Chapter 326

"Artemas," Luna said in shock.

"You know em?" The daimon asked.

"Yes, we have to save him," Luna said.

"Any ideas," the daimon said.

Artemas growled and formed an energy ball in his paws.

"Time to go!" the daimon said grabbing Luna and diving down a tunnel.

"We have to go back."

"Listen, you know the scouts, they can heal him, but we can't do anything, I'm going to get you to safety."

"I guess you're right," Luna said.

Artemas raced down the tunnel after him.

"He's fast," the daimon observed. "That's okay, I'm faster."

"Just be careful," Luna said.

The daimon just laughed and rounded a corner.

"Rick..you all right?" Raye asked.

"Sure, sure," Rick said. "I've got a handle on it."

"Good," Raye said. "I don't blame you for feeling this way though."

"My father's not being fair,"Rick said. "And now he knows everything."

"True," Raye said. "But we can work that out."

"In my seventeen years, I've never seen anyone work it out with him."

"Well that doesn't mean he hasn't."

"Raye, he's not the kind of guy who changes his mind," Rick said.

"Listen Rick, don't worry about it," Raye said. "You're upset for more reasons than that."

"I had to tell him everything..how I died...do you know how hard that is for me. It doesn't matter that I know what's beyond, I don't want to die again, every battle I jump into I worry about it. Even now..and he..just.didn't understand."

"Rick..it's all right, calm down."

"I'm calm."

"All right then. Listen I'll stay here."

"No, no..Raye I'm not a four year old, I can handle it."

"Rick, you're human."

"You need to rest Raye."

"I'm fine," Raye said. "I've got you to worry about."

"No don't worry, I'm doing okay, you should rest up, the battle took a lot out of you."

"I've got it back," Raye said.

Rick sighed.

"Guess I'm just not going to win this one am I?"

"No," Raye said. "I'm more stubborn then you are."

"That I know," Rick said managing a slight grin. "Stubborn as stubborn can be, in fact, I don't even think I could get as stubborn as you are."

Raye growled.

Darrien was leaning against the doorframe of Greg's room.

"Tough day huh?" he asked.

"Believe it or not I'm more concerned about Rick," Greg said.

"Really? He's not the one who got smashed into a tree," Darrien said.

"Yes, but I was surprised I had to push him out of the way, he didn't seem to be reacting fast enough. After the battle he seemed distracted. I wonder what's wrong."

"Hmm..guess you're right. But I'd worry about getting your strength back up."

"It's not so bad," Greg said. "Provided I don't move more than an inch or so."

"You fought hard today, like a leader should."

"I'm no leader," Greg said. "I run the guardian scouts in name only."

"Still, you set a good example, going one on one with Sailor Earth like that."

"That was stupid," Greg said. "But necessary. I knew if she got one opening she would exploit, unfortunately, she did."

"But in the meantime, you on your own, kept her busy, you did great today. I admit I was a little off."

"Darrien, we all have off days, and while in a perfect world we scouts would do everything right all the time, we've got so much hanging over us, we should be happy we do this well," Greg said.

"Guess you're right," Darrien said.

"So Amy, feeling better?" Serena asked.

"I've had it worse," Amy said wincing slightly. "We know one thing."

"Yeah?"

"It's not wise to make a frontal assault on those scouts," Amy said.

"That's the truth," Serena said. "I really don't like those scouts."

She sensed her communicator going off.

"Uh oh," she said and hurriedly answered it. Luna appeared.

"Serena, where are you?" Luna said.

"Uh..well..I'm at Amy's. Why?" Serena asked.

"I've found Artemas, but it's more complex than that, can you meet me at the corner of tenth and Elm?" Luna asked.

"Well sure, what's the problem?"

"It's hard to explain, but it's going to require Sailor Moon."

"O..kay..I'm on my way," Serena said and turned off her communicator. "I wonder what this is all about."

"Guess you'll find out," Amy said.

"I hate surprises, especially right now," Serena said. "You rest up Amy, we're going to need your brain to win this fight."

Amy nodded. Serena hurried out.

"Come on Darrien."

"What?"

"We've got a mission."

"We do? Where? What?"

"I'll explain on the way," Serena said.

"All right..." Darrien said unsurely.

"What..happened to you?" Mister Leslie said in surprise as his son limped into his house.

"Oh you know how there was that big fight today," Mike said.

"Yeah?"

"Well I kinda stumbled into it."

"That figures," his father said. "Are you all right?"

"Sure, just some bruises. The docs checked me out there, I'm fine."

"All right," his father said. "Guess these paranormal wars have a way of interfering in everyone's lives huh."

"Oh yeah," Mike said.

"Oh..Alina called by the way."

"Great," Mike muttered.

"Why that response?"

"I honestly don't know," Mike said.

"What scares me is that I know you're serious," his father said.

"Doesn't do much for my emotional health either," Mike replied.

"Are you going to break up with her or something?"

"Absolutely not. I think."

"Mike, I think it's time we had a talk about drugs," his father said.

"You say that every week!" Mike snapped.

"Honestly, I hope this has nothing to do with those scouts, I thought we had beaten them pretty bad," Sailor Moon said walking down a street.

"Well, you beat two of them badly," Tuxedo Mask said.

"Yeah, well...I've had enough of them for one day," Sailor Moon said.

"I know what you mean," Tuxedo Mask.

"What's that?"

"What?"

Sailor Moon stopped and stared in a store window.

"Is that?" Tuxedo Mask said in surprise.

"It is," Sailor Moon said.

The two were staring at a poster. It featured a large picture of Chad giving a thumbs up while being surrounded by a sea of girls. The caption read:

From the ashes of the Big Crushers, there rose CHAD.

"Chad...the album?" Sailor Moon said in shock.

"Maybe we were wrong to not let Galaxia take over," Tuxedo Mask said.

"I wouldn't go that far," Sailor Moon said. "Let's go."

"I'm worried about you Mike," his father said.

"Look dad, trust me I'm not using any drugs. Look here's what I know, if you take LSD, you experience hallucinations that alter reality right, I mean you can see dogs and cats dancing and stuff, you know...flying pigs, and the like."

"You seem to know a lot about it," his father said suspiciously.

"I go to high school," Mike said dismissively. "But look, the hallucinations I have aren't nearly as interesting. In fact, if you could ever listen to a conversation between the voices in my head, it wouldn't be something to talk about. Most of the time, it's just 'pass the salt Mike', and then another voice saying, 'no you already have enough'. And it kinda goes on from there," Mike said.

"Mike maybe we should have a talk about mental institutions."

"Too bad you didn't give that talk to Lara ey?"

Mike's father sighed.

"Hah!" Mike said. "I've gotta call back Alina," he said and flipped out of his chair and hurried up the stairs.

"So that's what's happening huh?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Yes, Sailor Moon, you've got to go down there and purge the water supply of the energy," Luna said.

"Why is it always the sewer?" Sailor Moon muttered. "What is it, the third time now?"

"I think," Tuxedo Mask said.

"Just do it Sailor Moon!" Luna snapped.

"All right, all right," Sailor Moon said. "Lead the way."

"What should I do huh?" Rick asked.

"You have to talk to your father," Raye said. "But when you're ready."

"I want this settled," Rick said.

"Then I'll go with you," Raye said.

"I don't think you should, I don't want you to be drawn into this."

"Rick, I'm your girlfriend, I'd like to think I'm even more than that."

"You are."

"Then we'll face him together."

"All right," Rick said.

"I'm not about to let you stand alone, when you need me."

"That's good Raye, but right now you need to rest."

"I'm rested," Raye said.

"But you took a hit."

"I've taken plenty of hits, this is nothing," Raye said standing.

"Raye, I think we should just wait a little while."

"All right," Raye said sitting down. "I don't want you feeling even more stress over this."

"Thank you," Rick said.

"But soon, let's get this behind us."

"I don't know if it'll ever be behind me."

"Whatever it is, at least will move ahead."

"All right," Rick said.

"I'm the Sewer Daimon, pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Uh..yeah hi," Sailor Moon said.

"Forgive if we don't shake hands, you live in a sewer and all," Tuxedo Mask said.

"Fair enough," The sewer daimon replied. "Well let's go find the mysterious pool shall we?"

"Can't wait," Sailor Moon said.

The group started off.

"Say..uh..so how come you aren't evil?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Doctor Tomoe didn't create me right I guess," the Sewer Daimon said. "I talked to him a few months ago, that's what he figured happened, he just didn't mix the chemicals correctly."

"Ah.." Sailor Moon said. "How fortunate for you then."

"Well kinda," the sewer daimon said. "It's fun down here I guess, but I've always dreamed of being free to fly in the sky above, as a bird."

"Really?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Hah! No, but it sounds good anyway," the sewer daimon said. "Sorry, I had to develop a sense of humor living down here."

"Hah, so you did," Sailor Moon muttered.

"So where do you live?" Tuxedo Mask asked.

"Oh I've got this abandoned section cleared out. I've been occasionally scrounging up furniture and stuff," the sewer daimon said.

"Haven't run into any sword wielding turtles have ya?" Tuxedo Mask asked.

"Not yet, are they known to be down here?" the daimon asked.

"Just a little joke," Tuxedo Mask said.

"Ah.." the daimon said.

"I don't know what's he talking about either," Sailor Moon said.

"I'm just making conversation," Tuxedo Mask said.

They heard a screech from down the hall.

"Let me guess," Sailor Moon said.

"We're getting close," Luna said.

"So how tall is Artemas again?" Sailor Moon said.

"Tall enough," Luna said.

"And he fires bolts of energy?" Sailor Moon asked.

"Sure."

"Great, that's what I liked to hear," Sailor Moon muttered drawing her scepter.

"All right..lets get this started," she said.

A swarm of cats came racing down the tunnel.

"Welcoming committee," the daimon said.

"Moon Crystal Healing Activation!" Sailor Moon shouted firing blasts of white energy flying down the tunnel. The cats were hit and immediately fell unconscious.

"Of course you know we somehow have to get these cats out of here after were done don't we?" Tuxedo Mask asked.

"In theory yes," Sailor Moon said. "Depends on how tired I am."

They heard a roar.

"Well here we go," she said.

A giant cat rumbled down the tunnel.

Sailor Moon sighed.

"Gonna be a long day," she said.

"Uh hi Alina," Mike said into the phone. "No I was just out. Yeah, sure, you know doing Mike stuff. A date? Tomorrow? Well let's see, guess I'm free. No I'm excited really I am. I'm just tired. Mike stuff can be exhausting. Sure I'll tell you what Mike stuff is someday, right..bye.."

Mike hung up the phone and sighed.

"Well, that's just great," Mike said. "What's my problem anyway?"

Sailor Moon gasped for breath.

"They could have been nice enough to let us get here before attacking us seven straight times," Sailor Moon muttered staring at the pool of negaenergy water.

"Well they didn't," The sewer daimon said.

"All right, let's take care of this," Sailor Moon said and moved closer. "I'm going to shoot here and then down the sewer okay?"

"We still haven't found Artemas," Luna said.

"That's probably a good thing," The daimon said.

"Moon crystal healing activation!"

Sailor Moon blasted the energy pool. The group heard a whine as the pool was cleansed of energy.

"Why did it whine like that?" Sailor Moon asked in surprise.

"Woah..what happened?" Artemas said stumbling into the room, he was normal sized again.

"Artemas! Thank goodness."

"Guess when you destroyed this, you must have destroyed the energy in all the cats, at least we can hope that," Tuxedo Mask said.

"I'll keep an eye on it," the sewer daimon said. "If there's any more trouble I'll let ya know."

"That's nice of you," Sailor Moon said.

"Now let me show you out of here," the daimon said. "After taking your pure heart of course."

"What?" Sailor Moon snapped.

"Just kidding!" the daimon said and started laughing.

"How'd you get down here anyway?" Luna asked.

"I fell in an open manhole," Artemas said.

"Be more careful," Luna said.

"Sorry. Did I miss anything?" Artemas asked.

"Sure you did," Luna said. "As usual."

"Hey, why do you talk about me as if I'm some sort of slacker."

"Because Artemas...oh never mind, welcome back," Luna said. "Let's get out of here all right?"

"Couldn't agree more," Artemas said.

At the Cherry Hill temple.

"Hey! Rick! You in there!" his father shouted.

"Ahh..geez, he's come for me," Rick said.

"Then we'll talk to him now," Raye said.

"I hate this," Rick said.

"Don't worry," Raye said. "Now come along."

Rick sighed.

"And who the heck are you?" Mister Fujimori said.

"I am Urawa Motoki, you are desecrating the sanctity of this temple," Motoki said.

"Ah...is it a fight you want then?"

"I do not want a fight, however I suspect you are going to try and start one."

"You got that right!" Fujimori said leaping forward. Motoki dodged it.

"If I should turn offensive, you will not last long," Motoki said.

"You underestimate me!" Fujimori shouted unleashing an attack. Motoki dodged it.

"No, I believe I have you understood very well," Motoki said.

"Stop it both of you!" Raye shouted.

Fujimori slid to a stop.

Motoki took up a defensive stance.

"Ah...so there you are," he said looking at the pair.

"Why did you come here?" Rick asked.

"Came to get you," his father said. "I may be angry, but I've finally made up my mind. You're not going to be associated with her, or her crime fighting hero group. You're going to survive!"

"Oh, so now it's about my survival all of the sudden," Rick said.

"Rick..don't.." Raye said.

"What's your problem old man! Why is it you really don't want me to be with Raye?"

"You told me what the problem was. I couldn't put my finger on it, but now I knew, she's one of those scouts, I sensed she was going to lead to trouble, I knew that years ago, but now I figured it all out."

"She's going to lead to trouble?" Rick said angrily. "Sure she did, but we got through it, and it wasn't her fault!"

"Hah!" his father said. "You two aren't right for each other. She's an orphan, you've got a family. She's got nothing to lose. You've got everything."

"I've got nothing to lose," Raye said. "What do you mean, nothing to lose? I have a life too you know."

"Yeah, well I've read about your types, you get angry, vengeful, curse the world, you don't amount to anything, you just become trouble."

"What are you reading!" Raye shouted. "You're being unfair! I love Rick!"

Despite the fact that they had exchanged words before, Rick was still surprised by the strength of the words.

"Oh..you love Rick do ya?" Mister Fujimori said. "And I suppose that you love her too huh?"

"Yeah, I do," Rick said.

"Well that's wonderful," Mister Fujimori said. "I've got a son who's going to get himself killed."

"I think you need to do some serious thinking father," Rick said. "You have got things all wrong."

"Is it wrong that I don't want to lose you!"

"No it's wrong that you think you will lose me by letting be with a girl."

"You don't understand!" Mister Fujimori said. "Why can't you understand?"

"Understand what?"

Mister Fujimori took a few seconds to calm down.

"Listen..Rick..you have so much promise. I don't want you to rush. She's rushing you."

"I am not," Raye said.

"Oh yeah, well he's living here isn't he?"

"I take anyone in who is in need," Raye said. "Like Motoki there."

"Do ya? So? I call it like I see it," Fujimori said. "All I know is that you seem to be moving quickly."

"We go on dates dad," Rick said.

"Hah..Rick..you're more mature then this, can't you see that there's a time and place for everything."

"Dad, I'm wasn't mature until I met Raye."

"What?" Raye and Mister Fujimori said.

"That's right, she made me realize things, that I had taken for granted, or had you forgotten that I was bringing home a different girl every week before that."

"That was healthy," his father said. "You were feeling things out. But to settle down with one girl this early, never mind all that dying and fighting stuff. Rick you should be out there exploring."

"You just don't like me. Is that it?" Raye asked.

"No, you're pretty nice and all, but I don't want Rick to make a mistake. I want him to be sure, and frankly, I think he's given up too quickly."

"I don't think finding the girl of my dreams is giving up," Rick said.

Raye grinned slightly.

"Well then," his father said. "Looks like we're at an impasse. Until you figure things out, don't come home."

"What?" Rick asked.

"You heard me, you're my son, but until you realize what you're doing, you can live with her for all I care."

"But.."

"No..." Mister Fujimori said. "For now..that's how it will be. I can see you're just not going to realize things listening to me, so I'll let you figure it all out. Good bye for now."

Rick stood there in shock. Raye was also surprised as Mister Fujimori walked away.

"What a confusing man," Motoki observed.

Rick sighed and walked back into his room and shut the door. Raye quickly followed.

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