Chapter 408
"Sorophyte!" Ircanite said.
"Yeah..what?"
"Change of plans."
"Why?"
"The scouts are moving faster then usual. They have already arrived on the North American continent. There are seven crystals there! Visinite and her forces are still wounded. Take your force after them and try and get as many crystals as possible."
"Uh..right..I'll send them...sir..I'm needed in Tokyo though," Sorophyte said.
"Why?"
"I am planning something that will...it will..do the job so to speak."
"What do you mean?"
"Sir..trust me..I need to be there though."
"Very well.but do not engage the scouts."
"That was not the plan," Sorophyte said. "This will be our greatest victory."
With that he laughed and strode out of the room.
"When you said the western coast of the united states I thought you meant California. Not...." Serena began.
"Oregon!" most of the group muttered.
"Now..now...it's nice country up here," Akiro said.
"Ehh...why couldn't the capital of one thousand years ago be somewhere worthwhile?" Serena said.
"Probably it was worthwhile one thousand years ago," Taiki said.
"That doesn't do me any good," Serena said.
"Are you sensing anything Akiro?" Setsuna asked.
"Yes..actually," Akiro said. "The capital was close to here. Sai..a map if you please."
Sai nodded glumly.
"Ah..I see..we're here...and the capital..should be..." he closed his eyes.."Yeah up ahead there..a mile or so."
"A mile.." Serena said.
"Oh..buck up it's not that much of a walk," Raye said.
"HAH!" Serena said.
"Might I suggest we also note that the crystal is reacting," Hotaru said.
"It is?" everyone asked.
"Yes," Hotaru said.
"How do you know?" Steve asked.
"Because I can sense it," Hotaru said.
Setsuna pulled the crystal out of her pocket.
"Ah..yes..it is," she said.
"Maybe that's how they've been finding the other crystals, by going to one location and then using the crystal," Amy said.
"See, the tip is glowing," Taiki said.
"Nice of it to do that," Serena said.
"We'd better transform," Setsuna said. "I'm sure we're far away enough from civilization by now."
"Good idea," Serena said.
The scouts did just that.
"So let's move scouts," Sailor Moon said.
"I will scan the perimeter first," Guardian Moon said.
"Oh..uh..that's an idea too," Sailor Moon said.
Guardian Moon sighed.
"Just how have you survived this long?" he asked.
"Luck," Sailor Moon said with a smile.
"She's right, it is one of her strong points," Sailor Mars said.
"Is this going to take long?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Well I could do it quickly and thus gain nothing from the experience," Guardian Moon snapped.
"Uh..okay..just..do what you do best," Sailor Moon said.
"Thanks for the permission," Guardian Moon replied.
Back at the A.P.T. house.
"Ah..Greg...good morning," Michiru said.
"Oh..hello," Greg said wandering into the kitchen.
"Up early?"
"Yes..well..you know it gets hectic soon. I like a little peace."
"Yes, it is something one should treasure. Peace is so valuable."
"I know, want some tea?"
"No..that's quite all right," Michiru said. "Thanks for offering. I finished your book."
"Oh..uh..and.."
"Well..I've been impressed so far. Greg you were able to take the experiences we've had and then weave them into an inspiring tale. It's not a classic, but then again...you just started. It's still very well written," Michiru said.
"Uh thanks.."
"I think you should show it to the others while they're here."
"Oh..no...I couldn't..." Greg said. "I mean...they're not as understanding as you are."
"I'm sure they would enjoy it."
"They wouldn't enjoy some parts."
"Well..I don't know. You need to have a sense of humor about yourself."
"Ah..yes..but.."
"No..I think I like this idea, and I'm afraid it's out of your hands."
"But Michiru.."
"Sorry.." Michiru said. "It's for your own good."
"Uh..ehh.." Greg said.
"By the way..I was very flattered...by the way you portrayed Lady Poseidon," she said and grinned. "You give me too much credit."
"Uh.well..I..just.."
"You're cute Greg," she said and headed off.
"Wonderful," Greg said blushing.
Back in Oregon
"The perimeter seems clear," Guardian Moon said. "However, we should scout it out first."
"Scout it out?" Sailor Moon asked. "You're looking at the most powerful human being on the planet, and her powerful friends, I think we can take it."
"Arrogance is never an ally," Guardian Moon said.
"Hmm..then how come you had so much of it?" Guardian Uranus asked.
"Hmm..well met," Guardian Moon said. "However, that has taught me many things, which you will never understand."
"Let's just focus on the mission," Sailor Pluto said. "All of you watch yourselves. Let's move forward."
They moved through the brush.
"Hard to imagine this used to be a city," Sailor Mars said.
"I can only assume the relics of the civilization are long buried," Sailor Mercury said.
"It is the way it had to be," Sailor Pluto said. "No one was to know about this part of the past. It was vital that it did not get out for many reasons. That holds true even to today."
"You mean there are still mysteries in all of this mess?" Guardian Venus said. "There are still forces that could move against us?"
"There will always be one," Sailor Pluto said. "The human race."
"That's deep Pluto," Sailor Moon said.
"It's also true," Sailor Pluto said. "There are humans who could use this information the wrong way."
"And there are many of them," Guardian Moon said.
"Yes, I guess I forget sometimes that there are bad plain old human beings out there," Sailor Moon said. "I have enough trouble with the extraterrestrials."
"It's good reminder," Mars said.
"Not far now," Guardian Earth said.
"I wonder," Guardian Jupiter said. "If the enemy was to be lying in wait, by chance. Just where would they spring a trap?"
"Hmm..that's a good question," Sailor Mercury said.
"We are almost there," Guardian Moon said. "Be careful and watch out."
The scouts all tensed as the group descended a hill.
"So far so good huh?" Guardian Earth said.
"Seconds count," Guardian Moon said.
"Yeah, so does power," Sailor Moon said.
"Almost there, I can sense it," Guardian Earth said.
"The crystal seems to be saying the same thing," Sailor Pluto said.
"It's right here.." Guardian Earth said.
"But this is just grass." Sailor Moon said.
"Obviously the door must be under the grass," Guardian Jupiter said.
"Under the grass, yeah..." Sailor Moon said.
"Guess we start digging then," Guardian Uranus said.
"Digging..all right.." Guardian Pluto said.
"We have energy swords you know," Guardian Venus said.
"Then you boys has best get to work," Sailor Mars said.
The Guardian's sighed.
Ai stood on the roof of the A.P.T. house.
"I must train myself. I must be better then she is. To do that.."
She closed her eyes and sat still focusing on her mind.
Tell me what I must do. She thought voyaging within her own mind.
So you want to become more powerful? Came a voice.
Yes.
A vision consumed her.
"Well..there's a lot to it you know," she said to herself.
"Who exactly are you?" Ai asked.
"I'm your mind. Or at least the spokesperson for it you might say."
"Oh I see.."
"No..we see.."
"Right.."
"Anyway..you wish to become a powerful telepath. That takes time and effort. It cannot be done overnight."
"But I must work then...I will work."
"You must learn to focus your mind in such a way that you can avoid obstructions. Now you possess power...but not the discipline. You have never possessed the discipline."
"I guess I haven't," Ai said.
"But that can change. You are the Sailor of Earth, and with that comes powers you as yet do not understand."
"Oh..."
"But to access them you must control yourself. So we shall do just that. Now...come with me."
"Come with you? Where?"
"Inside.."
"Oh..uh all right," Ai said.
"Now...be careful the mind can be a dangerous place."
"I've heard that," Ai said.
"Then let's go."
She drifted off.
"I feel it now..." Ai said.
"This is just the beginning."
"Just the beginning," Ai said. She skidded to a stop and stared. She was surrounded by color.
"What is all this.." she asked.
"This is not a good thing," her inner self replied.
"How can you say that?"
"I can say it because it is true. Your powers are unorganized, spiraling swirling out of control...you must have balance."
"But this is more beautiful."
"Possibly, easier to construct as well..but it is not what you really want," her mind said.
"Oh..then teach me," Ai said.
"That is what I will try to do."
"I'm ready," Ai said.
Oregon.
"I just hope this isn't some sort of wildlife preserve," Guardian Pluto said.
"What do we care for laws?" Guardian Uranus said.
"Less gabbing more digging," Sailor Mars said.
"I wonder.." Sailor Moon said.
"What?" Sailor Pluto asked.
"Well..Pluto what are these crystals capable of. I mean once we do get them..what happens then?"
"I'm not sure," Sailor Pluto said.
"That is an interesting question," Guardian Earth said walking up. "Now I'm not a complete expert, the warriors would know more. However, I know that there is great power in these crystals. Legends said many things. They could be used to fight of course, but also to protect. It was said that the holder of these crystals could revive an entire planet."
"Really?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Oh yes...that's what the legend says...of course these crystals could kill everyone on this world if they were brought together into malicious hands," Guardian Earth said. "Then there's the barrier."
"Barrier?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Yes..it was said that once a country was attacked. It's leader used his crystal to create a wall that kept the energy away," Guardian Earth said.
"But how long did the barrier last?" Sailor Moon asked.
"Centuries actually.."
"Oh..I wonder..." Sailor Moon said. "What if all of the crystals were brought together."
"What do you mean exactly?" Sailor Pluto asked.
"Couldn't we create a barrier around the entire planet!"
"Yes..well...the legend says we might," Guardian Earth said.
"A barrier...that's what we need," Sailor Moon said.
"It would be useful," Sailor Pluto said.
"It would be perfect!" Sailor Moon said.
"What would be?" Sailor Mars asked.
"Oh..it's a great idea Mars! Listen to this," Sailor Moon said and began to explain herself.
"What a dreamer," Guardian Earth said.
"It is possible isn't it?" Sailor Pluto asked.
"Yes, but there are other issues."
"Yes. I suppose there are."
"Still it's something to consider."
"Yes it is. Especially now."
"Guardian Moon," Sailor Saturn said.
"What?"
"You are not picking up anything on your scans?"
"No, not really..why?"
"I sense something.."
She winced.
"I should be picking up something though," Guardian Moon said. "However, I have learned that sometimes telepaths possess the only sight of use. Where is it?"
"Behind you," Sailor Saturn said.
"Hmm..." Guardian Moon said and whirled firing a spread into the forest.
A deer leapt out.
"Guess that's it," Guardian Moon said. He scanned the area. "That's what it seems."
"Yes..apparently..though a deer usually does not give me those thoughts," Sailor Saturn said. "I think that perhaps...I will take a look."
"At what?" Sailor Mercury asked.
"I don't know," Sailor Saturn said and advanced slowly. "Wait.."
She whirled.
"Moon..Mercury.."
The ground exploded pitching the whole group all upward. They all slammed into the ground.
Minagrat leapt out of a hole. Chigta and Lunfa followed. Fulcrua did as well.
The four landed and attacked.
"How'd they pull this off!" Sailor Moon shouted.
"How indeed," the creature Adrovan said sitting in the hole. "That's what happens when you deal with a supergenius!"
Hah!" Minagrat shouted firing off shots of energy. The scouts dodged. Lunfa launched a barrage. While Fulcrua dodged a defense and threw her energy bolts. Chigta charged.
"I'll rumble with you!" Guardian Pluto said charging forward.
"Pluto Storm Fist!"
Chigta met it.
"Ah..you wanna go one on one then!" Pluto shouted and through another punch. Chigta nailed him knocking him to the ground.
"Earth!"
The attack hit Chigta and spun him around.
"Come..on.." Guardian Earth said.
Chigta growled.
"Oh..what do I do," Sailor Moon said looking around.
A sharp pain shot through her. She screeched. Mivxsati dug his dark blade into her back. She screeched and swung her moon sword wildly.
"Sailor Moon!" Sailor Mars shouted charging. Mivxsati rolled backward.
"Mars Fire Ignite!" she shouted. Mivxsati leapt into the forest.
"Ah.." Sailor Moon said wincing, the blade stuck into her.
"Don't worry..just hold on there," Sailor Mars said.
"Stinking ninja," Sailor Moon snapped and stood up.
"SUPREME MOON POWER!"
She fired into the forest, the trees vaporized.
"Oh..uh..well.." Sailor Mars said. Mivxsati fell to the ground and lay there.
"Get him will you," Sailor Moon said.
"I've got to protect you."
"Get him MARS!" Sailor Moon shouted.
"No.." Sailor Moon said.
A blast flew at them.
"Mars Fire Ignite!"
"See.." Mars said.
"Ehh..all right," Sailor Moon said.
"You know that great thing about all this!" Minagrat said.
"Can't wait.." Guardian Venus said.
"I've got the crystal already!" Minagrat said.
"No you don't!" Sailor Mercury said grabbing in out of his hands.
"You should never leave a crystal where she can get her hands on it!" Guardian Jupiter said racing forward.
"Hmm..I see!" Minagrat shouted sending an energy blast their way.
"Give us back the crystal girlie girl!" Lunfa shouted leaping forward throwing some bombs.
"Moon Silver Millennium Retaliation!"
The bombs detonated. Guardian Moon raced forward and swung through Lunfa. He let out a shout.
"That's nice!" Fulcrua said. "But I'm faster then you!"
She leapt at him. Guardian Moon dodged. The two were soon sparing.
She's faster, but she has no sword skills... Guardian Moon thought and swung his energy sword down. She slid by it and kicked him. He stepped back and swung at her.
"You don't stand a chance, I'm just faster!" she said.
"You'll regret being so arrogant in the face of me!" Guardian Moon shouted
and swung at her again. She stepped back.
"I think it's time to go," Adrovan said.
"You fool!" Ircanite said. "You couldn't even get it after such a well laid plan!"
"Execution is important you know," Adrovan said.
"Very well," Ircanite said. "Let's go."
The enemy teleported away.
"We won! Go home suckers!" Guardian Pluto said.
"You all right Sailor Moon?" Sailor Mars said.
"Ehh...just get this out of me," Sailor Moon said staring at the blade in her.
"It is better to blast it," Guardian Moon said. "This will hurt Sailor Moon..but it will heal."
"All right," Sailor Moon said. He fired. She winced and then screamed.
Elsewhere.
"Any idea where Ai is?" Michiru asked.
"She's up on the roof training," Ayeka said.
"Oh of course, we shouldn't disturb her."
"Michiru are you sure about this? I mean Greg's a keep to himself kinda guy, just throwing his book out to all of us like this," Ayeka said.
"If he can't share this with his friends, how can he share it with everyone else?"
"I guess you're right. I don't know. I've never written a book," Ayeka said. "In fact I guess you'd know better then anyone what an artist must do to get their work out in front of an audience."
"Uh...I'll just be in my room," Greg said.
"No don't go hiding," Michiru said snagging him.
"Ehh.." Greg said.
"Come on.." Michiru said.
The rest of the scouts, left in Tokyo, were waiting for him.
"You've looked better Setsuna," Haruka said into her communicator.
"I know, we've had it a little rough, the enemy surprised us. We've been hit by all of them evidently," Setsuna said.
"Unfortunate, apparently they are taking advantage of us splitting up," Patterson said.
"We should go after the crystals too," Haruka said.
"No, that isn't necessary yet," Setsuna said. "And I think that all of you leaving the city is a bad idea, Haruka..I have my reasons."
"I see," Haruka said. "Why don't you tell me them?"
"Not today," Setsuna said. "You two just keep an eye on things. I'll let you know how we're doing."
Her face disappeared.
"What could be here that Ircanite would want?" Haruka asked.
"Maybe he doesn't know that either," Patterson said.
"All right everyone...let's get this started," Ayeka said.
"Uh..yeah..why wait any longer?" Greg muttered.
"You're too modest," Michiru said. "Now Mike has volunteered to read from the book."
"YEAH! I'm a book reading master," Mike said.
"Since when?" Mina said.
"Oh that's right..that's a secret side of me you never knew existed..well now you get to see it in action," Mike said.
"I'm sure that we're a part of history," Seiya said.
"Hah..your wit is...amusing.." Mike said. "But I assure you, when you are around me, every day is a part of a history."
"Of what?" Lita asked.
"Well..when history is written, my descendants will twist it and modify it so I become the true hero..of all of this..I wrote that in my will.."
"Can we just start the book," Greg moaned.
399 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408