SailorStar9: Yes, I know it's been a while since I updated, so I bring you Chapter 9 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny and my OCs.

Chapter 9: A Great Army Approaches! The Battle to Defend Palaestra

"Haruto?" Geki blinked, the Wolf Saint dropping to his knees before Genbu, a tied up Pallasite falling to the ground. "And who's this?"

"We captured a Pallasite scout and interrogated him." Guardian Vesta replied, appearing via a flame shushin. "Should've used the pepper and string in the first place."

"That would be overkill." Haruto reminded.

"And?" Genbu pressed. "What did he say?"

"This is a trap." Haruto replied.

"They've been losing deliberately to force us to rescue those people." Guardian Vesta elaborated. "They knew we would bring the refugees to Palaestra."

"Then, it's true." Genbu noted. "We have fallen for the enemy's deception."

"None of you must fight." Genbu objected, Koga's group having stood in front of the gates.

"That what should we do?" Koga retorted.

"Just keep quiet." Guardian Juno replied.

"And watch." Guardian Ceres finished.

"Equip!" the three Goddess Guardians droned on their armours and headed out to their respective battlefields, Juno to the right, Ceres to the left, and leaving Vesta and Genbu to deal with the army in front.

"That's crazy!" Koga gasped, Guardian Vesta and Genbu facing the army heading across the stone bridge. "They're fighting all of them on their own?"

"There is more to battle than numbers alone!" Genbu snapped, the force of his fist knocking down the left side of the Pallasite army.

"Inferno Suzaku!" Guardian Vesta's red and gold fire phoenix engulfed the other side.

"What the heck?" Thebe was stunned to find his subordinates defeated.

"The first thing you must know about battle is that victory is determined by Cosmo." Genbu lectured. "That is what my master, Dohko, taught me. Come!" he lowered his stance.

"Someone's in a good mood today." Vesta joked, the two fighters dodging the strikes aimed at them.

"The second thing you must know about battle, do not underestimate the enemy." Genbu continued his lecture. "Assume every strike is capable of killing you."

"Surround them!" Thebe ordered.

"Idiots." Vesta muttered. "Don't they know I have the perfect attack for this?"

"The third thing you must know," Genbu continued, his Cosmo updraft merging with Vesta's 'Flame Twister' and sending the Pallasites around them flying. "The best defense is a good offense. Attacks must be fast and sure."

"Meteor Summon: Demon's Hammer!" Thebe released his attack.

"Not bad." Genbu mused, holding the comet with one hand. "Impressive power. However, this is a weapon's power. And not your own."

"Are you calling me weak?" Thebe stammered.

"Indeed." Genbu replied, tossing the fireball back at its caster.

"The strength of a weapon isn't you own." Vesta added. "Train or you'll be defeated, unable to withstand your attacks. That's why we Guardians have power limiters."

"The fourth things you must know," Genbu continued. "Do not rely on strength that is not yours."

"Step back, Thebe." Aegir stepped forward. "A class-3 Pallasite cannot defeat them. It appears you've beaten my men."

"Then you're the commander?" Genbu questioned. "The Pallasites should do better in educating their soldiers."

"You underestimate your foes." Vesta agreed. "Those two aren't holding back, that's for sure." She whistled, Juno and Ceres having defeated their opponents via their elemental tornadoes.

"Enough talk." Aegir stated. "Your bravado ends here. I am a Class-2 Pallasite, the Gauntlet. Phantom Arm Aegir will defeat you!"

"Then, I shall attack first." Genbu declared. "Rozan Shinbuken!"

"Psionic Hand!" Aegir countered. "My weapon, the Phantom Arm, draws out the meagre telekinesis that humans are born with, to its fullest extent."

"A nice little tool." Genbu admitted. "But you cannot defeat me with defense."

"Who said it can only defend?" Aegir retorted. "Super Crusher: Phantom Claw! Theoretically, my Phantom Claw can crush anything in the world." He explained, the force forcing Genbu and Vesta to their knees. "You Saints cannot defeat the Pallasites."

"Aegir," Genbu started.

"You said it could crush anything, did you not?" Vesta questioned.

"Indeed I did." Aegir replied. "The Phantom Claw can crush anything. Even a Gold Cloth, made of Oreichalkos."

"I don't know about that." Vesta retorted, her 'Phoenix Kris' in hand.. "Burning Blade!"

"No…" Aegir was stunned when Vesta's fire sword cleaved his dome into half.

"Aegir, you fool." Genbu chided, the explosion of his Cosmo shattering the sphere. "You underestimated the Gold Saint, Libra Genbu's power."

"Ridiculous…" Aegir gaped, the backlash cracking his arm-shield. "A Gold Cloth can't be that tough."

"This isn't merely the Cloth's power." Genbu explained. "Without the Cosmo to master it, even a Gold Cloth is only scrap. However, when combined with a focused Cosmo, the Cloth is capable of infinite power. I told you Aegir, the first thing you must know of battle, is that victory is decided by Cosmo."

"This is…" Aegir gaped, Hyperion sending his weapon into the battlefield. "Hyperion-sama's holy blade. He's lending it to me? Saints, this is the holy blade of destruction. The Cataclysm Slash. The ultimate blade, which can sever anything. Now then, time for round two!"

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.