Chapter 213

Raye ducked the first wave of energy blasts. Mina bounced off the nearest bed and propelled herself forward smashing into the goddess and knocking her out the door.

"Mars Planet Power," Raye shouted.

Mina let out a scream as she was thrown down the corridor.

Mars leapt out the door and threw a kick at the goddess, she adeptly avoided it and blocked it. The two spared back and forth throwing kicks and punches. The goddess flipped backwards and landed firing an energy blast.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" Mars shouted and blasted the energy away. She also set the hallway on fire. Sprinklers kicked in and an alarm went off. People started rushing out of their rooms. Mars had trouble seeing through it. The goddess leapt over the crowd and delivered a blast at point blank range.

Mars fell to the ground.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" Came a shout. Another attack flashed down the hallway. The goddess avoided it and grabbing Mars tossed her towards the flames.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" Venus hurriedly shouted and hit Mars knocking her away from the flames, but hurting her badly in the process. The goddess raced down the hall at Venus and launched another attack. Venus dodged it and tried her attack at close range. The attack missed.

Smoke began to fill the hall.

Mars staggered up..very weakened. The smoke filled her lungs. She began to cough.

The goddess let out a laugh and dashed down the hall.

"Aw..geez.." Venus said and hurried over to Mars.

"Come...on," She said taking hold of her. "Let's get out of here."

More energy blasts flew out of the smoke hitting Venus dead on. She let out a shout of pain and continued to try and help her friend while wincing in pain.

The goddess leapt at the two out of the smoke again, but a trio of energy blats hit her on her way and caught her off guard. Venus grabbed Mars and pulled her out of the way, but then her knees buckled. The Guardian Scouts rushed in and grabbed the two girls and pulled them out of the hotel.

The girls had soon reverted back to their original forms, but they became coughing and the pain inside them was evident..

"Jeez..they really got hurt in there.." Mike said worriedly.

"And there's still a goddess around," Steve said.

The fire department soon arrived and put out the fire. The hotel was relatively undamaged, but Raye and Mina were taken to a nearby hospital.

Later at the regional hospital.

"Well they both suffered some bruises and smoke inhalation," the doctor said. "But they should be fine in a day or so."

"Thanks doc," Mike said.

"Now what do we do?" Rick said.

"We call out that goddess and take her out," Steve said.

"What we should do is call the others," Rick said.

"They can't get here for hours. The goddess could try to attack Raye and Mina while they're weak in the meantime. Let's fight that thing on our own terms," Steve said.

"He's right," Mike said.

"You know it takes at least one of the girls super attacks to beat these things don't you?" Rick said.

The other two nodded.

"That means were going to have to hit her with our attacks at least three times each," Rick said.

"Then we'll do it," Mike said.

Steve nodded.

"All right," Rick said and his eyes narrowed.

The three headed outside the hospital and into the nearby woods.

"Uranus Power."

"Neptune Power."

"Pluto Power."

The three transformed.

"So just how are we going to get the goddess to fight us?" Neptune asked.

"If it was smart it wouldn't answer any challenge," Pluto said. "She would try to get to Raye and Mina."

"Well if we're right here..I don't think it'll be trouble finding her. Besides..come on Goddess..you know that we're the three weakest scouts. You should have a field day!" Uranus shouted. "Here's your rare opportunity!"

"I don't think she can hear you," Neptune said.

"I think she can," Uranus said.

A stream of energy bolts flew at them. They dodged it and fired back in that direction.

The goddess leapt out of the forest and unleashed a barrage at Neptune. He back flipped out of the way and fired his sword.

The goddess was fast, she avoided all three of their attacks and unleashed her own attacks. Pluto was hit with one, he fell back. Uranus charged forward leaping and swinging. He nicked the goddess on the arm. She hit the ground spun around and unleashed an attack. Neptune charged forward. She met him and with her arms filled with energy she turned towards him.

"Ehh.." Neptune said. The goddess attacked. He jumped out of the way at the last second, Uranus came up from behind and unleashed a spin kick. The goddess whirled, but recovered.

"Those tricks aren't going to work!" she shouted and started laughing.

"And just what are you? The goddess of laughter?" Neptune snapped.

"Yes actually," she said.

"Well good for you, you don't even have special power," Pluto said. "Loser."

"Oh..but I do," the goddess said. The ground flashed. The three were hit with energy. They felt no pain. But all three of them started laughing.

"What..a stupid...power..." Neptune said and started laughing.

"In theory yes!" the goddess shouted. And launched an attack. The scouts ducked out of the way. "However, with you laughing your heads off you'll rapidly run out of breath, and furthermore, your concentration will be off!"

She hit Pluto with an attack, he was slammed into a tree.

"You fiend!" Uranus shouted and charged forward swinging his sword in one hand and his fist in the other. The goddess narrowly avoided his attacks and built up her power.

"Look out!" Neptune shouted between laughs. He leapt forward and pushed Uranus out of the way. The blast hit him and knocked him back.

Uranus couldn't keep from laughing.

"This is sick," he stammered and charged forward. The goddess once again avoided his sword stroke. Pluto stood up.

We can't take much more of this. And..we're so angry, and so distracted..we can't get her...but..I have to. Do something. He thought.

"Pluto..Storm Fist Punch!"

He was surprised by the speed of it. But the attack flew from his hands practically instantly. The goddess whirled and was hit before she could react.

You now can use that power when you need to Pluto. Came the voice of Queen Serenity.

"All right.." Pluto said and started laughing.

"This is no laughing matter," The goddess said attacking him.

"Uranus Fire Spikes Attack!"

The attack flew out and hit her in midstream.

"All right!" Uranus said. "I've got some speed."

The goddess still managed to blast Pluto and turn towards the other too.

"Only a scratch," she said.

"Neptune Golden Triton Impale!" Neptune shouted. His attack flew at her. She dodged it, but fell right into Uranus's sword as the two Guardians had leapt following the attack in both directions catching her. Uranus jammed his sword. The goddess fired at point blank range. Uranus was blasted back across the clearing.

The goddess staggered up.

"Neptune Triton Impale!" Neptune shouted. Instead of throwing though, he held his attack and jabbed it into the goddess. She screamed. Neptune held the energy weapon in as she screeched and waited as she built up her energy to try and blast him off. He jumped away at the last second, the triton dissipated. The goddess zeroed in on him and opened fire. He dodged it.

Pluto was standing up in the meantime.

Pluto..you have a new power now.. Came Queen Serenity's voice.

But will it do the job? Pluto asked.

It's hard to say. Still..you should try.

"Right.." Pluto said. The goddess was incredibly preoccupied with Neptune who was still laughing his head off and running low on breath.

"Pluto..Hurricane Punch!" Pluto shouted.

"Uranus..Flame of Desire!" came another shout.

Two attacks converged on the goddess. She was hit and let out a shout as she sank to the ground.

"We haven't gotten her yet.." Pluto said.

"We'd better try it again.." Uranus said.

"So weak.." Pluto said.

"I..know.." Uranus said.

The goddess turned on them and fired. The two barely had enough strength to get out of the way.

"NEPTUNE TIDE OF DESTRUCTION!"

A golden wave of energy flew from Neptune and blasted through the goddess. . She stood there trying to build up her energy.

"You..won't..win...I've..got..you," she said.

The three Guardians raised their swords with their remaining strength and fired. The goddess disintegrated. The three collapsed to the ground and reverted back into their original forms.

Later.

"Well..you teenagers are just a load of trouble," the doctor said. "They find you lying on the ground practically unconscious..just what happened out of there?"

"Same creature that caused the fire..got to us," Rick muttered. "Thanks for fixing us up."

"I suggest you three rest for a little while, you don't look too good," the doctor said.

The three gave her a thumbs up.

Raye meanwhile was stirring.

Rick walked over.

"Raye? You awake?" he asked.

"Rick..." Raye said. "What happened?"

"You set fire to a hotel, that's what.." Rick replied with a grin.

"Oh..yeah..I did didn't I?" Raye muttered. "The goddess.."

"We got her," Rick said.

"You did? How?"

"Teamwork," Mike sand Steve said sliding up.

"No..really..what happened?" Raye asked.

The three started laughing and then began coughing.

"Laughing's a bad idea," Mike said. The other two nodded.

"Ah..Miss Hino is it? You're suffering from some slight smoke inhalation as well as some bruises, you should rest for a while," the doctor said.

"Hey..Mina's waking up," Mike said. "Check this out."

He walked over and stood over her looking down as her eyes opened.

"Welcome..to the great beyond. I am god," Mike said.

Mina smacked him.

"You deserved that," The doctor said. "Don't harass my patients."

"I assure you Miss Deveraux you are not dead," the doctor said.

"I know that," Mina said. "Why do you think I smacked god there?"

"Heretic," Mike muttered.

Three hours later, back in Tokyo.

"I guess that's the last of it," Greg said placing some things back into his room in Amy's house.

"Yeah..you didn't take much with you," Amy said. "It's good to have you back around here."

"It's good to be back..but my being here...won't interfere with you and Urawa..will it?"

"It would hope not," Amy said. "I'm sure that you and Urawa Ryo will have no trouble getting along."

"Yeah..I guess. But I just didn't want to get in the way."

"Don't worry," Amy said. "By the way. I just got a call from Mina on the communicator. They had a goddess attack up where they're staying, but they managed to beat it off. They were all pretty banged up though."

"Oh..it's too bad," Greg said.

"Yeah, but they'll be fine in a day or so. And it doesn't look like we have any goddess attacks to worry about for a couple of days or so."

"They've never attack without at least two days of rest or whatever they need."

"Let's hope that keeps up," Greg said.

"I just wish we could fight them and get it over with."

"Yeah, me too," Greg said. "Uh Amy..I uh.have been having some trouble lately."

"Oh? With what?"

"It's Hotaru...ever since D.V. left she's needed me to fill in for him in her training and I'm no good at it."

"Has she said that."

"No..but..believe me..I shouldn't be a role model for anyone..it's really hard to talk to her. She's still learning."

"Yeah..I guess it would be hard. But I'm sure you're doing well."

"It's so hard to say. She shows no emotion."

"From what D.V. said. She's laughed a few times."

"He also said it was very unnerving," Greg said.

"True. Do you want me to come along and help?" Amy said.

"Uh no..I don't want you using your time..I just..I don't know..I have no idea how to deal with this. I'm not a mentor."

"Hmm..I don't know what to tell you. I wish I did," Amy said. "Hotaru's going through a difficult time."

"Yeah..so am I."

"Then use that."

"What?"

"You share something in common with her. Go with it," Amy said.

"I don't know if she's interested in my problems," Greg said.

"Greg..why do you think she's talking to you, she wants to know you handle your problems."

"Hmm..good point," Greg said. "I'll try it."

"Good. Well..I'll see you in a few hours."

"Enjoy things with Urawa."

"I intend to," Amy said. "Oh..and Greg..he's been treating me fine. So don't worry."

"Me? I'm okay with it."

"You weren't before."

"That was strange.. I don't know what came over me..but as I remember, everyone that was born as a result of your father's genes was acting a little strangely that day."

"True," Amy said. "See you tonight."

She headed out.

"She's enjoying herself. I wonder what their relationship will be like once school starts," Greg asked himself.

The phone rang seven minutes later.

"Hello," Greg said. "Oh..Urawa..yes...she just left..you'll be fifteen minutes late? Okay..I'll try and get her the message," Greg said and hung up.

Greg pulled out his communicator.

"Hey..Amy..sorry..to use this for unofficial business.." Greg said.

"What is it?" Amy asked.

"Urawa says he's going to be fifteen minutes late."

"Oh..all right..well I'm already on my way..so..I'll kill some time."

"Right..enjoy," Greg said and cut the link.

Amy was soon sitting on a bench in a park looking around at the billboards on the surrounding building. One caught her eye, that of a three person idol band.

"The three lights.." Amy said. "They've been building up and soon they'll be idol sensations I bet, if previous fan behavior is any indication."

"Taking in the scenery," came a voice. Amy turned to see Michiru standing there with her violin case under one arm.

"Oh hello Michiru," Amy said.

"Waiting for Urawa?"

"How'd you know?"

"You have that look on your face, the look girls have when they're waiting for that someone to appear...Serena has it, Raye, Mina..Lita.." she said. "Haruka.." she added.

"Really?" Amy asked.

"It's a long story," Michiru said. "It's good that you've found someone. I know it must be a little discouraging to find out your first two attempts at romance also happened to be closely related to you."

"It was a little annoying," Amy said. "Two? Michiru..only Greg and I..ever..flirted with.."

"Sure..sure.." Michiru said. "But it wasn't really dating, just close relatives spending time together..you should be lucky, you've got an excuse."

"Hmm..maybe," Amy said. "Urawa is not a blood relation I had that checked," she said with determination.

"How?"

"Oh..it's not important how.." Amy said with a silly chuckle. "Needless to say...he's a great guy. I'm glad I found him."

"That's good," Michiru said. "Is he late or something?"

"He said he would be, but I had no where else to be."

"Me too. Haruka's late getting out of work. I came out here to play a little. So far the population hasn't complained."

"Michiru, you're one of the best violinists in the city, why would anyone complain?" Amy asked.

"Sometimes humans surprise me with their tolerance or intolerance of certain things."

"You speak of us as with they're alien to you," Amy said.

"In some ways..they are.." Michiru said.

"Michiru..do you ever hope to find someone?" Amy asked. "You know.."

"Hmm..good question," Michiru said. "I guess I don't think about it that much. Haruka and I..are..close..and I guess I just don't have the time to think about it. It's not that deep down I'm not interested, I can flirt...trust me..but.."

"I know," Amy said. "Too many other things."

"Uh huh," Michiru said. "Haruka's nice enough to work so I can devote a lot of time to my violin. Of course I also keep the apartment clean, but I also have to be a scout you know..and we devote a lot of time to that. We've always been the first line of defense."

Amy nodded.

"It's not easy some times. We're very good at what we do. We're strong. But..there are sometimes..even we don't want to go into battle. It's not because of fear. Just annoyance. How many more battles do we have to fight?" Michiru asked.

"I wonder that myself," Amy said.

"Well..don't..it's counterproductive, trust me...we'll never lose."

"How are you so sure?" Amy asked.

"Because we're the good guys," Michiru said with a grin.

The two laughed.

"So..where's Urawa taking you?" Michiru asked.

"Oh..we're going to several of the museums down town. He's taking me to the national music gallery as well."

"It's a very nice place there. I never figured you were into it though. I have no reason not to believe it..actually..but."

"I'm not very open about it. But there is a lot of music I like. Have you ever visited that site on the Internet where this mysterious writer publishes his songs."

"Amy..there are about a million of those."

"He's called T.K."

"Oh..T.K? Yeah..you found that too huh?"

"Uh huh."

"I'm not surprised. He has a rhythm to him that is beyond words," Michiru said. "I'm glad you found it, it's something that I hope more and more people get to hear."

"Yes..I..."

Her eyes widened. Michiru spun around. A barrage of laser blasts flew at them. The two stumbled out of the way of the attacks.

"Great..just great.." Amy said.

"I know the feeling," Michiru said. "Come on.."

The two hurried through the park. Suddenly their ears were filled with music.

"Where's that coming from?" Amy asked.

Michiru looked behind them and stopped.

"It disappeared," she said.

Both of them were hit with blasts.

"The music..it's covering up the sound of the blasts," Michiru said hurriedly as the two tried to run away again.

"We have to find someplace to transform," Amy said.

"Amy..you go..I'll try and get this thing," Michiru said.

They were hit with blasts again. Michiru spun and leapt forward. The goddess stood behind them and leapt out of the way. Michiru turned and raced after it. Amy looked for the nearest place to hide. She noticed a sewer pipe.

"I hate sewers," She muttered and crawled in pulling out her power stick as she did so. Michiru meanwhile was desperately trying to keep the goddess in her sights. She had taken the time to hit the emergency button on her communicator, but there was little else she could do. The goddess leapt at her with great speed and she narrowly avoided the attack. She let out a gasp. The goddess fired. She scurried out of the way, annoyed at how unprepared she was.

The music gave her no sense of sound, and it was distracting. The goddess fired again. She was hit in the knee. She stumbled to a stop and knelt wincing. The goddess warmed up her energy for another attack.

"MERCURY AQUA RHAPSODY!"

Her attack flew straight into the goddess back and knocked her down. The music seemed to falter. The goddess whirled. All that was behind her was a pond.

Way to go Mercury. Michiru thought and hurried away. The goddess advanced towards the water curiously. A wave of water flew up from surface and knocked her down. Mercury swam out of the water and stood in front of her.

"You're making me late for my date, now you're going to pay for it! You're going to feel the wrath of my love!" she shouted going through the motions usually reserved for the other love crazed Sailor Scouts.

She rushed forward and grabbed the goddess, she kicked her into the pond.

"Mercury Ice Bubbles Freeze!" She shouted using a long underused attack. The pond froze solidly freezing the goddess in place. The goddess built up her energy to cut her self free.

"Mercury..Ice Storm Blast!" She shouted. The goddess was hit and pulverized.

Sailor Neptune dropped to the ground.

"Guess you showed her," Neptune said.

"I couldn't have done it without you distracting her," Mercury said.

"Very true," Neptune said. "That was brilliant you know swimming in the water behind her. She never saw you coming."

"I sort of had to figure things out as I was going along," Mercury said.

Neptune nodded.

"You'd better find Urawa.."

"Ooo..your right," Mercury said and hurried off to change back.

"She's very dangerous when she's in love," Neptune said with a grin and pulled out her communicator.

"Haruka are you there?" she asked.

"I'm on my way." Uranus said.