CHAPTER 56

"I like football, don't you Axseon?" Richter asked.

"Sir...I don't..think that's relevant," Axseon said.

"Of course it is," Richter said. "See....now that we have four warriors..I think it's time to start aiming high..so...today....we're going to attack a football game."

"I see..sir..but who is this fourth warrior?" Richter asked.

"Ahh....I haven't introduced him...here he is now," Richter said. An snakelike creature slithered out in front of them.

"Hello," he hissed.

"What the heck is that?" Axseon muttered.

"This is Serpetan," Richter said.

"See..Serpetan is great because he can do this..." Richter said. Serpetan shrank quickly and then slithered into a pipe, quickly emerging on the other side seconds later and appearing in normal form.

"Hmm....that could be useful," Axseon said.

"Of course it could be," Richter said. "Think of the work we can do now, sneak up on people when they least expect it and drain their energy! It's great!"

"Glad you think so sir," Axseon said.

"So what's going to happen to Lara?" Mina asked sitting on Mike's bed.

"She'll be put on trial in a month or so and then probably get at least three years," Mike said.

"Well that'll give us some time then," Mina said.

"Yeah..it was kind of fortunate she kidnaped you," Mike said.

"What?" Mina asked.

"Uh...well I meant...that...." Mike said.

"Now that you mention it..it sorta was," Mina admitted.

"See.."

"But I don't have to like it," Mina snapped.

"Uh..right," Mike said. "So are we back together."

"Only if you promise not to run for cover if Lara shows up again," Mina said.

"I promise," Mike said. And at the same time hope Lara doesn't show up to test me any time soon.

"So..let's get started...where do you want to go?" Mina asked.

"Don't know..haven't giving it much thought," Mike said.

"Oh...I see. Well then let's just go to the park then."

"Fine with me."

"This is really bad Artemas, we had a major crisis and both Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon didn't respond," Luna said as the two cats perched on top of Serena's roof.

"With Lita, it was just that she didn't get the message, or at least she says so...she's not in great shape either," Artemas said.

"We can't fight evil with two Sailor Scouts," Luna said.

"We're going to have to...until they can get things straightened out," Artemas said.

"Mankind can't wait for them to do that. We have to take action," Luna said.

"But...Luna...we could regret this," Artemas said.

"We have no choice, the world's at stake," Luna said.

"Uh...right," Artemas said.

"I thought this would be easy...but I couldn't do it," Darrien said burying his face in his hands. "I know I have to...tell both of them the truth. I thought I was so sure, I'd just tell Ellie about Serena and that would be that..but...now I'm not sure...maybe I like Ellie just as much...I don't know..this is so confusing. What am I doing? I'm running away again! Brave Darrien, yeah right. I'm just a coward. I've always been that way...before I shut people out of my life so I didn't worry about this stuff....then when Serena....well...then I messed up other ways...when am I going to stop doing this and get myself on track. I have to, not for me, but for those girls. But what do I do?

It would be a nice day if I actually felt good about anything. Serena thought as she stared out at her window blankly. I can't believe him. Why hasn't he come and talked to me. I'm right here waiting for him. Come on...that girl can't mean anything? I'm his girl....aren't I?

A tear fell from her eye.

Amy had been apprehensive about knocking on Raye's door. But she needed to know how her friend was feeling. When she knocked, the door slid open seconds later. Raye stood there. Then she sighed and walked into her room where she sat down on the bed.

"Hi," she muttered.

"Raye are you all right?" Amy asked.

"Define all right Amy," Raye snapped.

"Uh..." Amy said retreating.

"Look at me...don't I look stupid....had to have both...greedy idiot that I am...and now..look...nothing...nothing!" Raye shouted.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Amy said.

"I will be as hard on myself as I like," Raye said.

"But Raye..these things happen."

"Not to you!" Raye shouted.

"Listen Raye..maybe I'd better go.."

"Amy...I...I don't know what...I'm thinking right now," Raye said apologetically.

"That's all right Raye," Amy said managing a brief smile. "You just rest or something."

Suddenly Chad emerged from his room carrying a bag. He stopped at Raye's grandfather's room and poked his head inside.

"I'm leaving now, good bye," he said and moved towards the temple steps. Raye dashed out the door.

"Chad! Where are you going?" Raye said.

"I'm leaving Raye....what more is there for me here?" Chad asked and moved to the steps.

"Wait! Chad!" Raye shouted.

"Good bye Raye," Chad said and walked away.

"Chad!" Raye said and began to cry.

"Raye?" Amy asked.

"This isn't happening," Raye said. "Tell me this isn't happening!" she shouted.

"I'm sorry Raye," Amy said. "I think I should go," she said and walked away.

Raye sobbed and looked down at the ground.

"Now I'm alone again," she muttered.

Luna crept up the stairs and carefully moved towards Serena's room, hoping that she wouldn't find the girl in some sort of erratic state. To her surprise, Serena came dashing out the door and barely missed her tail.

"Where are you going Serena?" Luna asked.

"To get Darrien back!" Serena shouted and ran down the stairs.

"She's what?" Luna asked herself and then followed quickly.

A minute later.

"I'm not going to sit around and let him do this to me again!" Serena shouted as she dashed down the sidewalk. "I'm going to pound on his door till he lets me in, and I'm not going to go away."

"A plus for courage Serena, but are you sure about this?" Luna asked.

"This is one time when you're advice won't do me any good Luna. This is a matter of love!" Serena shouted and picked up speed. Luna stopped abruptly.

"Matter of love! What does she mean I wouldn't know anything about it! That silly girl!" Luna shouted.

"Darrien is going to learn that he will have to deal with yet another incarnation of Serena Tsukino! New and improved! Or at least more persistent!" Serena shouted to herself as she ran. "He'd better get back with me or else...well...I'll just have to kill him!"

Soon she was in sight of Darrien's apartment building. She dashed towards the front door and before she could stop realized someone was emerging from it, the two collided.

"You jerk!" the person shouted.

"I'm sorry," Serena said until she realized that she had just rammed into Ellie.

"On second thought no I'm not sorry you boyfriend stealer!" Serena shouted.

"You should talk! I knew Darrien long before you did!"

"That doesn't matter! You're interfering with destiny!" Serena shouted.

"The only destiny in your future is being alone!" Ellie shouted.

"You've got some major problems you know that!" Serena shouted.

"Do I? Let me ask you something? If Darrien was your true love like you'd like me to believe, then why didn't he mention you to me, furthermore, why didn't he tell you that he was going to visit me. Maybe because he afraid of crushing your little delusion about being his guy."

"Uh..." Serena said and thought about it. The argument shouldn't have worked. Ellie knew it. She had just put herself in the same exact situation as Serena, and hoped that the ditzy girl would fall for it. Serena was too determined to be fooled.

"You know..Ellie....one wonders why Darrien didn't mention me to you, after all...if your his girlfriend, why would..someone like me...be any consequence...hmm...and..if we follow your logic...well..that means..that since Darrien didn't mention you to me, that means you must not mean anything either," Serena said slyly.

"Well...you are certainly a braniac aren't you? Still...all that doesn't matter. Darrien just told me that he was going to dump you anyway. Boy he's a good kisser," Ellie said and walked off.

"He did what!" Serena shouted and dashed in the door. She was soon up several flights off steps and pounding on Darrien's door.

"Darrien! This is Serena!" she shouted. There was no answer.

"Hey! Open up!" She shouted. Still no answer.

She pounded on the door a few more times. She then turned and lowered her head and walked away. As she emerged from the building, Luna ran up.

"Serena?" she asked.

"Darrien wouldn't talk to me!" Serena shrieked.

"I thought you said you weren't going to give up?" Luna asked.

"Well..I did! Ellie said he was going to dump me and that he was a good kisser! He must be getting back with her," Serena said.

"Serena, why would Ellie tell you the truth?" Luna asked.

"Uh....now that you mention it..." Serena said. "But I don't know Luna. If Darrien had kissed her, she wouldn't hesitate to tell me."

"Maybe, but are you sure he's even here. Think about it...Darrien's probably so worried about what he has to do, the last place he would be is where you two would come looking for him."

"But....I still don't know for sure."

"No you don't."

"I know! I'll just wait for him!"

"Wasn't that your plan in the first place?" Luna asked.

"Um..yeah..it was," Serena muttered.

Meanwhile at the football stadium, a crowd was gathering to try and get into the stadium. Lita found herself standing in one of the lines waiting to buy her ticket.

I need something to take my mind of off Steve. She thought. So..what do I do? Go to a football game? What am I thinking? Then again, why not? I should at least be allowed to enjoy a football game. I can't let love mess up my life completely. Besides, it can't hurt.

Meanwhile on the other side of the football stadium, Steve was also waiting in line.

This is so much simpler, just some guys slugging it out, no dating, no pleasing other people, no worrying about feelings. Just football. I need something like this to get me out of this rut I'm in. Hopefully this will do the job.

The stadium was already filling up quickly. Most of the seats were general admission, so whoever got their first got the best seat. Lita felt herself pushed along by a crowd, and she soon found herself in one section of seats. A turn of her head brought her face to face with the last person she wanted to see....life had brought her and Steve together yet again.

"Oh....hi...Steve," Lita said.

"Uh..hi," Lita said.

The two looked around and realized that they were pretty packed in.

"Lita...we might as well sit together...can it really do any more harm?" Steve asked.

"I guess not," Lita said and the two sat down.

"I mean...even if we're not cut out to be dating, maybe we can at least be friends who share common interests," Steve said.

"Yeah, that's thinking logically," Lita replied.

"But let's do ourselves both a favor and not worry about that now," Steve said.

"Sure," Lita said. Where'd he get this confidence from. He seems so sure of the way to handle this.

I hope I'm doing this right. Steve thought anxiously.

And then the game began.

Axseon, Dexseon, Infernon, and Serpetan each occupied a part of the stadium and readied themselves.

"Remember the plan," a projection of Richter was saying to each of them. "I want them incapacitated, draw out their energy later. I don't care if the Sailor Scouts show up..I'm experimenting," Richter said.

"Yes sir," the four said.

The home team scored a touchdown and the crowd roared.

"Now!" Richter shouted and the four minions leapt into action racing out into the light. Axseon leveled a row before they even saw it. Dexseon did the same. Infernon, using a different form of his fire blasted another group. Serpetan weaved in and out incapacitating more people.

"What?" Lita shouted.

"Those negaverse creeps!" Steve shouted.

"Steve...don't," Lita said.

"I think you have something to do don't you!" Steve shouted and then to her shock jumped onto the seat back in front of him and leapt at Dexseon, who had no idea of what to expect. The impact softened Steve's fall and Dexseon was pushed down the steps and knocked to the ground. Steve turned towards her.

"Jump Lita!" he shouted amidst the panic.

Lita, realizing what she had to do quickly duplicated Steve's move a bit awkwardly, but still leapt, Steve caught her.

"Good catch," she said.

"You dare!" Dexseon yelled standing again.

"That line is used to much by you scum!" Steve shouted and raced down the stairs and barreled into Dexseon pushing him over a barrier and onto the lower row of seats. The crowd seeing it let out a large shout.

"Let's get that guy!" someone yelled and the crowd became a mob running towards Dexseon who stood up and blasted some, more came rushing at him.

"This is unexpected," he muttered and jumped into the air. Lita meanwhile slipped into the stadium concourse.

"What's going on over there?" Axseon muttered looking at the mob battling Dexseon across the stadium.

"Hey! Look what they're doing!" Someone shouted, and soon what had been mere targets became angered and they looked right at Axseon.

"Come and get me," Axseon shouted and blasted several more. They charged right at him.

Infernon wasn't having as much trouble, being made completely of fire and all. The spectators were much more inclined merely to get away, then do combat with a living fireball. He laughed as another wave of his energy draining fire hit the fleeing mob.

Serpetan wasn't having much trouble either. He was quicker than the fans were and they hadn't really been inclined to fight a snake either. So, he merely slithered up and down the aisles blasting them.

Heh...puny humans. He thought.

Meanwhile.

"You know..Mike...we haven't kissed yet," Mina said.

"AHH!" Mike shouted leaped over the park bench and hid in a bush.

"What?" Mina said.

"Uh...nothing," Mike said.

"Hey! Come out of there!" Mina shouted.

"Uh..sure..sure...I'm just looking at a lady bug," Mike said.

"You're what?" Mina said.

"Sure..."

"So..you jumped over the back of the bench just to see a ladybug?"

"Something like that...sure..." Mike said.

"I do believe you're not being completely honest with me," Mina said her eyes narrowing.

"What makes you think that?" Mike said.

Mina sensed her communicator was going off. She quickly pulled it out of her pocket.

"What is it?" she asked.

"Trouble," Jupiter said. "The negaverse is at the football stadium, and there are four of them. Tell the others!"

"I'm coming!" Mina shouted.

"Gotta go Mike, but I'll be back!" she yelled and hurried off.

"Saved by a negaverse invasion..how ironic," Mike said and sighed.

What's Mike's problem anyway? Mina thought. It's always something. First his sister..now...oh...men are just so annoying.

"Greg are you listening to me?" Amy asked.

"Uh...right...Issac Newton, yeah," Greg said looking down at the physics book in front of him.

"Greg..I was talking about the other girls," Amy said.

"Oh...well...I'm sure if Isaac Newton were here he could give you some good advice," Greg said.

"Greg, have you been hanging out with Mike lately?" Amy asked.

"A little, why?"

"Because I can see him rubbing off onto you," Amy said and her eyes narrowed.

"Really? I'd better have that checked," Greg said.

"There you go again," Amy said.

"Sorry," Greg said.

If I hadn't wanted to date Mike I would have done it so. Amy thought. What? Why am I even thinking in terms like that?

She sensed her communicator going off. She pulled it out.

"We've got trouble Amy," Venus said.

"Where?" Amy asked.

"Football stadium. Four enemies."

"Four? This is going to be tough," Amy thought.

"I tried calling Raye and Serena, I got no answer," Venus said.

"Then it's up to us," Amy said.

With the crowd still battling Dexseon and Axseon, Jupiter watched hesitantly. She wanted to intervene, but she didn't know if she could take on four negaverse warriors at once.

"Hmm..the minute I attack one of them, the other three will attack me. The only reason the crowd is even able to put up a fight is because those two are down there collecting energy. The wouldn't hesitate to fight me though," she said to herself.

"Jupiter!" Venus said hurrying up to her, Mercury right behind.

"Aww..good..now we've got a chance," Jupiter said.

"In theory, but we don't even know if these negaverse troops can be stopped yet," Mercury said.

"We have to try," Jupiter said. "Mercury, why don't you go after the flame guy. Venus, your fast, try to nail the snake one. I'll hit one of the other warriors and see what I can do. We'll coordinate the attacks by communicator."

"Right," The two said and each hurried off to different points in the stadium.

A flood of police cars, some of them dented and scarred from the battle with the negaverse before, sped down the street in front of Darrien's apartment. Serena sat there in surprise as more and more sirens filled the air.

"What could that be?" Luna asked.

"I don't care," Serena said.

"Serena, it could be the negaverse," Luna said.

"So what...the negaverse runs anytime a Sailor Scouts shows up, I'm sure the others can handle it," Serena said.

"I can't believe you just said that."

"Well I did. This is more important."

"Serena..you can't just abandon your duty whenever it suits you. Strange you didn't get a message on your communicator."

"That's because I don't have my communicator. I didn't take with me."

"You irresponsible....."

"Hey, I forgot...but since I don't have it...well...guess there's no trouble is there?"

"Your friends could be hurt," Luna said.

"They'll be fine."

"Shouldn't you make sure?"

"Why bother," Serena said. "If I go, I could miss Darrien."

"You selfish pig!" Luna yelled.

"What did you just call me!" Serena shouted.

I didn't mean to be that tough...but while I'm at it. Luna thought.

"I called you what you are....everyone's got problems, but you're choosing to desert your friends over man troubles! Just what kind of friend are you! The others would never do that!"

"Oh come on Luna, they have been doing that!"

"Uh...well..you're supposed to set an example," Luna said.

"Lame answer Luna," Serena said.

"All right then! How would Darrien react if he heard you had done this?"

"He'd be thrilled to know I'm so devoted."

"But Serena...A he wouldn't, secondly, if the negaverse is attacking won't Tuxedo Mask be there?"

"Yeah...so?"

"Think about it meatball head," Luna muttered.

"Oh...right," Serena said with a nervous smiled and pulled out her power stick. Once she had transformed she raced off after the police cars.

"The world has to be doomed with her protecting us," Luna muttered and followed.

"Mercury Ice Storm Blast!" Mercury shouted. Infernon noticed at the last second and floated out of the way. The mist formed dissipated quickly in the hot sun.

"Dang it!" Mercury said. Infernon turned and shot a blast of fire at her. Mercury ducked under it. Infernon floated towards her.

"Uh oh," she said and dashed back into the concourse.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" Venus shouted. Her attack smashed into Serpetan. The snake let out a annoyed scream of pain and then slithered away. She lost sight of him amidst the crowd concious and unconscious.

"Dang it, where'd he go?" Venus said.

"Right here!" he shouted forming in front of her and hissing.

"Ah..." Venus said and stepped back quickly slipping. She flipped backward. The snake slid at her. She cartwheeled away and raced down the hallway.

Jupiter preferred the more direct approach. Axseon was just about clear of the mass of crowd trying to pound him when she propelled herself through the air and pushed herself into Axseon knocking him into the ground. She landed on top of him and started punching him in the face. With the constant beating he was having trouble calling his power into his hands.

"Hah!" she shouted.

Mercury was using her aura as she ran, but she had yet to figure out how to get the fire creature into a position she could destroy it at. Furthermore, it was launching attacks at her constantly. Then it came to her. She rounded a corner and jumped back into the stadium. She dashed down the steps and leapt onto the field. Infernon followed until he realized what she was going for. The hose used to water down the field. Mercury reached it and grabbed it, turning on the faucet. Water spewed at Infernon. He vanished quickly to avoid the attack.

"One down," Mercury said.

Venus had flipped out of the way of a Serpetan's attack for about the fiftieth time when a rose flew through the air and landed in the snake's neck. Serpetan hissed and then vanished.

Tuxedo Mask walked up.

"You all right Venus?" he asked.

"Yes...it's good to see you," Venus said.

Tuxedo Mask merely nodded.

"Any more trouble?" he asked.

"Two more," Venus said. They hurried back to the stadium. There was Dexseon finally having incapacitated the group trying to stop him. Only now he was facing down Sailor Mercury.

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!" Venus shouted and launched her attack. Dexseon was hit by it and propelled onto the field. He vanished before he hit the ground.

"They keep doing that!" Venus shouted in frustration.

"Where's the other one?" Tuxedo Mask said.

"Taken care of," Jupiter said running up with Mercury said. "He got away..though."

"I don't think these people's energy has been drained," Mercury said studying her computer. "They've just been stunned."

"Good..." Tuxedo Mask said. "I have to go."

"Tuxedo Mask!" Came a cry. Several sections away Sailor Moon said. "Wait up!" she shouted. Tuxedo Mask turned and raced back up the steps.

"Wait!" Sailor Moon yelled and jumped towards the section.

"Where's he going?" Jupiter said.

"This is very strange," Mercury said. Sailor Moon landed by them.

"Where's he going?" Sailor Moon said and stopped. She sank to the ground and began sobbing. The other three scouts looked on with concern, not sure what to do.

CHAPTER 51 CHAPTER 52 CHAPTER 53 CHAPTER 54

CHAPTER 55 CHAPTER 56 CHAPTER 57 CHAPTER 58

CHAPTER 59 CHAPTER 60 CHAPTER 61 CHAPTER 62

CHAPTER 63 CHAPTER 64 CHAPTER 65

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