Chapter 17: Unravelings

“And you picked today to become a Sailor Soldier?” Emily’s voice was thick with sarcasm. “You know we could have used you in some of the earlier battles.”

“I didn’t know I could be one until today.” Mara studied the black transformation pen she held in her hands. “It was Athene’s attack. It triggered something.” She stumbled for words for a moment before giving up. “I can’t explain it.”

“You don’t have to,” Celeste said, giving Emily a look.

The blonde rolled her eyes. “Of course. She’s starts a fight with me, punches me, and then turns into this dark warrior. Deep nightmare! What kind of attack is that?”

“What? Your rainbow ribbons are that much better?” Mara spat, rising to her feet.

Celeste stepped between the two girls, her arms outstretched. Her green eyes were flashing as she gave each one a steely glance. “That’s enough. From both of you.”

Emily grabbed her purse and coat. “I’m going home.”

The apartment shook with the force of the slammed door. Rubbing her temples, Celeste collapsed into a chair. She could feel a headache coming on.

“What is her problem?” Sofia asked.

Mara spoke up. “Me.”

“Don’t say that.”

“Why not?” Mara asked, looking at her friend. “It’s true. We haven’t like each other since we’ve met.”

“We have to be part of a team,” Celeste stated. “If we go into battle, we have to be united. If we don’t, the battles will be even more dangerous.”

“So what do we do?” Sofia turned to the older woman. “We don’t know how long we have until the next battle.”

“I won’t fight,” Mara said. “That should fix it.”

“No.” Celeste’s tone was adamant. “Mara, you’re a Sailor Soldier now. We’re going to need you. The battles are only going to get harder.”

“Again, what do we do?” Sofia asked.

“I don’t know,” Celeste admitted. “I’ll come up with something. I just need some time.”

Mara sighed. “I hope we have enough.”

* * * * *

For once, the place was quiet, absent of the usual commotion. Hotaru had been asleep for a while. Finally, about an hour ago, Michiru and Haruka had gone to bed as well.

With a sigh, Setsuna quietly zipped up her bag and took once more glance at her room. She still had doubts. However, she knew what would happen if she didn’t act and act soon.

She walked quietly to the kitchen, thinking about the note she held. She knew that no explanation she could leave would be enough. Yet she couldn’t leave without any word at all.

The envelope stood out on the table, ensuring that her roommates would find it in the morning. With one final glance, she turned to the door. However, she stopped when she found herself face to face with Haruka.

“Where are you going?” the blonde demanded.

Setsuna shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.”

Haruka made a noise of scorn, crossing her arms. “What about Hotaru? What should I tell her in the morning when she finds out? She’s not going to understand.”

“Tell her that I. . .” However, she faltered, not finding the words. “This is something I have to do. I’ll be back as soon as I can. You can tell her that.”

Haruka looked pointedly at the envelope on the table. “It looks like you already have.” She turned and marched back to her room without another glance back.

* * * * *

Grudgingly admiring the brilliant display of color, Celeste watched the sun rise over the city’s skyline. She had been sleep, finally finding oblivion due to the day’s strain of battle. However, an hour ago, she had woken up, screaming.

She tried to banish the images from the dream from her mind. It was similar to the same damn dream that had been plaguing her for weeks. However, it was different tonight.

It continued to start off with the Dark Senshi, who still held the strange bladed staff. Celeste could see more details, noting the similar, dark uniform. She knew she could not deny any longer that Mara was the Dark Senshi from the dreams.

However, instead of a man kneeling before, another figure stood before the warrior. It was a woman, Celeste decided. She had no real reason; she just knew.

“You can’t stop me,” the warrior had said. “You know that.”

The woman had merely nodded. “But I’ll go down trying.”

Again, Celeste was powerless but to watch as the staff made its fatal, descending arc. The blood sprayed across the floor, across her uniform, and over her hands. She couldn’t remove the sticky liquid.

“Regardless of what you do, you will always fail.”

Then, she had woken up. She had spent the rest of the night pondering the dream’s meaning. She didn’t want to think of a betrayal by Mara. However, what else could the dreams mean?


Unravelings “And you picked today to become a Sailor Soldier?” Emily’s voice was thick with sarcasm. “You know we could have used you in some of the earlier battles.” “I didn’t know I could be one until today.” Mara studied the black transformation pen she held in her hands. “It was Athene’s attack. It triggered something.” She stumbled for words for a moment before giving up. “I can’t explain it.” “You don’t have to,” Celeste said, giving Emily a look. The blonde rolled her eyes. “Of course. She’s starts a fight with me, punches me, and then turns into this dark warrior. Deep nightmare! What kind of attack is that?” “What? Your rainbow ribbons are that much better?” Mara spat, rising to her feet. Celeste stepped between the two girls, her arms outstretched. Her green eyes were flashing as she gave each one a steely glance. “That’s enough. From both of you.” Emily grabbed her purse and coat. “I’m going home.” The apartment shook with the force of the slammed door. Rubbing her temples, Celeste collapsed into a chair. She could feel a headache coming on. “What is her problem?” Sofia asked. Mara spoke up. “Me.” “Don’t say that.” “Why not?” Mara asked, looking at her friend. “It’s true. We haven’t like each other since we’ve met.” “We have to be part of a team,” Celeste stated. “If we go into battle, we have to be united. If we don’t, the battles will be even more dangerous.” “So what do we do?” Sofia turned to the older woman. “We don’t know how long we have until the next battle.” “I won’t fight,” Mara said. “That should fix it.” “No.” Celeste’s tone was adamant. “Mara, you’re a Sailor Soldier now. We’re going to need you. The battles are only going to get harder.” “Again, what do we do?” Sofia asked. “I don’t know,” Celeste admitted. “I’ll come up with something. I just need some time.” Mara sighed. “I hope we have enough.” * * * * * For once, the place was quiet, absent of the usual commotion. Hotaru had been asleep for a while. Finally, about an hour ago, Michiru and Haruka had gone to bed as well. With a sigh, Setsuna quietly zipped up her bag and took once more glance at her room. She still had doubts. However, she knew what would happen if she didn’t act and act soon. She walked quietly to the kitchen, thinking about the note she held. She knew that no explanation she could leave would be enough. Yet she couldn’t leave without any word at all. The envelope stood out on the table, ensuring that her roommates would find it in the morning. With one final glance, she turned to the door. However, she stopped when she found herself face to face with Haruka. “Where are you going?” the blonde demanded. Setsuna shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you.” Haruka made a noise of scorn, crossing her arms. “What about Hotaru? What should I tell her in the morning when she finds out? She’s not going to understand.” “Tell her that I. . .” However, she faltered, not finding the words. “This is something I have to do. I’ll be back as soon as I can. You can tell her that.” Haruka looked pointedly at the envelope on the table. “It looks like you already have.” She turned and marched back to her room without another glance back. * * * * * Grudgingly admiring the brilliant display of color, Celeste watched the sun rise over the city’s skyline. She had been sleep, finally finding oblivion due to the day’s strain of battle. However, an hour ago, she had woken up, screaming. She tried to banish the images from the dream from her mind. It was similar to the same damn dream that had been plaguing her for weeks. However, it was different tonight. It continued to start off with the Dark Senshi, who still held the strange bladed staff. Celeste could see more details, noting the similar, dark uniform. She knew she could not deny any longer that Mara was the Dark Senshi from the dreams. However, instead of a man kneeling before, another figure stood before the warrior. It was a woman, Celeste decided. She had no real reason; she just knew. “You can’t stop me,” the warrior had said. “You know that.” The woman had merely nodded. “But I’ll go down trying.” Again, Celeste was powerless but to watch as the staff made its fatal, descending arc. The blood sprayed across the floor, across her uniform, and over her hands. She couldn’t remove the sticky liquid. “Regardless of what you do, you will always fail.” Then, she had woken up. She had spent the rest of the night pondering the dream’s meaning. She didn’t want to think of a betrayal by Mara. However, what else could the dreams mean?


Chapter 18: Touches of Normalcy Sailor Sol: Battle Against the Winds