First of all I'd like to thank everyone who has read, reviewed, and favorited this story. There's more to come so please stay tuned.

We all have masks that we wear. However there must also come a time where we remove those masks in order to gain the trust of those who would be our allies.

A new player has taken the stage.

"Yes my lord, this 'Ace of Hearts' appears to have allied himself with the others."

He is not the only one. All over the planet similar individuals are appearing.

"Their emergence seems to coincide with our arrival in the system."

Correlation does not imply causation. These emergences are new, however further analysis of the subjects suggests the potential for this outbreak existed previously.

"What about the possibility of temporal interference?"

Possible, however unlikely. It has been some time since the last temporal distortion around this system, and the direction of those distortions run opposite of those required for such a theory.

"As predicted they were able to destroy the probe as well."

Removing the core was a surprisingly intelligent solution, despite the Class-5's shortcomings such a feat is not easily accomplished. I believe the time for probes may be at an end, first-hand knowledge is required.

"Surely you don't mean... yourself?"

Nothing so drastic as that. Not yet at least. An Avatar should suffice for the time being.

"I shall see to it at once, My lord."

Excellent.

"Ace of Hearts and Apollo Knight." Joe said as he tossed Shingo a newspaper. "Can you believe this stuff?"

"Makes no sense, I know."

"Actually it makes perfect sense," The dark-haired youth explained. "We had guys like this in the States, all over. Seemed like every big city had at least one."

"You're kidding, right?" Shingo raised an eyebrow. He had never heard about superheroes being anywhere except Japan, and then only the Sailor Scouts and Tuxedo Mask.

"Hell no," Joe said, "In fact I think this Ace guy used to work out there. I remember hearing about him when we were California but never saw him myself."

"This is all news to me..."

"Like I said, I've been all over. You'd be surprised how much news you get just from moving around a lot."

Shingo simply stared ahead thoughtfully.

"Anyway," Joe said, eying his friend, "None of this explains why we had to dash out of school and skip rehearsal." As soon as class ended for the day Shingo raced out the door rather than to the music club room like he normally did. Joe followed out of his own curiosity.

"I have somewhere I have to be this afternoon. There's no reason for you to come along."

"Never could resist a mystery. But I think I figured it out, seeing as how we're headed to your sister's school, and the only reason you have to go there is because of a certain classmate of hers who happens to be way too smart for that entire school, yet inexplicably stays there, I'm inclined to ask you what Ami Mizuno's up to today." Joe said with a smarmy grin on his face.

"If you really must know, she's on the swim team and has a meet today." Shingo answered through gritted teeth. Usagi took great relish in telling Joe about the crush he harbored for Ami when he was a kid. They then found some common ground as the both loved giving him grief about it.

"I see, so it's all about seeing Miss Mizuno in her bathing suit. Too bad it's a standard school number."

Shingo laughed. "Dude, I've already seen her in far better, like, a thousand times. Who do you think has to carry all their crap when the whole crew of them want to go to the beach?"

"See? There are perks to being the younger sibling, your sister's hot friends being four of them."

"It's not like that, really." The sandy-haired boy insisted. "They're okay, don't get me wrong, but Ami's really the only one that I consider my friend too. She treats me like an equal rather than some goofy kid."

"The blonde one seems nice."

"Yeah, Minako." Shingo said running his hand through his hair, "I dunno, all of a sudden she's gotten really friendly too. It's kinda weird."

"She likes you, man. Run with it."

"No way."

"Way," Joe said, "I've seen the way she looks at you, the same way a bunch of other girls at our school look at you: Like you're the last slice of pizza left in the cafeteria and they all skipped breakfast. You're just too stupid to see you for yourself and moon over some other girl."

"I do not "moon over" anyone!"

"Whatever." Joe said smugly.

"Are you really sure you wanna follow me?" Shingo said, desperately trying to change the subject, "Mamoru will most likely be there too."

"I don't really care." Joe said stiffly. "He can do whatever the hell he wants."

Shingo sighed. "You two have issues."

Ami Mizuno twisted and glided through the water, oblivious to the other bodies around her. Her athletics teacher convinced her to join the swim team not only to help boost their performance in a downward season, but also because extracurriculars look good on college applications. Anyone who knew her though knew that mostly she did it for herself. Ami loved the water so much she was practically a mermaid.

Her friends cheered her on from the stands, she practically had her own section. There were her classmates and Raye, but also Mamoru, Shingo, and even Joe had come to see her win. Once it became obvious she was going to win they roared even louder.

"So what are you gonna do now?" Joe nudged his friend.

"What are you talking about?" Shingo asked.

"You gonna ask her out or not? You're not going to get a better chance."

"What!" Shingo's voice cracked. He tried to shrink down in his seat as the other spectators stared at him.

"Shingo, if I could offer some sisterly advice," Usagi leaned over his shoulder, "I think Joe has a point, go for it. The worst that can happen is that she says 'no,' and that would be fun for me at least."

"Your sincerity is touching." He grumbled.

"Oh! You should ask her to The Boardwalk, very romantic." Makoto suggested.

"Isn't that the place with the carnival games and the Ferris wheel and is always really loud and overcrowded?" Shingo asked.

"Yup!"

"Huh."

Shingo was rescued when Ami trotted over to her friends in the stands. Everyone piled down to greet and congratulate her on her victory. Shingo however hung back.

"Thanks, everyone," She smiled, "It means a lot that you all came out to see me."
"Oh Ami, you know we wouldn't miss it for anything!" Usagi said.

Shingo suddenly found himself dragged to the front of the small crowd to face Ami.

"Uh... hi!" He said shyly. "You're really something, were really something. In the race, I mean." He felt like a idiot stuttering over his words now when he had always been able to talk to her before. Was it his imagination or was everyone staring at him? Dammit, this is too much pressure!

"Thank-you Shingo, that's sweet." She smiled back at him.

"In fact!" He said, louder than he intended, "We should celebrate, How about we go to The Boardwalk tonight? All of us!" He added at the last minute.

"That sounds wonderful, what do you guys say?"

Excuses flowed from the gathered teenagers, homework, chores, and mysteriously unexplained prior engagements seemed the most popular.

"Well then, I guess it's just the two of us." Ami said cheerfully as she headed for the showers. "I'll meet you at seven."

Shingo merely grinned stupidly and waved as he watched her walk away

"Way to go, loverboy!" Joe said, grabbing his friend in a headlock and mussing his hair. The others joined him in congratulating Shingo on his victory.

"My lord, your avatar is ready."

Excellent, were you able to fit it with a cloaking device?

"Regrettably sire, we were unable to modify one to be compatible with the avatar's specifications, the best we could manage was a Chameleon device. I assure you that the locals will not know you from any other human."

That will suffice. Have you programmed the avatar with the solar energy signatures we are searching for?

"Of course my lord."

Then I shall begin my observations as soon as we make planetfall.

"Good luck, sire.

Shingo stood in front of the mirror of the small bathroom he shared with his sister, desperately trying to make his hair do something other than stick out at odd angled like usual. He had already showered, shaved, and brushed his teeth. Twice. This was all that was left for him to kill time with until he was supposed to go meet Ami.

"You're fighting a losing battle there." His sister leaned against the door of the bathroom, a smug grin on her face."

"What about all that homework you had to do?" Shingo asked sarcastically. "I thought that was why you couldn't come along."

"You are my homework, little brother. What kind of big sister would I be if I didn't make sure you were ready for your big date."

"It's not a date." He said defensively. "We're just going to The Boardwalk, eat some junk food, play a rigged game or two and hang out."

"And you're planning on wearing that?"

"Why?" He said nervously, "Is there something wrong with the way I'm dressed?" He looked down at his red t-shirt and jeans. Was he dressed to casually? Should he have worn something nicer?

"Well, not necessarily..." His sister said indecisively.

Shingo scowled when he realized that she was teasing him and shoved his way past her and out the door. Usagi continued following him down the stairs and to the foyer where he grabbed his jacket and knelt down to tie his sneakers. "You know, you could have been some actual help, seeing as how Ami is your friend and all, but no. You decided to make fun of me instead. So now instead of getting you something nice from The Boardwalk I'm going to take that money and blow it on myself. See ya later." He slammed the door as he left.

Usagi counted to ten in order to give him time to make it down the street before rushing to the phone to call Minako. "Mina? Yeah, it's me. He just left, let's do it!"

Shingo parked his bike near the entrance and was sure to lock it securely. Joe was waiting for him by the gate.

"What are you doing here?" Shingo asked, "I thought you had homework."

"Finished it." His friend said smugly. "Thought maybe I'd go out for a walk and my feet just seemed to bring me here."

"Joe, the base is on the other side of town."

"It was a long walk."

"Don't you have anything better to do than give me grief?" Shingo grumbled.

"Not at the moment." Joe was highly amused.

"Look, either go inside or go away. I don't want you here when Ami arrives."

"That hurts man, and I came all this way to offer my support too."

"Just beat it, will you?" Shingo said, desperately trying to steer him into the park. "She'll be here any minute!"

"Okay, okay." Joe said "I just have one question: Will you still respect her in the morning?"

"Get out of here!"

It wasn't long after shoving Joe through the gate that Ami approached the entrance herself. She had dressed up a little more than Shingo in a very flattering blouse and skirt combo.

"Wow..." Shingo mumbled to himself as she walked up to him.

"Did you say something?" She asked him.

"Me? No! Nothing at all..." He lied. "Shall we?"

The walked through the gates and Shingo was relived to see that Joe was nowhere in sight. As a matter of fact there was no one else in sight either. It was totally dead.

"Wow, slow night..."

"Good, that means we have the place to ourselves." Ami said as she gently wrapped her arm around his.

Back near the entrance Joe stepped out of the shadows and whistled loudly. Usagi, Makoto, Raye, and Minako sneaked through the gates.

"Geez, I thought she'd never get here, thanks Joe." Usagi said, giving him a high five.

"Wow, it's been a long time since we've done this," Minako said. "Last time I think we were spying on Us-"

"Mina!" Raye snapped.

"Looks like they're headed over to some of the game stalls." Makoto said.

"Oh that old cliche!" Joe said. "Well, who wants to watch our boy possibly crash and burn?"

"I'm in!" Usagi said enthusiastically.

"Man, with friends like that..." Makoto whispered to the other girls.

"Don't take him too seriously," Mina explained, "Guys are like that. Even if Shingo gets mad he'll get over it and they'll be friends again by Monday."

"Huh, weird." Raye said, following the others.

Shingo and Ami strolled idly through the game stalls, chatting casually and laughing at private jokes.

This is more like it. Shingo thought. This is the way it's always been, easy. Suddenly Ami stopped and tugged on Shingo's sleeve.

"We're not alone." She said.

"They didn't!" He groaned.

"I'm afraid so," She whispered.
"I swear to god, I will kill all of them. Joe and Usagi extra-painfully."

"I'd settle for simply getting rid of them, but how?"

Shingo looked down the lines of game stalls until he found just what he needed. "I think I have an idea..."

"Where'd they go?" Usagi whined. "It was just getting juicy."

"Calm your meatballs..." Joe said as he craned his neck trying to see where they went. "The couldn't have gotten far."

"They're right around the corner!" Mina reported. "Looks like they stopped to play a game."

The five of them peeked around the corner of a food stall, ignoring the dirty looks they got from the vendor. They argued and shoved for position so much it was amazing the whole park didn't come to see what the commotion was.

"What are they playing?"

"I can't see!"

"Look at all the cute prizes!"

"Still can't see!"

"Quite shoving!"

The next thing they knew all of them got a jet of cold water smack in the face! Shingo and Ami had turned the tables on the would-be date crashers and turned the water pistols of a horse-racing themed game on their friends. The teens coughed an sputtered and tried their best to escape the torrent and by the time they finally shook all the water out of their eyes the pair were gone, laughing all the way.

"That was brilliant, Shingo!" Ami giggled once they were sure they were alone.

"Nah, you learn little tricks like than being the little brother all your life." He insisted. "When you're smaller you have to be sneakier and slicker in order to get by."

"Well, what now? Something to eat?

"Sounds great!"

However there seemed to be some sort of commotion over at the food stands.

"Where is the bearer of the Starheart?" A flat, emotionless voice came from the center of it all. He held a vendor by the neck, lifting him clear off the ground. "I have no desire to resort to violence, but will should you refuse to cooperate."

"Oh crap..." Shingo groaned.

"... Not again!" Ami said under her breath.

"I have to go to the bathroom, be right back!" They both said at the same time while dashing in opposite directions.

"Anyone? No? What a pity... I do apologize for this"

"Solar Cannon!"

"Ice Javelin!"

Almost simultaneously the attacker was hit with both a bright golden blast and gigantic shards of ice, causing him to drop his prisoner.

"If you're looking for a fight, you found it!" A young man's voice called from above the crowd

"How dare you- What? Apollo Knight?"

"Sailor Mercury?"

"What are you doing here?" They both asked at the same time.

"AT LAST!" Their mystery man thundered as he rose to his feet. "You bear the Starheart!" he pointed to Apollo.

Unfortunately he was largely ignored as the two costumed individuals were much too busy talking to each other.

"I thought your powers don't work at night?"

"How is it everywhere I go you're there?"

"I was here first!"

"Excuse me." It was they mystery attacker, He grabbed Apollo by the shoulder and bodily turned him around to face him. "You will either surrender the Starheart to me or you will accompany me back to my ship for further study."

"Excuse me, but I was talking to the lady!" Apollo punctuated his reply with a uppercut that sent his opponent flying over the heads of the gathered crowd, over the game and food vendors until he flew out of site. A loud splash indicated the location of his landing.

"See? It's stuff like that!" Mercury said. "The last two times we met your powers weakened when the sun set. The sun's been down for awhile and you can still fly, fire blasts from your hands, and punch a guy across the block?"

"I've been sunbathing." He answered sarcastically, "Do you really think now is the time to get into this?"

"Trust me, it most definitely is not." Their dance partner was back, and he didn't look pleased.

"Who the hell are you, anyway?" Apollo asked.

"My designation is Deep Twelve, Controller of the Twelfth deep-space exploration wing."

"What business do you have here?" Mercury demanded, "This planet and its peoples are protected!."

"I have come seeking the Starheart, you will surrender it to me."

"What is a Starheart?" Mercury asked.

"Surely you must know, you have accessed it's powers."

"'Fraid not." Apollo said.

"What a pathetic planet this is..." Deep Twelve said. "The Starheart is an artifact of great power. It is said that it is the final component in the Hand of Fate."

"Wait a minute, what's the hand of fate?" Apollo demanded. "Oh god, it's worse than coming into an anime series halfway through..." He muttered under his breath.

"That is none of your concern, you will surrender the Starheart or your planet and everyone on it will suffer."

"I don't have any Starheart. My name is Apollo Knight, I fight for the people of this world with the power of the Sun. I give you this final warning: Leave this planet, whatever you're looking for isn't here."

"While that's certainly very gallant it is sound and fury. Your very existence is proof enough. I do not intend to—OOF!" He was interrupted with a fist to the gut. Apollo moved so fast he might have been teleporting, his strength had definitely increased since his last appearance. He followed it with a sharp right cross that sent Deep Twelve to the ground.

"Apollo!" Mercury called.

"Stay back!" He growled. His eyes began to glow, becoming visible under the hood for the first time. "I'm going to put an end to this."

"Magnificent!" Deep Twelve said as he rose to his feet, "Even through the Avatar I can feel your strength, hit me with everything you've got!"

"You got it!" Apollo roared as he grabbed his opponent by the collar and throwing him into the air. Bracing himself he raised his hands into the air and took aim. His hands began to glow so bright Sailor Mercury couldn't bear to look at him, it was like looking into the sun itself. A massive blast erupted from his palms and shot into the night sky like a flare.

"Sailor Mercury, what's going on?" A familiar voice called as Sailor Moon and the rest of the Sailor Scouts finally arrived.

"Don't look at it!" She warned her comrades, "It's too bright!"

As the blinding light subsided Apollo stood standing with his hands still raised to the sky, however he was shaking from the effort. And his hood had fallen down. He quickly turned away from the Sailor Scouts.

"I guess you were right after all..." He said quietly, "I should be more careful at night." Suddenly she stumbled and collapsed, lying motionless on the ground.

"Apollo Knight!" Mercury cried as they rushed forward to help him.

"Is he alive?" Sailor Mars asked as Mercury checked for a pulse.

"Yes, it looks like he collapsed from exhaustion." She gently turned him over only to gasp in shock when she saw his face, her friends did likewise.

"It can't be!" Venus said.

"It's impossible!" Jupiter agreed.

"It's... Shingo!" Sailor Moon cried.

Shingo Tsukino, her brother, was the Apollo Knight.