A jolt of primal fear clawed at Mamoru's chest, an icy bolt of unadulterated dread weaving through his body. At once, his heart pounded as if trying to escape his chest. The sensation of impending danger crashed through him like a tidal wave, leaving him gasping for air.

The feeling was intense, visceral, as if someone had reached into his very soul and twisted it, leaving him breathless and desperate. He staggered, clutching at the nearby wall for support as a wave of nausea threatened to overwhelm him.

Something was terribly wrong.

His mind raced, grasping for an explanation. An image flashed through his thoughts—the mysterious princess from his dreams, her face etched in fear. But as quickly as it appeared, the vision faded, leaving him questioning his own mind. The princess might not even be real, a mere figment of his imagination, a coping mechanism to combat his loneliness.

Still, every fiber of his being screamed that someone—someone important—was in peril.

His hands trembled as he reached for the familiar weight of the star locket hidden beneath his shirt. Its presence was a small comfort, a mythical connection that he still didn't understand.

"Get it together," Mamoru muttered, caressing a rose petal.

The familiar weight of Tuxedo Mask's cape pressing on his shoulders, the slight feel of the mask against his face, and the glide of fabric across his chest were the only things keeping him sane. His feet was moving before his mind could catch up, guided by an inexplicable force, by a faint vibration beneath the natural pulse of the earth.

As he raced through the building, confusion warred with determination. Why did this unseen threat feel so personal? And why did his heart whisper that Sailor Moon might be at its center?

As he rounded a corner, an ominous fog began oozing through the hallway. It glided and snaked across the floor like a demented snake, yet he felt no malice in it. Those alarm bells continued sounding as he bounded forward. While there were numerous doors on this floor, somehow he knew which to take. Without hesitating, he smashed through a door.

"I don't even like horror movies!" A voice yelled from the fog.

"Sailor Moon!"

The dense fog engulfed him, but even in the murky haze, he could sense her. As if an invisible thread pulled him towards her, a connection he couldn't explain and couldn't deny. His heart rate spiked as he caught sight of her.

A monster with an unsettling, humanoid appearance loomed dangerously close. Sickly green skin, stretched tight over a skeletal frame, half-obscured by fog and darkness honed in on her.

"I'm going to turn you into hash," the monster spat.

Glowing red eyes cut through the mist, the sight sending chills through his body. Without thinking, considering nothing, he darted forward. Her presence settled him somewhat, calming the storm inside.

"Sailor Moon," he spoke just loud enough for her to hear him.

Thankfully, she didn't dart away from him. Taking her arms, he held on tightly. "Now! Kick her!"

She didn't hesitate or question, only followed his instructions. "Sailor Moon Kick!"

Smashing into the monster before her, the beast fell away with a cry. Pulling her backward into the mist, they vanished from sight.

"That monster was right in front of you. You have to be more careful!" The panic in his chest was nearly overwhelming at how close she'd come to harm. If that monster had sunk its claws in her… Just the thought was enough to make him tremble.

The intensity of his reaction startled him—why did her safety matter so much?"

The look of shock on her face was almost amusing, as if she never expected to see him again. Their eyes met, and for a moment, they were the only two beings in the world. A warmth spread through his chest that both thrilled and terrified him.

How could he feel this way about Sailor Moon when his heart belonged to the princess in his dreams? And what about the clumsy girl? Why were they all battling for his thoughts?

"Tuxedo Mask! You're here, I don't believe it."

"Go save your friend." His voice was gruffer than he intended, but the storm of emotions swirling inside was too much to handle.

She straightened, squared her shoulders, and peeked back at him. That look in her eye—determined, yet vulnerable—moved him. It ignited something deep inside, as if he recognized it, a familiar spark of resilience and grace. It reminded him of someone important, someone just out of reach.

Then she was gone, vanished into the fog. He knew he couldn't leave, not when danger still lurked close. Instead, he retreated into the shadows, watching over her.

"Hey! That was a low blow," the monster shouted, rubbing her forehead. "You shouldn't be kicking people like that."

"Oh, please!" Sailor Moon huffed. "You're a monster. If you don't wanna get kicked, don't hurt people."

"Don't lecture me. It's in my nature, you don't chastise a snake for eating a mouse."

"If you weren't hurting my friend, I wouldn't kick you! I'd kick a snake if it were going for Ami-chan. If you don't deserve a lecture, I don't know who does!"

He watched over Sailor Moon as she sprinted into action. A mixture of fear and pride coursed through him. She was brave, perhaps recklessly so, and the overwhelming need to protect her was almost overpowering. Yet he also knew that shew as capable, a hero.

Unconsciously, his hand went to where the locket lay protected. As he watched Sailor Moon battle the monster, he couldn't shake the feeling that his destiny might be more complicated than he thought.

"Moon Tiara Boomerang!" A blinding white light split the mist in two and smashed into the monster.

With a flash of darkness and light, the beast split before vanishing in a flurry of dispersing shadow. As the fog thinned, he slipped from the room.

The glowing tiara sliced through the air, its light momentarily blinding Ami. As it struck the monster, a brilliant flash exploded, forcing her to shield her eyes. When her eyes adjusted, the creature was gone, leaving behind only wisps of dissipating dark energy.

It sizzled and crackled along her skin, along with a new energy. She looked down at herself, unbelieving what she saw. Gone was her school uniform, gone was her old self. In their place was an outfit that mirrored Sailor Moon's, but in shades of blue and familiar.

"Ami-chan!" Sailor Moon shouted.

Ami picked at the skirt, somehow completely at ease with the sudden transformation. Almost as if Ami was her mask, and this was her real identity.

"Just like I thought." Luna's voice cut through her confusion.

"What's happened?" Ami asked.

"You are Sailor Mercury, guardian of wisdom and water."

The words resonated within her, striking a deep chord in her soul. It felt like a veil had been lifted, reminding her of a truth she had always known but somehow forgotten. She closed her eyes, almost rejoicing in the uncovered sensations.

Like a morning mist, a gentle haze settled over her mind, obscuring the details but unable to erase the scene. A faint scent of flowers hung in the air, their fragrance delicate and pure. A hand, elegant and graceful, placed a crystal piece on a smooth board.

"Your turn, Blue."

Frantic, she clutched at the vision, desperate to learn the truth behind it. But the more she struggled, the faster the images vanished.

"Fun," Sailor Moon said, bounding up next to her. "Sailor Mercury, we'll be besties!"

"I… I'm Sailor Mercury?" Her voice trembled with a mix of awe and uncertainty.

Luna nodded. "You are, and you're an important part of the team."

Her mind raced, processing this new development. Part of her wanted to deny it, to retreat into the comfort of her books and studies. But a stronger part—a part that felt ancient and powerful—embraced this new identity.

She looked at her hands, marveling at the gentle blue glow that seemed to emanate from her skin. It felt right, as if she'd finally found a missing piece of herself, a missing piece of herself she hadn't even known was lost.

Once the initial shock faded, a nagging doubt crept in. What did this mean for her future? For her dreams?

"Luna," Sailor Mercury began, "will I… will I still be able to become a doctor?"

"You'll be just like Black Jack!" Usagi clapped.

Luna huffed and swished her tail. "Ami, being Sailor Mercury, doesn't replace your dreams. It enhances them. You're intelligent and compassionate, which means you'll be a great doctor and guardian."

Relief washed over her, followed by extreme satisfaction. She wasn't just Ami Mizuno anymore; she was Sailor Mercury. And somehow, someway, she would be both the guardian the world needed and the doctor she aspired to be.

The wail of approaching sirens pierced the night, snapping Ami out of her reverie. She glanced over at Sailor Moon, who rolled her eyes and huffed.

"Oh please, the police?" Sailor Moon sighed. "Why do they have to show up?"

"Sailor Moon," Luna said, her tail twitching with annoyance. "You know you need to deal with local law enforcement. It's part of your responsibility as a guardian."

She stuck her lip out. "Do I have to? I'm so tired from fighting and I think I pulled a muscle and cops are so bland. They never get my jokes."

Luna fixed her with a stern glare. "This is not negotiable. Your duty extends beyond just fighting monsters."

Sailor Moon threw up her arms in defeat. "Fine. You take a breather, Sailor Mercury. I'll show you how the pros handle the pros."

Ami nodded gratefully, her legs still a bit shaky from the transformation. She made her way to a nearby window, needing a moment to process everything that had just happened. As she gazed out at the Tokyo skyline, the glass reflected a stranger back at her. The blue-haired girl in the sailor uniform seemed both foreign and familiar. Both a stranger and friend.

She raised a hand to her tiara, marveling at how natural it felt against her skin. Like she'd been wearing it for a century. Even how the skirt fell across her legs and how the bow moved hinted at a past that spanned more than moments.

It started to rain, and she watched the drops race down the flat surface. In the reflection, she saw herself sitting across from the man in her dreams, engaged in an intense game of Go. A radiant, glowing garden surrounded them, white flowers in full bloom and crystal vines climbing up ornate columns. The air was thick with the scent of something otherworldly.

"Your strategy has improved, Blue," he said, a playful smile dancing on his lips. His eyes sparkled with affection as he placed another stone on the board.

Ami's heart swelled with a warmth she couldn't explain. She reached out to place her own stone, but as her fingers touched the smooth surface, darkness swallowed her. Reality warped and twisted into a polluted nightmare.

The pristine while flowers wilted and blackened. The crystal vines slowly turned to stone, raining sharp fragments around them. Then, with a snap, the peaceful garden transformed into a hellish landscape of jagged rocks and barren earth. The air turned acrid, the wind icy, and all love vanished.

"Where are you?" Mercury called out, her voice trembling.

He was no longer smiling. Now agony contorted his features, and his eyes clouded over with darkness.

"Run, Blue!" he screamed, his voice raw with pain and desperation.

She tried to move, but her body felt leaden. She could only watch in horror as tendrils of dark energy snaked around him, wrapping him in a cocoon of darkness that she couldn't fight. His cries of pain echoed in her mind, each one a physical blow.

"No!" she screamed, finally able to lung forward.

But her hands passed through him as if he were made of smoke.

Faster, the shadows swirled, and his form changed. His once warm eyes turned cold and cruel, filled with a hatred that chilled her to the core. The bond between them, once a source of comfort and strength, now burned with an icy blast that threatened to tear her apart.

"Please," she begged, tears streaming down her face. "Come back to me. I'll always love you."

But her pleas fell on deaf ears. The man she loved was gone, replaced by a sinister stranger who looked at her with nothing but contempt.

"Long live the Dark Kingdom," he said.

Something inside of her shattered. A tidal wave of hopelessness crashed over her, drowning her in the absolute finality of their destiny. Inside, she could feel their bond twisting, corrupting, becoming a conduit for darkness and loneliness.

As the vision faded, she found herself gripping the windowsill, an overwhelming sense of loss and terror gripping her chest. Reflected in the window before her was his face, twisted into a malicious grin.

With a gasp, she snapped back to reality, her heart pounding and body trembling. The rain continued to fall outside, but now each drop felt like a tear shed for a love lost to darkness and memory. Thankfully, like a lifeline in a storm, Sailor Moon's voice cut through the sorrow.

Desperate for relief, Ami turned her attention to the conversation.

"Yes, Mr. Officer, I have the situation totally under control now," Sailor Moon declared. "There was a bad monster."

"A monster?" A deep voice asked. "You expect us to believe that?"

"Yeah, because it's the truth. See, there was terrible evil here, and a brainwashing disk."

"A brain washing disk? And you're sure there's no more danger to the public?"

"Absolutely!" Sailor Moon's voice rose an octave. "Sailor Moon is on the job!" There was a pause, and Sailor Moon struck a pose. "I mean, yes, it's safe now," she added, clearly trying to sound more professional.

"What did they want?"

Sailor Moon shuffled around. "Uh, the bad guys are terribly determined to… uh… do whatever they're trying to do."

"And what is that?"

"I have no idea! We haven't gotten to speak to a main bad guy yet, only monsters. They never know anything, ya know, low on the totem pole. But I'll totally ask when a main bad guy appears."

"Who's going to pay for all this damage?"

"Uh, insurance! Isn't that why there's insurance?" Sailor Moon's voice wavered as if she was unsure.

"Do policies include monster attacks?"

Sailor Moon scoffed. "Do I look like an insurance agent?"

Another officer chimed in, "Are you going to pay for all of this?"

"Oh, um…" Sailor Moon faltered. "Well, you see, when you're fighting evil…"

Ami had to smile at her new friend's predicament. There was something endearingly comforting about Sailor Moon. It was a reminder that they were still just girls navigating an extraordinary situation.

"You don't have to be so mean, Anzi," someone said. "Just submit a claim to the Office of Vigilante Affairs. They deal with Sailor V property damage."

"Sailor V!" Sailor Moon squeaked. "I love Sailor V. She's so cool, and so awesome. And I admire her so much more now that I have to deal with this stuff."

As she listened, Ami's mind raced. Perhaps she could come up with a way to work with the authorities to make this less stressful for both parties. Maybe a database or something to update them on current operations. That way, they'd know what was happening, and what to expect.

Finally, the police dispersed, their voices fading as they moved away.

Sailor Moon huffed and slid into the chair next to Ami. Leaning back, she rubbed her back and stretched. "I'm so tired. Dealing with skeptical adults is always tiring."

"What about dealing with monsters?" Luna asked, jumping onto the windowsill.

Sailor Moon closed her eyes. "Don't talk to me about monsters right now."

Luna turned to Ami, her eyes serious. "Sailor Mercury, how are you feeling about all of this? I know it's a lot to take in at once."

Ami considered the question carefully. A new sense of purpose filled her, mixed with excitement and a touch of apprehension. She may not have all the answers yet, but she was part of something bigger now. A team. A family.

"I'm… overwhelmed," Ami admitted. "But in a good way. There's so much to learn, so much to understand. When is our first meeting? I'd like to catch up on all the information I've missed."

Sailor Moon poked an eye open. "Meeting? Why would we have a meeting? Sounds boring."

Ami shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. "Meetings can be really fun and very informative. I just joined the group. I need to catch up on all the missing information."

"If only you were so proactive, Sailor Moon." Luna let out a breath, but there was fondness in her exasperation.

"Hey! I'm pro a lot of things. Pro-women's rights, pro-manga, pro-early snack time!"

Luna sighed. "I'm increasingly glad for you, Sailor Mercury. Your dedication will be a valuable asset to the team."

Ami chuckled, and soon Sailor Moon was laughing alongside her. In that moment, Ami knew that she'd never be alone again. She had a forever friend in Usagi, and something told her more friendships were on the horizon.

As their laughter subsided, Ami's mind turned to the challenges ahead. There was so much to learn, so much to prepare for. But looking at Sailor Moon's bright smile and feeling Luna's supportive presence, she knew they'd face it all together.

"So," Ami said, unable to keep the excitement at bay, "when do we start training?"