[Tokusatsu Themes, Corruption, Brainwashing]

"Hiro. I think it's about time that we have a talk regarding your infection."

"Not now, Huanglong. We have to deal with the Darkness and their invasion. And we need to get Mikai back."

Hiro Fukano looked up at the dark skies above. The hole that swirled further and further open. Ten years ago, staring deep at it would've probably resulted in her transformation into a Luna. But right now, it had no sway over her. Right now, all that she felt was guilt. All because she wasn't able to save that girl...

"I understand." Huanglong, the AI within her PAWN System, said as he materialized upon her shoulder. "But I've been observing the two of you for a good while now. And I know that Mikai wouldn't want you to overexert yourself. The last thing she would want for you was for you to lose your life, or worse, your smile."

Hiro nodded, before softly smiling. "My smile. Really now, Huanglong? Is that what you've observed from Mikai, or are those your own thoughts?" As much as all of this weighed down on her mind, she could still handle a little joke like that.

Huanglong smiled in turn. "Let's call it a bit of both." He said, before slowly working his way down onto the device he was meant to rest within. "I exist for the sake of your safety and for the continued development of this system. And through that, I've come to view your smile as a treasure. Something that even an AI like I can find precious. Please, Hiro. Do not overdo it."

"I can't guarantee that." Hiro said, sighing as she stared straight ahead. At the city that was currently under attack. "But I'll try. That's all I can do."

"And that is all that I can demand from you in turn." Huanglong said, flickering in and out as the hologram started to vanish. "That being said, you have a visitor. I suggest you should have a chat with her."

Hiro raised an eyebrow, before turning around to face a certain black-hatted woman with a serene smile and an elegant dress. "...Charlotta. No, D'Or..."

The leader of Golden Freedom smiled, as she plucked her hat off her head and held it close to her chest. "Whichever you prefer. It's not like I can keep it a secret from you any longer." She said, taking a few steps towards the woman that she had worked alongside, while at the same time antagonizing her through her true goals. "I'm surprised you didn't notice. You, of all people, should've noticed that I was the very same woman that fought against Tsukiko all those years back."

"I did notice." Hiro replied in turn, closing her eyes. "I remember that day more vividly than I want to. But even so, I wanted to think that you weren't the same. Your studies have done a lot to try and make everything better. Even if I suspect you studied them so you could refine the Pawn Syndrome and its effects, instead of actually curing the infected."

"Far from it." D'Or fired back, as she climbed onto the railing and kept smiling towards the skunk-striped woman. "My intentions were bare all this time. I may be trying to take down Atlas Corp and free the public so that they can take their own path... But I genuinely wanted to try and minimize the amount of collateral damage done." She explained, sighing for a moment. "Pawn Syndrome... It was an unintended side effect of my studies into the origins of the Jõtai. But I thought that it might be something we could use. Failing that, we could at the very least reuse the same individuals that had been infected over and over. Essentially clumping the amount of pawns that we made into a certain group."

"Considering your 'three gifts' a few months ago, I dread knowing just how many you have in the palm of your hand. And you think that makes you any better than Atlas?" Hiro gripped the railing. Squeezing it tight. "You knew that there were people that couldn't resist that submissive pull, D'Or. You knew that they would end up going berserk. That's what happened with the Queen a week ago!"

The look in the brunette's eyes was filled with clear remorse. "I'm not about to excuse my actions. Yes, I knew. And yes, I left that door open. But at the same time, I fully intend on eliminating the presence of the Pawn Syndrome as soon as I get the chance, and as soon as Atlas is off the table." D'Or explained, before turning her attention to the hole above. "But, let's not dwell on my misdeeds for too long. If we do, that child will get the chance to undo everything I've carefully prepared."

Hiro took a deep breath, before nodding and letting go of the railing. "We have little time. Based on what Seiryu's been able to calculate, that hole will reach maximum power within 24 hours. We have to find Haruhi. But more importantly..."

"We have to save Mikai, yes?" D'Or said, putting her hat back on her head while winking. "I will support you, Hiro. For the sake of bringing back your girlfriend."

"Partner." Hiro quickly corrected her, prompting a soft chuckle from the leader's lips. "Seriously, what's with everyone trying to set me up with her? She's so much younger than I am..."

"But you both depend on one another." D'Or said, as she began to walk away. "Just as I depend on my allies. My sweet generals." Her tone turned somber for a brief moment, as her thoughts turned to Saeko. "...We will save Mikai. If not for your sake, then for my dear Saeko's. I would hate to see her cry more than she already has."

With a common goal in mind, the two ladies stepped back into Atlas Corp's halls. All so they could start the mission that would eventually bring that girl back to them...

---

"ENDING THE X!"

A loud roar echoed throughout an endless expanse of darkness, as two hard light blades clashed against a blade dripping with darkness, one that had spouted from an armored dragon's hand. The two blades belonged to a massive robotic dragon, and his much smaller yet still large partner.

The darkened dragon with the dripping blade felt her entire body tremble, before letting out a roar of her own as her other arm shot forward, splitting apart to reveal a cannon hidden within said arm. A cannon that immediately fired a blast straight at the two mechanic dragons.

"X-TINCTION!"

The larger dragon cried out as his own arm turned into a blaster, firing back against the shot that was about to hit him and his smaller partner. Knocking all of them back, prompting him to fall partly to his knees...

"Lord Helheim..." His partner and creation, Neoheim, wanted to help him back on his feet. But her own body was damaged during this spar. And her strength, while impressive, paled in comparison to his. She didn't feel like she could do anything...

"Do not falter, Neoheim." Overlord Helheim, in all of his glory, laughed as he forced himself back on his feet. No matter how much damage he had suffered from, the only thing that would stop him would be the destruction of his body. "As long as your body still functions, you can still fight."

Even as he said that, his mood couldn't help but sour. Especially as he glared at the individual he was fighting against. That dark-armored girl. Mimoto, this world's main defender. Right now, nothing more than a beast covered by her own despair. A dangerous beast, for sure. But a beast that gave him no joy. A beast that didn't push him to his limits.

Dark Dragon growled as her arms returned to normal. Though as she noticed the lack of aggression from the other side, her own instincts made her calm down. Returning her to a silent form, as she just stood there. Aimlessly staring into the empty darkness around her.

"There is no glory to be had. And there's no joy to be had in this spar." Helheim said, before turning his own armaments back into claws as well. "...Neoheim, we're returning to that world. I need to clear my head." He said, as the darkness split open behind him to reveal the world that they were busy invading. A world that would no doubt help him regain this spark.

As he vanished through that hole, Neoheim followed behind him. The smaller dragonoid wanted to impress him. To make sure that she lived up to her role. Being thoroughly trounced last combat had done a number on her confidence. But she was going to make him proud this time. Even if it would be difficult to do...

All while the Dark Dragon continued to stand within this void, soaking in her despair...

---

Hiro stepped into the meeting room, and quickly cast glances at all the empowered individuals that were temporary relying on her. As their leader, it was up to her to make sure that they were properly assigned. Both D'Or and Atlas relied on her to make this operation come to fruition.

The Golden Kanzei, Saki. The Destructive Ouroboros, Minami. JõtaiKillers Hayato and Ero... And finally, the one that had lost her powers to Mikai, Saeko. It wasn't a very impressive squad by any means, and one that was no doubt going to fall apart at the seams if she did this improperly. So she wasn't going to mess up. For the sake of that girl.

"Before we begin." Hiro said, with each of the girls (and Hayato) looking towards her with different expectations. Compared to when she had scolded them for their role in this chaos, a fire was now lit in their eyes. Prompting her to smile slightly. Very well, it seemed like they were ready. "I have two additions to the team. One temporary, one permanent. Please step inside, both of you."

The first to step inside was the bombastic Yuuki, who was immediately laughing. Much to Hayato's chagrin, the boy doing his best not to stare at the girl that had gotten on his case so much. Saeko and Saki, meanwhile, were surprised to see her. Even Minami was, though she was more so pleased to see her.

"Hey, Saki!" Yuuki shouted, immediately stomping over to the blue-haired girl before her proper introduction. "That hurt, you know? If you wanted me to stay out of it, you should've just told me."

"You wouldn't have listened." Saki retorted, before shaking her head and softly smiling. "You're a real pain, Yuuki. You know what danger you're getting yourself into, don't you?"

"Of course. There's no way I wouldn't." Yuuki grinned back, slamming her fist into the palm of her hand. "My Kouhai needs to get sense knocked back into her. And I'm gonna help. Whether you want that help or not." She concluded, turning her head towards Saeko. "How about it? I'm more than capable, you both know that."

Saeko smiled softly as well, before shaking her head. "It's like Saki says. You're not going to take no for an answer, and you're not going to let us turn you away." A tear ran down her cheek. Despite everything, her Senpai was still willing to aid her. Even though she was responsible for so much. "Thanks, Yuuki."

"Just don't get transformed while I'm not nearby, Yuuki." Saki said, crossing her arms slightly. "I don't want to know that you're getting hurt, because of something I could've stopped."

"Yeah, yeah. Don't worry about it. Just worry about yourself." Yuuki said, crossing her own arms in turn. All while grinning alongside her fellow Student Council members. It was good to be back together. Even if their little alliance was probably short-lived. It would only last until Mikai was back.

"Speaking of worrying..." Yuuki then turned her head to the girl in the wheelchair, raising her eyebrow slightly as she gazed upon Minami. "So you were one as well, Minami? Can you handle yourself like that?"

"You're one to ask, you don't have these kinds of powers." Minami chuckled, right as one of her eyes bright shined a golden color. "Just don't get in our way, icy-hot. Otherwise, we might just decide to eat you instead." Ouroboros spoke at the same time as Minami, their will temporarily unified."

A laugh left Yuuki's lips. "You have a way with words that sends a chill down my spine, MInami! But don't worry about me. You just focus that thing inside you on the people that matter, then we're golden."

Ero elbowed Hayato as she watched all the others mingle. "So, this is what you're going to end up like once you get over your issues, huh? She seems like a nice girl, bet you two'd be really cute together."

"Remember, Ero. I have means of shutting you up." Hayato kept focused on the mission ahead, not giving an inch towards his partner. Though the blush on his cheeks made it clear that he was bothered. "Besides, I'm not cute. You know that. And there's no way that I can form that kind of relationship with her of all people..."

Ero snickered and kept on elbowing her edgy partner as he tried to resist. All six of them were able to bring such a sense of levity. It was a sweet relief, considering what they were going to be up against.

"Can't believe all of you are busy having fun, when Mikai's in danger..."

In the doorway, watching everything unfold, was Agatha. The plump blonde tightly squeezing her hand into the doorframe, even managing to make an imprint due to the strength pouring through her. She wasn't happy with any of this. It was one thing to learn that Mikai was apparently evil, something she didn't believe for a second, but another to see everyone just messing around. That's the kind of respect they had for a hero like her..?!

"Calm down." Hiro said, casting a glance towards Agatha. "I know you have problems with your emotions, Anemone. I have problems with that as well. But you need to focus. Otherwise, there's no way we'll even come close to saving her." She said, clearing her throat slightly. "Please. You can make a difference. You just need to focus on it. Even if it’s hard."

Agatha glared at Hiro. She knew that she was right. But she hated it. It wasn't fair. Still, for the sake of Mikai... And for the sake of possibly settling things, she stepped into the room and cleared her throat.

"LISTEN UP! I'M ONLY SAYING THIS ONCE!" The stout blonde said, crossing her arms as steam blew from her ears. "I HAVE A WAY FOR US TO FIND 'HOPPER'. THAT'S THE WOMAN YOU GUYS NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THIS COMES TO AN END, RIGHT? THEN I'M GOING TO NEED SOMEBODY TO COME WITH ME. WE'RE GOING STRAIGHT TO THE GREATEST SOURCE OF INFO IN THE ENTIRE CITY. IF ANYBODY WOULD KNOW WHERE TO FIND 'HOPPER', IT'D BE HER."

She was loud. Loud enough to make all of them stare towards her, with Ero explicitly covering her ears. She was sensitive, loud noises like that really didn't jive with her systems.

They just stared. And Agatha grew redder. "COME ON! YOU CAN'T JUST NOT SAY ANYTHING! SERIOUSLY, YOU WANT TO SAVE MIKAI, DON'T YOU!?" She shouted again, tears starting to roll down her cheeks. "I DON'T WANT HER TO SUFFER, DAMNIT! I WANT TO HELP HER! SO LET'S JUST GO AND GET THIS OVER WITH, SO WE CAN GET HER BACK!" The passion was pouring from her heart. A far cry from the first time she and Mikai really met one another.

Hayato stepped forward. Narrowed eyes. "If it gets you to shut up and stop making Ero overheat, then I'll help." The JõtaiKiller said. All while trying to avoid looking at the girl as much as possible. Something about her bothered him immensely. He just wasn't able to tell why. It's not because she was a Monster, he was working on that. Just... Something...

"I'll go." Saeko stepped forward as well. "I... I don't know if I'll be able to do anything. But I want to help her too." She said, before adjusting her glasses slightly. "And I want to make it up to you too, Agatha. I caused you a lot of problems. Even if Bat was the one that turned your girlfriend..."

"OI, SHE'S NOT PART OF THIS-" Agatha paused, fuming as she tried to set herself straight. God, she hated this so much. She hated every moment of this. "Fine, whatever. Both of you, and..." She turned to Hiro. "You?"

Hiro nodded. "I'll be accompanying Anemone. Koizumi and Suikumo as well. That leaves you four to keep an eye on the cit-"

"If I may..?"

Attention turned towards the black-haired girl that peeked her head in. Yumeko had shown back up, and the smile on her face made it clear that she had something in mind. "I would like to borrow Saki. I hope that's not a problem."

"...You'll be in danger if you head out, even if Himitsu's by your side." Hiro replied, though she could tell that Yumeko wasn't about to back down. If that girl had anything in common with Mikai, it was the fact that neither of them backed down when faced with danger. "...Himitsu, your thoughts?"

"I'll be there for her." Saki said in turn, stepping forward. "Albeit, I don't exactly know what you might want from me, Yumeko. Did we not talk enough?"

Yumeko shook her head, as she took Saki's hand and pulled her over. "There's more I want to talk to you about. More that I can't let anybody else hear." She whispered, before smiling to the others. "I'll be going. Good luck with everything!"

Just as quickly as she had arrived, she took off. Prompting Hiro to just shake her head. She'd love to know what people were thinking. It would make things so much easier. But right now, she had to hope that the girl wouldn't get herself into danger. Which left her with everyone else.

"Alright. Suikumo and Koizumi are with me, protecting Anemone during the investigation. Ero, Shimo and Kazumi! You're on patrol duty! Make sure that you keep an eye on the streets. If you find a Prime, call Byakko and Cobra, they're in charge of computing everything. But for your own sake, keep engagements to a minimum. We're not ready to fight them all out, not until we have Hopper on board. Am I clear?!"

Having been assigned their roles and gotten their assignments, the remaining crew saluted. Some more enthusiastically than others, all crying out in tandem. "Yes, Ma'am!" They knew what they had to do.

All for the sake of saving their world, and saving the girl that had touched them all...

---

"That girl that showed up, the one that called herself Mikai? She can't be the real Mikai. There's no way!"

At Mimoto Highschool, a certain rock-skinned girl with hair that covered up her eyes was currently pacing back and forth. All while other students were walking down the halls, keeping an eye on what was happening outside.

Mumei-chan was her name. And she knew that Mikai wouldn't be that girl. After what she had been through, there's no way that it could be Mikai. She wasn't a jerk that would try and do something like this!

But not everyone truly knew Mikai. She didn't really know her either. So it could've been true. At the same time...

"Aaah... M-mamaaaa.... Mama...!"

Mumei-chan's eyes widened as soon as she heard another student gasp out. A male, who was currently staring out at the hole above. The longer he stared, the more purple his skin grew. His hair growing longer and longer, thickening into tentacles. That's bad, he was transforming into one of those things that the Principal had told her about!

"Not on my watch!" The pupper cried out as she dashed over, her will summoning a shield made of marble in an instant, letting her slam into the transforming boy with all the weight of her heavy body.

He immediately went flying, his connection to the hole in the sky broken. Thankfully, there were plenty of pillows laid out in the halls, to ensure that this kind of behavior wouldn't lead to much actual damage.

As Mumei-chan took a deep breath and wiped her brow clean of sweat, she had to sigh a little. It was tough having to do this. Especially since there was no signs that somebody was going to transform before it was nearly too late. If she wasn't fast like this, then...

"There there. There there..."

The marble-colored girl blinked a little as she stared back towards the boy, only to notice a fat student currently petting him on the head. Slowly subduing his transformation. Say, wasn't she familiar..? That girl that had been in their class like, once... Oh, no, she was the girl that was with Anemone that one time!

"Winters!... Right?"

"Alyssa, but you were close enough." The heavy girl said, turning her head towards Mumei-chan. "What's the matter? I'm just doing what the Principal said I could help with. These boys and girls are weak to maternal care, so..." She said, blushing a little. "Might as well do something with these powers, even if I'd rather spoil Agatha rotten. Besides, it'd repay that girl that Agatha finds so charming..."

"That girl? That's Mikai! You don't think she's the girl that showed up on every screen, do you? There's no way that was Mikai!" Mumei-chan's eyes lit up as she rushed over. "She can't be her, right? Right?" Tail wagging and all, she was far too excited to meet a kindred spirit.

Alyssa nodded. "There's no way it could be her. Not with everything Agatha's said, and what she did to try and help me out." She replied, before chuckling a little and patting Mumei-chan on the head. "So this is what happened to you when you used that thing? It's adorable..."

Mumei-chan quickly started blushing. Oh, oh gosh. Ohhhh gosh... It felt really nice...

"Good work thus far, Winters. You as well, Mumei-chan."

The click of a heel hitting the tiled floor prompted both students to turn towards their buxom blonde principal, Principal Rose. A single wink was all that it took for her to cause both their hearts to vibrate from how charming she was...

"T-Thank you, Principal..." Mumei-chan muttered, bowing her head. Oh, that kind of praise was very good... So, so good...

Alyssa blushed as well. It did feel nice to do good things. Even though the Principal looked a little familiar... No, it was probably nothing...

Rose smiled at both of them, before looking out at the world outside their school. And the hole that was still spinning in the sky. That hole that could make things grow so, so much worse...

She had to hope that her beloved and the others could fix this. Otherwise...

---

"Young One. You're acting rather stressed. Should I try to contact Mama once again?"

"You damn well should! She's supposed to be here! I did everything correctly, just as we were supposed to! WHY ISN'T SHE HERE?!"

Kimiko was stomping back and forth inside the hole in the sky, frustrated beyond al belief. Once this hole opened up, a direct connection was established to Mama's power. That was how people became Lunas, her sisters, and yet it seemed to not be working. It was beyond frustrating!

It really didn't help that said frustration was cutting into the time she was supposed to be using on enjoying her superiority over her empty body. Mikai was definitely much more useful and much more alluring as an armored Dragon, but there was no time to really enjoy her if she wasn't helping Mama!

Luna, formerly the Jõtaider Tsukiko, quietly nodded and disappeared into the Darkness around them. She would try and find out a way to make all of this click. That was what her duty was. To ensure Mama's descent.

"My my. The Young One is busy throwing a tantrum. Adorable."

Darkness warped and pulled itself apart, allowing the Magician to step closer to the Luna leading the operation. All while smiling in such a serene and unsettling manner. Almost as if he was taunting her.

"I don't want any of your shit, Lumiel! You better have something new to report, since you weren't able to cut off that stupid company!" Kimiko glared at the taller Magician, clenching her fist as she felt her tentacled hair trembling with pure rage.

"But where's the fun in that?" Lumiel chimed, his body practically bending around the punch that flew his way seconds later. "Ahaha, you'll have to try harder than that. But don't worry. I do have something I can share. Something that might solve this problem we have."

"Which one." Kimiko glared at him again, as she restrained herself. Just a little. Not enough to truly give him a chance beyond a simple glare.

Lumiel pulled off his hat and tapped the top, causing four arrows to pop out, each pointing in a different diagonal direction. "It seems like somebody's put up a bit of a barrier in the corners of the city. And that's what's currently giving us so much trouble." He explained, before popping his hat back on as he started juggling the arrows. "If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say somebody with experience battling us was the culprit behind this barrier."

"That tells me jack shit, you hackfraud!" Kimiko shouted, her attempts to restrain herself failing bit by bit. "We know who's been messing with us like that, it's that golden bitch who saved the girls from being crushed! So you better have something else-"

"The only way to truly learn of that weakness, is to have been through an invasion just like it before. And seen the barrier in action. Which means that there's no way that it can be that buggy woman."

Kimiko paused as she heard that. All while Lumiel tipped his hat and laughed, as he had just avoided getting punched. "...Somebody... that has been through this before..." She felt her body growing angrier and angrier. "I know... I KNOW! I KNOW EXACTLY WHO MIGHT'VE TOSSED ALL OF MY CAREFUL PLANNING OUT THE WINDOW!"

"Happy to help." Lumiel said, as the Darkness claimed him and made him disappear once again. Leaving behind nothing but a haunting chuckle.

Kimiko knew exactly who to hunt down .And with her out of their way, Mama would have no problem finally coming to this world and bringing it to a close...

That blasted girl who Mikai loved, Yumeko!

---

"M-... Spider."

"Saeko will do for now. You don't have to try to sound like you care. I know you hate me."

The path to Hiro and company's destination was uneventful. Which left an awkward air hanging among the group. None of them were really friends. Saeko and Agatha were both acquainted, and both knew Hiro to an extent, but none of them could truly call each other friends. Especially not with the JõtaiKiller tagging along.

And yet he was the one to speak up. He even tried to keep himself from sounding too hateful. Almost as if he felt a bit of remorse for his actions. Not much, considering he was talking one of the culprits behind the prior incidents. But enough to reflect upon his actions.

"Saeko, then." Hayato said, one hand in his pocket while he lugged around his equipment in the briefcase held in his other hand. "...Why did you decide to join with those monsters, Golden Freedom?" He couldn't call them anything but monsters. Not Monsters, even if that was what they were. But monsters. Because of what they had done."

"Why did you join with Hopper?" Saeko shot back, not looking at him. Not yet. "What you do can't be much better than what we do. I've seen what's happened to the people you guys have drained. They lose their heritage. They lose their abilities. They lose everything that really makes them the people they're supposed to be..." She paused, before looking down a little. "Not that we're any better, with how we alter them to fit what we think they're supposed to be."

Hayato took a deep breath. Remembering what Yuuki told him. That annoyingly ‘PASSIONATE’ girl told him to be honest with himself. Honest, yet mindful. What a hard thing to be. Especially with who he was talking to. "...Bat, Rose, whatever you want to call her. When she was younger, she transformed my Mom into a Monster. An enormous Alraune. The sight of that, and the fact she never truly recovered from it... It filled me with hate."

"So why would you join with another Monster?" Saeko shot back. "You know what Hopper's like. She was once one of ours. If anything, she could've been the one to do that to her. And yet you trusted her?"

"Because she would give me the chance I wanted. She would give me the chance to make things right." Hayato replied, clenching his fist. "By wiping Monsters from this world, people like my Mom would never be converted ever again. And the event that followed, the one that almost took her away from me forever, the Luna Descent? That wouldn't happen either. And yet here we are."

Everything led back to that fateful day, ten years ago. "That day took away my family too." Saeko said, reaching for her tie as she grasped it and clenched her teeth. "It took away my family. Leaving me all alone. It's only after I met Minami, when Atlas Corp took us in and had us prepared for experiments, that I opened my heart again."

"So you two have been close, even back then..." Hayato muttered. Of course. He had observed the two together at almost all times. Mostly due to the bespectacled girl's duties. He didn't think to investigate the finer details. "...So what happened then, to bring you to Golden Freedom?"

"I ran." Saeko admitted, a single tear running down her cheek. "I couldn't bear to be part of those experiments. I knew they were going to end up badly. So I ran. I left Minami behind and ran. And when my eyes finally opened, after my body had given up... There Lady D'Or and Lady Bat were. Offering me a hand at the darkest hour." She explained, wiping away the tear. "Ever since that day, I've been their daughter. And I've been wanting to pay them back for everything."

In a way, both of their actions had been fueled by their families. It made Hayato clench his fist tighter. "...I accepted that the price for making the world a better place was short-time suffering. And yet Mikai, right before she became that monster, proved that it was possible to find another way. Why didn't I ask questions..!?"

"You probably just didn't ask the right ones." Saeko said, turning her head towards the young man. Softly smiling, sharing a moment of empathy with a youth that should hate her. "I didn't ask either. Because I thought I would make them proud." She said, closing her eyes slightly as the tears began to pour down her cheeks once more. Now without her getting a chance to stop them. "And then I go and break the one friendship that I didn't realize was important. I never stopped to think about the meaning of what I had with Mikai. Even if she had gotten in my way again and again, I... I..."

Hayato didn't know what to say. All he could do was just nod. "It... It's not broken. Not yet." He muttered, even if those words were essentially empty platitudes. "We're going to get her back. And then..." He paused, before just shaking his head. "We'll figure it out from there. Right now, we need to keep moving. There's no other way."

"...M-Mmhm." Such a strange thing to do. Agree with somebody that hated her. But it was a comforting thing to hear. Even if she knew he didn't know the true extent of that broken friendship. "No other way..."

"If you two slowpokes would mind speeding up, that'd be great! We're almost there!" Agatha cried out from in front, glaring back at the other two. "Seriously, what's with those two? You'd think that they had some sort of troubled history together."

Hiro shrugged her shoulders. "I can't say for sure. I just know youth's complicated. You'd know that, wouldn't you, Anemone?" She said, smirking ever slightly. "What with how your own relationship began."

"Can it." Agatha muttered, focusing her eyes straight ahead. Especially as she saw a familiar locale coming up. "We're here." Her tone grew quieter, almost as if fear started to claim her...

Hiro looked ahead. The place they had arrived at, in the depths of the city's scummiest district... It was a nightclub. "Yoruhana... Night Flower?" She asked, one eyebrow raised. She didn't quite understand.

"This place once served as a simple den for women of the night." Hayato chipped in, catching up while glaring slightly at Agatha. "Though, that was about five years ago. Since then, the new owner's updated it to be more modern. Not quite a brothel, but still somewhere you can find a night of passion if you yearn for it."

"The way you explain it make it sound like you've been here." Agatha glared back at him, arms crossed. "I knew I couldn't trust somebody as brooding as you."

"Blame my partner. You want to know how many times she tells me about all the fetish locales hidden around the city? It's insane." Hayato deflected, his head already starting to throb in pain from remembering Ero's lectures. "Let's just get inside and find that informant. The less time we spend here, the less Ero can tease me about it."

"I also wouldn't want to stay here." Saeko spoke up, as she slowly started to hide her eyes behind her lenses as they fogged up. "I... I don't need study material. You must understand."

Hiro pinched the bridge of her nose before just shaking her head. "Let's just get inside." She muttered, taking the lead as the four made their way into Yoruhana.

The nightclub was still active. Or at least, all the lights were on, the background music was blasting, and the stages where hotties could dance to add to the vibe of the night were ready. And yet... Not a single soul. None besides the pale-faced waitresses, whose makeup looked strangely familiar. Especially to Saeko, who didn't want to think about the implications. No more oriental thoughts, occasionally remembering that Oni was bad enough.

One of them stopped, the sound of her heel clicking against the ground pierced through the music. "Lady Anemone. What brings you to this establishment?" She seemed to know the blonde. Perhaps a bit more intimately than she should, given the way she tried to reach for the twin-tailed girl's hip.

"I need to see the Oyabun. Now." Agatha wasn't having it. Quickly grabbing the waitress' wrist as she squeezed it tight, to the point where you could almost hear something snap. Almost. "We need her help."

As soon as she mentioned that woman, the lights dimmed. And a bit of smoke swept its way through the club, all while a single light turned on near the main stage, panels moving out of the way to reveal an older woman with her soft blonde hair covering up one of her pink eyes, clad in a black and red kimono with one shoulder uncovered to reveal a tiger tattooed onto that shoulder. A woman that was intimately familiar to Agatha for so many reasons that she wanted to ignore as much as possible.

"My my. I didn't expect to see you ever again, Hana. And you've brought guests as well. I'm afraid I can't offer you much service at this time, given what's going on outside." The woman said, taking a soft step towards the edge of the stage. Her geta clacking against the ground. "Though you called me by my title. Even when you come to complain, you call me Mother. How quaint."

Mother. Hiro and the others briefly glanced at Agatha, then at the woman on stage, before looking back at the plump student that was very quickly growing annoyed with their stares.

"I don't want to hear it. Don't even start." She knew they were going to make stupid comments. But this wasn't the time. "Oyabun Kazutora Mizuki. We need your help to find somebody. I know you know everything there is to know about this city. So please. Please, just this once, you awful woman, help me out. If you're going to be absent, at least do that much." Agatha couldn't hold it back. Especially since her Mother used that annoying name she had picked for her while Mother was away. Neither of them were worth a damn, that was why she had picked Agatha as her name. As a show of defiance against the Mother that remained.

Kazutora smiled in turn. Amused by her daughter's demand. "My my. My, oh my." She chuckled. Then she laughed. "You tried so hard, Hana. You really did. And yet you couldn't keep it together. It seems as if those maids couldn't educate you properly, despite how much I paid them. Truly a shame. Perhaps I should make sure that they pay for their mistakes."

"Quit it with that Hana shit and just help us, damnit!" Agatha shouted, stomping so hard that the floor underneath cracked. "Hiro, can't you talk some sense into her!?" She glared at Hiro, hoping that she would be able to be better. She was Mikai's partner, damnit, she'd have to know some way to deal with this.

Hiro sighed as she looked at the seemingly harmless Oyabun. "Oyabun Kazutora. What will it take for you to go along with your daughter's demands? You wouldn't be standing here if you didn't intend on humoring them. At least a little."

"I do." Kazutora said, reaching into her kimono only to pull out a kiseru. "But you need to prove that you can be trusted with that information. I wouldn't have called my Hana here if I didn't intend on testing her. You three as well, unless you wish to have her take on my challenge all by her lonesome."

Hiro nodded, then gazed at both Hayato and Saeko. Both nodded in turn. They were going to do it. "We'll take on your challenge." She said, as she put her hand on the device around her wrist. "I'd advice against pulling a fast one on us, if you know what's best for you."

Hayato opened up his briefcase, popping out a standalone version of the EroDriver. The Desriver. One that would work even without Ero being present. He snapped it onto his arm, the display lighting up as it displayed the outline of a heart. Nowhere near as strong as the real thing, but it would do for now. That's what he thought as he slid his Hopper medal into the slot.

"Jouchaku." Hiro said, her armor manifesting across her body. Transforming her into Jõtaider PAWN within a few seconds.

"DESIRE UP! HOPPER!" The Desriver cried out, as Hayato's much simpler transformation took place. Mainly turning his longcoat red as a mask formed across his face, compared to the additional armor he'd get from working alongside Ero. It would do for now.

Saeko and Agatha weren't able to transform, so both just clenched their fists and assumed their respective stances. With Saeko blushing a bit as she did it. It was one thing to prepare to fight while she was Spider. It was another to do it like this...

The smoke that had billowed through the club when Kazutora made her entrance started to billow further, consuming their surroundings. "Let's see how you handle an enemy you can't see. If you can defeat them, then-"

"Promotion. PAWN to KNIGHT."

The kimono-clad Oyabun smiled a little as she was nearly hit by an armor bit that flew past her. Right before a powerful shot of energy nearly grazed her cheek after that, courtesy of the Jõtaider that had tried to hit her through the smoke.

"I don't need to see. Not when I know where you are." KNIGHT said, as she spun her gun several times. "Don't test me." Her visor shone through the smoke. Filled with green energy, showing her determination.

The smoke slowly but surely vanished. And in its place were an almost endless horde of Geisha. That was why Saeko thought the waitresses looked familiar. Not to mention, Agatha could tell that they were all familiar too. They were...

"Oh, but this is a test." Kazutora said, smirking slightly. "I wasn't kidding when I said that the maids would pay for their mistakes. I just didn't say a thing about when they'd pay." She chuckled, quietly counting each of the ones at her disposal. "Ichi, Ni, San... All of them are here. Very well. You know what to do. Subdue my daughter and her allies. So she can be taught the lesson that she's desperately tried to avoid."

The Geishas pulled forth their weapons. Knives, fans, spears, bows, anything that might be expected. Some even pulling out firearms. It was a veritable horde. One that they needed to beat through to get the info they craved.

The four heroes steeled themselves, as their fight to get the answers they needed truly began...

---

"Say, Ero. Something's been gnawing at the back of my mind."

"Mmmmm? What's the matter? Don't worry, I don't bite if that's what you're worried about. Unlike our little snake friend, ehehehe."

A shrill cry of mild pain echoed out seconds after the mechanical ganguro teased the handicapped girl, courtesy of a spike attached to the end of her braided ponytail. All while Minami was busy chowing down on a big cone full of delicious ice cream. As if Ouroboros took the slightest bit of control, just to strike her 'ally' for her misdeed.

Yuuki laughed a little as Ero rubbed where she had been stung. The three of them were certainly a strange combination, but that's just what they were. Nothing to be ashamed of. "You're a bit... No, you're absolutely a pervert. But why are you?" She asked, stretching a little as the trio was marred by inaction. It didn't seem like the Darkness wanted to attack. At least, not in the same way they had before. Maybe they were just trying to wait it all out and have the Luna Descent play out when regardless...

"Aaaaah. Weeeeeelllllll..." Ero mused, before winking and flashing a pair of peace signs. "I just learned all sorts of fun things once Mama set me loose. She didn't have time to worry about training me, so I trained myself. And that meant I saw a whole bunch of stuff. Did you know that there's a lot of really bad language on the internet? Would you like to know how much?"

"People don't know how to control themselves when they're anonymous." Minami spoke up, her mouth partly covered by ice cream thanks to how she had dug into her cold treat. "Which just surprises me. You managed to turn out like this, despite being exposed to all of that?"

"Yep!" Ero chimed, only to be stung again. "Now what was that for?! I didn't tease you this time!" The gangurobot huffed and crossed her arms.

"You're not supposed to be pleased with ending up as you have." Minami said, though it was clear that she wasn't too serious. Especially as she winked too. Merely just teasing her ally a little.

As the handicapped girl and the robotic pervert bonded through their little routine, Yuuki looked up at the sky. And she couldn't help but feel the slightest pull. Almost as if it wanted her to get closer. But she quickly shook her head. She wasn't going to fall prey to that kind of stuff. Saki and Saeko would hate to see her change. And if she changed, there was no way that they were going to save Mikai...

"We'll be ready to save you soon, Mikai. Just you wait." Yuuki said, clenching her fist with a grin. There was nothing that was going to stop them from getting her back. And once they succeeded... She was going to make sure that the girl knew just how much everyone appreciated her. Because she deserved it.

As the trio continued to patrol the streets of Mimoto, the sky above opened up once more. A gash within the hole, tossing out a mechanical menace that made his presence clear through nothing more than bombastic laughter. Laughter that was familiar to Yuuki, prompting the white-haired girl to quickly whip her head up to see the incoming enemy.

"Well, well! Fancy seeing you here, icy one!" Overlord Helheim cried out as he made contact with the ground, his wings flaring up before the energy that formed them converted into a billowing cape filled with pride. "And you've brought more lambs to the slaughter! Good, I was getting tired of fighting the golden one!"

Landing at Helheim's side was the partly Egyptian Neoheim, who raised an eyebrow. It was strange not to see the golden girl. Part of her data was constructed from her Lord's battles against her. Which just weighed down on her heart more. It seemed as if she wouldn't be able to prove her worth and her abilities as well as she could've, if that girl was here...

"Prime spotted." Ero said, popping a terminal out of her wrist. "Gayboy, kitty, we're in a pinch. Sending you any data we end up recording!" She cried out, hoping that Cobra and Byakko would pick up on their little fight. And if not, oh well!

Minami trembled a little as she gazed upon the Prime in front of her. And she slowly licked her lips as she forced herself onto her feet, eyes gleaming golden. "Screw the mission... I'm going to feast on him. Any complaints?" The serpent inside her was speaking now, filled with the instinct to hunt and feed upon a much greater enemy.

"None here. Just don't get turned into one of his kobold minions." Yuuki said, slamming her fist against the palm of her other hand. "So, Overlord! What's the new title? If we're going to kick your ass and send you running like last time, I wanna know what I'm scrappin'!"

"Arrogant and self-assured! Just like the golden one you fight alongside!" Helheim laughed, before crossing his arms in front of him and turning both into a pair of blades. "You now stand before Overlord Helheim the X! And yes, that is meant to be pronounced Cross!"

Neoheim's body lightly hummed, almost like something was being printed within. Only for her to slap her thighs and for two matching draconic guns to pop out, allowing her to grab them and toss them up, catching each with the opposite hand. "Assisting and X-ing over with my lord, Neoheim The End!" The smaller dragonoid cried out, growing a cape of her own as she posed with her lord.

Ero giggled at the sight of her enemies, prompting her to spin momentarily before revealing the terminal having changed back to its original shape as she slotted in her personal medal. "DESIRE UP! HOPPER!" And just like before, golden colors swallowed her whole before forming a mechanical carapace that was not unlike the armor that Hopper had once worn in the pursuit of that golden freedom. Her transformation would only be complete moments later, as her personal scythe popped out from her back and smashed into the ground below once it came crashing down, letting her lean against it seductively. Fitting for the perverted JõtaiKiller.

Minami licked her lips as her ponytail quickly started to spin around her, letting her thrust her hands into the air with the two forming a jaw-like shape while her golden eyes gleamed even brighter than before. "Shinka." Only for an aura of pure darkness to sprout from below, snapping shut around her as she snapped her hands together. Her ponytail wrapped around her form for a second to add the extra accents, right before she entered a bestial stance. Ouroboros had been let loose.

"Nice." Yuuki said, as she let her inner power billow out. Covering her arms in ice with flames inside. Representing the PASSION that burned within! "I might not have the same kind of power as my allies, but I've got more than enough!" She cried out, joining her allies in posing by folding her arms. Even if she wasn't as strong as them, she'd do her best.

Helheim examined his enemies, and brought both blades to the sky. Yes, this was the kind of battle that he craved. A battle filled with emotion! With PRIDE! "Then let us fight, heroes! Fight me, and save your world!"

Sparks flew between both parties, as their roars echoed skyward...

---

"I still don't understand why you would want me by myself, Yumeko."

"Is there something wrong with being alone with you, Saki?"

Mikai's rival and best friend were both walking around the outskirts of Mimoto, the latter having guided them out towards the river. All so they share a heart to heart without any interruptions.

"I wouldn't say there's any issues. Especially since you don't..." Saki started, before clenching her fist slightly. "...Since you don't try and play at being a hero." She admitted.

Yumeko nodded and smiled. "Better to be honest with your feelings than bottling it up. Even if we still need to work on those feelings." The black-haired girl said, turning towards her companion as she stopped in front of her. "That need to be a hero, that instinct inside you... It's going to eat you whole if you don't find a way to conquer it and make it your own."

Saki raised an eyebrow. "I... I'm not sure I understand what you're getting at." Ear her whole? If she was the only hero, then that instinct wouldn't matter. But at the same time, it didn't seem like it was actually going to harm her. "And how would you know that?"

"It's like Mikai's need to protect people. It made her isolate herself because she thought she wasn't good enough." Yumeko explained, taking a single step forward. "If you start wavering, you might doubt what you do. But that instinct won't let you quit. It'll force you to keep going. And before you know it, you'll be no better than a beast. Claiming to be the only hero, despite the destruction you spread." Her voice was still billowing with kindness. And yet at the same time, her words were so serious...

The blue-haired girl blinked a few times as she let all of that process, calling upon her cane as it popped out of a pool of darkness below her. "Yumeko. What exactly are you trying to say. Don't be obtuse. Don't step around the issue. I want to know."

"What if I told you that I had seen somebody like you fall this exact same way?" Yumeko replied, not at all phased by the cane pointed at her. "A girl that just wanted to help people. But when her help turned out to hurt them, she couldn't stop herself. And before long, she turned into an enemy. All because she couldn't stop herself from 'helping'." She explained, one hand coming to rest on her chest. "That's going to happen to you. It already happened to Mikai, no matter how much I tried to stop it by making sure that girl couldn't drag her down. And yet here we are. With Mikai swallowed by her despair, and the world about to end all over again."

Saki took a deep breath as she rubbed her temples with her free hand. "I... You're giving me a headache, Yumeko." She muttered. Though perhaps it was due to what she was saying. If she did proceed down this path all by herself, then...

"Right, sorry." Yumeko said, bowing her head and apologizing. "It's just, if you really want to be the hero you claim to want to be... Then you're going to have to know the consequences. Because otherwise... Well..." She muttered, as she brushed her hair behind one ear. "Actually, now that I think about it... Why did you start wanting to become a hero?"

As her headache slowly washed away, allowing her to focus on something else, Saki gazed towards the sky above. "On the day of the Luna Descent, my Birthday, I lost my parents and my closest friends." She said, the hand wrapped around her cane clenching tight. "They turned into Luna, right before my eyes. And just as they were about to feast upon me, Hopper appeared and saved me. And though she didn't tell me anything, the power she used to save me... It lit a fire in me."

"So because of her, you decided that the only way to protect everyone was to make sure they couldn't get into any danger." Yumeko summed it up, shaking her head slightly. "And here I thought Mikai was the difficult one."

Saki nodded, before looking down at the girl once more. "I don't intend on stopping. No matter if I lose." She said, taking a single step forward so the two of them were uncomfortably close. "But I can come to understand. And through my losses, I'll learn. That's what you were trying to say last night, wasn't it?"

"Something like that." Yumeko replied, before taking a single step back. All while chuckling. "Think about what people might say if they see us this close, Saki. You wouldn't want to make Mikai actually try and kill you, even after she's been brought back to normal."

Saki blinked, then blushed, then cleared her throat. "I... T-That has nothing to do with what we're doing here." She muttered, turning away, all so she could focus on the sky above. It was better to lose herself in the skies than to...

Her eyes widened as she slammed her cane against the ground, quickly materializing her golden armor with a wordless henshin right before she jumped in front of her black-haired companion and materialized a shield made from that blackened power of hers.

And not a moment too soon, as she was just in time to block the kick that came crashing from the sky. Courtesy of the dark 'True Mimoto' and her darkened kick smashing straight into the barrier and shattering it substantially, despite not breaking through completely.

"Out of my way, you poor excuse for a hero!" Kimiko shouted, her helmet forming as she assumed her Lunar Liger form and vaulted off that barrier. All while the dark flames billowed off her form. She was beyond angry. "You're standing between me and my Mama's return!"

Saki's own helmet materialized, completing her transformation into Kanzei. "What is she talking about, Yumeko?" She asked, as the hammer of her soul echoed out and reforged the barrier in front of her, reinforcing it to make sure that it wouldn't break again.

Yumeko remained strangely quiet when faced with this question, prompting True Mimoto to scoff. "She's the one that set up the barrier that's kept the Luna Descent from happening! I don't know how she was able to do it, but she's been through this before! AND I'M GOING TO CRUSH HER FOR HAVING DONE EVERYTHING TO GET IN MY WAY!"

Kanzei's stance faltered for a second as True Mimoto slammed her way into her barrier once again, though she held her ground and repaired any damage to her barrier as soon as she could. "You've been busy then, Yumeko." She said, before spinning her cane and letting her hammer echo out once more as it turned into a spear, one that extended far as she tried to stab at the approaching enemy.

Yumeko nervously laughed. "Something like that." She said, all while looking past the barrier and focusing on the dark enemy in front of them. "Right now, we need to deal with her. One way or another. She can't be allowed to run around and cause more problems. I'm counting on you, Saki!"

True Mimoto stomped the ground, cracking the pavement below. All while the fury of her flames roared louder and louder. "I won't accept this. But I don't have to. I have ways of getting around that barrier. Ways of putting pressure on this golden bitch getting in my way!" She screamed, as her flames flared deep into the air above. "DESCEND, SHADES!"

Kanzei and Yumeko watched as her flames burned a hole in the air above her, as a set of shattered masks slowly drifted out of said hole. Masks that slowly started to spout darkness from the inner side, forming identical minions with the Darkness' sigil shining brightly on their chests. They were made of unstable Darkness, complete with flames like True Mimoto's pouring from their wrists.

Upon seeing them, Yumeko couldn't stop herself from shaking. Something that True Mimoto noticed and prompted the Liger to laugh. "That's right. If you've been through something like this, these should be familiar. Souls that once belonged to worlds that we've subjugated, converted into soldiers for the Darkness! They will be the ones to break down your will, as you realize how futile it all is!"

As each of these masked Shades readied themselves alongside their commander, Kanzei could only hope that her will would hold out. Because this...

This would be the first time that she could truly call herself a hero, if she was able to protect Yumeko..!

---

"There's no damn end to these... these things! Don't we have a way to thin their numbers!?"

"If I had a plan, I would've shared it already! Just don't lose ground!"

"Both of you, keep firing! A-And Agatha, please!"

Kazutora was smiling as she watched the fight unfold in front of her. Those heroes had done a remarkable job. Holding out despite the massive horde. Though they weren't exactly winning either.

The one that impressed her the most was the lone male amongst them. Despite his incomplete device, his aim with his twin pistols was steady. He could take out several of her Geisha without as much as looking at them, as long as he managed his ammo. Though given how he had been forced to retreat towards the center... It wasn't looking good for him.

That Jõtaider, KNIGHT, was also keeping the hordes at bay. Instead of keeping her enemies at range, she was using the superior speed of her armor to dash around the circle, firing her shots straight into their stomachs as they tried to breach the perimeter. It was definitely taxing on her body, because she was slowing down. So it was only a matter of time.

As for the ones that didn't transform, the former Spider, if that was who she was supposed to be, was only able to act as a pair of extra eyes. Relaying danger to both of her firearm-wielding partners. While at the same time occasionally having to juggle firearms between herself and the JõtaiKiller, as he needed to reload and she could reload one for him while he reloaded the other.

Then there was her daughter. Hana Mizuki, the heir to her family. And yet despite how much promise she showed, she wasn't on the offensive. If anything, despite the power within... She wasn't even trying to defend herself. Much to her shame...

"D-Damnit, I just can't fight them!" Agatha shouted, slamming her fist into her thigh. "They're my maids, damnit! I can't just hurt them!" She knew that they were probably going to be okay. But her heart didn't allow her to hurt the people that had taken care of her.

Saeko looked to the chaos around her, as well as Agatha refusing to put her strength to work. They were at a severe disadvantage. Within a few minutes, they'd probably be completely wiped out. Unless she did something to change that...

"...Hayato! Hiro!" She cried out, grabbing her glasses... And then just leaving them there. No, tossing away part of herself wasn't the way to go forth. She had to just do it. Only then..! "On my mark!"

"The hell are you going to do!?" Hayato cried out in turn, before tsking and spinning his pistols, flipping a medal out from a small holder under his wrist. "This better work!"

Hiro nodded, her visor glowing. "Huanglong, is she..." She paused, before grinning. "Very well. Do it, Suikumo!" She said, as she broke formation and dashed behind the bespectacled girl.

Saeko clapped her hands together, before pulling them apart and revealing several strings between them. All while determination filled her eyes, both of her irises turning into spiders. "STRINGER REVOLUTION!" She shouted, pulling her hands further and further apart until the strings couldn't handle the tension, sending them all flying in every direction!

The strings were fast. Each quickly slamming straight into one of the Geisha's heads, wrapping tightly around them and locking them in place. Giving Hayato a moment to breathe and slide his medal into the back of his pistol. "REVEAL YOUR DESIRE - TITHOTH!" Ero's voice echoed out from his firearm as the pair of pistols turned into one pistol and a suspiciously shiny object, one that was so reflective that it almost absorbed the light around them.

"This better work!" He shouted, as he tossed the shiny object into the air above him, before aiming straight up and emptying his magazine so every bullet would slam straight into it. Letting the power of the bullets get reflected upon impact.

Everyone that saw the shiny light and the resulting sparks from his bullets slamming into it were given a taste of the power within. The flashes weren't just literal flashes, but an image of massive tits flashed in their vision. Serving to immobilize them as each of the Geisha, even if every single shot also forced Hayato to see the very same breasts. Because they were his. The embarrassment was palpable, but the fruits of his efforts were ripe. "KNIGHT, FINISH THEM!"

"Jouchaku Change! KNIGHT to BISHOP!"

Hiro's voice echoed out as the parts that Huanglong had requested flew in, allowing her to purge the thoroughly spent KNIGHT parts as the BISHOP parts attached to her suit instead. And immediately, the power that was supposed to pour through her roared to life, especially as she spun the dial underneath her gauntlet.

"SAINT- SAINT- SAINT- SAINT- ALL SAINTS ON!" The Saint System roared to life, as all of the energy poured into the blaster on her chest. But instead of forming a beam, like what she would usually do with the Bishop Blaster, it instead turned into a volatile ball of energy that she could grab with her hands. A ball that tired to grow bigger and bigger...

"SAINT ERUPTION!"

Right before BISHOP slammed her hands shut around it, smashing it to pieces and letting the unstable energies burst forth. All the power she was able to borrow from the Saints, as well as her own, spreading out in a shockwave. A shockwave that her fellow heroes quickly ducked under, but the stunned Geisha were all knocked back in due to either being incapacitated by Saeko's strings or the flash of Hayato's tits in their face...

Leaving only the heroes standing, as each and every Geisha was knocked out. Though not without a severe cost to the party, considering the exhaustion visible on each and every one of the heroes' faces. All of them except for Agatha...

Agatha bit her lip, but didn't say anything. The only reason they had to go that far was because she wasn't willing to actually hurt the ones she held near and dear to her. But at least... At least they passed the challenge. "T-There, stupid Mother. We beat your minions. So let us hear what we want to hear. Otherwise..!"

"My, my. You really want to claim that as a victory, Hana?"

Agatha's eyes widened. Not because her Mother was playing unfair. But because she was behind her. She hadn't even heard her get behind her. Nor had any of the others. How was she that fast?

It was a question that she didn't get the answer to, not as her Mother brought her kiseru up to her lips and forced her to draw smoke from the ornate pipe. Almost immediately, Agatha's skin turned a pale shade of white, as all the resistance faded from her body...

"You'd transform your own daughter..?!" BISHOP cried out, clenching her fist as steam poured forth from the blaster on her chest. She could feel her rage building at the sight. So much so that she didn't notice the Bishop parts being overclocked to the point of disconnecting, returning her to PAWN instead of merely cooling down.

Hayato grit his teeth as well, preventing him from appreciating the lack of a bosom on his chest. No, the sight of a Mother actively abusing her daughter like that, playing with her emotions... It set his heart ablaze. "You'll pay... YOU'LL PAY!" He shouted, pointing both firearms at the Oyabun.

Saeko backed away, her heart trembling in pain. That technique of hers cost a lot of power. Her own power, not the power that had been cut out of her. So there was no way that she could continue fighting. But that didn't mean she couldn't glare at the Oyabun for what she did...

Agatha let out a soft moan as the kiseru was pulled from her lips, and her own pale fingers reached to take it from her Mother. All while her elegant drills had been undone and tied into a proper oriental hairstyle instead of that rebellious set of drills. Combine that with a kimono now partly covering her body, half of it hanging by her waist to expose the tiger that was now printed on her form and the musclefat that she was so proud of, with that delicate balance looking a lot more sensual than ever before... And she looked like she was ready to pick up where the other Geisha had left off.

"Oyabun-sama... Let Hana-chan deal with this." Her voice was also much more composed and calm, compared to the raging girl she had been before she was forced to blow from her Mother's pipe. "I will make you proud..."

"And I expect you to, Hana-chan." Kazutora said, kissing her geishafied daughter on the cheek. All while smiling from ear to ear, very impressed with how wonderful she looked with her hair done up in such a traditional manner, and how that makeup really accentuated her inner beauty...

The heroes, now down to two instead of four, would face an even greater challenge by having to save their ally...

---

"Haha! You're doing better than before, and better than when you were about to fall victim to my virus! It seems as if you've grown to the point where it enhances you instead of transforming you!"

"For a big bad dragon robot, you're awfully talkative, X! Now stand still so you can feel the PASSION in my ice!"

Elsewhere, the other heroic trio was locked in combat. WIth Yuuki dashing along the ground using her power to freeze the pavement, allowing her to keep up with the much bigger and surprisingly faster Overlord, and flash-freezing her passion into a set of blades that crashed against the much bigger hard light ones that were coming down on her.

"I refuse! You will feel the might of Overlord Helheim The X, and you will fall! Then, and only then, will I turn you into one of my spouses! A reward for your excellent will!" Helheim shouted, as the blades on his arms started to spin like a pair of drills. "SPIRAL X!"

Yuuki spun her hands counter to the same rotation, forming a set of icy drills in front of her that clashed against the ones that flew towards her, only for those drills to immediately shatter and burst into flames, the PASSION within roaring out and consuming it all. "PASSION SPIRAL!"

The two were locked in intense combat, with Yuuki doing her best despite being on the back foot. As for the Overlord's partner...

"NEO APOCALYPSE!" Neoheim The End cried out as two additional sets of arms sprouted from her shoulders and her thighs, each wielding the same kind of blaster that she wielded. Each firing a powerful beam at the two combatants that she had to fight all by herself.

Ero laughed as she dodged out of the way, winking and blowing a kiss towards the inexperienced female draconoid. "You need to stop calling out your attacks with such gusto, it makes them easier to dodge!" She giggled, spinning her scythe before tossing a medal into it, letting her voice echo forth from the scythe. "DESIRE REVEALED - IDOLIZER!" Right as it turned into a fancy guitar, and several panels burst open on her own body to reveal speaker after speaker.

Neoheim tried to shield herself, but the attack was auditory. She couldn't defend herself from such an attack, especially as the sound pressure started to weigh on her. "E-Error, reboot-" She trembled, forcing herself to take a step forward. Even as her OS wanted to shut off from all the noise.

"Now, Ouroboros! Finish her off, and make it cool! Don't just yell out destroy!" Ero cried out, strumming harder and harder to keep the enemy stunned so her ally could swoop in.

"Don't order me around, tin can!" Ouroboros shouted as she leapt over her robotic ally, laughing as the vibrations of her stunning music poured across her form. It was exhilerating to have it all press against her like this, prompting her to dash even faster, both her tail and her hair-spike aimed at the same spot on Neoheim's body.

Neoheim's eyes widened as she felt both slam through her, though as she was able to look down... She wasn't able to see the spot they impaled her. No, what she saw was Ouroboros standing there with her fists balled up and pressed against two identical marks on her torso. Two marks that were glowing brighter and brighter..!

"NACHTGEWEHR!"

Ouroboros slammed her fists a single inch forward, putting all of her power into this one tiny motion, right as the marks she had left on the enemy detonated in turn. Shattering Neoheim's body completely and launching her parts all over the place, leaving Ouroboros and Ero as the winners of that bout...

"Nachtgewehr, eh? German?" Ero chimed as she strummed one last time before popping the medal out of her weapon, returning it to its original form as a scythe.

"No. I just thought it sounded cool." Ouroboros replied, the tone indicating that it was Minami's idea. "Now come on. We've defeated one. We've still got the actual prey to take down."

"You just give me a boost, and we'll be done in seconds." Ero said, spinning her scythe for a moment before pulling out a skull-emblazoned medal. "You can launch me high, can't you?"

Ouroboros' answer was to slap the robotic pervert's ass, before laughing and dashing straight ahead. "Make it over before you blow up, or I'll just devour him on my own!"

"You're the worst!" Ero cried out as she felt the intense energy in the mark that now adorned her rear. And she sped straight ahead, ready to leap far into the air using her ally as a springboard.

Yuuki panted for a second, right before forming a pillar in front of her to block another would-be-fatal stab from the much larger Overlord. "You don't get tired at all, do you?"

"This form of mine runs on infinite energy, icy one! Now fall!" Helheim shouted as he crossed his blades and swung them in tandem. "X-TINCTION!" He shouted, pulling all of his power into this attack...

Only for the attack to get slashed through. Not by Yuuki, but rather by Ouroboros, who had just leapt over the icy girl and used her two 'tails' to slash through the cross part of the Overlord's shockwaves. All while laughing like a proper wild maniac.

Helheim took a single step backward to assess his new opponent, but that was going to bring his defeat, as Ero leapt over Yuuki as well. "So you defeated her!?"

"Yeah, and now it's your turn!" Ero said, landing squarely on Ouroboros' feet, ass currently cushioned by those clawed digits. "Now!"

"DESTROY!" Ouroboros cried out in glee as her brand detonated at the exact same time she kicked Ero far into the air, allowing her to be launched so far up that it looked like she became part of the clouds...

"DESIRE RELEASED - INFERNAL!"

Ero's voice echoed through the clouds as she came back down, scythe covered in the flames that grew stronger and stronger as she used gravity to her advantage. Spinning more and more, the forces all combining to make the resulting attack devastating!

Neoheim, shattered beyond belief and left as little more than a single chip laying on the ground, could feel the attack coming towards her lord. She had failed him again. She had done it again, she had failed him after he had put all of his trust in her...

The light on her chip grew brighter. No. She wasn't about to give up. As long as she still functioned, she would fight. That was what her Lord had told her..!

"TAKE THIS, YOU OVERGROWN BUCKET OF BOLTS!" Ero let out a primal roar as she came crashing down...

Only for her attack to be blocked. That powerful attack, smashing into a giant blue force field made by a single stray chip and some other floating parts. That... That other dragon was still active..?!

"..! Ero! Get away from there!" Yuuki had seen enough to know that this was bad, as she quickly sent her powers through her ice. If she was quick enough, then-

"ACCESS GRANTED! NEO-DOCKING, GO!"

Neoheim's voice boomed, as that same blue energy that had blocked the strike meant for Helheim quickly spread out. Sinking into Ero's form, as moan after moan echoed out. She was being violated... No, that wasn't right. That was just Ero responding to an attack on her programming.

The chip flew into her chest, forming an orb that contained Neoheim's self, all while Ero's body reconfigured as more of Neoheim's shattered parts flew towards her. Merging with her mechanical form, up until the moment she gently fell to the ground, a pair of majestic hardlight wings sprouting from her back...

There Ero stood. The mechanical JõtaiKiller, merged with the Overlord's partner. Her golden form mixed with the crimson shades of his aesthetic, blue lines running through his entire form. And she sure looked like a dragon in the face department, even if Neoheim's head was more like a helmet for her now, with her face practically coming out of the robotic dragon's jaw...

"Complete! N-EROHeim!" N-Eroheim posed beside her lord, grinning and licking her lips. There was so much power in her now... And she knew exactly how to put it to good use... "And now..!"

Yuuki's eyes widened as N-Eroheim's body split partly, not unlike when the JõtaiKiller sent parts of her off to dock with her partner's suit. But it didn't take a genius to understand that those parts were meant to control the one they enhanced. Which would be her..!

Or at least, that's what it would've been. If Ouroboros didn't get in front of her, roaring loudly as each part attached to her. Shoulders snapping onto her sleek form and quickly burrowing into her armor. Same with the gauntlets, the leggings, everything trying to turn the serpent into yet another draconic minion...

Helheim was watching every moment of what was unfolding before his eyes. All with glee, as he laughed more and more. The sight of it all... It was beyond astonishing.

"Y-You okay, Yuuki..!?" Minami's voice echoed out, strained due to the parts trying to merge with her. The hues of her eyes turning the same shade of blue as the energy rushing through both the Overlord and his partner...

"I'm good! But hold still, Minami! I'll-" Yuuki cried out, only to let out a painful groan. Her adrenaline had run out, and allowed her to notice the damage done to her body. Everything was aching, and she was bleeding in a few spots. She wasn't going to be able to help. "Damnit..!"

"Thus, your struggle comes to an end." Helheim declared, grinning as he stepped forward. "N-eroheim, convert her!" He shouted, more than pleased with this development. The two would make for great minions... And spouses as well, considering how much of a fight they were able to put up.

Ouroboros watched as the controlled Ero approached, her body trembling as several messages tried to beam their way into her mind. Subservience to Helheim filling her mind. Obedience. Complete and utter obedience..!

"SHUT UP!"

Only for the parts to explode off Ouroboros' body, even the armor itself shattering and revealing Minami underneath, the girl promptly falling onto her knees as Ouroboros' power failed her in the moment. Purging her armor and freeing her from this influence took its toll.

"Admirable, and yet it won't stop me from changing you two... Ehehehehe..." N-Eroheim giggled, putting a finger up to her plump lips as a tail grew from her rear, one that was ready to inject the two with a much more potent strain of the Helheim virus...

Yuuki glared up at the Overlord, defiance in her eyes. Only for that defiance to change into pride as she began to laugh. "Is this really the kind of victory that you want, Overlord Helheim The X? A victory won through a sudden change in fortune?"

"It is." Helheim said, grinning back. "Are you trying to get me to back down and think twice, or are you merely buying time?" Helheim shot back, amused by the continued resistance from the icy one. "Because I assure you, the life you'll lead as one of my spouses... It'll be a long and wonderful one, as I make sure to groom your power to its very peak."

"Nah. Just wanted to see if you really were satisfied." Yuuki said, slowly standing tall despite the pain. "Besides, you really think you can beat Mikai and Saki, if you were just barely able to win against us?"

"I can." Helheim said with conviction, though not before crossing his arms. "But it seems as if you've seen through me. How did you know I was dissatisfied before this battle?"

"Just a hunch. Something about the way you appeared out of nowhere in front of me, instead of Saki, kinda clued me in. You're the type that'd rather go for the strongest and work your way down." Yuuki said, grinning more as she stepped forward. She wasn't happy about how things had turned out. She didn't like losing. But the feeling of clashing with him... It had an effect on her. "So why didn't you?"

N-Eroheim looked to her lord, as the question confused her as well Why wouldn't they want revenge? For that matter, why would they not beat the dark one, since she was the one that originally helped beat her lord..?

Helheim laughed, a solemn tone to his laugh. "I cannot derive pleasure, nor pride, from a fight against somebody like Mikai. Not while she's trapped within her own despair. I do not like the methods used to bring her this far. I would much rather fight her at her best." He explained, before turning around. "As for the golden one, she too would leave me dissatisfied. There's something about the way she fights by herself that leaves me wanting more. That's why I headed for you instead. And why I now show you mercy."

"But... But Daddy!" N-Eroheim cried out, blushing slightly as she realized what she said. "We're supposed to be claiming this world! Why don't we just finish it and make them yours?!" She was upset. She had gone past her limits and achieved a new evolution... All for him to just turn around like this!?

"N-Eroheim." Helheim said, turning hus head over his shoulder so he could gaze into her eye. "What I crave above all, above the desire to spread the Darkness to another world, is a fight that drives me to my limits. The kind of fight you just experienced." He said, turning his head forward once more, as a hole opened for him to leave through. "Encarve it within you. Then, and only then, will you be able to understand."

With that, the Overlord left. And N-Eroheim as well, though not before turning back towards the two girls and blowing a raspberry at the two right as the hole closed...

They had lost. And with their loss, Ero disappeared into the darkness. And yet, they could've lost that much more. It hurt, but Yuuki couldn't but grin, even as it hurt inside.

"We'll get her back, won't we..?" Minami gasped, slowly forcing herself to sit up. "Won't we, Yuuki..?"

"We will." Yuuki said as she fell onto her ass, gasping from all the pain. "We'll win. Even if we lose, we get back up. Just like he's done. We won't give up, not until we win. Then Mikai, and Ero, will be in our hands..."

Minami nodded, as her stomach growled. Her feast would have to wait...

---

"What's the matter, 'hero'!? Can't keep it up!?"

"You're dead wrong if you think a few minions are going to slow me down!"

The sound of Kanzei's hammer rung out through her soul, as she broke apart her current blade into segments and slashed the bladed whip around her, blowing back the partly masked Shades. All while she drew heavy breaths. As much bravado as she was putting into her counter taunts, she was definitely losing ground.

Not because it was difficult to fight more enemies than one. Even if one of those very same enemies was one that had bested her prior. True Mimoto was just one enemy. But it wasn't that she was fighting for her own sake. It was that she was fighting to protect somebody else.

True Mimoto laughed as the Shades that had been knocked down got back up, any damage having done to them regenerating as their sigil glowed brighter. "You can't win a fight of pure attrition against the Darkness, 'hero'! You can't win anything, FALL!" She screamed, dashing forward alongside her minions.

Kanzei briefly glanced back at Yumeko, before her hammer echoed out once more and called forth her Cane in one hand, slamming the butt into the ground as chains burst from the ground. "DIVINE BIND!" She declared her intent through her actions, each chain going for a different minion.

Most of the chains were deflected. Whether by the durable bodies of the minions, or True Mimoto's claws. But it was this moment that she needed, as her cane started brightly shining in response to her heart and its bond. Those chains, ever close to her enemies, gave her the opportunity!

"SYNCHRONIZATION!" Kanzei cried out, as her cane burst open and revealed the Divine Slayer that she had once drawn against the Overlord. "SAEKO, TOGETHER!" With both hands, she stabbed the odachi-style sword straight ahead...

And from the broken chains, sharp web-like thorns spread out. Each slamming straight into their nearby victims, impaling their way through the nearby Shades. Stopping their approach in their track... Because no matter how much they were able to heal, if they were stuck in the spider's web, then they couldn't move!

Unfortunately, this maneuver would not be enough against True Mimoto, who used her dark flames to jump over the sharp webs and burn them to shreds as they came close. "You left yourself open, hero! NOW, WHAT'S HERS IS MINE!" The mocking Jõtaider cried out, as she landed right in front of Yumeko...

The black-haired girl stared into the burning Liger's helmet, staring straight into that void. And she didn't flinch. She stared, despite the dangers. Bravely putting up a fight in her own way.

"Yumeko!" Kanzei cried out, as she slid her hand across the Divine Slayer. Only to stop. No, if she went on the offensive, she wouldn't make it. She had to do something. But...

Kimiko grabbed ahold of Yumeko and let her flames coat her, burning her and filling her with her will. Causing the flames to sink into Yumeko's form, quickly darkening her and branding her as if she was hers.

Yumeko could feel the flames heading for her heart. She could feel the imprinted devotion to the fake Mikai slowly fill her. But she wordlessly resisted, even as those flames snaked their way around her body and grew more and more potent. Her eyes were growing dimmer and dimmer, as her defiant look turned into a submissive and devious smile...

"Yes... YES! SHE'S MINE! MIIIIIINE!" Kimiko laughed, her helmet disappearing to show the maniacal look of pure delight on her face. She had taken yet another thing away from Mikai... Yet another thing that should've been hers all along..!

...Only for the flames to slowly die down. No, rather, they were raging outward. As if they were being pulled from Yumeko's body, turning her skin back to normal, all while she started drawing labored and pained breaths. She... She was being cured?! HOW?!

Kimiko let go of the girl, causing her to fall to the ground. All while she focused all of her hatred on the girl behind her, the golden 'hero'..!

Kanzei gasped as she felt the flames being sucked into her. Courtesy of the dark circle at her feet. The chains pumping that will straight into her instead, with her hammer rapidly echoing out. "If I can't nullify your will... Then I'll take it into my body, and reforge it!" She shouted, even as her armor started to crack.

"YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST TAKE IN EVERYTHING I'VE BOTTLED UP FOR THESE TEN YEARS!?" Kimiko screamed as she dashed straight ahead, even as the flames on her body started to get sucked up into that circle as well. "HER LIFE BELONGS TO ME! EVERYTHING THAT SHE EVER WENT THROUGH SHOULD'VE BEEN FOR ME! YOU DON'T GET TO GET IN MY WAY!" Her words were fueled by mania, pure insanity bursting through her expressions...

Kanzei grit her teeth as she slammed her cane against the ground once more, lighting up her dark circle. It was too much for her. But she could use it. "DIVINE REJECTION!" As she shouted, her armor shattered... and with it, the will that she had absorbed exploded outward. As if all that energy had just been converted into one big pulse...

It slammed straight into Kimiko. Knocking her far away, shattering her own armor as well. After all, it was her own will weaponized against her. And she felt her heart tremble in pure agony. Pure hate. All of her emotions swirling as they reminded her of everything she had suffered through.

All that she could do was scream in pure frustration, as she was swallowed by the Darkness. She was forced to retreat, because she couldn't keep herself stable. Not after seeing the hero temper her will like this...

Though it didn't come without cost. There were burns all across Saki's body. Burns inflicted upon her by taking in all of that will. Still, the 'hero' stood tall. The best she could, supporting herself on that cane...

"Is this what it feels to truly be a hero..?" Saki muttered, grimacing slightly as she glanced at Yumeko. "It hurts." She concluded, a soft smile taking the grimace's place.

"It hurts. But it's worth it." Yumeko replied, coughing a little as she forced herself onto her feet. "I'm glad you're starting to understand. But we've still got a long road ahead. I hope you'll be willing to keep trying." The black-haired girl, who she had saved, said as she reached her hand out. Just as Mikai would do. Because all it would take to help somebody... was to reach out.

Saki took the first step, and took that hand...

---

"How in the world is so damn fast?!"

Hayato cried out as he just barely managed to dodge his way around a punch that sent wind pressure blasting right past his head, sweat running down his brow as he tried to retaliate and fire a few shots at the pale-faced 'Hana-chan'.

But the corrupted Agatha gracefully dodged around it and reached into her kimono, pulling out a bladed fan before tossing it towards the woman trying to catch her off guard by attacking from her back.

PAWN slammed her fist against the fan, quickly following up her first punch with a second one that clashed against 'Hana-chan's fist and caused her to get knocked back. "She's strong. No wonder she's been able to fight against Pawns without much issue..."

"Not the time to be impressed, PAWN!" Hayato shouted, as he reached towards the holster on his wrist. The only medals that he had brought were Inkster and Tithoth. Two perverted medals, because Ero just so happened to hog all the useful ones. "I'm going to kill her the moment we get back!"

Saeko was watching from the sideline, clenching her fist. It felt terrible to be watching from the side like this. She could use her Monster Ability, and possibly restrain Agatha for a moment... But given her agility, she would be a difficult target to nail down. There were very few options available to them.

"What's the matter, heroes?" Kazutora said, still watching from her seat on stage. She was enjoying the show as much as she could. Because she knew that there was no way that they were going to win. She had full faith in her Daughter. Sure, she had to transform her into one of her loyal geisha, but that was the only way she was actually going to listen.

'Hana-chan' smiled in turn, gently reaching up to brush her hair out of her eyes as she dodged around a punch and a bullet launched at the same time. "You cannot defeat me. I will not disappoint Mother." She said, as she gracefully spun away from both of them, reaching into her kimono once more. Probably to fetch another weapon...

"How much do you have left, PAWN? I'm starting to run on fumes..." Hayato panted and gasped. Damnit, they were so close to winning, then this had to happen! He had done so much, and yet... and yet..!

Hiro gasped as well, her vital signs giving off very worrying signs on the inside of her visor. "I have one more trick up my sle-"

Her eyes widened, and her arm started to tremble. She could feel a massive pain throbbing through her, causing her to gasp in pure shock. All while a laugh echoed through her ears... Her laugh...

"You just have to grab her... And then I can eat her, and leave absolutely nothing behind..." The voice in her ear said, beckoning her to follow its demands. All while her blackened arm started to glow underneath her armor, making her need all the more visible...

Hana-chan stared at her enemies, before smiling. They weren't going to put up a fight. Not one that would matter. In that case, Mother would want her to push them harder. What could she do...

Saeko flinched as the geisha turned towards her, prompting her to steel herself. What could she do..? There's very little that she could do, especially as she stepped closer, and her... seductive... form...

The bespectacled girl lost herself in Agatha's swaying form. It was hypnotic. And with her currently weakened self, there was no way that she could resist. All she could do was stare away...

"Saeko!" Hayato cried out. Damnit! DAMNIT! The hell could he do now?! He was the only one currently able to do anything, especially with Hiro's body acting against her...

...He took a brief glance at the device around his wrist. There was one chance. One single thing he could do. But if he did that, then he ran the chance of permanently damaging the girl. But if he did nothing, then he would end up getting turned as well.

Hana-chan smiled as she cupped Saeko's chin, staring deep into her eyes. "You'll make a wonderful geisha. All we need to do is color that face a nice shade of white, so we can use it as a clean slate..." She said, her voice oozing sensuality. All while she brought her lips closer and closer...

Hayato gripped his wrist tightly, closing his eyes before letting out a frustrated roar. "Saeko! This is going to hurt a little!" He shouted, as he dashed towards his bespectacled ally.

In an instant, just as Saeko was kissed on the lips and started to turn the same shade of pale as Agatha had, Hayato slammed his arm into her back. He didn't impale her, but rather the Desriver caused a hole to form, sinking his arm into that very same hole. And a second later, he pulled out. Leaving the girl to nearly collapse in the geisha's arms, as Hayato held a new medal in his hand.

"You would hurt your ally for the sake of victory..?" Hana-chan said, only to notice that she couldn't move. And as she slowly looked towards the girl in her arms, she noticed that she hadn't gone completely limp. Her arms... Her fingers were digging into her plump form. "You..."

Saeko smiled slightly. "That... hurt... a lot..." With what little will remained inside her after having her power completely removed, she continued to hold onto the girl that was turning her into a geisha. A grip that was growing weaker second by second.

As Hayato noticed that Saeko had given him a chance, despite what he had done, he wasn't about to let that chance slip by. "RELEASE YOUR DESIRE - SPIDER!" He shouted, in tandem with Ero's voice echoing from his device!

With his hand outstretched, a violent stream of strings were shot from his fingertips. Very quickly wrapping around both girls. Trapping them within an incredibly tight space, a cocoon. Almost as if he was preparing them to be prey for something greater...

He wasn't able to do much more, however, as the medal forcibly ejected after that. His driver wasn't strong enough to handle many released desires in quick succession, especially not one as strong as Spider. So he was left kneeling, gasping and panting...

"Well. You managed to disable her." Kazutora said. All while smiling. "But does that earn you your victory? When she breaks out, you'll have to contend with two minions. What then, heroes?"

Hiro grit her teeth, trying her best to ignore the voice pouring through her. It wanted her to consume. To feed. To violate the girl that had been her ally. But she had other ideas. "Ane... AGATHA! ARE YOU PLANNING ON REMAINING YOUR MOTHER'S TOY!?"

Hana-chan rustled within the cocoon. "Mother is Mother. I should... obey..." Her voice grew distant. Just for a moment. As if the words were getting through to her.

Why was she... Why was she obeying that bitch..? She... She had been absent since her early childhood. She had made it clear that she didn't deem her worthy of her time. That she wanted her to prove herself..!

Anger started to resonate with the cocoon, as it grew bigger. It's not what Hiro had planned, but she wasn't about to let this chance slip by.

"IS SHE? EVERYTHING YOU'VE TOLD US, EVERYTHING YOU'VE TOLD MIKAI, IT ALL TELLS A DIFFERENT STORY! IT TELLS A STORY OF A WOMAN THAT DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE PEOPLE SHE'S SUPPOSED TO LOVE!" Hiro shouted, raising her arm into the air, green energy pouring through that darkened limb. "ARE YOU GOING TO LISTEN TO SOMEBODY LIKE THAT?!"

"I... I..!" Agatha cried from within, as the ground underneath the cocoon started to tremble and shake. "I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO HER! I DON'T WANT TO BE HER DAUGHTER, NOT AFTER SHE AND MOTHER ABANDONED ME!"

"THEN STAND TALL! STAND TALL AND DEFY HER!" Hiro screamed, as the power resonating through her arm called the Rook parts to her. She had ordered them earlier, but her body couldn't handle another Promotion. This was her final shot. The last chance she had to change things..! "LET'S PUT HER IN CHECKMATE!"

With one final swing from her Rook Blade, Hiro slashed through the cocoon. And at the same time, the ground underneath shattered. Leaving little but rubble, as something started to emerge from the broken cocoon. Something that was no longer plagued by her Mother's presence...

It was Agatha. Holding Saeko in her arms. All while some sort of power radiated off her. A power that slowly restored the girl's corrupted form to normal. Healing her. As if she was blessed by nature. And she wasn't the only one.

The aura radiating off Agatha slowly spread through the ground, reaching all the geisha that they had fought. And as it enveloped them, one by one they were turned back into their original selves. The many maids that served Agatha, all on Kazutora's payroll. All forced to be part of this test...

A single clap echoed through the air. Then a few more, as Kazutora started to laugh. "Well. I see my test was worth it. She finally awakened the powers deep within." The Oyabun said, as she stepped off the stage and nodded. "You all pass. Hopper's location should appear on your visor shortly, Miss Jõtaider."

Hiro glared at the Oyabun, before nodding as she confirmed the details. The ROOK parts fell off her as she detransformed, her arm seemingly having calmed down following that display of power. "...You two can handle the rest here. I'm going to go see Hopper. Got it?"

Hayato spat at the ground, not satisfied with any of this. But he nodded. "Here." He said, motioning for Agatha to hand him the unconscious Saeko, as he quietly slipped the medal back into her. "I'm going to go make sure she recovers swiftly. I owe her that much."

Agatha nodded in turn as both of her allies left. All while she looked at the aura covering her. "...Is this stuff why I was so strong, all along?" She muttered, before turning her gaze towards her Mother. "...You're awful, if this was the entire reason you decided to remain absent."

"I am awful." Kazutora admitted, taking a seat upon the stage once again. "Your Mother, Minerva, was once a Magical Girl. She fell. Hard. And in her darkest days, I was the one to be there for her." She explained, chuckling slightly. "Even now, she thinks that she has to fight for the right cause. That's why she's with that PMC of hers. To make sure that the world stays safe. I disagree, however..."

"...Because she was away, you wanted to make sure I had my own powers. So I could be like her?" Agatha scowled, and her Mother nodded. "Awful doesn't begin to describe you. You're beyond saving." She said, as the aura around her started to die down.

"I know. I'm not about to say I'm not." Kazutora said, as she slowly closed her eye. "What you do with that power of yours does not matter. I just wanted to see it awaken. Otherwise, you would be swallowed whole by this catastrophe." She explained, getting up and turning away from her daughter. "From this day onward, you truly are no longer my little Hana."

"I never was." Agatha muttered as she turned around as well, leaving without saying another word...

Kazutora sighed. And once the door to her club closed, she opened her eye. All so she could gaze upon a Magician, who had been biding his time. "My wife's enemies have come to haunt me as well, I see."

Lumiel tipped his hat, and let his smile do all the talking...

---

"So this was where you were, all this time."

Hiro said, as she stepped into the diner where she had last seen Tsukiko. The diner where she had met D'Or and Bat, and left her innocence behind.

Behind the counter, not even bothering to wear a disguise beyond a hairnet, was Haruhi Kaneko. Hopper of Golden Freedom, and the one that commanded the JõtaiKillers from the shadows. All for the sake of keeping the world safe in her own way. Wearing that silver scarf that Tsukiko loved...

"It's been a while, Hi-"

She tried to speak. But all she earned was a punch. A punch filled with emotion. A punch fueled by the ten years that Hiro had spent away from her.

A punch punctuated by the tears running down Hiro's cheeks...

"Where were you all this time..!?"

---

Mikai sat in darkness.

Endless darkness.

And yet as she sat there...

She didn't understand why.

But it sounded like there were voices calling out to her.

Would they reach her..?

She wasn't sure. So she just sat there...

Inside her comforting sphere of self-induced despair...