Part Three: A Tour and a Tale
The ivory-colored elephants extended their
mighty trunks toward the visitors. Faunus
explained, "These paciderms will
transport you to our meeting place. They can use their trunks to lift you
to their neck where you can climb on their backs. I will then lead you
through a very small part of this island. Please divide into pairs and
mount the animals."
The group did as Faunus asked, although Sailor
Moon was reluctant. Sailor Mars had to push her up to the elephant's
trunk. Faunus then led them into the jungle that lined the beach. He
showed them birds of all colors and they saw primates and large cats jump
about in the trees. Next Faunus led the procession through a small part of
a large desert. Here they saw reptiles of all kinds and great dunes of
sand created by the wind. Finally they entered a forest of pine and maple
trees. Here squirrels and chipmunks greeted them. A large bluebird flew
close to Sailor Saturn. When she held out her hand the bird sat on it and
the senshi laughed and said hello. The bird stayed with them for a few
minutes before joining his mate in a nest high in one of the trees.
Finally they came upon a circular clearing in the
woods. Animalia waited there in the center of a circle of rocks with flat
tops. Pillows were laid on top of each of the ten rocks. Each of the
pillows had different colored fabric. The colors matched the bows of the
eight inner and outer senshi. The final two were covered in white fabric
with gold braiding on the edges. Animalia stood in the center of the
circle and invited them to sit on their matching pillows. "Future
Queen and King please take the white pillows as your seats." The
warriors complied and were surprised to find that the seats were quite
comfortable. Gray and white wolves entered the circle with baskets filled
with fruit, vegetables, loaves of bread, and clay mugs filled with water.
They quickly lowered the baskets to the ground, released the handles from
their mouths, and finally turned and left the circle. Animalia again
spoke, "Please eat and drink the products of this island. My history
is long and you will need nourishment."
Sailor Moon dove right into the basket filled with many different types of
bread. Sailor Mars gave her a menacing look and said quietly, but very
forcefully, "Sailor Moon! Could you stop stuffing your face long
enough to listen to her story?"
Sailor Moon stopped eating and asked Sailor
Animalia to continue, although she sprayed breadcrumbs as she said it.
Animalia stood in the center of the circle, still
holding her staff, and began her story: "This island is called
Faunalina. It is hidden from humans and our enemies by a bubble of
time-the mist that you saw when we first came to the island. However, my
tale begins in the beginning of time itself. Long ago the first Sailor
Senshi were given their starseeds and were told to protect the inhabitants
of the universe. Soon after they were confronted with the problem of
training the new senshi. The first Queen Selenity suggested that guides
should be trained to seek out the senshi, awaken their abilities, and
teach them the ways of the Sailor Senshi. It was agreed that the guides
would take the form of animals because the senshi would be more accepting
and trusting of animals."
Suddenly the eye on top of her staff began to
glow and it projected an image of a great meeting hall and sitting upon a
throne is a woman who looks very similar to Sailor Moon. The woman speaks
to several men and women. "The Council has agreed that some humanoids
will be chosen to become animal guides. I will use the Silver Crystal to
create a special Sailor Senshi who will appoint and train the animal
guides. She will be given the ability to speak with all animals
telepathically as well as by mouth. We will send her to an island hidden
in a bubble of time. The time bubble will also keep her from aging so
there will always be a guardian for the animals. The guides will be sent
to her island for their training. We shall name her Sailor Animalia, a
solitary soldier who will be given the Jade Eye of the Animals to protect
Faunalina and the animals that reside there."
The beautiful queen brought forth the Silver
Crystal and created a large silver mirror. Slowly a white-gloved hand
emerged from the mirror and a woman clothed in a fuku of green, blue, and
gray soon followed. Her hair and eyes were the color of jade. The new
Sailor Animalia turned and bowed to the queen and said, "It is an
honor to serve the Queen of the Moon Kingdom and all the Sailor Senshi of
the Universe."
She stood as the queen spoke to her, "Sailor
Animalia you have been given the great responsibility of appointing and
training the animal guides. It is crucial that the guides be protected,
for without the guides the Senshi will never be awakened."
A long staff appeared before the queen with the
Jade Eye mounted on top. "This staff holds the Jade Eye of the
Animals, a stone whose power is drawn from all the animals of the
universe, therefore its power can rival that of my Silver Crystal. Guard
it well and use it wisely to protect and serve the animals and people of
our universe. To remind you of the balance of nature, three ribbons will
be attached to the staff. First a gray ribbon to represent the animals of
the sky and space. Second a green ribbon to represent the animals of the
ground and flora. Finally a blue ribbon to represent the animals of the
fresh and salt waters."
Then the image of the queen dissolved and was
replaced by an image of Sailor Animalia on Faunalina. First they saw her
train some animal guides. Then they saw Animalia practicing and refining
her own fighting skills. Last they were shown Animalia playing a long
wooden flute for Faunus and the other animals. Animalia spoke again.
"Faunus was my first student, but he chose to stay with me on
Faunalina to help supervise and train other animal guides. I feel you
should know that over the millennia that I have existed, I have refined my
telepathic abilities."
The rest of her speech is delivered
telepathically. I can communicate telepathically and read people's
thoughts if I am within ten feet of their location. I also have a
permanent link with all senshi and animal guides. This link allows me to
know where you all are located and what your general emotional state is at
a given time. It is this ability that made me feel the future queen's fear
and her call for help.
Silence filled the circle. The warriors were all
a bit daunted by Animalia's gift. She silently walked toward Luna and
Artemis who had accompanied the group to Faunalina. The jade-haired
soldier lightly laid her hand on their heads and petted them. She
simultaneously reached into their minds and released their memories of
being trained on the island. Animalia then walked to the tree where Faunus
sat and lifted him onto her arm. She whispered in his mind, they need time
to think and talk alone.
She glanced at the silent faces and disappeared
deep into the trees.