Wait, what the? Where did I? When did? 

Did I... did I actually do it? Is this what I was trying to do? Ohmygosh! Oh my [i]goshies![/i] 

My footsteps feel heavier than I'm expecting as I run across the unyielding and shiny black surface of what I guess must be a road. I mean, it looks a lot like the old roads the cars tend to stick to but just... fancier. And a whole lot more all over the place to boot. I figure it has to be for tires and robots and stuff, 'cause it's got no spring to it at all. When I hit it flat it ring through my soles all the way up to my hips, but now that I'm moving it's hard to make myself stop. My lungs burn. My legs ache. I feel... free.

Plus, I know an evil lair when I see one. I can't say I'd ever wanna live in a place like this. The trees all look sad and samey, and the lights kinda hurt my eyes. Not a blade of grass or flower anywhere I can see, and there's not even the far off screech of a hawk the grinding of gears or the thrum of the music that's dumpin' everywhere heavier than rain. But still. But still. It's got colors I've never seen before, shiny screens everywhere I look and buildings, buildings, buildings taller than mountains. 

I run past a run-down looking stand in the middle of the park that's painted with faded and cracked red and white stripes. It smells overwhelmingly like old spun sugar and caramel, and when I turn my head I think I even spot a row of cream-stuffed cakes. Yeah. Can't say I hate this place, either. 

Machines, shaped like people, shaped like weapons, shaped like dogs, and shaped like long-ago forgotten dreams come shambling towards me in a wave that reminds me a bit of a stormcloud. I feel myself turn on my heels and skid to a halt, suckin' in air and squeezin' my sword tight in my hand while I take a second to ready myself before I've gotta meet 'em. I see swords and shields and batons, things that look like guns and tubes and cannons or rocket launchers or whatever all that kinda stuff is. I see sharpened metal fangs and broken arms with wires danglin' down and sparkin' all over the place that are jagged and sharp enough to pass for a knife. I feel my heart poundin' in my chest, and my tongue lick across my dry lips. I draw my sword across the air in front of me in a slow circle pattern, and force myself to breathe slower. I'm not tired. I can't be tired. I'm not gonna make it if I'm tired.

I knew it. I knew it! I knew there was so much more to see and do than I could find inside just one adventure. Suddenly I feel about ten times lighter. I dunno how I got here but (pardon my language) darn it I'm not gonna waste this chance. I can do it. I can grow. I can be the hero, all by myself, in a place where for once I can't afford to lose. 

All of a sudden, I see the city, erm, park? Uh... park-city come to life in a very different way. Monitors flicker 'n flare bright white one by one by one and then all at once they quit their animation loops and advertisements to focus on a video feed of a single subject. Which is, uh, me. Or at least, it's gotta be me 'cause there's nobody else here for it to be. 

But I don't look a thing like myself. I can't help but stop and stare. No wonder runnin' felt so heavy. My feet are wrapped in heavy, black lacquered boots with thick treads and angry laces and a whole mess of buckles that wind more than halfway up my calves. Silver chains dangle from the tops and click into loops just above the heels. It's hard to tell what color the pants are with all these weird lights and the unhealthy yellow tint the air's got, but I think they're supposed to be white? And anyway they're thicker and tougher than anythin' I've ever worn before, and made of pockets besides. Black kneepads and a series of belts keep 'em cinched tight around my legs, with extra pouches for holdin' knives and... are those bullet clips or whatever they're called? The belt around my waist has even more of both.

I blink. This can't [i]really[/i] be me, can it? But when I move my hand to touch my exposed belly, I see it move on the screens too. And sure enough, I touch skin. The tight, snakeskin patterned top is cropped up by my ribs, and everythin' from there down to the belt's just exposed. It's... I'm not exactly showin' muscles or anythin', but I also don't look as soft as I remember. Then again, I guess I've been doin' a lot of extra workin' out I didn't used to. It makes me smile, which surprises me 'cause I was sure I was gonna blush. The jacket I've got on top of it is ash gray with heavy black shoulders. I shift, and I can feel something like armor plates sliding around inside it. I guess in spite of everything this is a war outfit. 

I recognize the sword in my hand. After all, it's mine. The same one I've been tryin' to be worthy of ever since I saw that shrine. But I don't know a thing about the others I've got on me. That's right, others. More than one others. There's a super thin and delicate one on my left hip with a fancy, twirly handguard that I kinda like a lot. There's a katana, like legit a katana, tied to my belt sitting crossed above the first one. I've got a dagger on my right hip and I think the handle's made of... yup, that's yew. And on my back a silly-big uh... I don't even know, would you call this a broadsword? It's huge, basically me-sized and too wide for a sheathe, how did I miss this while I was runnin'? How'd I miss any of these? I guess sometimes you just get absorbed in the motion or somethin', maybe it's supposed to all feel normal.

Even my hair's weird. And by weird I mean... cool? Somebody tied it into, like, a dozen braids and then pulled [i]those[/i] up into a ponytail, so for once instead of frizzin' and floofin' every which way it's all out of my way and makes me look wild and kinda city-wise elegant at the same time. And I say somebody, 'cause it definitely wasn't me. I don't know how to tie the first one of these, let alone pull all these up together in anythin' like a proper hairstyle. Wowies. And lookin', I realize there's a pair of goggles danglin' around my neck like jewelry. I take a second to tug 'em up over my eyes, and suddenly the light around here's a lot less glarey. So that's nice.

...You're probably thinking it's weird of me to take so much time starin' at myself, aren't you? Aren't I in a fight? Well, I mean. Uh. Puttin' it bluntly, yeah. But, I just. I dunno. I've never, like, seen myself like this, y'know? My whole life I just threw on whatever wasn't completely trashed, and if it looked nice that's only 'cause Sis picked it out. And then I got that dress from the swordswoman's shrine and it was like, oh ok, guess this is my one special thing, y'know? So just, like, steppin' into the follow through on that cut I did and realizin' I'm suddenly done up like some kinda... uh, yeah, anime hero and I, like, I dunno yeah. I'm a little out of time for it, but I had to stop and stare. Hope you don't mind it too much. 

There's a missile screamin' toward my face. Honest to goodness, a missile! Or, uh, maybe this only qualifies as a, y'know what I don't got time for this, it's gonna explode me, gosh gosh gosheeeeep! But somehow my body knows what to do. I've had so many great teachers at this point I guess I can't help but know. Anybody'd do the same if they were as lucky as I've been. I feel my feet plant wide apart, so I can take a big step full've hip and back power. I toss my precious sword above my head and reach with both hands for the monster blade on my back. Step slash swish! The missile splits in half and I guess 'cause I did it right neither half explodes until it hits the ground on either side behind me. I follow through the weight of the swing, rolling over my shoulder, and return the sword to my back as I pop up. I barely even bobble my real sword when I go to catch it. Wow, I just... I really did that, huh? I've got a lot've hugs and presents to give out when I get home. Also I have to buy the presents. Here's hopin' I'm secretly rich. Hahaha, can you imagine? 

There's no time for thoughts; the front of the army's already on me! The thin sword comes out and stabs like a snake, pah pah pah! Into the faceplates of several machines, and they each topple as I slide it back out. I flick it clean and cut another one in half with my favorite sword. The dagger comes out in time to block a sword strike, and I run up on the shoulders of several lungin' fighters to flip up in the air and cut a crescent moon's worth of 'em down with a draw-slash from the katana. And from there it's a dance. I can feel the rhythm just poundin' in my bones, so I follow it like a... no, not like a good girl. Like a sneak. Like Hyra would. But still, I do follow it. We're a mess of motion, this army 'n me, flippin' and twirlin' and clashin' till there's a pile of 'em at my feet and my legs're startin' to wobble, but here comes another wave!

Somethin' comes straight at my head from up above, and it's only dumb luck that gets my sword arm in the way in time. Truth be told I was panic-flailin' cause I heard a noise that sounded like a... never mind. But we crash down on the ground together and I realize that I'm not dead, and also that this robot had a jetpack. Which, uh, if I'm doin' my math right, means [i]I've[/i] got a jetpack now. A cut's as good as strippin' it clean, and then twirl click pose don't-ask-me-how-this-works-cause-Iono it locks onto my jacket and now I'm gonna get to fly! I mean, I guess I could already, but this is way faster and I can save up my own energy for the fights ahead of me. Plus, it's cool. It's so cool, y'know?

I can't keep from grinning ear to ear. I feel invincible. I feel proud. I feel like I'm being lifted up on the shoulders of all the incredible women who offered me their hands. But, like, for once instead of coasting on their talent, I feel like I'm doing 'em proud. I wish they could see me. I guess I'll have to tell the story later. Heeee, wonder if anyone'll believe me? Prolly not. But just in case, I should say something cool here. A hero would, uh... oh yeah! Introduce herself and [i]really[/i] leave an impression. I flourish my sword and hold it straight in front of me. My lips curl into a confident smirk and I use my free hand to slick back my bangs. And then. And then!

"My name is Yue, of the Terraced Lake! And I've come to kick butts and chew bubblegum! And I'm all out of butts! So I, um, need to borrow... yours?"

Oh, for... darn it! Darn it! I wince so hard I can feel my stomach turn inside out and upside down at the same time. Guess I'm just dumb ol' me no matter what fancy tricks I learn, or how I dress myself up. But maybe it's ok? I mean, no one's laughin' at least. Or I can't hear it if they are. Maybe I, I dunno. Maybe it's ok to be me. I can juggle bein' cool and bein' Yue at the same time, right? Least a little? Hokay! Just you wait Hyra, when I get back to that picnic I'm comin' there a hero!

Bring! It! On!!