A/N: Why yes, the name of this chapter is a reference to Sailor Moon episode 68/Sailor Moon R episode 22: 'Protect Chibi-Usa: Clash of the Ten Warriors'. It is one of my favourite episodes and an all time classic, even being the subject of the second Moon Animate Make-Up collaboration. As such, I simply I couldn't resist the reference.

As a heads up, when it comes to names of characters and attacks as well as any references to the manga (be they dialogue or art) I tend to use the 2018 English Eternal Editions.

However, I have deviated from them a little bit here and there either because I disagree with a translation, feel the readers will understand it better if I use different names or descriptions or else simply because I prefer it that way.

The big ones are that I use 'Senshi' instead of 'Guardian', 'Daimon' instead of 'Daemon' and 'Spectre Sisters' instead of 'Supernatural Sisters'.

Also STRAP in. This chapter is where most of the story becomes a big FIGHT/reference/fanservice fest with continuity/pop cultural references abounding!

If you aren't into that however, there will also be a minimum of one dedicated character scene per chapter demarcated by line breaks.

Also, also, just to let you know I am involved in a discord called 'Moonlight Legends' which is dedicated to sharing all sorts of Sailor Moon fanworks, including other fanfics. If you would like to join so you can share your own work, get help with your current projects or just connect to other fan creators shoot me a PM and I'll send you an invite. All are welcome!


Chapter 4: Clash of the Ten Thousand Warriors

The Dark Kingdom and Black Moon Clan go into action, seeking to defeat the Lunar Legion immediately!


The final battle of the Last Great Sailor War had begun in earnest.

Across the very heart of the Mare Serenitatis, whole hoards of Youma, Droids, Daimons, Snow Dancers, and Lemures were reduced to powerless puffs of black smoke as they clashed with the Lunar Legion. And, weaving between the pandemonium, Queen Beryl and her Shitennou went unnoticed, flying as fast as they dared, their sights set upon the nine Usagis.

Nearing her target, Beryl gathered all her energy into her weapon. "Third time's the charm," she whispered. Beryl lifted her spear, and prepared to thrust it straight into AnimeUsagi's back!

She didn't even get within nine feet.

Something had swooped down and collided with her hard enough that she was knocked far across the battlefield, disappearing amidst a plume of smoke as a gaggle of Youma were slain beneath her.

The 'something' in question was a Sailor Moon with shorter, somewhat curvy, hair distinctly not in an odango style and riding a high-tech windsurfer with a blue crescent Moon shaped sail. [Saban Moon]

Their queen gone, the Shitennou hesitated for the briefest of moments. Nevertheless, it was a moment too long.

"Sailor Body Attack!"

Jadeite was tackled by a silver haired Sailor Moon in a cape and feather tipped mask. [CoverUsagi]

"Leave him alone!" exclaimed Zoisite, rushing to his comrade's aid.

Before he could get too far however, he received a kick to the head by another Sailor Moon swinging from a rope affixed to one of the overhead crystal spires. Landing on the ground, the Senshi's hand flew to her forehead. "Moon Power!" With a toss of her tiara, both Zoisite and the unconscious Jadeite vanished. "Alright!" she giggled, "Victory for Victoria!"

Swept up in her success, the Senshi [Victoria] had failed to notice Zoisite's imploring last look beyond her shoulder; nor Kunzite sneaking up behind her, cold murder in his eyes.

"Sailor V-Kick!"

Kunzite howled as a boot heel connected hard with his back. Finding all his breath gone, Kunzite collapsed and rolled over. Before his body evaporated completely, he found himself looking up at another silver haired Usagi, this one sporting a similar wing-tipped mask but with massive, armoured shoulder pads and a red and gold jewel crowning her head. Her pigtails twirled as Kunzite vanished and she faced Victoria, flipped her a 'V for Victory' gesture. [Usagi V]

Nephrite growled and began to beat a hasty retreat. However, his way was barred by an angelic young woman with sleek black shoulder-length hair tied in pigtails, and a pink, metallic looking mini-skirted dress. [TeamAngelMoon]

Kneeling down, TeamAngelMoon pushed her palm out and sent a wall of yellow crystalline energy into Nephrite, destroying the last Shitennou!

Neither she, nor anyone else however, noticed his shadow slinking away…


"Let's talk tactics. Namely, if you have any in mind for when you actually get to Sailor Cosmos's universe?"

Huddled in their chairs, Usagi0 and Serena exchanged nervous, guilty glances before looking back up at Sailors Uranus, her hand resting threateningly upon the hilt of her katana.

"Er…Oh!" exclaimed Usagi0 excitedly. "So we found out that not everybody's Sailor Crystals protect them from the vacuum of space like ours do. And just hopping across universes majorly futzes with that power anyway, along with almost everyone who can fly using magic."

"How is Sailormoon0 doing?" interjected Serena, "She was acting like a total granola bar after she woke up."

"Lack of oxygen will do that to ya, but she's fine now," reassured Usagi0, "she's just bummed that she can't take a leisurely Moon walk without a spacesuit."

"I know it's so sad. And also, like, totally weird that you guys don't have any of those."

"Well, we've never really needed them before today, you know?"

"Oh, yeah I get it. But, like, a space station without any space suits? That's just-"

"Focus!" yelled Uranus, smacking her sheathed katana into the palm of her hand.

"Sorry, sorry," squealed Usagi0. "Basically, someone should set up an atmospheric field as soon as we get to Cosmos's universe. Just in case."

Uranus gave the pair an approving nod. "A wise consideration, particularly since the nearby dimensional tears will nullify the surrounding gravity too. You might also consider rerouting new recruits directly to Cosmos's universe. The Lunar Station is already pretty crowded and we don't have time to build more gateways in any of the other space stations."

"We'll talk to Saturn," assured Usagi0.

"Good," said Uranus before her eyes narrowed, immediately making them squirm. "Now, how were you planning on actually fighting Chaos, and any accomplices she might have?"

"Um…shoot sparkles and glitter at her?" suggested Serena, her voice growing quieter even as she said it.

"Sparkles…and glitter…" Uranus repeated coldly, crossing her arms.

"Why'd we have to get the killjoy cousin?" Serena muttered under her breath.

"Cousin?" Uranus repeated.

"What Serena meant, " Usagi0 began, taking advantage of Uranus's momentary confusion, "was that…um…when we all get there we can…er…shoot…Chaos?"

"Would you like me to search the probe database for techniques that might prove effective against Chaos, Princess Usagi?" asked the computer terminal.

"Yes please!" Usagi0 said desperately.

A screen lit up, displaying what seemed to be a stage upon which were, what appeared to be, the Solar System Senshi.

"SAILOR COSMOS ATTACK!"

The screen switched, depicting first a remote island and then a distinctly different stage upon which equally different looking Solar System Senshi stood.

"SAILOR SUPER PLANET POWER!"

The screen switched again, displaying a similar scene albeit with more alternate Solar System Senshi, now accompanied by the Sailor Starlights.

"SAILOR PLANET SUPER ATTACK!"

The stage was replaced entirely by various scenes of children chanting three words in unison:

"MOON CRISIS POWER!"

The children and their surroundings vanished. Instead, the screen now depicted Princess Serenity in space, the Silver Crystal levitating between her arms, its energies shielding her and her friends from the heat of the rock they were trapped upon as it hurtled to Earth.

"Moon Crystal Power!"

A second later the display seemed to have turned completely blank. However, the pure white screen was soon revealed to simply be a snow storm, at the heart of which was an icey spire. Atop the spire stood Princess Serenity, flanked by the ghostly forms of Sailors Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus.

"Moon Prism Power!"

The screen seemed to glitch, returning a moment later, albeit with the blonde girl's voice sounding rather different.

"Cosmic Moon Power!"

"Wait, isn't that-"

Serena silenced herself as the screen was consumed by whirling snow again. When it cleared however, the four Inner Senshi were distinctly solid and joined in an outwards facing circle by Sailors Uranus, Neptune, Pluto and Chibi-Moon, a Super Sailor Moon levitating at their centre.

"SILVER CRYSTAL POWER!"

With yet another blink of the screen, the circle was now smaller and facing inwards, a regular Sailor Moon a part of the ring rather than within it.

"SAILOR TELEPORT!"

"Hey?" said Usagi0. "How is teleporting supposed to beat Chaos?"

"Apologies. The database experienced a malfunction. Correcting errors now."

With a final flash, the circle of Senshi was gone. A naked angel amidst a sea of primordial matter was now all that occupied the screen.

" SILVER MOON CRYSTAL! ETERNAL POWER! "

"Alright!" Exclaimed Usagi0, snapping her fingers. "We'll just do a few of those and then Chaos will be-"

"You can't," Uranus said bluntly.

"Wh-what do you mean 'we can't' ?" Usagi0 said incredulously.

Sailor Uranus's nostrils flared before she let out a sigh of exasperation. "Pay attention. This might get complicated."

Somehow, Serena and Usagi0 looked more nervous than before.

"The data from the probes revealed that every universe vibrates at a different 'magical frequency'. Although parts of the frequency are fundamentally the same, they are all nevertheless unique to one extent or another. It seems that this universe shares a nearly identical magical frequency to that of Sailor Cosmos's universe, which is probably what drew the message here. Most likely, that will be the case for any other universes her message made contact with. Are you following so far?"

Serena and Usagi0 alternatively nodded.

"Although a Sailor Crystal contains magical energies all of its own, to combine its energy with that of another Sailor Crystal or Star Seed is reliant upon exploiting a shared magical frequency."

Usagi0's eyes widened in realisation. "But, there has to be a way to…to…I dunno, adjust whatever frequency our crystals are tuned in to!"

Uranus held up a hand to silence her. "The act of multiversal travel 'confuses' a Sailor Crystal, making it then default to the magical frequency it is most familiar with. Namely, that of its home universe. However, a Sailor Crystal will then automatically attune itself to the magical frequency of whatever universe it is inhabiting."

"Then…what's the problem?" asked Serena.

"It's the portal," Uranus said simply. "So long as it remains open, the entire Moon will be polluted by ambient magical energy from another universe, or should I say several universes. The pollutant energies will be mingling with the ambient magical energy of Cosmos's own universe, meaning your crystals won't be able to attune themselves properly. You'll be stuck at your default frequencies until the portal closes, at that point the pollutants should quickly dissipate, putting you all 'on the same page'."

"Can't we make the portal smaller then?"

Uranus shook her head at Serena.


"星月棒 ,出 !"

Achiral dived to the side and took cover. His twin brother, however, wasn't so lucky.

"Cleansing!"

"Nice sh-"

Serena's compliment died as Prince Demande zoomed through the glitter and smoke that were the remains of Chiral.

Followed by the four Spectre Sisters, Demande's gaze was set not upon the nine Usagis, but the far closer Circle of Serenities. Specifically, Neo-Queen Serenity the heart of the ring.

It was clear she was integral to the magical circuit the Serenities had constructed to maintain an atmosphere across the battlefield. With her gone, the circuit would be broken, possibly beyond repair. Not that Demande would allow them to repair the circuit. Thus, the Lunar Legion would have their very breaths taken away.

"After them!" ordered Serena, she and several other nearby Senshi giving chase.

Demande smirked, knowing that on foot the Senshi would never catch up to them. His smirk lingered as the Black Moon crest on his forehead transformed into a malefic third eye. To his delight, Neo-Queen Serenity's own cerulean eyes caught his. Even from over thirty feet away, he knew she was his for the taking. With delight he licked his lips and-

SHUCK!

SHUCK!

Demande howled in agony and lost all altitude, his hands gripping his face. The stems of a red and a white rose were embedded in his forehead.

Two Usagis stood atop a crystal protrusion, one garbed in a tuxedo-like outfit [Tuxedo Moon] and the other in white Arabian garments. [Sailor Moonlight Knight] To their left, two more Usagis stood on top of a parallel protrusion. One wore silver and navy-blue armour. [Prince Usagi] The other sported a blue outfit with a silver cape, boots and gloves, completed by a futuristic black visor. [Sailor Space Knight] The former unsheathed her sword whilst the latter extended a baton before both adopted fighting stances.

"With our lives, we swear to protect these Queens and Princesses."

Demande, his vision clearing, looked up to behold the speaker. It was a fifth Usagi standing on the ground below and between the other four warriors, garbed in a white and lilac tuxedo. [King Usagi] Her eyes radiated disdain behind her mask as she stared down at Demande and drew her own blade. She was promptly joined by the other four, their capes billowing behind them.

"Get them!" snarled Demande.

At his command, the Spectre Sisters obediently rushed forth.


"The portal will need to be big to allow you all to travel through it at the same time, and we don't have the power to keep it open long enough to send you all through in smaller groups," said Uranus.

"So…we can't combine our energies at all?" Usagi0 asked, childlike.

"Some of you will, provided you come from universes with extremely similar magical frequencies to one another. Similar enough that you'll probably be drawn to one another in fact. But otherwise, you're going to have to rely upon combining your individual abilities to help each other out."

"In that case, forget linking techniques. We'll just attack Chaos all at once."

"Yeah!" cheered Serena, "No way she can survive a gazillion tiaras hitting her!"

"Actually…she could."

Their jaws dropped.

"We used the data we gathered to run countless simulations," began Uranus, "They conclusively proved that Chaos's main body cannot be harmed by anything except for the Lambda Power of the Cosmos Crystal. In other words, if Chaos can be defeated at all, only Sailor Cosmos can do it."

"Well," said Usagi0, somewhat collecting herself and addressing Serena, "at least you guys can keep topping up me and Sailor Cosmos. You heal us enough times and we're bound to wear Chaos down eventually."

"Um…"

The two bun-headed warriors didn't bother looking at Uranus now, simply exchanging miserable expressions with one another.

"I'm…I'm afraid that the portal remaining open will also negate your healing techniques."

"Oh. That explains what happened in the hanger bay," Usagi0 murmured defeatedly, more to herself than anyone else

"Let me guess," Serena said sarcastically, "more magical pollution in the air?"

"Y-yes" replied Uranus apologetically, "Most Sailor Crystals have magic that can be used for destructive purposes. But the power to heal, to restore, is far rarer and more powerful. In every universe, the Silver Crystal is uniquely potent in this regard because its healing abilities rely upon manipulating the deep rooted, fundamental , magical forces that bind the universe together. So, if it isn't attuned to the magical frequency of the universe it is inhabiting-"

"I get the picture, Amara!" Serena snapped.

"There…There might be a few exceptions, " Uranus said, trying to calm down the blonde meat-ball head. "If any recruits were in the middle of performing their healing techniques when they were transported out of their home universes, there's a slim chance they might retain some of the 'magical charge', and essentially complete the technique during the battle. But they'd only have one chance to use the technique and it will most likely manifest itself more as an offensive technique. To all intents and purposes though-"

"To all intents and purposes, we're going to be relying on you guys shutting down the portal as soon as we make it through," said Usagi0.

"Trust us, we will…but…"

Serena outright buried her face in her hands.

"Time passes at different speeds between universes. Whilst this universe seems to move much faster in relation to Cosmos's universe, we can't be certain that travelling between them via the portal won't warp time a little bit. You might not all arrive at the exact same time or even order that you left. And the portal…" She winced. "The portal might not close immediately on your end."

"Oh, that's just great! " Serena said, flinging her arms in the air.

"Just so we're crystal clear," began Usagi0 agitatedly, "We have to find some way of helping Sailor Cosmos survive until that portal closes, until then we won't be able to heal each other and most of us won't be able to link our attacks or combine our energies at all. Does that about sum it up!?"

"Um…yes, I believe it does…"

Usagi0 shot her blonde counterpart an exhausted look, "I think we need to start getting more selective with the recruits."


MusicalUsagi felt like her knees might give way.

To some extent, Chaos was directing every individual facsimile, and yet her attack against the nine of them hadn't let up. They'd made some headway against her, but not much.

MusicalUsagi wondered if that was due to their telepathic link. Cosmos had done her best to 'quiet down' the mental chatter across the Moon, helping the eight of them focus upon just each other's thoughts. Nevertheless, Cosmos was linked with all five thousand versions of herself. And, through that link, MuscialUsagi and the others inevitably caught glimpses of the Sailor War raging all around them.

The thousands of voices yelling. The countless clashes breaking out. The portal continuing to pulse. It was all too much!

Often, in times like this, MusicalUsagi felt like singing to get her emotions out. Now though, as her knees began to buckle, she desperately wanted to scream!

That was when, not for the first time that day, a voice entered her head.

"...You can do this. I know you can..."

The voice was gentle and soothing. It almost sounded like Sailor Cosmos, albeit far more childlike.

Through the telepathic connection MusicalUsagi 'saw' the speaker within the encirclement of Serenities. She was barely older than two, with fuschia hair that stood out amongst the surrounding blonde, black and silver topped women.

She had her eyes closed and was concentrating. Somehow, MusicalUsagi knew much of the toddler's focus was upon herself and a few other specific Senshi across the battlefield. The child seemed to sense her confusion.

"Usagi0's transporter machine wasn't flawless, so me and her universe's Sailor Pluto helped recruit some more Sailor Moons from the most stable points in their universe's timelines."

MusicalUsagi was confused. "But... Cosmos found me. So why are you focusing on me?"

"Don't worry about that. For now, just let me help you. Help you to...remember..."

Through something more than mere telepathy, new images flooded MusicalUsagi's mind. But these ones, unlike those Cosmos had shown her, were far less horrific.

In seconds she re-lived her battle with the Death Busters. How she'd saved them, and Chibi-Usa, and Ami. How she'd saved everyone.

How could she have forgotten so soon? Could it have been because of what Cosmos had said? Her universe existing in a state of flux?

It didn't matter. All that mattered was that Usagi once again knew she had the strength to fight on. She had the strength to do anything!

She stood firm and, along with her eight comrades, won some ground against Chaos.

Across the Mare Serenitatis, within the Circle of Serenities, Sailor ChibiChibi Moon smiled.

However, unnoticed by anyone else, so did Sailor Chaos...


A/N: What could Sailor Chaos be up to? You will just have to read on to find out!

So…confession time. I finished most of the writing for this story before asking myself the incredibly pertinent question of 'Can Sailor Moon survive in space or not?'

I had written the story casually presuming she couldn't…but then I remembered the R Movie…and episode 44 of the anime…and the Manga chapters/Crystal episodes where Usagi goes to the Moon or seems to destroy Planet Nemesis whilst in space herself.

I was going to double check those to see if there might be wiggle room that all those instances involved an air bubble or something, but it struck me as redundant. A simpler and all purpose solution was to simply explain that some Senshi can indeed survive in space but others can't and the ones who can won't be able to due to the circumstances of this story. I will fully admit it is kind of contrived that a side effect of multiversal travel is this one specific ability doesn't work properly even though all their attacks do…but then would it really be Sailor Moon without at least a little contrivance?

One more thing, 'Cosmic Moon Power' was the technique Serena used in the English dub when she defeated the Dark Kingdom at the end of Season 1. In the original Japanese, Usagi used 'Moon Prism Power', hence Serena's moment of recognition.

Alright, now for the spotlighted Senshi of this chapter!

CoverUsagi: This Usagi is based upon the outfit she sports on the cover of the very first Sailor Moon chapter.

TeamAngelMoon: For those who don't know, years after the failure of Saban Moon, a second attempt was made to create an 'Americanized' version of Sailor Moon, except this adaptation was even looser than Saban Moon. You can find out more about 'Team Angel' on Kotaku.

Victoria: This is the Sailor Moon from the Sailor Moon promotional video released BEFORE the DiC dub landed in English speaking territories.

UsagiV: Another early unused design for Usagi, stemming from a point when Naoko Takeuchi considered calling her Sailor V, not Sailor Moon.

For the following simply imagine Usagi (blonde, silver, black haired, whatever you personally prefer) in Mamoru's various outfits.

Tuxedo Moon: Usagi as Tuxedo Mask, which I couldn't find an image of but here is the closest I got.

Sailor Moonlight Knight: Usagi as Moonlight Knight. Again, couldn't find an exact image of but here is something a little similar.

Prince Usagi: Usagi in Prince Endymion's armour.

Sailor Space Knight: Usagi dressed as Space Knight, which was King Endymion's disguise in some of the SeraMyus.

King Usagi: Usagi dressed as King Endymion. I gave her a white and lilac tuxedo as a reference to how Kendy's tuxedo has different colours in the anime compared to the manga/Crystal.

Of course, versions of Usagi who were rather like Mamoru HAD to defend all the Serenities ;)

Starting this chapter I'll also be including translations for non-English dialogue. Like Serena, the speakers are versions of Sailor Moon from whatever dub they happen to be speaking.

星月棒,出击!=Star Moon Stick, Attack: The Mandarin Chinese translation's name for 'Moon Princess Halation'