Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Blinded By Science ❯ Changeling ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

BLINDED BY SCIENCE
Chapter 2: "Changeling"

By Bill K.

"I'm going to get married!" Usagi squealed, jumping up and down.

"Mommmmmmmm!" Shingo howled. "Tell her to stop!"

"Shingo," Ikuko sighed with thinning patience, "this doesn't happen often in a girl's life.
Let your sister enjoy it."

Shingo scowled and folded his arms over his chest.

"Mom!" Usagi gasped suddenly. "There's so much to do! I've got to get a gown! I've got
to get catering! I've got to decide on where to have the ceremony!"

"I'm sure Rei would be happy to let you have it at Hikawa Shrine," Ikuko told her.

"In a western-style wedding gown? Obviously you don't know Rei that well." Usagi's
eyes suddenly bugged out. "Oh my, am I going to have a Shinto ceremony or a western one!
MOM, HELP!"

"I'm going out," Shingo huffed. The fourteen-year-old shuffled out the door with a scowl
of contempt etched on his face.

"Calm down, Usagi," Ikuko said with maternal strength and confidence. "I suppose if
you're intent on wearing a western gown, you should have a western ceremony. Still, I would at
least ask Rei about holding it at the shrine. After all, she might be offended if you don't. Now
about catering - - your father knows some people and he can arrange the reception. We'll need
invitations, too - - and try to keep the guest list under three hundred."

"If I have to," Usagi sighed. "But what about my gown? We don't have much time! I
want to have the ceremony before Ami leaves for England!"

"Which won't be for two months yet," Ikuko reminded her. "You'll have time."

"No, I have to do this now - - today!" The doorbell rang. "Oh, who could that be?"

Opening the door, Usagi found Ami on the front step.

"AMI, YOU'RE A LIFE SAVER!" Usagi squealed, hugging her friend.

"I am?" Ami replied, bewildered. "Are you in some sort of pain?"

"No, I'm about to go crazy! I need to get a gown for the wedding! Please say you'll help
me pick one out! Please!"

"Of course, Usagi," Ami smiled. "I just came over to congratulate you. I only just now
heard the news."

"Nobody called you?"

"I've," Ami hesitated, "been occupied with something. But I'm completely at your
disposal, Usagi, for as long as you need me."

"Great! Let's go!" She turned to her mother. "Can I borrow the credit card, Mom?"

Ikuko gave her a very skeptical look.

"Mommmmmmm!" Usagi howled.

"I'll make sure she doesn't spend too much, Mrs. Tsukino," Ami told her.

"Ami, I thought you were going to help me!" whined Usagi.

"All right," Ikuko sighed, "but only because Ami's with you. And remember, dear, you
don't have to be too extravagant because you'll look beautiful in anything."

The two eighteen-year-olds headed for the door.

"I've never been one for fashion, Usagi," Ami ventured. "I hope my advice can help you."

"Hmm," Usagi thought. "You're right. We need to get Naru, too."
- - - -
Three eighteen-year-old girls in a bridal shop was not unusual to the clerks who worked
there - - and neither were the giggles, gasps and squeals that emanated from them on a regular
basis. The woman at the cash register just hoped they were there to buy something and not just
window-shopping.

"Oh, look at that one!" Naru gasped and sighed simultaneously.

"It's very pretty," Ami nodded. "It's also very expensive."

"Ami, you're only married once," Naru countered.

"Actually, current statistics would render that statement . . ." Ami began, but Naru threw
up her hand with a stern look and stopped Ami's reply in its tracks.

"It's nice," Usagi shrugged.

"Curb your enthusiasm," Naru scowled.

"It's just," Usagi began. "I don't know. It's just not right. I want the exact right gown if
I'm finally going to be marrying Mamo-chan."

"Usagi, you're putting too much thought into this," Naru counseled her. "Take the advice
of an old friend: Mamoru's not going to care what you're wearing. He's marrying you, not your
gown. He won't care if you're naked." Naru grew a sly grin. "In fact, he might prefer it."

"Naru!" gasped Usagi, her cheeks reddening.

"Exactly what kind of dress are you looking for, Usagi?" Ami asked. "It might help our
search if we define the parameters more closely."

"I can't explain it," Usagi shrugged. "I'll know it when I see it."

They turned to another mannequin modeling a gown. It was white with a low bodice and
off the shoulder short sleeves. Rather than gather at the waist, the gown gathered below the
bodice with a flowing train to the floor. The gathers were tied in the back with a huge bow that
resembled the wings of a butterfly, while white opera gloves completed the ensemble. Usagi
stared at it curiously.

"You're not considering THAT, are you?" Naru asked anxiously.

"No, it's not what I'm looking for," Usagi mumbled. "It's just that it looks familiar."

"Maybe it's last year's model," Naru shrugged.

The trio walked on to another display.

"So are you going to show me your engagement ring or do I have to hire a private
detective?" Naru asked. Absently Usagi showed her the ring on her hand. "Usagi, that's the ring
he gave you two years ago."

"Well, that's my engagement ring, technically," Usagi replied.

"I thought he proposed yesterday."

"He did. The ring he showed me was my wedding ring." Usagi blushed. "He said he'd
keep it until I said 'I do'."

"Then that's not your engagement ring," Naru protested.

"Yes it is. But Mamo-chan said he didn't want to ask me until I was mature enough to say
yes or no. And besides, um, a lot of things were happening back then and he didn't get around to
actually asking me to marry him until now."

"So you've actually been engaged for two years?"

"Uh huh."

"YOU'VE BEEN ENGAGED FOR TWO YEARS AND I'M JUST FINDING OUT
ABOUT IT?"

"Well, I said a lot of things were happening back then! I'm sorry, Naru."

"If it makes you feel any better, Naru," Ami offered, "we all thought it was just a-a
promissory ring, not an actual engagement."

"Can I help you ladies?" one of the sales clerks inquired. If they were serious customers,
they'd been there long enough to need help. If they were window-shopping, they'd been there far
too long and needed encouragement to waste someone else's time. Usagi looked the display over
one more time and heaved a heavy sigh.

"Do you have anything nicer?" she asked in innocent earnest.

"But at a reasonable price?" added Ami.

"But quality is definitely more important than price," Naru interjected. Then she gave
Ami an impatient look.
- - - -
The shopping trip had proven fruitless. Four shops and dozens of gowns later, Usagi was
beginning to despair that she'd never find the right gown. After bidding good-bye to Ami, Usagi
and Naru hunkered down in the library and poured over every copy of every bridal magazine they
could find. Yet nothing struck Usagi as "the perfect gown". Bidding Naru farewell, Usagi noted
the time and remembered the other duty she had.

Stepping off the bus, the bride-to-be looked cautiously up the looming stairs. She
expelled a condemned breath. Usagi ventured up the stairs to Hikawa Shrine with growing
trepidation. She knew Rei was her friend and thought she would be supportive of whatever
decision she'd make regarding the wedding. On the other hand, Rei had very traditional beliefs in
many areas, particularly when it came to religion. The thought of Usagi having a western
ceremony might be bad enough. The thought of her having it at Hikawa Shrine might send Rei
over the edge and Usagi didn't want to invoke the infamous Hino massive temper if she could
avoid it. Or worse, Rei might play at going along and be deeply hurt. That made Usagi even
more ill at ease, for she never, ever wanted to hurt anyone.

When she got to the top step, Usagi spotted Makoto and Minako talking with Rei. That
was good - - they could be hidden behind if Rei became violent.

"Hi everyone!" Usagi called out.

"A major event like this happens in your life and YOU DON'T IMMEDIATELY CALL
ME?" roared Minako.

"I'm sorry," grimaced Usagi.

"It's OK," Minako grinned, satisfied that her performance had fooled Usagi. "You
probably had other things on your mind - - like the wedding night." She leered at Usagi.

"Minako!" Usagi gasped, reddening. "You don't discuss things like that!"

"I do," Minako said, surprised.

"Don't pay any attention to her, Usagi," sighed Rei. "It only encourages her." The miko
folded her hands behind her back and walked up to Usagi. Usagi thought nothing of it until she
realized Rei wasn't stopping. When she was less than a quarter of an inch from the girl, Rei
stopped and smiled an almost genuine smile. "Now, you were planning on having the wedding
ceremony here," and she stuck her face into Usagi's until they were practically nose to nose,
"weren't you?"

"Um," Usagi gulped, "if it's all right with you?"

"Of course it's all right," Rei smiled sweetly. "You're one of my best friends. I'd be
honored to see you married on this holy site." She paused a beat for effect. "And if you had it
anywhere else in Japan, I'd seriously have to consider maiming you."

The three girls looked at Rei, who was still smiling sweetly and innocently.

"Seriously, Usagi," Rei said gently, "I want you to have it here. It would mean a lot to
me."

"Even though I'm having a western ceremony?" asked Usagi.

Rei's eyes grew wide. Her lips thinned. A vein popped out on her forehead.

"Uh oh, she's going to blow," Makoto whispered. "Women and children first!"

"Just call me 'Baby Mina-chan'!" Minako replied.

"A western," Rei fumed, "ceremony?" Rei took a few moments to breathe deeply while
Usagi cringed. "All right. If it's what you want. I'll let Grandpa know." The girl shook her head
and her long black hair bobbed like a horse's tail. "A western ceremony."

"Is that going to be a problem for Grandpa?" Usagi squeaked.

"No," Rei smiled. "He can do 'western'. He's very flexible."

"He'd have to be, considering some of the places his hand ends up," muttered Minako.
Makoto smothered a laugh while Rei glared daggers at her.

"Have you set a date yet?" Rei asked.

"No," scowled Usagi. "But it has to be soon! I want to have it before Ami leaves for
England."

"That OK with Mamoru?" Makoto asked.

"Yes, Mamo-chan's fine with it. But I don't know if I'm going to make it! I spent all day
looking for a gown and didn't find anything! I think I wore out Ami and Naru both!"

"If you can wait until Sunday, I'll help you shop," Rei offered.

"COULD YOU?" squealed Usagi. "I've always admired your fashion sense!"

"Sure," the miko smiled. "I'd do it today, but I've still got finals to study for."

"I can do it today," Minako volunteered, then glanced maliciously at Rei, "because I don't
have anymore finals to study for."

"You probably didn't study for them when you did," Rei scowled.

"You're on, Mina-chan!" Usagi nodded. "Between you tonight and Rei Sunday, we're
bound to find SOMETHING!"

"Don't leave me out of this!" Makoto exclaimed. "I've had my interview today, so I'm totally
free tomorrow."

"You got an interview already?" Minako gasped. "When were you going to tell us?"

"If I got it," Makoto blushed. "I didn't want to jinx it."

"Where's the job?" Rei asked.

"If I get it," Makoto replied. Then she pointed at Rei. "And don't you use that fire
mumbo-jumbo to find out, either!"

"OK," Rei giggled.

Suddenly her giggling stopped. Rei froze, listening to a voice only she could hear. The
others stopped, too, by now accustomed to the sudden premonitions of the mysterious maiden in
white and red.

"Transform," she whispered. Makoto and Minako instantly had their henshin sticks out.

"What is it?" Usagi asked as her two friends transformed behind her.

"I don't know. It's too vague. But I'm getting a strong sense of a threat approaching." Rei
snapped out of her semi-trance and glared at Usagi. "So transform, idiot!"

"All right!" fussed Usagi. She and Rei transformed together.

The four senshi watched the top of the steps, directed by the gaze of Sailor Mars, waiting
for whatever approached to appear. Each one was tensed, ready to spring to the attack or move
aside from an attack as the situation might demand. Experience lent steel to their nerves, though
each girl was disappointed and anxious about a new menace appearing now when their lives had
reached an exciting and intimidating crossroads.

The setting sun cast a shadow toward them from a head emerging from behind the steps.
Momentarily shrouded in shadow, the figure couldn't be totally made out until it reached the top
step. Sailor Moon's eyes widened.

"Rei, its just Ami!" Sailor Moon fumed, turning to the fire senshi.

But Sailor Mars had her index fingers steepled to her face and her brow knit in intense
concentration. To Sailor Moon's astonishment, a tiny spark jumped from the steepled fingers.

"FIRE SOUL!" Sailor Mars roared, and the spark exploded into combustion.

Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus lunged at Sailor Mars even as the flame grew and swirled
into a massive fireball. They grabbed Mars and threw her to the ground even as the massive
fireball launched past Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon's eyes grew to saucers as she turned around in
time to witness the fireball rocket across the path of the shrine and explode into Ami, consuming
her inside its licking flames. Her hands to her mouth, Sailor Moon turned away rather than
witness her friend immolated.

"Rei, have you gone crazy?" wailed Sailor Moon. "That's Ami!"

The flame dissipated. Sailor Moon's eyes were caught first by the surprised look on the
face of Venus, then on Jupiter. She turned back to look, fully expecting to see charred bone and
blackened flesh where once her friend had been. What she saw, though, was the last thing she
expected.

Mouth dropping, Sailor Moon took several cautious steps toward - - it. For where Ami
had been, there was now a misshapen metal skeleton and burned away synthetic flesh and
muscle. Sailor Moon stared at it as she numbly approached.

"Don't get too close!" Mars shouted out a warning.

"I don't believe it," Sailor Moon whispered. "Ami's a - - a robot?"

"Actually," the thing's misshapen head turned and said to her, its realistic eyes staring up
from singed and melted chromium aluminum orbital sockets, in a damaged approximation of
Ami's voice, "the proper term is 'android'."

"It's not Ami!" roared Mars. She struggled to get up, then shoved Jupiter and Venus.
"Will you two get off me! It's not Ami! I could tell it was a machine the minute I saw it!"

"How?" asked Jupiter.

"That 'thing' didn't have a spirit aura," Mars snapped. "It's because machines don't
possess spirits!"

"An interesting metaphysical hypothesis," the slagged android croaked out, sending chills
through Sailor Moon. "I wish I had the time to debate the subject with you, Sailor Mars. But at
the moment, I am experiencing," and a spark of electricity arced from her scalp, then died,
"massive systems failure."

"B-But," Sailor Moon said through her horror, "if you're not Ami - - then what happened
to her? What did you do with Ami?"

"I'm sorry, Sailor Moon," the android replied, still speaking with Ami's voice, "but my
programming prevents me from revealing that information."

"Who made you?" demanded Sailor Venus. "Who sent you here? What's your purpose?"

"I'm sorry, Sailor Venus," the android replied. "My programming prevents me from
revealing that information."

"Then what can you tell us?" Sailor Moon cried.

The gleaming skull looked up at her.

"I can tell you," it replied haltingly, "that I had fun today - - shopping with you - - and
Naru-chan. I hope you - - and Mamoru-san - - will be very - - hap . . ."

The skull froze in mid-sentence, staring up at Sailor Moon like a picture in freeze-frame.

Mars, Venus and Jupiter exchanged worried glances at each other. Then they looked to
Sailor Moon. She was looking down at the scrap metal and charred foam and plastic, at the
metal doll that had become the changeling for her friend Ami. She wondered - - they all
wondered - - where was Ami Mizuno and was she still alive?

continued in Chapter 3