CHAPTER 54

"So..Axseon..your mission was a partial success..you did manage to get some energy, before Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask showed up?" Dr. Richter asked.

"Meddling kids," Axseon muttered. "Yes, I was able to do that sir."

"Hmm...this energy should be enough to create a second warrior, and this one will be a doozy," Dr. Richter said.

"Yes sir," Axseon said.

"Ehh...show a little more enthusiasm. We're well on the way to being rulers of the world," Dr. Richter said and began to laugh. Axseon hesitated, but then joined in.

At Darrien's apartment.

"Steve started a brawl at a french restaurant? That's hilarious!" Serena said and began laughing.

"Not to them. You know how they've been trying to capture a romantic spirit," Darrien said.

"Well...yeah..but it's so funny...." Serena said and kept laughing.

"So it is," Darrien said and laughed too. "Still," he said after stopping several seconds later. "You probably should be careful about what you say around Lita."

"Yeah...I should...so...what..are we going to do today?" Serena asked joyfully.

"I thought we could..."

They were interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Just a sec," Darrien said and moved to the door. He opened it and to his surprise saw a girl about his height with dark black hair standing there. She immediately hugged him.

"Surprise Darrien!" she shouted.

"Uh....oh," Darrien said. "Ellie..what are you doing here?"

"Hey! Who are you?" Serena shouted appearing behind Darrien.

"Darrien...who is this...a little sister? I didn't think you had any family," Ellie said.

"Little sister! I'm his girlfriend!" Serena shouted.

"She's cute, children and their imaginations," Ellie said.

"I'll child you!" Serena said marching up.

"Girls, girls," Darrien said separating himself from Ellie. "Uh...this is an awfully awkward situation here..and...I think we need to sit down and talk."

"Talk? Yes...you need to tell me how things have been since you got back here!" Ellie said and hugged him again.

"Quit hugging him!" Serena shouted.

"I can do what I want little girl...I'm his real girlfriend," Ellie said.

"You are not!" Serena said and dashed out the door.

"Serena!" Darrien shouted. Serena, now weeping rushed away.

"What's her problem Darrien?" Ellie asked.

"No time to explain to you!" Darrien said and rushed after Serena.

"What? Where are you going? Darrien!" Ellie shouted and followed.

Amy's off at her computer class, won't be out for a couple of hours. Greg thought as he walked along the sidewalk.

I've been spending a lot of time with her. In fact, it's all I've done. To think that the two of us, could be brought together by such odd forces, and now be such good friends. I sure hope I'm not rushing things...but how can I be? I mean she's as nervous about all this as I am. She'd tell me if she thought things were going out of control. Besides, we're just hanging out together, studying a little, eating out, it's nothing more than that. We're just doing what good friends. Why am I so worried? What should I do in the meantime? Walking will do for now.

He walked along, a flock of birds flew overhead. A couple of young children ran by. He stopped at an intersection he recognized. There on the corner was the ugly looking, but formidable Patterson residence, with it's Self Defense Force flag blowing in the breeze atop the crow's nest that had been constructed on the roof. And there also was D.V. Patterson looking around.

"Hey Patterson!" Greg shouted. Patterson turned and looked, he nodded.

"See anything interesting?" Greg asked.

"You assume that I'm up here to look at things, don't jump to conclusions," Patterson replied.

"Uh...right...I um..won't," Greg said. "See ya later."

"Right," Patterson said.

Greg walked several more blocks. A rocket flew through the air and slammed into the street next to him. Several seconds later Steve and Mike came rushing down the street.

"This will take our minds off our girl troubles...you said," Mike muttered.

"I know, I know, that rocket signifies both our relationships," Steve moaned in reply.

"Oh...hey Greg," Mike said.

"I suggest you avoid us, we are cursed," Steve said.

"Uh...I'm sorry to hear that," Greg said.

"So are we," Mike said and the two retrieved the rocket debris from the peaceful street and moved on their way.

Greg kept moving along he noticed a pair of girls sitting on a wall who he recognized. It was Lita and Mina.

"It seemed so perfect didn't it?" Lita was saying.

"Yeah," Mina said and sighed.

"Why can't things just work out? I mean we're both trying," Lita said.

"I know how you feel," Mina said.

"Well this is just how our relationships would be wouldn't it?"

"It sure seems that way sometimes," Mina said. Greg passed by them.

"Hey Greg," The both moaned.

"Hey girls," Greg said and kept going.

This is becoming a very eventful walk. He thought.

It was an hour into his walk that Greg came to the steps of the Cherry Hill temple. As he neared them he noticed Rick Fujimori heading for them from an opposite direction. Greg reached them about the same time Rick did.

"Hello Greg, wish me luck," Rick said.

"Okay..good luck," Greg said. "What for?"

"Because if I don't have luck on my side, I'm going to be out one girlfriend very soon," Rick said and sighed before walking up the steps. Greg continued on his way.

I never realized how busy Amy's friends were, nor how serious they took their lives. Guess first impressions can be deceiving. He thought.

Minutes later.

"Well...Raye?" Chad and Rick asked in unison as Raye emerged from her room. She looked up.

"Despite the fact I was sleeping peacefully until you woke me up at midnight" Raye began. The two both smiled nervously. "I spent the rest of the night tossing and turning, trying to figure out what to do? I still don't have an answer. I like you both too much," Raye said.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Chad said.

"So am I," Rick said.

"Raye, Chad and I foresaw this and we both agreed that we can't accept both of us being your boyfriends, so neither of us will be," Rick said.

"That's right, I'm sorry, but how could we have a girlfriend who can't choose between us," Chad said.

"You're both dumping me?" Raye said in shock.

"Sorry," they both said and walked off. Chad to his room. Rick to the steps that lead away from the temple. Raye stood there. A cold wind blew around her ruffling her clothing, then she sank to the ground and began to sob.

Meanwhile.

"Serena! Wait!" Darrien shouted. Serena stopped her running and turned to him, her face wet with tears.

"Darrien! Who is she?" Serena cried.

"I think a more important question is who are you?" Ellie asked running up next to Darrien and holding his arm.

"Get away from him!" Serena said and smacked Ellie in the face. Ellie stepped back.

"You little brat!" she shouted.

"Stop it you two!" Darrien shouted. "Ellie, this is Serena, my girlfriend."

"What? I'm your girlfriend!" Ellie shouted.

"No...you're not," Darrien said.

Serena's face began to brighten.

"She's not," Serena said and sniffled.

"I'M NOT!" Ellie shouted.

"Ellie, you're an old friend of mine. A good friend, but your not my girlfriend," Darrien said.

"Well why didn't you tell me about this brat when you were living with me?" Ellie asked.

"Living with him!" Serena shouted.

"Serena, this is the friend I was helping in America," Serena said.

"Oh...I see..." Serena said. "WHAT!? HER!" she yelled.

"Uh...I didn't want to upset you," Darrien said. "But nothing happened?"

"What do you mean nothing happened?" Ellie said.

"Ellie, you know nothing happened," Darrien said.

"Darrien are you sick....I thought you should have a clear memory," Ellie said.

"Ellie, I think you're deluding yourself," Darrien said. Serena, still sobbing ran off again.

"Serena!" Darrien said and moved to follow.

"Where are you going Darrien?" Ellie said and grabbed him.

"Ellie let go."

"Hey....I know you were just trying to get her to stop crying..now let's quit the games," Ellie said.

"You don't understand," Darrien said and pulled free, running back down the street.

Hmmm..what do I do about Mike's sister? Mina thought. Can't kill her...then I'd be charged with murder. That would not help our relationship. Hmm...maybe I could get her institutionalized....no what proof would I have? Hmm...maybe if I saved her life...she'd be forever indebted to me....naw..too risky...and I may not be able to follow through with the saving part. Oh it's hopeless. But maybe she's okay..maybe I'm exaggerating. She seemed fine a few nights ago.

"Well..well..well look what we have here?" came a sinister familiar voice. Mina looked up to see Mike's sister standing there. "How dare you try to steal Mike away from me."

So much for my theory about her being all right. Mina thought.

"He's your brother!" Mina said.

"That's right! He's mine," Lara Leslie said definitively. "I suggest for your own welfare that you leave him now, or something may happen."

"Is that a threat?" Mina asked her eye's narrowing.

"Well of course it is dearie...couldn't you tell? Not too smart are you? No way am I going to let you have my Michael."

"Just try and stop me," Mina said.

"If that's the way you want to be about it..." Lara Leslie said and turned walking off in the direction she came.

"Well...that last date didn't work out," Lita said.

"No..um...it didn't," Steve said.

"But this one might."

Steve just nodded.

"You might like the orchestra."

"Then again I might not."

"You owe it to our relationship to give it a chance?"

"I know, I know," Steve said. "Believe me Lita, I want this to work."

"I believe you Steve," Lita said.

"So...I had a little talk with your girlfriend Michael," Lara Leslie said poking her head in the door of Mike's room.

"You didn't kill her did you?" Mike muttered.

"What? Do I sense sarcasm? I suggest you change your tone," Lara said. "You are speaking to your elder sister. Anyway...she actually intends to fight for you. I must say it is a bother to have to pound her into the ground, but...what else am I supposed to do?"

"How about leaving both of us alone?"

"Oh...but what would that accomplish my dear Michael?" Lara said with a grin and left.

What do I do no? Mike wondered.

"Ehh...here we are," Steve said and sighed as hey stood in a line along with the rest of the tuxedoed gentlemen and women dressed in gowns, the two of them stood in.

"Don't tell me you've given up already?" Lita asked.

"I'm just not getting my hopes up," Steve muttered.

They finally made it into the packed concert hall and sat down in their seats.

"I've played for more people than this," Steve said.

"I know. Try to behave yourself," Lita replied with a smile. "If you jump up there and start smashing violins I won't be pleased."

"Just be glad Mike isn't here," Steve said and quickly looked behind him.

"What were you doing?" Lita asked.

"Just checking," Steve said. "To make sure he isn't here," he added.

"Oh," Lita said.

The conductor walked out onto the stage. The audience clapped.

"They haven't played anything yet," Steve whispered.

"It's just courtesy," Lita said.

And the orchestra began.

Minutes later.

"So, Greg how was your day?" Amy asked.

"Um...interesting," Greg said.

"How so?" Amy asked.

"Where do I begin?" Greg said.

Amy's communicator beeped.

"To all scouts, we've got a problem," Lita said.

"Uh oh," Amy said. "Where are you?"

"The concert hall, hurry, I don't know if I can fight both of them," Lita said.

"Both of them? I'm on my way," Amy said.

Axseon, now joined by Dexseon, a warrior similar to him, only possessing a reddish energy attack instead of blue, both stood on the stage, picking off the concert goers as the few that were left scrambled to the exits. With their energy drained they were slowed to a crawl. Behind a row of seats crouched Lita and Steve.

"Don't you think it's time you did..whatever it is you do?" Steve asked.

"Oh..you mean this..." Lita said and pulled out her power stick. "Jupiter Star Power," she said and transformed within seconds.

"Now..I attack," Jupiter said.

"Wait..." Steve said. "Let me distract them first..you get a good position," Steve said.

"But Steve..you'll be..."

"I'll probably be hit with the energy anyway, at least I can help you."

"Uh..all right," Jupiter said and crawled down the aisle towards the end. She turned to Steve. "How about now?" she asked.

"You got it," Steve said and popped up from behind the seats.

"Hey...how you guys doing?" he asked.

"What?" Axseon asked.

"Why do you care?" Dexseon asked.

"Just being nice to my future overlords," Steve said.

"Oh," The two warriors said and blasted Steve with energy. He sunk to the ground and gave Jupiter a thumbs up.

"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!" Jupiter shouted crouched behind an end seat. Her aim was true and she hit Dexseon, causing him to let out a shout and stumble backwards. Axseon whirled towards her and shot his energy. She dived out of the way as it hit the seat she had crouched behind and destroyed it.

Not just an energy draining attack. These guys are playing for keeps. Jupiter thought and lunged at Axseon hoping to land a good punch. She was hit by red energy and knocked to the ground.

"Good shot Dexseon," Axseon said.

"These puny humans think they're a match for us," Dexseon said.

"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!" Jupiter shouted quickly. The lighting flew off course because of her haste and hit the side of wall destroying part of it. Dexseon and Axseon turned towards her and shot again. She barely dived out of the way of that attack too.

Boy I'm in trouble. She thought.

A blue energy attack flew at her. She jumped out of the way and as she was landing was hit by the red attack. It flung her back against a wall and she made a great impact before sinking to the ground. Axseon flung a blue blast at her. She slid down groggily and it exploded above her head.

"Let's make this easier," Dexseon said and moved towards her. She grunted and rolled crouching and spinning her left leg out, it smashed into Dexseon's leg and tripped him up as he was about to take a step. She grabbed him and using her power flung him into the orchestra seats. He hit hard and grimaced. A blue energy blast flew at her, she skedaddled away from it and raced right at Axseon who quickly drew his sword and swung it at her head. She sidestepped it, but was hit with a blue energy blast at point blank range from his left hand. She was thrown back into the wall...and knocked unconscious.

"Dexseon! How are you?" Axseon said.

"Just a little bruised," Dexseon said standing again after being strewn across the seats.

"Head back to the base with the energy...I'll finish off Jupiter."

"Right," Dexseon said and raced to the door and out, knowing the closer he is to Richter when he teleports, the less energy he uses.

Axseon moved towards Sailor Jupiter, only to be hit with an icy energy blast and knocked to the ground. A fog fell over the area. Axseon began blasting at it with his energy, evaporating it small pieces at a time. It had little effect, and by the time the fog had lifted, Sailor Jupiter was no where in sight and he found himself facing Sailor Mercury and Sailor Venus.

"Hmm.." he said before vanishing.

"Dang, he got away..I thought he didn't teleport like that," Venus said.

"Well..maybe he had enough energy to do it,"Mercury said. "The important thing is that we kept Jupiter from being attacked."

"Yeah..great...and look at everyone," Venus said.

"Is she all right?" they heard Steve gasp.

"Yeah..she'll be fine, if she rests," Mercury said.

"Good..I think I'll need some rest myself," Steve said.

"Where is everyone else?" Mercury said.

"I came as soon as I heard, I mean..I'm not in a very good mood right now..but when a friend's in trouble," Venus said.

"Hmm...Sailor Moon come in?" Mercury said into her communicator.

"What?" Serena snapped. "Is Jupiter all right?"

"Uh...yes."