PRT 398- “Beyond Saturn Part 1”

“It looks fine.” Amara said.

I sighed, “Fine?”

“Well…what do you want me to say?”

Mina laughed, “Amara, she asked you here to get a guy’s opinion.”

“So ask Andrew…and since when am I a guy?”

“Andrew is about as much help as you are…and you’re not a guy, but you’re as good as one.” I said.

In spite of the chaos happening around us, I still wanted to plan my wedding. There was a lot to be done. I had invited Mina and Amara over to help me pick a centerpiece and we were standing around the counter in my bakery looking in a catalog.

“Lita, the fact of the matter is Andrew is happy to marry the woman he loves, he doesn’t care about the details.” Amara said.

“Aww, that’s really sweet Amara.” Mina said.

“Yeah, and largely unhelpful.” I said making a face.

“How can you worry about your wedding at a time like this anyway?” Amara asked.

I sighed, “I’m well aware of what we’re facing. I guess this just is a way to get my mind off it for awhile.”

“You guys did see the lightning storm the other night, right?”

Mina nodded, “Yes. It’s not good.”

“But Michelle wouldn’t actually turn on us…would she?” I asked.

“I don’t know Lita…maybe.”

“I think she has turned on us. She tried to kill us, or have you forgotten?” Amara asked.

“So we have Mia and Michelle to worry about…just what we needed.”

“We have to stop them both.”

“So does this mean we’re a team?” Mina asked.

“Yeah, it does. We all have to work together…and we have to stop Michelle at all costs.”

Mina sighed, “I know. I don’t like it but if she uses that Amethyst she’ll take us all out…and who knows what else.”

Amara nodded, “Agreed. The power she displayed already is enough to be concerned.”

“Yeah. I know. And then there’s Mia.”

“Do we even know where Mia is? Aren’t the police still looking for her to question her?” I asked.

“Yeah, but she’s still M.I.A.”

“Ironic.”

“We have to find her. Although I don’t think she’s as dangerous as Michelle.” Amara said.

“Yeah, but she still has Mistress 9 on her side. Maybe Diamond will be able to help us track her. He seems to know her pretty well…or at least know a lot about her.” Mina said.

“Not a bad idea.”

“I think I’m going to visit Diamond and see if he has any ideas. We’ll work on this more later Lita.”

I nodded, “That’s fine.”

“I’m going to head out too. Thanks for the cupcake Lita.” Amara said.

“You’re welcome.” I replied.

After they left I went home. Andrew was sitting in the living room watching TV. Ever since Mia’s threat to hurt our loved ones too I had asked Andrew to stay in the apartment.

“Hey sweetie.” I said as I walked over and leaned down to kiss him.

“Hey.” He replied, returning the kiss.

“How was your day?”

“Boring. Lita, I do not want to be confined to the apartment forever.”

“I know babe, but it’s not forever…just until we can track down Mia.” I said as I sat next to him.

“I talked to Chad today.”

“How is he?”

“Fine. He and I were talking about Michelle though.”

“And?”

“I think you may have downplayed the threat she poses to you and the others.”

“No, I just don’t think she’d actually turn on us.”

“And if she does…I know how powerful Michelle is…if she does turn on you there is nothing you can do to stop her.”

“It won’t come to that.”

“How can you be so sure Lita?”

“Because nothing can happen to me. We’re going to be married and have a great life. We’ve come too far for it to end this way.”

“Lita, I love you so much. I don’t know what I would do if anything happened to you.”

“I know, but nothing will happen. I promise. Now let’s forget about this and you can help me make dinner.”

Andrew smiled, “Sounds good.”

Michelle

~~~~~~~

It was the day after Mindy’s funeral. Ms. Kyle and Nathan had gone back to Illinois but planned to come back. They wanted answers. I knew the answers. I just wanted revenge. It was my quest for revenge that made Tommy think it was a good idea for him to stick around for a bit longer. He had been trying to talk me out of going rogue for days. So far he had yet to present an argument that convinced me. I had been waiting until after the funeral. Now that it was over I had nothing holding me back. It was time to strike.

My first order of business was to track down Mia. The police had yet to find her but I knew she was out there somewhere. I was going to find her.

I was headed out of the apartment when Tommy came up behind me.

“Going somewhere?” he asked.

“Yes.” I replied.

“Mich, don’t do this. Please think this through.”

“I have.”

“You can’t go after Mia on your own.”

“Watch me.”

“Call your team for back up.”

“I have no team…besides, they’re next.”

“Michelle, no…”

“Just leave me alone Tommy.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t let you do this.” Tommy said as he grabbed my arm.

I turned and went to punch him, but he dodged, “Do you really want to do this?”

“No but I’m not going to let you go rogue either.”

I rolled my eyes, “You can’t stop me Tommy. You can take me down hand to hand, but I have power you don’t and I will use it on you if you force me.”

“You expect me to stand aside and let you take down your friends?”

“They aren’t my friends, now let me go!” I cried as I lifted my leg to kick him. He swept his foot under me and knocked my other foot off the ground, causing me to crash to the floor. He pinned me down.

“You’re not going anywhere.” He said.

“Let me go!” I cried.

“What’s going on?” Rocky asked as he came out of the bedroom.

“Michelle thinks she’s going to find Mia and take out all the Soldiers.” Tommy replied.

“I don’t think, I know.” I corrected.

“Mich, stop…don’t do this.” Rocky begged.

“I’ve had enough of this!” I yelled as I managed to free one of my hands. I moved my hand and aimed then I fired lightning at Tommy. He flew backwards and off me. “I warned you.” I said as I stood up.

“Mich, please…I’m begging you.” Rocky said as he grabbed my arm.

“Don’t. I would hate to have to use my lightning on you too.”

“Mich, this isn’t the way.” Tommy said as he tried to pull himself up.

“This is the only way. Saturn Spirit Power!” I cried as I transformed and ran off without another word.

I didn’t know where to find Mia, but I did know it was some place no one else would think of looking. I also knew that if I tried really hard my Amethyst could track Hotaru and I figured where I found Hotaru, Mia wouldn’t be far behind.

It took some concentration, but I was able to get a reading. I ended up at a seedy hotel on the outskirts of LA. It was the last place anyone would think to look for a rock star. I watched the hotel for a bit and eventually saw Hotaru leave room 219 to go get ice. She got her ice and went back. I got closer and it seemed pretty clear that Hotaru and Mia were in that room just biding their time until the smoke cleared.

Mia

~~~

“Thanks Hotaru.” I said as she came back with the ice. I had sent her because I couldn’t risk being seen. I knew the police were looking for me…not to mention Michelle, who I knew was out for blood.

“No problem. So, how long are you planning to stay cooped up here?” Hotaru asked.

“I’m not sure. Killing Mindy ruined everything. I’ve ruined my career…Kaya is still gone…I really messed up.”

“What did you think would happen? You were keeping her at your apartment of all places. You should have hid her elsewhere so you wouldn’t have been connected.”

“Yeah, I know that now. I guess I didn’t expect this to go so far. I honestly thought that they’d give up Kaya before I killed Mindy.”

“Called that wrong.”

“No kidding. I don’t know what to do now.”

“You could always just go talk to the cops.”

“And tell them what? Sorry, I didn’t mean to blow her up? I murdered someone…”

“And you’re too powerful to keep incarcerated.”

“Unless they kill me. I have to take out the others and take control of Earth before it’s too late.”

“Then we need a plan…fast.”

I sighed. In truth I kinda felt bad about killing Mindy. It wasn’t how I expected it to end. I really expected I would get Kaya back…but when the others refused things just escalated and got out of hand. I never really thought I’d have to kill Mindy, it just happened. Now my civilian life was a mess and I was wanted by the police so I couldn’t be seen in public as Mia and I couldn’t go out as Sailor Nemesis until I had a plan.

Hotaru turned on the TV and there was an entertainment news show on:

“…reps for Britney declined to comment. And in other news, Mia Blackwood is still at large. The LAPD has said she is a person of interest in the death of Mindy Kyle and anyone with any information on her whereabouts should call the LAPD right away. At this point the LAPD states she is not a suspect, but that Mindy’s death is a murder investigation. Mindy was killed in an explosion at Mia’s LA apartment. The source of the explosion has yet to be pinpointed and the LA Fire Department is baffled. A rep for Mindy’s sister, Michelle Morris, released the following statement, ‘Although Michelle had just met Mindy, she did love her very much and is deeply distraught and disturbed at her untimely passing. She requests privacy for herself, her family, and Mindy’s family during this very difficult time. Michelle has cooperated with the LAPD in every way she can and is requesting anyone with any information do the same.’ Meanwhile, Michelle’s brother Zack Morris issued this statement, ‘Losing Mindy comes as a shock to all of us. I ask the press to respect the privacy of my family and especially Mindy’s family as we grieve. I also ask Mia Blackwood to please come forward to tell the police anything you might know that can help us find out what happened to my little sister. Any information is much appreciated. All we want is for Mindy to have justice.’ No additional details are available at this point but we will bring you any new information as we receive it. We’ll be right back.”

I sighed, “I’m a fugitive.”

“You could always go blast the police station.” Hotaru said.

“I’ve considered it. If Sailor Nemesis takes credit for Mindy’s murder then I’m off the hook…unless someone connects the fact I am Nemesis…then I’m in real trouble.”

“You’re not doing anyone any good here. You seriously need to get a plan together…fast.” Hotaru said as there was a blast that knocked out the door.

“Tick, tock. Times up.” Sailor Saturn said.

Lita

~~~

“I really needed this.” I said as I closed my eyes. After dinner Andrew and I went to take a warm bath together and he was massaging my neck while we sat in the warm water.

“I’m glad you feel a little better.” Andrew said as he kissed my neck softly.

“I do.” I said as I turned around to face him then I laid on my stomach so my head was resting on his chest, “I love you so much Andrew.”

“I love you too Lita.” He replied as he wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back gently.

“I can’t wait for our wedding.”

Andrew laughed, “You’re going to have to being as we don’t even have a date set.”

I sighed, “I know. I hate that. I wish we could just be rid of Mia so I didn’t have to worry about her.”

“We could always do what Mina and Adam did and just do a Vegas run.”

“I know, but I want a real wedding.”

“I know it means a lot to you.”

“It does. Maybe we can get married in the spring.”

“On May Day?” Andrew laughed.

“Ha ha. I was thinking April sometime.”

“1^st?”

“No!”

“15^th?”

“NO!”

“Well, there’s 28 more days to choose from.”

I laughed.

“It’ll happen. I promise I’ll be your husband.”

“I love the sound of that.” I said with a smile.

“Lita Holdenford…does have a nice ring to it.”

I nodded, “I think so.”

“Are you going to keep using your maiden name professionally like Mina?”

“Nah. I’m not as big of a star as she is. Besides, I like the idea of taking your name. I understand why Mina didn’t take Adam’s but…yeah, I’m dropping my last name altogether when we get married.”

“So is Mina legally Mina Park or did she not take it at all?”

“No, she legally changed her last name to Mina Park, but like most famous women she’s going to use Mina Gordon for her career.”

“Well, you have to admit, Lita Stevens is a much easier name than Lita Holdenford.”

“Yes, but who wants easy?”

Andrew smiled, “Certainly not us.”

“Never.” I picked my head up and kissed him.

“I don’t know what I would do without you.”

“You’ll never have to find out.” I said as the lights flickered.

“What was that?”

I sighed, “I don’t know, but I get the feeling it’s not natural.” I stood up and grabbed a towel to dry off.

“Michelle or Mia?” Andrew asked.

“I don’t know…maybe both? Only one way to find out. I need to call the others.” I said as I grabbed some clothes and got dress. I had a really, really bad feeling.