Chapter 71

"Raye! Help me!" Rick shouted before the fire swept through the world around him. Raye stood there..surrounded by the fire as well.

"I have to help him!" she shouted and ran, but then the burning came..she woke up almost screamed, but stopped.

"Rick...what is happening.." she said to herself and got up walking to the fire reading room.

"Sacred fires...please..tell me what is happening," she pleaded. The fires swelled and visions came..more than she could handle.

And then that scene...Rick lying there on the ground...her standing there over him.

"Yes..yes...tell me more..." Raye said.

Blackness...she was dropping through it..she snapped out of her trance.

"Uh...nothing...nothing at all..why? What does this mean!"

"Kaolinite, why is it that none of the warriors have managed to survive the battle?"

"You're the one choosing them," Kaolinite said worried that the professor had said her name normally.

"Yes...that is true...but these monsters that have been created. They have to be better."

"Doctor..I think we are underestimating the power of those Scouts...when together they can overwhelm any force it seems."

"So..we must keep them apart..."

"That is much easier said than done..they seem to always been there.."

"Hmm......that is true...I wonder..well..the next warrior is chosen...I will consider this."

"Yes Professor."

The Professor than walked over to potted plant picked it up and threw it against the wall.

"Hmm..that's a new one.." Kaolinite said and walked out.

Lita, Mina, and Amy sat on the bench. Both Lita and Mina were annoyed. Amy was reading.

"This is boring," Lita said.

"Where are those joker boyfriends of ours..we haven't seen them in a while," Mina said.

"They're probably training so they stop making fools of themselves during the battles," Amy said.

"Oh...right..well..if you ask me they're training to hard," Lita said.

"Yeah..we need some time for them too," Mina said.

"I guess they're just more disciplined towards being a scout then you were," Amy said.

In a field outside Tokyo.

"That is the last glass of lemonade..understand?" Patterson snapped. "You're not going to become warriors if you just sit on your butts like this."

"Okay..okay..." Mike muttered.

"We're slick..we just need to get into the zone," Rick said.

"It's only taken you the entire morning," Patterson muttered.

"Well..we're beginners," Steve said.

"I don't think I like this job," Greg said.

"So let me get this straight..you'd prefer to have your girlfriends save your butts every battle?" Patterson said.

"Well..sure.." Mike said.

"Got no problem with that," Steve said.

"Yeah, if they don't mind doing it," Rick said.

"I'm not cut out for this," Greg said.

Patterson's eyes narrowed.

"Then..I can't help you," he said and turned.

"Wha...hey we were just kidding," Mike said.

"Yeah..yeah..we're ready," Steve said.

"You the man," Rick said.

"No..I have no time to babysit you guys..." Patterson said. "You know how badly you did before, and if you don't want to get any better..I don't care."

"Fine..I'll take charge," Rick said.

Thirty minutes later.

"What is it?" Patterson muttered to the four guys standing on his doorstep. Then he noticed they were all covered in tar.

"We..uh.." Rick said.

"Uh.." Steve said.

"You see..." Mike said.

Greg just sighed.

"Get yourselves cleaned up and then come back," Patterson said.

"Yeah..yeah..." they said.

"That duck is back again," Lita muttered.

"I noticed," Mina said.

"Where's Serena?" Lita asked.

"Out with Darrien," Mina said.

"Raye?"

"Haven't seen her."

"Hmm..that probably means she doesn't want to be seen then."

"Yeah, probably."

"Amy...tell us what to do," they both said.

"Read a book," Amy said.

"We've tried that before.." Lita said.

"Yeah..it's not all it's cracked up to be," Mina said.

"You only have yourselves to blame," Amy said.

"You know what..." Lita said. "I'm going to find Steve..I don't care where he is."

"But Lita..." Mina said.

"I don't care even if he is in Fortress Patterson, they're supposed to be our boyfriends, not his lackeys."

"You're right!" Mina said. "If our lives were a TV show they should be part of our plots not his."

"Interesting analogy," Amy said.

"Come on," Lita said and she and Mina started walking off. Amy sighed and followed.

Minutes later.

"There it is..." Lita said looking at the Patterson house.

"Well are we going to try and get in?" Mina asked.

"You're not going to try and sneak in are you?" Amy said. "That could be dangerous."

"We'll try and shmooze his uncle like we always do," Lita said.

"Yeah," Mina said.

"They're probably in the middle of an important training briefing or something," Amy said.

"Now..let's look at this one..." Patterson said flashing a picture up on his screen.

"Hmm..." The four replied contemplating it.

The picture was of Raye getting stepped on by Darrien.

"Ouch," Mike said.

"Patterson that's nice and all, but what does it have to do with anything?" Rick asked.

"Nothing at all!" Patterson shouted. "But I felt you guys were slacking off so I could too."

"We get the message," the four said.

"That is a pretty funny picture though," Steve said and started giggling.

"Uh..I know it is," Rick said. "Go ahead guys..laugh...actually it's hilarious. I'll have to ask Raye about it," he said and started laughing. The whole room, except Patterson, started laughing.

"Now exhibit two..." Patterson said.

The picture was of Mina covered in soot after blowing up Raye's stereo.

"I have no shame about that. Why do you think I'm dating her!" Mike said and the four laughed.

"You got any funny pictures of Lita?" Steve asked.

"Um...hmm..." Patterson said thinking.

"There's gotta be something stupid she's done," Steve said.

"Uh...well..sure...I'm just trying to think. Keep in mind I only keep the video of the events surrounding a negaverse attack," Patterson said.

"All half an hour of it..." Rick said.

"Ah..I know," Patterson said a bit nervously and typed in a few buttons. There was Lita complete in animal outfit...looking annoyed.

"YES! That is great," Steve said.

"Why is she dressed in that outfit?" Mike asked.

"Darrien's very cheap production of snow white ran into trouble when they couldn't find any dwarf costumes..." Patterson replied. "Sad really."

"Well? You've showed us embarrassing shots of all our girlfriends..let's see Greg's," Mike said.

"Yeah..let's see some action that will convince us that Amy Anderson isn't completely perfect," Steve said.

"Unfortunately for you gentlemen I don't have any footage like that," Patterson said.

"Why?" The three said. Greg was staying out of this.

"Because guys," Patterson said, his eyes narrowing. "She is perfect."

The three guys glanced at each other.

"HEY! D.V.! You've got more guests!" His uncle said.

"Uh oh," the guys said. Patterson quickly pressed a button to eliminate the picture on the screen. Lita, Mina, and Amy walked down the stairs.

"Well..this is where you jokers are," Lita said.

"Yeah..what's the idea of training like this at the expense of us?" Mina said.

"Well we just want to be the best, that's all," Mike said.

"Yes, we will float like butterflies and sting like bees," Steve said.

"I got stung by a bee once..it hurt.." Mike said.

"And you Patterson..what's the idea?" Lita said.

"Ahem....." Patterson said.

"Yeah..we want our boyfriends," Mina said.

"Take em," Patterson stammered.

"Come on Mike.." Mina said.

"Uh..coming dear," Mike muttered and walked up.

"Steve we're going on a date," Lita said.

"Wow! A date!" Steve said with mock euphoria and hurried over to her.

"Greg....you just do what you want," Amy said.

"There's really no point in me staying here now," Greg said and went with her.

"Well...isn't this nice?" Rick said. "No pictures of Amy huh...reason for that isn't there?"

"There's always a reason Rick..." Patterson said.

"Say....Patterson..any idea why Raye hasn't been around?" Rick asked.

"No clue Rick, I've stayed out of all of the girls lives as much as possible."

"Yeah, I know...but well..I mean I was worried for a little while with these dreams I've been having, but I got over it...yet she seems to be avoiding me, even with the training we're doing..err..trying to do.."

"Not my concern really. Talk to her."

"Textbook advice ehh?" Rick asked.

"All I have to give on matters of romance."

"Yeah..well..maybe I will..but Patterson, I've been thinking, maybe us guys shouldn't use the frontal approach."

"Good idea, I haven't attacked anyone that way in a while.."

"Right...I mean..the girls like to do the whole speech thing..but we should be more strategists."

"I agree..if the scouts employed more tactics they'd be in less jams then they're normally in..but I'm not about to tell them that," Patterson said.

"I'll tell them you said so."

"You do and I'll kill you."

"Message received. Anyway...I mean..maybe the whole reason we stink at being scouts it that we just don't want to be doing it that way," Rick said.

"You're lack of practice could also be a major factor..." Patterson said.

"The girls did it without practice..why not us.."

"Well..the stakes are higher," Patterson said.

"I'll tell you what I'll do..we'll try and train a little and also me, Mike, Steve, and Greg will put our heads together to develop a plan," rick said.

"A plan? I'd be wary of any of Mike's advice."

"Oh, that's just a rule of life," Rick said.

"Rick..trust me though..when you transform..you have to be dedicated...you have to know what you're getting into. The girls may seem ditzy at times...but they also are trying...I think you guys suffer from a lack of motivation..you think you'll just show up and things will happen."

"I'll remember that."

"By the way...you and Greg seem to be making some progress."

"Well I've always been you know...."

"Slick?" Patterson muttered.

"Yes, now that you mention it," Rick said.

"Darrien..I was wondering..." Serena said as the two stood on Darrien's balcony.

"Yes?" Darrien asked.

"Well..do you think that the wars will ever end?"

"Don't know," Darrien said.

"I'm getting awfully sick of them..and you know what else..it's not even about me anymore...you remember how it almost seemed for a while that I would always be stumbling into trouble..not it happens, but not as often.."

"And you miss it?"

"Well no..but Darrien..I know I can be selfish..and lazy..." Serena said.

"And other things.." Darrien said.

"Yes...but...if the negaverse is going to attack, they should attack..me...and you."

"Thanks for wishing that on me.."

"But don't you see...I've become widow dressing."

"You mean window dressing," Darrien said.

"I have no idea what I mean," Serena said.

"Oh."

"What I mean is that I've got all this power and yet the other scouts seem to be doing all the fighting."

"Well Serena, you know that they have always been a large part of your life, and they're very important," Darrien said.

"I almost wish I could just win the battles myself and I thought with these powers I could..but I haven't gotten the chance..they're always there..by my side..whether it's just one of them, or all of them."

"You'd rather not have them fighting with you?" Darrien asked.

"Darrien..Sailor Moon is my identity..and I feel that it's just gone away...that it's all about the scouts," Sailor Moon said.

"Well..having all those friends really isn't a curse."

"I know..I'm just confused...I like my friends a lot, but I..."

"Serena...you're making a worry out of something it shouldn't be...after all...this is great for you..how many dates have we gone on when the negaverse hasn't shown up? Haven't you enjoyed it."

"Maybe..but there was still that part of me waiting for the monster to pop out of nowhere...and you know Darrien....it was almost..almost easier when it happened like that. The negaverse showed up, we stopped it, then we knew..at least for the rest of that night..there wouldn't be any trouble..now...there's all this uncertainty," Serena said.

"Sorry that you feel that way...but I'm sure..that you can learn to deal with it. It's not a bad thing, really," Darrien said. "Serena, you should be glad that the universe doesn't revolve around you all the time...that's good."

"You know me Darrien, I'm probably insane..."

"You're just young," Darrien said.

"Like you're not," Serena said.

"That's true..I do have my moments."

"Oh.." Serena said.

"Let's go get some food or something," Darrien said.

"Sure," Serena said.

"You know the only really good thing that's happened lately?"

"What?"

"Well I haven't been having those terrible annoying dreams."

"Oh..."

"Then again.."

"Huh.."

"They were quite interesting..my life's been relatively boring," Serena said.

"You call saving the planet boring?" Darrien asked.

"For me it kinda is..I've only fought over a hundred battles..they become relatively run of the mill."

"Oh...you feeling okay Serena?" Darrien asked.

"You think I'm sick or something just because I told you my true feelings," Serena said and started whining.

"Uh...no...I was just asking," Darrien said a bit embarrassed.

"I wouldn't expect a man to understand my dilemma anyway?"

"What does anything you said have to do with gender?" Darrien asked.

"See..you just don't get it," Serena said.

"Let's go get something to eat okay," Darrien said and sighed.

"Okay..okay," Serena muttered.

"I'm buying," Darrien said.

"OKAY!" Serena shouted happily.

She may be having some complex issues, but some things remain the same. Darrien thought.

"You know Molly, I'm not sure I like you hanging around with that Maxfield Stanton guy..he looks dangerous," Melvin said.

"Melvin, he's not dangerous," Molly said. Or he isn't any more. "Anyway...and it's not for you to say."

"Molly, do you have any idea what you're doing though. He's at least ten years older than you," Melvin said.

To say the least. Molly thought remembering that Nephlite lived for over a thousand years.

"Melvin, we're just friends," Molly said.

"Just friends? I saw you hug him," Melvin said.

"Melvin, you do know that I never said at any point in time that you and I were a couple," Molly said.

"Well it's like a common law marriage," Melvin said.

"Don't compare us to that or I will strangle you," Molly said calmly.

"Okay..okay..." Melvin said.

"Hey guys," Serena said walking in with Darrien.

"Hey Serena," Molly said and the two girls started gabbing.

"Darrien can I ask you a quick question?" Melvin asked.

"Sure Melvin, what?" Darrien asked.

"Why do we men put up with women?"

Darrien glanced at him in surprise.

"Uh...I'll have to get back to you on that one," Darrien said.

"That's what everyone I ask says," Melvin said.

"And they're right to do so," Darrien said.

"So...Miss H is back to normal again..but did you see Principal Oksua..two schools damaged while he's principal. He isn't very happy," Serena was saying.

"Well...it's all for a good cause. Those Sailor Scouts are really something," Molly said.

She used to just say Sailor Moon. Serena thought annoyedly.

"Serena?" Molly asked.

"Wha?" Serena asked.

"You were staring off into space."

"Oh..I do that," Serena said.

"I know..but you usually don't do it when a pot of coffee is dumped on your head," Molly said.

"Wha!" Serena said feeling the pain.

"Sorry..." the waitress was saying.

"Ehh.." Serena said. And then a large lumbering creature went walking down the street past them.

"What was that?" Darrien said.

"HA! It's mine!" Serena shouted and dashed out the door.

The creature picked up a car and threw it into a nearby building.

"Hmm...now it's the Chrysler building," it muttered.

"Hold it," Sailor Moon said. The creature turned.

"Oh..hello," the creature said.

"He..hello?" Sailor Moon said in surprise.

"Sure...why not be polite..." the creature said.

"Uh..right..well anyway...I am Sailor Moon, I fight for love and justice. I will right wrongs and triumph over evil, and thaaaatttt means you!" she said pointing and savoring every minute of it. "On behalf of the moon I will punish you!"

"Oh..I see...well..you're just doing your job," the creature said and started running at her.

"Hah!" Sailor Moon said and jumped into the air coming down behind him. "Moon Sword!"

She shouted and forward slicing at the creature's arm. The sword bounced off. The creature batted her down the street.

"I really don't like to insult people..but this is just business...you scum! Prepare to meet your doom!" the creature yelled.

"Uh..yeah..right!" Sailor Moon said and running and jumping using Mars' power. She kicked the creature in the head. Sailor Moon bounced off and landed awkwardly.

"Didn't work did it?" the creature asked.

"Well..no.." Sailor Moon said and came up fighting with Jupiter's aura. She smashed into the creature and pushed it back a foot.

"Hmm..you'd probably have to do that a lot to hurt me," the creature said and threw her backward again.

"Yeah..not very effective is it?" Sailor Moon said standing up.

"Hmm...no guess not," the creature said casually throwing a car at her. She dodged out of the way and pulled off her tiara.

"Moon Tiara Magic!" she shouted and flew it. It bounced off the creature and embedded itself in a light pole.

"Try again," the creature said.

"Well..um..." Sailor Moon said and used Mercury's aura.

Come on, give me the smarts I need. There we go...the creature appears to be of a hard substance..so..it'll most likely have to be hit with something harder...like...a bus..but how am I supposed to get one..maybe there are some enemies that just make more sense to have more firepower to deal with. Hmm...the spiral hearts attack might stop him, but he's strong.....

The monster came running at her.

"Yikes," she said and jumped into the air to avoid him.

I can spend all the time I want thinking about this, but without a real solution. Guess I'll have to call the scouts. She thought solemnly.

A rose fell through the air and slammed into the ground.

"But I'm not in trouble!" Sailor Moon shouted.

"Sure you are," Tuxedo Mask said landing on the ground beside her. "You can't seem to hurt that thing alone."

"Well..yeah...but I was working on it."

"Let me try something," Tuxedo Mask said and threw a barrage of roses at the rock man. The rock man swept them aside with his hand.

"They wouldn't have hurt me anyway," The rockman said.

"Oh..." Tuxedo Mask said.

"I've got em," Tuxedo Mask said and sent his extending staff flying at the enemy. It hit the rockman's head and stunned him for a second, enough to cause him to stop.

"Moon Spiral Hearts Attack!"

The rockman disappeared.

"Well Sailor Moon, looks like you could use your friends' help still," Tuxedo Mask said.

"Yeah..maybe," Sailor Moon agreed.

CHAPTER 66 CHAPTER 67 CHAPTER 68 CHAPTER 69 CHAPTER 70  CHAPTER 71 

CHAPTER 72 CHAPTER 73 CHAPTER 74 CHAPTER 75  CHAPTER 76 CHAPTER 77

 CHAPTER 78 CHAPTER 79 CHAPTER 80  CHAPTER 81  CHAPTER 82 CHAPTER 83

CHAPTER 84 CHAPTER 85  CHAPTER 86 CHAPTER 87 CHAPTER 88 CHAPTER 89

 CHAPTER 90 CHAPTER 91 CHAPTER 92 CHAPTER 93 CHAPTER 94 CHAPTER 95

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