Chapter 243
Guardian Saturn didn't feel right as he crept through the smoke towards the icy covered swamp.
"Sooner or later we're going to reach swamp again," Vitar said.
"I know," Saturn whispered back.
"Can you use that power without shouting?"
"Well..I think I'm allowed to whisper it, it's the thought that counts," Saturn said.
"Got it," Vitar said. They crept forward.
"Here we are," Saturn said approaching the swamps edge.
"Saturn Ice Rings Blast," he said. The power swept out and covered the ground. The smoke continued.
"Won't they suspect something because of the smoke?" Saturn said.
"Not if we've got it going over the entire line," Vitar said. "We've used this tactic before, they don't know where we're doing."
"I see," Saturn said.
Mercury meanwhile was moving across the ice from the other direction followed by the army.
"This is working quite well," Lord Rekar said.
"Yes sir," Mercury said.
"Too bad we didn't have you thirty years ago. We would have won for sure," Rekar said.
"Hmm..I guess," Mercury said.
"Ah..more swamp.." Rekar said.
"I see," Mercury said. "Mercury Ice Storm Blast," She said quietely. The ground froze.
"It's just a matter of time until we surprise them," Rekar said with a large degree of anticipation. "I've been waiting for this for thirty years."
Mercury just kept going.
"What's going on down there?" Sy asked himself as his eagle swept over the battlefield. "Smoke...all along the line...strange attack. And what's going on by the swamp?"
He turned his eagle and swept in for a closer look.
"On one side fog, the other smoke...over the swamp no less..looks like the
battle's heating up," he said and pulled the eagle skyward. Let's just watch the
fun ey?"
"More swamp..." Saturn said.
"Ah..there we are,"Vitar said. The army stopped.
"Saturn Ice Rings Blast," Saturn said quietly. His attack froze the ground.
"Hmm..looks like it's time again," Mercury said. "Mercury Ice Storm Blast!" Her attack flew out across the ground. There was a crash. Mercury and most of the front line was thrown back. She let out a yell and fell to the ground.
"The enemy..they're here!" Rekar shouted. "Withdraw!"
And the army backed up across the swamp firing energy.
Guardian Saturn winced as he was thrown back across the frozen ice.
"You all right?" Vitar asked.
"I don't know.." Saturn said.
"Withdraw! The enemy!" Vitar said. "Our surprise is gone."
Energy flew across the smoke and mist as the two armies backed off.
Soon the mist and smoke had cleared, the swamp had thawed, and the two armies
were on both sides again.
"What happened?" Tresia asked.
"I don't know," Mercury said. "I used my attack then I was hit."
"A counterspell perhaps," Rekar said.
"I didn't know they had a wizard at the front," Tresia said.
"Yes, this is worrisome," Rekar said. "But how did the enemy know we were coming."
"Perhaps there is a spy among us," Tresia said.
"I wouldn't jump to conclusions general."
"Hmm..perhaps, still we should look into it."
"Agreed."
"I don't understand it," Mercury said.
"Don't worry it happens," Rekar said.
"Even to the best of us," Tresia said.
"How the heck did the enemy know we were coming?" Saturn asked.
"Well there are several possibilities," Vitar said. "Still...I'm more worried about what you got hit with."
"One of the wizards perhaps?"
"Wizards usually don't go into battle. It's their energy that is devoted to powering the energy of everyone's weapons and to the transport of stunned people back to the cities."
"Oh..still..if they had an extra one."
"An extra one...well...that's an interesting concept, still...something happened that's for sure," Vitar said.
"Let's go," Saturn said standing up.
"Wait..you're hurt," Vitar said.
"Just a little shaken up, it's nothing," Saturn said.
"Where are we going?"
"To the swamp, there might be a clue as to what happened."
"Well okay," Vitar said. "We should take some escort."
"That would increase our chances of being detected."
"Yes, but..."
"Vitar..they're probably as spooked as we are."
"Okay..okay.. I'm coming," Vitar said. "But promise me we won't do anything stupid."
"Stupidity is human nature, I can't promise anything," Saturn said.
"Oh..uh..thanks," Vitar said.
"Sy..where have you been? What took you so long?" Visara asked sternly.
"Visara, I went out to scout out the area before we went to meet the other scouts, but a battle began between the two armies. I watched the battle, you won't believe what happened."
"What happened?"
"Each side somehow tried to get across the swamp."
"How?"
"No idea," Sy said. "Well sort of. See while I was flying above the smoke and mist there was this crash, then this flash of blue light."
"Blue light?"
"Uh huh, and here's the thing about the blue light. After that the two armies came running out of the swamp in opposite directions, I flew in close, I know it was dangerous, but I knew you'd understand."
"Why would I understand."
"Because each sides' got a scout. Both wearing the color of the sea. They were on opposing sides."
"Wait a sec..blue scouts," Serena said popping up.
"Where'd you come from?" Visara snapped.
"I was eavesdropping," Serena said smartly. "So..blue huh?"
"Yes, one was a girl the other a guy."
"The guy's Guardian Saturn, the other...are you sure it was blue and not Neptune."
"We've kept an eye on neptune."
"Then it's either Saturn or Mercury," Serena said.
"What are their powers?" Visara asked. "Of Guardian Saturn."
"He uses ice," Serena said.
"Mercury and Saturn."
"One uses Ice, the other Mist."
"What if they froze the swamp?" Haruka said walking up.
"So?"
"Yes...if it was Guardian Saturn and Sailor Mercury, they might each tried to freeze the swamp, run each other some how and then run away," Haruka said.
"We have no idea whether that's true or not," Visara said.
"It still makes a lot sense though," Sy said.
"Regardless, you three have to go remember?" Visara asked.
"We know," Serena said. "We couldn't go till Sy got back."
"And I thought this was important."
"It was," Visara said. "Now you three get going."
The three nodded.
"Sy..maybe we should go see Mercury and Saturn first," Sailor Moon said.
"That isn't our orders," Sy said.
"Still Sy, if we could get those two," Sailor Moon said. "They'd come with us for sure."
"No," Sy said. "The others are a greater threat. Mercury and Saturn are busy fighting themselves."
"They must have no idea what they're doing," Sailor Uranus said. "It's almost funny, the two of them stumbling into each other. I wonder if they saw each other, you said there was a lot of mist and smoke right?"
"Yeah it happens during battle," Sy said.
"Now that would be funny," Uranus said. "The two not even realizing they're fighting each other."
"It's not funny," Sailor Moon said. "They could get each other hurt."
"True," Uranus said. "I didn't mean it that way. But Sy after we talk to the others you have to take us to see them."
"I go where Visara tells me," Sy said.
"What are you afraid of?" Uranus asked.
"Nothing."
"Then why aren't you being more cooperative?" Uranus asked.
"Because I've known Visara longer. She knows whats best. I like both of you. I trust both of you, but I trust her more," Sy said.
"I understand," Sailor Uranus said. "Then we'll follow your lead."
"Thank you," Sy said.
"We're almost there," Azura said.
"Joy," Sailor Neptune said.
"Why are you such a jerk Neptune?" Azura asked.
"I'm hardly a jerk," Sailor Neptune said. "Guardian Neptune is a jerk."
"Yeah...well..you're just lucky I'm not interested in rumbling because I would take you down Sailor Neptune!" Guardian Neptune shouted.
"Shush!" Azura said. "This is still covert. But as I was saying."
"Azura, I don't trust you amazons. You I'm willing to tolerate, but the others, no..they're trouble. The reason I didn't look at the mirror is that I don't believe that one should earn one's trust not gain it another way."
"All that mirror has in it are memories," Azura said.
"Giving someone memories to make them do something is not a way to earn respect," Neptune said. "If that's what's been done. For all I know Mars and Venus were brainwashed."
"They weren't."
"Maybe so, but what I know is that even if it as it seems. You implanted in them some horrible memories that would give both of them reasons to want to fight your enemies, that's not right."
"Why not?"
"Because it's not theirs, they didn't experience it."
"Sure they did. We gave them the memories and they responded."
"You can't experience memories. Listen..to me...if a family was butchered in front of me, I would carry that memory with me, I would react on the basis of it. But if you were to implant some memory of that family being butchered directly into my mind, that's not right. I didn't experience it, I shouldn't experience it."
"And just how it is different from telling someone about a massacre?"
"Because telling is telling."
"That's right, and most times someone needs hard evidence to believe a story."
"That's also true. So provide it."
"We did."
"With memories? No..you need pictures, evidence, the truth. Memories can be deceptive. Haven't you ever remembered things the wrong way?" Neptune asked.
"Well..yes," Azura said.
"Now what if Mars and Venus because of these stupid memories you gave them believe they see some they quote unquote remember and they react, but they're wrong. What then."
"It's unfortunate," Azura said.
"Good answer," Sailor Neptune said. "You did it all wrong."
"We needed their help. We needed to.."
"Take over the world?" Neptune asked.
"We can provide stability, everyone will live well."
"The last time I checked, there are killers out in the country because you won't give them an equal voice, you know the men," Sailor Neptune said.
"This is no time for politics, if you don't agree, why are you here?"
"Someone's got to keep an eye on them," Neptune said.
"Maybe you should forgive him Mina," Raye said.
"Absolutely not," Mina said. "Not for a while anyway."
"It was accident."
"Doesn't matter."
"You were trying to hurt him just as bad."
"You don't know that."
"Uh..yes..but.."
"I don't want to hear it from you. It's my decision, I'll decide if and when I'll forgive him. That's it."
"Fine, have it your way," Raye said. "But I'm here if you wanna talk."
"I noticed," Mina said.
"I don't get girls," Mike said.
"What about them?" Steve asked.
"Everything..you know..."
There was a screech. All the horses stopped. The group looked around worriedly. A large bird swooped out of the air and two figures dropped to the ground. Everyone's eyes widened.
"Sailor Moon! Uranus!" Sailor Neptune said in surprise.
"Hi ya," Sailor Moon said.
"Good to see you Neptune," Sailor Uranus said.
"More of you.." Azura said. "What is your business here?"
"Our business is to talk to our friends," Sailor Moon said.
Azura looked around.
"And where have you come from?" She asked.
"We can just blast you you know," Sailor Moon said.
"Be diplomatic Sailor Moon," Uranus said.
"Just let us talk to them," Sailor Moon said.
"Sailor Moon how the heck did you get here?" Raye asked.
"I flew, jealous?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Not particularly," Raye said.
"I guess I can't stop you," Azura said and sighed.
The scouts were soon standing around talking.
"So that's all that happened.." Raye said.
"Wow..the strange thing is we're with the resistance," Sailor Moon said.
"You are," Raye said her eyes narrowing.
"Sure we met up with them, some of them are very nice," Sailor Moon said.
"Some of them aren't," Mina growled. "They have to pay for their crimes."
"What crimes?" Sailor Moon asked.
"What are they talking about?" Sailor Uranus asked.
"I don't know," Sailor Neptune said. "For all I know they've been brainwashed."
"We have not, we know the truth," Raye said.
"That's right," Mina said. "The resistance has got to pay, especially the murderer Visara."
Sailor Moon and Sailor Uranus looked at each other.
That night.
"It's a swamp...what more is there to it?" Vitar asked.
"I don't know," Saturn said.
"I wouldn't go out to far, this is a swamp after all," Vitar said.
"Yes..I know," Saturn said. "There's a way around right?"
"Well..yeah..a mile or so trip, but the other side is their lines."
"I know.." Saturn said. "We'll take care of it."
"How?"
"Just come on."
"You're nuts..a two man assault?"
"I need to know what's on the other side. Think about it. How'd they get as close as we did?"
"I don't know. What are you thinking?" Vitar asked.
"I don't know yet," Saturn said and the two headed off.
"Lord Rekar..I need to check something down by the line, will you come with me?"
"Where are we going?"
"The swamp."
"It's dangerous to go there."
"Then give me an escort."
"Very well..Materic..will you accompany Mercury and myself?"
"Yes Lord of course," Materic said.
"I wouldn't want to send anymore, and there are troops down there. But why are you going?" Rekar said.
"I have some suspicions."
"Very well.." Rekar said.
"I'm a veteran of years of combat, and I think this is a bad idea," Vitar said.
"So noted," Saturn said.
"Just what are you hoping to figure out," Vitar said.
"Well..I don't know, maybe some clue."
"All right...but this is an awful risk to be taking."
"I don't usually take risks. Consider yourself witness to a rare event."
"Now you're worrying me," Vitar said.
"As if I wasn't before?" Saturn asked.
Vitar sighed.
"So..this is where we pushed off from.." Mercury said.
"Yes," Lord Rekar said.
"Is there a way around the other side?" Mercury said.
"Yes...but it is a mile walk, and the enemy is on the other side," Rekar said.
"That's a risk we'll have to take.." Mercury said.
"For what reason?" Rekar asked.
"I need to know what was on the other side," Mercury said. "How did they get across the swamp."
"Uh..well..this is awfully risky," Rekar said.
"I will go with you Mercury, if you wish to," Materic said.
"I wouldn't encourage her Materic," Rekar said.
"I'm going," Mercury said.
Rekar sighed.
"All right, lead the way," he said.
"Do not worry, with me at your side, you can come to no harm," Materic said.
"Uh..thank you," Mercury said.
The three started out.
"In hindsight it's better not to travel like this in the dark," Vitar said.
"I can see the path," Saturn said.
"But just on general principles," Vitar said.
"How did you get to be a combat veteran if you're afraid of everything?"
"Actually I got to be a comabt veteran by not taking stupid risks."
"This isn't stupid," Saturn said. "You'll see."
"Whatever," Vitar said.
"I know you're committed to this, but there are thing that could happen," Lord Rekar said. "I mean you and Materic have power, yes, but...still..if we were to encounter a large part of the army.."
"This could be important information what I find on the other side," Mercury said. "It's worth the risk."
"You might not find.."
"Quiet.." Matrick said. "I hear something."
The three stopped. They heard some footsteps advancing.
Materic drew his energy sword lighting them up.
"Who goes there!" he shouted.
Two energy swords lit up across from him. One of them was a familiar blue.
"Wait!" Mercury shouted. "Saturn.." she said.
"Mercury," Saturn said.
"I thought as much," Mercury said.
Rekar's sword went out.
"And who are you?" he said to Vitar.
"No one in particular," Vitar said.
"No...I remember you, you're Vitar of the enemy," Matric said.
"Greg..you're on their side," Mercury said.
"And you're on theirs," Saturn said.
"Guess so," Mercury said.
"So we stumbled into each other...out there today."
"That explains it."
"We must have hit each other with our attacks and not known it," Saturn said.
"And we used the ice to cross the swamp," Mercury said.
"Uh..excuse me," Lord Rekar said. "But we're enemies..so..uh..there's gotta be someway to settle this."
"I'm game," Vitar said.
"No..we're not going to fight," Mercury said.
"Mercury..the school..it's on my side. All the students they're in the city," Saturn said.
"They are..." Mercury said.
"You should come over to our side."
"I can't do that," Mercury said.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know which side is right, and I've been treated well. How do you know which side is good?"
"I guess I don't."
"This isn't good or evil, it's a matter of interests," Vitar said.
"Agreed," Rekar said.
"Then I guess we stay enemies until we figure this out," Saturn said.
"Don't call it that," Mercury said. "Competitors Greg, how about that instead?"
Saturn smiled.
"So be it," he said.
"Rekar, Materic, we will return to our camp. They'll go to theirs, that is it," Mercury said.
"Very well," Materic said. "But Vitar, we will meet in combat."
"Can't wait Materic, you're streak will finally be broken."
The two then withdrew into the night.
CHAPTER 231 CHAPTER 232 CHAPTER 233 CHAPTER 234 CHAPTER 235
CHAPTER 236 CHAPTER 237 CHAPTER 238 CHAPTER 239 CHAPTER 240
CHAPTER 241 CHAPTER 242 CHAPTER 243 CHAPTER 244 CHAPTER 245
CHAPTER 246 CHAPTER 247 CHAPTER 248 CHAPTER 249 CHAPTER 250
CHAPTER 251 CHAPTER 252 CHAPTER 253 CHAPTER 254 CHAPTER 255