Sailor Moon: An Ancient Force Rises Chapter 18: Episode 17: A Lot Happened, a Sailor Moon + Warframe Crossover fanfic

Episode 17: A Lot Happened. Let's Deal with It!

As the girls each shared their nightmares, the reality of the situation seemed more depressing than initially thought.

(Usagi) Holy shit... that place... it gave us these powers... but also cursed us with them, even in a separate life...

(Usagi) So let's summarize what happened to each of us.

(Usagi) I tried, and failed to save someone, almost dying in the process, getting blamed for the person's death, while also meeting Deimos and Phobos as people, as they defended me.

(Rei) I met that damned Void Entity; you guys were right. That thing looked like me in the memory. It was pretty unsettling, but it gave me the powers we have now. Then I got kicked out of my class and forced to find another one, little bastards.

(Ami) I woke up in an infirmary, almost got sexually assaulted or worse by some horny Prince from who KNOWS where and got chased by him and a Void Angel until IT killed him, and I hid in a small ship. I feel less and less for that prince the more I think about it.

(Minako) I got rescued with a girl from the Silver Millenium, but one of the people rescuing me left a bunch of kids and soldiers to die and then I comforted her and woke up.

(Makoto) Yeah, I was one of the people left behind but got saved by other people who were abandoned. One of them even blew himself up for us. It was like a movie... only, I was there.

The four drank coffee in silence, trying to wake up from the memories they just relived.

Afterwards, the four got ready to meet up with the Lotus.

On the drive to Setsuna's apartment, the mood seemed to brighten as the four drove through the bright streets and passed by the normality of their world.

As the three teleported to the Moon, they were nervous. What would the Lotus tell them. Would they be able to accept the possibility that this might be where they truly find themselves pinned against something that might not be able to beat.

On the Moon, as the three approached the Lotus, she stood at her post, along with Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, and Hotaru.

(Lotus) I... I see that the time has come.

(Usagi) Yeah. So... where do we start?

(Lotus) Well... your friends here... they wanted to see the footage of your perspective, and of Makoto's... from your interrupted duel.

(Usagi) WHAT!? No! Why would you guys even want to see that!?

Makoto stopped from the back of the group and stood next to Usagi.

(Makoto) I told you what I saw, how horrific and terrifying it was! Why would you want to willingly put yourselves through that!?

(Michiru) Makoto, calm down. We simply want to see what this being looks like from your perspectives.

(Haruka) Sure. you saw what was really happening! But what about THEM!?

Haruka pointed accusingly at three of the Sailor Guardians.

(Hotaru) She's right. Aren't you three even curious as to what Makoto saw?

(Makoto) DON'T YOU FUCK DARE! They shouldn't have to see what Usagi, and I saw. Don't you dare try and entice them with curiosity

(Setsuna) I agree. Makoto. I personally want to see this footage because I want to see how this Void Entity is capable of.

(Rei) I... I want to see!

Usagi and Makoto both turned to Rei.

(Usagi) Rei... are you for certain? You'll see yourself in there, getting killed... over and over again, screaming and crying for me to stop.

(Makoto) Are you positive you think seeing this is worth it?

(Minako) I want to see what happened.

(Ami) So do I.

Usagi and Makoto's expressions hardened as they looked from Rei, to Minako and finally to Ami.

(Usagi) Guys...

(Usagi) I see. Well then... I hope you're prepared to look me in the eyes after this.

(Makoto) Don't say we didn't warn you first.

(Usagi) One more thing. The second that footage ends, I'm walkin right up to all of you. And if you attack me, don't think I won't respond in kind.

Usagi and Makoto went towards the Simulation chambers to spar, while everyone else went to watch the footage.

As the seven saw the match start, they watched from both perspectives.

As the two attacked each other, they saw time seemed to pause for Usagi, as they saw the Void entity taunting Usagi into killing Makoto.

(Michiru) What the hell is this thing...?

(Minako) It showed that to Usagi!? Little prick...

As the fight continued, the terror began as Makoto was taken out of the simulation.

Then the screen showed a solo feed of Usagi's perspective.

As the entity showed itself to Usagi, everyone stared at it, their enemy, as it talked with Usagi's face and appeared with her body.

(Ami) So that's what we're pitted against?

(Rei) It looks and sounds just like her... just like the Void entity I saw in my nightmare...

As the Orphixes began to land, Haruka and Rei both noticed that the Lotus seemed to look away from the feed, which only served to send shivers up their spines as they watched the Sentient's pour from the Orphixes.

This turning away steeled the two for what they were about to witness.

Meanwhile, within the Simulation...

Usagi and Makoto crossed blades in a deadly dance of claws and talons.

Each used their abilities to attack, but none were successful, as the two did everything they could to defeat each other.

As the two split apart from one of their clashes, Makoto looked at Usagi with a look of excitement and satisfaction.

(Makoto) Hey, we you don't have an otherworldly being trying to scare the hell outta you, you're quite the fighting partner.

(Usagi) You're not so bad yourself. Hey, let's make this clash the last one for now. I wanna show you the battle between me and the other guardians.

(Makoto) Oh, yeah, then this is the last one.

Usagi ran at Makoto, who flashed her energized claws before running at Usagi as well.

As the two met, Usagi retracted her talons as Makoto clawed at air.

Usagi then spun Makoto around into a German Supplex, pinning her to the ground.

(Usagi) Ha! And that makes us 2. and. 0.

(Makoto) Ah! You ass! That was sneaky...

(Usagi) Well it was the last bout, so I had to end things here and now.

(Makoto) Eh... yeah, I guess you're right about that. But you didn't have to pull something so sneaky on me.

(Usagi) Oh, you're just jealous that you didn't think of it sooner.

(Usagi) Oh... hold on. We gotta head out of the simulation.

(Makoto) Why?

(Usagi) Everyone just finished watching the footage from my P.O.V...

(Makoto) Still can't believe they'd wanna watch that, even after tried to warn them.

(Usagi) Yeah, and I bet they'll either offer words of worry, say a few things about their worry for me and how they're glad I'm okay, or... they'll be terrified of me. And I've got a foolproof way of figuring out which it is.

(Makoto) Oh? And what might that be?

(Usagi) Oh you'll see. And I think you'll like it too.

(Makoto) For someone who experienced something so terrifying and traumatizing, you're pretty calm, and scary...

(Usagi) Oh you just wish you were so "menacing"!

Usagi punched Makoto lightly on the shoulder and the two exited the simulation.

The group stared with horror as the last moments of the footage played, as Usagi made the last confrontation with the Void entity.

(\/0iD Usagi) Well Done! I didn't think you had it in ya. Hell, you even killed that prince you loved... I'm very Impressed.

(Usagi/Garuda) WHAT the hell, are you?

(\/0iD Usagi) Oh, me? I'm just a thing of the past, come back to life. See ya later Princess Serenity, or... Usagi Tsukino. I hope you can keep up that strong resolve, for now, at least.

From one blink to the next, the entity disappeared and Usagi was left alone in the simulation.

The footage ended as Usagi ejected from the Simulation.

(Ami) I... I never thought it could be so... so... so horrible...

(Rei) It was looking at multiple futures at once... all of them getting torn to pieces...

(Minako) She crushed my head like it was nothing... I can't tell if she knew it wasn't real or not... and it scares me...

(Haruka) I've never heard Michiru or Hotaru make such horrific sounds... but it felt... so... real...

(Michiru) So much blood and gore...

(Hotaru) Is she really capable of doing this...? Massacre? Butchering whatever came before her?

(Setsuna) Although I have my doubts, I don't believe Usagi could really just... rip and tear through us like this if she knew it was the real us.

From behind them, Makoto's voice boomed throughout the hall, forcing a few of them to jump out of surprise.

(Makoto) THANK YOU! Setsuna, always a voice of reason.

Behind Makoto was Usagi, but she was still inside of Garuda.

As Usagi approached, she could feel the eyes on her, even the Lotus' as she transferred out of Garuda, and walked towards the group.

(Usagi) Alright... now that you've seen all of... THAT. Are any of you afraid of me?

The group erupted in denials and refusals.

(Usagi) Hm. Great! So, does that mean no one would mind if we all had a friendly 1 Versus...8? You'll have Ami and Makoto apart of your ranks, even though we'd have to get Mako some weapons first, right Lotus?

The Lotus spoke, seeing Usagi's plan clearly.

(Lotus) Yes. Makoto would have to be equipped with a primary, secondary and a melee weapon.

(Makoto) Um... okay. Sure!

(Lotus) Follow me.

Makoto followed the Lotus, but the rest stayed.

(Ami) 8 against 1? W-Wouldn't that be a little unfair?

(Rei) Yeah, its not like you could really beat 8 of us, since we'd now have Ami with Trinity and Mako with Valkyr.

(Minako) Yeah, there's nooo way you'd be able to beat ALL of us like you did in that gorefest of footage.

(Usagi) You all thought the same when it was just six of you. And I used Ami's Warframe. Let's just wait and find out.

After a few minutes of quiet, Makoto returned, a bow on her back (Cernos), a crossbow on her hip (Ballistica) and retracted claws on each of her knuckles (Venka).

(Makoto) And I get to try these things out on you? Must be my birthday or something.

(Usagi) Heh, if you can even touch me before I have you face planted in the ground first.

As Usagi and Makoto trash talked each other, the rest of the group wondered if the two had finally fell off the deep end, as the two-fist bumped as they all headed for the Simulation chambers.

as everyone entered the simulation, they fell through the clouds, and onto the icy surface of Europa, an icy wasteland that had a uneven layout, some small parts were completely flat, others had small hills covered in snow. Some areas contained deep, long forgotten mines from the Post-Orokin era, and other areas contained high, bumpy mountain ranges.

As everyone appeared in the simulation, they heard the Lotus in their comms.

(Lotus) For this spar, I will allow you to use heavy weapons and artillery, such as Archwings and Archguns, should you feel the need.

(Rei) What the... why would she...?

Rei's thought was interrupted as Garuda entered the simulation, landing a few thousand feet away, an echoing boom as she made impact with the simulated planet's surface.

(Lotus) Is everyone ready?

(Makoto) Yeah, let's get this show on the road!

The others marveled at Makoto's boastfulness, as she pushed forth her claws, Venka, a pair fists that had three pronged blades attached to them.

(Lotus) I see. Then let the match begin.

As the match started, Makoto was the only one who seemed to sprint forth, as the others raised their weapons, and spread out, carefully walking forward.

(Rei) Alright, let's get her.

(Haruka) HEY! Knucklehead! Get back here, Usagi will take you out instantly if you just run to her blindly!

(Minako) Let her go Haruka, she's not gonna listen. She's gotta see it for herself.

(Makoto) Yeah, listen to the little cowgirl. I'm gonna go have some fun, and you can all just wait until I'm done.

As Makoto ran further and further from the group, they lost sight of her, and continued walking slowly, listening out for any noise.

Usagi, knowing that they were definitely afraid of her, and that Makoto seemed oblivious to her plan, decided to sneak around, holstering her weapons as she ran around the wasteland.

To both side's surprise, a blizzard overtook the terrain, as the sky went from an orange sunset, to darkness, as clouds floated in from above, and snow fell quickly as the winds howled louder than anything possible on Earth.

(Michiru) Stay close, we don't know where she'll come from.

(Makoto) Still ahead of you guys, still no sign of her.

(Ami) Preparing to heal when necessary.

The seven continued to traverse the cold, dark, icy terrain, waving their weapons side to side, ready to fire at anything that moved.

In the far distance, Usagi saw the bright glow of Ember's flames in the distance.

Usagi used her talons to stab the ice as she bound, from Icy pillar to another, as she headed for the group.

As the group moved, Michiru stopped, and so did everyone else.

(Haruka) Hey. What's up?

(Michiru) Do... any of you hear that?

Everyone stopped in their tracks listening. Listening for anything in the howling winds.

But as if the cold had gotten through their Warframes, each of them felt their stomachs drops as they heard metal crashing into ice, and with each crash, the sound got closer.

After a few more of the crashes, the group heard a shrill scream as the crashes became more frequent, and the sound getting louder and louder.

Then, as everyone began pinpointing the directions of the sound, it suddenly stopped, even though they could tell, that the last crash had only been a few hundred feet away.

Nervous, Ami spoke into the comms.

(Ami) M-M-Mako...? Where are you?

(Makoto) Hm? Oh, I'm pretty far from you guys at this point. I don't even think I can see Rei's Warframe from this distance.

(Rei) Mako... What do you mean by that?

(Makoto) Rei, your flames are as bright as they come, and this place is pretty dark.

Everyone slowly turned to Rei, and they began connecting the dots.

(Haruka) EVERYONE, TO THE SKIES, NOW!

Everyone summoned a pair of Archwings.

As everyone took off, they looked around, wondering where Usagi was hiding.

Haruka led the ascent, as the Archwings rose above the Icy pillars.

(Haruka) Don't get too low, Usagi's a crafty one, so heed extreme caution

(Ami) But how do we even find her? Aren't we putting ourselves at a disadvantage?

(Rei) Not exactly, if we get high enough, we'll be able to find her by lookin through the ice from above, and she can't hit us at a certain-

Then Rei, already scared, looked deep into ice that surrounded them like a forest, and as she ascended, her heart stopped for a second, as she saw the lights of energy radiating from Garuda, as she leapt from one of the steep, icy pillars, and embedded one her talons into of Ember's wings, forcing Rei into a freefall, hitting the ground hard as her allies continued their ascent.

As Rei fell, she threw herself from the Archwings as they crashed nearby.

(Minako) REI!

(Michiru) Rei, are you alright?!

Quickly getting up from the rough landing quickly pulled out her Glaive, holding it in a defensive position as she carefully looked around.

(Rei) I'm fine, but where is she!?

Makoto chimed in on the comms.

(Makoto) Hey, I heard an explosion, what's going on?

(Rei) We all tried getting on Archwings and tried talking Usagi from the skies, but she stabbed one of my wings.

(Minako) I'm comin down!

Minako released herself from her Archwing, allowing the pair to disappear from the simulation.

(Ami) Mina!- Damn it!

Ami too released herself from her Archwing, and the two fell to meet Rei.

(Haruka) Idiots! She'll come for you all at once if you do that!

Just then Michiru dodged as a pair of bullets flew by her.

(Michiru) Found her!

Michiru aimed her rifle and began to rain down bullets.

Michiru went closer to the surface for inspection, only to find that her bullets had hit nothing at all.

(Michiru) Tch! I swear she was there.

(Setsuna) Save your ammunition, she's a tough one, and powerful too.

(Minako) Hey, I heard someone shooting, did someone find Usagi?

(Hotaru) No, she shot at Michiru, but we can't see her though the thick snowfall.

(Makoto) Hey, I'm comin back to regroup with you guys.

(Rei) Understood. Be careful though. Usagi's somewhere nearby.

As the three watched their surroundings, their vision began playing tricks on them, as they randomly would shoot at shadows, paranoid that Usagi might be one of them, and jump out to defeat them all at once.

(Haruka) Guys. Me, Setsuna, Michiru and Hotaru are gonna spread out and expand out search area.

(Makoto) Bad idea you four. You may be high in the sky, but Usagi might still be able to just send you straight into the ground.

(Setsuna) Sure, if she used an archwing, which would be foolish on her part, since it would give her away all too easily.

(Makoto) Don't say I didn't tell you so...

The four in the sky spread out, creating a slightly larger perimeter around the four on the ground.

For a while, everything seemed calm, since the only time Usagi revealed herself.

But as the group continued to watch out for her, it began to get quiet. Too quiet...

(Rei) Where is she? Last time we did this, she was guns blazing. But now she's taking the silent and deadly approach? What the hell!?

(Setsuna) It is odd... just what is she planning?

As the two voiced their thoughts, a scream ripped through the comms, but only for a brief moment before it was cut off, as the three airborne Warframes watched as Usagi mounted Banshee and stabbed one of her talons through her chest, as Hotaru's archwing began it's descent in a freefall as her body went limp.

(Haruka) Shit! She got Hotaru!

Haruka, Setsuna and Michiru began shooting, aiming for Usagi, but they hesitated, as they tried to shoot the parts of Usagi that were exposed, but she hid herself behind Hotaru.

As Hotaru began her descent, Usagi leapt to another Archwing. This time, to Michiru's

(Michiru) No...no, no... get back stay back GET AWAY FROM ME YOU... PSYCHOOOO!

Michiru screamed with rage as she shot a barrage of bullets at Usagi, but her aim followed too slowly for her shots to hit.

(Haruka) Damn Coward, using one of us as her shield...

Michiru pulled away quick enough to keep Garuda from climbing onto her.

(Michiru) HEY! What the hell!? She was RIGHT THERE! You guys could've shot her down!

(Setsuna) What? And shoot you in the process? No. Too much of a risk.

(Haruka) I agree. And what if we missed her, but hit you. I'd be a loss on our part.

As Usagi/Garuda fell through the fog below, Haruka signaled the others.

(Haruka) Rei, Mina, Ami, Usagi's getting near your location, get ready.

In the distance the three heard two loud noises, a scream and a Roar. Both sounded like creatures from another, nightmarish world.

As Makoto had ran towards the trio's location, she heard something scraping, like nails on a chalkboard.

(Makoto) Hmph. There you are...

Makoto slowly readied her crossbow with a bolt and slowly stepped in the direction of the sound.

As Makoto saw Garuda calmly walking between the snowy pillars, as she seemed to walk in the direction of the trio as well.

(Makoto) Oooh no you don't you sneaky bastard...

Makoto whispered to herself before letting out a loud Warcry, catching Usagi by surprise as she turned around to see a bolt flying by her head.

(Usagi) Thought you could get me that easily. Huh?

In turn, Garuda let out a hearty roar.

(The reason for both of these cries is due to abilities that enhance physical strength of the user, as well as nearby allies.)

The two ran at each other. Garuda unleashing her talons, and Valkyr, holstering her crossbow to collide with Garuda's talons, using her energy imbued Claws.

From the sky, the three could make out the faint glow of Valkyr's energy, it's fiery radiance visible through the dense fog below the three in flight.

(Haruka) Makoto! Did you make contact with her?

Makoto, too proud and not wanting to share her moment, ignored Haruka.

Setsuna aimed her arch-gun at the ground.

(Setsuna) Should we assume Makoto fell in battle?

(Haruka) No. The light is still moving, meaning she's fighting down there. But she won't respond to comms.

(Michiru) Don't tell me... she's...

(Haruka) Tryin to take on Usagi alone and win?

Haruka stared at the rapidly moving light, now unamused.

(Haruka) Hm... I'm starting to reconsider if we should open fire...

(Setsuna) As much as I would like to say no... Makoto seems to want to try and go solo. That could be deadly.

(Michiru) Indeed.

Michiru raised her arch-gun as well.

(Haruka) Okay then... I guess we're doing this... fire on my command.

The three aimed their weapons, even as the fight below drew on.

(Haruka) Fire! Before she escapes!

In an instant, the heavy snow, turned into heavy Calibur bullet rain.

Usagi and Makoto separated as the gun fire got between them.

Frustrated, Makoto jumped and dodged hails of bullet rain, all the while Usagi made her escape between the pillars of packed ice.

Makoto shouted, furiously through the comms.

(Makoto) HEY! Stop shooting! I'm still down here!

The bullet rain suddenly stopped, and Makoto looked above her, making sure no stray bullets suddenly fell through.

The next second, Makoto raised her Venka claws at Rei, Mina and Ami, startled as they ran to her.

(Rei) Mako.

(Makoto) Shit!-

(Ami) Easy there, it's us.

(Makoto) Oh. Sorry, you kinda startled me there. Thought you were Usagi comin in for a surprise attack.

(Minako) What happened? We heard gunfire and the other's on the comms.

(Makoto) I had Usagi, in a melee one-on-one, then SOME PEOPLE decided that I was worth killing in order to take down Usagi.

Through the comms, Haruka let her frustrations be known.

(Haruka) HEY, you never responded to our comms, we thought you were out for the count.

(Makoto) Bullshit, you knew I was down here, but decided I was worth sacrificing. Your little stunt didn't even work anyway!

(Michiru) This is what's gonna be difficult with you. You charge in like this and don't communicate. What's gonna happen when we need you to talk to us in a real fight?

(Setsuna) Enough. This is getting us no where. We need to find her before she takes us by surprise again.

(Rei) Got it, the four of us will cover ground from down here, you three gonna search from up there?

(Setsuna) Yes, no lets find her before she finds us.

Tension fills the air as the four on the ground walk through the endless pillars. Rei was at the front, guiding the group. Ami and Makoto stood at the left and right, looking around, and above for signs of movement. Minako stood at the rear, walking backwards as she covered the rear.

In the Air, Haruka guided Michiru and Setsuna over the clouds, through the thin atmosphere, watching for signs of energy.

The minutes drew long, as each one created more tension and unease among the groups.

As Minako walked backwards, her nerves were getting the better of her. But the sound of footsteps behind her, along with Ami, Rei and Makoto talking to her over her comms put her at ease.

(Makoto) Yeah, don't worry. She's not one to be that tactical. If anything, she'll use all of this tension to scare you guys and take you out while your still in shock.

(Rei) But we have you to make sure that doesn't happen.

The three laughed over comms.

(Ami) Oh no! Guys! Mina's gone!

(Rei) Wait! What?!

Minako, confused, kept walking.

(Minako) Hey, not cool guys. I'm a little one edge already, I don't need you...

Minako looked at the ground, still walking. The four pairs of footprints that she had gotten used to seeing, were now just one, and along either side of the footsteps, were eight lines drawn into the snow.

Minako stopped, her breath becoming slowed and trembling as she clutched her sniper, Rubico.

(Minako) Guys... I'm scared...

(Makoto) Shit, where'd she go?

(Ami) Stay calm Mina, we're coming!

(Rei) Just stay put. We'll find you!

Minako could feel her fear nearly paralyzing her as she stood still, clutching her rifle, putting a finger on the trigger.

(Minako) R-R-Rei... I'm so scared... she's behind me...

(Rei) Usagi... Mina. Don't. Move.

The snow behind Mina began to crunch, the sound beginning quiet, but slowly getting closer as something sharp dragged in the snow.

(Minako) I-I-I can't... She's getting closer... I need to move.

(Rei) NO! Don't! She'll kill you before you even get a chance to shoot.

(Minako) It's too late. Wish me luck, everyone...

Mina switched of her comms as she mentally prepared herself.

Minako slowly turned around, raising her weapon to look behind her.

A few hundred feet, behind some Ice Pillars, stood Garuda, her talons drawn.

The crimson glow of Garuda's energy terrified Mina as she raised her rifle. Her hands trembled slightly as she raised the rifle and took careful aim.

Garuda took a step forward.

In an instant, a thunderous crack sounded through the air.

Minako stared at her target, but to her misery, Garuda simply parried the bullet, and sent it into the ground.

(Minako) No... nononono... No. I won't let you get passed me.

Minako whispered to herself, doing her best to steel herself, but it faltered as Garuda slowly began walking towards Minako.

She panicked, and began walking backwards.

One, another, three... Minako ran through her first magazine, and shivered at the click of an empty magazine.

Keeping her eyes on Garuda, Minako quickly reloaded, and continued to fire, aiming for the head, the chest, the arm, the legs... but none of them hit. Garuda parried most of the shots, but a few of them simply flew by her, not even getting close enough to make her dodge.

Shot after shot, Minako's fear grew.

And finally, after her fourth magazine, Minako reached for another, only to feel none.

(Minako) Huh?

Minako patted her thigh, finding that she had used up her sniper's ammo.

Garuda's paced stayed the same, as Minako holstered her sniper, drew her pistols, and sprinted away from Garuda, knowing she'd give chase.

Minako opened her comms, desperate.

(Minako) WHERE ARE YOU GUYS!?

Minako shouted into the comms, her fear and terror thick in her tone as she sprinted, her pistols in hand.

(Makoto) We're looking dammit! Just keep your eyes on he-

(Minako) NO! NO, I won't! I ran!

(Rei) Don't worry Mina, we'll find you, just don't let her get too close.

(Minako) Okay. Okay...

After slowing down. Minako looked around, not seeing Garuda anywhere.

(Minako) Gotta keep going.

lll

Minako went to run, but found herself lifted off of the ground.

(Minako) What the...

Minako looked down, to see that four, long, golden talons, had impaled her.

(Minako) But.. I ... I lost... you...

Minako's vision faded as she exited the simulation.

On the comms, Rei and Ami tried to contact Minako.

(Rei) Mina? Mina?!

(Ami) Mina! Talk to us, are you okay?! We heard your rifle, what's happening?!

(Makoto) Shit. She got to her before we could find her.

(Rei) No, don't say that. She's still alive.

Above, Haruka got received Makoto's comms.

(Makoto) Hey, Haruka. We got a situation down here.

(Haruka) What happened?

(Makoto) Usagi somehow separated Minako from our group, and got her.

(Haruka) Shit. She got another one of us. Now we're down to six.

(Makoto) What should we do?

(Haruka) Regroup with us. She can't takes us by surprise up here. She'd be too obvious coming up through the clouds.

(Makoto) Sounds good.

Makoto separated the comms and returned to Rei and Ami.

(Makoto) Hey. We're regrouping with Haruka and the others. It's too risky for us to stay down here, not when she seems comfortable getting even remotely near us to catch us off guard.

(Rei) Alright.

The three rose above the clouds in Archwings.

(Haruka) So. How'd she even get Minako anyway?

(Makoto) I dunno. But Mina was following us walking backwards. Somewhere while we were walking, she somehow got Mina to follow her without even realizing it.

(Haruka) I see. Well, she can't take us so easily from up here. So let's-

In a split second, Garuda fell on top of them from above, sinking her talons into both of Haruka's wings before ripping Haruka out of them and sending them into a freefall below the clouds.

As the two fell, Haruka pulled out her rifle, and fired at Usagi, as the two fell, but Garuda seemed intent on finishing things here, as she slashed the rifle from Haruka's hands.

The two landed, both landing on their feet.

Hastily, Haruka removed her twin pistols and fired at Garuda, who seemed to take a few hits to her shields, but ignored the damage as she pulled out a rifle, not the one she had originally received.

It was a crossbow that seemed to glow in the frosty darkness. It's name, was Nagantaka.

Garuda aimed it at Haruka, who felt her pistols stop firing.

Quickly, Haruka tried to reload, but Garuda didn't allow her to have the chance.

Using the weapons alternative trigger, one apart from it's normal semi-auto fire, the weapon dispensed the entirety of it's magazine all at once in one burst of fire.

Haruka was too slow to move and was impaled by over 15 individual bolts and pinned to a pillar of ice.

The others tried calling out to her, but they had already realized her fate.

(Michiru) What the hell... She came... from above us... HOW DID SHE GET PASSED US!?

(Setsuna) It seems to skies are not as safe as we thin-

Michiru lost all composure as she flew over and pushed Setsuna.

(Michiru) No shit Setsuna! Usagi just ambushed us and took Haruka! No where is safe!

Michiru darted towards the ground, yelling before she disconnected her comms.

(Michiru) FINE! If none of you are capable enough to take her down. Then I will do it myself!

From right below the clouds, hanging onto a pillar using her claws to hook into the pillar's flat, icy surface, Usagi could see faint hints of an archwing approaching.

From below, as Michiru was about the disappear below the clouds, everyone watched with horror as Garuda jumped up to meet Michiru right above the clouds, her talons outstreched as she sunk both talons directly into her chest, and pulled them out as Michiru was taken out of the simulation.

Summoning her own Archwing, Garuda began her ascent towards the remaining four.

Rei, Ami and Setsuna all began firing at Garuda with Archwings, but their fire seemed to lack behind her as she flew, not firing back.

Then to everyone's surprise, she went back below the clouds with her archwing.

But then, even the bright energy of her archwing disappeared.

Makoto, unamused, just looked down.

(Makoto) So... are all of your battles this-

Another moment passed as the group watched as Usagi flung herself up through the clouds at high speeds, and, as she passed the group, shot her revolver, Vasto.

All of the girls reacted by using their Archwings to block Garuda's shots, as Usagi came back down then fell back to beneath the clouds.

Afterwards the three regrouped.

(Setsuna) Hey, is everyone okay.

(Rei) Yeah, I'm okay.

(Ami) Yeah, so am I.

(Rei) Which means... she got Makoto...

(Ami) Damn it!

(Rei) We have to face her.

(Setsuna) No! She'll slowly get all of us if we're not careful.

(Ami) But what about staying here? Just floating up here, she got three of us.

Setsuna quieted as the three quickly descended towards the ground beneath the clouds.

But as the three descended, they were ripped out of the simulation, along with their Warframes.

As the three began stepping out of the chambers after recently gaining consciousness, they walked out, hearing Usagi's voice, disappointed by the sudden halt.

(Usagi) Aw man... I had those three!

(Makoto) Yeah, yeah, but you were taking all of us by surprise!

(Ami) But why did we suddenly get taken out?

(Haruka) We got a new... exciting problem...

(Hotaru) There are sightings of Warframes, on Earth, all over the world.

(Setsuna) But how is that possible? I thought these were the last Warframes that were preserved.

The group walked out of their chambers and went over to see the Lotus.

(Lotus) That is what I am wondering. But there is a pattern between these Warframe sightings.

(Rei) Oh? And what might the pattern be?

(Lotus) These Warframes were all created with inspirations from Earth, or created to directly defend it from Hostile invasions.

(Usagi) Um... so... how many we talkin here? Two? Three?

(Lotus) More likely, seven.

(Usagi) Oh! Okay... we can handle that. So these Warframes, any idea where they are?

(Lotus) Well, the first one should be easy enough for you to find. She was last spotted in Japan, specifically within Shrines and places of Shinto Practice.

(Rei) A Warframe wandering around Shinto Shrines and Temples? I wonder what they mean to her...

(Lotus) Rei, since you seem to have some knowledge of this topic, I'd like you and Usagi to go down to that area and contain the Warframe in question.

(Usagi) Got it.

(Rei) Understood.

(Lotus) You two should go now. The Warframe is a trickster that uses Fate and chance to strengthen her abilities.

The two went, heading straight for the portal back to Earth, but the two stopped and turned back to ask.

(Usagi) Hey Lotus. This Warframe got a name?

(Lotus) Yes. Her name, from the Codex, was "Koumei".

The two nodded and went on their way.

(Lotus) Next, another Warframe was spotted in what you would refer to as "Iceland".

(Lotus) This Warframe, unlike the previous one, is a master of the seas, using the harshest of waters to pelt his enemies until they can no longer bring themselves to rise again.

Makoto and Ami stepped forward.

(Makoto) Got it, we just gotta knock some sense into them and bring em back here right? Some water isn't gonna stop me from kickin ass.

(Ami) What is the name of this Warframe?

(Lotus) His name, is "Hydroid".

(Makoto) Gotcha, be back in a bit! C'mon Ami!

Ami and Makoto made their way to the hangar.

Haruka and Michiru step up next.

(Lotus) You two, your target is located in a large land mass you know as the "United States of America". Your target is the same as the one wielded by your friend, Setsuna.

(Haruka) What? It's the same Warframe as hers?

(Michiru) How is that possible?

(Lotus) After the Orokin began making Warframes, one had went to Earth, and for a time, became it's protector. She then fell, becoming a specter of Earth and the Orokin made an alternate version of her. Whether it was out of wanting her back on the battlefield or out of remembrance is unknown.

The two did the same as Makoto and Ami, heading towards the hangars, going towards their archwings.

The last two stepped forward.

Setsuna and Hotaru.

(Lotus) You two, will have a challenging foe. He was once what was once known as a "Proto-frame". An experimental Warframe that was a human, who had been infected with an early strain of the infestation. He was a part of a group of these individuals. After he fell, after many years of service, his Warframe parts led to a Warframe that shared his abilities and mission, to protect the weak and destroy the strong who push themselves onto the weak.

(Lotus) Although he sees this as his mission, a noble one at that, his power is too much, and is causing far too much damage. For now, he has been sighted, patrolling at night in what you on Earth call "London, England".

(Setsuna) And their name?

(Lotus) In the Codex, it is stated that the Warframe was never given a name, but has been given the identification "Cyte-09". But be VERY careful Tenno. His Sniper aims true and never misses it's intended target, and his bullets are explosive and deadly, even for your Warframes. Be cautious around him.

(Hotaru) Understood, we'll head out right away.

End of Episode 17: A Lot Happened. Let's Deal with It!