Ginti continued to fight Nodoka & Ui, as Mio & Yui stared down.

Yui said, "Fight me, you cowardly girl…"

"You were my friend, Yui…" Mio said, "But if it has to be, then fine. I'm sorry…"

"Don't be. Your corpse is always there, in these halls." Yui replied, producing a dark blade from her hands.

Mio & Yui clash at each other, as Ui swung her staff at Ginti, shooting off dark energy shots. He avoided it, as Nodoka fired arrows towards him. Ginti growled, as he stepped back, "Alright, you shadowy rejects…"

He swung his axe them, but Ui avoided it. She then produced a spell of protection, as Ginti landed the axe into her waist. It showed no effect, as Ui was coated in a darkened force field from her body.

"Nice try, Ginti…" she said, "Even the magical spells of old are not always about offense…"

He thought, "Crap, I'm out of luck. 2-on-1 isn't fair, but I have to beat them. Unfortunately, I just can't do it alone… I don't even know these girls! But I have to try!"

He fought back, as he deflected Nodoka's arrows and Ui's magic. He then fought off Nodoka, nearly nicking her. Mio & Yui continued to clash, sword-to-sword, as Mio was nearly giving the upper hand. Yui, however, swept her off and nearly stabbed her in the chest. Mio caught the blade, as she growled, "For Ritsu… I will make you suffer, Yui… I can't kill you, but I must…"

"You will try…" Yui laughed, "But know that you can never stop me!"

As Mio was struggling to come back, Ginti was nearly surrounded. Ui fired a dark fireball into his feet, and Nodoka jabbed his shoulder with an arrow. He was pinned to the wall, as Nodoka laughed, "Now, mortal, time to die…"

Ui said, "All our power will be good for one final kill…"

They prepared, as Ginti growled, "I… I have to fight… it… Mugi…"

Nodoka and Ui fired at the same time, as Ginti got out of the way, in time. He rolled towards Ui and hollered, "THIS IS FOR SAYA!"

SLASH!
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Ui shrieked, as her staff was split in half, along with her body, through the waist. Her upper body dropped to the floor, as her lower half was vaporized. Ui groaned, "Oh, you piece of shit! You dare pierce my… body… away?"

Ginti said, "I don't need to… My power is all I need…"

He tapped into Ty Ko Ky, and swung his axe down, through Ui's head, eviscerating the dark shadow version of Ui. Nodoka growled, but smirked, "Not bad. You managed to avoid our strongest attack."

Ginti said, "And you… You turn your back on humanity, just to serve a dark queen?"

Nodoka smiled, "We have ways…"

Ginti and Nodoka stare down, as Mio broke free. It was down to the wire, as Mio & Ginti battle the shadows of Yui & Nodoka.

"SAYA!" Sena gasped, as she was outside, "No…"

She saw the stone body of Saya, as Tohka asked, "Who is that?"

"Saya Kisaragi… She died, protecting Ginti…" Sena explained.

She sensed her, as Shiina replied, "A tragic end to a student of yours…"

Sena smiled and said, "Rest in peace, Kisaragi… You chose to leave, rather than wait for me… Your spirit will live on…"

Shiina asked, "So, what now? We just went outside, and we have to kill Blossom."

Sena said, "We do, but we need a strategy. There's three of us and only one of her. Plus, she has Ginti's girlfriend. We have to protect Ginti, and rescue Mugi. But we need a plan, and we have to work together, as a team."

Tohka nodded, "I'm with you. Let's fight together, like old times~!"

Shiina sensed something, as she said, "Shh! I sense a disturbance. It's… hostile…"

Tohka growled, "Another demon? Or did the queen just relocated?"

Sena sensed the person, as Rook appeared, humming "Bink's Brew". He saw the sisters, as he tipped his hat. Sena growled, "Who is he? He looks handsome, but his aura is corrupt and dark…"

Rook introduced himself, "Hello, hello, and how do you do? I am Reggie Hadigan the 3rd; that's Rook to you. What a delight to see you fight, as the sisters of purple are such a sight. Now, I despise the fact that you're goody gals, but we can talk this over, as pals. But for now, the time is nigh, and you shall die… For my master beseeched me, and that's no lie."

Shiina growled, "This is so stupid…"

Tohka said, "He's a poet, but don't know it?"

Sena growled, "You work for the Evil Queen Blossom?"

Rook said, "Uh-huh. Just now. Of course, at first, I wasn't in her domain, until she did me a favor."

She looked at Saya's stone body and said, "Ah… poor girl, stone as a rock in my garden. My condolences to her, I beg your pardon."

Sena asked, "Who are you, and what are you doing in leagues with this woman?"

"Oh, tut-tut, my dear purplish babe. It's rude to make questions about me, for I'm only doing the job that my master beseeched me…" he explained, "You could say that I was once a carrier, for the souls of your allies. In fact, I did it as a favor…"

Sena gasped, as she realized, "Shadows?"

Tohka said, "I think I remember, when I was entranced… That man… he harbored shadows, and gave them to the evil queen… It's all a blur, but… The man just…"

Sena growled, "You… YOU KILLED MY ALLIES?! IT WAS YOU?"

Rook smiled, "Guilty as charged, you pretty little cutie. But allow me to exfoliate your beauty. It's not so long that I worked for her, and ravage on their hearts. No… I did it for the joy of it, and all sort of parts. You see, this demon and I are one in the same, oh, so true…"

He removed his hat, and showed a grey demon. He continued, "And think of the naughty stuff we'll do to you…"

He tipped his cane, as Shiina gasped, "no… The demons…"

Sena gasped, "Watch out! Those are grey demons! One bite, and you're a stone gargoyle!"

"Aw, you stole my line!" Rook whined.

Sena barked, "You murderer… All three of us are going to end your wicked ways! Hum your way out of this one, Humming Rook!"

Tohka cried, "That's right! You can't beat all of us!"

Rook smiled, "Can I? Unless, of course, we propose a deal…"

Sena said, "What kind of deal?"

He instigated, "Perhaps one of you partake of showing me your panties?"

Tohka gasped in horror, as Shiina snarled, "YOU PERVERT!"

She sighed and gave in, "If it means that much, I'll take it-."

Sena cried, "ARE YOU NUTS? We can't surrender to him! That's just what Blossom wants you to do!"

He said, "And now, my dearies, since you said NO… I believe that it's time to go…"

He pulled out the sword from his cane and said, "But make no mistake… I got an F in Fencing… though, my sword-fighting style remains adequate."

Sena growled, holding up her D-Sword, "We'll see about that. LET'S DO THIS!"

They ran towards him and slashed on his body. The demon flew off, as Rook held his own, against the three sisters. They clashed their swords at him, only for Rook to stand tall, avoiding each blade strike. He even deflected each sword strike from Tohka and Shiina, while avoiding Sena's blade swipes. He dashed off, running through the forest, as the girls chased after him. He managed to nick onto Sena's shoulder, while Tohka landed a huge blow to his waist. Rook dropped to his knees, and then brimmed in dark energy.

"Come forth, my beauties…" he hissed, in a demonic roar, "TIME TO DIE!"

He slashed rapidly and wildly onto Tohka, nearly shredding her clothes and skin. Shiina used her kunai to halt him, on his feet, only for Rook to duck the shuriken attack. But Shiina swung her katana down onto Rook, and slashed off his arm. His body suddenly vanished into shadows, as Shiina gasped in disbelief. Rook landed a huge jab to her spine. He pulled the blade out, and Shiina was lying on the ground, badly hurt.

"YOHOHOHOHOHO~! Who knew that ninjas are so stupid?" He smirked.

Shiina groaned, as she was fading away, "We're not… It's too bad you didn't know much about the kunoichi…"

"WHAT?"

She vanished, too, as Shiina lands a katana strike to the back. Rook stumbled down to the grass, as Sena said, "Surrender, you pervert! Your alliance with the evil queen is through! Her villainy is over!"
Rook moaned, as he was kneeling up, "Damn it all… An afterimage attack? Unfair!"

Tohka said, "Says the pervert who kills for shadows! You're not getting my panties, you sick disgusting freak!"

Rook smirked, "Who said I was going for them? All I wanted was the fabric, and learn about how you-."

Sena roared, "That's even sicker! You are a disgusting shell of a man, and you will die!"

Rook stood up, as he smiled, "I am afraid not…"

Shiina gasped, "He's… He's still alive? I had everything in that attack… and yet he still won't go down?"

Rook said, "Too bad you forgot about my little friend… He's over there, about to meet your end…"

The grey demon suddenly appeared and lunged at Shiina. It grasped her shoulders, and bit on her right shoulder, through the bone.

"Aw… One down, two to go…" He laughed.

"SHIINA!" Sena & Tohka shrieked.

Rook then jabbed his sword onto Shiina's waist and said, "And now, you're going to learn the secret of how I killed your friends. And you're taking this secret to the grave, unless you make amends!"

Sena and Tohka fought back, but were blocked by a dark force field. Shiina was trapped, as she was standing in place, turning to stone, from the leg up. Shiina croaked, "Sena… Tohka… Help me…"

Rook stole Shiina's shadow, as he ended the barrier. He said, "Well, that's one…"

Tohka was in disbelief, "No… Shiina…"

She dropped to her knees, as she was sobbing, "No… Sister…"

Sena roared, "BASTARD! SO THAT'S HOW YOU KILLED THE OTHERS!"

Rook said, as the demon was on his shoulder, "Not really… You know how vampires die in the morning?"

Shiina weakly said, "Tohka, Sena… Don't worry… about… me…"

Her body was now up to her chest, as Rook's shadow removal only sped up the process. Tohka pleaded, "You can't go!"

Shiina's body was up to her neck, as she said, "Please… You can… fight… It's hard to breathe… but… protect… yourself… from the-."

Her body was completely stone, as Tohka was crying. She hugged her and wailed, "SHIINA! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SHIINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

She wailed and wept, as Sena growled, "You've made a huge mistake, Pervert Poet!"

She swung her D-Sword onto Rook, but the demon knocked it off her hands. Rook said, "And who says I'm a poet, but don't know it?"

Sena gasped, as Rook kicked her in the ribs. Sena dropped down, as she called to Tohka, "Hey… ungh… a little help here?"

Tohka gasped, "No… Not again… I have to kill that demon…"

Rook said, "You want to die next, little lady?"

Tohka snarled, "THIS IS FOR SHIINA!"

She slashed her sword onto Rook, but it was another dark afterimage. Rook jabbed Tohka from behind and laughed, "YOHOHOHOHO~! One more for me?"

Tohka was gasping for her life, as Rook made the incantation, yet again, taking Tohka's shadow, as well. He removed the blade, as the demon bit onto Tohka's left leg. Tohka was on her knees, as she was slowly turning to stone. Sena growled, "You monster…"

Rook smiled, "Two souls, two lives… All under the night sky… So, my dear little lady… How would you like to die? Shadow removed, and be dust by dawn, or will you look good, as stone, in my lawn?"

He turned to Saya and concluded, "Her, not so much."

Sena seethed, as Tohka said, weakly, as she was halfway to stone, "Sena… do not blame yourself… You can beat him… We know what your friends are up to… Just… save… yourse-."

Her body was completely stone, as Sena started to tap into Ty Ko Ky. She roared, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Rook gasped in horror, as she slashed the grey demon into nothing. He cried, "AAAAAAGH! YOU'RE SCARY WHEN YOU'RE ANGRY!"

"YOU SON OF A BITCH! MY SISTERS ARE DEAD, BECAUSE OF YOU!" She hollered, "FOR THEIR HONOR, I WILL KILL YOU, PANTIES OR NO PANTIES! YOU WILL DIE, REGGIE HADIGAN THE THIRD!"

Rook smiled, "And I'd love to see you try… We'll see which one of us will die. Enguard!"

They clashed swords at each other, as they were evenly matched. Sena is fueled by her anger, for Rook killing her two sisters, and stripping them of their shadows. She promised to herself that if Rook dies, they will be avenged.

XXXXX

Back in the castle, Mio & Yui were trading blows, while Nodoka held her bow up and said, "Aim for the heart, Ginti… I'll pierce right through you…"

Ginti said, "For what you've done, I will never forgive you, Blossom… But this has to end… Once she's dead, you're next!"

Nodoka dashed towards him, but Ginti slashed Nodoka in the waist, showing a huge gash, emitting black shadows from her body. She slowly regenerated, as he said, "So, you're the strongest of those, with that bow and arrow, huh?"

"No… Lady Yui is my general… and she's stronger than you…"

Mio & Yui dropped to the bottom of the stairs, nearly injuring themselves, as Nodoka said, "Of course, she doesn't her way of where to stand, in battle…"

Ginti said, "Same old Yui…"

Nodoka lambasted Ginti in the face, as Ginti nearly stumbled over. Nodoka roared, and was about to finish him, but he dodged out of the way, and Nodoka tumbled down the stairs-.

SNAP!
And broke her neck, arms, and legs. Nodoka was all contorted on the bottom, as Ginti was relieved. He said, "She's dead now. No one can survive a fall down a flight of stairs, head-first."

He ran up the stairs, and called out, "Mio! I'm going to take a beeline to Blossom! Yui's all yours!"

Mio nodded, from below, "Be careful!"

Yui snarled, "You… NO, YOU DON'T!"

Mio called out, "YUI! Let's end this… NOW!"

Yui laughed, "Fine by me…"

She roared, as she swung her blade down, "DIE!"

Mio's powers tapped in, as she cried out, "FOR RITSU AND THE OTHERS!"

SLASH!
SLASH!
They both took a hit, at the same time, as Yui was breaking apart. She gagged and coughed, "It's… not true… Mio… … … Why?"

Mio moaned, without saying a word, as she was struck really hard, in the chest. She dropped to one knee, as Yui suddenly fell off the stairway. She screamed in pain, plummeting to her death, "WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY?"

BOOM!
Yui's body exploded into flames, into the bottom. Mio did not look down, as she whispered, "I'm sorry… Yui, I love you… but… It has to end, this way…"

She crawled to Ritsu, who was still unconscious, as she was badly scathed. She sniffled, "Ritsu… … …I did it… I saved you… … …but… oh, no… I'm… weakening…"

She reached for Ritsu's hand and nearly held onto her. She sobbed, as her eyes were closing, "Good… … … bye… … … Ri… … tsu…"

She passed out and collapsed. She managed to stay barely alive, but remained unconscious. Mio & Ritsu remained in the stairway of the castle, without waking up. Badly injured and out cold, they remained in the stairway.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, back outside, Sena and Rook remained in a deadlocked battle, as Sena's Ty Ko Ky was overpowering Rook's demonic force. However, her powers were evenly matched towards the rhyming swordsman, as he said, "What a yawn… You're alive, and yet you want me dead? It's you to blame, for causing such dread."

Sena yelled, "SHUT UP! AND STOP RHYMING! YOU KILLED MY SISTERS! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!"

Sena delivered a final blow, as Rook sidestepped from her attack. Rook smiled, "Ah, yes… You're so mean, to blame me for this casualty scene… If you're like me, and not a shadow taker, you should stay calm, and focused, to make me shaker. (Meh. They can't ALL be good.)"

Sena cringed, "How can he dodge everything I lashed out at him? He's a freak! A sick perverted freak, and he deserves to die… for turning my sisters into stone statues. I don't care what he wants… that bastard must pay! HE MUST PAY!"

She lunged her D-Sword towards him, as he shrieked, "AAAAAGH! NOT THE HAIR! NOT THE HAIR!"

He ducked, and laughed, "Psyche!"

POW!
Rook easily beats down Sena, with his flurry of cane sword strikes, nicking at Sena. She was on her knees, as the striking ended. Rook walked passed her, and said, "If you were not that angry, you'd bested me. I know your angry tensions… But this is the end for you… Rest in peace, my dear… uh…"

He waved his hand, as Sena said, "Sena Aoi…"

Rook said, "Right. Though, I'm sad to see you go, with your long purple hair and eyes, since purple is my favorite color. Though, purple has no rhymes… well, not with a P."

He put his sword away and said, "You were a worthy opponent… Sena Aoi… but I fear that we'll never meet again…"

Sena got up and moaned, "You son of a bitch… I'LL KILL YOU!"

She charged at Rook, who was turned away from her. He said, "She never learns…"

He held his cane sword, looking at his blade, and whispered, "Three Verse Harmony… AERONAUT SLASH!"

SLAM!
He slammed his cane sword back in his upholstery, and Sena gets viciously slashed and assaulted by phantom sword strikes. Sena was taken down, as she dropped to the ground, badly hurt and cut deeply. She was bleeding, as she coughed, "N-n-n-no… He's… too… strong…"

Rook smirked, as he said, "You're nothing to me, Sena Aoi… You're a worthy fighter, yet you cannot quit… But it's hardly worth the honor. I shall spare you… as you are a valuable asset to your style."

Sena gingerly stood up, as she coughed, "You… You son of a… Why? Why do you have to leave?"

Rook smiled, "I don't need to prove myself any further."

Sena growled, "I hate you… My sisters are… My sisters are…"

She wept, "My sisters are gone… Why? Why spare me to leave me with Tohka and Shiina, knowing that they are now stone?"

He smirked, "I wasn't planning on sparing you…"

She gasped, "What?"

A grey demon suddenly appeared from behind and gnashed onto Sena's waist. She screamed in pain, as Rook cackled, "YOHOHOHOHOHOHOOOOO~! Sucker! I never intended on letting you live! Now that I side with my evil master, you think I would forgive? She hates you so much, I just had to recede. But not without your shadow, and to complete my deed."

Sena destroyed the grey demon, as her feet were turned to stone, "Go ahead… Take my shadow… I don't care… anymore…"

Rook stopped and said, "No. Your sisters' shadows are mine… Yours, I can't take. If I take it now, from a worthy opponent, I'd be no worse than the others. You were the only one that saw through my defenses… but still lost. Then I shall spare you of your shadow. But your life, I take…"

He tipped his hat and said, "My dear lady, I'm sorry. But this is the end… Perhaps in another life, you'll be ready to defend… The honor of your dead sisters, now mannequins of rock. When we meet in another life, you can make amends, and make me shock."

He walked away, as he concluded, "Farewell, Sena Aoi… We shall not meet again…"

He hummed away, as Sena was standing in place, as her body was turning to stone. She whispered, "Shiina… Tohka… I'm sorry… It's the end… Saya… Azusa… Ui… Nodoka… Mio… Ritsu… Origami… Ginti… I will not be happy, until Blossom is dead… This is all I have left…"

Her powers started to fade, as she held her hand up, produced a huge energy ball. Rook stopped, as he saw the energy ball. He asked, "What is this?"

He called, "Enough! You have nothing left to fight. The battle is over, and you're almost gone from sight!"

Sena said, "The battle may be over, but that doesn't mean your boss will suffer a fate worse than death! I promise… Ginti will rescue his girlfriend… even in my death… You hurt my sisters, and you dare work with a demon like Blossom. And I will not give in, not even to an inhuman pervert like you…"

She croaked, "I will not lose my life, just yet… This has to be the end… and I'll save the world… only one way out…"

She hollered, "GINTI! SAVE MUGI! THIS IS THE LAST OF THE TY KO KY ENERGY I HAND TO YOU! TAKE IT FROM ME!"

Her screams echoed, as Ginti heard Sena's cries.

"Sena…" he seethed, "But I can't help her… Mugi's waiting for me… for Sena, I will…"

He rushed upwards, heading to where Mugi is located.

Sena stopped, as the energy ball remained. Her arms dropped, as her body slowly turned to stone, and was now up to her neck. The energy ball was floating, as Sena whispered, "Ginti… You're the key to saving the world… … …and you must save everyone… including me… … …"

Sena echoed, as her body was completely stone, "Thank you… … …Gint-."

She was gone, after that. Rook watched on, as he said, in sadness, "She made an energy ball from her powers… Even after her sisters' death, she sacrificed her life, in order to save the others… Before she died, she used her Ty Ko Ky to create powers to hand it to others, rather than use it to destroy me."

He prepared, as he was about to destroyed the energy ball. But he stepped aside and said, "I'll let it go. Where it goes, no one will know… but not because I'm sentimental about her…"

He walked away, as he concluded, "Her talents as a fighter were undeniable. She has my deep respects, in the honor of battle. I will hold the final moments we had together, forever etched in my memory… Sena Aoi… A woman who is as splendid and as fleeting… as the Ty Ko Ky she produced…"

He disappeared into the dark forest, as everything went silent. All remained outside the citadel were the stone statues of Sena, Saya, Tohka, and Shiina, all were defeated by Evil Queen Blossom's minions, including the man that was responsible for her evil deeds. The energy ball floated away into the citadel, heading to Ginti, as a gift from Sena.

Ginti finally arrived at the top of the tower, as Ginti growled, "At long last, I made it… Mugi, it's all over."

He opened the doors, as he saw Mugi, sitting in her chair, as she remained in a motionless trance. He whispered, "Mugi… Oh, no… Why is she dressed like this?"

Sakuya said, as she appeared from the shadows, "Ginti… At last you came, you bastard…"

She appeared, wearing her black mask and hood, "Welcome, Ginti… You have found your treasured lover… and now, it's all over for you…"

Ginti said, "You… You're the Evil Queen…"

Sakuya said, "That's right… I am the Evil Queen… Blossom…"

He growled, "Release her, now!

She giggled, as he seethed. She said, as she gave in, "Fine. Mugi… Go to him…"

Mugi stood up, as Sakuya controlled her. Ginti held his arms out, as Mugi was walking in a wobbly state, still under Sakuya's control. He said, "Mugi… I'm so glad I found you…"

Mugi then said, as she held her arms out, "Ginti… my love…"

She then spoke, "I want you to know… that I never loved you…"

He gasped in horror, as Sakuya cackled, "AH, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA!"

Ginti cried, "You… Mugi?"

He yelled out, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER?"

Sakuya said, "Oh, Mugi… Please tell your dear boyfriend – NO! – Ex-boyfriend about the truth…"

Mugi held up a knife and said, "Ginti… I know in my heart that I love you, but I never loved you from the start. Ginti, you're an awful man, and I hate you."

He roared, "THAT'S DAMNED LIE!"

Mugi said, "No… I hate you. I never loved you, at all…"

"THAT'S BULLSHIT, AND YOU KNOW IT! THAT WITCH HAS BRAINWASHED YOU!"

"It's true. I hated you. No one will marry you, because you're an uncaring jerk. We're through. And you die… by my hands…"

Ginti hollered, "MUGI!"

Sakuya cackled, as she said to him, "You lose."

She summoned Mugi, "MUGI! KILL THE BASTARD!"

Mugi said, "Understood. Die, you scumbag!"

She lunged towards him, as Ginti cried out, "Oh, no… NOW WHAT'LL I DO?"

He was trapped, as the puppet of Sakuya, the Evil Queen, was about to attack the one she loved. Ginti tried to fight back, but couldn't.

"I… I can't fight her… I love Mugi… but…" he thought, "Why now?"

STAB!
Mugi stabs Ginti into his waist. Sakuya laughs and said, "I did it… I bested him!"

Ginti managed to dodge it, but nearly cut his left side of his waist. He growled, "That bitch! How dare she used Mugi as a slave? I'll get her for this!"

Mugi continued to flail, as Ginti was trapped. He wants to attack the evil queen, but Mugi's in the way, and he cannot fight back. Ginti was in trouble.