SailorStar9: After getting Chapter 14 out, this is Chapter 15 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.

Chapter 15: Athena and Pallas! Battle of the Goddesses!

"Pallas." Saori voiced, the two Goddesses facing each other at last.

"Athena-onee-sama." Pallas remarked. "I've waited so long for this day, for this moment. When my beloved Athena-onee-sama and I would meet once more. I'm sure that you've forgotten about the past. The gardens of Olympus, where the gods live. The ancient Age of Myth. We were so close then. So close that they said we were like one Goddess. However, our happiness was not eternal. And the war between humans and gods; your love was no longer mine alone. You shared it with the humans. That's why I then decided to destroy them all, to win you back. To annihilate the humans."

"Yes," Saori admitted. "That's why I was forced to fight and slay you. It was such a tragic battle. And you would make the same mistake?"

"No, you're the one making the mistake." Pallas corrected. "Humans are stupid and ugly. They are poisonous insects that do nothing but pollute the Earth. Can you really call yourself the Earth's protector when you let them run unchecked?"

"Humans are not evil." Saori countered. "They may not be perfect, but someday they will grow up... perhaps into something great. Just as a mere bug can become a butterfly."

"No, humans are not worthy of being loved by the Gods." Pallas snapped. "But you gave them all your love and you forgot about me."

"I've not forgotten…" Saori protested.

"Liar!" Pallas barked. "That's why you killed me! Because you forgot me. Because you loved the humans more than you loved me! That's why I revived! That's why I agreed to his plan: to wipe out the humans, those ugly bugs that cling to you, from this Earth. Come back to me, Athena-onee-sama and we can be close, like we were in the Age of Myth. And destroy all those who stand in our way."

"I'm sorry." Saori apologized. "No matter what I say, you won't listen, will you?"

"No, there's nothing more to be said between us." Pallas agreed.

Their determination resolved, the two Goddesses droned on their respective armors.

"Let's play, onee-sama." Pallas challenged. "Like we did so long ago."

"Pallas, it seems this is our fate, after all." Saori related.

"That's Athena's Cloth?" Harbinger blinked. "And Pallas' Chronotector? Nothing less from the robes of the Goddesses. What power…"

"Finally…" Seiya muttered.

"It's time for the Goddesses to cross blades?" Holy Mercury finished.

"Pallas, I'll say this one last time." Saori beseeched. "Do you truly want to kill me?"

"Yes," Pallas chuckled. "If you would not be mine, then you can die."

"That is unfortunate." Saori sighed. "But I cannot die here, because I have to protect the Earth's love and peace. Staff of Nike!" she went on the offensive.

"Holy Sword of Time, Eternal Dance!" Pallas brandished her blade. "You truly are the Goddess of War, Athena-onee-sama." She praised, both helmets were knocked off. "You're as skilled as ever."

"You, as well." Saori admitted. "Where did you get such a terrifying weapon?"

"Wonderful, didn't it?" Pallas grinned. "This is the Holy Sword of Time, Eternal Dance. Time and space, zero and infinity; it is the ultimate holy sword that controls them all. Soon, you will die by this sword. Now, taste the power of the Eternal Dance. Onee-sama, give me your life." She closed in, Saori having blocked off the blast with her shield. "Let the two of us become one. And we shall be together forever. An eternal myth of love." She concluded, Saori dodging each and every sword swipe, parrying off the sword with her Nike Staff.

"They're evenly matched." Harbinger noted.

"No…" Holy Mercury corrected, bringing forth a smooth oval blue gem from her fuku brooch.

"Pallas, prepare to die." Saori was ready deal the final blow.

"It won't be that easy." Pallas taunted, the armband stealing Saori's life force. "Too bad… on your way here, much of your life force was taken from you. Have you forgotten? What's wrong, onee-sama? That shield is in the way." She parried Saori off and struck, disarming Saori of her shield.

"No, she's going to lose." Harbinger exclaimed.

"Wait, Harbinger." Seiya pulled him back.

"But at this rate…" the Taurus Gold Saint protested.

"Have faith in her." Seiya urged.

"Seiya…" Harbinger looked at the Sagittarius Gold Saint's bleeding hand.

"Seiya isn't the only one who wants to help." Holy Mercury agreed. "Take a closer look at Titan."

"You're pathetic, onee-sama." Pallas jeered. "And you call yourself the Goddess that protects the Earth? "It's your fault, onee-sama. It's because you love those stupid, filthy humans, because you won't love me. That's why you're going to lose. Because you forgot me."

"No," Saori corrected. "That's not true."

"Not true?" Pallas echoed. "What isn't true?"

"Pallas, I love you." Saori declared.

You're lying." Pallas frowned.

"I love you." Saori insisted. "Why would I lie to you? I've never forgotten you, even for an instant. However, I love the humans you hate, as well. Humans are weak, foolish, and fragile, just as you say. But I know that they have a ray of light in their hearts. Humans are worthy of love."

"No…" Pallas muttered. "I don't understand. I can't understand it. I can't accept it."

"Pallas!" Saori stopped her. "Pallas, Goddess of Love, please, I beg you to give even a small portion of your love for me to the humans."

"But, onee-sama, you can't…" Pallas objected.

"If you absolutely insist on destroying humanity, then let us settle this here." Saori declared. "For the humans I must protect," she leveled the Nike Staff at Pallas. "And for the Saints who believe in me and fight for me, I cannot lose."

"What Cosmo…" Pallas breathed. "Then," she raised her blade. "Time, carve through all the stars and planets. Eternal Dance! Onee-sama, you will die here!" she announced, both Goddesses clashing once again.

"Pallas, I'm sorry." Saori whispered. "Because of my love for you, I've avoided this so far. I am a coward, and I was cruel." With that, she blasted Pallas off. "Farewell, my dear Pallas. Someday, the humans may grow up and no longer need the Gods. When that day comes, let us meet again within legend."

"Athena-onee-sama." Pallas muttered.

"Mercury," Saori cast a sideway look at the ice Senshi. "Heal Pallas, now!"

"So, you knew." Holy Mercury smiled, the oblong sapphire changing into the shape of a crystal ankh.

"I always knew you were the Cleanser." Saori confessed.

"Forgive my rudeness." Titan apologized, blocking off Mercury's ankh. "But I, Blade of Theogenesis Titan, shall defend Pallas-sama at the cost of my life. Athena, Lady Cleanser, prepare to die. Even the Gods themselves cannot get past me. Sagittarius…" he muttered, Seiya jumping in and stopping the sword.

"Your fight is over." Seiya stated. "So leave the rest to me."

"Even if it's broken, the Blade of Theogenesis can slice the very world." Titan declared. "Yet you stopped it with one hand. You truly are the legendary Gold Saint. But you cannot defeat me. Back then, you knew that the young Pallas-sama would be Athena's enemy. But you could not kill her. Had I been in your place, I would have stabbed the dagger into her, even if she'd been a baby. Someone without that resolve cannot defeat me."

"Don't think I haven't changed." Seiya warned. "I'm ready to do whatever it takes."

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