Les Jeux Mystèriux: The Mysterious Games
Anne: ...
Nick: Last episode, Taiitsu-kun sent us to Konan.
Anne: ...
Janna: Finally. Unfortunately, when we entered the palace, the Emperor of Konan thought we were assassins.
Anne: ...
Jeff: That sucked; we had to fight our way past waves of Suzaku Celestial Warriors.
Anne: ...
Kat: It was pretty easy, but still...
Anne: ...
Luna: The worst was to come. When Anne met Berit, she went completely postal.
Anne: ...
Chris: And now we're all going to get killed. Great.
Max: Things have gone from bad to Berit.
Episode 25: Norotta shinseki kankei (Cursed family relations)
(Tokaki and the blue-haired guy run down the hallway. They don't seem to be fighting)
Tokaki: So you said your name's Tamahome?
Tamahome: Yeah. The purple-haired guy is Nuriko, the blue-haired guy is Chichiri, the red-haired guy is Tasuki, and the Emperor is Hotohori.
Tokaki: Wait...that purple-haired girl was a guy?
Tamahome: It's complex. Just ignore it. (changing the subject) So you guys aren't assassins?
Tokaki: Are assassins Byakko Celestial Warriors?
Tamahome: Er...no. So, if you guys aren't assassins, why are you here?
Tokaki: Because the Priestess of Suzaku is-
Tamahome: -the Priestess of Byakko's sister. You told me that.
Tokaki: So what do you want to know?
Tamahome: Why you're here! That wasn't an answer.
Tokaki: That's true. The reason we're here is...uh...to tell you the truth, I don't know.
(Tamahome is about to say something, but the two round the corner and see a familiar sight. The red doors leading to Berit's room are closed, but Tatara's ear is pressed to the door, listening. The purple-haired guy is still tied up, and is attempting to get out of the vines. It's not working)
Tamahome: Nuriko!
Nuriko: It's about time! Get me out of here!
(Tatara turns, about to stop the rapidly advancing Tamahome, when he sees Tokaki behind him)
Tatara: Tokaki? What's going on?
Tokaki: Oh, about Tamahome? He's an ok guy, really.
Tatara: (head scratching) Tama...home?
(Tamahome turns away from Nuriko to look at Tatara)
Tamahome: That's me. The guy you tied up is Nuriko.
Tatara: Oh...nice to meet you!
Nuriko: The pleasure's all yours, really. How about you let me out of here?
Tatara: (embarrassed) Oh, sorry!
(Tatara waves his hand, and the vines creep off Nuriko, who quickly stands up and brushes himself off)
Tokaki: So, Tatara, what's happening in the room?
Tatara: They're—(suddenly having a ADHD moment) Oh, look.
(Kokie flies down the hallway towards them, stopping when she sees Tamahome and Nuriko)
Kokie: Hey...why aren't they taken care of?
Nuriko: Taken care of??? Just try and take care of me, you-
Tamahome: Nuriko. Stop.
Tatara: Don't worry about them! They're nice people.
Kokie: Well, yeah, but...aren't they...trying to kill us?
Tokaki: Oh, they don't think we're assassins anymore.
Kokie: Really, it's about time. So what's going on with Anne and Berit?
Tatara: Oh, yeah! About that; they're arguing.
(The other four just look at Tatara)
Nuriko: Arguing?
Kokie: Berit and Anne are arguing???
Tatara: Yup! It looks pretty fierce.
Tamahome: What are they arguing about?!?!?
Tatara: Can't tell. The door's pretty thick, and all I can hear is loud voices.
Tokaki: Wait...Subaru and Karasuki are still in there, right?
Tatara: I think so.
Tokaki: Then we have to get in! Come on, open the door!
(Inside the door, Chichiri stands in front of Berit, who has now got out of bed. Amefuri is now in the room as well, but is a bit confused as to what is going on)
Berit: I'd like it immensely if that girl was removed from my sight. And then…separate the Warriors and kill them.
(Chichiri's eyes narrow in confusion.)
Chichiri: Berit?
Berit: (annoyed) Didn't you hear me?
Chichiri: I did...but, Berit...
Anne: Berit! Stop this right now!
(Amefuri sidles over to Subaru and Karasuki, quietly)
Amefuri: (whispering) What's going on?
Karasuki: (whispering) No idea. Anne and Berit are going at it pretty bad.
Berit: You can't control me, Anne! Chichiri, do it!
Chichiri: But...
(Chichiri is cut off as the door opens, and Kokie, Tatara, Tokaki, Nuriko and Tamahome burst in)
Subaru: Wow. That was sudden.
Kokie: What's going on?
(Berit glares at Anne's now six Warriors, but then realizes that Nuriko and Tamahome are also in the room.)
Berit: Nuriko, Tamahome, get ready. Your job is to kill the Warriors of Byakko.
Nuriko+Tamahome: What???
Berit: This girl, the Priestess of Byakko, just tried to kill me.
(Nuriko and Tamahome's eyes widen, and the room erupts into noise)
Nuriko+Tamahome+Tatara+Kokie+Subaru+Amefuri+Karasuki+Tokaki+Anne: WHAT????
Berit: Chichiri, obey my orders and they'll be separated. Dispose of them quickly, with as little bloodshed as possible.
Anne: I didn't try to kill you!
Subaru+Karasuki: She didn't!
(But the intended effect has already taken effect. Nuriko and Tamahome's eyes harden, and they look at Anne in a whole new light. Chichiri as well seems to change his demeanor completely.)
Chichiri: (now serious) This adds a completely new layer to this situation. I shall carry out your request, Berit.
(Chichiri holds up his staff, and there is a loud red flash.)
(Flash...)
(Flash...)
(Flash...)
(The red finally clears from Anne's eyes. She is lying outside the main entrance to the palace, near where the group entered the complex. She looks around; nobody is in sight)
Anne: What happened? Berit...and that blue-haired guy...
(Anne remembers Berit's orders in horrific instant)
Anne: Oh, no! We must be separated! I have to find somebody, befor—hey...where is everybody?
(Anne stands up, brushing the dust off her dress. In the process, the bracelet shifts on her wrist)
Anne: Oh, I completely forgot I was wearing this. Taiitsu-kun's bracelet...it can't be useless. I wonder what it does.
(As Anne thinks on that, she remembers Taiitsu-kun's other gift. She quickly rummages in her pocket, and pulls out the small, pearl-like object.)
Anne: Time to give this thing a whirl... [Hello? Anybody? Can you hear me?]
(For a while, Anne hears nothing, the silence only adding to her anxiety. After a minute or so, there is a reply)
Subaru: [Anne?]
Anne: [Subaru? Are you there?]
Subaru: [How...can I hear you?]
Anne: [It's this pearl-thing from Taiitsu-kun. Where are you?]
Subaru: [No idea...I'm in some hallway. Where are you?]
Anne: [I'm near the front gates, where we came in. Are you all right?]
Subaru: [Yeah, I'm fine. No Suzaku people in sight...but I can't see any of us either.]
Anne: [Can you find your way here?]
Subaru: [I'll try...don't move from where you are, though, and stay in touch.]
Anne: [I will. Don't get in any fight you can't handle.]
Subaru: [Don't worry about me; no upstart little Suzaku Star is a match for me. You stay safe; you're the important one here.]
Anne: [Thanks, Subaru. I'll try to contact the others.]
(Anne severs the mental connection, and continues speaking through the pearl to anybody who can hear. Meanwhile, in a random hallway...)
(Tatara walks down the hallway, trying to be conscious of his surroundings. Sadly, it's not working; he's not a stealthy guy.)
Tatara: Aww, shoot. Where is everybody?
(Tatara rounds a corner, and smashes into none other than Tamahome. The two are knocked to the ground.)
Tamahome: You!
Tatara: Oh, hey! It's about time I found somebody in this place!
(Tamahome gets up, and strikes an offensive pose)
Tamahome: Prepare yourself!
(Tatara raises one eyebrow)
Tatara: Err...what?
Tamahome: In repayment for attempting to kill Berit, I shall defeat you!
(Tatara jumps to his feet, understanding)
Tatara: Hey, you've got it all wrong! Anne would never do something like that to her own sister!
Tamahome: Are you calling Berit a liar?
Tatara: I don't know what's going on, OK? All I know is that we weren't in the room when it happened, and Subaru, Karasuki and Anne all deny it.
Tamahome: Of course the Byakko Warriors would side with their Priestess! Their words mean nothing!
Tatara: It doesn't matter. We don't have to fight.
(Tamahome's eyes narrow)
Tamahome: That's where you're wrong. I'll do anything to protect Berit...so get ready!
(Tamahome jumps at Tatara, who is caught mostly off-guard. He manages to dart out of the way, but Tamahome nicks his side.)
Tatara: Geez, he's fast! Look, I don't want to hurt you! Stop before you force me into something I'll regret!
(Tamahome turns in midair and lands on the ground, hands out in a ready position)
Tamahome: Force you? Those are pretty strong words there. I wouldn't throw them out so carelessly if I were you.
Tatara: Fine...don't say I didn't warn you.
(Tamahome runs at Tatara, fists outstretched. Tatara raises his hand, vines whipping out at Tamahome. However, Tamahome simply bats the plants out of his way)
Tamahome: I saw what you did to Nuriko; I won't fall for that one!
(As Tamahome runs towards him, Tatara reaches up to his necklace and plucks a single seed from it, holding it in his hand. In a moment, Tamahome punches for Tatara's stomach. As his fist connects, Tatara's hands grasp Tamahome's for one brief moment. That is all he needs, as the seed bursts into life and the vines shoot up Tamahome's arm, engulfing it in twisting green.)
(Tamahome looks at the vines once, and then screams. Tatara lets go of his hand, jumping out of his reach. Tamahome vainly tries to fight off the vines rapidly spreading over his body. Tatara watches silently as Tamahome becomes the same as Nuriko did; a large green cocoon.)
(Tamahome writhes on the ground helplessly. Tatara frowns down at him.)
Tatara: Sorry about that. I didn't want to do that, but...
Tamahome: Just leave her alone...
Tatara: Huh?
Tamahome: Berit...don't do anything to her. If something happened...I'd...
(Tatara's eyebrows raise.)
Tatara: Ohhh...so that's how it is. Well, none of us bear any ill will towards Berit; I don't know why she's acting like somebody spat in her bean curd. In any case, I'll be leaving now; the vines will let you go in a few hours.
(Tamahome struggles a bit more, until he finally accepts that he won't move)
Tatara: You didn't seem like such a bad guy, really...in another time, another place...we might have been fri-
Tamahome: WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP AND LEAVE ALREADY???
Tatara: Geez! Talk about not letting a guy make his introspective, expository speech...
(Tatara runs off, a bit put off, as Tamahome stews on the ground. In another hallway...in another place...Tokaki creeps down the hallway, perhaps a bit overwarily. At each intersection he slowly moves his eyes past the corner, just enough to barely see around it. Then he quickly jumps around the corner, hugging the wall.)
Tokaki: (huffing and puffing) This sneaking is hard work...
(As Tokaki keeps going, he feels something vibrating in his pocket. After he jumps about five feet into the air, he feels around for what is making his leg rumble. The small, pearl-like object from Taiitsu-kun is vibrating, and when he picks it up, he hears a voice in his head)
Anne: [Karasuki, can you see anybody?]
Karasuki: [Hold on, let me check.]
Tokaki: [Anne? Karasuki?]
Anne: [Tokaki!!! Where are you? Are you all right? Are-]
Tokaki: [Yeah, calm down. I'm perfectly fine. I don't really know where I am, though. What happened? Where are you?]
Karasuki: [As far as I can tell, that blue-haired guy-]
Tokaki: [Chichiri. His name's Chichiri.]
Karasuki: [Um...ok. Chichiri apparently cast a spell that transported us all over the castle.]
Tokaki: [And we're talking through this pearl-thing?]
Anne: [Yeah. It's a really nice gift.]
Tokaki: [Are we three the only ones in this little chat room?]
Anne: [Chat room? That's an interesting way to put it. I've gotten ahold of Subaru, but that's it. No sign of the others.]
Karasuki: [Pretty soon they'll get vibrated too.]
Tokaki: [Oh, the reaction for you was the same?]
Karasuki: (voice shuddering) [Yeah...]
Anne: [Tokaki, have you met any Suzaku Warriors?]
(Tokaki is about to think something back, when he feels something cold at the nape of his neck.)
Deep Masculine Voice: Don't move, or I'll cut your head off.
(Tokaki's eyes widen)
Tokaki: [Um...I think I just did. I'll talk to you guys later...]
(Tokaki's eyes close, and there is a flash of light. In a moment, Tokaki appears about 10 feet away from where he was before, facing the other way. Standing 15 feet away from him is the Emperor, holding a sword outstretched.)
Hotohori: I see...so that is your power.
Tokaki: And that sword must be yours. You must be Hotohori. Tamahome told me about you.
(Hotohori's eyes narrow)
Hotohori: What did you do to him?
Tokaki: I didn't do anything to him! He told me all about you Suza-
Hotohori: I don't believe you. I was right about you all before; I heard that you tried to kill Berit, and I refuse to allow you to do that.
Tokaki: Let's get this straight. Anne. Did. Not. Try. To. Kill. Berit. Got it?
(But Hotohori is already charging at Tokaki, sword raised. Tokaki jumps to the side, attempting to dodge him, but Hotohori slashes to his side, at Tokaki. Tokaki gasps, and blinks out of existence, reappearing behind Hotohori and throwing a punch at the back of his head.)
(To Hotohori's credit, he manages to move his head to the side, so that Tokaki's punch narrowly misses. Hotohori spins around, slashing from below upwards, attempting to catch Tokaki in the armpit.)
(Tokaki, however, is not there, having teleported away after throwing the punch. He stands a few feet away from Hotohori, casually leaning against the wall.)
Tokaki: Sorry. You'll have to be a bit faster than that.
(Hotohori does not show any emotion, he simply holds his sword up, parallel to the ground)
Hotohori: You rely too much on your single technique. If it fails, you will lose.
(Tokaki's smirk dies as he hears the same words the second time. A vision of Master Kung surfaces on the lake of his memory.)
Master Kung: The second lesson: Do not rely completely on one technique. Although it may be powerful, if it fails you will lose.
(Tokaki's eyes widen as he remembers how he replied, and how he was almost killed that day. Immersed in his thoughts, he almost does not notice Hotohori's lunge towards him. At the last instant, he teleports away, causing Hotohori's sword to hit the wall with a loud clang, the force of the impact jolting his arm.)
(Tokaki reappears in the air above Hotohori, one leg bent into a form not unlike that of a flamingo. Tokaki drops downwards, ready to kick Hotohori in the head.)
(Hotohori's neck bursts into red light, clearly showing the symbol for "star" on his neck. As the light fades, Tokaki feels a jolt on his leg. Hotohori holds his sword above his head, holding it with two hands. Tokaki is balanced on the sword with one leg, shocked as to the position he's in. Hotohori almost calmly tilts the sword, causing Tokaki to tilt with it and begin to fall backwards.)
(Tokaki pulls into a roll, landing as gracefully as possible. As Tokaki gets up, he braces himself against the ground and pushes off, throwing his whole body at Hotohori. Hotohori's sword flies at him, and Tokaki blinks out of existence for a moment.)
(The next instant, he is still flying through the air, but from the side behind Hotohori's back. He hits Hotohori, and the two are sent rolling. Tokaki gets control before Hotohori does, throwing Hotohori to the ground on his stomach and picking up his sword. Tokaki pulls Hotohori's arm behind his back, pinning him in such a way that any movement would cause pain.)
Tokaki: Listen, I'm going to let you go right now. I promise that I'm not going to hurt Berit in any way. I'm sure there's been a big misunderstanding somewhere, but really. Anne, the Priestess of Byakko is Berit's older sister. She'd never do anything to hurt her!
(Hotohori grunts, and attempts to move, but he can't.)
Hotohori: Seeing as I am in a compromising position, I have no choice but to let you go. But be assured that if you are lying, the next time we meet will not be a nice encounter.
Tokaki: Good. I'll throw your sword away, now, and I'll be on my way.
(Tokaki throws the sword down the hall, and in one fluid motion, teleports about 45 feet down the hallway, breaking into a run. Hotohori slowly gets up, watching him turn the corner, and closes his eyes.)
(Meanwhile, Amefuri walks down the hallway, her hand in her pocket. She is communicating with Anne.)
Amefuri: [What do you mean, he just stopped talking?]
Anne: [It's just like that! He just said that he saw a Suzaku Warrior, and he said he'd talk to us later! I haven't been able to reach him yet!]
Amefuri: [I'm sure he's fine...he's just busy, that's all. Are you alone?]
Karasuki: [No, I'm with her.]
Subaru: [When did you get over there?]
Amefuri: [Whoa! Karasuki? Subaru?]
Anne: [Subaru? Where are you?]
Subaru: [Still lost, but at least no sign of Suzaku Warriors. I can't really talk, or I'll make noise.]
Anne: [Ok. Keep your hand in your pocket, though, just so you can talk to us if you need.]
Karasuki: [Amefuri, I see you. Listen, you're actually pretty close to us. If you take the following hallway to the right and all the way to the end, you'll find a courtyard. Cut across that and you're almost at the exit.]
Amefuri: [Great. It's about time.]
(Amefuri walks down the hallway, when she hears a cry of alarm from the mental link.)
Anne: (screaming) [Amefuri!!!! Behind you!!!!]
(Instinctively, Amefuri flings up a white shield behind her. A huge wave of
fire streams over the shield, knocking Amefuri to the ground. Amefuri looks
back to see the red-haired guy, holding out his large fan.)
Karasuki: [What was that??? The red-haired guy...was that him?]
Tokaki: [Red hair? That's Tasuki. His fan emits flames.]
Anne: [Tokaki! You're ok!]
Amefuri: [Will you guys shut up?!?!??!?!]
(Amefuri stands up to face Tasuki)
Amefuri: You...you're Tasuki.
Tasuki: And you're pretty smart. Unfortunately, you've chosen to tangle with me, which sorta makes up for that flash of genius.
Amefuri: Has anybody told you that your ego is too big for that big head of yours?
Tasuki: A feisty one, are we? You're just like that other one, the flying one.
Amefuri: Oh, so you've met Kokie? I trust she taught you a lesson or two.
Tasuki: It was a cheap shot. I'll settle things with her once I get through you.
Amefuri: Fine. Bring it on.
(Tasuki breaks into a run, fan held like a weapon. Amefuri doesn't move, simply readying herself for his attack. Tasuki jumps into the air, fan held above his head.)
(Tasuki brings the fan down at Amefuri's head she thrusts her hand upwards, materializing a small, circular white shield of light around her hand. Tasuki's fan collides with the shield, as Tasuki touches down on the ground, the fan creating a shower of sparks. Only now does Amefuri realize that the fan is made of metal that looks very sharp.)
Amefuri: You shouldn't be playing with sharp objects. You might cut yourself.
Tasuki: Or I might cut you. Wouldn't that be a shame?
(Tasuki jumps backwards, slashing at Amefuri quickly. Amefuri is caught off-guard and several red lines of blood appear on her arm. Amefuri grits her teeth as her arm begins to bleed furiously.)
Tasuki: I warned you.
Amefuri: Damn...that was the last straw. You're getting it now.
Tasuki: Actually, it's you'll who'll be getting it. REKKA SHIEN!!!
(Amefuri barely has time to throw up a shield before the fan once again spits out a wave of fire. This time, through, her shield is stronger, and she doesn't move as the fire dies down. She calmly puts her hand into her pocket, touching the globe Taiitsu-kun gave her.)
(As Tasuki waits for the storm to clear, Amefuri holds out her hand. A small, swirling, white ball flies at Tasuki, causing his eyebrows to raise. The ball stops in front of him, hovering innocuously in front of his chest.)
Tasuki: You've got to be kidding me. Is this the best you can do?
Amefuri: Attack magic isn't my forte, but it'll be enough to handle you.
(The ball suddenly expands into a huge white sphere. There is an enormous flash of light, and a release of energy so strong that the walls seem to shake. When Amefuri opens her eyes, Tasuki lies on the ground, fan fallen from his fingers. He does not move.)
Amefuri: Ooops...guess I overdid it a bit. Oh well. He'll survive. I've gotta get going!
(Amefuri turns and runs, not wanting to be responsible for the injury that will surely result from the explosion of the white ball. In another part of the complex, Toroki walks down the hallway, hands on his swords.)
Toroki: There's nobody here...It's like the whole castle has emptied out. There was that red light, and then...I wonder what's happened.
(Toroki turns a corner, and much to his surprise, somebody is waiting for him. The blue-haired monk stands in the middle of the hallway, holding his golden staff serenly.)
Chichiri: Good afternoon.
(Toroki instantly stops moving, and shifts his weight backwards)
Toroki: You...you're a Suzaku Warrior?
Chichiri: Yes. I am the Suzaku Star Chichiri. I believe your name is Toroki.
Toroki: (not revealing anything) What do you want from me?
Chichiri: (matter-of-factly) I am simply responding to a threat, and an infiltration. Earlier today, your Priestess and your fellow stars entered this castle under the false pretense of wanting to speak with the Priestess of Suzaku. While a subset of your group did apparently speak with her, you also made an attempt on her life.
(Toroki's eyes widen a bit, and his hand goes to his waist)
Toroki: An attempt on her life? Who did this?
Chichiri: Berit simply relayed the information to me, as well as the order to kill all of you.
Toroki: You don't know who did it, or if it really happened?
Chichiri: (darker tone) Are you questioning the word of my Priestess?
Toroki: No, I am not. I myself was not aware that an attack was the motive of our travels here. Surely, there has been some misunderstanding.
Chichiri: Your awareness of your Priestess's actions is inconsequential in this matter. I have my charge, and you have been given your fair warning. Prepare yourself.
(Chichiri raises his staff, and Toroki, acting purely on instinct, jumps forwards as he draws his katana. Chichiri brings his staff downwards, creating a ringing sound with the golden rings, and beats Toroki's sword to the side while shouting a command word.)
(A ball of red energy flies out of the top of the staff, hitting Toroki in the chest. Unprepared, Toroki is thrown backwards onto the floor, although he keeps hold of his katana.)
(Chichiri simply stands still, waiting for Toroki to get up patiently. Toroki is unhurt, simply fazed a bit. Toroki raises his katana over his shoulder and bends his knees, getting ready to spring. Chichiri raises his staff as well, accepting the unspoken challenge.)
(Toroki's forehead erupts into white light as he once again runs at Chichiri, but when the other man tries to block his attack, he simply slides his blade across the staff.)
(Chichiri readjusts his staff, aiming to break Toroki's attack. Toroki responds with a hit from the flat of his blade, piercing in for Chichiri's chest.)
(Chichiri catches the underside of Toroki's blade on his staff, flicking it away with a simple movement. As Toroki's katana flies away, he brings his staff across his body.)
(Toroki responds as quickly as possible to the loss of his sword, by drawing a sai with his off-hand and using both hands to thrust it at Chichiri's stomach.)
(Chichiri forces the staff away from his body at the last instant, so that although the sai catches the staff in its prongs, the prongs stop an inch or so from piercing Chichiri's chest. The two combatants begin a strength contest, with each trying to push the other off of their weapons.)
(However, because Chichiri has a two-handed grip on his staff, he has the physical advantage against Toroki, and manages to push him back for the second he needs.)
(A bolt of red lightning strikes Toroki, causing him to scream in agony. A moment later, the lightning bolt throws him even farther backwards than he had been thrown before, not to mention making him drop the sai.)
(This time, Chichiri does not wait for him. He jumps up high, aiming for Toroki, staff poised to puncture a lung.)
(Toroki manages to pull out one of his straight swords, and parries the staff messily, causing it to hit the floor with a loud clang right under his armpit. Chichiri's legs land on Toroki's chest, knocking the wind out of him. Chichiri jumps backwards, off Toroki's chest, and once again thrusts his staff at Toroki.)
(A red circle appears around Toroki, who still lies on the ground. Toroki can feel the energy building around him, energy that will surely spell his end. Toroki lets go of the straight sword, and in a stroke of desperation, jumps upwards to his feet as he draws the two Deity's Swords that Taiitsu-kun gave him.)
(Chichiri's smiles, knowing that Toroki is in an inescapable situation. A pillar of pure fire erupts from the circle, smothering Toroki in red flames. Chichiri watches in confusion as he does not hear a scream.)
(A moment later, the flames dissipate, swirling into two little spirals. Toroki stands in the red circle, his two swords glowing red with heat.)
Toroki: I believe you've heard of these swords? They're called Deity's Swords.
(Chichiri's eyes widen as he realizes what Toroki's doing, but it is too late. Toroki swings the two swords at Chichiri, discharging a huge jet of flame from the Swords. The flame takes up the entire hallway, and when the flames clear, Chichiri is nowhere to be seen.)
Toroki: Coward...must have teleported away. Oh well. At least that's over with...
(Toroki picks up his katana and sai, sheathing all his weapons and continuing down the hall. Somewhere else in the complex, Kokie flies down the hallways, with her hand in her pocket.)
Kokie: [So, if Karasuki and Subaru are with you now, Anne, where are all you other guys?]
Karasuki: [As far as I can tell, Tokaki and Tatara are pretty close to you.]
Tatara: [Really? Cool!]
Anne: [Wait...so where is she?]
Kokie: [No idea.]
Karasuki: [Here, Kokie, just keep going down the hall. Tokaki, Tatara, Kokie is actually in the same hall you're in, just farther down.]
Tokaki: [OK; we'll keep going. Are we even close to you guys?]
Subaru: [From this mirror...Amefuri is between you and us.]
Amefuri: [And I'm supposedly pretty close.]
Kokie: [Sounds good. So if we all just keep going the way you tell us to, we'll all meet up?]
Anne: [Yeah. Now all we have to do is get a hold of Toroki...]
(Kokie severs the connection, taking her hand out of her pocket. She continues down the hall, turning several corners, and she suddenly enters a large room. It's the throne room that they came into, except it is now empty.)
Kokie: [Hey, guys, I'm in the throne room now. I'll wait for you two here.]
Tokaki: [Gotcha.]
Anne: [Amefuri's here now, so if we get you three here we'll just be missing Toroki.]
Amefuri: [I'll try to contact him myself.]
(Kokie looks around the room. Something seems odd, something that she's missing. Suddenly, Kokie hears something from behind her.)
(Kokie turns around, to see Nuriko standing in the doorway of the hallway she came out of.)
Nuriko: There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you.
Kokie: And I've been doing my best to avoid all of you.
Nuriko: Well, I have my orders. You most likely have yours as well.
Kokie: What's that supposed to mean?
Nuriko: I mean that we've probably both been ordered to kill each other, so...let's get to it.
(Kokie is about to open her mouth, when Nuriko runs quickly at her. Kokie flies to the side, easily dodging his rush, but Nuriko grabs one of her pant legs and pulls.)
(Kokie finds herself flying towards a wall, and barely manages to halt herself before smashing into it. She turns back towards Nuriko, realizing now how strong he is.)
Kokie: That was pretty strong. You'd better conserve your energy; I wouldn't want you to strain something.
(Nuriko glares at her, and rolls up his sleeves. This time, when he runs at her, Kokie is ready for him. She moves her hand upwards, levitating him into the air. Nuriko struggles a bit, but he can't move.)
Kokie: Honestly; you've got to do better than that. I should kill you right now, because surely you are supposed to kill me, but I don't really have to fly.
(Kokie turns away, and flies towards the throne room door. Because her back is turned, the savage blow comes as a complete surprise, sending her into the door with a loud crack.)
(Nuriko stands above her, not fazed at all.)
Nuriko: If you're going to stop me from moving, at least use vines or rope or something. Air can't stop me.
(Kokie slowly raises herself off the ground.)
Kokie: Look, I'm trying not to hurt you. The least you can do is let me leave.
Nuriko: Leave? But that would be disobeying Berit's wishes.
Kokie: Berit? Screw Berit! She obviously lied about Anne trying to kill her, although I can't under-
(The slap, much like the punch, catches her completely off guard. As she flies to the side, time slows down into a flashback.)
(Katherine falls to the ground in a grove of trees, as three blue-clad soldiers stand over, leering. One of them has their hand outstretched, clearly the soldier that slapped her.)
Soldier 1 (slapper): That'll teach her to mess with us.
Soldier 2: Hey, how about we teach her a REAL lesson?
Soldier 3: (laughing) Good idea. You two hold her down.
(Katherine crawls backwards, trying to escape from the soldiers. However, they are too strong for her and they grasp her arms, stopping her from moving.)
Katherine: Let...go...let go...
Soldier 3: But why? The fun's just begun.
(Katherine suddenly stops struggling, and her eyes turn white.)
Katherine: (tone as cold as ice) Let go of me.
(The soldiers simply ignore her.)
Katherine: LET GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Katherine's entire body glows white, startling the soldiers. A moment later, their bodies erupt into showers of red blood.)
(Kokie crawls away from Nuriko, lost in her memories)
Kokie: Let go...let go...
Nuriko: What are you talking about? I'm not holding you.
Kokie: Let go of me.
(At that instant, Tokaki and Tatara run into the room.)
Tokaki: Nuriko! What's going on?
Nuriko: You! What are you two doing-
(Nuriko is cut short by a humongous concussion that causes the entire building to shake. When Tokaki and Tatara can see through the obscuring dust, they can make out Kokie pounding Nuriko into the wall again and again, her eyes ablaze with white.)
Kokie: LET GO!!! LET GO!!!!!!!!!
Tatara: Oh my god! Kokie! Stop!!!!
Tokaki: What's she doing???!??!! What's going on???
Tatara: I don't know! Listen, get Anne and the others over here. I'll try to stop her.
Tokaki: Er....fine... [Anne, we've got a MAJOR problem.]
(Tatara runs over to Kokie, trying not to fall over against the tremors. Kokie continues throwing concussion after concussion. The ripples in the air interfere with each other, creating even more drastic concussions in the air due to both constructive and destructive interference.)
Tatara: Kokie!!! Stop it!!! You'll kill him!!!
Kokie: (creepily distant voice) Of course. That's the point. I'll get them back for what they did to me.
Tatara: Kokie! No! You're hurting Nuriko! Not...whoever hurt you!
(Kokie turns to Tatara, eyes still blazing.)
Tatara: (pleading now) Kokie, stop. Please. I don't know what's wrong with you...but it's scary. We can't kill the Suzaku Warriors; it's not their fault they want to kill us.
Kokie: Suzaku...Warriors?
(Kokie's eyes dim, returning to their normal bright blue color. She slowly turns to see Nuriko, who is now broken in almost every place and bleeding in more places than that.)
Tatara: There...Kokie, let's just go. OK?
(Kokie's eyes narrow, and she turns back to Tatara.)
Kokie: Tatara. Don't you get it? They tried to kill us. It doesn't matter why they did; they don't deserve to live.
(Tatara almost gapes at her, but at that instant, the doors fly open. Anne and the rest of the Byakko group enter the throne room, staring at the bloody pulp that is Nuriko.)
Anne: Oh, my god...Kokie!!! Are you all right?
Tatara: She's fine! It's Nuriko that needs help!
Subaru: God...what happened to her???
Tokaki: Him. Errr...Kokie happened?
Toroki: You did this to...him?
Kokie: He tried to kill me.
Tatara: That's not a justification!
Amefuri: Yeah, it is.
(Meanwhile, Subaru is already kneeling next to Nuriko. She pulls out the hourglass, grasping it tightly as her entire body begins to glow. Nuriko slowly begins to return to his previous self, although his clothes, the wall and the floor are still stained with blood.)
Nuriko: What...happened...
Subaru: Don't try to talk; you have to rest right now.
Nuriko: You...Byakko Warrior...why...
Kokie: Yeah! Why did you heal him???
Subaru: I couldn't just let him die!
Karasuki: Wasn't that the point of Kokie doing her thing?
(Amefuri is about to speak, when she hears something inaudible to the rest of the group. She looks around, and then gasps.)
Amefuri: Something's coming!
(There is a flash of red light, and in front of the throne appear Chichiri, Tasuki, Hotohori, Tamahome and Berit.)
Anne: Berit!!!
(Berit sees Anne, and instantly begins to glare at her. As she realizes that none of the Byakko Warriors are dead, her mood only worsens. Chichiri, however, sees Subaru kneeling next to Nuriko.)
Chichiri: (pointing to Subaru) You. Get away from him.
(Subaru holds up her hands in an innocent gesture.)
Subaru: I wasn't doing anything! I was-
Chichiri: Step away from Nuriko, or I will kill you.
(Subaru quickly rejoins the group, now clustered in a clump behind Anne.)
Berit: I see that your Warriors have bested mine in combat.
Anne: Berit, stop this! All you'll do by persisting in this is hurt your Warriors!
Berit: Idiot. Just because I lost once doesn't mean I'll lose the next time. Nor does it mean I'll let you escape this place. In a minute or so, hundreds of soldiers will be here, and even your precious little Warriors won't be able to deal with that many.
(Anne's eyes widen at Berit's intended actions. Meanwhile, Tokaki steps backwards.)
Tokaki: Sorry, Berit. We're leaving. Everybody, make contact.
(In a moment, everybody gets what Tokaki's saying and touches a part of his arm. Berit's eyes narrow in confusion, but Chichiri realizes what's happening.)
Chichiri: (desperately) Don't let them escape!
(But it is too late. Tokaki's gloves glow white, followed by his cheek, and then the entire group disappears in a flash of light.)
-
Chris: Stupid Berit! I want to kill her!
Anne: Hey! Don't you threaten my sister!
Max: Do you disagree with him?
Anne: Well...no...but...
Nick: That was really an unhappy chapter. I think we need more happy chapters.
Jeff: Life's not all happy, Nick.
Katherine: Jeff. Think of who you're talking to!!!
Jeff: Oh. My bad.
Luna: The next episode is called "Hakai no namida," or "Tears of Destruction."
Nick: Noooo!! Not happy!!!
AN: Apparently all the ellipses in the previous chapters have been showing up as periods. That irks me, due to the amount of ellipses I use in this story. Grr. Also, the ending talking is often not separated from the actual episode, lending to confusion. Eventually, I'll go back and fix these things. Most likely before 26 goes up, but I'll play it by ear.