Nebula Senshi Arc
Episode Nine
Written by: Kchan
Disclamer: I have not created SailorMoon or any other characters from the show. The animated television series SailorMoon is produced by Toei Animation Co. Ltd, and is based on the manga series by Naoko Takeuchi, first published in Japan by Kodansha Ltd. I have made this fanfic to express how much I really like the show Sailor Moon!!
Chapter 9: Summer’s brother visits! Alpha enters on the stage once again!
“What is that equation?” Instead of retrieving the formula she needed she had brief spurts of her previous encounter with the colonial blonde she fought with. She bit harder on her pencil and felt her eye twitch.
“You aren’t helping…” she switched her feet below her, and felt her purse tumble. “Sorry Beatl…” she frowned and glared at her troublesome problem. “No, I’m really not. If I fail this, I’m going to hurt you. Why does my purse feel warm?” she quickly glanced down and saw it was glowing blue. “Don’t look. Don’t look Summer!” She looked up and saw that her professor wasn’t looking at her.
“Sometimes it’s good to be one of the top students.” She sighed and tried to refrain from fidgeting. “I am going to hurt him! What is he doing making my purse some stupid…ah!” She felt the purse twitch more on her leg. “Next problem, I’ll just skip this one…” she grimaced and wiped her forehead. “It’s getting warm in here…gah! I don’t remember this equation either. Damn it! Oh wait…”
“Summer are you ok?” She rapidly glanced up and stared at her professor peering down at her.
“Uh…” She stammered and saw him pick up her test.
“This is the wrong one, this is the test for my upper level class.” He frowned and took the paper away.
“Gwa?”
“Attention class.” He tapped his white board and Summer saw her classmates and friends looking up at him. “Does question number one look like this on your test?” He then quickly wrote the equation Summer had been staring at for the past 10 minutes on the board. “Please raise your hand if it does.” Summer glanced around and saw that no one raised their hand. “Ah thank you class, please continue.” He then walked over to Summer and gave her another paper. "I’m afraid I put the copy of my upper level class on top. That’s why you were struggling. You can have an extra…” he quickly glanced at his watch and then looked back at her, “twenty-five minutes.” He smiled and walked away.
“I’m glad I’m not stupid.” She thought as she noticed the equations were considerably easier and more familiar. “If I pass this, the hamster lives for another day.” She smiled and chipped away at the problem. She frowned a bit when she felt her purse twitching again. “If he stops that stupid twitching…” The test was over before she knew it and she finished at the same time as her classmates.
“I guess I didn’t need that extra time anyway, Professor Ferguson.” She said as she handed him her paper.
“I figured you wouldn’t but I had to be fair. The next time something like this happens, and I hope it doesn’t, you got to speak up Summer. You need to do that for your sake and for the others.” Summer meekly nodded in agreement. “I look forward to seeing you next semester Summer.”
Summer smiled. “Same with me Professor!” She waved and left the class, only to be interrogated by her two close friends.
“So what was all that about?” Colleen gave her a perplexed look. Sara just gave her a curious grin.
“Apparently I got the upper class version of the test…and well I must have looked like I sucked.” Sara laughed while Colleen gave her a sympathetic grin.
“So that is why the Professor came over to you. You never get antsy during tests, especially your precious Stats class…” She said as the three of them walked down the halls.
“So for a moment you experienced what us normal people do.” Summer looked at Sara with a wounded look.
“Are you calling me abnormal?” Sara pointed at her head and grinned wider. “Of course Ms. Math. I’m glad you can finally know what us poor unlucky people feel like when there is a test.”
Summer snorted and flipped a little bit of her bangs. “I can’t help it I’m good at stats. I’m bad at other things.” She shrugged her shoulders and heard her friends laugh at her remark.
“You got that right, like not watching where you are going for starters.” Colleen smiled as she helped Summer avoid walking into some random guy.
“Thanks. Yea…that is a problem.” She laughed nervously.
“Well we should be happy, we made it through another year! Just two more and then the real world!” Sara opened the doors to a damp cloudy day. “Now to cue in the horror music, and the day would be complete.” She heard her sarcastic friend say as Colleen laughed.
“I don’t like the real world, I wanna play with math, and fight bad guys.” Summer pouted a little and felt an odd ring of truth to her sentence.
“That goes away once we finish, my dear math nerd. Enjoy it while you can.”
“Not true, Sara, what if she gets her dream job, then you could do that for the rest of your life!” Summer smiled politely and felt odd. It was always nice to think about becoming an accountant, her dream job and perhaps even getting a PhD in mathematics, yet there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind.
“Like I know I’m destined for something bigger…odd.” She pushed that thought back and continued to listen to her friends chattering away.
“So Summer did you finish the CD yet?” She stared blankly at Sara for a moment trying to think of what CD she was talking about. “I take that as a no. Well no matter, my boyfriend won tickets to see that special concert the radio was talking about last week.” Summer finally remembered and snapped back to reality.
“Oh you mean Alpha Darkman? I do remember hearing about that contest! He won? Really? How neat!” The blonde squealed and pointed at both at them.
“That isn’t the best part, he got four tickets, and of course he and I are going, but I wanted to invite you two guys.” Colleen smiled politely and shook her head.
“I don’t like that type of music Sara….I’ve heard of his work and it’s not my thing.”
“Aw man, Colleen….” Colleen just shrugged.
“Well you can’t tell me no Summer, you gotta celebrate doing well in class.” Summer smiled at her friend and saw how excited she was. He can’t be that bad, right? She really likes him, well her and her boyfriend. Summer nodded her head and was glomped in return.
“Thanks Summer, even if you don’t like him, we’ll get to be in a special atmosphere that nothing can compare to.”
“You’ve been reading his website again Sara.” Sara stuck her tongue out at Colleen.
“So what?” Summer laughed.
“So, find a date or something to go with you Summer.” Sara shoved the tickets into her hand.
“How the heck did you do that?” Summer didn’t even see her holding them in the first place.
“My little secret!”
“I agree with Summer, how did you do that?”
“I have special talents…”
“I’m sure your boyfriend loves that line!”
“Colleen!!! I’m surprised that came from you, a mother and all!”
“Knock it off, miss magician!” They all laughed as Summer stared at the two tickets.
“Who could I ask…?”
“So do you guys want to get a bite to eat…?” Colleen was interrupted by Summer’s cell phone.
“Sorry guys…” she paused as the other two smiled and started to talk to each other about the lousy weather. Summer quickly turned around and opened up her purse.
“Get this thing to stop!” Beatle yelled at her as she grabbed her cell phone.
“Sorry!” She mouthed at him and glanced at the number. Odd…my parents are at work, so who is at home calling me…? She pressed the button, “Hello?”
“Hey Squirt! Are ya done with your finals?” Summer wrinkled up her nose at the familiar nickname that only one person in the world would call her, her older brother.
“Yes. What are you doing calling me?” She said a little absently as she saw her friends come back into her field of vision.
“Woah, harsh. You didn’t do well on them then?”
“Huh?” At that moment Sara was mimicking a kissy face, to imply that she was talking to some guy. Summer rolled her eyes and heard her brother speak further.
“Tell your friends hi for me, and come home. We got things to do, unless you completely failed your test and have to be consoled.
“Jonathan! I have never failed a math test, what a lame thing to say!”
“Well you were silent for a while, I just assumed. I guess you were spacing out or telling your friends to stop making in fun of you. Either way you gotta help me out, so tell them bye and come home!”
“Help you with…?” She was cut off as Sara snatched her phone from her hands. “Sara!”
“Sara, what are we, twelve?” Colleen interjected as Sara gave them both a prissy look and answered the phone.
“This is Sara, Summer’s spokesperson. She can’t help you today, Mr. Brother that never calls, because she is going to a concert tonight.” Sara then looked amused then gasped and looked with disbelief.
“Seriously? That is so cool….”
“Hi Summer!” Summer turned around and saw Jesse waving and approaching her.
“Uh, hi!” “So did you do well on your tests?” Colleen walked over and nodded yes.
“That’s great! I think I did well, but it’s because of your notes. You should tutor or something.” Summer felt her face flush, she hadn’t been told she could teach before.
“You know that is a good idea Summer, I think it’s because of you that me and Sara did well….”
“Thanks.” She said very quietly and started to laugh. “I don’t know…” She looked at both of them and saw such confidence in their eyes. Summer was starting to feel awkward as Jesse continued to stare at her and Colleen was praising her math abilities. Luckily for her, Sara broke the atmosphere by getting overly excited again.
“You have to come!!! I’m sure Summer will invite you!” Summer looked startled and glanced at Sara, who gave her the phone back.
“Say yes, please say yes!” Sara exclaimed.
“Uh, what is she talking about?”
“Oh, am I speaking to the famous squirt that has a spokesperson now?”
Summer sighed, “Yes, I can’t help it that she snatched the phone out of my hand!”
“Well it’s a good thing that she did, I want to go to that concert with you. I hear this guy is ok, but attracts a really harsh crowd.” Summer then rolled her eyes. Spoken like a typical older brother.
“You really want to go? Why is Sara so…oh.”
“Oh.”
“Indeed, you haven’t forgotten I used to play for a little band years ago, and apparently her boytoy has heard of it. Bizarre world.” Summer gave Sara an odd look as she was giving her a joyful one. Colleen was talking with Jesse, who kept glancing over at her.
“You mean your sad band was popular, that is bizarre.”
“Funny. Anyway I’ll go with you if you help me out.” Summer sighed and looked at the tickets she still held in her other hand. I really don’t know whom else to ask.
“Ok, what do you need help with?”
“You gotta come home, I can’t really tell you over the phone.” Summer raised her eyebrow.
“Well that sounds intriguing. I’ll see you in a few then!”
“Ok, talk to ya later squirt.” She wrinkled her nose and closed the phone and dropped it back in her purse.
“I have to go guys, but I’ll see you later tonight Sara.”
Sara nodded, “You and your cool brother, right?”
“Uh yea, if you can call him that.” She shook her head and smiled at Colleen and Jesse. He gave her a polite smile, but Summer felt he wanted to say something but didn’t.
“See you Wednesday then!” He said as she ran away. I think I’m looking into this too much, he didn’t need to talk, or he would have said something.
“Helix, open this up!” She heard a muffled angry voice yell as she approached her car.
“Oops.” She unzipped her purse and grabbed her keys and a mad looking hamster. “I told you time and time again I hate being in there!” She frowned as she got in her car and set him and the purse down on the passenger seat.
“You don’t have to come with me everywhere you know.”
“Yes I do. What if the enemy shows up? I can’t let you handle it on your own.” She frowned again.
“I think you are wrong, but whatever.” He was about to say something else, but she cut him off. “By the way, what were you doing while I was taking my test? I could have been in big trouble if someone saw it twitching and glowing.”
“I was communicating with Sailor Eta Carinae. No one can see it move or glow besides you, so stop being so mad about that. I’m the one who is angry that you are always inconsiderate, forgetting about me in that stuffy, dark hole while you gallant around with your friends.”
“You can stay behind if you don’t like it.” She said angrily through her teeth. She was getting tired of him gripe all the time about her purse. “Geez, he is about as annoying as my brother…”
“I thought I told you why I can’t….”
“Look, Beatle let’s drop this before I get really mad.” She was a red light and glared at him. She saw him give her the same look before she diverted her attention back to the road. There were a few minutes of awkward silence before Summer processed what he was doing in her purse as she was taking her finals. “You said you contacted Sailor Ate Carnival?” She heard Beatle sigh.
“Sailor Eta Carinae, yes. She is the blue haired girl from…”
“Oh the one from Japan. I know who you are talking about, I haven’t met any of the others.”
“Oh, right, I forgot. Anyways I told her the back-story of Dark Matter, and how she needs to find the guardians of Sailor Moon, so they can help her out. “
“That’s neat. So when can I talk to her?”
“Well, that is a little complicated.”
“I know. I can’t speak Japanese, but you have that universal translator on your wrist, so that will be ok.”
“That’s not what I mean. I can only contact her when the wind from the Eta Carinae Nebula is at it’s strongest.”
“Ok….” Summer really didn’t understand that statement but waited on him to continue.
“She is in tuned with the wind, well the one from her Nebula. It’s hard for me to detect, but when I can, I’ll definitely speak to her again. I hope she is ok…”
“Bizarre. Do I have any neat abilities like that?” She felt his eyes on her as she was turning on the final road to her house.
“Define….”
“Never mind.” She laughed nervously. On second thought, I really don’t want to know. “Say Beatle, how did I contact her that first time…?”
“You didn’t. She contacted you.”
“Ok, how?” There was a long pause as she drove into her driveway, noticing that her brother’s car wasn’t there. “He must have taken a taxi home…”
“I guess she did it with the wind? I’m not really sure, that is a good question though Helix.” Summer frowned. She still didn’t like him calling her that. It wasn’t her name, but to him it was. Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard tapping on her driver’s side window.
“Yo! Took you long enough.” She saw a pair of goofy hazel eyes with long green bangs pushed to the side look at her. She stuck out her tongue. He just laughed and Summer saw him walk over to the passenger side.
“Beatle!” she quickly grabbed her purse and saw the hamster stumble back into it. Still holding onto the purse she saw him open the door and flop in.
“What is with the deer and headlights look?” he commented as he put his seatbelt on.
“Uh, nothing…”
“Uh-huh. I’ll hold that for you.” He snatched her purse and gave her a smile that faded quickly. “Are you ok? You are pale as a ghost now.”
“Am I?” She quickly flipped down her visor and peered in the mirror. Sure enough, she was stark white. “I’m that worried about Beatle..?”
“It’s the weather, you don’t get any sun here. You need to visit me sometime and look as nice as I do. That will get you color in your cheeks.” He then pinched her cheek and she smacked him lightly.
“Knock it off. Not everyone can look like some stupid sufer boy.” She frowned as she saw that he did have a deep rich tan.
“Ouch. That hurt, right here!” He flung her purse to his chest and mimicked a pained look.
“I take it back…” she said meekly. “Poor Beatle…”
“That’s a first. You aren’t yourself.”
“I’m fine, really. So what did you need help on? Oh and fix your seat, I don’t want your dirty knees on my dashboard.” He laughed as he adjusted his seat. Summer had always been told she was tall throughout her school life, but when she was with her brother, she felt like she was a midget or squirt as he called her.
“There is that better? Your junk heap of a car is now pristine, and my old dirty jeans aren’t touching it.” She rolled her eyes. “I need you to help me pick out a present for mom.” She gave him a bewildered look. “I know what you are going to ask, what about the necklace?” She nodded her head and he sighed. “I lost the bid when I was betting for it.”
“You were putting a bid on it? You idiot, why didn’t you buy it from that link I sent you?” He raised his eyebrow.
“Idiot? Why my dear sister, you sent me a link to a company that doesn’t exist. I checked everywhere online for that necklace you sent me a picture of, but I couldn’t find it except on this online bidding site. I tried and lost, so I need to get her something else.” Summer looked sheepish and stared at her hands on the steering wheel.
“Oh.” He patted her on her head and laughed. “Don’t feel bad. We’ll find something better. Beside won’t she be surprised when she sees me?”
“She doesn’t know you are here?”
“Nope. Now take me to the mall. I need a personal shopper, and you are the only person I know that can do the job.” Summer wrinkled her nose and started her car.
“I’m just kidding, wow, you sure are touchy today.”
“You could say things nicer to your sister, who you haven’t seen in about 5 months.” She saw his saddened look out of the corner of her eye as she was once again on the road.
“You’re right. I guess I missed teasing you. I really do appreciate it and I’m going to pay you back.” Summer snorted.
“I hope you don’t mean taking me to the concert. I could have asked someone else.” Though she really didn’t know who that would have been.
“Huh? Oh I already forgot about that. No, I’m going to that thing, because I need to protect you. I meant that. This artist has a harsh following. I think maybe later this weekend I’ll take you to a ballgame. How does that sound?” Summer grinned and nodded her head.
“Ok, that sounds fair.”
“I thought so! Now to the mall!” He pointed still clutching her purse infront of him. “Tallyho, fair car!” Summer weakly smiled and sighed. “I hope Beatle survives….”
As they approached the Westlake Shopping Center, Summer saw they were repairing the damage that happened just two days earlier.
“Woah. What happened to the mall?” she heard Jonathan exclaimed as she drove around to find a parking spot.
“There was a terrorist attack or something like that Saturday. No one was critically hurt though.” She focused really hard on looking at the parking lot and tried to keep her voice calm.
“Were you here…?” she didn’t want to look at his face. She didn’t want to lie to him, but didn’t really want to talk about it. She already felt guilty that people did get hurt and damage was done. “Summer?” she glanced down at his hand on hers.
“I rather not talk about it, if that’s ok?” She gave him a fake polite smile as she proceeded to park the car. She barely caught his worried look.
“Ok.” He said with a worried tone. “My purse if you please kind sir?”
“Of course my fair lady, and my thanks for getting our fair car here in one piece.” She snorted as she grabbed the purse. As she watched him leave the car, she took the opportunity to peer quickly into her purse.
“You ok?” she whispered. She saw a distressed expression on the hamsters face as he looked up at her.
“Yea. Are you?” She nodded and zipped the purse partially.
“Hang on, Beatle. This may take awhile.” She got out and saw her brother put his cell phone away.
“Are we ready?”
“Yea.” They walked into the huge shopping center, which she had been to numerous times before. “Let’s get mom the perfect gift!” he smiled over at her.
“Not more perfect than the one I got.” She looked a tad snobbish as she said this, while her brother laughed.
“We’ll see about that!”
It took them quite a bit of the afternoon to find what her brother considered the perfect gift. Truthfully Summer thought it was really perfect and matched her gift. He got their mom, a lovely jade butterfly necklace and earrings that were on sale. Her gift was a small but detailed and ornate butterfly music box that had fake emeralds and rubies on it. Summer thought it was a bizarre theme, but found it really neat that both her and Jonathan had the same tastes when it came to picking out gifts. Currently she was in her bathroom fixing her hair as she thought of their little shopping escapade. Oddly enough, Beatle didn’t complain much when they finally had a chance to be alone. He was more quiet and solemn more than anything else. That bothered Summer a bit and when she tried to cheer him up, he just gave her a sad smile or a look of annoyance.
“I guess he just needs some space to think things over.” Summer was putting on some dark eye shadow as she was pondering about her little guide and friend. I wonder what this enemy’s relationship is to him? Is he a relative? Is that why he is depressed, seeing me and Jonathan interact? Or is he…? Summer blushed as she finished putting on her mascara and stared at herself in the mirror.
“Well they could be lovers. It’s possible.” She continued to blush and sighed as the thought this. Either way there was something between them, and eventually he had to tell her. She found it extremely hard to bring up the topic though, as she hated to make the little guy look so forlorn. Sighing she glanced at herself. Her hair was pulled back into a cute little ponytail, and she had dark makeup on. She wanted to fit into the underground band atmosphere and made herself look really different and almost punkish. I really don’t have the type of clothes though…as she glanced down at the dark purple ancient band t-shirt she had borrowed from Sara. She was also wearing a black oversized belt that had little fake silver spikes all around it. It matched her black baggy carpenter jeans, which had huge holes in the knees. She wore some white and black knee high socks that were clearly visible from the holes though. The crowning touch was her big black Goth boots. Summer was never into the Goth style or look, but she adored the boots when she spotted them about a year earlier. She was always obsessed with getting shoes, but rarely wore them more than once. She looked down at them and grinned.
“Second time for you guys.” She walked out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. “Ok, now for some accessories.” She muttered as she looked at her jewelry case. She found a pair of baffled brown eyes instead.
“Why are you dressed like that…?” She found his look amusing.
“Do you like?”
“You like a cadet, but very strange…what is wrong with your face? You eyes are so dark! Are you that tired?” She laughed as she found her cute black heart earrings and a black leather belt bracelet. It would help make her cute silver transformation bracelet less noticeable.
“No, I’m just trying to look the part for when we go to this concert thing. Trust me, I’ll look normal compare to what Sara and her boyfriend will look like.” She patted him on his head and spotted the cd she had meant to listen to this whole time.
“I’m seeing this guy sing and I don’t even know if he is any good.” She muttered as she was looking at the songs.
“I doubt he is even half of what my band was.” Startled Summer turned around quickly to see Jonathan in her doorway.
“Don’t you ever knock?” she tossed a pillow at him as she got up.
“How can I, when your door is wide open?” she glared and shook her head.
“You look emo and ready. Let’s go!”
“Who are you calling emo?” She yelled at him as he walked away. “He looks like a punk with his old band outfit on. He even put on his lame chain wallet and those awful plaid shorts.” She muttered as she picked up Beatle.
“Are you sure you want to come?” He nodded and she smirked a bit.
“Yes. I think your brother, though very strange, has a some sort of sixth sense.” She paused as she grabbed her purse before exiting her room.
“What do you mean?”
“I think he knows something is up and I have to trust his instincts. After all he was extremely concerned earlier today when he saw your reaction to the mall. “
“Well that’s because I was stressed.”
“I understand that, but you certainly didn’t sound like it, and I assumed you didn’t look it as well. I just feel he has a unique bond with you.” She snorted as she gently put him in her purse.
“Stop being so observant.”
“It’s my job Summer!”
“Hurry up squirt, before Pop makes me drag out my old base guitar and perform a concert here!” she heard Jonathan yell from below.
“Coming!”
“By the way Beatle,” she said as she jumped over her brother’s bag he dropped in the hall. “pig.”
“What?”
“Uh, sorry, talking about my bro. As I was saying, this place is going to be incredibly loud, so you may want your cool watch make you some earplugs or something. You may go deaf if you don’t.” She then zipped purse a bit and spotted her parents and brother waiting on her.
“Were you talking to your insane friend?” Jonathan asked.
“Huh? Oh, yea..but he isn’t insane.”
“He?”
“Honey you look so funny.” Her mom stated as she interrupted them both. “Those boots look great though.” She added as she gave her a hug.
“Have fun you two, and try not to get back into the band thing…” Her father added as Summer spotted him glancing at Jonathan.
“Yea, I know. I’ve outgrown that. Come on squirt, we are going to be late.” They left the house and got into her car. Her brother offered to drive and after much bickering, he did convince he would be better to do so. Still it felt so strange for her to be sitting in her own passenger seat.
“So who is this guy you were talking to, and are you regretting not asking him going with you instead of me?” He asked as they were well on their way to the radio station.
“Huh?”
“Don’t play dumb. You said you were talking to some guy as you were coming down the stairs. I saw you put your phone into your purse, so who is this mysterious person?” Summer bit her lip as she looked down into her lap where her purse was.
“Oh that!” she laughed nervously. “Think of someone, Summer! You can’t tell him you were talking to a hamster that is really some cursed alien, that is helping you to save the world from utter destruction.” Then she saw Jesse’s face in her mind’s eye and before she knew it she blurted his name out.
“Who is he?”
“Just a friend that I work with. He’s my manager at Starsmucks.”
“You still work there?”
“Well duh! I need money you know. We all can’t be a computer genius.” She heard him chuckle at that comment.
“Why didn’t you invite him, I’m not complaining, but just curious.” Summer started blankly at him, which as she noticed started him.
“I never thought about it actually. I don’t think he likes this type of stuff. Besides, even if I did, wouldn’t you go all crazy older brother on him?” He laughed at this comment.
“Maybe.” She sat there and wrinkled her nose at him, causing him to laugh more. She spotted her purse glowing blue.
“Is your phone ringing?” he said as he saw the blueness.
“I thought Beatle said no one could see him except me.” She smiled nervously and looked in the purse. She saw Beatle, looking really freaked at her cell phone.
“Oh it is!” she grabbed it and saw it was Sara. “Hello?”
“Hey!” Sara blared in her ear. “You almost here? It’s insanely crowded, like the people want to catch a peak at Alpha Darkman. What? Oh, just talking to Summer! Yea, yea she’s bringing him. Right Summer, your brother is with you, right?”
“Yes.” Summer said as she watched him glare at the crowded parking lot he just turned into.
“Awesome!” she said in a sing song voice. “Ok, I’ll see you in a bit, oh and park on the side of the building that says reserved for whatever DJ name is on the sign. Trust me, they won’t mind, in fact they told Kent to re-park over there.”
“Thanks Sara. See you in few.” “Hey Jonathan turn over there!” she pointed to the right.
“That’s the reserve parking spots.”
“I know, but Sara said they are allowing us to park there, I guess because of the crowds.”
“Fine. Explain that to the burly security guards standing next to them then.” He said with a hint of anger as he got to the reserve spots.
“Alpha Darkman…?” Summer muttered as she watched her brother park. “Nah…gotta be a coincidence.” She glanced down at her purse and saw it was still glowing.
“Beatle?” her thoughts were interrupted by Jonathan.
“What’cha say?”
“Uh nothing.” Summer was then startled as the one of the security guards tapped on the driver side window.
“Proof that you are one of the winners please.”
“Summer…” her brother said quickly through a fake smile.
“Sure thing sir….” She shoved their tickets into her brother’s hand.
“Ah, thank you. Please exit the vehicle.” Summer saw the other guard was writing down something.
“My license plate number perhaps? How strange.” She and her brother got out of the car and Summer felt something tug on her purse straps. “Eh?” She barely had time to look as the guard smiled at her and held out his hand.
“Your purse ma’am. I have to inspect it to make sure there isn’t anything suspicious in it.” She was definitely startled.
“Excuse me? Is this really necessary?”
“Afraid so ma’am.” She held on to it tighter.
“If they find Beatle…” she glared at the guard.
“Your purse please.”
“Hey, stop it, she isn’t a spy, sneaking in food, or whatever else you think.” She heard Jonathan say rather loudly.
“It’s just a precaution, or perhaps you haven’t heard what happened at the mall a few days ago.”
“It’s ok, Summer.” She blinked as she heard Beatle’s voice. She realized he must have gotten out fast enough and was hiding in her ponytail. She was so stressed, that she didn’t feel him.
“Fine.” She tossed her purse to the guard and rolled her eyes. After a few moments the guard handed it back to her.
“Thank you ma’am. This was just for our safety and your safety.”
“Whatever.” She snatched it and walked over to where her brother was. He quickly grabbed her arm and walked over to some stairs.
“This is really strange, why does this guy have so much security?” She heard him say as they entered the building.
“Good question. I don’t think they were even…” she said even quieter as they spotted more guards, escorting them where they needed to go, “…human.”
“Affirmative. Be on guard Summer.” She heard Beatle say as she noticed her brother gave her a strange look.
“Ah the last of our lucky winners!” A petite woman approached them looking quite normal compared to the group of people that were being ushered into the sound studio.
“Say, you look familiar.” She looked up and Jonathan who was ignoring her until she said that.
“Aren’t you the bassist from Shadow People?” Summer saw him look down at her and smiled quickly.
“Yes…but that was a long time ago.”
“Just five years ago, say your band was ok, but you were one damn good guitar player. Are you looking to enter the underground scene again?” She somehow weaseled her way between them. Summer sighed and started to look for Sara and Kent.
“Rude woman. She must be some sort of reporter or something.”
“Summer, comp is detecting dark matter pieces here.” She froze as she heard him say this.
“Seriously? Where?”
“It’s really hard to detect, there is a really strange shield in here. No doubt Alpha’s work.” Summer became extremely weak as she heard him mention her enemy’s name.
“It isn’t a coincidence then.” She softly said as she watch her brother try to shake the annoying woman away from him.
“What do you mean?” “The name of the singer we are seeing is…”
“There you are Summer! Aren’t you excited to see Alpha Darkman?” Summer smiled as she felt her friend tug on her arm.
“Yea, real excited.”
“Say is that your brother? He’s kinda cute, but who is the chickie with him?”
“She’s the head reporter of Insider Music.” Summer turned and saw Kent. He looked as gangly and punk like as ever. Though he looked scary with his numerous piercings, vivid blue hair and spiked collar accessories and the like, she knew deep down he was a very nice and polite person. “She’s a real oily one. I’ll save him, hang on ladies.” Summer saw him walk away and go over to him.
“He’s really good at this, watch.” She heard Sara say with an air of confidence. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but she saw the woman blush a fiery red and stomp directly away from her brother, and towards her.
“That stupid kid…” she heard her utter as she almost bumped into Summer.
“Watch where you are standing girl!” she then wiped some of her black hair out of her face and disappeared with the sound crew.
“Summer, looks like your friend saved me. Man you have a talent there…uh?” Jonathan walked over to them with Kent.
“Kent. Yea, I have a tendency to know a lot of secrets…” he then cleared his throat and gently took Sara’s hand. “Let’s go to our seats before the show starts.”
“I’m glad I came with you…” she heard Jonathan say as they found the seats that had their ticket number on it. She sat on the seat labeled 11 as he sat in 12 and looked around. There were just twelve of them gathered there, and the crowd didn’t look tough. The security bothered her more as she saw tons of them in the back near the stage. It wasn’t the largest room, it was just the radio station’s special sound stage, but she saw that it was done up rather elaborately. “I’m impressed with the way they set this up though.” her brother said to her. “See that over there?” She saw he pointed to a huge wall of electronic devices. She didn’t have a clue what they were.
“Yea.”
“It looks like they are going to broadcast this live. Might explain all the people outside.”
“Nah, I don’t think so.” Summer looked to her left and saw Sara and beside her Kent who had spoke. “I think they just wanted to catch a glimpse of Darkman. His lyrics and songs aren’t the best, but when you hear his music, you’ll be blown away. Then you’ll see why he has so many fans.” She saw Kent’s eyes sparkle as he said this.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” She heard her brother reply back to him as he ran his hand through his slightly spiked green hair. “If you can’t write lyrics, what is the point of having a good sound?” Kent laughed and smirked.
“I forgot, you were also the brains behind the songs, weren’t you?” Jonathan sighed as both Summer and Sara just shrugged their shoulders at each other.
“I only did a few…” Kent nodded his head and returned his gaze to the stage. Summer also stared waiting and fearing for the worse.
“Perhaps it isn’t him and they just have the same name. It’s possible right?” Deep down, she knew that this wasn’t the case. “If he really is my enemy, how do I save all of these people? It look liked there was only one way in.” she bit her bottom lip as she peered left and right.
“Say, Summer you used to sing in choir right?” Sara snapped her out of her foreboding thoughts.
“Wha?”
“Wake up miss daydreamer.” She felt her brother pat her on her head. “To answer your question, she was in choir all through high school.”
“Uh, yea. It was just something to do.” She held hands tightly on her lap as she glanced down to look at them. “Please let this just be a fun evening and not a death trap…”
“Stop being so shy about it Summer!” she heard Jonathan laugh.
“Oh, um yea. I still like to sing, but it’s not something I want to do professionally. Besides I’m not that good.” She looked over a Sara and gave her an embarrassed look.
“Now being modest? Are you my sister?” he poked her as she gave him a glare.
“You’ll have to sing for us sometime then.” Kent replied and Summer felt more stressed.
“Sure, and I’ll play my guitar. It will be like old times, right squirt?” She hit him roughly as he said the squirt part.
“Stop your teasing. I don’t really think…” she saw that his amused look turned into one of concern.
“I’m sorry. I was joking a bit, but I really think you are good. Better than my old drunken band buddy.” He gave her a somber smile and sighed. “I really mean it.” She gave him a quick grin and shook her head.
“When is he coming out?” she said referring to Darkman and changing the topic at the same time.
“All singers are late, it’s part of their thing.” Kent sighed and stretched his arms out, barely missing the individual in front of him.
“Oh.” She replied. Suddenly she felt a painful tug of her hair. “Ow!” she exclaimed as she instinctively put her hand towards her ponytail.
“What’s wrong squirt?” she felt Beatle and suddenly remembered that he was there. Her face paled.
“Um, nothing.” She replied quickly and smiled weakly. “Please don’t notice that he is back there, please don’t look.”
“Are you sure…?” he prodded.
“I…I gotta go to the bathroom!” she then abruptly stood up and walked past her brother.
“You’re going to miss the show!” she heard Sara cry after her followed by Kent’s nonchalant remark,
“Nah. He won’t be out here for another 20 minutes…take your time!” She waved behind her head without looking back, walking faster.
“Where is the restroom…?” she muttered as she tried to avoid eye contact with one security guard.
“Take a sharp turn to your left. NOW!” she heard Beatle reply. She did so and instantly saw a familiar ladies room sign. A moment later she was in the empty room. “Are we alone?” She looked at the ten or so stalls and saw no one.
“Yea.”
“Good, secure the place.”
“You mean lock the door?” she asked as she did so anyways.
“Affirmative.”
“Ok, then.” She looked at her reflection in the mirror and sighed. She spotted Beatle on her shoulder, and without asking she picked him up and put him on the sink. “He’s here isn’t he?” Beatle looked angry and nodded his head.
“Yes, and I’m afraid we are completely surrounded. Those guards are all his dark puppets.” Summer closed her eyes and clenched her fists. She had unknowingly brought her brother and friends into a death trap.
“Where is he at? Maybe as Sailor Helix I can stop him before he hurts…” she opened her eyes and saw Beatle was shaking his head no. “What does that mean?”
“I can’t pinpoint him, if I could I would have done it a long time ago.” He sighed.
“What do you think he intends to do?”
“I assume, suck the light of people’s souls via his so called ‘dark’ music.”
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELCOME TO YOUR LUCKY NIGHT!” Summer frowned.
“He’s being introduced. Beatle what can I do? What…?” he was frantically pressing his watch as she ran her hands through her hair in desperation. While doing that she saw the door she had locked shake a bit. She turned around and narrowed her eyes. “Who is there…?” she thought as she went closer to it.
“Perhaps if we…” Summer ignored him and stood infront of the door.
“Summer?” she heard her guide ask quietly.
“YO!” Summer jumped two feet backwards at the loud voice and nearly fell.
“Are you ok?” The voice continued as the handle was jerking and pounding started to commence.
“It’s your brother.” Summer heard Beatle say as she held her head.
“Yes! I’ll be there in a second!” The knocking stopped and Summer stared at Beatle. “
I swear he has some sort of connection with you.”
“No, he’s a dork. What kind of brother would follow his sister to the bathroom?” she asked as she picked the hamster up and put him once again on her shoulder.
“One that cares for you.”
“This doesn’t help anyone though…” she sighed and unlocked the bathroom door. The moment she did a plethora of actions occurred. She heard such an extreme loud eerie guitar melody that the noise knocked her down to the ground. Her brother tumbled in and fell down as well. The world was shaking, violently as the sinks started to spurt water, the mirrors cracked and the toilets started to flush on their own. Summer couldn’t react fast enough to do anything but stare at the door she was once at, and saw that somehow the once wide open door was now shut again. The noise as suddenly as it started, stopped. Summer felt so light headed and heavy as she felt her furry friend poking her neck. She glanced over and saw her brother lying on the floor with blood out of his ears.
“Jonathan? Jonathan!” she yelled, but couldn’t even hear her own cries as she struggled to get over to him. She felt lighter, but extremely dizzy. He wasn’t even that far from her. “Jonathan!!!” she shook him and saw no reaction. The only thing she noticed was his chest rising up and down.
“He’s breathing, but why won’t he wake up? Beatle?” she felt him on her shoulder, and she put him on the ground. He gave her a distress look, one of intense anger mixed with fear. His little watch instantly pointed a blue beam at her. The once noiseless space that enveloped her had sound again. She heard the strangest thing as she regained her hearing.
“Truth is I thought the music mattered to you simpletons, but does it really compared to what really matters?” She then heard a loud laugh echoing over and over again.
“Alpha…” Beatle spat out.
“Which is, your precious light in your souls!!!” The laughter echoed again and again. Slowly getting up Summer raised her hand clutching her silver bracelet.
“You are going down.”
“Helix!”
In a once normal looking ladies restroom, was an injured man, cracked mirrors, overflowing toilets, a small hamster, sinks spraying water everywhere and a young woman who became a solider standing in the midst of the chaos.
END Episode Nine.