Chapter 386
Serena and Darrien stood on a dock staring at the alien still asleep in Tokyo Bay.
"What a strange creature it is..." Serena said.
"Yeah I guess so," Darrien said. "I guess it's just here to rest."
"Hmm..I wish we could talk to it, understand it. You know..we face so many aliens and creatures that aren't interested in talking. But this one doesn't seem to be harmful."
"Maybe one day it'll be interested in talking," Darrien said.
"Yes, I guess," Serena said. "I really hope it's not just resting up for it's eventual attempt to take over the world. That just wouldn't be nice. You'd think they'd all get the idea."
"The idea?"
"Yes, that we're invincible," Serena said.
"There's a lot of egomaniacs out there that believe they're invincible," Darrien said.
"And where are they now?" Serena asked.
"The next group doesn't know that yet," Darrien said.
"Group? You actually think there's more of them out there?"
"Well..no..I just am so used to the idea," Darrien said.
"I guess..you're right."
"The creature, it's moving," Darrien said.
Serena spun.
The creature slowly rose its torso out of the water. The two watched in awe.
The creature looked around, yawned and then fell back to sleep.
"False alarm," Serena said. "Jeez..how pathetic, sleeping like that all the time."
Darrien glanced at her.
"Darrien," She said and turned to stare at him.
"Uh..yes?"
"How could you think such a thing?"
"Think what?" Darrien asked.
Serena's eyes narrowed.
"I think you know..."
"No really what's wrong?"
"Don't lie to me," Serena said. "That reminds you of me doesn't it?"
"Not in the least," Darrien said.
"Liar," Serena said and shoved him into the water.
"Hmph...that'll teach you," Serena said and walked off.
"Hmm..she's just paranoid," Darrien muttered climbing out of the bay Then again...I was thinking that..but she shouldn't think I would think that....would she?
"I know you too well!" Serena shouted. "Now get over here so we can rejoin this romantic evening in progress!"
"Uh..coming!" Darrien said hurrying towards her.
"Honestly Darrien," Serena said. "Just because you're massively adorable doesn't mean that I'm not going to notice the vague subtleties of your mind at work."
"How silly of me to think that," Darrien said.
"You're so right," Serena said. "But now that we have that cleared up, let's get you cleaned up, I feel like dancing."
"Ah...wonderful idea," Darrien said.
Serena glanced at him.
"I'm sorry," she said. "Maybe throwing you into the bay was a little much."
"I'd say so."
"It's just tough love I guess," Serena said. "But I'm sorry. I get carried away."
"I know," Darrien said. "It just shows you have a..."
"What?"
"Well..uh..a spirited personality."
Serena smiled.
In the high school gym.
"All right..let's take it from the top," Rick said.
"You know I've always wondered about that," Mike said. "Why is it that top, it's really the beginning and when has anything ever begun at the top, I mean if you climb a mountain you start at the bottom, so we should take it from the bottom."
"Mike, sheet music...." Steve said.
"Oh...that's at the top...but we go right...then down..then right again...we should really take it from the upper left hand corner..." Mike said.
"He's got you there," Rick said.
"No he doesn't, because he's an idiot," Steve said.
"How many times have I explained this to you," Mike said. "My behavior is not a sign of idiocy but the sign of true genius warped into something much less useful."
"Can't argue with that," Seiya said.
"Yep, just because Mike has some degree of potential doesn't mean he should use it," Rick said.
"Right on!" Mike said and banged on the drum.
"Are you going to play something or not?" Mina asked sitting several feet away.
"This should be good," Yaten muttered watching from afar.
"Yeah, all right...from the upper left, let's play "The hyphen song."
"The hyphen song?" Yaten asked.
"Oo..this is a cute one," Mina said.
"Cute? It rocks," Lita said.
"It rocks," Mina said. "But it's cute."
"This song is a waste of talent," Yaten said.
"Of course it is, but don't tell Rick, he loves it," Raye said.
"All right, one two three four!" Rick shouted.
A song started up with the guitars going, and Mike drumming.
Rick began:
You got a lot of problems...you gotta take em down!
"Down!" Steve and Mike shouted.
Right on! Now let's take this down south of the border and go with it!
Let's let the night take us away into the stars above..and with the twilight dawning below, bring us back into reality!
"Down!" Steve and Mike shouted.
"That doesn't make any sense," Yaten said.
"You're missing the inner feelings," Mina said.
"Wha.."
So come on! Let's do this thing! Take this bird for a swing!
The cosmos is ours not mine or yours, but ours you know it's true!
"DOWN!" Mike and Steve shouted.
"This is a baffling piece," Taiki said.
"You haven't heard the rest of it," Raye muttered.
Rock out!
The group burst into instrumental for another minute.
"Down!" Mike and Steve shouted.
"Take it!" Rick shouted.
Mike grinned.
"Bow, bow ba doo doo ba doo down bo da doo wa doo wow da wooo!" he shouted.
"Rock it bow ba doo ba doo wa..." Steve added.
Seiya hit a solo on the guitar.
"Now everyone knows..that we have things in this world," Rick said. "Things we like, things we don't like, but we still have them. And why are they just things, because we have to simplify, you know..make things easier, so we can go on living. That's just right. Got me?"
"DOWN!" Mike and Steve shouted.
Don't forget the starlight..it's what we use to break down the doors!
Come on! Get it! You know you want it! Break it down!"
"DOWN!"
Let's rock it out tonight! You with me! You know it! Hit that drum some more!"
Mike soloed.
"Ba da ba da doooo!" Mike shouted.
"Right on..do wa do doodle seventeen!" Steve shouted.
"It's a toaster!" Rick, Mike, and Steve shouted.
They ended with a refrain.
"Woo..way to go!" Mina shouted.
"What just happened?" Yaten asked.
"I don't think that was music," Taiki said.
"Oh it wasn't," Raye said. "But they have fun with it."
"I'm glad someone does,"Taiki said.
"Wow..this goes in a whole new direction," Seiya said. "I don't understand, I'm not sure I even like it, but it goes out there."
"Hey that's what we're about," Mike said.
"We should practice the group number next," Rick said.
"Ooo..I can't wait," Mina said jumping up onto stage.
"Mina all that energy's going to get you killed someday," Raye said.
"That's what you think," Mina said. "I'm a starlight goddess."
"I was not expecting that kind of response," Raye said.
"By now you're not?" Yaten asked. "I learned to expect it day one."
"Well..phooey on you," Raye said.
"Try to keep the 'do bas'..town to a minimum," Yaten said.
"Hey, this is all about keeping the 'do bas' down to a minimum," Mike said.
"Don't you ever get tired of making no sense?"
"Should I?"
"I walked into that one," Yaten said.
Sai Tsukano spun swinging his practice sword around quickly and then pulling back as if fencing with an invisible opponent. He flipped from a standing position and shot forward avoiding a fictitious attack and swinging hard into a blow. He stepped back quickly and swung forward again, before sliding around and facing his opponent on the opposite side of the rooftop.
"Ah..practicing again..." Akiro said. "You do too much of that."
"I need to increase my skill," Sai said.
"Sure do," Akiro said. "But you're growing obsessive, I hardly see you going out anymore."
"That's what training involves."
"Ah..yes..I see, so my training regimen which puts my skill only slightly below yours is out of date then?"
"Akiro, you could never beat me. That's what matters."
"Yes, but I do allow myself such things as free time. You only go out when you're looking for trouble, which is more often then usual..but still.." Akiro said.
"Akiro..if you're trying to tell me I'm working too hard it won't work. The leader of the Guardian Scouts must stay in top physical condition."
"But you're not the leader."
"I am now that our previous leader has..well..crossed the final frontier you might say," Sai said.
"He's still in charge."
"She is in charge of nothing except blushing from embarrassment. Besides, I should be in top condition anyway, since we should all be capable of stepping in."
"You so want to beat him don't you?"
"More than anything in the world..." Sai said.
"Ah..so it's revenge then?"
"Oh yes."
"You're pathetic," Akiro said. "Learn to let go. Life is too short."
He turned and walked away. Sai grimaced and began fighting his invisible opponent again, harder then before.
I will defeat you! It's only a matter of time! He thought.
Greg stared at the computer screen and began to concentrate.
Now what was wrong with this? He thought. Why would someone not want to read this book. How would I know? Maybe I should show it to my friends. I don't know though. If they don't like it...but they should shouldn't they? I mean..it's well written isn't it, and they all like me, and this is merely an extension of that. Isn't it? Yeah, so what am I worried about? Of course I'm worried that if they don't like it I'll really look stupid. This stinks.
"A young author hard at work, how encouraging," Michiru said appearing in the doorway.
"Oh..Michiru..hello," Greg said.
"I've heard you haven't been having much luck."
"I haven't been having any luck."
"Oh..well..that's all right," Michiru said. "If it came easy everyone would do it."
"That's not true," Greg said. "It should come easy for the people who are good at it."
"Ah...well said," Michiru said.
"I just don't know what's wrong."
"Why don't you let someone else read it."
"Because I'm afraid to."
"Please?"
Greg grinned.
"You don't do cute well...I mean..I don't mean that...wrong..I mean..you're much too mature..for that..I..uh..it's still beauty..I.."
"Greg..calm down," Michiru said. "It's all right. I know what I do well. Yes, cute..that's not really me..I prefer ravishing."
"Uh..that's it..." Greg said.
"Well then let your ravishing friend take a look at it," Michiru said with a smile.
"Uh..well...all right," Greg said nervously. "Uh here..."
He handed her a spare manuscript.
"Defense of hope: the warrior's destiny....nice title."
"Uh..good." Greg said.
"Calm down..it's probably wonderful," Michiru said and began to read.
Greg tensed.
Haruka sighed and sipped on a cup of coffee at a sidewalk restaurant.
I hate having no definite enemy until it appears in front of me. Though I guess it's wrong to expect the malicious forces of the universe to be more accommodating. Still, this seems more like an accident then anything else, this energy seems to be affecting people's minds but not necessarily towards evil per se..or maybe it just activates repressed or restrained instincts. I don't know. Still, that doll maker was a kink in the works. Where'd he come from? How did he build that army without us finding out? Maybe with all the bigger problems we've had he slipped under our radar, but I wonder if there's anyone else like that. They're still dangerous even if they probably couldn't take over the world?
"Ah..sitting alone I see.." came a voice. Haruka turned.
"Ah..Jasen what brings you to town?" Haruka asked.
The former Jaedite sat down across from her.
"Word has it that this place has been a center of random acts of violence of late. I was dealing with a problem in Korea, thought I'd swing by."
"To help?"
"Can't stay long, but there is a lot going on around here that is not entire clear, this sideshow is merely a..well sideshow, but I wouldn't worry about it. There are certain minor forces at work that have minor energy supplies, we're taking care of it, but it also means some of them have gotten the bright idea to show up here. Still..at the very worse, they become an annoyance. I wouldn't worry."
"The doll maker falls into that category."
"Exactly. They have no idea what they're getting into, but this is not something you'd expect Sailor Moon to have to call upon the powers of the galaxy to stop that's for sure."
"We noticed that," Haruka said.
"We'll do all we can to keep them from showing up here, but these are some pretty weird characters," Jasen said. "Gotta go..flight leaves for India."
"What's going on there?"
"Not sure yet, but we've got some sort of cow god causing trouble...it could get messy."
"Enjoy yourself," Haruka said.
Jasen grinned and walked out.
"Now..D.V. I've ironed everything out.." Setsuna said. "In my own special way. You have transferred out of Sailor Scout High to go one a special educational experience."
"Sooner or later they're going to see through that," D.V. said.
"I think not," Setsuna said with a grin. "But..D.V. you can't keep missing school it's detrimental to your education so a new student has transferred in..as yet unnamed, but she'll be Amy's cousin to explain the resemblance. What are you going to call yourself?"
"How would I know," D.V. said. "I need a name that represents me, but sounds normal."
"How about Donna?" Ayeka said.
"I'll pass," D.V. said.
"I just thought..oh..all right," Ayeka said.
"Hikaru?" Amy asked.
"How about Rumiko?" Hotaru said.
"Akane?" Ayeka asked.
"Naoko?"
"Amara?"
"Miaka?"
"Asuka?"
"No..no..this isn't working," D.V. said. "What's my last name going to be."
"I thought Anderson to keep it simple," Setsuna said.
"Fine..I'll use my mother's name.. Lisa.."
"Lisa Anderson," Setsuna said. "All right?"
"How about Scar?" Ayeka asked.
"Swift maybe," Hotaru said.
"No," D.V. said.
"And don't worry D.V. I've made out a special exemption so you don't have to go to gym glass, that should make all the girls happy."
"Oh..that was going to make it interesting," Ayeka said.
"An intriguing case study at the very least," Hotaru said.
"I think that's a good move," Amy said.
"Let's just pray you don't have to use the bathroom," Setsuna said.
"I think we can get around that," Ayeka said. "Besides it's not that special."
"Can we get off the subject," D.V. said blushing. "This is hard enough."
And in the high school's gym.
"So Lita..I was thinking after we finish up here we could do something," Seiya said.
"Sounds nice," Lita said. "What did you have in mind."
"I'll think of something."
"Ah..spontaneous, I like it," Lita said.
"Great," Seiya said.
"I wonder if I threw a cymbal at someone..no..that might hurt..still..it would..no..bad idea," Mike said. "What do you think?"
"What?" Steve asked.
"I..said.." Mike glanced at him. "Never mind..what's got you so distracted from my ramblings."
"Nothing, nothing," Steve said.
Mike looked. Of course Steve was staring at the conversation Seiya and Lita were having.
Hmm...things aren't going as planned it seems. Mike thought.
"All right, now it's time for a little combination action," Rick said. "Seiya, you think we can synchronize our melody this time?"
"I think it's as good as done," Seiya said.
"Taiki, Yaten you guys ready?"
"Let's make the impossible possible," Yaten said.
"Good attitude," Rick said.
"Girls?"
"All ready," the three replied happily.
"Mike?"
"JAM!" Mike said and flung a drum stick several feet forward.
"I have more," he said.
"He's ready," Rick said. "Steve?"
"Yeah?"
"You ready?"
"Yeah..just tell me where to shoot," Steve replied.
"Uh..okay..I'll take that as a yes," Rick said.
"Let's go."
The band started up with their rendition and started playing quickly. The song eventually finished up.
"Guess that's a wrap," Rick said. "Its' good, we're almost there."
"Yes, almost," Seiya said.
"Guess so," Taiki said.
"Improvement is always possible," Yaten said. "And always suggested."
"I have the perfect place picked out," Seiya said walking up to Lita.
"Excellent," Lita said. "Lead the way."
"I'm hungry..Mike! Let's go to that restaurant where a fight always breaks out," Mina said.
"I'm there!" Mike said. "I think it's going to be a good one tonight too."
"Great," Mina said.
"Rick...I'll see you tomorrow, swing by my place so we can talk about the music okay?" Raye asked.
"No problem," Rick said.
The group headed out.
"So..Steve..what happened?" Rick said. "You missed several notes, covered it well, and it is practice, but that's usually all yours.."
"Nothing," Steve said. "Tired that's all. You know I get tired."
"Yeah I do," Rick said. "But I'd hate to think that other things are distracting you."
"I'm good to go," Steve said.
"Steve...be careful all right."
"I am careful," Steve said. "Don't you worry about that."
"Steve..."
"What?" Steve snapped.
"I mean it," Rick said without hesitation.
"Yeah.." Steve muttered and headed out the door.
This could be a problem. Rick thought.
"HAH!" came a shout. Chad swung on a rope and then dropped to the ground clad in a cape.
"What are you doing here?" Rick asked.
Chad grinned.
"Spying on you that's all."
"Not nice of you to do that," Rick said.
"No, but I've found out when you want to learn something the best way to do it is to find it out."
"Wise words," Rick said. "But there's no reason to spy."
"Yeah well I wanted to know how my arch rivals were doing...pretty good..but this little medley you've got set up won't do against the Chad machine."
"Chad..give it a rest," Rick said. "You sold out."
"Selling out isn't that big of a deal. Besides, there are people who go for that kind of stuff. Why deprive them?"
"You have a point, but why the cape?"
"That's part of my mystique."
"You're not the first person to wear a cape you know."
"Nor will I be the last...but I am Chad..." he said and hurried out the door.
"I'm not sure what to say about that," Rick said.
"Where is everyone?" Luna muttered to herself. This happens too often. They head off and don't tell me anything. She stopped and sat on a wall.
Artemas ran down the street.
"Now where is he going?" Luna wondered. She hurried after him. He turned a corner and ducked under a hole in the fence. Luna followed slowly and peeked in..she gasped. Standing in a vacant lot were several hundred cats. They all stared at a box that sat at the head of them. Sitting on it was a large cat she remembered.
Horace. Luna thought.
"Meow.." Horace said.
"Meow.." the cats said back.
Its some sort of cult. Luna thought in surprise.
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