Chapter Ten

            The Sailor Scouts and the Sailor Guardians assembled outside Glinda’s house.  In Glinda’s basement there was a tunnel that led to the headquarters of the Pink Mafia.  It was the sailors’ intention to let half of their team go to the headquarters and the other half to make sure the androids attacked the Mafia members and not the people of the county.

            “All right.  There’s four Guardians and five Scouts.  Sailors Europa and Iapetus, you will take Sailors Mars and Mercury down to the tunnel and into the base of the Pink Mafia.  The tunnel entrance is located at the horse stables.  The rest of us—Sailors Venus, Jupiter, Callisto, and Earth will supervise the android’s attack.  Sailor Mercury, when you go in, make sure you get to their computers.  We’ll keep your computer here.  Callisto knows how to operate it.  Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask will go inside Glinda’s house and act as a distraction.  Artemis and I will go with them.  Is everybody clear?” Luna instructed.  The sailors nodded.  “All right, let’s go then!”

            Sailors Europa, Iapetus, Mars, and Mercury headed for the horse stables.  They walked up to the far left stall and peered inside.  It was a stall for a horse that had supposedly died.  It lay empty.  The hole in the floor was originally used for the wastes of a horse, but it had been turned into the tunnel entrance.

            “Okay.  This is the tunnel entrance.  Lets just get in and get this over with.  It’ll stink, because it was used for horse urine.”  Sailor Mercury said.  The others followed Mercury into the tunnel, and walked down its meandering path, straight into the lair of the Pink Mafia.

            Meanwhile, the Pink Mafia was holding a meeting in the conference room.  Princess Candy Floss was at his pink-swirled candy-cane podium, looking at the membership of his society.  There were people of all walks of life, and all were preparing for the great attack.

            “This attack is only the beginning.  It will determine how much power we will need to conquer the world.  But to conquer the world we must take baby-steps.  First, we attack the county.  Make it our county.  Then we conquer the country.  Then we conquer the continent, and then we move on to other countries and continents, until the world is ours.  With our power, this should not take long to do.  We will be a dominant force in no time at all,” Candy Floss said.  The members chattered in agreement.  The take over was about to begin…

            There was a cornfield approximately five miles from Glinda’s huge estate.  This was where the battle androids were to be deployed.  From the cornfield the androids would move to all towns in the county starting from the north.  Another set of androids would start from the south, in another cornfield.  The two sets of androids would meet in the middle of the county, conquering each town and city they come across on the way.  Then one set would branch out east, the other west, and then they would meet in the mid-point again after conquering any cities on the way.  Then they would make a clean sweep of any other area in the county, and declare it their own.  The Sailor Scouts, however, changed these plans and set up the androids to go directly to the mid-point.  The mid-point was where the Pink Mafia’s main headquarters was.  This was where the Sailor Scouts had set up their watch.   The mid-point was an old house in the middle of the county.  Underneath it was the headquarters of the Pink Mafia.  The sailors watched and waited patiently, hoping their plan would work.

            Sailor Mercury looked at the tunnel through her special computer glasses. 

            “This tunnel is fifty-six miles long, you guys.  It will take forever to get to the headquarters of the Mafia.  What are we going to do?” she asked.

            “Hey, it should be you asking us what we’re going to do.  Well, this is a horse stable, right?  Can any of you ride horses?” Sailor Iapetus said. 

            “It can’t be that hard.  We have to find saddles, though.” Sailor Mars said.  Sailor Mercury looked shocked.  “We can’t just take these horses!  And we certainly cannot just ride one of them.  Riding horses is more complicated than that.  Um, I think we’d be better off looking for bicycles.  Sailor Transport won’t work; Iapetus and Europa don’t have powers.” Sailor Mercury said. 

            “She’s right.  Let’s pop on over to the Guardians’ headquarters.  I have four bikes for us.  How long until the actual attack?” Sailor Europa suggested.

            “The attack isn’t for another four or five hours.  I say we try the bikes.  It’s the only option we have.” Sailor Mercury answered.  The others agreed and left the stables to get the bikes.

            Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask stood on Glinda’s porch, contemplating on whether they should remain as sailors or go in as civilians.

            “Sailor Moon, exactly how are we going to be the distraction?  We can’t go in as Sailors.”  Tuxedo Mask began.

            “You’re right.  Let me talk to the girls.”  She answered.  Sailor Moon pushed a button on her communicator.  “Scouts, I’m going in as Serena.  Darian is going to try asking for his job back.  If that doesn’t work, I’ll ask for horse-riding lessons.” She said.  Sailor Mercury came over the speakers.

            “That sounds okay, but there’s one problem with plan B.  The tunnel entrance is in her horse stables.  Another problem is the fact that the tunnel is fifty-six miles long.  Luckily, we have lots of time until the attack and bicycles to get us to the headquarters.  Stall as much as you can.  Dump the whole Darian job thing; it won’t work.  Tell her you’re interested in horse-riding lessons.  Use the Luna Disguise pen and try an accent or something.  Stay where you are until we’ve gotten into the tunnel.” Sailor Mercury instructed.

            “All right, that’s what we’ll do.  Darian and I will stay behind these bushes until we get word from you.” Sailor Moon answered.  Sailor Mercury said goodbye and Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon returned to their normal selves.  Luna and Artemis were by their side, looking out for anyone who would foil their plan.

            Sailor Jupiter and her team were at the mid-point, standing on the porch of the old house.  There was a pair of huge doors in the backyard of the house, where the first legion of battle androids would emerge from.  They had five hours to go before the thinly-disguised doors would open and release the androids.

            “So, what do we do until the battle begins?” Sailor Jupiter asked Sailor Venus.

            “Wait.  That’s all we can do.  If the androids start heading for the strategic places they were assigned in the first place, we’ll attack them.  It shouldn’t be too hard.” Sailor Venus answered.

            “Okay, Serena, you are clear to go distract Glinda and her cronies.  We’ve traveled twelve miles so far and we’re doing fine.” Sailor Mercury announced over the communicator.  Serena sighed with relief. 

            “Thank goodness!  Hey, twelve miles on a bike in such a short time is amazing.  How did you do it?” Serena asked.

            “You won’t believe our luck.  We traveled about a half of a mile when we came upon a large room with golf carts.  This is how the Pink Mafia travels around in these tunnels.  We hopped on a couple and started on our way.  We’ll be there in a couple of hours.” Sailor Mercury replied.  “That’s great, Mercury.  We’re going in.”  Serena said.  She turned to Darian.  “Ready?”

            “Ready or not, Glinda, here we come!” Darian replied.

            “That’s the spirit!  Let’s get her!” Serena said.

            Serena and Darian were sitting Glinda’s personal office.  They were disguised as British siblings.  Both spoke with believable posh accents.

            “Darian, when is she going to get here?”  Serena asked.  Before Darian could answer, Glinda walked into the office.  She was wearing a puke-green suit and her hair was piled onto her head in a beehive.  She sat down, obviously irritated.  The Pink Mafia meeting had just ended, and Glinda had wanted to go visit Snuffy’s grave.

            “So you want me to teach you how to ride a horse?” she asked.  Serena and Darian nodded enthusiastically.  “Well, lets begin by going out to the stables.  The butler will take you to the stables while I get dressed.”  Glinda stood up as the butler walked in.  “It isn’t easy, you know.” She said as she walked out.  Serena and Darian exchanged meaningful looks, wondering if Glinda saw through the plan.

            Two and a half hours later, Sailors Mercury, Mars, Iapetus, and Europa had arrived to the Pink Mafia headquarters’ main entrance.  There was a small parking space for the golf carts. 

            “It’s about time we got here.  You have that membership card, Europa?”  Mercury asked.

            “Yes.  I got it from a man who managed to leave it alive.  I will run the card through and go through it as quickly as you can.  I will follow.” Sailor Europa answered.

            “Don’t they have security cameras?” Sailor Mars asked.

            “Their security is a joke.  They figure, if they’re secret, nobody’s going to sneak in, because nobody knows about it.  We’ll be able to get in.” Sailor Mercury answered.  Sailor Europa ran the card through the slot.  The doors opened and Sailors Mercury and Mars managed to rush through.  The doors closed and Sailors Iapetus and Europa were left. 

            “I’ll open it, and you go through.  I will let the doors close and then I will go through.” Sailor Europa instructed.  Iapetus nodded, and Europa was about to run the card through the slot, but something unexpected came up.  Two security guards—women in men’s clothing.

            “Who are you?” they demanded.  The two Guardians turned to face them.  Without hesitation, Iapetus and Europa drop-kicked the guards.  The guards fell to the ground.  Then the two Guardians turned the guards over and gave them ferocious hand-chops to the neck.  Once the guards were out, the Guardians took their weapons and membership cards.  Sailor Europa slid her card in the slot, and entered the doors.  Sailor Iapetus followed.  The two joined up with the scouts.

            “What happened out there?” Sailor Mars asked.

            “Their security isn’t a total joke.  Two security guards got in the way, but we subdued them rather quickly.  We gained some weapons and their cards.” Sailor Iapetus answered.

            “Good work.  I have a map on my eyeglass-computer.  I know where the computers are.” Sailor Mercury said.  The sailors quickly followed Mercury to the computer rooms.  The room was empty.  Apparently the Pink Mafia was holding a large banquet in honor of their accomplishments.  It was a case of counting chicks before they hatched.

            Sailor Mercury walked to the main computer.  She entered the number and password of the old man, who was a former member.  Suprisingly, his information hadn’t been removed from their membership database.  Sailor Mercury shook her head in amazement.  The Pink Mafia didn’t know what they were doing.  She used his number to gain access to the system that controlled the androids.  The new settings Mercury had set last night hadn’t changed.  Mercury was grateful for that.

            “Europa, Iapetus—stand guard at the door.  Don’t let anyone in.  I’m going to look around on the computer.  Apparently the Trojan horse hasn’t done any damage—yet.”  Sailor Mercury said.  The Guardians took their places at the door while Sailor Mercury analyzed the computer system.

            “Mercury, since we’re here, you might as well hold off on the virus until we leave.”  Mars suggested.  “Good idea.  After that, I will send the membership files to our computer, then we’ll get the old man to sell the information to the tabloids.  This will keep the Pink Mafia from regrouping.

            Sailor Mercury sent the files to the computer at the mid-point, where the rest of the sailors were.  She was hoping they could stop the Pink Mafia from doing any harm, and hoped their plan would work. 

            Sailor Jupiter looked at the e-mail Mercury had sent her.  Attached to it was all the membership files.  Each contained the real identities of all members.

            “Hey, you guys!  Come look at this!  Princess Candy Floss is really a prince!  Oh my goodness!  This is too much.”  Sailors Venus, Earth, and Callisto rushed across the old living room to the computer. 

            “We can’t distract ourselves with that information.  What Mercury wants us to do is get these files to the old man who left the society.  He will sell the files to the press, and then turn them over to Scotland Yard.  The police will deal with them after that.  In the meantime, you guys will be on your way back to Japan.” Sailor Earth said.

            “Hold on, we want credit for all the work we did.”  Sailor Venus said.

            “Don’t worry, we’ll give you credit.” Sailor Callisto answered.  Suddenly there was a loud noise.  The androids were emerging from the backyard.  The sailors quickly rushed to the backyard.  The androids were heading towards Glinda’s estate, and not their strategic areas.  The sailors cheered.

            “We did it!  Let’s call Mercury.”  Sailor Jupiter cried.  She turned her communicator up.  “Mercury, so far it’s working!  They’re going southeast, straight for Glinda’s house!” she said. 

            “That’s great.  I’m looking at the county map scanner on my glasses and I can confirm this.  They’re headed for Glinda’s house.  The next set of androids should not come up at all.  Instead, when the doors open, look into the pit.  The androids should be scattering themselves around inside, looking for members of the Mafia.  Look now, they should be on the attack!” Mercury answered.  Sailor Venus peered down into the pit and saw the androids heading for different areas of the underground lair.

            “Hey, Jupiter, ask Mercury if it’s okay we go down there and assist the androids?” Venus asked.

            “Mercury, should we go down and assist the androids?” Jupiter asked.  “Great idea.  We’ll see you in a bit.”  Came the answer.  Sailors Callisto and Earth jumped into the pit while Venus and Jupiter obtained the computer.  They soon followed.

            Serena, Darian, and Glinda were on horses, trotting through the forest on Glinda’s property.  Glinda was telling them how to handle a horse while trotting when the androids marched onto her property, shooting at any living thing.  Glinda turned around sharply.  The androids were not supposed to even go near her property.  What was wrong?  Serena and Darian hopped off their horses and transformed.

            “Hey, lady, the jig is up.  It is high time you received punishment for all the bad things you’ve done.” Sailor Moon announced.  Glinda whirled around to face Sailor Moon.

            “Bloody rotten buggers!  You deceived me!”  Glinda screamed.  She snatched Sailor Moon by her hair and started to kick her.  “Rotten brats!  I am not going to let you defeat me!” she screamed.  Tuxedo Mask pulled Glinda away and threw the old lady to the ground.

            “It is a shame that someone as exalted as you is so evil inside.  You must realize the error of your ways.”  Tuxedo Mask said.  Glinda growled as she stood up.

            “I will never back down.  I will never give in to you.”  She snarled.  With that she ran to a pile of leaves.  It was actually a net with a pile of leaves.  The net covered a twelve-foot deep hole.  She tore the net away and hurled herself into the hole, landing head first.  The impact cracked her neck.

            “She killed herself!  I can’t believe that!”  Sailor Moon cried.  They walked over to the pit and peered inside.  Glinda, or Horse Lady was lying at the bottom of it, her stick-thin body twisted in strange, unnatural ways.

            Meanwhile, the androids had ambushed the premature banquet Princess Candy Floss had held for the membership of the Pink Mafia. 

            “Mr. Putter, I thought you had it all sorted out!” Candy Floss screamed, trying to fend off two androids whose ammo had run out, but were still bent on destroying living things.

            “I don’t know what happened!  Someone must have hacked into the system and changed the course!” Mr. Putter cried in reply, fending off androids of his own.  While all of this was going on, the 12” Edit of Geri Halliwell’s hit “Mi Chico Latino” was playing on the jukebox.  It was an odd soundtrack for what was going on in the ballroom.  The androids were killing people left and right.  Whoever wasn’t getting killed was trying desperately to survive the attack.

            The rest of the Scouts had met at the Pink Mafia’s computer room to await further orders.  In the ballroom, the party guests were fighting for their lives.

            “Okay.  We’ve managed to win a major victory.  The people of the county are safe.  I’ve called the police.  They should be here any minute.  In the meantime, we’d better make ourselves scarce.  The scouts will head for the Doe residence, Darian his flat, and the Guardians’ to their respective homes.  We’ll meet tomorrow.” Mercury said.  The others nodded and rushed out to the secret society’s back entrance.  It would lead to the park they had first met the Rangers.  They hopped into some golf carts and made their way home.

            Transformed back to their normal selves, the five heroines returned to the Doe residence.  Mrs. Doe met them at the front door.

            “So, how was the movie?” she asked them.  The girls looked at each other.  They had told the Does they were at the cinema.

            “Absolutely phenomenal!” Serena replied.  The girls collapsed into fits of giggles as they entered the house.

            Later that night Serena and Raye were sitting in the living room, watching the late-night news.  The Pink Mafia had been foiled, and their true identities had been revealed for all to see.  Since key members of the secret society were key members of the royal family, the monarchy was in serious jeopardy.  All surviving members had been arrested and were being held in prison until the trial.

            “Wow.  Look at what we did.  Captured the bad guys, put the monarchy in serious trouble, saved hundreds of lives, made world news—maybe even made history.  Being a Sailor scout isn’t so bad after all.”  Raye said.  Serena nodded.

            “Especially with you on our team.  We all did a great job.”  Serena replied.  The two hugged each other, turned the TV off and went to bed.  Not bad for five teenage girls.

Sailor Moon Says

Serena:  Woah, that was amazing!  Who would’ve thought the defeat of the Pink Mafia would affect so many people?

Luna:  You did a great job.  I’m proud of you.

Serena:  Yes.  It shows that when you’re doing something risky, or anything at all, keep your cool and you’ll come out on top!

Raye:  Okay, Serena, enough of the goofy advice.  Let’s go, we need to pack.

Serena:  Hey, this is my segment!  Remember what Sailor Moon Says!  Teehee!