Shadow Moon

Dragon Lady

Ch.3 Guardians

Disclaimer: Okay, so I don't own Sailor Moon * pouts *, but that doesn't mean that I can't play around with their lives and mess with everyone else's head, so there.

Author: Okay, this is the next chapter in the Shadow Moon Saga, and for once, it's short! I hope everyone enjoys it!

"She's a…" Sailor Moon stutters, struggling to finish the sentence. The other scouts just stare at Altera in shocked silence.

"Wait a minute," Sailor Mercury says to herself. "You're the one who saved us in the alley last night!"

Sailor Pisces turns and smiled. "Yup, that was me. You looked like you were having a little trouble so I decided to give you a hand."

"Are you finished yet?" the monster asks.

Sailor Pisces turns toward him. "Not quite. Dark Torrent!"

The area goes black. Pisces holds up a glowing blue ball that lights up her upper body. Then, she raises the ball above her head and throws it at the monster's feet. Where the ball hits the floor, dark water rises and surrounds the monster.

The monster gasps and is sent to the floor, kneeling. He leans heavily on his sword, using it for support.

"Sailor Moon, I leave the rest to you," Pisces says.

"Of course. Moon Heart Ace!"

The monster's body turns to dust after Sailor Moon's attack. Sailor Moon lets her scepter fall to her side, her hands barely grasping it as she turns to Pisces.

"Altera, just who are you?"

Pisces sighs. "It's a long story which can wait until we get out of these fukus (hope i spelled that right) and into some actual cloths. I also need to make a phone call."

"So, are you going to tell us what's going on?" Mina asks. The girls are once more gathered in Rei's house, sitting in the room where half an hour ago, they had been studying. The girls are all sitting around the center table while Luna and Artimis are resting on a pair of pillows.

"Be patient Mina. I think I know where Altera's going with this, but I'd still rather wait. I know who you wait for Altera, and you a right to do so," Luna says.

"Thank you, and don't worry, I will tell you everything later."

In about five minutes, a light tapping can be heard from outside. Rei stands up and opens the door. A bright light comes streaking through the room and settles on Altera's shoulder.

"What is that!" Mina asks in surprise.

The thing on Altera's shoulder clears its throat. "My name, Mina, is Renasoramos…"

Altera grasps the tiny figure in her hands, stifling the sound of its voice. "Don't get her started. Her name is Rena and she is a fairy as well as my guardian."

"A fairy! But that's impossible? How can they exist?" Ami asks.

Rena flies over to her, landing on her nose, arms crossed a look of annoyance on her face. "What, you believe in talking cats, magical powers, and people from other planets, but you have a hard time believing that fairies exist! Is this how I'm supposed to understand this?"

"I'm sorry," Ami says, taken aback. "I just never imagined…"

"Yeah, everyone make fun of the little speck! Why not, we can't do anything, were not real. Well let me tell you something…"

"ENOUGH!" Luna screams, annoyed. "Rena, Ami didn't mean to insult you. Now, I assume that everyone in this room wants an explanation."

Everyone but Rena and Altera nod, amazed at Luna's outburst.

"I thought so. Now, as you know, the negaverse attacked the Moon Kingdom and left it in ruins. Many fought and died in that battle. The actual battle lasted three years, and took place on many other fields besides the moon. For the first year, the queen's forces kept them at bay, but they were too many and we too few. Queen Serenity, unwilling to order the princesses into battle, called upon their guardians. There were originally twelve in all. These scouts were granted their powers from the star constellation whose name they bore as well as from the planet that they guarded. Their soul purpose was to guard Princess Serenity and her court. The guardians fought bravely against the negaverse, but to no avail. They too fell to the evil queen and her forces. Queen Serenity sent what was left of them to Earth just as she sent the rest of you, but judging from Altera's late appearance, not to the same place."

Altera nods. "Yes, and not just place, but time as well."

Luna looks at her, stunned.

"My family has been sailor scouts for generations. The transformation ring I war on my hand has been passed down from mother to daughter for two hundred years.

"Well, I suppose that explains why you knew about your identity." Artimis piped up from the corner.

Ami has a puzzled look on her face and her brow is slightly furrowed. "Luna, are all of these guardians named after the signs of the Zodiac?"

Luna sits for a moment and then says, convincingly, "Yes, I believe so, why?"

"No reason, just curious. Altera, do you know how many more of you there are, how many survived?"

"I'm sorry, no I don't. I have no clue how many survived. As far as I know, I'm the only one."

Artimis yawns and stretches carefully. "Well, if there are more, we'll probably be seeing them very soon now that the negaverse is back in full force."

"He's probably right," Lita says. "It's amazing how trouble always seems to find us."

Serena stands up and walks to Altera. "Well, I guess the only thing left to say is, Altera, welcome to the group!"

Author: Told you it wasn't as long. Not one of my best, by far, but it does give you some background info. That, and I'm just too tired to make this more interesting. 4:00 in the morning is not the best time to write a fanfic (give me caffeine!!!) Anyway, the next chapter if much more exciting and I'll also be starting the romance part of the saga. However, if I don't get more reviews, you may never see it, so REVIEW!!!!!!!