Sailor Soldiers
By: Xhibit B
Chapter One – Awakening
.i do not own sailor moon.
Her hand flew to her chest as she sat up in bed, the blonde panting lightly to regain her breath. She'd been having that same dream, or rather, nightmare for the past three weeks. The one where she would watch the destruction of an entire kingdom. So many lives lost, the beautiful silver haired woman that was always present, distraught. It was almost too much to bare, and the effects of it were beginning to take its toll on her. The bags that had formed under her eyes were a tell-tale sign that she hadn't been getting the sleep that she needed.
Her family and friends were beginning to notice, to ask questions that she would dismiss with a cheery smile before running out the door, claiming that she would be late because she'd slept longer than she'd intended. Even her teacher had commented on her exhausted state a few times over the last few weeks since the dreams had started. She'd merely waved it off, telling Haruna-sensei that it was nothing to worry about; that she was actually getting enough sleep, she just wasn't a morning person. Haruna-sensei had dismissed it, but she still held her suspicions. She wasn't one to pry that deeply into her students' home lives, but vowed that if Usagi got worse, she would look further into the matter.
Fingers brushed stray strands of brilliant golden blonde hair from her face as she contemplated. Usagi had to get to the bottom of this, and fast. She already wasn't the best at school as it was, it was only by the grace of Motoki and her working her ass off that she'd made it this far. The insomnia and frustration of not knowing what her connection was to that woman would only cause harm to her grades she worked so hard to maintain, and she couldn't afford that. Not when she was so close to being finished with high school for good.
Yes, she wanted to get to the bottom of these memory-like dreams. She wanted to know who that silver haired woman was that she always saw, and what connection she had to her. But, how was she going to figure that out when she couldn't exactly go to anyone for advice? Her parents and friends wouldn't know what to do. Not even her teacher would have a clue as to what she was talking about if she'd brought the situation to her. So, what was she to honestly do?
"I'll worry about it later though," she chided herself. For now, she had to concentrate on getting back to sleep and not dwell on that dream. She had a big test in the morning. "I'm going to need all the rest I can get if I want to do okay on that test in the morning."
Lying back down, she snuggled under the warm comfort of her heavy winter duvet, pulling the blankets to her chin. The winter recess was fast approaching. She just had to make it through these next five and a half weeks. Then, she'd be able to catch up on all the sleep she'd missed out on because of the dreams. And, hopefully, figure out what those dreams were about.
.sailorsoldiers.
The blue haired figure lightly knocked at the pink painted bedroom door, right on the medium sized bunny painted in white in the centre of the wood. She didn't hear any movement on the other side, unsure if her daughter was already awake or not.
"Usagi," the woman called as she tapped her knuckle against the door again. "Usagi, are you awake dear? It's already 7:30 and breakfast is ready. You had better hurry, or you'll be late."
When she didn't hear anything in response, she frowned, opening the door. When she did, she was met with the sight of an empty room. Her daughter was nowhere to be found. The bed was made, her school bag and uniform missing. Ikuko pressed her fists to her hips. Where could that girl have gotten to without her noticing? She couldn't have left the house already, she'd have heard the door. The mother of two had been down stairs for the last hour and a half, she would have noticed if either of her children had left already.
"Usagi," Ikuko called as she left the room, pulling the door closed behind her. "Where are you Usagi?"
She heard the water running in the bathroom, the soft glow of the florescent light emitting from the crack in the door. She swept towards it, tapping on the wood with her fingernail before pushing it ajar slightly. She peeked in to see her daughter working her long, blonde hair into her signature pigtails. A smile pulled at the edges of her lips, "You're up early. Good morning, Usagi, breakfast is ready."
Usagi jumped and turned, startled cerulean eyes blinking before she returned the smile. She hadn't even heard her mother come upstairs to begin with. "Morning, Mom, I'll be down in a little bit. I just have to get the rest of my hair up."
"Alright dear, I'll leave your plate on the table for you," Ikuko said before she turned to make her way back downstairs to the kitchen. At least she wouldn't have to fight her daughter to get up and make it out the door in time. For the past few weeks, Usagi had been up and ready to go before she even thought to go and check on the teenager. But she didn't miss the way her eyes didn't shine as brightly as they once had, or the exhausted state she always seemed to be in. She sighed, if there was something really bothering Usagi, she'd come to her eventually. "I'll have your lunch ready for you when you come down!"
"Okay Mom," she heard Usagi call from the bathroom as she reached the bottom of the stairs.
She swept back into the kitchen, fixing her daughter a plate of food before starting on her lunch. Ikuko couldn't help the nagging feeling in the back of her mind that there was something wrong. It made her stomach coil into uncomfortable knots. Because somewhere, in the back of her mind, she knew that things were about to change… and her daughter was at the spear end of it.
.sailorsoldiers.
Usagi worked the other side of her ankle length hair into her signature odango styled pigtail, picking up her school bag before flipping off the bathroom light. Quickly, she made her way downstairs, drawn by the inviting smell of the breakfast her mother had cooked for the family. She smiled when she stepped into the kitchen, taking in the sight of her family. Her mother had her back to her, expert fingers preparing the rest of the lunch she'd pack away for herself, her father and her little brother for the day.
Her father, Kenji, sat at the head of the table, his cup of coffee in one hand, the morning paper in the other. She giggled silently at the way his glasses sat on his nose as he read, inching further and further towards the edge. She'd seen this sight so many times over the last seventeen years, the image permanently ingrained in her memory for years to come.
Her brother, Shingo, sat to the left of her father; busy playing some hand-held game when he should be eating. It was only a matter of time before their mother turned, politely plucked the device from his hand and told him to eat. It'd become something of a morning routine, something that she was used to after all these years. She didn't see it changing any time soon.
A happy smile crossed her lips as she inched further into the kitchen, taking a seat at the table where her plate had been placed, "Good morning everyone."
"Good morning, pumpkin," Kenji said, glancing up at her over the top of his paper. "How did you sleep?"
Usagi bit her lip lightly as she picked up her chopsticks, bringing a piece of her tamagoyaki to her mouth. She chewed and swallowed before answering, "I slept well." The lie, albeit not convincing to her, rolled off her tongue with ease. She didn't want anyone to worry. "I slept through the night, it was a little cold though because I managed to kick my blankets off somehow."
Kenji didn't look convinced but, had thankfully dropped the issue. "That's good to hear. Are you ready for your big test today?"
Usagi nodded, she had been spending quite a bit of time with Motoki at the Crown arcade. He was previously a classmate, two or so years older than Usagi, and had offered to help her study while she drank her favourite chocolate milkshake after school when he had a spare minute between customers. Her father had met Motoki several times, he liked him. But he'd forbidden her from dating the sandy haired boy, much to Usagi's chagrin. Her mother had told them not to mind the monarch of the Tsukino family, he was just being overprotective.
Breakfast continued with conversation, Ikuko placing bento boxes wrapped in adorable cloth beside them. Usagi excused herself from the table, taking her dishes to the sink to be washed before dashing off to school. She could barely hear her mother and father call after her as she left.
Cerulean blue eyes glanced around at the store fronts that were placed along her path to school when she heard a sudden hiss and little kids giggling like mad. Turning sharply, she looked into the ally that was at her side to see a group of children holding down a pepper coloured cat. A cat that looked oddly familiar for some odd reason.
"Hold its mouth open, I want to feel its tongue," one boy shouted.
"I bet it feels funny," another said.
"Hey, you rotten brats, leave that cat alone!" Usagi shouted making her way over to the cat and snatching it out of their hands. "Beat it you little minions, didn't your mothers ever teach you not to harm poor, helpless little animals?"
"Whatever lady," one of the children shouted before taking off in the opposite direction she was standing in, the rest following close behind.
"Rotten kids," Usagi said looking down at the cat she cradled in her arms, "Are you alright sweetheart? Did those evil little kids hurt you, Kitty?"
The cat, however, freaked out, slightly scratching Usagi's arm making her drop it.
"Ow, damn that hurt," she muttered wiping away the little speck of blood that brewed on her exposed wrist.
The cat stared at her, almost as if it were thinking of something before it stepped forward.
"You're okay, right?" Usagi asked tilting her head to the side. "Here, how about I take this bandage off of you so that you're more comfortable. I know that thing must be very irritating."
She pulled it off, revealing a golden crescent moon on the cat's forehead.
"Huh, is that a crescent moon," Usagi asked before the cat swiped at her. "Ah, okay, I'll leave you alone. I need to get to school anyways." She stood and began making her way out of the ally way, glancing over her shoulder at the cat before she smiled, "Be careful Kitty, and find some place to stay dry. It's supposed to rain a little later on today."
She walked away, out of the sight of the cat.
"That girl," the pepper cat whispered, imagining the smile on her face before she left. She vaguely looked like someone she'd known so long ago. "Could she be the one I'm searching for?"
.sailorsoldiers.
Usagi sighed in relief as she was released from school that day. That test had been grueling. Thankfully, when Haruna-sensei handed the graded paper back, she'd managed to pass. She would have to stop by the arcade and show Motoki how well she'd done. He would be very proud of her, especially since he was the one that had helped her study every day after school. After she was done there, she'd meet Naru at her mother's jewelry store.
Naru had told her that her mother was having a sale on everything in the store that day and Usagi had felt, since she'd done such a great job on her test, with Motoki's help of course, she deserved something nice. She'd saved up a bit from her allowance, she could probably get a jeweled barrette or two for her hair depending on how much of a sale Mrs. Osaka was having.
She was walking, humming a happy tune, looking forward to showing Motoki how well she'd done. She was certain that he'd be so proud of her accomplishment. Usagi had been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she hadn't seen the young man that was standing there until she ran face first into his broad chest. She stumbled, losing her balance and her school bag; papers scattered everywhere.
"Hey, watch where you're going, Odango Atama," a masculine, male voice said as a tanned hand stretched out towards her to help her up. "You'll break something with that head of yours."
She looked up and glared at the young man that stood there, sunglasses covering his eyes. She swatted his hand away before picking herself up off the ground and dusting her clothes off before squatting down again to pick up her scattered papers. "Maybe you should watch where you're going yourself, Mamoru."
"Uh huh," he said as she walked away after gathering her things, headed straight for the Crown Arcade.
She stopped momentarily, looking back over her shoulder, "That Mamoru, he's such a jerk, but he sure is cute." With a sigh she continued on her way.
In the meantime, Mamoru pulled down his sunglasses, watching her as she walked away, "There's something about that girl…"
With a shrug of the shoulders, he placed his sunglasses back on his face before turning and walking away, hands tucked in his pockets. He had other, more important things to worry about, he couldn't be concerned with her right now.
Meanwhile, Usagi finally reached the arcade, walking through the automatic door to find Motoki serving someone before he turned to look at her. There was a large smile that crossed his face when he saw her, waving the bubbly blonde over as he set to work making her favourite milkshake. "Good afternoon, Usagi. How did you test go today?"
"I passed!" Usagi said, proudly displaying the sheet of paper to the blonde haired male. "With your help of course. If it hadn't been for you helping me out with studying, I don't think I would have done nearly as well as I did on this test. You're a great teacher Motoki."
"It was my pleasure to help you out, Usagi," Motoki said placing the milkshake in front of her. "It's on me, for a job well done. Enjoy!"
"Really," Usagi quipped cheerfully. Motoki nodded. "Thanks Motoki!"
She captured the straw in her mouth, guzzling the shake down. She stayed only a while longer, promising to stop by again the next day to visit before leaving. She still had to make a stop at the jewelry store and meet up with Naru for a little bit. Maybe buy a few new jewelry pieces.
As she walked out the door and rounded the corner, she spotted a poster for the new Sailor V game. Her fingertips pressed lightly to the glass, cerulean eyes glancing longingly at the print out of the game poster. She wanted it so bad, but right now she really had to focus on school. She'd probably get it eventually. Perhaps her parents would be nice enough to get it for her for Christmas. She didn't know. But she had to hurry and make her way to the jewelry store. When she arrived, she was surprised at the circus that the store had turned into. She'd been so lost in thought of what was going on that she hadn't noticed Naru had snuck up to stand beside her.
"Crazy, right," Naru asked.
"Yeah, what's going on here, Naru," Usagi asked turning to look at the brunette. "I've never seen your Mum's store this busy before."
"Me either," Naru answered. "But she's having a 90% off sale on literally everything in the store. People have been going crazy all day about it. It's been like this since I got here after school. Probably since this morning, actually. I'm not sure."
"Wow," Usagi murmured before both girls were pushed down, practically trampled by new people coming in for the sale.
The blonde curled into a ball, trying her best not to be stepped on. She spotted Naru about a foot away, also curled into herself. The blonde shimmied, moving through the crowd to get to her friend. She reached her a few seconds later, helped her to her feet and began pushing her way through the crowd to the main door. When they were finally safe, outside the shop, Usagi turned to her friend. "What the heck's going on with your Mom, Naru? I've never seen her act like this before. What the heck did she put in her coffee this morning that has her so chipper?"
"I don't know," Naru admitted, "But I'm worried."
"Hmm," Usagi said clutching tightly to the strap of her school bag, "This place is totally crazy right now Naru, let's get out of here? I doubt we'll be able to fight our way through that crowd anyways." She sighed brushing a piece of blonde hair out of her face as she turned towards to leave.
Naru gasped, placing her hand over her mouth, "Are you leaving?"
"Yeah, I'm going to head home and take a nap before dinner," Usagi said, shouldering her bag.
"Okay, see you tomorrow Usagi," Naru called after her friend earning a wave and a smile in return.
Usagi sighed, her finger to her chin as she walked home. There was something really strange about the way Mrs. Osaka was acting today. Never had she ever had a sale like that, she could practically put herself out of business that way. She'd been so wrapped up in her thoughts that she, once again, ran face first into someone's chest. She stumbled, thankfully able to catch herself before she fell before cerulean eyes glared up at the last person she'd expected to run into.
"That's twice in one day, Odango Atama," Mamoru chuckled. "Do you ever watch where you're going?"
"Oh great, not you again," Usagi said rolling her eyes. "Look, I've had a rough day and I'd rather not have to deal with you and your shenanigans today, Mamoru." She turned, moving to leave on her way home. She was not in the mood to deal with him today. Especially since she was concerned about what was going on at Mrs. Osaka's jewelry store. And was almost one hundred percent positive that those dreams she'd been having had something to do with it. "I've got to get home, excuse me."
Mamoru moved to the side, allowing her to pass him by. His hand lifted, pulling his sunglasses away from his face. He watched her, his brow furrowed, there really was something about her that seemed oddly familiar to him. Like he'd known her before, in a past life. But he couldn't even remember his past before the orphanage, so how would he remember someone from a previous life?
Shrugging, the raven-haired male moved to leave where he was standing. She was no longer in sight and there wasn't a purpose in him staying there.
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Usagi arrived home ten minutes later, her shoes discarded at the genkan, her pink bunny slippers replacing them a moment later before she walked deeper into the family home. She could hear her mother in the kitchen, humming as she prepared dinner for the evening. Usagi smiled, how many times had she come home to that very sight?
Quietly, she made her way to where her mother was, leaning on the door frame as she watched Ikuko move expertly through the kitchen. She turned when she heard Usagi clear her throat.
Ikuko smiled, "Welcome home, Usagi. How was your day at school?"
"It was fine," Usagi said as she placed the bento box on the table to be cleaned later, "Had another Calculus test today in Ms. Haruna's class."
"How do you think you did," her mother asked.
"I did well," Usagi said taking a seat before she pulled the paper from her bag and showed it to her mother. "I studied pretty hard for it."
"Great job, those study sessions with Motoki really did help, didn't they," Ikuko asked as she turned back to her cooking.
"Yeah," Usagi answered before getting up and heading upstairs.
"Where are you going dear?" her mother asked.
"To take a nap, my head hurts a little," Usagi called. "That test today was harder than I expected it to be. Call me when dinner's ready?"
"Yes of course," her mother said as she made her way up the stairs.
Walking into her bedroom, she closed the door behind her, dropping her bag on the floor. Pulling off her socks, she made her way over to the closet and slung open the door. Picking through her clothes, she found a pair of white jeans and a pink tank top. Stripping out of her uniform, she pulled on her clothes before picking up her bag and plopping on the bed. Laying her head on her pillow, she closed her eyes and fell into a light slumber.
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"I feel so weak," a woman said as she held her head, "What's going on?"
"Oh, mercy me," another said, "I think I'm going to…" Before she could even finish her sentence, she fell forward on her face.
"Momma," Naru called to her mother, her hand touching her chest, "What's wrong with your customers Momma? They're all acting very strange."
Her mother laughed, her shoulders shaking in amusement. "I'm not your mother Naru." Her head turned to look at the brown-haired girl still laughing.
Naru's hands came to rest over her mouth, a gasp escaping.
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Usagi winced, rolling over on her side. Flashes of people dying, one that looked like herself and Mamoru she noticed the most, and that unknown, but familiar silver haired woman crying. She looked just like Usagi. She had the same cerulean blue eyes as hers, her facial structure the same as well. The only difference was their hair. While Usagi's was a brilliant golden blonde, this woman's was a startling silver.
"No," she murmured. "No."
More flashes flew through her mind's eye, causing her to begin to hyperventilate. "No, please no."
The window to her bedroom flew opened and in stepped the pepper coloured cat from earlier. She stepped forward carefully so not to awaken the sleeping teen, watching her as she tossed and turned, her long, blonde hair flailing out behind her, "NO!"
The window suddenly slammed shut causing the blonde to jump up and look around.
"The hell was that," she mumbled under her breath trying to locate the source until her eyes landed on the pepper coloured cat with the crescent moon on her forehead she saved earlier. She gasped, holding a hand over her mouth, "You scared me, what are you doing here?"
"Why Usagi I came to see you of course, who else?" the cat asked making Usagi jump back and land on the floor.
"Usagi dear, what's going on up there?" her mother called from downstairs.
"Nothing Mom," Usagi called back. "I just fell off the bed." Her attention then turned to the cat again, "You just talked. What the hell is going on? Am I still asleep?"
The cat raised her paw, shaking her head.
"My name is Luna and I have been searching for you for a very long time," the cat explained as Usagi gasped. "You are the chosen one and I have been sent here to guide you on the path to your ultimate destiny. I wasn't sure if you were the one the first time we met, but I've been watching you and now I absolutely know that you are the Sailor Scout of the Moon." She giggled lightly as she stepped closer to Usagi so that they were nose to nose.
"Oh Kami, I must be hallucinating," Usagi said; her mouth agape as she stared at the pepper cat.
"No, you're not Usagi, you are Sailor Moon, and your friend Naru is in great danger," Luna said nudging the girl's arm. "You have got to help her!"
Usagi still sat looking at the cat like she was crazy.
"You don't believe me? Then I'll prove it to you," Luna said before she flipped in the air producing a locket that landed on the bed.
Usagi gasped, looking at the golden locket, "What is that?"
"It's a special locket, just for you my dear Usagi," Luna said smiling. "You must use it to become Sailor Moon it's the only way."
"Wow, okay, so if I put this on, I become this Sailor Moon person you're talking about?" Usagi asked looking at the cat who shook her head.
"It's not that simple," Luna explained. "You must say the activation phrase."
"Activation phrase?" Usagi repeated, "What is it?"
"Moon Prism Power, Makeup," Luna said, "Once you say this phrase you will become the champion of love and justice, sworn to fight the Negaverse and protect the Moon Princess."
"Moon Princess? Okay this is getting way too crazy for me, mind telling me everything from the beginning?" Usagi asked raising a brow.
"I will later but for right now you need to get to your friend," Luna said. "Something is going on at the jewelry store and you must help her, or she will be killed. Now say it, Moon Prism Power, Makeup and go!"
"Right," Usagi said standing up from the bed. Her hand shot into the air and she took a deep breath, "Moon prism power!"
In an instant she began to transform; the jeans and tank top she had been wearing before turning into a sailor uniform with knee high red heeled boots covering her feet; a crescent moon on the top of each one. Staring at herself in the mirror, Usagi took in the shock of her new look.
"This is Sailor Moon?" she asked.
"Enough with the questions already," Luna snapped making the teenager jump, "Jump out of that window and go help your friend. I will follow after you."
"Right," Usagi said making her way over to the window and throwing it opened. She jumped, landing on the ground with Luna following after her and took off for the jewelry shop.
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"Somebody please, help me," Naru cried out as she tried to pry the woman's hand from around her neck.
"There's no one to help you now little girl," the woman snickered, her grip on Naru's neck tightening.
"Help me," Naru cried out again as the woman laughed and began to change her appearance.
"Soon you and your kind will cease to exist once Queen Beryl unleashes the powers of the Negaverse over this planet and there is nothing you can do to stop it," the monster said laughing still.
"Let her go."
The monster stopped, turning her head to look behind her, "What's that?"
What she saw was a girl with an odango hairstyle standing in the doorway covered by the shadows.
"I said let her go," she shouted again.
"And who are you," she asked.
Shocked by her sudden question the girl blinked a couple times before recomposing herself, "I am Sailor Moon, the champion of love and justice, and I say that on behalf of the moon I shall write wrongs and punish all that are evil, and that means you."
"Sailor Moon," the thing said dropping poor Naru as she turned to look at the blonde, "Never heard of you and I'm pretty sure I never will again!" She raised her arms above her head. "Arise my children and serve the great power that is the Negaverse!"
Every woman that was within the shop rose, their eyes trained on Sailor Moon as growls emitted from their throats.
Usagi shook slightly before falling into a fighting stance. Looking over her shoulder, she glanced at the cat that stood behind her, "What do I do now Luna?"
Before she could answer, the women charged her causing Usagi to jump out of the way of the oncoming attack. She dodged a few times before she was hit and fell against the hard-tiled floor. "LUNA!"
"Sailor Moon, you must fight them to the best of your abilities." Luna said peeking around the pillar.
"But I don't know what it is that I should do," Usagi whispered, grabbing hold of the pillar as she looked up at the evil monster.
"You don't know what to do? That's good, now I can get rid of you for good," she said as her hand stretched out to grab Usagi.
She screamed, shielding herself with her arms until a red rose came out of nowhere, stopping the oncoming assault. Looking up, she gazed at a man standing in the higher windows, dressed in a black tuxedo and cap with a mask covering his eyes and a high-top hat on his head.
"Who are you," the monster asked looking up at him.
"I am Tuxedo Mask," he said; a hand resting on his hip. He then turned to Usagi and looked her straight in the eye, "Sailor Moon, dig down deep inside and find the warrior within you. You can do it; you must if you wish to beat this evil. It is your destiny."
"The warrior within me?" she said as she slowly pulled herself up on the pillar. "But how will I find it."
"Dig deep down into your heart, you will find it there," was his only comment.
Usagi nodded before she felt something bump against her leg. Startled, she looked down to see Luna standing there again.
"Sailor Moon, quickly throw your tiara at that thing and say, 'Moon Tiara Boomerang'," Luna informed her. "It will destroy it."
She nodded, placing her forefinger and thumb on the tiara before getting ready to throw it, "Moon Tiara Boomerang!" She threw it straight at the monster, hitting her mark dead on before the monster was destroyed, and the tiara came back to her.
She placed it back on her head, gazing at everything.
"I did that?"
"You have done well Sailor Moon, and now Naru's mother and all the other women are free," Tuxedo Mask praised. "But now others will test you so do not be afraid. I will fight with you." He then turned and disappeared.
Usagi felt her nose colour at his words. They were so genuine, so sincere.
"Let's go back home, Sailor Moon," Luna said gaining the young warrior's attention.
She nodded, scooping the cat in her arms before leaving the building, looking back one last time to make sure that everyone was okay.
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"Usagi you're not going to believe this, but my mum and I had the strangest dream last night where this creepy monster attacked us, but this beautiful warrior girl named Sailor Moon came and saved us!" Naru chimed to Usagi who looked to be on the verge of going to sleep. "It's strange that we had the same dream though."
"What, are you kidding, I had that same dream too!" another girl in the class chimed to Naru.
"Yeah me too," another said.
"That's weird, very weird," Naru commented before she looked down at the sleeping blonde, "Usagi isn't that the weirdest? Usagi?"
"Ssh, hey you guys can you keep it down?" Usagi asked sitting up a bit. "I didn't get much sleep last night because I was up studying late, and I would really like to get a little bit of shut eye before class starts. You know how Haruna-sensei feels about us sleeping and I want to get as much in before she starts today's lessons." She yawned again before laying her head back down in her arms, "Goodnight, I'm so tired."
Coming Up Next: Chapter Two – Sailor Mercury