AN: The next two chapters are actually designed to go together, and form the next part of the story. I just broke them up for easier reading:) Enjoy!

Chapter XIV-The Last Fight

After leaving the park in a hurry, the seven Senshi had arrived at the pond long before any of the creatures. Setsuna had had the time to outline an explanation for all of them, and suggest the plan she had devised.

"Yes! We'll hold them in place until tomorrow…!" Sailor Moon wore her determined expression. "Then, you'll have your powers back, we'll all combine our forces… open a rift to send them back…and we'll all be safe again!"

"Sailor Moon!" Uranus turned to the leader. "We'll keep them busy here. You should head to safety."

The smaller blonde started to protest, when she caught the looks of the rest of her friends. They all nodded in consent. That irritated her.

"I'm not a baby! I'm going to stay and fight!"

"Princess…it's our job to protect y—"

"And I'm very grateful for that!" she cut Neptune off in a somewhat cross tone, that immediately softened. "But I have to protect all of you, as well! So stop trying to make me leave…please…I want to stay and fight with you."

None of them insisted, as a more pressing issue presented itself: Mercury's computer detected the group of foreign creatures approaching. The four Inner Senshi gathered around their leader, while Neptune and Uranus again took the flanks. Setsuna drew a small distance away from them.

"Damn it…" she murmured to herself.

The feeling of helplessness angered her. In one last attempt, she gripped her transformation wand.

"Pluto Planet Power, Make Up!"

The others turned in surprise, but understanding dawned on their faces.

"Damn it!" Setsuna cursed again, this time out loud. She lowered her face in her hands, and shook her head, feeling utterly useless.

"Please…" Sailor Moon had come closer, and was watching her with caring blue eyes, "don't worry. It doesn't matter that you can't transform…you've helped us so much already…!"

"I wish…I wish I could do more than just watch."

"I know. But this is only temporary…until you can use your powers again, we'll protect you, alright?"

The older girl nodded with a small sigh.

"Thank you" she whispered to Sailor Moon.

A shout of warning came from Uranus:

"They're here!"

And the cluster of creatures flooded the area.

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The Senshi had avoided violence for as long as they could.

At first, the creatures simply moved around the pond, until one had discovered the hybrid plants lying on the ground. Then, they had all swarmed that patch, in a terrifying display of chaotic dances. They clung to the illusion of familiarity for as long as it took the flimsy plants to tear under their tugs and pushes. Soon, there was nothing left of the hybrids.

The Sailor soldiers had been keeping a respectable distance, watching the creatures with unease. They had wondered how long the apparent truce would last.

It took a while for the intruders to realize what they had believed to be home had been but a weak surrogate. Once they did realize it, however, they erupted into panic and fury. They turned on each other and eventually…

…eventually, they discovered their previous antagonists.

And proceeded to vent their wrath.

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"Venus Love Me Chain!"

The warrior of Love used her attack to bring down a tall metal pole, blocking the creatures' path. Divided into smaller groups, the intruders had started to advance towards the Senshi.

"Alright! Let's try to break them up—but we won't use the combined attack unless absolutely necessary!"

They split up, and attempted to divert the creatures. Running, jumping, dodging and hiding, they tried to preserve their powers for later—the eclipse (and hopefully, the end of the battle!) was still many hours away. They resorted to improvisations: Sailor Mars caused a heap of rubble to crumble, successfully distracting some of the enemies for a while. Uranus started her car, and let it run straight into the most numerous group of creatures.

The strategy worked for some time. But it was not enough.

"Aaah! Get away, get away! Everyone, help!"

Sailor Moon found herself driven backwards, until she had no place left to retreat. Her back against a boulder twice her size, she watched the creatures close the circle around her.

"Sailor Moon! Sparkling Wide Pressure!" The attack hit the closing group on a side; it slowed them down, but did not break the formation. "Hang on!"

"They won't move back!"

The blonde tried to run, but she was completely surrounded. Their silence was frightening. She could hear the others focus their attacks on the creatures that had trapped her, but no effect was apparent. They only came nearer and nearer, the white slits on their mock-faces more visible than every before. She raised her arms to protect herself. She could almost feel their breaths on her skin, as they reached out long limbs…

…and suddenly, a wave of red roses erupted from above, creating a momentary barrier between her and the assailants.

"Sailor Moon!" The man's voice soothed her pounding heart. "Here, grab my hand!"

From atop the large boulder, Tuxedo Mask pulled her to safety. He then jumped out from amidst the enemy group, and landed them both a respectable distance away.

"Tuxedo Mask…!" came a few relieved sighs.

"Sailor Chibi-Moon!"

Mercury's surprised cry was elicited by the sight of the small pink-haired warrior appearing from behind the black cape.

"Small Lady…!" Setsuna gasped in disbelief. "Why…?"

"We're here to help" the man said reassuringly. "What's the plan…?"

"They're regrouping!" Venus alerted.

"I'd say we're done playing nice. Let's show them who they're messing with! World Shaking!"

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