Chapter 146
"I'm sorry we didn't get to see you win first place Haruka," Michiru said.
"It can't be helped I guess," Haruka said. "It was a great race though."
"They'll be other races," Michiru said.
"And more victories," Haruka said.
"At least the upside of all of this is that the Sailor Scouts can stop worrying about their friends," Michiru said.
"Yes, they aren't as distracted.." Haruka said. "That is important. The more focused they are, the easier it is to rid the city of evil."
"Haruka...you seem..upset about something..it was the race wasn't it?"
"No..absolutely not..I'm fine about that..but..I'm more concerned about where this enemy is coming from. These are humans they're turning into monsters, and regardless of the ease at which we can beat them...they..are draining a lot of people's energy."
"So you're worried because you don't know that much about the enemies we're fighting."
"Yes, they possess the ability to strike wherever they feel like...and for what purpose?"
"I don't know..we can always look into it."
"I've got enough to do already."
"I know."
"Why can't the other scouts handle it?"
"You're actually trusting them to do it?" Michiru asked.
"Yes, they're competent enough..I'd prefer if we could keep to the fighting and they could do the investigating," Haruka said.
"Well maybe you should ask them?"
"No, I'd rather not."
"Why not?"
"I'd just rather not.."
"Oh.."
Bertie let out a cry of relief as her three sisters walked in the door followed by the other Sailor Scouts in human form.
"I'm so glad to see you guys," she said.
"Us too.." Prisma said.
And the group all hugged.
"They all have no idea what happened to them.." Lita said.
"That's been true of all the enemies we've faced..it's like they're memories are just blanked.." Amy said.
"We should worry about that later guys, the important thing is that we've reunited them.." Serena said.
"She's right.." Raye said. "Let's worry about our other problems later. We should be celebrating."
And the five agreed.
"We should celebrate..the whole group of us.." Avery was saying. "You girls know any places where we can do that?"
"You bet," The five replied.
"Hotaru..is something the matter?" Setsuna asked.
"I do not understand..fate is not this cooperative," Hotaru said.
"What?"
"The simple fact that we wanted to find the three sisters, should have no way influenced their appearance. Don't you see? The negaverse's strategy had been to send one warrior to do their bidding..instead they sent three..who were just who we were looking to save and when this occurred the three obviously were not a match for the group of us."
"That was probably going to happen even if they were at full strength."
"It doesn't matter..furthermore..they're traveling to a place where nine of us already also does not fit the way fate operates."
"I get what you're saying..too many happy coincidences?"
"Yes...and Serena and Darrien's discovery of them was yet another."
"Sometimes things like that happen Hotaru."
"Not often..and not on order.." Hotaru said. "There were other forces at work."
"Like what?"
"I don't know..and that's what bothers me."
"You fear the unknown?"
"No..I respect the unknown..but I prefer as few things to be unknown as possible."
"Oh...well..Hotaru we'll probably never know what could have brought all these forces together..to make this work out...but you have to understand that the Sailor Scouts and all those attached to them have destiny on their side...cosmic forces interact to bring us to the site of battles and to uncover enemy actions..it doesn't always work of course...there is some need for initiative..but.."
"And destiny is on their side...who would want this destiny..an existence marred by constant fighting?" Hotaru asked.
"It's a responsibility, that's for sure. The scouts have gotten used to it over time."
"But how can one hope for a better future when they have no idea if enemy attacks will not cease."
"Hotaru..there is always the hope that whatever is drawing the enemy here, we'll eventually stop...and everyone can get on with their lives," Setsuna said.
"So far that hope would seem irrational considering past events."
"The past doesn't always determine the future."
"True, but the past has a major effect, and we'd be wise not to forget it."
"Yes we would."
"Destiny on our side? If destiny was on our side, there wouldn't be enemies every few days or so."
"I guess you have a point," Setsuna said.
"Unfortunately yes," Hotaru said.
Meanwhile the Guardian Scouts were standing around a small man who was lying in the snow, after finishing his healing process.
"So who was this guy?" Uranus asked.
"Says..his names. Ed Swittle," Saturn said looking at his wallet.
"Oh..well.he didn't last long against Maverick," Neptune said.
"Good thing too..we were all to far away to stop him," Saturn said.
"You know what I don't get," Pluto said. "Why is the negaverse picking a guy like this to be a warrior?"
"That's a good question," Uranus said. "This guys five four and looks like he's some sort of accountant."
"Didn't Maverick already beat up an accountant?" Pluto asked.
"He's pretty good at that isn't he?" Neptune said.
The group all nodded.
"You know girls..we don't blame you for not coming around that often," Catsy said. "It's a big world out there..and you've got a lot to do.."
"Yeah..but you were there when it counted," Bertie said.
"I guess it was just lucky..we ended up wherever we did, when we did," Avery said.
The five girls nodded.
"So how's your business doing?" Lita asked.
"Well..not as good as it could be, but we're living," Avery said.
"It was no fault of mine," Prisma said. "I knew we shouldn't have tried to sell..those..whatever they were.."
"Hey..they were a great idea," Bertie said.
"Were not..you almost drove us out of business," Prisma said.
"You don't know that..it could have been that..stupid marketing campaign you came up with," Bertie said.
"That was mine," Avery said. "And it wasn't stupid."
"It was a little lame," Catsy said.
The five girls glanced at each other.
"They argue a lot don't they?" Amy observed.
"Well it shows they're getting along I think.." Serena said. "We argue all the time."
"No we don't," Raye said.
"What do you mean we don't?"
"I mean..we don't argue that much.."
"Sure we do."
Lita, Mina, and Amy sighed as two different arguments broke out.
"At least we've come to expect this.." Lita muttered.
"Yeah, I guess," Mina said.
The next day..Serena woke up slowly and rubbed her eyes.
"It's Sunday isn't it?"
"Yes Serena," Luna said.
"That's good," Serena said and went back to sleep.
"I'm telling you this will work.." Steve said.
"You've put a fan on the back of a sled, it won't work," Rick said.
"This is a high powered fan," Steve said.
"Steve..listen to me..." Rick said. "You don't know anything about how to make mechanical things work."
"That's what you think.." Steve said and stepped onto the sled.
"Mike..get ready to call our lawyers," Rick said.
"I'm doing my stretching exercises right now.." Mike said.
"Ehh..I'll show you!" Steve said and revved up the engine. The fan slowly started up and then began to lift up. Steve's eyes widened as the sled was pulled out from under him and lifted up in the air pulled by the fan.
"Well I didn't see that coming," Rick said.
"Yeah..at least it didn't explode," Mike said.
There was a crash.
"Mike..you know what happens when you open your mouth like that," Rick muttered as the three dived out of the way of the falling debris of the sled.
"It's just so cliche too," Steve said.
"You have no right to criticize," Mike said.
"I just built the words first flying sled..I can do what I want," Steve said.
"You also built the world's first exploding sled!" Mike replied.
"Two inventions in one day...not bad. huh.." Steve said.
"You're missing the point," Mike muttered.
"Hey...let's see you build a better flying sled than that.." Steve said.
"I can't..."
"Why?"
"There are so many..reasons..I'd rather say."
"Hah...see I may build a dysfunctional flying sled..but it least it's a flying sled."
"It's pieces of flying sled.." Rick said.
"And isn't that malfunctional?"Mike asked.
"That isn't a word," Rick said.
"Nonfunctional," Mike said.
"It worked, just not well.." Steve said.
"Well it's not dysfunctional!" Mike said.
"Now you're just in denial," Steve said.
"He got ya there," Rick said.
Mike growled.
"So..let me understand this, you're actually willing to bet you're a better kisser than I am," Mina said.
"It's like they always say, it's wise to bet on a sure thing," Raye said.
"Oh..is that so..well..like they always say...don't be too sure it's an apple, until you've tasted it."
Raye glanced at her.
"Because you're...uh..not sure..it..is an apple," Mina added.
"Okay..so maybe that doesn't work," she finished. "Still..I challenge you."
"I accept," Raye said.
"So..now how do we exactly..prove this.."
"Well..we need an impartial person to judge it.." Raye said.
"I nominate Mike."
"Lame..." Raye replied.
"Well. if I had caught you in a momentary loss of sanity...I might have pulled it off."
"Whatsa matter..afraid you'll lose?"
"No..of course not.."
"I've got it.." Raye said. "I know the perfect person."
"Darrien?" Mina asked.
"No..but...when you think about it.." Raye said and began to swoon.
"Raye..it was a joke.." Mina said.
"Oh..like you wouldn't pass up the chance."
"That's irrelevant," Mina said.
"Irrelevant?"
"Yes."
"Do you know what that word means or did you just hear it used in a similar conversation once."
"A little of both.."
"Mina...are you all right? You seem...well..like a hopelessly irrational ditz."
"You know what they say," Mina said.
"Oh..no.."
"When the ditz is at it's highest point, the world shudders."
"What!" Raye shouted.
"So who was this person you had in mind?" Mina asked calmly.
"Mina...uh..." Raye sighed. "Let's go."
"I'm there...so where are we headed?"
"It's a surprise."
"Oh..goodie," Mina said.
"I just don't understand this..what exactly is happening in this story?" Greg asked.
"There's some guy..and he's...somewhere...and there's a crusty old house and bushes..there's your story," Patterson muttered.
"I'm just guessing that summary of Wuthering Heights is not the most accepted one in literary circles," Amy said emerging from her kitchen.
"I think it suits the book fine," Greg said.
"Stupid Bronte sisters..no..they didn't live very long but they left us with this..all the same," Patterson said.
"D.V. are you aware that the time I hear you do the most talking is when you complain about the Brontes?" Amy asked.
"You managed a minute oration on Jane Eyre," Greg said.
"Uh..sorry.." Patterson said. "These books just get to me."
"These books are sort of the equivalent of girls comic's in 19th century england," Greg said.
"The only difference is that at least you can understand why someone would want to read a girl's comic now," Patterson said.
"It's a story of tragic romance," Amy said. "But it's literary merits are there."
"I think you've been brainwashed," Greg said.
"You really think so?" Amy asked.
"It's a good bet," Greg said.
"Then again maybe there's a gene attached to the Y chromosome in all males that makes us utterly despise this book with a passion," Patterson said.
"That would explain why the only people on the planet capable of saying a good word about this book are girls," Greg said.
"That's not true, you two don't have any scientific evidence to back that up," Amy said.
"It's just a hypothesis," the two replied.
Amy grinned.
"You two really despise this book don't you?"
"Yes," they replied.
"Interesting...and just how are you two planning on writing the essay due next week with all this pent up anger?" Amy asked.
The two shrugged.
"Well I can understand that..do you want me to help?" Amy asked.
The two shrugged again.
There was a knock on the door. Amy walked over and opened it.
Mina and Raye stood there with stupid grins on their faces.
"Hi," they said.
Amy immediately sensed something was up.
"We just came by to see how everything was going," Raye said.
"Yeah..." Mina said.
"Uh..okay.." Amy said as the two walked in.
"Watch your..back.." Patterson whispered to Greg. Greg nodded.
Seconds later Mina and Raye had vaulted over the couch and landed beside them.
"Hello.." they said.
The two boys immediately got nervous.
Amy watched this worriedly.
"Uh..Mina..Raye..can I talk to you for a second?" Amy asked.
The two continued to smile and nodded following Amy into the kitchen.
"Just what exactly are you doing?" Amy asked.
"Being friendly," Mina said.
"Very friendly," Raye said.
Amy's eyes narrowed.
"Uh..well to be honest.." Mina began.
"So..do we run away or something?" Greg asked.
"Somehow..I don't think that would help.." Patterson said.
"But you're the guy who's good at disappearing, stealth..you know.."
"Greg..trust me..when any of the girls are like this...all those skills are downright useless."
"Oh..so maybe we should resort to violence?" Mina asked.
"I can't believe you two.." Amy said. "Those two have enough problems already."
"It'll give them a thrill," Raye said.
"Yeah..besides..where else are we going to find objective judges?" Mina asked.
"I really think you two should go.." Amy said.
"We were just leaving.." Mina said.
"Yeah.." Raye said.
The two's eyes narrowed.
"What if..we got called away you know to fight a monster," Greg said.
"Maybe..." Patterson said. "But..then they'd get called too."
"Oh..you don't think there's anyway you could..sneak away.."
"No..."
"Why are you so certain of that.."
"I've seen the girls comics they read..they're awfully persistent. Better to accept our fate now."
"Seen the girls comics?" Greg asked.
Patterson glared at him.
"Tactical research.." Patterson said.
"Oh.." Greg said. "Right...I do some of that of myself."
Mina and Raye popped out from the kitchen, once again with smiles on their faces.
"Greg...when I tell you to..run.." Patterson whispered.
"You're going to take the bullet for me?" Greg asked.
"You owe me."
"Okay.." Greg said.
Mina and Raye pounced. Raye leapt right at Patterson..
"Go.." Patterson said. Greg rolled off the back of the couch as Mina jumped towards him. She landed and hit the cushions letting out a cry of annoyance as Raye kissed Patterson.
"Hey!" Mina said and pushed Raye away making her own move. Greg slid by them and dashed out to the kitchen.
The two girls backed off.
"Now..which one of us was better?" Raye said.
"Yeah..speak up?" Mina asked.
Patterson stood up stoically.
"I really didn't see much difference.." he said.
The two sighed.
"That's why we needed two judges!" Mina said.
"Where'd Greg go?" Raye said.
Greg meanwhile had found Amy bound and gagged in the kitchen and had just finished untying her.
"Thank you," Amy said.
"Well..those two are really trouble aren't they?" Greg asked.
"Not for long.." Amy said.
Mina and Raye walked over to the kitchen to see where Greg had went. They found the room empty and hurried into the dining room. Nothing.
"This isn't a good sign," Mina said.
"No it isn't," Raye said.
"Say...what's that?" Mina asked looking at the floor.
"Just a large spider.." Raye said.
The two looked at each other and let out a scream before dashing out of the dining room and hurrying out of the house.
"It's always good to have a few of those around," Amy said poking her head out of a closet.
"Yeah...what are they?" Greg asked.
"Do you want the household name or the Latin name?"
"Doesn't matter.." Greg said.
"I think we better see the damage they've done."
They walked out to find Patterson leafing through his copy of Wuthering Heights.
"D.V. are you all right?" Amy asked.
"Sure.." Patterson said.
"But..that's not the sort of thing you like," Greg said.
"I managed," Patterson said.
"Oh...why don't I get you some water or something.." Amy said and headed off.
Patterson blushed some more.
"Was it really true that you couldn't tell?" Greg asked.
"No..Raye was far superior," Patterson said. "I have to feint before Amy comes back.."
He said and collapsed to the floor.
"Now..there's the Patterson I know.." Greg said.
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CHAPTER 156 CHAPTER 157 CHAPTER 158 CHAPTER 159 CHAPTER 160