Chapter 129

Greg woke up slowly and looked around. He was still staying in Amy's guest bedroom since she had trashed their house. Greg's father was living with a friend. His father had agreed to let him stay with Amy, since the friend lived miles away from Juuban High. It was just easier for Greg to get where he was going from her house.

"Jeez...another restless night," he muttered and glanced at the clock that said 3:19 on it.

"I've been having them ever since those attacks began...wonder why. Maybe it's because I'm not sure where they're coming from. Guess I'll go for a walk."

He dressed himself and grabbed the spare key to the house Amy gave him. Soon he was walking along the darkened streets, trying to let the air clear his head.

I didn't think it would bother me that much. Still...everyone around us is being hit by these attacks. He thought. Amy, Rick, Mina, who's next, and why? Is this enemy invisible? That would seem to be the only explanation. The attacks are random enough to keep me guessing.

He kept on walking, not sure how he felt about all this. Then he started hearing something, which he felt odd at that time of night. He was passing by a park. He heard a very feint sound of music playing. He turned and tried to follow it...that brought him into the park itself. He soon found the source of the music. A solitary figure playing a violin near a pond. He advanced closer. There he found what he almost expected. Michriu stood there deep in her concentration. He stopped and watched her, and listened. She finished her song, and looked straight at him.

"A little late isn't it Greg?" she said.

"Guess so," Greg said.

"I don't disturb anyone out here," Michiru said. "And when one has a need to play a violin at 3 in the morning, well..there's not many places to go."

"I suppose so," Greg said. "It's a beautiful place and beautiful music."

"You're troubled," Michiru said.

"Can you..um..tell," Greg said.

"I read people very well," Michiru said.

"It's these attacks...Amy and I've been going over all the possibilities in our minds, and there doesn't seem to much there other then some sort of invisible enemy," Greg said. "It's frustrating."

"Well maybe it just is an invisible enemy," Michiru said.

"Or maybe it isn't," Greg said.

"That's the problem isn't it? Is something invisible or just not there...not easy to tell sometimes."

"No it isn't, but I don't think this enemy's invisible. Though it's not easy for us to find out. With Amy's computer blocked, there's really no way to see if there's negaenergy around or not."

"That's not true, there are always ways. You just need to know where to look, and who to look with," Michiru said. "It would seem that your powers might have been useful right now."

"I know..to tell you the truth that's kind of been bothering me. My psychic powers disapeared. At first I was glad to be rid of them. But now I know they have their uses."

"You don't know where they went?"

"No idea, just poof..gone. I thought maybe my Saturn power was inhibiting them,"

"It's possible. After all..you were never really born..there might have been some adverse effects, but Greg, if you're out here to relax..you shouldn't dwell on that sort of thing," Michiru said.

"I guess not," Greg said.

"I should let you play," Greg said and walked off.

"He'll figure it out sooner or later, he wants it bad enough," Michiru said to herself.

"Now yesterday, everyone seemed to find it funny, that several students fell asleep in class," Miss Haruna said. "I however did not. My lectures are not that boring."

"Well you know what they say about listening to yourself talk," Mike said.

"What?" Haruna said.

"Sounds different then the way everyone else is hearing it," Mike said.

"Are you insulting my voice," Haruna snapped.

"No I was just being a higher level thinker," Mike said.

"You don't have the hardware," Haruna said.

"For what?" Mike asked.

"Final warning," Haruna said.

"Message recieved," Mike said.

"Your attention please!" came a voice over the intercom.

"We have an intercom?" Serena asked.

Everyone shrugged.

"This is Principal Oksua, I've been advised by the Police to warn you that an escaped mental patient has been seen in this area, and that you are to be on the lookout for him, be careful."

"Uh oh.." Lita said looking out the window.

"He's down there isn't he?" Haruna said.

"I'd guess so," Lita said. "Kinda heading this way."

"All right everyone up to the roof!" Haruna said.

"What?" Melvin said. "Why?"

"Don't back talk! Let's go, let's go. File out!"

"Uh..okay.." the class said.

Miss Haruna grabbed Serena's arm.

"Get your buddies and stop that maniac before he kills someone," Haruna said.

"Uh..right," Serena said.

The class headed for the roof, as other classes were panicking. The scouts slipped out the other way.

"They'll suspect something if all of us go," Haruka said. "Me and Michiru will handle it."

"Ehh..can't let you have all the fun," Mike said. "I got it. It would look more natural if me and the boys slipped away."

"He's got a point," Raye said.

"If you wish," Haruka said.

"Let's go get em!" Mike said. He, Steve, and Rick then slipped into stairwell and pulled out their power sticks.

"Ooo..a school," Fredie the Mental Patient said. "I like schools, especially with chocolate! HAH HAH HAH..hmm..excuse me."

He staggered towards the front door. Three figures jumped out of Miss Haruna's window and landed in front of him.

"Who the heck are you? Milkmen?" the maniac said.

"Milkmen?" Uranus said.

"Uh..actually we're the Guardian Scouts," Pluto said.

"The who?" The maniac said.

"He's insane of course he wouldn't know who we are," Neptune said.

"Hey..are you like..superheroes?" the maniac asked.

"Well..yeah.." Neptune said.

"SAUERKRAUT!" the maniac shouted.

The three glanced at each other.

Uranus raised his sword and blasted the mental patient with it. The guy fell to the ground.

"Well he should survive that," Uranus said. Various police cars skidded up.

"What took you boys so long?" Pluto muttered.

"Why are you harrasing the cops?" Neptune said.

"It's just something we should do? You know to be original," Pluto said.

"He's not dead is he?" Sergeant Nelson asked.

"We hope not," Uranus said.

"Thanks for the help, regardless of Pluto's ego," Nelson said.

"Hey Dad!" Lita yelled from the roof.

"Oh..hey Lita," Nelson said. "Everything okay."

"We're all fine," Lita said.

"That's good, see you later," Nelson said.

They loaded the mental patient up into the car and drove up.

"Guess this means we have to go back to class," Neptune said.

"Yeah," the other two sighed.

At lunch that day.

"Not a bad job guys," Mina said.

"Even if it required so little effort," Lita said. "And Steve, you better watch it."

"Sorry..I was just..being stupid," Steve said.

"Look at how he backs down..heh heh.." Mike said.

"No guts at all," Rick said.

"Are you two saying something we should all hear?" Raye growled.

"Yeah..what was it?" Mina said.

"Heh..nothing," Mike said.

"You're just hearing things," Rick said.

"That's what we thought," the two said.

"Something troubling you Serena..you're just staring at something," Lita said.

"Oh..it's just I see Haruka and Michiru eating over there and I just wonder if we should ask them if they want to join us," Serena said.

"They probably want to be alone,"Lita said.

"But we are trying to learn to be friends right?" Serena asked.

"I guess."

"You don't seem too eager."

"Well..I am, but some people just like to keep to themselves," Lita said.

"Maybe," Serena said. "I just wonder if they want to be that way, or if life has made it that way," Serena said.

"Could be either couldn't it?" Lita asked.

"Uh huh," Serena said.

Later that day.

"Greg, I've found us a new house it's a good deal, and it's closer to work then before," Mr. Thomson said. "Bad news is it's out of your district, so you'll be off to a new school."

"Uh..I see...that's too bad," Greg said.

"I liked the neighborhood we were in, but this is a good one too, and I won't have to commute as far."

"Where is it?"

"The Evergreen area."

"That's across the city!" Greg said in surprise.

"Well..yeah.it's kind of like a whole other world over there..but you'll be fine."

"All my friends are on this side of the city," Greg said. "It'll be harder for me to meet them."

"Greg, there isn't much choice here, we needed a house, I bought one with the insurance. I don't have a lot of time to discuss this since we've still got a lot of our possesion litigation to deal with."

"I know.." Greg muttered.

"We can move in tonight, so I'll come by and pick you up at Amy' s house, you be ready by then."

"That's awfully quick. I mean I couldn't have transfered that quickly."

"No, I'll handle that tommorow."

"Uh..but I won't be able to get to school from my other house."

"So you'll miss it."

"Why don't I just stay at Amy's for another night until it's all settled?"

"Fine, fine, fine, but don't get any delusions, as soon as your transfer goes through you change. Believe me Greg, I'd prefer to keep things stable, but I had to work quickly."

"Yeah..I know.." Greg said.

"You're getting transfered," Amy said in surprise.

"Yeah," Greg said.

"That's terrible, and I'm responsible."

"There was nothing you could have done. You were under the control of an evil force."

"But I still did it, I feel so bad," Amy said. "Greg, you could stay in my house for as long as you wanted. Tell your father that."

"I don't think he'll go for it," Greg said.

"Does he know how much you like things around here."

"I guess..he just says it's necessary."

"Greg do you want to stay over here?"

"I've stayed here long enough, I shouldn't burden you."

"It's no burden, it's my fault, and besides, even if it wasn't I wouldn't mind having you around here anyway."

"Really?"

"Greg, you've become a very good friend, and I'd hate to lose you, especially now. I'm sure the others feel the same way. After all, you're the voice of sanity in that Guardian Scouts."

"I know that, but he's my father, I can't just say no," Greg said.

"I just think you need to talk to him," Amy said. "If that's what you want."

"I guess it is," Greg said. "But it'll take me a while just to get over there."

"We can find you a ride," Amy said. "Well Darrien's taking Serena out to the planetarium..so he's out..maybe Colonel Patterson."

"No I don't want to burden him or anything else. I'll call my father.." Greg said.

"I don't know if this can be settled over the phone," Amy said.

"It may have to be," Greg said.

A car skidded to a stop in front of the house.

"Who could that be?" Amy said and looked "It's Michiru, what the heck does she want?" Amy snapped.

"I don't know," Greg said. "Why are you so angry?"

"I just am..I guess," Amy said.

Michiru knocked. Amy answered it.

"Michiru..." Amy said as pleasantly as she could.

"I'm sorry to bother you Amy...considering the circumstances, I was wondering if Greg was around."

"Well.yes he is.." Amy said. "Why?"

"It's okay Amy..I'll talk to her outside," Greg said. Amy stepped aside as Greg walked out.

"What is it?" Greg muttered.

"I was in the neighborhood, thought I'd just say hello. I know Amy doesn't think much of me right now..but..is something wrong? Or is it just more stress?"

"My father's moved across town and expected me to follow."

"And you don't want to."

"Not really."

"Yet you're going to?"

"Not much I can do about it. I was going to call him."

"Calling him won't do," Michiru said. "You need to be show your sincerity. Come on I'll drive you."

"How did you um..get a liscence?" Greg asked.

"It's provisional. Because I have no parents, there is an exception granted to high school kids who need to support themselves," Michiru said. "Haruka's got one too."

"How do you support yourselves Michiru?" Greg asked.

"Long story," Michiru said. "Anyway..come on..you should settle this."

"Um..okay."

"Where are they going?" Amy asked herself.

Soon they were on the road.

"Michiru?"

"Yes Greg."

"Well..I'm surprised, usually you hang our with Haruka a lot?"

"Haruka's been busy. See...about that supporting ourselves bit. She does most of the work that we need to get paid by. I play the violin to survive. She races and does other work. Besides, we're trying to reconcile our differences, and Haruka was seen to be more of a problem then I was. Am I right?" Michiru asked.

"Well you always seemed nicer," Greg said.

"That's about it."

"I'm still a little confused about why you're so eager to help me though?"

"It's what friends do. And I'm trying to be one."

"Uh..well..thanks I guess.." Greg said.

They were soon mired in traffic.

"Jeez..it's pretty bad down here isn't it?" Michiru muttered.

"I'm sorry," Greg said.

"It's all right," Michiru said.

"Ah..uh oh.." Greg said and winced.

"What?" Michiru said.

Greg unhitched his seat belt and opened the door as he began to glow.

"The monster," Greg said and staggered out into the street. Michiru quickly climbed out of her car, as Greg became a monster. The group of people around him looked on shock.

Michiru quickly reached into her pocket and pulled out a smoke pellet. She dropped it to the ground and it filled the area with smoke.

When it cleared. Sailor Neptune stood there. She could see Guardian Saturn, now obviously evil standing on top of a car nearby.

"I smelt smoke..yet there was no fire," Saturn said with a stupid grin on his face. "Hello Neptune."

"This isn't the place to have a fight Saturn," Neptune said.

"Why isn't it?"

"There are innocent people here."

"Are they really all innocent?

"Relatively," Neptune said.

"Too bad," Saturn said and drew his sword.

Neptune pulled out her mirror. Saturn fired. Neptune fired. Saturn was aiming for a car. Neptune blew the attack away.

He has the advantage here. Neptune thought. We both need time to charge up our attacks, but he's out to destroy. Guess I'll just have to block him. I can't risk offensive action. If I missed. It would leave someone open to attack. Then again, someone will have to stop him eventually.

"Oh..I see.." Saturn said. "You're just going to keep me from shooting things."

"Essentially," Neptune said.

"Oh..." Saturn said and turned his sword. He fired behind him. Neptune fired at him. He leapt into the air and onto another car. People began scattering.

He's not too bad at this. Neptune thought with annoyance.

Saturn grabbed a fleeing civilian and held her, his sword at her throat.

"Well..now things get even more interesting," Saturn said. "Put the mirror down. Hey..now that's a real odd thing for a hostage taker to say isn' t it?"

Neptune stood with her mirror still aimed at him.

"You can't kill her with that sword," Neptune said.

"I don't know. maybe if I stabbed her and fired it might be fatal. Can you risk it? Saturn said.

"Guess not," Neptune said and began to lay her mirror down. Only at the last second she fired it upward. It smashed into Saturn's extended arm. And he winced dropping his sword. Neptune vaulted forward and leapt off a car spinning in mid air and kicking Saturn in the head. She pulled the hostage away from him. Saturn through a punch. Neptune grinned slightly and dodged it, before kneeing Saturn in the gut and kicking him again. She leapt onto the top of a car and pulled out her power stick.

"Neptune Healing Power!" she shouted.

"No!" Saturn yelled and leapt forward pushing her off the car.

"Not weak enough," she thought and looked to see her mirror lying on the ground.

"Saturn Ice Rings.." Saturn began.

"No yourself!" Neptune shouted and jumped into the air and spun kicked him. He landed where his sword had lain before and looked for it hurriedly.

"Where'd it go," he said in frustration. Neptune ducked behind a car to grab her mirror.

"Where is it?" Saturn said.

"It's right here," came a familiar voice. He looked up to see Sailor Mercury standing there, holding his sword.

"I'm afraid it's over Saturn," she said and blasted him with the sword. Saturn fell to the ground.

Mercury pulled out her power stick.

"Careful," Neptune said.

"I can handle it," Mercury snapped. "Mercury Healing Power!"

"Wait!" Neptune said and threw another smoke pellet.

Saturn was covered in the energy and began to revert back to normal.

"He's fine," Mercury said.

"One cannot always be sure," Neptune said.

Greg stood up slowly out of smoke.

"Woah..that was annoying," Greg said. "I didn't hurt anyone did I?"

"Apparently not," Neptune said.

"How'd you know to show up?" Greg asked Mercury.

"Uh..I was in the area, and noticed the commotion..."Mercury said.

"Mercury.." Neptune said.

Mercury's eyes narrowed.

"I have to take care of my car it may be a while to get out of this mess. Why don't you help Greg get to his father's house," Neptune said.

"It's not a bad idea, I can transform again and jump there, we're close enough, but I don't know how weak I am," Greg said.

"Fine," Mercury said. "I'll help you."

"Thank you, thanks Michiru."

"Sure Greg," Neptune said. "You make a good villain you know."

"We said the same thing about you," Greg said with a slight smile.

Mercury glanced at both of them.

"We'd better go Greg," she said.

"All right," Greg said.

Minutes later.

"Greg, what are you doing here?" Mr. Thomson asked.

"I..umm..need to talk to you?"

"How'd you get here?"

"That's not important. I can't leave my friends."

"Greg, do you realize what you're asking?"

"Dad, you're at work most of the day, most of the night too...what's the difference if I'm living here or at Amy's. She doesn't mind."

"But Greg."

"Dad, I'll come by every weekend."

"Greg, this is irregular."

"You're asking to give up all my friends for this house. I don't want to live here. I love you dad, but my friends are one of the best things that have ever happened to me. Two of them helped me get over here to see you just now. I can't just throw that away."

"And I suppose you expect me to support you?"

"Actually..the Patterson's handle Amy's finances, but I'd only need a small allowance. I'll be at college in three years anyway. It'll be the same thing. Heck..when I start driving, maybe I'll just move back."

"When you start driving? I don't even want to think about it. Greg you realize this is hard for me...but I guess..I'm asking you to do a lot because of this. Maybe I can find a closer house, but until then I guess you can stay. But you will be around, you got that?"

"Sure Dad, whenever you want. As long as you provide the transportation."

"Fine."

"So how's it going in there?" Michiru asked pulling up outside the house.

"Don't know," Amy muttered leaning against a fence outside.

"Listen Amy, this is about Greg, not us, for his sake let's be cordial right now."

"Around him I will be," Amy said.

The door opened and Greg walked up.

"He said I could live back across town," Greg said.

"That's great Greg," Amy said and gave him a small hug. "Don't you worry about a thing you're taken care of."

"Uh..gee..thanks Amy," Greg said.

"Can I give you two a ride?" Michiru asked.

"Would you?" Greg asked.