Chapter 179
The battle had been over for a week, but the scouts had remained to make sure
the city was protected while the Guardian's recovered again and while the
rebuilding process began.
"This used to be a lush pasture," Neo-Sailor Mars said starring at the barren wasteland that had been formed around the city. "But we'll replant.." she said.
Already people of the city were moving out to make the area suitable for farming.
"This is the second time we've had to replant...you know.." she said. "We did it once...we'll do it again."
"I'm sure you will," Sailor Mars said.
"We'll try anyway," Neo-Mars said. "You wouldn't believe how much I envy you...back when I was your age...things were better...innocent...I could have fun."
"Can't you now?" Sailor Mars asked.
"Things have changed..even from when Princess Rini was six...when you first met her. I was even able to enjoy myself back then..but she enjoyed herself too..you see we're here bodyguards..normally...it's important the Rini survives to carry the Emperyeum silver crystal in case there is ever any more interstellar trouble. That means that she could be a target for terrorists."
"They still exist?"
"Don't be nieve...yes they exist...so...we would take care..of Rini...we had fun.played..games...whatever she wanted...but...she changed too...She lost her innocence, she was even more depressed then we were."
"What's so wrong..this city is beautiful. Most of the time."
"Yes, but you've never lost...have you?"
"What do you mean?"
"The wars you fight..you defeat the enemy they disappear...usually there's little damage to people and buildings."
"Yeah but.."
"Crystal Tokyo's surroundings were leveled in the dark moon war...look at the outskirts of the city now...this city has been hit hard twice...and you've been outside..you know what it's like...everyone else tolerates us...tolerates us...don't they get it..we're here to save them..we take the brunt of attacks and they're resentful because we have the power."
"Yes.but...still...Japan has usually been isolated," Mars said.
"Don't quote history," Neo-Mars said. "This is different. Rini realized that with the power we have comes the ultimate responsibility, to have to maybe throw away your own life to protect the world....she realized that being the Princess means that she will spend her entire life under protection and restricted, all with that burden over her...I can't blame her for not wanting that...she was in the 20th century she knew what she could do there..she loved it there..now..."
"But that's not reason for you to get all bent out of shape."
"I'm as tied to her as she is tied to me, I can't have a life either..."
"But how did all this happen?"
"That I can't reveal."
"Why not?"
"Because the time alignment is already thrown off enough..."
"So what do you want me to do?" Mars said.
"Enjoy your life...enjoy it to it's fullest..because when the events that bring this about occur, there won't be much time left."
"You talk like your dead."
"In a way I am."
"Well we gave as good as we took," Neo-Jupiter said starring at a pile of rubble.
"Yep...we sure did," Jupiter said.
"I guess it's back to tedium for me then."
"Tedium?"
"Yep..the endless stream of boredom between each moments of panic, and then the boredom of putting up an energy shield."
"Oh."
"I didn't used to be bored. I actually had a very interesting life..and then..well..never mind then."
"Then?"
"Can't say..."
"Why not?"
"It's not allowed. Though why I follow any one's rules anymore is beyond me."
"I'm sorry to hear that your upset," Jupiter said.
"You're sorry to hear it? How do you think I feel?" Neo-Jupiter asked and then grinned. "Haven't been able to tell a joke like that in a while. Though I usually don't tell jokes...still."
She started laughing and stopped several seconds later.
"Well at least some good came of this. I haven't laughed in years."
"Oh.." Jupiter said. "Maybe you should try and laugh some more."
"Oh I try..but I usually don't see very much that's funny. But I guess I'm being much too depressing...all I can say is enjoy it while it lasts.."
"What?"
"Life back there...sooner..or later...poof it's gone..but you have some time..if nothing changes.."
"How much time?"
"Can't say."
"I wish you would."
"Then things may get out of hand."
"How?"
"Can't say."
"Oh."
"Sorry...I'd like to."
"Where are we going?" Mercury asked.
"The medical area.." Neo-Mercury said. "I am a doctor."
"You became one?"
"Yes..." Neo-Mercury said. "Almost with regret."
"What is it?"
"I've said too much already."
"But..is there some reason I shouldn't become a doctor?"
"No..no it's important that you do...at least at the moment.."
"But there's something else."
"There's always something else," Neo-Mercury said.
"Don't you like being a doctor?" Mercury asked.
"Yes," Neo-Mercury said. "It's everything else that bothers me."
"Oh...do you want to talk about it?"
"No..and I assure you, you don't want to hear it. I'll say this though...the surprises are about to begin."
"Surprises?"
"Yes...things will change for you."
"For the worst."
"I don't think so...they'll just change."
"Oh."
"I wish I hadn't met you," Neo-Venus said.
"Why?" Venus said.
"Because it's hard for me to see myself..that young..before..I....just go.."
"I'm supposed to stay with you as we check things out,"
"Yes..but you're better off not being with me."
"If there's something wrong maybe I can help."
"You are what's wrong," Neo-Venus said.
"What?" Venus said.
"There, I said it. There is nothing more to say."
"I'm going to need some more information here," Venus said.
"There is nothing else to say," Neo-Venus said.
"Rebuilding...what's the point.." Neo-Neptune said standing on top of a building watching the fields.
"Well..the people need it..they actually feel better," Neo-Pluto said.
"The people..." Neo-Neptune said. "How long do you think it's going to be before we have to go overseas again and do something...how many more spies are they planting in our midst."
"Those aren't our people."
"Isn't it wonderful..we've managed to get to the point where fellow humans aren't our people..right..we're like a whole different species..and as usual persecuted for being different."
"You finished?"
"Am I ever? You know I'm apt just to walk away..forget it all."
"You know you'll come back," Neo-Pluto said.
"Eventually..but maybe I'll stay away a week this time..and maybe I'll feel happy. Would you like to come?"
"I have duties."
"Duties..you know what a duty is...it's something no one would ever want to do unless it was their duty to do it!"
"Things will get better," Neo-Pluto said.
"Before they get worse.." Neo-Neptune said. "See ya."
"You'll be back."
"You never know.." Neo-Neptune said.
"Oh look, the Australians are sending a fleet our way..." Neo-Maverick muttered studying his tactical screen.
"Is that trouble?" Maverick asked.
"No..they always stop halfway and turn, back it's just a scare tactic."
"It doesn't work..I suppose."
"Hasn't yet."
"So what now?"
"What now...oh..good question...you'd think with the rebuilding everyone would be in high spirits. The other humans seem into it...but then again...they don't have to do anything," Neo-Maverick said. "As for us....they'll probably be some more battles...maybe not against the people we fought, but they'll be spies, terrorists...that sort of thing."
"Oh.."
"Of course...that just depresses everyone else...I prefer it."
"You do?"
"Of course...when the Dark Moon showed up we had a big battle and I lost..when all this trouble showed up we had a big battle I played a part in and won. They cancel each other out. But besides..now...I can take care of things myself."
"You can."
"If I wanted to do I could just destroy that Australian fleet myself...see..that's the thing about these powers..against normal humans..well they're very very effective."
Maverick's eyes widened slightly.
"Hah..yes..you're scared..afraid the power might go to my head."
"No it won't, but against the evil forces...I'm perfect for the job."
The door slid open. Neo-Pluto walked in.
"Neptune left again," he said.
"Figures," Neo-Maverick said.
"He leaves often?" Maverick asked.
"Yes...he's a very pathetic individual.." Neo-Maverick said.
The doors slid open and the two Guardian Saturns walked in.
"We finished the perimeter check," Neo-Saturn said. "So far, no problems."
Neo-Maverick nodded.
"I trust you're not suicidal anymore are you.." Neo-Maverick said.
"No...I've redeemed my honor.." Neo-Saturn said.
"Good," Neo-Maverick said. "I've got some new plans."
"Oh?" Neo-Saturn said.
"And where are we going to strike this time?" Neo-Pluto said.
"Well..I used the war and all to sniff out some of those terrorist groups in Belgium," Neo-Maverick said.
"You did?" Neo-Pluto said with a slight smile.
Neo-Maverick said.
"Then we should go at once," Neo-Saturn said.
"Thought you'd say that," Neo-Maverick said. "The information's on the computer."
The three then moved to it.
"They seem to be enjoying themselves," Saturn said.
"They might as well," Maverick said.
"So..you're not depressed anymore?" Uranus asked.
"Ehh.." Neo-Uranus said. "I've been depressed..there's really no point...besides..I'm on the strike force.."
"Strike force?" the other three asked.
"Sure...we go in and stop trouble before it starts...it's actually quite fun."
"Then why all the depression earlier?" Uranus asked.
"Well then we had something to prove," Neo-Uranus said. "Now..we can go back to doing what we do best."
"Oh..this is confusing.." Neptune said.
"It's supposed to be," Neo-Uranus said with a smile.
Neo-Pluto and Neo-Saturn came running out of the city.
"Hey..Uranus..we're going after the Belgians!" Neo-Pluto shouted.
"Yes!" Neo-Uranus said. "Sorry guys..gotta go.."
And the three Neo's hurried off.
"Well...no I'm really confused," Pluto said walking up.
"Yeah...all this talk about the future stinking and stuff...and they're enjoying it," Uranus said.
"Well..I guess stuff like that can happen," Neptune said also walking up.
"Weird though."
"Welcome to the Earth Aeka.." King Endymion said as he and the young woman stood on a balcony.
"I wish I came under better circumstances..but there you are.." Aeka said.
"Yes...I only wish it had been better off..unfortunately we have some problems right now..the ideal of Crystal Tokyo has sort of collapsed...for various reasons."
"I heard. Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune told me."
"Yes.."
"What happened?"
"Aeka..it's a complex story..and I'll be glad to try and explain it some day..but right now.."
"I understand..I'm just curious...we left before the freeze and all."
"Yes," Endymion said. "And how are things on your world?"
"Great..we're really flourishing...but we wanted to reestablish relations with the Earth and this seemed like the place to start."
"Well..that's debatable...but relations with Crystal Tokyo can begin."
"Oh...of course...but me and my people are supposed to be the embassy staff anyway..so I guess we'll be hanging around a while."
"I look forward to it."
"And Sailor Uranus and Neptune. Will they be all right?"
"One never knows."
"And the girl..Rini?"
"Rini..." Endymion said. "Poor girl."
"I shouldn't have...mentioned it.."
"No...I certainly can't run from my own daughter can I.." Endymion said. "I don't know..but whatever happens Aeka..I guess you'll be able to see it for yourself."
"Guess so," Aeka said.
And in the Queen's room.
"I have to once again thank you for all you've done," Neo-Queen Serenity.
"Isn't that sort of like thanking yourself," Sailor Moon said.
"I don't see it that way..in my mind we are two different people."
"Oh..well..we appreciate your thanks.."
"I fear the utopia I once envisioned has failed."
"What went wrong?"
Neo-Queen Serenity shook her head.
"You wouldn't understand..it's very hard to explain."
"Oh....and I bet you don't want to disrupt the past."
"We've already done enough of that...but I don't know if I can allow this to be your future."
"Uh..sorry for asking, but what could you do?"
"There are ways of preventing this or at least working to prevent it."
"But wouldn't that mean Rini wasn't born?"
"No..there are ways around that too.."
"Oh.."
"I can't expect you to understand, even I don't know it fully...but I could move this future to a different dimension preserve our own lives while not ruining yours."
"You really think it was ruined..."
"Well..for most of you..yes...just how long can we expect you to be Sailor Scouts anyway?"
"I never thought about it that way. I'd have sort of gotten used to it."
"Well...I think enough has been asked of the Scout Team."
"Is that what you call it now..."
"Yeah...it's very hard to say Inner Sailors, Outer Sailors, Guardian Scouts all the time isn't it."
"Yeah I guess," Sailor Moon said. "So you can actually move this to another dimension and not affect anything."
"Yes..the way time works we can make it possible..and Rini will still arrive in the past when she did..as you will travel here..only it's not your future anymore. I have to do that. You have all seen to much...and I don't know just how much anyone might have been told."
"Whatever you think is right," Sailor Moon said. "You obviously have become very wise since me.."
"Don't be so hard on yourself..after all there's hope for you isn't there?" Serenity said.
"Guess so," Sailor Moon said. "Uh this dimension thing..can it really work..I mean with Alan, Ann, and Fiore here."
"Believe me Sailor Moon, it'll work.."
"You sure? I'm not physicist, but it seems...unbelievable," Sailor Moon said.
"Isn't that what our lives are though," Serenity said with a slight smile.
Sailor Moon smiled back.
"Well I hope that if you change things Rini will be better off.." Sailor Moon said. "I mean before she was just a brat..now..."
"Yes..I know.." Serenity said. "Believe me I know..."
"Say...how did that feel I mean..knowing you were going to have her before you did.."
"Uh..well...it's very hard to say...but we didn't have to guess whether it was a girl or a boy..did we?" Serenity said.
"Good point.." Sailor Moon said. "Oh one thing..what happened to Nehelenia."
"I imprisoned her again."
"Why not just destroy her?" Sailor Moon asked.
"There are reasons, my mother decided not to destroy her when she had the chance..and I have decided to also."
"But she might escape." Sailor Moon ask.
"I know..but I have my reasons."
"Oh..
The doors opened. Sailor Saturn walked in.
"Your Majesty...Sailor Pluto has returned and is on her way here.." Saturn said.
"Which one?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Ours," Sailor Saturn said.
"Oh.." Sailor Moon said.
"Thank you Sailor Saturn..and thank you again for serving so well in this time of crisis," Serenity said.
Sailor Saturn nodded.
"I did my best," she said and walked out.
"Well at least she talks more. But still..she seems so robotic," Sailor Moon said.
"Hopefully she'll change," Serenity said.
Sailor Pluto walked in.
"Your highness.." she said.
"Sailor Pluto welcome back.." Neo-Queen Serenity said. "We have much to talk about..the preparations I discussed for dimensional travel..we must move ahead with them."
"Understood," Sailor Pluto said. "I can begin it immediately."
"Well rest.."
"No..I can finish it.."
"Uh..Sailor Pluto," Sailor Moon said. "My home..it's still there?"
"Yes Sailor Moon, it is just like you left it," Sailor Pluto said.
"Thank you," Sailor Moon said.
Sailor Pluto nodded.
Later, Tuxedo Mask and Rini stood in the starlight.
"The nights are the only thing I still enjoy," Rini said.
"I'm sorry Rini.."
"I enjoy your company too..."
"I guess you should since I guess you'll be my daughter someday."
"Or maybe not...my mother and father want to move to another dimension..it means you'll still be my father, but won't be too.."
"Oh.." Darrien said.
"Don't ask..I don't understand it either..but just maybe..there...things will improve..at least...they won't be hurting you.."
"That's very mature of you to say that."
"Well..I can only hope for other people now..I hope the Sailor Scouts end up happier..."
"Sailor Moon?"
"Even her.." Rini said. "After all I guess the meatball head deserves some credit for having me. And she isn't that bad."
Darrien smiled.
"No she isn't," he said.
"Besides..if I'm in another dimension maybe we won't get attacked all the time...I don't know I can only hope."
"At least you have hope again."
"Yeah..I guess I do.."
"Rini..will you smile for me.."
"Only for you.." Rini said and smiled.
Darrien smiled back.
In the bowels of the city Neo-Maverick pressed a few more buttons on his keyboard. Sailor Uranus and Neptune walked in.
"We just had a thought," Uranus said.
"Might it be about the negaverse," Neo-Maverick said turning. The two stopped.
"Those options have already occurred to us," Sailor Saturn said emerging from the shadows.
"They will follow us to the other dimension.." Neptune said.
"They've tried to destroy us once, they'll try again," Uranus said.
"I agree.." Neo-Maverick said. "Unless we stop them now."
The other three nodded.
The next day 20th century scouts were all ready to go back. Sailor Pluto, Queen Serenity and King Endymion waited to see goodbye.
"Good luck to all of you..I will do all I can to make sure your future's are prosperous," Serenity said.
"Take care of yourselves," Endymion said.
" We will, and good luck to you too," Sailor Moon said. The two nodded.
Pluto twirled her staff. A vortex opened up.
"There you go.." she said.
The scouts stepped through.
"They're on their way," Pluto said.
"The other Scouts left in Aeka's spaceship to get rid of the negaverse.." Endymion said.
"I hope they succeed," Serenity said.
"We can shift dimensions when they return," Sailor Pluto said.
"And with it..maybe the future will be brighter," Serenity said.
CHAPTER 161 CHAPTER 162 CHAPTER 163 CHAPTER 164
CHAPTER 165 CHAPTER 166 CHAPTER 167 CHAPTER 168
CHAPTER 169 CHAPTER 170 CHAPTER 171 CHAPTER 172
CHAPTER 173 CHAPTER 174 CHAPTER 175 CHAPTER 176