...
I'm always saying " It'll be no problem "
Making an honest face
" That's no joke! "
A girl can't always be focused on love
That's right, she has to focus on her enemies
With a sigh, Genius the Veil!
Hidden away, Mission the road
A girl can't just chase after only her own dreams
If you're chasing your dreams all alone
You can't possibly understand my sincerity
Try me mystery, Drive me Mercury
"Waah!" The whine came out of Usagi's mouth involuntarily as she saw him and when he saw her the smile that caused Usagi's heart to explode with joy appeared on his face.
"Hello there, Odango Atama!" Usagi's fists clutched tightly as she tried to prevent the joy from showing on her face.
"How many times do I have to tell you before it gets through your thick head? My name is Usagi!" She steamed and he just laughed at her as her heart began to beat wildly in her chest. She ordered it to stop, but her heart would not obey, and there was a sparkle in his deep blue eyes that took Usagi's breath away. "So, stop calling me that!" She forced herself to finish her rant.
"I already told you my answer to that request, Odango." Usagi's face contorted into a displeasing fake rage in order to hide the blush and she stomped her foot against the sidewalk. "Oh, don't act like that!" He chided playfully. Usagi crossed her arms childishly and closed her eyes as the irritated expression remained on her face. The man laughed at her and Usagi could not even begin to describe the happiness she felt at the sound of his laughter. She heightened her performance. Lifting her head high, she began to walk by him, her hair swaying back and forth behind her.
"I don't-" She collided with something hard and staggered backwards with a gasp and began to fall in shock.
"Odango!" He caught her, and as he did so he hissed in pain. Usagi looked upward towards the culprit; a lamppost by the side of the street. The man was looking down at her, his eyes wide in fear. "Are you alright?" The light shone brightly around his face... making him a dark silhouette...
"You." Usagi breathed suddenly, but he didn't hear her.
"Are you hurt?" He was looking over her face, but she could only stare up at him. "Odango? Usagi?" Usagi blinked as she tried to get herself out of it.
"I'm fine." She said, "I'm just... stunned." He sighed in relief.
"Good," He smiled down at her. "Wouldn't want my Odango to beat herself up on my account." His body was rigid though as he held her there, and both realized how close they were. His breath was warm on her cheek and she felt her cheeks burning like fire as she blushed. His grip on Usagi slid away slowly and she was left there standing by herself.
"I didn't do it for you," She said without much conviction, in truth she had done exactly that, for the sake of hearing him laugh, but she crossed her arms again anyways. His laughter didn't come though, instead he began to walk away from her.
"I'm glad to hear that." He said with a somber expression. He was leaving her slowly and Usagi's hand rose as she began to call out to him; to stop him. It was him! The gleam off of his hand stopped her and her eyes focused on the small gold object wrapping around his finger and the sight of it made Usagi's heart break: a ring.
Why hadn't she realized it was him before today?
But she had, Usagi realized. She had always known since the first time they had run into each other after the ball; when the sight of his eyes had unnerved her. She had blocked out the possibility from her mind though. It had been too painful to admit it to herself, so, she had pushed it away. Usagi's hand fell to her side and she watched sad eyed as he walked away.
His gate was slow and steady as he limped slightly. A pain stabbed through her heart. It was him, and he was injured from the night before, but Usagi couldn't do anything about it. Usagi bit her bottom lip as she watched him go and a cold chill swept over her. She was alone again, and the happiness of her single memory from the past eluded her. They were not together again like she remembered but separated by something that was deeper than any cordon. Usagi's eyes began to moisten, but she refused to cry. As long as he was happy, she would be happy. As long as she could continue to hear his sweet laugh and see his bright smile, then Usagi would be able to press on. It wasn't like he was gone from her. He would still be there when it came time to transform and he would be there to protect her just like he had done the first night. Usagi's smile refused to come out though as she stood there alone.
All of that was not the same as having him beside her.
"Usagi-chan!" She didn't look over her shoulder at Ami who was walking to her side. The two girls stood there, Usagi watching the man go and Ami looking at him and then back at Usagi. "Do you know him?" Ami asked as they stood watching him go; wondering if this was where she knew him from. "Chiba Mamoru?"
"Chiba... Mamoru?" Usagi whispered. His name felt just as familiar as his touch and Usagi's eyes teared up even more. Usagi began to nod but then shook her head as she changed her mind. "Not really. We just bump into each other from time to time." Usagi explained, and Ami could hear the sadness in her voice.
"Are you okay, Usagi-chan?" Usagi looked at Ami and then offered her a bright smile.
"Of course." She said happily, but Ami couldn't be convinced it was genuine. "So what now?" Usagi asked turning away from Mamoru. "What are we studying today?" Ami stared at Usagi with a frown.
"We aren't studying anything." Ami said. "I have cram school today. Remember?"
"Aah!" Usagi whined. "I wanted to see everyone!" Ami smiled.
"You can go around The Hikawa Shrine and see Hino-san, and I'm sure Makoto-chan will be at home later in the day." Ami reasoned.
"I know, I just like it when we're all together." Usagi complained. Ami shook her head knowingly, and a small smile still on her face.
"You didn't study much yesterday anyways, and I can't miss cram school." Usagi still looked upset, but then she smiled again.
"I have something for you!" She said digging into her briefcase. Ami saw the flash of blue emerge from Usagi's case and the girl looked it over a moment making sure it was the right one. Then she reached her hand out triumphantly towards Ami. Usagi's smile was radiant and she looked like she was glowing. Ami reached and grabbed hold of the object: a blue fountain pen with an emblem Ami could not place.
"Thank you." Ami said as she observed it. "Its very pretty." Usagi continued to beam up at her, and Ami couldn't help but think about how strange she was. Ami glanced back at the pen for a moment, but the moment turned into something longer as Ami stopped walking and continued to stare at it.
"Ami-chan..."
"Ami-chan?" Usagi's voice broke through to Ami as the calling faded and she looked back up at Usagi.
"What?" Usagi's smile fell a bit and she began to walk again.
"Nothing." She said and Ami looked towards her cram school.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Usagi-chan." Usagi nodded and waived at her.
"Bye, Ami-chan!" Ami turned and left Usagi behind, and she slipped the fountain pen into her pocket.
Usagi walked along with her head low. What now? She could head over to The Crown and play some Sailor V, go to the shrine or Makoto's like Ami had suggested, or she could simply go home. Usagi stopped walking and leaned against the nearby building, and a constant stream of people walk past her. She had no clue as to what to do. In truth she didn't want to do anything. She was just too sad. Usagi sighed. Something good had to happen soon or Usagi would go insane! She was too lonely. Usagi pushed back the tears. Yes she was lonely, but it wouldn't be long until she had someone with her. The others should be awakening soon, and then she would have teammates to help her. Usagi smiled finally. And she always had Luna, the cat always knew how to cheer Usa-
A chorus of screams broke out and Usagi's head lifted up quickly. The screams grew louder and, to Usagi's horror, they were coming from the direction Ami had just gone. More high-pitched screams pierced through the air and without a moment of hesitation Usagi raced forward.
Ami crouched behind the up turned desk along with three other students: two boys and one girl. The creature had come out of nowhere just as Ami had sat down. Its skin was a ghastly shade of grey and its eyes a horrible greenish yellow. The long sharp claw at the end of its fingers provided it with the perfect weapons, but the scariest part of the creature's appearance was that it was almost humanoid, and appeared to be able to think. It had already shredded through a multitude of desks and cubbies without purpose, and it was making its way towards Ami's group. Their path to the doorway was blocked off completely now and their only hope was to either keep hidden or fight their way through. Ami's eyes scanned the nearby area taking in any possible weapons, but the only thing they seemed to have were several metal chairs and there were splinters of desk and glass a few yards away from them that they could grab if they wanted to. It was probably not best to risk being spotted in order to get the splinters, and he creature had already proven itself able to destroy wood in seconds, and glass was too dangerous for them to pick up. Their only hope was the metal chairs.
"I have a plan." Ami whispered and the others leaned closer in. "It's not a very good one, but at least its better than sitting here waiting to be found." The boys looked over the desk at the creature who was a few yards away from them and then they sat closer to Ami. She appeared to be the only one left in the room that was keeping a cool head. "We take the chairs." She said pointing to the three around them. "One of us can spin ours around until we have enough force, and then send it flying towards the creature. The others can... I don't know, carry theirs like a shield from the creature's claws while we run." The others with her were staring at her wide eyed.
"You want us to fight?"
"With chairs?"
"That's your plan?" Ami sighed. It wasn't a good one, she knew it, but it was all she had. They were cornered and... FOUND!
The creature's shadow was over them and Ami looked up to see its twisted smile.
"What do we have here?" It laughed as its claws came down, and the others around her screamed.
"Roll!" Ami shouted. The others obeyed, and began to roll towards another desk as the creature's claws shredded their current desk like paper and its laughter followed them.
"Can't escape from me!" It said laughing, its voice was hoarse and deep. Ami looked towards the door. The creature was now behind them, and if they hurried they could all get to the door safely.
"Go!" Ami screamed getting up and the others followed behind her. The creature was too fast for them to out run though, and Ami heard the girl with her scream out in fear. Looking over Ami's shoulder she could see that the creature was reaching down to grab hold of the girl as she tripped. Ami grabbed hold of one of the chairs as she ran back towards it instinctively and spun around like a top in order to gain force. The chair flew through the air with its built up momentum and struck the creature in the stomach before it grabbed hold of the girl.
"You'll pay for that!" The creature hissed and it sprung forward towards Ami; leaving the other one free to run. Panicked, Ami could only get a few yards away before the creature was again bearing down on top of her, and a yelp of fear escaped Ami's throat.
"Moon Tiara Action!" A female voice cried out from the back of the school and the creature leaned back in pain as an orb of light struck its back. A dark figure rushed forward and caught the orb of light as it returned to her hands. The creature still stood over Ami and a desk blocked her escape. Frantically the creature grabbed at her, and Ami could not duck out of the way quick enough. It grabbed the top of her head and yanked her backwards towards its body like a shield.
"Attack again," The creature rasped, "and she dies." The dark figure stood there with the orb of light still in her hands.
"Let her go!" The figure ordered. The creature laughed hoarsely.
"Who are you to tell me what to do?" The creature demanded. The orb of light diminished its glow and the figure brought it up to its head and it disappeared onto her forehead.
"For love and for justice," The figure stepped into the light to reveal her true form as a Sailor Senshi. "I am the pretty sailor suited Senshi, Sailor Moon!" The creature squeezed Ami's head tightly and the pain shot through Ami's body, but she stifled the cry. She would not give the creature the pleasure of knowing she was in pain.
"Well, Sailor Moon." The creature laughed. "I do not take orders from a silly little girl."
"Let her go!" Sailor Moon cried again raising her hand to her tiara.
"Nu-uh!" The creature warned as it wrapped its other hand around Ami's throat. "Move and I'll kill her right here." Sailor Moon froze in her attack. Her fingers touching the gem of the tiara, but she did not move to take off the tiara again. The creature jerked Ami backward and closer to its body, and Ami found that she could no longer breathe as the creature cut off her airflow. Sailor Moon stood silently and unmoving. Only her fingers moved the gem of the tiara up and down. "You decide Sailor Moon." The creature threatened. "Remove the tiara and seal her fate, or leave here." It cried and Sailor Moon stopped her fingers.
"Why are you attacking people?" The creature only pressed harder on Ami's neck and Ami didn't have to be a genius to realize she was going to die if Sailor Moon didn't act soon.
"It's none of your business." The creature laughed. "Now, leave." Sailor Moon's eyes narrowed.
"Moon..." The creature pressed more tightly, but did not kill Ami because Sailor Moon still did not move to take off her tiara. "Tiara..." The creature continued to smile and played with Ami's neck. Letting the air flow one moment, but cut it off the next. The next time Ami gasped for air, Sailor Moon allowed her voice to ring out. "Flash!" The gem of the tiara shot out a bright light and the creature's fingers did not clutch back onto Ami's neck, but fell away as the creature screamed in pain.
Ami fell to the floor and gasped for air. Sailor Moon was right next to her in an instant and she grabbed hold of her arm; dragging her to her feet.
"Get down!" She cried pushing Ami forward and Ami ducked under a nearby desk. Sailor Moon had turned back towards the creature who had regained its sight and was rushing at the Senshi. "Moon Tiara Action!" The orb missed its target though and Sailor Moon had to leap out of the way and onto a different desk on the other end of the room. The creature turned towards her, and it did not see the orb making its way back like a boomerang. The creature let out another cry as the orb struck its side and rushed back to its owner who caught it easily. "No one hurts my friends." Sailor Moon cried putting the tiara on her forehead. "Not Ami-chan, or anyone else!" The creature lifted her clawed hands and to Sailor Moon's surprise, the claws shot out at her like darts. Sailor Moon barely cleared the the darts and she jumped past the creature and towards Ami. "Run!" Sailor Moon cried. "I'll cover you!" Sailor Moon turned back towards the creature and Ami stood up behind her. "I'll attack and you rush past." Sailor Moon whispered and Ami nodded.
"You won't fool me!" The creature laughed, but Sailor Moon touched the gem in the center of her tiara.
"Moon Tiara Flash!" The flash came and both Sailor Moon and Ami rushed forward. "Moon Tiara A-" The creature slashed at Sailor Moon in a blind frenzy and Sailor Moon could not complete the attack as she escaped the creature's new grown claws. Ami ducked down and past the creature and hid behind another upturned desk. Above her Sailor Moon yelped in pain as the creature caught hold of her for a moment and she kicked at it. The sound caused Ami's mind to start spinning and she stood up quickly.
"I'm supposed to be protecting someone." The realization hit Ami.
"Run Ami-chan!" Sailor Moon cried as she broke free from the creature's hold and she jumped back. Ami's legs obeyed her and Ami rushed forward to get out of view, but...
"Ami-chan..."
Ami's eyes opened wide as she turned back to the fighting. Ami-chan? Ami gasped. "Usagi-chan! My dream!" Ami's hand had gone to her pocket without her realizing it, and the pen was now tightly in her grasp. Ami's fingers squeezed harder as the memories pushed forward and her forehead began to burn as power filled her, and a soft voice within her soul was calling out to her.
Sailor Moon dashed underneath a desk as the creature hung over her and its claws ripped through the wood like paper. Sailor Moon screamed, but there was nothing more she could do but try and escape. She rolled towards the next desk, but she knew that if she didn't get out of this room the creature would be able to keep finding her, and Sailor Moon would not be able to gain the advantage over it.
The air was growing colder by the second and Sailor Moon kept looking around for an exit route. She had come in by breaking down one of the back windows, but her path to that and her path to the front door were now gone.
"Where are you? Come out, come out wherever you are!" The creature laughed mockingly. Sailor Moon's skin began to prick as goose bumps formed on her arms and she shivered. The air was unexplained cold, and Sailor Moon gasped as she saw her breath come out like a trail of mist. A cool mist floated all around her at eye level and Sailor Moon's eyebrows furrowed in confusion as she lifted her hand to touch it. The mist was cold compared to the warm room and Sailor Moon had no clue as to where it was coming from, but it gave her the cover she needed to gain an advantage against the creature. Sailor Moon sprung to life only to see the dark figure of the creature charging at another shadow in the mist before them, but the shadow vanished as soon as the creature reached it and the creature fell onto the already splintered desk with a scream of pain. A new figure emerged in between the creature and Sailor Moon.
"The Soldier of Love and Wisdom will not allow you to destroy a place of quiet study!" The figure cried and the mist began to clear enough for Sailor Moon to see the blue Senshi standing before her.
"Mercury!" The girl looked over her shoulder at Sailor Moon and smiled brightly for an instant but then turned to the task at hand; her eyes again serious.
"Now cool off your head in water and repent!" The girl spun with her hands in the air, "Shine Aqua Illusion!" The creature cried out in pain and Sailor Moon knew what came next...
"Moon Tiara Action!"
"I don't remember much." Ami said sitting on Usagi's bed directly across from Usagi who was holding Luna on her lap. "Just that, I must protect someone: my princess." Luna nodded and Usagi was smiling brightly. She had succeeded in awakening one of her teammates and she couldn't have been happier at this moment. She squeezed Luna happily and suppressed a childish giggle.
"That is right, and you two are not the only ones." Luna explained. "You were all part of Serenity's team of Guardian Senshi and it is your life duty to die for her if needed." Ami nodded with her hand on her chin as if remembering this herself.
"She was the reason we were reborn in this time." Ami said, and Luna nodded.
"You must search for The Princess while trying to awaken the others!" Luna cried. Ami sat silently looking at the two in front of her.
"Luna, this creature came out of nowhere, and appeared to have no real goals other than to cause havoc.." Usagi stated. "Why would it risk death like that for nothing?" Luna sat silently on Usagi's lap and she seemed to be thinking,
"Perhaps it wanted to draw someone out?" Ami offered. "Someone other than Sailor Moon." Luna nodded.
"That could be." She agreed. "But it wouldn't be Ami-chan." Luna said. "She would be unable to detect her as a Sailor Senshi."
"V-chan." Usagi whispered and Luna nodded.
"Probably."
"But why V-chan? Why is she different than us?" Usagi asked confused, and Ami's eyes closed as she realized what it had to mean.
"They think she is The Princess." She said. The other two were silent for a moment.
"Is it possible they are right Luna?" Usagi finally asked, and Ami opened her eyes to see Luna sitting there with a thoughtful expression. "Luna?"
"It is always possible." She said finally.
"If that's true then we have to awaken the others so we can protect her together!" Usagi said hurriedly.
"And who are the others?" Ami asked finally. Usagi laughed happily.
"Two people we are very close to!" She said. "Rei-chan and Mako-chan!" Ami's eyes closed and she sat there smiling too. Makoto, yes, definitely Makoto. With Rei it could explain her strange behavior.
"I have something for both of you that can help you in your duties." Luna said jumping off of Usagi's lap and then she twirled into the air. Two things appeared on the bed: a small blue computer, and a pink wand with a golden crescent moon on top. "This is your computer, Ami-chan." Luna said. "You're the only one of the Guardian Senshi who can use it properly." Ami grabbed hold of the computer and looked at it; the symbol she had seen before, the symbol she now recognized as the sign of Mercury, was inlayed in gold onto the computer. Luna then turned to Usagi and the cat smiled happily. "This is The Moon Stick." She said. "As leader of The Guardian Senshi, it is yours to wield. You can use it to restore people's life energy, and destroy enemies that are too powerful for your tiara." Usagi grabbed hold of the wand excitedly, but as she held it in both hands she felt its true weight. The wand wasn't physically heavy, but in fact was actually almost too light. Its true weight came with the words Luna spoke.
"I'm... I'm the leader?" Usagi squeaked. That couldn't be. She wasn't the leading type! How could she be the leader? Luna was nodding though.
"Yes." She confirmed and Usagi held The Moon Stick close and her fear heightened. She didn't know if she was up to the challenge. "I'm really proud of you Usagi-chan." Luna said. "You have been handling this very well for you. I thought I was going to have to start completely from square one, but you are fairly more mature than you were in the past." Luna praised. "I know you will do a great job. I believe in you." Ami nodded in agreement.
"And I'll be right there to help you." She said. Usagi tightened her grip on the wand, but she smiled brightly.
"Ami-chan!" Then she leaned forward and hugged the girl tightly.