CHAPTER 3
Jedite once more presented himself before Queen Beryl. "Jedite. Even though I have been most displeased with the way your first two plans have been failures, I must commend you on the progress you and Titus have made this time."
"Thank you, your majesty. Titus is back at the gymnasium keeping an eye on things. She and I will gather all the energy from the humans who go there to exert themselves with exercise programs."
"I am impressed with you both Jedite. This is your most wonderful idea yet. In spite of the way you got one of our soldiers badly hurt and then got another killed you are redeeming yourselves in my eyes."
"Thank you most graciously Queen Beryl."
Later that day Serena went to visit the town gym along with Molly and a couple of other girls from school. They had all decided it would be a very good idea to work out and get themselves in shape. Serena however was being very silly and over-reactive about a mere half-pound she had gained when she'd stood on the scales after her bath last night. Her parents, little brother Sammy and even Luna had all tried to tell her it was nothing to worry about, but she had gotten so carried away she had insisted upon eating nothing whatsoever all that day. Jedite and Titus met them at the door disguised as gym instructors.
"Hello. My name is Jed."
"And my name is Tweetus. Come with us and we'll see you through your fitness programs."
"Oh wow. Isn't that Jed a hunkster?" Molly cried and the others agreed. Serena was over the top as usual with her infatuation with handsome men and giggled staring at him with her big mouth hanging open.
Titus was deeply resentful of the attention they were giving her boyfriend and declared loudly, "Harumph!"
The girls were all embarrassed and so was Jedite. Blushing slightly himself he said nervously, "Ah well. Let's get down to serious business. Shall we?"
The four girls were put through a gruelling workout including treadmills, rowing machines and various weights and barbells. But soon Serena began to feel faint from hunger and excused herself to go and take a shower leaving her friends to finish by themselves. Titus smiled. "Well those of you who were devoted enough to endure to the very end are in for a special treat."
"What's that?" The shorter of the other two girls asked.
Jedite answered her question. "After your workout you are entitled to free access to make use of the relaxation capsules downstairs for refreshment and re-vitalization."
They all thought that sounded fabulous so they followed Jedite and Titus to the chamber where they each climbed into a capsule. Molly laughed as she was entering hers. "These remind me of something out of a science-fiction movie." Little did they know that in reality the chambers were designed to drain off their energy and deliver it to Queen Beryl to feed to the Negaforce.
When the girls exited the capsules they felt exhausted and tired and they all said so. But Jedite and Titus buttered them up. "But you should see how rosy you all look in your cheeks," said Jedite smiling broadly. When they heard that the girls were deeply flattered.
"You really think so?" Huge smiles broke out on their faces as they heard this.
"We know so." Titus said grinning slyly.
The girls all thanked them and departed for their homes. When they were alone Jedite hugged his girlfriend tightly to him and lifted her in his arms.
"Relaxation capsules! Haw haw haw!"
"They are such unsuspecting easily manipulated fools Jedite my sweet pumpkin pie." Titus gave him a big kiss while he held her fondly.
"You're my Negaverse princess Titus. I love you so very much." He put her feet back on the ground.
"I love you too Jedite. And just think how greatly Queen Beryl will reward us when we help her unleash the Negaforce." Titus looked up in his eyes.
"Yes Titus." He was in full agreement. "We'll be promoted to the highest honours."
As for Serena she had long left the gym and was wandering around town feeling weak and faint. She was trying so hard to ignore the hunger pains that were relentlessly building up. She made her way to the video arcade parlour and as she entered her strength caved in and she fell to the floor. The next thing she knew she was lying in a recliner chair and somebody was feeding her coke out of a can. The caffeine in the soda began to revive her and she opened her eyes to see Andrew, the manager of the arcade holding the can to her lips. "Serena you look terrible. You need to eat something," he told her with concern. "Let me take you out to a restaurant and buy you lunch."
Serena had a crush on Andrew and she was excited at being taken out by him. "Oh thank you thank you Andrew. Yummy yum yum. Food."
Later Serena was wolfing down doughnut after doughnut out of a big bag when she met Darien. "Hey. It looks like I should call you Doughnut Head, instead of Meatball Head."
Serena pulled a defiant face. "I don't care Darien. Nothing you say can ruin the taste of these doughnuts."
"How selfish and rude. You could at least ask me if I'd like one."
"I'll gladly give you one." Serena meant to throw a doughnut and hit Darien in the face, but to her consternation he caught it in mid-air and started to eat it.
"Thanks Doughnut Head." Smirking he walked away with his prize.
Serena was grumbling about the creep but then Luna appeared and began to admonish her.
"Actually he's right Serena."
"Luna!"
"No! Just listen to me Serena. I've been observing you ever since you left the gym. You starved yourself so badly you fainted at the arcade, then when Andrew took you to the restaurant you gorged yourself and everybody stared at your table to the poor fellow's embarrassment. And on top of that you bought yourself that huge bag of doughnuts. How many of those did you scoff down?"
Serena began to count off on her fingers then she screamed and ran off. Luna called out to her. "Hey! Where are you going?"
"Back to the gym. What do you think Luna? I desperately need to work this off."
"Oh no. Here we go again." Luna moaned and ran after her.
Serena went crazy at the gym pumping the pedals on the exercise bike like she was a speed demon. All eyes were on her again but she didn't care or even notice. Meanwhile Luna just happened to catch sight of Serena's teacher Miss Haruna walking slowly like a zombie toward the stairs. Something seemed fishy to Luna so she followed her down to the so-called relaxation room. To her horror she saw Miss Haruna inside a capsule being drained of energy again. "This one is on her final treatment Titus."
"You mean she'll have the very last ounce of her energy sucked out Jedite honey?"
"Yes. Then I'm afraid we'll have to dispose of the withered husk my darling."
"Oh what a shame." The pair of them cuddled and laughed wickedly.
"The Negaverse!" Luna gasped and ran up the stairs to find Serena. She literally ran into her as she was staggering to the stairway herself.
"Luna! What's the matter?"
Puffing to get her breath Luna said "Serena. This gym is under Negaverse influence. They have a machine down there that sucks up people's energy."
"What? But they're for relaxation purposes. I was just on my way to use them for a little while before I pushed myself some more."
"Serena. You must believe me. You,"
But Serena laughed and said Luna had an overactive imagination. In exasperation Luna launched herself hissing and spitting knocking Serena onto her back. Baring her claws in one front paw she held them in front of Serena's terrified face. "Look. I don't want to hurt you Serena. But when I tell you the Negaverse is around I mean it seriously. Understand?"
Serena's eyes bulged in fright at Luna's angry countenance. "O-okay."
"Then transform and follow me."
"Moon Prism Power."
Sailor Moon and Luna crept down the stairs and as they reached the bottom Jedite said, "It won't be much longer now."
Sailor Moon gasped and fully realized the truth when she beheld her poor schoolteacher, barely alive. She cried out, "Stop! You're working for the Negaverse. I won't let you get away with this."
"Sailor Moon." Jedite sneered turning.
"Do you know who we are? Wait. Remember this?" Titus added transforming into her monster form.
Sailor Moon screamed and turned to flee. "Stop Sailor Moon. Where are you going?" Luna sprang in front of her.
"I can't beat them Luna. That man stopped my tiara last time and Tuxedo Mask isn't here to save me."
"But Sailor Moon. Last time he told you not to give in to them. Remember? And besides. If you don't save Miss Haruna she'll be a goner."
Thinking about these things Sailor Moon realized she had to fight. If she couldn't use her tiara she'd have to use other tactics for Miss Haruna's sake. Turning around and leaping she took her enemies by surprise landing her fist hard in Titus' belly. She collapsed in agony, doubling over, tears filling up in her red eyes and gasping. Jedite's mouth opened wide and then he lunged to grab Sailor Moon.
"You little weasel! That's my cream cupcake you punched in the stomach!"
Before he could reach her she jumped up in the air and kicked out with one foot hitting him in the chest and knocking him on his back. "I couldn't care less if she's your hamburger and french fries. MOON TIARA MAGIC!"
Sailor Moon sent her tiara flying towards the main generator that operated all the energy draining capsules and destroyed it.
Jedite groaned and raised his head contemplating the destruction. He cursed as he realized that once again their plan was ruined. Titus meanwhile could do nothing except lie on the floor moaning and clutching her stomach. Sailor Moon had put all her strength behind that punch and the pain was enormous. Luna was directing Sailor Moon on how to free Miss Haruna and set her carefully down. While this was happening Jedite staggered to his feet, reached down, put his arms around Titus and hauled her up beside him. "We must escape while we have the chance," he whispered. Luna realized what was happening and cried out to warn Sailor Moon but Jedite just managed to muster up enough strength to transport both of them back to the Negaverse.
Queen Beryl told them she was very disappointed that the operation had been ruined. "We still don't have anywhere near enough energy. How were we discovered so soon?"
"I don't know Queen Beryl," Jedite rubbed the back of his neck. "But I swear that Sailor Moon shall pay for her interference and also for the way she hurt us just now."
"Ooooh. My tummy," groaned Titus.
So everything was back to normal for the time being and even Serena was over the worst of her weight worries. Until her little brother Sammy decided to play a mean joke on her and rigged the bathroom scales. Her scream nearly blew the roof of the house off when she saw her weight said to be 300 pounds.