Chapter 92

"Another weekend," Mina said.

"Yeah," Raye and Lita muttered. The three girls were sitting on the steps of Raye's temple very very bored.

"Somehow we just don't know what to do with ourselves on the weekends anymore," Lita said.

"Why is that?" Mina said.

"Maybe it's because we're always waiting for our boyfriends to show up and take us out and we don't want to be hiding somewhere," Raye said.

"And yet..they're not here," Lita said.

"So we've become dependent on them for fun even though they're not around," Mina muttered.

"Essentially yes," Lita said.

"How'd that happen?" Mina asked seconds later.

The other two just looked at her without an answer.

"We've got a briefing in fifteen minutes, we'd better make this quick," Rick said.

"It will be, if Steve's launching a rocket it'll only take a few seconds for it to explode and we can be on our way," Mike said.

"I haven't launched a rocket in months and since then I have been reading every book I could find on rocketry, technique and such..I've made sure my supplies were top of the line. In fact I brought this rocket to an expert, and he launched it right," Steve said.

"So we've got what..an eleven percent chance of success?" Mike asked.

"Here we go," Steve said and pressed a button. The rocket shot straight up in the air and flew perfectly.

"Wow..that worked great," Rick said.

"Yeah..how?" Mike said.

"Uh oh," Steve said.

"What?" the other two said.

"It flew right, how can there be uh oh?" Mike said.

"Well I hadn't expected it to fly so perfectly, and on the trajectory it's at..it so happens to be right on course for the only geographic feature of the city I could correctly plot wind direction against," Steve said.

"What do you mean?" Rick asked.

"Well...it's always good to have a reference point to measure angles..and..well..I measure the exact difference from this point to a point in the city," Steve said.

"And that point was?" Rick asked.

"Why is there a rocket on the ground!" Raye shouted.

"Must be Steve," Lita said.

"But...for him to have gotten it here couldn't be an accident could it?" Mina asked.

"Don't know," Lita said.

"When I get my hands on him I will beat him senseless with this rocket," Raye said picking it up..and then dropping it as she realized it was still warm.

"Ehh..that was hot.." She muttered and dashed to the bathroom to put her hand under the water.

Darrien was reading a book when the doorbell rang.

"Oh..Serena's here," he said and stood up and walked to the door. When he opened it he found Serena lying in a heap on the ground.

"What are you doing down there?" Darrien asked.

"I tripped," Serena muttered.

"On what?"

"I don't want to talk about it," Serena said.

"Uh all right," Darrien said. "Come in."

"Uh..thanks..." Serena said. "It's good to see you again. It's been a week and all."

"Sorry...but every time I called you were studying."

"Hard to believe huh..but Amy's been cracking the whip lately," Serena said. "You think she'd be less of a workhorse after her breakdown."

"I'm sure you were very concerned about her health," Darrien said sarcastically.

"Sure I was..I don't like my friends working any harder than I do," Serena said.

"How kind of you," Darrien said.

"Stop mocking me," Serena said. "You got the tape we're going to watch together?"

"Sure do. I've got "Sleeping Beauty." right here. I bet this is how you'd like to live your life huh?"

"Enough with the cracks Darrien," Serena said. "Though it is very appealing. Just dreaming until one day..my prince came along," Serena said.

"So I wasn't wrong was I?"

"No I guess not," Serena admitted.

"What's going on guys?" Amy asked walking up to where her three friends were sitting around a restaurant table sipping drinks.

"Nothing is going on," Raye said.

"We are completely lifeless," Lita said.

"If we were a country we would be called stagnation," Mina said.

The other three looked at her.

"Okay..so..it was stupid," Mina only muttered slightly embarrassed.

"Guess I'll join you then," Amy said.

"Shouldn't you be studying?" Raye asked.

"Well..I've been taking it easy on the weekends," Amy said.

"You have?" The other three said in shock.

"That was a good movie," Serena said.

"Wasn't bad," Darrien said. "So Serena, what do you want to do next?"

"I don't know..anything that involves me being with you," Serena said cuddling close to him.

"Oh..okay," Darrien said. He was still a little uncomfortable dealing with her. She was very unpredictable.

"Darrien..why are you nervous?" Serena said.

"I'm not nervous," Darrien said.

"Sure you are. You afraid of me or something?"

"It's not like that. You're just very...outgoing at times."

"That is one of my strengths you know."

"Of course it is...." Darrien said.

"Kiss me!" Serena said and lunged at him.

"Wha.." Darrien uttered before the two tumbled off the couch and to the floor.

"See...what I mean," he muttered.

"Kiss me anyway..I've worked to hard for this," Serena said.

"Eudial," Professor Tomoe said.

"Yes, Doctor," Eudial said.

"How long have we been doing this?"

"A few months I think."

"Hmm..and not one talisman."

"No Professor."

"That's not a good batting average is it?"

"I guess not."

"Yep..we're just blowing it."

"Yes professor.."

"Anyway..do you think I look fat?" Tomoe asked.

"What?" Eudial said.

"Never mind that. Listen I have the latest target. It's a doozy."

"He looks familiar," Eudial said.

"He is."

"But Professor..isn't he dangerous?" Eudial said.

"Of course he is Eudial. That makes it all the more interesting doesn't it?" Tomoe said. "Enjoy yourself."

"Uh..right," Eudial said.

Meanwhile the four girls were still looking for something to do.

"Where are the guys...this is so boring," Lita said.

"I think they're over at Patterson's place," Mina said.

"You mean Amy's old place," Lita said.

"Right," Mina said.

"They're probably getting another one of those briefings, I'd bet," Raye said.

"Boy I'd like to know what they talk about," Lita said.

"Me too..I mean...he could be given them info about us without us knowing it," Mina said.

"Hmm...Amy..didn't you say the building super at that apartment complex was really into beautiful girls?" Raye asked.

"So to speak...wait a minute Raye! You can't do that!" Amy said.

"Sure we can," Mina said catching on.

"Yeah..we'll charm him into giving us the spare key and then.." Lita said.

"We'll know what they do," Raye said.

"But you'll be invading someone else's privacy," Amy said.

"If anyone should get a lesson in invading privacy, it's them and especially him," Raye said.

"But Raye.." Amy said.

"Besides..if they're talking about us, we have a right to know," Mina said.

"Yep," Lita said.

"I can't be a part of this," Amy said.

"Fine see, you later," Raye said and the walked off.

"It's a nice view from up here?" Serena said as she and Darrien stood behind the railing of his apartment's roof looking at the city.

"In this city, good views are not hard to find," Darrien said.

"Yep," Serena said.

"About earlier.." Darrien said.

"Oh..that..well Darrien I was just thinking about how long it had taken for me to get you to be my boyfriend and how I had spent all those nights wondering what it would be like to kiss you..and then..well we've only kissed a few times...I just wanted to make sure..before the next battle..wherever it came from..that I would have a kiss."

"Well..I guess that's fine. Just how about the explanation first."

"And miss the wonderful look on your face," Serena said and started laughing. "I know you've got that paper to write next week..and I know you'll have to start soon..but that'll be okay, if I can just have a few more hours with you."

"I'm glad it means so much to you," Darrien said.

"Hey Serena!" came three familiar voices she turned to see Mina, Lita, and Raye standing by the roof door.

"What are you three doing here?" Serena muttered.

"We're going to break into Patterson's apartment and find out what goes on during one of his quote unquote briefings," Lita said.

"Wanna come?" Mina asked.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity!" Serena shouted and dashed by them. The other girls followed.

"Just a few more hours with you....yeah..okay.." Darrien muttered.

"No...no..gentlemen....Serena was the one who hit Darrien on the back when he was bleeding from a wound," Patterson said.

"Oh..why did I think it was Raye?" Rick asked.

"Probably because it was something Raye would have done," Mike said.

"Good answer," Rick said.

The phone rang.

"Great..social contact," Patterson muttered and picked up the phone.

"Patterson here," he said.

"Yes, understood," Patterson replied. "Uh..yeah..bye.." he said awkwardly and put the phone down.

"The girls are coming over to try and break in. Which means we should be nowhere near here," Patterson said heading for the door.

"Hey..I've got a better idea..you leave..we stay and mess with their minds," Mike said.

"How?" Patterson asked.

"You'll see..." Mike said.

"All right, but if you break anything..I'll kill you," Patterson said, his eyes narrowing. He turned and walked out.

"See..the scary thing about that is..he means it," Mike added.

Armed with the key they had procured from the building super, the girls crept up the stairs.

"This is going to be great..finally we'll know what they do," Lita said.

"Yeah..and it'll surprise the heck out of them," Mina said.

"Quiet..." Raye said as they neared the door. Raye inserted the key and turned the knob quickly. The four girls rushed in. The four guys were sitting around a table playing cards.

"And they I said...no..I'm Ethiopian!" Mike said and the four of them burst out laughing. The girls stopped cold and looked on in surprise.

"Oh..hey..girls... breaking and entering I see.." Steve said.

"Yeah..criminal offense..." Rick said nonchalantly.

The others nodded.

"All right..where is he?" Raye snapped.

"He isn't here," Mike said. "And furthermore...I don't know what you have in mind, but...well...let's just remember whose breaking into whose house here."

"Ehh.." Raye said.

"You and your stupid ideas!" Serena shouted.

"What?" Raye said.

"You heard me..drawing me away from Darrien for this!"

"Hey you came didn't you? You didn't have to?"

"But I was curious!"

"Then you have no excuse!"

"I'll excuse you!"

"What?"

And they started arguing.

"Go fish!" Mike shouted.

"We're playing poker," Rick muttered.

"Yeah...and I'm yelling Go fish regardless of that fact," Mike said.

"Just so we're clear," Rick said.

"I think I'll go now," Greg said.

Patterson walked along the street as the sun began to set.

Why do they have to be so prying? After all..what am I to them anyway? Just a curiosity? The whole reason I don't reach out to anyone is to avoid these needless games. I don't even know why I bother with those joker boys anyway. I'm too trusting. Already...my defenses are going down. I can't let that continue. Maverick can exist without me being anymore outgoing then I am, or was.

He noticed two familiar figures sitting up on top of an embankment.

Haruka and Michiru. I hope they don't say anything to me. I mean we've never talked before, and all we are is classmates...then I can move on.

He quickly moved passed them.

"Hey...it's Patterson right," came Haruka's voice. Patterson stopped abruptly and nodded.

"You look like someone with troubles on their mind," Michiru said.

"Well...too bad for me..then," Patterson stammered.

"You carry a burden don't you?" Haruka asked.

"I carry many," Patterson snapped.

"Hmm..well..burdens force us to make tough choices, choices we'd prefer not to make. But we have to make them anyway," Haruka said.

"Each of us carry our own burdens, remember that you are not alone," Michiru said.

"I'm sure your burden has it's own choices and consequences," Patterson replied and continued onward. As soon as he was out of view. Michiru looked at Haruka with concern.

"Haruka..do you think he..."

"It doesn't matter Michiru...don't worry about it...you'll miss the setting sun," Haruka said.

"The waters are becoming restless though."

"I know..but it can wait a minute," Haruka said.

As Patterson rounded a turn he saw a monster standing there leaning against a wall nonchalantly.

"Hah...are you prepared to surrender your heart to me?" the creature said.

"Sounds more like a pickup line then a threat," Patterson said.

"Hmm...you should be thankful I didn't jump you from behind a block before."

"It wouldn't have been from behind. I knew you were there."

"Did you? And yet you kept going?" the creature asked.

"Well we had to fight somewhere."

"That is true enough. But it will not be a fight."

A smoke pellet dropped out of Patterson's hand.

"Maverick Power," he said and instantaneously transformed. The creature leapt into the smoke.

Maverick meanwhile had jumped forward and upward. The smoke cleared. The creature whirled. A blast of multicolored energy it in the head and knocked it downward. It caught itself and vaulted upward using only it's hands. Maverick stepped back quickly as the creature landed on the roof.

"Pretty neat trick huh? " the creature said.

"I've seen better," Maverick said.

"Oh in case you're wondering. I'm well aware of the fact that you are still my target. You see..if you weren't I would have smelt the target nearby..but all I smell is you."

"Oh..I guess...I shouldn't have worn that cologne then," Patterson muttered.

The creature laughed.

"You are funny...I wish I didn't have to take your heart..still..let's go..." the creature said and a sword appeared in it's hand.

"Magic!" the creature said happily.

"You are an interesting one," Maverick muttered. The creature vaulted forward on it's legs this time and swung the sword. Maverick dived out of the way and came around. The creature landed and immediately bounced towards him. Maverick swung his sword. The creature blocked it and barreled into the hero knocking them both towards the edge of the roof. Maverick grabbed the creatures arm with his own and swung. The creature flew over the edge and Maverick slid to a stop. The creature bounced of the ground and back at him. Maverick swung his sword. It hit the creature in his sword arm and knocked the sword from his hand, as well as knocking the creature off balance and towards the ground. This time it managed to land on one hand and bounce to a stop.

"Very good...Maverick..." the creature said.

Maverick readied his sword for the attack, until he realized he was not alone. He spun around and dived out of the way of the blue energy flying at him. He was hit in mid air and propelled off the edge of the roof, awkwardly. The enemy creature leapt up and hit him dead on knocking him into a wall. Maverick finally landed on the pavement in a heap. The creature surprised by the help looked up to see Sailor Neptune and Sailor Uranus standing there.

"Hey! Aren't you supposed to be on his side?" the creature asked.

"We want the heart, now extract it and then we will let you live," Sailor Neptune said.

"Hmm...well..I will take it...but I will be determining who lives or dies," the creature said and positioned himself so he could see both Sailor Scouts and Maverick. Then a beam flew out from his head and towards Maverick...drawing his heart from inside. To all their shocks, Maverick began to stand as the process began.

"That's mine!" he shouted and launched a light attack. It slammed into the creature and propelled him back into a wall. Maverick reached out and grabbed his own heart and tried to put it back inside, only to collapse to the ground. Neptune leapt forward towards the heart. Uranus following. Another figure flew forward and swept the heart away and jumped up before they could get there.

"Back off!" Came a voice. Guardian Saturn moved forward, his sword drawn and aimed at them.

"This is not your concern," Uranus said.

"It is when he's involved," Saturn said. "Now...stand back..or I will fire."

Sailor Mercury landed next to him clutching Patterson's heart.

"You'll also have to deal with me if you don't stand back..and in about two minutes the rest of the scouts..." Mercury said.

"But we need to check it!" Uranus shouted.

"Too bad," Mercury said. Neptune and Uranus looked at each other and then turned and jumped off. Mercury knelt down and put the heart back into Maverick. Just as the creature began to rise.

"Wha..happened," It stammered.

"SATURN RINGS BLAST!" Saturn shouted and blasted the creature back into the wall.

"He's coming too," Mercury said. Maverick's eyes opened.

"Traitors," he said. And began to stand.

"Maverick..no..you're weak," Mercury said.

"Where are they?" Maverick said.

"Who?" Mercury said.

"Never mind..the creature?" Maverick said.

"Over there..Saturn's watching it," Mercury said.

"HEY! I'm going to destroy you all now," the creature shouted.

"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!"

"Mars Celestial Fireball Surround!"

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!"

"Uranus Fire Spikes Attack!"

"Neptune Golden Triton Impale!"

"Pluto Storm Fist Punch!"

The six attacks smashed into the creature.

"Than again.." it muttered and disintegrated.

"You guys didn't even let me finish it off?" Sailor Moon shouted from a nearby rooftops where the other scouts stood.

Maverick stood up.

"Maverick..you shouldn't.." Mercury said.

"I'm fine.." he said and stumbled.

"What happened?" Saturn asked.

"Well.when I first noticed it shadowing me..I called you two of course...then we fought..." Maverick said. "AND THEN SAILOR NEPTUNE AND URANUS AMBUSHED ME!"

"WHAT?" the others said surprised both at the facts and Maverick's anger.

"They must have thought that if they didn't help, the creature wouldn't be able to draw my heart out..they tried to hit me with their own energy..." Maverick said. "Never mind that now..." he said and started running.

"He's running? After having his heart taking out?" Saturn said.

Mercury said nothing, but looked on with concern.

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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