Here's chapter fourteen of PPMP and wow, a short chapter. Normally chapters like this take too long to write, like say forty to fifty pages top. Hell, I need to split one chapter from an episode of my version of season three, which you all should read episodes 1 – 4 by the way, when it was getting too long for my taste. Course this is focusing on Homura and Miko with their training. Though I'm certain the next one will get too long, considering it will take place in another TFP episode. So you should be prepared for a chapter longer then this one next time.
Last chapter though is half decent, one review and around 250 hits. Not as good as last one that's over 400, but it is what it is. Not that it would be like that since it will slowly rise in time. Not to mention that this is a short chapter I've done here and if it were longer, it would be a larger number. But hey, it is what it is and I always get the job done. Hope you all enjoy this short chapter.
On this chapter of Madoka Prime, it is Miko's first night at Wraith hunting and she must use all that she knows in defeating as many Wraiths as possible to obtain her own Grief Pellets. But after what happened with Bulkhead and how he felt when the rookies joined the team, will what happen distract her in her first hunt? Let's take a quick read.
Chapter Notes
This is the chapter where the Wraiths will finally make an appearance and take part in an action scene. Now in the anime and movie, I only see the Wraiths just doing nothing. To that end, I don't know what they do and how they attack. So, I have to do a Google search to understand what they do. So far, I got some things down, but I don't know if it's official or that some people put it there on Wikipedia just to mess people up. So if what Wraiths do is wrong, I would apologize in advance for this. Please, don't flame me in the reviews.
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers Prime or Madoka Magica
Chapter Fourteen: Wraith Hunters
Hours later, darkness looms over Jasper as everyone was asleep. But in the residence of Miko's host parents, one light suddenly flashed on in the window of a particular troublemaker. Inside the bedroom, Miko looked to her vanity mirror and was in the zone. The reason why is that tonight is the night for her first Wraith hunt. Ever since training, Homura knew that she was ready to go and attack Wraths and have her own Grief Pellets. She specifically told the trainee to get a few hours of sleep as they hunt begins in the middle of the night. She did so as she got up at three in the morning and dressed up in her usual attire to begin her first hunt. But during that time, she was a little out of it due to what happened hours ago.
Ever since the three recruits came today, Bulkhead felt incredibly miserable. The reason why is that when they were able to outsmart Starscream and took the Apex Armor in the process, they were immediately welcomed to the team. Bulk knew of this and realized that there was no way he would be back in the field, giving up completely. Even if she tried to get him out of it, he still wouldn't admit and would been better off being alone. Miko could tell he's upset and had to do something. But the more she tries, the more he was depressed.
To be fair, maybe the fault is with her. She was the one that made the wish to save him just to become a Magical Girl. She was the one that didn't give the specifics, mostly clearing his body of the Tox-En exposure. Maybe if she gave the clear detail, he would've been back on his pedes and back into action. Still, she was starting to have second thoughts on her wish. But again, thoughts like that could lead to grief and the last thing she wanted was to join the Law of Cycles too soon. But just that thought of it would distract her at the slightest.
Looking to her clock, she could tell that it was getting late and needs to meet up with her teacher at the meeting point. Leaving her mirror, she approached the bed and made sure that the pillows she set up shows her sleeping peacefully, incase her host parents come in to check on her. Once she knows that everything is settled, she quietly opened the window and stepped on it. Taking a deep breath, she planted her feet firmly and lifted herself out of the window, jumping high into the air with grace before landing on a roof of a house. It's one of the many abilities she obtained when she became a magical girl, jumping and flying through the air like the silence of the night. She soon jumped off it and flew high before landing on the next one. She continued to jump from one rooftop to another, careful not to make a sound, while reaching the meeting spot Homura told her to go.
In the edge of town, high up on a water tower that says, 'Jasper', a lone girl was sitting on the guardrail, waiting for someone to come. The girl is Homura Akemi as she was expecting Miko to come for her first Wraith hunt. Kyubey was next to her as he looked around and noticed that the student wasn't around.
Kyubey: "How odd… It seems that Miko Nakadai hasn't arrived yet."
Homura sighed and told him to wait a little more.
Homura: "Give her some time. I'm sure that she's a little nervous of her first night."
Kyubey heard her and turned to her, feeling confused.
Kyubey: "It's really strange… When you told her that she's ready to fight Wraiths, she was giddy over it. Now, it seems like she's not in the mood. You don't think that she would be getting some second thoughts, don't you?"
Homura thought of that and remembered what happened recently.
Homura: "Not necessarily… Miko Nakadai is an adrenaline junkie that wants to jump herself into danger. Still, I think this might have something to do with what happened today."
The Incubator tilted his head and was curious.
Kyubey: "Oh really? What do you mean by that?"
She sighed and explained what happened.
Homura: "Just today, the Autobots got some new recruits for the team. While it was good enough for them to get some form of advantage, Bulkhead wasn't excited about it. He feels that they were replacing him and won't be able to join in for the battle due to his recovery. Miko put herself to blame because she wasn't specific of the wish she made and didn't have him fully recovered from all of his injuries. I did tell her that it wasn't her fault and there were other Magical Girls that got their wishes to get their contracts, yet were never specific on their said wish. I'm certain that you had those girls that never given you specifics on their wishes."
Kyubey listened to all of this and started to ponder.
Kyubey: "It is somewhat true. Most Magical Girls made their contracts with me and never give the specifics of the wishes that they made. Mami herself made the wish to save her own life, yet she would've had the time to wishing to save her parents as well. Even you yourself made the wish to go back in time to save Madoka, not realizing that going back in time would've made her karmic destiny worse then it was. That's the problem with Magical Girls. They rushed into their wishes and not realizing that the wishes are not what they want, even before the Law of Cycles was created by Madoka."
Homura listened to him and could get what he was referring to. Especially considering she made a wish to save Madoka by going back in time and not realizing the consequences of her own wish.
Homura: "Okay… I'll admit… Wishing to go back to rescue Madoka was foolish of me and I never knew me going back in time continuously to save her made her destiny worse then what it was. However, I wanted to save her because she was the only friend that I had."
She flung her hair to the side, brushing the bow ribbon Madoka given her before she left her. Kyubey jumped up to the guardrail next to her and scratched to back end of his pointed arm like ear.
Kyubey: "I'm surprised that you admitted that wishing to save Madoka was a bad idea to begin with. I thought for certain that you could blame it all on me."
Homura: "For the record, the fault it mostly with you, tricking all of us into making contracts with you and turning us into pawns of your sick and twisted game."
Kyubey: "To be fair, I never tricked you, I just didn't give you the full details in your contracts."
Homura: "It's still trickery, no matter how you put it."
The two soon remain quiet until Kyubey spoke to her of Miko.
Kyubey: "Homura Akemi, I'm not here to give you some advice. I'm certain that you won't listen to a word of what I say. But Miko is your student, and as a teacher, you have to lead her to the righteous path and not down to obscurity. The only way you could do that is to speak to her of the situation and let her know that everything will be all right. Her friend might be upset of what transpired today, but in time, he would be back and would respect these new teammates Team Prime acquired."
Homura looked to him and looked back at the night sky, giving out a sigh.
Homura: "I just hope your right. Because the way Bulkhead is behaving, he's not in the best of moods."
By the time she said that, a shadow came up on the guardrail of the water tower and stood there. That individual was Miko as she made it to the meeting point.
Miko: "I'm here."
Homura heard her and turned around with a bit of scowl in her voice.
Homura: "You're late…"
The student nodded and apologized.
Miko: "Sorry about that. I'm just a little nervous. This is my first Wraith hunt after all."
The teacher sighed and knew that she was hiding her worry of her friend. But she continued with the talk and gave her a little warning.
Homura: "That is all right. Most Magical Girls get nervous when it comes to hunting for Wraiths the first time around. But remember, this is your first hunt, that doesn't mean that it would be and easy one. These Wraiths are nothing to mess with and you need to be on your guard."
The new Magical Girl shrugged it off and groaned.
Miko: "I know, I know… You've been telling me a lot of that since our training. Most of it gave me a headache. At least I'm glad that I would be able to attack something that's not you." … "Urm… No offense."
Homura smirked and could tell that she was only joking about that part.
Homura: "None taken… Just remember, you need to focus on your targets. These Wraiths can travel in packs and won't hesitate to kill you on sight. Try not to get too foolish."
Miko laughed it up a little and decided to get started, materializing her Soul Gem out of her ring.
Miko: "Please… I know what I'm doing."
Homura rolled her eyes around as she got her gem out of the ring as well.
Homura: "Sure you know…"
In quick fashion, their attire changed into their Magical Girl personas. Homura soon jumped high with Kyubey on her shoulders as glowing wings materialized on her back to soar in the air. Miko soon soar in the air after her, using her guitar like axe to ride on. The two soon flew through the air as they were over the town. By the time they left Jasper, Miko was next to her teacher and asked about the Wraiths.
Miko: "So… You face these Wraiths before?"
Homura heard her and answered straightly.
Homura: "I have, yes. It is our sworn duty in defeating Wraiths before they used their powers to spread grief in the people's souls."
Miko: "So I heard. And how many you defeated."
The teacher thought long and hard and didn't have a clue.
Homura: "Wish I knew… I sort of lost count when I got to the triple digits."
The student was shocked by this and didn't know what to think of it.
Miko: "Get out! The triple digits?! Man, that's some pro. This might be a piece of cake for me!"
Homura sighed and could tell that she doesn't get it yet. As they were soaring over the desert and mountains, Kyubey has sensed something close by.
Kyubey: "Be careful… I'm sensing deep dread close by. Could be a group of Wraiths that are near your position."
The two heard that and looked around to see where the Wraiths are. Checking around the area, Miko spotted some shadows moving on the cliff wall and told Homura about it.
Miko: "There! I see some movement in the distance! C'mon! Last one there is a backup guitarist!"
She soon revved up her guitar and sped right past her. Homura saw her leaving and sighed in defeat.
Homura: "Argh… The girl never learns…"
She soon flapped her energy wings towards her, making sure that she doesn't do anything too stupid. By the time they reached to movement on the steep cliffs, they managed to land on the edge to observe what they were up against with Kyubey jumping down the teacher's shoulder. Looking down, they could see what looks like a huge group of giants that was lumbering by in white skin and robes, but their faces were static, making it impossible to see their faces. Seeing this, Miko was a little confused and asked about them.
Miko: "Those are the Wraiths? Those are the ones we should be fighting? They don't look dangerous, just wondering around doing absolutely nothing."
Homura turned to her and told her that they pose a serious threat.
Homura: "Do not get distracted over how they look. They are far menacing then you think."
Miko: "Right… More then meets the eyes and what not. Though it should be easy. At the height we're on, we could simply get the drop on them."
Homura: "Patience, Miko Nakadai. You will get your chance. Right now, we need to formulate a plan of attack. Looks to me about twenty of them in this chasm. Judging by how tight it is and the height, it might give us the advantage that we need. But will it favor us, or them?"
She started to ponder about her course of action and didn't want to risk too much of it. Miko though sighed and decided to do it her way standing up to dust herself.
Miko: "Kay… How about this. You stay here and plan for hours. Me, I got Wraiths to slay."
Almost immediately, she got her axe guitar in position stepped off the edge and falling below the Wraiths. Homura saw her heading down to the group and knew that she's making a grave mistake.
Homura: "Miko! Wait!"
But she didn't listen as she falls like that of a skydiver and was getting closer to the group of Wraiths. Kyubey looked to this and knew that she was jumping the gun."
Kyubey: "Typical newbies, they never listen to their superiors."
Homura groaned and turned to Kyubey to remain where he was.
Homura: "Wait here! I'll get her back."
She soon turns on her shield and the gears turned, letting her disappear in a flash with the snapped. Miko continued to fall, as she was ready to deal some serious punishment to the Wraiths. Already over the first one, she lifted her weapon high and was ready to deliver a quick strike. Almost immediately, she brought her axe down and sliced the first Wraith in the middle, splitting it in half. By the time she got down, she jumped back and the Wraith's body in both ways and disintegrated away, leaving multiple Wraith pellets in the process. By jumping back, she set her guitar into a rifle and took aim, strumming to shoot the next two in the backs of the head, blowing them up completely and disappeared to nothing. Seeing this, she felt accomplished with what she did.
Miko: "Oh yeah! I'm on a roll! These monk wannabes are not that tough."
By the time she said that, the rest of the monks heard the attack and turned to see the magical training standing there. The three of them look down to her and something bright appeared on their distorted faces. Almost immediately, they fired highly powerful lasers right at girl as she panicked and switch to her shield, strumming wildly to form a protective barrier on her. The lasers hit the barrier as she was holding on as much as she could. But it wasn't enough as the shield broke apart and the blast was near her, pushing her away from the impact. Miko flew and landed on her back, skidding away and stopped. She groaned and was in a bit of pain after that attack.
Miko: "Okay… Definitely wasn't expecting that."
She shook her head and was trying to rethink her strategy. By the time she looked back, she already sees the three Wraiths towering over her and charging their blasters on their static like faces. Miko was in complete shock and didn't have the time to getting out of this situation, soon realizing that this was going to be the first and last day of the job. By the time that the three fired their lasers, Homura appeared in the flash and grabbed her student, using her time ability to disappear. As soon as they vanish, the lasers hit the spot where Miko was and exploded. Though they didn't really hit her as both she and Homura reappeared on top of the Cliffside the same time of the explosion. Miko took a breather and was lucky she survived that. But Homura looks down to her and told her that she should've known better.
Homura: "Happy with yourself? You might think that those Wraiths are simple to beat, but they are not. With one Wraith, it would be an easy fight, but in a group, they are devastating. And that includes their laser attack. If you don't be cautious with them, they will get the advantage on you. Clear?"
She offered her a hand to get her up. Miko looked to her and sighed that she technically screwed up.
Miko: "Fine. I'll listen to you this time."
She soon grabbed her hand and the teacher lifted her student up. Once she was up, she asked what to do.
Miko: "So, what's our course of action?"
Homura looked down at the Wraiths starring right at the two girls at the edge of the cliff. Seeing them, and the height they're in, she knows what needs to be done.
Homura: "Hmm… It would appears that these Wraiths are in this enclosed space below. We certainly can't attack them head on, since there is no way in avoiding their attacks. But we can use this to our advantage."
Miko: "So how do we approach this?"
Homura thought about it and came up with a plan.
Homura: "Keep them distracted, I'll handle the rest. Just be sure that you don't get caught in the attack."
She soon vanished as the time shield activated and snapped in place. The moment she vanished, Miko blinked and sighed about this.
Miko: "Great… So I'm the bait. This is going to be fun."
Looking down, she sighed and decided to roll with it. Switching her guitar to hovercraft mode, she tossed it to the edge of the cliff and jumped after it. Once she placed her feet on it, she flew towards the remaining Wraiths to get their attention.
Miko: "Yo! Uglies! You want a piece of me? Then come and get me!"
The group looked up to her and charged their faces, firing their beams at her. Quickly, she used her flight to soar through the sky and avoiding each shot. Still, she needs to use her other modes in her guitar to fight back, but she is stuck in flight mode for a while until Homura comes back with a plan. Flying left, right, up, down, and sideways, she continues to avoid their shots as much as possible, but running out of room to breath.
Miko: "Homura… Sensei… I don't know what you are really planning… But now would be a really good time to pull something off. Like right NOW!"
Up on the cliffsdie, Homura saw her student avoiding each shot and making sure on not dying. Of course, looking down, she could see the Wraiths moving towards her little trap. Lifting her arm up, she was holding a detonator remote in her hand, waiting for the right moment in pulling her plan in motion.
Homura: "That's it… Just a little closer…"
She continued to wait for them to get in place, hoping Miko doesn't get hurt in the process. Keeping a good enough look, she could see that they were just about close. By the time they were at the exact spot, the Magical Girl smirked and decided to pull it off.
Homura: "Gotcha…"
She soon pushed the button as she waited for the fireworks to start. Meanwhile, multiple charges that she placed when she froze time soon blinked red on the top of the cliff side. Almost instantly, the charges exploded in a line and multiple debris started to fall towards the group of Wraths. Miko saw this and realized that she was in the line of fire.
Miko: "Oh boy…"
Quickly, she flew up to get away from the collapse, avoiding any loose boulders on the way. At the same time, the Wraiths were immediately crushed and buried the rocks raining down on them. By the time the smoke cleared, all that was left were a pile of boulders and debris that killed all the Wraiths in the process. Homura looked down at her work and was pleased with it. Miko though managed to escape and up high before jumping off her guitar and landing gracefully next her. Lifting her arm up to grab her falling guitar by the neck, she gave a vicious stare at Homura and wasn't happy.
Miko: "You lost you mind?! I could've been crushed on the first night on the job! Next time, warn me when you pull something like this!"
The teacher turned to her student and gave a bit of a grin.
Homura: "But I thought you like taking the risks and pushing the envelope."
Miko stood there in silence and knew what she meant, turning in embarrassment.
Miko: "Ah, scrap… You have me in a box."
Homura just laughed a little and decided to move on ahead.
Homura: "Anyways, you still need some work in hunting Wraiths. The one lesson you need to learn from all of this is know your enemy and your surroundings. With that, you can use both to your advantage. Just be lucky you only got the low level Wraiths, otherwise, you won't survive."
Miko turned to her with shocked eyes and was flabbergasted.
Miko: "What?! Wraiths have a class range?"
Homura nodded and continued to explain.
Homura: "You could say that. Wraiths have four classes, with the forth being the most dangerous. We've only just encountered the 1st class Wraiths, the usual grunts as they were. Not harmful in some occasions."
Miko raised an eyebrow and wasn't happy about it.
Miko: "Not harmful? Dude! They nearly wiped me out with a highly dangerous beam!"
Homura: "A part of which you need to keep a heavy distance. While their beam is dangerous, that doesn't mean they're accurate. Their slow bodies give us Magical Girls as chance to avoid them or run away if the time need be."
Miko shrugged it off and decided to listen to her for once.
Miko: "Fine… I got the message… Don't go head first into the action without a plan. At least they are easy to take out."
By the time she said that, the two immediately heard the sound of low and distorted chants in the distance. Soon enough, a huge shadow came out of the blue and washed over them. Slowly looking up, they could see what looked like another Wraith, but was completely different. It was floating in a lotus position and holding a flaming javelin in its hand. It's left arm was completely distorted with the hand only visible and its skull like face opened up to reveal a radiation symbol with an upside down triangle as the neck. The two stood back as Miko got a terrible feeling about it.
Miko: "Uh… What is that…?"
Homura stood her ground and explained about it.
Homura: "That's a Shugen Wraith, level 2! Stronger then the grunts and twice as dangerous. Possessing flaring heat, it can shoot bronze sabres out of its palm and use that javelin to cut us in one swing. Looks like those grunts were following the leader and must've heard that explosion."
The student turned to the teacher and asked of what to do.
Miko: "And what should we do with that thing?"
Homura was silent and decided to do the rational thought.
Homura: "Only thing we can do for now. Run and duck!"
The Shugen pointed its palm to them and fired its sabres out to take them down. Miko looked at this and didn't like where this is officially going.
Miko: "Not good…"
Almost immediately, Homura approached the rookie and told her to grab her.
Homura: "Quick! Take my hand!"
Miko turned to her and nodded, grabbing her hand in the process. She soon activated her time shield and the gears started to turn. By the time it made a quick snap, time froze and the bronze projectiles were really close to them. Miko looked on and looked frightened, almost feeling like tears were starting to come out. The teacher snapped her out of it and told her for a quick getaway.
Homura: "If you are done sulking, we need to make an escape before the time shield stops. Get your guitar ready! We need to keep our distance from it as much as possible."
Miko heard her and nodded in agreement. At the same time, it was when the Shugen Wraith shot its projectiles at them. It was that time when the projectiles hit the ground and there were huge explosions from the impact. It looked down at the smoldering crater and thought that it got those two. But looking up, it could see something flying in the air. Those two were Miko and Homura as they were riding on the student's guitar to get away. Miko looked back at the crater and breathed a sigh of relief.
Miko: "Phew… That was too close for call. Thought for certain I would've been wiped out on the first night."
Homura though decided in getting back to the attack.
Homura: "It's not over yet. We need to exterminate it quick before it reaches the nearest town. If it does, there will be a chance that someone would cause a massacre. You fly, I'll shoot!"
Miko turned to her and knew what she was talking about. She knows that Wraiths spread grief and misery to anyone in contact. If this Shugen decides to reach a town, mostly likely Jasper, it would be worse then what the Witch had planned for a group of people in the lumber mill. So with confidence quickly recovering, she turned and did a circle around the Wraith. It turned it's split head to them and got its palm to them to fire away. Miko quickly flew faster as the bronze projectiles passed behind them. Homura then decided to fire back as she dig into her shield and took out a UMP Rifle loaded with armor piercing bullets. Stopping time again, the two flew around a frozen world while Homura took aim and fired multiple bullets at it. All the bullets stopped as they were in a circle around the monk like Wraith. Once they were away, time resumed and all the bullets hit the Wraith in the mid section and was in excruciating pain. This gives the two a chance to finish it off as Homura tossed her rifle away and got her Samurai sword out.
Homura: "Now's our chance! Miko, get close to the Shugen! It's time to finish it off!"
Miko heard of that and gave a quick smirk.
Miko: "You got it!"
With a quick 180, she guided her guitar straight to the Wraith with blinding speeds. The Shugen looked up in pain and saw the two rushing towards it. Once they were over it, Homura jumped off and told her student to attack.
Homura: "Now!"
Miko heard it and jumped off her guitar while grabbing the neck end. The two soon fell on top of it with their sword and axe guitar coming down at its face. But the Wraith had other plans in mind as it lifted its staff and blocked the attack with a heavy blow. The two were caught by that as the javelin started to heat up and created a forceful blast to push them off of it. They were soon flying like until they regained their composure and landed firmly on the ground. The two soon looked up as Miko got upset over it.
Miko: "Seriously?! We gone through all that trouble and it still won't give up?! What's its deal?"
The teacher got to her side and found that shocking as well.
Homura: "Apparently, it won't give up without a fight. A fight that you pretty much started when you rushed in and attacked the regular Wraiths."
Miko turned to her and explained her actions.
Miko: "Hey! I was trying to show you how much I've learned from your teachings."
Homura looked back and told her that it was a bit wrong.
Homura: "And you did a perfectly good job at it too."
As the two were arguing, the Shugen lifted it's javelin high and the blade of it caught fire. The two stopped what they're doing and looked up to see the Wraith beginning its next attack.
Homura: "Split!"
The Wraith soon waved its weapon and a fiery streak came out of it, heading straight to the two. Immediately, the two made a split and managed to avoid that heavy strike. That attack though caused the ground to crack and open wide, nearly swallowing the two whole. Miko managed to flip out of the attack and the split floor and landed with a slide to witness the damage.
Miko: "Whoa! That fragger means business!"
Homura landed too and decided to finish this once and for all.
Homura: "Focus, Miko. We must take it out before it gets us!"
She soon removed her shield and tossed it into the air, letting it change into her bow. Grabbing it, she got into an archer stance and pointed her bow in the air. Letting the arrow materialized, she pulled her arm back and fired a shot straight to the sky. That arrow soon exploded in a huge firework and rained multiple purple projectiles down to the threat. The Shugen saw this and got to the defensive to protect itself. Lifting its javelin up, it spins it around and let it turn into a ring of fire, deflecting each projectile with ease. Miko saw this and knew that it wasn't getting them anywhere. So she decided to start with her own attack.
Miko: "Want to be a show off, pal? Well it's time to rock the house!"
Lifting her guitar up, she felt the Earth rumble beneath her as the stage emerge out of the ground. Speakers rose up and lights started to flash, as she was ready to give out quite a show. The Wraith soon got caught by the sight and looked to see the Magical Girl on the stage with her guitar up in the air. Getting the strap over her shoulder, she lifted her arm up and decided to rock and roll.
Miko: "Let's Rock!"
The Wraith soon turned to her and swung its javelin to her, letting the fiery streak racing towards her. The Magical Girl recruit looked to this and decided to give it quite a show.
Miko: "FINAL ENCORE!"
With a huge strum with her guitar, the speakers exploded with a sound blast and the two objects collided to each other and started blast on impact. They smoke cleared and the two stood their ground. The Shugen looked to this and could tell that it wasn't going to be easy. It soon lifted up its staff and was ready for another go. But then, a purple energy arrow came out of the blue and hit the bladed side of the weapon and burst in pieces. The Wraith turned to see it damaged weapon and looked back at the direction of the shot. It soon saw Homura with her bow pointing at the Javelin and smirked.
Homura: "Never overlook me."
The Wraith looked to her and was upset. So it lifted its palm to her and fired multiple shots at her. She quickly got her magical wings out and flew high in the air to avoid the shots. But it wouldn't be enough as it moved its palm upwards to aim above her. But as it was going to accomplish that, another shot came from the other side and hit the hand, exploding it in pieces. It looked to that and turned to see Miko on her stage with her guitar on rifle mode with a little grin.
Miko: "Nah-uh… No throwing tomatoes at my show."
The Shugen decided to strike the magical girl on the ground and used what's left of the javelin to pierce her body. It charged in really fast and was about to destroy her. But she saw it coming and began getting her guitar into defense and offense mode. With quick strumming, the she formed a barrier and to protect herself from the javelin thrust. The Wraith holds it on its own and was trying to use all of its strength to break the barrier. But it wasn't enough as Miko smirked and decided to end the show.
Miko: "I would like to play with you, but I'm afraid that I have to make a final curtain call. FINAL ENCORE!"
With a quick heavy strum, the speakers blasted a huge sound blast and pushed the creature back, destroying the javelin in the process. As it was flying in the air, Miko told Homura to finish this off.
Miko: "Homura! You're up! Blast that bastard to next week!"
Homura saw this while in the air with her magical wings and heard what she said. With her bow armed, she took aim and armed an energy arrow that materialized with one quick pull. Waiting for the right moment, she got her target and fired her bow. The arrow flew towards it and hit right to the radiation symbol and it exploded, causing a chain reaction to the rest of the body and cracking up. Almost immediately, the Shugen exploded in a fireworks display and was completely destroyed. Homura landed gracefully on the ground as the wings disappeared while Miko jumped off the stage before it too vanished. Once the two regrouped, Miko was excited by her first night of Wraith Hunting, even after a bit of a mess up.
Miko: "Did you see what I did, Homura? I blasted that Wraith with my guitar and was soaring through the air. Yeah! That was awesome! Not bad for a first night, right?"
Homura turned to her and was a little okay with it, though a bit upset.
Homura: "Well, despite the slight hiccup you've made, I do believe it went pretty well."
Miko heard that and turned away feeling a little guilty of that mess up, but returned to proud after her immediate recovery.
Miko: "Well, I'm glad that you are happy about that."
Homura then decided to leave it at that and thought that they should get a bit of a break.
Homura: "Come now, let's go someplace to get some rest. We both deserve it after that fight."
Miko smiled and thought that a break will do them better.
Five minutes later, the two were sitting on a Cliffside, marveling at the night sky. In between them are their soul gems pieces with a bunch of grief pellets sucking up the muddled grief when the two used some of their magic on the Shugen Wraith. Kyubey was behind them as he watched the two looking at the stars, wondering if Homura would speak to Miko about what he said to her. The student looked up to the sky where the stars are shining and was in awe.
Miko: "You know… I really like the night life here."
Homura turned to her and listened to what she was saying.
Miko: "I mean, sure, Jasper isn't anything exciting, but this place does have its moments. Back in Tokyo, I never see the stars in the night sky. The city is always so bright and it's hard to see anything. But here, I get to see all the stars I can, admiring the sight the way I want it. It's just one of the many beauties of living in a foreign land."
The teacher heard her and was amazed that this rebellious, rocker girl has a soft side. Not to the Autobots and her friends, but for herself as well. Still, maybe it's best to speak to her of what happened and wondered what's bothering her.
Homura: "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself, Miko Nakadai. You're first night has proven that you are ready. However, it wasn't without mistakes. Like say you rushing into battle without realizing the threat of the situation. I know you that you wanted to fight, but that was risky for you. Not to mention that you were late getting to the rendezvous point. Care to explain to me what's wrong."
Miko heard this and turned her head away of what happened today.
Miko: "It's nothing to worry about. It was my first night, so I'm sure that I would be a little rusty on this."
Homura heard that and knew she didn't understand.
Homura: "That's not what I meant. What I meant is that you seem worried about Bulkhead every since those new Autobots came in and seem to be the center of attention. That's what's bothering you, is it?"
Miko turned away and sighed over the whole thing.
Miko: "You could say that. With those three recruits joined the team, Bulkhead is starting to believe that he's resorting to nothing, since he still can't go into missions just yet. I try to cheer him up, but he keeps dejecting me. It's almost like he wants to be alone. I just want to help him, really I do. I just don't know what to do with Bulk being in a sour mood."
Homura heard this and knew that she's worried about Bulkhead more then ever. Listening to all of this, she decided to give her some advice.
Homura: "Listen, I respect you working hard to get your friend back on track. But there are some things you just can't control. I know a Magical Girl by the name of Sayaka Miki and she made the same wish you made in saving a friend. Course, her wish came with a price. Once you become a Magical Girl, you can't take part of anything in your life. You won't go to college, or find love, or get marriage and have a family. You are sworn to defend the world from Wraiths and Nightmares until you are ready to join the Law of Cycles. And that includes sacrificing everything that was in front of you, including friendships."
Miko turned to her and told her that she wasn't going to do that.
Miko: "You're kidding me… You expect me to forget about Bulkhead? I would never do that!"
Homura quickly gave her a bit more of a reprieve.
Homura: "I'm not saying that you should leave him. You can still be friends with Bulkhead. But when there's a time that he leaves you for some important reason, then it is best that you would have to forget about him and continue you obligations of fighting the curses of this world. If you keep latching on to the notion that Bulk will always be with you, then you would start to have the grief in your soul gem to the point that you will be with the Law of Cycles in a fast pace."
Miko heard this and turned away, not wanting to loose his own friend. She soon asked about this Sayaka she mentioned.
Miko: "This magical girl you mentions, Sayaka, how did she loose her friend?"
Homura heard this and answered very truthful.
Homura: "By another friend of hers. Turns out her friend, Hitomi fell in love with the Sayaka's childhood friend, yet Sayaka was the only one who looked after him and took care of him since the accident. But Hitomi fell in love with him, yet she never spends time with him. Because of this, Sayaka lost it, took out all of her frustration on a low grade Wraith and in the end, used up all her magic and sent to the Law of Cycles when she was starting out as a Magical Girl."
Miko's eyes and was shocked by it.
Miko: "Whoa… That's hardcore…"
Homura sighed and told her of Sayaka's fate before hand.
Homura: "At least it's a better fate then before the Law of Cycles was created."
Miko turned to her and realized what she was talking about.
Miko: "You mean, she became a Witch."
Homura nodded and continued with her words of wisdom.
Homura: "Yes… You could say that. Point is, by the time that Bulkhead leaves you; you can't be upset or depressed. If you think of that, then your soul gem will get heavily tainted and you will disappear before your training is complete. Long story short, you need to be positive and move on with your life, otherwise grasping to what's closest to you would lead to some heavy consequences. Trust me, I know."
Miko heard this and was a little unsure about it.
Miko: "I don't know…"
That's when Kyubey, who was listening to all of this, approached her side and explained about it.
Kyubey: "Homura does have a point."
She turned to the Incubator and wondered what he has in mind.
Kyubey: "Of all my time on this planet, I seen many Magical Girls gone too soon because they held close to their wishes. Many times, they held on to their wishes so tightly that when they lost them, they loose themselves. It is imperative that you can't hang on to you wishes too tight otherwise you will suffer the same fate as other girls."
Miko heard this and lowered her head, thinking about it. The thought of Bulkhead leaving her would be something to swallow, but loosing herself over that notion could be more disastrous then that. She wanted to continue her duty as a new Magical Girl, but the last thing she wanted is to end her newly created career too soon. Thinking of this, she soon looked to Homura and asked about one more thing.
Miko: "Will I see Bulkhead again some other time?"
Homura heard that and told her of that option.
Homura: "Perhaps… But you need to remember that your job of protecting this world comes first and friends and family is second."
Hearing that, Miko sighed and decided to leave it at that.
Miko: "Okay… I'll think about it."
Homura sighed as she picked up her gem that's been completely purified and placed it on her wrist. Miko did the same thing and placed her purified gem on her right shoulder. Homura soon tossed the Grief Pellets in the air and Kyubey grabbed them all and put it to his opened back, absorbing it completely. The two got up and looked on as Kyubey felt something in the distance.
Kyubey: "I could sense more dread not far from here. More Wraiths I assume."
Homura heard that and turned to Miko to see if she's ready to listen.
Homura: "Ready for another lesson, Miko?"
She turned to her teacher and told her that she'll listen.
Miko: "Lead the way, Homura. I'll follow."
Homura smiled and knew that Miko got the idea and decided to take the lead. She jumped up where magical wings materialized to let her fly in further distances while Miko set her guitar up to hover and flew after her. But as they were leaving for more Wraith hunting, someone was watching them from the distance. It was the same mysterious female figure that was at the Witch sighting in Jasper days ago with her cloak and hood concealing her face and has the same cat/bunny creature next to her. Observing it, the creature looked up to her and told her that things seem to be under control.
"It would seem that they are doing your job pretty well. Guess you don't have to worry about doing your night job anymore."
The mysterious woman sighed and told her that she still needs to do it.
"That doesn't mean that I have to give up on my obligations. While I appreciate my own kind doing my work, I still need to find Wraiths of my own if I am live longer. Wouldn't you imagine what would happen if he was all alone in this world."
The creature was silent and could understand what her situation is.
"I fully understand your worries. But you can't just hunt for Wraiths all your life. I mean, you managed to surpass what all Magical Girls never reach and has lived a far longer life then the others."
The woman heard this and bowed her head with a sigh.
"That doesn't mean I'm ready to leave just now. He's too young to look after himself. Sure he has friends with him, but it still doesn't feel like enough.
The creature gave it some thought and came up with a good enough idea.
"Maybe it's best that you introduce yourself to Homura Akemi and Miko Nadadai. I'm sure they will understand. After all, they already know-"
The woman immediately interrupted him and told him that she shouldn't.
"And then what? I'm certain if they see me like this, they might ask a lot of questions. It is best that I keep this to myself and nothing more. And I hope you don't come into contact with them or their Incubator."
The creature heard that and was a bit defeated.
"Fine… But remember, there will be the time where you would have to reveal yourself to them, especially him."
The older Magical Girl glared to the creature and told him that she won't tell him everything.
"He doesn't have to know about me, or his true self. He already has enough on his plate as it is. Now come on. Let's find some Wraiths away from them. I just hope things don't get complicated if they find out about us."
Picking up the creature to her shoulder and turning to the other side, she jumped up and flew a huge distance to the next hill before jumping to the next one. Course, things will get complicated as trouble is coming from the horizon.
Down in an abandon airfield in Wyoming, a small group of people were working on something very important. They were all wearing military grade outfits completely with full latex masks that cover their heads and goggles on their eyes. They were known at MECH, a small terrorist group dedicated in world domination through the use to high-grade technology. One of them places the final connection to the cable as it sparked together. Once in place, he stood up and begins the nod. The one wearing a dark doctor's uniform nodded back and started with the procedure.
"Beginning electrical shock to the patient."
Pushing the button, electricity started to spread through the cables and right into what looked like a huge metallic body that is in front of them. That body belongs to Breakdown, when he was pretty much disposed of by Airachnid and was in pieces. But now it was being used for save a certain leader who was on the verge of dying after the whole Nemesis Prime debacle. They all started to look on as the second phase started.
"Transfusing energon into the host."
By the time he pushed the next button, an IV that's filled with energon started to drain through the tube and into the host's body. The fingers soon started to move as the there was sign of life. Seeing this, the doctor moved on to the last part.
"Initiating final phase."
With a quick push on the button, the body starts to surge with electricity spread through the body. The procedure started to escalate, as lightning came out, smoke spread, and the building started to shake violently. A huge beeping sound was heard as it reached critical. But fortunately, things started to calm down and the procedure was complete. The group recovered from the aftershock and looked up to see if what they did was successful. All they saw is the body still limp and they thought they didn't save their leader. But after a few short seconds, the hole where the right optic use to be started to glow a yellow tint. Almost immediately, the head jerked up and both optics were working, Breakdown's head looked around and wondered what happened. That's when he looks down to see the group as the doctor approached it.
"Welcome back, Silas."
Indeed, it was Silas as he looked down to his body and was shocked at the sight of it.
Silas: "What have you done?"
"What we needed to, in order to save you, sir."
Looking to his hand and flexing it, he soon started to realize something that he could never imagine.
"I'm… one of them…"
"The logical evolution of MECH's experiments and biotech… Your body and mind, fused with the donor's nervous and skeletal systems. Project Chimera at its peak of success."
Inside the body of Breakdown, the real body of Silas was strapped in what was suppose to be the spark chamber and was in a bit of a mess. He has scars all over his face and his right eye was badly damaged, but there were tubes connected to his throat, chest, and back of his head to operate the body he was currently in. At first, he would be afraid of such a thing, but in reality, he was accepting it as if it was his own.
Silas: "The perfect meld of man and machine. Exquisite…"
Outside the body, the group watched on, feeling proud of their accomplishment in saving their leader and completing the project while Silas congratulated them.
Silas: "Thank you all for your dedication and a lifetime of service."
He started to wriggle as he got out of the cables and tubes, walking down the podium to look down to his people. But then, something happened that no one didn't expect.
Silas: "But I now seem more suited to keep the exclusive company of Titans."
Just like that, he armed his shoulder-mounted blaster and aimed it right at the team that saved him. Before anyone would react, he fired and laid waste to what's left of his organization, leaving nothing behind. Outside, smoke spewed out of the doors as the sounds of blaster fire stopped. Almost immediately, two metal servos grabbed hold of the ends and pushed them both in separate directions, that's when Silas came out of the base that he destroyed from the inside and looked up to the night sky. He's ready to join a new team to call his own, and he knows which ones to choose. All he needed was something to sway them to his favor, and he knows what it is.
Silas: "Now it's time to take back what is rightfully mine."
He soon transformed and drove out of the airfield, hitting the road to retrieve the one weapon necessary for his victory. Damocles…"
That's end chapter fourteen. I got to say, it was a short chapter, but at the same time a good one. Not only did I show the threat of Wraiths, but also what's going to come in the next chapter. So stay tune to see what Silas has in mind. Trust me, there will be a lot of twists and turns in this one. Please Review. #WherearetheGoodCartoons?