I looked at my clock that now reads 8:10am. “Damn, I gotta get up for my History of Journalism class at 10am…maybe I’ll skip it and sleep in today. But I remembered that Southern Illinois University has a no-show on first day policy. That means that if you don’t show up to your first day classes, Journalism classes, you forfeit your seat and they replace you with someone on the waiting list. Dumb rules. Also, the thought of skipping class haunts me and makes me feel guilty. After 15 minutes of fighting myself, I get up. I walk over to my computer and get on-line to check my e-mail. “No one e-mailing me today but Heather, Anna, Joanne, and some more junk mail.” I say to myself. I than put on my radio and play my cassette of my favorite band, X-Japan. Then, I hop into the shower…which takes me about 10 minutes to complete. After 15 minutes, I’m out the shower, clothed and ready to catch the school bus at 9:15am. I keep deciding on whether or not to go to school…but my guilt tells me that I had better go. I have to get through this semester…and the next one in the fall…to graduate.

Grabbing my Walkman and putting in my cassette of X-Japan, I grabbed my coat out of the closet and put it on. I then walk back into my living room and make my way to the kitchen, grab my book bag and my keys while walking out the door. Locking up my house and walking towards the bus stop, which is about 350 feet away, I look at my watch. “Damn…its 9:12…I have to run again!” So, I start running to the bus stop…gasping for air as I slow down. By the time I reach the mailbox I see the bus drive on by. “No! I missed it again…now I’m gonna be late!” I then remember that there is another bus, going the opposite direction that is going to the building my class is…but it comes at 9:30am. I will be late to my first class…regardless. So, I walk over to the bus stop on the opposite side of the street I was going to catch the bus on. I wait for the bus and start thinking to myself in an angry thought. “I bet if I had a car…I wouldn’t have to worry about this crap anymore!” I look at my watch…as the time continues to tick. 9:25…9:27…9:29…9:35. “Where is this damn bus??” I ask myself. In order for me not to be extremely late, I cannot wait for the bus to get to the Faner building at 10:15. I’m going to have to get off near the towers, and walk across the buildings, on the bridge and to faner…which I will probably get to class at 10:05…if that bus comes right now.

The bus comes down the street moments later and I board it. I take a seat and as usual, no one’s on but the driver and me. I managed to grab the empty seat near the rear door because I like that seat…its my favorite. I then reach into my book bag and pull out my Sailor Moon manga. It’s the 27th issue…and I read it as the bus stops for other people. While reading, I notice that there is a brown, crumbled up paper bag that is lying next to my right foot. Being the curious guy I am, I pick it up. The contents inside tell me it’s a solid figure mixed with other crumbling things and feels weird. I open it up and inside the bag…is nothing more than a few old potato chip bags, and a rock. Knowing that it’s nothing more than a piece of junk, I takes the rock into my pocket and tosses the bag back to the ground. I wanted to use it for rock skipping as I was nearing the river soon.

The bus gets to the towers around 9:50am, so I know I have to hurry. Jogging though the grassy field, past the towers and onto the bridge…my jogging becomes a walk as I am out of breath. My knees are now killing me…because I jogged for a block or so. I walk onto the bridge and cross it…and make my way to Faner. Entering the first door on the left, I look at his schedule to see where my class is. It reads RM 1262. Looking at my watch, which read…10:02…I run to find my class. The room was down the hall to my left. I enter the classroom as everyone stares at me. The professor, tall, Caucasian, about 5’8, 210 pounds, looked at me. “Mr…you are late on your first day.” I looked up at the board as I tried to reach my seat at the end of the 10-desk row…near the window. “Yes, I’m sorry…it won’t happen again.” The professor finished writing his name on the board, which read, Professor Jim Jenson, looked at me and said. “I know you won’t because if you do…I’ll drop you from my list so fast…you’ll not know what hit you…is that understood?” Stunned…I did the only thing I knew how to…I nodded.

After that class had ended, I decided to pay a visit to my favorite professor Mike Magnuson. I had had him for Forms of Fiction last semester, and he was cool. Even through all my problems, He still saw potential in me. I needed to see him to ask him if there was a spot open in his class this term so I could take his class…and fill my 4-class requirement. As I made my way up the stairs…the rock in my pocket started to feel really weird, as if it was poking into my body. I reached into my pocket and moved it around a little…so it wasn’t poking me. I then made my way down the halls and to his office, RM 2222. I knocked on his door and heard, “Come In.” I walked in and to my surprise he was surprised to see me. “Alfonso, you decided to come back huh?” I smiled at him and nodded yes. I could tell he was happy to see me…as I was happy to see him. I asked about the spot opening in his class and he looked at his roster. “You know, there is one spot open and I’m giving it to you.” I smiled again and thanked him as he gave me the time of his class and I walked out of his office…thinking how much that rock hurt against my skin.

I exited the Faner building and proceeded to make my way to the Student Center. The Student Center was a place where students could hang out…buy books, or buy food in between classes. It was always crowded as students passed through here trying to get to Faner hall…and to class. I wanted to stop at McDonald’s to pick me up something to eat. Suddenly, my body began to burn and a sharp pain entered my ribs. I was sick of this rock already…sick to death of it hurting me. So, I reached in my coat pocket and to my horror…found out it had nearly entered all the way into my skin…through my rib area. In fear…I rushed into the restroom, where luckily, no one was there. I entered one of the stalls and locked it. The pain was tremendous as I pulled off my coat and saw the hole in my shirt the rock caused me. I leaned over and saw something that I would have never thought I would ever see. My shoes felt funny…but they weren’t shoes anymore. In fact, I was barefoot. Suddenly, I reached for my hair…and in an instant…I looked behind me and noticed that it had become blonde…with pigtails reaching to my feet! I closed my eyes for a brief second and opened them again to notice that I was naked and had shrunk drastically…but it wasn’t me standing there. I looked down once again and seen two things popping out of my chest. “OH NO!” I thought to myself. It was just like one of those movies where for some stranger reason, a guy became a girl.

As I looked at other areas and noticed that I wasn’t a guy anymore…but a girl. I bit my lip and made it bled…doing everything to try and not scream. I felt this warm sensation surround my body…as the rock shot out my chest…and planted itself onto the toilet seat. I watched as the rock shined and became clothes…folded neatly with a pain of red boots nearby. Not just ordinary clothes…but Sailor Moon’s fuku! I thought to myself…wait a minute. If these are her clothes…why are they here with me? I thought the worse and regret looking down again. But I did anyways. So, I looked down and envisioned to myself how Moon would look…and looked at me. “Could I be Sailor Moon?” I thought to myself. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. “You gonna be long?” I hesitated to answer…fearing that my girl voice would be heard. I remained silent. Then I thought to myself…”Damn, where is Pegasus when you need him!”

The knocking became harder with each passing second…and I put on the clothes…the boots…grabbed the rock and ran out the bathroom. I think I only gave him a back stare…as I did my best to cover my face. I bumped into a girl who stared at me. “Hey, who the hell are you? And watch where you’re going wench!” She was much taller than me…I’d say about 5’6. I had to be at least 5’2. Damn I hope I still wasn’t Moon’s height of 4’11! Dressed up like Sailor Moon felt so weird…but I didn’t mind. I ran out the building as people crowed around me like I was some kind of freak. I looked around and heard people in English and many other different languages say, “Hey that’s Sailor Moon! How can this be? She’s nothing but a cartoon.” Embarrassed like hell and blushing like crazy…I did what any girl or guy who watched Sailor Moon and suddenly became her would have done. I closed my eyes…like a dummy…and tried to use the Sailor Teleport. And you know what…it worked!

I was back at my house…alone and to myself. Then I started thinking, if this was some crazed dream. So, instead of pinching myself…I ran into a wall…yup I sure did! I nearly suffered a concussion…as I passed out from the blow for a minute or two. Afterwards, I got back up and ran to the mirror. I was her…I was the soldier of love and justice…can you believe it!? The way that fuku fit around my body, fit every curve made me feel sexy. And how the long pig-tailed hair made me look even more spectacular. All I could think of was one phrase…”Gosh, I cannot believe that I’m actually the beautiful Sailor Moon!” Then the rock fell to the floor and bounced…as I looked at it closely…not knowing if it was a blessing or a curse.

-The End of Chapter I-

Chapter II-Wacky Tuesday…Popcorn Anyone?

A lot didn’t happen since I transported from the Student Center back to my house. Just a couple of long poses here and there and some basking in the fact that I was Sailor Moon. I didn’t know whether to be scared or excited. All I know is that I was her…the princess and heir to the Moon Kingdom, the lovable fighter for love and justice, the wonderful…Sailor Moon. At first, I was thinking about running over to my friend Patrick and Danny’s house. I wanted them to see the new me in the flesh as the character they hated the most in anime. I mean, see Sailor Moon that is. But I chickened out because it was already after midnight so they probably were asleep. I sat down on my couch admiring the feel of the fuku against my skin, the way it made me feel sexy…and fell asleep.

I awoke to the sound of the neighbor’s loud music the next morning. I hated the fact that this guy played his music most of the day and at a loud range. But I wasn’t going to complain because my loudness for music was much worse…hehe. I glared at the time that read, 12pm. I lay there for a second or two knowing I didn’t have class for another two hours. As I lifted my body off of the couch, I noticed that I stood up to fast and experienced a head rush. My head spun and I shook off the blinding lights you experience during this event. I managed to get a glimpse of myself in the mirror that is directly about my couch and noticed that I wasn’t staring at Sailor Moon anymore. That the once, 5’2, 150 pound beauty that I once had become had vanished and had been replaced with a guy, 6’5, 290 pounds, and a hideous face. I nearly screamed. Damn…what happened to me?” I thought to myself as I sat back down, the rock becoming visible in the corner of my left eye.

I reached down to grab the rock, but before I could pick it up, there was a startling knock at the door. I picked up the rock and placed it into my pants pocket as I walked over to the door and opened it. “Hey…what’s up Fonz”? It was my neighbor, Patrick McCarthy. Patrick, his roommate Danny and I had been friends for nearly 3 years now…my Uncle Rick introduced us. He was a little paranoid about unknown people coming to visit him at his house…but that was understandable. I shook his hands and invited him in. “So, what you’ve been up to?” I asked him…thinking about whether or not to tell him what I had experienced just a while ago. “Me and Danny are heading over to Boobies (actual name of the bar/club) tonight and wanted to know if you wanted to come with us?” I usually didn’t go anywhere on weekdays…especially Mondays, but I decided it couldn’t hurt; after all, I didn’t have class until 1pm on Wednesday. So, I nodded yes, shook his hand as he exited the door. I hesitated to tell him about me being Sailor Moon…why should I? They’d probably think I’m crazy if I did. After he left, I locked the door, like I usually do, and reached into my pocket to grab the mysterious rock. I wanted to know what purpose this rock had…and why it turned me to Sailor Moon.

The rest of the afternoon, I went on-line for a few hours, ate, showered, and got ready for Boobies. It was around 7:40pm. I decided to hear some Hiromi Go while I got dressed. I chose to wear black jeans, a beige T-shirt and my long black trench coat. It took me about 20 minutes to get ready, fix my hair, and get my id’s and keys. As I was walking out the door, I managed to remember the rock and decided to take it with me. I placed the rock into my coat and locked my door. I walked over to Patrick and Danny’s trailer house, and knocked on their door. Danny answered and let me in. We shook hands as I looked at Patrick who was flipping through the channels. “You ready to go man?” he said while turning off the television. I smiled and said, “You bet.” He grabbed his coat and we headed out the door to Danny’s car. I always had to sit in the back because I was the tallest. We drove out of the Frost Complex and down to Boobies on the Strip. Funny though, the rock started to feel funny again against my skin. Pinching it. Damn…why this now?

We reached Boobies in a matter of minutes. Parking was no problem because it was a school night and usually no one went out to party…maybe to grab a few drinks and that was it. We exited the car and entered Boobies. This was a bar that had an outside arena…for people to drink. And because it was springtime, we stood out there. We made our way to the hard, black steeled tables as the rock began to irritate me even more. I waited behind as Patrick and Danny went up to get their round of shots first. Me, I never did shots because I hated them. In fact, I hated alcohol altogether…if I could avoid it. I grew up around alcohol and it wasn’t a pleasant site. But, I was with friends so I was willing to make an exception. I would get the usual, Pineapple Malibu, not too much alcohol in that drink. As I looked over to the guys, I felt a sudden jolt into my side, similar to what I experienced at the Student Center. I felt hot all over…I couldn’t breathe! I looked up and say Pat and Danny coming back to the table with their drinks and made a break for it. I ran through the small crowd of, “Watch where you’re going jackass!” comments, and out the back exit as fast as I can. Pat and Danny tried to follow me…but I managed to lose them in the rowdy crowd.

Not knowing where to run I managed to creep into the back way of the Movie Theater on the corner…as a couple exited. Luckily, no one had seen me illegally entering the building. I felt my clothes giving way…as I quickly ran into one of the double doors where a movie was supposed to be playing. I hesitantly looked around and noticed that no one was inside…or maybe the movie hadn’t started yet because it was deserted. It was dark and I didn’t care, because the pain I was feeling was unbearable now. I fell to the ground as a blinding light engulfed the room. I was praying no was would enter and see me naked…as my body shrunk again. All that was going through my mind was that I was becoming Sailor Moon again…and the change excited me. But I sure could have used some light because the only light I got was the one emulating from the rock, that became my fuku. I didn’t get a chance to see my body or my clothes because all went dark again. I grabbed my clothes and put them frantically…trying to beat anyone who might had came in on me like this. I put on everything and kneeled over…trying to scramble for the rock. I had to find it. After searching, hitting my hand against the rails of the seats…and hurting myself numerous times, I managed to come up empty. Tiredly, I got up off the floor and started walking up to the doors, knowing it was a matter of time before anyone had spotted me.

I walked through the double doors and didn’t bother to look at myself. I was too scared to worry about how I was going to get out of there without being seen. I thought about that exit I came in at…but I noticed that they chained it. “Damn!” I said to myself. I heard the ending credits music of the movie just finishing in the room next to me…that only meant that I had better think of something fast…before I was caught. To my surprise, I closed my eyes and felt a chill through my body. “Hey…wait a minute.” I said to myself while looking me over. I was not Sailor Moon…in fact, I had become someone totally opposite of her. I raised my arms and ran my fingers through my hair and noticed that I didn’t have long hair or pigtails. I was now wearing a white and blue fuku, knee-high blue boots, with a huge smile across my face. It was a reflex what happened next. “I’M SAILOR MERCURY!! I’M SAILOR MERCURY!!” I jumped up excitedly…taking my mind off the problem at hand. I calmed myself down as I felt something at the side of my skirt. I looked down and it was Mercury’s Supercomputer. I touched it for a second before realizing that I was still in serious trouble. I didn’t have time to think about why I hadn’t become Sailor Moon again…but I don’t think she could’ve helped in this crisis.

I reached for my earring and tugged on it as my visor covered my eyes. It scanned through the wall opposite of me…and calculated that two adult individuals and a little kid were coming near me. I hesitated and put my hands together…summoning up a Cyclonic Whirlwind Ice Storm attack towards the door and blasted it open. All I could think about was running…and fast because the alarm sounded! The alarm sent panic throughout the Movie Theater and caused the parents to turn their backs. As I raced to the door, I caught a glimpse of the child, a little girl about 7, and smiled at her as I raced out the door. I looked back again to see her tugging at her parent’s side…and pointing towards the direction I was exiting. Not knowing where to go…I ran across the street, hopped a fence and a few blocks away…as my run quickly became a walk. I was even more tired then before…as I bent over to catch my breath. I think it was after 11pm because all the houses were dark…as if the people had went to bed. I walked maybe a block away, knowing that I had a long mile to get back to my house. And it was starting to get chilly as the nighttime wind whirled against my legs and my arms. I mean, hey…I might have been the Senshi of ice and water, but I still freeze like any of the other senshi members. I even tried to use the teleport…no good.

I then started to think about what happened to Pat and Danny and how I made a complete fool out of myself. How was I going to explain my actions to them? Boy, I wish I had a coat right about now…I was cold…very cold. My lips were chattering and my feet hurt. I tried to walk another few feet…before I heard some voices. I looked up and saw the shadows of two people coming my way. I didn’t know what to do…or even thought about using my powers…so I tucked myself away in some bushes. I popped my head out and saw that by some miracle or lucky chance, it was Pat and Danny. I think they were talking about me or about the girls at the house party they met…I couldn’t tell because my ears were frozen. I didn’t care…I needed to try and stop them before I froze to death. “Help…me…” I jumped out of the bushes and onto the floor as all I heard before passing out were the voices of Pat and Danny saying, “Holy Crap!” Even though I was out cold, I was happy to know that I was in my friends grasps, and my supercomputer…still at my side. All I could think of was…what happened to that rock and what would happen if it gets into the hands someone else?
-End of Chapter II-

Chapter III-The rock, Another Girl…Trouble Hits Home.

All I remember doing was falling onto the floor after seeing my friends Pat and Danny. I was so cold…so tired from the long walk. Maybe it was because I was only wearing a skirt and a short sleeved fuku. I awoke which seemed like day from being unconscious to find myself with a damp wash cloth on my head and sitting in my friend Patrick’s living room. All I could think to myself was, “What if they catch me in this form…that rock better not give out now!” I removed the damp wash cloth from my forehead and watched as Danny and Patrick looked over at me. “Are you alright?” Patrick asked me. I looked at him in horror and gave him a weak smile and nod. I looked at my hands and was hoping…praying that I wouldn’t change right then and there. And it didn’t help that I had to give the guys a logical reason why I was wearing this thing. “So, you’re a fan of Sailor Moon huh? Asked Danny. I looked up and something inside my head told me that it was payback time for all the times they talked bad about this show. “Of course I am…I’m Sailor Mercury. You got a problem with that?” The two guys looked at one another and didn’t say a word. They then asked me what my name was and where did I live. I gave them the answer of Mizuno Ami and I lived with Sailor Moon at the Moon Kingdom. I could tell by the expressions on their faces that they weren’t buying into any of this at all.

I then decided to help myself and tell them that my name was Amy and I was a friend of Fonzie’s. They looked at each other again and laughed. “Boy, Fonz’s got himself a lucky lady…eh? I smiled politely as deep down I wanted to freeze their nuts for making me look like another piece of meat. But I refrained myself from doing so, got up and told them that I was going to Fonzie’s trailer for some sleep. They both laughed again…trying to hide it inside a bunch of smiles. I said my good byes and walked out the door. Those damn boots were killing me…and I couldn’t wait to take them off. I walked to my trailer a couple of feet away and remembered to myself, “I don’t have the key’s to my house…how am I supposed to get in?” I was cold, tired and irritated with all this mess and hoped off my stairs…charging up a large ice blast…freezing the lock on my door and shattering it to pieces. I opened the door, locked it behind me and took off those annoying boots. My feet rung in a breath of fresh air as I raced to the bathroom and turned the bathtub on warm. After the long night…I could use it.

I watched as the water filled the bathtub and started taking off my fuku. For all of you who wonder out there…the skirt and shirt at attached with each other so it comes right off with a pull. I then got out of my underwear and stepped into the tub and sat down. It felt wonderful…the warm water against my skin…soothing every aching muscle. It’s funny because in my other form I couldn’t come close to fitting in this tub. But as Mercury…I was able to. I closed my eyes and cleared out all thought of why I became Mercury and not Moon. After 20 minutes of relaxing in the tub, something started happening to me. I opened my eyes and noticed that my body was having a hard time adjusting to the small tub. I sat up as my legs raced against the sided of the tub…hurting like hell. I stood up and hoped out the tub to my mirror and watched as Mercury disappeared and out came Fonzie once more. “Damn” I said to myself as I realized that I was Fonzie again. I looked down and watched the clothes disappear into the rock. I couldn’t tell you how happy I was to see that darn thing again. I thought I lost it at the movies earlier this evening. I got changed into my shorts and T-shirt and went to sleep. The rock held tightly in my hand as I wondered what was in store for me the following day.

The next morning, Wednesday, I got up at 9am. I got on-line, chatted with a few friends and took my daily shower. I got dressed and sat on my couch just starring at the rock. I started thinking to myself why I changed into Mercury and not Moon…with a clear head this time. I didn’t have the answer and the rock wasn’t helping either. Then, I closed my eyes and tried focusing on becoming Sailor Moon. What a stupid idea that was because it didn’t work. I sighed as I placed the rock in my pocket and grabbed my coat. I wanted to head over to the Student Center and pick up some food before my class at 1pm. I grabbed my book bag and glanced over at the VCR clock that read 11:15pm. I knew the bus was going to arrive shortly so I looked frantically for my keys. They were nowhere to be found. “Dammit…where are they?” I put my hand in my coat pocket and felt the jingling of keys. “Yes.” I said to myself as I ran out the door, locked it, and jogged to the bus stop. I had made a mental note to pick up another lock at the Student Center too…to replace the one Sailor Mercury had broken.

As I made my way to the bus stop, I managed to see Pat and Danny. They were waiting for the bus and we greeted one another. “Hey, what’s up guys?” I said as we exchanged handshakes. “Nothing much.” Said Danny. He was always the damn quiet type. Patrick nudged at him and spoke. “Hey Fonz, who is that chick with the Sailor Mercury suit staying at you’re house?” I looked at him with the weirdest expression on my face as the bus arrived and we got on. “Huh…what Sailor Mercury chick?” I tried playing it off as we sat down. “Come on Fonz…you know? That crazy girl who claimed to be Sailor Mercury…we met her last night.” I didn’t know what to say…because that rock was sticking to my leg…and hurt. “Um…that is my friend…Teri…yea.” I used my friend Teri because I told the guys she was the friend who came to visit me from out of town. They began to tell me how they found her last night and took her back to their place to make sure she was okay. “How long has she been staying with you man”? said Danny as they both looked at me like something was going on between me and Teri. “Uh for about a few days.” I said…the pain becoming unbearable. I had to get off this bus…I couldn’t change with them in front of me. So, the bus stopped at the corner of the University Park building and I pulled the ringing chain to tell the bus driver I was getting off. “Hey, I thought you were getting off at the Student Center?” asked Patrick as he noticed me get hysterical now. I got up…feeling me starting to change and running out the door. “I got to do something first…bye!” I ran off the bus…as my body began to shrink once again. I didn’t have time to look at myself…all I could think of was run into the University building…to the ladies room and fast!

I got into the building and looked around for a bathroom. To my luck, no one could be found. I started to panic…as I could feel my clothes disappearing from my body. Boy…how would it look to everyone if they saw a naked girl running throughout the building. I would be expelled from school. I had to hurry and find somewhere to hide! I ran through the hall and managed to find a room where the door had been opened. I didn’t look to see if anyone was in there…and ran to the bathroom and locked it as my clothes disappeared. I tossed my backpack near the toilet as the change was nearing. I was afraid because in dorm bathrooms the two rooms next to each other share. The rock surrounded my little body with light and before I knew it, I was standing there in a red fuku, black and raven colored hair…I started into the mirror and seen I was her. The Goddess of Mars, strong and hot-tempered, not to mention a killer figure. I was the Senshi of fire, the beautiful Sailor Mars. First thing I did was kneel down to massage my ankles. Those damn heels were killing me! After a few seconds of massaging, I rose to my feet as I heard to locks of the bathroom door on the opposite side of me beginning to open. I grabbed my book bag, turned and ran out the door I came in from…shutting it behind me and locking it.

I looked around and seen no one was in. “Weird.” I thought to myself. Whoever was living here loved incense. The place smelled like a flower garden…and began to burn the insides of my nose. The person living here had a lot of psychedelic posters as well…but I had overstayed my welcome long enough. I walked to the door and was startled as this guy, 5’7, 195 pounds walked into me. “Wh…who are you and why are you in my room?” I didn’t know what to say…not to mention those damn heels were hurting my feet again. I didn’t know how I was going to get out of this…and then remembered that I was a girl…and charm was my specialty. “I’m so sorry…I managed to get lost and was looking for someone to help me find my way.” I said innocently as I blinked numerous times. It was sickening me because every time I did this I noticed just by looking down at his pants, the guy liked every minute of it. But I had no choice…I had to play into his hand. “What’s your name pretty lady?” He asked. I smiled and winking at him seductive, “My name is Sailor M-A-R-S sweetie.” What a sucker…he almost pasted out when I said that. I touched his face and used my power of fire to warm it…making him pass out from the body heat. I thought to myself, “Men…agh…such pigs.” Wait a minute…I was saying this…I was a man! Maybe I was starting to feel a little more sympathetic for the ladies out there that had to put up with this crap…and not to mention…looks like I was going to miss class!

As I walked out the building, people started to give me that same look they did when I was Sailor Moon. All I could do was engulf the attention and walk sexily down the sidewalk, the cool wind soothing my legs and causing my skirt to shoot up here and there. Boy, too bad no guys were around…they would’ve loved the view. As time went on, I became accustomed to the feeling of the heels. I just couldn’t come to terms with how the real Mars could battle in these. For a second there, I lost all consciousness from were I was walking and crossed the street. To my surprise, an incoming car was approaching me…and I snapped out of my trance just in time to use a flame shield to save myself from harm. The driver skidded out of control and slammed into a pole. During the collision, the gas tank cracked and started spilling gasoline everywhere. It was a matter of time before it caught fire and the person inside died. People surrounded themselves around me as I stood there…looking foolish with that red fuku and short mini-skirt and red heels on. But I didn’t care…it made me feel good. I flipped into action and ran towards the car but the impact of the pole caused the door to be sealed shut. The driver was a male, looked around 21ish…by the way. I tried using brute force to open it…forgetting I was Mars…and not Fonzie. And I knew that a fire attack couldn’t open that door and would only harm the driver even more.

Out of drastic measure, I placed my hands on the windshield glass…and closed my eyes and I felt a glowing sensation wrap itself around my body. My hands seemed to grow hotter and hotter to the point to where they engulfed themselves in flames and started to melt the glass. While doing this, the glass shards drove themselves deep into the palm of my hands and shot pain into my body. But I couldn’t think about that now…I had to save this person. The window shattered and I managed to grab the person from the wrecked car before it exploded. The adrenaline that was pouring through my body must have aided me as I carried this guy to the sidewalk. I fell to my knees and held him in my arms until the fire truck came by. I didn’t know what was happening to me. I wouldn’t have had feelings for anyone in my guy form, but being Mars gave me a sense of love and compassion to save this guy. To make sure he was okay. Suddenly, he slowly opened his eyes and looked up at my. “Wh…am I dead? Who are you?” I smiled down at him and said, “You’re safe…I’m just someone who happened to be passing by and saved you.” He gave me this look like I was his guardian angel or something…but I didn’t mind. “I must go now.” I said as I tried to move myself without injuring him even more. He then grabbed for my hand, and looked into my eyes. I knew right there from past experiences that that was the look of a lovesick guy. Oh boy…was I in trouble now. “No…don’t go.”

“Please…don’t go…” The guy managed to pass out once again as I felt hot all over and it wasn’t from the sun. It appeared that I had been blushing like mad…maybe because of the fact that this guy liked me. “Damn.” I thought to myself. “Why did I have to have these girl attributes as well?” The blushing was uncontrollable and overcame my face. I looked like a big red tomato! I couldn’t stay any longer…in fear the police were one their way. So, I reached for my backpack, pulled out a piece of paper and pen and wrote him a note. The note said,

“Sorry about leaving, but I had to go. I’m happy you are safe. You can call me call at 355-6993. And by the way…you can call me Sailor Mars.”

I ran off from the crowd and ran…ran…just ran. The heels somehow supported my ankles because they didn’t hurt anymore. And I noticed that as I ran…I never tired. I hoped over fences, cut through houses, and crossed the street as drivers beeped at me while women screamed obscenities at me. I raced to the Frost complex down the road in the back to my house. There I was again…stuck without my keys…too tired to conjurer up an attack. So I sat down on my stairs fixing the crease in my skirt and not giving anyone the chance to look elsewhere. Suddenly, I started thinking to myself, as I thought about all that had happened in the past three days. “Damn…this super heroine stuff is sure tiring…but the clothes fit me right, the powers are cool, and I look damn sexy. I like it!”
-End of Chapter III-

Chapter IV-The Heir Makes Her Entrance and Lives Are Spared.

As I sat there on the steps, the cool wind brushing against my neck, I began to wonder what would happen if someone found out who I truly was underneath these Senshi clothes. My friends and worst…my family. I didn’t think too much of it as I got up and just remembered that I had put an extra key underneath the rug in front of my door. I leaned over to reach it giving a flock of birds and a few deer a good view. I opened the door and went inside as I started to change back into my normal self. I still didn’t know what to make of all this. One minute I’m Fonzie, the 22-year old college student, the next I’m Moon, Mercury and Mars. Crazy…don’t you think? Anyhow as my clothes wrapped around me, I sat down on the couch and rested for a while. The remainder of the day and night I ate, got on-line, ate again, and watched some television. A few Sailor Moon episodes mind you. As I watched these episodes, looking at Moon, Mercury and Mars…I began to realize if I was living a dream or stuck in a bad nightmare. I decided to turn in around 2am…wondering what the rock had in store for me the next day.

The sun shining on my eyes caused me to wake the next morning. I looked at the clock that read, “10:59am.” There was no class on Thursday and I decided to walk down to the convenient store a mile away. I like talking long walks to school and not having to wait for that damn bus. When you can get to school 20 minutes before the bus got there, on foot, why would you wait? The weather was warm around 75 degrees. So I slipped on some beige shorts with a white shirt and proceeded to exit the door…not forgetting the rock and locking the door and putting the key in its proper place. I whistled to myself as I made my exit out of the Frost complex and down the street. The only thing I hated about this place was the fact that there was no sidewalk and the cars sped on by you…at 60 miles per hour. I wish one of those bastards would hit me…or hoping the rock would protect me in my regular form. I walked a few feet down passed the Carbondale New School. This was a regular house-built school that taught kindergarten through 4th graders. The kids must have been out for recess because they were in the yard, playing.

I always looked at the kids playing as I passed by each time on my way to school…but this time something was different. All the children had not been outside which was rather strange to me. Something inside told me things weren’t right. I walked back towards the parking lot of the school and proceeded towards the school entrance. Before I could reach the door…I heard the sounds of kids silently weeping behind the schoolhouse. And what terrified me more was the fact that there stood a man, wearing a ski mask and a gun in hand pointing it at the teacher. He had taken all the kids’ hostage and held them at gunpoint out back, wanting money from their teacher. “Keep those damn kids quite or I’ll kill them!” he said with pure anger. I ducked out of sight, as I wanted to help those kids and their teacher. The frightened looks on their faces and the thought that no one could hear them angered me. I had to help them…but I knew that if I made my presence felt, kids would die and so would I. Then…that rock started pushing itself against my skin as I crawled towards the door…and entered so no one could see me transform.

I felt myself changing…getting smaller...smaller…and shrinking smaller then usual. To protect myself from anyone that might had entered the building, I crawled unclothed to a dark closet and closed the door. I felt the long pigtails shooting out of my head, the warm snug fuku wrapping itself around my body and the boots creeping onto my feet. I knew that I was becoming Sailor Moon once again and was waiting anxiously to make my presence felt and take care of that man. “How dare he hurt the innocent!” I angrily thought to myself. After a minute or so…the transformation was complete and I rose up and felt powerful. But something didn’t seem right. I could remember that when I became Sailor Moon last time…I was a little taller…and heavier. Oh well…I couldn’t think about that now…helping those kids was my primary concern. The rock came out of the bow on my fuku and transformed itself into a pink, heart-shaped want. I watched on in fright, as I knew right there that I wasn’t Sailor Moon…but her daughter, Sailor Chibi-Moon. I pouted for a second or two before realizing that I had a job to do and I was going to do it.

I raced out the closet door and quietly made my way the front door. I had to sneak my way and try to keep anyone from getting hurt. I tiptoed down the stairs and around the side of the house…trying to keep myself from being heard. “Listen here…give me the money! I know you have it! Dammit give it to me!” I watched as the man hit the teacher, a female, with the barrel of his gun. That did it for me…as I pulled out my wand and charged him. He never saw me coming as I managed to conjurer up enough force to knock him down from behind. The kids started screaming as the man rolled over and dropped the gun. I quickly signaled the children and their teacher to get behind me just in time as the man crawled to his gun and fired at me. “PINK PRISM PROTECTION!” I yelled as pink bubbles shot out from my want…popping each bullet as they fell helpless to the ground. The man as well as the kids and teacher were stunned. “Ma’am…get the kids and take them to safety.” The teacher hesitated for a second, as she wanted to protect me. “Um…whoever you are…little girl, what about you?” “I took my eyes off the guy and turned around to look, “MA’AM NOW!” My eyes were dead serious as the guy charged me…causing the kids and teacher to run away in panic.

I was helpless as the much larger man grabbed me…and wrestled me to the ground. I felt his hands rub against my legs and touch me where I didn’t like to be touched. Out of anger, fear and desperation…I screamed from the top of my lungs…causing a wave of terror to the man’s ears. He let go of me and grabbed them…as I took advantage of his mistake and kicked him dead in the balls. I stood up quickly and halted my girlish scream as he fell over…grasping his sacts in his hands in pain. “I should kill you right here you bastard! But I won’t…because you’re going where you belong.” I pointed my little pink wand at him as I ran into the woods behind the school as the police swarmed the area. My guess was that he would be put away for a long time…a very long time. I didn’t want to come out through the way I came in because the cops would surely see me and the site of what I was wearing might stir up more trouble. I made it through the woods with no problem, except for the fact that my pink odango’s kept getting tangled up with the tree branches…pulling my hair. I made it out of the woods and back into the Frost complex…cutting through a few open ends of trailer homes. As I walked back to my house…my pink skirt dirty from the struggle and my hair a total mess…I hear, “LOOK MS. TAYLOR…THERE SHE GOES! THE PINK HAIRED GIRL…OVER THERE!” I turned around to see a bunch of kids running towards me followed by their teacher and the police. That’s all I needed now.

But watching those kids faces light up with happiness and seeing the joy of everyone around them made me feel pretty damn good. I told myself why not…I was Sailor Chibi-Moon and the heroine of the day. I turned around and slowly made my way to the crowd as everyone walked towards me. “Excuse me little girl, thank you for saving us.” Said the teacher. I gave a simple nod as the kids surrounded me. “Hey, that’s a cool looking costume. You look like the real Chibi-Moon.” Said a little girl wearing glasses. I smiled at her and felt pretty good as the children admired my costume, even if they didn’t believe I was the real future Moon princess. The cops all looked down at me and patted my hair, which I hated but didn’t mind at the moment. “Nice job there kid…whoever you are. Now where are your parents?” I started to feel very funny and knew what was coming. I raced out of the crowd and turned to look at the kids and everyone else. Giving off the biggest smile and winking at them, I raised my wand and produced a sparkling pink-light firework show that astounded those looking on. After the 10 second display, I twirled around and disappeared in a flash of pink hearts and stars. The unexplained had been seen and my exit was just done without knowledge of it as I arrived in front of my door safe and sound. I didn’t know how I got home but I was happy to be there nonetheless.

I leaned over to get the key from under the rug and opened the door quickly shutting it before the police started searching the area looking for me. I locked the door and sat down…the wand still gleaming with pink hearts from the amazing exit I just had given. I rose from my couch and looked into my mirror and saw a very pretty young girl starring at me. Her hair a covered with twigs from the encounter through the forest, her face a little dirty from wrestling with the guy on the dirt, but still beautiful. I was proud of myself for the good deed that I had accomplished earlier today and decided to take those pink boots off. I did so and wiggled my tiny feet, laughing to myself at the how little they had become. I let out a big yawn and decided that a bath would have to wait until morning as I got up and walked towards my bedroom. I fell onto my bed and grasped my pillows tightly, enjoying the feeling of being Sailor Chibi-Moon. I was amazed how little yet strong this girl was and how everyone underestimated her power including me. So full of innocence and a heart as big as the world itself, I closed my eyes and fell asleep. The fuku still wrapped around me…no change in sight…peacefully drifting off into a world of hopes and dreams.
-End of Chapter IV-

Chapter V-A Wild One Introduces Herself and Hits the Mall as Fonzie Gets Burned in the Process…

I awoke and suddenly noticed that I was my old self once again. But around me lay the ruins of a torn and ripped pink sailor fuku. “What…this never happened to me before?” I asked myself as I stood up starring down at the pink shreds. I didn’t notice if I was naked right away because I watched as the pink shreds merged together and formed the rock again. So, when I did realize I was nude, I showered, put on clothes and sat down to think about what my plans were for the day. “Should I head over to the Student Center?” I asked myself. My stomach wasn’t the waiting type and you could see that as it growled vigorously at me. “Nah, I think I’m going to go eat at Quiznos this time.” So, I got up, grabbed my jacket, keys, and the rock and head out towards the bus…not even thinking about what could happen this day.
The bus came on time and I boarded it. Boy, I hated waiting 45 minutes for it to go across town and make its way to the Student Center. It was ridiculous but it beat walking a mile. So, I got off the bus and proceeded to walk through campus to Quiznos, which was located on “The Strip.” Along the way, I caught my friend Patrick walking towards the bus stop. “Hey Fonz,” he greeted me as we shook hands. “Hey Pat, where you going man?” I could tell in his eyes that he wanted to ask me what happened to me on the bus yesterday but for some reason, he avoided the question. “I was going to get something to eat at the Student Center.” I looked at him and told him where I was going, and asked him if he wanted to join me. He looked at his watch and said, “Sure, I got some time to kill.”

So, we made our way to Quiznos. I’m telling you if you haven’t heard of this place, it’s the best restaurant in Carbondale that serves hot subs. We arrived at the place in 5 minutes and were welcomed to a place filled with people. All the tables where full, except one which the worker had just cleaned off. We raced and sat down at that one. “Damn, this place is packed.” I said as I removed my coat, feeling the rock slip out of it and attach itself to my leg. “Yea, its lunch time man.” Pat replied as he got up and in line to place his order. I waved to him and told him I had to get my wallet out my coat and I would be right there. Well, that never happened because as I sat back down, the rock yanked itself deeper into my thigh, causing me to gasp in horror. “Why…did…it...have…to be…this…pain…ful?” I asked myself as I got up, grabbed my stomach and searched frantically for the ladies room. To my luck, there was not one I sight. I didn’t want Patrick noticing that something was wrong with me so I had to duct out of site and fast. I couldn’t ask anyone around me the whereabouts of the ladies room because 1) I was a guy and 2) as I turned my head, I could see long stands of hair stretching down my shoulders. Not to mention my body was experiencing shock as it began to shrink. Boy, this is all I needed right now, Pat already thinks I crazy and now if he sees me like this, it’ll confirm it.

I ran to the end of the restaurant, my body glowing and changing shape. My vision was blurry and my head spinning as I managed to find the ladies room. I ran into it and looked up, light-headed to see a young 15-year old girl fixing her make-up in the mirror at the end of the bathroom. I was dead…the change wasn’t complete yet and I had to get into a stall…and fast without her seeing me like this. So, out of desperation, I reached for my keys and threw them against the wall where the girl was standing as they drew her attention away from the mirror. I rushed into the stall and locked it. The panting started and my clothes disappeared…the rock deep into my flesh now as the girl banged on the door. “HEY! What the hell did you do that for? Come out of there…I’m gonna kick your ass!” I welcomed this transformation because she was really irritating me.

I closed my eyes and let the rock transform itself into the fuku, and surround my body. My body had shrunk to 5’0 and my hair had grown its full length. Now in female form, my hair reaching down to my back, I opened my big blue eyes and looked down. The pumps had just finished wrapping itself around my heel and the strap latched together at my ankles. I could see who I’d become. I ran my fingers through my long blonde hair, the orange sailor fuku filling snug against my body. I was Sailor Venus, the goddess of love and I had grown impatient at this little wench who disturbed my train of thought. I reached for the knob on the door and unlocked it as the girl took one look at me and almost fainted.

“Listen here you little shit.” I said as I grabbed her by her shirt and ran her into the wall. “You don’t disturb the goddess of love and beauty, Sailor Venus while she’s doing business!” The girl shuttered in fear…as she couldn’t believe whom she was starring at. “If you come up to me and disturb me again…I will break your 110 pound-preppy-clown suit-bad-hair day-bitch-ass…do you understand me??” For some strange reason…I could tell that I was mad as hell because I glimpse at the mirror for a second and saw my eyes had changed from blue to red. I was ready to explode and I could feel it deep inside…but I know I couldn’t. All I got from the girl was a simple nod as I let her go. She ran out the bathroom screaming and out the restaurant. How did I know that you asked? Because her screams just faded away.

Through the commotion, I decided to fix my fluff my hair, straighten out my bangs and my fuku and walk out the ladies room. I wasn’t going to hide anymore…and I was feeling quite sexy and confident to tell you the truth. I noticed that everyone was crowded around the exit and turned around to look at me. Boy, were they in shock. I clinched my fist and screamed, ‘WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU PEOPLE LOOKING AT!!??” I walked sexily out the restroom hallway and over to the table me and Pat sat at. He was sitting there, his back turned away from me. I got an evil grin on my face and walked over to him. “Excuse me.” I said as I tapped him on the shoulder. The guy looked up and his eyes went blank. I could tell he was checking out my breasts…perv. I just smiled at him and took a seat on the opposite bench. “So, is this seat taken handsome?” I tried my hardest not to giggle as he gave the words, “Um…Um…Um…my friend Fon…No! It’s not taken.” The nerve of him giving my seatup to this little slut…agh!

I smiled brightly at him and took a sip of his soda showing some signs of fatigue in me. “I’m soooooooooooooooooooooo tired. That long trip from the Moon Kingdom wore me out.” He smiled, knowing in his mind that two girls posing like Sailor Senshi, looking identical to their Sailor Moon characters was starting to be a bit too much for him. “Say, are you really Sailor Venus…nah you couldn’t be…I mean it’s just a c…” I stopped him and nodded as I suddenly had the urge to stand up and shout this crazy Venus-like line really fast “Yes, I am…the cutest-sexiest-coolest-brightest-most sophisticated-fighter-for-those-deeply-in-love-the-goddess-of-love-and-beauty-SAILOR VENUS!!! I don’t know what prompted me to say that but Patrick had a very puzzling look on his face, people turning around to see all the commotion. “Um…she’s okay. Just a little excited that’s all.” Pat said pulling me back down into my seat.

“Okay, you’re Sailor Venus…but you can’t be shouting out phrases like that.” “This is Fonzie’s idea of a joke, isn’t it? He asked. “I smiled and shook me head, “Fonzie…who’s that? Is he hot??” That comment pulled hi away from that question. I think I caused Patrick to give off a weird expression because I felt hot all over…as if I was blushing. I must have slipped into a usual girl daydream because I started mumbling out something about finding a cute guy, falling in love, getting married, having kids, and something about a big house and dog. I don’t remember…but I couldn’t blow my cover, so I grabbed Patrick’s hand and ran out the restaurant…my skirt hoping up and down in front of some old truck drivers…damn male pigs!

We got outside and I hung all over Pat’s arm pleading with him…boy it was sickening! “Please…please…please…can you take me shopping!!” Before Patrick could answer…some guys, looking around 22, nice build and killer butts walked by which triggered an immediate and uncontrollable response. “OM MY GOSH…OH MY GOSH….HOT GUYS….HOT GUYS!!!” Patrick covered my mouth and held it all the way to the bus stop as the guys turned around and laughed at me. “Listen, you cannot shout out like that. Now promise me you won’t scream like that again? ” He slowly took his hand away from my mouth and I blinked a few times to show my innocence and nodded…my two fingers crossed behind me…hehe. So, we boarded the bus and went off to the mall.

We got off the bus 20 minutes later and I had to fix my fuku again…those long damn bus rides! Uncontrollably, I felt like a fool, jumping up and down as Patrick lead me into the mall. “WHOA!! It’s so big! OOH SEARS!” my eyes already had stars in them as I yanked Pat into the store. Being Sailor Venus and having no control over her was starting to piss me off. We went through the entire store, as I tried on dresses. Long and short, silk and satin, black, red, orange, green, you name it. I had at least 5 in my hands…and threw them on top of Patrick. Next, I tried on lots of different colored skorts, fabric and denim, mixed with T-shirts, strapless shirts, and cutoff shorts. Grabbed some of them too! Then, it was time for shoes…we picked them all. Pumps, flat and stacked, sandals, in all colors…but mostly in my favorite…orange! I was having a blast!

With many bags in his hand, Patrick and I proceeded to Jeans INC. Now I know you guys wouldn’t picture Venus wearing jeans, but hey, I was her and this was something I just had to see. Mind you, I was still wearing my fuku. I ran through the aisle and grab many different kinds of jeans. Straight-leg, bell-bottoms, wide leg, you name it…and tried them all on. On one occasion I even managed to pull in Patrick in the dressing room to give him a little peek…hehe. I preferred the straight-leg jeans with an orange strapless shirt. So, I brought 3 pairs of straight-leg and 2 pairs of bell-bottoms, plus a very cute orange-colored suede handbag. Our next stop was make-up. We searched it all, perfumes, lipstick, eyeshadow, blush, and I brought a few too. I picked out some ruby red strawberry lipstick, tried it on and gave Patrick a little kiss on the cheek for his trouble. Hehe…I think he loved this whole experience, because I know the Venus portion of me was having a blast. I brought the lipstick, some blush and my favorite perfume…Venus.

I couldn’t help noticed how many kids ran up to me and shouted, “HEY mom and dad, there’s Sailor Venus!” I smiled for them and took pictures with the kids. I figured it was the least I could do for all the attention I was receiving. But what I didn’t like was the annoying boys who said, “ HAHAHA…THERE’S THAT BLONDE BIMBO FROM THAT CRAPPY ASS CARTOON SAILOR MOON. WANT ME TO SHOW YOU MY LOVE ME CHAIN?” I ignored it all, but one guy said that one too many times and I launched my Venus Love and Beauty Shock attack at him…sending him straight into a wall and knocked him out cold. Patrick looked at him and said, “See…should have kept you mouth shut and your dick in your pants!”

Our last stop was one that I just couldn’t ignore. It had been something I had wanted to try for a long time now and now in my Venus guise was able to do so. Dragged Patrick, a thousand bags in hand into Victoria Secret. Boy, was I itching to get rid of this dull plain white underwear. So, I grabbed a few knick-knacks and tried them on. Orange was my favorite color but this time, I would abandon it for something a little more sexy. I grabbed a few things, you know lace, silk, satin, etc. I taunted Patrick to the fullest by give him poses in the store with my new under accessories in hand and making him very uneasy. Let’s just say when I was done, Patrick was red as a damn tomato. So, I grabbed my new underwear and purchased them. I had the happiest smile on my face as Venus…boy was I sick to my stomach underneath. I couldn’t control her…she was too damn wild!

We left the mall and I kind of felt sorry for Patrick because he looked like a bag carrier. He had six bags in one hand and 8 in the other. And I think he spent at least on me. Hey, I could tell right there that this Venus form was gonna be some something I would regret. But the bus came and we got on. It took us all around town again, through the dorm buildings, family housing dorms, and to Frost. People were looking at Patrick and laughing at him because in their eyes, his girlfriend was wearing a ridiculous looking cheerleader outfit and had all those bags in his hand. “Say your girlfriend got you kind of whooped?” and “Damn dude, you’re hoe got you strapped?” Were some of the comments these bastards on the bus were saying. I felt so bad for Patrick that when we got off, I went back there to those guys and rung their throats with my Venus Love Me Chain drawing blood and scaring the hell out of them.

I hopped off the bus, the damn mini-skirt rose in the air and would have showed Patrick a good portion of my underwear if he bothered to turn around. I could tell that he was bothering by something. “What’s wrong?” I asked as I ran up to him. He wouldn’t answer. As we walked into the Frost complex, I snuggled into him and put my tiny arm around his waist. I had to let him know that Venus appreciated all he had done for her. As we reached the turning road, his house up ahead, mine to the left of the road, I began to feel the rock slowly making its way out of my body. I hesitated and kissed him on the cheek…as I ran down the road and waved back to him, “Thank you for everything Patrick, Fonzie will pay you back for everything!” I felt so bad as I looked back to see him standing there…the bags on the floor…but I couldn’t do anything about it. The change was occurring as I wept a silent tear while going into the woods. The transformation from Venus to Fonzie seemed like an eternity.

I was back to my old self as I struggled to exit the wooded area. I had no control of what happened with Venus and ran over to Pat. “What happened?” He looked down at then bags, then at me and punched me in the face. “You fucken bastard!” He said as I fell to the ground while he kicked me in the ribs 3 times. “I don’t know how you managed to get all these Sailor Moon women to stay with you and how you pulled off the attacks, or why I never see you around with them, but you are fucking with my head cause you and I know they are not real!” I laid there my mouth filled with blood and my long trench coat dirty from the muddy water I fell in. “I…I…di…” is all I could mutter out. I couldn’t attack him for hitting me…I deserved it. He walked away towards his house and said, “By the way, you owe me for buying your fucken girlfriend all of this.” I laid there in the mud for a minute, then got up and grabbed the bags that belonged to Venus.

I trashed all the clothes Pat brought her in the Dumpster nearby and limped to my house. There were some many things going through my mind at the time…and I was surprised I managed to open my door. But before I entered, I reached into my pocket and pulled the rock out. I grasped it in my hand, a tear falling as I threw it as far as I could into the river near my trailer. I didn’t even stay and watch it sink to the bottom…all I knew is that I never wanted see that fucken rock again. It cost me my best friend…my only friend’s respect. Now, I was truly alone and I knew it. I took one last breath while wiping my eyes before turning around and going inside. I thought to myself as I sat on that couch, “Why me…why me!?”
-End of Chapter V-

Chapter VI-There’s a New Kid in Town…A Sister’s in Trouble…and the Rock Finds a New Home…

That night I didn’t care about that rock…all the trouble it has put me through. Now, I didn’t know if Patrick and I were friends anymore. I cried myself to sleep that night. The next morning, I was awakened to the sound of car doors and voices. Usually there was no one around my place at morning time. You had the old man who worked morning next to me and on the other side a deserted trailer. I got up, walked to the living room and peeked from behind the curtain to see who or what it was. “Maria! The boxes don’t go on the ground! Pick them up and put them inside!” It appeared that my landlord had rented the trailer next to me to a woman and her daughter…or at least it looked like her daughter. Boy, did I really need something like this now.

I sat on the couch and slouched, still half asleep from the long night before. But, being the good neighbor I was, I decided to get dressed and go over to welcome the new girls to the area. I shut the door behind me as I walked next door, the woman, in her mid-to-late 20s was struggling to get a box into the doorway. “Here, let me help you with that.” I said running up the porch stairs and grabbing the box from her before it fell. “Thanks…um, I could have gotten that by myself.” I smiled as I walked into the place and placed the box on the floor. “It’s okay, happy to help.”

We then started talking and she told me her name was Leah. She had just moved to Illinois from California and was going to attend SIUC as a senior in Computer Engineering. I introduced myself and told her I too was a senior at SIUC, but in Journalism. We talked as we carried box after box after box inside. I also told her I was her neighbor and had been living at Frost for 3 years now. Then, the door slammed open and a 13 year old girl came in…her shoes leaving dirt all over the floor. “MARIE!!! Look what you’ve done??” The girl looked down at the chunks of dirt she left on the rug and ran back outside. “You’re gonna get it!” Leah screamed. I smiled trying to act like I didn’t hear what she said.

After 3 hours, we managed to get everything in the house. She had a killer computer, 800 mhzs, 120-bit RAM, and over 100 GBs of space. I was so amazed at the toy she had…compared to my crappy computer, 400mhz, 64 bit RAM, and only 9.5 GBs of space. I sat on her sofa; cat tears al over it from the time my uncle used to live here…and had his two cats. But, I didn’t tell her that. “So, who’s the girl you brought along?” “She’s my sister Marie. Boy, is she a real pain.” I laughed and reassured her that she was a teen, and it’s their job to wreck havoc on their older siblings. Leah gave me a “Hm…” and that was the end of it. Then, the girl ran in the house again.

“MARIE!” Leah ran up to her and yanked her by her blue T-shirt, “I thought I told you to not com into the house with dirt on your shoes!?” The girl looked disgusted by her older sister yanking on her shirt and pulled away, “Stop it! Don’t touch me Leah.” The two were in the middle of what was soon to be a nasty sibling fight, so I searched for a reason to change topics. I noticed something in the girl’s hand; it looked like she was grasping something. “Say, excuse me young lady…what do you have in your hand?” The girl looked at me and pointed, “First off, whatever your name is…my name is not young lady, its Marie. And I know all you want to do is get in my sister’s…”
Before the girl could finish, Leah unleashed a fury on her sister by grabbing her hair and yanking it to the back room of the trailer…as screams and the sound of banging walls told me that the teen was in trouble now. But I couldn’t help but feel this weird sensation in my stomach, something told me that what that girl was holding…no, it couldn’t be. So, I brushed it off as something else. After a minute, things calmed down and Leah came back out the room. “Excuse me for my sister’s actions…she’s got a little problem with making first impressions…as you can see.” I smiled and told her not to worry about it.

I offered to show Leah and her sister around town, you know the important places like the campus, the school Marie would be attending, Unity Point, and other places. She looked at me, nodded and smiled as she asked me to give her an hour to clean herself up from the long drive and get her sister in gear as well. I could tell that Leah and her sister were going to be great neighbors, but something about the image of her holding an object in her hand…scared me to death. Lord, I hope she didn’t have what I think she did.
That evening I took them to the student center and showed my two neighbors around two. Leah loved the many clubs in Carbondale, and it appeared Marie didn’t like too much of anything. In my opinion she was acting like a brat. I took them to Carbondale’s best Chinese restaurant, Hunan, for dinner. The waiter seated us and we sat there in silence…waiting for the other person to say something. So, I did. “So Marie, how do you like Carbondale?” The girl didn’t answer…as she drew circles around the table with her straw. “Marie, answer him.” She just sat there with a bored look on her face...which told me she hated the whole evening.

The waiter came and took our orders. I took the octopus soup, with fried rice. Leah ordered the Chicken Chow Mein and Marie…she refused to eat anything but Leah got her some sweet and sour chicken strips. The dinner was lovely that evening…as something caught my attention during the whole meal. For some reason, Marie couldn’t sit still…like something was bothering her. “What’s the matter Marie?” I asked. She looked at me with a grin…”nothing.” So, I didn’t pay attention to any of it. Leah started telling me about her life in California and how she didn’t get the job of creating technical software for million dollar corporations because she was a woman. I was disgusted with the whole thing…but I just listened.

“My favorite is Sailor Mercury. What’s yours?” Marie laughed as she answered, “Boy, you really like that brain nerd? Jupiter’s the best!” I proceeded to explain to her about Mercury’s defensive maneuvers and how she could take Jup easily. I think Marie kind of liked the fighting…and I was happy that I got her to finally open up. “You know, I may be old, but I bet I know more about Sailor Moon then you do.” The hair Marie’s arms stood up, as she looked me dead in the eye, “No you don’t.” I looked her in her eyes…”yes I do.” Watching us, I think Leah appreciated what I was doing. In her mind, no one had ever gotten Marie to talk so much.

The food came and we all sat and ate. Leah and I talked, talked, and talked so more. But I started to notice Marie moving around again…unable to sit down. “Leah…I…I don’t feel too good.” Leah and I noticed Marie uneasiness and decided it was time to leave. “Leah, I’ll go pay for the check.” But, she wouldn’t let me. “No, I’ll go pay…you take Marie to the car.” I was ready to pay, when she took my hand and nodded, “No…please. You’ve done a great deal for us today.” I looked at her then at Marie…and nodded yes while handing her the money for my food.

I took Marie by the arm and walked out the restaurant. I helped her into the car as she said, “My stomach feels funny…like...like I’m gonna puke!” I was hoping she wouldn’t do so on her sister’s seats. But I didn’t worry about that because I noticed that a gang of masked men…about 4 of them raided the restaurant. “NO! Leah!” I knew that it was a stick-up. But I didn’t know what to do…go and try to rescue her or stay with Marie. I knew I had to find someway to contact the police…but suddenly, Marie started to laugh…and laugh hard. I was so frightened because I didn’t know what she was laughing for. Then…I knew.

A blinding flash of light surrounded the car, blinding the view of anyone looking in. But, I could see. I watched as Marie’s body started to grow…and her dress started to become tighter. I watched in horror as her shoulder traps ripped…her body continued to grow and transform. I knew she had found the rock and my first instinct was to cover her body before she was totally naked. I managed to find a blanket in the back seat and covered Marie as she laughed like a mad clown. I watched as her hair changed color from black to auburn brown…the tiara formed on her head and the light vanished. “Oh no…no God…please no!” I said as Marie opened her eyes…pulling the blanket off her. “What…what happened?” I looked at her in horror, as she had become…Sailor Jupiter.

“Marie, you’ve got to listen to me.” I asked her as I grabbed her hands. “You might not believe me, but you found a black rock, that enables you to change to a Sailor Senshi member. I will explain later but some guys just held up the restaurant and got your sister inside. You have to save her and everyone else!” Marie looked at me, still puzzled with what had just happened as her expression of confusion turned to anger. “Agh! Get me out of here! JUPITER THUNDER CRASH!!!” A bolt of lightning came from her glove as she blew the door off the car and hopped out…running to the restaurant. I knew she had to save Leah…and the constant motion of Jupiter’s skirt bouncing up and down, exposing leg and skin didn’t help clear my mind either.

I didn’t dare remove myself from the car as Jupiter walked into the restaurant and within a minute thunderous crashes cried out as 4 bodies crashed through the door and into a wooden fence. My eyes grew wide again…as Jupiter came roaring out, carrying Leah in her arms. “Fonzie, get her home…she passed out.” Jupiter placed Leah in the car and I asked, “But what about you…you don’t know where you…” Jupiter’s eyes turned green in anger as she leaned over lean and grabbed my shirt, “ I SAID…GET HER HOME! YOU WANT ME TO GET MAD?!” I didn’t argue with the girl in her new form and zoomed away…as the police drove up afterwards. I was so worried about Marie…she didn’t know to true power that the rock possessed. And she didn’t know that she would soon change back…I had to go back for her!

So, I carried Leah out and laid her on my bed, locking the door and going back to Hunan for Marie. When I got there, the streets were blocked off…and I had no way of getting to Marie. “DAMMIT!” was the one word I screamed, as I kept straight and parked. I had to find her…I just had to. But before I got out the car, I saw the shadow of a girl carrying a blanket around her approaching the car. “Marie!” I shouted and opened the door for her to get in. “Is my sister okay?” asked the 13-year-old. “She’s fine, lets get you home so you can get some clothes on. How did you managed to get away from the cops and the crowd?” Marie looked at me as she held the rock in her hand. “This is how. I felt myself feeling funny again and the police were asking questions so I ran into an open shed and that’s when I transformed back. Fonzie…” Suddenly, all went silent as we drove into the Frost complex…then, she shouted, “I LOVED IT!!! WOW! THE POWER OF SAILOR JUPITER…HER BODY BEING MINE, HER POWERS BEING MINE…all because of this rock. I can’t wait to change again!”