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Battles Usagi tried to halt the tears of happiness as she and others talked to Makoto. After waiting so long for her friend to wake up, Usagi treasured each smile, each word, each moment she spent with Makoto and her other friends. However, she suddenly became aware that not everyone was there.
“Where is Celeste-chan?” Usagi asked, her eyes searching the room. “I don’t know,” several of the others chimed. “She was here a minute ago,” Rei said. “She went for a walk,” Mamoru replied. “She’ll be back in a while.” Usagi turned to him, her concern evident. “Was she okay? Did we do something?” “She’s okay, Usako,” he said gently. “She just needs some time to herself.” Usagi nodded. “I’m just worried about her. She doesn’t know the city very well yet.” A series of beeps drew everyone’s eyes to Ami. Glancing at Motoki, the genius blushed and murmured an apology before she stepped out into the hall. Minako grabbed Motoki’s arm and lead him out of the room, explaining about Ami’s overprotective mother and Makoto’s sudden need for a soft drink. Ami returned as soon as Minako and Motoki were a safe distance down the hall. “There’s an attack in progress, and I can’t get Celeste-chan on her communicator.” Rei looked at Usagi and Mamoru. “Well, we can’t sit here and wait on her.” Usagi nodded. “Mako-chan, when she returns, keep her here until we get back.” “What about Mina-chan?” Makoto asked. “Keep her here, too,” Mamoru replied, already herding the other girls to the door. “Hopefully, we won’t need her.” Makoto waved as they left. Leaning deeper into the bed, she sighed and began to crack her knuckles. She hated the idea of her friends going to battle and being stuck in a hospital bed. Realizing that there was nothing for her to do but wait, Makoto began to think of a story to explain the others’ absence when Minako and Motoki returned. “Sol Star Power, Make-up!” A whirlwind of red and orange light swirled around her body, forming her uniform from her boots up. As the gleam of the jewel of her tiara replaced the whirlwind, she stretched her arms out in front of her, resting one gloved, balled fist on top of the other. Slowly, her arms moved apart vertically, a glowing bar forming in between. The bar began to solidify as she made another turn. Suddenly she stopped and posed, the staff fully formed. Its sun-shaped head gleamed gold as the light finally faded. Clutching the Sun Staff tightly, Sol returned to where Gypsum and Galena continued to attack. It was time to make her entrance. “Sol Celestial Wind!” The two women turned and glared at Sol as she approached them. “It’s about time you showed up,” Gypsum sneered. “Well, here I am,” Sol replied. In a blink two massive energy balls flew at Sol. Her face never changed expression as she deflected the strikes with the Sun Staff. Gypsum and Galena looked at each other in surprise. “Well, we will see just good you are with that staff,” Gypsum cried, running to punch her. Sol sidestepped the attack and turned to block a blow by Galena. Slowly, Sol began to draw the two away from the by-standers to a vacant corner of the park. Sailor Mercury scanned as they ran through the park. “They should be just beyond those trees,” she informed the others. “Be ready. These readings are a lot higher than those of the other attacks.” The others nodded. They passed through the trees and stopped at the edge. To their surprise, Sailor Sol was fighting both Gypsum and Galena and doing quite well. Sol’s lack of emotion began to crack as she flung Galena into another cluster of trees. Her eyes narrowed, she turned and faced Gypsum. The other woman flinched before her usual smirk returned. “Tired so soon?” Gypsum asked. The corner of Sol’s mouth twitched, as if she wanted to smile. She raised the Sun Staff above her head. Watching Gypsum the whole time, she began to twirl the staff, the speed increasing until it became a blur. Suddenly, she stopped. “Sol Corona Flare!” She swept the staff in a wide arc, the head glowing. Suddenly a band of red-orange light flew at Gypsum, catching her completely by surprise. The others watched in amazement as the impact sent Gypsum flying, her cries of agony echoing throughout the park. Slowly, Gypsum rose to her feet. Galena glanced at her, swaying slightly. Realizing that they were defeated, they opened individual portals and left. Sol stood in the clearing, as if she was lost in thought. Still unaware of the others, she returned to her normal form. With a final glance at where Gypsum and Galena disappeared, Celeste turned and headed back to the hospital. “Who would have thought that Sol would be so powerful?” Sailor Venus said in awe. They were still astounded by the battle they had just witnessed. Sol had just defeated two powerful enemies completely unaided. Sailor Moon bowed her head, worried. She got chills remembering Sol’s lack of emotion during the battle. ‘Something is wrong with Celeste-chan,’ she realized. ‘But what?’ Tuxedo Kamen placed a hand on her shoulder, drawing her out of her thoughts. “I think we had better leave as well. They are waiting for us at the hospital.” Silently, they returned to the hospital. However Celeste was not there when they arrived. Motoki, realizing that something was wrong, quickly said goodbye and left. As soon as he was gone, Ami pulled out her communicator. Sighing, the girl closed the device and looked at the others. “She’s not answering.” “I know that there’s something with Celeste-chan!” Usagi cried. “Did you noticed how she was in battle? I have never seen Celeste-chan so cold!” “But, Usagi-chan,” Minako said gently, “we don’t know her that well. We only just met her.” “Wait,” Rei said, “Setsuna-san is probably the closest to her. Why don’t we ask her to check up on Celeste-chan?” Everyone agreed, and Ami contacted the Time Guardian. Setsuna needed little persuasion, quickly agreeing to go and see Celeste. She would leave shortly. “Make sure she is all right,” Usagi pleaded. “I will,” and with that Setsuna clicked off. |
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