Thank you all for the hits and reviews for this story. I am glad that you guys stuck around after the first two chapter, which were kind on the slow side. Hope you all keep reading when the mess really hits the fan.

Now, onward to the story.

Chapter 2: Corruption of Power

"The witch queen, Neo-Queen Serenity, must be stopped at all cost!" Triten exclaimed over his microphone. A large cheer went up as people hung on to his every word. Transfixed by both his style and the power behind his words. "Neo-Queen Serenity would have you believed that she stands for peace and equality, but these words are nothing but a ploy to fool us. She wishes to enslave mankind with promises of a 'utopia'. A utopia built in her image on the back of people who will and freedom she has stripped away. A world created for soulless drones. "

Another cheer went up and people were on their feet to encourage him to continue. Some were even cheering, 'death to the witch queen'.

Near the back of the pack stadium sat Minako and Haruka. To all around them, they were just another face in the crowd. No one suspected that either of them were one of the legendary Sailor Senshi.

"This guy is good," Minako whispered to the senshi of Uranus.

"He's just getting started," Haruka whispered back.

"With her power you may wonder why she just doesn't take over the world by force. She has the ability to do it, but the witch queen is clever. She wants us to willingly give our loyalty to her because it would make us easier to control. A tyrant who reigns by force can only keep their power for so long. A tyrant, however, who is beloved by their people and seen as a savior can rule for all time," Triten said.

Minako nodded her head. "He has a point."

"I told you this guy was good with words," Haruka said as he narrowed his eyes. "He is very good at painting this picture of Serenity a being a manipulating dictator who goal it is to become god of the Earth. I would almost agree with him if I didn't know Serenity."

Minako nodded in agreement. To imagine that their Usagi-chan manipulating people to gain power was an absurd thought. From the outside looking in, however, she could understand the crowd's fear and concerns. After all, it was not usual for humans to see a person who had the power of a goddess.

"We can fight against this tyrant by banding together as one," Triten stated as he looked over the crowd. "She may have the devil's magic on her side, but we have righteousness, justice, and conviction, which is more powerful than all of the witch queen's magic! Join us, and let's send a message that cannot be ignored. Tell those who follow the witch queen that we will not be bullied, that we won't be scared away. We will fight to the bitter end to reclaim our planet from the hold of oppression, from the chains of slavery, from the slow death of stagnation. Join us and let's fight together for the future of the human race!" He raised his arms up high during the last part of his speech.

The crowd exploded and everyone was on their feet, saved for Minako and Haruka.

Minako felt her heart sink as she watched the crowd's reaction. Whether the leadership of the rebellion were corrupted or not, these people truly believed these hateful words. She began to question whether subduing the ringleaders would truly do anything.

Once Triten had stepped off stage, another person came up to give people information about how they could sign-up to join the rebellion.

"Come on," Haruka said as she stood up and led Minako to the front of the stage where they could sign-up.

The line was so crowded that it took them over two hours to finally reached the front of line. Sitting there to greet the undercover senshi was Triten, smiling with all his charm. Now that Minako could get a good look at him, she felt her heart start to beat faster.

Triten was obviously from Japanese decent with his slanted eyes and short stinging black hair. He was taller than most Japanese's men, however, and had a broad chest that hinted that he had western blood flowing through him. He was most likely raised in Eastern Europe by his near perfect English that was tinge with a German accent.

"Hello, thank you both for coming," Triten said pleasantly. "I hope you enjoyed the speech tonight."

Minako smiled and nodded. "It was very inspiring. You are quite the public speaker."

Triten stared at both Minako and Haruka for a moment. "You're both Japanese. Well, I didn't expect to find my own people way out here. Are you both first generation Americans?"

"We are from Japan, but we're not American citizens," Haruka said before Minako could answer. "We're both immigrated who escape from Japan some years ago."

Triten's eyes darken. "So, you both also flee the rule of the witch queen?"

"Yes," Haruka said without missing a beat. Minako didn't know that Haruka was such a convicting liar. Then again, infiltration was a specialty of all the Outer Senshi. "We've come to realize how wicked Neo-Queen Serenity really is and flee the country as soon as we were able. We came to the United States because it is one of the few countries that hasn't fallen under Serenity's influence."

"Who would have thought that the Americans' legendary stubbornness would be one of the few shining lights left in this world?" Triten asked humorless. "Even here, however, Serenity's power grows. You've heard how the president wishes to make an alliance with Crystal Tokyo."

"Yes, we heard about it on the news," Minako said. "The president said quiet firmly, however, that they would not join the Crystal Tokyo Empire."

"That's how it starts," Triten said with heat. His hands balled into tight fists. "It starts as a simple alliance and in time it will grow to the point where even this country will give in to Serenity's rule. That was how my second home country of Germany fell."

"That is why she must be stopped," Haruka said firmly.

Triten smiled as he handed Minako and Haruka the paperwork. "And she will. By the blood of my ancestors, you will be stop."

Serenity stared worriedly through the window of her bedchambers. It has been nearly six months since Minako and Haruka left for America. She knew that she shouldn't worry about them, but it was becoming harder to do with each day that passed. Michiru and Hotaru have been keeping them inform of the rebellion's worldwide activities, but there has been no specify reports of Minako and Haruka. She knew this would happen since they were both under radio silence. Neither Minako nor Haruka would report back to anyone unless it was an emergency. The only thing they would get from those two are irregular written reports.

The only real good news that came from these last couple of months was that attacks on Crystal Tokyo were becoming fewer. This was mostly thanks to Rei and Makoto's efforts in helping the police force, along with Endymion's personally training the anti-terrorist force.

There was still, however, at least one act of terrorism in a week. The endless attacks and random acts of violence had greatly driven down the morality of the people. All anyone wanted was for things to go back to normal.

"No new attacks today," Endymion said, breaking Serenity from her stupor. "There were several rallies from the rebels near the Crystal Palace and inside the market place, but all of them were more or less civil."

Serenity sighed. "Something is coming."

Endymion lowered his eyes as he put down his reports. "I know, I can feel it too. The rebels are planning something big. Although we have been able to counter any major attacks from them recently, they have been several acts of terrorism in other countries. The worst being in China and India."

"That's because the governments in both of those countries are fragile," Serenity said in deep worry.

"That is my fear as well," Endymion said with a frown. "The rebels could be planning to overthrow those governments and create an independence state. What concerns me the most is that both of those countries have nuclear weapons."

"I knew we should have pushed harder for those disarming agreements," Serenity said as she shook her head. "If those weapons fall into the rebels' hands than countless people would be in danger."

"Which is why I've offered military assistance to both China and India," Endymion said as he leaned into his chair. "China, as usual, is being stubborn, but India seems ready to take our offer. I just hope we're not too late."

Serenity gave a long sighed. "At the rate we're going, we could be looking at a full blown-war."

"I'm certain that is what the rebels want," Endymion stated coldly.

"I don't want war," Serenity said as she looked over her city. "The Earth is just now recovering from the Second Ice Age. If we start fighting and killing each other now, all our efforts over these last two-hundred years would have been for nothing. Can't people see that we need one another to survive?"

"Some people cannot see beyond themselves," Endymion said. "If everyone thought like you, Usako, then the events that led to the fall of the Moon and Golden Kingdom would never have happened."

Serenity said nothing for a moment. "I'm almost tempted, Mamo-chan."

Endymion knew immediately what she was referring to. "You mean the cleansing."

"With each day that passes, I'm closer to considering using the Silver Crystal to wash the negative thoughts that are killing our world," Serenity said tonelessly.

Endymion stood silence for a moment. "I understand, Usako, but you and I both know what a cleansing entails."

Serenity nodded. "It will purge all the dark thoughts from a person's heart and mind, but it will also cause a permanent change within a person much like what happened when I purified Nehelenia. It would be like forcibly taken a piece of a person's soul away. Which is why Queen Serenity never used it to cleanse the Earth."

"She thought it was morally wrong to force people to walk the right path," Endymion said. "She believed that in order for the human race to evolve, they must willingly choose the path of goodness on their own."

"I agree, but it's so hard Mamo-chan not to use it," Serenity admitted. "It's one thing to stay on the moon and watch, but it's something difference to see and feel all the violence firsthand. The people of Crystal Tokyo...of this planet are almost like my children. I mean, I've felt when these people were born. How can I sit back and do nothing as more people are murdered and it's all because of my existence?"

"You are doing something," Endymion said firmly as he walked up to his wife and hugged her. "You're trying to end this without taken the easy way out. More people may die because of it, but in the long run more people will live happier lives."

Serenity leaned into her husband's embrace. "I don't know what I would have done without you, Mamo-chan. Without you, I may have done something regrettable years ago."

"No you wouldn't," Endymion said with a smile. "Even though you may be tempted to use your powers in certain ways, you would have never done anything to force people into righteousness. You have to stop believing that you are the tyrant that the rebels make you out to be."

Serenity gave a long drawn out sigh. "When did things become so difficult?"

"It's always the darkest before the dawn," Endymion said. "We'll get through this, just as we got through everything else. Just be strong, Usako."

Serenity turned to face her husband and smile. "As long as you stay be my side, I can face anything."

They both leaned in to kiss before a knocked at the door interrupted them.

"Naturally," Serenity muttered. "Maybe we can ignore it."

That idea was slashed as the knock got even louder.

"Sorry Usako, but duty come before pleasure," Endymion said as he let go of his wife. "We can continue this later."

Serenity moaned in disappointment as Endymion went to open the door. Standing outside was Hotaru.

"I'm sorry to disturb you at this time of night, Your Highness," Hotaru said humbly.

"You didn't disturb much," Endymion lied. There was little point in given Hotaru a guilt trip. "Is there something wrong?"

"Michiru-mama has just gotten a report from Minako," Hotaru stated.

Serenity ran towards the door when she heard this news. "Minako-chan, is she alright?"

Hotaru nodded. "She's alright, but she did report some disturbing news."

"Gather the other Sailor Senshi and report to the main conference room," Endymion ordered.

Hotaru bowed. "Yes, Your Majesty." She then ran off to complete her orders.

In a span of less than thirty minutes, everyone was gathered to hear Minako's report. Artemis was especially anxious to hear from his dear friend. He had taken Minako's absent the hardest to the point that he hardly spoke to anyone unless it was about business. Only Luna has been able to get through to him over the last couple of months.

Michiru waited for everyone to calm down before she spoke. "I received an encoded letter from Minako about two-hour ago. From what she has reported Haruka and her have successfully infiltrated the inner circle of the rebellion."

"They've managed to penetrate the ranks of the rebellion forces that quickly?" Luna asked in disbelief.

"Although Minako and Haruka have not reported their activities over the last six mouths, Hotaru and I have been keeping a close eye on them. They have made themselves nearly invariable to the rebellion," Michiru explained. "Minako have been traveling with Triten across the United States to spread the word of the rebelling and block any efforts by the president to form an alliance with Crystal Tokyo. Haruka has been using her knowledge on battle tactics to help the rebellion's efforts to overthrow the governments of China and India to secure their nuclear weapons."

Serenity grasped when she heard this. "Haruka has..."

"It is a necessary evil, my queen," Michiru said with a hint of regret. "It was the only way for them to gain the trust of the leadership."

"Strange, I don't understand how Minako being a public speaker makes her invariable, especially if they still have Triten," Rei said in worry.

Makoto looked at her fellow senshi. "Do you think they know Minako's identity and they're luring her into a trap?"

Hotaru shook her head. "Unlikely."

"How do you figure?" Rei asked.

"Because Triten has a crush on Minako," Hotaru said bluntly.

"What!?" Both Rei and Makoto exclaimed.

"Going by what Minako have told us and our own observations, we can safely conclude that Triten has feelings for Minako," Hotaru said. "We don't know how deep these feelings are, but it's highly doubtful he's luring Minako into any kind of trap."

Artemis began to chuckle. "Minako does seems to have that affect on men."

"Please continue your report, Michiru-san" Endymion advised.

"From what we have learned from Minako, they are actually ten leaders of the rebellion forces," Michiru stated. "All of them are people of influence within the governments of Crystal Tokyo, the United States, and even the United Kingdom. One of them is even a descendant of the emperor of Japan."

Makoto whistle as she took in all this information. "When you said these were people of power, you weren't kidding."

"Did Minako learned what these people really wanted?" Endymion questioned.

"To the public and to many members of the rebelling, they want to rid the world of the 'witch queen' and restore the Earth to its proper glory," Michiru said. "To those who knows the true inner workings, however, the leadership wants to become the new rulers of the world and are simply using Serenity as a way to build an army."

"So they start a rebelling by taken advantage of people's fear and distrust of Serenity," Rei said in disgust. "Once they get rid of her, they would be seen as heroes of the common people and people would willingly give them the reigns of government."

"Much like what happened with Serenity," Ami mused, speaking for the first time.

"Those bastards!" Makoto growled as she slammed her fist into the table. "All this death and misery they've been causing and it was all just a big power play by a bunch of suits."

"Does someone like Triten knows about the true intentions of the rebellion?" Endymion asked. Maybe they could lure Triten away if they got him to see the truth.

"I'm certain that he does," Michiru said nonchalantly.

"Wait, if he knows, why would he help them?" Makoto asked. "I mean, I thought he was one of the true believers."

"He's undoubtedly a true believer, but it is too farfetched to believe that someone of his rank and importance doesn't know the truth," Michiru said. "Most likely, he accepts that the leaderships' motives are selfish, but he hates and fears Serenity far more."

Serenity shook her head. "To think I could inspire that much hatred within a person."

"You say that they are after nuclear weapons," Ami said, attempting to get Serenity off her own self-hatred. "Does that mean that they are willing to start a nuclear war?"

"No," Hotaru said softly. "That is just a scare tactic to get Serenity to step down. The leadership knows that Serenity is beneficence and would give up her power to prevent war. That is also the entire point of all their terrorist acts."

There was a long silence in the room

"So, how do we use all this information?" Makoto asked for everyone.

"Easy, we leaked all their dirty laundry to the public and show the true colors of this supposed rebelling," Rei said. "We then arrest those bastards for all the needless people they've murdered."

"We need more hard proof besides just Minako's report," Ami said. "People would easily think we made everything up as a way to cause division."

"I'm certain Minako-san and Haruka-papa are gathering evident to back all their claims," Hotaru said confidently. "We just have to be ready to move once they give us the word."

Minako rubbed her sore neck once she returned to the hotel room. It has been ages since she pulled so many all-nighters. The last time she recalled traveling this much was when she toured the United States just before the Ice Age.

Being back in the States, especially one her favorite cities, New York, brought back many fond memories. The buildings may be different, but the atmosphere was still that of the city that never sleeps. After everything that had happened and all the years that had passed, it was nice to see that some things never change.

Still, her return to the States has been bittersweet. When she toured this country years ago, she had done so as an upcoming pop idol with several movie roles under her belt. People filled stadiums to hear her sing and celebrate; now people filled arenas to hear her preached words of hate and lies.

Minako began to wiped her make-up as she looked into the mirror. She felt like dirt saying the stuff that has and listening to the twisted worldviews of Triten and the other rebels. There were nights where she wanted to yell that none of the stuff they were saying were true. That they were all misinformed about Serenity and the other senshi.

Still, she kept spreading their lies. It was all to gain the trust of the leadership and reveal the true colors of this rebellion. She knew it was all for the greater good, but living this lifestyle was beginning to weigh heavily on her conscious. As much as it hurt her, however, she had to keep going for the safety of the world and for the safety of her friends.

A soft knocked broke Minako from her thoughts. Only one person would knock at her door at this time of night.

"Come in," Minako said, not bothering to look away from the mirror.

The door pushed opened and Triten walked into the hotel room. His handsome face smiled at Minako as she acknowledged him through the mirror.

"Minako-san, I was wondering if you wanted to join the others and me to a late dinner," Triten said. "We have several new donors who are interested in investing in the rebellion."

"It's passed two in the morning. Who in their right mind want to eat this late?" Minako asked in slight annoyance.

"Well, this is New York," Triten shrugged. "There are at least three restaurants in this area alone that are opened twenty-four hours."

Minako sighed. "I'm too tired to meet anyone."

"That's understandable," Triten said. "The event tonight ended only three hours ago and we have been on the road for two weeks straight after getting back from Australia."

"And yet you never seem to stop," Minako half joked. "I swear Triten, do you even sleep or do you just run on coffee?"

"I'll sleep once we have ended the reign of the witch queen," Triten said as his eyes narrowed. "I couldn't rest easy knowing that she's still in power."

Minako said nothing for a moment. "Triten, what exactly made you hate Neo-Queen Serenity?"

Triten was surprise by the question. "Why do you ask?"

"Just wondering," Minako said carefully. "It's just...you have so much passion and conviction that I wonder where did it all come from. Did Serenity do something personal to you?"

Triten had moved and Minako could no longer see him through the mirror. "If you're asking if Neo-Queen Serenity harmed me in the past, then no. Serenity has been doing a good job keeping her face clean to everyone."

"Then..." Minako started.

"You can't always just wait for evil to show their true face," Triten said before he paused for a moment. "You've heard the old saying, 'absolute power, corrupts absolutely'?

Minako nodded even though she knew Triten couldn't see her. Still, he took her silences as recognition.

"Serenity has nearly absolute power. Through that stone she calls the Silver Crystal, she has control over life and death on this planet. The people in Crystal Tokyo call her a goddess and that's exactly what she is," Triten said. "Do you think a goddess would care about trampling over the rights and freedom of mere humans?"

"So, you fear Serenity because she may someday abuse her power," Minako stated.

"She could be abusing them now and we wouldn't know until it's too late," Triten said with heat. "A being such a Serenity cannot be trusted. To do so would invite enslavement."

Minako suddenly had a flashback to the Silver Millennium. She recalled seeing this same fear when the Terrans thought of Queen Serenity.

She also remembered her own feelings when Usagi was reawakened as Neo-Queen Serenity. At first, she deeply revered and even feared Serenity. To her, she was no longer her childhood friend, but the new Moon Queen whose power was to be respected. With the help of Endymion she melted the ice that held the Earth prisoner for several centuries and revived life to the planet, while she and the other senshi could only watch in awe. Given all that, she could understand Triten's concerns.

Serenity, however, was not an indifferent goddess who looked down her nose at humans. Although she had grown greatly in power, Serenity was still Usagi. It had taken awhile for her and the other senshi to see it, but their friend still lived. The only thing that had change was her name since Usagi was always capable of great power and Usagi had and never would use her power for selfish ends. If only she could get Triten and others within the rebelling to see it.

"I have to get going," Triten said. "You can sleep late tonight. We won't be leaving until tomorrow."

Minako heard the door open and shut behind her. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and she finished taken off her make-up. As good as a full day sleep was, she had other business to attend to.

The mask of the rebelling is slowly being reveal.

Until next time.