Hey guys! As you can see this story is still in the land of the living. Work is being a real hard hitter to me right now so I don't get a lot of time to write nowadays but I am still determined to bring you the next chapters.
I will however admit that I am running out of ways to continue the story in a certain arc, and would love for a few suggestions if any of you people have any! I will continue to write it as much as time allows, but any advice or suggestions is a great way to motivate me :)
Chapter 8: United We Stand
The sound of helicopter blades roared overhead as three transports raced their way to the city limits where a Nova invasion was occurring. Only selected third years and of course the schools new guests were sent to reinforce the fourth years and Chevalier reserves.
In one of the transports, there were various emotions flying around. Excitement for battle, A non-caring attitude, nervousness and finally, worry. The helicopter in question was filled with Minato and his Sekirei, Elizabeth Mably, Arnette McMillan and lastly Amelia Evans.
Evans' was feeling strange, not worried about the Nova, but the fact Sasori wasn't with her. Although it was her decision that he shouldn't attend because of his injuries, it still pained her that he was absent.
#109 had put up a fight when told he couldn't go. That his injuries would be too much for the fight, he rejected the idea but in the end Amelia had ordered him as his ashikabi. His only choice to support them was to watch on Matsu's screens which he was reluctant to do.
The fact that Minato and the others had supported her decision was a numerical defeat to Sasori, but there was one of Minato's Sekirei that, sympathized with him, Tsukiumi. The friendship between the two was a strange one at best. They didn't really talk that much, not while at Izumo nor on the field of battle. But it was the common factor in their beliefs that had each one hold the other in such high regard.
"I get really fustrated when command never gives us more information about these things." McMillan opinioned, thus breaking the silence.
Her classmate decided to shed some of her own; "It seems that way a lot of the time. But would you rather they tell us there'll be four S classes rather than four of a class we know are easy to deal with?"
Arnette merely huffed at her logic and the familiar surrounding of silence ensued the transport again.
X-X-X-X-X
#109's fist came down on a table beside Matsu and her computers, promptly startling her. He was still extremely sour about the whole situation that he was in.
"Calm down Sasori. She'll be with the others, Minato wouldn't let anything happen to her." The 'strategist' reassured him. Or tried to.
To say he was pissed off, was an understatement. He was sat at the table with a cup of coffee in his other hand. Matsu had considered taking the coffee from him incase he hurt himself breaking it, but decided he should be master of his own fate. If it happened, it happened.
"That's not what concerns me. I should be out there with her! Not here!"
Matsu's reasoning had only made Sasori feel worse. He knew Amelia could handle herself, even though she was a little weaker than the other Pandora because of the E-Pandora project. But the fact that Minato's group would have to protect her instead of him enfuriated him. That was his job, and his job alone.
X-X-X-X-X
The transport had landed a few clicks from the Nova's position to give them time to set up an ambush of sorts. There were three S Class Novas. Which dismayed the two third years a little. They had never truly faced an S class on their own before let alone three.
Evans' was nervous. She had never been in combat against a Nova on her own before. Truthfully, it made the fact Sasori wasn't with her even more painful. However, having Mably and Minato's Sekirei here made her feel a little less nervous about the current predicament.
The city of Shintoshi was close to West Genetics and was being hit on the outskirts. The evacuaation was underway but was a slow process. Only 37% of civilians had been moved out of the area to a safer distance.
The group had planned to confront a singular Nova at the back of the 'herd' (so to speak). Elizabeth Mably had taken charge, much to Tsukiumi's disgust. The two weren't getting along, which is surprising considering how alike the two are in terms of personality, being quite tsundere and 'above' everyone else.
The Nova in question was lagging behind the rest, making it an ideal target. The problem was the speed of the Pandora and Sekirei's attack. It needed to be dealt with as soon as possible, as the others would eventually turn round.
"Is everyone clear?" Mably questioned, receiving a group of nods, some more eager than others. Of course Tsukiumi gave her usual huff with her arms crossed. Musubi and Kusano were eager to start engaging, whilst unsurprisingly, Kazehana and Homura were a little less bothered. Amelia gave no answer, but was determined nonetheless. Her personal troubles had to be put to the back of her mind for this one, and that was what she would do.
After three minutes of preparation, the group decided the time was nigh for their assault. In the initial attack, Kusano opened the conflict, using the environment to grab onto the Nova preventing it from moving.
It proved strangely effective, stopping the Nova from turning around. Next in line for battle was the Arnette McMillan and Musubi. An unlikely combination, but Musubi's insane strength allowed her to throw Arnette above the Nova, to allow her to strike directly at the Nova without it being able to counter.
McMillan used her double accel with no interval to cut a clean strike through the armour of the Nova in question, creating a clear cut view to it's core. Amelia was the finisher to this operation. She accel'd through to the Nova while it was still strapped down by Kusano. She had no problem taking a clear strike at it's core, getting to distance and watching it implode was something spectacular for her. It was her first Nova kill.
Now the problem was the other two Nova that were still alive, and now, very aware of the situation. They both turned around and flung out 'arms' that penetrated Arnette's right shin. Hearing her yelp, Elizabeth Mably powered her Stigma Satellite System to release a barrage of light.
Kusano was tethering the other Nova to keep it locked down while the others tried to pull off some form of assault on the second enemy. As young as Kusano was, it was easy for her to defend herself by forming a shell of foliage and strapping down the Nova to the floor, not allowing it's limbs to move. She just hoped the others could bring it down before it overwhelmed her defenses.
Kazehana and Homura decided to act, as #6 sprouted fire from her fingertips and engulfed the air in fire, whilst Kazehana used her wind powers to ingeniously combine their powers to create a flamethrower of sorts.
While having a mesmerizing effect on the group, the Nova still stood, now engaging harder, it's first whip was still in Arnett's leg, whilst a second and third wrapped around a defenseless Minato and Amelia. It was piercing Amelia's ribs, digging into her.
It did however drop Minato after some time, leaving him in a heap on the floor. Tsukiumi had valiantly tried to strike at it's whip on her Ashikabi with her Water Sword, but failing to sever the limb as it regenerated.
There was a loud roar from the sky, as Tsukiumi and the rest of the Sekirei looked up to see a small glint of light in the night sky. It roared down into the Nova's chest, splitting it's core into pieces. The Nova shortly imploded after the unknown strike had hit it. The smoke cleared showing a figure standing there.
"Sorry I'm late." a voice said in the smoke.
The remaining dusty clouds cleared to show Amelia's Sekirei, Sasori standing valiantly. It was clear he wasn't 100% but they would not reject his help at a point like this.
The last remaining Nova was causing trouble for Kusano. It had extended what could only be called tentacles from it's leg joints to scythe her plantlife into pieces, releasing her hold over it. Sasori looked to Amelia, "I need to use it."
Amelia went from looking confused to stunned, as Sasori pressed his lips against hers. She watched as his golden wings appeared oncemore from his back.
"Say it." Kazehana whispered to herself.
Sasori's eyes lit up with gold, much brighter than before. Holding one hand to the sky, his norito flowed effortlessly out of his mouth.
"By the righteousness in my veins. My sinners against my ashikabi shall be exorcised!"
A solar beam went from his hand into the sky in an instant. Ending after a second from its start. #109 moved his hand outward toward the Nova, still standing attacking the vines that were trying to hold it down.
"SOLAR APOCALYPSE!"
A barrage of golden beams came from the sky, pounding into the Nova from above it's position. The light swarmed it and ended a few meters before Kusano's position.
Minato, Amelia and the remaining Sekirei all watched on with jaws hung open. No one had imagined what Sasori's norito would even look like, let alone be as strong as it is. It had one weakness, and that was movement. Against a Pandora or another enemy it was useless because they were too fast for them. But Nova's were slow, unless they teleported in time which, fortunately, this one had not done.
The barrage stopped after roughly ten seconds. It left a smoldering pile of craters where the Nova had been. It had imploded half way through the barrage as the solid beams of light cut through it's armour.
Sasori was out of breath and had sustained the barrage for longer than was needed. He collapsed onto his knees. Amelia crouched beside him and put her arms around him. He looked up at her and smiled faintly, the golden tint in his eyes vanishing.
You went against my wish of you staying out of the fight...
He slowly lost consciousness into Amelia's arms. Still breathing lightly against her shoulder.
But I'm glad you came.
She smiled as her eyes watched him, and his chest slowly go up and down. Which naturally was a good sign.
"Command, the Nova have been wiped out." Mably reported in.
A muffled reply came through the earpiece she wore. The others couldn't hear it directly. The short conversation ended after a few seconds, and the group turned to her for orders. "We're going home. Pick-up should be here in a minute."
She turned to look at the sky and then the crater that had been where the Nova was standing. Over her shoulder she turned to look slyly at Sasori and his ashikabi.
I was not expecting such power. I wonder what more he has to offer... or if there is anyone more powerful than he is?
X-X-X-X-X
There was another incursion elsewhere at the present moment. But being dealt with far more resourcefully... and more savagely.
Across the ocean from Japan in Hong Kong, there was another incursion of a party of "humanoid" types. There was another Sekirei there who was mopping things up.
The rush of killing was essential to her style of fighting, her life, and her enjoyment. After the final humanoid had been cut down, the curved blade was sheathed in her saya. In the next moment, a cell phone rang.
"What?" she answered the call.
A moment of muffled speaking into her left ear was heard, and then the phone went dead with the dial tone.
She looked up to the sky, "East Genetics, huh? Time for some fun."
X-X-X-X-X
End of Chapter 8
I hope you guys enjoyed this one, and I'm sure you can guess who might be making an appearance in chapter 9!
Hope you've all enjoyed the holidays (for those of you lucky enough to not work/or afford holidays right now!) and the World Cup season. Enjoy and have fun!