CHAPTER 35
Mina was visiting Serena at her house a few days after the holiday they had recently shared with the other girls. Together they were sitting down watching some professional ice skating displays on television. The skaters were a man and woman team by the name of Mischa and Janelle and they were world famous.
Luna and Artemis were also watching in fascination as Serena remarked, "They're so wonderful."
"I'll say," Mina agreed. "It's no surprise to me that they were the winners of the Gold Medal in the Winter Olympics."
"I'd love to be able to skate like that," Serena added dreamily.
Seated by the two girls' feet at the bottom of the big couch Artemis suddenly spoke to Luna. "Say Luna. Seeing as how Serena likes skating so much, perhaps it could be signs of her old life as the Moon Princess returning to her memories?"
Serena and Mina were both very interested to overhear this and listened rapturously while Luna thought for a moment before replying. "Hmm. It could be Artemis. I remember how very popular the sport of ice skating was back on the moon. At least three times in every fortnight Queen Serenity and King Lune-Eclipsus would organize a gala party where all their subjects would have a great time doing fun activities. Especially skating."
"That's right," said Artemis, "And their daughter Princess Serena was well admired for her exceptional display of skills with her skates."
"I was? For real?" Serena gasped in awe. Then jumping to her feet she did a twirling pirouette movement on her toe with one leg in the air before losing her balance and squashing Artemis and Luna.
"Ooomph. Serena get off us," Luna moaned and Mina sighed.
"Oh dear."
"I'm so sorry," Serena apologized with embarrassment while she climbed back into her seat on the couch. Artemis and Luna felt almost like roadkill animals that had been run over by a car.
Meanwhile in the Negaverse Tuxedo Mask had spoken to Queen Beryl as soon as the Plant Trio had delivered him to her. "Your majesty. I need to be purged even more of whatever misleading influence Sailor Moon exerts upon me. The last time I encountered her I prevented my allies here from doing away with one of her friends while I was supposed to be trying to force her to give up the Imperium Crystal."
"What?" Queen Beryl jumped to her feet off the seat of her throne. "Do you really mean this Darien?"
"I deeply regret it my queen. Sometimes I get the feeling I should help her even though I know in my heart that she is our enemy. I just don't understand what's happening."
Darien removed his hat and mask and humbly bowed while the Plant Trio stood behind him getting nervous. Would Queen Beryl have torture inflicted upon them?
Queen Beryl said, "This is seriously urgent. Darien you must be worked upon for a good long time." She had him sent to be brainwashed for four whole hours non-stop. Then she spoke reluctantly to the Plant Trio.
"Darien's inherent goodness must be stronger than I thought. But I won't let it beat me. I shall win him totally over if it's the last thing I ever do. In the meantime you can report back to General Malachite and the rest of your team. I admit you are not to blame for this setback."
"Oh thank you. Thank you Queen Beryl." The Plant Trio were almost giddy with relief as they departed Queen Beryl's presence.
But she thought angrily to herself while she was alone, "Those three twerps. I just bet somehow they must have made some blunder that brought about this setback. If only I could have had solid proof."
She sat back down and fumed. "I'll come up with some excuse to punish them whenever I can. In the meantime Prince Darien must be thoroughly brainwashed. If I'm ever going to unleash the Negaforce he shall have to be fully in my power one hundred percent."
When the Plant Trio joined the Gemini Twins and Yasha at General Malachite's quarters he was consulting his magic mirror. His hands were by this time well enough to hold the mirror for himself and as he glanced thoroughly into it he spoke up, "Now that you are all present I can brief you on my discovery. I have been using this magic mirror to probe back into the history of the Moon Kingdom during the reign of Queen Serenity and King Lune-Eclipsus and one thing struck my attention very deeply."
He handed the mirror to Yasha as he looked up to address all his soldiers directly. "The most popular form of sport among the people was ice skating."
"Do you think we can set a trap for Sailor Moon centered upon this information my master?" Yasha asked as he carefully placed the precious mirror where it belonged inside a nearby desk drawer.
"Precisely Yasha. Castor! Pollux! It's your turn to go out on a mission."
The Gemini Twins snapped to attention as Malachite explained what the plan was. "Two famous professional skaters, Mischa and Janelle are coming to the city where the Sailor Scouts live to give a seminar on the sport next week. You must brainwash them so we can use them to identify and trap Sailor Moon. The mirror has also told me that she and her friends will be sure to attend the skating seminar."
"You can depend on us General Malachite," Pollux declared.
"And our tails are healed enough for us to use our unbeatable power if we need to," Castor replied.
"Good. This time we will finally succeed," Malachite began to cackle with wicked laughter and the others all joined in.
Time went by very fast and soon the day of the seminar arrived. Serena, Mina and their three friends all joined the long queue outside the ice skating rink. Luna and Artemis were by their feet. Serena and Mina were especially excited being such big fans of Mischa and Janelle.
"I can't wait to see them in person," Serena was on the edge of her seat.
"Yeah. Especially Mischa," exclaimed Mina.
As the doors opened and they all began to proceed inside Raye commented, "I'm very keen about this. First we all learned to ski last week. And now this."
"Yes, but I hope it won't take up too much time. I really ought to be studying for my upcoming examinations next month," Amy remarked with a little bit of concern.
"Ah, don't sweat about it Amy. You'll ace your tests I'm sure. You can spare one day of fun with us." Lita put her hand kindly on Amy's shoulder from behind and Amy turned her head and sheepishly grinned at her.
"Okay if you say so Lita."
When everybody was all gathered around the enormous ice skating rink Amy was amazed at the large crowd of people. "I've never seen a crowd of such immense numbers ever before."
"It just shows how popular ice skating is," replied Raye.
"It reminds me of the old times on the moon Artemis," said Luna.
"I agree. The memories are so vivid Luna," Artemis answered her.
"Hey. Where's Serena?" Mina had suddenly realized that she wasn't with them. Then they heard her voice calling out behind.
"I'm coming! I'm coming!" She had one of her ice skates on and was frantically hopping trying to insert her other foot into the opposite skate. Then as her friends watched she suddenly took a tumble landing flat on her face. She began to wail, "These skates make me clumsy!"
Raye turned her head away and scoffed, "If anything they make you clumsier Serena. You're so embarrassing."
Even Luna and Artemis were very uncomfortable with the thought of Serena making a spectacle of herself. But Amy and Mina took pity on her and helped her get her other skate on. Though when they raised her to her feet she just fell straight over again and they all cringed as they looked at the people nearby who were watching with wide-staring eyes.
But thankfully the mood was broken when everybody's attention was diverted by the arrival of Mischa and Janelle. The building resonated with the echoes of loud cheering as the pair walked through the middle of the crowd wearing their skates with perfect balance as if they had regular shoes on. Then when they reached one of the entrances to the rink they stepped onto the icy surface and pushed off gliding straight into the center in a fantastic display while the cheers and applause nearly blew the roof away above their heads.
But Lita wasn't cheering. She just stared at Mischa with a dreamy look in her eyes. She thought he was so attractive indeed.
As soon as they finished their performance Janelle addressed the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our seminar. Let's all have a good time." More cheers erupted then Janelle spoke again when they were silent. "It takes years of practice to become professional skaters like Mischa and myself. But guess what? It all begins once you make the decision to slap some skates on your feet and step out on the ice. If you never begin to undertake a journey, you'll never arrive at your destination."
With that the crowd cheered once more but the loudest cheering was after Janelle raised her arms and shouted out, "So let's do it one and all!"
With that Raye, Amy and Mina all carefully set off slowly across the ice. Lita paused at the entrance to see Serena crawling along the edge of the railing holding herself up. "Um. Serena. Are you sure you're really up to this?"
"What? Why do you ask such a silly question Lita?" Lita struggled to find the right words to answer Serena's response.
"Uh, it's just that. Well you can't even seem to balance yourself to just walk with your skates on. How will you go on the ice itself?"
"Oh Lita," Serena wagged her finger admonishingly. "Luna and Artemis said I was one of the best skaters in my old life on the moon. It will come back to me."
"Okay if you're sure about this." With that Lita stepped onto the rink and before she knew what she was doing zipped past Raye and the others and began to copy the movements of Mischa and Janelle.
"Wow! Look at Lita!" Amy exclaimed. Everybody was very impressed.
Mischa cried out, "Why this girl's a natural."
Serena was open-mouthed with amazement and Luna and Artemis jumped up onto the railing next to her. Speaking very quietly so that nobody would overhear Artemis whispered to Luna. She in turn whispered in Serena's ear. "Artemis has just told me he now remembers that the warrior of the planet Jupiter was also greatly admired for her skills. She was one of the very best. Right up there along with you Serena."
"Right up there with me was she?" Serena became very smug. "Well then it's my turn to impress the crowd and gain the praise of Mischa. Just watch me. Here I go."
With that Serena ran out onto the ice and promptly fell over backwards with a crash.
Amy and Mina gasped in dismay but Raye only shut her eyes and said, "We don't know her."
Serena struggled to stand. "Wait. I'm just getting warmed up. Aaaah!" With a cry she fell over again. All eyes were on her as she constantly got to her feet and crashed back down again.
"I don't understand it. I'm supposed to be amazing and talented. Waaaaaaaah!"
Luna gasped and Artemis sighed. "I'm just beginning to remember something else about Princess Serena Luna."
"What's that Artemis?"
"On the moon everybody admired how wonderful she could skate when Prince Darien from the Earth would dance with her in partnership on the ice. Even though whenever she attempted to skate on her own she was an embarrassing clutz."
"Oh dear," Luna gulped.
While all this was going on Castor and Pollux were seated inside the announcement room in front of all the many monitor screens. They were carefully observing all the females in the crowd to see if they could identify Sailor Moon. Suddenly the face of Malachite appeared on every screen.
"Oh! General Malachite," Pollux exclaimed.
"We are searching for Sailor Moon right now," Castor added.
"How are things going soldiers?"
"So far everything's okay," said Pollux. "We managed to bring Mischa and Janelle under our control. When we're ready they'll obey our commands to destroy Sailor Moon and get the crystal."
"We will be ready to use our powers of fire and freezing if need be also," said Castor.
"Sounds perfect but remember to be wary. Queen Beryl is planning to send Tuxedo Mask later today. Watch things carefully to be sure he doesn't prove unreliable."
"You can depend on us General Malachite," the Gemini Twins both said this together and then as Malachite signed off and the screens returned to the scenes on the rink they noticed Amy, Raye and Mina trying to help Serena get to her feet hopelessly. Then when Serena fell again taking all three of her friends with her they looked at each other and smiled.
"Sailor Moon is so very clumsy Castor. Way beyond clumsy. It looks like we probably have her. Nobody could be more terrible than that doofus."
"You are right Pollux," Castor smiled as she agreed. "Let's observe the crowd for just another ten minutes. But I'd say we will easily pinpoint our target down to her. Then we can spring our trap."
The pair cackled and rubbed their hands together while their tails twitched and touched each other sending sparks like fireworks shooting out of the tips.
While they were carefully watching all the people Mischa was greatly admiring Lita. He asked her to skate with him and she accepted.
As they danced together on their ice skates everybody was full of admiration while poor Serena had given up and crawled towards the railing to hold herself upright. Lita thought to herself, "Mischa is so perfect. He's just like my old ex-boyfriend."
Janelle was getting angry and jealous. "Mischa's my partner. He'd better not be comparing me to her," she thought to herself fuming. Neither she nor Mischa had any conscious memory of meeting the Gemini Twins earlier, but this jealousy could certainly be used to their advantage when they were ready to exert full control over them.
After the ten minutes were up, Castor grabbed the microphone and made an announcement, "Attention everybody. The group lesson is over. Now Mischa and Janelle will start seeing you one at a time beginning with that poor girl who has been unable to stay upright on the rink. Please exit and wait outside in the foyer."
Serena gasped in half delight, half embarrassment when she heard this. Everybody else obeyed even though a few, including Raye, were heard muttering about how weird this seminar was arranged and that the group skating had barely even begun.
But as Lita prepared to take her leave Mischa reached out and grabbed her wrist. "No wait. Janelle can work with that other girl on her own. We can see you all two at a time and I'd like to spend more time with you. You're simply the best skating partner I've ever had since I met Janelle."
Lita was deeply flattered but Janelle was just about ready to explode with rage.
Castor and Pollux realized what was happening. "He's asked that tall girl to stay too Pollux."
"Well, she'll be no trouble to us Castor. Everybody else is outside. We can make our move."
They pressed some buttons and the doors separating the rink from the foyer suddenly slammed shut and heavy metal reinforcements slid into place. The people were all so deeply shocked at this that they screamed and then all began to run away in a panic. As the first ones ran out of the building others took their lead.
"This is way beyond freaky!" somebody shouted.
"Let's get out of here before we're all trapped too! Somebody call the police!" another person screamed.
But Raye, Amy and Mina stood their ground along with Artemis and Luna. "This is really weird," said Amy.
"This looks like another Negaverse trap," said Artemis somberly.
"This means they have Serena and Lita as well," added Luna and the girls all gasped in horror.
Inside the rink before Serena or Lita could comprehend what was going on with the metal doors, Castor and Pollux both materialized in the middle of the rink. Even Mischa and Janelle were momentarily shocked as if it were the first time they'd laid eyes upon them. But the Gemini Twins didn't waste any time.
"I can sense plenty of anger already building up in Janelle Castor."
"Excellent Pollux. She in particular can direct that energy to good use. Attack that girl slave!"
Castor pointed to Serena and Janelle, suddenly enveloped by mystical energy, was changed not into a monster as such, but her fury and rage made her zoom towards Serena aiming a kick at her torso. Serena screamed as the razor sharp skate loomed near her. In seconds she would be potentially ripped open.
But Lita hadn't just stood still to watch. She had pushed herself off after Janelle and catching up to her seized hold of her from behind and raised her up above her head with all her strength just before she could send her intended deadly attack to connect with Serena. Janelle screamed and shook her arms and legs furiously in the air while Lita turned around skating away from where Serena stood clutching the rail with her eyes big and wide and gibbering insanely.
"Serena transform right now!" Lita grunted while Castor, Pollux and even Mischa standing forgotten by himself for the time being were overcome with shocked disbelief.
Then Pollux pointed at Lita and shouted at Mischa, "You! Get her! At once!"
As Mischa succumbed to the same magical power he too was suddenly furious and skated into Lita knocking her down making her release Janelle. He snatched her into his arms safely out of the air as Lita went sliding across the ice-coated rink to hit her head on the bottom of the railing edge stunning her.
Serena snapped to attention when she saw this happen. "Lita! Oh no. Hang on. MOON PRISM POWER!"
As she transformed she rose into the air and this time her transformation also included two distinct ice skates attached to her big boots. As she set herself down on the rink however before she could announce herself in challenge to the Gemini Twins she immediately began falling over once again.
"Aw no. This can't be. Not when I'm in the form of Sailor Moon."
Castor and Pollux began to laugh at her.
"This is the end for you Sailor Moon."
Castor said this and then issued orders to the bewitched pair of ice skaters. "Slaves! Never mind that other girl for now. Take care of Sailor Moon and give us her Silver Imperium Crystal!"
Sailor Moon looked up and gave a loud despairing cry as Mischa and Janelle bore down upon her. Each of them had one leg up ready to thrust and cut her.
Before the terrible impact could happen she felt herself scooped up in strong arms and was zoomed out of the way. Mischa and Janelle kicked nothing but empty air.
Sailor Moon looked around to see that Tuxedo Mask was on skates and he had saved her. She was upright on her own skates being propelled along by him.
"Tuxedo Mask. You've rescued me!" she exclaimed joyfully.
But he answered a little coldly, "Not exactly. Queen Beryl has sent me to help the Gemini Twins get the Silver Crystal."
Castor yelled out to him, "So if you're really here to help us then make her give you the crystal!"
Tuxedo Mask smiled strangely. "Oh I will. Don't worry about that. But first I'd like to do some skating with Sailor Moon. Something tells me it will be rather fun."
Castor and Pollux couldn't believe it and neither could Serena. "Me? Skate with you?"
"Sure. Come on Sailor Moon. Let's do it."
"O-okay."
Sailor Moon took Tuxedo Mask's hand and realized to her amazement that she was skating superbly. Just like she always used to be able to skate together with her Prince Darien on the moon.
But Pollux said to Castor, "This is ridiculous. What kind of brainwashing has our queen done upon him if he acts like this? I don't think her power may be strong enough to erase his past memories one hundred percent."
"I fear you may be right Pollux. We must intervene. Get our slaves to attack them."
So the two of them commanded Mischa and Janelle and they skated right at the pair while they were sidetracked with each other.
"I'm skating! Tuxedo Mask! I'm really skating!" Sailor Moon was crying out in ecstatic glee while he was looking at her happily. The subconscious memories that Beryl had tried her very best to suppress were beckoning to him at the back of his mind. But Mischa and Janelle were getting ready to kick out with the edge of their skates.
"JUPITER THUNDER CRASH!"
Before the attack could connect Mischa and Janelle were zapped by an electrical blast that left them stunned. As they lay gasping on the ice Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask realized that Lita had regained consciousness and had transformed into Sailor Jupiter.
"Sailor Jupiter! You saved us. Yeow!" Sailor Moon exclaimed this just as she lost her balance and fell once more in the distraction.
Castor and Pollux were amazed. "We never met you before but we've heard about you."
"Prepare to meet your match. Let's blast her Castor."
Even while they spoke they were quickly and expertly tying their tails together in the fashion of the knot that gave them their powers. As soon as Pollux finished speaking they were ready to attack and Sailor Moon gasped fearfully.
"Oh look out Jupiter!"
Sailor Jupiter set her jaw grimly and as the Twins turned so that Castor faced her she began to counter-attack.
"MARS FIRE IGNITE!" Castor shouted but Sailor Jupiter shouted at the same time.
"JUPITER! I CALL UPON YOUR DEEPEST RESERVES OF POWERFUL ENERGY! THUNDER AND LIGHTNING CRASH!"
At the same time as Castor's mighty fireball proceeded to shoot at her, Sailor Jupiter summoned up her biggest charge possible. When she sent it projecting at the fire it had an effect like a super fire-extinguisher. Castor was horrified to see her fireball break into small pieces that were immediately quenched out.
She screamed in terror and Pollux behind her shouted, "Hey! What's happening?"
The next thing was that the blast of thunder energy picked up Castor and Pollux together and sent them flying up into the air. They soared out of the rink and all the way to the top of the rows of seats arranged like a tower around the border. As they landed on top of one seat, Castor on top of Pollux, she screamed in pain.
"Aaargh! Castor! I think my arm is broken!"
Castor was very shook up, but unhurt though she was very upset for her dear friend. She jumped off and saw Pollux clutching her arm and sobbing where it had struck the top of the back of the chair with sickening impact.
Just then Sailors Mars, Venus and Mercury dropped from the skylight into the rink. They had been trying hard to find a way to break through the barricade, but not even Sailor Mars' fire combined with Sailor Venus' crescent beam attack was strong enough to dent the doors. Then Artemis had suggested trying to get in through the roof. "That might work. As long as the skylight isn't blocked off," he had said.
So they had climbed up to the top of the building and finding the way clear they all jumped landing agilely on their feet ready to help their friends.
Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter were so happy to see them.
But before they could say or do anything Castor rose herself into the air and addressed them all angrily. "You hurt my best friend! She may not be able to use her freezing bubbles attack now but I have an alternate option that will be just as effective in turning you into icicles."
With that she gestured with her arms towards the air-conditioning system built into the ceiling. They extended their fan ducts out above the rink and began shooting extremely cold air down upon the Sailor Scouts, Mischa, Janelle and Tuxedo Mask.
As they all screamed and hugged themselves vainly to warm up, ice started to form on the nearby walls and ceiling surrounding the enormous fans. They were all overcome with the intensity of the temperature, which was five hundred degrees below freezing. Much colder than the settings on the controls should ever have been able to generate.
"Oooh! We'll f-freeze to death in a m-m-matter of m-minutes," Sailor Mercury groaned and shivered.
Sailor Mars tried to do something but she was unable to concentrate enough to produce her fire. She was shaking and chattering so much that she just couldn't stand up and produce the necessary enchantment.
But even while Castor laughed with evil joy at their helpless plight she gasped as her eye alighted on Tuxedo Mask crouched down on his knees and one hand while coatings of ice were forming on the railing edges of the rink behind him. She remembered how Queen Beryl had ruthlessly impaled Zoicite and killed her for the way she had tried to kill him. If he became a frozen corpse. Well that was dreadful to comprehend.
"Pollux! We must get out of here and take Tuxedo Mask with us!"
She sent a desperate magical gesture that picked up Tuxedo Mask and lifted him up and away from the rink and the icy barrage. While Castor was concentrating on keeping him elevated in the air with one raised arm she helped Pollux get to her feet while she was wincing and clutching her injured appendage with her eyes shut tightly in agony. "I'll take you and Tuxedo Mask back to the Negaverse Pollux. Then I'll return to collect the crystal."
However as Tuxedo Mask looked down at the suffering Sailor Scouts and Mischa and Janelle something told him he must do something. With his eagle eye he noticed an unusual large red globe built into the ceiling in between the two air-conditioner appliances. It was glowing strangely like a half red sun and it was obviously not natural. Castor wasn't expecting what he suddenly did. He hurled his cane with a loud cry straight at the globe. With perfect precision it struck and pierced it. The cane sank deep inside and it exploded putting a stop to the air-conditioners relentless freeze blasts.
"Oh no!" Castor cried and she momentarily lost control of her hold on Tuxedo Mask who began to fall. But she drew in her breath as she halted his downward plunge to the floor and as the Scouts realized they were saved, she desperately sent another command to Mischa and Janelle to attack Sailor Moon.
Mischa and Janelle had been hugging each other before. But they now broke apart and jumped to their feet in obedience to the magic brainwashing.
Sailor Jupiter shouted out with urgency, "Sailor Moon! Use your wand immediately!"
Seeing them about to mow her down Sailor Moon waved the Crescent Moon Wand with the Silver Imperium Crystal glowing in its center. "MOON HEALING ACTIVATION!"
Mischa and Janelle had barely covered any distance to get to her when they were halted in their tracks by the power that flowed over them. When it was over they were healed of the influence Castor and Pollux had placed over them and Janelle was even purged of her irrational jealous feelings in the first place.
"Oh Mischa. I'm so sorry I was so bad-tempered and harsh with you. Please forgive me." She was close to tears and Mischa hugged her tightly and spoke comfortingly to her.
"Of course I forgive you Janelle. You're my partner and my friend."
Janelle sniffed and smiled at him wiping one tear away from her eye. "Friends forever."
Up above Castor rose in the air supporting Pollux and yelled out, "You will pay for this you Sailor Scouts!"
With that she de-materialized taking Pollux and, to Sailor Moon's dismay, also her dear Tuxedo Mask, who was struggling in the magic grip and looking down at her and stretching his arms out to her. "Sailor Moon! Sailor Moon!" he was crying out.
"Tuxedo Mask!" she wailed with bitter ache in her heart. The other Scouts were all upset too. They knew that at that moment Tuxedo Mask was the very same Tuxedo Mask they knew and loved so well. He had been as good as healed of his own account, but Castor had whisked him away back to the Negaverse and they had been unable to prevent it.
Mischa and Janelle weren't sure what had actually happened. But one thing they certainly knew was that the Sailor Scouts had saved them. They thanked them immensely and when the media interviewed them Janelle said, "We will never know for certain what the facts are but we were definitely in the grip of these weird evil forces we had heard about before we came to this city."
Mischa added, "We never really believed in any of them or the Sailor Scouts. But we met them after they saved us. If they hadn't who knows what may have become of us?"
Everybody in the city was talking excitedly about the latest news of their sailor-suited super-heroines.
As for Lita she was a little depressed that Mischa had gone back to Janelle. The others asked her if she was okay while they were standing around in the mall the next day.
She put on a brave face and said, "I'm fine. I guess it was just a crush and it wasn't meant to be. I'll find somebody later on I'm sure and, Huh?"
Lita suddenly noticed a handsome boy walk past her and she stared after him. "Hey! Now he reminds me of my ex-boyfriend. His perfect hair."
The others all groaned and Serena said, "Here we go again."