Chapter 318

It was yet another sunny day in Tokyo. It was also a day filled with relief as evil had been beaten and peace could return to Tokyo at least for a little while.

"Well another war comes to an end ey Luna?" Serena said.

"Yes, hopefully it will be the last one," Luna said.

"If such a thing were possible," Serena said. "I'll be fighting battles till I'm one hundred in twenty."

"I see," Luna said. "Well as long as you accept it."

"Yeah, well..I'm going to see Darrien. He's always good for some fun on days like this," Serena said.

"Enjoy yourself," Luna said. Serena hurried out.

Artemas jumped in the window.

"Hi Luna, how's it been going?"

"Fine, you?" Luna asked.

"Well..better, then normal," Artemas said. "What a strange course of events this was. Ever since the scouts got back from that other dimension."

"It was a bit strange wasn't it?" Luna asked.

"I'd say it was on the border of madness," Artemas said.

"Well call it what you want," Luna said. "I'm proud of them all. They've really done a lot, in everything.."

"They've also made a massive mess of the Japanese music scene," Artemas said.

"Well..who else do we know who has done that?" Luna said.

The two laughed.

"What a great job we have watching over them," Luna said.

"As if we've really helped them out in any way lately," Artemas said.

"Well we provided moral support."

"Yeah I guess we do," Artemas said. "Yep, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

And at the Three Lights' studio.

"Well I guess we go back soon," Yaten said.

"I'm going to miss this place," Seiya said.

"You think we'll come back?" Taiki asked.

"Depends on how things are back home," Seiya said.

"What do you think Yaten?" Taiki asked.

"Guess I'd come back, if everything's going well back home," Yaten said.

"We had fun here didn't we?" Seiya asked. "Even when we were searching for the star seeds, and the princess, and couldn't find them."

"I wouldn't call our trip worthless," Yaten said. "Far from it. Guess I just want to see what's going on back on our planet."

"We know," The two said.

"Besides no pressure now that the three lights are no more," Seiya said.

"I don't mind it," Taiki said. "We left our fans with something that they can get a message from. We've said what we needed to."

"I think you two are right," Yaten said. "I'm sure no one will mind though. They'll find some new superstars to follow."

The two nodded.

"Guess it was kind of strange though," Yaten said. "When you think about it. We came in there as aliens, and went to the top."

"Yeah," Seiya said. "I wonder if they'll ever learn the top selling artists weren't even human."

"Does it matter?" Taiki asked.

"Hard to say on this screwy planet," Yaten said.

"I agree with you there," Seiya said.

"We'd better get ready," Taiki said.

Elsewhere at the race track.

"So much for my racing career," Haruka said.

"What happened?" Steve asked.

"Setsuna's got a lot of catching up to do with all her dimensional work and such, but we don't want her to get stressed out. So me and Michiru are going with her to help out. We won't be around much. I certainly can't race."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Steve said.

"It could be worse," Haruka said. "Of course my career will look very strange. I mean me planning to break a gender barrier and then giving it up."

"Well..that kind of stuff happens," Steve said. "The key is to come up with a good excuse."

"Which I don't have."

"We'll work on it before you go," Steve said.

"Well all right then," Haruka said. "Thanks."

"Least I can do," Steve said.

"Guess we're not as an unlikely couple as we might have thought."

"I guess," Steve said.

"Still..I'll miss you. You do have a strange charm."

"So that's what they call it?" Steve said.

Haruka grinned.

"Meddlesome trip," Michiru said. "But we gotta keep Setsuna from becoming an alcoholic again."

"Yeah I guess so," Greg said.

"You going to keep writing?"

"You bet, I just finished my first story, and I'm really looking forward to the shrine story," Greg said.

"Well that's good to hear," Michiru said. "I look forward to see what you've written when I get back."

"You'll be the first one to see it, I mean..uh..how far I've gotten..I mean..you can stop by any time," Greg said.

"I'll hold you to that," Michiru said. "I still don't know whether the attraction between us is romantic or not, but there is something special there."

"Even if it's just a good friendship, that's not a bad thing," Greg said.

"You bet it isn't," Michiru said. "But just let's take a test."

"Huh?"

Michiru kissed him. Greg passed out.

"Hmm..and I was holding back too..." Michiru said. "That could be a problem."

Greg came too.

"Woah...."

"Haven't you ever been kissed before?"

"Well..no.." Greg said.

"I see..overexposure then," Michiru said with a grin.

"I'd say so," Greg said.

"I'm wanted to thank you," Ayeka said. "For all you've done."

Patterson nodded.

"When I was trapped inside of Gala, I heard you say you'd save me if you could. You did your best to do that, and I owe you my life."

Patterson nodded again.

"The truth is, that what happened between us, was really me. It wasn't some ploy to learn your weaknesses or anything. Gala knew though that letting me interact with the others would allow her a possible weapon to use. I must admit I really was curious about your fighting skill. You really are an excellent warrior."

"Thank you," Patterson said.

"And there might be something between us..I don't know.." Ayeka said. "We really never got a chance to find out..but..I can't stay."

"Oh.."

"You see..I was doing something very important before..then Gala kidnaped me..I was never meant to go to Juuban High..but she removed the fears I had. She meddled with me. But my true emotions were there. I can't explain it."

"I understand," Patterson said.

"But...I have something very important to do. It comes before anything else."

"Maybe I can help..I mean..if I could...I would.."

"No..I appreciate it..I really do. But I must do this myself. It is my fight."

"Fight?"

"Yes..I must find my parents."

"Your parents?"

"They..were lost..somewhere..I don't know where..but I must track them down," Ayeka said. "And so that's what I will do."

"If you must, you must, good luck," Patterson said.

Ayeka inched up to him and gave him a hug.

"Thank you," she said and headed off.

Patterson watched.

"She is troubled, I can tell," Hotaru said walking up.

"Yes, I know," Patterson said. "Still..I wonder just what her quest is."

"What did she say it was?"

"To find her parents."

"Her parents are stationed..."

"In the navy.." Patterson finished.

"Which means.." Hotaru said.

"Something's up," Patterson said.

"Then help her," Hotaru said.

"She doesn't want my help," Patterson said.

"That shouldn't stop you," Hotaru said.

"Well.." Patterson said. "I don't know.."

Elsewhere.

"Well I'm beat," Mike said.

"Why? What have you done that would tire you out?" Alina Kucera asked.

"Is that a value judgement," Mike said.

"Uh no uh I just was wondering."

"Long story Alina, but I won't bore you with the details. Let's go make out," Mike said.

"Okay," Alina said. And the two hurried off.

At Raye's temple, synthesizer notes were coming out of the Raye's room as she stared at a small keyboard.

"That note's wrong," Rick said.

"I don't think it is. I think it works perfectly," Raye said.

"I disagree," Rick said. "I think it needs to be higher."

"You and your high notes," Raye said.

"Don't criticize my notes," Rick said.

"I can and I will," Raye said with a grin.

"Well then this song we're writing will never get done," Rick said.

"But the song I'm writing will get done then," Raye said.

"Fine, but you can't use the tile I made up," Rick said.

"Sure I can, you didn't copyright it."

"That's cheap. Of course where are you going to get a band to play backup for it."

"Ooo..you got me," Raye said.

"Yes I do," Rick said with a grin. "Now let's add a whole bunch of high notes."

Raye sighed.

"No. You'll just need to get a new lead singer."

"Mina willl do fine."

"Mina? You play dirty."

"I try," Rick said.

"Well all right Rick, we take out he high notes or you find yourself a new girlfriend."

"Good, I'll get one that likes high notes."

Raye sighed.

"Okay...let's settle this the old fashioned way?"

"Which is?" Rick asked.

Raye threw him out the door.

"Oh..that way," Rick said as Raye lunged at him.

"Guess it's time for the three lights to leave huh?" Lita said.

"But they'll come back. I know they will," Mina said.

"We can only hope," Lita said.

"Well we should make sure we don't miss them leaving, however they plan on doing it," Mina said.

"We've got some time. They said they were going to leave tonight."

"So why don't we go help them pack?"

"I guess that would be a good way to spend the afternoon."

"You bet it would be."

"I wonder where Amy is though. She probably would like to see Taiki again before he leaves."

"She said she had something to do I guess," Mina said.

"Oh..well maybe there's stuff more important," Lita said.

"It's not my business, so I'm staying out of it."

"When has something not being your business stopped you from getting involved?"

"Plenty of times."

"Name them?"

"Well this isn't about me you know."

"Let's just go see the guys."

"Good idea."

Miles away at Tokyo Metropolitan Prison.

"Hello Amy," Her mother said in the room they were sitting in. "How's the school work?"

"I am keeping up my usual standards," Amy said.

"That's good."

"You're really going to make something of yourself, I know it," her father said.

"Yes..well that's why I'm here," Amy said. "I need to know..something.."

"Sure," her mother said.

"When you're a doctor, you can help people, but you can't help them all..how do you deal with it?" Amy asked.

"It's not easy," her mother said.

"You'll never be able to let go of everything," her father said.

"But that's the price you pay to be able to help people out," Her mother said. "You learn to live with it. You can keep it from consuming you."

"That's right. And while every patient you can't save will stick to you. You can live with it knowing you've saved others. That you've made them feel better," her father said.

"Are you having doubts?" her mother asked.

"I've had them ever since you were convicted," Amy said.

"What you were afraid that somehow what we did might happen to you?" her mother asked.

"I know there's a possibility," Amy said.

"Yes, but how many doctors do you see in jail?" her father said. "We're the exception. The big exception. The chances of you having a case like ours is practically zero. You can't let that hold you back from helping all the people you can."

"You can do a lot of good Amy. Don't sell yourself short," her mother said.

Amy nodded.

"I guess I have a lot to think about," she said.

"It's not easy to be a doctor," her mother said. "But somehow it seems a little easier then you think."

"I see," Amy said.

"We know you'll make the right decision," Her father said.

Amy nodded.

"So how's your brothers?" her mother asked.

"They're rediscovering themselves I guess," Amy said. "Sort of like what I'm doing. I have to go."

She hugged her parents.

"I'll see you later," she said and headed out.

"So just how are you getting back to your planet?" Lita asked.

"Teleportation," Taiki said.

"Teleportation, wow...just a sort of zap you're there thing?" Mina asked.

"Well there is some time in transit," Taiki said.

"Don't bore her with the details Taiki," Seiya said. "It's essentially zap you're there."

"Well..that's good, can you bring anything with you?" Mina asked.

"We have some pieces of luggage we can bring," Seiya said.

"Oh..goody..then I gotta get something for you Yaten, I'll be back soon," Mina said and hurried out.

"Full of energy isn't she?" Taiki said.

"She's a nice girl," Yaten said. "Even if unbalanced."

Lita grinned.

"Trust me Yaten, she has her weaknesses, but if she doesn't cheat on you, you've got a good person there."

"I hope so," Yaten said. "I'll miss her."

"I she reason enough for you to come back here?" Lita asked.

"She might be," Yaten said. "It all depends. We don't know what might be waiting for us at home."

"If it's at all possible, we'll be back though," Seiya said. "There are so many wonderful reasons to visit this planet. You are but one of them."

"I would hope I'm at the top of the list," Lita said.

"Of..course.." Seiya said.

"Just making sure," Lita said. "Because if I'm not..wham!"

"I get the picture," Seiya said.

"I hope Amy will get a chance to stop by before we need to go," Taiki said.

"She said she had something really important to take care of, but I'm sure she'll try," Lita said.

"Yeah...I shouldn't worry," Taiki said.

"Anyone seen my hat?" Seiya asked rummaging through a box.

Everyone glanced at him.

"Things change, stuff happens, but food remains constant," Serena said taking a bite out of a hamburger and chewing roughly. Darrien grinned nervously.

"So..how's..your negaenergy rocket coming?" Serena asked.

"Well..the military's taking over the proposal, at least to evaluate security risk. They don't trust Doctor Richter," Darrien said.

"I wouldn't. That guy gets taken over all the time," Serena said. "Poor guy."

She took another bite.

"So we'll just have to see. Fortunately the entire science staff has been on hold so I haven't had to do that much work on the conventional designs, and this may just pull my career out of the trash," Darrien said.

"Careers out of the trash are always good," Serena said. "I'm happy for you. That means you'll make more money right?"

"I hope so."

"Just wondering."

Darrien sighed.

"Sometimes I wonder about you Serena.."

Serena spit her food out.

"What..what..am I doing something wrong?"

"No..uh.." Darrien muttered sweeping bits of food off of him. "You just tend to drift and sometimes you say some things.."

"Oh.." Serena said. "Guess I do make a fool out of myself a lot. But that's just the way I am."

"Yeah, and I guess I wouldn't be able to handle it if you changed either," Darrien said.

"Really?" Serena asked. "Even if it was for the better."

"Yeah I guess," Darrien said. "I'm just too used to you. At least I know what to expect."

"I thought I was unpredictable."

"You are, but I expect unpredictability."

"Oh...is that possible?"

"Sure is it, once you get into college you'll understand, they have higher level courses devoted to that kind of stuff."

"Oh...so higher learning is just a bunch of.."

"Uh..no need to go there," Darrien said. "Let's change the subject."

"You know I miss the triple cheeseburger," Serena said.

"I'm sure it still exists," Darrien said.

"Yes, somewhere, but not here. Searching for a triple cheeseburger takes the fun out of eating one."

"Well you could just buy three cheeseburgers and make a triple cheeseburger."

Serena stared at him. Her eyes narrowed.

"And just what do I do with the extra rolls?" She asked sadistically.

"Uh..eat them?" Darrien asked.

"You don't understand," Serena said. "Perhaps you never will."

"Okay.." Darrien said.

"So Setsuna how long do you think this going to take?" Michiru asked loading something into the back of Haruka's car.

"I don't know for sure," Setsuna said. "The ways of the universe don't offer a schedule up."

"Okay," Michiru said. "I was just wondering."

"Don't worry girls, I'll get you two back here soon enough. It's my problem," Setsuna said.

"Well..we won't just leave you in the lurch," Haruka said.

"Thank you girls," Setsuna said. "I appreciate this."

The two nodded.

"Michiru what are you going to do with your car?" Haruka asked.

"I left it at Greg's house. Figured it'd be safe there," Michiru said.

"Guess that's as good a place as any," Haruka said.

"You girls agree with me that it's best to work out of my cabin up north then here right?" Setsuna asked.

"Of course, fewer distractions," Haruka said.

"All right then lets get going," Setsuna said.

Michiru took Haruka's car. Setsuna took her own and Haruka piloted the chopper. The three were soon headed out of Tokyo.

And in the war room.

"What is it that you're doing?" Hotaru asked.

Patterson stopped fiddling with a connection between his computer and his watch and stood up.

"I've downloaded a link to my computer from this watch, I can no access it from miles away," Patterson said.

"I see..why?"

"Because I'm going after Ayeka."

"You are?"

"But not because of love, because she needs help."

"Then I'm coming with you."

"But.."

"Someone needs to keep an eye on you while you're keeping an eye on her."

"Something tells me I can't convince you otherwise. But you're father.."

"Will understand," Hotaru said.

"Let's go then."

And at New Tokyo International Airport, the three lights stood ready to get on an airplane.

"Our teleporter's in Germany of all places," Seiya said. "So off we go."

The remaining scouts stood by to see them off.

"Don't crash," Rick said with a grin. Raye punched him.

"We'll try not to," Seiya said.

"I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye sooner," Amy said.

"It's all right," Taiki said and kissed her.

"Good timing," Seiya said and kissed Lita. Yaten made it a three peat by kissing Mina too. The others watched as the three girls blushed. Then the three lights headed into the gate. And the plane flew off. The scouts watching it go.

THIS IS NOT THE END......BUT THE COUNTDOWN HAS BEGUN...THE NEW CHAPTERS COM IN SEPTEMBER!

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