Act Six - The Labyrinth, Part 2

"We've been walking around this wretched place for hours," Venus complained. "Mercury, how much longer is it to Jade's lair?"

"We still have quite a great distance to cover," she answered to the groans of the rest of the Neo-Soldiers. "It could be another nine or ten hours."

"If this keeps up, we aren't going to have any strength, left to fight Queen Jade, much less defeat her," Jupiter pointed out. "I propose we take a break for awhile. My mother packed us a bag filled with tons of goodies to eat."

Sailor Moon felt a small rumble in her stomach. She was absolutely famished. Maybe it would be a good idea to rest a little while. Jupiter was right. They were never going to beat Jade with their stomachs growling.

"Okay, we can take a lunch break, but only for an hour," she decided. Everybody cheered. Apparently, she wasn't the only person who was hungry.

Jupiter placed a blanket on the cold cement floor and began unpacking a huge feast fit for a king (and probably his entire army, too). There were cakes, cookies, pies, donuts, pastries… Sailor Moon eyed a delicious-looking chocolate cake, causing her mouth to water. If she had one weakness, it was anything chocolate. She got it fromher father.

"Bon apetit, everyone," Jupiter said, taking a seat. "Help yourself to whatever you want. Who wants a piece of my mother's famous triple chocolate fudge cake?"

A quick show of hands revealed that everybody wanted a slice. Queen Makoto's chocolate cake was known throughout the Milky Way Galaxy for being the sweetest, most delectable confectionery ever tasted by mortal tongues, and it was a special treat. Jupiter passed everybody a piece, handing the largest piece to Sailor Moon.

"Venus, you better watch your weight," Mars teased as her friend piled her plate high with cookies and blueberry muffins. "If you keep eating like that, you won't be able to squeeze into that scandalous Milo Love bikini you bought last weekend."

"Don't worry about me, Mars. I've probable lost about ten pounds already just walking around this labyrinth. Besides, it's not everyday I get to indulge in a meal prepared by Queen Makoto herself," she said, taking another bite of cake.

"I kind of like my girls with a little meat on their bones," Uranus commented. "There's just more to love."

He licked away a bit of chocolate frosting from the tip of his girlfriend's cute button-nose, and then kissed her passionately on the lips. Jupiter rolled her eyes and pretended to gag.

"Uranus, we are trying to eat here. Go get a hotel room if you two are going to make out the entire time."

"Sure, Jupiter," he replied, getting the hint. He borrowed his sister's handkerchief and wiped the Passion Pink lipstick from his face. "Just hand me your cell phone, and I'll just call the
local Hilton and make a reservation. Too bad the nearest location is like a million light years away."

"Did you hear that?" Sailor Moon asked suddenly, jumping to her feet. She could have sworn she heard a low moan, but nobody else was around. Nobody else seemed to have heard it, either. "That's strange, it's gone. Must have been my imagination."

She sat back down and grabbed a handful of chocolate-chip cookies. Her mind probably needed more nourishment. A few minutes later, she heard the moan again, this time louder than before.

"I heard it too, Small Lady," Diana said, proving that it wasn't just her imagination. "What should we do?"

Sailor Moon grabbed her wand, prepared to fight. They had no problem wasting Chimera; she was sure that they could deal with any monster Queen Jade could throw at them.

"Who's there?" she demanded, her voice shaking with fear. Maybe she wasn't as confident as she thought. "Reveal yourself to us."

"I am Argos, soldier of the Dark Kingdom," he answered, appearing before the Neo-Soldiers in a puff of smoke. "You may have destroyed Chimera, but I won't be as easy to defeat, Sailor Neo-Soldiers."

JUPITER MIGHTY TEMPEST!

"Pitiful fools."

Argos sent a burst of energy toward Jupiter's thundercloud, blowing it away. "I told you that I am unbeatable. You might as well give up, Sailor Failures."

"Never, hundred eyes!"

VENUS BROKEN HEART!

"It's no use, guys!" Venus shouted as Argos intercepted another attack. "He sees the attacks before we can surprise him. The only way we can beat Argos is to get him to fall asleep long enough to attack him."

"Leave that to me, Venus!"

Neptune positioned her hands as if she was about to play as a violin made of water formed. She began playing a beautiful song.

NEPTUNE OCEANIC MELODY!

"It's working!" Mercury exclaimed. The monster closed each of his eyes and began snoring lightly.

MERCURY RAZOR-SHARP WIT!

The blade flew toward Argos, chopping off his head. Sailor Moon then pointed her scepter at the decapitated monster.

CELESTIAL ROSE THORN ATTACK!

His remains turned to moon dust. "We did it, guys!" Sailor Moon yelled, hugging Saturn.

"But look at the mess we made," Jupiter sighed, pointing to the blanket. It was now covered with food and spilled drinks. "Our lunch is ruined. All that delicious food went to waste!"

"It's just as well, Jupiter," Venus said, patting her tummy. "I am full. I don't think I could eat another bite. Besides, our hour's up. Let's get moving and burn off some calories."

"Argos, you were as incompetent as your predecessor," Damian said angrily, again watching the battle unfold through his crystal ball.

Queen Jade entered the lair and took a seat on her throne. "What did I tell you, Damian? You never listen to your mother. The Neo-Soldiers obviously know what they are doing despite their inexperience in battle. In order to defeat them, we must send out our strongest warrior."

He glared at his mother, not for the first time wishing he hadn't broken her out of jail. Sometimes she could be so annoying. "That is exactly what I was about to do, Mother," he muttered under his breath. "Minotaur, you know what to do."

"Yes, Master."