Jotaider - State 33 - Love's Wish

[Tokusatsu Themes, Brainwashing, Brain Drain, Americanization]



"Her... Her! Why is she here!? She should be stuck back there!"



The angry voice of Lumiel echoed out through the darkness. Violent hues of rage flowing from him in the form of steam from his ears, all while he stomped around in front of an occupied throne...



He was raging. Right in front of the resting Cepha. The 'leader' of this splinter of the Darkness simply sleeping through the other Prime's tantrum. Sleeping and trying to regain a grip on her self...



Which was why she didn't react to the tantrum. And why the converted Tsukiko was currently resting against her throne. On standby until everything clicked into place and she'd have to carry out the will of the Darkness as well...



Lumiel jammed a jewel-tipped cane against the proverbial ground, before calming down as the rage poured into the cracks underneath. The Darkness would relieve him of his faults, and would allow him to think clearly...



"Calm... Yes, calm." Lumiel muttered as a smile crept onto his face. "As much as that girl's presence causes me nothing but grief, we're still on schedule. The Golden Descender's falling further. The seed that the Young One inadvertently planted within her is growing. Knowing what she's like, she won't be able to pull it out in time. And thus, our descent begins anew..."



Yes. Focus on what was actually succeeding. Not the possibility of failure. It was when he started doubting his plan or focusing too hard on the obstacles that things started to fall apart. That was how that slippery snake had managed to distract him during the last attempt.



His gaze turned towards the sleeping woman in silver. And his smile curved ever more. Her emotions were theirs to toy with. It was why he had amplified her lust for battle and her cruelty during the last excursion. So that she would feed into that seed and make it harder for the Golden Descender to deny what her destiny was.



"...Haruhi... Hiro..."



A drowsy pair of names left the resting Luna's lips, causing Lumiel to shake his head and tap the cane against the ground once more. Allowing a hole to swallow up Luna and drag her off to another area.



Even after all this time, she was keeping strong. Or perhaps it was because she came into contact with those she once loved. Whichever the case was, she wasn't allowed to remember. She wasn't allowed to try and overcome her programming.



She was his pawn. And until Lady Cepha regained her full power, hopefully after his plan had bloomed to fruition and given them another ally, she would play her part in cultivating that very same ally...



All for the sake of finally swallowing this world whole...



---



"Hiro-senpai, you can let go, you know? I'm not going to fall back into a coma if you let go of me."



"Not letting go."



Mikai chuckled a little at what was happening on the other couch. It had been about a week since she had managed to fight against three Jõtaiders at once, and only managed to come out on top thanks to a timely intervention by her girlfriend. And yet, this scene has played out at least five times since then...



Her white-haired partner and fellow Jõtaider, Hiro, had wrapped her arms around the girl that had awoken from her years-long coma. Keeping her on her lap, despite the fact that the girl was barely a few inches shorter than her superior...



The girl in question... Natsuki Maki. Mikai's homeroom teacher's daughter. Maki-sensei had mentioned that they had a similar aura, and she could definitely tell based on the way she looked. She had short light blonde hair with two fluffy bangs hanging by the side of her face, bright blue and hopeful eyes... And while she had still been wearing her Atlas Corp uniform after being freed from her controlled condition, she was now wearing...



Well, she was wearing Hiro's Natura Bleu cosplay. Or was it an actual costume she had used during production? Regardless, it didn't quite fit the girl's aura. But it was what Hiro had on hand that fit her, considering the special properties of the costume.



Natsuki smiled as Hiro rested her chin on her shoulder. "As protective as always..." She mused, closing her eyes slightly. "You were watching over us that entire time, weren't you, Hiro-senpai? Always making sure to check up on us to see if we recovered. All while pushing yourself to make sure nobody ended up just like us..."



Hiro remained quiet. But Natsuki knew how she thought. She had picked up on it during her time working under her, and during her time barely being aware of the world around her thanks to the coma. The silence meant that she was right.



"Thank you, Hiro-senpai." Natsuki said, as she gently patted her white-haired Senpai on the head. All while letting her eyes focus on the girl across from her. "And thank you too, Mikai. You helped her a lot, didn't you?"



Mikai nodded, tilting her head slightly. "How'd you know?" As far as she could tell, there's no way that Natsuki would know. She had only really started fighting with Hiro.. About half a year ago, give or take?



"Gosh, how would I know?" Natsuki's smile curved into a surprisingly devilish grin. "You know who can't help but keep prattling on and on about the people she cares about? You know who went right in front of my capsule, day in and day out when she had the time? Talking about how much she adored the little girl that reminded her so much of me?"



If Hiro's emotions still worked as well as they were meant to, she would probably be blushing at this point. Instead, she remained as stone-faced as possible. "It was important. I wanted them to know what you were like." She defended herself, though that just made her sound all the more embarrassing...



Mikai was the one that ended up blushing instead. Not from shame, but simply because the idea that Hiro would take time out of her day to talk to those four... Just to tell them about her? It was honestly astonishing. And it made her feel a little too proud of herself, ehe.



"And you told us plenty of good stuff, Hiro. Your little partner's an impressive girl." Natsuki nodded, before looking just a little bit disappointed. "I wish that could've been me. But... At least what happened wasn't in vain. You became a Hero, Hiro."



Hiro glanced away. Even as her subordinate placed a kiss on her cheek. She didn't seem like she was ready to be called something that heavy. Even if both Mikai and Natsuki approved of it.



"I really gotta get going though. School's going to start soon, and I wanna try and catch up with Saki. She's been trying to avoid me since that day, after she asked me to try and help." Mikai said as she got up from the couch. Smiling and beaming still, as she waved goodbye to the two. "See you later! I'll bring Saeko and Yumeko over, Hiro, hope that's okay!"



Before Hiro had a chance to voice her opinion, the girl was already gone. Leaving her with her arms still wrapped around Natsuki, and her heart quietly beating in her chest... "...You won't relapse, right, Natsuki..?"



"I wouldn't know. Lady Seiryu said that my Jõtai Factor seems to have been stabilized. Whatever that man did to me, it seemed to have cured me..." Natsuki muttered, closing her eyes as she leaned up against her Senpai. "Don't do anything reckless, Senpai. If you end up in a Coma because you tried to save the others, I'll never forgive you."



More than ever, those words hurt. Natsuki had always teasingly said something to that effect whenever she wanted Hiro to try and be better while they were working together. But now it sounded even more genuine.



Hiro squeezed her tighter. "They'll all wake up. And we'll be together again. I promise." She couldn't promise that she wouldn't be reckless. But what she wanted more than anything was to have them all back. Especially so they could meet Mikai, just as Natsuki had...



That was fine for Natsuki, who gave her another kiss on the cheek. "I'll keep you to that, Senpai." She chimed, before reaching down to tug on the tight fabric that clung to her body. "Now, how about we go buy some new clothes for me? I'm glad you kept your Bleu suit, but I voiced Blanc, you know? I can't just go around looking all serious, I want something much more comfy!"



A little bratty. Yet it was what HIro loved to hear. The tired heroine letting the tiniest of smiles work its way onto her face. Little by little, her emotions were healing. Little by little, Hiro Fukano was becoming whole. Even with the Darkness still lingering in her arm...



She could see the light at the end of the tunnel. Just a little further, and the Happy End would arrive...



---



"Saki? Are you listening?"



The blue-haired girl blinked. Her gaze turned towards the lavender-haired girl standing in front of her desk. All while she tried to force a smile onto her face. "I'm... I'm listening."



Saeko put on a concerned expression, before flicking through the papers in her stack. "There's only three weeks until the Student Council President election, Saki. I know you're likely going to win, since most of the students still have your good deeds in their hearts... But if you space out like you've been doing for the last two weeks, I'm not sure you'll win their hearts again. Somebody might just sweep them off their feet. And if that happens..."



Normally, Saki would express concern as well. But all she did was simply smile, nodding slightly. "I know, Saeko. I know. I'll be better by that point. Don't worry about me." She muttered. And though she looked at Saeko, it's like she saw straight through her...



"...If you say so." Saeko muttered, as she put the stack of papers down on the desk. "Please sign as many of these as you can muster. They relate to the clubs for next semester." She explained, before bowing respectfully and taking her leave...



Leaving Saki to simply stare at the stack of papers. Stare at the work laid before her. The responsibility of guiding and protecting the students...



Guiding and protecting those that she cared about. Hurting them with her decisions...



"Good. You shouldn't get attached to them. That way, they can be hurt. That way, you can't save them from themselves."



The bright shone onto her, as that other version of herself sat on a desk in the back of the Council's office. She was so far away, yet her influence still overshadowed her. Her influence shining a bright light on Saki's failings. On what she was abandoning by trying to understand.



"A Hero fights for the sake of those that they love. But they do not need gratitude. They do not need to know what the people think. The people are simply there to be saved. If they act out, they'll get hurt. If they act on their own, they'll get hurt. That's why you need to be alone. So that you can protect them. So they won't get hurt trying to help you. You need no help. You need no aid. You are a Hero. Aren't you?"



Her other self's light was blinding. Saki's heart hurt the more she listened to her. Yet she couldn't look away. Because denying it would be running away from the truth.



The two of them were one and the same. Not only that, but she was her punishment for everything she had done. Punishing her for not being able to help her family. Punishing her for her role in the events that led up to the Near-Luna Descent. If she had remained detached. If she had remained on her stalwart path and just fought to protect, and kept Mimoto and the others from interfering... Then nobody would've been hurt. The only one that would've been hurt was herself. And her own pain was worth it, because then others would be safe.



And yet, no matter how much she told herself that, it hurt. It hurt to think that she should be that kind of Hero. Just as much as her other half hurt her by reminding her of all of her failings. Her body was tearing itself apart. Making her heart sink deeper and deeper into a chasm of despair.



If she denied herself, then she was no better than a coward  trying to run away from her responsibility. Yet if she accepted herself like this, she'd just get worse again. She'd turn into an enemy of the people that had given her a chance. She didn't want to disappoint them, but she felt powerless to try and fight against her own nature..!



If only..!



"'scuse me! This is the Student Council's Office, yeah?"



Saki gazed towards the door leading into the office, still blinded by the light shone on her by her other half. Yet she recognized the silhouette that she could make out past the light. It was that tall blonde that had come to rescue her and the rest of Golden Freedom...



"Bi... No, Claudia Springs... Right?"



Claudia grinned as she came closer, before grabbing ahold of Saki and yanking her off her seat. "C'mon, Prez. The little Spider and that old Bat's been telling me that you've been feeling down. I know just the cure for your condition. Trust me on this." She was so strong, which fit the muscles that poked out from the short sleeves of her uniform...



All that Saki could do was let herself be pulled along, while the other version of her simply vanished into the depths of her mind. Never to fade away. Never to leave her alone. The light of her faults would shine on her until she understood the only path forward. Until she understood that only by becoming a true Hero could she escape this guilt...



Until then, the voice of her other self would simply push her deeper and deeper...



---



"I'm not sure I know what you're trying to get at, Hayato. Could you explain a bit more?"



The green-haired young man sighed while scratching the back of his head. "What part of "What was I like in your timeline" is hard to understand, Yumeko? You've told Mikai what she's like, and I imagine you've told Saeko too. Why am I an issue?" He sounded a little frustrated, all while keeping a firm hand on his Pridriver...



Yumeko nodded as she took a small sip from the tea that he had brewed for her before inviting her over. She wasn't expecting him to try and call out to her, given the way that he had been working so smoothly with both Hopper and Ero. But at the same time, that frustration... It reminded her a bit of what she once felt herself.



"Let me turn it around a bit then." She said, resting her head on the palm of her hand. "What do you expect to gain from learning about my version of you? He's him, and you're you. Just like my Mikai's my Mikai, and this Mikai is a different Mikai that I fell in love with."



"He had to have figured this whole thing out a lot better than I have, right? Maybe he was the only JõtaiKiller, maybe he actually knew how to reign in Lady Hopper." Hayato said as he put his hands on the table. Firmly grasping it as he let his head hang. "It's just... After returning all the medals, I feel a lot better. But I also feel like I'm not going to be able to catch up. And I don't want to risk taking more, because I don't want to hurt people that have already suffered."



A far cry from what he had been when he first made his presence known to Mikai. When he dropped down and pulled the trigger on a hostile Jõtaijin... At least in his eyes she was hostile. Even if she might've been in the process of standing down.



"I didn't see much of him, I'm afraid." Yumeko said, taking another sip from the tea, watching the frustration grow upon his face. "But I might have an idea on how to help you. You've seen the Synchronization that both Mikai and Saki have been able to pull off, yes?"



Hayato nodded as he slowly pulled his head up, the gears starting to turn in his head. "You're saying I should rely on the feelings of my friends? I know these are meant to be as effective as the genuine Jõtai, especially since they're made from the same kind of material, but Hopper said they need the medals to fully function."



"Your feelings for Ero were the ones that transformed your Hopper System into the Pridriver, no? And it transformed your Hopper medal into the Pride medal? Who's saying you can't access those very same emotions?" Yumeko shot back, smiling softly as she put her teacup down. "You made an excellent cup of tea, by the way. Those leaves weren't harvested from her, were they?"



Hayato went slightly red as Yumeko tried to strike at his heart with that tease. "Trust me. My Mom has tried to make me brew tea with her petals. I'm not even going to entertain the idea." He muttered, before looking at his Pridriver, his heart slowly beating against his chest. "Emotions... They're basically the same as the Willpower, if not..."



"Hayato."



The green-haired young man's expression soured as a mechanical voice reached out to him. With his uninvited guest, Neoheim, descending from the stairs leading up to his currently-shared bedroom...



Yumeko raised an eyebrow as she saw Neoheim descend, though not because she was here. Rather, she was wondering why she was wearing a onesie themed after her... 'Father'. Not that it was her place to ask that question.



"What is it." Hayato asked, still a bit frustrated that he had to simply trust in others so that everything would turn out alright. He was restless that entire day, even if everything had a happy ending.



"What is Love?"



A soft chuckle left Yumeko's lips as Neo's question hung in the air, and Hayato went an even brighter shade of red in response. Causing him to simply bury his head in the palms of his hands, trying to cope with the duty imposed upon him by his partner...



"I... I don't want to explain that to you, Neo. Especially not with her here." Hayato said, gesturing towards Yumeko who simply waved slightly to Neoheim in response. "I might know somebody that can help. But I swear, if you keep finding the worst times to ask..."



He paused, as Neoheim kept on staring towards him with those big ol' curious eyes. Just like Ero did whenever she was being particularly clingy and hard to fight back against. Damnit, she was learning.



"Just... Damnit, follow me. And change into the uniform I got for you!" Hayato shouted as he stormed out of the door, not wanting to spend any more time in this awkward situation.



Neoheim nodded as she waved back to Yumeko. A girl that she definitely needed to examine more intimately another time, for the Young One's sake. Right now, she needed to follow Hayato and understand Love.



He had already helped her understand what it meant to want to help somebody close to you. That determined drive to Protect. Love would help her take that next step. Not just for the Young One, but for herself as well.



Yumeko simply watched as the unlikely duet left, sighing as she got up from her seat. She shouldn't let the two of them go alone. Not with everything that was going on at the moment.



And besides. She owed him for that wonderful cup of tea...



---



"What can I do to help her, what can I do to help her..."



Saeko muttered to herself as she walked down the aisle of the Mimoto Highschool library, trying her best to find anything that looked even slightly relevant. She needed to find something she could use to help Saki. Anything. She didn't want to see her suffering like that. Seeing Mikai miserable, when that had been all her fault, was bad enough. Seeing somebody she looked up to suffer even harder, especially after she tried so hard to protect the sanctity of her parents' bond...



"Sssssh."



The bespectacled girl let out a quiet 'eep' as she realized that she was making an awful amount of noise, turning around to quickly bow her head and apologize to the library staff for what she had done...



Only for the color on her face to drain as she realized who was hushing her. And whose hands found their way onto her face. That white-haired girl who... W-Who...



"M-Minami, I..."



Minami. The girl she had run from. The girl she had cared for with heavy guilt weighing on her conscience. The girl that had become a Jõtaider because of her. And a host to that Artificial Prime as well...



"Ehe. I knew I could scare you just like that." Minami chimed as she let go of Saeko, leaning back in her wheelchair as she eased up on both her stance and her expression. "You look just like you did back then, you know? When you ran away."



The venom in her voice was palpable. She... She still blamed her for what she had done. Not that Saeko blamed her in turn. She had run. Because she was scared. Because she didn't know what to do. Because she had run, she had met Saki. And because of Saki, she eventually ended up in Lady D'Or and Bat's arms...



"...I..." Saeko muttered, clenching her fists slightly. "I want to run away. That's what my mind is screaming at me. To run away because I don't think I can do anything. But I don't want that. I don't want to accept that's what I want to do." She muttered, her eyes hidden behind her glasses. "I want to help her. Just like I wanted to help you, Minami. I wanted to give you that Jõtai because you deserve freedom. So that you could be free from what I had done to you."



Minami's eyes lit up slightly. Then, her teasing smile curved into a warm one. "If you had just come clean and asked me back then, Saeko, I would've gladly put it on. You didn't need to tell me it was a wish or something like that. If you just told me that you wanted to apologize for running away, then I wouldn't have had to do that to you." She chimed, her eyes turning to slits. "I would've done much worse."



The color drained from Saeko's face another time, prompting a laugh to leave Minami's lips. "I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Well, mainly about that last part. I was being serious about your lack of honesty hurting me though." She explained, before resting her head on the back of her intertwined hands. "It was beyond frustrating to have you never really acknowledge it. So I acted out a bit. Ouroboros was a big help there, but now... Well, I'd like to find out as much as I can about all this. I don't want what's happened to go to waste. And the more I figure out, the easier the final puzzle can be put together."



Saeko didn't know what exactly to feel, but it seemed like Minami didn't harbor as much of a grudge as she did before. Prompting her to sigh as she slowly looked back towards all those books. "...Is Saki part of that puzzle, Minami?"



"In a way." Minami nodded, patting a book full of notes that was attached to her wheelchair. "For now, our goals align. So how about it? I'll help you find what you're looking for... And you can help me later, when I need to have a chat with the esteemed Lady D'Or. If everything goes according to plan, I might be able to pay that Prime back for what he did to me last week."



Aha. Right. Yeah. She got transformed. She had heard that from Mikai after everything was said and done. Still, knowing that Minami was willing to help her... It made her happy.



"Let's try and see what we can find then." Saeko smiled, reaching out to shake Minami's hand. A gesture that was returned by the girl she had been adopted alongside, so many years ago...



A small step towards repairing the relationship they should've had before everything went wrong. A small step towards fixing what she had done...



---



"Hrmmm..."



Yuuki was fuming. Not because she was angry, more so frustrated. Not because she wasn't good enough, she was plenty good. She had been why part of Lumiel's scheme hadn't panned out during the Near-Luna Descent. Yet at the same time... She just felt that she could be better...



"Oooo, the Hall Monitor's all hot. And I don't just mean attractive."



Yuuki blinked as she saw Ero coming closer, causing her to smirk slightly. "I can heat you up all you'd like, Ero. As long as you tell me you haven't been causing any trouble with your usual antics." Truth be told, she had to deal with Ero being a little too... Well, erotic. And break up a fight between her and Aimi that one time she decided to flip the leader of the Delinquents' skirts...



"Mmmmm, now wouldn't that be a treat." Ero giggled as she winked, before leaning against the same wall that Yuuki was. "But, like, you're definitely not having the best day. I can tell, you're steamin'. If you'd like, I can provide a bit of relief. But I'm sure a girl like you needs something more than that."



Yuuki nodded, as she pressed her head against the wall behind her. "I'm kind of in a rut. Not because I'm not good enough, I know I can handle these things. But... You've seen Mikai's PASSION, you've been at the receiving end of Hayato's PASSION, and Yumeko... That girl was hiding so much PASSION that I'm starting to feel a little small!" She laughed, all while digging her hands into the sides of her arms. "How can I get more PASSIONATE, Ero? Without turning into an erotic euphemism like you."



"Aw, I would've loved to see you filled with my kind of 'PASSION'." Ero giggled, before tapping her cheek. "I mean, why are you so worried? You're doing great. Especially if we're talking Hayato! The day you completely dumpstered him, he went home and stayed in the cold shower for hours! I'm sure if you ask Mikai and Yumeko too, they'd be more than ready to tell you that you've got more PASSION than they do." She said, putting her hands behind her head. "If you ask me, there's nothing more PASSIONATE than somebody that's willing to inspire those around her. Somebody has to lead the way so the others get their heads in gear. Yeah?"



The white-haired girl nodded and laughed. "I didn't think you'd know that kind of PASSION, Ero! I really am falling behind if you're the one giving me a pep talk like that!" Yuuki's voice was like a roar of pure emotion, as she wrapped her arms around the Ganguro GothBot. "Thanks, Ero. That's just what I needed to hear."



"Oooo, getting all touchy, love how cold you are to the touch!" Ero giggled and pecked her Senpai on the cheek in response. "But I'm glad to hear your fire's starting to burn bright again. You know how sad Hayato would've been if you were all cold and distant and sad?"



Yuuki laughed, closing her eyes slightly as the thought of Saki entered her mind. Every time she saw her this week, the girl was trying to retreat into her own shell. And no matter what she had said, she had been unable to get through to her. That was what ultimately gave birth to this doubt. But no, she had simply been wrong. She should just keep trying. Just as MIkai would do.



"Sadder than he was after I kicked his ass the first time around." Yuuki concluded, before suddenly weaving her fingers together with Ero's. "Ero. I hope you don't mind me being a little selfish, but I need to stoke this PASSION until it burns as bright as it has to. Play along, will you?"



Ero started blushing, nervously giggling as Yuuki was starting to get a little... Oh dear, she would have to apologize to Hayato if this was where it was going...



Then again... Ehehe, she could use this against him to tease him more...



---



"Hm? Kokoro-senpai? Is that you?"



Mikai thought she saw something strange as she got to the front gate of Mimoto Highschool. A girl completely clad in latex. Not unlike Yua when she was being awfully intimate and stuck with Pawn Syndrome. But the red bed of hair made it obvious that it had to be somebody else...



"H-Haaaahh? I-I'm not Kokoro Akaijin, the Valedic-" The redheaded girl tried to downplay who she was, before she noticed who had noticed her. "...Ah. Fushimi. I can't pull that kind of ignorance on a girl like you." Kokoro muttered, sighing as she started to kneel down. "And here I thought I could get in and get Himitsu's help without any issue..."



The sandy-haired girl tilted her head as she came closer, kneeling down to be at eye-level with the Valedictorian. "I'm not that dumb, Kokoro-senpai. What's with Saki-senpai though? I know she barely thanked me for helping, but what's she been doing for you?"



"...B-Bring me the material that I need to stay on course." Kokoro muttered as she tried her best not to look straight into Mikai's eyes. She didn't want to look into anybody's eyes, because then her Pawn Syndrome would force her to obey. Part of why she had been isolating herself to try and focus. Because her pride had bit her so much in the butt. She thought she could simply focus her way through the syndrome and its after effects, and now she was paying for it. And her pride refused to let her go seek treatment despite how easy it was! Because she wanted to punish herself for her misdeed!



Mikai nodded and smiled. "Then let's go find her. I'm sure she'll help and apologize. And after thaaaat..." She chimed before grabbing Kokoro by the shoulders. "We need to fix your Pawn Syndrome. Okay, Kokoro-senpai?"



Kokoro froze and slowly nodded, her eyes gleaming slightly red as the latex around her face started to expand slightly. As if her latex-clad face was expanding into a full PAWN hood...



Only for Mikai to gently flick the expanding latex, smiling as she helped her Senpai back onto her feet. The girl was so much taller than her, but she was so submissive. Kinda like Saeko but worse off. At least what Yumeko had told her was working. She just needed to use a slightly firm hand, and then anybody that still suffered from Pawn Syndrome would listen to her.



She wasn't going to do this often! No way, not her style. But Kokoro was a special case! The valedictorian was practically all latex at this point! If she didn't do anything, then she was going to end up in a hole that was going to end up even deeper than before.



And she had been there! She didn't want anybody to end up in a hole that deep. So if she had to be firm, that's just how things were going to be. And if she needed to be firm with Saki too, then she would!



For now, the two were going to find Saki. After that, straight to the Doctor for a treatment...



---



"...Why are we here..?"



Saki muttered as she followed Claudia into one of the changing rooms. It wasn't time for Gym class. Nor would they find anybody that was uncomfortable with their current situation in their classes. She knew that much, she had been doing her best to help those that needed it before everything went wrong. Before she was seduced by the power. The very same seduction that was now causing her pain, even just the thought of what she had done and thinking that it had been a bad thing was causing her body to tremble...



"Just trying to expedite the whole process. You and I both know that ol' D'Or needs more people to be free. And the only way to do that is to offer them the wish they desire. After that, they rampage a bit and they end up better off. Trust me, that's how it went back when I was still a lost cause." Claudia said, before stopping in front of one of the lockers...



The tall blonde slammed her upper arm into the locker, causing every single locker door to suddenly shoot open, and for a short black-haired girl to roll out. A short mess of a girl whose hair looked as greasy as it could be, and her spectacles covered up her eyes. Combine that with wearing a long-sleeved uniform and full pants, and she looked anything but confident in herself.



"W-W-" The girl cried out, before gasping as she noticed who had revealed her hiding spot. "H-Himitsu-senpai! A-And... U-Uhm..?" She quieted down, because she really didn't notice the tall blonde. She was a transfer student, she knew that, but... Who..?



"Yo. Claudia's the name. But you can call me Bison too. That's who I'm here as right now." Claudia was anything but secretive, as she reached into her exposed cleavage...



Only to stop as Saki grabbed her wrist. Eyebrow raised, especially as she felt the girl's hand grow weaker literally seconds after she grabbed her. "You wanna do this?"



"Just... Just wait." Saki muttered, as she weakly let go of Claudia. "You... You're... Negasu Renai, correct? Interested in foreign studies, especially the stories about foreign Monsters that left an impact upon history like the Djinn, the Dullahan, and Fae-like creatures that both could be associated with..?"



Negasu trembled and nodded as she slowly got back onto her feet. "I-I'm surprised that you'd remember, H-Himitsu-senpai! W-We only had a few talks during the start of the semester, but you really helped me with my electives! A-And... A-And when you told me to hide the best you could when the Pawns started to appear, I took that to heart and made that locker a second home..." Despite her worried tone and her incredibly fearful stance, she sounded genuinely appreciative of what Saki had done for her.



Something that hurt Saki so much more. Especially since she could feel her other self's blinding influence weighing down on her. Burning her for not simply protecting the girl and ensuring that she wouldn't be harmed due to her own actions. "...I'm.. I'm glad." She muttered. She didn't have it in her to tell her to keep pursuing her dreams. She didn't feel like she had the right. And those words that kept echoing through her mind... Her words just made that even more of a truth...



Negasu watched her Senpai tremble like that. And with tears in her eyes, she turned to the blonde, whose hand was still in her bosom. "B-Bison, r-right? B-Bison sounds like one of those Golden Freedom girls that Senpai warned me about..! P-Please, give me one of those Rings..! I want... I want to help her!"



Saki's eyes widened. No. No no. She... She shouldn't..! And yet, if she did, then she could protect her..! But if she transformed, then she'd be even in even more danger..! Her mind was tearing itself apart, and all she could do was watch...



"Already got a wish in mind, I see!" Claudia smiled as she plucked a ring out from her cleavage, before flicking it towards the short student like she'd flick a coin into the air. "Just put it on and start wishin'. The Joy from your wish will transform you into a Jõtaijin and help you. Don't worry about runnin' too wild, it'll be over before you know it."



Negasu didn't understand much of what Claudia was saying, but the 'wish' resonated with her. She didn't want to see her Senpai in pain like that. She didn't! And if she had to transform into one of those 'Jõtaijin' to help her, then she would!



Her Senpai watched, horror filling those eyes as the golden glow started to swallow Negasu once the girl put the ring on. She couldn't do a thing to stop her. And Claudia seemed far too pleased with all of this. Just as she had been in the past. But that was when she was drunk on power. When she thought she could protect them by making them hers... N-No, she... She...



The golden glow definitely swallowed Negasu. So much so that the girl shrank further and further. Until she was barely the size of an arm... Or even just two fists pushed together...



As the golden glow vanished from Negasu's body, what remained in her place was... A lamp? A very shoddy old lamp, stylized like the kind you would find in the eastern territories. Just clearly fake and mechanical like it belonged in a theme park.



"C'mon." Claudia said as she plucked the lamp off the ground, and put Saki's hand up against it. "You know how the Genie in the Lamp works, don'tcha? Rub it and get a wish."



A wish. If only things were that easy. Yet at the same time, Saki couldn't stop herself from rubbing the lamp. If only to free the girl from her tiny prison, so that the weight on her conscience would lighten ever slightly...



Instead of a steady stream of smoke leaving the lamp, it sounded like a firework went off. Smoke practically exploding out of the lamp as a curvaceous woman flew up to the ceiling, before rapidly descending until she was face to face with Saki, leaning forward like she was resting on top of a cloud. When in reality, she was floating, thanks to her lower half being made out of a stream of star-emitting smoke.



Her skin was very clearly tanned, and her hair was themed after the star spangled banner. Red and blue strands interwoven with white and stars plastered all over her long mane. And instead of wearing veils that made her look like a proper Genie, she was wearing the very same flag she was themed after. Even if that very same flag was being stretched out by her generous curves, to the point where you could only see a couple of stars on both her top and her bottom. And that wasn't even mentioning the 'Wish' and '1$' printed on her cheeks, accentuated by the stars surrounding each...



"Thank you for freeing me, Master! I, Dollar Genie, will grant your innermost wish! Just say the word, and I'll make it real! Infinite cosmic power is at my freed fingertips, and your Joy is my command!" 'Dollar Genie' wanted nothing more than to make her Master happy, and her star-filled eyes made that all-too-clear.



Saki didn't know what to think. Or say. Or do. All she could do was simply gaze towards Claudia. Knowing that she wouldn't have the answer for her. Knowing that she would simply urge her to move forward...



"C'mon. You've got a wish, don't you? You look miserable, you must have something you've got in that heart of yours. You fought so hard to protect ol' D'Or and Bat last week, you should have something!" Claudia tried to sound encouraging. Even if she didn't truly understand what Saki was going through.



The blue-haired girl closed her eyes. Blinded by her other half's radiance the moment she tried to isolate herself, causing her eyes to open weakly as she gazed back at Dollar Genie. She...



"I... I wish..." The words left Saki's lips, as she let her head hang. "I wish I knew what to do." She was lost. So lost...



Dollar Genie frowned a bit and crossed her arms. "Iiiii..." She started mulling over the wish, before looking at the big blonde. "You got a wish, or an idea?" She wanted to grant that wish, but it was kinda hard to do so. Really interpretative wish. And she wanted to make Saki happy, not trick her like a genie normally did.



"Just do what comes natural to you, smokey." Claudia said as she put her hands behind her head. "I'm sure she'll thank you after." She chimed, before turning around and leaving. She had work to do, now that this incident had begun.



The Jõtaijin nodded as she clapped her hands together. "Alright! One bit of important knowledge, comin' right up!" She cried out, exploding into the air once again like the firework she was...



Not just into the air of the room she was in. But out into the rest of the school as well. And as a result, stars started to rain down. Stars of Joy and Freedom, the conduit for her Master's wish to be granted..!



Saki didn't struggle as the stars descended upon her. Only letting out a soft and dainty giggle as she felt a strange sense of calm fill her. A sense of calm that swept over her mind bit by bit... Bit by...



Huh... What was... What was she thinking about..? What had she been doubting..? Had she been thinking..? That didn't sound right at all... Not right at all...



The blue-haired girl simply smiled as she started sitting down in a chair that formed beneath her. A chair that was perfect for a girl like her. Especially as her hair started to weave around itself...



Saki was left with a beehive for hair, all while the rest of her body started to grow nice and dainty and soft just the same. Her body didn't need to be prepared for combat, nor did she need to look so sharp. She just needed to be pretty to look at, as she'd sit there...



Like the wife she was. Clad in a soft polka-dotted dress that left plenty up to the imagination as she sighed so sweetly... She didn't need to think at all. She just needed to sit there and wait for her lover to come...



All so she could keep on being pretty... Keep on not thinking... Simply sit there and look pretty like the wife she was...



---



"I don't like the sound of that."



Yuuki said as she removed her arms from around Ero. As much as she wanted to keep dancing with her and increasing her PASSION, the sound of that firework was far too concerning.



"Mmmhm, that sounded like a Jõtaijin going off. Far too loud for our little moment, don't you think?" Ero chimed, a bit of a blush on her cheeks. She had been blushing since the moment she started dancing with Yuuki, especially after she had suggested that they dance instead of doing something more... Intimate. But still, she had been enjoying it, so this was a bit of a dick move. Blueballed by her duty...



Only, Yuuki didn't seem too keen on playing around. If anything, she was getting a bit too cold to touch. "...Yuuuuki? You're starting to be a little too-"



Ero didn't get to finish before the ice cold spread from her fingers, which were still touching Yuuk's shoulders, all the way across her body. And Yuuki simply smiled, giving her a strong shove to get her to start sliding down the halls. Making sure to attach a flame to her on the way, so she would thaw when she was safe.



"Sorry, Ero! Keep that PASSION of yours flaring bright!" Yuuki didn't want her to end up getting caught in whatever that was. She couldn't tell exactly why she felt it was more dangerous than normal, but she couldn't afford to...



To... Uhm... What was she...



The moment that one of those stars phased through the walls and made contact with Yuuki, it was like a sun had melted away her thoughts. A sun that melted away more and more of her, as she started grinning. Even as her clothes melted off...



Revealing a flat... No, a buff chest. Her femininity had melted away just as much as her fair skin had melted away to reveal a fake tan underneath. A tan that matched her newly blonded hair as well, and the meaningless tattoos across her...



Across HIS chest. He didn't really know how or why he could feel the sun shining down on him while he was in this weird school, but he definitely needed a lil' something something. He was dressed for the beach, and he was gonna make sure he was enjoyin' every aspect.



"Heh." Yuuki, transformed into a tanned chad, smirked as he started walking down the halls. Hopefully he'd find a pair of cuties that he could have in his arms... And... Uhm...



Ah, what the hell. He didn't need to think. He just needed to have fun...



---



"What was that sound?"



Minami was the one that spoke up, but Saeko was the one that ended up looking most shocked. She could feel a certain something when that sound rang out...



"I... I think that might've been... Saki?" Saeko muttered. Had she blown up? No, that couldn't be. Darkness? No, didn't smell like it. Atlas? No, definitely not him... So what-



What... Uhm... What?



"Like... What was I thinking about..?" Saeko muttered, unaware of her body gradually starting to grow nice and tanned, with her 'Saekos' being freed from her uniform as it simply melted away. Not like she minded at all. Like, she always showed off her puppies!



Minami blinked as well, unaware of the star that had sunk into her. Just as she was unaware of her wheelchair, standing up as she started stretching. Her hair going through a bit of bleaching to wash out the white, replaced with a disgustingly fake blonde shade, just like her bestie's...



Honestly, they looked like a pair of twins with how identical they were. Especially with those cute American bikinis that clung to their boobies and their hips! They were both nice and big and blonde and busty and... and... Uhm...



"Thinkin's for dweebs." Minami giggled as she put her arm around Saeko. "Beach's probably waitin' for us, bestie! Let's goooo!" She didn't need to think. She just needed to have lots and lots of fun with her bestie!



Saeko thought that it kinda felt weird to do something like that. But if her tanned bestie, who was just as big as she was, thought that she should just go? Then she was prooooobably correct! Yeah, yeah, yeah! Yeaaaah! "Let's goooo!"



The two beached bimbos giggled as they skipped out of the library together, to try and find something fun to do. 'Cuz they didn't need to think. They just needed to have fun. Ehe!



---



"That was a bang, wasn't it?"



Mikai tilted her head, not really sure if it was a bang or not. Hand still clenching Kokoro's as she guided her through the school. "What do you think, Kokoro-senpai?"



Kokoro didn't respond. Especially not as Mikai saw a star sink into her head, causing that latex that clad her to start shifting ever slightly. Mainly in terms of plumpin' her body out a bit, and forming a straw hat on 'er head...



"Eh? Koko..?" Mikai blinked a few times, unaware of the star that just sank into her. Just as she was unaware of what she was doing. "Uhm... What was your name again, miss..?" Almost immediately after, her voice sounded a lot more sweet and dainty. And very homely too!



Kokoro shook her head, tilting her hat slightly. "Dontcha worry yer pretty little face about that stuff, Missy. Ahm just lookin' to have a good time. You got a man or a woman yet?" She sounded like she was a redneck... And given the outline of overalls forming on top of her latex, she definitely looked the part. Even if she still was mainly covered in latex...



Mikai nodded, giggling slightly as she reached into the pocket of her apron. She always wore that one on top of her dress, because she always had to ready herself for when her dearest came home. And she always wore her hair in a bun whenever she was waiting, because only her dearest deserved to see her with her hair down. "Of course I do... But maybe you'd like to keep me company until she gets here?" She chimed, wrapping her arm around the 'Redneck'. "She'll come when she smells the pie I've got for her! And you can have a slice too, for being such a charmer!"



"Gosh, you're spoilin' me, missy. Well, we'd better find her quick then!" Kokoro laughed as she walked out towards the front of the school with the dainty wife by her side. She wasn't a homewrecker, but she definitely wanted to see who the lil' dame was attracted to. Who knows, maybe she could learn a thing or two about luv from 'er!



The two wandered out to wait. So that they could both fulfill the Joy that filled them... And maybe have a bit more fun with whoever it was that they were waiting for...



---



Hayato didn’t like what he was seeing as soon as he arrived at Mimoto Highschool. Especially not due to the aura that was floating over the building…



It was a big American flag. And every few seconds, stars descended from the flag. Piercing its way through any students that happened to still be present. It was a good thing that being transformed allowed him a certain level of protection, but…



Neoheim flew forward slightly, only to be grabbed by her hood. “Hm? Is something the matter, Hayato?” She asked inquisitively, right as a star was about to hit her…



A star that was shot into pieces by Hayato, who had wordlessly transformed. His red coat blowing in the wind as he let go of the mechanical girl. “Don’t just go wandering in without a plan. Whatever’s happening, it’s not good.” He didn’t want to be protective towards somebody like her, but he also didn’t want her to literally wander into danger. He had fought against her to save Ero, the least she could do to honor that fight was be more self-preserving.



Neoheim gazed back at the stars raining down before nodding. “Understood.” She would defer to his judgment, moving behind him as the processes within her started to run at higher speeds. “Jõtai Factor detected deep within this facility. Is it a hindrance to teaching me about Love?”



“If it caused a certain pair of lovebirds to transform, it is!” Hayato grit his teeth as just hearing her say Love was enough to make his blood boil. His day just had to get worse, didn’t it?



“It’s not them.”



Hayato glanced to his side, blinking slightly at the sudden appearance of Jõtaider Dream. He had gotten the memo from Mikai, but to see the butterfly-themed Jõtaider up close and personal… It’s like he was seeing into a whole different world whenever he gazed at her armor. Wild…



“Alright, all-knowing time-girl. Who is it then? One of yours?” He asked, materializing a second pistol so he wouldn’t feel like he was being outdone.



Dream would’ve answered him, if not for the two that just made their way out of the school. The sight of which brought a big blush to her cheeks, even if that very same blush was impossible to tell due to her helmet.



“Ohhh! There she is! There’s my dearest! Yuuuuumeee!” The housewifed Mikai giggled, waving towards her armored darling. “Come on, I’ve got a big pie waiting for you inside!”



Kokoro’s latex lips parted as she whistled at the sight of the armored dame, licking her lips a bit. Mmmhm, that was a real snack. “I think she’d do just fine in my arms too. If ya’d wanna share and help teach me a thin’ or two, missy.”



“Is this Love, Hayato?” Neoheim asked, poking her head out behind the green-haired young man’s back as she observed Mimoto’s heroine having been turned into a dainty housewise. “You know Love as well, do you not, Jõtaider?”



Dream was unresponsive, and Hayato… Well, he was seething. Too much to be able to answer Neohein’s question. “CAN YOU STOP GETTING TRANSFORMED THE MOMENT I THINK I’M IN THE CLEAR, MIKAI?!” His childhood friend, bless her heart, had a knack for getting transformed at the worst of times.



“Now, dat’s no way to talk to a dame like that, my guy!” Kokoro said as her latex body started to bulge out. “You just wait there, missy. I’ll take care of that punk and let ya have fun with yer dame!”



Stars burst out of Kokoro as she barreled towards Hayato, whose aim was shaky thanks to the anger pouring through him. And Yumeko was still starstruck by how cute Mikai was like this, so she wasn’t going to be much help.



He wasn’t going to lose to some buff redneck pawn! He just had to pull the trigger-



“HEAVENREND!”



He didn’t have to. The flaming slash that came from above pierced straight through the latex redneck, downing her in one. And as the flames faded away, a much scrawnier young man stood in front of Hayato’s group. Armed with a flaming blade that looked far too much for somebody like him to wield…



“There you are…” Hayato muttered, clicking his tongue as he crossed his arms. Not the guy he ever expected to be saved by, but a relief nonetheless. “You don’t know how glad I am to know you haven’t been turned, Tsubasa.”



Tsubasa smiled slightly as he stabbed his blade into the ground, allowing the flames to consume it and transform the blade back into Habakiri, who stood proud at his side. “Ehe. Well, I had to make up for the fact that I was late. Momiji came over and-”



“Not now, Darling!” Momiji quickly covered up her partner's mouth as she started blushing brightly. “W-We’ll explain later. A-And, wait, that girl’s bad news, isn’t she?” She said, pointing straight towards Neoheim.



Neoheim pointed at herself, before pointing back towards the two. “True Hero and Murakumo, yes?” Her words were not full of ill intent, though they were definitely received as such. Otherwise, the look upon their faces wouldn’t be nearly as shocked…



“That was another time!” Tsubasa cried out, his glasses quickly fogging up before he let his head hang. “A-Anyway. Hayato, you’re more experienced with this than I am, you’ll know how to handle this, right?”



Hayato sighed as he turned his attention to Mikai. The girl still needed to be cured of her condition before they could be sure of anything. He clenched the trigger of his gun…



“Oh dear, Yume! Don’t let him hurt me-”



Before Mikai, corrupted as she was, tried to call upon Yumeko to try and defend her… Something managed to slam into her back, launching her straight into Hayato’s arms instead of letting her take advantage of how Yumeko had been charmed.



“Brrrrr!”



And the something in question was the partly frozen Ero, Yuuki’s flames melting away the remaining ice as she started shaking like a wet puppy. “That was awful! I’m never letting Yuuki freeze me like that ever again, even if she wants to start having fun with denial play!” She cried out, before blinking and rapidly assessing the situation. “Aha… Did I just blueball somebody?”



“Your awful sense of timing is appreciated for once.” Hayato said, gently bonking Mikai on the head with the butt of his pistol to cancel out her transformation and leave her unconscious. Perfect for him to simply hand her over to Dream. “You take care of her. We’ll take care of the Jõtaijin. I have the feeling whoever’s behind the appearance of this Jötaijin is probably going to come around soon.”



Dream nodded as she gently lowered Mikai onto the ground, her armor glowing with the same gentleness as a phantasmic butterfly wrapped around the girl. This should allow her to have sweet dreams while she was kept safe and secure…



“Alright. Tsubasa! Keep your girl close by! Neo! Don’t stray too far away! And Ero, don’t play with your food!” Hayato cried out, slamming his chest as his coat started to glow. Pride was pouring from his form, serving as protection against the stars that would’ve Americanized them like what had happened to Mikai and Kokoro. “Now MOVE!”



Hayato took point, with Neoheim sticking very close by as he had asked for. Ero winking and blowing a kiss towards the two lovebirds as she ran right after them, with Tsubasa and Momiji blushing before joining forces once more, the blade-wielding boy doing his best to keep up with the more traditional heroes…



Leaving the sole Jõtaider to sigh and gaze at her beloved on the ground. She could feel it. The air around her was filled with a certain kind of Freedom. She was coming. But which one was it? She had to steady herself regardless…



“Hah! Now that’s the kind of spirit I’d like to see from the people standing against ol’ D’Or! She’s got her work cut out for her!”



Yet another one of those stars fell from up above. But this time, it crashed into the ground not far from where Yumeko was. The star vanishing as it revealed the blonde transfer student, who still looked as ‘harmless’ as she did before…



“She recruited somebody to replace Saeko? I’m not too surprised, though I’m sure she’d hurt if she found out.” Dream said as she held her arm out, spawning a bow on the back of her hand. “If I recall correctly… Bison of Golden Freedom?”



“Done your research, Time Twister?” ‘Bison’ laughed, before popping open her top ever slightly to reveal more of her cleavage… And the golden locket she wore around her neck, which popped open to reveal an adorably tiny picture of a scrawnier Claudia in the arms of Charlotta D’Or herself. “Then I’ll indulge in the Joy of Combat, so that I can make her Dream come true!”



The golden glow consumed the blonde foreigner, immediately making her expand outward. Growing taller. Stronger. Sexier. And even more confident than she already was. Once the glow faded back into her, she had transformed into her true self…



A long mane of blonde hair capped off by a cowboy hat and a thick pair of horns. A buff body bulging with freedom. And in the place of her locket was a red scarflet that complimented her american bra, her dangerously short shorts and her leather boots. She was definitely a Bison, if not as strong as one..!



“Now c’mon, Jõtaider! Your Dream against the American Dream!” Bison shouted, as the stars of Freedom rained down to mark the beginning of their battle…



She was here to indulge and help ‘Kanzei’. But she was going to enjoy this taste of combat!



—



"HEAVENREND!"



The sound of Tsubasa pulling off the same move over and over again was getting a bit grating. But it was doing a phenomenal job, since the wave of fire practically snaked down the corridor and through anybody that might be getting in their way. Whether they were tanned beach babes that looked so chill and ditzy, or wives that wanted to shower the aggressing party in love...



"Don't end up tiring yourself out, Tsubasa!" Hayato shouted as he slammed his pistols together, transforming them into a rifle that he quickly steadied against his shoulder before nailing yet another americanized student in the head. Downing them safely and letting him empty the clip to give them some breathing room. "We don't know what's behind this exactly. If you waste all your energy now, there's no telling what might still try to take you out!"



Tsubasa panted and gasped before nodding, supporting himself on the transformed Habakiri. "I know..! But if I were to waste Momiji's feelings, then..." He said, with his sword rapidly shaking in response to his words. "S-Sorry, Momiji..."



Neoheim's eyes zoomed in on the nerd and his blade, quietly observing. "Is that Love, Hayato?" She asked, ducking out of the way of another shot that came her way as another buff brute was nailed instead. "Or are you still holding out on me?"



"It's close enough! Can this PLEASE wait until we're done!?" Hayato shouted, before turning his attention to Ero... And feeling his blood bubbling with rage the moment he laid his eyes upon her.



"Aren't you two cute? Come, I think we can have a loooot of fun together. Especially after I've given you a makeover!"



Ero... Had two tanned babes in her arms. And they were barely recognizable as the transformed Saeko and Minami. Mainly due to their hair still taking on roughly the same hairstyle despite the extremely terrible hair dye that was being used.



"Mmmmm, she sounds reaaaally fun, bestie!" Saeko giggled as she clung to Ero. "Maybe she's packing?"



"Mmmmm, why don't we check?" Minami giggled as she reached down to grab the girl's skirt. Pulling up ever slightly...



"ERO!"



Only for the tanned gals to get nailed just as they were about to get a bit too frisky. All while Ero laughed in response, carefully dropping the two girls and dusting her hands off. "It's fiiiine, they're not hurt. And I'm not corrupt either. At least, not unless you wanna see if I'd spread that American goodness with a kiss!" She chimed as she blew a kiss towards her partner...



A kiss that got shot out of the air by the annoyed Hayato. "We're close, I'm not allowing you to get transformed when we're this close!" He shouted, before realizing what he said. "Just... God, just get rid of the last few obstacles!"



He could feel Neoheim's gaze upon him. The last thing he wanted was for her to ask about the way he felt about Ero. Or the way she indulged in her lustful ways. No way. Not now.



"Obstacle? Duuuuuuuude, that's just wrong. C'mon, lemme show you a good time."



Speak of obstacles and they appear, as a heatwave started to fill the corridor. Courtesy of the masculinized and extremely tanned Yuuki further down the hall, arms currently wrapped around yet more beachy babes. All while grinning like the chad that he had become, licking his lips as his shades hid his incredibly worrying gaze...



"Oh my. Careful, Hayahaya! He's a real chad!" Ero giggled as she winked towards Hayato, all while stepping towards the tanned chad with a nice seductive sway to her hips. "Tell me, big guy. You into a gal like me?" She asked, making sure to wink and push her lips out. She was going to put on all her charm...



Hayato pinched the bridge of his nose, all while Tsubasa was starting to get a little too heated at the sight. Him and his blade too, given the way it began to burn away at the floor. Or maybe those were the flames of jealousy...



"Heh. Any gal's my kind of gal." Yuuki said as he started reachin' out towards Ero. Making her a piece of arm candy would be a real treat too-



"REVEAL YOUR DESIRE - INFERNAL!"



The sound of Ero's Desriver echoed out, right before her now-horned fist met the bottom of Yuuki's jaw. Launching him into the ceiling, the flames of the punch launching him arm candy just the same. All so that Ero could giggle and flash a peace sign towards her partner.



"Mmm, but there's only one guy for me. Isn't that right, Hayahaya?" She chimed, full of her own kind of Pride. After all, he had put everything on the line before. So she knew he was the only one for her, and vice versa. Ehe!



Hayato refused to answer. His red cheeks covered his face as he ran past her. They were almost at the goal, her antics weren't going to stop them!



And then... Maybe then, he could get that damned dragon to understand that 'Love' she so craved..!



---



"Aww, playing keepaway? No wonder you've been in the shadows if you can't take a hit!"



Dream could feel her body working overtime as she jumped out of the way of another slam against the ground. The crater left behind by Bison's punch was star-shaped, and the more she performed that simple maneuver, the more the stars kept multiplying. Her room to dodge was diminishing the more she tried to get away.



"You're not going to let me finish you off, so why should I go all out?" She said, as she raised her arm to the sky above. "But if you want somebody to tango with, I've got one! From the depths of my dream, come to my aid!"



Dream's wings bloomed on her back as she launched an arrow into the air, with the arrow falling back down as quickly as it was flung into the air. Opening up a portal to another timeline, another bad end for her..!



Bison grinned as a latex-clad woman climbed out of that portal. She looked like any ordinary Pawn, but it was clear from the power radiating off her... She was a Pawn on the verge of maturing into a Queen. "Heh. So that's how you do your little Time Twistin' business, eh? That meant to be another version of you?"



"More or less. A version of me that was not meant to be. A Pawn in the grand scheme, more so than usual." Dream said, letting her hand sink until it was at level with her pawned counterpart. "Dream Queen, on the offensive! Before you bloom and cause havoc!"



The Pawn, the 'Dream Queen' to be, responded to the commands of her current Mistress. And like the obedient minion that she was, she charged forward. Arms bulging out with the strength of a Rook to meet the challenge ahead...



Only to bump her domed head straight into another. The sight of which caused Dream to stagger. No... How? It didn't make sense, Bison wasn't... But how..?



It definitely wasn't possible for Bison to be a time traveler. She was sure of it. And yet, it seemed like she had tapped into the very same timeline that she had. Allowing for her to pull out another copy of this 'Dream Queen', except she was... Covered in... American colors..?



"How'dya like it?" Bison grinned as she tipped her hat, her eyes flashing bright white like the American Stars that made up her irises. "This is my American Dream! Anythin' you can do, America can do better! I don't know, and frankly don't care how you access all that time twistin' nonsense! But as long as I get the gist, I can make it my own! Now, American Dream Queen! Butt heads with your other self!"



American Dream Queen responded to the Golden Freedom that had brought her to this timeline, the star underneath her that had brought her here glowing ever brighter. All while it caused her star-studded arms to expand with muscle as she was locked into a struggle against her other half...



Dream bit her lip slightly. Very well, she had to develop a new plan for the future. But one glance at Bison made it clear that she wasn't out of the woods just yet.



"Then let the game of cat and mouse continue, Bison. You'll find it difficult to make this Dream end!" She shouted, as she began to go on the defensive once again. Dodging preemptively, even as the blonde came running towards her.



Hayato and the others just had to finish the job. She just had to hold out!



---



"New Masters! Wonderful, wonderful!"



Hayato narrowed his eyes as they broke into the locker room that was meant to house the Jõtaijin, only to see that it had transformed from a locker room into a full-on palace throne room. And who else but Saki would be on that throne? Of course it had been her fault...



Yet at the same time, she didn't seem to be too aware of herself. She simply sat there. Happily smiling. Gently smiling. As if she was a mere spectator to all of this. And the real source of the trouble happened to be sitting on her lap...



A mechanical brass lamp, a piece of junk really, that was spewing out fireworks that formed the Dollar Genie that was resting on the very same throne Saki was sitting on. In fact, it looked like she was laying on the girl's lap. Like her sexy concubine who couldn't keep her hands off her Master...



The green-haired young man pointed his firearm straight at the lamp, pulling the trigger without as much as a second thought. Only to grit his teeth as his bullet was met by a tiny firework knocking it out of the way...



"Ah-ah. No touching without your fingers. Besides, you wouldn't want to harm her, would you?" Dollar Genie chimed as she clapped her hands together. "Now, how did you five not end up filled with Free-" She paused, before wincing as she caught a whiff of a very proud scent. "Gross. What is that?"



"It seems like your odor is less than desirable, Hayato." Neoheim added, exaggeratedly sniffing the air to get a whiff herself. "Indeed, it seems most foul. Was this caused by your barrier?"



"I don't know what either of you two are talking about." Hayato added, turning his attention towards Ero. Only to turn away one second later as he could read her expression quite clearly. "Just go over and get the lamp."



Ero giggled as she skipped on closer, her own armor ensuring that she wouldn't be getting affected. "Y'mind if I make a little wish on you, Genie-cutie? There's a little somebody that needs to learn what I want for once. Y'know, besides aaaaalll the things I've told him I'd like."



"Nope! Not playing along with your kind! You're not playing along with her wish, so I'm not playing along with you!" Dollar Genie cried out as she flew straight through Ero, Hayato, and Neoheim as well. All so she could get to the pair in the back that were a lot more vulnerable than they were. And to make sure that the other three didn't interrupt, she flew around Tsubasa and covered her and the boy in a cloud of fireworks. Not dangerous to him, but definitely good enough to keep the others at bay.



Tsubasa felt his body trembling as the sexy genie came his way, stuttering and gasping a bit as she placed her finger on his chin. Even as his sword started rumbling, Habakiri not pleased with the way he was being seduced. "I-I... W-What do you want from me?"



It wasn't hard to hear Hayato trying to yell at him and tell him that he shouldn't listen. But she was... Oh, how he wished wasn't into situations like these right about now...



"Just a little wish from a big man like you. You know, she just wished to know what to do. I'm sure you've got a muuuuch easier wish for me to grant. You're a boy, after all. A boy with a bunch of haaard things to think about. What about another sword? Maybe a girl for each arm? Come on. I can make your wish come true." Dollar Genie giggled as she rested her head on the backs of her hands. Waiting for his answer.



Tsubasa paused for a moment, before letting go of his sword. "I... I wish... I wish for whatever makes Momiji happy!" He cried out, right as Habakiri took a more humane form once again. He couldn't even think of something more important to wish for in a situation like this!



His redheaded partner blushed and gasped in shock, especially as the Dollar Genie then approached her. "W-What? I-I'm not going to tell you what makes me happy! T-That's for my Darling to know!" She cried out, glaring at the Dollar Genie through her single optic...



"Then let's turn it around instead." Dollar Genie giggled as she pulled the same maneuver, lifting Habakiri's chin up with a single finger. "What do you wish for, girl? Whatever you wish for is going to make him really happy, you know? You just have to say it, and it'll all come true..."



"I.. I..! I wish for whatever makes my Darling happy!" Habakiri didn't need much time at all to decide. Making the exact same wish as Tsubasa did, just pointed towards him. An infinite loop of wanting their beloved to be happy!



The Jõtaijin blinked several times over as her eyes started to spin, stuttering and stammering. "W-Wait, how am I meant to grant this? I mean, Himitsu-senpai's wish was bad enough, I just had to guess, but how can I make either of you happy?! Do you even need my help in the first place!?" She cried out, the paradox not doing well with her mind...



Hayato paused outside the barrier before a smile started to work its way onto his lips. Well. That sounded like just what he needed to hear. "Neo. That? That's Love!" He cried out, raising his arm to the air. "And now..! RESONATE!"



A bright golden light shone from the two within the barrier, a light that shot straight towards the Pridriver. Filling his device with that coalesced emotion, as two medals shot out towards him. Two nearly identical medals that depicted a pair of blades. One that matched Habakiri, the other looking a lot darker and more intimate... Not that he recognized the second one, but hey, two blades for the price of one..!



Neoheim watched both the love on display, and Hayato at the same time. Her chest growing warm at the sight of him pulling off something new. Could she do the same with the Young One..? Perhaps augment her own abilities using the feelings she was beginning to understand...



"When did you figure out how to do that?" Ero shouted as she caught the darker medal, clicking open her Desriver as she slotted the medal into its intended slot. "Lady Hopper never told me about that function!"



"Just now!" Hayato cried out as he slotted his in as well, slamming his Pridriver shut. "The Hopper System and its variants are Jõtai, right?! If Mikai can change her form and synchronize with others, why shouldn't we be able to!? I transformed my Medal into its own thing before, I thought this might work too!" He shouted, as he threw his arm out to the side. "Now, to help those lovebirds..!"



"REVEAL YOUR DESIRE - HABAKIRI!" "REVEAL YOUR DESIRE - MURAKUMO!"



The two variants of the Hopper System cried out in tandem, Ero's voice echoing from both, as the bodies belonging to the two JõtaiKillers rapidly shifted. Their forms compressing into sharper shapes, as each of them flew through the barrier that was meant to keep them out...



Only to end up in the hands of the two 'lovebirds'. Tsubasa ending up with a copy of Habakiri's sword form, with Habakiri herself wielding a copy of the blade that her corrupted self used. She flinched for a moment as she realized what she was holding, before looking to Tsubasa for just a moment...



She couldn't hesitate once he shot her a look of complete trust and determination. That's her Darling... "Ready when you are..!" The single-eyed girl cried out, raising her blade over her shoulder as dark flames covered the edge.



"Ready!" Tsubasa cried out as he raised the pseudo-Habakiri over the opposite shoulder, flames covering its edge as well!



"W-Wait, hold on, I still haven't granted your wishes-"



"HEAVEN'S CROSS!"



Dollar Genie might've tried to talk the two out of it. But they weren't having it. Slashing at the very same time, their blades just barely missing one another as they slashed diagonally through her, with the flames generated from both their slashes launching the Jõtaijin straight through the barrier she had put up. Straight at the girl that was at the center of this accursed wish..!



The slash flew and flew, before striking its intended target. Shattering the lamp that kept Dollar Genie in check, and shattering the throne that held Saki at the very same time. With both of those destroyed, the golden Freedom that had transformed the school started to vanish. One little thing at a time...



Including the transformation that kept Dollar Genie stable, causing her to transform back into the unremarkable and sheepishly dedicated Negasu Renai. Who was currently completely out cold thanks to the love-filled slash she had been hit by.



"Love..." Neoheim muttered as she put her hands on her chest. Yes... This was exactly what that was, wasn't it? She would have to study it more... But this was a wonderful taste test...



Tsubasa and Habakiri both collapsed as they let go of their respective blades, panting and gasping as their hands intersected. The two just barely able to hold hands after that, smiling as they were by each others' sides...



"Alright. Never doing that again." Hayato muttered after transforming back from being a sword, plucking the Habakiri medal from his Pridriver. At least he had properly Resonated with their love. One more option in combat, even if he never wanted to become a sword unless absolutely necessary.



"Awwww. But I'd loooove to wield you, Hayahaya! And I'm suuuure you're looking forward to wielding me!" Ero giggled as she started wrapping her arms around her grumpy partner, who refused to look her in the eye as he turned another shade of red from having her be that close...



All the while none of them realized that Saki had managed to get up. Nor that she had left without saying a word...



---



"Ooop. Caught you when I stamped the Tenth State in. And yet the fun's already over!"



Dream panted as she found herself currently laying within a star-shaped crater, her armor cracked as she had run out of room to dodge. Not the same spot that Bison had punched, so the tall blonde wasn't on top of her. But still, not a good look...



"Knew you wouldn't be sticking around..." Dream muttered as she slowly pulled herself up, casting a glance towards the two Dream Queens... And the way that her copy was currently busy serving as a throne for the American copy. Not a good look at all...



Bison grinned as she tipped her hat. "Just a warmup for now. Can't go all out when we've barely started. Besides, you're still shakin' off a bit of rust of your own, aren'tcha, Time Twister?" She said, before reaching into her pocket and pullin' out a Jõtai Coin. Flippin' it and catching in the air before it even had a chance to land on either result. "Let's just call this one a draw for now. I'll be seein' ya 'round! Make sure that lil' Lady's up for a bout next time 'round!"



With that, and another cheery laugh from Bison, the Golden Freedom's newest agent vanished in a puff of American smoke. She had seen through her and turned her own power against her. Good grief. Perhaps she should take a moment to train with Saeko, develop a strategy against the hulking girl...



For now, Yumeko disengaged her own transformation and pulled herself out of the crater. Walking over to Mikai, who was still wrapped in her soothing Butterfly. "Sorry to wake you from your sweet dreams, Mikai, but I can't let you just sleep on the ground outside school."



Mikai yawned the moment that Yumeko laid her hand on her cheek, blinking rapidly as the gears started to turn around inside her head. She wasn't completely aware of what had happened, but she definitely remembered suddenly feeling awfully dainty. "Yumeko, did I do something dumb?" She asked as soon as she sat up, before taking a whiff of the air around her. "Why do I smell pie..?"



"You were caught up in some sort of Jõtaijin scheme. Don't worry. It's all over now. We can go home and relax the rest of the day." Yumeko said, as she helped Mikai all the way onto her feet. "As for the pie... Well, you were turned into a housewife. And... Uhm, I... I..." The words simply didn't want to leave her mouth, as she started blushing over what had distracted her...



Mikai snickered slightly. "I didn't know you were into that, Yumeko! I mean, I don't think I can cook a good pie, but I'd try if it would make you happy!" She laughed, especially as Yumeko turned slightly brighter red in response...



Though there was something nagging at the back of her mind. Wasn't she supposed to be... Oh. Oh oh. Now she remembered. "Wait just a bit, okay, Yumeko? I gotta get somebody first. This'll just take a few minutes!"



Just like that, she ran off. Barely giving Yumeko the chance to ask where she was going. But knowing Mikai... Well, it would turn out alright. That's all she could hope for.



As for the thought of pie by Mikai... Well, she was going to have sweet dreams about Mikai baking her pies tonight, that much was certain...



---



"I-I did it again... I did it again..! I wasn't supposed to..! I wasn't..!"



Saki was muttering as she slowly staggered her way out of the back entrance of Mimoto Highscool. Panting as her body was practically burning thanks to her own guilt. And not just her own guilt...



But also the sun shining behind her. That overpowering sun, with her other self hovering in front of it. "You weren't. You were supposed to prove that you were a Hero. You were meant to protect her. To take charge. But you refuse. You think that you can gain what you want by truly understanding those you're meant to protect. A HERO DOESN'T NEED TO UNDERSTAND! SHE PROTECTS THEM WITHOUT GRATITUDE, WITHOUT REMORSE!"



The words were powerful. The words were heavy. Saki, already ailing from her own nature fighting against her, collapsed onto the wet grass as she couldn't move another step. Not when her own heart was trying to tell her that she was wrong. Not when her heart was telling her that being a Hero truly meant throwing everything away for the sake of making them safe, regardless of what they wanted..!



She... She couldn't... Even if being unable to meant that she'd be throwing away what lives fell for her sake..!



She just..!



"Saki!"



A voice. A voice full of hope. A voice that caused Saki yet more pain to hear, as she covered her ears and let her head fall onto her knees. She didn't want to hear it. Not that voice..!



"Her..." Her other half grit her teeth as Mikai approached. "You mustn't listen to her. She's poison. She knows not what she deserves. She's a fraud! A mistake! She's meant to be protected! TO BE DEPENDENT ON US!" She shouted, her hate and vitriol towards Mikai perhaps greater than anything else...



Mikai panted as she came upon the fallen figure of Saki. And she didn't need to think twice about what to do once she saw what she was going through..!



"Saki! Listen to me!"



Saki's eyes flew open. Not because of the voice that she was trying to block out. But rather, the arms that were wrapped around her. Arms that she didn't deserve to be hugged by. She slowly but surely pulled her head out of her hands, as her eyes drifted towards Mikai...



"No! DON'T LOOK AT HER! STOP!"



The voice in her head was loud. It rang through Saki's ears. But... The light that shone from that blinding sun... It was dimming. Because a gentle shade was eclipsing it...



"M...Mikai... W-Why... Why are you..." She muttered, even just speaking the girl's name made it feel like pins were trying to sink into her. "I... I don't... I don't understand..."



"I don't either!" Mikai cried out, hugging Saki tighter as she turned her Senpai towards her. No. Not her Senpai. Her FRIEND. "But you look miserable! You look just like I did when I was sinking! When Kimiko had her claws in me, when I couldn't listen to somebody else! So I'm not letting go! Not after everything you tried to do!"



"SHUT UP! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT UP! YOU'RE THE REASON WHY! THE REASON! YOU AND EVERYONE THAT DARES TRY TO GET IN MY WAY!"



The shrieking intensified. Yet at the same time, it didn't... It didn't feel like it hurt nearly as much. Though that didn't stop the tears from rolling down Saki's cheeks. "What... What do you mean..? I... I hurt you, Mikai. I hurt you and tried to control you and... And I turned Saeko against you because I was... I was petty, and... I wanted to be the only Hero... And then... And then the world started ending..!"



"I know! I know you did all of that! But you did it because you thought it was right, right!? You did it because you wanted to protect me, and you wanted to protect Yuuki-senpai! And everyone else!" Mikai cried out in turn, her eyes locked onto the crying girl's own. "And when... And when I was trying to push everyone away because Kimiko had broken me..! You still tried to reach out! You tried! I didn't take your hand, but you tried! And you helped the best you could! Because you understood how you had messed up! So I won't forgive you for what you did to hurt me... But I also won't let the voices in your head, or whoever else might be tormenting you, drag you down when you're way better than they think you are!"



"SHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUPSHUTUP-"



The Eclipse formed by Mikai's kindness... Drowning out the searing pain caused by the blinding Sun...



"I... I... I'm scared, Mikai... I'm scared!" The waterworks had turned on. Saki was hugging Mikai back, pulling her as close as she could as the tears just kept running. "I'm scared of everything I do... E-Everything that I do will just make things worse..! I-If I just stop using my powers, you'll get hurt... I-If I keep using my powers, I'll hurt you... A-And worse, it's all played into their hands..! I'll turn into one of them if I keep going..! The same kind of people that killed my family... Mommy..! Daddy! Big Sister..! Little Brother..!"



She sounded so vulnerable. And yet despite that, Mikai kept hugging her. Rubbing her on the back. Even if it wouldn't help, she had to try. Being there for a girl who desperately just needed help. Just as she once did. She wasn't going to let anybody end up like she did...



"I don't know the answer, Saki... I don't have your powers. And I'm not you." Mikai said, before gently pressing her forehead up against Saki's so that they were as close as they could me. "But... I believe in you, Saki. I believe in the girl that tried to help me after realizing how badly she messed up. The girl that forged that needle so that everyone's feelings could reach me. I believe in the girl that everyone looks up to in school. That's you, Saki. Not Kanzei. Not Golden Freedom's Jõtaider. Not a girl who's being preyed upon by the Darkness. You."



That voice was still trying to scream through Saki. But right now, as she saw that steadfast hope and trust that Mikai was willing to put in her... She felt a relief like no other. She definitely wasn't going to just be okay after all this. But... But if she really just let herself sink in after Mikai confessed her trust in her like that...



"I... I'm scared, Mikai." Saki muttered, hugging the girl tighter once again. "But... But if you... If you really think that I'm... If you really think that I can be better... Then... Then I want to try. W... Will you help me..?"



She asked a simple request. A request she didn't feel she had the right to ask for. But she still did. Because... Because Mikai had gone through the trouble of reaching out despite it all. And she wouldn't feel right if she didn't try to reciprocate those feelings.



Mikai smiled. And she let go of Saki, holding up her pinky finger. "I swear I will. Because you were there for me when I was just getting better. Trying to reach out and help me. I want to see that part of you again, Saki. Because I think that's the real part of you. The part of you that you truly want to be.



The blue-haired girl weakly let her pinky finger wrap around Mikai's. As they swore a promise. A promise that she would do anything in the world to keep. Even if that voice in the back of her mind would try and burn her for what she had done. No matter how hard the path to making good on Mikai's trust would be...



She would stay true to this sworn promise. For the sake of the girl who had put her faith in her...