Changed by Rose PART 5 "Oh, my god. What did she do?" Atemis asked, seeing Usagi for the first time. Two days after the incident, Usagi had still not woken up. The Dark Kingdom was beginning to catch on Sailor Moon was gone. Michiru had called Usagi's mother to tell her Usagi would be staying with them for a few days, not to worry, they would see she got to school. It had taken a lot of talking, but it still didn't work. Luna had to hypnotize her to think that Usagi had permission to stay at Ami's for a week. I want that cat. "I've told you a thousand times. She used a new attack, whispered something, and fainted." Minako said. "She must have drained her energy." Artemis murmured. "It was amazing, you guys." Minako added. "There was this hole quietness. Like you couldn't talk even if you wanted to. Then, the sky went light, then dark, and she threw a moon at them." She went on, seeing it in her mind. "What was the attack, Mina-chan?" Luna asked. "It sounded like Moon Eclipse." "ECLIPSE?!" shouted Luna and Artemis, freaked. "Are you sure?" Artemis added. "Yes." "Damn! Stupid, stupid, brave girl." Luna hit her head against the floor. "Why?" Haruka asked. "Becuase she used up every single ounce of strength and energy she had! Maybe even more than she had! Stupid! It may take days, WEEKS until she wakes." Artemis answered, while Luna continued to abuse both the floor and her head. "She probably knew what she was doing, too." "Probably? I'm sure she did!" Luna paused long enough to say. "I'm a doctor." A low voice from the doorway said. They all glanced up. Tuxedo Kamen. "What the hell? How'd you get in here?" Haruka demanded. "DO you want me to help your friend or not?" He growled. 'Usagi-chan, you always manage to get yourself in some kind of scrape.' He thought wryly as Haruka reluctantly stood aside. 'At least, that's what Motoki's told me, and that's what I can see. Let's see your friend use the mad dog excuse this time.' "What's your name?" Ami asked. "Tuxedo Kamen." "Your real name, buster." Rei moaned. Tuxedo Kamen took Usagi's pulse before answering. "Buster." "Arg!" Rei hit her head aginst the wall. "She should be awake." He said to himself. "I wonder what she did this time to get this way." "I am awake, baka. I was just listening." Usagi mumbled weakly, her words no more than a whisper. "USAGI!" FIve girls lept to the bedside. Two cats jumped on top of her. "Bye." Tuxedo Kamen disappeared before their eyes. "How does he do that?" Minako asked, narrowing her eyes. ********************* Usagi went around the house, straightening things up and running a damp cloth over the wood. Light housekeeping, her mother called it. Usagi called it torture. But she did it without complaining today, singing a small song that she had learned in the silver millenium. A lady with a staff like her's, only different, had once sang it to her, and told her to remember it. And so she had, through centuries. "Far, far into the distant horizon "Let's ride the wind on forgotten wings "Someday we will surely meet "As we look smilingly towards the future "Which beckons us on "Come let's begin our journey "To a new world And open the door to the legend of memory." And that was all she remembered. There was more, and perhaps she didn't have it right, but she liked it that way. "Usagi, what were you singing?" Ikuko asked, looking up from her paper. "Just a song someone told me." Usagi answered truthfully. "Uh-hmm. Why are you singing in English?" "I was?" Usagi wondered. "I don't know. I didn't notice." "You didn't notice you were singing in another language?" Ikuko raised an eyebrow. "I've been distrancted lately. And that's the way I heard it... are you sure it's English?" "I think so. Go ask your father. I'm not too good at it myself." It wasn't English. It was anchient Lunarian. The answer came to her the moment she asked her question. "Lunarian." She whispered. "What was that?" "Nothing, mom." An idea slowly crept into her head. "Hey mom? You know those Sailor girls that have been all over TV? What do you think of them?" She might as well learn her mother's opinion now. "I think they're fools to oppose Beryl. Heaven knows we tried to fight her, but we lost. "On the other hand, they've paniced the generals, which was more than our armies ever managed to do." "So you're not against them?" Usagi asked hopefully. "Why would be against someone trying to bring that witch down?" Ikuko replied. "One of my friends saw them-- they rescued her neighbors from a raid. She said that Sailor Moon was leaning on another senshi as she ran out, like she was hurt." "Uh-huh." Usagi kept the huge smile from spreading out on her face. "What the name of that song, dear?" Ikuko asked, changing the subject. "I'm not sure... she never told me." Usagi answered. Her communicator went off. Ikuko jumped at the sound. "What's that?" She asked. "It's.... my er.... uh, beeper." Usagi's face flushed. "Beeper?" "Yeah, Ruka-chan bought it for me." Usagi lied quickly. "I've got to go, Mama. See you later." "Okay, Usagi." Ikuko looked worried as her daughter ran out of the house at top speed. ******************* "Okay, what is it?" Usagi said, standing by a pay phone, talking into her communicator. "it's called a challenge." Rei murmured back. "Appartantly Nephrite has killed Jedite, under Beryl's orders. Nephrite has taken a school hostage. Usagi, this isn't going to be simple dodging in and out anymore. it's full out war, from this second on. Transform, and go to this address." Rei told Usagi an address just outside of Tokyo. "It's the big Mansion. I'm on my way. Haruka and Michiru are there. You're to go get Luna and wait for Minako to pick you up. Say good bye to your mother." Rei said, and turned away. Tears were threatening to fall. "Oh, Rei, you can't mean it." Usagi cried. "Gomen, Odango Atama. I do. Hurry. We've got to decide about the school." the communicator went off. Usagi put her's up. Today was the beginning of the end. "But I'm only fifteen." She moaned. Suddenly, she straightened, up ashamed of her tears. She was a warrior. She ran home, but halfway there, almost in sight of her door, she was nearly knocked down by a sense of energy. Another senshi. "Where? Who?" She asked aloud. The only person on the street was a girl about her age, only much taller, with brown hair pulled up in a ponytail. "Sailor Jupiter." Damn. She had to run away, and on top of it, there was a new senshi to fill in. Oh, well. They didn't know who they were yet, so she might as well ruin another girl's life. "hello? Miss?" She asked, running up to the girl, who turned. "What?" "Okay, I know you're not going to believe a word I say, but you're a Sailor Senshi. Hi, I'm Sailor Moon. You're Sailor Jupiter, to fight against a force that outnumbers you by about twenty thousand times infinity. Here's your wand." Usagi handed the girl a green stick. "Come on, we have to go, but first I have to pick up my talking cat." "Are you crazy?" The girl asked. "Hey... what's your name?" "Makoto." "Well, Mako-chan, come on. Please. I'll explain on the way, and if you don't want to do it, I'll let you walk away." "Alright..." Imagine this. The girl's probably scared witless. "Minako!" Usagi yelled to the blonde approaching her house. "Usagi! Artemis went to get Luna! You are supposed to be inside-- Oh. Who's this?" Minako asked. "Sailor Jupiter. You keep her right here while I go tell mom I'm not coming back." Usagi said. Minako raised an eyebrow but began telling Makoto exactly what she was to do, without freaking her out like Usagi had. Usagi ran into the house, grabbed Luna and Artemis off the bed and let them climb out the window. "Luna, go to Minako, I found a new senshi, and she's most likely scared to death. I sorta gave it to her fast and quick. Minako's tryng to explain, but...." "Oh, Usagi, you didn't!" Luna gasped. "That's just plain cruel." Artemis added. they went to go rescue Makoto. Usagi quickly grabbed her schoolbag and put in some pictures, and some clothes, and whatever else she could fit in. She looked around the room once more, and sighed. She'd probably never see it again like this. With a heavy heart she trudged down the stairs. With each step she came closer and closer to tears, but she held them in. She was a senshi. Not a cry baby. "Usagi? What's wrong? You whizzed through here like lightning!" Ikuko asked. No tears, Usagi told herself. "Mama, I'm sorry, but some people are after me. I can't stay here, it'd put you guys in too much danger. I have to go away. Don't tell anyone I'm gone, okay? If you did, they'd figure out who I was..." her throat choked up Ikuko was rooted to the spot, mouth hanging open. "Are you serious?" She asked finally. "Yes, Mama. I've got to go. Please, just tell them I'm sick and can't come out. My friend's lives, your lives, and my life are at stake. They are very ruthless people. I'd love to tell you who, what, when, where.... and why..." Damn tears. "But I can't. Maybe some other time." "But Usagi..." "No. Bye." Usagi walked out the door. She finally let the tears flow. Good bye, life. ***************** "I can't believe I did that." Usagi moaned. They were all at the mansion, including a still baffled Makoto. "Usagi, it's okay..." Makoto whispered. "No, it's not. But we still have this problem. The world comes before all my problems." Usagi said with false cheerfulness. "He's holding a middle school hostage." Haruka shrugged. "We attack." "And he blows the school up. What are his demands?" Ami argued. Michiru turned around to a small TV and hit play on the built in VCR. "... and they shall remain in the school until the senshi show themselves." Nephrite said, his cold blue eyes staring emotionless at the camera. Michiru hit stop. "Just show ourselves?" Rei asked. "I say Venus and I lay low, since they don't really know we're on the team yet." Makotoo spoke up. She had adjusted to the group quickly. "They've caught sight of me before." Minako contradicted. "But Mako can't go alone." Usagi murmured. "You're not going up to Nephrite. They may have figured out who you are. We can't take a chance on losing you." Haruka said stubbornly. "In case you hadn't noticed, Ruka, there is a four million yen reward on MY head. If they bring you in, they'll get a 'Good Job', and a pat on the back." Usagi retorted. "You're the princess. You're not putting yourself in the center of a trap. Not again." Michiru said. "I think--" Ami began, but stopped. "Think what?" Rei asked, after a long silence. "I think... that Usagi's disguise pen... could make one of us look like Sailor Moon. They wouldn't notice if, say, only Sailor Moon and two senshi went up. They wouldn't care if Venus, Uranus, and Neptune weren't there. Since you're new to the team, they'd think you'd abandoned us." Ami said hesitantly. "That's a good idea." Luna said, finally. "But who would play Usagi?" All eyes went to Minako. "I would." She said instantly. "NO!" Usagi protested. "Yes." Minako said calmly. "But Minako-chan..." "No. In one hour, three Sailor Senshi will appear at the school gates. Four senshi shall sneak in the back, unnoticed." Haruka said. ******************* "It's been almost two hours." Nephrite growled. Was he wrong to think the senshi would give themselves up for a school of kids? If he failed again, General Zoisite would take over. And everyone knew how power hungry Zoisite was. "Nephrite, sir." A soldier stood attentionat the door. "Sailor Moon and two of her senshi have surrendered. They say the newest members of the senshi have ran away, and will not give themselves up for a snotty bunch of brats." He said. "Their words, sir." "Good. Where are they?" Nephrite ised all his control to keep from jumping up and down. "At the front gates, sir." "Good." Nephrite walked swiftly to the Gates, where several soldiers were sneering at the senshi. It was Sailor Moon, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars that stood there. Sailor Moon looked a bit... odd. "Glad to see you've surrendered. It will be all the quicker death." He smirked. "Merc?" Sailor Moon asked. "Ok." Mercury answered. Nephrite raised an eyebrow. Surely they weren't smart enough to... "VENUS PRISM POWER MAKE UP!" 'Sailor Moon' yelled. In the blink of an eye, Sailor venus stood in pace of Sailor Moon. "You've been foiled, my dear. VENUS ADOR!" She yelled, knocking the bewildered Nephrite back into the building. "MARS SPIRALLING VORTEX!" "AQUA HALLUCINATION WHIRL!" Three youma and two soldiers fell under the surprise blows. Venus pulled out her dagger and went for the soldiers. The real Sailor Moon was inside, taking out anyone who went up against her. Jupiter was covering her back, while Uranus and Neptune took the second floor, letting the kids go. "This is fun!" Jupiter laughed, as another youma went down under her 'Zeus Thunder Arrow'. "Fun? Great. We've aquired another insane senshi." Sailor Moon knocked out a soldier with her staff. "Last room." She said, watching the excitred kids run out, followed by grateful teachers. "Wonder how the others are doing." "Come on. We better go help Venus, Merc, and Mars. They can't handle all those by themselves." Jupiter half smiled. "Dammit! What's they do, put all the youma up here? WORLD SHAKING!" Hordes of youma and soldiers kept rushing at them. They had worked themselves into a corner. "DEEP SUBMERGE!" "Michi..." "I don't know, Uranus. Call for some back up. SUBMARINE REFLECTION!" "Fine." Uranus hit a button on her communicator. "Let's hope, Michi." ********************** Ever had one of those horrible days where you think nothing else can go wrong, and then suddenly, a mountian falls on top of you? That's what Nephrite was feeling, only in place of the mountain were five angry senshi, all staring at him. To his delight, he heard a beeping noise, and two seconds later, Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus ran off into the building. Maybe this day was going to turn out better after all... "You, General Nephrite, have committed many wrongs against my kingdom." Sailor Moon spoke first. "I have no wish to kill, but I see it nessessary in this battle, where you, the enermy, have an advantage. "However, I also see your weaknesses. You are all weak, greedy people who jump at the slightest mention of power." She slammed her staff into the ground in anger. "Sailor Moon, finsh him." Mars urged. "Yes." Jupiter agreed. Nephrite shank against the wall. If they attacked, he'd have no chance. "No." Sailor Moon said, her eyes narrowing. "I will not kill an unarmed man, even if he be my mortal enemy. I allow you to leave, and to carry a message with you to Queen Beryl. "Tell her, the princess is after her." She said coldly. Nephrite puzzled at her riddle. "And if I won't go?" He said definatly. "Jupiter?" Sailor Moon asked. It was more of a command than an order. "ZEUS THUNDER ARROW!" The lightling bolt hit the wall a millimeter from his head. "Even though you've won this battle, i shall win the war." Nephrite glared at them, before disappearing. "Is he... *gasp* dead?" Uranus asked, as they came up, beaten badly. "She let him go." Mars's voice was full of wonder. "Who did?" Neptune questioned. "I did. I needed a message sent, and so it has been. I cannot kill HIS protectors." Sailor Moon whispered. Senshi: 1. Beryl: 0. ******************* "My Queen." Nephrite appeared in Beryl's chambers. "What is it, Nephrite? i thought you wiser than to approach me after *another* failure." Beryl demanded, her red hair tangled, bags under her eyes, clothes rumpled; she had not slept for days. "A message, My Queen, that Sailor Moon has sent through me to you." Nephrite answered, wondering if he'd be alive five minutes from now. "huh?" "She said, the princess is after you. I do not know what this me--" "THE PRINCESS?!" Beryl's terrified shriek cut through the rest of his sentense. He fell back, surprised by her outburst. Zoisite and Kunzite watched their Queen become histerical, ranting about the moon. "What did you say?" Kunzite demanded. He was the oldest and wisest of the generals. He was also the most powerful, and one of Beryl's most trusted advisors. "Sailor Moon said to tell Beryl that 'the princess was after her'. I've no clue what it means, but Queen Beryl appartantly does." "You fool! Weren't you paying any attention in breifing?" Zoisite thundered. "Wha? Why?" "The princess. Princess Serenity of the Moon, you imbecile. As I recall, Queen Serenity's dying words were, 'My daughter shall destroy you, wicked one,' referring to Beryl, of course. It means that Sailor Moon must know who and where the princess is. And if the princess has the Silver Moon Crystal, we might as well begin digging our graves." Kunzite rolled his eyes like Nephrite was the stupidest creature alive. "The main reason Beryl's so upset, even before you told her the moon princess was back, s that we have no records on Sailor Moon. There was rumor, in the Silver Millenium, of a ultimate senshi, that was aligned with the moon and stars, that no one could defeat. "But it was just that, a rumor. We never thought it true until the raid was broken." he finished. "And, the inner gaurdians have been awoken. With two outer senshi. When they fight as one, the inner protectors of the Princess are nearly invincible. We only defeated them that once because we were able to break them up, distract them." Zoiste added. "And the inner senshi are even more powerful, especially Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune. they are a deadly duo." "Why am I left out of this?" Nephrite asked. "Because you're too obsessed with your star charts." Kunzite answered. "One more thing. If Sailor Saturn, or Sailor Pluto appears, don't tell Beryl. "They are the ones able to destroy the world in a few simple words." Zoisite's words fell on Nephrite's stunned ears. ***************************** "I'm sorry I can't remeber if I can heal, Haruka. That looks nasty." Usagi murmured, pointing to the open gasp on Haruka's leg. Haruka managed to give her a quirky grin. "You could try, Odango-chan." She whispered, raising her eyebrows. Michiru firmly pulled Usagi away from Haruka and turned on Ami. "How many painkillers did you give her?" She demanded of the girl. "About 50mgs." Ami whispered. "I didn't know it'd get her high." "Come on, out of the room, people, before Haruka says something." Michiru tried to usher them out. She had almost succeded, when... "Hey, minna!" Haruka called weakly. "Did anyone ever tell you Michiru has the cutest little birthmark that looks like a rabbit under her --" "OUT!" Michiru yelled. "Where?" Artemis asked, innocently. Luna smakked him upside the head. "Hentai." *************************************************** End. So, how'd ya like? And if you have any questions, commments, flames, etc, e-mail me at Ladynorose@hotmail.com. Arigato! -Rose