Chapter 151

The leader was not pleased with the progress his troops had made. They had energy, but hardly enough to sustain themselves with. The Sailor Scouts had a nasty habit of always showing up when they were the least welcome. He sighed realizing that most likely whatever strategy he picked would lead him to conflict with the scouts. But he had to somehow figure out how he could get the energy anyway and not arouse as much suspicion.

"Uh..excuse me leader sir.." came a timid voice.

"Yes?" the leader asked.

"Sir..I don't want to seem presumptuous..but I have an interesting bit of information for you..."

"Oh do you?"

"Yes sir..I have done some research on this figure known as Maverick who concerned us earlier in the campaign."

"Yes?"

"Yes well...you see that ..on my own I have done some reconnaissance..and this Maverick figure has not appeared. Furthermore I checked on his presumed alter ego...it turns out he doesn't attend school anymore."

"What?"

"Yes sir...now while it is true that he could have eluded my spying attempts, I believe it may also be possible that he is not present in the city. Now...as we have noticed the, Sailor Scouts have been drawn out of this city once before and it was only his actions that prevented us from capturing massive amounts of energy. If we could duplicate this act."

"And just how do you intend to do this?"

"Sir..you are our esteemed leader."

"I see..you raise a good point though. Keep using your initiative."

"Yes sir."

"The scouts do tend to operate in groups..if I could draw them..away..in groups..but how?"

"Oh..uh sir.." his minion said reappearing.

"What?"

"My latest reconnaissance has placed a certain group of the scouts at an event at a ski slope several hours away."

"I see..how many?"

"I believe..uh..the human counterparts of Guardians Uranus, Pluto, and Neptune, as well as Sailors Jupiter, Venus, and Mars. We also believe that Sailors Uranus and Neptune are present as well, but that would be near impossible to confirm, without risking my operative."

"Interesting intelligence network you've set up."

"Using almost no energy sir I promise you."

"That still presents a problem. With Sailors Pluto, Mercury, and Saturn still in Tokyo, there is still a major chance of them discovering our plot. And Sailor Moon's frequent ability to stumble onto plots is no comfort either."

"Yes sir.."

"However, there is other tactics I might try..."

"Of course."

"Anything else?"

"Not yet sir."

"Very well."

Meanwhile at a ski slope several miles from Tokyo.

"For some reason it's just as cold, but I don't mind.." Mike said.

"It's probably because we get to have some fun," Mina said.

"Say..isn't the same place where that ice princess event was held or something?" Rick said.

"That was snow princess," Raye muttered. "And I would have won too if the negaverse hadn't shown up."

"I don't know Raye, Serena seemed to be going pretty fast." Mina said.

"Even if she had no form at all," Lita said.

"And was probably going to end up lying in a heap at the bottom of the mountain slope.." Mina said.

Raye growled.

"She was such an amateur, just because she was the moon princess she thought she had to prove it by skiing down a black diamond," Raye said.

"Serena going down a black diamond..now there's something I'd like to see..." Mike said.

"She probably wouldn't survive," Steve said.

"She did the first time," Lita said. "Barely.."

"Hey..what's that over there..is that what I think it is?" Rick said.

"I think so," Steve said grinning.

"Oh..yeah.." Mike said.

"Yes!" the three shouted.

"It's just the bobsled run," Raye said.

The three all raised the fingers into v's and then swung them around in a weird pattern before hurrying towards the run.

"I thought they were over that phase.." Raye said.

"Guess not," Mina said.

"Wait for me.." Lita said and followed them.

"Well this is a disturbing turn of events..how am I going to show off to Rick my skiing ability if he's over there.." Raye said.

"Was that the whole point of this trip?" Mina asked.

"No..uh..it was just one of my personal goals," Raye said.

"My goal was to somehow rekindle Mike's waning romanticism," Mina said.

"Well..at least I won't be the only one disappointed."

"Don't write it off so quickly. Maybe with the moon rising over the mountains, he'll gain back all he's lost."

"Mina..rarely does one regenerate brain cells by looking at pretty sights."

"That's not what I meant.." Mina snapped.

"Ehh...I'm bored.." Serena said.

"So why is it that you didn't go on that trip with your friends?" Luna asked.

"And watch Raye showing off to Rick constantly..no thank you.." Serena said.

"Oh..good point."

"And then of course Mina will be trying to make out with Mike somehow.." Serena said.

"Uh..okay..but.."

"And Steve and Lita..well..who knows...I can't figure that out. I had a choice, be bored up there or bored back here..I chose back here."

"Well that does make logical sense for once."

"And I would have missed you so much Luna with all your scathing criticism.." Serena said.

"Touche.." Luna said. "So Darrien's busy I guess."

"Yeah..don't know what he's doing though some sort of research. Why did he have to be a scientist Luna..you think he could have been something else like. a janitor or something."

"What?"

"Well..then he go to work and come home..and he wouldn't need to do anything else. I mean how often do you have to research in being a janitor."

"Not much..but that's not what he wants to do, and he's much to smart for that."

"I know, I know..I could always hope couldn't I?"

"Well maybe you'd rather hope he would do something else...just as menial..not as dirty."

"Oh..like Andrew's job."

"Yeah..yeah.." Luna said.

"That's a good point..heck Andrew won't be doing it forever..and then maybe Darrien can take over for him.."

"I didn't mean that.." Luna said.

"Oh...what did you mean?" Serena asked.

"Forget it," Luna said.

"How do you like that?" Serena muttered.

"I don't usually like to make bad comments about school.." Amy muttered. "But I hate this history assignment and my dislike for my teacher is growing.."

"I know what you mean.." Greg said.

"I mean..we've spent so much time on this..our friends are all off having fun and we're stuck here...figuring out this worthless project...I mean it's one thing to work hard, but this doesn't even have any value."

"Yeah..I know.." Greg said. "It stinks..but if we don't do well..down goes our averages."

"I know.." Amy said. "I don't have to like it."

"Sorta tells you how bad our teacher really is doesn't it? She can even get us to hate class."

"Yeah..it does," Amy said with a slight grin. "She must be the worst teacher on the planet!"

Greg started laughing.

"Yeah..she's achieved something no rational person would have ever predicted!" he said.

"She's made the two top students in her class despise school.." Amy said.

The two continued to laugh.

"She's made us actually question why we're even bothering.." Greg said.

"Right even after we've held out doing just that for so long, trying our best even after being exposed to some extraordinary circumstances.." Amy said.

"She's such a loser," the two said and continued to laugh.

The doorbell rang.

"That's odd.." Amy said.

"Wonder who that could be.." Greg said. The two headed downstairs and to the front door. They opened it and their eyes widened.

"Miss Hiryku!" they both said in shock. There stood their history teacher.

"Uh..hi.." she said.

"Is there something the matter?" Amy asked.

"Uh..well..yes..I think I've lost my ability to teach class correctly...I was hoping maybe you two could help me out.." Hiryku said.

Amy and Greg glanced at each other with baffled expressions.

"Hotaru..just why is it that you feel the need to jump into every battle?" Setsuna asked.

"The last battle came to me.." Hotaru said.

"Yes, that's true, but you've been quite eager to get involved..and you have been making mistakes."

"The nature of the Sailor Scouts allows for mistake making."

"But Hotaru..you're not really being a team player.."

"I accept assistance."

"Yeah..but...the scouts are a little closer than that. Maybe you should try to get to know the others a little better before you.."

There was a knock on the door.

Setsuna stood up and opened it. Maxfield Stanton stood there with a grim look on his face and a scar running down his cheek.

"Stanton!" she said unable to hold back her surprise.

"Things are happening around here..things you should know.." Stanton said.

"I see.." Setsuna said her eyes narrowing. "Won't you come in?"

"Thank you." Stanton said and stepped inside limping on one leg.

"Will you excuse me a second.." Setsuna said. She walked into the kitchen.

"Hotaru..why don't you go for a walk?"

"Very well..that idea appeals to me," Hotaru said and walked to the door watched by Setsuna. She gathered her coat and turned to glance at Stanton.

"Hello," Stanton said. "I don't believe I've had the pleasure."

"Neither have I," Hotaru said and walked out. Setsuna walked out holding some tea.

"Would you like some tea?" she asked.

"Of course..thank you," Nephlite said.

"Right," Setsuna said. "Now what is it you'd like to talk about."

"It's about all this trouble the city's been having..."

"Oh I see.." Setsuna said. "You look a little worse for wear."

"Well there have been reasons, but anyway..we must concentrate on the matter at hand."

"Of course," Setsuna said.

Nephlite began.

Meanwhile.

A bobsled shot down the icey track that was laid for it and weaved back and forth as the speed picked up. Rick, Mike, Steve, and Lita looked on with envy as the group kept going and was soon out of sight entering yet another turn.

"Now that looks like fun.." Steve said.

"Yeah..just zooming down a tunnel of ice like that.." Lita said.

"I don't mind watching it, but I'd never want to try it," Mike said.

"Yeah..I know what you mean..I mean..it would certainly be a rush..but..I don't mind watching."

"Well..looks like we meet yet again," came Michiru's pleasant voice. The others turned to see her along with Haruka standing there watching the scene.

"Oh..hi.." the four said.

"It makes sense to envy such speed," Haruka said. "And not an engine in sight...merely the use of ice and aerodynamic construction."

"It's so simple it boggles the mind!" Mike shouted and jumped into the air. "Except for the exorbitant costs of the track and the space age research that goes into bob sled construction.." he added.

"Sorry I brought it up," Haruka said. Michiru grinned.

"You have a peculiar sense of humor Mike.." she said.

"Some say I have a peculiar sense of everything," Mike said.

"We second that," Steve, and Rick said.

"So is this yet another of the scouts day trips to exotic locations?" Haruka asked.

"Oh.well..some of us..Serena, Amy, Greg, and Darrien had to stay in Tokyo for uh various reasons. Bet you can't guess which one of them just didn't feel like it.." Lita said.

"I assume I could come up with some suspicions," Haruka said with a slight grin.

"There goes another one.." Steve said as another bob sled shot down the slope.

The group's attention turned to it.

Meanwhile..Raye and Mina were sitting up in Chad's cabin which he was letting them use.

"So.." Raye said sipping on some hot chocolate.

"So...." Mina replied sipping her own.

The two sighed.

"This just doesn't feel right.." they both said in unison before sighing again.

"So you see I became concerned.." Nephlite said. "But fortunately my powers allow me some abilities. I think I know where they'll strike next."

"Isn't using your powers risky?" Setsuna asked.

"Well..yes..but I think I've still got some room to maneuver.." Nephlite said. "And this seemed important."

"Yes..you made the right decision..so just where are they going to strike next?"

"The apartment complexes off of third street."

"I see..well that's quite a lot of people."

"Yes..I believe their goal is get as much people and get out before the Sailor Scouts figure it out."

"I don't know..they must know by now we're quite quick to figure out their plots," Setsuna said. "Our intelligence capabilities have reached a new level."

"Yes..perhaps..but now that you know this you can prevent any further loss of energy. That would probably cripple their efforts."

"I would certainly hope so," Setsuna said.

"But I should go and rest...leave this up to you."

"Yes...that's for the best," Setsuna said.

"Thanks for the tea," Nephlite said and walked out.

Setsuna's eyes narrowed. The door opened soon after and Hotaru walked back in.

"It's good that you're back.." Setsuna said. "The negaverse is going to attack soon."

"So you see...I realized when I gave out this assignment that maybe it was wrong of me to give it..it must not have been very clear..I don't know what I was thinking.." Miss Hiryku said crying into her tea. Amy and Greg silently tried to sip their own tea.

"So what do you two think?" Miss Hiryku asked.

The two were silent for a few seconds.

Could be a trap. Each thought in their minds. Not knowing what Hiryku's goals were, but afraid to find out.

"Oh come on..you're the best students in the school...most likely the city..probably the country..you must know..." Hiryku said.

"We're uh..not in the habit..of evaluating..teachers..." Amy said.

"Yeah..uh...if you think they're's a problem maybe you should look into it..but we really couldn't say.." Greg said.

"We're only students.." Amy said.

"Yeah..." Greg said.

Hiryku sniffled.

"So even you won't help me?" she said and started crying.

I'm supposed to help anyone I can. Amy thought. I'd like to reach out to her, but that isn't always a good idea.

Why me? Greg thought.

"Well all right..I get it.." Hiryku said. "I'll have to find my own answers."

"Uh..it's for the best..really.." Amy said.

"What do you know?" Hiryku said. "Look at you living in the nice house of yours..I live in an apartment downtown..you can't even tell me what you really think...well..enjoy your assignment."

"Wait a second.." Greg said. "You can't just go projecting your problems onto others. What are we supposed to think when our teacher comes to our door looking for us to tell her what the problem is?" Greg said. "It's very strange. We have to be cautious. But now..I'll tell you what you want to hear at great risk."

"You will?" Hiryku said.

"Uh..yes.." Greg said.

"Oh..thank you!" she said and hugged him. "I knew I could count on you!"

"Uh..right..tell her Greg," Amy said and dashed up to her room.

"Ehh.." Greg said.

Meanwhile Sailor Pluto and Sailor Saturn surveyed the third street apartment district.

"It doesn't seem to be anything yet.." she said.

"Perhaps we should have called in the others," Saturn said.

"I'm sure we can handle it..I mean..you seemed quite capable."

"Yes, I understand," Saturn said.

There was a flash of light coming from one of the rooms.

"Well that looks like it may be it," Pluto said.

Saturn nodded.

"Let's go," she said and they hurried in.

Meanwhile seven blocks away.

A creature was blasting other people for energy.

"It's all mine.." he said drawing it in.

"But not for long," A voice said. Standing there in front of him was Sailor Moon.

"I am Sailor Moon, Champion of Justice, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil...and on behalf of the moon I shall punish you.."

"Oh..that's a bummer.." the creature said and threw a large energy filled hand at her. She ducked. A rose smashed into the ground.

"Earlier than usual..but like a rose that blooms prematurely..I will make sure your reign of terror ends now.." Tuxedo Mask said standing on a street lamp.

"This is unexpected," the creature said.

"So it is!" Sailor Moon said and leaping at him and swing her sword.

"Yah.." the creature said and ducked out of the way. Tuxedo Mask dropped to the ground and attacked with his staff, hitting him in the head.

"Oh come on...this is unfair..two on one."

"You have no right to talk.." Sailor Moon said and kicked him with one of her patented jump kicks. Tuxedo Mask hit him a few more times with his staff.

"Moon Tiara Magic!"

The attack hit the creature before he could react. He smashed into the snow.

"Moon Healing Power!" Sailor Moon shouted.

"No!" the creature said bolting up. Tuxedo Mask jumped up and hit him with the staff. The healing finished and he returned to normal.

"Well..that was easy," Sailor Moon said.

Tuxedo Mask nodded.

"Hmm..just a floating ball of light," Pluto said and blasted it to pieces.

"A decoy.." Saturn said.

"Most assuredly," Pluto said.

"Hah with this we shall be as cool as the guys who go down the bobsled runs," Steve said.

"I hope so..but..you did help build it so maybe it'll just collapse," Lita said.

"My bobsled has a lifetime guarantee.."

"Why do I get the sense that it's destruction and my own will be one in the same."

"Oh..come on..this can't fail."

"I think I should have learned by now that anything can fail.."

"Hey..we built the track in the snow here..you ready?" Rick asked.

"You bet.." Steve said.

What they had constructed was a sled track in the snow of one of the hills of the mountain. It would guide the sled that Steve had each way it was supposed to go..

"Maybe someone else should have built it?" Lita asked.

"Oh..quit worrying," Steve said.

The two got into the sled, which was just a normal child sled with sides hammered onto it and got ready. Mike and Rick grinned and got ready to push it.

"We're not responsible for any of the consequences from here on out.." Rick said.

"Especially if this turns out like the end of Ethan Frome," Mike said.

"It had better not!" Lita shouted.

"Ethan Frome?" Rick and Steve asked each other.

"Come to think of it..how do you even know that book exists Mike?"

"It's a long story," Mike said. "Go!"

The sled went shooting down the track twisting and turning.

"See! Fine!" Steve shouted.

"Yeah, I see!" Lita said enjoying it.

"Woah..a moose.." Mike said.

'Where.." Rick said.

"Right on the sled track.."