My story is based on the manga, not the anime. The following prologue takes place after the Senshi lost their ability to transform in the Dream Arc (the one with the Amazon Quartets, in case you're not familiar with the name).

Prologue

"Venus Planet Power! Make up!"

Nothing happened. Again.

"Just saying it over and over again is not going to bring our power back, Mina."

Minako glanced over to the Fire Senshi, an irritated look blooming on her face. It was certainly more feasible than their constantly wishing for the Outer Senshi to be here, when clearly they were not and could not be, she thought. Now was the time more important than ever for them, as a team, to show that they can protect their Prince and Princess just fine. After all, it was the Inner Senshi who were entrusted with this task. The Outer Senshi were already occupied with missions of their own, weren't they not? Thus it should be they who would confront and defeat the new enemy, without any help from the Outer Senshi, or anyone else, Minako was determined.

There was only one problem. None of them could use their power. A product of the enemy's sabotage, no doubt.

"If you have a better plan, do share it with us," Minako huffed.

"You know I wouldn't be sitting here if I did. I just don't want you to keep wasting your energy like that," Rei said with a heavy sigh. Everyone had all been stressed out ever since their powers were disabled, but Minako obviously had taken it much harder.

"Rei's right. You should... calm down a bit, Mina," Ami commented, with a faint hint of nervousness in her voice. "And I think there is something that might help right now." She glanced back and forth between her friends, anxiously waiting for their reactions, especially the one from her leader.

"What is it, Ami? Why aren't you saying it then?" asked Makoto, gently rubbing her eyes. It was nearly midnight and they had been at it for hours without any progress. Ami had searched their computer database in and out for any sign of helpful information. Rei had spent hours meditating by her sacred flame. And Minako...

Ami peeked over to Minako but avoided direct contact with her eyes, and hesitantly she spoke, "Some of you may disagree with me but I think it's time we asked them for help." She played the pronoun game.

"Please tell me you're not saying who I think you're saying," Minako pleaded, shutting her eyes in frustration. She wouldn't make a scene if Ami would just say the Outers' names again, but Minako knew better than that. And painfully, she waited for the words to come.

"We should tell the Shitennou and ask for their assistance," Ami said in a single breath, then quickly looking over to Makoto for backup. "What do you guys think?"

There was dead silence in the room for a moment, before Minako finally snapped.

"Am I that undependable of a leader? That you would rather turn to those... those..." she struggled for the right words, but then decided to just drop it.

"Calm down, Mina. We're not questioning your leadership. You know we're not. But this is clearly something we can't bear alone, now that both our Prince's and Princess's lives are at stake. I agree with Ami. I think they can help, or at least be willing to help." Minako could see a faint blush flashing on Makoto's cheeks before she quickly downed that cup of water.

"I see your recent time spent with them has certainly changed your view," Minako sneered, somewhat bitterly. "What help can they bring anyway, when they haven't even controlled their own powers properly?" Also, they could turn back to their evil selves at any moment for all she knew.

Though Minako had not yet brought out that card, her friends all knew it was coming.

"I think Zane could definitely give us more thoughtful insight and perhaps research. You haven't seen his brain at work. It's amazing." Ami lips were slowly forming a smile without her noticing it.

"And maybe Nathan could study the stars to see if they have any answers for us," Makoto chimed in.

It was clear to Minako that two of her Senshi were becoming a lost cause. As the Senshi of Love, she would not blame them, but as their leader, she would not condone such behavior, letting personal feelings get in the way of duty.

"Well, I'll give you my answer. No, I'm sorry but I still don't think we can trust them. Who knows if they won't fall under the control of our new enemy... whoever he or she is," Minako said staunchly.

"Are you listening to yourself right now? You're not even being reasonable," Makoto argued.

"And not good enough as your leader, is that what you're saying?" she slashed out.

"Look. Mina, what is this really about?" asked Makoto, softening her tone. Makoto knew she was touching a sensitive spot. "You know that's not the real reason you're refusing to co-operate with them."

Minako said nothing as her gaze dropped to the side, secretly knowing that her friend was speaking the truth.

"Rei, you've been rather quiet. What is your opinion on this?" asked Ami.

Ami knew Rei was pretty much on board with Minako regarding their persistent suspicion and distrust of the reincarnated Shitennou, but she also trusted the fire priestess to make a rational judgement for their current situation. Perhaps that was why she had been so quiet.

"I agree with Ami and Makoto. Since this also concerns their Prince, it will be impossible to leave the Shitennou out anyway. They might already be planning something as we speak. It's better that we all work together," Rei said, staring down at her own reflection in the tea cup. "Sorry, Mina. Three against one."

If Minako was surprised and upset by Rei's 'betrayal', she didn't let it show. Taking a breath to regain her composure, she spoke.

"Fine. But I won't be the one to ask them."

"I'll do it!"

"I'll do it."

Makoto and Ami said almost instantaneously, at which Minako let out a groan and dropped her head to the table.

"Nice job, CereCere," spoke a delighted female voice.

"Without their powers, now they won't be able to get in our way. Oh, and just look at how they're freaking out," another voice chimed in, laughing triumphantly.

"I don't know, JunJun. If the rumors are true and they are indeed the legendary guardians from the Silver Millennium, we'd better not be underestimating our enemies."

Four pairs of malicious eyes gazed down at the hand mirror, whose reflection was showing the Inner Senshi, still in their heated debate.

"Yes... we'd better not," the leader of the group spoke, a sinister smile creeping on her feature. "And I think I know just the coup de grâce."

The scene on the mirror slowly changed to a different place, where four men were currently watching a game of football.

End of prologue

A/N: (coup de grâce = the finishing blow)

If you were wondering why I chose this particular arc and not Black Moon or Infinity, here it is. For starters, I feel that in this arc the Inner Senshi had more backstory and development; secondly, it centered on Mamoru's Golden Crystal and Elysion- all the more reason for the Shitennou to shine. (and lastly, it's my second-favorite arc after Dark Kingdom xD)

I know I shouldn't be writing this just yet since I have two other series waiting to be finished, but I couldn't resist the urge, and also because SM Crystal makes me so sad. The Shitennou deserve some overdue justice.

Thank you for reading!