Chapter 265
It was the afternoon and up on the stage of a theater, the three lights were practicing among other performers for their part in a musical. It had been a week since the last star seed attack. And the three had been working at the musical in that time. Working very hard, dancing singing and whatever else they had to. The director looked on with cold determination on her face.
She snapped her fingers. Everyone stopped.
"Seiya, what is your problem?" the director shouted.
"What?" Seiya said.
"You're all wrong," the director said.
"I'm doing what you told me to."
"No you aren't. Now try it again."
The group then started up again with the music going. Seconds later the director snapped her fingers again.
"Seiya! You didn't do what I said!"
"What is it you want?" Seiya said.
"Do you want to be in this musical!"
"Yes!"
"Then prove it to me!"
"What have I been doing?" Seiya said.
"Nothing!"
Seiya turned and walked away.
"That's right..leave...come back when you actually care," the director said.
"Aren't you being a little hard on Seiya?" Yaten asked.
"I didn't see that much wrong," Taiki said.
"You two are not the director. I am, you're professionals, you know enough to listen to me."
The two nodded solemnly.
Seiya walked out of the backstage area quickly passing by faithful assistant Mina as she guarded the door.
"Seiya..is there a problem?" Mina said.
"No," Seiya snapped and hurried off.
"Well that's a contradiction I'd say," Mina said.
Seiya soon left the theater slamming the door on the way out.
Another figure entered through it and walked up the stairs.
"Why did Seiya just go running out of here?" Ai Karisa asked.
"I bet he heard you were coming and wanted to run and hide, I know that's what I usually do," Mina snapped.
"You never learn do you?" Karisa asked. "Now if Seiya's gone does that mean production has stopped for today?"
"Continue working! We don't need him!" the director barked.
"There's your answer Ai, and I bet you'll love meeting the director, she's arrogant, stubborn, and a jerk, hey..so are you," Mina said.
"Out of my way," Ai said and walked inside.
"Who are you?" the director said.
"Personal photographer," Karisa said.
"Not in here you're not."
"I'm afraid I have a contract."
"This is my production, you'll take pictures when I say so!"
"I have a right to!"
"Says who!"
Mina grinned at the exchange.
That night.
"Patterson we really aren't getting anywhere. We've been trying to think of ways to get the three lights, but..." Rick began.
"What have you tried?" Patterson said not looking up from the computer screen he was studying.
"Ryu, one of the upperclassman, he had us build this pie machine...once completed it was capable of delivering seventy pies to the face in a minute," Rick said.
"What happened?" Patterson asked.
"Well..we ate the pies," Rick said. "But then Melvin developed this anti-bug repellent."
"What do you mean anti-bug repellent."
"Well..I mean that instead of repelling bugs it attracted them."
"Oh..poor word choice."
"Well..the problem was Melvin didn't put the lid on tight enough..."
"How many of you got sprayed."
"Twenty percent."
"Oh...unfortunate."
"Steve's idea was to build a rocket that would drop acorns on their heads, then we decided just to pick up acorns and try to drop them on their heads," Rick said.
"Seems doable."
"Well we got hit with the rocket," Rick said.
"Oh..." Patterson muttered not understanding fully.
"Well.. that's it," Rick said. "Guess I've gotta try something else."
"Apparently," Patterson replied.
Rick hurried out of the war room and headed for the door. He opened it just as Amy was walking inside.
"Oh..hi Rick..you came to visit D.V?"
"Yep. Just paying a call you know."
"I see...well see you.."
"Sure.." Rick said and headed out. Amy hurried up to her room and pulled out her communicator.
"So what's this about Seiya?" she asked.
"I don't have all the details.." Serena began.
The next day the three lights bus headed towards the school.
"Don't let her get to you Seiya.." Taiki said.
"She doesn't yell at you," Seiya said.
"Sure she does, just not as often," Taiki said.
"She's being unfair," Seiya said.
"So...deal with it," Yaten said. "We've had to deal with problematic directors before."
"But she seems so out to get me," Seiya said.
"We don't know what to say," Taiki said.
"It's kind of between you and here," Yaten said.
Minutes later the bus was pulling up.
"Oh joy..our wonderful fans," Seiya said.
"We'll cover for you," Taiki said.
"Yep, leave it to us," Yaten said.
Seiya was able to make it into the building quite quickly while the other two wooed the crowd. In fact his speed surprised the males waiting in his classroom.
"Okay...anyone know how hard we have to swing the bat to bruise but not break the bone?" Mike was saying.
"Uh..we'd have to do some field research," someone said.
"It's a simple matter of physics gentlemen," Melvin was saying.
"Is this all you do all day?" Seiya muttered. "Make stupid plans?"
And moved to his seat.
"He's got stealth," the guys all muttered.
"Early aren't you Seiya?" Setsuna asked.
"Yeah..is that a problem Miss Meio?"
"Not for me, but it seems like it's a problem for you," Setsuna said.
"It's no concern of yours, it's mine alone," Seiya said.
"Just thought I'd ask," Setsuna said.
"Three miles per hour would do it, I think.." Steve said.
"All right!" the guys cried. "I mean..ahem..yes..we are pleased at that non threatening non conspiratorial statement."
"Will you jokers give it a rest?" Setsuna snapped.
Glad they're all having so much fun. Seiya thought.
At lunch the five girls were occupying a separate table once again.
"Why aren't we sitting with the three lights like we normally do?" Lita asked Mina.
"Choose your answer carefully," Raye added.
"Listen guys, Seiya's been down about something, and it's up to us to find out why and solve the problem," Mina said.
"Mina's right, this could get us in good with the three lights," Serena said.
"But maybe Seiya's problem is personal," Amy said.
"And we're persons right?" Mina asked.
"People, but yes," Lita said. "I'm in."
"Me too...so where is Seiya?" Raye asked.
"We'll find him," Mina said and stood up.
The others followed.
Meanwhile at the male's table.
"I have it!" Mike said. "Take a look!"
He slammed a piece of paper down on the table.
"When did you develop a plan?" Urawa muttered.
"Class..when else?" Mike asked.
"Hmm...I guess this plan could work," Greg said looking at it. "In theory."
"A plan! We've got a plan!" someone shouted and soon the entire male contingent was pounding on the table.
"Quiet!" the girls shouted.
"Sorry..." The boys muttered.
Seiya was sitting up on the roof, glad that no one had found his hiding place. That would soon change.
"There he is," Mina whispered, as the five girls peeked around the doorframe.
"What do we do know?" Lita asked.
"How about we..eekk.." Serena said and tripped from a standing position and brought the other girls down with her. Seiya whirled to see the pile up.
"Hi..Seiya," the five muttered.
"You girls don't quit do you?" Seiya said. "Normally I'd find your disturbances bordering on comic relief, right now they're just annoying."
"We're sorry," the five said.
"But we're concerned," Mina said.
"Are you?" Seiya said.
"Yes, see Seiya, we may just seem like wild fans," Mina said.
"Which we are," Raye added.
"But..we're also people who care about more than just the looks or even the music. We care about the person," Mina said.
"Where is she getting this stuff?" Serena whispered.
"Last weeks episode of Dirk Eros, love cop," Lita said
"Oh..." Serena said.
"And..Seiya..I'm your assistant, and my friends are my assistants," Mina said.
"Oh yeah..when do we get paid?" Raye muttered.
"Later Raye," Mina said. "And.Seiya..if there's anything we can do to help we want to do that, because we're caring nice people."
"Uh huh," the others said and nodded.
Seiya glanced at the sky and sighed.
"Look girls, it's not that I don't want to believe you, it's more that I don't think you can help me," Seiya said.
"Try us," the five said in unison.
"O..kay," Seiya said unsurely. "You see..I'm in the new musical."
"'Love is not a simple thing', starring the three lights..." the five said.
"Right..that one," Seiya said. "And the director.."
"Myoko Nitri," the five interjected.
"....Is giving me trouble.." Seiya said unsurely. "Now matter what I do it's not good enough."
"Are you trying your best?" Raye asked.
"Yes," Seiya said. "I'm not a slouch."
"Do you think she has a vendetta or something against you?" Amy asked.
"Maybe," Seiya said. "But I don't know why. You see now why it's hard for me to see you helping me. She's stubborn and she can't be reasoned with."
"Maybe she's insane," Lita said.
"That still doesn't help," Seiya said.
"We could have her killed for ya," Mina said.
"No we couldn't.." Serena said whimsically, and the other four pushed Mina behind them.
"I appreciate the thought girls, but you can see what the problem is. I don't know what she wants, I keep trying, well..that's not true, I gave up yesterday afternoon..but I was trying up till then," Seiya said.
"Do you normally give up when times get rough?" Raye asked stepping forward.
"No," Seiya said.
"Well maybe, this is part of what the director is about. Maybe she doesn't want someone who quits when put under pressure."
"But she treats Yaten and Taiki fairly."
"Maybe, but Seiya, you're the expert on this sort of thing, haven't you ever met a tough director before?"
"Tough, but fair," Seiya said.
"Well..Seiya..maybe she's testing you."
"Testing me?"
"Sure, maybe she wants a star who won't break under the pressure."
"It's not the pressure it's just her."
"Well..maybe she wants to know how much you want to be a star."
"Why doesn't she want to know how much the other two want to be a star?" Seiya asked.
"Maybe she already knows, somehow," Raye said.
"Hmm..can I just ask why you think so?" Seiya asked.
"Well.I've met people like that before," Raye said.
"Maybe she is one of those people," Serena said.
"Interesting hypothesis," Lita said. The others glanced at each other.
"Seiya, you're a professional singer, dancer, and actor, I'm just an amateur, but I know that sometimes, directors want to know if their star will be there for them no matter what, they want stars with inner strength to keep trying even when the odds are tough. Maybe she's one of them."
"Raye, I've been asking myself what possible explanation she could have for doing what she's doing, and aside from extreme hatred, your answer is the only one that seems to make any sense," Seiya said. "Would you come with me today?"
"Uh..absolutely," Raye said blushing.
"The rest of you are welcome, but you had better stay out of the director's away, she makes even Ai Karisa cringe."
"Her only redeeming trait I think," Mina growled.
"Ahh..the ferret got out!" someone shouted on the ground. The group all rushed to see a large crowd of guys racing after the small furry animal as it dashed across the plaza area of the school.
"What is going on down there?" Lita asked.
"Get the ferret!" Mike shouted.
"We're trying!" someone replied.
"This is very strange," Amy observed.
Those idiots. Patterson said staring out the window. Waste of a good Ferret too.
"Patterson?" Setsuna asked.
"Uh..what..." Patterson said.
"Is something the matter?"
"The Ferret chase was a little distracting," Patterson said.
"That's the fifth time you've spaced out today, you're beginning to take on some very worrying characteristics," Setsuna said with concern.
"Is there a problem Patterson?" Michiru asked.
"I'm fine, what is it you asked?"
"How do you intend to deal with the Starlights now that they are wise to your attacks?" Haruka asked.
"Without the ability to surprise them, you lose your effectiveness," Michiru said.
"Only some of it, I can still drive them off," Patterson said.
"At a cost," Haruka said.
"I'm willing to pay it, besides, the intelligence gathering is important. Once we know all their attacks we can plan strategy. So far they have their group attack and their own separate attacks. My next step should find out what their hand to hand abilities are," Patterson said.
"You should really be more careful," Michiru said.
"I agree, you're style tends to lead to injury," Haruka said.
"It's sometimes necessary to take some hits," Patterson said.
"Do you know who they are Patterson?" Setsuna asked bluntly.
"No," Patterson said.
"We've tried to track them, they've eluded even us," Haruka said clenching her fist. "They are formidable."
"Not against our combined forces," Patterson said.
"Their wave attack is very effective though," Michiru said. said.
"They need two seconds to energize it, an attack during that time will neutralize it," Patterson said.
"You timed it?" Setsuna asked.
"Yes," Patterson said.
"Still it would be useful to know what they are after," Michiru said.
"It doesn't matter they attacked us, we'll attack them," Haruka said.
"The Inners and the Guardians don't seem to agree on that idea yet," Setsuna said.
"They are letting their emotions blind them," Haruka said.
"That's right they are, but those emotions are what keep us from making the wrong choices," Patterson said.
"Your emotions do other things," Hotaru said. She stepped towards Patterson who got slightly nervous.
"It is tempting you, you must decide whether to accept it or not."
She turned and returned to the front room. Patterson sighed.
Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna looked at each other wondering what the girl meant.
"So..Seiya...are you finally ready?" the director snapped.
"I am ready," Seiya said and tried again. The dance began. He did it.
"Now the singing!" the director barked. The three began.
"No!" she snapped. "Seiya, you're off!"
"I will do it again," Seiya said.
"See that you do!" the director said. The dance went off, and the singing went on.
"No, wrong Seiya!"
Seiya stopped and clenched his fist.
The girls watching carefully from the doorway gasped.
Seiya let his fist unclench.
"Then it must be done again," he said.
The director nodded.
And they went through it for a third time.
"I want it done better than that," the director said a little more quietly.
The group did the routine again.
"Hmm...Seiya..you have improved..though not much....we will practice this again..later..now prepare for the next scene!"
Maybe it's working. Seiya thought.
The director headed off and out a side door to where a soda machine sat.
"It's hot under those lights," she said and bought a soda.
"Excuse me, are you the great Director Nitri," came a voice.
"I am Nitri," the director said and turned to see a small woman standing there.
"What do you want?" she added.
"To be perfectly honest, I want your star seed!" Nezu shouted and transformed.
"What are you?" Nitri said.
"You are a directing star, I collect star seeds, it's a simple concept," Sailor Iron Mouse said and launched her attack. The seed popped out of Nitri and turned black. Nitri screamed.
"This is getting tedious," Iron Mouse said. "Ah..well.."
The phone booth formed around her and she disappeared.
Nirti meanwhile turned into a Sailor Monster.
"Sailor Director!" she shouted. The stage hand looked in the doorway with concern.
"Director are you..uh oh.." the stage hand said and dashed away. Sailor Director walked through the door sending the rest of the cast running for their lives.
Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten ran behind a curtain.
"Here we go again," Yaten said.
"There's no time to lose," Seiya said.
The three pulled out dark black star shaped crystals.
"Star Fighter Power!" Seiya shouted.
"Star Maker Power!" Taiki shouted.
"Star Healer Power!" Yaten shouted.
The three then transformed into the Sailor Starlights.
"Now we attack," they said.
Sailor Director was meanwhile looking for trouble.
"What....no one to direct? This is annoying," she said.
"I hate it when you creatures say the stupidest things!" came a shout. Standing at the end of a row of seats was Sailor Moon flanked by the Sailor Scouts.
"I am Sailor Moon champion of justice, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil. And that..."
"Means you!" the five shouted.
"On behalf of the moon.."
"Mercury."
"Venus."
"Jupiter."
"And Mars."
"We'll punish you!" the five shouted.
"Hmm..needs work," Sailor Director said and launched a barrage of spikes at them. The five dived behind the seats.
"So..why does Sailor Director have spikes as an attack?" Sailor Moon muttered.
"Stranger things have happened," Mercury said.
"Star Laser!" came a shout.
An energy attack smashed into Sailor Director and threw her forward.
"Star Inferno!" came a second shout. Sailor Director started to scream.
The Sailor Starlights dropped onto the stage.
"Where is the star seed?" they said. "Answer us or we'll destroy you!"
"No there's a human in there," Sailor Moon said standing up.. "Moon Tiara Magic!" She shouted and threw her tiara. The Starlights jumped out of the way.
"Hah hah!" came a shout. Guardian Neptune leapt off a balcony shooting his sword. It smashed into Sailor Star Healer and knocked him to the ground. He landed a foot away from Sailor Director who lunged at him.
"Uh oh," he said and dived away.
"Star Inferno!" came a shout. An attack flew right at the scouts they dived out of the way.
"We will have our answers!" the other two Sailor Starlights said. "No matter what!"
"That's not a good sign is it?" Sailor Moon asked.
CHAPTER 261 CHAPTER 262 CHAPTER 263 CHAPTER 264 CHAPTER 265
CHAPTER 266 CHAPTER 267 CHAPTER 268 CHAPTER 269 CHAPTER 270
CHAPTER 271 CHAPTER 272 CHAPTER 273 CHAPTER 274 CHAPTER 275
CHAPTER 276 CHAPTER 277 CHAPTER 278 CHAPTER 279 CHAPTER 280
CHAPTER 281 CHAPTER 282 CHAPTER 283 CHAPTER 284 CHAPTER 285