SAILORS OF THE ELEMENTS: PART IV
~ ~ SAILOR SEA ~ ~
Avaris trudged home slowly, thinking of the days previous events. she couldn't believe Celeste was really gone. Her words of guidance echoed in her mind.
"But no matter what, I'll always be with you."
She began to weep silently. Crystalline tears streamed down her beautiful face. She hated her job, she hated it! If she had a choice, she would teleport to where ever Celeste was now and do whatever it took to get her back. She and Celeste had grown so close in such a short amount of time.
She wiped her eyes and realized such tears were worthless. Celeste was gone, there was no getting her back. She shouldn't - and couldn't - waste her time mourning over her.
Her hand closed over the choker in her pocket. The sharp edges of the sun - shaped pin cut into her fingers, but she treasured the pain as a token of love. She would do her best to live up to Celeste's example, even if it cost her her life.
That night, Avaris had a vision. A beautiful lady, tall and slender. Old, judging by the silver of her hair, yet her face and eyes remained youthful. A golden crescent moon adorned her forehead. Suddenly Avaris realized who this mysterious lady was - she was the legendary Queen Serenity. She fell to her knees and bowed her head in humility.
"My Lady," she murmured. Queen Serenity smiled.
"Lady Avaris," she said in a musical, lilting voice. "Sailor Soul. It has been a long time since we last met."
"It has, my Queen."
"Now that Celeste is gone, you must take charge of her mission."
"Yes, my Queen."
"The next task is to find the Sailor of the Element Water, Sailor Sea. She has just moved into Japan from Spain. Her name, conveniently, is Halimeda Gracela (AN: anyone read the book Animal Dreams? That's where I got this name - and Leander, too! ^_^). She attends Juuban High with Serena, Lita, and Amy . You can find her at Serena's house tomorrow, with Molly, Lita, and Amy . They're having a sleepover."
"Halimeda . . ." Avaris said slowly. "Doesn't that mean -"
" 'Thinking of the sea.' Yes," Said Queen Serenity, smiling.
"Interesting," mused Avaris. "Thank you, my Queen. I take up this duty with a good will."
"See to it that you complete your mission."
"I will, My Queen." And with a faint smile and a motherly kiss on the forehead, the Queen from a time long past drifted away.
* * *
The next day, Avaris got together with Mamesa to tell her of the vision. Mamesa had never heard of Halimeda Gracela, and was interested to know that the name 'Halimeda' meant 'thinking of the sea' in Spanish. They talked about how to meet her and still make it seem to have happened by chance. Hermes produced the Sea Crystal, a deep, shimmering blue crystal in the shape of a raindrop, as well as a communicator for Halimeda. These they would give to her when the appropriate time came. They decided that Avaris would pretend to be lost, and stop at Serena's house for directions. They agreed to go at six thirty, a likely time for all five girls to be there.
That afternoon, Avaris strolled through the park, waiting for six thirty to roll around. As she passed the shore of the lake, where their last battle had taken place, Celeste's last words ran unbidden through her head.
"Avaris! It's up to you now! . . . Hermes, don't let them try to come . . . Serena! Take care of yourself!"
Avaris pulled the broken choker out of her pocket. She had been carrying it around with her everywhere now, but she wasn't sure why. She fingered the Sun Pin, and even older memories of Celeste echoed in her mind.
"Maybe you can't protect the world alone, but the two of us together, and the Sailor Scout's and Sailor Moon's combined, we will be able to. Without a doubt. . . . There will be times when you would like nothing better than to chuck your crystal into Tokyo Bay, and there will be other times when you'll be longing to transform and kick some youma butt. There will be times when you feel alone and scared, but know that I will always be there for you. Some of my duty goes to my Scouts, as well as Sailor Moon."
She thought of the fear, clearly evident in her eyes as Leander pulled her towards him. Then, when she saw the desperation of the situation, how quickly the determination surfaced. She thought of the grace and skill with which she fought, both in her Elements and Scout identities. Then her thoughts drifted to the time when Hermes had restored her memory of Leander. She and Mina had only taken five minutes to relive their memories, but Celeste had taken easily forty-five minutes, and shortly before she opened her eyes, she had shouted out, "Leander! How could you? Sun Crystal Power!" and then, moments later, she whispered, "How dare you? I hope I never have to see you again!" The anger displayed freely on her features was unspeakable. Then she awoke, and it was as if nothing had ever happened.
Avaris turned her face up to the sky, and realized it was wet with tears. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"If it is the last thing I do, I swear I will avenge you, Celeste," she vowed in a whisper.
"Avaris?" a voice asked from behind her. She whipped around and saw Rini, Hotaru, and Setsuna. "What's wrong?" Asked Rini, running to her. When she saw what Avaris held in her hands, her breath caught in her throat. She seemed to be at a loss for words.
"Ah - oh," she said softly. Soft footsteps sounded from behind her and Avaris knew that Hotaru and Setsuna stood behind her. The Guardian of Time put a comforting hand around her shoulder and Avaris burst into fresh tears.
"I just wish I knew where she was," she sobbed. "Just so I know she's - she's not -"
Hotaru gasped. The Sun Crystal had begun to glow. It detached itself from the pin and hovered at eye level with Avaris. There was a blinding flash of light, and Avaris, Rini, Hotaru, and Setsuna all shielded their eyes. When they looked back the crystal was the size of a fist and still glowing faintly. It started to spin, faster and faster, until it became a blur. A dark spot appeared in the center of the crystal, and grew until it was the size of a dinner plate. There was a sound like popping glass, and Celeste's face appeared in the center of the spinning crystal. It zoomed out, like a video camera, and they saw that she was lying down, seemingly asleep, on a slab of dark rock. Leander and two other men stood behind her. Their mouths were moving, but they couldn't hear what they were saying. Then a quiet murmuring sound began issuing from the crystal. It got louder and louder, than suddenly softer and softer. Finally it settled on a fairly soft volume.
"This is her?" one of them asked. "She couldn't look any more different."
"We still look the same," the other stranger commented musingly. "Why should she look any different?"
"She doesn't act any differently," said Leander, with an evil grin. "Still fiery. Are you two ready yet?"
"Yes," they replied in unison.
"It will be harder without Illinder," Said the second stranger. "Blasted Scouts!"
"We'll do what we can," said Leander. "We'll still be able to do it."
They each extended their right hand over Celeste. They closed their eyes tightly, and faintly purple, black, and dark green lights glowed in their palms. Then, as if on que, the three colored beams of light shot down into Celeste, sizzling and crackling. Celeste continued to lie serenely, eyes closed. Beads of sweat began to glisten on the foreheads of Leander and his two servants. They increased the intensity of the beams of dark energy, and Celeste's sigil, the crescent moon encircled by a fine gold line, burst into life on her forehead. An infinite number of beams of light streamed from her forehead and wrapped themselves around the dark energy beams. They squeezed tighter and tighter, and finally the dark beams of light splintered into a million pieces, like glass. Setsuna, Avaris, Rini, and Hotaru cheered.
"Damn," growled Leander. The other two had cried out.
"She's too strong!"said the first one. The second one was nursing his hand with a sullen expression on his face.
"Look, it's almost as if we strengthened her instead of weakened," he said, pointing at the crescent moon that still glowed vividly on her head. Her lips were faintly tinted pink, and color had returned to her face. The transformation stick lay at her side, also glowing. Leander picked it up.
"Maybe this is giving her power," he said. "I will destroy it." He threw it up into the air above Celeste and shattered it with a burst of lightning. It exploded into thousands of glimmering particles. They floated down slowly above Celeste and hovered, about six inches above her. They began to spin rapidly and glow brighter and brighter. With a blinding flash of golden light, the white and gold ribbons that still fluttered about her limp form wrapped around her, and she rose up into the air. With another flash of light (not so bright this time) Celeste opened her eyes and found that she was dressed in the ancient gown of the Princess of the Sun. With her sigil glowing brightly, she was Celeste Stevens, visiting from America, no longer. She was once more Princess Celeste, destined to be Queen of the Sun. She blinked, and smiled down at Leander serenely.
"Leander," she said in soft but determined tones. "Your attempts to brainwash me are in vain. No matter how long you bombard me with darkness, my light shall overcome." She sighed, her eyelids fluttered, and she crumpled to the ground. Leander looked stricken, but that expression quickly faded and was replaced with a thoughtful look.
"Nice going, Leander," said one of the men.
"Yeah," chimed in the other. "Maybe this is giving her power. I will destroy it," he mimicked.
"Silence!" Bellowed Leander. "You forget that I control your lives and the lives of your desired. Do not forget your place again in the future. Now leave! I need time to think." The men scuttled out of the room, giving each other dark looks. Leander sat down by Celeste's limp form, a brooding expression on his face.
"No matter how long you bombard me with darkness, my light shall overcome," he repeated in a murmur so low that Avaris could barely hear it. "Hmmm . . . ."
Back in Juuban Park, there was another sound like popping glass, and the crystal fell abruptly to the ground. The picture disappeared. Avaris let out a breath that she hadn't realized she had been holding.
"Was that real, Puu?" She heard Rini ask Setsuna.
"It appears so . . ." she replied.
"Was . . . was this supposed to happen?" Asked Avaris in a pained voice. Setsuna gazed off into the distance.
"It was not foreseen," she said finally.
"What does that mean?" Inquired Hotaru.
"I'm not sure," Setsuna replied, biting her lip. "It could mean many things." She did not look inclined to say just what those things were. Avaris, for one, was not inclined to ask.
* * *
That evening, Avaris walked towards Serena's house slowly. Clouds covered the sky, hiding the early stars. She heard a distant rumble and saw a flash of lightning not too far away.
Great, she thought as huge drops of rain began to fall from the sky, pelting her mercilessly. Within seconds she was soaked. She came up to Serena's house and turned in at the sidewalk that led to the front door. She knocked, and heard Serena yell from somewhere inside the house.
"I'll get it!"
"Too late, Meatball Head, I'm already there," Rini yelled back.
"You little spore, don't call me that! Only Darien has that right! Besides, it's probably Hallie. She doesn't want to be greeted by a creature like you!"
"Takes one to know one, crybaby!"
"Owoooh! You brat, that really hurt!"
Avaris rolled her eyes and leaned against the door, listening to the scuffle taking place inside as she gradually got wetter and wetter.
Suddenly the door opened behind her and Avaris fell back into the entryway, nearly crushing Rini who nimbly leapt out of the way just in time. She got a glimpse of Serena crying in the hallway before she hit the hard linoleum.
"Avaris?" Asked Rini. Serena stopped crying abruptly, and stood up.
"Avaris? What are you doing here?"
"Got lost in the rain. Thought I'd stop here to ask for directions," she said, wiping rain water and wet hair out of her eyes. "do you mind if I come in for a minute?"
"Oh - no, of course not," said Serena, stepping back.
"Thanks," said Avaris gratefully, taking off her soaking shoes and socks and putting on the house slippers Rini brought her.
"Serena? Who is it, honey?" A voice Avaris recognized as Serena's mother's asked from somewhere to her left.
"Avaris!" Serena called back.
"Avaris Tumns?" Mrs. Tsukino asked, coming around a corner. "Avaris! Long time no see! How are you, sweetie?" She asked upon seeing her. She gave her a tight hug. "My goodness! You're soaking wet! Serena, take her upstairs right now and let her borrow some of your clothes."
"Will she fit into any of them? She's a lot taller and skinnier than fat 'ol Serena!" Rini giggled. Avaris and Mrs. Tsukino laughed as well, but Serena dished Rini a reprimanding snap on the back of the head.
"Ow!"
"You can't pretend you didn't deserve that one, Rini!"
"She's right, you know, Rini," Avaris giggled.
"Anyways, let's go upstairs. I might have a pair of pants that are a size or two too big for me."
After Avaris was warm and dry, she headed downstairs where Rini and Serena were munching on cookies. Or, rather, Rini was munching and Serena was gobbling down everything within reach, and several things that were not. Suddenly the doorbell rang, and Rini leapt to answer it, sticking her tongue out at Serena. When she opened it, two young girls Avaris didn't recognize were standing under umbrellas on the doorstep, smiling happily despite the torrential rain.
"Hi, Rini!" Said one. She had short brown hair pulled up halfway and tied with a green ribbon. "How are you?"
"Good, Molly, thanks!" Rini replied. "Why don't you come in?"
"Thanks, Rini," Molly replied, and stepped in, shaking off her umbrella. The other girl followed.
"Serena, this is Hallie. She's an exchange student from Spain."
"Hi," said Hallie,smiling widely. She had long, black hair back in a long braid that reached her waist, with a ribbon the color of the sea tied loosely on the end. She had olive skin, and surprisingly blue eyes. Avaris could clearly see why she was named Halimeda, for her eyes seemed to reflect the mysterious aquamarine depths of the ocean.
"Hi!" Avaris responded enthusiastically. She blurted out, "I have a friend who's an exchange student, too , from Ameri-" before she suddenly realized that Celeste was gone. "Nevermind."
"Who's that?" Asked Molly curiously, peering at Avaris.
"I'm Avaris," she responded. "Hi! It's nice to meet both of you."
"You too," Molly and Hallie chimed.
"Is she going to be staying the night?" Asked Molly. Avaris smiled.
"No, I don't think -"
"What a great idea!" Serena exclaimed, interrupting Avaris. "Go call your parents and have them bring your stuff over here. Have them bring some money over, too, 'cause we're going to a movie!"
"But I -" Avaris protested.
"No buts! You need a night out!" Serena cut in, pushing her to a nearby phone. Hallie and Molly giggled. As Avaris, smiling, picked up the receiver and began dialing, the doorbell rang once more. This time Serena leapt to answer it, pushing Rini out of the way. She fell to the floor, scowling, as Serena opened the door.
"Hi, Amy! Hi, Lita!" She chirped in her singsong voice. "Come on in! Everyone else is already here." She stepped back to let Amy in, and she stepped out of her shoes, saying,
"Sorry I'm late, guys."
"When are you ever late, Amy?" Molly laughed. "We were just early. This is Hallie, our exchange student from Spain."
"Hi, Hallie, it's nice to meet -" she stopped talking as she spotted Avaris in the corner, talking on the phone. Avaris gave her a little wave and a smile when she noticed Amy and Lita staring at her, surprised.
"Avaris?" Asked Lita incredulously. "I didn't know you were going to be here!"
"She didn't know either," said Rini. "Serena bullied her into it."
"Bullied?" repeated Serena. "I did not! She could have said no at any time, you little -"
"Yeah, if you would have let her," said Rini scornfully. "You never let her get a word in edgewise!" She stuck her tongue out at Serena and squinted her eyes shut.
"Oooh, you make me so mad, you rude little brat!" Exclaimed Serena. All the girls rolled their eyes as Serena and Rini began squabbling.
"Meatball Head!!"
"Noodle Brain!"
"Crybaby!"
"I am not! Waaaaah!" Avaris took advantage of the chaos to call Mamesa and tell her what was happening in a hurried whisper. She put the receiver down and turned to Serena, who was once again sitting on the floor bawling. It took Avaris a bit to get her attention.
"Serena!" She finally yelled. Serena hiccuped and stopped crying with a sniff. "My mom is going to be bringing my stuff over in five minutes. What movie are we going to see?"
"The new Sailor V movie is out! I thought we could go see that!" Serena said hopefully. The other girls exchanged glances.
"Oh, all right," Amy finally sighed.
"Yippee!" Serena squealed. "We're gonna go see Sailor V!! Whoo hoo!"
Later that night the five girls, plus Rini and Hotaru, whom Rini had invited at the last minute, walked into the movie theater. As it was a Saturday night, it was completely packed. Serena and her friends had to fight their way to the ticket booth.
"Seven . . . for . . . the Sailor V Movie," Serena gasped out breathlessly, rubbing her ribs where someone had elbowed her roughly.
"Here you go," said the ticket lady cheerfully, handing them the tickets and putting the money in the register.
The rest of the girls wanted to go straight to the theater to get good seats, but Serena insisted on buying at least one of everything at the snack bar.
"How do you pay for all that?" Hallie asked, amazed, as Serena struggled with all her sweets.
"Don't ask me, she's way to lazy to work. Ow!" said Rini, as Serena managed to find a spare hand to slap her.
After they finally settled down, the movie started. Serena leaned forward, enraptured, but Avaris was somewhat bored.
"So how long have you lived in Spain?" She asked Hallie in a whisper.
"All my life," Hallie responded.
"Are you Spanish by heritage?" Avaris asked.
"Yes," Hallie replied.
"But your eyes -"
"I know. It's a family trait. How about you?"
"Well, I was born in Ireland, but when I was ten we moved here. Don't ask me why, I couldn't tell you myself." She said. "So, is 'Hallie' short for anything?"
"Yes, actually, 'Halimeda.' " She said.
"Doesn't that mean -" Avaris paused, brow furrowed in mock thought. "Thinking of the sea?"
"Yes!" She said, sounding delighted. "Do you speak Spanish?"
"Just a bit," Avaris whispered back. But at that point Serena shushed them, spraying popcorn bits all over them and the people in front of her for three seats.
After the movie, Serena would not shut up.
"Wasn't that a great movie, guys?" She exclaimed. It was more of a statement than a question. The girls all responded with noncommittal noises.
As they walked out of the theater, Serena took a few minutes to deposit all her trash in a nearby waste bin. Suddenly there was a piercing shriek from inside the theater, and the manager was hurled through the window.
"What on earth?" asked Molly, peering in through the hole the man had made in the glass. She was immediately hit with a burst of green lightning and thrown to the ground, unconscious. Hallie screamed and Avaris pulled her into a nearby alley.
"Wha - what's going on?" She stammered. Avaris put a finger to my lips.
"Hush!" She said. "Just watch." She leaned around the corner so she had a view of what was going on in front of the theater, and motioned Hallie to do the same. Tentatively she peered out of the alley.
"Moon Cosmic Power!"
"Moon Crystal Power!"
"Mercury Star Power!"
"Jupiter Star Power!"
"Saturn Planet Power!"
Her mouth dropped open as she watched the transformations five of her very good friends. Hearing footsteps running in their direction, Avaris pulled Hallie back as Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus ran by them. The youma had ventured out of the theater and was cackling at Sailor Moon's speech. Avaris turned to Hallie.
"What is the meaning of this?" She demanded.
"Wait. You'll understand." She rolled up her sleeve and spoke into her communicator. "Mamesa! we need you at the theater!"
"Gotcha. Hermes and I'll be right there."
"Who?" Hallie asked. Avaris ignored her question and held up her crystal.
"Soul Element Power!" She transformed and Hallie stared.
"Who are you?"
"Sailor Soul. And now it's your turn." Avaris handed her the Sea Crystal. Hallie stared at the tiny gem she held in her hand.
"What do you mean?" She asked curiously.
"Don't you understand? I wouldn't show you all this unless you were a Senshi too. Now, transform!" She still looked nonplused. Avaris sighed. "Okay, look," she said. "I am now the leader of the Sailors of the Elements. Our job is to protect the Sailor Scouts. I am Sailor Soul, another girl is Sailor Flame, and you are Sailor Sea. If you wanna transform, now's the time! Say 'Aqua Element Power' and you'll see what I mean." Hallie still looked confused, but she did as she was told. Holding the charm high in the air, she called out,
"Aqua Element Power!" There was a sound like rushing water, a flash of golden-blue light, and Sailor Sea stood before Avaris. She wore a gold tiara with a gem in the center the exact color of her eyes, and her choker was a deep blue with a golden rain drop pin in the center, containing the Sea Crystal. Her cape was the same aquamarine color as her choker and flowed down to the ground. Her collar was a lighter blue lined with gold, and the pin in the center of the blue bow on her chest was golden. Her skirt was light blue also, trimmed with gold, and the bow on the back of her skirt was gold. Her boots were the same as Avaris's and Mamesa's, and differed only in color - dark blue, with golden lining at the top. Confusion was no longer written upon her face. Avaris smiled.
"Ready?" She asked her.
"Ready!" Sailor Sea responded. At that moment Mamesa turned into the alley.
"Okay, Elements?" she called. "Let's check it out!"
They all peered around the alley, knowing that they weren't supposed to interfere unless one of the Scouts was in trouble. As it was, they were doing fine, although the youma seemed to be resisting their attacks easily. Even the Outer Scout's attacks deflected off it. Avaris scanned the shadows of the theater, looking for someone who was controlling the youma. Her sharp eyes detected movement in a dark corner. Bingo! A man she recognized from the vision in the Sun Crystal that afternoon stood in the shadows, making the same movements the youma was. Mamesa was filling Hallie in on their duties in a hurried whisper. At that moment, an attack from the youma was aimed at Sailor Venus. Sailor Soul instinctively jumped out of the alley and pushed her out of range, barely ducking the blow herself.
"Hold it!" She cried at the youma. Mamesa and Hallie quickly backed her up. "Stop right there! I am Sailor Soul, defender of the planet Venus! This trespass you have made on my planet won't be forgotten! Prepare to meet death for we," she gestured to Mamesa and Hallie. "Are the Sailors of the Elements!"
"Fire!" said Mamesa.
"Water!" said Hallie.
"Soul!" Avaris repeated. "For the sake of our planets, we will punish you!" Mamesa summoned her Dragon, Avaris her Phoenix, and Hallie instinctively summoned what looked like a Sea Serpent.
"Soul Bird Attack!"
"Fire Dragon Roar!"
"Sea Serpent Thunder!"
The three attacks wound straight for the youma. When they hit, there was an explosion of light and another shriek from the Fire Dragon. When they could look again, to their surprise the youma still stood, but the three guardians were nowhere to be found. Avaris frowned, and concentrated on the man in the shadows. There was a sudden glimmer before her, and with a loud crack a bow appeared. A quiver of arrows hovered nearby. Avaris had never taken archery, but she had a feeling that these arrows would go where ever she wanted them too. Grasping the bow and pulling an arrow from the quiver, which now hung magically by her side, she pulled the string taught and aimed for the space between the man and the monster.
"Bow of Spirit, sever this constricting bond!" She whispered to the bow as she released the arrow. Leaving a stream of pink and gold sparks behind it, the arrow flew past the monster. There was a snap so loud several nearby people fell to their knees, and the youma fell, instantly dead. The man stepped from the shadows, snarling at Avaris. Avaris coolly notched another arrow and advanced on the man.
"Who are you and what business do you have here?" she demanded. The man was startled by this sudden situation. He hadn't expected this to happen at all. He thought the Sailor Scouts were fearful fighters, but peaceful overall. Avaris narrowed her eyes. "Well?" The man smiled weakly.
She heard two more loud snaps behind her, and she knew that Mamesa and Hallie both had new weapons as well. She didn't dare turn around to see what they were. Suddenly, there were two more flashes of light, and two men appeared, surrounding Avaris. One of them was Leander, and the other was the second man she had seen today. Immediately she whirled on Leander.
"What have you done with Celeste?" She asked in a deadly whisper, so low that only Leander could hear it. He laughed harshly.
"Would you care to see her?" He asked, laughing. Avaris glared fiercely at him.
"Careful, Leander. I will shoot you." She said menacingly. Leander laughed again.
"You wouldn't dare," he said derisively. Frustrated, Avaris pointed her arrow to the sky and released it.
"Soul Crisis Arrow Power!" She cried, leaping into the air and floating there. The arrow returned to earth and circled Avaris, winding pink and gold ribbons around her again and again. Moments later, she found herself in the Super Sailor Soul suit. She was the first Elemental Scout to transform into her Supers fuku. She grasped the bow again, notched another arrow to it, and pointed it at Leander.
"Where is she?" She demanded. Leander laughed and cupped his hands to his mouth, as if he was calling someone.
"Lady of Darkness, come to me!" He cried. A magical darkness fell over them, so dark that Avaris could see nothing at all - not even her hand when it was an inch from her face. She knew she had to protect Sailor Venus, and leapt magically up over Leander's head, landing in the direction she remembered Venus to be standing.
"Venus?" She whispered.
"I'm here, Avaris," someone responded, laying a warm hand on her shoulder. Avaris squinted into the blackness in front of her. It was amazingly dark - darker than a night without moons and stars. An unnatural, magical dark. Unwillingly, she felt a prickle of fear run up her spine. What was going on? Along with darkness, it was completely silent.
"Oh, this is ridiculous!" She heard Serena cry. "Moon Light Shine!" Instantly, the heavens lit up, the moon burning brilliantly. For an instant it was so bright it hurt her eyes. When she could finally see, she looked in the direction of Leander. He stood there, grinning evilly up at the sky. Avaris looked, unconsciously afraid of what she would see. When she finally saw what Leander was looking at, she almost fell back in horror.
It was Celeste. Or rather, it had once been Celeste. Hovering in the air about ten feet above the ground, she smiled down luminously at them. It was odd, because the happy expression on her face contrasted harshly with everything else about her.
Now several inches taller and thinner, as if she had been stretched on a rack, she wore a _very_ low cut dress with an open back. It fell to her ankles, where dainty black stilettos adorned her feet. She held a gauzy black shawl in the crooks of her elbows. Her eyes gleamed red, and on her forehead where the symbol of the Protector Of the Moon once shone was a black circle, seeming to devour light. Her hair was piled high on her head, and a tiara of some black metals and gems crowned the magnificent bun. She looked completely normal, even beautiful with the exquisite expression on her face. But she radiated darkness and evil. Everything about her was opposite from what Celeste had been before. She floated down to the ground, and a lamp post she passed flickered feebly before going out. She walked towards Leander, and Avaris realized that her dress had a slit on either side going from her ankle up to her hip. Her skin was a pale white.
"What is it, Leander?" She asked him, still smiling blissfully. He smiled in return.
"My Lady of Darkness," he said, bowing low. "This one wished to see you," he gestured to Avaris. She turned to gaze at Avaris, and her expression seemed to grow even more joyful. She walked slowly to Avaris, wearing an almost motherly look on her face. When she reached her, she put out a hand to Avaris's flowing hair, as if to pet or stroke it. Suddenly, so quickly Avaris didn't even see it, she yanked down on a huge hank of hair and slapped her - hard - on the face. She turned back to Leander, her expression changed from a smile to a snarl.
"You brought me here for that?" She asked him, sounding incredulous that he had dared to bother her with such a thing. Leander bowed low again.
"Forgive me, Lady of Darkness." Celeste approached him, but he did not seem afraid. When she reached him , she wrapped her arms coyly about his neck and drew him to her, kissing him fiercely. When she pulled away, a trickle of blood, as red as her lips, ran down from her mouth.
"Forgiven," she said, tracing one long finger down his chest. She whirled on the scouts. "It's you lot I won't forgive!" She raised her hands, clearly ready to do something horrible, when a red rose flashed down in front of her. She didn't start, didn't scream, she simply looked to see who threw it, looking furious.
"Who did this?" She hissed.
"I did," A bold voice proclaimed. Tuxedo Mask jumped down from the shadows. "Celeste, what has happened to your beautiful powers of love and light? Have you allowed yourself to fall into the abyss of darkness? what of your future - who will protect the moon now?"
"What are you saying?" Celeste snarled at him. "Why do you call me Celeste?" She pronounced her name as if it was unfamiliar to her, hissing on the 's's' and fumbling around the 'l' and the 't. ' Avaris stepped forward.
"Celeste, this is something I must do," she said steadily. "You have done the one thing I cannot forgive." She nocked another arrow and aimed it at Celeste's heart. "Bow of Spirit, destroy this creature who darkens our future!" And released it.
The other Sailor Scouts - even Sailor Uranus - all shouted out "No!" Serena screamed, "Avaris, don't!" and Mamesa bit her lip so hard she drew blood. The arrow sped towards Lady Darkness, in seeming slow motion. She smiled serenely at it. As it drew near, she reached out and plucked it out of the air. The other Scouts gasped in surprise. Celeste clenched it in her fist and it turned black. She twirled her hand and a midnight black bow appeared in the air. She notched the arrow and let it fly at Avaris. Avaris jumped out of the way, but not before it grazed her arm, leaving a bloody slash lined with a black, inky residue. Lady Darkness laughed, and it was surprising how merry her peals of girlish laughter sounded. Suddenly she cut her laughter short, and stared, smiling, at Avaris.
"That arrow was poison," she giggled. "If you live to see the light of day, I'd be very surprised. But then -" she let out another happy peal of laughter, "If any of you live, much less to see any light again, I'd be even more surprised!!" And collapsed into giggles again. Sailor Saturn strode towards Avaris, and touched her arm. A faint purple light glowed from her hands, and the inky residue vanished, the gash on her arm healed.
"Thank you," Avaris murmured.
"You're welcome," said Hotaru, smiling. She noticed the person who once was Celeste staring very hard at her.
"Silence?" She asked in a breathless voice. "Is that Sovereign of Silence? My dear, I hardly recognized you!" Hotaru shuddered in anger.
"No!" She cried in a child-like voice. "I'm not the Sovereign of Silence!! I never was! I never will be ever again!" She stared avidly at Lady Darkness, even more pale than usual with fear.
"What are you talking about? You and I go a long way back, Silence!" Hotaru trembled. "Remember that one time -" but Sailor Pluto cut her off.
"Stop. You are not one to recall the evil deeds of the past. Now, I suggest you leave. Immediately." The Lady of Darkness giggled.
"As if you could do anything about it, Keeper of the Underworld. Your past is not so very pure, either, you know!" Pluto's eyes hardened in anger, and she lifted her staff. Lady of Darkness sighed.
"Oh, don't even bother," she said lazily. "Your defenses are all weak compared with me. If you must, try your luck, but you asked for it!" She giggled. Pluto ignored her.
"Pluto Deadly Scream!" She said. The purple ball whizzed towards Lady Darkness, who yawned and held up a pale hand. A black, swirling tornado issued from it and sucked the ball of glowing energy away. Looking at her nails, Lady of Darkness clenched the hand into a fist, then opened it as if she was throwing something at Sailor Pluto. And indeed, an ebony colored ball, identical to Pluto's attack but for color, flew at her. Pluto had no time to move out of the way, and was smashed through a window of a store across the street.
"Pluto!" Sailor Mini Moon yelled in a heart-wrenching scream. Celeste giggled.
"Told you so. Now, for the rest of you!" Leander cleared his throat. "Yes, Leander?" She asked sweetly.
"Lady, perhaps it is not wise to use all of your energy at this time."
"Why?" She pouted. Leander looked at her as if to say that he couldn't explain why just then. Celeste huffed. "Fine then. Just don't think I'm letting you all get away!" and with another girlish giggle, she disappeared, leaving a cloud of darkness where she had just been standing.
"What did you do to her?" Demanded Sailor Mars. Leander laughed.
"As if I would tell you! Now, Tarin, Roginar, do you wish do claim your desired now or later?" The two men with Leander stared hungrily at two of the Scouts - the one with dark green hair, at Sailor Venus, the one with black hair gazed at Sailor Moon. Darien stepped protectively in front of Serena, and Avaris did the same to Sailor Venus. The man who stared at Venus tore his gaze away and sighed.
"Leander, I fear today is not the time." The other nodded.
"Very well, Tarin. You agree, Roginar?" He nodded again. Leander shrugged.
"As you wish. Then, I suggest we return to our Lady." Tarin and Roginar nodded in agreement and the three of them leapt into the air. All but Leander disappeared immediately. Leander stayed to gloat at the Scouts.
"You wished to see Celeste. Now that you have, do you wish to see her again?" He laughed uproariously and disappeared just as an arrow from Avaris's bow shot into the air where he had been just seconds before.
"Damn," Avaris cursed. The other Scouts were surprised to see that she was trembling in anger.
"Ah - Avaris?" Serena asked hesitantly. Avaris stiffened, and waved her hand. Her bow disappeared, even though the quiver still hung at her side, attached to her left hip.
"Come on," she said to Mamesa and Halimeda. "We're done here. Let's go." Looking back at the Scouts, puzzled, they obeyed, hurrying to catch up with her - she was striding away so quickly she was almost out of sight. When they passed the park, Avaris turned abruptly into it. Mamesa knew where she was heading - the lakeshore.
When they finally got there, Avaris was indeed at the lakeshore, kneeling at the spot where Celeste had disappeared the day before. Her head was bowed, and she sat in silence. Mamesa and Halimeda looked at each other uncertainly. What should they do? Suddenly, Avaris sat up. She held something high in the air. Mamesa recognized it instantly as the Sun Crystal.
"Show me what happened to her," she demanded. Mamesa and Halimeda were confused - was she talking to them? Her fist tightened around the crystal. "Show me!" She yelled. The crystal glimmered feebly in the moonlight. "No?" She yelled, sounding furious. "Fine! I have no need of you anyway!" She stood up and hurled the Sun Crystal into the lake and collapsed onto the sandy shore, sobbing. Hallie and Mamesa were bewildered. Hallie looked at Mamesa inquiringly, but Sailor Flame was staring avidly at the spot where Avaris had thrown the crystal into the lake. A deep golden light shone brilliantly from far beneath the surface. The top of the lake bubbled and stirred, until it looked like it was boiling. The light grew brighter and brighter, until finally, encased in a golden aura of light, the crystal rose from the lake. It paused a few feet off the water, as if unsure of what to do, than swept over to where Avaris lay broken on the shore. The golden light caressed her, and she sat up, her face wet with tears. The light was so intense that the very tears evaporated off her face, and restored a rosy color to her pale face.
"Avaris . . ." the light murmured. "Avaris . . ."Avaris stood, and gazed up at the crystal.
"Celeste?" She whispered, lost for words. The voice grew louder and louder.
"Avaris . . . my companion from another life . . . why do you cry so?" Avaris blinked rapidly.
"Is that you?" she whispered. A giggle issued from the light, and a figure emerged from it, clothed in a flowing white dress.
"Yes, it is me."
"But - but you -"
"Shhh," she said soothingly, reaching a hand out to her. "That was not me."
"Well - then - who was it?" The serene features on Celeste's ghostly form creased in distress.
"Darkness," she murmured.
"Please - I don't understand -"
"Patience. I will explain.
"What happened was this. Leander had captured me, and brought me to his dimension against my will. Because I had given the Crystal to you, I was defenseless, but for some reason I reverted back to the Princess of the Sun while Leander attempted to brainwash me. He discovered that he could not accomplish this, and so possessed me with the spirit of Darkness. Unable to defeat such an enemy alone, I had no choice but to flee my body and surrender it to her. I returned to the Crystal, and have been unable to contact you until now. Congratulations, so far. You are doing a fine job." Her gaze turned to Halimeda, who felt intimidated by her presence somehow, and bowed low to the ground. Celeste smiled, and floated down to the sand. When her bare feet touched the sand, the moonlight shone right through them. She was not solid - she was a ghost, a soul.
"Welcome to the team, Halimeda," she said, still smiling. "Do you all still have my gifts from earlier?" It took Avaris a while to understand, but when her hand brushed her quiver she realized what Celeste meant.
"You - you gave me this?" She asked, calling her bow.
"Yes," said Celeste, smiling. "It is the Bow of Spirit. Among other powers, it has the ability to turn you into Super Sailor Soul, as you have already found out."
"Then you gave me this?" Asked Halimeda.
"And me this?" Asked Mamesa. Avaris whirled to look. Above Halimeda's hand hovered a large object - it looked like a shell, but it was like no shell she had ever seen. Pearl-white in color, swirled with gold and aquamarine, it was a shell - a horn. a golden chain dangled from it, and as she watched, it floated back down to her waist, hanging there just as her quiver hung - not actually attached to her, but just floating in midair. Mamesa held a wooden staff - simple, and cut from rough wood, but with the same designs carved on it as the ones on Avaris's bow. It would have been completely normal if it were not for the claw, similar to a dragon's claw, that topped it. Inside the claw crackled a burning red and gold flame. A carved dragon spun up it, tail twisted around the bottom. Celeste smiled.
"Yes," she said.
"What are they?" asked Mamesa.
"You hold the Fire Staff. It has in its power the ability to transform you into Super Sailor Flame. It also powers your Guardian, the Fire Dragon, and gives you several new commands as well."
"And what do I have?" Asked Hallie.
"Ah," said Celeste, smiling benevolently. "I am very proud of that. You hold the Horn of Merlin. It is a magical object from long ago, a gift from Queen Serenity to human kind on earth. It's most famous owner was the wizard Merlin, who lived at the time of Camelot. Even he, however, knew very little of it's powers. It also can transform you into Super Sailor Sea, as well as power up your Guardian, the Sea Serpent, and give you new commands."
"But I barely know any old ones!" She exclaimed. Celeste sighed.
"I know. We must move quickly. This is not as I would have wanted it, but you must find the Sailor of Air immediately. Hermes has the Cloud Crystal. I have her identity.
"She is Arianna Troy."
"Arianna Troy?" Avaris exclaimed.
"Yes," said Celeste, smiling at Avaris's astonishment.
"Wait, just a second," said Mamesa. "Who is Arianna Troy? And how do you know her, Avaris?"
"Arianna and I grew up together in Ireland," Avaris said breathlessly. "I thought I'd never see her again when we left my country. Our fathers worked together, you see, and the job tends to move us around. When I heard we were moving to Japan, I was ten years old, and heart-broken. Then, my dad quit that old job when he found a new one here. One that doesn't move him around. We stopped writing letters three years ago!" Celeste smiled.
"You'll find that you'll be giving her a tour of your school tomorrow morning. Give her the Cloud Crystal as a gift, and when the time comes she will know what to do with it. Hermes can find the time and place of the next attack. Now hurry -" she winced. "I grow weaker. You must complete the Elementals with Sailor Sky and then find a new, suitable Sailor Sun."
"But can't you return to your body?" Celeste shook her head sadly.
"I think not. As far as I know, you can only destroy Darkness if you destroy her body, too. When that happens, I'll truly die. It's the only way."
"No!" Avaris cried. "There has to be another way !"
"Come now, Avaris," Celeste snapped, suddenly stern. "That's our life. It's tough. Especially for us. But deal with it. The powers of Light and Love will act most strongly against her, so you must protect yourself and Sailor Venus with the utmost care."
"What about Sailor Moon?"
"I'll still be able to protect her. Not as well, but well enough. Now go!"
"Wait!" Avaris protested. "Do you have anything, anything at all, to help us win this battle?" Celeste thought a moment.
"I might . . ." she said slowly. "Yes . . .I think I do. If I summon it, though, it will use all my energy. It will be entirely up to you to find the Elementals."
"If it uses all your energy, then I don't want it!" Avaris said, sorry that she'd asked.
"No, wait a moment. The Sun Crystal will be a part of it, and when all my energy is used I will lie dormant in the Crystal, absorbing more energy every moment. Yes, I'll do it." She closed her eyes, and her sigil shone brilliantly on her forehead. She held her hands out in front of her, and there was a flash of golden light. Something flickered in her hands, and then a rod appeared. It was not as long as her Solar Staff, but longer than her Scepter. A glowing orb sparkled in the top, and two long, elegant handles swept outwards and downwards from beneath it, coming back in and up to create the appearance of an upside-down heart. Colored stones went down the center of it, and Avaris realized that they each symbolized a planet, for a planet sigil was engraved into every stone. On the handles were their own symbols of the Elements - and several more that she didn't recognize. Celeste's figure flickered, and she looked exhausted.
"This - is the - Daystar - Wand. Sailor -Daystar - is Sailor - Sun's -ultimate - form. Do not ask - what - it does. It - will - show - you," she said breathlessly.
"Celeste, wait!" Avaris yelled. "Please, don't leave!" She flickered again, and again, and then, with a sigh and a sad smile, she disappeared. "No," Avaris whispered. She closed her eyes and a few tears trickled out of them. Finally, she gently plucked the wand out of the air, where it still hovered.
"All right," she said finally. "It's time to go."