I'm sorry this one took a little while. I wanted it finished sooner but I was having focus issues. I'm trying to keep my momentum going, don't worry. Anyway, enjoy!
Partners in Time
The predawn light seeped through the curtains of a very orderly bedroom. The walls were covered with shelves of books and note-filled binders. A large desk was neatly arrayed with pens, notebooks, and laptop computer. A few paintings of nature scenes were the only decorations that broke up the office like atmosphere.
Under one of the windows was a bed with a thick, blue bedspread. The shelf built into the headboard displayed a lamp, a few books, a pair of glasses, and an alarm clock. At this moment, the alarm clock began to buzz. A hand shot out and silenced the alarm.
Akria Mizuno sat up and stretched. He put his glasses on and pulled back the curtains next to his bed. The view from his penthouse apartment was spectacular, the brightening sky complimented the twinkling city lights very nicely. He pulled a certain blue and gold pen out from under his pillow and contemplated it in this early morning light. The gold glittered and the symbol for the planet Mercury was accentuated nicely. Akria touched the symbol lightly and took a deep breath.
He glanced over his shoulder at the clock. Replacing the pen under his pillow, he rose and carefully made his bed. Taking a book and his cell phone with him, Akria stepped out of his bedroom and paused outside of the bathroom. He glanced down the corridor towards the dark living room and kitchen in the distance.
"Mom must be at the hospital" he said out loud. "Oh well."
Akria entered the bathroom and approached a deep, claw footed tub. He turned on the water and contentedly breathed in the steam as it filled. He took his pajamas off and placed them in the hamper. He paused to set an alarm on his phone before getting into the tub. He picked up his book and was soon completely immersed in more than hot water.
After what seemed all too short of a time, the phone alarm buzzed. It took a minute, but Akria was shaken out of his reading. He quickly put the book down and finished his bath. Using a large fluffy towel, he was soon dry. He carefully hung his towel up and put on a bathrobe.
Returning to his bedroom, Akria crossed to his dresser. The contents of the drawers were neatly organized by style and color, so it took a very short time to get dressed for school. He stopped by his bed to retrieve the pen from under his pillow and he slipped it into his pocket.
He made himself a simple breakfast and quietly read while he ate. He carefully stacked his dishes in the dishwasher, checked the whiteboard in the front hall (where his mother had indeed left a note saying she'd be at work and wasn't sure when she'd be back), and he was soon out the door.
After an intercity train ride, Akria was soon within walking distance of Juban Middle School. He was early; he often arrived at school a little early to read before class. However, today he was jarred out of his thoughts as Nao greeted him at the shoe lockers.
"Good morning, Akria!"
"N…Nao. I'm sorry, you startled me."
"It seems I now have two spacey guys in my friend group." Nao yawned and said, "Aren't these mornings the worst?"
"I've never found it to be so."
"Ah an early bird, how disgusting."
Akira was still getting used to Nao's jokes, but after a few seconds he smiled. "Is Kaemon not with you?"
"Are you kidding? That lump is probably just now rolling out of bed. 'Oh crap, I'm late, I'm late!' he'll be shouting."
"Just like the white rabbit" Akria mused.
"Anyway, I'm on cleaning detail this morning so I need to get to class" Nao said, "See you later."
"See you" Akira waved.
Akira finished changing out of his street shoes and strolled to his classroom. He sat at his desk and once again opened his book. He barely looked up as students began to filter into the room a little later. A few made snide comments to Akira, but he ignored them. He did happen to glance up as footsteps could be heard pounding down the hall.
A blonde boy with a slightly disheveled uniform dashed past before backtracking. "Hi Akria. Good morning!"
"Good morning, Kaemon."
"Can't chat now, almost late, but can't wait for lunch. Somehow, I don't hate studying as much when you're helping me."
"I look forward to it as well" Akira said with a wide smile.
Several students whispered amongst themselves, but the homeroom teacher's arrival soon ended that. The class rose and bowed to him. Akria was still smiling as the morning lessons began.
"Hooray for lunch! The best part of the school day!"
Kaemon and Akira were sitting in their usual empty classroom. Books and lunchboxes were on the desk. Kaemon thought for a moment and said "Maybe I lied. Going home is an even better part of the school day."
"Surely you must like something about school itself?"
"It is nice to see my friends." Kaemon laughed and said "Sorry, Akria, I'm just not much of a scholar."
"Well maybe there's a silver lining in that. If you were a great scholar, we might never have become friends."
"Yep! God bless my dumb brain!"
They laughed but then Akria turned serious. He glanced at the closed door and continued in a quiet voice. "Kaemon…I'm still reeling from…it."
"Huh? Oh, you mean being Sailor Mercury!"
"Please keep your voice down!"
"Don't worry, no one can hear us."
"You and Luna did a good job explaining everything…"
"Not really" Kaemon huffed as he took a large bite of his lunch. "Luna really won't say much. Just go beat up monsters and take a pounding yourself. You should see some of the bruises I've had after a fight."
"Oh my" Akira bit his lip and looked deeply worried.
Kaemon looked up and smiled. He placed a reassuring hand on Akira's arm. "Don't worry. If a crybaby like me can handle it, you'll do great."
"I suppose, if you say so. I'm not entirely unathletic so that might help a little."
"You play sports?"
"No, I've always been bad at that sort of thing. I do swim though; I find laps very relaxing. Also, when it comes to injuries I might be of help."
"Really?"
"Yes. You see, my mother is a doctor, and I've learned a few things about cuts and bruises. To be honest, I know quite a bit about medicine. My dream is to become a doctor myself someday."
Akira looked uncomfortable, but Kaemon was really impressed.
"That's awesome! I'm sure you'll make a great doctor."
"Thank you" Akira responded with a shy yet pleased tone. "So, all in all, I'll do my when it comes to being a Sailor Solider."
"Yeah! You know" Kaemon turned slightly contemplative "I can't say I always like it, but it does feel good knowing I've made a difference. That I've saved lives" He grinned and said, "It's going to be so much better now that there are two of us."
"Hearing you talk that way does help."
"Great. Oooh, I just had a good idea. It'll be the weekend soon. The soccer game is tomorrow but we should do something fun on Sunday!"
"Just you and I?"
"Yeah. Luna usually nags me to train, but we'll call this a team building exercise."
Akira smiled and said, "I think I'd like that." He looked at his watch and gasped. "Oh dear, we need to get some studying in before lunch is over."
Kaemon groaned but dutifully opened his notebook. "Ok but Sunday will be all about fun. No studying! Youth is to be enjoyed after all!"
Akira laughed.
On Sunday morning, Akira stepped off the train and glanced around. After some discussion, they had agreed to meet in a shopping district and make a day of it. The stores and cafes certainly looked inviting. He glanced at his phone and saw a text from Kaemon.
'Sorry! Running late. I'll be there soon.' There was also an emoji with an apologetic expression. Akira chuckled.
He sent a reply saying that it was ok, and he'd be waiting near the station. He sat down at a nearby café and ordered a cup of tea. He sipped it slowly as he pulled a book out of his bag.
"Hi! Sorry again."
Akira nearly gagged on his tea. Kaemon was now standing next to his table, bowing sheepishly.
"It's ok, I wasn't waiting that long." He looked at his watch and said "Oh, a bit longer than I thought."
"I'm sorry!"
"It's alright."
Akria looked at Kaemon. He realized that he'd never seen his friend outside of a uniform of one type or another. Kaemon was wearing blue jeans, sneakers, and a T Shirt with an anime character on the front. Akria glanced down at his own clothes which consisted of slacks, a button-up shirt, and a sweater vest.
"I hope I'm not overdressed. I'm not used to this sort of thing."
"You need to stop apologizing all the time. I think you look great!"
"Thank you" Akria answered with a grateful smile.
"Honestly, you look downright handsome. The girls will totally ignore me today."
Akira blushed and said, "I doubt that."
Kaemon grinned in a sly way and sat down next to him. "Don't act all humble. I bet you peek over those books and check out the girls all the time."
"N…no!" Akira was now as red as a tomato and Kaemon chuckled.
"Is the model student a secret pervert?"
"I am not!"
Kaemon suddenly laughed. "I'm just messing with you, dude. You're so serious all the time, I couldn't resist."
"Ah…I see"
"Come on, let's go do something."
Kaemon dragged Akria to his feet and dragged him off down the street. For a little while, they just wandered chatting casually and peeping in shop windows.
"If you want to go anywhere, Akria, just say so."
"How about this place?"
Kaemon looked up and chuckled. It was a bookstore.
"Ok, let's go!"
They spent a few minutes wandering the aisles together but soon drifted into different departments. They met up near the registers, each holding a small pile of selections.
"What are buying, Kaemon?"
"I'll show you mine if you show me yours" Akira's eyes grew huge, and Kaemon laughed. "Ok, that sounded better in my head."
"Let's just look at the books" Akria said through his nervous laughter.
They switched piles and looked down. Akira was speechless when he found he was now holding a pile of cheap comedy manga. Kaemon struggled unsuccessfully to hide his reaction to the textbooks in his hands.
'It's our personalities in print' Akira thought to himself
After paying they walked into the streets again. "Ok" Kaemon said, "My turn to pick a stop."
Akira agreed and soon found himself standing in a place called "Otaku Oasis." He was surrounded by figurines, models, pictures, and toys all based on fictional or pop cultural icons. Kaemon was in heaven as he browsed the aisles. Akria wasn't sure what to think.
"I've never been to a place like this before. I honestly don't know anything about anime."
"What? You don't watch anime or read manga?"
"No. I'm afraid not. Is that bad?"
"No, no, I wouldn't say it's bad. Having said that, I do think you're missing out."
"I do really like my books, so maybe I could enjoy something like this. The arcade game the other day was very enjoyable after all."
Akira looked around but Kaemon was gone. Kaemon's attention had been diverted by a life-sized poster of Sailor V plastered on one of the walls.
"This is awesome!" Kaemon said with wide eyes and a slack jaw.
Akira gazed thoughtfully at the hero on the poster. He was dressed similar to their own Sailor Uniforms but Sailor V's was more colorful. His cuffs, neckerchief, hatband, and domino mask were all red. His sailor collar was blue with a red trim. His pants were totally blue (save for the red cuffs) and matched his blue shoes. His belt and neckerchief broach were orange. Sailor V held a golden weapon shaped like a crescent moon and an identical symbol was on his forehead.
Akria's thoughts were whirling in his head. If Sailor V was a Solider as well, why weren't they all allies? Why did he have this moon theme if Kaemon was Sailor Moon? What did V stand for anyway? He couldn't voice these here, but he wanted to discuss it later.
He glanced at Kaemon who seemed more carefree. "Here Akira, take my phone. Get a picture of me with Sailor V."
Kaemon struck a heroic pose. Akira glanced around slightly in embarrassment before raising the phone. "Say cheese."
"Burger!"
"What a picture" a new voice said, "The hero and the Space Case."
Kaemon's happy expression instantly soured. Akira turned around to see a black-haired girl, taller than either of them, standing nearby.
"I told you, Masyuo, I'm not a Space Case."
"Sorry sorry" she giggled.
"I, um, I'm Akria Mizuno" Akira said as he gave a flustered bow. "I'm pleased to meet you."
"I'm Masyuo Chiba." She replied with a bow of her own. "You should pay attention to your friend, Kaemon" she said, "You might learn something about class."
"I have class!"
"Clearly" she replied with a roll of her eyes. "Yelling and posing in a shop for little kids is so classy."
"If there's a problem with the shop, then why are you here?"
Masyuo froze and a slight blush rose on her cheeks. At this point a salesman approached her and said "Miss, we did find one of those toys for you in the back. Here you are?"
Kaemon snickered triumphantly while Masyuo quietly took a plushie shaped like a yellow mouse. Akira simply watched these events in quiet discomfort.
Trying to be polite, Akria said "That looks like a very nice toy, Miss Masyuo."
"Yeah, from a little kiddie show" Kaemon giggled "And drop the Miss part, she's not that old."
"Excuse me?" Masyuo indignantly replied, "I happen to be a high school student." She held up a student ID card and Akria lit up.
"Moto-Azabu Private High School! That's amazing!"
"Big deal" Kaemon said, "I'm sure you'll get into an even better high school, Akria."
"Oh, I don't know…" It was his turn to blush and look uncertain.
"Anyway" Masyuo said to Kaemon "Now that you know, perhaps you could show me a little respect since I'm your upperclassman."
"I'll think about it" Kaemon replied in an aloof voice "Come on Akria, I have a poster to buy."
"Uh…once again, it was very nice to meet you, Masyuo" Akria said with a bow.
Soon the three of them were outside of the shop, the boys turning in one direction and Masyuo in the other.
"Kaemon, weren't you a little rude back there?"
"What? She started it!"
"Well, yes, I suppose her comments about your pose could be seen as a little rude."
"A little?"
"However, you seem to be agitated by her very easily. I'm no expert but I've heard that's sometimes a sign of a crush." Akira instantly gasped and went on "I'm sorry! I said too much."
"A crush? On her? She's way too irritating for that." Kaemon shook his head violently, as if to shake the thoughts out of it. "Come on, let's see what's going on over there."
He was pointing at a crowd of people around a colorful shop. A bright sign read "Tick Tock Clocks" and the store appeared packed.
"Interesting" Akira mused "Why would so many people be interested in clocks?"
"Probably because it's a grand opening sale" Kaemon said as he pointed to the many signs. "Wow, look at those prices. They really want to get people interested."
"I suppose some people will be interested in anything as long as it's cheap" Akria said.
"Aw, don't be cynical. As long as we're here, let's have a look."
They entered the store and fought their way through the crowds. At the back of the store stood a giant, ornate grandfather clock. The walls and cabinets were stocked with clocks and watches with unique designs. Kaemon kept pointing out interesting ones and Akria nodded in appreciation.
"I'll admit, they are rather fun."
"Yep" Kaemon gasped, followed by a laugh. "Oh my gosh, this one looks just like Luna!"
Akria looked at the clock while Kaemon took a picture of it on his phone. It was in the shape of a black cat with its back arched and its tail curving through the air. The face of the clock was in the cat's belly. The eyes looked stern and comical.
"I suppose there is a resemblance."
"That's just how she glares at me!" Kaemon giggled as he uploaded the picture to social media with a funny note: My cat has the same expression all the time. She'd think it was a mirror!
"Are you interested in that one?" A tall woman was standing near them. She wore a pretty red dress, and her hair was stylishly pinned up. "I'm the owner of this shop. It gives me joy to see such an energetic response to my wares."
"I do think it would be fun in my room. Let's see the price is…oh wait a minute…" Kaemon opened his wallet and said "I used it all on the manga and the Sailor V poster! I only have enough to lunch now."
The woman looked annoyed but didn't say anything. Akira said, "If you want the clock, go ahead and buy it. I can cover lunch for the both of us."
"I can't let you do that. This day was my idea, if anything I should be treating you. No, I think we should go…unless you wanted something Akria."
Akira glanced around. The crowds made it hard to think. He was momentarily distracted by a couple looking at the grandfather clock that dominated the back wall. One of the pair ran his hands over its wood, and the shop owner turned quickly.
"That one is not for sale. It's also delicate so please do not touch."
"Oh, I'm sorry. We didn't see the sign."
Kameon nudged Akira and he snapped back to the topic at hand.
"I don't think so" he replied "I think we have enough timepieces at home as it is. It was very nice to visit your store though, Miss." Akira bowed to the owner, and she waved them on their way.
The sun was setting as Kaemon entered his house and sat down to take his shoes off. He pulled his phone out and scrolled over the pictures he'd taken that day. He laughed when he came to a pic he had snapped at lunch. They had eaten at a cheap burger place and in the picture, Akira had a burger almost in his wide-open mouth. He had just noticed Kaemon's phone, and his eyes were wide in shock.
Kaemon laughed again and fell back onto the floor. When he calmed down enough to open his eyes, his parents were standing over him.
"I take it you had a good day then" Ikuko said with a smile.
"Yep." Kaemon stood up and said, "Look at this one I took of Akria."
His parents laughed. "Poor guy" Kenji remarked with a chuckle. "Actually, your pics aren't that bad. You'd certainly bring new energy to my magazine."
"Thanks Dad."
Kenji acknowledged the thanks and continued "We saw another one you posted today. As it happens, your mother and I were out shopping as well."
"A nice date day" Ikuko said as she leaned closer to her husband. Kaemon's smile slipped slightly but he didn't say anything.
"Anyway" Kenji continued "We saw your post about the cat clock and, well…surprise!"
He pointed at the coffee table in the living room. The cat clock was sitting in the center while Luna looked up at it with an expression of disgust.
"What the heck? Thanks Mom and Dad!" Kaemon hugged his parents and then ran into the living room. "Look Luna, we found your long-lost twin!"
The glare Luna gave him was mirrored in the eyes of the staring clock and the family laughed. "I don't think she likes it" Ikuko remarked.
"Now don't get used to this." Kenji said, "It's just we know how much you've been working to improve your grades recently and it was really cheap, so we thought it would be ok."
"To be honest" Ikuko said "We bought new clocks for the whole family. This will go in our room" she said as she pointed to a round golden clock sitting on the couch. Next to it was an alarm clock shaped like a baseball. "That one is for your brother."
Kaemon said, "I guess you could say it's family time around here!"
Luna groaned.
Kaemon snored loudly as he turned over in bed. He hugged a pillow close to his body and suddenly mumbled "Oh Unazuki..."
Luna was curled up on a cushion in the corner. She blinked and sat up. Kaemon giggled and rolled over in his sleep "You're the Masked Rose? That's so hot…"
Luna shook her head and walked to the door. She cast one more glance at the new clock perched on the head of the bed and she shuddered. Luna left the room and Kaemon settled into a deeper sleep.
The minutes ticked by. Soon both hands on the cat clock pointed at 12 and the clock face glowed an eerie blue. Kaemon didn't stir as the blue light covered his body and seemed to seep into his skin.
The same thing was happening with the other new clocks. Kameon's parents and his little brother were all bathed in the same blue light. At once all three clocks returned to normal and the house was still.
Early the next morning, Akira walked up to the Tsukino door and rang the bell. The door was thrown open and Akira was confronted by a very stressed looking woman in an apron.
"Good morning, ma'am. I'm…"
"Kaemon's friend Akira, yeah what is it?" She asked in a rush.
Akira was shocked at this reception, but he didn't let it show. "Yes ma'am. Kaemon and I discussed his habit of sleeping too late, so I came to walk with him to…"
"He already left."
"He did?"
"Yes, he raced out of here on his way to school a while ago and thank goodness because I am so far behind."
Mr. Tsukino suddenly shoved past his wife and Akira with his shoes untied and his tie still loose. "No time to talk dear, I'm super late!"
"Get out of here, I have a million things to do."
Mr. Tsukino raced away, and Mrs. Tsukino slammed the door. Akira was left staring dumbfounded at the closed door trying to process what had just happened. He heard a cry and a thud behind him. Mr. Tsukino had tripped over his shoelaces, but he was racing off again before Akria could offer help.
"Ok then…" Akria said to himself "This doesn't seem like the family Kaemon described."
With nothing else for it, he continued his way to school. He was passed and shoved aside by other people rushing about muttering how busy and late they were. At school, he found many students acting the same way. Others just stood dumbfounded by the antics of their classmates.
"Out of my way!"
Akira was knocked to the side by Nao who was running around the school yard dribbling a soccer ball. He was wearing his school uniform, minus the jacket with a jersey worn over the shirt.
"I must practice! I have so many drills I need to practice that I don't even have time to go to the field!"
"That…doesn't even make sense." Akria said as Nao ran circles around him, still dribbling the ball.
"I don't have time to make sense!"
Shigeru ran by with his own soccer ball (top of the uniform perfect with soccer shorts worn below). "Get out of the way nerd! We don't have time to mess with you."
"I, um, I'm trying to get out of the way" Akira said as the boys started passing the balls back and forth with Akira caught in the middle.
"It's not our fault you're so slow!" They said in unison. Akria managed to move to the side just in time as the boys collided and tumbled to the ground.
"Oh here, let me help you" Akira offered but Shigeru knocked his hand away.
"I've got it, I don't need to be slowed down by you."
Akira was staring at Shigeru's wrist. In hitting Akira's hand, his sleeve had slipped back revealing a shiny wristwatch with a black and white checked pattern on the face. It looked like a soccer ball with hour and minute hands. As Nao brushed himself off, Akira spotted an identical watch.
"Those are nice"
"Huh?" Nao said as he looked at the watch. "Oh these. Coach found a set of them at a store that opened just the other day for practically nothing. He bought them for the team to celebrate our winning streak."
"Which we'll never keep up at this pace" Shigeru shouted
"Right! Practice, practice, practice."
"What about class?" Akira asked but they were already off to practice some more.
Akira quickly changed his shoes and made his way to class. He was still a little early, so he stopped by Kaemon's classroom. Kaemon was rocking his chair back and forth in great agitation. Umino was scribbling so fast that her pencil went right through the page. She gave a grunt of frustration, ripped the whole page out and continued her feverish work. A few other students were pacing, jittering, or in some way moving at great speed, all appearing stressed out.
"Good morning, Kaemon" Akira said as he approached his friend's desk.
"Oh, there you are. Isn't this so frustrating! When will class start, I have things to do!"
"It's…almost time. I've never seen you so eager to…"
"I just want to get this done! I don't have time for school."
"I was surprised you weren't there this…"
"You were so late; I couldn't wait any longer!"
"No, I was right on…never mind. Are you feeling alright? You seem out of sorts today? You're not the only one either."
"I'm fine. Never better. Just frustrated at how slow things are moving today!"
At that moment, Haruna Sensei rushed into the room. She stumbled and had to catch herself on her desk. "Stupid shoes, always making me late" she grumbled as she kicked off her heels. Akira looked in shock at his watch…class didn't start for another 10 minutes.
"Haruna Sensei!" Umino screamed "I've already taken notes on the whole chapter, unlike these slow pokes."
"Yeah yeah, I'll look at it later, I don't have time for that now. I only stopped in to quickly say that I don't have time to teach today. Just pick a chapter in your textbook and read it."
Without another word, she raced out of the classroom, leaving her shoes behind. Akira winced as he heard her slide across the polished corridor floor in her stockings and hit the wall.
"Well teacher's dead, I guess school's over" Kaemon said as he grabbed his stuff and stood up. Akira's head whipped around, and he stared with wide eyes at his friend. "I'm joking, I'm sure she's fine. I do really have too much to do to hang around here reading."
Kaemon rushed out of the room, leaving Akria stunned. "Something is definitely wrong. I wonder if…" The bell rang and Akira rushed to his own classroom on autopilot.
His own homeroom teacher was unaffected by the strange spell, but his classmates weren't totally immune. A few kept acting inattentively, agitated, and were just rude. One of Akira's usual bullies was so rude the teacher told him to stand in the hallway. However, the bully didn't stop there and raced off to parts unknown.
The day was marked by similar incidents and for the first time in his life, Akira was desperate for the day to just end. His thoughts kept drifting to Kaemon, wherever he was. He'd sent a few texts between classes, but Kaemon didn't respond. He called him at lunch and finally got through.
"Yeah?"
"Kaemon! Oh, thank goodness, where are you?"
"Waiting at the bus stop for the world's slowest bus! It feels like I've been waiting for eternity! I don't even really have time to talk."
"You shouldn't have left class like that…"
"What class? The Haruna left, so why shouldn't we?"
"Kaemon" Akira said as he glanced around to make sure he was alone. "Something is wrong! You're acting like you're on some sort of drug. Many people around here are…"
"We're just busy, that's all! You know what that's like."
"Nao and Shigeru were acting possessed. They had these new watches. I thought it might be those affecting them somehow but why would you…"
"Oh, thank goodness the bus is here" Kaemon said as a screeching sound was heard in the background. "It looks like this driver gets it! Gotta go! Talk later, Akria!"
Akria bit his lip deep in concern as he looked at the screen of his phone. He felt scared and confused. Sailor Mercury should probably do something but what? He became aware that his heart was racing. He took a deep breath, held it, and let it out slowly. He repeated his cycle until he was distracted by his ringing phone. The name on the screen simply said "Luna."
"Hello?"
"Akira! Are you free to talk?"
"Yes, it's lunchtime and I'm in my usual empty classroom. Luna, do you have a phone?"
"I have my ways, but that's not important right now. Kaemon is barely responding to me. His whole family woke up in a stressed frenzy this morning. They were angry and bitter with each other. Ok that's not so unusual but there was a genuine edge to it. It was frightening."
"I experienced some it myself." Akira quickly recapped his bizarre morning and shared his observation about the new watches. "I thought for a moment Tick Tock Clocks was somehow behind this but that doesn't make sense. Kaemon couldn't afford a clock when we were there."
"His parents, however, could" Luna responded. "They bought new clocks for the whole family, including that awful thing Kaemon says looks like me."
"Then it is the clock shop!" Akira cried out. He felt his anxiety rising again. He pressed his fingers to his neck and started taking deep breaths again.
"Akria, are you ok?"
"I'm fine. I mean I will be fine. Luna what can we do?"
"I don't think we can do anything while the shop is open. We'll all go there tonight and investigate. You stay calm and just get through the rest of your school day. I'll tail Kaemon, and make sure he doesn't hurt himself…more than usual anyway."
"Ok, I suppose that's a good plan. By the way, Luna, that clock really does look like you."
"No, it doesn't!" She hung up and Akira chuckled at her indignation.
Akira was thrilled when the final bell rang. He was the first one out of his seat and on his way to the entrance as quickly as the cursed classmates. He slammed right into Kaemon at the shoe lockers.
"Yo! Luna told me what's up" Kaemon said rapidly as he gestured over his shoulder at the black cat lurking at the school gate. "I guess we've got some Dark Kingdom tail to kick."
"Shhhh!" Akira hissed with a finger to his lips as he pulled Kaemon to the side. "Are you insane?"
"What? These people aren't listening to us. They've got other things to do. It's a very busy world you know."
"Yes, yes, we just need to be careful."
"Careful is for slow people. Come on, come on, let's go!"
"You do know that you're cursed right? Try to keep that in mind"
"Sure, sure…" Kaemon continued to vibrate. His teeth ground and his eye twitched.
"Kaemon, this isn't healthy. What's your heartrate?"Akira grabbed Kaemon's wrist and felt his pulse. "That's really high." He leaned in and looked into Kaemon's eyes "They're bloodshot. I wonder…"
He raised his hand to take Kaemon's temperature but suddenly realized what he was doing. He froze and blushed crimson. "I'm so sorry! I didn't ask permission!"
Kaemon was frozen as well. He looked at Akria with softer eyes. "That's alright. Thanks for being so concerned."
"Of course I'm concerned. You're my friend. My…first real friend."
Kaemon placed a hand on Akira's shoulder and said "Then, my friend, I'll try to calm a little. It's not easy though."
"I understand."
"Get a room!" a cruel voice called out as a group of laughing boys passed by.
"Get a life!" Kaemon called after them. "Come on, Akria. Let's get out of here."
The two boys, plus Luna, emerged from the shopping district train station and looked around. It was after dark, and most places were closed.
"Wow" Kaemon said, "It feels like we were just here yesterday."
"We were just here yesterday" Akira answered.
"Oh yeah."
They walked in silence for a few more minutes before Akria said "Um…so what exactly is the plan?"
"I don't know. I've never really planned these things out."
"Tell me about it" Luna muttered.
"Hey, who's still standing, and who are literally dust? Come on let's stop dragging our feet here!"
He said that rapidly while twitching his fingers with nervous energy. Akira touched his arm and said "Calm down, Kaemon. Don't let the curse win."
"I know but…gah, I feel like I'm going to explode! Let's run!"
Akira and Luna tried to keep up as Kaemon raced ahead. They arrived at Tick Tock Clocks. The gate was pulled down and the place was locked up tight. Kaemon wasn't in sight.
"Where is he?" Akira asked as they looked around.
"Over here!" They investigated the dark, narrow alley between two buildings across from the clock shop. They gasped as Sailor Moon leaned out of the shadows, beckoning for Luna and Akira to join him.
"You already transformed?" Akira gasped as they joined him in the shadows.
"Why not? We need to act quickly, don't we? There's always some sort of monster to destroy and we can't do that as our regular selves"
Luna said "He does have a point. Akria, are you ready?"
"I…yes!" He pulled the golden pen from his pocket and held it high above his head. "Mercury Power, Make Up!"
The ribbons of icy water enveloped Akira's body. Soon Sailor Mercury stood before his friends, ready for battle.
"Let's do this!" His determined expression slipped, and he asked, "Exactly how do we do this?"
"Like this" Kaemon said as he summoned his boomerang. "Moon Boomerang Action!"
Akira and Luna watched in shock as the shop gate was ripped apart in a golden explosion. Sailor Moon rushed forward, catching his weapon on the way. As the dust settled, two figures came into focus within the shop. Jadeite was standing next to the shop owner.
"Well, that was dramatic" Jadeite remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"It's nothing compared to what I'm going to do to you! You've used this store to spread your foul evil! You've caused chaos, stress, and danger by warping our sense of time and putting us in danger! Even the cuckoo in the cuckoo clock is mad! I am Sailor Moon, the Handsome Soldier who fights for Truth and Justice. In the name of the Moon, I will punish you!"
"Likewise, I am Sailor Mercury, the Solider who fights for Truth and Wisdom. Douse yourselves in water, and repent!"
"Sailor Mercury" Jadeite growled as he took a step forward. "You ruined my previous plan. Sailor Moon would be dead if not for you."
Akira trembled as he stared Jadeite down. He gulped and said, "It's an honor to have opposed evil such as yourself."
Jadeite laughed and said "You don't sound very confident. Perhaps I should help you relax…permanently!"
He raised his hand, but Sailor Moon dove between the dark general and his friend. "No! I won't let you hurt him."
"Can't he fight for himself? Does he need his clumsy bodyguard to protect him?"
"It's called teamwork! Ever heard of it, Jadeite?"
"Oh, I doubt very much you'd enjoy meeting my team."
"Master Jadeite" the shop owner said with a bow "Please allow me to handle this."
"Yes, Ramua. Destroy them. I will deliver the human energy we've collected to our King."
Jadeite vanished and Ramua straightened up. She was now chalk white with long purple hair. Her face was marked with red lines crossing vertically across her yellow eyes and a black star decorated her cheek. She raised her hand, and a long black staff appeared in her hand. It had a pointed blade at one end, which the monster now swung toward the soldiers.
"Your time is up, Sailor Soldiers!"
She leapt at them with her weapon whirling above her head. The boys jumped away as she swung it down. Akira slammed into a glass case full of watches. He clutched the side of his head and felt a lump forming.
"Mercury!" Kaemon shouted. "Are you ok?"
He tried to run to his friend, but Ramua said "Not so fast!"
Kaemon froze in place, one foot still in the air. It was as if someone had pressed pause on him. Ramua began to giggle and was soon cackling madly.
"Sailor Moon!" Akira said from the floor. "What did you do to him?"
"It seems that's he's enjoyed one of my lovely clocks. He is my plaything!"
"Ugh" Kaemon said as he glared at Ramua "That sounds dirty. Mercury, if she's saying what I think she's saying, just shoot me."
"Aren't you a little too young for that sort of talk" Ramua said with a smirk. She waved her hand through the air and Sailor Moon shrank into a toddler.
Luna and Akira both gasped at this sight. Ramua unfroze him and the little Sailor Moon looked up at her in fright. "Ahh…scary lady!"
Akira climbed to his feet, ignoring the pounding in the side of his head. "Change him back, right now!"
"Change you say? That gives me an idea"
She snapped her fingers, and the toddler Moon shrank again. Akira gasped as his friend rolled around on the floor as an infant.
"Who wants some shish kababy?" Ramua raised her weapon and pointed it right at the little Sailor Moon.
"No!" Mercury screamed "Bubble Spray!"
The shop filled with blue, icy fog. Ramua shivered and looked around in surprise. Akira ran towards the wailing baby and scooped him up.
"Don't cry little Sailor Moon" Akira said as he bounced the child in his arms. "Oh, this is weird."
"Nice trick." Ramua said as the fog dissipated "But do you really think some bubbles are going to stop me?"
Akria was shaking. Little Kaemon was wailing, Ramua was cackling, and Akira's head was spinning. A tear ran down his cheek. "Luna, what do I do?"
"Think!" Luna cried out as she launched herself at the monster's shoulder, claws out. "Your brain is a great weapon. She must have a weakness!"
Ramua screamed in pain as she grabbed at Luna. She tried to pull the cat off, but she dug her claws in. Akira closed his eyes and concentrated. Jadeite had said they had collected human energy. Kaemon had told him about the battle at the gym where human energy was collected in a crystal ball. Perhaps Ramua had a similar container, one possibly linked to her powers. One she had been protective of the day before…
"The clock!" Akira said as he turned around and stared at the enormous grandfather clock.
"What?" Ramua shrieked as she finally removed Luna and flung her away. "What are you babbling about, boy?"
Akria looked down and saw a piece of rubble from the smashed store front. He kicked it at the clock and Ramua jumped. She batted the piece of metal out of the air.
"You didn't like that did you?" Akira asked with an air of triumph.
"What are you going to do about it? Throw bubbles at it? Throw the baby perhaps?"
Akria's smile faded. He looked down at the crying baby. The moment he put him down, he knew Ramua would do something terrible.
"It's time to end this!" Ramua pointed her weapon at the pair of them and moved forward.
Something red flashed through the air, and Ramua froze. There was a loud cracking of glass as a rose embedded itself in the face of the giant clock. The entire thing shook and sparked with dark energy.
Akira was thrown off balance as he found himself holding onto a fully restored Sailor Moon. The pair teetered and then crashed to the floor.
"Owie!" Kaemon exclaimed "What happened?"
"There was a rose and…oh!"
Akira gazed for the first time upon Masked Rose as she stood heroically in the center of the destroyed store front. Her cape fluttered in the breeze, and she was an absolute vision. Akira felt his cheeks grow warm as he took in her costume and figure.
"It seems the gears have ground to a halt on this dark scheme!" Masked Rose declared.
"You horrible meddler!" Ramua screeched as she dove towards Masked Rose. The heroine raised a black cane and parried the enemy weapon.
"Sailor Moon now is your chance" Luna said as she approached the boys.
"Oh yeah."
He climbed off Akira and aimed his boomerang at the monster. "Moon Boomerang Action!"
Masked Rose shoved Ramua into the path of the weapon. Ramua screamed as the boomerang tore through her. She landed on the ground and dissolved. The entire store seemed to warp for a moment and then was simply an empty building.
"It's over" Mercury said, still on the floor. "It's over."
"Thank you, Sailor Mercury, for divining that creatures' weakness" Masked Rose said, "We couldn't have done it without you."
"She thinks you're a hero, you lucky dog" Sailor Moon said with a grin.
Masked Rose chuckled and then vanished into the night. Sailor Moon ran after her, but she was gone.
"Ah man, why does she have to keep doing that?"
Akira sat up. His head throbbed and he clutched the lump. "So that's Masked Rose. That man earlier was Jadeite, our enemy."
"It's nothing the two of us can't handle" Kaemon said as he helped Akira stand up. "Let's get out of here before the police show up with awkward questions."
Luna said, "You did rather wreck the place, didn't you?"
Kaemon looked deeply embarrassed. "Can we just blame the curse and move on?"
The three of them laughed.
Later that night, Kaemon stood in his room staring at the head of his bed.
"My clock…it's gone."
"You can't have still been interested in that wretched thing?" Luna asked in surprise.
"It was rather fun. Oh well, I still have the real Luna right here."
"Stop comparing me to that thing!"