Chidori Chinatsu: Seriously? This Is Our Magical Girl?!
Sept 7, 2021 20:48:10 GMT
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Post by SuperKamiGuy1 on Sept 7, 2021 20:48:10 GMT
"Okay, so, uh, backup a bit. What happened to the monster?"
"Oh. It blew itself up. We beat the daylights out of it and tried to interrogate it so we could find out more but then it decided to blow itself up instead. But it's all good because my magic wand explained things to me."
"Hold on now, it blew itself up? What?" She asked. "Was anybody hurt?"
"Not from the explosion, no. I threw him into the air and sealed him in with a barrier with my magic wand." Chidori explained. "This. His name is Sigmis Arcanimus. Uhm, I can explain further when the others get here."
"So you have a magic wand now and you named it Sigmis Arcanimus?"
Yes I have a magic wand but I didn't name it per say. He has his own name because he's the spirit of the wand."
"I...see."
"Trust me mom, this whole thing is weird as hell for me too. So anyway, how are you doing?"
"All things considered? I suppose I am doing alright. Relatively speaking."
"Excellent." She hugged her mother. "I'm so happy to hear that."
"We both are. But, Chinatsu, are you sure this is a good idea? That was a giant monster out there and you said there were more of them! Do you seriously expect to fight them?" Her father asked her.
"Wait, what?"
"Oh yeah, that. It's a long story, please be patient, but that thing came from another dimension, what I believe to be another universe in fact, and there are of them. It's our job, my job, to stop them." Chidori informed her parents.
"A-absolutely not! You saw all of the destruction that monster caused on its own!" Jabami insisted. "I cannot, will not, in good conscience, allow my little girl to go around fighting monsters! I can barely accept the fights you already get into and now you expect me to just accept you fighting alien space monsters?"
"...Would you get angry if I said yes?"
"Absolutely not! That is a job for Guardian and The Police and the JSSDF! Not my little girl!"
Chidori sighed. "Mom, Dad, I'm sorry, but I have to do this."
"Why? Because some magic talking wand asked you to do so?" Kiriyama asked her.
"Dad, you saw the destruction that thing caused on TV. Mom, you experienced it. You were out there with me. You experienced the suffering sphere with me. That was just the first monster. There's no telling how many more of them there could be or how strong they are or what they can do...but we all know how much destruction just how one of them can cause. I've also seen their Master. I've seen the face of our enemy and let me tell you both something: She is fear. I've never seen anything that powerful in my life. The monster we defeated was a gnat compared to her. The goal of these monsters is to awaken their Master and that is a game over for the world. I've been chosen to help fight these things and prevent that. So that's what I'm going to do. I am going to fight these monsters alongside my friends and we're going to save the world." She sighed. "I know how you feel and I understand how you feel but I know you understand how dangerous just one of those things was. Now imagine an army of them. An entire dimension of them. A countless amount of them. All backed up by something bigger and stronger than anything in the world. I have to do this. You can call it crazy, call me crazy, protest all you want, and I'm sorry but this is reality. I have to fight."
She looked at the wand in her hand and held it up. "Besides, it's not like I'm alone. I've just gotten started and I've already got one hell of a team backing me up and if Magical Girl Shows are any indication? I've probably got an even bigger team coming."
She lowered the wand. "I know it seems scary and I understand how you feel, believe me, but we can win. We are going to win. No matter what they try to throw at us."
Back Downstairs!
Takako Yoshino, Wakamura Toki, Ichika Harime and Amaya Amaterasu finally arrived at the hospital and advanced towards the front desk only to be met with a line of people still being sorted out. "Ohhhhh! Poopy!" Takako groaned. "I knew this was going to happen but come on. I just want to check in on her. She needs her friends right now." She looked to the side. "Maybe I could..."
Wakamura Toki held her shoulder. "There's been enough chaos tonight you are not adding to it. We will stand in line, get signed in, and then we can visit her. She and her parents have had a long night okay? Especially her adoptive mother. We should be mindful of that and avoid potentially overwhelming them."
"Yeah, you're right. We'll wait. That'll be good. We'll be able to calm down." She sighed and rubbed her head. "Sorry. It's been a long day."
"It's been hard for all of us. But the monster is gone now. We can take a breather now. We'll see her when we're ready."
"Hard to believe she has Super Powers now though." Amaya added as she spoke up. "I always knew she was an incredible fighter but now she's a Superhero too? This is awesome!"
"To think, she'd be the one who pulled the Sword From The Stone." Ichika giggled. "I always figured it would be Phoenix honestly."
"Did she ever try?" Takako asked.
"Once or twice but she didn't put her all into it. She told me that she wasn't the one it was waiting for. I didn't quite get it at the time, but now I understand that Kami was waiting for this exact moment in time for his Chosen One to pick up her blade."
"Wooow. Am I rubbing off on you, Harime?" Amaya teased.
"Maybe. Don't get me wrong, I believe in tolerance, understanding and resolving conflict peacefully, but I also fully believe in vanquishing evil whenever it rears its ugly head and tonight? We were attacked by a being of pure evil."
"Where the hell did it come from though?" Toki asked as she crossed her arms. "And...how many others are there?"
"If Media and History have taught us anything, it's there is going to be a lot more where that guy came from." Phoenix informed them as she walked into the hospital flanked by Hiro and Izzy.
"Hey guys, welcome to the line!" Takako greeted.
"Now that the party guests are all here we can get this party moving." Amaya complimented.
"We'll wait in line like everyone else." Toki informed her friends. "How's the situation out there?"
"The Superheroes have everything in order." Hiro replied. "They repaired the city streets and property. The civilians are being treated now. Once they've been fixed up it'll be like the attack never happened." (I wish...Yeah they could be healed physically but an attack like this was going to leave those people traumatized for life. Everyone involved in or witnessing it is going to need help. Not to mention whatever chaos ensues internationally. This was going to be a big problem. One at a time. Let the Gov. figure out the big international stuff. We just have to do what we can.)
"It's a good thing they showed up when they did. This could've been much worse.' Ichika chimed in.
"But why the spheres?" Toki asked. "I can't wrap my head around that. At first glance it would appear to be simple sadism. But I feel like there is more to it than that. It was capturing people but it didn't take them anywhere. It didn't do anything with the. It trapped people in the spheres and moved on...then there's the fight with Chidori herself. All respect to her as a fighter but that thing could've killed her anytime it wanted. Instead it drew the fight out. Again, it seems to be simple sadism and cruelty, and I have no doubt that played a part, but it feels like there is something larger at play here."
"That's an Inspector's daughter for you." Izzy responded. "There is definitely something larger at play here. Apparently that thing was sent here from another dimension by some kind of Goddess but that's all we know. It could be that this was just the first stage of an invasion and they were testing the waters but I don't know why they would only send one guy."
"Dimensional Barriers and or a Magic Seal." Amaya offered. "It came from another dimension right? So there's a good chance the monster and his monster buddies are all locked up inside that dimension and they were only able to weaken the dimensional barriers just enough to send one guy through for now and he's trying to chaos and misery to tear down said barriers so they can invade."
The rest of the group just looked at her. "That...is...oddly plausible." Phoenix agreed. "How'd you come up with that?"
"Mahou Sentai Magiranger and Samurai Sentai Shinkenger. Infershia and the Gedoushu's plans basically revolve around breaking magical seals and causing chaos on Earth to break the seals more so they can be free and awaken their leaders and cause Hell on Earth."
"Okay then...so, uh, should we proceed forward with that as the rationale behind the new bad guys until further notice?" Hiro asked.
"Makes sense to me." Takako agreed.
The rest chimed in their agreements. Having something resembling an idea of what the bad guys were doing was better than not having any ideas at all.
"But if that's the case we should be on our guard. That thing trapped a lot of people in those spheres before it was destroyed and we have no way to tell how much pain they need to inflict before they fill up their...I don't know...meter? I guess? Yeah, their meter. That thing caused a lot of pain before it was taken out. If Amaya's Sentai Theory is correct then there would definitely be more coming and we can logically assume that they won't all have the same powers. Unfortunately we have no way of telling what's coming for us soooo we'll just have to take them as they come I guess."
"That sounds about right. But don't worry about it. We'll talk with Chidori first and then come up with a plan." Hiro said to her and the group.
"Hmmm...do you think the Paladin Organization should be contacted?" Ichika asked. "If the theory is correct, the Superheroes are going to need all the help they can get against them."
"That is a definite possibility."
The crew hung out in the line for awhile until they were able to get to the front desk and get signed in. Afterword they went upstairs and found their way to the Kiriyama's room.
"Knock knock!"
"Guys!" She stood up and embraced Takako as she ran into the room followed by a group hug with the others. "I'm so glad you made it. This...this has been a very long day."
"For everyone. But we're just glad you're okay." Hiro informed her.
"I wouldn't be here without Guardian. He saved my a...butt out there."
"It's okay Chidori. All things considered? I'll let you have the one." Jabami told her with a laugh.
"Oh good. But I'm going to save it." She high fived Ava as her friends walked into the hospital room and shut the door behind them. Chidori returned to her chair. "Good. You're all here. Get comfortable everyone. It's storytime."
"Storytime?" Toki questioned. "Did you find something out?"
"Yeah." Chidori nodded. "I've seen the face of our enemy. I know what we're up against. You're going to want to be comfortable for this."
As the group settled into the room, Chidori took a deep breath, slowly blew it out and then she told them everything she'd learned from Sigmis about The World Saints and the Abyssal Feonds and The Fallen Goddess.
"Okaaaaay...soooo...a Goddess. The enemy...is a Goddess." Hiro repeated to herself. "Even if she's a fallen Goddess...that's a bit of a mind screw." (ARIA? Do you have any files on this?)
(Sorry Hiro, I'm Blank. I have no files on these guys or their Goddess and there aren't any ties to Earth mythology as far as I know.)
(So there aren't any ties to our mythology and legends huh? Well that's a pain.)
"We're going up against the forces of a Goddess." Ava rubbed the back of her neck. "That's going to be a problem. So does that make that...thing the heroes fought in the streets....a demigod demon or something?"
"Kinda." Chidori shrugged.
"World Saints? Abyssal Feonds? The Abyss? This...Maggedon woman...I've never heard of any of it." Izzy confessed. "I'm going to have to research this now."
"S-so...does this mean my Sentai Theory was technically correct?" Amaya asked.
"Sentai Theory?" Chidori questioned her.
"Shinkenger and Magiranger. The villains are trying to cause misery and suffering and chaos to weaken a magic seal to let in more of them and overrun the Earth."
"That's strangely accurate actually."
"So that's what the monster was doing." Toki realized. "Please pardon my language here but holy ⬧︎♒︎♓︎⧫︎! H-how many people did that thing attack? How many people were suffering in those orbs or whatever they were before it was destroyed?"
"Far too many. That thing rampaged from the park into the city, capturing people in the spheres along the way." Ichika gulped. "Fortunately...as nothing too insane has happened since then we can assume however many people it captured it wasn't enough to cause any real changes." She placed her thumb in her mouth and lightly bit down on her fingernail as she pondered this. "I-I don't know about magic but this seal must be extremely strong if it's contained this Goddess and her children for so long. That must mean they'll need a lot of pain."
"That makes sense." Amaya crossed her legs. "The monsters never fully release the seal until the final episode anyway."
"Amaya...you do realize this is for real right?" Toki asked her in a harsh tone.
"I know." She replied quietly. "It's been a long and scary day. I'm coping."
Ichika rubbed her best friend's back. "It's okay. We understand. It's been scary for all of us today."
Amaya shifted her seat closer to her bestie and rested her head on her shoulder.
Toki sighed and rubbed her face. "I'm sorry. I should not have snapped at you like that."
She gave a thumbs up.
"Okay, so, Chidori?" Toki piped up. "Are you really supposed to fight these things?"
"It seems that way." She held up the wand. "Sigmis says I'm their Chosen Champion after all."
"The Chosen Champion Chidori Chinatsu. I like it." Takako complimented her.
"C.C.C.C. C4. I like that. I like that a lot."
"Uhm, okay, so...honey, darling, Chinatsu, you know we love you, but I don't think I can in good consciousness condone you fighting an alien Goddess and her army."
"Believe me mother, I understand but I have to do this. Leaving aside the destiny angle, these things are going to keep coming after us whether I'm a Magical Girl or not. If I have the tools to fight back and protect innocent people and the people I love, then I'm going to use them."
"Chidori, honey, this is different than those guys you've fought in the street or those maniacs! These are super powered monsters that for all we know might be borderline or actual DemiGods!" Her father insisted.
"Yeah. And I'm going to send every last one of them crying back to their Goddess."
"I must say Chinatsu, you have nearly everything you need. You have the heart, the will, the drive, the potential, and believe you are sitting on a munitions factory worth of potential, and a surprising amount of talent for someone completely untrained, but as you've no doubt learned in your martial arts training, talent without training is nothing. All that power won't do you any good if you don't know how to use it properly. We can teach you that. Help you get an even better handle on your powers and how to use them. I'm sure Guardian will be happy to help."
"Wait, I thought Guardian was a Tech Hero?" Takako pointed out.
"Ohhhh he is. But one should not underestimate the benefits of Super Sparring." Hiro replied.
Chidori set her wand down and rubbed her hands together gleefully with a big wide smile on her face. "When do we start?" She asked as orangish-red electricity like sparks crackled around her hands. "Wah!" She parted her hands and the sparks faded.
"Wow." Her mom noted. "So that's magic."
"Oh that's just the tip of the iceberg Miss Kiriyama." Izzy assured her. "Rest assured Chinatsu, we can start your training tomorrow. You're going to need a lot of rest tonight."
"Good idea. Maybe in the early afternoon? Or after school?" Chidori suggested. "I'm going to need to talk to my Bio-Mom about all of this too after all." She crossed her arms and legs. "And of course, I'll need to figure out a way to repay Guardian."
"Oh don't worry. I'm sure he knows." Hiro assured her gently. "You won't have to repay a thing."
"Yeah but I want too." She replied.
"Alright honey. I understand how you feel. It has been a very long day for everyone. I think it might be best if you stay over at a friend's house tonight." Jabami advised her daughter.
"What? But what about you, mom? You need me here!"
"It's okay dear. It's okay. We'll be alright here. I just need to rest." Her mother reached out and held her hand. "We'll be okay but you need to rest too dear. If anything happens we'll call you. We'll keep in touch and you can come see us again first thing in the morning. We'll be home again before you know it."
There was a moment of silence before Chidori gave in. "Alright. Okay. I'll let you two sleep here. But just keep watch okay? If anything seems weird or scary, call me right away."
"We will dear. Don't worry."
She embraced her adoptive parents and then she stepped back and turned to her roomful of friends. "Okay! So....who am I staying with?" She laughed.
Toki did a headcount. "Well there is certainly a lot of us." She paused to consider the situation. "Alright. Hiro's house is about as secure as my own while having the benefit of being larger so we will have an easier time fitting everyone inside. If that's okay with you of course."
"Sure! The more the merrier. Provided you call your parents and okay it with them first. You'll also have to stop by your houses anyway to grab toothbrushes, clothes and other personals."
"Ava and I can teleport so if you get the go-ahead we can help you gather everything you need for the sleepover." Izzy offered.
"Oh hey can I do that?" Chidori asked.
"With training." Izzy and Ava replied simultaneously.
"Coool."
(ARIA? Take a note: Look into teleportation tech. I don't want to feel left out.)
(Noted, Hiro.)
(Thank you, ARIA!)
"Great! I'll call my mom and dad straight away!" Amaya stepped out of the room.
Toki looked at her own phone. "Oh. Wonderful. My mom is already here. I will be right back. Please excuse me." She bowed and exited the room.
"Then I shall call my grandmother as well. Please excuse me." Ichika bowed her head and exited the hospital room.
"Ahhh! This is going to be so much fun!" Toki hugged Chidori and she laughed and patted her on the back. "I'll call my mom and be right back!" She hurried out of the room.
"Ahhh." She sighed happily. "How about you, Hiro? Are you going to call your brother and sister and let them know what's going down?"
"I already called and let them know we're all safe on the way here but you're right. They should know about a potential sleepover just in case everyone agrees. One second please." Hiro stood up and bowed to her friends and Chidori's adoptive parents and stepped out of the room.
"Well you know we're in."
"Thanks Ava."
"Soooo....A God, huh?"
"Goddess but yeah." Chidori drummed her fingers on her pants legs. "Any advice?"
"Well first of all, can we see Sigmis?"
"Sigmis? Sure." Chidori held up her wand. "Hey hothead! You heard her. My magic friends want to meet you. Come on out!"
A flame jumped out of the wand's head that only Chidori, Ava and Izzy could see. It landed on Chidori's shoulder and turned into a small little imp made of fire. It kicked its feet and waved to the two magic users.
"Holla! Mine own nameth is Sigmis Arcanimus!" The Fire Imp greeted them.
The Fire Imp sniffed the air. "Huh...Ok little guy, come on out! No use going stealth as I can sense you lot"
A scoff came and the white ferret appeared on the top of the bookshelf. It's crimson eyes glared daggers' at the IMP.
"Ah there you are old fellow! Long time no see eh" The Fire Imp smiled while placing his hands on his hips in a heroic pose(for some strange reason I picture him in Ninjor's voice)
'I thought I smelt a wet rat. Amazed to see you alive after all these centuries'
'Go **** yourself right back Lava Troll'
Looking up Ama made a face that she'd usually make whenever she sees something unbelievably Kwaii. "EEEEEEEEEE!!!" Squeed Ama, which caused everyone(sans Ava) to wince.
"Come here!" She outstretched her hands upward, "Come on little guy! There's nothing to be afraid of"
'Fear nothing! I was only scouting a potential prospect before the Dwarf interrupted my surveillance. Speaking of...' It glanced at Hiro and sniffed the air. 'Ahh. The same scent as that Guardian during the monster attack' It got up to it's feet and crouched like it was about to leap from the bookshelf. It leaped and glided from the bookshelf and towards Hiro. "Woah!" With one arm Hiro hugged the ferret while it lays comfortably on Hiro's chest.
"Full of surprises aren't you. Just watch the claws there, little guy" Hiro pets the creature with her other hand as the creature purrs affectionately.
"...Ferrets can purr? I thought they chirped?" Chidori questioned. "Wait you two know each other?" Chidori asked Sigmis.
"Ours is a longeth and complicat'd tale involving timeth and dimensions, Chinatsu. To summarizeth t, our f'rret fr'end and I wend backeth many centuries bef're we cameth to this earth. That gent did accept a contracteth with the fair s'rc'ress while I did sleep within the wand while awaiting our fat'd meeting. Coequal a just causeth needeth pow'r to winneth."
'Wow you are behind the times, hot head.' The ferret chided him.
'I've been asleep f'r centuries and I am translating the golden tongue of the w'rld saints to Japanese bas'd on the knowledge of a foul mouth'd teenage chosen one. What doth thee wanteth?'
"By the way...how can they see you now?" Chidori asked.
"Oh yond's easy. In our first int'raction I wast communicating with thee in thy mind while I am projecting myself in a visible f'rm from the wand anon." Sigmis explained before hopping off of her shoulder and landing on Amaya's hands.
"Woah! HE's so cute Chidori! He's not hot either! Oh! Oh! Arcanus, are you able to choose whether or not you're hot when you're projecting yourself?"
"Yond's right fair maiden. I can ignite if 't be true I wisheth but mine own charm is bett'r hath spent being channel'd by the chosen one. Liketh mine own cousin ov'r th're, I am m'rely taking on a f'rm thee wouldst beest comf'rtable with."
Hiro looked down at the Ferret who happily chirped. Hiro shrugged and continued petting him. "So wait...if you two know each other...then could he give us some more insight into the Goddess?"
"Hey yeah!" Chidori grinned. "Anything you know that can help us little guy? What's your name anyway?"
Meanwhile!
Toki walked the halls of the hospital while rubbing her crossed arms. There were doctors and medical staff bustling in and out of the rooms while the civilians were visiting and comforting each other and her mind was swimming as she tried to process everything she'd heard and learned today. Magic? Aliens? Demons? Gods? Interdimensional travel? Chosen Ones? The enemy was a Goddess? All of this on top of the night's events were just a little much for her. So she stepped out to meet with her mother and try to clear her head of all this madness.
"Oh there you are Toki!" Wakamura Maki greeted her daughter.
"MAMA!" She exclaimed and ran up and hugged her mother. "This is perfect timing, mama. It really is. I...have so much to tell you."
"My name?" The Ferret Familiar asked. "I am Amatsumikaboshi. You may refer to me as Amatsu."
That's Ama-tsu-mika-boshi! (Dread Star Of Heaven, August Star of Heaven, Scarecrow Male Of Heaven, Brilliant Male, Divine Lord Of Middle Heavens.)
In Japanese mythology, Ama-tsu-mika-boshi also called Ame-no-kagase-o was originally a malevolent Shinto god. Under Chinese Buddhist influence, the god was identified with Myōken either as the pole star or Venus, before being combined with the god of all stars, Ama-no-mi-naka-nushi.
"Ama-ts-mika-boshi?" Amaya asked. "Uhhh aren't you a God of Evil?"
"Bzzzzt!" Ichika spoke up. "Shinto has no “Satan,” and Amatsu-Mikaboshi is neither a “god” nor “evil”; instead, he is a primordial force that existed before this world was formed. At some point, he may have been the only force in the world: Amatsu-Mikaboshi may be the primordial great void. He ruled the universe, if only because nothing else existed. Somehow during creation of the modern universe, his power was broken but never completely disappeared. Instead, his aura or residue remains. An alternative myth suggests that Amatsu-Mikaboshi was one of the imperfect children discarded by Izanami and Izanagi. Either way, Amatsu-Mikaboshi is in the world but not of the world. He has no clear, official part or function to play. He doesn’t even have a corporal form in which to manifest. He is a bitter, coldly angry, disenfranchised presence. He has no shrines and is not of much relevance to the average person (although his name appears in many comic books and role-playing games, where he is usually cast as a villain). He is an esoteric, abstract presence in the universe rather than a spirit with whom one can communicate directly. He may be the spirit of the most distant heavens: the celestial void or abyss." She explained to the group.
"After all, Shinto is a spiritual system that values harmony. Amatsu-Mikaboshi is associated with lingering energies and emotions, especially excessive ones that destroy harmony or create imbalance in the world (as, in essence, he does). He doesn’t necessarily share or incite these emotions: instead intense, uncontrolled emotions are perceived as sharing his essence. They are magnetically attracted to Amatsu-Mikaboshi, as he is to them, because they are made of the same stuff and potentially have the same effect: destructive disharmony. Thus excessive anger, envy, even love, which potentially leads to unhealthy obsessions, is perceived as belonging to Amatsu-Mikaboshi and expressing his essence. In later Buddhist perspective, this excess emotion was perceived as “sin”; hence Amatsu-Mikaboshi developed a reputation as Master of Sinners. He may or may not be associated with Yomi, a Shinto death realm. One theory suggests that Amatsu-Mikaboshi, a single, all-encompassing power, was broken and dispersed by the introduction of yin and yang forces into the universe (in Japanese: in and yo). Onmyoji (practitioners of a Japanese shamanic magical tradition) are masters of yin-yang and have sought to harness the power of Amatsu-Mikaboshi, possibly giving him a corporal form. In this form, he may be known as Ama-no-Kagaseo, the Brilliant Male."
The rest of the group applauded Ichika Harime while she basked in the praise.
Amatsu laughed. "Kid knows her stuff. I could go in depth about the greater cosmology but to save time, I'll just say she's on the right track."
"More or less." Sigmis agreed.
"Wait how does that work?" Chidori asked.
"Loooooong story." Sigmis and Amatsu replied.
"Coooool. Sorry about calling you an evil god!"
"Quite alright, Miss Chunii."
"You know though, it's sort of surprising you're not my familiar. Ama-Ama and Ama? Our names are perfectly matched!"
"Oh doth not w'rry fair one. At which hour thee doth findeth thy familiar 'twill beest someone p'rfectly suit'd to thy p'rsonality." Sigmis assured Amaya.
"YAY!"
"Okay then, back to business, how do we kill a Goddess?" Chidori asked Amatsu.
"Yeeaaaah about that. See, the thing here is, Maggedon awakening and crossing the barriers into this dimension is a loss for everyone here. It would be like trying to fight a Supercharged Godzilla. You kids aren't ready for her. At all. Hiro, Avalon, Izzy, you three are experienced and talented and incredibly powerful for your ages, and Chidori, you are a volcano of power, but she's on another level." Amatsu explained to the team in a dead serious tone before lightening up. "So instead of worrying about her, you should instead focus on fending off her forces to prevent them from causing misery which will provide energy and nourishment to the rest of their kind."
"Dammit, now I want to fight her even more." Chidori pouted.
(Was she even listening to me?) Amatsu asked Sigmis via telepathy.
(I've been in her head. Trust me, she heard everything.) Sigmis assured him. (You probably should've worded that better.)
Izzy giggled while Hiro flashed a subtle thumbs up to Chidori.
Toki ducked into a hallway with her mother and leaned against a wall while rubbing her shoulders. "Okay, so, mother...I consider myself a woman of reasoning and logic. Everything is simple, everything is logical, everything makes sense. Rules denote structure. Structure denotes stability. That is the ruling philosophy that guides my life. Everything that has happened, even the most twisted things, have all made sense and followed the rules of logic. Even Guardian's Superhero Adventures made perfect sense considering the capabilities of modern technology and the existence of superhumans. I am well aware of the existence of supernatural beings as well and they make sense and follow a line of rules. However. Having said that." Toki sighed. "Today has been...strange and I am having trouble adjusting to recent revelations."
"My dear girl, whatever is the matter?" Maki asked her daughter.
"Well...let me start at the Shrine."
Then Toki let the bomb drop. Explaining everything they'd seen today and learned today about the alien monsters, about Chidori, about magic, and about the Goddess that was behind the invasion.
"You know something Chi-Bird. You remind me of a friend of mine back home. Like you he'd face down a Cosmic Horror if he had to" Izzy laughed. Reflecting of the time when David had to do just that. Of course that was when The One That Lurks Within The Woods had enthralled his friend Sally. He even ventured into The Forrest Beyond The Dog Park in an attempt to rescue her. After making a deal with Monitor Head. That thrilling story is saved for another time. Lets just say that was the kids rite of passage and they were never the same after that.
"Heh, even President Airhead wouldn't dare venture in that place. That was the one time I respected the Sapling." Amatsu smiled at that memory.
"He's learned a few tricks but his powers are physical based. If you've ever read a Superman comic? That's basically him."
"I see, I see. In that case, you should probably call him tomorrow at your earliest convenience." She rubbed her chin. "Uh, let's see, I'm sure word about this is already spreading. Both from the media and whatever people caught on phones, etc. But I'm sure your superhero friend will fair better against the coming storm if he gets word on them from somebody who knows what's going on. Especially since there's no way to know that they'll only attack the city. The attacks might be random but the more people know about them the better. Right?"
"Ahhhhh~! You're always so smart mom!" Chidori cheered and hugged her mother again.
(So cute!) Everyone in the room agreed.
Wakamura Maki sat down on the floor next to her daughter in the hallway as she processed everything she'd learned. "A Goddess. The person...being...creature...behind what happened is an Alien Goddess. Do I have that correct?"
"Apparently." Toki agreed. "I'm still processing it myself." She rubbed her knees. "So what should we do?"
Maki looked over to her daughter and hugged her. "Honestly honey, I think this is a bit above my paygrade. We should probably get The Paladin Conglomerate involved in this one. They have the technology and resources to help the heroes prepare for the coming battle while also getting everyone else ready for whatever else comes up. Hopefully that would include preparing the Armed Forces for whatever might come in the future."
"Whatever might come. Yes. Whatever that might be." She leaned into her mother's embrace. "But who knows what that's going to be? Just one of those things went on a rampage and hurt so many people and there's more of them and there's a Goddess leading them and who knows how powerful she is?" Toki questioned repeatedly. "I don't know mom. I'm scared."
As if right on cue a lady in a black dress suit entered the building, she's of mid size with her long dark hair tied in a pony tail. She walks in the facility like with confidence, like she owns the place. The moment she turned the corner she recognizes a familiar face that she hasn't seen in a long time. She looks at the woman talking to her daughter. The Agent admired how the other woman before her manage to still look good despite the stress raising a child and her job produced.
"When I heard about an attack that occurred within the city I shouldn't be surprised to find you at the center of it." The Agent stated
Wakamura stood up and faced The Agent, "Why hello Maki, it has been awhile. How Have you been? You know, basic greeting courtesy"
She turned from Wakamura and looked at Toki. She studied the younger girl and her default stoic expression changed into an rather enthusiastic smile. "Little Toki-Oh! Is that you?!"
Toki groaned at that nickname(To think I've escaped that)
"Well I'll be double dog damned. The last time I saw you, you were at knee height but look at you!" Emily reached out and pinched Toki's cheek.
"He-hello, Agent Granger." She bowed as she let go. "I assume you're aware of the situation?"
"It's why I'm here, kiddo." She grinned. "To help you get this whole thing sorted out. But what I need is information. Which judging by your body language, I can assume you somehow already have. Gathered from the Superheroes I take it?"
"You're as sharp as ever." Toki took a deep breath and slowly blew it out. "Alright. This one is going to be a bit of a doozy. But it's good you're here. Mom was just saying that we could use the Conglomerate's help. Especially with what's coming."
"Judging by tonight's attack, it must be something big right?"
"Follow us please." Maki advised her old friend. "They're right down here and we can fill you in on the way."
"By all means." Emily replied. "You know it really is good to see you two again. You're looking great, Maki."
"Why thank you. So do you.'
The three of them arrived at the hospital room where the group was chatting about the current situation and Agent Granger looked around the room. (Alright lets see what we've got here. SuperHiro, Chidori the Super Delinquent, Two Mages, a bunch of kids, two parental figures, a ferret and...whatever that freaky little fire thing is.) Gage smirked. (Oh yes. I can work with this.) She cleared her throat. "Hello everyone. I'm Agent Emily Granger from The Paladin Conglomerate. We saw the street fight and rest assured we are here to help."
Chidori stood up. "The Paladins?" She looked past her to Toki. "Did you guys call her?"
"No she just showed up." Toki replied. "We did fill her in on the situation though." She pointed at the fire imp. "What's that?"
"Sigmis. He's my Familiar and the Spirit of my wand."
"Hallo!"
"The Ferret's a Familiar too."
"I didn't know about this before I left the room."
"It's alright. I can work with this. Great to see you here, Hiro."
"Hello Agent Granger."
"Always a pleasure to be working together. For those who don't know me, my name is Emily Granger. I'm with The Paladin Conglomerate. We saw your street fight with the monster and we would like to offer our assistance. We can give you top of the line equipment, large training centers and whatever assistance you'll need. You'll find the paychecks and benefits are more than fair and we'll be more than happy to give you compensation. Officially, you'll be working alongside us on this as new recruits despite being on the frontlines. It's a little unorthodox, we normally require a few years of training first before we allow new recruits out onto the field, about a decade or more, but considering the circumstances, we're going to need you kids out there with us." She finished her speech and looked at the group before continuing. "So how about it? Why not team up with us and hit the Win button before this war even starts?"
"Well you certainly know how to make a sales pitch Agent Granger. Alright. I'm in. We'll need all the help we can get to win this." Chidori agreed. "I have some simple conditions though."
"Of course."
"Great. I want protection for my adopted parents, the Kiriyama's, and for my biological mother Chidori Chiharu on top of better conditions for her. I mean, the hospital is great and all, but I imagine a Paladin Facility would have better security and everything else she would need. Oh! And also! I want my friend Hawk to receive even better medical treatment." That was when she suddenly remembered. "Hey! Izzy! How much magic do you still have in your system?! Can you heal her?" Chidori asked hopefully. "Can you wake her up?"
"Can you?" Hiro asked her.
"I can try. I've still got more than enough juice in me to cast a healing spell which would smooth over any lingering injuries she still has but..."
"But what?" Chidori asked.
"I have reason to believe that Hawk is undergoing a spiritual journey. It would be best not to wake her up in the middle of that."
"A...spiritual journey? Those are real too?"
"Yes. They're also described as Vision Quests. The person undertaking the vision quest will go on a spiritual journey of self-discovery in their subconscious. While on this journey they'll meet their spirit animals, ancestors, dead people and others and may be forced to engage in some type of physical or mental trial and will most likely experience a moment of revelation about his or herself which leads to making an important life decision."
"What? Then shouldn't we be in there helping her?"
"No. I'm sorry but a vision quest is something you have to do yourself. This journey is going to be critical to her mental health going forward." Ava informed her.
"Still, if it will put your mind at ease, we can go check on Hawk after we hear out Agent Granger and make arrangements with her. Does that sound fair to you?"
"Alright. Yeah, that's fair." Chidori relented. "Okay, Agent Granger, what else do you have for us?"
"Top of the line high tech training equipment, high tech training facilities where you can freely practice your powers, hand-to-hand combat training from elite special forces, the works. We can make you kids unbeatable."
"Well with a list of benefits like that? How can I possibly say no? Sure, I'm in. How about you guys?"
"I'm in too." Ava agreed. "We won today through teamwork and that's how we'll win the war. Right, Izzy?"
"Correct. The more help we have in bringing down these monsters, the better. Once we get our mutual friends involved, we can start collaborating on international efforts in defeating the threats."
"And of course, we're still in." Toki chimed in.
"Splendid! I'm so happy to hear that. Welcome to the Paladins everyone. Report to Paladin HQ tomorrow after school lets out and we'll begin your training." Emily looked at the other girls, namely Takako, Amaya and Ichika. "Parental permission pending of course."
"Of course." Takako giggled. "We'll discuss this with our parents tomorrow...assuming school is even still on tomorrow."
"Oh it will be. They didn't cancel when Guardian was fighting The Minimizer after all." Ichika reminded her.
"Saaayy...didn't he capture you too?" Toki asked Chidori.
"He got the jump on me!" Chidori insisted. "I would've stomped him if he'd fought fair."
"Wait, you fought a Super-Villain too?" Takako asked impressed.
"I could've taken him but he got lucky and I got shrunk down and yadda yadda and then Guardian put him in a full body cast and saved the day." Chidori awkwardly explained while summarizing heavily. "Look it's in the past can we please not bring that bastard up again?" (☞︎◆︎♍︎🙵 I need a drink...)
Hiro rubbed her back for her. Sure, it sounded funny now, especially with a name like The Minimizer, but that guy was scary. It wasn't just people he was capturing. It was vehicles too. Cars, trucks, helicopters, small buildings, he didn't just shrink them either. He could throw them too. Have you ever had to dodge a small building flying at you like a fastball? It's not easy. Then of course there was the fact that she had to save said building with telekinesis to prevent it from landing on and squashing anybody and also to save anyone trapped inside.
Fortunately, the Minimizer wasn't a hand-to-hand fighter so once she was able to close the distance she crushed him.
Hiro didn't blame Chidori for not wanting to talk about him. That guy was a freak.
"She's right. The Moronizer is in the past and we won't be seeing him again. Lets focus on the here and now. We've got monsters to slay."
"My girl."
"Okay then. I believe I've covered just about everything then. If you don't mind, I would like to speak with the parents and guardians present."
"Certainly. Mom, Dad, Izzy and I are going to check on Hawk okay?"
"Of course. I'm sure she'll wake up any day now, honey."
"You kids are going to have so much tell her when she wakes up."
"You bet we will." Chidori hugged her parents again and stepped out with Izzy.
"Nice meeting you Mister and Mrs. Kiriyama." Toki bowed to them and then hugged her own mother and filed out with the others.
Jabami slumped against the back of her hospital bed while resting a hand on her forehead. "So. A lot just happened."
"So. Chidori. If you don't mind me asking, do you have any idea as to how you did what you did in that fight? I mean, the punching out of a pocket dimension and taking everyone's pain away?" Hiro asked her.
"...I have no idea really. I just...when I was in there being tortured, I could feel the pain of the others. I could feel everyone's pain and they could feel everyone else and each other and...somehow, I tapped into that and I took it away from them and unto myself." Chidori tried to explain while rubbing the back of her head. "I...can't describe the pain I felt. It was beyond description. It was a whole new definition of pain."
"How in the world could you have possibly have tolerated that?"
"I got pissed." Chidori responded casually. "I can't really describe it better than that. I just got good and mad. I turned the pain into anger. I...I think I used it to fuel my rage."
"Then you punched your way out?"
"Then I punched my way out. Through the power of being angry." She shrugged. "But, uh, we can figure all that out tomorrow when we start training properly. The question right now is, how are we going to explain this to Hawk when she wakes up?"
"Slowly, carefully and tactically." Izzy responded. "We'll explain it slowly. We don't want to freak her out."
"Yeah. Although she probably will anyway when she sees what she's missed." ava joked. "It's going to be fun. Catching her up on everything and showing her what she missed."
"Heh. Oh yeah. Once I get a handle on these, I'm going to put on a fireworks show for her." Chidori promised. (If I'd had these back then...this never would've happened to you Hawk. But I promise I won't let what happened to you happen to anyone else.)
"We all will. It'll be her welcome back party." Hiro chimed in.
The kids soon arrived at Hawk's room and Izzy waved a hand over the door. It unlocked and quietly slid open. The team stepped in and looked over Hawk's sleeping body. All this time and her eyes were still closed. Her skin was pale but stable. She'd lost her mohawk and her hair had been kept short. Her body was relatively healthy all things considered but she'd clearly lost her muscles after falling into a coma from her injuries.
Ichika bowed her head and clasped her hands in silent prayer while Amaya tried to do the same but she had to pause to wipe away a tear upon seeing the condition of her best friend and Writing Partner. Toki walked over and hugged her silently. Takako bowed her head. Hiro looked over her condition. (ARIA? What's her status?)
(Her vitals are stable and her body has physically recovered but she's still out. I can't clarify a spiritual journey but judging from her brain patterns she is definitely dreaming about something.)
(Okay. That's good. Maybe they're right after all.)
Chidori bit her lip. "O-Okay. Alright. You're up Izzy. How is she?"
zzy took a step back to let the group watch over their friend as she conducts her spiritual journey. She has never met Hawk personally but has heard of her from Hiro's never-ending praising's through Social-Diary. From what the young witch has heard about her it reminds her of Beets in some ways. However, upon seeing her in this state, part of her is a little shaken.
Rain beat down lke a drum on the abandoned manor, deep within its confines, Izzy holds a critically wounded David in her arms. Despite her own personal injuries she tries to use her own magic to heal him but the battle has left her both physically and spiritually exhausted. "Just hang in there Davey Jones. Sal and the others are going to send for help. In the meantime just keep focusing on me ok?"
Her voice was on the verge of breaking, she can feel his lifeforce slowly slipping away. She was taught not to let her emotions get the best of her as its a good way for her magic to backfire in a bad way. All David could do was stare up at her as he tries to hold on. "So...This is what it feels like"
Izzy turned around and excused herself from the others. Stepping out of the room to get some much needed air as she rubs her eyes. She and her friends had their share of close calls and brushes with death but that was the one moment she felt completely vulnerable. David was more than just a friend, he was the very essence that kept the group together.
"Hey"
Izzy looked back to see Hiro approach her. Noticing the sadness in the smaller woman's eyes Hiro wraps an arm around the witch-girl. (The manor again?) Hiro asked, Izzy didn't respond but rather rest her head on Hiro's shoulder. (Some things hit a little too close to home.)
Hiro just nods, knowing too well at that statement.
Ava patted Chidori on the shoulder and followed her sister around the corner where she gently embraced her. "Ssshhh. Sshhh. It's okay. I know. I was there too. He's okay though. He's alright. We all are. It's okay, Izabella." She assured Izzy.
Amaya stepped into the hospital room and knelt down by Hawk's side and gently held her hand.
"Hey birdy. It's me." She whispered quietly. "I know you can hear me in there. I know that he hasn't beaten you. You're too strong for that. I know it. You know it. We all know it. We're all right here waiting for you, Hawky. So you fight this. You fight it and you fight and you keep fighting and you come back to us. Because you're too strong to let some punk ♋︎⬧︎⬧︎♒︎□︎●︎♏︎ like Johnny keep you down. You come back to us. You come back to your family. You come back to your sister." Amaya blinked away her tears. "Because we have so much to tell you Hawky."
Izzy took a few deep breaths as she lets her respective sisters hold her. Hiro had told her about her friend's condition but she never anticipated that it would hit her this hard. "You're right. Davey Jones is alive and that %*()^@$= is still licking it's wounds somewhere."
"And if it returns we'll make sure it'll never return again" Ava declared then kissed Izzy on the top of her head.
Hiro just continued to hold Izzy. While the concept of Cosmic Horrors is still new to her it's without question that he has her family's back. (ARIA. What do you know about Cosmic Horrors?)
(Real life, actual, physical ones? My data is unfortunately limited due to a lack of confrontations with them on our part. However, the general definition of them describes them as a type of creature defined by its disregard for the natural laws of the universe as we understand them. They are grotesque mockeries of reality beyond comprehension whose disturbing otherness cannot be encompassed in any mortal tongue. Humans are generally driven mad from their mere presence or from merely witnessing their alien nature. Reality itself warps around them. Any rules that they do follow are beyond our understanding, as are what motives they might have for any of their actions. As they are defined by existing outside reality as we conceive it, most also come from somewhere beyond the stars or before the dawn of time or outside our universe.) ARIA summarized. (IF they were able to fight and defeat one, even if it a physical avatar upon the mortal plane, then that is an exceptional feat of power and skill. If this Goddess is anything like what they faced in Shepard then we'll require their expertise in defeating her.)
Hiro processed the intel that is given to her then reflected back to that battle with that alien monster. She and the others were barely able to defeat that and now they have a freaking Goddess t deal with?! This is way beyond what she had trained for and if she wants to ensure that the people of Hinansho live to see another day then she cant go into this battle half-cocked. She'll be damned if any more of her friends get harmed under her watch.
"Say guys, want to get something from the food court? Something tells me that we could use a breather" Hiro offered to the girls.
"That sounds cool, whatabout you Izzy-Bee" Ava asked
Before Izzy could respond her stomach started to growl. That caused the ladies to laugh.
"I'll take that as a yes" Ava ruffled Izzy's hair then looked at Chidori's direction. "Want to join us?"
Chidori was initially silent as she watched Hawk before she finally brightened up and kissed Hawk's forehead. "Sleep tight, birdy. Because I am going to blow your
♐︎◆︎♍︎🙵♓︎■︎♑︎ mind when you wake up." She smiled and walked out. She hugged Amaya, Toki, Ichika and Yoshino on her way out.
"We'll see you again at the sleepover, okay?" Yoshino promised her.
"Hell yeah girl, I'll see you there. I have to get my stuff together anyway after all."
"Same here and my mom is going to be worried sick. I'm probably going to take the rest of the night to explain everything to her." Yoshino joked.
"Stay cool, okay?"
"I will."
"Oh here, here. Grandmother is going to be so ecstatic when I tell her about everyone's powers." Ichika laughed.
"So how much do you know about them anyway?"
"I'll tell you at the sleepover. Lets just say the Ichika Family has some history with mysticisim." She grinned.
"Cool. We'll see you there. Take care of the Chunii alright?"
"Of course."
Toki just laughed.
"What's so funny?"
"You're a superhero. An actual, honest to God, Superhero. I'm proud of you, Chidori."
"Yeah, well, I had good role models. See you at the sleepover?"
"I'll see you there." They shook hands and Chidori caught back up with Hiro and the other girls.
"Lets eat. I'm starved."
After the girls retrieved their food from the still open food court they sat down at a booth where Chidori relaxed against the cushioned seat. "Ohhh that feels good." That was when her phone rang. "Huh? Who could-" She looked at the phone and saw it was an unknown number, shrugged and answered it. "Hello?"
"Heeeey Chinatsu~❤"
"Huh? Is that you, Kyouko?"
"Yeeeppppers! Kyouko Sato of the Newspaper Club! Sitting pretty in a hotel with her #1 News Crew! We watched the whole affair on our drones and I just wanted to say...I'm glad you guys are okay. I'm not going to pretend to understand what happened or why but what's important is that everyone's okay. I know I nearly had a heart attack watching that fight."
"Heh...heh-heh. Glad to hear you're alright. Yeah, hunkering down was the smart idea tonight, not going to lie. I'll also tell you something else: I never would've made it without the help of the others." She confessed while complimenting her friends. Hiro and Izzy high-fived while Ava raised her drink to her.
"And that's the power of Friendship in action! The secret weapon of every Superhero!" Kyouko laughed.
"Ha! You can say that again!"
"Speaking of your superheroics, I would like to schedule an interview tomorrow, with you and the others, if it's okay with you. I know it's last minute but we're super, super, super super, super curious as to what exactly happened out there and where your powers came from! So if it's okay with you, we'd like to be the first to interview you guys, an exclusive if you will."
She laughed again. "Striking while the iron is hot, that's so like you Kyouko! You don't waste any time! Alright, well, here's the deal. I'm down the interview, but I'll have to ask my team if they're able to join in. I also don't know where Guardian is, but once we find him, we'll ask him to set up an interview with you as well."
"Awwww! You're the best! Alright, I'll let you relax now. Sweet dreams guys! Get home safe!"
"You too. Be careful, stick together and get home safe." She responded. "Ciao!" She hung up.
"You know, you could've just asked us. We're right here." Ava reminded Chidori.
"Oh I know. This is just to give us time to decide what exactly we're going to say in the interview tomorrow." Chidori explained.
Kyouko turned off her phone and relaxed in the back seat of the car. "Remind to pay our sources in the hospital."
"Noted." Hanzo grinned. "Paying people in the hospital to drop a dime to you when there's a particularly interesting patient or case is absolutely genius. This day has been full of surprises though hasn't it? First there's a monster attack then Chidori turns into a...Magical Girl? Is that right?"
"It certainly seems that way." Satoshi noted and looked at the drone footage on her phone. "Say, if I'm not mistaken, doesn't her wand look like that thingamajig from Ichika Shrine?"
"Huuuh?" Hanzo looked down at her phone. "Well I'll be damned. It does loosely resemble the thing from the rock. She did run off in that direction didn't she?"
"So Chidori Chinatsu turned out to be the Rightful Queen." Kyouko joked. "All these years of people trying to pull that thing out and she's the one who does it. Now we've got a Magical Trinity to back up Guardian against an invading alien army." She licked her lips. "I can't wait. This is going to be so much fun. I can practically taste the story now. And we've got exclusive interview rights."
While it may not appear that she was listening, due to posting on her Chat-Journal page on her Cardphone, Hana Kurosawa is very attentive on the conversation her fellow crew is having. To the point that the recent topic of interest has inspired her to introduce a theory that just might prove to be quite an icebreaker. "Speaking of Guardian, isn't it rather interesting how Chidori manage to acquire her powers? Right around when Guardian has already made her mark on this city. Could be a coincidence, if it is, it's a pretty good one."
Hanzo glanced back at Hana, "So you're saying that Chidori's situation is connected with Guardian?"
Hana just shrugs. "Just saying we all know how much she admires Guardian. I mean who wouldn't? He's one of the few good things left in this crazy world. Then, right when a monster attack happened, she's granted powers and is fighting side by side with the city's Paragon. I believe the signs are obvious, Guardian's grooming her as an apprentice"
"Huuunh. So does that mean that the other two are in on her training? Ah! So does that mean they're forming a greater superhero team?! A MagiTech Superhero Team?"
Kyouko asked in amazement.
"Ohhh! You know, if they combine their efforts with The Paladin Organization they'll be invincible!" Satoshi chimed in.
"Takes notes guys! We're definitely asking about all of this in the interview!"
"Honestly, Guardian training her would at least partially explain all the street fighting." Hanzo chimed in. "And especially how she's always able to find bad guys whenever she goes out looking for a fight just in time. Guardian's been educating her in detective work! Plus, did you see how easily she was able to utilize her new magical powers out there? They must've been training her in the magical arts along with everything else!"
While this all made sense, Kyouko couldn't help but giggle a little at the thought of Chidori doing detective work.
"Personally speaking, I feel like we should go ahead and admit to whats been seen on camera already, and give a general explanation for the monster, where it comes from, and my powers, stuff like that, but here's the thing." Chidori enjoyed some steak, shrimp and chicken lo mein before she continued. "I don't think we should talk about..." She looked around the cafeteria before she finished speaking. "The Goddess. I know we're badasses, and we've informed our immediate confidants and loved ones, but I don't know if the people necessarily need to know about an interdimensional alien goddess setting her sights on the world. At least not yet. The monster attacks are are going to be scary enough for them without needing to worry about that. So, uh, what do you think? How exactly should we phrase this then?"
"Evil Space Monsters From Another Dimension Are Attacking The Earth And We're Currently Investigating The Matter Further." Izzy suggested.
"Yeah that's a good idea. Okay, uh, next question. What's our team name?"
"That's a good question. Do you have any ideas?"
"Hmmmm...actually...yeah. Yeah I have a good one. The Hinansho Onna-musha. After the female warriors from pre-modern Japan. These women engaged in battle alongside samurai men mainly in times of need. They were members of the bushi (samurai) class in feudal Japan and were trained in the use of weapons to protect their household, family, and honor in times of war." Chidori explained proudly.
"Oh hey so you do pay attention in history class." Ava teased.
"I promised my moms I'd do better so...yeah." She replied sheepishly. "Besides which, ah, look, I'm sure Guardian might be a dude, but that's why I chose the name. Because of the fact that they'd charge into battle alongside men. So it'll still work in the even that Guardian turns out to be male."
Hiro could hear ARIA's laughter.
(You realize this is your own fault for not telling her your secret earlier, right?) ARIA Teased.
(It's called a secret identity for a reason. Besides, I'm going to tell her tomorrow and we'll sort it out then.) "I like it Chidori, it's badass."
"Hell yeah it is. We can work out the rest of the specifics tomorrow after we've all had time to sleep." She yawned. "Because magical energy boost or not, I've had a long day." Chidori returned to digging into her food.
"Yeah, it's been rough for everyone, Chi-Bird. You've earned yourself some rest. So sit back, relax and enjoy your victory dinner. I have a feeling we'll be sleeping soundly tonight."
Chidori swallowed her food. "By the way, uh, just to warn you guys, I've been informed that I tend to snore really loudly. So, just, forewarning you guys."
"Oh don't worry about it. I'm sure it won't be that bad." Ava assured her in between enjoying her own meal.
"It'll be fine, Chi-Bird. I promise." Hiro added.
"Besides, if nothing else, I'll just whip up a spell. It'll be fine." Izzy joked.
"Thanks guys. I just wanted to let you know. Anyway, this is good."
"Ahhh now that hit the spot! I'm ready to go if you guys are!" Ava informed the crew with a big wide smile while she stretched.
"I'll go get my house ready for the sleepover while you girls pack. Send me a text when you're ready." Hiro told them.
"You got it. Chi-Bird, you ready to go?"
Chidori meanwhile was watching the hospital window. "Just wait for me, Mama, Papa, I'll be here first thing tomorrow morning I promise. Just stay safe until then." She closed her eyes and offered a silent prayer to Kami and then she returned her attention to her friends. "I'm ready. So, I guess, you'll teleport me back?"
"Something like that." Izzy rubbed her hands together and then she began moving her hands in a circle while she casted a spell. "Video enim: Mihi opus est. Ut me ad eam. Opus est ut faciam illud. Ianuae Magicae me. Osjfa Ishb Opshr."
"Oh hey, using some of the old tongue in this one, huh? Cool." Ava complimented her sister.
"Osjfa what?" Hiro asked.
"Uh, I think it means, roughly, that the door will open." Chidori spoke up. "Okay how the hell do I know that?"
(W'rry not, chosen one! Thy charm shall translateth fusty'r tongues yond art f'reign to thee into thy native language!
)
"Oh, okay. Uh, Sigmis says it's Magic."
(Oh so that's how we look to other people.)
(Come now, ARIA, we've always presented ourselves as being perfectly sane and rational.) Hiro joked.
A shimmering blue sphere appeared in front of Chidori, Ava and Hiro and it quickly expanded while swirling around until it became a swirling blue portal with images of their homes in the center. "I'll come get each of them when they're ready to go and we'll meet you back at your place, Hiro."
"Awesome. Well, we'll see you then!" Hiro walked into the portal and exited outside of her home.
"Well this is just damn cool. Later girls!" Chidori waved and jumped through the portal to exit outside of her own home.
"Shall we proceed?"
"Lets." Ava and Izzy walked through the last portal to their own home and the portals closed behind them.
Agent Granger watched them through the windows with a smile.
Chidori Chinatsu exited the portal in front of her home as it closed behind her. She looked back at in surprise and then back at her house. "This has been a crazy day." She mused and walked up to the front door, retrieved the spare key from the bottom of the fake potted plant right outside and let herself in and took off her shoes. "I'm home." She smiled. "It's been forever but I'm finally home again."
(T hast only been a few hours since thee exit'd thy home this m'rning)
"Technically yes but it has been a long day for me. A lot has happened today and I'm still processing all of it." She took off her trenchcoat, turned on the light and walked upstairs. "The monster attack would be one thing, Guardian has been beating up super criminals since he showed up in the city, but now I'm a Magical Girl chosen to fight an insane alien goddess. Don't get me wrong, I understand what I signed up for and I'm in this for the long haul until its done, it's just a lot to process all in one day."
(Art thee afraid?)
"I've never run from a fight and I won't run from this one. I've been in gang fights usually to break them up by beating up both sides, but an actual war is something different entirely. I'm just...mentally preparing myself is all."
(I und'rstand, chosen one. I apologizeth. I'm s'rry this ev'r cameth to thy w'rld. I wouldst've trad'd et'rnal slumb'r if 't be true t meanteth thy w'rld wouldst nev'r seeth such dark days)
"Sounds lonely." Chidori responded quietly as they arrived on the second floor.
(T wast. I am s'rry I didst not waketh lief'r)
"Don't worry about it. We got to meet each other didn't we? And together, we will defeat this Faux-Goddess and whatever she sends our way. I'm going to make these ♍︎□︎♍︎🙵suckers wish that bastard never came through the portal. Hurting my mother is going to be the worst mistake they ever made."
(I appreciateth thy enthusiasm, chosen one, and rest assured, I completely concur, but doth mind thy language)
"I'll think about it." She opened the door to her room and shut it. She opened the door to her closet, reached behind some stuff and pulled out a small flask. Then she turned around, slumped down against the door and downed it. "Ohhhh Kami I needed that!"
(I wouldst not counteth on getting malt-worm, chosen one. Thy metabolism hast been enhanc'd as has't thy healing abilities. Thee can enjoyeth thy drinketh but thee shall not suff'r its side effects)
"Even better." She laughed. "So. If you don't mind me asking, this whole Chosen One thing. What's the selection process? I mean, how do they choose who to, well, choose for this job? What are they looking for in their, well, Champion? If you wanted a true blue hero, why not ask Guardian or Toki or that kid Ava and Izzy mentioned in Shepard?"
(Oh doth not receiveth me wrong, those art all fine choices forsooth. Those gents wouldst've been splendid legendary warri'rs I'm sure. Anon, did grant, I am not jump in the knoweth about how the upp'r brass conducteth their C'remonial Choosing Of The Chosen Warri'rs but I has't seen thy quite quaint heart, Chidori Chinatsu. Thee heave the heart of a h'ro. Thee has't hath met adv'rsity in thy life with most wondrous art. Thee has't did face down h'rrible enemies to bringeth justice to thy city and peace to their victims. Thee has't hath opened thy heart to oth'rs and hath shown kindness towards oth'rs. Thee has't did save liveth and hath asked f'r nothing in returneth. Thee has't did shed drops of sorrow f'r at which hour thy did love ones art in teen and taken t upon yourself to protecteth those closeth to those folk. Thou art a h'ro Chodri Chinatsu. Doth not bid yourself diff'rent.)
"Wow...thanks. That certainly puts things in perspective...especially coming from an ancient guy like you. You've probably seen a whole lot of Champions over the years, huh?"
("Oh we has't witness'd many champions from many w'rlds of all s'rts. All of those folk stalwart and brave coequal in the visage of the most daunting of challenges. I can assureth thee, chosen one, thee and thy cater-cousins shall one day taketh thy lodging 'mongst those folk, commem'rat'd f'rev'r in the hall of legends.")
"Okay cool. So what's the Hall Of Legends?"
("A s'rt of museum of statues wh're the champions and their legendary h'roic deeds art imm'rtaliz'd." )
Chidori sat up. "Wait a second! This hall...can you show it to us like you showed me the vision earlier?"
("Wherefore aye. T wouldst beest a simple eff'rt to calleth f'rth a vision of the hall.")
"Looks like we have a study session ahead of us. If I'm going to do this Chosen One Magical Girl gig, then I should be learning from the others, right? And while I'm doing that, I can bring the others in with me." She fished out her phone and started sending a group text.
Guys! Good news! We're in for a show tonight! Sigmis just offered to show us some visions of records of past chosen ones from other worlds! We can do it at the sleepover. Who's in?
It didn't take long before she received a response from Hiro.
Are you serious? We can talk to ancient warriors?
I'm not sure if it's talking to them so much as learning about them. Could be some useful information there. Maybe something that will help us.
That's brilliant Chidori! Lets do it! We can learn about the past heroes tonight and start strategizing tomorrow at school before we go to the Paladins Facility.
Cool but is the school even open tomorrow?
We'll find out!
Alright then. We'll meet up at your house and do it there. See you then.
See you there.
The rest of the responses were resounding YESES to the idea. Chidori responded to them all and pocketed her phone and returned to her drink. "Ahhhhh. Alright then. We're golden. Thanks for the idea, Siggy."
(All I didst wast mention the Sacr'd Hall. Thee w're the one who is't cameth up with such a brilliant usage of t all on thy owneth. Thou art on thy way, Chosen One.)
"It's going to be a long road but I appreciate the vote of confidence." She finished the flask and stood up. "I'm going to wash this out. You coming?"
(Happily.) Sigmis returned to Chidori and sat on her shoulder.
"Cool. Alright. Lets try something fun." She sped out of her room so fast that she would appear be a vaguely human shaped blur to any normal human watching as she zipped from her room to the bathroom. She burst out laughing. "HOLY 💧︎☟︎✋︎❄︎ THAT WAS COOL! I'M LOVING THIS!" She turned on the sink and let water pour into the flask to wash it out. Then while that was going on she stepped out of the bathroom and began zipping back and forth for a laugh before zipping into her room and running circles around before she grabbed a duffel bag, tossed it up and resumed zipping around the room grabbing her clothes for tomorrow from her dresser and closet and began placing them inside of the bag while it was suspended in mid-air before zipping back into the bathroom, grabbing a few other essentials and then running back into her bedroom and stuffing them into it, catching the duffel bag and closing it up. Next she waved her hand and the closet door closed itself followed by her dresser. "This is so unreal. It's so cool! I never dreamed this was possible!" She laughed and flopped on the bed. "Those monsters don't stand a chance against us!"
(I appreciateth thy enthusiasm, chosen one, but thee wilt realizeth yond th're art much dark'r threats coming. What thee encount'r'd tonight wast only the first of many enemies thee shall combat. Thy pow'r and potential art impressive but thee wilt remaineth diligent and did prepare to face the rising darkness at all times.)
"Yeah, I understand and don't worry. Another one of those ugly freaks pokes their head out, we'll be ready. So long as my friends and I stick together, those monsters won't stand a ♐︎◆︎♍︎🙵♓︎■︎♑︎ chance!"
(Just beest sure to at each moment beest did prepare f'r combat. Thee nev'r knoweth what kind of tricks those monst'rs shall pulleth.)
"Oh don't you worry, Sigmis. When someone teaches me how to kick♋︎⬧︎⬧︎, I'll study mine off." She smiled and rubbed his head. "And someday? I'll be as great a hero as Guardian and the others."
(Yond's the spirit! thee can doth t! we believeth in thee!)
"Hell yeah." She sat up and grabbed her bag and then returned to the bathroom, turned off the sink and emptied out her flask before returning to the bathroom, hiding it again and stepping out after turning all the lights off and securing the door. She hopped from the patio to the sidewalk and took in the cool night breeze. "Alright. Lets go to Hiro's house. I can't wait to show off to Han and Hana!"
Hiro stretched as she returned home from the hospital trip. "What a day...monsters, aliens, magic and a goddess. Talk about a superhero story. Did we just become DC?"
(I'd say we're more like Marvel. We're not quite that dark yet.)
"Point taken. Still, the first monster certainly made one heck of an entrance. We're going to need to be on our guard."
(Are you worried?)
"No. I'm cautious but I'm not worried. I'm sure we'll be able to handle it so long as we stick together. Fortunately we're already building our allies. The more we gather on our side the easier this will be. I can't imagine the coming war will be easy per say but it'll be better than going it alone." She approached the door and opened it. "I'm home!" She called out while taking off her shoes.
She was met by Han and Hana wearing black business suits with sunglasses. "Eh?"
"Good evening, Hiro. I am Special Agent Han and this is my partner Special Agent Hana."
"Please take a seat. We have a few questions for you regarding tonight's events." Hana advised Hiro.
Hiro decided to roll with it and walked over to the couch. Han and Hana pulled up chairs and sat down across from her and took off their shades.
"Alright spill it! What happened out there?" They asked eagerly.
iro Kurosawa
It is a question that Hiro had been asking herself for quite awhile, everything about that fight seemed so surreal. Hiro has fought her share of terrorist and criminals but that fight was beyond her wheelhouse. Even more than that time when she helped Baron fight that ghost who was haunting the school grounds, but Hiro doesn't want to talk about that event.
She puts her thoughts together then explained everything to her siblings to the best of her ability, even to Chidori gaining magical girl powers. As Han and Hana listened to their sister's tale they noticed her tone sounding troubled, like her mind is constantly trying to rationalize the events that happened. Especially when Izzy started using her own brand of magical abilities. Just everything surrounding the fight had left her a little rattled, she always took everything in a more logical approach but things have gradually become more and more illogical. And she'd be lying when she'd say she isn't afraid of whats coming.
Hana quickly crossed over to her and sat down next to her sister. "So this whole thing really is as insane as we thought. I can't even imagine what it must have been like fighting that thing head on out there. All that screaming it must've been terrifying."
"But, you made it back to us in one piece." Hanzo assured her. "You saved everyone out there and then some. I'm sure it was scary sis but we're glad you made it back to us. I'm sure that, whatever's coming, you can handle it. Especially with the mages and Paladins working with you."
"Oh Han, you always know the right words" Hiro smiled, reaching out then ruffling her younger bro's hair. She leans back and pulled her younger sister close to her. The Paladin comment did remind her of something though, she glanced at the badges to their siblings sides. "Ok, now I've got some questions of my own." Hiro motioned to their Paladin Conglomerate uniforms.
"Oh these" Hana blushed, shrinking down till Hiro rubbed her arm affectionately
"I'm not mad, just want to know what's up with the get up?"
"Well, to be blunt, ever since the monster attack, Paladin felt it would be best to recruit us into the company" Han explained
Hiro:
"Um, mind running that by me one more time."
"Yeah, yeah, we got the call shortly after the attack. It's not frontline work. It's lab work." Hana relaxed on the couch. "You know how crazy good our grades are, right? We're taking the advanced placement classes and some college courses. Apparently our work is considered good enough that we caught the Paladins' eyes."
"Since you're going to be doing frontline work alongside the mages and their agents, they want to bring us in working in the labs to support everyone." Han added in. "We'll still be safe but we'll be able to help you out better if we have a real lab rather than what we can scrounge up and make at home."
"It's not like they're sending us in completely blind, they even got us an agent to help us learn the ropes." Hana said
"Who is the agent?" Hiro asked, still processing what her siblings had informed her.
"A guy named Song. He's pretty cool, in a introverted sort of way. He'd even watch over us whenever you're out doing your thing, just incase some Rogue decides to use us for leverage"
Hiro winced at that possibility, one of her own personal fears. She knows they're capable of taking care of themselves but, as her dad would tell her, "All it takes is one good day."
"The company knows when to think ahead. As long as it doesn't affect your social, educational life. Or have you do anything shady then I'm cool with it" Hiro assured then was caught off guard as Hana pounced on her back, hugging her. "Yaaay! Coolest big sis ever!"