2015-07-05 - The Garden of Time (Part One)

Title: The Garden of Time (Part One)
Summary: The Jewel Seeds, invoked by Precia Testarossa, threaten to destroy the entire Earth. The time has come to launch a final assault on her fortress, and bring her to justice. But even in her madness, her defenses are formidable...
Who: Nanoha Takamachi, Endo Naoki, Ren Aizawa, Fiat Silver, Lera Camry, Kyouko Sakura, Amu Hinamori, Fuu Hououji, Hikaru Shidou, Eas GM: Honoka Yukishiro
Where: Dimensional Space: The Garden of Time
OOC - IC Date: 1 August 2014 - 07/05/2015

<Pose Tracker> Honoka Yukishiro [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P-c2k-HgRA

9:00pm, TUNER OPERATIONAL OUTPOST C103

Lindy, having long since ditched her TSAB uniform for a number that wouldn't look out of place on any Tokyo mother, with a pencil skirt, blouse, and shawl, stands beside a girl who is neck-deep in electronics. At least half of them aren't plugged in to any true power source. What's really running them is something entirely different from conventional electricity.

"Barking chain... activated."

"You have the most amusing euphemisms."

"There's nothing funny about it -- mascots have a remarkable ability to communicate rapidly with one another. By releasing the information into their informal network, and encouraging them to tell their girls to tell each other, most of supernatural Tokyo will have the news within the hour."

"Maa..."

---

ACROSS TOKYO

Everyone from talking cats to cell phone fairies to Intelligent Devices receives the news within moments of each other, thanks to an extremely loquacious Incubator.

They all have more or less the same thing to say to their mistresses:

"It's terrible! Some kind of dimensional bomb is going to shatter the Earth if we don't go stop it! Hurry, hurry! The Tuner Organization is gathering volunteers at Ueno Park!"

---

10:00pm, UENO PARK

Chrono Harlaown, code name Grumpy Spike, has been arranged in a chair facing the assembled girls. He is at least eight or nine times more scowly than usual, presumably because of his recent rescue and subsequent need to recover. He certainly won't be attending tonight's operation.

But he can share what he knows.

"Many of you have already encountered the Jewel Seeds that have been activating all over Tokyo in the last year. They try to grant wishes fueled by powerful feelings... but they're terribly dangerous, and things always go wrong. Lives are at risk whenever a single one activates. Thanks to the hard work of Nanoha Takamachi and many others, not a single Jewel Seed casualty has been suffered so far."

He spreads his hands helplessly -- but then clenches them into fists.

"As of now, the Grand Magus Precia Testarossa has possession of twenty-two Jewel Seeds. She plans to activate them all at once in the hopes of traveling to a lost realm called Al-Hazard. She believes that she can bring her dead daughter back to life there. Whether or not that's possible," it's obvious he doesn't believe that it is, from the faint sneer of disbelief in his tone, "If she is allowed to proceed with her plan, the Jewel Seeds will, without any question, rip Dimensional Space, and everything within it, to shreds. Earth would be atomized, and so would many other worlds -- maybe every other world. The multiverse as we know it could all be destroyed in an instant."

Eyes narrowing, his determination to prevent this radiates off of him in grim waves.

"I was recently the prisoner of Precia Testarossa, but retrieved a great deal of intelligence. Her base, the Garden of Time, is a labyrinth of sealed doors and hallways. There is an army of magical drones in there. You don't have to hold back against them -- they are essentially robots. They cannot feel anything. They will, therefore, be fighting totally without remorse or regard for your lives."

Lindy, who has been standing beside her son this whole time, steps forward.

"The Jewel Seeds will need to be re-sealed with overwhelming force and extreme prejudice, and Precia Testarossa brought into custody. She is a terrible force to be reckoned with all on her own. This is likely to be very, very dangerous. Anyone who feels that other obligations demand that they back out, that is perfectly understandable."

She casts her hand outwards, and a complex circle of teal light springs into being at her feet. It is wide enough for a small army. "Everyone else, please come with me. I have no doubt we'll face opposition from the very moment of our arrival in the Garden of Time, so please be prepared to defend yourselves."

<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Unlike some of the other magical girls, Lera Camry knew that she would be going into the Garden of Time. She knew it would be soon -- after everything that happened, they had little choice -- and she had taken what precautions she could. That included talking to Setsuna Higashi for what she hoped wasn't the last time. She didn't know, precisely, when it would be. But the summons explains the rest.

She isn't an entirely strange face to Lindy Harlaown -- or Chrono, after the first time they met. She listens for a moment, then she frowns at his explanation. She looks up at Lindy, when she finishes, and she nods.

<Are you sure about this, Lera?> Soaring Sky asks. <This is far more dangerous than before. A Grand Magus...>

"We don't have a lot of choice, Sky," she answers quietly. "It's for Fate."

Lera looks up at Lindy, then she steps into the teal circle, and she flashes her a quick smile. "We can do it, everybody," the Midchildan girl says. She swings her sword -- currently with the plasma field deactivated -- to rest across her shoulder. The Device's red gem pulses once. "We've come this far. It's just a little farther, right?"

<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.

Despite the previously tumultuous battle with Jaren that left Ren feeling worn out and very much near her breaking point, the teenaged magus still finds it within her to answer the call to arms. How could she not, though? Earth is her home. And having it torn to pieces by a crazed woman such as Precia is not ideal at all.

Speaking of... knowing what she knows now of Fate's situation fills her with much guilt for the way she used to view the tiny blonde girl. And it makes her angry, too. She may not be as close to the girl as Nanoha, for instance, but she can still fight on her behalf. Even if things don't go to plan...

Lera's words jar her out of her deep thoughts, and Ren steps into the circle beside her, smiling softly. "Right. We can do this." She pauses to turn and look at everyone else, meeting their eyes one-by-one. "We can."

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa transforms into Barrier Jacket!

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Shidou [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

It's another day in Tokyo, right? When things are going crazy and there's some kind of supernatural aspect to it, then it's just another day for a Magical Knight. Namely Hikaru Shidou, who's heard through the grapevine about things going crazy. Or rather, she didn't get it through the grapevine, but rather through Mokona. Nevertheless, when there's trouble on this level of a scale, then it's definitely a job for the Magic Knights!

After passing along the information to Fuu-chan, Hikaru headed for the park quickly, hoping to meet up with Fuu-chan there eventually. She was glad that she was able to get the information quickly, because who knew what she'd find?

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

One of these times, Fuu is going to sit down, learn Wabun code (AKA the Japanese version of Morse code), and try to teach it to Mokona. Until then, Hikaru is far better at understanding Mokona than Fuu herself is, so it's a good thing that Hikaru is the one to hear from the Magic Knights' own mascot-guide.

So the Magic Knight of Wind comes to Ueno Park as bidden by the summons - perhaps a little early - and listens to Chrono's briefing, and then to Lindy's request. The presence of allies is a welcome sight, both familiar and unfamiliar faces greeted with a smile, and she steps into the circle as well, bow and quiver materializing; she nocks an arrow to the string of her bow, ready to draw, aim, and loose immediately upon sighting a hostile. "Good luck, everybody; if you're injured, call out and I'll attempt to heal you."

<Pose Tracker> Lilian Abarth [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

The mysterious thief, Fiat Silver, has appeared as well. Her arms had been folded and her expression, at least what was revealed beneath her concealing mask, was pensive. Nonetheless she is immaculate today, perhaps from careful preparation. She heeds Chrono Harlaown, her arms folded; afterwards, her gauntleted hand rests on her hip.

her Intelligent Device says to her.

"Why," Fiat Silver murmurs to herself.

"Hmf," Fiat Silver half-laughs. Sweeping a hand back over the top of her mask, she straightens. "... You know that I have my reasons."

<Yes,> Silver Scorpion says. <But I am not only surprised.>

Fiat Silver makes a noise, not quite a sound. It could be rendered as 'mm?' or perhaps merely "?" Silver Scorpion elaborates:

"... don't," Fiat Silver says, very quietly, "I'll fog up the mask again..."

A few deep breaths and she's steady again. Fiat Silver gives Lera a firm nod, and meets Ren's eyes as best as she can. "Indeed. I hope that you are all ready." She raises the baton of Silver Scorpion in momentary salute, then twirls it once before striding forwards, towards Lindy's circle.

COMBAT: Lilian Abarth transforms into Barrier Jacket!

COMBAT: Lera Camry transforms into Barrier Jacket!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji transforms into Magic Knight!
COMBAT: Lera Camry has fully healed herself.
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou transforms into Magic Knight of Fire!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has fully healed herself.
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has fully healed herself.
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi transforms into Barrier Jacket!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has fully healed herself.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has fully healed herself.
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has fully healed herself.
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura transforms into Puella Magi Kyouko!

<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

Despite Chrono's accolades of her hard work, Nanoha Takamachi does not look very happy. Even as people begin to filter into Ueno Park. No, if anything, she stands somewhat aside from the gathering group, already in her Barrier Jacket, Raising Heart clasped in hand.

The look upon the child's face is... One of turmoil. a dark shadow shrouding the ten-year-old's visage beneath the wispy bangs of auburn hair. Everyone and everything is little more than a blur to her as she once again retreats into the shadows of her own internal world, gauntlet rattling from how tightly she clasps her faithful, and silent, Device.

To anyone who knows Nanoha Takamachi, this state of internal focus is... On a whole different level than from how she normally withdraws into herself.

To anyone who knows Nanoha Takamachi... The look if intent murder on the child's face may just be absolutely terrifying, as her silent outrage permeates a bubble radius all around her, pulsing every stronger with every beat of her heart, as though some terrible and patient devil stands in the midst of the gathering magical warriors. Just... Waiting.

Waiting to take her fight to Precia Testarossa.

<Pose Tracker> Kyouko Sakura [None] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsZRnGwWvaA

Kyouko Sakura leans her elbow on the butt of her spear, tip grounded as she picks her teeth with a metal sliver. Tossing the toothpick aside, it dematerializes before it hits the ground, shifting the weight between her boots. Bringing a foot forward off the ground, she swings it back, driving her heel into the blade to swivel it up towards the ceiling in a half circle, loping towards the portal.

She stops just shy of it, and flashes a wink to Lindy. "Not counting the seeds, any loot to plunder? I guess we'll find out for ourselves."

Sprinting forward abruptly, Kyouko jumps high above the shimmering portal, angles her spear down towards it, and dives down through it tip-first. Her wild shock of red hair blows up above her scalp, her eyes gleaming and a hungry, smug grin tweaking her lips.

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo is there, of course. He's known about the whole mess for a long time, though he's only getting the full significance of the mission here and now. The boy nods his head as it's all explained, fidgeting from side to side, looking distinctly wary. He looks about as nervous about the people giving the mission briefing as the mission itself.

And what mission it is. He's not sure how dangerous a Grand Magus is supposed to be, but it's probably kind of a big deal. His last defeat-by evil robot drones, no less-is still fresh in his memory. He has to think about this.

"Ah, really, do you think we can do this?" His question is a low murmur to the sword he's dragging with him.

"That's helpful."

A moment, and Endo nods. Lera, Nanoha, and Ren are moving, so are the other knights, Fiat Silver, others. So will He. The steps into the circle, moving to take his place next to Ren. He even reaches out, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

<Pose Tracker> Honoka Yukishiro [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xYeOY_6b3M

Chrono, off to one side of the portal and looking a little dejected about it, rallies himself to bark, "No time for questions, it's starting!"

THE GARDEN OF TIME

The dimensional transfer is gut-wrenchingly strange, but over in an instant that might have taken all of time in existence, or none of it at all, depending on the measurement. As the teal light clears, it reveals a strange landscape.

Undulating in all directions but one is a blue-violet panorama. If infinity had a color, this might be it. There is a sense of intense space -- to stare at it for too long invites vertigo.

But there is ground, black and jagged, and up ahead, there is a fortress. It seems to be formed from this strange floating island's core: obsidian spikes, some crowned with spheres of blue light that hum at such a viciously high frequency that it can't be heard, only felt up and down the spine, collide and congeal into a massive tower.

There is a second, dissonant vibration that makes bones ache. This is coming from much deeper within the Garden, and the wrongness it embodies is surely the dimension-shattering effect beginning to spin itself up like a massive generator or churning engine.

Lindy lands neatly in the middle of her circle. She no longer speaks aloud, but projects her voice directly into the minds of the team.

<>

Already, in front of the massive golden door at twelve-o-clock, equally golden robots are rising up out of the ground. They make the ones who attacked the fireworks festival look like the chumps they were. Armed to the teeth with energy projectors and nasty blades, their red eyes pulse into activation, then narrow at the intruders.

And then they charge.

OOC: Each round, you will have to defeat a wave of Precia's Drone Army in order to advance -- that is to say, reducing their Fatigue from an unknown value to zero! If you fail to do so, you'll have to suffer the onslaught even longer -- if you succeed, you'll break through to a new part of the fortress (in this round's case, blasting through the front door). Madoka's Fatigue points will be representing each wave, so please target her for that. Good luck!

COMBAT: Endo Naoki transforms into Barrier Jacket!

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has fully healed himself.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname transforms into Precia's Drone Army!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Blitz Charge on Fiat Silver.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Blitz Charge on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Blitz Charge on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Blitz Charge on Ren Aizawa.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Blitz Charge on Lera Camry.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Blitz Charge on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Blitz Charge on Kyouko Sakura.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Blitz Charge on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Blitz Charge, taking 5 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Blitz Charge, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Hikaru Shidou's Block ability activates! Hikaru Shidou's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Blitz Charge, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Kyouko Sakura's Block ability activates! Kyouko Sakura's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi narrowly counters Madoka Kaname's Blitz Charge, taking 11 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Nanoha Takamachi's Reverse ability activates! Nanoha Takamachi's Tactician ability activates!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi's counterattack, Strike Smasher, partially gets through, doing 10 Fatigue damage to Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Blitz Charge, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Ren Aizawa's Block ability activates! Ren Aizawa's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki fails to brace Madoka Kaname's Blitz Charge, taking 14 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver narrowly dodges Madoka Kaname's Blitz Charge, taking 12 Fatigue damage! Fiat Silver's Fade ability activates! Fiat Silver's Flash ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

Well, that was terrifyingly abrupt; the Magic Knight of Wind raises her bow - but the drones are far too fast to let her get an initial shot off; she winds up using her bow more to parry than to attack, and her arrow breaks before she can even try to stab with the arrowhead or something improvisationally cool like that.

What she CAN do, though, is retaliate with her magic. "Winds of Admonishment!!" she calls out, as if not caring who might overhear, and a whirlwind forms as she exerts her will - trying to corral at least one drone and bind it from assaulting her allies. If she can get more than one, all the better; the group is going to need all the help they can get if the defenses are this rough all the way through ...

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Admonishment on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Shidou [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Defensive stance ready! That's what the Magic Knight of Fire is thinking as the drones come at her quickly. She raises her sword and attempts to protect herself against the incoming drones. Parrying seems easy in the movies, but this isn't a movie. Hikaru finds herself struggling to protect herself against the drones, and while she succeeds, it takes a bit of effort on her part.

"I had no idea this was going to be so harsh," The Magic Knight of Fire says as she finishes parrying against the drones. "Looks like it's time for a little swordplay!" She says as flames swirl around her blade. "You'll regret messing with me!" She says as she slashes with a flaming blade.

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has used Flaming Slash on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Fiat Silver [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

A flurry of blasts already! Several clip Fiat Silver as she ducks low, raising up her Device's baton as she sucks in a breath. Her free hand comes up --

And she waggles her index finger. "I remember all of you," she says. "You left quite a impression on me... and ruined a wonderful evening. Unfortunately for YOU, my faceless friends, I planned ahead. Silver!"

<Armed,> the Device replies.

Fiat Silver casts the baton forwards with a flourish. "Scorpio Tortoise! Two mid-range!"

<Fire,> is the crisp electronic reply, and two golden disklike globules of shimmering magic streak out of the front of the Device, moving forwards with surprising leisure and aiming to skid along the ground, turning lightly as they go. They aim in fact amongst the ranks of the drones, vanishing from immediate sight.

Fiat Silver glances at a spiralling countdown indicator and smiles.

The two golden 'tortoises' keep spinning in place -- before erupting in sixteen different colors of short-range sorcerous bursts, sparkling with gorgeous light and expending themselves in close-ranged bombardment amongst the press of the creatures!

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has used Scorpio Tortoise on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori transforms into Amulet Heart!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has fully healed herself.

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

<INCOMING.>

Endo doesn't really need his Device's help to see the line of drones but maybe the thought counts. It doesn't stop him from charging right on at them.

"Let's go!" With that note, he's off. The knight lugs Fallen Stern along behind him, making a dead sprint toward the nearest golden machine. The boy's teeth grit when he hits it, his weapon coming around in a quick arc toward the drone just as the machine is driving its own energy blade into his armor.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Blueshift on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.

The gesture from Endo is appreciated. Ren turns to smile up at him and gives his hand a squeeze in return. There's no time for words, though, as they are all warped into the space occupied by the Garden of Time...

...And what a space it is. Ren feels disoriented for the first few moments, blinking her eyes rapidly as she tries to adjust. "This is odd...!" She observes, looking over to Lindy as the TSAB official's voice sounds out directly into her mind.

<INCOMING HOSTILES.> Souverain Heraut speaks up for the first time, and Ren snaps her attention from Lindy over to the pretty nasty looking drones. Gripping the device tightly in one hand she holds up her other one to conjure forth a bronze shield of energy. One of the robots collides with it, forcing her back a bit.

<SHIELD CRITICAL.> Heraut's voice rings through with another warning, and indeed the barrier begins to crack. Ren grits her teeth, knowing what she has to do. Letting it drop she tanks the rest of the ongoing momentum stemming from the charging robot.

The device reforms itself into the familiar rapier in a flash of light, and with a yell Ren brings the bladed weapon down onto the drone that's all up in her space.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has used Blurred Edge on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Amu Hinamori [Ohtori Academy (6)] has posed.

To be honest, Amu hadn't been able to help much with things regarding the Jewel Seeds, though she had met Fate before... and when word filtered through the grapevine (aka Yaya's big mouth) that something like this was happening, Amu felt that she should come along.

What she didn't expect was spaceships and teleportation and killer robots. "...wa! What is... is..." Augh. At least there are a few familiar faces here, though. "R..right. I'll try my best to help out here!" One hand drops to her side, and her Heart Rod appears in its grasp. "Spiral Heart!" With a flick of her wrist, Amu sends the baton twirling through the air over the robots' heads. As it flies, it showers them in sparkling pink glitter before arcing around to return to Amulet Heart's hand.

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has used Spiral Heart Dust on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

Into the breach, dear friends.

And no sooner than the teleportation spell is completed, Nanoha begins to storm forward. A slow, inexorable trudge of one foor in front of the other, showing no sign of concern nor dismay in the face of the mechanical assault force ready and waiting. She simply shifts her grip on her device.

Nanoha and Raising Heat resonate, a connection of one heart and one mind between the Mage and her faithful Device as Nanoha takes aim.

Nothing is going to get in her way, even as one of the machines draws close so very fast. The melee to follow is almost instantaneous. A sharp blade drags a vicious red line along the length of her arm. Her hand explodes in a vibrant pulse of pink energy to try and gun it down. Her aim shifts, pointing her Device more directly into the battle line that was waiting.

"Shoot."

A click of the trigger and a sphere of energy begins rapidly coalescing at the tip of her staff. Before lancing outward in a pillar of vibrant, destructive, pink light.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has used Divine Buster: Shoot on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Lera Camry narrowly counters Madoka Kaname's Blitz Charge, taking 13 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Lera Camry's Reverse ability activates! Lera Camry's Tactician ability activates!
COMBAT: Lera Camry's counterattack, Aura Surge, partially gets through, doing 4 Fatigue damage to Madoka Kaname!

<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Lera just turns and gives Kyouko a look at the question about loot. It is a flat look.

Once they're inside of the Garden of Time, though, her expression is more serious and even. She saw the looks on her friends' faces: anguished rage, for Nanoha; uncertainty but resolve, for Ren; ragged doubt, for Endo. They've all worked so hard. They've all been stretched so thin they might break. She hopes that, somehow, this time will be different. For all of her brave face earlier, for all that she told Setsuna, she feels that fear now.

She doesn't want to die in a place like this. She wants to go back home with them, when it's over. She lowers her head, then she looks up -- and stares at the drones approaching. Lindy's ears ring inside of her ears.

<They're coming.>

"Right behind you, Endo-san!" she calls out after the knight. She runs in after Ren, and she swings Sky from her back -- the sword comes free and slams into one of the drone's blades. Light erupts, bright white and burning, to beat back the blade. Then, Lera spins the sword to free it from the parry. Her teeth grit together. "C'mon, Ren-chan!"

While a blast of pink light erupts from Raising Heart, Lera suddenly speeds up; she accelerates, shooting over the ground as a blur. Her sword whips out, chopping hard at the drone's metallic body.

COMBAT: Lera Camry has used Line Burst on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Lera Camry has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Kyouko Sakura [None] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrUkqWcfGVg

Reality tsunders and splits, divides and multiplies and fluxes in and out of states beyond her comprehension. It breaks down completely and resolves back into existence. "Don't think about it" she thinks.

Physical space is supposed to have...depth...and there is none to be found all around her, except forward. Kyouko Sakura feels naseously clastropobic for the first time in her life and feels a bit of motion sickness. Shaking her head like a wet dog drying, she slaps her own cheek, mutters "don't think about it," and focuses directly on at the path and the gate.

Rapping at the utterly black ground's surface with her spear, she scowls at the whirling orbs and plants her feet down as the welcoming party approaches. Grunting slightly as the golden goobers stampede past her, she takes a few bangs but nothing worse than a little bruise or two. Twisting around as they rush past, she angles her lance like a pool cue..and kebabs them.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has used Masterstroke on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly dodges Fuu Hououji's Winds of Admonishment, taking 3 Fatigue damage! Fuu Hououji is Psyched! Madoka Kaname's Fade ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly braces Hikaru Shidou's Flaming Slash, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname's Block ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly dodges Fiat Silver's Scorpio Tortoise, taking 9 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname's Fade ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Flash ability activates! Diversion applied to Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly braces Endo Naoki's Blueshift, taking 14 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Madoka Kaname's Block ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly dodges Ren Aizawa's Blurred Edge, taking 10 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname is unable to keep fighting! Ren Aizawa is Psyched! Madoka Kaname's Fade ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname fails to brace Nanoha Takamachi's Divine Buster: Shoot, taking 57 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname is unable to keep fighting!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly dodges Amu Hinamori's Spiral Heart Dust, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname is unable to keep fighting! Madoka Kaname's Fade ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Flash ability activates! Stun applied to Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly dodges Kyouko Sakura's Masterstroke, taking 27 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname is unable to keep fighting! Madoka Kaname's Fade ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname fails to brace Lera Camry's Line Burst, taking 19 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname is unable to keep fighting! Lera Camry is Psyched!

<Pose Tracker> Honoka Yukishiro [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l76w8gil5Ts

The Magic Knights of Wind and Fire send drones crashing to the ground in flaming, windswept pieces. Advancing through the path they've carved, Fiat Silver sends her immense explosive devices into the gap, creating an even larger field of debris. Even before the light show clears, Endo and Ren charge through, bisecting a drone apiece.

Amulet Heart's pink glitter dusts the survivors rather like a flower girl precedes a bride; in its wake comes Nanoha's own Divine Buster, pouring through the remaining space in a torrent of rosy destruction.

The last few drones, skittering and sputtering with sparks, lie between Lera, Kyouko, and the door.

They don't last very long, between the Midchildan's furious plasma blade and the Puella Magi's lance-kebab, as sharp as the edge of doom.

The door shatters into nothing, revealing an immense atrium. Despite the bleakness of the fortress' exterior, the interior shines gold and glorious, with spiraling staircases and glowing pillars. The floor, however, is very odd -- the blue-purple of Dimensional Space is running hotter in here, sliding up the spectrum towards crimson. Black veins pour across it in a spiderweb.

Before anyone enters, Lindy hastily transmits:

<< Stay on the black path! Those glowing spots... they're Imaginary Space, and it's terribly dangerous! The Jewel Seed activation must have created it... it will absorb all of your magic, no matter what it is or where it comes from. So if you fall in, you'll never fly out! >>

As though summoned by this observation, more drones pour into the area, sending a barrage of little blasts across the gaps. Although they're a variety of shapes and sizes, three stand out.

The first is vivid green, with the telltale glints of four Jewel Seeds shimmering on its torso in a rectangle of sheer disaster. Crackling with sheer power, they emit blindingly harsh beams at the nearest girls they see: Nanoha, Amu, and Fuu.

The second is brilliant blue, and its Jewel Seeds are distributed upon its massive hands and feet. It seems to have no other weaponry. Perhaps it doesn't need it -- space itself seems to condense around it with snaps and groans as it charges, fist-first, at Endo, Ren, and Hikaru.

As for the third...

< I'm getting a mixed reading -- it's Labyrinth! You have to break through, don't let them slow you down! We don't have time for this to be anything but a running battle! >>

For that to happen, someone's going to have to take out this next wave of smaller drones. They lie between the group and the stairs up. And their eyes are brilliantly gleaming as they survey the combatants -- they don't intend to go down that easily twice.

Setsuna Higashi says, "...Did you think it would be so easy?""

COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa transforms into Jewel Drone Green!

COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has fully healed herself. She is now ready to take on 4 opponents!

<Pose Tracker> Setsuna Higashi [None] has posed.

EARLIER:

"Hmhm... So you are what he sends me. Very well... I do have something you might suit."

Eas, standing in the unfamiliar setting of the Garden of Time, kneels with one arm over her chest, head bowed. "Yes, Testarossa-sama." The dark-haired woman before her, of course, needs show no such respect to a simple lieutenant. "Mobius-sama has ordered me to support you through your plans. I will not fail you."

The Grand Magus looks down at Eas, almost boredly. "I've heard that before." She straightens, and her expression shifts with her anticipation for the coming journey. "Here is the use I have for you..."

NOW:

Black metals make up the pauldrons of this suit of armor, smooth and almost seeming to absorb light; they angle at their top, curving down as emerging from them are arms plated in some sort of steel lined in brilliant red. The figure is covered in such armor all over; her chest, caged in iron, red designs serving to reinforce and support the magic that holds it all together. Her forearms have bulky gauntlets, interlocking plates allowing movement and articulated fingers curled into fists.

Likewise, her torso is belted in steel, the armor lowering into a fauld over robotic, powerful legs with squared feet for greater balance, the knees tipped with ridges for worsened impact. It's as if the patterns of armor and lacquer and shining design draw the light from around such that the red /glows/ with pure spite.

...And spite it is. Though this armor is too large to be a person, it becomes clear that there is a person within it, there is a human face partially visible. Her eyes are narrowed, taking on an even more menacing cast than usual due to the concealment the armor affords her. A great helm secures her head, and at her forehead, is set a brilliant blue gem.

Two more rest in her shoulders, one on either side, and as the latticework of her red lining pulses, they pulse too.

"...Did you think it would be so easy?"

Eas's voice echoes across the room, amplified by the power of this armor. The tone is harsh, mocking, but made worse by the sudden hiss of steam as her gauntlets have a piece on each, at the wrist, slide back briefly to vent their magical power.

"There's no point in resisting."

A flash of crimson magic at her feet, a bend of the knee, these /launch/ Eas forward, the younger girl in power armor crashing at blinding speed towards Lera--and shifting midair such that her gigantic foot will be the first impact. Before she even hits the ground, she narrows her eyes at Kyouko, the spear-wielding Puella Magi, and, the Jewel at her forehead gleaming, it's as if her gaze alone is harsh enough to crush the will, to learn all secrets. With a horrendous noise as she impacts downward, already she is moving again, lifting her hand palm-out towards Fiat Silver. The lattices all shine once again with strange runes before--

One brilliant red blast after another rockets towards the sneaky mage, a torrent of magic energy powered by the gleaming blue gems on her person--familiar blue gems indeed.

"There's nothing any of you can do! Despair, and give up now!"

COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro transforms into Jewel Drone Blue!

COMBAT: Setsuna Higashi transforms into Jewel Armor Red!
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has fully healed herself. She is now ready to take on 4 opponents!
COMBAT: Setsuna Higashi has fully healed herself. She is now ready to take on 3 opponents!
COMBAT: Eas has fully healed herself. She is now ready to take on 4 opponents!
COMBAT: Eas has used Unblinking Eyes of Despair on Kyouko Sakura.
COMBAT: Eas has used Terminal Velocity on Lera Camry.
COMBAT: Eas has used Mother Dearest's Works on Fiat Silver.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Single Jewel Punch on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Single Jewel Punch on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Single Jewel Punch on Ren Aizawa.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Single Jewel Blast on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Single Jewel Blast on Amu Hinamori.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Single Jewel Blast on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has fully healed herself.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Kyouko Sakura.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Lera Camry.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Amu Hinamori.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Ren Aizawa.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Fiat Silver.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Analysis Eye on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Eas has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Lera Camry fails to dodge Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Lera Camry is Quipped! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Fiat Silver is Quipped! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver perfectly counters Eas's Mother Dearest's Works, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Counter!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver's counterattack, Prosoma Guard, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Eas!
COMBAT: Lera Camry fails to counter Eas's Terminal Velocity, taking 56 Fatigue damage! Cripple applied to Lera Camry!
COMBAT: Lera Camry's counterattack, Inferno Slasher, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Eas!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa narrowly counters Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Ren Aizawa is Quipped! Ren Aizawa's Reverse ability activates! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa's counterattack, Quartz Guard, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa narrowly dodges Honoka Yukishiro's Single Jewel Punch, taking 8 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki fails to dodge Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Endo Naoki is Quipped! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura narrowly dodges Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Kyouko Sakura is Quipped! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura narrowly braces Eas's Unblinking Eyes of Despair, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Kyouko Sakura is Quipped! Kyouko Sakura's Block ability activates! Kyouko Sakura's Parry ability activates! Analysis performed by Eas!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Nanoha Takamachi is Quipped! Nanoha Takamachi's Block ability activates! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki narrowly counters Honoka Yukishiro's Single Jewel Punch, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Endo Naoki's Reverse ability activates!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki's counterattack, Asteroid Rush, partially gets through, doing 9 Fatigue damage to Honoka Yukishiro! Critical Counterhit!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji narrowly counters Juri Arisugawa's Single Jewel Blast, taking 10 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Blind applied to Fuu Hououji!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji's counterattack, Trick Arrow Shot, partially gets through, doing 4 Fatigue damage to Juri Arisugawa!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji fails to dodge Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Fuu Hououji is Quipped! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou narrowly braces Honoka Yukishiro's Single Jewel Punch, taking 3 Fatigue damage! Hikaru Shidou's Block ability activates! Hikaru Shidou's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Hikaru Shidou is Quipped! Hikaru Shidou's Block ability activates! Hikaru Shidou's Parry ability activates! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori fails to dodge Juri Arisugawa's Single Jewel Blast, taking 12 Fatigue damage! Blind applied to Amu Hinamori!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Analysis Eye, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Amu Hinamori is Quipped! Analysis performed by Madoka Kaname!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

More opposition, in the form of more drones including three much larger units, customized and enhanced, from the look of things. The Wind Knight quickly draws another arrow, letting it fly towards the green drone that's focusing on her group, it's not enough to prevent the beam from striking her, but at least she chips away at it a little. Less convenient by far is the fact that part of a beam flashes across her face - singing her a bit, but more problematically, dazzling her too much to focus on combat. And there are too many drones for her to take time for a healing spell, at this rate ...

"Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi!!" the Magic Knight of Wind calls out, flinging the tornado as far ahead of the gathered fighters as she can without - she hopes - overshooting her targets. She really needs to be able to SEE to aim at individual targets, and she needs time to heal her eyes, or to simply let them adjust and recover on their own if the damage is less grievous than she fears.

The rending tornado has the good fortune (or unconscious good taste) to descend amongst the mook drones, in the meantime.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly braces Fuu Hououji's Storm-Dance of Kamaitachi, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname's Block ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Parry ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Amu Hinamori [Ohtori Academy (6)] has posed.

"We did it!" As they make their way into the next room, though, Amulet Heart realizes that her exclamation might be a bit premature. "So, these robots are a lot stronger. That's fine! We can still do it, right?" She glances at the others... then blinks and peers back. "Labyrinth is here?!" She does remember seeing Westar hanging around Fate, but this sort of thing is very enar the exact opposite of what Westar usually does!

"Wait, tha--wa!" With her attention taken by one of the robots, she isn't able to dodge the other's lasers in time. The blast sends her tumbling back, and she skids to a halt near one of the glowing spots, her fingers just half an inch away on the ground. With a surprised yelp, she leaps back to her feet and stares at her hand, making sure all five fingers are there. "...phwew. That... that wasn't nice at all!" One hand reaches up to rub at her eyes, but the other shakes the Heart Rod menacingly. "If we can't get through here, we can't put a stop to this once and for all, so... I'm not backing down!" Amulet Heart flings the Rod again, but this time it flies directly toward the green drone, trailing glitter in its wake.

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has used Spiral Heart Boomerang on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa narrowly braces Amu Hinamori's Spiral Heart Boomerang, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Amu Hinamori is Psyched! Juri Arisugawa's Block ability activates! Juri Arisugawa's Parry ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.

There's a surge of pride when the robot is cut down. It only swells when she sees everyone else has been just as successful, and together they all push forward into the fortress proper. Ren stays even with Lera and Endo in particular, while keeping eyes on Nanoha. The little girl is fiercely determined. And angry. That much is readily apparent. Part of her wants to warn her not to be reckless but she knows that won't be the case. "Nanoha..." She says under her breath, willing the girl to stay safe.

Lindy's mental contact flares up again, and Ren's face momentarily goes white at the mention of the very dangerous Imaginary Space. Yep. Keeping away from that. More drones pop up afterwards, making it easy to focus on them instead. Or, she would have had it not been for the sudden intrusion of Labyrinth. "Wha?!" She exclaims, looking momentarily confused. It's enough to provide an opening for the charging robots, which Ren notices almost too late.

<QUARTZ GUARD!> Heraut shouts, and a white shield of light is erected, though it's not as strong. It breaks apart, sending Ren spiraling backwards into a wall with a yelp. Thankfully she doesn't go anywhere near the aforementioned Imaginary Space. Phew.

"Endo!" She shouts after extracting herself from the Ren-shaped crater, refocusing her attention on the battlefield. "Follow me!" She shouts to the knight, streaking forward with her rapier poised in front of her. Once she gets in close to the blue drone in particular she delivers a series of rapid slashes in the air in front of it, distorting the space for a moment before causing it to erupt into a series of bronze-colored flashes that press in on the drone in a dazzling frontal assault.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has started a combo targeting Honoka Yukishiro!

<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

At first, Lera stays with Ren and Endo. They've worked together before. She charges into the atrium with them. She comes to a stop, though, as she sees the glowing spots -- and spies something that could be dangerous. She hasn't seen Imaginary Space before, but her stomach drops when she hears Lindy's explanation. She doesn't plan to sink into them. Her eyes widen sharply, as she looks around, and sees the two drones. But then Lindy informs them what the third is.

Labyrinth. Her eyes widen sharply.

She doesn't recognize the suit of red armor that ppaoraches, but she recognizes the voice inside of it. She gasps, her body tensing up all at once, and she sees the flash of crimson magic from the suit of armor.

<Oh no you don't!> Sky answers her. <Inferno Slash-->

The foot slams hard into Lera's chest and hurtles her straight down the black path. She smashes into a wall, denting the Garden of Time's wall in, and crumples down with a gasp. The fact that the drones are inspecting her is a terrible after thought that makes her heart sink more. She looks up at the red armor. "You! You--"

An anguished, angry noise fills her throat. "Did you even care about Fate!? How--how can you work with someone like Precia Testarossa, Eas!?"

<Lera... We have to keep moving.>

"I know!" she answers her Device. Lera goes running forward, grabbing her sword in both hands. She flies up into the air, shouting wordlessly. The sword strikes out -- but it's a feint, as her Barrier Jacket-enhanced leg comes spinning 'round, kicking straight for that great helm's faceplate.

COMBAT: Lera Camry has used Spin Kick on Eas.

COMBAT: Lera Camry has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Eas perfectly braces Lera Camry's Spin Kick, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Brace! Eas's Block ability activates! Eas's Parry ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Fiat Silver [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Imaginary Space, Fiat Silver thinks. That does sound dire. She purses her lips as she soars forwards, into that huge gorgeous space.

"At least she has style." <But style and morality are poorly correlated.> "Indeed."

And then several huge drones make their appearance. One is green. Another is blue. And both of them have jewel seeds on them - multiple Jewel Seeds! Fiat Silver's eyes widen with shock as she sees them come on downwards. Then an update. Labyrinth is coming. But...

Fiat Silver has the unique privilege, if you can quite call it that, to avoid the first brunt of Eas's newly empowered assault. She has precious moments to watch the denizen of Labyrinth move, albeit at the expense of 'Propane'. She straightens up with the baton in her hand, and makes no immediate reply.

Until her hand shines - and Fiat Silver's gauntleted arm does again. <Prosoma Guard reaction matrix loaded. BEGIN,> Silver Scorpion says, and Fiat Silver advances towards the red blasts, the disklike shape on the back of her gauntlet flaring to day-glo incandescent blue, a spiralling if slim disk forming.

Like the handball court, Lilian Abarth tells herself. The incinerating red light closes --

With a swing of her arm, Fiat Silver presses her barrier forwards, and the dire infernal red sizzles in a reactive froth of violet before that actinic-blue glow reigns surpreme. Another step forwards, another blow parried -- Fiat Silver feels sweat on her forehead, down her back, but -- but it's working, she thinks. She's closing to Eas! Eas, who is...

"What has that woman done to you!?" Fiat Silver cries out, from the heart. She may have little reason to love Eas - but the denizen of Labyrinth did not intervene when they reclaimed Fate from their captivity! "And don't tell me it's futile-- if you haven't tried yourself!"

<Telson Mode,> Silver Scorpion says, as Fiat Silver crosses an imaginary line -- one that brings her within the proper range for that whipping ribbon of magical force. One more step to put herself just that bit closer, and the shimmering disk of the Prosoma barrier evaporates. Fiat Silver swerves to the left at the last of Eas's bolts of red, before lashing out with that shimmering whip -

A single snap upwards towards the face plate, and at long last it DOES crack, a suitably ringing and staticky burst. And then another longer lash, twirled downwards -- to try and wrap around one of her ankles (the suit's ankles?) and then yank up, sudden and tight.

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has used Scorpio Seize on Eas.

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Shidou [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

There's just no end to the opposition. Unfortunately, defense isn't always Hikaru's forte. So she's forced to do what she can to protect herself, but it's not very easy. She struggles a little but keeps a stiff upper lip and a strong blade. And then there's that beam too. What exactly is it?

"No time to think about that now," Hikaru comments as she raises her hand and channels the flames into the air above it. With a yell, she sends forth a blast of flame in the shape of a small arrow.

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has used Fire Arrow on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname fails to brace Hikaru Shidou's Fire Arrow, taking 17 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Eas narrowly dodges Fiat Silver's Scorpio Seize, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Tangle and Trap applied to Eas!

<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

Even if the initial wave is cast aside, there's no illusion in Nanoha's burning heart that storming the Garden of Time would be so simple. But it's in through the shattered door, and Nanoha is already ripping a strip of cloth free from the armored dress of her Barrier Jacket, using it as a makeshift wrap to bandage the gash on her arm, displaying a clear and complete lack of care for the pain as she binds it tight with a tug of teeth on one ragged end of cloth.

Boots storm along the floor, opting to go on foot rather than risk floating over the tears of imaginary space, as Raising Heart vents heat and steam.

It only gets worse.

Still, the child doggedly continues.

Nanoha isn't sure, at first, what's worse. The sight of the new drones- powered obviously by the aided strength of Jewel Seeds applied in terrible ways. Or Eas in the path.

If anything, after her visit to the mansion where the three Labyrinth executives called home, the sight of Eas here makes Nanoha's blood rais in temperature to a raging simmer, a quiet wrath belied by the girl's frosty exterior. "You. You're here." Murmured as she readies herself. "I already said exactly how I feel on this matter."

"Stand aside."

The implied threat is not one that's given WORDS.

But her focus is pulled off the Executive for a much more pressing matter. In an instant her focus is upon the drone, the beam of light engulfing her dragging the girl harshly back to the reality of the moment, and reprisal is swift and vicious. A gattling array of small pink orbs of mana, lancing in a stuttering barrage of pink light.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi narrowly braces Juri Arisugawa's Single Jewel Blast, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Nanoha Takamachi's Block ability activates! Blind and Diversion applied to Nanoha Takamachi!

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has used Divine Barrage on Juri Arisugawa.
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa perfectly counters Nanoha Takamachi's Divine Barrage, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Counter!
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa's counterattack, Jewel Shield, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Nanoha Takamachi!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

"Thanks!" Endo twists his head around to cast a quick glance back at Lera as they clear the drones, flailing his hand frantically back at her and the rest of the group. Presumably to let them know he's doing fine. He continues to do so as the wall of drones are cut down, shearing one or two in half to do his own part, until the squad is busting through the doors and into the fortress itself.

He doesn't stop running. He's a fan of momentum. He does nearly stumble to the floor at the sight of Eas and the massive suit of armor, but there's no time to think about that or the warnings that Fallen Stern is blaring about it. That blue thing is coming right toward him.

"Stern! Forward!"

The weapon is thrust out in front of him, Belkan symbols twisting around the blade as it drags him forward. Right into the blue robot, the point impacting it as its fist smashes into him, the knight flung away.

He rolls back onto his feet, head snapping up when Ren calls. A sharp nod, and he follows. "Wait for me!" He's right behind her, picking up where her attack leaves off.

Vivid streaks of violet-black light burn across the metal of Endo's device, tracing streaks in the air as he leaps, whirling past Ren's side and making two huge, sweeping slashes at the blue drone.

<Pose Tracker> Kyouko Sakura [None] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wmXd_l0Dh8

Kyouko's never seen anything quite like this pocket plane..and now that they've cracked the shell open she can see that the inner parts of this egg are much more interesting. Lindy's voice stops her just before tapping the crimson with her speartip, and she huffs out her breath with a smirk.

The rumbling cacophany of an encroaching horde consumes the cavernous parlor. Steady, impassive catseyes regard the latest roadblock. Tilting her head from one side to the other, her neck audibly cracks. A wash of light bursts at her like a flashbulb, but she doesn't twitch, or show much concern at all. The ebon filligree should serve as a bridge for both sides, and between the two, Kyouko won't be so easy to shovel into the void.

Lindy again. And right on cue a hulking giant of black metal, ornate and slathered in barriers. A powered armor golem defending its charge within, arcane lines beating red like veins of blood all along it. Its wearer speaks, and kicks up all manner of sound and flurry.

Kyouko still does not move, though she tenses as the blustering warrior slams down towards Lera. Eas locks eyes with her, and although Kyouko feels a wave of queasy chills, she sets the feeling aside and grins a snarl back. There's a whole lotta metal in the way, and she's brought the perfect can opener.

"Here we go girls!"

Her body practically lurches down and forward into a dash, spear held parallel to the ground before she jams its blunt end into one of the sickly black veins. Vaulting up her pole, she sails through the air towards the steaming Goliath. As her momentum carries her through, her weapon flimes from its foundation, arcing back and up and over and around her, the former butt growing a glistening spade of a spearhead through the motion.

Soaring over Eas, the twisting momentum of Kyouko's metal touch slices at her like a razorbladed yoyo before she finds her feet to her foe's back.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has used Masterstroke on Eas.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has joined the combo started by Ren Aizawa!
COMBAT: Eas narrowly braces Kyouko Sakura's Masterstroke, taking 17 Fatigue damage! Eas's Block ability activates! Eas's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: COMBO! Ren Aizawa and Endo Naoki have used Combo: Twin Blades, composed of Flash Maelstrom and Radial Velocity, on Honoka Yukishiro.
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro narrowly braces Ren Aizawa and Endo Naoki's Combo: Twin Blades, taking 50 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Honoka Yukishiro [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

The Magic Knights do their level best to clear out the drones blocking the team's advance, but fail to do so; Fuu's blindness prevents her massive Storm-Dance from gathering them all into a tight area for Hikaru to roast; while the latter still slags several with her Fire Arrow, a fair number remain.

Remain, armed with the knowledge they just gleaned about their opponents. The shots that come thereafter are dizzingly accurate, precisely attempting to knock the unwary towards Imaginary Space. Given time to get smart, the drones fight dirty!

And this delay is coming at a cost. The entire fortress shakes as the already inaudible squeal of the dimensions ratchets up another notch, the vibrations pouring down from the floors above twisting and contorting the universe itself, creating weird, rainbow streaks in the air.

Earth is in danger--!

And what's worse, the massive, colored drones still remain! Amu and Nanoha tag-team the green one with fast, small attacks; the Spiral Heart Rod leaves a small dent, but upon the advance of the precise but small Divine darts, one of the Jewel Seeds on the drone shimmers, absorbing the energy as it comes in!

Then it expels it a thousandfold in a massive projection of blinding blue light which launches across the space towards not just Nanoha but everyone around her.

Ren and Endo, meanwhile, converge like wolves upon the blue drone, and their teamwork is rewarded with moderate success. The former's stabs find purchase, leaving sparks in her wake -- the latter scores a huge blow across its back when it's too slow to bring up its forearms in defense. Their energies combine explosively, knocking the robot back, where it teeters precariously on the edge of Imaginary Space.

But it manages to recover, and, lowering its head, charges Ren headfirst, eyes agleam -- while its arm independently begins to whirl at high speed like a helicopter rotor, threatening to smash up Endo and Hikaru until there's nothing left but smears!

COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Kyouko Sakura.

COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Fiat Silver.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Lera Camry.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Ren Aizawa.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Amu Hinamori.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Anti-Air Explosion on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Quad Jewel Blast on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Quad Jewel Blast on Amu Hinamori.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Quad Jewel Blast on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Massive Jewel Headbutt on Ren Aizawa.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Spinning Jewel Backfist on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Spinning Jewel Backfist on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 16 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji fails to dodge Juri Arisugawa's Quad Jewel Blast, taking 54 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou fails to dodge Honoka Yukishiro's Spinning Jewel Backfist, taking 19 Fatigue damage! Stagger and Stun applied to Hikaru Shidou!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou fails to brace Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 20 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver fails to dodge Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 26 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 11 Fatigue damage! Endo Naoki's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi fails to brace Juri Arisugawa's Quad Jewel Blast, taking 41 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi narrowly dodges Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 18 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki narrowly dodges Honoka Yukishiro's Spinning Jewel Backfist, taking 16 Fatigue damage! Stagger and Stun applied to Endo Naoki!

<Pose Tracker> Eas [None] has posed.

Labyrinth. While Eas isn't wearing her typical diamond insignia, her signature is all-too-obvious to those who can detect such things... Like Lindy.

And the Jewel Seeds she's using, too, only make her that much more obvious. It's Nanoha who she glances to first in the midst of the chaos, answering laconically, "I'm here. Maybe I'm just here because I don't like you."

How can she work with someone like Precia? What has that woman done to her?

"Of course not," Eas replies lightly to Lera, first. "I'm not subject to such ridiculous frailties as caring." Even as Lilian shouts in concern, Eas's expression is obscured by Lera's leg coming up from the faint--a maneuver Eas has come to expect from the girl she's gotten to know over time.

Her gauntleted hands catch that leg in mid-air, spinning to send Lera flying away in time for the younger girl to turn to Fiat Silver, her armor gleaming red still at its edges.

"You misunderstand. She instructed me to use this when I faced you--she hasn't /done/ anything to me." She pauses, just briefly, before with a cruel edge she adds, "Maybe I'm just better at this than Fate-chan."

Her smirking is brought to an end as Kyouko comes at her with such speed, the information Precia's magic gives her telling her more than enough about the danger /that/ girl poses to her. "You--"

Kyouko's spear gouges a deep line in the magical steel of Eas's armor... But it gouges into her gauntlets, her speed sufficient that she got up her guard just in time. Kyouko leaping off of her doesn't even phase her, the weight of the armor already great. But greater things only fall the harder; Eas is able fine to lunge to the side to avoid the snap at her faceplate, but the armor slows her down: the longer lash wraps about the suit's huge ankle, and Eas hits the scaffolding so hard that the pathway beneath her back /cracks/ with an audible groaning. A sound of anger escapes her lips, amplified once again by the suit.

The sudden creaking of the universe itself gives her the opening to roll to the ground and launch herself back upward with a hand against the ground, falling into a ready stance less than an instant later. "That's right! See how pointless all your efforts are! What can you do against something like /her/!?"

The air around her crackles, the Jewel Seeds embedded in her armor suddenly aglow; the feeling that suddenly bursts from around her is not unfamiliar... But it's greater, amplified, black sparks thrown off all around her as a bubble of sheer misery bursts into being to sap her opponents' strength.

COMBAT: Eas has used Enhanced Misery Field on Fiat Silver.

COMBAT: Eas has used Enhanced Misery Field on Lera Camry.
COMBAT: Eas has used Enhanced Misery Field on Kyouko Sakura.
COMBAT: Eas has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa narrowly braces Honoka Yukishiro's Massive Jewel Headbutt, taking 13 Fatigue damage! Ren Aizawa's Block ability activates! Ren Aizawa's Parry ability activates! Cripple applied to Ren Aizawa!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver fails to dodge Eas's Enhanced Misery Field, taking 12 Fatigue damage! Trap applied to Fiat Silver!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa fails to dodge Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 23 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura narrowly dodges Eas's Enhanced Misery Field, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Stun applied to Kyouko Sakura!
COMBAT: Lera Camry narrowly dodges Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 18 Fatigue damage! Lera Camry's Fade ability activates! Lera Camry's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Kyouko Sakura's Block ability activates! Kyouko Sakura's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Lera Camry perfectly counters Eas's Enhanced Misery Field, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Critical Counter! Lera Camry's Reverse ability activates! Lera Camry's Tactician ability activates!
COMBAT: Lera Camry's counterattack, Sentinel Cross, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Eas!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori narrowly dodges Madoka Kaname's Anti-Air Explosion, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Amu Hinamori's Fade ability activates! Amu Hinamori's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori fails to counter Juri Arisugawa's Quad Jewel Blast, taking 50 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori's counterattack, Pom-Pom Barrier, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Juri Arisugawa!

<Pose Tracker> Kyouko Sakura [None] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aWCKVEGvWI&list=PL5C894E719DEECEB2&index=32

Realistically, Kyouko knows she didn't manage much more than a scratch against her opponent..but she made the hulk follow her lead for a few moments and took great satisfaction in her stumbling and her anger. As she turns around to face her fate, she just barely manages to see the telltale signs of the coming attack before Eas blasts off a malignant malice.

Collapsing down onto her back like a fallen handpuppet, Kyouko lashes her spear up and around her, wildly slashing at the bubble's bottom. Although she largely evades the strike, rancid flecks burn down on her torso.

Before she can even stand, a shocking, drowning tidal wave of azure light bursts out all along the room like a shockwave. Quickly flipping onto her stomach, Kyouko slams her fists down into the black vined bridge. Knives appear in each of them, blades digging down into the ground and helping anchor her in place. As many girls are sent flying, she manages, again to avoid the brunt of it.

Shoving herself up with her arms without relinquishing the blades, she yanks them free and finds her feet in the same motion, whipping towards Eas. Reaching back behind her head, her arms lash forward, flinging both daggers. Reaching across her torso as though for a chest-bound gun holster with her left arm, she hurls another knife, and then does the same with her right, and again with both for a total of six.

As she does, she shouts out. "We can make her bleed! Just like you!"

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has used Pincushion on Eas.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.

The combination assault from Ren and Endo finds purchase, blasting the blue drone backwards. Ren keeps her guard up, though she manages a look of triumph directed solely at Endo. They make a pretty good team! But of course it cannot be that easy. Mr. Blue Drone doesn't go tumbling into the ending space like he should, recovering at the last moment to come charging back at them. Ren's ready, throwing up yet another barrier for it to crash into headfirst. "Stay down!" Ren yells at the stubborn drone, even as it breaks through the barrier and forces her to use her device itself as a guard, blade sparking from the impact as she holds it out in front of her, arms shaking, jaw clenched. "Heraut!"

A dark, crystalline subtance erupts from the device, wrapping itself around the robot in an attempt to entangle it. Ren chooses this moment to scoot backwards, away from the drone's reach, seeking a breather.

But the erupting beam of energy from the green drone is unseen by her until it's too late. With a scream Ren's battered off to the side, tumbling head over heels with blurred vision towards the aforementioned Imaginary Space, unable to stop herself...

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has used Spinel Coffin on Honoka Yukishiro.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Eas perfectly counters Kyouko Sakura's Pincushion, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Counter!
COMBAT: Eas's counterattack, Jewel Reflection, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Kyouko Sakura!

<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Lera's kick does not slam into Eas's face as she hoped. She goes spinning away and hits the ground, foot scraping across the blackened surface. She sees a drone firing -- her eyes widen, though, her frustration at how they studied her mounting -- and she just barely leaps over it in time. The Midchildan does a backflip, then the blast of energy strikes the floor instead. It crackles where it hits, and Lera lands on the ground then.

Then the world around them shakes. That, she realizes, is not a good thing in the slightest. Lera looks back up at Eas. The realization dawns on her: this armor uses the Jewel Seeds.

"That's--that's not safe!" she shouts back at Eas. The feeling of despair comes rushing at her; she is quite familiar with it, now, from fighting Labyrinth before. <Dual Form.> As is Sky. "Those things twist people's wishes around! They--when Westar used one, he couldn't control it! You're--you're wearing them, Eas!"

Her shout, she expects, will fall upon deaf ears. Her swords separate into paired sabers, each aglow with plasma, and she crosses them. The black sparks slam into the crossed blades; red-orange light flashes, holding the blades at bay. <Sentinel Cross.>

Lera uncrosses her swords with a small flourish, before she goes running in at the crimson armor. "And Fate--Fate's not weak! You don't know half of what she's really been through!"

She leaps into the air, while Kyouko sends knives flying. Lera's swords spin, while a Midchildan circle erupts under her feet. That sends her flying -- and she rockets high into the air. She comes down, chopping down with her right sword as she lands. She spins, then, and cuts out with the left sword horizontally. Then she finishes by reversing her grip on the right, and slashes back up in a diagonal slash.

COMBAT: Lera Camry has used Rapid Skyfall on Eas.

COMBAT: Lera Camry has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

Much as Nanoha's heart burns, her body is only so strong. Though her spirit is downright unstoppable, her body is frail. Even with Raising Heart's auto defenses, and the protection of her Barrier Jacket, the sudden cascade of light and sound is withering.

Losing all control in her flight, the small girl is launched end over end, but she doesn't make a cry. Despite the waves of pain washing through her body, Nanoha doesn't grant that to Eas nor these mechanical THINGS.

She's lucky in regaining herself before dangerously getting close to an area of null space, but her landing is nowhere near gentle. A heavy THUMP and shs lands on her back, rolling in a tumble that scrapes her knees bloody, she grits her teeth through the pain, one eye squeezed shut as she blots it out with a surge of determination, Barrier Jacket tattered and singed, blood creeping down her forehead. It's as she moves to wipe it from her eye her hand snatches out by reflex. Grabbing ahold of a certain ribbon sailing by in passing on a dangerous course for an empty zone, and HEAVING with a grunt of exertion to pull Fiat off the deadly course, as her other hand braces Raising Heart.

"I don't care if you don't like me." Snapped at Eas as she adjusts her aim. Dust and debris begin to float off the floor, large hunks of rock and stone lifting and suffusing with a pink glow before they lance on screaming trajectories for the nearby drone holding her attention currently.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has used Stardust Fall on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

While the Magic Knight of Wind isn't flying, she hunkers down against the anti-air bombardment - and then the Jewel Seed-fueled blast from the green drone hammers her flat; combined with the spacequake, the Wind Knight finds herself teetering dangerously ... but she manages to plant her feet securely enough not to go flying off into the inky void between dimensions.

A familiar red and white (among other colors) shape is in more trouble than she is, though. "Hikaru-san!!" the Wind Knight yelps, reaching out to try and snag the Fire Knight on her way past. "Winds of Healing!!" she shouts ... partly to slow Hikaru's flight, but also because she can tell the Fire Knight needs the healing attention. So does the Wind Knight herself, her eyes haven't quite recovered ... and it looks like little Nanoha, as dangerous as she is to the enemies arrayed against the group, has taken more of a pounding than is probably healthy for her.

As usual, the Winds of Healing are fairly gentle, and Fuu couldn't have used them alone to catch Hikaru ... but by the time the Wind Knight pulls her fiery ally to safer footing, the worst of Hikaru's wounds will have been mended enough to let her keep fighting without as much hindrance. Nanoha will be somewhat better off as well, and the Wind Knight's vision has cleared, the welts from the earlier beam much abated.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Healing on Fuu Hououji.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Healing on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Healing on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi accepts Fuu Hououji's Winds of Healing, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Cleanse! All of Nanoha Takamachi's debuffs are cleared!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji accepts Fuu Hououji's Winds of Healing, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Cleanse! All of Fuu Hououji's debuffs are cleared!
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro narrowly dodges Ren Aizawa's Spinel Coffin, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Honoka Yukishiro's Fade ability activates! Honoka Yukishiro's Flash ability activates! Tangle applied to Honoka Yukishiro!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou accepts Fuu Hououji's Winds of Healing, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Cleanse! All of Hikaru Shidou's debuffs are cleared!
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa fails to dodge Nanoha Takamachi's Stardust Fall, taking 21 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Amu Hinamori [Ohtori Academy (6)] has posed.

The Heart Rod lands back in Amulet Heart's hand, and she quickly ducks and rolls, darting away from the explosions raining down all around! A more focused blast comes from the green drone, and she drops the baton in favor of a pair of pom-poms. As she thrusts them forward, a dome of pink energy forms around her, catching the blast and deflecting it away!

...for about half a second, until the sheer force of the blast completely shatters the barrier, slamming Amulet Heart back against the wall. "Nngh!" Slowly, she pushes herself back up, standing shakily for a moment. "N..nanoha, I think we need to go about this a different way."

"Amu-chan, I have an idea!" Suu, the green Chara, floats over near the girl. "Let me give it a try!"

"All right, Suu. Let's see if it works! Chara-Transform: Amulet Clover!" Ran pops out, and Amu changes from cheerleader to chef, twirling in place as streamers of delicious cake batter form in the air around her.

"That robot is so ugly! I think it needs a little bit of decoration to liven things up! Then it might be nicer to us!" Amulet Clover waves her hands and gestures at the green robot, then winks at it. "Sweet Applique~!"

And then little paper flowers begin sprouting all over the robot.

From inside Amu's head, Suu fu fu fus and nods slowly. "Much better-desu!" "...-that- was your idea, Suu?!"

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori transforms into Amulet Clover!

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has used Sweet Applique on Juri Arisugawa.
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa narrowly dodges Amu Hinamori's Sweet Applique, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Cripple applied to Juri Arisugawa!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo's barrier flashes to life around him as the smaller drones unleash a burst of energy, the barrier keeping him on his feet despite some of the energy breaking through and searing across his skin. The other drones attack sends him flying backward, rolling again, the point of his sword slams into the ground to prevent him from skidding into a space-time abyss.

Ren isn't as lucky. "Ren!" He's scrambling to his feet as fast as he can, lunging to intercept the girl, grab her wrist and yank her away from the rift in space. "Here."

He can't ignore the drones for long, though. "Watch out for the blue one-" And then he's turning to face the mass of smaller robots. "Stern!"

The purple gem at the pommel of the weapon pulses, and then it begins to spit out whirling balls of violet energy that seek out and explode across the drones.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Meteor Shower on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly braces Endo Naoki's Meteor Shower, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname's Block ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Eas narrowly braces Lera Camry's Rapid Skyfall, taking 11 Fatigue damage! Eas's Block ability activates! Eas's Parry ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Fiat Silver [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

It is now that Fiat Silver gets an eyeful of the stylish flaming spearwork of Kyouko Sakura. She had not stood out to Fiat before in the chaos and press and tension. Now, for a gorgeous moment, she does. Then her attention snaps back to Eas.

"Hmf. Better at following instructions? Do you know the opinion that she holds, of her...?" Fiat Silver's tone lowers, becoming perilous. "Perhaps you should not trust a woman who--"

But before she can finish this thought, a streaking burst of blue light washes outwards. A ripple of force! Fiat Silver is struck, and indeed she rolls with it, with a chuff of annoyance -- until she remembers the Imaginary Space! Her head turns, gazing at that deadly zone with a moment of terror.

And then something grasps the Telson Mode's extended length. Fiat Silver looks down with astonishment as Nanoha - doubtless with stinging displeasure to her poor little hand - pivots her off course, sailing safely back into non-imaginary space! "--Takamachi... Don't worry about me!!" Fiat Silver finds herself blurting. She rights herself, brings herself to a halt, sweeps her hair back with one hand and a frustrated, embarrassed puff of breath.

Her heart is beating again now. But she's not sure if it's with fear or passion, Even as Eas surrounds herself with that gray, black, miserable bubble that seems to cling to her. A reinforced armored suit, using multiple Jewel Seeds... "Can we punch through such a thing?"

"Not try?"

"Do you think if - It's worth a shot." Fiat Silver twists her baton around, the whip retracting and the wider-gauge end of the Device is pointed forwards. "Scorpio Tortoise!"

This time there is only one of the glittering golden grenade-globs, twisting forwards and arcing ahead. It does not move that fast, but perhaps Fiat Silver hopes Eas won't either -- it aims to penetrate that field of palpable, visible misery and burst down low, spiralling around in a coruscant spray of prismatic colors!

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has used Scorpio Tortoise on Eas.

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Eas narrowly braces Fiat Silver's Scorpio Tortoise, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Eas's Block ability activates! Eas's Parry ability activates! Diversion and Stagger applied to Eas!

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Shidou [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

The Magic Knight of Fire fails to defend herself properly, and finds herself badly beaten. Fortunately, the Magic Knight of Wind manages to use her magic to protect the Fire Knight for a bit. But while it does stabilize her, she's still pretty badly injured. Nevertheless, the flames of determination burn strongly within the Magic Knight of Fire's body as she struggles to get back up. She gives a nod of acknowledgement to her colleague who helped her, and then stares at the drones again.

"You'll have to do better than that!" Hikaru says as she attempts a simple swing of her sword. No magic here, just the good old swordsmanship that a knight is known for!

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has used Sword Slash on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname fails to brace Hikaru Shidou's Sword Slash, taking 11 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Madoka Kaname is unable to keep fighting! Hikaru Shidou is Psyched! Stagger applied to Madoka Kaname!

<Pose Tracker> Honoka Yukishiro [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

Nanoha and Amu rally against the energy-projecting green drone; the former invents a sort of telekinetic railgun, sending debris pounding into it, knocking it back, while the latter decorates it. Beautifully.

The purpose of this is difficult to understand until the next time it tries to fire a Jewel Seed-fueled laser barrage, at which time the lovely applique flowers vaporize in front of two of the Jewels, leaving only two other beams to be contended with.

Meanwhile, Ren tries to buy time for Endo to get a little bit of breathing room against the blue drone. It absolutely works -- while it moves just quickly enough to avoid being totally encased, one of its legs still winds up all gummy from her crystal, and so it cannot stop Endo from blasting at the little drones. Even so, a few remain clustered up at the base of the stairs, still preventing the group's advance!

...but not for long.

The Magic Knight of Fire charges the landing outright, and with a sweep of her sword, clears the way! Drones sizzle and pop from where her blade sliced them in two.

The unspeakable hum from upstairs is beginning to pulse ominously, higher and lower, higher and lower.

<< It's growing unstable. There's very little time -- please hurry up there! >>

'Up there', as it turns out, at least has no more Imaginary Space... just solid floor. But another small army of drones await the girls, this batch armed with lances and shields, all of them wielded with lethal intent.

And, of course, the Colorful Drones are still up -- and will pursue. That blue meleeist drone, in particular, tears itself out of Ren's goop with a horrible sucking sound, then launches itself feet-first at its distracted opponents!

COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Double Jewel Kick on Ren Aizawa.

COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Double Jewel Kick on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Double Jewel Kick on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Double Jewel Blast on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Double Jewel Blast on Amu Hinamori.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has used Single Jewel Blast on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has fully healed herself.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Fiat Silver.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Amu Hinamori.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Lera Camry.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Ren Aizawa.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used Lancer Set! on Kyouko Sakura.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori narrowly dodges Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 10 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Amu Hinamori's Fade ability activates! Amu Hinamori's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 8 Fatigue damage! Nanoha Takamachi's Block ability activates!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji narrowly counters Juri Arisugawa's Single Jewel Blast, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Blind applied to Fuu Hououji!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji's counterattack, Gale Arrow, fails to get through, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Juri Arisugawa!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi perfectly counters Juri Arisugawa's Double Jewel Blast, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Counter! Nanoha Takamachi's Reverse ability activates! Nanoha Takamachi's Tactician ability activates!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi's counterattack, Round Shield, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Juri Arisugawa!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori perfectly counters Juri Arisugawa's Double Jewel Blast, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Counter!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori's counterattack, Cooking Pan Block, interrupts, doing 0 Fatigue damage to Juri Arisugawa!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji narrowly dodges Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Fuu Hououji's Fade ability activates! Fuu Hououji's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Lera Camry narrowly dodges Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Lera Camry's Fade ability activates! Lera Camry's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki fails to brace Honoka Yukishiro's Double Jewel Kick, taking 33 Fatigue damage! Tangle and Trap applied to Endo Naoki!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki fails to dodge Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 8 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Eas [None] has posed.

Kyouko's assaults are quick indeed--but Eas does get a brief breather as the power radiates from all around, the blue aura of the magic in her suit sufficient to protect her from a blast that's set to knock most others here all around. But then the knives come--this time, she goes against her instinct to dodge, instead intoning in a distant voice not quite her own, "Jewel... Reflection!"

A brilliant barrier crashes into existence before her, circled with runes as the Seeds set in her armor glow once again. The knives bounce, rocketing back in Kyouko's direction... though not quickly enough to get past her expertise this time.

Lera's apparent concern only makes her angrier.

"That's none of your business!" she snaps. "I'm strong enough to handle it. Stronger than he is. And even if I weren't..." The right sword hacks towards her, and Eas brings up her left arm to block it, cracks rocking into her armor and filling with the same red energy that flows through it already--the next, she deflects harshly, but the diagonal strikes home, knocking her backward with its sheer force.

"I'll show you what I meant by resolve! I'll give everything for Mobius-sama! And his orders are to support Testarossa-sama!" She turns to the side such that the globs that pass through her misery aura catch her in the shoulder for the brunt, dangerously close to one of the Jewel Seeds inset within. She winces, turning her head away against the brilliant colors.

"How long are you going to harp on Fate?" Eas snaps at Fiat Silver, unaware perhaps of what she's really trying to say. "I already told you I don't care about that pathetic girl! I don't care about /anyone/!"

She steps back, only to thrust out both hands, charging the bloody veins of her armor to hurl blast after blast after blast at Kyouko and Fiat Silver in return, to free up her chance to--

Even still slowed by the footwork of those two, to swing up one gigantic foot to deliver an axe kick to Lera--and to trap her beneath it.

COMBAT: Eas has used Mother Dearest's Works on Kyouko Sakura.

COMBAT: Eas has used Mother Dearest's Works on Fiat Silver.
COMBAT: Eas has used Hope Crusher on Lera Camry.
COMBAT: Eas has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura fails to dodge Eas's Mother Dearest's Works, taking 29 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Kyouko Sakura's Block ability activates! Kyouko Sakura's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver fails to dodge Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 14 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Lera Camry narrowly dodges Eas's Hope Crusher, taking 10 Fatigue damage! Lera Camry is unable to keep fighting! Lera Camry's Fade ability activates! Lera Camry's Flash ability activates! Trap applied to Lera Camry!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa narrowly braces Honoka Yukishiro's Double Jewel Kick, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Ren Aizawa's Block ability activates! Ren Aizawa's Parry ability activates! Tangle and Trap applied to Ren Aizawa!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa narrowly braces Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 3 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Ren Aizawa's Block ability activates! Ren Aizawa's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou fails to brace Madoka Kaname's Lancer Set!, taking 15 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou narrowly dodges Honoka Yukishiro's Double Jewel Kick, taking 13 Fatigue damage! Tangle applied to Hikaru Shidou!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver narrowly braces Eas's Mother Dearest's Works, taking 28 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Blind applied to Fiat Silver!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

"We *are* trying," the Wind Knight replies (half under her breath) to Harlaown-san's urgency - and then the next wave of drone attacks comes in. Another arrow is nocked, drawn, and loosed with a fast shout of "Gale Arrow!" Said arrow speeds on its way with conjured winds speeding and stabilizing its flight - but the beam from the green drone catches her square across the bridge of her nose, rocking her back on her heels and splitting her glasses in half at the point of impact.

The next barrage of attacks sends the Wind Knight diving for the floor, and she grabs for the severed lenses along the way, managing to grab both of them. She's going to need a moment to apply tape, or maybe to just kludge up a repair spell of some kind, or even to dig an extra pair out of her inventory.

Glasses are too vulnerable in a fight, after all; she's learned to carry an extra pair in her glove-jewel. But that still requires a moment to catch her breath, focus, and retrieve them. It's a moment which those drones really don't seem teribly keen on permitting - and for that matter, the Wind Knight is none too sure she CAN make it to the landing with the others unless there's a sudden spurt of overwhelming firepower on the behalf of the good guys.

At least the enhanced drone is a conveniently huge target. The Wind Knight gets up on one knee, drawing an arrow, and pulling it back as she takes aim at approximately the center of the blur represented by the drone that's been providing such an overabundance of trouble; there's no magic this time, only focus, form, and will.

And the arrow flies.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Trick Arrow Shot on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa narrowly braces Fuu Hououji's Trick Arrow Shot, taking 5 Fatigue damage! Juri Arisugawa's Block ability activates! Juri Arisugawa's Parry ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Shidou [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Still weakened already, the Magic Knight of Fire takes even more damage than before. She's badly beaten and struggling to remain strong, but the fire only burns more within her. She uses her sword to push herself back up and stare down the target that the Magic Knight of Wind is attacking. She decides to assist as well. She grips her sword and yells.

"YAAAAAAAHH!" The battle cry is forced as she rushes in and attempts to deliver a swift slash.

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has used Horizontal Slash on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa narrowly dodges Hikaru Shidou's Horizontal Slash, taking 11 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

When a drone-wielded lance stabs at Lera, the teenager jumps over it. She executes a smart, tight back flip before she comes up kneeling. Her eyes drift towards it quickly, but the crimson-colored drone that Eas commands -- pilots? -- still demands her attention. She sees the axe kick coming down; Sky sees the same. His voice, shrill with static, cries out.

<LERA! MOVE!>

His shout comes too late, though. The huge foot slams down into Lera and knocks her flat on her back and down to the floor. The kick pins her down -- and Soaring Sky goes clattering out of her hand, just as she reaches the next level. She doesn't move further, being pinned down by its foot. Lera looks up at Eas.

She stares up at her, her eyes widened and briefly terrified. Then they screw up, anger flooding back into her face, and she shouts up -- despite being pinned down, despite being immobilized.

"Westar cared about her!" she yells. "And... and Precia Testarossa and Mobius know what those Lost Logia can do! They know what those things could do to you, if they go out of control! They're--"

<Stop! You're going to-->

"--they're going to throw you away, too!" she yells over her Device. Sky's red gem pulses after that, but then he falls silent.

<Pose Tracker> Amu Hinamori [Ohtori Academy (6)] has posed.

Some of the robots go down, and Amulet Clover is starting to get her second wind! "We can do this. I... I know we can!" Hope springs eternal, as they say. Or maybe she just hit her head too hard the last time she was slammed into the wall.

These new robots are trouble in themselves, even as Amulet Clover tries to help the others break through. Lances of energy fly out every which way, but she manages to avoid most of them. A single one hits her squarely in the chest, though, knocking the wind out of her briefly. When she glances up, it's just in time to see the green robot charging up. Those flowers helped some, but it wasn't enough! "Waa!" From seemingly nowhere, she produces a large frying pan, swinging it at the incoming beam. A loud CLONG sounds as the magical cookware deflects the blast up toward the ceiling and away from the other girls. "..ha! I knew that would happen!" She just needs to catch her breath a bit.

"Amu-chan, Amu-chan, I know what we can do to help!" "What is it, Miki?" "Well, the robots are all color-coded, right?" "Rrrrriiiight?" "So what happens if they're all the wrong color? They'll be all confused!" "I'm not sure that's how robots work, Miki." "Amu-chan's heart, unlock!" "Wait--!"

But it's too late, as Suu is ejected and the blue fairy changes Amu from chef to artist. "Chara-transform: Amulet Spade! ...Miki, give me more warning next time!" "No, no, this will work! Just follow my lead!" "I really hope you know what you're doing, Miki..."

Amulet Spade holds out both hands, and a giant paintbrush appears, rainbow colors dripping from the bristles. "Cute is well and good, but sometimes a little bit of beauty is all you need. A little bit of color can brighten your life in new and exciting ways! Colorful... Canvas... Special!" The paintbrush is twirled like an enormous wand and slashed at the air, sending bright streamers of paint flying toward the robots... none of them matching their current colors. Green becomes blue, blue becomes red, and red becomes green. The drones get a mixture of all three, painting them randomly! Who knows how long the new colors will last, but for right now, the paint is shimmering and beautiful!

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori transforms into Amulet Spade!

<Pose Tracker> Amu Hinamori [Ohtori Academy (6)] has posed.

Of all the colors, though, the blue (formerly green) one seems to be the most potent, as it slowly flashes and glows!

COMBAT: FINISHER! Amu Hinamori has used Colorful Canvas Special on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FswZTECtVNA

Try as they all might, this just can't be rushed. The waves of Precia's defenses are hard pressing on all fronts, and Lindy's voice only dimly registers in Nanoha's ear as she's left sore, skull tolling from inside like a bell foundry.

"You'd do the same for me, right?" It's an idle aside back at Fiat as Nanoha shakes her hand out, only to hold it in front of her in a snap of motion, a circle of pink light spreading from her fingertips in the shape of a complex array of calculations and spell formation. A slowly spinning shield, set between herself and the onslaught of Jewel Seed empowered rays and deadly lances.

Gritting her teeth as she weathers through the initial onslaught. But the inbound lance smashes against her shield. For a moment she struggles against it, hairline fractures forming on the spell as its calculations begin to come undone from the traumatic impact, but Nanoha tries to withstand. Her boots skid backwards. And then the shield shatters, only sparing her a moment's instant and a hair's breadth of distance as she jinks aside, the blow scoring a nasty gouge in the armored breastplate beneath the blue and white of her Barrier Jacket as she evades are more fatal skewering.

<< They're not making it easy for us, miss Lindy! >> blurted back as she kicks off the lancer, the wings on her boots fluttering madly as a wave of her Device unleashes several pink spheres in a quick hail of harried fire.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has used Shoot Barret on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Fiat Silver [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

The wave of drones lunge forwards as they move ahead. Fiat Silver touches down - just in time to have to throw herself into a roll away from from a chorus of incoming spears! Now they aren't the ones with spear-supremacy -- can they overcome this setback?

Still laying down for the moment, Eas speaks. Looking upwards, Fiat Silver sees a blast rain down on her - then another - she has to bear them in agonized silence before she can bring up the Prosoma Guard, and even that isn't enough to let her get back to her feet.

The brief break when Eas turns her attention to Lera, though, is.

"... anyone?" Fiat Silver then says.

"Not even... your comrades? Not even... Labyrinth? Not even... yourself??"

She's creaking as she straightens back up. Her back hurts. "Even if you're really as selfish as you claim... you're fighting to defend someone willing to throw away the things dearest to them, to throw away the things they should care about, to throw away reality itself. And..."

Fiat Silver takes in a breath. "... You're using her own methods... which means you're carrying her strength with you!!" That went a little different than one might expect. <Grenadier Mode,> comes the sharp reply from Silver Scorpion, giving Silver herself a reassuring (if hidden) squeeze on the arm.

The weapon comes up. "Scorpio Seven!!"

The blast comes out, sharp and sparkling sapphire, seven shards of glittering deep blue crystal aimed at the arm of the machine. And the Jewel Seed, perhaps, embeded within?

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has used Scorpio Seven on Eas.

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa fails to dodge Nanoha Takamachi's Shoot Barret, taking 14 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa narrowly dodges Amu Hinamori's Finisher, Colorful Canvas Special, taking 13 Fatigue damage! Juri Arisugawa is Quipped!

<Pose Tracker> Kyouko Sakura [None] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWyvMSlxou4&list=RDQWyvMSlxou4

Kyouko's brow furrows in irritation as Miss Mech stymies her knives and sends them flying back to her. Wielding her spear like a staff she quickly bunts each one away. Her swordfighting companion leaps beautifully, swords slicing through the sky..but for all the beauty of her strike, she's squashed like a bug.

Barely paying attention to the rest of the battle, her peripheral awareness is the only thing that alerts her to a fleet-footed robot soaring towards her heel first. Steeling herself, she grunts as the pest slams into her, digging her fingers around it, whirling around and throwing it off her and further along its way. All the while, the Black Knight trades barbs and arguments with her other opponents. Some of it might have made sense to Kyouko if she'd bothered listening, but she's riffing to her own soundtrack at the moment.

Freed from the golden goober, she turns to the business at hand..and is knocked flat by a ripping expulsion of crackling magical violence, the wind punched out of her lungs. Flung from her length of bridge, the only thing saving her from a nihilistic death is a quickly flung javelin, plunging into a pillar and leading back to her wrist with a chain. Ripping at the length with a savage insistence, she's yanked up to the tip faster than Batman's grappling hook get ever hope.

From her new vantage point, she wraps the chain's end around her waist, tying it firm like a climber's harness. Kicking off of the pillar with both feet towards Eas, a fat, thick spear manifests in her arms as though she's riding a missle. Rocketing closer, closer..she shoves forward with both hands, launching her warhead with all that momentum before reaching to the chain and yanking herself back to the pillar where its opposite end is still firmly tethered.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has used Masterstroke on Eas.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Eas perfectly dodges Kyouko Sakura's Masterstroke, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Dodge!
COMBAT: Eas fails to brace Fiat Silver's Scorpio Seven, taking 27 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.

There's a tug at Ren's wrist. One strong enough to stop her from tumbling to her doom. Her vision clears and the world is a lot less chaotic, allowing her to get a look at her savior. "Endo!" She calls out, heart swelling with gratitutde, love, and other such positive feelings. She'd most likely kiss him right now if it were appropriate. That'll have to wait until later. For now she settles for not being rendered into nothingness.

Around that time the current wave of drones are dispatched, allowing them all to press onward. Ren does so, a bit unsteadily, but remains determined nevertheless. Lindy's helpful voice chimes in again, reminding them of the strict time limit they're on. Ren grips the hilt of her rapier. So much is riding on this. The faces of her family flashes within her mind in particular. Yes. So much is at stake.

The blue drone is back again. Heraut chimes out a warning, and Ren whirls around in time to brace for impact, once again using her proficiency in barriers to protect her from what would likely be a very nasty kick. At the same time the new drones attack, and Ren extends a hand out towards them.<WIDE AREA PROTECTION.>

The current barrier extends itself around her like a bubble, just in time to intercept the other drones. The impact jars her a bit, resonating deep within her very being -- right down to her linker core which she can swear shudders in protest. "Ughnn!" Her eyes close involuntarily as she feels the barrier squeeze and warp from the sheer force, both sides of enemies threatening to squeeze it in on her. "I can't hold it any longer...!" Ren shouts to no one in particular, forcing herself upwards suddenly. It's not an entirely clean escape, though, as she's clipped by one of the drones which sends her into a spiral of sorts. One she's able to pull herself out of, thankfully. Breathing heavily she looks around, and goes still the moment she sees Lera get downed.

"LERA!" She screams, rushing over to the girl, dropping to her knees to assess the damage. "Lera..." She's still breathing at least, but that does nothing to quell the worry.

And anger.

"DAMN YOU!" Ren shouts, standing up to run at the blue drone, delivering a wide slash to it with all of her fury.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has used My Sword Goes Slash on Honoka Yukishiro.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro narrowly braces Ren Aizawa's My Sword Goes Slash, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Ren Aizawa is Psyched!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo's charge resumes, spurred on by the urgency of the situation. He only pauses a second to make sure Ren is on her feet and good to go, and then he's gesturing for her to follow. Right into another wave of robots, his weapon coming up too late to deflect a barrage of lances that slam into him, piercing both barrier and armor, sending him crashing to his knees as he's hammered to the floor.

Just in time to get stomped into a tiny crater by his old nemesis, the blue drone. But he gets up. Out of the corner of his eye he can see Lera get smashed flat, and the rest of his allies suffering the blows of the assorted robots. They still need him. He can still do this. Groaning, he shoves himself to his feet again.

<KNIGHT. IT IS UNLIKELY YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN MUCH MORE.>

"Yeah--well--I'm still here."

<EXCELLENT.>

And, once he's got his feet, he whirls on the blue drone. He's quick, twisting himself around to slam his sword into the vibrant metal. "Hey!"

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Blueshift on Honoka Yukishiro.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro narrowly braces Endo Naoki's Blueshift, taking 8 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Honoka Yukishiro [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

It seems that the girls have had quite enough of the green drone, because they adjust their focus considerably, making it four-on-one. And it goes quite well!

Fuu's arrow crunches against its armor, but it's right next to a Jewel Seed, and it seems to loosen the connection a bit. Then, her scream still echoing through the air, Hikaru charges across the newly safe and solid ground to slash -- the drone leaps back, straight into Nanoha's brutal pink spheres.

Finally, the newborn Amulet Spade paints and paints and paints. For a long moment it is wholly invisible.

And then something about the blue... changes. It's no longer the Chara-bearer's hues dominating the landscape, but the distinctive blue of a Jewel Seed! Resonating with dissonant aharmonics, it shimmers and shines and screams through the dimensions. The blast cascades into the drone's other three mounted Seeds... and then explodes outwards.

Endo and Ren, meanwhile, come at the blue drone from either side. When the green drone's Seeds go off, it shakes the floor -- stumbling to one knee, the blue drone is unable to avoid getting slashed brutally. Indeed, one of the arms falls right off with a resounding CLANG!

But the other one comes up swinging, not for the kids' bodies but for their swords, seeking to jar the blades, even damage them with a painful impact!

And the lancers -- which have gone totally ignored -- reform their phalanx in front of the next staircase up. More specifically... in front of the engine.

For there it is, above and behind them: powered by unstable magical relics of unknown origins, and yet another Jewel Seed for good measure, it howls and grinds, pouring more blue light everywhere, as it seeks to harness the strength of these other, unrelated artifacts to amplify the effect of the Lost Logia.

But these drones can fly... and they rise to screen the power source, which rewards their diligence with crackling bolts of white lightning, supercharging lances and shields one after the next after the next--!

COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has used SUPERCHARGE! on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Madoka Kaname has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname accepts Madoka Kaname's SUPERCHARGE!, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Empower and Surge applied to Madoka Kaname!
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Spinning Jewel Backfist on Ren Aizawa.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Spinning Jewel Backfist on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has finished attacking.
COMBAT: FINISHER! Juri Arisugawa has used Jewel Devastation on Nanoha Takamachi.
COMBAT: FINISHER! Juri Arisugawa has used Jewel Devastation on Fuu Hououji.
COMBAT: FINISHER! Juri Arisugawa has used Jewel Devastation on Amu Hinamori.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Eas [None] has posed.

Eas finds that her assault works even better than she'd imagined as she feels Lera knocked to the ground beneath her assault, but she doesn't cover Lera's face--no, instead, she tilts her head downward to stare straight at her opponent, her face twisted in anger.

"Westar's a fool!" Eas practically screams back down at Lera. "It makes no difference to me what that big oaf cares about! And you--"

'They're going to throw you away, too!'

Something snaps in Eas, something she'd help back moments ago but it's visible in her eyes, the way they sink almost into pinpricks. "You--" She lifts her foot and steps back, her foot crushing more beneath her in her fury. "You don't know ANYTHING!" Eas screams back at her, rearing back with her fist as she winds up a devastating assault--

But it's that very arm that suddenly becomes embedded with deep blue crystals, one up high enough to pierce her armor to find flesh beneath. "Aaugh--" Eas stumbles to the side, clunking in her powered armor, and turns in time to /glare/ straight for the Kyouko charging towards her with that gigantic weapon. She inhales a harsh breath and shouts again at Fiat silver, as if her voice alone will silence her, "No one! I didn't stutter! The only thing that matters is what Mobius-sama orders! Nothing else!" Eas charges forward, leaping over Lera and away from Kyouko with a burst of red magic from her boots. ...It's only then that the bizarre magic flies towards her, in beautiful shimmering greens.

"I'll crush all of you myself!" Fiat Silver's words, too, though, have drawn her ire, her red eyes locked now upon the clever masked mage before her, even to the expense of Kyouko who thus far she's kept up with. "Mobius-sama ordered me here because he trusts me! Because he knows I can use this power to beat all of you myself!" She stops, and takes one more breath, bringing her arms together as she crouches to one knee, gathering up the ultimate magic within this suit.

She has no magic words for this one, however; sheer power crackles around her, the jewel seeds embedded in her armor glowing dangerously bright, the horrible red patterns gleaming even through Amu's magical green beneath until it all burns away. Reality around her suddenly /creaks/ once again, the vibration elsewhere even louder here, in this space, as cracks in space suddenly rip open around her. "Take... THIS!"

All her red magic blanks, suddenly, flashing once before the crackling around her turns to black so dark that it's simply bolts of /nothing/, the universe in the space near her wrenching as it lurches out towards those she's still fighting hardest.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Eas has used Dimensional Crash on Fiat Silver.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Eas has used Dimensional Crash on Kyouko Sakura.
COMBAT: FINISHER! Eas has used Dimensional Crash on Amu Hinamori.
COMBAT: Eas has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura narrowly dodges Eas's Finisher, Dimensional Crash, taking 43 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Fiat Silver narrowly dodges Eas's Finisher, Dimensional Crash, taking 6 Fatigue damage! Fiat Silver's Fade ability activates! Fiat Silver's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa narrowly braces Honoka Yukishiro's Spinning Jewel Backfist, taking 13 Fatigue damage! Ren Aizawa's Block ability activates! Ren Aizawa's Parry ability activates! Stagger and Stun applied to Ren Aizawa!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori narrowly dodges Eas's Finisher, Dimensional Crash, taking 20 Fatigue damage! Amu Hinamori's Fade ability activates! Amu Hinamori's Flash ability activates!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki narrowly braces Honoka Yukishiro's Spinning Jewel Backfist, taking 4 Fatigue damage! Endo Naoki's Parry ability activates! Stagger and Stun applied to Endo Naoki!
COMBAT: Amu Hinamori perfectly braces Juri Arisugawa's Finisher, Jewel Devastation, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Brace!
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi narrowly dodges Juri Arisugawa's Finisher, Jewel Devastation, taking 14 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji narrowly dodges Juri Arisugawa's Finisher, Jewel Devastation, taking 2 Fatigue damage! Fuu Hououji's Fade ability activates! Fuu Hououji's Flash ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Amu Hinamori [Ohtori Academy (6)] has posed.

"I was hoping that would work a little better..." Amulet Spade breathes heavily as she tries to compose herself again. Painting that much took a lot out of her... and it didn't even stick! "...awww. You would have looked good in green," she comments to Eas.

This was perhaps not the best thing to do, as she soon finds that crackling black energy directed right at her. "Butredisnicetooreally!" She leaps quickly out of the way, or tries to, as her foot catches on a damaged spot of the floor. Good news! Falling flat on her face means the blast singes right overhead, though she can almost feel it prickling the back of her neck. Bad news... she just fell flat on her face in front of everyone. Hopefully nobody was watching. Also her nose hurts from the whole falling flat on her face thing.

But she's not out! Amulet Spade slowly climbs back to her feet, wobbling unsteadily...and stares down that robot that seems intent on shooting her again. She slams the end of her paintbrush into the ground and leans forward into it, gritting her teeth. The blast hits the brush squarely, and the magical paintbrush splits the beam to sear through the air on both sides of her. Bits of frill and cloth go flying, but Amulet Spade stands firm, and when the blast finally dies down, she's staring at the robot. "I... I..." She just needs a few seconds to breathe, that's all. But she's not idle in the meanwhile. Glancing back toward Nanoha, she lifts a hand to cup at the side of her mouth. "Don't give up! I know you came here to help your friend, and... and I saw the look in your eye! I know you can do it!" She manages a smile, despite all they've been through today. "I believe in the conviction of your heart... you should follow it!"

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has used Don't Give Up! on Nanoha Takamachi.

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

She can't miss that her words struck home. Lera sees the way her eyes sink back -- and then the screamed out, furious words. The armored foot drives down harder against Lera and her Barrier Jacket shimmers. That keeps her from being crushed entirely, but it won't hold against the fist that reels backward. She realizes, then, that she might have said too much. She draws a sharp gasp in.

'Sorry, Setsuna,' she thinks dimly. She stares back up at Eas's enraged eyes, her own full of fear. 'I don't think I'm gonna meet up with you after this.'

But Fiat Silver and Kyouko intervene before that can happen. She watches Eas stumble backward, the foot pulling off her, and she takes a loud, ragged breath. She turns her head to meet Ren as she jumps down next to her -- and Lera's hand reaches out. She clasps the other girl on the shoulder. "Go," she says. "Take care of them. We're almost there. I... I just need a second."

She grabs Soaring Sky by the hilt, looking down at him. "You okay, buddy?"

the Device says. <And... Lera?>

"Yeah?" she asks, raspily, her eyes drifting towards the gem at the center of the sword. It pulses once.

<...don't scare me like that again.>

She smiles a very tired smile, then leans her forehead against the blade of Device. A little lightning crackles off it, like static, when she does. "I won't, Sky," she says. "I promise."

<Liar.>

"Sure am."

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi accepts Amu Hinamori's Don't Give Up!, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Nanoha Takamachi is Cheered!

<Pose Tracker> Kyouko Sakura [None] has posed.

<SoundTracker> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbGTJbSEheI

Kyouko's expression darkens. A parry is one thing, but now she's hopping away scot free like a ballet dancer. The spearfighting savage isn't used to her efforts going to waste, much less twice in a row. The only silver lining in the next immediate moments is that she won't have much time to stew in her displeasure.

Roaring tides of negative energy beyond rational conception scream towards her like rockets. She can barely perceive their presence, and better tracks the attack by the painted trails of that which is unnatural and beyond understanding, her brain sliding off of the streaks like raindrops on teflon.

All she can think to do is to let go of the chain and drop down from her height on the pillar. Too little, too late. Blood vessels burst open within her body, painting great swathes of her an ugly darkened purple and leaving her reeling. For a moment she hangs limply from her chain, dangling like a snared interloper from a tree.

With a shaky hand, she grasps the length above her head with the sort of force that reveals insufficient control to self-moderate. Steadying herself, exhausted eyes smoulder with a rage older than language or written history. Goosebumps erupt all along her body like an algae bloom, and even more of her veins pop like balloons.

And the ceiling above them all winks and shimmers like a starry night..and then knives rain down in a torrential downpour, slicing through the air and just barely steering themselves away from the mahou shoujo and towards tbe metal malaise of all the Magi's champions.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Kyouko Sakura has used A Rain of Razors on Eas.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Kyouko Sakura has used A Rain of Razors on Honoka Yukishiro.
COMBAT: FINISHER! Kyouko Sakura has used A Rain of Razors on Juri Arisugawa.
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Eas narrowly braces Kyouko Sakura's Finisher, A Rain of Razors, taking 29 Fatigue damage! Eas's Block ability activates! Eas's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa fails to dodge Kyouko Sakura's Finisher, A Rain of Razors, taking 72 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro fails to brace Kyouko Sakura's Finisher, A Rain of Razors, taking 74 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.

This blue drone is really aggravating. Why won't it just stay down?! Ren makes a face of frustration when her sword strike lands along with Endo's, but doesn't put the robot out of commission. "Stubborn jerk!" Yeah! Although the robot probably cannot understand that it's being called a jerk. Still, it feels good to voice her anger.

The other drones, meanwhile, are guarding that engine like their little artificial lives depend on it. Ren frowns, looking from them to Bluebot, then back to them. She isn't sure how close they are to breaking through the line. And time is not on their side.

Deep breath. She can do this. "Endo! Keep that Jerkbot distracted!" Ren shouts, turning around to focus on the lancer drones. "Heraut! Let's do this!"

<CERTAINLY.>

A Midchildan magic circle traces out beneath her feet, and as she then holds up her device there's a blinding flash. In an instant there's a single, gleaming jewel hovering above, spinning slowly within the air. "Now Heraut!"

The jewel spins up with bright intensity before a beam of pure mana lances out, heading for the drones.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Ren Aizawa has used Gemlight Fusillade on Madoka Kaname.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Madoka Kaname narrowly dodges Ren Aizawa's Finisher, Gemlight Fusillade, taking 38 Fatigue damage! Madoka Kaname is unable to keep fighting! Madoka Kaname's Fade ability activates! Madoka Kaname's Flash ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Hikaru Shidou [Juuban Public School (9)] has posed.

Things are getting hotter by the minute, and while some of the drones are down, there are still a few left. Namely the ones that went after Hikaru which she ignored for some strange reason. But now she's decided it's time to pay them back once and for all. "The flames shall help me here! I shall burn all of you!" The flames build around her, and a claw-shape appears. "The flames shall take out those who oppose me!"

By this time, the flames have grown quite bit. "CLAW OF FLAME!" She calls out, sending forth that blast.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Hikaru Shidou has used Claw of Flame on Honoka Yukishiro.

COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro fails to brace Hikaru Shidou's Finisher, Claw of Flame, taking 60 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

The sudden concussive eruption of the Jewel Seed's power being unleashed slams Nanoha like a wall. And with a timbling scuffle, she hits the ground and skids a brief distance, laid out flat on her face. Struggling to get back up on her feet, the grit-toothed look of fiery determination etched on her face says that even now, she's not going to simply lay down and let this end.

It's Amu's voice calling out to her that gives Nanoha the physical strength to push back to her feet, with a wobble.

This is rough.

No, this is nearly impossible.

Nearly.

But not completely, as long as she has strengthm and as long as the others around her can too.

Blearily she casts her dizzied gaze about. Ren and Endo giving their all. Kyouko, Hikaru. Strangers to her but still putting up an intense fight. Lera, and Soaring Sky even now working to pick themselves up.

Nanoha would be terribly remiss to just let herself collapse while everyone at her side is fighting with nothing less than everything they can muster.

"Just... Just barely." She replies candidly to her Device, already taking aim.

"But that's not going to stop us, is it?" Grunted through gritted teeth.

<NO. NEVER.>

She's taking aim again, fighting the blur in her vision as energies gather at the tip of her Device, finger squeezing on the trigger for another intense bombardment.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has used Heavy Laser on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

Endo takes the hit from the blue drone a bit better the second time, managing to stand on his feet from the impact. He stumbles back, but with his sword to lean on he doesn't get planted into the floor again. His breathing is ragged, but he's still standing.

"Go, Ren! I got i!."A firm nod from the boy. He straightens fully now, determined to protect his ally as she goes for the engine.

"Hey-" Endo's fingers curl tight around the hilt of his sword, planting it beside him. "Let's show 'em that thing."

<UNDERSTOOD.> The ugly, over-synthesized voice of Endo's device rumbles in response.

And then it starts to hiss. Light flickers and burns over the blade, steam bubbling up from vents along its surface. Garish lines criss-cross in a blur across the ugly metal, the whole thing practically burning with magical energy.

<READY.>

"Hey! You punk!" Endo points squarely at the blue drone. "Let's go!"

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has used Overdrive Mode on Endo Naoki.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa narrowly dodges Nanoha Takamachi's Heavy Laser, taking 14 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki accepts Endo Naoki's Overdrive Mode, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Empower and Surge applied to Endo Naoki!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

The Magic Knight of Wind just barely escapes the amplified wrath of the remaining drones' weapons, but at the cost of bumping her head on the floor. If her glasses hadn't already gotten broken, it occurs to her that this impact might have done so instead. It may be just as well she hadn't gotten her extra pair out yet.

She forces her eyes to focus again, taking in her nearby allies. "Winds of Healing," she chants quietly, trying to keep her mind working coherently. Rather than reserving any of it for herself, though, the restorative breezes enfold Endo, Ren, and the Fire Knight, helping them recover a bit from the injuries they've endured fighting the drones.

The Wind Knight hasn't forgotten that somebody named Precia Testarossa is supposed to be waiting at the end of this gauntlet of drones, after all, and it would be good if everyone was in something resembling fighting trip. Now, if the Wind Knight could at least catch her own bearings again ...

That seems kind of difficult at the moment, though.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Healing on Hikaru Shidou.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Healing on Ren Aizawa.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Winds of Healing on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa accepts Fuu Hououji's Winds of Healing, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Cleanse! All of Ren Aizawa's debuffs are cleared!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki accepts Fuu Hououji's Winds of Healing, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Cleanse! All of Endo Naoki's debuffs are cleared!

<Pose Tracker> Fiat Silver [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Fiat Silver's head turns as she sees - an engine. A mighty engine powered by another Jewel Seed. Ugh, she thinks -- and her first reflexive thought is 'how cruel to use something so pretty for this!'

But that's not too shocking perhaps, from an art thief. Her eyes are drawn back to Eas's furious gaze, her own eyes veiled but her lips pressed thin. "We don't know anything? But Eas - quite the contrary. We know quite a bit. You see," and here Fiat Silver taps her mask despite the chaos around them, "/I listened in/..."

'Take THIS!'

Fiat Silver's denoument is stepped on quite immensely as Eas's sorcerous force makes the very essence of reality tense up, putting strange subtle alarms in her field of vision. And then SOMETHING screams --

And Fiat Silver wants no part of that, and that is why she does an immediate sharp backflip AWAY from Eas's manifested wrath and dimensional distortion!

This spares her the greater part of it. The distortion in space does not prevent her from being pulled down, though, to ground. Hard, with a slam.

Fiat Silver lays there for a moment.

Then she raises her head.

"The point... isn't Fate. The point is that - after everything - That woman, Precia Testarossa... she threw her away! She condemned her for being different, and said she'd always hated her! If she'd do that to her own daughter, what would she do to the likes of YOU!?"

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has used Cutting Remarks on Eas.

COMBAT: Fiat Silver has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Eas fails to brace Fiat Silver's Cutting Remarks, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Fiat Silver is Psyched! Eas is Taunted! Stun applied to Eas!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou accepts Fuu Hououji's Winds of Healing, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Cleanse! All of Hikaru Shidou's debuffs are cleared!

<Pose Tracker> Honoka Yukishiro [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

Ren's massive beam fires towards the engine and its vanguard of drone protectors. They cluster in front of it like a massive living shield... and one at a time get torn away or vaporized by the straining impact.

And then the engine explodes. Out of the catastrophic blast, which shoots blue flame vertically in a column that sizzles skin from fifty yards away, a Jewel Seed flickers through the air before glinting itself safely sealed into Souverain Heraut.

But this blast sends new veins of Imaginary Space flowing away from it in all directions -- like a horrible game of 'the carpet is lava', this part of the fortress is rapidly becoming unsafe to stand on -- or even fly over.

Fortunately, a few black paths, safe paths, still remain.

At the end of one is the green drone -- at another, the blue. The former throws itself flat, out of the way of Nanoha's gigantic laser, just in time to get impaled by Kyouko's spears. Its four Jewel Speeds, already spent in an explosion, tinkle upwards from their moorings, and into Raising Heart.

--wait, make that three.

Because the blue drone rips itself free of more Kyouko-razors with a painful smash, and snatches one of them out of the air even as Hikaru's claw of flame consumes its second (and last) arm. As it's disintegrating away, its head shoots forward, swallowing the Jewel Seed.

And then it begins to detonate -- light flickering between the now /five/ Jewel Seeds in its superstructure. Lightning explodes at random in various directions as the reaction builds and builds and builds. But can it be sealed in time?

COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Ride the Lightning on Ren Aizawa.

COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Ride the Lightning on Endo Naoki.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has used Ride the Lightning on Hikaru Shidou.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Ren Aizawa narrowly braces Honoka Yukishiro's Ride the Lightning, taking 7 Fatigue damage! Ren Aizawa's Block ability activates! Ren Aizawa's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Endo Naoki narrowly dodges Honoka Yukishiro's Ride the Lightning, taking 10 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Hikaru Shidou narrowly dodges Honoka Yukishiro's Ride the Lightning, taking 24 Fatigue damage!

<Pose Tracker> Eas [None] has posed.

The sheer force of the magic afforded to Eas holds her in place for moments longer, the warped reality around her brought on by the Jewel Seed's power Eas herself keeps her stable kneeling position, panels on her gauntlets once again flipping back to vent powerful steam in clouds, hissing loudly through the battlefield. Kyouko's blades come down with enough weight to blot out the lights around her, the stars themselves crashing towards her, leaving her no recourse but to fold over herself, letting her armor take the brunt of the blades--and even then, many of them stick, crack through the red-tinged black, slash in at her beneath. Eas grits her teeth to bear it, the Lost Logia-enhanced armor keeping her alive even through such a devastating assault.

Her breathing is heavy.

"I... I don't care about your stupid, pointless listening!" she shouts, not yet able to stand, back at Fiat Silver. But then those other words...

"Don't be stupid! I'm ordered to help her, not... trust her! Testarossa-sama has no reason to care about me, either!"

But something is wrong. The armor's runes glow wildly, pulsing in strange, unstable patterns. Something's constricting, and the gauntlets move to vent again--

But they only open halfway on the left side.

"Aaah--" It's not a sound of anger, this time, but of pain. The Jewel Seeds gleam dangerously, blue power crackling all around her.

The black sparks erupt once again. Steam bursts forth from the gauntlet as a panel bursts away.

The red drone is at the center of an explosion of crackling energy that blinds anyone looking too closely.

COMBAT: Eas has used Breaking Point on Kyouko Sakura.

COMBAT: Eas has used Breaking Point on Fiat Silver.
COMBAT: Eas has used Breaking Point on Eas.
COMBAT: Eas has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura perfectly braces Eas's Breaking Point, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Brace! Kyouko Sakura's Block ability activates! Kyouko Sakura's Parry ability activates!
COMBAT: Eas accepts Eas's Breaking Point, taking 49 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Fuu Hououji [Infinity Institute (9)] has posed.

The lightning makes the Wind Knight flinch a bit - but catching her breath did give her time to fish out an extra pair of glasses, and she slips them on, letting out a relieved sigh as she can actually see CLEARLY again.

Then comes MORE lightning. She flinches again, but her glasses stay on, and the Magic Knight of Wind climbs to her feet, pulling an arrow from her quiver. It's a source of considerable surprise to her that she can do that much, but at this point, she's not going to question her fortune; instead, she raises her bow, nocking the arrow to its string, and takes a moment to position her legs and feet just right.

"Correct stance," she murmurs, "correct form ..." She lowers the bow, drawing back the arrow on the string, and takes aim at the green drone.

"... correct shot."

The arrow flies.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has used Basic Archery on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Fuu Hououji has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Eas has cancelled their attack on Fiat Silver. If there are more attacks that need to be +cancelled, please hold all +attacks until the process is complete.
COMBAT: Eas has used Breaking Point on Fiat Silver.
COMBAT: Eas has finished attacking.

<Pose Tracker> Amu Hinamori [Ohtori Academy (6)] has posed.

Although Amulet Spade could potentially seal a magical artifact going haywire, she definitely doesn't have the energy or mental focus to do something like that now. However, she can at least help work on the same robot she's been attacking. "Okay... you can do this." Standing up straight, she lifts her brush and points it toward the green robot. "Maybe we can get the paint to stick this time. Colorful... Canvas!" Twirling around, Amulet Spade spins the giant paintbrush, streaks of multicolored paint forming in the air as the bristles brush past. After a few quick strokes, she flicks the end toward the green robot, sending a burst of brightly-colored magical paint flying at it!

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has used Colorful Canvas Palette on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Amu Hinamori has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa fails to dodge Fuu Hououji's Basic Archery, taking 10 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa fails to dodge Amu Hinamori's Colorful Canvas Palette, taking 25 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Stagger and Trap applied to Juri Arisugawa!

<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"I'll try," Lera replies, with a frown. She stands back up and looks about. The drones are being pushed back, but not nearly as fast as she would like. Then her eyes go back to Eas and her armor, and she stops upon seeing the crackle of blue power. She stares, dumbly, for a moment. She recognizes that well enough.

It looks like what began to take hold of Westar's Nakewameke. Her first instinct is to open fire, but then she looks down at Sky -- and realizes he can't do that. Motes of red-orange light are drawn down into him; at the same time, the scuffs and gashes in her Barrier Jacket are slowly mending.

She looks back up at Eas and yells: "Get out of there!" she says. "It's--it's what I just told you, Eas! They always go out of control!"

COMBAT: Fiat Silver perfectly dodges Eas's Breaking Point, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Critical Dodge! Fiat Silver's Fade ability activates! Fiat Silver's Flash ability activates!

<Pose Tracker> Kyouko Sakura [None] has posed.

Her shoulders rising and falling with belabored breath, Kyouko bares her teeth at the latest burst of black lightning. Still innervated from the outpouring of strength that fueled her last stand, the final blades of her razor rain twist up to form an impromptu barrier between her and the energy, shielding her completely.

In an act of will the chain and the spear holding her up along the pillar vanish. She has no choice now but to retreat and to recover. The fate of the world is out of her hands for the moment...but on her way out, she comes alongside one of the other girls that fought with her against the magical mech, and presses a glimmering pastry into the palm of her hand. Where she produced the treat from, nobody could say.

"Good luck." Words softly murmured. She leaps across the treacherous pools of chaotic energy, slipping out past the gate. Fishing an inky black gem set into ornate silver, she presses the bauble to the red crystal just below her neck, her brow furrowing as the scarlet shade grows brighter and brighter.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has used Eclair of Empowerment on Fiat Silver.

COMBAT: Kyouko Sakura has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Fiat Silver accepts Kyouko Sakura's Eclair of Empowerment, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Fiat Silver is Reinforced by Kyouko Sakura!

<Pose Tracker> Ren Aizawa [Infinity Institute (11)] has posed.

The chime from Heraut that comes after the attack tells Ren the Jewel Seed from the engine is sealed. Thank goodness. Vents pop up along the bladed part of her device, and steams is issued out through them. The drones lay in pieces -- a testament to her attack on them. Ren breathes heavily, feeling drained as she always does after an attack of this magnitude. But there's no time for rest.

<INCOMING!> Heraut shouts, and Ren barely has time to brace against the lightning. She grunts, weathering the storm so to speak, and slumps down to one knee afterward.

"Just... need... a moment." Right. Moment taken. She gets back to her feet, turning to look at Nanoha. She was so tiny. Yet so strong. Ren looks down at her device. "Heraut..."

The device knows, glowing a bright bronze as she points it at the tiny mage girl.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has used Sovereign's Mettle on Nanoha Takamachi.

COMBAT: Ren Aizawa has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi accepts Ren Aizawa's Sovereign's Mettle, taking 0 Fatigue damage! Critical Hit! Nanoha Takamachi is Reinforced by Ren Aizawa!

<Pose Tracker> Endo Naoki [Juuban Public School (11)] has posed.

The magic burns. The explosions don't help. Endo's teeth are gritted tight, his body jerking to the side as the blast from the engine erupts around him. Cracks race across his armor, burns across the skin. But he's still standing, thanks to the Fuu's healing wind wrapping around him. He's still there, griping his Device like his life depends on it.

It does. Not just his, but all his friends, his allies, the people that are willing to lay their lives down for the billions of others that Precia could destroy. Those were the important. That's why he came, even if it meant he might die. That was alright. He could handle that. It was his job. All he had to do was get what was left of that blue thing.

"Hey, Stern."

<KNIGHT.>

Endo raises his weapon high, and it responds. It becomes nothing more than a pillar of light, streaking toward the heavens. Or whatever passes for them in space. Mana pours out, all of it, nearly every last drop for this one strike.

Endo brings it down.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Endo Naoki has used Absolute Magnitude on Honoka Yukishiro.

COMBAT: Endo Naoki has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Honoka Yukishiro fails to brace Endo Naoki's Finisher, Absolute Magnitude, taking 167 Fatigue damage! Honoka Yukishiro is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Fiat Silver [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

"You're full of it!" Fiat Silver shouts at Eas in defiance. She shouts so as not to fall over. "I can tell you're anxious. You're not sure. Well, if you get out of here, I'm not going to chase you. I may not like Labyrinth, but I listened to everything you told me -- at least that would be a universe!!"

A burst of blinding red lashes outwards -- but this is, of course, exactly and completely why Fiat Silver's mask has tinted lenses. Even so, she throws up an arm, hissing -- and then when the glare fades, that other girl's up close.

Fiat Silver meets eyes with Kyouko wordlessly. The eclair in her hand rests, creamily. Then she's gone.

Fiat Silver feels a surge of animalistic hunger. The eclair, dubious as it might be, is immediately devoured, the surge of fat and carbohydrates relieving neglected depths of her own psyche, her bruised body... and there's a huge vein of Imaginary Space. Lancing outwards, Fiat Silver cartwheels to the side.

<Madame,> Silver Scorpion says abruptly.

"Scorpion," Fiat murmurs.

And the two of them say in synch, "/Both of the enemies./" Whatever was in that eclair, perhaps, has put Fiat Silver in this moment of strange excitement. Raising her baton again, she says, "Eas of Labyrinth... I do hope you'll have the good sense to leave." And past that is...

The Jewel Seed machine. Whatever it is.

Fiat Silver makes herself breathe in, the sweet taste of life on Earth - life in general - /existence/ in general - lingering on her lips. She crouches slightly, raising her baton like a wand, pivoting it forwards. "Full Charge..." <11x achieved. Ready.>

"Scorpio Seventy Seven!"

She had, previously, fired a single blast like this - a shimmering rain of sapphire shards that had burst with some genuine effect against that armor. Now the barrage comes increased by slightly over an order of magnitude (perhaps even absolute magnitude) - seventy seven of those bursting crystal shards. From her posture, her positioning, some should hit Eas - a distinctly off-center blast, aimed towards the suffering side of that armor.

And the remainder aims forwards, storming in as Endo pours in his passion to boot.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Fiat Silver has used Scorpio 77 on Eas.

COMBAT: FINISHER! Fiat Silver has used Scorpio 77 on Juri Arisugawa.
COMBAT: Fiat Silver has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa fails to dodge Fiat Silver's Finisher, Scorpio 77, taking 48 Fatigue damage!
COMBAT: Eas fails to brace Fiat Silver's Finisher, Scorpio 77, taking 31 Fatigue damage! Eas is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Nanoha Takamachi [Infinity Institute (4)] has posed.

Exhaustion is setting in too early. Mana reserves dropping. Nanoha burns hard, and she burns bright. But she burns fast, and for a moment, it feels like she's almost burned out.

Her body aches, almost every part of her rendered angry and refusing to co-operate for a long moment. Until a sudden wash comes over her. Like a reinvigorating breath of freash air, a second wind is thrust upon her as blue eyes snap up.

Ren.

Heraut.

The Device and Mage granting her a small portion of their combined power.

Nanoha may be small. Nanoha may be strong. But that strength is not wholly hers. It would be a complete bald face lie to say that she has stood on her own, and come all this way alone. If not for her friends like Ren, Nanoha may have faltered on her path, perhaps even given up. The sudden bolstering flow of mana reinvigorating her is like a physical manifestation of the support and long term friendship that has PUSHED Nanoha Takamachi to be who she is now.

She will not waste it.

<< Th... Thank you, Ren, Heraut! >> Chirruped in a quick mental broadcast as Nanoha shoves herself back to standing. A new resolve burning like hot iron behind her eyes as she takes aim.

<MANA LEVELS GREEN. MY THANKS TO SOUVERAIN HERAUT. PREPARING TO SEAL. FIRE IN BUSTER MODE. A CALCULATION HAS BEEN FORMULATED AND LOCK ACHIEVED. EVERYTHING IS GO, MASTER.> Raising Heart rattles off as Nanoha's finger rests on the trigger.

An intricate array of aiming runes form into place as power gathers, a massive sigil spreading beneath the girl's boots.

"Diviiiiiiiiiine...!"

Nanoha pulls the trigger.

"BUSTERRRRRRR!"

COMBAT: FINISHER! Nanoha Takamachi has used Divine Buster: Full Power on Juri Arisugawa.

COMBAT: Nanoha Takamachi has finished attacking.
COMBAT: Juri Arisugawa fails to dodge Nanoha Takamachi's Finisher, Divine Buster: Full Power, taking 117 Fatigue damage! Juri Arisugawa is unable to keep fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Eas [None] has posed.

"How hard do I have to hit you before you shut up?" Still hunched over, Eas's armor shows obvious damage, gouged in places about the back and arms and shoulders most of all that can be seen. Her frustration is obvious, but not so the fear that should /obviously/ have taken root in her by now... has taken root.

Nonetheless, Fiat Silver calls it out. "I'm--I'm not! I'm not afraid of anything!"

Gaining control over the magic again, Eas drags herself upward, to try to stand in the armor that makes her so much taller than she ought to be, even as Kyouko falls back, as Lera has already called to her... and as that opponent speaks to her once again.

Eas glares hatefully at Fiat Silver in that instant, straightening as she prepares to try to call on more of the Jewel Seed's powers. Barely, she forces the pulsing to stop for a moment, brings it back to its normal rhythm--

But the explosion of crystal shards is suddenly there, piercing through armor as if it were paper, rending articulated joints and scything off the panel that refused moments ago to vent. The armor, already overheated, vents steam all over... but most of all that that one weakened side already cracked.

"Aa--I--I won't--!" Her words turn into a wordless cry of pain as an explosion rocks her side, the mechanical armor she pilots falling forward with a horrible crash.

Three beautiful blue lights pry their way loose from her broken pauldrons, from the helmet that from the impact slides off and rolls forward, drifting serenly towards Fiat Silver... While Eas, her armor half-destroyed, is sprawled with her arms out face-down on the ground, her usual red hairband a shock against her white hair.

...But the pieces of the armor left pulse even more erratically--even more dangerously--than before. Precia's magical construction is now so much debris piled around the executive, set to blow any moment.

Her hand curls into a fist as she tries to move... But she's having a hard enough time breathing amidst the ruins of a wobbling scaffold that will fall beneath her any moment.

<Pose Tracker> Lera Camry [Infinity Institute (10)] has posed.

Lera waits, with bated breath. She wants to be back in the fight; she doesn't like to leave it to her allies. Her eyes are lit up with the motes of light drifting down into it. She has faith, though. As down on herself as she can get, she believes in her friends -- and they deliver. She sees the armor collapse around Eas, as ample sign of that, and she draws a sharp breath in as it collapses. It teeters on the edge.

She remembers what Lindy said. If it falls, then...

"Stop the recharge there," Lera says. She bites her lip. "We're gonna help her."

<...understood.>

Lera flies off the ground -- bolting forward. A trail of light burns after her, and she sees that hand curled into a fist. Her sword swings down -- and sheers through some of the ruined metal next to Eas. It slides off her, before she reaches a hand down. Her fingers grab the other girl's wrist as she looks down at her. "Hang on," she says. "We're going up."

She swings Sky over her back with her other hand. The Intelligent Device's plasma field deactivates -- and then Lera grabs Eas's arm with both hands. She yanks her free, just as the wreckage and scaffolding drops down with a screech of steel on steel. The mage and the executive shoot up into the air of the Garden.

Lera stares down, silently, as she moves to the nearest section of black flooring.

<Pose Tracker> Honoka Yukishiro [Juuban Public School (10)] has posed.

Even with the engine shut down, this secondary five-Jewel-Seed disaster is fit to burst. Fuu sends in an arrow -- Amu paint. And these are both good strategies, but they're band-aids on a gushing wound in the world. In all worlds.

As the blue and green drones begin to be dragged towards each other in a sort of implosion, however, the crisis ends as quickly as it began.

It ends because Endo comes in with an unbelievably supercharged strike, instantly reducing the blue drone to so much scrap metal, and five Seeds hovering in midair.

It ends because Fiat Silver buys some time, her crystal shards, driving the green drone further away from the crucial center, from what would be Ground Zero.

It ends because Nanoha Takamachi uses that time to charge, aim, and fire the ever-increasingly-legendary Divine Buster in a flow not just of mana but of intense, fierce feeling.

Most of all, it ends because Kyouko and Ren believed in their allies, their friends.

The last of these Jewel Seeds zap themselves into Fallen Stern, Raising Heart, and Silver Scorpion. All that's left is drone wreckage strewn all over the floor.

The rest is silence.

Until...

...the rest of the Jewel Seeds, the ones that were never here, continue their siren song of destruction. The Garden of Time shakes from top to toe -- a pillar crashes down straight through the room like a lonely felled tree. Then another, and another.

There's only one way to go.

The end of the road... is down.

2015-07-05 - The Garden of Time (Part One)

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