Chapter 342

"You..beat us too..now.." Guardian Moon said. "What else is there?"

"Hey...now look..come on, you've made some mistakes, we all have, but look, we can all learn to become friends," Sailor Moon asked.

"There she goes again," Guardian Mars. "Eternal optimism even to jerks like that."

"You should give her credit for that," Sailor Saturn said.

"Yeah..well..look who she's talking to," Guardian Mars replied.

Guardian Moon stood up.

"I don't care anymore," he said and leapt off.

"He's in a lot of pain, emotional and physical," Sailor Moon said and leapt after him.

"He won't get very far," Sailor Uranus noted.

"Is she honestly going to track him down and reason with him?" Guardian Earth asked. "After all this?"

"That's what makes her so great," the scouts said.

"Besides," Sailor Venus said. "You guys had real problems, I guess we can understand where you're coming from."

"Even if we didn't appreciate your methods," Sailor Jupiter said.

"Ehh..they didn't have to be such jerks about it," Guardian Neptune said.

Most of the male members agreed.

"Guys, lets just get beyond that," Sailor Venus said. "It's time to start over."

"Ehh..we're not too good at that,"Guardian Pluto said.

"Yeah, we can keep a good feud going for years," Guardian Neptune said.

"How pathetic, taking credit for such an ability," Guardian Jupiter said.

"Oh..wanna start that thing up again do ya?" Guardian Neptune said.

"Certainly not," Guardian Jupiter said.

"It seems like you have problems of your own," Guardian Earth said.

"But they're fun problems," Sailor Venus said.

"I just have one question," Sailor Mars said. "Where have you been?" She said starring at Guardian Mercury. "It couldn't have taken that long to do what you did?"

"It did take that long," Sailor Saturn said. "Locating the Mizuno family and subsequently getting them out of China was exceedingly difficult."

"But, then again their army may never be the same after the beating we gave it," Maverick said.

"And about that.." Guardian Neptune said. "Just how did this happen?"

"Oh that," Guardian Mercury said. "Well I wasn't using the Maverick power, so I just kinda gave it to her. It worked out didn't it?"

"Well yeah," Guardian Neptune said.

"I owe you a lot," Maverick said. "You saved my parents, me a couple of times, and now you're giving me the chance to fight alongside you."

"Well..uh..sure..I..uh.." Guardian Mercury said.

Everyone looked at him with a slight grin.

"Wait a minute, you must have been the one then," Sailor Earth said.

"Huh?"

"Yes, you and your two companions were attacking our bases at regular intervals," Sailor Earth said.

"When was this?" Sailor Mercury said.

"Over the past several weeks," Sailor Earth said. "I could sense their presence momentarily, now it all fits."

"It you here for the past several weeks why weren't you up north when we were all fighting Beryl!" Sailor Mars said.

"I was keeping an eye on the other enemy forces," Guardian Mercury said quickly. "You know, with every scout on the planet in one place..it made sense."

"Besides, he told us where they were in the first place," Sailor Pluto said.

"I guess maybe you are just doing what you do best," Sailor Mars said.

"So how is China this time of year?" Guardian Neptune asked with a grin.

"It's beautiful countryside unfortunately filled with thousands of infantry troops," Maverick said.

"Just who are you anyway?" Guardian Earth said. "Someone who could beat Guardian Moon in a sword fight so handily, and you who wear the three stripes of leadership as he does."

"What?" Guardian Mercury said looking at his uniform. "I just thought those were random."

"Hardly," Guardian Earth said standing slowly. "They are the sign of command."

"I assure you I'm hardly a leader," Guardian Mercury said. "I just fight, and besides, if Guardian Moon's got them too, it really doesn't prove anything."

"That is curious," Guardian Earth said. "There can be only one leader of the Guardian Scouts."

"Hey, that's Saturn here," Guardian Pluto said.

"I uh..well.." Guardian Saturn said. "Not really."

"Well then it's Guardian Uranus then," Guardian Neptune said.

"I really don't think I am," Guardian Uranus said.

"Hey are you forgetting me?" Guardian Mars said.

"What about you?" everyone asked.

"What do you mean, couldn't I be leader?" he asked.

"It never occurred to us," the rest replied.

"Hmm..well that's a setback," Guardian Mars said.

"We can settle the leadership questions later," Sailor Mars said. "The real issue is now what do we do?"

"My days of fighting you are over," Guardian Earth said. "While I guess I do bear some resentment, what I have learned reassures me, and I can only hope the sacrifices I have made will someday lead to peace."

"I also feel that way," Sailor Earth said. "Sailor Pluto was right in her reasoning, and we proved that perhaps we were not ready for the power we possessed, it was wrong, despite our apparent justification to fight you like we did, especially when the evil forces of the world work against us. We only helped them increase the paranoia of the planet towards us. And now, the world must face the issue head on."

"The warriors will follow us now," Guardian Earth said. "They are servants of Earth just like we are. You don't need to worry about us anymore."

"That's good," Sailor Mars said. "We'd prefer not to fight anyone, especially our own."

"Still, we should probably prepare to depart. We still have to protect the world," Guardian Earth said. "I'm sure Guardian Moon would agree when he recovers."

"Actually," Nisiran said walking up to them. "I believe you three deserve some time off."

"What?" Guardian Earth said.

"Let us take your place. We have as much power as you did. We'll protect the rest of the world," Nephlite said.

"That's right," Jasen said. "What better way for us to repay you for returning our true selves."

"Are you sure about this?" Sailor Earth asked.

"Of course," Nephlite said. "Besides, we are used to fighting, it's our way."

"And we're also used to sneaking around," Jasen said.

"Just leave your problems to us," Ziarca said. "Get to know your allies better."

"Maybe this will be the end of it, and you won't have to worry anymore," Nephlite said.

"Thank you," The two Earth scouts said.

"Why do you insist on following me?" Guardian Moon asked.

"Because I'm worried about you," Sailor Moon said.

"Why should you be?" Guardian Moon asked.

"Because well,..I am," Sailor Moon said. "Look, I hated you when we fought, but I see the truth now, you had a lot of weight on your shoulders, and that causes all of us to do things we shouldn't. You may even believe to this day that you were right to do it. I respect that, even if I have trouble with it. So, look, there's no reason for us to keep fighting."

"Oh we won't fight anymore, you beat us. I couldn't even get my revenge. Do you know how that feels? I mean I don't want it anymore, I have other issues, but to seek out some piece of retribution, and not to get it..."

"I can understand," Sailor Moon said. "But look, we're not the enemy, we've all had a lot to bear. I don't know what you've had to go through, but I've seen my friends badly hurt protecting me. Darrien died in front of me. It's not been an easy life for me either, and maybe yours has been harder, so I understand and I will accept you resenting me, but will you please calm down. We're not a bad group."

"I don't need anyone's friendship. I just want to be left alone," Guardian Moon said.

"I don't think so, I think what you really wanted was for us to help you, to ease your burden, and I'll do it if I have to, I'll fight your fights if it will help you."

"You really would do that?"

"Of course, I don't lie about things this serious," Sailor Moon said.

"It doesn't matter anymore," Guardian Moon said slumping to the ground. "They got me good...I don't...know what to think..I'm sick of fighting."

"We all are."

"Yeah, well you haven't had to run over the place fighting evil at the drop of a hat! Why me? Why was I destined to have this to do. I didn't do anything wrong. I don't have any crimes to make up for!"

"It's not about that, we're the only ones who can fight this kind of evil," Sailor Moon said.

"And why is that?"

"It's just the way things are."

"Queen Serenity figures that because we died before we should have in the silver millennium we should somehow make it up by fighting evil for the rest of our lives."

"I'm sure that won't happen, there can't be that much evil in the universe,:" Sailor Moon said.

"Well that's a nice way to see it," Guardian Moon said. "How are you so optimistic with all you've seen?"

"I've seen a lot, you're right, a lot of bad things that make me shudder, but then I've seen so much that reassures me."

"Oh.." Guardian Moon said.

Sailor Moon sighed.

"I'm not leaving until you accept this," Sailor Moon said. "We'll help you in any way we need to."

"Yea for you," Guardian Moon said. "Why can't you just leave me alone with my pain."

"Because I don't want you to face it alone," Sailor Moon said.

"It's mine, and I'll keep it thank you," Guardian Moon said.

"Fine then," Sailor Moon said and sat down.

"Just what are you doing?"

"What does it look like?"

"You really are something..." Guardian Moon muttered. "Well enjoy your wait."

"So just where did they go?" Sailor Mars asked as the whole group of scouts made their way down the street.

"They're at the top of this building up ahead," Guardian Mercury said. "This is a strange scene."

"What?" the others said and all clustered around him trying to see his small watch screen.

"They're just sitting there? Why would they do that?" Guardian Mars asked.

"Maybe they're having a sit in protest against something," Guardian Neptune said.

"That's not it!" most of the scouts shouted back.

"Maybe we shouldn't disturb them, it seems like Sailor Moon is trying to wait him out," Sailor Uranus said.

"He's always been more stubborn then anyone," Guardian Earth said.

"He's met his match," Tuxedo Mask said. The others all nodded.

"So what do we do in the meantime?" Guardian Venus asked.

"Go home and sleep," Sailor Venus muttered. "This has been a long day."

"Uh..if you don't mind we'll just wait here," Guardian Earth said.

"Yes, we want to know how Guardian Moon reacts," Sailor Earth said.

"Then we'll wait too," Sailor Mars said.

"We will?" Sailor Venus asked.

"Sure," Sailor Mars said. "If they can wait for their leader, we can wait for ours."

"What a wonderful time to try and play a game of one upmanship," Sailor Venus muttered and the scouts all sat down to wait.

"So...Gmerc..what exactly is your fascination with hanging out with girls who have tried to take over the world anyway?" Guardian Uranus asked with a grin casting an eye towards Sailor Saturn and Maverick.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Guardian Mercury replied.

Several hours passed.

"You're all still here?" Luna asked.

The scouts all nodded.

"This is getting ridiculous," Artemas said.

"We know,"They all said.

"I'm going to drop," Sailor Venus said and began to nod off.

"You can't just fall asleep scouts," Artemas said. "Besides, hasn't anyone noticed you?"

"I guess not," the Sailor Uranus said.

"Strange," Luna said.

A car rolled up nearby.

"So it was true," General Patterson said emerging. "What's going on?"

"We're just hanging out, you know," Guardian Neptune said.

"Actually, Sailor Moon's up there trying to get the leader of the rogues to see reason," Sailor Neptune said.

"Oh," General Patterson said. "How's it coming?"

"It isn't," The scouts replied.

General Patterson glanced at Sailor Earth and Guardian Earth.

"We're allies now," Sailor Pluto said.

"Oh, is that so...we must talk later about all the money you owe us for destruction of SDF property," General Patterson said.

"Our apologies General," Guardian Earth said. "We will pay some sort of restitution."

"Yes, we will make it up to you," Sailor Earth said.

The group suddenly heard laughing from the rooftop.

"That's it, they've gone mad from waiting," Sailor Jupiter muttered.

"Not actually," Guardian Mercury said.

"Oh?" the group asked.

"You are an amazing girl, to think you would wait me out like this," Guardian Moon said. "All right...I'll bite, you win."

"I don't like to think of it as winning," Sailor Moon said. "I just want us to get over our past problems and learn to work together."

"It may take some time," Guardian Moon said.

"I can wait."

"Obviously," Guardian Moon said and began to laugh.

Sailor Moon laughed too.

"But..what changed your mind about me?" Sailor Moon asked.

"I guess that if you were willing to wait this long you must have truly believed in what you were doing?"

"You thought this was some sort of ruse?"

"Well.."

"Trust me, I don't need to use ruses, I'm more powerful than you are. Besides, I don't do that kind of thing."

"That I'm sure of," Guardian Moon said.

The scouts all leapt to the rooftop.

"Sailor Moon!" Sailor Venus said. "The next time you pull something like this, keep in mind the circumstances!"

"Wha..." Sailor Moon said.

"We're very tired," The scouts said.

"Well so am I you lazy people!" Sailor Moon said.

"You should talk!" they all shouted back.

"This is odd," Guardian Moon said.

"Yes, but they aren't the enemy," Guardian Earth said.

"I know," Guardian Moon said.

"What a strange contrast, these are the earth's greatest heroes," Sailor Earth said. "Yet, one has trouble understanding how."

"No, I understand," Guardian Moon said. "I understand them now."

The next morning.

"It's all about changing lives Amy," Serena said.

"What Serena?"

"That's what we do," Serena said.

"I guess," Amy said.

"You know I realized something," the blonde said.

"What?"

"There are twenty two scouts now.." Serena said.

"Not to mention Darrien and Ayeka," Amy said.

"Twenty four of us, and that's not including the warriors from Earth."

"A lot of heroes," Amy said.

"I think we'll be all set against evil for a while," Serena said.

"It would take more than some monster posing as a cosmetics saleswoman or something, that's for sure," Amy said.

Serena nodded.

"Rejection!" Greg shouted from the floor above. "AHHH!"

"He's not taking it well is he?" Serena asked.

"Not well at all," Amy said.

"What do they know!" Greg said. "How could they possibly understand me!"

"This is getting deeper than it should," Serena said.

"Indeed it is," Amy said.

"Oh..good news, my house is going to be finished in a couple of days."

"I was kinda getting used to having you around," Amy said.

"Bet it was a little different then you expected huh?"

"The house is still intact, I'll give it that," Amy said.

"Hey, I've never destroyed anyone's house," Serena said.

Amy just grinned.

"Are they kidding me?" Greg snapped.

"He needs help," Serena said.

"You're welcome to try," Amy said.

"Oh I was thinking sisterly advice."

"Oh I don't know if that would help."

"Maybe brotherly advice," Serena said looking at the large war room door.

"D.V. doesn't give advice," Amy said.

"So how about that though?"

"What?"

"Oh come on, he goes off to China with Hotaru to get Ayeka, and the then they come back, and now Ayeka's eternally grateful, and Hotaru, well she went with D.V. didn't she?" Serena asked.

"What are you implying?" Amy asked.

"I mean we've got ourselves a genuine love triangle centered around the most unlikely of people!" Serena shouted.

"Serena I think you're exaggerating," Amy said.

"Hah, you'll see."

Mike and Steve were walking down one of Tokyo's many sidewalks.

"It'll be easy to win against Yaten, he's no fun," Mike said.

"I don't know, you're usually not right about anything," Steve said.

Mike glanced at him.

"That's quite an insult you got there." he said.

"I try," Steve said.

The pair noticed Seiya and Yaten heading towards them.

"This is a chance encounter no one needed," Mike said.

"Well...I suppose you two think you're going to just waltz in and leave off where you started," Seiya said.

"Hey, that's what we're all about," Mike said.

"Seiya, don't get carried away," Steve said.

"You just watch Steve, I'll never give Lita up," Seiya said.

"And you Mike, are going to never steal Mina way from me," Yaten said.

"Big words from small men," Mike said.

"You're the smallest one here!" Seiya and Yaten snapped.

Mike laughed and hopped up onto a wall before hurrying off.

Yaten and Seiya sighed.

"The secret is forget that he's alive as much as you can," Steve said and headed off.

"So you feeling okay?" Raye asked.

"Yeah," Rick said. "It's beyond getting to me."

"Rick, you know that's not true, but I'm here for you."

"Yeah, well until my father stops being my father..it's not going to get much better," Rick said. "But I won't give you up...I can't.."

"Rick, I don't want to put you in this position."

"And you're not," Rick said. "This is in no way your fault, it's his, and I won't let you feel responsible for my problem."

"Yes, well I can't help it."

"Just please, do me a favor and put it out of your mind," Rick said.

"I can't. I want you to be happy."

"I am happy. Happier than if I was sitting at home with my family and not with you."

"Well I...don't know what to say to that. I..uh.."

"We'll get through it, we have to. I won't let it stop us."

"Uh..well all right," Raye said. "I'll stand with you."

"So how was your trip?" Setsuna asked.

"Exciting," Hotaru said stoically. Setsuna grinned.

"We're you glad you went on it?"

"For the most part, though I believe that I am growing to dislike Ayeka Mizuno."

"Why?"

"Because she wants what I want."

"Wait a minute, Hotaru are you serious?"

"Yes, I seek a relationship."

"But Hotaru..uh..well..we've been down this road before."

"I know what I'm doing," Hotaru said. "At the very least I am helping a kindred spirit, someone burdened by the pain of the past, but my hope is to get beyond that."

"Does D.V. know this?"

"I suspect he understands on a rudimentary level," Hotaru said. "The only obstacle is Mizuno."

"Uh Hotaru, is the only reason you dislike Ayeka because of this?" Setsuna asked.

"Yes, of course, but isn't it a good enough reason?" Hotaru said.

"Well I guess," Setsuna said. "But I think you should consider this very carefully."

"I think about it a lot," Hotaru said.

Setsuna sighed.

This could be a good thing. A sign she has gained a better understanding of her feelings. On the other hand, there could be casualties. She thought.

Elsewhere, millions of miles away, at the edge of the solar system, a large object moved across the space slowly. It was impossible to know just from looking at it what it's direction was, however, if one was able to calculate it's course based on some sort of measurement system, they would find the exact location the object was aiming for was the planet Earth and more specifically, the continent of Asia, or to be exactly specific, the medium size island nation known as Japan and it's capital city known as Tokyo.

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