CHAPTER 9
Jedite was not in a happy mood. Sailor Moon and her two friends Sailor Mercury and Sailor Mars were an enormous problem. At the end of their last failed mission the three of them had come very close to destroying the Dream Dolly who was now in hospital being treated for paralysis caused by the power of Sailor Mars. He wanted to get rid of them so very much. Suddenly he heard a voice behind him.
"Jedite honey."
He turned and smiled embracing the lady who had materialized behind him. His lovely lady Titus who meant more to him than anything else in the entire Negaverse. "Oh Titus my darling. Queen Beryl is getting very impatient with us. Ever since we began trying to fulfill our mission of gathering energy for her majesty the Scouts have stopped us and just about every soldier we've enlisted under our command has been terminated. I'm getting nervous."
"There there Jedite." Titus gazed into his eyes and stroked his blond hair. He did the same with her long black hair. "I have come up with a perfect plan to gather vast amounts of energy under the Scouts' noses. I've just been explaining it to Queen Beryl and she has approved of it."
Jedite said, "I hope it works for our sake. We've had plenty of black marks against our record."
"Yes Jedite. But this time we will succeed. Queen Beryl has forbidden us to use the help of any more soldiers however. She says from now on we must work alone."
In truth Queen Beryl was deeply resentful that they brought Dream Dolly back alive. She had wanted her to be killed because she was a good friend of them both and had been treating their wounds when she had had them flogged and tormented. She hadn't said any of this out loud of course but she was just about ready to look for any excuse to get rid of these two incompetents. She thought maybe if they go all by themselves she'd get lucky and the Scouts would do away with them for her. Then she'd get someone better to destroy the Scouts in turn.
If Jedite and Titus had known what was going on inside their queen's mind they would have been even more scared. But unsuspectingly the worst they were fearing was the possibility of more painful tortures.
"We only ever went on one mission without a soldier at the gymnasium back when we only had Sailor Moon to contend with." Jedite remarked. Titus flinched and gritted her teeth.
"Yes Titus. I remember. I will never forgive her for what she did to you. But you say we will collect huge quantities of energy without the Sailor Scouts even realizing it. What is this incredible idea my darling?"
Titus changed her expression and giggled. "We shall prey upon human couples. We shall use the love energy of couples who are as devoted to each other as we ourselves are. And we shall trick them into going out to sea on a cruise boat with us. The Sailor Scouts will never realize what we're doing."
Jedite's eyes shone brightly and he kissed Titus on both her cheeks. "You are ingeniously clever my cupcake. I'm the luckiest soldier in the Negaverse to have you in my life. I can see how it will turn out. We will have all those scores of people all to ourselves while the Scouts are far away on dry land. Then when we release the Negaforce we shall destroy them under the conquering power of Queen Beryl."
The two of them hugged each other tightly and kissed laughing with fiendish joy. Of course the Sailor Scouts would never go on a romantic cruise. They were single girls devoted only to their fight for justice. It seemed like the perfect crime indeed. Or was it?
This romantic cruise suddenly on offer was the talk of the entire town. Serena saw it advertised on television. Even though she didn't even have a boyfriend she wanted to go anyway. But the tickets were way too expensive of course.
But later at school while she was talking about the cruise with her friends Melvin appeared and said there was also a contest running. "There are so many free tickets available. You spin a big wheel and if it it lands on one of only two places when it comes to a stop you win two free tickets for the romantic cruise. I won two myself just the other day."
"You won tickets Melvin?" Molly gasped.
"Will you take one of us with you?" Serena asked with hopeful eyes.
"Sorry girls. I gave them to my cousin and his girlfriend."
"What? Why?" Serena cried in disbelief.
"My parents would never have allowed me to go because I'm so easily prone to seasickness. But maybe you'll be lucky enough to win some yourselves girls."
"Yes. Just wait until school's finished." Serena clenched her fists determinedly and Molly and the others all gaped at the steely glint in her eyes.
True to her word Serena ran as fast as she could when class was dismissed nearly bowling several other students over. Arriving at the place where the wheel was set up she had as many tries as her pocket money could afford to buy. But each spin was a failure. The man in charge gave her some consolation prizes of soap, hankies and toothpaste which she took dejectedly and walked away.
She suddenly bumped into Raye.
"Ouch. Hey. Watch where you're going Serena."
"Oh sorry Raye. Hey. Are you going to try to win free tickets on the romantic cruise?"
"No. Why would I want to?"
"Because if you did you could take me with you as a special treat."
"What do you mean a special treat? Why would I want to go on a big boat with such a jerk like you?"
As Serena and Raye stared angrily at each other suddenly Raye softened. "Hmm." She thought to herself and to Serena's astonishment she went up to the counter and paid the man for a spin of the wheel.
Before spinning she closed her eyes and clasped her hands like she was praying. Then she cried "Ha!" Seizing the wheel she spun it so hard to everybody's amazement it was a blur. It seemed to last forever never slowing down but finally it did little by little, bit by bit until it stopped on one of the two places which indicated two free tickets.
"We have yet another winner." The man announced and Raye started jumping up and down and squealing hysterically.
Serena muttered to herself. "She cheated. She used her magic power to win. She ought to have been disqualified."
Serena quickly forgot her resentment though and later when Luna had met up with them she found her begging Raye to take her on the cruise with her. "If you think I'm going to take you after you got us kicked out of Dreamland park you've got another think coming Serena."
"But who else do you have to take? You have no boyfriend. Thinking of taking Grandfather?"
"Not funny. Maybe I'll run into that handsome Tuxedo Mask and invite him."
"Oh dear. Now it's going to get really intense," sighed Luna.
But before things could get ugly Amy appeared.
"Hello my friends. What's up?"
"Amy." Serena appealed to her friend. "Please tell Raye that the Sailor Scouts need to stick together."
Before Amy could say anything Raye jumped up and said, "Of course we do. Amy I have two tickets for a cruise and I'd like for you to go on it with me."
"What?" Serena was livid.
"A- a cruise Raye?" Amy didn't know what to say. "But why don't you ask Serena? Why me?"
"Oh." Raye stumbled over what to say. "But Serena comes over to visit me plenty of times. I already spend huge amounts with her. Please come with me Amy. This will give me a chance to get to know you better. You can't spend all your free time studying."
Amy felt a little guilty but she said, "All right Raye. I'll go with you."
Serena was turning purple as she held her breath. Then she turned and ran away crying. "Raye and Amy call themselves my friends. They're both traitors."
"Poor Serena." Amy sighed.
"She'll get over it. We'll bring her back a souvenir." Raye casually replied.
What none of them realized was that the man who was selling the tickets and running the contest for the free ones was under the hypnotic control of Jedite and Titus. When they were all sold out and the last of the tickets laid aside for the contestants distributed they let him go free with no memory of what had transpired. Since Negaverse warriors have no use for money though he was mystified as to where all the notes and coins stuffed in his suitcase came from. He would never find out the solution.
But as the day for the cruise arrived Amy and Raye made their preparations. Serena too was making secret preparations of her own. Not even Luna knew. Serena was well aware she would have strongly disapproved. Especially since they involved her also.
On the day they were departing Serena and Luna made their way to the dock. "Good. The boat hasn't left yet."
"Why Serena how nice of you."
"What do you mean Luna?"
"Well surely you must want to wish your friends Bon Voyage."
"You have the major wrong idea Luna."
With that she produced the magic disguise pen. Luna was horrified. "What are you doing? Serena that device is only for Sailor duties!"
"Disguise Power. Change me into a sporty-looking photographer."
As the magic did its trick Serena even had a camera box with a strap over its shoulder. She took the camera out and before Luna knew what was happening picked her up and put her inside it. "I'm going on the boat and I'm taking you with me."
"What? Serena no.." Luna's protests were cut short as the lid was shut. Serena snuck carefully around and saw an unguarded open cargo hold door. Seizing her opportunity she ran inside. Poor Luna's hopeless muffled arguments went unheeded. They were stowed away. Then the passengers all boarded and the ship was on its way.
Inside the cargo hold Serena let a disgruntled Luna out of the box. "You would have to drag me along on one of your crazy schemes Serena."
"Oh lighten up Luna. Let's go look around the ship."
Serena was looking through the lens of the camera that came with her disguise when a voice suddenly called out, "What are you doing here?" It was the captain. Serena had a big fright and Luna quickly jumped back in the box to hide before he noticed her.
The captain went on interrogating Serena. "Who are you?"
Serena composed herself and made up an explanation. "I was looking around the ship with my friends and I took a wrong turn."
The captain softened. "I suppose that could easily happen."
Serena thought now that he was calmer he was rather handsome. "Oh please could you help me find them?"
As he led her outside towards the corridor to the main deck she began to flirt with him and caressed his arm. He began to blush uncomfortably. "Uh well. Maybe you could join me for dinner later on in my quarters." At the same time he was thinking. "This girl. Why do I have this weird feeling I've known her before? Maybe I should check her out carefully."
But just then a woman in a crew member uniform appeared and said, "Excuse me captain. The crew is waiting to meet with you." She looked very annoyed at seeing Serena clinging to his arm and the captain blushed even redder than before. Pulling himself free he excused himself.
"See you later. Okay?"
As he followed the woman Serena said, "Rats. I wanted to get his picture."
Luna poked her head out and said, "Serena. Be wary. I could feel bad vibes coming from that man. I don't trust him."
Serena couldn't believe Luna was serious but as the captain and the woman crew member entered the cabin and shut the door she turned on him accusingly. "What were you doing flirting with that hussy?"
"Please believe me sweetheart. I did nothing to encourage her. She just grabbed my arm and started snuggling up to me by herself. I was beginning to feel uncomfortable not knowing what to do. I'd never cheat on you. You know I love you Titus."
Yes the captain was indeed Jedite and Titus was the crew member in their disguises. As she looked into Jedite's sincere pleading eyes she softened and hugged him. "Oh Jedite. I can't possibly doubt you. I'm sorry. I do know I'm your only love. I just get so protectively jealous."
"Titus. I'm sorry it happened. Next time I won't let anybody do that to me. I belong to you exclusively."
As they kissed and made up Jedite forgot all about the fleeting suspicions he had been feeling towards Serena.
Serena and Luna were spying on them through a porthole. They couldn't hear a word they were saying through the glass but they had peeked in at the moment the pair finished hugging and kissing. Having put that sorry business behind them they turned to other matters at hand. Titus indicated a glowing blue ball sitting on a nearby table.
"It's fabulous Titus."
"I designed it myself for maximum energy capacity and efficiency Jedite. As soon as all these people hit their romance peak of energy it will suck up all they have to offer."
"Well done my honey bunch. I'm proud of you for your skill and ingenuity."
"Thank you my darling. Can I have one more kiss and cuddle before we set it up?"
Jedite smiled sweetly. "Sure. Why not?"
As they locked lips Serena looked away in embarassment but Luna said, "That ball looks very sinister to me. I've never seen anything like it."
She was still staring at the ball on the table and suddenly she cried out. "Serena! Look what it's doing!"
Serena gasped as the blue ball levitated off the table with Jedite and Titus raising their hands slowly upwards, their palms wide open. While it was hovering in between them they disappeared in a flash of light along with it. Serena screamed in fright.
"That settles it." Luna exclaimed. "This proves that those people are from the Negaverse. We must find Amy and Raye."
Speaking of Amy and Raye things hadn't been quite as exciting on the cruise as they thought it would be. Raye had thought there'd be plenty of other single persons who would have come on the cruise to look for a date. However they found that everybody else seemed to be made up of attached couples. It was disappointing but they determined to look on the bright side and enjoy having fun together. At the moment Raye was embarassing poor Amy at the dinner table.
"Raye. That's the seventh pork chop you've eaten."
"Well the sea air increases my appetite."
"But people are staring at us."
"Ah they've been staring all day just because we don't have dates." Raye took a huge gulp of water to wash her food down while people continued to gawk at what a pig she was making of herself and Amy cringed.
Just then there was announcement made over the intercom that the cruise's dance party extravaganza would commence in five minutes. "Oh no. I'll be too full to dance." Raye groaned.
"Never mind Raye. Let's go. I'm sure the live stage entertainment will be awesome."
Serena and Luna had overheard the announcement too of course and they realized they were gathering all the people together like sheep to a slaughter for their energy. Serena transformed into Sailor Moon and she and Luna ran as hard as they could to find the ship's dance hall.
Raye and Amy were in the crowd waiting for the curtain to rise. As it slowly went up the intercom announced that everybody was welcome and here was Captain Jed and his first mate Tweetus to host proceedings. Raye did a start. "Captain Jed? First mate Tweetus?" She turned to look at Amy.
The curtain fully rose revealing Jedite in his captain uniform and Titus in a beautiful red dress and her hair tied up in buns. She grinned. "We welcome all you lovers to our show. We're going to begin with a little demonstration of black magic." As soon as Titus announced this she transformed into her alternate state. Raye and Amy recognized her and Jedite and all the people collapsed to the deck in piles as their energy was sucked up into the blue ball they had disguised as a golden dance light hanging overhead. Raye cried out. "Stop!"
The two villains were very surprised to see two defiant girls on their feet glaring at them. "Why haven't they been affected Jedite?"
"It looks like they haven't got boyfriends and our trap was only set to gather love energy. We didn't anticipate this Titus. Now we'll have to do away with them."
Titus scoffed. "Why are you twits even here on a romantic cruise without dates in the first place?"
"Never mind!" Amy demanded. "Return all that energy to these people this minute."
"What? You have the insolence to make such a demand to us? Titus kill them with your attack power."
"But Jedite darling. If I do that at the moment it will divert the connection to the energy vacuum." Titus indicated the ball above them. "We could possibly lose some of the energy we've captured. You know Queen Beryl demands perfection."
Jedite shuddered a moment remembering how wrathful Queen Beryl could become. The memory of the scourging whips and the crushing thumbscrews. It made him cringe. "We'd better bide our time," he nodded in agreement.
"But we can do something to keep them under control at the moment."
Titus waved her hand and suddenly two mud-men like creatures appeared and approached the horrified girls. They screamed and Raye picked up a chair and sliced one of them in half. But to her horror both pieces grew up into a full figured mud-man just like the way the brooms multiplied when they were chopped up in the story of The Sorceror's Apprentice. It looked very bad for poor Raye and Amy.
Suddenly a familiar voice shouted out, "Hold it right there!"
Amy and Raye cried out together. "Sailor Moon!"
Jedite and Titus were horrified. Their enemy was standing high above them near the roof on the ledge by the overhead glass windows.
Sailor Moon was in the midst of one of her usual shame on you and I'll punish you in the name of the moon speeches when Titus exploded in anger. "It's not fair. It's just not fair. My plan was perfectly foolproof. I don't know how you tracked us down but you've been responsible for us suffering horrible torment by interfering with our missions. I'm going to destroy you once and for all and I'll make sure you suffer as much pain as we have before you die."
And before Sailor Moon could react Titus launched herself at her in a huge leap pushing at her shoulders and flying out the window with her breaking the glass with a mighty crash.
Jedite followed after them. "Hey sweetheart. Watch your step." He called out, his voice full of concern for his beloved. "Don't give her a chance to use her tiara attack on you."
Seizing their chance Amy and Raye transformed themselves and Mars melted the mud-men to sludge with her Mars Fire Ignite.
"Come on Mercury. We must help Sailor Moon."
"Yes."
At that moment things were looking very bad for Sailor Moon indeed. Jedite was so tremendously relieved to see that his lovely Titus had the upper hand and he watched with immense satisfaction as she summoned up enormous waves of water to throw at Sailor Moon.
"Look out!" Luna shrieked with terror. "All that water will pound you to jelly if it hits you!"
Sailor Moon could see that she was right as a wave made a nasty indentation in the boat when she dodged.
"You can't keep dodging forever Sailor Moon." Titus prepared to send another wave at her while she laughed manaically.
Suddenly Mercury summoned her bubbles and Titus was blinded with biting cold before she could attack again. Next Mars shot a blast of her fire and burned her. "Aaaiieee!"
Jedite cursed. He knew what would happen next as Sailor Moon took advantage of her friends assistance to take her tiara off her head. With a shout of "MOON TIARA MAGIC!" she sent it flying.
Hearing those words while she groaned with the pain of the fire Titus did a double take. "Oh please no. Not that." But her eyes widened in horror as she beheld the deadly missile spinning towards her and she screamed. But Jedite had not wasted any time. He had already flown through the air before Sailor Moon had begun her attack and before any of the three Scouts knew what was happening he thrust himself in front of Titus and using his special ability to halt her tiara he raised his hand and it clattered harmlessly to the deck.
"Aw. I hate how he does that." Sailor Moon sulked but Jedite spat vehemently.
"Obnoxious moon beam brat. I will never let you destroy my girlfriend."
Titus buried her face in his chest and sobbed. "Oh Jedite. I thought I was a goner."
He caressed her and comforted her.
Sailor Mars said, "Well in any case you are now our prisoners Titus and Jedite."
"Yes," Sailor Mercury added. "Now you will tell us all about who you creeps work for."
Sailor Moon chimed in. "Also what's the big deal about trying to steal human energy all the time?"
Jedite turned and scowled. "We are not in the mood to answer any of your questions. Titus let's just quickly grab all the energy and take it back to Queen Beryl." With that he leaped into the air supporting weakened Titus, his arm around her waist heading for the broken window.
"Oh no. You must stop them Scouts." Luna shrieked.
"I won't let them take any energy," vowed Sailor Moon running along the deck and through the doors as the two fiends were landing on the stage preparing to make their escape.
"MOON TIARA MAGIC!"
Upon hearing the words Jedite spun around again. "Ha. Trying to shoot us in the back eh? Well I'll, huh? Where's the tiara?"
He glanced around worriedly while Titus looked up and gasped. "Oh no. She isn't trying to kill us Jedite. Look at what she's aiming at!"
Following her raised arm and pointed finger Jedite reacted in horror as the tiara hit the magic ball disintegrating it releasing all the energy which flowed back to all the unconscious people.
As they began to recover and get to their feet the two villains had no choice but to quickly return to Queen Beryl empty handed.
Queen Beryl was most displeased. In fact she was furious. "You have failed me yet again. Titus you gave me your word that this idea of yours would go undetected by the Sailor Scouts. Yet they defeated you and you could neither destroy them nor bring back all the energy you promised."
Titus, who was back in her human form, began to plead. "Queen Beryl I,"
"Shut up. I'm in no mood for your weak excuses. You both deserve punishment. Wait here while I decide what it shall be."
As Queen Beryl departed Titus began to sob and bowed her head while Jedite clenched his fists, ground his teeth and swore to make Sailor Moon pay if he and his dear Titus survived whatever new terrible torments Queen Beryl had in mind this time.
