Chapter 1: A Reunion of Sorts

Celeste Halley tried to ignore the hair and sweat on her face and instead concentrate on dodging the blows from her sparring partner. After a missed punch by Jonathan, she countered with a kick. However, before she could fully execute the move, Celeste found herself looking at the ceiling, trying to force air back into her lungs.

“Celeste, you okay?” Jonathan immediately knelt beside her on the mat. “I didn’t mean to knock the air out of you. Honest.”

Celeste gave a weak smile and pulled herself into a sitting position. “You would think I would anticipate that sweep of your by now,” she said in between puffs of air.

“Are you going to be okay?” Jonathan asked, his concern evident in his brown eyes.

“Yeah, I think,” Celeste replied in a normal tone. “But you could help me up, you know.”

Jonathan laughed before offering the helping hand. He and Celeste had been sparring together for about six months and were becoming good friends. She had been full of surprises and energy. Plus, she was quick, punishing Jonathan for any mistakes by fast strikes.

“Want me to walk you home?” Jonathan asked as they walked off the mat and began to gather their stuff. It was only seven o’clock but the sun had already set.

Celeste shook her head. “No, I’ve got to go to the library and pick up a book I need for class. I think I will just walk over there and then catch a cab home.”

“Well, let me walk over there with you.”

Celeste look at him curiously. “It’s just two blocks, Jonathan.”

“It would do me some good. Let me work some of my protesting muscles.”

Celeste sighed, knowing that Jonathan would not be happy until he had served his ego and walked her to the safety of the nearby library. “If you must come,” she said, zipping up her gym bag. “But just to the library. Don’t get any ideas that you are going to stick around and wait for a cab with me.”

“Deal.”

* * * * *

Celeste closed her eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze of the November evening. The night air was refreshing after the stuffiness of the public library. The evening was so peaceful that Celeste changed her mind and decided to walk the few blocks back to her apartment.

She glanced at the familiar buildings as she past, pausing outside the Johnson Antique store, which specialize in Southern heirlooms. Her family had roots in Tennessee, including a great-great-something who had lead a Confederate cavalry unit. However, during the Great Depression, her grandfather, Horatio Halley, had moved the family to the West to the city.

Her father had moved the family to the suburbs before her birth. When she was twelve, her parents were killed in a boat accident while they vacationed in Hawaii. Her great-aunt moved from Tennessee to live with her. A year ago, Aunt Grace had died in her sleep, a month after Celeste’s high school graduation.

Celeste lived in a two bedroom apartment a couple of blocks away from the townhouse she lived in with her parents and then Aunt Grace. Her parents had left a sizable trust fund, which had been increased by Aunt Grace. Unsure about what she wanted to do with her life, Celeste was a part-time student at the local college and volunteered a couple of hours a week at the hospital.

Suddenly, Celeste realized that someone was behind her. Peering further into the Johnson store window, she make out two women standing behind her. Choking back a sense of panic, Celeste turned and began walking back toward the library, the only open public place nearby.

She almost began to run when she noticed that the women were now following her. ‘Maybe they are just enjoying the night as well,’ she thought, trying to justify the pursuit. However, something in her mind told her that the women intended to do her harm.

“Now, Galena,” one of the women said.

Celeste did not wait to find out what “now” was, running at full speed for the library. Without warning, something hit Celeste in the back, wrapping her whole body with pain. Dazed, she picked herself up from the sidewalk.

As Celeste staggered to her feet, the two women appeared before her, almost out of thin air. The taller woman had ice blue eyes and straight, pure white hair. The shorter, young woman had yellow-green eyes and curly, dark purple hair. Both were dressed entirely in black.

“I don’t know why Scorpios thought that this would be so hard,” the taller woman muttered, watching Celeste with contempt. "You could have probably handled her yourself, Galena."

“You should never underestimate an opponent, Gypsum,” the other replied. The woman grabbed Celeste’s book from the ground. She handed the library card to Gypsum.

“You were right. It belongs to Celeste Halley.”

“I'm checking out that book for a friend,” Celeste said, suddenly finding her voice. The two women looked at her in surprise.

“You’re not Celeste?” Galena asked, her eyes wide.

“No. Celeste went out of town and asked me to pick up that book for her.”

“Where is Celeste now?” Gypsum asked, stepping closer to her.

“I don’t know. I think the mountains. I’m not sure.”

“You’re toying with us,” Gypsum said, grabbing Celeste by her coat and pulling her off the ground. “I don’t appreciate that at all.” Then she flung Celeste into an alley.

Celeste watched the woman enter the alley through the veil her auburn hair had created. She forced herself to her feet, realizing how dangerous the situation was. She assumed a defensive stance.

Gypsum smirked. “How sad, Celeste. Really pathetic.”

Celeste watched in horror as a ball of white electrical energy formed in Gypsum’s hand. ‘How am I suppose to defend myself against that?’ Celeste thought just before electricity flowed throughout her body. Mercifully the pain soon stopped and Celeste collapsed against a wall.

Gypsum strolled over to Celeste. “And to think that this is could be Sol, Galena. Really pathetic.”

Celeste lifted her head. ‘Sol?’ she wondered. ‘What does the sun have to do with me?’

A strange, warm breeze blew threw the alley. Gypsum and Galena looked at each other and then around the alley. Another woman was suddenly at the end of the alley.

“Who are you?” Gypsum demanded.

“A concerned citizen, you could say.”

“Where’s the costume party?” Gypsum sneered, eyeing the stranger’s unusual sailor outfit.

“Leave the girl alone, and tell Scorpios to not bother her again.”

“Oh, really? Care to back those words up?”

“If I must,” the woman said evenly. “If you want to do things the hard way. Dead Scream!”

Purple light filled the light, making Celeste shield her face. When she could open her eyes, Celeste saw that both Gypsum and Galena were injured.

“Who are you?” Gypsum demanded again but she no longer sounded confident.

“A friend of Sol's. Now are you two going to leave or do I have to attack again?”

“I don’t run from anyone,” Gypsum spat.

“I do,” Galena said and disappeared in a flash of white light.

“Galena! Get back here, you coward!”

“It looks like you’re on your own,” the woman said.

Gypsum glared, backing away from the woman to Celeste. Gypsum put a hand behind her back, creating another energy ball. She showed it to the woman before throwing at the girl behind her. Celeste shrieked in pain as the energy once more sped through her already battered body.

“We’ll meet again,” Gypsum said, stepping through a portal and disappearing.

The woman immediately knelt beside Celeste, checking the extent of the injuries. The wind ruffled her long, dark green hair. Celeste opened her eyes, staring at the red and black sailor outfit before moving her eyes to the tan, sympathetic face.

“Puu?” Celeste asked before slipping into unconsciousness.

The Guardian of Time smiled. “Finally someone remembers me,” she murmured a half-smile crossing her face. Then she gently picked Celeste up and disappear into the shadows of the night.


A Reunion of Sorts Celeste Halley tried to ignore the hair and sweat on her face and instead concentrate on dodging the blows from her sparring partner. After a missed punch by Jonathan, she countered with a kick. However, before she could fully execute the move, Celeste found herself looking at the ceiling, trying to force air back into her lungs. “Celeste, you okay?” Jonathan immediately knelt beside her on the mat. “I didn’t mean to knock the air out of you. Honest.” Celeste gave a weak smile and pulled herself into a sitting position. “You would think I would anticipate that sweep of your by now,” she said in between puffs of air. “Are you going to be okay?” Jonathan asked, his concern evident in his brown eyes. “Yeah, I think,” Celeste replied in a normal tone. “But you could help me up, you know.” Jonathan laughed before offering the helping hand. He and Celeste had been sparring together for about six months and were becoming good friends. She had been full of surprises and energy. Plus, she was quick, punishing Jonathan for any mistakes by fast strikes. “Want me to walk you home?” Jonathan asked as they walked off the mat and began to gather their stuff. It was only seven o’clock but the sun had already set. Celeste shook her head. “No, I’ve got to go to the library and pick up a book I need for class. I think I will just walk over there and then catch a cab home.” “Well, let me walk over there with you.” Celeste look at him curiously. “It’s just two blocks, Jonathan.” “It would do me some good. Let me work some of my protesting muscles.” Celeste sighed, knowing that Jonathan would not be happy until he had served his ego and walked her to the safety of the nearby library. “If you must come,” she said, zipping up her gym bag. “But just to the library. Don’t get any ideas that you are going to stick around and wait for a cab with me.” “Deal.” * * * * * Celeste closed her eyes and enjoyed the cool breeze of the November evening. The night air was refreshing after the stuffiness of the public library. The evening was so peaceful that Celeste changed her mind and decided to walk the few blocks back to her apartment. She glanced at the familiar buildings as she past, pausing outside the Johnson Antique store, which specialize in Southern heirlooms. Her family had roots in Tennessee, including a great-great-something who had lead a Confederate cavalry unit. However, during the Great Depression, her grandfather, Horatio Halley, had moved the family to the West to the city. Her father had moved the family to the suburbs before her birth. When she was twelve, her parents were killed in a boat accident while they vacationed in Hawaii. Her great-aunt moved from Tennessee to live with her. A year ago, Aunt Grace had died in her sleep, a month after Celeste’s high school graduation. Celeste lived in a two bedroom apartment a couple of blocks away from the townhouse she lived in with her parents and then Aunt Grace. Her parents had left a sizable trust fund, which had been increased by Aunt Grace. Unsure about what she wanted to do with her life, Celeste was a part-time student at the local college and volunteered a couple of hours a week at the hospital. Suddenly, Celeste realized that someone was behind her. Peering further into the Johnson store window, she make out two women standing behind her. Choking back a sense of panic, Celeste turned and began walking back toward the library, the only open public place nearby. She almost began to run when she noticed that the women were now following her. ‘Maybe they are just enjoying the night as well,’ she thought, trying to justify the pursuit. However, something in her mind told her that the women intended to do her harm. “Now, Galena,” one of the women said. Celeste did not wait to find out what “now” was, running at full speed for the library. Without warning, something hit Celeste in the back, wrapping her whole body with pain. Dazed, she picked herself up from the sidewalk. As Celeste staggered to her feet, the two women appeared before her, almost out of thin air. The taller woman had ice blue eyes and straight, pure white hair. The shorter, young woman had yellow-green eyes and curly, dark purple hair. Both were dressed entirely in black. “I don’t know why Scorpios thought that this would be so hard,” the taller woman muttered, watching Celeste with contempt. "You could have probably handled her yourself, Galena." “You should never underestimate an opponent, Gypsum,” the other replied. The woman grabbed Celeste’s book from the ground. She handed the library card to Gypsum. “You were right. It belongs to Celeste Halley.” “I'm checking out that book for a friend,” Celeste said, suddenly finding her voice. The two women looked at her in surprise. “You’re not Celeste?” Galena asked, her eyes wide. “No. Celeste went out of town and asked me to pick up that book for her.” “Where is Celeste now?” Gypsum asked, stepping closer to her. “I don’t know. I think the mountains. I’m not sure.” “You’re toying with us,” Gypsum said, grabbing Celeste by her coat and pulling her off the ground. “I don’t appreciate that at all.” Then she flung Celeste into an alley. Celeste watched the woman enter the alley through the veil her auburn hair had created. She forced herself to her feet, realizing how dangerous the situation was. She assumed a defensive stance. Gypsum smirked. “How sad, Celeste. Really pathetic.” Celeste watched in horror as a ball of white electrical energy formed in Gypsum’s hand. ‘How am I suppose to defend myself against that?’ Celeste thought just before electricity flowed throughout her body. Mercifully the pain soon stopped and Celeste collapsed against a wall. Gypsum strolled over to Celeste. “And to think that this is could be Sol, Galena. Really pathetic.” Celeste lifted her head. ‘Sol?’ she wondered. ‘What does the sun have to do with me?’ A strange, warm breeze blew threw the alley. Gypsum and Galena looked at each other and then around the alley. Another woman was suddenly at the end of the alley. “Who are you?” Gypsum demanded. “A concerned citizen, you could say.” “Where’s the costume party?” Gypsum sneered, eyeing the stranger’s unusual sailor outfit. “Leave the girl alone, and tell Scorpios to not bother her again.” “Oh, really? Care to back those words up?” “If I must,” the woman said evenly. “If you want to do things the hard way. Dead Scream!” Purple light filled the light, making Celeste shield her face. When she could open her eyes, Celeste saw that both Gypsum and Galena were injured. “Who are you?” Gypsum demanded again but she no longer sounded confident. “A friend of Sol's. Now are you two going to leave or do I have to attack again?” “I don’t run from anyone,” Gypsum spat. “I do,” Galena said and disappeared in a flash of white light. “Galena! Get back here, you coward!” “It looks like you’re on your own,” the woman said. Gypsum glared, backing away from the woman to Celeste. Gypsum put a hand behind her back, creating another energy ball. She showed it to the woman before throwing at the girl behind her. Celeste shrieked in pain as the energy once more sped through her already battered body. “We’ll meet again,” Gypsum said, stepping through a portal and disappearing. The woman immediately knelt beside Celeste, checking the extent of the injuries. The wind ruffled her long, dark green hair. Celeste opened her eyes, staring at the red and black sailor outfit before moving her eyes to the tan, sympathetic face. “Puu?” Celeste asked before slipping into unconsciousness. The Guardian of Time smiled. “Finally someone remembers me,” she murmured a half-smile crossing her face. Then she gently picked Celeste up and disappear into the shadows of the night.


Chapter 2: Partial Answers Resurrection: Sailor Sol Sarah's Sanctuary