Sailor Moon - Warriors of Ether
by Rarstarr
Chapter 1

	A white glowing mist rolled around the room, seeming to hide the 
walls, floor and ceiling. The only furniture in the room, a desk and the 
chair behind it, were also painted white. In the chair a handsome man 
sat, some would describe him as divinely handsome. Not surprisingly his 
robes were as white as the wings on his back and room around him. The 
only colour in the entire room was the man's skin and the golden locks on 
his head. He was Gabriel, lord of his people.
	He sensed the presence of one of his subordinates awaiting him 
outside. With a wave of his hands the mists opposite him parted, 
revealing Athriel, one of his trusted lieutenants. She purposefully 
strode towards him.
	"What news do you bring?" Gabriel demanded.
	"My lord we have finally reopened the gateway to the middle 
realm," Athriel informed him. There was no excitement in her voice, 
despite the import of her message.
	"At last our exile is at an end," Gabriel smiled, "and the mortals 
will once more feel our guidance."

*****

	Darien walked in the door of the Pigeon's Nest. The Pigeon's Nest 
was a restaurant and bar, a place very popular among both the university 
students and the families in the local area. Darien came in here 
regularly to get dinner, but tonight he'd just stopped in for a quick 
drink.
	Kerri, the girl on the front desk looked at him questioningly. He 
just shook his head in answer.
	Kerri was English, but had moved to Tokyo with her family seven 
years ago, and even then she'd spoken perfect Japanese. She'd gotten a 
job waiting tables at the Nest, but had managed to get the job greeting 
customers in a short period. She was pretty, if you liked foreigners, and 
typically had a friendly word. She looked busy today, must be a big 
party.
	Darien waved to her as he vanished into the bar. Now the bar 
wasn't some gaudy, noisy place with flashing lights where you needed. 
Katsuko, the bartender, would never stand for it, but then again neither 
would the Nest's owner.
	The bar, tables and the walls were done in varnished mahogany, 
while the stools and the booth seats were down in soft red velvet. 
Instead of the usual bottles of drink, the wall behind the bar was graced 
with three glass cases. 
	In one case was the paraphernalia of numerous religions, all 
carefully marked. If you wanted Katsuko could tell the tale behind any of 
the items there. That was a joint project between Katsuko and Kerri's 
sister Dominique.
	The second case had caused Darien many nights of mirth. He'd have 
to bring Serena and the others here sometime to see it. After all, it 
would do good to see the work of one of their fans. Mina would probably 
flip. The case contained some excellent picture of the Scouts, Tuxedo 
Mask and many of the villains they'd faced. An art student by the name of 
Namoyi had done all the work on that case.
	Tonight the barroom was fairly full, although most of the people 
were sitting at the tables and booths. Katsuko stood behind the bar as 
usual, ruler of all she surveyed. She was tall, and had a reserved 
beauty, usually a friendly smile. Yet at times she had seen drunks 
quieted by her glare or both men and woman melted by a seductive look.
	Darien glanced around the bar, looking for the other regulars. 
Dominique sat at the end of the bar, a pile of books arrayed before him. 
Every so often he'd make notes on a pad. Sitting halfway down were the 
oddest couple you could find. Tashiro was an old man who, as far as 
Darien could tell was a permanent fixture at the bar. He was currently 
involved in his favourite pastime, talking, with young Aki. Now Aki is a 
genius when it comes to electronics, and he was currently showing the old 
man some new gadget he had purchased. None of the other regulars were in 
tonight.
	Darien sauntered over to the bar, taking the drink Katsuko offered 
him. Some kind of nonalcoholic fruit cocktail, exactly what he would have 
ordered. The regulars got used to that.
	"So Darien, how's the hero business?" Katsuko inquired.
	That question had almost stopped Darien's heart the first time she 
had asked it. It turned out that she and the other regulars had been 
discussing heroes and who would make a good one. They'd decided he was 
the most likely candidate out of them all, so Katsuko had started out 
with that joke.
	"Quite at the moment, but then its been like that for a while," he 
returned.
	Katsuko snorted. "That's true. No strange attacks, no one 
collapsing to the ground, no mass hallucinations threatening to blow up 
Tokyo. All up, a quiet year. Poor Namoyi, no Scout sightings either."
	"Makes you wonder what they do in their spare time doesn't it?"
	Katsuko laughed. "Probably go back to being normal girls if 
they're smart. Go to school, get boyfriends. Speaking of which, how's 
your girlfriend?" The look she gave him told him she wouldn't let him get 
away with his usual evasions.
	"If I'm really unlucky she'll have left a few hundred messages on 
my answer phone." Katsuko raised her eyebrow. "She waiting for her exam 
results, and won't be happy that I wasn't in to talk to her about it."
	"Then what are you doing here? Go home boy. Even now the love of 
your life may be waiting for you to call her. Go, go!" Katsuko held her 
face completely serious, but laughter danced in her eyes.
	Darien laughed, then drained his drink. "Put it on my tab, will 
you?"
	"Okay, but remember this month's is due next Thursday."
	"Thanks for reminding me, I'll see you in a few days."
	As soon as Darien was gone Katsuko waved her waitress Junko over. 
The redheaded ball of energy bounced over to the bar. "Yes Katsuko?"
	"Junko, go ask Kerri at the desk to reserve a table for two all 
night tomorrow. Just tell her it's for any of my regulars who need it."
	Junko nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

*****

	Serena hadn't left any messages on Darien's answer phone that 
evening because she hadn't received her results. She had gone shopping to 
ease her tension.
	Serena pushed open the door, pulling off her shoes. She was about 
to call out to her family when she spotted a letter on the hall table 
with her name on it. She grabbed the letter and tore it open.
	Serena's mother and brother came out into the hall to investigate 
the loud thump. They found Serena sprawled out on the floor a piece of 
paper clutched in her hands.
	Serena's mother checked her over, then pulled the paper from 
Serena's hands. Moments after reading it she joined her daughter in a 
faint.
	Sammy rolled his eyes, then snatched up the letter. "Well, well, 
well, who'd have thought she'd actually do it?" he commented.

*****

	Lita put down the phone, shaking her head. She got all of three 
steps before the phone rang again.
	"Hello," she answered the phone.
	"Lita?" came Amy's voice.
	"Hi Amy, what's up?"
	"Did you just get a call from Serena?"
	"Yeah, amazing isn't it. I knew helping her study would pay off, 
but that much?"
	Amy was silent for a while. "You helped her too?" she inquired 
quietly.
	"Yes," Lita answered slowly.
	Amy started giggling. "Poor Serena, getting it from all of us."
	"Amy, what are you talking about?" Lita demanded.
	"You helped her, I helped her and I found out a few days ago that 
Raye helped her too. Serena was getting it from all three of us. Oh, we 
were so mean to her." Amy couldn't help giggling at this point.
	"Think Mina decided to study with her as well?" Lita asked.
	Amy stopped laughing. "Nah!" they answered together.

*****

	Darien grabbed the phone on its third ring. He raised the phone to 
his ear and was immediately blasted by Serena.
	"I passed Darien, I passed!" she cried. "And you won't believe how 
well I did, mom fainted when she saw it, you'll be so proud of me!"
	"Calm down, calm down. I'm proud of you. I guess all that studying 
did some good. Now you will remember to thank the others, won't you."
	Serena's voice went quiet. "I already have, sorry about calling 
them first, but dad was about."
	Darien remembered back to his last meeting with Serena's father. 
He could easily understand her caution. "That's okay honey, I understand. 
I tell you what, why don't I take you out for dinner to celebrate."
	"Yeay," cried Serena. "I'll go ask my parents." 
		Darien sighed as he heard the phone being put down, but 
waited patiently. It wasn't long before Serena came back.
	"They say its fine, as long as I'm back by ten o'clock."
	"Okay, I'll try and get us some reservations. I'll call you back 
to arrange a time to pick you up."
	"See ya!"
	"Bye." Darien hung up.

*****

	Kerri smiled as the pair entered through the front door. Darien 
was in one of his best suits, while Serena's white dress almost sparkled 
in its splendor. The only times they'd looked more regal were the times 
they had been Prince Darien and Princess Serena. Thankfully the only 
tiaras Serena owned were part of her Scout uniform.
	"Good evening Darien," Kerri greeted him.
	Darien smiled and returned the greeting.
	"I'm afraid your table isn't ready yet," Kerri told them.  "Would 
you mind waiting at the bar?"
	Darien slowly shook his head. "Do you think I could get away with 
not visiting the bar tonight?"
	Kerri gave a lilting laugh. "Not a chance."
	Serena gave Darien a quizzical look as they walked away.
	"I've been coming here regularly, for dinner or a drink on the way 
home since before I met you. They're a friendly bunch and familiar faces 
are always welcomed," he explained.
	"You could have told me!" she explained.
	Darien laughed as they stepped into the bar.
	A chorus of "Darien" from the bar greeted them. Somehow word of 
Darien's date with Serena had gotten around and a number of the regulars 
had decided to turn up. Darien was taken aback by the greeting, giving 
the group time to take in the sight of the couple.
	Darien laughed and guided Serena towards a pair of empty bar 
stools, conveniently situated in the very center of the bar. Serena sat 
nervous and the gaze of the six strangers.
	"Come on boy, introductions, introductions," cried Tashiro.
	Katsuko slammed a hand on the bar. "Introductions later. First, 
what are you two drinking?"
	Darien looked down at Serena. "Orange juice?" he inquired. She 
just nodded.
	"Too juices then," Katsuko vanished under the bar to reappear 
moments later holding a pair of glasses filled with orange juice. "Now 
then introductions, if for no other reasons than to settle your date 
down." Katsuko gave Serena one of her winning smiles. "Excuse us, but 
we're a noisy bunch and extracting information from Darien is like 
pulling teeth. Though I guess you've noticed that."
	Serena, finally relaxing shot Darien a glare worthy of Raye. "Yes, 
I have."
	"Hey introductions before we get sidetracked!" a burly man down 
the bar yelled. Many of the other patrons looked at him in disgust, he 
didn't notice.
	"Okay," breathed Darien. "Serena, this bunch are most of the 
Pigeon's Nest's regulars. The black hared European at the end is 
Dominique. She spends most of her time in here studying, waiting for her 
sister who works reception." Dominique waved her hand then went back to 
reading a book. "The old man next to her is Tashiro."
	"Old!" complained Tashiro. "I'm not old, just well aged. You and I 
should sit down sometime and swap stories about your boyfriend."
	"But make sure you have a few hours to spare first," the boy 
sitting between Darien and Tashiro announced. "Old Tashiro has some great 
stories to tell, if you have the time. I'm Aki by the way." He smiled at 
her.
	The burly man from the other end of the bar lent forward. "Hey 
Darien, I think Aki's after you're girl," he called. Serena and Aki both 
glared at him.
	"The loud mouth at the end of the bar is Ichiro. He's in the 
martial arts team at the university, and somewhat the tease. Don't worry 
about him, he's harmless," Darien continued.
	The tidy young man sitting next to Ichiro laughed. "You wouldn't 
say that if you'd seen him fight." He lent forward and turned to face 
Serena. "Hi, I'm Jiro, Ichiro's my twin, if you can believe that."
	Darien smiled. "Jiro's planning to become a doctor like Amy. But 
don't ask me which has a better chance, I could tell."
	The question "who's Amy?" came from various parts of the bar. 
Darien ignored it.
	"The young lady beside you is Namoyi. She's a Sailor Scout fan, 
and did all of that," Darien pointed past the bar to the Sailor Scout 
shrine on the wall.
	Serena's jaw dropped when she turned to look at the wall. She 
looked from the brunette sitting next to her to the wall and back.
	"You did that?" Serena asked. "You drew the pictures?"
	Namoyi nodded her head. "Every picture. Some of them I took from 
photos or drawings others had done, and a few come from descriptions, but 
the pictures are all mine."
	"That's amazing."
	Katsuko cleared her throat.
	Darien smiled at her. "And of course, you must meet Katsuko, who 
keeps the bar and the peace at the Pigeon's Nest."
	"Charmed." Katsuko bowed her head to Serena. "Darien you've 
forgotten to introduce someone," Katsuko pointed out in deadpan.
	"Who?" Darien asked in exaggerated shock.
	"Me, silly," Serena announced.
	Darien laughed. "Everyone, this is Serena, my girlfriend."
	There was a beep as Aki pushed the button on a stopwatch. He then 
passed it along to Dominique. Dominique looked at the pad in front of 
her, then the stopwatch and gave a sigh.
	"So who won?" Tashiro demanded.
	Dominique sighed again and pointed at Katsuko, who replied with a 
knowing smile.
	"You all bet on how long it would take me to introduce her?" 
Darien asked incredulously.
	"Just a friendly wager," Tashiro replied.
	"Which Katsuko won, as usual," Namoyi added.
	Darien laughed and everyone else joined in. After a few moments 
the laughter died down. A short while later the twins made their excuses 
and left and Aki's pager went off and he too disappeared. Tashiro spent a 
while trying to draw either Darien or Dominique into a conversation. 
Katsuko moved down the bar to fill some orders.
	Serena looked at Darien. "Why haven't you ever told me about this 
place?" she demanded sweetly.
	"I didn't think it's important," Darien replied.
	Serena laughed. "Oh, you." Serena looked around the room. "Was 
that all the regulars?"
	Darien laughed. "No, there are a few more, guess they didn't show 
up tonight."
	"How did you become a regular?" she asked.
	"As I said I stop by here most nights. The gang here drew me into 
their discussions, and shortly I was a regular."
	Namoyi leaned forward. "The biggest indication of your acceptance 
is when Katsuko starts serving you your drinks before you order them and 
you think of it as a convenience," she whispered.
	"I heard that," Katsuko declared from above them, causing all 
three to jump. "Darien, Serena, Kerri just called to say your table is 
ready."

*****

	Only the red flames that danced across the floor lighted the 
cavern. Shadows flickered upon the wall. The fuelless fire barely lit the 
dark corners of the room and cast everything in the room in a red light.
	The huge red skinned man behind the desk sat chin resting on hands 
and leathery wings extended. He had long ago been named Lucifer, and for 
millennia he and his people had been unable to carry out their duty with 
the mortals.
	That changed only a few days ago, as mortals measured time, when 
the portal to the middle realm had been reopened. Unfortunately scouts 
had discovered a very different realm out there. Most of worlds no longer 
bore life, and earth was a place so alien to them that they could no 
longer act in secret.
	Thankfully the humans no longer had the power to resist them. 
Tonight the first strike force would go through to the mortal world, to a 
place called Tokyo.

*****

	Serena gave Darien a loving smile when he glanced away from the 
road towards her. He smiled back at her then returned his concentration 
to driving.
	"I really enjoyed tonight. It was nice to meet some of your 
friends." Serena stretched out lazily. "Having dinner with you made it 
special though."
	"I feel the same way," Darien told her.
	"I'm so glad," Serena sighed.
	Suddenly Darien jammed on the car's brakes, throwing Serena 
forward in her seat. Ahead of them they could see people scrambling out 
of a park and across the road in fear. Darien looked down at Serena.
	"I think we should change and investigate, don't you?"
	Serena sighed, but nodded. "I'll call the scouts once we're 
inside."

*****

	Gort was a hulking brute of a devil. His black wings were still 
small, but at least he had wings, not like the pair of nothings he was in 
charge of. As yet no horns pointed from his brow, he was still not 
powerful enough for that honor. He was, however, powerful enough to 
introduce these puny normals to the wonders of their way of life.
	The two devils Lucifer had sent along under Gort's command could 
have been mistaken for large humans, if it wasn't for the red skin. They 
were so weak that all they were useful for was scaring the cowering 
mortals.
	Gort stalked over to the group his underlings had captured. Every 
so often one of the humans would slowly move away from the group, only to 
scurry back when one of the lesser devils lunged hissing.
	It was time to get to work. Gort stalked over to the group and 
grabbed one, a female. The women screamed as she was thrown to the ground 
some distance away. Gort roared and thrust out his arms. A scarlet beam 
of light shot from his arms and struck the woman, enveloping her in a 
sphere of red energy.
	The woman collapsed to the ground as a man burst from the crowd. 
"You bastard, what have you done to her?" the man demanded, striking
	The man found himself being picked by the throat. "I freed her, as 
I will do with you if you don't force me to kill you first," Gort hissed 
into his face.
	"Hey nega-scum, why don't you try bullying someone who can fight 
back," a strong feminine.
	The large demon turned to find a girl clothed in a skimpy dress 
and a young man dressed in formal attire. Gort was not impressed.
	"I am Sailor Moon. I fight for love and justice and in the name of 
Moon I'll punish you," Sailor Moon declared.
	She was deflated by the demon's laughter. "You," Gort declared, 
pointing at one of the lesser demons, "take care of Tuxedo guy. The girls 
mine!"
	Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon both jumped high into the air towards 
the demons, giving Gort a nasty surprise. As he landed Tuxedo Mask 
whipped out his cane, stabbing at Gort. At the same time Sailor Moon 
landed a flying kick to Gort's head. Gort staggered back from the 
combined attack as his wingless minion tackled Tuxedo Mask.
	Sailor Moon landed on the ground with a slight stumble. She turned 
to glance at Tuxedo Mask, in time to see him throw off the lesser devil 
and slash at him.
	"Sailor Moon, watch out!" the man Gort had grabbed yelled.
	Sailor Moon instinctively dived out of the way of one of Gort's 
energy beams. Sailor Moon wailed as she scrambled away from the devil's 
blasts. At a distance Tuxedo Mask easily dodged his opponent's blows, 
landing thrusts and strikes from his cane. He was unable to get the 
distance he needed to throw his roses.
	Gort and Sailor Moon were in a similar deadlock. He couldn't hit 
the chaotic wailing teen, and she was spending all her time dodging. 
Finally the stalemate was ended as Sailor Moon tripped over a tree root 
and dropped to the ground. She got to her feet, just in time to be struck 
by Gort latest bolt.
	Time seemed to slow for the reluctant heroine. She could see 
Tuxedo Mask fighting in the distance, his cane barely moving.
	'Why am I fighting?' Sailor Moon thought to herself. 'Why am I 
bothering to protect these people? I put myself on the line and what 
happens? I get no recognition except as some kind of legend. I can't keep 
up with my schoolwork, so I get blasted by mom, dad and my teachers. Why 
should I bother? Why shouldn't I act for me for once? Why am I 
responsible?!' she demanded in her thoughts
	She looked around. The man who had moments ago saved her life was 
sitting on the ground cradling the woman the devil had struck. A group of 
men and women, not as scared as they had been before her entrance.
	Sailor Moon closed her eyes. 'It's not my responsibility. I've 
seen my friends die once already. Let someone else do it! It's not my 
responsibility!' she yelled in the silent vaults of her mind.
	Then the memories started. Her romantic dinner with Darien. The 
new people she had met at bar, welcoming her without knowing her. Darien, 
Amy, Raye, and Lita saying how proud they were of her. Saving Reenie from 
the Dark Moon family. Finding out she would one day be Queen of Crystal 
Tokyo and Reenie was her daughter. Alan and Ann, saved and leaving to 
start their life anew. Helping Venus save the kids on the bus from the 
Cardian. Countless other lives touched by her actions. That was the 
point! That was what made it worthwhile!
	The red sphere vanished from around the heroine. Gort chuckled, 
believing his enemy defeated. Instead of falling to the ground she 
instead opened her eyes, and shifted into a combat stance
	"How?" Gort demanded. "How could you resist my spell?!"
	"She resisted because her spirit is strong," a new voice cried 
out. Everyone to face the voice.
	Floating in the air, long robes billowing in a nonexistent wind, 
was a cowled woman. Her robes were a mixture of grey and white and her 
face hidden deep in the darkness of her hood.
	"Born of void, brining light to the darkness, I am Astra, Warrior 
of the Ether." As she spoke Astra sank towards the ground, touching down 
lightly on the ground, robes still moving in 
	Gort stepped back in fear, though Sailor Moon couldn't guess why. 
"Y-you c-can't b-be, you died!" he cried.
	"Then let the dead pronounce judgment on the damned." She raised 
her arms wide. "WINDS OF MIDNIGHT!" As Astra's cried echoed into the air, 
the wind blowing her robes picked up, agitating them into greater 
movement. A dark wind blow from amongst the folds of her garments, 
striking Gort.
	Gort reacted by blocking his face with his arms, but it was 
obvious he was having trouble resisting the force of the concentrated 
blast of wind. Sailor Moon was still trying to figure out what was 
happening.
	"Sailor Moon, finish him!" Astra screamed.
	"Right!" Sailor Moon nodded then held her scepter above her head. 
"MOON SCEPTRE ELIMINATION!" Sailor moon sent the crescent of energy 
swooping in to the devil.
	Gort cried in agony as he was erased from existence. Moments later 
the two lesser devil vanished, leaving a trace of smoke hanging in the 
air.
	Astra turned to look at Sailor Moon, then turned to sweep over to 
the night's only casualty. She knelt beside the girl. "This woman is the 
only one which his spell touched?" she asked the man cradling the woman.
	"Other than Sailor Moon, yes," he replied shakily.
	"Good," Astra announced, then placed her hands in front of her and 
started chanting. Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask looked at each other, the 
walked over to stand over Astra. Both the victim and the strange woman 
were glowing softly.
	Finally Astra stopped chanting. "I have done what I can for the 
girl. Now only time can heal her."
	"Thank you."
	Astra got to her feet and faced the pair of heroes. She stood 
slightly taller than Tuxedo Mask, and towered over Sailor Moon. "You will 
have questions. Come away and I will answer them." Astra led them away 
from the unconscious girl and her lover. Once they were out of earshot 
Astra turned to them.
	"The creatures we faced are simply called devils. They are one of 
two ancient forces that seek domination in this world," she told them.
	"And you represent the other?" Sailor Moon asked.
	"No, I fight for us!"
	"Us?" Tuxedo Mask asked.
	"Humans."
	Sailor Moon frowned. "What was supposed to happen to me? What 
happened to that girl?"
	Astra shifted beneath her robes. "That spell is a form of mind 
control. It encourages you to become less caring, to throw off your 
responsibilities and think only of yourself. You lose all respect for 
others, including authority figures. Anarchy becomes your life. Free 
thought and free choice are a driving goal, and you join them in trying 
to convert the rest of the human race."
	Tuxedo Mask frowned. "That doesn't sound all bad."
	Astra sighed. "But it's all a lie. Enforced freedom is no freedom. 
Free choice without responsibility is chaos."
	"And the girl?" Sailor Moon indicated the woman lying not far 
away.
	"I gave her the ability to perceive her old life without her knew 
outlook. It is up to her and her loved ones to reassemble her life. I can 
literally do no more."
	"What of the other side?"
	"Order and control. No choice, no responsibility, no creativity. 
There is no future there either. Beware of them, do not let appearances 
deceive you." Astra looked around. "You friends arrive, I must go." With 
that Astra rose into the air and vanished into the distance.
	Moments later the rest of the scouts sprinted into view. They came 
to a halt seeing the aftermath of the battle and Sailor Moon and Tuxedo 
Mask standing there calmly.
	"Sailor Moon, what happened?" Sailor Jupiter demanded.
	"We have trouble Jupiter, and it's a long story," Sailor Moon told 
her.

-----------
Rarstarr,
David Farr
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~djfarr/
djfarr@ihug.co.nz