Chapter 153
"Why do you think Prime Minister Coral is calling us in this time?" Chief Ozaki said as he and General Nagumo walked down a hallway towards the Prime Minister's office.
"No idea...but it's probably not good news..you know how she is,"General Nagumo said.
Ozaki grimaced as they were shown into Prime Minister Coral's office.
"Gentlemen..please sit down," She said.
The two did.
"I understand you got into a little battle a few days ago," she said.
"Well yes,"Nagumo said. "One of Ozaki's patrol officers spotted negaverse activity and we moved into try and contain it."
"But you couldn't could you?" Coral asked.
"I disagree," Nagumo said. "Both of our forces delayed the enemy long enough for the Scouts to arrive."
"Yeah that's right.." Ozaki said.
"And just how many police officers and soldiers got blasted to accomplish this.." Coral said.
"A few," the two replied.
"More than a few..as I understand," Coral said.
"Well..we lost thirty eight for a week or so while they recover," Ozaki said.
"I lost twenty four," Nagumo said.
"But in a week we'll be back to normal," Ozaki said.
"Us too," Nagumo said.
"That doesn't matter, you're two forces have other responsibilities, and since you had no luck at all stopping them...I want both of your forces to leave the fighting to the scouts."
"But they wouldn't even known where to look if we didn't help," Ozaki said.
"That's true..Sailor Mercury told us that herself," Nagumo said.
"I don't care," Coral said. "There could be added crime because you don't have thirty eight officers Ozaki...and I'm sure the military is weakened."
"Actually we're fine," Nagumo said. "And since we are supposed to provide national defense..."
"Forget it," Coral said. "I want you two groups to stand down."
"Uh..yes ma'am.." the two said.
"Now..on your way," she said.
The two nodded and walked out.
"Something's not right here.." Nagumo said.
"You sensed that too,"Ozaki said.
"Absolutely..I mean..she has a point about your officers, but the military? We've got nothing else to do."
"So true.." Ozaki said with a grin.
"Don't start," Nagumo muttered.
"Sorry," Ozaki said. "Still maybe we should look into this."
"I agree."
"Yeah..with out collective resources we should figure this out in no time."
Meanwhile.
Mina sneezed.
"Stupid cold.." she said.
"At least you're recovering quickly," Artemas said.
"Oh..sure I am," Mina said. "I shouldn't have gotten sick at all except for Raye."
"Sorry..but it's nothing big," Artemas said.
"It's enough..once I got sick everyone wanted to stay away from me.." Mina said. "I mean..all my plans with Mike went right down the drain," She muttered.
"Oh..you had plans?"
"Of course I did..you know..Raye would be out skiing with Rick.. Lita and Steve would be doing something and me and Mike would have the cabin all to ourselves.." Mina said. "Perfect make-out conditions..then he goes off to work on that sled and I get sick!"
"Too bad.." Artemas said. "You're making out will have to wait," he added sarcastically.
"Yeah..ehh.." Mina said and sneezed again.
"At least you get to stay home from school."
"That's always a plus," Mina replied.
"I see Mina isn't here..anyone know why?" Miss Haruna asked.
"She got uh..sick.." Mike said.
"Oh.." Haruna said. "Too bad..I've been fighting something myself.." she muttered.
"Anyway...this is just a reminder that mid terms are coming up," she said.
Most of the room let out a moan.
"Mid terms! What are those!" Serena shouted.
"Serena...." Haruna said and sighed. "Someone explain it to her later."
"Anyway..so you're all going to have to study for them...not that most of you will," she said.
"I'm allergic to ink Miss H," Mike said. "Can't read or write without getting sick."
"Oh..is that so.." Miss Haruna said. "I'll be sure to put extra ink on my test."
"Ehh.." Mike said.
"Say if I saved someone's life could I get an exemption?" Rick asked.
"If any of us did could we get an exemption?" most of the scouts in the group asked with the exception of Amy and Greg.
"No.." Miss Haruna said. The group moaned.
"That's a strange question. What do you mean by that?" Melvin asked.
"Nothing," the scouts replied.
Later, in history class.
"I just wonder how Miss Hiryku is going to be today.." Amy said.
"Yeah..me too. She worries me," Greg said.
"Yeah..all that happening is pretty scary," Amy said.
"I mean if she's like that at all should she be teaching class," Greg said.
"I don't know," Amy said. "It's so hard to tell," she said.
They waited. Miss Hiryku sailed in the door and stood at the front of the classroom.
"Class.." she stated bluntly. The group all made their customary nods.
"All right..hand in your assignments," she said. Amy and Greg's eyes widened.
"She said it was canceled," Amy said.
"Yeah..I know...what was she doing?" Greg asked.
"Good thing we were suspicious enough to try and do it anyway.." Amy said.
"Yeah.." Greg said as they both pulled out their papers.
Hiryku picked up the papers and then moved to Amy and Greg's desks.
"Well..what do you have for me?" she asked.
The two held out their papers. Hiryku's eyes widened slightly.
"I see," she said. The two scowled back at her as she took them.
She waltzed to the front of the class and began to lecture.
After school.
"Principal Oksua, she deliberately tried to set us up," Amy said.
"First with a deliberately vague assignment and then telling us that the assignment was canceled," Greg said.
"If she told the class that..why were you the only two surprised," Oksua said.
"She didn't tell the class that," Amy said.
"She told us that," Greg said.
"When?" Oksua asked.
"Sir..this will take some time to explain," Amy said.
"Very well..go ahead," Oksua said.
"Yes sir," Amy said and began.
And after they had explained it.
"Now you two are swearing that this actually happened?" Oksua asked.
"Yes sir, we are," Amy said.
"Yeah...everything.." Greg said.
"Hmm..it's such an insane story though.. You understand that.." Oksua said.
"Sir...we know that's why it was hard to bring this to you," Amy said.
"But..we're telling the truth," Greg said.
"She deliberately tried to set us up," Amy said.
"She still may give us a bad grade," Greg said.
"Listen..I want to help, the problem is, that even your word may not go against hers," Oksua said. "I would need some kind of proof."
"But she's already done it," Greg said.
"Now that we're onto her, she probably won't try anything else again," Amy said. "But sir..how can we take a class from her?"
"Do you have a copy of the assignment?" Oksua said.
"She spoke it orally to us," Amy said. "But I took it down word for word," Amy said and handed Oksua a notebook. He glanced at it.
"Hmm...I'll be honest with you, if she was out to get you..she knows just how to do it," Oksua said. "But we've never had any trouble with her before....tell you what..Mister Kuno also teaches history..I'll transfer you to his class..for the time being..for..um..scheduling reasons."
"Scheduling reasons?" Amy asked.
"Yes..you two have just entered a special program.." Oksua said.
"Oh...." Greg said.
"I'll figure out what the heck that is eventually..you two should find it fortunate that we don't teach honors history here.." Oksua said. " You'll be covering the same material."
"Well sir, maybe if there was honors, we wouldn't have had her," Amy said.
"She's the senior teacher," Oksua said. "She would have gotten it most likely. If you do find some proof, I'll look it over. Otherwise this is all I can do."
"It will do for now.." Amy said.
"But will her grades carry over?" Greg asked.
"They'll have to," Oksua said. "I'm sorry."
The two walked out.
"This could wreck our averages," Amy said.
"I know.." Greg said.
As this was occurring, Serena, Lita, and Raye were walking home.
"So they actually give us this test to see if we've learned anything the entire semester," Serena said worriedly.
"Well..yeah.." Lita said.
"I can't take that!" Serena said grabbing Lita's collar.
"Sorry..Serena.." Lita said. "I'll help you study if you want."
"No I need Amy's help on this one, a real student," Serena said.
"I've gotten better," Lita said.
"Why didn't they warn us about this.." Serena said.
"You honestly had never heard of this before today?" Raye asked. "You really are more spaced out then even I suspected."
"I am not..I'm just attention challenged," Serena said.
"Hey...maybe she is," Lita and Raye said looking at each other.
"What?" Serena said.
"Maybe all your laziness is caused by a disease," Raye said.
"Yeah, that would explain some things," Lita said.
"I'm not sick though," Serena said.
"That's debatable," the other two said.
"Wait a minute..you really mean this..it could be some sort of illness?" Serena asked.
"Yes, Serena..it's called attention deficit disorder..." Lita said.
"What? Sorry..there was this pretty bird that flew over...and.." Serena said.
Raye and Lita glanced at each other.
"I think it's time to throw someone in a snowbank," Raye said.
"Wha.." Serena said as her two friends moved in on her.
"Oh come..on...if it's a disease I should be well treated," Serena said.
"We prefer the nineteenth century London approach," Lita said.
"Uh...that's a good thing right.." Serena said.
The other two shook their heads.
"Oh come on..did they even have snowbanks in England?" Serena asked.
"It doesn't matter," Raye growled as the two grabbed Serena.
"Hey!" she shouted.
"Hmm..so you think Mina's upset about this weekend?" Mike asked.
Steve and Rick looked at him.
"Of course she is," Steve said.
"Yeah..I mean..first you ditch her and then she gets sick," Rick said.
"Not that ditching her was a problem at least for that day," Steve said.
"I wouldn't have done it exactly that way..but still..it's borderline at this age," Rick said.
"And since when are you the expert on love?" Mike asked.
"Wasn't I always?" Rick asked.
"Well to be honest..you are a more charming guy.." Steve said. "Uh.I mean..you know..from a girl's point of view."
"Sure..we do.." Mike said.
"Mike, don't..or I may have to start up "Hit-Mike night" again."
"Okay..I got it," Mike said.
"But isn't that it guys..I mean..it's just my good looks, superior martial arts ability, and mastery of love that makes me any different from you two," Rick said.
"Well aside from the good looks I'll agree with you there," Mike said. "Come to think of it, there isn't that much different about us.."
"There must be," Steve said.
"Well..you make rockets that blow up and used to get into lots of fights..but that's it," Steve said," Rick said.
"I'm different though," Mike said. "I mean..I'm a make-out artist, an eccentric, a jokester, and a poet too..as well as having degrees in engineering and looking towards a career in nuclear medicine."
"Hmm..maybe we have to institute "Hit-Mike weekends" again.." Rick said.
"Yeah, that might do it," Steve said.
"Well..okay..take away the last part..but I'm still the weird one," Mike said. "I mean..I'm really different from you two."
"Not really Mike.." Steve said. "If you really look at it, the three of us are very alike except for a few quirks. But it's those similarities that let us be friends. It's just like the way the girls work."
"Hey they're a diverse group," Mike said.
"No they aren't," Steve said.
"Well I mean..they are a little.." Rick said. "But in the end we're more alike then we think."
"I don't buy it..I mean there must be someway..that someone can look at us and say..those three are different. I mean..I could always build a rocket that doesn't work..Rick couldn't..but I could..and Steve's the only one with love problems..so..that really doesn't count. But both of you could do what I do..and get away with it."
"I'd prefer not to," Rick said.
"I don't do the rocket thing intentionally," Steve said.
"Hmm...then why does there need to be three of us then.." Mike said.
"What?" The other two asked.
"Well I mean in the giant scheme of things.." Mike said. "I mean..isn't it conceivable that one guy could be romantic, weird, terrible at building rockets, and uh..that's it."
"Yeah..I guess," Rick said.
"If you look at the big picture sure," Steve said.
"But that wouldn't work," Rick said.
"Not at all," Steve said.
"Why?" Mike said.
"Because then we'd need two more Guardian Scouts and two more guys to date the girls," Rick said.
"Plus... our name would be very long," Steve said.
Mike's eyes narrowed.
"You're not following.." Mike said. "Don't you guys get it..life isn't a tightly knit television show or a novel where everything is balanced out perfectly! It's random! You know!"
Seconds later a model rocket crashed into the snow near them. A black van pulled up and a group of scientists got up and picked up the rocket before jumping back into the van and racing off.
"We have no idea what you mean," Rick and Steve said.
"Serena..where have you been?" Luna asked.
"Oh..around.." Serena muttered. "You know..in a snowbank and such."
"What?"
"Long story..but I didn't trip and fall into it...I can assure of that."
"Well that's a relief," Luna said.
"Yeah..well I've gotta go."
"Why?"
"Because..I'm going to get to the bottom of this."
"The bottom of what?"
"The whole negaverse thing."
"What?"
"Yep..it's time to do some detective work."
"And just what do you plan on doing?"
"Using my newly found abilities of observation."
"What exactly are you talking about?"
"Luna..if you're not part of the problem you're part of the problem..let's go.." Serena hurriedly said and raced out the door.
"I'd better go after her," Luna said.
"Okay..bear with me here.." Mike said drawing on the chalkboard. There were three circles and a place of overlap.
"This discussion doesn't require a Venn diagram," Rick said.
"Believe me if it did, we'd tell you," Steve said.
"Venn diagrams have infinite uses," Mike said. "I use them all the time."
Rick and Steve sighed.
"Now...we're each represented by one of these circles," Mike said.
"Oo..ooo...I want the one on top.." Steve said.
"Hey..I want it!" Rick said.
"You can't have it!" Steve said.
"Wanna step outside!"
"Yeah!"
"Ehh.." Mike said. "Guys..aren't you as concerned about this as I am?"
"No," Steve said.
"Not really." Rick said.
"Besides..you'll figure it out..we trust your abilities," Rick said.
"Absolutely," Steve said. "You'll know what to do.:.."
And the two headed out.
"Hmm.." Mike said and glanced at the board.
On Mike's front porch.
"I didn't want to say it in there..but maybe he has a point," Steve said.
"No he doesn't..we're each different people," Rick said. "Sure we do things as a group a lot..but I'd never question our individuality."
"Yeah I guess.. " Steve said.
"Hey..guys..I thought I might find you here," Lita said walking up. "What's been happening?"
"Less than you'd think.." Rick said.
"Things are probably being undone," Steve said.
"Oh.." Lita said. "Say...Steve..you know what I just got..two tickets to that football game tonight..."
"Really?" Steve said. "That's great..I mean..you want me to go right."
"Of course silly.." Lita said.
"Sorry..I..."
"It's okay..but you might want tell your folks or something," Lita said.
"Okay..I'll do that," Steve said. "Besides..I'm not doing anything."
"HAH! I've figured it out," Mike said poking his head out the door.
"Good for you.." Rick muttered.
"Let me explain it.." Mike said.
"Run!" Steve said and he and Lita took off down the street.
"What's this all about?" Lita asked.
"Uh...you really would be better off not being exposed to it."
"Oh..I see."
"Hah..here's a clue," Serena said.
"Serena..what are we doing down in this viaduct?" Luna muttered.
"Because the sewer is where bad things happen," Serena said.
"It's also where sewer rats live."
"Oh..right..you had that bad experience..well we're not going into the sewer..but look..there frozen on in the ice..."
"Serena..it's just a piece of paper."
"Of course it is..but it has writing on it."
Serena carefully looked.
"Ah hah! I recognize this handwriting.."
"You do?"
"Yep..oh..it's mine..I must have lost this some time ago..it's a grocery list."
"Serena.." Luna muttered.
That night the football game began. Lita and Steve had some relatively good seats.
"Let's hope this doesn't turn out like the last time we were in this stadium," Lita said.
"Actually we stumbled into each other there," Steve said.
"Still.."
"We can't worry about it."
"You're right."
The two teams squared off and a play was run. The quarterback dropped back and threw a long pass. The wide receiver caught it and dashed into the end zone, the crowd roared.
"Yes..the game's only a minute in and already a touchdown," Steve said.
"Well it's going to be like this..neither of these teams has any defense to speak of.." Lita said.
The time passed the score kept going up until the last few minutes of play.
The clock was ticking.
"Fourth down and goal...oh this..is where they make their money," Steve said.
The group watched. The home team ran a play. The quarterback dodged some tacklers and tossed it to their receiver who made a diving catch.
The crowd roared again.
"Steve.." Lita said worriedly.
"What?" Steve asked.
"Over there.." She said and pointed. A group of the crowd looked to be slumped in their seats.
"Are they asleep in a game this exciting?" Steve asked. "No of course not..let's go."
The two hurried out to the concourse and hid to transform. Meanwhile a creature was leaping down the rows blasting people left and right.
"More energy for my evil team!" he shouted.
"Moon Tiara Magic!" came a shout. The creature whirled and was hit and knocked onto the field. Sailor Moon jumped into the air and practically glided down to the field.
"Sailor Moon? What's she doing here?" Jupiter asked as the two raced down the stairs.
"I have no idea," Pluto said.
"You have no idea of my power," the creature said.
"Moon Tiara Magic!" Sailor Moon attacked again. The creature jumped out of the way.
"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"
"Pluto Storm Fist Punch!"
The two attacks smashed into the creature and knocked him into the snow.
"Moon Spiral Hearts Attack!" Sailor Moon shouted and hit the creature.
"Jupiter healing power."
The creature was healed.
"Sailor Moon what are you doing here?" Jupiter asked.
"Oh..I..uh..was doing some detective work and I uh..kinda..stumbled onto that guy..and I followed him here," Sailor Moon said.
"I'm as shocked as you are?" Luna muttered walking up.
"See I told you it was a good idea for me to search for clues," Sailor Moon said.
"You practically got run over by the enemy," Luna said.
"It still worked," Sailor Moon said. "Here I am."
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CHAPTER 156 CHAPTER 157 CHAPTER 158 CHAPTER 159 CHAPTER 160