| Star Diaries: The Sailor Zodiacs
Author: Luna and The Bard’s Apprentice Anime: Sailor Moon Rated: PG-13 Diary Two: Pisces Makes a Big Splash (Translated from Japanese) February 22 Dear Diary, My name is Reira Mususa. I’m in the middle of 9th grade at Crossroads High, and I just turned 15 yesterday. I know no one would believe me if I told them a talking cat made me start this diary, or that I’m now officially a Champion of Justice, but it’s the honest truth. Really! Kami-sama! I even have to convince myself that what happened today wasn’t a dream…Hold on; I’m getting way ahead of myself here. I need to start from the beginning, so here goes. I had finally signed up for the swim team at school, and today was my first practice. As soon as the bell rang for class to be over, I ran to the locker room and quickly changed into my red, white and blue bathing suit, then stepped into the gym. The swimming pool was enormous! The clear, blue water was so inviting, I wanted to just dive right in! But instead, I looked around at my teammates, maybe my future new friends. One girl caught my eye immediately, because she had blue hair! It was even shorter than mine, which is brown and shoulder-length. The girl also had big, dark blue eyes that matched her swimsuit. She was just sitting there alone at the edge of the pool, so I walked up to her and introduced myself. “Hi! I’m Reira.” “Oh! Nice to meet you. My name is Ami. You’re the new swim team member aren’t you?” “That’s me.” The coach blew his whistle. It was time for us to begin. Ami and I had the best timing out of the whole team. When we took our break, I was about to find out the real reason we were both such extraordinary swimmers... Suddenly, dark clouds covered up the sun, and this mega wind storm formed a funnel in the pool. Everyone screamed and headed for the shower building, where it was safe, everyone except Ami. I ran out to get her out of there, but instead of listening to me she just stood there, as a youma that seemed to be made of the water jumped out from the funnel! Then Ami took a strange looking pen from her bag, and yelled out: “MERCURY CRYSTAL POWER...MAKE UP!” I couldn’t believe my eyes as I watched my new friend transform instantly into... Sailor Mercury?!?!? I had heard of the Sailor Senshi, but until today I never thought they really existed. With my mouth wide open I stared at her as she formed a bubble with her own two hands and said: “Shabon...Spray!” Immediately the area filled up with a thick white fog. When the fog cleared, I saw Sailor Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and a new Senshi I had never seen before, standing right above us on the gym’s glass roof! The new Sailor Senshi opened up one of the panes, and they all jumped through it, landing perfectly onto the four corners of the pool. “Who are you guys supposed to be??” screeched the water youma. “I’m glad you asked that!” shouted the aqua-haired Senshi, “For peace and dreams! A pretty soldier in a sailor suit! Sailor Aquarius! And in the name of the Water Bearer, I shall punish you!” (Wherever Sailor Moon is, I guess this Sailor Aquarius is trying to replace her.) “Yeah right,” said the youma, “like you could possibly beat me! Dark Jet Stream!!” A black water spout shot out of the youma’s blue liquid hands. “I’ll handle this job!” said Sailor Mars with confidence, “Mars...Flame Sniper!” She shot a large arrow made of fire at the youma. “Foolish girl!” laughed the youma as it put out the burning arrow with its Dark Jet Stream attack, “Don’t you know that water power will always have the advantage over fire?” “Then how about water vs. water?” suggested Mercury, “Mercury...Aqua Rhapsody!!” Sailor Mercury played a beautiful melody on a sky blue harp that made water come towards the youma. “This doesn’t look good...” I thought, still hiding beneath the showers, unseen by the Sailor Senshi and the youma. The youma used Mercury’s power to make its own attack even stronger, and threw a massive tidal wave at the Senshi, leaving them all soaked. “I wish I could do something to help them,” I whispered to myself. “You can, Reira,” said a voice behind me. “Hmm?” I snapped around to see a yellow cat with a silver crescent moon on her forehead, “How did you know my name? And how come you can talk??” “There’s no time to explain. The Senshi need you! Now take this pen and say ‘Pisces Zodiac Power Make Up!’” The salmon colored pen was warm, as if it had energy flowing all throughout it. As I held onto it, the symbol on it began to glow bright green. I looked back at he cat a moment, and saw it was still sitting there expectantly, tail swishing. So I threw it into the air and mumbled: “Pisces…power…make up?” I thought a second. “Wait, I don’t even wear make up.” I had only half-believed that anything would happen, so when nothing did, I stared at the cat. With a sigh, it said, “Try harder, and this time, mean it.” Releasing my sigh, and figuring, hey, if cats can talk, anything can happen, I shouted: “PISCES ZODIAC POWER…MAKE UP!” My swimsuit was replaced with an orangey-pink sailor outfit with a seaweed-green bow in the front and back. On my feet were cute high-heeled sandals with crossed straps that matched my sailor suit. In my hand was a green whip with a tiny fish shape at the very tip. I looked down, and then up again. “Am I a Sailor Senshi?! Cool!” Finally, I faced the youma. “What?!? I thought I got all of you!” Apparently the youma was shocked to see me. Uh-oh. I turned to the cat. “Psst! What do I do?” I whispered. “Just say something witty, name your attack, and then do it. That’s what all the other Senshi do.” It whispered back. “Okay…Uh…Well, I just came into the picture!” I exclaimed, “I am the protector of sea-dwelling creatures: Sailor Pisces!” I faltered a moment. “Um...PISCES ...FISH WHIP!” Wh-pshe!! “Ow! That hurt!” whined the youma. “Hey, that was fun! I’m gonna do it again! PISCES FISH WHIP!” Wh-pshe! Wh-pshe! Wh-pshe! “Ahhh! Stop it!!” pleaded the youma. “No way! We’re just getting started! Now, Sailor Aquarius!” Aquarius was just drying off, and told me to cool it with the whip. Reprimanded, I watched as she finished off the youma with her trident. “AQUARIUS WATERFALL CASCADE!!” The youma cried out in pain as it was turned to stardust and then dissolved in the pool. “Ewww...I’m not swimming here again until they shock that pool.” I voiced in disgust. “Those are some pretty incredible powers you have, Sailor Pisces,” Mercury commented. “Thanks...Ami,” “How did you know who she is???” everyone said in unified shock. “I guess since I know who you are, you should know who I really am,” Somehow I was able to de-transform back to my original self. Awesome! “Reira?!?!?” Mercury gasped, “How long have you known that you’re Sailor Pisces?” “Since that talking cat over there told me just now,” I replied, pointing to the gold cat. “All right! Another Sailor Zodiac!” cheered Sailor Aquarius, “That’s like, psychadelic, man!” We all stared blankly at her. “U-um…uh...um…Peace out?” She flashed a peace sign while a sweat drop ran down her face. Without looking away, Jupiter said, “Um…anyway…” and the rest de-transformed. I saw that Sailor Aquarius was now wearing denim bell-bottoms (hey, they're making a comeback!), a tie-die T-shirt, ankle-laced leather sandals, peace-sign earrings, and a daisy behind each ear. Is this girl some kind of 21st century hippie or what? “By the way, I'm Jeshika, and this is Tsuki my guardian," Aquarius identified herself and her cat. She also introduced me to Minako (Venus), Mako-chan (Jupiter), and Rei (Mars). Of course, I already knew Ami. “What did you say your name was again?” Rei inquired. “Reira, but my friends call me Rei-chan. I guess you all can call me that too.” "No way! That's my name!!" Rei argued, "Right, everyone?" "Oh yeah, that's right!" Minako realized, "This could get confusing," "Well, I've been called Rei-chan my entire life!" I shouted. "So have I!" Rei snapped, "I don't think my friends have to give you my name!" "It's my name too, and they call me that if they want to!!" We continued arguing for about five minutes, and then ended up sticking our tongues out at each other. "This looks familiar..." I heard Minako say. "Oh great, another Usagi," sighed Makoto. "Just when I thought there was peace in this group...Groovy." complained Jeshika. Before I finally decided to go home, Tsuki told me to write everything in this diary. She said it would help me blow off steam without hurting anyone. Well, the first steam I’d like to blow is about Rei. Good God, she’s annoying! After the fight, she’d pulled me aside for what she called a “little talk.” Ami had been able to forewarn me about making allowances for Rei’s temper. (I guess she meant the one I had noticed when I first met Rei.) She told me to just “smile and nod” whenever it reared its ugly head. However, that was easier said than done when I next spoke with Rei. She’d said. “Listen, newbie. Let’s get a few things straight. You’re new. We’re not. You don’t know what you’re doing. We do. Back off! You don’t attack unless we tell you to. Got it?” With that, she’d turned and flounced away, turning back only to add, “Oh, and I’M Rei-chan!” ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 24 Dear Diary, I think Rei hates me. That makes sense; I hate her back! She's stubborn, bossy, and she has my name!! Which, in a way, is a bit insulting. I know it sounds stupid to get so ticked off because of a name, but I'm Rei-chan! She's depriving me of my own identity! All anger aside, Tsuki says that this diary is also for Sailor Business, so this is basically what happened at the meeting today: We were at Rei's (gag!) temple, where I met three more talking cats: Luna, Artemis, and Diana. Crazy, huh? Luna just kept glaring at Artemis and Tsuki the whole time, and poor little Diana didn't want anything to do with anybody. The cats most definitely had some kind of problem with each other, but I decided it wasn't any of my concern to ask about it. I looked around. Someone seemed to be missing. “Strange,” I thought, “All of the Sailor Senshi are here...” “Oh! Where’s Chibi-usa?” I asked Jeshika, “Didn’t you say she was going to be here?” She nodded in response, a puzzled look on her face. “Poor Chibi-usa missed her parents so much," Ami replied, "She went looking for them a few weeks ago, all by herself. We haven't heard from her since." "I wonder if they ever found each other?" said Mako-chan. "I hope they're all right," said Minako, biting her lower lip. "I miss them all so much!" cried Rei, "Especially, Usagi!!!" She looked a little sad right then. I almost pitied her--almost. Jeshika just looked at the floor forlornly. I wondered how I was supposed to feel. Ami had told me all about Usagi the other day. She sounded like a really nice girl. I hope I get to meet her when she's finally found. "It's okay, Rei-chan," Minako tried to comfort the now sobbing Rei, "We all miss Usagi-chan. We're going to do everything we can to find her. We promise." "I know," Rei smiled sadly, drying her tears with a red scarf. "Okay, enough personal business. We need to talk Sailor Business!" Tsuki interrupted, hopping onto the center of the table. "Hey! Who made you head feline?!?" shrieked Luna angrily. "It is my duty as the guardian of Sailor Aquarius to run these meetings until Super Sailor Moon returns. I'm not trying to replace you, Luna, if that's what you're thinking." Tsuki explained bluntly. "Oh, fine," Luna sulked, "I still hate you, but go ahead," Artemis opened his mouth to say something, but decided to close it again. Tsuki scrunched her brows at Luna in concern—I didn’t think cats could do that! Then she went back to what she was saying. "Jeshika and I need to take Reira back to where we came from." Tsuki continued, "In order for Reira to be able to use her full powers, I have to give her a Zodiac Gem." "What are these Zodiac Gems anyway?" Artemis inquired. "This is one of them," said Jeshika as she reached into her multi-colored beaded blouse to reveal a tiny teardrop-shaped aquamarine pendant attached to a gold chain. "Wow! It's so pretty!!" Minako marveled, her blue eyes sparkling. "Without this, my powers would be as weak as Rei’s." said Jeshika, then turned to me, “No offense.” I stared blankly. I thought I did fairly well in my first fight. Oh well. "The pen I gave you will only allow you to transform and use your most basic power," Tsuki told me. "Oh, so I need one of those gems to be even stronger?" I figured. "Exactly," Tsuki confirmed. "That’s why Mistress Cassandra wants the Zodiac Gems!" Ami realized, "So she can gain their power." “But doing that means destroying the Sailor Senshi,” pointed out Jupiter. "That's right," said Tsuki, "So for the safety of the gems, their location must remain a secret except to the Sailor Zodiacs," "We understand. All of us." Ami smiled. "No we don't!!!" Minako shook her head frantically, "Please tell us, Tsukiiiiii!!" "Minako's right," Makoto agreed, "We're Sailor Senshi too, and we have just as much a right to know as you!" "You can't hide it anymore, Jeshika. Please tell us where you're really from, and how we can help you protect the Zodiac Gems!" Rei pleaded. It struck me that only Rei would try to use such serpentine tactics. "Guys, I’m sorry," Jeshika apologized, "Believe me, not being able to tell you anything is no shindig for me either, but it's just not safe for even the Inner Senshi to know everything until the time is right," At that, the Inner Senshi gave up, Tsuki adjourned the meeting, and everyone went home. As they left, I could’ve sworn I saw Minako and Rei exchange a mischievous glance. Tomorrow, Jeshika is taking me to her apartment, where I will finally learn all of her secrets! Yay for me! I feel special! ^_^ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 25 If I hadn't experienced today myself, I wouldn't have believed it…again! Everything has been explained: Jeshika's weird clothes, her weird way of speaking, and most important, the Zodiac Gems. Jeshika came to my house wearing something she called a "granny gown" (It looked like something my grandma would wear to bed, but I didn't say so out loud.), a long string of love beads, and a hair wreath made of pale blue ribbons and her signature daisies. Her feet sported simple brown leather sandals. "You're not coming wearing that, are you?" asked Jeshika, as if my designer sweatshirt, jeans, and sneakers were as out-of-the-ordinary as her crazy getup. "What's wrong with my clothes?" I argued. "Nothing," she answered mysteriously, it's just that where we're going, you'll stick out like a sore thumb, but I can probably find you something else at my pad," "Okay..." I didn't know whether or not to take that as an insult, but decided not to say anything. I had no idea what was in store for me. As it had been pointed out to me a few days before, it is best that the “newbie” not make assumptions. Ha. We’ll see. * * * * * It was a short walk to Jeshika's place. After climbing up like, a million stairs (the elevator was broken), we finally arrived at her apartment door. On the outside, it looked fairly ordinary. It was only when Jeshika opened the door and we stepped through her multicolored bead curtain that the magic began to happen. All I have to say is that there is a fourth dimension. It's called Time; and it can be traveled through. The room was filled with smoke (from incense mostly) and a whole lot of people who had major problems. I found that even I was dressed in a long blue skirt, an off-white peasant blouse, and a fringed leather vest! I guess time travel has an effect on clothes. From some unseen record player the song Aquarius was playing in the background. I felt like we had stumbled into the sixties! Maybe that's why I wasn't the least bit surprised when Jeshika told me that we really had. In fact, somehow Jeshika’s true origins didn’t surprise me at all. Jeshika seemed indifferent to all the people in her home. I wondered if all her parties were unattended by the hostess…and how long THIS one had been going on. Already people were passed out. In the dim, smoke-filled atmosphere, it was difficult not to step on them. Everywhere I looked, people were swaying gently to the music, oblivious smiles plastered on their faces. Jeshika started heading towards an irresistibly hot guy who was smoking marijuana. He had gorgeous, long blond hair and purple sunglasses that accented his tight-fitting dark violet t-shirt perfectly. The body within was exquisite! I couldn’t figure out why Jeshika wore the enraged expression she did as she stomped over to him, glaring at him angrily. "Rion, how many times have I told you?!? " Jeshika screamed, "No pot, or no parties!" She snatched the joint from his hand and threw it out the window. "Hey! That was my last joint!" Rion snapped, removing his purple sunglasses to reveal his cold, ice-blue eyes. After one glimpse of that beauty, I began to feel faint. "That'll teach you that Miss ‘Mary Jane’ ain't groovy in my book!" Jeshika snapped back. I had never, ever seen Jeshika like this before. Then again, I've only known her for a few days. "This sucks, man…" Rion murmured in mellow, detached tones, "Dude…I'm outta here," "I can't stand him!" she growled. "Yeah..." I trailed off as my besotted eyes followed Rion to the door. Had Jeshika just been speaking to me? “Oh yeah, what did you say?” She rolled her eyes at me. Then I remembered: “When do I get the--” Jeshika cut me off by clapping her hand over my mouth. "Don't talk about the gems out loud!" she hissed in my ear, "Oy , follow me," Everyone else partied on (or swayed on, or whatever it is that hippies do at “raging” parties) as I followed Jeshika to yet another door. She took out three keys from her pocket. The first one looked fairly normal, the second was quite small, and the third key was the biggest and by far the prettiest. It was solid gold, with beautiful lines carved into it. The end of the handle was heart-shaped, with a tiny pink crystal in the middle. I found out later that this was a very special and important key. Jeshika used the normal key to open the door, which led to her bedroom. On her bed was Tsuki, sitting on a beautiful wooden box. "What took you so long?" asked Tsuki impatiently as we walked in. Apparently, she had been waiting a while. "Sorry, but that no-good asshole Rion was causing trouble again!" Jeshika explained. The gold cat rolled her eyes. “Too bad he isn't an enemy," she said, "Then you could simply blast him off the planet!!" "It doesn't matter," Jeshika said, "Right now, Rei-chan needs her Zodiac Gem, in case the real enemy shows up," Tsuki bounded off the bed and onto the blue shag carpet. Using the small key, Jeshika opened the box, which contained eleven glimmering necklaces. These were the Zodiac Gems. Jeshika picked out a chain with a charm of two crescent moons encircling a round salmon-colored jewel, and said: "This is yours," "It's beautiful," I breathed. "It's very important that you wear it at all times," Tsuki instructed. "Of course," I nodded knowingly, and promptly put on the pendant. I was still ogling the gems, when Jeshika began to pat me vigorously on the shoulder. I was getting really annoyed that she was interrupting my drool session. I looked at her, “What?!” then glanced where she was staring and pointing, her face blank with confusion. Suddenly all my attention was absorbed by the male god adorned with cream colored silk hair and a tight-fitting black shirt and jeans which did not fully obscure the smooth planes of his slender, well-sculpted body. He was nonchalantly leaning against the open closet door, which I could’ve sworn was closed just moments ago. Tsuki glared at the strange figure. He shifted his weight and proceeded to saunter over to the wooden chest. Languidly drawing the backs of his fingers across the carvings, he finally spoke: “The Zodiac Gems…are mine.” He lowered his head so he could piercingly gaze at us over his purple sunglasses with his heated ice-blue eyes. He looked so familiar; where had I seen him before? “Rion!” I gasped. "Rion! You're never getting the gems!" Jeshika shouted, taking the box before he could get to it. "You can blast him now," said Tsuki. "Those gems belong to Mistress Cassandra!" Rion declared, and conjured up a blue youma, dressed as something between a magician and a Playboy Bunny. "Get the Zodiac Gems, Akuma-usa, and get rid of those pathetic little hippie girls!" commanded Rion. "We are not pathetic!" I screamed. "Yeah!" Jeshika agreed, "And we're more than just hippie girls!! Come on, Rei-chan, let's transform!" We retrieved our magic pens. "AQUARIUS ZODIAC POWER...MAKE UP!" "PISCES ZODIAC POWER...MAKE UP!" We transformed together as Sailor Aquarius and Sailor Pisces. "Watch me make these prized jewels disappear!" cackled Akuma-usa, waving her magic wand over the box. "Not so fast!" I said, powering up my weapon, "PISCES...FISH WHIP!!" The sharp, pointed end of the whip struck Akuma-usa's hand, making her drop the wand. "Owww! You're gonna pay for that," the youma screeched, "And now for my famous hand-cuff trick!" She threw four thick black rings at me. I was able to dodge them, but they cuffed Sailor Aquarius' hands and feet to the wall instead! "Sailor Aquarius!" I gasped, "I’m sorry!" "It's okay," she said, even though it most definitely wasn't!, "Go on without me. Just don't let that thing get the gems, whatever you do!" Just as I had the precious box safe in my arms, I heard a too familiar voice singing in the other room: "She's got it Yeah baby, she's got it!" I thought, That sounds just like... I dashed the through the door. "Well, I'm your Venus, I'm your fire And your desire!" Sure enough, there was Minako, microphone in hand, singing and dancing on Jeshika's coffee table! "Minako! How did you get here??" I demanded in shock. "We kinda followed you through the time portal! ^_^;" Mako-chan confessed. "I'm surprised it took you this long to notice we were here," was all Ami could say. "Why didn't you tell us you could travel through time???" Rei asked, looking annoyed. I didn't answer her. "Where's Jeshika," asked Minako, "And what's THAT?!?!?" She was referring to Akuma-usa, who was of course, standing right behind me. "Don't ask questions, just morph and help me out here!" I screamed, dodging the demon’s grasp. Ami, Makoto, Minako, and Rei quickly transformed into their Sailor identities. The music suddenly stopped. How the youma and myself had escaped the hippies’ attention at first I’m not sure. Oh wait—most of them were probably high. Anyway, now they saw the blue youma and ran in confusion from the room. The party was over for them; for us, it had just begun. "Let's give 'em a magic show they won't forget!" said Sailor Jupiter, "Jupiter...Oak Evolution!!!" The green-suited Senshi twirled like an ice skater while razor-sharp oak leaves shot at Akuma-usa. But, the youma was not so easily defeated. She absorbed the attack into her magician's hat, throwing it right back at Sailor Jupiter! Jupiter screamed as she ducked, but still caught a few leaves in the arm. She retreated to pull them out, as sailor Mars stepped up to the plate. “Now it’s my turn!” With all the skill and prowess of a champion archer, the Senshi of War drew back a flaming arrow and released it, shouting: “Mars…Flame Sniper!” Akuma-usa received the shaft in her hat. “Shoot much?” she sneered. With that, Mars found herself staring down the tip of her own arrow. She ducked, and the arrow whizzed past. She jumped up again, turned back to the bunny, and with a tilt of her head, she yelled, “Missed me!” Mercury leaned forward. “Um…Mars, actually, she uh…” “What?! We’re kinda in the middle of a battle!” Mars snapped at Mercury. “Actually sh-she didn’t miss.” Akuma-usa suddenly bent over laughing. All of a sudden, Mars felt an intense heat on the back of her neck and reached behind to feel her hair. Then, as her eyes bugged out and a sweat drop the size of Rhode Island dripped down her face, I saw licking flames rise above the curve of her raven head. She freaked and ran around screaming, “My hair’s on fire!!” repeatedly. I snickered. Then I wondered if I should have gotten Aquarius to put it out. Oh, too bad she was “tied up” in the other room! Heh heh… Finally, after some similar failed attacks by the other Senshi, I was the only one left. How was I supposed to beat this thing with just a whip?? I realized that I had no chance. "Concentrate, Pisces!" Tsuki coached me, "Use the gem!" "Right, the Zodiac Gem," I clutched the pendant tightly as I uttered the command for a brand-new attack: "PISCES...RED TIDE TSUNAMI!!" Out of nowhere, an immense scarlet tidal wave came charging at top speed towards Akuma-usa. The youma tried desperately to run away, but the tsunami instantly caught up with her and dashed her to pieces, which immediately turned to dust. Surprisingly, the dust and the rest of the apartment were bone dry. However, Rion had somehow gotten a hold of the box of Zodiac Gems! "At last, the Zodiac Gems belong to the Black Hole Empire!" laughed Rion evilly, with the box in one hand, and Sailor Aquarius' necklace in the other! "Not for long!" shouted Sailor Venus, "Sailor V Kick!" With a swift side kick, she knocked the box out of his hand. The kick had loosened Rion's grip on the aquamarine pendant, and Sailor Jupiter caught it just in time. Unfortunately it also sent the box through the time portal, and one of the gems managed to fall out of the box first and break in half as it hit the floor. We all watched one of the halves bounce its way out the door. "You idiot!" Rion yelled, "Who knows where they are now!" He took something from his pocket that I could have sworn looked exactly like Jeshika's fancy golden one, "Just remember, I will be back for the two gems you've already got! In the meantime, I’ll be satisfied with this." He picked up the other half of the pendant before we could do anything about it, and as he stepped through the time portal, we heard him say. “Oh yeah, and my name’s Orion, not Rion. Pay attention, freaks!” “Freaks??!” Venus shrieked in protest. "Forget about that! What are we supposed to do now?" Sailor Mars said. "We have no choice but to travel through time, and find the Zodiac Gems before he does," Sailor Aquarius replied, holding the golden key. “Wait…how did you get out?” I asked Aquarius, surprised to her suddenly appear. “Well, once the youma was destroyed, her handcuff spell was destroyed too.” She answered. “Oh, okay that makes sense.” “Anyways, we literally have no time to lose, let’s go!” Aquarius told the rest of us. I gazed longingly through the portal. Gems or no gems, Evil or no evil, Rion—er, Orion—was HOT! I wouldn’t mind chasing him no matter where he went…not at all. **End of Diary Two** |