Date A Re:Live
Chapter 25: Movie Chapter: Date AST Re:Strike, Part 1
By : Tohka_Yatogami
...
Summary
Even a similar story can take it's own path. Shido and Mana are amnesiac siblings living with their friend Kotori, however the past catches up to Shido when he nearly runs into a space quake, and his world changes as one girl asks... "Are you here to kill me?" (Stronger Ratatoskr, weaker DEM, games & movie are canon to story) [Shido/Tohka/Harem]
This is it everyone, today we're starting the last gap I need to fill before I build the bridge needed to start Season 2. There's only one event this season needs to have completed and that's finally dealing with Artemisia, so now it's time we make this story and give Mana the means to deal the hand of karma that Minerva's deserved this entire season!
As a quick reminder, Mana takes the protagonist role for this part of the story, why this is the case will be explained fairly quick, but I will say it's pretty much due to the events in the Rinne Utopia movie. Speaking of which, if you haven't read the Rinne arc (Chapters 23 & 24), read those first because this chapter has a huge spoiler to the movie's last few scenes.
I don't know how long the story will be, I'm re-reading Date AST Strike as I'm writing this and unfortunately there's no translations, luckily that might only end up a minor problem. There's at least gonna be three because I'm showing "Memory Files" that looked into Artemisia's memories, and the three I can guarantee are about Ashley, Cecile and Leonora. Specially how she befriended them and their backstories.
Also, we'll be getting more characterization from some of the other AST members and Maria, so far at best they've talked about their stories, now let's actually see what led them to Ratatoskr. While with Maria we'll see how she evolved from the program she began as after the incident that made her the AI we know her as now.
Minerva's up to something, and all that's been said right now is that Westcott had a mission made especially for her... sounds like it has to do with the fact the Basilisk CR-Unit has Artemisia's memories built inside, could this be related to the "Ashcroft Gamma" devices that were rumored in the previous chapter or an even worse project? I don't think any of us can be sure after I showed how deranged and evil the Date A Re:Live version of Westcott is, even me.
There's also gonna be a bit of a scene where Rinne finally explains to everyone about Yoshinon's current condition. I don't think I need to tell you all based on some the recent reveals from Encore's Hot Spring story and the Rinne arc, and where its leading towards in this story. Poor Yoshino, even though it's necessary for part of my planned story line, I don't like having to make Yoshino cry :(
Oh, the emotion for Date AST Re:Strike is jealousy, for some... pretty obvious reasons. *coughs*Minerva*coughs* Though I'd say that the biggest surprise is none other than the location that everyone will end up heading towards. It'll have a small effect for next season, but how big of one it'll have is something I'll let all of you readers decide on.
So, without further ado, let's get ready... TO STRIKE!
Artemisia Memory File 01, Subject - Ashley Sinclair
Artemisia pulled her wheeled suitcase up to an abandoned building that was run down and possessed a sign notice that said "We're sorry, this building is in need of repairs. Please be patient while we finish the repairs.", noticing the first three S's were all in bold, she knew that this was the right place.
"I finally made it." Artemisia smiled, she looked at the notice closer and soon tapped the three bold letters, causing a secret doorway on the building's side to open up. Artemisia walked in before being dropped down quickly into an underground base.
Once she made it to the bottom, the opposite wall opened its door and Artemisia strolled out and looked around at the sight of the building before her. The technology she saw was amazing, and various people were all working together for a shared purpose.
"Excuse me." A female voice suddenly asked, getting Artemisia's attention.
Artemisia looked forward as she saw a woman who appeared to be in her mid-20s, having pale Nordic blonde hair with blue eyes. Her hair was short in length, but had two front bangs that reached beyond her shoulders. She wore a formal suit with a small necklace attached and thin circular glasses.
Overall, her appearance was very similar to the DEM's strongest Wizard, Ellen Mira Mathers. She was currently holding the wheelchair of the Ratatoskr organization's founder, Elliot Woodman, revealing she was the secretary that was behind him when Ryouko had spoken to him in the present day.
"You're the new recruit, Artemisia Bell Ashcroft, correct?" The woman asked.
"Y-Yes ma'am! That's me, I'm the new member of the Special Sorcery Service!" Artemisia replied, quickly bowing. "It's nice to be here."
Elliot chuckled at her enthusiasm, it was like a breath of fresh air.
"Glad to see you're so sure of yourself, if there's one thing all of us have in common here in Ratatoskr, it's that were stubborn and unyielding in our beliefs. You fit in already." Elliot replied, making Artemisia blush as she scratched her cheek lightly.
"Anyways, I'm Elliot Woodman. I'm the founder of the organization. This here is my secretary, Karen Nora Mathers, she'll be tutoring your skills as a Wizard alongside your fellow teammates. She'll be a bit strict, but she means well. Make us all proud."
"Right!" Artemisia smiled.
Artemisia was putting on a Wiring Suit, and once she got it on she looked at the mirror and felt slightly embarrassed by how the suit looked. It made sense, the suit was a bit... revealing since it was meant to allow mobility and the defense depended on one's territory.
"Well, if I work hard I can get one of those CR-Units before I know it." Artemisia told herself, trying to psyche herself up.
She soon walked into the room to see the two current members of the SSS aside from herself, each of them facing off against practice dummies.
The first was the vile and cruel woman that everyone knew in the present as Minerva Riddell, only without either of her scars and her jealousy yet to form, but her pride plastered on her face as she cut down five dummies at once, shattering them to pieces.
The second was Ashley Sinclair, currently not in her teenage years as she tried to fire shots at a practice dummy, only for side dummy to avoid them and punch her across the room. Making her tumble near Artemisia before she stopped.
"Oh my, are you OK?" Artemisia asked, Ashley grunted as she got up and saw her.
"Who the hell are you?" Ashley asked, that made Artemisia blink since she didn't expect someone her age to swear so easily.
"Uh... I'm Artemisia Ashcroft, I'm the newest SSS recruit." Artemisia replied, making Minerva stop and toss her sword at the emergency stop button for training. Shutting the dummies down as she walked over. "It's nice to meet you both, may I know your names?"
Minerva chuckled pridefully as she grabbed a towel to dry off her sweat.
"Minerva Riddell's my name, and I'm the group ace. Pay attention and you might learn something. This shrimp's learning that the hard way as you just noticed." Minerva smirked, making Ashley sneer at her while Artemisia blinked at the response. Minerva threw her towel at Ashley's face right after.
"If you excuse me, I've actually done my work, so I get to take the rest of the day off now."
Minerva laughed mockingly as she walked out, and Ashley grabbed the towel off her face before she growled and threw it at the door, growling angrily at the older woman. Artemisia sweat dropped a bit and looked at Ashley.
"...And what's your name?" Artemisia asked.
"...Piss off, don't talk to me." Ashley bluntly replied, surprising Artemisia as the younger girl as Ashley left the room as well. As she did however, Artemisia felt something off from her, she felt... a deep dark pain in her heart.
"She's hurting, but what's harming her heart?" Artemisia wondered.
A few days later, Ashley was seen wearing one of her usual punker outfits, walking across the streets until she got to a bench and sat down on it. Soon she heard the sound of something being placed down by her and looked to see Artemisia in casual wear place a lemonade by her.
"Thought you might be thirsty." Artemisia replied.
"...I told you before to piss off and not talk to me, you bad at hearing or something?" Ashley growled, staring daggers at her 'teammate' and her actions. Artemisia gets closer to her and Ashley growls louder. "GET AWAY FROM ME!"
Ashley throws her fist and punches Artemisia in the face, however after she did it... she was shocked to see Artemisia didn't even try to dodge it, she whimpered a bit as she felt Ashley's face dig into her cheek while Ashley only stared in shock.
"You... you didn't even try to move away, why? You had to know how much that would hurt you!" Ashley gasped, unable to understand how Artemisia reacted as she did.
"You're right, I did now... but I can tell that's nothing compared to the pain you're holding in you right now." Artemisia replied weakly, making Ashley's eyes widen as she takes Ashley's fist and held it gently, eventually making Ashley drop it. "I can't bear to see it."
Ashley's hand trembles before she shakes her head.
"Don't act like you understand! No one does, not even you! So just-" Ashley began, only for Artemisia to suddenly hug her. The sudden act surprised her.
"You're right, I don't understand. That doesn't mean I don't want to understand though." Artemisia replied, and with that one reply... Ashley screamed and collapses onto the ground. Artemisia rubs her back, as Ashley stares downward and shakes.
"Why... why would anyone be kind to me? Why do you... why do you actually care when no one else did?" Ashley asked, making Artemisia look at her. "I... I..."
Ashley's memories began flashing by her, dealing with various bullies at school who cruelly picked on her, her parents ignoring her and refusing to acknowledge her and everyone she tried begging for help telling things like ignore them and it would get better.
"I've never had anyone treat me this way, not one! No friends, a family who doesn't care, and adults who refused to bother more than saying it would get better if I just ignored it... they didn't know a damn thing!"
-Flashback Start-
Soon one day at school, Ashley had her lunch stolen from her by a larger male student, and the bully in question began mockingly eating it before her as the other students either did nothing or laughed with him. However, unlike before... Ashley finally snapped and grabbed a nearby chair.
"Aw, what's wrong, can't support yourself without a" The bully began, only to suddenly go wide eyed and then scream as Ashley threw the chair at him. All of the other students back to the walls as Ashley walked passed her scattered lunch with another chair. Her eyes now in a tsurime shape like in the present as she neared him.
"Tell me, does it really make you feel strong? I bet you feel so weak inside that bullying makes you feel above others. You target those weaker for that reason, even though who did nothing wrong or actually tried being nice to you!" Ashley reasoned angrily, lifting the chair up. "Well guess what... now you're the weakling!"
Ashley slammed the chair down, making all the students watching scream, cry, cover their eyes or turn away. Luckily, the chair wasn't made of a material strong enough to do anything more than leave a heavy bruise on the bully's body. He looked at Ashley, and saw a monstrous rage in her eyes.
"S-stop... I won't bother you again, please-" He began, only for Ashley to punch his face before grabbing him and forcing him to the ground.
"Shut up! I took your bullying, I took my parents' neglect... and I even let those damn teachers and helpers convince me waiting it out would make it all better!" Ashley roared, punching the bully more as some of the students bunched together.
"Screw them all! Those idiots don't know a single thing, they've never experienced what I have! If they wanna preach about solving a problem then they should actually have it first! The only one who knows what this like is me!"
Ashley soon threw the bully at the wall, knocking him unconscious as all the students screamed and ran out. Ashley panted heavily before she ran out herself, soon leaving the school as she ran away from it, from her family, from home... from everything.
-End Flashback-
Artemisia gasped at what she heard, Ashley still shaking.
"I get it now, you never found someone you could trust. It was so painful if anyone tried to get close you could only lash out." Artemisia reasoned, soon hugging Ashley close to the latter's surprise. "You won't have to feel like that anymore, because you can trust me. Because I want to be your friend."
Ashley's eyes widened at that.
"W-what?" Ashley asked, unsure if she had heard that correctly. However, Artemisia's smile was enough that she quivered her lip. She didn't get why, but... something told her she could believe in her, that she could trust her. "You asked for my name, right? It's... Ashley Sinclair."
"Ashley, that's a wonderful name." Artemisia smiled, soon holding Ashley's hands close. "I can see it, these hands of yours. They're so strong, with hands like these, you can protect those close to you. I'll be there to guide your way to that path."
Ashley rested her head on Artemisia's chest, and Artemisia hugged her. Letting the young girl finally feel the joy of trust for once in her life.
~Present Day
In the training area, Tohka shouts as she swings Sandalphon at Kotori who was sparring with her as part of the training regimen that the other Spirits made under their promise to train her. Kotori dodged easily, occasionally parrying Tohka's swings.
"Is that it? Well then, take some of this!" Kotori declared, swinging Camael forward as Tohka tried to defend against it. Unfortunately, all it did was prevent Camael from striking her directly as she was flung into the wall. Tohka soon slid down, her eyes becoming swirls as her head spun in circles.
"Alright, that's it." Ryouko said, clapping her hands for emphasis. She walked over to Tohka and helped her up. "There you go."
Kotori grabbed a water bottle and handed it to Tohka.
"Thank you..." Tohka said, still slightly dazed before she drank it all in seconds. "So... how did I do?"
"If you want my honest opinion Tohka, all you have is strength, not even a bit of skill. Do you even know how to swing a sword?" Kotori asked, making Tohka make a replying noise that people used when they clearly didn't know something but couldn't admit it. "...You don't, I should have known."
"Now that I think about it, when me and Tohka always fought each other while we were both Inverted, she always just flailed and slashed Nahemah around. Not even some kind of instinctual know how on sword play." Origami added, making Tohka feel a word bubble saying: 'Muscle head' pierce her back.
"In other words, I'm just a sloppy mess." Tohka sighed, hanging her head down. "Maybe that's another reason Rio didn't think of giving me the Sandalphon Crystal initially..."
Everyone saw Tohka's mood worsen and tried to think of something to help brighten it again, but before they could, they suddenly heard one of the secret passageways to the base open up as Rinne suddenly dropped into view and stretched.
"Wow, these things are fun to use!" Rinne smiled, soon blinked and putting a finger to her chin. "...Wait, what are they called again?"
Everyone freaked out and suddenly either aimed a weapon or grabbed something to point at Rinne, making her raise her hands in surprise as she sweated a bit.
"Wait! Wait! Wait! Calm down, I'm not an enemy!" Rinne quickly replied, swinging her arms a bit.
"Who are you!?" Reine demanded, looking completely freaked out. Rinne blinked confused at that and realizing that Reine didn't know her current form, decided to be a little playful until her kids arrived.
"Oh, come on Reine, you know who I am." Rinne replied, suddenly making Reine and everyone else tilt their heads confused. "Really, no one recognizes me? Come on you've seen me plenty of times."
Everyone blinked and made sounds of confusion while they looked at one another, Rinne silently giggling at how confused everyone was. She was sure they'd have recognized her voice, unaware her voice when she wasn't part human was a bit different.
'This is a lot more fun than I thought it'd be.' Rinne mentally giggled.
Right at that moment, the same secret passageway opened up to reveal Shido, Mana and everyone else that had been at school at the time all feel out, having all come in at one. Rinne turned once she noticed them, and soon smiled.
"Wow, you guys are fast." Rinne smiled, and at that moment Shido and Mana got up and stared before both of them cried a bit and ran to hug her.
"MOM!" Shido and Mana both cried out, and Rinne hugged the both of them back. Smiling brightly at each of them.
Suddenly everyone who hadn't been present at Tamae's classroom suddenly froze in place as they heard that line, Shido and Mana had just called this woman their mother, their mother was Rinne Sonogami, who they had all recently believed to have died the other day. That could only mean...
"RINNE!?" Everyone screamed in shock, making Rinne smile.
"Surprise, can't get rid of me that easily." Rinne replied, briefly shifting her appearance back to her Spirit form to destroy the remaining doubt before shifting back. At that moment, everyone suddenly rushed in for a crowded group hug that knocked everyone to the floor. "Whoa! Slow down everyone, I'm not going anywhere."
"How is this possible! W-we thought you were dead!" Tohka sniffled, her eyes leaking waterfalls. "How'd you survive!?"
Rinne first raised a hand, signaling everyone to give her breathing room. She chuckled as she noticed her braid was undone and fixed it before stretching her joins back in place.
"Best way to answer that? Shido and Mana have the best younger sister ever, I was honestly about to disappear... but by some miracle, Rio managed to reach me with Mayuri's help and saved me." Rinne explained, soon twirling a bit. "And that's not even the best part, with how she saved me I'm just like the rest of you. I've got Humanity now!"
"Wait, you mean you mean..." Reine blinked, and soon noticed Maria's absence. "Maria! Get out here right now, you need to see this and do something for me!"
Maria soon formed from her hologram, yawning as she woke up from her nap, or recharge and she would define it. She rubbed her eyes and looked at Reine.
"What is it?" Maria asked, and soon noticed Rinne. "And who's that?"
"That's Rinne!" Reine answered, making the AI fully wake up as she wide eyed and looked in surprise.
"T-That's Rinne, but she was... one second please!" Maria exclaimed, soon using her analysis programs to check Rinne's body, and soon found the same spirit power with only a single difference. "I-It can't be, you're... you really are Rinne! You're alive!"
Maria suddenly began crying laser fluids again, and Rinne attempted to pat her hologram form's head.
"This is a miracle, but that's not even the strange part! Based on my readings your wavelength is more like the other Spirits', it's like you were a human turned Spirit too!" Maria replied, and Reine stared at the verification she got.
"Yep, Rio mentioned it was a gift Seigo gave me from the essence I used to make her. His wish that I'd to experience what it meant to be Human. To truly be part of the world he and my children lived in." Rinne smiled, soon hugging Reine close. "I wanted to do this since forever, hi there sis-in-law!"
Reine smiled as she teared up and hugged back, making everyone go 'Aww' at the sight.
"Hey, since you're back that means we can cream the DEM now!" Tohka cheered, and Rinne suddenly blinks before she sweat dropped.
"Uh... about that, no we can't actually." Rinne chuckled nervously, making everyone tilt their heads. "Unfortunately, while I have my physical form back, due to everything that happened, I wasn't revived in everything. Watch."
Rinne puffs her cheeks as she tries to concentrate, but only manages to get a small bit of her rainbow spirit mana out. Maria notices on her scanners it wasn't any stronger than the other Spirits. In fact, it would be accurate to say Rinne's power was weaker than the other Spirits' were right now.
"I think me kissing Shido near the end got my power stuck in him, so now the condition to restore my physical form by sealing all the Spirits? I think now it's the condition for me to regain my full power." Rinne explained, scratching her cheek.
"Who cares who soon or not we beat the DEM right now, I'm just glad you're bad for good this time." Mana said, hugging Rinne close. Rinne smiled and rubbed her daughter's head.
"Yeah, I think that matters most. It's really good... to be..." Rinne began, soon her face got flushed before she wobbled and fell to the floor. Her eyes swirled as she giggled a bit. "Oh dear, looks like I fell down."
Everyone stared at her oddly.
"That's odd, but maybe since she's finally got humanity, she might be feeling her first example of over exerting herself? She does seem a bit flushed." Maria wondered, and that moment she heard someone else fall. "Huh?"
Everyone turned to see Shido with the same flushed face, and in moments everyone with spirit powers except Mana and Maria ended up the same way. Reine gasped and placed her hand on their heads, but her worry died when they all just felt hot.
"Don't worry everyone, it seems like they all just caught fevers." Reine said, smiling to assure everyone. "Now can I get some hands putting all of them on some beds?"
Everyone nodded as they helped the seven of them rest on beds, though Saya looked at Mana oddly.
"What?" Mana asked.
"You have Spirit powers too, so why are you still fine? Better yet shouldn't Maria be affected since she's an AI based on a Spirit?" Saya wondered, making Mana blink.
"Yeah, that is a good point. What's keeping me from getting a fever too?" Mana asked.
Rinne shifts her head slightly to Reine.
"I think I have a theory, do you all remember when my powers went crazy the other day?" Rinne asked, making Rinne nod.
"Yeah, what of it?" Reine asked.
"Shido and the others all ended up having their powers overheat due to my connection to Shido, and their connection to him. The overflow was barely enough for their bodies to handle without risk. So maybe due to that overflow, the rest of us ended up getting sick as a side effect because it didn't properly regulate." Rinne explained, soon turning to Mana.
"Mana, you and Maria don't have that same connection to Shido. Since neither of you had the overflow..."
Mana's eyes widen.
"I get it, me and Maria are fine because we weren't effected by that in the first place." Mana realized, and Maria sighed in relief. "Still... this is a problem, what if another Spirit shows up right now?"
"Mana's right, how long will this last?" Maria inquired.
"I think we'll be fine after a day, since it took that long for us to get sick, that should be how long it takes for our power to regulate to its proper wavelength. One day shouldn't be enough for a new Spirit to show up." Rinne answered, soon feeling herself get drowsy. "For now, we'll get rest so we'll be on our feet tomorrow."
Rinne soon fell asleep, snoring loudly and making Reine sweat drop. A call sound suddenly comes as Maria's eyes shake like a ringer.
"Commander Reine! Its Founder Elliot, he's got an urgent message for us!" Maria replied, making Reine come over as she answers it.
"Commander Reine speaking, what do you need sir." Reine asked, soon seeing Elliot himself appear on the screen.
Most of the group who had never seen Elliot before were in shock that a man with an easygoing expression founded the entire organization, not to mention the fact he was in wheelchair. Mana suddenly notices Karen holding his wheelchair.
'She looks just like Ellen!' Mana thought.
"Good to see you in good health Reine, though brushing that to the side for right now..." Elliot began, clearing his throat. "Recently you alerted me to how you learned of Artemisia's disappearance and the reason behind it, and the fact she is currently comatose right now due to her memories being stolen, correct?"
Reine nodded.
"I thought I should let you know we've managed to trace the source to where her memories are being held." Elliot revealed, making everyone gasp. "However, what's strange about the source is that it's moving. Not just that, but its moving too erratically to be a transport vehicle. I'm not sure what it is as a result-"
"Minerva."
Everyone looked at Mana as she recalled their previous battle.
"When mom's power went crazy, I saw her using Artemisia's movements firsthand being used by her. Then when I said something, she pretty much admitted it." Mana explained, looking at her hand as she tightened it. "It's no wonder she's the new Adeptus 2, her memories are in that new CR-Unit of hers!"
"Westcott... that bastard!" Ashley growled, smashing her fist into the wall.
"If that's the case, we must retrieve those memories now. Every moment he has access to them, he can continue studying her unique territory to his advantage." Elliot stated, surprising some of the group. "Oh, that's right, most of you aren't aware of this. Artemisia is unique among those with Mana core's her territory is one in a million."
Everyone looks at the SSS trio, and Cecile speaks up.
"Basically, Artemisia's territory defies any physics that apply to them. When you make a territory its usually only able to move if you use it as a shield. Any other time its locked in place." Cecile began, looking at Elliot who brought up a video. "As you'll see her, Artemisia can somehow ignore that rule."
Everyone saw Artemisia during her early SSS training and how she could move her territory when not surrounding her, and that was just one ability it possessed. Everyone was shocked at the sight.
"Exactly, and that's just one thing that made her territory different. Artemisia seems to be a miracle child when it comes to those born with mana cores." Leonora continued, now holding a sketchbook as she drew something. "Ratatoskr was intending to study it... but that's when she went missing, or rather the DEM got her."
Artemisia draws a strange sphere like device with glowing spots, and everyone takes a closer look... but Tohka who slightly raised her head recognized it easily.
"I-I saw that... on ship that I fought." Tohka said weakly, making everyone look as Katie supported her body. "I think it was called... Ashcroft Beta. It seemed like it was supporting the ship, that's all I know though."
"Ashcroft... that's Artemisia's last name, so the DEM is creating some kind of realizers with it?" Mana sweated. "And if that was the Beta, I bet there's an Alpha. Then wouldn't that mean..."
"...Yeah, that's why we asked Reine if she knew anything about Artemisia. We heard rumors of an Ashcroft Gamma." Ashley sighed, staring at the wall.
"For that reason, I'll need Shido and the others to go-"
Reine holds up a hand to his surprise.
"I'm sorry sir, but none of the Spirits or Shido will be able to help. After the incident the other day, they've all gotten sick. They'll need another day to recover and we don't have that kind of time. We lose her now and we might not get another chance." Reine sighed, making Elliot nod.
"I understand, then there's no choice." Elliot replied, looking at Mana. "Mana, you and the AST will all need to go and stop Minerva before we lose the chance to save Artemisia. She's not just a valuable asset to Ratatoskr and our best Wizard, but a good friend who's smiles saved many."
Before Mana could reply, Ashley rushed by her.
"Of course, this is my friend we're talking about! We're gonna save her and make sure Minerva learns the hard way she's gonna pay! This time that bitch is gonna die and get all the karma she needs to pay up!" Ashley declared, making Mana giggle before smiling.
"While not my word choice, Ashley's right. We'll save her no matter what." Mana replied, and soon all the other AST members gave their own looks of approval.
"Glad to hear it, I'd also like you to go with them Maria. Since you're the only other Spirit who's up and mobile now they could use your aid." Elliot replied, making the AI nod as she disappears to enter her android body. "Elliot out, good luck everyone."
Elliot's face leaves the screen, and Mana turns to everyone.
"Alright everyone, the AST is alone this time against an opponent who's a serious threat. We don't have my big brother and the Spirits to help us... but let's still do this!" Mana declared as she raised her arm up, and the whole AST did the same.
"Everyone head for the Sagittarius then, we'll be deploying right now!" Maria announced as she appeared in her android body, everyone nodded as they headed off to the Sagittarius.
*Fairy Tail - Strike Back, begins playing*
(*Guitar solo begins*) Mana appears in a field, her eyes closed.
(Whoooaaa... Whoooaaa... Whoooaaa... Whoooaaa... Whoooaaa, Whoa! Strike Back!) Mana keeps standing there, Ryouko and Mikie appear beside her, then Katie and Saya, followed by the SSS trio, and finally Maria before the remainder of the AST appear. All of them open their eyes at the same time.
(*Heavy guitar wailing*) Mana and Maria ready themselves in the city limits, Katie and Ryouko observe a faraway grassland, and Mikie and Saya grab some food before the SSS trio yells at them and they run.
(When the chance comes into view, we have to take the chance to change any possibility.) Mana walks through her neighborhood, an intangible copy of herself following, both turning their heads to look towards the sky.
(But even if we don't, we have the right to fight against inevitability!) The two soon combine, equipping the Murakumo onto Mana as she grabs her swords and swings down at an unseen enemy.
(My path is wrong, because I don't know what's right, but I don't want to turn back now...) Artemisia is seen smiling, before slowly fading as Minerva's hand encompassed her inside, forming the Basilisk around her body. The SSS trio stare at her.
(I'll accept the future I make no matter what it needs to be!) The equip their CR-Units before they take out their weapons and begin clashing with Minerva, who gave an insane smile as they clash with her.
(*musical explosion sound*)
(What is up!? What is down!? Turn me left, right and then around!) Minerva raises a hand, standing by a fleet of DEM automatons, the AST clashing with them with everything they had.
(I don't wanna give up, so please... let me try another round!) Maria spins and assumes her Astral Dress form before beginning to attack through the automatons, looking up as she readies herself for their reinforcements.
(Through the land and the sky, I don't know why! But...) Ashley, Leonora and Cecile's memories with Artemisia pass by before showing her comatose body suddenly shake in pain, making the trio scream in anger as Minerva slashes through the memories, trying to strike Mana on the other side.
(If it leads to me dream I'll say this one thing!) Mana's Murakumo glows as she charges and clashes her swords against Minerva's.
(*drum beat solo*)
(No matter what becomes a wall, I'll stay by your side through it all!) Mana rushes forward and swings her sword, slashing across Minerva to create a scar on her eye, while a memory illusion of Minerva does the same to the other eye, making Minerva scream as her eyes glow with anger.
(That's just my way!) Mana is knocked back, the Murakumo trashed as she skids across the ground, Minerva slowly walking, only shadowed as her form was now different and something... darker.
(My soul is unbreakable, that's why I refuse to fall!) Ashley seen angrily lashing out at someone who touched her only for Artemisia to hug her and make her shake with guilt, Leonora trying to appear strong and tough before Artemisia rubbed her back a she began to cry, and Cecile fell to the ground as Artemisia picked her up.
(So please say...) Mana feels those three memories flow into her, and soon she sheds the Murakumo before she raises her hand.
(*Drum beats and guitar wails*)
(That it's time to strike back!) In Mana's hand, she sees herself forming a sword of cyan spirit power before she charges ahead, Minerva doing the same as the two enemy wizards both shout loudly, clashing their blades as a massive explosion of power bursts from them, causing them to continue nearing each other as their respective energies cover them.
(*sudden music stop*) Artemisia was seen knelt to the ground on a field of flowers, rubbing Mana's head as she slept on her lap. Making Mana's mouth shift to a smile in its sleep as she holds part of Murakumo in her hand.
Maria was flying the Sagittarius through the sky as the entirety of the AST was riding on the ship, Mana looked as Ashley, Leonora and Cecile all seemed toe most anxious. Especially the former of the three who was clasping her fists so tight, Mana swore it was making the seats shake underneath her.
"Uh... Ashley, ease the hand grip a little?" Katie asked, making her glare at her. The sniper shook a bit. "N-No it's fine, in fact continue on!"
Ryouko hit Ashley on the head a bit, making the close combat Wizard rub her head.
"Will you ease up troop? You're not gonna do yourself doing any good worrying about this mission." Ryouko ordered, making Ashley look down a bit. "I know how much you want Artemisia back, but it won't do you good if that worry hinders you."
"...I'm sorry, I just owe her so much. Not just me. Leonora and Cecile, Artemisia changed our lives more than most people know." Ashley replied, tearing up a bit. "I can't face the possibility she might not wake up, especially as we get so close to the possibility of seeing her smile again."
Mana rubbed her back.
"I heard a bit from Aunt Reine, she told me you used to lash out at everyone. Artemisia was the one who got you to open up to others wasn't she?" Mana asked.
"Right on the mark there, Artemisia is like the sister I never had... the family I didn't have. If it wasn't for meeting her, Leonora and Cecile... I don't know where I'd be right now." Ashley answered honestly, getting the other AST members attention. "So... I'm gonna make sure I save her!"
Mikie looks at her before looking forward and looking a bit sad.
'She's still willing to stand tall despite all the pain and suffering, just for the sake of a friend. I wish I had that... instead of being afraid so often due to back then.' Mikie thought, remembering the day she left the comfort of being oblivious to Spirits.
-Flashback Start-
Mikie suddenly panicked as she and everyone heard the Spacequake alarm go off.
"A Spacequake right now? Oh, come on, I can't even enjoy a simple walk without something happening!?" Mikie complained, soon running towards the shelters like everyone else, however during the process she slightly tripped and soon crashed into a nearby statue that fell over her and landed over her leg, making her yelp in pain. "Oh no... no, no, no!"
Mikie panicked and tried to push the statue off her leg, panting as she knew the Spacequake could go off any second and she still wasn't in the shelters to protect herself. Mikie's efforts would be for naught as she heard the explosive sound and screamed as she covered her head as she felt the strong winds from the quake blowing... but she didn't feel herself dying.
"Huh?" Mikie blinked, and looked to see she had narrowly been away from the blast radius. She breathed in slowly, thankful how luck she was, especially since the force of the wind tossed the statue off her leg. "I'm OK... that was so scary!"
Soon she heard a sound, one that she was sure was the noise of shuffling armor. She turned towards the crater left by the quake... and her eyes widened as she saw the girl she would later know as Tohka Yatogami standing in it.
"T-that's a... why's there a girl there?" Mikie gasped.
At that moment, Tohka turned and held up her hand to form a barrier against missiles fired at her, Mikie fell back and shook as Tohka summoned Sandalphon and flew at them. With a mighty yell Tohka swung it down and slashed at the DEM wizards, knocking most of them back.
Though to Mikie's eyes at that moment, Tohka looked a lot more demonic than she actually was, and the DEM looked much more innocent, especially as Tohka's strength ripped through the city like a Spacequake would.
Mikie sat in place as she wondered what she should think about what she had been told while present on the battlefield.
"This thing is a monster called a Spirit! They cause the Spacequakes, they hurt the world, and we're the ones that keep them from destroying it!"
"I..." Mikie said to herself, holding her hand closer to her chest. "After what I saw, it seems like that one man was right, but... can I believe him? A bunch of woman and some men in suits, and a girl with supernatural powers? Who's the real victim?"
Mikie looked at her phone, wondering if maybe she could call someone, but would they believe them? After a bit, Mikie decided to call someone she could trust with odd secrets and called her cousin Tamae. She heard the phone ring for a bit until...
"Hello, is that you Mikie?" Tamae asked.
"Y-yeah, do you mind if I ask you something? I might sound totally crazy but please hear me out... if you saw some girl with superpowers attacked by a group of flying people in suits, who seems like the victim? Even if the latter claims they're protecting the world." Mikie replied, suddenly she only heard silence and checked to make sure Tamae didn't hang up.
"Uh... hello?"
Tamae took a moment to regain her bearings before Mikie heard her talk again.
"Mikie... come meet me in my classroom tomorrow, I have something you should see." Tamae replied, making Mikie shocked at the reply. Did Tamae actually know what she was talking about? "Bye."
Mikie stared at her wall in shock as she heard the hang up sound.
Mikie soon entered her cousin's classroom after school hours.
"Um... I'm here, what do you need to show me?" Mikie asked, Tamae soon reached for a button hidden under a specific spot of her desk. Mikie suddenly gasped as a secret entrance revealed itself in the wall. "W-w-what is this!?"
"I'm about to show you the truth of what you saw." Tamae said, taking Mikie's hand as they suddenly travel down and appear in Ratatoskr's secret base. Mikie looked around in shock as Tamae looked at her.
"Mikie, I'm about to tell you the truth behind the beings known as Spirits, and the man who caused the tragedy of 30 years ago." Tamae replied, and Mikie stared as her whole life changed in that one moment.
-End Flashback-
Mikie's mind soon returns to reality, and she breathes as she makes a determined face.
'What am I saying!? Maybe I might still be traumatized by that one moment with Tohka's powers, but... if I don't pull my weight then Artemisia will stay asleep! I can't let that happen!' Mikie thought. 'Just like Tohka told me that one time.'
-Flashback Start-
Mikie was sitting on a park bench, and suddenly heard the sound of a bike screeching a bit, constantly no less. She looked up and saw...
"Look out, I can't stop it!" Tohka warned, making Mikie panic as Tohka hit a bump, and the bike flew into the air before she and Tohka's heads conked one another. Causing both to tumbled into the bushes behind the bench. "Ow... sorry Mikie."
"It's OK, nothing's broken... except maybe my common sense." Mikie groaned, rubbing her head as she got back up. She saw Tohka grab the now broken bike and try to fix it. "Uh... why are you trying so hard to ride a bike like that? There's easier things like electric scooters."
Tohka looked at her and blinked.
"True, that would be easier, but... I don't want to do things easy." Tohka replied with a smile, making Mikie blink. "I realized it after what happened with me and Origami being frozen. If you only do what you can, you'll never become more than you are now."
Mikie gasped slightly, and Tohka soon got back on the bike.
"OK, let's try this again!" Tohka said vigorously as she rode the damaged bike with some difficulty.
"...Do more than what you can, become more than you are now." Mikie repeated, feeling like Tohka had taught her something important.
-End Flashback-
Mikie gripped her fist.
'It's time I did that here!' Mikie thought with determination, and soon Maria whistles to get every AST members attention before she turned around slightly.
"Everyone get ready... we're about to reach our destination." Maria stated, a serious look on her face.
Inside the Ratatoskr base, Mildred was replacing the wet towelettes on Shido and the other Spirits' heads as they continued resting from their overflow fevers, she replaced Rinne's last and stared oddly at how Rinne had kept smiling throughout the entire thing.
"Uh... Rinne, not to be weird, but why are you smiling right now? I mean while it's just a small fever, your sick right now." Mildred asked.
"Because it's my first time getting sick, I'm getting to experience what it's like to be human every moment and I'm loving it!" Rinne replied, giggling a bit as Mildred sweat dropped after hearing the answer. "Hey sis, how's everything looking for Mana and the others."
Reine grabbed a tablet and looked at their location compared to where Minerva seemed to be heading, putting it back down afterwards and missing Minerva's sudden turn to a specific location.
"They're getting pretty close to their destination, I just hope they'll be OK. We had to cut our communications to avoid a risk of Minerva detecting them... I can't help but worry." Reine replied, showing her worry.
"You shouldn't worry too much sis, my daughter's a strong girl. I know she'll make sure everyone comes back in one piece. That's the best thing any mother can hope for their children, and I've seen firsthand how hard she and Shido have worked. Even Tohka's striving to do better." Reine replied, smiling brightly and making Reine blink and give a smile back.
"You sound just like my brother used to, he really did have a strong influence on you." Reine smiled, and soon noticed Yoshino looking at the ceiling sadly. "Is something wrong Yoshino?"
Yoshino weakly moved her hand, showing Yoshinon looked even worse now. Reine took a closer look as the rabbit puppet couldn't even open its eye or hold up its ears anymore, and by this point 70% of her body was all wrinkly.
"Oh no, this isn't good. Do you mind if I take her off to check on her real quick?" Reine asked, and Yoshino nodded. Reine does so and puts her on an examination table. "Hey Kurumi, if I recall correctly, didn't we start seeing signs of this around after Shido sealed you?"
"Yeah, in fact I remember watching the Goliath fight and noticing Yoshino mention she couldn't Inverse, that was about... two days before if I remember right. I think that was the first sign." Kurumi replied, and soon thought a bit more. "In fact, I think it was a day or after we beat the Deus that we saw more physical signs."
Shido tapped his bed, and Mildred came over to help him sit up a bit.
"And I think by the time we planned our Hot Springs trip, Yoshino was clearly really ill and kept getting worse. From there her health kept spiraling downwards." Shido added, making Reine think.
"Hmm... I'm not exactly able to diagnose a living puppet's health for obvious reasons, but I think there might be a change in Yoshino's powers that's affecting Yoshino this way. What would it be though?" Reine wondered, and Rinne blinked and sighed before raising her hand. "Wait, you think you might know Rinne?"
Rinne sweated a little, groaning a bit.
"Actually, I don't think... I know. I saw the reason why during yesterday's events. I was able to dive into the flow of Yoshino's mana flow and saw something... a memory Yoshino seems to have forgotten." Rinne answered, getting everyone's attention.
"It was when Yoshino got her Sephira from Rio, there was something odd I saw during it... Yoshino looked older than she does now. She looks 10 right now, I think most of us can agree on that, right?"
Everyone nods, Rinne breathes as she knew she already crossed the draw bridge.
'Yoshino, please forgive me for the reveal your about to witness. I was hoping to wait on this but I don't think it can wait any longer.' Rinne thought, soon clearing her throat. "Yoshino, tell us... what's your actual age since becoming a Spirit?"
"I'm 13." Yoshino answered.
Everyone suddenly freezes in place and looks at Yoshino with a look of surprise and then...
"WHAT!?" Everyone shouted.
"Yep, if I learned something from Seigo, romantic love doesn't happen until you're at least in your teen years and its clear Yoshino likes Shido that way. That makes what I saw make more sense." Rinne continued, soon grabbing a drink of water before continuing.
"Yoshino looks 10 because I noticed in her memories that when Yoshinon was created, Yoshino got younger. It's very likely a response Zadkiel's crystal made to her. I think we've already seen the Crystals can sometimes to unexpected things."
Rinne looked at Origami, Kotori and Kurumi.
"Origami, you had your lock briefly fail if you sensed mana. Kotori, Saya's consciousness survived inside of you. And Kurumi, when the Cassiopeia was attached to you, all your powers changed entirely. Based on what I see, Yoshino's lack of friends at the time manifested into a puppet with its own will, a piece of herself."
Reine's eyes widen.
"Wait, you mean..." Reine asked, and Rinne nodded.
"Yoshinon is part of Yoshino, likely the part that has her inversion taint, and they were separated into two individuals which likely regressed Yoshino's age to make Yoshinon old enough to talk with her. Since Yoshino has found friends finally... Zadkiel's crystal realizes Yoshinon isn't needed anymore." Reine explained, looking at Yoshino who was shaking scared.
"I'm sorry Yoshino, but... I'm afraid Yoshinon will soon become fully part of you again and vanish, we can't help her because to keep her alive... you'd need to shatter your bonds and friendships with all of us. I'm sorry."
Yoshino gasped loudly, her eyes suddenly tearing up.
"No... no, Yoshinon..." Yoshino whimpered before she began crying, Ai, Mai and Mii all hugged her as she cried. Rinne watched her and looked at Reine, who walked over holding Yoshinon on hand.
"...Be honest Rinne, do you know how much time before Yoshinon vanishes?" Reine asked.
"Nothing specific, but I can way it could be three days at most... and today at the least. We need to help Yoshino prepare for to say goodbye." Rinne replied, and Reine nodded before walking over and handing Yoshinon to Yoshino who hugged her friend tightly. 'Poor Yoshino, you had your wish granted... but I doubt you wanted to lose Yoshino either.'
Artemisia Memory File 02, Subject - Leonora Sears
Ashley and Minerva were having a mock battle with one another, though the condition between the two was hands were the only thing allowed and it was strictly melee combat, Ashley dodged some of Minerva's strikes before sliding under a surprise kick she made.
"What!?" Minerva stated in shock, giving Ashley the opening she needed to grab Minerva and finish the mock fight with a back drop. Minerva gasped as she soon slumped onto the floor, Ashley cheered as she jumped around excitedly. "No way... how could this shrimp beat me?"
"Hah! Take that Minerva, you can't make fun of me anymore!" Ashley exclaimed, making Minerva growl angrily at how she was being mocked. Artemisia panicked slightly as she was afraid a fight would break out.
Luckily, said fight would never happen as they suddenly hear the door open. A black-haired girl soon walked in wearing a Wiring Suit, making Artemisia and Ashley turn to face her while Minerva gets up to look as well.
"Huh, looks like we got a new recruit already. Didn't you only join us last week Artemisia?" Ashley asked.
"More or less, though didn't the group get formed due to Ratatoskr facing a large-scale attack they faced from the DEM? Wouldn't that make joining intervals wonky already?" Artemisia questioned, Ashley groaned trying to think while Minerva shrugged. Artemisia turned to their new member. "Hi there, welcome to the SSS. What's your name?"
The girl in question just walked by her coldly, making Artemisia blink. She grabs a training rifle, and before she set any kind of training... she suddenly aimed her gun and fired, shooting a fly to the group's surprise. The girl turns to answer Artemisia's question.
"...Leonora Sears."
The eyes of the three veteran SSS members all shifts towards where Leonora walked as their bodies were frozen by shock, each blinking three times in unison.
"Did she just shoot a freaking fly with a gun!?" Ashley asked.
"I... I... I..." Minerva stuttered, even she couldn't do that with her level of skill... and actually wondered if trying to learn how to do that was a good idea. "Excuse me, I need to go lie down."
The two turned their heads slowly to follow Minerva's retreating form. Once she had, Artemisia and Ashley look at Leonora as she completes multiple levels of long ranged and sniper based training flawlessly.
"Damn, that girl's good." Ashley commented, soon noticing Artemisia stare at Leonora intensely to her confusion. "Something wrong?"
"...She's hurting, I can feel it in her heart. A deep dark pain that's harming her regardless of if she's aware of it or not." Artemisia answered, making Ashley stare at her oddly with an eye raised. Artemisia chuckled oddly as she rubbed her head.
"Sorry, guess that does sound kinda odd. I don't know why but... I just seem to know when someone's hiding some kind of pain in their hearts. Mental anguish, dark pasts, painful memories or stressful emotions... I can sense and feel it all. I can tell this girl has it too."
Ashley's eyes widen slightly at that.
'Is that how she was so sure of herself when she was helping me? If she could she tell I had something like that, I wonder if Artemisia went through something painful herself.' Ashley thought, looking at the sweet and cheerful girl who saved her from herself. "Let me guess, you're gonna try and help her?"
"I can't turn my back on someone who hides their pain, no matter what I'm going to help her even if I have to bare it with her." Artemisia nodded, and Ashley sighed before smiled at her friend.
"Alright, guess I'll help you out." Ashley replied.
After waiting for Leonora to go outside the base for something, Artemisia and Ashley followed her to see if they could learn anything... and Artemisia kept getting distracted by Ashley's 'incognito outfit', which was a detective coat, a beret that she put all her hair into, large sunglasses, a face mask and snow pants. Ashley looks at Artemisia as she blinks at her attire.
"What?" Ashley asked.
"Uh... Ashley? Are you sure you need all that, or at the very least need those specific things for a disguise?" Artemisia asked, sweat dropping a bit. "I mean for one, its Summer and you're wearing snow pants."
Ashley looked at her like she was talking heresy.
"Seriously? This is the whole of a disguise, making yourself completely unrecognizable." Ashley replied, shifting her sunglasses to give them an emphasis shine. "No one's recognize me like this, much less Leonora."
'Maybe, but the problem is you stand out so much you still seem suspicious.' Artemisia thought, mentally chuckling nervously as she noticed some stares aimed towards them. "I think you should at least change out of the snow pants."
Ashley groans, and soon starts walking.
"Look, I'll prove to you that it works here. Right now, I'm walking and..." Ashley began, only to suddenly faint as she felt herself suddenly hot. Artemisia panics a bit and rushes to Ashley.
"I knew it was a bad idea!" Artemisia said to herself, helping Ashley up.
Soon Ashley was sitting on a bench, now in one of her usual casual outfits as she drank some cold water and Artemisia fanned her a bit. She pants as she finished her third water bottle and wiped herself with a towelette.
"OK, I'll admit it... maybe the disguise was a bit of a problem." Ashley groaned, soon turning her gaze to Artemisia. "Thanks to my pride we ended up losing her, sorry about that."
"It's alright, plus it was kinda cute to see you try too hard to be stealthy." Artemisia smiled, making Ashley blush and make a comical angry stutter upon hearing that.
"I don't act cute!" Ashley denied, looking away embarrassed, as she did she noticed a trash can suddenly fall over to her surprise. "Huh?"
She focused her vision a little and soon noticed the one who knocked it over had been Leonora.
"Artemisia, Leonora's right there!" Ashley whispered, getting the older wizard's attention as Leonora continued walking somewhere while rubbing her one leg.
"That was lucky, let's follow her then." Artemisia whispered back, and two followed her without Leonora noticing.
During their little stalking crusade, they noticed Leonora didn't really seem to stop anywhere or have anywhere she planned to go. She was just there and walking, keeping the tough cold look they had seen her making since she had first walked into the SSS's training room.
Though Leonora did seem to be somewhat aware she was being followed as a few times, Artemisia and Ashley had to quickly hide somewhere, but Leonora luckily never caught them despite what they had briefly seen showing she seemed to notice things from a distance with great accuracy.
"I can't read this girl at all, what's she doing?" Ashley whispered.
"I'm not sure, but-" Artemisia was about to answer, but soon the two heard another trash can fall over and looked to see Leonora had knocked another one over. Leonora looked at it before picking it back up, and Artemisia noticed her facade slip for a moment.
"...Artemisia?" Ashley wondered.
"Ashley, I think I may have just spotted a clue to what the problem is." Artemisia replied, motioning her hand. Ashley nodded and followed her as she and Artemisia began moving after her again.
Eventually, the two noticed Leonora stop by a small clearing in the park's forest area. The two looked to see a stick embedded in the ground with a ripped piece of cloth tied around it. Leonora kneeled and stared at it, drawing two lines in the ground. The two noticed that there were hundreds of lines already present.
"...My clumsiness only came up twice today, I'm getting closer to being truly being tough." Leonora stated, making the other two go wide eyed at the claim.
'This is a marker for how many times she ends up being clumsy!?' They both thought, and in the process of their reaction... Ashley steps on a tree branch that makes a rather loud snap. Leonora suddenly turned around and noticed them.
"...Oh crap." Ashley sweated, realizing she had made the sound.
Leonora suddenly takes out a hidden gun as she gives them an angry look, Ashley paled while Artemisia shook. However right as Leonora prepared to fire, she suddenly took a step... and suddenly fell flat on her face. The duo blinked at the sight, and at that moment noticed Leonora look up, suddenly with a crying face.
"Damn it! Right in front of others no less, how am I supposed to look tough to them now!?" Leonora cried before hanging her head down again.
"She's a... crybaby?" Ashley asked, though more like answering herself. "This is weird, now I'm confused!"
Artemisia looks at Leonora before walking closer and helping her up.
"I think I get it, this is the real her, and it always has." Artemisia replied, and Leonora looks away, trying to not cry and salvage what she had left of her tough looking image. "Hey, it's alright. I won't judge you. Though I would like to know why you feel the need to act like someone else, what's your story."
"...If I tell you, promise not to laugh or make fun of me?" Leonora asked.
"I pinkie swear." Artemisia replied, Leonora looks at her and then breathes as she began.
-Flashback Start-
A younger Leonora, about maybe 11 or 12 years at the time, was walking through a park area as she carried her lunch on hand. As she got near a particularly crowded area, she suddenly tripped over nothing and stumbled, causing everyone to turn as they saw her fall and her lunch spilled all over her.
"Aw man, I was looking forward this this too..." Leonora cried, but soon she saw everyone looking at her and a few light giggles. Some of them even pointing to have others see it. It wasn't meant to be harmful, but to Leonora... it was like a stab wound. 'Stop it, stop laughing! It's not funny!'
Leonora soon grabbed all the scattered mess of food she could and ran off, she soon found the garbage can and noticed more people by the closest one. Not wanting to get near them, she simply threw the scattered lunch's remains into the trash with full accuracy.
"...I'll just go home now." Leonora said to herself.
As she turned and prepared to go home, she bumped into someone... she fell back onto the ground, and soon felt a bunch of lemonade spill all over her. She looked up to see a girl and a group of tough looking girls stare at her, the leader of sorts holding a now empty lemonade can. After a moment, they all began laughing.
"Oh man! What a klutz, normally when you bump into someone you spill their drink on them, not yourself!" The leader girl replied, soon the girls kept walking as the leader threw her can at the garbage and missed, making it bounce over.
Some of the nearby people moved out of the way as they came back. Leonora grabbed the can, and cried before getting an angry look in her eyes.
"Why does everyone laugh when I end up being clumsy, and yet those girls aren't shown any trouble for how tough they are?" Leonora asked, soon tossing the can into the trash with full accuracy. Leonora screamed and ran into part of the forest, soon she noticed a stick and stuck it into the ground while tying a cloth around it.
"No more... I'm going to be tough, I won't let anyone laugh at me like that ever again! Do you all hear me!"
She marks a line into the ground by the stick, and soon looks up with the tough look she had now.
-End Flashback-
Ashley stared in shock as she heard that story, it wasn't the same as her own, but the feeling rang all too similar in how her environment shaped her and the skill set she developed in the present day. Artemisia looked at Leonora before suddenly hugging her close, surprising the black-haired sniper.
"I understand now, you can't help by be a little clumsy and due to how people saw you and their reactions you felt awful. You felt that unless you could look tough you'd be walked over. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be strong, but..." Artemisia began, soon rubbing Leonora's back.
"You don't have to be alone, we'll always fall and we'll always stumble, but we can get back up. Let me be someone to help you when you fall over. You'll make mistakes, but I'll be there to help you grow from them. No matter how much you cry it's not a weakness, when you feel you've been too strong for too long, don't be afraid to cry, because I'll be there to get you back on your feet."
"Artemisia..." Leonora said quietly, soon crying into her chest as Artemisia hugged her closer. Ashley stared for a moment before sighing and smirking at the sight.
'Looks like we've got a new friend in our group, seeing this... I'm really glad you and I met.' Ashley thought, smiling brightly.
And the group is about to take the first stage in saving Artemisia, the question is what's the mission that Westcott had sent Minerva on, and what has it lead the AST to in their attempt to follow her? Either way they need to expect a fight, and they don't have the Spirits to aid them this time, so Mana's gotta be the hero this time, just like Reine mentioned she might have to be back in Kurumi's arc. *chuckles* That's irony for ya :3
Poor Shido, he and the other Spirits sure have it rough right now, who knew that overheated feeling in the last arc would eventually lead to them getting sick? Well... I knew that, but you get the idea. *giggles*
Now some of you might be wondering, why did I give Ashley the backstory I did? Its due to how her character is in canon, where she prefers punk rock outfits and is kinda a loner, and the Ashcroft series CR-Unit that she used was made for melee combat. So, the best backstory I felt connected to all of those? Being bullied to the point that she responded with physical force, and leaving her unable to trust anyone until she met Artemisia.
And for Leonora's choice of a backstory? Canon shows she acts tough on the outside, but in truth she's a crybaby that despite being a year older sees Artemisia as her big sister, and that she's an incredibly gifted at long-range attacks including sniper weapons, guns, cannons and missiles. I figure that clumsiness had to be what made her want to look tough, and that also got her quite distant from a few people, and that caused her to be more aware and alert of things that were far away from her.
However, the most shocking thing this chapter revealed? The simple fact that Yoshinon's going to disappear soon. For those wondering why I'm doing this? Well, recall when I made Kotori's appearance older due to how she Inverted and regenerated her body at the same time? I also mentioned I'd be aging up Yoshino and Natsumi's appearances so they looked more like their actual teenage ages, and this was the best thing I could think of for how I'd do it with Yoshino.
The second is because this is to help her gain a bit of character development where she'll learn to stand up on her own when she needs to, especially once Natsumi finally shows up where it'll become necessary for her.
Whoa, now I'm rambling here ^^; *chuckles embarrassingly* see you all next chapter.
-Spirit Bond Levels-
Tohka - 85%
Origami - 78%
Yoshino - 73%
Kotori - 79%
Kurumi - 69%