Act Six: Sailor V
Anyone who lived in Juban, had heard the rumors, seen the news reports on her heroic acts in stopping jewel thieves, and criminals. She was the mysterious senshi in a sailor fuku who wore a red domino mask known only as Sailor V. Until very recently she had only appeared in Kyoto but recently, in fact sense we had found Mako-chan and learned that she was the fourth member of the royal court that had protected the princess, that Sailor V activity had been reported in and around Juban, and most of Tokyo. Luna, and Ami-chan were working together to try to learn more about her, but so far we knew little more that local reporters and the police, though the most interesting fact about this mysterious soldier was that reports had claimed that she bore a golden crescent moon birthmark upon her forehead, and only the late queen of the moon and her only daughter, could bare such a marking.
"It is strange," Rei-chan said during our meeting at the shrine on the matter. "What is," Mako-chan had asked. "Why would our princess take this form, why would she become in essence a vigilante who fights crime." "Perhaps this is her attempt to attract our attention," Ami-chan had said. "That would make sense," I added with a nod of my head. "What do you mean Usagi-chan," Luna had asked me. "Well, you have to remember that there are many reports of our own exploits within the city. Our princess, could be attempting to gain our attention by taking the form of a senshi herself." "But wouldn't that be dangerous for her, did she have that kind of training Luna," Mako-chan asked our feline companion who was in her more humanoid form. "She often watched you four train, I….I can remember she expressed an interest once, but I'm not sure if any of you ever took her up on the offer," Luna had said truly deep in thought so we knew she was telling the truth.
"Still, this is dangerous, the Dark Kingdom is sure to notice her activity as well," Rei-chan said her tone grave, but determined. "Then we must find her before they do," I had replied and with that much everyone could agree. So it was that our days were filled with school, our nights on patrol in search of the mysterious Sailor V, or any activity by the Dark Kingdom, though in the weeks that had things where quite on the Sailor V front, while the Dark Kingdom only seemed to be sending minor easy to defeat Yuma whose soul purpose was to collect energy out, the third of the mysterious Shitennou yet to make an appearance, though I had seen Tuxedo Kamen many nights searching as we where for Sailor V, though Haruka-san and Michiru-san or should I say Uranus and Neptune were strangely absent from the nightly patrols of the city.
When I asked them about it at lunch, while Ami-chan and Mako-chan kept Naru-chan and Umino-kun busy they had said that for now they where not needed. "The Shitennou in charge of these strange Yuma attacks has been strangely quite," Haruka-san had said. "We have been out at night, but have never needed to interfere with what you and the other members of the Royal Court are doing," Michiru-san hand added. What the two had said to me made since, but still anytime myself or one of the other girls talked with the two guardians of the Outer Sol System, it felt as if they, while being truthful with us, seemed to be keeping something from us. What it was, or could be, well we all had our theories, but I had the strangest feeling it has something to do with our princess, or perhaps the past that to the rest of us was still like grains of sand filling through a thin necked hourglass, so little revealed to us, and so much still to be learned.
But not everything was so serious, and dire. It turned out that my intuition had been right, Ami-chan and Mako-chan had grown closer in these past few weeks, the two of them having actually gone out together, though neither had called it a date. Rei-chan though had known better, but hadn't teased them, but instead wished them luck when they told her, and myself about their outing, causing the two to turn pink. "Just have fun," I had added, "and know that no matter what, we will always be there if you need us." The two had thanked both Rei-chan and me for our words of kindness. I had even seen Mako-chan go to Haruka-san for advise about something once, Ami-chan doing the same, but she had spoken with Michiru-san, and though none of the four had told me what they had talked about; when I talked with Rei-chan about it we both had a pretty good idea that the two had gone to the older couple for relationship advise, still we never pestered the four and simply allowed the matter to be dropped, never to be mentioned again.
"And in other news, the mysterious senshi of Love and Justice known as Sailor Moon stopped a local bank from being robbed, even giving an interview to some local reporters," the weekend anchor for the news said bringing me out of my thoughts, as I had been cleaning up ready to close up for the night, having just finished my weekend shift at the Crown Juice Bar. I looked up at the screen of the Bar's small TV set that I often kept on until I was ready to lock up for the night staring at the person who was being interviewed. Because no pictures of me had ever been taken, and those that had where little more than blurs, it was easy to see the similarities between me and this young woman. She had long flowing silver hair, tied up in the Sailor Moon hairstyle, held by two silver hair pins with onyx jewels in their center. Her onyx, but hard and cold like an endless void.
Her fuku was black and white, her bows black, the broach on her chest round but silver and with no jewels. My phone rang and I quickly answered. "Usagi-chan are you watching the news right now," Luna's voice said to me in a panic. "Hai," I replied. "The other girls already know, Rei, Ami and Mako-chan are waiting for you on the roof of the building next to the Juice Bar. Haruka-san and Michiru-san called me, they have been following this other Sailor Moon discreetly sense the incident at the bank, and have tracked her to a shipping yard, down by the docks." "Luna, do you think this could be our princess, or the Dark Kingdom," I asked. "We aren't sure, this other Sailor Moon, or Sailor V, one could be trying to draw the other out of the shadows." "So an agent of the Dark Kingdom, and our princess could both be out there, and we have no way of knowing which is which," I said as Luna agreed with me.
"Ok, I need to make sure the store is locked down, so no one grows suspicious but I'll join the girls shortly," I said and Luna said she would call the other girls to let them know this. Working quickly I put up all the cleaning supplies in their proper places and then turned off the doors and set the alarm code before stepping outside. I looked up at the nearby roof. "All clear," Ami-chan mouthed to me, answering my unasked question as I nodded taking hold of my broach. "Moon Prism Power, Make-Up," I yelled out the words of my hen shin becoming the guardian of love and justice once again and with a leap was up on the rooftops as well. "Minna, let's go," I said as Ami-chan, Mako-chan and Rei-chan simply nodded the four of us easily bounding across the roof tops and towards the Tokyo shipyards, and docking bays.
We arrived at an old brown brick building just outside the warehouses of the shipping yards that now served as an office for the entire yard, landing next to Haruka-san and Michiru-san who were waiting for us. "Someone has captured the other Sailor Moon," Uranus said seriously looking off into the distance, and I did the same, it took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the darkness of the ship yard but once they did I gasped to see the person who had claimed to be me hanging from a crane, her hands tied above her head by ropes, and she was clearly unconscious. "I don't like this," Rei-chan said from my side. "I agree, this screams trap to me," Ami-chan added as Mako-chan took her hand softly nodding. "I have a plan," I said looking at the warehouses and the paths in-between them. "What is it Usagi," Michiru-san asked me as I explained what I had in mind.
Myself along with Ami, Rei and Mako-chan would use a more direct root staying out in the open and making ourselves appear to be more vulnerable, but Haruka-san and Michiru-san would use stealth and travel through the warehouses themselves. "If it works, whoever has planed this will only think that four of the sailor senshi are here, when in fact all six of us will be here instead." "It is a sound plan," Haruka-san said as both Ami-chan and Michiru-san nodded in agreement. "It will be risky though," Rei-chan whispered. "It's a risk I'm willing to take," Mako-chan slamming her fist into her open palm which made Ami-chan giggle, at Makoto's over enthusiasm. "Let's do this," Haruka-san said, and the amusement she felt was clear in her voice, as with a nod we put my plan into action.
There was something about this that was far to easy, even with all the precautions we were taking, I still felt that we had reached our destination far to easily as we made our way into a far to open courtyard were the crane were high above our heads the other Sailor Moon was being held. "Konban wa, senshi," a deep masculine voice said causing us all to tense as a tall, and broad figure made himself known. He was wearing a black and silver dress uniform, with a cloak attached by golden cords. He had cold icy grey eyes and long flowing black hair that fell to the middle of his back. "I am Kunzite, commander of the middle east, and leader of the Shitennou. I must admit, I did not think you would fall for this so easily, it would seem Zoicite won our bet after all," Kunzite said as a dome of dark energy sprung up around us the dark energy sparking throughout it let us knew not to touch it.
"Oh, by the way, Zoicite will be dealing with the two Outer guardians, so I wouldn't expect them to come to your rescue any time soon," Kunzite said setting down in a meditative pose, one hand extended towards the shield around us, I shared a look with the other girls who had noticed the same thing, it wasn't much but we know knew that it was Kunzite who was controlling this shield. For now we were trapped, we could only hope that Haruka-san and Michiru-san would be ok, and survive whatever it was that this Zoicite had planed for them, as it was clear to me that Zoicite was a tactician, just as much as Ami-chan was for us when needed. As for myself and the other girls, we had a plan to form if we wanted to get out of this situation alive.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
So far Usagi's plan was working well, though I had the strangest feeling that it could be a little to well, and looking at Haruka I could tell she felt the same way. "This is the last warehouse before we arrive in that open courtyard were the crane is," Haruka whispered to me as I softly nodded my head looking around at all of the various musical instruments that lay ready to be packed into shipping boxes. "Look, a piano," I whispered remembering the last time I had heard Haruka play, it seemed so long ago now though in truth it was how we had first met. The soft and gentle tinkering of piano keys filled the air, as Beethoven's 8th Sonata filled the air as a figure appeared, seated at the piano playing it. His dress uniform was a soft and gentle silver with blue trim, His features at first glance feminine, because of the structure of his facial bones and long sandy brown hair that he kept tied in a single ponytail tied by a soft baby blue piece of cloth.
"Lady Hemera of Uranus, and Lady Thalassa of Neptune, it has been far to long," the figure said turning towards us opening his jade green eyes. "You, you remember us Lord Zoicite," I asked surprise clear in my tone. "Hai. I have been careful to keep my distance from the sorceress Beryl, in order to protect what is left of my memories, for I will protect my true master," Zoicite said standing from the piano as a long staff made of tempered steel appeared within his hands. "Forgive me, but I can not allow the sorceress to grow more suspicious of me than she already is, even if I do not remember his name, my true master is to me, what the lost princess is to you," Zoicite said and sharing a look with Haruka we both realized that their would be no avoiding this fight. With a grace and form we hadn't seen in a very long time Zoicite attacked us.
He ducked, and weaved in a way that was almost like a dance, myself and Haruka could only just keep up with him, but we were quickly realizing that we were outmatched. With a sweep of Haruka's legs, she was sent spiraling to the ground, another turn and I screamed out in pain as I was struck on my right side, falling next to her. "At least we are together, koishii," Haruka whispered taking my hand. "Always, koibito," I replied tightening my fingers around her hand as she did the same. "Fare the well star crossed lovers," Zoicite said raising his staff in a move meant to be quick, precise and take us both out at the same moment. "Sayonara," Zoicite whispered before a golden beam of energy struck the Shitennou's hands causing him to scream out in pain, and I took advantage of this distraction quickly drawing my body closer to Haruka's as she knew what to do without me having to say it.
"Who, who are you, Zoicite asked looking towards an open window where a single figure was hidden in the shadows created by the crescent moon that silhouetted her perfectly. "Pretty soldier in a Sailor suit, I am the guardian of love and beauty, Sailor V," she said raising a gloved hand to her face her index and middle finger spread into a V that her left blue eye seemed to fit perfectly in-between before she winked at Zoicite and jumped from the windowsill where she had been standing. Zoicite turned back to where Uranus and Neptune had been only to curse. "Well played, princess," he whispered before vanishing in a swirl of dark energy. "We need to help the others," I whispered to Haruka. "I don't know how much help we can provide," she said to me and though I silently agreed the both of us still, fighting through the pain got to our feet.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
"Kunzite, she is here," another figure dressed in silver outlined in blue trim said appearing my the leader of the Shitennou's side. "And Uranus and Neptune, what of them Zoicite," Kunzite asked identifying the last of the Shitennou. "Her distraction was perfect, it allowed them to escape me," Zoicite said with a sigh though Kunzite did not seem angry to learn this, instead simply nodding. "Sailor Moon," a masked figure said leaping through the air, and I gasped recognizing Tuxedo Kamen. "Iie," I screamed out but it was to late as our eyes locked the other Sailor Moon opened her dark onyx eyes with a sinister smile freeing her hands that had claw like fingernails that she used to stab into Tuxedo Kamen's shoulder, but he smiled as I noticed a red rose embedded in the disfigured Yuma's head causing it to scream out in pain as it was reduced to dust and Tuxedo Kamen fell, his mask falling from his eyes, though I did not see his face Zoicite did, he looked shocked for a moment but quickly schooled his features when Kunzite turned to him.
"Finish him off, while I deal with these four," Kunzite said and though Zoicite nodded, he also took a deep breath a step backwards as a golden beam of energy struck Kunzite's hands breaking not only his concentration but the dark shield of energy around us. "Sailor Moon, attack now," the mysterious senshi on the roof top said and I quickly nodded bringing out the moon stick. "Moon Twilight Attack," I yelled out, but Zoicite quickly grabbed onto Kunzite's arm and in a rush of dark energy the two were gone. "Are you girls ok," Luna in her humanoid form said as the mysterious senshi and a young man, with short spiky white hair, cat ears and a tail much like Luna's own with soft blue eyes landed beside her. "They are fine Luna, you have trained them well," he said causing Luna to turn and gasp. "Artemis," she asked and he nodded. "It warms my heart to see you all alive and well my senshi," the figure at Artemis's side said as we all noticed the golden crescent moon upon her forehead and bowed.
"Princess," Haruka said her and Michiru-san leaning against each other appeared from around the crane. "He is gone Usagi, but if he was able to move, he must be ok, right," Michiru-san said as I released a breath that I hadn't realized I had been holding. "Uranus, Neptune, it is good to see you both, please do not bow to me, you are both hurt, and the same goes for you as well my senshi, there is no need for such formalities between us my friends," she said removing her red domino mask allowing us to look into her baby blue eyes so much like my own as myself and the other girls did as we were asked. "Please let me do the introductions," Artemis said stepping forward as our princess simply nodded. "Usagi, Ami, Rei, Makoto. Sailor Moon, Mercury, Mars and Jupiter. It is my honor to introduce to you she who was knows as the guardian of love and beauty, Sailor V. Daughter to the late queen, she is the crowned princess of the moon, Hippolyta."
"For the first time sense the fall of the Silver Millennium we stand as one my guardians, my friends. We all deserve a good nights rest after all that has happened. Rei, will you make sure Usagi makes it home safely, she has a lot on her mind," "Of course it would be my honor, hime," Rei said with a bow of her head. "I will meet you all tomorrow at the Hikawa Shrine at nine, until then, farewell," our princess said and with a nod of her head she and Artemis were gone. "I'll walk you home Ami," Mako-chan said placing her arm over the smaller girls shoulders causing her to blush though she nodded. "He will be ok," Haruka-san said as she and Michiru came over to where myself and Rei-chan were standing. "I hope so, that wound," I said not really wanting to think about it any more than I already was, and none of those around me said anything knowing how I felt.
~ Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon ~
"I felt it pulse tonight Artemis," I whispered to my companion, who still heard me thanks to his ears as he softly nodded. "That man, you know who he is don't you Venus," he asked me as I nodded. "The one she fell in love with, a union blessed by Selene and Terra to unite the Earth and Moon," I replied. "Soon, she will awaken," Artemis said as we continued to move quickly and quietly throughout the rooftops of the city. "And on that day the kagemusha will no longer be needed," was my reply, the rest of our journey spent in silence, both myself and Artemis deep in thought. "Fate will guide our path now," I thought as we landed on the windowsill of my apartment, glad that mama and papa had allowed me to live on my own once we had moved here to Tokyo as it made many things much easier than they once had been.
Authors Note
And so ends Act 6 of my story. I hope you all enjoyed it as much as you have the rest of this story. The next time we meet, many things will happen; so until then I shall simply bid you a fond farewell.
So until next we meet,
I humbly remain a . . . .
KuRSeofTime