Chapter 5: An Initial Meeting

“That part where the girl fell while trying to run from the zombies was hilarious,” Mara stated. “She can't act at all.”

Celeste laughed, too, remembering that part of the movie. At first, she had debated about taking Mara out for dinner and a movie. Although the chance of an attack was not likely, she wasn’t willing to jeopardize the girl’s safety.

However, in the end, it was Broeas’s words that decided it. ‘Well, if you’re keeping her locked up in a dungeon somewhere, Sol, then you’re really no better than I am.’ She was nothing like Boreas, and she wouldn’t make Mara live her life that way.

“I had a good time, Celeste,” Mara said quietly. “Thanks for doing this.”

“Any time.”

The girl grinned. “I don’t know if Jonathan would like that.”

“I think I can handle Jonathan.”

Still laughing and talking, they decided to stop for ice cream. It was a good way to end the night. As they entered, however, they didn’t notice the man studying from across the street.

* * * * *

Zephyr had spent several nights wandering through the city. He had vowed that he would not repeat Boreas’s failure. Yet, here he was, following the same ineffective plan.

‘Where is she?’ he fumed. The girl was the key to everything. And Aeolus was becoming impatient.

Then, he saw the two women enter the ice cream shop. It fit so well that it had to be them, Zephyr decided, watching the pair through the shop’s wide front window. The younger one with the short, dark hair was the one, the key to his master’s plans. The one with the red hair had to be the guardian that had caused Boreas so much trouble.

This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. And unlike Boreas, he would not waste time with bungling creatures. He would take care of this himself.

* * * * *

“So, what was Jonathan doing tonight?” Mara asked, stirring her milkshake with the straw.

“He’s catching up on some schoolwork. He has a tough load this term.”

“And with everything that’s going on, I’m surprised that all of us are not extremely behind.”

“Somehow I don’t see Sofia falling behind, ever,” Celeste remarked.

Mara nodded. “No, I doubt Sofia has much trouble with school.”

There was a lengthy pause before Celeste spoke again. “Do you regret changing schools?”

“No. Sofia’s there and I beginning to make other friends.”

“I’m glad that you and Sofia are becoming such good friends. It makes things easier.”

“Well, she’s nice and fun to hang out with it.”

“And Emily?” Mara made a scoffing noise. "Why don't you like her?

“Because she's a snobby, stuck-up cheerleader?"

“You don’t like her because she’s a cheerleader?”

Mara shrugged. “I’m sure she has some good qualities, somewhere.”

“Can you at least try to be civil to her? Please?”

“Sure, I’ll try.”

“I guess that’s all I can ask,” Celeste sighed.

The two finished their ice creams in silence. They left and resumed walking home. With a sigh, Mara turned to Celeste. “Look, I’m sorry. I know I’m being a real brat about the whole Emily thing but. . .”

Her sentence was cut off by a violent gust of wind that sent Celeste flying into a wall. Calling her guardian’s name, Mara ran to her. She didn’t see the man walking up behind her.

“Hecate, we met at last.”

Mara froze as she tried to help Celeste sit up. ‘I’d hoped this was over.’ Slowly, she faced him and shivered at his cool smile.

“If you come with me now, you can save your friend a lot of pain.”

In a whirl of motion, Celeste shot up and kicked the man in the knee, causing the leg to buckle. As he moaned, she sent another kick to his mid-section and punched him in the jaw.

“Run!” she screamed, turning briefly to Mara “Run!”

Capitalizing on Celeste’s momentary distraction, Zephyr used another gust of wind. The blow sent her crashing her into a dumpster. Shaking her head to clear it, she labored to her feet and managed to place herself between Mara and the attacker.

“Leave her alone,” Celeste growled.

Zephyr merely sneered. “Give up. You’re nothing against me.”

“We’ll see. Sol Star Power, Make-up!”

Although he had suspected her as the guardian, it was still surprising to be face-to-face with the one who nearly killed Boreas. But she didn’t have her friends around, and she was already weakened. The odds were in his favor.

“You’ll have to do better than that.”

Sol smiled. “Sol Celestial Wind!”

With his injured leg, Zephyr barely dodged the attack. His early conclusion of the odds was gone. He sent another gust of wind, sending Sol rolling down the alley.

With surprising quickness, Sol managed to get back to her feet, pointing her staff menacingly at him. “Sol Corona Flare! Sol Nemesis Nova!!”

“It’s not over!” Zephyr bellowed and then teleported away, leaving the attacks to hit the wall behind him.

“Sol, are you all right?” Mara said, emerging from behind a dumpster.

Sol glared at her ward. “You should be miles from here. Do you know what would have happened if you had been captured?”

“I couldn’t just leave you here,” Mara spat, “while you are getting hurt protecting me.”

“Your protection means more than my safety, Mara.”

The girl shook her head. “Not to me.”

“I’m not going to fight with you right now.” Sol took her hand. “Let’s go home.”

Before Mara could even protest, the red-orange aura enveloped her and they were gone.


An Initial Meeting “That part where the girl fell while trying to run from the zombies was hilarious,” Mara stated. “She can't act at all.” Celeste laughed, too, remembering that part of the movie. At first, she had debated about taking Mara out for dinner and a movie. Although the chance of an attack was not likely, she wasn’t willing to jeopardize the girl’s safety. However, in the end, it was Broeas’s words that decided it. ‘Well, if you’re keeping her locked up in a dungeon somewhere, Sol, then you’re really no better than I am.’ She was nothing like Boreas, and she wouldn’t make Mara live her life that way. “I had a good time, Celeste,” Mara said quietly. “Thanks for doing this.” “Any time.” The girl grinned. “I don’t know if Jonathan would like that.” “I think I can handle Jonathan.” Still laughing and talking, they decided to stop for ice cream. It was a good way to end the night. As they entered, however, they didn’t notice the man studying from across the street. * * * * * Zephyr had spent several nights wandering through the city. He had vowed that he would not repeat Boreas’s failure. Yet, here he was, following the same ineffective plan. ‘Where is she?’ he fumed. The girl was the key to everything. And Aeolus was becoming impatient. Then, he saw the two women enter the ice cream shop. It fit so well that it had to be them, Zephyr decided, watching the pair through the shop’s wide front window. The younger one with the short, dark hair was the one, the key to his master’s plans. The one with the red hair had to be the guardian that had caused Boreas so much trouble. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. And unlike Boreas, he would not waste time with bungling creatures. He would take care of this himself. * * * * * “So, what was Jonathan doing tonight?” Mara asked, stirring her milkshake with the straw. “He’s catching up on some schoolwork. He has a tough load this term.” “And with everything that’s going on, I’m surprised that all of us are not extremely behind.” “Somehow I don’t see Sofia falling behind, ever,” Celeste remarked. Mara nodded. “No, I doubt Sofia has much trouble with school.” There was a lengthy pause before Celeste spoke again. “Do you regret changing schools?” “No. Sofia’s there and I beginning to make other friends.” “I’m glad that you and Sofia are becoming such good friends. It makes things easier.” “Well, she’s nice and fun to hang out with it.” “And Emily?” Mara made a scoffing noise. "Why don't you like her? “Because she's a snobby, stuck-up cheerleader?" “You don’t like her because she’s a cheerleader?” Mara shrugged. “I’m sure she has some good qualities, somewhere.” “Can you at least try to be civil to her? Please?” “Sure, I’ll try.” “I guess that’s all I can ask,” Celeste sighed. The two finished their ice creams in silence. They left and resumed walking home. With a sigh, Mara turned to Celeste. “Look, I’m sorry. I know I’m being a real brat about the whole Emily thing but. . .” Her sentence was cut off by a violent gust of wind that sent Celeste flying into a wall. Calling her guardian’s name, Mara ran to her. She didn’t see the man walking up behind her. “Hecate, we met at last.” Mara froze as she tried to help Celeste sit up. ‘I’d hoped this was over.’ Slowly, she faced him and shivered at his cool smile. “If you come with me now, you can save your friend a lot of pain.” In a whirl of motion, Celeste shot up and kicked the man in the knee, causing the leg to buckle. As he moaned, she sent another kick to his mid-section and punched him in the jaw. “Run!” she screamed, turning briefly to Mara “Run!” Capitalizing on Celeste’s momentary distraction, Zephyr used another gust of wind. The blow sent her crashing her into a dumpster. Shaking her head to clear it, she labored to her feet and managed to place herself between Mara and the attacker. “Leave her alone,” Celeste growled. Zephyr merely sneered. “Give up. You’re nothing against me.” “We’ll see. Sol Star Power, Make-up!” Although he had suspected her as the guardian, it was still surprising to be face-to-face with the one who nearly killed Boreas. But she didn’t have her friends around, and she was already weakened. The odds were in his favor. “You’ll have to do better than that.” Sol smiled. “Sol Celestial Wind!” With his injured leg, Zephyr barely dodged the attack. His early conclusion of the odds was gone. He sent another gust of wind, sending Sol rolling down the alley. With surprising quickness, Sol managed to get back to her feet, pointing her staff menacingly at him. “Sol Corona Flare! Sol Nemesis Nova!!” “It’s not over!” Zephyr bellowed and then teleported away, leaving the attacks to hit the wall behind him. “Sol, are you all right?” Mara said, emerging from behind a dumpster. Sol glared at her ward. “You should be miles from here. Do you know what would have happened if you had been captured?” “I couldn’t just leave you here,” Mara spat, “while you are getting hurt protecting me.” “Your protection means more than my safety, Mara.” The girl shook her head. “Not to me.” “I’m not going to fight with you right now.” Sol took her hand. “Let’s go home.” Before Mara could even protest, the red-orange aura enveloped her and they were gone.


Chapter 6: Resolutions Sailor Sol: Battle Against the Winds