Chapter 35
Sailor Senshi Attack (Part 3)
Hurricane Percival
Percival and Steven C entered the classroom of 3-E. It was empty, as they waited for Ami Mizuno, commonly known as Sailor Mercury. Steven went outside, as Percival pulled out a black GPS device, the same one the others have, from his blouse. By the way, the boys are in disguise as a boyfriend/girlfriend duo, with Percival as a chick.
He growled at the 4th wall, "DO NOT laugh at me!"
He scanned, as he saw no dot, "This is weird. Ami is not here, and it's only 3:30. It's fine, since it's almost boom-time."
Steven appeared and said, "Hey, Per. You think we should examine this room, and maybe peek, behind the scenes? Steven Cooke believes that we should view her, while hidden."
"Then, what's the point of the disguises?"
"We'll still wear them. We can ask her about her sudden fog, during the night."
"I guess you're right. But under NO circumstances, we let out our secret, Stephen."
"Right, right. We have to say that we are lovers in our senior year of High School. But it feels like we're seniors in college."
"Not me. I graduated in college, at a young age."
"Keep talking…"
They left the classroom, Steven spotted something. He saw a camera, on top of the ceiling. He whispered, "Look."
"A security camera?" Percival asked, "You think maybe it knows Ami's appearances?"
Steven said, "Beats me. There are NO cameras in the classrooms. You think maybe someone wanted to make sure that there is NO roughhousing?"
Percival said, "Only one way to find out. Let's go."
Steven C griped, "Wait! What about Sailor Mercury?"
Percival said, "Twenty minutes. We got plenty of time. For now, we have to find the control room."
He held up the black device and scanned the third floor. He then found a room, located at the end of the hall. They walked together, towards the end of the hall. Percival opened the door and saw it was empty, with a sign that says "Shift Begins – 6:00 – DO NOT Touch!"
"What do they know?" Steven said, "Come on! Steven Cooke is intrigued."
Percival said, "This may be a clue. Ami Mizuno, according to Yuri, arrived in this classroom at 4:00pm or 4:12 or 4:21; or whatever the hell time it was, after 4. Sailor Mercury, her alter-ego, arrived at night, blocking the daily fireworks show with fog."
Steven C replied, "I see… And if we rewind and fast-forward, we should see Ami's movements. Of course, we need to see Ami, today."
Percival remarked, as he played the tape, "Okay. Ami has been here for a while, while Sailor Mercury has appeared for three days. I think maybe we need to replay her appearances, in those past three days."
He played the tape, as the video shows of Ami, at 4:02pm, walking with a schoolbag. He paused the videotape footage, and zoomed in on the bag.
"Hmm, interesting. Ami is holding a bag…" Percival said.
He played the next day, and saw Ami, carrying a schoolbag, with a long thing sticking out. She was headed for Class 3-E.
Steven barked, "Just a minute! What's that?"
Percival zoomed in and viewed the item. It was a lead pipe. He fast-forwarded the tape and saw Ami leave, and then headed to 3-F.
"Hang on… Room 3-F?" Steven asked, "She was in another room?"
Percival said, "Examine it!"
The video then showed Ami Mizuno enter 3-F. And then, minutes later, she returned, all tired and holding up the pipe.
"No way…" Percival said, "Come on!"
They both ran and headed to Room 3-F. When they arrived, the area was clean, but with the glass windows broken.
"Hang on… The windows are broken, but the room is not totaled." Steven remarked.
Percival said, "Yeah. I don't get it. What is Ami doing?"
He sat down on a desk, as Steven C headed outside. Percival looked in the desk and said, "Maybe there was something that she left behind. Let's see…"
He opened the desk and saw a couple of items, including Super S items and even weapons.
"I see she has smuggled some Super S makeup," he said, "Ami wasn't kidding. She and her friends are evil, in a corrupt way."
Steven called, "Hey, Percival, we have to finish up, soon. Ami could arrive, shortly."
Percival ignored him, as Steven C turned to the door. He then said, as he adjusted his hair and uniform, "And now… a Skit…"
Percival sighed, as "she" was sitting in "her" desk.
By the way, the character in the Skit portion can sometimes change his or her appearances, name, or gender, depending on the situation.
The Gang's Skit… BEGIN!
Stephen entered the classroom as Penelope is sleeping quietly, with her head down on her desk. He approached her, as he said, "You up, kiddo? It's getting late."
Penelope woke up, brushing her eyes, and moving her long brown hair. She smiled, "Oh, Stephen. You came. Sorry, I was too sleepy."
He spoke, "Everyone has gone home. We should be able to walk together. I'm sorry you had to miss out of the show, today."
She smiled, "Sorry. But I really wanted to wait until 8 for the night show. I don't want to miss the fireworks show. But simple enough, I was hoping I'd ask you."
He held her hand and said, "You got time. I see that you were busy with homework, today."
"I fell asleep late, last night. And I didn't want to do this, tonight… I'm already falling behind on two pages."
"Perhaps you need to sleep early."
Penelope looked out the window and said, "Indeed. But…"
She saw the sun set and sighed in relief, "One day, since we are going to graduate soon, I wanted to go to the same college as you. Whenever we hang out, I feel the smell of the cherry blossoms that flutter in the breeze… or when the azaleas and gardenias bloom in spring. I know it is summer, but every time I walk down the schoolyard, I can see the bright future for us."
Stephen remarked, "You have such ways with words, and the fact that you are going to be studying hard. Does it ever grow tiring to you?"
"Not at all. I believe that I wanted to have a steady life, even with you… After all, I'll never forget how you and I went to the amusement park, last month. But… But I am just saving myself for marriage. Besides, you know that it was one night. Why do you hate me, since you care?"
Stephen remarked, as he explained, "Well… I have seen hot girls, in this semester, but you are the worst of them, since you are brainy, arrogant, suave, and even charming. But out of all the girls, you are such an honest and caring woman."
She huffed, as she turned away, "You're just saying that! I know you love me, do you?"
She ran to him and shouted, "Then say something, you-!"
TRIP!
Penelope tripped on the desk and fell on Stephen, onto the floor. They both blushed, as Penelope's chest was smooshed on his. She whispered, "I love you…"
Stephen stuttered, "I… I know… But it does seem awkward."
He asked, "So… You, uh, want to go home?"
Penelope said nothing. She kissed Stephen on the lips and closed her eyes. She stopped kissing and was beet red. She smiled and said, "Forgive me… This was my first time. I never knew you were so soft…"
Stephen got up and groaned, "You should've asked if you want me to kiss you!"
Penelope bowed, "I'm sorry… I didn't want to feel left out… I want to know… Do you love me?"
Stephen turned away. He then grabbed Penelope's arm and ran off together, out of the classroom.
She blushed, "He's… He's holding my hand… This is the first time he's held my hand…"
She was in lovey-dovey mode, as Stephen and Penelope, hand-to-hand, left the third floor, together.
The Skit ends…
Percival grumbled, as he adjusted his wig, "Never again…"
Steven C said in disdain, "It was indeed amazing… But not out of Steven Cooke's forte, to speak."
He said, "Now, what is it, before it started?"
He pointed at the clock and said that he heard footsteps. Steven signaled that Ami is arriving, and Percival has to go and meet with her.
Steven C said, "Get your ass to class, Penelope. I'll watch from the control room."
Percival said, "Right. Anything comes up, you come rescue me."
He saluted, as Percival returned to 3-E. He sat down on the desk and waited. He sighed and tried to maintain a feminine role.
"Think like Farra or Heather…" he muttered, as Ami Mizuno, a girl with blue hair and a school uniform, entered the classroom.
She said, "Oh. You must be new here. And here I thought I was alone…"
Percival said, in a girl's voice, "Oh… Uh… Sorry. I'm just resting here, waiting for my boyfriend…"
Ami said, "May I sit next to you?"
Percival thought, "Bingo!"
He said, "Uh, go ahead."
She sat next to Percival, as she was reading a book. Percival adjusted his hair, as he looked at Ami's book. She was reading a romance novel.
"Crap… She's normal… in a way how you look at…" he thought.
He then asked, "Um… How about you show me what you're reading…"
Ami said, "Oh, no. I was in the middle of something. But if you want, I think I have something for you."
She reached for her bag and pulled out a compartment, with rouge on it. She said that Percival needed some blush in him.
He smiled, "Oh, thanks."
He thought, "He thinks I'm a woman… Nice…"
Ami thought, "Funny… She's a weird girl, with a five-o-clock shadow…"
Ami asked, "Um, not to be rude, but do you need anything?"
Percival blushed, "Not at all… But I'm just waiting, and ready for tonight's fireworks show. I hope it don't get cancelled by Sailor Mercury… But it was all a rumor… Do you think there might be some precipitation?"
Ami gasped, as she thought, "How did she know?"
She replied, "Oh, I don't think the Sailor Senshi would interfere, since it'll be clear, today."
She thought, "No clue."
She extended her hand and said, "Ami."
"Penelope." He shook her hand.
Ami continued reading, as Percival adjusted his face, flushing his cheeks with powder. He moaned, "This is nuts. I feel like I'm a drag queen… But if I remove this attire, my cover is blown. Of course, this is my first time… as a woman…"
He gave her the compartment back and said, "Here, Ami."
Ami then asked, "Say, how do you know about Sailor Mercury? Are you curious about her? She's not that mean, if you think about it. Mercury is the smartest of the group, but has a great power. However, sometimes she can be reckless. Isn't that so? Why is that?"
Percival was grumbling, but he made a clear response, "It's all about the rumor mill. Those fireworks never show, when a fog comes. Some say that Mercury is evil… and some say that she has made the Super S Makeup products fall into bad reputation."
"It's true," Ami said, "The scouts said that their makeup is bland and boring. But… It's always lies, since they never tried it."
Penelope then showed the desk, "Really? Explain this!"
He showed the desk, as Ami gasped, "WHOA! It's like a king and queen's ransom of beauty products!"
Percival asked, "You mean they're not yours?"
"No. But, I think some of them are."
"I see. How many products do you use?"
Ami said, "That's none of your business, Penelope. Of course, we are all women. You should show me how to have such a sexy face… without the stubble."
Percival felt his face and thought, "Huh… I already shaved… Did I?"
"I'm just kidding. You are absolutely gorgeous. Can you share me some beauty tips?"
He stood up and blushed, as he tittered, "Oh, no, thanks… I, uh, er, uh… oh… Heh, heh…"
He left the room, as he continued, "Sorry. I should be going…"
He grumbled, "Am I mortified! This is embarrassing!"
He returned to the control room, as Steven C asked, "What gives?"
Percival said, "Sorry… I got embarrassed, over Ami's critique over me."
Steven C said, "Fine. I thought you chickened out. Did you see Ami?"
"I did. And Steven, I think she may be lying. She said that Sailor Mercury isn't at all bad, since she never tried Super S Makeup. What kind of bullshit is that? She said so, herself, since she has seen Sailor Mercury. But… how can she know that, if she was an ex-employee, Stephen?"
Steven pondered, "Steven Cooke is confused… Either she's throwing us off guard… of finding out her identity, or… she could very well be innocent, which is 100% contradiction. In other words, Ami Mizuno wants us out of the way."
Percival said, as he grabbed a tape, "Whatever the reason, we better examine the security tapes, and see what Sailor Mercury has done."
He played the tape, as they viewed the footage of Sailor Mercury, holding a blue iPhone, scanning the hallways. She then peered up the ceiling and saw a small area. She jumped up and disappeared. The next scene shows Sailor Mercury jumping down, quickly transforming back to Ami and ran downstairs, but the scene of her transformation was fuzzy.
"No doubt. We have her," he said, "Although I can't imagine that her transformation was tricky, in a single split-second."
Steven said, "Of course it is! Ami is Sailor Mercury! There's no possible way! We'll have to view more."
Percival said, "You make a great idea. I'll try this tape."
He grabbed a tape that said "Summer – Targus City", until…
"DON'T TOUCH IT!" A woman cried.
He dropped the tape, as a girl with a red uniform appeared. It was Yuri.
"Excuse me… But this is my job, as the security watcher," she said, "Forgive me… I never told you this, Penelope and Stephen…"
Percival said, "It's fine, Yuri. We were on an interpret investigation."
Steven remarked, "Of course, our way of knowing about Sailor Mercury is precise."
Yuri gasped, "Uh… Who are you, guys?"
Percival took of his wig and said, "Forgive us, lady. I am Percival Gaynes, and this is Steven Cooke. We are from AAW."
Yuri was shocked, "THE AAW?!"
She sighed, "Oh, what a relief… The D-Team came…"
Steven cried, "D-Team?!"
Yuri said, "Not to be rude, but The Gang's Gaynes and Cooke… You guys can't even go gold, in your taste. After all, my heart belongs to Lance."
Percival asked, "Do you even know The Gang?"
"I do!" Yuri cheered, "I got all their, uh, your LPs! And Lance kept the EXTRA I gave him, for his certain routines. Dumb, but foxy… I love him… more than Peter Giese."
Steven asked her, "You're not a robot, are you?"
Percival asked him, "Why did you bring that up?"
Steven said, "The tape. What was in it?"
Yuri held up the tape and said, "This? Oh, it was before WoodChip. The Gang's Peter Giese made a live appearance in Targus City, doing a one-man show."
Percival asked, "What? Targus City?"
Steven C cried, "As in the robo-girl infested Targus City?"
Yuri blushed, "Yes. But I am just a fan of his work. I like his huge exterior, almost as much as Lancey…"
She blushed, as she glowed in an LED red in her cheeks. Steven asked, "You didn't answer my question!"
Yuri held up a card and said, "I am Yuri… soon-to-be Yuri Sackless. I am the girlfriend of Lance Sackless. I am the card-carrying member of the Peter Giese Fan Club for Female Robots – Member number one-oh-niyon (109)."
Steven gasped, "NO! You're a robot?"
Yuri smiled, "I thought you knew. I am nice. I once worked at a school, like this… and then the public pool, part-time… and then a job at the burger joint… and then a job, selling candy bars… and then here. This is part-time job #16 for me, after Lance Sackless lost his job as a warden of SuperJail. He detests gore…"
Steven shivered, as Percival asked, "So, what's in the tape?"
Yuri blushed, "You wanna see?"
Percival nodded, "Yes."
She said, "But on one condition… I wanna help out in your investigation, too! If that Sailor Mercury is really ruining my favorite gig, I wanna end her and bring her to justice! Uh… not saying offensively, since she's a magical girl of justice."
Percival said, "Deal. But just so we're clear, you cannot breathe a word, or download a file, to anyone. This is strictly classified."
Yuri said, "Promise. We'll use monitor number niyon. Its camera is broken, so we'll investigate the scenes, while we watch it."
Steven C said, as he viewed the monitor, "Ami's leaving…"
They ducked down, as Ami went to the stairway. Steven whispered, "I don't like her nice tone…"
Percival replied, "You and me both, dude. So, Yuri, will you search each tape, from the past three days, involving Sailor Mercury? News has it that, on one night, she entered the third floor and jumped up to the ceiling. Now, I'm no contractor… but my guess is that she went to the roof."
Yuri nodded and agreed, "I concur. She must be heading to the roof. I'll check the other videos, whilst I examine why, how, and what. But I keep hearing that our fireworks show was sometimes sabotaged… Maybe Mercury tried to wash out the explosives. She has the element of water. Maybe I can find more clues, since I heard weird rumors about the Sailor Mercury fable."
Steven smiled, "Okay, robo-homey. You keep an eye out."
Yuri saluted, "Good. It's my shift, anyway. You're welcome to view the roof, also. I'll give my boss the news about a sudden attack on the roof. I'll have to cancel or delay the fireworks show, just in case. The boss won't mind. I don't want anything to happen in Sakura City; especially to D-Class superheroes… unlike Super Cow. She somehow hated Lance… I never knew why…"
Percival then played the tape, "Sounds right. We'll investigate the matter. But first, I'd like to see what you were doing in Targus City…"
Yuri said, "Don't blame me. I had me a video camera installed in me. Plus, my abs of perkiness can fit about four VHS tapes. VHS is back, and in gynoid form!"
Percival huffed, "Whatever…"
The tape played, showing Peter, heading to the stage, with two red-skinned girls.
"AAH! It's Lance and Lance Jr.!" Yuri shrilled.
Steven C said, "Wait… Is that?"
Percival cried, "NO WAY! SCANTY AND KNEESOCKS?!"
Yuri asked, "You know them?"
Percival shushed her and said, "I'll explain later."
He saw the video of Peter, with Scanty and Kneesocks in the band, with a microphone. The tape had audio.
Peter cheered, "HELLO, TARGUS CITY!"
The entire robot girl populace cheered for him, as he continued, "Guys, I must say that it's great to be back. And hey, nice to be in a Hero's homecoming!"
Percival said, "Technically, he and Farra stopped Rei Tachibana and her inane curse… You and Mizuki helped."
Steven nodded, "Steven Cooke was there. Your daughters even worshiped him…"
Percival moaned in disdain, "HE gets all the freaky girls… the robotic kind…"
Steven sighed, "Some guys get all the luck…"
They both sighed deeply.
Peter continued, "Dudes, I don't know what to say… but you are for the eyes, aren't you? In fact, this song is SO AWESOME that I lost about 5 kilograms a day, rehearsing it!"
The music played, as he started singing "Megumi no Hito" to the crowd.
NOTE: This song was sung by Rats & Star (1983) and Kumi Koda (2011). I rewrote the lyrics in English, for a better sync, in-tune; but I DO NOT own the song…
(Music plays)
(Peter dances on stage)
(Peter): You're so dashing, girl
you brought the summer right here with you
The rumors are spreading
all across the shore, those EYES!
You have cool eyes
giving sidelong glances, eye-eye-eye
Something stylish is
about to happen at those EYES!
(Trumpet plays)
Enigmatic Sweet Baby (Ay-yi-yi)
You're an eyes person, aren't you? (Ay-yi-yi)
When the slightest news hits you…
sends the beach and the shore to sudden panic!
Baby, Baby, be my girl
I'm so into you! Be my girl
You have a flirty smile
It makes me restless, girl!
Every time you steal my heart… Whoa!
And every time you steal the heart of men
You are so beautiful, girl
but the sins of the summer makes you beautifully
You're so dashing, girl
You brought summer right here with you
The rumors are spreading
all across the shore, those EYES!
You have cool eyes
giving sidelong glances, ay-yi-yi!
Something exciting is
about to happen at those EYES!
Percival stopped the tape, as he sighed, "I've seen enough… Mizuki's gonna flip, when she sees this. So, that's why he left, weeks ago. He said he was going away for a week!"
Steven barked, "And how the hell does he sing in Japanese?!"
Yuri blushed, "It was one of his best songs, including some George Harrison tunes… It was luck that he discovered that tune."
Steven C smirked, "Well, somehow the Demon Sisters tricked him to come. But I figured that they owed him for his heroism, along with us. But he did felt uneasy, when he told us."
Yuri giggled, "He came back, for like a homecoming, since one of our members, Ropponmatsu 1, know of him. She's member #711. Her sister is #712. We're growing from 453 fembots, gynoids, and robot girls to about 962, alternate worldwide, and counting, ever since the Targus City ghost disaster."
Steven gasped, "Damn! Nine hundred and sixty-two fembots? SERIOUSLY?"
Percival growled, "I'll worry about Peter, later. Right now, we have bigger fish to fry."
He thought, as he was confused, "And since when does singing and dancing lose you 5 kilos? It's NOT Sweatin' to the Oldies, fat ass!"
He put his wig back on and said, "Well, since we know what Sailor Mercury is doing, the next job is to capture her. Yuri, make sure we spend a whole night seeing these videos."
Yuri said, "Can't. I can only do one hour. The fireworks don't start until 8."
The boys cried, "We're running out of time!"
Yuri looked through the tapes, as Percival headed out. He said as he gave her his cellphone number, "Yuri, if you find anything about Sailor Mercury, give us a ring."
Yuri smiled, "You bet! I'll keep my eyes and ears on Mercury's late night escapades."
Percival said, "Come on. We'll be outside, waiting for the fireworks show."
Steven C said, as he looked at Yuri, "Yuri… She's so sweet, unlike… her…"
"Steven!"
"Coming!"
He dashed off, as Yuri continued to view the videos. She moaned, "Aw, shazbot! I wish the video footage was in DVD or Blu-Ray form."
She beeped, as her eyes were black, "Oops… I need to recharge. That's okay. I'll find it, while I am plugged in."
She plugged herself in, as she examined the tapes, while moving.
"Battery Power – 15%"
"That should do," she said, as she scrounged around, "This'll give me added time, before they save the day."
XXXXX
Outside, in the brisk night, Steven and Percival were walking together, in the courtyard.
Percival said, "Remember… Keep an eye out and above. Fog may show up again, and we have… 45 minutes left."
Steven saluted, "Right! Steven Cooke came this far to obtain the Sailor Senshi, Sailor Mercury!"
Percival said, "But you're not alone… We'll best them, one way or another. By them, I mean all the Senshis."
They sat by the bench, as they waited. Percival said, "According to Yuri, the fireworks go off, at the roof, and are set off in the middle of the clear sky."
Steven barked, "She never said that!"
"She told me, while you were lounging…"
"Oh."
They waited, for a whole thirty minutes. Percival then sighed, "This is tiring… How long will this take?"
Steven said, "Beats me. We have 15 minutes left, and no sign of Mercury or the fog setting."
Percival said, "We're mostly concern of the Sailor Mercury capturing… but my problem is with the Crystal Park's Sakura Area. If all goes well, then Yuri may succeed; and, if any, she'd keep her job. But I'm curious why this is happening… following our Daten City escapades. It doesn't make sense. Usagi Tsukino hired all of us to help out this matter of rogue Sailor Senshis, but it feels like we may be on a wild chase."
"Perhaps. But Ami Mizuno is present here, and we may be able to learn more of the city, including the entire park's many habitats, including where the others are."
"Yes. Farra & Heather have this matter, taken care of, involving Sailor Jupiter, while Peter & Mizuki can take Sailor Venus. Asahi & Michelle, however… I don't trust them, together. It's not our fault, though. Asahi & Michelle are doing okay, if they get along."
"Steven Cooke can take it, but this will be genius. You and I are doing well, as a team."
"Don't try me… You still hate me, you know."
"True. But on missions, grudges are pushed aside."
They got up, as they headed back to the building. Steven said, "No matter. I'm going to the roof and answer questions! Steven Cooke is tired of waiting!"
"Calm down," Percival said, "Even though Sailor Mercury is here, we have to make a plan of attack! And also, Yuri still needs to find the reason why Sailor Mercury is here, ruining the fireworks."
Steven shouted, "NO! I'm not trusting that robot girl! I'm going to find out, right now!"
Percival thought, as Steven ran off, "I think he's losing trust on robot girls, since Yakumo broke his heart, and turned it into mulch. Under these circumstances, Steven can handle it, with a partner. He says he acts alone, but not while there is danger afoot. If there's something rotten in Denmark about that Sailor Mercury, I'm going to find out! Besides, it's my duty to protect them, whether they like it or not."
He ran after him, as the sky was turning black, with stars shining.
Meanwhile, in the security room, Yuri found footage of Sailor Mercury up on the third floor. She then examined the screen and was shocked to learn of the area.
"This is…" she said, "This is…"
She looked at the map and read that the pathway was from the third floor to the roof.
"It must be a secret passage. That's why Sailor Mercury got up to the roof! And with fifteen minutes left! I gotta warn-!"
She then beeped and shook in place, "Warning – system restart… Update available… File #530-Ni-yon has been updated…"
She powered down, as she was frozen in place, restarting her circuits. But will she wake up in time to warn Percival & Steven?
Meanwhile, in the Night City Area, Farra and Heather were riding in a yellow taxi, arriving at downtown, which was a dark sky black, with stars shining.
"Hey, I wonder why this place is called Night City?" Heather asked.
The driver said, "That's because the area is always nighttime. You want daytime, every day, you visit the Rainbow City area."
Farra said, "Sorry, sir."
The driver asked, "Where to?"
Heather said, "Where is Kinnikuman playing? By Kinnikuman, Heather means King Suguru Kinnikuman."
"Oh, you mean Suguru Kinniku? Yeah, he's at the Crystal Park Auditorium. Night City is known for three things: night sky, mystery, and wrestling."
Farra said, "Can you take us there? We'll pay you plenty, when we get there (out of Percival's tab, of course)."
The driver said, "It's on the house. Besides, in Crystal Park, every ride is FREE. You pay for food, gas, and toll."
Farra said, "That's different."
Heather asked, "How far is the auditorium?"
The driver said, "It's not that far. About 20 miles to go, straight ahead."
Farra replied, "See that you get us here, in a hurry! Your very life depends on it!"
Heather cried, "Yeah! Sailor Jupiter is in this cit-! MMPH!"
Farra covered her mouth, as she razzed, "Cover your big mouth, stupid!"
The driver asked, "What's that?"
Farra giggled nervously, "Uh… … … …She meant that, uh… Isn't it a pity? Before that, she said nonsense."
She whispered to Heather, "You bigmouth. You want us to jeopardize the mission?"
Heather smiled, "I can't help it…"
The taxi continued, as they headed to the auditorium. Farra concluded, "But… Let me do the talking, when we get here, okay?"
Heather smiled, "Yeah, ma'am."
We'll check with them, in the next chapter…
Back at Sakura City Area, the fireworks were about to begin.
The PA announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, the fireworks show is about to being! Will all in attendance please find a seat for the view, please? Thank you."
Percival and Steven rushed to the roof, as they were about to get ready.
Percival asked, "So, any idea why the roof?"
"Steven Cooke has a hunch! What's the place, in this building, with a clear sky?"
"A simulation room?"
"NO! The roof! They always lead to outside! Think about it! Sailor Mercury uses her fog to block the fireworks show, or delay it!"
"You think? Hell, I could've known that, if you didn't become so nervous!"
"Hey!"
"Sorry. Lead the way!"
They ran up the stairs. The PA announced, "Please wait, while we set up the fireworks!"
"Did you hear that? Yuri didn't delay it!" Percival cried, "What is taking her so long?"
Steven huffed, "Who cares? I want this done, NOW!"
They arrived at the door, as it was locked. Percival kicked it down, as they headed to a huge white roof, with guard rails surrounding it. They looked around, as Percival called, "Sailor Mercury! By order of AAW, come out with your hands up!"
Ami appeared and said, "Well, well, well. I knew you were a man."
Steven gasped, "You?"
Percival removed his wig and shouted, "Don't blame me, Mizuno! Steven Cooke made me wear it!"
Steven asked, "How did you know he wasn't a woman?"
Ami said, "Well, it's because he has a beard stubble, and he has a weird voice, unlike Usagi-chan, who likes to wear disguises!"
Percival growled, "You won't get away with this. You used and abused Usagi, and you even had to sneak in and destroy the fireworks show!"
Ami shouted, "I had to, but I would never do such a thing! Where do you get off saying I am Sailor Mercury? Huh?"
Percival said, "We have Intel on you. Sailor Mercury, a.k.a. Ami Mizuno; Sailor Senshi gone rogue; former employee of Sailor S Industries along with three others (currently terminated); high IQ; smokescreen specialist."
Ami growled, as she stepped back, "Darn you! I'm not her…"
A voice cried out, "NO! But I am!"
She appeared in a blue Sailor Senshi uniform, with her hair done up in a bun. It was… Yuri?
"Hold it, officer!" She called, "She's not Sailor Mercury! I AM!"
Steven griped, "WHAT?"
Percival huffed, "No, you're not."
Yuri did some poses, as she called out, "In the name of Mercury, I shall spank you! I, Sailor Mercury, will beat the evil, as a super-powerful magical girl!"
Percival sighed, "Oh, brother. And I thought my disguise was amusing…"
He instructed, "Yuri, you have to go."
Yuri pleaded, "Listen to me! Sailor Mercury did it, because she used a secret panel, up on the roof!"
Steven barked, "Gimme a break! Yuri is a robot, and she's too clueless!"
Yuri shouted, "I am not! Plus, I wanted to call you, but my systems were updated, so I had to power down. Sorry for not calling you, sooner."
Percival said, "I forgive you. Now… Where was the panel?"
She pointed at the middle of the ground, which showed a loose door. Percival examined it and opened it. He saw a small ladder hanging, from the roof to the third floor.
"So… That's why you entered the roof, Sailor Mercury," Percival said, "You really know how to ruin fun."
He saluted to Yuri, "Sailor Mercury, you did good. The Gang and AAW salute you for your honesty."
Steven C sighed, "Oh, please. That was luck."
Ami seethed in anger, as she roared, "IMPOSTER!"
"Eh?" They turned to Ami.
Ami pulled out a blue and gold pen and shouted, "FOOL! You think you can impersonate me and catch me in the act? I only did it, as a favor for Usagi and her worthless makeup company! You, however, have seen enough, you Youma!"
She raised her pen high and bellowed, "Mercury Power! Makeup!"
She began to transform into Sailor Mercury. The others were astonished. She posed, as she was wearing a white leotard with a blue skirt and bow. Her hair shone, as she was wearing a tiara.
Mercury shouted, "You've ruined my plans! Now, I'm going to ruin your faces! I am the REAL Sailor Mercury! And in the name of Mercury, you shall fall!"
She posed and bellowed, "Guardian of Love and Intelligence – Sailor Mercury! Douse yourself in water… AND REPENT!"
She concluded, "And by the way, we're not just called Sailor Senshis. We're Sailor Guardians!"
Percival huffed, "We shall see. You're not the only one that can change costumes."
He removed his disguise, revealing his yellow marching uniform. He bellowed, "I am Percival Gaynes of Fer-, uh, AAW! Sailor Mercury, we have a warrant for your arrest!"
Sailor Mercury stood in place, as she said, "Arrest me? Because I wanted to ruin Crystal Park, along with my friends? You forget who owns this establishment! Usagi owns it, along with Super S Industries!"
Steven asked, "Wait… She owns this entire area?"
Yuri asked, "Who's Usagi?"
Mercury refuted, "Now, you know what I can do. But do you want to know why?"
Steven removed his disguise and reveal his green marching uniform, "Maybe, maybe not! Steven Cooke will take you down, and fast!"
Percival said, "Let's get her!"
They charged at Sailor Mercury, who crossed her arms to produce bubbles.
Yuri cried, "LOOK OUT!"
Mercury cried out, "Mercury Bubble… SPRAY!"
She waved her arms out and fired a barrage of ice cold bubbles, producing a huge smokescreen of dry ice. The boys stopped, as they couldn't see.
"Damn! I can't see!" Percival cried.
Steven C shivered, "It's cold…"
Percival said, "Now, I get it! She used a smokescreen from her magical powers! Who knew?"
Steven said, "We have to find Yuri and get out of here!"
Percival said, "Not without Sailor Mercury! You in?"
"Steven Cooke will-!"
WHAM!
Mercury blindsided Steven C with a huge kick to the skull. She said, "You're not going anywhere."
Percival stepped back, as he shouted, "You'll pay for this!"
He thought, "How can I fight her, without powers? Steven and I are the only ones with NO superpowers; well, except Mizuki and Asahi, but that's a given. But there's no way I can do it! Plus, this blasted smoke! I can't see shit!"
Steven held up a microphone and said, "Cover your ears!"
He held up his mic and cried in a huge echo:
"SOUNDWAVE MIC CHECK! YEAAAAAAAAAAH!"
The sound began to shake the ground, as the fog was pushed aside, by the pulse of his huge high note. Sailor Mercury was stumbling from the aftershocks. She fell on her butt, as Steven smiled, "And that is a tune I'd like to call, "Mercury Mishap #9". No need for your applause."
She shouted, as she charged at him, "I'm NOT CLAPPING!"
She socked him in the jaw, as Percival ran to Yuri. Mercury continued to strike at Steven, as he blocked each hit. He stepped back, as he pleaded, "Forgive me! But for a Senshi, Steven Cooke cannot force himself to use violence, since it's against chivalry! But, if you keep it up, I may as well!"
Mercury shouted, "Well, forgive me for the rude banter, but Steven Cooke is a wuss!"
He grabbed her wrist and said, "A wuss, huh? Can a wuss do this?"
He tossed Mercury down with a takedown slam. She sat up and tried to punch him, again. He dashed out of the way, as Mercury jumped up and kicked him down on his spine.
"STEVEN!" Percival shouted.
Yuri said, "I'm sorry this is happening…"
Percival said, "I know. Don't blame yourself. Steven can handle it. But I don't know if I can, either. I can only use physical aggression, but I don't have superpowers."
Yuri had an idea, "Maybe I can help! Lance has a bunch of powers and such, when he wanted to help me with chores. But he made me trash some of the destructive techniques. Here."
She opened her waist panel and said, "I may not look like it, but I am very indestructible and durable. Inside, you can pick a good power."
Percival shuddered, "Ew! Inside an android?"
Yuri smiled, "Trust me, I'm very good with keeping secrets…"
He put his hand inside and said, "I owe you one."
His hand started to glow, as he said, "Whoa. What fire. Too bad it isn't Congregated Control."
Yuri then said, "Forgive me, for all this…"
She fell to her knees and moaned, "A portion of my data has been damaged a bit. Excuse me, while I-."
She shut down, as she collapsed. Percival growled, as he thought, "Yuri… I'm sorry. Seeing Mercury winning makes me mad. I won't let your sudden shutdown be in vain!"
His hands glowed in a fiery hue, as Mercury was about to finish Steven off.
Mercury held her hands up, "Now, shall we dance?"
Steven, battered and bruised, moaned, "I'm not giving up."
He stood up, gingerly, and said, "It'll take more than fog and bubbles to stop me!"
Sailor Mercury cried out, as she crossed her arms, "Then DIE! MERCURY SHABO…"
POW!
Percival kicked Sailor Mercury down with a rolling kick. He then shouted, "You want to hurt this loser, you go through me!"
He shot a punch, with a small gust of whirlwind, and hit her in the chest.
"WHOA! Wind powers!" He gasped, and then laughed, "Awesome~."
Mercury got up and moaned, "How? How he do that?"
Sailor Mercury charged at him, shooting punches at him, but he dodged every shot. Percival grabbed her head and kicked her with his knee. He threw her down to the floor, as he stretched out.
"And THIS is for Yuri!" He started to glow in a bright orange aura, as his fists became like fireballs.
Sailor Mercury, still pinned to the floor, got up and held her knees. She moaned, "He's too strong…"
Percival echoed, as a huge gust of tornadoes appeared from around him, "Heaven and Hell, demons and angels, guiding lights and darkness alone, only you can guide me to victory. Give me the power, through authority, honor, and justice!"
His body was surrounded by a huge cyclone, as Sailor Mercury cried, "He's mad! No one in his status could succumb inside a huge tempest!"
He burst out and punched air, producing fiery red twisters. He cried out, "Steven! GET DOWN!"
Steven C ducked down, as Yuri was still out cold. Percival fired his barrage of storms.
"ORDER TEMPEST HURRICANE!"
The huge whirlwinds struck Sailor Mercury, ripping her skin apart. She shrieked, as she was inside the hurricane.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!"
The storm subsided, as Sailor Mercury collapsed to the ground, out cold, facedown.
Steven gasped, "Holy shit! Percival did it…"
Percival brushed his pants, as he said, "One down, three to go…"
He approached Yuri and said, "Yuri, I'm sorry… I owed you, kid… But, don't break down, just for me."
Her eyes were still black, as her body was motionless. He smiled, "Sorry. I'm not used to other weird women. But I can see why you wanted to help, just to crack Ami Mizuno. Thanks. Feral Beauty couldn't have done it, without you."
He saluted to her, "Take care, Yuri…"
Yuri woke up and giggled, "You're welcome!"
He gasped, as he fell on his butt. He stammered in fright, "But… How? Why are you still alive?"
Yuri said, "You didn't know? It takes a while for me to process the powers Lance gave me. If removed, I shutdown, for the moment. I'm surprised that you became a wind god, Mister."
Percival said, "Yeah. Who knew? But I think I should be able to control this power, before I use it again."
Yuri got up and said, "Well, I better hurry, before-."
BOOM! BOOM!
The fireworks go off, as Yuri turned to the sky. She smiled, "Oh! It's starting!"
Percival said, "Yeah. We did good. And we thought the fog may come back. But Hurricane Penelope just stopped the Mercury Fog. Sorry, I would say Hurricane Percival, but most storms are like that."
Yuri said, "That's not true. What about Sandy?"
He glared, "Don't go there."
Steven C approached Mercury, who was still out, and handcuffed her arm. However, when he turned her around, he saw her face, ripped up, showing a chrome face. He gasped, "NO! It can't be…"
He called, "Percival! Take a look at this!"
He rushed over and saw Sailor Mercury, banged up, with her skin ripped, showing metal skin and wires, with her face mangled. Her eyes went black and cross-eyed, while her mouth was curled up.
"A robot?" Steven trembled.
Percival viewed the black device and saw another dot, leaving Sakura Area. He said, "A decoy. This Sailor Mercury is a decoy, planted by someone. But who?"
Steven shouted, "That's fine! But this? This is nuts! And aren't the Sailor Senshis, I mean, Guardians, aliens or something?"
He pondered, as he thought, ignoring Steven, "This doesn't make any sense… A Robot Ami Mizuno was here, but another person was already here. It couldn't be Yuri. She was with us. Unless…"
He shook his head and thought, "No. It couldn't be. Or could it?"
He looked up to the fireworks in the sky and said, "Steven, I hate to say it, but… If my hunch is correct, you, me, and the rest of us are playing Chess with a certain someone that is trying to get us."
Steven asked, "Why? What do you mean?"
Percival said, "I'm saying… We could be set up…"
"NO!" Steven gasped.
Percival thought, "Farra… Heather… Peter… Mizuki… Michelle… Asahi… If you see any Sailor Scout, do me a favor… Run! Someone is setting us all up, and wanted us dead… And I think I know who it is…"
What could Percival be saying? Sailor Mercury has been neutralized, and now, it doesn't add up. And how will the others succumb to it, before meeting Sailors Venus, Mars, and Jupiter?
Find out, next week…
Sailor Moon REBOOT Countdown: 46 days.