Episode 03 - The orange commander arrives! Calcite Orange-sama

The darkness of the room swallowed the figures of the embracing couple. The man cupped the woman's face in his hand. "Lapis-sama," she cooed as he caressed her cheek.

"I hope that you can forgive my failure. I foolishly underestimated the females from Elysion." the horned woman's eyes shone with sadness.

"Unakite, don't be so hard on yourself. You and Jasper are my finest warriors. I know that you will succeed."

"Lapis-sama!" She exclaimed as she pushed up against her partner to be closer. "Your faith in me is truly an honor."

"My pretty little dragon..." he whispered just before his lips met hers.

They slowly pulled away as a vacuum-like sound echoed outside. Metal-heeled shoes tapped against the floor and steadily increased in volume. Moments later, a woman resembling that of a feline entered the room and approached the couple. Her eyes met her master's for a moment and Lapis saw defeat dully shining in her eyes. As she neared him he patted the top of her head and scratched behind her ears. She enjoyed the attention. Lapis moved to the other end of the room and sat in the large chair against the wall. The females followed him and sat by his feet cuddling at his legs.

Suddenly, both women's ears perked up and the hairs on their necks stood. The animalistic senses within them emerged. Someone was approaching. A crisp, female voice resounded off the walls, "Lapis Lazuli."

The land of Elysion shimmered in the afternoon sun. White, warm light fell on the backs of five females as they discussed their newly returned enemy. Juno leaned forward as she spoke, "The creatures seem to be elemental, forming from Elysion itself."

"That's right," Pallas nodded, "and they seem to tear open space before they vanish."

"You said they were called "charons" right?" Ceres asked, "If I recall my ancient mythology books said that Charon was the ferryman to the underworld, bringing you to the land of the dead. Why are they after Sailor Crystals?"

"Why are they so important?" Vesta growled. "What do you think, Serenity? Serenity!"

The princess snapped to attention and shrugged her shoulders. When her friends looked past her they could see her distraction was obvious. In the distance, the priest, Helios was heading for the shrine with his two female attendants. "They're always with him, you know," was all she offered.

"Princess, this is important. We need to make some sort of plan," Ceres scolded.

Serenity's glazed expression turned to guilt as she looked to her friends. "Sorry."

Ceres' stern eyes softened as she looked at her distraught princess. The chatter of the meetings began once again, but the pink haired girl worried about Serenity.

In a huge room, Serenity let down her hair from it's pointed odango-style and began to brush through the tangles, pulling strands painfully as she went. Her hair was so much long from when she was little. Since her growth spurts it had become like her mother's and she began to wonder how she ever managed such a mop.

Two gentle knocks sounded on the door and Serenity called for the person to come. Ceres entered the room and approached slowly. "Serenity, about earlier. I came to-- well, didn't want you thinking I was trying to be rude.... I know I have a habit of coming off sounding that way sometimes. I only wanted you to realize how important this matter is."

"It's okay, Ceres-chan. I shouldn't get distracted so easily. Sometimes I think I really am too much like mama," she said with a smile.

Serenity turned toward her dresser mirror and began pulling the brush through her hair once more. Ceres turned to leave, but something made her stop. She finally doubled back and once again approached the princess. She stopped the girl's fierce brushing with a gentle hand and looked at her. "Here, let me help."

Soon enough, Ceres was making progress with the long pink hair. "I think the knots are almost gone."

"Thank you! I always have so much trouble."

"Are you okay, Serenity?"

"Huh?"

"You were so caught up earlier I was wondering if you were even with us at all. What's wrong?"

The girl bit her lip before she began. "Mama was married to papa when she was still so young, twenty-one, I think... right before she had me at twenty-two. And here I am, 912 years old, living this very long life, only now becoming an adult."

"What's the rush in getting married?"

"It's not that I'm in a rush. I guess I'm just a little jealous of "them". They get to be near him all the time. Being here in Elysion, I thought Helios and I would get to spend lots of time together, but it hasn't been that way. Even now that I'm finally with him, it seems that I'm further away than ever."

"I'm sure you'll get to see each other more when everything cools down a bit," Cere's comforted. "Things have just been so hectic."

A smile formed on the princess' face as she felt warmed by the other girl's words. It was nice to talk to Ceres about things other than studying and enemies. At times like this, she felt like she was a normal girl.

A dark wormhole tore open before them in the large room. The women stood to their feet moving into defensive positions in front of their master. "Lapis Lazuli," the voice called again.

The man remained unmoved in his chair. His eyes dismissed the intruder making her way into his quarters. Suddenly, the wormhole vanished and in it's place stood a woman cloaked in dark oranges and reds. The dress she wore revealed not only her belly and ample cleavage, but also slits on either side of the skirt, reaching her hips. Her arms remained covered and red high heals covered her feet. Her shoulders were protected with black armor and a long sword rested a belt that hung around her waist. She shook her head briefly causing her orange ponytail to fling to her side.

Both animal women bowed respectfully and backing out of their master's chambers. "Commander Calcite, what an... unexpected surprise." Lapis said greeting his guest.

Outside of the room, the animal women leaned against the wall. Jasper, calm and collect, merely gazed off into the distance. Unakite, however, could not remain still. She began to pace about furiously. "Why did we have to leave those two alone? Commander Calcite-sama and Lapis-sama in the same room... I don't trust her."

"Cool down Unakite. If she heard you talking that way she would disintegrate you faster than you could think about it. Calcite-sama does not have the patience that Lapis-sama has for us. Besides, you should focus your energy on more important matters."

"What?" Unakite snarled.

The cat woman pushed herself from the wall and looked to her comrade. "It's your turn to go down and steal a Sylph. I'd watch yourself though. With Calcite-sama here, there's no room for mistakes." That was the last Japser said before turning and vanishing into the darkness.

Unakite turned her attention back to the events taking place within her master's chambers. Carefully bending down she positioned herself in front of a small crack in the door where she was able to see what was going on, even though she was unable to hear anything.

Calcite stood in front of her soldier who remained calm and sitting in his chair. She knew he had always been disrespectful toward her and the other higher officers. She was tired from her mission and made no effort to make him stand and bow to her. "Opalite-sama is becoming tired of waiting and so am I, Lapis. When are you going to darken the Slyphs of this planet?"

"You worry way too much Calcite. It's not good for your health."

"Worry about your own problems, Lapis. Opalite sent me with a message. If you do not produce some sort of progress your light will be extinguished with this world."

"Hmph! There's no need to become unlikable," the blue clad man said as he rose to his feet.

Calcite's eyes narrowed as he approached her. He circled her as he spoke. "Don't worry your pretty little head over the matter. Everything is being taken care of. I assure you of this."

When he finally stopped pacing he was standing directly in front of his commanding officer. She met his eyes with hers. "Well, if everything is going so well, then it wouldn't hurt for me to stay and make sure you come back safely to us. I'll find a room on my own. There's no need to escort your guest."

She reached out and pushed Lapis aside. A second movement of her hand opened the door in front of her and she exited. Lapis glared at her as she disappeared from his sight. "That woman..." he growled.

Unakite jumped to her feet when she saw Calcite. Her commander did not pay any attention to the dragon woman. Unakite fought herself as best she could but she could not control herself any longer. "Keep away from Lapis-sama!"

"If you don't learn to contain your actions you might find yourself in a rather unpleasant situation, little girl. I have no time for this," snapped the commander as brushed off the jealous woman.

"You think you can just come in here and do as you please? Lapis-sama is mine! I won't give him to you even if you are the second commander of our great ruler."

Without another word, Calcite raised her hand toward the other woman and a blast of black electricity flew out. Unakite screamed in pain as the energy shot her body like a thousand burning needles. "You'll wish you were never born if you ever speak to me like that again. Besides, I'm not the one you should be worrying about."

As she turned away, the electric energy disbursed, leaving Unakite weak and wounded. Before she was completely out of range, Unakite could hear the commander laughing to herself. "Ha! To think, me and that playboy. That would be something else!"

In one of the large bedrooms of the residence where Helios resided, Ceres and the lady Serenity sat together. Ceres marveled at the painting that was being created of one of her very own flower arrangements. "Wow! Serenity, it looks exactly like the flowers. Your sense of colors is amazing."

"It's not really all that good. Besides," she added "if you hadn't arranged the flowers so well, my painting couldn't look the way it does."

Ceres looked out of a large window for a moment only to have something catch her eye. It was Helios walking back from the shrine with his two female attendants close behind. "Ah, Serenity," she started abruptly, "ah..."

"What is it?"

"Let's go outside for some fresh air. I want to get some more flowers anyway."

"Oh-okay," was all the princess could get out before she felt herself yanked by her friend.

She tried to keep her balance as Ceres continued to pull on her arm. When they finally made it outside, Ceres began to look left and right. Trying not to be too suspicious --which she was failing miserably at doing-- she stated that she was looking for a good patch of flowers she could pick. Catching sight of the priest she once again ran forward, pulling the clueless Serenity along.

The pink haired woman swung her princess in front of her just in time to crash head on into Helios. When the two finally gained their composure once again Serenity glared behind her thinking she would find Ceres. To her surprise her friend was already so far away. She turned once before running off to the rose garden. "I changed my mind, Serenity. You enjoy. I'll get the flowers on my own!"

"Ceres-chan," the lady thought to herself, "thank you."

Remembering who she was with her cheeks suddenly shone a bright red hue. Helios looked at her in a puzzling manner. After a few moments he dismissed his attendants and he and the princess were alone. They began to walk together but Serenity was silent. She had wanted to be with him all day and now that she was she was so excited she couldn't find the words to speak.

"I have been praying for the safely of Earth daily. My prayers are always with you even if I am not my maiden."

"Thank you."

The princess stopped walking. When Helios stopped and looked at her his face turned to surprise as he saw the tears running down Serenity's cheeks. "What's wrong?" he asked just a little panicked.

She couldn't hold herself back any longer and threw her arms around the priest. "I've really missed you! I've waited so many years to be with you again and I thought if I was here I could be you. This is so selfish of me," she said as she began to release him.

Her eye widened as he wrapped his arms around her and held her body close to his. "I've missed you as well, Chibi Usa-chan."

She had not heard him call her that since the Dead Moon Circus had attacked Tokyo. She smiled as thoughts of that time filled her head.

Behind a nearby bush, four women colorfully dressed whispered to each other. "I can't believe they're doing that in such an open place!" Vesta grumbled.

"I think it's cute!" Juno countered.

"Pallas thinks we shouldn't be spying on them!" the blue haired girl whispered.

Vesta looked to her suspiciously, "Oh, then why don't you leave?"

Pallas' face turned red as she looked away. "I-- I don't want to miss out on the good stuff either!"

Ceres only smiled to herself. She was happy the princess was having some time alone with him... sort of. She squinted as she felt a heaviness on her back. "Juno, stop leaning on me!" she scolded.

"I'm not leaning on you!"

Ceres turned her head to find that it was not Juno leaning on her, but instead a grotesque being resembling the shape of a woman. Ceres' eyes grew wide as she noted slimey skin and dark hollowed eyes staring back at her. It seemed like time stood still for a minute as panic overtook her. Finally, she once again found her voice and shrieked in terror. The other girls lost their balance and fell into the open.

The couple in the distance quickly released one another. Princess Serenity started yelling in an embarrassed tone, "You were peeking on us! How could you! I was--"

Her words cut short as she noted the horrible creature in the dark purple cloak. It was a charon and it had captured Ceres.

The creature screamed out "Charon Iolite!" blasted the females back toward the princess. It quickly pulled out the obolus.

"Vesta Asteroid Power! Make Up!"

"Juno Asteroid Power! Make Up!"

"Pallas Asteroid Power! Make Up!"

"Moon Star Power! Make Up!"

Quickly, the girls were transformed into their sailor suits but it was too late. The charon had already flipped the coin and pulled out Ceres' Sailor Crystal. Before it could reach for the light, Charon Iolite was knocked from her feet and her body splattered on the ground. The cloak it had been wearing floated to the ground. Juno and Vesta managed to break their friend free before their enemy could reshape itself. Sailor Moon ran to the woman's side and helped her to her feet. She put her in Helios' arms and asked him to watch her.

He nodded and carried the girl out of sight. He sat her down on the ground and tried to help her regain her composure. After she finally snapped out of it she realized the situation. "Serenity!" she cried out getting to her feet.

"You should rest," Helios said calmly. "The others will take care of the creature."

"I-- I can't just sit here and let them do all the work. As much as I know I should, I know they are pushing themselves to the limit. I can't back down now."

Helios smiled understandingly. Then the woman called out "Ceres Asteroid Power! Make Up!"

When she ran back to where the fight was taking place she was horrified to find her friends stuck to the ground in the creature's expanding, gooey body. Closing her eyes for a moment she felt her power growing inside of her. Then she heard it in her head and called out a three word incantation. "Amazones Blume Garland!"

A flowered garland blasted toward the creature and rose petals danced in the air it wrapped around the charon's body it began to soak up the gooey mess that was holding the other soldiers hostage. Sailor Moon wasted no time in attacking. "Pink Lady's Freezing Kiss!" she cried.

Her attack disintegrated the creature and once again left a tiny rip in the space before them. After a few moments it closed up and there was no trace of the being left. After the relief of the monster out of the way Moon ran to her pink haired friend and embraced her. "Thank goodness you're alright!"

Juno, Vesta, and Pallas approached and smiled. Then a sizzling feeling began to tingle inside of the princess soldier. Her face became cross as she released her friend. "I can't believe you guys were spying on meeeeee!" she wined.

"What's wrong? Were you planning on going all the way?" Vesta teased.

Immediately both Helios and Serenity's faces changed to a bright red. "Of-of course not! How could you say that? Why would you think that? Oooh! You guys are so mean!"

End Episode 03.

Episode Notes: There are two different things to bring up for the notes this time. The first addresses Ceres' attack, "Amazones Blume Garland." Blume means "flower" in German. Now on to the notes about the name of the Charon. The name Iolite comes from the Greek ios, which means violet. Iolite is usually a purplish blue when cut properly, with a softness to the color that can be quite attractive. A cube cut from iolite will look a violetish blue almost like sapphire from one side, clear as water from the other, and a honey yellow from the top. This property led some people to call iolite "water sapphire" in the past, a name that is now obsolete. - http://www.gemstone.org/