Chapter 363
The city was abuzz with activity as the civilians were slowly evacuated and defenses were put up all around the city. Military vehicles zipped around the city.
"Three days," Sailor Pluto said standing on top of a building watching the scene.
"The evacuations been going well," Sailor Uranus said. "Though we have no idea how much good it'll do."
"We know ground zero will be here," Sailor Pluto said. "At the very least we can get everyone out of the direct fire line."
"Of course," Sailor Uranus said. "Of course if the enemy decides to they can just chase after the civilians."
"But they'll want to take care of us first," Sailor Pluto said. "And we know this city better than they do."
"And they're the one with the space warship," Sailor Uranus said.
"Just trying to be optimistic," Sailor Pluto said.
"I know," Sailor Uranus said. "Don't blame you. It'll be a heck of a fight though. Anyway, I've got to go see what help I can be."
"Where's Neptune?" Pluto asked.
"Up there," Sailor Uranus said pointing to the sky.
Elsewhere, Uranus' chopper banked around a building, Neptune at it's controls.
I'm glad I learned to do this. But I'm not sure I like it. She thought.
"Oh my, traffic just isn't moving down there is it?" She said glancing at an intersection. "This is Sailor Scout One to police HQ," she said into the radio.
"Yep, go ahead," Lieutenant Nelson said.
"We've got a major back up on Shinohara avenue," Neptune said.
"Got it, we'll get some more people out there," Nelson said. "We've got some real idiots out there today."
"They're probably just scared," Neptune said.
"Well the only thing worse than an idiot, is a scared idiot. Actually a scared idiot with a weapon is the topper," Nelson said.
"I'll keep that in mind," Neptune said.
In another section of the city.
"Okay..keep it moving there," Guardian Neptune said standing on top of a tank.
"You could help you know," Guardian Pluto said as he and Guardian Uranus leapt into the air carrying a piece of armor. They placed it on top of a barricade being constructed.
"You guys know I'm a weakling," Neptune said. "How's it coming boys?"
"We've sped up construction 90% thanks to Pluto and Uranus there," one of the army troops replied.
"Oh come on, I supervised," Neptune said.
"Yeah, but you're a loser," the army guy said.
"Wanna fight?" Neptune asked.
"Enough of that," Uranus said. "Let's see where else we can help."
"Supervision is very important," Neptune said.
"Yeah, sure it is cape boy," the SDF soldiers replied.
"I'll be back!" Neptune shouted.
An airplane streaked over the National Diet as a planning session was occurring inside.
"Of course for security reasons we are not making our defensive strategy known to anyone outside of the military," General Nagumo said. "But we assure you this nation will be defended with all that we have."
"And what makes you think that we're any more susceptible then you're own men," one of the diet members said.
"Well, because we can keep an eye on our own men, and besides, it's always been need to know," Nagumo said.
"I support the idea," Prime Minister Kanzaki said. "We cannot take unnecessary risks. We will leave the fighting to the military."
"I thank you," General Nagumo said. "I promise you, the SDF and the scouts will work to defeat the menace and return peace to this country."
He then headed out. General Patterson filed in along side.
"Tell me you don't have any bad news," Nagumo said.
"We're moving along on schedule," Patterson said. "The defenses are going up quickly, and the evacuation is almost complete. The scouts are helping out."
"Good," Nagumo said.
"Sir, what can we expect from the other nations?"
"I don't know yet, they all said they'll size up the situation when it arises," Nagumo said.
"Typical."
"Well to be honest, the scouts may just be the only chance we have anyway," Nagumo said.
"True."
Outside the Tsukino household.
"You be careful Serena," her mother said.
"Don't worry mom," Sailor Moon said. "You guys just get to safety."
"If you die, I'll kill myself, come to the afterlife and throttle you," her father said.
"Thanks for such a wonderful thought to leave me by," Sailor Moon said.
"If you can, protect the house," her father said.
"I'll try," Sailor Moon muttered.
"Hey...if you can, don't protect my school," Sammy said.
"Now, my school gets first priority for being destroyed," Sailor Moon said.
Sammy grinned.
"Well just as long as education is being set back," Sammy said. Her family then got into their car and drove off to join the line of cars filing out of the city.
"I know they believe in me," Sailor Moon said.
"Yes, you've earned it," Luna said.
Tuxedo Mask skidded up on his bike, the license plates had since been removed.
"Come on Sailor Moon, we've got a lot to do," he said.
"All right," Sailor Moon said and hopped onto the back holding Luna.
The group then sped into the streets.
Meanwhile near a highway onramp, a long line of cars was slowly moving forward.
"Hey buddy! Wait in line!" came a shout from an angry driver.
"Hey, I was here first, you cut me off!" another driver shouted.
"What's the problem here?" Guardian Moon said walking up.
"He cut me off!" the first driver shouted.
"Hey, he was trying to cut me off first," the second driver replied.
"Oh does it matter, we've got three days," Moon said.
"It's the principle of the thing." the second driver said.
"Yeah," The first said.
"Look, both of you are going to get back in your cars and behave yourselves or I'll blow them up right here," Guardian Moon said.
"Aren't you supposed to be a good guy?"
"Sure," Guardian Moon said. "But not to imbeciles."
The two got back in their cars.
"You two have a nice day," Guardian Moon said and leapt off.
Idiots. He thought.
"You disappoint me," Sailor Venus said.
"What?" Guardian Venus asked.
"Here I've been asking you for weeks to just let your real self show, and you stalled and now here we are on the brink of war and you've still managed to hold it off."
"I just haven't felt it was the right time," Guardian Venus said.
"All right, all right if you insist," Sailor Venus said.
"Besides, now is the time to be serious," Guardian Venus said.
"I know," Sailor Venus said. "Still, it's your last chance."
"No, that's passed. Maybe after the war," Guardian Venus said.
"You'll just come up with some other excuse."
"Hey love birds," Guardian Neptune said dropping to the ground. "What's shaking?"
"Nothing at all," Sailor Venus said.
"Hmmm..well just passing through," Neptune said and leapt to another roof.
"He's awfully happy,"Guardian Venus said.
"He might as well be," Sailor Venus said. "The war hasn't started yet."
"Still, it's all about a mind set," Guardian Venus said.
"You can keep it," Sailor Venus said. "In fact, I want to spend the next three days enjoying myself, so I'm going with him."
She leapt off.
"Suit yourself," Guardian Venus muttered.
"You don't see her do you?" Guardian Mars said looking around worriedly.
"Of course not," Guardian Jupiter said. "She's not going to hunt you down you know."
"Oh she just might."
"Well you got yourself into this mess."
"I just don't want to deal with it right now."
"It'd be better to settle it now than have it hanging over you," Jupiter said.
"Too bad," Mars said. "Oh here she comes!"
"I stand corrected," Jupiter said.
Guardian Mars leapt off a rooftop.
"WAIT UP!" Sailor Jupiter said landing and racing after him.
Sailor Mercury landed on the building.
"I guess that ends the recon mission," Mercury said. "Actually could you help me look for anyone who hasn't been evacuated?"
"Sure," Jupiter said. "I'm not busy."
"It's a big city,"Mercury said pulling out her computer.
In the war room.
"Completing tactical scan now," Gmerc said sitting in his chair.
"Not long now," Maverick said.
"No I guess not."
"You ready?"
"Always."
"Wrong question I guess. I mean you psyched."
"Always."
"Oh come on, you're not the perfect fighting machine."
"No, but I'm close," Gmerc said.
"Now don't get cocky."
"I never am."
"Fine you are," Maverick said. "Do you always get delusional before a battle?"
"Do you expect an answer?"
"No," Maverick muttered.
"WAIT UP!" Sailor Jupiter said. "Come on Seiya!"
"No!" Guardian Jupiter said. "We've got nothing to say."
"Sure we do! We need to talk!"
"Not now!"
"Especially now!"
"Don't do this!" Guardian Jupiter said.
"Oh come on Seiya, don't be such a fool, I just need to talk to you."
"It's over."
"I don't think either of us want that."
Out of nowhere leapt Guardian Pluto. He tackled Guardian Jupiter and held him.
"Sorry, but I had to," he said. Sailor Jupiter said and landed.
"Look who decided to stop and chat," Guardian Pluto said and let go.
"Well?" Sailor Jupiter asked.
"Looks like I can't do anything now."
"Good boy," Guardian Pluto said and leapt off.
"And why is he doing that?" Guardian Jupiter said. "Why would he just help you get back together with me! In theory!"
"Because he's a good friend," Sailor Jupiter said. "Now, listen I know you're confused, perhaps a little scared, but we just need to talk a little. And we have to do it now, because soon we'll be fighting, and we can't let this interfere."
"Fine let's talk," Guardian Jupiter said.
"Don't make it sound like a death sentence, it's me Lita remember?"
"I know, but it's better if we didn't talk."
"Just shut up and listen," Sailor Jupiter said.
"Strange huh?" Guardian Uranus said.
"Yeah," Sailor Mars said as the two walked down tenth street now silent and empty.
"Normally this place would be packed now. So empty.." Guardian Uranus said.
"Hopefully not for long," Sailor Mars said.
"Yeah. Wanna loot the joint?"
"Now that wouldn't be nice," Sailor Mars said. "What would you make you think of such a thing?
"Nothing, it just seems like looting is standard procedure."
"Not by the champions of justice."
"Ah..it's the sailor scouts that use all the slogans, the Guardian Scouts discontinued that program," Uranus said.
"Only because you guys all stink at it," Sailor Mars said.
"Actually I think it's because we felt silly," Guardian Uranus said.
"That's the idea."
"What? Relieve stress by making a fool of oneself?"
"Exactly," Mars said.
Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon rode up.
"Hey guys," Sailor Moon said. "Everything seem fine here?"
"What would you expect?" Mars asked.
"No looting going on, that's for sure," Uranus said.
"What a spooky place this is when no one's around," Sailor Moon said.
"It's kinda romantic though," Tuxedo Mask said.
"Sure, Armageddon is just like that," Guardian Uranus said.
"What are you two talking about?" Mars and Moon asked.
"You're saying you don't find the setting romantic?" Uranus asked.
"No," the two responded. "It's morbid," Mars added.
"Yes, in a way," Uranus said. "But there's a certain something to it."
"If you say so," Mars said.
"Well let's see what else is happening," Sailor Moon said.
And they sped off.
"Romantic?"Mars asked.
"Yeah, I happen to think so."
"Strange."
"Not really," Uranus said.
"No really," Mars said.
"Seiya, I really think you're doing a fine job as a boyfriend and I want to keep this going," Sailor Jupiter said.
"But I'm not right for you," Guardian Mars said.
"Stop staying that."
"Really."
"No, you listen, I know who's right for you, and you're more right then many people I know, so deal with it. We have to give that a chance, and all you've told me doesn't count as a problem. We'll work through it. Sure things get weird at times, but that's not a problem, and besides if we see it as weird that means we both know what the normal things are supposed to be."
"I don't know," Guardian Mars said.
"Oh come on, we can't let end like this,"Sailor Jupiter said. "I think we've got something, now why can't you accept it? Don't you feel it?"
"Sort of."
"Then what are complaining about?"
"I don't know, maybe I'm being stupid."
"No you are, that I know, but that's all right. Just tell me that for now we'll be friends, and then after the war we'll get back together and see what happens okay?"
"All right," Guardian Mars said.
And the two hugged.
In another part of the city.
"There should be someone in this building," Sailor Mercury said as she headed down a hallway.
"You think they would have cleared out," Guardian Jupiter said following close behind her.
"Yes, well apparently they haven't," Sailor Mercury said. "Hello," she called.
"Hey, anyone in here?" Guardian Jupiter asked.
"Ehh..what?" came a voice. The two scouts watched as an old man emerged.
"Sir, you have to evacuate," Sailor Mercury said.
"What? Why?" the old man asked.
"We'll explain on the way," Guardian Jupiter said.
A police car rolled up.
"Huh..what?" the man said. The police entered.
"Hey..what's happening, did we lose the war?" the old man said. "No...stop the Americans!"
"He's delusional," Jupiter said.
"We'll get him to safety," one of the cops said.
"Better get him a doctor too," Mercury said.
"Sure thing," the cop said.
"Ehh..I'll be back!" the old man shouted.
Mercury and Jupiter glanced at each other.
"The city is an interesting place when it is empty like this," Sailor Saturn said letting a breeze fly through her.
"Yeah sure is," Guardian Saturn said.
"I appreciate what you did."
"What?"
"I didn't get a chance to say so before, but I realize it was hard for you to admit your feelings."
"Oh.."
"I'm afraid I might have forced them."
"What..no.."
"Yes, perhaps, I too easily gave up on you and pursued Patterson even when I always hoped to have you instead."
"Really?"
"Yes, we share a lot in common, more than I do with Patterson, despite our past background, I knew the way he fought with Ayeka and the way they manage to work together is something that shows the true love they can feel, I was just in the way, yet, I still hoped, like one does.."
"Yeah," Guardian Saturn said. "But we'll see about relationship after the war here."
Sailor Saturn nodded.
"Hey look who I found," Guardian Neptune's image said on the War Room video screen. "It's the Sewer Daimon".
"Hi yo!" the Daimon said. "So what's happening?"
"We're about to be invaded," Gmerc said.
"Surprise," Maverick said.
"Ah..you I haven't met.." The sewer daimon said. "Who is this beautiful lady."
"Hey watch it that's Gmerc's girl you're talking too.." Guardian Neptune said.
"I'm flattered to have monsters complimenting me, you're cute," Maverick said.
Gmerc sighed.
"Anyway, gotta go," the daimon said. "I'll be patrolling the sewers for any trouble."
"A service the scouts appreciate," GMerc said.
"Yeah, you the man," Guardian Neptune said. "Well gotta go."
The screen flickered off.
"Who was that?" Maverick asked.
"It's a long story with no easy explanation," Gmerc said.
"Ah Sailor Moon," General Patterson said standing near a tank. "What can I do for you?"
"I hear it's your intention to use the SDF against that fleet."
"Yes it is."
"General, are you sure human troops should even get involved," Sailor Moon said.
"Don't try and convince us otherwise, we helped you out before," Patterson said.
"Yes, but I don't want you all getting hurt or worse."
"We're soldiers, we defend this country, to ask us not to do so...well we just won't listen," Patterson said.
"All right," Sailor Moon said. "I guess you're right. Three days to go."
"Yep. You nervous yet?"
"Sure. You?"
"Oh of course, the key to being a soldier is not that of not being afraid, but of handling that fear and using it to your advantage."
"Yeah, guess so," Sailor Moon said.
Two days passed.
"All right everyone," Sailor Moon said. "We know what tomorrow is."
"Thursday," Guardian Neptune said.
Sailor Moon sighed.
"Oh come on..that was a gimme," Guardian Neptune said.
"He's right, I'll even admit it," Guardian Venus said.
"Anyway, we all know what we have to do, the world is counting on us!" Sailor Moon said.
"It's my personal preference not to fight for France," Guardian Earth said.
"Seconded," Maverick said.
"Should we make it unanimous?" Guardian Neptune asked.
"Scouts will you get with it?" Luna said.
"Yeah, this is no game," Artemas said.
"We're just loosening up right?" Sailor Moon asked. "Not letting the stress get us down that's all."
"Right!" The scouts all said.
"Pluto are you encouraging this?" Luna asked.
"Oh come on Luna, you know them better than I do," Sailor Pluto said. "They might as well enjoy the peace."
"Guess you're right," Luna said.
The sun was setting, and the lights of the city were becoming clear.
"One thing," Guardian Moon said standing. "Before we go into battle I want it clear just who will lead the Guardian Scouts, since it may come up."
Guardian Mercury stood up.
"I think the answer is I will," Mercury said.
"But Gmerc, you've never wanted to be leader before," Artemas said.
"But he has been," the other scouts replied.
"Oh come now, I am the rightful commander," Guardian Moon said. "I have the three stripes."
"Me too," Guardian Mercury said.
"Look, I'm the leader of everyone," Sailor Moon said. "And as Princess of the Moon I declare that Gmerc is the leader of the Guardian scouts, case closed. I mean I didn't think it was a big deal, but that's how it is."
"This isn't over," Gmoon said.
"Ehh...sit down," Guardian Neptune said.
"You scouts should all try to rest if you can," Sailor Pluto said. "Tomorrow the war begins."
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