Chapter 10- Not With A Bang, But With A Whimper

"Apollo, you have a message from POTUS."

Surprised that the president of the US would want to contact him, he picked up the line on a speaker. "This is Apollo."

"Apollo, this is the president. I've been tracking your progress since this started, and I must say, you've proven yourself to be quite a leader."

Apollo beamed at this. "Thank you sir. I'm just doing what is needed."

"As well you should be. I must also thank the Sailor Scouts." The girls almost swelled up to two times their size. "Without them, this whole situation would have been unsalvageable. You have my thanks, ladies."

General Eastwing broke into the connection. "Apollo, this is general Eastwing with the Pentagon's situation command. We have a mission that we need you to accomplish at all costs."

"Name it, sir."

"We have information from your former boss that the Liberators have at least twenty-five nuclear warheads stored inside of Mt. Fuji, set to go off in under ten hours. Unless they are disabled or destroyed, we face the real possibility of nuclear annihilation."

They all stood silent for a minute, until Grange spoke up. "General, this is marine Lt. Col. Grange. What exactly is the plan?"

"An elegantly simple one, Grange." The general sent a battle plan to the holo-map. "Using a combined assault at the base as a diversion, we plan to infiltrate a small force into the mountain, secure the warheads, and capture or eliminate the enemy command. The window is closing people. We have to act now."

"General," said Tuxedo Mask "None of us knows the layout of the base. How do you expect us to find the bombs?"

The general sighed. "That's where things get tricky."

"The RIRA. I can't believe we have to work with them!"

"What's wrong, Apollo? Aren't they the ones who rescued ou- those families?"

Apollo looked at Mars, saddened. "Sailor Mars, you have to understand, not all terrorists are created equal. However, the IRA is…complicated. Some people, particularly in America, consider them heroes. Others, mainly the British, see them as murderers. Personally, as an Irish-American, they once had a purpose, but now, they have overstayed their welcome."

Raven nodded. "We were in Northern Ireland, training with the Irish on urban combat when they shot up a police station. We got there just in time to see the place explode. The total death toll was 68 people. It was…sad."

They all considered this. If it saddened Raven, it couldn't be good.

"God all mighty, sir, we have to team up with Navy SEALs!" From the look of things, it seemed like William would explode.

"Its necessary and you both know it." Usually, Patrick had final say. Today, however, was the biggest unusual occasion in the history of the world.

"Sir, its not that we don't want to pay them back," said James "Its just the thought of teaming up with a SEAL team is kind of…unnerving."

"Well, you'd better get those thoughts out off your head. We meet them at the base of the mountain in an hour." The pair and everyone nearby seemed to raise the local temperature three degrees.

"Well, mister president, out of all the things I've seen, this has to be the worst." The pair was going over the live feed coming from the battle. As it was, the enemy was now losing badly, and quickly falling back to their mountain hideout. The losses to the UN side, however, were rising rapidly. Even worse, the media had picked up Cooper's little story and ran, so unless they could pull out a victory, the world would turn on the mission.

"Mr. President, general, our team and the RIRA are about to rendezvous."

Nodding at the tech. sergeant, both men went to a station where the meeting was being recorded.

"So, where are they?" Scanning every possible object, X-Ray couldn't see anything weird, but the morning was still young.

"What's the plan when we met these men, Apollo?" said Mercury, who was currently going over every available file on the IRA ever recorded.

"First, we don't make any sudden movements. Then, we start talking about what they really have in mind to do when we get down in that volcano."

Specter nodded in agreement. "The dream of every terrorist group is to gain access to a nuclear device. If this is really a ruse, its better to find out now than when we're inside of an active volcano."

"There's just one problem with that theory," said a heavily accented voice. "We tend to honor an agreement, no matter who it's made with."

Training their weapons on the bush, they were caught by surprise when each of them had a rifle barrel at the back of their necks. Steeping out of the bushes in front of them were three men, one noticeably older than the other two. "You see, we aren't in the interest of killing you. Right now, we just want to get as far away from here as bloody humanly possible."

Tuxedo Mask was the first to speak. "You attacked our country! You probably killed hundreds, and you expect to just walk off with a slap on the wrist?"

"Yes, they do." They all turned to face the SEAL leader. Specters face was a portrait of sorrow. "They have something we need; information. They can choose not to tell us, and even if we find those nukes…"

Patrick nodded in agreement. "That's right. We know how to get inside the mountain, where the bombs are, and who the leader is. What the real problem is right now is trust."

He slowly paced around his captives, taking in each one. "Well, now, what are good catholic girls like you doing in a place like this?" The RIRA men chuckled, but remained deadly serious. "And you, Tuxedo Mask? My God man, you look like you belong in a restaurant." Finally, he turned his focus on Apollo. "And you…" He stopped. "Actually, they never brought you up in the briefing. Hell, you and the SEALs are the only ones here who look like they belong."

Finally, Raven spoke. "Listen, Paddy, I don't know what the hell you've been talking about, but I think we have bigger things to worry about. Either you take us to the mountain when we say, or you can kiss your Irish ass goodbye."

Just then, James burst out. "Hey, we've seen him before!" he yelled, pointing at Apollo.

William looked closer and noticed the eyes. The Arab from yesterday looked eerily similar. "Hey, we have seen this one! He attacked the tower!"

The next few seconds were hazy for all of them, but Apollo clearly remembered being tied and bound. When he regained consciousness, he wished he hadn't.

Meanwhile, the assault on the mountain had been planned and decided. Using a mix of tactical air strikes, helicopter insertion and ground assault, the commanders all agreed the focus was to provide a distraction for their forces inside, nothing more. They even made sure their men knew the significance of what would happen if they failed.

Back in the situation room, Young and Eastwing sat fixed in front of a bank of feeds coming from the mountain. The enemy there was admittedly smarter, to the point where they were using firearms and other weapons. It was akin to a battle between bees and wasps. The big difference was that the bees had an inexhaustible supply and control of the air.

"It all comes down to this, doesn't it, general."

"Yes, mister president."

Young sat silent for a minute, then "If they make a movie out of this, I hope its made by Edward Zwick. After "Last Samurai", Michael Bay just doesn't do it for me."

Head down, the general replied "Affirmative, sir."

The battle raged on the holy mountain. Everywhere men cried out in pain. The whooping of helicopter blades and the roars of the monsters in front of them drowned out the screams of the dying. Even the combined might of five armies was not enough to make a dent.

Checking his watch, Apollo found that he had two hours left until the bombs destroyed everything. Looking around, he saw that he was inside some sort of prison with the others, all disarmed. "Well, shit." Getting up, he tried to touch the bars, but an electric shock forced him back. "What the hell?" Turning around, he decided to wake the others.

"So, we have no communication, no weapons, and are inside what we can assume to be the enemy base. What now?" Rabbit didn't expect an answer, and nobody gave one.

Just then, a meow came from the other end of the chamber. Turning, they all saw a fleck of white and two of black on the gray floor.

"Artemis!" Venus rushed over and, gently, scooped the cat into her arms. He was hurt, but he was alive.

"Sailor…Venus?" She nodded. "Did they…capture…you?" She nodded again, tearing up, while Mars comforted her ravens. "I guess…we all had…one…real bad week." He then noticed the looks of the SEALs. "Oh, forget it. Yes, I can talk, no this isn't because of drugs, and no, this isn't a bald spot."

The SEAL teams stood rooted to the ground until they heard a door open and saw Patrick, William and James walk in.

Jupiter rushed to the bars. "You bastards! We weren't going to hurt you! I swear to God, when I get out of these cells, I will rip you limb from limb!"

Patrick simply stared at them, then, without a word, unlocked the cell and motioned for them to follow him. Not waiting, Apollo got up and followed.

"No Apollo! It's a trap!" Mercury was almost crying again.

"Why would they set a trap, Sailor Mercury? If they wanted to kill us, they wouldn't have waited five hours." In a motion booking no further conversation, he left the cell into what seemed to be a hallway made of solid rock.

"What do we do, sir?"

Specter looked each SEAL in the eye, then said "We follow them."

"Your plans have failed!" Queen Beryl practically broke the arm off her throne, forcing her to stand. "Now, I must punish you." She pointed at Nephrite. "You must destroy Sailor Earth." He looked at her, stunned for a minute, until she explained. "What, you don't recognize her? Its your love, Molly Baker!"

Looking like he had just eaten a poisonous frog, he bowed and teleported to where he knew they would go.

"Zoisite, you must destroy both of them, in the event of Nephrites failure."

Nodding nervously, the younger general bowed and teleported away as well.

"Now, Kunzite, for your task. You must protect the weapons we have secured. Make sure they accomplish what they were meant to do, or it will mean you head."

Without batting an eye, Kunzite left the chamber.

"I will deal with the remaining Sailor Scouts." Beryl's lips curled into a smile. The knid of smile that proves a being has gone mad.

"So, you want to tell us why you captured us, exactly?"

Patrick didn't stop running, even in the face of Mars' question. "We had to put on a show. If they saw us help you, they wouldn't have believed it. We had to bring you in as though you were captured, otherwise we wouldn't have gotten in!" He made a sharp right, leading them to a weapons locker. "Grab what you need. We are about to blow the scene."

Following a plan they had worked out earlier, the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask would handle Queen Beryl. Apollo, the SEALs, and the RIRA would handle the bombs. And that is how, armed with an M16, Apollo, twelve Navy SEALs and another dozen RIRA men were racing straight into a trap. There was one issue that Apollo had to take care of, though.

"Princess, I have something to give you." Rooting around in his pocket, Apollo came up with his pocketknife.

Oh! But, general-"

"No, no argument. I want you to keep it. Something to remember me by if I don't come back." Slowly, tears started coming from his eyes, and the eyes of all the Scouts. "Just remember whoI was, and this," he said as he ran off "Courage, is being scared to death…but saddling up anyway. Beat them, Sailor Scouts! End it forever!"

Coming into an open area, the Scouts met an unwelcome surprise. Maxwell Stanton. Nephrite. The "drainer".

"Sailor Scouts! Your time has come! You, Sailor Earth, have earned a place in history, as the shortest Sailor Scout to live on Earth."

Whatever Mars was going to say, Earth beat her to it. "Go! I'll handle him."

Without another word, the six raced into Beryl's chambers to end the madness for good.

"Dark Energy Beam!" While Apollo and the RIRA fired on Kunzite, the SEALs tried to disarm the bombs. However, none had been trained to handle a nuclear warhead.

"General Apollo! You dishonor yourself! You fight like a mere human, instead of like a proud general!"

"Sorry, Kunzite, I must have left my honor in my other pants!" Quickly, Apollo fired off a quick burst and slid back to cover. Turning to Patrick, he laid out the facts. "We can't fight him like this, I'm the only one who can beat him!"

"Are you mad! The mans a bloody sorcerer! You won't last a minute!"

"You've forgotten one thing, my friend," he said, pulling a sword out of thin air. "I'm not like other guys." He became deadly serious. "Help the SEALs position the bombs near that crevice there!" Screaming like mad he announced "I'll take care of Kunzite!"

Reacting almost to late, Kunzite suffered a slash to the face, but still managed to counter most of the blow. "So, Apollo, you remember. A shame you threw your career accepting a position in the guard!"

After a few quick parries and jabs, Apollo announced "You were the shamed one, Kunzite! If you had only controlled yourself, you could have led! But you couldn't, could you?" The almost mocking tone made Kunzite strike out wildly.

"Why Molly? Why hide you true identity!" Nephrite made a stab for Earth, but she quickly dodged and unleashed an earthquake.

"I didn't know! And you! Why did you do this? I thought I taught you how to love!" This caught him off guard, and she rushed him. But instead of destroying him, she embrtaced him "I loved you, Nephrite." The tears were streaming down her face, and soon mixed with his.

"Molly."

"Queen Beryl! Your evil is at an end! In the name of the Moon, I will right wrongs and triumph over evil, and that means you!"

"Ha! Such pretty talk means nothing without action, Sailor Moon! And without you feline friends to save you, I shall finally triumph!" Making a few quick gestures, Beryl unleashed a wave of energy, scrambling the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask long enough for her to mask the whole room in a fog. "We shall finally see how great the Sailor Scouts truly are!"

"Come on, be careful with that!" Tempted to shot the Irishman for being such an idiot, Raven reminded himself that there were more important matters at hand.

"Why did he wants us to move them to the ledge? Its not like that will help defuse them!"

"Because, Gaunt, we aren't going to defuse them!"

They all stopped at Specters comment. "We aren't going to defuse them, because he is going to destroy them." He pointed over the ledge, to the distant magma. "Does anyone here have any explosives?"

"Well Nephrite, I must admit, I am somewhat touched. Not only have you confessed your true feelings, but you also admit that you are no longer a general!"

Nephrite turned to face Zoisite. "At least I know in my heart that I will do the right thing for once."

"How quaint. But now you must die-"

"Earth Cyclone Blast!" Zoisite was thrown back by the incredible power of the wave, and didn't have a chance to scream when Nephrite skewered her.

"N-n-no, you can't…"

"Hurry Sailor Earth, we have to help the others!"

"Well Kunzite, I must say, you haven't lost you touch! You're still as sharp as ever!" Apollo quickly parried then jumped back in order to avoid a one-two combo.

"The same is true for you, Apollo! Though I must say, it is a major disappointment to know that you've lead so many others to their deaths!"

"Think again, failure." Looking towards the back of the chamber, Kunzite was just in time to see Patrick and Specter wave goodbye before sealing that chamber for eternity. Livid, Kunzite attacked Apollo with a renewed rage. "I deserved your position!"

"For what, Kunzite? You were always losing control, always getting into trouble! If I hadn't stepped in so many times, you wouldn't be here now!"

"I don't care anymore! Once those bombs go off, you'll be right in hell with me!"

Unknown to Kunzite, a small, strategically placed block of C4 was slowly ticking down to zero.

"Come now, sailor scouts, is that the best you can do?" Beryl laughed mercilessly, as the six figures in front of her writhed in agony, though the newly transformed Moon Princess was still upright, albeit shakily.

"Earth Wind Blast!" Beryl was caught of guard by this, and she would never recover. "Silver Moon Crystal Power!"

Screaming with rage until the very end, the once powerful Queen Beryl was reduced to sub-atomic particles, never to reform again.

"Sailor Earth, you did it!"

"Thank you, Princess Serenity." Sailor Earth bowed, along with Nephrite.

"So, have you regained your memories?"

"Yes, Prince Darien. And I will face up for my crimes, even if it means being taken from my love." He grasped Earth's hand, and immediately all knew that at least one general had come back.

Suddenly, a large piece of rock came crashing down. "Princess Serenity! We have to go, now!"

"But what about Apollo!"

"He died so you could live!" said Specters voice. He was running from another opening in the rock, along with his team. "Hurry, we have a helicopter waiting above! Get on-board, now!"

Without another word, the Sailor Scouts, Tuxedo Mask and Nephrite left behind one of the greatest warriors of all time.

"Its over, Kunzite! Beryl is dead! If you surrender now, maybe we can be lenient!"

"We both know that it won't happen, Apollo! I will die, but at least the world will come with me!"

Just then, as the last word left his mouth, the C4 went off, collapsing the entire outcropping, dropping Kunzite, the bombs and Apollo into the depths of the earth.

Landing at an impromptu field HQ, Mercury, Mars, Venus and Jupiter rushed to the radio, desperately trying to contact Apollo.

"This is Apollo. Is that the Sailor Scouts I'm hearing?"

"Yes, it is." Mercury, like the others, was crying.

"Hey, ladies, don't worry. Kunzites dead. The bombs are destroyed. I've accomplished my mission, that's all that matters."

"You…you did great Apollo," said Jupiter.

"Yeah, you really did a lot of good." Mars was head down, tears streaming.

"Apollo," said Venus "Who did you like the most?"

Silence, then "I could never decide. You were all so beautiful."

Just before the transmission cut off, he said his last words. "You're all…still beautiful."

And General Apollo, formerly Poltergeist 1, formerly Robert Jones, plummeted into the depths of Mt. Fuji, never to be seen again.