Chapter 248
Sailor Mercury watched in surprise and some degree of horror as the Lucoratorium army rushed through the enemy lines stunning Maritorian troops or sending them running for home. Energy flew everywhere as the battle turned into a rout.
She stood there fixated on the scene, and the fact that she had been responsible for it. In some ways she felt guilty.
"Thirty two years and we've never been able to do that to them," Lord Rekar said happily. "We'll chase them all the way to the capital!"
"Uh..yes..I guess you will," Sailor Mercury said. "What then?"
"Then..we win," Rekar said.
"Lord Rekar, I thought this battle was about control of territory. The zone is yours now."
"Yes, but we must make sure it stays ours."
"And how do you intend to do that?"
"I will explain our strategy to you soon, for now we must make sure the battle is completely ours," Rekar said.
Mercury nodded slowly.
"Visara's not going to like this," Sy said flying atop his bird watching the
scene. He slowly banked it back towards the base and pushed the eagle as much as
he could.
"There is some good news, some bad," an amazon said standing in the audience chamber of the Zaiesk government.
"What is it?" the amazon leader said.
"The Lucoratorium army soundly defeated their enemy and has driven them from the zone. They have pursued them in a reckless euphoria, I believe they intend to make it a deathblow."
"It will be, for both of their countries. Tell the army to immediately mobilize. Is there more?"
"Yes mistress, the party we sent out, with the three sailor scouts, has not arrived at it's assigned position. And the wizard reports recieving several stunned members of the party."
"Azura included?"
"No, mistress."
"Then she has betrayed us."
"That is not certain."
"We must proceed as if it has, and we must make sure the sailor scouts do not face us. Mobilize every force we have. We will have to strike hard and fast," the Zaiesk leader said.
"Yes mistress."
"You're certain of this Sy?" Visara asked.
"Dead certain," Sy said. "They beat them and beat them badly. And now they're going to chase them back to the capital."
"Those fools, all of them. Not only did one side let itself get so beaten. Now the other is foolishly opening up their flanks to the Zaiesk."
"Uh..forgive me for asking.." Serena asked. "But don't you want fewer armies to fight here?"
"Yes," Visara said. "But now that this has happened, the Zaiesk will sweep into the zone, they'll only have to fight one army at most, and so their army will be stronger whenever we attack them. Sy..I have a mission for you. Go to Jasoriko. Speak to King East. Explain to him everything. Do not ask for aid, merely explain what is happening."
"Right Visara," Sy said and hurried out.
"Visara, you do have seven scouts at yoru disposal," Serena said.
"Trust me Serena, we're going to need all of you," Visara said.
"You okay Azura?" Mina asked in another part of the cave.
"Hard to say, when your world gets turned upside down several times in the course of minutes it's hard to know," Azura said.
"Guess so," Mina said. "It must be rough."
"It is, and now I've given up everything else."
"Not everything," Mina said. "You've still got the ability to make things right."
"Yes that's true, but it's not easy," Azura said. "And I'm not sure what I should do yet. Who I should help, who I shoudln't. I just don't want to be a part of it."
"That may be what you have to do. Just withdraw."
"Yeah, maybe," Azura said. "So..are you still holding your own grudge?"
"Me? Oh with Mike you mean. Nah. We go back a ways, we're used to it. Besides, I haven't gotten over my grudge with Raye yet."
"You two seemed to be coexisting."
"Out of necessity, but when the time comes, we'll just get right back into it."
"You want to do that? You could just let it go."
"I'm not wrong,"Mina said. "In either case. There should always be payback."
"Always?" Azura asked.
Mina remembered who she was talking to.
"You're case was different, it's ambiguous whose wrong or right. But I know," Mina said. "Do you know for sure."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean..there may be a lot of reasons things happen. The wrong thing can be done in the cause of right, I know that. Perhaps you should see if that's what happened."
"Trust me, it wasn't," Mina said. "I can tell."
"All right, but then consider what this feuding means."
"Nothing really..we're still very good friends."
"Then why bother?"
"There are reasons."
"Which are."
"I don't want to go into them," Mina said.
Azura grinned slightly.
"You just don't know what they are."
"I used to know," Mina said.
"But you don't now."
"No...but they must have been good reasons!"
"All right if you say so," Azura said and started laughing.
"Uh..Azura.." came a voice. Azura turned. Visara stood there.
"There's something I need to talk with you about."
"Very well," Azura said solemly. The two then headed off.
Guardian Saturn woke up to find himself surrounded by a sea of stunned troops. He slowly stood up and looked around.
"What happened.." he said to himself noticing the large craters in the ground. "Energy..from underground..they must have..fired..from below...brilliant...Amy.." he said and continued to look around with disorientation.
Several enemy soldiers approached him with their energy swords.
"Don't know what you're doing up still, but we'll blast you down if you don't surrender," one of them said.
Saturn sighed and leapt away as they fired at him. Despite his lack of energy he soon had an adrenaline rush as he leapt down the field occassionally followed by more troops trying to blast him. He could soon see the Lucoratorium army charging across the ground running friendly forces out of the way. "It's the Guardian Scout! Stop him!" Someone shouted. The entire army seemed to turn and aim at him. He hit the ground. A barrage flew at him. He leapt upward and hoped to get ahead of him. A mist descended over the field which he hadn't noticed before. He landed and kept running. He soon heard footsteps behind him. He whirled and was hit by a figure He heard a screech, as he went down. The figure he was hit with fell on top of him.
"Saturn..don't do that.." Mercury muttered.
"Uh..do what?" Saturn replied.
"Stop so suddenly.."
"Oh..sorry..." Saturn said.
"Come on.."
"Where?"
"Well you're hurrying back to the Maritorian capital right?" Mercury asked.
"Yes."
"Then we're going there."
"But you're with them aren't you?"
"Not anymore," Mercury said. "Worry about that later. Let's go."
"Uh..right," Saturn said.
The two were soon racing ahead of the army.
"The energy under the ground was your idea?" Saturn asked.
"Yes, sorry," Mercury said.
"Under any other circumstances I'd be complimenting you," Saturn said.
"Yes..well..I'm afraid you're strategy was just a little too obvious," Mercury said. "But I didn't expect to have this much success."
"Lucky you," Saturn said.
"It wasn't really a matter of luck, but I just don't trust them anymore. If they wanted the zone they had it. This seems much more dangerous."
"Yeah..but just what are the two of us going to do against an army?"
"I have no idea," Mercury said. "You?"
"We're not really tacticians," Saturn said.
"Unless you count what we've been doing," Mercury said.
"Well..then I'm not a very good one then."
"No..that's not true."
"Look what happened though."
"Everyone makes mistakes," Mercury said with a grin.
Saturn sighed.
And in Jasoriko.
"Uh..Rick.." Lita said. "Did you get any sleep last night?"
"No..since Sakuro tried to sneak into my room six times."
"Tijiro tried more than that," Lita said.
"We have to do something," Rick said.
"I know..but I'm out of options."
"There is always.."
"Rick..I just can't...duck!"
Princess Sakuro and Tijiro collided as they both leapt at them at the same time.
"Quit interfering in my love!" Sakuro shouted.
"You are blocking my means to prosperity!" Tijiro shouted.
Rick and Lita hurried down the corridor.
"This is beyond out of hand. It's complete and utter chaos," Rick said.
"We could kill them," Lita said.
"No..Hotaru's suggested that before. Even offered to do it, but.."
"I'm kidding," Lita said.
"Unfortunately kidding isn't going to get us out of this," Rick siad.
"Nothing seems to be able to,"Lita said. "Except..."
"What?"
"Rick...I guess I have no choice."
"You mean.."
"Yes..." Lita said solemly.
"All right..we'll do the deed," Rick said.
"Don't say it that way," Lita snapped.
"You want to do what?" King East asked.
"Our passion can hold us back no longer," Lita said.
"It is out of our control," Rick said.
"We must marry each other," The two said.
"Uh..this is strange," East said. "But I guess it is also cause for celebration, so we shall have one. A great feast to commemorate your union."
"Uh..right.." The two said.
Tijiro and Sakuro raced in.
"There they are.." the two said.
"Ah it's good that your hear," King East said. "Lita and Rick have just told me they're getting married."
"To whom?" the two asked.
"Each other, is that a problem?" East said.
Tijiro and Sakuro both collapsed.
"Guess it was," East said.
"Setsuna, you should probably rest some more," Miss Haruna said.
"This has nothing to do with resting some more," Setsuna said. "I've got to find out more. I've got to get out there."
"But you're weak, and those wounds on your body."
"They'll heal," Setsuna said.
"Maybe, but really Setsuna," Haruna said. "What's the hurry, what can you do?"
"I'm Sailor Pluto you know."
"Oh.." Haruna said.
"Yes..that's right. If I transform, the pain will be minimized, but I've got to see what is happening."
"Uh..all right," Haruna said.
Pluto pulled out her power stick.
"Pluto Planet Power," she said and transformed.
"So what do you plan to do now?" Haruna asked.
"I will speak with their government," Pluto said.
She headed for the door and was soon heading out of the hotel, Haruna following.
"There's no need for you to follow.." Pluto said.
There was soon some yelling and screaming. Some people ran by, bells went off.
"What's going on?" Haruna asked.
"I should find out," Pluto said.
A soldier galopped by and then stopped suddenly.
"Are you a Sailor Scout?" he asked in surprise.
"Yes.." Pluto said. "What is going on?"
"Our army has been beaten. But..you..should come with me. The government will want to know that you're here."
"Very well," Pluto said. "I will follow you."
The two hurried off leaving Haruna to wonder just what was going to happen
next.
"Sailor Mercury has deserted us," Materic said.
"I noticed," Lord Rekar said. "It's too bad. But she can't stop us now."
"True. Still..the scout problem should be taken care of if we are to insure victory. I will handle them if you wish."
"Let's worry about that later Materic."
"Yes Lord."
General Tresia rode up.
"Sir..we will be at their capital by nightfall," he said.
"Good..General. This will be the greatest day in our history," Rekar said.
"But Lord, there is a problem, our defensive position is compromised, if the Zaiesk were to move.." Tresia said.
"I have spies in Zaiesk, they will tell me if the troops are on the move, and we will have time to beat them too, if we move quickly," Rekar said.
"Yes sir," Tresia said and rode off.
"He has a point Lord," Materic said. "We cannot leave our position open for very long."
"I have no intention of letting the enemy get away without the full extent of the punishment we can give them. Understand?"
"Of course my lord."
"Good. Then let us go to it," Rekar said.
"Sailor Pluto. I am Latric, head of the government, I am sorry we have no time for a formal introduction," Latric said.
"It's understandable. I have been informed of the aid you provided to us, and though I have little idea of what is occuring, I will assist you out of regard for that aid," Pluto said.
"I thank you, that's what Saturn said as well."
"I figured as much. Where is he now?"
"I'm not sure, once the rout began we lost track of everyone," Latric said. "Right now we're trying to fortify the city. I honestly did not expect them to take it this far. The war was over the zone. But now they seem to want to make this final."
"Hmm..yes, well...I hope we can stop them," Pluto said.
"As do I. You have my word. If you help us defeat them, we will do everything we can to get you back to your world."
"An interesting promise since you were responsible for our transport here in the first place."
"For the sole purpose of preventing against this."
"Your motives are of little importance right now," Pluto said. "What is is protecting the city."
"Of course," Latric said.
"How could you abandon me for her Rick?" Sakuro asked.
"Sorry Sakuro," Rick said.
"Sorry..is that all you've got to say, what about all the moments we shared?"
"What are you talking about. You're the only one who's shown any emotion," Rick said. "I never said I loved you."
"Liar!" Sakuro said and threw a punch. Rick dodged it and hurried away.
"Yeah! Run from me! That's what your best at!" Sakuro shouted.
She'll get over it. I hope. Rick thought.
"Rick!" Came a shout.
"Uh oh.." Rick said sliding to a stop. Tijiro stood in front of him.
"You have stolen my love from me. I cannot allow that," Tijiro said.
Rick took a defensive stance.
"No..tommorow..we fight," Tijiro said and walked off.
"Wonderful.." Rick muttered. "This is not how I planned it. Why me? Now I'm completely trapped. Both of them hate my guts."
"Richard! I shall have my vengeance on you!" Sakuro shouted down the hall.
"Get in line Sakuro!" Rick shouted back angrilly.
"Oh..I will!" Sakuro shouted. "Tommorow.."
"Great..two duels," Rick said.
Minutes later.
"I cannot believe you, giving me up for him," Tijiro sneered.
"Tijiro, I never loved you, I told you that," Lita said.
"And you love him?"
"Well..uh..for all practical purposes yes," Lita said.
"Hmm...why?"
"What do you mean."
"How can you love such a man?"
"Tijiro get over it."
"No..I will not get over it. I challenge you."
"Since when can you challenge a girl to battle?" Lita snapped.
"I can do whatever I wish," Tijiro said. "I am Tijiro."
"You're a...never mind.." Lita said. "If I have to knock some sense into you, fine."
"Very well," Tijiro said and headed out.
Lita sighed.
"This isn't working," She muttered.
"LITA!" came a screech. Lita whirled. Sakuro ran at her energy sword in hand.
"Ah..geez.." Lita said and dived out of the way. Sakuro's attack blow slammed into the support column next to her.
"Sakuro..don't try anything else, "Lita said.
"I will.." Sakuro said and swung at her. Lita attacked and punched Sakuro in the head. Sakuro dropped.
"How..dare..you.." Sakuro said. "Tommorow..we shall fight."
She then backed down the hall.
Minutes later.
"This didn't work Rick!" Lita said.
"Maybe it did, I mean all we've got to do is fight each of them tommorow, get married and then maybe they'll get over it. It's just a lot pain in one day, compared to the endless torment they were giving us," Rick said.
"Rick..we have to get out of here now," Lita said.
"And how do you suggest we do that?" Rick asked.
"I don't know..but we have no choice," Lita said.
"Hmm...you might be right," Rick said. "We could just make a break for it."
"Maybe we should cancel the wedding while we're at it," Lita said. "I mean if we'll be sneaking away soon."
"Good plan," Rick said. "No use having that hanging over our heads."
"Uh you can't cancel it," King East said.
"WHAT?" the two said.
"Well..it's against the law," East said. "All marriages proposed to the King, and they all are, must be carried out."
"And if they aren't?" Rick asked.
"The penalty is death," East said.
The two glared at him.
"I'm just kidding," he said and laughed. "No..they are still illegal, I can't let you cancel it, you two are probably just getting cold feet."
"It's not a matter of that.." Rick began.
The doors swung open.
"Your majesty, a messanger brings important news," a court officer said.
"Send him forward.." King East said.
Sy entered.
"Your majesty King East, I bring a message from Visara, leader of the zone resistance."
"Welcome," King East said. "What is your message."
"She informs you that Lucoratorium has soundly defeated Martoria and has chased them back to their capital," Sy said.
"What? How did you bring me this information so quickly? My messengers are still a day away from that front."
"I flew on an eagle my lord," Sy said. "I bring you this news because undoubtedly the Zaiesk shall attack next."
"I see..and you want my assistance," King East said.
"No my lord. We are aware that you would never give it," Sy said. "However, we do wish for you to know."
"I understand. Please..stay and enjoy a meal before you leave."
"I'm sorry my lord..there is great need for me to be back with the resistance," Sy said and turned glancing at Lita and Rick's strange clothing. He stopped a minute.
"You..you two are scouts..aren't you?" He asked. "I'm with your friends.." he said.
"Who?" Rick asked.
"Serena, Haruka, Michiru, Mike, Steve, Raye, Mina," Sy said.
The two looked at each other.
"Uh..your highness..we'll be glad to get married, why don't we walk Sy out," Lita said and pulled him out the door.
"What..uh..wait a second guards!" King East shouted.
Lita, Rick, Sy raced down the hallway. Hotaru emerged from a side and ran with them.
"I figured you'd see the opportunity," she said.
"So..Sy..can this bird hold more than one person?" Rick asked.
"Several," Sy said. "I;ll take it you need a lift."
"That we do," Lita said.
"All right," Sy said.
"Come back!" Sakuro shouted racing after them with an energy sword. "This isn't over!"
"That is isn't!" Tijiro shouted also following with several guards.
The group ran into a courtyard and hopped on the eagle. It flew out of the castle and into the air.
"We finally escaped," Lita said.
"And we didn't even need to get married either," Rick said.
"Thank goodness for that," Hotaru said.
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