NINE
It was dark. Serena crept along the hallway trying to make out the shape's in front of her. She passed by a table. A rush of cold air swept passed her. She winced, but continued on her way.
A small light appeared in front of her. Then several more followed. They came closer. Serena held back her fear to try and figure out what the light was. The room became filled with light and she could make out the shapes of several hooded figures. All of them carried a candle.
"What is this?" Serena asked.
"This is the Eternal Brotherhood of Samurai Monks," came a familiar voice. She looked to see Darrien standing there in a robe, his hood pulled back to reveal his face.
"Darrien! What are you doing here?" Serena asked.
"I've joined them. After all, I get so much more out of being one of the world's most dangerous monks then I did going out with you," he replied.
"You can't mean that!" Serena shouted.
"Oh I mean it alright," Darrien said and turned to rejoin the procession.
"You jerk!" Serena yelled and slapped him in the face. In that instant time seemed to stop. The procession came to a halt. The monks all turned towards her and took their hoods off. A grey haired monk approached her.
"You have just attacked a member of the Eternal Brotherhood of Samurai Monks. You will have to suffer the consequences of your actions," he said.
"Uh oh," Serena said and backed away.
"GET HER!" the monk shouted and the whole group charged at her. She let out a whine and raced down the hall.
She became aware quite quickly that she wasn't in a dark hallway anymore. Instead she was running across a plain of green grass. The monks were still pursuing her though. A figure stood ahead of her dressed in a samurai outfit and holding a large sword.
"Maybe he'll help me," she said to herself.
She had no idea who it was until she got closer and could see under the helmet the face of the person.
"MELVIN!" She shouted.
"Fair Serena, I will defend thee," Melvin said readying his sword.
"You idiot! You're a samurai not a knight of the round table!" Serena shouted.
"Hmm...that's not important now," Melvin said. Serena stood behind him. The monks approached and stopped.
"Ruroni Melvin, this is not your concern," The leader of the monks said.
"It is now," Melvin said.
"I do hope you realize there are about twenty of us and one of you."
"Yeah."
"Melvin are you nuts?" Serena asked from behind him.
"Trust me, I am skilled in seven forms of armed and unarmed combat. I can handle this," Melvin said.
I think I'll get out of here anyway. Serena thought and continued to run. The monks let out a battle cry and surged at Melvin.
"I'm ready for you!" He yelled and surged forward only to be tackled and pummeled by all twenty monks simultaneously. Serena looked back, realized that some things never change and kept running smack dab into hard object. She fell backward.
"What did I hit?" She muttered as she stood up and realized she was standing in front of a very large hydroelectric dam.
"What's this doing out in the middle of a grassy plain?" she asked and looked around noticing that now she was at the bottom of a large chasm with rocks on both sides.
"Oh...well this makes more sense," she said.
Serena heard a rumbling noise.
"What's that?" She asked then it occurred to her.
"OH NOOOOO!" She shouted and raced away from the dam as a the doors on the dam opened and let a tidal wave of water through. It caught up with her and pushed her along as the water rushed towards the city of Tokyo.
"This isn't going to be good," she said. The water splashed into the city and flooded the streets. Serena found herself landing on the roof of Crossroads Junior High as water rushed around the first and second floors. She looked around to see water covering everything.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" The familiar voice of Raye shouted. Serena turned to see the dark haired girl standing on the roof drenched. Her long hair sagged from being waterlogged. Serena managed to laugh.
"Laugh all you want! You and your dumb dreams!" Raye said. "Wake up before you do any more damage!"
That's just what Serena did. She opened her eyes and realized she was back in
her bed. She moaned and climbed out of bed.
It was another bright Saturday morning. Serena wandered along the sidewalk wondering what to do with herself. She had woken up at ten in the morning so most of her friends weren't around. Lita usually slept in on Saturday's for some reason and didn't usually wake up until noon so visiting her was out of the question. Mina was at her Gymnastics class. Raye was doing something, but she didn't really need any of Raye's sarcasm now anyway. As for Amy, Serena definitely didn't want to find Amy, all it would mean is more studying. She found herself arriving at Molly's apartment above the OSA-P jewelry store.
"Hello Serena, what brings you here?" Molly asked.
"Well, I was in the neighborhood and I figured we haven't spent a lot of time talking you know..like we used to," Serena said.
"Yeah, we haven't."
The two began to talk about things for several hours. Serena actually felt better and the thoughts and worries she had about Darrien passed out of her mind for the time being. Molly seemed to be enjoying herself, but it was early in the afternoon that Serena noticed that the vitality seemed to be lacking in her friend.
"What's wrong Molly?" Serena asked.
"It's nothing," Molly replied and blushed.
"You can tell me," Serena said.
"I don't know Serena. I guess spending this time with you has made me remember the past a little a more and I just..."
"What?"
"Well you're successful, you've got a boyfriend and a lot of friends."
Oh yeah.. Successful. Have you seen my friends lately. Serena thought.
"What's the problem Molly? I'm sure there are tons of guys who want to go out with you," Serena said. "Besides Melvin," she added quickly.
"Maybe. There are a lot of cute guys in school, but I just don't know if any of them are interested," Molly replied.
"Well you'll just have to see," Serena said not believing she was able to talk about love when her own romantic situation was in question.
"Serena. What's your secret?" Molly asked.
"WHAT?" Serena asked.
"Well...how did you get your guy?"
"Uh? Well that's an interesting story...." Serena said.
"Oh?" Molly asked.
Unknown to them they were being watched through the window. Melvin was sitting in the bushes across the street from Molly's room peering through a set of binoculars at the two. Unknown to Melvin, he was being watched by Mike and Steve, who were hiding in a tree behind Melvin.
"Why are we doing this again?" Steve asked Mike.
"Curiosity. We wondered what Melvin did with his free time. Remember?" Mike said.
"What's this we?" Steve asked.
"Ehh...shut up and watch. Looks like Melvin's a peeping Tom."
"He can hardly see anything though."
"Yeah..well that never stopped me," Mike said. Steve glanced at him. Mike grinned.
"Isn't that Amy Anderson?" Mike noticed. The two peered through their own binoculars. The genius blue haired genius had a determined look on her face as she walked into the store. The boys watched as Molly and Amy entered the room again. Serena greeted Amy, but then to all three of the spies surprise, the two began arguing. The argument cumulated with Amy dragging Serena out the door of the store and down the street.
Mike and Steve just looked at each other and laughed. Melvin, deciding that was of more interest then Molly stealthily followed the girls down the street.
"Hey there he goes," Mike said and moved to climb down only he succeeded in tripping and taking Steve with him. The two crashed to the ground.
"I don't know why I haven't throttled you yet?" Steve said.
"Because I've got the car," Mike said.
"Oh..yeah.." Steve said. "Wait a minute! You don't have a license and your not old enough to drive. And you don't have a car!"
"You're right, but aside from that I wasn't lying," Mike replied with a grin.
"Why you?!" Steve said and lunged at Mike. Mike jumped out of the way and
headed down the street following Melvin. Steve slowly followed.
"Come on Amy! Don't pull so hard!" Serena whined as Amy dragged her down the street.
"Serena. I've had enough of this. You know you have that mini project due on Monday. As well as that book to read. You're eight chapters behind and I told you last night you need to study." Amy said.
"But...." Serena whined.
"No but's. I'm going to make a good student out of you yet."
"I'm a lost cause. I know it. Why can't you see that?" Serena said.
"You're only a lost cause, because you think of yourself that way. Besides last night you told me you wanted my help."
"Well I realized the futility of it. I'm a lost cause, because I'm dumb."
"There's no point in trying to reason with you so drastic measures are necessary."
"Drastic measures?" Serena asked nervously.
Minutes later in Amy's room.
"There you are Amy," Lita said tying the knot.
"Thanks Lita," Amy said.
"Sure...I've got to get to get to my cooking lesson now," Lita said.
Lita had just finished binding Serena to a chair. Her book was sitting in front of her on the desk. "This is a bit too drastic," Serena muttered.
"Quiet or I'll stuff a sock in your mouth. Now start reading. Tell me when you've finished a page," Amy said.
Serena sighed and began to read.
"Hmm...Melvin can't see inside can he?" Mike said observing the boy genius from another tree. They were now right by Amy's studying apartment, which was high off the ground. Melvin was trying to angle his binoculars to see inside to no avail.
"No he can't. Looks like he's giving up," Steve said. "Now Mike I am going to climb down. You wait here until I'm done. Got it?"
"Sure," Mike said.
Steve began to climb down. He put all his weight on the branch and because of his bulk it broke, taking the two down with it. Mike landed on top of Steve.
"Hmm....nice soft landing," Mike said using a long overused cliche.
"Get off me you idiot!" Steve said and flung Mike several feet away. Mike crashed into the bushes.
"Ouch," he muttered.
Fifteen minutes later Lita had made it to Andrew's apartment. It was a spacious room located on the second floor of a residential apartment complex. The blonde haired guy welcomed her in pleasantly. "Sorry I'm late Andrew. I could explain, but it's kinda complicated," Lita said.
"That's all right," Andrew said.
"Did you get the stuff?" Lita said.
"It's all here," Andrew answered.
"Good, then we can get started," Lita replied.
"All righty," Andrew said.
The two then prepared to make their meal. Lita grinned. Sure Andrew had a
girlfriend. She had a boyfriend. There was nothing wrong with a little
flirtation.
Meanwhile Steve and Mike were walking back to Mike's house after a day of low productivity.
"Say Steve. Aren't you the least bit curious about where Lita was going?" Mike asked.
"No, why should I be?" Steve said.
"Well...you are her boyfriend."
"Yeah, so what. I'm not going to spy on her."
"Sure...sure..that's noble, until she gets swept off her feet by some Lothario."
"Some what?"
"I don't know what it means.. I saw it in a book. Anyway. It's a boyfriends sacred duty to spy on his girlfriend to make sure she's not cheating on him."
"It is not!"
"Well do it anyway!"
"No!"
They reached Mike house.
"Fine, have it your way. See you later, but don't come crying to me when she dumps you," Mike said and walked into his house.
"Idiot," Steve muttered. Yeah..right..like she's doing something with another
guy. Like what?
"Hmm...what is that?" Lita said looking at a shriveled up piece of fruit.
"Uh...I guess I missed that when I was shopping," Andrew said.
"I'll just get rid of this," Lita said and threw it in the trash. It began emitting a rancid smell.
"Ehh..perfect," Lita muttered.
"I'll just take that outside," Andrew said and grabbed the can and rushed out.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" Lita asked herself.
"There. I read all of those chapters. Can you please untie me now?" Serena asked.
"You're not done," Amy said.
"I could charge you with kidnaping you know?"
"Hmm...who would believe you? It's your word against mine." Amy said with a sinister grin.
"You've gone mad," Serena said worriedly.
"Serena. You've got math to do," Amy said placing another book in front of her friend.
"Fine, fine," Serena muttered.
All that work's finally caught up with her. Serena thought.
"Add one cup flour," Lita said. Andrew did just that. Adding the flour to the bowl.
"Add two eggs," Lita said.
Andrew did.
"Add hot sauce?" Lita said in surprise reading the recipe.
"Okay," Andrew said and went to a cupboard and pulled out some tabasco, Lita didn't notice it and continued to read through the recipe. He had finished adding several drops before she realized the mistake.
"No don't," she said.
"Wha.." Andrew said not noticing that the cap had fallen off the sauce container and it's entire contents had been dumped into the mix.
"Uh...we're suppose to mix a sauce with chocolate in it," Lita said and looked at the mess in the bowl.
"Why don't we keep going?" Andrew said. "It'll taste interesting to say the least."
"Ehh..why not? It would take too long to start over," Lita said dejectedly.
"All right. Here's your mission," Coardite was saying as his once again repaired cyborg stood in front of him. A projection of Raye and Sailor Mars appeared in the air.
"We know now that this girl is Sailor Mars, find her and destroy her. Don't mess up this time," Coardite barked.
"I will follow my mission parameters," the robot said and disappeared into the air.
"Hmm...there's something wrong with that thing. It could be the nega energy
that gives it it's power might affect it's programming. That would explain it,"
Coardite thought. After all, he had designed the robot to carry out it's
objective without hesitation, but yet sometimes, it didn't do that as he had
noticed in it's previous missions. That bothered him, but he didn't know what to
do.
Raye's bare right foot slammed into the dummy that was sitting outside her temple. The dummy rocked back and forth before settling.
"Not bad," Raye said to herself and straightened out her red dress. Her jet black shoes sat beside her. It was tonight that she was finally going out with Rick. Better late then never. She felt she'd spend her time waiting by practicing.
"What move should I try next?" She said to herself.
"I'd hate to be that dummy," Rick said walking up.
"You're early," Raye said.
"By about two minutes," Rick said.
"I was just honing my skills," Raye said.
"Oh, I like to do that myself. I've finally developed my new move," Rick said.
"Let's see it," Raye said.
"Here goes," Rick said and lined up with the dummy. He charged it, leaped up into the air and spun around hitting the dummy with a spin kick. It crashed to the ground.
"Oops, sorry," Rick said.
"That's...all...right..." Raye said stunned.
"Cool huh?" Rick said.
Raye just nodded.
"Shall we go?" he asked.
"Uh...sure," Raye said. The two walked away not noticing that Raye's Grandfather and their hired hand Chad were watching them go from the porch of the temple.
"So...how come she isn't going out with you?" Grandfather asked.
"What?" Chad asked.
"Oh come on. Don't tell me you've spent a year her and you haven't been interested in her?"
"Well...I thought...you know...um...." Chad muttered. "Doesn't matter now does it?"
"No I guess not and actually I don't think I could handle calling you son-in-law anyway," Grandfather said.
"Exactly...." Chad said and then caught on. "You don't mean that do you?" he
asked.
"Hmm. Well you can't blame us for trying," Lita said as she and Andrew walked down the street. There food creation had not tasted very good.
"Once you got used to it, I think I could have learned to like it," Andrew said and laughed. Lita laughed too.
"Going out to eat was a better idea I think though," she said.
"Definitely," Andrew agreed.
Hah..I hope Steve doesn't hear about this. Lita thought. Still. He'd
understand wouldn't he? This isn't a real date.
"Mina, you're too young to have a boyfriend," her father said at dinner that night.
"But dad, he's really only a good friend," Mina said.
"That's beside the point, I don't trust the boys that are your age. They're all a bunch of punks. Every one of them. You know why I don't trust them? Because they're like me when I was their age, and I was real jerk. I'll tell you that. If I had gotten my hands on a girl, well it wouldn't have been pretty. I've seen this guy, he's a wise guy, I can't have you going out with him."
"But nothing happens. He's just like the rest of my friends."
"No he isn't. The rest of your friends are girls. Now I don't know much about anatomy, but there are a few differences between a girl and a boy."
"I know that, but he shares the same interests I do. He's just fun to talk to."
"He doesn't own a trailer does he?"
"No."
"That's good, because if he did I would have shot him."
"Dad, you're over reacting."
"Oh am I? Heh, I'll bet. You'll be glad I gave you this advice."
"Mom. Can't you say something?" Mina said.
"Your father's right," her mother said.
"You're dang right woman. Pass those beans," her father said.
Her mother did so.
"Good beans. I like beans. You know why I like them. Because they're manly beans."
"Dad, is there anyway I can get you to reconsider?" Mina asked.
"Hmm...that's a good question. I gotta think about that. It could work out well for me. Blackmail's always been a profitable business," Her father said.
"I'll do almost anything," Mina said.
"Quiet! I'm thinking," her father said. Mina glanced at her mother who was quietly eating her food.
"I got it!" her father said.
"What?" Mina asked.
"I need more beans," her father said. "Woman, make more beans while I think about what to do about Mina."
"Yes honey," her mother said and walked back to the kitchen. "And put some whiskey on them!" he yelled.
"Yes dear," his mother replied.
"Does this Mike of yours have any beer?"
"No."
"Cigarettes?"
"No. If he did I wouldn't date him," Mina said.
"Are you kidding, that's what a woman should look for in a guy. Ehh...hmm..I got it. You bring this guy around sometime and I'll talk to him. If he can get me to laugh, you two can go out. Got it?" Her father said.
"Yes dad," Mina said.
Mike shouldn't have any trouble, but then again...
"Woman! Where the heck are my beans?" Her father cried.
"Coming dear," her mother said. Mina sighed.
Meanwhile at an Italian restaurant towards the center of the city.
"You've handled all this pretty well," Raye said.
"Hmm..." Rick said between mouthfuls of spaghetti.
"I mean the a couple of days ago when you got knocked out."
"Yeah..well...it makes life exciting, you know...Carpe Diem," Rick said. "It's Latin. Means seize the day."
"Oh..right, that Carpe Diem," Raye said having no idea what he said and furthermore not understanding how he could upon the reference.
"Anyway, I believe you have to live each day to it's fullest, because you may be blown into tiny little atoms and scattered across the universe tomorrow," Rick continued.
"Interesting way of putting it," Raye said.
"Sure, but if I was to waste the time dealing with what happened two night ago, I wouldn't be out here with you enjoying myself would I?"
"Probably not," Raye admitted. "Come to think of it. I live my life the same way pretty much. I'm sort of forced too."
"So how's the food?"
"Fine."
"That's good."
"So where did you learn that move?" She asked.
"The spin kick? I read about it in a book. Then I tried it out once. Failed badly. I mean it was just ugly, but I practiced and it just clicked," Rick said.
"Could you teach it to me?"
"For you. Anything."
Raye blushed.
"You didn't seem like that deep a person when I met you," she admitted.
"Really? You just liked my looks didn't you? Felt I was someone you could easily control," Rick said.
"What?" Raye said in surprise.
"Come on Raye, that's just what you were looking for. I've had my eye on you for some time now. I think I know you at least a little."
"I am a bit of a..."
"You're strong willed. See the way I figure it though. You'll never succeed with a weak minded boyfriend."
"Oh..really? Since when have you become a psychologist?"
"Since April 18th, 1947, but that's unimportant now. See I figure Raye, that I'm absolutely the perfect guy for you. I'm handsome, I've got the right moves, and I've got the mind. We're totally compatible," Rick said.
"You're obnoxious at times too," Raye said.
"Another one of your character traits. We're so alike."
Raye growled a bit. More playfully than angrily though.
"Eh..maybe not," Rick said meekly.
The two laughed.
"There I did my math, I read my English, I even did science for once, can I please get up?" Serena asked.
"You still have history," Amy said.
"History. What does history matter? It already happened?"
"Just read the book Serena," Amy muttered.
"Well that was a good dinner," Raye said as she and Rick walked along the lamp lit street.
"Hmm...I like good food," Rick said.
A blast of energy slammed into the building right next to them. Rick was flung backwards onto the pavement.
"Hello," the cyborg said appearing in front of Raye. It moved to attack. Raye dived into a side alley and hid behind a dumpster. The cyborg entered the alley.
"Come on Sailor Mars, I don't have time for this," the cyborg said.
"Mars Star Power!" Raye said and transformed. The dumpster was incinerated in front of her. She hurriedly pulled out her communicator.
"This is Mars, I'm in trouble." She yelled before a blast of energy slammed into her and threw her backwards. She landed on the sidewalk at the other end of the alley. The cyborg laughed and moved towards her. Seeing the need to stall for time she ran down the street. It followed, sending a firebolt after her. The attack smashed into a car setting it a flame.
The Sailor Scout continued to run, searching for something to give her a tactical advantage of some kind. A bolt exploded behind her.
"Why are you even bothering to try and escape?" the cyborg hissed. Mars kept running.
I'm a sitting duck. If I turn to aim at him, he'll toast me.
A familiar figure jumped out in front of her.
"Duck," Maverick said. She instantly hit the ground.
A multicolored blast flew over her' head and hit the cyborg. It stopped and stepped back from the blow. Maverick charged forward. The cyborg readied itself just in time to catch a spin kick to the face. Mars watched in awe.
"Let's rumble," Maverick said and slashed at the stunned cyborg.
"Negaverse Fireball Surround!" The cyborg yelled. The attack encircled Maverick and he let out a grunt of pain.
"Go away pest!" it yelled and knocked Maverick through the air. He was thrown backwards into another alley.
"Mars Fireball Surround!" Mars yelled and unleashed her attack at the distracted cyborg. It's metal plates were singed, but it turned and leapt at her attempting a drop kick. She barely avoided it.
He must have karate skills or something...somehow. She thought. That's right, my enhanced powers. I should use them. The two were too close to each other to use their energy attacks. The cyborg swung around and tried to hit her with a side kick. She dodged it only to have to avoid a jab from the android's right arm. Mars rolled backwards and came up quickly hitting the android in the face with a kick just as it was lunging downward at her. Her enhanced powers added more force to it and the android staggered back as if hit by a blast of energy. Mars leaped into the air and hit it with a drop kick. The android flew backward and smashed through a car windshield and destroying the auto.
"You'll never defeat me!" it shouted and disappeared right then and there.
Mars caught her breath.
That was tough.
"Are you all right?" Jupiter asked hurrying up.
"Yeah," Mars said.
The two saw the other Mercury and Sailor Moon running towards them.
"Is it over already?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Yeah," Mars said.
"Well that's nice. If this keeps up I can retire," Sailor Moon said.
"That would be good. It would give you more time to study," Mercury said.
"I've got to check on Rick," Mars said and hurried back to the restaurant, the others followed. They reverted back to their normal forms and told Mina everything was fine. Raye found Rick leaning against the side of a building for support.
"Rick? Are you all right?" Raye asked.
"Uh...wha?" Rick asked drowsily.
"I guess this it the second time you've been knocked out," she said.
"Yeah...well....that stinks. I've had worse," he said.
"I bet you haven't," Raye said.
"You wouldn't know. Onward!" Rick said and stepped forward only to fall on his face.
"I'll be fine," he muttered lying on the ground.
"I thought this was a good time to stop working anyway," Serena said as she, Lita, and Amy walked away.
"Not quite, you've still got a chapter to read," Amy said. "Lita?"
"Sure thing Amy," Lita said and grabbed Serena before she could get away.
"Aw..come on....you know I'm the leader here..." Serena said as she was dragged back to Amy's house.
"There has got to be a law against this," she whined.