Chapter 2 -Seeing Double

The night was still young as the group made their way out of the forest. They walked silently, each in their thoughts. Princess Serenity followed, awkwardly, alongside her soldiers. The body felt weird, alien...

Sailor Mercury walked too close to her and when their skins touch, Serenity almost yelped out. It was surreal. Being able to feel and touch. So, as she walked, she started to feel everything as she walked past. The low hanging branch from that tree...the roughness of someone's fence...the satisfying click as she pressed the cross light button...

When was the last time she held anything? Serenity realized quickly, the only thing she touched in the last few years was the silver crystal. That final battle, when she took over Usagi's body and helped her win the war. When the crisis was over, she sunk back into Usagi's sub consciousness. It wasn't a horrible place, not really. Serenity could still see Usagi living her life and she could still share her memories...so in a way, she had lived through her counterpart...

"Princess Serenity, maybe you should stay with Rei at the temple tonight?" Venus came up and walked along side her.

"If it's not too much trouble for Mars." She looked back at her trusted soldier. She caught a weird look on Usagi's face, and she deepened her frown.

Rei blushed and nodded slowly.

"I think, we should all stay together tonight." Mercury spoke up. "Right now, we don't know what the enemy's intention is, or whether princess can survive without Usagi present...what happens if the enemy kills one of you? There are just too many questions and we should all stick together. Rei, looks like we are all going to stay at your place tonight."

Once again, Serenity looked towards Usagi and caught the happy smile on her twin's face. From what she could remember, there was something going on between Usagi and Mars, and Serenity could feel a tinge of anger in her heart. How could Usagi betray Endymion like that?

Usagi hang up the phone and flashed a victory sign to everyone. "Told mom we are studying for a final. All's well." She happily hopped over and planted herself next to Rei. For some reason, Usagi felt more impulsive than before. She would have refrained herself from doing this, in case Rei didn't want her so close. Yet, Usagi couldn't resist.

Rei cleared her throat and shuffled a few inches over, putting a tiny gap between their bodies. "Unfortunately, my fire reading is not revealing much. I already called Michiru. I think her Aqua mirror might be more helpful."

Princess Serenity was walking around the room and tracing her fingers on random objects. All of a sudden, she let out a sigh. "I want to see Endymion."

The girls stopped and turned to look at the princess. Ami thought for a moment and then nodded. "Someone should call him. I imagine he would want to know when his girlfriend is split into two."

Usagi quickly looked down and fiddled with her shirt. She didn't want to talk to him, not yet. Not after the last conversation she had...

Ami, sensing the awkwardness, sighed and picked up her cellphone. "Hi, Mamoru. Sorry to wake you, but there is a situation. No...no Usagi is fine. She was hit earlier but she's fine now...mhm mhm...just come over to Rei's temple." She hang up the phone and gently patted Usagi on the back.

Just then, the door slid open and Michiru and Haruka walked in.

"Holy..." Haruka inhaled sharply and hesitated at the doorstep. Her head whipped from side to side, as she studied Serenity and Usagi. It wasn't until Michiru's poke that finally brought her out of her daze. Haruka quickly walked up to the princess and knelt down. Michiru followed suit.

"There is no need for such formality. Please get up, Neptune and Uranus." The princess went over and took their hands.

Haruka blushed profusely and stood up. She stole glances at Usagi and then at Serenity.

"I think someone's brain is having a hard time handling the two princesses thing." Michiru joked as she took out her mirror. "Now, Princess and Usagi, please stand side by side. Okay, here we go...,"

The room fell into a tense silence as they waited.

Michiru frowned as she continued to stare into the mirror, after it shone its light on the twins. "Okay, the mirror is showing that the silver crystal is split into two. Usagi, can you check your compact?"

"Oh my gosh..." Usagi cried out when she looked into it. She flipped it over so everyone could see. The crystal was surgically split down the centre, the other half was missing.

Doubt started to swirl in Usagi's mind. Could she still transform? She raised her hand and yelled her transformation phrase.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief as Usagi successfully transformed into Sailor Moon.

"Princess Serenity, show me your crystal." Michiru requested.

The princess held out her hand and the brilliant crystal showed itself. Except it wasn't a whole crystal. Once again, only half was showing...

"Just as I thought. The mirror is not telling me much. There is a darker force at play, that has been actively trying to block my psychic powers. I am afraid our new enemy is both strong and smart." Michiru lamented while she looked at the mirror.

Usagi's heart started to race. Half a crystal? That meant her power was cut in half as well...how could she fight if she wasn't strong enough?

The meeting was interrupted once again when the door slid open. Mamoru came in, breathing heavily and walked right up to Princess. "Usako, you're okay." He put both hands on her shoulder. Then, a puzzled look crossed his face and he slowly let go. "Wait, something is different about you..." he looked around the room, and as his eyes laid on Usagi, Mamoru yelped and stumbled backwards.

"Hi, Mamo-chan." Usagi waved weakly.

"Hi, Endymion." Princess Serenity went over and helped him stand back up.

Mamoru looked back and forth at his girlfriend..s...and his mouth hang open in shock. "Okay, anyone ready to jump in with an explanation soon? What the hell happened?"