Chapter 134
"I just don't get it," Amy said and slammed the book down.
"Amy? You okay?" Greg asked.
"Greg, I'm just not good at biology," Amy said.
"Amy, you're good at everything," Greg said.
"Except this,"Amy said. "Normally I can retain ninety to one hundred percent of anything I read, now I'm finding my ratio to average out at somewhere in the early eighties."
"Oh..."
"Greg, don't you see...if I don't get my grades up and do a load of extra credit work, my average will die."
"It won't die Amy, just be a little lower that's all."
"But....Greg...I don't want it to be lower."
"Hmm...Amy..this may not be entirely academic."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean..maybe..well.."
"Go ahead Greg, I want to hear it."
"Well...Amy..this is the only science you're taking this year, and maybe what happened..is psychologically blocking you."
"Greg, do you honestly think so?" Amy said.
"It might explain it," Greg said. "It's just a guess..I um..really shouldn't have said it..I'm sorry."
"No Greg, you're right, that's what it must be. I like Science, in Junior High I did well at it, but now.."
"It's okay Amy...I understand..uh..I think.."
"Greg...maybe it's telling me I shouldn't be a doctor..I don't know."
"Amy....don't think of it like that. Just think of it as yet another challenge for you to overcome. You're good at that. Forget that it's science, just concentrate on the material."
"I've tried that."
"Then I'll help you."
"You will?"
"Yes, I'll do everything I can...I'll work with you until you're back on track."
"Thanks Greg I may just need that," Amy said.
"Well..I'll see what I can do," Greg said.
"But Greg, this is going to be a lot of catchup for me, I'll be working a lot to make up what I've missed."
"It's okay Amy, I'll help, it's not like I do much else, but you know the guy we should talk to..is Melvin..he's gotten higher grades then I have..maybe he can help you get you started. I mean..you know all the basics right?"
"Sure do."
"Well then we'll see about Melvin filling in the details he knows were on. I'm sure he'll help us."
"Why?"
"Because I can probably keep him from getting beaten up by some of the guys at least for a day or so."
"Are you sure he's a better expert then you are?"
"I think so Amy, I mean, I try, but he knows everything."
"Well..all right," Amy said.
Elsewhere.
"I think I'll go back to school tommorow," Lita said.
"Lita, you just came home from the hospital yesterday, don't rush it," her father said. "And why would you be in a hurry to get back to school anyway?"
"That is odd isn't it?" Lita said. "Guess I might have gotten hit on the head too."
"Seems like it," her father said. "So how exactly did they get you to join this organization anyway?"
"You mean the Sailor Scouts. It's a very long story dad, but it was kind of necessary for me to join up," Lita said.
"Necessary? Lita you're only fifteen. No one should be risking their life at that age."
"It wasn't exactly a choice."
"Just how many battles have you fought in?"
"I don't know exactly...a lot."
"I see....have you been hurt?"
"Sure, but not this seriously."
"Oh..I see.."
"Dad, I knew you'd react this way, that's why I didn't tell you."
"You should have, this was important. I wouldn't mind knowing that my only child is a superhero," Nelson said.
"Dad, we're very covert about it. Most of the scouts haven't told their parents. We can't take the risk of them trying to stop us."
"And what makes you think I won't try to stop you?"
"Nothing, but I felt I had to tell you anyway."
"Oh I see."
"I thought you'd understand. You risk your life everyday," Lita said.
"Yeah, but...you shouldn't have to, you're in high school..."
"It's not fair I guess, but I've accepted it."
"So you could just run off to one of those battles and die and that would be it."
"The same could happen if you answer a call."
"That's a risk, but it's the not the same with you."
"Dad, I'm needed with the Scouts, we work as a team unit. I can't just quit now."
"Of course you can't! Don't you think I know that!"
"Huh?"
"You have your job to do. I'd be wrong to stop you because there's more at stake then just you and me, but can't you see how that burns into me. You're my daughter, but you're responsible to the people of this city right now! Why did it have to be you!"
"I don't know, but it is."
"Well...I'm going to work," her father said and walked out.
Lita just watched him go.
"Hey, Steve, you okay man?" Rick asked.
"Fine," Steve growled.
"Doesn't seem that way. Listen, I know where you're coming from it's understandable to feel the way you do."
"Is it?" Steve asked.
"Sure."
"Rick, why do I think you're lying?"
"No idea, I'm not lying."
"Well you're just saying whatever you feel like to cheer me up."
"Not true, listen Steve, we're guys right, we're not supposed to get emotional, but we are. Usually we hit something..which I can see from your room..has happened..but..look there's a good bet, that unless we crack this thing, Raye's going to go evil too."
"You think?"
"We've talked about it. But..Steve, we know that when that happens it's not our fault. Hey..I've gone evil..Raye didn't want to hurt me, but she did, and I hurt her a little, but she knows I didn't mean it."
"It's not a matter of meaning it! It's that I did it all, it doesn't matter what influence I was under! It happened," Steve shouted.
"Oh..."
"Lita doesn't blame me. Fine. Wasn't in my control. Understandable, but Rick, it wasn't in my control. Don't you get it. I couldn't stop it. How do you think that makes me feel. I was helpless!"
"I know, I know, I felt the same way."
"But...I...dang it man! There should have been someway to overpower it!"
"There isn't, everyone affected has tried, Amy, Mina, me, we've all tried it..this force consumes you," Rick said.
"We have to stop it," Steve said.
"I know."
"Now."
"Steve, they're trying."
"We have to try harder."
"Leave it to the brains."
"They can't work on it all the time..let's find out what's going on."
"How?"
"I don't know! But let's do something!"
"Well all right. Whatever you say."
The two headed to the door. They found Mike about to knock.
"Well there's service," he said.
"Come on..we're going to to find out what's causing this," Rick said.
"We are?" Mike said. "Hate to bring this up, but how?"
"Never mind that, we'll find out!" Steve said.
"Better humor him," Rick whispered.
"Okay, sure...I like this kind of stuff," Mike said.
"I stopped by to see Lita earlier. She's doing better, but her father's still taking the news hard," Mina said.
"Why did she tell him?" Raye asked.
"I think she felt she was obligated to," Mina said.
"But..it just didn't seem like the smart thing to do."
"I know, but she did it anyway. I guess when she was lying there with these serious injuries she felt he had a right to know where she got them," Mina said.
"Well I hope they both get over all this," Raye said.
"Me too, that's the last thing we need, esepcially now."
"Mina...can I ask you something..sorta personal?"
"Might as well," Mina said.
"Well...I know that you were turned evil..."
"Yes, that wasn't any fun at all."
"What was it like?"
"I'm not sure I should tell you."
"Mina, sooner or later, if we don't find the source of this, I will experience the same transformation, that seems to be certain. I know it is not an event I will enjoy, but I want to know exactly what happens."
"Raye I don't know, there's no reason for you to fear it."
"Mina, tell me."
"Uh...well..it's like being pushed inside your body. You're just there, not in control at all..you can shout, but it doesn't listen..you can try to move..but your body doesn't do what you to it, you can only watch..and sometimes it steals from your conciousness...ideas, memories and uses them against whoever you're fighting. That's what it is."
"I see..thank you..."
"Why should you thank me...I've just described to you the hijacking of your own body."
"I know, but I needed to know about it."
"If you say so."
"Luna don't you have any ideas?" Serena asked.
"Artemas and I have been searching the city for clues, we just haven't found any."
"It's bad enough when we have to fight evil monsters, but when they're your friends.."
"I know Serena...by the way don't you have a date with Darrien today?"
"He cancelled, He had some unexpected work to finish."
"Oh, I understand, I'm sorry."
"It's okay, I'm used to it."
"You're taking it well."
"You weren't here this morning, you didn't see."
"Oh..I can only guess I missed some fireworks."
"That you did," Serena said.
Luna glanced at her.
"I'm fine now," She said.
"Wait Greg, I don't think I'm ready for some sort of crash course," Amy said before stepping out the door to her house.
"What's the problem?" Greg asked.
"It's just..Greg...everytime I think about biology, I think about them."
"I'm sorry."
"Greg, they..only wanted to help a patient, and they went to jail."
"I know."
"What if I'm faced with the same choice?"
"I don't know Amy, but this isn't about being a doctor, this is about doing well in biology."
"It just seems..I don't know..what it seems like, I just don't know!"
"Calm down Amy...maybe were rushing into this...but I'm here."
"I know you are..." Amy said glanced out at the dimming light of the sunset. "And..maybe..maybe...I shouldn't do the stupid thing."
"The stupid thing."
"Give up like this! How can I do that!"
"Uh..right," Greg said not completely following.
"Biology, isn't medicine, it's plants, and animals, at least right now. I can learn how they work how they function, maybe even be a biologist or something, I have to leave that option open, I don't need to decided about medicine yet, I can worry about that later."
"Uh..right...exactly," Greg said.
"That's right I can't let this stop me."
"Uh huh."
"Now where's Melvin?" she said with new determination.
"I guess we shouldn't keep him waiting," Greg said and started walking. What
just happened? He asked himself.
"Okay, guys, we're not geniuses," Steve said.
"Yo!" Mike said.
"Like I said, but we can find things out," Steve said.
"Sure we can," Rick said. What is he talking about?
"Now let's think about this for a second okay," Steve said.
"Done," Mike said.
"Cut it out," Steve said. "Now..think about it..what is it that is somehow making people turn into monsters?"
"Money?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, good thought," Rick said.
"Money...come on guys..everyone has it," Steve said. "That wouldn't explain why only people close to us are being affected."
"Hmm..but it might explain why old Mr. Wickers was murdered," Mike said with a silly grin.
"Mike," Steve said and punched him in the gut.
"Yeah, I felt that," Mike said.
"Now let's get serious," Steve said.
"Ah..welcome fellow geniuses," Melvin said. "Come in, come in."
The two walked into a the living room of Melvin's house, it was covered with fruit all over the floor, newspapers, and some sort of green liquid.
"Sorry..about the mess..we don't get many visitors," Melvin said.
"Doesn't look like he gets any visitors," Greg mumbled.
"So..Amy, Greg, says you're struggling in Biology and need my humble assistance, I am glad to provide it as it is my chivalrous nature, but if you could put in a good word for me with the mobs that await me every day at school I'd be grateful," Melvin said.
"Why do you keep making those dating books anyway?" Amy asked.
"I still turn a good profit," Melvin said. "But if I might ask Amy, I wouldn't have expected to see the number one genius in the city, perhaps the nation, showing up to ask for my help."
"Melvin I have my reasons, but I think you can help me," Amy said.
"This could take some time," Melvin said.
"I have it, do you?" Amy said.
"Sure," Melvin said.
"Say..Melvin..where are your parents?"
"At work, they have long hours," Melvin said.
"What do they do?" Amy asked.
"Lots of things, build rockets, discover new drugs, create life you know...usual stuff for triple doctorate people," Melvin said.
Amy and Greg glanced at each other.
"Well..come on..we have work to do," Melvin said.
Minutes later.
"Okay, let's talk about what a cell has inside of it," Melvin said.
"Let's," Amy said beaming.
What is going on? Greg thought.
"Now there are several parts to an animal cell, our teach especially likes to ask about them."
"I noticed," Amy said. "The details are the problem."
"Okay..then let's do details. The drawing in the book features a lovely vacuole," Melvin said.
Amy and Greg glanced at each other again.
"Well..that isn't important, but let's talk about it," Melvin said. "It's important."
The two nodded.
And while this happening, in Steve's room..
"Now..here's where the attacks have taken place," Steve said pointing at a map. "In Tokyo."
He turned away from the map.
"Steve..of course they took place in Tokyo," Mike said.
"We knew that," Rick said.
"I'm just staring up gradually so we don't miss anything," Steve said.
"Okay, A plus for thoroughness D minus for common sense," Mike said.
"Hey, do you want to find the answer or not?" Steve said.
"Of course I want to find the answer, so let's get off this stupid idea and onto something important," Mike said.
"So this is how it's going to be.." Steve said.
"Uh..kinda," Mike said.
"Okay, then.." Steve said.
The two looked at each other.
Rick sighed. Where's Patterson when you need him? He thought. Wait a minute..this is my chance to step in and take control, to become the leadership figure I've wanted to be. But then again..I'd have to somehow get these two to fall into line. Ehh.forget it.
"So we've reached an understanding," Steve said.
"As far as I can tell," Mike said.
"Okay, now..ahh..." Melvin said and fell to the floor.
"Ahh?" Greg and Amy said looking up from the books they were studying.
Melvin was glowing.
"Trouble," Greg said and the two hurried out the door and two pulled out their power sticks.
"Mercury Planet Power!" Amy cried.
"Saturn Power!" Greg shouted.
The two arrived back in the room just as Melvin was finishing glowing. When he stopped, he stood there, looking just like he did before the transformation.
"What happened?" he said. "Where are Amy, and Greg?"
"Melvin?" Mercury asked. "You didn't turn into an evil creature."
"I didn't?"
"No," Mercury said.
"Watch it Mercury," Saturn said.
"It must not have affected him," Mercury said.
"We don't know that," Saturn said.
"You do now!" Melvin shouted and his arms flew straight out and smashed into both of them causing them to both be knocked out into the hall.
"There's your answer," Saturn said and fired his sword. Melvin dropped in height three feet condensing himself and the blast flew over him, suddenly he flew out and pushed into them slamming them into the wall, he grabbed both of them and swung them down the hall where they smashed into another room and hit.
"I am Mister Melvtastic," Melvin shouted.
"How annoying," Saturn said.
"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" Mercury shouted and hit Melvin with the icy bubbles as well as filling the hall with mist.
"Where'd he go?" Saturn said readying his sword.
"He went back into his room," Mercury said and the two rushed down the hall.
"Mercury Bubbles blast!" she shouted again into the room. Melvin lunged at her to push her into the wall, but his arms couldn't hold on and slipped away.
"I get it, he's wet, whatever it is that he's made of has become slippery," Saturn said and swung his sword down at Melvin. It hit and Melvin let out a shout before collapsing.
"Mercury Healing.."
"Uh huh,"Melvin said and his legs shot out at both of them.
The two stepped aside. Saturn fired his sword again. Melvin slid out of the way.
"Geez!" Saturn said and tackled Melvin. Melvin tried to squeeze out of his hands and succeeded. Saturn jammed his sword into Melvin and the energy shot through him.
"Saturn watch it, the energy might be conducted by the water!" Mercury said. Saturn felt the feed back and was blasted back several feet and into the wall again.
"Mercury Ice Storm Blast!" Mercury shouted in two seconds. The attack smashed into Melvin and knocked him straight through the window.
"Ooops.."Mercury said and blushed. She raced to the window and pulled out her power stick.
"Mercury Healing Power!" she shouted. Melvin healed.
"Got a little carried away didn't I?" Mercury said. "I guess I almost blew up his place too."
"Well we needed to make sure," Saturn said. "I just hope he doesn't figure out who we are, because we did come back awfully fast."
"We shouldn't have done that, we're the two who aren't supposed to make the mistakes."
"We're only human, it happens," Saturn said.
A minute passe.
"Melvin. You okay?" Amy asked crouching over him.
"What am I doing out here?" Melvin asked.
"We don't know, we ran to get help," Amy said.
"Yeah, but the scouts were in the area," Greg said.
"Oh..weird..you two left and those two showed up..ah..well..my brain's asleep," he said and went unconcious."
"That was odd," Greg said.
"It wonder if he'll make the connection," Amy said.
"Well...we should wait for him to get better."
"You're right."
"Amy..can I ask you something?"
"Sure Greg..anything?"
"Well..back when we were talking, you seemed to change your mind pretty quickly about trying to do the biology. What happened."
"What happened? I don't know Greg, but all the sudden I just felt invigorated, I don't know what it was."
"Whatever it was, I'm glad it showed up."
"Me too."
The two glanced at each other.
"Uh..yeah.." they both said.
"Now..if we put the first letter of the first names of everyone attacked we get.." Steve began.
"Steve, give it up," Rick said.
"Yeah, end the torture," Mike 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