Lola had no idea Lorenzo was a fighter, though it seemed that his hand-to-hand combat was if not greater than surely equal to her own. Lorenzo would think the same, her ever insistent dodging becoming something of an annoyance, though he was sure that she cared little for his life. No, she was after the stone in his pocket, which was why she was becoming increasingly aggressive with him as she would switch to offense. He wanted to say he was enjoying this, but in all actuality it was more annoying than anything else.

Meanwhile the Lola who would challenge Jaakuna would find herself versing an Esper. She should have figured the cheater would pull out his trump card, but she admitted that she hadn't thought it would happen so soon. Still, a single pillar was easy to dodge no matter its size, and she would pull out her iaito as she would run. The goal was to get the shard, she had very little care for Jaakuna, but he would be a thorn at her side unless she would take care of him. She would take out several kunai and throw them at him, hoping to keep him occupied.

Emiri swung rapidly at Lola, who was dodging with ease. Her anger made her attacks rather predictable, though Lola couldn't deny that she was enjoying it. Still, as she watched Emiri, she would take note of her loose hair swinging itself behind her. Lola would sidestep one of Emiri's jab's, grabbing her wrist and quickly twisting her arm. Before the brunette could react, Lola would drive her knee into her stomach, causing Emiri to drop down to the ground, clutching her stomach in pain. Lola would bring something out of her pocket, dangling it in front of her. "[b][color=ed145b]Oh, I managed to pick this up from the last time I ran into you at the desert.[/color][/b]" She said as Emiri would finally see her clover hair-tie in Lola's hand. "[b][color=ed145b]I figured you would want it back.[/color][/b]" Emiri would grab the dagger from her boot and swing at Lola, who only jumped back and chuckled in response. "[b][color=ed145b]The very least you could do is say 'please'! I know you want it, don't you?[/color][/b]" She stated, holding it out to her. "[b][color=ed145b]Now that your poor little mommy is dead, this is all you have left of her, isn't it?[/color][/b]"

Something seemed to snap in Emiri's mind, a rage overtaking her like no other. How dare she mock her as such, how dare she even mention her mother! In that moment, however, Lorenzo would catch sight of Emiri. He knew exactly what was going to happen next--as Lola would swing at him, he would grab her by the elbow, swinging her around and throwing her at the original Lola. The two would collide and land some distance away, and Lorenzo would run over to Emiri, grabbing her shoulder as she meant to run after Lola. "[b][color=f26522]She's taunting you, can't you see that?![/color][/b]" He asked her, clearly annoyed.

"[b][color=f6989d]I'll kill her.[/color][/b]" Emiri responded, swatting Lorenzo's hand off her. "[b][color=f6989d]I--will--KILL--HER![/color][/b]" And in the next moment, Emiri would disappear from view, reappearing next to one of the Lolas. She held her dagger high, and when she would bring it down, it would slice through the woman's neck. The clone would fade away as Lola herself would quickly move out of harm's way, though she was shocked. To think Emiri was so...[b]violent[/b]. Having Lola run into her sword was one thing, but trying to slice her neck open was another. Emiri would look at her, gripping her dagger tightly as she would talk over to her, and for just a second, Lola hesitated.

Lorenzo let out a curse, instead yelling over to Jaakuna, "[b][color=f26522]What is wrong with Emiri?! When the fuck did she get so bloodthirsty?![/color][/b]"

[hr]
[i][color=fdc68a]What happened?[/color][/i]

Everything had passed by so quickly, for a moment, Nadeline believed she had died. Her entire body flickered from excrutiating pain to complete numbness and would only continue back and forth. Had she fallen unconscious? No, she was awake, but everything seemed so surreal. Her senses seemed so dull, but she would hear Wesley. Wesley. She had failed him, hadn't she? She had failed everyone. Her eyelids felt so heavy, she felt like she could drift off to sleep at any moment. She was tired. So tired. Wesley was speaking, he was talking about her, but it wasn't Wesley, was it? Then, it was him. There was no mistaking Wesley's voice, but as he would put her down, she wanted to reach out to him. No, no, she needed to fight with him. But every bone, every muscle refused to go along with her commands.

[i][color=fdc68a]Why?[/color][/i]

Grant would gladly step forward as he would reload his gun, holding it at the ready as he would join Wesley and Savayna. "[b][color=92278f]Indeed. I don't take kindly to those who would harm those dear to me, so don't take it personally, alright?[/color][/b]"

Nadeline watched him, struggling to stay awake, though she would look to the thundering clouds above them. They seemed rather shaken since her spells had hit them, but there was something just a little off about them. Still, her eyes would widen as she would watch a figure descend from them, blade pointing straight down. She would attempt to yell out a word of caution as her entire body would suddenly wake up, but it would seem her allies were not the target. No, the blade would instead pierce through Ultima, surprising everyone in the area. The blade would explode in a familiar, brilliant light, and the Esper would be caught in an exploson. Said explosion would nearly knock anyone off their feet, though when Grant lowered his arms, his eyes widened.

Ultima's eyes would narrow. "[b]So...you have come...[/b]" She spoke quietly as she would touch the sword impaled through her chest. "[b]Yet you were not the one meant for me...[/b]" Her words would fade away to the wind as she would dissolve into Mist, revealing the blue haired woman behind her. She would take her sword in her hand, her left hand glowing with Ultima's symbol.

Grant immediately aimed his gun at the woman. Shion, of all people, had to show up now?! And to steal Ultima, no less. "[b][color=92278f]I admit, this is rather uncharacteristic of you. For some reason, I assumed you were a woman of honor rather than a petty thief who would swoop in at the last minute to grab the treasure.[/color][/b]" He shook his head, though Nadeline would feel herself finally free of her binds, letting out a sigh of relief.

Shion would let out a small sigh, though it seemed she would agree with Grant as she would de-summon her blade, her fingers brushing her left hand. "[b][color=00aeef]Indeed.[/color][/b]" She said as she would approach the group very slowly. "[b][color=00aeef]You have done well, this much I will admit.[/color][/b]" Shion stated, amber eyes on Nadeline's blue ones as she walked. "[b][color=00aeef]Indeed, it is you, and only you who would defeat the High Seraph. Alas, things have changed, and I must adjust accordingly. However...[/color][/b]" 

Before any of the trio could even think to react, Shion would hold her arm out, an all too familiar shadow rising from behind her. It would simply grow in size into a wall, blocking the group from the still bound Nadeline. Grant turned around, but the wall would them push them all back some distance, effectively blocking them from interfering. It was rather strange, Nadeline had no idea what Shion wanted with her. Shion's face was as puzzling as her actions were, but for some reason, Nadeline was sure that Shion wouldn't hurt her for some reason.

Shion would get down on one knee, lightly brushing a stray hair off of Nadeline's cheek. For just a split second, anyone could have mistaken it for kindness. "[b][color=00aeef]You fought valiantly. Your victory was all but assured. If only the fates weren't so cruel, surely you would have walked out of here with Ultima at your command.[/color][/b]" As she spoke, she would place her hand on Nadeline's cheek, her blue fingernails glowing dimly. Nadeline's eyes widened, as she would feel a rather odd sensation from Shion's touch. She couldn't describe it, but it almost felt like she was taking something from her. No, that wasn't entirely correct, either.

Shion would then stand as her shadow wall would effectively disappear, taking a look at Savayna, then Wesley, and finally resting her eyes on Grant. "[b][color=00aeef]I would highly recommend you regroup with the other prince and the Scion of Time. Lola has released the Midlight Shard's power upon Stigma, resulting in many casualties.[/color][/b]" She would shake her head, as if pitying the results. "[b][color=00aeef]How things have changed. How people change. Ivalice weeps for her children, she weeps for the destruction Zodiark inflicts. Even know he grows stronger...ever stronger now that there are no more Espers bound to Ivalice herself.[/color][/b]"

What?! Nadeline let out a gasp of horror. Lola truly was mad, wasn't she? But to think she would do such a thing! Grant would lower his head, though he would raise it. "[b][color=92278f]Then what is your business with Nadeline? Why would you steal Ultima if it was she who was destined to bear her holy power?[/color][/b]" He asked.

She would turn her gaze to the clouds above them. "[b][color=00aeef]It has been some time since I have seen such raw power in magicks. Indeed, the princess here is quite gifted. Were she only to have the echoes of battles past, she would have bested Ultima. I thought to use that power for my own benefit. With my experience, I will be putting her magicks to good use.[/color][/b]" She would then extend her hand to Nadeline, a bright, green light appearing above her. She recognized the spell instantly--it was a Curaja. Not only that, but her wounds would heal themselves up rather quickly all things considered. Shion looked at her own hand.

"[b][color=fdc68a]You...stole my magicks?[/color][/b]" Nadeline asked as she would manage to get up

"[b][color=00aeef]No. I merely copied them.[/color][/b]" Shion replied, snapping her fingers. A bolt of lightning would strike down from the clouds, scorching the area it landed on.