Part Three, Chapter Two:
They all stood there in shock. They couldn't really believe what had just happened. The first one to return to reality was Serena.
"Celeste!" She screamed, running to the spot where I had just stood. She began to weep. "My friend . . . my good friend . . . not again . . ." Tuxedo Mask tried to comfort her.
"Shh, my love, shh. It's all right. We'll get her back in no time." He didn't notice the sideways glance that passed between Avaris and Mamesa, but Sailor Mercury did.
"What did she mean," she said slowly. "When she said 'It's up to you now - don't let them try to come?' " Hermes, Avaris, and Mamesa all looked at each other with raised eyebrows.
"What is it?" Asked Mars exasperatedly. "Why do you three keep looking at each other like that?!" Hermes cleared his throat.
"Well . . ." he said slowly.
"Spit it out!" Jupiter shouted, also sounding exasperated.
"And hurry! We've got to save her as soon as possible!" Said Sailor Moon, who had regained her composure and was standing up.
"Well, the thing is . . . .the thing is, we won't be rescuing her. Now . . . or ever." said Hermes, looking at the ground.
"What?" shouted the scouts.
"What do you mean?" Demanded Sailor Neptune. "Of course we will!"
"I'm afraid not." Avaris spoke quietly, but firmly. "Celeste is on her own now."
"Why?" Asked Sailor Mini Moon. Avaris sighed.
"It's so hard to explain. You see, our duty is to protect you. All of you. Celeste protected Serena, I protect Sailor Venus, Sailor Flame protects Sailor Mercury. It's our job, our destiny, to give our very lives for you, as you would for each other. If the one we are protecting is hurt, killed, or taken captive, then we have failed and our title goes to someone more worthy of it. However, if one of us is hurt, killed, or taken captive in the event of saving one of your lives, then we have, in a way, succeeded. If we allowed you to go and rescue Celeste, there's no way all of you will come back in one piece. You would be undoing everything that Sailor Sun had worked for if you went. Celeste doesn't want to be rescued. It's up to her to get out of there, and if she can't . . .then she shouldn't have been given the Sun Crystal in the first place." The scouts all stared at her blankly. Only Sailors Venus and Pluto looked as if they understood.
"Don't you understand?" burst out Mamesa. "Why would she have given us the Sun Crystal if she wanted us to rescue her? Why else would she have made herself defenseless in the enemies' hands so that we can move on and find another leader, and continue with our mission? Why else would she have told Avaris that it's up to her to complete Queen Serenity's wishes? Why else would she have told Hermes, her guardian, not to let any of you come? And why else would she have told Serena to take care of herself, when taking care of her was her job? Look inside yourselves! You know the answer!" Serena was weeping again, and Avaris and Mamesa were looking pale but determined.
"But we can't just leave her there - it would be cruel!" protested Sailor Mercury in a strangled voice.
"More like it would be cruel to rescue her!" exploded Sailor Uranus. "Can't you understand? If she gets herself into a mess like that, she'll get herself out of it - and without any outside help! Without risking so foolishly the lives of the ones she loves! Open your eyes!"
It now looked as if all of the Outers, save Saturn, understood. Venus was weeping silently but looked as determined as Avaris and Mamesa.
"But I liked Celeste," whispered Rini. "Why do we have to let her go?" Venus sank to her knees and embraced Rini's tiny figure.
"Oh, darling," she whispered. "Don't you see it would be kinder to let her go than to go and get her? It would hurt her greatly if she thought any of us were in danger on her account. Does that make sense to you?"
"I think so," said Sailor Mini Moon, wiping her eyes. Venus enfolded her in another tight hug.
"It'll be all right." she whispered.