Chapter 249

"The Zaiesk are moving quickly," Visara said between swigs of a drink. "We will also have to move quickly."

"I figured you were just going to let each side fight it out and then pick up the pieces, guess you can't do that now,"Azura said.

"True," Visara said. "I will have to delay them, so those Lucoratorium fools can finish what they are doing and meet the Zaiesk head on."

"Can they even beat the Zaiesk? I doubt they can alone."

"It depends. King East may finally decide to move, I don't know, but we do have seven scouts, that is a powerful edge," Visara said.

"Maybe," Azura said. "But it will not be easy."

"Rarely things are," Visara said.

"Finally the capital," Mercury said gasping for breath and starring at the walled capital city. "Are you all right Saturn?"

"I'm probably going to collapse as soon as I get there, your surprise worked a little too well," Saturn said.

"I'm terribly sorry," Mercury said.

"It's okay..it happens," Saturn said. They glanced behind them.

"Looks like we outran their army finally," Mercury said.

"They won't be far behind," Saturn said.

"That's true. I don't know what we're going to do."

"We'll think of something I guess. We usually do."

Saturn stopped and fell to the ground.

"Saturn," Mercury said worriedly.

"I can't..go..any farther," he said.

"Uh oh.." Mercury said. "Come on Greg..it's just a few more miles."

"I can't.." Saturn said. "Go ahead Mercury. They probably won't treat me that badly."

"I'm not about to leave you here."

"I need to rest."

Several horses galloped up from the army retreat.

"Please help us," Mercury said.

One of the riders gestured to the others and they picked them up. Soon they were hurrying towards the city.

"Thank you," Mercury said.

"What happened to him?" one of the riders asked.

"He..got caught in an energy trap."

"And where'd you come from anyway?"

"I can explain later," Mercury said nervously.

Soon the remnants of the army were rushing towards the city and inside it.

Not far behind, the Lucoratorium army advanced.

"We have them now," Lord Rekar said.

"That we do," Tresia said.

"Prepare for an attack," Lord Rekar said.

"So soon, after our pursuit?" Tresia asked.

"Hmm...what do you think?" Lord Rekar asked.

"I think we should wait sir," Tresia said.

"And lose our advantage?" Lord Rekar said.

"We may have a day at least."

"Very well. We will rest. Lay siege lines," Rekar said.

"As you wish," Tresia said.

"Sir..I also have an idea," Materic said riding up.

"And that would be?" Rekar asked.

"Look who I found," Sy said striding into the cave followed by the three sailor scouts.

"Lita!" Serena said and gave her friend a quick hug.

"Oh..Rick..there you are," Raye said. "I was so worried."

"Me too," Rick said.

"Hotaru..are you all right?" Haruka asked.

"No worse then normal," Hotaru said.

"Yep, she seems fine to me," Michiru said.

"Wow..everyone's here but Greg, Setsuna and Amy, this is great," Serena said.

"More of you? This is good news," Visara said.

"This is Visara leader of the resistance," Sy said.

"Hello," Rick said. "If you hadn't sent that message to King East we would have never been able to get out of there."

"And that would have been a bad thing," Lita said.

"They were about to get married," Hotaru said.

"WHAT?" Everyone else shouted.

"Hotaru," Lita and Rick growled.

"What?" Hotaru asked calmly.

"Lita..Rick..explain.." Raye said.

"Uh..we'd be glad to," The two replied quickly.

"So this is almost all of you," Visara said.

"Another two of my friends are down there fighting a battle, we should try to go get them," Serena said.

"That battle's over," Visara said. "This may be a chance though. Sy..when can you leave again?"

"As soon as possible if necessary," Sy said.

"Good..I want you to go find those other scouts," Visara said.

"Let me go," Serena said. "I mean you've got more scouts then you could need."

"Not true, still you might make it easier to find them or talk to them..or whatever. Hurry," Visara said.

The two ran down the cave.

"Isn't this great?" Serena asked.

"Why?" Sy asked.

"All my friends coming together like this."

"I guess that's good, of course now we're a force to be reckoned with," Sy said.

"That's right, but let's go find the others. We work better as a team," Serena said.

"That's what I like to hear," Sy said.

And back at Jasoriko.

"Daddy..let me go after them," Sakuro said.

"No Sakuro, we must build our defenses to prepare against the Zaiesk should they try anything," King East said. "I need you here."

"But King East, those scouts helped our defense, with them gone they could fall into Zaiesk hands," Tijiro said.

"He's right for once," Sakuro said.

"I'm not about to send you two out after them," King East said.

"You need them," Tijiro said.

"Let us go," Sakuro said.

"No," King East said. "That's final. We will not get involved."

"If the Zaiesk attack we'll be beaten anyway," Tijiro said.

"Not if we fight hard,"King East said.

"Actually the chances of us winning are pretty low," Ariton said.

"I don't want to hear it," King East snapped. "Now you two go back to what you were doing. Ariton we're going to have a talk."

"Yes sir," Ariton said.

The other two headed out.

"Princess..I can get us out of here..if you want to go," Tijiro said.

"With you? Go?" Sakuro asked.

"Do you or don't you?" Tijiro said.

"Very well..just how do you intend to get us out of here?"

"I have a plan," Tijiro said. "Just follow my lead."

"That's dangerous, I'm afraid to," Sakuro said.

"You're mean," Tijiro said. "But I'll help you anyway."

"Same to you," Sakuro said. "I don't know why I tolerate you so much."

"Same here," Tijiro said.

"Oh..is it?"

"Yeah.."

The two stuck their tongues out at each other and hurried down the hallway.

And in the Maritorian Capital city.

"He's just weak, that's all," a doctor said looking over Greg.

"That's what I thought," Amy said. "Thank you."

The door opened and Sailor Pluto walked in.

"Setsuna.." Amy said in surprise.

"I just heard that you got in," Pluto said. "How is he?"

"Just weak, I'm afraid it's partially my doing," Amy said.

"You can explain later, right now would you come with me?"

"Sure.." Amy said and the two headed out.

"That army has encamped outside the city. The government doesn't know whether the city can hold or not," Pluto said. "It certainly can't last through a siege."

"I see," Amy said.

"But..anyway..can you tell me anything about them? You came from the battle?"

"I was essentially running their army," Amy said.

Pluto's eyes widened.

"You were?"

"It's a long story," Amy said. "But I do know something about the people in charge. This is a spur of the moment thing. They didn't originally plan to take it this far. But there is something else that is an issue. Many of them are afraid of the country to the north of the zone invading, the Zaiesk. They can't wait for a siege."

"So..they won't try to use one," Pluro said.

"Not unless they're stupid," Amy said.

"Or if not stupid, not seeing things correctly."

"Yes."

"So..they'll attack?"

"Most likely. We should help with the defense."

"That's what I was thinking, but have you seen any of the other scouts."

"Yes Guardian Pluto and Guardian Neptune, but I've since lost track of them," Amy said.

"I see..they would be really useful right now, to sort out this mess," Setsuna said.

"I know," Amy said.

"Hmm..that looks like it's where all the action is," Sy said looking down at the city.

"Yeah, they've got them surrounded," Sailor Moon said.

"But they can't do that for long. I mean the Zaiesk will be here within a week," Sy said.

"Maybe they think they can win that quickly," Sailor Moon said.

"Hmm..yeah.." Sy said.

"Can you take us lower?"

"I have to be careful, but I'll see what I can do," Sy said.

Sailor Pluto and Mercury had since decided to inspect the walls.

"What's that up there?" Sailor Mercury said.

"No idea," Sailor Pluto said. "Does anyone know?"

"It is a mystical bird," an officer said. "We have seen it occasionally."

"What do you think it means?" another one of the soldiers said.

"Who can know these days," the officer said. "Of course we believe that it is under the control of the resistance."

"You mean they fly it?" Mercury asked.

"Yes."

"There are some people on there right now," someone said looking through a telescope.

"Would you mind if I took a look," Mercury said.

"No..sure.." the guy said.

Mercury looked. The eagle swooped down and flew over the lines. Some random energy shots flew up at it, but it easily avoided it. Mercury squinted to get a better view.

"Wait a minute," she said. "It's Sailor Moon."

"You mean it?" Pluto asked.

"Yes..we have to get her attention," Mercury said.

"I think we can find a way," Pluto said.

"No sign of them and we're getting shot at," Sy said.

"I really hoped we could find them," Sailor Moon said.

Two blasts of energy flew up into the sky, one blue, one dark.

Sailor Moon smiled.

"I think we found em!" She said. "Sy..take us into the city."

"Uh..now wait a second," Sy said. "I wouldn't suggest we just go there."

"Why not?"

"Well..they don't like the resistance there."

"So they'll like me," Sailor Moon said.

"You don't know that."

"Then drop me off."

"But..I.."

"Sy.." Sailor Moon said.

"All right..it's worth the risk," Sy said.

The bird banked down towards the city being shot out with more energy. It flew over the walls and came to a stop on a dirt road. Mercury and Pluto leapt to the ground.

"Hi guys," Sailor Moon said jumping off.

"Sailor Moon, I'm so glad to see you," Mercury said.

"It's good to see you well," Pluto said.

"Yeah..well I just came from the others," Sailor Moon said. "We're all up on a mountain."

"Everyone else?" Pluto asked.

"Yeah except you two and Greg," Sailor Moon said. "Do you know where he is?"

"Yes, he's here too," Sailor Mercury said.

"That's wonderful," Sailor Moon said. "We can finally be reunited!"

To Pluto and Mercury's embarrasment, Sailor Moon began to jump up and down.

The area filled with soldiers.

"Uh oh," Sy said.

"Another Sailor Scout?" Latric asked. "Welcome to our city."

"Oh..uh hi. Who are you?" Sailor Moon asked.

"I am Latric, the leader of the Maritorian people," Latric said.

"Ah..I see.." Sailor Moon said.

"Please..help us Sailor Moon, we must defeat that army," Latric said.

"Uh..well..I don't know...I have to talk about it with my friends," Sailor Moon said.

"Sailor Moon, it would be best if we sent that army on their way," Mercury said.

"Uh..well I'll tell you what.. I'm going to go back and see the resistance and if they let me help, we'll help," Sailor Moon said.

"The resistance hate us. They'd never agree," Latric said.

"Maybe it's time for you two to cooperate," Pluto said.

"I agree," Sy said. "Maybe if you agreed to not invade the zone..we could help out."

"Hmm..it is worth considering," Latric said.

"Tell you what Lactose," Sailor Moon said.

"Latric," Mercury interjected.

"Yeah..I'll take you to see the resistance, and then we can talk about it," Sailor Moon said.

"Uh..all right," Latric said.

"Sailor Moon we're supposed to keep the bases wereabouts a secret," Sy said.

"Then blindfold him," Sailor Moon muttered.

"Uh..right," Sy said.

"Hope to see you soon guys," Sailor Moon said. The eagle soon lifed off and was soaring skyward.

"Maybe..this is what they meant," Mercury said.

"What?" Pluto asked.

"When they said we would change this planet."

"Who said that?" Pluto asked.

"Their prophecies."

"Oh..okay.." Pluto said. "It could be a first step."

"A messenger!" someone called.

"Hmm.." one of the officers said. A messenger from the Lucoratorium army rode into the city.

"Who shall I adress?" he asked.

"I speak for the goverment at the moment," Janus said advancing. "What is your message?"

"The superior force outside wishes to give you the opportunity to surrender," the messenger said.

The soldiers all began to laugh.

"I think that's a no," Janus said.

"Hmm..perhaps," the messenger said. "But we will defeat you and I do believe the battle will be much more vicious."

"So it will be," Janus said. "We are ready."

"Very well. Still..you have twelve hours to change your mind."

Janus nodded.

"Don't trip on the way out," he said.

The messenger rode out.

"Twelve hours, we've got that at least," Sailor Pluto said.

"How generous of them," Sailor Mercury said.

"Still it just gives us more time to prepare," Janus said. "I hope Latric can convince the resistance to help."

"It all depends on how reasonable you all are," Sailor Pluto said.

"Fortunately we are a reasonable people," Janus said.

"You had better hope so," Sailor Pluto said.

"I'm going to go check on Saturn," Mercury said and hurried off.

"Pluto we are quite reasonable, do you see us even in our moment of crisis resorting to drasic measues. We could have ensured your help merely by hauling your human friends out as hostages, but did we..no?"

"Then again we are helping you already aren't we? Pluto asked.

"True," Janus said. "Still I'm sure you will find your suspicions of us are unfounded."

"I have no suspicions, I was just warning you."

"No need."

"I hope there isn't."

"You'll see there isn't."

"What's going on?" Greg asked.

"Oh..just a siege that's all," Amy said with a grin.

"Oh..too bad I'm stuck here in bed," Greg said.

"You should be fine soon," Amy said.

"That's what I hope," Greg said. "And how are you?"

"Me..a little tired, it's been a long day, but seems like it isn't over. Sailor Moon showed up."

"Is that a good sign?" Greg muttered.

"A very good sign," Amy said.

"Is she miraculously going to save us like she has done before?"

"I hope so. But I think it'll be more of a team effort."

"That would be nice," Greg said.

Back at the mountain.

"So Rick..you've been managing?" Raye asked.

"I told you about how I almost had to marry Lita. You call that managing?" Rick asked.

"Well..emotionally I meant," Raye said. "I know that when this all happened..you.."

"Oh that..you mean how I was afraid of battle."

"Yes."

"Truth is, I don't know if anything has changed. I wasn't involved in any. In fact my mind was preoccupied."

"Oh..I see.." Raye said. "Rick don't worry about it."

"I guess I have to," Rick said. "I mean it is my life."

"At least you know what awaits you if it were happen," Raye said. "I mean it isn't that bad."

"It's not enough to comfort me," Rick said.

"Maybe so," Raye said. "But try and relax. I'll protect you."

"Don't.." Rick said.

"What?" Raye asked, her eyes widening.

"The only thing worse then me dying, is someone else dying protecting me. You worry about your own life. I'll worry about mine."

"Sorry...no can do," Raye said. "But try to lighten up."

"Yeah," Rick said and sighed.

In another part of the cave.

"Mina? You don't like you're doing too well," Lita said sitting down beside her friend.

"Well..I've had it better, I'll be fine."

"Why don't you tell me about it."

"If you insist," Mina said.

"Visara..I've got another surprise for you!" Sailor Moon shouted running into the room followed by Sy and Latric. The other scouts clustered around.

"Another one, oh joy," Visara said. "Who's that?"

"Latric, head of the Maritorian government."

"Come to beg for our help ey?" Visara said with a grin. She knew she had the power.

"I wouldn't call it begging," Latric said.

"I would, and I am the one in control of this situation am I not?"

"Yes I suppose," Latric said.

"Well them," Visara said. "You are fortunate that you are usually quite resonable. I believe we can come to an agreement."

"I am quite glad you see it that way," Latric said.

"Yes..well let's begin the negotiations shall we?" Visara asked.

Latric nodded.

"She looks like she's enjoying this," Sailor Moon said.

"She is," Sy said.

"So did you find the others?" Raye asked.

"You bet," Sailor Moon said. "Now it's just a matter of getting us all together."

"Finally," Haruka said. "Was Pluto there too?"

"Yep,"

"Maybe she'll have some idea of how we can get home," Michiru said.

"That could be a problem," Rick said. "From what I hear, we'd need a lot of energy and for this planet to be closer to one near the Earth in another dimension."

"Say what?" Serena asked.

"Say what?" Everyone replied in surprise.

"Uh..why don't you use that term anymore?" Serena asked.

Everyone sighed.

"I think we should share the information we have to get a better idea of what's happening," Haruka said.

"Good idea," Sailor Moon said.

Minutes later.

"You pull out of the zone forever..you never come back. In addition, repatriation no questions asked for whoever wants it. And trust me we'll have ways of making sure they're treated well," Visara said.

"I'm not interested in persecuting you, only saving my country," Latric said.

"You maybe, your successor."

"I will do everything I can to prevent persecution, and I will reintegrate anyone who wants to go."

"Fine..following the war I want twenty five percent of your weaponry."

"Twenty five percent?" Latric asked.

"You can make more."

"But without a wizard to channel it what good is it to you?"

"Not your problem," Visara said.

"Very well."

"You will recognize the Zone as an individual state complete with all rights and priveliges."

"Agreed," Latric said.

"And we sign a mutual defense pact here and now."