[Tokusatsu Themes, JRPG TFs]
"Oh come on, that's not fair! That's not fair at all!"
A young girl's frustrated cries echoed throughout her room as she very nearly threw the controller at the screen in front of her, before taking a deep breath and just letting it sit on the floor as she tried to curb her temper. No, no, she mustn't get angry. The characters that she had nurtured in that game wouldn't be happy with her if she let her temper get the best of her...
Then again, they were the ones that had fallen against that big boss. The evil Demon Lord had felled the party, despite all of her efforts. So clearly they were the ones responsible for it. But that logic downplayed their efforts. It downplayed how she had come to view them as kind and relatable souls. It downplayed how much she had come to love and adore them...
"Ahhh... Damnit..!" The girl cried out as she tossed herself at the side of her bed, before comically bumping against the leg of it instead as she had a bit too much momentum as she swiveled around. Causing her to collapse on the floor with a brief gasp of pain, and her eyes swirling around behind her extremely thick glasses...
She just wasn't having a good time tonight. She had grinded for what felt like hours, only for everything to come crashing down in the moment. And to think that the game had been just like the stories that she had read so long ago, only for it to just kick her to the curb, taking all of her efforts as an insult as it invalidated every single one of them...
If only she was actually there with them. Then she could properly coach them. She could guide them towards victory. And more importantly, she could achieve the dream that she had been harboring inside of her heart. The dream that she had dreamt of ever since she was a little girl, who could just barely think about anything that wasn't boundless curiosity due to her age...
To be at a hero’s side, and let them see their journey to its end...
"My my. What a cute little thing you are."
The girl with the thick glasses blinked as she suddenly shot up from the floor, only to slam her head straight into the underside of the bed in the process. Even with her bruise visibly throbbing, she didn't concern herself with the pain. No, she concerned herself with the red-clad woman that was currently sitting on her windowsill. She was a vampire, she had to be! The blonde shade, the crimson eyes, the long ears and those fangs that she could see poking out from her lips! She was bad, she had to be!
"Y-You're not going to drink my blood, Vampire! I-" The girl paused as her mind quickly ran through her options, before realizing that she had the absolutely best possible weapon against this strange woman. Because she had used all the garlic she had in the house for yesterday's garlic bread, and she had long since lost the odor that came with eating a meal like that. "...Uh, uhm, stay back!"
The blonde laughed. What a strange young girl. There were many strange youths that had joined Mimoto Highschool over the last few years, most importantly the girls that served as thorns in the blonde's side. But this one? She was something else. She was definitely the kind of girl that she could help... And the kind of girl that she could weaponize.
"I do not plan on drinking your blood, Bõkan Yoseiju." The blonde said, all while carefully pulling herself off that windowsill with a smile and a wink. "I am Baroness Bat. And I am here to offer you the chance to make your dreams come true."
"You're bluffing, you're..." The girl, Bõkan, cried out right before her mind properly processed what she heard. And the fog that was covering her glasses went away, revealing the cutesy pink eyes behind them. "...Eh? B-But you're a baddie, what do you want with my wish? I don't have a wish that could help you, I just want to see heroes win!"
"That's exactly the kind of wish that I want." Bat chimed, as she reached for the bespectacled girl's chin before pulling her close and gently letting her lips press against that red spot that throbbed so painfully, letting her powers wash over it and heal her like it was nothing. "Because I do not grant these wishes to achieve a greater goal. Not in that sense. No, all that I and Golden Freedom want is for girls like you to achieve your dreams. All through the freedom that we grant."
Bõkan blushed as she listened to the blonde woman's words. She couldn't believe it. She was about to be blessed by somebody that she had heard so much bad stuff about. Then again, most of the rumors that she heard revolved around how her Senpai had been through so much to try and make up for the fact that this woman was causing problems alongside her allies... S-So was this really a good thing?
"I can see it on your face. You're wondering if this is a good idea." Bat chimed, giggling as Bõkan's expression turned bright red. "I can't say anything for sure. But know this." She said while pulling a ring out from her bosom, before flicking it towards the girl and letting her catch it as she clasped her hands around the hands that now held the ring. "Whether or not you believe me, it won't change the fact that I'll let you take this ring. This Jõtai can make it all come true. All you have to do is make your wish known, and then-"
A golden flash brightly shone into the blonde's eyes as she was forced back by the sheer intensity. She hadn't even put the ring on, and she was already giving off this much energy..? She was right to pick her, if this was how she turned out..!
The shiny glow coalesced and compressed until the source was so small that it could barely stand on the back of the blonde's hand, before the gold vanished and paved the way for the girl's new form...
To say that Bõkan was short was an understatement, but her size was hardly the only part that stood out about her now. She wore a long and cute green and white dress that complimented her rather large looking butterfly wings, which went together well with the long bed of pink hair that reached all the way down to her hips.
As she opened her eyes, they had gained a golden tint to show that she had abused the Jõtai and become a Jõtaijin. But there was no hostile intent in her eyes. No, the only thing that was in her eyes was pure wonder. Wonder at the fact that she could end up like this... And pure admiration at her own power surging through her.
"I can't believe it! It worked! It really, really worked! I can go and help those that need it!" Bõkan cried out, quickly making her wings flutter as she flew up and around, right before she predictably crashed into the ceiling and drifted down towards the plush pillows that were hanging from Bat's chest...
Bat blinked a little, before softly giggling. "Very well. Adventurer's Aide. Whatever you might need, whatever you might do... I trust that you'll do it well. So that you can find the happiness that you want. So that you can achieve the ending that you desire. And so that your dreams may come true."
Now with a new name, one that sounded extra fitting considering her interests and everything surrounding them, Adventurer's Aide giggled and rubbed her hands together. Oh yes, she knew exactly who she was going to help. She knew who could be the Adventurer that she had been waiting to support. Her Senpai! Her dear, beloved Senpai who needed to be the one to save them all!
Saeko Suikumo!
---
"Kazumi-chan, don't you ever get tired of reading those dreary books? I would've thought that you..."
"That I what, Suikumo?"
"Y-You know, you're stuck in a wheelchair all the time, I thought you would've gone for something more happy to cheer you up..."
"Aaaah... You're not wrong, it would be a good idea. But I can't help but find myself drawn to these tales. Tales of struggle that ultimately lead to endings that could hardly be called bittersweet at best..."
The following day, inside the Mimoto City Library, two young ladies were currently making small talk. All while the more mobile of the two was currently busy grabbing books from several shelves. Some for the sake of research so she could complete her paper and get the grade that she wanted, and some that she just wanted to borrow for the sake of her less-than-able friend.
The purple-haired and spectacle-wearing girl was Saeko Suikumo. The least experienced and youngest of the Student Council, who couldn't help herself. She was a naturally meek and worried individual, and considering all of the problems and troubling developments regarding the Pawn situation and how the School had been overwhelmed by a sea of them... Yeah, she wasn't exactly having a good time. And the fact that she served as the primary guardian and caretaker of a girl around her own age certainly didn't help either.
Her wheelchair-bound companion was Minami Kazumi, who just chuckled at the sight of her friend's panicked and worried expression. Truth be told, she had been stuck like this for about eight years, but that did not stop her friendship from blossoming as it should. She made it clear to Saeko that she appreciated her help a lot, and that she would help her if she wasn't stuck with a non-functioning set of legs. But until the moment that her legs eventually started working again, she would be more than honored if Saeko just stuck by her side and helped her as much as she could.
"Yeah, but..." Saeko muttered as she reached for a significantly happier story currently sitting on one of the shelves, a bit of sweat running down her face as she wondered if her friend would consider it an insult if she gave her too many books that were aimed at making her see the positive side of things. "Don't you get tired of reading the same bad ending over and over and over? Don't you want to just see their dreams come true?"
Minami shook her head. "They may all be sad, or they might all lead to the entire group falling prey to their mortality... But what matters is not the end. What matters is the life that they've lived. And they were all satisfied with those lives, even if they ended in such a pointless fashion." She said, as she carefully let her fingers drum along one of her favorite books, the one currently resting on her lap. A tale as old as time, talking about the first time that Humans and Monsters made close contact and how it led to mutual hate on both sides despite the chance of coexistence. "I admire that kind of life, Suikumo. As long as I can live a life like that, I'll keep reading these stories. Because even though they end badly, they remind me that I still have a life left to live. A life that can still have its twists and turns."
Saeko slowly nodded, before dropping the books on the table that the two were using for their reading and their studying. "Y-Yeah, that's great and all, but you can't just give me a big spiel and tell me that's why you like reading them! We're friends, Kazumi-chan, there has to be a simpler reason why you like those stories. I mean, I like stories about monsters because they're cool and they have all sorts of cool abilities! Don't you have a simple reason like that?"
Minami paused as she slowly tapped her chin, before softly chuckling as she hid her lips behind a book. "I like seeing the despair people go through. It's really nice to read about, because you get to see what they're like at the brink." She explained, giggling as she saw her dear friend pout in response.
"No wonder Shimo-senpai can't handle you, Kazumi-chan. You just end up snuffing out her passionate flame with that kind of talk." She sighed, before slowly plucking one of the books from the pile and making sure that the upper half harmlessly landed on top of the stack without toppling over despite the fact that it tilted for a brief second.
"That's not why. She just can't help but ask me about my interests, and then I tactically deconstruct her Passion until there's nothing left of her flame. With how loud she is, it's actually really therapeutic." Minami giggled a bit more, before putting the book down. "It's why I really am glad that you're here, Suikumo. You may complain, you may whine, and you may think that I'm morbid... But I really do appreciate that you try and push back like this."
Saeko gasped and stuttered and blushed as she accidently swung around and knocked the books over, completely negating the finesse she had displayed mere moments ago. "D-Don't say that, I'm none of those things! I'm just your friend, that's all! I-I'd do this for the others too, they just have to ask!"
Minami giggled a bit more at the sight of her dear friend's panicked behavior. She was a lousy liar. But that was why she was so cute. And why she liked her a lot. Now, if only she wasn't stuck in this wheelchair, then perhaps she could lend her a hand with all those books...
"Saeko-Senpai! Saeko-Senpai!"
Both Saeko and Minami blinked as they heard a cheerful tone echo out through the library, as a golden glow suddenly appeared before their eyes. A glow that vanished just as quickly as it had appeared, revealing a cute little fairy that looked eerily familiar to Saeko. So much so that she quickly pushed up her glasses to hide her eyes as she tried to look away from her.
Minami, however, was a little too curious for her own good. "And who might you be, little sprite? I have not heard of Monsters that take the shape of Fairies, but it's not like Fairies want to be known..." She mused, remembering the last tale revolving around fairies that she had read. And how it ended in tragedy for everyone involved, especially for the first few that had made contact...
"I'm not a sprite! Well, not like that anyway! I'm-" The fairy paused, before shaking her head. No, she didn't need to use her real name. She needed to use her new name. The one that the nice lady had given her! "I'm Adventurer's Aide! And I'm here to make sure that Saeko-Senpai gets to be everything that she always should've been!"
Minami tilted her head as she looked at Saeko. "Suikumo, were you friends with a Fairy? Or is this one of those Jõtaijin again?" She wasn't a stranger to Jõtaijin. What with having been at ground zero twice over, and with the continued way that the Jõtaijin tried to assault her friends. Honestly, the fact that another one had appeared so brazenly... Maybe she should try and look into why they appeared like this.
"I'm not friends with a Jõtaijin or a Fairy!" Saeko cried out, and kept her back turned to the fairy. She knew exactly who it was. Bõkan Yoseiju. Her Kouhai, and the kind of girl that would never stop hounding her. She wasn't a stalker, she didn't go that far, but she really and desperately thought that she was one of the most inspiring people in the whole wide world. She wasn't inspiring! She was hardly competent at that! That near worship was the kind of thing that led to her confidence being in the dumps so often!
"That's wrong, Senpai! You do know me! And I know that you don't want to be like this, you want to be more!" Adventurer's Aide cried out as she flew right around the purple-haired girl and came to stop right in front of her face. "You want to be better, don't you, Senpai!? You want to be like your Senpais, you want to be useful and you want to be amazing! I can help you, I really, really can!"
Saeko tried to look away from the fairy flying in front of her face. But something about those fluttering wings was starting to make her heart tremble. This wasn't good, she didn't like this sensation... B-But she just couldn't resist it, her eyes starting to glow gold as she kept on staring straight ahead. "I-I..."
The fairy's lips curved into a smile. That's the look she liked. The look of somebody that was ready to accept her power. She knew that Saeko-Senpai would be great for it. Due to her nature, she couldn't possibly resist her nudges. She couldn't possibly stop this surge pouring into her. And that meant that she would be absolutely and utterly perfect...
"Here, Saeko-Senpai. Let me help you." Adventurer's Aide said, all while letting her golden glow pour forth into her hands, forming a tiny goblet that was fit for her size. But in that goblet rested a single sticky droplet that was ready to pour out from its little container. "All you have to do is drink this. Then your brand new adventure can begin. Your adventure!"
Minami narrowed her eyes a little as the golden glow from the goblet managed to pour towards her, making her tremble in her seat. This wasn't... This wasn't the same sort of feeling that she had whenever she was in danger due to an onslaught of Pawns. She wasn't in danger in that sense. But she was definitely not pleased by what was going on. "Suikumo..." She muttered, hoping that Saeko wouldn't give in.
Saeko struggled. She clenched her fists tight, before her grip went lax and she slowly opened her lips to allow the fairy to pour it inside. That single droplet... She knew that it was a bad thing to try and taste it. But she also couldn't resist the wings fluttering in front of her face. She couldn't resist their hypnotic pull...
Neither could she resist the power that immediately poured through her as that droplet found its way onto her tongue. It was like her entire world just got rocked, and a golden glow poured forth from her. It was like every little part of her was being reconstructed from the inside out, as she breathed faster and faster. Her heart was slamming against her chest, all while cries of pure pleasure echoed from her lips. She... She loved the sensation.
"You're watching, right?" Adventurer's Aide giggled as she suddenly flew towards the wheelchair-bound girl. "Don't worry. Senpai's not going to get hurt. But she's going to need help once she's begun her new Adventure. And you'll be able to stay at her side. Not as a friend, but as a true companion. You want that too, don't you?" She chimed, her wings fluttering wildly as the dust that flew off them started to seep into the girl's skin...
Minami didn't look at the fairy. No, she looked at the girl that had been tempted by her. The girl that was now standing up, after she had been covered in that dust that had seemingly pulled her into a trance. And she watched as the golden glow vanished, revealing a brand new set of armor that adorned Saeko's body and nearly covered it up completely...
All except for her head, where Saeko's hair now freely blew in the wind. Not that there was actually any wind blowing through the library, but her freed and golden hair certainly looked beyond impressive. Especially as it matched wonderfully with her new armor, as well as the bright golden eyes that were glowing as she turned her head towards the Fairy that had helped her...
"Thank you, my Aide." Saeko smiled, confidence swirling from her lips as she slowly put her hand on her chest. "I feel it now. I know what to do. What I need to accomplish. And the Adventure that I need to set out on." She said, with her voice brimming with so much happiness and confidence that she seemed like a completely different person...
"Oh, don't thank me, Saeko! I just wanted to help my good friend, so that she could be the best that she was ever meant to be!" Adventurer's Aide chimed, giggling as she blushed all over. Ah, to be praised by her Senpai. Now that she had the guts to actually praise her, it felt even better. She could almost get addicted to the experience too...
Saeko smiled and gently bowed to the fairy that had granted her this clarity and power. And then she turned her eyes towards her other dear friend, the one that was still stuck in that loathsome chair. No, she didn't want to see her stuck in something like that. Not when she could be at her side. As a trustworthy companion...
"Minami." The confidence in her voice beamed through, as she finally used her friend's first name. All while she stepped close enough to cast a shadow upon her. "Please. Join me. I want to go on this adventure, but I can't make it without you. I need you, and I need Yuuki, and I need Saki. I need you all by my side. Otherwise I can't see this adventure through to its end." She explained, all while kneeling down.
Minami was not enthralled by the Fairy's mesmerizing wings. But she couldn't fight back against this confidence pouring from Saeko. Especially not as the golden glow from her armor just seemed to intensify it. It was making her... Ah, it was making her tremble all over. All as that same golden glow appeared in her eyes...
"I... I'm not sure I can help you, Sui... Saeko..." She really wasn't. She was still stuck with a set of legs that didn't want to listen to her thoughts. And despite how much confidence poured forth from Saeko, there was no guarantee that she could actually heal legs that didn't want to respond. After all, she was just an Adventurer, right..?
Saeko smiled from ear to ear, before reaching up towards her friend's neck. And as a *click* echoed out, the girl's eyes glowed bright gold just like the golden armor in front of her. "You can. You always have, Minami. You just need to realize that you can do anything, as long as you put your mind to it."
The words that left the 'Adventurer's lips were not entirely convincing, but the collar that had suddenly formed around Minami's neck was doing a lot to make those words ring true. Especially as she felt her body trembling more and more, to the point where her wheelchair couldn't handle her shaking so much..!
Minami's shaking caused her to fall off her chair, but that did not stop the sensation that kept her like this. No, it only grew stronger. It grew stronger with every moment that passed, as she felt a set of fangs growing bigger while her body seemed to take on a deep golden hue, interspersed with silver around the inner side of her body...
She forced her hands onto the ground, as she pushed herself up bit by bit. All while she felt a shivering sensation down below, and the sensation of something happening with her legs. All while she slowly stood up... And...
Towered... over Saeko..? That didn't make sense, and neither did the fact that she could actually stand. Why did her... Why did her legs decide they wanted to work now..?
"Look closely, look and see what form you've achieved!" Adventurer's Aide cried out, as she formed an oval with the dust from her wings, making a mirror pop into existence that reflected Minami's current form. All while making her eyes widen as she realized what had happened.
Minami was... Well, she was a dragon. A bipedal anthropomorphic dragon who was covered in golden scales and a soft scaled silver belly. She had short horns, and a layer of fur that spread out and covered the scales to insulate her. She was... She was a companion in every sense of the word, and she could feel the power surging through her. All thanks to the collar around her neck.
"Come, Minami!" Saeko didn't miss a beat, happy to have a draconic companion by her side. All while she turned around and walked right out of the library, intent on starting her Adventure by finding the two remaining companions that she needed.
Minami felt a compulsion to follow, her eyes glowing bright gold as that sensation filled her. But more than that, she... She was happy to have her legs function once more. So what if she had been transformed into a dragon that towered over her friend, and looked like she could go on a rampage at any one moment? What mattered to her was that she was useful. And that she could repay her for everything that she had done.
So for now, she would aid her and see her happiness flourish...
---
"Check and Mate! You lose yet again!"
"...How come you recklessly abandon your pawns for the sake of a single promotion? Shouldn't you protect them?"
"Of course I should, Saki. But I don't show favoritism. I just see that any of them can end up as the Queen. And once I have that Queen at my side, I'm invincible!"
"Since when did you learn strategy, and more importantly, since when did you learn to play chess this well?"
"Well when you catch people running around in the halls when they're clearly not supposed to, you get to have a couple of chats here and there. You'd be surprised at how quickly a chess player can move when they're late for their important game!"
Sitting at a nearby café, the terrible twosome of Yuuki Shimo and Saki Himitsu were enjoying a simple game of chess. All while indulging in a bit of ice cream to reward themselves for a good week of work. Whether it was disciplining other Students or making sure that the Students that weren't causing trouble were able to keep up with their studies, they had done everything they could.
But this was not how Saki saw this game unfolding. She saw herself winning because she took out every possible piece she could. Sacrificing a few pawns to get access to her rooks as quickly as possible, only to have a single one of Yuuki's pawns get through and be promoted at the worst possible moment...
"...We have a chess club?" Though her loss didn't bother her as much as the fact that she wasn't aware of a Chess Club. Last she had checked, they didn't have any clubs devoted to games. Just different forms of arts and crafts...
Yuuki laughed a little, before shoveling a nice big ball of ice cream straight into her mouth and swallowing it like nothing. The benefit of Monster biology and having a Yukionna as a father. "Not really. But one of the boys practiced outside of the school, and he was in a real hurry. So I gave him extended detention after I helped him get to his match. He did a damn good job when he was there too, real surprising."
Saki narrowed her eyes a bit and just shook her head. She wasn't going to be able to keep up with Yuuki if she kept this up. Not just her expertise in regards to handling the other students, but also just her powers. Sure, she had... her ways, but-
"Saki! Yuuki! I found you!"
Saki and Yuuki both looked towards the powerful voice that echoed towards them, with neither of them anticipating the sight of Saeko dressed in golden armor, nor were they anticipating a rather large golden hued dragon to be carrying her, especially right on her shoulder...
"What in the world am I looking at?" Yuuki asked, her face turning bright red. Not because of embarrassment, but out of sheer awe. "Saeko!? Is that you!? How in the world did you tame a Dragon!? AND CAN YOU TEACH THIS PASSIONATE HEART HOW TO TAME ONE?!"
Saki narrowed her eyes as she listened to her friend's awestruck reaction. She didn't like this one bit. The dragon was one thing, but Saeko's transformation was obvious. She had been corrupted. What had those women done? Whether it was Spider or Bat, one of them had to be behind this. But she didn't feel like the Jõtaijin, so what was going on here..?
"It is not a Dragon, Yuuki!" Saeko shouted as she leapt down from those wonderfully scaled hands, smiling from ear to ear. "It's Minami! And we're ready to go on a grand Adventure! I just need you both to be here with me, and then we can head off into the bright sunset that's about to rise on the horizon!"
"...Saeko, open your eyes." Saki said, not intent on playing along with any of this. Even if she couldn't transform in front of two of her closest friends, she would struggle the best she could. Because this was nothing more than an elaborate farce. Whoever had started it... Would find that she was not in the mood to let it go on for long.
"I have open eyes, Saki. And I know that I need you both." Saeko replied with a smile. "I know what you're thinking. You think that I'm controlled. But no. This is all my own free will. I've seen what it means to be the one to lead. Not a leader, but an Adventurer who just needs her companions." She concluded, before reaching out to the two with a smile on her face. "Won't you both join me? I promise, it'll all make sense."
Yuuki looked at Saki, who just glared back at her for even thinking this might be acceptable, before laughing a bit. "As much as I'd love to say yes, Saeko... This doesn't seem right. I'm sorry, but we have to do something to make sure that you're not controlled or consumed by anything." She said, all while ice started to form on the palms of her hands. "Just sit still for a moment. my PASSION will freeze you back to normal. Chill all that bad stuff out of you!"
Saeko shook her head. No, she wasn't going to accept this. Not when her friends were right there in front of her. Not when her companions were this close. "Minami! Lend me a hand, I'm sure that you can make Yuuki see reason!" She cried out, before leaving it all to the draconic companion that she naturally had put all of her trust in.
Minami nodded, as she felt the power welling up within her. Power that transferred from deep within her burning chest, pouring straight up until it couldn't pour out any longer!
Yuuki's eyes widened as she realized what was happening, but it was far too late by the time she had that reaction. She immediately got swallowed by the golden flames that poured forth, letting out a powerful cry as she tried to cool herself with her powers. And none of it was any use, because she couldn't douse these flames...
"YUUKI!" Saki cried out, only to be interrupted by Saeko getting in her way. "Out of my way, Saeko! You're burning her alive!" She shouted, very tempted to just call upon her power. They were all brainwashed anyway, it's not like they'd remember!
Not that she got the chance to use her power. Not before Saeko wrapped her arms around her and placed her lips right up against hers. And in the process, sending a powerful shock right through the Student Council President's body, as she felt an intensity springing through her. Something that she had never before felt...
"Ssssh. It's okay." Saeko said, as she let go of Saki and let her hand slowly lift her dear Saki's head to look at her. Had she always been this tall compared to the Student Council President..? It was something that crossed her mind, but one thing was certain...
Saki looked absolutely adorable as she looked down upon her. Especially as that long and static hair turned nice and golden as it turned wavy. All while her school uniform was converted into a dress that was a lot more compact and feminine than the one that the Fairy wore. One that would show off every little bit of Saki's body, while not truly feeling erotic despite how much it was revealing...
As for what Saki saw as she looked up at the golden armored version of one of her closest and most important friends, she saw a Knight in shining armor. She saw a girl that looked out for her and wanted the best for her. So much so that her heart kept pounding louder and louder against her chest. She couldn't make it quiet down. She wanted it to grow quiet, but...
Her eyes turned into golden hearts as she hid her face in her hands. "S-Saeko... D-Don't..." Her very existence had been shifted thanks to that kiss. Her mind and her personality suppressed by the role of a Priestess that would always support the Adventurer. "Don't... Don't look at me..." She muttered, her tone having turned so much softer than it ever had been.
"I will always look at you, my dear Saki." Saeko said, brushing away those hands as she gave the beautiful golden blonde a kiss right on those lips. It was a kiss that was filled with pure affection. Affection that she had been hiding in her heart for so long, now confidently beaming forth since she had all the opportunity to pour it onto the girl she had such respect for...
Saki couldn't hide. All she could do was blush in response to the kiss, as she wrapped her arms around the golden armored Adventurer and slowly felt everything become as it should. It was all going to be alright. Everything about this was going to be alright. As long as she remained by the Adventurer's side. As long as she was there for her...
"Saekoooo!" Adventurer's Aide cried out, bringing the golden armored Adventurer's eyes towards the Fairy, all while she pointed towards the girl that had been thoroughly cooked by the flames from the golden companion.
Yuuki was standing there, the flames having coalesced into a set of golden armor that covered her completely. Silently, stalwartly. She was like a guardian. A loyal companion of few words, to contrast the loud and bombastic personality the girl had before. All while she looked towards the Adventurer...
And kneeled in front of her. Kneeling before the one that had earned her respect. She was there to protect her and fight alongside her. No matter what stood in their way. No matter what might try to confront them, she had her spear ready. Nary a word would leave her lips, because she didn't need to speak. She just needed to fight.
"Saki. Yuuki." Saeko said, with a smile on her face. "I'm glad that you're both here for me. With you by my side, there's nothing that's going to stop me from making this Adventure one to remember." The golden-haired girl concluded, smiling from ear to ear as she looked at her companions. Even Minami, who she hadn't addressed. She was thankful for her help in making Yuuki remember her role...
All while the Adventurer's Aide giggled. Oh yes, the Adventure was going to go smoothly. Especially once the enemies managed to make their way here...
---
"Hey, Hiro? What'd you mean by 'the entire town's turning into a JRPG?'"
"I'll explain later. Focus on the fact that there's a Knight turning things into a mockery of the old times, and then we can focus on what I'm comparing it to!"
The two Jõtaiders, Mimoto and PAWN, were both on their way to the scene. After Byakko had yelled into their ears earlier about what had been detected, it fell to them to try and investigate why everything went so horribly wrong. Especially considering the downtown area currently looked like a green and grassy plain instead of the city it was supposed to be. Just how strong was the Jõtaijin that was in charge of all of this? And was she going to calm down and stop causing problems?
Mikai just shrugged her shoulders as she landed on the ground, transforming into her Flame Lion from her Blast Eagle form to allow for greater all-around offense instead of the aerial movement and assault she had access to there. Combine that with the speed equipment that Hiro was wearing, and the two were more than ready for anything that came their way.
Hiro skid to a halt as she caught up with Mikai, her KNIGHT parts disengaging as soon as she arrived. "Where are they? According to Byakko, they..." She paused, as a powerful sensation started to swell within her heart. She didn't like this sensation. It made her aware of something. Something terrible.
She started glancing upward. And Mikai followed her gaze, as the two armored warriors realized what was going on. Something that they really should've noticed from the start...
"There! The enemies have arrived!" Saeko's voice echoed from above, as the magic that Saki had cast wore off. Allowing the enemies below to notice the dragon hovering above. As well as the three individuals that were sitting on her palms, each of them smiling in the face of a great challenge.
"Enemies? But we're not enemies!" Mikai shouted as she slammed her fists against one another. "And you... You're Saeko-Senpai! They got you!? I'll beat the bad out of you, to make sure you won't remain corrupted!"
Hiro narrowed her eyes. Something about all of this wasn't right. The signals that the group was giving off didn't match the one that Byakko had informed her about. They were closer to Pawns, with the leader getting dangerously close to a Successor. But who-
Her eyes widened as all the systems that were part of her suit started screaming. It had caught the presence of something much more dangerous than the ones above. And it was too close to her. But there's no way that it would be a danger to her, at least not with the recent upgrades. So her eyes turned to Mikai-
"An enemy is only an enemy when they're in control of themselves!"
The Jõtajin giggled as she appeared in a flash of gold, clinging to the armored heroine with a bright grin on her face. All while Mikai barely had a true chance to react. All while another bright flash started to grow...
Mikai was swallowed by the flash. All while she felt a brand new sensation filling her. A sensation that she had never before felt. It was... Familiar, yet so alien at the same time. Kinda like it was made from the same sort of stuff that Chimera was, except with none of the kind stuff...
As the sensation filled more and more of her, she was less and less able to think on her own. All while her armor slowly started to fall off her, and her expression became visible once more. An expression that was not her own, an expression that shifted between a big grin and her absent stare...
What was she... Ah, yes... She was... She was giving everything that she had in her to the one that was currently sliding into her. The one that was filling her with her essence. She should just close her eyes and let it all happen, and then she would be able to move on... Yes, she should just do that...
"Ehehehehehe..." It was no longer Mikai's voice that slipped out from those young lips. No, it was the Fairy's voice, as her eyes turned a tender gold just like the Fairy that had slipped into her. Her eyes, her hair, and everything about her started to look like the Fairy had been inside her for much longer than she truly had been. As if they were fused on an existential level...
Hiro trembled as she looked at the mockery that wore her friend's skin, all while clenching her fists as much as she could. There was no way that she was going to let this come to pass. She was going to make sure that Mikai wasn't being used as a meat puppet for the enemy..!
Or at least, she would've. If not for the Adventurer and her team descending while the Adventurer's Aide got used to the body that she now had access to. With Saeko taking point, and the others providing her the support that she needed. Bright grins, except for Saki's nervous smile, reaching from one side of their faces to the other...
"How're you holding up, Aide?" Saeko said, as she put a hand on the shoulder of her partner. Still smiling, as that golden glow transferred onto her. "Do you think you can lend me a little help against this enemy?" She asked, putting her full and utter trust in the Fairy that had helped her so much. Because she knew that she would come through. As she always did.
Adventurer's Aide giggled, as she spread her arms as far and wide as she possibly could, letting that golden glow cover her completely. Letting her body get coated in a golden version of the dress that she had worn as a Fairy. A dress that brimmed with power. Just like the power that ran through her right now...
Power that caused a set of wings to sprout from her back. Big, powerful butterfly wings that truly would captivate anybody that looked at them. Especially as they idly flapped, spraying their dust all over the place. All while she giggled more, as one hand worked its way onto her cheek. "Don't call me Aide any longer, Saeko. With this form, with this much power... I'm more of a Midsummer Mistress. You'll allow me in your group, even after I took her... Won't you?"
"Of course I would." Saeko didn't hesitate, gently grasping the fused Fairy's chin and kissing her straight on the lips. She was a little short still, owing to Mikai's stature being inherited, but that didn't stop her from finding her beyond attractive. "But now... This enemy in front of us, we have to deal with her!"
Hiro grit her teeth as she stared at the onslaught she was about to face. Mikai with the Jõtaijin infused and using her like a vessel. Saeko, who had ended up turning into some sort of golden-armored Adventurer. Saki, who had turned demure but used her magic to enhance the abilities of all of her allies. Yuuki, who was thankfully silent for once despite the spear that she held close to her... And Minami, who towered over the lot of them with her golden-scaled draconic form...
There were very few options available to her. All that she could do was to overload her systems and see if that worked. The thought remained in her mind as she let the guard on her wrist slide back, revealing the dial that controlled the Saint System, and she quickly started spinning it. Hoping that the elemental energy would allow her to-
Her body froze. Right as she was about to spin the dial, it was like she was kept locked in stasis. Her eyes still worked, however, allowing her to gaze towards Saki. Seeing her magic lock her down, all while the demure Priestess struggled to keep the power pouring out through her.
"Keep her there, Saki!" Saeko cried out, as she looked at Yuuki. "Yuuki, I need to borrow your spear. I need something that can pierce through her armor and reach straight through to that wicked heart."
Yuuki nodded, handing her spear to her ally. She had full and complete trust in her. There was no doubt in her mind. She would know how to use this spear to finish their Adventure. Even if this was only the start, it would eventually be used to end it.
Saeko stabbed the spear into the sky, smiling as she looked at Minami and Midsummer Mistress. "Your powers, Minami! Mistress!" She cried out, letting her wish reach her allies. Letting her will, amplified by the Jõtai that had converted her through Midsummer Mistress' nectar, ring out!
Minami and Midsummer Mistress both nodded in turn, letting their powers beam through. Whether it was Minami pouring her flames straight down onto that spear's tip and turning it a dangerously sharp golden, or Midsummer Mistress letting her fingers stroke the shaft as it turned just as gold and ornate, the end result was a weapon beyond compare. The weapon that properly fits an Adventurer like her..!
Hiro could feel her systems crying out, but there was very little she could do. "Des... Desperado..!" She tried to cry out, through the way that the magic kept her locked in time. But the systems did not reply. The systems did not overload to free her. They just remained locked, as she was forced to watch the golden spear get flung in her direction.
All of the power that had gathered here was collected in the spear. And as it pierced straight through Hiro, underscored by the dramatic and fiery scream from Saeko, she was forced to endure the sheer levels of determination. The kind of determination that rewrote her from the ground up. The kind of determination that was incomprehensible to a mechanical brain like hers. N-No, her brain wasn't... She was... She was..!
Hiro's body instantly mechanized as she tried to resist the power pouring through her. It was like she had always been her armor, turning her a deep shade of black to go with all the whites that were there to give the black accents. All while she slowly started to register the programming inside her mind.
She was... She was Unit PAWN. A mere part of the collective that was meant to protect this world. She had been violated by somebody, and this Adventurer that had struck through her... She was here to free her. That was why her heart was currently missing. No, it was not a heart. It was a malicious program imprinted upon her by those that wanted to misuse her...
Saeko stepped closer to Hiro, smiling as she watched the woman turn into a genuine mechanoid instead of somebody merely wearing the armor. And she reached out, extending her hand to a former enemy. Because she knew that she was now an ally. She was there to help...
Unit PAWN looked at the Adventurer, before shaking her head. She did not wish to take her hand. Instead, she started to glow with the same gold shade as everyone else in the party...
Before the glow faded, revealing that she had transformed into a pair of large curved blades. Thick, yet not at all wieldy. Perfection in a form that you could easily carry. "Use me, Adventurer." Unit Pawn's voice echoed as a single white gem near the base of both blades glowed.
Saeko picked up the blades that Unit Pawn had become, before grinning and pointing them towards the mighty structure in the distance. She understood now. She understood what they had to do. What their Adventure was building up to.
"Everyone! We will slay that foul Atlas, and we will bring happiness to this world!" She cried out, with her party echoing her determination and confidence in her voice.
All while Midsummer Mistress smiled. Finally... Finally, her Senpai was the hero that she always wanted to be. And once they took down Atlas, they could rule together...
And live happily ever after, just like those stories that she loved...