Sailor Neptune stood with as much dignity as she could muster and gave the alligator a very cool gaze. "I think we did.”
Taking deep lungfuls of air to try and regain his breath, Jacques looked up at the Senshi of the Seas. “That friend of yers...” He panted. “What was her problem?”
“She thought you were somebody else...” Yeah right! Michiru thought to herself angrily. Not only did Haruka start attacking this guy, in the process putting her in danger as well, but she destroyed her car!
Jacques blinked his eyes. “Mistook me enough that she’d try to hurt you even?” That was one thing that didn’t make sense to the Gator. He hadn’t done much besides hold the woman while being attacked since the blonde went off her own deep end.
Sailor Neptune nodded tightly. “That she did.”
Panting heavily, the Gator Splice was trying to figure out what was going on in his head. All he managed to sum up from his thoughts was, “Crap, I’m so screwed...” Which he mumbled as he shook his head in defeat.
That caught Michiru’s attention and she turned to him a little more relaxed. “Why is that?” She really hoped it wasn’t because of what Haruka did.
“You saw what happened!” Jacques said. “The whole place blew up for some reason during my shift!” The Gator’s voice was quite frantic as he continued to say, “Dr. Mera’s gonna have my hide for this! Possibly even a Alligator-skin suit with matching tie, belt, shoes, and hat!” The Alligator bemoaned his fate. “Oh, why... WHY did I ever drop a cherry bomb down the toilet!? I still don’t get it! Those things were only half-ouncers!”
Sailor Neptune grew a sweat-drop at that and debated with herself whether to tell this guy the truth or not. In the end she decided she couldn’t leave him as it was. “... It wasn’t that cherry bomb.”
Jacques looked up at the Senshi questioningly. “What? Then it was the dog corpse in the crapper?” It made sense. Decomposing protein did tend to give off methane...
The sweat-drop on the back of Sailor Neptune’s head increased in size. “Uh... No.”
Jacques blinked his eyes. “Then what was it?”
When Michiru spoke it was in a very small voice. “... A Molotov bomb.”
The Alligator’s eyes widened. “WHAT!? We were bombed!? Oh man... That’s never happened before.” He looked at the teal-tressed Sailor Senshi seriously. “Did you see who did it!?”
“Someone that obviously doesn’t like Splices.” Michiru answered.
The Alligator groaned. “Damn it... I know somehow, I’m gonna get blamed for this!”
Neptune felt guilty for this. Even if she didn’t really have a part in it, she didn’t stop Haruka either. She didn’t mind fighting the minions of evil and killing them ruthlessly, nor trying to help Haruka steal people’s souls, since SOMEONE ELSE had taken them out first... But this was a person. “I’m sorry.”
The Alligator Splice just sagged his shoulders in defeat, looking like a dog that had been kicked... Or eaten...
“Is there something I can do?” Neptune asked trying to somehow redeem herself. Guilt is a powerful thing.
The Alligator Splice snorted. “Maybe talk to my boss and tell him you saw it was a Terrorist and not me.” He shook his head. “But you won’t do that. You Senshi are supposed to be secretive, ain’t ya?”
“I’m pretty sure you won’t get blamed for this.” Neptune said, knowing Haruka was probably stupid enough to stay around and keep throwing attacks. She’d be seen on the site of the incident and get the blame.
The Alligator snorted again. “You obviously don't know my track-record. I have a weakness that got me into so much trouble back in the States, that it’s not funny.”
“If you really get blamed for this go to the park tomorrow in the evening. I’ll clear things up.” Sailor Neptune said seriously.
The large Alligator Splice looked at the Senshi of the Seas, tears in his eyes. “Really?”
“Really.” Neptune nodded her head in confirmation.
Jacques trembled slightly, tears starting to flow down the sides of his leathery face. “THANK YOU!” He shouted as he hugged her tightly. He began moving about in place while hugging her tightly. “Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!”
Michiru’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Hands off my butt or you lose them.” She growled out.
The Alligator stopped in place, and apologized. “Sorry. It’s hard to get a good grasp on anything in a hug. My slightly shortened arms have trouble wrapping around my rotund body.”
Michiru patted her butt slightly and nodded. “Just don't do it again.” She then looked at him curiously. “Why get Spliced if it brought you so many trouble.”
“Because I honestly believe what Dr. Mera is doing,” Jacques said honestly. “Besides the unnerving taste for small pets I have, I absolutely love what Splicing has done for me.” He grinned, showing a long maw of sharp teeth. “No one, besides my boss, would DARE to give me trouble...” He then thoughtfully added, “Until I met that other Senshi, anyway...”
Neptune nodded her head slowly. “I see...”
“But hey, I still have some great perks. I’m supper-strong, and excellent swimmer, plus...” He chuckled. “As I just found out, my tough skin helped me survive a fire. The Temperature hurt more than the actual flame.”
Neptune tried to feign disinterest as she heard all the comments, but she was intrigued. She had not talked to a Spliced person before. Except for Hotaru, but that couldn't be considered a conversation. “Will you be fine on your way home?”
It was then that Jacques groaned. “What home? I was LIVING at the Splicing Center...” He lowered his head in defeat again. “Great. Now I realize that I’ve lost everything I had to boot...”
“... Look, I’ll take you to a hotel tonight and pay for it.” Michiru said. “If things really went wrong for you, I’ll see you tomorrow night at the park.”
“Thanks...” Jacques said. “You’re a really nice lady.”
Neptune shrugged it off. “Let’s go.” She had so much to talk about with Haruka tonight.
(------)
“This is a Special Live Report of Eye on Tokyo News 35! With your hosts Atasuke Fukumitsu and Makiko Hirasei!” Came an announcer’s voice as a light started to brighten upon the news-anchorman and anchorwoman.
“Good evening, ladies and gentleman,” The Japanese man in a black suit with a bright red tie for contrast greeted. “Ground-breaking news this morning that rocked Splicers and Japanese citizens alike. There was an accident at the Splicing Center, and the whole establishment has burnt to the ground.” The television screen behind the two news-anchors showed a footage taken of the ruins of the Splicing Center, fire-trucks still at the scene as numerous buildings were all around the area. “As one can see, while the Splicing Center was the first building to go aflame, the fire spread two its two neighboring buildings. Makiko.”
“The fire has been determined to be arson,” Said the woman in a brown blazer. “Possibly that of terrorist action. The tapes from the surveillance cameras of the bank just across the street from what had been the Splicing Center shows two women throwing a form of explosive at the building. And the worst part is, it is Sailor Senshi. We would show you this footage, but the police have yet to release copies for the press. Atasuke.”
“Yes. This turn of events alone shocks Japan as a whole,” Atasuke said. “These women in brightly colored mini-skirts have always been seen as Champions of Justice who reinforce positive messages for the youth, as well as provide dirty fantasies for those sixteen and older.”
“Atasuke!” Makiko snapped at her partner.
“What?” Atasuke said. “It’s the truth! Those are some damn short mini-skirts.”
The woman shook her head. “Anyway, ignoring my boorish partner for a moment...” She said as she glared at the male sitting next to her. “We go live to our lady on the street, Kimiko Sasaki, who has been up since the fires started, finding out what she can from the citizens of Japan. Take it to you, Sasaki.”
(------)
The TV image went from the news-room to outside of a busy gathering of droves of people with animal traits, so much being shouted that it was hard to make out. Standing there in a blue trench-coat and a microphone in her hand, Kimiko stared at the camera. “Kimiko Sasaki here,” Kimiko stared, “I am again back in the Ginza District of Tokyo, but sadly, for reasons that are less than light-hearted.”
It was then that a scarecrow on a pike started to get lifted high above the crowd gathered. What stood out about the scarecrow was it had a mini-skirt, a pair of odangos on its head, and a bad application of paint colors to make it resemble a certain Sailor Senshi.
“As you can see behind me,” Kimiko shouted towards the camera to be heard over the chant of ‘Burn Senshi, Burn’, “Going on behind me is an ‘Anti-Senshi’ Demonstration. Just one of many that has been held by gathered Splicers once it was found out that the Senshi were the cause behind the bombing of the Splicing Center.”
In the background, there was hooting, hollering, and cheering from people and furs alike as the Sailor Moon Scarecrow was lit ablaze, burning quite easily. “And here isn’t the only place where some would say the demonstrations have been bordering on ‘extreme’. I would like to show the viewers at home footage from earlier as I’ve gone around Tokyo and found places where Anti-Senshi Demonstrations have popped up.”
(------)
It was the outside of a large manga outlet. A group of Furs, Scalies, and Insectoids was gathered around a large bonfire of books and magazines that was held in the center of the street; traffic clogged and brought to a complete halt. Some more Splicers were coming out from the front of the store to throw in more fuel for the fire.
“Excuse me, this is Kimiko Sasaki of Eye on Tokyo News 35,” Kimiko spoke up as she walked over to a Mantis Splicer, holding the microphone up to him. “I want to find out for the viewers at home; what are you people doing here?”
“Well, Sssasssaki-san,” The Mantis Splicer said, his mandibles moving so he could accentuate properly. “Thisss here isss an Anti-Sssenshi campaign. We’re burning all the Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon Manga that we can find. We won’t let those mini-skirted Splicers Racists spread their lies or hatred to the youth of Japan.”
It was then that a large Bear Splice came out the front of the Outlet, carrying a large cardboard box in his arms that was filled with Sailor Moon manga back-issues. He tossed it into the fire, causing it to raise higher for a moment.
“Burn Senshi, Burn! Burn Senshi, Burn! Burn Senshi, BURN!”
(------)
Outside of a Japanese Toys R Us store, seven Splicers and two humans were setting up a wood-chipper right near the doors of the stores.
“Excuse me, sirs and madams!” Kimiko shouted as she walked up to the group. “What is the meaning of this!”
“Oh, you’re from the News, aren’t you?” The human woman of the group asked.
“Yes,” Kimiko said. “Eye on Tokyo 35. Now, what are you people doing out here.”
“Ah, its very simple,” The woman said. “We won’t allow images or likenesses of the Senshit-heads to be spread across our nation like the fecal matter they are, as long as they are against the wonderful beauty that Splicing is.”
“But you aren’t Spliced,” Kimiko pointed out. “So why so passionate about this?”
“I was GOING to get Spliced, until those bitches ruined my chance.” It was then that a Tiger Splice came out from the store entrance, pushing a cart filled with Sailor-Senshi themed toys. “Ah, just in time! Let ‘er rip!”
It was then that the group gathered began throwing various related Senshi items; Action Fashion Dolls, frisbees, cuddly plushes, and such with into the wood-chipper. From the exit end came a spray of multi-colored confetti; the dismembered head of Chibi-Moon Doll that was missing one of its odango-ponytails bouncing off the lens of the video camera.
(------)
The scene was that of a clothing store, Splicers in the streets were looting any clothing outlets, taking all the mini-skirts they could. Kimiko ran up to one of the looters, a Wolf Splice. “Excuse me, sir!”
The Wolf Fur stopped in his tracks and turned to the newswoman with an irritated look in his face. “What?”
“May I ask what you’re going to do with all those mini-skirts?” Kimiko asked seriously.
“Simple. Need them for bonfires and demonstrations, duh!” He said as if it were obvious. “The mini-skirt is practically the symbol of those magical-girl fascists.” He held up the boxes high. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got poly-vinyl to burn!” And off the Wolf Fur went!
Kimiko nodded her head to that, and stopped as she noticed a male Calico Fur dragging an even larger box. “Excuse me, Neko-san!”
“Huh?” The Calico-patterned Fur said as he stopped in his tracks. “What is it?”
“Do you plan on burning those to protest the anti-fur tyranny of the Sailor Senshi, Neko-san?” Kimiko asked as she held the microphone out to him.
“What!?” The Calico Cat shouted. “HELL NO!”
“Oh?” Kimiko asked. “Then what are you doing?”
“I’m trying to save these for my club! You know how HARD it’ll be to get mini-skirts for the employees after this!?” The Male Calico Cat shouted. “I must protect the Precious! Preciousss...”
A sweat-drop appeared on the back of Kimiko’s head. “Er... Right...”
(------)
“Hey!” Motoki shouted as he screamed at two Splicers dragging a Sailor V Arcade Cabinet out into the streets through the broken glass doors of the Crown Game Video Arcade. “You can’t take that! My boss will kill me!” His eyes widened as the two Splicers were handed aluminum baseball bats. “NO!!!”
*WHAM*!
*BASH*!
*SMASH*!
Motoki went teary-eyed as he saw the two Splicers demolishing the Arcade Cabinet with swings of their baseball bats.
“Excuse me, sir!” Kimiko said as she walked up to the saddened Videogame Clerk. Holding the microphone practically right under his nose, she asked, “How are you holding up?”
“Terrible.” Motoki said. “These riots have gotten out of hand! They totally raided the Arcade. The UFO Catcher Machines have been emptied of all Sailor Senshi Dolls, and-”
(------)
“We’re sorry to cut that segment short,” Atasuke apologized as the TV once again was focused on the news-room and the two anchor-people. “But we’ve just received word that we’re to go live between an exclusive interview between Dr. Kay Mera and Kimiko Sasaki in an undisclosed location. Kimiko.”
(------)
“Hello,” Kimiko said to the camera as she sat down inside of a rather bare room, only two chairs and a light-bulb hanging from the ceiling. “I’m here with Dr. Kay Mera, the founder of Splicing, who wants to get word out about this attack on his Splicing Center.”
“Thank you, Sasaki-San,” Said the haggard-looking man of Science; bags under his eyes and the unwashed look of his clothes making it obvious he had neither slept for awhile, and was hard at work. “I have some terrible news to get out to those who have been Spliced at the Center.”
“Terrible news?” Kimiko inquired.
“Yes,” Dr. Mera said. “If this arson was a terrorist attack from the Senshi against Splicing to stop it, then they have done the complete opposite of their goal.”
Kimiko blinked her eyes. “What do you mean, Dr. Mera?”
“I kept the original DNA Samples on hand at the Splicing Center in a reinforced Freezer Vault,” The good doctor said. “After being allowed to view the surveillance tapes from the police, I learned that one of the Senshi DESTROYED the Safe.”
Kimiko frowned. “What does that mean?”
“We don’t have any other samples for people’s original DNA code on hand anywhere else,” Dr. Mera said. “They won’t be able to be changed back unless they are willing to subject themselves to possible years of research!”
The news-woman gawked at Dr. Mera. “But I thought you said that Splicing was reversible!”
“It is, provided we have all our materials on hand,” Dr. Mera said. “Without a copy of the original source, it will be next to impossible to map out a person’s DNA strains to figure out what the original coding was.”
“So, where does this leave the Splicers of Japan?” Kimiko asked.
“It means I hope they’re comfortable with the new them, because now they AREN’T going back,” Dr. Mera said in a dejected tone of voice.
“...What do you think this means for the future of Splicing?” Kimiko asked the tired doctor after a rather long awkward pause.
“It’ll continue,” Dr. Mera said. “But now the Japanese Government may just pull the plug. I mean, a Terrorist attack, many people that can’t go back to the way they are, not to mention all the rioting, looting, and anti-Senshi demonstrations...” Dr. Mera let out a sigh. “Even if I DO get a chance to re-establish a Splicing Center, my critics are going to have a field day with what’s gone on!”
Kimiko nodded and turned to the camera. “There you have it folks. The actions taken by the Sailor Senshi have literally robbed people of their past. And may this reporter just say that while she thinks some people won’t mind, there are going to be those who are going to be very unhappy with this turn of events...”
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(Posted Tue, 16 Nov 2004 23:39)
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