The Lost Senshi
Episode 3: Earth, Wind, and Fire


Ms. Kali stalked up and down the rows of students. "I can't understand why so many of you are having trouble with this class. I try to teach in an interesting manner, but I get no respect. You don't even attempt to do your homework." She glared at Ramona. "So, I've come up with an exercise. Anyone with a grade lower than a 'C' in this class will be assigned to a group with someone who has an 'A' or 'B'. You are going to study with them and write a report on a topic of their choosing. They will then grade the paper. You kids are going to have to learn to get along with each other and study harder. Unfortunately, so few of you are doing well that I'm going to have to assign two average people to every above average person."

Tanen cringed. She knew she was one of the above average ones. After all, history was her passion.

"Tanen Roberts you will be working with Leilani Sina and Ramona Querida."

Lani slumped in her seat.

Ramona was much more vocal about the decision. "But, Ms. Kali you can't make me work with those ingrades. I can't bear it!"

Ms. Kali scowled. "Then you will flunk the course, and you will be forced to go home."

Tanen could almost see Ramona fold inward on herself.

Ramona felt like crying. She had to work with those girls or she'd have to go home. She couldn't go home. Her father wouldn't let her.

"You will have the rest of the day to work on this." Ms. Kali stated with a sly smile. "You are dismissed."

~~LS~~LS~~LS~~LS~~


"Okay, well I guess I have to decide what you're writing about." Tanen pondered the decision for a moment. "I know!" She grinned. "It's always been upsetting to me that people never bother to learn about the history of their homeland. But, history isn't just the chronology of events. So, I want you to write a paper on the mythology behind an ancient civilization in your homeland."

Lani smiled. "No problem." She walked off to the computer lab with a spring in her step.

Ramona lagged behind. "But I don't know anything about any ancient culture."

"What's that then?" Tanen asked, pointing at a sculpture around her neck.

"This?" She held up the stone. "Oh, daddy gave this to me for my fourteenth birthday. It was my mother's." Her voice trailed off as she dropped the necklace back in place.

"So, you don't know what that is?" Tanen asked patiently.

"No."

"It's a pendant designed after the South American god Kulkulcan. Why don't you go look him up on the internet? Then, the next time anyone asks you what the necklace is, you won't have to say 'I don't know'. And, you can learn some history in the process."

~~LS~~LS~~LS~~LS~~


Tanen settled down in a corner of the library with a book. She had discovered a wealth of historical novels in the Academy's reference shelves. Now, she might get the opportunity to read a few. After all, she was looking for any information on lost civilizations. Where better to look than in history books?

Tanen was enjoying the sojourn of class. Although she loved history, she found something about Ms. Kali very unsettling. It was a first impression she couldn't overcome.

"Excuse me, do you know where the books on Cambodia are?" A voice interrupted her calm reverie.

"What?" She looked up at a smiling girl with a black eye. "I'm not exactly sure where they would be. I don't work here."

"Oh." The girl sounded disappointed. "You just looked like someone who knows her way around the library."

Tanen smiled. "You're right there. I bet I can find you a book or two on the Khmer Rouge." She stood up and stretched her cramped muscles. "By the way, I'm Tanen."

"I know." The girl responded. "You're in my gym class."

Tanen examined her face more carefully. "You're right! You're Nita aren't you?"

"The very same." She declared with a lavish bow.

"If you don't mind my asking, where'd you get the shiner?"

Nita faltered a bit. "I wanted to see if I could out box one of the guys at the YMCA. If you think this is bad, you should have seen him."

Tanen looked at the girl with interest. "You can box? That's pretty cool. Can't say I've ever met a female boxer before."

Nita smiled. "I do all that stuff." She rolled up the cuff of her pants. "I got this when I hit the cliff while I was rock climbing."

Tanen held up her own arm. "I got this scar from the USS Indianapolis..." Nita looked at her blankly. "Sorry, that would be a 'Jaws' joke." Tanen plucked two books from the shelves. "I believe these are what you were looking for."

"Thanks. I guess I'll see you around then. I owe you one."

Tanen grinned. "And, I will collect, have not doubt about that."

~~LS~~LS~~LS~~LS~~


"Priestess, send another minion. They overcame the first. They will not succeed this time."

The woman bowed before him. "No one can triumph over you, my Lord."

~~LS~~LS~~LS~~LS~~

Lani looked up from the console and out into the library. The computer lab was paneled with windows that looked down from the balcony onto the library below. The library was all but empty, save for Tanen lounging in a chair.

Suddenly, Lani froze. She'd seen something moving beyond the door. The crash of broken glass rang through the library, breaking the silence.

Lani quickly pulled her Moai out. "Moai Monolith Power, Make-Up" She yelled as the transformation took place.

Tanen looked from her own position as the glass scattered before her. She felt something fasten around her feet. She tried to loosen them, but was unable to do so. Then she saw it, a snake the size of a school bus hovered over her holding her feet in its long tongue.

"I am Sailor Lemuria, the Senshi of the lost kingdom. Libraries are places for safe study and silence. You are making too much noise. I am sworn to fight those creatures which destroyed my home, and that means you!"

"Lemuria levitation...." Lemuria bent down and held her hands above the ground. "Lift!" Quite suddenly, Tanen began to float above the ground. The snake seemed confused by the action.

From the distant book shelf came a familiar voice. "Maya Lava..." A pool of lava formed before the new Sailor. "Flow!" The wave of lava moved swiftly towards the creature. It was incinerated by the heat, leaving only the tongue still wrapped around Tanen's feet.

"Thanks, you guys." Tanen tried to unwrap the sticky tongue from her legs.

"Let me just tell you this, Dustbunny. You owe me big time! I broke a nail."

Tanen squinted at the figure. "Ramona?"

"That's Sailor Maya to you."

"How?" Lemuria asked.

"While I was doing that stupid research and my necklace began to burn. I tried to take it off, but when I touched it, I saw this Mayan city being destroyed by fire. It just kind of came over me."

Lemuria shook her head. "I don't believe it!"

Tanen tried to smile. "Well, I'm Sailor Atlantis...you two killed that thing before I could transform. Nice job."

"And I'm Sailor Lemuria." Lani muttered.

Ramona, now clothed normally, eyed them carefully. "I'll do this Sailor thing because my mother would want me to. But, when we're in public, I don't know you." The girl walked off angrily.

Lani sighed. "Some things never change. I can't believe we're stuck with her!"

"Look at this way. Three down, two to go." Tanen attempted to cheer her friend.

~~LS~~LS~~LS~~LS~~


"How could he fail, Priestess? Twice you have sent the minions, and twice they have failed. Now there are three of them. You will kill them before there are more, or you will suffer the consequences." The demon hissed from the shadows. "I will taste their blood or yours."