Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 3, Part 3

[DracoOmega]

>Are we properly concealed from sight now?
>There isn't anyone actually in the greenhouse, is there?

[Oldmansour]

>Are we properly concealed from sight now?
>There isn't anyone actually in the greenhouse, is there?

>You are, at least from Kaguya.
>Not as far as you can tell, but the windows are somewhat opaque. You'd be surprised if there was, though; Meiling is about the only one who you'd ever find in one of these greenhouses at this time of the morning, and when last you saw her, Yuugi had her pretty tied up.

[DracoOmega]

>Take a peer through the window and look inside quickly, anyway

[Oldmansour]

>Take a peer through the window and look inside quickly, anyway

>You glance through the window. You see what appear to be tomato plants, and some peppers of some kind, but no humanoids.

[DracoOmega]

>Take another quick glance around, then give Lily a nod
>Okay, let's go
>Transformation sequence activate! (Though don't be any longer or showier than we have to)

[Oldmansour]

>Take another quick glance around, then give Lily a nod
>Okay, let's go
>Transformation sequence activate! (Though don't be any longer or showier than we have to)

>Another scan of the surroundings reveals only Lily within visual range, barring someone looking down through the windows in the back of the school. But there shouldn't be anyone there, either.
>With a nod from Lily, the two of you thrust your hands into the air (which are still fully concealed behind the dark glass of the hothouse) and say in unison,
>"Lotus Purity Ascention."
>"Lily Purity Ascention!"
>And when the light fades, Magical Lotus and Magical Lily stand ready to save the day.

[DracoOmega]

>Cast our senses out towards the school. How much better a gauge can we get of the dark aura there, and its specific location?

[Oldmansour]

>Cast our senses out towards the school. How much better a gauge can we get of the dark aura there, and its specific location?

>Now armed with much sharper senses, you scan the school. The repulsive blot of dark energy appears to be located in the western part of the school, on the third floor. In fact, you think it is in the hallway outside your homeroom class. And it appears to be moving.
>"Come out here." Kaguya's voice calls in your direction.

[DracoOmega]

>Rin, the dark aura is coming from the third floor, near our homeroom. I think it is moving. If you can slip inside and investigate, do so, but be cautious. Houraisan-sensei has accosted us, but I hope not to be long before we can join you.

>Lily, stay here a moment.
>Step calmly out from the side of the greenhouse

[Oldmansour]

>Rin, the dark aura is coming from the third floor, near our homeroom. I think it is moving. If you can slip inside and investigate, do so, but be cautious. Houraisan-sensei has accosted us, but I hope not to be long before we can join you.

>Lily, stay here a moment.
>Step calmly out from the side of the greenhouse

>Kaguya-sensei? What's she doin'- Never mind, I'll ask later.

>Lily gulps and nods as you step out into the open, to find a surprise waiting for you. Kaguya is standing about 15 feet away from you and is heading your way, but a red mask now covers the upper part of her face. The sort of mask one might wear at a masquerade, red velvet bordered with white lace, small black gemstones embedded at the tips. The stone bowl in her hand is glowing pale white again.
>"Both of you." she says firmly. "I've little time for games."
>Uh oh. Lily muses. Byakuren?

[DracoOmega]

>Come out, too, Lily
>"Nor do we. In fact, I assume our goals here are the same - Kamishirasawa-sensei and the dark force afflicting her must be stopped before any further harm can come to her or anyone else."

[Oldmansour]

>Come out, too, Lily
>"Nor do we. In fact, I assume our goals here are the same - Kamishirasawa-sensei and the dark force afflicting her must be stopped before any further harm can come to her or anyone else."

>With some reluctance, Lily joins you out in the open.
>Kaguya's lips twitch with some surprise, but she recovers her composure quickly. "You know that this is beyond a case of lycanthropy gone mad, don't you."

[DracoOmega]

>"Yes, there is another presence here - something far darker than that."

[Oldmansour]

>"Yes, there is another presence here - something far darker than that."

>"And you think the two of you are capable of fighting it?"
>"We sure do." Lily says enthusiastically. "And even if we didn't, we'd still try to help Keine-sensei, and everyone else in there."

[DracoOmega]

>Nod gravely
>"We do. And yes, no matter what, we must try."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod gravely
>"We do. And yes, no matter what, we must try."

>The masked woman's face remains still for a moment, then the hint of a grin appears in the corner of her mouth. "Good. I can work with that."

[DracoOmega]

>"What do you intend?"

[Oldmansour]

>"What do you intend?"

>Kaguya hides the glowing bowl within her thick red robe and holds up her other hand, showing you the ring on her middle finger. It's a greenstone band, and it is set with not a gemstone but what looks like a shell. A cowrie shell, you believe it's called, colored with alternating brown and milky red stripes. The shell gleams with a harsh green light. "I intend to turn Keine back to normal." she states simply. "Permanently."

[DracoOmega]

>"You mean to remove her lycanthropy in the process? You have this capability?"

[Oldmansour]

>"You mean to remove her lycanthropy in the process? You have this capability?"

>"And I intend to do to before that flaming turkey gets here." she says fiercely. "She knew it could come to this just as much as I did, and I'll not let her stop me now that it's come to this."
>You think whatever power she might have'll work on demon power? Lily asks you quietly.

[DracoOmega]

>Do we know who she might mean by 'flaming turkey'?
>I have no idea.
>"Could Kamishirasawa-sensei be harmed in the process?"

[Oldmansour]

>Do we know who she might mean by 'flaming turkey'?
>I have no idea.
>"Could Kamishirasawa-sensei be harmed in the process?"

>More often than not, when she refers to someone in derogatory terms like that, she means Mokou-sensei. Although 'flaming turkey' would be a new one to you.
>Kiku's magic didn't hurt Water very much. Lily muses.
>Kaguya hesitates. "I don't know." she admits, lowering her ringed hand. "Normally there would be no chance of that, but this malign force is unknown to me. I don't know how it will affect the shell's power. But I know that Keine is hurting right now. That's what matters most. And this shell is my best chance to save her."
>"And what about you?" she demands. "What effect does your power have?"

[DracoOmega]

>"I can purify darkness and corruption, and erase the taint of demonic hate and malice from that which it has touched."

[Oldmansour]

>"I can purify darkness and corruption, and erase the taint of demonic hate and malice from that which it has touched."

>"That was really pretty." Lily says, smiling at your rather poetic choice of words.
>Kaguya, however, seems less outwardly impressed. "Elegant words and a brave spirit. But has your power been tested on another?"

[DracoOmega]

>"It has. On youma and humans, both; neither of their original beings were harmed by it. I assure you, Keine's safety is as much an imperative to me as those of the others still within the school."

[Oldmansour]

>"It has. On youma and humans, both; neither of their original beings were harmed by it. I assure you, Keine's safety is as much an imperative to me as those of the others still within the school."

>Kaguya's mouth drops suddenly at the mention of the word 'youma', and though her eyes are veiled by a thin screen of white velvet, you swear you see them widen. "Youma..." she breathes.
>"How do you know that word?" Lily asks, her wings spreading wide.
>The masked teacher draws in a long, measured breath. "Black energy... I should have known." Her hands roll into fists for several seconds before they relax. "I think you girls and I should speak on that. After Keine is safe."

[DracoOmega]

>"Indeed. Shall we go?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Indeed. Shall we go?"

>"How shall I address you both?"

[DracoOmega]

>"You may call me Lotus."

[Oldmansour]

>"You may call me Lotus."

>"And I'm Lily!" the winged blonde says with a smile.
>"And I..." Kaguya starts, then pauses. "You knew that it was Keine involved in this. Am I to assume you already know who I am as well?"