AN:So, a funny thing happened to me on weekend. My dad had planned us all to go to the cabin to celebrate my birthday for the weekend. So I planned to have this chapter finished in my downtime there. When we picked up big sis, we had to make a bit of a detour to get her some barrels for a project of hers. Once we got to the place, it was revealed that I got April Fooled. The place was actually a Japanese styled inn that was booked for the night. I was very surprised by that. Then one of the activities that was planned for me was for me to have a massage. The treatment was so light that I thought it wasn't doing anything, but afterwards I had an itchy scalp. Increased blood flow does that. Not to mention we had yukatas to wear, then we had some sukiyaki for dinner and watched Rashomon. Even took a bath like Japanese do. So all in all, fun experience. But I was unable to finish this chapter until now as a result. Oh well :)
Kingdom in Peril
"Lady Mòrag!" A group of Ardainian soldiers saluted the Special Inquisitor as she, Team JNPR and Oscar along with all their Blades departed from the small military vessel Mòrag had commandeered.
"At ease," Mòrag said on autopilot. It's not like this was an inspection or anything. Still, it was always nice to see Ardainian soldiers giving a proper greeting to a superior officer. "Have there been any strange incidents recently?" Mòrag then asked the commanding officer who was at the head of the soldiers.
"None that have been noted, Special Inquisitor. Might I know why you ask?" the commanding officer replied.
"The details are classified, but I would prefer that until I take my leave, no ship will leave from this port." Mòrag then said. She would have liked to cancel all ship movements in Torigoth, but given the current events, that would not go well. And even halting all movement in the Ardainian base would be troublesome in the long run.
"Yes, ma'am! But I must warn you that this may cause some problems if we have to hold every ship currently docked here." The commanding officer informed. Not that there were a lot of ships. Just one large military vessel and the small one that Mòrag had chartered for them. Still despite this base having far less traffic due to negotiations about Gormott becoming independent, it wouldn't do for traffic here to completely stop.
"We are planning not to hold the traffic too long." Mòrag said, "But for the record, I will take full responsibility for any inconvenience that may come from this."
"Understood." the commanding officer said with a salute.
With that, Mòrag took the lead as everyone moved across the base that had several soldiers doing drills. Checking supplies in the storage, and whatever else might be going on in here.
"Umm... are you anxious Miss Mòrag?" Oscar asked as they were moving out of the base and into Torigoth. At a rather quick pace.
"Why do you ask?" Mòrag asked as she looked around for their target. As did everyone else. Roc's report included a detailed description of the Gormotti mercenary, so they knew who they were looking for.
"It's just... you seemed pretty tense," Oscar said carefully.
It was Brighid who answered for her Driver, "Given the gravity of this mission, failure is not an option."
"Brighid is correct." Otohime agreed, "It would do us well to find our target as soon as possible."
"It will solve one problem, but another will still remain." Ren also looked a little anxious.
"One problem at a time, Ren," Otohime said as she placed a comforting hand on the boy's shoulder.
"Yeah," Nora added in, giving a quick hug to Ren. "If you worry too much, you might get wrinkles."
"Nora that's not the right phrase to use in this situation." Ren sighed in mild amusement.
"We need to split up and find Gavyth." Mòrag then said to the team, "If any of you find him, do not engage before we regroup."
"For that reason, send your Blade to find the others and observe until regrouped," Brighid added in.
"Yes, ma'am." team JNPR and Oscar along with their Blades said in unison. Nora and Electra even saluted, before they all got to it. Fortunately, it was Oscar and Herald who found Gavyth. Fortunately, because as a flier Herald was able to easily fetch the others. More importantly, thanks to her Resonance, Herald was able to quickly guide everyone towards Oscar who had been tailing their target. Ultimately, they ended up on upper walkways. Not very good if a fight ended up breaking out. But hopefully, Gavyth wouldn't try to fight all of them and just hand over the signet quietly.
"Hey, you're Gavyth right?" Jaune asked the dark-skinned and well-built Gormotti with reddish-brown hair.
"Who's asking?" Gavyth shot back with a suspicious look. His female common Blade moved closer to his side.
"We have a reason to believe that you have something that belongs to the Kingdom of Uraya." Mòrag began diplomatically but firmly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Gavyth denied, but his hand went to the scabbard of the Chroma Katana dangling from his belt.
"Just hand over that Jeweled Signet." Nora demanded, getting impatient.
"Nora!" Ren and Otohime let out at the same time.
At that point Gavyth took a combat stance alongside his Blade, ready to draw out the weapon. "I don't think so. Gormott will have its independence and you won't stop it."
In response, everyone else drew their weapons in preparation for the fight.
"Now!" Gavyth suddenly shouted and then he ran away from the gang with his Blade.
The gang was caught off-guard for an instant before they realized that their target was running away.
"Stop right there!" Aegaeon shouted as he and the others ran after Gavyth.
"Pyrrha, Herald, cut him off!" Jaune quickly commanded and the two in question got ahead of the walkway each in their own way. Pyrrha by leaping across the two pathways that were connected by a corner and Herald by flying there with Oscar grabbing onto her so he could go with her.
Gavyth immediately stopped in the corner that had much more room to maneuver. Only two ways out of this. The way he just came from, but Jaune and the rest just came from the same way, blocking that way. And the other one was being blocked by Pyrrha, Herald, and Oscar.
"Lay down your weapon. You are outnumbered." Mòrag declared to Gavyth who eyed them all warily.
"She's right." the female Blade said nervously. "There are too many of them, and one of them is the Flamebringer."
"We won't surrender!" Gavyth snapped back, "The Kingdom of Envia will be formed!"
"Envia?" Jaune let out in confusion.
Mòrag's gaze hardened as she stepped forward, "All of you, stand back. I will take care of this."
"But Mòrag, we can-" "Trust me." Mòrag interrupted Jaune.
"Are you sure about this, Lady Mòrag?" Brighid asked.
"Yes."
"Very well, then I'm with you," Brighid said as she prepared for a fight alongside her Driver.
(Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 OST: Driver vs)
"I won't lose even if it's against the Flamebringer." Gavyth declared before charging Mòrag, drawing his Chroma Katana in a horizontal slice.
Mòrag stepped out of the attack's range before slashing from above with one sword. Gavyth moved to the side, but Mòrag grazed his shoulder with the other sword. Gavyth stepped back as his shoulder bled slightly.
"Okay, say goodbye!" Gavyth went for another slice that Mòrag deflected easily, but she was caught off guard by a kick to her abdomen. The Special Inquisitor tumbled back just as Gavyth was preparing to slice at her with the bladed scabbard next, but Mòrag rolled to the side and quickly got back up. Just when Mòrag had gotten back up, Gavyth had a small smirk as he had the Chroma Katana in its sheath. "Sword Bite!" Gavyth had barely even started calling out before he drew the weapon with lightning speed with the idea of trying to take out Mòrag's head.
Except Mòrag was able to predict the attack and used Azure II: Judgement to dodge the attack and lashed with the Whipswords, giving Gavyth large burnt gashes. The Special Inquisitor followed it up with a few quick strikes that were blocked by Gavyth's Blade putting up a barrier. The Gormotti stumbled back in pain but was clearly ready to go for more.
"Do it!" Gavyth ordered as he threw the Chroma Katana to his Blade.
"Okay." The female Blade said as she prepared her Special Art. Except Mòrag hand done the same with Brighid, and the Blade of blue flames was more than eager to show off.
The Common Blade could barely even start her Special Art when Brighid had already gone through with her own level 2, Twin Serpents, which was her lashing with the Whipswords multiple times before ending it with a powerful cross-slash. And of course, the blades were coated in blue flames. The Common Female Blade crumpled to the ground from the brutal assault. Brighid then threw the swords back to Mòrag who caught them and instantly brought one sword blade to the now-shocked Gavyth's throat.
(End Song)
"I have no time for this, now hand over the Jeweled Signet." Mòrag sounded a little impatient now.
Gavyth looked down at the sword that was threatening to pierce his neck, but he just chuckled. "You don't even realize that you're in the wrong here, do you? I know that Mor Ardain will never let go of Gormott. But if the Royal Family of Envia is restored, then you will have no choice but to acknowledge our sovereignty! Those who bear the blood of Hannes will reclaim their throne!"
"Envia...Hannes." Mòrag repeated as she was putting the pieces together, "You speak of the War of Succession."
"The War of Succession? What's that?" Oscar asked.
Mòrag withdrew her sword before facing Oscar, "It was a struggle between the noble houses of Uraya, which occurred around the nation's inception. Though only six houses currently hold political power in Uraya, there were once nine noble lines vying for the throne. The House of Envia was foremost among them, and a powerful rival to the House of Selosia."
"The House of Selosia is the one Queen Raqura is part of," Ren commented on the last part.
"Indeed," Mòrag affirmed, "But in the end, Hannes, the leader of the House of Envia, was not blessed with an heir who could carry his legacy. There were claims that he had a secret child somewhere in Gormott, but they ultimately amounted to nothing. Thus, the House of Selosia claimed the throne and the present Kingdom of Uraya took shape."
Gavyth chuckled as he held his burnt wounds, "You know your stuff, I'll give you that. But the heir of Hannes did exist. And his bloodline lives on in Gormott to this day."
Otohime scowled at this, "So you wish to gift the Jeweled Signet to this supposed heir and begin the War of Succession anew?"
"Uraya is in no condition to have a civil war." Ren said with a scowl, "Now hand over that Signet and we can just take it back to its rightful owner."
"He is right." Mòrag spoke again, "If a civil war were to happen in Uraya and Mor Ardain heard about it, then the effects of it would undoubtedly reach Gormott, with its Ardainian Mlitary installation."
"That's not true! He promised there wouldn't be-" Gavyth covered his own mouth at his slip up.
But Mòrag quirked an eyebrow at this,"...Go on."
"F-fine! I don't have the Jeweled Signet anymore." Gavyth admitted, "I gave it to a guy from the Titan Battleship stationed in the Torigoth Base."
"Who?!" Joana demanded.
"I don't know his name. He said that if I brought him the Jeweled Signet, then the heir of Hannes would become King and unite Uraya and Gormott." Gavyth said.
Otohime scoffed derisively, "You are a fool! Even if they uncovered the heir, I doubt they could so much as prove their legitimacy."
"She's right." said Ozpin who was granted control, "Too much time has passed. If any connection this supposed heir had to Hannes existed, it would have been lost to the ravages of time a long ago."
Gavyth had a blank look for a while before he fell to his knees, "Dammit all!"
"We have no time to waste, we need to get to that ship." Mòrag immediately said as she took the lead again.
"But what about him?" Electra asked, pointing at the anguished Gavyth.
"He is of no concern anymore." Mòrag said immediately, "Our priority is retrieving the Signet before it reaches Mor Ardain."
As everyone started following the Special Inquisitor, Nora looked a little confused. "But if it reaches Mor Ardain, can't you just order it to be returned?"
"If only it were that simple." Brighid shook her head, "If the Signet reaches Mor Ardain, even if we return it, it could cause political backlash."
"And that is assuming that whoever has the Signet now would even follow the Emperor's orders," Aegaeon added.
"Right, because there are still people who think Niall shouldn't be Emperor," Jaune said, sounding annoyed. They had all heard about how Niall was scrambling the evacuation during the battle with Amalthus. There shouldn't be anyone against him left anymore. With that, everyone hurried back to Torigoth Base.
Thanks to Mòrag's authority, they were able to get a hold of the ship's captain who was apparently named Saffran. Something that made Jaune choke a little and Joana to look murderous for some reason.
According to the captain, the Signet could not be on his ship and was asking permission to have their ship leave.
Naturally, Mòrag denied the request and demanded that they boarded the ship. The captain sighed but allowed it.
"So, are we going to search the ship?" Electra asked as they moved into the ship.
"No, that would take too much time for a ship of this size." Mòrag said, "We are going to the command bridge and see if our culprit is there."
"What makes you think our perpetrator is there?" Otohime asked.
"Because there are protocols on what is allowed to be brought on this ship. There is a possibility that someone brought the Jeweled Signet, but the commanding officer didn't recognize it as such." Mòrag said tensely.
"You know there is another possibility," Otohime stated as they all reached what they assume is the door to the command bridge.
"Unfortunately, yes," Mòrag admitted as they approached a sliding door. "Now, allow me to do the talking. The rest of you stay quiet for now."
"That means you, Nora." Brighid clarified, causing the resident hammerer to look offended at the notion. But everyone knew that Brighid was right.
Speaking of which, the rest of the gang looked between each other and gave a nod of affirmation. They figured maybe Mòrag had a plan. With that thought in mind, everyone filed into the command bridge through the sliding doors.
"Ah! Special Inquisitor Mòrag. To what do we owe the honor?" An Ardainian Sergeant said with a salute. Then he noticed Team JNPR and Oscar, "If you don't mind me asking, why are there civilians on board?"
"They are of no concern." Mòrag replied simply, "Now, it is my understanding that there is a consignment from a Gormotti mercenary on this ship bound to Mor Ardain?"
"A consignment from a Gormotti mercenary." The sergeant brought a hand to his chin in thought. No doubt he also had a thoughtful look, but the facemask of the Ardainian uniform was in the way. "Yes, I recall captain Saffran receiving a package of that nature. An important delivery to the homeland he called it."
Everyone held in their surprise at hearing that Saffran was the one to receive this "package".
"Did he specify the contents of the package?" Mòrag then asked, hands behind her back in an authoritative stance.
"I'm afraid he didn't specify as to the exact contents," the sergeant said, "Now, am I to assume that you would be the one to receive it?"
Mòrag resisted a smile. It seemed like this would be easier than she thought. "As a matter of fact, yes."
"Strange, I was under the impression that two Blades from Mor Ardain would come and fetch it." the sergeant then said.
"Unfortunately, those two were otherwise engaged, so I was sent here in their place," Mòrag replied without missing a beat. This greatly confused the others. It sounded like Mòrag actually knew something.
"I see. Well, the chest that holds the package is in the cargo hold, but the key is held by captain Saffran. You need to ask him for that." the sergeant said.
"And so I shall." Mòrag said with a small smile, "You have done well for your nation."
"Thank you, ma'am." the sergeant saluted in gratitude. With that, the gang moved out of the bridge.
As soon as the doors closed, Mòrag's mildly pleasant expression dropped, "Once this is all over, I will have Saffran court-martialed. Now let's move."
Everyone was a little surprised by the urgency, but they didn't question it as they had to move now.
"Who do you think he was talking about?" Nora then asked the obvious question.
"The two Blades? Hard to say." Brighid replied. "But we can worry about that once we have the Signet."
Once they reached outside, where Saffran was now talking to the commanding officer, Mòrag stormed to the captain. "Captain Saffran, where is the package?"
"Package? I'm not sure what you mean." Saffran replied in a startled tone.
"Your sergeant already told us about the package and the key to the chest that contains it." Brighid also said.
"What's going on?" the commanding officer of the base asked.
"We believe captain Saffran is involved in illegal activities that could jeopardize the current peace we have," Mòrag replied.
"Peace?" Saffran scoffed, "Do you even understand that you're acting against Mor Ardain's best interests?"
"Oh? Do enlighten us." Mòrag crossed her arms.
Saffran let out another sigh, "With the symbol of Uraya missing, the resulting civil war will destroy the nation and then they can never threaten us again."
"Threaten? Our negotiations with them have gone so well thus far." Brighid pointed out, "Besides, they are in no position to wage a war any more than we are."
"Maybe so, but in another ten years they will definitely try again." Saffran said calmly, "We have enough military left to destroy them all once they destroy each other first."
"Then we must work towards that not happening through diplomacy," Mòrag said, "Mor Ardain has no more need to conquer. Not with all the new land so close to us. Now give us the key."
"...I don't have it." Saffran said, earning surprised looks.
"What do you mean you do not have it?!" Otohime demanded.
"I already gave it to my client's associates," Saffran replied easily.
"Who are they?" Mòrag immediately demanded.
At that moment, the commander piped up, "Lady Mòrag, if I may, the associates he speaks of may be two Blades that appeared here.
This spread alarm among the gang, "What did they look like? And why were they allowed entry?" Brighid demanded.
"They had official documents. As for their appearance, they were both female. One had long dark blue hair and a white uniform, the other had shorter hair with a red streak and a dark blue uniform. And their Core Crystals were in the shape of half a scissor." The commander explained, causing the gang to look more alarmed.
"We need to get to the cargo hold and fast!" Ren said immediately, running off with Otohime back to the ship.
"Ren, wait!" Mòrag called out, but Ren wouldn't stop. "Urgh, the rest of you go with him, I will be right with you." Then the Special Inquisitor turned to the commander, "Commander, arrest captain Saffran."
"Yes ma'am." The commander said before he called out two soldiers to arrest Saffran as the rest of team JNPR and Oscar ran back to the ship.
In the cargo hold, a familiar pair was searching for the chest where the price was. "Found it!" Ryuko called out as she moved a crate to discover the chest behind it. It was in the corner of the hold, so it was out of the way. The chest itself was a little too bulky for them to just carry off, but as soon as Satsuki reached her sister, she pulled out the key that Saffran gave them and opened the chest. The package itself was small, but then again, so was the contents.
Satsuki picked up the package and ripped it open, revealing the Jeweled Signet. "Well, this is definitely it." Satsuki said as she put the ring in a pouch that was on her belt. "Now let's leave before the Special Inquisitor finds out about us."
"Yeah let's-Look out!" Ryuko cried out suddenly before putting up a barrier just in time to block a blast of water Ether.
Satsuki summoned her Chroma Katana and faced their attacker. "You again?" Satsuki commented at the sight of Ren and Otohime.
"You know this guy?" Ryuko asked as she summoned her Scissor Blades and dropped the barrier.
"He was one of the people who stopped me from killing the queen." Satsuki said as she eyed around, "Where are the others?!" As if on cue, the rest of team JNPR and Oscar arrived, all prepared for battle. "I withdraw my question." Satsuki said as she glared at the gang.
(Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 OST: Monster Surprised You)
"So, anything worth noting about these guys?" Ryuko asked as Ren and Otohime glared at them.
"The Flesh Eater can jump long distances, but I'm not sure about the others." Satsuki said just when Electra jumped onto Nora's back before the carrot top then jumped on Pyrrha's shield. The Fall Champion then gave the two a boost and Nora was launched at the enemies. Ryuko and Satsuki scattered out of the way, but the moment they were separated, Oscar and Ren opened fire with their respective cannons on each of them.
And that was Jaune's cue to go after Ryuko while Nora and Pyrrha went after Satsuki. Ren and Oscar were giving support fire to keep the two Blades on their toes.
"1000 years of pain!" Oscar fired the Art, forcing Ryuko to put up another barrier, which also allowed Jaune to get a hit from the side with a well-aimed Brave Slash. Meanwhile, Satsuki had to fend off both Pyrrha and Nora, the latter of which was growing stronger every second. And that wasn't counting having to keep avoiding Ren's shots. Although Ren didn't dare to use Blossom Burst, he still dared to fire Zen Barrage, whenever it looked like Satsuki was about to get an opening on either of his teammates.
"Ryuko, they're trying to keep us separate!" Satsuki was able to yell as she leaned her head away from a thrust from Prostateva's spearpoint. Though it took out a few strands of her hair.
"I know that already," Ryuko yelled back angrily as she finally managed to gain distance from Jaune while keeping an eye on Oscar. Jaune was about to charge in with his shield at the front when Ryuko lifted the right Scissor Blade like she was about to thrust. "Fiber Lost!" Then Ryuko did a thrust so fast that neither Jaune nor Joana could react to it. Jaune's shield withstood the Art, but it did gain a deep dent from it as Jaune himself was blasted backwards.
"Milord!" Joana screamed in concern.
"I'm okay," Jaune quickly said as he got back up from the floor.
"Bakuzan!" Was the next thing Jaune heard before Pyrrha joined him on the floor. Her armor had a deep scratch on it.
Looking to the perpetrator, Jaune just caught Nora smacking Satsuki into a pile of crates that then fell on top of the opposing Blade.
"Pyrrha, you okay?" Jaune asked in concern, but his eyes quickly caught Ryuko going after Oscar and Ren. "Ren! Oscar!" Jaune yelled, although his efforts were wasted since both Oscar and Ren were trying to blast the furious-looking Ryuko. But the Scissor Blade wielder just deflected each blast with the said weapons.
"I'm gonna beat you to a pulp, asshats!" Ryuko yelled as she prepared to strike, not noticing that Otohime had her hands together and her head tendrils having curled into wider arcs. Then Ren fired another shot. Ryuko deflected it, but as soon as she did, she found herself bound in purple chains. "What the-?!"
"As the young ones say, got'cha." Otohime said with a small smug smile before looking like she ate something sour, "Urgh, I feel dirty using such language."
Ren shook his head while Ryuko was struggling against the bindings like a worm that was having a full-body seizure. "Can you hold her?" Ren asked, just to be safe.
"She is persistent, but she is not Dragunov." Otohime said with a small smile, not showing the tiniest signs of struggle.
"Let me go, you old hag!" Ryuko yelled at Otohime.
Ren and Oscar both looked scared as they feared Otohime might snap at being called that. To their surprise, Otohime didn't even look annoyed. Though with a flick of her wrist, a length of purple chains formed around Ryuko's head, creating an improvised gag. "I am very impressed that the twins did not pick up such language growing up with someone like her," Otohime commented nonchalantly. But then she strode towards Ryuko who was probably trying to yell more profanities at Otohime, but the gag did its job in sparing their ears from the verbal abuse. Ryuko's muffled yelling was finally cut off when Otohime swiftly kicked the bound Blade's head. Ryuko didn't go unconscious, but she did groan at the hit. "And that is why you never call a woman an old hag," Otohime said with a tone of finality.
(End Song)
"Great, we captured these two." Nora said with a smile as Electra dropped from her back.
"Now we just have to get the Signet, right?" Electra asked.
Already thinking that, Joana patted down Ryuko's body to find anything out of the ordinary. Of course, the foulmouthed Blade redoubled her struggles at being touched. Especially when Joana tried around the chest. "Milord, I detect nothing out of the ordinary." Joana finally said.
"Are you sure?" Otohime asked, "Maybe you should search her again?"
Ryuko's eyes visibly widened in horror.
"No, I am quite certain," Joana said before glaring at the pile of crates that buried Satsuki, "Maybe the other one has it."
As if on cue, the pile shifted a little before all crates were off of Satsuki who stood back up. The white-uniformed woman held her head a little as she looked towards them. And then whatever haze she was in was dispelled at the sight of Ryuko in Otohime's bindings. "Ryuko! Let her go!" Satsuki took a combat stance again. While everyone else prepared to face Satsuki again.
"You are in no position to demand anything," Otohime said as she got on her knees behind Ryuko's head. Otohime then forced Ryuko's head on her lap by the hair and started caressing the Core Crystal. "Do you know who I am?"
"What?" Satsuki asked, now more confused than angry.
"My name is Otohime, and I was known as the Imperial Mother of Uraya." Otohime introduced herself with a kind smile, which was slightly offset by Ryuko struggling against the grip on her hair.
"Wait, the one that ended up- That's you?!" Satsuki let out in alarm.
"Oh? Judging by your reaction, I can safely assume that you know about my abilities." Otohime said as she tapped Ryuko's Core Crystal. "Now, here is my offer, hand over the Jeweled Signet and I will not shut down this one's Core Crystal."
"What?!" the rest of team JNPR and Oscar let out in alarm.
"You have no such power!" Satsuki shot back, "If you had you would have used it by now."
"Perhaps I simply chose not to use it." Otohime replied back, "Or perhaps I am lying. But the question you should be asking yourself is, am I willing to risk it?" At that Otohime placed her finger on Ryuko's Core Crystal. As soon as Otohime's finger made contact, Ryuko writhed in agony in her grip. The half of a scissor blinking like a light that struggled to stay on.
"Stop it!" Satsuki demanded, "Stop it I said!"
"Otohime, stop!" Ren also cried out. And then Otohime did stop, but she didn't seem to acknowledge Ren.
"The Signet." Otohime said in a more threatening tone.
Satsuki grit her teeth before letting go of the hilt of her weapon and reaching for her pouch. "Here it is. Now let Ryuko go." Satsuki demanded.
"The Signet first." Otohime said as she hovered her fingertip over Ryuko's Core.
"How do I know you won't deactivate her anyway?" Satsuki glared at the Imperial Mother.
Otohime scoffed, "Oh please. You tried to kill the Queen of Uraya, and your sister here tried to kill one of our friends. How do I know you will not simply run if I let her go first?"
"But Otohime, what will you tell Gyro and Pierce if you-" "Silence!" Otohime interrupted Nora harshly.
Satsuki then had a smile, "I have a better idea." Satsuki placed the Signet on the floor before drawing her Chroma Katana. Pointing the tip at the piece of Uraya's symbol, "If you don't let her go, or deactivate her. Then I will destroy the Signet!"
"You can't do that?!" Oscar let out while Otohime looked down on Ryuko who gave a defiant side-glare.
"If you do that, then not only will I deactivate her Core, but I will also have it destroyed." Otohime threatened.
"You could, but that wouldn't stop Uraya from descending into chaos." Satsuki shot back.
"She will destroy it regardless, Lady Otohime. Deactivate her." Joana threw in her two lien.
"Joana!" Jaune yelled. The knightess had the decency to look down in shame.
"I swear on Ryuko's Core Crystal that if you release her, then we will leave and the Signet stays here." Satsuki said, giving a determined look to Otohime.
The two held each other's gaze in a what looked like a battle of wills.
"Very well." Otohime relented with a scowl before releasing Ryuko's hair and standing up. "Everyone, stand back." Otohime then said as she stepped away from Ryuko.
"But... what if-" "Trust me," Otohime interrupted Pyrrha.
The gang hesitated for a few more moments before they all stepped away from Ryuko. Otohime looked towards the Signet that was still under the threat of being stabbed by a Blade weapon. Then she gave a resigned sigh, "Release."
With that command, Ryuko's bindings dissolved, and she didn't waste any time scrambling back up and running to Satsuki's side.
"Now honor your end." Otohime demanded with a glare as she summoned her cannon to her hands from Ren.
Satsuki looked down at the ring. She could just strike it and be done with it. But she closed her eyes like she was in pain. And then she kicked the Signet towards team JNPR.
Instantly, Jaune dove in and caught the Signet that clattered towards them.
As that happened Ryuko and Satsuki ran towards the exit.
(Play Xenoblade Chronicles 2 OST: Running)
"Stop!" Oscar yelled and fired the cannon. But the two Blades were avoiding the shots as they reached the large doors. Except they now had a small problem ahead of them.
"Where do you think you're going?" Mòrag said as she prepared her Whipswords while Aegaeon and Agate each took combat stances.
The two looked back and saw that team JNPR was once again closing in on them.
"You promised to let us go!" Ryuko yelled angrily.
"No, we promised to release you alone." Joana corrected, "There was no mention of letting you both leave."
"She's right," Satsuki said, feeling stupid for not thinking that. Especially as she recalled that she herself didn't say anything about leaving the Signet intact.
"Asshats," Ryuko muttered as she looked at the exit that was being blocked by Mòrag. Then she leaned in to whisper to Satsuki, "Could you get past those two if I distracted the Flamebringer?"
"...It's not easy, but not impossible," Satsuki whispered back before looking behind to check that team JNPR was slowly advancing on them.
"Okay, when I disarm her, go," Ryuko said before dashing at Mòrag. Mòrag responded by lashing with the Whipswords. Exactly what Ryuko hoped for. "Rending Scissor!" Ryuko combined the Scissor Blades into one giant pair of scissors and actually cut the ether wire that connects the separated sword blades into whips.
"What?!" This surprised Mòrag who retracted the whips, now having only half of her swords.
As this happened, both Ryuko and Satsuki charged. Of course, Aegaeon and Agate moved to intercept. Satsuki ducked under Agate's horizontal swing, while Ryuko blocked a slash from Aegaeon and managed to move to the side and continue forward.
"You are not getting away!" Brighid declared before blasting gouts of blue fire to the sides to block their escape. But the two wouldn't stop and jumped right into the flames. "What?!" Brighid's eyes actually opened in surprise. They couldn't have just ran through her flames unscathed.
Brighid didn't see it immediately, but Ryuko and Satsuki did run through the flames, but not unscathed. Parts of their clothes had burned off, while the exposed skin underneath had badly burned. As well as a portion of their hair. They knew this was a bad idea, but they just had to tough it out until their regeneration would heal them. Until then, they still had to run despite the burning pain in their bodies that would have made anyone else howl in agony. But when they made it outside the ship, they were welcomed by a very unwelcome sight of Ardainian Military having lined up and pointing their rifles at them.
"Oh give me a fat f*cking break!" Ryuko garbled out, not even able to keep her right eye open due to it having been burned shut. Even as her Blade regeneration was working on it.
"Surrender now!" One of the soldiers yelled. And to the two's further worry, they had an ether net launcher. The Special Inquisitor must have planned this.
"Jump!" Satsuki yelled before running to her right and jumping off the walkway and into the sea.
"Shit!" Ryuko exclaimed before running to her left and following Satsuki's example, just in time to avoid a volley of rifle shots and an ether net.
(End Song)
At that moment, Mòrag and team JNPR exited the ship too with Mòrag having her weapons restored.
"Scour the waters!" Mòrag commanded, "I want those Blades captured."
"Yes, ma'am!" the soldiers obeyed and scrambled to scour the immediate area around the base to see if the two would surface. While others were preparing a small vessel to look further.
"Otohime, can you get them out of the water?" Ren immediately asked.
"Without knowing where exactly they are?" Otohime replied in turn, "No."
"Joana, can you use Medical Scan?" Jaune asked his Blade.
"I am, milord, but I cannot seem to detect them." Joana said, "Interference from the sea life perhaps?"
"I don't see any fish?" Nora said as she looked down and saw nothing.
"...I meant the microscopic kind." Joana corrected. "Nothing harmful, but enough for me not to tell a fish from a person."
"Shouldn't they be getting up?" Jaune asked as he thought the two should have gotten back to the surface by now.
"I fear they have gotten away." Otohime sighed in defeat, "At least we recovered the Signet."
"Yes..." Ren said before turning to Otohime with a look of concern, "Since when did you know how to deactivate Core Crystals?"
"Never." Otohime said like it was obvious.
"What? You bluffed?" Ren said in surprise.
"Obviously." Otohime said with a sigh, "I was afraid Satsuki would call my bluff, but she cared too much about Ryuko to risk it."
"That was a dirty trick." Nora said with an annoyed look, "Playing someone's feelings like that."
"It was." Otohime said simply, "But I will not apologize for it. Not in this case."
"Otohime... Will you shut me down too if you learn how?" Electra asked.
The Imperial Mother looked startled at the question, "Electra, I would never do that to you. Besides...I am not sure I could do that regardless."
"What's this about Otohime shutting down?" Agate then asked.
"Otohime got the Jeweled Signet back by threatening to shut down Ryuko's Core Crystal," Jaune answered as he showed the Signet as a reassurance that they had it.
Brighid looked to Otohime with a disapproving look, "I can't say that I like it, but I cannot argue with the results."
"Thank you," Otohime said. Then she moved to the edge of the walkway and looked down on the water. "If only we had caught those two, but I am satisfied with these results, all things considered."
Sometime later, Ryuko and Satsuki managed to get on the small and fast Titan vessel they came to Gormott with. Their wounds that were previously third-degree burns had healed to first-degree burns. And they had already redone their clothes. Neither of them was happy about this outcome.
"Why didn't you just destroy that thing when you had the chance?" Ryuko asked as Satsuki steered their escape vessel.
"I swore we would leave it; I didn't realize I could have just destroyed it without feeling bad," Satsuki replied like she was ashamed of it.
"Feeling bad?" Ryuko repeated, "That doesn't sound like you. You always try to manipulate our enemies when you can. Why was this any different?"
Satsuki turned to look Ryuko in the eye, "Because I never swore by your Core Crystal before. And that... I didn't realize how torn I would feel about breaking that kind of promise."
Ryuko was stunned at hearing that before she had a cheeky grin, "It was stupid... But love you too." Then her look soured, "You know the old man isn't going to like this."
"...No, he won't," Satsuki said, feeling glum now.
Ryuko then moved next to Satsuki and gave the slightly taller female Blade a one-armed hug, "If he tries anything with you this time, I'm gonna break a stool leg and shove it up his ass."
"...Thank you." Satsuki smiled appreciatively. "...Who do you think they were talking about?"
"Huh?"
"One of them asked what that fish woman was going to tell... Gyro and Pierce." Satsuki said after a moment of thought. It was strange, Satsuki was sure she had never heard those names before but hearing them gave her a strangely nostalgic feeling. "Who do you think those are?"
"Who cares. It's not like they have anything to do with us." Ryuko dismissed the question.
"...Maybe you're right," Satsuki said.
AN: There we go. Now JNPR and Oscar with the help of Mòrag retrieved the Jeweled Signet. Except Ryuko and Satsuki got away cleanly, though a little singed. And sorry that I didn't get Penny and Tora to show up, but I felt I shouldn't get those two involved in this part. Although, I might have them involved later. As for Nia, I do plan on her making an entrance soon.