Mini "Yup! From now on, I'm Sailor Mini Moon!"
The swordsman chuckled while he held the crystal, but he still noticed the upcoming scouts.
"VENUS LOVE CHAIN ENCIRCLE!!"
"MARS CELESTIAL FIRE SURROUND!!"
Their energies flashed at the enemy. He took out a sword and easily deflected them.
Galaxy "Son of a bitch!!"
Sailor Galaxy relentlessly charged at the swordsman. Her action caught the scouts by surprise.
Venus "Is she ok?"
Mask "She's not herself." (Anna, concentrate!)
Jupiter "Hurry! We gotta help!"
The swordsman jumped through the trees in the garden while Sailor Galaxy followed. Her eyes were fueled with anger and vengeance. She made a final leap and tackled the swordsman to the ground.
But her blindness got the best of her. She ended up being pinned to the ground as the enemy was on top of her. He unsheathed a sword and raised it in the air. It took Sailor Galaxy a second to realize what was happening.
Her reflexes helped at the last minute. Sailor Galaxy rolled to the side as the threatening blade came down. She knelt and winced as she held the right side of her abdomen. The blade slashed Sailor Galaxy!
The cut was deep, but not devastating. She felt her legs go numb. The scout and the swordsman stood up as he chuckled.
Galaxy "What's so funny? I must have missed something."
He raised the sword again as Sailor Galaxy readied her fighting stance while protecting the wound. She knew she was far weaker than usual, but the crystal couldn't stay with the swordsman forever. Sailor Galaxy closed her eyes and waited for its attack.
"MOON SPIRAL HEART ATTACK!!"
The flash appeared before Sailor Galaxy as she opened her eyes. Aoshi's kodachi fell to the ground along with his crystal. A pod was exerted from the sword and the evil cackle was emitted.
Sailor Galaxy shook as she walked closer to the crystal. The scouts watched her fall and clutch the kodachi. She held it close to keep it safe. Tuxedo Mask walked closer to try and comfort her.
Mask "Come on, let's bring it back."
As he reached for the crystal, another hand shot out and grabbed it. Sailor Galaxy reacted fast and looked above. Sailor Neptune came for the crystal.
Mercury "Neptune!"
Venus "Uranus!"
Galaxy stared in horror again as they took off to the front. She stood up and chased them with the kodachi.
THROB!!
The wound on her abdomen brought her strength to a dearth. Sailor Galaxy struggled to the front of the temple.
Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune almost made it to the steps when Mars and Jupiter blocked their path. Venus and Mercury blocked the side exits while Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon, and the newly transformed Sailor Mini Moon surrounded from behind.
Mini "Don't take Sir Aoshi's crystal! Please! He's a good man!"
Uranus "Sorry, little girl, but we need this crystal. It could be pure."
Mars "You have no right to take his crystal."
Jupiter "He's our friend and we won't let you get away!"
Venus "He'll never forgive us if we did."
Mercury "Not even Sailor Galaxy would show mercy."
Sailor Moon suddenly remembered and looked behind.
Moon "Sailor Galaxy!"
The solar scout walked past Tuxedo Mask and Mini Moon, staggering from the pain. She stared into Sailor Neptune's eyes before falling in front of them to her knees.
Neptune "You're not going to put up a fight this time?"
Galaxy "I CAN'T fight. Are you blind?"
Sailor Neptune regretted her remark.
Galaxy "Give it back. It doesn't belong to you. Aoshi needs it the most right now. And I have to return it. It's all I can do in return for him. He helped me so much. I'll never forgive myself if he stays like that. And it's all because you need to fulfill your mission."
Uranus and Neptune looked over to Aoshi's slouching form. He was very dedicated to protecting the ones he held dear. It was obvious Sailor Galaxy gave back the care he contributed.
Neptune knelt in front of Sailor Galaxy. The solar scout looked up as Neptune handed over the crystal.
Neptune "Don't worry. It's not pure."
Galaxy "Pure or not, it's the most valuable thing to me right now."
She took the crystal and stood up. Mars and Jupiter moved to clear their path. Sailor Uranus and her partner walked down the temple steps empty handed.
Mask "We'll never understand them."
Sailor Galaxy walked mindlessly past them and towards Aoshi. The crystal glowed brightly as it neared its carrier.
Galaxy (All that matters is that he lives.)
She held the crystal close to his chest. It dissolved back into his body and stayed there. His eyes became full of life again. The daggers keeping him on the wall disappeared. He looked up at Sailor Galaxy's hopeful expression.
Aoshi "You saved me."
She pulled Aoshi close and wept. No matter how hard it was for her to move by the wound, Sailor Galaxy kept him close to her heart.
Galaxy "I saved you, so we're even now."
He chuckled as he enjoyed her warmth.
As he saw them suffer a close loss, Tuxedo Mask decided to help. The couch was offered as Aoshi's temporary bed. He prepared for his job at the temple while Anna saved up for their apartment.
Anna was still confused by the actions of Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. While she sorted the possible reasons, Anna remembered to be careful about the wound on her side.
Next time on Sailor Galaxy Chronicles:
Anna (She can't handle it!)
She tugged and broke free of Michelle's grip.
Michelle (Oh, no!)
Anna (Time to...)
Amara (Transform!)
What's gonna happen???