Chapter Twenty-three: Strategic Mass
Haruka should've been staring at the two glowing Guardians, Mercury and Neptune, but she stared at the animals instead.
A sponge named SpongeBob SquarePants. Easy-to-remember name.
A starfish named Patrick Star. Easy-to-remember name.
A squirrel named Sandy Cheeks. Didn't make sense in the context of the other animals' names, but easy enough to remember.
Who named these animals?
Maybe their parents. Logical conclusion.
These were the strangest animals Haruka had seen. They walked on two legs, even the starfish and sponge, who weren't supposed to have legs.
The first sign that Haruka wasn't in Japan anymore: animals walking on two legs. Fish, for that matter.
And the animals talked. Sign number two.
Sign the third: the treedome Haruka and the rest of her teammates stood in. A grassy field. A dome covering the area, except for the hole, compliments of Moon Gorgeous Meditation. The squirrel took a remote control out of her suit's pocket and pressed a button. A metal patch covered the hole. A smart move from the super-smart squirrel, making ways for the treedome to repair itself within seconds so that water and pressure didn't fill the area.
Haruka was glad that Sailor Mercury's and Sailor Neptune's powers were amplified and fed off each other. But could they stop glowing? If they were ever in a situation in which they needed to hide, then Sailor Mercury and Sailor Neptune would compromise their whereabouts.
Since the two Guardians were the most powerful, then it didn't matter who found them; with the water-wielding Guardians' attacks and Sailor Moon's attacks combined, no one would be able to stand against the Sailor Team.
If Sailor Neptune's attacks were more powerful due to being underwater, would Sailor Neptune have more energy, too? Better…intimately?
Michiru cast Haruka a raised eyebrow. "Does your mind always go to naughty places whenever things happen, specifically to me?"
Oh, Michiru, reading through Haruka as quickly as she read violin sheet music of Beethoven's Third Symphony. Haruka blinked. "Maybe."
"And trying to act all innocent." Michiru shook her head. Her hair rippled upward, her eyes lighter than their normal turquoise. Set Haruka aflame. Usually, Haruka preferred the dark, but a glowing Michiru…
"Your mind is still going there."
Michiru was intentionally speaking louder, bless her heart, and Chibi-Usa turned her innocent little head toward them as the rest of the team prattled on about whether to pursue the Dead Moon Circus and kill them while they were weakened or to go after the robots.
Haruka gasped. "Not in front of the children."
Chibi-Usa rubbed the tip of her ear. "You grown-ups think kids are so innocent. I know all about what you guys are talking about. I'm well aware of what my mother and father do every night."
Everyone quieted and turned toward Chibi-Usa. Mamoru's and Usagi's cheeks crimsoned at the same time.
Ami placed both hands on her own cheeks, bowing her head. "My, my, my."
"Do what every night?" SpongeBob said. Apparently, the thirty-something sponge and his thirty-something starfish friend, who looked as confused as the sponge, were more innocent than a 902-year-old child trapped in a ten-year-old's body and brain.
"P-p-play games every night," Usagi spluttered. Realized how she sounded and then clarified, "Board games. Not any other type of games." Mamoru flushed deeper.
SpongeBob jumped, shoes fluttering like wings. "Ooh, sounds like fun. I'd love to join you sometime."
Haruka visualized the scene. Two humans and a sponge. Likely illegal.
"R-right." Mamoru coughed, once, twice, three times. Coughs were the universal sign for changing the subject from an awkward topic to a not-so-awkward topic.
But Mamoru kept coughing and didn't stop.
His cough turned into a hack.
Usagi hurried to Mamoru, grabbing his arm so that he leaned on her. "Mamo-chan. Someone, get water, quick."
"Patrick to the rescue." The starfish rushed to Mamoru's back and hammered a fist onto the top of his back. His cough didn't end. "This worked last time."
Usagi's brow creased.
Mamoru shook, his body racking with the coughs.
"I'll go get water." On all-fours, Sandy hurried up her tree, disappearing into a hole within the bark. Seconds later, she returned, carrying a pitcher of water. "Here, drink this."
Mamoru parted his watering eyes. Stared at the pitcher.
"C'mon, man, you gotta lift your head."
Mamoru hesitated, watching the pitcher like he'd rather have the water leap into his mouth instead of making a simple movement. He lifted his head.
A thick black goo was splattered on his sleeve, darkening his tuxedo. The goo was splattered over his mouth, the immediate area around his mouth covered like he had eaten spaghetti too quickly. But the liquid was far from marinara sauce (which was a strange comparison for Haruka to be thinking of at a time like this).
Mamoru looked at the ground. Ashamed.
Usagi loosened her grip on Mamoru. "Mamo-chan, what's going on?" Her wide eyes showed that she had no idea that Mamoru was coughing black…blood? The liquid had the viscosity and stickiness of blood. The metallic smell of blood filled the air, engulfing the smell of the charred grass, the leaves on the oak tree, stealing the treedome's tranquility.
The treedome had fallen silent. Patrick had frozen in mid-slap, gaping. SpongeBob's jaw had literally hit the grass, a reaction that would've been comical if Mamoru wasn't hacking blood. Looked like the man had coughed out all of his intestines.
Setsuna squared her facial expression. "How long?"
"A few weeks now." Mamoru kept his eyes on the ground, not daring to look at Usagi's glistening eyes. "It's been happening since before we came to Bikini Bottom."
Usagi let the tear course down her cheek. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Mamoru looked into Usagi's eyes. "I didn't want to hurt you."
She stepped back. "But you hurt me more since you didn't tell me."
Mamoru kept looking into Usagi's eyes, not saying a word. Haruka felt like she was watching a soap opera. She and Michiru never became this sappy with each other. But if Michiru were coughing black blood and wasn't telling Haruka, then the couple could end up behaving like Usagi and Mamoru.
Even the animals realized how sensitive the situation was. Patrick, thankfully, didn't open his mouth to say something idiotic and insensitive.
"I don't know why it's happening." Mamoru's gaze from her eyes didn't waver. Usagi's bottom lip quivered ever so slightly. Usagi was holding in her tears the best she could.
"I see." Usagi forced a smile. Even after everyone had seen the distress encompassing her face, she tried to mask her feelings behind a smile. "I, I do hope that we figure it out. Get you healed up." Her eyes darted every which way. There was nowhere to hide from her friends and let all her tears out privately. "Actually, I know we'll figure it out." She brightened her voice, not letting the anguish be heard. Usagi was trying so hard.
Would Haruka and Michiru hide these types of important things from each other? Haruka tried to be transparent with Michiru.
Perhaps Haruka was being naïve. Perhaps not. Usagi and Mamoru's relationship had a different dynamic than Haruka and Michiru's, and that was okay.
"Listen, I know it's dangerous outside," Usagi said, her smile shaking, too, "but I think we should go check on Gary. Better yet, I could check on him myself while the rest of you stay here and relax. I have plenty of energy left, and I could clear out a few more robots."
The silence that fell over the treedome was more awkward than when Usagi and Mamoru had begun talking and needed privacy but there was no place to go. Usagi suggesting that they check on Gary—who the hell was Gary?—was so random it was almost laughable. Usagi was trying to get away from everyone. She desperately needed to get someplace by herself, had started coming up with ridiculous excuses about why she needed to be alone.
Mamoru could only look at Usagi with eyes full of regret. If he could've handled the situation differently, then he would have. He should've stopped the mysterious and stoic act and told Usagi hard things. She could handle difficult situations, like being a Guardian and finding out about her past life.
Keeping secrets led to Usagi finding out on her own and hurting her more than she would've been if Mamoru had told her in the first place.
The only way that Mamoru could have kept things to himself was by pushing Usagi away. And it felt as though he had pushed her away in this case, as shown by the growing physical distance between he and Usagi. The fact that Mamoru and Usagi had hit a bump in their relationship publicly dumped alcohol onto the open wound.
"It might be a better idea if you headed up in my tree for a bit," Sandy said. "From there, you can get a good vantage point to see all the robots you want. Go scout them out without actually goin' out there, tell us what area we should hit next."
"Great idea," Minako said.
"Yes, great, I'll tell you all what I find out." Usagi speedwalked away, her walk bordering on a run. She couldn't have left fast enough. Even her last sentence had been uttered quickly, the words jumbled together so that Haruka almost didn't understand.
Thank goodness for Sandy's quick wits and timing, sending Usagi someplace private. Unexpectedly, the squirrel was insightful, able to read a room and human emotions. Were squirrels and humans more alike than Haruka thought?
Not even Makoto offered to go up with Usagi. Makoto was often the first to offer comfort, but she must recognize that Usagi needed to be by herself.
Mamoru stared after Usagi. He wanted to go after her, but there was nothing he could do.
"I don't know what just happened," Patrick said.
SpongeBob shook his head. "I understand not, either, but I have this ache in my heart. Oh, for the sake of love." He tugged at his shirt. "Oh, for humanity, it hurts." He wiped a tear from his giant eye. "What I just witnessed…I don't know why, but now I feel so sad. These feelings... Augh!" He collapsed into Patrick's shoulder and heaved. Patrick sobbed into SpongeBob's shoulder, and they patted each other's backs, sinking onto their knees.
"This is even sadder than the robots bending Plankton's spoons." SpongeBob's voice had become squeakier, thanks to his borderline wailing.
Patrick blew his nose into SpongeBob's sleeve. "I hope they didn't get his forks."
"Not the forks," SpongeBob and Patrick cried. They broke into fresh sobs.
Haruka looked between the sponge and the starfish. "I'm not sure what's happening now, either."
Mamoru turned toward the outside. "Regardless, I think we should start planning our next move." His voice shook, like he wasn't sure he could quickly move on after hurting Usagi.
"Agreed." Just like Michiru to be all business.
"Okay, then," Makoto said. "I guess we're moving on with the plan, whatever plan we have."
"Before we get started with planning," Ami said, "we should tell you all what Bikini Bottom is like."
"Yes," Rei said. "Or else you'll be so lost, you won't know what to do."
"It's an anomaly, to say the least." Ami explained that Bikini Bottom had different physics from above ground. Aside from the talking fish, SpongeBob could do things like double-jump ("Like in the video games I play," Minako said, even though her statement didn't make her sound like the mature woman she begged others to treat her as); robots floated and flew; people exploded when they fell but didn't die; SpongeBob's mouth-blown bubbles were deadly; no language barrier existed between the Guardians, Mamoru, and the sea creatures despite Sandy hailing from the predominantly English-speaking United States; boxes transported folks from one place to another; cannons shot metal pufferfish and sinks; and there were bungee jumping areas almost everywhere.
When she finished, Haruka was speechless, which was hard to get Haruka to be. Haruka had a snappy comeback for everything.
Setsuna rubbed her chin. "Bikini Bottom seems like an interesting place to study."
"Very interesting," Ami said. "I've tried taking mental notes while I was here. I hope that I remember them all when we leave."
"Shucks, you shoulda said somethin' earlier," Sandy said. "I can grab some paper for you to write your ideas on."
"Let me tell you," Makoto said, "everything we've gone through deserves a book. I don't think anyone would believe us."
"I still feel like I'm dreaming," Chibi-Usa said. "Especially after Pegasus came." She explained how, in the downtown area, Pegasus—Helios—had saved her from the sink-shooting cannon. Helios was a Pegasus that acted as her protector, had asked her to protect him as well. Called her his maiden.
"Can we trust this Helios?" Michiru, getting straight to the point once again.
"Of course," Chibi-Usa said, her tone questioning why Michiru would ask. "I don't think he would've let me live if we couldn't trust him."
Michiru narrowed her eyes. "Chibi-Usa-chan, just because a villain doesn't kill you doesn't mean you can trust him. There are many other bad things he can use you for." She glanced at SpongeBob, Patrick, and Sandy. The three could be being unknowingly manipulated by the Dead Moon Circus.
"I'm sure Helios isn't bad. I think he's trapped somewhere, someplace he has limited energy in. He spent some of his limited energy saving me."
"Maybe, maybe not." She looked outside, at the sea feeding her power. "We have to be careful of everyone we come across, especially since we're in an unfamiliar place. As unbelievable as being underwater is, it doesn't seem like a dream to me. After all, we've traveled to different dimensions before."
SpongeBob's eyes brightened. "Did you fight the giant monkey man in the ninth dimension?" he said as Patrick said, "Did you use tapioca to teleport to the different dimensions?"
Michiru regarded SpongeBob and Patrick stoically. "I don't believe that warrants a response."
Haruka hid her smile in the crook of her arm. Damn, Michiru was being cold today.
"Hey, hey," Makoto said, "be nice. They were just asking a question."
Hotaru smiled, a rare thing, coming from her. "I think it's cute, what SpongeBob and Patrick are saying." She looked the two sea animals up and down. "Besides, they look pretty cute, too. And soft. Huggable." She was being girly today, behaving like the teenager she was instead of like a thirty-something woman. Through no fault of her own, her childhood had been stolen. Haruka could hardly believe that she had once decided to kill Hotaru because she had the misfortune of being the Guardian of Destruction. Thank goodness she and Michiru hadn't killed her. Hotaru was a blessing instead of the curse they had once thought. And, despite being in an unfamiliar place, Hotaru was the happiest Haruka had ever seen her. As long as Hotaru was around her friends, she was happy, especially since she had been alone for years before she had met the other Guardians, specifically Chibi-Usa. The pink-haired Guardian hadn't left Hotaru's side since she'd seen Hotaru. Friendship at its best.
SpongeBob cocked his head. "What about what we said doesn't warrant a response? Did we say something wrong?"
"Probably not wrong to you," Haruka said before Michiru could say something colder, although Haruka had said something just as cold. Michiru's coldness and haughtiness had started to rub off on her, thanks to spending almost every waking moment with Michiru. Besides, Haruka kind of liked this side of Michiru. Kept things exciting.
"Must be a Japan thing," SpongeBob said.
"I think it's more of a human thing," Patrick said.
"C'mon, everyone," Makoto said. "Let's be civilized to each other. Like it or not, we'll be working together for the foreseeable future."
"Good point." Haruka glanced at Michiru. "We should try to be a little nicer," she whispered. "Besides, they seem gullible enough where if we pretend to be nice, they might not turn on us later if they think that we think that they're allies." She winced. What she'd said hadn't made much sense.
Michiru stared at Haruka as icily as she had the animals. "I suppose we can play nice for now."
There they had it. The group would be a team. A strange, dysfunctional team, but a team nonetheless.
"We've searched Jellyfish Fields, the downtown area, and Goo Lagoon," Ami said. "We didn't find the source of the robots, but we did destroy many of them."
"The source might be in a place as obvious as Plankton's lab," Setsuna said. "How far is the lab from here?"
"Right down the street," SpongeBob said. "But with all these robots around, down the street ends up being much farther than usual. And it looks like more robots are being created by the second."
"Not to mention those robots' labs," Sandy said. "Could be loads more of `em around, pumpin' out robots. So even when we reach the Chum Bucket and destroy the source, there'll be other places that the robots are coming from."
"We'll have to search every nook and cranny," Minako said. "There are so many of us, it shouldn't take long to wipe out every trace of the robots. Especially since I have my Super form."
Haruka gestured between herself and the other Outer Guardians. "We have our Super forms, too." She grinned at Hotaru. "Thanks to Hotaru."
Minako's jaw dropped, as did Chibi-Usa's and Makoto's. "You mean, all at the same time? Without any character development?"
"Yes, all at the same time." Setsuna smiled sheepishly. "And character development…well…"
"Pfft. You guys are already perfect, so no, you didn't need any character development. Your power-ups probably just happened for you."
The Outer Guardians exchanged looks. Minako was sort of right. Haruka didn't feel like she had matured much since before and after she had gotten her Super form, and she doubted that her fellow Outer Guardians felt much different.
"Hotaru developed from a toddler to a fourteen-year-old in thirty seconds." Haruka patted Hotaru's shoulder. "That's pretty good development right there."
Minako groaned. "That's not what I'm talking about, and you know it."
Haruka did. "Just trying to lighten things up a little." Especially since Mamoru hadn't spoken and continued to stare out the treedome, at the robots about. But Mamoru seemed like he had checked out a long time ago.
"Ami, Mako, and I haven't gotten our Super forms yet," Rei said. "Usagi-chan and Chibi-Usa-chan got theirs in the beginning, Usagi-chan while we were fighting the Death Busters."
Usagi and Chibi-Usa seemed to earn their upgrades after a lot of struggle, too. Maybe they had developed since the Outer Guardians had last seen them. Maybe their development would show while they traversed through Bikini Bottom.
Then again, they were the center of the Moon Kingdom, so it made sense that they would be the most powerful and get the most upgrades.
"What areas of your life do you need to mature in, Rei Hino?" Minako said, deepening her voice. "Examine your life carefully."
Rei scowled. "Don't do that."
"Aw, don't put on that queenly, serious act, Rei-chan. You know you wanna laugh at my wicked sense of humor. Or at least smile instead of hiding that smile behind a scowl."
"A, it's not an act. B, this is a genuine scowl of annoyance. C, what sense of humor?"
Haruka smiled in the crook of her arm again. Two ice queens on the same team. Should be interesting.
Minako grinned. "Just for that, I think we should team up." She stepped closer to Rei. "I sense your upgrade will come when you mature enough to like me."
Rei bowed her head, breathed into her chest, "I thought Patrick was the worst. I was wrong."
"Did I hear 'Patrick?'" Patrick jumped toward Rei. "Patrick Star coming to the rescue."
Minako's grin broadened. "Great, we'll all be on a team together."
Patrick rubbed against Rei's arm. Minako rubbed against Rei's other arm. Rei rubbed her forehead, saying, "What have I gotten myself into?"
"I'll go with you," Michiru said. Relief flooded Rei's expression. Rei was not as stoic as she believed.
Sounded crazy, but Michiru would add some sanity to the team.
"Oh, we're making teams now?" SpongeBob said. "In that case, can I go with Mamoru? He looks like my type of guy."
Mamoru continued to stare out the window, at nothing. He stared for so long that Haruka thought he hadn't heard until he said, "I don't know if I can… I think it would be best if we stayed split up, SpongeBob."
Mamoru wasn't sure he could take SpongeBob's…personality. He was too nice to be blunt.
"I need to be with Usa, though."
SpongeBob smiled. "Okay, maybe next time. But picking even though she isn't here? That's not fair."
Mamoru turned, looking down at SpongeBob, expression somber. Looked like his dog had died instead of him arguing with his girlfriend. "I know her well enough to know that she'd agree with me."
"Normally, he'd keep pushing her away," Chibi-Usa whispered to Hotaru. "Mamoru's developing, too. I wonder if he'll get an upgrade."
"Will you go with them?" Hotaru said.
"No. I think they need as much privacy as they can get. I'm sure they'll be able to find someplace to go and smooth things over."
Ami watched Setsuna. Wanted to team up with the older Guardian. Even though Michiru's and Ami's powers built off each other, perhaps it would be better if they spread the power around. Besides, Michiru's stronger attacks would balance Rei's weaker ones.
"All us sea critters should split ourselves up so we can help the land critters," Sandy said. "That's what we did last time, and it seemed to work well." She scratched the back of her head. "Even though I did get captured. But that goes to show that y'all can find your way around fine, without anybody guidin' you. Mamoru, I can go with you and Usagi."
"I'll go with SpongeBob, then." Setsuna must be curious about the squirrel. Out of all the animals, the squirrel seemed to have the most smarts and common sense. Although she wanted to go with Sandy, she'd settle for SpongeBob for now. She'd likely get a chance to study Sandy later.
Chibi-Usa sidled up to Setsuna. "Where Puu goes, I go."
Hotaru giggled. "And where Chibi-Usa-chan goes, I go."
"I'll go with you, too," Ami piped up.
"So that leaves myself and you." Haruka turned toward Makoto. "We can join anyone we want."
Makoto glanced between Haruka and Michiru.
Haruka crossed her arms. "Can't decide which one of us you like the most, huh?"
A blush tinted Makoto's cheeks. "No, no, it's not that." Quietly, she said, "I admire the both of you." She looked in Haruka's eyes. "But I'll stay with you. I want to."
Aw, so Makoto admired Haruka. Haruka's smirk widened. Haruka wasn't sure she was capable of smiling evenly.
"We should take some time apart," Michiru said. Haruka's heart dropped. Michiru liked her alone time away from Haruka, but Haruka didn't. She'd spend the rest of her life glued to Michiru's hip if she could. "There are too many people on our team, anyway."
"We'll be with SpongeBob, Mamoru, and Usagi, then." Haruka didn't want to be with a couple going through a rough patch, but being on their team made the most sense.
"Next up, there's the Shady Shoals Rest Home leading to the Mermalair," SpongeBob said, "which, might I add, is the coolest place ever; Rock Bottom, which is not a very cool place at all; and Sand Mountain, where extreme sports rule the land. Take your pick. Although I prefer the Mermalair."
Patrick jabbed a finger into his chest. "I wanna go to the Mermalair, too." A shiver rocked him. "Rock Bottom is dark and scary."
"You can handle the dark, Patrick. You have before. And other people will be with you."
"For Patrick's peace of mind," Rei said, "I suggest that he goes to the Mermalair."
"For your peace of mind and sanity, too, you mean," Haruka whispered. Rei blushed.
"C'mon, Patrick. I was stuck in Rock Bottom before. And the Mermalair's pretty dark, too."
"D-dark…" Patrick gulped. "Well, at least the Mermalair's cool. And it's got lots of lights." He crossed his arms. "Plus, I got stuck in Rock Bottom when I went down there to save you that time, so we're even."
"Let's settle this fair and square." SpongeBob cracked his twiglike knuckles. "With a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors." Haruka deflated. How childish could these men be?
Well, Rock-Paper-Scissors was fair. It wasn't like they had many resources at their disposal.
No, Haruka shouldn't justify their childishness.
SpongeBob and Patrick stepped to each other, nose-to-no-nose, SpongeBob as tall as Patrick's belly. They stuck out their hands, both clenched, glaring each other in the eyes. The silence was deafening, like they were playing the most serious game in the history of mankind. All they needed was a commentator.
They inhaled deeply and then said in unison, "Rock, paper, scissors, shoot!" Patrick's face fell as SpongeBob's paper covered his rock.
"Best two outta three," SpongeBob said.
Once again, SpongeBob's paper covered Patrick's rock.
"I win," SpongeBob said. "Patrick, you'd do better if you chose something other than rock. You always only choose rock."
"Well, I live under a rock." He turned up his nose. "So there."
Haruka deflated once more. Wow.
"So I'll be going to the Mermalair," SpongeBob said.
"Fine," Patrick said. "I like rocks, so we're gonna go to Rock Bottom."
Sandy pumped her fists. "Yahoo! I love Sand Mountain. You land critters are gonna love it too, guaranteed. It's kinda like goin' on a vacation."
Mamoru didn't twitch. He and Usagi could use a vacation. Sandy didn't seem the nosy type, so they might be able to get a bit of privacy in the mountain.
Haruka's smirk widened more than before. She'd enjoy Sand Mountain. Excitement covered her worry about the Dead Moon Circus.
Setsuna and Ami must be glad about going to the Mermalair. They'd be able to study the Mermalair's technology, technology that likely didn't exist in Japan.
"First, I suggest that we find out what this underground lab in Goo Lagoon is about," Ami said. "If that's okay with everyone else."
"That's right," Minako said, serious once more. Her moods changed so swiftly. She was goofy when she had the luxury and serious when needed. Good traits that a leader needed, to break up tension. "I think that half of us should stay in the neighborhood and search for the rest of the Dead Moon Circus while the other half of us go back to Goo Lagoon and take care of this lab. We don't know what happened to the fish-bots, but there's a big chance that the fish are still down there, so we should save them. Since Mako-chan, Sandy, and I are more familiar with the lab, we should be part of the team that goes down there."
"I'm curious about this lab," Setsuna said. "I would love to go there myself."
"I would, too," Ami said.
"My attacks feel powerful," Michiru said. "I want to try them out. If the lab needs to be destroyed, then I can take care of it in one fell swoop." She looked to the oak tree. "Our most powerful Guardian doesn't seem able to concentrate on much of anything right now."
Mamoru didn't turn his head. "I'll stay here with Usa."
"Then that leaves myself, Rei, Chibi-Usa, Hotaru, Patrick, and SpongeBob to find the Dead Moon Circus." Haruka turned to SpongeBob and Patrick. "Are you sure you want to come with us? It didn't look like it when Usagi and Chibi-Usa blasted them away, but the Dead Moon Circus is more powerful than they appear."
Patrick's eyes sparkled. "I wanna go to the circus."
SpongeBob bobbed his head up and down. "I wanna go, too."
"You're not taking this nearly as seriously as you should be," Haruka said.
"They're much more competent than they seem, Haruka-san," Rei said. "I promise. The Dead Moon Circus might have trouble in Bikini Bottom. This place is…something to get used to, to say the least."
Haruka shrugged. "I guess it's fine. As soon as they get in our way, though…" She wasn't sure what she'd do, but she'd do something. Immobilize them somehow.
"We have our teams," Minako said. "Let's meet up here once we're finished and then head on over to Rock Bottom, the Mermalair, and Sand Mountain."
Haruka glanced at Setsuna and Michiru. They were so serious, lips pressed into frowns. And Rei was visibly dreading going anywhere with Patrick and Minako, stepping away from the starfish and Guardian of Love, looking exhausted from merely being in their presence.
But Haruka was gonna have her fun. She was looking forward to it all.