Disclaimer: I don't own any characters used in this story. They belong to their respective creators.

Hey everyone, I'm back and going to wrap up the battle between a newly powered-up Alter Sailor Saturn and Mistress Nine. Sesshomaru is also in a situation being trapped in a mirror dimension of Kanna's creation and Shippo's is okay?

Find out what happens, now!

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Chapter 34

Azure Moon – The Path that leads to silence (Part 3)

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Mount Hakurei (surface)

Two floating figures were seen fighting it out in one last confrontation. In one corner, was the reawakened guardian, Alter Sailor Saturn, in her new attire consisting of an outfit reminiscent of RubyRose from RWBY and Gray from The Case Files of Lord El-Melloi II, being a purple-hooded cloak with a skeleton choker linking it around her neck. Underneath she sported her purple skirt with black leggings and instead of her standard stiletto heel boots, she went for practical brown laced boots.

Mistress Nine, wearing an armored attire with that was colored black, with spiky shoulder pads, a helmet without a masked guard, wielding a jagged sword, clashed weapons as the sound of metal was heard.

The ones observing the fight between the guardian of silence and a mistress of silence couldn't help but be enthralled by the battle.

Sailor Saturn parried a bladed attack from Mistress Nine as she went for a strike of her glaive to stab her. Mistress 9 moved her body to the right to avoid the attack as she struck her bladed sword at the guardian.

Reacting fast, Saturn blocked it with the pole of her weapon and kicked Nine in the gut causing the armored individual to cry out. Giving her glaive another a twirl she rocketed towards the descending figure. Flicking behind her, the weapon erupted in a flare of darkish energy-like flames and slammed it against her armored opponent.

The attack to send Mistress 9 upwards, screaming in pain with parts of her attire breaking.

Stopping herself to stop hurling in the air, Mistress Nine started to heal her wounds, which was starting to run thin due to the amount of damage she took. She couldn't fathom how the one she was once linked too could get this strong.

"It seems that powerup did you wonders, girl," the mistress sneered at Sailor Saturn, who was now floating in the air with her. "Why not just use that ultimate attack on me and be done with it?"

A melancholic look appeared on Saturn's face, to the surprise of Nine. "You crave the destruction of yourself and this place above all others, don't you?" She astutely replied. "There would be no point in releasing my powers to destroy this world to get rid of you."

"And why is that?" Mistress Nine snapped as she was somewhat healed.

"The reason is simple, Nine, you have no power here. Not anymore." Saturn simply stated.

It felt like Mistress Nine got slapped by that statement. "I have no power? You dare say that to me?" She clutched the upper part of her chest tightly. "I'm the one to drag you to death and caused your needless friends to worry over that little fox boy! How dare you-how dare you to say I'm no threat to you any longer?!"

On the ground, Alter Sailor Pluto, Inuyasha, Kagome, Miroku, Sango, and a sleeping Kirara sleeping in the latter's arms, continued to observe the battle and the conversation happening.

"What do you think Sailor Saturn means by her not being a threat?" Kagome asked no one in general as she thought about the knowledge she had on the enemy. "In the manga and anime, she almost destroyed the entire city…"

Hearing that bit of news, the time guardian gave a brief pause. "I wasn't there at the time but it was fortunate we had Sailor Moon. Now, it will be up to Sailor Saturn to defeat her shadow."

Miroku responded. "Lady Pluto, from what I grasp, you are a guardian of time, if that's the case you can see the future, what does the outcome of this fight?"

Shaking her head, the long-haired woman answered. "I am no god, so this battle can go either way, however…" she looked at her young friend/foster daughter. "I believe in her as you all should."

"Don't need you telling me that! She needs to move her ass and defeat her already!" Inuyasha responded with intensity. He wasn't going to let go of what could have been the group's last moments if not for the timely intervention of Saturn appearing.

Sango didn't say anything as she looked on at Sailor Saturn. What will you do now, Hotaru?

Mistress 9 tried to keep her emotions in check but since getting beat around by the person she was once part off; it was hard to do.

"What do you mean I have no power, you, upstart?" She challenged the guardian. "You, who was implanted with my egg to bring you back to life by your fool of a father, Souchirou Tomoe! He, who was tempted to bring back his precious and weak frail body of a daughter! I was inside you for all those years before I came out and would have brought forth the end of the world if not for that accursed Sailor Moon and you annoying guardians! How am I not a threat?"

Alter Sailor Saturn didn't say anything for a few moments. She wanted to keep Mistress 9 guessing and wondering before she told her the reason why.

"The reason is simple, Mistress 9, "Saturn began. "I could decide to just wipe you out with my new found abilities as an Alter and relish in the intoxication of it. However, when I was in my mindscape, I figured out some things, especially when it came to you."

Mistress Nine didn't like where this was going. "And what is that?"

Closing her eyes briefly, Saturn shook her head. "You are indeed Mistress 9, the one that caused the world to almost fall into silence before I was awakened and defeated you and that foreign invader! Yet you buried yourself somewhere into my mind even after I was reborn by Sailor Moon."

No one spoke as the two floating individuals continued.

"Mistress 9, my insecurities over the past, my anger over the situation I wound up in with trying to find Sailor Pluto and rescue Sailor Moon, awakened you and that brought you being. Even if I'm not sure how the specifics work, that girl with the mirror freed yourself from me, to bring about this chaos now. You tried to utilize the powers buried within my Scythe to destroy my friends, the ones you tried to make me doubt!" Saturn said fiercely as she opened her eyes and glared at her enemy.

"Please, don't get high and might with me, child, I am still linked to you and I know the feelings you keep locked away that your precious guardians or friends don't know about!" Mistress 9 retorted, pointing. "So, spare me the speech!"

Alter Sailor Saturn didn't refute that and answered. "The future of a promised utopia, it seemed distant all those years ago. How could I, the one supposed to be the guardian of ruin, ever lead anyone under my guidance? We, guardians, are the protectors of Neo-Queen Serenity the II, Usagi Tsukino."

"While we do govern our planets and formed a militia of other people with extraordinary abilities, and powers, we do not dictate the going's on of earth. We are meant to guide. I carry out my duty the best I can but I still felt unworthy what happened all those years ago, when you took me over. Yet I know I can't continue letting the past dictate the present, especially when I have a job to do! I won't let you have your way any longer!"

Giving her Glaive a spin she pointed it directly at the armored woman.

"If you are done with the long dialogue, shall we end this then, sweet Hotaru-chan?" Mistress 9 taunted as she materialized a jagged sword into her hands.

"Let's!" Saturn simply replied as she flew straight to Mistress 9 and slammed her weapon against her opponents! The two flicked in and out in quick succession trying to one-up one another.

As this happened Alter Sailor Pluto also stood transfixed over this development. In her mind, she was reflecting on what she overheard.

Hotaru, I didn't even think about the duty that was pushed onto you and the rest of the guardians. Pluto thought as she remembered that all this began when she made that wish to the space-time witch to rewind her world's time to bring back the needed guardians and broke apart the bonds that were established.

I'll have a lot to discuss with them all once everything is done and whether they can forgive me, is another deal entirely. I will accept any judgment by their hands and the queens for doing this. Pluto thought to herself.

Seeing the tall woman look forlorn, Sango spoke. "Sailor Pluto, you look sad, are you alright?"

Hearing the demon slayer, the time guardian snapped out of her rut. "Now is not the time for worrying about me, Sango. Sailor Saturn needs our support more. Let's watch and see her defeat her greatest enemy." Pluto soon returned her attention to the fight at hand.

Sango's gaze lingered on Pluto's a second longer before turning back to Saturn's fight.

Inuyasha overheard Sango's concern and wondered what could have had the time guardian sad? Feelings were not his strong suit but he was getting better thanks to Kagome's influence. Of course, now wasn't the time.

"Looks like she's got the upper hand on that madwoman!" Inuyasha replied with a smirk. "It's annoying that I couldn't get any decent blows on her before though!"

"You shouldn't let that get to you Inuyasha," Kagome responded. "You did a lot to prevent her from destroying us all, giving Sailor Saturn a chance to get back her weapon."

Miroku agreed with the middle-schoolers assessment. "She's right about that Inuyasha. Now, we get to see her in her new get-up." The monk keenly said as his eyes were going to Saturn's legs where she wore a black skirt. "Her swan-like legs are heaven to see on her lithe figure. Now if she just did a flip, I could see-ACK!"

He felt an unsuspecting blow to his stomach! The lecherous monk went to the ground as Sango lowered her fist. "Not the time for sightseeing, you depraved monk! I swear I don't know why I put up with your philandering ways!" Sango lamented as she once again returned to the fight.

Pluto sweat-dropped at the group's antics at a time like this but remembered that the inner guardians would have done something like this. I'll say this much, you have made some interesting friends. Now, finish this, Hotaru!

Alter Sailor Saturn blocked a sword slash from Nine's spear once again. Gripping the pole tighter, she ignited it as a bluish-flame surrounded it, once again, surprising Mistress Nine! Twirling it a couple of times overhead, she went for jabs which put the broken-armored woman on the defense but each strike continued to break it more!

After she was done, Saturn glided a few feet away as she prepared one of her new attacks, in any Senshi like fashion!

"I won't let you!" Mistress Nine cried as she charged her weapon and called out her attack!

"Witches Breaker!" A colored light unleashed as she combined the 5 attacks of the (once again, deceased) Witches 5. The attack slammed into Saturn, to the surprise of the group as Kagome gave an audible gasp.

"She's hit, Inuyasha, go catch her!" She cried.

Inuyasha took a moment and shook his head. "Wait, she's not through yet Kagome!"

The half-demons answer proved correct as Alter Sailor Saturn flipped her body and landed on the ground, sliding a little upon landing.

'Hotaru, are you alright?' Nigel spoke as he appeared in his spirit form.

I'm fine, Nigel. I require your help; I'm going to finish her off with one blow!

A rather wicked smile appeared over his face. 'By all means, my little reaper. Show her the power that is rightfully yours!' His spiritual power fused with Saturn as a thick purple glow surrounded her! Saturn gasped at the feeling rushing through her as if she was being bathed in a nice hot water.

Pluto could feel that Sailor Saturn went for a Unison with her spirit guardian. Cornelia also observed her fellow spirt and she chuckled.

'It seems she got Nigel as her partner and it looks like he's getting into this fight by offering a boost of the young one's abilities.' She smiled.

I wonder what his personality is like? She asked through their link.

The spirit didn't respond immediately. One would think by doing that, she was scared of the info but that wasn't the case. 'Out of my colleagues, Nigel is the more masochistic…' she finished with a sigh.

Hearing that Sailor Pluto widened her eyes with surprise on hearing that.

Back to the battle, the guardian of ruin and rebirth looked ready to pounce.

"Come dark flames of the underworld," Alter Sailor Saturn began as the glaive's blade curved turning it into a scythe. Bringing up her hood to cover her face, the firefly gave a smile. "Let the feast begin!"

She soon sprinted towards Mistress 9 with an amazing speed which appeared to like a blur for the group watching.

Mistress Nine saw her though as she yelled at the younger female. "Die you, wretch!" She combined all the witches' 5 energy into one attack and launched at the guardian!

To Nine's shock, Saturn swung at the stream and the glaive itself absorbed it and the blade got longer!

"What trickery is this?" Mistress Nine exclaimed. She soon unleashed another attack. Saturn responded by slicing it a few times before the excess energy went into the Sytche as the blade, once again got longer!

Alter Sailor Saturn gave a smile. "What's this, I thought you knew given you are me?" She openly mocked.

Not taking a liking to her imprudence, Mistress Nine yelled out as she summoned her jagged-bladed sword and struck Saturn's weapon. The sound of metal rang in the area as both combatants went back and forth with their never-ending strikes and jabs. Though 9 at this point was going by anger, Saturn kept her cool. A bonus was the scythe continued to take any excess energy that the former aid to Pharaoh 90 threw out whenever she could, she realized it was time to end this.

As both clashed once again, Mistress Nine could feel something or someone else, adding fuel to the fire. "What do you have Hotaru? Is that helping you best me?"

Saturn didn't respond but someone else did.

'Now-now, my former housemate, is that any way to talk to my patron?' Nigel's voice spoke to her.

Eyes widening, Mistress Nine soon witnessed the spiritual guardian floating a little above the battle. Nigel's eyes had a gleam of a kid messing with a bug. 'You are a fascinating creation of the darker emotions of my host.'

Nine was baffled by seeing him.

'Normally I wouldn't interfere however I must correct you; I only boosted what she already has within her. Being a guardian of a planet does come with some feats that even they don't know about. And second, think of this as my gift to you…' His face soon turned cruel as he soon had a twisted smile. 'and that is Sailor Saturn finally being the end of you!'

The long-haired woman could barely contain her yell of frustration over the trollish spirt as Saturn soon saw her buckle and went for that one moment. Unleashing a burst of energy, it pushed Nine back six feet, as she prepared to utilize her new attack. The scythe was at its peak as it gave off a hum.

"Prepare for the end Mistress 9!" She soon sprinted at her.

Mistress Nine soon went for a slash with her weapon but wasn't expecting for the Senshi to swipe it away in a quick upward slash. Eyes widening, Saturn calmly called her attack.

"Fonce Cutter!"

SWISH!

An eerie sound hung around the area as Saturn's weapon returned to being a glaive. "Grave for you…" she whispered as Mistress Nine's body started to break away into a dark shadowy mist.

"Little Hotaru, you finally bested me? Without some meddling moon princess?" Nine whispered in shock that she lost.

Turning around, Saturn's hood came off as her face revealed a composed look. "That's right and you will return where you belong, to the depths of the underworld." She revealed her fate "You will not find any freebies this time.

Mistress Nine would have screamed, cursed, and yelled but she chose not to. She wasn't sure if it was the link she still shared or not but she would leave the stage without a fuss. "One word of advice, take care of Naraku then, I want that wretched half-demon to face whatever punishment awaits…" she simply said before fading.

Alter Sailor Saturn walked through the fading darkness. "I don't need you telling me that."

The battle was over for Saturn as she walked to the others who gathered around her. Sango reached her first and the two hugged one another.

"Hotaru, you did it!" She happily said as the two finished their embrace.

As she stopped, she noticed Alter Sailor Pluto waiting patiently and the girl's eyes widened with surprise. "Sailor Pluto you are okay?"

The long-haired woman smiled at her. "Yes, I'm alright, Hotaru and it looks like you have grown from when I last saw you. Being granted this next phase is an honor."

Saturn smiled at the praise. "You as well Pluto, you look different in that interesting attire," She noted the skin-tight attire. She soon went to hug her which Pluto returned. "I finally found you after being separated for what seemed to be a long time."

As the garnet-eyed woman was about to ask an important question she could feel someone wanting in. Going with her instinct, she stepped aside and gave Saturn a quick message via telepathy (via Cornelia and Nigel) discussed what's occurred, from Pluto having amnesia to Saturn explaining about Sailor Mercury being blasted to another world entirely and Sailor Moon winding up kidnapped. All this took place in their mindscape so it was an instant to the outside. With that, time continued as if nothing happened.

After the telepathic talk, Kagome hugged Saturn next with enthusiasm, to Sango, Pluto, and the group's surprise.

"You were so cool, Sailor Saturn! Wait, I call you Alter Sailor Saturn, right? Who would have thought you powered up to have a new outfit which looks nice on you!" Kagome gushed as Saturn gave a polite laugh at the girl's fangirling.

"I'm glad you are alright as well Kagome and I must apologize for what happened," Saturn said as she looked at the group. "It was my insecurity that made Mistress 9 a threat. If I would have dealt with my issues sooner, none of this would have happened."

Shaking her head, Sango spoke. "That's not true Sailor Saturn, no one could have thought that would have happened, especially if Kanna was involved."

"So that's how Mistress Nine was revived?" Pluto asked the group.

"That's what it looked like. Though I never thought Kanna could release someone's darker form like that?" Miroku contemplated. "Naraku's schemes seem to be incorporating you Senshi in ways that are unexpected."

"Even if that's the case, we will stop him!" Inuyasha stated firmly. "Look, the crazy woman is gone, so let's get our butts in gear, grab Shippo and find Kanna and get that stupid wolf back too!"

Bringing up the fox demon, Saturn appeared to have a guilty look until Sango shook her head and said it was not her fault over that.

Kagome went to get him but paused. "He's not there?"

Everyone immediately turned and appeared shocked that was the case. Somehow Shippo's body was taken?

"How, his soul was taken by Kanna!" Inuyasha yelled. He, being understandably on edge given the misfortune of someone he saw as a family and to see him gone was taken him in places he never thought possible.

"Lady Pluto, I saw you place him in a barrier, did you happen to set him in another area?" Miroku asked.

Shaking her head Pluto responded. "I left him where you saw. No one should have been able to break him free of my chrono-field…"

"Unless someone took him when we weren't paying attention?" Kagome said sadly.

They all looked at one another. "We're going to find him no matter what, get Kanna to release his soul and get out of this crazy place!" Inuyasha said as he grabbed Kagome and placed her on her back. "Hey, Sailor Senshi, you ready to go?"

The Outer guardians nodded.

"Yes, I'm good to go and I will be able to keep up thanks to some abilities that got unlocked," Saturn said as she focused her internal energy to float.

Pluto did the same thing. "If that's the case then I suspect Shippo's body be in the same place Sesshomaru is."

Hearing that the Inu-group exclaimed. "Sesshomaru is here?" Kagome said first.

"Yes, it seems you don't know what's transpired. Rin was kidnapped by a man named Bankotsu and taken here. when I felt Sailor Saturn was in danger, I split up with him." Sailor Pluto revealed. "Now that we are together, I'm going to continue my original plan and save Rin."

Inuyasha gave Kagome a look who looked to Miroku to which gave a look to Sango and she turned to Kirara and the four-legged cat demon gave a murmur which could be translated as "The heck.".

The older guardian noticed the stunned silence over this and turned to them. "What's the matter?" She asked confused.

Saturn noticed the odd silence and spoke. "I believe they have some interesting history with the one named Sesshomaru. Granted I just know that Inuyasha is his younger half-brother and they have a strong sibling rivalry."

Inuyasha turned to her. "It isn't sibling rivalry, I hate his guts!"

Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Saturn, and even Pluto turned their heads away at the same time and thought "Yeah right."

"I'm aware of that fact. I didn't meet you during my period due to circumstances, but I can tell you this, Sesshomaru's priority is the safety of the girl as is your own for Shippo." She said. "We will save both of them. Along with Sailor Moon."

Before taking off, she took notice of the broken Hirakotsu that Sango picked up. "Your weapon broke in the battle with Mistress Nine?"

Alter Sailor Saturn soon realized that the demon slayer's patented weapon was indeed slashed in two. "No! Sango, your trusted weapon!"

Sango gave a sad smile. "It's fine Sailor Saturn, my weapon has been cut in half various times but I lament that it had to happen before another big fight."

"That won't have to be the case, Sango." Alter Sailor Pluto said simply. "Put your weapon on the ground."

A curious look appeared on Sango's face but she knew that after fighting with her, Pluto could be trusted. She did as instruct.

Holding her Garnet Staff over the broken boomerang, a spherical shield appeared over the weapon using Citron Call. The sound of chimes could be heard by the group and soon the Hirakotsu was repaired and good as new.

Sango smiled as her trusted weapon was whole once again. As she hefted the heavy weapon behind her back and tied it on, she gave a bow to Pluto. "Thank you, Sailor Pluto. I think it looks better now and that's saying something since I take care of it."

"Your welcome, Sango. Though I have to tell you," she said as she felt something different about the weapon. "It could be different from once you knew…"

Eyes widening, Sango looked at her weapon. "It could be different?"

Miroku also peered at the weapon. "Hmmm, if Lady Pluto says so, maybe it could be a benefit? Though you'd have to test it out once we enter a fight."

After saying that, Pluto took of gliding to get to the full demon. Seeing that, Inuyasha sprinted with Kagome on his back. Kirara changed to her bigger riding form as Sango and Miroku boarded and flew off. Last but not least, Sailor Saturn took off as she was easily able to keep up with the group.

They would follow Alter Sailor Pluto's instructions when getting through the purposeful changing fake Mount Hakurei.

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Back in the cavern of the faux Mount Hakurei, Kagura and Bankotsu looked over the three unconscious figures of Koga, Kikyo, and Litchi. Arakune kept to the back, due to being scared of the braided-teens powers staving him off from getting any powers from them, particularly the one from Koga's feet.

Kanna was silently observing as she held Shippo in her arms. The fox demon was feigning being unconscious and awake. This was surprising due to him thinking his soul was captured by Kanna.

Why am I in her arms, anyway? And how? I thought my soul was taken and…! He soon remembered what the last thing he saw, was Sailor Saturn about to fight that scary lady with the bad hair day!

How am I going to get out of this mess! He cried in his head. Shippo slightly opened his eyes to see the figures he recognized. He then noticed Bankotsu looking bored and froze up fast. Great, it's that guy from the band of seven! How do I wind up in this situation?

As Shippo was lamenting his luck, Bankotsu turned to Kanna and thought he saw movement. "Yo, the emotionless girl, did you take that fox's soul?" he asked her point-blank.

Kanna turned to him and took three moments before speaking. "I only did for a moment. He fell unconscious. After they checked his body and returned to fighting, I placed it back in his body and soon moved it to this place."

A laugh escaped Bankotsu's mouth. "Wow, I didn't know you cared? Why'd you do that anyway?"

Another few moments before she spoke. "It was part of Naraku's plan to bring Inuyasha and the others here to begin the last part of his plan."

Hearing this, Shippo was surprised by this. He was going to be bait for Inuyasha and the others to rescue him? He was happy but didn't want to be used like that. He'd have cried about it but thought again, considering the circumstances.

Bankotsu had a hunch the brat was awake but didn't say anything. He might have been a mercenary but had no beef with him. To be honest, this new lease of life was giving him a moral code at this point.

"And why are you holding him, anyway?" He asked.

"…He's quite soft." Kanna simply said before turning away.

A loud laugh once again escaped Bankotsu while Kagura was about to fall out over her sister's answer. As he quieted down, Bankotsu looked to Kanna again. "Well I don't care, but what is this plan Naraku has for these three? I get Koga having two jewel shards and the scary priestess being an object of his affairs but the hot female with the nice legs though?"

Kagura decided to answer this given Kanna's slow response time. "The one named Litchi is supposed to follow Naraku's instructions but somehow Kikyo was able to break her free of his control. It seems she was helping her though she also has a thing for that pile of bugs."

She motioned a fan over to Arakune who was cackling madly at something.

"So Naraku just wants revenge on her, huh?" Bankotsu responded. "Hah, that half-demon really can't let things go." A brief memory of his time being denied a proper fight with Inuyasha came to his mind. "Anyway, aren't we supposed to leave here now?"

Before she could respond a black cut was seen breaking apart the wall. Bankotsu and Kagura looked stunned as Arakune pushed back and landing with a splat (for all purposes it sounded like it).

Kanna didn't even budge as they soon saw Sesshomaru emerge with Rin and Kohaku being gently wrapped around his sash as if protecting them. Bankoutsu whistled. "Look at that, he came out on his own? Here I thought he'd be a trap with the two tikes."

"It's Sesshomaru, he always finds a way…" Kagura sniffed indifferently however she was relieved.

Stepping out of the cut he made, Sesshomaru placed them on the ground. Turning his sights to them, he spoke. "I wondered why this place was here, this is a manifestation of your mirror, isn't it, mirror incarnation of Naraku!"

Kanna blinked and with no hesitation tossed Shippo (to his relief and shock) towards the waiting hands of Bankotsu, before responding. "That's correct." She opened her arms wide to display what she meant. "This place is an artifice; my mirror is reflecting the image of the once pure place."

Smirking at the answer, Sesshomaru soon vanished in an instant. Before anyone of them could move, he arrived at the spot where the mirror was, the center of the ceiling. Pulling out Tenseiga, he used Meido Zangetsuha to slice the space and send it to the underworld. That in turn, the entire area was breaking like a mirror!

Everyone soon scattered as Kagura summoned her feather and gathered Koga and Litchi! Bankotsu activated his armor and ejected two dragon wings and scooped up Kikyo and even got Shippo before getting some headway. Kanna didn't move as the entire mirror structure vanished and all that was left was the post-Mount Hakurei; decayed by miasma and rocky formations.

As he sheathed his sword, Sesshomaru glared at the mirror incarnation.

"That was quite the trick. I knew something was off on this place, it didn't smell of purification. Also, the scent of Naraku was emanating from that mirror of yours, that's why I was able to find it. I give that half-breed credit; he was able to find a way to enhance your powers to this point." As the last remnants of the area took effect, Sesshomaru noticed the miasma floating about. "Whatever Naraku's scheme, I will see that you and that human aren't left standing!"

Sesshomaru was seething on the inside over what happened to Rin. Being kidnapped just to get to him was the worst mistake Naraku and his incarnations could do. Even though he had sympathy for Kagura, she still had a part to play in this and she wouldn't be getting off unscathed this time.

He would have gone for another attack but the miasma was getting potent and he realized that this was dangerous for the girl. Just as he was about to do something, Kohaku came too. Looking confused, the young demon slayer saw what was happening and exclaimed in shock.

Not only did he remember being brought here for a reason, but he also saw Rin here? As he looked up, golden eyes looked to him. Gasping, Kohaku didn't know what to do. It was Sesshomaru, a powerful demon in his sights. Just as he was about to say something, the white-haired male spoke.

"Take Rin and get out of here." Sesshomaru said.

Kohaku was surprised by that. Looking to the girl, she appeared unconscious and the miasma floating about was dangerous. Even though Kohaku was part of Naraku's side due to the same demon that caused him to massacre his father and fellow demon slayers while hurting Sango, it appeared to the pre-teen that the nefarious demon was taking an offhanded approach to allow him to do whatever he wanted.

His sense of responsibility coming in and guilt over how he treated her last time, Kohaku picked up the girl. For good measure, he also placed his poison mask over her mouth for protection.

With that handled, Sesshomaru turned to Kanna, who had somehow reconstructed her mirror. Not showing surprise, he pulled Tenseiga out of its sheathe as a dark hue appeared over it.

"Whatever reason this place was made for, it's gone. I'll send you to the depths of the underworld!" Sesshomaru simply stated and leaped into the air! Swinging down his sword to strike, he expected an impact.

To his surprise though, Kanna used her mirror and forged a shield to block his attack. It was enough to stop but she couldn't very well stop his new attack if he utilized it. Scoffing at her impertinence he would have continued until he felt something behind him! A black substance was about to entrap him inside as Arakune started laughing madly over feeling the immense power he held. Sesshomaru coated the black aura of his new attack to the blade and sliced upwards, breaking the pile of bugs and either into pieces.

Arakune, however, regenerated fast as his oozy substance turned into drill-like tendrils and started attacking Sesshomaru. Taken on the defensive at this point, Sesshomaru had to avoid his attacks. It was true he was stronger but Arakune was fast and worked on pure instinct, which could drive even someone off his fighting prowess to the test.

He dare not even utilize his new attack over the fear of pulling in Rin. What is he doing? Sesshomaru yelled in his head as he blocked a drill tendril.

Kohaku was running away as fast as he could but the substance was slowing him down. As he was about to continue, he was stopped by a blade of wind stopping his advancement.

Kagura appeared floating over him on another feather, as the other one was still holding Litchi and Koga, who was surprisingly still out of it. "Sorry Kohaku, but I'm going to need to have you to come with me."

"Kagura, why?" Kohaku asked as he pulled Rin closer to him. "You gave me free rein up to this point! What's changed?"

Eyes turning dangerous Kagura snapped her fan. "Everything, kid. Naraku needs the girl and you. The situation has been pushed further with lots of variables outside the original plan." She began, taking a step forward. "From the doctor to that mysterious woman that Naraku is keeping captive…nothing as it was. I'm sorry but you are coming with me."

Kohaku grimaced over his only ally in this internal fight with Naraku was turning bad, started running but Kagura sighed and created a tornado to stop his advance and start pulling him in.

"No Kagura!" Kohaku yelled as his feet were being pulled from the ground.

"Look, kid, I don't like this better than you but Naraku's word is the law," Kagura replied with disgust. "So now be a good boy and come back!" She created another twister as it pulled him and Rin in!

Sesshomaru, while dodging an attack from Arakune, saw what was happening and sprinted/glided to reach them. That is until a burst of blue energy stopped his advancement. The one who did the attack was Bankotsu, who now decided to act.

He dropped down Kikyo and Shippo in a safe location, while giving the fox demon a smirk before taken off. "Ah-uh, can't have you save the kiddies, this time, Sesshomaru."

"Out of my way!" Sesshomaru yelled as he struck his blade at him.

Smirking, Bankotsu summoned his Banryu and clashed blades with him. "Look at that, Lord Sesshomaru's blade contending with mine?" He replied impressed. "I didn't think I'd ever cross blades with Inuyasha's brother!"

Trying to overpower him, Bankotsu started to push Sesshomaru back just a little. The comment spurs something within Sesshomaru's body. "Never call that wretched half-demon my brother!" He roared as his demonic energy started to erupt from him.

The anger was enough to stop Bankotsu's assault as he took a few steps back. Swinging Tenseiga, Sesshomaru's energy powered up Meido Zangetsuha as a larger orb and not a cutting blade as Bankotsu flew around the attack, avoiding it as it slammed into a rock face, creating a large hole.

Eyes widening, Bankotsu was in awe over the attack. Even being bonded to a legendary dragon and dawning its armor, he knew a power like that was something to be feared. Arakune was also stymied by the amount of power. Though he would have gladly consumed him, the pile of bugs and goo had the thought of laying off for a few moments.

Sesshomaru immediately glided to Rin and Kohaku were now trapped in the twister.

Kagura was manipulating the tornado not to hurt but contain but was having some trouble. As she was about to end it, she leaped away as Sesshomaru slashed at her. Her concentration broken the tornado died down, leaving Kohaku protecting Rin's body.

"You just don't know when to stop saving the poor girl, do you?" A snark escaped Kagura's mouth.

"Be silent." Sesshomaru simply said. While he was lucky, Sesshomaru knew he couldn't keep protecting her while fending off various enemies. He really could use someone's help, though he wouldn't admit to such a weakness.

As he stood in front of the children, he felt an unsuspecting presence, and soon a figure appears from the distance.

Seeing his eyes were on something, Kagura only rolled her eyes. "You've got to be kidding me?"

Bankotsu was about to strike until he felt someone blindside him with an attack that knocked him to the ground. Hard.

Eating dirt, Bankotsu was soon met by Inuyasha, as he had his Tesseiga at the ready.

"Well-well, if it isn't Bankotsu from the now-former band of 7?" The half-breed cracked out. "You're lucky that armor of yours protected that frail dead body of yours!"

Scoffing, Bankotsu rolled away and got up as he picked up his weapon. "I'm not so dead, to kick your scrawny dog ass, half-breed." He replied. The braided man soon saw a couple of individuals coming, two who were flying towards them.

Alter Sailor Pluto flew over Bankotsu but glared at him as if saying "I will take care of you later" and headed off to Sesshomaru.

Sango, Miroku, and Kirara came next as it looked like they were trying to catch Koga and Litchi, which they succeeded in doing and bringing them down.

As for Alter Sailor Saturn and Kagome, who was carrying the female due to Inuyasha smelling Bankotsu and needing Kagome to get off from him, appeared to find a certain individual.

"Kagome, Sailor Saturn!" Shippo cried out to them as he rushed from his hiding place! Kagome cried out his name as she embraced the child in her arms.

"Shippo, your safe!" Kagome cried as she cuddled him. As tears went down her eyes, the Inu-group heard the declaration and were relieved over Shippo not being dead. As the two hugged, Sailor Saturn smiled that he wasn't dead.

After that, Shippo noticed Saturn and jumped into her unsuspecting arms. Tears went down her cheeks as she held him. "Shippo, I'm so sorry. I should have protected you and…"

Shippo shook his head. "Nah, it wasn't your fault, Sailor Saturn. It was Kanna's and I don't blame you, besides, I'm here now!"

Hearing that, Saturn hugged him once more. That is until Arakune was about to envelop the newcomers! Holding him close, she activated a force field to repel the interloper and protected them and Kagome.

"I haven't forgotten about you," She replied evenly. "Whatever you are, you will be dealt with!"

Arakune chittered out a response and slithered back a few feet on standby. Kanna, the silent observer, didn't respond to her fellow ally as she took note of the Alter Senshi.

"Your little trick is done!" She spoke to the child. "Mistress 9 is back where she belongs and not even Beryl can return her to this place."

"Then she fulfilled her purpose," Kanna spoke.

"What purpose is that, Kanna?" Kagome interjected as Miroku and Sango finally came.

As the group started gathering together, Inuyasha held Bankotsu off as he was about to strike.

"Hmph, it's annoying how you all came at this moment," Bankotsu stated as he didn't take his eyes off Inuyasha. "Though I guess it was bound to happen, that Naraku made sure for you all to come here."

"And why would that bastard want us to be brought here?" He yelled as he soon caught the scent of Kikyo, still unconscious. "You brought her into this?"

A scoff was Bankotsu's response. "Again, it was supposed to be this way." As he was about to say something else, his eyes caught Saturn, who didn't look away for a brief second before returning her gaze to Kanna.

Those damn eyes again, the braided male thought with irritation. Ones that just seem to stare into my soul.

Miroku and Sango checked on the unconscious figures and couldn't figure out what could be keeping them under. Particularly someone with Kikyo's strong spiritual powers.

"It seems all the opposition is in one place," Miroku said as he gripped his staff. "Yet, Kikyo isn't up yet.

Kagome responded to the monk's inquiry. "It's like some dark force is keeping her under," she revealed. "Along with Koga's jewel shards aren't as bright as they once were…"

"Something is about to happen then…" Sango stated before she saw a figure she neglected to check. "Is that Kohaku where Sailor Pluto is?"

The others turned to see that was the case as another conversation was about to start.

XXXX

Alter Sailor Pluto saw Sesshomaru with an unconscious Rin and a boy that appeared to wear something similar to Sango. As she landed, she took note of Kagura, who didn't even bat an eye to the Senshi.

Moving with haste, Alter Sailor Pluto went to Rin to check on her. "She's alright." She turned to Kohaku, who was frozen stiff at a person with this interesting outfit was here. "You protected her, correct?"

Kohaku only gave a weak reply. He wasn't aware of the situation regarding the Sailor Senshi coming to this world.

Giving him a rather sad smile, Pluto nodded to him. "Thank you."

He gave his name. "My name is Kohaku."

"Thank you, Kohaku," Pluto replied. Due to her ability, she could only get a gist of his history, which was tragic and could only hunch he also had a link to Naraku.

Checking Rin again, Sailor Pluto could tell something felt off. "Wait, Rin has been unconscious this whole time yet she hasn't reacted?"

Sesshomaru's ears perked at the female's examination.

As the Senshi was about to continue, Kagura gave a scoff.

"Looks like everyone is here," Kagura said evenly.

"And what does that mean?" Pluto replied as she gently had Kohaku hold the girl while she and Sesshomaru stood in front.

Taking a step forward with her weapon out, Pluto demanded an answer. "What possible meaning to bring all of us here?"

Sesshomaru didn't say anything but he also glared at Kagura for an answer.

Knowing she couldn't talk her way out of this, she relented. "Look, this wasn't my idea. All we were told to do is bring all of Naraku's enemies to this destroyed place."

"What for?" Pluto asked seriously.

Soon an unexpected answer was heard for all to hear.

"Why, for me, of course!" A voice could be heard in the vicinity!

Everyone looked up to see a cloud of miasma floating in the air, as Naraku appeared with a bunch of Saimiyosho buzzing around him.

"Naraku!" Inuyasha yelled at him.

The main antagonist appeared as he gave a haughty laugh off all the players here. "It seems recreating this place was a good thing for all my enemies to be here." He replied.

Before anyone could ask why, two more figures appeared next to him, which stunned the two Senshi.

Alter Sailor Pluto gasped as she recognized one of them."Prince Demande?"

It was indeed the former prince of the Dark Moon Clan that raged war on Crystal Tokyo in the Guardian's past timeline. He wore his usual attire but seemed to be floating on an energy disc of his creation. And next to him was…

"Usagi?" Alter Sailor Saturn yelled out!

Indeed, after a long absence, Usagi Tsukino, the current queen of Neo-Crystal Tokyo, was next to Demande and seemed to be holding onto him, as if her life depended on it. She wasn't transformed in her guardian attire or her regal but her normal, spring ensemble attire.

Hearing her name being called, Usagi looked down at Alter Sailor Saturn, as if she didn't recognize her. "Darling, who is that girl?"

Saturn and Pluto gasped at that. Their voices were being amplified by the strange magics under Demande's command currently.

"Not to worry, my beloved, they are nuisances which will be dealt with by Lord Naraku!" He responded as he kissed her on the lips, to the shock of the others.

Only one sentence was uttered, due to the disbelief happening.

"They aren't even supposed to be a couple!" Kagome yelled scandalized!

XXXX

That's the end of this chapter! I know, how could I just do it like this? Well, it has been a few years and I had no clue what I wanted to be done, to be honest. This last arc for this story has given me anxiety over the flow and trying to get the feeling right.

I'll be honest, the Mistress Nine vs. Sailor Saturn's fight proved to give me writer's block over the latter's powers are hard to articulate, other than defensive purposes. Along with Mistress 9 being a shadow and all that noise. I was planning on being meta with this and explain the Persona franchise use of shadow but just thought that would be complicated with explaining and just went with what was written for her.

Now that Saturn has her new upgrade with her attire and powerset, she'll be a force to be reckoned with along with Pluto.

I was inspired by Gray's motif and Ruby's for the form and it is a thing for them. I will try to add what it looks like if I can but I want to move this along and finish. A reminder, Sailor Pluto's outfit is reminiscent of Lancer's (Scathach) from Fate/Grand Order. The spirit guardian Nigel showed he is a troll and he did know of Mistress Nine existence being there but since he has restrictions, he could only observe. I guess I'm showing hints on what they really are and their origin will be revealed shortly.

Yes, usually I would have them aid their partners in a physical embodiment by having their bond strengthen and being seen by the others, however, I decided to just keep it with the ones that are already here. They will show off their stuff, whether it will be in this arc, is anyone's guess.

Litchi, Kikyo, and Koga are still unconscious after all this time and that's baffling, isn't it? I'll answer that now, that's thanks to Beryl's intervention. Yes, she is in contact with Naraku and gave him some tools to aid in his current plan, by upgrading Kanna and Kagura's powers as you read.

This isn't much of a spoiler however those shards are coming out of Koga in this arc, with Kikyo coming full circle and also Litchi's resolve regarding Arakune's own story might not get resolved in this. Don't worry, I (finally) have a way to get them out of this.

Prince Demande is back, from the brief hints you saw of him and he has Usagi under his influence. He does have an agenda that will be revealed. His powers are a McGuffin with what he can do currently do, which is a stretch but remember, this is just fan fiction and it's anything goes! He won't be some OP character and there are limits to what he can do. Let's say he was granted use of utilizing magic via Slayers logic mixed with a little Once Upon A Time.

Man, it's amazing I kept the titular character (Sailor Moon) of this story on the backburner for this long.

The revelation of her transformation will be a thing for her to overcome, along with the feelings she has kept buried for a long time regarding her fate. This will be a needed push for her to achieve her own, inevitable powerup.

Anything else I should say? The long break was unexpected and I do apologize. Some already know this but 2019 was a big change for me with the death of my grandma and now, 2020 is the year of cancellation, it's been a thing. I haven't given up this story but Senshi Continuum will see an ending before the year is out, so I can move on with its sequel.

More on that when I get to the last chapter.

Anyway, I think that's enough answering questions over this and stay tuned for the next chapter, which will be action. The Inuyasha portion of the story is finally hitting a pitch and things we know of the story will change.

Please remain safe in these changing times and I will see you in the next chapter.

Later.