Chapter 217
"Why would you even consider meeting the challenge?" Michiru asked.
"Because that's what your supposed to do," Haruka said.
"Maybe in feudal times, but not now. Besides, what do these goddesses know about honor?"
"That's the problem isn't it? It's not what they know, it's what we know."
"And since when have the two of us been interested in honor? We're supposed to protect this planet at any price. It's everyone else who sets boundaries for themselves."
"True," Haruka said. "But...I like to think that I have some sense of honor, at least now. I mean..when the world isn't on the line shouldn't I try to be as honorable as possible."
"Yes that's true, but the sole reason that the goddess is trying to meet you alone is so it can beat you when you have no help," Michiru said.
"That is the obvious reason it is doing it," Haruka said. "Yes, but.."
"There is no but. Give me one good reason for meeting the challenge."
"I want to," Haruka said.
Michiru's eyes widened.
"Haruka, think about what you're saying. What could you gain from this?"
"Those goddesses fooled me once. They got me to suspect you, you. The one who I trust the most. I intend to make them pay for it."
"And they know that's why you'd listen. That was their plan. What if they can send more then one goddess into this world at one time, then you're really in trouble."
"I'll call you using a cell phone,"Haruka said.
"It may be too late,"Michiru said.
"Listen..even if that happens, at least will learn they're capable of doing it."
"By you dying to prove it?"
"I can come back."
"Yes, once...I'm surprised you think so little of death, after all we've seen," Michiru said.
"I have to do this," Haruka said. "I need my revenge."
"I can't let you go," Michiru said.
"You have to," Haruka said. "It's my right."
"To get yourself killed? It takes two scouts to beat them at least, how do you expect to.."
"I'm equal to two of the scouts, I've got the power and the fighting skill," Haruka said.
"I can't believe you," Michiru said. "This isn't like you at all. Are you sure your not under their influence again?"
"I'm not," Haruka said. "Now I have to go or I'll be late for work. My job at Police Headquarters doesn't start till tomorrow, I have to quit all the others."
"I'm going with you," Michiru said.
"If you must," Haruka said.
"I'm not going to let you go off to challenge that goddess."
"And what makes you think you can stop me?" Haruka said.
This stunned Michiru.
"I thought that the years we've spent working together and as friends would mean something. That you would accept my judgement."
"Normally I would. But this is different. I need to do this."
"Just what are you going to prove?" Michiru asked.
"It's not a matter of proving anything," Haruka said. "I just want to beat one of those goddesses to a pulp."
"So you choose the one who can uproot the Earth itself?"
"That is unfortunate, but I will fight who challenged me."
"Your stubbornness is going to get you killed if not now, then eventually."
"Michiru..please.." Haruka said.
"Please what? Stop caring about you? Stop trying to keep you from making a major mistake! Stop trying to keep you from getting killed!"
"You haven't wanted revenge before?"
"Yes, I have, but I know better. Revenge can destroy the hunter as well as the target! You know that too. Sure, sometimes it gets hard, sometimes you want to do something rash, even stupid. But you have to know better. I do. And what about you? I'd expect this out of the other scouts, but not you. You've seen what can happen."
"Yes, and I'm willing to take that chance. It's about time I did something."
"So that's what it is, you're upset because you haven't been able to get them. That you're busy working and the rest of us are actually fighting the enemy. I'd consider that a blessing not a curse."
"Maybe, but I don't like seeming so useless in the face of all this."
"Life isn't just about being sailor scouts," Michiru said. "Your work is very important to sustain us."
"And while I'm working the scouts could use my assistance. I don't like substituting my needs for the good of the planet's."
"So you're overcompensating with this?"
"Maybe...but once it's done, it's done," Haruka said.
"As much as I'd like to stomp off in anger I'm afraid to. Because the minute I do, you're going to run off to fight that goddess. So I guess I have to watch you until who knows when. Thank you so much for making me have to nursemaid you Haruka."
"Just let me go Michiru," Haruka said.
"Not a chance."
"Okay..okay..let's try it again," Rick said. They had setup their band equipment in the gymnasium at Juuban High School. Rick was on guitar, Steve had a bass. Mike had his keyboard and drums set up nearby. Raye was holding a microphone.
"Rick we've been at this for three hours," Mike muttered.
"Yeah..we need a break," Steve said.
"But we're almost there for this song," Rick said. "Just a couple more times and.."
"We'll go insane," Mike and Steve replied.
"Raye what do you think?" Rick asked.
"Just once more Rick, they're right," Raye said.
"Okay..just one more time then we'll break," Rick said.
"Also keep in mind what we'll break," Mike said.
Steve nodded.
The band started up playing one of their newer songs.
"The bad news is that they've got this band performance this weekend so their going to be spending all their time working on it," Greg said.
"Doesn't leave much of an opening to talk to them does it?" Artemas said.
"I guess if I were a better leader I could figure out a way to convince them or come up with some ingenious solution, but I'm really not a creative problem solver when it comes to that."
"Yeah, we'll see what we can do. Still..you can lead by example."
"Yeah I know," Greg said. "Still...lead by example where?"
"These goddess have been quite elusive, that is true. Luna and I have no clue where to start looking for them. With some enemies, you could sense their powers, you could learn some things about them, but this is completely baffling. It doesn't seem like the goddesses are a major threat, but they've come close to doing some damage, and that worries me."
"Amy looked at the scans Maverick had gotten of the of the goddesses. They haven't been any help really. Except the energy they use is of a different form then we've encountered before."
"Oh...that's annoying. But I guess we'd have to expect different enemies to try different strategies to beat us."
"I don't know, these enemies don't really seem to know what to do."
"That's true," Artemas said. "There's no way to take advantage of that unpreparedness."
"Too bad we can't capture one."
"What if we could?" Artemas said. "Then we could figure out what was going on."
"Wouldn't it be dangerous though?"
"Probably, but it's worth thinking about," Artemas said.
In the living room.
"So have you and Urawa been having fun?" Mina asked.
"Yes, we've been going to a lot of interesting places, having some philosophical discussions, it's been wonderful," Amy said solemnly.
"What? There's a catch isn't there?" Mina asked.
"He just told me the strangest thing about the sailor scouts. He has the whole conspiracy theory in which he thinks we're some kind of evil organization just posing as the good guys."
"What an idiot.." Mina said. "Ahem...sorry."
"Just think for a moment Mina, what if we were to go farther with our relationship?"
"You mean.." Mina said and gave a thumbs up.
"I meant marriage."
"Then..." Mina said and gave the thumbs up.
"THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE!" Amy snapped. "Ahem..what I meant was if we...got married wouldn't I be obligated to tell him who I really was."
"No," Mina said.
"But just say we were still fighting evil at that point. Might he wonder just where I was running off to at all hours of the day?"
"I think you're getting worried over nothing. Marriage hasn't come up yet, if it did, and you'd have to be a fast worker for that, but anyways.. you worry about it then. Hopefully we won't have to deal with these evil forces forever, and considering most relationships don't work out anyway..I think it'll be all right," Mina said.
"Oh...I guess," Amy said nervously.
"Glad I could help, is Artemas here?"
"He's up with Greg," Amy said.
"I think I'll have a little talk with him," Mina said.
A minute later.
"Artemas..where have you been?" Mina asked.
"You threw me out of the house remember?" Artemas said.
"Oh..silly..I would never do that," Mina said. "Why don't you come back?"
"I like it here."
"Oh...you do? Why?" Mina asked.
Greg sat there trying not to get involved.
"I get well fed and I don't have to listen to you," Artemas said.
"I feed you well too," Mina said. "And I think you should know something," she said picking him up and holding him in front of her.
"I don't take criticism well.." she said staring at him.
"I know that," Artemas said. "But do you take scratches to the face well?"
"Hmm.." Mina muttered and put him down. "Fine be that way," She said and stormed out.
"That wasn't a very nice conversation," Greg said.
"It's always good to mess with her from time to time," Artemas said.
"Really?" Greg asked.
"Sure," Artemas said.
Serena was staring at nothing it all it seemed. Across from her Molly and Lizzie were becoming concerned.
"Is she having a seizure?" Lizzie asked.
"No..I think she's in love," Molly said.
"But why is she staring off into space like that?" Lizzie asked.
"Not sure, maybe she's got the bug bad," Molly said.
The two snapped their fingers.
"Serena?" they asked.
Serena blinked.
"Hi..guys..how long have you been here?" she asked.
"Serena we were having a conversation just a minute ago," Molly said.
"You were telling us about Darrien taking you to that nice restaurant tonight," Lizzie said.
"Oh right, isn't he dreamy?" Serena asked.
"Yes..we've been over this," Lizzie said.
"Oh..but why was I talking about it again?"
"We don't know," the girls muttered.
"Hmm..that's a problem," Serena said.
Elsewhere.
"Gentlemen and ladies! I give you our latest anti-negaverse deterrent!" Doctor Tomoe said pulling the canvas of another missile, this one more conventional looking, almost to the level of being hand held.
"The kung pao missile!" Doctor Richter chimed in.
"You named it the KUNG PAO missile?" Chief Ozaki said. "What kind of stupid name is that?"
"The first one that came into our heads," Tomoe said and laughed.
"You're insane," Ozaki said.
"They're also very good at what they do," General Nagumo said.
"No wonder you guys put up so little of a fight the first time we invaded," Zoicite muttered.
"Yeah, if it hadn't been for your inability to win any battles against some ditzy teenagers, we would have been in trouble," General Patterson replied.
"Touche," Nephlite said with a grin.
At Tokyo University, Darrien found himself starring at a book intently. A figure came up and placed their hands over his eyes.
"Guess who?" a female voice said.
"Furi..don't do that," Darrien said.
"Why? You don't like me teasing you?" Furuhata Sagara said with a grin.
"It's not that..I.." Darrien said. "What brings you by?"
"Heh..just thought I'd swing through your department see how things were going with the joint project. So have you and Serena set a date yet?"
"Furi, we're not going to get married until Serena's at least out of college."
"Oh..so it'll be about another decade ey?"
Darrien glanced at her.
"I'm happy for you, I really am. But remember, if you ever get a divorce, I'll be waiting."
"Furi, you're not the first girl who's told me that," Darrien said.
"Oh..so there's a waiting list?" Furi asked. Darrien sighed.
A few hours later.
"Dang it!" Steve said. "I hate this song."
"That's only because you keep messing up on it," Mike said.
"Uh..let's just move onto another one," Rick said.
"I'm getting awfully sick of this," Steve said. "Marathon sessions. I'm in a band to have fun, I don't care about going anywhere with it. I don't need to be practicing for seven hours straight."
"Come on it's only for a few more days," Rick said.
"I can't take another few hours," Steve said. "I need another break, a long one. I'll be back in a few hours."
"And what are we supposed to do until then?" Rick asked.
"Take a break yourselves," Steve said.
"Well that's just great," Rick said.
"He has a point," Raye said.
"This was your idea," Rick said.
"But maybe we are working too hard," Raye said. "It's supposed to be fun above all else."
"Hah hah!" Mike said and hurried out.
"What was that all about?" Raye muttered.
"That's just Mike for you," Rick said.
"Listen Rick, I didn't want this to turn into what it did. We're supposed to be enjoying every minute of it, not complaining or having people storming off like this," Raye said. "We should take it easy."
"Okay..but we're still going to have to put some work in," Rick said.
"Let's cut down the new songs. We are being a little unfair to Mike and Steve."
"All right, we'll try this again soon," Rick said. "We can't leave the stuff here unattended though."
"Tell you what..you go get us some ice cream. I'll stay here and watch the stuff," Raye said.
"All right," Rick said. "Be back soon."
Raye stood there and looked at the empty gym. She held the microphone in her
hand, took in a breath and started to sing.
Why do they have to push so hard? Steve thought. I like to make music. I can work hard if necessary, but not for the wrong reasons. Getting ready for a concert in a week's time is crazy, considering it's just to play a few songs at an open mic night no less. I wonder if Rick hasn't lost the true meaning of what we're doing here. Though I can't blame him. Raye is a very nice looking girl. Still someone's going to have to bring him back to his senses.
He felt a tap on his shoulder. He turned right into an energy blast from a
goddess.
Mike had heard the shout a block or so away.
"Sounds like Steve's found some sort of trouble," he said and ducked into another convenient alley.
"Neptune Star Power," he said and finished his transformation quickly. He was
soon running down the street in the direction of the shout.
Steve let out a grunt. His face was bruised. The blast had cut open one of the veins in his forehead and he was bleeding slightly. The goddess didn't waste the energy on another attack she merely reached forward and grabbed at him. He threw a punch connecting, the goddess grimaced and threw her own punch.
The two were soon duking it out.
"I can do this much longer then you can!" The goddess shouted.
"I'm not convinced," Steve said and jabbed. The goddess ducked it and kneed him in the chest.
"Oh..you wanna street fight then!" Steve said and grabbed a trash can swinging it at the goddess. The goddess hurriedly blasted the can away with some energy and threw a punch at him. He dodged it and came up swinging.
Guardian Neptune rounded a corner and looked at the scene.
"That's odd," he said. "I guess if this keeps up I'll just let Steve see what he can do."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his communicator.
The fight continued.
"What no special power?" Steve muttered blocking a punch.
"My power is strength. I am the goddess of strength."
"Hadn't noticed," Steve said.
The goddess kneed him in the groin.
"Cheater," Steve wheezed. The goddess kneed him in the head, he staggered back. She built up her energy.
"Hmm..honorable or dishonorable.." Neptune said holding up his sword and standing on a nearby wall. "Ehh..I'll sink to their level," he said and fired hitting the goddess of strength from behind. She whirled.
"Neptune Golden Triton Impale!" he shouted. The goddess ducked the attack and charged at him.
"Yeah..whatever," Neptune said and leapt up onto the nearby wall. The goddess grabbed the wall and climbed up. Neptune fired at her knocking her back off.
"Neptune Golden Triton Impale!" he tried again. The goddess rolled out of the way.
"All right..I'll just use the friggin sword!" Neptune shouted. The goddess fired an energy bolt at him. He jumped out of the way keeping his balance on the wall and firing his sword at the same time. The goddess dodged.
"This is going to be a long day I see," Neptune said.
"I can take what you've got to dish out," The goddess said. She built up her energy. Neptune fired again. The shots hit, but didn't deter the goddess, she continued building her energy.
"Neptune Golden Triton Impale!"
The attack hit, but didn't deter the creature.
"Uh...hmm...okay...NEPTUNE TIDE OF DESTRUCTION!"
The attack flew out knocking him off the wall with the kick, it hit the creature.
Neptune jumped back onto the wall weakly and looked. The creature stood there, bruised and battered, but she let loose an energy barrage, which flew into him and the wall. He let out a shout as he hit hard and fell unconscious.
"Well..now we're getting somewhere," the goddess said.
"Round two!" Guardian Pluto said swinging his fists. The goddess barely had time to avoid it. Soon the two were duking it out again.
"I can't believe you'd try to beat me again," the goddess said.
"Hah..when I transformed it healed me..so I can go ten rounds with you sucker," Pluto said and hit her with an uppercut.
"We'll see," The goddess said.
Elsewhere, Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus were within a few blocks of the battle driving in Haruka's convertible.
"We probably won't even get there before they settle it," Uranus muttered.
"We still have to see what we can do," Neptune said.
"I guess so," Uranus said.
"Pluto Storm Fist!" Pluto shouted and hit her hard. The goddess staggered back, but with her hands bristling with energy she countered and hit back. Pluto staggered back.
"Come on.." the goddess said.
Pluto quickly drew his sword and fired.
"Cheater!" the goddess shouted and dived out of the way.
"You're in no position to talk!" Pluto said and lunged forward grabbing her and tossing her into a wall. She got up quickly and charged forward.
"Pluto Storm Fist!"
The goddess connected too. They both were hit and both spun backwards from the force.
"Mars Fire Ignite!"
"Uranus Fire Spikes Attack!"
The two attacks smashed into the goddess. She let out a shriek.
Pluto gasped for breath.
"She's mine," he said. "Pluto Hurricane Punch!"
He let loose his second attack and it blasted the enemy apart.
"Guys.."he said. "When I change back into a human..I'm going to need some medical attention. So's Mike."
"We'll call an ambulance," Uranus said.
"Did they hurt you bad?" Mars asked.
A car sped up.
"Did you get them," Sailor Uranus said getting out.
"Oh..yeah...ow.." Pluto said rubbing his head.
"Tough fight huh?" Sailor Neptune said.
"I've had worse," Pluto said.
"No he hasn't," Mars said.
Sailor Uranus glanced at Sailor Neptune and then dashed for the car. Neptune whirled.
"Haruka! What are you...!"
She realized it and raced towards the car too. Uranus gunned the engine and sped off.
"Oh..no.." she said.
"What is it?" Mars asked.
Sailor Neptune didn't reply and leapt off quickly.
"I wonder what all that's about?" Mars said.
Guardian Neptune emerged from the hole in the wall and staggered forward.
"Hi.." he said and collapsed.
<>Haruka had driven for two hours. She knew it would take some time for Michiru to get on her trail, especially since she was in human form and wasn't taking any obvious routes either. She figured the goddesses would know what she was up to. She finally arrived at a large field where she parked the car and headed out to wait. She didn't transform so that the others would not be able to track her.
"I'm waiting," She said.
About half an hour had passed before the goddess stepped out in front of her.
"I knew you'd accept," she said. "The way you've set this up you really do want to take me on alone."
"That's right," Haruka said and pulled out her power stick to transform.
"You realize that we weren't about to fight you after our last battle had just concluded," she said.
"I knew that, that's why I took the time to get out here. Besides one of you even weakened versus one Sailor Scout seems like a fair fight."
"Indeed it does," the goddess said. "Are you ready?"
"Very ready," Sailor Uranus said.
"Then let's go to it!"
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