…There I did it, I gave you a cameo! I hope you're happy!
Marik: Immensely! And thanks for giving me all the-
Mina: No spoilers!
(sigh) they probably won't like it…
Mina: You wanted to write this didn't you?
(small voice) Yes?
Mina: So shuddup! Helloo loyal fans of Wings of a Moon Princess! Here's your chapter! And so far I think it's my favourite! :D
Marik: I agree because I'm in it! ;)
Mina: But we were also in the April fools…
Marik: Doesn't count. Anyway, enjoy the show!
000
When the destined day arrived Ms Faragonda was in her office looking out of the window when she saw two people enter behind her through the glass reflection.
"How may I help you?" She turned around to face them.
"Hello fairy Godmother we're here for a miss Serena Tsukino! We're taking her out for the day!" The girl gave a cheesy grin.
At this Faragonda smiled gravely. "I'm sorry but I'm afraid that won't be possible. Serena can't go out unsupervised, if she does she may be attacked by Baltor!"
"What do you mean unsupervised?! She has u-" The girl started to shout but the boy held his arm in front, silencing her.
"Oh I think you'll find that she can." With an evil smile he produced a shining gold scepter from his belt. The duo let out some evil laughter as the Egyptian eye on the orb of the staff began to glow…
000
Serena stood some distance from the main building of Alfea as she scouted the area with a pair of binoculars.
"They'll be here any minute now!" She said to herself. "I know I should've asked what they were planning!"
Luna didn't bother to suggest that the deputy leader of the Sailor Scouts wouldn't try a mad hare-brained scheme to make a big entrance because she knew her almost as well as Serena. Not to mention she was bringing one of her mad friends with her, the kind of which one was amazed how she managed to come across. At least it wasn't a bad thing, Serena would have one of her guardians to talk to and she was looking forward to seeing Artemis again.
"Don't worry Luna, you'll get your alone-time, we'll do our thing while you do yours!" Serena winked. "Argh!" Luna furiously shook her head to hide the blush on her feline face.
"That's what I'm afraid of." She muttered as they walked back to the dormitory.
"S'up." She gave a wave to the winx as she entered the living room and plonked herself down onto the nearest chair to whip out her phone.
"So these friends of yours, what time did they say they were coming?" Flora looked up at her.
"They didn't." Serena replied. "But my Serena senses can feel that they'll be here soon!"
"What are they like?" Bloom asked with interest.
"Weeell, Mina's one of my bestest BFFFs, you saw her picture in my photo album! And she's bringing her pen pal from Egypt, he's cool." Serena looked into the distance as she sighed to herself. "I hope they didn't steal a car again to get here… I mean is it technically stealing if they hypnotized the driver into giving it to them?" She didn't seem to notice the winx staring at her in a way that said 'How is she friends with felons?'
"Excuse me ladies, have you seen a girl with hair that looks like meatballs?"
Everyone looked up to see Ms Faragonda enter the dormitory. What was odd was that she was wearing a stripy bandana over her forehead.
"Ms Faragonda!" Bloom exclaimed, coming over to join her. "Are you ok?" She asked anxiously, noticing the dull look in the older woman's eyes.
"Of course I'm fine orange one!" Bloom was taken aback as Faragonda quickly waved her away. "And I'm looking for Serena, ah there you are!" She beamed at the sight of the blonde.
"Yeah I'm here," Serena answered, knowing full well who was behind this and trying to keep a straight face. "What is it headmistress?" She desperately tried to keep her tone level.
"You are to go to my office immediately, there are two extremely good-looking visitors for you! Oh and you're free to go wherever you want in Magix without bodyguards as of now," 'Faragonda' added as an afterthought.
"Ms F, maybe you should have a lie down." Bloom was still not convinced about the teacher's mental state.
"Right, now I have to go do fairy things," Faragonda turned to leave.
"Whoa whoa whoa!" Stella exclaimed, making everyone look at her. "Ms F, not trying to be rude but where did you get your accessorizing advice! Bandanas are only for the younger and hip crowd! Not to mention the colour scheme totally clashes with your suit!"
"Nonsense Shannon! Don't you know the sexy pirate look is totally styling right now? You young people with your big wings and fancy phones and your many animal pets! In my day we only had one animal a-"
"…Ms Faragonda?" Serena managed to cut in. "I'll be on my way now, thanks for the tip."
"Right. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm Batman." Faragonda grabbed one of the curtains and draped it around her shoulders like a cape then soared out the window superman style in the direction of the courtyard where she landed outside on her feet. Not waiting for a reaction from the winx Serena swooped out the room while their backs were turned and high tailed it to the office.
"I'd wondered what would happen, but I never dreamed it would be this!" Luna facepalmed from under a table. "Eek!" Suddenly another cat with the same crescent moon bald spot as her jumped down in front of her from the window. He gave a friendly smile.
"Artemis!"
"What's up Luna?"
000
Now that she had finally reached her destination Serena paused for a moment outside the door. She dreaded to think what had happened here to get Faragonda to perform that certain stunt. Well she certainly knew how it could have been done, but she was somewhat in denial at the fact that her best friend would go to such extreme measures. She'd heard about grand entrances but this was ridiculous. Of course Mina had brought along that shadow mage friend of hers to make it possible, he was even more twisted than she was! Serena was happy for her and all, but it always felt like the universe was about to implode whenever those two met up for a scheme.
Taking a deep breath Serena tentatively walked into the office.
"SURPRISE!"
Instantly all she could see was blonde hair as two pairs of arms grabbed her in a hug from either side.
"Miss me my twin?" Mina whispered in her ear.
"Do you even have to ask?" Serena smiled with a raised eyebrow as they released her.
"What about me?" Marik asked from behind her. "We haven't seen each other for months! You spoke to Mina a few days ago!"
"I missed you too," Serena reassured him before looking around. "Hey where's Artemis? I thought he was coming too!"
"Oh I thought he'd like some quality alone time with Luna!" Mina winked. Serena frowned.
"You know, I've learned to expect stuff like this from you but a lesser person wouldn't believe you just walked into Faragonda's office and took her down like that!"
"Hey! It was better than our last plan!" Marik protested.
Flashback
Mina walks up to Faragonda with a white rag.
Mina: Hey Fairy Godmother! Does this smell like chloroform?"
Faragonda leans in to check and passes out. Mina and Marik stare at the unconscious body on the ground.
Marik: Where would we hide the body?
Mina: (sigh) You're right, better get back to the drawing board.
End flashback
"But did you like it?" They both looked at her with big sparkly puppy eyes. "I would have given her some dance moves but we wanted to get you out of here sooner rather than later." Marik added.
"It was funny, I'll give you that!" Serena admitted. "The bandana was a nice touch!"
Marik shrugged. "We had to hide the eye of Wadjet somehow."
"What's disturbing is that it was actually one of hers, we found it in there." Mina pointed to a nearby desk drawer.
"Ugh," Serena shuddered.
"So, are we gonna go or are we gonna go?" Mina excitedly linked her arm with Serena's. "I want to get me a new pair of ruby slippers!"
"Hold on a moment," Marik frowned. "I read the old lady's mind; I know what she told those girls about Serena needing protection, and I'm not sure they totally bought that stunt I just pulled and will probably try to imprison you again when they get the chance. Should I 'persuade' them to see it our way?"
Serena sighed. "I wouldn't worry about it. Hopefully no one suspects me of anything, I mean thanks to my Luna decoy and the fact they all think I'm weak…"
"THEY SAID WHAT?!"
"Umm…" Serena sweatdropped heavily at Mina's thunderous expression. Marik, while maintaining an outward calm composure, was still gripping the Millenium Rod. The Moon princess did not like the fact that he was holding it when he had that menacing look in his eyes.
Taking a deep breath she told them everything.
Only a minute later there was the strange sight to behold of Serena fighting tooth and nail to restrain an angry blonde who was kicking and screaming a battle cry at the top of her voice.
"Let me at 'em! Lemme at 'em!" Mina was screeching.
"Mina chan it's not big deal, really!" Serena desperately tried to calm her down.
"Mina, if we're going to do this, we need a strategy first! Subtlety is the key here, revenge is all the more sweeter if you don't get caught!" Marik added.
"You're right!" Mina beamed in a sudden mood swing. Serena fell to the floor with a crash.
"Guys!" She hastily got up and grabbed a strand of each of their hair, yanking them to her sides.
"Don't touch the hair!" They shrieked in unison.
Serena shook her head. "Ok kids, before we go we're gonna have to set some serious ground rules. Number one, no talking about revenge – especially of the Mina&Marik kind!"
"Aww!" They whined childishly. She gave their hair another pull.
"Ok ok! You win!"
"Right. Number two, Marik no using the Millenium Rod on innocent people out of boredom."
"I make no promises."
"Number three, Mina no beating up people who annoy you."
"What he said."
"Very good." Serena said softly, as if they were disobedient kids who had finally be let off the naughty chairs as she released them. Immediately their hands flung to the sides of their heads to smooth down their respective blonde tresses. Serena eyed them with satisfaction before smiling excitedly. "Now are we ready for a day on the magic town?"
"Smurf yeah!" Mina pumped a fist. "Look out shops, here we come!"
000
Unfortunately, unknown to them the group of fairies were discussing exactly what Serena had hoped them to forget.
"Alright girls, what do we know about Sailor Moon?" Bloom said.
"We know that she has the water stars, and that she's also very powerful." Tecna suggested.
"And we also know that she's out for herself!" Musa added.
Bloom looked to Musa, Tecna and Flora. "Last time we fought the witches you followed her and Stormy. Did you see where she went?"
Musa shook her head. "All we saw was some guy in a top hat pick her up and vanish into thin air!"
"So she has allies elsewhere?" Layla said. "I wonder why they haven't shown up before?"
"Hold on a second," Tecna held up a hand. "Don't you think it's more than just a coincidence that we first saw Sailor Moon the same day Serena arrived at Alfea? They could be connected somehow!"
"Nonsense Tecna!" Stella waved off the theory dismissively. "Serena can hardly defend herself, let alone entire realms!"
"I wonder if the library has any information about Sailor Moon?" Bloom wondered. "We should go check it out!"
Little did they know that Luna and Artemis had poked their heads around the door and had heard the entire conversation.
"They've always been curious about Sailor Moon from day one!" Luna whispered, frowning. "I've even had to pretend to be Serena to give her an alibi, which has not been fun!"
"We've got to warn the girls!" Artemis told her. "And in the mean time we'll have to stop these fairies from finding out anything else!"
"At least the library doesn't have anything on us." Luna sweatdropped, remembering her and Serena's unsuccessful search.
000
"Giant shops! Where have you been all my life?" Mina exclaimed in awe, flitting around the high street like a hyper five year old in a sweet shop and pressing her face against various windows to marvel at the displays.
"I know right? I totally had the same reaction the first time I saw it!" Serena agreed. "There was even a jewelry store that did pink and purple rhinestones!"
"Ooh let's see that one! Let's see that one!" Mina grabbed her arm and zoomed into one of the large department stores. Spotting a clear area where there were a few empty platforms, Serena lit up in recognition.
"Ooh! I've heard about those! Stella said they were called virtual dressers!"
"Virtual dressers?" Mina looked at the strange platforms with interest.
"Please step inside for your fitting." A robotic female voice informed them.
"That's something I just have to try!" Mina hopped into one. "Sweet!" She exclaimed in excitement as her clothes transformed into the stylish yellow tube-top mini dress she had been thinking of.
"My turn!" Serena stood on the one next to her. "How about something pink?" She was now wearing an exact replica of the madoka magica dress, complete with pink ribbons and red shoes!
"That looks great on you!" Mina beamed. "You should totally wear that at our next con! Now I'd like something sporty!" In an instant a crisp white tennis outfit, with matching wristbands and a visor cap, replaced the orange outfit. "This is just like our disguise gadgets!" She exclaimed.
"Ooh! So many outfits so much time!" Serena had changed into a smart business suit that was dark pink. "But I wonder, how are we gonna get through them all?"
"Hmm," Mina stroked her chin thoughtfully. "There's only one way to do it –MONTAGE TIME!"
After setting her ipod to play "Fashion" by Lady Gaga, the girls proceeded to try on as many outfits as they could, from swimsuits to ski outfits. They tried floaty ball gowns in their favourite colours and even found a few good cosplay outfits.
"And that's the last!" Serena scribbled down the name of the latest outfit they had decided to buy on a piece of paper she had conjured up.
"Hmm, I'm not so sure about this," Mina was back in the yellow mini dress and was hesitantly pulling the hem of the skirt. "Does it suit me?"
"You should get it, it brings out the blonde in your hair." Marik said taking a candy out of the large paper bag he was holding.
"WHERE'D YOU COME FROM?" Serena did a double take, her pigtails standing on end.
"I've been here the whole time. Well, in the same building anyway." He extended the candy bag to Serena. "Want one?"
"Even so, I'll never get round how you can sneak up on people like that," Serena was still weirded out as she took a sweet from the bag. "One of these days you've gotta teach me!"
"So where'd you go anyway?" Mina asked curiously, as she hopped down from her podium.
"I got more leather pants!" He grinned, offering her the candy bag. "Ha, Yugi thought he could be the only one!"
"They'll totally look much better on you," Mina said through a mouthful. Serena couldn't help but notice her friend flush a light shade of pink as she attempted to swallow her sweet.
After Serena performed a shrinking spell on their numerous shopping bags, they went to an arcade where there were virtual holograms of the fighting games. Mina was a tiny bit pissed that there wasn't a Sailor V game there, but Serena assured her it was only because no one had seen Sailor V in Magix.
Soon they came to an ice cream parlour called the White Horse. Due to a visit to a magic hair salon on the way they were all sporting temporary streaks of colour in their hair, pink for Serena, Marik had chosen dark purple, and upon discovering that her favourite bright yellow was her natural colour, Mina had opted for orange to match her Sailor fuku.
"So guys, how do we get a magic Sailor V video game?" Mina gathered them around in the booth. "I'm thinking of getting out my old outfit and parading the High street, you know, so it catches on!"
"Hmm, it could work, but every good story needs conflict, maybe I could summon one of your duel monsters and you could pretend to fight it?" Marik suggested.
"Ooh! I'm liking where this is going!" Mina's sky blue orbs sparkled enthusiastically. "Only, how 'bout we have a new take on it, say I pretend to heal it with the power of friendship and then we team up? Wouldn't Splendid VENUS just be perfect?"
"Now who would be the villain for the main bossfight?"
"Okay guys," Serena cleared her throat, making them lose their close eye contact and turn back to her. "Not that this doesn't sound epic or anything-"
"Hell Yeah it does!" Mina sang in a high-pitched tone.
"-Shuddup!" Serena silenced her. "But there was something I did want to show you today."
"Oh yeah!" Mina rounded in on her. "You said you got me a present, where is it? What is it?"
"If ya give me my personal space I can get it out!"
"…That's what she said!"
"Marik you're not helping!"
"Sorry. Here, get back! I want to see the present." He patted Mina on the shoulder. She moved back from Serena right away.
After checking over her shoulder to make sure no one in the café was watching, Serena fished in her bag for the item. "Here," She pulled out the last water star and placed it on the table.
"Ooh shiny!" Mina's eyes sparkled. "And it's my favourite colour too! You have good taste girl!" She flung her arms around Serena's neck.
"Hey, why don't I get one?" Marik asked indignantly. "Gold is my favourite colour too!"
"You can share mine," Mina told him and he looked pleased.
"As long as you keep it from girly-boy vampire-face I'm good." Serena said.
"So remind me, what exactly has he done that has people running in fear?" Mina said.
"Well from what I've heard, and trust me I've heard plenty, he's been going round stealing magic," Serena recalled. "Oh and I think Bloom-" She paused at their blank stares.
"The orange one?" They immediately perked up in recognition. "- Said that he has the dark version of her powers, but I'm not sure if he's actually killed anyone yet."
"And people are actually afraid of this guy?" Marik snorted. "I've done things worse than that!"
"Yeah but then again he's also a giant asshole and you are not." Mina told him firmly.
"As someone who's fought him multiple times I second that." Serena added. "Anyway, apparently these water stars are the only things that can completely take out his powers. I've divided them up among the team, hopefully he won't be able to track them if they're split up, and they'll be well protected."
"That's a pretty good strategy." Marik nodded approvingly. "That way if he wants them, he'll have to get past your friends. And then they can use them to fend him off! You could even use yours on the fairy girl if she gets too annoying!"
"That's the plan!" Serena beamed. "Well the first part is…" While Marik wasn't the person he used to be, she did sometimes get a little weirded out by his dark sense of humor, which Mina seemed to share.
Mina turned serious as she took a noisy sip of her soda. "But you said he's got minions doing his dirty work! Isn't he sending them to scour universes for more loot?"
"What a unique and original idea." Marik said sarcastically with a scowl.
"Don't worry, my question just got answered!" Mina had noticed the plasma TV on the opposite wall playing some kind of news footage that showed soldiers trying to fight the mutant mermaids from Tides, all wearing Baltor's tattoo.
Mina turned to her Egyptian friend. "Marik, sue something."
"I plan to." The blonde was looking at the grotesque freaks of nature with a disgusted expression. Fascinated, but still disgusted. "It's like if someone used polymerization on goblin zombie and feral imp!" He shuddered as he turned back to the table.
"Speaking of Duel monsters, would you like to have a game sometime?" Mina asked Serena, producing her own Lost Sanctuary deck from her pocket. "Marik's been giving me private lessons!"
Serena rolled her eyes. "No way Mina chan, I don't have a proper deck yet so you always beat me anyway."
Mina whacked her over the head with the cards. "TELL NO ONE!" This made them all laugh.
"Anyway here's my gift as promised!" The princess of Venus brought out a closed fist and unfurled her fingers to reveal the small object in her palm.
"Cool," Serena took a look. "But… how is it supposed to defeat Valtor?"
"It might not be one of those magic stars but trust me! I know it's something special!" Mina grinned.
"Just where did you get it anyway?"
"Oh some magic man gave it to me in Shamansburys."
Flashback
Mina taps her fingers on her crossed arm in an impatient rhythm as she searched a shelf filled with an assortment of strange ingredients. The shaman in a blue turban in front of her turns around.
Naboo: "What's up with you?"
Mina: "Oh nothing, just the madness that my friend needs to catch a dark wizard and doesn't know how!"
The shaman puts his hand in his pocket and produces a usb memory stick with a glittering jeweled cover. "Ooh!" Mina's sky blue orbs sparkled.
Naboo: "Here, take this and use it as bait, you'll catch this dark wizard in no time."
Mina: "Alright! Thanks Naboo!"
With that Mina merrily goes on her way. Naboo turns back to his gorilla familiar.
Naboo: "Alright Bollo did you get the newt legs from aisle five?"
Bollo: (drops the items into the cart) "What was that you gave her?"
Naboo: "Oh just a freebie from Dixons."
Bollo: (shakes his head) "I got a bad feeling about this!"
End flashback
"Well it still sounds interesting," Serena smiled as she stashed it away. "Oh?" She flipped open her wrist communicator at the sight of an incoming call. "Luna!" She said in surprise at the feline face on the small round screen.
"What's up Artemis?" Mina had also opened hers.
"Serena, you've got to be very careful, the Winx are trying to find out the identity of Sailor Moon!" Luna told her urgently.
"What? Do they suspect me?"
"So far they haven't caught on about you, they don't think you could handle something this huge." Artemis said through Mina's communicator. "Nothing new there," He muttered.
"I'll crush 'em…" The blonde scowled, gripping the water star in her free hand under the table.
"Well I for one will take that as a good sign." Serena said. "Anything else I should know?"
"Not for now." Luna told her. "If they go anywhere to look for information it'll be the library and we all know how that turned out…"
"No we don't know how that turned out!" Mina and Marik instantly rounded in on Serena, who looked down with a sweatdrop. "Please don't remind me…"
Flashback
Serena is running down the library in slow motion screaming wildly while fanged books bounce up and down after her. She turns around and gives an extra loud scream as a particularly large book grabs one of her pigtails in its jaws. Quick as a flash, Luna leaps out and slashes the book with her claws, forcing it to release the girl and fall several feet backwards onto the floor.
Luna: (turns back to Serena) Let's move!
Serena nods fiercely and they continue to run. However they come to a dead end and are stuck in front of a brick wall with shelves on either side. They stare in terror at the monstrous books moving in for the kill.
Suddenly in the corner of her eye Serena spots a huge dictionary. Grabbing it with all her might she assumes a familiar battle stance.
Serena: MOON BOOK ACTIOOOON!
She hurls it at the swarm of books in extra-slow-motion. Her and Luna grab each other with happiness as the monstrous army falls lifelessly to the ground at their feet on impact of colliding with the dictionary.
Giddy with happiness Serena grabs the dictionary and raises it high above her head while light pours out from the window above them.
End flashback
"And it was from that day on I had a whole new respect for dictionaries." Serena finished recollecting, wiping her eye with her napkin.
"Keep it together." Marik patted her arm seriously.
From his end of the communicator Artemis suddenly looked over his shoulder and pricked up his ears.
"Uh oh, it sounds like they're coming back! We'll have to say bye for now!" He said urgently.
"Ok, until next time Art!" Mina obediently ended the call while Serena did the same on hers.
"I hope that won't come back to haunt me," Serena sighed.
"Don't worry," Mina smiled reassuringly. "Artemis and Luna are on the case! And hopefully the wings clubs won't be as relentless as Marik's hate of the letter L!"
"Who said L?" Marik looked up swiftly and suspiciously.
"Remind me where this came from exactly?" Serena sweatdropped.
Flashback
Marik is at his letterbox looking for new mail. Sure enough he finds a few letters addressed to 'Malik Ishtar' and one for 'Marik Ishtal'
Marik: (drops to his knees and yells at the sky) CURSE YOUUU Ls!
End flashback
"Why isn't there a Japanese version of 'R'? It's a very common letter!" He looked down in a traumatized way.
"Keep it together." Mina said sympathetically.
000
The rest of the day seemed to pass by rather quickly but Serena was enjoying herself so much, she was too busy living in the moment to notice. She even managed to forget all about her stalkers evil and benign. Throughout the whole time Mina told her stories of her various antics since meeting up with Marik on the way to America, which she had "forgotten" to include in their last Senshi chat. Serena wondered when the Venusian would tell the others that her American doctor and some of his friends had found out her Senshi ID after she got into an accident during filming. She was still incredibly intrigued about the direction "Mina's debut" movie had taken, as when she had asked just how long it had taken to film her friend's single scene, Mina had turned to Marik with an evil grin who had replied the film was "under new management."
"Ha, Raye thought I was 'just a waitress!'" Mina had tossed her head back in a superior manner. Serena had narrowed her eyes. "You're hyping this movie up like kingdom hearts 3! I'm still waiting for the level where Sora and Kairi kiss!"
Eventually they came to the outskirts of Magix, which was on the border of a vast forest. They stood on the edge of the city, staring at the sea of trees.
"This place seems to be ticking all the boxes, there's even a magical forest!" Mina exclaimed. "I wonder if there are whimsical little animals living in it?"
"There are," Serena told her. "In fact a lot of them walk around school during the day, everyone seems to be ok with it though."
"Cool! Let's go explore!" Mina dashed forward excitedly into the wilderness. Serena and Marik shrugged and decided to follow.
"I must say the ground is a lot quieter here," Marik noted as they journeyed further through the woodland. Serena gave him a strange look.
"What are you doing now?" She exclaimed as he inspected a tree.
"Looking for pages."
"Good call!" Mina agreed, deciding to check out the trees on her right for any pieces of paper.
"Will you stop that? Slenderman wouldn't be here in Magix! Right?" Her tone became panicked, as she received no answer.
"We're just checking for signs, trust me, we do not want to come across him!" Marik shook his head with an irritated sigh. "Ugh he has to be the most annoying person/ thing I have ever had the misfortune to meet!"
Suddenly Mina and Marik looked up as they heard a loud electric guitar solo.
"Argh what a pretentious theme song!" Mina winced as she covered her ears.
"Huh?" Serena looked at her, confused.
"At least mine was subtle!" Marik frowned.
"What are we talking about?" Serena looked at the both of them one-by-one.
"Didn't you hear that?" Mina blinked.
"I heard some weird sound that sorta resembled music…" Serena scratched the back of her head.
"Well that my dear friend was a theme song!" Mina announced. "Don't worry you learn to pick them up overtime, I'll show you how to spot the signs someday!"
"I think it was in that direction!" Marik pointed to their left.
"Hold up," Serena frowned as she squinted at the distance. "Does anyone have a pair of binoculars?"
"Sure do!" Mina placed them in her hands. Raising them to her eyes Serena gasped as she recognized the large pink building in the lenses. Turning to her left she could make out a long eggplant blob making its way across the green in the school's direction.
"It must be Valtor! It looks like he's gonna attack Alfea!"
"Then we just have to make sure to get there first!" Mina grinned, pulling out her henshin stick.
000
"I've put this off for too long," Baltor thought as he strode determinedly towards his destination. "It's time to fill the Agador box with so many powerful spells that no warrior, no matter how strong will have a hope of stopping me! Of course," He smirked. "If she does happen to show up, I'll still have a trick up my sleeve to weaken her! Maybe even enough to take the crystal! And then no magic spell, not even the entire collection from Alfea will compare!"
"Not so fast!"
"Huh?" He was taken aback to see not one, but two Sailor Scouts standing before him. The new one had long golden hair and a bright orange Sailor Fuku, though unlike Sailor Moon's, she had no wings.
"And this time she's not alone! I am Sailor Venus! I stand for Love and I stand for Beauty!" The second blonde struck a similar pose. "And I hear you've been harassing my dear friend here, which I say won't stand, as V is for Vendetta!"
"V-chan!" Moon gasped. Instead of her family-friendly V for Victory signal, the red-ribboned Senshi had switched it for a gesture that needed only one finger.
"He had it coming." Was the simple response.
"Ok, I know the drill," Sailor Moon sighed, brandishing her scepter. "MOON GORGEOUS MEDITATION!" She set out an attack towards the wizard.
"Sorry Sailor Moon, but today is the day your luck will run out!" Baltor produced a menacing looking orb of magic. "After tampering with what I took from Oppositus I should be able to take you down!"
"Wha- no! I can't call off my attack!" Sailor Moon panicked.
"OPPOSITUS!" Upon flinging the orb into the air, the beam of light was instantly deflected back at the Senshi, who, having no time to shield herself, was flung backwards onto the ground with a scream.
"Sailor Moon!" Venus cried, her eyes large with anxiety.
"At last, I can take the crown jewel to my collection," Baltor moved toward the group.
"You're not going anywhere near her! You sit your ass down!" Venus ordered, promptly blasting Baltor into the dirt with a crescent beam.
"Marik, you've gotta get Sailor Moon out of here!" She turned around to say.
Marik nodded quickly and led Serena away.
Venus turned back to her new foe with a glare and cracked her knuckles. "I'll deal with Vampy!"
000
On the verge of the forest Marik was busy checking Sailor Moon for any damage. "How do you feel?"
"I feel lightheaded," Was the faint reply, as she did all she could to stay conscious.
"Hmm." The Millenium Rod glowed as he checked her mind for any brain damage. "It's a good thing that attack was made of positive energy, you can just absorb it back, right?"
"Right, oh there it is," Serena said off handedly as the white streams of energy swirled around her crystal. "Whoa, headrush!" She exclaimed, shaking her head as she tried to stand on her own.
"Are you sure you'll be ok?" Marik still wasn't convinced.
"I've jumped off a giant floating circus and leapt into a piece of Chaos itself. I should be able to walk it off!" Moon determinedly straightened her posture.
FLASH!
A burst of magenta lightning burst from the sky towards them. Fortunately Marik was able to yank Moon out of the line of fire just in time.
"Looks like you're not so tough anymore Sailor Moon!" Stormy materialized in front of them with a sadistic grin, a small tornado dancing above her palm. Marik shuddered at her unhinged expression.
Sailor Moon stood there, staring at her enemy with wide eyes from under her mask. Stormy charged up her attack.
"TWISTER FUR…"
"Oh no you don't! I summon Revival jam!" In an instant Marik held up one of his cards and a monster made out of blue slime materialized in front of them, and exploded into a sticky mess as it took the blow. Sailor Moon heaved a sigh of relief as it quickly reformed itself back to its original shape.
"LIGHTNING BOLT!" Stormy produced another attack as quick as a flash and flung it at Sailor Moon, who negated it with a silver blast of her own magic. Hoping that she finally had a clear shot Moon brandished her scepter.
"MOON GORGEOUS MEDI-"
"TORNADO FORCE!"
Unfortunately Stormy was too quick for her and sent a tempest her way at lightning speed. Moon cried out as she collided with the ground.
"Right that's it!" Marik scowled as he produced the Millenium Rod. In the same motion he held it out in front Stormy before she could attack Sailor Moon again and focused its power. Slowly but surely the eye of Wadjet flickered onto Stormy's forehead, however it was extremely weak, and was on the verge of disappearing. Marik's eyes widened in shock.
"What's wrong?" Sailor Moon had noticed this.
"Something's trying to block her mind from me!" Marik told her. "It's as if there's another dark force already trying to possess her!"
"That must be the piece of Chaos," Moon whispered.
"GET OUT OF MY BRAIN!" Stormy yelled furiously, finally shaking off the Egyptian mind control. "ELECTRIC SPARKS!"
Fortunately Moon was able to conjure up a force field in the knick of time, shielding the two of them from the attack.
"This is exactly what I was talking about!" Moon complained. "I don't particularly want a fight, but I'm too busy dodging to use my healing powers!"
Marik looked from her to their opponent. "Hold on, I've got an idea." He sent a telepathic message so that their opponent couldn't hear it. "But you're going to have to lose the shield."
"Huh?" Moon exclaimed.
"Once you drop the shield I'll hold her off attacking you with the Millenium Rod, I won't be able to have control for very long but it should give you enough time to get your crystal ready!"
Moon nodded as hard as she could while still maintaining the shield to show she understood.
"Alright, let's do this!"
"We'll do it on the count of three! One…two…THREE!"
As soon as Moon disintegrated the shield Marik immediately activated the Millenium Rod, freezing Stormy where she stood and ceasing the lightning bolts.
"Argh! What is this?!" She furiously struggled against the shadowy magic binding her in her place.
"Sailor Moon do it now!" Marik shouted.
"Yes." Sailor Moon closed her eyes and focused on radiating her positive energy in Stormy's direction.
"I won't fight you Stormy," She began. "I don't believe someone would use this much force unless there was something they wanted. What is it you're after?"
"Your blood Sailor Moon," Stormy snarled. "You killed Darcy and now I'll make you pay!"
At this Marik couldn't help but stiffen slightly. This story was starting to get a little too familiar for him.
"What?" Sailor Moon gasped. "No! I didn't kill her! I can take you to see her if you want!" She tried to strengthen her aura to show she told the truth.
"That's a lie," The witch's head was bent low so her bangs shielded her face.
"Sailor Moon," Marik looked at Moon warningly as the shadow bindings were starting to tremble. "I don't think I can hold…"
"THAT'S A LIE!" Stormy screeched as she broke free.
"Whoa," Both Moon and Marik gasped at the dark cloud of shadows that swirled out behind her as her eyes became two red pupil-less pools.
"So this is the sap that beat Lysslis?!" The shadow remarked. "Well it just goes to show that the older siblings aren't always the strongest! I, Tharma of the Ancestresses will destroy you and your friend, Sailor girl!"
"Oh shit." They said in unison.
000
"Huh?" Mina looked over her shoulder in alarm at the large force field of darkness that had materialized behind her.
"That's in the direction that Serena and Marik went!" She realized. She began to run towards it but a rope of thick black magic coiled around her arm and yanked her backwards, forcing her to stop.
"What fresh hell-" She gasped at the dark energy surrounding Baltor as he gripped the rope that ensnared her. She didn't need to sense auras to see that this new negative power was somehow giving him a boost.
Without warning he fired another stream of dark magic in her direction, which she only just managed to miss. Her eyes widened as she saw a couple of long blonde hairs fall from the side of her head. The numb feeling in her arm told her that Baltor was trying to drain her energy.
"Sorry guys, but it looks like it's up to you to vanquish the evil in there," She thought, taking up a battle stance. "But don't worry," She scowled at her opponent. "I'll take on the evil out here!"
000
"This is just like what happened last time!" Sailor Moon managed to say, staring at the dark energy barrier that surrounded them.
"Seems just like a shadow game," Marik half-heartedly attempted to smile.
"Yeah," Sailor Moon gave a nervous giggle, before suddenly getting an idea. "Hey, you have shadow magic! Do you think you could get some pull on this stuff?"
"I'll see what I can do," He closed his eyes as he focused his mind. Sure enough, a few of the shadows nearest to him swayed from side to side in a calming manner.
"YOU ARE SO DEAD SAILOR MOON!" Stormy/Tharma roared as she fired a huge blast of lighting in their direction.
"Revival jam!" Marik hastily summoned the slimy creature again to absorb the blow. As he could still feel the impact of the attack due to his connection with the creature, he bent over in pain.
"We can't keep relying on that!" Moon cried anxiously as she quickly healed him with the Silver Crystal. "It'll keep weakening you every time!"
"I've had worse! And it's not like we have a lot of options now, is it?" He gestured to the powered-up Stormy, who was getting ready to fire her next blow.
"DARKSTORM ATTACK!"
Moon determinedly summoned a white force field but the attack was too strong and sent them crashing to the ground.
"I'm sorry I got you dragged into this mess!" Moon wailed as she tried to conjure another barrier.
"What are friends for, eh?" He said as Revival jam shielded them once more.
000
"SAILOR V KICK!" Sailor Venus ran up kicked Baltor right in the face, making him lose concentration and disintegrate the rope binding her arm. He fell backwards into a tree as she gracefully leapt back so that she was a good distance away.
"Aargh!" He looked up angrily and she was pleased to see that half of his unhealthily pale face was darkened with the mark of her shoe.
"No one hits me while my back is turned and nobody but nobody stops me from helping my friends! Let's see how you like it - VENUS LOVE CHAIN ENCIRCLE!" Sailor Venus wasted no time in unleashing one of her favourite tricks, a strong rope made of tiny golden hearts that promptly wrapped itself around the dark wizard, tying him to the tree.
He tried to break out using various incantations from goodness knows how many realms but the chain would not budge.
"Finally I can use this thing!" Smirking victoriously, Sailor Venus held her new golden gift up high.
"TASTE THE WATER STAR YOU SON OF A BIRCH!"
000
"Wait, what's that?" From inside the barrier Sailor Moon and Marik looked up. They saw a golden light shining somewhere outside the barrier. Moon closed her eyes, she could sense that it was Venus enhancing her power. She also felt a surge of energy pulsing around her wrists. She held out her arms to see that the silver Galactic bracelets were glowing!
Silently she moved her hands to her chest and held them on either side of her brooch.
Feeling a similar sensation Marik realized that the eye of Wadjet was also glowing atop the Millenium Rod. He turned to the Moon Princess.
"Sailor Moon, your bracelets seem to be boosting all our powers!"
"Huh?" Sailor Moon looked down at the accessories. It certainly felt that way.
"What's this?!" The possessed witch gave a confused scowl at the sight of the enemy magic strengthening.
"Marik," Sailor Moon thought, knowing he could hear. "I think that together if we converge our mind wave power, we can negate the anger energy!"
"Seriously, how can you not be a duelist?"
Both of them held their weapons out in front. Sure enough waves of gold and silver energy began to radiate from the two of them and surrounded the space within the barrier.
"Stormy please, you don't have to follow the path of destruction,"
"Listen to Sailor Moon, she knows what she's talking about!" Marik added.
For a moment Stormy's eyes reverted back to their natural green, before quickly changing back to red as she shook her head.
"There's- there's no way-"
"Yes there is." Moon said firmly. "As long as you're still alive there is always hope. I said the same thing to Darcy when I met with her."
"But- but Darcy's dead!"
"No she isn't, she chose to escape the cruel destiny that tried to trap her and you can do the same!"
"She's… still alive?" Slowly but surely her eyes regained their original emerald colouring as a few tears began to form. "I don't wanna hear this!" Her hands gripped the sides of her head to cover her ears.
"What are you doing? Fight them you fool!" Tharma screeched at her inside her mind.
"I- I don't know who to listen to-"
"DESTROY THEM NOW!"
"I feel so-"
Sensing this inner turmoil, Marik suddenly saw an opportunity to strike.
"Dark Spirit! Separate from her!" The mind waves from the Millenium Rod became stronger as he directed it above her at Tharma. The spirit shrieked in agony as it was forced apart from its descendant.
"SILVER MOON CRYSTAL POWER!" Sailor Moon released one of her strongest attacks in the direction of the destructive entity.
"Aaaagh!" As soon as the Ancestress was vaporized and the barrier disintegrated, Moon immediately strode over to Stormy, who was now sitting on a nearby rock with her head bent.
"Stormy," She began quietly.
"Don't come near me."
"Storm-"
"I SAID DON'T COME NEAR ME!" The witch yelled jerking her head up sharply, her face trailed with angry tears.
Aside from taking a small step back however, Moon did not move or speak; only looking at her calmly, as if saving her opinion for after the frizzy haired girl had vented her emotions. However, to her surprise, Stormy didn't say another word, she merely stood up, staggering slightly as she did so, and raised one hand into the air, creating a portal with one blast.
"No!" Sailor Moon held out her arm to try and stop her but it was too late, Stormy had already jumped into the portal and it dissolved in an instant.
"No," Sailor Moon looked at the ground as she fell to her knees. "I can't believe I failed again!"
Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and she looked up to see Marik standing behind her.
"It's not over yet," He helped her up. "She'll definitely be back sooner or later!"
"I know," Serena detransformed. "And I know that she won't rest until I'm fried toast but," She gave a shaky laugh. "I don't want to kill if I don't have to! Even though she wants to take me down, I know she's not just doing all this for no reason, she blames me for…" She was cut off as Marik grabbed her by the shoulders.
"It's your kind of thinking that helps people choose the light rather than the dark, so don't you ever stop trying, ok?"
Serena gave a small nod as she took in the words.
"She's just confused and needs time to take it in. She's been told you were responsible for something you didn't do but you and I know that's not the case. You just have to show her the truth…"
Marik turned away. He knew all too well the feeling of seeking revenge when it turned out the full story hadn't been told.
"Thank you," Serena took his hand. She understood what he had meant.
The bright explosion of gold magic behind them made them turn around.
"We should help her out." Marik said.
"Be my guest, I'm too wacked out!" Serena gave a wink. "I know you guys'll be ok!"
000
"Hey Venus! You can't fight him anymore!" They looked up to see an unknown man hidden in a shadowy purple cloak.
"Why ever not?!" Venus asked indignantly.
"Because I want to have a go! FELGRAND DRAGON ATTACK!" Marik summoned a huge golden dragon from his card that promptly set the tree on fire. When the smoke parted they saw the wizard lying in a deep crater of mud.
"Ok now can I finish him off?" Venus was still itching to end it once and for all so her BFF wouldn't be stuck in this world of sparkly pink schools. But before she could do anything Baltor activated a disapparat spell.
"You… haven't… seen… the last … of me!" He growled with great difficulty, holding onto his broken ribs as he teleported away.
"Coward! Get back and fight like a man!" Sailor Venus scowled at the spot where he had been seconds ago.
Marik turned to his golden Duel Monster that was still standing beside him and petted its pointy snout.
"Ok funs over, back to my hand!"
The dragon bowed its head before disappearing back into his card.
"Nice move!" Mina cheered after detransforming. There was a silence for a moment as they stared at each other, waiting for the other to say something.
However, before any words could be spoken she ran up and gave him a tight hug.
"What was that for?" He couldn't help asking but returned it nonetheless.
"Nothing," A few tears formed in her eyes but she shook them away with a smile.
"Ok lovebirds, I've given you enough time!" They broke apart to see Serena chuckling.
"Oh, you took on that chaos huh? Good going girl, I knew you could do it!" Mina smiled encouragingly.
"…Not quite. But I'll finish the business when the time comes!" Serena nodded. She looked at them sadly. "But I guess I gotta get back to, ugh, school…"
"Hold it!" Mina leapt in front of her with her arms spread wide. "The day's not over yet! We still have full custody of you!"
"And I know just how to get out of here!" Producing his deck Marik re-summoned Felgrand dragon and hopped onto its back. Mina followed instantly and, after a tentative stare, Serena had allowed them to help her on.
"So where to next guys?" Serena asked as the dragon rode off into the sunset.
"To infinity and Beyon…" Mina began but Serena cut her off.
"You had to go there didn't you?" She deadpanned.
"Actually it works this time!" Marik admitted.
It turned out that Mina was talking about a funky new club called "Infinity" that had just opened somewhere in America that Serena didn't have time to find out. It was an awesome place with midnight blue ceiling and sparkly silver furniture. Everyone there was dressed up but thanks to their disguise pen and scrunchie, Serena and Mina were able to fit right in (Marik argued that his outfit was already awesome, but he put on some of the temporary hair streaks he got from Magix).
It was now 3AM and the blonde Senshi duo had finally arrived at Alfea and were standing outside the magical green barrier. Marik had decided to stay behind at wherever he and Mina had been staying to look after the various items they had purchased from Magix that day while Mina retrieved Artemis.
"Ugh, my head," Serena moaned, wobbling slightly where she stood. "I'll have a killer hangover in the daytime!"
"But how? You said you didn't want anything alcoholic," Mina turned to her with a frown.
"I've had my fair share of hangovers and this feels like the same thing!" Serena retorted weakly. She fumbled in her jacket pocket for her henshin brooch. "Now I just gotta blast a hole in this- BLLEAAARRGH!"
Mina jumped back as she bent over and threw up over the grass in front of her. She bent down to hold Serena's hair back.
"It's ok Moonie, V chan will blast the green force field open for you!" She said soothingly, rubbing her back. She got up and pointed her finger.
"Spirit gun!" She whisper-shouted as a stream of thin gold energy shot from her finger and penetrated the barrier, leaving a Senshi-sized hole in its wake.
"Really?" Serena whispered after she finished wiping her face with a tissue she had conjured.
"I had to!" Mina whispered with a shrug. She stepped through the hole and helped Serena through after her.
FLASH! They had to cover their eyes as green neon lights suddenly lit up around the barrier. The shadowy figure of Griselda strode threateningly into the spotlight.
"What were you doing out so late girls?"
Serena stood, frozen to the spot. Mina clenched her fists holding in the million things that she wanted to say. Then she couldn't take it anymore.
"Double frick on a stick!"
She knew when she'd been busted.