Another chapter is here! Here's hoping that you like this one. I don't think it's my best work but I'm hoping that you enjoy it anyway.
~SXS
Angel's Voice Calls the Talisman; Usagi Sings with the Three Lights
Early the next morning I woke in a cold sweat. That scary dream played out in my head again. It was so real I had to really rub my eyes to get reality into focus.
My phone started to ring a few minutes after I woke up. I shook off the dream and answered. "Moshi moshi?" "Hey, Usako, ohaiyo. You're up early," Mamoru said from the other side.
"Oh, yeah...I just had a scray dream is all. So what's up, Mamo-chan?"
"Oh, nothing really. I just got these two concert tickets for that new band, Futokutei, and I wanted to invite you to go." This was turning out to be a good day. I hadn't even been awake five minutes and I already had a date with Mamoru.
"Of course I'll come! I can't wait! What time does it start?"
"At 7:00, but we should get there a little early to get good seats."
"I can't wait! I'll see you at 6:30, then?" Mamoru said yes and we hung up. I was so excited to go that I started getting something ready to wear right away. But when I looked at the clock, it was 8:00 in the morning. I didn't know how I was going to survive so long with so much anticipation. I decided I would call my friends, but alas, I had no such luck there.
Ami said she was going somewhere with Taiki and Minako was going to spend the day tagging along with Yaten (I wasn't sure if he approved of this or not). Makoto had some 'serious cleaning' to do in her apartment and Rei just said no (what a nice friend). I didn't really see many other options except one person...
I dialed the number and the phone rang only once before someone picked up on the other side. "Moshi moshi?"
"Hey, Seiya!"
"Odango?" He sounded very happy. "What's up?"
"Nothing, and that's the problem. Wanna do something today?"
"Ah, I wish I could but Taiki and Yaten left me to do all the preparations for our concert tonight. I'm sorry."
"Oh, that's ok..." I said a little disappointed. "I understand. It's just that everyone else is busy today and I have nothing to do until I go out with Mamo-chan tonight."
"Well then, I guess you're helping me with preparing the concert," Seiya said.
"Really? I can help?"
"Of course. I'll meet you at the concert hall in half an hour. Ja ne, Odango." "Ja ne."
It was weird that the Three Lights happened to have a concert the same night as the band Mamoru and I were seeing but I didn't give it a second thought. I got ready and headed out for the concert hall to meet Seiya.
--
We had almost finished setting everything up in half the time it normally took. Though I did make some mistakes with certain equipment, we worked fast and efficiently. We did so good that before finishing the last few things, Seiya said we could take a break.
I got up on the stage and looked out to the imaginary audience. "Hello Tokyo! Are you ready to rock!?" I shouted into the mic. Seiya laughed and cheered from the front row. "Then get ready for Tsukino Usagi!" I started to sing one of the Three Lights' songs.
I watched as Seiya's face went from happy and cheering to almost completely blank, as though he had just realized something. He got up from his seat and ran onstage. "Odango, stop."
"Was it really that bad?" I asked.
"No it's not that. Give me a minute..." His eyes looked all about and he told me to sing again. I did and he closed his eyes. I was very confused.
"Seiya, what's going on?"
"When you sing," he started. "It's like I can feel the talisman, right next to me. Like it's so close. But I can't seem to find where exactly it's coming from." This was a shock. The talisman was responding to me? I wasn't even trying to find it.
"Well, do you want me to sing more?" I asked.
"Right now it's not doing much good. But if you would sing with the three of us, maybe we could find it!" How exciting! Getting to sing with the Three Lights! It was like a dream come true.
"I'll do it! Oh...but what about my date with Mamo-chan?"
"When were you supposed to meet him?"
"We were going to meet at 6:30 for a concert. We're seeing that new band, Futokutei." I smiled at the thought of Mamoru and I enjoying the concert.
"Futokutei? That's who we're opening for."
"Wow! Talk about coincidences. Well then I can perform with you guys and then go with Mamo-chan to watch the rest of the concert. It'll be perfect!" I sat down on the edge of the stage and called Mamoru on my communicator.
"Usako? Is there trouble?"
"No, Mamo-chan. I just wanted to tell you that I won't be able to make it to the concert. I'm going to be in it!"
"You're joking!"
"No, it's true. I was helping Seiya set up and-"
"Seiya?! You're with him!? AGAIN!?!"
"Jeez, Mamo-chan, calm down. I was just bored because there was so much time before our date and I called everyone and they were all busy so I called him and he said that I could help him and then I pretended that I was in the concert and Seiya said he could feel the talisman when I sang so he asked me to be in the concert and I said yes."
Mamoru was silent on the other side for a moment, trying to process my rambling. His face was blank on the little screen. Finally he said, "Fine. I guess our date is cancelled."
"No! I didn't mean that! I was just going to sing with them because they're the opening act and then I can sit with you and watch the rest of the concert."
"Forget it. It's going to be too crowded for you to find me after the opening act anyway. Sayonara."
"Mamo-chan!" But it was too late. He had already hung up his communicator. I hung my head. Why was he acting this way? Seiya came over and put a hand on my shoulder. I looked up to him and he smiled at me which made me smile.
"Hey, don't worry about him. He's stupid if he would pass up spending time with you." Instantly I felt better.
"Thanks, Seiya. You're a great friend." For just the tiniest flicker, Seiya's eyes looked pained. It was so quick that I couldn't tell if it was just my imagination or not. I pushed the thought to the back of my mind.
--
The concert was going to start in less than five minutes and I was freaking out. "Oh gosh, what if I forget the words? What if I trip on stage? What if I sound terrible? What if my costume rips?" I paced back and forth continuing my list of things that could go wrong. Suddenly, a pair of hands caught my shoulders and stopped me. I looked up into Seiya's face.
"Odango, everything is going to be ok. Don't worry," he said in a soothing voice. "You're going to sound wonderful, look wonderful and be wonderful. Nothing is going to go wrong, ok?" He stroked my cheek and my face became flushed.
"Ok..." I said. He smiled and ruffled my hair.
"Good. Now let's get out there and find that talisman."
That's what I focused on; finding the talisman. All of our futures depended on it. We positioned ourselves on the little elevators below the stage and got ready to be introduced. The stage crew began to push buttons and we slowly rose. My heart wouldn't slow down. The excitement, nervousness, and adrenaline all mixed together, determined to make me go crazy.
"Hello Tokyo!! How is everyone tonight?!" the announcer called out. The audience responded with a loud roar. "Ok!! Now I know you're all very excited to see Futokutei but before they come on, we've got a crowd favorite. Please give it up for the Three Lights!" At this, the sound barrier in the concert hall seemed to explode with screaming girls.
We finally were above the stage and the lights were shining in our eyes. I squinted a little and put a hand over my eyes. The light reflected off the sequins of my top and made brilliant colors all over the stage.
"Thank you all for your support and enthusiasm!" Seiya addressed the crowd. "Tonight we have a very special guest to help us. She's someone who's very important to me." When he said this, he turned to me and winked. "Please make her feel welcome. Give it up for Tsukino Usagi!" The applause for me was only half of what Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten got but that was ok because I knew I wasn't the one they had wanted to see.
The music started. The song was Nagareboshi He, one I knew by heart. For the last few hours before the concert, Seiya and I went over what parts I would sing and how I would sing them. It was a pretty thorough lesson, but my nerves just wouldn't leave me alone.
Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten began the first verse and it was as beautiful as always. When the chorus came, Seiya and I were to sing it like a duet. There were only a few lines before I came in. I was scared to death but pushed my feelings away. Find the talisman, Usagi.
I sang with all my heart when the chorus came. Seiya and I were perfectly in sync with each other. It was the greatest thing I had ever heard come out of my mouth and for a moment I could feel an energy emitting from somewhere. It reminded me of the talisman's light but I couldn't quite be sure of where it was coming from.
When it was over, Seiya's eyes seemed to be searching wildly for the talisman but nothing was there. When he had looked enough and the light faded, he said, "Thank you all! And now, please welcome Futokutei!" and we left the stage.
Backstage, Seiya was convinced that the talisman was nearby.
"We didn't feel it that close, Seiya," Taiki said. "It was close but not as close as you're saying."
"Are you sure you're not just saying this because..." Yaten trailed off and moved closer to Seiya. "you don't want her to worry?" he added quietly, but I still heard.
"No! I can really feel it!" he insisted.
I had felt it but I didn't have as much of a sense for it as the Three Lights had so I couldn't tell how close it was exactly.
"Having her sing with us helped a little, though. It did feel closer than when we sang alone. Perhaps she needs a bit more focus." Taiki came over to me and eyed me. "Usagi-san, I need you to completely empty your mind of all thoughts except to find the talisman. You need absolute focus and concentration."
I closed my eyes and only thought of the talisman, even though it kind of sounded like doing a yoga exercise. I thought only of my desire to destroy evil and bring in the future safely. Any other thoughts that entered merely floated a little and left.
I began to sing in my concentrated state. A few lines later, I felt a strong light. It was like the talisman was in front of me. "Wait...I feel it," Taiki said.
"Me too!" Yaten agreed.
"Keep going, Odango." Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten joined in. I could feel the shine all around me. It's source was definitely in the room. One of us must hold it inside of them...
A scream from the main part of the concert hall jerked us out of our song. The shine lingered a moment longer and faded. "Looks like it's time to transform."
"Fighter Star Power..."
"Maker Star Power..."
"Healer Star Power..."
"Moon Eternal..."
"MAKE UP!!"
Out on the stage, Ganetto and Juunigatsu were with a Koyomi. It was a giant speaker with wheels. A loud and terrible noise blasted from it and the entire audience fell to the ground with their Kouhai Kesshous floating above them.
"Now, Supi-ka, distract the Sailor senshi while we look for the talisman," Ganetto commanded.
"Huh? How did you know we were here?" I asked.
"You just told us!" Juunigatsu turned and smirked. "Besides, it was obvious that you would be here. You're always in the way of our business. And we don't need to hear your dumb introduction either." She crossed her arms over her chest.
The two of them then jumped into the audience and started to search. The speaker turned to us. A knob on it turned to a setting that read 'deafening' and that gave me a bad feeling inside. The speaker started to vibrate.
"Look out!" I cried and we all jumped in different directions. A violent blast of noise came out of Supi-ka and destroyed some of the wall behind where we were.
"This one is going to need a super blast," Healer said. "Ready?" The other two Starlights nodded.
"Starlight Royal Flush!" all three shouted together. The attack hit the youma straight on and it smoked and fizzled.
"Now, Sailor Moon!" all three called.
"Right! Silver Moon-" But as I began the attack phrase, my fuku started to flicker between eternal and super forms. "What? What's happening?!" Finally the flickering stopped but my fuku changed to Super Sailor Moon. "Huh? Oh no..."
"We need to help her!" Fighter said. All of them put a hand on my shoulders and concentrated their powers into me. But the only power I felt was that of the Kinmotsuai no Tier, once more. This only made me more sure that Fighter was triggering it. The new attack formed in my mouth.
"Celestial Love Destiny Reshape!"
The Koyomi shrunk to the size of a regular amp. I changed back and sank to my knees. Ganetto and Juunigatsu hadn't found the talisman and had already left, giving everyone back their Kouhai Kesshous.
"Odango?" Seiya came over to me and knelt down. "Are you ok?"
I couldn't answer him. I didn't know if I was alright. Was there something wrong with me that I couldn't use my powers and now downgraded? I was scared. How could we save the future if I couldn't use my powers anymore?
"Come on, let's go home." Seiya pulled me up and lead me away. We drove home in the Three Lights' van and the next thing I knew I found myself on my doorstep with Seiya trying to get me to wake up out of my trance.
When I didn't say anything, he sighed and gave me a hug goodbye. As soon as his arms were around me, I snapped. Clinging on to him I cried. "Why! What's going on! Everything is going down hill!" I could feel his shock at first but then he started to stroke my hair and tell me it was ok. "But it's not! If I can't fight I can't save us! I don't want you to die!"
"Hey, hey. This Seiya-sama isn't going down without a fight. Remember, you're not alone in this. You have a team of powerful senshi who will not let you down." He pushed back my bangs and kissed me on the forehead. "Now you need to get some sleep. Don't worry anymore. Everything will be fine."
"Thank you, Seiya. You're really my best friend ever." I looked into his eyes and thought I saw the flicker of pain again, but it was gone in the same instant.
"Night, Odango." He went back to his car.
"Night!" I waved as he left.
--
"Netto-chan, I'm sacred," Juunigatsu said with a shiver as they stood outside of the throne room of their leaders.
"Please stop calling me that. And I'm nervous too. But if you show him fear then it's not going to end well. Just stay calm. Let me do the talking." The two took deep breaths and entered.
Ganetto was more worried about her partner. Even though she usually wasn't that friendly with her, she felt a special closeness with her. In the situation they were in, she was her only true companion.
"You two are a disgrace!" Nenkaningen spoke as they entered. "The talisman is still lost and those Sailor senshi are working to find it now. You have failed me greatly."
"Nenkaningen-sama, how do you know they are trying to find it?" Ganetto asked.
"I can feel their Sailor Crystals searching. They channel special powers from them to call to the talisman and one of them is getting through to it very strongly now. They will surely find it if one of you does not."
"If you give us another chance, Nenkaningen-sama, we shall not fail you," Ganetto pleaded.
"I should net. You have not proven yourselves to be worthy of such tasks." Juunigatsu shivered. "However, I will give you a final chance to succeed. If you fail, it will be death for both of you."
"Wa cateru," the two girls bowed and then left their leader.
"Shinju! Shichigatsu!" Nenkaningen called. "Are you prepared to take over where those fools will fail?"
"Of course," a female voice answered. "Right, my love?"
"Yes, my dear. And we will be very successful. I swear it to you, Nenkaningen-sama."
"Excellent!" Evil laughter filled the small area and echoed in all directions. The eerie feeling inside was lost to the three malicious beings. However, their prisoner could feel it strongly and was more frightened than she had ever been in her life.
Didn't see that ending, did you? But who could be the prisoner? Find out eventually in the further chapters of Sailor Moon: Destiny. Here's the preview for next week's chapter:
Juunigatsu and Ganetto need the perfect plan to find the talisman. How can they corner the Sailor senshi so they can use a Koyomi on them? And why is Sailor Moon still losing power? Find out in Ganetto and Juunigatsu's Final Chance. And remember, destiny is not set in stone. Ja ne!