The once tranquil flower gardens laid in scorched ruins as smoldering embers rage across the once pristine marble courtyard. Another violent plume of smoke erupted from the orchestra’s staging area. The orderly and calming waltz came to an abrupt end when this all started. Instead of dancing, the elegantly dressed guests laid scattered in ruin. Motionless. The night sky of beautiful blues and purples were being purged into a shadowy abyss right in front of my eyes.
Feeling the burning frost of my fingertips against my face, a chill shot down my spine.
Where was the moon?
A violent gust of wind roared past my long blonde hair. Collapsing on my knees against the shiny stage floor, an unfamiliar face stared back at me. She raises her shaky hands to her face. Unfamiliar blue eyes were full of fear. A single orange stage light shone down on us. Her eyes shook with every tremble as smoke began to erupt from the ground. My focus shifted between the girl in my reflection and shaking unfamiliar gloved hands. Tearing them away, a cloud of dark fog began to whirl faster and faster around me. I shoved my palms against my ears, trying to shield me from the violent cries coming from the shadows.
Until a scratchy metallic screech tore through the chaos. I look up. A large metal beam wavered.
The girl in the reflection scrambled to pick herself up. She failed.
With my eyes widening in terror, a distant voice called out for me, his words echoed in my head but had no meaning.
My nails dug into my fists, as a deafening scream tried to escape.
"Can't."
**BRRRRRING**
Shoving crossed arms away from my desk, my hand decked a single powerful punch to my jaw!
“Ack!” I cried out. Twenty something pairs of eyes turned towards the far corner of the classroom.
“Miss Aino.” The grouchy middle aged teacher huffed. “Another nightmare I presume?” She ever so calmly placed a piece of chalk down and began to flip through some graded papers. “Of all the transfer students,” she began.
“It’s not too late to send her back!” A snotty nosed kid quipped. The class roared with laughter.
“Those same tacky shoes again, Teach?” I thought. I roll my eyes to the dim fluorescent lights.
Stopping at my desk, she slammed a red scribbled piece of paper on my desk– rattling a singular old pencil.
“Yikes Minnie! Ren would be disappointed,” someone laughed. The class began to be filled with the usual whispers.
-Her grades have been getting worse and worse since he left,-
-At least he’s away from her,-
-That’s what she gets for taking him away,-
-Did he really spend his last few days with her?-
“Six months in England and this is what you have to show for it,” Teach turned away. I don’t care about her enough to even remember her name. It still bugs me how she introduced me to the class, now I'm stuck being called Minnie.
Turning towards my window, my hand rested on my still-injured jaw. Looking past my reflection to the cold swirling gray clouds, I brought my arms closer, hiding shaking fists. In ten minutes, they’ll all be dismissed from class. But the whispers won’t end.
If I was good enough, maybe my grades won't be as bad. Maybe I won't feel so tired all the time. Maybe I'd stand up for myself. Maybe they'd call me by my real name. Did I really expect England to be any different than home? It doesn't matter where I go. Even in my dreams I’m still pathetic.
I slump further into my chair.
“Today’s just another day, Minako Aino.” my mind whispered. My fists tightened for a second.
Then weakly released.
...
Kicking a stray pebble off the puddle riddled sidewalk that led to the student dorms, my sleepy eyes paid no mind to the usual British posters and ads that littered the streets all around me. When I first arrived, the posters looked like art pieces. I even had Ren take a few posters down for me to keep. But all those were put in the bin ages ago. It was so obvious that they were just tacky band aids posted to distract from all the cracks, potholes, and general grim that littered across London. A silly attempt to hide away her flaws.
"I would've been in bed by now if it wasn't for stupid detention," I grumbled. Glancing upward, I felt the raindrops beginning to hasten. The sky had darkened into a deep blue, with only a few patches of white reminding me of what lies above.
Tired steps grew awkward as I waved from side to side, expecting to bounce off a familiar shoulder. Only to phase through suspended raindrops. Marching along our once shared path with no rhythm.
Until a sudden wave of static passed through me, stopping me dead in my tracks. Before me, a large puddle rested in front of the small park's entrance, holding a piece of fallen sky. Walking slowly, towards my reflection, I clutch my school bag close. She stood tall, unbelievably more confident. But were my eyes always that gloomy? One abrupt shove to my left shoulder sent a splash of rain water soaring to the clouds, over the tacky grey office buildings.
"Don't stand in the middle of the road, new kid!" A horde of laughter faded away into the fog. "Get with the program!"
My hair fell around my face. The water's cold. I stare back into the reflection. My eyes struggled to focus in my shadow's own darkness. A single ripple permeated on the water’s surface. All I saw was nothing.
“Stupid.”
A soft rustling of grass snapped me out of my self pity. Veering away from the small park's entrance, I quickly got up. The air became still. Then a grey scruffy cat came walking out of the unkept grass.
I finally noticed how heavy my breathing was, "Uh," I cleared my voice, "I'm sorry," I brushed myself off. Glancing to the floor, the cat skirted around the puddle, pushing my bag close to me.
I felt the hair on the back of my neck standing. His piercing blue eyes stared at me.
"Why-"
A crash of thunder sent a wave of panic over me as I dropped down to the floor in a cry. My head tucked into my arms. A sickening overwhelming sensation burned behind my eyes. I grasped the bag's handle, but my step toward the dorms was immediately halted by the same grey cat.
It opened its mouth but before it could even mutter a meow, another crash of lightning filled my ears and nerves.
"Leave!" My voice cracked.
The trembling cat stared at me with wide eyes. My breathing quivered. A flash of light sent me back to that day. The day I realized how flawed I truely am.
Aware of my sins, the winds howled at me as I ran through the empty alleyways and streets, all the way back to school. Within this prison of concrete and glass I thought I had someone who can make me forget. I held my shoulder even tighter, a half hearted attempt to remember.
It hurts.
...
A somber tapping in the back of my head persisted. I don't answer. I don't open.
I stared blankly at my white sneakers. The crackling of the speakers filled my ears. The signs and symbols on every school poster sent my mind dazed in confusion. Even the way kids here walked was mortifying. Every interaction with someone was just another reminder of how unprepared I really am. So I hide. Kept my head down. Not a word was spoken.
"Are you alright?" A voice rang out in the empty hallway.
A crash of thunder echoed down the hallway, my eyes shoot open to the dark and desolate school.
Just a memory.
I glance at my grey and beat up sneakers. I take in a deep breath.
“It's not fair,” I began. "I came here to hide and yet," I mumbled, “Teach just had to lock the classroom!" My one chance to do some snooping while I waited for the rain to die out, ruined! Gosh how nice it would be to finally get some dirt on some people! I guess my luck ran out with the school's front door being left open.
My shoes squeaked down the hall as I stood up. "Still..." I stared at how eerie the hallway bent around the corner of the building, only a few lights dotted along the way.
The abrupt crackle of the loudspeaker rang throughout the school.
"Ahh! Whatthe-" I hugged my schoolbag.
Through the grain, static words spoke, "Shadow... leave... light..." Before the school was choked into silence.
"I don't believe it" A small voice interrupted behind me.
"Wah! I'm sorry I didn't mean to tresp- I- huh?" I glanced around the empty hall.
"I’m glad you’re here!" The small grey cat spoke. He spoke? "Right now there's a new threat, you're the only one who can take it down!" He said with such conviction for such a small guy!
"Oh, uh well yeah sure! Whatever you say!" Geez, how long did I stay out in the rain for?
"This way!" He went towards the bend.
"Ok, uh– wait up!" I nearly slipped turning around the corner!
"Remember to call out this phrase."
A few words sent my mind spiraling into a splitting headache.
Venus… power… make-up?...
"Ugh, do I have to say that, it all sounds dumb." I shook my head.
"Prepare yourself," the cat stopped in front of the main office. The door slightly ajar. Chilly air flowed from deep within the dark room.
From the corner of the office, a quiet voice murmured. "And I don't want you to be hurting any longer." A grunt and a few crashes followed. "I suppose you should consider yourself lucky, Waxling. Not many people encounter our Whisps. Nevermind possess the courage to pursue one."
From the sliver of the door, I saw a thin shadowy formless creature standing a few steps away from a lady in a blue uniform. It's eyes shone down upon her with enough luminosity to peer through its ghastly skull. I held my mouth to avoid making a sound. It's arm twisted into five shadowy strands and wrapped themselves into a sudden punch against the officer's raised weapon.
"But for the time being, ignorance is bliss" She sang a whistling tune. "You’ll reach a sliver of perfection a little bit earlier than the rest of us." The whisp’s hallowed eyes began to glow a faint white. Raising its arm toward the ceiling, strands of shadow began to weave into a scythe.
I threw the door open, "Stop right there!" I shouted. I took a step back behind the doorway surprised by how confident I sounded.
"Another waxling?" She sighed.
"No! Quick, get out of here!" The officer raised her hand towards me. Her light blue eyes beamed with urgency. A zip filled the room as the whisp extended its arm across the shrouded office. She let out a gasping scream as the whisp's effortlessly raised her towards its eyes. A soft low note rang. Her eyes fluttered desperately before she went limp.
"This all happened so fast." I felt my lip trembling. "Think Mina, this is just a dream."
"That's all this is." I threw my bag to the floor.
Finding an ounce of courage in this fake world, I commanded the phrase from earlier. All at once, the room was filled in a blinding light, the whisp roared in agony. Overwhelmed, I shut my eyes tight, my body felt as light as a feather and my bruises didn’t hurt, in fact, my muscles felt stronger and more agile.
"It's great to have you back!” The cat cheered. “Now destroy the enemy! It's your duty as the goddess of love and beauty, Sailor Venus.”
"Huh? Who–"
A terrified scream shot across the room, "Whisp destroy her," She shouted before disappearing into a cloud of smoke. The creature placed the woman down before its eyes roared a deep red at me.
"Quick, use your attacks!"
"Attacks? What–”
"Duck!" the cat warned.
Leaping across the office, the whisp roared a static growl, a canine snout formed and snapped at me with dozens of razor sharp teeth. A shock of energy filled my body as I ducked to the floor, my hair grazing against its staticky skin. In one quick twist, I retaliated and sent the whisp flying into a set of lockers in one powerful kick!
"Excellent work! Now finish it off!"
"Uh, right!" I raised my arms into a fighting stance and then I, then I'll just... I... "How do I do that?" I shrugged.
"Huh? What do you mean–”
A screech tore through the space between me and the whisp. Rising from a cage of metal pipes, it tore away a stray piece of shrapnel, a black vapor gas escaped from its wound for just a moment. Red furious eyes stared back at me. Its arms began to split into many sharp and pointy tendrils.
"Now what!" I took a step back.
"Dodge!"
A flurry of piercing strands of shadows zipped across the hallway.
"This is not happening!" I shouted in between contorting poses in the doorframe.
The air between us got colder. The zips of shadows piercing air grew louder. My body felt like it was on fire, my arms raising and flexing into angles without my mind dictating anything.
But the uncanny sound of shadow grazing flesh tore through all my senses. A sickening gentle flow of blood made my mind freeze. But still, my body moved. Still, the attacks continued.
The eyes of the whisp glowed red. My left eye screamed red. Judging by the cat's sudden gasp. I guess he wasn't expecting this. But why didn't I do this in the first place?
Rushing down the hallway, the whisp let out a deafening roar. I felt its eyes piercing the back of my skull. The vision in one eye was cloudy in tears, the other screamed red. The few lights in the hall exploded as I ran past them. The walls began to whirl and spin as the colours began to fade. I threw myself outside into the fogfilled schoolyard. My palms and kneecaps bleed into the wet floor. I gasped for air, coughing in between desperate attempts to calm myself down. A burning pressure shouted behind my eyes, filling my head with anxiety in my struggle. Kneeling down before a puddle, my hands shook in the partially clear water, I felt the graininess sitting at the bottom through the strange gloves I wore.
Trembling above the reflection, my blue eye rattled at the sight of the contrasting red area of my face. A single drop of blood dissipated into the murky water. Then it was all dark. My lip quivered. All I could do was stare at the reflection of a towering whisp behind me. Soft ripples echoed in the puddle as I slowly turned around. It’s hand raised into the sky transforming into a scythe that tore through scattered grey clouds.
The dying remaining raindrops did nothing to wash away the blood or tears from my trembling eyes– I had already stopped registering the painful sting and red.
Shadow-like strands emitting from the blade shouted at me. A roaring agony grew as I let out a curdling scream until- it stopped. Mere inches away from me. The whisp stared up into the sky. Its eyes once full of a red fury became dulled as its body became more transparent. A tiny sliver of dying sunlight peaked out through the clouds- illuminating the small puddle. I watched, frozen, as the whisp drifted into a building's shadows. But its eyes... Its eyes remained for a bit longer, just staring at me. Lingering in the shadows.
...
Staring into the popcorn ceiling I followed the many chaotic valleys and mountain peaks that were kissed by the outside light that somehow made it through my room's window. My eyes scoured across the messy surface until I found a quiet, fully illuminated flat patch of ceiling. Away from any shadow. Away from danger. In that spot, I am safe. In my room, there is no danger.
"Sailor Venus are you in there?"
I forgot to close the doors. Did I seriously forgot to close the door!?
"Get out talking cat! I am dreaming!" I hollered.
"I don't understand, all of your memories should've been restored," he trotted into my room.
"I already told you to leave!" I threw my blanket over me.
"Dang it! How did I forget to close the doors!"
The cat was silent for a moment. "Oh! I know," cleared his throat. "My name is Artemis, and you are Sailor Venus. We both hail from a magnificent kingdom on the moon, Silver Millennium,"
My arms moved the blanket off. I sat upright.
He hopped to my bed's footframe. "Everything was peaceful until one day…” He gulped. A flash of emotion masked his face for just one second. “We lost everything. But whoever is behind these whisps, they're using the same energy that radiated our home when everything...." Despite his efforts to deliver a calm explanation, his eyes told a different story. “You and the other guardians were reincarnated–,” He paused. "Our mission is to protect our princess. But if we don’t put a stop to these whisps, I can’t imagine what may happen. Not just to her, but to this new Earth aswell." His eyes shinned as he raised his chin with a strange sense of resolve.
I move closer, my hands tightly gripping a small blanket.
“We're against an enemy we don't fully understand. Their motives, manpower, and abilities are still a mystery.” His eyes gleamed "But we will protect our princess, no matter what. We will take down this threat." He concluded. “Are you ready, Sailor Venus?”
I sat before him. "No." I wrestled him into a blanket.
"Wuh-hey!" Artemis muffled.
"This is just a dream!" I wrangled him out of my room, marching past my bedroom door and into my apartment's lounge. "Now go away!" I hurled the blanket towards the front door I had accidentally left open. My eyes locked with the officer's. Her knuckles barely had time to knock the inside side of the door before my hands let go of the fabric.
Arthurius let out a frightened meow shriek as he slammed into the lady's face before scurrying away.
My jaw dropped to the floor, "I am so sorry!" I hurried to the crouching lady.
What is a cop doing here?!
"No it's okay I'm quite alright..." She clutched her face in a quiet strain.
“I am so sorry-” blabbering apologies after apology, my hands wavering around frantically.
"I should've made my presence clear,” she fixed her outfit.
My hands flicked away from her. Should I help her? How do I help? Should I help her? I don’t know what to do!
“I’m so sorry Miss!” I blurted.
“It’s alright,” she raises a finger to the sky, “but that is no way to treat any animal.” She declared.
What a stern tone! My feet jumped backwards. "Oh no it was a stray that somehow got in." I hastily explained. My eyes slowly drifted towards the floor as I felt a wave of embarrassment and shame take over me. I noticed how clean her black boots were. They matched her clean blue slacks and dark blue jacket- not a single wrinkle dared to oppose her shiny metal buttons or even the small sliver of metal that gleamed just above her buttoned-up shirt pocket.
“Yes, well-” she looked up, I sensed her pupils dilating, “Oh my, you’re injured!” She exclaimed.
Without processing it, my body took a step backwards, “Oh, I- I'm okay. I didn’t even realize it-” and right on cue, I felt a roaring pain on my left temple. My hand sheepishly tried to cover the small gash.
“I can help,” she began. The uniformed woman dropped her things in front of her before swiftly taking out a small first aid kit from her briefcase.
"It’s okay. I must have hit my head on the counter or something," even my own voice couldn't agree with my excuse. My back stumbled into the kitchen counter.
Glancing upwards for just a second, the officer swayed back and forth in place, her calm and collected face couldn’t hide a concerned look in her eyes. She clutched the handle of the first aid kit, "I can’t leave you–”
"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "I don't want to trouble you–” It stung.
"No no, it would be no trouble at all," She hastily reassured, her hands explained past the doorframe.
Chills traveled down my spine. Trembling eyes focused on my bag that rested in front of the officer. A wave of realization swept my mind. The woman standing before me, her eyes once filled with terror and helplessness, were now full of pleading atonement.
"Ah, yes, I found your bag from earlier-" The woman's words became murky as I struggled to accept reality. A choking twist of words struggled to work its way out of my throat. Until finally, my lips weakly parted. I pushed myself off the hard kitchen countertop. And softly nodded.
Sitting before me, her gentle hands move diligently on my wounds. She warned me of every painful stings of alcohol she applied. I didn't wince. Yet my eyes carried small tears.
"I know this stings,” she lightly dabbed, “but it's for your own sake." She swept away my hair to heal my temple. It burned. A pathetic helplessness filled my eyes.
The officer quietly began. “There was a break-in near your school.” She took a pause, “One thing led to another… and when your bag was all alone–" she cleared her throat. "I just had to make sure…” she stopped.
My eyes peered up to meet hers. They weren't filled with pity. It was something else. I wish I knew the word. But I doubt there's a word to describe it.
"My name is Katarina," She softly caressed my temple.
The quiet soft rustling of bandages filled the messy apartment for a few moments.
"I." My voice was quiet. "I’m Minako Iano..."
From the kitchen window, I sensed the soft glow radiating from a tiny sliver of the new Moon.
Katarina tended to my other injuries. “I’d like to ask,” she began.
I slumped away from her.
“No worries.” Her voice was meticulous yet soft. “Get some rest and if you feel comfortable I’d like to ask a few questions.” Her sincere voice concluded. She scribbled something on a piece of paper, told me some instructions and to get some rest. After a few affirming clicks of the door’s locks, I heard her softly turning the doorknob, ensuring the door was indeed locked.
Staring into the popcorn ceiling above my bed, the deliberate wrapping of bandages holding my left shoulder felt smooth against my finger tips. Nicely wrapped. Even. Smooth. No wrinkles. Perfect.
"I'm in a chaotic place right now." I whispered.
My eyes found the empty patch from earlier.
"But I’ll get to my perfect area of the world.
No matter what."
I woke up and everything hurts.
"Thank goodness the rain has passed, good people keeping watch,"
"Mhh? Yeah," I half shrugged. I could only half shrug cause my left shoulder still hurt.
"The volunteering center is always busy after a storm, times have been tough lately. So many without a roof over their head or a warm meal..." Ms. Wright continued on and on.
Yeah, yeah whatever.
"Why its very generous of you to watch over this handsome gent!"
"Huh?" Turning around from the kitchen counter towards the door, I see Miss Wright pointing an old lady finger at the grey cat. “Uhh-!”
I forgot I wasn't allowed to have pets in my apartment!
“Well, I suppose my old eyes don't work like they used to. You don't have school today, least you can do is clean up that cat of yours," She joked before shuffling away from the door that she never seems to close herself whenever she drops off lunch! But I can't get annoyed by that right now!
“Audacious!" I slammed shut the door.
“That wasn’t even an attempt!” He groaned.
I pick up the grey cat, “You almost got me in trouble!"
"What the- for what- hey!"
I began marching toward the tub before he can argue. "You're lucky she's old and can't see."
"I'm pretty sure she was just bluffing," A splash of water interrupted him, “who even is she?"
"Just a witch who makes sure I go to class. And brings me food. Not the best food but we have a good deal.” Grabbing a bottle of soap, I remembered how hopeless he looked. All by himself sleeping against the front door this morning. With everything that happened yesterday, I can't exactly pretend like he doesn't exist. But I think I can get away with not believing in everything he said.
“Let's just make this clear again.” I sighed. “I won’t kick you out. But I don’t want any trouble. Not from you, and not from any of that sailing stuff.” I shut off the water. He should consider himself lucky I'm going this far to help him!
He went silent for a good few moments until some soap got in his eye, "Ow! You know what you're doing right?"
“Relax,” I said with sore knees resting on a towel between the floor. “I had a cat. I know what I'm doing." I grabbed a handful of water.
"Had???” Art asked nervously.
Maybe that wasn't the best choice of words.
“Yeah," Staring at the crystal clear water slowly getting tainted, I wondered if it was even a good idea for that police officer to check on me last night. “My parents had just lost their jobs and the economy was still recovering." I scrubbed a little slower, "they were really stressed out, and a cat is expensive." My voice trailed off with examples.
Artemis had a confused look to his face. "So," Art began, "your parents got rid of it?"
I stop scrubbing.
"I brought her to a nearby park." My eyes glanced up at the ceiling for a moment, remembering how grey the sky was on that day. "I left.” I scrubbed art a little too hard. “Then the next day, there was a big storm. Never seen her since.”
Art looked up at me as if he wanted to ask more questions but debated if he should. There was a long silence before I cleared my throat, “it took my parents a few days to even realize she was gone. I guess they assumed she was in my room like always." The dirty water spiraled down the drain. My arms rested against the cold porcelain. It stung for a moment, but I got used to it.
My hand quickly turned the tap and flung some water on Art's face, "but it was for the best," I jumped up and grabbed a clean towel to pat him down.
Art shook his head. "I'm sorry Sailor Venus, it must have been hard to say goodbye.”
I blanketed the towel to cover his face before biting down, clenching my jaw hard. Memories of a cold London day flashed into my head. Silent sobs drowned away. Alone I remembered. Alone I ache.
"I miss him," I whisper.
With a sudden intake of air, I jumped up and grabbed a hairdryer and blasted Art with it, "but hey look at you! I thought you were a grey cat this whole time with all that dirt! Now I can see that cool crescent on your forehead!” I could’ve sworn I saw it glow a little.
“Tooooo faaast!” Art shouted in high speed winds.
“Wahh! Sorry-sorry,” Fumbling with the hairdryer, I accidentally aimed it right towards me.
Art Jumped out and shook himself. "I have to admit, its been a while since I've seen my fur this clean. Thank you, Sailor Venus.”
I placed the hairdryer away and raised my finger. "One more thing about the deal. I'm not Sailor Venus. Don't call me that."
His whiskers turned to a bunch of sad faces. "So, you really don't remember anything do you?” He jumped back inside the tub.
Well... great. Now I feel bad for him. But why? I don't even know who he is! He hasn't even asked me for my name. He doesn't really mean anything to me, I just met him! Did I really just let him into my house out of pity? I've never really done anything like that before...
Turning my head to the bathroom mirror. Vibrant blue eyes peered back at me. A wave of unfamiliarity took hold of me for a moment. "I'm leaving for, uh, a walk in a bit. Take care of the house while I’m gone, Arquebus!" My hands went into my pockets. I felt the piece of paper folded in my palm.
Just relax Mina. As soon as I can see that police officer and explain everything, the police can take care of this mess. And this whole nightmare will end.
Just before leaving the sad cat alone in the room, my blue eyes in the mirror followed me exit.
...
My dirty sneakers shifted back and forth outside the fancy waiting area outside of the restaurant.
"I hope we don’t get the rug dirty." I thought to myself.
The constant murmuring and judgemental glares at me from all the fancy dressed people waiting in line made my palms sweat.
“Great! I took too much time washing Art and now we're late! Maybe we should just go back…”
A brief sense of relief hit as a random homeless bloke in a brown jacket quickly stammered past the restaurant's queue, making everyone in line scoff and turn away from the outside world, also known as anything outside the red rope barrier. Which includes me!
“Thank you for waiting Minako,” A blue buttoned-up woman stepped out from the restaurant’s doors. “It appears my reservation got messed up, I’m sorry,”
“Oh,” I softly replied.
“But I did promise you a meal.” she reassured, “we can go wherever you'd like.”
Relieved, I nodded my head. “But, to be honest I don't really know any restaurants around here."
"Hey, neither do I," Katarina smiled. "But I'm sure we'll come up with something together."
I smiled.
Walking under the stretched shade of rowed trees, we stopped at a small sandwich shop and sat on a bench.
"I'm sorry I arrived late."
"Always leave early expecting to be late." She simply recited.
A stupid red feeling began to make mask my face. I tried to hide behind my half finished sandwich.
"Oh, I didn’t mean to lecture you, I was just trying to give a bit of advice." She rested her fingers by her temple. "I guess I'm a little tired from last night."
"Yeah, crazy how school was cancelled." I deviated. Although, inside my head I silently celebrated the fact.
She sat upright, "don't worry, class will come back by tomorrow." She gave a soft sigh, "once the cops find nothing, they'll give up and move on." A slight twitch formed in her eyebrow. “I swear…”
"Wait, aren't you a cop?" I interrupted.
"Not necessarily." She paused. "I work for a global organization of cops, I came here cause I noticed the uptick of break-ins but, the city doesn’t seem so keen on outsiders."
Well, thanks for withholding that information-
"Break-ins?" I interrupted. A shiver ran down my spine.
Her eyes met mine. Closing them she said, “everything from businesses, government buildings, and even homes. The city can’t explain it.” She waved her hand, “nothing is ever taken, no evidence gets left behind and so far, there hasn’t been any suspects." Her hand turned into a fist. She opened her eyes, “if this isn't stopped then it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt." Her eyes were filled with resolve. Her words carried so much conviction.
I noticed how my hands resting on the table were perfectly calm. "But," My hands twitched, "what about you? Aren't you afraid something might happen to you?" I held my shoulder. She must have memory of what happened yesterday.
She closed her eyes for a moment, her face became more serious as a slight wrinkle formed in between her eyebrows. "I'd be lying if I said no." Her gaze moved to my bandaged temple. "But-" A breath of air stopped in her throat. "That's just part of the job I suppose." She crossed her arms. I noticed how her hand held her bottom rib.
I may not be a detective like her but I don't need a magnifying glass to know she had more to say. I should get a magnifying glass, those are pretty cool.
Well that makes me feel safe," I complimented.
"Thank you.” She gave a soft chuckle, “I'm sorry for rambling, you probably have a lot on your mind too," She crumpled the wrapping paper and tossed it to the can a few feet besides us, "but, we can just chat for a while."
//Am I that easy to read? Well she is a detective or investigator or something... But if I were to be a detective, I think I'd like to know where the best dessert places are! Katarina and I stumbled on a nice ice cream shop near a square. We're lucky to have found a bench on a busy late afternoon!//
“So, I’m guessing you’re not much of a cat person huh” Katarina poked a scoop of orange sherbet with her spoon.
“Well uh, that cat's been giving me trouble,”
That’s putting it lightly.
Resting her dessert on the table, she took out a small notepad and scribbled. Curious, I leaned in close to try and peek.
“Uh-uh, no peeking yet!” She joked.
My eyes immediately darted towards my scoop of mint chocolate chip.
“Here it is!” She slid the drawing over to me.
I giggled slightly at the sight of it: a silly looking drawing of me holding Art over my head with a caption - best partners.
“Pretty accurate right?” She leaned back into the chair.
“Yeah but, I’m pretty sure I was wearing flip-flops” I quipped.
“Nope, they were scattered in the living room”
“Wait what-“ I asked embarrassingly.
“I’ve got a pretty good memory,” she tapped her pen on her head, “I could tell you were right handed, had a slight shoulder injury, and-.” She paused for a moment, “eh- sorry I didn’t mean to over analyze you.”
“Oh no,” I waved my hands. “I think that's cool!” I wish I could do that. My eyes wandered to a piece of shiny metal tucked away in her front pocket.
“Here,” Katarina pulled out her badge.
“Huh,- I uh I’m sorry,”
"You don't have to apologize," she smiled. She held it out to me. At first I just stared blankly at the piece of shiny metal.
My fingertips were cold from the icecream cup so I was surprised by the badge's warmth. It had a surprising amount of weight for a thin piece of metal. A robust gleam reflected off of it which perfectly matches Katarina's eyes. "I like your last name," I lightly pressed my thumb over the indented lettering.
"I know it's a bit unusual," She rubbed her head, and glanced away, "my mom works in law enforcement- more on the management side of things. She collaborates with agencies world wide. That's basically how she met my dad." Moving her ice cream cup more towards herself, she gave a soft sigh, "thanks to them, I have this job. So, how'd you get to London?" She quickly changed the conversation.
I shut my eyes and tried to reflect on my complicated journey that made me end up in London. “There was an international exchange program at my school, I applied for it at the last minute on a whim and now I'm here." I shrugged.
Katarina giggled.
I don't have anywhere to steer the conversation with. Shoot. Now what do I talk about?
“So uh, how does Officer Katarina draw so well?!” I held up with drawing of Artemis and I.
She held her hands up, "Yeah I know, crazy combination huh. My sister,” she cleared her thraot. “She was really into comics and would pester me with whatever drawings she thought looked cool and we'd try to copy them. But most of the time, I ended up drawing stuff for her instead.” Katarina glanced toward the sunset.
I glance there too. The sun lingered softly over London, all the shops and alleyways casted towering shadows.
"But that was years ago." The officer said. She stared at her barely touched ice cream scoop.
I moved my hand to pick up a big scoop of my own ice cream. Yet my eyes were glued to the sky, faint dots began to reveal themselves to me in the night sky. Especially one single bright star, just little ways away from the sliver of moon.
"Mina?"
"Huh?!” I turned towards Katarina.
"I'm sorry," Kat said in between laughs. She held out a napkin to me. Just as she moved her other hand to cover her mouth, she knocked over her ice cream off the table and it plopped on her shoe. "Ah-" she let out.
I covered my own mouth to try and hide a smile but I ended up blurting out laughing. I felt my sides hurting as Katarina joined in. I cleaned my ice cream smeared face with the napkin. The last rays of sunset felt amazing, as I glance towards her with a cheerful smile. I allowed my ears to enjoy the quiet bustling streets of London. Mundane conversations whispered among crowds of people.
How long has it been since I've last had ice cream with someone? I think the last time was with…
"Please! You have to listen to me!" A man shouted in the middle of an intersection. Five bobbies surrounded the man, a crowd of people watched the scene from the sidewalks. "Its the entire city!" His waved his brown jacket sleeves in every direction.
"Don't pay him no mind, Minako," Katarina said.
His eyes were full of fear and urgency, his voice was hoarse as though he hadn't had a single glass of water for days. The officers moved in closer to him.
A piercing violent static began to fill my ears. A sharp and painful wince escaped my lungs.
"Mina what's wrong?" Katarina moved quickly next to me. I shivered at the touch of her hand on my back, my entire body recoiled away.
My eyes searched around the square for the source of noise. "You don't hear that?" I pressed my hands harder against my ears.
"Hear what?"
"Please!" The homeless man shouted on the floor as the bobbies descended upon him. "You don't understand, you need to evacuate London!" He cried.
My eyes widened as I heard it again. A whirling tornado of screams, full of shattering glass, and splintered wood. I turned my head away to try and-get away from Kat's hand reaching out to me, but I only made things worse by facing the source of the hellsounds. My fists tightened against my ears.
It’s a dream. No. As much as I wanted to play ignorant, to believe it was just another bad dream...
"I’m sorry,”
"Mina?"
Adrenaline shouted at me to keep running. To hide. Shoving my way through a sea of people, all while violent screams continue to echo in my head. Still I take another step.
Another step away.
Another step to safety.
Another day…
Hiding away in the forgotten alleys of London, I push myself further into a grey brick wall.
It’s always been like this huh?
My mind whispers to me as I tuck myself into a ball.
The gentle sliver of moon bears no witness.
“It’s pathetic.” A warm voice spoke.
Scrambling up, I nearly knock over a metal trashcan.
"If there is one gift Mother Nature has perfected, it is fear." He spoke from high above, on top of a white two-story building.
My eyes struggled to focus on him. His white tux and cape blended into the night sky. In a quick turn of his cape, he was gone.
What the heck does that even mean! Fear... Well, I have a lot of that- I hide my fists into my pockets, only to feel a piece of metal.
"What the-" I took it out. Katarina's badge glimmered faintly in the soft moonlight, "She's scared too." I softly whispered. "But that’s just part of the job." I remembered the deal I made with Artemis. But also the promise I made to myself that I’ll do what it takes to get my original life back. Free from worry. "This problem isn't going to let me sleep tonight if I ignore it." I glance down the alley. I feel thousands of invisible strands tugging me forward.
My fist tightened around the badge. And with a strained groan, I take one small step forward, away from the wall.
It's funny. My sneakers ran down the shadowed alleyways towards an unknown point of agony. Right behind me, is the route back home. I felt myself being pulled towards the source of screams. I ran with no direction in mind. And yet, my steps felt the most confident they have ever been.
“Please, keep distance!” A police officer held out his arms to try and keep a crowd back behind a hazard tape.
"Just tell us what's going on!" An angry man shouted. The yells and protests of the crowd only grew louder.
I duck behind the corner of a building. "How am I supposed to get past all that?" I walked back and forth in the alley
"Try the roofs,"
"Ah!" I turn around to scream at a bloke exiting a building.
"Toodles," He stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets and calmly walked away from the chaotic site. Whistling and all!
Well… that’s not a bad idea…
"Try the roofs..." The towering heights of the buildings were all around me. The night sky looked like a painting.
Thinking about dumb stuff like this isn’t getting me anywhere!
Focusing all my attention on my ears, my hearing whizzed past the crowd and turned into the location of two police officers' screams. They're in the building with a whisp. I stumbled back into the wall, my palms searching for something to help regain my balance. The raspy static sound is still echoing in my head. I feel like my heart is being squeezed.
"Ok then, Venus…” My eyes felt heavy as an overwhelming amount of energy and strength took hold of me.
Scaling the wall is pretty easy when you’re zapped with a bunch of energy. If only I had this energy for gym class. Well, not like I would even use it but still.
Standing on top of an antique clock shop, the screaming faded into one voice. “Right. Alright Mina. Just don’t look down.” My heart skips a beat in sync with every jump, but a small part of me did enjoy the way the wind rushes past my hair. Moving in a wide curve, I jumped across gaps and valleys to get behind the restaurant.
"It's no use!" A female police officer fires another bullet, the spark of light illuminates a small portion of the destroyed restaurant. She stood in front of a small booth with shattered porcelain and unconscious patrons. The small bit of metal zips in the air right towards the whisp. The creature’s faint white eyes stare at the projectile, before it slowly raised its arm. A static filled the room as the bullet is encased in shadows. It had taken the bullet into itself, an indent forming just before impact, then strands of darkness weaved to hold it in place.
From a sliver of the door, I sensed the little bit of moon also witnessing this stupid ability. Pretty handy that the backdoor wasn't locked. No way I was going to come in through the chimney. My nose could smell the warm rich food in the restaurant, along with a gross metallic taste in the air.
"If a bullet can't stop it," Slipping past the door, I ducked behind the kitchen counter where a brick outlined window gave me a full view of the interior. Even though the lights were all off, a sliver of moonlight allowed my eyes to bear witness to the scene.
This can’t be real.
Sensing another soul in the building, the creature whirled toward the corner of the restaurant to a man on the floor. He raised his firearm to no avail. The glow of two empty eyes illuminated the back of the whisp’s skull. The police officer was shoved to an empty booth, his gun resting a few feet away.
The other officer stood frozen. The whisp turned its eyes toward her. Her eyes began to flutter helplessly just as before. I shoved myself past the kitchen door to the dining area.
"Stop!" I cried out, just as it began to raise its arm.
The whisp's eyes snapped its head to me.
Think Mina, think!
It slowly moved towards me for a few feet, then stopped.
Why?
Veering a bit to the right, it continued toward me. Ignoring the a small streak of moonlight that found its way inside the restaurant from the small gap of the back door I didn't close all the way. That's it! When I transformed for the first time, the whisp roared in pain in the light…
A crash of splintering wood from the ceiling fell down upon the whisp.
Shoot! I didn't realize it was about to attack me!
In one quick dash, my back pressed hard against the back-alley door. The sliver of moonlight was erased.
Crud, it opens into the restaurant! Why did I just realized that now?!
Amidst the dark building, a pair of glowing eyes stare down on me. In my blindness I sent a kick and punch with my right side. It dodged and waved at my flurry of attacks, until I felt the sting of a thousand needles wrapping around my arm. Swept up from under my feet, my body jerked forwards- away from the door, yet I stayed in midair between the roaring whisp and ray of moonlight.
My grip on the metallic doorknob increased, a swelling pain roared on my left shoulder all while the whisp's flesh began to vaporize and sizzle in the moonlight.
I felt my arm burning in a hot vapor, a pained scream escaping my lungs. The door's hinges began to buckle and split from the wall as I let out a pleading yelp. My arms were being stretched like taffy! Its eyes began to glow red, but my attention turned toward four figures in a booth across from me. In my distraction, my gloved hand began to lose its grip.
Just hold on Mina. The moonlight will finish it off… Just hold on!
In one final tug away from the moon, my vision swirled from the whisp's terrified eyes, a crescent moon, a symbol on the kitchen floor, and finally a smeared frame of the restaurant’s messy interior.
A crash of wood and glass filled my ears.
//Vision blurry... ground close. Door open... Light fading…//
Tucked in a ball on the floor before me was a woman. Long tranquil light green hair flowed from her head to the floor like a river. She had a weird purple outfit, very sparkly and elegant. But the green and purple are kinda a color clash. Her eyes are puffy, looks like she’s been crying for a while.
I watch as a single tear drop from her chin to the floor. A splash of cyan shadows exploded from the impact, the entire restaurant was filled with what I can only describe as universe wallpaper. Stars, planets, and galaxies moved out of her way as she stood up and met me at eye level.
She raised her finger to the full red moon directly above us. “What once was one will join to become one once more.”
What a tongue twister.
“The power I used to keep the Moon and Earth dancing is decaying. A group wishes to reignite my sorrowfilled energy but for their own goals. They will be unsuccessful.” Her eyes, glossy with tears, closed for a moment. “The joining will happen.”
I looked up to see the moon increasing in size, as it began to glow in a blinding white light.
“Fate has decreed.” She lifted her shaking hands in front of her face. Her terrified eyes peeks from a sliver between her fingers.
The universe began to shake and rumble.
I’m sorry. She mouthed.
A small glass cup fell next to me. The sound snapped my eyes open. I blink. I see a set of red inhuman eyes staring back at me. Thin and hurt, the whisp stands.
"Just give me a break," I laid in a pile of rubble and broken where no light dared to comfort me. The dining room carpet felt cold. The whisp's arm slowly splintered and crossed itself into a scythe. It's much lower from the ceiling this time. It pointed the end of the blade from the damaged part of the cieling from earlier.
"That's enough." A voice rang out. Sitting in a booth, a group of people watched unharmed.
"Is this what fate declares?" A quiet voice muffled.
"Tacky." A sarcastic girl snarked.
"Not good enough," a bored raspy voice scoffed.
A figure stands up. "I believe our message is clear." He said. A whirl of smoke filled the restaurant. And they vanished. Along with the whisp.
I laid in the mess of brokenness for a moment. "Ow," I murmured.
The groaning grunts and pain rang throughout the building as people began to get up from their unconsciousness. Begrudgingly, I stood up. Looks like I was thrown toward the kitchen door, next to a shelf.
"Freeze!" A uniformed man called out. His voice quivered from a booth.
"Uhhh," I froze.
"Everyone out!" The woman held open the front door, a streetlamp allowed a bit of light to enter the building.
"Uh, I’m glad you’re okay officer, so there were these–" I took a step forward.
"D-don't move! I saw you watching from the kitchen!" The man pointed right at me.
"Well, yeah that was me but everything else–" I quickly moved my hands in explanation.
The man leapt forwards and cowered to the floor.
I roll my eyes. “Look, let me expla-"
He stood back up with his gun aimed at me.
Shoot! My mind yelled. A sudden mass of energy surged in my hand as I raised it to shield myself from the weapon. A bright ray of energy shot out from my palm towards the officer
Everything happened in slow motion. I saw the beam of light pierce through the air as I heard the quiet delicate sound of the trigger getting pressed. My eyes were filled with terror. My heart skipped a beat.
It was empty.
The gun flung back in his hands. The stupid angle of everything meant that the gun flew right out a window and crashed and clattered and echoed throughout the London streets and my ears.
He froze. Eyes full of terror.
The female police officer moved with delicateness as she began to take out her own weapon. All I heard were two muffled pops as I ran out the backdoor.
My ears were filled with screams as I dash back to the apartments. The crescent moonlight lit up the empty alleyways in a gentle blue warmth. My eyes began to tear. My injuries ached, and my lungs burned. For a moment I rested against a grey brick wall. For a moment, I allowed myself to weep.
With the moon being my only witness.
…
“Sailor Venus, for the last time, tell me what happened.”
“...”
“Look, It's obvious that something occured so just tell me!"
A pillow was thrown at the talking cat. Artemis gave a frustrated sigh before muttering off to who knows where. To who knows where...
A small sniffle filled the room. A familiar overwhelmed feeling returned to my eyes. I felt the air choking in my throat.
...
I laid motionless. Paralyzed to do anything. To even think of what I need to do. All I want to do now is disappear from this mess.
I’m sorry.
A quiet voice rang in my head.
Then a knock.
"Minako?" A gentle voice whispered.
My nerves shocked me awake as I leapt out of bed, my hand tightened, readying for a fight. I saw a figure in the doorframe, a hand ready on her holster. My lips parted ready to call out that phrase. My mind had to catch up with my eyes widening to a rushing blue buttoned up officer.
"Thank goodness you're okay," A pair of arms wrapped around me.
"Katarina?” My voice was raspy. “Uh, yeah yeah all good" I patted her back. She squeezed me harder. "Well, not really," I wheezed.
"Oh! I'm so sorry," Kat immediately pulled away.
I gave a soft hackle and raised my hand, "It's all good."
"I'm terribly sorry, I don't know what got over me." She wiped her eyes, "I couldn't find you Mina, so I figured I'll try your flat and I saw your door was open I just." The moonlight glimmered in her teary eyes. "Minako, you’re injured,"
I felt my hands shaking. I turned away from her. Every part of me hurts. "I'm sorry. I don't want to trouble you. I didn't mean to make you worried." My soft voice whispered. The room fell to silence. Still I felt Katarina's presence.
"Mina, I want to help you."
I stared at the ground for a moment. my sneakers laid on the floor. Mud stained and all. Katarina's boots still looked as perfect as the day I met her. Moving slowly to meet her eyes, they showed kindness but also a sense of duty.
I sat on the edge of my bed. I look at my hands. No gloves. They began to shake "I have a job to do." I choked. "It’s just too much." my voice cracked.
It’s all too much.
Katarina sat down next to me. A rush of shame and embarrassment began to claw at me for even saying that.
“You don’t have to explain everything to me, just whatever you’re comfortable with. You don’t need to shoulder this job alone.” Katarina said.
“I want to tell you everything.” I blurted. I swiftly turned my head towards her. Finding a moment of my breathing staying steady I tightened my hands. “Can you keep a promise…” I said weakly.
She parted her lips. She took in a hush of air. "Of course." She reassured me.
"Promise you won't leave me."
She moved her hand to swipe away a few strands of hair away from my face. "I promise."
I felt my entire body buckling at the sudden weight off my shoulders. I moved my arms to hug Katarina. A small cry filled the room, as I wept in front of another person I'll put my trust in. But for right now, at this moment, I think that's ok.
I’ve always liked how they gave Chibi Moon and Tuxedo Mask a joint attack. Makes me wish the others got some too (aside from Sailor Planet Attack).
I can't stop thinking about these potential joint attacks:
Mercury's water + Venus' light = rainbow attack (RIP to Rainbow Moon Heartache)
Mercury's water + Mars' fire = steam attack
Mercury's water + Jupiter's lightning = electrified water attack
Mars' fire + Venus' light = explosion attack
Jupiter's oak leaves and lightning + Mars' fire = forest fire/fire storm attack
Jupiter's lightning + Uranus' wind + Neptune's sea water = hurricane attack (never let these three be on the same team)
I think we should talk so much more about how fucked up a friendship is where Makoto, the orphaned girl who basically raises herself and is super vulnerable to exploitation because she's likely prone to abandonment fears, performs a lot of domestic labor, and mothers Usagi, who is the only girl in the cast with a functional family.
When care flows from Makoto to Usagi, it is not just “Makoto likes cooking, isn’t that sweet?”, imo. It is the orphaned, self-parented child performing nourishment for the only girl in the cast who already has a functioning domestic safety net. That is a very loaded emotional economy, isn't it? Makoto is situated in a scarcity of care and still gives more of that to Usagi, who is blessed with an abundance of care.
You cannot really separate Makoto's domesticity and caretaking of others from the fact that she would have starved if she hadn't learned to feed herself. It is hard for me to watch her take care of everyone, watch her being the Strong Friend, and not get kind of pissed off that no one takes care of her. It doesn't feel wholesome for me. It just feels unfair. It is like her loss and trauma are just ingredients of a neat benefit package to give Usagi a friend who provides the comforts Usagi loves the most: food. Like Makoto's painful childhood was tailored to provide additional comfort for Usagi,
But I don't think the fandom is ready for that conversation.
Ok so I know this isn't the popular opinion among the Sailor Moon fandom overall, but I don't really ship MakoAmi and Reinako. Like don't get me wrong I don't hate them, I think theyre both really cute ships and they have so many really good moments together. But I've always thought Mako and Mina made a perfect couple!
Like Mako and Mina both dream of love, more than anyone else in the series (minus Usagi) and I feel like their lifestyles really complement each other. Personality wise too! Like Mina is more hyped up and stuff and Mako isn't so they fit well in that sense. They're both hopeless romantics so you know every single anniversary they are both pulling out all of the stops to try to make it memorable. Not only that but they have similar issues with being told they're not feminine enough, Mako is too tall and too strong, and Mina likes gaming and is considered rough and boyish (This is mostly touched on in the Sailor V manga but still) I just feel like they would be perfect for each other
And then Rei and Ami, being the only 2 inner guardians not in a relationship and both having more calm vibes would spend a lot of time together. Like I could imagine Ami studying and Rei meditating in the same room silently for hours on end. I feel like they would be completely fine with the setup of hanging out with Usagi and Mamoru and Mina and Mako both sets of people being on a kind of date and just hanging out, they're just doing their own thing and the rest of the people around them are being stupid. Also, like Ami and Rei both at times express they aren't even interested in a relationship, so I feel like they would bond over that too.
kianamaiart
2087
annaxmalina
prguitarman
pixelskylines
turnnoffyourmind
