Chapter 256
"They finally get to have peace, isn't that great," Serena said leaning against a balcony.
"Yeah, I guess that prophecy they were talking about was right," Darrien said.
"Of course they still have to work out the negotiations and put years of hostility behind them," Serena said.
"They'll be at it for days at least," Darrien said.
"So..what do you think of the place?"
"I don't know, I haven't given it much thought. I've been worried about you," Darrien said.
"Oh..well thank you," Serena said. "I was worried about you too, especially when you weren't here. I thought you might think I was dead."
"And then that I would see other women?" Darrien asked.
"No..no..not really..okay a little, but that was just part of it," Serena said.
"If you say so," Darrien said with a grin.
"Really..." Serena said.
"I know," Darrien said.
"Oh..right," Serena said.
"So I guess we'll be here awhile huh?" Darrien asked.
"Well they've all promised to send us back when the time is right, but that's still months away," Serena said. "It's a good thing we stopped this war or we might never have been sent back. So..how do you think we're going to pass the time?"
"I'm sure you have some ideas," Darrien said with a grin.
"That I do," Serena said. "Let me tell you about them." She inched closer to him. A scream reverberated up the hall.
"Come back Prince Richard!" Princess Sakuro shouted.
"This is beyond entertaining!" Rick shouted and raced down the hallway, the Princess chased after him.
"Come on Richard, you know I am your true love!" Sakuro shouted.
"I've got something to say about that!" Raye shouted following the other two.
"This world isn't that different from ours ey?" Darrien asked.
Serena nodded.
"Even I wouldn't go that far for love," she said.
And in the negotiations.
"That's absurd we've held the same border for seven centuries," The leader of the amazons said.
"It's too close to the zone," Visara said.
"You are making this personal," The leader said.
"No, this purely a matter of business, you're too close," Visara said.
"I quite agree," the Lucoratorium ambassador said. "You're much farther in."
"This is just an excuse to take territory away from us," the amazons said.
"If we chose too, our three armies could take it from you, would you like that!" the Lucoratorium ambassador said.
"Now don't go threatening her like that," King East said. "I'm not about to consider such drastic action at this time."
"I've heard that before," the ambassador said.
"If we continue to argue this way, we won't get anywhere," Latric muttered.
"She is the one stalling negotiations," the ambassador said pointing at the amazon.
"You ask too much from us," the amazon said.
"You did try to invade all of our states, didn't you?" The lucoratorium ambassador muttered.
"No, our goals were more limited," The amazon said.
"Only because we managed to stop you," Visara said.
"Now that was personal," the amazon said.
"No, you've got quite a reputation," Visara said.
"It seems to me we need a moderator," Latric said.
"Agreed!" The other four said.
"But who?" King East asked.
"One of the sailor scouts perhaps," Latric said.
"No..they opposed us," the amazon said.
"And they aren't looking too favorable on us either," the ambasssador said.
"What about the other outworlder, the one in black," King East said.
"You mean Tuxedo Mask," Latric said.
"He fought us too," the amazon said.
"But not that much," Visara said. "He was merely following his girlfriend's lead."
"He has only been here involved in all this for a few days, he is the most impartial person we can find," King East said.
"Very well," the amazon said. "We shall see how neutral he is."
"You want me to do what?" Darrien asked.
"You see, we need an impartial moderator or we'll never get passed some issues," Latric said.
"But I'm not trained in any of this kind of stuff."
"I know, still you are the best candidate," Latric said.
"You're sure there's no one else?" Darrien asked.
"No one we could think of that would be as impartial," Latric said.
"I see," Darrien said. "I guess I have to give it a try."
"You'll do fine Darrien," Serena said.
"Yeah, I hope," Darrien said.
"Don't worry..it probably can't get any worse," Serena said.
"Famous last words no doubt," Darrien said and headed off.
"Jeez..I hope this peace process doesn't take long," Serena muttered.
Elsewhere, a group of residents were repairing some of the battle damage. Also helping out were Guardian Neptune and Guardian Pluto who were hitting away at some rubble.
"Here we been a working..gonna keep on working..till the warden say we gonna stop!" Neptune was singing drawing strange looks from the inhabitants.
"Neptune what are you doing?" Pluto asked.
"Livening up the atmosphere," Neptune said.
"Whatever.." Pluto said.
Soon both of them were singing the song which was baffling the rest of the residents immensely.
"It is good of you to help, but why do you insist on singing as you do?" One of the people asked.
"Native earth custom," Neptune said.
"Oh..I see..." the man said.
"Come on join in, it'll make the work seem like it's going faster," Neptune said.
"I'm not sure," the man said.
"It does take your mind off your troubles for better or worse," Pluto said.
"I see..all right," the man said.
Soon the entire group was singing a verse of Neptune's inane song.
"What are they doing?" Mina muttered as she and Lita passed by.
"I'm surprised it didn't happen sooner," Lita said.
Mina sighed.
"When are those two ever going to grow up," she said.
"Well..Steve just goes along occasionally," Lita said. "You know."
"Yeah I guess," Mina said. "Still..that Mike.."
"He's entertaining."
"Not always," Mina said. "Trust me."
"Well they all seem to be enjoying themselves," Lita said.
"I guess they've got that going for them," Mina said.
"Uh..oh..." Lita said.
"What?"
"Tijiro," Lita said and hurried off in another direction. Tijiro raced by.
"Wait Lita..you don't understand..I only wish to court you!" he shouted.
Mina sighed.
"Now I'm alone again," she muttered and kept walking.
"This new math is amazing," one of the elders of the city said as Amy drew a picture for him on a board.
"The basics are quite simple and from there it can be adapted to more advanced applications," Amy said.
"I see..yes..the logic is all there," the elder said.
"I'm glad you see it. This could surely advance your thinking."
"Yes..it could..the possibilites are endless."
"Endless? I don't know.." Amy said.
"No..trust me..the things we can do with this," the elder said. "The angles, the equations how wonderful!"
Even I don't get this excited. Amy thought. Then again he is learning it for the first time.
"Now..what is this algebra you are speaking of?" the man asked.
"Ah..let me explain," Amy said and quickly drew another equation. She grinned as he listened intently to all that she said.
And they say this stuff doesn't matter. She thought.
"Uh..so now the conflict is over," Hotaru said.
"I guess," Greg said.
"Not likely," Hotaru said. "I give it a year."
"You have to hope it will work," Greg said.
"I don't, what do I care," Hotaru said.
"Well..you'd like to think people don't need to fight."
"War is sometimes a corrective measure," Hotaru said.
"No one should have to die like that," Greg said.
"No one has to," Hotaru said. "They don't kill each other."
"Yes I know, but.." Greg said.
"Fighting is natural, it is easier then trusting. Defeat your opponent and you know who is in control. No backstabbing is necessary. The strong survive," Hotaru said. "It is easier, it is natural."
"But it shouldn't be," Greg said.
"Many things shouldn't be true, but they aren't."
"Yeah I guess so," Greg said. " Still you might as well hope that things turn out well. It doesn't hurt."
"I suppose not," Hotaru said. "You and I have much to discuss though."
"Oh..yeah..uh..right about that..."
"We have conversations don't we?"
"Yes."
"We can share our thoughts with each other?"
"Yes."
"We share some similarities, some differences."
"Like most humans."
"But we are more alike then many," Hotaru said.
"Uh..yes..but.." Greg said.
"Still..we might as well accept that there is nothing more to be said about it."
"What?"
"I mean that we are associates, we speak to each other because we are useful to each other. But few conclusions can be drawn from that relationship except that," Hotaru said.
"Uh..good point," Greg said.
"You didn't believe there was anything more to it?" Hotaru asked.
"I..uh no..I felt you're right."
"That is good, because at one point I thought that I was seeing things differently. I was wrong though," Hotaru said. "One might say we are friends."
"If you want to say that, I certainly would agree," Greg said.
"Yes, so you would," Hotaru said. "But unfortunately I don't know how much more I can improve."
"I'm sure you can keep going, you can become whatever you want."
"I like this," Hotaru said.
"What?" Greg said.
"I like the way I am right now."
"Uh..are you sure?" Greg asked.
"At the moment yes. I believe I could be called happy with my current situation," Hotaru said. "I may change my mind. But for now. I am satisfied."
"Well all right," Greg said. "I guess there's nothing really wrong with being the way you are."
"That is what I thought," Hotaru said. "There is a part of me that does not wish to conform. That part of me I wish to keep."
"You have every right to believe that, still there may be some things you want to sort out," Greg said. "And if you do...I...can help."
"Your assistance is welcomed," Hotaru said.
Urawa didn't care anymore that everyone disliked him over the stand he took. He had a right to be suspicious if no one else was going to be. One should never take things at full face value. He believed that. Sure the scouts might be good people, but there was just something about them that bothered him. Maybe it was the fact that they were high school students like himself. How could they be so commited to their cause. He didn't know. But he stopped as he recognized the figure leaning against the wall up ahead of him. He stopped.
"Urawa..." Patterson said. "I've heard stories.."
"I'll bet you have," Urawa said.
"Yes, it seems that while I've been gone, you've been up to some trouble," Patterson said.
"I have the right to be suspicious of you," Urawa said.
"I agree," Patterson said. "I'm not too trusting myself. But my sister is."
"Now wait a minute," Urawa said backing up. "You can't possibly be taking that route. Honestly.."
"Some people say that I haven't fully recovered, that I'll always be a little unstable. That the anger I feel will not always be dealt with in a civilized manner. I think I agree," Patterson said. "Sometimes I'm known to lash out. You insult me..I can take it. You insult the other scouts, they'll deal with as they see fit, but you see..you insult her..and well..that's the wrong thing to do."
"So..this is what you've sunk to..primative barbarism," Urawa said.
"Fraid so," Patterson said and punched Urawa in the gut. A few more blows and Urawa fell to the ground.
"I'm fine now," Patterson said and walked off.
"That was not our fault!" The Lucoratiorium ambassador shouted.
"What do you mean it wasn't you fault!" Latric said.
"Uh..people calm down!" Darrien said pounding on the desk.
They stopped and looked at him.
"I'm right!" they said in unison.
"This isn't the issue," Darrien said. "Please..you've asked me to help you. Are you going to let me or are we just going to fight some more."
"I'm up for some more fighting," King East said and started laughing.
"You would be, you could make up for those years you sat by and did nothing," the ambassador said.
"Which was the right course of action I believe," King East said.
"Maybe for you and your isolationist people," the ambassador said.
Darrien sighed as another argument ensued.
"We'll probably be going at this for several more weeks," Visara whispered "Just hope they don't bring up the battle of Rais Ta Kaon."
"Why?"
"Trust me.." Visara said. "It won't be good."
Darrien pounded on the desk.
"Come on..quiet down," he said.
"Hey King East, I'd like you to know your wife is doing quite well in our lovely kingdom," the Lucoratorium ambassador said.
"You dare bring that affair up!" King East said.
The two started shouting.
"What is that all about?" Darrien asked.
"King East's wife ran away with a knight from Lucoratorium. Nasty business really," Visara said.
"Can we keep the extramarital affairs out of this?" Darrien asked.
"You and your puny concept of marriage," the amazon said. "When will you learn?"
"That brings up a good point, namely the equality in your country," Latric said.
"That is not open for discussion," The amazon said.
"Why not?" Visara asked.
"This is not about that," The amazon said.
"Come to think of it, with your army destroyed, what's the keep the resistance movement from taking over?" Visara asked with a grin.
"We..uh..have several reserves," The amazon said. "I uh must step out for a moment."
"Uh..looks like we need a break anyway," Darrien muttered.
"And what about Rais Ta Kaon!" the ambassador said.
A fight broke out right there.
"Told you," Visara said.
Darrien sighed hopelessly.
"Diplomacy," Haruka said and sighed. "It won't get them anywhere."
"You think so?" Michiru asked.
"I try to be optimistic, but trying usually doesn't work."
"Sometimes it works out, not easily, but it works out. The problem is trust. It's no hard to earn."
"And to keep," Haruka said.
"Yes, that is the problem," Michiru said. "Speaking of that, do you think the scouts and us have learned to trust each other."
"I think we know where each other stands, fortunately our motives and there's have not come into conflict lately, however I can see us still having some difficulties if the wrong thing were to happen."
"It's a pity, they are such a nice group," Michiru said.
"Hopefully professional matters will not interfere with personal matters," Haruka said.
"We can always hope that, but sometimes.."
"I know," Haruka said. "Still...we can hope."
"This has got to stop," Lita muttered.
"I know," Rick said. "We can't run from them forever."
"I thought after those two journey together this far they'd actually see something in each other," Lita said.
"Me too," Rick said. "Maybe they really do hate each other."
"But Tijiro.."
"Maybe he finally gave up."
"Love isn't like that. You don't give up, you always hold out some hope," Lita said.
"Like for your old boyfriend," Rick said.
"Yes," Lita said. "If he only he changed," she said trailing off.
"Yes..well.that won't happen," Rick said.
"We don't know, technology is expanding, one day there may be a cure to his illness."
"Illness..he's just a jerk," Rick said.
"Yes, but that's okay, there must be a way to remove that part from his brain," Lita said.
"Uh right," Rick said.
"I know, it doesn't seem possible right now, but maybe someday," Lita said.
"Lita..let's worry about that later, we've got Sakuro and Tijiro to worry about."
"You're right, we do. Any ideas?"
"No. We're stuck."
"Well can't Raye just beat Sakuro up?"
"I'm hoping that's happening at the moment, but Raye can't be everywhere," Rick said.
"Just watch her, she'd try."
"Yeah, but I don't want those two constantly fighting. The only solution is to get Tijiro and Sakuro together."
"Easier said then done."
"I know," Rick said.
"There you are!" Sakuro shouted.
"No you don't!" Raye said tackling her.
"How dare you assault a princess!" Sakuro shouted.
"We'd better get out of here," Lita said.
The two hurried down the other way. Tijiro stepped out.
"My love," he said.
"Sorry gotta go," Rick said and leapt over him Tijrio and raced down the street.
"Now we can be alone," Tijiro said.
"You jerk Rick!" Lita shouted.
That afternoon.
"Now.." Darrien said. "We're going to try something different."
He stared at the five parties. The room was also filled with the four Guardian Scouts.
"The way this is going to work is if you cause trouble, one of the scouts here will blast you," Darrien said. "I believe this will be a persuasive way to keep fights down a minimum."
"Now this outrageous," the ambassador said.
Neptune blasted him.
"See?" Darrien asked.
"Ahem.." the ambassador stammered. "Perhaps we'll try it your way."
"Glad to hear it," Darrien said.
Setsuna meanwhile was standing in the tower atop the government building admiring the view.
"Setsuna..what brings you up here?" Serena asked walking up to her.
"I might ask you the same," Setsuna said.
"Well..I noticed you up here and was curious and with Darrien so busy, I had the time."
"Something's wrong," Setsuna said. "I'm not sure what, and I'm not as attuned to the forces of good and evil on this planet as I am on Earth, but I can just sense it."
"What do you think's gonna happen?"
"I don't know. Which doesn't make me feel any better. Still I just get this sense that something somewhere is wrong."
"Well...I'm sure that's always true," Serena said. "There's peace, what could be wrong?"
"I don't know yet. Try not to worry about it," Setsuna said.
"I probably won't," Serena said.
"The joy of being young," Setsuna said with a grin.
"You don't look too old yourself," Serena said.
"I don't look it in human form, but when you crisscross time and dimensions you age somewhat," Setsuna said.
"Oh..I didn't know," Serena said. "Still you look good."
"I probably will for a while," Setsuna said. "But..don't you worry about it. Go find your friends."
"I think they're a little busy too, various problems," Serena said. "And Amy's teaching math somewhere.."
"Oh," Setsuna said. "I guess it can be a little boring then."
"I'll find something," Serena said and hurried off.
Setsuna grinned slightly.
"Now what is going on?" She thought and concentrated.
And miles away in the mountains of the zone, there was a small flash, brief, unconsequential, but a flash none the less. The clouds darkened for a few seconds and then returned to normal. The grand wizard's eyes flickered open and then closed again.
Something is amiss. She thought.
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