.Chapter 329

"Fool!" Guardian Moon shouted and swung his sword around quickly, he dug it straight into Sailor Moon, her attack grazed his arm. Sailor Moon let out a shout. Guardian Moon fired shooting energy all through Sailor Moon. She shrieked again.

Tuxedo Mask slammed his fist into Guardian Moon, who fell to the ground, his sword still embedded in Sailor Moon's side. He stood up quickly. Tuxedo Mask swung his staff, knocking Guardian Moon to the ground, only to have the new scout role.

"Supreme Moon Retaliation!" He shouted blasting a barrage from his hand. Tuxedo Mask was caught completely by surprise and thrown off the roof. Guardian Moon turned towards the wounded Sailor Moon.

"Galactic...Moonlight...Attack!" Sailor Moon shouted.

"No!" Guardian Moon shouted unleashing an energy attack. The two attacks met and exploded destroying the entire building. The two fell to the ground. Sailor Moon tugged at the sword pulling it out of her, she fell to the ground unconscious.

Guardian Moon slowly crawled towards it, wanting to retrieve his weapon. A rose smashed into the ground in front of him.

He looked up as Tuxedo Mask stepped in front of him. Guardian Moon lunged at his legs. Tuxedo Mask jumped over the attack and landed on top of Moon.

"You'll pay for what you've done," Tuxedo Mask said angrily.

"We all pay eventually!" Guardian Moon said rolling away and flipping backward standing in the process.

"Come on, let's go," he said taking a fighting stance.

"Your endurance is amazing," Tuxedo Mask said.

"It comes in handy," Guardian Moon said. "Well?"

Tuxedo Mask grimaced, and the two leapt at each other.

"You really aren't cut out for this!" Jasen said avoiding yet another energy attack from Nephlite.

"Save your words until after you've won," Nephlite said forming several copies of himself.

"Oh..this again," Jasen said. "Well...all right, if you want to draw this out, I'm up for it."

He unleashed a barrage, which went out in all directions, hitting the copies as well as the real Nephlite.

"Hah..I learn quickly!" Jasen said blasting away.

Nephlite tensed and winced at his pain.

If I keep this up the negaenergy inside will overwhelm my senses. He thought. Still I have little choice.

Nephlite faced a choice. While he had been reborn several times in the course of his actions, he still fought with negaenergy, and as such had to be wary of the corrupting power it could hold over him. As such he was handicapped.

Ziarca, the former Zoisite was enjoying herself. The four Sailor Scouts, already weakened from their first battle were frantically trying to hit her with their attacks. She wasn't going to allow that.

"You're only dangerous when your target doesn't move," Ziarca said jumping out of the way of another attack. "Enough games though."

She unleashed a barrage of energy globes from her hands. They streaked towards the scouts, who all desperately dived out of the way.

"You still wanna fight me girls?" Ziarca asked.

"She's getting on my nerves," Jupiter growled.

"Any idea how we're supposed to fight her though!" Venus said as they dodged another attack.

"This just requires some creativity," Mercury said.

"We don't have time for that," Mars shouted.

"Maybe...maybe not," Mercury said. "You three keep her busy, I'll try and think of something."

"Oh..give us the easy job why don't ya?" Venus said.

"Let's just try it," Mars said.

The scouts spread out launching their lower level attacks to conserve strength. Ziarca grinned and moved to keep the scouts within eyesight.

"That won't work girls, I'm just too fast," she said flipping backward.

"Guess she has a point," Venus muttered.

"Ehh..so what?" Jupiter said. "Let's play games with her now."

"What are you thinking?" Mars asked.

"Well..let's take away her advantage," Jupiter said.

"Like what?" Mars asked.

"Well..we're out in the open," Jupiter said.

"I see," Mars said. "I get it."

"Oh, you want us to hide from her then," Venus said.

"Uh huh," Jupiter said.

"Well, let's give it a.."

The three dived out of the way of a massive fireball.

"I'm getting bored here," Ziarca said.

The three scouts leapt off the rooftop and disappeared into the darkness.

"Now that's no fair," Ziarca said. "All right if, that's the way they want to do it."

"Mercury we're hiding from her hoping we can use that to our advantage," Mars said into her communicator.

"Be careful," Mercury said. "I'm going to try and figure out a way to slow her down."

"All right," Mars said.

Ziarca dropped to the street.

"So you want to hide do you?" She said. "Very well, you're responsible for the damage then!"

She unleashed another massive fireball and set a building on fire.

Jupiter leapt out of it and headed down another alley.

"She can't keep this up forever can she?" Venus asked into her communicator.

"She shouldn't have this much power, you're right," Mars said.

Another fireball flew at a building.

"Oops, gotta go," Venus said hurriedly and dived out a window as the building she was in exploded.

"This isn't safe at all," Mercury said into her communicator. "There are warehouses, there could be any number of dangerous objects or chemicals in there.

"Maybe there's something to that," Mars said.

"I wouldn't suggest it Mars, there's enough damage already," Mercury said.

"Guess you have a point, but we need an idea quickly."

"All right, you three, get together," Mercury said. "And prepare to attack her."

"What's the plan?"

"That is the plan," Mercury said. "Just wait a few seconds."

Mercury's eyes narrowed and she dashed down the roof, and leapt off, dropping to the ground.

"Mercury Ice Storm Blast!" she shouted leaping from an alley way. A wave of icy energy flew down the street. Ziarca leapt into the air to avoid it.

"Mars Fire Ignite!"

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"

Ziarca floated away from the attack, but was slammed into by a charging Mercury. She was knocked off balance and toppled towards the icy street.

"Now we've got her!" Mars said. "Build up your attacks."

Ziarca smashed into the Ice, and quickly moved to stand up, only to slip.

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!"

"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!"

"Mars Celestial Fireball Surround!"

The three attacks smashed into Ziarca and threw her to the ground.

The Guardian Scouts battle against Malcian was not going as well. Guardian Pluto and Guardian Neptune lay unconscious on the ground. Guardians Saturn and Uranus were standing at the ready, but were also heavily wounded, and exhausted.

"I will conserve my strength with you losers," Malcian said facing them.

"How nice of you," Guardian Uranus said.

Malcian threw out a barrage of golden blades at them. The two scouts dodged them.

I can't keep this up much longer. Uranus thought. He knew Saturn must be thinking the same thing.

"This guy's practically at full strength," Saturn said warily.

"I know," Uranus said. "Any ideas!"

Another barrage flew at them. They dodged it again, and a follow up barrage as well.

"Uranus...let me handle it," Saturn said.

"What?"

"I don't want you getting any more hurt than you already are," Saturn said.

"No, I'll deal with that later, let's take this guy."

"Uh..well..then..distract him will you?"

"For what?"

"And give me your sword," Greg said.

"Why?"

"Please.." Saturn said. The two leapt to another building. A rain of energy flew after them.

"All right.." Uranus said and handed Saturn the sword.

"Thank you," Saturn said. "Now..just get his attention for as long as you can," Saturn said and dropped off the building. Uranus whirled.

"How about a little hand to hand Malcian," Uranus said.

"No, fraid not,' Malcian said and attacked again.

"All right then," Uranus said avoiding the attack and wincing at the pain he felt. A second later. Guardian Saturn leapt from behind Malcian.

"Should have expected," Malcian said whirling. Saturn dug the swords into Malcian.

"You dare!" Malcian shouted flinging Saturn back with a punch filled with power. Saturn fell to the ground and lay unmoving.

"Uranus Flame of Desire!" Uranus shouted at point blank. Malcian was hit and knocked back. Uranus spin kicked him, grabbed the two swords and fired. Malcian cried out. Uranus pulled out the swords and spin kicked again, letting the adrenaline flow threw him. He hit Malcian in the face and stabbed him again firing rapidly as he did.

"FOOL!" Malcian shouted unleashing a brutal attack. Uranus was thrown to the ground.

At about this time, Nephlite was smashing headlong into the side of a warehouse.

"I knew you were no match for me," Jasen said.

"Too bad you aren't a match for all of us!" came a shout.

The eight members of the dark moon family leapt into action and pelted Jasen with attacks. He was soon lying on the ground heavily wounded.

"What a disaster," Prince Diamond said. "We should check on the others!"

Guardian Moon kicked Tuxedo Mask away and held out his sword.

"I have this again, and I'll win," Guardian Moon said.

Tuxedo Mask grimaced, wincing from a massive wound across his back.

"Come on.." Moon said.

"I've been meaning to talk to you!" Prince Diamond said charging forward. Guardian Moon was shocked as he was hit with an energy attack and thrown to the ground.

"Are you prepared for round two?" Diamond asked.

Guardian Moon slowly stood. Guardian Earth slid in front of him, sword drawn. Sailor Earth emerged from the shadows.

"Want to take all of us on?" Moon said.

Rubeus and Saphire dropped to the ground.

"Looks like we do," Rubeus said with a grin.

Chaos ensued for another five minutes as the battle resumed, the two sides gradually took up opposite positions. The heavily wounded scouts and the dark moon stood on one side, the three rogue scouts and their new warriors on the other.

"Ready to finish this," Prince Diamond said.

"Not today," Guardian Moon said, and with a flash the six enemies disappeared.

"Hmm..I guess it made sense to let them go," Diamond muttered. "Sailor Moon are you all right?"

"Hardly," Sailor Moon said coughing slightly.

"We'd better get you all to a hospital," Avery said.

"But how are we going to cover it up?" Sailor Moon said wincing.

"I'll worry about that," Nephlite said. "You just rest."

Sirens filled the air.

"Let's go.." Diamond said. "Them seeing us here would raise too many questions."

And the group made their way off.

"This is getting out of control," Chief Ozaki said staring at the demolished and still burning buildings the fire department was hurriedly trying to put out.

"Looks like they're playing hard ball," Captain Ozaki said.

"Have you found out anything that might help?" Chief Ozaki said.

"Lieutenant Nelson and I have been working hard on it, but no leads," his daughter replied.

"Figures, the press is going to have a field day with this," the Chief said. "Where is Nelson anyway?"

"The hospital."

"Why?"

"He didn't say."

"Strange," Ozaki said.

"Another battle I assume," General Patterson wandering up.

"Well obviously," Chief Ozaki said.

"What have you learned?"

"There are buildings on fire, and several more lying in rubble, that's what we've learned," Ozaki said.

"Guess so," General Patterson said.

"I swear, we have to put a stop to this," the Chief said. "This was a warehouse district, what if they got into this in a populated area."

"I agree," Patterson replied. "It doesn't seem like our enemy is interested in preventing civilian casualties."

"Well, then that's our job," Ozaki said.

"Agreed."

"Why do you think the stakes are so high though?"

"Good question," Patterson said.

Several more sirens filled the air. A black limousine pulled up, and Prime Minister Coral climbed out.

"All right, give me a report," She said.

"Of course Prime Minister," General Patterson said hurriedly.

"Well this just gets better and better," Ozaki muttered.

Tokyo General Hospital

"Must have been a heck of a fight," Lieutenant Nelson said sitting beside a bed.

"It was," Lita said wincing slightly.

"You all right?"

"The doctor said I've got a few broken bones, but they'll heal in a couple of days," Lita said.

"Yeah, no sweat right?"

Lita nodded.

"Did you win?" her father asked.

"More or less," Lita said. "It was kinda a draw, but we got them to withdraw."

"Hurt em bad?"

"Definitely."

"Well at least you have that."

"Dad, aren't you going to be upset over this?" Lita asked.

"Upset, no, I mean I worry sure, but I guess I'd have to say I'm proud of you."

Lita nodded.

"Well..so how are you keeping this all a secret anyway?"

"Nephlite's been blasting the zapping the doctors and nurses and altering their memories. No one can figure us out when that's happening," Lita said.

"Sooner or later though someone will," her father said.

"Until then, we're safe," Lita said.

"Guess so," her father said. "I've gotta go, if I don't keep Captain Ozaki running in circles she might actually get somewhere on our case."

Lita smiled.

"Good luck," she said.

"You just get better," her father said and walked out, moving by the dark moon family who was standing guard outside.

"Take care of them will ya," Lieutenant Nelson said.

"No one will get by us," Prince Diamond said.

"I'm sure of that," Nelson said and walked out.

In another room.

"It's never hurt this much before," Serena said.

"I know," Darrien said.

"But it'll get better."

"Yeah, we're pretty invulnerable."

"Fortunately," Serena said and coughed. "I wonder..why.."

"What?"

"Why do those rogue scouts fight so hard? What do they want?"

"Good question," Darrien said. "Obviously they consider it worth fighting for."

"Worth dying for almost," Serena said.

"Yeah," Darrien said.

"I try to tell myself that they must have a good reason, but why don't they tell us? I mean, the Starlights, even the outers didn't get this violent," Serena said.

"Maybe they truly are on the wrong side," Darrien said.

"I don't know," Serena said. "Something tells me they're not...ow..."

"You all right?"

"No...but I'll get better," Serena said.

"You should rest."

"I know I'll have nightmares. Guess this is almost as bad as it can get huh?"

"Yeah," Darrien said. "But you shouldn't dwell on it."

"I know," Serena said. "You know what I think though."

"Yeah?"

"Our marriage will be great."

"Why?"

"Because it's been destined to happen and we've had to work so hard to get there."

"Guess you have a point," Darrien said.

"Now we just have to get there," Serena said. "How many more years do you think that will take?"

"I don't like to even guess," Darrien said.

"Yeah, maybe that's a good idea, don't want to jinx ourselves," Serena said and began to laugh.

At the Diet Government building.

"So what is it that we have here?" Prime Minister Coral said.

"We have war essentially," General Nagumo said.

"Between the scouts," General Patterson said.

"And how do we stop it?" Coral asked.

"Is that even a possibility?" Chief Ozaki asked.

"There must be a way," Coral said. "This city cannot be destroyed by the fighting, especially now, with the entire world staring down at us"

"There is little we can do though," General Nagumo said. "The scouts must beat their rogue enemies, one way or another, that will end the war."

"And what will be the cost of it?" Coral said.

"I don't know," Nagumo said.

"We will have to wait for it," Patterson said.

"I'm sick of waiting," Coral said. "Letting all these events spiral out of our control. I will not have my country destroyed like this."

"That is not a threat," Patterson said.

"Well we've got a lot to worry about," Coral said. "The UN insists that we're up to no good, they've been sending spies, you know that. I'm not even sure that some countries weren't behind that attack on me several months ago."

"A strong possibility," Nagumo said.

"These stakes are much higher then the scouts know," Coral said. "Someone has to let them know that."

"I wouldn't," Patterson said.

"Oh, and why not?"

"They're only human, do you really want to add to their stress level right now?" Patterson asked.

"Yes, before they inadvertently cause a war," Coral said.

"Prime Minister it won't come to that," Nagumo said.

"See that it doesn't," Coral said. "Nagumo, I want you to stop all leaks to the outside about our projects, make them as secret as possible. Patterson, you find those scouts and you let them know what is happening. Ozaki...you wait behind."

"Uh..all right," Ozaki said.

Nagumo and Patterson walked out.

"Now Ozaki, I have a job for you," Coral said. "If you can manage to pull it off, you'll be well rewarded."

"Yes ma'am," Ozaki said. "What is it?"

"Find out who the scouts really are."

"Uh..we've tried that before."

"I believe in you," Coral muttered. "Now will you try again?"

Ozaki nodded.

"I'll do my best," he said.

A day passed.

"Serena you shouldn't stand," Darrien said.

"I had to," Serena said bracing herself against the window sill. "Sick of lying down."

"Well I never thought I'd hear you say that," Darrien said joining her.

"Don't tease," Serena said with a grin. "At least it's a nice day."

Darrien nodded.

"Let's go see how the others are doing."

"Don't push yourself," Darrien said.

"I'm not," Serena said. "I want to see them."

"All right, let's take it slow though," Darrien said.

"Fine, fine," Serena said. "Come on though."

"Something tells me you'll be recovered faster than the rest of us."

"You're probably right," Serena said happily.

Catsie and Avery walked into Raye and Mina's shared room to find the two sitting up on their beds and talking to one another. Mike and Rick were sitting nearby.

"It's good to see you all up and about," Catsie said. "You really took a beating."

"Well, you know us," Raye said.

"Still you all shouldn't push yourselves, rest, relax, we'll keep you safe," Avery said.

"I hate hospital ceilings," Mina said.

"I know what you mean," Lita said hobbling in on a cane.

"Actually I had an interesting talk with mine, he didn't have much to say but.." Mike began.

"We don't need that," Mina and Lita snapped.

Mike just started laughing. "My sense of humor is invincible!" he shouted.

"Unfortunately," Rick said.

"Well this is a good sight to see," Nephlite said limping in on a crutch. "You scouts really know how to bounce back."

The group all smiled.

"Oh..uh..everyone you have visitors," Saphire said opening the door to the ward. In walked three familiar figures.

"That's just wonderful, we leave for a month and this happens," Setsuna Meio said.

"Typical," Haruka added.

Michiru just smiled.

"Welcome back," the scouts there muttered.

"Uh..say outer scouts, will you do us a favor?" Mike asked.

"What?" Haruka asked.

"Uh..fight the rest of the war for us," Mike said.

The rest of the scouts sighed.

"I'm afraid that you'll still have to hold up your end of the fighting Mike, as small as it may be," Haruka said. "But we can tell you what is going on at least."

"Good," the scouts said in unison.

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