Chapter 379
"May I have your attention please," Principal Oksua approaching the microphone. The students all waited in the assembly.
"Anyway, I'm just glad our first full week of school following the little war there has gone so well," Oksua said.
Everyone booed him.
"Now that's not necessary," Oksua muttered. "Anyway, I've received great news. The school is being recognized as one of the best in the country."
"Why?" Mike blurted.
"Yeah why?" everyone else asked.
Oksua growled.
"I don't think he was prepared for that," Rick said.
"Yeah, caught him completely off guard," Steve said.
"Listen up!" Oksua asked. "I don't particularly know why anyone would want to name this school good either! So now we're all on the same page! But regardless of that! Someone thinks it worth it!"
"Actually the academic program here is quite challenging," Amy said.
"Yes, it's a high quality experience," Taiki said.
"Says you," The rest of the school replied.
"Perhaps that was the wrong thing to say," Amy said.
"No doubt about it," Taiki said.
"Anyway," Oksua said. "So we'll be welcoming officials from the National Board of Education who want to have a look at the place, in two days. So that means we all have to be on our best behavior. Mike Leslie! You're suspended for a week!"
"Ah..no you don't, that's going to cost you," Mike said.
"Isn't he cute when he's like this?" Mina asked.
"What blackmailing school officials?" Lita asked.
"Yeah," Mina said dreamily.
"If you say so," Lita said.
"Yeah, it's wonderful," Mina said.
"Ahem...look..we all know that if these officials find out we're not the greatest school on the planet, they're going to get angry, and things will change," Oksua said. "And not for the better either. They'll turn this school upside down trying to figure out what makes it tick, it'll be annoying for everyone of us."
"He's right," Ayeka said. "I was in something just like this at my old school. If we thought now was bad, it can only get worse."
"And most importantly they'll fire me most likely," Oksua said.
There was silence.
"And if I go, you all go with me!" Oksua shouted.
"I hardly think that's a legitimate threat," Sai said.
"I wouldn't push him," Akiro said. "He looks like he's dangerous when desperate."
"You learn quickly," Patterson said.
"Oh so you're even afraid of him then," Sai muttered.
"No," Patterson said. "But I'm wary of all living things, he is merely one of them."
"Your perspective is well founded," Hotaru said.
"Just much longer is this going to go anyway?" Serena muttered. "I didn't sleep at all last night," she said drowsily.
"Why was that Serena?" Lita asked.
"I kept having bad dreams," Serena said.
"Bad dreams?" The other scouts asked worriedly.
"Am I interrupting?" Oksua muttered staring at the group.
"Yes," Seiya said.
"What kind of bad dreams?" Raye asked.
"Hey..guys..it's not like that at all..." Serena said. "I mean there aren't like the other kind of bad dreams."
"Well tell us to make sure," Haruka said. "You've known to prophecise things before."
"Though not very reliably," Hotaru said.
"Not at all," Ai said.
"This no time to be jealous," Yaten observed.
"Look..all right..I'm running along this road..okay.." Serena asked.
"Yes?" the scouts all asked.
"And then these teddy bears start dancing all around me..but then they change..into monsters...teddy bear monsters with..oh what do you call it..the weapons with the balls on the end of the chain.."
"Maces," Ayeka and Patterson said.
"Did it have spikes?" Ayeka asked.
"Sure," Serena said.
"Those are the best ones," Ayeka said.
"Can we put that to one side for a moment here?" Sai muttered.
"So Teddy bear monsters with maces?" Raye asked skeptically.
"Yeah and they were chanting things," Serena said.
"Like what?" Mina asked.
"Something about eating my vegetables," Serena said.
The scouts all collapsed.
"What is so scary about that!" they all shouted.
"Hey..sorry..but I figured that it was..I mean teddy bears aren't supposed to carry maces," Serena said.
"Even they need protection," Hotaru said.
"Yeah, those beanie babies are thugs," Mike said.
"This conversation is going down the tubes very quickly," Taiki said.
"I don't think we have anything to worry about," Haruka said.
"AHEM!" Oksua shouted.
"Oops..sorry!" the scouts all said.
"I've had enough, you all don't deserve preferential treatment because you're scouts!"
"Oksua shut up!" the scouts all shouted. The crowd looked around.
"Hello everyone.." Setsuna said walking on stage.
"What are you doing?" Oksua asked.
"Nothing," Setsuna said. There was a flash of light.
"Now..you were saying.." She said.
"Ah...try to keep the disruptions down will you?" Oksua said blinking.
"Sure," the scouts all said.
At lunch.
"You know everyone, we really should spend more time together," Serena said.
"How can you say that?" Raye said. "We just spent all this time fighting a war."
"Yes,but that wasn't fun, I can tell there is still some division between us," Serena said.
"How dare you strike me with that corn muffin!" Sai shouted.
"Hey, you left yourself open, I gotta take the shot," Mike said.
"Why you!" Sai shouted leaping across the table.
"Hey..break it up!" Steve said grabbing Sai.
"No..I've been waiting for this one!" Akiro said knocking Steve away.
"Too bad you don't have time to watch!" Steve said throwing a right hook.
"Eh.." Akiro said before ducking a punch.
"Just what we need another fight," Yaten muttered.
"Actually it's been a while since we had a good one," Seiya said and leapt into the fray.
"Ehh..I could use the practice," Rick said.
The six were soon brawling.
"Uh..anyway.." Serena said. "I really think friendship is important, even with the guys."
"We're not all bad," Taiki said.
"HAH!" Mike said leaping across the table. Sai leapt after him knocking food everywhere.
"Hey! Be careful there!" Lita shouted. "Time to teach you a lesson!"
She went racing after Sai.
"Uh..what I mean is.." Serena said. "I...uh..think you know we as friends should uh..try and get beyond the antagonism."
Steve and Seiya were literally throttling each other.
"Oh come on! Grow up!" Serena said.
"Says you," Seiya and Steve snapped.
"I give up," Serena said and moaned.
"Hey..I haven't shown you guys this yet..look what Mike gave me," Mina said.
"Are you sure you should unleash it here?" Raye asked.
"Yes..that's a good point Mina," Michiru said. "We just don't know what kind of damage it could do."
"It's nothing like that," Mina said. "Look!"
She tossed an object onto the table. It hit with a splat.
The group stared at it.
"It's a jelly ball," Mina said.
"Ah..so it is," Haruka said.
"And what does it do?" Ai asked.
Mina smiled and poked it, the jelly ball squished and expanded.
"So it is constructed of polymers, I fail to see the enjoyment gained from simple chemical change," Amy said. "And minor change at that."
"Well said," Taiki said. "There are chemicals more impressive than that already developed. Take for instance the.."
"Let it go.." Yaten said.
"I think it's cute," Mina said rolling the ball along the table.
"I don't trust it,"Raye said.
"What?" Mina asked.
"If it's from Mike it's not that simple," Serena said.
"Did he say where he got it?" Yaten asked.
"You know Mike," Mina said. "He comes up with all the strangest things. Oh I forgot, here's what's so great about it. You drop, it there it goes. But watch this!"
She tossed it at the ceiling. It stuck and began to drip down.
"Cute huh.." Mina said.
"Not cute," Raye said. "I mean it's kinda neat..but cute..no.."
"Yeah, little fuzzy bunnies are cute, this is not," Serena said.
The ball dropped to the ground and hit with a massive splat startling them.
"It's not supposed to happen that fast," Mina muttered.
"What's it doing now.." Serena said worriedly. The ball was creeping towards her.
"Oh that happens too sometimes," Mina said.
"It develops a mind of its own?" Serena asked worriedly.
"No, no it has to do with magnets or something," Mina said.
"Magnets?" Amy asked in surprise..
"Now that is a more interesting line of research," Taiki said. "I'll have to look into it."
"Not without me you won't," Amy said.
"It's a date," Taiki said with a smile. Amy smiled back. They eyes met.
The rest of the group all watched them in surprise. They both drew back and blushed.
"Is that what they classify as aberrant behavior?" Hotaru asked.
"No,..no..no..definitely not," Greg said.
"Right, right," Ayeka said. "Just a little quirky that's all.."
"Oh..I see...quirky then..." Hotaru said.
"Why is it still coming at me?" Serena asked.
"It must really be attracted to you. Magnetically of course," Mina said.
"Or it's alive," Raye said.
"I haven't ruled that possibly out," Haruka said.
"Now, come on..it can't be alive," Mina said.
The jelly ball exploded. Everyone ducked as it splattered.
"Well it's not alive anymore, we know that," Yaten said.
"AHHH! My food is ruined!" Serena shouted. "How unfair! Take me instead!"
The group sighed.
"What a strange day..." Seiya said.
"What?" Lita asked.
"Oh..it was just was," Seiya said. "I mean I missed some of it, but you know it really was a mess," Seiya said.
"Now isn't that what you've come to expect?" Lita asked.
"I guess," Seiya said. "And I certainly don't mind a little action. But you know sometimes I wonder if we're all too weird for our own good."
"We're allowed to be anyway we want, we're the world's greatest heroes and heroines."
"Yes, but I'd prefer not to be weird."
"Seiya, what's so wrong with it?"
"I just don't like the idea. I mean not as a lifestyle."
"You're associating with the wrong bunch of people then," Lita said.
"So it would seem," Seiya said.
And several blocks away.
"I wonder if they're fighting," Steve said looking through a pair of binoculars.
"Steve...weren't you supposed to be chivalrous and just wait your turn?" Greg asked.
"I am waiting my turn, just not liking it," Steve said.
"While I give you credit for the effort, maybe you should lay off," Greg said.
"Ehh..what do you know? I'm the only one here who can't get the girl he wants."
"Yes, well..for most of us it really isn't that important," Greg said. "But.."
"But what? Seiya is standing in the way of Lita's true happiness."
"What makes you so sure of that?"
"Destiny flows through me. Now more than ever!"
He leapt off his roof and ran off down the street.
Greg sighed.
"And I really thought he was making progress," he muttered.
"Darrien I've always hated your wallpaper," Serena said.
"And what a wonderful thing to say.." Darrien said setting some cookies down on his table.
"Well I do, I mean if we're going to be married we need to learn to communicate," Serena said.
"That's right," Darrien said. "But I think there is some discretion involved."
"I'm not about discretion! I'm about love, justice, and the pursuit of pulchirtidonous wall paper!"
"Ah..." Darrien said. "I suppose beige is out then?"
"Seriously Darrien, we should go shopping..for wallpaper."
"This is what my landlord put in, I can't change it," Darrien said.
"Oh...that's too bad," Serena said. "How can you live with yourself?"
"Oh..I manage," Darrien said.
"I'm serious though. We should do a trial run of everything we would do if we were a couple."
"Now?"
"Yes, now...when I've got nothing else holding me back."
"Uh what about school?" Darrien asked.
"School? HAH! Haven't you learned that it's just a dead end."
"Ah..I see..." Darrien said. "All right....putting that whole issue aside."
"Now you're talking.."
"Right..why do you think we should do this?"
"Because, as a young couple in the throes of romance we need to know that we can handle the work part of the relationship as well as all the fun."
"I'm surprised, but in a good way. That shows some foresight on your part," Darrien said.
"Don't it though?" Serena asked. "I mean, sure right now we're coasting, but what happens when we need to buy a dining room table, I mean you'll want oak or cedar, and I'll be for marble and then what....we won't be ready..but now..we'll do it first, see what happens."
"Guess it's worth a try," Darrien said. "So what should we do first?"
"Carpets."
"Carpets? Why them?"
"Because carpets are the key to a successful relationship."
"Who says?"
Serena produced a book from her purse.
"Ah..Zen, romance, and everyday existence. A guide to how simple things such as light switches can improve your love life...." Darrien said. "Where did you get this?"
"It was my parents. And sure they came out a little messed up, but they're still together aren't they? And considering we're destined to be together...I figure this can only help."
"Well...if you say so," Darrien said. I have to somehow inadvertently lose that book.
"Shall we go?"
"Ah.yes...good," Darrien said. Serena stood up.
Now.. Darrien thought.
"Serena," Darrien said and grabbed her, embracing her tightly.
"Oooo...I like this," Serena said.
"Now let's go," Darrien said and hurried out the door, Serena followed.
The book remained on the table.
Excellent. Darrien thought. Perhaps that was wrong of me...I'll make it up to
her.
Chad had just finished practicing a song as he sat on a stage. His backup band had dispersed and they took a break.
"Well..well..well.." Rick said walking up.
"Ah....Rick..so how's it going?" Chad asked. "How'd you get in here?"
"The security guard's a fan of mine," Rick said.
"Oh..well I would have let you by anyway..so what do you need?"
"Nothing..nothing.." Rick said. "Still..I'm wondering..just how good you think you are."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean Chad, that since I left the record business I've been relieved. The pressure was too much really. I don't care. Still to see girls crowded around your picture happily screeching and guys at the same time muttering your numerous catch phrases.."
"Like Snarly," Chad said.
"Right.." Rick muttered. "I find myself a bit surprised. I really have no problem with what you're doing, but find it hard to just stand idly by in the cause of honor. So I'm thinking how about a little wager."
"Wager?"
"Sure...if I win you name you next album Rick is the king of the world."
"And if I win?"
"Name your terms."
"You have to sing one of Raye's songs at one of my concerts.." Chad said.
"Oo..I am quite impressed with that," Rick said. "Very well..."
"Now what's the wager."
"That my band can out-rock yours."
"But we've been there done that, have you guys even practiced in months?"
"We don't need to....to beat you."
"Oh I see," Chad said. "So it's on then, bring all you got!"
"I will," Rick said and began to laugh.
"Why are you laughing?" Chad asked.
Rick just grinned and hurried off.
"Weird," Chad said. "What a Gross-pot."
"Hmm..." Serena said leaning over a piece of carpet. "This doesn't look right to me."
"What do you mean?" Darrien asked.
"Hmm..it's zig zagging..." Serena said.
"So you don't like the zig zags?"
"No."
"Fine then, we'll try something else."
"Oh..so you agree with me?"
"Sure," Darrien said. I also don't care what the carpet looks like. Unless it's checkerboards. Now that I have trouble with.
"Hmm..this feels a little too rough," Serena said. "I want a floor I could sleep on if I felt the need too."
"Always good to be prepared," Darrien said.
"Ah..now this nice," Serena said laying across a floor sample.
"Serena, I don't think you should do that," Darrien said.
"Why not..one should always take carpeting for a test drive," Serena said.
"The first and last time I'll ever hear that phrase I bet," Darrien said.
"Ah..." a Salesman said sliding up. "Taking our little beauty for a test drive ey?"
Darrien sighed.
It's contagious. He thought.
"This is a fine model," The salesman said. "So what are you looking for in a carpet?"
"I'm so glad you asked," Serena said standing up. "It has to be cute. I mean I have to feel like I'm cute just for being on it. And it can't be rough, the world is too depressing for the carpet to be a problem.."
"I see.." the salesman said.
"Yeah, and it has to say..you know...I'm a carpet, and I'm proud of it, how I look, how I feel, and that I'm not afraid to be there. I mean the carpet should resent having couches put on top of it, it should feel slighted."
"I think I have just what you're looking for," the salesman said.
"You do? Great!" Serena said.
"So..you two are a bit young aren't you?" he asked.
"We're planning ahead," Darrien said.
"Ah..yes a wise idea. My wife and I had the carpet picked up five years ahead of the wedding. It fit us so perfectly too. Though she got the house in the divorce, but that's all right, we parted peacefully. She let me have the carpet."
"Nice of her," Serena said.
"She was really too good for me," the salesman said. "Certainly too good for this idiot she's dating now. Stupid Kino Fujimori, I'm going to rip his head off!"
"Ah..well..uh..I hate to open up old wounds here," Serena said. "But.."
"Ah..yes, the carpet, don't worry I'm fine.." the salesman said. "Let's give you a whirlwind tour of the carpet bonanza!"
"A whirlwind tour. That means it's extra special right?" Darrien asked.
"Oh yeah," the salesman said.
"Wow..the V.I.P. treatment."
"Hush Darrien, this is his true calling, I can see it in his heart," Serena said.
Right, selling carpets is someone's true calling. Well that's wonderful. Darrien said.
"Maybe Nephlite will stop by when his carpet selling energy reaches it's full potential and then..." Darrien said.
"Oh..shush," Serena said.
"Now how about this," the salesman said.
"A checkerboard! How wonderful!" Serena shouted.
Darrien sighed.
And through the stars streaked a large object, shooting towards the Earth, plowing through the atmosphere and descending towards the city at an increasing rate.
"Something is coming," Ai said.
"Oh what now?" Akiro muttered..
"From the sky."
"Wonderful, can it wait till after we have dinner?"
"From the stars, comes it's child," Hotaru said.
"Uh..what?" Greg asked.
"It approaches, that is all I know."
"Oh...well..uh.thanks for the update," Greg stammered.
Hotaru just stared at him.
And through the clouds the object continued to drop. It glowed and then skidded over the city before careening into the bay. A large cone of water shot up and energy flew out of it.
"Oh wonderful, just what we need," Setsuna muttered leaning against her balcony.
"Yep," Haruka said.
"I forgot to make a wish on that shooting star," Michiru said.
"I can bet it wouldn't be granted," Haruka said.
"Come on you two, let's find out what it is this time," Setsuna said.
The three then turned and headed away.
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