Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Saga of Mercury ❯ Timing ( Chapter 32 )

The Saga of Mercury

Chapter 32

"Timing"

Written by Jose I. Ramos

Portions based on "Mercury Knight stories" by Ryuuen No Miko

"Sailor Moon" and all related characters are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, TOEI Animation and other agencies.

Storyline © 2004 Jose I. Ramos

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DISCLAIMER

As usual, "Sailor Moon" and all related characters are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha, TOEI Animation and other agencies.

The Saga of Mercury story is copyrighted by me, however content in some chapters is based on the Mercury Knight Stories as described in the Chapter 1 Introduction.

Chapter 32 - Timing

It was an evil morning at the Negaverse chambers of Queen Sorinya.

One of Sorinya's servants walked through the corridor and up to Sorinya's door.

Behind the servant came a small procession of soldiers in their battle uniforms.

The servant knocked on the entrance.

"Your majesty, it is I, Dorbola, loyal servant of the Negaverse, with the soldiers that you requested! May we come inside?"

There was no response at first.

Dorbola looked puzzled. "This is very unusual of her," she said to the soldiers. "I am one of her most loyal servants… I don't understand why she's taking so long… She normally opens the door for me right away…"

Just then, Dorbola heard the door open.

"Ah, yes," said Dorbola, "Your majesty, as you requested, here are your sold… YAAAAAAHH!!"

Dorbola shrieked in shock when she saw Queen Sorinya at the door.

Sorinya was soaking wet, her body wrapped in a red towel.

Sorinya was laughing. "Oh, Dorbola, don't worry about myself… I wanted to just clean myself up, that's all…"

"C… Cl… C… Clean… CLEAN YOURSELF?" went Dorbola. "Your majesty, you… you haven't taken a bath in ages!!"

"I know, I know… But I have my…"

Sorinya turned to the soldiers.

"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU LOOKING AT?" screamed Sorinya.

The soldiers snapped out of their trance from looking at Sorinya in a towel and stood at full attention.

"Anyway, I have my reasons," Sorinya continued. "After all, tonight is the night that I will do what I've been wanting to do for such a long time…"

Dorbola nodded. "Well I know you're not going out on a date… but I think this date will be something for you to remember…"

"Yes," replied Sorinya. "I think you've guessed it already…"

Sorinya looked up to the evil skies.

"Tonight… I will unleash my ULTIMATE ATTACK! I SHALL KILL AMY MIZUNO!!!"

Meanwhile, in the Ginza section of Tokyo…

Greg, Amy, Sasha, Serena, Rini, Raye, Lita and Jamie were the first in a moderately long line of people at the entrance to the department store.

"I don't understand why we have to be here so early," said Greg. "The store opens at 10 AM, and they'll have several small shows throughout the day."

"Oh," Amy said, looking at Greg. "You don't know your future daughter, do you?"

Greg had a quizzed look.

"You don't know me, either!" said Rini, hands on hips.

"I think it's because we don't take as many trips to the department store as the girls do," said Jamie.

"You'll like what happens when the store opens," Sasha said.

"What happens when the store opens?" asked Greg. "They unlock the doors and you go in, right?"

"Not HERE!" said Rini.

"You'll see," said Raye.

"Why couldn't I be chosen as the model?!?!" went Serena.

Everyone had sweatdrops on their heads.

Lita patted Serena's back. "Because we love ya, that's why!"

Serena glanced over at Lita. "Gee… that's reassuring."

"ANYWAY," continued Raye, "Greg, Amy claims that you have your watch synchronized to the correct time. Is that true?"

"Last time I checked," Greg replied, looking at his watch. "It's ten seconds to ten o'clock…"

"Good, now count the seconds down, and take a look at what happens," Raye said.

Greg looked at the watch.

"5… 4… 3… 2… 1… zero…"

At the moment that Greg said zero, two neatly dressed department store women walked up to the main entrance, bowed with a smile, and proceeded to unlock and open the doors.

The sailor scouts that were present proceeded to walk through the main entrance.

Upon Greg's amazement, a long line of department store workers was formed beyond the entrance, bowing to him and the other first visitors of the day.

"Attention, shoppers!" said one woman in a loud voice. "Come enjoy our new modeling show featuring our swimwear collection! Our first show starts in 15 minutes at the central plaza!"

"That's all we needed to hear, I think," Jamie said as he led the scouts to the central plaza. "Mina Aino, here we come!"

At the Negaverse…

Queen Sorinya, now fully dressed, beckoned for Dorbola and the Negaverse soldiers to enter her chambers.

"Thank you for waiting," said Sorinya. "As I told you before, this is the special day for me, for you, and for the Negaverse, as we eradicate one of our enemies… the one that is called Amy Mizuno… Sailor Mercury."

"Yes," responded the bowing soldiers in unison.

"This is the battle in which I will use the ultimate weapon… I, your queen, shall use the power of the fluorescent crystal."

Dorbola and the soldiers gasped.

"Your majesty!" protested Dorbola. "The fluorescent crystal? Do you know how important that is? If something goes wrong, the crystal might fail, and then you will die!"

"I know the risks," replied Sorinya. "But trust me, this is one battle that you will not surely forget… now, soldiers! Protect these chambers at all costs while I execute the plan to bring an end to Amy Mizuno!"

In the department store…

In the central plaza, Jamie and the others were waiting for the fashion show to begin… and for Mina's ballet recital… wearing a two-piece swimsuit.

Shortly before it was scheduled to start, Greg was able to spot and flag down a man dressed in a business suit.

It was the same businessman that hired Mina outside of the store the other day… the day that the Negaverse attacked a school.

"I think you have a nice plan for Mina," said Greg. "She's totally qualified for the job, but I'm kinda interested in finding out how you see her in a swimsuit… and in ballet shoes."

"Well, sir," replied the man, "in our department store we take pride in the maximum exposure of our products, while at the same time helping people out as much as they can to realize their dreams. Doesn't Miss Aino possess a dream?"

"Of course she does," replied Greg. "She loves ballet, she loves modeling, and I think she still likes volleyball."

"There, I think by now you must see my point," said the man. "Trust me, we have good intentions. My wish is for my customers and employees to be as successful in life as they possibly can. I feel especially that way for your friend, Miss Aino."

Greg smiled. "You're a wonderful man. I can tell that you're not working in this job just to make some money. I think your workers should be proud to know a man such as yourself. By the way, my name is Greg Urawa. Pleased to meet you."

The man returned Greg's bow and took out a business card. "Pleased to meet you, too! I am Kenji Oyama, president of the Oyama Department Store… we help dreams and wishes come true!"

Greg bowed as he accepted and read the card.

He noticed the large print at the bottom of the card: "WE HELP DREAMS AND WISHES COME TRUE!"

"Do you have any dreams or wishes, Mr. Urawa?" asked Mr. Oyama.

Greg smiled. "Do I? Well…"

Greg looked around for a moment… and fixed his gaze on his friends.

"I wish…"

Greg's eyes singled out Amy.

"Amy… I wish that Amy…"

Suddenly, Greg's eyes went still.

"Amy? Is that one of your friends?" asked Mr. Oyama.

"Um…" Greg struggled. "Y… yeah… she's my girlfriend… well… to be… specific… my fiancé…"

"Oh, so you'll get married!" said Mr. Oyama. "What is it that you wish for Mrs. Urawa?"

As Greg heard Mr. Oyama finish the question, the only thing that he could see out of his eyes is Amy…

Why was she dressed as Sailor Mercury?

Is Sailor Mercury crying?

Yes she is… tears…

Why is she crying her eyes out? That's rare…

Greg looked down on his body…

He was in his Mercury Knight uniform…

Which was covered in blood.

He put his hands on his chest and wiped…

Is this real?

Greg looked at his hands…

His hands… and the business card that he was holding… were all soaked in red.

Greg held his head…

"Well, Mr. Urawa, if you won't give me an answer, then…"

Greg snapped out of it.

He looked at his hands… they were clean.

The business card looked the same.

He looked at his body… nothing except his regular clothes.

He looked at Amy…

Amy was beginning to walk toward him with a worried expression on her face.

Greg turned around.

"It's coming…"

"What's coming?" asked Mr. Oyama.

"Um… My… My fiancé! Yes, she's coming! Sorry abot that delay, Mr. Oyama… but my… my wish is… for… the two of us to live happily ever after."

"Well said, Mr. Urawa! Remember, if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything! Heed those words well, and you and Amy will live a happy life."

Greg bowed. "Thank you for your encouraging words, and I hope you'll like how Mina performs today."

"Excuse me," said the approaching Amy, pulling gently on Greg's arm.

"Hope to see you soon!" said Mr. Oyama.

"And you too, sir," said Greg as he departed with Amy.

Greg finished his conversation, and walked back with Amy… with troubled thoughts starting to fill his head.

He looked down at his future bride… she was giggling.

How could she be laughing at a time like this, Greg said to himself.

"Greg…" started Amy, "for the n-th time, could you pleeease stop asking about Mina dancing in a swimsuit?"

"Well, can you blame someone for being curious?" said Greg.

Greg and Amy reached the others.

"Back at it again, huh," went Jamie, "asking about what's so special about ballet and the beach??"

"I guess… that's just an interesting combination… that's all…" replied Greg.

Greg had a funny look on his face.

Serena noticed Greg's reaction. She had a sly smile… and slithered her way over to Greg.

"What an investigation we have here…" went Serena. "It seems that you have a knack for watching swimsuits and watching ballet dancing… AM I RIGHT… GREG??"

Serena grabbed Greg's shirt collar.

"Uh… uh…" Greg went, sweatdrop on his head.

Raye stepped up to Serena… her fist pulsating…

BOING!

"Owie!" went Serena, reacting to the bop on her head.

"Will you leave him alone?" said Raye. "We can't be judging Greg that way… we all have the right to think different thoughts. Greg's curiosity and thoughts about ballet and swimwear come from choice. We have to respect his thoughts, and the thoughts of others."

"I think you stink," said Serena.

"There, you see?" said Raye. "That's your thought and so we all have to respect that! See how easy that is?"

Lita, Rini and Amy's eyes went wide open.

Jamie quickly tapped Greg's shoulder…

"Let me see your watch, Greg," said Jamie.

Greg held up his left arm so Jamie could have a look.

"There we go…"

Jamie looked at Raye and Serena, and then looked at Greg's watch.

"3… 2… 1…"

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN I STINK? YOU STINK MORE THAN I DO!" roared an evil Raye, pulling at one of Serena's hair buns.

Serena and Raye, now full of hate, glared at each other.

"Here comes the raspberry," said Greg.

NYAH-NYAH-NYAH-NYAH! That was the repeating sound that started to come out of Serena and Raye, their cheeks puffed out, and their tongues sticking out and wiggling up and down.

"Good timing, eh?" went Jamie.

As Greg smiled in response, he felt a tug on his Khaki pants.

He turned to his right… to see the sparkling eyes and beaming smile of Sasha.

Greg crouched down and responded with a pleasant "Yeeeeess?"

"I was taught ballet by Princess Mina, and ballroom dancing by my mother. I can show you one day, if you want!"

Greg laughed. "Princess Mina… Your mother? Amy? Are you serious?"

Sasha nodded her head. "Not only is my mother smart, but my mother is an excellent dancer. My mother was second only to Princess Mina as the best dancer in the Silver Millennium."

Greg's wide eyes slowly turned to Amy.

Jamie's mouth was open, too.

Raye and Serena stopped their fighting to look.

Lita and Rini still felt like they had nothing to say at the moment.

All of the group's eyes were on… Amy Mizuno.

Amy's mouth was flat, wincing in one corner. Her eyes were opened in surprise and shock. A small amount of red came out of her cheeks. And a large sweatdrop appeared.

"I… I… I…" went Amy… "I was a… dancer?!?!"

Greg stood up.

"Well, I'm certainly impressed," he said.

Amy was still in disbelief. "Uh… I haven't had… well… aside from the basic box-step dancing that my father taught me, I've never had any other dancing lessons in my life…"

Lita smiled and sighed.

"Well then, I guess you'll have to realize the truth… It'll all come back to you naturally, just like Sasha and her swimming…"

Greg nodded his head to the possibility… and fact, according to Sasha… that Amy was more talented than he thought.

Then it came to him. One part of his mind turned the clock back to the recent past…

Of course!

"Amy… we've seen it already… Kyoto… remember?" said Greg.

He was making the point that Amy knew some intricate dances, which was shown when she did the geisha dance in Kyoto while fighting a Negaverse monster.

Even so, however, the other part of him was still thinking… about the vision from a few minutes ago…

It did not leave his head…

The thought of tears and blood…

Until his deducing… and his psychic abilities… determined what was going to happen.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" said Mr. Oyama on the stage. "WELCOME TO THE OYAMA DEPARTMENT STORE SUMMER FASHION SHOW!"

Greg shook his head and looked around as his friends, and the others gathered, clapped away.

"We welcome our first model, showcasing a gorgeous two piece swimsuit for your favorite summer days at the beaches on Tokyo Bay… what sheer elegance you will notice in this nice swimming piece, modeled by our newest model, and Oyama Department Store's newest ballerina, Miss Aino!"

The Sailor Scout team was clapping and cheering as Mina made her way onto the stage.

Greg, on the other hand, was… sort of clapping.

Mina, donned in the shiny, light blue two piece, with light blue ballet shoes to match, started taking classical ballet poses on her toes.

The media representatives in the first few rows put their cameras to work right away, as the flashes began to shine around the plaza, and reflect radiantly off of Mina's swimsuit.

Oohs and aahs were coming out of the crowd that was gathered to watch Mina.

Mina's friends were cheering the loudest.

"GO MINA!" went Jamie.

"YOU'RE THE GREATEST!" yelled Rini.

"YOU'RE DOING FINE!" said Serena.

Greg was clapping along now…

"ALL RIGHT MINA!" he said. "YOU ARE… AAAAGH!"

Greg fell onto a knee as he felt a sharp pain hit the right side of his head.

Amy, Sasha and Jamie noticed right away.

"GREG… are you all right?" asked Amy.

"Are you OK?" asked Sasha.

Jamie helped Greg up on his feet again.

Greg could see red again… he knew that something was wrong… he knew the situation… and he had to discreetly excuse himself to collect his thoughts.

Mina was performing beautifully. Greg was impressed without a doubt. But a thought… some thought… was taking over his brain.

"I'll be right back," said Greg. "I need a bit of fresh air. Please excuse me."

"Sure thing," said Raye.

Greg waked away from his friends unassisted, and found a support pillar near the back of the plaza on which to lie on.

Greg took a few deep breaths.

The pain in his head was still there.

Suddenly, after a moment, he felt a small, cool sensation on his right cheek.

The coolness came from someone's lips…

Familiar lips…

"Are you ok, Greg? Is something wrong?" asked a worried Amy, embracing Greg's shoulders.

Greg looked into Amy's troubled eyes.

"Amy… how can I put this to you…"

"Oh Greg… is it Mina? You talked all about Mina, and ballet, and swimming suits, and now you don't care the least bit??"

"Oh no, Amy, I think Mina's doing fine…"

"Greg, if it's not that, then…"

Amy stopped.

Her eyes went wide.

"No… Greg…"

Greg started to nod his head.

"The attack?" asked Amy.

He nodded.

"Queen… Queen Sorinya?"

Greg nodded again. "It starts tomorrow."

Amy gasped. "Tomorrow??" she said.

"Tomorrow? What happens tomorrow?" said another female voice.

Amy and Greg turned their heads.

"Lita?" said Amy.

"Something smells fishy around here," said Lita. "You know me, I just have a knack of telling when something is fishy… and you, Greg, are making me feel just like that right now. You make me feel as if something's fishy."

Amy looked at Greg, then back at Lita.

"Yes, something's come up," said Amy.

"Lita, do me a fav… YAHH!" went Greg, wincing again from the pains in his head.

Amy continued to hold Greg and leaned on his body.

"Lita…" Greg said. "As soon as Mina's done with the performance, we're all taking the train to Amy's house. And round up the rest of the troops, too… we'll have some time to set up a plan…"

"Everyone… this… is… bad… Isn't it?" went Lita.

Greg huffed.

"I'm going to show you how bad this is," said Greg, taking his cell phone out of its holster.

He looked at his blue cell phone…

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The digital display on the cellular phone read: EMRG

"That would be either Luna or Artemis calling… uh…"

Greg was still in pain as he attempted to answer the phone.

"I'll take that call," said Amy.

As Amy spoke to Luna on the phone, Greg and Lita were looking back towards the front of the stage, as Mina was wrapping up her modeling "performance."

The performance came to a conclusion with Mr. Oyama delivering the final comments:

"Miss Aino plays volleyball in her spare time, and as you can see, is one of the best ballerinas in all of Japan. We hope that when you purchase this swimsuit, or anything else from the Oyama Department Store, that you will be filled with happiness and be as lucky as Miss Aino… because at Oyama Department Store…"

As Mr. Oyama finished, Mina completed her routine by sliding her legs into a split, with a strong, cheerful response from the crowd.

Mina, with her shiny blonde hair and red bow, wearing the shiny two piece swimsuit, her legs stradded in a split pose, and her ballet toes pointed with poise and perfection, turned to the crowd with a beaming smile. Her left hand was on her left hip, and she held up two fingers on her right hand to form a familiar-looking "V" shape.

Finally, Mina spoke to complete Mr. Oyama's sentence.

"WE HELP DREAMS AND WISHES COME TRUE!" she said.

Everyone in the plaza cheered and applauded Mina on her modeling and dancing.

In the back, Lita was clapping frantically, while Amy and Greg smiled, holding on to each other.

"That's one of the traditional Sailor V poses," said Greg.

"She is very impressive," responded Amy. "I never knew that I would be like her… a great dancer… not a ballerina, but a dancer…"

Greg looked at Mina, who stood up and took a bow, to the cheers of the crowd.

At Oyama Department Store, we help dreams and wishes come true…

The store's slogan was going around in Greg's head… the part of the head that didn't hurt.

He then recalled what he said to Mr. Oyama just minutes earlier…

My wish is… for… the two of us to live happily ever after.

Greg's eyes were filled with determination.

Mr. Oyama, he said to himself, you are an honorable man. I'm going to heed your words.

Greg took a deep breath.

Mr. Oyama… let's hope you're right.

Two hours later…

THIS IS A NAMBOKU LINE TRAIN BOUND FOR MEGURO… THE NEXT STOP IS ROPPONGI-ITCHOME…

After witnessing a wonderful performance at the department store, it was a rather somber time as Greg, Amy, Sasha, Serena, Rini, Raye, Lita, Mina and Jamie headed toward the Mizuno residence on the Namboku subway line.

They never spoke a word once they boarded the subway train at Ginza. Everyone was thinking about the big moment. The moment that they would have to face Queen Sorinya… and, at least for the girls, the threat of facing the brute strength of the Negaverse yet again.

Tomorrow.

They still didn't speak to each other at Tameike-Sanno, where they switched over to the Namboku subway.

Mina was sitting next to Amy and Jamie on the train. She was now in her street clothes.

It was Mina that broke the silence.

"Don't worry, Amy," she said, putting her hand on Amy's shoulder.

A gloomy Amy looked up to Mina. "Thank you," Amy replied.

THIS IS ROPPONGI-ITCHOME… THE NEXT STOP IS AZABU-JUBAN…

Greg looked up after hearing the automated announcement.

"Guys, here comes our stop, up next," he said.

But there was a problem… the train was still at Roppongi-Itchome station… and it wasn't moving.

Two minutes went by. "We are experiencing some delays," went the conductor over the speaker. "We humbly apologize for the inconvenience."

Greg stood up and stuck his head out of the doorway.

"What's holding us up?" asked Jamie.

Soon the conductor came back on the speaker. "Ladies and Gentlemen, there appears to be a fire marshall's investigation above Azabu-Juban station. Because of this, all trains are skipping Azabu-Juban. The next stop will be Shirokane-Takanawa."

"Fire marshall's investigation?" asked Sasha.

"What's wrong?" said Raye. "Is someone's house on fire or something?"

Greg stuck his head out again.

His eyes went wide open.

Without a moment's notice, he darted out of the train and toward the exit.

His friends in the train all stood up.

"Greg!" yelled Amy. "Where are you going?"

"To your house," Greg said, stopping and turning around.

"My house is at the next stop," said Amy.

"But it's YOUR house that's on fire," replied Greg.

Amy's eyes went wide.

The sailor team all darted out of the subway car and followed Greg.

Up the escalator…

Through the turnstiles…

And through the long and unusually crowded sidewalks of Azabu-Juban.

The pace was quickening so much that Rini and Sasha had to be carried most of the way… Jamie carried Rini and Sasha rode on Greg's back.

It was a good ten minutes before they arrived on Amy's block.

They arrived to the presence of police, fire, and other emergency vehicles.

Greg, Sasha and the others slowed the pace down as they approached Amy's house.

They suddenly stopped.

There was a large hole blown into the front of the Mizuno house.

Glass could be seen on the ground, and the firefighters were just finished erecting wooden pillars where the hole was located, so that the front of the house would not collapse.

Amy ran ahead of Greg, Sasha, and everyone else.

Ahead, Amy's mother was seen talking to one of the firefighters, when she found Amy.

Amy ran into her mother's arms.

"Oh dear daughter," said Mrs. Mizuno. "I'm glad you're all right…"

"What happened?" asked Amy.

"The moment you figure that out, please tell me… I was upstairs cleaning the guest room for Sasha… I heard the noise downstairs… I… I don't know what else…" said a frightened Mrs. Mizuno, her skin tone near pale.

A short distance away, Darien, Chad, Ken and Hotaru were gathered. Hotaru was holding Luna in her hands, while Ken had a hold on Artemis.

Artemis jumped out of Ken's hands and purred his way toward Mina.

The four (plus two cats) made their way to the others.

As Amy walked away from the house while still consoling her mother, Darien spoke.

"Are you all thinking what I'm thinking?" he said.

"About the hole?" said Jamie.

"Was someone trying to break in?" asked Raye.

"No way," replied Chad. "It's like someone is trying to communicate with someone, at least that's what WE think…"

"Someone?" said Lita.

"Someone… bad," replied Ken.

"The Neg…"

Greg held himself up after realizing that he was still in the presence of emergency officials.

"The…. N people?" went Greg.

"Yes… the N people," replied Hotaru. "Maybe it was some kind of warning shot?"

"To warn us? About the…. YAAAAAH!"

Greg felt the pain in his head again and collapsed to the ground.

His friends, and several fire personnel, rushed to Greg's side.

Greg was violently grabbing his head and shaking it left and right, right and left, up and down.

"Take deep breaths," said a firefighter.

Greg was trying to bear the excruciating pain.

Through the pain, he could hear a voice…

Mercury Knight! went the voice.Experience in all its glory the pain that your girlfriend, Sailor Mercury, will endure, when I send her to the grave!! I will be waiting for you at dusk at the base of Mount Fuji…

Greg's eyes and mouth went wide. He was breathing heavily.

Then he sat up.

"You ok, Greg?" asked Serena.

Greg held his head.

The pain was gone.

Greg wondered what voice that was for a moment…

…but then figured it out.

"I am all right," replied Greg.

"Do you need medical attention?" asked a firefighter.

"No… not right now, thank you anyway," said Greg.

The firefighters nodded and returned to their truck.

"So what do we do now?" Ken asked.

"We can't leave Amy's mother, that's for sure…" said Lita.

"We have one night…" Greg struggled to say.

"One night…" said Darien. "… but where do we go now?"

With the fire department wrapping yellow "DO NOT CROSS" tape all around the Mizuno house, Greg could only think of one alternative…

That night…

"Of course," said Mr. Urawa. "I'm more than happy to accommodate Mrs. and Miss Mizuno for as long as they want."

Amy and her mother were welcomed into the Urawa residence with open arms.

The rest of Greg's friends, plus Luna and Artemis, spent the evening in the house as well.

While Amy was tending to her mother in the kitchen along with Hotaru and Mr. Urawa, Greg and the others were crammed into Sasha's room.

Greg was sitting on the bed. Sasha's arms were wrapped around Greg's shoulders.

"So tomorrow? At Mount Fuji?" asked Darien.

"That's what I heard in my head," replied Greg. "At the base of the mountain."

"Where's the base of the mountain located?" said Jamie. "I should say, what side of the base?"

"Right," said Mina, "Who knows if we're on one side, and Sorinya's lurking on the other side?"

"In that case," said Artemis, "we need to find the lowest point of the mountain, and start looking for Sorinya from there. I think we have no choice in that."

"The base?" said Raye. "I… I remember… I went to the base of Mount Fuji… but it was a long time ago… I was assisting with someone's wedding at a shrine…"

"That's a start," said Luna. "Do you remember where that was?"

Raye was thinking hard. "I think it was the Shin-Fuji shrine," she said.

"Is there a Shin-Fuji shrine around there?" Ken asked.

Nobody could deliver a response.

"I remember taking the train, and it left us right at the Shin-Fuji shrine," said Raye.

"Ok, so a train to Shin-Fuji shrine… which train is it?" said Mina.

Artemis stood on all fours.

"Sasha, can I use your computer for a moment?" he asked.

Sasha nodded.

Artemis went on the computer and did an Internet search for a Shin-Fuji shrine.

"No luck," Artemis replied. "There's no such place as Shin-Fuji shrine."

"Oh perfect," went Serena. "By the time we all figure this out, Queen Sorinya will have beaten us to the mountain."

"And beaten us, too," added Rini.

"I have a hunch…" said Darien, turning to Greg.

"Greg," he said, "is there a train station called Shin-Fuji?"

"Train station…" said Greg.

Then Greg's eyes opened wide.

"Yes… Yes, Darien! Shin-Fuji train station! It's a Kodama train stop on the bullet train!" said Greg.

"Ah ha, what I thought," said Darien. "I had to take a Kodama train not too long ago to Toyohashi for a economic summit… and now my thoughts are confirmed… on the way, I passed a train stop called Shin-Fuji."

"Shin-Fuji is between Mishima and Shizuoka," Greg said. "And from there, it's not a long walk over to the base of the mountain!"

"So then, that's it," said Jamie.

Greg inhaled deeply. "Yes," he said. "Tomorrow night."

"Hey Artemis," said Chad, "remind me… what was it that you said about this, uh… purple… crystal… thing… that you said could help us defeat Sorinya? Uh… the… fo… fosfo…"

"Fluorescent crystal," said Ken. "First me, now you trip up too…"

"Runs in the kingdom, maybe?" joked Jamie.

"Anyway," said Artemis, "yes Chad, the fluorescent crystal is the source of Queen Sorinya's power. If we get our hands on that, and destroy the crystal, then Sorinya's days are numbered."

"Not just numbered," added Luna. "Done, gone, for good."

"And then maybe this pain will jump out of my head," said Greg.

Sasha then came around Greg and started to hug him on one side.

"I'll protect you…" she said.

Greg chuckled… "I know you will…"

"I love you… my father…" said Sasha.

Jamie smiled and sighed. "Enjoy the tender moment while you can, my friend."

Greg looked at Jamie.

"You don't think it's the last time I'll ever hug her, right?" he said.

"No, no way," Jamie replied.

"Good…" said Greg as Amy stepped through the door.

"Because I can promise you one thing," Greg continued. "We're going to win this battle for Sasha. I love her too much. She is my daughter of the future… no… she is my daughter, period. My flesh and blood."

Greg looked at Sasha's cherubic, smiling, teary face.

All of a sudden, someone grabbed his left shoulder…

It was Rini.

"We'll do this together, right?" asked Rini. "I won't be left out of this?"

Serena laughed.

Rini looked back at her, eyebrows down.

"What are you laughing at?" she asked.

"Nothing…" Serena replied. "I think you can help us out this time…"

Darien had a surprised look on his face.

"You… you're serious, aren't you?" he asked.

Serena nodded her head. "I think you're ready to face Sorinya."

"GRRREAT!" replied Rini. "I'll help us win for everyone!"

Greg looked at Rini.

"Thank you!" he responded. "I promise you… I will live!"

His voice became louder.

"I, GREG URAWA, WILL WIN THIS BATTLE, AND I…. I…"

It was at this point that Greg finally noticed Amy at the doorway.

Amy ran up to Greg, smiling and crying.

She gave a big hug to Greg, along with Rini and Sasha.

Amy looked at Greg. "Do you know what you just said?"

Greg nodded with confidence. "Yes. I'm going against what my instincts believe. It said I was going to die…"

"No, of course you won't die," said Jamie. "We'll make sure you don't."

"Make sure YOU don't, either," replied Greg.

"We'll lend you all of our strength," said Raye.

"From beginning to the end, dude!" said Chad.

"We'll never stop fighting for our friends," said Lita.

"And we… uh… whatever Lita said," added Ken.

"As ruler of the Moon Kingdom, I won't allow you to leave us!" said Serena.

Sweatdrops were on everyone's heads.

"I'm going to give it my best shot," said Darien.

"Hey, remember, Sasha won't be able to dance for you if we lose this battle!" said Mina.

"Don't forget us, too!" said Artemis and Luna.

"You might want to know something," Artemis added. "The fate of some of you could very well depend on this battle."

"Yes…" said Greg. "Well, thank you all for your support. You have my word… I'll do my very best! But, please, don't be so focused on me. We really have three people here that we need to save… three of the most gorgeous young women in this room."

Greg was looking at the three that were hugging him.

Rini, Sasha, and Amy.

"Rini and Sasha represent our future," said Greg. "And Amy is one-half of what is needed for one of them to survive… you know, since Sasha was born in the future, if Amy goes, then Sasha will cease to exist."

Everyone stopped to think about that.

Every human, that is.

"Greg is telling the truth," said Luna.

"And if Sasha doesn't make it, then that will screw things up even more," said Artemis.

"Does… does that mean WE have to be careful?" asked Serena.

Darien nodded his head.

"Ok, then it's set then," said Greg. "Let's see… if I remember the schedule correctly… yes… the Kodama 429 leaves for Shin-Osaka at 4:56 PM… It takes about 70 minutes to get to Shin-Fuji… so, 6:08 PM. That'll give us 30 minutes or so until dusk."

"To the moon kingdom, and our future!" cried Chad, raising his right fist.

Everyone cheered and raised their fists as well.

Just then, Hotaru walked in with Mrs. Mizuno and Mr. Urawa.

"Boy, oh, boy, are we having fun in here," said Mr. Urawa.

"What's all the excitement about?" asked Mrs. Mizuno.

"Um…" went Amy.

There were sweatdrops on everyone's head.

"It's just the way we finish… our… meetings," said Greg.

"Meetings, eh?" said Mr. Urawa. "Well, since you're all so close, I don't blame any of you."

"So, did the… meeting… go well?" asked Hotaru with a smile.

"Sure did," said Jamie. "In a little while, I'll let you know what happened."

"Don't forget Andrew, and Amara and Michelle," said Mina.

Jamie nodded in response.

"So, what did you guys talk about?" asked Mrs. Mizuno.

"Oh, the usual stuff," said Raye. "You know, Mina was in a performance today at the Oyama."

"Yes, it seems the entire press is on to you, Mina," said Mr. Urawa. "I saw you on the news doing something with your legs, and saying something like, "We help your… things… come true…."

Mina laughed. "We make dreams and wishes come true," she said.

"That's it… wonderful, wonderful job," said Mr. Urawa. "I never knew a swimsuit and ballet would match up so perfectly."

Serena bent over to Raye's ear, her eyes wandering again.

"Apparently it runs in the family," Serena whispered.

"You guys are welcome to spend the night if you want," said Mr. Urawa.

"Thank you, but I think we're going to go our separate ways in a bit," said Darien. "We're going to meet up tomorrow for something important… and uh, we… might be a bit late…"

"A party again?" said Mrs. Mizuno. "Just be careful, all of you."

"We will," everyone said.

"Thank you!" said Rini.

"Rini," said Mr. Urawa, "I have my ice cream bar ready to go tonight! How would you, Sasha, and everyone else like some delicious ice cream before you depart?"

"Yeah!" said Rini.

"Yeah!" said Sasha.

"All right then, let's… ugh…" said Mr. Urawa, who tried to finish his sentence, but couldn't after seeing Serena stand in his way.

"Come on, come on, come on! We don't have all day, Mr. Urawa!" shrieked Serena.

Mr. Urawa, a huge sweatdrop on his head, conceded. "Heh he… go… go right ahead, Serena," he said.

Serena led everyone down the stairs toward the kitchen.

When Greg, Amy, Sasha, Mina and Jamie were left, Greg called to Jamie.

"Do me a favor man," he said.

"What's that?"

"Make reservations for a Pizza parlor in Tokyo for a week from today," Greg said.

Jamie smiled. "That confident, eh?"

"Yes… and, see if you can find one with a stage, too," Greg said.

"Stage?" said Mina.

"Yes," Greg replied. "We're going to eat Pizza and Sasha's going to do a little performance."

Sasha's eyes lit up.

"We will get through this, we will succeed, and… as Amy told me…"

Greg was wrapping his arms tightly around Amy and Sasha…

"Her love will save me… our love and teamwork… will save all of us."

Amy kissed Greg.

Sasha hugged harder.

"Now that's the kind of confidence I like to see!" a proud Mina said.

"We've got a hard day ahead of us, so why don't we enjoy tonight, and then get a good night's sleep for tomorrow?" said Amy.

"You got it, dear," Greg replied.

The quintet headed for the door.

"You want a banana `split', Mina?" asked Jamie.

Everyone laughed…

Jamie laughed out loud…

And then stopped…

When he saw Mina in another flexible pose…

This one with her right leg straight up in the air and leaning on Jamie's shoulder.

Mina had a serious look on her face.

"Don't… do… that…" she said.

Jamie could feel Mina's shoe pressed against his cheek.

A huge sweatdrop appeared on Jamie's head.

Then, Mina giggled, and kissed Jamie.

"Just kidding!" she said, bringing her leg back down to the floor.

Greg looked on with curiosity.

As Mina and a confused Jamie went through the door, Greg looked at Amy, then Sasha.

Greg was about to speak…

"Are you ready, Greg?" asked Sasha.

Greg chucked and smiled. "Yes, I am."

"And I am, too!" said Amy.

"Of course…" said Greg. "You two are the most important people in my life… we must protect our futures, and the futures of our kingdom, and everyone else too."

"My love, you have never been so serious before, have you?" said Amy.

Greg, Amy and Sasha looked at the doorway.

"For that goal…" said Greg… "and for our own sakes… let's…"

Amy and Sasha smiled.

"Let's… eat our ice cream…" said Greg.

Amy and Sasha's eyes went wide. They looked up to Greg.

"Yes, ladies…" said Greg, walking with them toward the door. "Ice cream, tonight. Sorinya… comes… tomorrow."

OK Saga of Mercury fans! NO MORE EXCUSES. There are three chapters left in the Saga! The next is Chapter 33: THE FINAL BATTLE.

Will the Mercury family and the other Sailor Scouts survive?

Find out in March 2004!

The Saga of Mercury Chapter 32 - Timing 26

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