[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/zD9MQZN.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/11gAoSU.png[/img][hr][/center]

Ella’s first reaction upon waking up was to search for Lisa and Saskia… they weren’t in the bed with her. But this wasn’t the bed she’d fallen asleep in. It was [i]her[/i] bed in her old room, with a massive sailor moon cloth poster behind her and all sorts of anime merchandise on display. Had the Mother Will teleported her? 

This meant she had to push forward. Ella hopped up, forcing herself to ignore all the merchandise she’d missed, and pushed her door open.

When Ella opened the door… she saw a strange sight. Those robots plaguing her and the other “magical girls” earlier were lined up on both sides of the street. They stood in a peculiar formation, holding shields and spears, completely immobile. [i]Forming a path for her to follow[/i].

What? Ella’s eyes widened, confused, but started to walk down the path they’d made.

As Ella walked down the pathway that the robots created, strangely enough leading from Ella’s house to downtown St. Portwell, it was strangely peaceful as Ella walked through the ruined and decayed city. There were no monsters, no screaming, nothing. Just the red sky to accompany her as she went on her journey. However, approaching her from the other end was her target…

… [i]Kaida Takamura.[/i]

The Mother Will appeared, leaning over Ella’s shoulder as she whispered in her ear…

“There she is…” The Mother Will began, “... [i]Kill her.[/i]”

[color=e77fbf]"[b][i]YOU![/i][/b]"[/color] Ella stopped, slamming one hand onto her hip and dramatically pointing at Kaida Takamura. 

[color=e77fbf]"Your evil plan ends here! I won’t let you go any further! You’ll not hurt my friends."[/color]

Ella lifted one leg off the ground, magical light covering her as she spun dramatically. Her clothes transformed into a leotard and skirt, hair lengthening and gaining purple tips, and a tiara formed on her head. She dramatically posed at the end, Sailor Moon wand pointed towards Kaida Takamura and flashing a peace sign (ironically) in front of her eyes. 

[hider=Virtual Star Embryology][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92YSH9OIquQ&list=PL2PtigJZLf8EZewx5ARE4BGpBX5h2k5o9&index=20&ab_channel=Kaninin[/youtube][/hider]

[color=e77fbf]"I am the light in the darkness, and I’ll vanquish you, as is my duty as Magical Girl Aurora!"[/color]

Then, she shot a bolt of lightning at Kaida… who stood there in a defensive position. The woman didn’t so much as flinch. She reached into her hip pouch and pulled out what seemed to be the hilt of a sword. In the blink of an eye, a [url=https://i.imgur.com/epEg4Py.jpeg]majestic blue sword[/url] deployed from the hilt. The samurai held the blade with two hands, as she shouted from underneath her mask,

“... [i]Stay the hell away from me![/i]” Kaida shouted.

[color=e77fbf]"Not until you’re dead!"[/color] Ella shouted back. Rainbow light coated her legs and she jumped forward towards Kaida, bringing her leg up in a sweeping kick. Kaida raised their sword, seemingly to parry it, but mistimed it and took the kick. She rolled backwards onto her feet, and hissed from underneath her mask,

“... Fine! We’ll do it your way!”

Raindrops began pouring down on the two as Kaida took a defensive position. Holding the sword in front of her… She took a deep breath, and breathed in a particular manner.

Ella didn’t wait for her to finish whatever strange breathing she was doing, hands coming up in front of her to blast Kaida with a strong burst of freezing snow, following it with another kick. In a burst of surprising speed, Kaida dove to the side, then, in a spin, swung the sword upwards at Ella. 

Ella jumped back, narrowly avoiding getting hit. She pulled colours from the bright bracelets along her arms and into her hands, imbuing them. She twisted to the side, bringing her enhanced fist down towards Kaida. Kaida dodged the blow with a twirl before returning with a wide-arc swing of her sword. Ella pulled her arm back, blocking the sword with the bright purple at her wrist, shoving it back to try and throw Kaida off balance while punching with the other hand. Knocking Kaida onto her back, she quickly hopped back onto her feet with a flip - she took a step back, until she stopped when she hit one of those robots.

The rain intensified as Kaida took a defensive position.

“... Leave me the hell alone!” Kaida shouted. “I don’t have time for this!”

[color=e77fbf]"I don’t either, so just die!"[/color] Ella shouted back, launching herself at Kaida with a strong high kick. [color=e77fbf]"I’m not going to let you cause [i]this[/i]."[/color] 

Kaida disappeared in a burst of speed; the only thing that signaled that she hadn’t just teleported was the air being disturbed. In the blink of an eye, she was on the other side of the robot… however, its leg was sliced off at such an angle that it would land on Ella. Kaida stood there.

Ella jumped to the side, shoulder hitting the ground as she rolled and hopped back up. She grabbed the Ice Sceptre, pulling it out and shooting a freezing beam at Kaida’s legs. Kaida took a defensive position as it hit her in the legs… she hissed from underneath her helmet as she began twirling her sword. The raindrops danced along the tip of that blue blade, and Kaida swung it at Ella - sending a wave of rainwater at Ella.

Ella jumped to the side, the rainwater slapping her shoulder. She grunted, thrown back a bit, but shot another beam of ice at Kaida. However, Kaida spun her sword above her head and molded the rainwater to create a watery barrier that took the freezing power instead of her. 

[color=e77fbf]"That’s cheating!"[/color] Ella shouted as she threw a fireball at the frozen barrier, before running forward, attempting to get close enough to punch Kaida again. Kaida blocked the punch with her sword, and didn’t so much as flinch as fist met steel.

[i][color=#FCFCFC]“[/color][color=#FBFCFB].[/color][color=#FBFCFB].[/color][color=#FBFCFA].[/color] [color=#FBFCF9]W[/color][color=#FBFCF9]h[/color][color=#FBFCF8]o[/color] [color=#FBFCF8]t[/color][color=#FBFCF7]h[/color][color=#FBFCF7]e[/color] [color=#FBFCF6]h[/color][color=#FBFCF5]e[/color][color=#FBFCF5]l[/color][color=#FBFCF5]l[/color] [color=#FBFCF4]a[/color][color=#FBFCF3]r[/color][color=#FBFCF3]e[/color] [color=#FBFCF2]y[/color][color=#FBFCF1]o[/color][color=#FBFCF1]u[/color][color=#FBFCF1]?[/color][color=#FBFCF0]![/color] [color=#FBFCEF]A[/color][color=#FBFCEF]n[/color][color=#FBFCEE]d[/color] [color=#FBFCEE]w[/color][color=#FBFCED]h[/color][color=#FBFCED]y[/color] [color=#FBFCEC]a[/color][color=#FBFCEB]r[/color][color=#FBFCEB]e[/color] [color=#FBFCEA]y[/color][color=#FBFCEA]o[/color][color=#FBFCE9]u[/color] [color=#FBFCE8]m[/color][color=#FBFCE8]o[/color][color=#FBFCE7]c[/color][color=#FBFCE7]k[/color][color=#FBFCE7]i[/color][color=#FBFCE6]n[/color][color=#FBFCE6]g[/color] [color=#FBFCE5]m[/color][color=#FBFCE4]y[/color] [color=#FBFCE3]f[/color][color=#FBFCE3]r[/color][color=#FBFCE3]i[/color][color=#FBFCE2]e[/color][color=#FBFCE2]n[/color][color=#FBFCE1]d[/color][color=#FBFCE1]![/color][color=#FBFCE0]?[/color][color=#FBFCE0]”[/color][/i] Kaida shouted. [i][color=#FCFCFC]“[/color][color=#FBFCFA]I[/color][color=#FBFCF9]s[/color] [color=#FBFCF7]t[/color][color=#FBFCF6]h[/color][color=#FBFCF4]i[/color][color=#FBFCF3]s[/color] [color=#FBFCF1]f[/color][color=#FBFCF0]u[/color][color=#FBFCEF]n[/color][color=#FBFCED]n[/color][color=#FBFCEC]y[/color] [color=#FBFCEA]t[/color][color=#FBFCE9]o[/color] [color=#FBFCE6]y[/color][color=#FBFCE5]o[/color][color=#FBFCE4]u[/color][color=#FBFCE3],[/color] [color=#FBFCE0]M[/color][color=#FBFCDF]o[/color][color=#FBFCDE]t[/color][color=#FBFCDD]h[/color][color=#FBFCDC]e[/color][color=#FBFCDB]r[/color] [color=#FBFCD8]W[/color][color=#FBFCD7]i[/color][color=#FAFCD6]l[/color][color=#FAFCD5]l[/color][color=#FAFCD3]?[/color] [color=#FAFCD1]I[/color][color=#FAFCD0]s[/color] [color=#FAFCCE]t[/color][color=#FAFCCC]h[/color][color=#FAFCCB]i[/color][color=#FAFCCA]s[/color] [color=#FAFCC8]h[/color][color=#FAFCC7]o[/color][color=#FAFCC5]w[/color] [color=#FAFCC3]y[/color][color=#FAFCC2]o[/color][color=#FAFCC1]u[/color] [color=#FAFCBE]g[/color][color=#FAFCBD]e[/color][color=#FAFCBC]t[/color] [color=#FAFCBA]o[/color][color=#FAFCB8]f[/color][color=#FAFCB7]f[/color][color=#FAFCB6]?[/color][color=#FAFCB5]![/color][color=#FAFCB4]”[/color][/i]

The Mother Will watched from the rooftops.

Kaida laughed.

[i][color=#FCFCFC]“[/color][color=#FBFCFA]I[/color][color=#FBFCF8]s[/color] [color=#FBFCF5]t[/color][color=#FBFCF3]h[/color][color=#FBFCF1]i[/color][color=#FBFCEF]s[/color] [color=#FBFCEC]f[/color][color=#FBFCEA]u[/color][color=#FBFCE8]n[/color][color=#FBFCE7]n[/color][color=#FBFCE5]y[/color] [color=#FBFCE1]t[/color][color=#FAFCE0]o[/color] [color=#FAFCDC]y[/color][color=#FAFCDA]o[/color][color=#FAFCD9]u[/color][color=#FAFCD7],[/color] [color=#FAFCD3]M[/color][color=#FAFCD2]o[/color][color=#FAFCD0]t[/color][color=#FAFCCE]h[/color][color=#FAFCCC]e[/color][color=#FAFCCB]r[/color] [color=#FAFCC7]W[/color][color=#FAFCC5]i[/color][color=#F9FCC4]l[/color][color=#F9FCC2]l[/color][color=#F9FCC0]?[/color] [color=#F9FCBD]I[/color][color=#F9FCBB]s[/color] [color=#F9FCB8]t[/color][color=#F9FCB6]h[/color][color=#F9FCB4]i[/color][color=#F9FCB2]s[/color] [color=#F9FCAF]h[/color][color=#F9FCAD]o[/color][color=#F9FCAB]w[/color] [color=#F8FCA8]y[/color][color=#F8FCA6]o[/color][color=#F8FCA4]u[/color] [color=#F8FCA1]g[/color][color=#F8FC9F]e[/color][color=#F8FC9D]t[/color] [color=#F8FC9A]o[/color][color=#F8FC98]f[/color][color=#F8FC96]f[/color][color=#F8FC95]?[/color][color=#F8FC93]![/color][color=#F8FC91]”[/color][/i]

[color=e77fbf]"I’m not mocking anyone!"[/color] Ella was confused, but even confused, she brought her knee up and under the sword blocking her fist. [color=e77fbf]"I’m Elle Rene Brooks- better known as Magical Girl Aurora! I’m here to stop all your evil plans!"[/color]

The other attack only slid Kaida back, as she said… in a somber tone.

[i][color=#FCFCFC]“[/color][color=#FBFCF1].[/color][color=#FAFCE7].[/color][color=#FAFCDD].[/color]  [color=#F8FCBE]B[/color][color=#F7FCB4]u[/color][color=#F6FCA9]l[/color][color=#F6FC9F]l[/color][color=#F5FC95]s[/color][color=#F4FC8B]h[/color][color=#F4FC80]i[/color][color=#F3FC76]t[/color][color=#F2FC6C]”[/color][/i] Kaida shouted; Kaida came from the side and swung the sword at Ella’s torso. [i][color=#FCFCFC]“[/color][color=#FCFAEF].[/color][color=#FCF9E2].[/color][color=#FCF7D5].[/color] [color=#FCF4BB]S[/color][color=#FCF3AE]h[/color][color=#FCF2A1]e[/color][color=#FCF094]’[/color][color=#FCEF87]s[/color] [color=#FCEC6D]d[/color][color=#FCEB60]e[/color][color=#FCE953]a[/color][color=#FCE846]d[/color][color=#FCE639]![/color][color=#FCE52C]”[/color][/i]

[color=e77fbf]"I was but then I came back- wait, how do you know I was dead?!"[/color] Ella paused, arms coming up in front of her to block the sword. It hurt like hell, but it was better than taking it torso! [color=e77fbf]"Only Sycamore members know that!"[/color]

Kaida took a step back, and the helmet she was wearing retracted, unfolding plate by plate as it reached the back of her head.

[i]Revealing she was [color=fce420]Yoko Hatanaka[/color].[/i]
[h3][color=e77fbf]"[b][i]BY SAILOR MOON- YOKO?![/i][/b]"[/color][/h3]
Ella shouted, dropping her arms. But… that didn’t make sense. Why would she want to free the Stygian Snake? Or had… The Mother Will lied? That would make more sense. Unless this wasn’t actually Yoko. This was too much.

[color=e77fbf]"What are you doing here?! You didn’t die too, did you?"[/color]

[color=fce420]”... I should be asking you the first question,”[/color] Yoko said with a roll of her eyes. [color=fce420]”But, no, I didn’t die here.”[/color]

[color=e77fbf]"Oh thank Sailor Moon,"[/color] Ella wiped a bit of sweat from her brow… before tilting her head. [color=e77fbf]"... you’re not planning to kill Lisa and Saskia, are you?! Because I’ll still have to kill you if you are!"[/color]

[color=fce420]”I have no intention- wait, did the Mother Will tell you that?”[/color] Yoko asked in a hushed tone. [color=fce420]”Ella, do not listen to the Mother Will. She is a liar and a manipulator.”[/color]

Ella nodded. That… made sense. The Mother Will had said a bunch of stuff about this being their home, which was clearly wrong, because there was no anime here. [color=e77fbf]"I didn’t know it was [i]you[/i]. She said your name was Kaida something- wait, shit, Saskia and Lisa are going to be so worried!"[/color]

The rain halted. The sword Yoko wielded retracted into its hilt as Yoko put it into her hip pouch. She pulled out another blade that glowed brightly with a blue light.

[color=fce420]”... We need to worry about ourselves!”[/color] Yoko began, [color=fce420]”We’re surrounded by Autoknights!”[/color]

[color=e77fbf]"Oh yeah, the Robots!"[/color] Ella looked around herself, eyes widening at the sheer amount of them. Whoops, maybe she shouldn’t have asked the Mother Will to take her here! 

Wielding the Ice Scepter, she shot a freezing beam around her at the Autoknights’ legs. The sword Yoko wielded extended, and she swung it at them. This slash caused them to rust, erode, and fall to pieces. However, there were still [i]dozens[/i] of them, and they raised their shields as they turned towards Ella and Yoko… quickly forming a circle around them as they had their spears ready. 

They slowly moved inwards.

[color=e77fbf]"How do we kill them?!"[/color] Ella asked Yoko… because she clearly had something that worked! But Ella didn’t. She resorted to kicking them as hard as she could, hoping to make a dent in their shields. 

Yoko was silent for a moment.

[b][i][color=#FCE420]"[/color][color=#FBE024].[/color][color=#FADD29].[/color][color=#FADA2E].[/color] [color=#F8D438]W[/color][color=#F8D13D]i[/color][color=#F7CD42]t[/color][color=#F6CA47]h[/color] [color=#F5C451]R[/color][color=#F4C156]a[/color][color=#F4BE5B]d[/color][color=#F3BA60]i[/color][color=#F2B765]a[/color][color=#F2B46A]n[/color][color=#F1B16F]t[/color] [color=#F0AB79]A[/color][color=#EFA87E]n[/color][color=#EEA483]n[/color][color=#EEA188]i[/color][color=#ED9E8D]h[/color][color=#EC9B92]i[/color][color=#EC9897]l[/color][color=#EB959C]a[/color][color=#EA91A1]t[/color][color=#EA8EA6]i[/color][color=#E98BAB]o[/color][color=#E888B0]n[/color][color=#E885B5].[/color][color=#E782BA]"[/color][/i][/b]

[color=e77fbf]"... What’s that one again?!”[/color] Ella asked, racking her brain for… whatever that was. Something they did together - but she didn’t really remember what she could do with people outside of the other magical girls! [color=e77fbf]"The light explosion?!"[/color]

Yoko facepalmed.

[color=fce420]”They’re getting close!”[/color] Yoko shouted. [color=fce420]”[i]... You better start remembering![/i]”[/color]

The glowing sword Yoko held retracted until it was just a hilt, and Yoko slid it into her hip pouch before putting her hands together. She created a glowing sphere of yellow light in her hands… Ella took a deep breath, and put her hands over Yoko. She channeled as much energy as she could into the sphere, adding a shifting rainbow of colours among the yellow as it got brighter and brighter. Her face scrunched up with exertion as they reached the final phase, and she used a last bit of strength to help launch the sphere upwards. Yoko inhaled sharply.

They pushed it into the air.

It floated up into the air as it grew larger and larger and expanded… pushing outwards into a powerful blast of unprecedented power and force, and it consumed all of the Autoknights. As the name implies, the blast annihilated the surrounding area, including Autoknights. The blast was incredibly bright and could be seen from all over the surrounding area… and then faded.

The Autoknights were all destroyed.

Yoko sighed, falling onto her back.

[color=fce420]”... A hell of a reunion, huh?”[/color] Yoko asked. 

[color=e77fbf]"Yeah… Sorry I tried to kill you!"[/color] Ella said, grinning brightly at Yoko as she also collapsed to the ground. She was exhausted! [color=e77fbf]"And I thought a reunion in jail was intense!"[/color]

[color=fce420]”It wasn’t your fault,”[/color] Yoko said. [color=fce420]”The Mother Will tricked you…”[/color]

Yoko sighed.

[color=fce420]”... We need to get up, and get out of here. There is no a blast that intense would have gone unnoticed.”[/color]

[color=e77fbf]"Ugh, this place sucks!"[/color] Ella groaned, pushing herself back up to her feet. She looked around, trying to figure out where she’d been before… but she’d been teleported, there was no way to know. [color=e77fbf]"We also need to find Lisa and Saskia! I bet they’re super worried…"[/color]

Yoko also climbed to her feet, dug into her hip pouch, and pulled out that peculiar katana… she looked at it, which glowed a faint blue color. However, it steadily grew brighter and brighter….

[color=fce420]”Hold on…”[/color] Yoko closed her eyes and held ultimately still for a few moments. However, she pointed in a seemingly random direction, saying, [color=fce420]”... A unit of Autoknights are coming from that direction.”[/color]

Then pointed in another random direction.

[color=fce420]”... And some beast is approaching from that one.”[/color]

Yoko turned towards Ella as she pointed in the opposite direction of those two. [color=fce420]”... You want to find your friends, but right now, we need to worry about ourselves and get out of here.”[/color]

Then she quietly sighed.

[color=fce420]”... Then we can figure out why you’re back. Here of all places.”[/color]

Ella nodded, putting the Ice Scepter back in its holster before beginning to walk in the direction Yoko had pointed. [color=e77fbf]"Oh, I already know why I’m back! Well, why I’m here! We gotta find the All-Blade for the Hound!"[/color]

[color=fce420]”But-”[/color] Yoko stopped herself, before she continued. 

[color=fce420]”[i]... Let’s just get out of here![/i]”[/color]

Yoko took off into a sprint with Ella behind her.