>"Warn me next time, please."
>"I don't tend to announce my tactics in front of those I plan to employ them against. However, I'll keep that in mind."
>If we feel it necessary, could we expand it at a later date, once we've recovered?
>Uncertain at this point. It could be relatively simple to extend the bubble later, like adding an extension onto a house. On the other hand, the demon's jail could prove immutable, and you'd have to build it another one, assuming it could even be moved. It's unclear at this point; you'll know for certain when the deed is done.
>Let's try for something park-like, between the three of us. Of about middlin' size in regards to what we feel we can pull off.
>Perhaps of the perpetual spring variety.
>"Very well, then. Let us begin."
>Go ahead and make it.
>Lily and Chrysanthemum both give you a nod, the latter asking you as she pulls herself back fully upright, "So how, exactly, do we go about combining our powers for this... seal?"
>Lily suggests, "Maybe, if we held hands, for a start?" Kiku gives her a questioning look, but does not object. The pair of magical girls walk over to stand next to you, Chrysanthemum on your right, Lily on your left. Lily takes your hand in hers with little provocation. Chrysanthe, however, pauses, facing the demon again.
>"If you are in contact with these other five Champions, tell them what has happened here, devil. Tell them how we took your best shots and bested you. Tell them of Lotus, of Lily, of Chrysanthemum. That we will not be broken, and will never be defeated."
>Despite the fact that the demon's mouth has been clamped shut by an inch-thick tendrill of iron, its sibilant voice rings out through the room,
"Time will tell, Terran. Time will tell...>Having said her peace to the winged serpent bound in iron before her, Chrysanthemum steps back and takes her hand in yours. You can feel the tension in her grip right away, so unlike Lily's soft, gentle grasp. You know Kiku's still afraid, but she is bound and determined to see this through. She takes a steadying breath, and Lily gives her that same gentle smile. "Together." she says simply.
>Taking the lead, you form in your mind the town Memorial Park. Not the whole of it, but enough to give the demon room to move about in. You start with the moderate sized pond in the middle, which offers boat rentals to folks- mostly couples- and work your way out from there, taking note to set the setting in spring, with the cherry trees in bloom, blankets spread out beneath them for people to watch them as they fall, as you yourself have done before.
>With this image set firmly in your mind, you then wrap the scene in a bubble, like a great snowglobe with cherry blossoms flying within. This shall be the resting place of the demon, a lakeside park in spring, until such time as Kiku the shrine maiden forgives its transgressions against her, and until such time as it no longer desires to bring harm to anyone on your world. With these thoughts, you place the demon's serpentine form within the globe.
>Cuing your friends with a nod, they both close their eyes and concentrate, Lily leaning in closer to you as she does so. You're not entirely certain how they're doing it, but you can feel their Light flowing from their bodies, through the connection they both share with you, and your power swells in response. Lily's Light is a vivid and bright lavender color, full of laughter and sunbeams, of smiling faces and close friends. It feels like a warm hug to your soul. Kiku's light is a brilliant gold, yet a trembling luminescence, the feeling of hiding under your bed. A light that can make a soul break down and tremble, but can be overcome, the strongest motivator, a source of fierce determination. The girls' bodies give off the same light as well, surrounded by auras of violet and gold.
>Lily's Love and Kiku's Fear both show you the girls' exhaustion, as well. Lily has very little left to offer, but what she has, she gives freely, having absolute faith in you. Chrysanthemum is not as fatigued, but does not share Lily's faith that this prison is the right solution. But you can sense that she WANTS to believe. You pulled her from the pit of despair the demon had sunk her in. She doesn't know if you're right in doing this, but she does know that you deserve her help, as much as she can give, and she gives it.
>It is enough. A circle of light rings the demon's iron cage, growing upwards into a large sphere, encapsulating the winged serpent within it, as you focus all the power you possess, all the power your fellow Heroes have given, upon that sphere, willing the extra-dimensional prison in your mind's eye to be real, sensing Lily and Kiku willing the same thing. As one, the three of you intone, "Magical Rainbow Oubliette!", and the energy built within you rushes out as though a dam had burst. The bubble of power grows opaque, filled in by swirls of white, yellow and purple light. Three seconds later, the bubble swells, shrinks, and fades from your view, unhinging itself slightly from reality as you know it, and taking the Champion of Water with it.
>When the bubble completely fades from sight, although the iron vines Kiku created remain, the demon is gone, imprisoned securely beyond the walls of your world and its own. At least, for now.
>Lily slumps slightly, leaning on your shoulder. You feel like doing likewise. Chrysanthemum simply mutters, "It actually worked."
