“So where's Goodman-san? You two are normally together...”
“Oh, One-sama is trying to track down Takahata-sensei with Sakurazaki-san. Apparently we've lost contact with him.”
“Eh? Takahata-sensei is in trouble?!?”
“Oh, I'm sure they'll find him. Now stop squirming, you're kind of heavy.”
Meanwhile, in the tunnels far below the Budokai stadium...
“Goodman-san, now would be a really good time to pull yourself together.” Setsuna was not happy. The mission had started simply enough, but things had gone downhill very quickly upon their first encounter with the opposition. Takane had gone catatonic when she saw the hordes of the humanoid robot model 'Tanka', and Kasuga Misora – sorry, The Mysterious Sister - apparently had no combat capabilities whatsoever, along with her partner Kokone. This left Setsuna at the only one in their little group – which, she had just noticed, was being flanked from behind by another swarm of robots – who could defend herself.
All in all, she was having a bad day. Luckily for her there was some stress relief available, in the form of mecha disposal. It wasn't long before the tunnel was littered with severed mechanical limbs and sparking bodies.
“Guh... hah... Are there more of them now?!” The swords-woman panted, pausing for a moment to look around in something approaching despair. Despite the large amount of now-scrap metal filling the tunnel, the enemies ranks seemed to have swelled, not diminished.
“Uh... I think we're in trouble here.” Said Mysterious Sister, nervously forgetting to alter her voice, shifting Kokone's weight a little where the silent mage sat on her shoulders.
“Isn't there anything you can do? You're a magic user, right?”Setsuna asked, eyeing the regrouping robots.
“Weeelll... You see, the thing about that is- Eep!” She was cut off as Setsuna yanked her and Kokone out of the way of yet another strip-beam.
“Is what?”
The nun twiddled her fingers “My artifact isn't so much for fighting. Abeat!” A strong magical aura sprung up around her shoes as they morphed into running trainers at the activation word. “It's pretty much just for speed. And what speed is best for is running away.”
Setsuna blinked. “What's that supposed to- Hey!”
In an instant the Mysterious Sister had run up the sloping wall of the tunnel, running along the ceiling to bypass the Tanka that blocked the way forward and disappearing in a blur, leaving a hurried “You know I'd stay otherwise, right?” echoing behind her.
Setsuna stood there open mouthed for a few seconds, before nervously looking around at the advancing hordes. By herself she might be able to take them, despite their numbers (although after her match against Asuna earlier she wasn't as confident as she used to be), but with Takane to look after... Besides, Misora could get into trouble ahead, and she wouldn't be able to defend herself. Really, what choice did she have?
Her decision made, she wasted no time picking the unfortunate shadow mage up, ignoring her mutterings about being publicly humiliated for the third time today, and focusing her ki.
“Shinmei school special technique – Hundred Strike Cherry Blossom Cut!”
“We should be safe now, don't you think?” Misora said as Kokone climbed off her back, “You sure we can't go watch Negi-kuns match?”
The silent girl gave her a look that spoke volumes.
“What? Don't worry, Setsuna can handle herself! So can Takamichi for that matter, so...” Kokone wasn't listening. Instead she was pulling rather insistently on Misora's arm and looking back the way they had come. “Eh? Is there something...?” The Mysterious Sister turned to look and felt her stomach sink as she found herself staring one of the spider-like Tanka Mark 2s right in the eye/laser cannon. A small “Eep” escaped her lips as she realised that despite her brain's rather urgent request for her legs to commence running, there was no response.
Wiiiiiiir-
And then the mecha collapsed, splitting into two halves as Setsuna flipped past it, sword in hand. The Shinmei ryu warrior-in-training skidded to a halt a few feet away, hefting Takane under one arm.
“Well, I hope that teaches you- Urk!” She had the breath squeezed out of her as she was glomped by an over-excited nun.
“Oh thank you thank you thank you thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!!!” Misora ignored Setsunas squirming as Takane was dropped unceremoniously on the floor.
“Kasuga-san –Gasp– Please –Geh– Can't breath!” Misora just hugged tighter, paying no mind to either Setsuna's protests or Kokone's frantic tugging, until:
“Misora-san, would you please remove your feet from my back?” The Mysterious Sister froze. Looked down. Gulped.
“Aheh, sorry Takane-san.” She said, stepping back and releasing Setsuna, who fell back gasping for air.
“Yes, I'm sure you are,” Takane sighed, standing and dusting herself off, “I apologise for my inadequate performance back there Sakurazaki-san.”
“Eh? Oh, it's fine.” Setsuna waved it off.
“No it is not. I shall endeavour to redeem myself at the first opportunity, or my name isn't Takane D. Goodman!” she snapped with a flourish. Setsuna just winced and nodded.
“Now-”
Wiiiiiir
“-Someone tell me that's not what I think it is.”
Wiiiiiir
Wiiiiiir
Wiiiiiir
Wiiiiiir
Slowly the group turned around.
WIIIIIIR
The tunnel was literally filled with robots, all with their sights set firmly on the four unfortunate Mahora students. The walls were glowing with red light as the cannons charged.
As one the four looked to one another. Then, without words, Misora scooped up Kokone, while Setsuna did the same for a shaking Takane, and the two burst into a frantic joint run, Misora powered by magic, Setsuna by ki. Behind them the mini-army opened fire.
“How many of them are there!?!” Misora cried, tears running down her cheeks as she dodged a storm of stray blasts.
“We'll have to make a stand, cut down some of their numbers!” Setsuna yelled back, turning her head for a moment to get an idea of how many were chasing them. The next instant her foot met open air instead of the walkway she was expecting, and then the four were falling.
“Yaaaaaahhhh!!!”
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(Posted Sat, 03 Jan 2009 07:39)
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