Chapter 404

"Wow this guy isn't exactly chopped liver," Lita said. "According to this magazine, that Valedictorian is the only other person in the country to score perfectly on seven national exams. Amy went perfect on eight. In fact the Valedictorian has several honors Amy hasn't won."

"Probably because she isn't picked for them because of the school she goes to," Raye said.

"But now the high school's getting credit, what else does it say?" Serena asked.

"Well there's a lot here," Lita said. "The Valedictorian has a perfect average, just like Amy does. He has won several world achievement awards."

"Amy says that the system they use for that is flawed and that she doesn't want to travel around the country for all those competition," Raye said.

"Sill, it shows he's got a brain," Lita said.

"A lot of people have brains," Raye said. "It's how you use them that matters."

"But Amy can beat this guy, I mean there's nothing here that says he's better," Serena said.

"That's right," Lita said. "But I think it's going to be close, and Amy hasn't been studying as much with Taiki around."

"Oh yeah that's right," Serena said. "But she seems pumped up for this. She's probably studying hard right now. She'll be ready."

"I don't know if this is good for Amy though," Raye said. "She wants to do well, but does she need to prove she's the best student in the country? I mean that doesn't really help her out much does it? She needs to relax more."

"Hmm..maybe you're right," Serena said. "But she really wants to do this."

"Yeah..but Amy's been acting pretty strangely lately," Lita said. "And it's not because of any monsters inside her either."

"Which is the most likely symptom. No Amy's just lost it this time," Serena said.

"So aren't we supposed to keep her from losing any more?" Raye said.

"Can't be done," Serena said.

"No way," Lita said. "She's untouchable."

"There must be some way," Raye said.

"Well we can't do anything right now," Serena said.

"Yeah, I mean Amy's going straight ahead towards blast off," Lita said. "We just have to let it go for now."

"I want you two to promise you help me get Amy back on track after this is over all right?" Serena asked.

The two nodded.

"So you're the Valedictorian are you?"

"And you are? You should have something good to draw my time like this," the Valedictorian snapped.

"Yes, well..I do, my name is Urawa Ryo."

"I've heard of you, though not much about you."

"I am not interested in compliments," Urawa said. "I have a vested interest in Amy failing to beat you. Are you interested in that?"

"Possibly. I am all for guarantees. But what can you provide."

"Well..I dated her for a time, I've learned some of her secrets," Urawa said. "Some of her weaknesses too."

"Ah..I see..and what do you wish in return?"

"The simple pleasure of seeing her lose will be fine," Urawa said.

"So you seek revenge?"

"Much more than that," Urawa said. "But this will do for now."

"Then let us talk," the Valedictorian said.

"I'm so excited," Oksua said.

"Why?" Setsuna said.

"At last it's the showdown I've been waiting for. We go up against Brighton Academy, and I've got the best student in the world on my side."

"You do realize if this was anything other then a one on one contest we wouldn't stand a chance," Setsuna said.

"Oh...but it is a one on one contest," Oksua said. "And to the victor goes to the spoils. It's glorious!"

"Principal Oksua, please control yourself," Setsuna said. "You need to set a good example."

"I'm through doing that. It's my mid life crisis. I can do what I wish," Oksua said.

"Oh of course, silly me to think otherwise," Setsuna said.

"You're just no fun Setsuna," Oksua said.

"Now!" the Valedictorian shouted. "We will have a glorious battle! I shall face the enemy and defeat her. I must have all of you behind me to do so, because she apparently relies on the support of her friends. We must make sure that she's not in the right state of mind for the competition. Thanks to the help of Urawa Ryo, we will be able to make sure of all of this! So now it will be a concerted effort to victory!"

Brighton Academy's student body let out a cheer.

That night at Amy's house, the War Room.

"She should go to sleep soon," Greg said.

"That's really not her way," D.V. said. "She may spend the entire night studying."

"She needs to rest," Greg said.

"Oh wait...look at this.."

"What?"

"Wait here," D.V. said.

"What?" Greg said.

A figure crept down the rooftop of the A.P.T. house.

Heh heh. I'll pretend to be a robber and then scare her. With that done she'll have no idea what to do about the test. The figure thought.

He crept closer.

"Be glad there are bushes below you," came a voice.

The prowler whirled. D.V. kicked him off the rooftop into a pile of brush.

Amy didn't notice.

"Fool," D.V. said.

"Okay..so plan A didn't work..no problem. Time for plan B!"

"Yes sir! We are moving into position right now."

He laughed.

"They won't be expecting a stereo concert at this hour, but wait till they here what happens when twenty four stereos begin at once, and they don't even know where they are!"

There was a knock on the van.

"Hmm..what's that?"

"No idea."

"Maybe someone came back."

"Yeah, probably."

The door opened.

"Hello, I am Guardian Saturn..looks like this van is illegally parked."

"Well..uh..sort of."

"Sorry..time to pay the penalty."

He drew his sword.

"Plan C...model airplanes assault!"

"This will work for sure!"

A squadron of model plans rose into the air and flew towards the A.P.T. house.

"Uh..D.V. shouldn't we go out and stop them?" Greg asked.

"Nope," D.V. said. "I added a few defenses."

A net flew out of an attic trapdoor and threw the planes to the ground.

"What is going on in that house?"

"I think we should go."

"Hmm..perhaps. The boss isn't going to like this."

"No, but there's no more we can do."

"Let's get out of here."

"Oh..so another illegally parked van!" Guardian Saturn said firing his sword.

They ran for it.

"Uh uh..sabotage is a bad thing," Guardian Mercury said and blasted them.

"When they wake up they'll know better," Saturn said.

"Aren't you going to cheer Amy on?" Michiru asked.

"I have to practice. I've been neglecting my racing," Haruka said.

"Oh, I see," Michiru said. "Guess you should."

"I know I should," Haruka said.

"Haruka? Is there anything you want to talk about?"

"Nothing Michiru, don't worry yourself."

Haruka headed out.

"There she goes again," Michiru said. "Amy will understand, but I really can't just let Haruka go like that."

She followed.

"Michiru..what are you doing?" Haruka asked.

"Coming with you."

"You don't have to."

"Of course I don't have to, but I want to."

"Michiru..I.."

"Just drive Haruka."

Haruka sighed.

She always does this. She thought. How can I say no.

"You can't.." Michiru said.

"Huh..oh.." Haruka said. "Uh..right.."

They sped off.

"I'm wondering, is it your intention to cut yourself off from everyone?" Ai asked.

"At the moment, yes," Sai said.

"I see."

"I thought you understood."

"Just because you have some problem you believe only you are capable of solving doesn't mean you have to segregate yourself."

"It does Ai, I have my reasons"

"So the trust Akiro and I had thought we earned is worth nothing now?"

"Don't you start."

"Sai, what is it that is consuming your every waking minute?"

"You seemed fully able to accept this before."

"That was before I realized how bad this was. You've been like this for days."

"So I have, and I will continue to be," Sai said. "Until it is done."

Sai walked away.

He is definitely committed to his problem, whatever that might be. Ai thought. I will leave him to his pursuit for now. I fear I can do no more at this time.

"I see it didn't go well," Akiro said.

"No, it didn't," Ai said. "Akiro I'm afraid we won't have much time together right now. I must train my mind."

"Hey, no problem, I should probably sharpen my skills a little too."

"All right, I must continue to work," Ai said.

"Sure," Akiro said and headed off.

"Ah..what a beautiful day for a massacre," Amy said sitting down at the kitchen table. Greg and Patterson glanced at each other.

"Did you two sleep well?" she asked.

The two glanced at each other.

"Yes.." they lied.

Despite the fact we had spent the whole night making sure you got to sleep. They thought.

"Ah..I'm going to wipe the floor with that pompous ingrate!" Amy shouted.

"Get your Amy t-shirts!" Mike said happily.

"I can't believe were merchandising this," Rick said.

"I can't believe it's actually working," Steve said.

The three laughed.

"What are you doing?" Serena asked.

"I won't lie to you Serena, we're exploiting Amy's smarts for monetary gain," Mike said.

"Put me in five percent and I won't care," Serena said.

"Done," Mike said.

"Uh..Serena..why exactly are you so willing to accept it?" Rick asked.

"I can't buy muffins with good feelings you know," Serena said.

"Oh.." the three said looking at each other.

"Ahem..now there were be three events, the written exam.." The Superintendent said.

"Booo!" the students shouted.

"Oh shut up....the second event will be the oral exam."

"This is no time to have their teeth cleaned man! Stick to the subject!" Mike shouted.

The Superintendent sighed.

"Finally, we'll have the lightening round!"

"Oooooo...." The classes said.

"Does it use real lightening?" Hotaru asked.

"What..no.." the Superintendent said.

"I'm not impressed then," She said.

The Superintendent sighed.

"Let's introduce the judges for the exams...there's me of course."

"Booo!"

"Former Prime Minister Coral...."

"The crowd cheered."

"And police chief Ozaki!"

A rain of drinks and food fell from both sides towards the Chief.

"Yeah same to you!" Ozaki shouted.

"Let's just get this started," the Superintendent said.

"So how do you think you did Amy?" Serena asked.

"I aced it," Amy said. "Unless they are employing a form of logic I haven't been exposed to before, which would be awfully unkind of them."

"I think you did fine," Raye said.

"You're going to whallop him," Lita said.

"Just remember, an easily cut piece of meat tastes less salty," Mina said.

"What?" all of them said.

"No, really, I know that one's right," Mina said.

"It isn't," Lita said sighing.

The others sighed.

"I need to get a drink," Amy said.

"No don't!" Ayeka said rushing forward.

"What..why?" Amy said.

"Watch this.." Ayeka said and pulled out the Mercury computer.

"Where'd you get that?" Amy asked.

"I figured you wouldn't need it, besides..look.."

"Hmm.."

Ayeka scanned the water.

"What is that?" Amy asked. "Wait..I know that concentration of chemicals..sleeping pills."

"Yep...a little gift from those two gentlemen over there."

A pair of students were thrown to the ground by Patterson.

"Curses!" one of them shouted and they hurried away.

"This isn't working Urawa, all your strategies have failed," the Valedictorian snapped.

"Hey..I told you what would mess her up, it's not my fault that it hasn't worked. She'll be suspicious now..but I'll get her before the lightening round."

"Very well," The Valedictorian said. "You had better."

"Trust me,"Urawa said.

"I'll never trust you."

"All right it's time for the oral presentation." The Superintendent said. "You will both be asked a question to talk about for as long as you can."

The two nodded.

"Okay..first question...for the Valedictorian, explain the concept of Thermodynamics."

"Ah..excellent," the Valedictorian said and rambled on about the concept for minutes.

Both sides became quite drowsy.

"And in conclusion.."

"GOOD!" the students all shouted.

The Valedictorian finished.

"Now Amy...explain Entropy.."

"YES! I love entropy!" Amy said.

"Right on!" Mike said.

"Allow me to explain," Amy said.

The round finished up.

"Well we've counted up the scores, and added to that the scores here, it's a tie so far," The Superintendent said.

Both sides cheered.

"Last chance Urawa," the Valedictorian said.

"Oh..this will work," Urawa said. "DEPLOY THE LOVE LETTER ATTACK!"

"What..." the Valedictorian said. "Are you mad?"

"Hardly," Urawa said.

"How exhausting," Amy said sipping a drink. "I don't think I've ever had to think this hard before and under such pressure."

"Well you're doing fine Amy," Serena said. "You beat him."

"Most assuredly," Amy said grinning.

"Ahem..Miss Amy.." a boy said walking up.

"Yes?" Amy asked.

"Here.." The boy said.

"What is..

A sword flashed out and sliced the love letter to pieces. D.V. raced forward and tackled the carrier.

"Deploy the second wave!" Urawa shouted.

"Miss Amy!" another group said rushing forward love letters in hand.

"What..is going on.." Serena said.

"They're trying to trip up Amy," Ayeka said drop kicking a carrier.

"Oh..how low!" Lita said and tackled another two.

"Can't play fair can they!" Raye shouted and kicked yet another.

"YAHHHHHH!" came a shout. A love letter carrier went flying through the gym on a rope.

"Oh no!" The girls all shouted.

"I am quite capable of handling him!" Taiki said swinging forward on another rope. He grabbed the love letter and sent the man careening into a wall.

"VICTORY!" the scouts all shouted.

"But what was that all about?" Amy asked in surprise.

The group all glanced at her.

"URAWA!" A group of Sailor Scout High boys said racing after him.

"This shouldn't have failed!" Urawa said. "This is not over Amy Anderson!" he shouted and hurried off.

"It's time for the lightening round," the Superintendent said. "Each of you will be asked a question, the first one to answer it, gets the correct answer, and a point. We'll ask ten questions and a tie breaker if necessary."

"First question, what is the capital of the Ukraine?"

Amy got it right.

"Second question. Name a technique of rice farming."

The Valedictorian got it.

"Well we're tied up five to five!" The Superintendent shouted.

The group all cheered.

"This one question will decide the fate of a nation," Mike said.

Everyone glanced at him.

"Heeey.." he said.

The group all turned towards the Superintendent and waited tensely.

He asked the question.

Amy nailed it.

The crowd cheered.

"Lucky guess!" the Brighton people yelled.

"What..you wanna fight?" Steve asked.

"YEAH!" someone replied and the Brighton crowd surged across the floor.

"Oh yeah!" Steve said. And the Sailor Scout High crowd rushed to meet them.

"This is a bad idea!" Serena shrieked.

"This isn't good," Amy said fleeing the premises.

Taiki swung down on a rope and lifted her up.

"Oh..thanks," She said.

"Looked like you needed it," Taiki said.

"Uh..this is Chief Ozaki, we need backup," Ozaki said into his walkie talkie. "Yes..backup!"

"I love a good riot!" Ayeka shouted kicking a Brighton person away.

"Ehh...it seems like all school functions are ending up like this nowadays," the Superintendent muttered.

"What a great bunch of kids," Coral said.

"This is quite odd," Caria said.

"What is?" Ircanite said.

"You asked me to report to you on just what was going on..with the scouts..well..it's uh..very strange.."

"Explain it."

A portal opened up and a group of warriors stepped through it into the chamber.

"Wait..this is probably more important," Ircanite said.

"Yes sir," Caria said.

"You've returned?" Ircanite asked.

"As you requested," a dark figure replied.

"Excellent, I believe you will be needed here for now Sorophyte."

"Naturally, I am quite knowledgeable about the city of Tokyo, I've been there before," Sorophyte said grinning.

"Ah yes, what exactly did you do there?"

"Scouted, killed some people, it's been a while now, but you know what I remember."

"What?"

"The way the children would stare in horror as I killed their parents in front of them."

"I see, you did this often."

"A few times," Sorophyte said.

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