Act Two: Mercury
Despite not getting much sleep the night before I woke the next morning after my first outing as Sailor Moon feeling refreshed and ready to face whatever school had in store for me. "Ohayo Usagi-chan," Luna said in her feline form, that now that I knew about it wasn't quite as strange as it had been the night before when she had first revealed to me who she truly was. "Ohayo Luna-chan," I replied getting out of bed. "You should get ready for the day Usagi; you see besides being an advisor and trainer to you and the other senshi, I can also cook. So I will have breakfast ready by the time you get done and ready for the day," Luna said and in a flash of silver light she was in her more humanoid form once again. "Domo arigato Luna-chan," I said surprising her I think with a hug that after she recovered from the shock she gladly returned. "Your welcome Usagi-chan, now go on you don't want to be late ne," she said with a wink and I giggled while shaking my head and heading into the bathroom while humming a tune Luna made her way into the kitchen to cook.
"This was delicious Luna-chan; you are an amazing cook," I said patting my stomach and taking my empty plate to the sink. "Arigato, I am glad you liked it so much," she said as the two of us started to do the dishes only for the front doorbell to ring. "Usagi-chan, Usagi, open the door, you'll never believe what happened last night," Naru's voice said from the other side of the door and after sharing a quick luck with Luna she was back in her feline form with the blink of an eye, and I have never been more glad that my house tenets allowed me to have at least one pet, and I already knew exactly what I would tell Naru-chan about Luna when she asked. I must admit I have never seen Naru so excited as she was this morning as she told me about the mysterious monster that had attacked her mama's shop, and the brave, bold and beautiful soldier that had saved her, the last comment of which made me blush, something for which I was glad that Naru-chan didn't notice.
"That's amazing Naru-chan," "so you believe me," she asked me as I grabbed my school bag cursing myself slightly realizing I may have believed Naru's story a little to easily. "Um, of course; I mean a story that amazing must be true, no way would you make something like that up Naru-chan," I replied glancing at Luna who had an approving twinkle in her eye so I knew I had done well. "Still hard to believe how you found this little one," Naru said looking at Luna as well. "To think someone would abandon her, and her name, is it because of her birthmark," Naru-chan said petting Luna making her purr in contentment as she ran a finger over the crescent shaped patch of fur on Luna's forehead at the same time. "Hai, and Luna seems to like the name so it kind of stuck. Oh look at the time we don't want to be late we should get going," I said to Naru who glancing at my clock as well nodded her head in agreement as the two of us headed out the door.
As we were walking towards school Naru talking to me about Sailor Moon, once again I found myself being surprised by the sound of a car horn and turned smiling noticing the familiar yellow sports car before I smiled seeing Haruka-san once again waving at me. "Ohayo koneko," she said her tenor tone a familiar comfort. "Ohayo Usagi-chan," Michiru-san said as well giving her taller companion a look, and I couldn't help but giggle when Haruka-san raised her hands in a surrendering manor. "Who is your friend koneko," Haruka asked me. "Oh this is Naru-chan, Naru this is Haruka-san and Michiru-san," I said introducing the three to one another. "Ah, so you are the two that Usagi-chan had lunch with yesterday, you were all she talked about all afternoon," Naru-chan said causing me to blush, sometimes Naru could be a bit to forward but neither Haruka-san or Michiru-san seemed to mind. "It is nice to meet you as well, and Usagi talked about you as well," Michiru-san replied and this time it was Naru's turn to blush.
"Would you ladies like a ride to school, it seems that without it you would once again risk being late koneko, it seems we are making a strange habit of this," Haruka-san said causing me to laugh but I agreed and so did Naru-chan both of us thanking the two upperclassmen for giving us a ride, I happened to glance into the bushes behind us and noticed a familiar pair of ruby red eyes watching us and wondered for just a moment why Luna would be following us, but in the end I simply reasoned that she was most likely keeping an eye on me after our encounter with that Yuma last night, a Yuma that could only have been summoned by the Dark Kingdom, the very threat that had brought an end to the era of peace known as the Silver Millennium and the Kingdom of the Moon where myself and the three other guardians had watched over the crowned princess, Serenity.
~ Origins ~
"Well we didn't do so bad ne, Usagi-chan," Naru-chan said to me as the two of us looked at the class standings for our English language class. "Hai," I said seeing my name at number seven on the list, English had never been my best subject, but I still managed a passing grade though so was Naru-chan who was listed at number twelve. "Mizuno-san managed to get number one again I see," a shy but masculine voice said from behind us, causing myself and Naru to jump in surprise. "Stop doing that Umino," Naru-chan said making a playful slap upon his shoulder. Gario Umino-san was considered by many to be a geek because of his high intelligence, short stature and the thick black rimmed glasses that he needed to see but to me he was a good friend, while to Naru-chan, well the two continued to dance around each other, neither ready to admit how I knew they felt for one another.
"Hai, Mizuno-san is amazing isn't she," I said glancing over at the shy genius who had only just recently came to our school while Naru and Umino simply nodded. Mizuno Ami, though shy and a genius was far more beautiful then I think she gives herself credit for. About my height she had deep blue eyes that reminded me of water and dark black shoulder length hair, so dark that in the right light it seemed to have hints of….no that had to be a trick of the light, or just a figment of my imagination. I didn't know why but I decided to walk over to Ami who glanced up at me over a pair of thin silver rimmed glasses a light blush in her cheeks as she watched me approach. "Ohayo Mizuno-san, congratulations on getting number one again," I said with a warm smile offering her my hand. "Ohayo, Usagi-san; arigato," she replied shyly looking down at her feet and I lowered my hand so she wouldn't feel any more uncomfortable.
"Ami-san, would you like to have lunch with me and some of my friends," I asked her surprising even myself when I took one of her hands into both of my own. Ami looked at me once again over the rim of her glasses and though her cheeks were pink she shyly nodded her head yes. "I would like that Usagi-san," she whispered though I still managed to hear her. "Domo Arigato," I said with a bow letting go of her hand and walking back over towards Naru and Umino who looked slightly shocked but in their eyes I could see they both approved of what I had just done. "That was a nice thing you did Usagi-chan," Naru said as Umino nodded in agreement, just as first bell rang. "Come on we don't want to be late to class," he said and both myself and Naru-chan nodded in agreement. I was sure that Haruka-san and Michiru-san wouldn't mind about the extra company that I was planning on bringing to our little lunch date, and I wanted to have a chance to get to know Ami-san, I didn't know why but there was something special about her, that drew her to me, just as I had been drawn to Haruka and Michiru.
~ Origins ~
"Konnichiwa koneko," Haruka-san greeted me in her usual tenor voice. "Who are your friends," Michiru-san added at the same time. "Oh, Haruka-san, Michiru-san. You already know Naru-chan, this is another old friend of mine Umino-kun, and this is Mizuno Ami-san, we just met today," I said first indicating the only male in our group and then the shy genius at my other side. "It is nice to meet you" Umino said shaking hands with Haruka-san. "Gomen, but are you Kaioh Michiru, I think I've seen your works before," Ami-san asked her cheeks a healthy shade of pink though her voice was more powerful than it normally was. "Hai, I am. It is always nice to meet someone who has enjoyed my work," Michiru-san said shaking Ami's hand as Ami spoke about how she not only loved Michiru's paintings but enjoyed her musical talents with the violin as well. "Your Tenoh Haruka-san are you not," Umino said surprising me as Haruka-san nodded her head. "I thought so, you are very talented behind the wheel Tenoh-san, and I've heard some of your works with Michiru on the piano," he said causing Haruka-san to laugh. "Really, so you know that much about me," she said as the two started talking just as enthusiastically as Ami-san and Michiru-san were.
"I guess we were worried about nothing ne, Usagi-chan," Naru-chan said to me as with a giggle I nodded. We had all been kind of scared that none of us would have anything in common, but it seems that Ami was a fan of Michiru's works, while Umino knew of Haruka's time in the amateur racing circuits. Naru, knew of Michiru's talent with the violin because I myself was a fan, but she knew little of her paintings so she got into Ami's conversation with her learning much from not only Michiru-san herself but Ami-san as well. I simply set back and listened learning in the process that Ami-san had once had to have a private tutor hired by her mother to teach her. It was Ami-san herself who asked her mother who was a doctor if she could go to public school in order to meet others her age. It had been a long argument but in the end Ami's mother had agreed, as long as Ami-san managed to keep all of her grades up and also agreed to go to a night school every day known as Crystal Seminar.
"Wow Ami-san, you work really hard don't you," I asked her causing her to blush though she nodded; I guess she wasn't quite used to others complementing her, but having seen her eating lunch by herself for the few days she had been here it was something I could understand. "Usagi is right though, but lunch will be over soon perhaps we should eat so that we aren't hungry later," Michiru-san said and we all agreed finishing our lunches before the bell rang signaling the beginning of class none of us not even myself noticing the pair of ruby red eyes watching from a nearby bush. ["I'll have to talk with Usagi-chan after school," Luna thought to herself as she looked towards Mizuno Ami. "For I have found the second senshi," the feline whispered with a smile finding the perfect place where she would be able to be spotted easily by Usagi once school was out for the day.]
~ Origins ~
Walking out of school I was surprised to see a familiar black feline setting on top of the stone wall looking at me. "Luna," I whispered to her and she motioned with her eyes to follow her so I did until the two of us were away from any prying eyes and ears. "Usagi-chan, I have found the second senshi," Luna said to me the excitement in her voice evident. "Really, who," I asked and Luna told me about her getting the same feeling about Ami-san that she had felt when she first met me. "I think we should follow her to the Crystal Seminar so that we can tell her," Luna told me. "Ok, but let me speak with her first, remember how much of a shock you gave me," I said with a smile that Luna returned as she thought about what I had said realizing that I was right. "That is fine with me, but we should go, it is best we tell her before any of her night classes begin," Luna advised and thinking it a good idea I agreed as the two of us made our way towards the Crystal Seminar building.
It didn't take as long as I thought it would to catch up to Ami, but taking a deep breath and steeling myself I said her name, so serious about what I needed to tell her that I dropped all honorifics, which caused Ami to turn. "Usagi," she said in confusion. "There is something I need to tell you, Ami, and I beg of you that you listen to all I have to say with an open mind," I asked of her and she nodded a calculating look in her eyes as I told her everything about myself, and then told her that she was the second senshi. "Usagi-chan speaks the truth Ami-san," Luna added from my side, and though surprised that Luna actually could speak because I had told Ami about Luna she wasn't as shocked as I had been by this fact. "I didn't doubt that she was, somehow I could feel the truth of Usagi's words, but I don't think I am ready for this," Ami said as Luna took her more humanoid form making sure no one could see her make the shift before hand.
"But this is your duty, you must join us," Luna said to Ami, and I frowned placing my hand on her shoulder. "Luna," I said my voice stern. "I promised I would help you find the other senshi and guardians, but I will not help you force someone to do something that they do not want," I added my tone lecturing and Luna actually looked slightly ashamed of herself. "Your right," as her hands glowed with that familiar silver light and she handed me a small silver charm bracelet with only a single charm, that I recognized was the symbol of the planet Mercury. "Ami-san, I want you to know that even before Luna told me that you were a Sailor Senshi like myself that I wanted us to be friends. This changes nothing," I said taking her hand and resting the bracelet within her open palm. "Keep this as a sign of my friendship to you, and know that I will always consider you a friend Ami-chan," I said the use of the more familiar honorific causing Ami-chan to blush though she was smiling. "Arigato….Usagi-chan," Ami said placing the bracelet on her right wrist before with a wave that I returned she continued walking towards Crystal Seminar that was only a few blocks away.
"Usagi-chan," Luna said to me as I looked at her. "I know. I am getting the same feeling from that building that I felt last night, which led me to Osaku Jewelry last night. "How do we get inside though without raising suspicion though," I said thinking out loud causing Luna to giggle. "You can use this Usagi-chan," Luna said as using her magic she handed me what appeared to be a silver and golden pin with a crescent moon decorating the top. "This is the Luna pen. It's magic will allow you to transform yourself in order to take the form you ask of it." "How does it work," I asked seeing that though it looked like a pen, it wasn't a writing utensil at all. "With the words Moon Power, Transform me into a and then what you wish to be disguised as, the pen will do the rest," Luna told me as I nodded. "What do you suggest for this Luna," I asked. "I think a professor would work best in this situation," Luna said and I agreed. Even if Ami-chan didn't want to live the life of a senshi, I now considered her a friend and I wouldn't let the agents of the Dark Kingdom hurt her.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
I sat in the classroom for once not focused on the nights lecture, instead playing with the silver bracelet that Usagi had given me, remembering her words to me, and how no matter what I may choose that she would always consider me one of her friends. "Well this is interesting, you are still awake," a strong masculine voice said from beside me. I turned to see a young man with short blond hair, in a windswept style and bright electric blue eyes who was wearing a black dress uniform with red trim staring at me with interest. "My apologies Lord Jadeite, I do not know how she escaped my spell," the professor said with a bow and I took the opportunity to glance around me only to find all the other students passed out, heads against their desks. "No need, you have always gathered significant energy for our cause. Take the energy needed from this group, I shall deal with this one personally," Jadeite said reaching towards me only for a golden disk of energy to strike him in the hand before returning to its owner.
"Stop right there! I am the pretty soldier in a sailor suit. Guardian of love and justice, I am Sailor Moon." If Usagi-chan had not already told me the truth I would never had recognized her with the silver hair, white domino mask and blue and white fuku with pink bows, the one on her chest had a golden broach and different colored stones decorating the rim and center. "Ah, so you are the one who stopped my dear Yuma's search at the jewelry store. Commander of the Far East, I am Lord Jediate of the Shitennou; and loyal servant of her majesty Queen Beryl. Yuma, deal with this one," Jadeite said pointing towards me. "The senshi is mine," he said pulling an elegant sword with a red ruby in its hilt from his side and rushing towards Usagi who just managed to dodge out of the way, by rolling into the hallway, Jediate hot on her heals.
"Die," the Yuma said taking its true grotesque form rushing towards me with its claws ready to strike before a golden ball of energy struck it and I turned to see a tall figure with short silver hair and emerald like eyes. "Can you continue to stand on the sidelines," she asked her voice surprising me as it was deeper tenor. "Or will you stand by Sailor Moon, not as a friend but an equal a senshi," a shorter senshi with long curly aqua-marine hair and eyes as blue as the sea asked me. "I, I will help her. Mercury Power, Make-up," I said lifting my arm with the bracelet into the air as a soft blue light surrounded me transforming me into a senshi. My fuku resembled Usagi's though the blue was lighter than hers and my bows were a dark blue, the one on my chest had a blue sapphire resting in a golden broach. "Arigato," I said looking towards where the two mystery senshi had been standing only to find them gone, but I didn't have time to think about that as I knew Usagi-chan needed my help.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
"You are an amazing fighter Moon," Jadeite said to me a small smile on my face as my tiara returned to me after leaving a cut on the Shitennou's sword arm. "As are you," I admitted replacing the tiara upon my head. "Got you," he said rushing towards me. "Shabon Spray," a familiar voice called out as the area around us was filled with a chilling mist and even though Jadeite could not see me I could still make him out through the mist. "Dunk your head in water and repent. I am a sailor soldier in a suit, guardian of water and knowledge, Sailor Mercury," Ami-chan said. "Sailor Mercury," I said with a smile as Jadeite frowned at the two of us as the mist began to clear. "Another day ladies, I was not prepared for the possibility of their being more than one of you," Jadeite said with a bow before vanishing in a swirl of dark shadow like energy.
"Ami-chan," I whispered. "Usagi-chan," she returned with a dazzling smile. "What changed your mind," Luna said appearing on the open window seal and Ami-chan told me about her encounter with two mysterious senshi and when I asked her about the taller of the two, both myself and Luna realized that the man in a tuxedo I had seen the night before had in reality been yet another sailor senshi. "Luna, are they the other two that we are searching for," Ami-chan asked, and I could almost see her mind at work with all the various possiblilities. "I'm not sure, but it seems they are on our side, and with this Jedeite's appearance I am worried. Shitennou, four-heavenly-kings," Luna whispred. "So their must be three others besides himself," Ami-chan added. "And if they are just as powerful or more so than him," I said thinking out loud. "For now we will focus on our mission, and hope that these two mysterious senshi are truly on our side," Luna advised and both myself and Ami agreed with her before we began helping the students affected by the Yuma, by waking them. "I like your hair," I said to Ami-chan trying to lighten the mood, she looked at me oddly before running a hand through her hair to see that as Sailor Mercury it was blue and not dark black . . . .
Authors Note
And so ends Act 2. I hope you are enjoying my fan-fiction so far. As I said before, to me this is a labor of love, and I can only hope that comes across in every thing I put into it, and present to you. My thanks to all of my reviewers, and anyone who is reading this story, even if you never leave a comment, I am still glad to share my story with you.
So until our next meeting,
I humbly remain a . . . .
KuRSeofTime