Asuna's Team so Far
Necho Cat (Pina)
Magic
Thunder
Stat Boost
Thunder Boost
Magic Haste
Sleep Block
Wheeflower (Petal)
Magic
Blizzard
Stat Boost
Magic Haste
Water Screen
Asuna's Story
Asuna woke up, diving down to another world again. The scene of the environment looked somewhat like a rainbow-colored fog banks here and there, mechanicalized platforms, and large, glowing gems, some diamond-shaped and blue, others that were round, pink or yellow. The gate before Asuna shined letters that were a different font than before, which said 'Collect 30 gems'. "Time to dive in!" Asuna declared, and she dove down the pathway ahead.
The gems were scattered quite a distance from one another, and Asuna could only string three or four at a time as she dove, avoiding the obstacles, Dream Eaters, and the fog banks that were blinding her and electrocuting her. She overcame them and continued on, speeding through and gathering the gems. Within a couple minutes, Asuna gathered the right amount of gems, and went through the gate, surrounded by a bright light.
Asuna opened her eyes and looked around. She was in a forest in the middle of a park. Asuna looked around the place, noticing no one in site, then started walking through it. "Seems pretty peaceful here." Asuna pointed out, "I wonder if this is an earth world like the Pretty Cure world?"
As Asuna continued to walk, she crossed through a dirt road, and looked down to see something startling. "Blood?!" Asuna gasped, kneeling down and feeling it, "It's still fresh."
Asuna heard some cries, and turned to see several ball-shaped, lamb Dream Eaters running down the path. "Dream Eaters!" Asuna gasped, pulling out the Dream Eater book and flipping through them, "They're called Tama Sheep. I wonder where they're going?" Asuna decided to race towards the direction the Tama Sheep were going, pulling out her two cards and summoning Pina and Petal to her side.
(Insert 'Ignite' TV Size by Eir Aoi)
Without hesitating, Take the world of paradoxes,
(The scene opens with Kirito's face fading in from the left-hand side, his eyes opening as the symbol of the Original Keyblade wielders appear in the center. Kirito's face fades out as Asuna's face fades in on the right-hand side, opening her eyes as the Dream Eater Spirit symbol replaces the Original Keyblade wielders symbol.)
And shoot it with your hands
(Asuna's face fades out as Yui's and Leafa's faces fades in, back to back as they looked towards either side while Sora's crown pendant appeared between them. The crown shines brightly, then showing the title of 'Sword Art Kingdom: Falling Fantasy', with the Sword Art Kingdom symbol right behind it.)
In the warmth of fallen tears
We should've learned kindness
(The scene opens to Asuna standing on top of the school rooftops, looking out in the distance with a solemn expression. She looks down at the white Wayfinder in her hand, the ghostly image of Aqua passing by her. She closes her eyes as she clutches the Wayfinder tightly, then she looked seriously ahead, ready to proceed.)
So why do we keep hurting each other
And give birth to more hatred?
(Kirito is sitting on the porch outside his house, holding one of his kendo stick Keyblades he made in his hands, looking down at it with a serious expression. He then stands up and whips it around before stopping in his fighter's stance, as the ghostly image of Terra in his battle stance stood behind him.)
From the stinging pain I learn to be strong
(The first scene shows Gretinal at her desk, with Yui on one side, and Jackson, Latias and Cypress on the other, all looking at the screen. The next scene shows Yen Sid at his desk, with Donald, Goofy and Mickey on one side, and Sora and Riku on the other side.)
And gently blanket the future
(The next scene shows Leafa closing her eyes as she fall backwards into the black screen, only to be scooped up by the large hand of Young Xehanort. He waves his other hand forward as Heartless Oberon, Gouxus, Saïx and a black coat Recon stand around him, grinning maliciously. The screen distances from them to where Kirito and Asuna stood, angrily looking back as they charged.)
Without hesitating, Take the world of paradoxes,
(The scene next shows Kirito using Flowmotion to move around the city of Alne in Alfheim Online, taking out Nightmares that came at him, then slamming his Keyblade into the ground, causing a shockwave of energy that blasts away nearby Heartless.)
And shoot it with your hands
(Asuna appears leaping across the rooftops at high speeds with her Eaglider and Pegaslick at her side, unifying together into Dual Style: Bladecharge, and swinging her energy-extended Keyblade around, sending all Nightmares around her flying away.)
I ever so softly embrace, The sorrow that is covered in red tears
(The scene shifts to Asuna and Recon fighting with one another within the experimental lab at the top of the World Tree, Sora and Leafa's minds showing behind the two as they fought. Then it shows an open room within the top of the World Tree, and Saïx is going into Berserk mode as he faces Kirito, who roars in rage as he charges at him, determined to defeat him.)
Just as the ringing vibration, Marks the sound of the beginning
(The scene ends as Asuna and Kirito race forward towards the golden bird cage where Leafa was, surrounded by darkness and fast asleep, with Heartless Oberon and Gouxus standing in front of the locked gate, waiting for the two. Asuna and Kirito leapt at the two, producing their Keyblades to fight. Heartless Oberon and Gouxus produce their own weapons and leapt at the two, Oberon going after Kirito while Gouxus went after Asuna, and the frame freezes as they near each other, ready to attack.)
Asuna chased down the Tama Sheep until she saw the destination they were heading towards; a large wolf with orange and burnt orange fur, along with a red, oval-shaped jewel on its' forehead. It was on its' side, its' fanged mouth hanging open, and there were wounds all over its' body. The Tama Sheep were gathering around it, preventing it escape. "The sheep are attacking the wolf?" Asuna asked, pulling out her Lambent Light Keyblade, "Looks like Dream Eaters even defy the laws of nature."
Asuna, Petal and Pina raced to the aid of the wolf, attacking the Nightmares surrounding it. The Tama Sheep were as big as Pina, and were capable of tossing their horns and rolling into them with their ball-like body. They also had the power of the Sleep spell on them, but thanks to Pina, Asuna was able to avoid the spell's power.
Once all the Tama Sheep were gone, Asuna placed her Keyblade away and crouched down in front of the wolf. "You doing okay?" she asked the wolf. The wolf opened its' blue eyes slowly, staring up at Asuna. "Well, you seem alive. That's a relief." Asuna noticed, patting the wolf's head softly, "But those wounds seem pretty bad. I need to get you to safety so I can tend to them."
Just then, Asuna felt something as she touched the wolf, and she started to hear a voice. "Fate…Fate…" a woman's voice moaned. Asuna retracted her arm, startled at the new voice. Asuna looked around, then back at the wolf again.
"Was it you who said that?" Asuna asked. The wolf moaned a bit, and closed its' eyes.
Asuna knew she had to find a place to heal the wolf, and this place was too out in the open. She went to one side of the wolf, digging her hands underneath it. "Help me out, you guys." Asuna ordered her Dream Eaters. They did so, lifting the wolf on the other side, and together, they started carrying the wolf into the forest.
Once they were out of sight, Asuna sighed as she rested her back on the tree, the wolf placed right next to her. Asuna looked all over the wolf. "I need some way to heal you." Asuna pointed out, "Petal, if you would do the honors." Petal chirped in response, twirled around, and unleashed its' healing spell, which had upgraded to a Cura spell. It washed over the wolf, healing a bit of its' wounds. The wolf started to regain normal breathing again.
"There, that should help." Asuna told the wolf, patting its' head.
"Thank you…" said the voice, only this time, the wolf had just spoke to her.
"So you can talk!" Asuna realized, "I thought I heard something." she turned herself to the wolf. "Then again, this isn't the first animal I met who could speak." she added, giggling.
"You aren't a normal girl, are you?" the wolf asked.
"And you aren't a normal wolf, either." Asuna pointed out, "My name is Asuna. Asuna Yuuki."
"M-My name is Alph." the wolf moaned.
"Pleasure to meet you, Alph." Asuna greeted her, then added, "You shouldn't move around so much. Petal's healing is good, but you'll still need to rest up." Alph shifted itself into a sitting position, but she winced in pain as she did so.
"With a weapon like the one you were using, you must be a mage of some kind." Alph assumed.
"A mage?" Asuna echoed, knowing the term for what a mage is, "Well, I guess you can say that. I'm a Keyblade wielder." Asuna revealed her Keyblade to Alph, then relinquished it again.
"So why were those monsters attacking you?" Asuna asked, "They looked like they caused serious damage onto you."
"Those things? They weren't the cause of this." Alph corrected Asuna, trying to stand up, but she flinched and fell.
"I told you shouldn't move so much!" Asuna warned Alph.
"Let me get in a proper form to speak with you." the wolf stated, and she begun to change right before Asuna's eyes, until she stood on all fours as a human girl.
She looked a bit younger than Asuna, with same same orange hair as her original fur, falling down into two parts down her back. Her eyes were the same color as her wolf form, and she still had the same gem on her forehead. She wore a tight, pink top that exposed her cleavage and midriff, and a red ribbon on her chest with a red jewel on her collar. She wore a black cape with gold buttons over her top.
She had on dark red short shorts with a black waist cape attached, hanging to her knees. She also wore red leg bracelets and black high heels as well. The only wolf characteristics that still showed were her canine tooth, her wolf ears and tail poking from behind.
"I didn't know you could do that." Asuna gasped, seeing her settling her back on the tree, just like Asuna.
"I'm a Familiar." Alph pointed out, "I have a human form, too."
"I see…" Asuna understood, believing that Familiars here were different to the Familiars in New Alfheim. Alph's wounds were now showing around her arms, legs and midriff.
"So if it wasn't those Dream Eaters that did it, who was it that injured you so badly?" Asuna questioned the wolf-girl.
"I would like to tell you, but first…" Alph started, and her belly started to grumble, "I could use something to eat, first. You wouldn't happen to have any dog food on ya?"
"Dog food?" Asuna questioned, "Well, you are a wolf, so I guess that would work."
Asuna stood up again. "I'll go see if there's a place I can buy any." she decided, "Pina, you come with me. Petal, you stay here with Alph. There could be more Nightmares, so keep an eye out." Petal chirped in response, and Asuna left with Pina, leaving Alph watching her go.
"She's a strange girl, helping me out like this." Alph muttered to herself.
"First Sakura, and now Alph." Asuna sighed, "I seem to be getting food for everyone, now."
Asuna made it back to the dirt road, and found a map that contained everything there is to know about the surrounding area. She even was able to find a convenient store nearby, so she followed the map towards the place. She had to deal with a few Dream Eaters along the way, not just Tama Sheep, but Nightmare Wheeflowers, Majik Lapins, and Halibirds.
Asuna found the store, and bought some dog food, plus some food for herself. Asuna came out of the store, holding the bag of stuff she bought. "This should be enough." Asuna assumed, "Guess I'd better return." Asuna left, summoning her Dream Eater to her side.
As she left, someone passing by noticed her. A ferret that saw her summon her Dream Eater. "What was that?" the ferret asked, and it chased after Asuna.
It took Asuna a little while before she got back. Finding where she had left Alph was a bit more difficult than she remembered. She finally found her, and handed her the box of dog food, while Asuna had herself a drink and some snacks. "You sure are wolfing that down. No pun intended." Asuna stated, "You must've been hungry."
"Yeah. I was absolutely starved." Alph replied, "Thanks so much, but why are you helping me? We've only just met."
"I only do what I think is right." Asuna answered, "I couldn't leave someone as injured as you were alone."
Alph finished her dog food, and sighed in relief. "How are your wounds?" Asuna asked.
"Better, thanks to your flower friend." Alph answered, looking at Petal, "Those healing spells are starting to getting me back together again."
"Say, I was just wondering…" Asuna started, recalling to when she met Alph, "I swore I heard your voice saying something about 'fate'. Mind telling me what that was about?"
Alph placed down her box and curled herself up, looking sad. "Fate is my master." she explained, "She's a sweet girl who really cares for her mother, who shows no love for Fate at all. Fate tries so hard to get things called the Jewel Seeds for her, but it never seems to please that witch." Alph gritted her teeth, enraged by the thought of the woman.
"Mind explaining to me about what happened, as well?" asked a young boy's voice. The two turned. The ferret that followed Asuna stood there. It had tan fur, a white-tipped tail, and deep green eyes.
"Another talking animal?" Asuna questioned.
"I know you." Alph noticed, "You're that other girl's familiar."
"My name is Yuuno Scrya." the ferret introduced itself, looking at Asuna, "I noticed you use magic to summon that creature to your side." He was referring to Pina.
"But never mind that. What happened to you, Alph?" Yuuno asked the wolf girl, "Did something happen between you and Fate?"
Alph looked away from Yuuno and Asuna. "If you're speaking to me, I assume that must mean that the Administration Bureau is listening on us, too."
"Yeah." Yuuno answered.
"Administration Bureau?" Asuna questioned, "What's that?"
"We're the inter-dimensional security force that monitors many worlds." said another male voice. Asuna looked around, then saw a green circle in midair, revealing the face of a boy with black, messy hair.
"My name is Chrono Harlaown." the boy introduced himself, "I wish for you to identify yourself."
"My name is Asuna Yuuki." Asuna introduced herself.
"I see. Well then, Asuna, mind explaining to me what you are doing here, and how you know the familiar Alph?"
"Well, that's hard to explain…" Asuna said hesitantly, "But as for Alph, I just met her."
"We can go into details later on Asuna." Yuuno interrupted, "We should hear from Alph about what happened to her, along with what's going on with Fate."
Chrono looked to one side, discouraged for not getting the answered, then replied, "Very well. Fate comes first. Alph, give us the details as to what happened to you. We promise not to do anything to you or Fate, so long as you cooperate."
Alph paused for a second, then she answered, "Very well, I'll tell you all that I know. But you have to promise me that you will save Fate. She has done nothing wrong. It's all that witch's fault."
"What witch?" Asuna asked.
Alph glared down in anger as she answered, "Precia Testarossa."
(Flashback) Inside the Garden of Time, Alph raced into the throne room, where she saw Fate sprawled on the ground in the center of the room, covered in injuries, her clothes ripped and torn where the whip struck. "Fate!" Alph shouted, racing to Fate's side, holding her unconscious body up to her.
"I'm here, Fate." Alph told her, tears nearly showing on her face, "Just stay with me, okay?" She held Fate close to her, saddened by her master's condition. She then snarled as she looked beyond the door, where Precia locked herself away in. She gently laid Fate down, and raced at the door, using her fist full of magic to blast the door apart as she entered within.
The room was a declining hill, with withered trees everywhere and broken columns everywhere, and steps forming in the lower half of the hill. Precia was at the end of the hill, her back to it, with nine glowing Jewel Seeds glowing around her. She looked up to see Alph walking down the hill towards her, but turned away again, not caring.
Alph growled, and leapt down the last few flights of stairs, ready to grab Precia. However, her hand was met with a barrier Precia produced. Alph got tossed back, then saw the smirk on Precia's face. Alph recovered herself, then leapt at Precia again, forcing herself to fight against the barrier. Her blue eyes went sharp like her wolf eyes, and she was able to break through the barrier and grab Precia by her coat, pulling her face towards her.
"How can you be so heartless as to do this to your own daughter?!" Alph howled at her, "She's always been so kind to you, always trying her hardest to please you! How can you treat her so cruelly, when she doesn't deserve it?!"
Alph noticed the blank expression on Precia's face, not caring about anything Alph said. Instead, she raised a hand and blasted Alph backwards, breaking through a column, back to the top of the hill, where she collapsed. "She couldn't even create a proper familiar." Precia muttered, the energy from her palm still lingering, "When she does, she makes them too emotional."
Alph rose to her feet, her blood coming out of one side of her mouth. "The only thing Fate wanted was for her mother to be happy again. She wants to you to be that kind and gentle person again. That's why she tries so hard." Alph tried rising, but the attack injured her so badly, she couldn't move.
Precia walked right in front of Alph, summoning a magical staff. "You're such a fool." she told the wolf-girl, "Now disappear!" She charged up her staff with energy. Alph could see the attack could kill her. She produced a magic circle beneath her, attempting to escape. There was a blast of energy, surrounding the two.
Outside the Garden of Time, hanging in space, there was a large explosion. Alph came shooting out of the bottom of the fortress, barely conscious. "I have to escape." she thought to herself, "Anywhere will do. Don't worry, Fate. I'll come back for you." And with that, Alph teleported away. (Flashback ends)
Alph had finished explaining everything. She told about Fate and Precia, about Precia ordering Fate to gather Jewel Seeds, 21 lost artifacts that contained a great amount of power, and about how cruelly Precia tortured Fate when she wasn't able to gain enough. Asuna could stand listening to the convictions Precia was guilty for in her past, but hearing about how badly Precia treated her daughter was beyond anger. Asuna absolutely loathed the woman.
"We must tell this story to Nanoha, as well." Chrono told Yuuno, "She must be informed about what is going on."
"I agree." Yuuno replied, "She really cares about Fate, and doesn't want anything bad happening to her. Now we know for sure that Fate isn't to blame. It's Precia Testarossa that is responsible for this."
"I'll ask Nanoha to come to the Arthra." Chrono told Yuuno, "I'll ask that the three of you should join with us, too."
"Right. I'll bring us there." Yuuno answered.
"What's the Arthra?" Asuna asked.
"It's a ship used to travel through multiple dimensions." Yuuno answered, "It might be a bit complicated for you to understand right now, but…"
"Believe me, I know exactly what you're talking about." Asuna informed the ferret, having already dealt with her fair share of world and dimensional travels.
"I'll teleport us up there, right now." Yuuno stated, and he produced a magic circle at his feet. He, Alph and Asuna were close to his position. Asuna called back her Dream Eaters, and the three characters disappeared in a blink of an eye.
Asuna found herself on the bridge of the Arthra, flying through the dimensional rift. It would've been really strange for her if she wasn't so use to traveling through space like this, already, even if the Arthra was several times larger than the Gummi Ship.
Alph was being tended to by her wounds by Chrono, who looked a few years younger than Asuna, in his early teens. The ferret had now transformed into a human that looked about half of Asuna's age, about nine or ten, with short tan hair, green eyes, and attire that made him look like a young sorcerer, including a long, brown cape.
The trio were led into the dark conference room of the Arthra, where Asuna met the captain of the ship, Lindy Harlaown, who happened to be Chrono's mother. She had long green hair, green eyes, a green mark on her forehead, and wore an officer's uniform.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Asuna." Lindy greeted Asuna, "I apologize if this is short-noticed for you, but considering the circumstances, we had to bring you in."
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Asuna answered, standing in authority in front of Lindy.
"Mrs. Alph had already informed me of your connection." Chrono told Asuna, "She also explained about your skills as a mage. We've already analyzed your skills so far, and as such, we would like to see the weapon you carry."
Asuna produced her Keyblade, and held it up for all to see. "I think I know that weapon." Yuuno realized, "It's a Lost Logia. Apparently, there are multiple forms of the weapon, but they all have the same key-like shape."
"So you're familiar with the Keyblade?" Asuna asked, "They are a rare weapon. I'm surprised that you know about it."
Just then, the doors to the conference room opened, and in came a young girl the same age as Yuuno. She had light-brown hair that she tied into thin, twin tails with green ribbons, and pale blue eyes. She also wore a white and black school uniform that had a red ribbon tied to it. Asuna had to wonder with all these young kids coming in, what kind of world she ended up in.
"Yuuno! Mrs. Alph!" the girl greeted the two, surprised at Alph's presence.
"Nanoha, you made it." Chrono noticed.
'This girl is Nanoha?' Asuna wondered.
"Did something happen to Fate?" Nanoha asked Lindy.
"We have been informed by Alph that Fate's mother, Precia Testarossa, has been forcing her daughter to capture the Jewel Seeds." Lindy answered, "Although we still don't know what she's planning to do with them, based on all the evidence we have gathered, and all that you and Alph have said, we have reached the truth of the matter, and have enough to capture and arrest Precia."
"What about Fate?" Alph asked, "What's gonna happen to her?"
"Well, that's up to Nanoha." Lindy answered, looking at the young girl, "What will you do?"
"That's easy." Nanoha answered, "I'm going to save Fate, no matter what."
"Does she mean that much to you?" Asuna asked.
Nanoha nodded in reply. "Alph cares for her, and so do I." she explained, "Whenever I see her, she looks so sad and lonely. It makes my heart ache seeing her like that. That's why I want to do it; so that she can be happy and free! Besides, I asked her if she wanted to be my friend, but she hasn't given a reply yet."
Alph started to tear up at these words. "Thank you." she sobbed, trying to wipe away the tears, "Please, do everything you can to save her. She's sad and lonely, and you're the only one capable of saving her."
"Don't worry about a thing." Nanoha assured Alph, "I will save her."
Asuna smiled at this. Although she doesn't know about Fate and Nanoha's pasts, she could easily see that Nanoha cares for Fate, and that she would do her best to save her. For a girl as young as her, she has some serious guts. The same can be said for Alph.
"Then we'll leave everything in your hands, Nanoha." Chrono decided, "We're glad to have you on our team. As for you, Mrs. Asuna…" Asuna looked to Chrono at this, "…What do you plan on doing?"
Asuna knew what she had to do already. "I don't know about everything, but a mother who treats her daughter in such a way is something I can't walk away from." she answered, "I'll back up Nanoha and save Fate. After that, Precia is going down!"
"I appreciate your help, Asuna." Lindy told Asuna, "We'll have you, Alph and Yuuno join Nanoha in finding Fate. If Precia uses any magic while they're fighting, we'll track down her base; the Garden of Time." Asuna nodded in confirmation, then walked to the door.
"I'll meet you guys at the bridge." Asuna told Nanoha, Yuuno and Alph, "Let me know when you are ready."
"Okay." Yuuno answered.
"We'll be there, soon." Alph added.
Nanoha walked up to Asuna. "Thanks for helping me." she thanked her, "I should probably introduce myself. I'm Nanoha Takamachi."
Asuna smiled at the young girl. She crouched down to her level. "I'm Asuna Yuuki." she greeted her, raising her hand, "I'll be sure to protect you if you need it." Nanoha shook hands with Asuna. Asuna straightened herself, and exited the room.
As Asuna walked down the lonely hallway, heading to the bridge, someone spoke to her from the shadows of the corridor. "It is just like you to be the good samaritan." the man spoke, and the voice made Asuna halt in her tracks, shocked beyond belief, "Always trying to help out others, even if there is no reward in it for you."
Asuna slowly turned, and saw the last man she would've ever expected to walk out of a black portal. "You!" Asuna gasped, seeing the man before her, "Gouxus!" Indeed, it was him. The same Nobody that was part of Sugou. The same man that she defeated with a piercing stab through. The same man she saw vanish before her eyes, now stood before her.
"This is crazy!" Asuna gasped.
"I'll say." Gouxus agreed, "Who are you trying to prove to?"
"What do you mean?" Asuna asked, refocusing herself as she took a fighting stance.
"You'd help anyone if they had a sap story to bring along with it, or a wound to show you." Gouxus noted, "You can't stop helping others. You would even help your sister, who has no way of getting out of the darkness."
"Aqua will definitely find a way out!" Asuna barked, "And if she can't, then I'll show her the way!"
Gouxus began to chuckle. "See? This is exactly what I am talking about!" he told her, "You can't help but be the valiant heroine that comes to save the day! But for what purpose?"
Gouxus spread his arms out. "Is it for Gretinal, proving you have what it takes to be a Keyblade Master?" he questioned, "Is it for your sister, who you want to be at the same level as? Or is it for Kirito, wanting to have him rely on you? Or perhaps you just want to prove to everyone you can solve all their problems?"
Asuna didn't have an answer as Gouxus meagerly passed by her. "Face it. No matter what your reasons are. In the end, it is always for someone else. Like that girl, Fate, who will fight for the sake of a mother who will never love her, you will never truly win the heart of the people you try to help. This is, after all, a dream. No one will remember your help once they wake up."
Gouxus opened up another portal, and was about to step through. "That won't stop me from helping people." Asuna snarled.
"I know." Gouxus answered, "I just want to make it clear that your heart will not be satisfied, no matter how much you help others out. And no one will care once you are finished." And with that, Gouxus stepped into the portal and vanished, leaving Asuna standing there, thinking on Gouxus' words. What he said did make a point to her; What was she really helping others out for?
Asuna reached the bridge, where she waited. Finally, Nanoha, Yuuno, and Alph all arrived moments later. "You guys ready?" Asuna asked.
"I'm ready." Nanoha answered, "And I know where I can find Fate." Asuna understood, and the four walked to the teleportation device, and teleported away.
When they reappeared, they found themselves on the side of a park, looking out to the sea beyond. It had a few lampposts around, and they were still lit as the morning sun started to rise.
"What is this place?" Asuna asked.
"This is the Uminari Seaside Park." Nanoha explained, "Fate and I once tried to fight each other here, but were stopped by Chrono. Since our fights have been stopped for various reasons,"
"So what do you plan to do when you find Fate?" Asuna asked her.
"I…I want to fight her." Nanoha answered.
"Fight?" Asuna questioned her, "But you shouldn't just jump to that. You should at least talk things over before that! You said you wanted to know if she considered you a friend."
"It's not that I want to fight her. I've tried to talk to her, many times." Nanoha told Asuna, "She probably wants to talk back, but she can't because of her mother. That's why I have to help her by fighting her."
"Help her…by fighting her?" Asuna echoed. In the back of her mind, words spoke out to her. Spoken by a person who was like a sister to her. She spoke about how sometimes, one must use their sword to make others get the message, to let them know how serious they are.
Asuna looked about, then noticed something. It was a Portal, just like the one she found at Twilight Town. "Another Portal." Asuna noticed, walking over to it.
"What is that?" Yuuno asked, seeing the Portal.
"Stand back." she warned the other's, "Monsters will pop out the moment I touch it." Asuna summoned her Dream Eaters, having them at the ready. Asuna looked back at her friends, then at the Portal, and touched it.
The moment she touched it, Asuna saw the face of a young about her age with green eyes and green hair tied in a high and long ponytail. "Her name…is Lyn." Asuna noted, feeling the person's character come to her mind. On the Portal, letters formed. "I have to destroy the Nightmares without getting hit more than twice." Asuna read, "Okay, here goes!"
The Portal floated up, and out appeared several lizard-like Dream Eaters that reminded Asuna of herself as a Servine, and an elephant-like Dream Eater. Asuna hopped back a bit, pulling out her Dream Eater book. "Looks like I'm dealing with a Zolephant, and several Hebby Repps." Asuna read, closing the book, "Gotta keep my cool, and defeat these things!"
Asuna heard the Zolephant trumpet, and suddenly, the Hebby Repps started rolling their long bodies into wheel-like forms, lighting themselves on fire, and started racing at Asuna and her Dream Eaters. Asuna quickly dodged them, but barely. Petal didn't like the idea of fire attacking it. "Okay, forget what I said about keeping cool!" Asuna noted as she avoided the attacks.
Asuna leapt at a nearby lamppost, activating her Flowmotion, then spun at the Dream Eaters like a disc, sweeping the Hebby Repps off their feet. "Time to go water form." Asuna stated, "Petal!" Petal looked at Asuna, and hopped towards her, turning into a ball of light. "Link Style! Wavesurfer!" Asuna shouted, and she was once again enveloped in a watery aura, turning her Keyblade into a surfboard.
The Hebby Repps were attempting to attack Asuna, but she utilized her form's advantage over flames, and started mowing down the enemies like crazy. She heard the Zolephant trumpet madly, and turned to see it glow red with fury, and charge at Asuna. She took the hit and fell aways. "That's one hit." Asuna moaned, getting to her feet again.
Asuna saw Pina get hit by the Dream Eater as well, and tumble back. "Oh, no you don't!" Asuna shouted, firing a Fire Spell at the Zolephant. It took the hit, and turned to Asuna. It charged at her, and Asuna barely got out of the way. She tumbled to one side, then fired a Thunder Spell down upon it. The attack struck, enhanced thanks to Pina's Thunder Boost, and it was defeated.
"Guess that's that." Asuna stated, then she got hit from behind. One more Hebby Repp was still remaining. Asuna fell to the ground, and turned to see it flying above her, about to fall on top of Asuna. She couldn't avoid it in time. However, Petal instinctively divided itself from Asuna, and used its' Propeller Strike to knock it away, defeating it.
Asuna panted as Petal fell gently next to her. "Are you alright?!" Alph asked as she, Yuuno and Nanoha came to her side.
"I-I'll be fine." Asuna replied, looking to Petal, "Thanks, little buddy." Petal chirped in response. Pina came to her side, nuzzling Asuna's face with its' head. Asuna giggled at this.
"You've really got some good friends with you." Nanoha noticed.
"Yeah… I sure do." Asuna agreed, keeping her friends close. The Portal sparkled brightly, then it showered down more munny for Asuna, along with Dream Pieces, and Asuna's Dream Eater book opened up to reveal a brand new recipe for creating a Dream Eater called 'Chef Kyroo'.
"Wow, would you look at that." Alph noticed.
"Looks like I can create a new friend to join in our crew." Asuna noticed, "Let me get my things ready."
Asuna gathered all of her prizes, then looked at the new recipe to see what ingredients she needed for a good Dream Eater. She placed down several Intrepid Figments and Noble Fancies, then placed a Hi-Potion as well. She placed a card down, and backed off. "Dream Eater, beckon to my side." Asuna chanted, "Come forth, and fight with me against Nightmares!" The ingredients spun around and came together, then there was a flash of light, a puff of smoke, and Asuna's new Dream Eater appeared.
It was a frog-like Dream Eater, with an orange body and red marks all over. Its' eyes were a blue color. It wore a teal and white apron with its' Spirit symbol on it, and a white and orange chef's hat. In one hand, it carried a frying pan. In the other hand, it carried a circular pot lid for a shield.
"You went through all that trouble…for a frog with cooking equipment?" Alph asked.
"There's more to Dream Eaters than meets the eye." Asuna noted, "Now as for your name…" Asuna paused to think. The Chef Kyroo then held up its' pan, and fire started igniting from it. The others were startled. "A fire-type Spirit, huh?" Asuna questioned, "Very well, then. I'll call you Flambé." The Dream Eater approved for the name.
Asuna saw the Dream Eater disappear and go back to its' card. "I didn't ask to do that." Asuna noticed, looking at the card. She then saw the Dream Eater book, and shuffled through it, looking back at the front pages. "Oh, it says I can only have two Dream Eaters out at a time." Asuna noticed, "The others are reserves, and get experience like my other Dream Eaters do. It also says that one of my reserves can provide stat boosts while the rest of my reserves do not. Gotta remember that."
Asuna pulled out her cards and pulled up their Link Boards. Since she hadn't used the new Link Points she gained since coming from this world, Pina and Petal had a lot to work with.
She started with Petal, giving Asuna resistance to binding powers, increased her magic strength, and giving Asuna access to the Esuna spell.
For Pina, Asuna increased more thunder-based attacks, enhanced her magic speed, made herself immune to confusion attacks, and granted her access to the spell 'Time Bomb'.
For Flambé, since it just came into being, Asuna didn't have a whole lot to work with, but she did gain the spell Cura and increased her fire-based attacks.
"So how will this all help you out?" Alph asked as Asuna pulled out her Command Pad.
"It helps me increase what I'm capable of." Asuna answered, "And it grants me to all kinds of powers. I can only select a few attacks to use in battle." Asuna scanned through all her attacks. With the six she already had, she now had three more to choose from, with only five to use in battle.
After some decision-making, Asuna chose to use Fire and Thunder for the boosted powers, her Linear Rapier Skill, the Cura spell for healing herself, and finally, the Time Bomb spell, willing to try out this new attack. She also decided to place Pina in reserves while she used Flambé in battle.
Just then, Nanoha felt a presence and turned around. "SCYTHE FORM." a computerized voice spoke. The team turned to where they heard the voice. Standing on top of one of the lampposts was a girl as young as Nanoha, and Asuna realized it was Fate.
She had sad, red eyes and long, blonde pigtails that were tied with black ribbons. Her attire looked battle-made, with a black garments with a pale pink skirt attached to it, with red belts above and beneath her chest, and a pair crossing between her waist and her skirt. She wore a long dark cape with red trimming above it. Her legging was black with metal pieces behind her thighs, and red bands around her arms. She wore metal gauntlets and metal boots with yellow pieces on it, and she carried a weapon that had a large yellow jewel embedded onto it, and produced broad, electrical energy that made it take the the form of a scythe.
"Fate, please listen to me!" Alph called out to her master, "You don't have to listen to that witch anymore. If you keep following her orders, you'll only be more miserable. Please, Fate!"
Fate could only shake her head at this. "It doesn't matter." she replied, "I'm her daughter, so I have to do this."
Asuna heard her words, and started to think about how she did everything her mother asked when she was young, as well. She couldn't help but think about what Gouxus said before.
Nanoha raised her hand to one side, and her body glowed a bright pink aura. She then transformed into battle garments, which were not far off from her school attire. The ribbons in her hair were longer and became white. Her attire became a mixture of white and blue, with sturdier material. The red bow on her chest was bigger, and her shoulders were puffier. She also produced a magical staff in her left hand, which had a white and pink handle, a golden piece on top and a red orb in the center of it.
"We've come too far to throw our friendship away, and we can't walk away from one another." Nanoha told Fate, "Whenever we fought before, it was always for the Jewel Seeds. So that will be our prize. The winner takes all the Jewel Seeds." Just then, the orbs on each of the girls staffs said, "PUT OUT." Nanoha produced twelve Jewel Seeds while Fate produced nine.
"Are you sure this is the only way?" Asuna asked her. Nanoha nodded.
"It has to be." Nanoha declared, having her staff at the ready, "In order for us to be free to understand one another, we must finish this; Our first and final battle." Nanoha produced wings at her feet, and she and Fate flew aways from Yuuno, Alph and Asuna, over the sea, where they were to fight.
"She's so strong for a girl her age." Asuna muttered, "Willing to save a person from going down the wrong path…by fighting her."
"Nanoha doesn't want to do this." Yuuno told Asuna, "It's just how things have to be in order for them to finally connect with one another. She's not doing this just for Fate, either. She's also doing it for herself." Asuna looked up, wondering. She realized what Yuuno meant when he said Nanoha was doing this for herself.
Suddenly, multiple Nightmares appeared from behind the trio, and they turned to them. "More of these creature?!" Alph gasped.
Asuna got in front, whipping out her Keyblade and Spirits at the ready. "We can't let them interfere with Nanoha and Fate's battle!" She ordered the others, "I'll handle all that I can. You guys clean up any I can't get at!"
Asuna, Petal and Flambé started working hard on taking out the Dream Eaters that came in their path. This also provided Asuna a chance to utilize her Time Bomb spell. The attack was simple; she made one of the Nightmares into a living bomb, and they had a five-second timer. When it went to zero, the Dream Eater exploded, damaging the other Dream Eaters near it, as well. While she was fighting, the battle between Nanoha and Fate continued on, each using their magical attacks to defeat one another.
Asuna noticed the Halbird she was attacking started to glow pink, and she knew what she need to do. "Drift!" Asuna shouted, diving into a Reality Shift. She then noticed the Reality Shift had changed from before. She now saw all the Dream Eaters on a panel in front of her.
"What do I do with this?" Asuna asked, tapping one of the Nightmare symbols. She then noticed her finger started glowing, and she moved it along the panel to another Nightmare, making a line between them. Asuna then realized what his was all about, she started to move her finger across the panel, connecting each Nightmare until she managed to create a loop.
Asuna leapt out of the Shift, and found a rope of light that connected the Nightmares the same way she did on the panel. She then started to grind along the rope using Flowmotion, damaging the Dream Eaters as she crossed them. She did this to all the Nightmares, as she looped around the rope of line twice, damaging them extensively until she destroyed them all. The ropes disappeared, and she landed neatly on the ground. "That was really enthralling!" Asuna stated with a smile.
Once she was done defeating the Dream Eaters, Yuuno cried, "Nanoha!" Asuna turned to the fight. Nanoha's arms and legs were surrounded by rings of light, binding her in her place. Fate was charging up multiple glowing balls of photon energy all around her, a large magical circle beneath her.
"What's she doing?!" Asuna asked Alph.
"She's using the Phalanx Shift, one of her strongest attacks, while she's putting Nanoha in a Lightning Bind, preventing her to move."
Asuna gasped in realization at what this meant. "Nanoha!" she called out, "Don't worry, I'll help you!"
"No! Stay back!" Nanoha shouted back, making Asuna stop before she could act, "Yuuno, Mrs. Alph, Mrs. Asuna, I don't want you to interfere. It's a one on one fight at full strength. I want this to be a fair fight!" Asuna was startled, but then submitted to her wishes. After all, Kirito would think the same thing.
Fate chanted something as she increased the power of her attack. She then waved her staff, and shouted, "Destroy the target! Fire!" The orbs of photon energy shot forward, homing in on Nanoha, who braced for it. The attack made contact, and caused an explosion that consumed Nanoha within the smoke. The attack seemed continuous, and Asuna, Alph and Yuuno were shocked to know what happened to Nanoha. Fate, on the other hand, was wearing down, and her attack started to die down as she did.
Fate panted as she gathered her orbs of photon energy, which were smaller than before, forming into a large orb, waiting to see what happened to Nanoha. The smoke disappeared, and Nanoha floated there, damaged, but otherwise alive. A large magic circle formed in front of her. "Nanoha's okay!" Asuna cried in relief.
"When you grew tired, your Lightning Bind wore off." Nanoha noted, waving her staff towards Fate. The headpiece on Nanoha's staff changed as it also grew pink energy wings. "DIVINE…" the female voice spoke from Nanoha's staff orb, charging energy in front of it before finishing saying, "…BUSTER." It shot a beam of energy at Fate, who threw the photon orb, but the orb diminished almost instantly. Fate placed up a barrier, enduring the beam. She held her own for the entire time the blast hit her barrier, but her garments started to rip in places. The Divine Buster beam subsided, and Fate removed her barrier, worn and battered.
Nanoha wasn't finished with Fate, yet. She raised her staff high, making it shine as she created a large magic circle. "Try this variation of my Divine Buster." she warned Fate. "STARLIGHT BREAKER." Nanoha's staff spoke. Bright energy gathered between Nanoha and the magic circle she made, far more than she did with the Divine Buster. Fate knew she had to avoid, but she noticed her hands and legs were bound just like how she did to Nanoha. She wasn't able to escape.
"I'm gonna hit you with everything I got!" Nanoha shouted, "Starlight Breaker!" she thrusted the tip of her staff into the gathered energy, and she shot a massive blast of energy right onto the shocked Fate. The attack consumed her, blinding the three on the ground from what's happening in the attack.
"Fate!" cried Alph.
"That attack was a direct hit!" Yuuno noticed.
"Will Fate be able to survive the attack?!" Asuna cried, hoping Nanoha didn't go too far.
When the attack was over, the trio looked back at the scene. Fate fell backwards into the sea, letting go of her staff. Nanoha dove down after her, and she went underneath the water. "It looks like the battle's over." Asuna muttered, waiting for them to surface, "Nanoha defeated her."
A few seconds later, Nanoha shot out of the sea, carrying Fate and her staff. Asuna looked out to see that Fate was slowly opening her eyes again. She was still alive. "She's safe." Asuna sighed, relieving Yuuno and Alph of their worries.
"I've got you, Fate. Don't worry." Nanoha assured Fate, "I'm sorry for hurting you. Are you gonna be okay?" Fate nodded in response. "I guess I won, didn't I?" Nanoha asked.
"Yes, I guess you have." Fate replied. Fate's staff produced the nine Jewel Seeds around them. Fate was capable of flying still, so Nanoha let go of her and handed her staff over. Nanoha smiled at Fate, relieved their battle was over.
"Even after fighting as hard as they did, Nanoha still cares for Fate like a friends should." Asuna noticed, "It must've been hard for her to do this, but she managed to succeed in helping Fate. She fought her, and saved her." Alph and Yuuno looked to Asuna, seeing her inspired character as she looked up at the two.
Suddenly, Yuuno gasped. "She's here!"
Far above where Fate and Nanoha were, a swirling vortex formed through time and space, revealing a strange monster. Its' upper body had the form of a very large praying mantis, but with a more cybernetic look. The bottom half was a large circular blade that spun back and forth in a vertical angle, like it was a wheel that couldn't make its' decision to move one way or the other. The movements of the monster were choppy and robotic-like.
"What is that?!" Alph asked.
"A Dream Eater!" Asuna realized, pulling out her book and looking through the upper-class section. "Right here: Commantis!" Asuna read, "It is persistent, firing discs and light ribbons, and if you try knocking it down, it will recharge itself."
"But Precia's power is creating that portal!" Yuuno noticed, "That means that Precia is controlling that monster!"
The Commantis gathered up energy around its' spinner, and shot several small discs of energy at Fate. The attack struck her several times, destroying her staff and reducing it to a yellow triangular piece with a jewel embedded into it. "Oh, no! Fate!" Nanoha cried, catching her and her jewel.
"That witch! She attacked her own daughter like that!" Alph snarled.
"Look, she's getting away with Fate's Jewel Seeds!" Yuuno cried out, seeing the jewel seeds being pulled towards the vortex, one at a time.
Asuna was angered at what happened to Fate, even after her intense fight with Nanoha. Then she noticed something about the Jewel Seeds. Though the jewels were blue, they started to glow pink. Asuna realized what this meant. "I can reach her!" Asuna shouted, "Shift!"
Asuna dove out of reality, and the panel produced before her. The lamppost next to Asuna was showing on the panel, along with Nanoha's staff, the nine Jewel Seeds, and the Commantis. Asuna drew from the lamppost, realizing getting to the Jewel Seeds from there was too far, rerouted to Nanoha's staff, then to the Jewel Seeds, zig-zagging between them, and finally connecting to the Commantis. Asuna came out of the Shift, and started riding on the rope of light she made for herself with Flowmotion.
"Where're you going?!" Yuuno cried, "That's too dangerous!"
Asuna saw Nanoha startled with her staff glowing with the line. "I need to borrow your staff!" Asuna shouted as she raced over her staff and along the line, "Get Fate to safety!"
"Okay, but Asuna…!" Nanoha started, but Asuna was too far away.
She continued passing from Jewel Seed to Jewel Seed, all the way up to the Commantis. "Time I see what's on the other side!" Asuna declared hopping off the head of the Nightmare, and into the portal.
Inside the Arthra, Chrono gasped at Asuna's feet. "Asuna went straight into the vortex Precia created!" he told Lindy, "Captain, what should we do?!"
Lindy looked at the screen, watching a replay of Asuna entering the vortex. "Whatever power she has, she is definitely heading to the Garden of Time." she concluded, "We'll have to make contact with her once we arrive. Bring Nanoha and the others aboard. We're heading to the Garden of Time!"
The shaking was what woke Asuna up from her unconscious state. She opened her eyes and rose to her feet again. She felt the place she was in shake, like an earthquake was taking place. "What's going on in here?!" Asuna gasped. Pina and Flambé suddenly appeared to her side, Petal reserved for later. She was standing on a floor in a tall circular building, just about in the middle level. There were sounds of combat from down below.
"Asuna, can you hear me?" Lindy's voice came from nowhere. Asuna looked about, surprised and wondering.
"Captain Lindy, is that you?" Asuna asked, "Where are you?"
"Thank goodness. You're still okay." Lindy sighed in relief, "I'm speaking to you with telepathic communication from the Arthra. I also have you on visual and where you are in the Garden of Time."
"So I made it in the Garden of Time, after all." Asuna realized, looking upwards, then feeling the shaking beneath her, "But what's causing the shaking?!"
"Precia Testarossa has activated the Jewel Seeds." Lindy answered, surprising Asuna, "She's using the nine she stole from Fate, along with the power of the Garden of Time to create this dimensional tremor. If we don't stop her, and fast, she'll create a dimensional rift, and the results will be catastrophic!"
"Why is she doing that?!" Asuna asked in horror.
"She's trying to reach Al Hazard, a lost capital that contains lost and forbidden magic. It is suppose to live in between the dimensions." Lindy explained, "However, the land is only a myth. No one knows if its' real."
'She's absolutely crazy if she's going to create a rift for the sake of a myth!' Asuna thought to herself.
"Fortunately, you're at a great position in the Garden of Time." Lindy assured Asuna, "Just above you is the room to the Garden's main generator. If you remove the core, it should stop all the power in the Garden of Time. We'll be able to subside the powers of the Jewel Seeds after that."
"Any other things I should know before I start moving like lightning?" Asuna asked.
"Nanoha and Yuuno are gonna be joining you at the generator. Leave it to Nanoha to safely remove the core." Lindy told Asuna, "Also, the same powerful creature that attacked Fate is also up there, so be careful."
"Right. Tell Nanoha leave that Nightmare to me!" Asuna declared, pulling out her Keyblade and racing up to the top floor at high speeds. Asuna was fortunate that Pina and Petal swapped places. Pina and Flambé were able to move faster than Petal. However, Asuna kept stopping to deal with multiple Nightmares that came in their path. The shaking around them grew worse and worse. The battles from down below were also coming closer.
After Asuna's fifth wave of Dream Eaters, Nanoha and Yuuno came flying up to meet her. "Hey there!" Asuna called out, "Need a bit of help here!"
"I'll help you out!" Nanoha answered, waving her staff, "Yuuno told me to give you this once I caught up!"
Asuna felt her body glow slightly, then die down. Asuna felt a new power within her, and leapt off the floor she was on. She then used her Air Slide skill, followed by a Sonic Impact, dashing into a higher floor. A Dream Eater attempted to attack, but it got knocked away by the Sonic Impact.
"This is a great way to get around." Asuna stated, "And it give me a great idea!"
Asuna grabbed the ledge, flipped herself over till her feet touched the wall, and focused herself. Instantly, her Flowmotion activated, and she pushed herself off, jumping towards higher levels by dashing and jumping from wall to wall, climbing at great speeds. Nanoha was not too far behind, and Yuuno was only a few floors below the two girls, attempting to keep up with them.
Asuna reached the floor where the generator room was at. "This is it." Asuna declared, and she and Nanoha barged right in. They were met with a massive amount of Nightmare Dream Eaters waiting for them, plus the Commantis on top of a large, cylinder-shaped generator. There were pillars around the generator with diamond-shaped gems all around, which were the conductors to send the energy to other parts of the Garden of Time.
"There are so many!" Nanoha gasped as Yuuno appeared behind them, and Pina and Flambé appeared into existence next to Asuna, "Plus, with that high-level Dream Eater guarding the place, we need all the strength we can if we're to face that!"
As the shaking beneath their feet started to grow stronger, Yuuno said, "Nanoha, we need to clear a way for Asuna to get to the generator! She's the only one strong enough to beat it!"
"Okay!" Nanoha answered, raising her staff, "Raging Heart, open up a pathway!"
"DIVINE BUSTER." the staff spoke, and shot a blast of energy that took out most of the Dream Eaters in the path.
"Thanks!" Asuna thanked Nanoha, and she charged right in, with Pina and Flambé at her side.
Asuna was able to reach the generator, then saw the Commantis had moved into the open gap in the middle of the machine. Asuna saw a pipe next to her, and leapt up to it, using her Flowmotion to grind up the 90 degree pipe. She landed within the gap, her Spirits popping into existence. The Commantis was waiting for her to come. The core of the generator, which was a red jewel of some kind, was floating above them. Asuna wasn't focused on that, though. She got herself ready to face the Nightmare.
(Cue Sonic Generation OST 'Crisis City Modern')
The Commantis started shifting around the battle area with its' wheel-like spinner. Asuna charged at it, and unleashed her Linear Rapier Skill. Flambé sent fireballs flying from his frying pan while Pina used sent Musical Bolts hitting the Nightmare. It wasn't fazed, but retaliated with spinning its' disc, and sending disc-shaped energy at the trio. Asuna blocked all she could with her Keyblade, but there were so many, she got sent back by one that hit her feet.
Asuna flipped herself over, then unleashed her Thunder spell, damaging the Commantis. She charged forward and started stabbing the Dream Eater like crazy. It retaliated by jumping into the air, spinning its' disc around, then sending energy shots scattering down everywhere. Asuna used her Fire spell to block one, but Pina and Flambé were damaged badly at the attack.
Asuna got down to the ground, and used Cura on all of them, restoring their strength. She then saw that the Commantis was now in a different position, the back of it landing on top with its' disk horizontal. It now looked like a top, and started to spin like one at the trio. "Move out of the way!" Asuna cried out to her Dream Eaters, and they scattered as the Commantis barreled right through. Asuna's hanging pieces of cloth barely got scratched at this.
Asuna landed on the edge of the platform, then felt her Flowmotion activate on itself. As it turns out, the edge of the platform had a bit of a rail sticking out, giving something for Asuna to go on. She started grinding along it, taking the long way around to the Commantis, who had started spinning its' disc and shooting more disc-shaped energy shots at Asuna. She was moving so fast, that the attacks just passed all around her. She leapt up close to the Nightmare, and struck it with a string of Flowmotion attacks.
The Commantis then took a new form; it transformed its' spinner into four legs, and started charging up. It was then that Asuna recalled that this was when it would recharge its' strength. "I can't let this happen!" Asuna declared, then she saw diamonds on the pillar start to glow pink, along with the Commantis, and decided to try something.
"Drift!" Asuna shouted, and she dove into a Reality Shift. Pulling up the panel, she saw the ring of six diamonds surrounding the generator, plus the Commantis. She then started creating a line from the Commantis to one diamond, ringing all the other diamonds together in a line, then coming back to the Commantis.
Asuna came out of the Reality Shift, and started grinding along the rope of light she made. Whenever she crossed a diamond, she caused it to spark. Since she formed a loop around the targets, she passed each object twice. When she struck all the diamonds twice, they short-circuited, and their energy surged back into the generator, right onto the Commantis, where it short-circuited and was stunned.
Asuna, Pina and Flambé started attacking the Nightmare like crazy, damaging it while it was stunned for a few seconds. It then regained itself, and its' disc went vertical again. It started spinning around the arena at high speeds, circling Asuna and her Spirits. It came to a stop behind them, leapt up, and sent more energy shots raining down from its' disc. Asuna, Pina and Flambé saw them coming, unleashing their long-ranged attacks to knock away the energy shots. Asuna used her Fire spell, while Flambé sent fireballs and Pina unleashed F Minor explosives. Their combined effort destroyed all the energy shots that were coming at them.
The team continued their assault against the Commantis, knowing what it was capable of. It was pretty swift and powerful, but Asuna was able to know what kind of attacks it would use if it' spinner was horizontal or vertical. That didn't stop the fact that the attacks were tough to avoid, especially when it threw energy discs, which seem to slightly home in on the trio. At another point, it tried to recharge itself, but Asuna pulled of the same Reality Shift trick to stun it.
"I gotta get in some definite damage to take it out!" Asuna shouted, barely avoiding it spinning at her like a top, "Maybe I should do a Link Style to take it down…" She turned to Pina and Flambé, who came to her side and started making their individual cries at her. "What's that? You both want to do it?" Asuna asked, "You mean I can do it with both of you, together?" The Spirits cried in response. Asuna turned to the Commantis, seeing its' spinner go vertical and ready to attack. "Guess I'll give it a shot. Let's do this!" Asuna declared, her Spirits at the ready.
Asuna, Pina and Flambé focused together, and the two Spirits turned into balls of light and united with Asuna. Asuna felt a surge of energy that exceeded the normal Link Style. "Dual Style! Ghost Drive!" Asuna then unleashed a burst of dark energy around her body, but it was different compared to her Darkest Fears Link Style.
Asuna readied herself to fight the Commantis, who fired its' energy discs. Asuna warped away from the line of fire, reappearing on one side of the Nightmare, slashing it like crazy. The Commantis attempted to swipe her with its' claws, but she left an afterimage in her place, warping to the opposite side she was at before. She did this technique twice more, the Commantis being really confused as to where to attack.
Finally, Asuna warped from a distance, rushing at the Nightmare, striking it, then warped, and repeated a few more times, circling the Nightmare. She ended by warping high above the Nightmare, her Keyblade over her head. "Farewell!" Asuna shouted, and she slammed her Keyblade right in top of the Commantis, slashing it down the middle. The moment Asuna hit the ground, she warped away, landing on the far side of the generator from the Commantis.
The Commantis jostled around for a couple seconds, then as it was swallowed in a ball of light, it subsided and went limp. Then, finally, it vanished in a sparkling of lights. Asuna reverted herself back to normal, bringing her Dream Eaters back again. The Nightmare was defeated.
Asuna stood there, sighing in relief. She then started noticing the shaking from the dimensional tremor again, not noticing it in the heat of the battle. She then turned to see Nanoha fly up from below to meet her. "You defeated it!" Nanoha cheered for Asuna.
"Now all that's left is to remove the core." Asuna told her, "Nanoha, do your thing."
"Right." Nanoha replied as Yuuno joined the two. Nanoha raising her staff and chanted, "Raging Heart, seal that core!"
"SEALING." her staff responded, the orb glowing with magical energy. She waved her staff at the red gem that was the core of the generator. a beam of light shot at it, then encircled the gem in a soft aura. It detached itself from the core, and floated towards Nanoha. She raised a hand, and held the floating gem in her hand. "Got it." she said, looking to Yuuno and Asuna, who nodded in approval.
"That should subside the dimensional tremor." Yuuno stated. Sure enough, the shaking started to diminish, then it stopped altogether.
"This is Captain Lindy speaking." Lindy spoke to the trio, "Nanoha and her team have sealed the Garden of Time's generator core. I am sustaining the remaining energy, but the Garden of Time is about to collapse on itself. You must leave."
"But what about Fate?" Nanoha asked.
"She's below your position, with Alph and Chrono at her side, plus one more." Lindy explained, "They are arresting Precia Testarossa as we speak."
"I want to go find Fate." Nanoha told Yuuno.
"We'll come with you." Yuuno responded, indicating himself and Asuna.
"You two go on ahead." Asuna told the two, "I know how to get out of here."
"Are you sure?" Yuuno asked, "This place is very unsafe, and who knows how long it will hold."
"Helping Fate is more important to you two." Asuna told the two, "Besides, my Keyblade will show me the way out, so don't worry." Asuna knelt down to Nanoha's level. "I'm glad I got to meet you, Nanoha." she thanked her, "Hope we can meet again."
"I hope so, too." Nanoha answered, raising her right hand. Asuna and Nanoha shook hands, and the two young mages took off towards Fate, leaving Asuna behind.
Asuna turned around, seeing the surroundings. "Gouxus said I'm always helping for someone else's sake." Asuna told herself, "I know that every time I help someone, I feel good inside, and that I've gained a connection with someone. And the challenges that each task brings improves me and challenges me. So, in a way, I help others for my own sake, all because I know it's the right thing to do."
A Sleeping Keyhole appeared from a distance above her. "Kirito, we'll have to keep helping others so that we can become stronger and be connected to more people." Asuna finished, "I hope you know that well." Asuna recalled her Dream Eaters, waved her Keyblade towards the Sleeping Keyhole. A bright light shot from her Keyblade, connecting with the Keyhole, which created a hole of light upon connection. The light enveloped Asuna, and she closed her eyes, taken away to the next world.
Next time on SAKFF:
Kirito: Precia Testarossa, what a horrible woman! She creates a clone of her deceased daughter, and completely loathes her, even though she hasn't done anything wrong. If Fate considers Precia her daughter, then she should accept her with love. But Precia intends to go find a way to revive her daughter, and she will destroy anything in order to achieve it. She can't rewrite the past!
On the next Sword Art Kingdom: Falling Fantasy
Garden of Time! Fate, Thy Daughter!
Kirito & Asuna: The Dreams have yet to be discovered!