Chapter 215
In a large meeting room at SDF headquarters, a long table had been set up with the usual figures sitting around them. General Nagumo, General Patterson, the negaverse generals, Colonel Nagumo and the other SDF staff. Chief Ozaki, and his daughter sat nearby with a few officers. At the head of the table sat Sylia Coral.
"All right have you made any progress in dealing with this enemy threat?" Coral asked.
"Some.." General Nagumo said. "But then again this enemy is not being too blatant about their intentions."
"They've just been doing some random attacks here and there," General Patterson said.
"There must be some reason for what they're doing though," Coral said.
"They could be just trying to be terrorists," Chief Ozaki said.
"I'm not sure about that," Captain Ozaki said.
Everyone looked at her.
"Well I've been doing some investigating, that's all," she said. "And I've uncovered some information."
"Please continue," Prime Minister Coral said.
Chief Ozaki wondered why his daughter hadn't brought him the information first.
"Well..I interviewed several of the witnesses of the affair. And the targets have always seemed to be teenagers. And not just that, but ones who associate themselves with each other," Captain Ozaki said.
General Patterson whispered something in Maxfield Stanton's ear. He nodded.
"Associate themselves..you mean they're friends?" General Nagumo asked.
"Yes..sort of..I did some checking on them. They all attend the same school. Juuban High School.." Captain Ozaki said.
"Which has been attacked several times by enemy forces before," Colonel Nagumo said. "I think you're onto something."
"So do I.." Maxfield Stanton said and filled the room with energy. The Prime Minister, the police, and the military officers were all hit with some energy, with the exception of General Patterson and the other negaverse generals.
"Ahem..so..let's get this meeting started," Coral said. "Have you found out anything?"
Patterson glanced at Nephlite and smiled slightly. Nephlite nodded.
"Hotaru..don't you like your food?" her father asked as they sat across from the breakfast table.
"It does not taste good,"Hotaru said.
"You've eaten it every morning for the past month. You've never had a problem with it before."
"Maybe the fact that I have eaten it constantly might be the reason it is so unpalatable," Hotaru replied.
"Hmm..maybe," Doctor Tomoe said. "Here..try a banana."
"Banana? What a stupid name," Hotaru said and bit into it.
"Hotaru..you should take the skin off first," Doctor Tomoe said worriedly.
"I know that is the conventional way to do it," Hotaru muttered and continued to chew, before spitting the skin onto the floor.
"You should clean that up," Doctor Tomoe said.
"I have every intention of doing so," Hotaru said.
"So..what are you planning to do today?"
"I do not know."
"Oh...are you going to meet with that friend of yours."
"Friend is a term I do not know applies. While it may be true that others are being friendly to me, I do not believe myself capable of being friendly to them, so friendship is not an issue."
"Maybe," Doctor Tomoe said. "You do know who I mean though."
"We might talk, I am not so sure at this time," Hotaru said. "He has his own life."
"So he does. The good news is I'll be able to spend some time around the house soon, we're just about finished with our latest development."
"Then you'll merely find another one," Hotaru said. "Using conventional science to combat an enemy not of this world is not an easy task. I do not mind that you are not here."
"You do deep down."
"Continue your work. I will manage."
"I don't like to hear that Hotaru. I want to have my old daughter back, but I also need to pay the bills, and considering we've been out of circulation for a while there are several. Once that happens, I hope I can help you more. It seems like your friends want to help you though."
"Friends..yes.." Hotaru said disturbed by that word.
"What bothers you so much about those words."
"I do not know why they are my friends," Hotaru said. "I can give them nothing in return."
"They hope someday you will," Tomoe said.
"Oh..they'll probably be disappointed," Hotaru said.
"They hope they won't be."
"Yes..I guess so."
"No..no..this won't work," Mike said with annoyance staring at his computer screen. "So I've managed to write twenty pages. That's good. The fact that I haven't written anything else is bad. There has to be somewhere else I can go with this plot."
"How about a cemetery?" Steve muttered walking in the door.
"A cemetery..now that could work.." Mike said and started typing away.
"Just what are you doing?" Steve asked.
"Writing the all American novel."
"In Japan?"
"We've been over this before."
"True," Steve said.
"So what brings you by?"
"Just thought I'd swing by and see how things are going," Steve said. "You know..it's been some time since we kicked some butt up north."
"And got our butts kicked."
"Sure..but think about it. It was the first time we ever did anything scout related really well."
"True," Mike said. "We'd better stop before it ruins our image."
"I was just thinking..what if we cracked this thing wide open," Steve said.
"What do you mean?" Mike asked turning away from the computer.
"I mean we solve this thing."
"Are you kidding?"
"No..no.." Steve said. "I mean it."
"Steve...we're the Guardian Scouts, the low end of the totem pole..we're not even merchandisable at this point."
"I saw an action figure a few days ago..not a very good likeness but.."
"Never mind.." Mike said. "Now..listen..I'm enough trouble when I'm in a room by myself all day, now..is not the time for us to go looking for evil. It comes to us on it's own."
"But think Mike."
"What?"
"Think about how cool it would be if we brought these goddesses down."
"It's not a crime ring Steve. You can't just go to their headquarters in the old abandoned pool hall and fight em. Besides, we can't beat all of them."
"Let me ask ya something Steve. If there's so many of them. How come they only attack one at a time?"
"Don't know."
"Exactly."
"Exactly? What's that supposed to mean."
"It means..that..they can't do it."
"I don't follow..." Mike said.
"I say we beat them one by one."
"Oh..that's your plan."
"Yep eventually we'll stop em for good."
"So you're suggesting we try and hunt them down."
"Right..we watch for them. They go after the girls we go after them."
"Do you know how much down time we'd have to spend waiting."
"Yes..but I've got the time."
"I don't," Mike said.
"Why? Because you're writing something no one's gonna read."
"Even if I did have the time, the two of us can't accomplish anything without at least Rick along. And he has a girlfriend."
"Well..yes..but Greg doesn't. Greg can fill in where Rick isn't."
"So you're saying that the three of us just run around looking for trouble and try and become the literal batmen of this city?"
"Yeah."
"You're nuts."
"No..I'm just bored," Steve said and sighed.
"Oh so..this was your solution."
"Yeah.."
"Pathetic."
"I am curious," Hotaru said as she and Greg headed down the street.
"Yes.." Greg said.
"Why are you helping me?"
"Don't you want me..uh..to."
"I didn't mean that. But why is that when I asked, you agreed?"
"Because I..we..all went to see you feel better."
"Why? Considering that I tried to destroy this planet."
"You didn't, the forces controlling you did."
"Still..have I redeemed myself?"
"Sure you have. You've fought alongside us against evil. That redeems you."
"Maybe as a scout. But in my human form, I have done little to prove myself as a friend to anyone."
"I think we all want to see the day when you do. And that's why we're helping."
"But..why?"
"Hotaru..it's very hard to explain the inner operations that make anyone like anyone else. But it does happen. People like each other. People love each other, not always sure why they are attracted. What I know is that we all like you, and we want to help you."
Hotaru stared at him.
"So in all honesty you don't know?" she asked.
"Hotaru, no human understands the inner workings of themselves that well. We know what goes on a level above it."
"I see," Hotaru said. "Then I am learning already. Perhaps my questions should be more thought out."
"You seem to be putting plenty of thought into them. I can see the problem though."
"Problem?"
"Uh..well..it's not like that. I mean..Hotaru...we question our existence, our reasons for living, that kind of stuff all the time. We never find an answer. But you're starting from scratch, so all these questions are coming up, it makes sense to ask them. But we don't have answers. Even if you were to get to the social level of any of your friends you wouldn't have the answers."
"That is disappointing," Hotaru said. "Very well. I do not have much time before school. We must speed up my training if that is all right."
"Uh..sure..if it'll help," Greg said.
"If it wouldn't. Why would I suggest it?"
"Uh..good point," Greg said. "So what do you want to do?"
"Let's go somewhere where I am supposed to have fun, and see if it will happen."
"Uh.all right. I know some places," Greg said. "Uh..Hotaru..can I ask you something?"
"Now you are curious about my life?"
"Yes..."
"Interesting. Please..ask your question."
"Well...when you were with D.V. There were some times when you laughed."
"Yes."
"Uh.why?"
"I guess I must have found what was happening to be funny," Hotaru said.
"Have you laughed since then?"
"No," Hotaru said. "I almost miss the experience."
"I'll see what I can do about it," Greg said. "But usually you don't show emotion."
"That has been my problem yes."
"It's strange that would be the first to show."
"It's not. I am sad often."
"Oh. Haven't you been angry?"
"Slightly."
"That's a good sign I guess."
"Why?"
"Any emotion's better then no emotion."
"Why? It's not good to feel sad or angry. The only time emotions have seemed to show any use is when I was laughing."
"Yes..but..like it or not, those other emotions are a part of us. Being happy isn't as good if we haven't been sad before."
"So the opposite makes the positive stronger."
"Yes...and vice versa I guess."
"Interesting concept. It is too bad I am not happy, or else I might understand."
"Let's see if we can get you to be happy."
"You will probably fail."
"Maybe, maybe not," Greg said. "I've gotta try."
"Why?"
Greg sighed.
Meanwhile at Darrien's apartment complex, Mister Tsukino was scanning the address list at the bottom floor.
"Hmm..who could it be. Just who would this mystery man be?" he said to himself and his eyes narrowed.
"I shall take all these names down, and then continue the research at home.."
he cackled slightly.
At that very moment Serena was actually several floors up sitting in Darrien's living room sipping some tea.
"Darrien, I have been in love with many people. I've also seen other girls in love with..many..people," Serena said. "And I have to say the scariest person I've ever encountered is Amy. She's on the verge of being dangerous."
"Really? I hadn't noticed," Darrien said.
"Obviously you haven't talked to her lately," Serena muttered. "The other girls all agree. She's bordering on..I don't know..oblivion."
"Oblivion?" Darrien asked.
"Sure..sure..the way she's going," Serena said. "Complete overkill. I didn't think she'd be this crazy, but believe me, she is. And when she's on a date...whew..it's just.."
"How do you know how's she like on a date?" Darrien asked.
"Because we've been following her around for some of them," Serena said.
"At least your honest about it," Darrien said.
"We've found that being honest about dishonest activities makes it all right."
"It does?"
"Yep."
"So with Amy like this, should we all build a bunker and hole up for awhile?"
"No..no..I don't think it's that serious. But I would be wary. One never can tell."
"All right," Darrien said. "If you say so. So where do you want to go today?"
"Hmm...why don't you choose?" Serena said.
"That's a change," Darrien said.
"We are a couple Darrien, it's no use me doing all the thinking is it?"
"No, I guess not," Darrien said. "I'll have to put some thought into this."
"A video arcade..hmm.." Hotaru said.
"I don't come down here that much, but it can be fun," Greg said.
"Very well. Which game should I play."
"Everyone usually tries out the Sailor V game."
"Sailor V? What is that?"
"Oh..well..it's a comic book turned television show based on Mina you might say."
"Strange," Hotaru said and sat down. Greg put a quarter in.
Hotaru looked at the controls. She calmly manipulated them and moved the Sailor V character
across the screen shooting the enemies. When she was hit she stopped and stared at the screen.
"I thought I had avoided that one," Hotaru said. "This game is not very realistic."
"It's not supposed to be," Greg said.
"Oh..that is fortunate," Hotaru said. The game started up again. She moved the character across the screen. Once again she was hit.
"That was unfair," she said.
"Maybe we should try a different one," Greg said.
"No. I do not comprehend why I have been beaten so easily by a pixilized thing on this screen. Please let me continue this game."
"Okay," Greg said and put in another quarter.
Hotaru's eyes narrowed.
It was dead quiet in Lita's room aside from the ticking clock. She sat silently immersed in her meditation. She was getting quite good at this. She thought and then immediately blocked the thought out of her mind.
"LITA!" Came a shout from below. Her eyes snapped open.
"Uh oh. Dad's home," She said worriedly. "He's probably wondering about the wall."
Her father appeared in the doorway.
"Let me guess. While you were up practicing your black magic or whatever, someone broke in and stole part of the wall?"
"No..no..dad..when I'm meditating my sense of detection is heightened, not lowered," Lita said with a slight grin.
"So what did happen?" he asked.
"Would you believe we had an enemy attack right here?"
"I hope so, and that it wasn't some sort of party."
"Party? Why would I have a party here?"
"I don't know..still...that hole in the wall's a little to big for just a party to have caused it."
"You're saying you've seen party's where.."
"Being a cop takes you to some strange places. Yeah..I've seen parties that have resulted in large holes in cement walls, but I'll take your word for it," he said. "But Lita..how am I supposed to make out an insurance report for this one."
Lita shrugged.
Her father glanced at her.
"Just one question. Did you get the monster?"
"Yeah..we got it..eventually," Lita said.
"And what happened to the door?"
"That was the party," Lita said.
"What party?" her father snapped with a seriousness she didn't expect.
"I was just kidding," she said.
"Oh..that's good," her father said and and headed out.
Meanwhile back at the arcade.
"Dang it! IT CHEATED!" Hotaru shouted.
"Uh oh.." Greg said.
"You saw it! You all saw it!" Hotaru said. "How is this game supposed to relieve stress when it merely exaggerates the unfair conditions that exist in the real world!"
"Maybe you've had too much there Hotaru.." Greg said.
"No..no..the stimulation is a strange sensation!" Hotaru said and put in one of her own quarters.
"Say..who's that?" Andrew asked walking up to Greg.
"Hotaru Tomoe. She's a friend of ours. We're helping her get adjusted to uh..life," Greg said.
"I shot it! I swear I did!" Hotaru shouted.
"She seems to be having fun," Andrew said with a slight grin.
"Believe it or not, this may be good for her," Greg said.
"Interesting."
"It's a long story..you should ask Serena about sometime."
"Okay," Andrew said.
"These controls are dysfunctional!" Hotaru said and stood up and headed out.
"Dysfunctional?" Andrew asked. "Does that adjective fit?"
Greg shrugged and hurried after her.
Minutes later.
"I don't know what to say," Greg said.
"I was angry," Hotaru said. "And for no justifiable reason."
"Those games can be frustrating."
"Maybe..however, the fact that my emotional response was so profound."
"You're not the first one to say that, we'll maybe not that way..but.."
"The game wasn't fun though," Hotaru said. "Fun isn't anger."
"Not usually."
"There is a goddess nearby," Hotaru said.
"You can sense her?"
"Yes...she will attack me."
"Are you sure you're the target."
"Yes.." Hotaru said. "Please go off and prepare yourself. I will draw her in."
"But if we.."
"No...I have done this before, and it worked."
"Okay..." Greg said and headed for the door. Hotaru followed and went in an opposite direction. Greg hurried around into an alley and transformed. Hotaru continued on in human form.
The goddess leapt off of a rooftop and swung a large energy scythe at her. Hotaru avoided it and hurried into an alley. She turned pulling out her power stick. The goddess's weapon flew out and knocked the power stick out of her hand. Hotaru let out a little shout.
"I am the goddess of solitude, and I am here to make sure you die alone," the goddess said.
"Then you will fail," Hotaru said. "And the scythe is blatant plagiarism."
The goddess attacked her again. A blue bolt of energy flew at the goddess and hit her knocking her off balance. Guardian Saturn leapt to the ground grabbed Hotaru's power stick and handed it to her. He then faced off with the goddess.
The goddess said nothing further and charged forward swinging her scythe. Saturn met it with the sword and the two sparred. Hotaru finished her transformation to Sailor Saturn.
"I will take care of this," she said and pushed her scythe into block the goddess. Guardian Saturn backed off and aimed his sword. The goddess broke off and swung her scythe. Energy flashed down the alley and hit both of them.
"I'm more powerful then my predecessors," she said.
Guardian Saturn fired his sword again. The goddess batted it away and sent another barrage at him.
"Run.." Sailor Saturn said wincing. "I will fight her. You find another way."
"Uh..okay," Guardian Saturn and leapt down the alley. Sailor Saturn stood there her scythe in her hand.
"Attack me again.." Sailor Saturn said. "I will take the pain."
The goddess did just that.
"Saturn Mist Wave!" Saturn said calling on her power. The energy hit her and swept by. She launched her attack anyway. It hit the goddess and pushed her back.
"I can take a lot more of that!" she shouted and charged forward. Saturn turned her scythe and fired a blast from the handle. The goddess jumped out of the way in surprise.
"I figured as much!" Saturn said and slid forward swinging her scythe right into the goddess. She dug it in. The goddess cried out and tried to hack at her with her own scythe. Saturn avoided it.
"Saturn Mist Wave!" she shouted and unleashed the attack at point blank range. The goddess shrieked with the scythe still through her.
"Saturn..let me finish her," Guardian Saturn said leaping up from behind the ailing goddess.
"Very well..you have been spared a prolonged death," Sailor Saturn said and stepped away.
"Saturn Ice Rings Blast!" Saturn shouted.
The goddess vaporized.
"She was difficult," Sailor Saturn said. "However, no match for us."
"Apparently not," Guardian Saturn said. "Are you all right?"
"Physical pain is rarely a concern for me," Sailor Saturn said and winced.
CHAPTER 201 CHAPTER 202 CHAPTER 203 CHAPTER 204 CHAPTER 205
CHAPTER 206 CHAPTER 207 CHAPTER 208 CHAPTER 209 CHAPTER 210
CHAPTER 211 CHAPTER 212 CHAPTER 213 CHAPTER 214 CHAPTER 215
CHAPTER 216 CHAPTER 217 CHAPTER 218 CHAPTER 219 CHAPTER 220
CHAPTER 221 CHAPTER 222 CHAPTER 223 CHAPTER 224 CHAPTER 225