Chapter 1: Discovery
"It's not only the most difficult thing to know one's self, but the most inconvenient."
-Josh Billings
Eumelia Ianthe yawned sleepily as she walked down her driveway. It was Monday, the start of another school week. And she wasn't looking forward to it.
Her car-a little red Grand Am-was parked on the curb. It looked like a high school student's car. Rust included, and free of charge at that. Sighing, Eumelia dropped her backpack and purse on the passenger's seat, then got in on the driver's side.
Checking her mirror, Eumelia spotted something glittering on her otherwise clean backseat. Twisting around, she picked it up.
It was a silver oval-shaped locket. Engraved on the front were two spiraled signs, mirroring each other. Opening it, she saw simply a small round purple stone mounted in the center of the right panel.
Eumelia had never seen it before. Then again, she gave people rides quite often. It most likely belonged to one of those people. Shrugging, she put it in her purse, then started the car.
Eumelia was a sophomore at North High School in Davenport, Iowa. She lived with her mother and grandparents in a little house. She played French Horn in the band and made fairly above average grades, but she was no genius. She was 16 years old and had very long brown hair, which she usually pulled partly back with a bobby pin.
The girl pulled into North High's west parking lot, then grabbed her things. She headed for a door by the teacher's parking lot that led straight into the music hallway. On the way, Eumelia passed a haughty-looking girl with orange-tinted hair tied into a half-ponytail. Eumelia paid her no attention, so she did not notice the glare that girl cast towards her.
When the heavy door closed behind her, Eumelia accidentally dropped her purse. With a clattering noise, everything fell out and skidded across the tiled floor.
"Shoot," Eumelia muttered. She knelt down and began to shove everything haphazardly back in the purse.
She had just grabbed the locket when someone screamed, shrilly. Eumelia paused, looking up. The first scream was followed by the sound of someone running. Then there were more screams.
Eumelia stood up and looked down the hallway, her heart speeding up. What was going on?
Her questions were answered when a group of students rounded the corner, yelling for help. They were closely followed by a towering blue snake-like monster with multiple heads.
Upon seeing the monster, Eumelia had an absolutely ridiculous thought that the Odyssey had, apparently, come to life.
Then it saw her.
Time seemed to inexplicably slow down.
The monster fluidly turned away from the students. Eumelia back up, shivering, into the door. The monster reared his head up, ready to strike. The locket slipped from Eumelia's fingers.
But before it could hit the ground, a bright purple light flared, enveloping the scene.
When Eumelia woke up, the first thought she had was that there must not be any ceiling in her room anymore. After all, she couldn't see the stars if there was a ceiling. Except she was experiencing a rather strange floating sensation. And stars were surrounding her on all sides. It didn't feel like she was in her room, in bed, at all.
Eumelia rubbed her eyes vigorously. She pinched herself. But there was no change. As crazy as it seemed, it was apparently, ridiculously, real-
She was in space. Or a place that looked like it.
She was drifting comfortably in a sea of stars. Eumelia was so startled by this that she bolted upwards, rather then floating flat on her back. This served for more startles, and more after that, so that Eumelia was twisting everywhere. It would have been a comical sight, if she wasn't so darn worried. Especially when memories of what happened came back to her.
Am I dead? But what was the purple light for?
Eumelia contemplated this, as she drifted among the silent, watchful stars. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice another figure floating towards her, until they spoke. "Eumelia."
At this, the 16 year old looked up, startled once again. "Who are you? Where am I?" she demanded immediately among seeing the other person.
The aforementioned was a woman with shoulder-length, straight strawberry blonde hair. Her eyes were black-which seemed a strange combination, but Eumelia was beginning to stop questioning things like that. This was all strange. The woman wore a long black skirt and a white blouse.
"You are in the world between death and life, in space as it was in the ancient past. I am the Guide--but you may call me Beatrice."
"Wait, what? The world between death and life? So I'm in limbo? Why the heck is it in space? In the ancient past? Am I dead? And let me guess, you're the Guide to the afterlife because I accidentally went the wrong way. Figures."
And, to her surprise, Beatrice chuckled. "Oh, no. You're not dead. And I'm no Guide to the afterlife. And you didn't take the wrong path on accident. You're not in limbo-well, not like you're thinking-and it's in space in the ancient past only for you. Because this is for something very important." Beatrice spoke the last two words with an emphasis that made Eumelia cringe.
"How important?" Eumelia asked, her voice getting strangely small. Why, oh why, does this stuff have to happen to me?
Beatrice took a deep breath. "Eumelia, do you know about the Sailor Senshi in Japan?"
"Yes." Eumelia adored the Sailor Senshi. She had always, secretly, wished she could meet those strong, beautiful girls that protected the world. Sailor Senshi, Soldiers, or Guardians-no matter the name pinned to them.
"Well, there's more Senshi then those 5 in the world. In fact, you are one of them."
Eumelia blinked. "Wait. So you're saying there's more Sailor Soldiers in the world then just Moon, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus..." she ticked them off on her fingers. "And you're saying that I'm a Soldier, too?" Beatrice nodded. Eumelia stared, blankly. Then, "...that's impossible. You've confused me with someone else."
"I swear to the high heavens-which, unfortunately, means I'm swearing to the place we're in-that's I'm not confused. You are Sailor Lyra."
Eumelia snorted. "Lyra? That's a constellation. I thought they were all based around planets and moons. And maybe single stars. Not constellations."
"Well, you're wrong there. Partly. Yes, the majority of Sailor Senshi draw their power-and their names-from those things. After all, there are a lot more of those then constellations."
"Wait. But aren't all stars in constellations?"
Beatrice pinched her nose. "Listen, I didn't make the rules. Ask the person who did how that works. Anyways, you're Sailor Lyra, and you draw your power from the constellation of the same name."
Eumelia nodded, but there was a sinking feeling in her chest. "But Beatrice...if I'm a Senshi, then that means I have to fight. And, I realize now that I don't really want to. I like my life as it is-nice and simple and comfortable. Besides, I don't like to fight. And what if I die? I want to live my life to its normal span. Not die fighting a monster."
Beatrice was silent for a while, then spoke. "I understand your fears. However...it is imperative that you overcome those. Because the universe needs you-not just the world." She held her left hand up. A few sparkles gathered in the air above it, then a silver locket appeared, dropping into the woman's hand. She floated it over to Eumelia, who caught it gently. It was the same locket she'd seen this morning.
"I put this locket in your car, hoping you'd find out on your own. Unfortunately, you did not recognize it. And our enemy discovered you and attacked you, when you were still vulnerable and could not protect yourself. Luckily, the locket activated itself, and sent you here, where you could be safe-and I could tell you myself."
Eumelia studied the locket. She was still having a very, very hard time believing Beatrice. But it did feel warm in her palm, and it was almost like the locket was trying to tell her something. Averting her attention from the necklace, she looked up.
"Enemy? What do you know about them? And what's this locket for?"
Beatrice sighed. "Unfortunately, I know nothing about the enemy-only that they're focused on this area, and that they would seek you out. I don't know who they are, or what their motive is. And the locket is your henshin locket-that is, transformation locket. If you use it, you can transform into Sailor Lyra. To use it, you say 'Lyra Constellation Power, Make-up!'."
Eumelia studied it closely. It seemed strange that such a seemingly innocent object could give her the power the Sailor Soldiers in Japan had. However, she decided that now would be the time to chose whether she would fight-or not.
She was quiet for a very long time, thinking things over. Beatrice, understanding what was happening, stayed silent. But after nearly 20 minutes, Eumelia looked up, and slipped the locket over her head. It sparkled around her neck.
"I'll fight," she said, her voice strong and clear. "I'd hate myself forever for not doing this. It's just-do I have to fight alone? Or are there others like me?"
Beatrice smiled. "Yes, there are other Senshi who are in your area, and they are there because it is destiny. You have to find them. And-I'm very glad you decided to fight, Lyra. Now, I have to send you back-so you can fight for the first time. But, before you go, I want to give this to you." Beatrice summoned something else and once again floated it over to Eumelia.
It was a round purple makeup compact. The same symbol Eumelia had seen on the locket was painted in an aquamarine color on the top. Only now did it occur to the girl that the symbol looked like a harp-which was what the constellation Lyra represented. Opening it, Eumelia saw a mirror, and, predictably, some pale powder with a white sponge pad to apply it. Confused, she looked up at Beatrice.
"Um, I like makeup as much as the next girl, but why?" Beatrice laughed at that.
"That's a compact you can use to communicate with me. If you just say my name into the mirror, I'll appear in it and can talk to you. It's disguised like that so no one fiddles around with it-although you are the only one who can use it properly. I thought it would be better then, say, a phone, because people steal those more then makeup."
Eumelia nodded slowly, then slipped the compact into her pocket. "So...I've got to go back now and fight that monster, right?"
Beatrice nodded, gravely. "Sailor Lyra-Eumelia Ianthe-I wish you luck." She raised a hand, and a brilliant gray light flashed as Eumelia braced herself for the fight that was coming. She only hoped that she had made the right choice.
When the light cleared, Eumelia was once again standing against the door. Time, apparently, had stopped. She was the only person moving. The weight of the locket rested against her chest, and Eumelia knew that it was time to fight. She threw up a hand, while crying, "Lyra Constellation Power, Make-up!"
A purple light flared. When it was gone, Eumelia was changed into a Sailor Soldier-
Sailor Lyra.
She wore a short dress with a white bodice and a purple skirt decorated with 4 aquamarine pins. Bows of the same color adorned the back of the skirt and the front. The white sleeves completely covered her arms and hands. On Lyra's feet were purple heels, and a silver tiara accented with a purple star rested on her forehead. A choker was tied around her neck, and she also wore purple earrings.
Lyra assumed that she had transformed just in time, because very shortly after transforming, the monster-frozen the way it had been before the locket activated-began to move.
As much as Lyra had tried to brace herself for the fight, all of her courage evaporated.
There are some things humans just aren't meant to deal with.
So, as soon as the thing started to move towards her, Lyra shot down the hallway, heels clicking madly. Students and staff, who had no idea what had just happened, stared at her as she ran past. Who was this girl in the funny outfit, and why was she running as if all hell had just broken loose?
Lyra only stopped running when she reached the main hallway that led to the east and west sides of the building. She realized her mistake then, as the hallway was busy with people. News about the monster hadn't yet spread this far-but it would soon. Then all hell would break loose.
Clenching her fists, Lyra spun around-and saw the snake round the corner.
She spun back around. The hallway had to be cleared.
"Move!" She shouted, moving her arms in a sweeping motion. No one listened. Meanwhile, the snake continued to maneuver itself through the small corner.
Lyra decided to be louder. "Move! Clear the hallway!" she shouted again, louder this time. Everyone looked at her, then went back to talking. They weren't going to listen. After all, to them, she was just a girl in a funny outfit.
Lyra felt like screaming in frustration. Which she did. "Move! Get out of the hallway!" she shrieked, stamping her foot.
Still, they didn't move. Until someone who had been coming around the corner on the opposite end of the hallway behind Lyra saw the monster.
"Monster! There's a monster!" he screamed, running back around the corner.
That got everyone's attention. So did the snake's head finally poking into the main hallway.
Pandemonium. But at least they moved as far away as possible from Lyra and the snake. Meanwhile, teachers poked their heads out of classrooms to see what was happening, then frantically called the main office. Quite soon, an announcement came over the intercom, telling everyone to go into their classrooms and remain calm.
One teacher shouted for Lyra to go in his room, but she refused. "I'm going to fight this thing, you stay inside your room!" She shouted at him. He froze for an instant, but then, reluctantly, closed the door.
Turning around, Lyra faced her fears. She was still extremely scared, but that wasn't going to get her anywhere.
Of course, there was the issue of how to fight. Eumelia had neglected to ask-and Beatrice had neglected to tell-exactly what powers she had. And how to use them. But maybe if she thought hard enough, Lyra could figure that out.
But that was extremely hard to do when a snake-monster intent on eating you was about two feet away.
But as soon as Lyra was about to turn and run, an idea flashed brilliantly and wonderfully into her mind, and she latched onto it.
Feeling rather ridiculous, Lyra backed away quickly, raising her hands.
"Lyra Foaming Wave!" She cried the words that had popped into her mind. And it worked.
A light flared-I'm getting tired of lights, Lyra though bemusedly-and a wave of water appeared out of nowhere. It rushed towards the monster and engulfed it. And when the water cleared, the snake was gone-leaving nothing but puddles of water and posters on the wall soggy and torn.
Lyra, meanwhile, blinked. That attack didn't feel like she had made it up. It felt-comfortable to use, almost natural, as if she'd used it many times before. Huh.
However, people who had clustered around the small windows in the classroom doors immediately wanted to get out and ask her what she'd done. The security and police team that had been heading to deal with the monster froze, then started running towards her.
Lyra turned red. She didn't want to deal with this, much less reveal her secret. Besides, she liked the idea of being secretive. Just like the Soldiers in Japan.
So she turned and ran out the door, across the parking lot, behind the YMCA building, and scurried across the open grass until she reached the woods nearby, where she could lose them. Sure enough, nobody could find her.
Then, sitting down to rest, Lyra held up her hand. With little more then a thought, she was able to summon her communication locket. It materialized out of the air to land in her palm. She opened and spoke excitedly into the mirror. "Beatrice!"
The woman's face appeared in the mirror. "Congratulations, Lyra. Now, what we have to do is find the rest of the Sailors-and defeat the enemy." And with that said, her face disappeared, and she did not appear again.
Feeling confused, but still exhilarated, Lyra sent the locket back to-well, wherever it went when she was transformed and not using it. Then she thought for a minute and solved the issue of de-transforming. She had to touch the jewel on her tiara and will herself to de-transform. But again, that felt very familiar to do.
Eumelia hurried out of the trees and back to the school. Seeing a police team and reporters milling around the door she'd come out of, the girl took the driveway in the back to make it look like she'd come in the east door, and hadn't been near the west end at all. That way, she hoped people wouldn't recognize her.
When she came in, Eumelia was greeted by her best friend, Aella, who told her that school was canceled for the rest of the day. Eumelia was extremely grateful for this, as she'd decided that she'd had enough excitement-and her exhaustion had caught up with her.
So the new Sailor Senshi snuck over to the music hallway, grabbed her things, then headed out to her car and quickly got in and drove away, feeling absolutely amazed at the events of the day.