CHAPTER TWO

I Am Sailor Moon!

Sayla Mūna walked confidently into West District High School, her elbow-length golden blonde hair swishing. Sayla was confident, pretty and one of the most popular girls in school.

She was also a shameless self-promoter of her strengths, critical of others' weaknesses, and could be bitchy at the best of times. There's no way she'd ever be the hero of anyone's story…right?

"Hey, Sayla!" Her bff, Olivia Banes, called, rushing up to Sayla as soon as she'd seen her. Olivia was a lot quieter then Sayla, and seemed to lack her friend's beauty. She was more a preppy school-girl, with shoulder-length dark red hair and sea-green eyes.

Sayla's dark blue eyes sparkled happily upon seeing her bestie, and the two friends greeted one another happily, to walk into the school grounds together.

Sayla was also a good friend, though only towards people she trusted and knew.

Both girls wore the West District school uniform. It was a white shirt with a red tie, and a black knee-length pleated skirt. With her socks, Sayla wore black high heels. With her socks, Olivia wore black flats.

"How do you reckon you went on the English test yesterday?" Sayla asked Olivia innocently.

Olivia scowled. "Must you ask me? I'll be lucky if I get a pass mark!"

Sayla tsked sympathetically, and replied: "Well, we can't all be geniuses like me, can we?"

Olivia had the good sense to laugh at her friend's lack of modesty. "No, Sayla, I suspect we can't!"

Suddenly, someone very unsuspected and very unwanted appeared right in front of them.

"Sayla, you look lovely today!" Said Miles Holly, adjusting his round spectacles Captain Kuro-style (squee!). Miles was one of the most popular boys in school, with slick-backed black hair and icy blue eyes. He wore the males school uniform of a white shirt, red tie and black pants, and his shoes were shone to within an inch of their shiny life.

Sayla stared at Miles with a look of discontent on her face, before replying disdainfully: "Unlike you, Miles, so you're lucky I look good enough for both of us!" She took Olivia's hand and began to lead her away, but the rich and snobbish Miles wouldn't give up. One way or the other he WOULD have Sayla as his girlfriend.

He trailed after the two girls as they walked through the school grounds, constantly pestering both of them with questions and remarks.

Finally, Sayla could stand it no longer. She grabbed Olivia's hand once more, and dragged her into the girls bathroom.

Miles could not follow them in there, so at last they were free, except that he waited outside for them.

Except, of course, they didn't come out until after the bell rang, and this was why…

OoO

Before school that day, Sayla had had the extreme honour of rescuing a poor black cat from a bunch of high school kids who were pestering it, in their school car park. Since Sayla was considered like a goddess among her people (or so she says) the kids instantly scattered, leaving Sayla to critically examine the poor animal.

She stood over it, peering down at it. It was a regular-sized black cat, and as Sayla watched it sat up, and began to shake it's head to and fro, obviously in an attempt to rid itself of the bandaids criss-crossed over its forehead.

The she-cat stared up at Sayla then with dark red eyes, and Sayla took this as her cue to stoop down and help the poor thing.

"You're alright," Sayla reassured the cat, although she gazed at it with a rather disconcerted look, as she had never been a big animal-lover. "But how about I take this bandage off, huh?"

She slowly peeled the bandage off of the cat's forehead, and something beneath it shone.

"Huh?" Sayla was surprised. "Is that a bald spot?" In the shape of a crescent moon? I don't think so…

The cat mustn't have liked what Sayla said, because it jumped onto the top of her head, and then onto a nearby parked car. Sayla turned around and stared at it. "Well," She said haughtily, and turned to stomp off. "That was rather rude, wasn't it!?"

No more rude then what you said about my crescent moon… The she-cat thought, sitting down on the car top and watching the retreating form of Sayla disappear into the distance. But, I sense something about this girl, no matter how impolite she may be…

OoO

Back at school, present time…

"Can you believe how annoying Miles can be?" Sayla said, sitting on the bench by the basins. "You'd think after three years he'd take the hint…" (Three years is SUCH a long time to wait for something…)

"I agree," Olivia said (of course she does, she goes along with whatever Sayla says!). "He's not only annoying but he's so arrogant! That's how rich people are, you know."

"Except you and me." Sayla said, grinning.

Olivia grinned back as she leaned against a wall. "Yup." She nodded.

There was a slight distraction then as, from the high up window in the girls bathroom, the very same black cat Sayla had rescued just that morning made her entrance, leaping soundlessly to the floor and startling both the girls.

Then, Sayla said: "Hang on, that's the cat I saved this morning! (I didn't know she'd find me here…)"

The cat seemed to be clearing her throat, and then she spoke, quite clearly and, taking no notice of Olivia whatsoever, she said: "My name is Lunar, and I have been searching for you for a very long time, Sayla."

Sayla stared at the cat, and then looked at Olivia. The girl's face was rigid. She'd heard it too.

Then, Sayla looked back down at the cat – Lunar – and said, carefully: "You have? Been searching for me?" She narrowed her eyes. "What for?"

Lunar smiled at her seemingly, and said: "Because you are Sailor Moon, the warrior sworn to protect the Princess of the Moon!" She still hadn't looked at Olivia, but now she had to when Olivia stated: "Are you sure it's Sayla?"

Lunar glanced Olivia's way, and the nodded. "Yes, there's no doubt about it. Sayla is Sailor Moon, and she has been since she was born! It is her destiny!"

I must be dreaming…this is starting to sound like some cheesy bishoujo thing…wait, what am I thinking? Since when did I start referring to things in Japanese? This is a dream, ne? AURGH!! There I go again!

She realised that both Olivia and Lunar were staring at her, and was about to say something, when suddenly the warning bell rang, and Sayla gasped.

"Come on Ollie, we gotta go or we'll be late!" Sayla simply hated being late for anything, and so grabbed Olivia's hand and dragged her out of the bathroom, leaving Lunar feeling ignored and frustrated.

OoO

All day, Sayla thought about what had happened in the bathroom, and the fact that a black cat had talked to her and Olivia made her feel uneasy. She tried to concentrate on her classes, but her mind kept wandering back to that episode from before…

Because you are Sailor Moon…

Yeah, right. Who the hell was Sailor Moon anyway? And how could a cat be talking? None of this made any sense to Sayla and, for once, she began to worry about something that was beyond her control.

Although she did not glimpse the talking black cat again during school that day, their paths were fated to cross again later that day, in a rather different situation…

OoO

A lady sat on a stone-like throne, surrounded by the evil and darkness that was the Negaverse.

She had been awakened, finally, from her one thousand year slumber, and was thirsty and starving for revenge. She knew what she wanted, and how she must get it, and now was the time to send her minions to do her bidding.

"Tell me of your plan, Jadeite…"

"Yes, Queen Beryl," The blonde-haired man with icy blue eyes stepped forward and bowed. "I have already set up a trap for humans on the planet earth, to draw away their energy. Our mission will be complete in no time, as these humans are too weak and pathetic to stop us!"

Queen Beryl laughed. She could already picture the day when she would finally achieve her goal. She smiled. The time to attack was now…

OoO

Sayla and Olivia were walking home that day. By some unspoken agreement, neither had mentioned the situation from before, and indeed Olivia seemed to have forgotten about it. Sayla almost did too, judging by her reaction to the next incident…

"OW!" Somebody cried as Sayla, intent on listening to Olivia's describing her cute next-door neighbour, walked into somebody.

Sayla looked up, and up…this guy was taller then she was. He was also incredibly cute, with short dark brown hair and deep brown eyes which were, at the moment, looking incredibly annoyed – just like the rest of his face was.

It was this look, which soon became mixed with a look of arrogance when he realised it was just a highschool chick who had walked into him, that reminded Sayla somewhat of Miles, and tipped her over the edge.

"What's that look for!?" She snapped, her face turning red with anger. "You look as if you've never seen a beautiful fourteen year old before!"

The guy chuckled softly, and said, in a rich, deep voice: "When a 'beautiful fourteen year old' comes along then, let me know, okay?" And he walked off, without a backwards glance and Olivia could swear she saw smoke coming out of her best friend's ears!

For this reason it was Olivia's turn to grab Sayla's hand, and she said: "Come on, we're going to my Mum's shop for a bit!" And proceeded to drag her off in that general direction.

OoO

When they finally got there, Olivia was surprised, to say the very leats, at just how crowded her Mum's jewellery store actually was!

Not that jewellery like this wasn't all the rage in Perth city, but the store was never this crowded on a weekday!

Olivia decided to investigate, whilst Sayla checked out some of the jewellery she loved but knew she could never afford, her bad moods vanishing as she drooled over the diamonds and rubies.

Olivia, meanwhile, had gone looking for her Mother, and found her in the shop's basement.

"Mamma, why's your shop so crowded?" Olivia paused. Her Mother didn't turn to face her. "Mamma?" She repeated at a whisper.

A cold, cruel laughter filled the air. "I am not your Mother!" The figure she thought to be her Mother suddenly turned it's head around backwards, and the face was a hideous monster's!

Before Olivia could even scream, a hand clamped firmly over her mouth.

OoO

Even Sayla had to notice that, when all of the jewellery was being tried on, the people wearing them (ie, everyone in the shop besides her) got drowsy, and some even fainted!

Now, Sayla is a very smart girl, and not at all like her real counterpart, Serena. But even she didn't completely understand the connection between what was happening and herself, until Lunar arrived on the scene.

"Hey, what the…" Sayla trailed off, and then frowned. "It's you again…" She added, almost accusingly.

Lunar didn't seem to notice Sayla's tone, and just looked around her. The air was thick with tension and…evil. "It looks like I arrived just in time!" Lunar flipped over backwards, and something appeared on the shiny floor. It was a locket, pink with a gold star on it and five different coloured stones.

Sayla picked it up and stared at it. "It's beautiful." She admitted.

"It's more then just that, Sayla," Sayla didn't bother to ask how this cat knew her name, since it had obviously found out a way to talk! "It is your tool to transform into the heroine of justice, Sailor Moon!"

"Uh…huh…"

Lunar could tell that Sayla didn't believe her, but there was no time to waste! It looked like the Negaverse was getting ready to move again, and the situation was getting worse. "You don't believe me? Alright then, I'll prove it. Just repeat after me…" She fixed Sayla with a steely glare. "Moon Prism Power, Make-Up!"

Sayla decided that there would be no harm in humouring the cat for awhile, and so she said: "Moon prism Power, Make-Up!" In a voice quite unlike her own.

OoO

It all felt so strange, unnatural, and yet…like she was SUPPOSED to be doing this. Pink ribbons came out of the locket, and surrounded her body. (The music playing in the background is none other then Can't Fight The Moonlight by Leanne Rhimes).

When Sayla finally opened her eyes, she couldn't believe the transformation that had taken place…

OoO

Sayla was standing there, no longer in her school uniform but with a white leotard on. A dark blue short pleated skirt with a matching collar marked with three white stripes complemented the outfit. She wore a pair of white elbow length gloves with three dark blue bands on them. Her shoes were dark pink and knee-length, with small crescent moon designs on them. There was a dark blue choker around her neck with a golden crescent moon on it. There was a dark pink bow at the back and at the front of her leotard, the latter bow having the locket placed on it. Dangling golden crescent moon earrings and a golden tiara with a dark pink stone completed her ensemble.

What a transformation!

Lunar couldn't seem to believe it either, but she recovered herself enough to say: "Well…err, well, now you believe that you are Sailor Moon, yes?"

All Sayla, aka Sailor Moon, could reply was: "I see why you said I was Sailor Moon…" She was examining the length of her skirt, which was quite short.

Suddenly, a scream ripped through the air, and Sailor Moon froze. She'd know that scream anywhere, it was Olivia!

Without a second thought she began to run for the basement.

Lunar followed her.

OoO

Down in the basement Sailor Moon had a temporary onset of 'freaking out'.

"What the hell is that, Lunar!?" She cried, upon seeing the hideous monster that was once pretending to be Olivia's Mother. "It's hideous! What are you!?" She added, as an afterthought, and the monster turned to her, as Olivia slumped to the floor, her energy had been all drained.

"Who's asking?" The monster asked rudely.

The human Sayla came back, but just for a second, before out heroine cried: "I am Sailor Moon, beautiful soldier of love and justice!"

"Never heard of you." The monster snorted, and then Sailor Moon had the instinct to turn around.

The horde of people from upstairs had become mindless zombies, and Sailor Moon ran from them immediately.

"Lunar!" She called to the cat, as the zombies chased her this way and that. "What should I do!?"

Lunar blanched. She hadn't really thought that far yet. Suddenly, she cried out in alarm, as one of the zombies made to grab Sailor Moon's throat (they had her pinned to a wall by this stage).

Something suddenly went flying towards the lead monster, striking the necklace she wore, which shattered, and the zombies surrounding Sailor Moon all fainted, and became normal again.

Sailor Moon looked up. There, at the top of the stairs, was the silhouette of a man wearing a tuxedo, a cape and a top hat. He moved forward a little, and she could see that a mask covered his eyes.

Now, Sayla is NOT one to fall in love so easily, but even she felt a little bit flustered because this guy was H-O-T!

"Sailor Moon, you and only you have the strength to defeat this evil!" The man said. "And I will help you however I can, for I am Tuxedo Mask!"

"Well, I can see why." Sailor Moon nodded, and then turned to face the monster. "You were rude to me, and to my friends, because you defiled their shop with your evil! I shall punish you, on behalf of the moon!"

(Enter dramatic music).

Sailor Moon took off her tiara, and it began glowing. It turned itself into a boomerang-like shape (we are in Australia, after all) and Sailor Moon draw her hand back, holding the boomerang as she shouted: "Moon Tiara Boomerang!" She threw said item at the monster, and it flashed and glowed. When it hit the monster, the monster was destroyed, it disintegrated into bits of nothingness, as the boomerang swung back to Sailor Moon, and she put it back on as a tiara.

Then, she looked around, but Tuxedo Mask was nowhere in sight.

Lunar was though, and her eyes shone proudly. "Well done Sailor Moon! What gave you the incentive to believe me? Was seeing really believing?"

Sailor Moon turned to the black cat, and smiled: "Why Lunar, I never doubted you!" And, Tuxedo Mask helped too, I guess…

A groan from nearby brought Sailor Moon back to reality, and she rushed over to help her friend Olivia.

"Nnn…" Olivia opened her eyes, and found herself gazing into the lovely face of Sailor Moon. It was a face she recognised. "Is that you, Sayla?"

Sailor Moon nodded. "Uh huh. The cat, Lunar, was right. I am Sailor Moon, and I just defeated a monster pretending to be your Mother, oh but Olivia we can't tell anyone!"

Olivia suddenly sat up straighter. "Wait! Did you say that thing was only pretending to be my Mother!?" (Of course, your Mother's not a monster, Olivia…). "Sayla, or Sailor Moon, or whoever you are, we gotta find my Mum!"

OoO

It took nearly two hours to locate Olivia's Mother (who was tied up in a broom closet) and help the tired and confused victims of the jewellery monster outside and into the fresh air.

By the time Sayla got home, with her new Moon Brooch secured to her school uniform, she was thoroughly exhausted.

But, there was one more obstacle to overcome before dinner.

Sayla, carrying Lunar, went into the kitchen, where her Mother was making dinner (chicken cajitori).

"Mum," Sayla asked, holding up the black cat Lunar and her Mother turned around. "I found this cat. Can I keep it?"

"No."

Uh oh…

OoO

MEG: As you can see, a few differences here and there! What's Sayla gonna do now that she can't keep Lunar!?