Of Stars And Love.

Chapter One:

Calm Before The Storm

Alzurath by now had lost most of his strength, as he has had nothing to eat since before the fight with hell. Despite his hunger, his will to find out what is going on kept him on his feet. Realizing he was beeing watched, he drew his sword: "Alright! Show yourself, I know you're here." A group of female warriors cloaked in black robes surrounded him.

One had a familiar hair style: "Sailor Moon? Usagi, is that you?" Sailor Mars revealed herself: "You dare to call her by name? Who are you, and what business do you have here?!" The Angel sheathed his sword: "Hey, take it easy Rei, don't you remember me? The name's Alzurath."

The Senshi took their hoods off, seeing that he wasn't a threat to them: "Alright, you don't seem to be from the moon kingdom. But I must ask you, what is your purpose here?" Rei was stern as ever. "Geeze. I guess that time warp I went through must've put me in the future…Then Ami wouldn't even recognize me…"

A girl with long blue hair stepped up to him. Her voice rang through his mind: "Excuse me. But, how do you know our names? We have never seen you before." Usagi placed her hand on Ami's shoulders: "Listen Ami, you can't be friendly with everyone one we meet. Last time that almost got us killed."

She shook her head: "Its alright my lady. I feel…something different about him…I can't really explain what it is." Becoming dizzy and light headed, Alzurath suddenly kneeled down: "Ami….Hey ladies, you wouldn't happen to have any food…I haven't had anything to eat since I defeated hell sixteen hours ago…"

They looked at each other: "Sixteen hours ago? You must be mistaken. The battle for hell was fought and won six hundred years ago." Jupiter said to him, slightly amused. "May I speak with him privately?" A Senshi with long green hair appeared behind them. Usagi nodded: "Sure Lady Pluto. We'll get some rations ready for him. He's pretty weak, though I don't know why."

The Senshi of time helped him up: "Thanks. Hey, I remember you. You were one of the outer Senshi, with Haruka and Setsuna correct?" He asked as the inner Senshi left. "Yes, Lord Alzurath. I am the guardian of time and space, Sailor Pluto." He sighed: "Well, maybe you then can help me figure out what's going on. Because the last thing I remember, was a big blue energy wave in the sky."

She smiled: "Sorry about causing you a hard time. That was me, something dire happened in the future, and I had to transport you here." "I saw Ami, but she didn't even recognize me…I hope her memory wasn't affected." Pluto sighed: "Sadly, that is not the Ami you know and love. The Ami you seek, is in the past. However, you cannot see her…not yet."

Alzurath didn't like the sound of that: "Why not? She's the only thing I care about right now. I'm worried about her, and I know she is concerned as well." "Do not worry about that Alzurath. She's been informed by Rei that you're okay, and unharmed." He scratched his head: "But…Wait, it can't be the same Rei who just lectured me."

Pluto crossed her arms: "No. Allow me to explain. There has been a tragic series of events in the past two years that have led the Senshi to exile. They were wrongfully blamed for the assassinations of Queen Serenity and King Endymion. No one will give them a chance to explain, all the court wants is their blood spilled. That forced me to create two separate reincarnations of the fallen Senshi. The ones that you know, are in the past exactly two years before this event took place."

Alzurath shook his head: "Oh…So you basically want me to go back in time and stop all that from happening. But, when will I be allowed to see Ami, and be with her again?"

Pluto gazed up at the stars: "There will be a dramatic battle in one week. The Ami that you see here, and the rest of the Senshi, will die. There is nothing I can do to change it. Only then, will you be able to have contact with your Ami in the past. I must stress that you cannot interfere with the timeline, until then. Even as the present Ami gets killed. If you do, something irreversible will be put in motion, that will endanger the life of the Ami you actually love."

"Okay….Geeze that's harsh. Just let me know what and when you want me to do this. I'll accomplish whatever's necessary to get back to her." Usagi came up to him: "Hey. We have a fire going and some food ready. Follow me back to the underground cave, where we hide out." Pluto bowed to the future lord of Heaven: "Well, then. I think I'll take my leave. You will know when to make your move Alzurath."

He managed a smile and waved to her, but said nothing as he watched her vanish. Alzurath followed Usagi into the Senshi's hide out, he ate and then began to sharpen his sword. The blade had gotten a little dull, from the amount of contact it had received in previous engagement. He and Ami's eye's met several times that night, she just couldn't shake the feeling that she knew him from somewhere.

"So, what's your story?" the blue haired girl asked the next morning. The Angel looked at her. She was slightly different in appearance than the Ami he knew. Her hair was longer, down to her waist, and slightly wavier. She also wore a small pair of reading glasses most of the time. "My story…Well, it's a long and complicated one." She smiled: "That's alright. I've got plenty of time, and I like complicated things."He noticed an old book on quantum physics laying next to her. He couldn't help but to laugh: "Yeah. I can see that. You know, you remind me of someone very dear to me, in more ways than one." She nodded: "I feel the same way about you, but I just can't figure out what it is." Rei came up to her: "Ami. You know you shouldn't be this friendly to a stranger. For all we know he could have ties to the Moon Kingdom."

Usagi disagreed: "I don't think so Rei-chan. He seems nice enough, and I believe that he is of no harm to us. Why are you always so hard on Ami?" So, and uneasy friendship began the Senshi of the Future. The days wore on, with Alzurath patiently waiting for the signal from Sailor Pluto.

On the sixth day, he was on guard duty when he noticed several flaming arrows bearing down on him. He jumped and rolled out of the way in time, but just barely. He saw several units on horseback coming towards him: "Curse it all. Everyone! We're under attack, get ready!"

And in the same instant, there was a blinding flash of blue light.

Everything froze, and went black. Alzurath stood up: "Oh man. My head. I really wish that things would stop happening so suddenly." He got up, and looked down in horror as the Senshi get slaughtered. He heard a voice behind him: "Sorry that you had to watch that lord Alzurath. Are you ready for your task?"

He sighed frustrated: "Yeah, but I'm not too enthusiastic about it after watching my friends beeing killed and girlfriend getting speared in the neck." Pluto tried to comfort him: "Listen, I know it was hard, but you did good in not interfering with fate. Now, are you ready to take revenge, and prevent this from actually happening?"

He nodded: "Yes. Whose throat must my blade pierce? I yearn for this bastard's blood to be spilled." She smiled, seeing the rage in his eyes. Pluto knew now that he was serious, and was committed to what needed to be done. "So be it my lord. Remember, only after you kill him. That is when you'll be able to see her again. Keep an eye on Queen Serenity's balcony at midnight"

She gave him a final bow and opened up the gate of time. He appeared just before the gates to Neo Crystal Tokyo. Alzurath was completely cloaked in a brown robe, The two gate guards were alarmed, because they could not see his face. However, they did not draw their weapons. "Young warrior. What business do you have here in Crystal Tokyo?"

The Angel looked at them and replied calmly: "I am merely a traveler looking for a place to turn in for the night. My life is not of your concern. Will you let me pass?" The guards looked at each other with suspicion, but bought his story. "Alright. You may enter. Tonight's a special one, there's a large party being thrown for the Queen and King's anniversary. Be sure to check out some of the activities at the Castle before you leave. I just wish I wasn't stuck on guard duty this hour."

Alzurath waved at them as they let him through: "Thank you for the information. I appreciate it." The sights and sounds of celebration was evident in every doorway. He looked around, this city was unlike anything of the Tokyo in his time. Buildings were beautifully carved out of various kinds of stone, and the streets were artistically paved with marble.

Perhaps the most magnificent structure though, was the towering, awe striking Neo Crystal Castle. Standing on the front bridge, he stared upwards as far as he could see. "According to Pluto, King Endymion and Queen Serenity's room is on the top level of the castle. Hmmm. It's too awkwardly built for me to climb. I'm going to have to find my way up from inside." Alzurath thought to himself.

He shrugged: "Well, since it's only 7:30, I might as well get something to eat and kill some time." A maid overheard him: "Ah! Another guest as arrived! Would you like me to take you to the Dinning Hall?" she asked, her voice was cheery. "Uh…Sure…" was all he could reply, stunned by her sudden approach and upbeat personality.

Thus he followed her into dining room. After he had eaten, and a few hours of rest, he had noticed a strange figure, shrouded in a black cape. An eerie feeling crossed over Alzurath as it headed up the stairs, toward the room of King Endymion and Serenity. He placed his hand on his sheath, but thought better of it: "I can't make a scene here. I'd better head up the other way and intercept him just before he strikes."

Alzurath tossed a five dollar coin a couple of feet away from the guard. While he was distracted, the Angel used the opportunity to slip up the winding stairs undetected. He thought to himself amused as he made his way up: "Man. The oldest trick in the book. Good thing they haven't thought of Security Camera's yet. I should be coming up to the top floor here soon."

He paused just before the doorway when he heard a familiar voice: "Oh Rei. I hope he's alright. Its been a week since that skirmish with hell, and no one's heard from him." Alzurath's heart skipped a beat: "I can't let her see me…Not yet. Damn it." He heard a scream. Alzurath rushed into the room: "Am I too late?!"

Ami and Rei stared at him as he ran to the balcony. The figure was cornering the King and Queen, about ready to make the death blow. It was a good seven foot gap to their balcony from this one. Alzurath's longest sand jump in high school was eight feet. Using his speed, the Angel launched himself over the gap.

Landing hard on his ankle, he rolled in front of them and drew his sword just in time to block the assassination attempt. "Are my lady and lordship alright?!" he said has he threw the creature back into the wall. Princess Usagi looked at him: "Alzurath?! Where've you been? Ami's worried sick about you!" The King made her leave: "My daughter, now's not the time! We're fine Lord Alzurath. We'll get out of harms way and let you handle this." He said as the royal family ran out of the room.

The demon tried finish his mission but Alzurath blocked it's way. "And just where do you think you're going? You will really screw things up for me and my girlfriend in the Future. I ain't about to let that happen!" he yelled as they clashed blades. Their swords met several times with fierce blows, each warrior determined to strike the other down. Rei held Ami back as she saw what was happening: "Remember! Not until he kills it can you go to him!"

Reluctantly, she held back her emotions and watched. By now she and the rest of the Senshi had arrived to defend their King, Queen, and Princess in case Alzurath should fail. The Angel dodged an attack and saw his opening. He drove his blade deep into the monster's flesh, the beast let out a scream before his scarred body faded into ashes.

He knelt down as the threat was finally over: "Ow…I think I may have broken my ankle when I landed on it." Ami knocked Rei over, ran to and hugged him: "Oh my….I thought something terrible happened to you! Oh Alzurath…I'm so glad you're alive!" she cried, tears of joy flowing from her eyes.

Everyone smiled as they watched the two lovers. Makato looked at Usagi and grinned: "They're finally reunited. It's over." Rei, though happy for them, had a serious tone of voice: "Not yet. There's one thing left they have to do. It'll go against everything we and the current system stand for. I've already decided to follow and stay true to them until the end."

Usagi was concerned: "Rei…What do you mean?" Mars shook her head: "Now's not the time to discuss it. Lets just celebrate their reunion and enjoy the King and Queen's anniversary party tonight." Meanwhile, in the empty space of the time gate, Pluto grinned. "So. It appears our mission was a success." she spoke relieved.

Haruka nodded: "Yes. The threat to the future is now eliminated thanks to Alzurath. However, a new saga will begin that'll test not only the strength of Ami and Alzurath's bond; But it will test the sheer will and beliefs of both Heaven and the Moon Kingdom."

Sets laughed: "Oh man. You certainly know how to dampen the mood. I'd say we have some fun tonight as well. How about we join the others at Crystal Palace?" The guardian of time chuckled: "Even if it is just the calm before the storm, at least it'll be an enjoyable one."