Chapter 136
"I'm going to school now okay?" Lita said.
"Be my guest," her father said. "Maybe that we'll do some good," he muttered.
He's still not over this. Lita thought. I wish he'd just let it go.
She headed out the door. She found Steve and Mina waiting on the street beyond.
"Well..there she is," Mina said.
"Yep, dedicated me wanting to go back to school," Lita said.
"If I had been injured this seriously I would have taken a month off," Mina said.
"But that's because you're you,"Lita said.
"See Steve, I'm all better," she added.
"Oh..uh..great.." Steve stammered.
"Are you okay with all this, it wasn't your fault I've told you that," Lita said.
"Sure, sure, it's good to see you better," he said forcing a smile.
Minutes later.
"So you feel fine?" Mina asked.
"Yes," Lita said. "I waited an extra day anyway, but I'm fine."
"Okay...if you say so," Mina said.
"You're sure.." Steve said.
"Steve, yes, I'm sure...I appreciate the concern both of you, but when I say I'm fine, I'm fine.." Lita said.
"Okay, okay," the two said in unison.
Meanwhile.
"Melvin me lad," Mike said grabbing the head of Melvin and pulling him aside.
"Ah..don't do that," Melvin said.
"Look at this..I'm actually manhandling a human being my age.." Mike said.
"Quite an achievement for you," Rick said.
"Is there something I can do for you?" Melvin squeaked.
"Sure Melvin..about the latest edition of the dating guide.."
"What about it?"
"The entry under my name is a little hard to follow, I see you used several big words, but I have my own big words translator, Greg," Mike said.
"Uh..Mike..I really don't want to get involved," Greg said.
"You always say that," Mike said.
"Hey, maybe he means it," Rick said.
"Oo..that might make sense, anyway..now let's see this word....stolid..."
"Uh that means Stupid," Greg said.
"An anti-erudite."
"Stupid again," Greg said.
"Vexing."
"Annoying."
"Oh..and this one..a human piece of frass."
"Did you say Frass?" Greg asked.
"Yes Greg."
"Uh...Mike..I'd rather not say what Frass is."
"Why not?" Mike said.
"It's insect excrement all right!" Melvin said.
: "Melvin just said the secret word," Mike said and dragged him off.
"Melvin's going to die isn't he?" Raye asked watching the spectacle.
"Raye, killing him so soon would be having mercy, oh no, were just going to rearrange his anatomy a little."
"Rick...why don't you just say kick his butt," Raye said.
"Because..everyone says that."
"Rearrange his anatomy?"
"Okay, so it's not the greatest, but no one says it..am I right? Yes I am."
Raye sighed.
"Look Lita's back," Amy said.
Lita came in the door to the classroom.
"Enjoy your vacation Lita?" Raye asked.
"Oh sure..Raye..it was fun," Lita muttered. "I usually like to plan my vacations out though, this one was kinda sudden."
"No vacation is a bad vacation," Rick said. "That's my motto."
"Since when?" Raye asked.
"I can start a motto whenenever I feel like it."
"Why?"
"Because I'm the man."
"Are you feeling okay Rick?" Raye asked.
"I think so," Rick said.
Serena slid in the door.
"I'm early aren't I?" she asked.
"Five minutes at least," Mina said.
"Dang..that could have been five minutes more sleep Mina, do you know what this means?"
"You missed five minutes of sleep?" Mina replied.
"Right, how are you feeling Lita?" Serena said.
Mina's eyes widened.
"Fish?" someone asked holding a fish in front of her face. Her eyes turned to the side to see Mike there.
"Where'd you get that?" Mina muttered.
"I told you I was going to buy you dinner soon."
"I'm not going to eat that."
"Steve! Fish!" Mike said and chucked it across the room.
"Aw..gee.." Steve said and caught it, it then slipped onto the floor.
"Margerinefingers," Rick snapped.
"Will you stop doing that?" Raye said. "Just use the cliche?"
"I don't want to use cliches," Rick said.
"Rick..I won't ask you again," Raye said.
"Then we're agreed," Rick said.
Raye sighed.
"Lita it is good to see that you have recovered quickly," Michiru said walking up to her.
"Oh..thanks Michiru," Lita said. "I had your doctor."
"Really..he's quite good at what he does isn't he?"
"Yeah, but if he doesn't suspect anything by now..."
"He'd be a major putz..but I believe one of your cats has managed to convcince him not to put the puzzle toghether," Michiru said.
"Oh..that wouldn't surprise me," Lita said.
Michiru smiled and headed off.
"That was nice of her," Lita said.
"You must wonder why Haruka didn't say it too," Steve said.
"Haruka seems to have other things on her mind," Lita said.
"What she has on our mind I would be concerned about."
Miss Haruna walked in the door.
"Welcome back Lita," She said. "Are you felling better?"
"Yes Miss Haruna."
"That's good, but now that you're here, you've got something called makeup work."
"I know," Lita said.
"There's no such thing as a vacation around here," Haruna said. "As much as we'd all like to hope so. Mike..if you've got something stupid to say, please get it out of the way so we can get started."
"Wow we're getting right to the point aren't we?" Mike said. "But um..I've got this fish here...could I take it down to my locker."
"A fish? Where did you get a fish?"
"I don't remember exactly, there was water...and...I remember the sun was out."
"Mike...enough," Miss Haruna said.
"Oh that's right it was Rick's back yard."
"What?" Rick said.
"That got someone's attention at least," Mike said.
Later.
The phone rang at the small cottage that Hotaru and Setsuna were staying at.
"Hello?" Setsuna said.
"Hello Setsuna," Michiru said. "How are things up there?"
"Each passing day is making Hotaru a little better."
"That's good," Michiru said.
"What's been going on in the city?"
"More attacks, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon are the only ones who haven't been made evil.." Michiru said.
"And it's a good bet they will," Setsuna said.
"It seems that way," Michiru said.
"When Sailor Moon goes we may have a problem...she has immense power, if she was to invoke the power of the crystal, it would not only kill her but wipe out half the city," Setsuna said.
"She can do quite a lot of damage with less than even that."
"I know. You two keep vigiliant. Have you come any closer to figuring the situation out?"
"I'm afraid not," Michiru said. "Haruka's becoming depressed over it."
"Is she?"
"Yes, she's never felt so helpless before."
"I see....well..have you talked to her."
"When Haruka's like this you can't talk to her, you just have to wait for her to sort things out," Michiru said.
"I see..well I'll talk with you again soon. Hotaru's really shaping up."
"That's good. I hope she can get on with her life," Michiru said.
"Me too," Setsuna said.
"So Lita..you wanna head over to the arcade after school?" Serena asked.
"Serena, I've got to do this makeup work so I can get back on track," Lita said.
"Oh..I see..." Serena said.
"Sorry.." Lita said.
"It's not that much fortunately, most of my teachers were pretty lenient," Lita added. "Maybe tommorow."
"Okay, I understand," Serena said and headed off.
"You've made a wise decision," Mina said popping up. "She's still in her retro phase."
"Retro phase?" Lita asked.
"Didn't we tell you?" Raye asked also showing up.
"Nope," Lita said.
"Well..it's a bit of a long story," Mina said.
"Can you guys tell me on the way home, I really should get to work," Lita said.
"Fine, fine," Raye said.
"You won't believe this," Mina said.
That night.
"You know I've been thinking Mina, we should throw a party for Lita, to celebrate her coming back," Serena said.
"Not a bad idea," Mina said.
"Yeah, we can get the guys to keep her busy tommorow while we set up," Serena said.
"There are a few problems," Mina said. "Did you plan to have it at her house?"
"It'd be the easiest, and she wouldn't suspect it," Serena said.
"Well then..we have to convince her father, and he's a bit on the wild side lately."
"Why?"
"He's really taking the news about Lita being a Sailor Scout hard," Mina said.
"Oh...maybe I can talk to him."
"Serena..I don't think..that.."
"No..it's okay..I'm good at this.." Serena said. "I'll do it right now..call ya back!"
"Serena..wait.." Mina said to an empty phone line. She sighed. This won't be
pretty.
That night Serena arrived at Lita's house and knocked on the door. Her father opened it.
"Uh hi Mr..ahemm..Sergeant Nelson sir..I just came by to drop off some apples..for Lita.she likes apples," Serena said.
"Please come in," Nelson said. Serena walked in.
"You can just put the bag on the counter there," he said.
"Oh..uh..sure," Serena said.
"Lita's up stairs studying. You know It's good that someone has to the common sense to bring her nutritous foods, not just junk."
"Well I keep the junk for myself," Serena said.
Sergeant Nelson cracked a smile.
"Hah hah..so you do..so Serena..just which one are you?"
"Which what?" Serena asked.
"Sailor Scout of course."
"Oh..uh..what's a Sailor Scout?"
"Serena, don't play dumb with me, I've interogated serial killers..you think I can't crack you?" He said with mock anger.
"Serial killers huh? Were any of them..you know..good looking?"
"Most of them are," Sergeant Nelson said.
"Oh..good to know.." Serena said. "Listen..me and all of Lita's friends were hoping to hold a surprise party to celebrate her recovery."
"Her recovery...interesting excuse," Sergeant Nelson said.
"Uh..yeah..we were hoping that we could do it here.." Serena said.
"Here?"
"Yes..because she has to come home sometime right.." Serena said nervously.
"Tell me something Serena, did you tell your parents about what you are?"
"Sergeant Nelson you have no idea whether I'm a Sailor Scout or not..you won't get it out of me."
"I'll trade you a box of donuts for the answer."
"You're good," Serena said. "And I'm very tempted..but.."
"Why did she have to do this...why did any of you have to..." Nelson said. "Young girls and boys fighting these horrible evil forces..it's wrong."
"It may be wrong, but it's necessary."
"Why her?"
"I don't know."
"I'm a cop and I'll probably outlive her..do you know how that feels, to know that my baby girl is running out and putting her life on the line!"
"Sergeant Nelson, it must not be good, I know..that, but doesn't she feel the same way about you?"
"That's irrelevant, she's fifteen Serena."
"I know, but there's not much we can do about it sir. Lita seemed a little down, I think she's sorry that this has affected you so much, but sir...Lita needs to feel better, that she's recovered.."
"So she can go out and get injured again?"
"We don't get seriously hurt often."
"But it has happened."
"Has any one of you ever died?"
"Yes, but we were able to revive him."
"What?" Nelson said.
"That's right..sir..if Lita was ever killed we could revive her," Serena said.
"Are you serious? You're just telling me that?"
"Sir, I wouldn't lie to you about that, what do I have to do to convince you I'm not lying?"
"I don't know....it's not a matter of that, I don't want to see her hurt like that again," her father said.
"It could happen in many other ways, isn't it something that she was hurt defending innocent people's lives? Sir, can't you understand, if anyone can..you're a police officer, you face the same risks.."
"But she's fifteen."
"You already said that."
"That's what's important."
"And what about the other fifteen year olds? And the people younger, and those that are older that Lita helps protect. There are about a dozen of us..only that many, and we have to protect the city, Lita has saved my life. I've saved hers. We look out for each other, and we look out for innocent people. I know it's hard to accept that at a young age she has to do this. How do you think we feel? Do we want to do this..of course not..though Lita's always been into it..but..listen sir..Lita has been courageous enough to take the risk you should be courageous enough to support her."
Sergeant Nelson paused and starred at a picture of his family on the wall.
"She's saved your life?"
"She's saved many people's lives."
"I wouldn't try and stop her..and I don't like it..but Serena you're right..you're quite courageous yourself...to say that to me.."
"It's what I do I guess...I'm not much good at anything else."
"But you are good at this, which makes you a good person and a good friend. You have a strange sense of leadership to you..I've never seen you like this before..you've only been over a few times, but..you do what you have to..."
"I surprise people," Serena said.
"Have your party Serena, Lita could use it, and yeah, this'll take some getting used to..but I'll manage," Nelson said.
"I think you will, I never doubted that you didn't care for her.." Serena said. "Well.anyway..I'd better go before Lita suspects anything."
"Sure, you still aren't going to tell me who you are?"
"You're the cop," Serena said with a grin and headed out.
"So I am," Sergeant Nelson said.
"Who was that at the door?" Lita asked.
"Oh..just your friend Serena...she brought you some apples."
"Apples..gee...how nice of her," Lita said. "I like them, but I can just guess who was supposed to be eating them."
"She's a sneak, but a caring sneak right?" Sergeant Nelson said.
"Yep, that about sums it up," Lita said.
"Listen Lita, about before...I know I've been a little suprised by all this, but I think we'll be okay. You just keep doing what you do, and I'll do what I do...we'll see if we can't both survive this okay?"
"Sure," Lita said.
The next day.
"Why are you four insisting on taking me to the video arcade for several rounds on you?" Lita asked.
"Lita, it's a welcome back present from the Guardian Scouts," Steve said.
"Our feelings would be hurt if you didn't accept," Rick said.
"Uh..yeah.." Greg added.
"Meowth, that's right," Mike said.
The other four looked at him.
"I know..I didn't get it either," Mike said.
"Let me guess, the girls are all planning some big surprise party for me, hence their apparent disapearance and it's your job to keep me busy until they set up?" Lita said.
"Uh...." the four said. "No.." they said in unison.
"Okay..guys..let's go play some games," Lita said with a grin.
"See..she doesn't suspect a thing," Mike said.
"Yeah.." Rick said and gave a mock thumbs up.
Later on the way to Lita's house.
"I'm beginning to dislike that Sailor Moon game," Lita said.
"We agree," Mike, Rick and Steve said.
"I mean..after all...that game doesn't even have half of my different punches,"Lita said.
"How do you think we feel, we're not in it so we can't jump into the save the day like we always have to do," Mike said.
The five burst out laughing.
"Oh..gee.." Lita said.
"What is it?" Steve said.
"You four..run.."Lita said and clutched her chest. Then she began to glow.
"Good plan," Mike said and the four dashed to the nearest alley.
The four pulled out their power sticks and transformed. To their surprise Lita came dashing into the alley too. They watched in surprise as she morphed into a ten foot tall creature with green skin and long fingers.
"Jupiter Planet Power!" it shouted and transformed back into simple Jupiter.
"Nice of her to hide herself like that so no one suspected anything," Neptune said.
"Yeah..Raye did the same thing," Uranus said.
"Did she?" Neptune said.
"Guys?" Saturn said.
"Oh.." Uranus and Neptune said and fired their swords. Jupiter jumped over it and leapt down slamming Neptune to the ground and jumping upward. She spun around.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"
The other three guys jumped away. Neptune felt the attack and was blasted back several feet.
"He's no help anyway," Uranus said. The three landed. Saturn and Uranus fired. Jupiter jumped. Uranus jumped too and attempted to do a flying spin kick. Jupiter was to high and she kicked him in the head, he fell off balance and fell ten feet and slammed into the ground.
"Pluto, you know her best.how about doing something," Saturn said.
"I don't want to hurt her," Pluto said.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!" Jupiter shouted. The two jumped out of the way. Uranus was hit and blasted back down to the other end fo the alley.
"Pluto.." Saturn said. "I can't beat her alone."
"I know..I know.." Pluto said. Jupiter ran at both of them. Saturn swung forward and stuck his sword into her. She screamed in pain and grabbed Saturn and flung him into the alley wall.
Pluto lunged forward and tackled her. She hit hard he grabbed her arms and flung her down the alley. He fired his sword and hit her while she was dazed. She fell backward.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!" she shouted and hit him while he was still hesitating. Neptune and Uranus surprisingly leapt over the wave and fired their swords. Both hit and knocked her backwards. The two landed and stood there woosily.
"Keep firing," Uranus said. The two keep up their aim and pelted Jupiter with energy.
"Saturn Ice Rings...." Saturn began.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"
"Blast!" Saturn finished.
The two attacks smashed into each other and exploded knocking all four people back. Pluto pulled himself up on the wall and looked at Jupiter trying to stand up.
One more attack..that's all. But I might kill her..no..I can't risk it....but I have to..
"Pluto...Storm Fist.....Punch!" he shouted and delivered the uppercut.
She was hit and staggered back towards the street. Pluto leapt forward and caught her.
"Saturn..Healing Power!" Saturn shouted meekly aiming his power stick.
Jupiter recovered in Pluto's arms.
About fifteen minutes later.
"They're late," Raye said.
"Maybe something happened," Amy said.
The door opened.
"Surprise!" they all shouted. Lita, Rick, Steve, Mike, and Greg stood there covered with bruises.
"Uh..surprise," Mike said.
"What happened?" Amy asked.
"Nothing much," Lita said. "Come on..let's party."
"Is she all right?" Sergeant Nelson said pulling aside Greg.
"She's got the best of it sir," Greg said.
"Oh...I see," Sergeant Nelson 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