Chapter 428

"Strange day isn't it?" Serena asked.

"What's so strange about it?" Luna asked.

"I'm graduating high school."

"I think I'm still asleep, wake me up will you?"

"Oh...I must be asleep too.strange.."

Serena woke up.

"Hey..Luna..you were just in my dream."

"I was...you weren't in mine.."

"Oh..guess..what..I'm graduating from high school today."

"Yes you are," Luna said. "Don't ask me how."

"I don't know either," Serena said. "Well I'd better get ready."

"Yeah..don't want to be late for you last day of high school."

"Of course I do. Or else someone might suspect something's wrong."

Luna sighed.

"How does my hair look?" Mina asked.

"The same as it always does," Artemas said.

"Gorgeous?"

"Yes, Mina, Gorgeous," Artemas muttered.

"Good," Mina said. "Oh buck up..what's eating you."

"You mother changed the cat food, I liked the last kind."

"Oh.." Mina said. "Well I'll tell her to change it back."

"She says the other cost too much."

"Oh..I'm sorry..I'll see what I can do..."

"Thank you.."

"Now..my hair it's radiant like the sun."

"Sure is. It's hot enough to roast weinies on."

"Artemas!"

"Yes, Mina you're beautiful, but you know that."

Mina grinned.

At Sailor Scout High School.

"Finally after all these years..I'm rid of them!" Oksua shouted.

"I know..it's wonderful!" Miss Haruna said and they hugged.

"Oh I thought this day would never come."

"Me too.."

They both began to cry.

"Oh..it's beautiful.." Oksua said.

"What a glorious day," Haruna said.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Setsuna asked sticking her head in the door of the principal's office.

"No of course not," Oksua said.

"Just turning in my letter of resignation," Setsuna said.

"Oh..good.." Oksua said. "What?"

"My work is done here.." Setsuna said.

"Oh..we're sorry to lose you," Oksua said.

Setsuna grinned and headed out.

"Now we just have to get through graduation," Oksua said.

"It shouldn't be that bad."

"The students voted Mike Leslie to give a speech," Oksua said.

"Oh dear god.." Haruna said.

Later that afternoon the graduation was held on the stage. The top ten students in the class sat up on the stage. Everyone else sat below.

"Ahem..well..it's good to see all of you about to begin your lives, and to go out into the world. I'm sure some of you will change it..and many of you already seem to have done that already..anyway..together you've dealt with a whole bunch of hardships. But you've overcome them and here you are!" Oksua said.

The group all cheered.

"With that we turn to our valedictorian, Amy Anderson.."

"Oh.um..right.." Amy said nervously and approached the lectern.

"You'll do fine," Taiki said.

"Yes..I guess." Amy said.

Urawa Ryo vaulted up from his seat and raced to the microphone.

"I must announce something!" he shouted. "You fools don't realize it but she's Sailor Mercury and he's Guardian Jupiter and.."

"We know!" the class shouted.

"Yeah, what you think we are idiots!" Molly said.

"What..you all knew?" Urawa said.

"I didn't know," Melvin said. "They are?"

"Urawa..." Oksua growled.

"No one saw anything..understand.." Ayeka said.

"Yes...we're not beating him up clear?" Patterson asked.

"Clear!" everyone said.

"Come ere Urawa!" Ayeka shouted.

Urawa dashed off the stage. The two raced after him.

Seven minutes later.

"Well now that we have that settled," Oksua said. "Once again let' s give a round of applause for Amy.."

The crowd cheered.

"Well..hello everyone.." she said. "I'm really not a good public speaker..but..here I am."

"You tell em Amy!" Serena shouted.

Amy smiled.

"I guess we should be happy. We finally get to go out into the world and realize our dreams. Whether they be to achieve success in our field, or just to have the most fun we can. Those are all acceptable I guess. I'm sure that if you try hard enough you will succeed, because there are people that protect these dreams we have. And I think that's important to remember. Sure the world can be an unfriendly place. But then again...it can be great too."

The group all nodded.

"So..I guess.."

The doors swung open a figure ran in the door.

"Oh my lord! Not another one!" Ayeka snapped.

"Oh..my.." Amy said.

The figure looked around.

"I am Argosante! Fight me!" he shouted.

"Maverick Power!"

"Mercury Crystal Power!"

"Jupiter Crystal Power!"

"Neptune Crystal Power!"

"Saturn Crystal Power!"

Maverick and the four Guardian Scouts leapt off the stage and charged him. Amy just watched in surprise.

"Eeepp...I thought this was just a random graduation!" Argosante shouted and raced out the door.

"Oh..no you don't!" Guardian Mercury shouted racing after him.

"I guess that sums things up doesn't it?" Amy said and sighed.

Minutes later.

"Now I didn't know exactly what the shoelace was doing there. I know better then to ask those kinds of questions," Mike said.

Everyone sighed.

"But I think what I'm trying to say with this highly detailed story I related to you about the shoelace and the 1978 Green Bay Packers is that we're all different, but that we share some of the same beliefs, and we all at one time I have had to deal with shoelaces, which is kinda spooky I think.."

"That's enough Leslie," Oksua said.

"Good night everybody!" Mike said and returned to his seat.

"Well congratulations," Oksua said. "Despite all the troubles, and indeed the last hour you've all managed to graduate High School. Even Serena."

The crowd cheered.

"Hah! Take that public education!" Serena shouted.

"Calm down Serena, there's no need to get out of hand," Mina said.

"Yeah, you can be excited but not spiteful," Lita said.

"Ehh..I'll be spiteful if I want! I'm a graduate!"

"We're all graduates!" Raye said.

The crowd cheered.

"What a mess.." Haruka said.

"What do you mean?" Michiru said.

"Everything."

"Such is the way of the universe," Hotaru said walking by.

"She's right you know," Michiru said.

"Yeah, what a wonderful world," Haruka said. "How does the human race survive?"

"Because people like us are around to save it when it's in trouble," Michiru said.

"Guess so," Haruka said.

"Nice ceremony I thought," Yaten said.

"Mike's speech took a lot of out of me," Seiya said.

"Oh..me too," Yaten said. "Still all in all a good event."

"Yeah..well..as this sort of things go."

"Get back here with my pants Akiro!" Mike said racing after his rival.

"You can't catch me! I've stolen your pants!" Akiro said.

"Yes, that isn't exactly a logical train of thought!" Mike shouted.

"Ehh..what a planet," Yaten said.

"Yeah, guess I'll miss it," Seiya said. "In some ways..."

"Hahahhahahaha!" Serena shouted. "I showed them! D- is still passing! The fools!"

"I think she's overreacting," Mina said.

"You think?" Lita asked.

"Serena..I really think you shouldn't be so proud of that," Amy said.

"Hey! You got a diploma, I've got a diploma! See the system doesn't work!" Serena shouted.

"Uh..yes..but I have a nicer one," Amy said.

"You do?"

Amy showed it to her."

"Wow..look at all that..wow..that is nice.." Serena said.

"So you're done teaching Setsuna?" Darrien asked.

"Certainly, that was one road I would prefer never to see again," Setsuna said.

"Don't blame you," Darrien said. "So what now?"

"My duties are calling to me..after all..we're at peace. If that changes I'll come back, but for now...there's some other messes to clean up in some other dimensions."

"Remember to pack a lunch," Darrien said.

Setsuna grinned.

"Oh Darrien if only Serena wasn't yours.." She said.

"Setsuna are you teasing me?"

"Sure am," Setsuna said. "I'm not made of stone you know."

Darrien grinned.

"So you're headed away again?" Ayeka asked.

"Yes, " Sai said. "I have some unfinished business in some other countries, besides it's better if we keep an eye on things around the world. Other things could pop up, and as long as I can relax a little, it's not a bad life."

"Yeah, I love the world, it's so worldly," Akiro said.

"Typical," Ayeka said.

"But there are so many different cultures to experience," Ai said. "And we've always lived for them. Settling down was a necessity, but it's really not our style."

"I understand," Ayeka said. "I hope it goes well."

"And just what are you going to do?" Sai asked.

"Me, Officer's Training Corps at College," Ayeka said. "Unlike my heroic boyfriend I haven't got a commission yet."

"Pretty girl like you in the army?" Akiro said. "Waste of good talent."

"It's what I'm good at, besides it's the Air Force."

"Air Force? You going to fly?" Akiro asked.

"I could you know?" Ayeka said.

"Akiro's just a chauvinist he can't help it," Ai said.

"Well..I'm just surprised, not critical," Akiro said.

"I'm sure the military can use someone with your unique talents," Sai said.

"That's what they hired me for," Ayeka said with a grin.

"So Mikey, you keep holding out on us," Steve said. "Where you going to college?"

"Well..uh..I sort of made some inquiries..and I'm in this program..I'm going to go to school in America..just for kicks," Mike said.

"You'll be deported in a week," Rick said.

"Two weeks tops," Steve said.

Mike grinned.

"I'm more interested in who let you in?" Greg asked.

"Oh..some State College somewhere," Mike said. "The fools!"

He cackled.

"Me I'm off to tech," Steve said.

"Tell me you don't build rockets?" Rick asked.

"No..not in the first year.." Steve said.

The others sighed.

"So Rick..what are you going to do?" Greg asked.

"Me? Well.I..don't know yet."

"Me too..I mean..I'm going to need a steady job if no one's accepting my writing," Greg said.

"Yeah..well I'm just going to need a job. Gotta support Raye you know," Rick said.

"MIKE! What was that about you going to school in America!" Mina snapped.

"Oh..just until I get deported dear," Mike said.

"Oh..I see." Mina said. "If you don't! I'll be on the next boat after you!"

"I figured you would be," Mike said.

"So Amy, you're off to the best college in the country, going to set new scoring records there too?" Lita asked.

"I'm just going to do my best," Amy said.

Her friends smiled.

"But..if I can ask. What are you all going to do?" Amy asked.

"Oh..I'm going to business school," Raye said. "Then I will become the top record CEO in the country!"

"We should have known," The others said.

"What about you Lita?"Serena asked.

"Well..I uh..I'm going to try to get into a culinary institute," Lita said. "It's not easy, but I'm going try."

"You'll make it," her friend said.

"HEY! MINA!" Serena said.

"What?" Mina said taking a bite. "Hold on a sec.." she said with a full mouth.

"Mina..what are you going to do when you get to college."

"Chase boys."

"HEY!" Mike snapped.

"Just kidding," Mina said. "I don't know..but in the end I will reascend to glory as the idol star Mina Deveraux!"

"You're back on that kick again," Raye said.

"Absolutely, things were a little rough, but I'll be back," Mina said. "And it'll be great!"

"Can't wait," The others said.

"You are not in the mood to party," Hotaru said.

"Not a big fan of social gatherings," D.V. Patterson said.

"Hmm..yes..I am curious and we haven't been able to talk. What does the future hold for you?"

"Don't know. Kinda liked being a student ,where the only responsibilities were those I chose to have."

"Yes..me too..however, I am going to become a psychologist."

"You are?"

"Yes, what better way to study humans?"

"Yes, I guess there isn't."

"But what will you do?"

"No idea, but it will probably be violent."

"All right..all right..everybody..I did something..I know you might find it strange, but I called up a lot of people last night..for a reason.." Serena said. "Now..if you follow me, you'll understand."

"She's going to murder us all now that she has no more use for us!" Mike said worriedly.

"Run for it!" Akiro said.

"Don't ruin the moment," Serena snapped.

"Don't let her lull you into a false sense of security, that's all I'm saying," Mike said.

"Things like this has happened before to nicer people," Akiro said.

"You two are the most insane people I have ever encountered," Haruka said.

"Oh come on Hotaru's father has gotta be number one," Mike said.

"I agree," Hotaru said.

"All right..whatever," Haruka said.

"Oh and everyone we've got to transform too," Sailor Moon said.

"Transform so you can kill us!" Mike snapped. "It's always the first step!"

"MIKE!" everyone snapped.

"All right maybe that was a little over the line," Mike said.

"No..I think you were still balancing yourself carefully on it," Akiro said.

"Really? I never know," Mike said.

"What's all this?" Sailor Pluto asked.

"Well I knew we'd be going off in different directions and stuff," Sailor Moon said. "But I wanted everyone we know to sort of come together once..so we could take a picture."

"You called a lot of people it seems," Guardian Mars said.

Sure enough there was a lot of people, from their parents, to the SDF officers, to the police, to Prime Minister Coral, all of their friends, the cats, the warriors, the dark moon family, and all the rest of the people who had been involved in the wars of the past five years.

"Quite an effort you made here," Sailor Uranus said.

"Well..I thought we'd go out with a bang!" Sailor Moon said.

"This is going to be a heck of a mess to arrange," Guardian Venus said.

"I'll get it, just leave it to me!" Sailor Venus said.

"And no fighting this time!" Sailor Moon snapped at the guys.

"Better get it over with now!" Guardian Pluto said.

"Guys!" Sailor Moon said and stopped a brawl in mid stream.

Several minutes later they were all organized.

"All right, any second now it will go off," Sailor Moon said.

"That is if it works," Sailor Mars said.

"Not now Mars," Sailor Moon said.

And the picture was taken.

"So Sailor Moon, you've used your power to restore the galaxy, but now it's time for the barrier," Sailor Pluto said.

"I know..but you know what..." Sailor Moon said. "I can't do it."

"Why?"

"Well..those evil forces that come here..what if they bounce off the barrier and then go somewhere else..where I can't help them," Sailor Moon said. "I mean then what? I guess no one may like what I'm saying, but I want them to come here so I can stop them. I couldn't justify just sending them somewhere else."

"I understand," Sailor Pluto said.

"I think we all do," Sailor Mars said. "Even if it does mean we'll never be able to retire."

"Just call us last will you?" Sailor Uranus asked with a grin.

"Oh sure, you guys can all leave it to me!" Sailor Moon said.

"You all sure about this?" Sailor Pluto said.

"Yes!" they all said.

"All right," Sailor Moon said. "You'd say so if you didn't think.."

"You're right Sailor Moon," Tuxedo Mask said. "It's our destiny..we can't run from it. And we protect the universe.."

"Couldn't we put up the barrier for a few weeks though?" Sailor Venus asked.

"I wouldn't worry about that," Sailor Pluto said. "With the galaxy back the way it used to be, I don't think we'll have to worry about trouble, yet."

"All right," Sailor Venus said. "I'll hold you to that!"

"I know," Sailor Pluto said.

"Sailor Scouts.." Came a booming voice.

They all whirled.

"Hey it's one of those watcher guys.." Guardian Neptune said.

"Yes, one of those watcher guys," he muttered. "Anyway..we have broken our oath to let you know that indeed you have a reprieve...we can't say how long exactly, but rest assured that the next few years of your lives should be relatively uneventful. After that..no guarantees..but we're not saying there are any evil forces left in the universe either..just that any conceivable evil force would not arrive until then."

"ALL RIGHT!" The scouts all shouted.

"But be wary, I've been wrong before!"

"WHAT!"

"Just kidding.. farewell," The watcher said and disappeared.

"Well..this is good bye," Serena said.

"For now," Seiya said. "But I'll be back."

"I hope you find love," Serena said.

"You too..Yaten!" Mina said. "There's got to be someone on your world as pretty and witty as I am."

Yaten grinned.

"There must be," he said.

The two headed onto a plane. The group waved.

"Well speaking of that, we've got a plane to catch," Sai said.

"Yeah...but it's been fun, we'll meet again," Ai said.

"Definitely, and Mikey..someday..we'll go on tour..we'll be unstoppable," Akiro said.

"Doing what?" Mike asked.

"Just talking to each other."

"It's genius!"

The two cackled.

"Well..gotta go," Akiro said.

"Patterson," Sai said. Patterson looked at him. "At least we know we can fight," he said.

"Yes," Patterson said.

The three former rogues walked off.

"I'll see you all soon," Setsuna said. "But duty calls."

"Good luck Setsuna!" Serena said.

"And that goes for us too," Haruka said. "Michiru and I are going on a long vacation."

"It could last decades,' Michiru said.

"Well be careful and enjoy yourselves," Sailor Moon said.

"Yes..I look forward to it. Greg, don't let the unworthy destroy your dreams," Michiru said.

And they outers headed off.

"What an adventure," Serena said. "And it may not be over yet."

"Yeah," Darrien said.

"Well..that's all right..because life has been good to me," she said.

"Me too," Darrien said.

The two kissed.

My name is Serena Tsukino. She thought. I just graduated from high school. Only a few people know it, but I'm also a defender of the Earth known as Sailor Moon.

The End.....