Chapter 307
A day later.
Coardite laughed as balls of energy flew from his hand and shot across the battlefield Guardians Uranus and Pluto avoided the attack and fired back with their swords. Coardite stepped out of the way of the attacks and grinned.
"You two actually believe you're match for me?" he asked.
"Well..yeah.." the two said.
"Pluto Storm Fist!"
The attack flew across the field. Coardite avoided it. Guardian Uranus rushed forward and tried a jump kick.
"Right.." Coardite muttered and launched an attack point blank.
"Jump kicks don't work!" Sailor Mars shouted in annoyance as Uranus was blasted back to the ground.
Guardian Pluto ran forward.
"Now what is he doing?" Guardian Neptune said.
"Hah hah!" Coardite shouted and fired a wave of energy along the ground. Pluto was hit as he tried to jump out of the ground and slammed into the ground.
Coardite drew his strength and unleashed a tidal wave of energy along the ground. Pluto and Uranus rolled out of the way of it and fired with their swords.
"Will you two idiots take the defensive before you hurt yourselves?" Mars shouted.
"You know we had been getting the hang of this.." Uranus said backing up slowly.
"Guess we forgot everything we learned," Pluto said.
"You would!" Sailor Venus shouted.
"This is embarrassing," Guardian Saturn said.
"I've got another plan," Uranus said. "You just wait for an opening."
"Whatever." Guardian Pluto said.
Uranus stepped forward, his sword drawn.
"So what do you say Coardite to a little fencing ey?" he asked.
Coardite shrugged.
"Nah.." he said and sent more blasts of energy flying at the two. Which they easily avoided.
"Hah..well met," Uranus muttered. "Anyway..I don't see you have any choice I mean..from back here..you can't hit us...and.."
Coardite started building his energy up.
"So much for that," Pluto shouted leaping forward and firing barrages. Coardite blocked them with an energy shield and concentrated.
"Uranus Fire Spikes Attack!"
The attack smashed into the shield and dissipated.
"He can't keep that up forever," Pluto said and the two kept firing their swords.
"What's Coardite up too?" Sailor Mercury wondered. "His power level doesn't seem to be dropping that quickly."
Coardite continued to stand motionless.
"Uranus Flame of Desire!"
"Pluto Hurricane Punch!"
The two major attacks slammed across the field. Coardite grinned as the attacks bounced off and flew back at them.
"I didn't know he could do that," Mercury said.
"Apparently he's learned some new tricks," Mars said.
Coardite laughed as Pluto and Uranus picked themselves off the ground, after narrowly avoiding the attack. A barrage of energy balls flew at the two.
They both dived out of the way yet again, and we're being chased all over the field by them.
"He isn't supposed to be this hard to beat!" The sailor scouts all shouted in annoyance.
Coardite laughed some more and took in some breath. The two Guardian Scouts stood up.
"All right..both of us will charge him..got it," Uranus said.
"Yeah, because that'll work for sure," Pluto muttered.
Uranus glanced at him.
"GO!" he shouted.
The two raced across the field their swords at the ready. Coardite built up his power. The two fired. He dodged them and launched his own attacks. The two jumped out of the way and kept charging. Coardite fired again. Pluto blasted the attack away. Coardite dived out of the way of the two and kept shooting blasts of energy. They dived around them and fired back. A close up battle ensued with the groups both launching energy attacks.
"Coardite has used up a lot of energy with his shield, so this is more even then it seems," Mercury said.
"But the guys can't have that much strength left," Jupiter said.
"Well..that's true," Mercury said.
"Pluto Storm Fist!"
Pluto slammed forward and hit the Coardite in the face. Coardite staggered back and then unleashed a large barrage which threw the Guardian Scouts into the dirt. They both struggled to get up. Coardite leapt towards them energy sword ready. Uranus rolled back and met him. The two sparred, but Coardite spun, his attack slashed through the weakened Uranus. He let out a cry of pain. Coardite grinned.
Pluto fired his sword, but Coardite fired back. The two Guardian Scouts lay unconscious.
"That's enough Coardite," Gala said.
Coardite grinned and walked back to his lines.
"Another one for us," Gala said.
The evil forces disappeared.
"You all right?" Jupiter asked lifting Pluto off the ground.
"Sure..this happens to me all the time," Pluto said.
"Now more pairing of the Guardian Scouts with each other.." Venus said. "It's a bad idea."
"I second that," Guardian Neptune said.
"Dang..I was off wasn't I?" Uranus said sitting up.
"Were you ever?" Mars said. "Still you gave it a good try I guess."
"Yeah well.." Uranus said. "I lost..that's what matters."
He stood up and started limping.
"Uranus don't do that," Mars said. "Let me help you."
"I can handle it," Uranus muttered and kept going.
Stupid, stupid..I should have been able to win this one.
"Still no sign of Setsuna," Haruka said.
"I'm wondering does she know anyone here she might have went to see," Michiru said.
"You mean human friends..I wonder...but who would know."
"Maybe Hotaru...hey..wait..the cabin.." Michiru said.
"Right that one. It's worth a try," Haruka said. "I'll go and look. You stay here and keep looking."
"Good idea. Good luck and be careful," Michiru said.
"I try," Haruka said. "Setsuna's really messing up our life right now."
Michiru nodded solemnly.
"Well we'll find her," Haruka said.
Her car was soon speeding away.
Michiru sighed.
Setsuna must be in a lot of pain. I hope we can find it before she gets any more erratic.
"You wished to see me," came a voice. Michiru turned in surprise.
"Hotaru how did you..of course..yes..let's talk okay," Michiru said.
"Is that not what we're doing?" Hotaru asked.
"Yes, I guess so, come on," Michiru said.
"Setsuna is missing, interesting," Hotaru said.
"I don't think it's interesting, more like worrying," Michiru said.
"Well yes, that too," Hotaru said. "But...if one doesn't apply emotion to it, it is interesting."
"I guess it would be," Michiru said. "Still it must be serious for her to act like this."
"I'm sure it is. Outward displays of emotion from Setsuna are usually not common," Hotaru said. "While I am incapable at this point of being concerned for her welfare personally, I do understand why it would be a strange situation. Furthermore, speaking in terms of utility.."
"Hotaru you're incapable of being concerned about her? Are you sure?" Michiru asked.
"Yes," Hotaru said. "I am rarely concerned about anything. I guess that is a problem. But's it how it is."
"You're not feeling anything. Any sort of concern?"
"As I said no."
"You must be feeling something. Maybe you just don't notice it."
"If I don't notice it, I'm not feeling it."
"Well..we could go around and around on this one, but all right, so you don't, but do you know where Setsuna might be?"
"If you're asking if anything she might or said or did while I was in her care might give you a hint I'd say no. She really didn't do anything out of the ordinary, at least speaking subjectively. I did not meet anyone of association with her."
"Hmm..she might be in the cabin out in the country though."
"Yes, that is a strong possibility. However, it is not the only one."
"We're rapidly going through the other ones," Michiru said.
"I know she's alive if that's a help."
"How do you know that?" Michiru asked.
"I just do."
"That gets rid of one possibility then," Michiru said.
"Guess so," Hotaru said. "Is there anything else you need from me?"
"No, I guess not. What are you up to anyway?"
"I'm not up to anything. I'm just going about my daily business."
"But what is that?"
"Human things,"Hotaru said and headed out.
"Human things?" Michiru asked. "I don't think
Greg did a good enough job with her. I wonder how Greg's doing.
His novel should be coming along I hope."
Elsewhere.
"Okay Seiya, come at me!" Lita said.
"What?" Seiya said.
"Attack me."
"But uh.."
"This is the basics. Now if you want to learn how to fight."
"Yes but..you're a girl."
"You asked me to help you."
"Yes, but.." Seiya said.
"Fine then..we'll try a different tactic," Lita said and lunged at him swinging fists. Seiya ducked out of the way and stumbled to dodge them.
"Lita this isn't what I had in mind," he said worriedly.
"Best way to learn," Lita said.
"So Greg my boy, hear you're writing a novel," Mike said.
"Where'd you hear that?" Greg asked worriedly.
"The trees have ears," Mike said. "Even the corn does..anyway..so what's it about."
"I haven't told anyone," Greg said.
"Good idea, if no one knows what the books about, they'll be curious, intrigued, they may even buy the thing," Mike said.
"That's what I'm thinking," Greg muttered.
"I wrote a book once, just a few months ago, but then I thought better of it. Maybe I'll fix it up someday, but only if I'm really angry at the world," Mike said with a grin.
"That's a good idea," Greg said. "It could be a powerful weapon for evil if it fell into the wrong..er..your hands."
Mike laughed.
"Come on..tell me what the novel's about," Mike said.
"No," Greg said.
"Come on I can keep a secret."
"I don't think so."
"Chicken.."
"Mike..what makes you think the Chicken taunt will work on me?"
"It's always worth a try, come on..please?"
"No. Don't you have anything else to do?" Greg asked.
"Of course," Mike said. "But this is fun."
"And the other things aren't?"
"Well..I guess, but this is annoying too."
"So?"
"So..that's an added bonus."
"Mike you're too illogical for your own good."
"No, I'm just a jerk. Greg, I'm sorry, I just..haven't been able to annoy anyone other then Rick and Steve for the past few months. I've needed a break."
"Well Mina's in town. You know your two timing ex girlfriend."
"Yeah I guess," Mike said. "It's been awhile. All right, you're off the hook, for now!" Mike said and began cackling as he headed out.
"I really have to have something done about him,"
Greg said. "Like what?" he added with annoyance.
And at the three lights studio.
"You know what you need Yaten," Mina said.
"What?" Yaten asked.
"A milkshake. A big one, and you need to get me one just like it," Mina said.
"Mina..you have money of your own, why do you have to hit me up for some?" Yaten asked.
"Because boyfriends buy things for their true loves," Mina said.
Yaten sighed.
"You used to be far more attractive then you are now," Yaten muttered.
"What?" Mina said.
And walking along a street in one of the shopping districts.
"So you feeling better?" Amy asked. "I thought after that fight."
"The fight didn't bother me," Taiki said. "What does is that I haven't been able to do as much reading lately."
"Oh..yes, that can be annoying," Amy said. "I've been distracted myself."
"By what?"
"Well you to be perfectly honest."
"I guess I should be honored," Taiki said. "Still Amy I don't want your schoolwork to suffer over this."
"It's not..I think.." Amy said. "I..uh know it isn't."
"Good," Taiki said. "I only have a little while left before I have to get ready for tonight's concert, but there is anywhere you want to go?"
"Oh I don't know. I don't want to keep you.." Amy said her gaze shifted.
"What is it?" Taiki asked.
"Oh..just my brother that's all."
Taiki looked. Inside a weapons shop Patterson stood.
"Hmm..a bokken that matches this sword exactly," the storekeeper said staring at Patterson's sakabe sword.
"Can you make it?" Patterson asked.
"No..but I know someone who can. Mind you he isn't cheap."
"I have the money," Patterson said.
"Yes I suppose you do," the storekeeper said. "I'll give you his name. But just what exactly do you need a wooden sword that precise for."
"I am fighting an opponent," Patterson said. "Their sword is better equipped for dueling then mine is.":
"I see..so you actually have some competition then."
"That remains to be seen," Patterson said.
In the yard of Rick's house he was thrusting and parrying, occasionally sending out a kick. Raye walked up and grinned.
"Training hard I see," Raye said.
"Gotta get back what I lost," Rick said.
"I understand," Raye said. "I don't suppose you'd want to come to my concert tonight."
"Well it is a three lights thing, I don't know if I could fit in there."
"Well if you undid your pony tail you might get by unnoticed," Raye said.
"I don't know if I can stand them.." Rick said. "Raye...it would be hard for me to be sitting there. If the three lights saw me."
"Then I'll give you a back row seat....and then you won't be able to hear me," Raye said sighing.
"Tell you what..I'll get Patterson to tape the thing with his camera and then I can watch it," Rick said.
"It's not the same," Raye said. "I'd like to think you wouldn't be embarrassed to come to one of my concerts."
"But it's a three lights concert that's the problem," Rick said.
"You could come only when I'm on stage you know," Raye said.
"Fine I will," Rick said.
"You will?"
"Yeah sure," Rick said. "I'll show up as long as I can get in and out."
"You should be able to," Raye said.
"Fine, it's not that I don't want to hear you."
"I know," Raye said. "I understand, but still..I'd like to look out there and see your face."
"Yeah well I'll be there," Rick said.
Seiya panted.
"Guess I gave you quite a workout there," Lita said grinning.
"I uh.yeah.." Seiya said.
"That's a good first step."
"First step?" Seiya muttered. "After what you put me through, that's enough."
"We've only just begun," Lita said with a grin.
"Seiya my boy!" Steve said smacking the lead singer on the back. Seiya wheezed and stumbled forward.
"Hey watch it!" Seiya snapped.
Steve grinned. Lita smiled.
"So..Steve what brings you by?" Lita asked.
"Just wanted to say hello, see how things were going. Oh here.." he held out a yellow dandelion.
"What about it?" Lita asked.
"Well look at it..it's perfect, as far as dandelion's go," Steve said.
"I guess you're right," Lita said taking it.
"You're giving her a dandelion?" Seiya muttered. "What kind of gift is that?"
"Well Seiya, considering that she likes dandelions, I thought I would bring it by," Steve said. "Wait..you didn't know that?"
"Uh..well.." Seiya said.
Steve started laughing.
"I just hadn't gotten around to that kind of talk yet!" Seiya said.
"Sure...whatever," Steve said. "Talk to you later Lita," he said and vaulted over her fence and walked off down the street.
"What are you grinning about?" Seiya said looking at Lita.
"I'm allowed to grin Seiya. Steve can be nice sometimes."
"Then why aren't you dating him?" Seiya muttered.
"I did for a while," Lita said. "Didn't work out."
"Oh.." Seiya said. "Can't see why.."
"Seiya..shut up," Lita said. "You're a little too obnoxious today."
"What is this pick on Seiya day? I'm a nice guy too..geez..what's everyone's problem?"
"Oh quit whining let me get you some salt for you wounds.."
"What?" Seiya said.
Lita started laughing some more.
"You're cute when you're uncomfortable," she said.
Seiya sighed.
"And Serena said you were a nice girl," Seiya said.
"I am, I also have a killer right hook," Lita said. "Pray you never meet her."
"Your punch is a she?"
"Uh huh," Lita said.
"Doesn't surprise me," Seiya said.
Haruka arrived at the cabin and found Setsuna's car sitting in front of it.
"Bingo," she said and approached the door. She knocked. There was no answer.
"I'll deal with the consequences later," She said and kicked the door open.
Setsuna was slumped in a chair staring at her.
"Well..there you are," She said. "Took you long enough."
"Setsuna.." Haruka said.
"I wasn't going to be gone long, but I got too drunk, couldn't drive home..." Setsuna said slamming a bottle against the table.
"Now I'm sober, but awfully depressed," she said.
"Setsuna, we can get you help," Haruka said.
"Sure you can," Setsuna said. "Of course what do you suggest we do about the real problem. Should I see a therapist? Explain to them the trials and tribulations of being a sailor scout?"
"There are other ways," Haruka said.
"I bet," Setsuna said. "Let's go.."
"You can't drive,"Haruka said.
"Then take me back and then bring Michiru back to pick the car up," Setsuna said.
"I'm not leaving you anywhere alone until we get this under control," Haruka said.
"I don't know, whatever you figure out. Let's just go okay!"
"Come on then, let me help you up," Haruka said.
"I can stand," Setsuna said standing up. "I'm sober now. Let's just go."
The two headed out.
That night outside an arena.
"Oh hey Mikey, Mina drag you out here too," Rick said.
"You saw through my disguise?" Mike asked.
"Of course I did, you're just wearing glasses..and not sunglasses at that."
"Well you know me," Mike said.
The two headed into the rowdy concert hall filled with screaming young girls.
"This must be like what goes on inside my sister's head," Mike said.
"I'll second that," Rick said as they moved to their seats. Mina and Raye came on stage and began to sing against each other.
Elsewhere.
Hotaru Tomoe slowly and carefully climbed the tree, making sure not to lose her grip on the branches she held onto.
"I should be adequately stable up here," She said to herself and leaned against the trunk of the tree. She pulled a small pair of binoculars from her pocket and looked through them. Standing in the yard of a very modest house, Ayeka Mizuno was swinging her sword and intently practicing.
Hotaru watched, her eyes narrowed.
The next afternoon, the sailor scouts and the evil forces gathered at a battle field in suburban Tokyo. Argosante stepped forward swinging his axe. Sailor Saturn leapt to the ground.
"You sure about this Saturn?" Sailor Moon asked with concern.
"My mind is made up. I will deal with him," Saturn said.
Argosante grinned.
Saturn's eyes narrowed and she swung her silence glaive. Energy flew from it at Argosante, who adeptly avoided it and charged at the girl. He swung his axe. She blocked it and the two parried with their swings of their two handed weapons. Argosante whirled his axe around butte first. Saturn was hit with it and knocked down. He swung the axe downward, but she slid away from it and brought her glaive behind him pitching him forward, she quickly positioned herself and the glaive went slicing through him. He cried out in pain. Sailor Saturn hit him in the head and fired a blast. He staggered back and started blasting axe blade shaped energy attacks at her. She leapt over them and swung her glaive downward Argosante met it, and the two attacks bounced each other back. Argosante stood up angrily and growled. Sailor Saturn stood up and waited. Argosante charged at her. Saturn grinned, stunning her assailant, before she spun her glaive around with both hands connecting twice. Argosante stumbled forward.
"Saturn....Mist Wave!" She shouted. Argosante was blasted forward.
"Ehh..this is over," Gala said. The scouts let out a cheer.
Saturn stared at the enemy swung her glaive around again and then walked off.