/Chapter 337

Midnight.

The A.P.T. house was quiet as all of it's residents, temporary and permanent were asleep, thankfully.

A figure crept through the darkness approaching the house. It looked around at the design of the house and then leapt into a tree looking for an open window, or at least its target. It jumped to another tree and stopped staring at the sleeping form of Serena Tsukino.

It grinned.

"So here we are," it hissed.

A crescent beam of light flew at it. It dropped to the ground. An aquamarine blast flew by it.

The figure whirled finding itself between two Sailor Scouts.

"Hmm..we were wondering when and if you'd show up," Sailor Uranus said.

"You can't catch me!" the creature hissed and leapt into the air. Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune leapt after it.

"Looks like we found our third faction," Neptune said.

"So it would seem," Uranus said. "Glad our nights of staking this place out weren't for nothing."

"That I'll agree with," Neptune said.

The creature whirled in mid air firing a blast of energy at the two.

"Please," Sailor Uranus said and the two scouts easily avoided it firing back with their weapons. The creature dropped into a row of houses. The two scouts quickly followed.

"Dang it," Uranus said. "It got away that quickly."

"We'd better keep watch over Sailor Moon," Neptune said.

Uranus nodded dejectedly.

The dark figure retreated quickly happy to have escaped, annoyed that it failed.

"Ah...so there you are..." came a voice. The creature stopped. Guardian Moon and Earth stood in its way.

"Let's talk shall we?" Guardian Moon said.

"Talk?" the creature asked.

"Sure you work for Churchill right, we can come to some agreement can't we?"Guardian Moon asked.

"Churchill said that you were done with him," the creature said.

"Indeed, Churchill and I are done, however, you have a goal, and so do I ey?" Guardian Moon said. "For instance, you want to neutralize Sailor Moon, don't you?"

"It's kinda hard to miss," Guardian Earth said.

The creature nodded.

"And you can assist this?"

"Of course, you help us get that crystal of hers, and she'll be no more of a threat, you're mission's a success and so ours, what do you say.." Guardian Moon said. "You can avoid all this needless killing."

"I care little how I do it, however, you're support would be useful," the creature said.

"Ah..then let's do it shall we?" Guardian Moon said.

A car beside them exploded.

"What was that?" the creature shouted.

"Our latest problem," Guardian Moon said. "Earth, handle it."

Guardian Earth nodded and leapt in another direction.

"Let's go shall we?" Guardian Moon said and he and creature went in another direction.

"Just what is your plan?" the creature asked.

"Ah..interesting you should ask," Guardian Moon said as his four warriors floated down to him. "I thought we'd just bust in and take it."

"Are you sure that will work?" the creature asked.

"You just worry about covering us, all right?" Guardian Moon asked.

"Uh...very well," the creature said.

"Going somewhere?" Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune said dropping to the ground.

"Ah..." Guardian Moon said.

"I'll get them!" Ziarca shouted and leapt into battle. The two scouts jumped into it as well. The others raced away from them.

Guardian Earth sped down a side street. I know you're here. I just have to find you. He thought.

A multicolored blast flew by his head. He stopped. A figure dropped in front of him, holding a colored energy sword.

"You...yes...I've heard of you.." he said.

"No you haven't.."

"Yes I have..you're Maverick."

"No..just Guardian Neptune.." the voice said and charged out of the shadows firing off the sword quite madly.

"What?" Earth said.

"Saturn Blade of Galaxies!"

"Uranus Flame of Desire!"

"Pluto Hurricane Punch!"

The three attacks smashed into Guardian Earth throwing him to the ground, but he rolled up and jabbed his sword into Neptune's chest.

The other three Guardians dropped to the ground.

"All right..good ambush.." Earth said. "But now we fight for real!"

"We have to move quickly, I sense the scouts are onto us," Guardian Moon said.

"Pluto Dead Scream!"

The attack smashed through the air.

"My turn!" Nisiran said and banked away.

"Is this maybe their idea?" the creature asked.

"Possibly," Guardian Moon said. "However I doubt they were so prepared for us, considering all the trouble you've been causing."

"Ah..I see."

"Mercury Ice Storm Blast!"

"Mars Celestial Fireball Surround!"

"Venus Love Chain Encircle!"

"Jupiter Thunderclap Zap!"

The attacks flew out and blasted into the group. Jasen leapt into it and shielded them.

"They're mine," he said. The three left kept going towards the A.P.T. house.

"I don't like this," The creature said.

"Aw..come now..we're on the home stretch," Guardian Moon said.

A barrage of sword blasts flew at them. Malcian blocked them.

"With your permission?" he asked.

"Of course," Guardian Moon said. And Malcian leapt into combat with the Starlights.

"She's the only one left," Guardian Moon said and dropped to the ground. Sailor Moon stood in the street, her moon sword drawn.

Guardian Moon grinned.

"Do you want first crack at her?" he asked.

"Why don't we team up?" the creature asked.

"Oh, I'm waiting for her boyfriend to arrive," Guardian Moon said.

A rose slammed into the ground.

"There he is," Guardian Moon said and abruptly moved to attack Tuxedo Mask.

"Who are you?" Sailor Moon said with all seriousness.

"My name is none of your concern, give me the crystal," the creature said.

"No.." Sailor Moon said.

"Very well.." The creature said and unleashed an energy wave. Sailor Moon jumped over it.

"Is that it?" she asked.

"No...you just wait!"

Another wave flew at her. Sailor Moon jumped over it.

"Well?" She asked angrily.

"I'm just warming up.."

"You're so toast.." Sailor Moon said.

"Thought you had nothing to do with this!" Tuxedo Mask said swinging his staff. Guardian Moon parried.

"You should be happy, I delivered him to you," Guardian Moon said.

"Is that you call it?"

"He is very weak, Sailor Moon will have a field day," Guardian Moon said. "So after she's done with him, I'll just take the crystal."

"Oh, of course, it all makes so much sense," Tuxedo Mask said angrily throwing a rose barrage. Guardian Moon spun his sword and deflected the attack.

"You've improved," Guardian Moon said. "But then again, so have I."

"I don't care!" Tuxedo Mask said swinging again. Guardian Moon avoided the attack grinning.

"Let's kick it up a notch!" he shouted unleashing a combination move. Tuxedo Mask avoided it and flipped to a standing position.

"Very nice.." Guardian Moon said. "But that's just the beginning!"

"Oh shut up," Tuxedo Mask said unleashing a barrage.

Guardian Neptune let out a laugh despite his wound. Guardian Earth fired at him.

"HAH!" Neptune said avoiding it. Guardian Pluto slammed into Guardian Earth throwing him into a wall. Guardian Saturn and Uranus fired their swords. Guardian Earth whirled and unleashed a large attack blasting all four of them into a wall.

"All this is time consuming, there's no doubt of the decision!" he shouted.

"Ah...that's what you think," Guardian Pluto said.

The four let loose more sword attacks. Guardian Earth leapt into the air and fired down at them. They all leapt out of the way and fired up at him.

"Come now..aren't you disappointed I'm still this good after that supposed beating you gave me?" Guardian Earth said.

The scouts leapt off and then doubled back coming at him from above.

"Resilient fools aren't you?" Guardian Earth said.

"That's how we make our living buddy!" Guardian Neptune said.

"Underestimate us and it's already over!" Guardian Uranus said.

"Big words!" Guardian Earth said unleashing an energy wave.

"Then how come you haven't beaten us yet!" Guardian Pluto said leaping over it and firing back.

"Like I said, it's just a matter of time!" Guardian Earth shouted firing back. The four spread out and unleashed their first level attacks. He dodged them all.

"Ah..time..well..interesting you should mention that," Neptune said. "Time is very important in combat..."

"Yep," Pluto said.

"Vital," Saturn said.

"And here he is fighting us.." Uranus said. "When the real battle's blocks away."

Guardian Earth immediately realized.

"So I'll beat you and them!" he shouted back.

"You're doing a real great job there sluggo!" Pluto shouted swinging his sword. Guardian Earth leapt back.

"Ridicule will get you hurt more!" he shouted.

"We don't care!" The four shouted back with a massive barrage.

"Please..you are incapable of defeating me on your own.." Nephlite said.

"Ah...you just don't understand my powers then do you," Sailor Pluto said. Nephlite unleashed a rain of energy balls all around her. She spun her staff and knocked them away.

"I'm not impressed!" Nephlite shouted leaping forward and firing as he did. Sailor Pluto swung into it with her own attack and blasted him backwards.

"Care to try again, you weren't this much of pushover in the past," Sailor Pluto said with a grin.

Nephlite scowled and leapt back into the battle.

"I will get you!" the creature said.

"Sure you will," Sailor Moon said avoiding yet another attack.

Something dropped to the ground. Her tiara.

"About time!" Sailor Moon said. The creature shot at her. She jumped out of the way, a crater formed in the street. Sailor Moon rolled and grabbed her tiara, throwing it in a matter of seconds. The creature jumped out of the way of it. Sailor Moon grabbed control of it and turned it at the creature. It raced towards her realizing her vulnerability, she banked the tiara in. The creature fired at her. She leapt over it grabbed the Tiara and flung it downward smashing it into the creature. She landed and spun.

"Moon Healing Activation!" She shouted. The energy flew at the creature. It turned into it and then faced her.

"I don't need healing!" it shouted.

"So that's how it is," Sailor Moon said dejectedly. The creature fired at her again. She side stepped and threw her tiara again. The creature blasted it out of the air.

"Come on!" the creature said.

"All right," Sailor Moon said drawing on Mars' aura. She raced forward sidestepping the creatures attack and swinging her sword right into him. He let out a shout as Sailor Moon kicked him and then spun hitting him in the head with her scepter.

"Galactic Moonlight attack!" She shouted blasting the creature down the street. He disappeared in a flash.

Sailor Moon turned quickly seeing Tuxedo Mask and Guardian Earth still embroiled in a brawl on a rooftop.

She readied her sword.

There was an explosion down the street. Malcian leapt down the street, the three starlights racing after him covered with bruises. Ziarca leapt off a rooftop flipping and firing at the Sailor Scouts who pursued her.

Sailor Moon spun wondering what move to take. Jasen leapt over her head.

"DUCK!" Sailor Uranus shouted. She did. Uranus and Neptune's attacks flew right at Jasen knocking him down.

"Hmm..this is getting ugly," Guardian Moon said backing up quickly. Tuxedo Mask grinned.

"Time to go!" Guardian Moon said flipping into the air and disappearing. The whole rogue force disappeared.

"That teleport again," Sailor Moon muttered. "I'm not sorry to see them go."

"Hey we gave them a fight didn't we!" Sailor Jupiter said.

The group all let out a shout.

"I wonder how the others are doing," Mars said.

"We showed him didn't we?" Guardian Neptune muttered.

"Oh yeah.." Guardian Pluto said.

The four Guardian's lay against a wall all covered with cuts and bruises.

"Hey..we did what we were supposed to," Guardian Uranus said.

"And quite well too," Guardian Saturn said.

"Sure, he'll think twice against fighting us again." Guardian Neptune said.

"Well..who would want to fight us..." Guardian Pluto said. "We're only good at a delaying action."

"Hey..it was important," Uranus said.

Their communicators went off.

"Hey..guys come in," Sailor Venus said. "Are you all right?"

"Sure," the group replied.

"What happened to you?" Guardian Moon muttered.

"Lucky shot," Guardian Earth said covered with injuries himself.

"Looks like more than one," Guardian Moon said.

"Was it successful?" Sailor Earth said.

"Sure," Guardian Moon said. "The scouts think they've gotten us beat for a while."

"Actually..." Guardian Earth said.

"Yes well they did provide us with a good beating, however, whereas we normally teleport home, now we teleported here..and now.." Guardian Moon said emerging from the cave they stood in revealing the arctic tundra.

"We're right where we want to be and they don't know that..." he finished.

"I guess it's brilliant," Guardian Earth muttered.

"Hah! It is," Guardian Moon said. "Now let's go shall we?"

"Can't we wait a bit," Guardian Earth said.

"You can rest when we get there," Guardian Moon said.

"Ehh...easy for you to give orders...you just have to parry for a while, we take hits," Guardian Earth said.

"That was not always the case, you know," Guardian Moon said.

"I know," Guardian Earth said. "All right let's go."

"Excellent," Guardian Moon said.

"Ehh..I do not need any more nights like that?" Mina muttered.

"I know.." Lita said. "Though maybe we'll get a few days off, with them beaten like that and that other guy blown apart."

"Yeah, until the next enemy shows up," Raye muttered.

"Hey guys don't get so dejected, the next time we'll really creme em!" Serena said.

"You seem to be really looking forward to that," Raye said.

"Oh I am," Serena said. "I mean we almost won today."

"Sailor Earth wasn't there," Amy said.

"So..we'll win anyway, we're scouts, remember," Serena said. "We know we can fight them hard, and we'll do it, and then Darrien and I can enjoy a peaceful dinner...at..."

"All right already," the girls said.

"What?" Serena asked.

"Some of us don't have it that good," Mina said.

"What?" Serena asked.

"Yeah, we've got other problems," Lita said.

"Like what?" Serena asked.

"Come out of your hole Serena," Raye said.

"No..really.." Serena said. "I didn't know. Guys, is there something wrong? Let me help if I can."

"You can't help us," The three said.

"Oh come on, you know better than that," Serena said.

"All right let's tell her then," Raye said. Mina and Lita nodded.

"This might be a good time for me to get out of there," Amy said.

"What Amy, don't you have problems?" Serena said.

"Sure, but not the kind that need solving," Amy said hurrying out.

"Okay guys, so what is it?" Serena asked.

"I hope you don't mind us pulling you away from your resting," Setsuna said standing in Greg's doorway.

"No, that's all right," Greg said. "What is it?"

"It's the rogues," Haruka said. "They're not where we expected them to be."

"Based on what?" Greg asked.

"We've been keeping track of them," Haruka said.

"Greg, essentially, we've lost track of the rogues, and that worries us," Setsuna said.

"They could be anywhere in the city," Michiru said.

"Or for that matter anywhere on the planet," Haruka said.

"So what now.." Greg said. "Do you want me to help you find them?"

"Well..yes, we know that Amy still has one of your brother's cameras, if we could use them to track the group. We should have thought to do that before," Haruka said.

"They needed it for surveillance anyway," Setsuna said.

"The point is we need to search for them, and any help you and your sister could provide is important," Michiru said.

"Amy went out but she left the camera and I've got a program on my computer to control it," Greg said. "I can start the search now."

"Excellent," Haruka said.

"I wonder where they went," Greg said typing commands.

"So do we," The three said.

At Tokyo General Hospital.

"How's the Prime Minister..ahem...miss Coral?" Amy asked.

"Well she's recovering, she's resting mostly, she's pretty lucky," General Patterson said. "Though I'm beginning to think these attacks are not accidents."

"We dealt with what we believe was her assailant today, he's not around anymore."

"Ah..good," Patterson said. "It's good that you scouts are taking this well."

"It's rough."

"I don't doubt it."

Chief Ozaki came rumbling through the doors.

"Is she awake yet?" he asked.

"No," Patterson said. "She fell back to sleep."

"Hmm..fine, I'll wait," Ozaki said.

"Something wrong Ozaki?" Patterson asked.

"No," Ozaki said. "Miss Anderson is it?"

"Yes, Chief."

"How goes the war?"

Amy glanced at General Patterson.

"Yes..I know," Ozaki said.

"So why are you here?" Patterson asked.

"Because she gave me a task to do, and I did it?"

"So you're going to tell her?" Patterson asked.

"No."

"What?"

"My daughter was right, it shouldn't be known," Ozaki said.

"Your daughter?" Amy asked.

"Of course, my daughter..." Ozaki said and headed off.

"Something is wrong," Amy said.

"Very wrong," Patterson said. "I feel sorry for him."

Amy said nothing more and followed after him.

"Amy, what are you doing?"

"I don't know," Amy said.

Several Hours Later.

"Oh...I see..." Serena said looking at Raye, Mina, and Lita. "Well..I guess you know what you're talking about...sorry. Anything I can do."

Their was a hurried knock.

"Hey scouts we need to talk," Haruka said.

"What?" Raye asked.

"The rogues, they're in the arctic!"

"What are they doing up there?" Serena said.

"Yeah what's up there?" Lita asked.

"Only one thing," Haruka said. "You girls should know it well."

"Penguins?" Serena asked.

"No!" Everyone else shouted.

"We'll explain on the way let's go!" Raye said pulling Serena out the door.

"Oh..now I remember..but what are they going to do?" Serena asked.

"We don't know," Haruka said.

"Chief Ozaki.." Amy said. "Please sir..let me help you."

"Why should I want your help?"

"You want someone's help."

"Whatever," Ozaki said. "But you can't help me, I made a mistake, but not a big one, actually it's a big one now."

"Well let me help you..solve it. What happened?"

Ozaki sighed and explained it.

"Oh I see. You just have to talk to her.."

"I'm no good at that," Ozaki said.

"No one is.." Amy said. "But you must talk to her and get her back. This is just a fight that's all. You can overcome it. Look me and my friends fight all the time, but we get over it."

"Guess I've never fought her before. Guess if anyone knew about a broken family it'd be you."

"Uh..well.." Amy said.

"All right...I will..but why did you come after me?"

"Scouts don't chose their targets, we help everyone we can," Amy said.

Her communicator went off. She pulled it out.

"Amy, hurry, it's an emergency," Greg said.

"I'm coming," Amy said. "Gotta go..are you all right?"

"Yeah, I will be," Ozaki said. Amy dashed down the hall.

Ozaki grinned slightly.

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