Chapter 399
Tokyo Japan.
It was about nine in the morning. The sun was shining brightly, as it was known to do on quite many occasions.
The small plaza area in front of Sailor Scout High School was quiet as well. The students were all inside sitting through classes. Everything was peaceful.
Then the street exploded. Five large holes were blasted in the pavement and five hulking creatures leapt onto the sidewalk. They all let growls. The leader, a very burly and hairy figure, clad in some sort of armor drew a long broadsword and pointed it at the school.
"We demand combat with the Sailor Scouts! Tell them to come forth!" he shouted.
The five growled and advanced slowly taking up positions just beyond the statue of their presumed opponents. They waited tensely.
"WELL?" the leader shouted.
"Give us a second will ya!" a voice screeched from the roof. Seconds later Sailor Moon leapt off the roof dropping straight to the ground. Sailors Jupiter and Mercury followed. Sailor Venus front flipped, Sailor Mars spun, the five landed. Sailor Uranus and Neptune dropped to the side of them. Saturn and Pluto were not far behind.
"Jeez..wait for me will you," Sailor Earth said and leapt to the ground.
"What...there are ten of them.." one of the creatures said hurriedly.
"There was only supposed to be five," the leader stammered.
"HO!" came a shout. Guardians Pluto, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Earth leapt off and landed.
"That's nothing," Guardian Mars shouted leaping off the top and rolling forward, before landing. "He'll never learn," Guardian Jupiter said landing beside Guardian Venus on the ground.
Guardian Moon dropped slowly studying the enemy as he did so. On the other side Gmerc and Maverick did the same.
"Twenty...one...." the leader stammered.
"You..wanted a fight didn't you?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Well....uh.." the five creatures all said.
"THERE WAS ONLY SUPPOSED TO BE FIVE OF YOU!" the Leader shouted.
"We can't be responsible if you don't check your information carefully," Sailor Jupiter said.
"Uh..we'll just be going," the Leader of the group said.
"Oh no you don't!" Sailor Moon said. "Let's get em!"
The five creatures let out a shout of surprise and horror.
Later that day at lunch.
"Honestly, five random behemoths showing up looking for a fight can be quite tiring to deal with.." Serena muttered.
"I broke a nail," Mina said.
"I wonder what they were here to do anyway," Amy said.
"I think it was obvious, they wanted a fight," Raye said. "But unfortunately for them..they got one."
"More then they wanted, but they asked for it, they got it!" Lita said.
The group assembled let out a cheer.
"What fools," Haruka said leaning against the rooftop fence. "What did they want?"
"I'm sure it was something malicious," Michiru said leaning beside her. "They didn't seem to be up to date though."
"What a waste," Haruka said. "All this fighting."
"Yes, I know."
"You'd think there'd be an alien race in this galaxy not interested in taking over the planet."
"There probably is, they just don't have any means to get here," Michiru said.
"The entire galaxy was under the thumb of Galaxia remember?" Setsuna said walking onto the rooftop. "A lot of minor nuisances are free to attack again."
"So true," Haruka said. "How long is it going to take for them to give up though? I mean we're only getting stronger."
"The line is about to be drawn," Hotaru said emerging from the other side of the roof. "I am sorry, I couldn't help hearing."
"That's all right Hotaru," Michiru said.
"The forces of the universe seem to be in alignment for something. A change, perhaps in all of this..I do not know," Hotaru said.
"Yes, that's true," Setsuna said. "There are forces at work."
"To bring these wars to an end?" Haruka asked.
"Possibly," Setsuna said. "Though I can't say for sure, there are signs of that."
"Indeed...however there is still things to be done. The enemies must be dealt with first," Hotaru said. "That is our charge."
"Ircanite you mean," Haruka said.
"And whoever serves him or he serves," Hotaru said.
"There were eight warriors, the negaverse brought four with them," Setsuna said. "The other four are the ones we know. Coardite is dead. That leaves three."
"But that's not the say there aren't other forces," Haruka said. "It'll never end you know. This is destiny."
"Everything must end at some time," Hotaru said.
"Not this," Haruka said and walked off.
"She's been very disturbed lately," Michiru said.
"Who can blame her?" Setsuna said. "I do hope this all ends soon. For all of our sakes."
"Something will be decided, that is for certain," Hotaru said.
"But what?" Michiru asked.
"So deciding to eat lunch in the men's room again...interesting decor," Akiro said.
"I don't need your commentary Akiro," Sai said. "Besides, I don't need to eat right now."
"Just a guess, but I'm thinking you're not exactly in a good mood."
"And I don't need you to tell me that, or to try and provide any help either," Sai said and headed for the door.
"Oh no you don't," Akiro said moving to block the door.
Sai punched him in the stomach.
"I mean it," he said and walked out letting the door slam behind him.
"I guess ya do," Akiro said wincing.
But he's obviously upset about something big, and this has been going on too long too. Of course helping him out isn't exactly..well..it's impossible that's what it is.
Jeez..he didn't have to hit that hard. Akiro muttered and walked into the
hall.
"Hello..Darrien," Furuhata Sagara said sliding in the door of his office.
"Oh..Furi..hello.." Darrien muttered.
"Oh..I see..depressed again, what is it this time?"
"Perhaps you've noticed that we have a little thing called graduation coming up in two months," Darrien said.
"Sure I noticed, so what?"
"So..I actually have a lot of work to finish."
"Me too, but I'm not sobbing over it."
"Well good for you."
"Ooo..feisty aren't you?"
"Look, I'm just under a lot of stress here. If I don't do well....this is my future here," Darrien said.
"The future is an interesting concept," Furi said and walked out.
"That's it?" Darrien muttered. "Thanks for not elaborating," he muttered.
How am I going to pull this off? He thought. I've behind on so much stuff.
He sighed.
At the Three Lights' luxury apartment.
"We should be hearing back from the colleges soon," Taiki said.
"So we will," Yaten said. "I hope our fake academic records please them."
Taiki grinned slightly. "So how are you doing?"
"What do you mean?" Yaten asked.
"Well we've been back here on Earth for a while. The first time you weren't exactly happy to be here."
"Yes, well things changed, our planet is rebuilding, but I know our place is here right now. I'm not sure for how long, but...I'm pretty sure this is where we're supposed to be."
"Are you all right with that?"
"The Earth has grown on me. Besides, there is a lot to see and do here. I've only scratched the surface. But the ideas here, the differences between our culture and there's...it's interesting."
"I guess, you only started being yourself again weeks ago."
"Yes, well..that's part of adapting," Yaten said. "But for now, things are going well....aren't you going to be late?"
"Hmm..perhaps, Amy will understand," Taiki said. "Still I shouldn't wait long."
"I'm fine Taiki. Really."
"I believe you, this time," Taiki said and headed off.
Yaten grinned.
Don't blame him for wondering.
Seiya walked in growling.
"Dare I ask?" Yaten asked.
"No," Seiya muttered and headed into his room slamming the door.
"Well good to see I'm not needed here," Yaten muttered and headed out.
"Just how exactly do you keep this up?" Rick asked.
"Keep what up?" Steve asked.
"Well, there's your irrational desire for a girl that defies all forms of logic," Rick said.
"Never mind that she's got a boyfriend," Mike said.
"You two don't understand, I can feel it," Steve said.
"No you can't," The two replied.
"Sure I can," Steve said. "I've been working on everything. I've been studying the signs, and learning what it's like to be..well..in love..and be loved and all that stuff."
"Steve, you're devoting much to much time to this, build a rocket," Mike said.
"No..uh..do something else..how about play a football game or something," Rick said.
"Are you two suggesting that I'm not being manly," Steve said.
"Yep," The two said.
"Can't help it," Steve said. "If you'll excuse me, I have plans to make."
"Plans?" Rick and Mike asked.
"Oh yes," Steve said. "Secret plans."
He headed out.
"We have to follow him," Mike said.
"Sure do, he's really really scary," Rick said. "I mean enough is enough."
"Do you think he ever knows what he's talking about. Maybe a little?" Mike asked.
"No way," Rick said. "I'm an expert on romance, Steve clearly isn't. Why he can't let go of Lita I don't know, but this is much deeper. This is psychological. It's up to us to keep him from hurting himself or others."
"And I was planning on cutting down from this kind of mischief," Mike said. "It can't be healthy."
"Yeah, well Steve's lost it, and it's up to us to find it," Rick said.
"And if it can't be found?"
"Then we'll have to destroy him," Rick said.
"Okay," Mike said.
"You're not supposed to agree with that," Rick muttered.
"Yeah, well you know better.." Mike said.
"So I do," Rick said.
"Seiya got angry?" Mina asked.
"Yeah..I don't understand it," Lita said. "He shouldn't have brought it up. I mean he goes and asks me just what my life was like while dating Steve, that's really not his business. He's been distracted lately. I don't know with what though."
"Hmm..odd," Mina said. "Maybe Steve's blatant declaration has disturbed him."
"No...I don't think so," Lita said.
"What? That's the most obvious explanation."
"This is different, though I don't know what really is going on. You're right Seiya is disturbed. But he has me, he shouldn't worry about things like that."
"Maybe he's cheating on you," Mina said.
"Mina, that's not happening," Lita snapped.
"Well..are you sure?"
"I'm not about to check. I trust him,"
"Ah..trust... the first step on the way to a failed relationship."
"How can you say that?" Lita said.
"You've been warned," Mina said. "That's all I'll say."
Lita sighed.
"You have no idea what you're talking about," Lita said.
"We'll see," Mina said and began to cackle.
"WHY ARE YOU CACKLING!" Lita shouted.
"Sorry..sorry..it's just a habit..I really didn't mean it," Mina said. "It's just any time things get competitive I cackle, but you're right it's inappropriate...I'm sorry...still..you really should find out what's up with Seiya."
"But how? I don't want to spy on him?"
"It was once said that spying is the master key to happiness...go with it."
"No one said that," Lita muttered.
The War Room.
"What exactly are you up to now?" Ayeka asked.
"Staying ahead of our enemies," Patterson said.
"But you don't even know what they're up to," Ayeka said.
"I can always plan for every eventuality," Patterson replied.
"Or you could go shopping with me...there's this dagger I saw with a jewel in it's hilt..oh it's beautiful and deadly," Ayeka said.
"Oh...I see.." Patterson said. "Well I've got some things to check on."
"What do you have to check on?"
"Ayeka..please.."
"Hmm..what's eating you?"
"Nothing..nothing..at all.."
"Liar, I always know better than that..something's gotten to you."
"It's nothing that won't pass, like everything else..."
"You just need to relax..come on..let's go out."
"I..well.I.."
"Look..how about you finish up what you're doing and take me out later.."
"Uh..well maybe.."
"Please.."
"Uh.."
"You will? Oh thank you," Ayeka said and hugged him. D.V. fell out of his chair. The two went crashing to the floor.
"Ehh..D.V...you really have to learn to take this better," Ayeka muttered.
"Hmm..this is an interesting view of the world," Hotaru commented. She was hanging off the end of Greg's bed, her head upside down.
"It'll feel funny when you bring your head back up you know," Greg said.
"Yes, I would guess so," Hotaru said. "But right now I am content."
"Why?"
"It is a different perspective."
"I guess..." Greg said.
"Perspective is important don't you think?"
"Sure," Greg muttered and pounded on his computer keyboard.
"Problem?"
"No," Greg said. "Nothing."
"Hmm...then why did you attack your computer?"
"It insulted me.." Greg said.
Hotaru laughed.
"You are avoiding the issue," she said abruptly.
"Well..
"Hey..you two.." Ayeka said appearing in the doorway. "Do you know any reason D.V. would be depressed?"
"Isn't that his natural state?" Hotaru asked.
Ayeka smiled.
"I'm serious though. He just seems bothered by something," she said seconds later.
"I don't know Ayeka, he hasn't said anything,"Greg said. "I've been busy.."
"He's not getting along with his keyboard apparently," Hotaru said.
"Ohh...tragic," Ayeka said.
"It's nothing..really.." Greg said.
"Of course it is," Ayeka said. "I can see it in your face, what is with all you guys lately?"
"What do you mean?" Greg asked.
"It's probably nothing," Ayeka said.
The doorbell rang.
"He's here!" Amy said bursting out of her room she slid down the bannister and opened the door.
"Hi Taiki," she said happily.
"Uh..hi.." Taiki said.
"I just have to finish getting ready."
"Take your time," Taiki said. Amy dashed back up the stairs.
"It's going to be another one of those," Taiki said.
"Another what?" Ayeka asked.
"Ayeka? Where'd you come from? I didn't see you," he asked in surprise.
"I do that," Ayeka said. "Now are you depressed about something too?"
"No, not at all," Taiki said. "It's just that..well..Amy's been acting so strangely lately. I mean when we're studying she's fine, when we're in school, fine..but when we go on a date..well..she's like..well..Serena.."
"A 'Serena syndrome' if you will?" Ayeka asked.
"Well..yes..it's just hard to take sometimes..still..she's awfully cute.."
Ayeka grinned.
"So you're fine then?"
"Well..I'm also concerned.."
"Naturally."
Amy slid back down the bannister.
"I'm here," she said.
"So you are," Taiki said.
She grabbed his arm.
"So where are we going today?"
"I think you'll like it," Taiki said.
"Oo good," Amy said.
Ayeka grinned as the two walked out the door.
"What a mess," she said.
"I'm home!" Mina shouted happily hurrying in the door.
She didn't receive a reply.
"Hmm.."
She walked around a corner. In the kitchen sat her father and mother. They both had solemn looks on their faces.
"What?" Mina asked.
"Well..uh..Mina, before we go on, we just want you to know that we both love you very much and that this isn't your fault," her father said.
"That's right," her mother said. "It's just that..well.."
"What...is it?" Mina asked.
At the crown restaurant.
"Ah...good tea.." Ai said.
"So you don't drink milkshakes?" Serena asked.
"No, I don't like them, but aside from that I'm quite fun loving," Ai said.
Serena smiled.
"I just felt we should talk I mean, I get along quite well with all the girls in our little group, and I always try to learn more about everyone. We haven't really talked much," Serena said.
"Ah..yes..well..my story is a short one. In fact it's really not important..my story. What about yours?"
"Mine? No..no that isn't important either. I was just wondering about you? I mean what are your hopes, dreams you know.."
"Oh..that," Ai said. "I want to rule the world."
"What?"
Ai laughed.
"Actually I want to marry my beloved Akiro and spend my life with him," Ai said.
"Akiro..." Serena said. "You love him that much?"
"We've been through a lot together," Ai said.
"Same thing for me and Darrien," Serena said. "Has he proposed to you yet?"
"No...but he will..to tell you the truth he's probably a little afraid of commitment, but we've spent years together fighting evil off. You see Sai isn't really much conversation, so the two of us have talked to each other a lot."
"Yeah, I guess you would," Serena said. "But that's all you want to do, marry Akiro?"
"Pretty much. Haven't had the time to think of much else."
"Oh..I guess that's true for me too," Serena said. "But I guess I want to help people. That's what I'm good at."
"Everyone knows that," Ai said.
"I can't be 'you know who' forever though. I have to learn to help others too. I used to that a lot, before the enemies got so tough."
"Oh?"
"Yes, it was great, there were people with problems and I could solve them somehow.."
"It does sound great," Ai said looking towards the floor.
"Something wrong?"
"No..no..you see all I did was fight. We had it hard, just the three of us running around the world..always in secret too..nothing like here where you're all heroes. I mean the U.S. government harbored us, but it was still secret..It was...tough."
"But that's over now. You've got the good life," Serena said.
"Yes I do," Ai said. "I just don't know what to do with it."
"Hey, that's not a problem, I can help you."
"You can?"
"Sure..."
"I don't want to be any trouble," Ai said.
"Ai...this is what I live for," Serena said smiling.
"Oh..okay.."
"Tokyo...yes..now is finally the time.." Ircanite said. "The scouts must believe the worst is behind them. How wrong they are. I will enjoy this. For one thousand years I have waited, waited to finally accomplish what we set out to do. Now it is finally within my grasp. And I will do it when everyone sees it as impossible. My name will be spoken throughout the universe throughout all eternity!"
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