.Chapter 325

There they stood, most of the scouts, and the three enemies.

"Any more surprises?" Guardian Moon asked with a grin. "Hmm..but there's still a few missing. Where's Guardian Uranus? I had so hoped to settle this with everyone."

"He'll be along, I think you should be more worried about the rest of us," Guardian Pluto said.

"I quite agree," Nephlite said. "Do you have any idea of the force your facing?"

"I have the advantage of knowing exactly what I'm facing," Guardian Moon said. "You on the other hand do not know the limits to our power."

"I'm growing awful sick of you three," Sailor Moon said. "You show up here, wearing the clothes, and bearing the name of true heroes, and instead you use your powers for evil."

"On the contrary," Guardian Moon said. "You should ask yourself just who your allies are."

"Hmm..could he be referring to us?" Nephlite said.

"You have lost your way Sailor Moon, we must force you back on track," Guardian Moon said.

"What?" Sailor Moon said.

A flash exploded from Sailor Earth's staff. Everyone was blinded.

"What is this!" Malichite shouted.

The flash cleared.

The dark moon family lay on the ground heavily wounded.

"This is just the beginning," Guardian Moon said.

"We'll see!" Guardian Pluto said rushing forward. The scouts followed.

"Hah!" Guardian Earth said and unleashed a wave of energy at them. Several avoided it and launched their own attacks.

Nephlite fired a blast of energy from his hands which smashed into the ground in front of Guardian Moon.

"Let's deal with this annoyance," Malichite said.

"Sorry, you've got me to deal with," Jasen said flying at them. The three former negaverse commanders avoided him and turned to face their former ally.

Chaos ensued. The Sailor and Guardian scouts engaged Sailor Earth and Guardian Earth. Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon stood facing Guardian Moon. The leader of the rogue scouts grinned.

"What's a matter? Are you afraid to attack?" Guardian Moon asked.

"I'm more interested in why you're doing this!" Sailor Moon said. "But if you keep this up I will fight you."

"A true warrior would already be battling me," Guardian Moon said.

"There's more to life then fighting," Sailor Moon said.

"You should remember that when you fight there will be consequences," Guardian Moon said.

"I know," Sailor Moon said. "Do you? I've saved peoples lives, all you seem to want to do is destroy."

"We must protect this planet from the likes of you," Guardian Moon said.

"What?" Sailor Moon said.

"You are weak Sailor Moon, you are still unprepared to deal with the true dangers you face," Guardian Moon said. "I am surprised you have survived this long. Enough..I will fight you now, whether you like it or not."

"Get ready Sailor Moon," Tuxedo Mask said tensing.

"I guess I have no choice," Sailor Moon said.

Rick raced down the street hurriedly making his way towards the Dark Moon travel agency. He was also frantically looking for a place to transform.

There are just so many people around. He thought. And as if I didn't have enough problems. He had no doubt however that he needed to get to the battle, regardless of his personal problems. He couldn't justify not going, not to himself anyway.

He finally slid down a hill and under an aqueduct. He ducked under a bridge and pulled out his power stick.

Someone still might see me, but I'm running out of time here.

"Uranus Star Power!" he shouted and transformed. Soon he was leaping back up through the streets towards the battle.

What he didn't know is that his father was standing on the bridge watching him fade into the city buildings.

"All right I'm going in!" Guardian Neptune shouted.

"Don't be stupid!" Venus shouted.

"Trust me!" Neptune said and leapt off a rooftop sword drawn.

Guardian Earth leapt out of the way and fired off a quick blast of his own. Neptune back flipped out of the way and then let loose a sword blast. Guardian Earth sidestepped it barely, while avoiding other scout attacks in the process.

"You're mine!" Neptune shouted.

"What are you talking about!" Guardian Earth shouted and flung a full attack at Neptune, which connected flinging the scout a block down the street. Earth whirled only to be hit in the head with a punch from Guardian Pluto followed up by Venus's love chain wrapping around him and tugging him awkwardly into Jupiter's Oak Evolution attack.

Earth was blasted backwards. He spun and unleashed another attack into the three before falling to one knee.

Sailor Earth was having other problems. Sailor Mars was weaving in and out launching hand to hand attacks, and not giving her a chance to fight back. Guardian Saturn and a weakened Sailor Mercury were looking for openings.

"You didn't see this coming!" Mars said throwing a spin kick. Sailor Earth ducked. Guardian Moon leapt into the air and swung his sword catching Mars completely by surprise, before jumping away. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask raced after him.

Sailor Earth took the chance and blasted Mars with an energy wave.

"Saturn Blade of Galaxies!" Saturn shouted leaping forward. Sailor Earth spun her staff and knocked the attack back towards him. Saturn leapt over the attack and drew his sword swinging towards her. Sailor Earth blocked the attack with her staff and the two began to parry.

"Moon Tiara Magic!" Sailor Moon shouted launching her attack.

"Fraid not," Guardian Moon said blasting it away with his sword. Tuxedo Mask leapt at an angle and came around launching roses.

Guardian Moon swung around his cape, flew through the air and knocked the roses down.

"He's good," Sailor Moon said in shock.

"No time for compliments," Tuxedo Mask said and the two continued their pursuit.

In the air above Jasen was keeping the three negaverse generals very occupied.

"Jeez..this isn't working!" Zoisite said diving out of the way of another attack.

"It would help if we knew how to work together," Nephlite said.

"Unfortunately we have little time to learn," Malichite said.

"Hah! I am more than a match for you!" the former Jaedite said swinging his sword.

"And he was such a loser when he was with Beryl too," Zoisite muttered batting at him with an ice sword.

"Let me try something, cover me," he said.

Zoisite and Malichite threw their attacks. Jasen avoided them. Suddenly twelve more Nephlite's appeared in the air.

"This stupid trick," Zoisite muttered.

"HAH!" The Nephlite's said and dived in. Jasen moved to leap out of the way of them, but was hit by the real Nephlite dropping in on him from above.

"I've gotten better at utilizing such abilities!" Nephlite shouted blasting Jasen to the ground.

"Zoi!" Zoisite shouted throwing a barrage of her pink petal shaped energy at Jasen knocking him further.

"Now I will really show him!" Malichite said forming a ball of dark energy.

"Be careful Malichite," Zoisite said. "Don't let the energy consume you!"

"I'll be fine once I blast him into atoms," Malichite said.

"No..we can't kill him," Zoisite said.

"I know, I know, just let me handle this!" Malichite said and shot his energy ball towards Jasen.

"Aww..geez," Jasen and moved to dodge it only to get clipped by the attack anyway and thrown to the ground.

Guardian Saturn reeled as he was his in the head with Sailor Earth's staff.

"I am more skilled even with this weapon!" she shouted.

Saturn moved to block her next attack.

"Uranus Flame of Desire!" came a shout. Uranus leapt straight at Earth and connected from nearly point blank range.

She was blasted backwards, but as she spun an attack flew out at her.

"Watch it!" Saturn said pushing Uranus away quickly before being slammed into a nearby tree.

"You guys just don't quit!" Uranus shouted drawing his sword.

"Hmm..this is getting ugly," Guardian Moon said dodging more attacks. He flipped open a wrist communicator.

"Let's get out of here!" he shouted.

"Understood," Sailor Earth moaned and her staff glowed.

"What's she doing!" Uranus said.

Guardian Earth fired an energy blast. Uranus dived out of the way.

In a flash the three scouts and Jasen disappeared.

"Great they can teleport too," Sailor Moon muttered.

"Well at least we beat them," Tuxedo Mask said.

"For how long?" Sailor Moon said. "And look at all the damage."

She wiped away a tear from her eyes.

"You all right?" Tuxedo Mask asked.

Sailor Moon just hugged him.

Luna crept down an alley, glancing hurriedly from side to side.

I hate these alleys, you never know when they might be inhabited by one of those cat gangs. What a mess that was. Someone should really do something about them. Maybe they have already, it's been several years.

Where is Artemas? If he was in trouble he would have called wouldn't he? Yes of course he would have. So what is he thinking? I hope he's not...this is annoying having to track him down like this. Just where has he gone!

Something rattled. She stopped quickly and starred waiting for whatever was there to emerge. A figure leapt out from behind a box and landed in front of her. It was a cat, white, yes, but not Artemas. This cat was twice as large, had fangs, and dark black stripes running all across it. It screeched at her.

"This all I need," Luna said and turned to run.

She dashed back down the alley.

She heard something whiz by her ear. She dived to the side and whirled. The cat still stood at the end of the alley, but it was standing upright and it's paws were glowing.

"WHAT in the world?" Luna shouted in shock.

"Well this is a wonderful sight here," Chief Ozaki muttered leaning against his car. "I mean jeez..how much property damage we got here?"

"Looks like several hundred thousand at least," Captain Ozaki said looking at the damage.

"You'd think they could go out and fight in a field or something," Chief Ozaki muttered.

"That makes the most sense Chief, but it seems those rogue scouts were after the people who worked here," Lieutenant Nelson said walking up.

"Ah..I see," the Chief said. "Any idea why?"

"Not as yet," Lieutenant Nelson lied. "But I'm sure they've got their reasons."

"This doesn't fit," Chief Ozaki said. "I mean, a girls house, the SDF labs, now a travel agency. Just what do they want?"

"Maybe there's some connection," Captain Ozaki said. "Perhaps we should investigate it further."

"Chief, why don't I take up the investigation," Lieutenant Nelson said. "I mean I have some experience with this."

"So do I," Captain Ozaki said.

"Fine, fine, both of you do it," Chief Ozaki said.

The two other officers glanced at each other.

"And find out what's going on will ya?" Chief Ozaki muttered.

Luna raced down the street now heavily pursued by the energy flinging cat.

Fortunately I'm faster than he is. She thought and rounded a corner. She skidded to a stop as another cat leapt in front of her. It growled and it's eyes went red.

"Another one!" she shouted and dived out of the way of the cat's attack.

"This is getting out of hand," she thought and raced down the street again. I really don't need this kind of stress right now.

"A tough battle was it?" Urawa Motoki asked.

"Incredibly," Rick replied.

"Raye will recover with some rest though."

"Yeah," Rick said.

"You are disturbed by something."

"It's personal."

"I understand," Motoki said.

"Look I gotta go, watch over her will you?"

"Of course," Motoki said.

Rick got up and headed for the steps, turning back for a minute and then walking down.

Now I get to face my father again. This should be fun. He sighed.

"I hate this Darrien," Serena said.

"I know."

"All my friends hurt, and this time I couldn't even do anything."

"We kept Guardian Moon from doing more damage."

"But he got Raye bad, while we were fighting him," Serena said.

"It happens," Darrien said. "We did our best."

"Sometimes telling myself that doesn't even begin to help. Why do they insist on fighting! Why is it so necessary, and these are scouts too. You heard what he said. He thinks he right in what he's doing, whatever it is."

"I know," Darrien said. "We just have to do what we can."

"Why don't they ever listen to reason? I mean Gala was more reasonable and she was out to dominate the galaxy."

"How do we know these three aren't out to do worse."

"They're not, I know that," Serena said. "And Raye says they're out for revenge. This is more complex then it seems. I know it."

"How exactly?"

"It's just the way things are going. That's what gets to me. I know these three have deeper feelings inside, yet they don't show them,"

"Serena, you're making a lot of assumptions."

"No, I'm never wrong about these things. I can tell."

"All right, you have a point," Darrien said. "But still at the moment they seem more interested in a fight, so we have to give them one."

"I just don't get it. Why should they be harder to deal with. They're human aren't they?"

"From appearances only."

"Yes, but it should be easier to talk with them then with evil forces."

"They are evil."

"No they're not Darrien, they're scouts, they have a purpose, and for some reason they believe they need to get my crystal and destroy the negaenergy."

"It just doesn't make sense though," Darrien said.

"Not yet, " Serena said. "But it doesn't matter I guess, they're here and they're not willing to negotiate. It would be easier if they would. I just don't know how much longer I can do this."

"We all feel that way," Darrien said.

"You should, you've had it the worst," Serena said.

"Well..I don't like to dwell on it," Darrien said.

"Darrien, let's face this together all right?" Serena asked.

Darrien nodded.

"Let's do what we've never done before. Let's help each other get through this."

"Serena you've always helped."

"Yeah, but I really want to tackle this thing, let's get our lives back to normal all right?"

"If such a thing is possible," Darrien said.

"It is," Serena said. "Trust me...but I know it won't be easy either."

"Well all right," Darrien said. "Let's get through this."

"So..you've come back," Mister Fujimori said standing in the front hallway of his house.

"Of course I came back," Rick said.

"And just where did you go?"

"To think things over."

"Ah..I see.." his father said. "Not a bad idea, considering all you have to think about."

"We still have a lot to settle," Rick said angrily.

"Sure we do," his father said. "Let me ask you something? If you were to marry this girlfriend of yours."

"What?"

"Bear with me here...if you were to marry her, how long would you stay with her?"

"Forever, of course."

"HAH! Human beings die Rick, you know that!"

Rick was hit hard by that statement, given the circumstances.

"You expect to live long with her around?"

"What do you mean?"

"I'll tell you what I mean, how long did you think you could keep from me that your one of those scouts huh!"

"WHAT!"

"Yeah! Saw you fighting, nice job there, saw your girl get trashed. Let me ask you, do you expect to keep surviving those battles? One of you is going to die sooner or later!"

Rick was in shock, and the words his father was speaking was not helping.

"Just how did you join up with them anyway! Are you even thinking straight! I mean let's just be hypothetical, you're a scout, your girlfriend's a scout, and you go off to fight evil together. Are you kidding? That relationship won't last!"

"It's more than that!" Rick shouted. "More than you could know!"

"Yeah that'd be a wonderful family you got there, son, mommy and daddy have to go fight evil today, we may not come back alive, you just play in the yard!"

Rick lunged forward and knocked his father into a wall.

"Let me tell you something, pop! I have a duty, a responsibility to this planet to fight these forces, I have to do it, and I want you to know something, I did die!"

His father looked on in horror.

"Yeah, that's right, I was blasted dead, I went to the afterlife, and Raye came and got me, risking her own life in the process! You think I don't know the risks! I know it all, and I won't let you stand between me and her, or me and my duty."

"You...get out..." his father said. "Go with her...I don't care...I don't even understand you anymore..what are you?"

"What do you mean?" Rick said.

"Get out!" his father said.

Rick realized that he really could do nothing else. He hurried to the door.

Luna slid down a hill. Twelve cats chased after her.

It was bad enough when they didn't have energy attacks. She thought as she raced into a sewer tunnel.

"This seems familiar," she said to herself. She then realized this was the tunnel she had raced down only years before and had been joined in the tunnel by a swarm of rats. I wonder if they're still around.

She heard a squeak.

"Oh no," She said and dived into another tunnel. A horde of rats went racing by. She then heard several cats yelling. Then a blast of energy blew down the corridor.

What a mess. Luna thought. To her surprise a large rat stomped down the tunnel by her and from it's mouth rippled a wave of energy.

What is going on down here? Luna thought and hurried down a side tunnel. She emerged in a central area. Water was flowing out of tunnels. Luna looked around trying to make sure it was safe.

She dropped to the ground.

"Oh great another one," came a voice. She turned and found herself starring right at a monster.

"Feeling better?" Rick asked.

"Sure," Raye said. "I've taken hits like that before."

"I know," Rick said and sighed.

"What is it?" Raye asked. "You look depressed."

"Hey..I'm tired, the battle and all," Rick said.

"Yeah, I guess it took a lot out of all of us."

"Sure did, well we won, and that's worth something."

"We never lose in the end," Raye said with a slight grin.

"Supposedly," Rick said.

"Well.." Raye said.

Rick began to sob.

Raye climbed out of bed.

"Rick what is it?" she said hurriedly.

Luna backed up quickly.

"Don't be afraid little kitty," the monster said. "So what's your special power?"

Luna meowed.

"Hmm..wait a second, I know you," the monster said. "The crescent moon, you're Sailor Moon's cat, the talking one."

"What!" Luna said.

"Well at least I'm right," the monster said.

"But how did you.."

"I'm the Sewer Daimon."

"You're the what?"

"I was left over from Doc Tomoe's experiments, I decided that fighting Sailor Uranus and Neptune was going to be kinda stupid, so I just hung out here."

"Oh," Luna said.

"It's good that you're here."

"How could it possibly be?"

"I'm guessing you ran into the super cats."

"And super rats."

"Ah..and I bet you're wondering what's going on?"

"Well yes," Luna said.

"Let me show you, be careful though," the monster said. He moved down a tunnel. Luna followed.

"I'll protect you while you're down here," the daimon said. "Anyway..you see that originally they cleared the sewers out of evil energy. I should know I did a lot of running from the attacks, anyway, but in all the battles that have followed, some of that energy has fallen down here again. And you see that right down this tunnel is a collecting pool for water, but not good water either, bad water... now possessed with negaenergy."

"You're kidding," Luna said.

"Nope, look," the daimon said. And pointing. Luna could see the pool crackling and glowing.

"Fortunately this water doesn't go to anyone, but cats and rats occasionally come down here, and when they do, instant high powered animal," the daimon said.

"Jeez...I've got to tell the scouts about this."

"I'll get you to the surface."

"Thank you," Luna said.

There was a screech. The two whirled. Standing in the tunnel was a tall white cat about five feet tall.

"Sometimes they grow," the daimon said. "But these guys can't get out of the doors, and they hate the water so they don't swim."

Luna didn't hear what he said. Her gaze was transfixed on the cat and the golden crescent moon sitting on it's forehead.

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