SAILORS OF THE ELEMENTS: PART III
~ ~ SAILOR FLAME ~ ~
That night, as I struggled to sleep, Queen Serenity came to me in a vision not unlike the one she had received the night before.
"Celeste," she said, smiling fondly down at me. "Congratulations. In one day you have revealed the Sailor of Soul and the enemy. You are moving along very quickly with this mission."
I bowed my head.
"Thank you, my Queen."
"You are now ready to move on to the next Element. This Sailor will protect Mercury - Sailor Flame. Avaris and Rei both know her; they attend the same school. Her name is Mamesa Usao."
"Thank you, my Queen." I responded, mentally storing away the information. Serenity looked at me kindly, tilting her head.
"Today has been hard on you," she said, softly. "But try not to let it get to you. There probably will be a time when it will be much worse, and you will have no one to be there for you, so enjoy the friends you have now while you can. Tuck every joke, every smile and hug into your heart, so that when the time comes, you can unfold all your happy memories and not feel so lonesome. I will always be with you," she said, touching my cheek softly. Without another word, she faded away, and I fell asleep almost instantly.
The next day I woke knowing exactly what to do. I called Avaris on the communicator and asked her to meet me at a nearby sidewalk cafe. She obliged, and within fifteen minutes we were seated at a street side table sipping lemonade.
"So what is it you wanted to tell me?" she asked. I swallowed my mouthful of lemonade and told her of Queen Serenity's visit, all but the motherly advice she gave me before leaving. When I told her the identity of the Sailor of Flame, she almost choked on an ice cube.
"Mamesa Usao?" She gasped. "No way!" I nodded, looking at her curiously.
"Yes, way," I said, laughing. "Why does that surprise you?"
"Well, it's just the perfect role for her," Avaris laughed. "She's so passionate; she has a really fiery spirit and really likes karate and tai kwan doe, kick boxing and tai chi, that kind of thing."
"Is she close to you?" I asked. Avaris shook her head slowly.
"No, not particularly, I mean, it's not like we're enemies but we've never really had a chance to become friends - we've never had any classes together."
"Who is she friends with?" I asked.
"A lot of people. She's hard to dislike, but there are a few who manage it."
"Like who?" I pressed.
"Ummm . . . Rei Hino, for one, and her group . . . that's about it," I gasped.
"Rei Hino?"
"Yes . . .why?" she asked. I burst out laughing.
"Rei Hino is Sailor Mars!!" Avaris's mouth dropped.
"Rei is Sailor Mars?"
"That's what I said!"
"Well - that's certainly a surprise!"
"Do people dislike Rei?" I asked. Avaris shook her head.
"No, Rei and Mamesa are the two most popular girls in school, just in different ways - everyone likes Mamesa; everyone's friends with her, but everyone looks up to Rei and respects her because of all her talents."
"Do you dislike Rei?" I asked her, putting emphasis on the word 'you.'
"No, not really. Sometimes she's mean, but on the whole we get along well enough."
"That's good." I said. Avaris nodded in agreement.
"So, do you have a plan on how to activate Mamesa?" Avaris asked me.
"Actually, I do. Since you are friends with her, tell her you've just met me and you think we'll get along very well. Organize a meeting with her - I'll talk to Hermes and figure out where and when he thinks the next attack is going to be from the enemy, and it'll just coincidentally happen while we're on our outing together." I explained. Avaris smiled and nodded.
"It's a good plan. What about the Fire Crystal?" I bit my lip. I hadn't thought about that.
"I'll persuade Hermes to give it to me, and I'll give it to you, and then you can give it to Mamesa as a long-time-no-see gift. Have you seen her recently?"
"No, not really."
"Perfect."
"Hey, Celeste!" A cheerful voice yelled out from across the street. I turned around and saw Serena, Darien, Amy, Rei, Lita, and Mina heading across the street towards them. I froze up. What was I going to say about my actions yesterday? I forced myself to relax as they approached. The words would come, thanks to those drama classes I had taken on the West Coast.
"Rei!" Avaris called out, waving cheerfully.
"Avaris!" Rei said, sounding surprised. "I haven't seen you in a while! How are you?"
"Good, you?" Avaris asked as the girls - and Darien - pulled up chairs to the small table where Celeste and Avaris sat.
"Fine, thanks - hey, how do you know Celeste?"
"Oh, we met in Ireland a few years back, and she bumped into me yesterday at Michelle's art class." Serena turned to me, surprised.
"You're Irish?" She asked. It was, of course, a lie, I had never been to Ireland and my heritage was German, anyways, but I really came from the Silver Millennium so why did it matter? But I nodded anyway.
"Yup," I said, trying my hardest not to sound like it was as much news to me as it was to her.
"Way cool," she said. I smiled my best fake smile.
"So, Avaris," Rei said, "You'll never guess who I saw the other day in the street."
"Really?" Avaris responded, keeping up the friendly chit chat. "Who?"
"None other than Mamesa Usao, walking past my temple!"
"No way!" Avaris said, exchanging glances with me. It was all we could do not to burst out laughing. "Did she say anything to you?"
"She was like 'hi, Rei!' in that fake way of hers, and waved at me like she was oh-so-cute. I just glared at her - think she got the point?"
"Yes, definitely," Avaris said, smiling at me.
"So, Celeste, where were you yesterday? You were supposed to come to Rei's temple with the rest of us for lunch," Amy said pointedly. I pantomimed smacking myself on the head.
"Oh my gosh, it completely slipped my mind! Don't worry, I'll make it up to you somehow!" I said. Now that I was in the lying mode, words flowed more easily. Avaris and I exchanged glances, and she pointedly looked down at her watch.
"Oh my goodness, look at the time!" I cried. "Avaris, we'll be late for our class with Michelle!"
"How the time flies!" Avaris said, standing up quickly. "Well, it was good to see you, Rei, but we really must be going now!" We both hurried away as nonchalantly as we could.
"Is it just me, or are they hiding something?" Lita asked as she absentmindedly took a sip of my forgotten lemonade.
When we got around the corner, we slumped against the brick wall and sighed in relief.
"Who! That was nerve wracking," Avaris said as she slid down to the cement sidewalk.
"Tell me about it," I grumbled as I sat down next to her. I leaned back and closed my eyes, thinking about what Queen Serenity had told me.
"Tuck every joke, every smile and hug into your heart, so that when the time comes, you can unfold all your happy memories and not feel so lonesome. I will always be with you."
My thinking was interrupted by Avaris saying,
"Oh - hi, Hermes, what's up?" I opened my eyes to see Hermes sitting in front of us placidly, a thick white envelope in his mouth.
"What's this?" I asked, taking the letter from him.
"The notice that you've won the internship. Where have you been?" He demanded.
"I had to meet Avaris!" I exclaimed. "Queen Serenity gave me the identity of the Sailor of Fire last night and I wanted to tell her my plans!"
"Would you like to tell me now?" Hermes grumbled temperamentally.
"Yes, actually, I would," I said, matter of factly. "Her name is Mamesa Usao, and she goes to Rei's and Avaris's school."
"Okay, so what are your plans?" He questioned.
"You give Avaris the Fire Crystal and communicator, she arranges a meeting with the three of us, Avaris will give her the crystal to her as a present, and the meeting will coincidentally coincide with the next attack from Leander," I said. "How does that sound to you?" Hermes paused before answering.
"Actually, not too bad," he said. "But how will you know when the next attack will be?"
"That's where you come in," I said, pointing at him.
"Me?" He said. "How should I know when the next attack will be?"
"Oh, come on," I said. "even if you don't know, you know where to get the information."
"All right, all right," he said. "Let me call up the Fire Crystal for you." He did one of his famous, magical back flips and a gold chain with a tiny, blood-red, dragon - shaped crystal on it fell to the cement along with a golden communicator. Avaris picked them up delicately and examined them.
"This is the Fire Crystal?" She asked him. He nodded.
"It is indeed."
"Perfect," she said, and tucked it and the communicator away in her pocket.
"It may take me a while to find out when the next battle will be," Hermes warned.
"How long?" I asked, sighing.
"Probably till lunch time!" He said, grinning. I giggled and poked him in the tummy, where I knew he was particularly ticklish. He chuckled and rolled over on his back.
"Oooh stoppitstoppitstoppit!!" He giggled madly. Avaris laughed and joined in.
"I thought you had to go to an art class," a quiet voice said from to our left. We looked over, and to our dismay, there stood Amy and Lita, frowning at us.
"Ah - oh, hi, Amy! Hi, Lita!" I faltered, trying weakly to smile and failing miserably.
"You have a lot of explaining to do, Celeste," Amy said in clipped tones.
"Oh? About what?" I asked, cocking my head.
"You know what," said Lita, taking a step forward and crossing her arms.
"We need to talk to you," Amy said quietly. Her eyes flicked in Avaris's direction. "Alone."
Avaris took the hint and stood up, taking Hermes with her.
"Ah, I'll just be on my way, then," she said nervously. "I'll - um - see you later, Celeste."
"Bye, Avaris!" I called, cheerfully as I could, waving at her. "Don't forget to set your watch!" I yelled, meaningfully pointing at my communicator. Avaris gave me a thumbs up and bent over her wrist, pushing buttons. As discreetly as possible, I pushed the 'ON' button on my watch, enabling Avaris to listen to what we were saying if her communicator was on as well. I turned back to Amy and Lita.
"So, what was it you guys wanted to talk to me about?" I asked, putting on an innocent face. Amy and Lita exchanged dark looks.
"I think you know," said Amy, adopting a stance like Lita's.
"Refresh my memory," I said boldly. Lita rolled her eyes and gave an exasperated sigh.
"All right, we'll play your game," She said bluntly. "What is up with you? You didn't come to our meeting at Rei's yesterday, or the day before that. Yesterday, you didn't show up for the battle, and then we found you at another one later that day that you neglected to explain to us. Two new Scouts have arrived, we still don't know if they are friends or enemies, even if they did save Mina's life. What is going on?" Now it was my turn to cross my arms.
"Why should I have to explain myself to you two?" I asked, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
"Because we're a team!" Amy cried out. "We keep no secrets when it comes to the Scouts."
Suddenly Lita waved to someone behind my back.
"Michelle! Amara! Perfect timing!" She called out. I turned around and yes, the two familiar figures of Michelle and Amara were no less than fifteen feet away. They waved back at Lita.
"Hi, Lita! Hi, Amy! Hi, Celeste!" Michelle said as they reached us. "What's up?"
"We need you two to talk some sense into this twit," Lita growled, pointing an accusing finger at me. Amara and Michelle exchanged glances, just the quickest flick of the eyes, but I saw it. So, Michelle had told Amara about what she had seen that day in the art room. That was all right - not wonderful, but all right. Those two knew how to keep secrets, and they understood the urgency of a mission. They had had a mission similar to mine, I was told, when they were first revealed as Sailors Neptune and Uranus.
"Talk some sense into her?" Amara repeated slowly. "Why should we do that?"
"Because of her recent actions concerning the Scouts. Surely you've noticed?" Asked Lita. Amara frowned.
"Well, yes," she said, brow furrowed. "I mean, it's hard not to. But that doesn't mean she has to explain anything." Lita's eyes widened, as Amy's narrowed.
"What are you saying?" Amy demanded.
"That she might have a reason for her actions," Amara replied coolly. I was silently thanking God for Amara and Michelle.
"She doesn't have to tell you everything just because she's a Scout, too," Michelle put in. She was also frowning at Amy and Lita. "She isn't even a Scout like you two, strictly speaking. I mean, your duties are completely different from hers. What she does is her business." Amara put a protective hand on my shoulder.
"Come on, Celeste," She said. "Let's go have lunch." And we walked away. I was amazed I had escaped from Lita and Amy's wrath unscathed.
"Thanks very much, you guys," I said as we sat down inside an ice cream parlor. "You really saved my skin."
"No problem," Amara said lightly.
"So, how is your mission coming? Is it going well?" Michelle asked curiously. I folded my arms again and raised an eyebrow. They interpreted my body language correctly.
"Oh - sorry," Michelle said, glancing down. "I - I thought - but - never mind. You're right. It's none of our business, either." I stood up and pushed my chair in.
"Well, I had better be going," I said. "Thanks a lot though, you two, for turning up back there. Sorry I have to be so abrupt."
"We understand," said Amara.
"Yes," I said, smiling faintly. "I'm sure you do."
* * *
As soon as I had left the ice cream store, I contacted Avaris over the communicator.
"Hey, Avaris," I said in low tones. "Did you catch all of that?"
"Yup," she responded.
"Good. Now we just need to get cracking on Mamesa Usao."
"Check," she replied. "Hermes and I have it all figured out. We're gonna meet her at the Osa-P at 3:30, and the next youma attack is conveniently across the street fifteen minutes later."
"At the Osa-P?" I questioned. "That's perfect! Then you can pretend to have bought the crystal there!"
"I know," she said smugly. "Hermes and I planned it that way."
"Where are you?" I asked.
"At my house, finally getting some lunch. If you wanna come over, its only three blocks down from Juuban High. Number 408 on Magnolia Street."
"I'm there!" I said happily, and set off.
* * *
By the time 3:30 rolled around, Avaris and I were waiting outside the Osa-P for Mamesa Usao. Before long, she showed up.
"Avaris!" She squealed, throwing her arms around her. "I haven't seen you in forever!"
Mamesa was very small, and clearly of Japanese heritage. She had black hair that reached to the small of her back, and was up in a hairstyle that looked like a cross between Serena's and Mina's. It was half up, like Mina's, but parted in the middle and trailed off into two long pigtails, like Serena's minus the odangoes. Her hair was jet-black, but seemed to flash red when caught in the sunlight. I'm still not sure wether its a trick of the light or if I'm seeing things.
Her eyes were a deep, garnet red, almost black. They contained a queer warmth, though, almost a heat. I could practically see the fires dancing in them. She was very short, about 5'2'', but gave me the impression of great energy.
"And this must be your friend, the one you told me about," she said, turning from Avaris to me.
"Yes," Avaris said. "This is Celeste Stevens. She's just won an internship from America - She'll be living here for the next four years or so."
"Hi," I said, smiling. I stuck out a hand and she shook it.
"Hi," she said. "So, where in America are you from?"
"California," I replied. "Los Angeles."
"LA, huh?" Mamesa asked, eyes wide. "I have a cousin who lives there. He goes to Chickashee High."
"No way!" I exclaimed. "That's where I went. What's his name?"
"Jim. Jimmy Usao."
"I know him! He lives right by me, and we have a couple classes together, too!" I said excitedly.
"Wow - that's too weird," she said, but she was grinning. Avaris cleared her throat, and when we looked back at her she was smiling.
"I got something for you at the Osa-P, Mamesa," she said.
"You did?" She cried.
"Uh-huh." Avaris handed her a small white box with Japanese calligraphy on top. (I supposed they were the characters for the words 'Osa-P')
Mamesa opened the box, and sure enough, the tiny Fire Crystal lay there, glittering on a thin layer of cotton.
"Oh, Avaris," Mamesa murmured, suddenly serious. "You shouldn't have."
"Put it on," said Avaris, smiling, and Mamesa obeyed, looking as if her hands were quite numb.
"There you go," Avaris said, and she sounded genuinely pleased. "It looks good on you."
"Thank you so much, Avaris," Mamesa said sincerely. "It is truly beautiful."
I could see why Mamesa was so well-liked by her class mates. She seemed sweet and honest. I could also see why Rei had gotten to the point where she so strongly disliked her - although Rei was honest enough, sweetness was not one of her best qualities, as I had discovered at some point in the past two weeks.
Suddenly there was a flash of purple light from across the street. We all jumped, startled, as a cackling youma appeared on the other side of the street. I checked my watch - the attack was a little early, but otherwise right on schedule. Mamesa, however, stared.
"What the hell is that thing?" She demanded as it ripped the nearest tree out of the cement and hurled it through a display case.
"A youma," Avaris responded calmly, as if it was the most normal thing in the world for alien - looking youmas to appear in the middle of the street and start twisting all the lamp posts into abstract knots of metal. (Which it was doing now, shattering the wooden bench it was jumping on in the process.) I sighed and unclipped my necklace.
"Ah, well, to business, Avaris?"
"Right," she said, unclipping her own chain.
"Light Element Power!"
"Soul Element Power!" The pink and gold flashes of light only brought on more screams, as if two more youmas were appearing. When we were done transforming, Mamesa blinked owlishly at us.
"Avaris, what -" she started, but I cut her off by stepping forward.
"I think, Mamesa, you know exactly what," I said. Mamesa stared, and Avaris and I smiled kindly at her.
"Hurry, though," I said. "We have little time!" Suddenly it dawned on her. Hurriedly, she unclipped her necklace, held it over her head, and the words came to her.
"Fire Element Power!" She cried, and Avaris and I shielded our eyes as a blinding red light filled the street. The screams picked up once more, but the light soon dimmed and the newest addition of the Sailors of the Elements stood before us.
She wore a golden tiara with a glittering red jewel, and a ruby - colored choker with a golden pin the shape of a dragon set over her collar bones. The tiny Fire Crystal sparkled in the dragon's eye. Her cape and collar were blood red, her broach was gold and the ribbon on her front red, the back gold as well. Her skirt was red and had golden trimming, just as her collar did. She wore crimson above-the-knee boots that had golden edges as well. I smiled at her.
"Ready, Sailor Flame?" I asked.
"Ready!" She said. She seemed eager for battle.
As am I, I thought, so long as Leander doesn't show up.
"Hey, you!" I yelled at the youma, who was currently strewing trash from a nearby garbage can all over the street like confetti. He stopped and looked up at us like his hand had been caught in the cookie jar. "I am Sailor Sun, the Sailor of Light! I protect the innocent and defend the weak! In the name of the Sun and for the sake of the Moon, I shall punish you!"
"And I am Sailor Soul! I fight the unjust and destroy the evil! In the name of the element of Soul, I shall punish you!" We looked over at Mamesa, who looked like she was doing some very quick thinking.
"I am Sailor Flame," She declared. "I protect the passionate and defend the pyromaniacs! In the name of the element of Fire, I shall punish you!" Avaris and I rolled our eyes. The youma gave a grunt that may have been a laugh and returned to his business of throwing trash about the street.
"That speech could use a little work, Flame," Avaris yelled at her. "It wasn't exactly fear-inspiring."
"Hey, it was the best I could come up with on short notice!" She said grumpily. "But maybe this will catch that thing's attention." She pulled the dragon pin from her choker and threw it high into the air. As it began its descent, she crossed her arms and closed her eyes, saying the words:
"Fire . . .Dragon . . .Roar!" a ghostly wind blew up, and seemed to suspend the golden dragon pin in mid fall. there was a sudden burst of red and gold light, and a huge scarlet dragon appeared above us, hovering on golden wings. He circled Mamesa twice, and then, with an earsplitting shriek, launched itself at the youma. Avaris and I quickly contributed to Mamesa's efforts.
"Solar Flare Ignite!"
"Soul Bird Attack!"
Our fiery attacks encircled and twisted around the dragon, creating what looked like a miniature comet, speeding at the youma. It was short work - after the dragon hit, all we had to worry about was the mess the youma had made.
"Not bad, Flame," I said admiringly. She dusted her gloved hands in a business-like manner.
"Least I could do," she said, and faked a huge yawn. "So, who are we, anyway?" She asked.
"We are the Sailors of the Elements," Avaris announced. "Light, Soul, and now Flame. We still have two more people to find."
"The Sailors of the huhwhattas?"
"The El - eh - men - ts," She said, annunciating and saying it slowly and clearly. Mamesa still looked nonplused.
"Oh," she said, slowly nodding.
"Basically, we are here to protect the other Scouts, Sailor Moon, who I protect, Sailor Venus, who Avaris protects, and so on and so forth. You protect Sailor Mercury - at all costs. Including the cost of your very life." Mamesa now looked as if she understood completely.
"Right," she said.
"Here's your communicator," said Avaris, handing her the watch. "Use it to talk to us or the other scouts, and also to hear where battles are going on. If you hear the other scouts call for a battle, go to where ever they say it is and hide. Wait until Sailor Sun gets there or until your scout is in danger. We do not get ourselves involved before we have to."
"Got it," she said. "So is that our mission? to find the Sailors of the Elements and protect the Sailor Scouts?"
"Exactly," I said. Suddenly, a small, desperate voice came in over our communicators.
"Celeste - please - if you can hear this - come to the park - trouble -" the rest was cut off by static.
"Shit!" I exclaimed. Avaris looked pale.
"It was a diversion," she said, turning whiter by the minute.
"What?" Asked Mamesa.
"No time - We'll tell you later - Soul, we've got to teleport."
"But we don't know -"
"I do. Here, grab my hands." We joined hands. "Now, concentrate hard on Juuban Park. That's all."
We closed our eyes and concentrated. There was a flash of gold, pink, and red light, and with a crack like a whip, we were gone.
We arrived by the arched entrance to the park, nearly trampling a screaming four year old who was begging his tired - looking mother for ice cream. Avaris called a hurried "Sorry!" over her shoulder to the staring mother and child.
Well, at least he stopped screaming, I thought sardonically.
We ran as fast as we could to the lakeshore, where a burst of purple light had just emitted. When we got there, a horrible scene met our eyes. The Scouts were all down but Uranus, Jupiter, and Moon, and they looked severely injured - especially Jupiter, who had an open gash down her back. Her fuku was soaked in her own crimson blood, but she continued to fight bravely, even though it was clear that she was in pain. I held a quick conversation with my two Elements.
"Okay, here's what we'll do," I whispered urgently. "I'll jump in and throw up the Solar Shield, and you two fight that youma. I'm not strong enough yet to hold the shield and fight at the same time, so its up to you two. Got it?"
"Got it," they responded. The three of them jumped into the battle.
"Sun Scepter Solar Shield!" I yelled, pointing my Scepter at the Scouts. The familiar, glittering golden bubble appeared around my friends, easily deflecting an attack from the youma. Avaris and Mamesa were already calling out their commands. The youma was identical in looks to the one Avaris, Mamesa and I had just destroyed across the street from the Osa-P, but bigger, and probably stronger and smarter as well. But there was also . . . a man . . . standing behind the shadows of a nearby tree. A cold claw grasped my heart and gave it a viscous twist - was this shadowed man Leander? But he shifted, and his face was in the light for an instant. No. It wasn't Leander, but it was someone who looked familiar. . . who was it? I squinted at the figure, racking my memory for a name to go with the face. Then I remembered with a jolt - his name was Illinder, one of Leander's friends, one of the men I had caught reporting to Beryl. My vision turned red as I filled with rage. He was one of the men . . . who had betrayed Queen Serenity. I watched his movements, and the youma's movements seemed so similar, so . . . almost connected . . . . .
"Girls!" I shouted at Mamesa and Avaris. "Go for the man under the tree! He's the youma's weak link!" But they couldn't hear me over the youma's roars and the shrieks of the Fire Dragon, which Mamesa had summoned again. I bit my lip. What should I do? The scouts were of no help to us - even Sailors Moon, Jupiter, and Uranus had finally collapsed of sheer exhaustion. And Avaris and Mamesa weren't doing too well on their own; the youma seemed to be invincible. It was up to me, but could I risk leaving the fallen Scouts unprotected turned back to Avaris and Mamesa. As I watched, Avaris was struck with a bolt of sizzling electricity. Mamesa screamed in shock, but held her ground. Somewhat reluctantly I let go of the Shield.
"Sunbeam Slash!" I yelled, pointing at the space between Illinder and the youma. With another blinding flash of purple light, the youma fell, and Mamesa's fire Dragon finished it off. The man stepped forward menacingly. Mamesa started.
"Where did he come from?" She exclaimed. The man gave a short, harsh laugh, devoid of any humor.
"He was controlling the youma from behind," I said quietly.
"So, you finally figured it out. Nicely done, Celeste - it only cost you the lives of your entire fighting force."
"They're not dead," Mamesa said defensively.
"Never were one to step into a battle, were you, Illinder? Always leading from behind - the age-old badge of cowardice." Rage filled my eyes once more. "Once a coward, always a coward, or at least in your case - I can see a thousand years hasn't done you much good, has it? You always were a poor sport in games, Illinder, when you were younger . Always wanted to be on the winning side, even if it stood for evil, even if it meant sacrificing your beliefs? your very soul! Only a coward would dare to do such a thing. Only a coward would betray my father. Only a coward would betray Queen Serenity." A glimmer appeared before me and lengthened into my Solar Staff, as my Scepter disappeared.
"Say that again," said Illinder, his handsome face purpling with rage and becoming quite ugly.
"Coward," I whispered, glaring straight into his jade colored eyes. Illinder raised his arms in rage and uttered a strange word I didn't recognize, and purple lightning shot at my feet. I deflected it easily with the base of my Staff. I took a step towards him, and he did it again. I deflected it again, and again, with ease. Illinder's finely chiseled features now began to show fear.
"Cowardice makes you weak, Illinder," I said, raising my staff and beginning to twirl it like a baton. "While goodness makes you strong." I twirled it faster and faster, until it became a blur. "That is a lesson you should have learned a millennia ago, coward." I brought my Staff down and a flash of intense golden light shot at Illinder, forever ending his cowardice.
"But now it is too late."
I turned away from his limp body, still handsome even in death. I walked straight to Sailor Moon, strangely feeling no urgency as all my anger drained out of my system. Her eyelids were fluttering rapidly as I touched her forehead gently with the tip of my Staff.
"Solar Staff Healing Power," I whispered, and watched as the golden light melted in to her. She sighed, and relaxed.
"Please," she murmured. "My friends." I nodded and stood silently. Mamesa seemed to be at a loss. I nodded to the battered form of Sailor Mercury, and she suddenly understood. she rushed over and touched a long, slim finger to Mercury's forehead, and watched as a healing red light flowed into her. I turned to Sailor Saturn first, for I knew that she had the ability to heal also. She immediately went to Neptune and Uranus. Uranus was not too badly injured, it took little effort to heal her. But Sailor Neptune looked near death, and Saturn collapsed after healing her.
"Sun Solar Power," I said, quietly, touching her on the cheek, funneling some of my energy into her.
"Thank you," she murmured, and moved on to Sailor Mini Moon, who also looked near death. I turned to Sailor Pluto, who was stirring feebly on the ground.
"Solar Staff Healing Power," I whispered again. She blinked, as if startled by something, and sat up so suddenly she almost smashed into my face.
"Celeste?" She asked loudly. I smiled and put a finger to my lips. Pluto understood. I stood up and moved on to Jupiter, who was as easy to heal as Pluto, but luckily failed to recognize me, and then I moved on to Mars. Mamesa was still tending to Mercury, who had several deep gashes tracing her spine. That left only Avaris and Mina to heal. I healed Avaris and let her tend to Venus, knowing she would feel as if she had failed if I did it for her. Afterwards I stood up and surveyed our work. Sailor Saturn had healed Tuxedo Mask at Rini's request, so all of the Senshi were conscious, healthy, and even happy to a certain degree. Mamesa and Avaris had finally stepped away from their scouts and had come over to me.
"Okay, they still don't know who we are, and we want to keep it that way. So lets book it before they figure us out." Suddenly a booming voice sounded, apparently from nowhere.
"I'm afraid the only one who's going to be going anywhere, Celeste, is you!" An iron fist closed on my heart. It was a voice I recognized - Leander's.
He appeared behind the dead body of Illinder. He noted it, sniffed in a derogatory fashion, and stepped over it, walking towards me.
"Celeste?" I heard Jupiter whisper behind me. "But that's not - that can't possibly be -" Making my decision, I turned around, looking over my shoulder. A collective gasp arose from the Scouts as Mamesa and Avaris followed suit.
"Avaris?" Serena and Rini cried out in unison. I also heard Rei gasp out "Mamesa Usao!!" (She didn't sound too pleased.) I tried to hide a smile, and turned back to Leander, who was smiling smugly at me.
"What do you want, Leander?" I asked him curtly.
"Well, that's a simple enough question," He took another step forward and looked up at the sky. "If I cared to answer it." He saw Avaris glaring at him and he gave her an impudent wave. Even from where I was, I could see the tears fill her eyes. I opened my mouth, but someone cut me off.
"State your business or leave!" Mina was now standing with her arm on Avaris's shoulders. I was touched by her kindness.
"State my business," repeated Leander. "State my business . . . ." he spoke in a musing tone of voice. I glared at him.
"Okay, I'll state my business," said Leander with the air of announcing a picnic or of giving out sweets. "First off, I want . . . well, you'll find out what I want first shortly." I couldn't help thinking his eyes flickered towards me when he said that. "After I get what I want first, I want all of you dead," he gestured at the scouts. "and then, I want control of Earth, the Moon, and the Solar System. I'll see how it goes from there. Or should I say -" He looked sideways at me again. "We'll take it from there." I shuddered.
"So, your just like every other power - hungry, would - be - world - dominator we've come up against. A coward, like all other cowards we've come up against. Delusioned, like every other egotistical jerk we've come up against. And you're next in line," Said Sailor Mars, narrowing her eyes at him. Leander seemed unperturbed by the insults Mars hurled like rocks at him.
"Think what you'll like, but you'll see that I am not a 'would - be' world dominator. I am a will - be world dominator. You'll find that I am not delusioned, nor egotistical, and you will certainly find out that I am not a coward, Sailor Mars. You may have beaten all the other enemies you've battled, even the one who was once my Queen - Beryl, of the NegaVerse. But I think you'll find that you won't beat me."
"Oh? and exactly why is that?" Lita challenged. Leander grinned, an evil, twisted grin. I felt the heat of my anger rising in me once more.
Suddenly, I felt myself being pulled, almost magnetically, towards Leander. Horrified, I struggled as hard as I could, but I knew it was hopeless. He was amazingly stronger than he had been during the Silver Millennium. Before I knew it, I was in his arms. This scene was all too familiar. I looked at Avaris and Mamesa desperately, and knew what I had to do. My hand flew to my throat, and I ripped off my choker. My fuku became a mass of billowing white and gold ribbons, and then -
- I was back in my street clothes. Defenseless. I threw the choker at Avaris.
"It's up to you now!" I shouted. I saw Hermes standing next to her. "Hermes! Don't let them try to come -" but he knew what I was trying to say. I heard Leander laugh and felt myself dissolving - he was Teleporting both of us. "Serena!" I cried. "Take good care of yourself!"
And then we were gone.