Zero was fiddling away with Ami's computer. Commanded by not only Kira and Hotaru, but Ami and oddly enough, Michiru as well, to take it easy, he decided to hunt for information. While the girls were still focusing on harnessing their elements, he'd asked to borrow the powerful little machine, and was taking a look at some of the files on it. It was there, that he hit a block.

Access Denied? Well it's not password protected…does anyone even know how this friggin thing runs? It doesn't seem to have a battery, and she pretty much pulls it out of hammer-space…

Alright, so let's say it's a Magic Computer. Has some sort of unending internal battery…if I'm being blocked from accessing certain files…hmm…I wonder…is it even possible? Well if it were…I'd have to do more than just channel her aura…and even if I asked her to do it…no…she needs the practice time…if only slightly less so than the others. I…could…but no that'd probably wipe the damn thing.

I guess it's worth a shot…But first…lemme iron out a few things.

"Hey."

Everyone stopped and looked at him.

"Does anyone know how your little transformation thing works? Or even what it does outside of sudden magical powers?"

They all blinked. Even Ami had no answer.

"Right…experimentation time. 'Taru-chan, mind swapping for me?"

Hotaru blinked, before her knowledge of how Zero spoke translated the request. She stood and quickly transformed, changing into Sailor Saturn. Zero stood, stretching slightly, and then walked over to Hotaru, staring intently. A slight bit of self-consciousness built within her, causing her cheeks to suddenly flush as he circled her like a hawk. Kira watched her master closely, sensing something at the edge of her consciousness.

The other girls watched him mutter to himself, randomly touching parts of Hotaru's uniform, before he nodded.

"Can you take it off?"

Hotaru blinked, but before she could do anything he stopped her.

"No I mean physically."

She stared. "You want me…to strip?"

"I was trying to avoid saying it like that, but yes. If possible."

She tilted her head, giving him a funny look.

"Why wouldn't it be? They're just clothes."

"Prove it." Zero wouldn't budge. Hotaru shrugged, and pulled her boots off. Ok, it's possible to remove the outfit…though if it can only be done by the wearer is unknown.

Then the short socks she wore under them. Zero was taking them and placing everything to the side as she stripped. Next, she slipped off the skirt, before tugging at the bow on her chest. It was there that Zero's senses picked up a very weak, almost unnoticeable discharge of energy.

I see…the uniform reacts to the girl's powers…

The bow unraveled slightly, and Hotaru slipped the top off, standing there in her undergarments.

"Happy?"

"All of it."

"Now wait a Fuckin-

"Alright…if you say so." Well…this is a bit embarrassing…but he's got that look in his eyes…he's up to something, and it's not perverted…

Bra came off, landing in Zero's hands. He set it aside holding out a hand to catch her flung panties. She frowned, noticed by everyone but Zero. He's not even looking. Am I…

"Whatever you're about to think, stop. I'm not looking at you because…well for once I'm trying not to be a pervert." That, and I really don't think I'd be able to focus with the image of a naked Hotaru in my head. And this is important.

He grabbed her top, lifting it into the air and staring at it. Looks just like a normal outfit. He picked up each article of clothing, running it between his fingers, extending his senses in every manner possible.

Each one has a very faint magical signature, the strongest coming from the skirt and the weird heart thing on the front of her top…I wonder.

"Kira."

"Master." The red-head nodded, sensing through their link what his intentions were. She shimmered and where she stood was a small dark orange furred fox with a single white tipped tail. She bounded over to where he stood.

"Get her scent."

The fox nodded and trotted over to Hotaru, who was blinking rapidly at the exchange. She giggled as the slightly damp nose of the fox would occasionally touch parts of her body as it sniffed her out. Kira turned around, when Zero spoke again.

"All of it."

The color drained from Hotaru's face, before it returned in spades, as she flushed heavily while the fox sniffed at her crotch. Chibi-Usa was rolling on the ground, laughing her head off Haruka unconsciously snapped a tree branch next to her with a wild blast of wind, while the other girls just stared open-mouthed.

"Back."

The fox bounded back, before sniffing each article of clothing. Another shimmer and Kira was back to her human form, rubbing her nose before sneezing once.

"Sorry."

"Results?"

"There's no scent."

Zero stared at her. "Not even the panties?"

"Not even them."

His eyes narrowed. Now I really want those specs. I had a feeling there was some level of illusion wrapped around them when they transformed, but to hide even scent? Let alone be able to hide it from a magical creature…especially one as powerful as she is…

It looks like I have no choice. I have to give this a shot…because I don't even know if she realizes what this thing is doing.

He gave a sharp nod to Kira, who gathered Hotaru's uniform, and brought it to the girl. Hotaru would end up waiting to put it all back on, for Zero had flickered over to the standing Ami, and pulled her into a random kiss, out of nowhere.

The first thing Ami noted, was that his eyes were closed. Even though he was being extremely gentle, and very tender with her, she could still…sense…tension in him. The biggest surprise came not from when his tongue met hers…but when he opened his eyes.

She stared in shock.

It was like looking in a mirror.

Helping Hotaru

Chapter XII:

Senshi's Beginnings Revealed!

The Moon Kingdom's Folly.

Access.

Her computer speakers loosed a single word. With that, Zero pulled away. Nobody had realized he was still holding it. For a second, Zero stared at Ami, slightly unnerving her, for it was as if he'd plucked her eyes out and stuck them in his own sockets. He sighed.

"And that…Chibi-Usa…is why they…exist."

She'd stopped laughing when Zero kissed Ami. But when he spoke, her mind raced.

They…wait…what did he-

Her mind flashed back. Back to weeks ago. Back before she was in his head.

"…He can't play violin. He doesn't know how. …to get this good in a week…even for him that's pushing reality…"

"…he must have copied her…"

"What if he's using his powers to sustain it?"

"…holy…But…but that doesn't…you can do that?!"

He stared at the ground. "Apparently…"

"But how does that-

"Imagine…if someone…anyone…were to suddenly be able to control me."

"…with that kind of power…"

"Not only would nobody be safe, for my magical skills are insane…especially now…"

"But if you can mimic…"

"Pure essence. There was a lock, on the deeper files of this computer. I'm no hacker, but I could have broken through, and assuming it doesn't have a protection clause to wipe itself if hacked, I could have damaged some important data."

"There was no password?"

"Nothing. So I thought, first off, how does this thing even work? Sailor Mercury suddenly generates it, her Tiara turning into a visor that can link with it. So I thought, maybe it's tied to her. And then I remembered, I can mimic stuff. But…"

"You…didn't even know you could mimic…existence?"

He shook his head. "I'd never needed to try. This…this isn't Zero's power. It's Kai's. And even then, Kai didn't use it much."

"…how?"

"Slight magical trace enhancement until I overlapped my own essence with hers."

"From a single kiss?" The conversation was making everyone re-evaluate how smart Chibi-Usa was…and making Hotaru realize how little she really knew about the man she called her boyfriend.

"Well…I figured it was possible theoretically. I highly doubt Hotaru, or anyone save for maybe Ami herself would have liked it if I'd just randomly jumped her and ran her wild right here."

Chibi-Usa rolled her eyes. "I dunno, the primary show would have been educational, and the after-party would have been hilarious."

"I've been on the receiving end of the Outer Trinity's Triple Tech once already, I'd rather not test my luck against a Four-pointer."

"Even so…they said they were-

"They are. But that's not all they are."

"Misinformation?"

"Lack of it, really. People will believe what someone with proof says, but nobody says they have to be told everything."

"I suppose that makes sense…so their true purpose…"

"Is to keep everyone else, out."

"Doesn't explain how swapping spit with her gave you her eyes…or…whatever you were trying to do."

"Like I said, sex would have been the easiest way-

"But nobody'd probably even let you finish."

"True. But then again, with a bit more power, and a tad more focus…"

"You can…" She glared at the ground as her mind tried to formulate what she wanted. "…take…parts of her…because our spit has very trace amounts of our essence…and amplify it…until it's on a high enough spectrum?"

He nodded. "I'm impressed, you figured that out with little help."

"Well, I'm no Ami but I'm not Usagi either."

"Hey!"

That put a smile back on Zero's face, however slight.

"Okay…I don't know how long I can keep this up…"

"Is it that hard?"

"Not…hard. Just draining. And I'm still not at full strength from the Summoning. So I'm already feeling the effects."

He plopped down, typing in a few commands.

"Aha! Exactly what I was looking for!"

"What is it?"

"A rundown on the Transformation. Listen to this."

"The outfit of the Sailor Senshi is designed for both mobility and sex-appeal. After all, a distracted enemy is a dead enemy. The heart shaped brooch on the chest contains a small crystal that is charged by the Senshi's magical aura, to generate a slight protective field around the torso, to reduce damage taken in battle. The tiara as well has a similar, harmonized crystal, to synch with the main battery to provide protection from head injury.

While this doesn't make a Senshi immune to damage, it increases the level of attack required to cause actual injury. The field also hyper-activates the body's natural healing process, allowing for longer combat times at a low cost. If needed, the crystals can be utilized as a drain upon magical objects, purifying any corruptive energies within them, and increasing the level of protection for a short time. The skirt, acts as a diffuser, sending a small bit of the field downward towards their legs, while the boots are enchanted to cushion the feet and reduce impact strain on the muscles.

The outfit is modular in nature, able to change slightly as more power is gained, until it reaches its maximum output (1). This allows for further protection, as well as greater range of offence, due to slight upgrades of accessories or accenting of the outfit, which in turn increases the range of magical looping, giving the Senshi more power to work with.

As added protection, the outfit's magical output distorts the image of the Senshi, making it difficult for normal or low grade mages to see the true identity of the warrior, even if they know the girls personally outside of Senshi Form. Stronger magically potent beings however, can pierce this illusion by will. As a downside, if a strong enough being is present during the Senshi's transformation, the illusion fails.

Note one: Sailor Saturn is the exclusion to this clause, due to her nature as- oh son of a fuck the damn data's corrupted here."

"Well…that explains a lot really."

Usagi smiled. "Well then thank you, Zero, for giving us this information. I think we can all say we basically just let it be, after a while."

"Can't say I blame you…that's how I was about my Mimicry, before a little bit ago. I didn't know how or why it worked, just that it did. So I didn't think to push it further." He typed a few more keys in. "YES! It has a file on the Origins of the Senshi."

"Nobody knows who the original Senshi were (2) oh hey there's a link here…I'll come back to it. What is known, is that the Sailor Senshi are magical warriors embodying the natural elements of existence. Each Senshi has mastery over an element that matches their guardian planet, and has access to full manipulation over it. However, this information is usually unknown by the Senshi, therefore most end up only wielding 'pre-installed' attacks, techniques used by their predecessors, stored within the Sailor Crystal.

Senshi exist in all corners of the galaxy, their strengths, weaknesses and skills all varying from person to person. All Senshi are female, due to some form of magical binding clause within the Star Seeds of a woman, that makes it different from a man's. Some speculated that only those of royal blood could become Senshi, but this was disproven after a time. However, if one is of Planetary Royal Blood, it is far more likely that one will awaken as a Senshi. In short, All Princesses are Senshi, but Not All Senshi are Princesses."

Haruka frowned. "That…doesn't make sense."

Zero shook his head. "It does. It basically comes down to this. If you're a princess tied to the royal family of a planet, you're gonna be a Senshi at some point. What better ruler for one's people, than someone who lived both the life of a noble, and the life of a fighter? But on the flip-side, say the princess isn't magically strong enough or something, or maybe the Sailor Crystal whatever the hell that is, doesn't pick her. That means any random girl with enough magical power, and a strong enough tie to the world can be a Senshi. A Senshi can be any girl, but a Princess is almost certain to end up a Senshi."

"Ehh…still doesn't sit right but go on."

"For the Sol system of the Milky Way galaxy, there is an unusual arrangement. There are four Core Senshi, and four Outer Senshi. The Core Senshi are the planets closest to the Moon Kingdom, located on the surface of Luna, Terra's satellite. These four command the elements of Ice, Flame, Lightning, and Light. As you may note, two of them are Hybrid elements, and two are Core. This arrangement allows the Senshi of Mercury some slight control over Wind and Water, as well as extra protection against both, while Jupiter has protections against Earth, Fire, and Light, while able to slightly tap into the Sub-element of Nature.

It is to be noted, that the Second set of Senshi, the Outer set, protect the Kingdom from threats outside their galaxy. Uranus, Neptune and Pluto access Wind, Water and Time respectively. As such, they have access to the three most dangerous elements, as well as full control over them. (2)"

"…why doesn't it say anything about Sailor Saturn?"

Zero frowned. "That's what I was wondering…this link…it's a file. No…it's a recording."

"Play it."

"If you are listening to this, then you have discovered the blatant discrepancies in the description of the Sailor Senshi. This was intentional, for this information is only for those who truly seek Comprehension.

My people have made a grave mistake. And for that, we have unintentionally cursed the Universe to a fate of constant desolation.

This, is the final recording of King Asgard the Fourteenth, Lord of Saturn."

Not always did my people have a Senshi. Our planet's Star Seed was not strong enough to manifest a protector. Compared to the other bodies, Saturn was considered weak, worthless. Though our Rings provided the System with many of their needed metals and minerals, our planet itself was looked down upon, scoffed at. Our Royal Family was considered pointless, weak.

Quite obviously, we didn't like that.

For decades, our scientists, our mages, searched. We had done our research upon the matter, for the Moon Bloodline was a benevolent one, granting all access to information. We found the nature and existence of the objects known as Star Seeds, and how they effected who was chosen as a Senshi, and who wasn't.

Upon discovering this information, we sought our own Planetary seed. We found it in a little girl, and without any question, we extracted it from her. I cannot but wonder if her death was the sign that we should have stopped. But at the time, nobody cared if a random street urchin died, as long as we could have a Senshi of our own.

It was then, that we learned that the others were right. Our planet was weak. The Seed barely held any glow. So, our mages sought a way to increase its power. Another decade passed, and someone came up with an idea. All Kingdoms had history of a Goddess. A single being among beings, who governed our existence. My ancestors forged a ritual, communing with the Goddess. Upon the spilt blood of many a Virgin, the ritual was completed. The Goddess heard our cries, and granted her power unto our Crystal.

And that was our biggest folly.

Upon her creation, our Senshi, Sailor Saturn, immediately lay waste to her creators. It is clear to me now, that we had angered the Goddess, for Sailor Saturn was naught but Destruction incarnate. Upon wiping clean the life within the range of one of our largest cities, she fled the planet, crushing all who stood in her path. The other Senshi, the other kingdoms rose up against her, and did battle. Armies were decimated in the blink of an eye. Fires were thrown from her fingers, walls of stone rising as protection, tsunamis created at a whim, beams of light, tendrils of shadow…every conceivable element was wielded with deadly precision by our Senshi, as she began her quest to Cleanse the galaxy of life.

We had created a mindless demon of pure End. And we would only further our mistakes after.

Not a single Kingdom could best her. Their own Senshi defeated time and again, bested by their opposites, bested by their own. Her power knew no limits. It was then, that someone recalled something long ago. Someone came up with a theory, centuries before this occurred, as to why our Star Seed in particular was weak. He was laughed out of the court, but his words were true. Saturn is a split existence. Sharing our space on an alternate plain is another world. A world where Senshi do not exist. After the ritual, it seemed like no time at all, that we'd created a gateway to that world.

And we made our final mistake.

Slipping through the cracks in reality, my ancestors kidnapped the princess of the ruling kingdom in that world. Her magical essence was incredible, her power to restore, to heal, to purify…it was insane. She was perfect, and we were desperate. We took her and fled, leaving in our haste, an obvious trail. We extracted her Star Seed, noting that it had a much brighter shine than any other mortal we'd ever encountered. Another ritual was performed, this one devoid of blood or death. We lured Sailor Saturn back to our world, and amplified the power of the Alternate Princess' Seed, drawing that destructive force into it, sealing her power within.

Of course, it didn't work the way we planned. Immediately Sailor Saturn returned…but she was…docile. The purity within the other princess' Star Seed seemed to contain the mindless destruction of Sailor Saturn.

But our folly would come back to us.

Our sister planet waged war upon us.

I must admit, their warriors are formidable. Their magic greater than our own, mirroring the levels of skill and power that only the Senshi could match. None of the other planets came to our aid…something that is a shared folly among the worlds.

We fought back, losing, I might add. Their wings granted them far more maneuverability in warfare than we could ever match. Our cities were decimated, our people slain, our armies crushed. It was as if we'd been faced with Sailor Saturn all over again. Their people claimed to follow the Will of the Goddess, the very same one that we had invoked. We were desperate. We brought Sailor Saturn to the field of battle.

And there, we would condemn the universe.

She quickly turned the tides of war. Her strokes of her glaive cutting down numerous of their fighters, her skillful weaving of the elements destroying their mages…

But she was of them. Of their Goddess, and of their blood. They soon bounced back. Her spells were no longer as effective, her strikes blocked and parried by single fighters, her defenses pierced…

And then He showed up.

A single fighter, their best, or so I was told. Blessed by the Goddess herself, he made one strike upon our Senshi…and she was split in twain.

Nobody fully understands what happened that day. But when the warrior's knife pierced her very existence, not just her form, he somehow banished the mindless destructive nature within Her. From there, they placed a seal upon her. She would be bound, cursed to an eternal sleep, only awakening if something appeared that could possibly threaten them. They decreed that since we were responsible for kidnapping their princess, they would turn our creation into a weapon for their sake. If any were to emerge strong enough to possibly pierce the veil between dimensions, and put them at risk, she would be woken, to access her full might and remove all life from the galaxy.

We had cursed our Solar Brethren with our foolishness. We had effectively sealed the fate of our people, and the Kingdom itself. But two more events were to be.

At the time, we didn't know, but our Senshi not only was the Senshi of Destruction, but upon the warrior piercing her with his blade, something changed within her. The power of their princess awoke, and merged with our Senshi. She became a literal Goddess. The embodiment of The Goddess. She could Destroy…but now…she could Create. Our people could not rejoice, for we experienced the final folly first hand.

The banished essence of Destruction gained sentience. Our mistake had brought forth a World Eater, a legendary creature of pure malice, whose only desire in existence is to devour everything, growing in power with each consumed world.

The Great Devourer, the Mother of the End…she, is our final mistake.

Be warned, listener. For only those born of our Sister can defeat her. Only our Senshi was able to stop her, but even that was for naught, for she would simply return. Heed this warning, should the people of our Sister fall…

None…will survive.

Silence. Until Chibi-Usa spoke, in a haunted voice, the words Kai had said, before Naru gave him the last piece of his original home.

"Everything that goes wrong in my life is tied to the Moon Kingdom."

Everyone, save for Zero and Kira, stared at her.

They…are the…reason why my home…is gone?

Suddenly a powerful flame was in Kira's hands.

"Say the word master, and these fools shall feel your rage."

He just stared at the now blank computer screen, his hold on Ami's essence dropping after the revelation.

"…Ten million…" He whispered.

He looked up, staring into the distance.

"...Ten million people…erased…when she attacked. And that's not including the armies killed before she consumed the world…"

"Shall I roast them for you master?"

"…" His head bowed again. Even…if I were to kill them, in retribution. It wouldn't make a difference. It wouldn't…fit. It wasn't…the Senshi's fault…this time. It was the people behind them. To kill the Senshi would be meaningless.

"…no."

The kitsune stared at her bond-mate, before extinguishing the flames. "Very well. As you wish master."

…I know…what to do. They ripped away my family…my friends…my home. Ten Million lives were stolen…because their people couldn't fucking get over themselves.

Ten Million innocents. Snuffed out in a single moment. Two survived, and now only one remains.

"…if it wouldn't make her stronger…"

Everyone tensed. "I'd gladly let Mother take this world…but then it'd be harder to kill her."

Wide eyes and open mouths.

"Hotaru."

I knew it. He's going to-

"If you even think…of blaming yourself…I'll have Kira knock some sense into you."

She blinked rapidly, staring in shock.

"And she…wouldn't be forced to second guess every move."

He's…he doesn't-

"Nii-san…you're…not blaming her? Even though-

"She just happens to be Saturn's current incarnation. And even if she was the original…you heard what I heard. Sailor Saturn was a false existence, one created by a foolish people. Anything wrought by her existence isn't her fault." He shook his head.

"That said…it's good…that I didn't hear about this until now…"

Usagi gulped. "Wh-why is that, Zero-san?"

"…because I wouldn't have had any hesitation fulfilling my contract." Dead eyes stared right at her, boring into her soul. Usagi shuddered, but held her ground. She would commit those eyes to memory, the damage the people under her Kingdom's rule had caused to a world that had no tie to them.

"I promise you, I will find a way to-

"Save your words, Usagi. I already know what must be done." He stood, handing the portable computer back to Ami.

"As I said, if it weren't to make her stronger, I'd simply let her devour this world. But she'd be almost impossible to kill at that point…"

A strange glowing ring began surrounding his left hand. Tendrils of energy flowed off of it, like strings.

"No…I will put an end to this. And I know exactly how…to do it."

He suddenly appeared behind Chibi-Usa, the ring flaring with light, as the tendrils suddenly wrapped around her form. The ring expanded, and the symbol of Chaos hovered between the two.

"Was yea ra chs hymmnos yor, en chsee fwal fwal yor. Exec drone hymmnos REPLEKIA enter USAGI TSUKINO ARTONELICO."

In her mind, Chibi-Usa translated the foreign language as it was spoken.

I will…be glad to turn you into a song? What the hell does- Wings? 'Into the wings you carry?' That doesn't… 'Execute download of the song Replekia, into Usagi Tsukino'…what the hell is Artone-

Her thoughts stopped as she was suddenly filled with knowledge. The feeling of multiple essences flowed through her body and soul. Unknown to her, inside her soul, her Sailor Crystal pulsed with light, her rendition of the Ginzuishou becoming slightly tinted with red, as the words spoken by Zero embedded a powerful force into her existence.

As he spoke, the ring that was once around his hand, appeared around Chibi-Usa's body, rotating. As the incantation ended, her body was covered in unusual looking symbols, which glowed pink, before turning black, and then fading into her skin. The Glyph faded, and Zero stepped back.

"What the hell did you just do to our Princess?!" Haruka yelled.

"No more than what your kingdom did to mine."

Everyone froze.

"That's right. She's now a weapon. My weapon. I did some soul searching during the time I was away from you, before the Chain, and found a slight link to where my world once was. Mother only devoured the world…not everything around it. The satellite cannon called Replekia still remains, if dormant. Within her is the command to re-activate it. But I locked it so only I can trigger when it awakens. It would seem that my people were trying to find a way to end Mother for good…and this was their best shot."

Chibi-Usa touched his arm. "I understand. It…doesn't mean much from me…but if this is what I have to do, to atone for my kingdom's sins, I'll do it."

Zero shook his head. "You're fine kit. You're basically just the conductor. Replekia uses a form of Synchronicity to work. It takes the unified minds of whatever number of people attuned to it and turns it into a weapon. The Satellite Cannon takes the power of existence, and wields it against whatever its controller commands."

"Ten Million…"

"…oh…"

Zero looked down, surprised. "You-

"…" Chibi-Usa shook her head. "I…I don't know how I feel about it…but…" She looked straight into his eyes. "As…messed up as it is…you have the right. We caused a horrible imbalance…and rather than simply let our mistakes haunt us for eternity, you wish to rise against what we've created…even if your reasons are simply to keep yourself safe, you'd still be saving countless lives…after everything we've done…that…as callus as it sounds…and as heartless as it seems…considering that we did it first…to people who had nothing to do with us…that is a small price to pay."

"…hmph…now if only your predecessors could have seen that, and taken up the reigns against the Saturn Monarchy, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"Everyone involved made their share of mistakes. Your people ended a major threat, in a way none could have imagined. But…in doing so a worse threat was created. Yet the blame doesn't rest with your people…it still rests with ours, for not involving ourselves in something that grew into what is today. You are the last survivor, re-incarnation or not, you're the final member of a once great people. And to this day, all my kingdom has ever done is mess up your life. If this is what it takes to right the wrongs we've committed, then I'll stand by you forever, even after the scales are balanced. I owe you more than just retribution on behalf of my people, I owe you my life. And as Princess of the Moon Kingdom, I swear I will do everything I can to help you."

"It's always the little ones that understand…"

Zero shook his head, smiling. "It's a deal." Chibi-Usa hugged him. "For what it's worth Nii-san…I'm sorry."

"I know kit…I know…look-

"Go on then. Get some rest. Today's…been big. Bigger than big. I'll make sure everyone keeps up with things while you're gone."

"Channeling yer mom already."

"I'll take that as a compliment." She walked over to Hotaru and dragged her by the arm.

"Take her with you. The air needs to be cleared, and we don't have to be present for it." Besides, she thought it's obvious to me that being around her makes him feel better.

"Pushy now, aren't we? Don't get all full of yourself just because you can activate a Planet Buster."

"It's that strong?"

"Apparently there was one successful test launch. Not that the others failed, but we only used it once. It collapsed a nearby asteroid heading for a neighboring planet. Blew it to dust. And that was only using roughly a third of its maximum power."

"Jeez…well then, with what you have planned, Mother should be cake."

"Gonna leave it as a last resort though…that or a finisher. Even with the amount of power I plan on throwing into it, she might be able to withstand it. No, we'll have to use it when she's already been weakened…"

"Enough. Go home Nii-san. Get rest. Hell get laid."

Hotaru's cheeks flared as her eyes widened in surprise.

"Yeah…you definitely spent too long in my head."

"All me Nii-san, all me."

"Tch, my ass. I think having an older version of yourself floating around in your mind is starting to corrupt you kit."

"Starting? Zee I've been 'corrupted' since I was eight. I just didn't accept it until recently."

"So she says…"

"Have fun you two. Don't tire him out too much Hotaru-chan, we need him able to test us."

"I-you-we-

As the fiercely blushing Hotaru tried to make a retort, Zero gave Chibi-Usa a tired smile, before pulling the raven haired teen to him. The action made her look back at her boyfriend, as he buried his face in her hair, before the two of them vanished with what was becoming Zero's customary ripping sound.

Kira placed a single hand on Chibi-Usa's shoulder, nodding her thanks, before she vanished in a burst of flame. The pink haired pre-teen sighed, before taking a deep breath, becoming surrounded by dark energy. As the wall of black faded, before them stood Black Lady.

"I never would have thought the realms within the Moon Kingdom capable of such injustice. At least with the Black Moon we made it clear we weren't to be trusted. Except for Death Phantom, but he doesn't count." She shook her head, long tassels dangling.

"It doesn't matter, we promised we'd whip you into shape, and that is what we will do. Kyu-chan, would you mind helping?"

The much older woman smiled at Chibi-Usa's darker self. "Not at all my dear. Not at all."

"…it would seem Belsec has fallen."

"No matter…he was a fool, the weakest of your brethren. Fear not my child, this world shall be consumed soon enough."

"I have no fear, my Queen. I simply find his apparent demise…surprising. First Lady Harken turned Traitor, even though her mind-warping was complete, and now Belsec is gone. I merely wonder if we have underestimated this world's protectors. Not even that world could defeat a single one of us Knights."

"Even should they the power to slay a Knight, MY power is absolute. All shall be consumed before my will."

"You are correct. Very well. I have your leave to continue weakening their forces?"

"By all means. I do like my meal tenderized before I cook it."

"As do we all Mother…as do we all…"

A/N: Not my biggest chapter, especially after the massive ones that just came through.

Ar Tonelico, huh? Well…we gamers know it's a tower…but what the hell does that have to do with Zero? And if it's got something to do with the Cannon…how the hell does it exist when that world is gone?

As you can see, Ami, Chibi-Usa and Hotaru are my obvious favorite Senshi. I have respect for the later Usagi as well, but I don't like her as much as the others. Next chapter will deal with a time skip, only you'll get some details as to what happened during it. Also, we FINALLY get to see some REAL action!

Zero's got a lot on his plate doesn't he? I just keep putting him through more and more bullshit. It really shows his inner strength of character though, that he didn't just decide to wipe the Senshi right there.

Taeniaea: Kira's been floating in my head for a while now. This is the first fic I can actually expand on her existence.

This chapter's been basically all talk, but I wonder how people will react to my idea behind Sailor Saturn's creation? To be honest, thinking it up, and the aftermath to learning about it had me depressed for the rest of the day.

And no, I didn't fuck up. Belsec is what the demons call him, Berserk is how his name is spoken in human tongue.