Chapter 5: The Visitor

Celeste and Jonathan rounded a corner a few blocks away from the park.

“So, Mac,” she began with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, “what do you want to do now?”

He shook his head. “Don’t call me that.”

“Mac? Why not?”

“I just hate it,” he replied with a shrug.

“All right,” Celeste said, knowing that it went far beyond just that. “Do you still want to catch a movie?”

“Actually, I’m kinda hungry. How about you?”

Her stomach rumbled. “I think that’s a yes.”

“Okay, food it is. There’s a restaurant not far from here.”

“Sounds good to me,” she agreed.

Just down the block there was a piteous howl followed by a bunch of laughter. Celeste scanned the area around them and saw a group of boys in an alley across the street. They were struggling to hold something down.

“Hey!” Celeste shouted, running toward the boys with Jonathan at her heels. “What are you doing!”

The boys looked up. Seeing the angry redhead approach, they got and ran, leaving their plaything behind. Glaring at the retreating backs of the boys, she knelt down next to the squirming bundle. She careful untied the knots, whispering softly to the creature underneath the strings and ropes.

A cream-colored furry head managed to poke through. “Meow.”

“You poor thing,” Celeste murmured as she untied the last of the knots. She scooped the small cat up and showed it to Jonathan. “Can you believe those little creeps?”

Jonathan gave the kitten a gentle scratch behind the ears. “It seems to be okay.”

“Yeah,” Celeste said, stroking its head. She noted a spot on its forehead and peered closer at it. She rubbed the fur. The yellow crescent on its head was real.

“Celeste, is something wrong?”

“No,” she replied. “The spot on its head reminded of Luna.”

“Luna? Usagi’s cat?”

She nodded. “I want to take it home.”

“Okay,” he agreed, giving the cat a final scratch. “I’ll take you both home.”

“I’ve got some Chinese food in the fridge if you’re interested.”

“Sounds great.”

* * * * *

Jonathan was channel surfing as he and Celeste ate dinner in her apartment. The cat had feasted on some canned tuna and was wandering around the apartment. After finding a comedy, Jonathan set the remote on the coffee table.

“You’re sure you want to keep her?” he asked, taking a bite of fried rice.

Celeste nodded. “It gets lonely around here by myself. I tried a plant, but it didn’t work out.”

“Ever thought of a roommate?”

“If I knew the person first, then sure,” Celeste stated. “But the idea of a complete stranger sleeping in the room next to mine doesn’t sit well with me.”

The cat came back into the living room from Celeste’s bed, carrying something in its mouth. It jumped to Celeste’s lap and proudly dropped the object. Celeste picked up her henshin stick, the red-orange surface gleaming in the light.

“Nosey cat,” Celeste chided, gently shoving the cat off the couch.

Jonathan laughed. “That cat may be more trouble than you bargained for, Celeste.”

She gave him an evil look. The cat jumped on top of a nearby chair, watching the two humans intently for a moment. Then, it bowed its head.

“I’m afraid he is right, Celeste,” the cat said.

“Another talking cat?" Jonathan asked.

"Apparently," she replied. "Who are you?"

“My name is Selene," the cat answered, "and Sailor Pluto has sent me from Crystal Tokyo to help you.”

Celeste studied the small cat for a moment. “You’re Artemis and Luna’s daughter?”

The cat nodded. “Yes, their second child. My mission is help you, Sailor Sol, face your new enemies and to awaken the other Sailor Soldiers.”

“But all the Senshi from the Silver Millennium have been awakened,” Celeste stated.

Again, Selene nodded. “That’s true. However, they are others who have been chosen as guardians to fight evil. It is these individuals that can become the new Sailor Soldiers.”

“But how will we know who they are?”

The cat sighed. “All Pluto and Mother would say was that we would know.”

Celeste sighed as well, leaning back against the couch. She would have new enemies to facec. She wondered about these new Sailor Soldiers. While she didn’t know who they would be, she would gladly welcome the help.

“Does it ever stop?” Jonathan asked.

The cat shook its head sadly. “No, not until all evil has been destroyed.”

Celeste leaned further against the cushions. “It looks like I have a long career ahead of me.”


The Visitor Celeste and Jonathan rounded a corner a few blocks away from the park. “So, Mac,” she began with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, “what do you want to do now?” He shook his head. “Don’t call me that.” “Mac? Why not?” “I just hate it,” he replied with a shrug. “All right,” Celeste said, knowing that it went far beyond just that. “Do you still want to catch a movie?” “Actually, I’m kinda hungry. How about you?” Her stomach rumbled. “I think that’s a yes.” “Okay, food it is. There’s a restaurant not far from here.” “Sounds good to me,” she agreed. Just down the block there was a piteous howl followed by a bunch of laughter. Celeste scanned the area around them and saw a group of boys in an alley across the street. They were struggling to hold something down. “Hey!” Celeste shouted, running toward the boys with Jonathan at her heels. “What are you doing!” The boys looked up. Seeing the angry redhead approach, they got and ran, leaving their plaything behind. Glaring at the retreating backs of the boys, she knelt down next to the squirming bundle. She careful untied the knots, whispering softly to the creature underneath the strings and ropes. A cream-colored furry head managed to poke through. “Meow.” “You poor thing,” Celeste murmured as she untied the last of the knots. She scooped the small cat up and showed it to Jonathan. “Can you believe those little creeps?” Jonathan gave the kitten a gentle scratch behind the ears. “It seems to be okay.” “Yeah,” Celeste said, stroking its head. She noted a spot on its forehead and peered closer at it. She rubbed the fur. The yellow crescent on its head was real. “Celeste, is something wrong?” “No,” she replied. “The spot on its head reminded of Luna.” “Luna? Usagi’s cat?” She nodded. “I want to take it home.” “Okay,” he agreed, giving the cat a final scratch. “I’ll take you both home.” “I’ve got some Chinese food in the fridge if you’re interested.” “Sounds great.” * * * * * Jonathan was channel surfing as he and Celeste ate dinner in her apartment. The cat had feasted on some canned tuna and was wandering around the apartment. After finding a comedy, Jonathan set the remote on the coffee table. “You’re sure you want to keep her?” he asked, taking a bite of fried rice. Celeste nodded. “It gets lonely around here by myself. I tried a plant, but it didn’t work out.” “Ever thought of a roommate?” “If I knew the person first, then sure,” Celeste stated. “But the idea of a complete stranger sleeping in the room next to mine doesn’t sit well with me.” The cat came back into the living room from Celeste’s bed, carrying something in its mouth. It jumped to Celeste’s lap and proudly dropped the object. Celeste picked up her henshin stick, the red-orange surface gleaming in the light. “Nosey cat,” Celeste chided, gently shoving the cat off the couch. Jonathan laughed. “That cat may be more trouble than you bargained for, Celeste.” She gave him an evil look. The cat jumped on top of a nearby chair, watching the two humans intently for a moment. Then, it bowed its head. “I’m afraid he is right, Celeste,” the cat said. “Another talking cat?" Jonathan asked. "Apparently," she replied. "Who are you?" “My name is Selene," the cat answered, "and Sailor Pluto has sent me from Crystal Tokyo to help you.” Celeste studied the small cat for a moment. “You’re Artemis and Luna’s daughter?” The cat nodded. “Yes, their second child. My mission is help you, Sailor Sol, face your new enemies and to awaken the other Sailor Soldiers.” “But all the Senshi from the Silver Millennium have been awakened,” Celeste stated. Again, Selene nodded. “That’s true. However, they are others who have been chosen as guardians to fight evil. It is these individuals that can become the new Sailor Soldiers.” “But how will we know who they are?” The cat sighed. “All Pluto and Mother would say was that we would know.” Celeste sighed as well, leaning back against the couch. She would have new enemies to facec. She wondered about these new Sailor Soldiers. While she didn’t know who they would be, she would gladly welcome the help. “Does it ever stop?” Jonathan asked. The cat shook its head sadly. “No, not until all evil has been destroyed.” Celeste leaned further against the cushions. “It looks like I have a long career ahead of me.”


Chapter 6: Silent Night Sailor Sol: Homefront