-Ayako's POV-
"I think this is private enough." Miku says happily as she opens a comfortable looking room in the back staging area of the auditorium. She leads the way inside and claims a comfy armchair. "We won't be interrupted here. Now then Ayako, come join me on the couch." She commands.
"Where? There isn't anywhere to sit since you took the chair." I tell her perplexed. I double check, looking around the room to confirm I'm not missing something.
"Why, the best seat in the world of course, you should consider yourself very lucky." She purrs and pats her lap.
"There's no way I can do that Miku! I'm not worthy of sitting on your lap." I shake my head hastily and look around again. "How about I sit on the bed or maybe on the arm of the chair?" I asked her.
"I told you to sit on my lap Ayako, so be a good girl and do as you're told." She says in a kind but commanding tone. I swallow hard and nod before sitting down in her lap lightly. She wraps an arm around me and draws me closer until I'm fully on her lap and she's holding me in a one armed hug. "There we go, much more comfortable isn't it?" She asks, an impish grin playing at the corner of her mouth.
"Y-Yes Miku." I respond, unable to look her in the eye.
"Aww, getting a little shy? It's cute that you're feeling so embarrassed, though I can't imagine why. We did go on a date earlier today after all." She teases and gives my side a gentle squeeze.
"It's different and you know it Miku! It's embarrassing being on your lap, way more embarrassing than just going around hanging out together." I tell her, pouting a little.
"Aww you thought we were just hanging out? I was really enjoying your company, just like Shiori before she tricked me." She strokes my side sensually, causing me to shiver under her touch. "So much so that I thought we might have something special. Now tell me Ayako, what do you think of me?"
"You're the best. I envy you because of how strong you seem. You're able to get up in front of thousands of people and enjoy yourself to the fullest. You are kind, brave and wonderful." I tell her honestly and she squeezes my side happily.
"Thank you Ayako, but now onto the more important topic, I want to know more about you. How you came to be so smart, everything." She tells me and I stare up at her in surprise.
"It's not like it's interesting or anything, why would you want to know something like that?"
She smirks down at me. "Because you are mine now, interesting or not I want to know all about you. Let's start with your fear of attention. I can tell even now, despite just being the two of us here, you're anxious from all this affection. Don't tell me you're afraid of affection from others." She makes a sad sound and shakes her head.
"That's not it." I sigh softly. "When I was a kid my parents were always very busy, they were rarely home. I don't blame them for it, they were working hard for me and Onee-sama's sake, but because of that it was always just me and Onee-sama together." I start explaining. "On top of that my parents both died in an accident, to be honest I don't even remember what they look like anymore, which goes to show you how rarely I saw them if someone as smart as me can't recall their faces." I smile sadly.
Miku hugs me tighter. "I'm sorry, I didn't expect a story like this, you don't have to tell me something like this, I don't want you to be sad." She tells me softly but I shake my head.
"Trust me, I've come to terms with this, and it's not like I dealt with this alone. After my parents died I was going to be taken into foster care since I was still so young, but Onee-sama refused to let that happen, even though she isn't that much older than me she fought to keep me with her. It turned out that our parents had accumulated a small fortune which Onee-sama used to keep me with her and take care of us both."
"Your big sister really sounds like an amazing person, being so young but so focused on your well being, but this doesn't really explain why you're so skittish around others." Miku pushes.
"I'm getting there Miku, have some patience." I chide her softly, sticking my tongue out teasingly. "Anyway, of course Onee-sama had me go to school. She wanted me to have a proper education while she herself started homeschooling. That's when things started to get even rougher for me. See losing my parents didn't really change much, it was still Onee-sama who took care of me, but going to school was different. My classmates treated me like a freak and my teachers didn't know what to do with me. I was too young to skip grades so I was stuck. My classmates would bully me nonstop, I don't remember a day where I didn't go crying because of what my classmates would do to me. It didn't take long for Onee-sama to put a stop to that and bring me back home to be homeschooled as well." I finish telling her.
"Oh you poor thing, no wonder you don't like to stand out. To have such a painful childhood is a terrible feeling." Miku laments.
"I don't think that's it really. I think it might be because I just don't have a lot of people skills. For the longest time it's just been me and Onee-sama so I still don't really know how to deal with other people all that well, but I know I can. Shido, Tohka, Kotori, all the Spirits have become my friends. I enjoy spending time with them, and even though sometimes I do feel a little overwhelmed by them I think it's a good thing, as much as I hate Onee-sama making me go to school, she isn't wrong that it helps me." I explain.
"Your sister really cares about you if she's willing to do so much just to make you happy." Miku comments, a hint of jealousy in her voice. "I wonder though, if she has given so much for you has she been able to enjoy her own life? You make it sound like she gave up everything for you." She continues but stops as she notices me drop my gaze. "Ayako?"
"My sister is amazing. She's only a few years older then me but she's completely given herself up to make sure I can live a happy life." I mutter. I look up at Miku and I can see the look of surprise on her face as I turn to her, my fear plain as day. "I love my sister, and the thought that I robbed her of her own life has scared me for a long time, but I can never bring myself to talk to her about it, I'm afraid she resents me for everything."
"I'm sure that's not the case Ayako. From what you've said your sister loves you very much! There's no way she would ever resent you just because she had to help raise you." Miku says, backpedaling instantly.
"I'll never know unless I ask her, and I'm too scared to do that." I confess. I give myself a rough shake and slap my cheeks to snap me out of it. "Either way I should introduce you to my Onee-sama soon."
Miku instantly perks up at the slight change in topics. "Yes I would love to meet her, she sounds like an amazing woman." She smirks impishly. "And it would be so much more interesting to have one of you in each arm." She licks her lips. "Alright then, I think that's enough beating around the bush, Ayako please stand up." I get up and Miku pats my ass, earning a small noise of surprise. "Now then I have a task for you."
"Whatever you want Miku." I answer instantly.
"Good, strip for me, nice and slow." She purrs. I blush hard but after a moment of hesitation I nod my head. I undo my neck ribbon and toss it aside before quickly removing my jacket so I can give her a good show. She leans forward in her seat as I start slowly unbuttoning my shirt, starting from the top down until my shirt hangs open, revealing my modest bust and plain bra. "Cute, though I think we might have to consider getting you some sexy lingerie to wear from now on."
"Fancy lingerie doesn't really suit me though." I comment bashfully as I slowly slide one sleeve of my shirt off my shoulder, quickly following with the other and letting it drop discarded onto the ground.
"There you go again, you should have more self-confidence in your body, you are gorgeous." She says looking me up and down as I undo my skirt and let it drop down around my legs. I unhook my bra and let that drop, revealing my perky breasts to Miku for just a moment before I bend over and slide my panties down as well, leaving me naked before her.
"I-I finished Miku." I announce the obvious as I push all my clothes away and straighten up so she can get a good look at me.
"You are lovely." She says softly as she stands up from her seat. She circles me slowly, looking over every inch of my body with a perverse smile on her face. "Absolutely stunning." She stops in front of me and leans in close, licking my cheek softly. The door bangs open and Miku jumps back in surprise as a beautiful redhead standing in the doorway. She glared at Miku with her vibrant blue and pink eyes. "Excuse me, who are you?" Miku turns on her, glaring back.
"Onee-sama!" I gasp in surprise, causing Miku to glance at me in surprise.
"Oh I'm sorry." She puts on a polite smile. "So you are the famous 'Onee-sama' Ayako's always talking about? It's a pleasure to meet you." She falters slightly as the taller woman continues to glare at her. "I'm sure this might seem a bit odd, but there is nothing wrong going on here."
Tsubasa sighs in aggravation and walks up to me, completely ignoring Miku along the way. She grabs me tightly and pulls me into a kiss. I gasp in surprise and she takes that moment to slip her tongue into my mouth. I groan softly as our tongues dance around one another before she breaks the kiss and looks down at me. "Snap out of it Aya." She mutters to me and presses her forehead to mine.
I blink up at her slowly. "Onee…sama?" She smiles down at me and kisses me again and I can't help but relax into her embrace.
"There's my sweet girl." Tsubasa whispers in my ear after breaking the kiss while petting my hair gently. She takes her jacket off and wraps it around my shoulders before turning to Miku, who is standing there in a state of shock.
"You just kissed your sister… and you undid my hypnosis, who are you?" Miku asks in disbelief. Her cheeks flush slightly in arousal at the sight.
"I'm Ayako's Onee-sama, she belongs to me and no one else." She says standing between Miku and myself.
"Ayako is mine. I get whatever I want, and I think I want you too." Miku says arrogantly, summoning a small version of her organ. "Gabriel, Solo." She activates for a minute and neither Tsubasa or I move and a smirk splits her face. "How about you strip too miss Onee-sama."
"I think not." Tsubasa says and closes the gap between the two of them in an instant, and before Miku can react Tsubasa slaps her cheek so hard it sends her reeling backward into the chair.
"H-How? How come my power didn't affect you?" She asks incredulously while holding a hand up to her stringing cheek.
"Your power won't be able to affect me or Ayako as long as I'm here. Now then, I think it's time for your punishment." Tsubasa grabs Miku by the collar and pulls her off the seat and takes the spot herself and holds Miku across her lap. "Now then, take your punishment like a big girl ok?" Before Miku can even complain Tsubasa's hand cracks down on her unprotected rear and I flinch as she cries out in pain.
"Why did that hurt? I'm a Spirit!" Miku cries in protest before another strike smacks her ass.
"Keep it down and take your spanking." Tsubasa warns her before the flurry of blows rains down on Miku's poor butt until it's bright red. Though much to Tsubasa's surprise she seems to start enjoying it a bit, if the state of her panties are any indicator.
Tsubasa raises her hand again. "Hold on Onee-sama, let her up." I cut in.
"Why should I? She still deserves more spanks. If I hadn't shown up I can easily guess what she would've done." Tsubasa counters.
"Trust me." I plead with her. Tsubasa watches me for several moments before nodding her head and depositing Miku back onto the chair after standing up. "Miku." I call out to her, grabbing her attention from her sore rear end. "Do you want to know why I think your hypnosis broke on me?"
"My guess is your sister is like Shido, she has the ability to nullify Spirit powers." Miku says and Tsubasa snorts in amusement.
I chuckle in response and shake my head. "No, or else my powers would have been sealed, not yours. I love my Onee-sama, and she loves me. Honestly she snapped me out of your control without any powers."
"That's not possible." Miku counters.
"It'll sound a bit corny I guess, but your powers won't bring you happiness Miku. With my Angel I could be the richest person in the entire world. I could make it so Onee-sama's company was the most powerful and successful company in the industry. However, that wouldn't make us happy." I try to explain. "I would rather struggle with Onee-sama working together in our company. Honestly, I don't know what brought about your thinking Miku, using your powers to make friends and control them, but in the end you will be alone and unhappy." I tell her and her eyes fall to the ground. "But you know, I'm still your friend, you can always rely on me. If you ever feel down or lonely you can always come to me." I tell her and she looks back up at me, a look of disbelief on her face.
"Do you think I'll let her, Ayako?" Tsubasa chimes in and Miku flinches away from us.
I look up at my sister and smile. "Well you gave Kurumi a chance, and I think Miku just needs some friends, some people she can trust and rely on, and if you won't let me be that person I'll get mad at you."
Tsubasa stares me down for a long moment before sighing. "Like I can argue with you over this, you damn brat." She pulls me close to her again. "Shido's in danger, you have to go help him. Kurumi is providing him support for now but I get the feeling things are about to go south fast. So let's get you dressed and I'll take you to Shido."
"Don't worry about it, my Astral Dress will give me clothes to wear, please just take me to Shido." I tell her.
"Hold on! How can you protect someone like him? He wants to seal your power, he should be your enemy but not only is he your friend but you're going to risk your life to save him?!" Miku demands, surprising both of us.
"I think you've misunderstood Shido, Miku." Tsubasa tells her. "He isn't the enemy, he wants to seal their powers to protect them, let them live normal lives without fear of hurting others, causing Space quakes or constantly being under attack from people like the AST. He just wants to give them a chance at a normal life. I understand if you don't want to give up your powers, Ayako didn't either. Unlike you though she keeps her powers to herself, and with me she can have a normal life."
"Miku, it's your choice what to do with your powers, keep them or leave them, but if you ever run into trouble I swear I'll come help you." I promise her. "I mean, that's what I said I would do when I started using my Zuriel's power." When I say it's name my Astral Dress summons and covers me up and I hand the jacket back to Tsubasa. "Stay here and stay safe Miku, it's dangerous out there. I hope you choose to free everyone, if not then you might actually make an enemy out of people you don't want to." I tell her as Tsubasa holds me close and we vanish in front of her.
I look around quickly trying to get my bearings. "Ara ara, I didn't think you two would actually show up." Kurumi's sultry voice sounds before she raises up out of the shadows. "Glad to see you back with us Ayako, sorry I didn't step in to help you, but I had more pressing things to handle."
"Ayako isn't your responsibility, so you did the right thing." Tsubasa tells her as she ruffles my already messy hair.
"Right, right, don't mess with the big sister, understood." She replies with a sly smile. "Shido's already in the building, they're holding Tohka near the top. Unfortunately I've been too busy out here to lend him a hand."
"Is he ok? I doubt they left the tower undefended inside." I ask anxiously.
"Most of their people are deployed outside to fight me and Mana, but I'm sure he'll need some help." Kurumi says and I look at Tsubasa who nods her head.
"Go help him, we can't let anything happen to him or Tohka." She shifts her gaze to the tower and narrows her eyes in a glare. "Something bad is going on and we have to stop them. Ayako go help Shido, Kurumi keep holding their forces at bay, I have something else to deal with." With that she teleports away leaving me and Kurumi alone on the roof.
"Hey Ayako, before you go, there's something you need to see." Kurumi pulls my attention away from the building and to her. She hands me a photo of Miku. "Hold that picture up to your head, Shido and I found out something about her that I think you'll wanna know. We didn't really have the option to act on it, but with you here I don't think we'll need Miku's help like we originally planned anyway." I do as she asks and she aims her gun at me and fires. "Yud."
I gasp softly as memories of Miku rush through my head. I see her when she debuted as an idol, how her manager demanded favors of her and how after she turned him down rumors about her were spreading, ruining her career. On top of it all, after that she lost her voice, she was left alone with no one, until she was given the power from the First Spirit and debuted as Miku Izayoi. "She really doesn't trust anyone. It's no wonder she did what she did." I say quietly. "Thanks Kurumi, I appreciate you showing me that. I'll have to deal with that later though, this is more important right now."
"No problem, I just figured it was something you'd want to know. Tsubasa didn't say it, but I will." Kurumi glances at me. "Be careful, like Tsubasa says, something's going on." I watch as she leaps off the building to rejoin the battle, her clones quickly opening a path to the building for me.
"Zuriel, find Shido." I command my Angel who almost instantly informs me of his location. I launch myself at the massive skyscraper and smash through the walls and stop in the middle of a hallway. "Hey Shido, need a hand?" I ask with a cheeky smile. Shido stares at me speechless as he's pinned to the floor under a territory with several guards surrounding him.
"Wha? Who are you?!" One of the guards asks, turning their gun on me. I sigh and blast the soldier with a bolt of electricity, sending him flying.
I fire several more bolts, knocking each of them out instantly before pulling Shido to his feet. "You ok?"
"Yea thanks to you, but where did you come from?" He asks as he catches his breath.
I point to the giant hole I just made with a smirk, but before Shido can make a comment I end my own joke and explain. "I got caught up in that Miku debacle, but don't worry, I think that's taken care of for now. My sister told me there was a massive battle going on at DEM and since I know you, you were right in the middle of it all."
"Well thanks for the help, do you know where Tohka is?" He asks.
"Yea, I used Zuriel to hack into the building's security, she's quarantined on the 18th floor. I've already duplicated the credentials to get into the room so we gotta pick up the pace." I lead the way up the stairs and continue navigating the building.
"How do you know where we are going?" Shido asks, keeping up with my quick pace.
"I downloaded the layout of the building while I was looking for you." I tell him and I turn the corner. My eyes widen a bit as a shot flies past my face and I duck back around the corner, pushing Shido back.
"Come out and surrender yourself now!" One of the guards commands. I step out and blast each one of them with a bolt of lighting, knocking them out instantly.
"Watch out!" Shido steps out and I turn around to see him blast two more guards away with Sandelphon. "Come on, you're right. We don't have any time to waste." He says and turns to keep moving but drops to one knee, gasping in pain.
"Hey, you don't look so good Shido. You need to take it easy. If you keep going like this you'll burn out before we reach her." I crouch over him.
"It doesn't matter, we have to save Tohka no matter what." He stands back up and starts slowly walking for the stairs.
"We will, but leave the fighting to me." I tell him again. We continue up the corridors and stairs and I take out all guards in our way until we finally come to a heavily fortified door blocking our path. "Tohka should be just through here." I tell him and swipe my phone over the keypad.
The doors open slowly and we see Tohka bound to a chair at the far side of the room. "Tohka!" Shido rushes into the room but stops as the wall on the far end of the room opens.
"I've been waiting for you. May I call you a friend of the Princess? That seems like a fair assumption." A well dressed man walks out and moves toward the unconscious Tohka. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Allow me to officially introduce myself, I'm Isaac Westcott, Director of DEM Industries."
"I know that name." Shido says.
"Good job making it here alive, you as well Roulette." He stops and stares intently at Shido. "What are you, wait don't tell me. You can't be, there's no way."
"I'm a human and my name's Shido. I've come to save Tohka. If you know what's good for you you'll get her out of there." He threatens, holding Sandalphon in front of him.
"So you're Shido Itsuka, amazing." He starts laughing. "I never thought I'd meet someone who can handle the power of the Spirits. I didn't think it was possible, but apparently I was wrong." I narrow my gaze suspiciously at his jubilant tone of voice. "How incredibly funny this is, and every single detail is going precisely according to that woman's plan." He continues laughing while shaking his head.
"Let her out or else Westcott." Shido insists, despite Westcotts carefree attitude.
"And if I were to say no I wonder what would you do then? I should probably be afraid right?" I freeze up as his carefree attitude melts away, revealing a chilling glare. This man is dangerous.
"If you don't let her go willingly I'll have to make you do it." Shido tells him.
"And how would you do that exactly? I'm very curious." Westcott asks, seemingly unafraid of Shido's threats.
"This is your last chance, let Tohka go, now!" Shido ignores his question.
"Don't worry I won't fight, I'm not nearly as skillful as my counterpart Ellen." He snaps his fingers and the room lights up and Tohka's restraints are removed.
"Are you alright Tohka?" He calls out as she stirs.
"Who's there? Shido!" She calls out as she notices him, she pulls off the electrodes stuck to her skin and they run toward each other only to be blocked by a glass wall.
"Don't worry I'm here, I'm sorry it took so long." Shido apologizes as Tohka leans against the glass, smiling in relief. He returns his attention to Westcott, once again glaring angrily at the man who holds Tohka prisoner. "Let her go, open this now!"
"You can control the power of Spirits, can you not? Why don't you cut it and tear it open yourself." Westcott asks, ignoring Shido's demand.
"Ay- Roulette, can you open this wall? I need to get to Tohka." He turns to me, almost letting my name slip in the process of making his request.
"Uh yea it should only take me a minute or so." I tell him and get to work hijacking their system.
"Oh right I almost forgot, there's something important I need to tell you, Shido Itsuka. If you keep standing where you are right now, you'll be in danger." He says smoothly.
Tokha looks up and gasps. "Wait, Shido!" I turn around and before either he or I could react, I see Ellen run Shido through with her sword through his back and out his chest.
He slides down the blood covered glass wall and turns to face his attacker. "Nothing personal, but it is my duty to break any sword pointed at Ike." She says in a calm tone. Tohka pounds on the glass as Shido collapses in front of her. I take a step forward but am suddenly trapped in a powerful territory. "I only attacked because he summoned an Angel and I thought you were in danger, I hope that's alright Ike."
"It's fine, it works out better this way." Westcott tells her.
"Shido come on get up! Shido you can't leave me!" Tohka cries as she pounds on the glass wall.
"I'll make you regret that Ellen!" I scream as I attack her territory surrounding me. I was told she was strong, but this is pathetic of me. I can't believe I let this happen! I berate myself as I chip away at her barrier.
"I would save my breath Princess, there's no hope for him now." Westcott pulls her attention away from Shido's bleeding form. "I'm going to make you watch me take his life, I'm sorry but I'm afraid there's nothing you can do. Although it would be interesting to watch you try and stop Ellen's blade with everything you have."
Ellen lowers her blade closer to Shido and Tohka slams her foot on the ground. "Sandalphon!" She takes hold of her great blade as slashes the wall with all her strength, only to leave a small cut in it. "I won't let you do this!" She screams between slashes. "Don't worry Shido, I'll save you! I don't care what happens to me, just swear, whatever you do don't hurt Shido anymore!" Tohka begs as she continues to throw herself at the wall with little effect. All she can do is watch in horror as Ellen raises her blade for another attack. I shatter the barrier holding me back and rush Ellen reaching her before her blade falls only to have us both thrown back from a massive blast of energy.
Westcott laughs maniacally as the room is filled with swirling dark energy. "Ike, what is this?" Ellen asks, sounding shaken.
"It is the kingdom Ellen, it has inverted. Finally the time is here." He tells her, his voice filled with excitement. "The Demon King has returned!"
