"Misty! Oh, thank goodness, you're okay!" Brock said when Misty slogged into the Cerulean Gym. She looked like a mess. There were dark circles under her eyes and her hair was a mess. She certainly looked like she'd been through a lot. She certainly had been. Now things were much more complicated than Brock could see, but there was no way Misty was going to say anything. "I saw the attack on the news! Were you hurt?"

"No," she said, walking past him.

"Misty, what's—"

"I'm tired," she said. Brock couldn't say anything. He just watched with his mouth gaping open as Misty slogged upstairs.

Landing on the bed face-first, she groaned in exhaustion. What a day! "I need a painkiller," she said, holding her head. That reversion must have taken a lot out of her. Being a Sailor was not as easy as those girls made it seem.

And who the hell were they? They didn't wear masks, for cryin' out loud. Don't superheroes of any kind have to wear mas—oh, wait, Superman.

She'd first heard of them a few years ago. She'd assumed they were just some story fantasy-crazy girls created. They were just some kind of modern fairy tale. There was no reason someone would actually believe in them. Sailors belonged in the realm of bad comic books. Anyone who actually thought they were real was a fool.

In reality, she did believe in them when she was younger. She was at the right age to believe in fantastical ideas, so she'd keep up with internet rumors about the Sailors every time she and the trio got to a Pokemon Center. It kind of made her friends and family a little nervous, particularly Ash. But there were times when it seemed like she had something; the sky darkening in the middle of the day, for one thing. But for the most part, they were credited to simple things like a Zapdos sighting (I'm not even kidding).

She figures she must have stopped believing some time when she got older. She had other things to worry about, like running the Gym, so things like childhood fantasy went out the window. Eventually, she came to see the idea of girls running around fighting monsters while dressed like a combination between Wonder Woman and Japanese schoolgirls was kind of silly.

Now Power Rangers on the other hand… where the hell did they come from?

At some point, she fell asleep, exhausted from the day's events. She's on the moon again. The building in the distance gave of an ethereal glow. The sound of running water is the only thing she heard. But that didn't last long. Come… Of all the clichéd things to hear, it has to be that. With a sigh, she puts her foot forward and tries to find the source of the voice. She's actually become used to the dream. It's become familiar, but she's still a little apprehensive. Where are you? The voice sounds impatient. Is it something she did? She's closer to the building. It looks abandoned, but it couldn't have been more than a day ago. It's still in pristine shape.

Her footsteps echo once she enters. Marble covers the floors, walls, and ceilings. She wants to find whoever… who's that at the top of the stars? "Hello?" she asks. "Miss?" She stayed silent. She'd seen enough horror movies to know that a person standing at the top of the stairs and staying silent is a ghost. But she feels at ease with this girl. She's familiar, like the one from the earlier dreams.

"You did well today," she says. Okaaayyy… "I am pleased."

"Do you have to talk like that?" she asks.

"I am a princess," the other girl replies.

"Princess! ?" The other one nods.

"You are a Sailor now," she says. "You have great responsibility." Is she copying Spider-Man? "I hope you and your comrades will succeed."

"What are you tal—"

"Whooooaaaa, we're halfway thay-ah

Whoa-oh! Livin' on a Pray-ah!"

Misty awoke to her phone ringing. She looked at it, and noticed the Caller ID said "Ash". It only took less than a second for her to answer. "Hello?"

"Hi, Misty!" his familiar voice chimed from the other end. "I was just calling to see if you're okay."

"I'm fine," she said. "I guess you're okay."

"Yeah, we got away as those things arrived," said Ash. "I was worried since I didn't know if you were okay, but, you're fine!"

"Yeah," she said. She sounds a little bored.

"Can I make it up to you?" he asked.

"How?"

"Why don't I take you to the Cerulean Fair this Saturday?"

"Cerulean Fair?" Now she's interested. "Really?"

"Of course!" he enthusiastically interrupted. "I've been wanting to go for a while, now!"

"Um, okay," said Misty. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow, then."

"Okay, Misty!" Ash said a big smile on his face. "Bye!" He pressed 'END' while May and Jimmy looked on. When he turned to them, his face shifted from his old, goofy grin to that of a serious leader. It wasn't quite a mask, but more like an off-screen character development.

"So what now?" asked Jimmy. "Now that your friend accidentally spilled the beans, S.H.I.E.L.D. is pissed."

"Fuck you," said May.

"We'll have to figure that out," said Ash. "I have an idea, but I'm not sure what you guys—or Commander Fury—will think about it."

"Try us," said Jimmy.

"Who was that guy Drew was riding with?"

"He's gone off the deep end," said Jimmy. "Why?"

"Because I think we need a new Ranger."

:-:-:-:-:-:-:

"Your mission was a FAILURE! ! !"

"But we did our best!"

"Your best is not good enough! Those human fools were able to stop the attack!"

"But we did alert the humans to us."

"Aye, you did do that. But remember, I do not want anymore failures!"

:-:-:-:-:-:

Misty woke up earlier and on time the next morning, and arrived at school about 20 minutes early. She had a good breakfast of… Eggos and Frosted Flakes. But, Misty was satisfied and ready to take on the day, even some nasty monsters. But the reminder that she needed to meet with those Sailor girls at 4:00 kind of dampened her mood. But she would face them with aplomb.

The campus was buzzing. She'd already gotten a preview in the morning when she saw KCCT news of the fight (right after some issues with the Presidential election) at breakfast. But this was when she saw how big it was. Newspapers covering the event were everywhere. Pictures of her (as a Sailor) were nowhere to be seen, and neither were the Power Rangers.

It wasn't as crazy when classes started. In between periods, however, then things went back to crazy. Rumors were flying around about what happened. Some of them were that it was all part of some guerilla movie film. Others were claiming it was aliens. Others mentioned the Sailors (but not by name).

This didn't matter to our resident S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. They were concerned about a certain green-haired coordinator and his brown-haired friend. There was no way they were going to kill him, but they needed him to stay silent. And they couldn't tip him off, either.

Drew had different classes from the others. So they had to wait for lunchtime or a break to talk to him. It was around lunchtime when they were able to talk to him. They managed to find him in the crowded cafeteria. May made the first move. "Hi, Drew!" she said, a big smile on her face in an attempt to charm him.

"Um, hi," he said. It must have worked.

"Do you mind if I sit with you?"

"Um, sure," said Drew. May sat down next to him while Ash and Jimmy followed suit. It didn't take long for Drew to realize she was trying to sweet talk him. So much for that crush on her…

"What happened to you yesterday?" she asked. "You never met with us."

"Well, I kinda got delayed," said Drew. "The guy I was driving with and I got attacked by those monsters."

"Aww, poor Drew," she said, almost sarcastic. Don't worry, it's not that bad. "Who were you with?"

"His name's Touya Kinomoto," said Drew. "He's a senior, and he's from Japan."

"How do you know him?" asked Ash.

"My mom is friends with his dad," said Drew. "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason," May said sweetly.

"I hope you're not using me," said Drew.

"I'm not," she said.

"Then why did you ask me about Touya?" he asked, getting determined. They should have been concerned, but Ash and Jimmy were trying to keep from laughing. "What is this about, May?"

"Nothing," she said.

"I'm not an idiot," said Drew. "I know that was you yesterday. I can recognize your hair anywhere; you haven't changed it in years. The trio was panicking. Things were moving way too fast, and May needed to play defense.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," said May. "There must be some other girls in this city with the same hair. I'm a popular coordinator, after all." Drew had to admit she had a point, but he wasn't buying it.

"Really?" Drew asked. May knew he had her beat, but she didn't back down.

"Drew, what are you trying to say?"

"Are you a Power Ranger?" As if to make him look stupid, Ash and Jimmy snickered. May rolled her eyes.

"Drew, I have no idea what you're talking about," she said. "You're sounding crazy."

"I'm not!" Drew shouted, almost disturbing some other students. "The Yellow Ranger said my name and it sounded like you!"

"Drew, this is crazy," she said. "I was nowhere near you, wherever you were. I was heading back to my house with Ash and Jimmy."

"She's right," said Ash. "Drew, nothing's going on here."

Drew didn't buy it. But his experience as a coordinator told him to be patient. So, he decided to take it down a notch. "All right," he said. "I guess you're innocent." Of course, May didn't buy him, either.

"I'm glad," she said. "Now then, Ash is taking Misty to Cerulean Fair this weekend. Why don't we go?"

"Um, okay," Drew said with a blush. Ash and Jimmy snickered. Now that they had Drew thinking they were innocent, they could talk to Touya… quietly.

"Hey, is Misty sitting by herself?" May asked, looking over at her. She was sitting far away and looking out the window. And it wasn't too far from Deshi and Denchu. May got up and walked over to the red-head. A few minutes later, the two came back to the table.

"Hello, everyone," she said.

"Hi," said Ash.

"I hope you're okay," May said with a smile. "Everyone was worried about you yesterday, Ash especially."

"I got caught up in things, but I was able to get away," said Misty. "I'm sorry I didn't make it."

"That's okay," said May. "Oh, I hear you and Ash are going to Oktoberfest this Saturday."

"Yeah," said Misty. May looked at Ash coyly.

"It's actually some progress," said Misty. "Even when he's 17, he's still obsessed with battling and catching Pokémon." She gave him a dirty look, to which he tried to play innocent.

"What?" he asked.

:-:-:-:-:-:-:

As soon as the day ended, Misty bolted from the campus. The remaining football players had to get out of the way while she rushed off campus and onto the tram. Ash, May and Jimmy waited around for Touya. We're going to focus more on our stressed-out female lead, first.

Misty got to the park, which was right across the street (south) from the UC Cerulean campus about 5 minutes early. A bunch of college students taking a break from their classes or to study were all around. It was going to be hard to tell who these girls were. It would be just as hard to hide from all these people. What were those girls thinking, any—what the hell is rubbing against her leg?

She looked down to see the same black cat from yesterday rubbing up against her leg as if it was hers. Okay, why was this cat following her around and why was it acting like she owned it? "Shoo," she said, trying to nudge it away. It just moved away from her. With all the people around, she couldn't kick it, and she wouldn't have kicked it, anyway. She's not cruel!

"Please, kitty," she said. "Please, I don't know why you like me."

"There she is," said a voice behind her. Misty turned around to look. Her head recoiled in confusion and surprise.

"Denchu Risato and Deshi Ginsei?" she asked.

"How do you know our names?" said Deshi.

"My friend told me about you," said Misty. "What are you doing here?"

"We're looking for that cat," said Denchu.

"It's right here," said Misty.

"Why are you here?" said Deshi.

"I'm waiting for someone," said Misty.

"Who?" said Denshu.

"I can't really say," said Misty.

"This is her!" came a voice. Misty looked around, trying to find out where in came from. It didn't sound like Deshi or Denchu, did it?

"Did you say anything?" she asked. Denchu pointed down. Misty wasn't sure, but it looked like she was pointing…

… At the cat.

She looked down. The cat was looking at her. There's no way this cat could be—"She's the new Sailor."

:-:-:-:-:-:-:

Ash was waiting outside the school for Touya. Most of the seniors had left for Kasey's or home. He kept a low profile, simply waiting while they passed by him. The angle at which they came out, he wasn't even in their peripheral vision. That kind of training is the kind he got from S.H.I.E.L.D., but that's not the biggest thing he learned from them.

Most of the seniors had already left, but Drew told him that he preferred to leave last. This was not out of studiousness. He actually had other reasons, but even Drew didn't know, Touya didn't really talk that much with others, even family friends. But Ash didn't care about that. This was a recruitment visit. And once Touya arrived, well, that's classified information.

He finally spotted Touya walking out of the building. He was talking to some bespectacled white-haired boy. They seemed really close, like best friends, maybe even… Nah! However, they might be keeping it subtle. Ash waited for the gray-haired guy to leave. He was patient. He had to be patient, after all. It's a pretty big departure from his previous, impatient personality.

Finally, the white-haired guy was leaving and Ash decided to make his move. He walked up to Touya and tapped him on his shoulder. "Are you Touya Kinomoto?" he asked.

"Yeah," Touya said a little harshly.

"I want to talk to you about something," said Ash.

"Aren't you Ash Ketchum?" Touya asked. Ash's ego piqued.

"Yes," he said proudly. "Why do you ask?"

"Whatever it is, I'm not interested," said Touya.

"You should be," said Ash.

"Why?" said Touya.

"You'll see," said Ash.

"I don't want vague statements," Touya said as he headed for the parking lot. "I want to know what I'm getting into."

"I can't quite say that," Ash said, walking up to him. Touya looked back. He looked very impatient, like one more sentence out of Ash was going to make him deck the Trainer in the face.

"I barely even know you," said Touya. "And you don't know me. In fact, this is the first time we've met. Why should I go with someone I don't know after what happened yesterday?"

"What happened yesterday has everything to do with why I'm here," said Ash. Touya stopped. Now he had his attention. "I know this is going fast, but I need you to listen to me." He got up near Touya's face. "The world is under threat. I know it sounds strange, but that orc attack yesterday was not random. And I need your help in fighting this off."

Touya looked at Ash in shock. "How did you know about that attack? Who are you?"

"I'm not someone to be trifled with," said Ash. Touya had heard of Ash's idiocy. These kinds of words were big for him. Then, he realized something.

"No wonder Drew was talking about you," he said. Ash nodded. "Now I recognize you. You're that guy who changed red."

"Now what do you think of my offer?" Ash asked.

"What is it?" said Touya, "Because I'm listening."

:-:-:-:-:-:-:

"Is she okay?"

"Luna, what did you do?"

"I didn't do anything! She just screamed and fainted!"

"The way she screamed, I though the whole city heard her!"

"I told you to stay quiet!"

"Why?"

"We could have found out who she is on our own!"

All Misty could see was blackness. Pretty soon, she began to find herself coming to. She felt something like bark on her back. She was still a little disoriented, too. She groaned a little and heard footsteps coming her way. "She's waking up!" said one voice. She started to open her eyes. At first, the glare from the sunlight made it hard, but eventually, she was able to open them completely. Once they adjusted, she noticed Deshi and Denchu staring down at her.

"What was that about?" said Denchu.

"What happened?" asked Misty. Denchu sighed.

"You fainted," said Deshi.

"But first you screamed like you saw a ghost," said Denchu. "I can't believe a talking—"

"Well, you certainly scared us," said Deshi. She helped Misty stand up.

"Jeez, I think I saw a talking cat," said Misty.

"You did."

"Luna! Don't faint!" Denchu said, trying to hold the American girl up. "I'm sorry," said Denchu, "But that's Luna. She's our… guide, if you will."

"But a talking cat?" Misty asked. "I've nev—Oh, wait, a talking Meowth." Suddenly, it didn't seem so strange. "Alright, I think I'm okay. So your name's Luna?"

"That's right," said the cat. "I used to be the advisor for Sailor Moon herself."

"You… did?" Luna nodded. "Um… okay…"

"Are you at a loss for words?" Deshi asked. Misty nodded.

"What's going on?" said Misty. "Just this month I was having weird dream—"

"Dreams?" said Deshi.

"Yeah, about some building on the moon," said Misty, "And this person asking me to save the world. I want to know what's going on."

"You're a Sailor now," said Denchu. "You cannot recognize us, but we fought with you yesterday. I am Sailor Thunder."

"And I am Sailor Fire," said Deshi. "I guess you are our third Sailor."

"Great," said Misty. Her shock must have worn off. "Did you two have dreams?"

"Of course," said Deshi. "But Luna found us first."

"We're going to start looking for the other Sailors," said Luna. "And we'll find out just who is attacking."

"Why don't you know?" said Misty. "Shouldn't you guys know these things?"

"I wish I did," said Luna. 'But they're so secretive. All we know are the orcs." Misty groaned and sat back down.

"I'm still trying to figure out what's going on," she said.

"I know, it's confusing," said Denchu. "We were confused, too. But you'll be able to grow into it."

"This has got to be a dream," said Misty. "Please tell me I'm dreaming."

"I wish," said Deshi. "Why do you not go home and rest?"

"Gladly," said Misty. She got up and left, with Luna right behind her. Deshi and Denchu watched.

"Do you think she's the right one?" said Deshi.

"Luna seems to think so," said Denchu. "I want to see if she's ready for this."

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

"Are we there yet?"

"For the last time, no!" Just like Misty, all Touya could see was black. But in this case, it's because he's been blindfolded. He could feel the car swaying from side to side (bad suspension). Ash, Jimmy and May were also in the car. He knew that because they were introduced before he was blindfolded. He was getting annoyed, instead of nervous. Maybe if they knocked him out instead.

Then, the car came to a stop. Now he was confused. He felt someone grab his arm and then rip him out of his seat. "You could have been gentler," said Ash.

"Sorry," said the person.

"You can take the blindfold off now." Touya kind of wished they took their time. Once the bright light faded, his eyes adjusted to the light. And once they were fully adjusted, they widened in surprise.

The place was filled with computers, screens and other gadgets. There were people running around in spysuits, fatigues and business suits. A few people in labcoats were also walking about. The images on the screen showed the spandex-wearing weirdoes he saw yesterday. There were other screens showing those suits and weapons, and even some lockers. "What is this?" he asked.

"This is the Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate Cerulean command center," said one woman with a short haircut. "Oh, my apologies, I'm Agent Maria Hill." She held her hand out for Touya to shake, which he did with some apprehension.

"So, where are we?" he asked. "Some garage?"

"No, this is an old hanger from the Cold War," said Agent Hill. "S.H.I.. has been using it since the end of the Cold War."

"So what's this about?" Touya asked.

"Since you volunteered, I might as well tell you," said Agent Hill. "Our three main operatives—Ketchum, McAndrew and Birch—recommended you for their operation."

"What?"

"They want you to be a Power Ranger."

"What?"

"Hey, you fight like Bruce Lee," said Jimmy, who was leaning against the wall.

"You take karate?" said May.

"You're the best man for the job," said Ash.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Touya said, waving his arms around. "This is all to fast! Why are you doing this all of a sudden? You don't know anything about me!"

"Au contraire," said May. "Drew told us."

"That dumbass," Touya muttered to himself.

"Well? What do you say?"

Ash watched while Touya stood around. He looked confused, and Ash could tell why. First off, as Touya said himself, this was all happening so fast, so he didn't know what was going on. Second, he didn't even know what exactly he was signing up for. "Take your time," said Agent Hill. That certainly helps. It delays things, but it gives Touya less pressure to choose now.

"What is all this?" he asked.

"Good question," said Agent Hill. "I think the professor can explain."

"Professor?"

A screen flashed before a man, much older than Agent Hill, appeared. His hair was wild, like Einstein. Certainly the absent-minded professor type. "Hello," he said in a strange (to Touya) accent. "My name is Professor Gearhead." Ash looked at Agent Hill. She was giving a look at said 'sorry'. "I want to talk to you about ze Ranger Initiative.

"Several years ago, my colleagues and I were developing robotic exoskeletons that could enhance the user's speed and strength. We were trying to find a way to power ze suits through the human body's natural electric output, when we had a breakthrough; a universal bio-electric field or an unseen energy grid zat connects the lifeforce of all living beings."

"What is this guy, a Jedi?" Touya asked.

"Ze discovery and manuiplation of zis bio-electric field allowed us to create our one-of-akind weapons."

Touya heard several lights going on. And there they were; red, blue, yellow, green and black suits just like the ones he saw yesterday. "Ze Ranger Prototype Series Covert Infantry Bio-Suits."

"Because nothing says 'covert' like brightred, yellow and blue spandex," said Jimmy.

"And is not Spandex!" Professor Gearhead shouted. "Ze material is a self-assembling nano-fiber formed with an inter-cellular memory alloy.

Ash watched while Touya stood around. He looked confused, and Ash could tell why. First off, as Touya said himself, this was all happening so fast, so he didn't know what was going on. Second, he didn't even know what exactly he was signing up for. "Take your time," said Agent Hill. That certainly helps. It delays things, but it gives Touya less pressure to choose now.

"Why do you need this?" asked Touya.

"It's a good question," said another voice. They turned around to see a man resembling Samuel L. Jackson with a black eye patch over his left eye. "And I'll be happy to answer as much as I can."

"Commander Fury," Agent Hill said with a salute.

"Who are you?" asked Touya.

"I am Nick Fury," he said. "Director of S.H.I.E.L.D."

"Tell him, sir," said Jimmy. "Even the Sailors?"

"Sailors?" Touya asked. "What are you talking about?"

"Several years ago," said Fury, "We received reports of strange activity coming from Tokyo and London. Strange reports about girls dressed in silly costumes. We weren't sure who or what they were, but eventually, even stranger things started.

"We heard about people who would be sapped of all their energy, facing monsters, and eventually, girls wearing sailor outfits calling themselves 'Sailor Moon' or, something like that. We didn't take it seriously, but then it got weird. Black clouds of negative energy right in the middle of Tokyo, and darkness threatening to swallow the Earth whole, even a circus in the middle of the city. We realized we needed a way to fight whatever was going on. So we have Professor Gearhead develop our weapons."

"So why are they here?" Touya asked, pointing at Ash, Jimmy and May.

"They volunteered," said Fury. "We need to fight these things. We don't know what they are, or why they're here. But we are going to fight them."

"And that's where all of you come in," said Agent Hill. "So, Mr. Kinomoto, what do you think?"

Ash looked at Touya. Once again, his face was full of conflict. Ash looked over at Agent Hill and Director Fury. They seemed to be leaving him to his own decision. An agent was waiting with a metal briefcase off to the right. May and Jimmy were looking at each other, just as concerned. Ash kept his serious face. He looked around more.

"Well?" said Fury.

"What is in the briefcase?"

:-:-:-:-:-:-:

When Misty got back, she noticed there was nobody there to challenge her. Of course, she recognized what with her attending high school and all this new superhero work she was going to be doing, it seemed like she wasn't going to have a lot of time. She flipped through the mail; bills, magazine, junk, bills. She dumped them on the counter and walked in the kitchen.

She walked in the kitchen, opened the fridge and got out some milk. She poured a glass and chugged it. After slamming it on the counter, she sighed. She rubbed her face, some thoughts of 'what now?' flashing through her brain when—what is that?

She looked down to see… "Luna! ?"

"Hi!" said the cat.

"What are you doing here!"

"I needed to watch over you," Luna said as she jumped on the table.

"Wait, why me?" Misty asked.

"Because you're the new girl."

"That makes sense," said Misty.

"If you need any help, you can ask me."

"You're really serious?"

"Of course I am." Misty sighed and said,

"So what happens now?"

:-:-:-:-:-:-:-:

And thus ends the first arc. Well, sort of, we need the second part ready to go.

Sorry if this is a letdown after that big awesome-fest that was the last chapter, but I needed to get some things out of the way. Anyway, Touya Kinomoto is not an OC, nor is he a character created by Deshi, he's from CardCaptor Sakura. You should know who he is. Although in this case, he's an American. And sorry if he's the focus, we needed to recruit him.

Again, Deshi and Denchu are credit to the creators of the Soldier project.