July deadline......................................

Did I make it?


Many may or may not remember me.

This is the long-anticipated next section of this story. I didn't take too 
long, did I?

Barring revisions from C&C, it's for real this time.

This is not the entire chapter, so do not worry about the size.

More posts should come within the next couple of days.

For those reading for the first time, earlier chapters can still be found at:
http://members.tripod.com/DNyx/NETTG.html

Special thanks to:

Jason Hanks, who has stayed with me the whole time on this.
Jussi Nikander, who has kept on going...
Louis-Philippe Giroux, who keeps on trying! ^_^

And everyone else for keeping the vision alive.

So, all in all, here we go.



<Sailor Nuke voiceover>

Last time, on Nuke 'Em 'Till They Glow!!

<Scene: Setsuna examining lots of LoveCraft>

Setsuna was going crazy trying to get rid of Ranma!!

Setsuna(one eye bigger than the other): Soon, my precious! (clutches a small
volume)

<Arby talking with Kasumi Incognito>

Arby wasn't all there himself!

Arby(snaps a twig): No! The fungus that 'olds the universe together is--

<Sailor Pluto drags Ranma in for Kawaii-ken training>

Sailor Pluto: I... just can't do it!!!

And this girl finally gave in!!

<'Tim beats up holo-Piccolo>

'Tim kept on powering-up!!

<A crescent moon mark appears on the man's forehead>

<Kakkorotto lands>

Then a special season-ender villain arrived!

<Kakkorotto smacks aside Herb>
<Kakkorotto vaporizes Saffron>
<Kakkorotto beats up Akuma>
<Kakkorotto beats up all the Sailor Senshi>

But he didn't last fer nuthin'!

<Arby Fighting Kakkorotto>

Arby: HABBERJUG AND WILLYWUG, SANG ARBY ON THE WAY!!!!

<A green explosion seen from orbit.>

But don't worry; everyone else's okay.

<All the main cast in the hospital>

Dr. Anderson: Hmm, just a few broken ribs. (looks at Amy)

And now, the continuation!!

[&&&Begin Chapter 10, part 2.]

    ". . .The blast was unusually concentrated, and defies
absolutely all the laws of physics, dynamics, and dimensional theory.
It is one of the great mysteries of the universe, given that it could
not possibly have existed or have been generated by any known or even
theoretical phenomenon. Equally impossible is the fact that the world
upon which it was unleased could have remained intact. The event,
though recorded and analyzed by several million respected scientists
from tens of thousands of sentient races is generally considered an
error, a lie, or at best a mass hallucination. University students
and the scientific community at large are warned that research into
this subject is strictly prohibited(see ArbyFish Blast Event
Research; Legal Penalties: Captial Punishment)."

    -The Great Encyclopedia of Absolutely Everything and Anything
in the Universe and in Space and Time, Building 4, Floor 3, Station
5a, theme: ArbyFish Blast Event, The.

    "Darn Roight! We'z knows 'ow to blow 'em up roight noicely, we
does."
    -The official ArbyFish response to the above statement, signed
and endorsed by the Green Counsel at Batterspoon.

---

    MISTER R. B. FISH?

    "Yes, wot-wot?"

    THIS IS DEATH.

    "'Ello sez Oye ta you ta me and you back in return!"

    I'VE COME FOR YOU.

    "Well, now! This is a surproise, Oye must say."

    FOR MOST, IT USUALLY IS.

    "'Sbout mouldey toime."

    INDEED.

    "Don't all ArbyFish go to Heaven?"

    I DON'T KNOW.

    "And just why not?"

    NONE OF YOUR RACE HAS EVER DIED BEFORE.

    "'Course we 'ave! Whoy, there wuz Flanburger just last week!"

    HE GOT BETTER.

    "Oh. Well, then. Yew troyin' ta tell me Oyme the first one?"

    YES.

    "So where do Oye go, then?"

    I'LL HAVE TO LOOK IT UP.

    "Yew do that, young man."

    HMM, ARBYFISH?

    "Roight."

    ARE YOU A TYPE OF AARDVARK?

    "Oye moight be..."

    THEN, YES.

    "But wot if Oye wuz a varoity a' pygmie marmoset?"

    THEN, NO.

    "Whoy's that?"

    IT'S DIFFICULT TO EXPLAIN.

    "Hmph. Sneuty Bomph."

    YOU'RE TAKING THIS WELL. COME ON, I'LL INVITE YOU TO BREAKFAST.

    "Can dead ArbyFish even eat breakfast?"

    NO. HA HA.

    "Don't make me destroy yew, loike Oye destroyed that Monkey."

    YES, WELL, COME WITH ME. YOUR TIME IS UP.

    "Are there mushrooms in Heaven?"

    A FEW.

    "Oh, goodie!"

---

    It was near dawn, and darkness reigned over the city of Tokyo.
The electricity had been out for several hours, though workers and
officials had been trying to make repairs and establish a firm idea
of what in Dennis Rodman's name had just happened.

    A few glints of sunlight shot over the horizon, revealing to
the world a ghastly sight: A gigantic smoldering crater scarred the
more central parts of the great city, a good ten percent of Tokyo
turned into into a stunning replica of a Nevada nuke-test site.

    "Cheesy Americans and their little cherry-bombs," a crotchety
old mad scientist commented from a distance.

    Other than the billions of yen of property damage, it wasn't
that much of a deal. I mean, what remained was amazingly preserved,
aside from a broken window here and a fallen-out wall there. Nothing
serious, though a really big, fat sumo-wrestler at the rim of the
crater must have been really hung-over from the party last night,
due to the fact that as he began his morning showering routine, he
failed to notice that half the bathroom was missing.

    "La-LA-la-laaAaaH!" Sir Lard-O III yodeled offkey, scrubbing
his portly backside with a huge, long, bent-handled Reach(tm)
bathbrush.

    At the bottom of the crater, hundreds of prone forms lay
scattered to and fro. As the sunbeams poured down upon them, they
awoke one by one. Many stumbled to their feet, momentarily as
confused as drunken men of their whereabouts and circumstances.
Others simply yawned, sat up, and looked around.

    "AAAH! I'M BLIND!!!" cried one when he saw the bathing
scene through the fallen walls.
    "Wha? AAAH!"
    "We don't wanna see _that_."
    "AAAAARRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!" *Thump*

    All except a few recalled the sudden explosion that came
towards them, but all were grateful to be alive.

    "Man, I got ta cut down on them there spicy beaaaaans!"
    "Yeah, Lester! You done blew up half the city!"
    "Not agaaaain!"
    "Hoooo-dogies, that _stinks_, sonny-boy!"

    While all the confusion of whose fault it really was echoed
throughout the landscape, a small black cat padded through the
deep dusty plain, looking for some sign of a familiar face.

    Luna had been searching for Sailor Moon and the others for
hours. She had also been keeping a watchful eye out for some trace
of her old associate, Arby. Her search, however, had been all for
naught. She found no sign of any of the girls, nor of others she
knew. The cat stopped and sighed, bowing her head and tightly closing
her eyes.

    She recalled the night before. She had a dream; she felt that
someone was calling her; she felt that someone was saying his last
goodbye to her. From the looks of the crater, she presumed that there
had been some sort of climactic battle, and felt that one very close
to her was sacrificed in the process. She had called out Arby's name
when she awoke from her dream. He may not have survived, but what of
the others? Were they gone as well?

    Luna shook her head. She couldn't lose hope. No, she wouldn't
lose hope. They had to have survived. She didn't know how, but they
just had to. The mooncat took a breath and called upon her telepathic
abilities. Perhaps she could find where to continue her search.

    *Shhhhhh* The crescent moon on her forehead began to glow
brighter little by little, the light grew in intensity, and in pair
of seconds, it dimmed once more.

    Luna sensed them. Yes, they were alive. One, two, three,
four--Serena, Raye, Amy, Terra--they were all there. She breathed
a sigh of relief. She repeated the search and felt the presence of
Tuxedo Mask--Darien, but no sign of Arby. He was really gone. Luna
nodded and began to slowly move toward the nearest girl she felt.

    *Squish* The cat stepped into something grey and juicy.
"Eew," she said, looking down at the object. It was a steaming slab
of meat. It smelled good, too. She looked around and noticed
something that she hadn't before: there were chunks of crisp meat
scattered all over the crater. It looked tasty, she thought wryly,
but she didn't know where it had been or what it was from, but it
certainly smelled good. Maybe it would taste good...

    Everyone was out of danger for right now, so she thought it
was okay if she took a break. After all, in the mad rush to look
for the Senshi, she'd forgotten breakfast!

---

    Speaking of breakfast, there existed a restaurant somewhere in
this same city which sat by a small video arcade and bore a big sign
outside that read, in large, friendly letters, "Tim's Ucchan,"
'Ucchan' being in business-like letters and 'Tim's' being in cursive
on the upper-left corner. Inside, a few scattered customers were
pondering over the breakfast menu while the joint's owner was
speaking with his only employee over a tall glass of strawberry
juice.

    As the conversation between the two progressed, in surprise,
'Tim spat out his morning sugary fruit drink, completely drenching
the head cook. "There was a battle with a level ten super sayajin
and you didn't tell me?!" He sat up from his chair and lifted
himself from the table to be eye-level with the girl. "We could
have gone out and had dinner!"

    Ukkyo flinched, placing her giant battle-spatula to the side,
taking in for a moment her newly moistened condition and considered
how to respond. "Look, I didn't know about it until I asked your
computer what that big flash outside last night was!"

    "Hmm," 'Tim mused, "okay. But do you know who ate who? A fight
with sayajins isn't finished until the other's completely devoured."
He paused. "Or, at least, that's the way _I_ liked to do it."

    Ukkyo shrugged helplessly.

    "Thanks anyway, though."

    Ukkyo sighed and slowly wiped away a strand of her soaked
hair. "Don't we have anything more serious to talk about?"

    'Tim cocked an eyebrow. "Like what?"

    "Like _us_."

    The pink-haired man paused, standing up straight as he
pondered his response. "Us? Well, I think I had the right idea
when I said we'd be better off keeping everything professional
for now. I mean, you're an ex-soldier from General Nephrite's
NegaForces and I'm a Knight in Shining Armor made and designed
to destroy you and everything like you."

    "Opposites attract," Ukkyo offered.

    "Hmmm," 'Tim paused, holding his chin as if making a
sudden, brilliant discovery. "You're _right_. We could make
this work. I think it's a great idea."

    Ukkyo's hopes began to rise. "Really?"

    "Yeah," 'Tim nodded. "We started out fighting, but then
there was a change and you ended up with me again, this time
fighting to defend me. Then you were giving your life for me-"

    "Then you saved _my_ life," Ukkyo added.

    "And in the end we were both okay and we're together again,"
'Tim finished. "It's perfect, I like it-"

    "-I like it, too-"

    "Plus, there doesn't seem to be any reason for Fate to
get in the way. We've both got enough power to protect ourselves
if someone else does, and I don't have any other romantic
entanglements that come to mind."

    "I don't have anyone else either. I'm in a strange world
and I think you're the best thing in it. Before you, all I can
remember is death, fighting, and evil. There was no love there.
You're different. I like you better."

    The two moved closer, face to face, each with a knowing
smile. Then a hug, a kiss and it was official!

    Peering from around a corner, Paracite hi-fived the
holographic doctor. "Yeah!" The patrons of the restaurant also
applauded politely between mouthfuls.

    *Zrrrr!* 'Tim's golden crescent moonmark suddenly glowed for
a second and sparked. "Whoaaaaaah!" he blurted out, the shock
forcing the two apart. "Something is NOT right here."

    Ukkyo took a step back. "What happened?!"

    "There's something--something REALLY bad going on. I can feel
it right here!" 'Tim moved his hand to his right temple and tapped
it. "It's like... Me, my self--my other personages are shouting at
me to get out and do something, because everything's pointing to a
battle." He turned around. "It's going to be-be-beeeee--Over there!"
He pointed out toward the crater visible in the distance through
the restaurant's front windows. "No time to lose!" his tone took on
a sense of urgency. "I have to go!"

    Before Ukkyo could say anything, 'Tim rushed past the tables,
nearly knocking over a pair of girls as he left.

    *Whoosh!* 'Tim's image flickered out as he started to run
faster than the human eye can detect.

    Ukkyo stared after him, keeping in mind that her boss and
new boyfriend was probably going to fight the Dark Kingdom again.
"Hope he isn't going to kill anyone _I_ know," was all she could
say to ease her peace of mind, then sighed sadly at the broken
moment and went back to work.

---

    "Ow--hey!" Serena and Raye shouted as some tall pink-haired
guy in a Goku getup rushed past them while they entered the newish
restaurant. "Watch it!" Raye called back, but lost sight of the rude
individual when she turned around.

    The two shrugged it off and took a seat at a table near the
entrance. "Why did you have to invite me to breakfast _sooooooo_
early, Raye?" Serena yawned.

    "Because we have school later on!" Raye replied. "And I REALLY
need to talk to you. One on one, you know, like--like-"

    Serena brightened. "Like friends?"

    "Rrright."

    The waitress chose that moment to approach them. She was
looking somewhat uncomfortably soaked with fruit juice, but
nevertheless maintained an enthusiastic demeanor. "Hi! I'm Ukkyo,
and I'll be your waitress for this morning," she greeted, pointing
to her nametag. "Can I get you anything to start with?"

    Raye held up two free meal coupons. "Are these still good?"

    Ukkyo retrieved the paper slips and examined them. "They don't
expire for another couple months, so I guess so." She gave half a
smile and tucked the coupons away. "Actually, I don't know how my
boyf-errr! BOSS keeps the place open with so many of these flying
around." She consulted a notebook, then looked back at them.
"What'll it be?"

    "I'll have a," Raye read from the menu, "senzu soup special
with," she continued trying to read, "Toad 'in the 'Ole," a
British accent coming out. She turned the menu upside down.
"Then some crumpets and buttered scones with tea."

    "And you?"

    "Umm," Serena fidgeted, unable to figure out what anything
on the menu, due to it being written in Japanese or having just
a really strange name. "I'll have what she's having."

    "I'll be right back," Ukkyo said, and went into the back
room.

    *Whip!*Whosh!*Slash!*Shiiiing!!!*HISSSSSS* There was a mix of
kitchen noises and in a couple of seconds, the cook sped out with
the orders, placed them with in front of the girls, and dodged back
to attend other patrons.

    Raye took an impressed glance at Ukkyo's speed. "Wow. That was
fast." She turned back to Serena, who was happily wolfing down her
food. "Serena, we need to talk about what's been going on."

    Serena yawned and looked up. "Like what?"

    "Like the fact that yesterday we got our tails kicked from here
to New Jersey and back," Raye said, her speech varying in emphasis.
"Terra's mom knows our secret identities, Amy's in the hospital,
Terra's so weak she can barely stand, your prism's broken and," she
threw open the curtains beside them, "there's a THREE-MILE-WIDE
CRATER IN THE MIDDLE OF TOWN!!!"

    Serena frowned. "Oh yeah, that's right. There is, isn't there?
And the prism," the girl looked down at the brooch on her blouse's
red bow, clicked it open, looked in, winced, closed it, and continued,
"doesn't look good." She considered that for a moment. "When are we
going to visit Amy? Maybe she can fix it. I forgot to ask her last
time."

    "Visiting hours aren't until four. We'll go after school. But
meanwhile, we need to figure out what to do if the Negaverse attacks
again soon. Amy can't fight, _you_ can't fight, Tuxedo Mask only
shows up sometimes, and I wouldn't count on the Starlight Knight's
help."

    "Why not?"

    "I had a vision: He. Is. Evil."

    "Is not! If he was evil, why would he be helping us out so
much?" Serena looked a bit upset.

    Raye looked away. "I know what I saw."

    "What DID you see?"

    The priestess shivered. "Death. Destruction. Murder. All
caused by _him_. I don't think he's with Nephrite or anyone, but-"

    Serena's frown faded and she began to laugh. "Oh, don't worry,
Raye! You're just being paranoid. He CAN'T be evil or anything like
that. He's just not the type."

    "Not the type?! You've seen him fight, haven't you?"

    "But that's just against badguys!"

    Raye groaned and decided to just change the topic. "Okay, but
just be REALLY careful. Back to the question: What do we do if the
Negaverse attacks again? If it's anything like last night, we're
toast! We're not strong enough for it."

    "But whatever it is," Serena said, "I'm sure _you'll_ be able
to handle it." She winked and gave a thumbs-up. "I have full
confidence in you, Raye!"

    "Gee, thanks," Raye muttered.

    *Beep-beep!* Serena's watched beeped. She looked down at it.

    Yup. Late for school. Calm went to Fear. Fear became Panic.

    "AAAAAH! WE'RE GONNA BE LATE!!!!!!"

    *VROOOOOOOOM!* The two rushed out, completely forgetting to
leave a tip.

    "Hey!" Ukkyo called after them. She watched thoughtfully after
them for a second. "Wait, they look a lot like--"

    "Ahem!" a red-orange-headed teenage girl dressed like a
sorceress tugged on the hem of the ex-youma cook's shirt. "The
buffet's empty. I _haven't_ had all I can eat yet!"

    "Oh, for crying out loud," Ukkyo whispered, rolling her eyes
and getting back to work.

***

    A young Norse goddess tapped away at the keyboard in one of the
many Yggdrassil terminals scattered throughout the heavenly setting.
She was pretty sure she was about to solve the latest bug problem.

    Aside from the sudden rise in combined tribal activity among
Blue ArbyFish in the Andromeda galaxy, the more local problems included
a severe weakening in the space-time continuum in the center of Tokyo,
a paradox being formed in the destiny subroutines, and Scottish kilts
suddenly coming in style. The closer, and more personal problem would
have to be the bug in the Norn registry. Skuld clicked on the registry
icon and a screen came up.

    [Pantheon: Norse
     Subdivision: Fate
     Personnel:

        Skuld:     Goddess 3rd class, limited.
        Belldandy: Goddess 1st class, unlimited.
        Urd:       Goddess 2nd class, limited.
RETWEFWEE%#$R@#@#%#*@)%&JWRE$^*%^R%#!#$Y*$&^+))_?<<??<~!@?<~!?#!?@<$?!
*Beep*@$#%2@#Atom$#%@#Star*$#%#@$Kni%#&#%@$$$$$$$$*BEEP!*%#@$%@#@#$
!@$!@$>VS:#$@!E:!@#Tim Knight: #@$@!#$Goddess#$^@#th@#$%@#Class,@#$
@#$imited.!@$@#%#$DFER%@#*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!*
*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!*

     Ok.]

    *Squeak!* A fuzzy, eight-legged, rabbity bug chose that moment
to hop out of a crack in the divine machinery and onto the goddess'
shoulder. Skuld stared at it.

    "AAAAAAAH!"

    The errors just kept getting worse as time went on. They HAD
to take action quickly to fix it!

***

    "Indignity of indignities," Jadeite groaned.

    "Play ball!" the coach called.

    Yes! Even though a chunk of the city had been destroyed, and
even though homes of many had been obliterated completely, the school
board absolutely refused to call off today. It was a field day at
Jubaan Junior High School. They had foregone the normal pleasantries
of roll call in the classroom and went straight outside for a
delightful game of co-ed softball, now Jade was up to bat.

    "I'll try to make this one easy for you!" Melvin called from
the pitcher's mound.

    "Talk down _one_ more time to me, and I'll-" the exceptionally
adorable ex-general began, but remembered the warning she'd gotten
from school and city officials about misbehavior, and choked back
her disdain, finishing with, "give you a hug you'll never forget."

    Several individuals in the dugout giggled at that. "Jade and
Melvin, sittin' in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G! First comes-"

    Jadeite gave them a negative expression, holding up her left
hand, crackling with energy. The childish song ended abruptly. A
few whispered amongst themselves.

    "Careful. She's the girl with all the gnarly powers."
    "Really? She doesn't look at all violent."
    "Want to test that? I dare you to invite her out."
    "Uhhhhhhhhh, no."
    "Anyone seen Terra?"
    "Hey, anyone seen Molly?"
    "Yeah, where's Buckwheat, for that matter?"
    "I be ova' here, sho'fry!"

    "Okay, here goes!" Melvin called, barely avoiding tripping
over his own feet as he tossed the softball toward first base.

    *THWACKK!* Jade effortlessly sent the softball sailing over
the horizon.

    The team in the dugout cheered. "Woo-hoo! Go Jade!" Serena
exclaimed, waving a pair of red flags.

    "Hmph," Jade squeaked and started to make the short run around
the diamond, "my head hurts." She made it to first base. "It's
getting worse." She passed second and started to slow down. "Ah-"
she fell and skidded on her knees, holding her head and stopping
just inches away from home plate. "Ah-ah-AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
she screamed and a huge, crackling, light-red aura surrounded her.

    The other players gasped.

    "Ahhhh hah hah hah," Jadeite said malevolently in a masculine
voice, her eyes glowing white. Her face twisted and her lips curved
into a dark smile. "It begins now. You have but hours to live,
pitiful creature." The voice and aura faded and she slumped forward,
her eyes wide and breath quickened. "W-wha-what's happening to me!?"

    That got Serena's attention. "Whoooooaaaaaaaaaa, something's
_definitely_ not right here."

    The voice and effects returned to the girl's cute form.
"Marvel not. I am taking over. JADEITE SHALL LIVE ONCE MORE!!!"
The energy dissipated again, leaving Jade doubly frightened and
confused.

    "J-J-J-Jadeite?!" Serena blurted out, recalling the name of
an old foe. She stood up, ran over to Jade, helped her up and dragged
her off by the hand. "I gotta take you to see someone!" Jade was too
bewildered to resist.

^_^

    Guardian Jadeite's consciousness fought a bitter struggle
inside his mind. The occupying force was indeed strong, but he had
the advantage of surprise on his side.

    The possessed Guardian had been biding his time, as he had
planned, gathering and consolidating whatever forces he could beckon
to his command. While his Great Secret Weapon(TM, patent pending)
remained unused, a great deal of damage had already been done to the
black, reeking mind of that incorrigible interloper.

    Jadeite typically wasn't the vengeful sort; he liked a more
diplomatic solution under normal circumstances, but there was just
something about when an evil demon comes in, takes control of his
body, kills all his friends and loved ones, and KEEPS ON TRYING TO
DO SO throughout a whole new lifetime that just sort of burned him
up.

    Oh no, the Guardian thought. Your sorry hide IS MINE, buddy!

    Then, with a breath and the battle-cry of, "HERE'S ONE FOR
THE OLD MAN!!!" he continued the assault, shredding through the
General's ill-begotten being.

^_-

To be continued...

The chapter is not over yet.

Any corrections or comments on this section will be greatly appreciated. I
haven't had the quadra-level prereading I so much desire. I miss it...

Oh well, gotta start building back up again.

And those who are wondering about "Going at it like Rabbits!!"
I'll need a Nurse Angel Ririka expert before I can continue. Anyone? ^_^

-------------------------------
Benjamin A. Oliver
boredcollective@aol.com

    "We are the Bored. Lower your shields and surrender your fics.
     We will add your standup and slapstick comedy to our own.
    Your humor will adapt to entertain us.
    Resistance is and always has been: Futile."
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