Chapter 293
And in a northern city in Japan.
"Another sell out," Yaten said.
"I guess we aren't one hit wonders then ey?" Seiya asked.
"More like twelve hit wonders," Taiki said.
"I have one question though," Yaten said. "Just what are we doing here?"
"Did we not explain the concept before?" Taiki asked.
"Yeah Yaten, if you hadn't noticed, we're an idol band," Seiya said.
"You know I don't mean that," Yaten said. "I mean why are we still on this planet?"
"There are lotsa reasons," Seiya said.
"Yes, but we're from a different planet. A planet that had been under control of Galaxia. Now she's dead, and the power of the star seeds is used up. Shouldn't we head back to the planet and see how things are?" Yaten asked.
"We're a little busy right now," Taiki said.
"Yes, we've discussed this before," Seiya said. "We were sent here to find the princess who would save our planet. She did that, and now..we're on our own. I like it here."
"I have my own reasons for wanting to stay here at least for the time being," Taiki said.
"Besides, Yaten if we left now, we couldn't keep being idols," Seiya said. "Someone would take our slot."
"But the only point of being idols was to find the princess, by singing our message to her," Yaten said.
"Funny how the singing didn't attract her," Seiya said.
"Well it did indirectly," Taiki said.
"Yes through a complex chain of events.."
"You're off the topic," Yaten muttered.
"Don't you like it here Yaten?" Seiya asked.
"Yes, but I would like to return to our planet and see how the rebuilding process is going," Yaten said.
"We will, eventually," Seiya said. "Besides, being idols has become more than trying to find a princess, it's a part of us."
"I don't see it that way," Yaten said.
"You don't Yaten? Even I see it that way," Taiki said. "I mean this was once the means to an end, but now I really have become comfortable with performing."
"I assume Amy has something to do with that," Yaten said.
"She is merely another reason," Taiki said. "Don't you like this?"
"I'm growing tired of it," Yaten said.
"Why?" the other two asked.
"I just am," Yaten said. "I'm tired of staying here. We should leave. Our mission has been accomplished."
He then turned and headed out the door.
"Hmm..I wonder what is bothering him so much," Seiya said.
"I don't know," Taiki said. "I really have to admit I like it here though."
"It's not just the women for me either," Seiya said.
Taiki glanced at him.
"Ah..stardom," Mina said.
"Where?" Raye asked.
"Ah..I see you're getting sarcastic again, now that I think of it, you've been sarcastic for a while now," Mina said. "Is there a problem?"
"No.." Raye said.
"You're jealous again aren't you?"
"I AM NOT JEALOUS!" Raye shouted. "I am annoyed that you are getting all this credit when you don't work nearly as hard as I do."
"That's jealousy," Mina replied.
"I don't want your life," Raye snapped. "I just want you to fail!"
"Jeez..not much room for compromise there," Mina said.
"Stop being so laid back!" Raye shouted. "Why'd you have to be an idol singer too!"
Mina began to get worried.
"Raye..what's wrong...." Mina said. "Why are you so angry?"
"Mina...you had to be a singer..you had to want to be the best."
"I can't be the best..you're the best."
"Stop trying to flatter me! I am the best! But you're here too..right behind me."
"But I could never surpass you."
"Oh..sure..not in skill, or presentation, but they love you anyway.."
"No more than you.." Mina said.
"That doesn't matter...what have you done to deserve this? You just waltz onto the scene and think you're an idol star? I've watched you for months joyfully going about your work, whereas I keep practicing, keep trying to hone my voice and my mind, and you go out there effortlessly...I tried to hold back..I did..but.."
"Raye..I work hard too. I don't practice around you, or even think about songs..I go off by myself to do that...how do you know what I've been doing? There was a time, yes, I was a little lax, but not anymore, I know what I have to do. I've seen the three lights, I've seen all the work. I do work hard. And I deserve this."
"You deserve this?" Raye asked and just stared at her. "Well good for you."
She headed out the door and slammed it.
Mina sighed.
"She holds in so much..." she said. "And then
she lets it out."
Miles away at a large amphitheater, "The Big Crushers" were on stage performing. Rick was at the microphone. Steve played away on a keyboard, Mike hit the drums, and Chad played a guitar.
"So..you know..love...can be a punch in the face!" Rick sang keeping in time with the beat.
"Sometimes a girl will stare at you, that look in her eyes, you know the look...
But that look, is trouble! Deep trouble! Because she's just a muskrat in disguise!
Yeah, I know, you know it too. Gotta avoid the muskrats, because if you don't,
Love will punch you in the face!"
And the song continued.
"While I have no problem with the instrumentals, these lyrics make no sense," Patterson muttered watching the concert through a camera.
"Well..they're not very good at the vocal songs, that's why they mainly play instrumentals, but Rick told me these songs sound so bad, they're actually cool for some reason," Greg said.
"Why is that?" Patters muttered.
"You're asking me?"
"Point taken," Patterson said. "I wish they would end this concert, I must speak with them."
"Hey...me first," Greg said. "My love problems are much more urgent then yours."
"I guess you're right," Patterson muttered.
The door buzzed.
Patterson looked at a view screen, did a quick scan and then admitted Amy.
"You two are spending too much time in here," their sister said. "Then again if I was hiding from Hotaru this is where I would go," she added pounding on the steel walls.
"This is no laughing matter," Greg said.
"Sorry..guys..but for everyone else it is," Amy said with a smile. "I mean..the two of you involved in the tangled menagerie that is love is something we all rarely get to witness."
"Enjoy it while it lasts," Patterson said.
"Ah..the big crushers," Amy said. "Is it that "punch in the face" song again?"
Her two brothers nodded.
"It's lyrics are terrible," Amy said.
"Few people disagree," Greg said.
"The crowd seems to like it," Amy said.
"The crowd..has problems," Patterson said.
Lita sat silent in her room. Her eyes were shut, she was wearing a traditional Chinese silken dress. She slowly picked up a small dart and held it out in front of her. She tensed ever so slightly as she let it go. It flew across the room and slammed into a dartboard, several inches above the bullseye. She opened her eyes.
"Hmm..I'm getting closer," She said to herself and picked up another dart, and closed her eyes to begin the attempt again.
"Hello Mr. Nelson," Serena said striding into Lita's house.
"Lita's upstairs," Lieutenant Nelson said. "I must warn you though, she's acting strangely."
"You noticed that too," Serena said. "That's the problem with being mystical and in love at the same time."
"When'd she fall in love?" Nelson asked.
"A few months ago."
"Anyone I know?"
"She hasn't told you about him?"
"Nope," Nelson said.
"Hmm..wonder why..."
"So who is he?"
"Uh..Seiya of the three lights."
"Seiya? That jerk? Why him?" Lieutenant Nelson.
"No idea," Serena said.
"Looks like Lita and I should have a little talk," Nelson said grimacing.
"Maybe that's why she didn't tell you."
"Good hypothesis," Lieutenant Nelson said. "Still..Seiya...he's trouble."
"Well he's a nice guy too..along with being trouble."
"At least we're agreed on the trouble part," Nelson said.
Serena nodded and headed up the stairs. She opened the room door. Lita vaulted off the bed and turned to face her.
"Hello Lita," Serena muttered.
"Sorry, need the practice reacting," Lita said.
"You getting any more mystical?" Serena asked.
"Sure.." Lita said. "So what brings you here?"
"Well..just thought I'd stop by."
"Darrien's still busy huh?"
"He'll be busy till I'm twenty seven," Serena said.
"Strange number to use for exaggeration purposes," Lita said.
"Maybe so," Serena said. "But that's still what I estimate."
"Uh okay," Lita said. "Let me get dressed, we'll go do something."
"I was hoping you'd say something like that," Serena
said.
When Rick, Steve, and Mike returned to their dressing room, they found two figures awaiting them.
"Ah.geez..Patterson and Greg's ghosts have returned to haunt us," Mike muttered.
"Your sense of humor is not appreciated," The two holographic forms responded.
"So Patterson is this hologram gimmick something you just decided to unveil recently for a reason or what?" Rick asked.
"There are limitations to the technology," Patterson replied.
"So what brings you both by?" Rick asked.
"We have a problem?" The two asked.
The three guys glanced at each other. The door opened and Chad walked in.
"Woah..hey..ghosts..kickin!" he said.
The others sighed.
"You wanted to see me Madam Gala?" Sailor Iron Mouse said.
"Ah...yes Iron Mouse, allow me to introduce you to the second member of our team," Gala said. Sailor Lead Crow emerged into the light.
"Lead Crow?" Iron Mouse said in surprise. "Why'd you revive her?" she added in annoyance.
"Obviously because you weren't going to cut it," Lead Crow said.
"Silence both of you," Gala said. "You both have knowledge about the scouts, their tactics and so forth. That is why you are here. Your past squabbles mean nothing to me. Also I will not have them interfering in our operation. The scouts works as a team, we shall as well."
"Yes Madam Gala," the two replied.
"Ooo..tricky situation you got there,"Mike said.
"Though Patterson you're in pretty good shape," Steve said.
"Yeah," Rick said. "Just look for an opening."
"But..I don't want to be attracted to her," Patterson said.
"Why?" the other three asked. "She's perfect for you."
"That's not the point," Patterson said.
"Deal with it. We'll deal with Greg's problem now," Rick said.
"So what do I do?" Greg asked.
"The truth is I don't really know," Rick said.
"Mike, you've dealt with insane people before," Steve said.
"My sister's also twisted," Mike said. "I know that adds several more variables into the equation."
"Indeed," Patterson said.
"I think it's obvious Greg, you and Hotaru need to sit down and have a talk," Rick said.
"But what do we talk about?" Greg asked.
"Well you know, the issues, involved," Rick said.
"Don't tell her she's insane though," Mike said.
"Good call," Steve muttered.
Greg sighed.
Yaten found himself wandering around the city in disguise following his argument with the others. He didn't do much thinking, he just observed what was going on around him. Tried to take it all in. It was during this observation he noticed a familiar figure sitting in a nearby restaurant. It was Raye. Her hair was tied into a ponytail and swung over her shoulder, and she wore sunglasses, as well as a hat, but he knew her disguise well enough to recognize it. He walked in the door and moved to her table.
"Raye...may I...you look troubled," Yaten said.
Raye turned.
"How can you tell?" She asked.
"I notice things like that occasionally," Yaten said sitting. "Is there something you want to talk about."
"No.." Raye said. "It's not a matter of talking about it."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes Yaten, I am," Raye said. "I appreciate you asking though."
"Sure," Yaten said. "So let's talk about something else."
"Fine," Raye said. "Like what?"
"I was hoping you'd come up with something.." Yaten said with a brief grin.
"I'm not good for much right now," Raye said.
"Oh..I'm sorry to hear that," Yaten said.
"Well..save your pity, I don't take it well," Raye said.
"You don't?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"I don't like being pitied. I have my problems, I'll deal with them. There's no reason for anyone else to get involved, no reason for them to feel bad, or concerned, why upset two people?" Raye said.
"I could accept being slightly upset if I could help you," Yaten said.
"That's all right," Raye said. "Trust me, I've learned to carry my burden."
"But you shouldn't," Yaten said. "That isn't healthy."
"I deal with it."
"Yes Raye, but...look..I've carried this burden with me my life. My world in chaos, and me here trying to save it, searching for a way to do it. We spent years here, trying to find a way to find the princess, to defeat Galaxia...and look what it's done. Only now with Galaxia defeated, have we been able to act like we should. We were protective, cautious back during the war. We made mistakes, but now..the burden is lifted. Now..we can live. At least they can."
"Why not you?" Raye asked.
"I'm stuck here."
"You don't like it here?"
"I didn't say that. I like my home planet better, I want to see it grow again," Yaten said.
"Noble goal. The others don't want to go back."
"They like it here. They want to stay longer."
"I see..I'm sorry," Raye said.
"Don't be."
"So it's alright for me to be pitied by you, but I can't pity you in return?"
"Yes," Yaten said. "I can handle my pain. But you shouldn't bear it."
"Uh..well.." Raye said. "That's not a very constructive attitude," Raye said.
"Yes..well..Raye..I'll manage. Try not to let it concern you," Yaten said standing up.
"Wait..Yaten.." Raye said.
Yaten stopped.
"If I promise to let it go, will you stay a little while longer?" She asked.
"I guess," Yaten said.
Raye grinned slightly.
"Something bothering you Mina?" Seiya asked.
"Well..sort of," Mina said. "Seiya, Raye has trouble accepting me, because I'm so new at this."
"Oh.." Seiya said. "That's too bad, I mean she's your friend, she should respect what you've been doing. You are a good singer.
"I know," Mina said. "I thought she'd get used to it. She told me today she had been holding in all this anger about it. How is that supposed to make me feel? I'm trying. I don't want to see her upset like this, both for her sake and my own."
"Yeah, I can understand that," Seiya said.
"I don't know how to handle this, Seiya. I'm very excited to be here. It's hard for me to tone that down, just to keep Raye from blowing up in my face. I'm living a dream."
"You're living her dream," Seiya said. "That's the problem."
"What?" Mina said in surprise. She was doubly surprised, both at the content of Seiya's words and the fact that he for the first time, seemed to be thinking at a higher level.
"Well..I must admit that I've taken an interest in Raye.." Seiya said.
"Romantic?" Mina asked in shock.
"No..not really," Seiya said. "I meant musically.."
"Oh.." Mina said.
"I heard about Raye's performances before, and when I met her, she talked about herself sometimes, I learned a lot from that. She's a lot like I am. Believe it or not, I have dreams."
"I never doubted that."
"Our mission held them in check, but not I can realize them," Seiya said.
"What are your dreams Seiya?" Mina asked.
"I'll tell you sometime, but right now, you see..Raye...wants to be a singer doesn't she?"
"She's got a whole plan, idol singer, then record executive."
"Right.." Seiya said. "But the singing part. She wants to be famous right?"
"Yep."
"But she wants to be known for what she has accomplished right?"
"Sure."
"And to her, you're in the way."
"I know that," Mina said. "I haven't worked as hard as her, but I do work hard."
"It's not good enough," Seiya said. "Raye told me about herself, she's an orphan, her grandfather died recently. Enemy attacks have blasted her house to pieces regularly..she's had it rough. I think she's annoyed that you're right alongside her."
"With my easy life?" Mina asked. "I was fortunate enough to have two surviving parents, but I was fighting evil before Raye was."
"Maybe so, but you're still here."
"Then I'll quit," Mina said.
"That isn't the answer, and you'd actually give up your own dream to help her?" Seiya asked.
"Yes," Mina said. "It's not good for two good friends like us to be fighting like this."
"I see," Seiya said. "Hopefully it won't come to that."
"I don't know what to do Seiya."
"Let me figure it out," Seiya said.
"No..I don't want to burden you."
"I'm doing it as a favor."
"Well all right," Mina said.
"You see," Raye said. "Even if you do want to go home, doesn't mean you shouldn't get to know all of us better. This is a beautiful planet Yaten, you should learn to enjoy it."
"I guess," Yaten said. "But..Raye, you really should talk to Mina."
"I know," Raye said. "I don't know what to say yet, but you're right. The two of us fighting with each other, doesn't help anything, and it's actually causes trouble for you three."
"It's good that your concerned for us. But I think we want to see this settled to, before anyone gets hurt," Yaten said.
"Well we were just at that point," Raye said. "You wanna go back?"
"Sure.." Yaten said.
"Yaten, about staying here....."
"Oh that.." Yaten said. "I think I'm going to wait for a little while, until you and Mina settle things."
"You'd actually wait to go home just to see if we figure things out?"
"Well sure, because if I go now, there'd be no point to you figuring things out, and besides, it both of your dreams to be idol stars, and if the three lights were to go and vanish that would be harder," Yaten said.
"I assure you Yaten," Raye said with a grin. "I am quite capable of getting a contract on my own."
"Maybe," Yaten said. "But could you get one any easier then this way?"
"No..I guess not.." Raye said. "But I don't care about working hard if it gets me what I deserve."
"That, I know..all too well," Yaten said.
"Do you have a problem with that?" Raye asked.
"No..no..of course not," Yaten said. "I fully support that ideal."
"Good," Raye said. "Let's go. You know what though, I'm worried about this anger I have, just how do I let it out without yelling at someone."
"There are other ways," Yaten said. "In fact, I
just thought of one."
"You want us to do what?" Mina asked in surprise as the three lights and the two girls sat around a lounge.
"That's right, sing against each other," Yaten said.
"Interesting idea," Taiki observed.
"It's brilliant Yaten," Seiya said. "You can use real emotion too.."
"I don't think I understand this.." Mina said.
"Simply put Mina," Raye began. "You and I go out on stage and sing verses of a song against each other, trying to outdo each other in the process."
"But you'll win," Mina said.
"That's not the point," Raye said. "Look, it would be a way of me getting rid of all my anger."
"By beating me to a pulp with melodic rhythm?" Mina asked looking around the room. "Well I guess if it solves the problem..."
The others nodded.
"All right, I'll accept it. But Raye..this won't lead to any violence will it?" Mina said.
"Not if I can help it," Raye said.
"And if you can't?" Mina asked.
Raye just smiled.