Chapter 78

"It was time for the Guardian Scouts to begin their training so they could go to Earth," Sailor Pluto said continuing the story. "You see scouts, the Earth was not like what your history class might have told you."

"And...what would that be...heh heh..." Serena said and laughed nervously.

"I think she means that a thousand years ago, the world was still in a primitive stage of development and depending on what sources you read might have already been immersed in the medieval period," Amy said.

"Though some critics say it was some time afterwards," Greg said.

"Right, especially the historians at the University of Prague," Amy replied.

"Oh...yeah..um..well..that's where my knowledge breaks down," Greg said.

"Come on Greg, the University of Prague, the only place on the European continent you can find a good pizza," Patterson muttered.

"WHAT?" everyone else said.

"Nothing," Patterson replied.

"YOU ARE SO WEIRD!" the girls, except Amy all said.

"So I've been told," Patterson muttered.

"Ahem...Luna..maybe I should come back at a better time," Sailor Pluto said.

"No, we want to hear the rest of the story," Serena said.

"Yeah," everyone else agreed.

"All right. As I was saying, the planet Earth was not the primitive place it was thought to be. You see the truth was that while many areas were undeveloped, in several cities there were massive buildings, far ahead of their time. The world was constantly at peace, and through these cities most people were happy. The capital of the world was Tokyo at the time, but that was also where the negaverse decided to attack," Pluto said. "But we'll handle that later."

The vision became that of a palace hallway. Several nobles were standing around talking. Suddenly there was a commotion at the end of the hall and soon the four Guardian Scouts emerged running down it. Neptune took the chance to jump up onto a buffet table and off again. Uranus slid under another table and just missed some nobles. Saturn just let a small grin slide onto his face as the nobles all shuffled out of the way. The four ran through the hallway, and under the rotunda of the palace, still barely missing people as they did so. They ran along the outside of the throne room and towards the exits to the building. Straight in front of them was the royal pool area, where several people were sitting, sunning themselves, while others were just sitting there. Including the four princesses of the inner planets, and Princess Serena who were sitting around a table talking.

"Um...Saturn...there's water there," Neptune muttered as the four ran out the door.

"So..jump over it," Saturn said and kept going reaching the edge of the pool and pushing off, using his power to leap over the pool and onto the sidewalk beyond. He heard a large splash behind him. Sighing he turned to see Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto all floating in the pool. The five girls and most of the people there were laughing their heads off.

"Those imbeciles," Saturn muttered. The three scouts emerged from the pool.

"It was his fault," Neptune said pointing at Uranus.

"Yeah," Pluto said. "He was staring at Princess Raye, didn't even notice the water, and then he tripped taking us down with him."

"Well..." Saturn begin.

"Heh heh..looks like you haven't worked the bugs out have you?" Princess Raye said laughing as she walked up.

"Yeah...what are you doing anyway?" Princess Serena said.

"Training on the palace grounds, for tactical purposes," Saturn said.

"Boy you take this training seriously..." Princess Mina said.

"Yeah, you'd actually think it meant something," Princess Lita said.

"I think if you stay away from water you should do fine," Princess Raye said.

The four girls walked along laughing their heads off. Princess Amy trailed behind them saying nothing.

"Sailor Pluto's going to love hearing about this..." Neptune muttered.

"Real good thinking Saturn. Just run through the palace without telling anyone you were going to do it and then...three of you manage to fall into the pool..." Sailor Pluto muttered.

"Sailor Pluto, the reason we ran through the palace was to get a feel for it in case it were to come under attack," Saturn said. "We didn't tell anyone, because most likely we would have to avoid panicking noblemen as they ran off to find a hole to jump into."

"That is true, but maybe next time you could tell me about your plans first," Sailor Pluto said.

"Of course," Saturn said.

"You guys better get your act together. You leave for Earth in a week," Sailor Pluto said.

"We'll be ready," Saturn said.

"Heck, I'm hot stuff right now," Uranus said.

"Then how come your covered with water?" Sailor Pluto asked, her eyes narrowing.

"I have no answer for you as of now..but..." Uranus began.

"Anyway...time passed and within a week the Guardian scouts had arrived in Tokyo, the capital of Earth to begin their operations. Prince Darrien had accompanied them," Sailor Pluto said.

"How?" Serena asked. "I mean how'd they get there?"

"Princess Serena, the teleportation methods in this silver millennium were quite extensive. The four merely teleported there, you should remember that," Sailor Pluto said.

"Well...my memory isn't very reliable," Serena said.

Tokyo was a massive city, filled with all sorts of high-rise stone buildings despite the traditional belief that all they had were small villages or wooden houses.

"As you can see Tokyo, is quite impressive," Prince Darrien said standing on the balcony of the royal palace with the four princes.

"I'll say," Prince Michael said.

"What's it's defensive capabilities?" Saturn asked.

"Um...well..we didn't build it with defense in mind," Darrien said.

"Oh...bad move," Saturn said.

"We didn't think so at the time. We've been trying to make Earth peaceful," Darrien said.

"Oh...well...I guess that's a noble goal..." Saturn muttered.

"Prince Saturn, I'm afraid I didn't get your name," Darrien said.

"Not many people do, anyone who uses my first name refers to me as D.V. but no refers to me by first name so it really doesn't come up," Saturn said.

"Why the initials?" Darrien asked.

"Long story," Saturn said.

"I see," Darrien said.

"So...now that we're here, what are we going to do?" Prince Stephen asked.

"Allow me to explain," Prince Darrien said. "We believe that a force known as the negaverse has landed somewhere on this planet, but their target is Tokyo. Apparently they have been trying to set up this city as an invasion point."

"Classic land and destroy the center of power maneuver," Prince Saturn said.

"I see...and how would you know about all this in a galaxy with no war?" Prince Darrien asked.

"Sent away," Prince Saturn muttered.

"Ehh...we gotta tell you something about our fearless leader here," Prince Michael said. "He's kind of obsessed in the war department."

"Yeah...he's been waiting to fight in a war his whole life," Prince Stephen said.

"Glad we could oblige," Darrien muttered. "Anyway, there have been sporadic attacks across the city. We don't know to what purpose they are for, but I've manage to drive them off."

"You have?" Prince Richard asked.

"Yes, I have my own special abilities you might say," Prince Darrien said.

"How many attacks have their been?" Saturn asked.

"Five, but there's probably more where that came from. By the time I get there it's usually too late to find out what the negaverse was doing. That's why we needed you, with four more pairs of eyes, we should have more of a chance to find out what is going on in these attacks," Prince Darrien said.

"Makes sense," Saturn said.

"Can I ask you guys something? Now that we've handled the business at hand?" Darrien asked.

"What?" Prince Michael asked.

"What do you think of Princess Serena?" Darrien asked.

"What?" the four guys asked in surprise.

"Well..she and I...well..I mean..we've been seeing each other," Darrien said.

"WHAT!" Michael, Stephen, and Richard cried.

"Of course you have, so..what do you want to know?" Saturn asked.

"How'd you know?" Darrien asked.

"Darrien...there is a saying where I come from....." Saturn began.

"You mean where we all come from?" Michael muttered.

"Ahem yes...anyway the saying is that the Prince of Saturn knows everything, and in most cases they are quite correct," Saturn said.

"Glad to see you don't have a big ego," Darrien muttered.

"I don't, I just know most things involved with letters A through K, and M through Z, letter L involves the word love which is the only subject I'm really deficient in knowledge in," Saturn said.

"Join the rest of humanity," Darrien muttered.

"I try not to," Saturn said.

"Ahem..anyway...you guys..what do you think of the Princess?" Darrien asked.

"Graceful on the skating rink," Stephen said.

Serena grinned.

"Not a bad dancer I've noticed," Richard said.

Serena grinned.

"Pretty eloquent speaker," Michael said.

Serena smiled.

"No comment," Saturn said.

"Ehh..I'll take it," Serena said. "See...how great I was."

"Key word, was," Raye said.

"Hey!" Serena shouted.

"Well once we get this whole crisis settled, I think I'll marry her," Prince Darrien said.

The princes, except Saturn, started hooting.

"Glad to see I have your blessing," Darrien said.

"It was another week before the negaverse attacked again," Sailor Pluto said. "But when they did, the Guardian Scouts were ready."

Prince Darrien, now in armor and carrying a sword even larger than Saturn's usual metal one, and the four Guardian scouts dashed down the street towards the sound of screaming. A large stone building was the sight of the chaos.

"What's going on in there?" Neptune asked.

"Don't know..but...I'm sure there is at least one way to find out," Pluto said and pushed the door open. Inside was a family all huddled against the wall as a strange looking humanoid stood there blasting the wall with some sort of energy.

"Hold it right there!" Prince Darrien shouted. The humanoid stopped and turned towards him.

"Who are you?" it muttered.

"Prince Darrien of the Earth. Surrender now or be destroyed."

"Who are those small fry's behind you?" the creature said.

"Small fry's?" the four scouts said.

"Guardian Neptune, and I will kick the shin of evil and then knee it in the head," Neptune said.

"Wonderful opening," Saturn muttered.

"Guardian Pluto, ever been hit in the head by a small asteroid? Well I have..and that just makes me madder," Pluto said.

"Guardian Uranus, pure slickness right here," Uranus said.

"And I'm Guardian Saturn, any resemblance between this an a real fighting force is purely coincidental," Saturn muttered.

"Ehh...I'm confused," the creature muttered.

"Let me make it perfectly clear!" Darrien said and swung his sword. The creature ducked out of the way.

"What are you doing here?" Darrien said.

"I bet you'd like to know," the creature said and launched a blast of energy at them. Darrien and Saturn dropped to the floor. The blast slammed the other three scouts into the wall of a building across the street.

"Whoa..that kinda hurt," Neptune muttered.

"Why didn't you duck!" Saturn shouted.

"Ehh...not sure..." Uranus said.

"Well..this is just great, Saturn Rings Blast!" Saturn shouted bringing on his power. The creature, not knowing what to expect, just stood there. The blue energy flew out from Saturn and slammed towards the creature, who realized it should not be standing there. It's attempts to dodge the blast were in vain because of the largeness of the attack. It hit and slammed the creature into another wall. It staggered forward. Darrien stabbed it with his sword. The creature let out a yell and vaporized.

"Yes!" Darrien and Saturn shouted and gave each other a high five. "Ahem...right," they both muttered regaining their composure.

"That was fun," Neptune muttered.

"I wonder what it was doing," Saturn said.

"Well...that's a good question," Darrien said.

"Do you have any idea?" Neptune asked the family in the corner.

"No...none..." the mother said still shaking.

"Everything will be all right," Darrien said kneeling down and talking to them.

"Thank..thank..you Prince Darrien," the mother said beginning to recover. "It..just came in and started blasting the wall."

A visor slid across Saturn's face, and he started punching buttons into a watch he had on his right wrist.

"Hey..where'd you get that?" Neptune asked.

"Queen Serenity gave it to me," Saturn said.

"Why didn't I get something like that?" Neptune asked.

"I have no idea," Saturn muttered. "Hmm..I'm not picking anything up."

"That's weird," Darrien said.

"Yeah..maybe...this creature's just insane or something," Neptune said.

"Or maybe it's a diversion," Saturn said. His eyes narrowed.

"But it hasn't been before. There hasn't been sign of a negaverse attack anywhere else," Darrien said.

"Hmm....maybe there's not supposed to be," Saturn said. "I need to talk to Queen Serenity immediately."

Saturn was back on the moon in an hour.

"What is it Saturn?" Queen Serenity asked as he hurried into her private room.

"Queen Serenity, I recommend immediate activation of the rest of the scouts and that the kingdom go on full alert."

"Saturn...are you serious?"

"Queen Serenity. The negaverse is up to something. These attacks, are diversions for something I don't understand. If they are trying to invade it may be to throw our forces into the wrong place at the wrong time. The Moon Kingdom could be in grave danger," Serenity said.

"I don't want to panic the people though."

"We have to do something. At least activate the other scouts."

"Very well....they can be trained in the defense of the moon, while you try and figure out what's going on Earth," Serenity said.

"Of course Queen Serenity."

"Another week passed by and the negaverse attacks kept coming sporadically across Tokyo," Sailor Pluto said. "Each time the Guardian Scouts would show up to stop it. Meanwhile on the Moon, the new scouts were being trained by me. After that week however, the monsters stopped coming. Several days passed with no sightings of the negaverse. Meanwhile on the moon, other forces were at work," Sailor Pluto said.

"Queen Serenity!" Baron Goralis shouted marching into the throne room.

"Baron Goralis, what is the meaning of your outburst," Queen Serenity said.

"You have been harboring a human from EARTH!" Goralis shouted. Most of the crowd all gasped.

"Baron Goralis. What exactly are you talking about?" Queen Serenity asked.

"Oh come now..this Darrien person, he's actually the Prince of Earth isn't he?"

"Baron Goralis, Darrien is from Pluto, I've already told you that."

"He is not from Pluto! I have my sources!" Goralis said.

"You cannot prove your story though," Queen Serenity said.

"Can't I? No one has ever heard of this Darrien up until a month ago, and yet he suddenly gets close to you, and I might add Princess Serena!" Goralis shouted.

Princess Serena shouted.

"Baron Goralis, I have made it a point to deal with people based on their merits, not on title. The reason you probably not heard of Darrien is that he is not a member of the noble class."

"We all know how little Goralis knows about the real world..." came a voice from behind them. Saturn stood there.

"Saturn! That brings up another matter! Where has he been for the past month! And the rest of the Guardian Scouts."

"I thought you'd be glad to see us gone Goralis," Saturn said. "I thought you'd pull something like this."

"Oh did you. Do you want to know how I can prove all this!" Goralis shouted. "Because I heard Darrien speak it himself!"

The crowd gasped again.

"Yes....you see...I just happened to be walking outside Queen Serenity's room. Darrien's voice was carrying, and that was when he explained that he was from Earth. Normally I don't eavesdrop, that is hardly what a noble does. However, on a matter dealing with Earth I felt it was my duty."

"Did you now?" Saturn said and in less a second his sword was drawn and an inch away from Goralis' neck.

"What are you up to Goralis? Trying to seize power maybe....speak up now...I can only hold my sword this steady for a short time," Saturn said. His eyes were as narrow as they every got..

"I'm not....a...afraid of y..you," Goralis stammered.

"I'll bet," Saturn said.

"Saturn, remove your sword," Queen Serenity said.

"As you wish," Saturn said and took his sword away. He turned to face Queen Serenity and stuck the sword butt into Goralis' chest causing the baron to double over, the wind knocked out of him.

"Is this true Queen Serenity?" Another noble asked.

Serenity paused.

"Yes," she said. "But I only did not say this because I did not want to worry you. I have been speaking with Darrien because I believe that the time has come for Earth and the Moon Kingdom to become friends again."

"We can't trust them!" Goralis gasped.

"Shut up," Saturn said and glared at him.

"Queen Serenity, you should have brought this to our attention," another noble said. "Your goals are honorable though. After all, your wisdom is not something to be ignored. However, is it right at this time to have an earther so close to your daughter?"

"Perhaps not," Queen Serenity said.

"But MOM!" Serena shrieked.

"I'm sorry Serena, for the time being we need to put the interests of the kingdom first," Serenity said.

"You heard the queen! If Prince Darrien is seen near Princess Serena, remove him immediately," one of the nobles said.

Serena ran off crying.

Saturn turned and strode out.

The next day.

"Darrien, you can't go back to the moon," Saturn said solemnly.

"Why not?"

"Things have gotten ugly up there."

"But Queen Serenity wouldn't..."

"Queen Serenity has no choice. If she keeps letting you come up to the Moon, the people will panic. With this whole negaverse thing going on, we don't need a panic."

"I must see Serena," Darrien said. "I'll be back within the day."

"No..Darrien.." Saturn said.

"Sorry," Darrien said and hurried off.

"This is why I do not understand love," Saturn said.

"It was only an hour later that the fall of the moon kingdom began," Sailor Pluto said.

Neptune raced down the hallway of the Earth Palace.

"SATURN!" he shouted and reached the balcony where Saturn was already standing.

"I know," Saturn said. The two were looking at a massive expanse of the city covered with black energy, surging and crackling. Uranus and Pluto ran up a minute later.

"Uh oh," Pluto said.

"What's going on?" Uranus asked.

"Something tells me the diversions were all to keep us from stopping this," Saturn muttered.

The energy stopped and there, they could see clearly, thousands of soldiers. In the center of the group was what appeared to be four soldiers dressed in grey surrounding a tall being that looked female.

"Looks like there is the enemy," Saturn said. "Come on gentlemen. Time to do the job."

"But Saturn..look at them all..." Neptune said.

"What? Do overwhelming odds scare you?" Saturn muttered.

"Yeah," Neptune said.

"With good reason," Uranus said.

"Well..I'm going. Come if you like," Saturn said and jumped off the balcony using his powers. Soon he was leaping from rooftop to rooftop on his way towards the epicenter of the attack. The other three shrugged and followed.

Saturn noticed an army marching through the streets. He stopped on top of a building and built up his power.

"Saturn Rings Blast!" he shouted and vaporized several of the troops. They had no means of reaching him on top of the building. So he fired again. More vaporized.

"Come and face them fairly," Came a voice. A blast of energy flew at Saturn. He jumped out of the way. Floating in the air was a figure familiar to the scouts.

"Nephlite!" they shouted.

"Who are you?" Saturn said.

"I am Nephlite, but I think you should concern yourself with other matters. Come down to the ground and fight my troops if you manage to beat them, then we will fight. Otherwise I will destroy you right here."

"Like to see you try," Patterson said.

"Let me make the choice a little easier for you," Nephlite said and launched another blast at him. Saturn jumped out of the way, but found himself rapidly running out of roof.

If I try to reach another roof, he'll probably blast me in the process. Besides...I can take those troops down there. Saturn Thought. Another blast flew at him. He jumped off the roof and down to where the troops were waiting.

"Now this should be entertaining," Nephlite said. With a battle cry the forces surged forward.

Saturn energized and blasted several of them to pieces. Then his energy sword came out. He charged. A melee ensued and a cloud of dust emerged. Saturn jumped out of it landing on the ground, the forces behind him all collapsed. The Guardian Scout was covered with cuts and bruises.

"Well...I see you've beaten my entire army. Not bad," Nephlite said floating in front of him. "But let's see how you like this!"

He fired a blast. Saturn jumped out of the way. He tried to stand, but his knee buckled.

"Bad luck," Nephlite said and shot another blast at him. Saturn swung his sword. The energy's slammed into each other, but Nephlite's attack kept coming. Saturn was burned badly, and he fell backward.

"Now...for the kill," Nephlite said. Saturn swung his sword and a blue blast hit Nephlite in the leg.

"You! How dare you!" Nephlite shouted and sent another blast hurtling at Saturn. The attack was fatal.

Meanwhile the other three boys were mired in battles with the various armies. But unlike Nephlite, the other three negaverse commanders were not staying out of the fights. Neptune leveled several soldiers with his triton, but was hit with the attacks of Zoicite.

"Dang it," Neptune muttered staggering up, as the negaverse horde closed in on him.

In a different section of the city. Pluto found himself standing face to face with Jaedite.

"Yes, I could just let my army destroy you, but I want to the personal privilege of killing a Guardian Scout. Let's duel," Jaedite said. His energy flew out. Pluto dodged it and launched his power punch. Jaedite knocked it aside.

"Hah..well...let's just try this again," Jaedite said.

A blast of energy slammed into Pluto from the side. The Guardian Scout collapsed.

"What the..." Jaedite said.

"Oh..sorry...Jaedite," Zoicite said. "Guess I'm just getting greedy," she said and blasted the Pluto again, killing him.

"That was my kill," Jaedite said.

"Ahem...well..I guess it wasn't," Zoicite said.

Meanwhile Uranus was blasting another soldier to pieces.

"This isn't so hard," he said.

"Isn't it," Malichite said appearing right above him.

"What..."

Before Uranus could say anything else Malichite had jammed two magenta blades into him.

"With the Guardian Scouts killed, the negaverse swept over the Earth gathering all the humans energy, and with their new power they swept towards the moon kingdom with such speed that Queen Serenity and the rest of the people did not have time to react. Before the end Queen Serenity managed to send the young people of the kingdom to be reborn including the four Guardian Scouts, and now you are all here," Sailor Pluto said.

"But you see.." Pluto continued. "The four Guardian Scouts fought hard and died in the end fighting the negaverse, Queen Serenity hoped to repay them by never having to activate the Guardian Scouts again. Unfortunately, circumstances will not allow that anymore."

"Well that stinks," Mike said.

"To be perfectly honest, I was disapointed with my death," Steve said.

Everyone else glanced at him.

"What?" he asked.

"Do you have any other questions?" Sailor Pluto asked.

The scouts looked at each other and then all shook their heads.

"Very well...we'll probably meet again," she said and the image faded.

"Well...that was kinda depressing, I'm going to arcade, anyone coming?" Mike said.

"I'm with you," Steve said.

"Me too," Lita said.

"Yeah..I could use a game or two," Mina said.

"Darrien, you'll pay for me won't you?" Serena said.

"Uh..right.." Darrien said and sighed. That group walked out followed by the cats.

"There's that exhibit at the museum," Amy said.

"Oh..yeah..I've been wanting to see that," Greg said.

The two headed for the door.

"Bye D.V," Amy said.

"Uh..yeah..thanks.." Patterson stammered.

"See you around," Greg said. The odd thing was that both Raye and Rick were still sitting there.

"Patterson, we had something we wanted to tell you about," Rick said.

Patterson was silent unsure of what was going to happen next.

"Uh..when Rick died and I went into save him we met a couple of people you know," Raye said.

Patterson's eyes widened slightly.

"Your parents," Rick said.

"Oh..." Patterson...he couldn't believe it, and his suspicious nature lead him to believe it would lead to some cruel joke.

"Anyway...they told us some things and we wrote them down later to give to you....here.." Rick said and passed Patterson a sheet of paper.

"I owe them...and since I can't repay that favor to them, I owe you one," Raye. "Just one favor..but if you ever need one..you ask..understand?"

Patterson nodded. The two then walked out. Patterson slowly picked up the sheet of paper and read it. Listed was several apparent nonsense words, that only he would understand.

They made an effort to prove it was really them. They knew I'd suspect. He thought and read the message. After he finished he let a broad smile form on his face before letting it slip away a few seconds later.

"So.....you think we'll ever have peace around here?" Serena asked the group walking along with her.

"Yeah..right.." Mike said.

"Maybe when we're all seventy," Steve muttered.

"Well..whoever shows up to fight us...we'll take em down," Lita said.

"We've never lost, and we won't," Mina said.

"We really don't have a choice in the matter," Darrien said.

"You're right as always Darrien," Serena said dreamily. "But I'll tell you one thing...Guardian Scouts, you better learn quickly, because I'm thinking about taking some time off."

"Can she do that?" Mike asked.

"No," Darrien said.

"Of course I can," Serena said.

"You can't just go on vacation from being a hero," Darrien said.

"I'll find a way," Serena said.

"What strong leadership," Mike said.

"Yeah....really sets an example," Steve said.

"Hey! I get the job done, and that's all that matters," Serena said.

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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