Chapter 76

A day had passed since the death and subsequent resurrection of Rick and as well as the death of Kaolinite. It was a sunday. Raye was still asleep in her room. Chad was sitting outside watching over her. Even though the immediate crisis had been dealt with, there was still the matter of how she was going to pay the bills. Chad intended to help her with that problem. Most of the other scouts were sleeping in, tired after their battle. Three of the heroes though were up quite early.

"This is probably a fool's errand," Mercury said as she walked down the street flanked by Maverick and Saturn.

"Just the same we should look..while Tomoe's free he's still dangerous," Saturn said. "Right Maverick."

Maverick nodded.

"But we don't even know where to start," Mercury said. "I'm not about to give up but what do we look for? There's no sign of negaenergy around his lab."

"I don't think they were using negaenergy," Maverick said. "There are probably other forms of energy in the universe aside from that."

"Good point," Mercury said. "But we don't know what kind of energy it is, and furthermore, how do we know even that energy could lead to him?"

"I don't know how it would..but..the fact is we don't have much else to work with," Maverick said.

"Still..we'd need a scan of that energy.." Mercury said.

"I happen to have exactly that," Maverick said pressing a button on his watch.

"Oh..well..then download it to my computer.." she said pulling it out still attached to the Old Maverick watch.

"I really should give this back to you," she said.

"Keep it, it boosts your range and I've got another one," Maverick replied.

"Okay," Mercury said.

"Say..why do you think Tomoe would get caught up in all of this?" Saturn asked as the data was transferred.

"He is mentally unstable," Maverick said.

"Yes, but that doesn't prove anything," Saturn said.

"Maybe the negaverse, or whoever is behind this took control of him to use to their own ends," Mercury said.

"A possibility," Saturn said. "But if he is insane..wouldn't it be easier to find someone else, more.sane.."

"Maybe they wanted a maniac," Maverick said.

"That's risky isn't it?" Saturn asked.

"Maybe this enemy takes risks," Mercury said. "Assuming there still is an enemy."

"There was whoever shot those energy blasts at us," Saturn said. "They attacked me and Maverick when we first discovered the hideout."

"Yes...I wonder who they are," Mercury said.

"Whoever they are...they seemed only interested in Tomoe's safety," Maverick said.

"You think so?" Mercury asked.

"Yes, they didn't attack except when he was threatened.." Maverick said.

"Hmm...then we may be dealing with people with different agendas," Mercury said.

"That's possible," Saturn said.

Mike and Steve had had rough nights. Both had had nightmares filled with images of death and destruction. Needless to say when they woke up, neither of them was too happy.

"You look like dung," Mike said when the two met that morning.

"I think you do too," Steve said.

"Didn't sleep well."

"Neither did I."

"We're probably worried about the same thing."

"I think you're right."

"I like bologna too."

"Get serious," Steve snapped.

"I know. We both have done nothing but get hurt in battle...and now Rick was killed only to be saved by a miracle."

"What are we doing?"

"Yeah..I know..we're no heroes, and we only hurt ourselves and risk hurting others. I mean..Rick actually managed to put up a good fight and he was killed. How are we supposed to survive?" Mike asked.

"Yeah..I mean you've seen some of that power..power that could blow us apart on a whim. Like we want that to actually be targeted at us," Steve said.

"Uh huh, the Sailor Scouts handle things fine, they know what they're doing, we're just...asking for it."

"I'm not even sure they should be doing what they do, but they can at least choose their own path..and so can we..right now..I don't like where my path is leading," Steve said.

"I agree..we're not cut out of this work..everyone can see that," Mike said.

"Yeah..I'm with you..we should quit before anyone else gets hurt."

An hour later.

"Hmm..thought we might find you two here," Lita said as she and Mina walked up to Steve and Mike who were sitting in Mike's garage still with dour expressions on their faces.

"Not launching any rockets I see..the world is safe...for now," Mina said joyfully.

"We can't do it anymore," Mike said.

"Can't do what?" Lita asked.

Mike and Steve pulled their power sticks out of their pockets and laid them on the table.

"Find someone who can actually put these to good use," Steve said.

"You can't mean it," Mina said becoming worried.

"We do," the two replied.

"Rick almost died..heck..he did die...and we could be next," Mike said.

"Especially considering how bad we are at this.." Steve said.

"We all make mistakes," Lita said.

"Don't try using cliches," Steve snapped.

"Uh..sorry," Lita said.

"But..you guys are improving," Mina said.

"Don't give us that," Mike said. "We're as useful as ...something that's not useful."

What would normally be a funny comment got no laughs because of the severity of the situation.

"Why should we risk our lives when it doesn't do any good?" Steve asked.

"Well you've just been unlucky," Mina said.

"Yeah, you're in a bit of a slump, you'll come out of it," Lita said.

"Yeah..and how many more people are killed while we work out our slump?" Mike said.

"We couldn't help Rick, we're no help to anyone when we're Guardian scouts," Steve said.

"No, you are a help...you've been thrown into a situation you didn't expect to be in, but you'll come around..listen...the scouts are not a well oiled machine," Lita said.

"Yeah..we managed to stumble through all sorts of battles, but it wasn't necessarily because we had the hang of it," Mina said. "Back then we didn't have anyone to cover for us when we messed up, now when you guys messed up we were there to bail you out, but I'm sure if you were the only ones there you'd do the job."

"Rick was the only one there," Steve said.

"And he did the job..only he couldn't expect to win against such odds," Lita said.

"Yeah..and so what even if we were at our best..how long until we can't expect to win against such odds?" Mike said.

"That's the risk that comes with being a scout," Lita said.

"We accept it, and you should to. As far as I know you're the only ones who can be Guardian Neptune and Guardian Pluto," Mina said. "It's your duty..."

"Our duty, hah!" Mike said. "Trust the world to some teenagers and what do you expect?"

"Mike..please..give it a shot," Mina said. "I know it's a heavy burden..but...you always looked like someone who could handle it."

"Same goes for you Steve...if you can't do it..who can?" Lita asked.

"More cliches," Steve said.

"That's not the point..." Lita said.

"I know it isn't," Steve said managing a small smile. "You know Mike, if these two are so convinced we can do it, how can we possibly give up now?"

"Yeah..they'd probably dump us if we didn't try again," Mike said managing a small smile.

"Uh..yeah..yeah we would," Lita and Mina managed to say trying to sound as forceful as they could.

"Ha..how about that? The Sailor Scouts destroyed another building," Mr. Tsukino said.

"What dear?" Mrs. Tsukino said.

"Oh..you know..the Sailor Scouts blew apart Starlight Towers, than an apartment building, then that bridge, and after that, various other buildings..well they got another one."

"I don't think they're the ones doing it."

"Well not them per se..but you see what I'm saying."

"Yes dear."

"If you ask me they're awfully reckless for being heroes," Mr. Tsukino said.

"Yes dear."

"Heck..maybe they didn't have good parents," Mr. Tsukino muttered.

"That might be it," Mrs. Tsukino replied.

"Hello," Serena said sitting down at the table.

"Oh...hello Serena...you want some pancakes?" Mrs. Tsukino said.

"Yes, of course I do," Serena said and immediately knelt on the ground. "Oh honorable mother, you have blessed me with your gracious offer."

"Uh..what?" Mrs. Tsukino said.

"I'm just showing my appreciation," Serena said and sat back down.

"I think you're overdoing it," Mr. Tsukino said. "If you ask me, someone should bill the Sailor Scouts for all the damage."

"I really don't think you'd want that to happen," Serena said.

"Why?" Her parents asked.

"Uh..no reason," Serena said nervously.

"So what are you planning to do today Serena?" Mrs. Tsukino asked.

"Oh..I'm going to go over and see how Raye's doing," Serena said.

"That's a good idea..she needs her friends at a time like this," Mrs. Tsukino said.

"Raye's a nice girl isn't she?" Mr. Tsukino said. "Now if Serena were more like her.."

"If I was more like her? You gotta be kidding," Serena said. "Trust me father you don't need more than one Raye Hino around."

"That's not a very nice thing to say," Mr. Tsukino said.

"I bet she never says something like that about you," Mrs. Tsukino said.

"You'd lose your money if you bet on that," Serena replied.

"Oh..well..Raye's had to work harder in life then you have. She has more discipline obviously, and she's so gracious."

The image of Raye getting stepped on by Darrien popped into Serena's head.

"Gracious..right," Serena said and burst out laughing.

"Serena, are you sure you two are friends..you talk of her like she's an enemy."

"Oh..sure..we're friends..we just differ...identificology..." Serena said.

"Do you mean Ideologically?" her father asked.

"Probably..but I'll have to get back to you on that," Serena said.

"Well I'll say this for you Serena, at least you don't destroy buildings like those Sailor Scouts," her father said.

"Uh..right..yeah.," Serena said. "Good point!"

"Hey, Chad, she still sleeping?" Rick asked walking up to the temple.

"She's in the shower," Chad said.

"That's good," Rick said.

"Rick...I know we've been rivals, but let's both cool it for Raye's sake."

"I was about to suggest the same thing....we'll have plenty of time to fight each other later..that's assuming you plan on sticking around," Rick said.

"Have to now," Chad said solemnly.

"Chad, I know you only want the best for her," Rick said.

"And..now I know the same is true of you..you wouldn't have fought so hard if you weren't dedicated to her..." Chad said. "I only wish I had had the same opportunity. I was staying at an apartment across the city...got a job at the local recording studio."

"Really? Doing what?"

"Uh recording..." Chad said.

Rick just glanced at him.

"Okay...let's not linger on that.." Rick said.

"Anyway...if Raye let's me move in back here, I can use my salary to support her..and me..I mean..with the money I save on rent."

"Good idea....I'll admit to you that you moving in with her again, if she agreed, would worry me, but I'm willing to accept it for her good, even if she cheated on me again, well..at least she'd be surviving."

"Nice way of putting it," Chad said. "I swear I will not any kind of advance on her while she's involved with you."

"Okay..that's settled. I'll see what I can do moneywise or foodwise..maybe I can get my mother to make a few meals for you...she's busy..but she also wants me to marry Raye so that I don't get stuck with someone my father finds more appropriate."

"Uh..sure..well anything that can help," Chad said.

"I'm sure her friends will help out too..they're a pretty nice group," Rick said.

"Oh..yeah...real nice bunch of girls..all of them are taken now aren't they?" Chad asked.

"Fraid so..."

"Hmm...well..more will come along."

"Sure. I mean you've got the good looks,"Rick said.

"Yeah," Chad said.

"Any girl on the planet is yours if you want her. I should know, I also share the power," Rick said.

"You bet," Chad said.

"Why are we going through this macho routine?" Rick said.

"Don't know," Chad said and made a hand motion that Rick didn't recognize it kinda looked like a thumbs up, but involved twisting the arm and motioning with three fingers.

"What was that?" Rick asked.

"Don't know," Chad said and did the motion again.

The door opened and Raye walked out.

"Hey Raye," the two guys said.

"Oh, great...Are you guys going to be around here all the time?" she muttered.

"Well..sort of," they both replied.

"Fine by me!" she said smiling.

"Oh..yeah.." the two guys said and both made Chad's hand motion.

"What..are..you two doing?" Raye asked nervously.

"Hey Raye! How you doing?" Serena said before they could answer. She had just been walking up.

"I was doing fine till a second ago," Raye said glancing at Chad and Rick.

"Oh..hi you two...how romantic..the two suitors standing watch over their love's room...." she said drifting between them...if such a thing had been possible her eyes would probably have been heart shaped and pink at that point.

"Serena..you're embarrassing us.." Raye muttered.

"Oh..just look at them..two knights devoted to you eternally...." Serena said.

"Serena..you didn't by chance...find a bag of white powder on the way here and take a whiff of it did you?" Raye asked.

"No," Serena said. "But I see what you're saying..that I Serena would need some sort of drugs to feel the passion that these two feel for you!"

"What? What..are..you...Serena...come inside," Raye said and pulled the other girl inside her room.

"Hmm...Serena hasn't changed since I left," Chad said.

"She'll be that way when she's eighty," Rick said.

"Poor Darrien," they added in unison.

"Serena..I appreciate you coming over here and all, but you are acting a little strangely," Raye said.

"I'm just glad that you're all right..and don't you find it romantic to find these two hunks standing outside your door?" Serena asked.

"Incredibly," Raye replied. "But I can't let them know that," she whispered.

"Oh..I see..hurts the image," Serena said. "Okay..no problem.."

"You actually understand what I'm saying?"

"Sure..message received. So how you doing?"

"I'm fine. I mean..sure..I'm still a little shaken up," Raye said.

"Well that's to be expected. Trust me..we're all here for you."

"I appreciate it," Raye said.

"I thought we might get together later have a celebration or something, that's assuming I can find the others, Amy's out already, I think she, Greg, and Patterson are trying to hunt down Tomoe."

"If I ever get my hands on him..but..that's for another time."

"Yeah, don't worry about it now..he's probably fleeing the country," Serena said.

"Exactly," Raye said and managed a grin.

"I'm not about to give up the chance to have a party and not have to pay for it..I'm sure Darrien will be all for paying."

"Serena, I'm sure you've bled him enough.."

"Well..then I'll find someone else to pay..I mean it's for a good cause," Serena said joyfully.

"Uh right..you're pretty surprising Serena. You can go from being depressed or worried to downright jubilant in such a short period of time. In a way I envy you."

"You..what? Envy me?" Serena asked.

"Only a little," Raye replied.

"Raye..is everything all right?"

"Sure..everything's fine," Raye said.

"Oh..no you don't...I can tell something's up," Serena said. "I know you've had some problems lately..massive ones...but it's all right now...you should get out and enjoy yourself today."

"Um..well..I plan to," Raye said.

"Perk up, it's a nice day," Serena said.

"Sure..Serena..I will...I think I have to talk to my two suitors now..so why don't you try tracking down the others?" Raye said.

"Good idea..I'm good at finding people," Serena said and walked out.

Hmm..Raye was so nice to me. I wonder what's up? Maybe she's having one of those reborn Christian things..but she lives in a Shinto shrine..unlikely...wonder what it is then...or maybe it's nothing..no..it has to be something..but I'll find out later.

And somewhere two figures sat in an apartment looking out the window at the city.

"The sea is becoming rough," the first one said.

"Yes, the wind is becoming stronger," the other one replied.

Amy and Greg were meanwhile sitting at a restaurant sipping on some drinks. Patterson had since moved on.

"If he's still here, he's well hidden," Greg said.

"Very well hidden," Amy said. "I think we should wait and see what happens."

"Might as well," Greg said.

"Oh..there you two are. Where have you been?" Serena said walked up.

"Everywhere," the two replied showing some frustration.

"Uh..okay.." Serena said. "Not an answer I was expecting."

At the restaurant near the arcade.

"So what do you think they'll decide?" Lita asked.

"Don't know," Mina replied. "I mean they're very unpredictable."

"Yeah..and they have to want to be a scout...I hope they don't decide to do it just because they're dating us."

"Why?"

"Well..I want them to be Guardian Scouts, I think they can handle it...but if they don't think they can do it, and they try anyway, they could get hurt."

"They'll learn...we need the backup," Mina said.

"But if their heart isn't in it?" Lita said.

"They'll change there mind once they get into battle," Mina said.

"But they've been in battle."

"So they'll get used to it."

"Mina, are you saying that you're so desperate for more help fighting you're willing to risk your boyfriend despite the fact that he may not be ready for combat?"

Mina stared at the table for a second.

"Maybe," she answered. "Lita, we've fought so many battles, someone else should do it now...why not them?"

"I don't think Queen Serenity intended for the Guardians to take over for us...you saw that the combined force of scouts was needed to take down Richter, and then Kaolinite. We have more help because our strength needs to increase, not so we can take a vacation," Lita said.

"But maybe someday..." Mina said. "Oh..let's not worry about it....they haven't made a decision yet..."

"Hey guys..whatcha talking about?" Serena asked walking up flanking by Amy and Greg.

"Well..Mike and Steve are afraid of being Guardian Scouts, that's all," Lita said.

"Oh..bummer," Serena said. "Anyway..we're having a party later...so come on," Serena said.

"Party?" Mina said.

"Serena, didn't you hear what we said?" Lita asked.

"Sure, but I'm sure it'll work out, it always does, anyway..let's plan the party," Serena said.

Mina and Lita glanced at each other and grinned slightly.

"She has a point," Mina said.

"I'll risk agreeing with her this time," Lita said.

"So...agreeing with Serena is dangerous?" Greg whispered to Amy.

"On most things, yes," Amy said. "Haven't you figured that now?"

"It was a strong suspicion," Greg replied.

Twenty minutes.

"I just don't know about this," Mike said.

"Me neither," Steve said.

The two girls had left them to think about their status, and they didn't really know what to do about it even though they seemed incline to try again. They did notice Patterson walking by.

"Hey!" they shouted. Patterson turned.

"Patterson, just the guy we want to see," Mike said.

"That sounds unlikely," Patterson muttered

"Oh..um..well we've got this problem," Mike said.

"Yeah..we don't know what do," Steve said.

"Maybe you should see a doctor or something," Patterson said.

The two burst out laughing.

"You are a funny guy Patterson, in a stoic unfeeling sort of way," Mike said. "No...you see...we're not sure we want to be Guardian Scouts anymore."

"Yeah," Steve said.

"Well I was never sure you were right for it..." Patterson said. "However, to give up this early is very uncharacteristic of either of you."

"You think so," they said.

"What are your concerns?" Patterson asked.

They laid them out for him.

"Well that does show you're not ignorant of you're situation, which isn't a bad idea," Patterson said. "Facing death and pain is part of the job. Listen....guys..Rick died..you're concerned that might happen to you. I can't tell you it won't."

"Well you've done fine Patterson..you hardly get a scratch on you," Mike said.

"That's not true," Patterson said. "I was nearly killed battling Coardite. Only the Sailor Scouts saved me. You see guys..I am a loner, but I also know that alone, I don't stand a chance against the enemy. The Scouts are a team..they win as one. You guys are still learning how to work in this whole environment...you have to realize that whenever one or two scouts are on their own..they stand little to no chance of success..their goal is to keep the enemy busy until the rest can arrive and stop it. Rick did that..he paid the ultimate price for it, but he knew the job that was asked of him."

"I guess you're right," Mike said.

"I ask you in all seriousness, do you want to be Guardian scouts?" Patterson asked.

"Yes," the two answered.

"But you're afraid to be?"

"Yes."

"It will pass...are you willing to trust me on that?" Patterson said.

The two glanced at each other.

"Yes," they said.

"Good..then we'll see what happens," Patterson said. "I have to go," he said.

"Where?" Mike asked.

"Wherever I feel like," Patterson said.

"Why don't you..uh..hang around?" Steve said.

"Sure..I mean..you're no bother here..besides..what else have we got to do?" Mike said.

"How about your girlfriends?" Patterson said.

"Not a bad idea.." Mike said.

"Yeah..they'll love to hear the news," Steve said.

"That's good, because they're coming and they've got everyone else with them," Patterson said and handed Steve an envelope, before walking off. The two turned to see the five sailor scouts, Greg, Rick, and Darrien walking up.

"Hey guys..you make a decision yet?" Lita asked.

"We sure did," Steve said.

"I think you all will like it," Mike said.

"Well tell us so we can go have a party," Serena said smiling.

"Who's paying for this again?" Darrien asked nervously.

Steve opened the envelope. There was fifty dollars sitting in it.

"I think you're off the hook," Steve said and handed Darrien the envelope.

"How does he know this stuff?" Mike whispered.

"Maybe someday, he'll tell us," Steve said.

"Yeah," Mike said.

"So what did you decide?" Mina said.

"We're going to keep trying," Mike said.

"Yeah," Steve said.

"That's great," Lita said.

"Never mind all that....Let's go, let's go, let's go," Serena said joyfully.

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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