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Star Sailors. Book 1.
Chapter 3, "A New Guy in Town. The Handsome Journalist from America Arrives."
By Telraven. (telraven@ywave.com)
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This part is rated PG for a little language. Text in these: indicate thought. Author's notes
are, as always, at the bottom, along with some other stuff.
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Liana sighed and rested her chin on her hand as she gazed at the rain dripping down the
window pane. "I think I've figured out why Setsuna wanted me to go to school with Usagi...It
isn't so much to learn what they are trying to teach us. What I need to learn there is how to
act and talk, how to sound like everyone else. But still, it's not easy...The world is so very
different now..."
"Took you long enough to figure that out." Apollo told her as he leaped up on to her
bed. "At least you have me to help you out." He said smugly as he washed his paw. Liana threw
a pencil at him but he dodged it.
Her mind drifted to earlier that day...
"Usagi, hi!" Someone called out.
"Oh, hi Naru-chan!" Usagi said.
"Who's this?" Naru asked when she came closer.
"Oh, this is Liana. She just moved here. Liana, this is Naru." Usagi responded.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Where did you move here from?" Naru asked.
"The Moo-" Liana started to say, until Usagi's elbow in her side cut her off.
"England." Usagi quickly interjected.
"Oh yes, that's right. I came here from England..." Liana sweatdropped.
"Liana-chan," Usagi whispered after Naru had left. "You need to remember what to tell
people, it's not a good idea to go around telling people that you're from the Moon Kingdom.
They'll think you're crazy."
Liana sighed again and looked out her window. Things would be a lot easier if Tarellan
was with me. She thought as a tear slipped down her face. It's so unfair! Serenity and Endymion
were able to find each other, why can't we be together? Oh my love, I'd give anything just to be
with you again...
"Anything at all..." She whispered as she looked out the dark window and another tear
slipped down her face .
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Elsewhere, a young man, with chocolate brown hair and deep emerald green eyes, was arguing
with his boss at the Seattle offices of the Worldwide News Network. "Trust me! This'll be a great
story! No one has ever gotten the true story of the strange happenings that have occurred over the
last several years. The news media and the police in Japan tried, but it seemed like there just
wasn't anything for them to find. But I don't think that they were trying very hard. There wasn't
much of an investigation the last time, it's like they just gave up."
His boss sighed. "Tarel, how do you expect to find out when all those other people tried
and failed?"
"I know I can do it, Mr. Calder, I know it sounds crazy, but I just know! I have a feeling
that I just can't explain...That I can find out what happened, and if there is any truth to the
sightings of the female superheroes in sailor suits fighting the monsters..." Tarel replied.
"Tarel, you're a fine young man. You're like a son to me, really! But how can I justify
spending the network's money on something that might as well be a wild goose chase? How do you
even know that these so called superheroes are even around anymore?"
"Mr. Calder you've got to believe me! The reports have started again. Reports of strange
monsters appearing and attacking people, only to have sailor suited young women show up and destroy
them. And there's a new one this time; there have been several eyewitness reports of young women
being kidnapped. And they were all right after the monster sightings. It could be part of some kind
of attack plan by invaders who want to take over the earth. Just look at the evidence: first
there was that meteor of some sort that *hadn't been tracked* and hit right in the middle of Tokyo
a couple of years ago, then the reports of monster attacks started, then there was the crystalline
UFO that showed up several months later. Not to mention when that high profile school was blown up,
taking out a pretty large radius of buildings around it.."
"Alright! Alright!" Calder cut in. "Tarel you don't need to list every single strange
thing that has ever happened in Tokyo! I suppose I can let you go, I'll give you a month trial
period. If you don't have a strong story, with more evidence than just hearsay, within that time,
you have to drop the story and come home. Deal?
Tarel sighed. "I guess so. It's better than outright refusal."
"You're damn right it's better! And you'd better be right about this, I'm putting a lot
on the line just giving you this much. Now go get packed, you're leaving in two days."
Tarel smiled. "Yes sir!" He said cheerfully, and went home to pack.
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A couple of days later when Tarel didn't come into the office, a certain voluptuous
redhead was worried. "Is Tarel sick or something? He hasn't been in to work for a couple of
days..." Vanessa asked around in the office.
"Nah, he's not sick," someone replied. "Blane went to Tokyo for a story."
"Tokyo!" She exclaimed. He went to Tokyo? Oh great. I almost had him too...How can I
get to Tokyo?! I don't have the money for that! Then she had an idea. She smiled. You won't
get away from me that easily, Tarel Blane...
That afternoon, Vanessa went to Mr. Calder's office.
"Ah, Vanessa, come in." He replied.
She stepped in and took a seat. "Mr. Calder, I got a call from Tarel last night. He
said that he wanted me to come over there and help him with his story."
"Really? Why didn't he call me first?" Calder said.
Vanessa bigsweated. "I...uh...Well we were on the phone already, you see, and...uh...
He asked me to tell you because he didn't have the time to call you...That's one of the reasons
he wanted my help you see..."
Calder stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well... I suppose I can send you, but you'll have
to work at the offices over there, besides helping Tarel."
"That'll be fine, thank you Mr. Calder!" Vanessa said gleefully and skipped out of his
office before he could change his mind.
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After he got to his apartment and unpacked, Tarel decided to start right away with talking
to people in a local park where there had been a rather large number of monster sightings. The
first order of business is to find someone who has actually seen those superheroes in the sailor
outfits... Tarel thought to himself. It would be perfect if I could find one or more of them to
talk to... As he walked around the small lake, he noticed a rather pretty young woman sitting on
a bench staring out at the lake, a book in her lap. Her hair was a wavy reddish brown and was cut
to shoulder length and her eyes were sky blue. She's gorgeous... He inhaled sharply. And yet,
she looks so sad. I wonder what's wrong? Well, I might as well find out if she has seen anything
around here.
He walked over to her. "Excuse me miss, but I'm doing some research, and I'd like to know
if you have ever seen any kind of creature attacking people in this area."
Startled, she looked up, and an odd look passed over her face, as if she had seen a ghost.
"T..." She blinked and shook her head. "W-what did you say?"
"I'm very sorry, am I disturbing you?" He replied. What was that look? It's not like I
snuck up on her...
"No, it's all right. I was just startled, I hadn't realized there was anyone around... What
did you want to know?" She said.
"I'd like to know if you have ever seen any kind of monsters attacking people in the park."
He repeated. This is so strange...She seems so familiar...But I know I'd remember her if we had
met before...
"No, I'm afraid I haven't, at least, not in the park." She answered.
"Oh, have you seen them anywhere else?" Tarel asked.
She blushed. "I...uh...yeah, um...I...uh don't really remember where it was...I didn't
really stay around..." She said hesitantly.
"Oh." He replied, a little disappointedly. "Well, thank you for taking the time to tell me."
He turned to leave. She seemed really flustered by that last question...Is she hiding something?
He got about three steps away when she called out to him: "Wait!"
He turned around. "Yes?"
"Ummm...Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
He smiled. "I apologize. I'm Tarel Blane. And you?"
"Liana Taiyouno." She said.
"Pleased to meet you, Liana. That's a very pretty name, it's isn't Japanese is it?"
Liana blushed. "No, o...only my father was Japanese, I just moved into town."
"Ah, that explains it...Ummm..., , Do you... come here often?" Tarel cringed mentally. Oh
great, that was lame...She probably thinks I'm trying to ask her out...
"As a matter of fact yes, I do. Why do you ask?" She looked puzzled.
"Well I don't suppose...that is...do you think you could keep an eye out for any strange
happenings around here? I'm investigating the recent set of monster attacks and it'd really help
me out."
She seemed a little disappointed. "Oh, sure, I'll do that. How would I contact you though?"
"I'll come by here every so often, it's not far from my apartment building." He replied.
Wow, I guess she doesn't think I'm an idiot! She's so pretty....What am I thinking! I only met
her a minute ago!
"Alright." She smiled and he felt his knees wobble.
"Well... thanks again." He said smiling. Then he headed towards some other people in the
park. She's incredible! I hope I can see her again... He shook his head. This is crazy... I
don't even know her!...But there's just something about her...
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Liana secretly watched him walk away, her mind reeling. Is it him? He looks so much
like my Tarellan... Serenity did say that everyone was sent to be reborn...Endymion was reborn,
and from what I've picked up from Setsuna, Tarellan was one of the defenders on the moon when
it fell... She got up and started walking home. I have to try and see him again, I know I'll
be able to tell if I can just spend some more time with him...
When she got in the door she flopped down on the couch with a sigh. I need to know what
exactly happened to him, back then.
"Liana is that you?" Apollo called from another room. There was no answer, so he came
into the living room. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!"
"Maybe I have." Liana mumbled. "Only, I'd think that *his* ghost would recognize me..."
"What? Liana, you're not making any sense." He said.
She looked up. "Where's Setsuna?"
"She hasn't come home yet. Will you tell me what is wrong?"
"Tell me when she gets home will you?" Liana said distractedly and went up to her room.
"Liana, wait! What's going on?" Apollo called after her. There was no response.
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Later that night, after Tarel was finished interviewing people in the park, he headed back
to his apartment for the night. Once he got in, he ordered out for dinner and began to organize
his notes.
"I didn't get much today..." He said to himself. "Oh well...There's always tomorrow!" He
stretched and picked up a file folder. He then started examining the pictures that he kept in the
folder. He sighed. "I've got to get some better pictures than these...The quality is terrible,
but it's the best anyone has ever gotten of those superheroes... The strange thing is, lots of
people know *of* them, but no one really knows very much *about* them...They just know that they
always mysteriously appear when there's a monster attack..." Eventually, he put the pictures and
started compiling his notes on his laptop. Several hours later, he yawned and finally went to bed.
Tarel was searching, all around him there was nothing but an icy cold mist that completely
enveloped everything around him and an inky blackness that devoured all light. He was searching for
something...something that was taken from him... He couldn't quite remember what it was, all he
knew was that he wasn't complete without it... Suddenly there was a small spot of light ahead of
him, a warm golden light that beckoned to him and lead him on until he could make out a figure in
the distance. It was a woman with flowing hair, wearing a long sleeveless gown of pale blue.
He couldn't quite make out her face, so he walked closer. She turned towards him and he
finally was able to see her face. She was beautiful, with incredible sky blue eyes, eyes he could
happily drown in. On her forehead there was a golden eight rayed sun that gave off a light of it's
own. She smiled and opened her arms to him: "There you are, my love." She said to him in a musical
voice that sent pleasant shivers down his spine, and he realized that this, this is what, rather
who, he had been searching for. His completion, his soulmate.
"Who are you?" He half whispered.
"Come with me." A huge swirling mass of grey clouds appeared behind her and she started to
float backwards toward it.
He tried to follow but it was as if his feet were glued to the ground. "Wait!" He cried.
She stopped. "Come with me." She repeated.
He tried to move his feet again. "I can't!"
"Please, I need you." She replied entreatingly and reached out a hand to him.
He tried to move his legs again. Nothing happened. "I can't do it!"
Now her face was sad. "I am sorry. I cannot stay here..." A single golden tear slipped down
her beautiful face. His heart broke. He tried even harder to move but to no avail. She started to
float away from him, and the light began to leave with her. He reached out to her. "Wait! Don't
go!"
"I must. I am sorry." She kept moving.
"No! Please! Don't go!" The blackness swallowed him.
Tarel woke in a cold sweat. It was that dream again, the same dream he had had since he
was sixteen, but this time it was different. This time he actually saw the woman's face.
Unfortunately the image was fading fast, and he couldn't remember what she looked like. All that
he could remember was a warm light, endless eyes the color of the sky on a midsummer afternoon,
and a golden light shining from her brow. "These dreams are driving me nuts! Who is she? And why
does she make me feel like this? It's just a dream, isn't it?" Obviously hearing no reply, he
tried to go back to sleep. It was a long night.
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Later the next day Tarel went to the park to talk to people again. As he came into a
somewhat deserted area, he heard a commotion. He went to investigate and saw a young woman in a
yellow and blue sailor outfit fighting a monster. He hid behind a nearby bush and got out his
notepad to record what was happening. I've seen the footage and pictures that a few people were
able to get of the those sailor suited superheroines. I'm pretty sure there weren't any in yellow
and light blue. I wonder if she is new, or possibly she was just never seen before... He thought
to himself.
While Tarel watched, the youma lunged for her and she jumped up, landing lightly where the
youma had been a moment before and twirling back around to face it. The youma turned its head in
time to see her fist head toward its face.
"Oooff!" the youma grunted and stumbled back as the fist hit home. Before it could regain
it's senses, she attacked.
"Golden Solar Flare!" The youma put up an arm to ward off the light but it was no use.
Using the youma's blindness to her advantage, the woman attacked again. "Burning SunStar
Revolution!" she yelled. Gold colored energy blasted into the youma and it disintegrated.
Wow! That's amazing! She *is* one of those superheroes! I have to talk to her!
Tarel stepped out of the bushes and cleared his throat. She whirled and took a fighting
stance and he took a step back involuntarily. "Excuse me. I didn't mean to startle you. I'm
Tarel. Who are you?"
"I'm... Sailor Solaris." She told him.
"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? I'd really like to know more about who you are
and why you are here." He asked.
"I...Suppose not, what would you like to know?" She replied.
"Are you one of the sailor suited superheroes?"
"Superheroes? I don't know. What's a... super-hero?" She said, not sure of what he meant.
He stared at her. "You don't know what a superhero is? What are you, from another planet?"
"No, I'm from the Moon Kingdom." She said matter-of-factly.
"So is there a civilization living on the moon, or are you the only one to come from
there?" He asked.
"There used to be," she replied. "It was destroyed a very long time ago. I'm not sure how
long."
"Oh...Then how did you get here?"
"I'm not sure if I should answer that... I can tell you that I and my fellow Senshi are
here to protect the earth and our solar system from those who would destroy or enslave it."
"Oh," He said weakly. "How many of your fellow ah...'Senshi' are there?"
"Just the Planetary Senshi and myself."
"Planetary... Does that mean there are Senshi for every planet? I knew there were several,
I had seen pictures and video footage. But I didn't think that there were nine of you!"
"Nine? No, eleven. There are nine senshi of the planets, if you count Endymion, who is the
Prince of the Earth, and there's Sailor Moon who is also the Princess of the Moon, and myself.
There used to be more, though, from other stars and planets, but I don't know what happened to
them after the fall of the Moon Kingdom." She paused. "Um, how much more do you need to know?
Because I really should get going..." She told him.
"Oh, there's so much more that I'd like to know about you, and your companions. Would you
mind if we set up a time, and I could interview you?" He asked hopefully.
"Interview? What for?"
"Well, actually I'm a newspaper reporter for the Worldwide News Network. I came here to
Tokyo to find out if there is any truth to the stories of monsters attacking people, and young
women in sailor suits getting rid of them. I guess I was right." He answered with a grin.
"Well, I don't know. Just how much would you be revealing to the public?"
"Only what you want me to. I swear." He said solemnly.
"I still don't know. I'll have to ask Serenity and Pluto." She said uncertainly.
"Who?"
"Serenity is The Moon Princess in addition to being Sailor Moon, I mentioned her already,
she's our leader. And Sailor Pluto is the Sailor Senshi of Time. They will know if it's alright
or not. Mind you, even if they do agree, I still won't be able to tell you everything." She warned.
"I had figured that. So how will I know whether or not she agrees?"
"Hmmm... Well, I have a free afternoon tomorrow, if it's alright with Pluto, I'll be here
around three o' clock. If not, I won't."
"Sounds fair. Alright then, here tomorrow at three. I'll do that." He smiled.
She nodded her head and backflipped over the trees and out of sight. That's a good way to keep
someone from following you... He thought to himself. She also seems familiar... but I don't know
why...
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As soon as she was out of sight Liana changed back into her civilian form. It *is* him...I
wasn't sure when I met him yesterday...But now, it *has* to be him! But...This is still awful! He
doesn't know me! He's there, so close I could touch him, but still out of reach... She thought
sadly as she made her way home. Liana brightened briefly as a thought struck her. Maybe talking to
him tomorrow will help to rouse his memory! It certainly can't hurt!
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Alaric frowned as the screen went blank when Liana went into Setsuna's house. I wish I
knew how Pluto keeps me from seeing in there... He thought.
Hadrian came in and bowed. "My Prince."
"What do you have, Hadrian?" Alaric said boredly.
"I have found out where this new Sailor came from, my Lord."
Alaric showed a little more interest. "Oh really? And just where is that?"
"She was brought here from the past. Before the fall of the Moon Kingdom to be more
precise. Obviously by Sailor Pluto. In the Moon Kingdom she was also known as the Princess as the
Sun." Hadrian explained.
"Ah, I see. She will definitely need further study. They were more powerful in the Moon
Kingdom. She may even be holding back, just using the minimum of her power rather that wastefully
spraying it about like the other Senshi do. She may just be more cunning than I thought...
Hadrian, see if you can find out what kind of powers the Solar Princess had."
"Yes my lord." He replied and left.
A princess hmmm? Well, that makes things most interesting... Alaric contemplated the
possibilities and smiled wickedly.
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The next day Tarel was headed for the park when he spied a familiar face walking towards
him. What the...? Vanessa! What's *she* doing here? He put his head down, hoping she wouldn't
notice him. But it was too late, she had already seen him. He saw her smile brightly as she saw
him, and he groaned. She's such a pain! I thought I had gotten away from her!
"Tarel, hi! There you are! I was looking for you!" She called out in a sickeningly
cheerful voice.
"Um, hello Vanessa. What are you doing here?" He asked when she got closer.
"Surprised? Mr. Calder sent me here to help you with your story. Isn't that great?" She
said exuberantly.
"Yeah, great." He said unenthusiastically. She just doesn't take a hint! I've tried
everything short of telling her that I'm not interested and to go away...But she's never actually
*said* that she was interested in dating, she *could* be just really friendly...and I don't want
to hurt her feelings...
"So, what's this story you had to come all the way to Tokyo to do?" She asked cheerfully.
"I'm investigating the reports of monsters attacking people, and sailor suited superheroes
showing up to defeat them." He answered.
"Oh, that's nice." She replied insincerely. "Why don't you show me your apartment?" She
said, taking his arm.
"I'm sorry, I can't. I have an appointment at three." He told her. Oh crap. If I tell her
it's for the story, she'll want to come with...
"Is it for your story?" She asked.
"Um, no," He lied. "I uh, heard there was a flu going around, and I was going to get
vaccinated."
"Really? Well, I'd better get that done too. I'll come with you."
He groaned silently.
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Sailor Solaris stood in the park, waiting. This can't be happening! I managed to talk
Setsuna into letting me come to this interview, and he doesn't even show up! She sat down on a
nearby bench and looked at a clock in the distance. It's already three thirty! She sighed. I
guess he's not coming...But...I'll wait a little longer... After another fifteen minutes, she
figured that he must not be coming, so she detransformed and left. He stood me up! The Tarellan
I knew never would have done that! She thought as she ran home, tears streaming down her face.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Alaric watched Solaris waiting in the park. What is she doing? She's just sitting there.
He watched her sit on the park bench. She really is quite pretty. If she weren't the enemy... He
looked away from her image in his viewscreen. Well she is! His pale green eyes strayed back to
her lovely face. But there are ways to change that...
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Liana ran all the way to her room and threw herself onto her bed, sobbing. Apollo came in
quietly. "What's wrong Liana?" He asked.
"He didn't show up!" She cried.
Apollo was shocked. "He didn't? I thought he really wanted to talk to you."
"So did I..." She said sadly. Her voice was muffled by her pillow.
Apollo jumped up onto her bed and rubbed against her, purring. "I'm sorry, Liana." He said
in a low voice.
She sat up and hugged him to her, still crying. "Why doesn't he remember me?"
"You remember what Pluto said. Queen Serenity sent everyone to this time to live peaceful
lives, without any memory of their past lives." He replied.
"But everyone else got their memories back." She said.
"Everyone else was needed to protect the earth from new threats. Perhaps if he lived near
the others, he might have been awakened to his past. But since he's lived in another part of the
world until now, he never had the opportunity."
She sighed. "I guess you're right." Suddenly she had an idea. But before she could say
anything, there was a knock on her door and Setsuna entered.
"There's something I need to tell you Liana." Setsuna said. "You are not to give Tarel
his memories of the past."
"Why?!" Liana replied angrily. That was the idea she'd just thought of.
"Because he deserves to live in peace. He isn't needed to fight the enemy." She answered.
"How can you be sure?!"
Setsuna just looked at her.
"Oh yeah, time powers and all that..." Liana muttered as she looked away. She looked back
at Setsuna. "He may not be needed to fight, but *I* need him. I love him, doesn't that count for
anything?!"
"If you love him as you say, you do not wish him pain, am I correct?" Setsuna replied.
"Of course I don't! I'd do anything to keep him from being hurt..."
"Then you will not give him his memories back." She told her.
"How would that hurt him?" Liana asked.
"He died painfully while protecting the Queen. Would you wish the remembrance of that upon
him?"
"I...I guess not..." She said hesitantly.
"Good." Setsuna said. "Dinner will be ready soon, I'll send Hotaru up to tell you when
it's ready."
"Alright."
Setsuna closed the door behind her and went downstairs.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Author's note: First I want to give another special thank-you to Sailor Wind, who helps
write fight scenes for me, 'cause I suck at them. Well, I hope you liked this ep. If you're
wondering where Mamoru is, don't worry, he'll be around soon, if only to give me a chance to
write some romance in a earlier episode. (wink, wink) Oh and no, Liana won't be fighting the
battles by herself all the time. She's just been caught on her own lately. You can find every
part of this series at The Galaxy Moon, my homepage: http://www.geocities.com/telraven Now
you'll have to excuse me, my cat wants attention, and he'll do almost anything to get it. ^_^
Star Sailors. Book 1.
Chapter 3, "A New Guy in Town. The Handsome Journalist from America Arrives."
By Telraven. (telraven@ywave.com)
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This part is rated PG for a little language. Text in these: indicate thought. Author's notes
are, as always, at the bottom, along with some other stuff.
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Liana sighed and rested her chin on her hand as she gazed at the rain dripping down the
window pane. "I think I've figured out why Setsuna wanted me to go to school with Usagi...It
isn't so much to learn what they are trying to teach us. What I need to learn there is how to
act and talk, how to sound like everyone else. But still, it's not easy...The world is so very
different now..."
"Took you long enough to figure that out." Apollo told her as he leaped up on to her
bed. "At least you have me to help you out." He said smugly as he washed his paw. Liana threw
a pencil at him but he dodged it.
Her mind drifted to earlier that day...
"Usagi, hi!" Someone called out.
"Oh, hi Naru-chan!" Usagi said.
"Who's this?" Naru asked when she came closer.
"Oh, this is Liana. She just moved here. Liana, this is Naru." Usagi responded.
"Pleased to meet you."
"Where did you move here from?" Naru asked.
"The Moo-" Liana started to say, until Usagi's elbow in her side cut her off.
"England." Usagi quickly interjected.
"Oh yes, that's right. I came here from England..." Liana sweatdropped.
"Liana-chan," Usagi whispered after Naru had left. "You need to remember what to tell
people, it's not a good idea to go around telling people that you're from the Moon Kingdom.
They'll think you're crazy."
Liana sighed again and looked out her window. Things would be a lot easier if Tarellan
was with me. She thought as a tear slipped down her face. It's so unfair! Serenity and Endymion
were able to find each other, why can't we be together? Oh my love, I'd give anything just to be
with you again...
"Anything at all..." She whispered as she looked out the dark window and another tear
slipped down her face .
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Elsewhere, a young man, with chocolate brown hair and deep emerald green eyes, was arguing
with his boss at the Seattle offices of the Worldwide News Network. "Trust me! This'll be a great
story! No one has ever gotten the true story of the strange happenings that have occurred over the
last several years. The news media and the police in Japan tried, but it seemed like there just
wasn't anything for them to find. But I don't think that they were trying very hard. There wasn't
much of an investigation the last time, it's like they just gave up."
His boss sighed. "Tarel, how do you expect to find out when all those other people tried
and failed?"
"I know I can do it, Mr. Calder, I know it sounds crazy, but I just know! I have a feeling
that I just can't explain...That I can find out what happened, and if there is any truth to the
sightings of the female superheroes in sailor suits fighting the monsters..." Tarel replied.
"Tarel, you're a fine young man. You're like a son to me, really! But how can I justify
spending the network's money on something that might as well be a wild goose chase? How do you
even know that these so called superheroes are even around anymore?"
"Mr. Calder you've got to believe me! The reports have started again. Reports of strange
monsters appearing and attacking people, only to have sailor suited young women show up and destroy
them. And there's a new one this time; there have been several eyewitness reports of young women
being kidnapped. And they were all right after the monster sightings. It could be part of some kind
of attack plan by invaders who want to take over the earth. Just look at the evidence: first
there was that meteor of some sort that *hadn't been tracked* and hit right in the middle of Tokyo
a couple of years ago, then the reports of monster attacks started, then there was the crystalline
UFO that showed up several months later. Not to mention when that high profile school was blown up,
taking out a pretty large radius of buildings around it.."
"Alright! Alright!" Calder cut in. "Tarel you don't need to list every single strange
thing that has ever happened in Tokyo! I suppose I can let you go, I'll give you a month trial
period. If you don't have a strong story, with more evidence than just hearsay, within that time,
you have to drop the story and come home. Deal?
Tarel sighed. "I guess so. It's better than outright refusal."
"You're damn right it's better! And you'd better be right about this, I'm putting a lot
on the line just giving you this much. Now go get packed, you're leaving in two days."
Tarel smiled. "Yes sir!" He said cheerfully, and went home to pack.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
A couple of days later when Tarel didn't come into the office, a certain voluptuous
redhead was worried. "Is Tarel sick or something? He hasn't been in to work for a couple of
days..." Vanessa asked around in the office.
"Nah, he's not sick," someone replied. "Blane went to Tokyo for a story."
"Tokyo!" She exclaimed. He went to Tokyo? Oh great. I almost had him too...How can I
get to Tokyo?! I don't have the money for that! Then she had an idea. She smiled. You won't
get away from me that easily, Tarel Blane...
That afternoon, Vanessa went to Mr. Calder's office.
"Ah, Vanessa, come in." He replied.
She stepped in and took a seat. "Mr. Calder, I got a call from Tarel last night. He
said that he wanted me to come over there and help him with his story."
"Really? Why didn't he call me first?" Calder said.
Vanessa bigsweated. "I...uh...Well we were on the phone already, you see, and...uh...
He asked me to tell you because he didn't have the time to call you...That's one of the reasons
he wanted my help you see..."
Calder stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Well... I suppose I can send you, but you'll have
to work at the offices over there, besides helping Tarel."
"That'll be fine, thank you Mr. Calder!" Vanessa said gleefully and skipped out of his
office before he could change his mind.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
After he got to his apartment and unpacked, Tarel decided to start right away with talking
to people in a local park where there had been a rather large number of monster sightings. The
first order of business is to find someone who has actually seen those superheroes in the sailor
outfits... Tarel thought to himself. It would be perfect if I could find one or more of them to
talk to... As he walked around the small lake, he noticed a rather pretty young woman sitting on
a bench staring out at the lake, a book in her lap. Her hair was a wavy reddish brown and was cut
to shoulder length and her eyes were sky blue. She's gorgeous... He inhaled sharply. And yet,
she looks so sad. I wonder what's wrong? Well, I might as well find out if she has seen anything
around here.
He walked over to her. "Excuse me miss, but I'm doing some research, and I'd like to know
if you have ever seen any kind of creature attacking people in this area."
Startled, she looked up, and an odd look passed over her face, as if she had seen a ghost.
"T..." She blinked and shook her head. "W-what did you say?"
"I'm very sorry, am I disturbing you?" He replied. What was that look? It's not like I
snuck up on her...
"No, it's all right. I was just startled, I hadn't realized there was anyone around... What
did you want to know?" She said.
"I'd like to know if you have ever seen any kind of monsters attacking people in the park."
He repeated. This is so strange...She seems so familiar...But I know I'd remember her if we had
met before...
"No, I'm afraid I haven't, at least, not in the park." She answered.
"Oh, have you seen them anywhere else?" Tarel asked.
She blushed. "I...uh...yeah, um...I...uh don't really remember where it was...I didn't
really stay around..." She said hesitantly.
"Oh." He replied, a little disappointedly. "Well, thank you for taking the time to tell me."
He turned to leave. She seemed really flustered by that last question...Is she hiding something?
He got about three steps away when she called out to him: "Wait!"
He turned around. "Yes?"
"Ummm...Aren't you going to introduce yourself?"
He smiled. "I apologize. I'm Tarel Blane. And you?"
"Liana Taiyouno." She said.
"Pleased to meet you, Liana. That's a very pretty name, it's isn't Japanese is it?"
Liana blushed. "No, o...only my father was Japanese, I just moved into town."
"Ah, that explains it...Ummm..., , Do you... come here often?" Tarel cringed mentally. Oh
great, that was lame...She probably thinks I'm trying to ask her out...
"As a matter of fact yes, I do. Why do you ask?" She looked puzzled.
"Well I don't suppose...that is...do you think you could keep an eye out for any strange
happenings around here? I'm investigating the recent set of monster attacks and it'd really help
me out."
She seemed a little disappointed. "Oh, sure, I'll do that. How would I contact you though?"
"I'll come by here every so often, it's not far from my apartment building." He replied.
Wow, I guess she doesn't think I'm an idiot! She's so pretty....What am I thinking! I only met
her a minute ago!
"Alright." She smiled and he felt his knees wobble.
"Well... thanks again." He said smiling. Then he headed towards some other people in the
park. She's incredible! I hope I can see her again... He shook his head. This is crazy... I
don't even know her!...But there's just something about her...
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Liana secretly watched him walk away, her mind reeling. Is it him? He looks so much
like my Tarellan... Serenity did say that everyone was sent to be reborn...Endymion was reborn,
and from what I've picked up from Setsuna, Tarellan was one of the defenders on the moon when
it fell... She got up and started walking home. I have to try and see him again, I know I'll
be able to tell if I can just spend some more time with him...
When she got in the door she flopped down on the couch with a sigh. I need to know what
exactly happened to him, back then.
"Liana is that you?" Apollo called from another room. There was no answer, so he came
into the living room. "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost!"
"Maybe I have." Liana mumbled. "Only, I'd think that *his* ghost would recognize me..."
"What? Liana, you're not making any sense." He said.
She looked up. "Where's Setsuna?"
"She hasn't come home yet. Will you tell me what is wrong?"
"Tell me when she gets home will you?" Liana said distractedly and went up to her room.
"Liana, wait! What's going on?" Apollo called after her. There was no response.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Later that night, after Tarel was finished interviewing people in the park, he headed back
to his apartment for the night. Once he got in, he ordered out for dinner and began to organize
his notes.
"I didn't get much today..." He said to himself. "Oh well...There's always tomorrow!" He
stretched and picked up a file folder. He then started examining the pictures that he kept in the
folder. He sighed. "I've got to get some better pictures than these...The quality is terrible,
but it's the best anyone has ever gotten of those superheroes... The strange thing is, lots of
people know *of* them, but no one really knows very much *about* them...They just know that they
always mysteriously appear when there's a monster attack..." Eventually, he put the pictures and
started compiling his notes on his laptop. Several hours later, he yawned and finally went to bed.
Tarel was searching, all around him there was nothing but an icy cold mist that completely
enveloped everything around him and an inky blackness that devoured all light. He was searching for
something...something that was taken from him... He couldn't quite remember what it was, all he
knew was that he wasn't complete without it... Suddenly there was a small spot of light ahead of
him, a warm golden light that beckoned to him and lead him on until he could make out a figure in
the distance. It was a woman with flowing hair, wearing a long sleeveless gown of pale blue.
He couldn't quite make out her face, so he walked closer. She turned towards him and he
finally was able to see her face. She was beautiful, with incredible sky blue eyes, eyes he could
happily drown in. On her forehead there was a golden eight rayed sun that gave off a light of it's
own. She smiled and opened her arms to him: "There you are, my love." She said to him in a musical
voice that sent pleasant shivers down his spine, and he realized that this, this is what, rather
who, he had been searching for. His completion, his soulmate.
"Who are you?" He half whispered.
"Come with me." A huge swirling mass of grey clouds appeared behind her and she started to
float backwards toward it.
He tried to follow but it was as if his feet were glued to the ground. "Wait!" He cried.
She stopped. "Come with me." She repeated.
He tried to move his feet again. "I can't!"
"Please, I need you." She replied entreatingly and reached out a hand to him.
He tried to move his legs again. Nothing happened. "I can't do it!"
Now her face was sad. "I am sorry. I cannot stay here..." A single golden tear slipped down
her beautiful face. His heart broke. He tried even harder to move but to no avail. She started to
float away from him, and the light began to leave with her. He reached out to her. "Wait! Don't
go!"
"I must. I am sorry." She kept moving.
"No! Please! Don't go!" The blackness swallowed him.
Tarel woke in a cold sweat. It was that dream again, the same dream he had had since he
was sixteen, but this time it was different. This time he actually saw the woman's face.
Unfortunately the image was fading fast, and he couldn't remember what she looked like. All that
he could remember was a warm light, endless eyes the color of the sky on a midsummer afternoon,
and a golden light shining from her brow. "These dreams are driving me nuts! Who is she? And why
does she make me feel like this? It's just a dream, isn't it?" Obviously hearing no reply, he
tried to go back to sleep. It was a long night.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Later the next day Tarel went to the park to talk to people again. As he came into a
somewhat deserted area, he heard a commotion. He went to investigate and saw a young woman in a
yellow and blue sailor outfit fighting a monster. He hid behind a nearby bush and got out his
notepad to record what was happening. I've seen the footage and pictures that a few people were
able to get of the those sailor suited superheroines. I'm pretty sure there weren't any in yellow
and light blue. I wonder if she is new, or possibly she was just never seen before... He thought
to himself.
While Tarel watched, the youma lunged for her and she jumped up, landing lightly where the
youma had been a moment before and twirling back around to face it. The youma turned its head in
time to see her fist head toward its face.
"Oooff!" the youma grunted and stumbled back as the fist hit home. Before it could regain
it's senses, she attacked.
"Golden Solar Flare!" The youma put up an arm to ward off the light but it was no use.
Using the youma's blindness to her advantage, the woman attacked again. "Burning SunStar
Revolution!" she yelled. Gold colored energy blasted into the youma and it disintegrated.
Wow! That's amazing! She *is* one of those superheroes! I have to talk to her!
Tarel stepped out of the bushes and cleared his throat. She whirled and took a fighting
stance and he took a step back involuntarily. "Excuse me. I didn't mean to startle you. I'm
Tarel. Who are you?"
"I'm... Sailor Solaris." She told him.
"Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? I'd really like to know more about who you are
and why you are here." He asked.
"I...Suppose not, what would you like to know?" She replied.
"Are you one of the sailor suited superheroes?"
"Superheroes? I don't know. What's a... super-hero?" She said, not sure of what he meant.
He stared at her. "You don't know what a superhero is? What are you, from another planet?"
"No, I'm from the Moon Kingdom." She said matter-of-factly.
"So is there a civilization living on the moon, or are you the only one to come from
there?" He asked.
"There used to be," she replied. "It was destroyed a very long time ago. I'm not sure how
long."
"Oh...Then how did you get here?"
"I'm not sure if I should answer that... I can tell you that I and my fellow Senshi are
here to protect the earth and our solar system from those who would destroy or enslave it."
"Oh," He said weakly. "How many of your fellow ah...'Senshi' are there?"
"Just the Planetary Senshi and myself."
"Planetary... Does that mean there are Senshi for every planet? I knew there were several,
I had seen pictures and video footage. But I didn't think that there were nine of you!"
"Nine? No, eleven. There are nine senshi of the planets, if you count Endymion, who is the
Prince of the Earth, and there's Sailor Moon who is also the Princess of the Moon, and myself.
There used to be more, though, from other stars and planets, but I don't know what happened to
them after the fall of the Moon Kingdom." She paused. "Um, how much more do you need to know?
Because I really should get going..." She told him.
"Oh, there's so much more that I'd like to know about you, and your companions. Would you
mind if we set up a time, and I could interview you?" He asked hopefully.
"Interview? What for?"
"Well, actually I'm a newspaper reporter for the Worldwide News Network. I came here to
Tokyo to find out if there is any truth to the stories of monsters attacking people, and young
women in sailor suits getting rid of them. I guess I was right." He answered with a grin.
"Well, I don't know. Just how much would you be revealing to the public?"
"Only what you want me to. I swear." He said solemnly.
"I still don't know. I'll have to ask Serenity and Pluto." She said uncertainly.
"Who?"
"Serenity is The Moon Princess in addition to being Sailor Moon, I mentioned her already,
she's our leader. And Sailor Pluto is the Sailor Senshi of Time. They will know if it's alright
or not. Mind you, even if they do agree, I still won't be able to tell you everything." She warned.
"I had figured that. So how will I know whether or not she agrees?"
"Hmmm... Well, I have a free afternoon tomorrow, if it's alright with Pluto, I'll be here
around three o' clock. If not, I won't."
"Sounds fair. Alright then, here tomorrow at three. I'll do that." He smiled.
She nodded her head and backflipped over the trees and out of sight. That's a good way to keep
someone from following you... He thought to himself. She also seems familiar... but I don't know
why...
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
As soon as she was out of sight Liana changed back into her civilian form. It *is* him...I
wasn't sure when I met him yesterday...But now, it *has* to be him! But...This is still awful! He
doesn't know me! He's there, so close I could touch him, but still out of reach... She thought
sadly as she made her way home. Liana brightened briefly as a thought struck her. Maybe talking to
him tomorrow will help to rouse his memory! It certainly can't hurt!
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Alaric frowned as the screen went blank when Liana went into Setsuna's house. I wish I
knew how Pluto keeps me from seeing in there... He thought.
Hadrian came in and bowed. "My Prince."
"What do you have, Hadrian?" Alaric said boredly.
"I have found out where this new Sailor came from, my Lord."
Alaric showed a little more interest. "Oh really? And just where is that?"
"She was brought here from the past. Before the fall of the Moon Kingdom to be more
precise. Obviously by Sailor Pluto. In the Moon Kingdom she was also known as the Princess as the
Sun." Hadrian explained.
"Ah, I see. She will definitely need further study. They were more powerful in the Moon
Kingdom. She may even be holding back, just using the minimum of her power rather that wastefully
spraying it about like the other Senshi do. She may just be more cunning than I thought...
Hadrian, see if you can find out what kind of powers the Solar Princess had."
"Yes my lord." He replied and left.
A princess hmmm? Well, that makes things most interesting... Alaric contemplated the
possibilities and smiled wickedly.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
The next day Tarel was headed for the park when he spied a familiar face walking towards
him. What the...? Vanessa! What's *she* doing here? He put his head down, hoping she wouldn't
notice him. But it was too late, she had already seen him. He saw her smile brightly as she saw
him, and he groaned. She's such a pain! I thought I had gotten away from her!
"Tarel, hi! There you are! I was looking for you!" She called out in a sickeningly
cheerful voice.
"Um, hello Vanessa. What are you doing here?" He asked when she got closer.
"Surprised? Mr. Calder sent me here to help you with your story. Isn't that great?" She
said exuberantly.
"Yeah, great." He said unenthusiastically. She just doesn't take a hint! I've tried
everything short of telling her that I'm not interested and to go away...But she's never actually
*said* that she was interested in dating, she *could* be just really friendly...and I don't want
to hurt her feelings...
"So, what's this story you had to come all the way to Tokyo to do?" She asked cheerfully.
"I'm investigating the reports of monsters attacking people, and sailor suited superheroes
showing up to defeat them." He answered.
"Oh, that's nice." She replied insincerely. "Why don't you show me your apartment?" She
said, taking his arm.
"I'm sorry, I can't. I have an appointment at three." He told her. Oh crap. If I tell her
it's for the story, she'll want to come with...
"Is it for your story?" She asked.
"Um, no," He lied. "I uh, heard there was a flu going around, and I was going to get
vaccinated."
"Really? Well, I'd better get that done too. I'll come with you."
He groaned silently.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Sailor Solaris stood in the park, waiting. This can't be happening! I managed to talk
Setsuna into letting me come to this interview, and he doesn't even show up! She sat down on a
nearby bench and looked at a clock in the distance. It's already three thirty! She sighed. I
guess he's not coming...But...I'll wait a little longer... After another fifteen minutes, she
figured that he must not be coming, so she detransformed and left. He stood me up! The Tarellan
I knew never would have done that! She thought as she ran home, tears streaming down her face.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Alaric watched Solaris waiting in the park. What is she doing? She's just sitting there.
He watched her sit on the park bench. She really is quite pretty. If she weren't the enemy... He
looked away from her image in his viewscreen. Well she is! His pale green eyes strayed back to
her lovely face. But there are ways to change that...
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Liana ran all the way to her room and threw herself onto her bed, sobbing. Apollo came in
quietly. "What's wrong Liana?" He asked.
"He didn't show up!" She cried.
Apollo was shocked. "He didn't? I thought he really wanted to talk to you."
"So did I..." She said sadly. Her voice was muffled by her pillow.
Apollo jumped up onto her bed and rubbed against her, purring. "I'm sorry, Liana." He said
in a low voice.
She sat up and hugged him to her, still crying. "Why doesn't he remember me?"
"You remember what Pluto said. Queen Serenity sent everyone to this time to live peaceful
lives, without any memory of their past lives." He replied.
"But everyone else got their memories back." She said.
"Everyone else was needed to protect the earth from new threats. Perhaps if he lived near
the others, he might have been awakened to his past. But since he's lived in another part of the
world until now, he never had the opportunity."
She sighed. "I guess you're right." Suddenly she had an idea. But before she could say
anything, there was a knock on her door and Setsuna entered.
"There's something I need to tell you Liana." Setsuna said. "You are not to give Tarel
his memories of the past."
"Why?!" Liana replied angrily. That was the idea she'd just thought of.
"Because he deserves to live in peace. He isn't needed to fight the enemy." She answered.
"How can you be sure?!"
Setsuna just looked at her.
"Oh yeah, time powers and all that..." Liana muttered as she looked away. She looked back
at Setsuna. "He may not be needed to fight, but *I* need him. I love him, doesn't that count for
anything?!"
"If you love him as you say, you do not wish him pain, am I correct?" Setsuna replied.
"Of course I don't! I'd do anything to keep him from being hurt..."
"Then you will not give him his memories back." She told her.
"How would that hurt him?" Liana asked.
"He died painfully while protecting the Queen. Would you wish the remembrance of that upon
him?"
"I...I guess not..." She said hesitantly.
"Good." Setsuna said. "Dinner will be ready soon, I'll send Hotaru up to tell you when
it's ready."
"Alright."
Setsuna closed the door behind her and went downstairs.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Author's note: First I want to give another special thank-you to Sailor Wind, who helps
write fight scenes for me, 'cause I suck at them. Well, I hope you liked this ep. If you're
wondering where Mamoru is, don't worry, he'll be around soon, if only to give me a chance to
write some romance in a earlier episode. (wink, wink) Oh and no, Liana won't be fighting the
battles by herself all the time. She's just been caught on her own lately. You can find every
part of this series at The Galaxy Moon, my homepage: http://www.geocities.com/telraven Now
you'll have to excuse me, my cat wants attention, and he'll do almost anything to get it. ^_^