Charter 181
A bright white light shot through space and swung in towards the planet Earth. It streaked
down into the atmosphere and began to glow red as it punched through the atmosphere and descended towards the planet's surface. It plummeted Earthward towards a large island located in the pacific ocean. As it began to come within thousands of feet of the ground a large shriek could be heard by the people below. That was expected, normally falling objects emitted such a shriek, a meteor would have done the same, but this was no meteor, this was a girl dressed in the uniform of Juuban High School and two strands of blonde hair were being pulled above her by the speed of her descent.
"This is going to hurt I don't wanna fall!" she shrieked. "How did this happen anyway!"
The crowd occupying the tenth street market district all began to look up in equal surprise at the falling girl, but they had only seconds before she hit the ground and created a large crater. They all gathered around as the girl slowly stood up covered in dirt and shook her head
"Woah..that didn't hurt so much.." she said.
Serena woke up and moaned.
"I'm supposed to wake up when I hit the ground. Right?" she muttered.
"Serena..another dream?" Luna muttered stirring from her own sleep.
"Yeah, and this was a wild one."
"Oh? What happened this time?"
"Uh...Luna..it's Monday isn't it?"
"Yes.."
"And my clock says it's seven thirty?"
"So it does."
"So I'm going to be late for school aren't I?"
"Good thing you had that nightmare then wasn't it? Or you'd be even later." Luna muttered.
"Aren't you going to yell at me or something?" Serena asked.
"Why bother," Luna said.
"Well why didn't you wake me up?"
"Well I was sleeping myself."
"WHAT? You're the disciplined one!" Serena shouted.
"I'm a cat Serena.." Luna said and went back to sleep.
Serena moaned and stumbled out of her bed.
She was soon hurrying out the door of her house and racing down the street.
"No matter what I do and how much time passes, it always comes back to this, me running down a street late for class," She said.
"Well I had my moments, there were those few weeks, in fact I was doing very well..but still...I guess when someone writes a book about me it'll come down to this, but it has to end sometime, I won't be in school forever..will I? No..of course not...I'll have a job, and then I'll just be late for work..." she said and grinned. "Why is that reassuring?" she said seconds later. "It shouldn't be."
She saw the cart full of square watermelons pushed out in front of her seconds too late. She smashed into them and fell knocking the whole cart to the ground. She wiped herself off after smashing several and sighed.
"Hah..gotcha!" a voice said. She turned to see a strange looking man with a strange little mustache and a balding head standing there.
"What do you mean?" Serena screeched.
"I've been sticking a watermelon cart out all day waiting for some schoolgirl to slam into it," the guy said with a grin.
"That's a mean thing to do!" Serena screeched.
"Maybe...but you're on surprising camera!" the guy shouted.
"I don't care!" Serena shouted. "I'm late."
She then hurried off.
"Wait a minute..I know that guy...from somewhere...I think..." she said to
herself.
Meanwhile at class.
"Now..class..let's keep in mind that it's only three weeks to finals," Miss Haruna said. "And then the end of the school year, and following summer vacation..another school year."
The classes smiles were replaced by frowns.
"But more importantly a new first year class for me to teach!" Miss Haruna said.
"Miss H, what's it worth to you for me to not stay back a year?" Mike said.
Haruna glared at him.
"Well you can't threaten me with a bad grade can you?" Mike asked with a smile.
"Detention for the next three weeks..." Haruna said. "Then we'll see if you still want to flunk out."
Mike's grin was replaced by a look of shock.
"Hmm..she called your bluff," Steve said.
"Idiot," Mina muttered.
"It looks like Serena is going to be late, I guess it does no good to wonder why anymore," Haruna said.
The class nodded.
"But that's okay," Haruna said. "There's no way I can get her for class next year."
The door swung open. Serena dashed in, tripped, stumbled forward, and in doing so knocked down the entire far corner of the room, including most of her friends.
They all let out moans of annoyance and picked themselves back up.
"I must say that was your most destructive entrance ever," Haruna muttered.
"I can beat that," Mike said.
"Bet you can't," Steve said.
"Enough," Haruna said.
"Yeah guys don't get her angry, she might just turn into a monster again," Serena muttered and sat down.
"Serena did you crash into a cart of watermelons or something?" Lita asked.
"Kind...of..." Serena said.
"Serena...why is your uniform so dirty?" Haruna said noticing for the first time the extent of her disheveledness.
"Well..things happen right?" Serena asked.
"Yes they do.." Haruna said.
"There you go." Serena said.
The class let out a sigh.
Elsewhere. Two figures stood leaning against a red sports car sitting on a hill overlooking the city.
"So..you enjoying your expulsion?" Darrien said.
"I rarely enjoy anything, however, school is an annoyance I don't particulary miss," D.V. Patterson muttered.
"I'd guess you'd learn more just from reading."
"True."
"So..why exactly are you back?"
"The other dimension's school was blown apart, and it was better for me to be in the 30th century. Setsuna's going to make sure I get into next year's class anyway."
"Wonderful how she works isn't it?" Darrien said.
"Her skills are useful," Patterson said.
"You don't know how she does it do you?"
"That's secondary, she does do it, that's what's important."
"You just don't know," Darrien said with a grin.
"Darrien, I know many things. Only I know what I do and don't know."
"Not necessarily, the human mind isn't that simple," Darrien said.
"I see no reason for this to become an argument over something like that."
"Then admit you don't know," Darrien said.
"Why?"
"Because I'd like to hear you say it?"
"Too bad," Patterson said.
"Still..Setsuna is quite a woman isn't she?"
"Ey?" Patterson said and looked in brief surprise before returning to his stoic expression.
"Well..you know guardian of time and dimensions and all..impressive isn't it?" Darrien asked.
"Dangerous too.." Patterson said.
"In a good way," Darrien said.
"I see...Darrien..I suggest you watch it.." Patterson said as his eyes narrowed and his voice slipped picked up the scratchiness he used when speaking on urgent matter.
"What? Watch what?" Darrien asked.
"You know," Patterson said and began to walk off.
"Hey! Where are you going, it's miles back to the city," Darrien said in surprise.
"Nature calls for even Manic Depressives," Patterson said and moved into a wooded area near the road.
Darrien sighed and glanced at the city.
He said it after I talked about Setsuna. He doesn't think? No..of course not, I know better. But then again...I'd be going against my own argument if I said I knew for sure. Still...she is impressive and beautiful...sure..what's the problem? I'm a guy..just because I love Serena doesn't mean I can't be looking at other women. Still if Serena found out...well..she is Serena. Still that didn't deserve one of Patterson's serious warnings. Now he's just getting ridiculous.
And at the lunch table.
"Finals huh?" Serena muttered. "Are they anything like midterms?"
"Worse in some cases," Lita said.
"Yeah...in some of my classes I have to know what happened the entire year," Mina said.
"Most of mine are just about the second semester," Raye said.
"Lucky you," Lita muttered.
"Yeah.." Mike," Rick, and Steve said and sighed.
"They're not that hard if you just study," Amy said. "Except for Biology..but that's a different story."
"What?" everyone else asked.
"Uh..well I couldn't give you advice if I wasn't honest," Amy said.
"Amy, are you having trouble with Biology?" Lita asked.
"You don't have trouble with anything," Serena said.
"No, it's nothing..I'll handle it, I'll just study harder," Amy said nervously.
"But Amy, even you have trouble. What makes you think it's not's that hard for the rest of your classes?" Mina asked.
"Well everything else isn't," Amy said.
"She means Biology's more of the exception then the rule," Greg quickly added.
"Yes," Amy said.
The others all exchanged glances.
"We're all going to fail..." they said in unison.
"I don't understand," Greg said.
"Well...if Amy's having trouble..we're all dead," Serena said.
"Yeah..if the smartest girl in the city can't ace every test we're doomed for sure," Lita said.
"Amy is the beacon of light on the unstable cliff," Mina said.
Everyone glanced at her.
"Hmm...that metaphor was poorly constructed wasn't it?" Mina asked.
The others nodded.
"Still proves our point don't it?" Mina asked.
The others looked at each other.
"Oh..so it's all me then?" Mina said.
They nodded.
"We'll just see.." she said.
"Please everyone..just because I'm struggling is no need for you to get worried," Amy said. "There's three weeks left to study. And I always come out ahead in the end. It just takes effort."
"She's right. Ahem..." Greg said and blushed slightly. "Amy will ace them all. She always does. And all of you..can um...well...do your best..."
The others all smiled at him and started laughing.
"What?" Amy and Greg asked.
"We're so stupid that's what!" Mike said and the group started laughing again.
"Uh...this is odd," Greg said.
"Yes...and I know them well," Amy said.
They stopped.
"Anyway...maybe if we studied as a group.." Lita said.
The others nodded.
"That's a good idea..we can fail together..." Serena said.
The group all began to laugh again.
"I wonder..." Amy said.
"What?" Greg asked.
"Well..the thought just came to me. Michiru and Haruka have been missing school for a week now. This could hurt their chances of doing well on finals if they don't show up for class," Amy said.
"They're probably off doing something mysterious," Greg said.
"They'd better finish it or they might do badly."
"You care how they do?" Greg asked.
"I guess a little. They are our allies, even though we've had our differences."
"Yeah..I know what you mean. But I'm more curious as to where they are."
"I guess I am too," Amy said.
"Patterson might know."
"Yeah.."
"Having academic troubles my classmates," came Melvin's squeaky voice as he dropped onto the table from above.
The group all looked at him in surprise.
"Melvin? How'd you do that?" The girls all muttered.
"And more importantly why?" the guys added.
"Ahh...I'm glad you asked me," Melvin said. "I'm here to aid you," he said avoiding the question.
"Oh...great..." the entire table muttered.
"It's no secret that your social group's academic average..is well less than stellar..." Melvin said. "In fact you're making me look bad by pushing the school average down.."
"Oh..so sorry.." Raye said and pushed Melvin off the table.
"Hah...I can't blame you for being jealous," Melvin said and stood up.
The group sighed.
"Anyway...I can aid you in your quest for academic success.." Melvin said vaulting back on the table.
Steve pushed him off.
"Why'd you do that?" Melvin squeaked.
"Just on general principles," Steve said.
"Ahem.." Melvin said brushing himself off. "I have exactly what you all need."
"You've got the test answers?" Rick asked.
"Rick..that's dishonest," Raye said.
"It's also very effective," Rick said. "And a victimless crime."
"Actually when you think about it..." Raye said to herself.
"I don't have any answers..." Melvin said.
"Then what do you have?" Serena asked.
"The Melvin's Notes series of study aids," Melvin said holding up several small red books with black stripes running across them.
"Just who pays for your product development?" Lita muttered.
"Well the profits from my latest dating guide sales went into this, Melvnet is always at work to make a profit at the expense of the student body," Melvin said.
"And you say that openly?" Steve muttered.
"Well...yeah.." Melvin said. "Anyway..in these books are everything important about any subject in the school and any one of these books can be yours for a low price."
"We've got Greg, what do we need a book for?" Mike said.
"Yeah...Greg. With Amy busy with her Biology you have become our official savior," Lita said.
"Hold your head up high with pride," Rick said.
"Uh I really don't know.." Greg said.
"See..no guarantees from him, but I'll give you one," Melvin said.
"I'll guarantee your butt in a minute if you don't get out of here," Serena said.
"That is not proper word usage, your threat is not valid," Melvin squealed. He was hit in the face with a muffin.
"Was that valid?" Raye muttered before also getting hit with a muffin.
"What?" Raye said.
"This is about earlier when everyone was making fun of me," Mina said revealing a pile of seventeen or so muffins which she proceeded to toss at everyone else.
"But Melvin is the true enemy!" Mike said before getting hit.
"Sorry..doesn't matter," Mina said.
"Perhaps Mina you've seen my true value," Melvin said.
"Sure..your true value's as kindling..." Mina said hit him with a muffin.
"But...." Melvin said before getting showered with more muffins. He looked around in surprise. The entire lunch room had turned towards him and they were all holding muffins.
"Uh...oh.." Melvin said.
"Here's some poetic justice for ya," Mina said.
"Why is it poetic?" Lita muttered.
"Ehh.." Mina said.
Melvin was soon pelted with muffins.
Later that day.
"So Darrien, you can see my problem..if they didn't have these finals I wouldn't have to study and I could spend more time with you..and eating...or with you and I eating...or with you eating too..but I digress.." Serena said.
"Uh..right..." Darrien said with a grin serving her some tea.
"Well..anyway...what can you do to help me out?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know..make my job easier."
"I guess I can answer any questions you might have about a subject...if I know anything about them myself that is," Darrien said.
"No I mean..are they're any shortcuts? I mean...we don't care about the Edo dynasty as much as we used to right?"
"Uh...I don't think.." Darrien said.
"So maybe I could skip that chapter."
"It's only a chapter?"
"Well..four..but if I could skip them..."
"Serena..I think you should read everything," Darrien said and sighed.
"Are you annoyed?" Serena asked becoming wide eyed.
"No..no..it's just you're going to have to do this yourself. I've got finals of my own coming up and research and all. I want to help you, but you have to do your own work."
"I try...but...all this super heroine stuff can be distracting..and I'm so tired.." She said.
"Serena..I can't snap my fingers and make everything easier," Darrien said.
"Can't or don't want to..." Serena asked.
"Serena.." Darrien said.
"Okay..okay.." Serena said hesitantly. "Well why don't we talk about something else then."
"Sure..what would you like to talk about?" Darrien asked.
"Muffins.."
"Muffins?"
"Yeah...we threw a bunch at Melvin and I got thinking about them."
"Muffins?"
"Sure...I mean there are so many now a days."
"Do you mean quantity or variety?" Darrien asked.
"Uh...well I don't have the numbers off the top of my head..but..I think variety..."
"Oh..." Darrien said confused.
"Am I being annoying again?"
"No no....just confusing.." Darrien said.
"I'm like that..haven't you noticed?" Serena asked.
:"Uh..yeah..." Darrien said. "What was this about Melvin?" he asked trying to sound interested despite the fact that this was all very baffling.
"See..we were all stressed out over finals...and Melvin shows up and says he can help, but he didn't have the test answers, which we wanted, but I guess the teachers probably haven't made the tests yet, so he didn't have them, but he wanted us to buy these books from him to help us study, and we didn't so instead we attacked him with muffins," Serena said.
"Actually..maybe you should consider some sort of study guide..." Darrien said. "Not his of course..but something."
"You're serious..actually spend money on books to help me do better?"
"Well..if all else fails.." Darrien said.
"But that's my muffin budget..there are just so many..in fact if I bought a different muffin every day, I could have a different one each day for two months, and then I could move on to a different store," Serena said.
"Serena, you're drifting back and forth too much," Darrien said.
"What..is that annoying?"
"It is now.."
"Oh..I'm sorry...really.." Serena said. "But this is what stress does to me...I mean..this isn't some evil monster from another planet that I can just destroy....this is real trouble."
"Glad you see it that way...but do you mean the muffins are trouble...or the finals."
"The finals of course," Serena said. " Muffins aren't a problem..silly..."
"Ehh.." Darrien muttered.
"Uh..but maybe I should go..everyone's trying to figure out how we are going to manage to pass our tests so I can't be late...even though I already am," Serena said and hurried to the door. "Bye," she said and rushed out.
"Uh...yeah.." Darrien said and sighed. She's cute and all..but so
spaced...and the only time she's serious is when she's Sailor Moon or when she's
helping a friend with a crisis. She doesn't even know how to focus. She has to
start doing well. There's no more room for messing up now. I can just guess what
her and her friends are going to come up with for the exams.
Later that day at the restaurant.
"I'm thinking we don't cheat. Instead we rebel..." Mike said with a stupid grin on his face. The rest of the group, except for the absent Amy and Greg, all sighed and shook their heads.
"That's all I've got.." he muttered and sat down.
"It's just a matter of relying on each other to focus for these few weeks and then we're on vacation," Lita said.
"Yeah, that's what we have to do," Raye said.
"We really don't have a choice," Rick said.
"Yeah..it's only for three weeks," Steve said.
"Three weeks isn't that long in the universal scheme of things," Mina said.
"Very true," Serena said. "Hey come on..we're the scouts...we can do anything if we really try."
"Yeah!" the group said in unison.
Three weeks later. The seven sat around a table in Raye's house and stared at each other.
"We have spent the last three weeks reading through all our books, doing examples, and various other studying activities..." Raye said. They all looked at each other.
"It hasn't helped," they all muttered in unison.
"I'm sure you're exaggerating," Amy said in the doorway flanked by Greg.
They shook their heads.
"The words are on the page..they go into our heads..but..it's just not happening," Serena said. "Right?"
The group all nodded.
"I mean sure we have strong points.." Lita said. "Math for Serena."
"History for Lita," Serena said.
"English for Mina..when she actually thinks before she speaks," Raye said.
"Hah...your insult is not going to phase me..for I'm the better of the two.." Mina said.
"Two what?" Raye muttered.
"Shut up..." Mina said.
"What's your strength Raye?" Amy asked.
"Oh..I'm kinda finding English interesting too, but...uh..everything else," she stuck her tongue out."
"We like history," the three guys said.
"Why?" They added.
"Because it has war!" they finished and gave each other a high five. The girls all sighed.
"I'm sure you'll do fine," Amy and Greg muttered.
CHAPTER 181 CHAPTER 182 CHAPTER 183 CHAPTER 184
CHAPTER 185 CHAPTER 186 CHAPTER 187 CHAPTER 188
CHAPTER 189 CHAPTER 190 CHAPTER 191 CHAPTER 192
CHAPTER 193 CHAPTER 194 CHAPTER 195 CHAPTER 196