Chapter 8: The Book of Love
Galaxy entered the house with a sigh.
"Serena wasn't at school. She really has joined the Love Angels," she informed everyone. While Galaxy was sad, the Love Angels were rejoicing, because they had received another visit from Aphrodite. A book appeared on the floor in front of them.
"This is the Book of Love. It tells all the rules and stories about the Angel World and how to live as true Love Angels," Aphrodite explained.
"This will be wonderful to study," said Yuri.
"Study? Ah, no, it's not for you to study," Aphrodite corrected her, and a light shot out of Momoko's compact. When the light faded, there was a whole stack of Book of Love copies.
"Then what are we supposed to do with all of these?" asked Momoko.
"Give them to the Sailor Senshi. To be able to compete against all 14 of them, we'll need some extra recruits. The two we have are not enough. Go out and convert them to our ideals. I'm sure there are others who would be willing when they read of the miracles and truths that the Book of Love holds. And remember, it is entirely true, the history and ultimate laws of the Angel World," Aphrodite ordered.
"I think it's our turn, huh, Scarlett?" Hinagiku grinned, poking the redhead with her elbow. Scarlett nodded.
"Let's go. Wedding Excellent Flower!"
"Wedding Attractive Flower!" The two girls set off in their wedding gowns, each carrying a pack of Books of Love on their backs. When they arrived at their first target, that "evil" house that had worked so well the last time it had been approached, they were greeted at the door by Haruka, who promptly slammed the door in their face
"It's those obnoxious Love Angels again. And they're carrying packs, probably full of bombs or weapons of some sort," she huffed.
"You're still being rude, Haruka. Why don't we show them that homosexuals can be kind, polite people. I would, however, warn the three remaining Sailor Senshi to transform, just in case," Michiru said. Haruka rolled her eyes but let Michiru answer the door.
"Oh, we're not here to fight this time. I don't think I even know how to fight in this outfit. We're just here to pass out some literature," Angel Daisy said cheerfully, showing that her pack only included lots of books. Angel Salvia did the same. Michiru shrugged.
"Sure, we can look at your books. I'm sure they would like to see them, too," she said, gesturing to Sailors Cookie, Peppermint, and Popscicle, who were transformed in case of an emergency.
"Yeah, as long as there are no hidden traps in them," snickered Sailor Cookie. Angel Daisy rolled her eyes and held out three copies, one for each of them. Sailor Popsicle was the first to take the book. She opened it, flipped through it, and it seemed to be completely harmless. Just a regular book.
"That's okay. We just need one copy," Sailor Peppermint said, dismissing Angel Salvia's offering.
"Of course. The Book of Love tells the story of how the Angels defeated the Demons and also the truths about the proper way to live. One is all you need," Angel Daisy responded. Salvia rolled her eyes.
"But what if they lose one?" she asked.
"Look, let's just leave. They don't trust us, yes, but that's because they're tainted with their evil Sailor Senshi powers," Angel Daisy said, yanking on her friend's arm. The two of them left the house, leaving Haruka rather confused.
"Are you sure that book doesn't have any danger about it?" she asked Sailor Popscicle worriedly. Sailor Popscicle shrugged and to show she wasn't worried, she detransformed. Sailor Cookie and Sailor Peppermint did the same.
"But what if it's a Trojan Horse type of thing?" asked Hotaru, who had been watching the scene quietly.
"Um, I doubt the Love Angels will be popping out of it, it's just a book," giggled Rainbow.
"No, I mean a hidden weapon. It was a figure of speech," sighed Hotaru.
"I'd rather take that chance. I want to see what kind of stuff this book has in it," Pierre countered.
"Well then, why don't we read it all together?" suggested Galaxy. Rainbow grabbed the book and flipped to a random page. She snickered.
"Hey, this says 'Killing is a sin, the punishment is death,' but wouldn't that mean that the person killing the first murderer would need to die too?" she pointed out. Pierre turned to another page.
"And here it says that homosexuality is a sin, and practitioners shall be put to death immediately. But then how come the Love Angels were trying to convince us to NOT be that way instead of just trying to kill us?" he asked.
"Oddly, later it says that the cure for loving the same gender is to fall in love with the opposite sex," added Galaxy.
"You know, it also talks about the Angel world slaughtering the Demons. How can they kill but tell others not to?" wondered Pierre.
"I think they're just making up rules that restrict other people but probably the rulers of the Love Angel world can break their own rules without getting in trouble," mused Hotaru.
"All these contradictions make me wonder if the Love Angels even read the book themselves. They're pretty obvious," commented Rainbow.
"Possibly they don't read it critically and just assume that everything in it is true," said Michiru.
"This is strange, too, it says that Aphrodite is a perfect being, but why would a perfect being create rules and then break them herself? Not to mention all the mistakes made in creating the first Love Angels, who were kicked out of the Garden of Romance for eating the legendary Wedding Peach," read Galaxy.
"EWWW! Eating Wedding Peach? Why would they eat their own friend?" giggled Rainbow.
"Um, no, I think the 'Peach' there is an actual fruit, not a person," corrected Pierre, "It describes it as being plump, juicy, and as growing on a tree. The people didn't grow on trees."
"Well, from what we can tell, this Book of Love is just a harmless bunch of lies and contradictions," concluded Galaxy.
"Yes, in this first story, the first Love Angels were created innocent, without knowledge of death. Then why would Aphrodite tell them that they would die if they ate the Wedding Peach? Unless it's figurative instead of literal, but even then, how come it's so bad to know about death? And if they didn't know about dying, then why would that deter them from eating the Peach?" asked Pierre.
"Maybe it symbolizes a loss of innocence. Even then, though, why would a perfect being create such a flawed system? Shouldn't she just have kept them in that blissful world? If she's as loving as the book claims she is..."
"And what about all the killing of the Demons and even the Love Angels who didn't agree?" butted in Rainbow, cutting Galaxy off.
Though the Senshi did not believe in the Book of Love, Angel Saliva and Angel Daisy returned home, confident that they had done their job.
"This was great! The Senshi took our book, and though they were suspicious, we didn't have to fight them. Maybe this will be a peaceful way to teach those infidels to follow our ways," said Hinagiku as she shed her cumbersome wedding gown.
"I think our next target should be those gender-changing Sailor Starlights. They live in the palace with two other impure people, right?" asked Yuri.
"Yeah! And can I come this time? I heard there's a totally hot prince there!" squealed Momoko.
"Um, I think he's married to the Queen, silly," sighed Yuri.
"Still, it would be a good place to check out," said Hinagiku.
"I'm NOT going boy-chasing. You three can go, but I'll stay and watch over the Senshi recruits," said Scarlett.
"Fine, but you're missing out. I hear their male forms are really cute," Hinagiku teased.