The Reactionaries

The same night, Maki was also on the phone while in her bedroom. She looked through her laptop, which displayed a chart of statistics.

"Okay Nero, you want some actual detective work? You got it." Maki instructed, "I've sent you the necessary documents. I want you to find out everything you can about Phoebus Apollo. Contact me if you find anything relevant."

"Whatever it is, I will get to the bottom of it…" she thought.

The following morning, Honoka and Kotori were to begin on their trainng regime as dictated by Umi… if not for the fact they were horribly late. The Sun had long risen and it was almost 10 a.m. by the time they walked towards the meeting area – on the steps of the Kanda Shrine.

"Honoka-chan, we were supposed to be here hours ago!" Kotori exclaimed.

"Chill, it is Sunday morning. Hardly anyone gets up that early," Honoka calmly replied, "Besides, didn't Kotori-chan wake up only about an hour ago?"

"Oh God, Umi-chan will be so mad by now!" Kotori continued hollering.

"It'll be all okay." Honoka insisted.

"What will be all okay?" a voice called out.

Looking over the top of the imposing steps, the two saw Umi glaring at them from above. Her face was grim and even more serious than her usual self.

"Umi-chan!" they exclaimed.

"I believe we have agreed to begin your training today at 5 a.m." Umi ominously spoke, "And the time now is…"

"Wait Umi-chan, I can explain!" Honoka yelled, "It was… Kotori-chan! She… she did not wake up Honoka on time!"

"What?" cried Kotori, "You just slept on no matter how many times I tried waking you up!"

"No excuses! Inexcusable!" Umi shouted, "Because of the two of you, everyone's training has been affected!"

"Umi-chan… there's only the two of us in training…" Honoka mentioned.

"No talking back allowed!" Umi continued shouting, "We are wasting time already! Both of you are to run up the steps towards me right now, within one minute! Any second late and a penalty will be imposed!"

"What!" the two students cried.

With all the commotion occurring in the Shrine, Nozomi turned to the entrance of the shrine. She heard the many loud cries and shouts from the second-years.

The spiritual girl took out a card from her attire.

The Hierophant. Reverse.

"The Hierophant's reign of terror eh?"

After hours of training, the day turned to night and everyone parted for their respective homes. For Umi, after dinner, she resumed training inside the mini-dojo inside her house.

While swinging her shinai, Umi's father looked on with interest.

"Umi, how was the intense training you put Honoka and Kotori through just now?" asked her father.

"Father!" Umi exclaimed, stopping her current actions, "Those two still have a long way to go. They lack discipline and urgency… I really… I don't know what to do with them…"

"I see… You girls are ultimately fighting an incredible foe, so I understand your fluster towards any blunder," Mr Sonada empathised, "However, do not go overboard. They are still your friends in the end, not disciples."

"But Father, it is all necessary," Umi said, "If I am not harsh on them, they might not be able to handle the battles ahead. I had to save them when Ymir…"

"Your camaraderie is more vital virtue to overcome these foes, that you must understand above all else," her father explained, "A single chopstick breaks easily, but not when they are in a bundle."

The day after was another school day in summer, and school life resumed with lessons and all. School life had stabilised with hopes of relocation, but boring lessons never really did change.

While this particular Japanese Literature lesson was boring, Honoka and Kotori were effectively knocked out and snoring at their desks. It was extremely noticeable as well, drawing everyone's attention to them.

"Kousaka! Minami!" their teacher yelled.

"Yes!" only Kotori responded; Honoka, on the other hand, kept on sleeping.

"Kousaka!" the teacher continued yelling and nudging the sleepy girl's shoulders.

At last, Honoka's eyes opened and saw her teacher grim and serious, like a certain someone from yesterday.

"You and Minami should stand a bit for the remainder of the day," the teacher said.

"Those two…" Umi thought, "So ill-disciplined… I have to… No, must reform them…"

After school ended, µ's gathered inside an empty clubroom left available for them courtesy of the Student Council. With the exception of the fellow second-years, everyone else was understandably surprised by Kotor's annulment of her enrolment and flight.

"What!" they exclaimed.

"How is that possible?" exclaimed Eli.

"Ha, it appears that the Wheel of Fortune has turned you back towards us." Nozomi cheerfully joked, "Welcome back, Kotori-chan."

"So Rin still gets her kitty hoodie, right?" Rin asked.

"Are you bitter not going to that fashion academy?" asked Hanayo.

"Looks like you're stuck with us," Nico remarked.

Only Maki was completely silent, looking at Kotori and the rest.

"One day, it was all there. And then, it disappeared…" she thought.

"We have no idea. Mum told me to continue my studies here and my iDol pilot duty for now," Kotori answered, "Besides, I enjoy being in this school surrounded by everyone."

"Really? But it would be much safer overseas…" Nico mocked.

"Nico-chan." Maki spoke, staring disapprovingly at the third-year.

"In any case, we are happy to have you back," Eli said, "But uh… what's with Honoka?"

Eli pointed at Honoka, who was sleeping tightly on the desk with her saliva dripping.

"We had some tough training yesterday…" Kotori bemoaned.

"Training?" Eli wondered.

"Ha, you called that tough!" Umi dismissed Kotori's claims, "That was just the basics. If you cannot even grasp the fundamentals, it is difficult to advance."

"Harasho… and how long did the training last?" Eli asked, "It took quite a lot from Honoka there."

"8 p.m. Eli-chi," Nozomi replied.

"Huh? But how do you know?" Kotori exclaimed.

"My spiritual power, of course~" Nozomi happily replied, "And there's also the fact that y'all been shouting in sacred land yesterday."

"You worked in the shrine, Nozomi-sempai." Umi deduced.

"Yup… though I think sempai ain't all that needed among us friends," Nozomi said, "I'm not as allegedly perfect as Eli-chi or as pompous as Nico-chi over there."

"Pompous?" exclaimed Nico.

"Even if I know you well, our positions still stand and it is a fact that you are a sempai." Umi insisted.

"It appears you have a long way to go, but it is great to be training together," Eli remarked.

"Excellent idea, Eli-sempai!" Umi exclaimed, "Everyone should be training together as one! We can maintain our health and be in tiptop condition!"

"They don't seem that too tiptop if you ask me…" Nico sceptically claimed.

"I did not say that." Eli insisted.

"Umi-chan, don't we already have the training scheduled in Phoebus Apollo?" Kotori pointed out.

"Hmm, I always thought it had been too relaxed. We are fighting for our lives, after all…" Umi analysed, "I know! I am going to find the Captain. We have some serious training regime reforms to perform."

With that, Umi left the clubroom immediately to find the Chairwoman to explain her so-called reforms.

"She's quite a serious kid there," Nozomi laughed.

"Me and my big mouth… I made it worse…" Eli lamented.

"Reform?" Nico grumbled, "Nico does not like the sound of that…"

"Is this something bad?" Rin gulped.

"Someone save us all!" Hanayo yelled.

"Hope Mum does not follow through with her suggestions," Kotori blurted out.

Later, µ's was called in to Phoebus Apollo for a quick meeting. Inside the meeting room, vital staff handling µ's was there along with the nine members.

Strangely, Umi was not seated with everyone else. She was standing alongside Captain Minami, as though she were in charge of the topic in question.

"Oaky everyone, we are here today to discuss some changes to how we do things," Captain Minami explained, "I will let Sonada-san continue since it is her idea."

"I have a bad feeling about this," Nico whispered to Rin, who merely gulped.

"Everyone, I would like to point out that our physical ability as it stands is lacking." Umi explained, "Therefore, I am here to offer some changes to the current system."

At a click of Umi's pointer, the screen projected a list of these so-called changes.

"Right now, all members of µ's are undergoing intense training everyday after school. The codename for that is School iDol Club." Umi elaborated, "To supplement that, additional training will continue on Saturdays from 0500 to 1900, along with battle reviews on Sunday afternoon and further training on Sunday morning from 0500 to 1430. That is my proposal."

"No break…" Kotori muttered.

"I'm gonna die…" Rin bemoaned.

"Someone, please save us." Hanayo lamented.

"Uh… Umi, isn't that a bit too harsh on the girls?" Eli questioned.

"If we put in absolute effort, we can definitely achieve it." Umi boldly declared.

"She's scary when motivated…" Nico bemoaned.

"Guess there will be changes to out schedules," Maki calmly remarked.

"Will the Superintendent allow this?" Honoka blurted out, surprising everyone else there. Among those present, only Nozomi and Maki maintained their calm.

"Who?"

"Ah yes, the Superintendent will have to approve the proposal before implementing it." Captain Minami clarified, "However, I personally see little errors in Sonada-san's plans. It is great that you girls are taking the initiative for further training."

"May I speak with the Superintendent?" asked Umi.

"Well… I never actually met him before. He usually contacts me instead," Captain Minami said, "But I'm certain he is aware of this by now."

After that meeting, opinions were in the minds of many. Nico and Maki loitered about a nearby vending machine, as Nico tried slotting coins for the drinks available.

"So the Captain is not the highest ranked personnel here…" Maki analysed, "… And there's also the fact that Kotori's flight and placing were suddenly cancelled… No, it's like they never existed."

"God, quit looking so deeply into things." Nico snapped, "You're becoming those wacky New World Order conspiracy guys…"

"Except the fact that it may be real," Maki retorted, "Look… hmm…"

Maki grabbed Nico's body and placed her lips close to the petite girl's ears.

"This proves it, my theory… in a way…" Maki whispered, "And I believe that the Superintendent is at the centre of this."

Also, the second-years were locked in confrontation since the emergency meeting where Umi called for reforms. Honoka stared at Umi and similar stares were returned, with Kotori trying her best to prevent an all-out fight.

"Umi-chan, I never knew you would go this far…" Honoka broke the silence.

"It is only for everyone's good. Hardly anyone of us are geared for this kind of battle," Umi justified herself.

"Guys… please calm down…" Kotori butted in.

"Kotori!"

"Kotori-chan!"

And then, Kotori stopped and just kept quiet. She resumed her silent role in preventing conflict from escalating.

"Once we achieve victory, you will acknowledge me." Umi said.

"Who made you the boss here?" Honoka yelled, "We are all friends, childhood friends among us three, and super childhood friends with you! Are you going to segregate us into your hierarchy?"

"Honoka-chan…" Kotori muttered.

Stunt by Honoka's words, Umi only stood still with her head hanging about.

Meanwhile, in Captain Minami's office, she was speaking with a team of technicians and security guards.

"Okay, so we were spied on." Captain Minami summarised, "Do we know anything about this spy?"

"Not much," a guard mentioned, "He looks like some dude in a trench coat."

"I see… All of you may leave…" Captain Minami ended the meeting.

"I guess I'd better make the call…" she thought.

Inside Nozomi's private chamber, she began taking out her Tarot cards and shuffled them. Eli looked with boredom in her eyes.

"You have to stop fiddling with those cards, you know…" Eli lamented.

"Why should I, Eli-chi? They're accurate insight to the future and all," Nozomi said, "Like… so!"

Nozomi picked up a certain card.

The Hierophant. Reverse.

"Umi-chan's a perfect Hierophant yes?" she continued, "She came from a traditional family and upholding the ways of the old. Even her speech upholds her humility to others."

"Sigh… and to think all nine of us are supposed to work together… as equals…" Eli lamented.

"Humph… And to think Eli-chi wanted to work alone to stop all the Avatars once…" Nozomi recounted.

"That was a mistake. I thought I could be a hero… but I guess everyone needs one another to succeed," Eli admitted.

Since that day, no word had been received from Phoebus Apollo over the implementation of these reforms. That did not wipe out the worry from the faces of some, who tried their best to prevent them from being implemented.

After school, everyone in µ's save for Umi was gathered in the clubroom. Rin kept a lookout at the door, as the others began their discussion.

"Is this truly necessary?" Eli wondered.

"Of course, our lifestyles are at stake!" Honoka exclaimed.

"Rin doesn't mind more running, but not 5 in the morning nya!" Rin lamented.

"So… uh… what's the plan?" Hanayo asked.

"We need to stop that blue-haired maniac from dominating us!" Nico declared.

"But how?" Eli questioned, "She has a point over the need to exercise, though her methods may be a tad too extreme."

"You two… you're her childhood friends!" Nico pointed to both Honoka and Kotori, "You must know some form of weakness that we can blackmail from her!"

"Us?" Kotori exclaimed.

"Umi-chan… well, she is good at many things…" Honoka mouthed off, "… There were the times she became Kotori-chan's model."

"Model?" Nico wondered, interested.

"Yeah, Umi-chan always ended up a model for Kotori-chan's costumes," Honoka elaborated, "She tried all those sexy dresses."

"That's it nico! We need photographs of Umi wearing those sexy dresses and blackmail her to step down or reveal them to the school!" Nico announced.

"I get the feeling it would fail…" Maki calmly remarked.

"And we never took any photos of her wearing them," Kotori mentioned, "Umi-chan insisted that she would only wear them if we do not take pictures of them."

"Or we could simply suggest a counter-suggestion to Umi-chan's," Nozomi suggested.

"A counter-suggestion!"

"Yup, and I think I got a good one," she continued, "Lemme…"

However, Nozomi's suggestion was halted by a sudden beep. Everyone took out their phones and saw the text sent out.

"Avatar manifestation confirmed." It read out.

Meanwhile, the manifested Avatar had already appeared over Tokyo. It contradicted the notion of Avatars being giant beings, with this one being small and like insects to the regular Avatars. Resembling a butterfly with multi-coloured wings, its core radiated light as though it were a firefly as it flew across the cityscape.

Since the rest of µ's were busy plotting against Umi, Umi was sadly left alone to deal with it. Already on-board the Clio, Umi readied herself to shoot down the Avatar.

"The others are not here yet…" she thought, "Where are they? No, that matters not. That thing must be destroyed."

Loading her rounds, the Clio fired a shot at the Avatar. However, it just flew out of range and zipped past Clio. It continued flying about, as if it were reaching somewhere.

"I have to be conservative about my shots. There is only a limited amount…" Umi thought.

Back in iDol clubroom, Nozomi was reaching Phoebus Apollo from her phone. Speaker was set such that everyone can speak and communicate.

"Toujou-san, where are you? And the others too! There's an Avatar manifested!" Hideko's voice called out.

"We know, Hideko-chan…" Nozomi calmly explained, "We're all in the school right now. I presume Umi-chan's handling the Avatar."

"That is correct." Hideko confirmed, "But it is not going so well. According to the Compendium, it is called Arke and it is small and fast like a bee."

"Actually her wings should be a butterfly's…" Nozomi insisted, "She's the sister to the rainbow goddess Iris, after all."

"Isn't that Greek mythology?" thought Maki.

"Umi is missing all her shots. She's like the worse candidate to fight this particular Avatar," Hideko elaborated, "But of course, Arke does not appear to be responding with hostility."

"She's not much better than us," Nico concluded, "Can't even hit one Avatar, compared to Nico's deadly strikes."

"Yazawa-san, to be fair, it is surprisingly small target." Hideko explained, "Approximations measure it as around 10 metres or so. It poses little danger for now, but is difficult to kill from range or up close with its speed."

"But something that fast must be fragile," Maki remarked.

"The wings…" Nozomi deduced, "Just like how the Olympians stripped Arke off her wings and cast her down to Tartarus."

"Hideko-chan! You must give the word to Umi-chan!" Honoka cried.

"B-but Umi-sempai alone cannot even hit her, she…" Hanayo pointed out.

"Umi-chan is never alone. She has all of us beside her!" Honoka proclaimed.

"We're in school right now…" Eli pointed out.

"No, no matter what we are doing, we will always have one another cheering us on." Honoka elaborated, "That's why we are never alone, so long we have the support of everyone behind us."

"Same old Honoka… but we over here have a better plan," Hideko laughed, "Why support her spiritually when you can be there…"

Hideko's words were cut off by the sudden slamming of the door. A woman in gym attire and track pants looked on the girls, with a bemused look on her.

"Sensei!" both Honoka and Kotori exclaimed.

"Hello girls, who wants a free drive to Phoebus Apollo?" Yamada-sensei said, "My car can only take two though, so choose quickly."

"Kotori-chan!" Honoka called out, to which Kotori nodded.

Meanwhile, inside Phoebus Apollo Central Command, Captain Minami continued monitoring the situation against Arke alongside her three technicians.

"Tell Sonada-san to hold back her gunfire." Captain Minami instructed, "What about Yamada-sensei."

"Captain, Yamada-sensei has arrived to escort the other two pilots." Hideko verified.

"And who will they be?" asked the Captain.

"Who else?" Mika remarked.

"It's rather obvious…" Fumika beamed.

"Prepare their iDols then. I want all three of them to eliminate the target!" Captain Minami announced.

The highways were mostly emptied due to the Avatar manifestation, despite it being of little threat. It was perfectly fine for the one car speeding without care. Inside, Yamada-sensei drove the vehicle for the two passengers – Honoka and Kotori.

"Girls, sit tight!" I'm gonna break the speed limit!" Yamada-sensei yelled, "We got no time to waste!"

"I didn't know sensei is part of Phoebus Apollo," Kotori remarked.

"Of course not! I am only returning a favour for the Chairwoman! This is just some of the work a modern civil servant engages in today." the second-years' homeroom teacher cried.

"This time, we are going to help Umi-chan. She helped us too many times before," Kotori said, "We are going to return the favour too."

"Um!" Honoka agreed, "Umi-chan, wait for us!"

Clio's battle with Arke was fruitless, with the nimble Avatar dodging all of Clio's attacks. Forced to merely keep watch, Umi impatiently looked on as Arke fluttered about without apparent aim. For some reason, Arke kept hovering about that area for some time – where a series of old apartments stood.

"So they are coming…" She thought, "But if I couldn't do it… then what difference does it make…"

"Umi-chan!"

"Honoka!"

Marching to join Clio, both Calliope and Erato were prepared to fight Arke. All three iDols stand to surround the tiny Avatar, as the newly arrived iDols geared for combat.

"Umi-chan, hello!" Honoka called out, "It's time to fight!"

Typical of her recklessness, Honoka charged forward and sent the Calliope to slash at Arke. As expected, Arke manoeuvred its way out of Calliope's slashing range and appeared on top of the iDol's head. It then flew off again, as Erato's stabs missed its target completely.

"We will only be fighting among ourselves if it keeps up." Umi deduced.

"So we need to corner it where a decent blow could kill it off," Kotori added.

"That's why we came here, not anyone else." Honoka chimed in, "We know one another for the longest time. It is up to us to coordinate and defeat this Avatar."

"Honoka…" Umi muttered, "Hmm… Let's go!"

Upon her battle cry, Calliope rushed in towards Arke and tried to attack it. Of course, Arke fled away from the pursuing iDol. Calliope did not once slow down, continuously chasing after Arke.

When Arke flew for higher ground, Clio responded by trying to shoot at it. The attack did not connect as before, but it did force Arke lower and stop it from reaching high altitude. This opened a chance for Calliope to attack it again, pursuing Arke and preventing it from exiting the street.

Observing their methods, Umi smiled at the strategy being formed.

"If I attack it as it flies up and Honoka attack it from the ground, its movement is sealed." Umi thought, "Honoka always charges forward to crush her problems, while I stand from a distance to observe them. All that's left is…"

The two-pronged attacks from both Honoka and Umi forced Arke to keep on flying up and down as it ran out of options to flee the two iDols. Barely missing Calliope's onslaught again, Arke attempted to fly upward again. As Clio readied to fire again, Umi realised something.

"I've run out of rounds!" she cried.

"No problem!" Kotori shouted.

Leaping from the apartments, Erato hurled its spear at the fleeing Arke. Like before, it managed to dodge the thrown spear and dive-bombed. Just then, Calliope swung its sword and Arke changed course again… and fell into the clutches of Erato.

The butterfly-winged Avatar was helpless and crushed by Erato's mighty grip, breaking its core and the wings fell to the ground.

"Target eliminated." Kotori announced.

After the battle, the second-years returned to Phoebus Apollo. There at the Central Command, the other girls of µ's were there already and greeted the three heroines back. The three heroines in question, meanwhile, were engrossed in their conversation.

"Umi-chan, if not for your training, I don't think we could keep up to wear out the Avatar." Honoka admitted.

"No, it is our mutual trust in one another." Umi said, "Rin and Eli could achieve this if they desire so, but our familiarity makes it practically instinctive for us. There's no one else I could do this with."

"Hey, everyone's here too." Kotori noticed.

"I must say, that was impressive," Eli said.

"Your fighting improved. It seems much sharper now," Nico added, "At this rate, we can rival even A-Rise."

"Now if only yours sharpen too," Maki remarked.

"How Kotori-sempai made that throw to distract Arke, it must be the highlight of the battle." Hanayo added, "It secured the kill and guaranteed victory the most."

"Enough everyone." Captain Minami called out, "It is indeed a job well-done for our girls today, but I called everyone now in regards to the Superintendent's reply."

"Oh yeah… we still have to convince Umi-chan out of this…" Honoka shockingly realised.

"No… there goes Nico's life…" Nico cursed.

"He acknowledges the need for increased physical training, however…" Captain Minami announced, "… He believes that as a team of equals, there must be more cohesiveness among the nine of you. In short, the term sempai is now prohibited."

"So… we don't need to train everyday…" Nico exclaimed.

"They are approved, though the hours will be shortened, starting from 0800 on Saturdays and 1200 on Sundays." Captain Minami answered, "Much more reasonable, if you ask me."

"Oh well, at least all of us get to do things together!" Honoka cheerfully beamed, "We are almost like a school club, like an iDol club of sorts."

"And Kayo-chin can be the President of such a club," Rin joked.

"M-me?!" Hanayo exclaimed.

"If I were to decide, Nico-chi seems to me the better fit," Nozomi joked, "She could do with a little bit more responsibility now that she's living alone and all."

"Oi…" Nico gritted.

"Just kidding, Nico-chi as club President will never happen." Nozomi joked, "But I would like Umi-chan to call affectionately~"

"What?! Nozomi-sempai!" exclaimed Umi.

"You heard from the Captain. No honorifics," Nozomi demanded.

"No-Nozomi…" Umi stuttered.

"Now, was it that bad?" Nozomi smiled, "Now since ya being so friendly with me, lemme give ya the best breast rub ever!"

"What! No! Please don't!" Umi screamed, "Somebody, please save me!"

"Guess this Superintendent wasn't so bad after all..." Honoka thought.

Later at night, Nozomi was hard at work. On her desk were her signature Tarot cards, her phone and an annotated map of Tokyo; she circled a particular area of the map. That area coincided with other markings and lines already drawn onto it.

While chewing on her pencil, Nozomi sneaked a glance at the Tarot cards laid down.

The Chariot. The Strength.

Elsewhere, Nero laid on his bed after his day of researching. Too exhausted, he did not even bother with a change of clothes. He looked at the ceiling fan circulating wind towards him.

"How am I supposed to find that kind of data for that Nishikino girl?" he cursed.

Suddenly, his phone rang and Nero mustered what little of his energy to pick it up. A cold distorted voice spoke to him.

"Nero-san, it is an honour to meet you. I take notice that you have desires to infiltrate my organisation." It spoke.

"I h-have no idea what you're saying…" Nero frantically denied the mystery caller.

"You cannot conceal yourself from me. I know all about you and your failed career in Yokohama. The gentlemen thieves have bested you and your once allies. You have been ridiculed by those police detectives. You seek success and that I shall bestow upon you." The voice continued.

"What do you want?" Nero asked.

"I desire nothing from you. You possess nothing I desire. On the other hand, I bestow upon you what you seek on behalf of your client and failed to seek before." The voice spoke.

"Who are you?" asked Nero.

"I am simply referred to as the Superintendent. I now need your e-mail address. I shall then bestow upon you that which you desire." The Superintendent's cold electronic voice droned on.

I have to admit, this chapter took me way longer than it has to. Between the new Pokemon game and a block trying to iron out this chapter's details, it definitely took a while to complete.

Nero's backstory is an allusion to Milky Holmes, specifically the anime version. I bother with the allusion since three of Love Live's seiyuus voice act inside Milky Holmes as well.

I never did originally intend for the "No Sempai rule" to show up in this fanfic since I thought there would be no time for that in such a fanfic. However, I ended up finding room for it and that detail completed the chapter you had just beard witness to.