Chapter 120
And back in the other Universe.
Night fell over Tokyo. Darrien stepped along a walkway bordering on a large pond. He approached a large cement amphitheater near by.
"So you've come," came a voice. He looked up. There stood Sailors Uranus, Pluto, Saturn, and Neptune.
"You asked me to," Darrien said pulling out a rose from his pocket. Seconds later he became Tuxedo Mask.
"Why have you asked me here?" Tuxedo Mask asked.
"We need to talk about what may happen in the future," Sailor Pluto said. "Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus will remain in the city as they have. We hope they can work to cooperate with the other Scouts in the future."
"We would prefer to handle it ourselves," Uranus said.
"Oh...don't be so stubborn," Neptune said.
Uranus glanced at her.
"You seem to believe there's going to be a need for the scouts to cooperate.." Tuxedo Mask said.
"I'm afraid that I must prepare for that eventuality," Sailor Pluto said. "I'm taking care of Saturn here until her father gets his life back in order. We're going out to the country."
Saturn said nothing.
"Do you understand all this Tuxedo Mask?" Pluto asked.
"Fully," Tuxedo Mask said.
"I wanted to tell you this because I know there is still some bad blood between the scouts and I wanted to make sure the message got across to you. It is important that all of you learn to cooperate," Pluto said. "And I will not be here to nursemaid the process, at least for now."
"The Sailor Scouts will manage," Tuxedo Mask said. "They always do."
"That is what I wanted to hear," Sailor Pluto. "Farewell for now. Come Saturn."
Saturn said nothing, but followed as Sailor Pluto leapt off the back of the amphitheater.
"Things might be helped if you were to..." Tuxedo Mask began.
"Apologize?" Uranus muttered.
"Yes" Tuxedo Mask.
"Everything we did, we felt was necessary," Uranus said.
"We cannot apologize for doing what we felt was right," Neptune said.
"I see," Tuxedo Mask said.
"But that does not mean we many not try less controversial solutions in the future," Neptune said.
"It doesn't?" Uranus asked.
"No it doesn't, the best thing for us to do is start over," Neptune said with a slight grin.
"What Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon did could hardly be considered right either," Uranus said.
"True enough, I will pass along that message," Tuxedo Mask said.
"We appreciate it," Sailor Neptune said and the two outer scouts jumped away.
"To get the rainbow crystals, I might have done everything that they did," Tuxedo Mask said. "So I guess I can't blame them. At least they recognize why we had a problem with them."
The next morning.
"Serena! Wake up!" came a familiar voice. Serena's eyes opened...
"Ehh...what? It's a Saturday Luna..."
"I know it is Serena..."
"Wait a minute? What are you doing back?" Serena asked.
"Well I've completed the mission I was on," Luna said.
"Oh..good..can I sleep now."
"Sure.." Luna said grinning.
"Good," Serena muttered and went back to sleep.
Elsewhere.
"Artemas, nice to see you. How's it been?" Mina asked.
"Well..uh.it's been good..you're not surprised to see me?"
"Well it's just you..nothing to get worked up about."
"Oh.." Artemas said.
"I am happy to see you though."
"Did you miss me?"
"A little, but I didn't miss your constant nagging."
"I only nag you when you're about to do something either morally or logically wrong."
Which is usually most of the time..she's right there. Artemas thought.
"Hah, so where were you anyway?" Mina asked.
"Can't say. Besides, it wouldn't impress you in the least."
"Okay, okay, so you going to be around for a while."
"I hope so."
"That's good. You missed the big battle."
"We heard about it."
"Oh...but you know Artemas, now there are well let's see nine sailor scouts, four guardian scouts, one maverick, and one Tuxedo Mask. That's fifteen people."
"Yep, things have changed."
"Remember the good old days, just me and you running from roof top to roof top in search of evil-doers."
"Yeah, back then you didn't have any backup if you messed up," Artemas said.
"Which I didn't mess up..uh..except that one time..ahem.." Mina said. "Still I guess Uranus and Neptune have been doing it even longer then we have."
"Yes, which explains their demeanor pretty much."
"Well Michiru isn't that bad, Haruka you gotta watch."
"That's our assessment too. Michiru's actions are largely based on intense loyalty to Haruka."
"Oh...that makes sense. Michiru didn't seem like the type to be so cold blooded."
"Well I wouldn't put it past her..."
"Me neither. So Artemas, what should I do today?"
"I don't know. What do you usually do?"
"Well ever since Mike left I changed my schedule, but Mike's back, so I'll go find Mike."
"Ahh, I see," Artemas said.
Elsewhere.
"So how are things up on the moon?" Amy asked.
"Quiet now that things have calmed down," Greg said.
"How did you do up there?"
"We did better then usual. Still..Amy...we're just not the fighting force the Sailor Scouts are."
"Greg, it's nothing to be ashamed of, a lot has been expected of you guys very quickly. It's not easy to do what we do."
"Yeah, but you five have done better. We're just window dressing. I wish I didn't feel so strongly about it. I've got too much else to think about."
"It's good that you show some commitment though."
"For all the good it gets me. But hey..things happen. So what have things been like down here?" Greg asked.
"We've been pretty busy. Not much has changed though. I missed you though."
"Me too. I missed Earth too. The Moon's interesting, but awfully boring."
"It didn't used to be," Amy said.
"Yeah well for me the Moon Kingdom's just a sign of the past, and of death. I never lived to see it."
"I know, it's too bad," Amy said solemnly.
"Still...there I go again, I shouldn't be so depressing."
"Why don't we go for a walk and we can swap stories okay?"
Greg grinned and nodded.
"Hey, Chad..didn't do any cheating on me while I was gone did ya?" Rick asked walking through the Cherry Hill temple gate.
"Sure, in fact I kept records, wanna see," Chad said leaning against the gate.
"No thanks, you're sense of humor is quite enough," Rick said.
"Thought so," Chad said. "Wanna fight?"
"Not now..but later?" Rick said.
"You bet."
"Are you two fighting?" Raye shouted from her door.
"Just talking," Rick said.
"Heh," Chad said and headed off to his room.
"So..you didn't die up there," Raye said.
"Were you hoping I would?" Rick asked with a slight grin.
"Absolutely not," Raye snapped. "I was worried about you."
"So was I? I mean about you," Rick said. "But we're both still here, and that's a good sign."
"Has your fighting improved any?"
"A little here and there," Rick said.
"That's good," Raye said. "Is the moon nice this time of the season?"
"Well..Queen Serenity sure makes it look that way. It was missing some things, you for one."
"Oh. Now that's just blatant flattering."
"Sure it is, but you probably like it."
"You're right about that," Raye said.
"So anyway..this thing's coming down the cave at us...we're scared it's loud...you've got Sailor Neptune and Uranus ready for battle. Then it appears, this massive evil head and it's just sitting there. Growling. So Neptune and Uranus are planning their next move. Us Guardian Scouts are wondering if we should get it angry..then..bam..Maverick comes out of nowhere..we had thought he was down for a while..he just runs out and slashes the thing. It starts belching all this fire...and.." Mike was saying.
"And what did you do?" Mina asked.
"Me..I just watched. But Maverick and those two Sailors, took care of it."
"You know..I don't want to hear about them, especially Maverick..Maverick, Maverick, Maverick, Maverick, Maverick, Maverick.." she took a breath. "Maverick, Maverick, Maverick, Maverick! I don't want to hear any more about him."
"Okay.." Mike said.
"So what did you manage to do up there?"
"Me? Oh..well..that's a matter for interpretation."
"You still stink at this don't you?"
"Only because it's me."
"That's believable, but Mike, I'd prefer to have a boyfriend who wasn't so careless."
"As they say in Hollywood..too bad," Mike said.
"Don't test me buster," Mina said. "Come on let's go kiss somewhere."
"Oh..um..okay.." Mike said. That was abrupt. He thought. Don't knock it, it's probably the only reason she dates you. For the kissing. Added another thought. Hey....do I have voices in my head? Sure..pal...you are Mike Leslie remember that. We have conversations up here. You do? Wow...I never noticed it before. Well now you know.
Mike grinned.
"What are you grinning about?" Mina asked.
"Nothing," Mike said.
"So..we hear this growling," Steve was saying. "And we're waiting as this things coming down the cave. Sailor Neptune and Uranus they're all tense. Maverick's lying on the ground. The other Guardians are getting worried. Then this big head shows up and is just hovering there."
"Then what happened," Lita asked.
"Well I blasted it with my sword several times, I'm not about to let a head trash the place."
"The others will agree with that story won't they?" Lita asked.
"Don't you believe me?" Steve asked.
"Not for a second," Lita said.
"It's odd that I've built that kind of reputation over the time of our relationship."
"You're a strong guy Steve, but even the Sailor Scouts would run away from a big large head."
"Oh..well...Maverick and the outer Sailors didn't."
"I thought as much. So how's the weather on the moon anyway?"
"Anyway we wanted it," Steve said. "Mike asked Queen Serenity to make it rain one day just to annoy us."
"Did she make it rain?" Lita asked.
"Not until Haruka and Michiru asked too," Steve muttered.
Meanwhile at Darrien's apartment, Serena and Darrien were standing on the balcony.
"The girls are all meeting with the guys, welcoming them back, but I don't have to welcome them back," Serena said.
"Feel left out."
"Nope."
"Oh."
"I was just saying it. Darrien, we should go somewhere for dinner tonight."
"Like where?"
"I don't know, one of those fish places. You know with the breaded fish, and the fish you can dip, and the big fish," Serena said.
"Oh. Well sure...but aren't the girls planning a welcome home party for everyone?" Darrien asked.
"Yeah, we can go to that too," Serena said.
"Just how much are you planning to eat tonight?"
"As much as I can get?" Serena asked.
"Any reason for this?"
"Well sure, I'm hungry."
"Yeah, but you're not normally this hungry."
"Not true, I'm always this hungry. I just discipline myself the other times, today in honor of our triumphs on two different planets," Serena began.
"One planet..one moon," Darrien said.
"I know that! I'm trying to condense what I say."
"Fine, fine."
"Anyway...in honor of the triumphs wherever they are, I want to eat more."
"You'll overeat though."
"No, I never overeat."
"Really?"
"Yep, but why all this interest in me all the sudden."
"Don't you like me to talk about you?"
"Yes, but only the good parts."
"Good parts...hmm...now that's not easy."
"Don't joke with me Darrien. You're my boyfriend you're supposed to be blatantly honest with me."
"Oh..then about your grades.." Darrien said.
"I'm incredibly consistent."
"That's not a good thing when you get C's."
"So I'm an average student. Why can't they grade me in saving the world?"
"Well then you'd get an A, but saving the world doesn't pay well."
"It pays nothing. Why is that?"
"No idea."
"It should. In fact I should send a bill to the government."
"I wouldn't, after all Serena, how many buildings have the Sailor Scouts blown up and trashed."
"Oh..maybe it balances out..." Serena said.
"I think that's a better way to look at it," Darrien said.
"I'd like to think that every alien race that comes to visit isn't bent on the destruction of the world," Raye said.
"Well so far, it hasn't worked out that way," Rick said.
"I wonder why? I mean..we can just guess the universe is a pretty big place, there's surely enough races seeking to dominate the galaxy."
"Well maybe the races that are evil have taken over everywhere except here or something," Rick said.
"I guess it's possible," Raye said. "I wonder if there's anymore we could be doing."
"I don't think there is right now. I'm sure we'd be told if there was," Rick said.
"Yeah. But you know Rick, being a scout isn't so bad. At least we know we're making a difference. Most people never really know if what they do changes the world. We do."
"I agree with you, but why all this deep thought all the sudden."
"I think like this a lot, I just don't tell anyone..I mean the girls are great friends, but I don't know if they'd understand. Amy might...but I think when she's with us she'd rather just be one of the girls."
"Really?"
"Yeah Rick, she's been through a lot, she has to be a genius in school, I think she likes to think in simpler terms out of the classroom. Especially now."
"I never thought about it that way, of course we don't talk often. But you feel that you can talk to me."
"Yeah, I do. I think you understand me," Raye said.
"I think I do too and I guess I'm glad you feel you can tell me these things, even if I don't have any to respond with."
"You don't think deeply sometimes?"
"Well.here and there..but every time I think deeply I regret it. Mike and Steve are the same way. We try to avoid depressing ourselves," Rick said.
"That's understandable," Raye said. "But I know there's more to life then just what appears in front of us. Some of it's worth thinking about."
"Maybe for you. And I do like hearing it. But as for me. I hope that all I have to worry about is loving, eating, sleeping, laughing, and going to the bathroom."
"I hope not all at the same time?"
"No, of course not," Rick said.
"Just checking," Raye said.
"Keep in mind that I'm the normal one. Mike and Steve are insane."
"That's just what we want them to think right?"
"We?"
"Come now Rick, the two of us, we're both supposed to be the normal ones, but deep down we know better."
"Oh..first I've heard of it."
"You know what I mean."
"I don't think I do," Rick said.
"Sure you do. But it's okay to deny it. For now," Raye said.
"Glad that I have your permission," Rick said with a bit of concern.
"So...Mina..you just don't date me for my kiss do you?" Mike asked.
"Mike, I was dating you before you ever kissed me right?"
"Doesn't matter. You might have been fascinated with my wonderful sense of humor long enough for me to get in a good kiss, but I don't know how things would have been if that hadn't happened," Mike said.
"Mike, there are lots of reasons why I like you. You're sense of humor, um..you're wit..um..your laugh. You kinda look good too."
"Wow.." Mike said.
"I can't explain it, I just like you," Mina said.
"Watch out! Ants!" someone shouted.
"Ants?" Mina said to Mike.
"Ants.." Mike said pointing. A long stream of ants were rushing down the street towards them.
"Now that's strange," Mike said.
"Ants I don't like ants," Mina said calmly before turning and dashing down an alley.
"Wonder why they're doing that," Mike said and followed. "Oh..well..it's not
the strangest thing I've seen."
"So Haruka..what do you think?" Michiru asked as the two stood looking out the window of their apartment.
"About what?" Haruka asked.
"You know about what?"
"I think we have a lot of thinking to do. We've worked together for years Michiru. We work well together, we know what we have to do. I'm not sure we should jeopardize ourselves by opening up to them."
"I don't think it can hurt Haruka. I know what you mean, but when it comes down to it. They are powerful, and we may need their help. They're not unreasonable people. And just because we know them doesn't mean we can't work together."
"Some of them though..Michiru..we were on the moon..they were just a burden," Michiru said.
"We can take that one day at a time Haruka," Michiru said. "But I think it's time to end our solitude."
"I wish I believed the same way."
"You know I've followed your wishes, because you're usually right. This time though I think I need to try to make friends with them. We are comrades in arms. We carry the same name, the same past."
"Not the same past," Haruka said.
"They were soldiers in the silver millennium. We were too. That's what I mean. They fight to protect this planet. So do we."
"Do what you want," Haruka said. "I won't stop you."
Michiru nodded.
Later at a fish restaurant.
"It's a nice night," Darrien said.
"Yes it is," Serena said in between bites. "I asked everyone to hold the party around seven so I'd have time to let this dinner digest."
"Good idea," Darrien said.
"You know Darrien, normally after a big battle, I'm hoping this is the last battle we have to fight, but I've learned that doesn't work, and besides, knowing the way our lives work, you could get turned into some sort of plant tomorrow, just because it would keep me from you..so hey..I can't keep holding out hope like that...anyway.."
"Serena.."
"Yes?"
"Why out of all the ways that could come up to separate me from you, you came up with me being turned into a plant?"
"Does it matter?" Serena asked.
"Well..not really..I was just curious," Darrien said.
"I guess it just wouldn't surprise me if you were turned into a plant."
"Oh."
"But you know what I mean..my life is a roller coaster of ups and downs."
"I think you're being redundant," Darrien said.
"I think I don't care. Now..there's going to be the happy times, then there's going to be the battles and the crazy stuff...and it'll probably keep going until someone else comes along stupid enough to fight our battles for us," Serena said.
"Probably, but I'd consider them more heroic then stupid."
"Whatever..do you know what a disappointment those Guardians turned out to be..geez..we all thought we'd have a smaller workload. Forget it..they make more work."
"They're trying."
"Well..whatever..." Serena said and took a bite. She swallowed. "I wonder who's next?"
"Who's next?"
"Yeah, will it be the evil Cornucopia from the planet Zenon, or maybe just some modified postman who's got all this power he wants to use to terrorize the world."
"Don't know Serena, it may be something we're not even considering," Darrien said.
"Well whatever it is, we'll handle it, we haven't failed yet."
"I'll never hear you say different."
"Why?"
"Because the day we do fail. They'll be no one left to say that we failed."
"Oh...well at least there's one plus to it.," Serena said.
"Guess so," Darrien said.
CHAPTER 119 CHAPTER 120 CHAPTER 121 CHAPTER 122 CHAPTER 123
CHAPTER 124 CHAPTER 125 CHAPTER 126 CHAPTER 127 CHAPTER 128
CHAPTER 129 CHAPTER 130 CHAPTER 131 CHAPTER 132 CHAPTER 133