(Sorrysorrysorrysorry! I can't even begin to properly apologize for leaving you guys hanging like I have, but if it's not been the muse being absent it's life. Just straight up life. January was awful, and February wasn't much better. I'm hoping March will be better and there's Spring Break coming up so there's that. Anyhoo, here's a proper start to what is sure to be a fairly interesting tale of action, drama and angst - boy will there be angst. But eventually love...sort of...kind of. It's a work in progress. Kay, done rambling. On with the show!)

Disclaimer: I do not, and never will own Sailor Moon. That is the blessed creation of Takeuchi-sama.

In Tokyo, the sun had just begun to rise over the land with the first of its luminous rays beginning to gloss over the tops of the many buildings, causing them to glitter in the morning light. The city still bustled as it always did; the city never slept as far as the world knew and for the most part this was true. Its fresh wave of inhabitants emerged from their homes, bid their families goodbye and set off on yet another day – enriching for some, while a chore for many others.

But for one blue-haired young lady, she looked forward to her coming days with purpose and hope. Not many knew because not many chose to know her, but Mizuno Ami was one of the first of many to get up before others did. Every day without fail she was always up just before dawn, getting herself ready for the day ahead as well as ensuring her home was spick and span before she left, if only because of the old adage – cleanliness is next to godliness.

Truth be told Ami never did have much faith in deities until recently. She was a creature of logic, of facts not superstitions. Before, she would've argued endlessly with someone over how there was no credible evidence that such beings existed. A legend here, a rumor there but it didn't mean anything but just that. Thus, she had been of the sound opinion that such beings simply did not exist.

But in the last few weeks, her opinion as well as her outlook on life had changed dramatically.

As the light in the home began to grow stronger and stronger with each passing moment, Ami grabbed her school bag and checked herself over once more before heading for the door. She didn't miss the ever-present note on the fridge left by the only other occupant of her home, but she also didn't need to see it to know what it said. She knew the circumstances of her own mother; her mother had her own responsibilities and though it kept her away from her daughter, Ami didn't hold it against her. If anything, she admired her mother for that very reason. She was giving every bit of herself to make sure they had a life of their own. There was nothing more noble in her eyes.

Stepping outside, the cacophony of the city filled her ears and disoriented her for a second. Cars flew by going this way and that, passerbys bustled through on their way to their destinations while high overhead planes soared high loaded with their own precious cargo. Ami gave a brief smile before heading on her way towards her own destination, gliding through the masses of the city. As she walked, she couldn't help but look back on the events that had led her up to here.

It was still hard to believe that only a month had passed since her life had changed in a new but exciting way. The old Ami who had been meek and insecure still existed, to be sure, but for the most part a new side had blossomed into being with the meeting of someone who had in such a small span of time had become very dear to her. And with that meeting had come new perspectives, new meaning…but also new challenges. After all, being Sailor Mercury was her responsibility now and one she intended to uphold to the fullest.

"Ami-chaaaaan!" She found herself being ripped from her musings by the blonde bullet of energy that she had come to know as Tsukino Usagi, nearly tackling her in a hug.

Ami merely blinked for a minute, giving a smile to the first true friend she'd had in…well, ever. "Ohayo Usagi-chan," she said, patting the girl's shoulder. The girl's answering smile was almost blinding in comparison.

If someone had told her that someone as loveable and energized as Usagi would literally come crashing into her life, she would've just walked away then and there. Even now some part of her still questioned whether this was all just some messed up dream and that she would wake up to return to her old, secluded lifestyle.

If that were the case, she never wanted to awaken.

As they walked on, they were soon joined by another girl who had sent her life in new and fascinating directions – Kino Makoto. Even she had to admit that the girl looked intimidating at first glance but the truth was anything but. Truly Mako-chan, as Usagi had taken to calling her, defied all assumptions and revealed that she was just like them – or well, like Usagi to an extent. The blonde and the brunette had grown very close, which should've made her feel jealous in some way. After all, Usagi had been her friend first if the record were to come into question…

But it wasn't like that, not in the least. If anything, Makoto had given Ami a new example of courage and strength, and not just the obvious kind; she had risked everything time and again to defend those she loved, and that above all else was what Ami admired her for.

It gave her hope, too. Hope that perhaps, she could show the same when the time came.

"Sooo," Makoto fished, jabbing Usagi playfully, "how are you and prince charming getting on?"

The blonde's face ripened rapidly at that, spluttering, "M-Mako-chan, don't tease me like that!" she whined, but added as an afterthought, "and…we haven't done anything yet, at least, I don't think we are."

Makoto grinned like a shark, "Oho? You're telling me that you and prince handsome over there haven't been cozying up lately? Like when you were practically sitting in his lap?" She wiggled her eyebrows for good measure.

Even though her face reddened, she rallied, "L-like you can talk! What about you and Daichi-san? You seemed pretty cozy yourself!"

"Course – he is my boyfriend after all," Makoto replied proudly, which left Usagi at a complete loss.

Makoto's boyfriend was Akihara Daichi, also known by one other name – Nephrite, a former enemy of theirs. Ami still couldn't believe that her friend had not only managed to save him but had even been able to rekindle her relationship with her past life lover. Memories of the Silver Millennium were still foggy in her mind as she had not developed any sort of connection to any of their former enemies like Makoto and another friend of hers, Hino Rei.

'You know that's not entirely true,' a little voice in her mind whispered that had begun to pop up as of late. Like all the other times she shoved it aside, refusing to entertain the thought.

Still…

"Usagi-chan!" a voice called out, one she vaguely remembered. Ami looked up and found that an auburn-haired girl was waving wildly at them. Or more specifically…

"Ohayo Naru-chan!" Usagi called out, racing over at top speed to her friend.

Ah, she remembered now. Osaka Naru was Usagi's best friend and appeared as close as ever, despite everything that had been happening lately. With the Dark Kingdom stepping up its attacks, Ami had noticed just how little time they actually spent around their classmates that wasn't strictly school-related.

However, both her and Makoto kept a respectful distance from the two girls as they caught up at light speed.

"At least some things are still normal for her," the brunnete sighed, her voice low enough that only Ami heard her. "And you're sure that Serenity didn't take over her?"

Ami gave a sigh at that question, having heard it many times before now, "As I told you before, I'm positive. The Princess may be existing in Usagi but it's only that, existing. Usagi is still the girl we know, and nothing's changed."

Makoto grunted but didn't say anything more; Ami didn't need anyone to tell her she wasn't convinced.

She couldn't blame her though. Ever since the princess they had been desperately searching for turned out to be right under their noses, they'd all begun to get a little concerned about where this left them. And now to makes things even more hectic, the Prince of Earth that Jadeite and Nephrite were looking for had ended up being Chiba Mamoru, someone that up until recently Usagi had all but despised.

Now they had two people they were supposed to protect from the Dark Kingdom, on top of an entire city that, if the rumors she were hearing had any merit, wasn't exactly thrilled with them as of late. There had been talk as of late that the city's authorities had caught wind of their last battle mostly in the form of a giant gaping hole in the side of a skyscraper under construction that had, only a few hours later, crumbled to the ground. Makoto hadn't quite lived that little slip up down yet, and neither had the police it seemed. If the very people they were trying to protect decided to get involved, it could get messy. She hoped that it wasn't true.

The bell for class suddenly began to ring, and the students that had been milling about the courtyard started scrambling inside. Usagi and Naru let out a screech before hurrying inside.

"Come on Ami!" Makoto called after her before giving chase.

Ami took a deep breath before following after, brushing aside all of her worries at least for now.

'One problem at a time, Ami.'

Within the expanse of a dark cave, a single figure crouched upon a high stone ledge that overlooked the abyss. Still as a statue, one of the last remaining Shittenou of the Dark Kingdom sat in deep meditation as before him a writhing mass of dark energy swirled around and into itself. But with each breath the figure took, some of the dark energy flew into his body before resuming its patterns.

Unaware, from afar Kunzite observed his remaining brother and once more studied his form. From a distance, the Zoisite he'd come to know and recognize hadn't changed – but his appearance, that was where things differed. His fair skin was much paler now, almost a ghostly white that mirrored the same of his pony-tailed tied hair. His uniform was much sinister looking now as well, clad in the same purple as Queen Beryl's gown or more accurately, the purple of the energy cloud that surrounded him. And though his eyes were closed, Kunzite could still picture those reptilian slits embedded in shards of deep purple.

Zoisite had been changed – of his own accord, sure, but that didn't mean anything to Kunzite. And what's more, Beryl had seen fit to demote him and promote his younger brother just to spite him. Though he would admit to being bitter about the situation, there was something that just felt…wrong with all of this.

What's worse was that every time he seemed to close his eyes, he would see his face. The face of the young man he didn't know, but at the same time did; the face that both condemned him and forgave him; the face that haunted him day and night ever since his run in with that bastard Tuxedo Kamen.

It was enough to drive him batty sometimes.

The only thing that kept his mind sane were the numerous schemes he kept fabricating of ending the Moon Princess's pitiful existence. It both baffled and amused him that neither Beryl nor Metaria, their "great ruler" hadn't figured out the mystery surrounding Sailor Moon. He'd known something was up with the girl from the start but because of a certain blonde-haired temptress, he hadn't been able to investigate. And with Nephrite's recent defection and his subsequent demotion, his operating authority had been severely limited.

Now they had two targets to deal with – Serenity was Kunzite's objective, and he would not rest until the petite blonde's throat was being crushed in his grip; and Prince Endymion-

"Kunzite…"

He whirled around suddenly, eyes wide and his senses on fire. But like every other time, there was no one there. He gripped his head with the makings of a snarl forming on his lips.

"Does something trouble you, brother?" Kunzite nearly jumped at Zoisite's voice, having not even heard the younger warrior creep up on him. When had he gotten so stealthy?

"It's nothing," he bit out, masking his feelings behind a wall of stoicism. "Was there anything you required?"

"Mistress Metaria has informed me that the queen demands our presence," Zoisite explained, his purple orbs blinking almost in a lazy-like manner. "Come, let's not keep her waiting."

As his brother passed by him, Kunzite couldn't help but shudder a bit. Zoisite had been changed, and for the life of him he could not truly tell if it was for the better or worse. Still, he was but a pawn now in this game he'd been caught up in and until his time came, all he could do was play his part.

As Haruna-sensei went on with her lecture, Ami let her eyes wander a bit towards where her friends were sitting. Makoto was doing her best to take notes, chewing at her thumbnail every so often as she did whenever she encountered something tricky. But other than herself, she was the only one of their little trio who was actively paying attention. Usagi was…

Wait, what was she doing?

Ami blinked a few times as she found herself almost at a loss when she saw her bubbly friend…studying? Taking a closer look, sure enough, Usagi was jotting down frantic but somehow practiced scribbles each time their sensei spoke. And if that wasn't enough, the look of concentration – or the closest one she could get to one with her tongue stuck out like that – was even more of a shock.

The world really is coming to an end, then, she thought with an amused little smile. Or perhaps a certain someone has influenced her.

Despite the rather unpleasant depiction she had of the man due to Usagi's near constant complaining, Ami was impressed by how mature and studious Mamoru was. The fact that he was also studying to become a doctor was also another good point for him where she was concerned, setting aside the fact that he seemed like a genuinely kind person.

And though she wasn't one to vow such things, she'd eat her book if the guy hadn't at least made an impression of the blonde they were both so fond of.

The day seemed to pass rather quickly, and all Ami could think about was what they might find on the Moon. Artemis and Luna had said that there might be some key to defeating the Dark Kingdom hidden within what remained of the Moon Kingdom, but they hadn't yet told anyone of them about how they were going to do it. That all aside, it wasn't much to go on but the more she thought about how both Rei and Makoto had fought and successfully freed the men they loved, her own feelings for Zoisite came bubbling up. Despite everything, she had come to…care for the strawberry blonde-haired man and had developed a desire to rescue him, if only so he could be free like his brothers.

Relating this to the girls in question however…might not have been the best choice, as they had seemed to have gotten the idea that she had come to like Zoisite like they did their own shittenou.

Which I do not, she refuted for what seemed like the millionth time. Zoisite was her rival and she could see the good in him, but nothing more. He didn't deserve to be a slave to the whims of a madwoman like Beryl or this Metaria that both Jadeite and Nephrite had mentioned – fearfully, she noted. But that was it, nothing more.

'isn't it?' that little voice from earlier whispered, sounding hauntingly like her own.

"Ami-chan?" The soft voice of her friend returned her reality, finding Usagi there staring at her with concern, Makoto at her side with a similar look. "Are you ok? You look tense."

Ami bit her lip. Had she been that obvious? "I'm just thinking about some things, like always." Not a good evasion even by her standards, but the way Usagi's face lightened told her it worked.

Makoto, however, didn't seem convinced. "You really need a break one of these days, Ami-chan. Till then," she reached behind her and pulled out a few bentos and passed them out, "fuel for that brain of yours."

The issue wasn't dismissed, but Ami was glad that Makoto wasn't going to call her on it – or at least, she knew better than to do it around their impressionable friend. "Arigatou, Mako-chan," she accepted with a grateful smile.

The trio sat and ate, Usagi and Makoto chattering back and forth about the latest trends while Ami just listened. It felt…nice, being able to sit like this with people who wanted her around. She knew they could've included her but she was just happy to be present instead of-

"Hey, did you guys hear the news?"

For all her dignity, even Ami couldn't hold back a small cry of shock at the sudden appearance of the quote unquote "dork" of their class.

Gurio Umino, or simply "Umino" was someone who even Ami was nervous being around at times. Her socially-awkward classmate was, according to Usagi, a bit of a know-it-all and had a habit of popping up seemingly out of nowhere – like now.

Usagi aimed a glare at her "friend", "Buzz off Umino, don't make me tell on you to Naru-chan," she threatened.

"Aww, come on Usagi-chan, this is big news and it might interest you too. It's about that big battle with the sailor Senshi!"

It took every ounce of willpower to not flinch at that, same for Usagi and Makoto the latter of whom began to sink a little lower in her chair.

"Hmph, that's old news you little gremlin. We all know that Sailor Moon and her team kicked butt, like always."

Always so modest, Usagi-chan, Ami remarked, carefully hiding a grimace behind her thermos.

Umino smirked and pushed his glassed up higher onto his nose, "Yeah but what you don't know is what the Chief is planning."

"Who's the Chief?" Makoto blurted out, obviously at a loss.

Umino's smirk, somehow, grew bigger, "That's Chief Tanada to you! Seventeen years of service, former JSSDF officer and rumor has it she was the one who arrested the head of a big-time yakuza gang when she was only a rookie. She's a legend in Tokyo!"

"I'm not sure whether to be impressed by how well you're informed or creeped out by how much you know about her," Makoto broke in with a wary look at the boy.

"Moving on!" Umino barked, "Word is she's taking an interest in what happened with the battle, namely the one that caused the new office complex to collapse."

Makoto sunk a little further in her seat…

As if she picked up on her friend's distress, Usagi narrowed her eyes at Umino, her hands on her hips, "Are you saying it's Sailor Moon's fault that the bad guys are such jerks?" she said, defensively. Say what you wanted about her, Usagi protected those closest to her like a lioness her cubs.

Umino waved his hands defensively, "W-wait, don't shoot the messenger! I don't have any problem with Sailor Moon or the rest of the guardians, but the Chief doesn't see it the same way and word through the grapevine is someone with deep pockets is supporting her."

Ami pursed her lips at that, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Umino-san, you wouldn't happen to know who it is would you?"

Admittedly, it was the first time she'd ever addressed him and he'd realized it too. Shifting gears, the rather arrogant tone he'd been taking with Usagi actually changed a bit when he spoke next, "Um…well, there's word it's one of the senators, but I can't remember his name right now. All I know is that his surname started with an H."

For some unexplained reason, Ami felt a cold shiver down her spine at that admission but filed it away for the moment. "I see, thank you Umino-san."

All of this was troubling, to say the least. It was already chaotic enough with just them fighting, but if the local authorities started to get involved… She couldn't even imagine the destruction. The Dark Kingdom was not one for being merciful, and had shown so with Nephrite.

Suddenly she felt a pair of hands clamp down on her shoulders, finding herself faced with an oddly serious Usagi. "…Usagi-chan?"

"Can you show me how to do that," she all but demanded.

How to do… oh.

From over the blonde's shoulder, she saw Makoto no longer sulking but smirking at her. "Careful Ames, you might just end up with another admirer."

Another…? All at once, her thoughts realigned…and her face colored. Oh for heaven's sake!

"Tell me, Zoisite, have you made any progress in recovering the Ginzuishou?"

From where he knelt, Zoisite closed his eyes and admitted, "I'm afraid not, my queen. The Senshi aren't careless, and they have to know we are hunting them. They must be taking extra care now more than they were before."

Beryl gave a displeased hum but otherwise didn't berate him, which irritated his brother to no end he realized. Truthfully, he didn't feel right having basically usurped his commander's post even though he had little in the decision. Their Great Ruler had decreed that Kunzite was unfit to lead having lost two of his men to the enemy, thus had been stripped of his rank and his status.

Now he was no more than a brooding, hate-filled bodyguard. It was unfitting existence for someone of her reputation and power, but there was little to be done about it at this stage.

Beryl flicked her gaze almost boredly at his brother, who knelt next to him. "And of you, Kunzite? I hope you've been keeping busy."

"I have, my queen," he almost growled, and Zoisite could feel his power bubbling under the surface. He was ready to snap, had been for a while now. But he still held onto his anger, letting it fuel him instead. He almost pitied the Senshi when next they fought which he hoped was soon. "The next time those brats show their faces, Serenity will die."

"I look forward to it," Beryl said with a grin and looked like she wished to say more, but suddenly paused. When she spoke next, the voice of their Great Ruler filled the room and seemed to make the very ground beneath them rumble, "My knight."

This time, Zoisite looked up, "Yes, mistress?"

"If we cannot find them, then we will make them find us," Metaria said through Beryl, the ancient entity using the queen as a proxy. Ever since he had received his new station, both of his masters had begun to merge and it had only amplified Beryl's power. For now, Beryl was still in control but he could somehow sense that Metaria, his true master, would eventually assume her form and claim it for herself.

"How?" Kunzite spoke, and Zoisite could tell he immediately regretted it.

Metaria's almost tender, seductive tone he took with him transformed into a snarl of rage, "Do not question me, peon! You are a soldier,and will do as you are ordered! Yours still stand: support my knight, kill the little moon brat. Do you understand?"

"I do," Kunzite all but growled out.

Several tense moments reigned before she spoke again.

"Remember, Kunzite," she said suddenly, getting his attention, "the remainder of your worth now lies in the hope that you can successfully kill one little crybaby of a princess. Despite my reservations, I still acknowledge your capabilities. You brought an entire region to your knees, once. A little girl trying to play hero should be nothing to you I should think. Or am I mistaken?"

Zoisite felt his brother's aura tense like a tiger, ready to pounce on the next poor sap to try and bait him, "I will prove it. I'll bring her head."

Metaria's laughter mixed with Beryl's, their voices conjoining as they spoke, "We shall see," they said with a cackle. "For now, lure the Senshi out. Take the Ginzuishou, kill the guardians and bring me Sailor Moon's head."

The orders were simple enough and he knew without a doubt he could make them happen, but there was still one concerning matter. "And our brothers?"

Beryl/Metaria stared long and hard at him for what seemed like an eternity until they spoke once more, "Save them, if you can. But I fear they are already gone."

Zoisite clenched his fists, his purple eyes hardening to pure amethyst, "I will do as you command, my mistress," he said, bowing his head once more.

Indeed, they'd fallen into too many traps set by the upstarts and had suffered heavily because of it. But no more. This time, the roles would be reversed and if the Senshi didn't act…well, then they'd suffer losses of their own.

Just you wait, you little blue bitch. This war is far from over.

(So, many apologies for the sort of choppy beginning but painting the scenery is a lot tougher these days for some reason. And though you can start a scene with dialogue, the imagery needs to come next to establish the setting. Anyways, so things are getting underway; the girls are still trying to live their own lives while being heroes, but now their actions have gotten the attention of some interesting people. And before you ask, yes, there will be ocs. Please bear with me as I will have them serve the plot, no matter how...risky I make them. For now, the stage is getting set for what is sure to be a climactic and shocking battle for one senshi, and we haven't even gotten to the trip to the Moon yet. Interesting times await. As for updates, I will be working on them but I can't give an exact time anymore as I am going to be starting college here in June. I'll try to get as much of this going until then, so bear with me. As always, thanks to me readers who have been awaiting this and expect another chapter soon.)