[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/z6cC6JC.png[/img][/center]

A lot happened in a short span of time.

Mika burst through the wall, body checking Christine across the corridor and pinning her there. Alicia wasn't sure what was going on, but it seemed that she had gotten over...whatever it was that had caused her to be so hostile in the first place. so that was good. It meant less difficulty moving forwards.

Then the psychic assault began. It hammered against her ShineSpark, causing her to grit her teeth from exertion as her own attacks fell off. Before it could overwhelm Leena raised her Null Field, cancelling all magic. That stopped the attack on her and Leena, leaving them some freedom.

Then she heard Fan-Fan's voice, the screams of pain that dwindled into whimpers and moans with the rising of the Null Field. It was joined with a cacophony over the comms, a same crescendo that dwindled away into nothingness. Until only Rachel's voice was left. A rising dread spread through her bones, promising to leap out of her throat as her grip on her weapon tightened until her knuckles were white. If it was not magically enhanced, one would wonder if she could not outright snap it in her grip. 

[color=aba000]"No. No no no, it can't,"[/color] she muttered, tears falling down her cheeks as the impact of what was happening slammed into her. [color=aba000]"T-They're gone. They're all just gone."[/color] That was no clearer than the message that filled the air, giving her a direction for her anger and the worry of attacks to come. Could they stand against whoever was left, now seeking to punish their defenseless attackers?

Then the Barrage arrived, burning and lashing and striking around the Null Field. She wasn't sure if that had taken anyone out beyond, but it had likely diminished the numbers a bit. They would have to use the time while they still had it. 

Alicia turned to look at Katarina, oblivious to the conversation Su and Helga were having about making their exit from this place. [color=aba000]"Sorry. We were too late."[/color]If only they had had more time. If only she had been faster, or could have persuaded Rachel to hold off for longer. If only, if only. 

Now there was only one thing left to do. She had to capture Eden and shut down her organization, had to make sure the sacrifices and all the death meant something. With Christine incapacitated the way was now clear, and she wasted little time in moving towards the door that had once been protected. As she did so she activated her comms. [color=aba000]"Enemy combatant apprehended in the corridor west of the stage. I need Nullification gear on her for containment and questioning."[/color] 

She only stopped to glance back over her shoulder at Leena. [color=aba000]"Come on. Someone has to pay for all of this."[/color] She might not have been able to stop it, but there was no doubt that she was going to make Eden regret being born.

Once past Alicia moved with a growing energy, slamming open doors and looking for either Eden or the one who had been obscuring the rave with that aura from the beginning. They were likely working together, so if she found one she would have a strong lead on the other. Burning thoughts filled her mind, drove her forward, left her ready. This was her fault, and she would do whatever she had to to atone for that failing.

[hr]

In a far away dimension, Ren closed the door on the world they had come from just before the Barrage swept past. He pocketed the key as his two companions went to chat, getting to know each other. He'd lost his key in a dimensional transition before and it was not fun. Having to call in a replacement because you misplaced yours was always such a hassle.

At the request for drinks Ren turned to look at the skyline, before realizing that he couldn't do that since they were still underground. "That can probably be arranged," he assured them both. The kiss was taken in stride, accepted with the gratitude that it was probably intended. Now then, he just needed to find that credit card, it was in his pockets somewhere....

The three of them walked off into the calm city night, zeppelins flying overhead. Much pizza would be eaten, drinks drank, and fun had. But that was a story for another time.

[hr]

Lillyn smiled, nodding in approval as Lea took the coin from her hand. By all consideration things were going well, and they would soon have a new sister to stand at their side. 

But it was not to be. Instead Lea ran for it, saying that she still had yet to decide. "Hey wait!" staff girl yelled before running after her. If she still needed to think about it then she wouldn't have approached them for the coin, right?

Before she could catch up Lea Shifted into the Overcity, leaving them standing there uselessly and unable to pursue,. Glances were shared as they reconvened, in varying degrees of anger and chagrin from the members of the squad. This changed into something much more embarrassed as the warning of coin thiefs was sent by Sally. 

"I think we've been had," the [url=https://i.imgur.com/f7RIR0A.jpg]third girl[/url] in their patrol noted with a groan. She had the feeling that they would be on punishment detail for a while after this.