Sailor Moon - Rise of the Exalted Knights

by Lisseas

Chapter Twenty-Three - Battleground! The Sailor Senshi Go To War!

Posted: 16/04/2018

Patrolling Tokyo far was a far more depressing task than it used to be. That was Sailor Uranus' first thought as she stared towards the distant Shinjuku district. Columns of thick, black smoke still rose into the sky, marking the countless fires burning unchecked. They would continue burning for the foreseeable future, too. Even if Chaos was stopped that very moment, there simply weren't enough people left in the city to regain control. Not right away, at least. None of them had any idea exactly how high the death toll was, and for that she was grateful. Thinking about it now was depressing, to say the least. Best to focus on the here and now.

"What do you think?" she called over her shoulder. "Once more around Shinjuku, then back to the school?"

Her partner didn't answer. Uranus turned to find Sailor Saturn perched on the edge of the parapet, her legs swinging freely in the air. Her head was bowed, her fingers pressed together tightly in her lap.

"Hey. You listening?"

The younger Senshi had been quiet of late, even more so than usual. In her defence, they'd all been under a lot of stress since Chaos' initial assault on Tokyo, and Saturn had spent a lot of that time on the injured list. A lesser person would still be on bed rest.

"Saturn? What do you think? One more go around?"

The teenager pulled her knees in tight to her chest and hugged them. "I guess so."

Uranus crossed her arms, tapping her fingers against her bicep unconsciously. "What is it?"

"It's been almost a month." Saturn's hair fell across her eyes, but it couldn't hide the single tear that trickled down her cheek. "A month, Haruka. A month since…"

The familiar sting of grief welled up in Uranus' chest. "I know, Hotaru. I know." She sat carefully next the girl and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "I miss her too."

Saturn's eyes went wide. "Oh, no! I didn't mean…" She began playing with her fingers and stumbling over her words. "I…I know you loved her more than me, and-"

"Shhh." Without hesitation, Uranus pulled her in closer and kissed her temple gently. "We loved her, Hotaru. The two of us. That's all that matters." Her own eyes itched, warning of tears she refused to allow. Now was not the time. She would continue to mourn Michiru in her own way, privately, but it would not impact her duty as a Sailor Senshi.

"I'm sorry." The younger girl sniffled, dabbing at her eyes. "I started thinking about her and…" With a heavy sigh, she let her head fall onto Uranus' shoulder. "It just doesn't feel real sometimes."

"But it is," Uranus answered reluctantly. "We lost her, and we have to…" She trailed off, sitting up as caught a hint of movement out of the corner of her eye. "Hold on."

Saturn leapt quickly to her feet, doing her proud. "What is it?"

"I'm not sure." The Sky Senshi cleared the street below with ease, landing on the opposite rooftop in a crouch. "We'll have a much better view from…here?"

There was a quiet 'tap' as Saturn's boots hit the roof beside her. "Why did you…oh."

"Uh-huh." No more than three blocks away stood what could only be described as a horde of familiar creatures. Featureless with shiny, vinyl-like 'skin', Uranus had fought them many times before. "That is a lot of Constructs."

"And Chaos Paladins," Saturn observed, pointing out a pair of the large, bipedal, bird-like monsters.

"Yeah…" A little tingle of excitement began pulsing in the pit of Uranus' stomach as she realised they had stumbled across the perfect opportunity for some payback. Revenge for Michiru.

"Haruka…?"

Just like that, the urge for violence faded. Hotaru had correctly sensed it growing within her, and her simple call was enough to stifle it. Shame grew in its place as she remembered Michiru. She wouldn't want me thinking like that. She was never about revenge, only duty…and how could I even consider risking Hotaru's safety for my own selfish reasons?

Still awaiting a reply, Saturn spoke a little firmer this time. "We should report this to Sailor Moon."

"Yeah. Right." Uranus thumbed her communicator without further hesitation as her tactical thought process took over. There were far too many enemies down there to deal with alone, as much as she hated to admit it. Nor would Usagi be happy if she waded in solo. They'd gone through quite a rough patch half a year ago, and it wouldn't do to aggravate old wounds again so soon. Not at all.

"Come in, Sailor Moon. We've found something."

Usagi sank onto her chair, joining the loose circle formed by her friends. "The enemy is coming." She studied the faces of her friends carefully, receiving only silence in response. There was fear, doubt; a microcosm of how she felt at that moment. "Uranus and Saturn just called it in. We'll have an army of Constructs and Paladins on our doorstep by nightfall."

"No people?" Minako asked hopefully, before cringing. "Oh. I mean humans. Regular ones."

She shook her head. "None they could see."

"So…" Ami stroked her chin thoughtfully. "It isn't even bothering to hide the Constructs anymore."

Rinjirou snorted loudly. "It's been haemorrhaging human soldiers for the last week. Casualties, deserters; they made for a good shock tactic initially, but-"

Makoto exploded from her seat. "A good tactic?!"

"I'm not saying I agree with Chaos!" he snapped, with a scowl. "Only that it worked against us in the beginning!"

"But now that we've adapted," Mamoru said, arms raised as peacemaker, "Chaos has likely decided the Constructs are far more reliable."

"Exactly." Rinjirou's glare eased. A little.

Setsuna folded her arms across her chest. "It also means it is no longer concerned with taunts. Now, it wants to eliminate us before we get any stronger. Our continued success concerns it."

"Our little safe zone isn't exactly a great fit with the fear it wants to cultivate," Rei added, with a curt nod. "This whole setup proves it isn't winning as conclusively as it wants everyone to think."

"Yes," Grandpa Hino murmured. "So, it sends its forces to crush you outright."

"Not if we crush them first," Corey observed, from the back of the room.

Grandpa Hino chortled quietly. "A bold plan."

Usagi was startled. She'd forgotten the diminutive priest was even here. "That was my thought too, actually, but I won't force anyone into it." The words caught in her throat as she almost lost her nerve. "Let's put it to a vote."

Makoto spoke up without hesitation. "Let's do it."

Rei was right behind her. "Agreed."

"Let's smash 'em!" Minako declared, pounding her fist into her palm. "Time to feed Chaos a nice, big dose of our own medicine!"

Artemis facepalmed about as well as a cat could. "At least you got it half right…"

She frowned. "Which half?"

"Anyway," Ami said loudly, with a rare flash of impatience, "I'm in too. We've been on the defensive almost exclusively. A sudden attack just might catch Chaos off-guard."

Setsuna responded with a nod. "An excellent point. I concur."

"Where you go," Mamoru said, leaning in close to Usagi, "I go."

Chibiusa found herself the sudden centre of attention and promptly rolled her eyes. "Well, of course, I'm in!"

Usagi couldn't help but smile in spite of the imminent battle ahead. "Well, it sounds like everyone is in agreement. We take the fight to Chaos' army." Her attention turned to Rinjirou, swallowing a hint of guilt in the process as she remembered yesterday's argument with Mamoru. "Will you join us?"

His cold, blue eyes met hers, with only a brief glance towards Rei. "We don't stand much of a chance against Chaos alone, so…yes. We'll be there. As many Knights as I can spare." A familiar smirk slowly crept onto his face. "Someone needs to pull your asses out of the fire, after all."

Rei groaned. "Ancestors give me strength."

Makoto was a little more direct. "Are you sure I can't hit him? Even just this once?"

"We'll head out shortly," Usagi decided, rising to her feet. "Take some time to prepare however you like, and we'll meet in the front yard in…half an hour?" Seeing nods from her friends, she headed to Corey. "Got a minute?"

He glanced to Minako, then nodded. "Sure. What's up?"

"I need a favour." She considered her words carefully as the room continued to empty, waiting until it was just the two of them. "I know things have been strained between us of late, to say the least. I also know that's mostly down to me and some of the decisions I've made."

Corey just stared back at her in silence, obviously waiting for more before commenting.

"I just wanted to say…to ask…if you would stay back and protect the school." Having anticipated his objection, she raised a finger pre-emptively. "I know it's a big ask, but I'm worried all this could be a diversion. It wouldn't be the first time Chaos has caught us in some sort of trap."

"But I can help you in the fight!" he argued, once her finger had been lowered. "After Selene's little power-up, I'm at Corval-level strength! The Constructs, the Paladins? They're especially vulnerable to my abilities. I should be there!"

"No," she said softly. "You should be here. Protecting the innocent."

Corey just stared back. "And who'll be protecting you?"

Usagi managed a faint smile. "We did just fine before we met you, Corey, just like you did. Besides, I'm not asking you to sit it out entirely."

That seemed to calm him a little. "You're not?"

She shook her head emphatically. "No, of course not! I need you here in case Chaos tries anything, but if we run into trouble we're going to call you…on the communicators we all have…and you can just blink right over to help. Right?"

He actually blushed. "Oh. Yeah, right. I can do that."

"Yes, you can." Usagi looked over as the door opened and Minako peeked through. "Now go spend some time with your girlfriend!"

He responded with a mock salute as he backed away. "You'll call at the first sign of trouble?"

"Yes! Now go!" She actually laughed as Minako tugged him through the door, waiting until it closed behind him to sigh. "We'll be okay. We have to be."

The Senshi set out ahead, travelling across Tokyo's rooftops in the traditional way. Lacking the magic and enhanced mobility of Sailor Moon and her friends, the Exalted Knights took the streets in several commandeered vehicles and soon fell behind. Before too long, the Outer Senshi were in view. Moon led her friends down onto the rooftop.

Uranus offered a curt nod. "Sailor Moon."

Things were still a little strained between them; yet another regret for Usagi to dwell on. I've been a pretty lousy friend to Haruka. After everything that happened, her…loss, I…I just wish I'd been able to check in on her more often.

"The Constructs are down there. Looks like they're done assembling, too. Just a few stragglers in the past half hour." The taller woman appeared to think a moment. "This is going to be a tough fight."

Moon's eyes widened as she stared over the edge, down at a veritable horde. "I know."

"So," Mars said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "What's the plan?"

"Divide and conquer?" Jupiter asked eagerly, from her other side. "Hit 'em hard from above?"

Good, smart suggestions…but ultimately unnecessary. After the last week or so of setbacks, morality had played a big part in Sailor Moon's thought process. Usagi knew what they had to do first. "Follow me in. Nobody attacks until I do."

She dropped to the street perhaps thirty feet from the nearest Construct and stared them down. Her nerves were somewhat calmed by Tuxedo Kamen's presence, right beside her like always despite the argument they'd had last night.

"We are the Sailor Senshi," she called, as clear and calm as possible, "And we're here to defend our home from Chaos. If any of you are real people who perhaps made a mistake, or were pressed into service? It's not too late. Just put down your weapons and walk away. We won't harm you."

Her boyfriend nodded approvingly. "Well said."

The featureless black 'faces' of the Constructs stared back at her, unmoving. A distant Paladin let out a snarl and scraped its clawed foot against the street like an angry bull, but there was no response at all…until a robed figure slipped out of the crowd and pushed back his hood.

"A gracious offer indeed, Sailor Moon." The Black Death himself had appeared, with what looked like fresh blood adorning his dirty mask. "Praise be to my Lady Chaos, for she has surely blessed you with the clarity of thought you now demonstrate." His sing-song tone dipped an octave into a sinister growl. "Is it not truly remarkable, the wonders of a guilty conscience?"

Moon was left uncertain of her response. Of course she felt guilty. Not a day went by that she didn't think back to that night at the shrine, and what they'd done. What she had done. She'd revisited the sequence of events over and over, racking her brain for a difference response, a different outcome, but…there were none. With her friends' lives on the line, as she'd been made to believe, she would make that same call again each and every time. But how do I explain that to Rinjirou?

Thankfully, Uranus decided to interject. "Shut it, preacher. We're in no mood for more sermons!"

"Would you turn a blind eye to the beauty of the morning sky? Drown out the songbird's melody?" He sounded almost sad. "Very well. What good is a sermon, after all, without the Faithful to hear its message?" His arms spread wide up as he spun in lazy circles. "These so-called Constructs are simple creatures. They care not for words, but action!"

Sailor Moon just waited. Nervous energy radiated off her fellow Senshi, and she could hardly blame them. This was it. The decisive battle. The fate of Japan and the world itself would be decided here. They would either win and launch an offensive to drive Chaos from their home…or lose, allowing it to complete its destruction. There was no middle ground. No third option.

"So, then…" The Black Death cocked his head to one side and stared her down. "Shall we begin?"

She turned to her friends and raised the Eternal Tiare high. "For love and justice, everyone! Just like it used to be."

The Senshi sprang into action, scattering in their predetermined groups. Venus led Jupiter, Mars and Chibi Moon left while Uranus, Saturn and Pluto went right.

"Venus Crescent Beam Shower!"

"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"

"Burning Mandala!"

"Celestial Tide!"

Multiple Constructs fell beneath the barrage of golden light, green shards and flames. Yet more still reeled back from the onslaught to be crushed against the street beneath Chibi Moon's energy wave.

"World Shaking!"

"Death Reborn Revolution!"

"Dead Scream!"

The opposite flank lit up violet and amber as the Outer Senshi went to work. Uranus' blast alone was devastating, grinding three of the monsters to dust as Saturn's razor-like ribbons slithered through a second cluster, taking off limbs. Seconds later, Pluto's attack detonated and sent a dozen more flying through the air.

Moon shrank away instinctively at a series of drawn-out, high-pitched shrieks as the Chaos Paladins lumbered into the fray. One opened its beak, a vibrant crimson light growing within before erupting out in a devastating blast of fire-like energy. The Senshi scattered again, the street behind them obliterated in an instant.

Matching the Paladins' movements, she brought her Tiare to bear. "Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"

A wide blast of golden light burst from the sceptre, enveloping two of the beasts completely. Several Constructs on either side were destroyed immediately as the Paladins recoiled, their feathers curling up and evaporating under her magical power.

Tuxedo Kamen moved with her, tossing rose and rose at anything that got too close. One well-placed flower lodged in a Construct's chest and exploded, taking out two more with a shrapnel-like cloud of petals.

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

The one foe to make it through his defences was hit with a ball of ice and slush and frozen solid. Left to fall, it hit the street and shattered into hundreds of pieces. Sailor Mercury gave Moon a quick nod before whipping around, hands outstretched.

"Sabào Spray!"

A cloud of bubbly fog settled over the street behind them. It came slowly, barely there, buried in the noise of battle but, after a few seconds, she heard it: the metallic clank of heavy armour. A mass of golden plate sparkled under the morning sun as Rinjirou's Exalted Knights emerged from cover and crashed into the Construct ranks. Swords and pikes danced in a furious display, cutting down dozens of the shadowy creations. Rinjirou himself looked downright heroic, leading the charge with his blade held high. Not the strangest thing Sailor Moon had seen in her life, but close.

Sailor Fury followed them in with a customary cackle, flinging herself at a mass of Constructs with no apparent concern for her own safety. She disarmed two - quite literally - before tackling another and turning its head into powder. More closed in on Rinjirou and his Knights and she leapt towards them, screaming an indecipherable barrage of taunts.

The distant, rhythmic clomp of large feet began growing louder. Sailor Moon turned to find herself in trouble as one of the damaged Paladins from earlier bore down on her, picking up speed. She fired a second blast of Silver Crystal energy towards it, but the hulking beast was only angered further. Rose after rose flew into its knees, staggering it, but it just kept coming!

"Mars Flame Sniper!"

"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"

Her friends' attacks slammed into the Paladin's legs, destroying one outright and setting it ablaze. An orange blur blew between them, blonde hair trailing behind her.

"Venus Wink Chain Sword!"

The Senshi of Love's chain lashed out, collapsing in on itself mid-flight to form an oversized sword of golden light. The Paladin's momentum sent it stumbling right into Venus' path, and it was cut neatly in half at the waist. Both pieces hit the ground on either side of her before crumbling to dust, leaving both Senshi untouched. Venus flashed a quick V-sign to Moon before darting off after Jupiter and Mars, swinging her chain above her head like a lasso. For her part, Moon unloaded on the horde as a whole, clearing them a path with a sustained blast of golden energy.

We're really doing it, she told herself, taking a moment to regain her breath. Slowly but surely, we're doing-

"Uranus! Get back here!"

Pluto's panicked cry tore Moon's optimism to shreds. Sure enough, the Sky Senshi was pulling away from her allies and drifting deeper and deeper into the enemy's ranks, hot on the heels of the Black Death himself. At some unheard command, the Constructs around her whipped around to close the gap she'd created, separating herself completely from the other Senshi. Uranus herself didn't seem to notice at all as she exchanged blows with the Hunters' leader. Pluto and Saturn were doing their best to reach her, hacking away at the Constructs between them, but it was clear they couldn't do it alone.

"Hold on!" Moon broke into a run, careening around Constructs and other obstacles in her path. Her Tiare came up as she reached the Outers and channelled the Silver Crystal's power again.

"Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"

She used a sustained blast again, all-too-aware she was using too much power too quickly, but it was working; a hole opened up behind Uranus again as Construct after Construct was turned to dust. "Get out of there, Uranus! Now!"

The tall blonde obeyed reluctantly, pulling back from the Black Death with a final swing of her sword. A quick "World Shaking" drove him off completely and she made her retreat, leaping to safety as the horde reformed around her, swiping at her skirt with their tearing claws.

"Sailor Moon!"

Mercury's warning came a second too late. Moon's absence from her designated front had left them weakened, and the Black Death had apparently been waiting for it. The Constructs overwhelmed her boyfriend and drove him further back, swarming in behind him to close the net and trap her with the Outers in a sea of writhing black figures. A pair of relatively fresh Chaos Paladins loomed over them, reading to stomp in and attack.

"This isn't good!" Mercury observed, a little redundantly. "We're weaker in isolation! Easy to pick off one by one!"

Moon glanced about, taking in their newfound situation. Rinjirou and his Knights were off to the left, penned in behind several of the large, blade-armed Constructs favoured by the Revenant Knight, and the remaining Inner Senshi faced a similar group on the right. Their success had been blunted in just a few seconds.

"I'm sorry," Uranus said earnestly, her eyes darting around as she watched for threats. "He wouldn't shut up about Michiru, and I just…" She bowed her head remorsefully. "I'm sorry."

Moon was quiet. "It's not your fault. He's a master manipulator. I know that all too well."

The Inner Senshi tried to break through with another unified blast of attacks but, as they made a run towards her…the Hunters appeared. As always, the robed figures appeared as if out of thin air, quick to halt her friends' advance.

"Mamo-chan!"

He reacted quickly to her warning, dodging the knife mere inches from his back and spinning around to hit another assassin with his cane. It wasn't enough though, as more appeared and herded them back into a loose circle with the Outers.

The Black Death stepped through the line of his fellow Hunters, arms spread wide. "Rejoice, my dear brothers and sisters, for today is a good day! Our Mistress be praised, we have the wicked Senshi in our grasp and they will be punished for their transgressions!"

Moon activated her communicator, waiting for the beep to confirm she'd reached Corey…but there was only static.

"All the background energy must be disrupting our communicators," Mercury said, with a low gulp.

Tuxedo Kamen stepped forward, interposing himself between them and the Hunters. "What do we do now?"

Sailor Moon had no answer for him. What did they do now?

Corey was done. He'd had enough. "Screw it. I'm going."

He'd been pacing the cafeteria for so long now he was surprised he hadn't worn a groove in the floor beneath him. His friends and the woman he loved were fighting Chaos' forces right now, and he was stuck here. Usagi had asked him to do so as a favour, to protect the innocent people sheltering here, but he was beyond worried now. It had been too long without word.

"Huh?" Artemis perked up, lifting his head off the table he was lying on. "What's that?"

Corey was already halfway to the door. "I said I'm going."

The white cat exchanged a knowing look with Luna. "Good."

She nodded in agreement. "Yes."

He stared back at them in confusion. "You're not going to try to stop me?"

"Why?" Artemis retorted irritably. "I'm as worried as anyone else!"

"Just go!" Luna added snippily. "Don't bother with the door. Just blink straight there!"

"I've stepped into bizarro land," Corey muttered, as he summoned Justiciar with a thought. The familiar confines of his helmet appeared, blocking out most of the world around him, and he nodded to them. "Don't worry, guys. I'll make sure everyone comes home safely."

The time for niceties was over. The Guardian Knight of Justice was going to war, and there would be no more warnings.

A small gap opened in the Construct ranks as Rinjirou, his Knights, and the remaining Senshi were herded into the centre alongside Sailor Moon and the others.

The Black Death looked on, his voice implying a pleased grin. "We're not so different, you know. You are beholden to an ideal, just as I am. Chaos or 'evil' as you call it…and you? Order, or good…at least, so you claim." He swivelled quickly, unnaturally, and locked eyes with Rinjirou. "I wonder, Payne. Did she tell you yet?"

Moon's heart skipped a beat. Oh, no. I should have seen this coming.

Rinjirou glared daggers back at him, not buying in so far. "Tell me what?"

Rather than answer, the smug Hunter turned instead back to Moon. "So, you didn't have the heart." His chuckle was one of pure satisfaction. "It seems the Moon Kingdom's fabled hypocrisy lives on to this day. All those poor, innocent people."

Now Rinjirou's cold blue eyes met hers. "What the hell is he talking about?"

Cold, prickly fear began gnawing away at her stomach. This was her fault. Her failure. Her decisions had led them all here, and that somehow helped. She had to own this. Be an adult and accept she'd made a mistake. Several mistakes, in fact. "We…I made a mistake. Fell into a trap, and…it got several people killed. Innocent people." She bowed her head. "I killed them."

He didn't respond at first, as unreadable as always. There were several muted whispers from among his Knights, though, even some glares; worrying signs.

Mars stepped up beside her. "We killed them, and it haunts us, but...it was just that! A terrible mistake we regret every day." She turned a fiery glare on the Hunter. "One brought about by his lies."

Rinjirou focused on her, the expected edge entering his voice. "And you decided not to tell me."

Moon put a reassuring hand on the miko's shoulder and met his stare levelly. "No. Would you in my position?" Several of the Knights continued to mutter amongst themselves and she found herself wavering. He isn't going to just accept this. Not now.

"You're actually doubling down?" The Black Death let out an evil chuckle. "A bold move, Sailor Moon."

"Please!" Mamoru stepped forward, arms raised. "I know this is a shock, an upsetting one, but we can't lose sight of the bigger picture!" He came face to face with the Knight-Commander and pointed to the Black Death. "We can do this, Rinjirou. We can stop this maniac and prevent more death. I promise you, we will discuss this all when we're done, but we can't afford to be split right now!"

There were more murmurs among the gathered Knights. For several agonising seconds, Rinjirou was silent as he stared into Moon's eyes…before bowing his head. His Knights immediately went silent as he spoke. "Mamoru is right. We will discuss this later, Sailor Moon, and you will not like what I have to say. However…" His growl cut the Black Death off mid-laugh. "I won't waste this opportunity."

"…what?"

He levelled his golden blade at the Hunter's bloodstained mask. "Commence Operation Gatecrash!"

Moon was startled by a sudden crash as a large, heavily-armoured military vehicle smashed its way through a nearby building and slammed into the rear of the Construct horde, mowing down a large swath before it was stopped. The rear opened up and three more Exalted Knights emerged, tossing small, metallic objects further into the huge crowd. This was not part of any plan she'd heard.

"Get down!" Mamoru cried. He'd obviously seen something like this before.

A series of explosions sent more of the featureless creatures flying, while distracting the rest. Rinjirou stepped towards the Black Death and raised his sword. "Knights! I want this bastard dead!" With an anger to his voice not heard in some time, he continued, "Cut down anyone and anything that gets in your way. They've been warned!"

They charged at his command, a mass of gleaming golden armour that crashed into the Hunters with a fearsome roar. Moon spun and raised her Tiare. "Let's do this, everyone!"

The Sailor Senshi seized on the distraction to scatter and hurl another devastating onslaught into the enemy, tearing through their numbers and destroying a good dozen or more Constructs at once.

"No!" The Black Death moved towards her, and Moon responded.

"Silver Moon Crystal Power Kiss!"

Her Tiare erupted with golden light again, a prolonged blast that enveloped his robed form. His mask began to crinkle and blacken, almost withering beneath the onslaught, yet somehow he held on. An aura of darkness sprang up around him as he walked into the blast. Moon backed up and channelled more power, but he just kept coming. One step, then another, and another. She released her attack and swung for his face but the dark aura surrounding him seemed to seize her hand. An impossible cold stung her flesh, even through her glove. As she struggled to pull free, the Black Death drove his own fist into her face to send her tumbling to the street. A follow up kick left her stunned, with the next knocking her Tiare away.

"What is love against the hate I hold in my heart for you and your kind?" he taunted. "You are a relic of a bygone era, Sailor Moon. An unfortunate repeat of history that my Lady will correct just as soon as every last one of your friends is dead."

"She'll be waiting a long time, then."

Moon sensed the Hunter pull away and shook her head to clear it. She looked up behind him to see a familiar armoured figure. "…Corey?"

"No," he said, drawing his sword. "Justice."

The Black Death turned slowly. "The Guardian Knight. Have you come to bargain with my Mistress?"

"Nope." Justice raised his free hand, embers swirling around his gauntlet. "I'm here to end this…and you." He thrust his hand forward, palm outwards. "Judicial Flames!"

A torrent of white-hot flame burst from his hand, engulfing the Black Death. He staggered back with a scream of pain as his armour began to melt. The Guardian Knight strode forward and kicked him in the chest, sending him tumbling to the ground before turning to bathe the surrounding Constructs in a similar inferno. Some of the weakened ones simply combusted, falling apart as more still shrieked and turned on him.

"Venus Love and Beauty Shock!"

"Space Sword Blaster!"

"Chronos Typhoon!"

"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"

"Mars Flame Sniper!"

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"

"Death Reborn Revolution!"

The Senshi counterattacked, sending a volley of magic at the Constructs threatening Justice. He gave a battle-cry of his own and lunged, slashing his way through the survivors with ease. The familiar disc of his shield popped in and out of existence constantly, and his armour caught any strikes he missed. A blink here and there made him all but impossible to track; he appeared mid-air and dropped onto a Paladin, taking its arm off on his way back to the ground. A Hunter shimmered into being, sword at the ready, but Justice simply blocked it and drove his blade deep into their chest.

"What are you-" Moon cut herself off mid-question and focused instead on taking out any nearby threats. It was strange to see him so cavalier about deadly force after everything he'd said before, but then they had warned the Hunters multiple times by now. Was it really so strange?

Perhaps thirty feet away, Rinjirou knocked another of the assassins to the ground and plunged his sword down into their chest. He whipped back around at the screech of a Construct and dipped a little, letting it run into him before standing to send it sailing over his back. His first strike took off its clawed hand at the wrist, with the backswing cleaving right through its head. His Exalted Knights continued to battle around him like a solid mass of golden metal; a terrible, grinding machine tearing through everything in its path. Moon could see one or two limp bodies but, by and large, Rinjirou's soldiers had proven incredibly resilient by ordinary human standards. Sailor Fury flitted around it, slicing and dicing in the way only she could. Fortunately, she seemed to be focusing primarily on the Constructs; she didn't see much blood from those she attacked.

"Here!"

She turned again at Jupiter's shout. A distant Paladin froze in place after one of Mercury's attacks and was quickly struck with at least three different blasts of fire, lightning, and violet energy. It fell apart like a cigarette ash and Rinjirou was quick to respond, leading his Knights through the hole it left behind. The tide was beginning to turn.

Justice unleashed another blast of flame to her right, setting the remaining Paladin ablaze. It let out a horrific screech as its feathers combusted, before a pair of hits from Jupiter and Uranus obliterated most of its upper body. Its beak snapped open, red light building within as it tried to retaliate…only to collapse a second later, dead.

"Come on!" Venus waved the others forward. "Now's our chance!" She led Mars and Pluto through, with the remaining Senshi hot on her heels. The Senshi's heavy hitters unloaded into the rest of the horde once again, taking out more than a dozen with just their first volley. They couldn't keep up such a pace forever, but now was the time for that kind of effort.

"We can do this," Moon murmured, more for herself than anyone. She glanced to her left, smiling up at Tuxedo Kamen as he met her gaze. "We can do-"

Right on cue, a smouldering figure lurched out of the chaos with an inhuman snarl; the Black Death. His signature mask was now curled and blackened, seemingly melted to his face. Any exposed skin was red and blistered, terribly burned by Justice's Judicial Flames; a testament to the sheer evil he carried within his heart.

"The false prophet must be destroyed!" He swung wildly at the Guardian Knight with the same coal-black sword she'd seen before, screaming manically the whole time. There was no trace of the calm, even smug preacher of earlier; his injuries had apparently driven all control from him.

Justice took his strikes with ease, effortlessly blocking each and every one before taking a quick step back. His head turned only slightly, glancing to one side. "You're done."

A fireball streaked out of the battle and slammed into the Black Death's back, punching through his weakened armour and exploding. He was driven to his knees by the blast and promptly kicked hard in the face by Justice. A second kick sent his broadsword flying, leaving him wounded and disarmed.

Rinjirou stepped forward, the last few embers dying around his gauntlet-clad fingers. Moon moved in as well, boxing the Hunter in as he tried and failed to stand.

"And so the Faithful fall," he muttered, a dark chuckle ending in a hacking, wheezing cough as blood dribbled out from under his mask. "So then, Sailor Moon. What is to become of me? Am I to be martyred in Her name? Will you prove my Lady Chaos right and snuff out my life like the flame of a candle? Murder a fallen man in cold blood, helpless before your Senshi might?"

Corey frowned beneath his helmet. This man, if he could even be called that anymore, was a broken monster. How many innocent people had already died at his hands? On his orders? But murder is wrong, he conceded, thinking back to his upbringing. That's what you were raised to believe, but…would this be murder? This guy's a rabid dog. Is sparing him really the right thing to do?

He focused instead on Sailor Moon. On Usagi. She seemed torn in a similar way…but the look in her eyes was one he knew well. He'd seen it so often when they'd first met, whenever she looked at an opponent. When she stared down Terror for the final time, knowing he would never stop. That she had no choice. It was then he realised she knew. She'd finally seen it. Seen how far she'd fallen, and she was about to make a stand for the old her. The old Usagi.

She lowered her Tiare and inhaled. "I want you to go." There was no emotion in her voice. "Take all your Hunters and leave. Tokyo is ours again. Japan is ours."

Somehow, Corey felt angry. An oddly familiar fire burned within him, stronger than ever. This was a victory. Usagi had seen the light and made an active choice to reverse her course, halt her descent, and yet…it wasn't. If they let this creature just slink away now he'd only come back stronger at some point in the future. How many more people would die then? Wouldn't they count him and the Senshi among their murderers? Was that really justice? Would killing him be an injustice?

The fallen Hunter let out a low, broken cackle and coughed up more blood. "I knew it. You lack the heart even now to do what must be done, and that, Princess, is why you will lose. My Lady will tear across this world like wildfire, unmaking reality so a new one may be born, and I will be at her side through it all." The sneer behind his mask was clear, apparent even through his voice. "You're all fools, and I am going to enjoy making every single person I meet from now on pay for your-"

His voice cut off with a shocked gasp as Corey thrust his sword through his chest. The blade slid right through his charred armour, flesh, and even bone without resistance until it pierced his heart. Calm, surprisingly so, he leaned down to stare right into the Hunter's wide, unblinking eyes. "No. You're not going to hurt anyone ever again."

A stuttering gurgle was his only response. The Black Death twitched once and slumped, gravity quick to pull him free of Justiciar and down to the street. There he lay with no pomp. No theatrics. Dead...just as he needed to be.

Rinjirou nodded approvingly. "Good riddance."

"You…you killed him," Moon whispered, clearly shocked herself. Nobody else seemed to have noticed yet but, with the battle winding down, they would.

"Yes," Corey agreed, watching as Justiciar cleaned the blood from its blade with a quick flash. "I can't undo his injustices, but I can prevent him from causing any more harm, and I have."

"But everything you said about London," she protested, "About-"

"He knew what he was doing. Nobody forced him, not even Chaos. He chose to serve willingly, to kill and torture and destroy, and he's been stopped." He dispelled Justiciar with a thought, letting it fade away to nothing. "Life isn't black and white, Usagi. Being good isn't always about being nice." He echoed Titus' old advice to him without even really realising it. "Justice has been done today, just the way it had to be." He shook his head, suddenly tired of it all. "If you can't see the difference between this and what you had planned for London, then I'm not sure you ever will."

He walked away, looking for stragglers. Venus caught his eye as she blasted a Construct with Crescent Beam, bringing a slight smile to his face. His friends were safe, and so were any of the Black Death's future victims. They still had Chaos to deal with, but that was a battle for another day. For now, Justice had been done...and whether or not his friends could understand that, it was more than enough for him.

I miss you, Titus...and thank you. For everything.

AN: Another chapter down! My first big full-on battle scene for a long time, too. Hope you all enjoyed it. With the end of the Black Death, so too ends the second act. We're officially on the home stretch towards the climax. There's still a lot to cover, of course, but it's a relief to be able to say that.

How will Usagi's "talk" with Rinjirou go? Is Corey really as over her black and white morality as he sounded? What will the other Senshi make of his decision to kill the Black Death? How will Chaos respond to the loss of its chief lieutenant, at least in Japan? I can't promise every single one of these questions will be answered next time, but I'll do my best regardless! Thanks so much for reading and in advance for any reviews or other feedback you might provide. I'm feeling really motivated after the last round and I'm actually looking forward to seeing where things go next! Until next time!

Lisseas