Chapter XV-Final Strike
"Moon Spiral Heart…Attack!"
In a daze of colors, Sailor Moon's attack hit a few of the enemies. They were stunned for a short while, but a dozen others were ready to take their place. That had been the process up to the present moment: one of the Sailors attacked, temporarily disabling some creatures. But numerous others stepped in their places, and kept coming, until the effects of the first attack wore off. Needless to say, the Senshi were growing tired, while the enemies' resources seemed infinite.
"I think…it's time…to try the joint attack…" Mercury's voice came in ragged breaths. "At this pace…we'll soon be too tired to use it…"
Sailor Moon wiped a drop of sweat off her brow, and nodded gravely. The five Inners joined their hands, and cried out the phrases of their combined attack.
One of the creatures vanished, but the others turned even more agitated. They split into numerous groups, surrounding the Senshi on all sides.
Uranus and Neptune joined the others, and the seven together could muster the energy for another effective attack.
"That's not enough!" Mercury cried, as the countless creatures swarmed on them. "We have to try again!"
"You'll end up killing yourselves!" Chibi Moon shouted. "We can't get all of them!"
"I don't see a choice" Uranus said sternly. She saw the others nod, and looked towards Sailor Moon. "Remember…we have to do this."
Their leader nodded in return. Once more they joined their hands, the eight of them this time, and focused on the cluster of creatures closest to their group.
Setsuna watched in anguish as the others fought. It was obvious they stood no chance of winning.
"Again!" Uranus shouted, even as she fell to a knee in exhaustion. The rest of the Senshi were no better condition.
Setsuna sought Chibi Moon with a frantic gaze. The pink-haired child panted from the effort, but was already preparing to strike again. Next to her, wearing the exact same expression, was Sailor Moon.
"Alright everyone", the blonde encouraged, "we'll try again. We'll make it eventually."
"It's no use, you'll die trying!"
Tuxedo Mask's voice was marred with concern, as he urged her to stop.
Sailor Moon gave him a loving look, just as she caught Mercury's hand, ready for another attack.
"Lend me your powers…" she whispered.
The man watched her transfixed. He suddenly turned to Setsuna, a desperate plea in his eyes.
"How can we help them? Please…"
She heard them shout their attack one more time. The effects were devastating…while the numbers of the intruding antagonists had dwindled, so had the girl's forces. They could barely stand—barely breathe! And even so, they were relentlessly going to risk another attack.
"We…can't…"
It pained her to say the words. She felt angry at herself, angry at the fates for playing such a cruel prank. The girls stood no chance…and their sacrifice would be in vain… They would die trying to defend the world…and she was compelled to watch them.
"I can't…"
She forced herself to look at her friends. Tiredly, they were joining hands once more. They gestures reflected resignation—a silent acceptance of a destiny they would inevitably face…yet their expressions held hope. As they watched each other, they passed a wordless encouragement among them. And then, their eyes turned to her…
…and she thought she could see a plea in all of them…
…and thought Tuxedo Mask chose the moment to voice it…
"Please…we have to find another way…"
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Setsuna closed her eyes. She felt herself falling, all outside noises suddenly drowned by a soft, slow tune echoing off her every thought…
…and in her mind, she saw herself standing on the edge of a river of fire, and the song resounded from beneath each blazing wave…
Why am I seeing this…?
…and inside the melody, there was a voice that called to her…
Who are you…? What do you want from me?
Listen…
…and the tune played far away, at the back of her mind, and only erratic pieces of music reached her…
It's so distant…I…can't hear it right…
You don't need to hear it…
…and the sounds were further stifled, and only a soft, rocking rhythm carried to her…
Listen…
But if I can't hear… how can I listen…?
Feel…
…and she allowed herself to take in the swaying rhythm of the fiery river…
…this new power…?
It has always been within you…
…and note after muffled note of the melody rang in harmony with her own heartbeats…
I feel it…the rhythm of the world around me…
…and she could feel her entire being resonate with the distant melody…
This, too, is your power…
…and it's your choice…
…and she opened her eyes with a new understanding. The river of fire flowing around her vanished, replaced by the more familiar view of the battle scene.
"Pluto Planet Power…"
Still supporting each other's weight, the rest of the Senshi stopped their weary attack to watch her in surprise.
"Make…Up!"
For one moment, she felt the enormous strain, as she tapped into the energy that the eclipse had kept at bay.
It's my choice…but not really a choice, is it?…
She clenched her fingers around the transformation wand, and focused solely on willing her guardian planet to overcome the obstacles. In a shower of mist and ice, she changed into Sailor Pluto. The Time Staff materialized in her hand.
Help me, my Garnet Orb...help me use this power I never before needed…
She felt the energy flux lessen, and knew she had to hurry. Ignoring the amazed glances she received, the warrior of Time advanced towards the shadow-like creatures. In her mind, she could still hear the intermittent notes of the faint tune, and in every inch of her body, she felt the powerful rhythm of the melody.
Oblivious to anything happening, the intruders continued their menacing advance.
"Pluto…" The words formed in her mind, just as the cadence pulsed through her every fiber. "…Underworld Vibration!"
The Garnet Orb at the top of the staff glowed bright, and instinctively, she aimed it at the creatures.
"Impossible…"
Wide-eyed, Neptune watched the attack unfold.
Waves of energy emanated from the Time Staff. As they glided towards their target, the contours of the surrounding world seemed to distort ever-so-slightly. The waves finally washed over the enemies…
…and the shadowy creatures slowly shimmered out of existence.
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AN: The idea that Sailor Pluto could have another attack came mostly from the SuperS episodes where the Inners discovered the extent of their powers (especially from "Ami's Melody of the Heart"). Since Uranus and Neptune both use an attack involving their talismans, it did not seem awfully implausible for Pluto to have one. I hope the phrasing sounds plausible as well;)
As always, I would love to hear your thoughts on the newest chapters! The final chapter, "Aftermath", is coming up soon! Thank you for staying with the story:),
Myosotis