Days pass and the girls fight another Vertex, La Pucelle still could join them in the battles, they break continued calmly:
´´FINALLY THE POOL!- Sonoko raise her arms as celebration - ´´And is only for ourselves today´´
´´Is private after all, Taisha is been very generous to us´´
´´Not with this school swimsuit, so disappointed´´
´´They´re more adequate to swim, Gin´´ - turn to a room- ´´Souta, are you hiding again? ´´
´´But this…WAAH…´´ - Sonoko pulls her.
´´LaPu, you´re exuberant as always, even with the same swimsuit´´-
´´Why are you hide? Is only us here´´
´´ I just not use with these clothes…EEEK´´- feel Sonoko grabbing her tail
´´The Taisha even make a hole for your tail´´
´´Sonoko! ´´´- pushing down the blondie, tickle her.
´´Lapu…lapu…hahaha´´
Washio stared the scene with her left eyes vibrating.
´´Jealous, Sumi? ´´
´´ Course not, Souta is living with me after all´´
´´OOOH, SUMI! ´´- surprised that she make so statement.
´´Don´t make that face, let´s swim´´
Minutes later
´´Sumi you´re so quick in the water´´
´´Well, I win a medal of swimming last year´´
´´ Is that one together with your other trophies? ´´ - sitting on her right side.
´´ So Washi is a talent girl! ´´
´´Is only two for scholarship activities is even make of plastic…´´- waving her hands.
´´Still LaPu knowing this before us…´´- poked Washio with her elbow.
´´Anyway, Souta you swim as a crocodile with that tail´´
´´Eh? Should I take this as compliment? ´´- a dislike expression.
Then the world paralyzed.
´´Sorry Souta, we need to go´´- the trio leave to fight again, La Pucelle stay, hit the water once of frustration.
Next day, in a kindergarten. Gin was telling a history for kids, using drawings:
´´ This evil monsters invade our city, wanting to keep if for himself. How dreadful´´
´´ROAAAR´´- La Pucelle appearing in the door, wearing a hug cape, with vampire teeth's and fake horns and tails:
´´AAAAH, SO SCARY´´- kids screaming.
´´The monster destroy the house of innocent people´´- Then La Pucelle step a house of carton- ´´ but don´t afraid, because Shinju-sama is with us and send her heroes to save the city: Kokubou Ramen!`´
From the door, two person wearing military outfits with eyes mask declare:
´´The people call us to defend the country´´- say the one with blue suit.
´´They shout for us to defend love´´- say the one with Green.´´ EVERYONE STAND´´- Shout together.
´´WARRIOR OF PATRIOTISM´´- pointing they sword to the monster-´´ We won´t forgive you!´´
After finish the show, the team lunch together:
´´This was the funnier day of the year´´
´´I´m not sure to agree, but probably between my top three´´
´´Souta make so a convincing monster that the kids were scary for real´´
´´Sure I was doing my worse´´- been smug.
´´If only we could continue this day forever…´´- an innocent sentence but La Pucelle show uncomfortable ´´Ah, sorry LaPu, I just…´´
´´Imagining far away on this future´´- smiling, Sonoko feel relieve.
´´You´re good on jokes´´
That Night Aki give them an important new on Washio home:
´´ Thanks for all your works in the last months, the number of Vertex decrease to the point rest only three to eliminated´´
´´That´s an optimist news´´- say Washio parents.
´´So, this fight could end in any moment…´´- then stared to her guest, who was desmotivated.
La Pucelle lying down in her room:
´´I should be happy, I should be excited for that this would end, but still I just…:´´- hear knocks.
´´Souta, can we talk? ´´ - enter the room - ´´You´re not happy, didn´t?´´
´´My bad, is obvious, isn´t it? ´´
´´ Say things that you don´t need to fight won´t convinced you´´
´´Washio, the time with all you was very pleased to me, is just…´´
´´Is not complete, I understand´´
´´I really wish I didn´t feel this way´´
Washio approached. Knee down on her front, caressing the left cheek of her friend:
´´You had more experience on combat than us, so I won´t say something about this but I don´t want my dear comrade undervalue herself, since is hurt see you down´´
Heard these words bring an old memory to La Pucelle:
´´Don´t depreciate yourself, that is the work of our enemies only´´´-
´´I remember this lesson, Sweet Witch of Orleans: ´´- it was one of her past servant.
´´Souta, do I convince you? ´´- Washio expressing doubt.
´´A lot, thanks again Washio, this time with you was more than I can ask´´
´´I´m happy for heard this, especially from the girl I lo…´´- she paused, shake her head not- ´´ from my closer friend´´
Both girls stared each other smile for seconds:
´´In the worst case you can stay in my home, my parents already see you as part of our family´´
´´Oh, it mean I could become your sibling. ´´ - in-joke tone.
´´A sister or maybe a brother if you prefer…´´- trying making a comeback. She leave the room happily, La Pucelle could sleep more calm.
A last for few hours, Washio wake up:
´´They really don´t want to wasted time´´ - Washio was about to transform but look for a moment to the door ´´ hopefully you had good dreams´´ - thinking of her partner she just talk.
The three girls reunited:
´´Washi quick as always´´
´´If only we could finish this battle as quick´´- In the front three big Vertex, two in form of dolls while the bigger like a bull.
´´Three like Aki-sensei mention, this could be last battle´´-
´´Sumi, you sound demotivated…´´
´´Sorry, I just wish she could be with us´´
´´LaPu still had time to join us´´- Sonoko walking to the front- ´´ whenever the case is; let´s make all of our effort be worthy´´
The dolls that were floating quite begging running, Sonoko and Gin go intercept them, approaching very close:
´´That´s weird, they´re not attacking:´´- as soon Gin thought this, a whip appear in the doll back moving against her, she slayer the whip, it was cut but another whip appear attacking, Sonoko jump to Shield Gin, the hit was so strong that make her lose her balance. Gin jump and cut the whip. They see an explosion in the doll legs, make it falling, it was Washio hit.
Gin quickly approached to this doll to make a final slay, when she was about to attack, the bull who was quiet until now generate electricity in the horns, shooting a ray on Washio direction.
´´I had to move! ´´ - but it was late, the ray hit close of her causing an explosion.
´´WASHI´´- Sonoko shout seeing her friend body flying, unconscious.
The other doll shoot against Sonoko, distracted she barely dodged; the beam cross her left leg, and hitting by a whip.
´´SONOCHI!- Gin jump and catch her friend in the air, carrying her in her arms she continued jump until approached to Washio, rest Sonoko in her side and take the pulse.
Goodness, they´re just unconscious´´- she turn to see the Vertex, they direction was change to were Shinju-sama were, Gin look to her friends: ´´Leave this to me´´
In Washio house:
´´I win so much, even though I don´t complete my promise´´
´´Your job is not destruction, Master´´
´´Altera? ´´ - Opening her eyes, noticing that she is on Madoka room conversation, in her side, one of her stronger servant stared her.
´´ You know that power was make to destroy worlds and the only reason to use is to end a war´´
´´Know better now, but your Nobble Phantasm was a power was a spectacular to me´´ - La Pucelle knowing that this Altera is not into emotional meeting just follow her conversation.
´´This is a cold reencounter of you two´´- it was Madoka, watching the scene with a sad smile.
´´Madoka, I am so glad that I finally see you again´´
´´Me too, but is a bad timing, your friend are fighting now´´
´´Dammit, so soon that Aki give the news this monster attack again´´- her angry expression change for one of doubt - ´´ Since I could see you again, if mean I can fight again?´´
´´That´s depend of her´´- Madoka pointing discretely to the Saber.
´´ Master, the reason you couldn´t fight is because use my power damage your magic circuits, you recovery but still weak´´
´´I see where this going…´´
´´You can fight but next time your damage could be permanent´´- her cold expression show some worried.
´´Is my fault again´´- the goddess tearing up;
´´Please Madoka, we already talk about this, I had responsibilities on my decisions´´
´´Souta…´´- stared her, sobbing.
´´You´re willing on risk yourself? ´´
´´My news friends worth the risk´´- smiling confident- ´´But about you Altera, our bonds will disappear…´´
Altera approached to face her:
´´Don´t mind, I was your servant-willing die for you, but I mind if you give up´´- her expression was still cold but show more relieved.
The Knight look to the goddess:
´´Madoka, I…´´-
´´Go, let´s talk later´´.
Meanwhile in the Battle
´´This is had to be my best…´´ - Gin running against the broken doll about to recovery, the other Vertex shoot, was easily dodge, they weren´t fast but multiples shoots make it harder to moved. A little before the broken doll could stand, Gin jump like trying to keep the face of the enemies, it worked using the impulse to slay the Vertex head, defeating it.
´´GYAA… they´re duller than they look´´- feeling a pain in her hands, as soon as she land in the floor, she prepare to attack the other doll. However, two shoot hits her arms, she shout making her swords disappear.
´´ DAMMIT, YOU REALLY DO THIS TIME! ´´- angry she face the enemies, when she was about to appear her weapon again she hear the sound of ray on her back, it was the bull. Gin had enough time to run to the side but the explosion push her making her turns in the floor, she could recovery to dodged another beam but feeling pain in her legs, she could barely stand.
´´I won´t allow you go for them!´´ -with her sword she face her enemies ready to shoot together on her, when it happened and the light of the attack approached, her expression change- ´´This was too much for me, isn´t it?´´
She feel a unexpected grab on her hips and a forced pushing her to the side, the shoots failed and little after she could recognized someone.
´´GIN, YOU´RE SO RECKLESS! ´´
´´Sou-chan! ´´ - her smile show an enormous relieved, La Pucelle carrying her in the arms land behind a hill, then she hug tightly her friend- ´´You come for us!´´
´´Oh course, we´re a team after all´´- see Gin injures ´´ Where is Washio and Sonoko? ´´
After quick talk about the current situation:
´´You do well, Gin, leave me the rest to me´´
´´Not way, I won´t allow you fight alone´´
´´You´re too injured to fight´´
´´You call me reckless, who is been now? ´´- first time that Gin stared seriously to La Pucelle.
´´Sorry Gin, you´re right´´- taking her hands- ´´Take me where is our rest! ´´
The Vertex were strong but they´re low on persistence, giving time to the duo approached to her friends:
´´Sou-ta…´´- Washio whispering, recognizing her friend voice.
´´Don´t move, soon I will make all feel recovery´´
´´Sou-chan, will you use again one of your powers? ´´-
´´Yes, but don´t worried, is one to healing them´´
´´You had this kind of power, but isn´t will cause you the same effect of last time? ´´
´´Well, I´m not sure…´´- get surprise by another serious look of Gin- ´´For all of you is worth the risk´´
Gin was not convinced but knowing her couldn´t stop La Pucelle. La Pucelle stand, spread her arms making an elegant gest like the one she will dance:
´´Eightfold Blessing of Amaterasu´´- saying the words discrete forms of blue kimono covering La Pucelle body, about them a mirror appear shinning, the light covering the presents.
Gin notice her injures are healing, her tiredness easing, similar to Sonoko and Washio:
´´Gin, LaPu?´´ Sonoko wake up, Gin approached to help her stand - ´´I´m happy we all together´´
´´Mmh, I agree Sonochi´´- Washio stared La Pucelle who help her stand Welcome back´´- smiling.
´´Thanks, this is a situation that I dream a little´´
´´Sou-chan, any consequence for use that power. ´´
´´ I´m fine, Tamamo power don´t cause me fatigue´´´
´´Tamamo? ´´- the three girls saying together.
´´Ah, is one of my previous comrade, I talk about her later, we still had enemies´´
´´I see that Gin promised too much…´´
´´Sumi…´´ -embarrassed.
´´Since I am not tired, I can use another of my power…´´
´´NOT WAY! ´´- the three again.
´´´LaPu, we´ll fight together, not relieve in only one´´- pouting
´´My bad…so let´s win together´´- extending her hand, the other girls join and together shout:
´´HEROES OF THE WORLD ALWAYS WIN! ´´
The Doll shoot multiples beams, La Pucelle and Sonoko stand in the front to protect the other two, when they hit the strength of the attack were so much that push back both.
´´Don´t forget that I also can shoot ´´- Washio throw arrow that colliding with the beams, causing an explosion.
The girls apart in groups, Sonoko with Gin run to the left and La Pucelle with Washio to the run, the dolls continued shooting but without precision. Washio make a certain hit in the dolls center making it balance, La Pucelle enough close extend her sword goes thought the Vertex body. Stay quiet for a bit but she see it was charging another attack.
´´I forgot of telling you that these guys are dull´´ - Gin appearing from behind and making a slaying, the charging stop but star moving violent.
´´ Give up already! ´´- Sonoko stuck her spear in the enemies head, making if falling back, and disintegrating. The girls regroup.
´´We fours are really stronger together, but not because we had more numbers´´
And what will be the reason, my dear Washio? ´´
´´Is just that we understand each other more…also calling me dear? ´´
´´Do you dislike?. I thought I could call you this way´´
´´No, is just that coming from you, I feel…´´ -blushing.
´´Not fair, both of you having so especial relationship!´´- Sonoko appearing between the other two.
´´ Ahaha, I was missing this comedy relieve´´
´´Enough both, we still had to defeat…´´- she couldn´t continue for an unexpected light coming to the direction. La Pucelle jump to the front, swinging her sword to catch the ray, causing an explosion.
´´SOUTA! ´´- Screaming, seeing that La Pucelle wasn´t injured but shaking.
´´LaPu, you shouldn´t trying to handle that alone´´
´´I was the closer to react…´´
´´Everyone cover´´ - Gin shout seeing another ray was shoot, separating on different direction the attack hit the floor exploding. The Vertex keep attacking, the team could regroup farther, staying to observe for a bit.
´´That bull was quite until now, it change after the other were destroy´´
´´Could it be related, like that cave Vertex of before?´´
´´ Maybe like us, he get mad after we destroy his friends´´
´´I don´t see this things having friends´´-Gin nearly laughing of Sonoko comment.
´´ More probably they were shaking the same fount of energy and this one just could use full now, Aki-sensei mention that possibility´´
´´ Everyone, look…´´- La Pucelle pointing that the Vertex was moving fast, crushing everything in it steps. ´´ Should I really another of this power…´´
Washio touch her friend shoulder.
´´We´re close to finish, let´s fight like always´´ - the knight nods with doubt since her wish was to avoid more risk.
´´Since LaPu want to confront that, I had plan´´
The team listen her plan. Then La Pucelle launch to intercept the enemy charging another ray until Washio arrow hit them.
Already close, the knight slaying the sides making a long cut, the enemies just move to her direction, exposing the cut who is hitting by other arrow, the Vertex trying to charge again, La Pucelle run to the bottom of the head and extending her sword to embed.
´´Is really dull, like Gin say´´- La Pucelle taka a breath a push her sword as deep she could- ´´This way you can´t use your ray´´
From behind appear Gin that using all her strength could cut one of the Vertex horns.
´´Your turn, Sonochi! ´´ - giving a sign to the leader attack and sticking her spear I the head top. It look that stop for an instant.
´´Do this was enough? Washi couldn´t use her stronger arrow´´
´´Maybe we can destroy it normally…´´- immediately the Vertex move violent, provoking and earthquake.
The shakes make out La Pucelle sword, and immediately the Vertex could shoot on Washio direction, Sonoko jump to intercept the ray with the spear, it work since it was far weaken but then, another ray cause an explosion.
´´SONOCHI!´´ - Gin catch her friend in the air, conscious but injured to move for herself, she hear a strong hit, it was La Pucelle embed the sword back with so much strength that it was visible injuries in the hands.
´´GIN…ASK TO WASHI CONTINUED THE PLAN!´´
´´But you will…´´
´´I trust you all´´- La Pucelle smile forcibly trying to pass confident.
In Washio position:
´´Come on, you´re taking too much time´´ - Washio is holding a brightly arrow, she thought-´ I can use a strong attack once using nearly all my energy but I will need help to stand that why is save as a last resort´´
Seeing Gin approaching carrying Sonoko.
´´Sumi, you need to shoot now! ´´
´´But Souta still there…´´
´´´She know, but if she left the Vertex will attack again´´
Even with the scene of the Vertex moving violent, she doubt and nearly lower her arrow.
BIMP-BIMP-BIMP.
´´A message to me. who could be? ´´- Sonoko take her phone and see the sender was La Pucelle.
´´Trust me, we still need to go to a festival´´- it was the message with an emoticon waving.
´´Sou-chan where you found strength for this? ´´- Gin smiled.
Washio close her eyes for an instant, open with full determination and shoot.
The arrow flying with tail of brightly colors, like a missile. La Pucelle could see part of the light on her position:
´´Our time together were precious´´- her last words until the arrow cause a massive explosion.
The other girls watch the brightly until it disappear, and anxious going to check her friend status:
´´No, it can´t be´´- Washio had an expression of dissapear seeing her friend body of back, blood around there.
´´LaPu…´´- Sonoko turned the body and see La Pucelle face bleeding, not breathing, Sonoko shake her negative.
´´Sou-chan, you liar…´´- Gin sobbing.
Washio was on silent for a moment, until big tears spilled,
´´Souta…Please not´´- jump to hug the body- ´´You can´t go, Souta, I want we stay together, Souta…´´
Washio clenched her teeth's, and shout:
´´I STILL DIDN´T SAY THAT I LOVE YOU! `´ -Crying, Sonoko and Gin look to each other.
´´Please, don´t bury me yet´´
´´OH COURSE NOT…EH? ´´ - her sobbing eyes open, seeing that La Pucelle looking to her.
The other smiling approached
´But how, Lapu? You weren´t breathing´´
´´Oh, I breathing difficulty but still…´´
´´Ara, Sou-chan you give us a prank….I was so sad´´- Gin trying to make a joke but finally crying on her friend shoulder.
´´Sorry everyone´´
´´Is better you give us a great date! ´´- Washio angry, scaring the other girls.
Then forcing a smile to say:
´´WE WIN!´´
The Girls laugh.