Chapter 19: Twisted Nerds
Sakura and Basil were watching "Wedding Peach" as a means of learning about their new enemies some more, and also since Basil had been quite confused by the attack in the gym. The episode they were watching was part of the story arc where Igneous had possessed the smart but unathletic Takuro and was giving him the chance to get revenge on everyone who had mocked him.
"I hope the Love Angels don't try to do that to me. But there are some people I'd like to take revenge on for making fun of me. All I'm really talented at is playing the trombone," Basil sighed.
"Well, you're a guy. All YOU really need to do is get married. Personally, I more would worry about Galaxy," Sakura said.
"Why Galaxy? Do people make fun of her too?" Basil asked.
"I don't know. I may be in the same school as her, but we don't have the same classes..." Sakura began to trail off, struggling to imagine Galaxy as a thinner person as pictures flashed through her mind, ""In her school uniform, regular clothes, Sailor Popsicle, NO! Why can't I imagine her thinner and more of a real girl? She's bossy enough to be a real girl, but she's so flabby and masculine I can't imagine it out of her!" Basil stared at her, somewhat frightened by this.
"Are you in love with her or something?" he asked, confused and wondering if Sakura was possessed too, just like Takuro.
"Galaxy? Nah, even if I was a lesbian, she wouldn't be my type. I'd probably fall in love with someone like Madoka who could do sports with me," Sakura shrugged, snapping back to her usual alert self.
"Bridget and I like different things but we're still in love," Basil said quietly, blushing. Sakura stood up to put away the DVD.
"Yeah, but you two have pretty similar personalities and the ways you're different don't really hurt anything. Galaxy and I, well, I guess some things are the same but they're all the wrong things. It's more like we're TOO similar in the wrong ways and different in ways that make us fight," she responded with a smirk.
"That's true. Bridget's more assertive than me, but I like people who are like that, eh," Basil said.
"And I HATE stupid freaky girls who are too fat for their own good and just want to sit around and primp themselves like men, so that's why I do NOT like Galaxy and would not fall in love with her. I was just thinking of her as an example of someone who should have more trouble being socially acceptable than you," Sakura declared.
"Really, Hinagiku? You think you found another recruit?" Momoko asked her green-haired friend eagerly. While Sakura and Basil had finished watching the animated adventures of the Wedding Peach characters, little did they know that the real Love Angels were thinking about them, Basil in particular.
"Well, maybe. Remember when Igneous manipulated Takuro Amano and made him be so hateful? I think Basil Anderson is similar. He seems like he might harbor some similar resentments, and he's certainly the same kind of wimpy nerd that Takuro is, although he might be an even better target since from what I've seen, he isn't smart at all," Hinagiku explained.
"That is true. He also knows the value of true, pure love, and perhaps if he joins us, he can also recruit his girlfriend, Bridget, as well," Yuri agreed, "But since you're so close to Takuro, I think you should do it. He's told you all about Igneous's techniques, right?" Hinagiku glared at Yuri, blushing.
"Will you QUIT pairing us up like that?! We're just childhood friends!" she snapped, before leaving to go find Basil.
Back at the Mizuno household, Madoka Hino had come over, and she and Sakura went out to the backyard to play some active games. Feeling left out, Basil stayed inside and decided to practice his trombone. The sound lured Hinagiku there, it was something she had learned about Basil from Serena and Mozzarella. Sure enough, she could see him through the window. Now how to get in? It was obvious that he might not trust her, considering he was there when she tried to steal Sakura's bracelet. Suddenly she had an idea! She didn't HAVE to necessarily come in the house, all she needed to do was find a way to communicate with him. Hiding in the bushes, she pulled out her cellphone and dialed the Mizunos' number. Sure enough, Basil answered the phone.
"Basil, I'm here to help you," she said mysteriously.
"Eh? Is this one of those sales calls?" he asked suspiciously.
"No, I'm not selling anything. It doesn't even cost anything at all, no money needed! I can give you lots of power! Power to show those who teased you your real strength!" Hinagiku declared.
"Really? How do you know this stuff about me? And I think my Sailor Licorice powers are enough for now, eh," Basil said, now confused.
"That's all? You're content with just that? Is there a part of you that wants revenge?" Hinagiku pressed.
"Maybe, but...I think I might be too scared to get revenge," Basil admitted. He dropped the phone in shock. Who was this person on the other end that was making him reveal such things about himself?! He picked it back up, angry. "Who are you? Tell me now, or I'll just hang up on you!" he threatened. Hinagiku smirked. Exactly as she thought. Such great hidden anger.
"My name is Tampopo Adachi. I am a mystic with great psychic powers from a foreign land," Hinagiku answered, adding a spooky tone to her voice.
"Yes, the Orient is so mysterious. You must be powerful with a name like that. I bet it means 'dark crystal' or something like that, eh. Where should I meet you to recieve such powers?" Basil asked, completely convinced now. Mystics from foriegn lands were always endowed with special powers! On the other end, Hinagiku snickered to herself.
"That fool, 'Tampopo' is Japanese for dandelion. Now for the special disguise," she whispered devilishly as she pulled a long black wig on her head, completely covering her short green hair. She also wrapped a black robe around herself to complete the "woman of mystery" effect. Basil left the house, wondering why the mysterious woman had hung up. Hinagiku, in her disguise, popped up out of the bushes, startling him.
"You must be the psychic one, eh? What must I do to receive such power?" he begged, falling to his knees out of respect.
"Well, for starters, you must take my hand. That way, our souls can be linked," Hinagiku explained. Before he could ask any more questions, she grabbed his hand.
"Powers of love, combine! Turn...AGGGH!!!" Hinagiku shouted as Madoka dashed out into the front yard and crashed into her, Sakura in pursuit.
"Ha ha! You fell over that cloaked person! Now I'll tag you!" Sakura crowed, but then she stopped in her tracks when she noticed the locks of green hair hanging out of the cloak. Who was that person?
"Powers of love? Is that the spell that you use to give me the ability to take revenge? Why would love help me do that?" Basil asked innocently. As Madoka climbed off of Hinagiku, she stepped on the other girl's wig, pulling it off her head.
"It's one of those Love Angels, Basil! She's trying to trick you! Milkshake Prism Power, Make Up!" yelled Sakura. Madoka also transformed, and so did Hinagiku, who realized that her cover had been blown. Basil stepped backwards.
"So you were trying to trick me, eh. I'll never forgive you for that! Licorice Power, Make Up!" he shouted, now fully outraged.
"I'll teach you to reject my love! Saint Pendule Daisy Blizzard!" Angel Daisy yelled. Sailor Milkshake started to do her "Deep Submerge" attack, but the Love Angel's ice magic simply made it encase her in a block of ice.
"World Shaking!"
"Dead Scream!" Angel Daisy screamed as the two balls of energy slammed into her, knocking her into the street. But while Sailor Bubble Gum went to free Milkshake from a certain icy death, Sailor Licorice pursued Angel Daisy blindly, leaping on top of her and attempting to choke her. Though dazed and injured, she managed to kick him off, sending him crashing into the curb.
"Saint Pendule..."
"Dead Scream!" Before she was knocked unconsious, Angel Daisy's last thought was that she wished her attack call was shorter. When Sailor Licorice turned back, Sailor Milkshake was lying on the ground, surrounded by ice shards. He stared at her, astonished.
"How did you do that?" he asked.
"Oh, that's simple. World Shaking can also smash ice. Now all we need to do is get her inside to a warm bath, and call Ami," Madoka shrugged.