Mercury Rising A Sailor Moon: Generation Gap Side Story by Scott Delahunt 'She's so beautiful, so graceful,' Ami thought as she watched Sailor Mercury demonstrate her lesson. 'I'll never be able to take her place.' "Sailor Cygnus, are you paying attention?" Mercury asked. "Sorry, Mercury-sensei." "Is there something on your mind, Cygnus?" "No, Mercury-sensei." Ami blushed as her fellow Senshi-in-training snickered. "Then please pay attention." Mercury returned to her demonstration. One of Ami's new friends - a tall brunette named Makoto - nudged her in the arm. "Never thought I'd see you get in trouble," Makoto whispered. "I'm not in trouble," Ami whispered back. "Ladies, if you don't pay attention, you'll both be in trouble," Mercury said. "The Moon Kingdom will be relying on you someday. What you learn today may not only save your lives, but the lives of the people of the Moon Kingdom and even of Queen Serenity and her daughter. Understand?" "Yes, Sensei," Ami and Makoto chorused. "Tensions are running high between the Earth and the Moon Kingdom. Any slip may cause thousands of people to die. I won't always be around to help you out." "Yes, Sensei." The other Senshi-in-training joined Ami and Makoto in answering. Mercury returned to her lesson. Ami paid close attention to her mentor, making notes on every detail. The class became a formal practice, with Sailor Mercury pushing the trainees to their limits. After the practice, Ami took her time in the shower, working each muscle under the hot, pulsating stream. Letting the water run long after her aching muscles were soothed, she finally turned off the water and stepped out. Ami glanced at the clock on the wall. Realizing it was later than she expected, she quickly toweled off and put on fresh clothes. Slipping her shoes on, she ran out into the hall. "Ami-chan, what kept you?" Minako asked. "We've been waiting. You don't want to miss the ball, do you?" "The Moon Princess's lover might be there tonight," Makoto added. "Prince Endymion? Here?" Ami said. "Her Majesty's guards are going to kill him if they see him," Rei said. "Relations with the Kingdom of Earth are bad right now." "Good thing it's a masquerade," Minako said. She sighed. "Forbidden love. Isn't it romantic?" "I suppose. Can I meet you there later?" Ami asked. "Ami, you have to go," Makoto said. "The Moon Princess will expect us to be there." "I'll be there." Ami watched her friends leave. After the door closed, Ami sighed. She sat down on a nearby bench. 'They seem happy,' she thought. 'Why shouldn't they? They're going to be Sailor Senshi. They're doing well. Minako's really taking charge. So why can't I share their happiness?' Ami stood up. She wandered through the halls of the palace, aiming generally to get outside. 'I'm not cut out for this. I'm not a warrior. I wanted to be a healer. I'm not ready to be a Senshi.' Walking through a door, Ami looked around. Somehow, she had returned to the practice field. She saw Sailor Mercury, now dressed in her regular clothes, picking up debris from the earlier workout. "Sorry, Mercury-sensei," Ami said. "I didn't mean to disturb you." "I knew you'd come here, Ami-chan," Mercury said. "I've been waiting." "Waiting? For me? Why?" "I saw you in class today, Ami-chan." Mercury led Ami to a bench. "Please, sit. You don't normally daydream in class. Was there a problem? Was the class too slow for you?" "No, not at all, Mercury-sensei," Ami said as she sat down. Mercury joined her on the bench. "Please, Ami-chan, I'm out of uniform. Call me Nanami or Suchimuno-san." "Okay, Suchimuno-sensei." "What is the problem, Ami-chan?" 'What can I tell her? That I don't want to be a Sailor Senshi? That someone made a big mistake choosing me?' Ami became aware of Mercury's gaze. "I'm not really sure, Sensei," she said. "You're wondering if you are meant to be a Senshi, aren't you?" Ami blinked in shock. "That's not it," she said, waving her hands in front of her. She lowered her hands. "That's it exactly, Sensei." Ami couldn't meet her mentor's eyes. "I'm sorry, Sensei. I tried, but I'm never going to be a good Sailor Mercury." "Is that why you're so upset?" "I'll never be able to take your place, Sensei." "Ami-chan, no one is expecting you to become me once I step down." "I know, Suchimuno-sensei, but I'm not a warrior. Maybe I'm not destined to become a Senshi." "Sailor Cygnus, I am shocked with you," Mercury said. "I have been working with you closely for some time now. Are you trying to tell me that I have been wasting my time?" "I'm sorry, Sensei. I've been wasting everybody's time." "You have not been wasting anyone's time, Ami-chan. You are a smart, caring girl." Ami blushed. She looked up at her mentor. "Really, Sensei?" "Really. There's more to being a Sailor Senshi than just fighting. We are, as you will be, a symbol both of and for the Moon Kingdom. A Sailor Senshi who is as kind and caring as you, Ami-chan, is far more important than someone who can defeat an intruder. The Moon Kingdom is peaceful, and needs people like you." "But I don't feel like I'm a Sailor Senshi." "I felt the same way when I was Cygnus," Mercury said. "I always felt like I was the clumsiest girl around. I'd trip over my feet even when standing still. My predecessor was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen. She and the other Senshi were loved by everyone in the Moon Kingdom. What right did I have to take her place?" "You were nervous, Sensei?" Ami asked. "Very. Just like you are now. That's why all trainees are given time as Stellar Senshi before they move into their full time role. Your time as Sailor Cygnus lets you make as many mistakes as you want, and gives the Moon Kingdom's subjects time to accept you." "What if they don't accept me?" "They will. Tru--" Mercury's communicator beeped. She fished it out of her pocket. "Yes? I see. I'll go check it out." Putting her communicator away, she looked at Ami. "Cygnus, come with me." Ami stood up straight. "Is something wrong?" Mercury stood up, trying not to groan with the effort. She bent over, her hands on her back. "Sensei, are you okay?" Ami stepped towards Mercury, ready to help. "I'm okay. The years are catching up to me. A thousand years leaves its share of wear and tear." Mercury straightened up. "Let's go." Ami followed Mercury through the halls of the palace. Everyone she passed looked like they were going about their own business. "Sensei, what's going on?" Ami asked. Mercury looked around. Seeing no one within earshot, she answered, "It's probably nothing, Cygnus. Sailor Jupiter thought she saw something. We're just checking it out. "What do you think it is?" "I really don't know." Mercury never slowed her pace. "With Her Majesty's ball about to start, I don't want to take any chances." "The ball! I'm supposed to meet everyone there." "Duty calls. You'll have this happen a lot. You and your friends may have great plans, then something will come up and call you away. I've been looking forward to stepping down just to spend more time with my friends." After running up a set of stairs and out through a door, Mercury and Ami found themselves on the parapet extending along the palace's outer wall. Mercury scanned the surrounding countryside, leaving Ami. Ami looked around. The air pressed down on her, forcing her to take shallow breaths. She shivered, but not from the cold. 'It feels oppressive,' she thought. 'It's not the weather, either.' "Can you feel the change, Cygnus?" Mercury asked. "I think so, Sensei." "So do they." Mercury pointed to the elegantly dressed men and women rushing to the palace. "Maybe they think it's going to rain?" Ami asked, not convinced of her own suggestion. "No. They know something's wrong, but they don't know what. I don't know, either. We better transform." Ami ducked back into the stairwell. She pulled out her transformation pen and shouted, "Cygnus Power, Make Up!" A waterfall of shimmering blue energy covered Ami. Her dress melted away to be replaced by a white bodysuit and short blue skirt. White gloves formed on her hands and knee high boots on her feet and legs. As the energy curtain faded away, Ami steadied herself. Transformation complete, she ran back out. Her mentor, now in a uniform similar to Ami's, watched the sky. Thunder rolled over the landscape, an ominous rumble that shook Ami. "Sailor Cygnus, I need you to do exactly what I tell you. No hesitation, no questions," Mercury said. "Yes, Mercury-sensei," Ami said. 'This is serious. Can I do this? Can I help Sensei?' "Sensei, maybe I should go get Aquila or Draco." "There's not enough time, Cygnus. I need you here, now." "But --" "Cygnus, I have full confidence in you. I need you with me. This is not the time to question yourself. This is your duty, whether you're ready or not. Healthy, sick, tired, it doesn't matter. You are a Sailor Senshi. Understand?" "Yes, Sensei." "Good. I want you to keep watching. Tell me if you see anything odd." "Yes, Sensei." Ami scanned the horizon, as ordered. She looked up into the darkening sky, and down on the city. People ran into the safety of buildings, often dropping packages in the middle of the street. Ami looked up again. She saw a cloud, roiling, falling. "Sensei!" she called. "What is it, Cygnus?" Mercury asked, turning to her. "That cloud," Ami said, pointing. "I could be wrong, but it's the only cloud acting like that." Mercury pulled out her mini-computer. She tapped several keys, then frowned. After another series of taps, she said, "Venus, it's Mercury. They're coming through. Mercury out." She turned to Ami. "Good work, Cygnus." Ami blushed. "Thanks, Sensei." "We're the closest. We'll have to meet whoever that is." Mercury and Ami ran back down to the main level, then out the palace gates. In the distance, an army marched towards the palace. Ami recognized the figures in front of the dark column - Kunzite led, with Zoisite at his side; Nephrite and Jadeite flanked them. "That's far enough, Kunzite," Mercury called. "Go home, and take your army with you." "Sailor Mercury, you look lovely tonight," Kunzite said. Zoisite rankled at the comment. "You look dashing in your uniform, too," Mercury said. Zoisite grabbed the hilt of his sword. Kunzite put his hands on Zoisite's and whispered in his ear. Returning his attention to Mercury, Kunzite said, "Move aside. The Earth isn't going to be in the Moon Kingdom's shadow any longer." "You've been listening to Queen Beryl far too long, General Kunzite." "I have proof of the Moon Kingdom's subversive actions, if you'd care to meet me." "Proof?" Ami said to Mercury. "Sensei, what proof could he have?" "None," Mercury answered. "Maybe we can avoid a fight if I see Kunzite's proof." She glanced at the army. "Okay, General," she called. "I would like to see the proof. Meet me halfway, alone." "Sensei, you can't go." "Stay here, Cygnus." "But --" "No questions, Cygnus." "Yes, Sensei." Mercury walked out to meet Kunzite. All Ami could do was watch. Kunzite and Mercury talked, but Ami couldn't hear what they were saying. Kunzite reached behind his back. Ami saw a glint of steel in the General's hand. "Sensei, watch out!" Ami cried. Mercury reacted but too late. Kunzite plunged his dagger deep into the Senshi's abdomen. He twisted the blade, then let go of the hilt. Mercury dropped to her knees. Kunzite turned on his heels and returned to his army. "Sensei!" Ami ran to Mercury's side. "Sensei!" Mercury struggled to her feet. A dark crimson stain spread along her white bodysuit. "Cygnus, stay back." Ami reached her mentor's side. "You need help, Sensei," she said, wrapping an arm around Mercury's waist. "There's not enough time. I'll only slow you down." Ami helped Mercury walk back to the shelter of the palace. The older Senshi stumbled several times. Behind them, the dark army brooded and waited for the command to attack. Once inside the palace, Mercury slumped against the outer wall. "This is it, Cygnus," she said, her breaths coming in short gasps. "I'm in no condition to fight. You'll have to take up my mantle." "Sensei, no." Ami's eyes welled with tears. "It's not much further. We can make it." "Cygnus, even if I can get to a healer, I'll be useless. You have to become Mercury. You have to protect the Moon Princess and the Moon Kingdom." "I'm not ready, Sensei." "Cygnus, Ami, you are ready. I have faith in you." "I'll try." "You'll *do*, Cygnus." "I will, Sensei." Mercury gripped the dagger by the hilt. Ami's eyes widened. "No, Sensei!" "It's the only way. You must become Mercury." With tears running down her cheeks, Ami knelt beside Mercury. Her strength ebbing, Mercury pulled the dagger out of her stomach. Mercury's face contorted with pain. "Sensei," Ami whispered. She cradled her mentor's head on her lap. "I'll do what I can. I promise." "I know you'll do your best, Ami-chan," Mercury said. "You are a Sailor Senshi." She closed her eyes. Ami stayed with Mercury, watching as her mentor's breaths grew shallower. Brushing the hair out of Mercury's eyes, Ami did what she could to keep the woman comfortable. Mercury held Ami's hand, squeezing lightly. Ami didn't know when Mercury took her last breath. Gently, she slid out from under her mentor's head. "For you, Sensei," she whispered. She stood up, brandishing her transformation pen. "Mercury Power, Make Up!" The transformation felt different to Ami, more pure, more powerful. Screams filled the air, screams Ami hadn't noticed until now. She closed her eyes, willing herself to stop crying. 'Duty first,' she told herself. 'I'll mourn later. It's what Sensei wanted.' Ami dashed toward the source of the screams. Rounding a corner, Ami found herself at the entrance of the ballroom. Kunzite's army poured through the battered door. 'Makoto-chan, Rei-chan, Minako-chan, they're all in there. I have to do something.' She ducked behind the corner. 'What can I do? I'm just a student. I haven't been Mercury for even ten minutes.' More screams came, both from the ballroom and the courtyard beyond. 'Mercury-sensei trusted me. I can't let her down. I'll figure it out.' Ami approached the door carefully. The dark army had gone through into the ballroom, leaving no one behind to watch its back. 'Good. They're all in one place. I can do this. I can do this.' Stepping over the remains of the door, Ami saw pandemonium. Dark soldiers destroyed tables and paintings. Kunzite knelt before a regal woman. Ami couldn't hear what either said. 'I must do this,' Ami thought, as the regal woman strode into the courtyard. Kunzite noticed the young Senshi. "The new Sailor Mercury, I presume? If your predecessor couldn't stop me, do you really think you can?" "I must," Ami replied. "I am Sailor Mercury." She crossed her arms in front of her, letting the magic gather within her. "Shabon Spray!"