Session Start: Sat Apr 29 16:22:02 2006 [resume session] * LadyHeat , quite frustrated at her ineffective attack on the Sea Princess, goes after the remaining normal ningyo instead. The Ningyo sizzles! And screams, as the water from the wave is boiled off her body. She thrashes, and begins to glow with gathering power. * LadyMallet saves her energy. She shoots at the still-standing Ningyo, dispassionately. Bullets fly! One even hits - Mallet is getting better at this. The Ningyo looks like she was punched hard. * PrincessEarth looks around, dazed by the chaotic combat. She spots Lady Mysteria floating away, and suddenly the Lady is out of the water, on a little island of her own. The Ningyo gets her glowing blue hands together, and a column of water stabs sideways at Lady Heat. * LadyHeat is smashed around badly by the water, and goes down hard. Heat! * LadyMysteria takes a moment to cough a bit of water out of her lungs, slowly coming to. "Dammit..." * Lord_Darkmoon looks over and sees Mysteria on land, and breathes a sigh of relief as he looks for others. Seeing Nightshade sinking limply, he dives after her. He almost gets within reach, when suddenly he is pulled up short, his pants tangled by the top of a light pole just under the surface of the water. He thrashes, suddenly suspended in the water at an awkward angle. * LadyNike floats further away, her limp body obscured by the surface chop of the water. * Lady_MakeBelieve sees that she can't get to the Secretary in time, and so calls upon more aid. Summoning the Dragon Lord once more with a portal in the sky. * DragonLord flies down to where Nike is floating, and scoops her up out of the water, carrying her to safety. * Kirin concentrates on his own task, which is draining away the wicked power the Princess of the Sea wields, shining for a brilliant stream of light from his horn. * PrincessSea isn't visible behind her column of water, so there's no seeing her reaction, but there's a noticeable attenuation of the Sea Magic that all of you are sensing. * LadyRoyal steps in front of the injured Heat and flings her arms out at the visible ningyo. Cards fly, and explosions bubble across the water, surrounding the Ningyo, lifting her into the air, and tossing her back a dozen meters. She looks beaten and battered, but still has not gone down. * LadyRoyal swears under her breath. The Princess of the Sea drops her columnar shield... or perhaps it simply changes direction, becoming a wall of white water that scrapes forwards towards the island. * PrincessEarth shelters behind her pillar of rock, still dazed by the threats from so many directions. * LadyMallet narrows her eyes, then sprints for Kyo-chan, grabbing onto her, and bracing both of them against the oncoming wave. * LadyRoyal makes to cover Kyouko, but is blocked by Mallet. So she just holds fast. * LadyMallet waits for the water to pass and clear, then nods towards Royal, and sets Kyo-chan down. She then sprints, grabbing the embedded Katana. Then tries to close with the remaining Ningyo. * LadyRoyal nods back and covers Kyouko. * LadyMallet leads with the Katana, holding that out, then suddenly spinning and slams the Mallet at the Ningyo. The Ningyo is slammed - it tries to brace, but simply collapses limply as it is belted away. * PrincessEarth spots Lord Darkmoon thrashing for his life out to the north, and suddenly he's on dry land. Gotta preserve the cute ones! And Nightshade too, since she was close enough. * Lord_Darkmoon wipes water from his face and spits some out of his nose before calling out, "Thanks, Princess!" * LadyHeat wakes up and immediately turns her power onto the Sea Princess. "Boil." The Princess is not particularly wet, but the waters around her puff into steam. This time you hear her hiss, and she takes on a pained expression. ... I've had enough. * LadyMysteria levels her want on the Princess of the Sea. "This shouldn't be how it ends." And thus she fires, wand sparking violently in the process as the Star Gun leaps out. The blast just clips the Sea Princess, who stands stoically even as blood sprays behind her. "It is what has been decreed. There is no 'should not'." To hell with decrees! We should be able to make our own fucking destinies, not have them told to us! This is all wrong! * LadyNike coughs up water as the Dragon Lord sets her on a nearby building. * Lord_Darkmoon stoically takes his pants off and, now clad only in his hakama top (which obscures anything above his knees, save for where his bare legs poke through the front as he walks), hastily checks to see if Nightshade is still breathing. She is, though she could use some help clearing her lungs. * Lord_Darkmoon turns her on her side, and tries to get her to cough up the water. "Come on, Nightshade. Wake up." * Lord_Darkmoon applies some pressure to her abdomen, kneeling next to her. * Lady_MakeBelieve directs the Kirin to blast her again, seeing how effective it was the last time. "We shall make you pay for your refusal to accept peace!" * Lord_Darkmoon begins holding Nightshade's nose shut and breathing into her mouth, alternating with pushing on her abdomen, when it becomes clear she's not expelling the water on her own. * Kirin attempts to repeat his earlier triumph, directing another dazzling beam of purification at the Princess. * DragonLord meanwhile is assisting Nike in clearing her lungs. * LadyNightshade coughs and gurgles up water but still isn't conscious. The Princess of the Sea raises her arm, which is suddenly surrounded by a dark blue glow. She catches the Kirin's beam on it, and when the fireworks fade the glow is gone, but she doesn't look or feel any weaker. That's a nice power, there, but only against someone with less control than I have. * LadyRoyal wings a card at the Sea Princess' eyes. Control over evil can not resist my divine power for long! * PrincessSea gasps as the flying sharp slices across her left eye socket. She puts up her hand barely in time to get it wet as juices fly. Evil... what we have done may be evil, but I deny that I am. Then stand down. For we cannot permit evil to be done by the good, any more than we can the evil! You're so damned fatalistic about this! FIGHT, goddammit! Fight for your free will! Neither of us wants to die! I don't care who's watching you, who's dead or isn't, what you're trying to uphold! Peace is better than all this constant fighting for everyone! Refusing to change a course of action when you know it is evil denies all of your claims to goodness! I've seen too many girls die. And your kind have names. Do they have relationships? Friends? Enemies? Family? Loved ones? We barely even know about you, except how to kill you! Should it keep being this way? I am not the one who you have an argument with. * LadyNightshade coughs again and blinks her eyes open, they suddenly widen as she sees Darkmoon over her. "Rin... Thank you." She hugs him tightly. Sure looks like it from where I'm standing. * LadyMallet approaches the Princess of the Sea, Mallet in one hand, the Katana in the other. "Then who do we talk to?" You're headed in the right direction. Let us in. We'll leave you be. And fix this. ... then so be it. Retreat in there, if you have to. Can you bend your Orders around for that? * Lord_Darkmoon holds Nightshade back for a moment, before gently helping her sit up. "You're welcome," he says with a quiet smile, before returning his attention to the Princesses. * DragonLord growls. "No, we don't want to fight her *and* her queen at the same time." If I could run, would I not have? If you have no choice... then I am sorry. * LadyMallet swipes at the Princess of the Sea once, with the Katana. We're wasting time here. What Orders have you been given, Ningyo Princess? Fall over and play dead! This is your last chance, before it becomes reality! * PrincessSea parries the blade with her bare arm. It breaks the skin, but only barely. You know my orders. * LadyMallet switches her grip around, reversing the Katana and holding both it and the Mallet by the handle at the same time. "So be it. LEENA LEENA PANCAKE STRIKE!" * PrincessSea is half-caught by the Mallet, and is smashed into an awful- looking spin... but that spin becomes watery, and streams of liquid spin up into the air around and past her. One of those streams clips Lady Mallet, and she finds herself thrown forcibly upwards into the sky. Whaaaa! You deserve what you're getting. * LadyHeat glares at the Sea Princess once more. * PrincessSea screams in utter shock as the liquid oozing out of her eye boils away. It's a ghastly sound, unlike anything you've ever heard before. * PrincessEarth peeks around her guarding pillar, winces at the shriek, but concentrates anyway. * LadyMysteria winces at the scream, gritting her teeth tightly. A sharp rock spire thrusts out of the shallow waters under the Princess of the Sea, spearing into her tail and lifting her two meters into the air. * Lord_Darkmoon doesn't flinch, watching the battle unfold. He nods approvingly at Princess Earth's action, but says nothing yet. We have no choice. May whatever God you believe in have mercy on your soul. * LadyMysteria takes aim, steadying her arm, and aims for the other eye with the last Star Gun shot in her wand. It immediately pops and twitches, spewing smoke. * PrincessSea 's head essentially explodes. She stops twitching, her body still held above the water by the spire of rock. * Lady_MakeBelieve winces. * LadyRoyal takes a deep breath, and lets it out, looking around to inventory the team. ...and suddenly it's quiet. But Lady Mallet is still missing. ...Where's Leena? Probably still flying. ....right. Shall we continue, the--why isn't Mallet back yet? * Lord_Darkmoon rises to his feet, tugging annoyedly at the clingingly wet robe that's almost all he's wearing. "Princess, can you give us a bridge?" * LadyMysteria lowers her arm, then takes a moment to wipe her eyes. * LadyNightshade tries to make her way over to her side, to get a look at what's going on and EYES Darkmoon. "Uh... where are your pants?" Now we get to all die. Yay. * PrincessEarth doesn't look away from her counterpart. "Yes. Of course." * Lady_MakeBelieve rides the Kirin over to catch mallet before she lands, or at least soften the blow * Lord_Darkmoon points at the light pole, turning an interesting shade of red. Which, given that you can see his legs, you can tell extends down his whole body. * DragonLord , seeing the Nike is okay, tears a hole in the sky and flies through "Looks like you don't need me anymore right now." * LadyNightshade tries not to look. She tries really hard. Really really hard. >< * LadyRoyal raises an eyebrow at Darkmoon, finally noticing the lack of pants. "...Darkmoon. I know we generally operate out of uniform, but this is ridiculous." He's being a manly worker. * LadyMysteria does look around to assess the team. "... nice legs, Rin." They didn't wear pants. ...we should go to the Princess, Nightshade. *heads for the edge of the island, and blushes harder at Royal's quip* * LadyNightshade picks herself up to her feet as best she can, wincing at the pain shooting up her body. Uh, thanks, Mys-- *swallows, choking on embarrassment* Huh. Go figure. EVERYONE TAKE COVER! * LadyNightshade nods and follows Darkmoon. * LadyHeat takes cover? * Lady_MakeBelieve tries to get under an overhang with the Kirin Wha-- * LadyNightshade eyes widen and she looks around, ducking down. * LadyRoyal instinctively goes to cover Maya. * Lord_Darkmoon immediately grabs Nightshade and drops to the ground, diving for the nearest thing to cover he can find. -and then the water begins to fall out of the sky, along with a bemused Lady Mallet. * LadyMallet cues in over the radio. "Look out below!" * LadyMysteria does try to cover her head with her arms. "Damn it all!" As before, impossible, huge globs pelt the entire area, pounding anything underneath into submission. * PrincessEarth tucks herself into a cavity at the base of her pillar. * LadyMysteria is hit yet again square in the lower back, and makes a most interesting sound before coughing up a mouthful of blood. * LadyHeat manages to avoid them. * Lord_Darkmoon is pelted hard, trying to cover Nightshade as best he can. The water further shreds his hakama and flesh, but he bites back anything more than a grunt. No one needs their spleen. Lady Mallet lands Mallet-first in shallow water. That doesn't prevent it from hurting a lot. * Lady_MakeBelieve is slammed hard in the face, and almost fall off, but the Kirin manages to stay under her. * LadyRoyal braces over Maya and grits her teeth as the water slams into her. "...yerrrgh." * LadyNightshade blinks from under Darkmoon. "Rin! Are you alright?" * LadyMallet stands after the landing. For just a moment it seems like she's okay, then she falls backwards into the water with a low groan. * LadyMysteria can still feel the impact, though. "D-damn, girl... you didn't have to..." * LadyRoyal rolls off, groaning. "Coughing up blood does not become a fearless leader." And then, there's a weird washing sound, and you realize that the huge dome of water is starting to creep towards you. * Lord_Darkmoon coughs a bit - no blood, thankfully - and smiles weakly. "I'm ... fine." * LadyMallet , interestingly enough, has a pink cape on that she didn't have on before going up. * LadyRoyal pulls herself up and staggers over to the water to drag Leena out. Nnnnggggghhhhh. * Lord_Darkmoon pulls himself up, and the left half of his hakama slips off his arm. He frowns and grabs it with his right hand, trying to hold it on. Yeah yeah, you 'n me both. * LadyNightshade supports Darkmoon, helping him stand. * LadyMysteria looks up. "It's coming. Everyone, get up..." * LadyHeat picks up anyone who needs picking up. * LadyRoyal does a quick medical check on Mallet. Is she conscious, or just groaning? * LadyNightshade slips off her longcoat and slips it around Rin. * PrincessEarth peeks out to see, first if there's any more water falling, then if all of you are still okay. ...thanks. *bemused* * LadyMysteria rises slowly, rubbing her head before giving it a shake. "This needs to end soon... Princess, are you alright?" * LadyMallet groans again. She's breathing, at least, she just looks like she doesn't want to move. ...hmmm. Mallet is awake, and doesn't seem to have broken bones for once - she's simply one giant bruise. I think I've gone through enough pain today to last me a lifetime. * Lady_MakeBelieve lands on the island with the others, and sends the Kirin to ferry Nike over here. I... have this sneaking suspicion it's not quite over yet. There is still the Queen to deal with. * LadyRoyal sighs. "We're not done yet. Catch your breath, then try your way with standing. We've still got a ways to go." Oh come on guys, we haven't even fought the tough one yet. * Lord_Darkmoon eyes the dome. Then looks around for his Katana. * LadyMallet lets out a grunt, then hops to her feet, wincing the whole while. She untucks the Katana from where it is in her skirt, and uses it to dry her clothes. Heh. Nothing like disaster to bring out the best in you, huh? * LadyNike doesn't get on the beast right away. "Uh, guys... do you need me for this one?" Fucking fucking fucking OW. Do you think it would be okay for me to detransform and retransform quickly? * LadyRoyal shakes her head and stands up, cricking her neck. "I told you to give it a few." Would you rather be by yourself? I need to replenish my water bottles so I have projectiles. * Lord_Darkmoon eyes Mallet, and coughs. "Is everyone alright?" * Lady_MakeBelieve hands over a bandolier of them to Heat The dome of water creeps closer - only a meter per second or so, but it'll be to your island in just a few minutes at that rate. * LadyMallet grabs the Mallet sharply, then walks over to Darkmoon- she suddenly forgets how much pain she's in when she spies what Darkmoon's missing. ...Thanks! Why not just ask--yeah. * LadyHeat fills up her belt and slings the rest across her chest. Would you rather have a water gun? ... uh. What happened to your pants? * LadyMallet holds out the Katana to him. ... why didn't we think of that months ago?! *whispered* She's coming. He had to take them off to save me. * Lord_Darkmoon turns that interesting shade of red again. "Don't ask. May I have my Tessen, please?" ...shit! Why *didn't* we! That's a great idea. * LadyMallet is holding out the Katana. ... It's a bit late since we're going to a giant ball of water. ...true. Oh well. * Lord_Darkmoon takes it, and turns it back into a Tessen before waving it over himself, restoring his uniform and drying himself out in the process. "Thank you." I'll take that as a yes anyway? ... so, um. You're not going to put pants back on, are you? Probably. I hope not. Everyone, I want to say something before this thing hits. * LadyNightshade makes sure his magic doesn't touch her coat. I think I'll be fine without one. * Lord_Darkmoon is already repantsed. :P * LadyRoyal looks at Maya. "Yo?" Do we know if that’s a solid ball or just a shell though? Because I think you'd be able to hypnotize the Ningyo with those legs. * Lord_Darkmoon returns Nightshade's coat as he disentangles himself. "Thank you, as well." * LadyMysteria takes a breath. "It's been a pleasure working with all of you, and I expect you to put your all into whatever comes. Stay focused, stay strong... and don't forget that we're a team." * LadyHeat mutters to herself. "And that ass." * LadyNightshade blushes a bit herself. "Anytime." * Lord_Darkmoon turns even redder, and pretends he didn't hear Heat and Mallet's latest comments. * LadyMallet thumbs-up at Mysty. "Anytime!" * LadyRoyal nods curtly at Maya. I just hope our splatters land mostly together. Heh. Together, eh? * LadyMysteria smirks at Nightshade. * LadyRoyal replies dryly, "That's the most touching thing you've ever said, Nightshade." I try. I don't intend to be a splatter. I know. * Lord_Darkmoon heads over to Princess Earth, and helps her to her feet. "If she is coming, then you had best be ready. You've seen what she will force her own people to do, how callously she throws away their lives. You must do what you must do, Princess. We're here for you, all of us. Do not be afraid. I know you can do this." How can I become internationally famous if I become a splatter or run away? I've gotta win this. I didn't intend to walk into a giant missile proof dome of water, but *shrugs* Life sucks like that, Taki. * LadyNike relents and hops on the ride. If you let yourself think you're going to be defeated, you will be. We're going to win this thing. I wish Squeegee were here to team up with me to get us in. * LadyMallet high-fives MB. "Hell yeah." * LadyMysteria rolls her shoulder, looking down at her wand. "... damn thing. I need a new model." Sorry, One thing I *can't* make. * Lord_Darkmoon shoots Maya a smile at that, before returning his attention to Princess. "Are you ready, little one?" * PrincessEarth focuses a little, and the island begins expanding all around the team. Don't call her that. We can't afford to think of her that way. Ready? No. But it doesn't matter. We're going to make it through this all right Princess. We're with you. We're all with you, Princess. * Lord_Darkmoon uses his Tessen to dry off and restore Princess's outfit to what it was pre-battle. "We will win this with you." We're something, alright. A bit crazy. We're awesome. And we're Magical Girls. Let's go pop that giant watery pimple! * LadyMysteria chuckles; she's either lost it, or she doesn't care anymore. "So either we're gonna be crazy and die, or be crazy and become heroes. I like the second option better." ... Heat, you need to work on your similes. Now let the water-bitch come. Only other people call it crazy. When you're in it, you gotta admit, it makes perfect sense. * LadyRoyal cracks what'll crack and stretches what'll stretch. Let's go, Princess. Yes. * PrincessEarth starts moving forward, though very slowly. * LadyMallet starts laughing. "Shame you didn't get to eat the Princess." I'm not hungry. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles darkly, and follows a step behind the Princess. * LadyMysteria sticks with the Princess, looking down at her poor, ruined wand from time to time. * LadyRoyal flanks the Princess and Maya. * LadyNightshade stays near the back in spite of her bravado, still not quite sure what she's going to actually do against this bubble. * Lady_MakeBelieve looks to see if heat still has fangs Think they're gonna let us in? Roll out the watery red carpet, and direct us right to their Queen? * Lord_Darkmoon casually dries out the others' garb as they walk, fixing them back to their pre-battle condition in the process. The island is more than simply a flat pan of construction materials now - it is growing shape like a rocky outcropping. Well, we can kick their asses. Oh, we can get in... Our Princess kicked their Princess' ass. Oh, I'm sure they'll be more than happy to let us in... The edge of the dome meets the edge of the island... and the rotating mass of water disappears above the newly formed land. A tunnel forms, and the team advances in. Shiny. ... heh. Go, Princess. Rock on! The last glimpse of the outside world they get is of the huge Hardhat, now beached behind them. * Lady_MakeBelieve murmurs some words to Norcliff about getting the Sailors ready in case they're needed. * LadyRoyal walks in, keeping an eye out. Of course, Haruko. * Lord_Darkmoon bows his head in a moment of silence for the probably deceased insane rogue princess. * LadyNightshade can't help but feel rather claustrophobic as the water closes in around them. * LadyRoyal flexes her fingers, almost imperceptibly. Haruko, mind tossing me an umbrella? * Lady_MakeBelieve just hands her one instead. It's a Hello Kitty Umbrella. * LadyMysteria shakes her head for a moment. "It's... kind of beautiful. Who would think something so pretty could be so lethal..." Honestly, it scares the hell out of me. * LadyMallet giggles. "Thanks!" And holds the umbrella above her. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles at Mysteria's comment. The island pushes forward and outward. The tunnel has become a dome inside the dome, and Ningyo begin to appear out of the water as it recedes. They just hover, staring at the team. * Lady_MakeBelieve stares right back at them, undaunted * LadyMallet waves at the passing Ningyo cheerfully. "Hi! I'm Lady Mallet!" * LadyHeat smiles, showing her nastily sharp fangs! This would be a great tourist place. * Lord_Darkmoon maintains a courtier's smile, cutting a dashingly bishounen figure as he walks one step behind the diminutive Princess of Earth. * LadyNightshade takes the opportunity of the receding light to go invisible, still staying near the back of the group. * LadyMysteria does look around, although she keeps a firm look on her face. * LadyMallet , despite her outward cheeriness, is very much on guard. I don't think they'd be very welcome * LadyNightshade keeps a careful eye on all the ningyo, making sure none of them get too close. Why not? They've got a beef with Magical Girls. I think someone regular would be okay. They didn't seem to only attack magical girls when they were invading Tokyo * LadyRoyal keeps a flatly blank expression on her face. Um. * LadyMallet suddenly makes a face, then yells into the water. "HURRY UP AND SEND US A DAMNED GUIDE!" ...and then your dome of air nudges into another dome of air, this one at the very core of the dome of water... and the power of the sea blasts at your minds as the Queen of the Sea - and there is no doubt in any of your minds that it is her - stands revealed. Wait, nevermind. * LadyMallet blinks. ...Yaaay. Always jumping the gun Mallet. * LadyMallet waves at the Queen of the Sea. "Hi!" * Lord_Darkmoon winces, putting up a hand in a futile attempt to ward off the aura of sea magic before gritting his teeth and lowering it. * LadyMallet shakes her head for a moment, adjusting to the sudden jump in magic sense. * LadyMysteria grits her teeth at that feeling. "... and here we are." We've met before. Standing with Her Majesty is a familiar face for some of you - you last saw him jumping off an aircraft carrier most of a month ago, with another man in tow. * LadyRoyal clenches her teeth, and shows them in a tight, bared smile. Hey... we were uh... looking for the bus station and um... Nevermind. We were on this cruise ship... * LadyMallet shifts her gaze over to the man. "You never returned any of our mail. How've you been?" And THAT man, Rin's father - is standing three steps behind the royal couple. * LadyMysteria focuses on Rin's dad... then looks at him. * Lord_Darkmoon 's eyes are riveted on his father. His face is carefully - oh, so carefully - unreadable. * LadyMallet then points at the Royal Couple. "You two are bad parents, you know? Forcing your daughter to fight, and removing her freedom of choice." * PrincessEarth stopped moving as soon as the Queen of the Sea came into view. She's continuing to expand the island and the air pocket around the team, but she's trembling now. ... greetings, Queen of the Sea. She didn't want to fight! She didn't want to die! Yet you make her do something suicidal like that with no regards to her feelings! * LadyRoyal places a silent, supportive hand on Princess' shoulder. * Lord_Darkmoon rests a hand on Princess's other shoulder, and squeezes gently. Greetings, Ladies of the Land. Your evil ends now! I don't know what's wrong, but why are you so hell-bent on wiping us out? AND WHY THE HELL DO YOU SPEAK JAPANESE?!?! * LadyNightshade goes back to being quiet. At least when you're invisible no one can see you cower. I speak Japanese because YOU speak Japanese. * LadyRoyal is too tense to facefault at that, but her lip twitches. ... Mallet, be quiet. She might smite us. * Lord_Darkmoon chuckles, a low and malevolent sound that echoes a bit creepily under this dome. * LadyRoyal flicks a worried eyebrow at Darkmoon. * LadyMysteria pauses. "... I have a feeling you have something to explain to us, Queen of the Sea." She looks tense, oh-so-tense, but is holding herself together. So why the hell did you go out of your way to learn our language just to send mind-wiped ningyo at us to spout death speeches? Because, you know, you could have tried talking to us. Asking what was wrong, or at least make a terrorist demand. Or something. I know the word for computer, because YOU know the word for computer. Never mind that we could never build such a thing - or almost ANY of your marvels - in our native environment. And so rather than make your own marvels, you seek to ruin and steal ours * LadyNightshade mumbles almost to herself, "Somebody's jealous..." Never mind that just the sight of each other makes our hackles rise, our senses twitch, and our instincts scream for blood. * Lord_Darkmoon licks his lips, a gesture more fitting on Feral than on him. Queen of the Sea... let me get this right. ... so what did we ever do to you? Never mind that the first scouts we sent into the dry world were slaughtered. No, let's not think of that. * LadyMallet frowns. ... you exist because we exist? We of the Earth Magic? * LadyMysteria looks to be trying to process that, and a look of mild disgust is forming on her face. ... okay, bad start. Ultimately, I have no answer for that. But that is what I believe. Just as I believe that there is no point to this conversation. * LadyRoyal 's expression has been back to neutral again ever since the Queen started answering Leena's questions. Her eyes flick around the chamber. * Lord_Darkmoon is still staring fixedly at the man behind the royal couple, having regained his composure. Do we get to die now? No. There is a point. We're sick and tired of having to fight and die, and watch everything around us crumble. None of us are going to die. ... and, unless you crave that, I'd like to think you are, too. Ningyo - at least three dozen of them - are standing around. They aren't threatening you, yet. Fighting means dying, and dying is just gonna get us a bad end. We're going to figure this out. Figure out what it'll take to end this peacefully. ... the first question to that is, I guess... * LadyNightshade just shakes her head. Queen of the Sea? What do you want? * LadyRoyal does a little calculating in her head as she eyes the ningyo positions. No... you have brought your Princess - your real Princess. That speaks for what your intentions are - but this time I know what I am doing, and she does not. This will be no bloody draw like last time, and she will not have time to learn ruthlessness. Yeah. She's Princess Earth, and I'm Lady Mallet. And believe me when I say we don't want to fight anymore. None of us do. And the humans... what has she promised you? *the question could be for either man, but the Lord's intense study of the man in the back makes it clear who he wants to answer* * Lord_Darkmoon takes a step forward, releasing his grip on Princess's shoulder, apparently unconscious of his motion. And when it is over - when she is destroyed - then you will be so far behind us that we will dominate, and lead, and ultimately rule. You didn't answer my question. Forget ruling. Forget our ingrained bloodlust for each other. Forget our bad start. What do you want? Right here, right now? I want her. Why? ... we have our Orders. That is not possible. * LadyRoyal tightens her grip on Princess' shoulder fractionally. * LadyMysteria draws closer to Princess as well. * LadyHeat moves towards Princess. The only thing we want, on our side, forgetting all the bad starts and ingrained bloodlust ourselves, is peace. Well, Seishou Tojiro, what has she promised you? *step* Why are you here, and not with your wife? *step* Protecting your daughter? *step* She isn't going anywhere she doesn't want to. We want to come out of here alive, all of us. * Seishou-san looks down. * LadyNightshade just stands there in the sheer awe of the stupidity of it all. We want to talk with you. Figure out what's going on, why this whole bloody war started in the first place. I follow my master, and my oaths. Believe it or not, we don't know why this started. It's just ... always been there. He follows... his sense of adventure, I believe. And what do you know of my family? You nuke was extremely effective. Everyone who was responsible for carrying on this war on our side, who started it in the first place, if it was truly our fault, is gone. Why do you want our Princess? I would believe it would be to destroy her. Correct me if I'm wrong, Queen. * LadyRoyal 's lips move nearly imperceptibly. I think I have made myself clear. No, not yet. Revenge? Or do you just want to rule the world? Mallet. She stated she wishes to rule everything. I simply *want*. There does not need to be any more than that. Yes, you do. * LadyMysteria sighs. "Which means she plans to take her grudge to all of Earth. You do understand that the rest of the world will have nothing against dropping every kind of conventional and unconventional weapon they have on your kind, yes? Mankind will not roll over and let you rule them." The weapons that have been used against your shell so far? America will probably freak out and start dissecting you. Those were the last of the safe ones. You push, and the world will respond, and the seas will boil. Perhaps. But then again, once this little meeting has concluded, perhaps I will retreat to the depths, and simply flood the planet. *step* My father taught me of honor, and of oaths, and of history. *step* My father would know when he follows a flawed, treasonous master. *step* I know your family well, Seishou. *step, stop, and narrow eyes* Kentaro is, after all, my best friend, and Tokyo is my home. Even knowing the dangers from one who helped plan them, I stayed. It was my duty. My honor. I know your daughter wanted to live. Don't you want to? * LadyMysteria looks to Mallet. Don't you want all your people to live free? And little girl - the seas are very, very big, and no man nor mermaid nor magical girl can hope to boil them. You could have your computers! I doubt that Princess was her daughter, Mallet. You could have friends, and emissaries, and friendly relations. ...what daughter? ... * LadyMallet blinks. The, uh, Princess that met us at the door. She hardly looks old enough. She probably ages weirdly anyway. Yeah, but still. That Princess probably earned her title by proof of her talent. ... a shame, really. Or was given the power. Well, even if she wasn't your daughter, she still wanted to live! * LadyMysteria shakes her head. "I would have liked to know her name." She said that you all want to live, to have freedom. Drop the war. Drop the war, call it off, and you can have that. Pffft. Kiss my tail. You won't have to fight. You can have peace, too, you can have your computers, and not have to force your people to fight! Is there nothing we can say or offer that would convince you that there is an alternative to just slaughtering one another? I'd rather take a bite of it, really. * PrincessEarth finally seems to have made some sort of decision. She takes one step forward, and something changes. The dome of water seems to waver, and all the Ningyo except their queen suddenly look frightened. ... Princess? * Norcliff blinks as his fur suddenly all stands on end. "Whoa." * LadyRoyal releases Princess' shoulder, and readies her cards. Norcliff, what did you sense? * Lord_Darkmoon continues focusing on Seishou-san. Now's the part with the splattering. I am ready. You are ready. Why are we waiting? ... We aren't. *smirk* It would seem so, Nightshade. Ladies... we have a duty to uphold. * LadyMysteria takes another, ragged breath, and stands ready. ... must we? A few of the Ningyo in the back quietly duck out of the air pocket - they don't look like they want to be anywhere near what's coming. * LadyMallet sounds suddenly weary and sad. * QueenSea gathers power - an impossible head-ringing surge that rocks all of the Ladies back on their heels... and then the earth underneath her opens up - not a little shallow maw that tries to pull her down, but an incredible hole that looks like it goes down forever. The Queen of the Sea tumbles away into the darkness with her executive boy-toy... and Elly jumps in right after her. The island slams back together before any of you can even think to follow. * LadyMallet blinks. * LadyNightshade blinks too. So... who is holding up the bubble? ...I can swim. * Lady_MakeBelieve blinks ... what... in the hell?! * LadyRoyal reaches out--"Princess!"--then turns around to face the ningyo circling them. DON'T ASK THAT! Did we win? * LadyMysteria looks around as well, suddenly realizing there are thirty-some- odd Ningyo there. * LadyNightshade looks around uncomfortably. I... haven't the foggiest notion. Or is the fight still going on? You can still feel the Sea Magic beneath your feet - and something else, something which must be the Earth Magic, fighting back. * Seishou-san falls on his ass. * LadyMallet waves at Rin's dad. "So, uh, you haven't returned any of the letters. Howya been doing?" * LadyRoyal eyes the circle of ningyo. * Norcliff looks pale under his fur, overwhelmed by the power being used below. * Lord_Darkmoon 's eyes widen in concern and he yelps "Father!" before he can stop himself as he dashes over to see if he's okay. Darkmoon, stay alert! The Ningyo, without a Queen to lord it over them, seem to have begun a debate of policy and intentions. * Lady_MakeBelieve holds Norcliff close and strokes his fur Some of them are simply leaving, but others seem to be discussing what to do about the team. ...what? Backwards huddle, guys, we can't keep an eye on them all like this. * LadyHeat gets in place. * Lady_MakeBelieve takes a place in the circle Right. Darkmoon, get back here. * LadyMysteria moves into place, turning the burnt-out end of the wand around into her palm in the meantime. * LadyMallet frowns, and joins the circle. ...on your feet. We can't protect you out here. *hauls Seishou- san up, unless he fights him* * Seishou-san is hauled! Really, he's nearly catatonic. * Lord_Darkmoon drags him over to the center of the circle. "Snap out of it. I know it's a shock, but after what you've been doing since you leapt off that carrier, it can't be that big of one." * LadyNightshade still rather awkward about standing with the group. She places herself as much out of the circle as she can be without actually being in it. Not that anyone can see her anyway. What's a shock? ... so beautiful, yet so deadly. More Ningyo leave - the crowd has thinned out quite a bit now, with only a dozen or so mermaids left. About half of those are eyeing you with malice, and the other half are eyeing the ones eyeing you, though you're not sure why. What are we going to do now? ...everything. Please... just... why? No. Not now. Moth-- your wife is very worried about you, you know. She's been here, with her daughter. *speaking quietly, a bit desperately. His own composure is rather badly cracked* They should have left - I told them to leave. * LadyNightshade puts a hand on Darkmoon's shoulder. Damn this century. * LadyRoyal eyes the eyers. Love doesn't make leaving loved ones easy. We couldn't. I have my own duty. Why did you go with him? Why you, and not any of the others? *still at Seishou-san* * LadyMallet wonders what's going on with all the eyeing. He... for as craven as he was, for as traitorous as his intentions were, he understood me - he was a lord, a lord who knew the proper way to treat an honored vassal, and deserving of my oaths. * LadyMysteria takes a moment to spit for some reason. That's not a very good reason. Why did he take you with him? Why couldn't you have stayed? I -- M-- *swallows* Your wife worries so. And one thing my father never taught me... when your father's oaths conflict with yours, what do you do? * Lord_Darkmoon is crying by now. Not sobbing, just...freely flowing tears that he can't be bothered to wipe up. Isn't part of being an honored vassal having the sense to pick a good lord? The ground bucks under your feet, and the Ningyo share a glance. * LadyMysteria looks down as well. "The part of being a vassal is to serve a just master no matter what. Vassal did not pick lord, lord picked vassal." There are no more good lords. I... am happy to have found a broken one. And a Lord's - whoa - a Lord's duty is to protect and serve all his people. You have really weird priorities. That jerk hardly seemed like a just master. Sure, he was an asshole, he helped destroy Tokyo, kill millions of people, nuke a bunch of teenage girls, but he was nice to me and followed tradition! * Lord_Darkmoon looks up for a moment, a painful laughter in his eyes. "Now you know where Rin gets it, Lady Heat." And did he not serve and protect me? And afford me the chance to protect my own? * LadyNightshade moves from just putting a hand on Darkmoon to putting her arm around his shoulders. Rin doesn't blow. Darkmoon... * LadyMallet glances at Heat for a moment confusedly. "Wait, did you want... um." * LadyMallet then glances at Taki and Minami again. "ARGH." She doesn't, because I have my own duties. But she still wouldn't have sold humanity to the Ningyo! What will your wife say when she-- It's not too late. But your so-called Lord is a traitor to the Empire; he has brought death to the Imperial family and to the heart of the nation's capital. ...I meant it in the sense that she's not a sucky person. * LadyNightshade lets her invisibility drop and just stands there supporting him. * LadyMysteria notes Rin's expression... and then Taki being supporting, but doesn't really react, too focused on the floor. "God, Princess... please live." * LadyRoyal watches the ningyo, tuning out the domestic drama behind her. Another two Ningyo hover away. The rest are clustered in two groups, one group of four near the edge of the dome, and the other group of six starting to inch towards you. Six approaching. I see 'em. * Lord_Darkmoon gently shrugs Nightshade's arm off. "She will live, my Lady. And -she- will be a true and good ruler. I will see to it." He looks at Seishou-san, and meets his eyes. "Perhaps she will let you serve her as well, Father. When I get you home, your two women will have much to say to you." * LadyMallet glances over at the six, and waves. "Hi! Can you wait until the scuffle down below settles?" * LadyNightshade looks down sadly as she's shrugged of but still doesn't say anything. One of the Ningyo pipes up. "If your Queen emerges... we're fucked. I know it's kinda rude to ask, but we'd like a chance to rest, relax, and worry about our Princess. And if your Queen emerges, we're fucked! Not necessarily. Princess also does not suck. And fighting right now isn't gonna change that either way. So what do you say? Sit and wait it out together? And if OUR queen emerges, and we haven't tried to do something about you, we're fucked. ...don't tell me you're going to invite them to a friendly game of cards, Mallet. Well, I was gonna say water polo, but... I'd be the only effective member on our team, Mallet. I dunno. Something else then. * Lord_Darkmoon continues looking in his father's eyes. "Just...stay alive. Rin would never forgive herself if I let you die, here." * LadyMallet gestures to the six. "What do you play for fun?" We could play Charades. So really, fucked if you do, fucked if you don’t. Tough situation, eh? You speak our language, do you play our sports? Water polo, soccer, football, baseball? * LadyMallet blinks. "Water football!" Now us, we're only fucked if your Queen comes up. Well, our colleagues are cowards, as you can see. But were we to overcome you, perhaps one of us might even become the new Princess. * LadyNightshade is once again taken back by stupid. You've got the better deal, anyways. * LadyRoyal snorts. "You only have one at a time?" More likely you will die. * LadyMysteria sighs. "We really, really are not in the mood for another fight. So just back off and wait for some sort of a conclusion, damn it all." If our Queen comes up, it's the end. We're outta here. No revenge, just talking and peace. It sounds like you don't have any love for yours. ... Mallet has a point. I just want to go somewhere where I can sleep for a week and try my first glass of gin. ...well, she is what she is. ... and then a few more after that. Meh. What if you vomit? More. ... so -do- you play water football? And yeah, we only get one Princess. How is that fair? * LadyRoyal snorts again. "Like you did for ours before they killed her, Mallet?" Maybe we could have a makeover party! Yeah, our Queen was a bitch. Princess is great, though. She was not a bitch! Well, strictly speaking, you're the ones that come up topside and try to trash us. There aren't that many of us doing the same. ... okay, she was. We should probably do something Rin wants to take part in. You're only saying that because she's younger. And don't disrespect the dead, damn it. * LadyNightshade just shakes her head. Well, you get to escape our ridiculous themes. I'd respect her if she cared about our feelings at all. Squeegee. But she was our Queen. And right now... you all. Our Queen's evil is over, soon theirs will be as well. There are some things more important than feelings, Mallet. Bullshit. * LadyMysteria points to the ningyo group. "Things can be different... really, they can. So just back off and let fate take its course." No need to dwell on it. Not in my book. *You* would think so. True... I heard about one poor Lady who had to throw cats at us. *shudders* * Lord_Darkmoon steps back from his father, and looks up at the Ningyo. "If you fight us, you will die. The Feral Beast has been thwarted too many times today. Rin is torn and hurt at finding her father here, like this. I am tired of this. My Princess fights below because your Queen is as stupid as ours was." Poor cats... There was a team of silverware themed Ladies. * LadyMallet shivers momentarily. and Pie. * Lord_Darkmoon spits at the mention of Pie's name. Explosive pie is a pretty stupid idea, Darkmoon. So, do you play water football? Do you have teams and everything? It's stupid until it almost kills you, Heat. I never said it wasn't deadly. Just that it's stupid. It -hurts- though. Especially the shrapnel. ...geeze, I wish I could have detransformed while I was healing from that. A part of me almost did, just to end it. I'm glad I didn't. I'm glad I lived to see this. We do a lot of competitive fishing. * LadyMysteria chuckles, eyeing the Ningyo. "... really, to think we've come so far. And here we are, in the middle of a disaster area, praying that we can go home and get out all the crying we've been holding in for the last year." Oh? What do you fish for? Do you go after giant squid? * LadyMallet blinks. "Fishing. Never thought of that." ... and talking to ningyo about fishing. * LadyMysteria blinks at that. "Hey." It's much more of a contact sport for us, mind you. * Lord_Darkmoon laughs hollowly. "I might join you girls in that, someday, if I can borrow a fish to do it!" he says to the Ningyo. Oh, I can imagine that. Is there a lot of fish left when you're finished? * LadyRoyal rocks on her heels. Depends. You guys really are over-fishing. ...I can see where we may end up at war over that someday. It... is a bit of an issue, yes. Father--Seishou-san, what's it like, living with them? From a human perspective. * LadyMysteria actually relaxes, faintly. You try feeding 50 million people with just that little scrap of land We have more than 50 million people in Japan, MakeBelieve. Or had. Maybe something can be done, but that would require us not destroying each other first. * LadyMallet giggles. "So how good are you at fishing?" * Seishou-san is really looking at Darkmoon weirdly now. "It's uh, kinda boring if you can't breathe water. We have more like two and a half times that. ...look. If we sense that your Queen is losing, we're going to attack you. All the harder to feed them. We might have to kick your asses. Ditto for us, really. ... okay. Promise not to do it until then? ...now why would you do that? ... fair enough, I suppose. * LadyMysteria stops relaxing. If your Queen is losing, then attacking us only ensures your deaths. I know you're a little cowed by your queen and would wanna make yourselves look good. We can run away if our Queen loses. But if she wins, there's no hiding. Temporary truce until we know an outcome, though? * LadyNightshade just sits off to the side by herself. "I wanna go home..." * Lord_Darkmoon looks at his father and says, quietly, "Haven't you figured it out yet? What could have made your daughter stay in Tokyo, despite all your warnings? Rin is a magical girl. A very...unusual one." * LadyRoyal snickers. "That's kinda ironic. Your Queen's victory means your defeat." Like I said, if we end up winning, we're not gonna hold any grudges. * Seishou-san hisses. That is... unfortunate. * LadyHeat resists the urge to say something to Rin's father. Sure you are. We fucking NUKED you. No. We're not. Well, we're not killing you NOW. All in all, it seems like you might have indirectly done us both a favor. If you abandon the evil ways of your Queen, we shall let you atone. * LadyRoyal replies flatly. "Don't remind us." And Mallet? Shut the hell up. Forcing us to open up communications, and knock out all the original reasons for this stupid war. It's... we're tired. Someone has to stop the ball from rolling. If our Queen loses... then we're going to have to figure out who's in charge. * Lord_Darkmoon 's expression hardens. "Yes. It is. She...hated it. Her transformation...her Orders, everything. And then she was assigned to this team. These girls became her friends. THEY are who she tried to take with her, when your last warning came. THEY are why she did not go." * LadyMysteria sighs. "If not us, who among you would try?" I don't expect you'll hear anything from us until that happens. This team? * LadyMallet nods. "No biggy. Take however much time you'll need." ...where - who? WHICH? Just... promise to stay in touch. I advise you to pick a leader who will not pursue a war with the land. After. A lot of this senseless violence came about because even though we knew each others language, we didn't try to talk to each other. ... If you haven't figured it out yet, we'll tell you after we get home. She is very glad you're alive. She made a very stupid oath, should you have been harmed. Because the Queens did not wish it. And they have paid for that. * Norcliff hmmms a little sugar-glider hmm as the explosions underneath you begin to taper off. * LadyMysteria looks down. "I think it's ending." Who's magic is stronger? Someone could make money off of taking bets. Your Queen... is not weakening. She is a strong girl. She...was not a Queen when we came here. But she will be a great one when we leave. Would you believe this is her first real fight? The group of four on the edge take off, splashing through the dome. Come to think of it, that outer dome of water is thin enough to see through now. Perhaps she is the one thing her cousin did right. She... has been shoved into this position. She hasn't faltered yet. She's stronger than I'd ever thought she was. We just have to make sure she doesn't forget the mistakes of her predecessor. * LadyMallet glances up. "I hope they don't bring out the big guns once they see the dome drop." I will always be there to see she learns from them, Lady Make Believe. Darkmoon... is there any other MGs out there with a Pet? Tell them to tell the military that the MG's have it covered, to hold off for a while? * Lady_MakeBelieve looks thoughtfully at Darkmoon for a bit. She could probably use a somewhat more moderate councilor too. If the Agency has nothing else for me, I may try to guide her as well. * LadyRoyal 's lip twitches. * Lord_Darkmoon 's eyes become covered with the familiar purple moons. * Lord_Darkmoon blinks and half-way collapses. "...no Pets I can sense, save Norcliff. I-- I fear Feral has taken too much out of me today." * Lord_Darkmoon straightens up, shaking himself a bit. * LadyMallet nods. "Haruko, flares, or fireworks?" Fireworks I think. You don't know what those'll do to the top of the dome. We could send the whole thing crashing down and drown ourselves. Less chance of them being mistaken as a call for help. Huh. Well... that may not be a problem for you. Could you tell us... which way the bay is? ...why? * Lord_Darkmoon ponders. "What will become of your Lord, Seishou, when the Queen of the Sea loses?" They're gonna go back home. * Lady_MakeBelieve pulls out a compass and looks at, just in case she decides to tell them * Norcliff nods. "It's time for them to leave, and they don't know how fast the flood will drain." * LadyMysteria looks closely at the ningyo, almost as if trying to figure out distinguishing features. "The... bay?" * LadyRoyal raises her eyebrows. They have to get home. * Seishou-san shrugs. "He's no magical being - he's probably dead already." * Lord_Darkmoon looks, and points where it was. "That way. Fare well, Ningyo- tachi-san. I pray you find a new leader with a heart like your old Princess's." * Lady_MakeBelieve points to the East Have fun! Promise you'll get in touch when you're ready! Swim that way, when it comes time for you to leave. I find it amusing that we're seeing you off like this. * LadyMysteria smiles... a very, very tired smile. If you find it amusing, then smile, dammit! And remember the cost of war. Don't bet on it. Our leaders always seem to be angry. * LadyMallet grins from ear to ear. Princess isn't angry. But she hasn't really started puberty. * LadyMallet elbows Heat. Uh... huh. She might get moody. Then you will need a new Lord, Seishou-san. The other five Ningyo flip away, leaving the one standing with you. Oh. My. I'd love it if you sent someone out to keep in touch every year or so, but ... if you're not willing to do that, it's okay. ... Heh, I imagine she'll weather puberty well enough. If you wish, I will visit with a fish. Our Queen may desire such. I wish you luck in finding a good leader; Perhaps she will be a reflection of ours again. If so, you are blessed. We'll spread the word. Cessation of hostilities on sight on our side. Don't come in rampaging and killing people, and you should be greeted well. * LadyRoyal sighs, pinches the bridge of her nose, and goes to sit next to Taki, keeping an eye on the remaining ningyo. "Ugh." Do look out for nuts with guns, though. They'll shoot at anything. How many of those -did- you hire, Seishou-san? Oh, I doubt they'll believe you. I'll try! They aren't in much of a position to question us. * LadyRoyal mutters under her breath to Taki. "Sometimes I think we should put her in a box, and never let her out." If only there were one big enough... I guess... this is it then. Tell your Queen congratulations, and stay to out of the Sea. For all of our sakes. Seriously. Sure. Can she still go to the beach? * LadyNightshade sighs and just stares down at her feet. Before you go, what is your name, Ningyo-san? Very well, ningyo. Very well. * Ningyo hovers backwards, blinks as the dome of water poofs away, then dives into the flood. Okaaay. Coral - my name is Coral. *splash* After a second, all of you feel it too - the Sea Magic is slackening, dispersing... fleeing to the depths. The point source which was the Queen of the Sea has evaporated. Ah. Haruko. Fireworks. Goodbye, Coral. Coral. How... normal. Bye, Coral! Bye! * LadyMysteria takes a moment to roll that around in her head. "Amusing, that." Well, let us greet our Queen. * LadyRoyal twists her head and shakes it, as though shaking the Sea Magic out, and stands up. Hey guys, we're not dead yet! * LadyMallet grins. * Lady_MakeBelieve casts her mind back to when she was small, and she ran behind the lines to a professional show and saw the large fireworks they set up there, and thinks forth of the tube that produced the glorious rainbow showers I just noticed that myself. Someone pinch me. * Lady_MakeBelieve sets it on the ground. I TOLD YOU SO! Um Guys, you might want to back away from this one. * LadyMallet starts laughing uncontrollably. The ground cracks at your feet, and a filthy hand limply reaches up out of it. * LadyMysteria moves... a little. * LadyHeat moves back. "Princess?" * LadyRoyal rushes to it, and offers her hand down. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles and pulls his father back from the firework. Then rushes forward to help the filthy hand up and out of the crevasse. * LadyNightshade doesn't move from her spot. * Lady_MakeBelieve lights the fuse and backs away, not having noticed the Queens return yet. WE'RE ALL GONNA BE FAMOUS! Elly-chan? ...ugh. * LadyMallet pumps her fist. "YES! YES! YES!" * LadyMysteria quickly moves to assist, frowning a little. * LadyRoyal looks for another hand to pull out, as well. "Mallet, tone it down." Has anyone got some aspirin? ...Make-Believe? Always. * Lord_Darkmoon smiles. "Make Believe, your Queen needs aspirin!" Make some aspirin, Makebelieve. Your Majesty. So good to see that you're safe. * LadyMallet suddenly stops. "Haruko! Make sure the fireworks are pink!" Too late! They've gotta be pink! Blue! What? No! And its my memory, so you all don't get to decide! * Lord_Darkmoon kneels before the little Queen, and holds up his Tessen to her. * Lady_MakeBelieve holds out both a pair of aspirin and a glass of water, holding the water while the queen drinks * LadyRoyal just tossed that back randomly and is still attending to the Queen. ... so. Welcome to Japan, Queen of the Earth. Are we going to go rebuild now? * Fireworks 's fuse finally burns down, and glorious showers of red, blue, green, and gold spew forth into the air, like 15 seconds of an American forth of July. * TheQueen shakes her head, and looks around her. The city is still flooded, though she can see the current headed back out towards the bay now. ...I hope we can. I hope we can. [end Hunters] [end book 4 - And All Queens Shall Die] Session Close: Sat Apr 29 20:46:28 2006