Note: this chapter takes place after Eternal City Crystal Tokyo chapter 75, where Alicia and Subaru assisted in freeing the League of Non-Aligned World's embassy from terrorists.
Magical Atoner Lyrical Alicia
Twenty Five
"To be honest, I'm a bit disturbed that the woman we rescued set the whole thing up," Alicia noted, disgusted.
They were out at the hot springs at the Hinata Inn, her and Subaru relaxing in one of the heated pools. They were alone for now, the residents mostly being out on the Saturday afternoon.
"At least we rescued the real hostages," Subaru noted.
"True," Alicia brightened.
Gently Subaru noted, "You were expecting things to be black and white, but even here it isn't always so."
Alicia let herself slide under the hot water, then came back up, shaking out her long hair. "I guess I'm naive?" she admitted.
"Nothing wrong with that," Subaru hugged her.
"Am I interrupting?" Yoko Urashima noted, the sexy manager emerging from the steam to settle in a nearby pool.
"No, it's fine," Alicia answered, blushing a bit.
"I saw you on the news, that was very impressive," Yoko added. She grinned, "And what's this I hear about a knighthood?"
"Oh lord," Alicia rolled her eyes.
Subaru just laughed. "She hates that," she added.
"Could be worse," Yoko noted, "we used to have a Gods Cry Swordswoman here. She'd be challenging you immediately."
"That's been a thing too. The whole kendo club at our school is chasing me to fight them," Alicia griped.
"Get it over with and just kick all their asses," Yoko suggested.
"You have remarkable confidence in my ability to win," Alicia noted wryly.
"I've seen you fight," Subaru noted, "you'd win."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"Ah, Commander Asagiri. I didn't expect to talk to you," Veronica Aston-Martin said, a bit surprised.
"Your request kind of hit my desk after various folks passed the buck," Priss Asagiri admitted.
"Ah. Is it going to be a issue?" Veronica asked.
"I guess I want to know why you're keeping tabs on Alicia Testarossa?" Priss demanded.
"For her own protection," Veronica said calmly. "In case something does happen, I want to be in a position to mobilize whatever resources I can to help."
Priss looked startled, "She's in that much danger?"
"Fate Testarossa made a LOT of enemies in her life, some of whom had heirs. There's also the whole mess involving the Saint Church here," Veronica admitted.
"I got a briefing on the Church, including the xenophobic aspects. So, fair point," Priss finally conceded. "I'm not going to give her personal information out, but I can notify you on the public stuff she's doing."
Veronica nodded, "Thank you."
"I am expecting a favor in return, at some point," Priss told her, then signed off.
Veronica sighed, but couldn't really argue with that. "Nene," she called her aide in.
Nene Scaglietti came in, the pretty blonde dressed in her usual woman's suit. "I got the link from Commander Asagiri," she reported.
"It's not everything we hoped for, but it'll do," Veronica noted. "Any issues at her school?" she asked curiously.
"Una's keeping a eye on her," Nene noted. "She'll contact me or our office if anything comes up." she added, smirking.
"What's so funny?" Veronica asked.
"Alicia apparently has a fan club," Nene noted, "they saw Una watching her, figured she was one of them and told her about it."
Veronica chuckled, "How bad is it?"
"There's about thirty, a mix of boys and girls," Nene revealed.
"And Alicia's unaware of this?" Veronica asked.
"Apparently!" Nene chuckled.
"Any news on a new Ambassador for the League?" Veronica asked as she changed the subject. Nene had been stationed on Earth for longer than she, and was better connected to the diplomatic rumour mill.
"No, and no one's expecting anyone soon," Nene noted. "Especially after she vanished after leaving Earth," she added.
"Running away from her bosses," Veronica agreed.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"SHIELD!" Alicia gestured, blocking the energy bolt. Leaving her shield hanging in air she raced towards her attacker, surprising her.
"Ack!" Sailor Ares yelped, jumping back to avoid a swing from Bardiche.
"Lightning!" with a gesture she rained electrical bolts on her.
Ares waved up, condensing moisture in the air and generating an ice shield that grounded the bolts away from her.
'Nice," Alicia thought just as Ares charged, sword in hand.
Alicia switched Bardiche to sword mode, and the blades struck together violently. Ares pushed, and shoved her backwards by superior strength.
"Eep," Alicia used her flying ability to counter the pressure, then freed up one hand. "Light!" she blasted Ares in the face.
"GAH!" Ares staggered backwards, blinded.
"I think we'll call this match," Hotaru Tomoe called, the purple haired woman serving as a informal referee. They were training in a massive gym in the Crystal Palace, where powerful shields kept their combat from leaking outside.
"You all right?" Alicia asked, hurrying over to Ares' side.
"Gah, that hurt!" Ares growled. "That was totally fighting dirty," she added, blinking away the temporary blindness.
"As someone once said, 'If you're not cheating, you're not trying hard enough,'" Alicia noted. "Do you need a healing spell?" she offered.
"No, my vision's mostly back," Ares said. "OK, wanna keep sparring?"
"Ok," Alicia said. "I have to remember you're superhumanly strong too."
"How did you match that?" Ares asked, curious.
"My flight ability to push back, plus magically strengthening my body," Alicia explained.
"Go!" Hotaru gave the signal.
Alicia switched tactics, "BIND!"
"Hey!?" Ares yelped as her arms and legs were caught.
"Bardiche, maximum spread! Fire!"
THOOM!
Ares was thrown backwards, smoke actually curling off of her Sailor Senshi uniform. "Wow," she managed, dazed.
"Lightning!" Alicia followed up, blasting her.
Too stunned to block this time, Ares was blasted AGAIN.
"Okay, I'm calling this fight," Hotaru ordered, noting Ares was too dazed to continue.
"I'm still impressed by how tough you all are," Alicia noted as Hotaru helped Ares up.
"Ooooh, wow," Ares shook herself.
"Now, you won't spar, though?" Alicia addressed Hotaru.
"My powers have been growing steadily since the late twentieth century," Hotaru noted calmly. "The only reason I'm even active as Sailor Saturn any more, is that I'm unusually good at fine control," she explained.
"And if you lost control?" Alicia had to ask.
Hotaru shrugged, "I could split the planet."
Alicia looked at her blankly a moment, then looked at Ares. "She's serious?" she asked.
"Completely," Ares said, nodding.
Alicia nodded then addressed Hotaru, "Right, no sparring."
"And I think I've gotten beaten up enough for one day," Ares noted ruefully. "I'm clearly not used to fighting a mage."
"Glad to help," Alicia said, "I'm not used to fighting someone that much stronger than me. Hence the blasting you away..."
To be continued...