CHAPTER 22
The Knight smashed apart another fountain. More people panicked and ran out of the shopping plaza. The knight just stood there and laughed occasionally slicing a bench to pieces with his sword.
"Hah! You humans are nothing!" he shouted.
"We beg to differ," Five voices replied. The knight grinned underneath his helmet and turned to see the five Sailor Scouts standing there.
"So you've finally shown up,"he muttered.
"We are the Sailor Scouts!" the five shouted in near unison. "We will right wrongs and triumph over evil!"
Then they went quiet. The knight just waited.
"Sailor Moon...say the line," Jupiter whispered.
"Oh...right..." Sailor Moon whispered back. "And that means you!" She shouted.
"Doesn't that get old?" the knight muttered. "I am Argosante!" he shouted.
"Argosante? We already killed you!" Mars muttered.
"Never! But you must have killed my brother! Argosante!" the knight shouted.
"What?" The five girls said.
"It's pronounced differently you puny nutrient consumers!" Argosante yelled. "He was Arrrrgosante! I am Argosaaaannteeee!"
The five girls just stared in disbelief.
"Um...right," Sailor Moon muttered. "Whoever you are, you have to deal with me, Sailor Moon!"
"And Sailor Venus," Venus said.
"And Sailor Mercury!" Mercury yelled.
"And Sailor Mars," Mars added.
"And Sailor Jupiter!" Jupiter added.
"You're Earth's defense....with that act?" Argosante muttered. "Hah! As much I would like to seek revenge on you for the destruction of my brother, I do not have the time," he said and a cloud of smoke appeared. When it cleared he was gone.
"Where'd he go?" Venus asked in surprise.
"Why didn't he fight?" Jupiter asked.
"That was a strange creature. He didn't collect energy for anyone, he just destroyed things until we showed up," Mercury said. "He must have wanted us to show up."
"A trap?" Jupiter asked and looked around for any sign of attack.
"I don't see any trap maybe he was collecting reconnaissance," Mercury said.
"So.....they sent him to find out what Earth's defenses were like. I get it," Sailor Moon said.
"But who sent him?" Mars asked.
Argosante walked down the alley away from his encounter. A limousine pulled up at the end of it and a door swung open. He moved forward and climbed inside. As soon as he was in the car began to move.
"Did you see them?" a voice asked.
"Yes," Argosante said. "Sir, there were five of them."
"Five? Hmm..."
"Yes, Sailor Moon, Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter," Argosante said.
"I see....this changes things slightly. Good work. Now that I know how many there are we can move ahead with my plan. The Sailor Scouts won't be a problem for long."
"Yes sir."
The limo continued on it's path until It descended into a parking garage under a large skyscraper. A building which had the name Jade Corporation inscribed on all four of its sides.
"Five you say? Well...looks like Sailor Moon has found some new friends since
we last met," Jaedite said as he emerged from the limo.
The next morning was bright and sunny like most. Amy woke up early as usual and walked downstairs to the kitchen where her mother was cooking up some eggs. Her father was sipping some coffee and watching the news. Amy said good morning and took a seat at the table.
"Another alien attack? Boy they're persistent," her father said as the news mentioned the previous days attack.
"And as if the new attack was not enough comes the shocking news that Prime Minister Kamazaki has resigned from office," the newsman said.
"What?" The three Andersons said in surprise.
"Early this morning he announced his resignation. This came as a surprise to everyone on his staff and his political party. He said that he was tired of serving. Afterwards he seemed dazed and confused and unsure of what he had just done. This has lead to questions about the mental state of a man who has devoted his life to public service," the newsman said. "A special election has been called for among party supporters and will be held in four weeks. Already candidates are emerging for the position."
"Why would Kamazaki quit. His opinion rating was through the roof," Amy's mother said.
"Yeah....and what's all this dazed and confused stuff? Was he drunk or something?" her father said.
"This is strange," Amy said.
"Hmm..well just when you think you've figured the world out. Something like
this happens," her father said.
Serena woke up and sighed.
"Ehh..why do I even bother?" she asked herself.
"It's anyone guess how your mind works," Luna muttered.
"Well..off to school..and another meaningless day of classes," Serena said and began to get dressed. "I mean..Luna..we find an enemy and he can't even have the decency to fight us..."
"So you're facing a new challenge, did you expect all the battles to be the same?"
"Haven't they been though?" Serena asked.
"Well that's not really the point," Luna said.
"Whatever you say Luna," Serena said and walked out of her room fully dressed.
"She doesn't even try listening anymore," Luna muttered. "Oh well..might as well sleep."
A quick walk down the street led Serena to encounter Lita, who looked quite drowsy.
"You look like I usually feel," Serena said.
"Don't I know it. Slept for maybe an hour last night," Lita muttered.
"Oh..why?" Serena asked.
"No clue, just couldn't sleep."
"You haven't had this trouble before have you?"
"Insomnia? No."
"Hmm..wonder what it could be. You and Steve doing all right?"
"Relatively speaking," Lita said.
"Oh.we'll just avoid that issue then," Serena said sensing that was not where she wanted to go.
"It can't be the negaverse..I mean..we've fought them before and I've been able to sleep..."
"Hmm.wish I could help you, but I'm no good at this."
"Sure you are Serena. You're always nosing into people's problems."
Serena stopped for a moment.
"So I am...." She said.
"Sorry, I didn't mean it in a bad way," Lita said.
"How else could you mean it?" Serena asked.
"Well..I mean..somehow..your nosiness seems to pay off...you can really help people with their trouble....."
"Really?" Serena asked happily.
"Yeah...most of the time."
"Most of the time huh?" Serena muttered.
A rocket went shooting straight past them, causing the two girls to stop.
"I'm not totally sure it's supposed to do that," Serena said.
"I disagree," Lita said.
"Really? In what way?"
"I'm completely sure it's not supposed to that," Lita said.
Steve and Mike came dashing by them up the street.
"Hey girls, don't mind us," Mike said.
"You wouldn't believe it, but someone sabotaged our rocket," Steve said.
"You're right, we don't believe it," Serena and Lita muttered.
"I heard the news. Those jerks from the negaverse are back again!" Steve said angrily.
"Yeah...when are they just going to leave us alone," Mike muttered.
"Knowing our luck. Never," Rick replied.
"Your lucky, you don't have to fight them," Serena muttered. The other four tensed.
"What?" the three guys asked.
"Uh..by that I mean..that...well..I'm sure..if you had to fight them..it would be bad..you know..it's not like I had any personal experience with the subject...ahem.." Serena said.
"Don't worry, I'd sure you'd make a great Sailor Scout," Mike said.
"Why?" Raye, Mina, and Lita asked baffled.
"Hey!" Serena snapped. "He's praising me."
"Well since we're kind on the subject what do you girls think about all this?" Rick asked.
"Uh....." the five all replied looking at each other.
"Well....I'm just glad that those wonderful aforementioned Sailor Scouts are here to protect us," Serena said.
Good one. The other four thought.
"Yeah!" they all said. "With them around we don't have anything to worry about."
"Uh....okay," the three guys said surprised at the girls enthusiasm.
"Principal Oksua. I am so glad you are allowing me this opportunity," A dark haired figure said leaning back in a chair in the Principal's office. Oksua took the time to look the man over. He was somewhat thin, but not by much. He was dressed in a dark suit with a black tie. His eyes were obscured by sunglasses which added to his darkened look.
"Well...sir...if you plan to give a donation from your corporation to the schools, I'd be glad to give you the tour," Oksua said.
"Yes, thank you. I realized that it was time I gave something back to the community," the dark figured.
"Well..shall we go. The students are at lunch right now."
"Oh..I'd very much like to meet some," the figure said.
"Of course, Mr. Jade," Oksua said and the two headed for the lunch plaza.
"What the..." Mr. Jade said sensing something odd.
"Are you all right?" Oksua asked.
"Um...yes, fine," Mr. Jade said and glanced up at the now empty roof. Thought I sensed something..hmm..must be nothing.
"As you can see we have a fine bunch of students here," Oksua said.
"Yes I see," Jade said and looked around the crowded courtyard. The figures he was looking for came into sight. The meatball head hairstyle of Serena and the familiar faces of Raye and Amy along with two other girls he didn't recognize and a trio of boys.
So. There they are. He thought.
"May I talk to some of these students? To ask how things are I mean?" Jaedite said.
"Of course," Oksua said. The two moved towards the table.
"This is Mr. Jade. He's the CEO of the Jade Corporation and he's interested in donating money to the schools. He'd like to ask you some questions," Oksua said.
"Sure, whatever he wants," Lita said.
Jaedite got a good look at her and then began to study Mina's face.
"Well I'm wondering how you like things here?" Jade asked.
"Perhaps I should leave to let the students be more honest. I'm sure they'd have nothing bad to say though," Oksua said and glared at them before walking off.
"So..how are things here?" Jade asked.
"Um....well..." Serena said and the group looked around.
"It's sort of like getting run over by an airplane," came a voice from behind Jade. His eyes widened and he whirled around to see D.V. Patterson standing there leaning on his cane.
"Wha...what are you talking about?" Jade asked in surprise.
Run over by an airplane? Raye, Serena, and Amy thought and began to make the connection.
"Oh yeah....of course it's also kinda like a jewelry store filled with zombies, a radio station broadcasting a romantic show that doesn't exist, a gym with sinister podlike objects in the basement, a talent show with Melvin dressed in a drag, a computer school designed to hypnotize students, a clock shop that actually alters time, a bunch of buses flying into another dimension, an amusement park with a castle filled with candy, or a cruise ship filled with people in love......" Patterson said. "If you catch my drift," he added.
Jade had grown more and more agitated.
"Who are you?" he growled..
"I think everyone should be move concerned with who you are."
"You're insane!" Jade shouted.
"I was," Patterson said sporting a brief grin.
"Is there a problem here?" Oksua asked hurrying back up.
"No, none at all. I've seen what I need to. You can expect a generous donation," Jade said hurriedly and walked off.
"What are you up to Patterson? What did you say to Mr. Jade?" Oksua asked.
"Nothing sir. Nothing at all. I was just telling Mr. Jade about my long lost cousin Jed."
"Why were you doing that?"
"Well Jed kinda looked like Mr. Jade, only he had blonde hair," Patterson said and hobbled off.
Jed! Raye, Amy, and Serena thought. Blonde hair!
"Do you have any idea what just happened here?" Rick asked in surprise. The three girls immersed in thought said nothing. Lita and Mina shook their heads. Mike and Steve shrugged.
"Yeah...Patterson's not crazy," Rick said sarcastically.
The things I do to help those girls. Patterson thought. I made a complete
fool of myself.
"This has been an eventful day hasn't it?" Serena muttered as she walked down the sidewalk flanked by Amy and Raye.
"Yeah, yesterday we run into the negaverse and they don't even want to fight us. Today this mysterious guy shows up named Jade and Patterson starts acting weird..." Raye said.
"Don't you think what Patterson was saying made some sense though. He was trying to tell us that man was Jaedite without the boys figuring anything out," Amy said.
"But isn't Jaedite dead? He got run over by a jet!" Raye said.
"We never saw him die," Serena said in realization.
Raye's eyes widened.
"So it could be him. We should attack him now!" Raye said.
"Raye, It's not that easy," Amy said.
"Why not?"
"Well...if he is Jaedite, he was obviously targeting us, which means that at least he believes he has enough power to beat us," Amy said.
"We beat him once we can beat him again!" Raye said.
"Yeah!" Serena said.
"Furthermore..." Amy continued quietly. "He's masquerading as the head of a corporation, if we were to attack him it might attract the wrong attention. We would have to prove he's Jaedite first."
"And how do we do that?" Raye asked.
"I don't know yet," Amy said.
"Hey girls!" Darrien said pulling up next to him in his sports car.
"Darrien! Hi!" Serena shouted.
"Hello Darrien," Amy and Raye said.
"Hi, so I heard you girls saw some action last night," Darrien said.
"Yeah, but not much," Raye said.
"He didn't even hang around to fight us," Serena said.
"That's odd," Darrien said.
"Darrien, can you take us somewhere?" Amy asked abruptly.
"Uh..sure," Darrien said. "Where do you want to go?"
"Wherever those meteors supposedly hit," Amy said.
"Are you sure we should?" Serena asked.
"We have to see what's out there," Amy said.
"But the news says there was no meteors," Raye said.
"Luna says there was," Serena said.
"But Patterson said there were no meteors too," Raye said.
"He lied," Serena said.
"He did!" Raye shouted. "That jerk! I'm going to kick his teeth in!"
"Not now Raye," Amy said. "Darrien will you do it?"
"Yeah, sure, why not? I'm as curious as you are," he said and the girls got inside the car.
It was a short drive out of Tokyo into the hilly area where the meteors had "supposedly hit. They were spread apart, but still in the same general area. The sports car rounded a bend and found itself heading towards a road block where several Self Defense Force vehicles were sitting.
"What are they doing?" Raye muttered.
"There must be something going on. If there were no meteors, why would the army be blocking the road?" Amy asked.
Darrien stopped the car at the block and a grim faced army officer walked up.
"Sorry sir, this road is closed. Army training exercises are going on," the officer said.
"I'll bet," Raye said.
"Uh...I guess we'd better turn around then," Darrien said.
"No! What's really going on up there!" Raye yelled.
"Raye, shut up," Serena said worriedly.
"Miss," the officer said. "I assure you what's going on is what I just told you. I could let you through, but then you could get hurt. This is for your own safety."
"Yeah, right.." Raye said.
"Please...leave now," the officer said.
"Right, we're going," Darrien said. He turned the car around and headed back to Tokyo.
"Well this is getting better and better isn't it?" Raye muttered.
"Maybe it isn't a cover up, just training exercises," Serena said.
"But Luna said there were meteors, didn't she Serena?" Amy said.
"Maybe they're somewhere else," Serena said.
"That's doubtful," Raye said.
"Well...were not going to learn anything this way," Darrien said. "Now what's
all this about Jaedite?"
Lita was surprised when she heard that LDP Party Vice Chairman Katsugi was coming to dinner. She was even more surprised when she was expected to cook for him. But she created one of her favorite dishes and she was glad to see him. Her father had known him for a long time. Katsugi was a very charming man Lita thought and he always had something nice to say to her. Of course he was a politician, but she sensed that he was being honest about it. When he arrived Lita, her father, greeted him.
"It's nice to see you again. Lita, you've grown..I remember the time when I bounced you on my knee, and then got a backache cause you were such a tall girl," he said and laughed. Her father laughed.
"So....when do we eat?" Katsugi said and the three moved into the dining room.
"You know that the Prime Minister resigned of course," Katsugi said as the meal was progressing.
"Yeah," Lita's father said.
"Well...I think I'm going to run in the election," Katsugi said.
"Really. That'd be great if you were Prime Minister," Lita's father said.
"Well I'd like to think so. I think I can make a difference. I came here in part to find out what you thought," Katsugi said.
"Don't you have staff that could better answer your questions?" her father asked.
"Maybe, but if I hear what you have to say I'll know it's the truth," Katsugi said.
"I'd vote for you," Lita's father said. "But....you know that the opposition will come at you with everything they have."
"Let them try. I've faced them down before," Katsugi said.
"Then go ahead," her father said.
"I will. After all. We need strong leadership. Especially now," Katsugi said solemnly. "Lita?"
"Um...what?" Lita asked barely swallowing the mouthful of food she had just taken.
"Are you scared?"
"Scared?"
"Yes. Of these alien beings that show up now and then and cause havoc."
"Um.....well...." Lita said and tried to come up with a response.
"Of course I'm scared. Isn't everyone?" she said.
Though I can do something about it. She thought.
"Well..I'll do all that I can to deal with it," Katsugi said. Lita never doubted that Katsugi meant all that he said.
"Oh and you made this meal?" he asked.
"Yes, sir," Lita said.
"It's very good," he said with a smile.
"Uh thank you."
When the meal was over they talked for a time, reminiscing about the past and talking about the future. When it was time for Katsugi to go he stopped before heading out the door and turned to them.
"You know that I haven't eaten a dinner like that.. I am a slave of the system, but I like my work. Still....you know that you're the only people who ever helped me and didn't expect me to give them anything in return? That means more than you can imagine. Good night," he said and walked out the door.
What a great man. Lita thought. I have to do whatever I can to help him.
"He's a nice man isn't he?" Lita asked.
"Sure," her father said. "Of course...it was your mother who introduced him to me.." Mister Nelson said with a bit of depression. Lita's mother had been divorced from him for several years.
"Oh..are you okay?" Lita asked.
"Sure..sure...no problem..he's a nice guy, I hope he wins," Mister Nelson said.
"Me too," Lita said.
"Guess what Mina," Mina's mother said as Mina chewed a piece of lettuce.
"What?" Mina said after she swallowed.
"Sylia Coral is running for Prime Minister."
"Really? Sylia? That's great. Finally someone who cares," Mina said.
Sylia Coral was the leader of Environmental wing of the LDP party. She did all she could to protect the environment and provide people with quality health care. Her platform was caring for people and she was good at it. Mina had looked up to Sylia ever since she saw the environmentalist demonstrating on the steps to the government building. Sylia had an air of persistence that Mina admired. While Mina generally didn't follow politics, she always wanted to know what Sylia was doing. Now, her favorite activist had a chance to be head of the country, and Mina loved the idea.
"Wow, I'll have to help her campaign," Mina said.
"That would be a good experience for you," her mother said.
"Yeah, and it'll get you out of the house more," Mina's father muttered.
"Dad!" Mina shouted.
Rick waited in the clearing. He glanced at the trees all around him and tensed. Suddenly a figure appeared from his right. He whirled around and sidestepped, the figure charged by. Rick lashed out with his foot and hit the figure, knocking him sideways into an oak. The assailant moaned and moved back into the forest. Bushes rustled. Rick pivoted. Another attacker charged at him. He shot his hand, open faced, forward and caught the attacker in the chest knocking the assailant straight to the ground. A twig cracked behind him. Rick spun. No one came. Then he figured it out, he spun back around in time to duck the charge of a third man. He flipped forward and turned. The two faced off. Rick waited, the attacker waited. Then the two ran forward. Rick timed his move perfectly and jumped into the air kicking his opponent in the face and landing on his feet. A fourth assailant emerged from the trees in front of him.
"Hmm....I do not need stealth," he said and slowly moved forward. Rick waited and raised his hands in front of him. The fourth opponent shot into action and went for Rick's legs with a dive. Rick jumped up and dodged landing on his opponent's back for an instant and then stepping off.
"Well done," the assailant muttered and crawled off.
Four more attackers followed. Rick fought them off in the same manner.
"Hah! I'm the king!" he said when all eight emerged from the forest and stood around him.
"Uh oh," he muttered.
"It's time for our Butto Kicken style of fighting to be utilized," one of them said.
The others all nodded.
This is what I get for fighting my brothers. Rick muttered as he scanned the faces of his various brothers who had been quite annoyed by his handling of them in their practice.
"You see, Rick, now we'll have a little tough love," Kino said and began to laugh. The others did too. Rick readied himself, and was surprised when a figure landed on the ground next to him, obviously from jumping out of a nearby tree.
"Looks like you need a little help," Raye said readying herself for a fight.
"Are you sure about this?" Rick asked.
"I'm here aren't I?" she said.
"Well okay, but know two things. We don't hold back, and none of these guys are gentlemanly enough not to hit a girl," Rick said.
The eight siblings all began to laugh.
"Bring it on," Raye said.
"Gladly," Kino said and the eight charged.
"Argosante!" Jaedite yelled walking into his office at the top of Jade Corporation Tower.
"Yes sir?" Argosante replied emerging from a side door.
"What is our status?"
"We are continuing to construct our army from all these employees we have that were left over from the last head of this company. It will take some more time until we are finished. We have to do it gradually to prevent suspicion. We do not need to attract attention at this point."
"Agreed, but there are some new issues."
"Like what? Didn't your trip to the school uncover the information you were looking for?"
"It did and now I know who all five of the Sailor Scouts are."
"Then it is a success," Argosante said.
"Not entirely. There is a boy there who somehow guessed who I was," Jaedite said.
"Impossible."
"No, it happened."
"Then we shall destroy him."
"No. I suspect that he has connections with the Sailor Scouts. I want to study him more and see if he can be put to some use."
"But, he knows who you are."
"And by now so do the Sailor Scouts, so killing him does no good....yet."
"Of course Jaedite and what of the Sailor Scouts themselves?"
"They will be destroyed in time, but I need energy to do that," Jaedite said.
"Hmm....well...we lost," Rick muttered.
"Yeah," Raye muttered. The two had several bruises from their fight and Kino and the others had saw fit to add insult to injury by tying the two together and leaving them in the clearing.
"When are they coming back?" Raye asked straining against the ropes wrapped around her arms and chest.
"Probably soon. They're jerks, but they have some standards," Rick said.
"I didn't know your whole family was such martial arts nuts. I just thought they were..." Raye said.
"Nuts, yeah. Well..all of us train. Some of us more than others. I'm clearly the best fighter of them, but Kino's pretty good. Still, when I'm facing eight of them, even with your help it's not exactly great."
"So this is how your practice? Just having them attack you?"
"Sure. If I hit them, they withdraw, if they hit me, they keep hitting me until I deliver a good hit. We do the same thing for the others. It's good training."
"Hmm...have you gotten hurt often?"
"Here and there. We play rough, but we're not trying to kill each other. So...how's it going?"
"I've had better days," Raye muttered and tried the ropes again.
"Don't bother. Ryu's an expert at knot tying," Rick said. "So...what was up with that Mr. Jade today and of course...."
"Don't ask Rick. I don't know and I don't really want to think about either of those two right now."
"Okay. No problem," Rick said.
A minute or so later, Kino emerged and set them free.
"Heh heh. We'll have to do this again sometime," Kino said and laughed.
"How about right now!" Raye shouted and kicked him in the head. Kino fell into a pile of bushes dazed.
"That was a good one," Rick said and gave Raye a high five.
"That was a good one," Kino muttered rubbing his head as he stood back up.
Raye and Rick walked off.
I think I'm in love. Kino thought.
"Jaedite? Well that would be bad news wouldn't it?" Luna asked.
"Of course it would. And there's this meteor conspiracy stuff going on to," Serena said.
"Hmm...this is bad," Luna said. "Serena, you have to be on your guard at all times. We don't know where the negaverse will strike next."
"Don't worry. Haven't I always been ready?" Serena asked nonchalantly.
"Do you really expect me to answer that?" Luna muttered.
"Hah..Sailor Moon is always prepared to fight evil, wherever it may come from," Serena said.
A tennis ball flew in the window and hit her in the head, knocking her to the ground.
"Hey!" she said jumping up and running to the window.
"Sorry!" came Sammy's voice from outside.
"You idiot!" Serena said.
"Apparently you can handle evil, but not stray tennis balls," Luna muttered.
"Well..tennis balls aren't as dangerous," Serena replied.