Data 9: The Neo-Zero Attacks! The Neo-Zero was beginning its next round of attacks. First, Yoriko decided to destroy a couple of SDF/USAF bases in Chiba- ken. Yoriko approached the control tower and fired a Neo- Sidewinder at it, destroying it. She then blew up some fuel tanks, causing a devastating inferno to engulf the entire base. She did the same thing with several other bases along her way. She then set a course for Tokyo. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Tokyo was now a maddening sea of panicked citizens. Everyone was running like the King of the Monsters himself, Gojira, was running amok in their community again. The Mobile Unit of the National Police, the famed riot control unit, was desperately trying to keep some sense of order, but to no avail. The body-length shields were beginning to buckle from the strain of all the humanity pressed against them. Even the TMPD was having difficulties in keeping matters under control. Everywhere, the screams of those who sensed that they were to be condemned were filling the air: "We're all going to die!" "It's Doomsday!" "Merciful Buddha, spare us!" "No! I'm too young to die!" "The end of the world is near!" "Prepare to meet your doom!" "Is there no God to save us?" Suddenly, the Sailor Senshi appeared. Sailor Moon stood in front of the rest. "Citizens of Tokyo, I implore you to stay calm!," she shouted. "Giving in to panic will only mean that the enemy will win over you with their fear! Please, calm down!" However, it was of no use. Soon the crow began to overwhelm the Sailor Senshi right where they stood. Daria was knocked over and would have been trampled if it hadn't been for the quick thinking of Sailor Uranus, who pulled her out. "Are you all right?," Sailor Uranus asked. "More or less," Daria answered. "It's kind of like those mosh pits we have back home." In the melee, the Mobile Unit and the TMPD were themselves overwhelmed. Later on, it was reported that there were several officers on both forces who were crushed to death. Chaos had clearly begun to assert itself on Tokyo. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Shortly after the panic had begun, the Neo-Zero arrived. Yoriko started the terror right away by firing a Neo-Sidewinder right at the famed Tokyo Tower, blowing it up to scrap metal. She then set her sights on the Diet Building. She fired missiles at the chambers of both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors, and a third at the middle of the building. Horrendous damage was wreaked on the building. For good measure, she fired two missiles at the Tokyo Dome, blowing up the roof and damaging a good portion of the stadium. Yoriko smiled to herself in a sinister way. "Soon, Tokyo will fall to the iron rule of the NIRAA!," she yelled. Suddenly, she noticed something on her radar. There were five blips on the screen; the IFF deviceindicated that they were five Grumman F-14A Tomcats; they had obviously been launched from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier. Yoriko flew in the direction of the squadron closing in on her. When she got to visual range, she could see from the tail markings that they were with the famed Fighting 143rd Squadron, alias the Pukin' Dogs. She could hear the talk on the radio as the fighters approached: "Tango to Victor! We've got our bandit on visual now," said one of the pilots. The squadron leader, Victor, responded with, "All units prepare to lock on target and fire on my mark!" It looked like they were going to use the 20-mm Vulcan cannons on her since they were so close. Yoriko made a power dive as the bullets began to fire away. "Dammit, she's too fast for us, Victor!," shouted another pilot. "Angel up to 15 and prepare to fire Sidewinders," said the squadron leader. Yoriko saw them turn tail and prepare to fire their Sidewinder missiles at 15,000 feet. Yoriko used the HUD to target the five Tomcats, then programmed five Neo-Sidewinders at them. She calmly pressed the fire button and saw each of the missiles take out their targets. They didn't know what hit them. Yoriko sneered and flew back to the heart of the city. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- It was only on the most important occasions that a governor of a prefecture like Tokyo-to ever got to go into the Imperial Palace. Generally, the palace was only open to the public on two days in the year: the Emperor's Birthday and New Year's Day. However, Gov. Nagai was not making a social call to Emperor Akihito. The very life of the nation was at stake. He was now in an underground bunker beneath the Imperial Palace, speaking to both the Emperor and Empress Michiko; for good measure, the Solar Warrior was there as well. Gov. Nagai began to speak: "Your Imperial Majesties, Tokyo hasn't suffered as much damage like this since the end of the war. The terrorist who has this aircraft can virtually wipe out this entire city with full impunity! The citizens of our nation are now turning their eyes to you for guidance in this grave matter. We need some assurances that this evil will pass." The Solar Warrior added: "Gov. Nagai is right. The people are looking to both Your Imperial Majesties in this terrible time. Speak to the people. Tell them what they need to hear." The Emperor arose and began to speak: "Somehow, I wish that I could have avoided having to face a crisis like this. I have seen the reports myself and I have to confess that I fear for our nation. Do we want to return to the chaos that the regime that had once controlled this nation brought on all of us and the world?" "It was in this very room that the war council met presided over by my father, the Showa Emperor. The vote was tied on what course of action was to be taken. It was up to him. He knew that we had foolishly let the militarists control every aspect of our society, that they led us to this calamity. He had to do what was right. He voted to end the war. He went on the radio and announced to this nation that we had to bear the unbearable. If this group seizes our nation, and begins to carry out its agenda, how many more bombs will fall? Must we suffer the nuclear terror of the Americans, the Russians, and the Chinese this time around? We must not let those who led us to ruin destroy half a century of progress, of good relations with the world." He motioned to a nearby servant, who bowed deeply. "Inform NHK that I will deliver an address shortly." The servant bowed deeply again and left to make a phone call. Gov. Nagai said, "You are doing the right thing, Your Majesty." ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- About fifteen minutes later, this was heard on NHK: "We interrupt our continuing coverage of the Neo-Zero crisis to bring you this message from the Emperor. Ladies and Gentlemen, presenting His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor." There was a picture of the Emperor and the Empress in the bunker. The Emperor stood up and began to speak: "Citizens of Japan: We are now facing the greatest crisis in over fifty years. There are those out there who wish to restore militaristic control and regimentation in our society. These extremists think that the old ways were the best ways. Those ways were not the best ways. They brought immeasurable suffering and pain on countless millions in Asia and the world. The primary weapon of these extremists is fear and terror. However, they can be beat back if we do not submit to our worst fears. If we stay calm and not panic, we will have won half the battle. Therefore, I implore this nation to stay clam and to display in the face of the enemy the calmness and civility that have marked our nation and our way of life from time immemorial. We must not let fear conquer us. We must not let the enemy defeat us. Together, as a united front, we will show these extremists that we will not submit to their reign of fear. Thank you for your attention." The announcer then said: "Please stay tuned to NHK for more developments in this crisis." ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- A good part of Tokyo was now in flames. Fire, it seemed, was everywhere. Sailor Moon had transformed into her Eternal Mode and was flying above to survey the damage. Everywhere, it seemed, there was damage. She was now over Azabu-ku, her own neighborhood, and set down where her house was. Thankfully, so far it was undamaged. She ran in. "Mom! Dad! Shingo!," she shouted. Soon she could hear footsteps from the basement. Soon, Kenji, Ikuko and Shingo emerged. "Mom! Dad! Look! It's Eternal Sailor Moon!," Shingo said. Right now, Sailor Moon was not going to be coy about her real identity; she was too concerned. "Mom, Dad, Shingo, it's actually me, Usagi," she calmly announced. "No way! You can't be!," Kenji said in shock. Sailor Moon waved a hand over her transforming brooch and reverted to her identity of Usagi. Everyone was speechless for a couple of minutes. "Usagi, is that really you?," Ikuko started to say, stunned. "Yes, it's me," she confirmed; "I guess you should know the truth now. For the past six years, I have been fighting evil as Sailor Moon. Luna told me that I was the reincarnation of a princess who lived on the Moon over one thousand years ago and that it was my destiny to lead humanity to an era of peace in the future. My friends work alongside me as the Sailor Senshi, and Mamoru is Tuxedo Mask; they also were from the Moon Kingdom, except Mamoru, who was known then as Endymion and was from Earth.. In the future, Chiba-Usa will be mine and Mamoru's daughter. Right now I have to stop this madwoman from destroying Tokyo and forcing our government to give in to her terrorist organization. Ami was one of us as well; she was Sailor Mercury. But when she left for Germany she transferred those powers to Daria. Now I don't even know if Ami is still alive or not. I'm fighting for all of our futures here. Please, if you love me, you'll leave here and get to a place of safety." Already the tears were beginning to run down her face; Usagi was genuinely worried for her family's safety. She then heard footsteps behind her, and saw that the rest of the Sailor Senshi were right behind her. Tuxedo Mask was the first to speak: "Sailor Moon, is everyone here in the Tsukino household safe?" "Yes, they are, Mamo-chan," said Usagi. Everyone was in a state of shock. "It's all right, we know everything now," Kenji said. "You know, I have to admit that I still had lingering doubts about you until now, Mamoru. I thought that you were too old for my daughter and was making her a juvenile delinquent. Now I know the gravity of the situation. How can you forgive this foolish man?" Mamoru extended a hand and said, "There is nothing to apologize for; you just didn't know. And I would be honored to call you as a friend." With that they shook hands. "Now that we like you and all that," Ikuko said, "how can you help us?" Mamoru replied, "You know that resort you went to six years ago, the one that had the water spirit that I had summoned when I was brainwashed to do Queen Beryl's bidding?" "I don't know anything about you summoning spirits, but I do know that some strange happenings were going on there," was Kenji's reply. "Go there," Mamoru said. "You will be safe." "We will take your advice," Kenji said. Shortly, the Tsukinos had packed the bare necessities and took off in their car. "It is better for them until things are resolved," Usagi said. "Now, we've got unfinished business to deal with," Mamoru said. Suddenly, someone somewhat familiar appeared. Usagi swore she was seeing double. But there he was all the same: a man dressed like an Arab, with a scimitar at his side. Undoubtedly it was the Moonlight Knight. "Mamoru, you can't be at two places at once," Usagi said. "Sailor Moon, surely you know me, the Moonlight Knight?," he began to speak. Daria turned to Meiou and asked, "What's this all about? You mean that Mamoru has two secret identities?" Meiou said, "It's kind of a complicated story." The Moonlight Knight then stopped and removed the veil from his face.Usagi stood there in shock.. It was none other than Furuhata Motoki, the owner of the Crown Game Center that Usagi still hung out at after school. "Mamoru, can you explain what's going on here?," Usagi demanded. "I will," Motoki started. "It was shortly after the Sailor Galaxia incident. Mamoru had that close call with that disappearance while he was flying to America. After the incident was resolved, he approached me and told me all about you and the others, Usagi. He then gave me the costume of the Moonlight Knight and trained me in some basic fighting skills. If Mamoru was to disappear again or if the Sailor Senshi needed some more muscle, I was going to be the ace in the hole. And I guess that right now you're going to need all the help you can get." As to confirm that remark, the Neo-Zero streaked out of the sky again, and straight for the Sailor Senshi! The Deathgrip cannon was roaring at full blast. Everyone scattered. "OK, sister, you asked for it!," Usagi said. "ETERNAL MOON STAR POWER, MAKE-UP!" She transformed to Eternal Sailor Moon and began to fly right toward the Neo-Zero. Yoriko just sneered and started to play another CD in her player. This time it was "Black Monk Time" from The Monks. She was listening to the opening track "Monk Time" and was hearing Gary Burger's frantic voice: "Alright, my name is Gary. Let's go. It's Beat time, it's Hop time, it's Monk time. You know, we don't like the army! What army? Who cares what army Why do you kill all those kids over there in Vietnam? Mad Viet Cong! My brother died in Vietnam. James Bond, who is he? (frantic electric banjo riff from Dave Day) Stop it, stop it, I don't like it! It's too loud for my ears. Pussy Galore is coming down and we like it. We don't like the atomic bomb. . .(shrieking organ riff from Larry Clark) Stop it, stop it! I don't like it! Stop it! What's your meaning, Larry? (another organ interlude from Larry) Ah, you think like I think. You're a Monk, I'm a Monk, we're all Monks. . . Dave, Larry, Eddie, Roger, everybody, let's go. . . it's Beat time, it's Hop time--IT'S MONK TIME NOW! YEAH! ALRIGHT!" Sailor Moon was flying as fast as she could. She grabbed her old Moon Scepter and pointed it at the cockpit. "You will not destroy our future, you spawn of Hell!,"Sailor Moon shrieked as she prepared to fire off her Moon Princess Halation beam. Yoriko was hearing Larry Clark's frantic organ playing, then the chorus of "It's Hop Time! It's Monk Time!" "Blow it out your ass!," was all she said as she squeezed the trigger of the Deathgrip cannon. Sailor Moon began to say "MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" when suddenly hot lead tore through her like jagged needles. Sailor Moon fell helplessly from the sky and landed on the ground with a terrifying "THUD!" The rest of the Sailor Senshi ran to her, Daria being the first to get to her. "Usagi! Speak to me!," Daria yelled at her, shaking her; "Are you all right?" Sailor Jupiter kneeled down besides her. She gave a quick check of her vital signs. "She'd bleeding badly," she said. "I don't think there's even a pulse. We have to get the Sailor Star Lights. Only Sailor Star Healer can save her now." Daria became very mad. She raised her head to the sky and screamed, "NOW YOU'VE MADE IT PERSONAL, YOU BITCH!" She ran off in the direction of the Neo-Zero. "Daria! Come back here!," Luna ordered sharply. "Sailor Senshi don't drop everything to carry out personal vendettas!" "Let her go, Luna!," Rei said. "Since Ami's not here, I'm now in charge. Let Daria blow some steam. She'll be back." Mamoru, in the meantime, reached for his cellular phone and called the Sailor Star Lights. This was the only chance Usagi had now to survive. Daria, meanwhile was still running when suddenly, something smacked up against her head with a loud "CRACK!" She fell down, helpless. "Stay right where you are!," said an iron voice behind her. "Don't make another move!" Daria suddenly found herself surrounded by NIRAA ninja soldiers. She held her hands up in surrender. They took her away to a secret location near the Sumito Heavy Industries headquarters. Dr. Vander Helffen would be awaiting for them there. "Great! Now I've been captured," she thought to herself; "Wait until I send my next postcard. It'll say: 'Dear Mom, Dad, and Quinn: I'm now a POW being held by an extremist group. Please make sure to inform the Red Cross so they can send those POW packages. Love, Daria.' What a trip this had been!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Back at Lawndale, The Free Lawndalers had made it as far as the local YMCA and decided to stay there for the night. Mr. DeMartino was checking his AK-47 when Helen Morgendorffer ran screaming to him: "I CAN'T FIND HER! I CAN'T FIND HER!" "Don't interrupt me while I'm cleaning my AK-47!," Mr. DeMartino yelled at her, his right eye bulging out again. "Do you want me to shoot my eye out! Now, who can't you find?" "My younger daughter, Quinn!," Helen continued."I haven't been able to find her since the plane crash!" Mr. DeMartino motioned to Ms. Barch and Ami. "You two, find out what happened to Quinn Morgendorffer!," he snapped at them. "I don't like taking orders from male scum like you, DeMartino!,:" Ms. Barch said. Mr. DeMartino pointed his gun and said "Well, my gun and I have a different opinion!" Ms. Barch took the hint, and left with Ami. "Male scumbag!," she muttered to herself. They left the YMCA and went down the street. Soon they saw someone. "Excuse me," Ami asked, "Have you seen Quinn Morgendorffer?" "You bet I did," the person began to say. "Beavis and Butt-Head dragged her to the bus stop, kicked the driver out and drove the bus all the way back to Highland, I figure." "Might as well get my car and go over there," Ms. Barch said."I always hated those two creeps! They always make mischief when they come here to see Highland take on Lawndale. All men are scum, Ami, and don't you forget it!" Ami was beginning to see that not all guys were like Mamoru or even like Urawa Ryo, the smart but kind boy she met back in the Sailor Senshi's early days when they were searching for the seven Rainbow Crystals that formed the Silver Imperium Crystal. But at least she didn't think that all men were scum, at least not just yet. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- It was about 10:30 PM. Beavis and Butt-Head were watching TV. They were watching the reports of the JAL crash and the Lawndale Militia coup. "Cool! We're on TV, Beavis!," Butt-Head said. "Where! Where!," Beavis said, excited. "I think we're over there!," replied Butt-Head, pointing to the TV. "This is cool!," Beavis said, then began doing his "HEH-HEH-HEH- HEH-HEH!" Butt-Head added his "UH-HUH-HUH-HUH-HUH-HUH-HUH-HUH-HUH!" Then they changed the channel and tuned into a channel which was showing the newsreel footage of the "Hindenburg" disaster. They began their hideous laughter again. "Hey, Butt-Head," asked Beavis. Butt-Head replied, "Uh, what, Beavis?" Beavis then said, "Is this the Super Bowl?" "Uh, I think so, Beavis," was Butt-Head's answer; "It looks like the Goodyear Blimp!" Then they saw the airship explode and Herb Morrison say "It's burst into flames!" "FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!," Beavis said. "Cool! It's crashing right onto the playing field!," Butt-Head said. They began their hideous laughter again. Meanwhile, in the closet, Quinn had found a pin on the floor and managed to unlock the door. She slipped out--making sure that she had her bra back on--and slipped out of the house. "Uh, Beavis, did you just hear the door open?," asked Butt-Head. Beavis replied, "I think so, Butt-Head." "Uh, better check on Quinn," asked Butt-Head. Beavis got up and checked. When he saw no one there, he went "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! QUINN'S GONE! QUINN'S GONE!" Butt-Head went over and said, "Dammit, Beavis, now how are we going to score?" "I bet I know where she went, though," Beavis replied. With that they left to find Quinn. ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Quinn was out of breath when she reached the home of Tom Anderson. She rang the doorbell and soon it was opened by Mr. Anderson. "Hello, young lady," he said; "What can I do for you?" "My name's Quinn Morgendorffer," she began; "I'm from Lawndale. Beavis and Butt-Head kidnapped me and took me to their place. But I managed to escape. I need help" "You're Daria Morgendorffer's sister, aren't you?," Mr. Anderson asked. Quinn replied, "Yes, I am." "Well, I remember her," Mr. Anderson replied. "Smart little girl, she is. Do you want to call your parents?" "Yes, please," begged Quinn. They entered the house. But then, Beavis and Butt-Head saw them enter and raced for the door, kicking it down. "Quinn, we don't like girls like you running away from us," Butt- Head said. "Yeah! That's not cool!," Beavis added. "You boys have done the most heinous thing I've ever heard about. I'm going to call the police right now," Mr. Anderson said. "No way!," Beavis screamed. With that he found a golf club that was lying nearby and began to bludgeon Mr. Anderson with it. Soon, he laid there, dead in a pool of blood. "Cool! He's dead!," Beavis said. "Now we can do what we want with Quinn!" "You murderers! Don't you know right from wrong?," Quinn sobbed. "Do a striptease for us, bitch!," Butt-Head ordered. "Then, like, let's have her wear that outfit we made that looks like that Gabrielle chick's outfit from that Xena chick's show!," Beavis said. "NO!," Quinn shrieked. "You won't deny us again!," Beavis said, then clenched his fists and began to shake up and down while going "BOINGOINGOINGOINGOINGOING!" They moved in closer on Quinn. Quinn was screaming, "SOMEONE HELP ME!" Suddenly, there was a cold blast of air that hit the room. "SHABON SPRAY, FREEZING!," shouted a voice from the front door. Beavis and Butt-Head were frozen solid. Quinn turned around to see Ami and Ms. Barch in the front door. She ran to Ami and collapsed into her arms, crying. "I'm just glad you came!," Quinn sobbed. "It's all right. It's all over now," Ami said. Ms. Barch went to the now frozen Beavis and Butt-Head and sneered, "You men are all scum!" ----------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------- Daria was in some dark room with a strong light on her face. She was tied to a chair. Suddenly, a door opened, and Dr. Vander Helffen entered. "So, you're the new Sailor Mercury now, aren't you?," he said. Daria gave a rather stock answer: "My name is Daria Morgendorffer. I am a member of the Sailor Senshi. I am a citizen of the United States and demand to be treated as a prisoner of war in accordance with the Geneva Convention." "That will do you no good," Dr. Vander Helffen replied. "The New Imperial Rule Assistance Association does not recognize the Geneva Convention. In fact, when we're done, we will rule the world and abolish the Geneva Convention, the United Nations and all other weak-kneed organizations and treaties. Japan will be the undisputed master of the world. And now you will hear of those plans before we execute you!"