Sailor Moon - Rise of the Exalted Knights

by Lisseas

Chapter Five - Lost Faith and Harsh Truths

Posted: 25/10/2016

Soft pinks, gentle yellows; stuffed animals and other girlish trappings; Usagi knew she should feel at ease here, in her room, but there was little solace to be found amongst her childhood possessions. I made the decision to retreat here, literally abandoning my friends…but what other choice did I have?

"…the others need you, Usagi! They aren't strong enough to face Chaos alone. They…"

Luna. The cat's prattle faded in and out with Usagi's interest, making little impact at all. It wasn't her first attempt to sway her, and she knew it wouldn't be the last. She'd heard it all before though, and she was well and truly sick of it.

"…your destiny! You can't turn you back on it now!"

Usagi leaned back against her headboard, knees drawn tight to her chest. Her chin dipped to rest on her forearms atop them, very much in the foetal position without even realising it. The speech was always the same; destiny this and responsibility that. She actually admired Luna's sheer, bloody-minded determination …but that didn't mean it would work.

"By Selene," the cat cursed, finally losing her temper. "Are you even listening to me?!"

"Same old Luna, same tired old argument." Even Usagi was surprised by her calm reply, free of scorn or rebuke. "Just leave me be."

"I would if I could, believe me!" The small black cat paced back and forth on the bed, tail twitching in sporadic fits. "Unfortunately, there's the small matter of the source of all evil to deal with!"

The back of Usagi's head thumped against the headboard, accompanied by an irritable sigh. It wasn't that she didn't care, not really. She just no longer believed she could do anything about it. Any hope I had left died with Michiru.

A white-blue flash, the soft rustle of paws on fabric; Artemis. "We're worried, Usagi. You-"

"You should be." Her voice seemed distant even to her, as if listening to someone else speak. "I am."

A hiss escaped Luna's mouth as her eyes flashed with an anger rarely glimpsed. "What is wrong with you?! Chaos goes on a rampage through Tokyo, and you sit here feeling sorry for yourself?!"

"Is that what you think?" Usagi asked, snorting with bitter amusement. "I feel sorry for myself?" She tucked her legs in tighter and stared out her window, right at Tokyo's blazing skyline. "I am sorry for Michiru, Luna. For Haruka. For Rei, for Ami; for all of my friends." She slumped as the fire cooled, all but defeated at that moment. "They deserve better."

Artemis shuffled his feet uneasily. "Usagi…"

"I'm sorry I'm a fraud," she muttered, wiping absently at her eyes. "A failure."

"So, what?" Luna's tail swished back and forth rapidly in a clear mark of tension. "You're just going to turn your back on everyone? Bury your head in the sand? Hide away in your bedroom while the world burns down around you?"

"Yes," Usagi answered, with a stubborn growl. "That's the plan."

"And here I thought you'd grown up," the cat muttered. "I suppose I was wrong."

The blonde refused to meet her gaze. "I suppose you were."

"For the love of…" Artemis' heavy sigh made his exasperation clear. "The world needs Sailor Moon!"

"Nobody needs my help," Usagi murmured, burying her face in her forearms. "Find another hero."

"We've been over this!" He seemed to come very close to saying a bad word. "There is nobody else! You're the only-"

A brief rap at the door interrupted Usagi's fiery retort before it could begin. She raised her head with an irritable sigh. "Mama, I told you I'm not-"

"It's me."

Usagi froze in confusion. A male voice; American-flavoured Japanese. "…Corey?"

"Can I come in?"

Her curiosity faded quickly, swallowed up in a rising tide of guilt and shame. "Just go away. I don't want to talk."

The doorknob rattled but refused to turn, locked. "Oh, son of a…" Silence, broken only by the scrape of his feet on the carpet. "Come on, Usagi, open the door. I'm not leaving until we talk."

She shrugged unconsciously. "Better get comfortable then. You'll be waiting a long-" A near-blinding flash cut her off mid-retort, and the blonde sighed heavily as Corey appeared at the foot of her bed. "I forgot you could do that."

Seeing him now only intensified her shame, her disgrace; a swirling ball of pain that gnawed away at her insides. There was regret too, for the way she'd acted. Fear dictated my actions that day. Pride as well. The pain spiked as, for just a moment, an image of Titus flashed before her eyes, his burnt and broken body still smoking. I regret all of it, she thought bitterly, but I never told Corey that, did I?

He stared at her, unspeaking. His chest and shoulders barely rose with each breath, every motion as sharp and uneven as the last. Were his injuries still bothering him that much? "I thought I'd find you here."

Usagi settled on irritation, though she feigned more than she actually felt. "Didn't anyone ever tell you it's impolite to enter someone else's room without permission? What if I was changing?"

"I, uh…I hadn't really…" His cheeks reddened slightly; same old Corey. "I'm glad you weren't?"

In spite of everything, she almost giggled…but this was no time for that. "What do you want?"

He inhaled carefully, revealing just the barest hint of a wince in the process, and nodded towards the two cats. "Give us a minute, will you?"

Luna didn't even look at her. "Of course."

She was disappointed, that much was clear…and that, in turn, hurt Usagi. But it couldn't be helped. I have no choice. I have to keep them safe.

Artemis took the lead, guiding her through the open window. They disappeared into the night sky, as silent as ghosts. Corey waited exactly three seconds before he turned, arms folded across his chest. "What the hell are you doing?"

The same stubborn streak as before reared its ugly head. "I don't think I like your tone." Usagi knew exactly what she was doing, of course. What she'd convinced herself of. But would Corey believe her? I'm not even sure I believe myself.

"Chaos is tearing Tokyo apart, and the Sailor Senshi are divided. They need your-"

"Oh, my god," she said, with a pained groan. "You too? Just…just stop!"

His emerald eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

"I'm so sick of hearing it!" she cried, glaring at him over her forearms. "We need this, we need that. I think I've done more than enough damage already!"

"You can't be serious."

"I am deathly serious," Usagi retorted sadly, shaking her head as she repeated the painful truth. "I've let everyone down. They deserve better!"

Corey sank heavily onto the foot of the bed, running a weary hand across his face. "You're hurting, I get that, but Michiru's death was not your fault. It was-"

"You were right, you know. About me." The words slipped out before she even noticed. "They all see me as some perfect, infallible…goddess, and why wouldn't they? I've done nothing to dissuade them from it. Heck, I think even I started to believe it over time." Usagi allowed her legs to unfurl, dangling them over the side of the bed. "I was never okay with anyone dying, Corey. Never. Not even after I knew I'd brought everyone back before. But something changed after we defeated the Revenant Knight. The fear faded. I had brought everyone back. I'd brought all of Tokyo back! So why couldn't I just do it again? What was death to Sailor Moon?" She shook her head in bitter disappointment at her own hubris. "I was an idiot. We all saw how well that worked out for Michiru, didn't we?"

The muscles in Corey's jaw worked silently for several seconds. "Usagi, I-"

"Mother even warned me I should listen to your advice," she added, absently recalling their journey to the Moon, and the Chamber of Prayer. "She warned me, Corey, and I still ignored you at the most critical moment, just like she did."

"Oh, hell…" A low sigh followed as he shuffled uncomfortably in place. "Look, I am thrilled to it, but this is hardly the time. I mean, what do you think's going to happen to the world with you out of action?"

It was far easier to ignore such platitudes than it should have been. "It's better off without me."

A second sigh, far more irritated than the first. "No, it's dead without you! Goddamn it, Usagi, you're focusing on the single person you couldn't save out of thousands!"

"Because she trusted me!" It tore from her throat with unexpected fury. "You all did! You all trusted me to keep you safe, to bring you back if you fell…and I failed. I let…her…die, Corey!"

"And how many innocents have died while you've been sitting here moping?" His tone didn't shift, a flat, emotionless observation rather than overt accusation, but it was there nonetheless. "Hundreds? Thousands?"

"Stop it," she whimpered, as tears welled up in her eyes.

You knew, a voice whispered, in the back of her mind. Her voice. You knew, and you didn't care. Luna was right, you were too busy feeling sorry for yourself. Mourning Michiru.

"Maybe even millions by this point," Corey muttered, this time with a clear hint of anger.

"Stop it!" Usagi pressed her hands to her ears, trying desperately to ignore him. I can't fight it. I can't fight it. I can't! I'll just lose everyone else. I'll fail, and everyone will die anyway!

"But I can't really talk, can I?" he added bitterly, clasping his hands together tightly. "I've been hiding in a glorified hole in the ground since we ran from the shrine, too beat up to even consider fighting. I couldn't even stand up after a tap to the chest."

Usagi felt disgust at his words, disgust for herself. Corey would give anything to be out there, fighting to save people…and he's barely standing. What's wrong with me?

His tongue darted across his lips, moistening their dry, cracked surface. "It's bad, Usagi. Without you, I mean." It was strange to see him so lifeless all of a sudden, after witnessing such fire only moments ago. "Chaos and its new army are destroying the city. Killing everyone. The rest of the Senshi haven't given up, not yet, but they're not exactly on the same page either." He studied his hands intently, his shoulders abruptly slumped…as if in guilt. "They're divided over everything that happened before we went to London. Over…me."

This wasn't news to her, not really, though she hadn't realised things had gotten even worse.

"Rei and Mako are mad at Minako, she's gotten bitter in return, and Ami? Ami is…I don't even know. I think she's afraid, afraid of what's going to happen. I tried to reason with everyone, get them all on side again, but…" He took an uneven, shuddering breath. "They're not listening to me. Not at all."

I had no idea things were so bad, she thought, as the shame rose up again. I was so focused on how I was feeling that I just didn't see it.

"You've always been the heart of this team," Corey continued. "The glue keeping everyone together, and everything's falling apart without you. They need you to rally them, to put an end to this stupid fight once and for all. They need you to lead them against the true enemy, Chaos!"

Still she clung to her final shred of justification. "I have to stay here. I have to keep my family safe."

"They're dead eventually, with or without you." He was blunt as ever, with no hint of sugar-coating whatsoever. "If Chaos comes for them, when he comes for them? They'll die, and you along with them."

"I can protect them!" Usagi argued, very much clutching at figurative straws now. "I can make sure they don't die. I can-"

"And Chibiusa?" Again, there was no apology in Corey's eyes. They bored into her very soul. "She's still out there, Usagi. She hasn't given up. She's right in the thick of things, doing everything she can to keep everyone together in your absence."

"Chibiusa…" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"Without your help, she will die," he said flatly. "Along with everyone else…and countless millions of other innocents."

"He's right, Usagi."

The blonde's eyes snapped up, to her now-open door, and locked on those of her mother. "Mama? I, I don't…how long have you…?"

"Long enough." The older woman slipped inside, nodding slightly to Corey. "I need a minute with my daughter."

He nodded wordlessly and stepped out into the hall.

"I was so happy when you came home to me. To us." Her mother sat carefully on the bed beside her, reaching out to brush her cheek. "I wanted to wrap you in my arms and never let you go again. I was ready to throw that brooch of yours away so you could go back to being my little girl, my Usagi…but that was selfish."

A far more familiar guilt began fluttering within the blonde's heart. Her sorrowful expression plucked at her heartstrings, reminding the girl just how much pain Sailor Moon had brought to her home. She must have been terrified when this began. I never truly considered just how hard it must be, knowing my secret.

"You're so much more than my daughter. You're Sailor Moon, a shining beacon of hope for all Japan, and perhaps even the entire world." The older woman turned, staring through the window in wide-eyed despair. "It breaks my heart to see Tokyo burn like this, knowing its saviour is sitting here, in my home, protecting us and us alone."

The tears began to flow in earnest now. "Mama…"

She leaned in, sobbing herself as she hugged her daughter tight. "I don't know what happened that drove you back here, but please, Usagi, remember who you are. Remember that you're a hero. You can't let anyone else die, especially not for us. You have to get back out there, you have to save the city, the world…just like I know you can."

With that, the last of Usagi's walls crumbled. She pressed her face to her mother's breast, weeping openly in a final deluge of grief, guilt and shame. Her chest heaved painfully, the same pain as before but for different reasons. She'd fallen so far, and she saw it now, clear as day. She had to make it all right. An embarrassing sniffle was her first attempt at an answer as she wiped at her eyes. "Alright, Mama. I will. I'll try my best."

"That's all I can ask for." The older woman held her tight, rocking her gently until her shaking slowed and her tears dried. She relaxed her grip, pulling back enough to grip her shoulders. "I love you."

"I love you too." Usagi flashed a smile of her own, wiping her eyes a final time as she slipped off the bed and padded over to the door. "You win, Corey," she called, pulling it open. "Let's go get the rest of the team back together."

He stepped inside slowly, almost reluctantly, abruptly unwilling to meet her gaze. "I'm glad you're up and about, literally, but…I can't go with you. Not this time."

Usagi sank numbly back onto the bed, staring up at him in disbelief. "What? After all that stuff you just said about sticking together?"

Her mother cleared her throat, suddenly uncomfortable herself. "I'll…make some tea."

Usagi barely heard her, focused entirely on her friend and his bombshell. "Why not?"

"I already told you," he murmured uneasily, "I'm a big part of the problem. No-one's going to heal as long as I'm around, reminding you all what happened. The girls need time, Usagi…away from me."

"But we need you," she protested, pushing to her feet again. "I need you!"

"No, you don't." His faint smile wasn't reassuring at all. "The Sailor Senshi were fine long before the Guardian Knight of Justice came to Tokyo…and you'll be fine after I leave. The only one they need here is you."

"You're running away," she said, matter-of-factly. It wasn't an accusation, despite how it sounded. "Just like I was."

"I need this." There was a near-plea to Corey's voice, one she hadn't noticed before now. "Titus was right. I'm not a Sailor Senshi, but I've been acting like one since I got here…and everything that went wrong can be traced back to that mistake." His head fell forward, as his eyes closed. "I promised him I'd become the Guardian Knight this world needs, and I need to figure out exactly what that means. The problem is...I can't do that here. Not with things the way they are. Not with…not with all of you."

"But we're friends!" Usagi cried imploringly, her face falling as she realised there was no convincing him. "And Minako! What about her?!"

"She'll understand. I hope." He squeezed her hand gently, with surprisingly little awkwardness. "This isn't a goodbye, Usagi. Not forever, at least. I just…I just need time."

She wavered, another argument on the tip of her tongue. Finally, though, she nodded, managing a faint smile of her own. "I wish I could convince you to stay, but…I understand. I think."

His relief was clear. "Thank you."

Usagi didn't even think about it; she embraced him. "Take care of yourself, Corey. Be safe."

"You too, Usagi." He returned the hug warmly and, in that moment, all the awkwardness and even animosity of days past evaporated. None of that mattered anymore; she was just glad to call him a friend again. "Give Chaos my regards."

Another giggle sprang up and this time she didn't even try to hold it in. "I will."

"What?!" An unmistakable voice echoed up from downstairs; her father, on the warpath. "That American boy is in Usagi's room, alone with her?!"

Corey pulled back immediately, practically leaping into the centre of the room. "Well, I should really get going..."

Usagi smiled again, raising her hand in a brief wave. He brought two fingers to his forehead in mock salute, holding it a moment before vanishing in another flash of light. A second passed, and another, before she took a deep breath. "Well...I can't delay any longer."

The blonde moved quickly to her bedside table, fingers dipping into the lip of its drawer. It slid open to reveal her brooch, exactly where she'd discarded it when she'd arrived.

"I'm sorry, everyone," she whispered, pinning it to her blouse once more. "I lost sight of what's truly important, but I'm back now…and it's long past time I took the fight to Chaos." Her fingers brushed across its polished surface, feeling the power of the Silver Crystal within.

"Moon Eternal…Make UP!"

The journey into the city itself proved an unpleasant reminder of her folly. A trip she'd made so many times before was entirely different, the devastation even more widespread than she'd feared. Shattered buildings, cracked streets, sporadic clusters of bodies; Sailor Moon had abandoned the city for only a few hours…but this was the price.

"How could I let this happen?" she whispered, her guilt mounting again. "How many more people died because I ran away?"

"I fear many would have died regardless of your efforts," Artemis murmured, with a glance to Luna, "But this is an important lesson to learn, Usagi."

"Your actions have consequences," Luna agreed sombrely. "Good or bad."

Like Corey, they weren't pulling any verbal punches…and maybe that was a good thing? It reminded her exactly what could happen if she allowed herself to lose focus again. In her grief for Michiru, she had forgotten about the other lives she had saved. Lives now lost because she ran away. I can't ever make that mistake again. Chaos must be stopped, before it kills anyone else.

The skitter of falling debris stopped Sailor Moon in her tracks. Luna's ears pricked up as she scanned their surroundings, her eyes wide with fear. Heavy, ominous footsteps began to close on them, slow and deliberate. Their owner clearly wasn't worried about stealth. And that's its first mistake!

The black cat backed up cautiously. "Usagi?"

Artemis nodded towards a ruined storefront. "There! We can hide until it-"

"No." Moon summoned her Eternal Tiare, readying herself as whatever it was drew nearer. "I'm not hiding anymore."

"But-"

"Go, both of you." She managed a faint smile for their benefit. "Get to safety. I'll be fine."

The cats ran for cover, and not a moment too soon. The footsteps closed in, shaking the street under her boots. Broken glass rained down from shattered panes as larger chunks of concrete and steel hit the asphalt around her. Moon took a deep breath, held it, and exhaled, excising any lingering doubts and fears with it. Here we go…

The creature that emerged from the shattered ruins had been an Order of Black Paladin, once upon a time. The poor wretch was now a twisted mockery of itself, barely recognisable as ever having been human. At more than seven feet tall, its flesh seemed melted into the remnants of its armour. Jet black, mangy feathers sprouted through the cracks, quivering gently in the wind. The sight gave her pause, despite her newfound resolve, but only for a moment. This is just another victim, she realised, standing her ground. Chaos has a lot to answer for.

"Princess…" Breathless anticipation, same as before, albeit with a different voice. Still undeniably female, but very different from its former identity, Megumi Shoto. "And here I thought you'd be huddled in some corner, weeping for your world." Cold, calculated mockery. This was no mere mindless puppet; this was Chaos! "You should have stayed there. It isn't your time yet."

Sailor Moon's response was simple. She brought up the Eternal Tiare, feeling the warmth of its shine on her skin as she invoked its power. "Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"

Hundreds of pristine white feathers flew up around her, shimmering in time with the Tiare itself. The power of the Silver Crystal filled her as she swept her sceptre in a wide arc, gathering her strength. A moment passed in silence, the world seeming to hold its breath, before she levelled it at the Paladin. Blast upon blast of golden light burst forth, so bright that Moon was caught unaware and blinded. An agonised howl filled her ears as the beast was struck, followed by silence. Was it over? What that all it would take to stop these monstrous creatures?

"Impressive."

She opened her eyes, finding a pair of piercing ruby slits staring back at her. Smoke rose from black, bubbled skin and armour alike, curling into the air around burnt feathers. There was little doubt its body had taken a hit, but it remained standing.

"You're stronger than you were before…but it's still not enough."

The doubt returned, clutching at Usagi's heart so tightly she feared it would stop. I gave it everything I have! How am I supposed to stop it?!

Massive, jet-black hands rose before it, elongated fingers jutting towards her face like talons. "I am a thousand years of hate and fear, the darkest parts of man. I am eternal…"

Somehow, that struck a chord. "No."

"No?" It chuckled quietly, clearly amused.

"No," she said again, surprised by her calm. "You are hate and fear, and I was afraid. I was terrified I had failed, that you'd already won…but I see now how wrong I was."

Its ruby eyes narrowed further. "You have failed."

"No, I haven't. I only thought I had. That was my mistake, running away from you when I should have been rallying my friends. We will defeat you; that's a promise!"

Chaos lunged for her with a bestial growl, eyes flashing with rage. Moon hit the street hard, narrowly avoiding its strikes with none of her usual shrieks or buffoonery. Gone were the days where it was all genuine, but she got the idea it wouldn't be fooled by her usual attempts at misdirection.

"Stay still!"

She ignored it and launched into a second series of evasive manoeuvres. It was big, but slow. All she had to do was wait for an opening and it didn't leave her waiting long, overextending on a swing intended for her head. The Senshi dove under it, landing a hard kick to its right knee as she slid right between its legs. The evil creature crashed to the ground behind her and she didn't hesitate, aiming her Tiare once again.

"Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"

Chaos vanished in a swirl of shadow. Moon whirled about, reacting instinctively to its move, but just a fraction of a second too late. A solid backhand caught her across the cheek, sending her skidding a good fifteen feet across the asphalt. Dazed, she managed to roll under the follow-up swing, cringing as its arm passed just overhead. Gulping down a lungful of air, she lurched to her feet and into a run, diving through a shattered storefront window before it could turn.

Familiar, mocking laughter fluttered after her. "Oh, very good. I was hoping for a challenge." Step by step, its heavy frame drew nearer. "Hide and seek it is!"

Be patient, she told herself silently. It's arrogant. It'll make another mistake sooner or later.

"You can still run away, Usagi. I don't really want to kill you. Not yet. Not until I've taken everything from you. Not until you've known my pain."

Moon held her breath as Chaos passed by, watching for any signs of detection. Its bloodied, obsidian skin glistened under the pale moonlight, belying its own injuries. A guttural snort sent steam into the air from the mask over its face…only it wasn't a mask. No, she realised in horror, that is its face! That monster somehow merged it with its skin, turning it into a beak! Her stomach lurched, threatening to spill its contents, but she managed to hold on despite her revulsion.

"Come out, come out, wherever you are."

Be careful what you wish for, she thought angrily, as she readied her Tiare. Three, two, one… "Moon Spiral Heart Attack!"

The colossal pink heart descended from the sky, slamming into Chaos' unprotected back. It hit with the force of a car crashing through a concrete wall, driving the beast to its knees. Moon leapt out of cover, heart thumping in her chest as she darted right for it.

"Sailor Moon Kick!"

She leapt forward in a missile dropkick, aiming both boots right at its uninjured left knee. They made contact with a cringe-inducing snap, right above the joint itself. Chaos howled in pain, tumbling onto its hands again as its leg buckled beneath its weight. Pain shot up both her shins from her aching feet, but that didn't stop her from stepping around its prone form, looking for eye contact.

"I was…taking it easy on you," it muttered, with a mocking chortle. "I told you…it isn't your time. Not yet."

"Of course you'd say that," Moon countered, keeping her Tiare trained on its face. "I still beat you."

"You've beaten nothing, just delayed the inevitable. A shell, that's all this is. A shell…called Amanda." Chaos' voice took on a cruel note. "I will endure, but her? Destroy me, and you ensure she will never live again."

It was almost enough to give Usagi pause…but she remembered Michiru, and her failed attempts to restore her life. There was no way this poor woman could be resurrected. Not in this state, she was sure of it.

"Have you truly become so cold, Usagi?" Its eyes flashed crimson as it tried again to stand. "Can you end her life so easily?"

"You ended it when you stole her body and turned her into…this." She raised her Tiare a final time, a sad motion indeed. It's a kindness. A kindness. "I only hope she finds peace now."

Any hint of mockery faded, replaced with rage. "I will end you! You will never-"

"Silver Moon Crystal Power…" The sceptre flared again, brighter than ever. "KISS!" The blast utterly obliterated it, scattering any remaining matter across the street as dust. Moon could only manage a tired but satisfied smile as she collapsed on her backside, momentarily drained by her efforts.

"Usagi!"

She glanced to her left to see Luna and Artemis bounding towards her and, with considerable effort, gestured to the former Paladin. "Not too bad for a solo effort, huh?"

"That was incredible!" The black cat leapt onto her shoulders, immediately nuzzling her cheek. "You made me very proud!"

"Weren't you already proud of me?"

Luna hesitated briefly. "Uh, yes, of course, but-"

"Relax, Luna," Usagi answered, with a smile. "I'm only teasing." I have a lot of work to do to regain her trust. Her respect.

Artemis probed the dust carefully with a paw, nodding when he was satisfied it was truly dead. "You did quite a number on it indeed."

"It was big, slow and arrogant. Once I realised exactly how arrogant, it was easy enough to act scared and draw it in."

His blue eyes bored into her own. "So you let it punch you in the face?"

"Er…" Moon's reply was interrupted by the arrival of an orange-and-white blur from above; Venus. A wide smile spread across her lips as she recognised her friend. "Minako!"

Her fellow blonde surveyed the scene, eyes wide in surprise. "Well, I was going to jump in and help, but you didn't really give me a chance."

Any further words were cut-off as Usagi tackled her into a tight embrace. Her pent-up guilt over her part in recent events weighed heavy on her heart; an apology came automatically. "I am so sorry!"

Venus resisted slightly, seemingly embarrassed. "I think that's my line…"

"No! Never apologise for telling me when you think I'm wrong." She pulled her in even tighter, ready to make amends. "I want you to be honest with me, all of you; I'm just sorry it's caused you so much heartache."

"Yeah, well…" Venus remained a little distant as she tried to extricate herself from Usagi's arms. "It's not really you who's been giving me grief." A vexed sigh slipped from her lips between sentences. "It's not like I haven't made some mistakes of my own, but Rei and Mako don't exactly appear inclined to forgive or forget."

"Let me worry about them." Moon nudged her gently when she didn't respond. "I mean it, Minako, I will handle it." She glanced down at Luna, no hint of levity in her voice. "This ridiculous infighting has to stop, and now. There are far worse things to worry about."

"That's right," the cat agreed. "Far worse."

"Right." Venus turned her attention to the cats as well. "I'm so glad you two are safe!"

Artemis' eyes sparkled. "Likewise!"

She cradled him to her chest as he leapt into her arms. "I was worried you'd gotten caught out in the city somewhere, you silly old cat."

"Silly? Old?!"

The blonde shushed him with an over-tight hug. He almost turned blue. "We're reunited now, and that's all that matters!"

Moon just looked on, once again impressed with Minako's ability to flip between moods at the drop of a hat. It must be nice to just cheer yourself up like that.

"So," Venus said conversationally, as Artemis clambered onto her shoulders, "Where have you been anyway?"

"I was…" She hesitated briefly, ashamed at the prospect of having to answer. But I have to. I mustn't ever forget how far I fell. "I was a little lost, and I…ran away."

Venus blinked slowly. "Oh."

"But I worked things out!" Moon assured her, glaring daggers at Artemis when he opened his mouth to interject. "With a little help from Luna and Artemis, Mama, and…" Oh, no, she thought, with what could only be described as an internal shriek of frustration. "…your boyfriend."

"Corey?" Her friend perked up immediately. "Is he with you? When he disappeared from the store, I was-"

"No, he's not…" Courage, Usagi, she told herself, "…and he's not coming back."

"…he's not?"

Moon stared back apologetically, momentarily cursing him for making her do this. Deciding how best to broach this particular subject hadn't been easy, but she'd settled on a little blunt trademark Corey honesty. Of course, now that the moment was here… "He just, he felt like with everything happening right now that it…it would be best if he wasn't around. For a little while."

Venus was silent. Usagi had long believed she kept a lot of her true feelings to herself, and this was a rare occasion where, for just a moment, Minako slipped up. Her eyes dulled with pain, lips pressed in a thin, bloodless line…before her familiar, cheery mask popped back into place. "Well, of course he did. Corey is just so...so thoughtful like that."

Moon swallowed nervously as the Senshi of Love muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'I'm going to kill him'. "He, uh…he did say he'd be back. Once he'd figured some things out."

Her friend sighed quietly. "Well, at least he's safe. Knowing that helps…a little." There was a second, barely-perceptible pause before she abruptly clapped her hands together. "So, I suppose you want to go see the others?"

The bitterness in her voice wasn't lost on Usagi. This is going to be rough, isn't it? "Yes, I do."

"Well, come on." Venus took off at a run, Artemis balanced precariously atop her shoulders. "Let's get this over with."

Luna nudged Moon's cheek as they watched her go. "Corey wasn't exaggerating. Things really have gotten out of hand in your absence."

"Yeah. I just hope it's not too late to repair the damage. Otherwise this is going to be a seriously one-sided fight."

AN: Hey, I got this up just over a month after the last one. Progress!

In all seriousness, this chapter came together a lot easier than the last. It's been difficult deliberately keeping Usagi on the sidelines in her own story, but I'd never tried to write a Sailor Moon fic WITHOUT Sailor Moon in it. This fic has been about challenging myself - moreso than previous efforts - with the shift to single perspective chapters, and Usagi's absence was another way to push myself. Plus, seeing the team fall apart in her absence felt like it might be heightened if you didn't see her either. She's back now, though, and ready to focus on the real issue, Chaos and its army.

With her return, however, comes Corey's departure. I love him, I do, and it means a lot to know so many people received him so well upon reading Last Guardian Knight, but my decision to have him 'rebel' towards the end of Order of Black has led us here. I couldn't see a way to integrate him back into the group after openly criticising and acting against them, not easily, and as time went by I became less convinced that he'd even WANT to come back. For better or worse, he's off to rediscover himself and how he fits into the team dynamic as a Guardian Knight, not a Sailor Senshi in all but name. He WILL return eventually...once he's figured it all out (and maybe gotten a bit of an upgrade so he can contribute!).

I sincerely hope you enjoyed this latest chapter. I'll probably keep the Tokyo/London/Tokyo, etc, pattern going for now, returning to Rinjirou, Mamoru and Grandpa next time out. They've got their sights set on Order of Black HQ, and who knows; we may see a familiar face from Last Guardian Knight as well. Your continued readership, reviews and general feedback are greatly appreciated as always. I just hope the faster update means my writer's block woes are behind me. Thanks again for your support, everyone. Back with more soon!

Lisseas