Chapter 258
"One month and still nothing?" Serena asked.
"We were close, but then things broke down," Darrien said.
"How?"
"I'm no expert."
"So why don't you quit?"
"I don't think that would help things any," Darrien said.
"That just might be the jumpstart the negotiations need," Serena said.
"Serena, this is serious," Darrien said.
"I know," Serena said. "I'm sorry..but I am getting sick of it."
"How's Mina doing?" Darriena asked.
"Mina? Oh fine, she's had time to rest up think about things, and she decided she likes being the way she is."
"You mean insane?"
"No..she likes being energetic I think it was. Of course that took some quick explaining by all of us as to what her value was."
"What was her value?"
"Uh..her unrestrained emotion was an asset. Her inability to obey any rules set down could be very important in the future," Serena said.
"She bought that?" Darrien asked.
"I think she was just looking for an excuse," Serena said.
"Oh...I see," Darrien said. "Well...I'd better get in there before they start throwing chairs."
Serena nodded.
A young waitress headed down a sidewalk. Unknown to her two figures were following close behind from different directions. She kept walking humming to herself.
One of the figures stepped out and tripped.
"Oh..gee..are you all right?" She asked bending down.
"Uh.." Mike began before he was picked up by some strong hands.
"Look at you you clutz," Steve said laughing. "He falls down all the time, it goes beyond any medical explanation."
"Yes..doesn't it," Mike said and elbowed Steve. "So..I remember you from somewhere..you work at the restaurant on the corner right?"
"Why yes, and I'll be late for the work if I don't hurry," the girl said.
"Ah..bummer," Mike said. "Uh...well me and Steve here just wanted to compliment you on your excellent service and were hoping we could have your name so we could say what good job you did to the manager."
"Oh..uh..thank you but that's not necessary," The girl said.
"Hmm..we insist," Mike said.
"Fine, fine..it's Tierra," She said and moved down the sidewalk.
"Uh..thank you," the two said.
"You knucklehead I had her," Mike said.
"Why do you think I messed you up," Steve said.
"Steve..let's be fair about this, we should each get a fair shot," Mike said.
"I'd agree to that except I have the sinking feeling you'd get the first try," Steve said.
"No..absolutely not, listen you can go first, fine...just so we're not feuding, at least not yet," Mike said.
"All right..fair," Steve said. "It's my turn first..got it?"
"Sure...I'm going down the bar." Mike said.
"You're what?"
"It's story time," Mike said with a grin. "Oh and good luck, can't wait to see how you romance her."
Steve growled and headed off.
"This is going nowhere," Mike said. "Not to say my chances are any better.."
"This is it," Sakuro said.
"That's right," Raye said.
The two were facing opposite ends of a square.
"What aren't you going to use your sailor scout power?" Sakuro asked.
"Then it wouldn't be a fair fight," Raye said.
"Very well.." Sakuro said. "I respect that, but then again it's time for your end."
A crowd had gathered around.
"So..who do you think's going to win?" Tijiro asked.
"Raye of course," Lita said. "And Tijiro where's that girlfriend I found you?"
"We broke up," Tijiro said.
"You did?"
"Yep, she talked about herself too much."
"Oh.." Lita said.
"Guess we'll have to find me another one. Are you available?"
"No," Lita muttered.
"Rick I shall prove my love to you today," Sakuro said putting up a fighting stance.
"Not likely," Raye said. "You have no idea of my fighting skill."
"You have no idea who you're dealing with, I am a princess," Sakuro said.
"So am I," Raye said.
"But I have a real kingdom."
"This is irrelevant anyway," Raye growled.
"That it is!" Sakuro shouted.
"Don't agree with me!" Raye said.
"Are you going to fight or not!"
"Indeed I am!" Sakuro shouted.
The two lunged at each other throwing kicks, punches, and chops.
"This really was a stupid idea Rick," Lita said.
"Best idea I could come up with," Rick said.
"You're just no good at this," Lita said.
"That I know," Rick said.
"Take this outworlder!" Sakuro shouted throwing a kick. Raye ducked it and grabbed Sakuro flipping her over. Sakuro's eyes narrowed.
"This is not over," Sakuro said.
"What? Haven't I beaten you bad enough yet?" Raye asked.
"Mock me if you will," Sakuro said. "But soon you shall pay!"
Sakuro lunged forward and launched a devastating combination of moves. Raye dodged several but was hit. She staggered back. Sakuro charged forward and prepared to kick. Raye stepped out of the way and kicked her in the chest. Sakuro stepped back. Raye hit her with the spin kick.
"See no problem.." Rick said.
Sakuro stood there and stared at Raye.
"You think you have beaten me..no...you haven't," Sakuro said. There was a flash of energy and Sakuro morphed in seconds in a tall red looking ogre.
"HOW DID SHE DO THAT!" Everyone shouted.
"Tijiro..what's happening?" Lita asked.
"I really have no idea," Tijiro said.
"Yes..didn't know I could do this did ya?" Sakuro said and laughed.
"Mars Crystal Power," Mars shouted and transformed instantly.
"Yes..yes..all well and good, but I'm too much for you..and this is still a one on one matchup," Sakuro said.
"It was before you turned into that thing," Rick shouted.
"Oh come now..no changing the rules," Sakuro said and launched a fireball at Mars. She dived out of the way.
"Mars Fire Ignite!"
Sakuro jumped over it. The flame hit a stone building and disipating.
"Thank goodness it wasn't wood!" Lita shouted snidely.
"Be quiet Lita!" Mars said and dived out of the way of another fireball.
"I think we have to take her down," Lita said.
"We'll transform, but see what Raye can do," Rick said.
"All right," Lita said.
"Come now little Raye..fight me!" Sakuro shouted throwing another fireball. Mars dived out of the way and rolled forward.
"Mars Fire Ignite!"
Sakuro dodged it.
"I am quite agile," She said.
"So am I!" Mars shouted charging forward with energy building up in her hands. Sakuor launched an attack. Mars jumped to the right and then leapt forward.
"Mars Fire Ignite!" She she shouted as she chopped the ogre. Sakuro was hit and knocked to the ground.. Mars jumped on top of her.
"Give it up Sakuro," Mars said.
"Very well.." Sakuro said and morphed back into a girl. Mars fell down. Sakuro grabbed her and threw her towards a wall. Mars caught herself and spun backwards hitting Sakuro several times.
"You've lost Sakuro!" Mars shouted.
"That I have.." Sakuro said standing up with annoyance.
"Have you finally given up?" Guardian Uranus asked running up.
"Yes," Sakuro said.
"Princess Sakuro! Are you hurt!" Tijiro asked hurrying up.
"Of course I'm hurt!" Sakuro said. "Why do you care."
"You're strength, your power, the grace at which you became a powerful ogre..it was amazing," Tijiro said.
"You're kidding," Sakuro said.
"No..no..really...I mean it," Tijiro said.
"All right Tijiro, then let's go," Sakuro said.
"What..where?" Tijiro asked.
"To see my father," Sakuro said.
"Why?" Tijiro asked.
"So we can get married fool," Sakuro said.
"Married?" Everyone asked in surprise.
"Yes married," Sakuro said. "Are you coming?"
"Of course," Tijiro said and hurried after her.
"What just happened?" Jupiter asked. The other two just sighed.
"Ah..Greg..there you are," Miss Haruna said.
"Is there a problem Miss Haruna?" Greg asked.
"Well no, not really," Miss Haruna said. "I just wanted to run an idea by you?"
"What kind of idea?" Greg asked.
"Well..you see there's still five months we're going to be stuck here right?" Miss Haruna asked.
"Yes that's what it seems like," Greg said.
"And there's no war going on right?" Miss Haruna asked.
"No," Greg said.
"Then I think that it's reasonable that we should start school up again," Haruna said.
"Miss Haruna are you serious?" Greg asked.
"Yes Greg, think about it, we're missing six months of school, you'll all be behind, but it won't be as bad if we start up right now," Haruna said.
"Uh..well that's true, but I don't think many people will want to go to school," Greg said.
"No one ever wants to go to school," Haruna said. "But think about it. If you don't go, when we get back they'll make all of you repeat the year."
"I guess that would be a problem," Greg said. "I think I have to talk to the others about it."
"Yes do that, but do it quickly, times a wasting."
"Who's idea was this?" Greg asked.
"Uh one of the other teachers, believe me I could care less wheter you jokers graduate on time or not, I still get paid. But...you know.." Haruna said.
"Uh yeah," Greg said.
Miss Haruna then headed of.
"The scouts are not going to like this, but she has a point," Greg said. "And
now I get to tell them all about it," he said and sighed.
Time passed.
"Three and a half months? What is their problem?" Serena moaned.
"We're getting close," Darrien said.
"Do you have any idea what you're doing?" Serena muttered.
"Well no..but.." Darrien said.
"Save it, I'm going to be late for school," Serena muttered.
"Can't have that can we?" Darrien said.
"No we can't," Serena moaned.
"You feeling any better Setsuna?" Haruka asked.
"I've had some time to think things over, but there's not much I can do, I'm trapped," Setsuna said.
"Maybe not forever," Michiru asked. "I mean can't others do what you do?"
"I guess," Setsuna said. "But no one has the experience."
"Setsuna let's put it this way, let's try and figure that out when we can do something about, when we're back home," Haruka said. "Right now, just enjoy the vacation. There's no need for you to drown your sorrows anymore."
"I only did that a few times," Setsuna said. "It's not the answer either, though I don't know what is."
"We'll find it together, when we get back," Michiru said.
"You two had better watch it, you're beginning to sound like the others," Setsuna said.
"We help you and you insult us?" Haruka said with a grin.
Setsuna grinned back.
"All right Steve. It's been two and a half months are you going to make a move on Tierra or not?" Mike asked.
"I've been planning it out," Steve said.
"What's your plan?"
"I'm not going to tell you."
"Do it now or I rescind our agreement," Mike said.
"I'll do it tonight," Steve said.
"This I gotta see," Mike said.
Elsewhere.
"I wished to speak with you," Hotaru said.
"I'm here," Maverick said.
"You are well known for your ability to pinpoint danger before it strikes," Hotaru said.
"I try."
"There is a new danger," Hotaru said.
"Where?"
"I do not know. I was hoping you could help me find it."
"I guess it's my duty."
"You wouldn't agree otherwise."
"I didn't say that..I.."
"It is unimportant your other reasons," Hotaru said. "I understand. But we must begin our search immediately."
"Uh..right," Maverick said.
That night Mike sat at a table at one end of the restaurant. He watched as Steve sat at another table waiting for Tierra to serve him.
"He's going to fail so badly," Mike said and watched as Tierra walked up to the table. Steve said several things to her. She laughed. He then grinned and said something else. She replied and Steve laughed.
"What is happening?" Mike asked himself.
"Who ya talkin too bub?" one of the patrons said.
"Myself, I find I'm a great listener," Mike said.
"Ah.." the patron said.
Tierra smiled as Steve wrote something down on a piece of paper.. Steve grinned nodded and put it in his pocket. As soon as Tierra walked away from the table Mike dashed up to it.
"What happened?" Mike asked.
Steve pulled out a piece of paper and showed it to him.
"Her address," Steve said.
"How did you?" Mike asked.
"Don't mess with the master," Steve said.
"YOU ARE NOT THE MASTER!" Mike shouted.
"Says you!" one of the patrons muttered.
Mike sighed.
"So what did you say to her?"
"I told her some embarrasing stories about you," Steve said.
"You didn't?"
"They work in a pinch," Steve said and grinned.
"I hate you," Mike said.
And more time passed.
At the current site of Juuban High School.
"FIVE MONTHS!" Serena shouted.
"Serena sit down," Setsuna muttered.
Serena sighed and sank into her chair.
"Five months Setsuna, just what are they doing in there!" Serena shouted.
"Calm down Serena, or I'll give you detention," Setsuna said.
"That's fine, I can't see Darrien anyway," Serena said.
"So be it," Setsuna said.
"I didn't mean that," Serena said.
"Too bad," Setsuna said.
"You tell him Setsuna!" Mike said.
"Mike...why are you trying to get on my nerves today?" Setsuna asked.
"Because I'm rebelling against the system and I still don't know how Steve managed to get a date," Mike said.
"Steve managed to get a date?" Everyone asked.
"How did you pull that off Steve?" Lita asked.
"Uh..it's not important," Steve said.
"Who's the girl?" Rick asked.
"Uh..Tierra, a waitress, we've been dating for a month now," Steve said.
"And you didn't tell us?" Rick asked.
"I didn't want something like this to happen," Steve said.
"Your fears are well founded," Setsuna muttered. "Now..if we could continue class."
"Stop giving me that look Patterson I mean it!" Urawa shouted.
"It's a long way down," Patterson said.
"I'll sue you," Urawa said. "You're so used to seeing a courtroom you're probably used to it."
A dictionary smashed into his head knocking him out of his seat.
"Amy was that really necessary?" Setsuna asked.
"Yes," Amy said.
"Agreed," Setsuna said. "Now can we please continue?"
The class sighed.
That afternoon.
With a shriek the eagle flew into the city and touched down.
"Hey Visara, what brings you here?" Serena asked as Visara and Sy descended.
"Not good news I'm afraid," Visara said. "I think something has happened to the great wizard."
"Why?" Serena asked.
"We went to visit her, and strange things happened. We were attacked," Visara said. "We barely got out alive."
"It's true, we think somethings up," Sy said.
"Hmm..this may be what I feared," Hotaru said. "We were unable to contact you, but I sensed something was wrong. Now I can sense that is indeed the problem."
"So what do we do about it?" Serena asked.
"We should check this out," Setsuna said.
"I'm not sure that's safe," Visara said. "This is where the massive amounts of magic are stored, going in there even as scouts could be dangerous."
"What do you suggest?" Raye said.
"I don't know," Visara said. "That's why I came to speak with you."
"Anyone have any ideas?" Serena asked.
"We've gone through this before," Mike muttered.
The group looked around.
"Guess not," Serena said. "Why don't you have a meal and we'll talk about it somemore."
The scouts headed off leaving Hotaru and Patterson.
"It is too bad our combined efforts were not able to uncover this," Hotaru said.
"Well we didn't have much to go on," Patterson said. "And I usually need my cameras to do any real research."
"True. I thank you for your assistance even if it did help."
"You're welcome," Patterson said.
"What are you feeling right now?"
"What do you mean?"
"Fear, excitement. Nervousness?"
"Curiosity only."
"Liar," Hotaru said and headed after the others.
Patterson sighed.
Two days passed.
"All right..we've been thinking about this I think our only choice is to go in there," Serena said.
"I know that seems like the only option," Michiru said. "But it could be very dangerous."
"Still we won't know till we get there," Rick said.
"That attitude could get us all killed," Michiru said.
The door swung open and Vitar hurried in.
"Something's happening outside, you should see this," he said.
The group headed out. The sky was darkening, energy was crackling and flashing across it.
"This doesn't look nice," Mina observed.
"Whatever it is that is behind this, it's coming," Hotaru said.
"I sense it too," Setsuna said.
Raye concentrated.
"This force..is strong enough that I can feel it's prescence as well. I can feel it rippling through my aura."
"You're what?" Mike asked.
"Never mind," Serena said.
The energy crackled some more and the skies darkened deeper towards blackness.
"Well come out and show yourself!" Lita shouted.
"You will regret those words!" came a large booming voice.
The scouts all tensed.
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