Chapter 322

A rose slammed into the ground.

"All right he made it on time!" Guardian Neptune said.

The Guardian Scouts broke into clapping.

Tuxedo Mask stood on the roof of Raye's house unsure of how to proceed.

"Ahem," he said. "We should not fight here, this temple is holy ground and it has seen it's share of fighting."

He leapt to the ground.

"And what makes you think I care where we are?" Guardian Moon asked.

"A human should respect the ground," Tuxedo Mask said. "You will face severe consequences if you don't."

"He's right, the spirits will be with us," Sailor Mars said.

Guardian Moon glanced at the group.

"Very well...we shall meet again," he said and nodded quickly. Light exploded from Sailor Earth's staff blinding the scouts. When it cleared the three enemy scouts were gone.

"Any idea where they went Mercury?" Sailor Jupiter quickly asked.

"The energy blinded my computer too," Mercury said.

"I really didn't want to fight here," Sailor Mars said.

"Yeah, scaring them off with that talk about spirits really did the trick," Sailor Moon said.

"It's not like I was lying, the spirits are always with us," Sailor Mars said snidely. "I meant that."

"Oh..sorry," Sailor Moon said. "Just thought you didn't want your house trashed."

"Of course I didn't! That doesn't mean I can't be spiritual as well!" Sailor Mars said.

And the two began to argue.

"You almost ruined the moment back there," Tuxedo Mask said to Guardian Neptune.

"Sorry, it's just my way," Neptune said. "Good to see ya though."

Tuxedo Mask sighed.

"Something on your mind Mercury?" Jupiter asked.

"I'm a little worried, those three were willing to fight all of us, does that mean they believe they can take us all on?" Mercury said.

"They could have been bluffing you know," Jupiter said. "Maybe they used Tuxedo Mask's entrance as an excuse to run.

"Sure, they just didn't want to look like chickens," Venus said.

"Maybe," Mercury said. "But I did get a scan of them. They do possess a great deal of power."

"Are they stronger then us?" Jupiter asked.

"That's the thing, the energy they possess is different from the energy we have, even that Sailor Moon has, it's hard to measure precisely, it changes..and...I don't know.." Mercury said.

"Just keep an eye on it I guess," Jupiter said.

"This all comes back to you wanting to be leader!" Sailor Moon snapped.

"How?" Mars said. "Come back to Earth Sailor Moon."

"Don't sidestep the issue!"

"I'm not!" Mars said. "You have no idea what you're talking about."

The rest of the group just stared at the two and sighed.

"Weren't we beyond this?" they all muttered.

"We could have beaten them you know," Guardian Earth said.

"Perhaps," Guardian Moon said. "However, I would prefer to hit and run, or strike when they are not all assembled. Besides, they were right. Taking the battle to holy ground might have unforeseen consequences."

"You were the one who suggested we ambush them there in the first place," Guardian Earth said.

"I've reconsidered. When dealing with matters such as these, it is perhaps better to be careful," Guardian Moon said.

"You act as if we have all the time in the world to do this," Guardian Earth said.

"We don't, that's true enough. However, it is time to shift our focus. The scouts are on their guard, we must wait for it to lower, but there is other things to be done."

"Yeah, so let's do them," Guardian Earth said.

"Don't get impatient, especially now," Moon said.

"He's right, we must do everything with care," Sailor Earth said.

"You're the leader," Guardian Earth said. "What's our next move?"

"I will find that out soon enough."

"You be careful Chad, all right?" Raye said as he got ready to head off.

"Sure Raye, I'll let you know how things are going," Chad said with a grin and headed down the steps.

"He is a brave warrior," Motoki said.

"Motoki, what'd I say about interfering," Raye said.

"How am I interfering, merely making a statement," Motoki said. "I came to ask you if I might prepare dinner."

"What did you have in mind?" Raye asked.

"A special dish I have learned."

"I didn't know you were a chef."

"I am nowhere near one, however, I do believe I can cook adequately."

"All right, give it a shot," Raye said.

Motoki nodded and headed off.

"This is going to be strange," she said to herself and then headed into the fire room.

She crouched before the fires, and bent down to pray.

"Sacred fires, tell me why these scouts are fighting against us," she chanted.

The fires crackled and rose.

She concentrated. Her eyes snapped open.

"Revenge..." she said to herself. "Why revenge? What have we done? That can't be all there is..please spirits tell me why they seek revenge."

The fires died down.

"No..why can't you help me?" Raye asked.

The fires didn't respond.

"Perhaps that means something too," Raye said. "Guess we'll have to figure out why they want revenge. But revenge for what?"

She stood up and headed for the door. She slid it open and found Rick standing in the yard.

"Rick..what brings you by," Raye said dismissing the fact that every time she opened a door someone was waiting for her.

"Uh..well.uh..my father kicked me out of the house..sort of...uh..actually my room doesn't exist exactly..uh..well..could I stay here...for a few days?"

"Rick you don't have to be nervous about asking," Raye said. "Sure you can. Just don't fight with Motoki."

"Motoki's here?"

"Didn't I tell you?" Raye asked.

"No," Rick said.

"Must have slipped my mind. Yes, he's here to train," Raye said.

"I see," Rick said.

"Rick...is something wrong?" Raye asked.

"No..no..just a little surprised that's all," Rick said.

"Motoki-san," Raye said peering into the kitchen.

"Yes, Raye-san," Motoki replied.

"Come out here, I want you to meet someone," Raye said.

"Uh..well all right," Motoki said and walked out the door.

"This is Rick Fujimori," Raye said. "My boyfriend."

Motoki bowed.

"You are a fortunate man, Fujimori," Motoki said.

"I know it," Rick said. "A swordsman are you?"

"Yes, I practice the art."

"A respectable undertaking," Rick said.

"Rick's going to be staying with us for a few days," Raye said.

"Ah..I see, then I will prepare more dinner," Motoki said and headed back into the kitchen.

"You two didn't hit it off well," Raye said.

"What do you expect, we're guys, we don't just meet and become best friends, respect has to be earned."

"I guess," Raye said. "Just don't get into any fights."

"Trust me, fighting's what got me into this mess."

"Mess? You mean living here?"

"No, no, this is fine, everything else is a mess," Rick said.

"Oh..all right," Raye said.

Rick grinned.

"How could what we have ever been considered a mess," Rick said slipping into a more charming tone.

Raye grinned.

"Now that's more like it," she said.

"That's what I thought," Rick said.

At the A.P.T. house.

"Hmm...bananas," Mike said staring at the yellow fruit. "How do you think these evolved?"

"Evolved?" Greg asked.

"Sure, why the curve? What made that the right way for it to be," Mike said.

"I don't know, it's complex adaptation," Greg said.

"Hmm..I guess," Mike said. "Never trusted bananas, they just weren't straightforward enough."

"Mike, just what made you what you are?" Greg asked.

"That is a good question," Mike said. "But as always, I have questions, yet so few answers."

"You have plenty of answers, just none of them happen to be right," Greg said.

"Touche," Mike said. "Wanna play pokemon?" he asked getting out his game boy.

"I have to keep an eye on the surveillance camera," Greg said.

"Well won't it alert you if something's happening?" Mike asked.

"Yes, but still it's best to keep better track of it," Greg said.

"All right," Mike said. "Fair enough. I'll play pokemon."

"Mike, do you play Pokemon loudly or quietly," Greg asked.

"Ah..now there's a question," Mike said.

"Never mind," Greg said and typed something onto his computer.

"Hah, another victory for the forces of Mike! Bulbasaur is invincible!"

Greg sighed.

"Actually, I have good news, I have to make a phone call," Mike said.

"You mean I'll actually get several minutes without your company?" Greg asked.

"Uh huh," Mike said.

"Oh..what should I do with such a bountiful blessing?"

"The sarcasm, it's really taking over hasn't it?"

"No, it only swings by when you show up."

"Ah..well I've brought out more than one emotion someone never thought they could feel in my short life"

"You were leaving.." Greg said.

Mike grinned.

"Hey Alina," Mike said into the phone.

"Hi Mike!" Alina said. "How are you?"

"Fine, fine, and you?"

"I'm happy, cheerful, you know the usual."

"Excellent," Mike said. "So how's your summer going?"

"All right, but I wish you'd come by."

"I was planning to, you know me, just..things came up."

"Mike..what could possibly come up that'd be more important than me?"

"You know that's a very good point, I'm not sure," Mike said. "It's all a matter of perception."

"Don't give me that, we're going on a date tomorrow."

"We are?"

"Uh huh, I've got our day all planned out."

"You do?"

"Sure, Mike, someone has to take the initiative."

"You know you're right," Mike said. "When should I come by your house?"

"Surprise me," Alina said.

"I'm all for that, but I don't want to surprise your folks."

"They're out of town."

"That's always a good sign," Mike said nervously.

"It'll be fun!" Alina said.

"Can't wait," Mike said. "Bye."

"Bye!" Alina shouted.

Mike hung up.

Mike sighed.

"You don't seem very enthusiastic," Amy said walking out of the kitchen.

"It's not that, I like Alina a lot," Mike said. "I just hate to think of girls as girlfriends."

"You dated Mina."

"That's exactly why," Mike said. "See, you know me, I'm a bit of a weirdo."

"You? A weirdo? That thought never occurred to me."

"Yes, well..you see..I realized that I'm not the kind of guy who's big on commitment, or for that the matter the realization of any romantic goal, I'm sort of ambiguous."

"What exactly do you mean?" Amy asked.

"I mean, I..don't really like to keep it as simple as guy and girl. I uh...you know like to bounced around."

"Two time you mean?"

"No...no...see that's the thing, I don't want it to be two timing, I choose exploration instead, I mean, if I'm not dating anyone, how can I two time?"

"That's a good point, but you're dating Alina," Amy said.

"Not if I can help it," Mike said. "See I haven't called her because I hadn't come up with a way to deal with all this."

"That's no reason not to call her," Amy said.

"It is for me," Mike said. "Because I..uh..have been uh, spending time, key words there, with uh...other girls."

"You have?" Amy asked her interest rising."

"Sure," Mike said. "But not cheating, no...that's not how I work, Mina cheats, I don't."

"Are you in denial?" Amy asked.

"Absolutely not," Mike said.

"Well as long as you're sure," Amy said with a grin.

"Ehh..you ever wonder what you would be if you weren't a scientist?" Doctor Richter asked.

"Hmm..good question," Doctor Tomoe said. "Never thought about it much."

"I'd be a zoo keeper."

"Zoo keeper?"

"Sure, I could hang around animals, but not have to study them, just clean up."

"Well I guess that has some advantages," Tomoe said.

"I've always been fascinated by other forms of life."

"So why aren't you an animal scientist?" Tomoe asked.

"Because this pays more," Richter said. "And besides, how many famous zoologists do you know of?"

"None. So you're in it for fame?"

"Sure."

"Well I guess you've got it."

"Not enough of it. I still want a Nobel prize."

"Don't we all?" Tomoe said.

"Bet you I'll get one first."

"I don't care."

"Aw..come on, friendly wager."

"No," Tomoe said.

"You're no fun."

The doors opened and General Patterson walked in.

"Well..how goes it?" Patterson asked.

"The research goes well, my colleague's mental health continues to decline," Tomoe said.

"Well mad scientists always get more done anyway," Patterson said.

"Ah...I see I'm not alone in my belief in that philosophy," Richter said.

"You've already done enough damage Richter," Tomoe said.

"Honestly, how close are you to succeeding with the project?" Patterson asked.

"Honestly?" Tomoe asked. "Six years."

"Six years?" Patterson said.

"Could be five," Richter said.

"You know it that exactly?" Patterson asked.

"Yes, we've been afraid to let anyone know this," Tomoe said. "But we need some advancements to be made in other fields before we believe we can get all the components together for proper use of this energy. I mean we can make a couple of energy weapons like we did, but aside from that, forget shooting a rocket up with them."

"Not for five years anyway," Richter said.

"I see, well that should get some of the pressure off," Patterson said.

"Pressure?" The two scientists asked.

"Of course, every major power in the world wants to know what's going on," Patterson said. "They're afraid of this you know."

"And what have you been telling them?" Doctor Richter asked.

"Nothing," Patterson said with a grin. "But sooner or later they'll find out."

The two doctors glanced at each other.

"I suppose so," Tomoe said. "We will have to prove this project's importance and practicality to the world."

"Good luck," Patterson said.

An alarm began to go off.

"What's that," Tomoe said.

"Security alert, " Patterson said drawing his gun and heading for a communications unit.

"What's the situation?" he asked.

"Sir, someone's attacking, they're using some sort of energy weapons!" a soldier replied.

"Have you gotten a look at them?" he asked. "How many are there?"

"Three sir!"

"Three," Patterson said. "I'm on my way," he headed for the door.

"You two stay here, and secure the energy!"

"Oh joy...it's started already," Tomoe muttered.

"Let the fun begin."

"This is pathetic!" Guardian Earth said blasting several soldiers to the ground as the three scouts ran into the base.

"Don't they have any defenses?" Earth muttered.

"We cannot expect them to," Sailor Earth said. "What could they possibly use against us?"

A wave of energy flew down the hall at them.

They all ducked it and took up a fighting position.

"Well, well, well, looks like I'll have to skip my coffee break," Jaedite said standing in the hallway in front of them.

"You!" Guardian Earth said in surprise.

"Ah, I see, what is your name warrior?" Guardian Moon said.

"Jaedite is my name, and you will soon come to fear it," Jaedite said launching another attack.

Sailor Earth swung her staff and blocked the energy.

"Jaedite is not your true name," Guardian Moon said. "Let me show you the truth."

"Hah!" Jaedite said. "Just try it!"

He unleashed another barrage.

The three scouts avoided it.

"He possesses a good deal of power," Sailor Earth said. "But I can sense he has limits."

"Indeed he must," Guardian Moon said.

"You should just head back the way you came," Jaedite said.

"I think not," Guardian Moon said.

"It was nice of the army to give my family free hotel rooms," Serena said.

"It was very nice of the army to do so," Amy said. "Thank goodness."

"Yeah I know, they can be a little crazy some time. My father's been known to lose his temper on occasion. You know what I don't like though....these scouts we're fighting, how could they possibly be who they say they are?"

"Well I don't know Serena, maybe we haven't been told the whole story."

"But how can their be a Guardian Moon? Just what's the deal with him?"

"I'm not sure Serena," Amy said.

"And why haven't we heard from them before?"

"All good questions," Amy said. "I hope we can find out the answers."

"I hate mysteries," Serena said. "It's bad enough when someone shows up bent on hurting or killing you, it's worse when you have no idea why, and even if they had a reason, it can't be a good one."

"That's probably true," Amy said.

"Well..just more fighting I guess," Serena said. "I really shouldn't be surprised."

"It's just something we have to do," Amy said.

"And how about that Raye huh?" Serena said. "Taking over like that."

"But Luna told her too."

"And where is Luna?"

"She went looking for Artemas."

"There's your answer right there," Serena said.

"What do you mean?" Amy asked.

"Everything's going mad Amy, can't you tell?"

"I hadn't noticed," Amy said.

"Just you wait, you'll get swept up in it," Serena said.

"I hope not....but then again..maybe I've stumbled into it unwillingly."

"Oh..really?"

Amy sighed.

"Fraid so."

"This is interesting Motoki-san," Raye said after swallowing a bite of food.

"I have used a delicate blend of spices," Motoki said.

"Well it's good," Raye said.

"I'm surprised too," Rick said.

"Ah...I would expect that," Motoki said. "A great man is one who can do not only one thing well, but two things."

"That's not where I wanted to go with it," Rick said.

"Hmm...yes, I see," Motoki said.

Raye glanced at the two.

"Is there some reason you guys hate each other?"

"What?" the two said.

"Who says we hate each other," Rick said.

"I gave no statement to that effect," Motoki said.

"I can tell," Raye said. "Honestly, what has drawn both of you to dislike each other like that."

"Uh.."

Motoki and Rick glanced at each other.

"It is complex," Motoki said.

"It's all about the Y chromosome," Rick said. "No..that's not right at all," he muttered. "It's just something."

"Yes," Motoki said. "However, just because we hate each other now does not mean that such feelings are permanent."

"You two are going to fight aren't you?" Raye asked.

"We can wait till you're asleep if you like?" Motoki asked.

"Now that's a road you don't wanna go down," Rick said.

"Oh," Motoki said.

Raye sighed.

"I'm done," she muttered.

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