Chapter 309
Serena looked at the floor, stared at it and grimaced lifting herself off with a push up.
"One," she said and went back down. She began staring at the floor again.
"So we meet again," She said and pulled herself back off the ground.
"Two," she muttered. And starred a the floor.
"A chocolate chip? He had chocolate chip cookies and didn't offer me any?" Serena muttered and pulled herself off the ground.
"Three."
"Serena what are you doing?" Darrien asked emerging from another room.
"Oh..uh..push ups."
"But why?" Darrien asked.
"Well..I've gotta be prepared for the fight right. I want to be in top physical shape."
"Good thing you started this morning, or you might not have made it in time for this evening," Darrien said with a slight grin.
"Oh..well...this wasn't working anyway, so it's not a problem," Serena said. "But I really want to be ready."
"I know," Darrien said. "I'm sure you'll do fine."
"But are you sure about this? Do you really want to fight them?"
"I'm supposed to protect you. How can I do that if I don't fight," Darrien said.
"Yeah, but I don't want you hurt," Serena said.
"I'm more concerned about you Serena," Darrien said.
"But Darrien, I just don't want to see you in pain. You've protected me so many times...I just wish you hadn't wanted to get involved."
"It's too late for that," Darrien said. "And don't worry. I'll protect you and we'll win."
"I guess," Serena said. "Just be careful all right?"
"I try to be," Darrien said. "You still going to try to finish those push ups."
"Nope, I think I've had enough of them to be quite honest," Serena said. 'What we need instead is strategy."
"Good thinking," Darrien said unsurely. "But where are we going to get strategy?"
"I have a pretty good idea. Come on Darrien, let's roll."
"Where?" Darrien asked.
"Well first to the donut shop, and then on to victory."
"Uh...all right...by victory do you mean Amy's house?"
"No, but we were going there anyway," Serena said.
"That's what I figured,"Darrien said.
"Enough yapping, Darrien, let's go," Serena said.
"Right Serena," Darrien said.
And at the A.P.T. house.
"Hello, Michiru how is Setsuna," Amy said letting the green haired girl into the living room.
"Getting better," Michiru said. "I had no idea how badly she felt though. The years of work really have taking their toll on her."
"I'm sorry to hear it," Amy said. "But who exactly provides her with all this work she does."
"I'm not sure," Michiru said. "It's very complex what goes on at above our level. Cosmic forces are involved. That's what I know."
Amy nodded solemnly.
"Well I hope she recovers," Amy said.
"She will, but I don't know how she's going to go back to what she's been doing," Michiru said.
"Guess that could be a problem huh?" Amy asked.
"Yeah."
"Would you like some tea while you're here?"
"Sure..thank you," Michiru said.
Michiru noticed movement in the back yard of the house and went to look. Greg was leaning against a tree. Patterson was staring down a dummy positioned across the yard. He leapt forward, hit the dummy with multiple wounds and then flipped forward.
"You planning on doing that to Ayeka?" Greg asked.
"It may become necessary," Patterson said.
"Necessary? You didn't seem to interested in fighting her in the first place," Greg said.
"Well..it's a battle, I have to win it."
"Oh...okay..as long as it's just that," Greg said skeptically.
Patterson lined up with the dummy again. Michiru slipped up the back door.
"Isn't this cute?" she whispered to Greg startling him slightly.
"What is?" Greg said.
"He's met a girl he likes, and is practicing hard to be able to defeat her in combat, if all relationships could start out that way?" Michiru swooned.
Greg grinned. Patterson sliced the dummy in half.
"I thought that sword was blunt,": Michiru said.
"It is," Greg said.
"Tea's ready Michiru," Amy said sticking her head out the door.
"Ah..."
"So how's the story coming Greg?" Michiru asked between sips.
"Uh..I'm stuck on page 594,"Greg said.
"You're what?" Michiru said in surprise before regaining her casual expression.
"Greg's been working a bit hard on this thing," Amy said.
"Guess I've got a lot to say," Greg said.
"That is obvious," Amy and Michiru said.
"I guess your advice helped me," Greg said. "It is kinda interesting, what I'm doing."
"Kinda interesting?" Michiru asked. "You don't write 594 pages without it being interesting."
"I guess I've been going to so fast I just can't tell how interesting it is," Greg said.
"Well accurate measurements are sometimes hard to do," Michiru said before she and Amy started laughing. Greg sighed.
"Why do girls always take such joy in people's embarrassment," Greg said.
Amy and Michiru looked at each other.
"Uh..must be the second Y chromosome," Amy said and the two started laughing again.
Greg sighed.
A car skidded up out front. Serena hopped out and knocked.
Amy opened the door. Serena leapt in.
"Amy I need everyone's help," she said.
"Why Serena?" Amy asked.
"I need a killer strategy for later today," Serena said.
"Well all right.." Amy said unsurely. Darrien wandered in.
"She just ate six donuts, be careful," he said.
"Hi Michiru, what brings you to this part of town?" Serena asked.
"The winds of destiny," Michiru said with a grin.
"Oh..is that what your car's called," Serena said.
"Uh no," Michiru said.
"Were those donuts laced with LSD Darrien?" Amy asked.
"You'd almost think so," Darrien said. "But she didn't leave even the smallest piece left to be tested."
"Oh..guess we're stuck then," Amy said.
"So what exactly do you need a plan for Serena?" Michiru asked.
"I want to surprise Prince Metalite. I mean really surprise him. I want to hit him with a plan he would never expect, and that's why I'm here," Serena said. "Because you guys are the brains."
"Yes..well..I guess that's right," Amy said. "But this is going to take some work."
"I know, why do you think I came to you," Serena said. "Who else in this city could we expect to do work!"
"Darrien..that donut shop.." Amy said.
"Yeah," Darrien said.
"Never take her there again," Amy said.
"So who's with me?" Serena shouted.
The rest of the group moaned.
And at the Big Crusher's own studio.
"All right Lita, you're here," Rick said. "Guess we have to deal with that."
"You're upset with me still," Lita said.
"I just didn't think this was the way to go. But all right let's give it a try."
"What we need is a song that makes fun of both Mina and Raye at the same time," Steve said.
"Well it could be a split personality song," Mike said.
"You and your split personality songs," Steve muttered.
"Has this come up before?" Lita asked.
"More than it should," Rick and Steve muttered.
"Oh.." Lita said.
"Okay..well let's see I've probably got a parody song her somewhere," Mike said and began rummaging through the various pieces of paper he had on hand.
"Maybe we should leave the songwriting up to anyone but Mike," Steve said.
"Well he does write some good stuff, how he does this, I'll never know," Rick said.
"HAH!" Mike said. "Here it is!"
Rick and Steve sighed and took it. The two looked at it and began to laugh.
"This is perfect!" They shouted.
"I knew it would be," Mike said.
"How exactly?" Lita asked becoming nervous.
"You will understand soon enough," Mike said laughing his head off.
Lita sighed. What did you expect? She thought.
Elsewhere, the three lights were practicing their songs yet again.
"Yaten you were off there," Seiya said.
"So I was," Yaten said. "It's not like anyone ever notices."
"I noticed," Seiya said.
"Yaten, you're not even trying," Taiki said.
"Isn't that one does when they don't care," Yaten said.
"Woah...time out!" Mina said swinging from a rope and dropping onto the stage.
Everyone stared at her.
"That got your attention," She said. "Yaten is there something wrong? You can tell me.."
"Stay out of it," Yaten said. "In fact...everyone stay out of it."
He turned and walked off the stage.
"What's going on with him?" Seiya said with annoyance.
"Don't worry guys, I'll find out," Mina said and hurried out.
"Yeah, but will she kill Yaten in the process?" Seiya wondered.
"I think Yaten really has had enough," Taiki said.
"Guess so," Seiya said. "At least when you gave up that time it was because you didn't think we were reaching anyone..but Yaten..he just doesn't like the job I guess."
"He never really was a musician," Taiki said.
"Sure he was. He was a poet. But..he just doesn't like doing this constantly."
"The music has lost all meaning you think?"
"I think so. I've been afraid of this. But how can we be the three lights without Yaten?"
"Guess we'd have to be the two lights," Taiki said.
"That doesn't really have a ring to it," Seiya said.
"Well we could get a third light I guess," Taiki said.
"Guess so," Seiya said.
"We'll worry about that later," Taiki said.
"Yeah good idea. Guess we should just take a break."
"Yeah," Taiki said.
And back at the A.P.T. house.
"Here's the data on Prince Metalite," Patterson said in a monotone as information popped up on various screens. The scouts all crouched around it.
"Any weaknesses?" Michiru asked.
"His temper for one, you get him riled up his concentration lapses," Patterson said.
"That shouldn't be too hard, I always get my enemies angry at me," Serena said.
"Let's look at the attacks," Darrien said.
Patterson pressed a button. A graphic appeared on the screen. Followed by camera footage.
"He has a standard energy shield," Amy said staring at it. "But like all of their energy shields it drains them slowly of energy."
"Can that reflect attacks?" Michiru asked.
"It probably can if it is strong enough," Patterson said.
"He also possesses the ability to launch fast attacks with shards of energy," Greg said.
"I guess this makes him a threat even at close range," Darrien said.
Patterson nodded.
"None of these enemies can be taken lightly. They should be hit when down," Patterson said.
"But that's not the honorable thing to do," Serena said.
"They don't fight with honor," Patterson said.
"Besides, we just brawl with them anyway," Michiru said. "Honor has little meaning right now."
"I guess so," Serena said. "I used to be nicer to them."
"Almost got you killed," Darrien said.
"Yeah I guess," Serena said. "What else can he do?"
"Gala has seemed to get them to all develop similar attacks. They do have unique attacks of their own though. But Metalite can also launch a wave of energy. You can jump over it though," Patterson said.
"He also has a double bladed energy sword," Amy said.
Patterson pressed a button, a file came up showing Coardite holding it.
"He can spin it blocking attacks as well as launch spiraling energy," Amy said.
"This guy's tough," Serena said.
"Just how good is he at hand to hand fighting though?" Darrien asked.
"That hasn't really come up in our battles," Patterson said.
"Hmm..so..how do we beat this guy?" Serena asked.
"That's going to take some thought," Michiru said.
"Well we've got time," Serena said. "How about we discuss it over lunch?"
"Lunch," Everyone said.
"You just ate six donuts," Darrien said in surprise.
"That was an hour ago," Serena said.
Everyone sighed.
"So I have to sing this?" Lita asked.
"Sure," Rick said. "I know you can't read music, but we'll play it through and if you practice it a few times you should get the feel for it."
"Okay," Lita said. "Sounds good."
"Here's your lucky rag Mike," Alina Kucera said appearing off stage.
"Oh thanks Alina," Mike said and draping it around his neck. "Lita, meet Alina, our personal assistant."
"Hello," Lita said.
Alina nodded.
"Say..Mike..what do you say you and me go on a date tonight?" Alina asked.
"Uh well," Mike said.
"She's awfully forward," Lita said to Steve.
"She asks everyday," Steve said.
"Has Mike said yes?" Lita asked.
"No," Steve said. "But see Mike's actually interested, he just doesn't know when to do it or not, so Alina keeps trying."
"I see," Lita said. "Does Alina realize she's trying desperately to get Mike to go out with her instead of pursuing someone desirable?"
"Apparently not," Steve said.
"Well you see Alina, this evening something's come up. Tell you what. Tomorrow..I'm free in the morning."
"Oh..okay..that's good," Alina said. "I'll meet you then."
"Good," Mike said giving her a thumbs up.
"Wow..she actually pulled it off," Steve said.
"Guess Alina just had to keep trying," Lita said. "But now she'll get what she paid for."
"Guess so," Steve said.
"Alina.." Rick said. "Could you go find Chad please?"
"Yep, on my way!" Alina said and hurried out.
"She's certainly eager to please," Lita said.
"She's like Mina without being insane," Steve said.
"No wonder Mike's attracted to her," Lita said.
"Actually Mike likes insane girls, I think he's been trying to judge whether Alina is unbalanced enough for him to consider going out with her," Steve said.
"I get it, even if I don't know why," Lita said.
"It's best not to delve into the depths of the inner psyche to try to understand that one," Steve said.
"I think you're right," Lita said. "What's the lucky rag for anyway?"
"Luck," Steve muttered.
"Oh..of course," Lita said.
"Hey everybody!" Chad said sauntering onto stage.
"About time you showed up," Rick said.
"Well..you know..Chad and the ladies," Chad said.
Rick sighed.
On the roof of the 3 lights studio.
"Yaten.." Mina said.
"Mina...I want to be alone," Yaten said.
"Yeah well..when have I ever listened to you," Mina said.
"I'm serious," Yaten said.
"Yaten, you really don't want to be an idol star anymore do you?"
"I want to go home," Yaten said. "I don't mind singing, but the monotony of it. No I don't want to be an idol star. That's right It's consumed me. All that I am....I have to put into this, or being a starlight. I hate it."
"Well I can understand that," Mina said. "Believe me I do. I mean. When you stop doing something because you want to, and only because other people want to see it done, then it's not worth doing. I know that. If you want to stop doing this. I respect that."
"Respect it? Why do I need your respect?"
"You don't," Mina said. "But if you're so sure of yourself why haven't you stopped before?"
"I'm sure now."
"Yeah..well..you were just afraid of the others not respecting your decision, that's why you held off doing it."
"That's not true," Yaten said.
"Well I'm here telling you that you're right to do what you did," Mina said. "There's nothing wrong with it. If you truly feel the way you do. You've done your job. You found the moon princess, you saved your planet. If there's nothing left for you to do here."
"There are things for me to do here. I'm not going home yet," Yaten said. "The earth is a beautiful place. But I haven't been able to enjoy it."
"Okay..okay..then. There's no one better to show you this place then me. So let's do it."
"What?"
"Go..right now..I'll show you everything you wanna see."
"But..the band."
"You just said you didn't want to be an idol anymore. Besides, the next concert isn't for three days. You can make up your mind during that time. So let's go."
"But shouldn't we tell the others?" Yaten asked.
"Well sure..we'll tell them we're going out, but nothing else," Mina said. "I'll call them once we're far enough away. But come on.."
Yaten looked at her.
"I wanna help you," Mina said with a smile.
Yaten nodded.
"You're doing what?" Seiya said into his communicator.
"I'm just taking Yaten for a little tour. So don't worry," Mina said.
"But..Mina." Seiya said.
"Bye now.." Mina said.
"But.." Seiya said. He sighed. "That's all we need."
"Well maybe Yaten needs it," Taiki said.
"Yeah I guess," Seiya muttered.
"What's going on?" Raye asked walking in.
"We wish we knew," Seiya and Taiki replied.
"That's never a good sign," Raye said.
Later.
"So..here we are," Metalite said. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask faced him across the battlefield.
"Well, no need to keep you waiting!" Metalite said and fired spikes of energy at them. The two dodged out of the way. Tuxedo Mask rushed forward. His staff flew out. Metalite dodged it and his own energy sword flared to life. Sailor Moon swung at it with her moon sword. The three were soon involved in a hand to hand combat.
"This was your plan?" Guardian Uranus asked in surprise.
"Of course," Maverick said. "Metalite hasn't engaged in hand to hand combat before, which probably means he doesn't feel comfortable doing it."
"Or at least he's worse at it then long energy battles," Sailor Neptune said.
Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon jumped out of the way as energy flew at him.
"Well look he has a counter," Guardian Neptune muttered.
"Now we know," Sailor Mercury said.
The two sides faced each other again.
"Very interesting," Metalite said. "You two seem to have planned all this, but I am not a big fan of enemy plans that work."
"WHAT?" both sides shouted.
"Metalite, don't stay stupid things," Gala barked.
Metalite grimaced.
A barrage of roses flew at him.
"Moon Tiara Magic!" Sailor Moon shouted and launched her attack. Metalite blasted the tiara to the ground. Sailor Moon let out a cry of annoyance.
"That's no fair," she said.
"Do I care!" Metalite said launching a barrage at Sailor Moon. She leapt over the attack and charged at him.
"That isn't part of the plan," Sailor Neptune said.
Metalite grinned and spun his double sword. Energy flew at her. Sailor Moon jumped through the barrage with Venus' agility and swung her moon sword. Metalite blocked it.
Tuxedo Mask charged forward and butted Metalite with his staff unleashing a barrage of roses. Metalite quickly blasted all of them away with energy. Tuxedo Mask swung forward, the two were soon battling with their weapons.
"So much for the plan," Guardian Saturn said.
Sailor Moon leapt into the air. The group gasped. Sailor Moon spun in mid flight and swung her sword downward.
"What is she..." Sailor Mars said in surprise. Sailor Moon connected. Her sword dug right into Metalite and she hit the ground hard and awkwardly. Metalite tripped over her and crashed to the ground. Sailor Moon limped away. Tuxedo Mask stood in front of her.
"That wasn't pretty, but I guess it worked," Jupiter said.
Metalite stood up.
"What was that?" he said A barrage of roses flew at him. He blasted them away, only to get hit in the head with a staff. Tuxedo Mask whirled and hit him in the chest. Metalite crashed into the ground.
"Moon Spiral Hearts Attack!" Sailor Moon said wincing. Her attack hit Metalite and threw him back into the enemy lines. He crashed to the ground.
"That was kind of the plan," Guardian Saturn said.
"Yeah..sort of," Sailor Neptune said unsurely.
Gala sighed
"All right..you win again," she said. "But the next battle. I want Maverick," She said.
Everyone was surprised.
Gala began to laugh as the enemy troops headed off.