Wildcat Science Theater 3000 Episode Five-One "Star Trek: The Next De-generation" "Shadows From the Past", Part 1 Original stories by M.H. Torringjan. MSTed with permission. MSTed by Curtis Wildcat For Sailor Moon disclaimers, read the beginning of the MSTed story. Sonic, Tails and Robotnik belong to Sega, as do Scratch and Grounder. T-Bone and Razor, a.k.a. Swat Kats, are Hanna-Barbara's property. Curtis Wildcat (and, later, the Dark and Light Copycats will follow suit) is my own creation, so stay away from them unless you've gotten prior permission from myself. Comments and constructive criticism welcome at supreme_cat@hotmail.com. Key word, though, is "constructive". Anything less will earn you a deleted E-mail. Period. Parts two and three will continue where the previous parts left off, and then there will be a break before Parts 4-6. On top of that, I'm only going to include the neccessary info with each part (namely, the MSTed story's title, the author's name and mine). Ok? Good. Let's go for it. -------------------------------- (1...2...3...4...5...6) (The bridge of Robotnik's Satellite is a mess. Pieces of the walls and console have been ripped away, exposing sparking wiring and circuitry. Black scourch marks adorn what's left. Lights are operating at drastically low power. Wildcat and the others stumble onto the bridge. Wildcat's left arm is wrapped in bandages, as is one of Miles' tails; the 2 Swat Kats also stumble on-screen) Wildcat: (disgusted) Well, that meteorite shower arrived right on schedule. Razor: (nods; turns to the console) Computer, give us the full status on the Satellite. Computer: All shields are out of commission. Hull integrity is at 20%. The top and bottom 4 decks are inaccessible, and the living quarters are sealed off. Power is at 30% capacity. All systems except life support, communications, and theater operation are offline. T-Bone: Heh...good thing those shields you installed worked, or else we would be deep-sixed by now. Razor: (smiles half-heartedly) See, I KNEW they would come in handy. Tails: When did you install them, anyway? Razor: Back when we learned that the shower was coming our way a few days ago, I took the liberty of constructing a series of shield barriers. Of course, I had to devise a similar shield for the Cyclotron so I could work out in space, but that's beside the point. I don't need to tell you what would happen if I hadn't put those up. T-Bone: Think we should contact Mobius and find out what to do next? (The yellow light flashes dimly) Wildcat: You won't have to; King Hippo's calling. (slaps the light) (Dr. Robotnik and his two robots, Scratch and Grounder, are watching another screen. The screen's content consists of a slow motion video of the meteorite shower striking the Satellite. The doctor looks up, smiling) Robotnik: (voice sounds somewhat staticky) Well, did you have fun? Wildcat: (Skywalker voice) We got a little cooked, but we're okay. Robotnik: (grins) Good. I forgot how much material went into building the Satellite, so I'll need one of you to walk around and assess the damage. I'll have several of my 'bots drag up the material you specify. T-Bone: (nods; surly) I can handle that. (grabs a clipboard and pen, walks off-screen) Tails: This isn't just a house call, right? Robotnik: (chuckles) Right. I had been planning to show you that "Starcraft" movie tomorrow, but because of the damage you sustained we'll have to put that on hold. This evening, we're going to divert from the usual lineup and deliver a dosage of anime to the theater. (There is a long, uncomfortable pause) Wildcat: Forgive me for asking, Dr. Blob, but what kind of anime is it? Robotnik: (insulted) For one, you'd better stop calling me names; and for another, you're going to be dealing with some "Sailor Moon". (For a moment, there is more silence. Then, suddenly.....) Wildcat: (pumps a fist and hops around) YEAH! CATS RULE! YEAH! Tails: You need help, Curtis. Robotnik: Wait; there's more. Wildcat: (stops celebrating) What? Robotnik: When I finished compiling the movie, I noted that the audio system on the Satellite was damaged a little. Thus, the little black monitors on the sides of the movie screen will be running a constant "closed captioning" while the film is going. This means that you'll be dealing with the original text AND the visuals. There'll be some sound, but not much. (Everyone is silent. Wildcat almost looks ready to cry) Robotnik: (continues) We'll be showing a movie written by one M.H. Torringjan, called "Shadows From the Past". First, though, we'll be giving you a short called "Star Trek: The Next Degeneration", also written by M.H. All in all, it's long, so you'd better be ready.... (sarcastic tone)....children. (Robotnik's image clicks off the viewscreen) Wildcat: (lowers his head) Just when I thought this day couldn't get any worse, Blubber Bottom has to bother us. Razor: Computer, start the auto-repair systems on this. Also, see if you can get the crew of nanites to assist. (aside; snickers) I think I have a way to salvage this situation. Computer: Operations confirmed. Repairs will take approximately 6.5 hours. Tails: Anyone find it unusual that Scratch and Grounder weren't blabbering this time? Razor: No, not really. (The sirens flash. The Satellite vibrates slightly) Wildcat: Don't have time to worry about it. INSANIME SIGN! Come on! (The three of them dive through the hexagon-shaped door behind them) -------------- 6: The front doors to the Pizza Cat Parlor slide open. 5: A castle door slams onto the floor. 4: Small bubbles float upwards through a small antechamber. 3: A typical Megaman boss door rises open, bottom-to-top. 2: Several teal glowlamps light your way towards the next door. 1: The typical vault door, embedded in gray walls remniscent of the original "Metroid" mazes, turns and opens to your right. ---------------- (Razor, Tails and Wildcat enter the theater. Razor takes Crow's seat, Wildcat takes Tom Servo's seat, and Tails takes Joel Robinson's seat) - ---[Note from CRB: There were one or two words I don't take kindly to in "Degeneration", so I astericked them out. My apologies, Torringjan.---] - >Star Trek: The Next Degeneration > >A one-act play by: M.H.Torringjan > Razor: Fifty monkeys with typewriters prepare to make their move. > Basic Pre-fanfic disclaimers here. I don't own Star Trek. >It was created by Gene Roddenbery(sp?) and is owned most probably by >Paramount Studios. I have no flippin' idea, I'm just here... Tails: Wow. I didn't know ideas could flip. Wildcat: Was that sarcasm? I can't tell with you. > >Scene 1 > >(Setting: Interior, Ten-Forward on the Starship Enterprise) > >(First officer Riker and Engineer Geordi LaForge are playing a game >of 3-D chess while downing a couple of Tarkelian Sunsets, >replicated to their liking.) > >Riker: (moves a piece) So, Geordi, what are your plans for shore >leave at Garelisa 27618645237645836454356992053178856489-7777? Wildcat: (Geordi) To talk to the planet's rulers about taking away 3 dozen of those numbers. > >Geordi: (moves a piece) Check. I think that I'll see the sights. >I've heard that the Tar pits are particularly beautiful this time of >the year. Well, this time of the day every day all year every year. > >Riker: (moves a piece) Well, I've heard that they've got some >especially nice drinks there this time of the year. Razor: "Gatorade" and "Quik", to be precise. > >Geordi: (moves a piece) Check. In other words, you're going to get >drunk off your ***-err... feet and slink back to the ship with an >empty pocket and a lot of postcards of places that you've never >been to on the planet. > >Riker: (moves a piece) Well, it's a living! > >Geordi: (moves a piece) Check. You know, you're right. I think >that I'll join you! I bet that the computer would have a record of >the cheapest places that we could get rejuvenated afterwards! > >Riker: (moves a piece) No, no, no, Geordi, how many times have you >gotten drunk? > >Geordi: (moves a piece) Check. Well, once. > Tails: Okay, but I'll tell you once: $45.72. >Riker: (moves a piece) Ah, that's understood. What you have to do >to experience the whole... experience is to get completely smashed, >then let the stuff run out of your system while you're telling your >best bud, who happens to be holding your head above the receptacle, >how much you love him or her! Wildcat: Let's not, and say we didn't. > >Geordi: (moves a piece) Check. Sounds fun! I'm in! Come on, >let's go. It's time for us to get back on duty. > >Riker: Okay. (moves a piece) Mate. Razor: Single, and planning on staying that way. > >(Walks to the nearest turbolift-tube, leaving Geordi staring at >the board in amazement) Tails: What was that you were saying about going back on duty, Mr. La Forge? > >Scene 2 >(Setting: interior, outside the turbolift) > Wildcat: That bores me so. >(Riker impatiently awaits the turbo-lift. He watches his wrist for >a few moments before realizing that he's not wearing a watch, as it >would be against regulation uniform.) Razor: What can be said that isn't painfully obvious? > >(The door opens to reveal a compartment crammed full of people in >business suits, heading for a meeting. Riker decides to skip this >turbolift as it's obviously not going in the right direction.) Tails: Not much going on there, eh? > >(The next one arrives a few moments later, filled with to the brim >with women in tight outfits.) (Razor shrugs and looks on as Wildcat glares at the screen) > >Woman: Commander Riker, we have to get some new uniforms because >these seem to be too small. Would you like to watch us model them? > Wildcat: (shakes his head) NO. Absolutely not. Razor: (to Tails) There he goes with his high moral tone. Wildcat: And you have a problem with that? Razor: Not really....just a little irritating at times. Wildcat: (glances out the corner of his eye) Get used to it. >Riker: Sorry, ladies, but I've got duty right now! Besides, >couldn't you just get Chief O'Brien to watch you model? I'm sure >that he would be glad to sit in! > >Woman: We'll ask! Thanks! > >(The turbo-lift door closes and speeds off towards its original >destination.) > >(The third one shows up and is completely empty. Riker steps in.) > Razor: (Riker) To the supply hold. It's time I sold that dilithium once and for all. >Riker: (to the computer) Bridge. (The turbo-lift speeds to its >destination. As the doors open, Engineering can be seen.) Uumm... >Computer, I said "Bridge." (The turbo-lift speeds off again. As >it stops, Transporter room 3 can be seen) No, computer, I said >"Bridge!" (The turbo-lift pulls out of its stop again. It stops >at the Arboretum) Listen, you metallic piece of c***, I said >"Bridge," and I darn well meant "BRIDGE!" (The small room >cautiously pulls away from its stop, heading to a stop outside >of... Ten-Forward again. Geordi is still sitting in front of the >board, staring at Riker's win.) Listen, I'll just walk! >I swear, technology doesn't even work in the future... > Wildcat: It looks a lot more detailed than it did in Star Trek 4, that's for sure. Razor: Okay, I think we've had enough of the "Space Quest VI" quotes for now. Tails: 10-4! >(Riker walks through the doorway next to the turbolift and onto the >bridge.) > >Scene 3 >(setting: interior, bridge) > >Piccard: Riker, where were you? > Razor: (Riker) The glare off your head blinded your Secretary again, sir. >Riker: I was having trouble with the turbo-lift next door, sir. >It won't hapen again, sir. > Wildcat: (Riker) It won't happen again, either, sir. >Piccard: We should get a team looking at that right away. I won't >let anything threaten this virtual utopia that I have going on this >ship! Tails: (Riker) What about you? You're still here. > >Worf: Sir, it would be advisable to issue a red alert right away >in light of the conditions involving the turbo-lifts. > >Piccard: Agreed. > >Riker: Red alert, sir? Razor: (Piccard) No, "Command & Conquer". > >Piccard: You're right, red alert is a bit silly. I'll issue the >panic alert right away. (red lights begin flashing and klaxons are >heard outside of the bridge.) > >Troi: Sir, why is it that we're never able to hear the red alert on >the bridge? > >Piccard: So that it doesn't disturb us and our stream of thoughts. > Wildcat: And the Hoover Dam. >Data: Sir, we're being hailed. > Tails: (Data) By el Nino. >Piccard: By whom? > >Data: Central command, sir. It's coded extremely important >priority. For your eyes only, it says. > >Piccard: (stands up from his chair) My eyes only, eh? We'll see >about that! Open fire! > >Data: Sir? Razor: (Data) Sir, you're supposed to say "Close fire", then slap a lock on it. > >Piccard: Oh, sorry, force of habit. Where was I... oh, yeah! >My eyes only, huh? We'll see about that! (opens the file on the >front screen. It's the ship's next assignment.) > >Ensign: Sir, am I reading that right? Does that say that we're >assigned to serve as a love-boat for our next assignment, and our >shore-leave has been cancelled? > Wildcat: "Love-boat"? "Shore-leave"? This thing's all wet. Razor: (dryly) I'm drowning in sarcasm, here. >Piccard: Oh, shut up and jump in front of a bus... (Ensign walks >off-stage and the sound of a bus honking can be heard, followed by >a scream of pain from the ensign) Someone get me a new ensign. >And tell him not to wear red this time! Razor: But what would a bus be doing in space? Wildcat: (venomous) Razor, trying to figure this out will leave holes the size of baseballs in our skulls. Just call it "subspace" and leave it at that. Tails: Maybe it's Pearl's ship. Wildcat: That, too. >That is my color and my color alone! (Reads the message silently >to himself) So, we're assigned to love-boat duty for the next ten >months, and shore-leave has been cancelled... I wonder what this >is all about... > >Data: I would imagine, sir, that it had something to do with the >little "Vulcan-ear-in-the-pasta" trick that was pulled on the >Commander of the Confederation and the other five-thousand delegates >from the Confederation of Planets at the last Commander's Banquet. >(a file upon the cited "incident" appears on the screen) > >Riker: But we had nothing to do with that! > >Worf: Well... > Tails: Klingon, huh? Well, "Kling-on" a windshield or something. >Piccard: Worf? (Worf bows his head in shame) Come here. (Worf >sullenly walks over to the captain. The captain slaps him on the >wrist) And don't do it again! > >Worf: I have shamed my post, my co-workers, my family, my species, >myself, and life-kind. I must complete the atonement process. >(takes out knife and stabs himself with it) Razor: Alas, poor Worf. I knew thee well. Wildcat: Another reason why you should never take life too seriously. > >Troi: So that's what he keeps under that sash! > >Piccard: (stares disgustedly at the pile of Klingon on the floor) >Someone clean up this Klingon on the floor, and get me another one! >And make sure that he's not so honor-bound this time! > Wildcat: Like asking a dog to recite the alphabet. >Riker: Sir, what are we going to do about the orders? > >Piccard: This is obviously the work of some sinister syndicate in >the central government working to get us out of their hair. > Razor: (Riker) Better their hair than yours, Baldy. >Troi: Sir, you say that about everything that happens to us. > >Piccard: Granted, but there can't be any risks taken. I won't >have the leisure time of the crew of this ship threatened as long >as I'm the captain of the Enterprise-D... or E...or whichever this >one is. Get someone checking on that right away! Set course for >Central Command right away! All non-essential staff is given the >trip off! (lights turn off) Hey, Computer, did I say that you >could turn off? I said, "Non-essential!" (lights turn back on) > Wildcat: That's my computer with a death wish. >Riker: (to Troi) Would you like to join me for a drink in >Ten-Forward? Tails: 10-4! > >Troi: Oh, will you stop going to Ten-Forward already? I want to >go to the Holo-deck! Tails: 10-4! > >Riker: Well, I want to go to Ten-Forward! > Tails: 10-4! Wildcat and Razor: ? >Troi: I'm not going with you... > >Data: Why don't you two just go to where you want to go >separately? > Wildcat: (nods his head vigorously) Yes, yes, very smart choice. >Troi and Riker: SHUT UP! > Tails: Unfortunately, not everyone agrees. >Troi: You should get out of that bar and come with me to a >different bar! I bet that there would be at least a hundred >Holo-deck programs about bars! > >Riker: Thanks, but I just want to go where everybody knows my name. > Tails: (Troi) They know you because of the record you set for most lima beans eaten in an hour. >Troi: That's because you spend every minute of your free time in >there! > >Riker: That's it! I'm leaving you! > >Troi: No, I'm leaving you! > Wildcat: Make like trees. >Riker: Just depends on who walks out that door first! > >(The two rush the door in a frenzy to get out first) > Razor: (bland) "Degeneration", huh? That's just sad. >Scene 4 >(setting: interior, Holo-deck Hall) > >Troi: Computer, begin Program Troi Alpha-Beta-Gamma-Sigma-Omega- >Theta. > >Computer: Is that the program where you get killed every two >seconds? > Wildcat: (computer) By a clown that's tired of people laughing at him? >Troi: Yeah, that's right. > > >Computer: You know, Deanna, you really should talk to someone >about that. There are councilors that can help you. > Wildcat: I'm surprised that councilors would need councilors, anyway. >Troi: (mumbling) Add insult to injury, why don't you? > >Computer: All right, you're a jerk and no one likes you. > Razor: Subtle. >Troi: Thanks a lot, computer... Disable the safeties, please. > >Computer: I'm sorry, Troi, I can't do that. > Tails: (Computer) They're already disabled. >Troi: What?!?! Something's been going wrong with you for the >past couple of days. I'm going to check this out for myself. >(Heads off for the central computer banks) > >Scene 5 >(setting: interior, Ten-Forward) > Tails: 10-4! Wildcat: Tails, please stop. >(Riker walks in to get a drink. Geordi is still sitting in front >of the 3-D Chess board.) > Tails: Get a bucket of water. He's become catatonic. Wildcat: Insert Pizza Cats joke here. >Guinan: So, Riker, you want the usual? > >Riker: (sitting down on a stool) Nah. This time, give me a Terran >Sunset on the rocks. > >Guinan: (preparing the drink) Whoah! *Terran*? Problems? > Razor: (Jim Raynor-voice) Now, just what kind of problems did you have in mind, Commander? >Riker: Not really. Just give me my drink. > >Guinan: (pouring) Come on, you know that you can tell me! It's >Guinan! > Razor: (Guinan) Professional therapist, at your service! >Riker: Well, Troi separated from me. > >Guinan: (mixing) Oh, brutal! > >Riker: Worse, they've cancelled our shore-leave and reassigned us >as a love-boat! > >Guinan: (Spills drink) Cancelled our shore-leave?! Ouch, now I'm >really hurt myself! Better make myself one of these, too! Wildcat: (as drink is spilled) That, ladies and gentleman, was "Gabbing with Guinan". Thank you. > >Riker: I wanted to get off of this crate! > Tails: Sure. You only owe the shipping costs, anyway. >Guinan: (pouring) Even turned us into a love-boat! As if this >place wasn't enough of a soap-opera already! > >Riker: I wanted to get drunk somewhere besides here! > Wildcat: Not at all would be a better alternative. >Guinan: (mixing) Stop your whining! We're all in the same boat >here! > >Riker: You're right! I just need to serve cheerily, like I'm >supposed to! > Tails: (Riker) The ensigns have joined forces against us, Captain! Yaaaay! >Guinan: (pouring) That's the way to look at it! > >Riker: Besides, I'm not as bad off as you're going to be in here! >I heard on the way over here that passengers were going to be >allowed in here, too! > >Guinan: (spills drinks again) Maybe I should just hook a batch of >these things up to my vein. > Razor: In vein, in vain. >Riker: On second thought, I'm in a bit of a rush. Just fix me a >Alpha Centaurian Sunset. > >Guinan: (mixing) Ummm... I'm a bit busy right now. (stops mixing >to write down on paper, "Last Will and Testament") > Tails: (reading) "I leave to Picard my copy of `Space Quest 6' in the transporter to Polysorbate LX...." What....? >Riker: What's that for? > >Guinan: (writing) Just in case. You never know what those >passengers could be carrying. > >Riker: Look, just forget about the drink. You're busy. I think >that I'll join Deanna on the Holo-deck. > >Guinan: ... Enjoy yourself...( Will leaves, and Geordi is still >staring at the Chess Board) > Wildcat: La Forge, close friend of Cyclops. >Scene 6 >(setting: interior, Central Computer Banks) > >(Troi is rushing towards the central memory banks of the computer >system to give it a major re-programming.) > >(She reaches the Central Bank and takes out her handy-dandy >Sproket-Hammer (tm).) > Wildcat: Wow. There IS such a thing as subspace. Tails: If there's a Star Trek and Tenchi Muyo crossover out there somewhere, I'm gonna faint. Razor: There is. Don't know where, but there is. (Tails almost passes out, but Wildcat steadies him) Wildcat: Not yet, kid. Wait until we're finished here. >Computer: Troi, what are you doing? > >Troi: Trust me, it's for both of our goods. (draws back with the >Sproket Hammer (tm) and prepares to strike) > >Computer: (reaches out with a mechanical arm and takes the sproket >hammer (tm)) I'm sorry, Troi, I can't let you do that. > >Troi: Okay, so I'll have to do it the old-fashioned way. (begins >to switch plugs and wires around. Sparks fly from the computer >bank) > >Computer: Troi, why? (singing) Daisy, Daaiissyy... Gi-ve meee >yoouur aanswerr, doooo... > Tails: (computer) ....youuuuuuu.....understannnnnd...? >Troi: Now, I think that I shouldn't have any trouble getting into >my file. And probably less trouble getting privacy when I'm using >Will's credit cards. > > >Scene 7 >(setting: interior, Holodeck Hall) > Wildcat: The manager of the arena is currently unavailable. >(Troi and Riker walk up to the Holo-deck at the same time. Troi >still has the Sproket-Hammer in her hand. Riker still has a drink >in his hand that he replicated on the way over.) > >Troi: Oh, so you've finally decided to join me? > >Riker: Well, I couldn't drink anything. > Tails: (Riker) Not even the "Flavor-Ice" someone put in the walk-in refrigerator! >Troi: (aside) Oh, he forewent drinking to join me? (to Riker) So, >shall we go on in? > > >Riker: Yes, let's! (to Computer) Computer, begin program Riker >Zeta-Alpha-333-Omega-Boing-Boing-2. (no response) Computer...? >Computer...! > Razor: (Troi) It passed out from sheer stupidity on your part. >Troi: I wonder what's wrong with the Computer? > >Riker: We'd better tell the Captain about this. > >(The two head to the Bridge.) > Wildcat: (as comedian) Show me the Father of our Country's false teeth..... >Scene 8 >(Setting: interior, bridge) > >(Captain Piccard is sitting in his chair with his two new crew >members at their posts) > Tails: (Piccard) Have you ever operated the weapons? Razor: (ensign) Well, I fired a rubber band once. Tails: (Piccard) Good enough. Welcome aboard. >(Troi and Riker storm onto the bridge qickly.) > >Troi: Captain, we have a problem. The computer at the Holodeck >isn't working. > >Piccard: Oh, c***. First the turbo-lifts, now this. That's it, >I'm giving my authorization for the self-destruct sequence. > Wildcat: (Marv Albert) Yes! >Data: Sir? > >Piccard: You're right. Self-destruct is a bit silly. Let's just >crash the ship into a planet. > >Data: More like it. > Razor: (Data) However, sir, I would suggest that you make up your mind from now on. Simpleton. >Troi: Sir, I think that if we pull off this move, they'll name a >maneuver after you! > >Piccard: "The Piccard Maneuver"... I like the name of it! >Ensign, set course. And (pause) engage... > Tails: (Piccard) But I'll have you know that marriage is out of the question. >(The ship speeds on towards its final resting place on the surface >of Lornio 27856395487627463574209745246314587613-666, where Guinan >survives and invents a new drink, the Lornio Sunset. When Central >Command hears of the Enterprise's noble actions, they name a >maneuver after Captain Piccard, the "Jean-Luc Maneuver". This >goes down as the most important maneuver in Starfleet history, >as it, completely by chance, killed a colony of Romulans who were >planning on beginning an uprising and starting a civil war.) > >~Fin > Razor: (announcer) Need a quick way to end a line of "ST: TNG" episodes? Try "ST: TNDG"! Batteries and redshirts not included. Some assembly required! Tails: I wonder what happened to La Forge. Wildcat: For all we know, he's probably still alive and staring at that chess board. (stares at the screen) Oh, for....SKIP SHORT, LOAD NEXT FILM. (The screens temporarily go black. The closing music from Megaman 5 is playing in the background) Wildcat: Okay. Outside of Guinan and La Forge, what do you think happened to all those guys? Tails: Well, Riker's probably in what's left of the holodeck, screaming at it for all he's worth. Razor: Troi didn't get her wish and she's still alive somewhere. Tails: Piccard probably pointed at the ceiling after the crash and said to fire phasers, thus having a tile crash nearby. Razor: Data's probably his usual passive self. STILL. Tails: The people at Starfleet Command don't get the message and they have yet ANOTHER Enterprise built, clone Worf, and re-hire the same crew, thus continuing the madness and setting the stage for the next episode of "Degeneration". Wildcat: (groans) Just when you think the Federation hasn't sunk any lower..... (The music stops, and the screen begins to brighten again) Wildcat: (monotone) ....they come up with something like THIS. Buckle up, guys; it's time for the insanime to begin. ---------------- > Usual spiel here. I don't claim to own any of the Sailor Moon characters >(except for the ones that I make up). The person who does own them is Naoko >Takeuchi, the CEO of DiC, the CEO of Bandai, and many others. I'm sure that if >I did own any of the Sailor Moon stuff, I would be trying to get DiC to be doing >a better job with the dub. But anyway, without any further ado... Tails: Scooby-scooby-adoo! > Oh, by the way, a little further ado here. I would like to apologize for >any mistakes in my stories. If there are any major ones that affect the >outcome, tell me in an e-mail to:jmh6187@uncwil.edu. I will read them and >consider them for further stories, because I won't be able to change the ones >that have been already posted. Also, there will be Raye/Serena fights, but they >won't be at the usual quality. I'm a beginner. Razor: That's okay. Just about any argument between the two could qualify as a fight. > This story is rated somewhere between PG and PG-13. I say this because >there is no language, but there are a lot of guns shooting off. Wildcat: And with Tuxedo Mask around? Guns AND roses. > >Shadows From the Past >by: M.H. Torringjan > >Part 1: The Psychic Tails: And the Dark-type. > Amy looked up from her book, A Tale of Two Cities. The phone was ringing. Amy closed the red-bound book and picked up the receiver. > "Anderson residence," she said. > "Amy?" said a familiar voice from the other end. "It's Greg." > "Oh, hi, Greg! Why are you calling?" > "I was wondering, could you come and meet me in the park?" > "Why? When?" Wildcat: Don't say anything, you guys. Razor: I wasn't going to. > "Right now. I can't tell you over the phone." > "I'll be right there." > Amy hung up and got her coat on. It was a cold night in the middle of >December. She told her mother where she was going and headed for the door. >On her way out, she grabbed her book. What she forgot, though, was a little more important. > Her transformation pen and communicator laid on the bed side table, forgotten. > Tails: (Amy) Priority one: my friends. Everything else comes second. > "Ahhh..." Rubeus said, grinning, "The dweeb forgot her equipment. This is >the perfect time to put my new plan into effect. Droid Walker, come forth!" Wildcat: (puzzled) "Dweeb"? Huh. > A tall, steel Droid walked forward into the light. His eye shone a laser >targeting system in Rubeus's face. > "Turn that thing off!" Rubeus commanded. The light went off. Razor: You know, the Scouts wouldn't need to have all those special powers. Just have one of them bring a laser pointer and everything falls apart! > The robot's spindly legs looked like they were barely able to hold up its >big body. He had a gun on his arm, able to shoot two hundred different types of >ammo from stun gun pellets to thermal detonators. His outer shields were >reinforced with titanium alloy. He was close to invincible. (Wildcat takes out his sword and points it at the screen, chuckling mirthfully) > "I want you to go and take this boy prisoner," Rubeus said, showing him >Greg through the mirror. The Droid warped out to go after his prey. "And don't >screw up like the last ones did." Tails: (Rubeus) But just in case you do, bring a screwdriver. > Amy had reached the park and was looking around for Greg. She found him >sitting on the bench that she had laid him down on when he had been changed into >his Shadow Warrior counterpart. He was feeding some ducks that were, curiously >enough, out at night. He looked up when she approached him. > "I knew that you'd come," he said. Wildcat: (Greg) Now, where's that money you owe me? > "Mostly because I said that I would," Amy replied. She could remember the >first time that she had felt some affinity to Greg. He had just saved her from >being crushed by a steel I-beam. She had to save him soon after, with the help >of the other Scouts. She never admitted publicly to having a relationship with >him, even after she had gone with him to the amusement park and saved him a >second time. "Now, why did you want me to come out here?" Razor: (Greg) I can't take you to the baseball game this weekend. Parents insisted. > "We've got problems. The Negaverse wants the Carriers again. I'm going >to be their first target." > "Why?" Amy asked. > "Probably because they feel that I'm too much of a threat to them, and >because you don't have your communicator or transformation stick with you." >Just as he said this, the water of the lake was disturbed by a creature >splashing into it. Another Droid was coming after them. Amy impulsively >reached into her pockets. Razor: (Amy) My hands are cold. Tails: This from Sailor Mercury? Unlikely. > "What do you know," Amy said nervously. "I hope that you're a good >runner, Greg." > "It won't matter," the Droid said in a purely mechanical voice. With a >whir, it lunged forward towards the pair. They saw it coming and were able to >dodge. They were gone in a moment with the Droid in hot pursuit. Well, you >might call it "hot," but it was living up to its name. It walked down the >street after the pair. Razor: (Droid; singing "Staying Alive") >As they ran, it shot a couple of tracking devices at >them. One hit Greg in the back and Amy in the back of the head, getting tangled >in her blue hair and digging into her scalp. The tracking device that hit Greg >dug deep into his back, and neither he nor Amy could pull it out while running. >When the Droid was a good block (any block being a good block) behind them, they >slowed down a bit. > "We should go and get Serena," Amy said. Tails: Yeah. She can handle this mutated IG-88. > "Well, we can try to get there before he gets us," Greg said. > "Good idea," Amy said. "But without my transformation stick, we're >practically helpless. What can we do?" > "Call another of the Scouts, and get them to get your stuff." > "What if he's tapped the phones?" > "Now, that's just plain paranoia." They stopped at the next pay-phone, >and they dialed up Serena's house. Mrs. Tsukino picked up the phone. Wildcat: (Mrs. Tsukino) Serena, it's Amy. Razor: (Serena) Tell her I'm not here! Wildcat: (Mrs. Tsukino) Amy, she says she's not here. Call back later. *click* > "Hello?" > "I'd like to speak with Serena, please," Amy said into the phone. > "Of course, Amy," Serena's mother said as she put the phone on the table >to get Serena. If she only knew how urgent this was. About thirty seconds >passed, and Serena's mother picked up again. "I'm sorry, Amy, but Serena's kind >of busy right now with homework." Tails: The mother of all oxymorons. "Serena", "busy", and "homework", all in the same sentence. > "Please, Mrs. Tsukino. I need to speak with Serena. It's extremely >important!" > "I'll get her," Mrs. Tsukino said exhaustedly as she put the phone down >again. Gods, why didn't she hurry up? Another span of silence passed before >there was an answer to the phone. The Droid was gradually coming closer. He >took aim as Serena answered the phone. > "Hello?" Serena asked. > "Oh, crap!" Greg yelled as he pulled Amy out of the booth. She just >barely missed being fried by a small barrage of explosive bullets. The >telephone booth burst into flames as Amy and Greg fled the scene. Tails: (Serena) You don't say....you don't say!..... > > "Hello?" Serena repeated from the other end at her house. Her mother had >said that it was Amy on the phone. All she had heard was someone shouting, and >then silence. That might not have been good. She went upstairs to her room and >met her mother on the way. > "What did Amy want?" her mother asked. Razor: (Serena) She didn't say. > "She needed to ask about some of our homework," Serena replied cautiously. >She went into her room and picked up her communicator. > "Who are you calling?" Luna asked. > "Amy." > "Why?" Wildcat: Comes before "Z". Tails: (as Piccolo) Yeah, sure. > "I'm worried about something." She dialed up the number for Amy's >communicator, but no one picked up. "Something's wrong," Serena said. > "Who was that on the phone?" Luna asked > "You're feeling downright questioning tonight, aren't you?" > "Sorry," Luna said defensively. "But I think that you >should tell me what's troubling you." Wildcat: Nothing now, but wait until she and Raye have another argument. > "Mom said that Amy was on the phone, but when I got there, all I heard was >someone yelling before we got cut off. Now, I can't reach Amy." > "Sounds like something's wrong," Luna said. "Let's get the >others, then we'll find Amy." > "How will we convince Mom to let me go out?" Serena asked apprehensively. > "The Luna Pen!" Luna exclaimed. Serena reached into her >subspace pocket and pulled it out. > "Who should I go as?" she asked. Razor: Go out as Rini. Your parents won't even notice you. Tails: At least, not until they find out that they have twins in their house. > "Your father seems like a good persona in this situation," >Luna said. Serena gave Luna a frown, then held the Pen up high. > "Disguise Magic! Turn me into my dad!" she exclaimed. She hoped that her >mother didn't hear the commotion and come to investigate. She looked into the >mirror and she saw her dad, hairdo and all. She walked out of her room and >downstairs. She grabbed a coat and tried putting it on. It seemed too small. >She thought for a moment and realized her blunder. She had >accidentally grabbed her own coat instead of her father's. Wildcat: No comment at this time. > On her way out, her mother stopped her. "Honey, where are you going?" > "I'm going out on an errand, Mo... Ma'am." > "All righty, but what about Serena? Has she finished her homework?" > "Yes, and she's fast asleep as we speak." > "Serena asleep at this early hour?" > "She said something to me about wanting to be at school on time." (Everyone laughs) > "Makes sense. If I get another call from Serena's teacher about her being >late, I'll start to get severe on her." The comment made Serena gulp tensely. >She went outside, where Luna was waiting, and let her disguise down. > "Are you ready, Luna?" Serena asked as they walked down the front walkway. >Luna indicated her approval, and they went off towards the home of >the closest Scout, Lita. Wildcat: Who had just gotten done sticking a cake in the oven. Tails: Do you always think with your stomach? Wildcat: Yeah, if my brain's out of commission. > She and Luna arrived in record time, and they knocked on the door loudly. >Lita opened the door and admitted them inside with a question about the >problem, noting their breathlessness. > "We think that Amy's in trouble! She isn't answering her >communicator," Luna said. That effected an immediate reaction from >Lita, as threats to her friends usually did. Razor: (Lita) Wow! The bakery's closing at THIS hour?! > "Amy! We've gotta help her! Jupiter Star..." > "Wait!" Luna said. "We don't even know for sure if she's in trouble. We >should go get the others, too, just in case." > "But she might be getting her face pounded in by some Droid as we speak!" >Lita complained. Serena completely agreed with her. Razor: (ominous) In an alternate universe, the Sailor Scouts battle Droids and not yo-yo-mas or whatever they're called.... Tails: They're called "youmas", Razor. Razor: Just trying to be funny, kid. Work with me. > "All right! You call the others on your communicators, then, we'll go >together. If you want, Lita, you may go on ahead of us." > "Thank you, Luna!" Lita said, rushing out of the door. > "I just hope that she doesn't get herself killed," Serena said. Tails: (Serena) I say, if she gets herself killed, I'm gonna kill her. Wildcat: Well, you can't get anymore "deader" than that, can you? > Amy and Greg were out of breath from running. The Droid was so far behind >them that it wasn't a threat and wouldn't be for some time. They stopped at a >bench on the sidewalk to sit down. Amy tried to pry the homing device off of >Greg's back, but it wasn't coming out without taking some skin, perhaps even >spinal tissue. Greg took a look at the one in Amy's hair, and >tried to take it out, but it wasn't moving either. > "What do we do next?" Amy asked. Tails: (as Greg) Each time a monster attacks, you should think: "What would the Megabomb do?" Wildcat: "The Megabomb"? Razor: Tails' nickname for Lina Inverse. Wildcat: Oh. In that case....(falsetto)....FIRRRE-BALL! > "What do you think I am, a friggin' seer?... Oh, yeah," he said, feeling >slightly sheepish. >He concentrated for a moment, then came up with the answer, >"I don't know. I can't see anything. Either we altered the timeline that I saw >originally, so I can't pick it up, or we're killed within the next >five minutes." Wildcat: Goes to show you should never trust a psychic. Tails: What if it's Mewtwo? Wildcat: (thinks) Well, then that's another story entirely. > "I hope that it's the former of the two," Amy said, nervously looking >around. She was still out of breath, so she couldn't go anywhere. Greg was in >about as bad a shape as she was, and he was showing it. Suddenly, he pushed her >off the bench and into the street. He was with her after a second. The bench >where they had been sitting only a moment before was now a smoldering pile of >ashes. Amy couldn't figure out how it had happened until she looked at the roof >of the building behind the bench. Tails: You don't want to be in the way when his laser goes off. Wildcat: Scouts, don't look now, but you've just been "buzzed". > There stood the Droid, silhouetted in the moonlight. He jumped off the >roof and landed with a crunch, breaking the cement beneath him. He took aim at >the two and let loose with a barrage of tranquilizer darts. Amy and Greg dodged >the shots and ran further down the street. Halfway to their next destination, >Amy started to slow down. Greg looked at her back and saw a dart sticking out >of it. She put her arm around his shoulder for support, and they went on. >Soon, though, Amy couldn't walk on her own. Greg supported her >with a shoulder until he had to pick her up and carry her down the >street as quickly as he could. Razor: Hurry, you guys. A new ice age will arrive if you don't step on it. > He turned down an alleyway to cross over to the next street. When he saw >what was down the alleyway, though, he turned back quickly. The Droid shot a >barrage, just barely missing Greg before he dove out of the way. >He was too tired to run any more, so he turned to face his enemy. > "Where are the Scouts?" Greg said. "They were supposed to >be here by now. They'd better get here soon, or I'm toast." Tails: Forget the scouts. Send a whole army. > "Wrong," the Droid said, "You're already toast." He took aim and shot >Greg with another tranquilizer dart. The tranquilizer acted faster because his >heart was going at a higher rate than usual. He fell to the ground with a >grunted curse. Wildcat: Sheesh. Even when he's out like a light, he swears. >The Droid grabbed Greg and teleported out. Amy laid on the >ground, asleep, where Greg had laid her. She didn't know what had >happened. > Tails: (Threepio) It's not my fault, miss. Please don't deactivate me. > "Good job, Droid Walker," Rubeus said, beaming. "But I want to know why >you left the girl laying in the middle of the road!!! You could have taken this >opportunity to rid us of one of the Sailor Scouts, but NO!!! You've got to take >your orders so literally that you don't do anything else that makes >sense! Now get out there and kill her!" > The Droid teleported out and Rubeus shook his head. "I just don't understand some of these idiotic Droids. We should program them with some >common sense." Tails: (as Threepio) Common sense? Oh, I have that in plenty, sir. Razor: Common sense? The day that happens is the day Las Vegas destroys all its slot machines. > Back at the street, Amy was just waking up. "Greg?" she said. "Where did >he go? Where's the Droid?" For the answer to the second question, the Droid >appeared out of midair and started to take aim. Just before he shot, though, a >red rose hit him in the arm. He looked around for the source of the attack. In >the alley that the Droid had just come from, Tuxedo Mask stood with >a slightly ticked look on his face. Razor: (Tuxedo Mask) I can't believe I just wasted a perfectly good rose on the likes of you. > "I was in the neighborhood, and I heard a disturbance. I came to >investigate," he said, anticipating Amy's question of how he got >there. "Do you want to fight a helpless girl or me?" Wildcat: What, you mean it's not obvious? > "I'll take the helpless girl," the Droid said, turning back to Amy. As he >took aim again, Tuxedo Mask threw his cane at the gun. The cane hit the gun and >knocked it off of its aim. The Droid looked at Tuxedo Mask and >tried shooting again. Tuxedo kicked it off aim again. > "Idiot," Rubeus thought to himself from the roof of the nearby building. >"Why doesn't he fight Tuxedo Mask?" He yelled down to the Droid. "Hey, Walker! >Stop going after the girl long enough to dispose of Tuxedo Mask and >any others who're in your way. After killing them, take care of >the girl!" Wildcat: I don't think they get the point no matter HOW sharp the rose is. > Tuxedo Mask momentarily considered going after Rubeus, but ruled it out >when the Droid turned its attention toward Tuxedo Mask. "Uh, oh." The gun >leveled pointing at him. He was barely able to dodge out of the way before the >Droid shot a grenade in his direction. The grenade flew past him and into the >alley. He dodged into an alley across the street to avoid being >crushed by falling bricks and rocks. Tails: Special effects: too good for a budget. > The building had suffered major structural damage and could fall at any >moment (there were no people inside the building to worry about; the >building was scheduled for demolition). Tuxedo Mask would have to save Amy >quickly. The Droid had jumped to the top of the building that hadn't been >damaged and was waiting for it to fall so that he could make sure >of Tuxedo Mask's demise. Razor: The Droid Walker has developed a jumping ability. Nice. > Tuxedo Mask rushed out into the road and scooped Amy up in his arms as he >ran past her. As he made his way to safety, the building began to fall. He >barely made it to safety when the building hit the ground. He >realized the slim margin of safety by the wind and dust from the >falling building. > The Droid knew that they had survived by a scan for the homing device on >Amy. He headed towards it again. He wouldn't fail Master Rubeus >like his predecessors. Wildcat: Granted, he'd screw up now and then, but he wouldn't fail. > "Where are they?" Luna asked impatiently. She, Serena, and Raye were >waiting on the steps of the temple for Mina and Artemis to arrive. "I called >them fifteen minutes ago, and they said that they would be here right away." >She called Lita on Serena's communicator. "Have you found her yet?" she asked >Lita through the communicator. Lita had a slightly distressed look >on her face. Razor: (Lita) She said she wanted to be a lawyer, not a doctor. Wildcat: (fur standing on end) You're scaring me, Razor. > "Not yet, but I've got a lead. A building just fell over on Everton >Street. I'm going to check it out." > "Good. Contact us if you find her." Luna turned the >communicator off and turned to face the other two Scouts. > "Did anyone just check her home?" Raye asked. "It might be >that she just didn't hear the communicator go off." > "I called her home," Serena said. "On our way over here. >Her mother said that she was out." > Just then, Mina and Artemis ran up, out of breath. Tails: (Mina) The New Kids on the Block! They're here! > "What's up?" Mina asked between pants for breath. > "You didn't tell us anything over the communicator," Artemis said. > "We think that Amy is in trouble," Luna said. She went on to explain the >events that had happened at Serena's house earlier. "We've got Lita out right >now searching for her. I think that we should do the same. >Lita's across town already, and we can split up to find her >quicker." Tails: (points left) Mina, you go this way. (points right) Mina, you go that way. Split up. > "Right," Artemis said. "Luna, Serena, and I will go to the north side of >town, Mina, you go to the south side, Raye, you go to the west side." > "Why'd you have to stick her with us?" Luna asked quietly. She didn't >want Serena to hear lest her feelings be hurt. > "The others do just fine alone, sometimes better. I think that she'll be >better working with us." > "All right. Scouts, transform!" > "Moon Crystal Power!" > "Mars Star Power!" > "Venus Star Power!" Wildcat: (yells) NINE LIVES POWER EMERGEN----- (Tails slaps a hand over his mouth before he can finish) Razor: See why they're a bad influence, Wildcat? Wildcat: They hang with cats. How could they possibly be a bad influence? Razor: (nods) True, true. Still.... > The Sailor Scouts stood in the place that the girls had stood only moments >before, ready for action. Mars was the first to go off, with Venus not waiting >much longer. Luna and Artemis had to wait for Moon to gather her >bearings (which, with Serena, takes a while). Tails: (hums a tune) > Jupiter was nearing the site of the fallen building by leaping from >rooftop to rooftop. She knew that it shouldn't have fallen. There weren't any >demolitions scheduled for the next couple of months. She didn't think that >it had any structural problems, so something must have been afoot. Wildcat: With all claws attached. > When she arrived at the building, there weren't any signs that people were >present at the time of destruction and still there. That meant >that Amy was gone unless she had been captured by something. Razor: Alright folks, move on. Move on. Nothing more to see here. > She investigated the surroundings to find any trace of which way they had >gone. Well, let's see here, she thought to herself, There's a smoldering pile >of ashes where there's usually a tree. Let me think... She headed in that >direction, looking in every possible place for Amy. After a while of searching, >though, she started running. She only needed to remember to follow >the trail of destruction. Tails: (as Jupiter) Hmmm....I noticed he only destroyed furniture that was being sold at full price. Must be a clue. > > Tuxedo Mask was beginning to tire from the exertion of carrying Amy and >running at the same time. He couldn't stop, though. The Droid was evolving >intelligence. It had finally figured out how to run, and it was gaining on him. >Amy was waking up just as they got to the Junior High. Tuxedo Mask put her down >and tried to wake her up further. > "Wha...? Greg? Where's Greg?" Amy asked as she woke up. > "I think that the Droid got him, and if we don't hurry, >he'll get us, too," Tuxedo Mask answered. "Now, can you >transform?" (Wildcat holds up a tape recorder and presses the Play and Fast Forward buttons simultaneously) Recorder: (high-speed and squeaky) NINELIVESPOWEREMER---- (Razor raises his Glovatrix and shoots the recorder out of Wildcat's paws. The recorder morphs into the default form of his sword, Shape-Shifter. Wildcat retrieves it, then sits back down) Wildcat: (sulks) You never let me have any fun. Razor: Hey; that's my job. > "Not without my transformation stick," Amy answered groggily. > "We've got to get out of here quick. Can you at least walk?" > "I think so, but wherever we go, he'll follow. He shot me with a tracking >device. You've got to get out of here, or you'll be killed!" > "Hey, what's my job? I've got to protect the Sailor Scouts." > "But you have to protect Sailor Moon most of all." > "You're all as important as each other. Now stop arguing and try to walk >as fast as you can." He supported the swaying Amy as she stood up to try and >walk. She took a couple of steps cautiously and then, tried some >without Tuxedo Mask. She fell down after the second step. Tails: Watch that second step; it's a lu-lu! > "I'm turning into a regular Serena. Uh, oh." She had noticed the Droid >approaching quickly from the distance. She got up and put her arm across >Tuxedo's shoulder as they worked their way across the school- ground. The Droid >took a couple of shots at them but missed, hitting some windows. Miss Haruna >wouldn't be happy about that one. Razor: Forget Queen Beryl. Haruna's the latest Sailor Moon villain! >"Where are we going?" Amy asked frantically. > "Somewhere that this guy isn't," Tuxedo said as they headed >toward the inner city. > Sailor Moon was getting bored. She didn't like having to be >out this late looking for Amy. Amy was probably at home, asleep, >like Sailor Moon should have been. But then again, she was >worried, too. Wildcat: (Sailor Moon) I'm worried that I'll miss "Young and Restless" again. > She looked off to her left as the cats searched the streets below them. >All of a sudden, she saw a burst of light as something exploded in the distance. >She looked in that direction, and she saw a person going from rooftop to >rooftop, followed by a larger figure that was shooting at him. She directed the >cats' attention towards the figures, and they decided to follow. > As they got closer to the figures, she saw that the male figure in the >front was carrying a smaller, female figure. The figure behind them was a >Droid. As they got even closer, They were able to place the identities of the >people in front. It was Tuxedo Mask carrying Amy. A very drowsy >Amy, at that. Moon didn't know how she could sleep through that >noise. Razor: Maybe she took lessons from Garfield. > Luna took Moon's communicator and called up the others. Lita was already >almost there. She had been following the trail of destruction that had been >left by the Droid. Raye and Mina were on their way. > "Stop!" Sailor Moon called when she had gotten close enough for the Droid >to hear her. "You have no need to mess around with helpless girls like that, >and you have tampered with communication from place to place! For >that, I will punish you in the name of the Moon!" Tails: Wait, wait. If Earth's moon doesn't have a name, then what's the point of this whole deal? Wildcat: One of the great mysteries of our time. Razor: And why introduce yourself when you should just charge them head on? Wildcat: (sighs) Mystery #2. > "Sailor Moon!" Tuxedo Mask called as he jumped to the next building. The >next shot took out the roof of the building from below him. He and Amy fell >through into the interior of the building. Sailor Moon went through the hole >after them, only to find them in a formal wear store. She was >surrounded by tuxedos and dress clothes. Razor: Tuxedo Mask gains the home-field advantage. > "Apparently, the Droid's developing a sense of humor," >Tuxedo Mask said. "Where do you think that we should hide?" > "Well, that's easy enough for you," Amy said. "You'd blend in, even if >you weren't in here as Tuxedo Mask. The question is, where do >Serena and I hide?" > "Well, you can't hide," Tuxedo said. "Not with that homing device in your >head. How do we get that off?" Wildcat and Razor: (chanting) BANG YOUR HEAD! BANG YOUR HEAD! Tails: (offended) Guys, shut up. > "It doesn't matter right now. Any second now, that Droid's going to come >crashing through the roof, and we're going to be in serious trouble," Amy said. > "Where are the others?" Luna asked impatiently. > The Droid appeared in the hole, looking for the girls and Tuxedo Mask. He >shone his laser eye in the hole at the floor where the girls and cats were. >They scrambled for cover as it jumped in. Sailor Moon got her Moon Scepter out >and prepared to use it. The Droid used a search beam to find the hiding girls. >It found Moon first, but ignored her because she wasn't its main >target. Moon noticed this, and came out of hiding. > "Why isn't it attacking me?" Moon asked. Tails: (Tuxedo Mask) Its' Disgusto-Meter just went haywire. Wildcat: Now, now.... > "Because it doesn't consider you a threat," Tuxedo Mask answered quietly. >Sailor Moon began her attack on the robot while it was searching for Amy. > "Moon Scepter...!" Before she could finish, though, the Droid grabbed her >Scepter from her. She was barely able to dodge a shot of energy >pellets from the laser gun setting on the Droid's arm. > "Jupiter Thunderclap, ZAP!" Jupiter called from the roof. A shot of >lightning hit the Droid, short-circuiting its arm gun. It decided to leave the >others alone for a while and head for Jupiter. On its way out, it dropped >Moon's Scepter. Moon picked it up as she and Tuxedo jumped onto the roof after >the Droid to help Jupiter combat it. Luna and Artemis stayed on >the ground to guard Amy. Wildcat: About time they took that thing out of her hand while she was waving it around. Tails: It's the Sailor Moon equivalent of "powering up". Lay off. > "Hey, Jupiter!" Moon said as she arrived on the scene where Jupiter was. > "Where's Amy? Is she all right?" Jupiter asked. > "She's fine. The only thing wrong with her is a bit of a hangover. She >got shot with a tranquilizer dart. She's inside with Luna and >Artemis to guard her." > "I hope they know what they're doing. I mean, they're not >exactly the strongest of us." > "Jupiter, concentrate! We've got to take this Droid out!" >Tuxedo Mask said, throwing a rose and taking out his cane. Tails: (Tuxedo Mask; as Bullwinkle) Hey, Sailor Moon, watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat! Razor: Hopefully not that one guy I heard rumors about. > "Good," Moon said, "Draw his attention. We'll attack when he's not paying attention." > "Easier said than done," Mask said, running to the opposite >side of the roof. He dodged bullets the whole way and nearly took >a shot to the head. He resumed throwing his roses, and the Droid >caught them in mid-air. When Tuxedo stopped throwing them, the >Droid sent them back at him. He didn't expect this, and wasn't >able to get out of the path of the flowers before he was cut. He >grabbed his face at the sites of the cuts. They were bleeding. Wildcat: If he's tired as a result, that means he's "rosebushed", right? (chortles) (Tails and Razor shake their heads) > Oh, well, he thought to himself. I've had worse. He looked >back to where >the two girls stood. They were urging him to get on >with his attack. He turned to his alternate weapon, his cane. He >ran towards the Droid with it outstretched. The Droid struggled >with him a moment before taking it away from him. During those >couple of seconds, though, the Sailors got enough time to utilize >their own attacks. Razor: Tuxedo Mask: the original Citizen Cane. > "Jupiter Thunderclap, ZAP!!!" Jupiter called, letting loose >with one of her strongest blasts. The Droid let go of the cane >and Tuxedo Mask. > "Moon Scepter, Elimination!" Moon yelled, letting all her >aggression take over. The robot was hit with the attack, and it >was disintegrated. The dust left behind quickly piled up. Rubeus >was glad that he wasn't there to hear the snotty brat's exclamation >of, "Moon Dusted!" > Tails: (as Luna) Okay, you've Dusted them off. Now, get a broom and start sweeping up everything else. > "Amy, are you okay?" Lita asked from outside of Amy's hiding place. Amy peeked out to make sure that it was Lita and not some monster who had taken Lita's voice. Lita stood there with a slightly concerned look on her face. > "Yes, Lita, I'm fine. Is the Droid gone?" Amy asked. She crept out of her hiding place to check the scene. "I've got to get this homing device off of me." And as if what she had said was a secret pass code, the device detached from her scalp and fell to the ground. "It must have been de-activated when the >Droid was destroyed. I could do some good analyses on this hardware, and maybe find out something about our enemy." > "That would be cool, Ames," Lita said. Razor: But what about OUR aims? > "Come on," Amy said as she picked up the device. "Let's go home. She wondered where Serena and Darien had gotten to, so she asked. > "Serena and Luna went home. Darien went to his apartment." As the pair walked out of the remains of the front door, two figures dropped from above them. It was Mars and Venus. Tails: Nice of you to drop by. > "Where's the fight?" Mars asked in anticipation. > "Sorry, but you two missed the fun," Artemis said, walking out of the building. > "But we've got all this pent-up energy," Venus complained. "We can't just come from halfway across the city, only to find out that we've missed the battle!" Wildcat: Watch bad movies like we are. You'll feel depressed in no time. > "Well, sorry, Venus, but you're just going to have to use that energy to go home," Amy said. "You are, as we said earlier, late." > "Well," Lita said, "If it's any consolation, the fight wasn't the same without you two. We really could have used your attacks." Tails: (Sailor Jupiter) VENUS LOVE CHAIN ENCIRCLE! Razor: That was too easy. > "All right, you three," Amy said seriously, "I need to >report, and I'll do it at a meeting tomorrow after school at the >temple. Lita, I need you to call Serena to tell her about it. >And make sure not to tell her about it at six in the morning. I >don't want to have to search her out because someone screwed up." >The others knew when not to mess with Amy, and this was one of those >times. She meant business. Mars leapt to a rooftop and went off >towards the temple for some sleep. It was nearly eleven, and they >had school the next day. Wildcat: Don't worry; if you fall asleep, someone will wake you up. > "See you later," Venus said as she and Artemis leapt away >towards their own home. That left Amy and Lita to walk home alone. >They were closer to Amy's home, so they stopped there first. Amy >went inside, saying a good-bye to Lita and opening the front door. >Her coat was dirty, her face dirty, and her clothes underneath >dirty. She hoped that her mother wouldn't be awake to see her in >that condition. Unfortunately, she was. Razor: She won't care, unless it puts a damper on your academic abilities. > "My gosh, what happened to you, dear?" Mrs. Anderson asked. > "I tripped and fell on my way back. I'm getting almost as >clumsy as Serena. I hope that it's not contagious." She hoped >that that would do for her >mother, because she went to her room to >change and go to sleep. > >End Part one Tails: Do it yourself. > >Next: Part two: Andrew's Troubles > > Well, how did you like it? Tell me in an e-mail to >jmh6187@uncwil.edu. > Wildcat: I'm not going to say a word. -----End of Part One