I do not own Sailor Moon or its characters

"You have had a week to create your report and you are telling us you have almost no new information?" yelled Caleb.

Rei stared at the large screen in front of her, Caleb, Ami, Lucius, Cole, and Anthony stared back at her. She and Lita had been in Cairo for almost a week, and the Council was demanding an update. Sadly, they had little to share.

"We sent you to investigate the site of the attack, not to have a vacation," Caleb shouted.

"Yes, because this is my idea of a vacation," she said. Caleb glared at her.

"What can you tell us, Rei?" Lucius interjected.

"Our initial reports were accurate. These attacks were synchronized and planned together, and they created the bombs to erase all forensic evidence that could help us identify who did this."

"We know who did this, the radical-"

"We're assuming we know who did this," Rei said. "We can't confirm that it was the same group. Unfortunately, multiple radical groups in the world want vampires dead."

Caleb frowned at her, "We sent there you to…."

"What's the next course of action?" said Anthony, cutting Caleb off.

"Until we get a better analysis of the weapon from R&D, we can't make any moves. Once we know what kind of material the bombs were made of, we can cross-reference purchases and orders in the surrounding cities and on the dark web," Rei said.

"That's going to take hours," said Caleb.

"It will take what it takes," snapped Anthony. "For the most thorough results, we must go through everything with a fine-tooth comb."

"I think we should also look into these groups on this list," Rei told them as she tapped her phone and emailed the group a file. "I would also suggest looking at the Miyagi family."

Rei noticed Ami tense at the mention of Miyagi. "One of my contacts mentioned that Shichinosuke Miyagi's son has frequent contact with high-level leaders in several anti-vampire groups. He's also posted inflammatory statements online outing and encouraging violence against vampire families."

"How do you know that it's him?" asked Ami.

"I profiled his writing," Lita said, stepping forward. "I analyzed his post history, papers and articles he's written, and speeches he's made to the diet and past political rallies."

"And?"

"97% identification. He's not subtle," Lita said.

"He's also openly affiliated with members of the Rausch family," said Rei.

Caleb scoffed. "The Rausch family hasn't been a threat to us for some time. Their last serious vampire hunter died before the turn of the century."

"Yes, but their family has always been open and vocal about their distrust of vampires." Rei emailed the group a dossier on several members of the family. "They're small-time now, but Miyagi's association with them could have brought him in contact with the radical group responsible for the bombings."

"Ami, you have a personal history with the Miyagi family. Would the current head of the family speak to you?" asked Lucius.

"It's been some time since I've seen Shichinosuke," Ami paused for a moment to think. "But I think he would see me if I went in an official capacity."

"Lita, send Ami everything you have on Shichinosuke's son. The sooner you meet with them the better," said Lucius. "Rei, we'll put some pressure on Zoicite and Nephrite to finish their analysis and get you the list of likely materials used. If you find anything on your end, inform us immediately."

Rei nodded her head. "If that is all..." Lucius waited for the other members to object. Caleb scoffed but said nothing more. "We're adjourned."

The screens went blank, Rei turned to Lita. "Always a pleasure, isn't it?"

Lita smirked.

"I don't like you going to see Shichinosuke Miyagi alone," said Cole as he and Ami walked together.

"You're doing it again."

"I am not."

"You're playing the overprotective brother."

"Well, sometimes you need reminding-"

"Something I think you need reminding who trained me. I was a double agent living in the den of my enemy for decades, Cole. I know how to take care of myself. Plus, I already have a brother."

"A brother you haven't seen in years, and who would probably not speak to you if you walked past him on the street."

"Well, I can't control what he does."

Cole motioned for her to follow him. He led her into an empty sitting room. "Tell me honestly, will you be okay meeting with Miyagi?"

Ami took a moment, "It's been years, Cole."

"But will you be okay? From what you've told me, your relationship was..."

"Intense is usually the word I used to describe it."

"Intense," Cole repeated.

Ami sat down in a chair. "I buried my feelings for Shichinosuke a long time ago."

"Burying things doesn't mean they're dead or gone. I should know."

Ami raised an eyebrow. "Do we want to touch upon that subject?"

"Just because I respect your Ph.D. in psychology doesn't mean I want you to use it on me."

"What good does it do to have unless I can use it on my best friend?"

Cole rolled his eyes, then turned serious. "I am worried about you doing this."

"As I said before, I trained for this."

"Which is part of why he hated you for so many years."

"Hate is a strong word."

"You broke his heart, Ami."

There came a knock from the door. "Come," Cole called out.

Zoicite entered the room. Cole stood, "I'll let you two talk." He nodded to Zoicite as he left the couple alone.

Zoicite sat down in a chair next to his wife. "What is it he thinks we need to talk about."

"The council is sending me to Japan to meet with Shichinosuke Miyagi and question him about his family's involvement in these attacks."

Zoicite hung his head. He reached out and took Ami's hand. "My love-"

"I already know what you're going to say, and I hear you." Ami moved from her chair to sit on Zoicite's lap. She tangled her fingers in his hair and leaned her forehead against his.

"I would feel better if I was going with you," Zoicite said.

"Yes, but you and Nephrite need to finish analyzing the weapon fragments."

"Nephrite could-"

Ami cut him off with a kiss. "You and I know that this is too important to be left to just anyone. Nephrite needs you. You're a better team together." Zoicite sighed. "You know I'm right, my love."

Zoicite mumbled into her shirt. Ami smirked and kissed his forehead, "I have a few hours till my flight."

Zoicite looked up at her and smirked.

Rei stood in the brightly lit morgue, staring down at a corpse. She could tell it was a man, even though the upper torso and head were charred black. He had several tattoos on one arm, while the other had been replaced with a prosthetic metal arm.

"This is the only person you haven't been able to identify?"

The blonde pathologist nodded. "Yes, ma'am. At first, I thought he might have just been an unlucky bystander who was caught up in the attack until I noticed his arm was made of silver."

"And vampires are allergic to silver, so it's more likely that he was part of the group who planted the bomb. Can you trace his identity through the arm?"

The pathologist shook her head. "Unfortunately, it's a custom job with no serial number. However, it is very intricate and specific work." She picked up the man's arm again and twisted the wrist. A long silver knife shot out from the wrist.

"A weapon made for killing vampires," Rei said, staring at the blade. "Have you measured it?"

"Yes, ma'am. I also took a digital scan and sent it to R&D."

"Forward me the scans. Few people could make a weapon like this, I'll reach out to my contacts. How many bodies have you found with corresponding wounds this weapon?"

"So far, I've found nine victims with pierced hearts that match this blade. All died quickly if that's any comfort."

"It's not," said Rei. "Were you able to identify them?"

The pathologist nodded, "Yes, we've started notifying their families."

"Good, anything else?"

"Yes, ma'am, and it's especially concerning." The woman led Rei over to another body covered by a sheet. She pulled the top half back to reveal the man's face.

Rei recoiled slightly. Multiple wounds obscured the man's face. "What happened?"

"They found this man in the rubble of the Cairo HQ building. However, he wasn't alive when the building came down."

"What?"

"I did tests and found no particles from the building collapse in his lungs. No dust, no materials that one would typically find if a person spent their last moments breathing under a pile of rubble. I think his body was dumped there to hide what caused his death. Some of his bones showed remodeling and there were old wounds that were healing. I think they tortured him over an extended period and then dumped there during the attack"

"Were you able to identify him?" asked Rei.

The pathologist nodded. "Serik Bakr. He was an archeological specialist working with the Cairo division."

"He was here categorizing some ancient ruins found in the region if I remember correctly," said Rei. "Had anyone reported him missing?"

The pathologist shook her head, "Not that I've heard. I didn't know him well, but I remember hearing that he was on a dig in the southern region a few weeks back. That could account for the lack of concern."

"How long do you think they torture him?"

"From the remodeling, my best guess is two, maybe three weeks."

Rei sighed, "Let me know if you find anything else, and send me a copy of the reports regarding the human too."

The young woman nodded.

Rei pulled her phone from her pocket as she left the morgue. She dialed Darien's phone and waited for it to click over to voicemail.

"Darien, while I understand your need for seclusion and healing, we currently have a situation that is only getting worse. I need you to call me as soon as you can. My love to Serena."

Rei ended the call and was about to call Cole when a chill ran through her body. The hair on her arm stood up and her senses told her she wasn't alone.

She looked behind her, her eyes scanning the hall and the various doors. Something was there, she knew this feeling; it was the same one she had had before when she was being stalked by something dangerous.

"Whoever you are, I know you're there."

Rei heard whispers behind her. She turned around against, but the hallway was empty.

"Show yourself!" More whispers surrounded her.

Suddenly, the door at the end of the hallway flew open. Rei took a step back, expecting someone to appear, but no one did.

A child's laugh echoed through the hall. The lights flickered and dimmed.

"Who are you? What do you want?" Rei prepared herself, something was toying with her. Rei saw movement in the shadows. She spun around right as the rest of the doors flew open and the lights went dark.

Rei let out a surprised gasp and stumbled backward into a small, warm body. Startled, she tripped over her own feet and fell to the ground, landing on her backside.

The lights flicked back on and before Rei stood a young girl. She wore a knee-length red dress, her long brown hair pulled back from her face, and in her arms, she held a white teddy bear.

Rei scrambled to her feet and backed away from the girl. "Who are you?"

The little girl giggled, but it wasn't the giggle of an innocent child, it was sinister and held malice.

Rei felt the temperature of the hallway drop significantly. The tips of her fingers went numb and she could see her warm breath making tiny puffs in the air.

"Princess, Princess, Princess," she sang in a high-pitched voice. "Princess of the Vampires, sister to the Queen, daughter of a dead King. You're all going to die."

Rei's stomach dropped. The girl wasn't saying it as a threat, she was saying it as a fact. Rei tried to push back her fear. She held up her hand, flames sprung from her fingertips and encased her hand. "What are you? Who do you think you are? I am-"

The little girls again let out a sadistic giggle. Rei flinched, the sound hurt her head.

"You think those little flames scare me? You're a thousand years too young to go up against me." The girl blew out a puff of air and Rei's fire was extinguished.

The little girl laughed, then suddenly the chill dissipated and a warmth spread through the hallway. The girl's face changed, morphing from evil and terrifying to warm and soft.

"Do not fear in the face of darkness," the girl's voice had changed. It wasn't mocking, but gentle and kind. "Walk your path with strong legs, walk as if you have never stumbled." She gave Rei a sad smile, "Beware the Black Dragon."

The lights flickered again, and the child was gone. Rei was alone. She exhaled a breath and let herself drop to her knees. She looked down at her hands as they shook from the adrenaline. She had been alive for many years, but she had never encountered something like that before, and it terrified her.

"They have tampered with forces they do not comprehend," said the young girl. She had straight black hair cut at her shoulders, beautiful pale skin, and bright violet eyes. A green pendant hung around her neck.

She kneeled before a large scrying pool watching events in the world play out. "This could destroy everything. All life, human, vampire, lycanthropes, if we do nothing, she could destroy all life as we know it."

"The human believes he can control her," Amara said. She glanced down at the pool as a flag with a black dragon appeared in the water. "He is a petulant child who doesn't understand what he's done."

Michelle sat on the edge of the pool, staring into its depths. "He is a danger to our Queen," she said, looking over at Hotaru.

"The time for observing is over," Hotaru stood and turned to her companions. "We must return to our Queen and her King."

Amara bristled, "Our place is here."

Hotaru glanced back at the water. The image shifted to two young men. One had blonde hair and glasses, and the other had silver hair and bright blue eyes.

Amara saw Hotaru's mask break just a little. She let out a sigh, "they have charged us to watch and record from this place for the rest of our lives, however long they are. We discarded our connections to the world and-"

"We chose wrong," said Hotaru.

Amara flinched, "What?"

"We have watched enough, it's time for me to leave this place."

"You'll weaken yourself," warned Michelle.

Amara shook her head, "If you go out there, she will find you, she'll try to-"

"She is not someone that I fear," Hotaru said. "Even if she comes for me, I do not fear death. All things live and die, even us." She touched the surface of the pool and the images change again. Serena and Darien's face looked back at them. Hotaru smiled, "I wish to meet our Queen."

She looked up at Amara and Michelle, "You are free of your vow. Go where you will, do what you want." Then she turned and walked away.

"We have to stop her," Amara said. She turned to Michelle, who was staring down at Serena's image. "Michelle! We can't-"

"We vowed to care for and protect her, even if she leaves this place that is our duty."

"If Hotaru leaves this place, she'll break the spell keeping her alive."

"No, she'll break the spell keeping her young, and she'll finally live."

Amara knelt in front of Michelle. "We can't..."

Michelle took Amara's face in her hands. "This is her choice. All we can do is go with her."

"You're blinded by your desire."

Michelle glanced back at Serena's face in the water. "Maybe. I want to meet her again," she said with a sad smile. She looked back at Amara and ran her fingers through her lover's short hair.

Amara's eyes filled with tears. "You know what this means."

Michelle nodded, "Some things we can't fight."

Amara fought her tears and dropped her head to Michelle's lap.

Far away in Cornwall, in a house long forgotten, a young man and his loyal followers gathered. These people were from all walks of life. Most were nobility, descendants of wealthy and old families.

A young man dressed in all black sat at the head of the table. He had long black hair, deep blue eyes, and a scar across his left eye.

"Seth, has she delivered her message?" asked a man with sandy blonde hair.

"No," said Seth, a man with platinum white hair. "The other one took over before she could tell the Princess."

"Seth, when we started this you told me that there wouldn't be a problem with our little demon," said the dark-haired man with the scar. He stood and went over to a window. He looked out across the endless wild moors.

"There shouldn't have been. The spell worked perfectly. We just didn't expect that the other one would also attach herself to the vessel."

"She stayed in purgatory for years to ensure she returned. She must love them all to have come back like this. Too bad they're all going to die no matter what she does."

"When she was alive, she was one of the most powerful Seers of her time," said Kain, the blond-haired man.

"If she was as powerful as they say, she could easily subdue our friend," said the man with the scar. "Or maybe she's just as crafty as they say. I should have killed her the moment she whispered her name."

A young woman entered the room and whispered into Kain's ear. He nodded and dismissed her. "Lord Seiya, the others have arrived. They have news from Cairo."

Seiya stared out of the window for another moment, then turned to his people. "Well, let's get this little massacre planned then."