[GAME] Vanguards of Hope

Upon hearing that scream, Melinda's blood froze for a fraction of a second. She quickly shook her head to clear the millions of worst case scenarios that tried to descend upon her. Now was not the time to freeze, now was the time to get the job done.

She retrieved her automatic and gave it a quick inspection. As her fingers worked, so did her mind. Alice was close. The scream told her that. Therefore... she had a plan.

Finding it in usable condition, Melinda lowered it to her side and cast a quick glance at MegaYellow.

"Time's not on our side, here. If you draw their attention, I think I can sneak around to Alice and activate our transformations. That would open up a second front behind these guys and allow us to massacre them quickly and cleanly. What do you think?"

---

It felt like her mind was being turned inside out. Alice could feel the darkness, sealed within her human form, within twisting and writhing in a desperate attempt to claw its way to freedom. At any moment it felt like it was going to burst free of her and devour fish-face down there. If it did that, it would probably take her along for the ride.

Alice twisted against the ropes that held her fast, but to no avail. She couldn't get even a hint of slack in them. It was probably a waste of effort anyway-- efforts that would be better spent keeping her dark side under control.

"Yeah, about that." She snarked at the lead occultist, drawing strength form those words and using them against the darkness within. "I actually hate cleaning and I definitely don't do windows. So, I'll pass, thanks."

"Let's give him a double dose." Meteor said as he leaped into the air.

"Right." Wizard ran his kick-strike ring through the hand-scanner.

"CHOIINE DESU! KICK STRIKE! SAIKO!"

A big yellow magic seal appeared under Wizard's right foot and channeled the earth element's power into it for the finisher. Wizard did a few somersaults and jumped to follow the young man in destroying Lizardman. Both of them kicked Lizardman into the wall of the mansion as it exploded against the wall.

Reika nodded to Melinda in agreement as she reached for her holster.

“That’s probably the safest way to go about it, but just in case you get in trouble take this.”

Taking her mega sniper Reika separated the gun into two and handed Melinda the smaller pistol, it would mean she couldn’t combine her guns but underground even in such a large cave an explosion would likely be far more dangerous.

“I’ll go get their attention, wait a few minutes before heading forward.”

Reika advised before heading off, while she had recovered some confidence in her power after beating the two faced kaijin she wasn’t sure she could distract every single Nanashi. It would likely take something loud and boisterous, just then Reika now familiar with the sensation felt the digitiser react to her thoughts as she glowed blue. She had changed into a new form once more only this time she understood what she could do, was the digitiser adapting to her or was it the other way round? Either way Reika smiled as she created three holograms, one of each of her forms. Leaping into direct view of the Nanashi Reika and her copies stood in a sideways line. Each of them struck a dramatic pose.

“Mega Black!” “Mega Blue!” “Mega Yellow!” “Mega Pink!”

Though the copies sounded somewhat distorted compared to mega blue, it was unlikely the feeble minded Nanashi would notice. Independently mega blue thrust her hand out in a pointing gesture to her side before pulling it in front of her helmet.

“Denjin Sentai”

Now in unison the helmet symbols of all 4 of them glowed before the Reika and her illusions twisted back and punched forward.

“MegaRanger!”


Taking advantage of the moment the mega rangers reached for the mega sniper and fired rapidly, though the Nanashi wouldn’t notice at first only mega blue’s real shots weren’t aimed to miss. In that brief moment Reika smiled, despite the circumstances she was having some fun with this distraction.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hayato smiled as he wondered if Milli wanted to check the dizer more for her sake then her students. At the very least she was sleeping, after the chaos she had experienced it would hopefully do her some good.

Looking over to the comfortable coach, Hayato didn’t really see much reason to go all the way back to the inn. After quietly fixing up the coach Hayato rested back on it and covered himself with his own coat, after a quick check that his brief case was hidden next to his side he turned off the light and rested.

It was harder to get to sleep that night much to his dismay, Hayato’s mind was clouded with conflict G1 wasn’t advanced enough to take on stronger fiends by itself but could he really justify continuing its development if he could not guarantee that no one else could use his technology for nefarious purposes. Even if he could implant hidden failsafe into subsequent work what was stopping other scientists countering it. As he drifted off into sleep a final question entered his mind would his legacy be that of heroes or devils.

Cam found himself oddly disappointed with her message. He had hoped to get some sort of explanation of why this place was so important or what was going down, but all he had gotten was specific yet still vague foreshadowing. He should be worried about it, asking where the knowledge had come from or how his boss would control him. He should be demanding to know how she knew those things. That wasn't the problem. He asked about those things.

And he was ignored.

After several attempts to get more out of the woman, Cam had just given up and left. She had said her troubling peace and would say no more. The night's events were swiftly catching up and fatigue was threatening to drown him. With no leads to go on and no desire to find any, Cam decided it was time to call it a night. It wasn't a particularly long ride back to the inn, though his constant struggle to keep his eyes open made it seem like an agonizing eternity. He vaguely remembered parking the bike and stumbling up to his room. Once inside, he was faced with one last decision before sleep overtook him- whether to just crash on the couch or make the Herculean effort to make it into the bedroom and in the bed.

The couch won.

“Same goes to the both of you and good luck,†Gwen nodded lightly spotting a turnover motorcycle long abandoned by its owner during the battle. “Heh heh….right. In the meantime shall do whatever means necessary to prevent a repeat and….maybe save two for you guys. Who knows maybe find more of those guys we’ve seen earlier.†Waving goodbye taking a sprint toward the bike wishing not to jeopardize what time they had. Talk about pure dumb luck that the scratched up bike still held the key within the ignition and a spare helmet attached to the back. Fortunate to have stumbled across the bike did not necessary mean despite appearance would run after being tossed around. Refusing to breathe as the turn of the key heard the motor stuttered worded an inaudible thank you as it sprung to life. Following Cologne’s directions where he had pointed pushed the throttle.

“I really wished that you did not take someone’s bike without their permission, Gwendolyn†Cologne tried shouting as the two swerved down the streets in the direction of the university clutching tightly to the long raven-hair girl tightly as possible. It was a clear point that the small fairy was crossed addressing her by her full name at a time like the present nor being reminded technically have now stolen a bike.

“I know! I know!†Gwen replied sparing him a quick glance, “However, it is not like that I had a chance to ask properly now did I?! Besides doubt that the owner will be looking right now after fleeing for their lives when those things were flooding the streets. Listen, I promise that after this will see that it gets back to its owner.†When Cologne held not rebuttable accepted that response knowing she felt guilty all the same.

~~~~~~~~

Kamen Precrue granted that the Minotaur was amazingly fast found keeping up with it not to be proven difficult. In hasten retreat Abby was able to follow its route by the destruction left behind that had lead her at the old manor. At an outward glance the manor did not appear anything of the ordinance knew it to be anything but that.Hidden within a tree foliage stared observantly as the Minotaur went inside past the front gate resting her hand against the tree. For Harmony’s safety left the small feline behind with few of the Fairy Tones who agreed to stay behind where they’ll be safe. The answers too many of Abby’s questions lies within could not budge herself from that spot. The images flooding the masked Precure’s mind caused her hand to ball up into a fist.

Gin tossed and turned in his bed that night. What he'd initially assumed to be his standard restlessness was actually the Faiz gear belt jamming into him from every position he attempted to sleep in. 5 minutes after excruciating Gin took the belt off and returned it and it's individual pieces to the small metal briefcase and went back to bed. It was only then Gin truly felt his fatigue and sleep came soon after.

Gin awoke, or so he thought, in what he believed to be a meadow...of white grass. For a moment he mistook the long trench-coat he was suddenly draped in for the blankets which covered him before. He felt something nearing as his senses adjusted to his pseudo awake state. The sound of hooves beating against the forest floor only confirmed his feeling. He turned to find an elk of some sort standing over him. He jumped back suddenly, as did the creature that Gin quickly realized wasn't an elk, or anything he'd seen before. It seemed to stare intently at Gin, No where near as afraid of him as he was of it. Gin looked away from the creature and to the surrounding area. He was quickly absorbed by all it's surreal beauty.

â€I was wondering if you would ever get here Gin, but after the night we had I suppose it is to be expected.â€

Gin turned towards the familiar voice expecting to see the Preteen Molly and instead found an adult standing in front of him. He imagined this was what the girl would look like in a decade or so. She all but confirmed that to be the case as she explained that the environment changed them. Specifically to reflect their hopes and desires. Gin paused a moment to take in what she said regarding her own transformation. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Kids are all to eager to grow up. He hoped to himself that some how the girl would find some means of enjoying her childhood before it ended. Strangely enough the realms choice of attire for the girl have him some hope for such, if only a little.

As Molly turned towards the strange elk like creature Gin quickly gave himself the once over. Notable amongst his new ensemble was the brown fedor which rested comfortably atop his head. It was just the right amount of brown and beat up to match the long coat which hung over his shoulders, Obscuring the tan slacks, and grey dress shirt underneath.

He was bewildered to say the least when the curious elk like creature transformed into the smart brain briefcase. However, the girls words regarding the creature he perceived that shifted Gin's demeanor from curious to dour. More and more the signs pointed to fate. An inescapable destiny he was cursed to endure no matter which road he took.

Gin took the briefcase when molly handed it to him. He raised it to his face, catching his reflections off it's steel surface as molly turned away from him. His face was that of himself nearly 10 years ago but covered by a full mustache and beard that had noticable amounts of grey in it. Old and new with nothing inbetween. If they're appearance reflected their desires then it didn't take much to deduce that Gin was discontent, Even before smart brain appeared in his life. Building off of that, the film noir getup he wore had to reflect what he'd intially dreamed of and hope for out of his career as a P.I.

Almost in time with the lamenting of his life Molly turned towards Gin forcing a smile that seemed all to familiar. She mentioned the forest playing tricks on it's visitors. He didn't quite understand her implication until Gin himself heard a voice cry out from the distance. It was faint, very familiar, and for some reason he couldn't understand filled him with absolute terror. The voice seemed to grow louder with each second. Repeating the same thing over and over.

"RUN!"

it came ringing out clear as day. In that instant Gin know who it was that called to him.

His eyes lingered on the area of the forest the voice seemed to rise from. It'd take Molly pulling Gin away from the sound before his memory fueled haze began to fade. He exhaled deeply as he rose to his feet, Trying to move the horrible memory to the back of his mind, in spite of the guilt doing so filled him with.

The last of the imps fell dead as a spinning slash from Ryan's Dairen Rod removed its head.

The feline creature had barely attempted to attack him while he fought the imps. But now it was alone, and desperate. No longer did it sit back and attack at opportune moments. Now, it realized there was nothing left to do but fight.

"Byakko, return." The Rod was engulfed in light, and returned Byakko to his blade form. "I know you don't want to fight. You still have a chance to redeem yourself. Tell us where your master is."

It stared at Ryan for a few moments, seemingly confused. For several long seconds, its eyes shifted all over the place, as if looking for the answer. In a surprising move, it actually turned away from Ryan. It walked towards the door, but stopped suddenly as red bolts of lightning attacked him from nowhere.

Ryan wasn't sure if that was an attack or a obey spell, but whatever it was, it caused the beast to quickly turn back towards Ryan and attack. The lightning had given it focus, as it was clearly trying to kill Ryan now.

He ducked under an incoming swipe, following up with a leg sweep. However, it jumped over Ryan's kick, and landed a powerful knee strike to his head. Thrown back, he adjusted in mid air and landed on one knee.

"So, looks like this is going to be a fight. Too bad. I'm afraid I can't let this go on for too long."

The two warriors ran towards each other, ready to strike. At the last moment, Ryan dropped to his knees, sliding under the beast's attack, and landing a deep cut along its knee. The cat-creature fell to the ground, clutching at its wound. Ryan stopped himself, jumped to his feet, and turned towards his opponent.

"Its over. Fang Rush!" A single slash from Byakko multiple itself a dozen times over against the wounded monster. It burst into flames, giving Ryan a clear indication that the fight was over.

He turned towards his allies, who had all just completed their own fights. "Let's find the one responsible for all this. This place is already giving me the creeps."

"Hey Steve. This guy already knows we're here. So, you might as well give this door a gentle knock-knock." Draco said to the Wizard.

"Ok, guys, You may need to stand back. Because what i am about to do is something you should never try at home." Wizard said to his allies as he ran his big ring through the scanner.


"BIG! PLEASE!" a Yellow magic seal appeared and Wizard put his arm through the seal which in turn, enlarged his arm to the size of a battering-ram and punched through the door breaking it off it's hinges. It may have scared the living crap out of his allies after bashing the door in like that, especially with a big-ass hand.

"What? The guy's not going to be needing this mansion after tonight anyway. Might as well make a mess of it." Wizard said to his allies as his arm began to shrink back to normal size. It was at that moment that what Dumas said about the black book began to echo in Steve's head. It was something that Meteor and GekiBlack should know before going in the face the music.

"Oh and something you 2 should know. If we are going to beat this guy, we need to find and destroy a black book that this Rosencrantz guy supposedly draws his power from."

Zach could feel the scientific thoughts in the back of his head explaining the many different ways that what Wizard just did was completely impossible, but kept his mouth shut, knowing better. From what Wizard said, they have much bigger fish to fry.

"So this Rozencrantz guys is behind all this?" said GekiBlack, "This book... sounds like we'll need to approach it carefully. It could be more dangerous than at first appearance." Then he thought for a moment. "Although... I can't help but feel there might be more to this. A greater threat that we don't yet perceive."

"Well, let's just ask that Rozencrantz guy." said Meteor. "I'm sure with enough beatings, he'll talk."

"I doubt it'll be that easy." said GekiBlack.

"Will it ever be?" Meteor said, rather somberly. "Let's go get this guy. The longer we take, the more people might get hurt."

The small group proceeded into the next corridor.